Article Archives: Bumps in the Night

Washington Irving — Father Christmas?

December 19, 2019 | by Al Hunter

This is a reprint of an article that appeared in the Dec, 24, 2010 issue Last week I wrote of Irvington namesake Washington Irving’s connection to the author most associated with the Victorian era, Charles Dickens. While nearly everyone is familiar with Dickens’ classic seasonal ghost story, “A Christmas Carol,” … Read More

Washington Irving’s A Christmas Carol?

December 12, 2019 | by Al Hunter

This is a reprint of an article that appeared in the Dec, 17, 2010 issue Perhaps no single Indianapolis community has a stronger connection to the Victorian Era than Irvington. The Victorian era is defined as the period of British Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 until her death in 1901. … Read More

J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

December 5, 2019 | by Al Hunter

Politics. No matter where you go, you can’t escape it. No doubt last week Thanksgiving tables all across the Hoosier state either artfully dodged or spiritedly discussed politics in one form or another. Luckily, if you don’t like the political situation in this country, you can do your part to … Read More

Jeremiah Smith and Abraham Lincoln’s Ghost

November 28, 2019 | by Al Hunter

As Thanksgiving approaches, I must admit, I’m still stuck in Halloween mode. After all, despite the recent measurable snowfall, autumn is still in session and my thoughts always wander towards ghost stories at Christmas (remember friends, Scrooge is a ghost story). In a couple weeks, families will gather together to … Read More

Paul Newman and the Indy 500

November 21, 2019 | by Al Hunter

This is a reprint from a column first published in May 2010 to commemorate the recent sale of the Brickyard. I have many heroes in my life ranging from the rich and famous (Abraham Lincoln, Jimmy Carter, Harry Truman, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr. to name a few) … Read More