Tuesday, April 1, 2025
A ‘BARN’ GOOD TIME
Country-themed fundraiser benefits teens struggling with health challenges / P11
Indiana GOP leaders laud state’s DOGE-like efforts / P2
Guerin High School names new principal / P6
Ivy Tech Day set for April 8 / P9
State Sen. Scott Baldwin gives council bill updates / P10
April 1, 2025 Current in Noblesville
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Founded Sept. 15, 2009, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XVI, No. 25
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From left, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Hamilton County Republican Party Chair Mario Massillamany, Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and Kegan Prentice, legislative director in the Office of the Secretary of State, March 25 at a GOP-sponsored town hall at Life Church. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)
Indiana GOP leaders laud state’s DOGE-like efforts
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Four state officials touted Indiana’s fiscal accomplishments as an example for the federal government to follow as they outlined plans for Indiana to imitate recent federal cost-cutting initiatives at a town hall meeting sponsored by the Hamilton County Republican Party.
POLITICS
The event, held March 25 at Life Church in Noblesville, featured Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and Kegan Prentice, legislative director in the Office of Secretary of State, who filled in for Secretary of State Diego Morales. Mario Massillamany, Hamilton County Republican Party chair, moderated the discussion.
Beckwith, a pastor at the church, addressed his working relationship with Gov. Mike Braun. Beckwith wasn’t Braun’s top choice for a running mate, so many believed their partnership would be strained. But that hasn’t been the case, Beckwith said.
“I’ve seen (Braun) model a lot of what he’s doing after what (President) Donald Trump has been doing. A lot of the executive orders (he’s) signed look very similar to what President Trump is doing,” Beckwith said. “This is easy to sell because he’s doing such a great job.”
The state officials praised Trump’s efforts to reduce government waste through the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, which is being led by billionaire Elon Musk. They said they would support efforts to create a state-level DOGE, an idea Beckwith said he expects to gain traction after the legislative session wraps up in late April.
Elliott said Indiana has “the most conservative team of statewide elected officials in the entire country,” so it makes
sense they would embrace the DOGE concept.
“Ronald Reagan was DOGE,” Elliott said. “This is a conservative principle, so if we’re following conservative principles we’re implementing DOGE in our offices.”
Nieshalla said her office is ready to support any DOGE-like efforts initiated by the Braun administration. But she also said the federal government should look to Indiana as an example of financial health, as the state has a balanced budget, healthy cash reserves and the fourth-lowest debt per capita in the nation. She said the $36 trillion national debt “means trouble for our country.”
“It’s time to make America’s finances great again, and, may I add, make America like Indiana,” said Nieshalla, a Zionsville resident who chairs the National Debt Crisis Task Force.
Other state initiatives discussed include a plan by the Secretary of State’s Office to modernize maintenance of voter lists, an initiative in the Comptroller’s Office to improve the state’s transparency portal and efforts by Elliott to sound the alarm on financial institutions that debank conservative institutions, such as gun manufacturers and some churches.
Beckwith, who had a torn achilles and rolled onto the stage with the help of a scooter, urged attendees to consider becoming more involved in the political process. He credited Life Church and Living Stones church in Crown Point with providing education on the delegate process during the 2024 election cycle (delegates select the lieutenant governor candidate). He said the two churches sent 63 delegates to the state convention, which matched his margin of victory in the lieutenant governor’s race.
“Two churches made the difference,” he said. “Your sphere of influence is never small.”
DISPATCHES
Coroner’s office —The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office is participating in the My Heart Your Heart pacemaker donation program, an initiative dedicated to providing life-saving cardiac devices to underserved populations worldwide. The My Heart Your Heart program, spearheaded by the University of Michigan in collaboration with medical institutions and humanitarian organizations, collects, sterilizes and reuses pacemakers to help patients in need across the globe. Through this partnership, the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office will facilitate the recovery and donation of pacemakers from deceased individuals, with the consent of their families, to give others a second chance at life.
Career scholarship program available — Applications are now open for the Indiana Career Scholarship account program. The program is available to Hoosier students in grades 10-12 interested in internships, apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities. CSAs provide $5,000 annually in scholarship funding to students enrolled in an approved program provider for the upcoming school year. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1, 2025. The program is administered by the Indiana Treasurer of State. Learn more at in.gov/tos/csa.
Road closure — Beginning April 1, a portion of Greenfield Avenue will be closed for 30 days – weather permitting – for the replacement of a box culvert that crosses under the road. The closure will include Arbor Grove Boulevard at the Arbor Grove west entrance. Access for all Arbor Grove residents will be available at the subdivision’s east entrance on Symphony Boulevard. Greenfield Avenue will remain open from Ind. 37 east to Waterman Drive.
Noblesville standout named to Girls All-Stars team — Noblesville High School guard Meredith Tippner has been named to the senior Indiana Girls All-Stars team. Tippner, who averaged 26 points per game, is headed to play for the University of Miami (Fla.) The senior All-Stars will play three games in June, one exhibition game against the Indiana Junior All-Stars as well as home-and-home contests against the Kentucky All-Stars.
