June 27, 2023 — Carmel

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Letter-writing West Clay cafeteria manager named CCS Support Staff of the Year

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Just before school begins each year, West Clay Elementary cafeteria manager Beth Galloway writes a note of welcome to each of the incoming kindergarteners.

RECOGNITION

“I know that they are unsure of what to expect, and I just try to reassure them that they will love their new school and make so many new friends,” Galloway said. “We have a great team in the kitchen, and we all try to make lunchtime a great experience for the students.”

Galloway’s thoughtfulness certainly is noticed. Galloway was named the 2022-23 Carmel Clay Schools Support Staff of the Year. The news came as a complete surprise to Galloway.

“Our principal presented the award in front of a cafeteria full of third-graders. Also with (the principal) were about 10 people from the administration as well as my family,” Galloway said. “I knew something was up when I looked across the cafeteria and saw my husband (Eric Galloway) standing

there.”

Galloway has worked with CCS in the food service area since 2000. She started working as a cook at Orchard Park Elementary, which has since closed, when her youngest daughter began kindergarten at Orchard Park that year.

She was a cook at Orchard Park for eight years, then moved to Carmel High School’s main cafeteria, where she was the assistant manager for two years. She has been

the West Clay cafeteria manager for 13 years.

“I really love my job and get to spend every school day with around 450 students,” Galloway said. “My favorite part of my job is making the kitchen serving line a fun place to be for all of the students.”

Galloway said the staff decorates seasonally and for special holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year and others.

Woodbrook educator named Teacher of the Year

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

After receiving Woodbrook Elementary’s annual top honor for educators at the end of April, Christine Daviduke was invited to the Teacher of the Year banquet in May.

HONOR

“I had no idea that I would be receiving this award,” she said of being named Carmel Clay Schools’ 2022-23 Teacher of the Year.

“I am incredibly honored and shocked that I was chosen out of the extremely talented educators I am surrounded by each day.”

Daviduke has taught kindergarten for 14 years.

“My classroom is my happy place,” she said. “I wanted to become a teacher so I can make a positive impact in children’s lives.

I love creating and building relationships with each child. In kindergarten, it is often their first real school experience, and I am able to create a strong foundation for my students both academically and socially. The best part of teaching is to watch their

love of learning grow each day.”

A Carmel native, Daviduke attended Clay Middle School and Carmel High School. She graduated from Ball State University in

2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She taught at Carmel Elementary and Woodbrook Elementary her first year of teaching when the alternating day kindergarten program was available. She has taught kindergarten at Woodbrook since 2009.

“I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in elementary school,” she said. “I never changed paths and it’s a great honor to be recognized for doing a job that I love. “

Daviduke said she was pleased to be part of Carmel Education Foundation’s Teacher Engagement Council, which started this past school year.

“This is a great program that helps connect the teachers and schools with the foundation,” she said. “CEF provides our teachers and students with so many opportunities and I am grateful to be a part of it.”

Daviduke lives in Carmel with her husband, Kevin, and their daughters Livi and Amelia. Livi will be in fourth grade and Amelia starting first grade at Woodbrook in August.

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Carmel Clay Schools

Supt. Michael Beresford, left, presents West Clay Elementary cafeteria manager Beth Galloway with the district’s Support Staff of the Year honor.

(Photo courtesy of Beth Galloway)

Christine Daviduke is the Carmel Clay Schools’ 2022-23 Teacher of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Christine Daviduke)

Museum construction begins

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

A museum dedicated to Carmel history is projected to open in late 2024.

on the Carmel City Council, said he was pleased with the collaboration to make the project possible.

“I’m excited to see this go up,” Snyder said. “(I’ll be) more excited to be here at the ribbon cutting here in a year or so.”

CCHS

City of Carmel officials and Carmel Clay Historical Society representatives broke ground June 14 on the building just south of the Monon Depot in Midtown Carmel. The museum will offer a variety of services, exhibits and activities for the public.

CCHS Executive Director Debbie Gangstad said plans for the museum have been in the works for decades. The $6 million project received funding from Clay Township and the City of Carmel that have helped push those plans into motion.

Clay Township board member Matt Snyder, who is running for an at-large seat

The museum will have three levels and will house information on approximately 200 years of the city’s history. It will also include a gift shop and rooftop garden.

“We want this to be driven by what the community wants,” Gangstad said.

Gangstad said the museum will have dynamic and interactive experiences, including a children’s area.

“We’re going to replicate some of the older buildings in our town,” Gangstad said, “Kids can play like they’re a banker or a baker at the Dairy Queen.”

City of Carmel officials join Carmel Clay Historical Society representatives for the museum groundbreaking. (Photo by Edward Redd)

The Carmel Clay Historical Society museum is set to open in late 2024. (Rendering courtesy of Studio M Architecture)

6 Deputies recognized for lifesaving efforts

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Six deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office are being hailed as heroes for their efforts in providing lifesaving care to their supervisor who experienced a medical emergency last month.

said Niec was discussing shift information with his employees when he suddenly collapsed on the floor in front of them and went into cardiac arrest.

HCSO

Hamilton County Sheriff Chief Deputy Maj. John Lowes said the patrol division Nights B Squad was having a roll call meeting when Lt. Brian Niec, who collapsed and went into cardiac arrest just before 1 a.m. May 4, was provided lifesaving care by deputies Tyler Abbitt, Eddie Hansen, Daniel Wallace, Ryan McClain, Skyler Moe and Jared Wilcox. They used CPR and an AED device to save Niec’s life while colleagues radioed dispatch and continued to monitor Niec’s condition until the Noblesville Fire Department arrived, Lowes said.

“These deputies relied on their training and provided effective lifesaving care during an extremely stressful incident,” Lowes said.

Abbitt, Hansen, Wallace, McClain, Moe and Wilcox all received lifesaving awards from the department during a brief surprise ceremony, where Niec thanked his colleagues for their efforts.

Niec, 42, said “it means the world” to him that his fellow colleagues stepped up to save his life. Niec, however, said the action of the deputies was no different than what a police officer does on a normal basis.

“The fact that they’re getting some recognition is great, but let’s not go unnoticed that there’s police officers doing great things every single day, day in and day out,” Niec said.

McClain, a sergeant at the sheriff’s office,

“Our training and experience told us that he needed some sort of airway as well as CPR and an AED,” McClain said. “We jumped into action.”

McClain said Niec was originally supposed to be somewhere else at the time of the incident, but said their original planned meeting kept getting pushed back because of the number of calls that were coming in.

“It allowed us all to be together and save him,” McClain said.

McClain, who has been with the department since 2016, said in many cases, deputies provide lifesaving care in the field as part of their job and often never see the person they saved afterward.

“We hope that our actions did some good and the efforts we put in that night is something I’ll never be able to put into words,” McClain said.

Niec, who has been with the sheriff’s office for 20 years, said “everyone was in the right place at the right time” at the time of the incident. He expressed his gratitude for the six deputies and their efforts to save his life.

“I love them and appreciate them, and I try to convey it every single time I talk to them,” Niec said. “I’m not surprised, and I work with the best guys on my squad, they’re all-stars. They would do the same thing for anybody as they did for me. And the fact that it happened at the time when it happened is you can look at it one of two ways: Either a thousand things had to go right in order for me to be there or there’s one God who put us there in the right place at the right time.”

Six deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office were recently recognized for providing lifesaving care to their supervisor, Lt. Brian Niec, who experienced a medical emergency last month. From left, Tyler Abbitt, Eddie Hansen, Daniel Wallace, Niec, Ryan McClain, Skyler Moe and Jared Wilcox. (Photo courtesy of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)

CARMEL

Project:

Roundabout construction

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Location: The westbound lanes of City Center Drive will be closed between Range Line Road and 3rd Avenue SW for construction of the southern half of the roundabout. Westbound traffic will be maintained.

Expected completion: July 3

Project: Roundabout construction

Location: E. Main Street and Lexington Boulevard. The intersection is closed for completion of the project. Westbound and local traffic will reopen before July 4 for the remainder of the project.

Expected completion: August

Project: Widening and improvements, including a roundabout, along Smoky Row Road

Location: Between the Monon Greenway and U.S. 31. The road will be fully closed during the project.

Expected completion: This month

Project: Multi-use path construction

Location: Gray Road from 106th to 116th streets. The project is not expected to result in a full closure of the road.

Expected completion: Fall

Project: Reconstruction of 3rd Avenue SW

Location: 3rd Avenue SW between Autumn and Industrial drives

Start date: On or after July 5

Expected completion: Winter 2024

Project: Reconstruction of N. College Avenue

Location: N. College Avenue between 96th and 106th streets

Start date: Utility work may begin this summer with construction beginning in the fall

Expected completion: Spring 2025

FISHERS

Project: 106th Street & Kincaid Drive

Location: Phase 1 started June 5 for construction of a new concrete median on 106th Street and to modify Kincaid Drive to a right-in-right-out entrance. During this phase, access to Kincaid Drive from 106th Street will be restricted. The detour shall use Lantern Road to Sunlight Drive. Phase 1 is anticipated to be completed by July 7. Phase 2 is expected to start July 10. During that phase, lane restrictions will be in place on 106th Street, and both roundabouts at 106th and I-69, and 106th and Lantern Road will be converted into a single lane. This phase is anticipated to be completed by July 28.

Expected completion: The full project is expected to be completed by August 2023

Carmel police

K-9 Axl dies after sudden illness

news@currentincarmel.com

Axl, a Carmel Police Dept. K-9, died June 16 after a sudden illness.

POLICE

The 7-year-old Belgian Malinois began his career with CPD in 2017 alongside then-Officer Katy Malloy. After Malloy was promoted to sergeant two years later, Officer Jamie Reynolds became Axl’s handler.

During his time on patrol, Axl located large quantities of illegal narcotics and numerous articles of evidence and contraband, according to CPD.

DISPATCH

Water Quality Report — To comply with Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management state regulations, City of Carmel Utilities issues a Water Quality Report (also called Consumer Confidence Report) annually describing the quality of city drinking water. The report showed that the city’s tap water met or exceeded all Environmental Protection Agency and state standards in 2022. In previous years, City of Carmel Utilities has combined both the Carmel Water and the Carmel Clay Citizens Water reports. However, this year the reports are separated to distinguish these utilities, as a benefit to both water utility customers. View the reports and learn more at carmelutilities.com/ water-quality.

Officer Jamie Reynolds pauses with K-9 partner Axl. (File photo)

Home Place Lions Club nears end

By Mark Ambrogi mark@yoaurecurrent.com

The Home Place Lions Club is entering its final days of existence.

CONCLUSION

The club is giving up its charter June 30.

“We’ve gotten too small to be effective,” said Kathy Bolander, the club’s co-president with Judy Zell. “With health ailments in our group, it’s just not feasible anymore.”

The Home Place Lions Club is down to 13 members. Bolander is the only member still living in the Home Place portion of Carmel.

“It was just six of us doing what we could when we could,” she said. “It’s sad, but it was inevitable. We’ve run its course and we don’t have any young blood to keep it going.”

The club was chartered with 44 members on Jan. 16, 1988.

Three members have moved since they joined and will join a club closer to them in Marion County. Three more members will transfer to the Carmel Lions Club.

The club has always supported the leader dog program.

“We had two blind members, a couple, who were active in our club and they have a leader dog,” Bolander said. “I feel strong about the leader dog program.”

The club has provided emergency assistance throughout its existence, first working with “Clothe-a-Child” with the Carmel Fire Department It is now working with the Carmel Fire Department Community Assis-

tance Program.

“We still contribute to those charities until the time we give up our charter,” Bolander said. “We had to empty our bank account, so we had to mail checks out to various (nonprofits).”

Bolander said the first 10 years the club was very active, meeting in Merchants Square Mall when it was enclosed. They held bake sales and flea markets.

Bolander said the club partnered with the Greater Home Place Neighborhood Association for events.

Bolander said her late husband, Jim, created a bingo game to replace poinsettia sales as a major fundraiser. She said they were able to increase scholarships for students from $200 to $300 to $1,000.

In recent years, support for nonprofits has come through donations rather than in-person fundraisers.

“We recently provided our last two scholarships to Carmel High School (students),” she said.

The club has worked with a group called Living Waters, which passes out water and personal care items to people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis. It also has contributed to Fountains of Hope, which provides clean water systems in underprivileged nations. Among the other nonprofits and organizations the club has donated to include Pleasant Grove United Methodist, Prime Life Enrichment, Shepherd’s Center, Prevail and Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide.

From left, Judy Zell, Glenn Douglas, Bruce Bancroft and Kathy Bolander check poinsettia delivery orders in 1999. (Photo courtesy of Kathy Bolander)

Jump start your savings.

CHS teammates to compete together at defending champ Baylor

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Starting in July, D’ahni Branch and Leah Fredericks will be a thousand miles from their Carmel homes as they prepare for their collegiate sport.

SPORTS

The 2023 Carmel High School graduates will be part of Baylor University’s acrobatics and tumbling team. Baylor, based in Waco, Texas, captured its eighth consecutive National Collegiate Acrobatic and Tumbling Association National Championship title in late April.

“At least we have each other to figure things out,” Fredericks said of being so far from home. “We’ll be rooming together with two other girls from the team.”

Fredericks had known Branch’s younger sister, Nylah, first through gymnastics.

“Once I joined the cheer program (as a senior), we clicked right away,” Fredericks said. “We’ve become good friends.”

Fredericks and Branch were recruited as bases for the acrobatics and tumbling team. Branch said strength is key to being a base.

“We’ve always stayed on the bottom, so we had to gain strength to be able to do that,” Fredericks said.

Fredericks competed in gymnastics until her junior year at the Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center in Greenfield and was coached by Phelps, a 1996 U.S. Olympian.

“Because of (an) injury, I decided to switch into a different sport,” Fredricks said.

Fredericks started competitive cheer as a senior and was named to the 2022 All-State Cheer team. Fredericks didn’t lift weights until her senior year but became Branch’s partner during weightlifting class.

Branch and Fredericks were on the football cheerleading unit, which also does competitive cheer competitions.

“I enjoyed the competitive part of it. It wasn’t just games on Friday nights,” Fredericks said. “We also had routines we did at the state level and the national level, too.”

