MONTHLY
Jane Burgess COLLECTIVE PUBLISHING PUBLICATION
zionsvillemonthlymagazine.com Zionsville_2022June_Cover.indd 1
JUNE 2022
Talks About The Future Of Fundraising For HMMPL Foundation
2022-06-29 4:25 PM
Zionsville_June2022-Witham.indd 1
2022-06-28 1:54 PM
VILLAGE OF WEST CLAY 12684 Treaty Line
NE LIST W ING
$695,800 • Primary Bedroom on Main • 4 Bedroom • 4 Bath • Open Concept Kitchen/Great Room • New Roof/Gutter
OUR FULL COMMITMENT TO SERVING OUR CLIENTS NEVER CHANGES
Dawn Pollard
Scot Pollard
Joe Kempler
housesincarmel.com Dawn Pollard (303) 669-4425 Scot Pollard (317) 900-3500 Joe Kempler (317) 523-6405 1905 S. New Market St. Suite 165, Carmel, IN (office located in Village of West Clay)
Carmel_June2022-West Clay Realty-Joe Kempler.indd 1
2022-06-29 4:27 PM
MONTHLY
20 COVER STORY
Jane Burgess Talks About The Future of Fundraising for HMMPL Foundation As the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Library (HMMPL) prepares to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee, we thought it prudent to talk with one of the newest members of the HMMPL Foundation board of directors— Zionsville resident Jane Burgess—about the importance of fundraising and how the foundation is working through the current state of the economy to raise the necessary funds to support both of the HMMPL branches and its robust menu of programs and services offered by the library staff. As media sponsor for the upcoming Book Ball, we feel that a strong library adds greatly to the quality life in our community. Writer // Janelle Morrison • Cover photo // Laura Arick
6 10 12 15 18 22
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY County Council Passes Justice Center LIT—What Does It Mean For The Growing County?
PUBLISHER / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803
Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael Presents: Michael Feinstein Returns to Carmel With All-New Show
PUBLISHER / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418
Women Who Are Driving Their Brands Into the Next Generation The Great American Songbook Is Still Being Written Celebrating 60 Years of Giving to The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library
DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418 HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison janelle@collectivepub.com / 317-250-7298 Business Spotlight is sponsored content.
Dr. Scott Robison’s Impending Retirement: In His Own Words
Stay informed on news and events in Zionsville by following us on Twitter and Facebook ZIONSVILLEMONTHLYMAGAZINE
ZionsvilleMag
@ZionsvilleMag
zionsvillemonthlymagazine.com
For advertisement sales call Lena Lucas 317-501-0418 or email lena@collectivepub.com COLLECTIVE PUBLISHING, LLC - PO BOX 6326 - FISHERS, IN 46037 ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_TOC.indd 4
4
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 4:38 PM
110 W WASHINGTON ST, INDIANAPOLIS
Carmel_Dec2021-Tony's Steakhouse & Seafood.indd 1
2021-12-17 10:27 AM
County Council Passes Justice Center LIT What Does It Mean For The Growing County? Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted
D
uring its meeting June 14 the Boone County Council approved LIT tax (Local Income Tax) funding for a near $60 million justice center expansion project. The vote [4-3] approved the expansion of administration offices and additional space at the existing Boone County Jail in Lebanon, Indiana. The approved LIT increases the county’s local income tax by 0.2% to pay down debt service on the $59 million bond that will fund the Justice Center project. The bond placement is expected in October 2022. The LIT and bonds for the justice center project will expire in 20 years if not paid off earlier by the county, with the .2% increase taking effect Jan. 1, 2023.
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT Approximately 18 months ago, the Boone County Commissioners (“Commissioners”), in partnership with Sheriff Mike Nielsen and the Boone County
Sheriff’s Office (“Sheriff”), began the process of developing the expansion project for the Boone County Justice Center Project. In a recent statement released by the Boone County Commissioners, it was stated that, “In discussions with former Sheriff Ken Campbell, he stated the jail facility would have to be expanded. That discussion took place 13 years ago. At that time, there was concern that the population of the jail would soon create issues of overcrowding. In 2014 the first jail feasibility study was completed. The data collected confirmed the Boone County Jail would not be sufficient for Boone County law enforcement in the next 20 to 30 years. Due to the recession and other financial constraints of the County, we determined that it was not the correct time to pursue the expansion of the jail.” The commissioners’ statement went on to state, “As time passed and our criminal justice system expanded, it was decided in
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_Justice Center.indd 6
6
2018 that it was time to revisit the subject and engage in another jail feasibility study. The second study was completed in March 2020 and confirmed that additional jail cells were needed to extend the life of the current facility and to prepare for future population growth. The jail feasibility study was emailed to the Boone County Council on April 16, 2020. It is important to note that the current facility was built in 1992 when the population of Boone County was approximately 35,000 people. After the most recent census completed in 2020, Boone County’s population growth is just over 70,000 people. Boone County has seen thousands of new homes built in recent years. There have also been great successes in economic development within our cities and towns. As we continue to strive to be the most efficient government that we can possibly be, it is inevitable that population growth will put continued pressure on Boone County Government and our
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 5:06 PM
Boone County President of Commissioners Jeff Wolfe
Commissioner Tom Santelli
facilities to grow as well in order to continue providing the services that are expected by the Boone County citizens. The Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office, over the past several months, have provided extensive data and plans of the proposed project. The Commissioners developed a public website [livinginboonecounty.com] to share information about a myriad topics that were important to the Commissioners and the public. Information regarding the proposed project is shared on this website. An opportunity for other elected officials, Justice Commission members, and the public to submit questions and request information regarding the proposed project is also available on the website.” The commissioners have opted for a build-operate-transfer contract (BOT) which is a procurement method different from a design-bid-build contract where costs may increase throughout the life of the construction project. Boone County President of Commissioners Jeff Wolfe stated—on record—that the contractor’s bidding on this project
will not exceed the $59.1 million price tag but that some of the costs could come in lower than the original bid over the course of the project. Wolfe expressed, “We are thankful to the four members of the Boone County Council for putting our citizens’ best interests first by voting to push this project across the finish line. Our county’s taxpayers will ultimately save more money in the long run because we can complete the project sooner rather than later while interest rates remain relatively low.” Wolfe continued, “The Commissioners have been working diligently throughout the past year to move forward with the justice center expansion project because we understand the needs our growing county faces - like expanded mental health services and an upgraded consolidation of the coroner’s office and responsibilities, among others. Despite these obstacles, we are thankful for the Council members who voted to ultimately make the justice center expansion a reality. Your decision will have long-term positive implications for Boone County.”
