February 14, 2023 — Fishers

SMITTEN KITTEN CAT CAFE OPENS IN FISHERS

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Library creates menu of field trip experiences

By Chris Bavender editorial@youarecurrent.com

students have a fun, interactive experience that engages with those standards outside of the school building.”

Field trips are also offered to homeschool families and co-ops.

EDUCATION

Library tours have always been offered at Hamilton East Public Library, but an uptick in requests for something unique by groups the past few years led the library to offer a new structure for visits.

“In order to provide the best experience possible, we decided to imagine a menu of experiences for these groups to choose from when visiting us for a field trip,” said Kelsey Sweet, director of marketing and communications at HEPL. “Through this structured service, students and groups will get a chance to experience the library at a more in-depth level beyond what you would get in a basic tour.”

There are now two options available to students and groups visiting HEPL: Youth Dept. or Ignite Studio.

“Ignite Studio welcomes visitors of all ages on a daily basis and encourages family learning experiences where parents take the lead,” Sweet said. “The services in Ignite are primarily focused on older school-aged kids, teens and adults, which is why we’ve tailored our field trip activities to grades four and up. Field trips to Ignite will encourage students to tinker and create at

their own pace in an art or STEAM-focused activity.”

Youth Dept. activities range from training as an honorary librarian, scavenger hunts, sensory play exploration and more.

“Students will walk away with a greater understanding of what the library is and what we offer, including services that break the traditional mold, like our Ignite Studio,” Sweet said. “Activities connect to state education standards that teachers are already incorporating in their classrooms. We hope

“Homeschool families are an essential part of our community and fantastic library users,” Sweet said. “We wanted to make sure that their co-ops received the same experience. Homeschool groups are unique in that many different ages learn together at the same time. When they sign up for a field trip, we will work with them 1-on-1 to customize their experience to best fit their needs.”

In 2022, HEPL hosted five school visits, with 317 students.

“This was the first time many of the students had visited our library,” Sweet said. “Creating this service will provide an answer to this interest and is a promising opportunity to fulfill our vision as a connected library in a connected community.”

HEPL hosted a Field Trip Preview Day Jan. 26, when community leaders and media specialists from HSE Schools and Noblesville Schools experienced field trip activities designed around Indiana’s academic standards.

For more about field trip opportunities, visit hepl.lib.in.us/field-trips/.

Hamilton County Public Library holds events to preview field trips opportunities at the library. (Photo courtesy of HCPL)

Smitten Kitten Cat Café employee Cheyenne Nasby, left, with the founder and owner Holly Moss.

Smitten Kitten Cat Café recently opened at 7853 E. 96th St. in Fishers, becoming Hamilton County’s first cat café. From left, Fishers residents Amanat Kaur Mundi and Sarah Hamad were among the dozens of guests who attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photos by Edward Redd)

The cafe has baked goods, beverages and merchandise customers can buy to add to their experience. There is also free Wi-Fi.

Field set for May 2 primary

news@currentinfishers.com

The May 2 primary election ballots are now set. Filing for the primary ended at noon Feb. 3. Below is a list of all candidates who have filed:

ELECTION

Mayor

• Scott Fadness (R)

City clerk

• Jennifer L. Kehl (R)

• Rachel Segars (R)

• Janet Pritchett (D)

City court judge

• Daniel E. Henke (R) City Council District SE

• Pete Peterson (R)

City Council District NW

• Selina Stoller (R)

• Bill McLellan (D) City Council District NC

• John P. DeLucia (R)

• Crystal Neumann (D) City Council District SC

• John W. Weingardt (R)

• Lane Skeeters (D) City Council District NE

• Daniel Canan (R) (Withdrawn from this race)

• Brad DeReamer (R)

• Samantha R. Chapman (D) City Council District SW

• David Giffel (R)

• Bill Stuart (D) City Council At-Large (vote for three)

• Tiffanie Ditlevson (R)

• Cecilia Coble (R)

• Todd Zimmerman (R)

• Howard Stevenson (D)

• Jocelyn Vare (D)

DISPATCH

FHS graduate completes elite Navy training -- U.S. Navy Constructionman William Peters, a 2022 Fishers High School graduate, recently became a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. Peters, who joined the Navy six months ago, completed a 10-week training program to become a member of the Ceremonial Guard. “I joined the Navy because I believed it would create a strong foundation for my future and my education,” Peters said.

Peters

Fishers man sentenced for child porn

news@currentinfishers.com

A Fishers man was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison Feb. 6 for distributing child sexual abuse material.

CRIME

According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from Omegle, a 1-on-1 random video chat application, that Robert Ficzner, 27, had displayed an image of a nude prepubescent 5-year-old to other Omegle users. Ficzner was approached by investigators in March 2022 and admitted that he showed the sexually explicit images of the child to elicit a “reaction” from other Omegle users. Moreover, Ficzner admitted to receiving and sharing child sexual abuse material via the Kik and Telegram instant messaging applications.

Investigators searched Ficzner’s cellphone and found multiple files containing child sexual abuse material and conversations between Ficzner and other participants discussing desires and plans to kidnap and sexually abuse children.

Ficzner’s collection of child sexual abuse material contained more than 600 images and included depictions of the sexual abuse and torture of infants and toddlers as well as sadistic and masochistic conduct.

“Civilized society will not tolerate the trafficking of images of the sexual torture of babies and toddlers,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Even worse, this defendant discussed his desires and plans to kidnap and sexually abuse children with likeminded offenders online. The serious sentence imposed here demonstrates that federal, state, and local law enforcement will root out those criminals who pose a danger to our children, prosecute them, and get them off our streets.”

Homeland Security Investigations, the Hamilton County Metropolitan Child Exploitation Task Force and the Dept. of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson. Stinson also ordered that Ficzner be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 15 years following his release from federal prison and pay $8,000 in restitution.

NHS leading scorer gets lift on tips from Indiana legend

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville High School senior guard

Luke Almodovar’s passion for basketball is understandable. He’s had a quite a mentor.

His grandfather, Billy Keller, was a star guard at Purdue University and played seven seasons (1969 to 1976) with the Indiana Pacers in the ABA. Keller, a 1965 Indiana Mr. Basketball from Indianapolis Washington High School, also was a basketball coach at the University of Indianapolis for seven seasons.

