Steve Nicewanger’s Story Archive

Peter Lupus, Indianapolis’ Own Hercules

November 9, 2023 | by Steve Nicewanger

In 1960, after the success of American body builder and actor Steve Reeves in the Italian-made films Hercules and Hercules Unchained a number of body builders from the U.S. and elsewhere flocked to Italy and Spain to appear in what would become known as “Sword and Sandal Epics.” These movies … Read More

The Traveler in the Dark Forest: A Spooky Fable for Halloween

October 19, 2023 | by Steve Nicewanger

Long, long ago in a land far away a man made ready for a long journey from his village to the great capital city on important family business. He received a warrant from his noble baron that gave him permission to travel and went to the village priest for a … Read More

Close Encounters of the Bob Balaban Kind

July 27, 2023 | by Steve Nicewanger

It doesn’t seem possible that it was 17 years ago. The Boss and I were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary with a weekend at the Canterbury Hotel. It was an anniversary gift for us, arranged by my youngest sister, Robin who was a banquet manager at the hotel. Our anniversary … Read More

A Hot Time in the Old Car

June 29, 2023 | by Steve Nicewanger

Two weeks ago we loaded up the Town and Country van and headed south to Kentucky to attend a family reunion and enjoy a weekend vacation. Our Chrysler is now ten years old and has spent most of its life in town, so we thought it was time for it … Read More

Cues and Billiard Balls in American History

June 15, 2023 | by Steve Nicewanger

First published Nov. 22, 2013 The term pool is generally used as the generic name for American pocket billiards. This came from the common practice of players putting  a pot or “pool” of money for the winner to take at the end of a game. The game of pool became … Read More