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_Justice Center.indd 7
7
Commissioner Don “Donnie” Lawson
WHERE DOES THE PROJECT GO FROM HERE? Boone County can now move forward with financing for the project because the council has adopted the tax. Planning, design, facilities and maintenance of the justice center are exclusively the responsibilities of the Commissioners. A design is expected to be formally completed by the end of the summer, and the entire project is expected to to be completed in 20-24 months. The commissioners will begin the bond process after they adopt the BOT agreement in July. Commissioner Tom Santelli spoke on some of the project’s main talking points, “We’re constantly working to improve the criminal justice and public safety systems, so they operate fairly and equitably; to ensure the dignity and humanity of those interacting with these systems; and to reduce the population of jailed, detained, and incarcerated juveniles and adults. We want to insure we are incarcerating the individuals who are a threat to society while improving the lives of those who have simply made bad choices.”
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 5:06 PM
Santelli went on to say, “The new justice center achieves several goals and improves the quality of life for staff and inmates. Workloads at all levels from the Coroner’s office, forensics, CSI, community corrections and probation, our 911 call center, mental health, work release, and juvenile detention will be more efficient, reduce stress and workloads, reducing staff turnover. Medical and mental health services will be expanded and enhanced. The new justice center will improve communications with attorneys and families and insures we meet current ADA compliance requirements. The jails new infirmary will reduce the need and costs associated with transporting inmates to Witham. This holistic approach will greatly improve our public safety services to our communities.” Commissioner Donnie Lawson added, “Now that it’s passed, it’s time to move forward and do what we absolutely need to do at the Sheriff’s Department. Yes—
SHUTTERS
the LIT is going to cost taxpayers an amount of money but what we did do is lock in the maximum that can be spent on this whole process. If it goes over that amount, the contractor pays for it. If it stays under that amount, then it’s less money spent, and we pay off the bond quicker. I want the taxpayers to understand that we’re trying to do this as quickly and as economically as possible. But for the safety and well-being of everyone in Boone County, this project is essential.” The commissioners and Sheriff Nielsen have released statements explaining that if the Boone County jail overloads its capacity with inmates, there would be consequences rendered from both the state and federal agencies. One of their arguments for the project, aside from continuity of services and an expansion of services provided is the need to remain in compliance with state and federal regulations.
BLINDS
SHADES
FREE IN-HOME CONSULT & INSTALL
Adkins Family-owned for over 40 years
Draperies & Blinds ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_Justice Center.indd 8
In addition to moving the Coroner’s office and other related departments so that they are all centrally located on one campus, Lawson expressed the commissioners’ perspective on the importance of rehabilitation versus warehousing inmates and why the need to expand mental health services, community corrections and probation, substance disorder and other related programs, is vital to the overall health of Boone County. “I have learned so much about what rehabilitation does for people that have been incarcerated,” Lawson said, “I’ve learned from three prior inmates that went through the jail programs how these programs completely changed and improved their lives. When we go above and beyond to help them and they—in turn—are willing to do the work to become better citizens, we break the cycle and they [the former inmates] don’t come back into the criminal justice system.”
DRAPERIES
SAVE
25%-30%
MOTORIZATION
ON SELECTED BLINDS & CUSTOM-MADE DRAPERIES
ALL SOFT WINDOW TREATMENTS ARE CUSTOM MADE IN OUR OWN WORKROOM WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY WORKMANSHIP
WE’LL BRING OUR SHOWROOM TO YOU!
3162 E. SR 32 WESTFIELD • 317.896.3833 adkinsdraperyshop.com
8
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 5:06 PM
World Class Cabaret at Carmel City Center July 9
DON FARRELL: ALL THE WAY A FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE Join Don Farrell and the Terry Woods Jazz Quartet for a swinging, seductive, and handsomely produced show as they pay homage to the “Chairman of the Board” with a tasteful celebration of Sinatra’s life and work. What you won’t get is a crass impersonation of Sinatra. Instead, you will be crooned to with song after stylish song like “Summerwind”, “One For My Baby”, In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning”, Fly Me To The Moon, and many others.
July 15
ATI LIVE! PRESENTS: UN5GETTABLE! Their moms call them the “Rat Pack of Comedy,” but you can call them Un5gettable. Join them for an exciting night of original comedic music and toe-tapping favorites. Un5gettable is a comedy “boy” band made up of 5 longtime friends. The group writes and performs original music and sketch comedy. In 2017, Un5 debuted their first original musical at Indianapolis Fringe Festival to sold out crowds and will debut a new musical at the 2022 Indy Fringe Fest.
July 27, 28, 29
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN RETURNS TO HOTEL CARMICHAEL WITH ALL-NEW SHOW CELEBRATING CARMEL INDIANA
Two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated Michael Feinstein returns to the club bearing his name with an all-new show featuring an eclectic mix of classics from the Great American Songbook, as well as some contemporary surprises.
August 5
ALLYSON BRIGGS: CELEBRATING BURT BACHARACH Join Allyson Briggs (Fleur Seule) from NYC to explore and indulge in some of music’s warmest memories. She will take you back and share her insight as a vocalist and songwriter who is rooted in the classics, to appreciate the artistry of some the greatest singers and composers ever to collaborate. Come ready to sing along to your favorite hits, and to be surprised by a few you aren’t expecting!
For tickets go to feinsteinshc.com or scan QR
Carmel_June2022-Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael.indd 1
July 14
DON FARRELL: ONE VOICE: THE MUSIC OF MANILOW BARRY! Are you a “Fanilow”? We certainly are! The soaring choruses. The romantic despair. The key changes! His music touched everyone across the world, so come to Feinstein’s and celebrate the one who wrote the songs with such romantic, lush, and melodic melodies that shaped the songbook of generations of music lovers! Who can deny the impact of songs like “This One’s For You”, “Looks Like We Made It”, “Mandy”, “Weekend in New England”, “Could It Be Magic”, and so, so many others! Don Farrell and the Terry Woods Jazz Quartet will guide you on an evening of Manilow stories and music that will have you up and dancing in the aisles!
July 21
JUDY FITZGERALD: WALKIN’ AFTER MIDNIGHT: THE MUSIC OF PATSY CLINE The music of one of the most legendary Country singers comes to Feinstein’s as Judy Fitzgerald charms you with her tribute to the great Patsy Cline. A mix of song and stories of Patsy’s life, the evening flows its way to the hearts of those who remember her and new fans alike. I’m Back in Baby’s Arms, San Antonio Rose, Sweet Dreams, She’s Got You, Crazy… and of course, Walkin’ After Midnight, the hits are all here, and then some!