“Growing up, any time he could, he would try to get the ball in my hands and work with me,” Almodovar said. “I didn’t realize it then, but it really helped me out a lot learning from him. He’s a great teacher and great coach.”

Keller is Almodovar’s mother Jill’s stepfather. These days, Keller watches games from livestreams in Florida.

“Almost after every game he calls or texts

MEET LUKE ALMODOVAR

Favorite subject: Science

Favorite athlete: LeBron James

Favorite musician: Luke Bryan

me to give me things to work on,” Almodovar said.

The 6-foot-3 Almodovar, who recently accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, is averaging nearly 17 points per game for the Millers, who were 13-5 as of Feb. 10. He averaged 12.6 points as a junior and 11 ppg as a sophomore.

“On the court and off the court, I feel

I’M RIDING WITHOUT PAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

On the back of her horse is Ginger’s favorite place in the world. When her chronic back pain became so bad that it kept her out of the stables, she realized how limited she’d felt for years. She turned to the expert care at Goodman Campbell to get her back in the saddle.

Learn more about Ginger and her story at GoodmanCampbell.com.

Noblesville High School guard Luke Almodovar gets advice from his grandfather, former Purdue and Indiana Pacers guard Billy Keller.

I’ve improved as a leader,” Almodovar said. “We’ve lost a few games we shouldn’t have,

but it helps learning from our losses.”

Noblesville coach Scott McClelland said he noticed more of a commitment from Almodovar this season.

“He was not only working to improve individually, but to help our team,” McClelland said. “From a basketball standpoint, he’s hit 40 (three-pointers) in 18 games. He’s shooting over 50 percent from the 3-point line. He’s shooting 56 percent from the field. He’s had a good senior year.”

Almodovar said he wants to play in college right away, so NAIA program Saint Francis was a good fit.

“I want to play next year,” said Almodovar, who plans to major in business and minor in communications. “I don’t want to go to a big school and sit on the bench. The opportunity was perfect.”

Jill, whose maiden name is Lyon, played on Noblesville High School’s 1987 girls state championship team. She played volleyball at Purdue Fort Wayne and so did Almodovar’s father, Norman. Jill has previously served the NHS head volleyball coach three times. Almodovar’s sister, Lexie, is a NHS graduate who plays volleyball for the University of Dayton.

Campbell Goodman Patient

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(Photo courtesy of Jill Almodovar)

Almodovar

Arts & Cultural Commission awards grants to nonprofits

news@currentinfishers.com

Springer and composer Joseph Lamm.

FUNDING

The Fishers Arts & Culture Commission has announced recipients for its 2023 Fishers Arts & Culture Grant program. Nine local organizations were awarded a combined $50,750 in funding for local nonprofits and organizations that enhance the Fishers arts community.

The FACC grant program was launched in 2021. For the 2023 grant cycle, it raised the grant cap from $5,000 to $7,500. Funding for the grant program is allocated from the City of Fishers’ annual budget.

Recipients of the 2023 Fishers Arts & Culture Commission Grant Program include:

• Emerging Pears Foundation, $7,500, to host an inaugural event at Hub & Spoke showcasing various forms of artistry, including music, spoken word, dance, sculpture, painting, pastry arts, casting, photography, live performances, and black hair as an artform, with over 30 artists expected to participate.

• Fishers Arts Council, $7,500, to host monthly Second Friday gallery receptions at the FAC Gallery at the Hub located at the Hamilton County Community Foundation, along with musical groups at the Spark!Fishers Art & Car Show in June and Harvest Fest in September.

• The Forgiving Sea Project, $7,500, to provide an interactive art installation and four public events during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. The art installation takes an innovative approach to healing. The Forgiving Sea Project is a nonprofit multi-media collaboration from Indianapolis artist Carolyn

• St. George Middle Eastern Festival, $6,500, to bring an authentic Middle Eastern band and dance troupe to their 26th annual St. George Middle Eastern Festival. The annual, multi-day festival is hosted by St. George Orthodox Christian Church every September.

• Shelley Feeney, artist and art educator, $5,750, to host pop-up printshops showcasing unique patterns found around Fishers, and to educate the public and students on silk-screening, concluding with a public showcase.

• 31Svn Dance Academy, $4,000, to host a multi-part dance battle event that combines art, education, and friendly competition, concluding with a championship battle.

• Fishers Music Works, $4,000, to aid in the creation of a traveling public art sculpture featuring reclaimed musical instruments to honor the lives of Fishers residents Grant and Ashley Lansdell, who were tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident last year.

• Resounding Joy ($4,000) to bring their Shine & Sing pediatric music therapy program to Fishers, including multiple sessions for children up to 10-years-old, along with caregiver classes. Resounding Joy Indiana is a nonprofit that provides music therapy.

• Shaunt’e Lewis Art LLC ($4,000) to provide art programming for students as part of the Juneteenth Jubilee celebration. Shaunt’e Lewis is a nationally recognized award-winning artist currently featured in Meijer stores with the 2023 Black History Month collection. For more, visit fishers.in.us/grants.

DENTISTRY FOR ALL AGES

Horror book fair set at Scarlet Lane Brewing

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

KimAnn Schultz is eager to share her love of horror writing.

and diverse confluence of general smarts, good natured-ness and edgy-illustrative style statements.”

EVENT

“I’m most looking forward to being surrounded by like-minded creative contributors for the day and being part of an event that will draw local fans of the genres,” said Schultz, who lives in Lawrence Township. “The horror and sci-fi communities are a great

“A Scarelastic Book Fair’’ will be held Feb. 18 at Scarlet Lane Brewing Company, 7724 Depot St., McCordsville. The VIP session is from 10:30 to noon. The event, which is hosted by Scarlet Lane Brewing with Grindhouse Press as a participant, then runs from noon to 6 p.m. Schultz, whose author name is K.A. Schul-

Schultz

tz, will sell her book “Neitherium: Prose & Poetry from the Neither,” which she describes as a collection of “elegantly transgressive horror and sci-fi short stories and poems.” She will be signing books and sell them for $10 each.

