Across Indiana.

Finding the true essence of the Hoosier state

Been

Just ask the people who create the weekly public-television program "Across Indiana." They specialize in uncovering the unheard of, interviewing interesting but lesser known Hoosiers, visiting out-of-the-way places and reporting obscure facts on familiar Hoosier topics you thought you already knew everything about.

Now in its eighth season, "Across Indiana" is a weekly televised magazine focusing on the people, places and passions of Indiana. Its mix of history, culture, art and humor has earned five, Emmy Awards for best magazine-format program and another dozen or so Emmys for individual stories. It airs on eight Indiana public TV stations.

Michael Atwood is the show's executive producer and host. A graduate of Lawrence Central High School and Indiana University, Atwood has worked since 1987 for WFYI-TV, the PBS affiliate in Indianapolis. He produced nightly coverage of the Indiana General Assembly but found his true calling creating a number of documentaries focusing on Indiana's history and heritage. Those projects evolved into the half-hour, weekly "Across Indiana" series.

With the help of Atwood and producers J. Robert Cook, Todd Gould and Dave Stoelk, we've compiled a collection of favorite and off-the-beaten-path places that have been featured on their program. Tour some of these spots and you'll take in the true essence and flavor of the Hoosier state.

The Concrete Lady, Jeffersonville - This family-run business is the country's second-largest supplier of concrete statuary, or lawn ornaments. Its products include concrete deer, gnomes, mushrooms and Madonnas. The identity of the Concrete Lady was not revealed by the family. 812/282-7742

Mounds State Park, Anderson - Prehistoric Indians created the mounds not as an ancient burial ground (as many historians first thought) but as a giant "clock" that predicted the coming seasons. Similar earthy "clocks" with the exact alignment were built by other tribes throughout North America. Park rangers give guided history tours of the park. (Also check out Angel Mounds, a 500-acre Mississippian Indian settlement near Evansville. It features 11 platform mounds along with exhibits and trails.)