April 25, 2023 — Fishers

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Fishers council OKs $75M CityWalk plan

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

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number of homes per acre and the planned trails, green spaces and pedestrian connections to Flat Fork Creek and Park.

DEVELOPMENT

The Fishers City Council gave unanimous support April 17 for the new $75 million CityWalk residential development along Nickel Plate Trail north of 116th Street.

The project plans call for 234 new residential units built by owner Village Holding Group and Developer Wanas Group. CityWalk includes 41 townhomes, 106 condominiums, and an 87-unit apartment building.

“We are thrilled to have received unanimous approval from the City Council for this project,” CityWalk Developer Sam Wanas said in a statement released April 18. “We have been working tirelessly for over a year to secure the land acquisition, design details, and city approval for the CityWalk. We cannot wait to bring this project to life and contribute to the flourishing dynamic of downtown Fishers”

The council’s vote approved $16 million in bonds for the project. The 25-year bonds will be paid back by the developer through collected property taxes.

Megan Baumgartner from the city’s Community and Economic Development Department said the townhomes will offer groundfloor patio space opening into the courtyard area, along with rooftop patios. She said the economic impact for the city will be an estimated $1.4 million in taxes, not including about $300,000 in additional tax funds for the school district.

The development will provide direct access to Nickel Plate Trail for residents, and will provide better access for the public, as well. Baumgartner said that Village Holding has exceeded the city’s requirements for news@currentinfishers.com

green space and landscaping.

Mayor Scott Fadness said the developers have been very patient with the city as they worked through plans.

“Thank you for always listening to feedback,” he said. “This development complements and brings diversity to housing in downtown.”

Council member Jocelyn Vare asked whether the effect on traffic had been studied. Baumgartner said the city’s engineering department does a traffic review whenever a new development is proposed. Lantern Road will be an access point for the development, and while it is a heavily used road, Baumgartner said the development shouldn’t impact it enough to warrant immediate improvements. The city is looking at future roadwork there, though.

Another housing project in the works is a planned unit development, also called a PUD, close to Flat Fork Creek and Park. Developer Ryan Homes has proposed that the Flat Fork PUD will include a maximum of 220 single-family homes in two parcels on the north side of 96th Street, between Georgia and Cyntheanne Road.

Planning and Zoning Director Megan Vukusich said the proposal aligns with the city’s plan for that area, including the

Murray Clark with Ryan Homes said the Cyntheanne Road parcel is 59 acres, and will have two-story, single-family detached homes for sale. He said the price range would start at $600,000. The Georgia Road site is 50 acres and will offer one-story, single-family detached homes for sale. The price range for those would be $450,000-$550,000.

Council Member Brad DeReamer said he was concerned about the density of homes in the proposal, and the narrow setbacks shown in the documents. He said he would like to see the plan adjusted.

The proposal was before the council in first reading. It will need to go through a review and planning process before coming back for final approval.

Council Member Vare said the two housing developments before the council that night meant about 450 new homes in Fishers, which helps with the community’s housing deficit. However, she asked whether the two proposals fit the city’s newly adopted priorities.

Vukusich said they do, because they offer a variety of homes, from detached houses to apartments to condos to townhomes.

Vare said she would like to see developments in the future that also provide housing with lower price points and that target seniors.

Also during the April 17 meeting, the council recognized Hamilton Southeastern High School cheerleaders for winning their 11th state title; and recognized Fishers Police Department Sgt. Brad Myers and Detective Tony David for 25 years with the department.

City of Fishers awarded $1 million INDOT grant

The City of Fishers has been awarded $1 million in matching grant funds through the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossings program.

ROADS

The state announced April 12 that 224 Hoosier communities were awarded a combined total of $133.4 million through the program, which focuses on improving transportation infrastructure at the local level.

“Safe, modern infrastructure at the local level makes Indiana’s transportation net-

work stronger,” INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith stated. “Partnering with locals on these projects is something INDOT looks forward to each year. The hard work and dedication of local entities to secure these funds and make improvements in their communities does not go unnoticed.”

According to the state announcement, communities submitted projects for the competitive grant program in January, and applications were evaluated based on need, current conditions, safety impacts and economic development. Depending on the size of the community, they need to contribute

up to half of the cost of a proposed project. State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) issued a statement celebrating the grant award.

“Good roads, bridges and sidewalks are critical to keeping our community safe for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike,” Garcia Wilburn said. “I am grateful INDOT has awarded the City of Fishers with $1 million in 2023 Spring Community Crossing Matching Grant dollars for local infrastructure. I’m excited to see how the city puts these dollars to use in improving quality of life for our residents.”

A rendering of the planned new CityWalk residential development in Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Wanas Group)

Fishers police first to respond to I-69 shooting

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Fishers police were first on scene after an apparent April 13 shooting on Interstate 69. The victim, a 34-year-old Kentucky woman, received serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to Indiana State Police.

CRIME

In a news release, state police reported that a report of the apparent shooting was received at approximately 7:20 p.m. on I-69 northbound just north of the Cyntheanne Road Overpass.

“The first officer on scene was from the Fisher’s Police Department. He located an adult female with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound and applied a tourniquet to an injured arm,” state police said. “Further emergency aid was provided by police officers until paramedics arrived. The woman was transported by ambulance to an area hospital in serious condition. However, her injuries were not believed to be life threatening.”

The unidentified woman was a passenger in a white van, according to state police. Witnesses reported that an object believed to be a bullet came through the window and struck her. State police say that there was not yet clear evidence about where the bullet came from, and the investigation is ongoing. In addition to Fishers police who assisted on scene, state police noted assistance from the Fishers Fire Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and Noblesville police and fire departments.

John Mehling of the Fishers Fire Department confirmed that the department’s personnel were among those that responded, but had no patient contact. He said Noblesville Fire Department medics transported the patient to St. Vincent Hospital on 86th Street.

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Fishers police investigate fatal crash

news@currentinfishers.com

A 39-year-old Indianapolis man died April 14 after apparently losing control of his motorcycle on Southeastern Parkway at Jack Walker Lane in Fishers.

ACCIDENT

According to the Fishers Police Department, a report of the accident was received around 10:40 p.m.

“A witness driving east in the right lane of Southeastern Parkway told officers three motorcycles passed her in the left lane,” a police announcement of the accident stated. “The third motorcycle crossed back into the right lane and appeared to lose control. The motorcycle crossed through the lane, hit the right curb and a directional signpost.”