August 2
ATI OF INDIANA PRESENTS: OPEN MIC NIGHT
Do you love music and are looking for the right time and place to share your talents with the world? Open mic nights are the perfect no-judgement zone opportunity, a place where like-minded fans and artists can appreciate each other and the joy of making music! Now is YOUR chance to sing on the beautiful Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael stage! Actors Theatre of Indiana’s (ATI) co-founders Cynthia Collins, Don Farrell, and Judy Fitzgerald co-host the evening along with Brent Marty on the 88’s, as you choose your favorite Broadway, Hollywood, or song standards. No need to bring sheet music (but you can if you wish) as ATI will provide all their songbooks to choose your selections! All seats are only $15 to enjoy this special evening to make music together! Doors open at 5:30 PM, the fun begins at 6:30 PM, and we go till last call!
August 18
ATI LIVE! PRESENTS: SUMMER OF ‘78 FEATURING TONY HUMRICHOUSER & STEPHEN WALLEM They will take you on a musical parade from Barry Manilow to Kansas to Dolly Parton. The year was 1978, an eclectic year of AM radio classics, disco, movie soundtrack sensations and country crossovers. Real-life couple Tony Humrichouser (Ragtime, Fun Home) and Stephen Wallem (Nurse Jackie, Marry Me) bring an evening of retro duets and solos to a nostalgic Indiana summer night.
1 Carmichael Square, Carmel, IN
2022-06-29 4:28 PM
Show dates:
July 27, 28, 29 Doors:
Showtime:
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Location:
Feinstein’s Cabaret 1 Carmichael Square Carmel, IN 46032 A $25 Food and Beverage minimum will be required of all patrons. For tickets and additional information, visit feinsteinshc.com.
Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael Presents:
Michael Feinstein Returns to Carmel with All-New Show Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted
Two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated Michael Feinstein returns to the club bearing his name with an all-new show featuring an eclectic mix of classics from the Great American Songbook, as well as some contemporary surprises.
JANELLE MORRISON: What are your thoughts on how the club has been developing since its grand opening? MICHAEL FEINSTEIN: This club is the first one I’ve been involved with that was built, literally, from the ground up. It gave us all—collectively—the opportunity to create something that was not only purpose-built but, hopefully, would fulfill all the needs and desires of the patrons and the performers. We really put our hearts and souls into the room, and I think the result is a very comfortable room that just feels welcoming and is something that heightens the experience— the performing experience, the music experience—because it just makes everybody feel good the minute that you walk into the room. And that’s something we all hoped for, and I think it [the room] has a certain energy that people feel the minute they are there. JM: What is the feedback that you are
I
t is always a pleasure to speak with Michael Feinstein, and it is a true joy to hear him speak about performing in Carmel. In this particular instance, we spoke about how Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael and Carmel, Indiana, is developing a reputation throughout the industry as a “must-perform” club and city. Feinstein also shared what his fans and audiences can expect to hear during his upcoming shows at the club this coming July.
receiving from some of the performers who have performed at Feinstein’s in Carmel and how are they comparing it to other venues? FEINSTEIN: The feedback from the many performers that have worked there has been extraordinarily positive. Because, as enter-
10
Carmel_2022June_Michael Feinstein.indd 10
2022-06-29 4:42 PM
tainers, we play so many different places, and to find a jewel like this one in the Midwest, I think, is probably initially surprising for performers, and that becomes something that they look forward to because it’s devoid any of the negative that sometimes can afflict a club.
JM: You mentioned that the performers
have shared with you their delight in having exquisite accommodations in addition to performing in this gorgeous room. FEINSTEIN: With a night club there’s always the part that the audience sees, and then there’s the infrastructure and the backstage [environment]. For performers, sometimes, we play beautiful rooms, and then the dressing rooms are horrible because that’s not where the money goes—that’s not where the thought goes. And so, we’ve tried to make it gratifying on every level. It’s rather amazing to me because you cross your fingers and hope and just see what happens. And I never could have dreamed that this would become, truly, a destination
for people—not only audiences but for performers as well.
JM: I understand that there are discus-
sions about using the room in experiential ways to increase the awareness of this fabulous venue and all that it currently offers and can potentially offer. FEINSTEIN: I think the room has not reached its full potential yet. I see it being used as a club—it could be a dance club or an after-hours hangout. It can have a longer life during the week and weekends. It can be a room that can become a different kind of experiential thing, and we’re now starting to explore further use of this space because it is so special.
COVID—and Doris Day. I’m planning on doing a show that celebrates the music of those three ladies. I will be doing my full-scaled “Judy Garland” show, which is a multimedia show with home movie and photographs and such, next April at the Palladium [in Carmel, Indiana], but this will be an intimate tribute to those three dames, along with some other music that I think is appropriate for the times. But the centerpiece will be celebrating their mutual legacies. There’s a lot of eclectic music there, in addition to music that people will know and love. It’s always fun to come up with a concept that will bring things that are familiar but will also have a lot of surprises for the audience.
JM: Share with me more about your
upcoming performances here in Carmel, Indiana, and what your fans and audiences can expect? FEINSTEIN: This year is celebrating the centenary of Judy Garland and Peggy Lee—because it was delayed by a year because of
For more information on Michael Feinstein’s tribute to Judy Garland—Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial at the Palladium on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Relax your brain. Reset your life. Cereset® helps your brain relax and reset itself, enabling you to achieve higher levels of well-being and balance throughout your life. • overcome worry & anxiety • restore hope & happiness • releases “stuck” stress • enhance learning & memory • experience restful sleep • increase energy & performance Learn more at cereset.com
Intro to Cereset $99 Special
Book now in Carmel 317.922.7588 11
Carmel_2022June_Michael Feinstein.indd 11
2022-06-29 4:42 PM
Next Generation Women Who Are Driving Their Brands Into the
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted
As the Artomobilia committee and its sponsors are revving up for the big weekend this August in the Arts & Design District in Carmel, Indiana, we are pleased to feature these two Artomobilia sponsors—Ferrari Lake Forest and Evans May Wealth—who support this year’s featured marque, which is Ferrari.
F
or 75 years, Ferrari has been setting the standard for excellence in both road and race trim. This year’s 15th Artomobilia will celebrate an exceptional collection of heritage and contemporary Ferraris that continue to amaze and delight the automotive community.