SATURDAY | APRIL 26
Longtime county food bank executive director retires
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
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GIVING BACK
There were more people and more tears than usual during the Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank’s annual meeting March 18, as the nonprofit organization said farewell to retiring Executive Director Anita Hagen, one of the group’s founders and its first executive director.
The annual meeting celebrated Hagen’s 15 years with the organization, 10 of those as executive director. Participants also welcomed incoming Executive Director Suzanna Hobson of Fishers.
In an interview before the event, Hagen gave a brief history of the organization, which she helped found in 2010 after the Red Cross ended its food drive program that had provided food for pantries in the county.
“The Red Cross had done a wonderful job of organizing school food drives and other food drives, and that had helped the pantries — you know, our population in the county was much, much lower then, so just by that fact alone, the food needs were lower,” Hagen said. “But they could not afford to keep that programming and so they just asked the pantries that were working with them, ‘Hey, could you possibly take this over?’ And we said OK, not really knowing where that would lead.”
It led to the Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank, which started small — with space donated by White River Christian Church in Noblesville — and grew along with the population of the county.
Hagen began as a volunteer and board member. About 10 years ago, the organization had grown to the point where it needed staff, which is when she became its first executive director. During that time, HCH has continued to expand services and food distribution, adding fresh produce and meat to its offerings, as well as meals for kids when they’re not in school.
Hagen said she stayed in the job about a year longer than she thought she would.
“It’s all in God’s timing,” she said, reflecting on why this year was the right time to retire. “It really is like they say — you know when you know. And we are set and ready to move onward. A lot of things have come together and it’s time for … Food Bank 2.0
and for that next chapter.”
HCH Board President Mary Lou Finchum went through at least three tissues during the annual meeting as she teared up talking about the good work Hagen has accomplished over the years.
“Tonight, we recognize a leader who has been the heart of this organization for many years,” Finchum said. “Anita Hagen has not only led with passion and dedication but has built something truly lasting. Her leadership has been the steady trunk of this organization, giving us the strength to expand and flourish. We celebrate her many contributions this evening, and let me say right now, on behalf of all of us, thank you for your incredible service.”
In addition to presenting Hagen with a plaque commemorating her time with the nonprofit, the board announced a new annual award in her name — Hagen’s Harvest Heroes — with Hagen as the first honoree. Each year, a new honoree will be chosen, recognizing their contributions to the organization’s mission.
Finchum also introduced Hobson as the new executive director.
“With a background in community outreach, program development and organizational leadership, Susanna is uniquely positioned to lead us into our next phase of growth,” Finchum said. “She brings a wealth of experience, a passion for service and a deep understanding of what it takes to lead an organization with both heart and strategy.”
For more, visit hchfoodbank.org.
Anita Hagen is retiring as executive director of Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank, an organization she helped found in 2010. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
A legacy of support. Guerin High School names new principal
The Payne and Mencias families have long believed in the power of the arts to inspire, connect and transform individuals and communities. With their latest contribution — a transformative donation for the Palladium’s naming rights — these families ensure that art and culture will thrive in Central Indiana for years to come. TheCenterPresents.org
news@currentnoblesville.com
Deacon Rick Wagner, president of St. Theodore Guerin High School in Noblesville, announced March 20 that Christine Williams has been named as the school’s new principal.
EDUCATION
She will officially assume the role June 1.
Williams, who has served as Guerin Catholic’s assistant principal and director of academics since 2016, replaces James McNeany, who was recently named the executive director of the Indiana Non-Public Education Association.
“In her nine years at Guerin Catholic, Christine has proven herself to be a faithfilled, compassionate (and) student-focused leader, pouring everything she says and does through the filter of her strong faith,” Wagner stated. “I am excited for Christine to take on the principal role and direct our daily efforts to ‘Love the children first, then teach them.’ We are blessed to have her in this pivotal role moving forward.”
Williams earned her Bachelor of Education from Indiana University and her Master in Educational Administration from Butler University. Before coming to Guerin Catholic, she served as the principal of Holy Name Catholic School in Beech Grove.
“Being a part of our Guerin Catholic community has been an immeasurable blessing, and I am honored to serve as the next principal,” Williams stated. “Each day, I have the gift of being inspired by the faithfilled people I serve alongside, the families who entrust their children to our care and the students we are privileged to minister to through the gift of Catholic education. I look forward to serving our community and mission in this new capacity and ask for your continued prayers throughout this transition.”
Williams, her husband Jon and their three children are members of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Carmel.
The school will begin the search for Williams’ replacement as assistant principal/ director of academics within the next few weeks.
Williams
Department funds park programs
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
At its meeting March 24, the Hamilton County Commissioners approved for the Hamilton County Health Department to use state funding for Hamilton County Parks and Recreation wellness programs.