Fishers police report that “Good Samaritans” started CPR on the scene, and first responders took over when they arrived. The man was taken to IU Saxony Hospital and was pronounced dead. He was identified as Dameion Dvail Ramsey.

The report states that prior to the crash, a Fishers police officer was southbound on Olio Road in the 12900 block and observed a group of motorcycles driving northbound on Olio Road at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren and turned to pursue the motorcycles.

“As he approached the roundabout at Southeastern Parkway the pursuit was terminated,” the report states. “The officer had observed the group of motorcycles travel north on I-69 and asked dispatch to notify the Indiana State Police.”

The officer went around the roundabout to assist on another call.

Fishers police continue to investigate the fatal crash. Anyone with information can call Lt. Dave Seward at 317-595-3310.

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Fishers police responded to a fatal motorcycle crash on April 14. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)

Conner Prairie event celebrates past, looks to the future

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Married to George Kehl, retired Police Chief for 38 years. 40 Year Resident

MUSEUMS

About 100 supporters attended the Conner Prairie annual meeting April 17 to hear about the prior year’s accomplishments and the interactive museum’s plans for the future.

President and CEO Norman Burns said Conner Prairie is a unique and historic place, combining hands-on learning, nature and living history exhibits.

“We are expanding the boundaries of our historical natural resources by exploring, celebrating and improving the human experience,” he said.

The keynote speaker for the breakfast meeting was John H. Falk, a researcher and author who developed a method to analyze the value of museum experiences. Falk said that kind of data is essential because lawmakers and other funding sources sometimes need to be convinced that museums are important.

“You see, museums worldwide, particularly in the United States, they’re (seen as) really nice places, but not necessary places. And it was the pandemic that helped to emphasize it. We weren’t going to close hospitals, but we could close the museums,” Falk said. “So, what that said to me is that museums need to work a little harder on defining and establishing the value that they deliver.”

Value can be subjective, though, so Falk wanted to establish a way to make the value of museums more concrete. He started by defining how value would be measured, and that was in its lasting effect on museum visitors’ personal, intellectual, social and physical well-being.

Falk conducted two studies in 2022, when he recruited museum visitors to take

a survey a month after their trip to a museum. That survey determined the effect of the visit on the four aspects of well-being. The answers were assigned a numeric value, which was then converted to a monetary value. The average of all the responses showed that a single museum visit was worth about $916, Falk said. That’s not the market value, he stressed, but it’s the economic value of each visit.

That amount then was multiplied by the number of visitors to determine a total value, which then was compared to the cost of the museum. Falk said the end result shows that the average museum provides a service worth more than 2,000 percent of what it costs to operate.

“What we are doing is, we are supporting the basic needs of humans,” Falk said. “We have museums because they support the well-being of our personal, intellectual, social and physical needs. And we’re doing it in a cost-effective manner.”

KEHL4CLERK.COM

Jennifer KEHL

FISHERS CITY CLERK

Falk said the challenge is to take the information from the studies and use it to continue improving museum experiences for the public into the future.

A short video following his presentation gave a rundown of the services Conner Prairie provided over the past year. It in-

KEHL4CLERK.COM

RE-ELECT

Jennifer KEHL

FISHERS CITY CLERK

PAID FOR BY FRIENDS FOR JENNIFER KEHL

KEHL4CLERK.COM

cluded art opportunities, interactive experiences, programs for children of all ages and backgrounds, the living history exhibit Prairietown, and the Spark!Lab interactive space developed through a Smithsonian Institution program.

Mother or 2, both graduates of HSE Schools

Former Executive Director of the Fishers Freedom Festival Precinct Committeeman Devoted Volunteer

Burns concluded the meeting with details about what’s planned for 2023. He noted that a new exhibit that partially opened in 2022 — “Promised Land as Proving Ground” — will open fully this summer. The exhibit tells the story of more than 1,000 years of African American history.

KEHL4CLERK@GMAIL.COM

Married to George Kehl, retired Police Chief for 38 years.

40 Year Resident

Mother or 2, both graduates of HSE Schools

Former Executive Director of the Fishers Freedom Festival

“The final phase of this exhibit will allow visitors the opportunity to learn and interact with historic figures from Indiana’s past, as well as the creation of a new building that will allow the museum to explore contemporary African American stories and community,” the printed annual report states.

Precinct Committeeman

Devoted Volunteer

Burns added that the museum is working on a new nature trail, and on plans for renovating and expanding the welcome center into a year-round destination.

Community Focused Professional Experienced Dedicated

For more, visit connerprairie.org.

KEHL4CLERK@GMAIL.COM

Married to George Kehl, retired Police Chief for 38 years.

40 Year Resident Mother or 2, both graduates of HSE Schools

Former Executive Director of the Fishers Freedom Festival Precinct Committeeman

Devoted Volunteer Community Focused Professional Experienced Dedicated

KEHL4CLERK@GMAIL.COM

Keynote speaker John Falk addresses the audience during the April 17 Conner Prairie annual meeting. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

CURRENT MAY FISHERS COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FISHERS AGRIPARK OPENS IN MAY

The 33-acre Fishers AgriPark opens for the season on May 2. Hours of operation from May through October are:

• Sunday and Monday: Closed

• Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to the Fishers Parks website, the AgriPark pays homage to Fishers’ agricultural roots, while inspiring future generations of farmers, scientists, agronomists, robotics engineers, chefs and more. The AgriPark has public fields and gardens, managed by Fishers Parks. In the gardens, residents have access to seasonal produce and cut flowers to take home at no charge. Along with providing you-pick opportunities while seasonal produce is available, an animal area gives guests the chance to encounter traditional livestock and farm animals, including cows, a horse, ducks and sheep.

FREE FISHING DAY SCHEDULED

The first free pop-up fishing day at Flat Fork Creek Park is set for May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to Fishers Parks, people can bring their own supplies, or use one of the department’s fishing poles. Hands-on instruction and advice is available for beginners, but all skill levels and ages are welcome. No pre-registration or fishing license is required for this free event.

READ TO A THERAPY DOG

Presented by Love on a Leash, children ages 5 and up can bring a favorite book or choose one from the Fishers Public Library collection and spend time reading to a registered therapy dog. Reading to dogs helps kids build self-esteem and confidence as well as reading skills, according to the library. The program is from 11 a.m. to noon

on May 13 at the library. Go to the library’s website for event information: hepl.lib.in.us.

