March 28, 2023 — Fishers

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Fishers council approves Allisonville Road study

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

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DEVELOPMENT

The Fishers City Council approved the city’s Allisonville Road Corridor Study during its regular March 20 meeting in a near-unanimous vote.

Council member Jocelyn Vare, participating telephonically, abstained from the vote. She said she and her constituents hadn’t had enough time to read the 96-page report.

Prior to the meeting, the council held a work session about the study. Megan Vukusich, director of planning and zoning, said the research was completed last year, and her department had been working on an implementation strategy since then. She said the study area encompasses 2.2 miles, 344 acres and 219 parcels owned by 165 individuals.

Vukusich said the process involved a 14-member steering committee, several focus groups, and in-person and online opportunities for public input.

She noted that the study is not a plan in and of itself.

“This is a guiding document to be used when considering future development,” she said.

Some of the themes of the guiding document include “greening” the corridor with more plants and trees; enhanced connectivity for better pedestrian and bicycle opportunities; and collaboration with local businesses and private landowners.

The study also calls for better access to the White River. A project with that goal in mind is the White River Nature Park, a 125acre site that will provide more public green space and opportunities to enjoy the river.

Some of the more immediate projects that align with the study are new round-

abouts along Allisonville Road. One will be at 96th Street, near the planned new River Place development. Construction starts this year. Another roundabout will be built next year at 116th Street, Vukusich said.

Council member Selina Stoller wanted to clarify that the roundabout construction would not shut down the busy corridor. Vukusich responded that there will not be a full closure of the road during construction, and the work will be staggered.

“We’re coordinating it all to make sure it doesn’t make a horrendous issue,” she said.

During council discussion before the vote, Vare said the study didn’t address vehicular safety. She said there are a lot of accidents in certain sections, and she would like to see what could be done to reduce that.

Vukusich said roadway improvements are among the projects planned.

“We can certainly make sure those comments are relayed back to our engineers,” she said.

Also during the meeting, the council approved a resolution establishing a property

A rendering of a planned new roundabout on Allisonville Road and 96th street, part of the Allisonville Road Corridor improvements outlined in a recently released study. (Image courtesy City of Fishers)

tax of 5 cents per $100 assessed value for capital improvements within the community, improvements to public ways and sidewalks, repair of the sewage treatment plant and sewer system, and for building and maintaining park and recreational facilities.

City Controller Lisa Bradford said the tax has been around since 1984, and the vote simply reestablishes it. The motion passed unanimously.

Another motion that passed unanimously moves $5 million into the Economic Development Fund. The money was collected through the city’s new food and beverage tax. Bradford said the city couldn’t establish a budget for the fund before now because the tax was newer, so they had to wait for funds to be available for that line item.

The council also approved a motion that cleaned up language in the city’s towing ordinance, approved a voluntary annexation of private property so the owners can hook up to city sewer, and approved a rezone of the Geist Waterfront Park to Open Space, which matches other parks run by the city.

Kiwanis Club egg hunt returns in

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Kiwanis Club of Fishers is bringing back its annual egg hunt for kids.

ACTIVITIES

The free public event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon April 8 at Roy G. Holland Memorial Park in Fishers. Toddlers to preteens will have the opportunity to collect eggs filled with treats and take fun pictures.

“It’s the first time we’ve done it since COVID,” said Nick Vail, president of the Kiwanis Club of Fishers. “What we’re looking forward to the most is getting back to seeing the smile on kids’ faces.”

Approximately 8,000 eggs will be hidden in the grass throughout the park. Age groups will be separated to ensure smaller children are safe during the egg hunt. Along with treats, there will be opportunities for children to take pictures with someone dressed in a bunny suit.

The Kiwanis Club is an international organi-

April

zation whose mission is to help kids in their community. The Fishers’ chapter was established in 2017. It supports Riley Hospital for Children and raises donations each year. The club has helped the hospital purchase items such as ambulances and helicopter pads.

“We do anything to support the kids in our community,” Vail said.

Vail said this will be the club’s fifth egg hunt. The club is actively seeking volunteers.

For more, visit k19392.site.kiwanis.org/ contact/.

96th Street

Allisonville Road

First-time candidate seeks council seat

By Chris Bavender news@currentinfishers.com

Bill McLellan’s love for the City of Fishers and his commitment to servant leadership are behind his decision to run for the District Northwest seat on the Fishers City Council.

ELECTION

“Fishers has truly been a wonderful place to live for my family the last five years and I want to keep it that same welcoming city for everyone for years to come,” McLellan said. “Specifically, I want to stand up to less inclusive voices that our current city leaders have amplified. These voices are driving our children, local talent and tech out of town.

“Tech innovation depends on physical and psychological safety, so in order to attract and retain innovative people who think outside the box, we can’t be putting them in boxes based on race, sex, orientation or gender identity.”

McLellan, a Democrat, said this is his first time running for office since he served on the Student Senate at Covenant College in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he attended on a leadership scholarship. But he has experience working with lawmakers.

“In 2009, I helped start and run an organization that successfully persuaded the Missouri legislature to pass prosthetic parity so all private insurance in the state would cover prosthetics,” he said.

His goals if elected include prioritizing finishing the bridge and roundabouts at 141st Street and Ind. 37, and bringing tech jobs to Fishers.

Professionally, McLellan has worked in data analytics for 20 years. He works as a solutions architect for phData, a nationwide data consulting firm.

“I’m a leader and serial entrepreneur who’s dreamed up, started and successfully grown several divisions within larger companies,” he said.

A pastor as well, McLellan earned a Master of Divinity from Covenant Seminary and used his data and pastoral skills to help start a new church in South City in St. Louis.

McLellan faces incumbent Republican Selina Stoller in the November general election.

McLellan

Senior HSE teammates to share All-Star experience

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Riley Makalusky and Olivia Brown will share one last special experience together.

rebounds this past season for the Royals (21-3).

season.

While being an All-Star was always a goal, it moved to the top of the list when Brown wasn’t selected to the 2022 Junior All-Star team.

BASKETBALL

The Hamilton Southeastern High School seniors were recently named to the Indiana Girls All-Star team, which will play Kentucky in the annual boys-girls doubleheader June 9 at Owensboro, Ky., and June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Senior All-Stars will play the Junior AllStars June 7 at a site to be determined.

“It’s super special to share this experience with my teammate,” Makalusky said. “We’ve been playing together for years and have trained together, so we have seen the hard work that has been put in to get where we are today. We play so well together and have an amazing connection on the court, so it was definitely exciting to hear we both made the team.”

Brown, a 5-foot-7 point guard, said being an Indiana AllStar had been a goal for both.

“Having Riley with me lets us represent HSE together and makes the experience even more memorable,” Brown said. Makalusky, a 6-foot-2 forward, averaged 20 points per game, hitting 47 percent from the field, and averaged 3.9

“Riley’s overall game improved tremendously,” said Royals coach Brian Satterfield, whose team lost to Class 4A state runner-up Fishers in the sectional championship. “She could score in whatever manner we needed. However, her biggest improvement was her ability to knock down the 3-pointer. She shot over 40 percent from behind the arc the second half of the year (to finish at 32 percent).”

Satterfield said the senior standouts provided tremendous leadership.

“Olivia led by example and was our hardest worker, whereas Riley was our vocal leader for the group,” Satterfield said. “They both helped our group bond and develop great team chemistry, which was vital for our success.”