COUNTY NEWS
Some programs the department will help fund include:
• Bike Share Program ($22,000 per year for a five-year term)
HCPR will use funds to start a bike share system, a service that provides bicycles for short-term rental, at Strawtown Koteewi Park in Noblesville.
• Kayak Share Program ($20,000 for a five-year term)
The kayak share program will make exercise accessible, so people do not have to transport or purchase a kayak and life jacket themselves. HCPR is starting with a four-unit system at Koteewi Lake or Morse Beach Park in Noblesville.
• Exercise instructors/equipment
($6,480 per year)
HCPR will hire exercise instructors to teach a variety of fitness classes. These classes will be held indoors or outdoors at Osprey Point Pavilion in Noblesville or Cool Creek Nature Center’s auditorium in Carmel.
• Yoga at the Osprey Pointe Pavilion
($6,240 per year)
HCPR has operated a weekly, free yoga program at the Osprey Pointe Pavilion in Noblesville for three years. Funds will help the program continue to grow.
• 12-Step Yoga Recovery Program
($6,240 per year)
The 12-Step Yoga Recovery began in 2024 and focuses on using yoga to help individuals struggling with substance use disorder recover. Funding will allow the program to continue operating weekly.
The next commissioners meeting is April 14 at 1:45 p.m.
For a full list of programs, visit hamiltoncoin.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1129/files/ agenda/6078.
Nursing board grants accreditation to Ivy Tech Hamilton County
news@currentnoblesville.com
Ivy Tech Community College Hamilton County’s School of Nursing has received full accreditation from the Indiana State Board of Nursing.
EDUCATION
The official accreditation was granted last month at the Indiana Statehouse, according to Ivy Tech.
“Our mission at Ivy Tech Hamilton County is to ensure we are serving the needs of our community,” stated Stephen Prunier, vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Having a fully accredited nursing program will allow us to continue providing high-quality nursing education to support the county’s growing health care needs.”
Me-Me Pruitt, director of marketing and communication for Ivy Tech Hamilton County, said since launching in January 2023, the Hamilton County campus, Ivy Tech’s 19th nursing location, has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in nursing education.
“Boasting an above 90 percent first-time pass rate, the program has successfully prepared students for careers in health care, addressing critical workforce demands in the region,” Pruitt stated.
Pruitt said the accreditation validates the dedication and efforts of Ivy Tech Hamilton County’s nursing faculty, staff and students in meeting academic and professional standards. She said it also reinforces the college’s role in strengthening Indiana’s health care workforce by producing skilled and credentialed nurses.
“I am very proud of the faculty and students for putting in the work and trusting the system,” stated Dean of Nursing at Ivy Tech Hamilton County Monick Davis.
“The accreditation confirms we have met a standard of excellence.”
Pruitt said Ivy Tech Hamilton County continues to expand its health care offerings and remains committed to fostering industry partnerships.
For more, visit ivytech.edu.
Guerin Catholic senior becomes complete basketball player
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Guerin Catholic High School senior Ryne Paris went from being a defensive stopper off the bench to a complete player in his final prep season.
“The biggest aspect of Ryne’s improvement was his confidence. Not only did it help him but it helped the team,” Golden Eagles coach Bobby Allen said. “We lost four starters from last year’s team and Ryne knew there was an opportunity to be a leader on this year’s team. He took advantage of the summer and improved his game and he became a calming presence for all of our inexperienced players. He made so many big shots for us from the perimeter this season and he had the ability to control the tempo of the game when the ball was in his hands.
“He was a major reason why we won the Circle City Conference and 23 games this season.”
A Westfield resident, Paris averaged 10.4 points per game on a team-high 52 percent shooting from the field, including 35 percent from 3-point range. The 6-foot-2 guard
RYNE PARIS
Favorite athlete: Paul George
Favorite movie: “Step Brothers”
Favorite vacation spot: Jamaica
Favorite subject: History
Favorite musician: Drake
was second on the team with 4.3 rebounds per game and led the Golden Eagles with 2.8 assists per game and 2.1 steals per game. Senior Bryson Cardinal led Guerin with 19.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
“Getting shots up in the mornings, and, of course, confidence allowed me to get better during the season,” Paris said. “I would say I definitely took pride in becoming a leader, because not only did we lose
Guerin
Catholic senior
Ryne Paris improved dramatically in his first year as a starter. (Photo courtesy of Live Action Sports)
four starters, but every single one of them were great leaders.”
Paris averaged 1.7 ppg as a junior.
“We had so many experienced players last year that it was hard to consistently crack in the lineup,” said Allen, whose team reached the Class 3A regional before losing to New Palestine. “But he was always ready to go, and when the opportunity came for him to step up, he took advantage of it and he never let up. By the end of the season, he also became a defensive catalyst for our group. We had a lot of confidence in putting him on one of the other team’s best players and he always was
ready for the challenge.”