“Neitherium” was published in November 2022. Her other books still in circulation are “Jacob, a Denouement in One Act” and “Rugs on Puddles Coats Over Oceans,” a collection of poems and

lyric poetry.

“Jacob is a Dickensian rest-of-the-story centered on Scrooge’s deceased partner and ghostly visitor, Jacob Marley,” Schultz said.

Schultz attended a Horror Writers Association in Denver last year.

“It included a pre-event at none other than the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park where ‘The Shining’ was filmed,” Schultz said. For more, visit linktr.ee/K.A.Schultz. The book is available on Amazon.com.

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Rookie Run gives youngest athletes race day experience

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Beth Spoonmore enjoys running, and she’s glad to see her children starting to love it, too.

500 FESTIVAL

Thanks to the 500 Festival’s Rookie Run, presented this year by Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase, her daughter and son have had the opportunity to participate in a race set to their scale.

“It’s a short enough distance that it’s not intimidating or overwhelming for their age, and it’s a really fun environment,” Spoonmore said. “They were both successful at it, and that made them feel good about themselves.”

This year’s event, set for May 14 in downtown Indianapolis, will feature courses for children ages 3 to 10 that range from two blocks to a one-third mile, with the distance increasing for each age group. The youngest racers will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the final group set to start at 2:30 p.m.

Participants in the event, which is noncompetitive, will receive a race bib, goodie bag and finisher medal and experience running past a cheering section before they cross the finish line.

Matt Adams participated in the Rookie Run as a kid and remembers it as a “cool experience” to run through downtown streets. More recently, he’s attended the event as a volunteer and has enjoyed watching the young runners feel the same sense of awe that he did.

“Adults don’t really think of running as a fun experience, but to these kids it is something cool and they are really excited,” he said. “When they finish and they get their

medal, there are lots of smiles and a lot of joy.”

A Greenwood resident, Adams said he also enjoys volunteering at the Rookie Run because he can serve alongside his wife, who works for the 500 Festival.

The Rookie Run is held in conjunction with Kids’ Day, a free outdoor festival on Monument Circle. The event will feature more than 40 exhibitors and plenty of educational and interactive family activities. This year Kids’ Day coincides with Mother’s Day.

“The Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase Rookie Run is one of our most impactful and fun youth events that focuses on our mission to enrich lives and encourage an active lifestyle for all ages,” said Lindsay Labas, vice president of marketing and communications for the 500 Festival. “We are proud to provide such a positive, exciting experience for kids and families to discover the fun of fitness and be active in the community.”

Registration for the Rookie Run opens Feb. 16. Learn more at indymini.com/ rookierun.

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Rookie Run participants cross the start line in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Beth Spoonmore)

CURRENT Q&A Getting to know Victoria Kintner

Zionsville resident Victoria Kintner has been a violinist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra since 1993. She previously was a member of the Boston Pops Esplanade and Boston Ballet orchestras and has written the programs for the ISO’s “Teddy Bear” series, designed for children ages 3-6 and consisting of original stories, live musical selections, and movements for audience participation.

Where did your passion for music and the desire to perform it come from originally?

My dad (Paul) was an electrical engineer, but he played the viola. He would have friends come over and they would play string quartets. It was a Saturday night event at least once a month. I remember from age 7 that I begged to play, and probably by the time I was 11, I was sitting in with them. For some of the easier music, I would play the second violin.

What is your favorite piece of music to play?

A: I love (Gustav) Mahler symphonies. He wrote nine symphonies, and I love those symphonies. The richness and the texture. They’re beautifully written.

What exactly is the “Teddy Bear” series, and why is it important to you?

They started in 2014. The woman in the education department at ISO had been asking about designing a program for little kids from 3 to 7. They’re 45 minutes long. I’ve written five different programs, and in there they’ve introduced 18 different instruments from the piccolo to the tuba. We do 10 to 15 concerts per year and have served over 8,000 children at this point.

What in your mind makes the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra unique?

At the time, it was one of the top-15 orchestras in the country. I had never been to Indiana before when I came here to audition. It was three days of auditioning. Actually, I think the orchestra sounds better than ever.

Brighton Hospice seeks ‘companion volunteers’

By Rich Brown news@currentinfishers.com

ship tasks.

OPPORTUNITY

Brighton Hospice in Carmel is putting out a call for more volunteers for its central Indiana services. Brighton, which serves more than 10 regions in the U.S., including the Indianapolis and the Fishers areas, provides end-of-life assistance for those who prefer to live out their last days at home.

“Right now, we have about 22 volunteers,” volunteer coordinator Katresha Taylor said. “We recently recruited for some administrative or office volunteers, but most of them are what we call companion volunteers.”

A companion volunteer, unlike a health aide, is a hands-off person. Their mission is to alleviate some of the loneliness that a person who lives alone might experience when they have a terminal illness. Volunteers often talk to the person, watch TV with them, read to them and other friend-

“They also provide a second set of eyes for us, so we can better monitor what’s going on with them,” Taylor said. “If you can imagine people in this difficult time, some of them are at home alone, some are at assisted living, but most of them go through some loneliness and fear. The volunteer performs an invaluable service by helping to make the patient feel a little less stress and loneliness.”

Brighton Hospice, 280 E. 96th St., Indianapolis, opened its Carmel location in 2020. Since then, it has had an ongoing need for volunteer companions. Volunteers can even provide relief for caregivers when they need to go shopping, visit the doctor, or otherwise be away from the hospice patient.

The agency provides training for its volunteers at the Carmel campus. The training lasts approximately 20 hours and covers a week of in-class studies.

To become a volunteer, call Volunteer Services at 317-798-2160.

Traveling exhibit launches Bicentennial Celebration

By Rich Brown news@currentinfishers.com

Hamilton County’s Bicentennial Celebration is kicking into high gear this month, with dozens of activities in several cities. One of those attractions is the “Traveling Exhibit,” which will make stops in the following municipalities: Noblesville, Fishers, Cicero, Carmel, Arcadia, Sheridan and Westfield.

The exhibit is funded by the Hamilton County Community Foundation. It features panels created by Hamilton County historians and graphic designers. Each panel educates about the history and culture of the county.