Making Their Own Marks And in keeping with the theme of heritage and legacy while also celebrating two extraordinary women who are slaying it in what have typically been male-dominated industries, we were thrilled to speak
with Marketing and Digital Manager Cassie Mancuso Carver, whose family owns and operates Ferrari Lake Forest in Lake Bluff, Illinois, and Evans May Wealth Managing Partner Elizabeth “Lizzie” Evans. Both ladies are pleased to be sponsors of Artomobilia. Ferrari Lake Forest offers one of the largest indoor displays of high-performance automotive fashion anywhere in the country, making it a premier Ferrari dealer for Chicago. “Ferrari Lake Forest is a family business that was started by my father [Rick Mancuso], who is a fourth-gener-
ation automotive business owner, and my brothers [Nick and Adam Mancuso] and I—are the second generation of this business,” Carver shared. “I’m obviously the only girl, so it’s always been a unique position for me to have been growing up in a male-dominated industry and family-run automotive business. There’s not a lot of females in this industry to begin with. But I grew in it just like my brothers, and we’ve continued to grow our family business.” Like Carver, Evans worked alongside her own father until he retired in 2018. Evans, her husband Ian Flanagan and
12
Carmel_2022June_Artomobilia.indd 12
2022-06-29 4:40 PM
Cassie Mancuso Carver
We have a lot of clients, but the day that you rest on that and you’re not planning for the future, and you’re not looking to meet new clients, is the day that you’re going to fail.”
Brooke May are all managing partners who created Evans May Wealth upon Evans’ father’s retirement. Evans May Wealth is located in the Arts & Design District in Carmel, Indiana. Evans May Wealth delivers on its mission by providing a world-class client service experience through its suite of financial planning programs and investment management expertise. Evans is a native to Carmel and lives in the Village of WestClay. “I was born and raised in Carmel,” Evans shared. “My father had been a Merrill Lynch advisor for 40-plus years. I was working in private equity in Austin [Texas] when my father asked if I was interested in coming to work for him. My husband, Ian, and I decided to move back to Indiana. We left Merrill Lynch in 2019 to start our own business—Evans May Wealth.”
The Art of Building Relationships Artomobilia brings car enthusiasts and collectors together for sure. But it also cultivates advantageous business relationships, which is a value-add for its sponsors. Both Carver and Evans credit their partnership as Artomobilia sponsors to Artomobilia co-founder John Leonard who connected the two ladies. Carver said she has a “soft spot” for Indiana having attended summer camps at Culver Academies, and two of her three daughters attend Culver. Carver also is a fan of Artomobilia and understands the synergies between her business and the Artomobilia team. She also expressed her appreciation for Elizabeth Evans and what the two sponsors share in common. “I met John [Leonard] at an Indy 500 race for the first time,” Carver shared. “We had been connected through a race team
earlier, and he connected me with Lizzie [Elizabeth Evans]. It’s always great talking with another female—especially one from a family-run business and male-dominated industry—who understands the nuances. Lizzie and I both understand what we need to accomplish and what our goals are. There’s a lot of synergies between us, so we’re looking forward to [Artomobilia], and Indiana is such an important market for us. We’re just excited to be a part of it.” Evans added, “I’m a huge believer in Carmel. We knew we wanted [Evans May Wealth] to be in Carmel, and we’ve had great reception from our clients. We met John [Leonard], who is certainly a visionary, and we really wanted to be a part of Artomobilia. There are so many events that surround it and lead up to it throughout the year. We have a lot of clients that are either [racing] team owners or are drivers, and we do quite a bit out at IMS, so it made sense for us to get involved with Artomobilia. We partnered with Ferrari, and we feel like we have high-per-
13
Carmel_2022June_Artomobilia.indd 13
2022-06-29 4:40 PM
forming teams who pay a lot of attention to detail. So, at John’s suggestion, [the co-branding] was a good fit. I think there’s no better event in Carmel, and as it continues to build with each passing year, it continues to get even better.”
Building Upon Their Family Legacies The responsibility of carrying on their respective family legacies are acknowledged by both Carver and Evans. They see their involvement as sponsors and co-branding partners as a way to expand their footprints and to continue building not only their impressive brands but relationships with future clients. Evans May Wealth is a well-established, experienced wealth management team with the longevity to navigate the complexities of your wealth through your retirement and beyond. As a registered independent advisory firm with decades of experience, the team specializes in providing wealth planning for families, executives and business owners.
Evans shared, “There are 11 members of the Evans May Wealth team, and we manage just over a billion in client assets. We only manage high-net-worth families and multigenerational wealth. We have a lot of families that span multiple decades, and we tend to work with a lot of business owners and corporate executives. Ultimately, it is my job to make sure my clients are well protected, and regarding my family legacy—I’m making sure that I’m doing right by my father continuing his legacy, and that’s a big responsibility.” As a full-service Ferrari dealership serving the Indianapolis, Indiana area and beyond, Ferrari Lake Forest is renowned for its award-winning service and parts department, whose sole goal is to make your after-sales experience flawless. Be sure to visit its 70,000-square-foot facility in Lake Bluff, Illinois. It is one of the largest indoor displays of award-winning high-performance automotive fashion anywhere in the country.
“There’s something to be said about the Midwest roots and its values,” Carver said. “And [the Midwest] is right in our backyard. We have a lot of clients, but the day that you rest on that and you’re not planning for the future, and you’re not looking to meet new clients, is the day that you’re going to fail. We’re constantly introducing people to who we are as a company, who Ferrari is and the brand itself, and we identify spots such as Artomobilia where we can easily partner and align with our brands so that it’s mutually beneficial.” If you’re in the market for a world-class customer experience and are looking for a Ferrari or for wealth management services, be sure to contact Cassie Carver at Lake Forest Ferrari and/or Elizabeth Evans at Evans May Wealth. For more information on Ferrari Lake Forest, visit ferrarilakeforest.com. And for more information on the services provided by Evans May Wealth, visit evansmay.com.
Let us design and build your dream kitchen CUSTOM BUILT CABINETRY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED ZIONSVILLE SHOWROOM SHOWROOM HOURS Mon-Friday: 9am-4pm Sat: By appointment only
Kitchen Cabinets
American Cabinets and Closets 10650 Bennett Pkwy, Suite 300, Zionsville info@americancabinetsandclosets.com
Laundry Room Cabinets
Custom Closets
Call us today for free consultation and estimate
(317) 875-7453
Custom Cabinet Refacing
Wet Bars
Custom Built-ins
americancabinetsandclosets.com
14
Carmel_2022June_Artomobilia.indd 14
2022-06-29 4:40 PM
The Great American Songbook Is Still Being Written Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of The Great American Songbook Foundation
I think most of our readers know that I am a champion of the arts, but I have to admit, until recently, I had not spent quality time in The Songbook Gallery, and what I experienced and learned during that visit was truly mind-blowing. It is my hope that all of our readers visit it—in person or virtually—and take advantage of all that the current exhibit, “From the Jazz Age to Streaming: The Soundtrack of the 20s–20s,” has to offer.