Paris knew defense was crucial to earning playing time.
“The only way for me to gain playing time my junior year was to play hard and really lock in on the defensive end,” he said. “I was also able to learn a great deal playing with Rob Sorenson because we played the same sort of position, and he did it at a high level.”
Paris will play for Olivet Nazarene University, an NAIA school in Bourbonnais, Ill.
“I chose Olivet because coach (Nick) Birkey and the staff over there are great and not only run a great program but are amazing people,” Paris said. “I also chose it because it is close to home, and my parents will be able to attend all of the home games.”
Paris played football and baseball before giving those sports up before high school. Basketball has always been his passion.
“I started playing basketball ever since I could walk but started playing team basketball when I was around 6,” he said.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
IndianaSpineGroup.com/Swiatek
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Noblesville Schools receive update on goals Ivy Tech Day set for April 8
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Each month, the Noblesville Schools Board of Education receives an update on how the school district is progressing on goals outlined in its strategic plan.
EDUCATION
On March 18, the board received an update from Julie Thacker, Noblesville Schools’ executive director of student services, on how the district provides compassionate care and support.
The compassionate care and support goal aims to:
• Help students feel physically and emotionally safe within their schools.
• Ensure students benefit from strong, positive relationships built on trust, respect and empathy.
• Ensure staff members provide high-quality, compassionate care and support to students.
• Help staff members feel supported, safe and valued.
• Get schools to experience increased student attendance and engagement.
Several schools across the district are implementing the goals in different ways. Noblesville West Middle School is highlighting and identifying academic and social behavior standards for every classroom. The school names a Student of the Month and has a merit system where students earn blue tickets and can choose a prize.
At Promise Road Elementary School, students and staff are working on a flow chart to outline classroom behaviors so everyone knows their role.
The school district also hired a bilingual social worker through its Project AWARE grant, which focuses on enhancing student
mental health and well-being by establishing safe and supportive environments, increasing awareness of mental health needs and providing resources and services.
“She rotates between all 10 schools and has a caseload of 75 students,” Thacker said. “She works closely with social workers at each school, which is important when you’re talking about building relationships and kids feeling like they belong.”
The school district also is working on increasing attendance by working with Attendance Works, a national organization that promotes positive ways to reduce chronic absenteeism.
Noblesville Schools has a 95 percent attendance rate, and Thacker said some incentives the schools use to encourage students to attend school and encourage staff to record attendance are:
• North Elementary School: In September, staff charted attendance, and whoever had the best attendance could cover their administrators and student resource officers with slime, a sticky substance typically consist ing of glue.
• Noblesville East Middle School: school has a recognition system for its staff, where at the end of the week if a teacher has taken atten dance for every period for the entire week, they honor and reward them.
“The work we do takes a team,” Thack er said. “It includes parents, community, SROs, teachers, counselors, social work ers, support staff and an amazing school board. The goal of compassionate care and support is (to) break down barriers to learning so that students can (succeed) and cross that finish line at Noblesville High School.”
Noblesville Police Sgt. Jason Shonkwiler recently gave Noblesville High School students a learning experience at Crownland Cemetery dressed in Civil War era clothing. The students are part of the high school’s AP research class and were able to hear about history from Shonkwiler as part of their study on shared historical experiences. (Photo courtesy of Marnie Cooke)
news@currentnoblesville.com
The Hamilton County Commissioners have proclaimed April 8, 2025, as Ivy Tech Day in Hamilton County.
CELEBRATION
In honor of Ivy Tech Day, the county will illuminate the Hamilton County Courthouse and the Noblesville Bridge of Flowers in green, Ivy Tech’s school color, symbolizing the county’s commitment to education and workforce development.
“Hamilton County has always been committed to expanding access to quality education and workforce development,” Hamilton County Commissioners President Steve Dillinger stated. “The commissioners were proud to play a key role in making Ivy Tech Hamilton County a reality when the campus officially opened in 2021, and we remain dedicated to supporting its continued growth and success. This proclamation reflects our ongoing investment in the future of our students, our workforce and our community as a whole.”
Hamilton County will join campuses across the state in celebrating Ivy Tech
Day — a day of giving and community impact dedicated to supporting student success. This year, the Hamilton County campus has set a goal of raising $30,000 to fund programs, building upgrades and student resources — building on the $25,000 raised last year.
Several ticketed events will be presented to help the campus meet its fundraising goals.
ai174248888614_4AD-Nordic Capitals.pdf 1 3/20/25 12:41 PM
To purchase tickets or sponsorships for events, visit giveday.ivytech.edu/ hamco.
CASTLES, WATERWAYS & FJORDS OF SCANDINAVIA
NORDIC CAPITALS
JULY 17-AUGUST 1, 2025
The county will illuminate the Hamilton County Courthouse and the Noblesville Bridge of Flowers in green for Ivy Tech Day April 8. (Photo courtesy of Me-Me Pruitt)
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State Sen. Scott Baldwin gives bill updates
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
At its March 25 meeting, the Noblesville Common Council heard from State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) regarding his work in the Indiana legislature.