Fredericks said her gymnastics coaches told her about the sport of acrobatics and tumbling and helped her reach out to colleges.

“They helped me into my transition of doing cheer and working on tumbling skills at gymnastics,” Fredericks said.

Branch, whose father is former NFL re-

ceiver Deion Branch, first attended a tumbling camp at Baylor. Fredericks and Branch then attended an overnight camp together in the summer of 2022.

“They don’t give out full scholarships yet because it’s an emerging sport,” Branch said. “So, you get a partial (scholarship) and you can stack other (scholarships) on top of it as well.”

Branch said practices start in September, but the competition starts the first week of January and runs to late April.

Branch also competed in gymnastics when she was growing up. She stopped in eighth grade and started cheerleading in school.

“I was taking tumbling classes, and that’s where I got really interested in it,” Branch said. “The tumbling coach thought I would be a good fit for acrobatics and tumbling because I had a gymnastics and cheer background.”

Branch said she knew she wanted to be a student-athlete in college, so that’s when she first attended a camp at Baylor. Branch also was a sprinter on the Greyhounds track and field team. She was a member of the 400-meter relay team that placed fourth June 3 in the IHSAA girls track and field state finals in Bloomington.

“I feel like gymnastics has set me up for all the sports I’ve done growing up because there is a level of discipline to it that coincides with any sport I’ve ever done,” Branch said. “Coming into track, I had the muscle strength and muscle endurance to overexert my body many different times.”

Her father spent the 2021 season as the CHS receivers coach. He is now working at his alma mater University of Louisville as director of player development for the football team.

Leah Fredericks, left, and D’ahni Branch were Carmel High School competitive cheerleading teammates. (Photo courtesy of Leah Fredericks)

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Guerin Catholic boys golf team sweeps state team honors

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

It was a clean sweep for the Guerin Catholic High School boys golf team.

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The Golden Eagles won the IHSAA team state title June 14 at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. Junior Leo Wessel won the individual title with a 6-under par 138 total with rounds of 71 and 67. Senior Jacob Modleski, who finished in a three-way tie for second among individuals, won the Mental Attitude Award for boys golf.

ACHIEVEMENT

It was the second consecutive state championship for second-ranked Guerin Catholic, which edged No. 1 Westfield by two strokes. The Golden Eagles finished with a score of 589, 13 strokes over par.

“We didn’t play our best toward the end, but we managed to pull it out,” Golden Eagles coach Mark Mathews said. “It’s a strong group of boys. They’ve got a lot of faith. They’ve got a lot of humbleness.”

Guerin Catholic topped Westfield by one stroke in the 2022 state finals. The Golden Eagles were runners-up in 2021, losing by one stroke to Center Grove.

Modleski, a Noblesville resident who has signed with the University of Notre Dame, had a 3-under par 141 (67-74).

“Jacob is a real solid rock,” Mathews said. “It was unusual to see him struggle a bit because that’s not what he does. He closed it out at the end. He knew exactly what he needed to do, and he did it. I’m really proud of Leo, too. He had a phenomenal round.”

Wessel, who has committed to the University of Cincinnati, said he has played well all season physically, but his mental game

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“My mindset, and this sounds like it’s taken from a book, but I just wanted to win as badly as I wanted to breathe,” said Wessel, who lives on Indianapolis’ north side. “I was trying to make no little mistakes and keep it as clean as possible.”

Wessel said the team lived up to its potential.

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“We had such a good team I hate to say it was an expectation, but we all knew we could win,” Wessel said. “It’s not like it’s a super big shock. We just needed to play well, and we did.”

Wessel had birdies on the 16th and 18th holes to help boost the Golden Eagles. They had a threeshot lead through 14 holes. However, Westfield took a one-shot lead with three holes left.

Modleski also finished second individually in the state finals in 2021 and tied for fifth last year.

“Coming so close shows where I’m at as a player,” Modleski said. “It shows I’ve improved. My scores have gotten lower, even if the places have been similar. This golf course is tough. It was great playing by everyone in the top five.”

Senior Zach Thieme had rounds of 74 and 80 for a 154 total for the Golden Eagles. Freshman teammate Eli Wessel shot 79-77 for 156, and sophomore Owen Nielson shot 79-80 for 159.

“This (title) is huge for our program,” Modleski said. “It was just a great way to end the year. We knew we had to play well in the state tournament, and we did. It says a lot about our team chemistry and our individual players.”

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The Guerin Catholic High School boys golf team with its state championship trophy. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Wessel

CARMEL CAFFEINE TRAIL OFFERS DRINK, PASTRY SAMPLES

Carmel residents enjoyed coffee samples from several local vendors June 10 along the Carmel Caffeine Trail, an annual event launched in 2019. Participants stopped by Circle Real Estate to try hot drinks and pastries.

One of Zing! Café’s drink offerings is iced spice chai.

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Ruthie Seals, an employee at Indie Coffee Roasters, offers samples. (Photos by Edward Redd)

Runners compete in a previous Freedom Run. (FIle photo)

Freedom walk/run returns July 4

By Shelly Gattlieb news@currentincarmel.com

The CarmelFest Freedom Walk/Run will be July 4 beginning and ending at Carmel High School, 520 East Main St.

EVENT

With a route that includes a portion of the Monon Trail, runners and walkers will experience generally flat terrain with a few small hills. Two water stations will be along the course.

Options include a 5-mile run and 1.5-mile walk, and awards will be given for the 5-mile event. The top three males and top three females overall will be recognized, as well as the top three in each age group. There will also be a kids run for children 10

and under, which is free and does not require pre-registration. All children who participate in the kids run will receive a complimentary popsicle and post-race snacks. Registration costs $35 on race day. The run and walk will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 10 a.m. Parking will be available at CHS and in surrounding neighborhoods.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the race or volunteer at the event may register at bit.ly/44apQpx. Financial support may also be given through the website, with all donations going to CarmelFest. Pre-race packets may be picked up at Runners Forum, 620 Station Dr. from 2 to 7 p.m. July 3 or at CHS from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. July 4.

Nature Keepers — Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is offering a new youth program this summer called Nature Keepers. This halfday nature program will be led by the CCPR Parks & Natural Resources team and hosted at different parks each week to provide an immersive, hands-on experience. Nature Keepers is designed for ages 5-11. Morning sessions are for ages 5-7, while afternoons are for ages 8-11. Each four-day Nature Keepers session runs Monday through Thursday and features a different theme. This summer’s themes include weather, water, wildlife, and wilderness survival. Each session is $100 per participant. The program will run weekly through July 27. Learn more and register at bit.ly/45Fus8E.

Golf tournament fundraiser — The fifth annual Evan R Hansen Legacy Foundation Golf Tournament is set for July 29 on both 18-hole courses at Pebble Brook Golf Club in Noblesville. The foundation plans to use the proceeds to begin sponsoring nationally known mental health speaker presentations at local high schools as well as other causes related to its mission. For more, visit erh32.org.

Golden Hoosier nominations — Nominations are being accepted for the 2023 Golden Hoosier Award, which honors senior Hoosiers for their lifetime of service and commitment to their communities. Since the start of the program, more than 200 Hoosiers have been honored. To be eligible, the nominee must currently be an Indiana resident, age 65 or older and have been a volunteer in the community for the past three years. The deadline for submitting applications is July 9. Nomination forms can be accessed at in.gov/lg/lt-governor-initiatives/ golden-hoosier-award.

Website connects residents to resources — The Hamilton County Community Foundation, Duke Energy, the Hamilton County Trustees Association and Good Samaritan Network have partnered to launch Help4HamiltonCounty.org to provide residents with a one-stop resource for support services. The new resource offers connection in the areas of aging and seniors, food assistance, medical and mental health, youth and families, housing and education and employment.

Hansen

CarmelFest chair named Rotarian of the Year

news@currentincarmel.com

Steve Krusie, who has chaired the CarmelFest event since 2020, has been unanimously selected as the Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Carmel. The distinction honors a member of the club for service, loyalty and recognition of the ideals of Rotary.

ACHIEVEMENT

CarmelFest, a two-day event celebrating Independence Day, is the largest festival in Carmel and serves as a fundraiser for the Rotary Club. As chair, Krusie works year round to plan for the event and is heavily involved in running the festival from setup on July 2 to tear down July 5.

“Steve is always calm and patient,” said Virginia “Ginny” Terpening, a past recipient of the award. “In a world — and sometimes, club — filled with anxiety and uncertainty, Steve remains calm. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him angry or even annoyed! We need msore of that.”

Krusie is an entrepreneur and owner of Strategic Marketing & Communications Solutions. Previously he was the director of marketing and communications for Indy Eleven. His volunteer work includes playing the drums at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

Krusie did not respond to a request for comment as of press time.

OBITUARY

Michael J. (Mick) Pittard (80) passed away at home May 27, 2023 in Carmel, Ind. He was born in Indianapolis, Ind. to James and Betty Pittard on July 9, 1942. He graduated from North Central High School and after serving two years in the Navy, graduated with a degree in accounting from Ball State University in 1967.

Mick was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Kenneth Jones. He is survived by his wife, Debbie; a sister Sharon Jones; seven children: Chris (Michelle) Pittard, Jeff (Michele) Pittard, Todd (Leslie) Pittard, Kelly (Jim) Bouchez, Doug (Ashley Byrd) Pittard, Jaclyn (Cody) Craigin and Eric Wright; and eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The second of four generations of pilots in the Pittard family, Mick’s career in general aviation began in the 1970’s, when he started his first company, a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport. Through his aviation career he added business at the Kokomo Airport, the Purdue University Airport, and the Indianapolis International airport. Mick was not only a successful entrepreneur, he also was very active within the general aviation community and served as Chairman of the Board to the National Air Transportation Association, (NATA).

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Mick’s true passion was flying. While leading his companies, he earned his ATP rating as a pilot and had several business jet type ratings. From the early 1970’s until his retirement in 2015, Mick employed and mentored new and experienced pilots, mechanics, line service personnel, customer service representatives, dispatchers and many more. He impacted Indiana’s economic growth and stability with his companies providing air transportation for passengers and freight all over the country and abroad for nearly 40 years. For his accomplishments in the field of aviation, Mick was inducted into the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame in October, 2022.

Although Mick’s passion for aviation and his business acumen enabled him to build multiple successful businesses, he considered his family to be his greatest accomplishment. Devoted and generous, he loved spending time with his family, attending his kids’ and grandkids’ activities, and was so proud of all of them. Mick was also an avid sports fan, especially the Indianapolis Colts. He will be remembered for his wry sense of humor and his faith.

Please join the family for a celebration of life on June 11th (11am-2pm) at Crown Hill Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wheeler-Dowe Boys and Girls Club www.bgindy.org, and kindly mention “Mick Pittard” in the tribute menu.

Picnics and tailgating encouraged.

Hickory Hall Polo Club

Krusie

Hey there, folks! Take a good look at this zoomed-in image we’ve snagged from a spot in Carmel. We want you to channel your inner Sherlock and head over to youarecurrent.com/mysterysnapshot to submit your best guess about where this photo was taken. Ready for the challenge? Check back next week for the answer.

The wine glass above the front entrance of Peace Water Winery at 37 W. Main St. in Carmel. Peace Water Winery, which has three locations, is Indiana’s only locally owned California winery. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

COVER STORY

‘BROUGHT TO LIGHT’

Northview Church stands behind senior pastor in wake

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

When Steve Poe, longtime Northview Church senior pastor, introduced his successor, CJ Johnson, at a meeting in August 2021 for church members to approve the hire, Poe told the congregation that rumors circulating online about financial fraud and other misconduct at CJ Johnson’s previous church in Minnesota had been fully vetted and found to be untrue.

“We are 110 percent convinced that there’s absolutely nothing to these false allegations,” Poe said at the meeting. “That’s all they are.”

Several people, however, who served at CJ Johnson’s former church, Southland City Church in the Minneapolis suburb of Lakeville, tell a different story, one they said they suspect is repeating itself — at least in part — at Northview.

They accuse CJ Johnson, 38, of speaking dishonestly from the pulpit, lacking transparency about church finances and threatening or manipulating those who questioned his ideas or leadership. They watched as most of Southland’s staff quit — without new jobs lined up — within a couple of weeks in late 2020.

Michelle Creasman, who served as an elder at Southland from 2018 to December 2020, said she feels it’s important for those attending Northview to know what happened at CJ Johnson’s previous church, which ceased to exist soon after he left.

“My motivation is not to aid in a hit piece on CJ but rather hold him accountable at his new church and also educate the congregation so they can make an informed decision on where they call home,” Creasman said. “His actions impacted many people who are

TIMELINE

OCTOBER 2010

Southland City Church launched and incorporated

of allegations of dishonesty,

manipulative behavior

In a prepared statement sent to Current on behalf of Northview’s elders, executive team and Poe, Executive Pastor Jason Pongratz said the church’s elders conducted a full “due diligence process” when hiring CJ Johnson and that church leadership “did not take this task lightly.”

DECEMBER 2011

CJ Johnson hired as teaching pastor at Southland

still recouping from what happened whether it be emotional, spiritual or financially, so I wanted to make sure this was brought to light.”

Northview, whose website listed 145 people on staff as of June 16, has also experienced a staff exodus, though not as extreme, since CJ Johnson began working there in the summer of 2021. Several former Northview employees and attendees said they are aware of more than 40 church staffers who have left their jobs because of issues or concerns — which echo some of those raised at Southland — about the new senior pastor, and they believe that total to be an undercount.

One former Northview employee, who requested anonymity because of fear of retribution and continued work in local ministry, compared Northview’s situation to the fate of the Titanic.

“We are on this thing that feels (comfortable), yet those who are in the belly of the ship know that we’ve hit something and there’s water gushing in, but nobody’s acknowledging it,” the former employee said. “I care about Northview, and I don’t want it to sink. But I think it’s sinking, and if there’s not enough humility, grace and willingness to have this conversation, it’s going to go down.”

TRUST ISSUES

Northview, a nondenominational megachurch based in Carmel with — according to its website — more than 8,800 weekly attendees among its dozen campuses, declined multiple times over several months to allow CJ Johnson, Poe, church elders or anyone else from its leadership team to be interviewed for this story. Northview leaders also declined to respond to specific questions sent by Current.