Brown averaged 6.9 points, 7.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game.

Brown’s unselfishness and overall game is what made her special, Satterfield said.

“She took pride in her play at both ends of the floor and set five school records with assists and steals,” Satterfield said. “Her biggest improvement this year was her decision-making and reducing her turnovers from the previous year.”

Brown will play for the University of Akron in the 2023-24

“I wanted to be one of the few people to not be a Junior All-Star but get chosen to be a Senior All-Star,” she said. Makalusky, who is headed to Butler University, was selected to the Junior All-Star team.

“It was an amazing experience playing with girls from all different schools and playing against Kentucky,” she said. “That experience made me excited for the Senior All-Star experience.”

Makalusky said she and her trainer make goals every year for something she wants to accomplish in the upcoming season.

“My freshman year, we were looking into goals for the future, and we put down Indiana All-Star,” she said. “So, it’s definitely a goal I’ve been working every day to achieve since my freshman year.”

To prepare for college basketball, Makalusky is working on playing through contact.

“College is a big step up from high school basketball physically, so I’m definitely trying to be as prepared as possible so I can make an impact as a freshman,” Makalusky said.

Brown said she is working on making her shot more consistent along with putting things into her game that will work on all levels of play.

Brown Makalusky

Growing charitable donations $100 at a time

By Jeff Decker news@currentinfishers.com

The concept is simple: Meet quarterly, enjoy camaraderie, chip in $100 each, pick a suitable charity to receive a donation, and make a difference in the community.

GIVING

The Fishers Century Club for men was established in June 2021. It recently surpassed $20,000 given to local nonprofit organizations Juvenile Justice Mentoring, Helping Challenged Children, A Kid Again, The Cooper House, Kammy’s Kause, M.A.S.H. Ministries and HSE Young Life.

Donations have ranged from $2,100 to $4,400, depending on attendance at the meetings. The more attendees, the larger the donation. The club’s next meeting is set for June 20.

“We feel great about the progress so far,” said founding member and club leader Adam Kallick, a Fishers resident and owner of a consulting firm.

Kallick got the idea from a similar group in Zionsville through a connection with one of its founders, former Indianapolis Colts player Ryan Diem.

“My goal is to be up near 40 to 50 guys by the end of this year, eventually over the next couple of years building up to 100 guys,” Kallick said.

Kallick said the meetings allow them to network and learn about charitable organizations they might not be familiar with. The club also is a way to pool resources to make heftier donations while costing club members a maximum of $400 a year.

“I’ve always said if I give a charity $100, they would appreciate it, but it would not mean much to their bottom line,” Kallick said. “But if we can give them a few thousand dollars, that would be meaningful.”

At the meetings, each attendee writes the name of a local or regional charitable organization on a piece of paper and drops it in a bucket. Kallick draws three names, and the members who suggested those organizations make a 3- to 5-minute presentation about the charity. Members then vote on which group should receive that night’s donation. Members also can participate by watching the meeting and making their $100 contribution online.

To get involved: fisherscenturyclub@ gmail.com.

IMS unveils 2023

Bronze Badge

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway unveiled the 2023 Bronze Badge design during a March 16 event at Stout Field, the Joint Forces Headquarters of the Indiana National Guard, in Indianapolis.

INDY 500

Ed Carpenter, owner-driver in the NTT IndyCar Series and three-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner, unveiled the 2023 Bronze Badge, a traditional keepsake for fans that grants them pit and garage access during certain times in May.

The unveiling of the 2023 Bronze Badge is part of the buildup to the Indy 500 in May, which, according to IndyCar spokesman Dave Furst, is more than just a race.

“It is also closely tied to the military, which we honor on Memorial Day weekend, including those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Furst said.

According to IMS President Doug Boles, a Zionsville resident, the Bronze Badge has represented pit and garage access at the track for decades. Its design presents the historic Pagoda during the flyover that has been performed each year by the U.S Air Force Thunderbirds.

The 2023 Bronze Badge can be purchased by fans, giving them access to Gasoline Alley on selected days during the month of May. The badge can be used for gate admission and garage access May 12, May 16 – 22 and May 26 – 27 during public gate hours and as directed by IMS personnel. Race tickets are required on May 13 for the GMR Grand Prix and May 28 for the Indy 500.

Bronze Badges can be purchased at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/ indy500/buy-tickets/bronze-badge.

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IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter with the 2023 Bronze Badge. (Photo by Edward Redd)

CURRENT APRIL COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SELF-GUIDED STORYWALK AVAILABLE

In partnership with Hamilton East Public Library, Fishers Parks features a monthly nature-based picture book on the trail for families to enjoy during a quarter-mile hike in the woods. Selected books are ideal for ages 6 and under and are available all month. The April Storywalk book is “Have You Ever Seen a Flower?” by Shawn Harris.

COMMUNITY BOARD GAME DAY

Who’s Yer Gamers leads this free family event from 1-5 p.m. on April 1 at the Fishers Public Library. You can drop in anytime during the event to play games that you bring or choose from a selection provided. Who’s Yer Gamers ambassadors will be there to teach newcomers how to play, if needed. All ages are welcome. Registration is requested but not required.

POP-UP CLASS ON BEEKEEPING AND HIVES

A free class about beekeeping and bee hives is offered by the Fishers parks department from 2-3:30 p.m. on April 1 at the Fishers AgriPark. No registration is required.

SPRING BREAK ART CAMPS OFFERED

Fishers Parks and the Indianapolis Art Center are offering morning and afternoon art camp options April 3-7 coinciding with HSE spring break. Led by a professional teaching artist, campers will participate in a variety of art activities — including painting, drawing, and sculpting - each day. The week will conclude with a student-led art show for friends and family. Times are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $209 per person for the week, which includes all materials for art projects. Register at playfishers.com/655/ Art-Classes-Workshops.

BEGINNING STAINED GLASS CLASS

Fishers Parks is offering this class for those interested in learning the basics of stained glass. This will be hands-on learning from start to finish, and no experience is needed. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or 2-5 p.m. April 4. The cost is $95 per person and includes materials. An intermediate class also is available. Register for either at playfishers.com/655/ Art-Classes-Workshops.

TEEN CUPCAKE SHOWDOWN

The Fishers Public Library is hosting this cupcake-decorating competition for teens from 2-3 p.m. April 7. Teens will decorate a cupcake according to a theme announced at the event, and in a set amount of time. Participants will vote on which cupcake

they like best. The library will will provide the cupcakes, frosting and decorations. This event is for teens only and registration is required. Registration can be completed through the library’s website: hepl.lib.in.us.

U.S. AIR FORCE LIBERTY CLARINET QUARTET CONCERT

The Liberty Clarinet Quartet, from the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, is stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. They will perform at the Fishers Library starting at 6:30 p.m. April 10. The ensemble is committed to honor and inspire military and civilian audiences by presenting a wide range of musical literature, from traditional classical repertoire to marches and light pop. According to the library, members of Liberty Clarinet Quartet are called upon to perform for military ceremonies as well as a great variety of community events and concerts for all ages. The ensemble also reaches out to support music students, providing concerts and clinics in an educational environment.

SEWING WORKSHOP AVAILABLE

Basic sewing machine experience is needed for this Fishers Parks-hosted workshop, set for 1-4 p.m. April 15. However, the instructor will do a quick refresher on using a sewing machine. Participants can bring their own project, pattern and material, and sew with help from the instructor. The cost is $45 per person. Register at playfishers.com/655/ Art-Classes-Workshops.