When you have as many years repairing leaks and installing new roofs as we do at Bone Dry, it translates into having the fewest complaints. What we’ve learned in three decades can teach you a lot about who to call whenever your roof turns into some kind of medieval water torture.

EVENT

An opening reception is set for Feb. 17 at 11810 Technology Dr. in Fishers.

“Our inspiration for the ‘Traveling Exhibit’ was places in our county that might tell a larger story,” said Jessica Layman, Hamilton County bicentennial coordinator. “For example, many residents may be aware that Ruoff Music Center is located in Hamilton County, but they may not know that live entertainment and arts of all kind had a long history there.

“We’d like visitors to the exhibit to be able to think a little more deeply about our history.”

“History is always evolving,” Layman said. “And being aware of the past can bring a better context to where we are now and where are going in the future.”

The exhibit is comprised of a group of dramatic panels. Each panel focuses on one of the five themes of the Bicentennial Celebration: Arts, diversity and inclusion, education, historic preservation and parks and environment.

Dates for the exhibit run through October 20. Admission is free, but each location hosting the exhibit will have its own operating hours.

For more, visit hamcoturns200.com/ events. For exhibit dates and locations, visit visithamiltoncounty.com/event/ traveling-exhibit/69266/.

PASSIONATE PARRISH

Former HSE standout plays big role for IU women’s special basketball season

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

When Sydney Parrish was making her college decision while at Hamilton Southeastern High School, the University of Oregon was a national title contender in women’s basketball. Indiana University was not.

Parrish, however, said she still considered IU because she had known Hoosiers’ coach Teri Moren and her staff since middle school.

“But in all honesty, at that point in my life I was looking for a program that was a (top) winning program, and IU wasn’t at that time,” Parrish said. “But a credit to the staff and players that have come through the program. They’ve made a dynasty, and that’s what attracted me the second time. I know now it’s because of all the work the staff and the girls put in that separates us from the other teams in the country.”

After two seasons at Oregon, the 2020 Indiana Miss Basketball transferred to IU before this season and has helped the Hoosiers earn a program-high No. 2 ranking Feb. 6. The 6-foot-2 junior guard is second in scoring (13.0 points per game) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) for IU, which was 22-1 and 12-1 in the Big Ten prior to the Feb. 9 scheduled game with Iowa.

Oregon made the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2017 and 2018 and the Final Four in 2019. The Ducks made the Sweet 16 in 2021 and lost in the opening round in 2022.

Parrish averaged 8.5 points in 32 games as a sophomore and 6.0 points in 23 games as a freshman. Parrish just felt it was time for a fresh start and chose to come home.

“My confidence on the floor has definitely improved from my freshman and sophomore year,” said Parrish, who led Hamilton Southeastern to an IHSAA Class 4A state championship in 2019. “I think it starts with our coaching staff and trusting our preparation going into each game and the workouts we do in the off-season and the

Moren loves Parrish’s competitiveness.

“She’s a passionate basketball player who has brought so much to us,” Moren said. “We watched Syd grow up and recruited (her) very hard. The thing I’ve been most impressed with Syd is every time you

come into a new culture, you kind of have to find your way. Syd is social and she has a big voice and has a lot to say in a good kind of way. Syd would pick and choose (her spots). She knew (teammates) Grace Berger was the leader and she knew Mackenzie Holmes is really good. She knew a lot of these players had been in our system. She has led from the side, which is great.”

Parrish said coming into a program where relationships are already established isn’t easy, but her teammates and coaching staff made it super easy.

“We all want to play for each other and win for each other, which is huge for us coming down the stretch with huge games to wrap up Big Ten play,” she said.

As the only player from the state on the Hoosiers’ roster, Parrish took her role seriously in her first game in the Purdue rivalry.

“I had to step up and be the person to show who the best team in Indiana is,” said Parrish, who scored 15 points Feb. 5 in IU’s 69-46 victory over host Purdue.

For the Hoosiers to stay one of the top teams nationally, staying healthy will be key.

“Just taking care of our bodies is the biggest thing right now and not looking too far ahead in the season,” she said. Parrish is focused on doing the little things.

“I’m trying to be that spark on the court,” she said. “I’m trying to be the voice on the court at all times, telling people where to go and communicate on the defensive end.”

Parrish’s father, Shawn Parrish, played basketball at Ball State University, her and mother, Aimee (Forsman) Parrish, played at Valparaiso University.

“My dad has been coaching me for a long time and has helped me be the player I am today,” Parrish said. “Playing in the backyard with my mom and dad has helped my growth in the game and my basketball IQ.”

ON THE COVER: Former Hamilton Southeastern High School standout Sydney Parrish is second in scoring and rebounding for No. 2 Indiana University basketball team. (Photo courtesy of IU athletics)

MEET SYDNEY PARRISH

Person: Averaged 24.8 points and 8.0 rebounds as a Hamilton Southeastern High School senior.

Favorite athlete: Sister Lauryn Parrish, who swam collegiately for the University of Kansas. “I always looked up to her growing up and her work ethic,” Parrish said. “Swimmers are literally in the pool twice a day for hours, putting so much stress on their bodies.” What she does to relax: Plays with her dog, a mini goldendoodle.

Favorite movie: “The Blind Side.”

Favorite musician: Justin Bieber.

Slapfish celebrates opening

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Mark Weghorst, this Fishers location is a perfect spot for a third Slapfish.

The modern seafood restaurant will have its grand opening Feb. 18 at 11547 Yard St., Suite 820.

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“It’s an exciting area to be with top restaurants in the area and IKEA and Top Golf are right here,” said Weghorst, who lives in Carmel. “There is a lot of development in the area.”

The first 100 customers when the Fishers restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Feb. 18 will receive a free lobster roll, one per customer. There also will be live music and entertainment for children from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The first Slapfish that Weghorst and his wife Lauren opened was in Noblesville in July 2019 as part of Broccoli Bill’s, 15009 Gray Rd., which is owned by Mark’s parents, Bill and Carol Weghorst.

The second Slapfish opened in July 2020 at 345 Mass Ave in Indianapolis.

There are 80 to 100 seats at the Fishers restaurant. Patio seating is available.