T
he Great American Songbook Foundation’s Executive Director Chris Lewis shared with me the purpose of this particular exhibit as well as information about the foundation that may not be well known to those outside of its organization and supporters. We also discussed how the Great American Songbook continues to expand its pages in each new era, preserving artists’ legacies of yesterday while documenting notable artists of today, to share with the generations of tomorrow. “Our mantra has always been there’s no reason to save these things if people don’t see them, share them and learn from them,” Lewis expressed. “So, that’s
a big part of our mission, and that’s what we’ve been trying to do on an even broader scale.”
What Is The Great American Songbook Foundation? With a mission to inspire and educate by celebrating the music that many have now coined the “Great American Songbook,” The Great American Songbook Foundation (GASF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is unique in its focus and ambitious in its efforts to become the authority in regard to the history, culture and continuing artistic legacy of America’s original popular song. The Great American Songbook is an enduring canon of the
most important and influential American popular songs and jazz standards that began in the early 20th century and is expanding into the 21st century. In addition to curating exhibitions, GASF’s mission also includes building upon The Great American Songbook Archives & Library that preserves 300plus collections and physical artifacts of the Songbook. For example, I stood less than 5 feet away from the actual piano that Harold Arlen worked from and wrote several familiar standards from, including “Over the Rainbow.” Lewis explained that this is a fairly recent acquisition for GASF. To stand in front of and look over this magnificent artifact was a sensational moment, to say the least. GASF’s archives also included over 12,000 items from the Meredith Willson collection that have been digitized and are available via digital scrapbook and online exhibit. The archives have drawn in researchers from more than 10 countries who have visited the Songbook Archives for research on a variety of projects, such as the BBC documentary “The Andrews Sisters – Queens of the Music Machines” and “The Music Man” Broadway revival starring Hugh Jackman. “We have an 8,000-square-foot [offsite] building where we warehouse everything,” Lewis shared. “We’ve had researchers here from over 10 countries and have hosted conferences, including two international musicology conferences, here [at the Center for the Performing Arts], and people have come from Oxford University Press and the Library of Congress and have convened here because we are the home of the Great American Songbook.” GASF is proud to have formed the Exhibit Alliance with local cultural institutions: Indiana Historical Society, Kurt Vonnegut Library, Carmel Clay Public Library, Indianapolis Public Library and Carmel Clay Historical Society. GASF also produces The Songbook Academy—a national summer intensive for high school-aged singers who have an interest in classic Broadway, jazz and popular music. And GASF is extremely proud to be a Grammy Museum Cultural Affiliate, joining an elite group of institutions worldwide.
15
Carmel_2022June_Songbook Academy Exhibit.indd 15
2022-06-29 4:43 PM
Now in its 10th year, the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame serves to elevate the Great American Songbook, much like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame have done for their respective musical genres. The Great American Songbook Hall of Fame inducts new members annually, including lyricists, composers and performers who created the soundtrack of our lives.
GASF Exhibitions The Songbook Gallery is an interactive multimedia space that features public exhibitions of materials curated from its archives and on loan from other collections. Audiences have enjoyed interacting with past exhibits accessible online. Traveling and virtual versions are available free for use by schools and community groups. “I think we have eight traveling exhibits right now, and for the first time, all eight have been out on the road in three different states,” Lewis stated. “The virtual exhibits are taking off as well. Where we might get 10,000 people a year through the gallery, we’ve had hundreds of thousands [of people] that view the virtual and the traveling exhibits.” The current exhibit, “From the Jazz Age to Streaming: The Soundtrack of the 20s–20s,” juxtaposes the popular music and pop culture of the 1920s and the 2020s in terms of how music has been recorded, marketed, purchased and experienced and how the music has reflected the social disparities and other trends of its time.
At the beginning of the 2020s, the issues of today seem uncannily familiar: conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan, the coronavirus pandemic, political tensions, racism and immigration laws dominate our headlines now as they did a century ago. But in the midst of turmoil, artists and musicians continue to push boundaries, stretching their creative skills to challenge and excite their audiences. Though we are separated from the 1920s by a century, today’s artists draw inspiration from their predecessors. Today’s musical artists may be producing albums, making very different types of music while utilizing modern-day technologies, as compared to their 1920s counterparts, but we can see similarities in the creativity and ingenuity as well as the breaking of stereotypes and the pushing of boundaries across the board. Visitors can look forward to learning about featured artists from Louis Armstrong and Cole Porter to Taylor Swift and Lizzo, viewing “Over the Rainbow” composer Harlen Arlen’s personal piano and engaging with interactive touchscreens to experience the music of the two decades. “We got our first NEA [National Endowment for the Arts] grant for this exhibit,” Lewis said. “They liked the concept, and it’s been really exciting to see the parallels and similarities between the 1920s and what’s been happening in the early 2020s. It’s a renaissance of creativity and another example of the power of the arts. People clung to the arts and to music during COVID. Everybody wanted to make something, create and share some-
thing. And it connected us in a whole new way. I can’t wait to see what really comes of this time relative to art.” Lewis continued, “Our job is to talk about how the past and present are connected. Lady Gaga speaks very eloquently about her influences and why she has an affinity for jazz and the great singers. Billie Eilish credits her love of music to Peggy Lee.” Lewis explained that GASF focuses a lot on the “foundational” era of music for the reason that the materials are endangered and have a finite window before they disappear, disintegrate and become lost to time. Lewis added, “Arts education programs are being cut, and so many students are not learning about our great composers, lyricists and performers and our music history, so that’s another reason why we exist. We also celebrate contemporary artists, and we foster the talents of the next generation.” While the Great American Songbook term is associated with the “Golden Age” of American popular music, Lewis emphasized that the Songbook is still being written and that contemporary artists such as Billy Joel, Carole King, James Taylor, Elton John, etc., have written popular songs that are 50 years old and are still being played and rerecorded. Lewis added, “If we’re still singing it, and it’s still being played—it’s part of the American Songbook.”