“Everyone involved has worked hard to ensure that the selection of the senior pastor was a person that they could confidently stand behind as the person God has for the church for the next chapter in Northview’s history. What has been a great turn in the story is that members of Pastor CJ’s former staff have recently reached out to own their parts of the distortion of truth and have begun the reconciliation process with Pastor CJ,” the statement read. “We believe that it is in the best interest of all involved for our church to respect the former staff members’ privacy and give them the space to heal with Pastor CJ. We do not wish to reopen old wounds or compromise the privacy of those involved. At this time, and for this reason, Northview will not be commenting further or providing any additional information.”

Northview elders, who finalized the decision to hire CJ Johnson, either didn’t respond to Current’s request for comment or directed Current to Pongratz for a response. Pongratz declined to comment beyond the statement he provided.

In the August 2021 Northview member meeting, however, CJ Johnson addressed the allegations posted in several reviews of Southland City Church on Google — which since have been removed. He said the negative reviews began appearing soon after Southland fired an executive pastor, identi-

Continued on Page 17

FEBRUARY 2013

Johnson becomes lead pastor at Southland

2017

Michelle Creasman’s family uses storage business to loan Southland $1 million to acquire church building

OCTOBER 2017

Southland holds first service in its own building

JUNE 2018

Johnson says from pulpit a family donated $1 million to help Southland acquire building, Creasman and others question story

NOVEMBER 2020

Southland Pastor Ryan Fox fired by Johnson

Northview Pastor CJ Johnson preaches on June 18. Northview services are available to follow live online or watch later at northviewchurch.online.church. (Photo by Zach Ross)

Continued from Page 16

fied by several former Southland attendees as Ryan Fox, who CJ Johnson said, “left really poorly.” CJ Johnson did not explain how Fox “left really poorly” in the meeting and did not respond to questions from Current about it.

In that same meeting, Poe read a letter purportedly from Southland’s elders stating that the severance agreement with Fox contained standard nondisclosure clauses, meaning Southland could not share with its congregation specific reasons for the termination.

“This resulted in much frustration among the executive pastor’s family, friends and fellow staff,” the letter stated. “Within days of his termination, accusations against Pastor CJ began to circulate online.”

Fox did not respond to Current’s multiple requests for comment. Northview declined to provide a copy of the letter from Southland’s elders. No one contacted by Current who was on the Southland elder board at the time CJ Johnson left for Northview agreed to comment for this story. Creasman said her husband, who remained a Southland elder until the church dissolved, did not sign the letter or know it existed before it was read at Northview.

While the late-2020 firing of Fox may have been the final straw that spurred some of the events mentioned in the Google reviews — such as the mass exodus of Southland’s staff — problems at the church began well before that.

Josh Johnson said his young family attended Southland for several years in the 2010s, helping to launch the youth group and volunteering in various capacities. They got to know CJ Johnson and his wife, Kristin, fairly well, he said, with his kids even babysitting the pastor’s children.

It was after Southland moved into its own building in 2017 that Josh Johnson said he began to develop serious concerns. He said there was constant pressure to donate money to the church, leading him to question how the funds were allocated and spent.

“I went directly to CJ, questioning how the monetary donations (were) being distributed within and outside of Southland,”

CHASTISING THE ‘EARLY RESISTORS’

None of the former Southland City Church employees contacted by Current agreed to be interviewed on the record, but in an hour-long recording of a late2019 meeting between then-Southland Lead Pastor CJ Johnson, now senior pastor at Northview Church, and his creative team provides a glimpse of the pastor’s management style.

Throughout much of the meeting, CJ Johnson expresses his disappointment with the team for not prioritizing their work on his self-published coffee-table book, “Church is a Team Sport,” which was released in 2020.

During the meeting, according to the recording obtained by Current, he calls out the communications team and several individuals for being “early resistors,” chastising the “early resistors” for being “passively opinionated” and not being able to immediately “get on board with the idea.”

Josh Johnson said. “CJ directed me to Ryan Fox, who was in control of the church’s finances. He would not return my calls, texts or emails. I would get crickets. When I would corner them in person, they would deflect or refuse to answer questions regarding money.”

Greg Reis, who attended Southland from 2016 to 2018, had a similar experience. He said his concern about the leadership at the church sparked after CJ Johnson — from the pulpit — embellished a story in 2016 about Reis making a donation.

“He (effectively) said, ‘It was so big, I reached out to Greg, and I had a conversation with him to make sure he wanted to donate this much money,’” Reis said. “For a moment, I thought, ‘What? He never called me,’ and I just let it go. But he used that (claim) to raise a whole bunch of money, and it worked. After we bought a building, he told us that the weekend when he made that announcement, the money just started rolling in. So that was the first lie.”

“We now have a team that doesn’t value the leadership and the creative culture that they get to operate in and see no value and my role in shaping it into that,” CJ Johnson said during the meeting. “If you really see the importance and the value of my leadership, that book would’ve been done.”

He also singled out a staff member as an example of someone who has “got greatness” if she can “get over some of her mental hang-ups” and said that another consistently “just looks mad.”

Eventually, after several incidents he said he found concerning, in 2018 Reis decided to confront pastors CJ Johnson and Fox about Southland’s finances.

“We wanted to have a conversation about money. We were in there for a good hour, and we didn’t get anywhere. We asked, ‘Who makes these decisions? Who decides to spend money on this and that?’ We could not get an answer out of them,” Reis said. “At the end of our conversation, it was basically, ‘If you can’t trust me with your money, you can’t trust me.’ And we were done that day. We quit going (to Southland).”

‘I’VE ASKED PEOPLE TO LEAVE FOR LESS’

Creasman, the former Southland elder, said she also was shocked by a story she heard CJ Johnson tell from the pulpit during a Southland service. Creasman said that in mid-2018, CJ Johnson described how, a year earlier, a family in the church had given $1 million just in time to secure financing for

Southland to move into a new building.

She knew the story was about her family, but she also knew it involved a $1 million loan — not a gift. Her brother had taken out a line of credit backed by the equity in a storage business their family owned, and they fully expected it to be paid back.

“Several times CJ got up on that platform and he told the congregation that someone gave them a million dollars. So that’s when we were first like, ‘Oh, that’s not correct. Why is he saying that?’” she said.

Creasman wasn’t the only one to question CJ Johnson’s story about the $1 million gift. Bob Clatterbuck, Southland’s former volunteer head of security, said the story about the funding kept changing, so, on behalf of others who also had questions about the situation, he decided to ask CJ Johnson and Fox for clarity.

“The next thing I know, I get called in by CJ, and he wants me to come into the church,” Clatterbuck said. “He basically threatened to kick me out of the church. His words were something to the effect of, ‘I’ve asked people to leave for less.’”

Current could not vet Clatterbuck’s comment, because Northview would not make CJ Johnson available to do so.

Clatterbuck said CJ Johnson didn’t give a reason for the threat other than stating that his questions were causing problems or divisions in the church. Clatterbuck said he was caught off guard and apologized, but the incident left him unsettled.

Later that year, Clatterbuck attended a meeting for volunteers where he said CJ Johnson discussed a system he used to rank church attendees, telling the volunteers to essentially ignore those ranked lowest, who are not very engaged in the church. Josh Johnson also attended the meeting and similarly described the ranking system.

That meeting, during which Clatterbuck said he was also troubled by how Southland staff members appeared to be “worshiping CJ,” was “the last straw” for Clatterbuck. He and his family soon left the church.

He emailed Poe in October 2021 and again in February 2022 to ensure Poe “knew what

Continued on Page 18

NOVEMBERDECEMBER 2020

Nearly all of Southland’s staff quits within a couple of weeks, Assemblies of God Minnesota District steps in to investigate

DECEMBER 2020

Minnesota District officials report findings and next steps, including keeping Johnson at Southland; Michelle Creasman resigns from elder board

JULY 2021

Johnson announces resignation from Southland

AUGUST 2021

Johnson introduced as new pastor at Northview

AUGUST 2021

Email from Minnesota District Assemblies of God confirming audit of Southland not started yet

AUGUST 2021

Johnson gives final sermon at Southland, which is in the process of transitioning into a campus for Emmanuel Christian Center

SEPTEMBER 2021

Johnson starts at Northview

The building that previously housed Southland City Church in Lakeville, Minn. It is now a campus of Emmanuel Christian Center. (Photo courtesy of Bob Clatterbuck)

Continued from Page 17

he was walking into” by hiring CJ Johnson.

“When (a new pastor) is coming in, if they’ve left the wake of destruction like CJ did, they need to know about it. There’s a lot of reconciliation that should take place before he steps into any leadership,” Clatterbuck told Current. “I had already talked to (many people) by that time who had told me their stories and why they won’t go back to church.”

‘ALL THEY CARED ABOUT WAS THEIR NAME’

After loaning the church $1 million, Creasman said she and her husband were asked to join Southland’s elder board. Their position gave them an inside look on happenings at the church, including in late 2020 when Fox was fired and most of the other employees quit.

With the church in crisis after losing most of its staff, the Creasmans reached out to the Minnesota District Council of the Assemblies of God, which governed Southland’s denomination in the area. Its leaders conducted interviews with remaining and former staff members and soon presented the findings to the church.

It was during that process Creasman stepped down from the elder board, as she could not agree with the Assemblies of God’s decision to not put CJ Johnson on a leave of absence.

“I resigned because I saw the Assemblies of God, all they cared about was their name,” Creasman said. “They’re supporting CJ. They’re not even doing any discipline.”

After she stepped down as an elder, Creasman said her husband remained on the board because he said he believed the situation had not been fully investigated. He wanted to ensure an audit was done and was prepared to pay for it himself.

Another organization took care of that, however. Emmanuel Christian Center, an Assemblies of God church in the area, agreed to fund an audit after it helped transition what remained of Southland — which had shrunk in attendance as well as staffing — into a new campus of its own in the summer of 2021.

The audit was not complete before CJ Johnson was hired by Northview, according to Creasman and other sources. Current asked ECC and Northview officials for a copy of the audit but neither responded to the request.

Officials from ECC and the Minnesota District Assemblies of God did not respond to Current’s multiple requests for comment.

In 2020, Southland was removed as a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, an organization that provides accreditation to Christian nonprofits that comply with standards for accountability, transparency, fundraising and board governance. An ECFA official confirmed the accountability organization removed Southland after it failed to submit required paperwork to maintain its membership.

Northview has been accredited by ECFA since 2017. ECFA records show that Northview reported cash donations of more than $27 million in 2022 and total revenues of more than $30 million. It reported $26.9 million in expenses. Current requested but Northview did not provide a copy of its annual audit report, which the Northview website states is available through the church’s finance department.

‘LOOKING AT THE NEXT PASTOR’

CJ Johnson started working at Northview on Sept. 1, 2021, after beating out six other finalists selected by VanderBloemen, a Christian executive search firm, Poe told Current in October 2022. VanderBloemen did not respond to Current’s request for comment.

Poe said he told the elders and search firm that he wanted his replacement to be young, have leadership skills and be a “very strong communicator.” He said the choice became clear as soon as he and his wife watched a sermon from each of the finalists.

“I got to CJ’s, and I got emotional. I actually left the room, collected myself and came back,” Poe said. “My wife said, ‘What’s the matter?’ I said, ‘We’re looking at the

ADDRESSING DISCREPENCIES

CJ Johnson, Northview Church senior pastor, has been accused of speaking falsehoods from the pulpit, and it appears he has been inaccurate on public documents, as well, according to discrepancies in public records.

In Northview’s business entity report filed March 28 with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office, CJ Johnson’s address is listed as a home in Fishers assessed at $259,000 and owned by Jacqueline Lucas and Jonathan Swift. Lucas is an executive assistant at Northview whose parents were elders at Southland City Church, where Johnson previously pastored.

Documents filed with the Hamilton County Recorder’s Office state that on

next pastor.’”

Poe, who retired in October 2022 and is now Northview’s legacy pastor, said he asked the elders to watch the same seven sermons and that all of them ranked CJ Johnson as their top choice.

A former Northview employee, who asked not to be named because he still works in local ministry, said initially he was encouraged by the “spirit of unity” in the unanimous choice. He had seen the negative Google reviews of Southland, but he said he trusted church leaders when they said the allegations had been fully vetted and proven false.

Over time, however, he began to have concerns about his new pastor. For example, he said he witnessed CJ Johnson largely inflate the number of people in a service who raised their hand to indicate they gave their life to Christ one evening.

Clatterbuck, who had a view of the entire worship center at Southland as part of the security team, said CJ Johnson frequently embellished numbers there, too.

Current spoke with eight former Northview employees or attendees, all of whom left the church — or were asked to leave — because of concerns about CJ Johnson or church leadership. Most said they took their concerns to church elders or other leaders, many of whom were not willing to seriously

March 30 CJ Johnson and his wife signed paperwork for a $1.5 million mortgage on a 6,454-square-foot, six-bedroom home on 10 acres in Noblesville.

Neither CJ Johnson nor Lucas responded to Current’s requests for comment.

In addition, a FAQ page on Northview’s website about the Johnson family states that Johnson and his wife founded Southland City Church, the congregation where they previously served.

In a video posted online in 2012 recapping Southland’s history, however, Johnson speaks about joining the church in 2011 as its teaching pastor, and Southland co-founder Chris Book explains how he co-founded the church with Justin Vagle.

discuss the matter with them or act on it.

“Part of why (CJ Johnson) was able to create so much confusion and gaslighting of our staff was by making us feel like we were wrong for being interested in his past,” a former employee said. “At one point during an all-staff meeting, he referenced the fact that people had been looking into his past, and he made a joke onstage about how disgruntled people from his previous church are trying to bring him down. So, he would publicly diminish these things that we were trying to shed light on almost as a way of discrediting some of the accusations.”

Another former employee said his efforts to discuss his concerns with church leaders went nowhere, leading him to conclude they don’t have a “willingness or (the) humility” to address the matter.

“It’s not about me being right or wrong. I just want to have the conversation and handle this biblically,” the former employee said. “If, at the end of the day, everything comes out and CJ was right, great. That is a win for everybody, the best-case scenario. But (Northview’s) handling of it this way makes it worse, because then everybody’s going, ‘Well, they’re playing the deck of cards we all thought they would play.’ And that doesn’t end well for anybody.”

