Edward's Drive-In: A Southside landmark

While returning home from shooting some pictures of Julie Young's book signing at Bookmama's in Irvington (see previous post), I drove past a Southside landmark: Edward's Drive-In at the northwest corner of Sherman Drive and Raymond Street. Rain was falling hard, but the purple eminating from the drive-in's arched doorway proved too much to resist. I pulled into the parking lot and fired off a half-dozen or so pictures.

Edward's is a "phoenix rising from the ashes" story, as it was seriously damaged by fire some years ago, then rebuilt and reopened. The sight of Edward's, perhaps best-known for its $4.79 jumbo tenderloin, and its purple neon archway standing out against the heavily overcast, rainy day, was striking.

So I snapped these pictures -- of the facade from the street and detail shots of the two convertibles adorning the side of the building. The rain was pelting down heavily enough at the time that I feared moisture would get onto the lens. So I rushed the detail shot of the pink convertible and neglected to properly position myself to include the face of the blonde driver. Instead, she is blocked by the rear-view mirror. (Some might joke that was poetic justice? Or not.) Maybe you can make it out in the long range shot (below).

Indy author accomplishes trifecta

Eastside Indianapolis resident Julie Young spent Saturday afternoon at another signing for her recently published book Eastside Indianapolis: A Brief History.

With this publication, Julie accomplishes the authorship trifecta. She's also written a brief history on the Irvington neighborhood of Indianapolis and a biography about St. Theodora Guerin, after whom the Indianapolis area's newest Catholic high school was named. She already is planning a fourth book, which will explore the history of Shelby County.

The new book features stories, anecdotes and images about the founding, development and growth of such Eastside communities as Irvington, Fountain Square and Woodruff Place. Photographs in the book are from private collections.

If you can't make it to any more signings, the two previous books are available already at amazon.com (click on link to get to Julie's author page), and I believe Julie said Eastside Indianapolis would be available there very soon, too.

When Julie isn't researching, writing or signing her books, she teaches writing classes at IUPUI, writes freelance articles for several publications (including The Indianapolis Star) and contributes to a blog called Julie Writes, a link to which can always be found on the right with other favorite links of mine.

These pictures are from her book signing Saturday at Bookmamas, an Irvington bookstore just off Washington Street (U.S. 40) on Johnson Avenue, right around the corner from the Masonic Lodge and Irving Theater.

The image at right shows people in the checkout line of Bookmamas, waiting to buy copies for Julie to sign. The other images are of Julie enjoying her moment.

Julie has three other scheduled appearances to promote her book:

Aug. 1 -- 7 p.m. -- At the Indianapolis Tornados football game at Park Tudor School. Not only will she have books available for sale there, but she has been invited to sing the National Anthem before the game.

Aug. 2 -- Time TBA -- Ice Cream Social at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave. in Irvington.

Aug. 9 -- 1 to 3 p.m. -- Annual Irvington Walk in the Park Arts Fair and Farmers Market, Ellenberger Park.