Plan Your Visit Be sure to visit the current exhibit, “From the Jazz Age to Streaming,” at the Center for the Performing Arts, in the Songbook Gallery. Admission is FREE! The gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Enter the Box Office entrance and ask the staff to call a docent down to take you on an exhilarating tour! As part of the interactive exhibit, you’ll be encouraged to take a three-question quiz, after which you’ll unlock a digital collection of music curated based on your answers to the music quiz! You can also see a virtual version of the current exhibit, “From the Jazz Age to Streaming,” online at thesongbook.org/ exhibits.
16
Carmel_2022June_Songbook Academy Exhibit.indd 16
2022-06-29 4:43 PM
eK
Ma r ie
qu
An gé li
idjo
E
O
o sm
nd
El ne lia
or
ty
ias
Lewi s Black
Sh ne o b m Tro
PICK 4 OR MORE & SAVE UP TO 20% • Songbook Academy in Concert Sat Jul 23 at 7pm | The Palladium
• Ella: The Music of Ella Fitzgerald in Concert Fri Nov 4 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Ugly Duckling Sat Jan 28 at 11am & 1:30pm | The Tarkington
• Jimmie Vaughan Fri Sep 9 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Chris Botti Sat Nov 5 at 8pm | The Palladium
• The Center Celebration 2022 Fri Sep 16 at 5pm | The Palladium
• Charles Peachock, juggler Sat Nov 5 at 2 & 8pm | The Tarkington
• Dublin Irish Dance: Wings – A Celtic Music Celebration Fri Feb 10 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Herb Alpert & Lani Hall in Concert Thu Sep 22 at 7:30pm | The Palladium
• U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus Thu Nov 10 at 7:30pm | The Palladium
• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Fri Sep 23 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Gilberto Santa Rosa Fri Nov 11 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Lewis Black: Off the Rails Sat Sep 24 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Wu Han, Benjamin Beilman, & David Finckel: Schubert Trios Sun Nov 13 at 7pm | The Palladium
• Joshua Bell and Peter Dugan Thu Sep 29 at 7:30pm | The Palladium • Tower of Power Fri Sep 30 at 7:30pm | The Palladium • Europa Galante with Fabio Biondi Thu Oct 6 at 7:30pm | The Palladium • Voca People Sun Oct 9 at 7pm | The Palladium • Diana Krall Tue Oct 11 at 7:30pm | The Palladium • Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: Life in the Past Lane Thu Oct 13 at 7:30pm | The Palladium
• National Geographic Live: Brian Skerry: Secrets of the Whales Tue Nov 15 at 7:30pm | The Palladium • Take Me To The River NOLA LIVE!
featuring Dumpstaphunk, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners and Jon Cleary
Fri Nov 18 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Eliane Elias Sun Nov 20 at 7pm | The Palladium • All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Fri Dec 2 at 8pm | The Palladium • Canadian Brass Christmas Sat Dec 3 at 8pm | The Palladium
• My Name is NOT Mom Fri Oct 14 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Luminare Christmas Thu Dec 8 at 7:30pm | The Palladium
• Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance Tour Sat Oct 15 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Dave Koz and Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour Fri Dec 9 at 8pm | The Palladium
• The Queen’s Cartoonists Sun Oct 16 at 5pm | The Palladium
• Marie Osmond: A Symphonic Christmas Tour Sat Dec 10 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Boney James Sat Feb 18 at 8pm | The Palladium • National Geographic Live: Lindsay Zanno: T. Rex Rises Tue Feb 21 at 7:30pm | The Palladium • Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine Fri Feb 24 at 8pm | The Palladium • Sammy Miller and The Congregation Fri Mar 3 at 8pm | The Palladium • Peking Acrobats Sat Mar 18 at 8pm | The Palladium • Jonathan Butler Sun Mar 26 at 7pm | The Palladium • Kevin Nealon Fri Apr 7 at 8pm | The Palladium • Marc Cohn & Shawn Colvin Together Onstage Thu Apr 13 at 7:30pm | The Palladium • Abilene Sat Apr 15 at 8pm | The Palladium • The Four Phantoms in Concert Fri Apr 21 at 8pm | The Palladium • National Geographic Live: Filipe DeAndrade: Untamed Tue Apr 25 at 7:30pm | The Palladium • Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial Sat Apr 29 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Michael Bolton: Greatest Hits & Holiday Favorites Tue Dec 13 at 7:30pm | The Palladium
• George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Sun Apr 30 at 7pm | The Palladium
• Angélique Kidjo Sun Oct 23 at 7pm | The Palladium
• Celtic Woman: A Christmas Symphony Tour 2022 Thu Dec 15 at 7:30pm | The Palladium
• Evil Woman – The American ELO Fri May 5 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Jon McLaughlin Wed Nov 2 at 7:30pm | The Tarkington
• The Mavericks: ‘En Español’ World Tour Fri Jan 27 at 8pm | The Palladium
• Madeleine Peyroux: “Careless Love” & Paula Cole: “This Fire” Thu Oct 20 at 7:30pm | The Palladium
ASK ABOUT THE SUITE EXPERIENCE! 317.843.3800 | THECENTERPRESENTS.ORG
These activities made possible in part with support from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
CPA-CarmelMonthly_2223SeasonAnnounce_8.375x10.875.indd 1 Carmel_May2022-The Center for the Performing Arts.indd 1
5/11/22 3:50 PM 2022-05-31 2:34 PM
Celebrating
60 Years of Giving to The Hussey-Mayf ie ld M e m oria l P u b lic Lib ra ry Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of HMMPL and Tell a Story Photography
Zionsville Monthly is proud to be a longtime supporter of the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library (HMMPL) and a sponsor of the HMMPL Diamond Jubilee Book Ball. This year’s event will be held August 20 from 7-11 p.m., at the HMMPL Zionsville branch.
T
he event will feature many ways to support HMMPL, including a “Fund-a-Need” item specifically for the library’s new, second location, currently being built at 6310 E. Albert S. Whitestown Blvd., in Whitestown. The Fund-a-Need will raise funds for the installation of a beautiful tree sculpture and an interactive wall that will be featured in the new children’s area. We spoke with the co-presidents of the HMMPL Foundation Catherine “Cathy” Coscia and LeeAnn Biggs about the past,
present and future of the library and the foundation that supports its programs. And once the second branch has been built and officially opens, HMMPL will be able to add to its robust menu of programs and will offer a variety of new programs that will be unique to the new location by virtue of its ample indoor space and outdoor amenities. However, these exceptional programs and opportunities for the community are supported in large part by the HMMPL Foundation and, in turn, the Foundation
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_HMMPL Book Ball.indd 18
18
needs the continued support of the community. The needs are going to be greater than ever because HMMPL will be expanding their programs at both of its locations and the need to support the HMMPL Foundation is just as important as the foundation supports the present and the future of HMMPL.