THE MONON TOWN MUSICIANS

The Resident Artists of Indianapolis Opera present The Monon Town Musicians from 2-3 p.m. April 15 at the Fishers Library. The event presents a story of overcoming fears, embracing differences, and accepting others through a shared love of music. Loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, four wandering animals set out to become solo musicians in a nearby talent show and discover they have more in common than they first realized. Registration is recommended.

FILM SCREENING FEATURES

“ARAB INDIANAPOLIS: A HIDDEN HISTORY”

In honor of National Arab American Heritage Month, the Fishers Library will present a screening of the documentary “Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History” from 2-4:15 p.m. The screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion. An official selection of the 31st annual Heartland International Film Festival, the film debuted on WFYI Indianapolis in June 2022. Adults and teens are welcome, and registration is requested.

University senior displayed her offensive firepower during career

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

University High School girls basketball coach Justin Blanding watched senior guard Payton Seay expand her offensive ability throughout her career.

“Payton is a physical basketball player that enforces her will on the game,” Blanding said.

“She scores in bunches but over four years really learned to use the offense to make the game easier for her. She is a scorer, so figuring out her spots on the floor has helped her game improve.”

Seay participated in the Hoosier Basketball Top 60 Senior Showcase. She wants to play in college but she is undecided about where.

Seay, a Noblesville resident, averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman, 13.7 as a sophomore, 15.0 as a junior and 20.0 as a senior.

“I feel I made the most improvement in my scoring abilities and leadership skills,”

MEET PAYTON SEAY

Favorite athlete: Chris Paul

Favorite movie: “The Menu”

Favorite subject: Math

Seay said. “After losing six seniors (from the 2021-22 team), I felt that it was really important to pick up where they left off and continue to build.”

Each year, Seay improved her shooting. She shot 50 percent from the field as a senior for the Trailblazers (20-5), 42 percent as a junior, 41 percent as a sophomore and 38 percent as a freshman.

“Every offseason, Coach Blanding always

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pushed me to do more and more, and I was able to deliver,” she said. “I want to mention that this wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my teammates who put their trust in me and believed in me. Also, the hours spent at Shoot 360 really helped me.”

Seay enjoyed playing alongside her sister Taylor for the past two years.

“We are always pushing each other to be better,” she said. “I’m really going to miss playing with her but I’m confident that she will continue balling out without me.”

Seay also will miss playing with senior Kelsey DuBois, who is also a Noblesville resident who will play for New York University in the 2023-24 season.

“Me and Kelsey have been playing together since fourth grade,” Seay said. “We have shared so many happy memories. I couldn’t ask for a better post player and friend. She can do it all. NYU got a good one. It’s definitely going to be a little weird not playing with her next year, but it’s definitely been a journey with her.”

Seay wants to major in computer science and minor in cybersecurity.

University High School senior guard Payton Seay averaged 20 points as a senior. (Photo courtesy of Jasper Owens)

Seay

Panel OKs rezoning for Bastian

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

A rezoning request tied to the development of a new Bastian Solutions headquarters in Noblesville will go before the Noblesville Common Council in April after approval by a city planning board.

DEVELOPMENT

Bastian Solutions, which has its corporate headquarters on North Meridian Street in Carmel, filed a request with the city to rezone about 113 acres from office/flex to industrial/office that was considered by the Noblesville Plan Commission March 20. That meeting drew more than 25 people, many of whom were residents living near the proposed development and raised issues such as traffic, sound, light and crime.

Bastian Solutions, a supply chain integration partner, announced in January that it was planning a corporate campus in Noblesville on 162 acres near 146th Street and Promise Road. The site will serve as the future home of the company’s corporate headquarters and advanced manufacturing facilities, which will produce industry-leading supply chain automation technologies.

The rezoning request was filed with the city because the land use type is split between office/flex on the north portion of the property fronting 146th Street with industrial/office on the south section, said Matthew Skelton, an attorney with Church Church Hittle + Antrim representing Bastian Solutions. If approved, the rezoning would match the uses permitted in industrial/office to the intended manufacturing use, he said.

Fishers resident Stacy Haskins, who lives in the Sedona Woods subdivision, was among the individuals who spoke to the plan commission voicing concerns about the project being industrial in nature. Haskins also expressed concerns about traffic safety in the area even with a planned roundabout on 141st Street.

Haskins asked that if the rezoning request was granted to stipulate that no entrance should be permitted off 141st Street. In addition, Haskins also requested that a buffer be put in place to shield the area.

The plan commission voted to unanimously approve the rezoning, which will now go before the Noblesville Common Council during its 7 p.m. meeting April 11 for final approval.

317-324-3150

Artist to be featured at Nickel Plate Arts exhibit

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Nickel Plate Arts will feature artist Marc “Mozzy” Love’s exhibit “Welcome to the Boomtown” throughout March. The exhibit will be on display at the Stephenson House, 107 S. 8th St., on the Nickel Plate Arts campus. The 1986 song “Welcome to the Boomtown” by David & David inspired Love to create a series that showcases the excess, the ego, and what’s not good for you with the series examining the “soul crushing experiences,” officials said.

“I like to create whatever moves me,” Love said. “It can be abstract or surreal, paint or print. My creative process focuses on a source of inspiration that drives my need to create. Music is a great influence in my work.”

ARTS

Love, who was born in Tacoma, Wash., has lived and traveled around the world, but chose Noblesville as his destination to hone his skill in mixed media art. Although he never went to school for the arts, he spent years teaching himself by studying other professionals, such as Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy and

Keith Haring.

Love said he appreciates the creativity of making an idea come to life through his own art and writings.

“It’s like I have this thought in my head, something I want to do creatively — I have to get it out of my head,” he said. “If I don’t get it out, it never leaves, and my head will be extremely crowded with everything. When I do create, I don’t have a particular medium that I love more than another, it’s just whatever I can get my hands on to make this thing in my head reality. It may not be (visual) art; it may be music, it may be a poem, or a video–whatever I have in my head and in my hands.”

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Forest alliance encourages advocacy at local level

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

The Indiana Forest Alliance presented information on local nature preservation and related issues at an informational meeting held March 9 at Sun King Brewery in Carmel.

IFA is a nonprofit established in 1996 to protect Hoosier woodlands. According to IFA Executive Director Jeff Stant, Indiana had 20 million acres of forests when pioneer settlement began in the 1800s. In less than 100 years, the total shrank to 1 million acres.

“It is important to appreciate how vital the forests are to our existence,” Stant said. “We are in, by many measures, the deepest, richest breadbasket in the country.”

Since the 1900s, nearly 25 percent of Indiana’s forest-covered area has returned. The state has approximately 5 million acres of forests, with 90 percent privately owned.

“Any effort to conserve forestland in the state must address private forests,” Stant said.

Also at the meeting, retired teacher Zelma Taylor shared how she partnered with several other residents in 2022 to advocate against a proposal to build 33 townhomes at 96th Street and Haverstick Road, which would have required the destruction of a forested area.

Taylor spoke about using petitions and gathering support from residents who wanted to preserve the woods. She said the proposal was later withdrawn without a reason given.

“We didn’t think we did it ourselves. It took a whole bunch of people,” Taylor said. Stant said preservation starts at home.

“I think that this is a great crowd to see, because it shows the community will try to hold on to what they have left and to make that into a political issue,” Stant said. Learn more about the alliance at indianaforestalliance.org.

