naturalist, enjoy an indoor matinee for all ages. Join in

(canoes available while supply lasts) and join the

naturalist as we look for the wildlife of Patoka. We will

meet at the Visitor Center and car caravan to Little Patoka

boat ramp for this afternoon adventure. vc

their five senses to survive in their environment. Meet at

guest at a campsite near you. Ask about the NEW

Hoosier Quest Program. Begin the adventure.

guest Steve Hall, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, about

the construction of the Patoka dam and why the reservoir

was built for flood control and drinking water. Hear tips

for water safety. vc

NEW Parks and Reservoirs Patch Program. Begin the adventure. Earn points and enjoy visiting your public properties. vc

Although we cannot recall the exact location, somewhere in the immediate Evansville area on a recent day we saw a colorful, inviting billboard promoting the still-new casino at French Lick, Ind. The sign was advertising the upcoming performances of the Beach Boys, and, we seem to recall, Huey Lewis and The News at the casino complex. Say what you will about these golden oldies, their memories still assure them and their sponsors of good crowds at places such as the French Lick casino.

It was more than a week ago that we saw that billboard, and yet we haven't been able to get our thoughts past it and the excitement it projected. That's because it reminded us of the excitement once generated in this community by our own Casino Aztar

Unfortunately, Casino Aztar is a riverboat enterprise adrift, an entertainment complex desperately in need of a new owner and a new infusion of energy and excitement.

Just how far the once thriving Evansville casino has drifted was brought home this past week by news stories in the Courier & Press.

One reported that annual income from the casino to local government continues in decline, which is no surprise. The report said the city of Evansville, which has used riverboat funds for various public capital projects over the years, has seen annual funding drop from $13.5 million in 2006 to $9.8 million in 2007. It is expected to fall to $9.6 million by the end of this year, and $9.3 million next year.

The other, more alarming story reported that the current owner, Tropicana Entertainment LLC, may attempt to keep the Evansville riverboat.

That would be awful.

The best course for Evansville and its once popular casino would be for Tropicana to go ahead and sell the complex to Eldorado Resorts, which is said to be willing to pay as much as ...

Students in Orange County have returned to school for the second year in a row with the benefit of having casino-related revenues paying for their textbook rental.

Having the cost covered is a practice that Orange County leaders say will continue.

The decision for casino-generated revenues to be applied toward textbook rental first was announced in June 2004, months before construction even began on a casino in French Lick. The Orange County board of commissioners endorsed the creation and organizational structure of a supporting organization with the Orange County Community Foundation.

At that time, it was reported that the supporting organization, before expending funds for any other purpose, would pay for the student portion of required textbook rental for classes that earn academic credit for all kindergarten through 12th-grade students in an Orange County public school corporation. The decision stipulated that the portion to be paid was that which was not paid by any other public sources (for families that already had textbook assistance).

Orange County’s three school corporations each received a payment in June, wrapping up the textbook expenses for the 2007-08 school year. During a presentation ceremony, checks totaling $21,291.90 went to the superintendents for students moving to each school district during the second semester.

At the time the checks were presented, the Orange County Commissioners Supporting Organization’s president, Frank Hall, said, “We have also established an endowment at the Orange County Community Foundation to ensure textbooks be paid for, thereby benefiting our students for many years to come, regardless of what the future may hold with casino dollars coming to the organization. We intend on contributing a portion to the fund each year for continued growth.”

When funds first were applied to textbook rental last year, OCCF Executive Director Imojean Dedrick said the ...

naturalist, enjoy an indoor matinee for all ages. Join in

backyard viewing area of the Visitor Center. vc

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers dam for a tower tour and

water safety program. Learn the fascinating facts of

flood control and reservoir management. vc

enjoy an indoor matinee for all ages. Join in the cool

summer fun at Patoka! vc

NEW Parks and Reservoirs Patch Program. Begin the

adventure. Earn points and enjoy visiting your public

backyard viewing area of the Visitor Center. vc

live? Learn amazing facts about these wild raptors. vc

NEW Parks and Reservoirs Patch Program. Begin the

adventure. Earn points and enjoy visiting your public

properties. vc

Fuhs, who with his wife, Carolyn, is developing the $20 million-plus property, said, “Obviously, we’re very pleased with the progress we’re making. The project has grown in scope and scale from its original plans. We’re at that point in construction where, as we would say, ‘you get a big show every day.’ The progress really starts showing now as you start finishing your walls and your hotel and you start putting your granite tops in and so on and so forth. ... All the pool equipment is getting installed. Everything gets a better definition to it.”

The water park is being built inside glass walls and ...

FRENCH LICK — Work to create a non-smoking casino within a casino at French Lick continues, with a projected opening date in the first part of September, said Brian Marsh, vice president of casino operations.

“The absolutely nice part, aside from the non-smoking area that will be created, is we have a great amount of fresh air coming into the building — even in the smoking area,” Marsh said. “We’re already seeing those accomplishments with the new HVAC. We are hearing people saying, ‘I’m a little colder now, but I can breathe.’”

The project began in May.

The new non-smoking “room itself is looking very good,” Marsh said.

And many casino visitors are anxious for it to open, he added.

“We have a lot of people commenting that they can’t wait to play in that room, and they hope put the games in there they like,” Marsh said.

Despite having to take a few slow machines out of play so the work could be done, Marsh said the disruption to casino visitors has been extremely limited.

“The team works extremely hard to keep things clean and orderly,” he said. “They know how much I hate caution tape.”

When the non-smoking room opens, it will have nearly 300 games, Marsh said.

Marsh said in addition to a variety of slot machines, the room will have ...

So, how did you begin writing books about the rails? It was during a time when I was recuperating from a brain stem stroke. I started taking pictures of old train depots. One day I talked to a friend, David Barksdale, who had an interest in old postcards from the New Albany area and he was doing a book about them. It got me to thinking that perhaps my train depot pictures would be of interest to others. He was working with Arcadia Publishing. I contacted Arcadia and, as they say, “The rest is history.”