Paula Dunn

We’ve got some new exhibits at the From Time To Thyme Virtual Museum! (Remember — this is a “virtual museum” because it’s unclear if any of the objects in it still exist, or if they do still exist, where they might be today.) Our first “relic” (that’s what they were commonly called back in the…

Michael Kobrowski, the Westfield Washington Historical Society’s archivist and collection manager, recently mentioned to me that September is International Underground Railroad Month. This is something relatively new. Maryland was the first state to officially proclaim the observance in 2019, but other states and Canada soon followed, including Indiana in 2021. September was chosen for the…

Driving through Boxley today you’d never know it was once THE town in Adams Township. The railroad changed all that. Just as Shielville began to disappear after tracks were laid to neighboring Buena Vista (Atlanta,) Boxley — or Boxleytown, as it was known in its early days —  started to decline after the railroad bypassed…

I believe we’re due for a reader column! After the columns on UFO sightings in Hamilton County ran, both Pam Ferber and my Anonymous Friend brought up the sonic booms that used to be heard in Noblesville during the 1960s when jets from Grissom Air Force base flew over the city. Believe it or not,…

Here’s a pop quiz for you — which Hamilton County town had three founders, but not all at the same time? If your answer was Atlanta, congratulations! You know your Hamilton County history! Atlanta is actually a combination of three towns: Spargerville (which sometimes appears as Spargersville,) Shielville (or Shielsville) and Buena Vista. All three…

Picking up where I left off last week . . . By the end of the 1950s, UFO sightings were beginning to wind down all over the country, but they never stopped completely. In fact, the U. S. Air Force’s investigation of UFOs, Project Blue Book, wasn’t terminated until 1969. Between 1947 and 1969, Project…

While watching an old X-Files episode recently, it suddenly hit me — “Hey, there’s a topic I haven’t covered yet — UFOs.” Hamilton County has certainly had its share of Unidentified Flying Object sightings. But, first a little general history . . . Although UFO or UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena) sightings have been around since…

If you were living in Hamilton County during the last half of the 19th century and very early 20th century, you might be getting ready to attend one of the Old Settlers’ Meetings about now. These gatherings, usually held in August, were opportunities for people get together to reminisce about the “Olden Times,” as well…

If you read this column regularly, you know I live with two feline companions who have very distinctive personalities. Peyton, the tabby, will consume almost anything edible. (I say “almost” because he does draw the line at bananas — too stinky!) By contrast, my tuxedo cat, Beau, has a very discriminating palate. If something isn’t…

This week I’m introducing yet another column spinoff — the “From Time to Thyme Virtual Circus.” Grab some peanuts and popcorn, and follow me into the virtual big top to see the Carnivorous Mouse, Killer Turtle, Daredevil Dog and Fiddling Bear! Cue the circus music! (You know the tune I mean.) Our first act appeared…