STATE NEWS
Baldwin, who represents District 20, said that in the first half of the year, he helped author approximately 15 Senate bills and was the primary sponsor of more than 20 House bills. He said most of the bills he worked on regard public safety, veterans’ affairs and tax-related legislation. He said he drafted Senate Bills 1, 5, and 9.
The legislative session ends in late April.
“Senate Bills 6 through 9 were homogenized into Senate Bill 1,” Baldwin said. “They did pass, but they passed as a part of Senate Bill 1. Senate Bill 5 is still alive and it’s in the House now. Senate Bill 1 is alive and probably will continue to be debated right up until the very end as we try to get it right.”
Baldwin said Senate Bill 1 makes changes to provide tax relief for residents while still giving local communities tools to have funding for essential services.
“It did not have broad support,” Baldwin said. “And I think it didn’t have broad support because it cut deeply into local government and schools — so deeply that it was just intolerable in many cases. And so, we listened, and to get that bill to continue, we had to (re-work) it a bit.”
Baldwin said he has daily meetings with State Sen. Travis Holdman, House Rep. Jeff Thompson and House Rep. Craig Snow to discuss Senate Bill 1, among other legislation. He hopes Senate Bill 1 will become a meaningful property tax relief bill for Indiana.
“We’re attempting to get another $300 to $500 million worth of relief for homesteads. It’ll likely come on the backs of two and three percent payers.”
Baldwin said he presumes there will be deductions and credits that attempt to achieve the goal of additional homestead relief while making the bill better for local government and schools.
The next common council meeting is at 6 p.m. April 15.
A ‘BARN’ GOOD TIME
Country-themed fundraiser benefits teens struggling with mental health challenges
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Ben’s Ranch Foundation, a Hamilton County nonprofit serving teens with mental health challenges, is gearing up for its annual fundraiser.
Tickets are on sale for Barn Bash, which will be from 5 to 9 p.m. April 12 at Connor Prairie in Fishers, 13400 Allisonville Rd. Tickets are $50, with sponsorship opportunities available.
The adult-only event includes square dancing, dinner, outdoor games and a silent auction. Proceeds help fund programs for teens struggling with mental health and emotional health challenges.
“This event is a great opportunity for our team and supporters to gather, and it is a very important source of funds,” said Kathy Arnold, event co-chair and Ben’s Ranch board member.
Ben’s Ranch founder/Executive Director Brose McVey said the square dancing portion of the event started as a theme but turned into a highlight of the night.
“We started the theme of square dancing last year, which turned into a very popular twist on accident,” McVey said. “We will have a professional square dance caller who comes down and teaches the crowd. People raved about it so much last year, so we’re doing it again this year and, I suspect, in future years.”
Bidding for silent auction items begins online April 2.
“People from anywhere in the country can bid, and that’s an important part of how the event makes some dollars that we can put back to use helping kids,” McVey said.
Helping kids is what makes the event worthwhile, according to McVey, whose personal experience led him to create the nonprofit. McVey’s oldest son, Ben, who the organization is named after, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 14.
“As things got worse and worse for Ben, I decided to experiment,” McVey said. “I took him out to a ranch in Wyoming, and that was the one thing that kept him going during his high school days. At the end of his junior year, (he had an) 18-month experience where he lived out there and trained horses. It turned him around without any medication or doctors.”
After moving home and graduating high school, Ben died after accidentally ingesting something laced with fentanyl at a party.
“He was starting to get his life together, and fentanyl took him from us,” McVey said. “I had been thinking about his experience and had already been thinking about how we could help other kids with this kind of approach, so we started the foundation days after we lost him (in 2015).”
Ben’s Ranch offers small-group programs and paid internships on farms, at stables and other outdoor locations
across Hamilton County for youth aged 13 to 18. In December 2023, Ben’s Ranch assumed management of Koteewi Stable and Trails in Koteewi Park in Noblesville, which McVey said has become its central hub.
“We’ve got about 19 different locations around Hamilton and Boone counties where we help kids enjoy working on a farm, ranch or stable, either in small groups or as interns, and we approach this as a nonmedical but powerful strategy for parents and doctors who are treating kids with mental health issues, which is now a total epidemic,” McVey said.
The organization started with an internship concept by screening and recruiting farms, stables and similar outdoor venues to place youth in paid positions who struggled with mental health challenges. As the nonprofit grew, it added a small-group program where teens learn farm
work basics, livestock handling, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Carolyn, a Fishers mom whose son Eli joined Ben’s Ranch for a six-week small-group session last year, said her son’s transformation has been “remarkable.”
“Through his involvement with Ben’s Ranch, he has developed his social skills, a strong sense of responsibility and an appreciation for the value of hard work,” said Carolyn, who requested that her last name not be published. “He has since volunteered his time at Koteewi and is looking forward to participating in the internship program.”