SEPTEMBER 2021

Email confirms Southland audit underway

OCTOBER 2021

Former Southland volunteer head of security

Bob Clatterbuck emails

Northview Senior Pastor Steve Poe to ensure Northview knows about Johnson’s past

FEBRUARY 2022

Clatterbuck emails Poe again after not receiving response, this time Poe replies that Northview is “pleased with CJ” and that Poe is “not interested” in discussing the matter

OCTOBER 2022

Poe retires, Johnson becomes senior pastor of Northview

JANUARY 2023

Southland Google reviews removed from internet

JUNE 2023

Multiple sources confirm more than 40 Northview staff members have left because of concerns or issues about Johnson

Poe

“AS WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ENJOY CARMELFEST AND CELEBRATING THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!”

By Jeff Decker news@currentincarmel.com

Steve Krusie got involved with CarmelFest in 2016 and became the event’s chair in 2020.

2023 final event for CarmelFest leader Rotary Club to honor award recipients during CarmelFest

His favorite CarmelFest moment came last year when he rode in the parade for the first time. As the car he was in passed by spectators along the route, they cheered, and many said, “thank you.”

“People were sincerely thanking me and our CarmelFest leadership team for everything we do to make this Independence Day festival the biggest and best Fourth of July festival in Indiana,” Krusie said. “And all the while I kept saying ‘thank you’ back to the folks along the parade route for their support of our festival and their willingness to buy merchandise from our marketplace vendors and lunch/dinner from our vendors.”

Krusie, who started as the event’s entertainment committee chair and later served as parade volunteer coordinator, is in his final year as CarmelFest chair. He is stepping aside after his initial three-year term “to let new blood be infused into CarmelFest at the top of our festival leadership team.”

Krusie said CarmelFest is in improved financial condition because of corporate sponsors; the leadership team has found ways to be more fiscally judicious and accountable; and, most importantly, the festival enjoys strong support from the community and volunteers.

“Whether they’re helping with parade logistics or participating with our trash troopers, it truly is inspiring to see how people just want to be connected with each other,” Krusie said.

Jeff Lenz, who has been a CarmelFest volunteer for the past four years, has accepted an invitation from the Rotary Club of Carmel, organizer and sponsor of the event, to be Krusie’s successor.

Lenz described Krusie as a “great mentor and friend.”

“He is very detail-oriented and a great leader at getting everyone to get the task done that they were assigned,” Lenz said. “Steve led us out of COVID and right into getting CarmelFest back on track. The momentum this year has been great, and with a major sponsor on board (Merchants Bank of Indiana), it has really made a difference in the mood. I look forward to taking this momentum into 2024.”

Though he is stepping down as event chair, Krusie still will be involved with CarmelFest.

“But frankly, I can’t make up my mind where my experience as chair would be best used,” he said. “Lots of options, but I’ll likely fill in where there’s a gap as folks transition off the leadership team.”

news@currentincarmel.com

The Rotary Club of Carmel recently announced the recipients of two of its most prestigious annual honors.

Steve Krusie, a Rotarian who has chaired CarmelFest since 2020, has been unanimously selected as the Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Carmel. The distinction honors a member of the club for service, loyalty and recognition of the ideals of Rotary.

Brian Kelly, co-founder and retired publisher of Current Publishing, has received the Rotary Outstanding Service Award, which is presented to a non-Rotarian who has demonstrated “service above self” (the Rotary Club’s motto) and made a lasting impact on the community.

– Steve Krusie

Both award recipients will be recognized during the CarmelFest parade.

CARMELFEST SCHEDULE

Krusie

“Whether they’re helping with parade logistics or participating with our trash troopers, it truly is inspiring to see how people just want to be connected with each other.”

Retired CCS teacher among parade grand marshals

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Phyllis Horton Rockhill might not be a real pioneer of Carmel, but her family roots in Hamilton County run deep. Rockhill will be one of the grand marshals for the July 4 CarmelFest parade. Because the county is celebrating its bicentennial this year, descendants of Hamilton County pioneers were selected as grand marshals.

Rockhill, 99, was born in Noblesville but moved to Carmel when she was 2 years old. Her family rented a house in Carmel for two years and then bought a home at 611 N. Range Line Rd.

“Carmel has always been a good place to live,” Rockhill said. “We’ve had very little crime. We never locked our doors (growing up). You didn’t have to. It was a safe, happy town and everyone knew each other.”

Rockhill said the family moved to Carmel because her father, Oakley Horton, was going to start a meat market with his brother, Floyd. The downtown Carmel store was called Hortons Meat Market on Main Street. Rockhill said she believes the store closed in 1956.

“My grandfather (Marl) already had a meat market in Noblesville,” Rockhill said. “Floyd was crippled from having polio, so he couldn’t take being on his feet the whole time. So, he got out of the business. My dad would go to work at 8 o’clock in the morning and stay there until 9 at night.”

The Hamilton County ties go deep, as her great-great grandfather donated the land for Hortonville, an unincorporated community north of Westfield.

She graduated from Carmel High School in 1942 with a class of 35.

For the final six weeks of her senior year, Rockhill was pulled out of class and pressed into duty to teach a third-grade class.

“They knew I wanted to be a teacher,” she said.

After graduating from Butler University in 1945, she taught in Indianapolis.

“I taught for two years and then had a child but went back for another semester,” she said. “I taught 28 years here in Carmel, plus a lot of years of substituting. I helped with their kindergarten when I was staying home with my children.”

When a teacher was fired, Rockhill said officials wanted her to finish out the last six weeks of school, so she substituted in Carmel during that time.

“Then Carmel began to bulge at the seams (enrollment-wise),” she said. “They said, ‘We need you, but we don’t have a (classroom) for you.’ So, they put me in the Carmel Friends Church basement with my fourth-grade class. They would bus us to the school for lunch and recess and then back. We did that until they opened up Orchard Park Elementary (during the spring semester).”

When Carmel Elementary opened, she started teaching there.

Rockhill retired in 1984. Her husband, Myron, retired earlier that year after being an accountant for Indiana Farm Bureau Co-op. The couple was married 74 years before he died at age 99 in 2021.

Rockhill’s parents graduated from Westfield High School.

“My roots are very deep here,” she said.

Rockhill’s daughter, Jean Rockhill Pluchar, 64, lives on the east side of Carmel and works in Noblesville. She has two sons, Jerry, 74 of Commerce, Ga., and Jim, 72, of Louisville.

Phyllis Horton Rockhill with her late husband, Myron Rockhill. (Photo courtesy of Phyllis Horton Rockhill)

Longtime parade director stepping away Help attempt world record by donning fire helmet

By Jeff Decker news@currentincarmel.com

A former parade director for CarmelFest who has remained involved with the event is planning to step aside.

Peggy Powell, who headed up the parade committee from 2009 to 2017 and remained in an advisory and has since administrative capacity, said she has decided it’s time to step away from the event. She will continue to serve as community grants chair for the Rotary Club of Carmel, which organizes and sponsors CarmelFest.

“I think I’ve just done it long enough,” Powell said. “It’s time to let other people step in.”

The Allied Solutions CarmelFest Parade will start at 10:30 a.m. July 4.

Bec Hunter, CarmelFest parade director, said Powell has handled administrative duties in recent years, including securing parking lots for stag-

ing areas, ordering T-shirts for volunteers and making sure the parade has sound equipment. Powell’s knowledge also was valuable in helping Hunter after she took over for parade director Barbara Ellis, who served in that capacity for two years.

Hunter said the parade committee will be looking for someone to step in and perform Powell’s duties.

“I’ll be sorry to see her go,” Hunter said. “We’ve kind of been joined at the hip during the month of June. I will miss her tremendously.”

Powell, who retired in 2007 as a school secretary and officer manager at Snacks Crossing Elementary School in Pike Township, said a favorite memory from her time as parade director is when then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, agreed to appear in the parade. She has seen the annual event grow during her involvement with it.

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

The Carmel Fire Dept. is hoping to see more red than white and blue on July 4 when it attempts to set a world record for the most people wearing fire helmets at one time just before the CarmelFest parade begins.

Between 9 and 10 a.m., volunteers will distribute approximately 30,000 plastic red fire hats to people gathered along the parade route. At approximately 10:05 a.m., everyone wearing a fire hat will be asked to step into the road – which will be shut down for the parade – so a drone can pass by to document the attempt. Participants should be able to return to their spots along the route by 10:20 a.m., with the parade beginning 10 minutes later.

“We can’t do it without the community coming out to CarmelFest. The good thing is, in the past, they’ve always come out, so we assume

The Carmel Fire Department and CarmelFest organizers are attempting to set a world record for the most fire helmets worn at one time. The CFD Auxiliary is selling T-shirts to support the effort. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

they’ll be here,” CFD spokesman Tim Griffin said. “We’re hoping they’re going to want to be a part of this.” Learn more at linktr.ee/ cfdauxiliary.

Powell

E denotes of east of the median on Range Line Road. W denotes west of the median on Range Line Road.

34 - E -

Meteorologist Kevin Gregory

35 - W - Indiana Ballet Conservatory

36 - E - Sahara Grotto Mini Cars

37 - W - Carmel Masonic Family

38 - E - Carmel City Court Judge Brian Poindexter

39 - W - Mercy Road Carmel Kids Camp

40 - E - Mary - E - ckard, Clay Township Board

41 - W - Wonderland - E - ntertainment

42 - E - 104-5 WJJK Morning Show with Greg & Joni

43 - W - Carmel Clay Public Library

44 - E - Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre

45 - W - Crumbl Cookies

46 - E - Master Yoo's Tae Kwon Do 47 - W - WTHR - 13News 48 - E - Indianapolis Indians Mascot Rowdie 49 - W - Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 50 -

PARADE ROUTE

The parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. on July 4th at AAA Way and Carmel Drive. The parade travels west on Carmel Drive to Range Line Road, turning north to Main Street, traveling east on Main and ending at the Richland/4th Avenue stoplight west of Carmel High School.

The parade steps off at 10:30 am on July 4th at AAA Way and Carmel Drive. The parade travels west on Carmel Drive to Rangeline Road, turning north to Main Street, traveling east on Main and ending at the Richland/4th Avenue stoplight west of Carmel High School.

SONGBOOK ACADEMY IN CONCERT*

Sat Jul 22 at 7pm

DAUGHTRY: BARE BONES TOUR*

Wed Aug 9 at 7:30pm

SPYRO GYRA*

Sat Aug 12 at 8pm

BEN HARPER*

Tue Aug 15 at 7:30pm

LIFE WITH THE AFTERLIFE: TRUE TALES OF THE PARANORMAL WITH GHOST HUNTER

AMY BRUNI

Sat Sep 16 at 8pm

UPTOWN: MOTOWN REMIXED

Thu Sep 28 at 7:30pm

ANIMANIACS: IN CONCERT

Thu Oct 5 at 7:30pm

THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS: BILL MEDLEY & BUCKY HEARD

Fri Oct 6 at 8pm

THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH*

Sun Oct 8 at 7pm

THE ROBERT CRAY BAND

Wed Oct 11 at 7:30pm

WISH YOU WERE HERE: THE SIGHT & SOUND OF PINK FLOYD

Sat Oct 14 at 8pm

STEWART COPELAND: POLICE DERANGED FOR ORCHESTRA

Thu Oct 19 at 7:30pm

HARRY CHAPIN AT 80: A RETROSPECTIVE, FEATURING THE CHAPIN FAMILY

Fri Oct 20 at 8pm

BILL FRISELL FIVE AND AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE’S OWL SONG

Sat Oct 21 at 8pm

ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

Sat Oct 28 at 8pm

AN EVENING WITH BRUCE COCKBURN

Wed Nov 1 at 7:30pm

BÉLA FLECK, ZAKIR HUSSAIN, EDGAR MEYER WITH RAKESH CHAURASIA

Thu Nov 2 at 7:30pm

GRACE POTTER

Fri Nov 3 at 8pm

ETTA MAY

Fri Nov 3 at 7:30pm

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE

Sat Nov 4 at 8pm

TRES SOULS

Sat Nov 4 at 8pm

THE LITTLE MERMEN: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY TRIBUTE BAND

Sun Nov 5 at 3pm & 7pm

EASTON CORBIN

Thu Nov 9 at 7:30pm

GREGORIAN: PURE CHANTS

Fri Nov 10 at 8pm

CANDACE BUSHNELL: TRUE TALES OF SEX, SUCCESS AND SEX AND THE CITY

Sun Nov 12 at 7pm

ANNE SOFIE VON OTTER & BROOKLYN RIDER SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH

Fri Nov 17 at 8pm

MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO

Sat Nov 18 at 8pm

THE BLACK MARKET TRUST

Sun Nov 19 at 7pm

VIENNA BOYS CHOIR: CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA

Fri Nov 24 at 2pm

JIM BRICKMAN: A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS

Thu Nov 30 at 7:30pm

THE MIDTOWN MEN: HOLIDAY HITS

Fri Dec 1 at 8pm

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS  CHRISTMAS TOUR 2023

Tue Dec 5 at 7:30pm

JON MCLAUGHLIN: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Fri Dec 8 at 8pm

PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND HOLIDAY SHOW

Sat Dec 9 at 8pm

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY’S WILD & SWINGIN’ HOLIDAY PARTY

Wed Dec 13 at 7:30pm

AN EVENING WITH BRANFORD MARSALIS

Fri Jan 26 at 8pm

ALAN CUMMING & ARI SHAPIRO: OCH & OY! A CONSIDERED CABARET

Sat Feb 3 at 8pm

MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO: HEREDEROS

Fri Feb 9 at 8pm

SOFIA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Fri Feb 23 at 8pm

ARETHA’S GOLD: CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN

Fri Feb 24 at 8pm

THE IRISH TENORS

Fri Mar 8 at 8pm

CARRIE NEWCOMER WITH PIANIST GARY WALTERS & STRING QUARTET

Sat Mar 9 at 8pm

BRUCE HORNSBY WITH YMUSIC

Sat Mar 9 at 8pm

IMAGINATION MOVERS

Sun Mar 10 at 1pm & 4pm

JESSE COOK

Sun Apr 7 at 7pm

RAY CHEN

Fri Apr 12 at 8pm

SAMMY MILLER AND THE CONGREGATION

Fri Apr 19 at 8pm

RUMOURS: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE

Sat Apr 20 at 8pm

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN & SPECIAL GUEST

Fri

BEN HARPER GRACE POTTER ROBERT CRAY DAVE KOZ KATHERINE MCPHEE

KidsZone adds stage, lowers costs for attractions

By Riya Chinni news@currentincarmel.com

This year, the KidsZone at CarmelFest returns with new rides, ticketing guidelines and a stage with performances geared for young audiences.