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Humane Society managing unprecedented number of dogs

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

An unprecedented number of dogs recently surrendered to the Humane Society for Hamilton County has put the facility “in crisis,” according to President and CEO Rebecca Stevens.

“We have dogs in every cage, every kennel, every visiting room, every office in our building,” Stevens said during a March 20 report to the Carmel City Council. “It’s certainly not something I expected to see two years into a brand-new facility that offered us a great deal more space.”

HSHC moved into the new Steven J. Cage Foundation Animal Wellness Center in Fishers in April 2021. She said the 40,000-squarefoot building was designed to have plenty of space to accommodate surrendered or abandoned dogs through at least 2036, but the recent numbers of dogs coming to HSHC have far surpassed projections.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for 18 years, and I’ve seen a lot. I’ve never seen this many dogs coming in.”

Stevens said the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to blame at least in part. Many dogs adopted during lockdowns in 2020 have been brought to HSHC as their owners have gone back to work in person full time or resumed other commitments and can no longer care for the animals. HSHC has also taken in a growing number of dogs adopted from shelters outside of Hamilton County that have scant screening policies. Pet owners who live in Hamilton County may take these dogs, who are often found not to be a good fit with young family members or previously adopted pets, to HSHC.

Stevens said she’s been in contact with county commissioners to prevent this scenario, but she expects it will take some time.

“I’m working on a plan to make it a little more difficult for people to dump their pets on my doorstep,” she said.

Stevens is encouraging community members to consider adopting or fostering a dog from HSHC to help ease the strain. She said dogs of various sizes, ages and breeds are available.

Learn more at hamiltonhumane.com.

DISPATCHES

Send us your stories — Current Publishing is now accepting photos or story ideas to run in the community section. Photos from kid events, athletic games and more are all welcome. Story ideas on new businesses, features, school news and more are accepted. All photos must include the names of anyone photographed. Please send them leila@youarecurrent.com

Fishers resident wins ASPIRE — Insurance provider OneAmerica honored a dozen associates at its annual ASPIRE awards gala at the Indiana History Center. Among the honorees was John Allen of Fishers. Allen won the ASPIRE Excellence in Execution award. He’s worked with OneAmerica for eight years, and previously worked as a journalist.

WHO WE ARE

Stevens

Getting to know Allyson Gutwein

Allyson Gutwein, a Zionsville resident, is the executive director of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce. She is a former member of the Boone County Chamber of Commerce board. Gutwein was recently hired as the new executive director of the Boone County Convention and Visitors Bureau and will be transitioning out of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce role.

What made you want to accept the opportunity to become the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce as the executive director?

I have always loved helping businesses and have a real passion for seeing an area thrive because of the strong business community. I wanted a challenge, and three months after taking this role COVID closures caused the business community to take a hard look at what ‘open’ looked like. It was a challenge, for sure.

How has your previous career experience helped in your current role?

I had experience running my own small business, as well as managing others. Ninety percent of our businesses in the Zionsville Chamber are considered small businesses, with 60 percent to 70 percent

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of those small businesses being microbusinesses, businesses with 10 or fewer employees. How did your summers spent on the family farm help shape the person you are today?

I learned that hard work is a skill. Knowing how to put in long hours, working when you were tired, it is a skill. I had very hard-working parents and extended family that made it commonplace to put in the work to get the outcome you desired.ç

How did you become involved in the rescue/rehab of great Danes and are you still involved in that?

I have a real heart for big breed rescues, like great Danes. I have had multiple great Danes over the years, along with weimaraner, mastiff and some amazing mutts. Many of the dogs I have rescued were pretty serious cases. I like knowing that they will be given a better chance at life.

How many pets do you currently have and what are their names? What do they mean to you?

Right now, my family has George, a boxer/mastiff that is a sweet lapdog in a giant package. George is a great example of a big guy that just wants love.

What is the hobby that helps you relax?

I am a crafter. I love to make elaborate wreaths and I have been making floral designs for years. You love science and attended space camp five times. Talk a bit about that?

I have always been a science geek, primarily astroscience and biology. I had a real interest in becoming an astronaut when I was younger. My unfortunate motion sickness made this something I did not continue to pursue. My dad and I were invited to watch the shuttle launch of the Hubble Telescope. Edwin Hubble grew up not far from where I was born and raised in Missouri.

How important is volunteering to you?

I think volunteering is a great community connector. Whether you are a board volunteer, building a house with Habitat for Humanity, helping animals with the Humane Society, spend time doing what you think will make an impact. And it’s OK to have those goals morph over time to meet the changing needs of an organization or cause.

SCOUT’S HONOR

Fishers teen earns Eagle rank for tree-planting initiative

Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Only 5 percent of Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout, and on March 12 at the Fishers Agripark, Trenton Qualls completed his project to join that elite group.

Qualls, a sophomore at Fishers High School, planted 100 American dogwood trees at the Agripark, along with four American plum trees. The dogwoods will be the first of what he hopes will be many generations of dogwoods grown at the site that the City of Fishers can then transplant to beautify the community.

The plum trees have a deeper meaning. They were dedicated to the memory of two Fishers Scouting family members: Ezra Wellington, a young Scout who died in March of 2022; and Matt Lackner, a Scoutmaster who died just a month later.

“As I was thinking about planting 100 trees, I was thinking this is a great way to honor Ezra and Matt Lackner in a way that I think they would approve and a way that is long lasting,” Qualls said during the March 12 ceremony. “It’s a way for their families, close friends and Troop 199 to all be able to memorialize and remember them forever.”

Family and friends of the Scouts who died helped plant the four plum trees, with Qualls providing guidance. He then read a poem to close the presentation.

Following the event, Qualls said he chose the project because he thought it was something that could help the community for years to come.

“I chose these trees because they’re easy to uproot from the ground and they’re actually native to Indiana, unlike some other species of trees that are actually destroying the native trees,” he said. “So, it’s easier to produce, easier to export and easier to distribute.”

Qualls said working toward his Eagle Scout rank was a good challenge and a good learning opportunity, He said the memorial trees added a deeper meaning to the project for himself and for the families.

Trenton’s father, Maurice Qualls, said he’s definitely a proud dad.

“I’m really proud and really taken aback by the fact that he chose to do this project,” Maurice Qualls said. “He had like five choic-

es of what he was thinking about doing. They were a range of difficulty and this was probably the most difficult. And, he was also able to use this opportunity to honor the Scout and Scout leader who passed away.”

When a Boy Scout decides to go for their Eagle Scout rank, they have to write a proposal first, and submit it for approval. Troop 199 Scoutmaster Bryan Spellman said that Quall’s proposal was particularly attractive to the approval committee because it’s a conservation project.

“Part of Scouting is outdoors, and we really like and appreciate it when Scouts bring forth a conservation project, especially a renewable conservation project,” Spellman said. “So, this is going to be an Eagle project that Trenton will be able to bring his kids back to and they’ll be able to see it. They won’t see the same trees,

because they’ll already have been used and it’ll probably have been several generations worth of trees, but he can come here and say, ‘This is what I built when I was your age. This is what I did and it’s continuing to help the community.’”

Maurice Qualls said the gravel bed his son installed to grow the young dogwood trees is reusable.

“So, it makes it a lot easier and cheaper and more economical for the City of Fishers to be able to plant trees and then transplant them wherever they want them to be,” he said.