“We’ll be doing fast casual at lunch, order at the counter, and then at dinner from 4 p.m. on there will be full service,” Mark said. “We will have beer, wine and cocktails.” Slapfish in Noblesville doesn’t offer full service.

“Noblesville is fast casual all day,” Weghorst said.

Along with lobster rolls, popular items include power bowls, seafood tower and seared ahi. Like the Indianapolis restaurant, oysters will be on the menu.

“We don’t have oysters now in Noblesville but will in the future,” Weghorst said. Lobsters and steaks will be options at the Fishers restaurant.

Slapfish will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

“We’ll have a piano and live music on the weekends and maybe some other nights,” Weghorst said.

DISPATCHES

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age and shoppers often don’t do the math to see just how unimpressive these offers typically are. For example, based on an offer of “buy two, get the third 50 percent off,” you take three items to checkout, where you then receive a total discount of 17 percent because you pay full price for the first two items.

Source: Source: BottomLineInc.com

Cryptocurrency risks – Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson wants to remind Hoosiers to be cautious about such investments. Common cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Unlike traditional currency, these have no physical form and are not backed by tangible assets. They are not insured or controlled by any central authority and are subject to very little regulation. As a result, the potential for fraud is high. To learn more, visit IndianaMoneyWise. com.

Because of Invest’s incubation of the Career Center project in Hamilton County, and our receipt of a Modern Youth Apprenticeship grant, I was invited in August to join a conference in Colorado for the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) put on by CareerWise USA. Modern Youth Apprenticeship is an amazing model and we’re doing some amazing stuff with it here…

in high-end CTE programs by the physical limits of what one building can hold.”

Mike Thibideau President & CEO

As a part of this conference, we got to take a field trip out to a local Career Center. It was one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been in. They took us from one state-of-the-art room to the next and I found myself thinking, “why aren’t we building one of these in our county?”

So, I asked the question… fortunately with me on the field trip was Carrie Lively, our Executive Director for the Pursuit Institute (formerly the Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement). Carrie waved her hand around this beautiful nine-figure building and said, “see all of this?... 2% Mike… every place that builds one of these, no matter how awesome, is automatically capping enrollment

This was a lightbulb moment for me. When Carrie and our schools are working to build a new training program housed at an employer, individual school corporation(s) or community partner they’re building scalable delivery from day one. This programming is much less restricted by physical space, exponentially less reliant on capital budgets, more engaged with local employers, and flexible to student demand.

It is a solution that also drives equity… because instead of one lottery-based monument to career education only accessible to the privileged or stigmatized few we’re developing grassroots Career education that becomes part of every student’s experience in education (without having to get on “that bus” and go elsewhere).

I love pretty buildings… and state of the art training… but I’ve been shown there is a better way… and I believe. Fortunately, so do our school leaders, employers and community leaders.

Co-owners Mark and Lauren Weghorst outside Slapfish in Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of Slapfish Indiana)

FOOT SURGERY with New MLS Laser Therapy

Law firms set for merger

By Chris Bavender editorial@youarecurrent.com

attorneys, but through small, strategic

EXPANSION

Fishers-based Massillamany Jeter & Car son LLP will be growing when the criminal defense law firm merges March 1 with Mitchell Family Law PC and Mark K. Sullivan & Associates.

Founding partner Mario Massillamany said the merger will allow the firm to pro vide better service for clients.

“This brings another level of experience to our firm and will allow us the opportunity to compete with other big-name firms in the area of family law and personal injury and work man’s comp, as well as criminal law,” Massilla many said. “We will be able to expand our port folio and provide a full range of law services to our clients and be a one-stop shop.”

Gloria Mitchell brings more than 30 years of experience in divorce and family law to the expanded firm. Mark Sullivan is a former county prosecutor and has more than 40 years of experience in personal injury and criminal defense.

Massillamany said his firm was interested in expanding not just by hiring additional

“Our goal is to be one of the largest central Indiana law firms,” Massillamany said. “Our strategic focus over the (next) five to 10 years is to try to build a 30- to 40-attorney law firm that will be able to provide legal services throughout the state of Indiana.”

The merger will raise the firm’s number of professional staff to 10.

“The talent level in their staff (Mitchell & Sullivan) is incredible because most of the staff have been around and practicing in their specific areas for 20 to 30 years,” Massillamany said.

A new 20,000-squarefoot, three-story building for the firm, which will retain its current name, is being constructed in downtown Fishers and is scheduled to be finished in 2024.

Sullivan

Balancing silence and words

Commentary by Terry Anker

Texan Jeannie C. Riley became the first female recording artist with a song topping both the pop and country charts. The hit, “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” tells the story of a smalltown single parent who is thought to be a less-than-fit mother. The institution sends a note home with the middle school child to admonish Mom to clean up her act. In a how-dare-you-judgeme moment, the outraged Mrs. Johnson marches off to a PTA meeting to be held that very day. Confronting the assembled volunteers and officials, she lambasts them by delineating each of their own moral shortcomings. We can all find a little satisfaction in lashing out at someone who dares to critique us. We are good people, right? So, let’s teach those who might criticize that they’d better be ready for some public humiliation. In the last line, the lyrics triumphantly proclaim it to have been “the day Mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA!”

ESSAY

Generally, it is a good idea to live and let live. We refrain from the nominal opinion about others and expect that they do the same for us. But is there a time when judgement is not only prudent but required? Do we express concern when the teenager next door seems a little too fixated on weapons? Do we do the same when the one on the other side seems a little too eager to smoke illicit substances? Are we perfect enough to throw a stone? Probably not. Still, do we have an obligation to risk being shamed by the angry Mrs. Johnson to urge her better provision for the minor in her care? Our own shortcomings may release us from the duty, if there is one, to help hold society together, but there must be times when we cannot stay silent.

Doesthis ever get easier?

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

They say that parenting never gets easier, that even when your children grow up, you’ll still worry about them. I never believed any of this, especially while I was a stay-at-home mom to four little ones. Anything had to be better than dealing with endless diapers and unidentifiable rashes and middle-of-the-night shenanigans. But they’re right. Parenting never gets easier, it just changes.

sex trafficking ring? We’ve seen “Taken,” we know how it works. “But Mom, you were in Vietnam by yourself and were fine!” “That’s because I was a middle-aged woman with readers and clunky orthotic shoes!”