The KidsZone will be open from 1 to 9 p.m. July 3 and noon to 9 p.m. July 4 during the two-day event in and surrounding Carmel Civic Square.

William Howard II and Christine

Zoccola return as KidsZone co-chairs.

“Of the three years we’ve done it, we think this will be our best one,” Zoccola said.

Changes include reduced attraction costs and the ability to use the same set of tickets for any of the attractions in the KidsZone area. Individual tickets are $3 each.

“We’ve been really working with the vendors to try to keep the price down as much as we can,” Zoccola

said. “We’re still confirming with the vendors, but it looks like most rides will either be one ticket or two tickets per ride, so we’re hoping it’s going to be a lot more affordable than it has been in past years.”

Howard and Zoccola said they have listened to feedback from Carmel families, which drove their negotiations with vendors to reduce costs for attractions.

According to Howard and Zoccola, KidsZone will feature new attractions, in addition to familiar favorites such as the rock-climbing wall, bungee trampoline and inflatables.

“We’ve got two new rides that we haven’t had in the past. One is called

the Ballistic Swing, and it’s basically a big swing that spins the kids around, and the other one is the Pirate’s Revenge, which is like a huge ship that rocks back and forth,” Zoccola said.

Additionally, KidsZone will feature a variety of performances on its own stage behind Carmel City Hall. Zoccola said the performances are tailored to children and will continue throughout both days of the festival.

“We’ve really tried to include DEI, so we’re looking at acts that are across the board,” Howard said. “We’re trying to get a very diverse lineup.”

Howard said the pair conducted a broad search within the Carmel community for KidsZone performers, which will include Disney Princesses for meet-and-greets in addition to performances by Abundant Youth Empowerment, Academy of Gregory Hancock, Ballet Theatre of Carmel and Master Yoo’s World Class Tae Kwon Do.

Howard and Zoccola said they are excited about the future of KidsZone as it continues to expand.

“It’s truly going to be its own entity now,” Howard said. “You can go to KidsZone to hang out and be in KidsZone for the whole day.”

Does your kid love a challenge? If so, your child should participate in the 2023 Kids TRI for Kids Series! Designed for kids ages 7-14, Kids TRI o ers safe races where kids learn the value of fun and friendly competition and healthy fitness habits.

2023 DATES & LOCATIONS:

June 11 Kathy Dowling Aquatics Center - Greenfield

July 4 Zionsville High School

July 30 TRI Indy White River State Park

Aug 13 Riviera Club

Aug 27 Greenwood Freedom Springs Aquatics Park

Spark Buttons support fireworks show

By Edward Redd news@currentincarmel.com

The 2023 edition of Spark Buttons is available, offering discounts and exclusive deals from local participating merchants in addition to providing some patriotic flair.

For more than two decades, the sale of Spark Buttons has helped fund CarmelFest fireworks. Jeff Worrell, longtime coordinator of the Spark Button program, said this year’s goal is to raise $11,000.

“We’ve been selling them since 1994,” Worrell said. “I’ve never missed a year. We didn’t sell during the pandemic year because there was no CarmelFest.”

Roughly 2,500 buttons will be sold through July 4 at All Things Carmel, 110 W. Main St.; Carmel gazebo concerts; the Carmel Farmers Market; and CarmelFest. With the button comes a pro-

mo card that can be used to redeem exclusive offers that are valid through Dec. 31, unless otherwise noted. Buttons are $10.

Learn more at CarmelFestSparkButton.com.

A kid jumps over a rotating bar on an inflatable in the KidsZone. (File photo)

Hoosier Crossroads Music Festival name returns

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The CarmelFest music lineup returns under a familiar brand.

CarmelFest Chair Steve Krusie said the Rotary Club of Carmel has renewed the registered trademark for Hoosier Crossroads Music Festival, a name used in the past for part of the music lineup at the two-day event. The name launched in 2017 when an event previously known as Guitars and Stars was rebranded as Hoosier Crossroads Music Festival.

This year, the Hoosier Crossroads Music Festival brand will be used for all musical acts.

“We’re going to start implementing that this year and calling the two stages at Carter Green and the Gazebo as part of the Hoosier Crossroads Music Festival at CarmelFest,” Krusie said.

Krusie said conversations are ongoing within the Rotary Club to determine if Hoosier Crossroads Music Festival should continue to be part of CarmelFest or if the club should use it separately and create an additional fundraiser.

CarmelFest is the Rotary Club of Carmel’s primary fundraiser for presenting grants to local organizations and nonprofits.

The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 CarmelFest. The name was forgotten when it came time to stage the 2021 and 2022 festivals.

“After the pandemic, I came in as the chair and I wasn’t involved in all this earlier,” Krusie said. “The renewal for the trademark came up (earlier this year) and I thought it was interesting. Because of the lateness of it, we just decided now to let it fall under the CarmelFest umbrella and that’s how we’ll start working with it. If it can grow beyond that, that is a conversation to be had, but not before this year’s CarmelFest.”

HOOSIER CROSSROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

CARTER GREEN

JULY 3

1 to 2:30 p.m.: Nauti Yachtys

3 to 4:15 p.m.: The Beatless

4:45 to 6 p.m.: Phone Club

6:30 to 7:45 p.m.: Pushing Daisy’s

Band

8:15 to 9:30 p.m.: Huckleberry Funk

JULY 4

12 to 1:45 p.m.: My Yellow Rickshaw

2:15 to 3:45 p.m.: Tommy Baldwin

4:15 to 5:45 p.m.: The Wonderlands

6:15 to 7:30 p.m.: Dude!

8 to 9:30 p.m.: Sadie Johnson

GAZEBO

JULY 3

1 to 2:30 p.m.: CarmelFest Has Talent

3 to 4 p.m.: Allison Victoria

4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Jeff Day

6 to 7 p.m.: Kara Cole

8 to 9:30 p.m.: Indiana Wind Symphony

JULY 4

12 to 12:45 p.m.: Carmel Music Academy

1 to 2:45 p.m.: School of Rock

3:15 to 4:45 p.m.: Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters

5:15 to 7 p.m.: Touch of Grass

8 to 9:30 p.m.: Carmel Symphony Orchestra

Nathan Klatt of My Yellow Rickshaw performs at CarmelFest in 2022. (File photo)

COMMUNITY

JULY CALENDAR CARMELFEST

CarmelFest will fill Civic Square and surrounding areas July 3 and 4. The annual event celebrating Independence Day will include children’s activities, food vendors, concerts, a parade and more. It will conclude with a fireworks display. Learn more at CarmelFest.net.

SUMMER FARMERS MARKET

The Carmel Farmers Market runs from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays through Sept. 30. Admission is free. The market is held at 2 Carter Green. Learn more at CarmelFarmersMarket.com.

GAZEBO CONCERT SERIES

This month, the summer concert series at the Carmel gazebo will feature 45RPM (July 12), My Yellow Rickshaw (July 19) and The Bishops (July 26). The free concerts are held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 27. Learn more and see the full schedule at CarmelGazeboConcerts.org.

MEET ME ON MAIN

Restaurants and shops in Carmel’s Arts & Design District will stay open until 9 p.m. July 8 for the monthly Meet Me on Main. The event will also offer a hands-on public art project and an opportunity to win a $100 gift card.

CLAY TERRACE SUMMER CONCERTS

Clay Terrace will present the Estridge Homes Summer Concert Series from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through July 13. Remaining performers are Indy Annies (July 6) and Endless Summer Band (July 13). Guests can also enjoy food vendors, face painters, a pet zone and more.

NATIONAL MOTH WEEK

Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation will celebrate National Moth Week from 8 to 10:30 p.m. July 28 at Bear Creek Park, 14330 Shelborne Rd. At the free event, attendees will use sugaring to attempt to attract moths in Carmel’s newest park. Register at bit. ly/3PrpS8y.

MURAL UNVEILING

The Whispering Walls murals will be officially unveiled in the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Garden, 11677 Towne Rd., during a ceremony set for 11 a.m. July 17. The murals are designed to educate visitors about the importance of native plants and their relationship to native pollinators and birds.

Box Market opens on Main St.

By Kiersten Riedford kiersten@youarecurrent.com

Box Market, Carmel’s newest convenience store, opened June 12.

RETAIL

The store at 216 W. Main St. offers products ranging from cat litter to personal care items to PRIME hydration drinks and to-go sandwiches.

The shop is owned by Vic Singh, with Raghevendra Varma partnering in the business. They had been looking to open a convenience store in the area for two years. Vacant space was difficult to find, so they jumped at the opportunity when they heard U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz would be closing her district office, which was previously in the space.

“As soon as this spot became available, we looked at it,” Varma said. “We made the reservation in less than an hour and (later) signed the lease.”

Varma said he and Singh have invested in keeping the store neat and filled with what customers may want or need throughout their week. They buy in bulk and sell in volume to keep prices low.

The store is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight. It is open Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Varma said customers who tell him they found out about Box Market through Current in Carmel receive a 10 percent discount.

“People have been very supportive of us,” Varma said. “They are coming and constantly checking in. (The) city has been very good and (is) helping us to get up and running. We want to do a lot of great things for Carmel.”

New shop offers Southern styles

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

Little Tulip Tree, which sells stylish and traditional Southern-inspired clothing for kids, opened May 20 in Carmel City Center at 840 S. Range Line Rd.

NOW OPEN

The shop is one of a few stores in the nation that sells clothes made by the Beaufort Bonnet Co. Little Tulip Tree co-owner Molly Lawhorn described the Beaufort Bonnet Co. as a classic coastal-Southern clothing brand that makes fashionable apparel for children. The company began as an online retailer that started a signature program in 2019.

Lawhorn said Little Tulip Tree is the only shop in the Midwest to specialize in Beaufort Bonnet Co. products.

“We sell 85 percent of the Beaufort Bonnet Co. clothing and 15 percent other (brand) giftable shoes, toys and accessories,” Lawhorn said.

Sizes offered at Little Tulip Tree range from 0 to 14, Lawhorn said.

“(We offer) everything from the classic Beaufort Bonnet style in a broad-cloth material to a seersucker to corduroy and velvet

around the holidays,” Lawhorn said.

The store also sells toys, shoes and accessories such as bucket hats, bows, swaddles and blankets. An embroidery service is available at the store for customers looking to personalize their purchases.

“We’re excited to bring these timeless pieces to Carmel and share the brand we’ve loved for so many years,” Lawhorn said.

Little Tulip Tree is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sundays.

Raghevendra Varma stocks drinks at Box Market. (Photo by Kiersten Reidford)

From right, Little Tulip Tree co-owners Jordan Lawhorn and Molly Lawhorn and Sarah Havens of the Beaufort Bonnet Company cut the ribbon to celebrate the store’s opening. (Photo by Ash Wittmer)

Carmel woman new director of Little Red Door Cancer Agency

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

Little Red Door Cancer Agency recently announced Mandy Pietrykowski of Carmel as its new director.

NONPROFIT

She replaces Fred Duncan, who retired June 2 after 14 years leading the Indianapolis-based nonprofit. Pietrykowski previously served as the organization’s chief advancement officer.

As its new leader, Pietrykowski looks forward to advancing the nonprofit’s mission.

“It feels like a huge honor to help usher in the next chapter,” she said.

Pietrykowski joined Little Red Door Cancer Agency in 2019 after concluding her service at Riley Children’s Foundation as director of campaigns and major gifts.

Little Red Door Agency helps care for underserved Hoosiers battling cancer, educates the public about cancer prevention

and provides survivor health programming to uninsured people in central and east central Indiana.

Pietrykowski said Little Red Door Agency is completely funded through philanthropy. It serves approximately 2,000 clients in Hamilton, Boone and 12 other Hoosier counties.

“We don’t have any fees for service, so everything is free,” Pietrykowski said. “It’s because of our generous donors in the community.”

Pietrykowski said her proudest moment as chief advancement officer was in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when she helped navigate the organization through financial challenges. The nonprofit raised more than $2 million in fundraising that year. Last year, it raised more than $1 million.

As director, Pietrykowski looks forward to working with Little Red Door Cancer Agency board members and staff to help better provide services for cancer and create opportunities for interns.

TRENT GOLF OUTING SUPPORTS PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH

The third annual Tee off for Tyler Trent Charity Golf Outing was held June 12 at the Bridgewater Club in Westfield. In connection with the event, the Tyler Trent Foundation has raised more than $200,000 to support pediatric cancer research since 2019. Trent was a Carmel resident and Purdue athletics superfan who died in 2019 after battling a rare form of bone cancer.

Pietrykowski

From left, Mark Needham of Lafayette; Markevious Brown, a cornerback on the Purdue football team; Marcus Mbow, an offensive lineman on the Purdue football team; Cathy Campbell, Tyler Trent’s grandma; and Nic Caraway, a linebacker on the Purdue football team. (Photos by Adam Seif)

Tony and Kelly Trent, Tyler Trent’s parents.

Consent agenda tool to pummel opposition

Editor,

In Hamilton County, consent agendas are being used to obscure the actions of local school boards. See (Current in Carmel Managing Editor) Ann Marie Shambaugh’s recent article about Brooke Lawson’s hiring in Carmel.

This consent agenda rule is meant to improve meeting efficiency and to consolidate mundane, routine topics into a single vote, in order to spend time on items where unanimous consent is not obvious.

A member may remove a consent agenda item for discussion, which demonstrates a lack of unanimous consent. That item must then be moved to the main agenda for further discussion.

The consent agenda should not be used to keep information from the public, from ideologically opposed members, nor to vote on information discreetly outside of the public eye. It’s not a “confidential” agenda, but a “consent” agenda. My hope is that our local school boards will use it appropriately in future meetings.

Mike Jamieson, Fishers

Enjoyed details in recent crossword puzzle

Editor,

I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the crossword from the June 6 issue. I generally love that the clues in each puzzle include local references and thought

the added color and themed clues this week were a great way to celebrate pride month. Thanks for the inclusivity and have a great week!