In addition to his Scouting activities, Qualls is on the Fishers High School swim team; is a member of the FAST swim club; has attended and served with National Youth Leadership Training; belongs to Firecrafter — a service organization for the Crossroads of America Council; and plays

guitar and drums.

The Qualls gave special thanks to Eagle Scout project coach Ed Ratts, Ben Shardlow, director of urban design at Minneapolis Downtown Council; the Arbor Day Foundation; IMI-Fall Creek; Plaque Maker Plus; Woody’s Warehouse Nursery; Watson Nursery; the City of Fishers and Fishers Agripark; the rest of Troop 199; and everyone who donated to the project.

ON THE COVER: Scout Trenton Qualls with two plaques for the memorial plum trees planted in honor of Ezra Wellington, a young Scout who died in March of 2022; and Matt Lackner, a Scoutmaster who died just a month later.

HOW IT’S DONE

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is not a simple process. That’s why so few Scouts achieve that goal. According to the Boy Scouts of America website, Scouting offers a series of challenges for participants to work on at their own pace, along with recognition and rewards for each achievement.

Personal growth is the primary goal.

To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouts must earn a total of 21 merit badges in specific categories; be active in their troop at the Life Scout rank for at least six months and demonstrate how they have upheld Scouting values; and submit a service project proposal for approval. They also must provide a statement of ambitions, and a list of activities where they showed leadership skills.

The project itself must involve planning, development and leadership skills; and must benefit a religious institution, a school or the community.

The Eagle Scout project also must be completed before the Scout’s 18th birthday.

For more, visit: scouting. org/programs/scouts-bsa/ advancement-and-awards/.

Trenton Qualls leads a group of family, friends and fellow Scouts in the Boy Scout oath March 12 at the Fishers Agripark. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

From left, Eagle Scout project coach Ed Ratts, Troop 199 Scoutmaster Bryan Spellman, Scout Trenton Qualls and Maurice Qualls, Trenton’s father, at the Fishers Agripark. (Photo by Adam Seif)

(Photo by Adam Seif)

Vibenomics joins Mood Media

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Vibenomics, an in-store digital advertising provider based in Fishers, has been acquired by Mood Media, an international commercial digital media company based out of Austin, Texas.

BUSINESS

The new partnership was announced March 21.

Paul Brenner of Vibenomics said his company provides in-store media with advertising for clients.

“So, if you went to the grocery store and hear audio playing with ads, that’s our company,” he said.

Vibenomics has focused on audio, but with this acquisition by Mood Media, they will expand their services further into visual displays, which is what that much-larger company has specialized in.

“They bought us for the advertising piece” Brenner said. “They’ve done audio and display, but they never did advertising before.”

Mood Media has about 300,000 locations where it provides services, and Vibenomics serves about 6,000, Brenner said. So, there will be more work for the local company, which he said will remain in Fishers.

According to the announcement, the retail media ad industry has been expanding in recent years and is expected to nearly double from $31 billion in 2021 to a forecasted $61 billion in 2024. Brenner agreed it’s growing fast, and Mood Media’s purchase of Vibenomics was a good strategy.

“That’s really why Mood bought us is we have the capability to go into that world and grow market share,” he said.

That likely will mean additional employment opportunities in Fishers, he said, but he can’t estimate what that will look like quite yet.

“Stay tuned, I guess,” Brenner said. “We’ve got to get more of these Mood networks on board and will have to have more people to help sell ads.”

Kroger plans new Fishers store

news@currentinfishers.com

Kroger is planning to build a brand-new store across the street from its current lo cation at 116th Street and Allisonville Road.

Marketplace will replace the old Fishers Crossing store, which opened on July 28, 1996, according to an announcement from the company.

“Our Fishers Crossing Kroger has always been a friendly, welcoming place for anyone living here or just visiting the city,” stated Colleen Juergensen, president of Kroger Central Division. “Over the years, Fishers has become a destination in a way its founders never could have imagined. Our location is a gateway to this vibrant community, and we’re excited to commit the new investment as another ingredient in the energy and entrepreneurial spirit of the city.”

The new building will be 120,000 square feet, according to the announcement, which is about 50,000 square feet larger than the existing store. The company said the new space will include a larger selection of fresh

food items, expanded Kroger pickup, wider aisles, a Starbucks, and fresh, store-made

Kroger’s announcement coincides with the City of Fishers release of its Allisonville Road corridor study. That document, which the Fishers City Council approved March 20, is a guiding document for future devel opment along that corridor. Some of the themes of the study include working with businesses during development projects, more green spaces, and better pedestrian

“We’re excited to partner with Kroger on their new marketplace and look forward to the expanded options it will bring residents in west Fishers and along Allisonville Road,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stated. “Their new store is just one of the catalysts that will jump start the transformation of this entire corridor.”

The project’s timeline has not yet been determined. Kroger and the City of Fishers intend to host a public meeting for the community to learn more about the project and provide input.

DISPATCHES

Stocks benefit from cancer test breakthroughs — Amid the race to develop coronavirus tests, vaccines and treatments, many investors might overlook another realm of impressive medical breakthroughs. Molecular diagnostic firms are developing innovative blood tests that can detect many forms of cancer, some even at the earliest stages before cancerous cells mass together. In the past five years, genomic blood testing has become a $6 billion-a-year market, mostly driven by tests such as “liquid biopsies” that allow patients with potentially cancerous tumors to avoid expensive and invasive surgery to remove sample tissue. Over the next decade, the diagnostics market is expected to soar to more than $50 billion annually as companies develop early-detection tests to screen asymptomatic patients for cancers. Three promising companies are:

• Exact Sciences (EXAS) had nearly $900

million in total revenues last year, mostly from two products -- Cologuard, an alternative to colonoscopies that screens stool samples for colon cancer, and Oncotype Dx, a genomic test that can predict which women with early-stage breast cancer will not benefit from chemotherapy.

• Guardant Health (GH) makes liquid biopsy kits that test for mutations in the tumors of advanced cancer patients to enable proper therapy selection.

• Natera (NTRA) tests monitor for relapses in breast and lung cancer and can identify recurrent tumors months before traditional methods such as CT scans. The company also is expanding its bloodtest technology to predict whether organ-transplant recipients are likely to reject a new organ.

Source: BottomLineInc

Kroger plans a new store across the street from its current Fishers Crossing location. (Submitted

CLIMB helps Parkinson’s patient

BIRDIES FORE BIRDIES FORE THE BLIND THE BLIND

ESKENAZI HEALTH FOUNDATION IS GRATEFUL TO John and Kathy Ackerman

FOR THEIR LEAD GIFT

Eskenazi Health was recently named Indiana’s #1 hospital for community benefit and health equity by the Lown Institute. Thanks in part to community partners and philanthropy, we are helping families get beyond barriers.

Golf Outing

eskenazihealthfoundation.org

May

By

Mark Ambrogi  mark@youarecurrent.com

When John Guilliam found out he had Parkinson’s disease, it was definitely a harsh blow.

disease in her late 70s.

Before being diagnosed, Guilliam said he was moving slow and didn’t feel right.

“I just brushed it off,” Guilliam said. “I just thought I’m slowing down a bit.”

FUNDRAISER

“It was like a punch in the throat,” he said.

But the Noblesville resident found a way to adjust with the help of Indiana Parkinson Foundation’s CLIMB exercise program.

“You just deal with it the best way you can, and you’ve got to have a positive attitude,” he said.