FISHERS FARMERS MARKET OPENS IN MAY

The Fishers Farmers Market is every Saturday starting in May and runs through September. The market is operated by Fishers Parks and is ranked sixth in the state by the American Farmland Trust: Farmers Market Coalition, according to Fishers Parks.

FISHERS FAMILY LEGO CHALLENGE

The Fishers Public Library is hosting a Lego challenge from 4-5 p.m. May 17 at the library. Participants can work as a group or individually for this fast-paced Lego showdown. Registration for the event opens on May 3. Go to the library’s website for event information: hepl.lib.in.us.

CHOP CHOP COOKING CLUB

Children in second through fifth grade can learn about nutrition and basic cooking skills in this fun beginning cooking club at the Fishers Public Library, set for 5-6 p.m. May 18. Participants will use electric skillets, microwave ovens and toaster ovens to prepare simple meals. The materials and food for the event are intended only for the child who has registered. Registration opens on May 4. Go to the library’s website for event information: hepl.lib.in.us.

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE SET FOR MAY 23

The Fishers Public Library will host a blood drive from 3-7 p.m. on May 23. Appointments are strongly recommended, and can be made at donate.indiana.versiti.org/donor/ schedules/drive_schedule/159203. Walk-ins will be processed only if time allows, according to the announcement. Healthy donors are encouraged to participate. Donors should bring a photo ID and make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. If you have questions, email Chelsea at cljohnson@versiti.org.

Meet Current in Fishers Managing Editor Leila Kheiry from 10 a.m. to noon each Friday at Launch Fishers, 12175 Visionary Way, Fishers,. Suggest story ideas, ask questions and learn more about Current in Fishers. For more, email leila@youarecurrent.com

Getting to know Amogha Paleru

Amogha Paleru is a Carmel High School senior who recently received a perfect score on the ACT. Paleru plans to attend Stanford University to major in human biology and public policy on the pre-med track.

What is your favorite subject in school?

My favorite courses have been in the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Pathway with Mr. Harper, but I love history and economics as well as these science courses.

Any tips for studying for tests and exams?

The first thing that has helped me is to stop worrying about the result and focus on making a study plan to master the material to your best ability. The results will follow. One thing that helps is making a to-do list and writing the hours it will take to do each task.

What is your dream job?

Cardiothoracic surgeon or

interventional cardiologist

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

If it’s meant to be, it will be. Everyone is on their own path.

What is your best habit?

Making sure to get to bed as early as possible and mapping my time out well to do so.

What is your dream vacation?

Iceland or Hawaii

What food do you most dislike?

Cilantro

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Telepathy

Do you have a hidden talent?

Baking

What is your favorite podcast?

Science Vs or Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain

DINNER CRUISE

Fishers youth academies open for registration

The City of Fishers is accepting registration for several free city-sponsored youth academies.

MAYOR’S YOUTH ACADEMY

High school juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for the Mayor’s Youth Academy. Those participants go behind the scenes of city government, discuss policy issues and explore career opportunities, according to an announcement from the city.

Mayor’s academy classes are one day a month during the school year at various locations in Fishers. Participants will conclude the program in the spring of 2024 with a presentation to the Fishers City Council.

Registration for the 2023-2024 Mayor’s Youth Academy is open through June 2.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT TEEN ACADEMY

The city’s one-week public health academy is new this year, and runs from July 17-22, according to the announcement. It is open to incoming ninth- through 12th-graders who live in Fishers.

Students will have interactive learning experiences with department leadership, public health nurses, environmental health inspectors, communicable disease investigators, public health clinical staff, City of Fishers officials, and community partners. They will learn the science of public health and engage in activities such as retail food inspections, water sampling and pest control.

Registration for the 2023-2024 Fishers Health Department Teen Academy is open through April 30.

POLICE DEPARTMENT TEEN ACADEMY

The Fishers Police Department Teen Academy provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of officers, as well as insight into specialized units and skills.

The four-day program is June 5-8 at Riverside Intermediate School. Applications are open through April 24 to incoming eighth-graders through seniors attending Fishers schools. Students must also pass a background check.

To learn more and to apply for various programs, visit ThisIsFishers.com/ CitizenAcademies.

Project: 106th Street & Kincaid Drive

Location: Construction of center curb on 106th Street and intersection improvement at 106th Street & Kincaid Drive to modify to a right-in/right-out entrance starts in April.

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Expected completion: August 2023

Project: Roundabout preconstruction at 106th and Hoosier Road

Location: 106th Street and Hoosier Road. Utility relocation is taking place now for the project, which goes out to bid this spring.

Expected completion: To be determined.

Project: Ind. 37 Improvement Project

Location: Ind. 37 and 141st Street. A preconstruction phase is currently in place. During this phase, 141st Street will have a temporary Right-In-Right-Out traffic configuration.

Expected completion: The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Summer of 2023.

Project: Clear Path Improvement Project (I-465 and I-69 interchange)

Location: New ramps will provide direct movements from eastbound I-465 and

northbound I-465 to northbound I-69. Binford Blvd. will also be reconstructed to separate local traffic from traffic entering and exiting I-69 and I-465. Access to I-69 from Binford Blvd. will remain open. Drivers can expect to see significant activity on I-69 at the 82nd Street interchange.

Expected completion: Project lasts through 2024.

Project: 2023 resurfacing

Location: ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is taking place in Rolling Knoll and will then begin in Spyglass Hills as part of the 2023 Resurfacing Project. Homeowners will be notified via door hangers prior to any curb restoration near their home.

Expected completion: Summer 2023.

Project: Cumberland Road Reconstruction

Location: Daily lane closures just south of 126th Street for sanitary and water line work, and between 106th Street and 116th Street for tree clearing. The full project is in the design phase.

Expected completion: The project should begin in fall of 2023. A completion date has not been determined.

Mt. Vernon senior proves to be a man for all seasons

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Mt. Vernon High School senior pitcher/ shortstop Eli Bridenthal’s competitiveness extends beyond the baseball diamond.

“Even in fifth-grade recess, the teachers would get mad at me for not passing the ball because I didn’t want to lose,” Bridenthal said.

“I mean, I’ll race you down the hallway just to say I beat you. Some people just don’t like me simply for the fact that I’m too competitive sometimes.”

That competitiveness drove Bridenthal to play football, basketball and baseball throughout high school.

“He is one of the most competitive players I’ve coached in my 20 years as a head coach,” Mt. Vernon baseball coach Brad King said.