Mary Rose Simons, Carmel

No redeeming content in dog column

Editor, Was the writer’s intention to be funny (in the June 6 column ‘A scary dog day afternoon’)? There is nothing about this article that is humorous.

Danielle Wilson writes how little she cares about her dog by saying “she’d quietly hoped that she would quietly disappear.” Wilson put her dog in a dangerous situation and then made light

of it. How horrific! Would she have shared this information so freely if it had been a child that she forgot about and left in an 80-degree car overnight? This dog deserves a better home.

I am surprised that Current would publish such a despicable article with no redeeming content.

Fonda Poland, Carmel

eskenazihealthfoundation.org

Beyond Barriers is a campaign that through philanthropy and partnerships, addresses health equity in Central Indiana.

ESKENAZI HEALTH FOUNDATION IS GRATEFUL TO Sharon Barner & Haywood McDuffie FOR THEIR LEAD GIFT

Nature of good and evil

Commentary by Terry Anker

Sunday, July 9 @ 2pm Main Library Community Room

Bestselling author Jennifer Coburn returns to Carmel for a conversation about her historical novel Cradles of the Reich. She has also published a mother-daughter travel memoir, We’ll Always Have Paris, as well as six contemporary women’s novels. Additionally, Jennifer has contributed to five literary anthologies, including A Paris All Your Own.

Register for this author visit at carmelclaylibrary.org/events .

ESSAY

For those of us involved in agriculture, or who spent our youth so engaged, these warm, sunny summer days are a bit of a paradox. Although we may enjoy them recharging after a long, cold winter, we might be rightly worried about the lack of rain. We’re a couple of inches down for the year, give or take, in most places. And for those of us who eat, we are legitimately concerned about the plight of Hoosier farmers. Their success keeps us fed. Still, we have not yet arrived at a crisis point, and with good luck, rain will fall as needed and averages will return to average.

In the meantime, we can take some solace in the benefits of the hot, dry weeks. Aside from improving our bodily vitamin D supply, we may notice a reduction in nuisance insects. Relying on standing water in ditches and nearly anything that holds a thimbleful of liquid, mosquitos and other pests have declined some with the dry weather. Still, we carry gallons of “repel-

lant” to our family picnics, outdoor concerts and sports activities for the hardy few that emerged despite the dry conditions. But why? For the hardy few that have made it this far, what would be strong enough to repel them from dinner?

If we are sufficiently hungry, what can drive us from what we need, or believe that we do? Fear of death? Fear of discomfort? Alternatively, we attract moths to the flame, glowing blue bug light. They gleefully surrender, so compelled by attraction to their own demise that they appear unaware of the clear and present danger. Sure, these tiny creatures likely exist on instinct and are devoid of intellect, but do we fare much better? What good repels and what evil attracts in our own lives?

Could use a rest after vacation

Commentary by Danielle Wilson Friends, I’m pleased to announce that I have survived the annual family vacay to South Carolina, where 27 of us piled into a beach house for one week. The youngest is 2 and the oldest is 78, but we managed to make memories and keep the shanking to a minimum (there was a major blow-up between my four sisters and me, but everything was eventually resolved, or at least suppressed enough that we departed with authentic “I love you-s,” which is saying something considering the amount of wine consumed).

HUMOR

net and turnaround without tipping over. My twin and I didn’t even make it to the semifinals thanks to a poor showing in cornhole, though we felt OK about it since we had to be North Korea (obviously, the kids chose the nations).

Anyhoo, highlights included ideal temperatures, delicious dinners and the first-ever Morris Olympics, which pitted two-person teams representing various countries against each other in multiple events.

Anyhoo, highlights included ideal temperatures, delicious dinners and the first-ever Morris Olympics, which pitted two-person teams representing various countries against each other in multiple events. My nephew Nick, 19, and my niece Georgia, 10, pulled off a stunning victory for Ukraine, in part because of their outstanding performance on the pool kayak course, where they expertly navigated the volleyball

– DANIELLE WILSON

We also enjoyed another competitive Great Beach BakeOff, where first-time participant Keegan, 8, stole the show with his perfectly baked vanilla cupcake; multiple games of charades and truffles; and a movie night of “80 for Brady,” which my mom outwardly, and everyone else secretly, loved.

I never slept well. There was nonstop action and noise, and I had to literally hide on a second-floor back balcony to get my daily dose of “Grey’s Anatomy,” but I survived! Peace out.

Jennifer Coburn

Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.

Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.

Better not safe than sorry

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

ABC’S “Prisoners of the Snow” is a true story of a rugby team stranded in the Andes in sub-zero weather after their plane crashed into the side of a mountain in 1972. Also recently in the news, the miraculous 40-day survival of four young children stranded in the Amazon jungle. Imagine finding yourself with no food or water in the hot jungle, or caught in an avalanche, freezing to death beneath a mountain of snow. Many of these brave people survived, but it might have been easier if they were all wearing something called the Paracord Survival Bracelet (also helpful: a cellphone, your GPS, warm blankets, three-month’s supply of food, a Coleman stove and Netflix).

and help finally arrives, isn’t that the first thing you’d think about — who do I need to tie up?

HUMOR

The manufacturer is concerned that people will not want to use the rope in an emergency because making it back into a bracelet is harder than solving the Rubik’s Cube with your feet. That’s why auto safety systems do not allow you to disengage the airbag apparatus. “Push the airbag off button, Agnes. We’re going to hit that truck head-on, but I have no idea how to stuff that thing back into the steering wheel.”

Many of these brave people survived, but it might have been easier if they were all wearing something called the Paracord Survival Bracelet (also helpful: a cellphone, your GPS, warm blankets, three-month’s supply of food, a Coleman stove and Netflix).

The device is called a 550 Cord. This is confusing because that’s also the name of the Levi’s I wear. The bracelet is 90 feet of intricately woven thread crafted into a nifty piece of rope jewelry. First used in World War II by paratroopers, the manufacturer describes it as having a “32-strand woven nylon outer sheath with an inner core of seven 2-ply yarns.” I know, I know, that sounds a lot like Charmin.

Here are two uses suggested by the manufacturer:

• Replace a broken zipper pull: Nothing would be more embarrassing than being rescued after 12 days on a deserted island and being caught with your fly open.

• Detain a person: When you are shipwrecked in the middle of nowhere

– DICK WOLFSIE

Paracord Survival Bracelet used to give a free one if you use its product in a legitimate emergency. Simply send it the story of how you used the rope, along with a photograph demonstrating the life-threatening predicament you were in, such as:

Dear Survival Bracelet Maker:

My wife and I were recently cleaning the gutters on our roof when the ladder tipped over. As I helped her rappel down the side of our house using your nifty piece of jewelry, I tried to get my cellphone out of my pocket to send a picture, thus qualifying for a free replacement. I was too slow, but I am attaching a photo of her on the ground with two broken legs.

Personally, I think this bracelet is a waste of money at $39.95. Better not safe than sorry.

POLICIES

Letters to the editor: Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 150 words. Letters must be thoroughly vetted prior to submission. Current retains the right to reject or return any letter it deems to carry unsubstantiated content. Current also retains the right to edit letters, but not their intent. Send letters to info@youarecurrent. com. Writers must include a hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Guest columns: The policy for guest columns is the same as the aforementioned, but the allowable length is 240 words. Guest columns should address the whole of Current’s readership, not simply special-interest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.

Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.

Powers to share songs, stories at Feinstein’s

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Wayne Powers has a lifetime of stories to share.

‘BEAUTY & THE BEAST’

“Beauty & the Beast” runs through July 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

CONCERT

The singer/actor/comedian had a few appearances on “Laverne & Shirley” and starred in his own NBC hospital sitcom, “13 East,” for two seasons. He appeared in episodes of “ALF,” “Full House,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.” “Murder She Wrote” and “Simon & Simon,” among others. He also once worked for composer Henry Mancini as an administrator of his music publishing and worked in improv comedy clubs with Robin Williams in the 1970s.

Powers will perform with his All-Star Trio of Kevin Anker (piano), Fred Withrow (acoustic bass) and Mike Kessler (drums) at 7:30 p.m. July 22 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.

“I’m mostly singing. I’ll tell a few stories and there’s a little comedy,” Powers said. “I’m excited because that venue could have been built for me. It’s the old supper clubs that I first started singing in at age 16 in New York. Those supper clubs are gone now, but Michael (Feinstein) had the vision and knowledge to bring them back because he understood what makes them work.”

Powers will perform standards from the Great American Songbook. He recently released an album, “If Love Were All,” which also is the name of one of the songs on the album.

Last year, Powers performed a show at The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis and did some guest spots there this year. He lives in Muncie but plans to move.

“It was kind of a bucket-list thing,” he said. “I was looking for a historic mansion to live in and restore. I looked all over the country and found this incredible mansion in Muncie. I bought and restored it. It’s 10,000 to 12,000 square feet, built in 1902. I’ll never get out what I put into it, but life changes happen. I’m going to put it on the market.”

Powers did network television shows for approximately 15 years but decided to move to Charlotte, N.C., with his then-wife

and two younger sons.

“I wanted a place where my kids could have a childhood,” he said.

He had already been contemplating a move when the car his sons were being transported from a private school in was hit by stray bullets by rival gangs in Los Angeles.

Then, an earthquake happened in the early 1990s. The family got out of the home in time, but it was destroyed.

“I looked up at God and said, ‘I hear you, we’re going now, don’t send me any more signs,’” he said.

Powers started on WBT, a radio station in Charlotte, as a guest host and in special programming. After 20-plus years, he hosted his own radio talk show at WKZO in Kalamazoo, Mich., for a few years before moving to Chicago.

He performed in one of the lead roles of ‘The Sunshine Boys” in Kankakee, Ill., in 2019.

“It’s one of my favorite shows. I want to do that show again,” he said. “That response was incredible. It’s so fresh. It’s Neil Simon and it’s hilariously funny.”

Five years before that, he had a different theater role at the request of his close friend, the late Paul Sorvino.

“He was like my brother,” Powers said. “He was the godfather to both of my sons.”

Powers wanted to learn the song “Mama” in Italian so he could sing to his mother, who was turning 90. So, Sorvino agreed to teach him but wanted a favor in return.

“(He said) ‘In a couple of months I’m doing ‘King Lear’ in New York and I’m directing and playing Lear and I want you to play the Fool opposite me,’” he said. “I hadn’t done Shakespeare since I was in college. I said, ‘I don’t know if I could do it,’ and he said, ‘Of course, you can.’”

Sorvino convinced Powers to join the cast with Shrunken Shakespeare Company because they already had a strong chemistry that was necessary for the role.

Sorvino died in 2022 at age 83.

“He was my mentor,” Powers said. “It’s still hard for me to get over losing him. I miss him a lot.”

For more, visit waynepowers.com.

Adam Pascal will perform Broadway hits at 7:30 p.m. June 30 and July 1 at Feinstein’s cabaret in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinhc.com.

‘BOEING BOEING’

Red Barn Summer Theatre’s presentation of “Boeing Boeing” runs through July 1 at the Red Barn Theatre in Frankfort. For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.

‘NEWSIES JR.’

Jr. Civic Theatre presents the final two performances of “Disney’s Newsies Jr.” from June 27-28 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘STAR-SPANGLED SYMPHONY’

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will present “Star-Spangled Symphony’’ at 8 p.m. June 30 to July 3 in the Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie in Fishers. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.

DISPATCH

Musical theater camp returns to Noblesville — The Point Theater, formerly Christian Youth Theater, returns to Noblesville with musical theater day camps for youth between the ages of 4 and 11. The camps are offered at Emmanuel Methodist Church, 1600 Cumberland Road, during the week of July 17. With a “Beauty and the Beast” theme, the camp places students in groups by age, then rotates them through interactive stations in vocals, dance, acting and props each day. The week culminates in a Friday performance for family and friends. Seasoned actors and dancers lead the camp, with Point students rounding out the staff as counselors. To register, visit thepointtheater.org.

Actor/singer Wayne Powers, right, with his close friend Paul Sorvino. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Powers)

Barbershop chorus in harmony

By Jeff Decker editorial@youarecurrent.com

When she was younger, Carmel resident Barbara Birnbaum had performed in her school choirs. But as an adult, Birnbaum didn’t have time to keep singing with a group.

MUSIC

In 2006, friends convinced her to attend guest night with Harmony Magic, a central Indiana-based women’s barbershop chorus.

“I really was enamored with the idea,” she said of performing again.

When Birnbaum arrived at guest night, a group member greeted her with a hug.

“And it was, ‘OK, I’m hooked,” she said. Birnbaum and other members of the chorus, between 25 and 30 strong and under the direction of Janet Foster of Greenfield, competed in the Harmony Inc. area convention and contest beginning June 8 in Bloomington-Normal, Ill. At stake was a berth in an international competition Nov. 8-11 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Harmony Magic was one of six choruses to qualify for the competition, called Pure Harmony.

“We really couldn’t have asked for better,” Birnbaum said.

Harmony Magic prepared for the contest on Thursday evenings at Woodland Terrace in Carmel. For the competition, they performed “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” from the musical “Annie,” and “When I Fall in Love,” a standard from 1952.

Harmony Magic performs four-part harmony a cappella versions of songs from many styles and eras and sings while executing choreographed movements.

“We really like to sing,” she said. “We want to entertain people.”

The group is a nonprofit, paying its way through performances (about 20 a year), sponsors and fundraisers.

Indy Shorts lineup set

editorial@youarecurrent.com

world have this designation.

FILM

Heartland Film has announced the lineup for the sixth annual Academy Award-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival, running July 18-23. Less than 4 percent of the films submitted to the festival are selected. This year, a record 3,900-plus shorts were submitted, and from those, 165 shorts from 21 countries were programmed. The lineup includes 18 world premieres, 19 U.S. premieres, 54 Midwest premieres and 47 Indiana premieres. Screenings will be at Living Room Theaters (indoor), Newfields (indoor and amphitheater), Fort Ben Cultural Campus (indoor and outdoor) and virtually.

The 2023 festival is embracing a summer camp vibe that promises more than 165 short films that are curated into 29 themed programs, with 100 filmmakers expected to attend for Q&As following the screenings. Fest Pass and tickets are on sale at IndyShorts.org.