McVey said he looks forward to the fundraiser because it will allow the nonprofit to continue spreading mental health awareness and reach more struggling adolescents.
“Getting people involved as volunteers or donors is really crucial if we’re going to continue to reach more and more kids,” McVey said. “I like to see (people interact) and the fact that it helps walk our story out the door with new faces that will help share it.”
For more, visit bensranch.org/events/.
IF YOU GO
What: Ben’s Ranch annual Barn Bash fundraiser
When: From 5 to 9 p.m. April 12
Where: Connor Prairie in Fishers, 13400 Allisonville Rd. Why: To raise money to support programs for teens struggling with mental health challenges
ON THE COVER: The Barn Bash fundraiser features square dancing led by a professional caller. (Photo courtesy of Brose Mcvey)
Attendees square dance during the 2024 fundraiser. (Photos courtesy of Brose Mcvey)
Ben’s Ranch is a nonprofit that provides opportunities for teens struggling with mental health challenges to learn basic farm skills such as how to handle livestock, teamwork and problem-solving.
Blueprint for Improvement: Zionsville dining room transformation
Commentary by Larry Greene
Nestled in the charming Eagle Village neighborhood of Zionsville, this dining room underwent a stunning transformation. What was once an unstructured space is now a refined and intentional area designed for both everyday meals and elegant gatherings. A bold navy accent wall with custom paneling adds depth and character while sleek lighting, rich leather chairs and thoughtful decor bring warmth and style.
THE BLUEPRINT
• The focal point of the room is the custom navy panel wall, providing hidden storage while elevating the aesthetic.
• Designed with a push-pop mechanism, the storage doors open effortlessly with a light touch, eliminating the need for handles and maintaining a sleek, modern look.
• Rich leather dining chairs, a sleek black table and a modern chandelier create a refined yet inviting atmosphere.
• Light drapery and neutral walls keep the space bright, balancing the bold contrast.
• Thoughtful details like the navy bench with nailhead trim and warm wood flooring complete the transformation, making this dining room both stylish and highly functional.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
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Fishers youngster gets campy role in ‘Ruthless!’
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Kathleen Horrigan has found a great fit to play a bad seed.
Horrigan is directing Carmel Community Players’ productions of “Ruthless!
The Musical,” which runs April 4 to 13 at The Switch Theatre at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy, 10029 E. 126 St., Fishers.
Olivia Cook plays 8-year-old Tina Denmark, who seems adorable but is a sociopath.
“She’s a powerhouse,” Horrigan said. “She’s amazing.”
Horrigan described “Ruthless! The Musical” as a dark comedy version of the 1956 movie “The Bad Seed.”
“I like playing the role because it can bring out two sides, a good sweet little girl but can bring out a shockingly mischievous little girl, “said Cook, a fourth-grader at Fishers Elementary School. “I like that I get to wear a fun wig and I like my costume and stuff. It’s just a really fun character.”
Cook, 10, said she hadn’t been in a play of late and was looking for an acting opportunity.
“My audition coach had given me ‘Born to Entertain,’ which is a song from this show that she said would be good for me in an audition and they are actually doing the play,” Cook said.
Cook previously portrayed Violet in “Willy Wonka Jr.” and Gretl in “The Sound of Music” for the Belfry Theatre.
Cook said the lines are challenging but “I have it down.”
Her mother, Melissa Cook, said her daughter has been working hard.
“This is the only one she’s done where she is the only kid and everyone else is an adult,” Melissa said. “So, this is definitely special. There’s a little bit of adult content. She understands it’s acting and not real life.”
Horrigan, a Fishers resident, said it was a challenge to find a little girl who was fine with being a villain, too.
“But (her) mother has been understanding and supportive,” said Horrigan, who
retired as a Lawrence Central High School theater teacher in 2023 and now works at Ji-Eun Lee Academy. “It’s a musical and it’s a parody.”
Jonna Kauffman plays Judy Denmark, Tina’s mother. Kauffman, who lives in downtown Indianapolis, has been performing at Footlight Musicals.
“I love musicals,” Kauffman said. “My whole family has done musicals my entire life. My sister does it professionally in Chicago, so that’s how we got into it. But I just do it for fun, and I love working with Kathleen.”
Kauffman wasn’t familiar with the musi-
cal but heard the music before auditions.
“I wanted a small part and ended up with the mother, which is one of the main roles,” she said. “It’s super campy. You can’t be too much over-the-top in this show, which I appreciate.”
Kauffman said there is a great deal of memorization.
“Of the probably 100 pages, I probably have 80 to 85 of lines,” Kauffman said. “There’s like eight or nine songs in it, too, that I sing. So, it’s a lot, but it’s been really fun and different from what I usually do.”