As of April 18, Bridenthal, who will play baseball for Xavier University next season, was hitting .432. The 6-foot-2 right-hander had a 2-0 record with a 1.27 earned run av-

MEET ELI BRIDENTHAL

Favorite subject: Business

Favorite athlete: Patrick Mahomes

Favorite TV show: “Rick and Morty”

Favorite musician: Lil Uzi Vert

erage for the Marauders (8-2).

“Eli puts in a great deal of time to improve all of his skills,” King said. “Eli is one of the best pitchers in the state, a very solid defensive shortstop, and his athleticism makes him a threat on offense. But his greatest improvement has been as a leader. Eli has been on several successful teams at MVHS, including baseball. Younger players

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The

“It’s even more rare to see one who is as skilled as Eli is in those sports,” King said. “He was, and is, not only a starter on each of the teams, but he plays a large role in the success these programs have. Again, this is due to being blessed with great athletic ability and traits, a tremendous work ethic, and a competitive drive to maximize his potential.”

Bridenthal said he enjoyed playing all three sports his entire life.

“I’ve never had an offseason,” he said. “I don’t like sitting around doing nothing. I love individual things about each sport. With basketball, I love the culture. Being in Indiana, there’s nothing like it. Football, you can’t beat Friday night lights. I love everything about baseball.”

Bridenthal invents games to liven up practice.

see this and realize he understands what it takes to get to the next level of success.”

King said it’s rare these days to see three-sport athletes at larger schools such as Mt. Vernon.

“We’ll be taking batting practice and I’ll be in the outfield, saying whoever catches the most balls wins,” he said. “It makes my teammates go harder.”

Bridenthal, who played some quarterback and receiver, threw for 422 yards, rushed for 394 yards and caught 41 passes for 622 yards last season.

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In his first two games, Eli Bridenthal has a 2-0 record with 20 strikeouts in 11 innings. (Photo courtesy of Stacy Muffler)

Bridenthal

WHEN IT’S TIME TO CALL BONE DRY YOU’LL KNOW IT IN YOUR GUT. AND YOUR GUTTERS.

Hoosier Adult Baseball League seeks older players

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Hoosier Adult Baseball league is looking for a few good men — or at least enough to field two more teams.

“The reason we put a limit on the high side is guys get to play,” Dearth said.,

The oldest league player last year was 76, but the 53-year-old Dearth said most players are in their early to mid-50s.

SPORTS

The 48-and-older baseball league is seeking to expand from six teams to eight, league president John Dearth said. The season begins Aug. 1 and ends Oct. 17. There are 12 games in the regular season, followed by the playoffs. All games are played at Grand Park in Westfield.

Dearth, a Carmel resident, said most of the players are from Hamilton County with some from Zionsville and Indianapolis.

“For me, personally, someone who has loved baseball since I can recall at age 4, playing in this league has been some of the most fun I have ever had playing baseball,” Dearth said. “We are there to compete, but our goal is to place a premium on sportsmanship, and fun. I have met some terrific people in the five years this league has been around. Grand Park is a terrific facility, and it helps to make the baseball experience that much better to play on top-of-theline fields.”

The league was started in 2018 by Todd Eschmann and Dwight Podgurski. Dearth said Eschmann couldn’t play because of an injury. Podgurski was president and Dearth became vice president. When Podgurski moved to Colorado, Dearth became president midway during the 2020 season. Each team has 12 to 16 players.

Dearth said the competition is very good, and players have really embraced the culture.

“It is very regular to have a conversation while on the base paths, with guys complimenting each other on a hit or a defensive play,” said Dearth, who played baseball at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.

“I have been very impressed by the players’ attitudes and the willingness of the guys who played at a higher level to help those who may have never received the coaching or had the opportunities to play beyond grade school or junior high. We are more of a rec league, and we try to find a home for anyone who wants to play.”

Dearth said there are a few rules that help older players, such as no stolen bases and limited leadoffs. Pitchers are limited to five innings per game.

Board members include Chris Kania, vice president, and Tom Hayes, secretary. Jeff Schmitt and Robert Newton are at-large members. Tom Weesner is a former vice president but stepped away this year because of a shoulder surgery.

Dearth said the league’s best pitcher the first five seasons has been Carmel resident Scott Metzinger, a former Butler University pitcher from 1990-93.

For more, visit hoosieradultbaseball.com or email jdearth@spectrummtg.net.

Sometimes you don’t need a new roof. Sometimes it’s what’s at the end of your roof that goes first. Bone Dry has become as well known for gutters and downspouts as we have for roofs. So if you’re staring at a waterfall and you’re not on vacation, it’s time to call Bone Dry. You’ll know it in your gutters.

Carmel resident Scott Metzinger, a former Butler University pitcher, pitches for the Monarchs. (Photo courtesy of John Dearth)

GROWING INTEREST

Horticulture class takes root at Hamilton Southeastern High School

Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Tucked away down a maze of hallways at Hamilton Southeastern High School is a large commercial-scale greenhouse filled with healthy, vibrant plants, all grown and carefully tended by HSE students.

In the warm, humid environment, plants thrive as horticulture students mix soil, trim dead leaves, add water as needed, and get their hands dirty in the best possible way. In the middle of it all is teacher Caroline Mills, who said this level of agriculture education is unusual in a more urban school environment, but it’s a great hands-on way for students to learn how things grow.

Mills said the first semester is more classroom-based, and students learn about plant parts, plant reproduction and different methods of plant propagation — seeds versus cuttings, for example.

“And then when we move into spring or second semester, we start right off the bat planting herbs and then getting our plugs and getting flowers planted,” she said. “And then we move into vegetables and things that kind of pop out of the ground a little quicker.”

The students have input into what kind of plants they grow, with assistance from Hamilton County Master Gardner Program volunteers, who give advice on what to plant — and what not to plant — and help manage the class.

Also getting her hands dirty in the greenhouse is Sylvia Shepler, an advanced master gardener from that program. She’s one of a handful of volunteers who help with the horticulture class.

“(We help with) whether it’s stem-cutting root cuttings, just planting seeds, the correct soil, (or) making sure that it is watered properly,” Shepler said. “And as we go along through the semester, we just assist the teacher and give some counsel, some advice, suggestions, because it’s her class. We don’t want to take over.”

All that work leads up to a big plant sale, with proceeds going back into the school’s agriculture program expenses. They use them to buy plants and seeds each year, but the program also gets cuttings and plants donated by gardeners in the community, usually right before the first frost in the fall.

“They bring them in the greenhouse, and we can keep them alive all winter,” Mills said. “And then once those plants grow, we can separate them and do cuttings on them. And then we get an abundance of extra plants that we actually get for free because of those donations.”