Indy Shorts is also an Academy AwardQualifying Film Festival in all three short film categories: Live Action, Documentary and Animated. Only 34 film festivals in the

With a track record of 33 nominations and 10 Oscar-winning shorts, there’s a good chance attendees will see the next Academy Award-contending films first in Indianapolis. Last year, an Indiana Spotlight film, “Stranger at the Gate,” won the Grand Prize for Best Short Documentary receiving its Oscar qualification. The film was then nominated for an Academy Award.

“With last year’s Oscar track and this year’s record number of submissions, the enthusiasm behind the Indy Shorts International Film Festival is unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” stated Hearland Film Artistic Director Greg Sorvig, a Carmel resident.

“I can’t wait for Indianapolis to meet the filmmakers and explore the wide variety of stories showcased in the 29 themed programs.”

More than $30,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to filmmakers July 22. Selected award-winning films will be showcased at Newfields’ Amphitheater for the Summer Nights: Award Winners Program. Before the films, attendees can enjoy free HotBox Pizza and camp-themed activities.

Harmony Magic has qualified for an international barbershop competition. (Photo courtesy Susan Spencer)

Dizgo to perform at Palladium

By Mike Beas mark@youarecurrent.com

Two letters separate the band’s name from a word mostly synonymous with the late-1970s.

MUSIC

Carmel High School graduate Patrick Milescu is too young to have experienced the short-lived — and, yet, somehow enduring — musical phenomenon that was disco, but he’s doing the next best thing.

Milescu, 29, manages the Bloomington-based band Dizgo, a quartet known for blending jamtronica with funk, soul and psychedelic rock to create a sound that is danceable and introspective.

And now, Dizgo is coming home.

Back to Milescu’s home, that is.

Dizgo, comprised of guitarist Andrew Pickel, bass player Kevin Hinnefeld, drummer Jacob Powell and keyboardist Jake Evatt, will perform June 28 in the Live at the Center series at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9. Dizgo is expected to play between 10 to 12 songs.

Milescu looks forward to bringing the band, with its unique sound, showmanship and playlist, to the Palladium.

“Oh, it’s awesome. We’re very excited to play at a theater like that,” said Milescu, who was born in Montreal, moved with his family to Carmel when he was 7, and now resides in Bloomington. “My parents loved going there to see shows and then would tell me about it afterward.”

To purchase tickets, visit dizgoband. com or thecenterpresents.org. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a $5 minimum. Patrons also can register for a free livestream option.

Artist earns one-word identity

Commentary by Randy Sorrell

If you live in Carmel, you know Ranj! Identifiable by a one-word name, like Sting and Bono, his presence is felt in our community through his leadership, philanthropic and entrepreneurial efforts at Allstate Insurance. And now, we are appreciating Ranj’s artistic gifts, too.

PAINTINGS

Ranj Puthran’s art journey started when he was a little kid in Ann Arbor, Mich., as he filled notebooks with shapes and patterns, which he gradually developed through college. He frequented area museums, galleries and other stimulating and culture-fueled entities. Although he majored in political science at the University of Michigan, he also took classes in art history, and his relationship with art intensified.

India and Paris inspirations

Because of an “art-won’t-pay-the- bills” perspective, he focused on business after college and set art aside for a spell. A trip to India with his son in 2018 provided a sense of solitude, and his subconscious thoughts about art came to light! Classes at the Monon Center and the Indianapolis Art Cen-

ter sculpted his fundamentals of art. Ranj enjoys many mediums, including pencil drawings, acrylic and oil painting, and he is especially drawn to landscapes and portraits.

His donations of art for fundraisers brings Ranj great joy as does his time painting.

From left, Andrew Pickel, Jake Evatt, Patrick Milescu, Kevin Hinnefeld and Jacob Powell form Dizgo, which will perform June 28 at the Palladium in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Dizgo)

Randy Sorrell, a Carmel artist, can be reached at 317-6792565, rsorrellart@gmail.com or rsorrellart.com.

Blueprint for Improvement: A modern makeover in Zionsville

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in 1977 in Zionsville’s Colony Woods neighborhood, this home’s owners wanted to update the living room with modern finishes.

THE BLUEPRINT

• The fireplace became the room’s focal point, accented by dynamic porcelain tile that gives the appearance of metal but without the maintenance.

• Custom built-ins with sleek acrylic laminate cabinets, quartz countertops and floating poplar shelves provide the perfect place for displaying family pictures, keepsakes and décor.

• The carpet was replaced with luxury vinyl plank flooring for an elevated aesthetic with exceptional durability.

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.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY OF CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Docket Nos. PZ-2023-00134 SUA and PZ-2023-000132 V

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a meeting on the 24th day of July, 2023 at 6:00 pm at the Carmel City Hall, 2nd Floor, One Civic Square, Carmel, IN 46032, to hold a Public Hearing regarding an application identified by Docket Numbers PZ-2023-00134 SUA and PZ-2023-00132 V (the “Requests”). The real estate is identified by the Hamilton County, Indiana Auditor’s Office as Tax Parcel Identification Number 17-14-07-04-01-036.000, which parcel has a common address of 2500 E. 98th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana (the “Real Estate”). The Real Estate is zoned S-2 Residential.

The Applicant is seeking to allow use of its facility and the Real Estate for homeschooling related instruction and seeks the following:

UDO Section 2.05 – Education Special Use required in S-2 District.

UDO Section 1.07 – Transportation Plan Compliance required; Request to only dedicate street right of ways.

The Petition may be examined at the Carmel City Hall or via the City’s website, through Public Documents – Laser Fische.

All interested persons desiring to present their views on the proposal, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place. Written comments filed with the Department of Community Services prior to or at the Public Hearing will be considered, and oral comments will be heard at the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time as may be found necessary.

CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA

Joe Shestak, Secretary, City of Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals

Carmel City Hall

One Civic Square Carmel, IN 46032

Phone: (317) 571-2417

Email: jshestak@carmel.in.gov

ATTORNEY FOR APPLICANT HOPE CHURCH OF THE CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE, INC.

Rick Lawrence, Attorney

Nelson & Frankenberger, LLC

550 Congressional Blvd., Suite 210

Carmel, IN 46032

Phone: (317) 844-0106

LEGAL NOTICE OF STANDARD CONTRACT RIDER NO. 6 ANNUAL BUDGET BILLING PLAN, QUARTERLY BUDGET BILLING PLAN DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC

DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC (“Duke Energy Indiana”) hereby provides notice that on or around July 7, 2023 Duke Energy Indiana in accordance with 170 IAC 4-4.1-10 will file a request to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (“Commission”) for approval under the Commission’s thirty-day administrative filing procedures and guidelines to revise its Standard Contract Rider No. 6, Rate RS Residential Electric Service. This revision is to clarify the terms of the Annual and Quarterly Budget Billing Plan options offered to residential customers. This submission is expected to be approved approximately thirty days after filing, unless an objection is made. Any objections may be made by contacting the Secretary of the Commission, or Randall C. Helmen of the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor at the following addresses or phone numbers:

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission 101 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 East Indianapolis, IN 46204-3407 317-232-2703

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor - PNC Center 115 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 South Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-2494

Duke Energy Indiana, LLC By: Stan Pinegar, President

LEGAL NOTICE

DUKE

ENERGY INDIANA, LLC

Public notice is hereby given to affected property owners pursuant to 170 IAC 4-9-4(f) that within two (2) to six (6) weeks of the date of this notice, weather permitting, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC will be performing vegetation management as part of its power line maintenance program in the area described below. As part of this project, one of its contractors that employ qualified utility line clearance tree workers will be trimming and/or removing trees and brush to clear the lines of vegetation in order to provide safe and reliable electric service. Vegetation management will be performed in/near Carmel, Zionsville on or near streets identified below: Beginning at the substation located on W 121st St, just W of West Rd, to include the areas around & near: E of the substation, W of 31, N of 465, S of Main St

The date this notice is published initiates the two (2) week period for calculating implied consent by an affected property owner under 170 IAC 4-9. If you have any questions you may contact the Duke Energy Vegetation Management toll free number, 866-385-3675.

Duke Energy Indiana, LLC Vegetation Management Department

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Docket No. PZ-2023-00126 V

Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on the 24th day of July, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to:

Consider approval of Petitioner’s application to construct an additional 20’ x 30’ detached accessory structure. The allowed combined square footage of the ground floor area of the garages and/or accessory buildings shall not exceed 75% of the ground floor area of the principal buildings and 102% combined square footage is being requested by Petitioner.

With the property being known as: 511 E. 111th Street, Carmel, Indiana 46280.

The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2023-00126 V.

The real estate affected by said application is described as follows:

Lot Number Seventy-Six (76), in College Heights. Being Parcel No. 17-13-02-04-05-003.000.

The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche. All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.

Petitioner

Sheref Nessem

c/o Robert R. Thomas Thomas Law Group, LLC

234 E. Carmel Drive

Carmel, Indiana 46032

Telephone: (317) 337-9550

Email: rob@robthomaslaw.com

CLAY TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Project: White River 106th Street Pedestrian Bridge and Related Improvements

Notice is hereby given that Clay Township of Hamilton County, Indiana will receive sealed bids for the above-described Project at the Carmel-Clay Parks and Recreation Administrative Office (1141 E. 116th Street, Carmel, IN 46032) until 3:00 p.m. EDT on July 13, 2023 and, commencing as soon as practicable thereafter on the same date, such bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the Carmel-Clay Parks and Recreation Administrative Office. No late bids will be accepted.

All bids and proposals shall be properly and completely executed on the proposal forms provided with the plans and specifications, which will include the non-collusion affidavit as required by the State of Indiana. The bid envelope must be sealed and have the words “BID – White River 106th Street Pedestrian Bridge and Related Improvements.”

A bid bond or certified check in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount bid must be submitted with each bid. A one hundred percent (100%) performance and payment bond will also be required of the successful bidder. It is intended that actual construction of all work divisions shall be started as soon as practicable, and each bidder shall be prepared to enter promptly into a construction contract, furnish performance and payment bonds, and begin work without delay in the event the award is received.

The Project consists of, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:

Construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the White River, including incidental items such as parking lot, concrete curb, pavement markings, signage, retaining walls, temporary and permanent erosion control measures, HMA/PCCP trails and sidewalks, bike racks, bollards, drainage culverts, conduit for future utilities, and lighting on the bridge structure.

Contract Documents for the Project have been assembled into one bound project manual, which together with drawings, may be examined at the following location: Office of Mr. David Ford, CTI Construction, LLC, 1016 3rd Avenue, SW, Suite 200, Carmel, IN 46032

Copies of such drawings and project manuals must be obtained from Repro Graphix (Reprographix. com). Payments and costs of Contract Documents are non-refundable.

Bidders shall assure that they have obtained complete sets of drawings and Contract Documents and shall assume the risk of any errors or omissions in bids prepared in reliance on incomplete sets of drawings and Contract Documents.

A pre-bid conference for discussions of the Project, the bidding requirements and other important matters will be held on June 21, 2023 at 10a.m. EDT at the Carmel-Clay Parks and Recreation Administrative Office (1141 E. 116th Street, Carmel, IN, 46032). All prospective bidders are invited to attend the pre-bid conference. The pre-bid conference is not mandatory.

The Township intends to award a contract for the Project in accordance with Ind. Code §36-1-12 et seq., to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder whose bid does not exceed the funds available for the Project. The Owner shall have the right to accept any alternates in any order or combination or accept on the basis of the Base Bid alone, unless otherwise specifically provided in the bidding documents and to determine the lowest responsible and responsive Bidder on the basis of the sum of the Base Bid and any alternates accepted.

For special accommodations for individuals planning to attend the pre-bid conference or public bid opening meeting and in need of assistance, please call or notify Clay Township at (317) 846-2773 at least forty-eight (48) hours prior thereto.

No bidder may withdraw any bid or proposal within a period of thirty (30) days following the date set for receiving bids or proposals. Clay Township reserves the right to hold any or all bids or proposals for a period of not more than sixty (60) days and said bids or proposal shall remain in full force and effect during said period. Clay Township reserves the right to reject and/or cancel any and all bids, solicitations and/or offers in whole or in part as specified in the solicitations when it is not in the best interests of the Township as determined by the Trustee.

A trip on the Alaska Railroad

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, in our continuing visit to Alaska, we travel the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks toward Denali National Park and Preserve.

TRAVEL

The Alaska Railroad runs 470 miles between Fairbanks, in the middle of the state, to Seward, on the southern coast. The railroad, built by the United States government to facilitate settlement and commerce in the Alaska Territory (not a state until 1959), opened upon completion of the Mears Memorial Bridge over the Tanana River near Nenana. On July 15, 1923, Warren G. Harding, the first president to visit Alaska, drove a golden spike at the north end of the bridge. Harding briefly visited Mount McKinley National Park (now Denali National Park and Preserve) and then traveled by train 100 miles north to Fairbanks, where residents in their Sunday best turned out to greet him.

Today, the Alaska Railroad, now owned by the state of Alaska, makes daily trips between Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping at Denali National Park and Preserve, where

17 percent of the visitors come by train. The trip from Anchorage to the park takes about 7 1/2 hours, and from Fairbanks, about four hours. Each year between mid-May and mid-September, Wilderness Express engages the Alaska Railroad to pull its extra-large glass-domed cars, featuring dining rooms and bars, through the picturesque countryside, often with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Guides explain to passengers what they are seeing. Among many interesting sites along the route is a marker near the tiny village of Nenana, identifying the site of the famous Nenana Ice Classic. Thousands of people each year try to guess the minute the ice in the river will begin to break up, with the winner (or winners) pocketing about $300,000. A tripod set on the ice stops a clock at the instant the ice begins to move.

Mears Memorial Bridge over the Tanana River near Nenana, Alaska. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Wilderness Express cars on the Alaska Railroad.

Don Knebel is a local resident. For the full column visit donknebel.com. You may contact him at editorial@ youarecurrent.com.

Avoid bike of hornets: DON’T lock in on all caps

Commentary by

Curtis Honeycutt

Why are you yelling? Have you seen someone post a social media update in all caps? It’s not a good look. In fact, posting in all caps makes it seem like we’re getting yelled at by a bike of hornets (yes, one term to describe a group of hornets is a “bike”). Calm down!