Building the Foundation The Book Ball was an event that originally debuted in 1962. It was organized by the Psi Iota Xi sorority and held at the Dol-
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 4:30 PM
serves its purpose and then its time to refresh and that’s what we’ve done with many different grants. If you print out all of the [Foundation] grants awarded in the past 20 years, it’s 70 pages.”
Get Your Tickets—Today!
phin Country Club in Indianapolis, and the proceeds benefited the Children’s Reading Room of the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library (HMMPL) in Zionsville. The debut of the Book Ball correlated with the opening of HMMPL’s Hawthorne Street location, where the Library operated from 1962-1994. In 1998, the formalized 501c3 Foundation was formed with the specific purpose to support HMMPL. To date, the Foundation has surpassed $1 million in grants to HMMPL and continues to donate thousands of dollars each year to support technical, logistical and outreach initiatives. Past examples of the foundation Grants/Giving include Wi-Fi capability
and upgrades, library catalog stations, the Bookmobile, mobile outreach station, the outdoor sensory garden, upgraded self-checkout stations, and several other essential library programs and services. Biggs and Coscia explained that many of the grants that the Foundation awards are HMMPL staff initiated and range from large projects and improvements to smaller scale projects such as the “Seed Library” project. “The Seed Library, which has been wildly popular, is certainly not the largest grant,” Biggs said. “But then we got grants for new drop boxes in the front [of the library] because those were 20 years old. The Foundation invests in something, it
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_HMMPL Book Ball.indd 19
19
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the library in a different light and after hours! Enjoy live music by Greta Speaks, food from Sweet & Savory catering, drinks and live auction by auctioneer, Sue Wickliff, with items including Colts’ sideline tickets with VIP parking, a weeklong stay at a Seaside, FL Condo, a specially commissioned David Seward Painting, a Night in Italy dinner for eight with paired wines from the Wine Guy, an opportunity for your child to record the Library’s daily closing message and an opportunity to sing with the band during the event. Coscia added, “We hope that people are ready to have a fun evening. The library is absolutely transformed! There will be special literary cocktails, a scavenger hunt, a 1960s trivia game and another special game. There will be dancing after the live auction and Fund-a-Need. You will need to be present to win the auction items.” Biggs and Coscia emphasized that HMMPL’s mission is to be a life learning center without borders. The branches will continue the library’s purpose which is to be a vital component of the communities in which it serves; connecting people, connecting interests as it continues to evolve with the changing needs of a growing county and advancing technologies. HMMPL certainly looks different from its inception, 60 years ago. But it continues to be a beacon of education and hub of resources for those seeking them, as well a place to build community and make new connections. Please join us in supporting the HMMPL Foundation. Purchase tickets online at: hmmplfoundation.org/events-1. For more information on the HMMPL Foundation’s grants, visit hmmplfoundation.org/projects. If you’d like to donate directly to the Foundation, there is a “Donate Now” tab on the Foundation’s webpage as well.
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 4:30 PM
Jane Burgess
Talks About The Future of Fundraising for HMMPL Foundation Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick
As the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Library (HMMPL) prepares to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee, we thought it prudent to talk with one of the newest members of the HMMPL Foundation Board of Directors—Zionsville resident Jane Burgess—about the importance of fundraising and how the foundation is working through the current state of the economy to raise the necessary funds to support both of the HMMPL branches and its robust menu of programs and services offered by the library staff. Exemplary Prowess in Fundraising
B
urgess has resided in Zionsville for 20 years along with her husband Claude and their two children Kristin and Thomas—who went through the Zionsville Community School (ZCS) system. Burgess served on the ZCS School Board for three terms. Additionally, Burgess serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Boone County and is a past president of the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild. She is also heavily involved at her church—Zionsville Presbyterian Church.
“I began my [fundraising] journey with the ZCS school board when I was first elected in 2008,” Burgess said. It was one of the greatest opportunities and was an honor to serve our community in that way.” A few of the highlights while serving on that board that Burgess is most proud of include initiatives such as “Strong in Every Way,” approving the multi-purpose stadium and the sponsorship of said stadium with Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, and the passing of the school’s operating levy in 2012 [which was renewed in 2015]. “We [the school board] secure the most lucrative sponsorship for ZCS to offset
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_Jane Burgess.indd 20
20
the cost of the multi-purpose stadium,” Burgess stated. “Along with that partnership with Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, we were able to get athletic trainers and school nurses in that package. It was really exciting to be part of that [process] as well.” While serving as president of the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild in 2020-21, Burgess’s greatest challenge was to raise money from the guild’s primary fundraiser—The Decorator’s Show House and Gardens—amid the COVID pandemic. “The silver lining of that [challenge] was that we rethought how we did
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 4:37 PM
a number of things and the way we did the show house,” Burgess recalled. “We did timed ticketing and we increased our sponsorships. We created a ‘marketplace’ rather than a café and all of the things we did ended up making it very successful. We raised $316,000 for the Center for Nursing Excellence at Eskenazi Health— during a pandemic. It was amazing the way that the guild members, designers, contractors, and landscapers all came together and really, pulled off nothing short of an amazing accomplishment during that time.” Burgess also spearheaded the fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Boone County in 2017. Burgess added, “We were able to raise $97,000 which was nearly the price of building a home. Habitat is near and dear to my heart. I started on that board 6 years ago and have been involved for over 20 years in different capacities. It’s important for everybody to have a place to call home and Habitat gives people a hand up—not a handout—while it’s changing the trajectories of their lives and offering a secure home environment for families.”
Growing the Foundation Alongside a Growing Population As the HMMPL service areas continue to grow, so do the needs of the residents. The HMMPL Foundation’s focus is to grow its level of support for the HMMPL staff and the essential programs and services it offers throughout this expansion period and beyond—to secure a strong community asset for the present population and future generations. Burgess expressed her gratitude for being invited to join the HMMPL Foundation Board and is excited to bring her board and fundraising experience to the table to further serve the community and county in which she resides. “I was very honored to be asked to join [the HMMPL Foundation Board] because I do think that the library is such an important part of the community,” Burgess expressed. “The staff is phenomenal, truly, and it really was an easy and natural transition to go from serving on the ZCS School Board to being part of the foun-
Fundraising Amid Global Economic Uncertainty
We are so excited to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and the Book Ball event will bring the community together for something so positive.” dation board. Both serve our community; our children and families and I think it’s an exciting time in the life of the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library.” Burgess continued, “The foundation nurtures the creativity and ingenuity of the staff. The foundation is a mechanism that allows us to grant the HMMPL staff the monetary needs that make it possible for our staff to implement their innovative ideas. We are so excited to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and the Book Ball event will bring the community together for something so positive.”