HUMOR

Take, for example, our youngest, who is currently enjoying a semi-gap semester. She’s living at home, doing a class online and working at a local coffee shop (RIP, empty nest). Recently, she’s decided to assert her power as a woman by going to the Balkans. Solo. And then to a youth hostel in the mountains of Poland. Again, solo. In total, she’ll be gone six weeks backpacking through Europe. All by her young, beautiful lonesome.

Our initial response? Absolutely not! What if you get snatched and sold into a

She pressed her case: “Where I’m going is safer than half the large cities in the U.S., and besides, I’m 18. And I’m paying for everything. You actually have no say.” Fine.

Now, I’ll spend the next few months in abject terror that even if she somehow avoids being kidnapped, she’ll fall into a ravine while hiking, lose her passport, be mugged at gunpoint, contract a deadly disease and/or (gasp) fall in love and decide to stay! The horror.

Nope, parenting certainly does not get easier.

Peace out.

contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.

Danielle Wilson is a

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

Generally, it is a good idea to live and let live. We refrain from the nominal opinion about others and expect that they do the same for us.

– TERRY ANKER

And our survey says …

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

this survey are in debt. Are you?

• Thirteen percent of men who fill out this survey need ED medicine. Do you?

HUMOR

At first glance, it seemed like a pretty good deal. Enjoy a complimentary $25 gift card from one of the local supermarkets. All it required was answering a few questions online. I figured it was a marketing scam. I wasn’t born yesterday. In fact, as you’ll see, I was born 100 years ago.

I had to agree to certain contractual terms, including giving my permission for the research firm to forward my responses to businesses that could contact me to pitch their products or services. What was I thinking?

The first line asked me the date I was born. I was honest about the exact day in March, but I scrolled all the way to the bottom of the drop-down menu and found the earliest birth year listed. I clicked on 1923. I thought that might dissuade the life insurance salespeople from pestering me with calls.

Next, I was confronted with several odd questions disguised as statements:

• Ninety-two percent of females who fill out this survey want to receive free samples. Do you? (Was this a trick question? I’m a guy. How do I answer that? I think the first question on tests should be the easiest).

• Forty percent of those who fill out this survey meditate. Do you? (Yes, and right now, I’m deep in thought, wondering why I am doing this for a lousy 25 bucks).

• Then things started getting really serious:

• Eight percent of those who fill out this survey are unemployed. Are you?

• Six percent of those who fill out this survey are clinically depressed. Are you?

• Eleven percent of those who fill out

Next, they asked my level of education. One of the choices was,“I’d rather not answer this.” No such option was available for my mental state, my sex life or my financial status. But did I complete high school? Apparently, that’s getting way too personal.

Here was another inquiry: Have you considered replacing the aluminum siding on your home?

I clicked “yes,” because I was afraid that too many “no” answers would have suggested I was just in this for the free frozen pizzas I was going to get with my gift card. While I was still typing, the phone rang.

“Mr. Wolfsie, this is A.A. Monroe Home Improvement. Based on your response 45 seconds ago, we have determined that you are exactly the kind of person who can benefit from our aluminum siding, which comes with a lifetime warranty for as long as you own your home.”

“Look at the survey. I’m 100 years old. Could I rent your siding?”

In a final notation, the research company reserved the option of substituting a prize worth the equivalent of the $25 in free groceries, which probably meant a knock-off Rolex. I called the hotline number and told the woman that I felt I had been conned and that the entire questionnaire was a waste of my time.

She said 82 percent of the people who took the survey felt exactly the same way.

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.

I clicked on 1923. I thought that might dissuade the life insurance salespeople from pestering me with calls.

– DICK WOLFSIE

Carmel Jazz Festival set for debut in August

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel residents Blair Clark and Ashley Ulbricht want to celebrate their love of jazz and the city.

MUSIC

Thus, the Carmel Jazz Festival is set for an August debut.

Clark is the executive director/chief executive officer of the nonprofit. Ulbricht, an attorney, is the president.

Clark said part of the mission is to showcase Carmel’s state-of-the-art entertainment venues.

“It’s not only one of the best places to live, but it’s one of the best places to come for entertainment, and we have some great event spaces for that,” said Clark, a vocalist who also is a voice coach.

The Carmel Jazz Festival is set for Aug. 11-12 at several venues across the city.

“We want to bring the flavor, feel and flair of New Orleans to Carmel,” Ulbricht said. “We have all these venues, but we don’t have a dedicated music festival for Carmel that includes other international and national acts.”

Acts will perform at The Tarkington and Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts and outside the venues on Carter Green. There also will be acts at the Carmel Gazebo.

“We are partnering with the Palladium for at least one act,” said Ulbricht, a violinist and backup vocalist for SixFigures.

Ulbricht said Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael also is a partner, and there will be multiple acts in the two-day period.

“We are putting up some pop-up performances, sponsored by the city, during Meet Me on Main, which is always the second Saturday of the month,” Clark said.

Clark said the event will be a great indoor and outdoor opportunity, which includes food trucks, for attendees.

“We’re focused on making our local vendors and businesses put their productions and their stuff up there,” Clark said.

Ulbricht said there will be VIP experiences throughout the two-day festival.

Clark said they are in conversations with national performers, including Evelyn “Champagne” King.

Carmel resident Josh Kaufman, the winner of Season 6 of “The Voice,” is expected to perform. Among other area performers expected to appear are soul and blues singers Tad Robinson and Jennie DeVoe and jazz musician Steve Allee.

“We’re bringing the top-end local acts around the state of Indiana,’ Clark said.

“We want to make sure it’s an all-inclusive experience of local, international and regional acts.”

Jazz bands from Indiana University, Ball State University and Butler University will perform Aug. 12 at the Studio Theater.

“Then all the professors from those colleges will be performing after that at The Tarkington,” Clark said. “We’re hoping to get the high school jazz bands as well. One of the missions is to get instruments

and lessons in the hands of underprivileged kids. We’ll be collaborating with other musical outlets to get them to donate instruments and the instructors to donate some free lessons.”

