In need of a Friday afternoon reading break? Peruse our Friday Faves below.

Leah, director of programs and community engagement:

• Hat tip to our board member Sarah Skwire, who posted this wonderful story about astronomers using clues in an ancient poem by the Greek poet Sappho to determine when and where it was written. This is the kind of STEM + humanities cross-pollination I can really get behind!
• New favorite thing on the internet: Sovietskiye Reaktsii, a Twitter account that wryly, hilariously meme-ifies Soviet propaganda posters with internet slang.
• Attention Anglophiles: My British friend Max posted this incredible tour of the British Isles in accents (turn your sound on!). Max’s friend, a miffed Midlander who noticed his home region was absent on the tour, posted this delightful poem, “From the Midlands,” written and performed by poet Toby Campion.

Kristen, director of communications and development:

• We’re excited that our friends at Central Indiana Land Trust have opened a new property to explore. See how Indiana looked “before the pioneers came” at Meltzer Woods in Shelby County. And, if you like what you see, join us for a hike at an old growth forest in Evansville’s Wesselman Woods on Sunday.
• It’s qualification weekend at the track, where our Official Track Poet will recite his winning poem – For Those Who Love Fast, Loud Things. If you’re there, listen up at 10:30 a.m. Are you up on your track history? Here’s a look back at the invention that helped propel Ray Harroun and his Marmon Wasp – to first place in the inaugural race.

Nancy Conner, current director of grants and Novel Conversations:

• For the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War, Indiana Humanities helped to fund a series of original essays by scholars, titled Hoosier Voices Now.
• Read the story behind Morgan’s Raid (by historian George Geib, a former IH board member) or learn about the Civil War Arsenal that is now on the grounds of Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis.

Jacqueline Cromleigh, communications manager and program associate:

• In love with exploring our National Parks? Check out this wonderful collection of books detailing America’s beauty via Travel + Leisure.
• Also on the topic of the outdoors… Did you know that hiking is beneficial to both our physical and mental health. Improve your mood, increase your self-esteem and soothe anxiety by heading outdoors and joining us on an adventure this summer. See our full list of Next Indiana Campfire excursions.

George Hanlin, soon-to-be director of grants:

• What was the greatest era of American innovation? The New York Times provides an in-depth look at what life was like for the average U.S. citizen in 1870, 1920, 1970, and 2016 and helps readers assess the changes. It’s an absolutely fascinating read.
• The term “renaissance man” has become cliché, but one of Indiana’s native sons really did fit the bill. The Indianapolis Business Journal tells his story as part of its “Hoosier Beacons” series.

Do you have any humanities highlights from your week? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below.