GRAMMAR GUY

In honor of International Caps Lock Day, a semiannual holiday observed on June 28 and Oct. 22, here’s a deep dive into big and little letters.

The origin of the term “Caps Lock” has its roots in typewriters. When typing a capital letter on a mechanical keyboard, a typist would press and hold the “Shift” key to physically shift the typebar up in order to type a capital letter. To remain shifted up to capital letters, typewriter technology developed the “Shift Lock” key, which would

STATE OF INDIANA ) IN THE HAMILTON CIRCUIT COURT ) SS:

COUNTY OF HAMILTON ) CAUSE NO. 29C01-2302-PL-001995

STATE OF INDIANA, ) )

Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) )

CAMERON D. GREENWOOD; ) Filed: 6/7/2023 11:58 AM

COMMUNITYBANK; AND ) Clerk

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA; ) Hamilton County, Indiana )

DEFENDANTS. ) )

NOTICE OF SUIT WITH SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

Pursuant to a Praecipe for Summons by Publication filed by the Plaintiff, State of Indiana, in the above-captioned cause of action, you are hereby notified that a Complaint for Appropriation of Real Estate has been filed in the Hamilton Circuit Court, Cause Number 29C01-2302-PL-001995, regarding an action to acquire real estate by eminent domain, said real estate more particularly described in the attached Exhibit A (the “Real Estate”).

The above-named Defendant, COMMUNITY BANK, may claim an interest in the Real Estate, described in the attached Exhibit A.

The name and address of the attorneys representing the Plaintiff is Joshua R. Hollingsworth and Michelle L. Kossmann, Office of the Indiana Attorney General, 302 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Telephone (317) 234-6201.

You are a party to said suit and you must respond to said suit on or before the expiration of thirty (30) days from the date that the third notice of suit is published, or judgment by default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint for Appropriation of Real Estate, and any interest you may have in the above-described Real Estate may be terminated.

Dated at Noblesville, Indiana, the 7th day of June, 2023.

/s/

Kathy KreagWilliams

Clerk of Hamilton County Circuit Court 29C01-2302-PL-001995

Hamilton Circuit Court EXHIBIT “A”

essentially lock the keyboard in the capital position. As computers were introduced, Shift Lock became “Caps Lock,” allowing users to type in big letters with gusto. What about “uppercase” and “lowercase”? Many of you know this one, but I’ll recap (no pun intended) the origin story of these words we still use to refer to capital and smaller letters.

In the days of the printing press, typesetters would manually set the letters to print on a page. Smaller letters were kept in a low, easy-to-access case, while larger letters were stored in a case above the typesetter’s desk. The large letters, therefore, became known as “uppercase” letters, while the smaller letters became “lowercase.”

Here’s one you probably didn’t know: Lowercase letters developed in the Middle Ages, evolving from written cursive letters. As this “Roman” alphabet evolved into distinct capital and smaller letters, the two types got their own names

Parcel Plat; thence North 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds East 116.00 feet along the south line of said quarter section to the southwest corner of the grantor(s) land and the POINT OF BEGINNING of this description: thence North 0 degrees 19 minutes 18 seconds East 25.00 feet along the west line of the grantor(s) land; thence North 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds East 82.00 feet to the east line of the subject tract of the grantor(s) land; thence South 0 degrees 19 minutes 18 seconds West 25.00 feet along said east line to the south line of said quarter section; thence South 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds West 82.00 feet along said south line to the POINT OF BEGINNING and containing 0.047 acres, more or less, inclusive of the presently existing right-of-way which contains 0.019 acres, more or less.

This description was prepared for the Indiana Department of Transportation by the following:

V.S. Engineering, lnc. 9700015 I

Vincent J. Barr, P.S.

Professional Surveyor No. 9700015 \S

State of Indiana

Project: 1601982

EXHIBIT “A”

— majuscule and minuscule.

Roman majuscule letters had been around since Rome was built in a day. You’ve seen Latin inscriptions on old Roman buildings in all caps, many without spaces between the words. The newly created Middle Ages smaller letters were called “minuscule” letters. This word survives today, although it usually refers to something on a small scale.

If you type an entire page in bold letters, nothing stands out. If everything is important, nothing is important. Typing in all caps is similar.

Form: WD-1

A part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 31, Township 20 North, Range 3 East, Adams Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, and being that part of the grantor(s) land lying within the right-of-way lines depicted on the attached Right-of-Way Parcel Plat, marked EXHIBIT “B”, described as follows: Commencing at the southwest corner of said quarter section designated as point “209” on said Parcel Plat; thence North 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds East 330.00 feet along the south line of said quarter section to the southwest corner of the subject tract of the grantor(s) land and the POINT OF BEGINNING of this description: thence North 0 degrees 19 minutes 18 seconds East 25.00 feet along the west line of said tract; thence North 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds East 132.00 feet to the east line of the grantor(s) land; thence South 0 degrees 19 minutes 18 seconds West 25.00 feet along said east line to the south line of said quarter section; thence South 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds West 132.00 feet along said south line to the POINT OF BEGINNING and containing 0.076 acres, more or less, inclusive of the presently existing right-of-way which contains 0.031 acres, more or less.

Sheet 2 of 3

Parcel: 8A Fee Simple Code: 7389

Tax ID No: 29-01-31-411-002.000-002

Form: WD-1

A part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 31, Township 20 North, Range 3 East, Adams Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, and being that part of the grantor(s) land lying within the right-of-way lines depicted on the attached Right-of-Way Parcel Plat, marked EXHIBIT “”,B described as follows: Commencing at the southwest corner of said quarter section designated as point “209” on said Parcel Plat; thence North 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds East 198.00 feet along the south line of said quarter section to the southwest corner of the subject tract of the grantor(s) land and the POINT OF BEGINNING of this description: thence North 0 degrees 19 minutes 18 seconds East 25.00 feet along the west line of said tract; thence North 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds East 132.00 feet to the east line of said tract; thence South 0 degrees 19 minutes 18 seconds West 25.00 feet along said east line to the south line of said quarter section; thence South 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds West 132.00 feet along said south line to the POINT OF BEGINNING and containing 0.076 acres, more or less, inclusive of the presently existing right-of-way which contains 0.031 acres, more or less.

This description was prepared for the Indiana Department of Transportation by the following:

V.S. Engineering, lnc. 9700015 I

Vincent J. Barr, P.S.

Professional Surveyor No. 9700015 \S

State of Indiana

Project: 1601982

EXHIBIT “A”

Sheet 1 of 1

Parcel: 8C Temporary Right-of-Way Code: 7389 for Drainage Structure

Form: T-3

Project: 1601982

Sheet 1 of 3

Parcel: 8 Fee Simple Code: 7389

Tax ID No: 29-01-31-411-001.000-002

Form: WD-1

A part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 31, Township 20 North, Range 3 East, Adams Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, and being that part of the grantor(s) land lying within the right-of-way lines depicted on the attached Right-of-Way Parcel Plat, marked EXHIBIT “B”, described as follows: Commencing at the southwest corner of said quarter section designated as point “209” on said

This description was prepared for the Indiana Department of Transportation by the following:

V.S. Engineering, lnc. 9700015 I

Vincent J. Barr, P.S.

Professional Surveyor No. 9700015 \S State of Indiana

Project: 1601982

EXHIBIT “A”

Sheet 3 of 3

Parcel: 8B Fee Simple Code: 7389

Tax ID No: 29-01-31-411-003.000-002

A part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 31, Township 20 North, Range 3 East, Adams Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, and being that part of the grantor(s) land described as follows: Commencing at the southwest corner of said quarter section; thence North 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds East 462.00 feet along the south line of said quarter section to the southeast corner of the grantor(s) land; thence North 0 degrees 19 minutes 18 second East 25.00 feet along the east line of the grantor(s) land; thence south 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds West 18.70 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING of this description: thence continuing South 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds West 20.00 feet; thence North 0 degrees 37 minutes 03 seconds West 10.00 feet; thence North 89 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds East 20.00 feet; thence South 0 degrees 37 minutes 03 seconds East 10.00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING and containing 0.005 acres, more or less.

This description was prepared for the Indiana Department of Transportation by the following:

V.S. Engineering, lnc. 9700015 I

Vincent J. Barr, P.S.

Professional Surveyor No. 9700015 \S State of Indiana

Curtis Honeycutt is a national award-winning, syndicated humor writer. Connect with him on Twitter (@curtishoneycutt) or at curtishoneycutt.com.

5. Indy Women in Tech Championship links org.

9. Palladium seater

14. Strong wind

15. Paperless test at Purdue

16. Entrap

17. Money drawer 18. “My treat!”

47. Beneath

49. Footnote abbr.

50. Blood line

51. Omaha-to-Zionsville dir.

52. Modern warfare threats, briefly

54. In a timid way

56. Sagamore Club instructor

57. Nile reptile

58. Competent

61. Door sign

64. Indiana Senate helpers

69. Lavish meal

71. Door sign

73. Henhouse

74. Takes a break

75. Pacers foe

76. “___ Karenina”

77. In first place in the Hoosiers Crossroads Conference

78. Org. whose local museum can be found

34. Gillette brand

35. Spark!Fishers charity race distance, briefly

36. Online commerce

37. Butler’s ___ Golson Jazz Festival

40. Sent a dupe email

42. Like WTHR’s evening newscasts

45. Hoosier National Forest trees

48. Prez before GHWB

53. Boone County Fair barn sound

55. Clean air org.

56. Matteo’s basil-garlic sauce

57. “West Side Story” role

58. Bushy ‘do

59. “___ there, done that”

60. In the cellar in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference

62. Ivy League school

63. Lilly corporate VIP

65. Optimist’s credo

on the Downtown Canal and in the puzzle’s circles

79. Loch ___ monster

1. Town name abbr.

2. Disfigure

3. Earthen pot

4. Exchange for cash

5. London lav

6. Gearshift letters

7. Victory Field event

8. Sheltered, at sea

9. New Big Ten sch.

10. Pig’s nose

11. ISO stringed instrument

12. Word before a conclusion

13. Hoosier Park bridle strap

21. Cyber chuckle

23. Wedding reception entertainers, initially

26. Words before a conclusion

28. Guitar’s little cousin

29. Current edition 30. Middays 31. Unruly crowd

32. Poker stake

33. Thai currency

County’s (Colorful) County Seat

Many

“Me Day” destinations, often

amt.

IND ID checker

NOW HIRING HIRING-CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

Royal Dental Labs, Inc

Position involves two main responsibilities: data entry and providing exceptional customer service through phone and email interaction. Other responsibilities may include general office tasks and possible help in other departments. Full time position, Monday through Friday. Great work environment w/ excellent pay including quarterly bonus potential. Three years data entry and/or customer service experience required.

Starting pay $17 to $20/hr. Send resume to alan@royaldentallabs.com

SUPPLY CHAIN CONSULTANT W/ ENVISTA LLC IN CARMEL, IN

(position remote, req. up to 50% travel)

Design & dev. Strategic network solutions for SC & operations problems; build SC models for optimization using stats analysis, regression modeling & optimiz.; network analysis.

Requires minimum of MS in Indust. Eng, Stats, Math, Logistics/Supply Chain or closely related or foreign equiv.; 3 yrs. Industry exp in supply chain, Fin. & Adv Analytics; SCCP Certification; Lean Six Sigma Gr. Belt Cert.

For full description and requirements of positions, https://recruiting.ultipro.com/ ENV1003ENVIS/JobBoard/adc7da17182d-0b77-a5c5-46cf3cb50218/ Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?oppor tunityId=a9042b1e-3336-4d42-9f84578db1289c13

Submit CV and cover letter to David Jensen, Sr. Mgr, 11555 N. Meridian Street, Ste 300, Carmel IN

ENVOY, INC. SEEKS PRECONSTRUCTION

MANAGER

to guide design team members through the preparation of programmatic, schematic, design development and construction documentation, as well as maintaining, updating and validating strict estimate adherence. Position based in Fishers, Indiana. Requirements: Bachelors Degree in Construction Management, Building Construction, Engineering, or similar field, as well as at least 3 years experience in construction, commercial development, and/or estimating. Also requires knowledge of MS Project, Gmail, Google Drive, Project Management software applications

Procore, Prolog, Constructware and PDF annotation.

Send resume to Amanda Good, 8890 E. 116th St., Suite 250, Fishers, IN, 46038

HIRING-DELIVERY DRIVER/ PACKING & PROCESSING ASSOCIATE

Royal Dental Labs Inc

Looking for a team-oriented individual to fill a part-time and a full-time position as Delivery Driver/Packing and Processing Associate. Candidate will be responsible for ensuring timely delivery and pick up of cases to dental offices throughout the Indianapolis, IN metro area, reviewing orders prior to delivery, packing and processing cases for UPS/FedEx shipping, printing shipping labels, and various office support roles. Must have excellent driving record. If you’re interested in taking on a new challenge at a growing company, we encourage you to apply today. Starting rate of pay $14 to $15 an hour with quarterly bonus potential. Retirees welcome to apply. Send resume to alan@royaldentallabs.com

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SHOP TO CALL HOME?

Integrity Automotive is looking for a full time automotive technician. In business for 28 years in downtown Carmel with a solid, happy customer base and a positive, good-natured work environment. The best candidate is a motivated, well-organized technician with at least three years hands on experience in automotive diagnosis, problem-solving and repair. Able to interpret and apply diagnostic/repair information from computerized databases and other sources. Also able communicate clearly and effectively with your supervisor, your fellow employees and, as needed, with customers. A complete job description is available with a request to frontdesk@integrityautomotive. net. We offer competitive pay with a Monday through Friday work week and (after 90 days) up to four sick/personal days per year and paid holidays. To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net

40 S Rangeline Rd Carmel Indiana 46032 www.IntegrityAutomotive.net

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Clothing: BLOUSE, COAT, JACKET, PANTS, SHIRT, SLACKS; Capitals: ATHENS, BERLIN, OSLO, PARIS, ROME; Peppers: BELL, CAYENNE, JALAPENO, SERRANO; Reservoirs: EAGLE CREEK, GEIST, MORSE; Area Codes: FOUR SIX THREE, THREE ONE SEVEN; County Seat: AUBURN

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