A portion of the proceeds from the festival will benefit that mission.

Current Publishing is serving as the media sponsor.

The hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 11 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 12. Tickets are $25 for Aug. 11, $35 for Aug. 12 and $50 for both days. Attendees will get wristbands to enter different venues.

There will be separate tickets for performances at Palladium and Feinstein’s. For more information and tickets, visit carmeljazzfest.org.

‘FOOTLOOSE’

“Footloose” will run through March 26 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’

Civic Theatre will present “The Diary of Anne Frank” through Feb. 25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘NEW WORLD DANCES’

The Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present “New World Dances” Feb. 18-19 and Feb. 25-26 at The Florence at the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

‘NIGHT MUST FALL’

Main Street Productions of “Night Must Fall” will be presented through Feb. 19 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

‘PROOF’

Mud Creek Players will present “Proof” through Feb. 25 at the Mud Creek Barn Theater in Indianapolis. For more, visit mudcreekplayers.org.

‘AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS’

The Belfry Theatre’s production of “Around the World in 80 Days” will runs through Feb. 19 at Arts for Lawrence Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave., Lawrence. For more, visit artsforlawrence.org.

‘THE MUSIC OF MANILOW’

Actors Theatre of Indiana co-founder Don Farrell will perform “One Voice: The Music of Manilow” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘ARTE D’ITALIA’

“Arte D’Italia” feature classical pianist Francesco Attesti, of Cortona, Italy, in a concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. There is another event at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17, featuring Attesti in a jazz trio. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Blair Clark, left, and Ashley Ulbricht are the organizers of the Carmel Jazz Festival. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Opera show at Union 50 returns

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Indianapolis Opera General Director David Starkey is determined to make opera accessible to all. The Opera Cabaret at Union 50 helps in that regard. The fundraiser is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Union 50, 620 N. East St., Indianapolis. Indianapolis Opera resident artists will perform an intimate cabaret-style program that will showcase opera favorites, musical theater hits and American Songbook gems.

“We’ll be singing selections from ‘The Magic Flute,’ our May show,” Starkey said. “We’ll be singing music from our March opera workshop show.”

There will be a tribute to Ned Rorem, a prolific contemporary classical music composer who was born in Richmond and died in November 2022 at age 99.

A multi-course meal will include a complimentary glass of wine.

“Last year’s Opera Cabaret at Union 50 was an extension of all the neighborhood

concerts and different food events that we did in 2020 and 2021,” Starkey said. “It was a large mixture of whatever we could do to serve the community. Those two years we were singing all over the city. We learned a lot, not only about our neighbors, but also how much food and fine drink were a part of people’s gatherings, so we wanted to continue that in a more formal way.”

Starkey said Union 50 has a great cabaret music stage.

“It’s an ideal experience for an evening for a gathering with friends and to help raise money,” Starkey said. “At the same time, we are still doing these activities in neighborhoods that may not have the same economic capabilities. We want to give back. Not everybody can come to a fundraiser at Union 50, but there are some that can do that and help us raise money. Some of the money helps us go into the communities that can’t afford us at normal prices.”

Starkey said last year’s Union 50 fundraiser was successful in raising dollars for the education department to sing throughout the entire community.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Floyd Nation set for Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Floyd Nation keyboard player Bob Harris knows his granddaughter won’t remember it, but he is excited she will get to see him play.

Harris’ son, Wryan, lives in Carmel with his wife, Laura, and 3-year-old daughter, Caelyn.

Floyd Nation will perform the music of Pink Floyd at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. There are 10 members on stage, including three female singers. The band’s studio is in Ft. Myers, Fla.

“I was in a Pink Floyd tribute band prior to joining this one,” Harris said. “All of us in the band are avid fans of Pink Floyd. It’s fortunate that we all found each other. We all work together well. There are no overbearing egos.”

Harris said the band starts the set with “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a fan favorite.

“It sets the mood for the night,” Harris said. “Toward the end of the show, we play

‘Comfortably Numb’ and ‘Run Like Hell.’ Those songs are typically in frenzy. When we play ‘Another Brick in the Wall,’ a lot of people get up to dance.”

Ray Nesbit, who grew up on the southwest side of Indianapolis and graduated from Decatur Central High School, is one of Floyd Nation’s founding members.

“I guess you could say I’m the architect of it,” Nesbit said. “This whole thing is happening a lot faster than any of us thought it would. Our first gig is a little over a year ago.”

Nesbit started as the sound engineer, but now that the sound system is established, he plays guitar.

“In the ‘90s, I did a solo act and was known for playing Pink Floyd as well,” Nesbit said.

Nesbit was introduced in the 1990s to Brendon McDonnell, who is Floyd Nation’s lead guitarist and vocalist.

“We’ve been playing Pink Floyd together for 25 years, and here we are in a band together. It’s pretty cool,” Nesbit said.

For more, visit floydnation.live. For tickets, visit the centerpresents.org.

NIGHT & DAY

Summer sausage in winter plans

Commentary by Mark LaFay

The lineup for Super Bowl LVII was cemented two weeks ago, and the congratulations go to Kansas City and Philadelphia. I didn’t have a dog in the fight, so my interest level was a bit low. Regardless, the Super Bowl is a great excuse to get together with friends, eat some tasty snacks and play a few games of euchre. This year, we whipped up some hot wings and a few hot dips. Of course, we will also have a small spread of meats and cheeses for grazing throughout the evening. One thing you can always count on finding in the Midwest, and you will definitely be finding at my home, is summer sausage!

Summer sausage is a generic American term used to describe any sausage that can be stored without refrigeration. Rarely ever is summer sausage a term used to describe dry-cured salamis, or other preserved dried sausages heralding from other parts of the world. In my family’s tradition, summer sausage is almost always venison. We are a hunting family, and without fail, we process our deer into summer sausage. Summer sausage, however, can be pork or beef, and

it is almost always smoked or has smoke flavoring.

Summer sausage is great with sharp cheese, grainy mustard and a crunchy cracker. It is a hearty and delicious snack that can be quite filling. One of my favorite summer sausages can be found in Wawa, Ontario, Canada, at Young’s General Store. But if you don’t find yourself three hours north of Sault St. Marie, a couple options you can find locally are Neuske’s and Old Major Summer Sausage.