Junior Allison Giganti was one of the students working in the greenhouse during a recent class. She said she’s learned a lot about plant structure: Their roots, their leaves, etc. — basically how plants work. Giganti said growing plants from a cutting is an interesting method of propagation that she learned, and they recently had a class about hydroponics.

“Which is a system in which you’re able to grow plants through water,” she said. “And in that system, typically

you don’t use soil. You just use water in different growing substrates, which will allow the plant to grow without soil. So, there has been some research on that. I think they’ve been looking for different ways to make it more efficient and different ways to kind of utilize that technology in the future to make agriculture more productive.”

Giganti said she enjoys working and learning in the greenhouse.

“This class, it’s probably one of my favorite classes because I like being in nature, you know?” she said.

Giganti said she likes growing zucchini and squash, and her favorite flowers are canna lillies because of their tropical look.

Student Ami Howser said she particularly likes the elephant ear plant, which is basically a long stem with one large leaf at the top. She said she enjoys the variety experienced in the horticulture class — it’s not the same thing every day.

“Sure, we might plant every day, but it’s different plants,” she said. “They all need different things to help them thrive. It’s just fun learning about them. And then just like seeing them grow, because you start with a little seed, and eventually you’re just like, “Oh, wow, that one’s pink and that one’s red.’”

Mills said the greenhouse was built more than 20 years ago, and the agriculture department is connected to the school’s FFA chapter, which has about 130 student members. Mills is also the school’s FFA advisor.

“I would say we have seven or eight (FFA members) that actually come directly from agriculture, which is really

unique because not a lot of schools in the state of Indiana are like that,” she said. “But agriculture is so diverse. And they kind of get to see (that) agriculture is not just for like a certain demographic, it can be for anyone.”

PLANTS FOR SALE

Hamilton Southeast High School students in the horticulture program have been growing and caring for hundreds of plants all semester in preparation for their annual plant sale.

The sale is set for 3 to 5 p.m. May 3, 4 and 5. People interested in buying plants in support of the school’s agriculture programs can park in front of the greenhouse, located on the north side of the school off 126th Street.

Plants available for purchase will include a variety of annuals and perennials, vegetables, herbs, succulents, and hanging baskets for indoors and outdoors.

Teacher Caroline Mills said prices range from $3 to $10 for individual plants, and up to $30 for hanging baskets.

Students will be on hand to help load purchased plants into vehicles.

ON THE COVER: Seniors Sydney Chapman and Natalie Dunn work in the Hamilton Southeastern High School greenhouse. (Photo by Adam Seif)

From left, sophomore Clare Davidson, senior Camryn Bowen, and junior Tristan Ice are part of the HSE horticulture class . (Photos by Adam Seif)

Senior Bianca Lorenzo plants cuttings in the HSE greenhouse

BUSINESS LOCAL

New restaurant specializes in Hispanic dishes

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

Isaac Garcia has been involved with professional cooking since moving to the United States from Mexico more than a decade ago. After working with American food for 14 years, he has opened a restaurant of his own with family members

DINING OUT

Omar Sampayo, Claudia Arellano, Hila Arellano and Manuel Arellano.

Garcia, a Fishers resident, opened the family-owned restaurant Terramar Mariscos y Carnes on Jan 2. The business at 8143 Pendleton Pike in Lawrence has separated itself from similar restaurants by offering Hispanic seafood dishes and steak.

Daniela Sampayo, Garcia’s niece and general manager of the restaurant, said she and her family moved from Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico, in 2009. They have created culturally blended recipes not commonly found in traditional American restaurants.

“It’s going to be Hispanic seafood,” she said. “It’s seafood from a little bit of everywhere. It’s not just down to Mexican seafood, but rather Hispanic.”

For first-time customers looking to try a Hispanic seafood dish, Sampayo recommends the filled coconut — a coconut stuffed with cold seafood such as octopus and shrimp. Mango and salsa, along with chili and cucumber, are in the dish as well.

Seafood dishes are made with “100 percent authentic meat from the sea,” according to the restaurant’s website.

For customers looking for a land-based dish, the restaurant specializes in steak

dinners as well. Sampayo recommends the 3-pound tomahawk, a steak with mushrooms and onions on top, served with vegetables, a salad and rice. Customers have alternative side options as well.

The Terramar Mariscos y Carnes operates Monday through Sunday, opening at 11 a.m. with varying closing times. Menu options can be explored at terramarmariscosycarnes.com.

DISPATCHES

ESKENAZI HEALTH FOUNDATION IS GRATEFUL TO William and Moriag

McCarthy

Family 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.

eskenazihealthfoundation.org

Residents warned of jury duty scam — The Hamilton County Courts is warning residents about a jury duty scam that has conned dozens of people out of thousands of dollars. According to the announcement, scammers call residents and tell them they missed jury duty and have to pay a fine. Victims have reportedly lost money through gift cards and mobile payments. If someone gets one of these calls, the court recommends hanging up and calling 317-776-8589. According to the announcement, neither the courts nor the sheriff’s office will call and demand money over the phone. If someone does miss jury duty, the most likely reparation would be rescheduling that service for another time.

Health department gets new wellness vehicle — Hamilton County Health Department’s new wellness vehicle will allow the department to provide public health services outside of the brick-and-mortar location in Noblesville. In an announcement about the new van, Health Department Administrator Jason LeMaster said it will allow them to deliver health education and services such as immunizations and health checks at fairs, festivals and schools.

The 3-pound tomahawk is one of the menu items at the newly opened Terramar Mariscos y Carnes in Lawrence. (Photo Courtesy of Daniela Sampoya)

JRNY Counseling helps athletes in need

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville-based JRNY Counseling is doing its part to help athletes struggling with mental health.

reach out to get help.”

Short said the concierge line is great because it allows referrals for student-athletes to get help, too.

SPORTS

Hall of Fame Health, which was created by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020 to address health care issues for former players, approached JRNY Counseling in 2022 to discuss a partnership with an initiative on behavioral health.

JRNY, which is pronounced “journey,” is co-owned by Indianapolis resident Melanie Short and Noblesville resident Holly Homan. Short said Hall of Fame Health was looking for providers in areas where there are NFL teams. Short and Homan opened their business in June 2017.