Guilliam, 71, will participate in the 1-mile walk April 29 in Indiana Parkinson Foundation’s 11th Annual Choose to Move Race to Beat Parkinson’s in Fishers. The fundraiser also is designed to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease.

Guilliam was diagnosed in December 2014. His neurologist suggested the CLIMB program would help him get through Parkinson’s disease by exercising right and stretching. He has been going ever since at LivRite Fitness in Fishers. Guilliam goes four times a week.

“We do stretching our legs and arms and everything and movement, and that’s two days a week,” he said. “Then we have a dance class two days a week where we do more movement and coordination.”

Guilliam said the exercise has definitely slowed down the progression of the disease.

“I know if I don’t go I’d get so tight that I couldn’t move,” he said.

Guilliam said he takes medication four times a day.

Guilliam’s late mother had Parkinson’s

Then people noticed his gait was different and he was carrying his arm up around his chest.

“When I first went to a regular doctor, he thought I had tendinitis. I wish it was that,” Guilliam said. “Some friends suggested I go to a neurologist, and as soon as I walked in, he said, ‘You have Parkinson’s’”

There are 20 people in his CLIMB class, and they support each other.

“It’s just like family,” Guilliam said. “We all talk to each other. We all see how everybody’s doing. It’s just a weird disease. We’re all at different levels. Some people come to do the exercise and more or less socialize. It’s a good group. I enjoy it. We don’t get out and socialize like going to a restaurant because everything’s a chore. Sometimes I can walk in (a restaurant) and then when I get ready to leave, then I’m just baby stepping, and people are helping me get out the door.”

In addition to the class, Guilliam regularly walks with his dog, a Boston terrier, around his neighborhood.

Guilliam retired in 2018 from Citizens Energy Group in Indianapolis. He and his wife, Kacy, moved to Noblesville from Carmel 10 years ago.

Guilliam has five adult children, 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He said he often is joined by family at the Choose to Move Race. In addition to the 1-mile walk, there is a 10K run and 5K run/ walk. For more, visit indianaparkinson.org/ choose-to-move-race/.

DISPATCHES

FAST stroke treatment — If someone shows signs of a stroke, immediate help is critical. Classic stroke symptoms include: F — facial drooping; A — arms can’t be raised equally on both sides; S — speech difficulties such as slurring; T — time, note the time symptoms started.

Source: BottomLineHealth.com

Weight training and cholesterol — Recent studies suggest that weigh training can lower cholesterol levels. Test subjects who did about one hour of resistance training per week had a 32 percent reduced risk of high cholesterol. Spending more than one

hour weight training did not increase the benefit, meaning that only a small amount of weight training is needed for the cholesterol-lowering effects.

Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Walking for arthritis — Walking is so beneficial in fighting arthritis pain that it’s considered a natural medicine. Painful, stiff joints make it hard to get moving but moving is exactly what is needed for pain relief. For maximum benefits, you should try to walk at a moderate pace for at least 30 minutes every day. If 30 minutes is too much, start with less time and work up gradually.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

Guilliam

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READER’S VIEW

Service workers deserve respect

Editor,

Treating employees with respect helps the transaction process move along smoothly. We as service employees strive to go over and beyond for our guests, so we can all enjoy a wonderful experience. Throughout the day, there will be various, pointless complaints we have to deal with. Instead of complaining, how easy is it to say thank you?

Service employees don’t get paid to deal with verbal or physical abuse. As a

matter of fact, service employees can use their own discretion to serve or not serve based off of your behavior. We don’t know what type of day you are having, likewise you have no idea how our day is going either. Why not just treat people the way you would like to be treated? Serving the public is a privilege that I look forward to. Thank you for your continued support.

Adrian J. Manuel, Fishers

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.

Balancing accountability and retribution

Commentary by Terry Anker

Crowds chanted, “Ma, ma, where’s my pa?” Everyone knew the story. The president had displeased the electorate. Well, there must have been some voters among the hordes, and they were letting him know about it. Not quite “Let’s go, Brandon,” the president at the time is likely to have benefited from the scandal to become the only one elected to two nonconsecutive terms. The Whiskey Ring, Tea Pot Dome, Watergate, Whitewater and Iran-Contra all dominated American attention.

We might recall the incidents from firsthand memory or from being a U.S. or presidential history buff. But for many of us, we’ll have to look up their etymology. Maybe our recollections are better served by Monica, Stormy, Marilyn or Sally. Whatever the context was, they were all at the heart of political and social controversy in their respective times. Barrels of ink were dedicated to fueling the furor. Then, it all passed. The republic survived. In many cases, the politicians at the heart of the scandals rose

to greater popularity, with their stalwarts as some sort of martyred scoundrel.

The Tower of London has been filled with “lawbreakers” who formerly ruled. Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I were jailed for crimes against the Crown. The Doges of Venice held office for life if they could hold onto it. Many believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to leave office because of the threat of his prosecution after leaving power.

Deserved or not, exile, imprisonment, brutal torture and isolation have often been the result of a life of government service for much of the world. So here at home, how do we vet our rightful indignation with our leaders without creating incentive for them to never leave peacefully — or not run at all? What’s our balance between accountability and retribution? And what is its cost?

A bathroom dream come true

Commentary

by Danielle Wilson

Synonyms: COLOSSAL, HUGE, IMMENSE, JUMBO, MASSIVE, VAST; TV Stations: WFYI, WISH, WRTV, WTHR, WTTV; Johns: DILLINGER, MELLENCAMP, ROBERTS, WOODEN; Creatures: DRAGON, UNICORN, VAMPIRE; Attractions: CENTRAL PARK, TIMES SQUARE; Snack: POPCORN

HUMOR

Oh, my gosh, people, it’s happening! Our long-awaited bathroom remodel is finally underway, and I. Am. Thrilled! At least when I’m not gagging in disgust. Here’s the skinny. We’ve been in our house for almost 13 years and have been planning this particular blowout since Day 1. I love our en suite bath. It’s a gorgeous space with lots of natural light, but everything is original to the 1996 build. Picture peachy-beige faux marble, cheap brass fixtures, and the pièce de résistance, wall-towall white carpet. Yes, white carpet, or at least what used to be white. It’s more of a dingy gray now, in the one room where water and steam and occasionally bodily fluids roam free. I can’t even identify all the stains anymore, not that I’d want to. Usually, I just keep the lighting down and my eyes up. The sink traps don’t really work, either. I get a nice hit of rotten egg every morning when I

go to brush my teeth, and if we don’t leave the door open, I’m generally greeted with the same stench in the evening. So fun!

– DANIELLE WILSON

Anyhoo, my husband Doo recently started demo-ing, confirming our worst fears that the carpet is in fact more than 25 years old. We’d both been hoping that the previous owners had replaced it shortly before we moved in. Alas, if either of us suddenly develop a mysterious illness or become zombies, my money is on some exotic mold spore in the subfloor.

The contractor promises he’ll be finished by May, and I promise to keep you posted on life without access to a nighttime toilet. Woohoo! It’s happening! Peace out.

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

I promise to keep you posted on life without access to a nighttime toilet.

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

When do charming senior oversights become punishable?

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

I recently read that an 85-year-old man was fumbling through his drawers (which is a funny image, right there) and found a $1 parking ticket fine he had gotten almost 70 years ago and forgot to pay.

Henry must have sharp financial sense. He knew that someday he’d be 85 and if he conveniently misplaced the summons, he could pay it 60 years later when a buck would be a mere pittance — and maybe he could pick up a little positive press for seniors at the same time.