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_Jane Burgess.indd 21
21
Along with experience, Burgess brings to the foundation board a proven track record of successful fundraising amid challenging times. When asked to share her thoughts on fundraising for not just one facility but for two facilities and how the HMMPL Foundation perceives fundraising in the current economic climate, Burgess stated, “What I have perpetually seen in our community is its generosity. People support the causes and organizations that they believe in. Certainly, these are challenging financial times right now. I also believe that people still have the spirit of generosity for the causes they believe in. That’s just the kind of community that we live in. I’m always amazed at how people in our community are willing to step up and do whatever is needed. We collectively work together to meet the goals.” We spoke with the co-presidents of the HMMPL Foundation Catherine “Cathy” Coscia and LeeAnn Biggs about what they believe Burgess brings to the foundation board. “I’ve worked with Jane for over 20 years in many different volunteer capacities from Sunday school at church—when our kids were the same age—to St. Margaret’s [Guild],” Coscia shared. “I’ve watched Jane prepare for school board meetings and we’ve been elders together at ZPC. Jane brings all those strengths to the foundation board and her experiences illustrate her deep involvement in the community. Her being willing to work on the foundation board is very impactful.” Biggs concluded, “Our children were in the same graduating class at Zionsville Community High School. So, I’ve known her all these years and we did deep dives into show choir things and activities at the school. Because of her service to the community, and because I’ve always had a positive experience working with Jane, I am—personally—very glad that she joined the foundation board.” For more information on the HMMPL Foundation Board and the upcoming Diamond Jubilee Book Ball, visit hmmplfoundation.org.
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 4:37 PM
A
s announced after the ZCS board of trustees regular meeting in June, Coffman is poised to succeed Dr. Robison as superintendent when he retires Feb. 1, 2023, as confirmed by board vote at the meeting. I sat down with Dr. Robison and asked him to share his reflections on the goals achieved throughout his tenure that began June 2006, as well as his insight on what issues and challenges lie ahead for ZCS and for his successor.
UPON REFLECTION OF HIS TENURE AT ZCS
Dr. Scott Robison’s Impending Retirement:
In His Own Words Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted
Over the past decade plus, I’ve had the pleasure of reporting on several Zionsville Community School (ZCS) district matters and have sat down with ZCS Superintendent Dr. Scott Robison and several members of his leadership staff, including ZCS Associate Superintendent Rebecca Coffman, for countless discussions.
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_Scott Robison Retirement.indd 22
22
“It’s hard to not be bullish about the Zionsville Community Schools,” Dr. Robison stated. “It is such a resourceful and well-resourced community. From my experience, working in a lot of different communities in Indiana, this tends to yield high quality first teachers in terms of parents—who are the first teachers of young people and then the handoff happens as school begins.” Dr. Robison emphasized that he and the entire ZCS try to match those hopes and dreams that parents have for their children with teachers who “nurture the notions of helping young people become well-rounded individuals.” “What I have seen in the 16 years here, is that [ZCS] is a resilient community,” Dr. Robison said. “When I do leave [ZCS], I will have a big smile because I can remain bullish on ZCS and that’s just a wonderful thing, given the challenges that everyone in this community has seen and everyone in this world has seen.”
HITTING THE MARKS WHILE PUSHING THROUGH THE CHALLENGES During his tenure, Dr. Robison has worked with the ZCS Board throughout some historically challenging times. “I am most proud of the team and the ‘team’ includes elected board members who had the right notions about the robustness of this community school district and making sure that it stayed strong and was on the right trajectory,” Dr. Robison stated. “We built an admin-
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 4:33 PM
“I am most proud of the team and the ‘team’ includes elected board members who had the right notions about the robustness of this community school district and making sure that it stayed strong and was on the right trajectory.”
istrative team—all appointees—and we work at the pleasure of the elected board who have had to make some really tough decisions.” Dr. Robison and the ZCS Board have had to navigate property tax reform, passing operating referenda, the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. I, myself, spent several hours over the years meeting with both Dr. Robison and the late, long-serving ZCS chief financial officer Michael “Mike” Shafer learning about the school funding formula and its many shortcomings as well as why the operating referenda are essential to the health of the district and quality of education for our community’s schoolage children. “Funding is always the foremost challenge, given that almost 40% of our teachers and those people who deliver the core mission are paid from an operating referendum,” Dr. Robison shared. “That’s the way the state decided funding occurs for local so-called ‘traditional’ public schools, and so that’s the way we must do it.” Dr. Robison continued, “Difficult [matters] such as redistricting and adopting a
new calendar are never fun. I’ve always said about [school] calendars and having done maybe 25 or 30 over my career is that you can put 10, 15 or 100 people in a room about [planning] a calendar and those folks won’t agree that the sky is up let alone which day gets on the calendar. It is a hotly contested and personal issue for a lot of people. A lot of considerations have to be made and you can’t make all of those come out in the wash—just like redistricting. We welcome so many new people every year and redistricting was a fact—just like a beautiful fact of Trailside Elementary and the renovation and addition of the high school. These are good things and are bellwethers of positives. In the future, people still want to be here.” Dr. Robison reflected over many of the district’s achievements as well as the many challenges that it still faces as the transition from one superintendent to the next has begun. Issues such as growth within the district, school funding, mental health, student health and student safety remain at the top of the priority list for the school administrators and board members.
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
Zionsville_2022June_Scott Robison Retirement.indd 23
23
Dr. Robison expressed his confidence in Coffman’s leadership abilities and is pleased with the board’s vote to have her succeed him as superintendent upon his official retirement in early 2023. Dr. Robison explained that he will be working in tandem with Coffman at the start of the next school year, the opening of Trailside Elementary School and up until his last day at ZCS, ensuring a seamless transition. When asked what he is most proud of, Dr. Robison shared, “At the end of the day, what I am proudest of is that we have continued to build a team of people whose mission is to serve students and help them grow. The [students] do not grow at the same pace, and we have to calibrate for the individual needs of children. It’s really hard to do and we don’t always get it right as it is a human organization but, by gosh, we have focused—with the help of board members and parents—on having the right people to connect with the young people so that this remains an excellent school community. I’ve had a really good run. It’s been the joy of my career to work in the Zionsville Community Schools and I appreciate that opportunity.”
JUNE 2022
2022-06-29 4:32 PM
Carmel_June2022-Landscape Illumination.indd 1
2022-06-29 3:43 PM