“They were looking for providers to be able to provide services to people who call their concierge service,” Short said. “They want providers who are vetted in a network so that they know that they’re making referrals to people who would know how to treat the callers. The cool thing about it is that they actually have opened up the concierge line to anybody. It did start out with the initiative to help former NFL players, but it has turned into helping anybody in the general public, which is pretty cool.”

Short said professional athletes, especially men, don’t talk about mental health very much. Short said only recently have pro and college athletes come forward to discuss the mental health struggles they’ve had.

“Which has been huge because it’s allowed others to come forward or at least move forward in getting their own help,” Short said. “What they found is that people are struggling after retirement. People have trauma to their body. They have anxiety, substance abuse disorders, depression, all kinds of different mental health issues. Some of them have just gone unaddressed for years and years because they just didn’t

“We really would love to be able to help people sooner before they’ve struggled for years and years,” Short said.

Short said when athletes take care of their mental health, their performance is better.

“It really impacts somebody overall. Their body feels better, they’re able to have more clarity when they are engaging in their sport,” Short said. “It’s very much linked to better outcomes.”

Short said there is so much pressure to perform, even in grade school and high school, that it’s important to deal with any anxiety. The ability to turn that pressure into more of excitement feeling is key.

“When we’re in that space it is so much easier to be able to perform athletically and very well,” Short said.

Short said initiatives such as the Indianapolis Colts’ Kicking the Stigma of mental health issues help.

“It takes a person eight to 10 years to reach out for help,” Short said. “The No. 1 reason people wait so long after they’ve been suffering for eight to 10 years is stigma. They are worried about what their family is going to think, especially if they’re in the public eye. They are worried about what the public is going to think. A decade is a very long time to suffer in silence, so stigma has to be addressed.”

JNSY and Hickory House, a residential treatment program for substance abuse disorders in Greenfield, were the two Indianapolis-area centers Hall of Fame Health contacted.

“We have an intensive outpatient group program for substance use disorders, and we do a lot of individual counseling for a variety of mental health issues, whether it’s substance use disorders or trauma, anxiety, grief and loss,” Short said.

For more, visit jrnycounseling.com and hofhealth.com.

Short Homan

“The No. 1 reason people wait so long after they’ve been suffering for eight to 10 years is stigma.”

— MELANIE SHORT

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Taking stock of our lives

Commentary by Terry Anker

Stock prices go up and down based upon a panoply of factors, but a few variables are the most predictive. One, the company is earning more than others like it and there is a pipeline of opportunity that will keep the situation positive. Two, management accurately predicts how the enterprise will do quarter to quarter. When a business begins to underperform, these indicators will drive investor action. The first has a sluggish impact, often taking time for shareholders to recognize the market threat from new technologies or competition and sell off shares of companies experiencing a slow annual decline. But when the corporation misses quarterly earnings expectations, the market can respond harshly with swift authority. It seems that disappointment is more disturbing than the long, hard road to irrelevance. We might find value in imagining the investments we make in our relationships through a similar lens. Take school reunions, for example. We’ve made the investment in these people. Maybe we’ve kept up

and reaped something from the time spent concurrently. So, getting together seems unnecessary. Perhaps we’ve ignored them all since graduation. We’ve fully depreciated all that we once had there. Somewhere between too soon and too far, and there might be some value in reconnecting.

Depending on how we perceive our past and present, we might believe that our stock has gone up. Life, career, family, whatever the metric, has increased. Or it could be that we have begun that inevitable decline into old age and infirmity. At the launch of our productive lives, don’t we all have about the same origin point? What we do is much up to us and to circumstance. But as others see us, what do they observe? How did we hold up? Did our lives beat market expectations, or did we underdeliver on our potential?

Yes to Japan, hard pass on eel

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Friends, I have recently returned from Japan! The trip was part of a 2021 grant to study World War II that I could take only now thanks to dumb COVID-19. I was super excited for the history and culture parts but also anxious about the long flight (I don’t sleep on planes) and potential food situation (I don’t do raw fish). Obviously, your gal rose above. Here’s what happened.

the amazing opportunity I’d been given, I stuffed the complaints and caught up on all the Oscar-nominated films I’d missed except for “The Whale” because there’s no crying on airplanes.

HUMOR

The Chicago-Tokyo leg was rough, I won’t lie. For starters, my husband Doo tagged along because he suffers from severe FOMO anytime anyone goes anywhere without him, and since he’s over 6-foot tall, he took the aisle seat. This meant I was relegated to the middle for 13 excruciating hours, both directions. I couldn’t stay comfortable or use the bathroom sans two minutes of decamping. Even worse, I had to have the gross chicken as Economy Row 56 means the pasta primavera is no longer available. But, recognizing

But, recognizing the amazing opportunity I’d been given, I stuffed the complaints and caught up on all the Oscar-nominated films I’d missed except for “The Whale” because there’s no crying on airplanes.

– DANIELLE WILSON

The culinary scene proved much better. Most places offered a variety of East Asian dishes, including noodles, dumplings and fried stuff, so I never went hungry. And when we finally stumbled upon Doo’s most magical of magical eateries — a tiny, 10seat hole-in-the-wall sushi joint that served whatever the catch of the day was — I did just fine with rice and soup. Apparently, I do like Japanese food!

Although I still abhor long flights and would hard pass on eel sashimi, I’d go back to Japan in a heartbeat. Peace out.

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

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

Game on — or is it?

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

I have been lecturing my adult son about playing so many video games. I don’t think he was listening, so next time I’ll wait until he takes his headset off.

HUMOR

I told him what a waste of time video games are, and how little you benefit intellectually. Plus, it involves absolutely no exercise. I was going to tell him all that, but I played golf all that day because carts were half price.

I have an addiction, as well. Not to golf, not to nicotine, not to prescription drugs, not to Uncle Ralph’s Hard Lemonade -- not even to pickleball (but I am getting close on this one).

I am addicted to Scrabble.

Not Words with Friends. I don’t like that game. It involves friends, which is exactly what I am trying to avoid when I seclude myself in the basement every night for an hour. I also don’t mean the board game that is up in your hall closet wedged between your winter galoshes and the Monopoly game. And I also don’t mean the Scrabble game that you flung in your basement crawl space because you’re missing a J and a V.

I’m addicted to the type of Scrabble that I downloaded on my computer. Oh, it’s the same concept, but in this case, you are playing Noah Webster and someone I assume is his obsessive-compulsive sister, Merriam.

Good luck.

In this game, you can control the difficulty, but with a degree in English, I’ll be

darned if I’ll compete as a novice or beginner. Instead, I check off expert, at which point the computer runs a program that has beaten all but 200 Scrabble players in America. I wonder who these people are and if their wives and children would like them to come up from the basement occasionally to shower.