I also forgot to pay a parking fine, right before we left for a vacation. It was a legitimate oversight. I had put the ticket in my back pants pocket, then went home, threw the pants in the Maytag, and that’s the last I remembered seeing it. It was washed completely from my mind.

When we returned from our trip, I received a note from the city saying my fine had doubled because of failure to pay. I was relieved because I had heard if you are delinquent on paying tickets, they can even take away your car. Who knows what they take away if you don’t pay a jaywalking ticket?

I’m a senior. Not quite as senior as Henry, but I think I’ve entered that period of life when some of my oversights would no longer be considered punishable. Some would even say they are charming.

I decided to pursue this and made the call to the Traffic Violation Bureau.

“Hello, I have a question. I’m curious

whether you have heard about this Henry, the senior citizen who didn’t pay his parking ticket for almost 70 years?”

“Yes, of course. What an uplifting, touching story about the inner goodness of human beings. His honesty is so heartwarming. Who is this, anyway?”

“My name is Dick Wolfsie, and I …”

“Yes, Mr. Wolfsie, we have your records. Disgraceful, contemptible — criminal, even.”

“I don’t get it. This guy doesn’t pay his ticket for six decades and he’s a hero. I skip a few weeks and you double my fine? You called his story heartwarming.”

“How old are you, Mr. Wolfsie?”

“I just turned 76.”

“I’m afraid you don’t have enough time left to make your story heartwarming.”

“Look, I still don’t understand why you are punishing me after two months, and it sounds like you have his photo on your bulletin board.”

“Oh, your picture is up there, too.”

I’m thinking about heading to my hometown in a couple of months and taking back an old library book I forgot to return in 1980. Of course, if I do return it now, they’ll charge me big time and call me a thief. But if I could stay alive for 30 more years, they’d think I’m downright adorable.

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

I was relieved because I had heard if you are delinquent on paying tickets, they can even take away your car. Who knows what they take away if you don’t pay a jaywalking ticket?

– DICK WOLFSIE

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre seeks to inspire with ‘Illumination’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

‘AN AMERICAN IN PARIS’

“An American in Paris” is set for March 30 to May 14 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.

LIVE AT THE CENTER

PERFORMANCES

Although “Illumination” is a collection of dances created over several decades, there is a connection.

Gregory Hancock, executive artistic director of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, said the common thread is faith, hope and inspiration.

GHDT will present “Illumination” at 7 p.m. April 7-8 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“Pieces have been included from the company’s expansive repertoire, some in their full form and others as excerpts from larger full-length pieces,” Hancock said. “As a choreographer and director, it is interesting to look back into our history to see how dances have survived the test of time, and in some cases, have become even more relevant today. Although there are a variety of themes, styles and music represented in ‘Illumination,’ the idea of unwavering faith, often in the face of adversity, is paramount, along with the theme of light over darkness.”

Hancock said selecting pieces for a repertoire program was challenging.

“For this program, I started with a list of over 40 dances that were infused with faith and hope, and then continued to narrow down to select pieces that would complement each other, as well as showcase the individual talents of the GHDT company dancers,” he said. “This process eventually becomes more organic, and a natural flow to the program develops.”

Hancock said since the inception of his company, celebrating a global connection has been the focus.

“Honoring the individuality along with the sameness of the human condition through joy, sorrow, life, death, history, spirituality, and culture (is a goal),” he said. “As humans, we all have emotions, history, stories, plans and dreams that intertwine and take us on our journeys through life. The more we grow to under-

stand ourselves, the more we learn how connected we are as humans on this planet. During this time of spring and rebirth, this beautiful program of dances from GHDT’s eclectic repertoire will uplift, inspire, enlighten and illuminate audiences.”

GHDT company dancer Abigail Lessaris said “Illumination” is a beautiful show filled with inspiration in many different forms.

“The performance is filled with emotions on a wide spectrum,” Lessaris said. “There are pieces of love, grief, freedom and unwavering faith. The connection we feel when we experience artistry that evokes these emotions is so important. I am proud to be a part of a group of individuals who work hard to bring this kind of experience to our community.”

GHDT’s season continues June 9-10 at The Tarkington with “Director’s Choice.”

“(The show) again reaches back to both the distant and recent past to bring pieces to GHDT audiences that will be new to many audience members as well as the current dancers in the company,” Hancock said. “I am positive that designing the programming for this production will be a challenge. Audience members often ask

what my favorite piece is, and of course it is impossible to answer, as I have favorites at different periods, often depending on what is occurring in my life and our world at the time.”

As a bonus for the 25th anniversary season, it was recently determined GHDT will close the season with “The Music of La Casa Azul” with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra for a one-night-only performance Aug. 5 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. It’s a concert version of Hancock’s original full-length musical with CSO Artistic Director Janna Hymes as conductor.

Vocal direction of a cast of central Indiana singers will be under the direction of Tammy Anderson. New York City director and playwright Georgina Escobar will provide the stage direction.

“The dancers of GHDT will add a visual element to the production,” Hancock said. “I am thrilled to be working with so many talented artists on this project. What a spectacular way to close a sensational season of live art in our community.”

For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

Tay Bronson & The Tackle Box will perform as part of the Live at the Center series at 7:30 p.m. March 29 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 minimum or register for free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Comedians Gwen Sunkel & Tennah McDonald will perform at 7:30 March 30 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Then Singer/Songwriter Kelsey Hickman will present her version of country rock and roll at 7:30 p.m. March 31. Leanne Marie Dobbs will perform Broadway leading men’s songs in “Why CAN’T a Woman” at 7:30 p.m. April 1. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

Spyro Gyra to headline at Carmel Jazz Fest — Long-running jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra will be the headliner at the inaugural Carmel Jazz Fest weekend with an Aug. 12 performance at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. The concert, which was announced March 20, is set for 8 p.m. Spyro Gyra emerged during the 1970s fusion wave and never let up, releasing 35 albums and earning 13 Grammy nominations in the past five decades. Tickets starting at $25 went on sale at March 24 at the Palladium’s Fifth Third Bank Box Office, online at thecenterpresents.org and by phone at 317-843-3800. Separate passes are required for Carmel Jazz Fest, which will take place on the Center’s campus and at other venues around the city Aug. 11-12. For more and tickets to the festival, visit carmeljazzfest. org/tickets.

Snarky Puppy to perform at NDP AMP —

The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater and MOKB Presents announced Snarky Puppy will perform Sept. 8 in Fishers. Tickets for the Snarky Puppy show went on sale March 24 at npdamp.com.

Thomas Mason and Abigail Lessaris appear in “Illumination.” (Photo courtesy of Lydia Moody)

Ex-pastor turns to acting full-time

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Ian Black, there were two key factors in his decision to take a break from his role as a pastor to act full time.

MUSICAL Black

“One of them was simply burnout in ministry,” said Black, who made the decision in 2022. “Lots of pastors struggle with burnout, and it often gets so bad that when we leave, we never return to ministry. I didn’t want to get to that point. So part of the decision to become an actor was to take a break from ministry so I could return to it down the road. But a huge part of it was my increasing desire to perform. I’d always loved it, and always wanted to pursue performing professionally as full-time as possible but had just never made that leap. Now is the time. (I’m) not getting any younger.”

