The Jasper Geode Grotto
This is my story of the Jasper Geode Grotto. Perhaps the most incredible piece of folk art in Indiana, two shrines made of geodes that existed relatively unchanged for 45 years on the grounds of the Providence Home in Jasper, Indiana. Then, in 2016 a new hospital was going to be built on the site of the Saint Joseph shrine and the shrine about to be tragically removed. A non-profit organization, Friends of the Grotto was formed to save as many of the structures of the shrine as possible. The group would also assume ownership of the other shrine, the cave-like Mother of God Shrine featuring a Carrara marble statue of Mary and a ceiling with faux stalactites.
My first taping of the grotto was in July 2015, before the St. Joseph grotto was removed. That day I was quietly walking through, videotaping the Geode Grotto. I was struck by the serenity, peace and spiritually of the place. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. I felt I had just entered a geode-encrusted fantasyland.
As you can imagine there is quite a backstory to the Jasper Geode Grotto.
Father Phillip Ottavi is responsible for the construction of the two shrines that took over 15 years to build. In 1908, Ottavi's parents were killed in a devastating earthquake in Messina, Italy. Four-year-old Phillip was buried for two days under the rubble of the earthquake. Ottavi would grow in an orphanage ran by the man who found him buried under the rocks, Saint Luigi Orione, the founder of the Sons of Devine Providence. Ottavi would become a priest of the Order in 1930. In 1935 Father Phillip was assigned to the Providence Home for mentally handicapped men in Jasper, Indiana. He would become director of the home in 1952.
In the mid-1950s Father Ottavi decided to replace two long-unused handball court with a grotto like the one's that had inspired him in Europe. Using rocks for creating a beautiful spiritual space helped Father Ottavi find peace with the horror he had experienced with rocks as a youth. He dispatched his assistant Father Thaddeus Sztuczko to find rocks to use to build a grotto. Father Thad found the perfect stones in a creek near Heltonville, Indiana about 60 miles from Jasper. As many as 100,000 geodes were trucked to Jasper to construct walls, flower planters, fountains and other structures contained in the Mother of God Shrine and the St. Joseph Shrine on the Providence Home grounds. Construction was completed in 1970.
Fr. Raymond Brenner
Fr. Raymond Brenner
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Jasper, Indiana
Tri State Treasures: Jasper Church Displays Unique Window On Biblical History
The story of the biblical family is on display at one Dubois County church. But its the uniqueness of the massive church windows that has captured the attention of the visitors to The Church of the Holy Family in Jasper. Visitors are often impressed with the stunning faceted glass window, highlighting biblical history.
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LEO AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH'S FOOTBALL FIRST HALF
LEO AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH'S FOOTBALL FIRST HALF SEMI-STATE GAME
September 25, 2019 - Huge Mural Takes Shape in Greencastle, Indiana
One of Indiana’s largest murals is being built in Putnam County, began a report this evening. Four grain silos at S&W Feed Center are being transformed into a work of art. It’s at the intersection of U.S. 231 and Veteran’s Memorial Highway in Greencastle. Andrei Krautsou, also known as Key Detail, is the artist. He is free handing the entire project using spray paint.
Christian Church of Jasper Victory At Cabby Timelapse (Easter 2013)
Christian Church of Jasper (in Jasper, Indiana) held a special Easter service on March 31, 2013 in downtown Jasper's historic Cabby O'Neill Gymnasium. A crowd of approximately 2,150 people packed Cabby as CCJ Senior Minister Darrel Land preached the sermon Victory. This timelapse video shows the setup and service transforming Cabby from a historic Indiana gym to a church service. Pro Video Audio Productions Inc of Monticello, Ky. provided stage, video, lighting and sound for this special day. For more information on CCJ, visit ccjasper.com. For more from this special Easter service, please visit ccjasper.com/easter. Song: A Way Out Of No Way by CCJ band Narrow Path is available at iTunes.com/NarrowPath.