For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
‘JERSEY BOYS’
“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘SPRING EQUINOX’
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents “Spring Equinox” at 7 p.m. April 4 and 5 p.m. April 5 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
‘SPIDER’S WEB’
Main Street Productions presents Agatha Christie’s “Spider’s Web” from April 3 to 13 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“Esque: Burlesque at Feinstein’s” is set for 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. April 4, followed by Adam B. Shapiro presents “With a Twist” at 7:30 p.m. April 5 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
EMMYLOU HARRIS
Emmylou Harris will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 3 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
“DANCING
IN THE STREETS’
Indiana Wind Symphony’s “Dancing in the Streets” concert is set for 4 p.m. April 6 at the Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE
Pure Prairie League will perform at 8 p.m. April 5 at the Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents. org.
DISPATCH
Mummies concert set — Here Come the Mummies will perform Aug. 9 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in Fishers. Tickets are on sale at npdamp.com. Here Come the Mummies is an eight-piece funk-rock band with members dressed as Egyptian mummies.
MUSICAL
Fishers resident Olivia Cook plays Tina Denmark in “Ruthless! The Musical.” (Photo courtesy of Duane Mercier)
Croce to play Palladium
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
A.J. Croce views music as the heart of humanity.
CONCERT
It’s also the purest way for people to connect with one another, he said.
Croce will share that connection at 8 p.m. April 4 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
in the early ‘70s.
Croce’s latest album was produced by Shooter Jennings and the first single released was “I Got A Feeling,” followed by “Hey Margarita.”
The tour is named for the album “Heart of the Eternal,” which was released March 7.
“Like any artist, you have a tour with a message or concept or album you’re supporting,” Croce said. “You share new music and old music. This is a lot like (last year’s) ‘Croce Plays Croce’ tour but it’s kind of turned on its head. It’s geared more toward me than my father.”
Croce’s father, Jim, died in a 1973 plane crash. Croce was only 2 years old at the time of his father’s death. Jim was on the cusp of stardom with a string of hit songs
“I play so much guitar on the album as well as piano,” Croce said. “But it’s an evolution. I feel really proud of this project. I think it’s very representative of where I am now as far as songs, the messages, the ideas that are shared in the songs. I feel like it’s one of the best things I’ve done.”
Croce said it depends on the audience how many of the 11 songs he plays in concerts.
“A lot of people have been requesting the singles,” he said. “I want the show to flow. I want it to be energetic. Obviously, people are coming to hear songs from 10 other albums of mine as well as music that my father recorded. I try to keep a really good mix. If I had to stick with one setlist and never deviate, I don’t think I would do this.”
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Composition to debut in Fishers
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Keith Kunda is eager to see his composition performed by a group he founded.
“The years with the White River Chamber Orches tra have been wonderful years,” said Kunda, who directs the Fish ers-based White River Chamber Orchestra. “We’ve done music of (Joseph) Haydn, (Wolfgang Amadeus) Mozart and (Ludwig van) Beethoven. We do baroque music. We do an annual Christmas concert, but this is the first piece of mine that the Chamber Orchestra is performing, so I’m very excited about the opportunity.”
CONCERT
Kunda’s “Symphony No. 1 in G,” a four-movement piece in the style of neoclassical symphony, will have its premiere in a 7:30 p.m. April 5 concert at Legacy Bible Church, 13490 Howe Road, Fishers. Kunda, a Fishers resident, said he wrote the 30-minute piece about 12 years ago.
“It only took me about three weeks to write it and I just never had the chance
to perform it until now,” Kunda said. “I did a few revisions on it a few years back. When I wrote it, there was no White River Chamber Orchestra. Now that we have a season of four concerts, two with the Wind Symphony and two with the Chamber Orchestra, we can (perform it). It took a while to get there. We were just starting to get there and then COVID hit, and we had to shut down. Now, I have the opportunity to program it.”
Kunda said the concert also features music by Antonio Vivaldi, William Boyce and Bela Bartok.
“Those are shorter pieces and two of them feature soloists, concertmaster Shoshana Kay and our principal flute player Julia Mattern,” said Kunda, who also directs the White River Wind Symphony.
The Wind Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, along with other ensembles, are part of Fishers Music Works, which was founded in 2013.
Tickets for the concert are available at FishersMusicWorks.org. Students under 18 are admitted free, with free tickets available at the same website.
Croce
A.J. CROCE: HEART OF THE ETERNAL TOUR FRI APR 4 AT 8PM THE PALLADIUM
PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE SAT APR 5 AT 8PM THE PALLADIUM
UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND & SOLDIERS’ CHORUS FRI APR 11 AT 8PM THE PALLADIUM
UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN SAT APR 12 AT 8PM THE PALLADIUM
BACHELORS OF BROADWAY: GENTLEMEN OF THE THEATRE SUN APR 13 AT 7PM THE PALLADIUM
PETER FRAMPTON: LET’S DO IT AGAIN! FRI APR 11 AT 8PM THE PALLADIUM BLACK VIOLIN
ITZHAK PERLMAN IN RECITAL THU APR 17 AT 7:30PM THE PALLADIUM
MICKY DOLENZ OF THE MONKEES: AN EVENING OF SONGS & STORIES FRI APR 25 AT 8PM THE PALLADIUM
CHS junior to perform with IWS
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Carmel High School junior Jasmine Choi was judged the winner of the Indiana Wind Symphony’s inaugural Concerto Competition.