Black, who lives in Lawrence Township in Indianapolis, plays Henri Baurel, the son of wealthy French industrialists, in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “An American in Paris,” which is set for March

30 to May 14 at the Indianapolis venue, His biggest challenge is mastering the accent.

“I only took two years of Spanish in high school, and accents do not come easily to me,” Black said. “I’m excited to tackle it and I imagine our dialect coach will get to know me very well. Hopefully by the end of the run, I will be passing as a true Frenchman.”

Black said he likes the fact Henri is so genuine.

“You get the sense he is truly kind and caring, even as he is figuring out more of who he is, who to love, what to do with his life,” Black said. “He experiences growth throughout the course of the show, demonstrated by his willingness to eventually let go of things he once clung to. And we learn about how many risks he and his family sacrificially undertook during the war. I really like his sense of humor. I also appreciate that he wants to go for his dreams, which is something that captures so much of what I’m striving to do in this chapter of life.”

Black appeared in “A Beef & Boards Christmas” as a dancer in 2016 and 2017.

Combining love of art with travel

Commentary by Randy Sorrell

‘A Good Person’ is a good film

Commentary by Julieanna Childs

Synopsis: Daniel (Morgan Freeman) is brought together with Allison (Florence Pugh), a once-thriving young woman with a bright future who was involved in an unimaginable tragedy that took his daughter’s life. As grief-stricken Daniel navigates raising his teenage granddaughter and Allison seeks redemption, they discover that friendship, forgiveness, and hope can flourish in unlikely places.

In his first film in five years, “A Good Person” director Zach Braff unfolds a story about grief and overcoming tragedy. Braff, who also serves as one of the film’s producers, wrote the screenplay for Pugh during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown while grieving the deaths of his sister, father and two close friends. Pugh and Braff were living together at the time.

During a Q&A at the film’s London premiere, Braff said while “A Good Person” is intense, it has lighthearted moments.

“I strategically designed places for the audience to have a rest, a breath, a laugh,

because that’s actually what happens in life,” Braff said. “Some of it is heartbreaking, but I also wanted to write about it with my own style, which is to find the humor in it all. I have a very funny family, and we always find a way to laugh our way through things, even the painful things.”

Freeman and Oscar nominee Pugh give powerful performances as two people entwined by tragedy, trying to rebuild themselves around the loss they’ve suffered. The characters illustrate the choices we make between holding on and letting go.

“A Good Person” is a story for anyone who’s searched for a person’s lost echoes. Sometimes the best comfort is inviting memories of joy into our present grief and allowing them to live in the quiet corners of our day.

ARTISTS

I love art … for so many reasons! It can be a source of joy and encouragement. A source of healing. Art can be a hobby, your career or a side gig. Check out this story of a wonderful friend and her journey.

She’s a product of especially great parents and Carmel schools. She’s involved in several nonprofits from Discovering Broadway and Actors Theatre of Indiana to others focused on saving lives and souls.

Jill Zaniker’s story of art and life is inspiring and instructive. She took several art classes in college, and after receiving a bummer grade, decided to “forget it” and move on.

Fast forward a few decades after focusing her energies on family, her business, retirement and a devastating and unexpected loss of her equally inspiring husband of 30 years, she decided to explore her second story.

Art classes/workshops presented by the brilliant Deb Slack, Cy Donnelly and Beth

Clary Schwier focused her talents and served as a launching point for exploring her creative side again, which resulted in a dedicated studio in her fashionable Carmel Arts & Design District home. Her new life philosophy and second story is, “You only die once and you need to choose to live everyday.” And, if you know Jill, she exudes it.

Jill is fortunate to be able to travel regularly and has an inventive habit of purchasing a piece of art from a local artist. Her latest purchase is from Venice. My wife Kim and I adopted this habit more than 30 years ago.

Hopefully, her story will prompt you to live more fully or finally pick up a brush again. Or to initiate the “buy real art” locally or in your travels.

During the past 14 years, Julieanna Childs has worked as a film studio representative, contracting for all the major Hollywood studios. Her film reviews can be found at TheJujuReview.com. She is a Hamilton County resident.

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

Jill Zaniker with Italian artist Luisa Spagnoli in Venice. (Photo courtesy of Jill Zaniker)

Verbal hedging isn’t yardwork

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

At the dawn of every springtime, I make a list of things I want to do in my lawn and garden. While I’ll admit my outdoor to-do list is too lofty, I can’t wait to try to make all these things happen. I love working in the yard. I would never say I “kind of” like working in the yard, because my yardwork enjoyment is unequivocal. If I did want to play it safe, I’d employ a “verbal hedge,” which is a word or phrase used to lessen the impact of a statement. The “hedge” in this phrase (just like “hedge your bets”) has nothing to do with shrubbery. Back in 1500s England, the verb “hedge” meant to “equivocate or avoid commitment.” We find an example of this usage in Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor”: I, I, I myself sometimes, leaving the fear of God on the left hand and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am fain to shuffle, to hedge and to lurch.

expo this weekend.” This noncommittal “maybe” expresses uncertainty about making firm plans for the speaker’s weekend plans.

GRAMMAR GUY

• “The movie was kind of good, but I was confused by Nic Cage’s character.” Saying a phrase like “kind of” makes the speaker’s opinion of the movie less forceful. Was the movie good or not? “Kind of” doesn’t commit either way.

• “As far as I know, I had no knowledge of the plans to steal the zoo’s only walrus.” You’ll see defendants in court hedge all the time. If someone uses a phrase like “as far as I know,” this absolves them from saying, “I definitely knew about the walrus theft” or “I certainly did not know about the walrus theft.”

Visiting the tombs of Jesus

Commentary by Don Knebel

Here are some examples of verbal hedges:

• “Maybe I’ll go to the lawn and garden

MULCH MADNESS

TRAVEL

In our continuing tour of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we visit competing sites in Jerusalem associated with the tomb of Jesus. After Emperor Constantine declared in A.D. 313 that Christianity was legal in the Roman Empire, he sent his 80-year-old mother, Helena, to the Holy Land to find sites important to Christianity. She returned in A.D. 328 claiming she had found not only the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem, but also a remnant of what she said was the “True Cross” on which Jesus had been crucified. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was soon built around the tomb, with an underground Chapel of the Finding of the True Cross claimed to be where Helena had found the True Cross. For almost 1,700 years, Christians have made their way to that now cavernous church. For her piety and her discoveries, Helena was recognized as a saint.

In 1883, Protestants were thrilled when Charles Gordon, an English general, found a tomb near a Jerusalem rock formation suggesting a skull, which he thought identified the biblical Golgotha (the skull) where Jesus had been crucified. The tomb itself was in an old garden, where the Bible says it should be. And so, with great fanfare, the Garden Tomb, with its beautiful gardens and peaceful outdoor places to worship, opened to the public.

In 1986, Israeli archaeologist Gabriel Barkay, an authority on Jewish tombs, published an article concluding that the Garden

Tomb was not used at the time of Jesus. Consequently, guides at the Garden Tomb no longer claim it held the body of Jesus. But Protestant visitors still worship there, experiencing the same emotions as before. Others continue to experience comparable emotions at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. As with many other sites in the Holy Land, tradition and belief are as important as archaeology.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Israel. (Photos by Don Knebel)

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

The Garden Tomb in Israel.

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

Inside the Garden Tomb.

14. “Common Sense” writer 15. 60 minutes

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41. Indiana Senate vote

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51. Colts knee injury letters

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59. Birthday number Answers on Page 20

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