Neuske’s is based out of Wisconsin. Its summer sausage is a 10-ounce chub that is lightly smoked with fruit wood. It has a subtle spice flavor and is quite delicious (full disclosure, Old Major is my company). Old Major Summer Sausage is all beef, smoked with hickory and cherry and lightly seasoned. Future Super Bowl plans? Work the sausage of summer into your plans!

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis.

What’s in a name?

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

A visit to Caesarea Maritima

Commentary by Don Knebel

GRAMMAR GUY

Names hold enormous power. I’ve always been impressed by people who go by names with only one word — Cher, Beyoncé, Prince, Madonna, Bono, Beck, Banksy or Pelé come to mind. These one-word names are called mononyms. Add Plato, Aristotle, Fergie, Fabio and Coolio, and you’re looking at quite the lineup of mononymous people. If you’re not singing “mononym” to the Muppet tune of “Mahna Mahna,” you will be by the end of this sentence.

You probably know about pseudonyms. These “pen names,” “noms de plume,” or even “aliases,” are the names authors use for a particular purpose. Classic examples include Dr. Seuss, Mark Twain and Mrs. Silence Dogood. Modern examples include Richard Bachmann (Stephen King) and Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling).

However, do you know the word for the “given” name of an author who goes by a pseudonym? It’s called an “orthonym.” Mark Twain’s orthonym (a.k.a., his original name) was Samuel Clemens, and Dr.

Seuss’ orthonym was “Theodore Giesel.” While “pseudonym” translates to “false name,” “orthonym” means “true name.”

Now I need to discuss another type of pseudonym — the stage name. In the entertainment industry, performers want to stand out in a sea of fame-seekers. One great way to do that is with an interesting name. You probably didn’t know that Jamie Foxx is a stage name for the man with the given name Eric Bishop. Have you ever heard of Robert Zimmerman? You probably know him by his stage name, Bob Dylan. To rattle off a few more stage names, how about Elton John (Reginald Dwight), Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Mortenson), Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta), and the greatest actor of all time, Nicolas Cage (Nicholas Coppola).

TRAVEL

In our continuing tour of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to the Mediterranean coast about 28 miles southwest of Megiddo to visit the ruins of the spectacular ancient city of Caesarea Maritima.

In 40 B.C., the Roman Senate named Herod, whose ancestors had converted to Judaism, the “King of the Jews,” with authority over Judea, Galilee and Peraea, an area east of the Jordan River. Herod’s little kingdom along the eastern Mediterranean lacked even a suitable harbor. Herod soon undertook a number of massive construction projects, both to gain the loyalty of Jews wary of his Nabatean ethnicity and to impress his Roman patrons.

To create a harbor, Herod’s engineers designed breakwaters extending several hundred meters from the straight Mediterranean shoreline. Divers, trained to stay underwater for five minutes, placed forms on the seabed and filled them with newly invented concrete that hardened under water. When completed in 13 B.C., the harbor was the largest on the Mediterranean. Herod constructed a 164-acre city adjacent to the harbor, named Caesarea in honor of Caesar Augustus. Home to 100,000 people, Caesarea included 100 warehouses for products passing through the port, a temple to Augustus, a lighthouse, a hippodrome and a 4,000-seat theater. A 13-mile aqueduct, sections of which are still standing, brought water to the city, which became the Roman capital of Judea in A.D. 6. Herod’s city, which rivaled Alexandria, is now called Caesarea Maritima to distinguish it from Caesarea Philippi.

In 1961, archaeologists excavating the

theater uncovered an engraved slab of limestone identifying Pontius Pilate as the “prefect of Judea,” the only contemporaneous evidence of his existence. Today, visitors attend concerts in the restored theater, dive among the ruins of the sunken breakwaters, destroyed by an earthquake in about A.D. 100, and understand why history remembers Herod as “the Great.”

PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE:

Animals: DOLPHIN, PENGUIN, SEAL, SHARK, TURTLE, WHALE; Sports: BILLIARDS, BOWLING, GOLF, SQUASH, TENNIS; Gifts: CHOCOLATE, JEWELRY, LINGERIE, ROSES; Words: INDIANA, REPERTORY, THEATRE; Bars: GREGS OUR PLACE, TINI; Sport: CYCLING FRENCH, GERMAN, GREEK, ITALIAN

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

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

Aqueduct at Caesarea Maritima. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Caesarea Maritima Harbor.

swers to the starred clues, phonetically 41. *Roll-call vote 42. Large amount 44. Brings up to speed 46. Busy month for the IRS 47. Four-time Indy 500 champ

48. Most cunning

52. Linen’s place

54. *Butler alumna bio word

55. ___ culpa

56. A score

59. Cuts into cubes

61. Penske Chevrolet SUV

64. Angers

66. Hoosier National Forest home

67. *Is aware of

68. ___ helmet (safari wear)

69. *Big bash

70. Group of eight

71. Meh

72. Scent

Down

1. If all goes well

2. Thanksgiving role

3. “Seinfeld” role

4. Job for Church Brothers Collision Repair

5. Bygone IND carrier

6. Black ___ spider

7. German auto

8. Email button

9. Thread holders

10. Former Indiana Black Expo prez Mckinzie

11. Regret

12. PU Big Ten foe

13. Verve

21. Perfume oil

23. Lip application

26. What Macs ran on, until a 2016 renaming

28. Mini-Marathon, e.g.

29. IU’s Kelley School deg.

30. Pirates’ domain

32. Surrounded

33. Poker declaration

34. Olympic sled

37. Sit ___ by (do nothing) 38. Big Apple inits. 39. Card game 41. Wasn’t well 42. Kings, on a Pacers scoreboard 43. USMC rank 44. Dove shelter

5 Sports that use Balls

6 Marine Animals 4 Valentine’s Day Gifts 3 IRT Words 2 Indy LGBTQ+ Bars

1 Marjor Taylor Sport

62. Nelson Mandela’s org. 63. Chris Wright summer forecast

65. HBO alternative Answers on Page 21

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