I realize I’m in over my head. Just before writing this column, I was trounced by the computer. Here were some of the words that beat me: promial, zootier, hewable, zlote, schalene. Every time I make a word that’s worth more than 30 points, a nerdy little figure pops up on the screen and seduces me with adulation: GREAT JOB! EXCELLENT MOVE!

I’m a sucker for this because my 43rd wedding anniversary is coming up and I’ve only heard GREAT JOB maybe six times during our marriage. I can’t remember ever hearing EXCELLENT MOVE! And I’m counting our honeymoon.

My son has become concerned about my obsession. He promised me the other day that if I gave up Scrabble, he’d cut down on his video game playing.

“Just say the word, Dad,” he told me. “Just say the word and video games are history.”

The question is: What is the word? And how many points will I get?

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’m addicted to the type of Scrabble that I downloaded on my computer. Oh, it’s the same concept, but in this case, you are playing Noah Webster and someone I assume is his obsessive-compulsive sister, Merriam.

– DANIELLE WILSON

CHS grad gets dream role in ‘The Sound of Music’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Renée La Schiazza figures she started watching “The Sound of Music” on VHS tape when she was about 2 years old.

MUSICAL

The 2012 Carmel High School graduate will play Maria in Civic Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music,” which runs April 28 to May 13 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“This is my favorite musical of all time,” she said. “It’s a dream role. It introduced me to musical theater and the arts.”

La Schiazza played a nun in the musical as a Clay Middle School sixth-grader.

This is the Carmel resident’s first production with Civic Theatre. It is her first performance since joining the Great American Songbook Foundation staff in February 2018. She is now the director of programs. She was a 2012 Songbook Academy participant and intern with the organization in 2013.

“Like anything, there are some challenges to overcome, but it’s really just a joy to be back in the process and back in the rehearsal room and to be inspired by ev-

eryone else in the cast,” she said.

Carmel resident Kirsten Gunlogson portrays Mother Abbess in her first role with Civic Theatre. She has performed in Rodgers and Hammerstein productions, such as “The King and I” and “Oklahoma.”

“Being new to Civic and being asked to do a show with them, I could not ask for a better production to be involved in,” said Gunlogson, who is an Indiana University graduate. “Most of my younger years I was performing operatic literature and concert music. I did some operettas and some musicial theater. I moved away from Indiana for a long time and moved back here in 2015.”

Gunlogson, a Butler University professor of voice, has performed some concerts and chamber music in the Indianapolis area. She also performs in a chamber trio, which does concerts throughout the U.S.

“It’s wonderful to get to know this company and to learn about the staff and administration,” Gunlogson said. “It’s a wonderful sense of community here. Of course, my favorite part is, I get to work with my daughter. That’s a huge treat for me as well.”

Her daughter Katherine LeFan, a 9-yearold West Clay Elementary third-grader,

plays Marta. This is LeFan’s favorite musical as well.

“It’s kind of what got me into theater,” LeFan said. “It’s a really awesome musical. I really like ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and ‘Climb Every Mountain.’”

Clay Middle School sixth-grader Addie Giesting, who plays Brigitta, said her favorite song is “The Lonely Goatherd” that they sing with Maria.

“My favorite part is I get to lay back on the bed and conduct that part,” the 12-year-old Giesting said.

“The Sound of Music” is one of the first musicals Giesting ever saw.

“My grandma is a big ‘Sound of Music’ fan and travels all across the country to see the show,” Giesting said. “It’s really special to have me in it. She is going to come all the way from Minnesota to see it.”

Giesting performed in Junior Civic’s production of “Frozen Jr” in 2021.

For more, civictheatre.org.

currentnightandday.com

‘AN AMERICAN IN PARIS’

“An American in Paris” runs through May 14 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

THE WALLFLOWERS

The Wallflowers will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 26 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘TRUE WEST’

Carmel Community Players’ production of “True West” will run through April 30 at Ivy Tech Hamilton County in Noblesville. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

‘MR. CONFIDENTIAL’

Actors Theatre of Indiana’s world premiere of “Mr. Confidential” is set for April 28 through May 14 at the Studio Theater at at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.

‘THE SOUND OF MUSIC’

Civic Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music” is set to run from April 28 through May 13 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

AMANDA MCBROOM

Amanda McBroom will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 28 and Alexandra Silber at 7:30 p.m. April 29 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘GET HAPPY’

“Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial” at 8 p.m. April 29 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘Crimes of the Heart’ set for Theater at the Fort — The Belfry Theatre’s production of “Crimes of the Heart,” a comedy by Beth Henley, will run from April 28 to May 7 at Arts for Lawrence’s Theater at the Fort. The cast includes Brook Hackman and Mickey Masterson from Carmel and Sarah Eberhardt and Ka’Lena Cuevas from Fishers. Others in the cast include Becca Bartle from Westfield and Tanner Brunson from Noblesville.

LeFan

Giesting

From left, Keegan Connor as Louisa, Renée La Schiazza as Maria, Greta Schaefer as Gretl in a rehearsal scene. (Photo courtesy of Joshua Hasty Photography)

is set for tribute to Judy Garland

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For the Center for Performing Arts Artistic Director Michael Feinstein, the annual spring concert at the Palladium in Carmel will be personal for him.

CONCERT

The concert, set for 8 p.m. April 29, will feature Feinstein’s “Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial.”

Feinstein answered questions from Current about how the series of Garland performances developed.

How special was it to put together this show considering your long friendship with Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli?

“Putting together this Garland Centennial tribute was no small feat. I felt the weight of her legend through the entire experience and longed to create something that would celebrate her in a way that she would want to be remembered and also to please her family. Liza was the person who suggested that I put together this concert as I didn’t feel I had the gravitas to properly pay tribute to Judy Garland. But she encouraged me by pointing out a number of things, one of which is that being a male that would remove some of the comparisons that would inevitably happen with a woman singing Judy Garland songs.

“Also, she pointed out that I have a very balanced perspective about her mother, and by that I mean that I understood this is a concert that should be celebratory of Judy Garland and focus on her art and the reason that she became famous and eventually a legend. It’s unseemly to focus on the tabloid aspects of anyone’s life because it’s really beside the point. It is the extraordinary experience that people still feel when they listen to a recording by Judy Garland or see one of her films or one of her videos from her television series that still can galvanize all these years after her passing.