Experience Dubois County
Our location. your vacation! Enjoy a sneak peek of what southern Indiana's Dubois County can offer you. Surround yourself in the beauty of 1800s architecture, Spirit of Jasper tourist train, European-inspired festivals, trendy shops, destination golfing, unique eateries and nearby casinos, amusement and water parks. Excellent hotels, B&Bs and houseboats await your arrival!
For more visitor information please visit visitduboiscounty.com or call 800.968.4578
Jasper Riverwalk
Explore the simplicity of nature with a walk or bike ride on this 2.1-mile paved path in the center of Jasper. Running along the Patoka River, the Riverwalk features a beautiful gazebo, three footbridges, shelter houses, seating along the River, and indoor restroom facilities.
Fire consumes a Jasper home
JASPER - Fire investigators are trying to determine what sparked a fire that ended up turning a Jasper home into ashes.The fire consumed a mobile home in the 1100 block of South Bowie Street on Friday.Neighbors say the house was dark, then they saw flames shooting out of the home, before the flames swallowed the entire house.No one was home when the fire started. The cause of the fire is under investigation.This story comes to us through our media partner KJAS Radio.
Rose Veldman
Rose Veldman, Saint Joseph High School
Ignite Michiana: Cleared for Takeoff! co-produced by St. Joe CEO on Thursday, February 25, 2016 in the Studebaker Hangar at the South Bend International Airport.
Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame
Dedicated to the sport of baseball and its Indiana heroes, this museum showcases memorabilia from high school, collegiate, and professional athletes throughout the Hoosier State. Displays include a unique sampling of jerseys, gloves, bats and plaques significant to the history of Indiana baseball. This facility is located on the Vincennes University Jasper Campus.
850 College Ave., Jasper; 812.482.2262; indbaseballhalloffame.org
For more visitor information please visit visitduboiscounty.com or call 800.968.4578
Episode 2-Legend of Dunn's Bridge
via YouTube Capture
Back Home Again in (Rensselaer) Indiana
Tender memories of my hometown
Teen dies after fight outside middle school
A 13-year old girl from Attucks Middle School ended up on life support at Texas Children's Hospital two days after a fight off campus.
Kashala Francis' mother, Mamie Jackson, says her daughter told her she was attacked by two girls after school on Thursday, and that another girl later jumped in and kicked her in the head.
Jackson says when her daughter returned home Thursday afternoon, she had a bruise on her face, but insisted she was okay.
Jasper gets a hit
Little league baseball
Same-sex couple on U-S Supreme Court decision
The U-S Supreme Court has made same sex marriage a right. The decision may not have happened without the perseverance of people such as Jeff Zarrillo and Paul Katami.
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Cavuto | Senator Mike Braun: On budget, D.C. is Bizarro-World
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Mike Braun is a Main Street entrepreneur, job creator, defender of Hoosier values, and U.S. Senator from Indiana.
After graduating from Wabash College and Harvard Business School, Mike turned down Wall Street to return to his hometown of Jasper to raise a family and build a business just a few miles from where he grew up. He grew that small company into national industry leader with locations in 39 states and over 800 employees, all while keeping his company’s headquarters in his hometown. Three of Mike’s four children now work in his business, and he and his high school sweetheart Maureen will soon celebrate 42 years of marriage.
Mike is proud to serve Hoosier families by taking his record of leadership and innovation in the private sector to the waste and gridlock of the U.S. Senate.
Learn more at
Schnitzelbank Restaurant
Opened in 1961, this premier restaurant has gained an international reputation for its authentic German and American cuisine and ranks as one of the top ten independent restaurants in Indiana. Enjoy dishes commonly found in southern Germany including Beef Rolladen, Sauerbraten, Kraut Balls and the Wurst Platter. For the not so German, check out the Wunderbar salad, soup and bread bar or one of the many American favorites.
393 3rd Ave., Jasper; 812.482.2640; schnitzelbank.com
For more visitor information please visit visitduboiscounty.com or call 800.968.4578
1ST AMENDMENT Explicit Audit Protest of the Catholic Church ~ Chief Cory Kokomo
My right to say what the fuck I want... no threats just practicing my own religion and freedom of speech