CONCERT
That affords her the opportunity to be a guest soloist with the IWS in its “Dancing in the Streets” concert at 4 p.m. April 6 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“I am so excited to be able to play with such a high-level band that consists of extremely talented musicians, and very thrilled to be performing on a large stage, as I have never experienced this before,” Choi said.
Choi, who plays the flute and piccolo in the Carmel High School Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra, will perform “La Flute De Pan” by Jules Mouquet.
“There were lots of challenges in trying to play this piece in terms of technique and intonation,” said Choi, who moved to the U.S. from South Korea in 2023. “I tried to improve my playing by practicing areas
I struggled a lot with.”
IWS Music Director Jay S. Gephart said there were seven submissions for the Concerto Competition
“With this being our inaugural event in the Concerto Competition, I think it’s very appropriate that a Carmel High School student is the winner, especially considering our home base is at the Palladium,” Gephart said.
Gephart said the concert has a great mix of pieces.
“We have a wide variety from ballet to 1940s swing dancing,” Gephart said. For more, visit indianawindsymphony. org.
DANCING IN THE STREETS
SUNDAY, APRIL 6 l THE PALLADIUM l 4:00 PM
Carmel High School junior Jasmine Choi will perform with the Indiana Wind Symphony. (Photo courtesy of Jasmine Choi)
Across
1. Billy Joel song: “We ___ Start the Fire”
6. Crease
10. Not that 14. Money-saving, in brand names
15. Indianapolis Opera solo
16. Actor Grant or Jackman
17. Former “Dateline NBC” co-host (from Warren Central HS)
19. “___ and Janis” (comic strip)
20. Picnic pest
21. Business abbr.
22. Like trucks going up or down a steep hill
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27. Rub clean
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33. “Woe is me!”
34. Cry of dismay
STATE OF INDIANA ) IN THE HAMILTON CIRCUIT COURT COUNTY OF HAMILTON )
INRE:NAME CHANGE OF: ) CASE NO: 29C01-2502-MI-2107 DIANA OTERO SVALDI
NOTICE OF HEARING
37. Secondhand
38. Fox-and-hounds pursuits
40. Put in order
41. Food additive letters
42. Flubs
43. Reverence
45. Artist’s workplace
47. Disinfectant brand
48. First female to drive in the Indy 500
52. French farewell
53. Bundle of bills
54. Indiana tax ID
Notice is hereby given that Petitioner, DIANA OTERO SVALDI, pro se, filed a Verified Petition for Change of Name to change her name from DIANA OTERO SVALDI to DIANA SVALDI OTERO.
The petition is scheduled for hearing in the Hamilton Circuit Court on July 14, 2025 at 10:00 am, which is more than thirty (30) days after the third notice of publication. Any person has the right to appear at the hearing and to file written objections on or before the hearing date. The parties shall report to One Hamilton County Square, Suite 337, Noblesville, IN 46060. March 10, 2025 Kathy Kreag WIlliams Date Clerk, Hamilton Circuit Court
57. Kind of mark
58. First woman to serve as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (born in Indiana and a graduate of Manchester and IU)
62. Help with a heist
63. Wicked
64. NCAA men’s basketball champs in 2023 and ‘24
65. Fiddling emperor
66. Snitch
67. Word before mouth or training
Down
1. ___ vu
2. Volunteer’s offer
3. Terse warning
4. U-turn from SSW
5. The art of sculpted shrubbery
6. Spigot
7. Magic, on a Pacers scoreboard
8. Commit perjury in Hamilton County Court
9. 24 hours
10. “Much obliged!”
11. Flings
12. Arctic house
13. Aired on WTHR
18. ___ Arbor, Mich.
22. Decorates a cake
23. Director Apatow
24. IndyGo: public ___ agency
25. Reject abruptly
26. Belittle
27. Swim, swam, ___
28. Prefix with pool or pit
29. Force on earth, for short
32. Shoulder gesture
34. Female deer
35. Popular snack since 1912
36. Web designer’s code
39. Pakistani language
40. Eyelid affliction
42. “___, Brute?”
44. Move a page in a Pow-
45. Hope that one may
“C’est la vie” 48. Home of Carmel’s Sister City of Kawachinagano
Pueblo brick 50. More kind
Hinkle Fieldhouse cheer 54. Bratty kid 55. Transmitted
Big Apple inits.
IND aircraft
Keystone or College, briefly
Zilch 61. Cpl. or sgt. Answers on Page 20
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