“I wanted to explore her history, and it turned out better than I could have possibly imagined in my wildest dreams.”

Was celebrating her 100th birthday in 2021 the first time you devoted an entire show to Garland?

“The first time I did an entire show celebrating Judy Garland was, I think, 2016, which I did with special appearances by Liza and (Garland’s daughter) Lorna (Luft) in

San Francisco at Feinstein’s at the Nikko, my club in that city. Prior to that, I don’t believe I had ever sung a tribute concert to Judy Garland, even though I had conducted a symphony tribute to Judy in Pasadena with the Pasadena Pops.”

Do you have a favorite portion of the concert?

“I think my favorite moment in the concert is when I accompany Judy Garland singing a song that is taken from a home recording that I discovered in a house that she once lived in and I tell the story in the show. It’s quite amazing that this recording turned up so many years after her passing and was one that she recorded when she was only 19 years old. The other funny thing about it is that the recording is a cappella without any accompaniment, so she sings the melody of the song solo, so it created the opportunity for me to accompany her. The song that she sings is ‘I’ll Be Seeing You,’ and it’s a song that she never, ever sang publicly. And so, it’s a world premiere and quite a thrill.”

Was it cool to perform the Garland concert at Carnegie Hall, the site of her famous 1961 concert?

“The response of the audience was particularly resonant that night. They were really going crazy, and the way they applauded after every number, I think it’s because everybody was excited. To think that she had actually performed at Carnegie Hall all those years before and there we were in the same place where she sang many of the songs that I sang, albeit in different arrangements, (was special). It was a joy, and it will remain one of my most happy experiences for the rest of my life.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Michael Feinstein will perform a tribute to Judy Garland at the Palladium. (Photo courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

NIGHT & DAY

Red Barn to present 3 comedies

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

It will be another summer of laughs with the three scheduled shows at Red Barn Summer Theatre.

PERFORMANCES

“They’re very light. It’s a nice summer selection, and even though they are all comedies, they’re all very different,” Red Barn Theatre Artistic Director Michael Taylor said. “They’re different kinds of comedy. Coming to the show you will see three very different kinds of performances.”

The first show is the English comedy “See How They Run” (June 7-18); the second show is “Boeing Boeing” (June 21-July 1); and the musical will be “Curtains, A Musical Comedy Whodunit” (July 6-16). Performances run Wednesdays through Sundays at the Red Barn Theatre in Frankfort.

Taylor will direct “Boeing Boeing” and “Curtains.”

Taylor, who has been with the company for 25 years, said Red Barn performed “Boeing Boeing” several years ago.

“Since then, the script has been updated,” Taylor said. “It was revised on Broadway, so we’re doing the new Broadway revival version.”

A French farce, “Boeing Boeing” takes place in a 1960s apartment in Paris rented by a swinging American architect, Bernard. He is engaged to three women who he only keeps apart because they are all flight attendants for different airlines. When Bernard’s tight schedule is disrupted, his juggling act turns frantic — and then disastrous.

“See How They Run” tells the rollicking tale of a conservative English bishop whose sedate home is turned upside down by the outlandish actions of an American actor and actress, four men disguised as clergymen and an old maid who has touched alcohol for the first time.

“Curtains” is set in 1959 in the Colonial Theatre in Boston. On opening night, the lead actress falls dead and a fast-talking cop, who just happens to be a musical theater aficionado, is sent to investigate.

Season and single tickets can be purchased at redbarntheatre.net starting May 8.

Farrell relishes role in premiere

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Actors Theatre of Indiana co-founder Don Farrell knows there is a responsibility in portraying a real-life person.

Farrell will play the role of Bob Harrison, who created Confidential magazine, in the world premiere of “Mr. Confidential,” which starts April 28 and runs through May 14 in the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“It’s a pretty hefty role,” Farrell said. “‘I’ve got a lot of woodshedding to do to get this on to my gray matter, but the music is so much fun. The lyrics are fun, and the story is fun. To be able to roll up my sleeves and start delving into it, it’s really going to be great. I think as an actor, roles that are complex are more interesting. The human condition itself is interesting. We’re all three-dimensional beings and with a lot of history and life experience.”

Farrell said he wants to give heart to his portrayal.

“On the surface, when you read, you might think this might not be the best guy in the world,” Farrell said.

However, Farrell said Harrison built a very successful magazine and provided work for others.

“He was an amazing, interesting guy, and I’m excited to bring him to life on the Studio Theater stage,” he said. “There is a responsibility to not paint them as a two-dimensional character. You want to see all the sides of this person. It’s exciting to find stuff that might not be on the page, but in the rehearsal process you are able to explore.”

Since the reading, Farrell said the production team has written some new scenes, added songs and adapted songs,

“(The audience) are going to get all the songs they originally fell in love with, and they are going to get even more in this world premiere,” he said.

Farrell said ATI has created new works before but nothing to this magniture in its 18-year history.

For more, visit atistage.org.

MUSICAL

Taylor Farrell

Soprano embraces new role

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Soprano Anne Fuchs is quite familiar with “The Magic Flute.”

OPERA

“I used to sing the role of Papageno in Germany in this opera, so it’s very near to my heart,” Fuchs said. “In the German opera system, you sort of perform a role for a year or two. You’ll just do it again and again and again. So, it’s one of those operas that I know inside and out and deeply, deeply love.”

The Indianapolis resident will play the role of the First Lady in Indianapolis Opera’s production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” May 5-7 at The Toby Theater at Newfields in Indianapolis.

This is Fuchs’ first performance on the main stage with Indianapolis Opera. She had performed in outreach concerts in the community with the company.

Fuchs, 37, lived in Germany for 2 1/2 years, leaving in 2015.

“This was my first role in Germany, and I had to do all the dialogue within the first

two weeks of setting foot there,” she said. “It’s kind of a crazy story. The manager of a theater asked, ‘Do you know the role of Papageno?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Great, you go on in two days.’ The only problem was I didn’t know the role. I just knew it was my chance. So, I drove myself crazy over the next 48 hours just learning that role, which is kind of a hard thing to do. I don’t know if Anne in her 30s could now pull that off, but in my 20s I could. I got it together and had to also learn the German dialogue and speak it convincingly and with a good German accent.”

The First Lady is one of the three ladies in service of the evil Queen of the Night.

“This opera is just so incredible because it’s basically about this duality of good and evil,” Fuchs said. “The bad guys seem like good guys, and then the good guys seem like bad guys. It’s just confusing knowing which is which.”

Fuchs also played the role of Pamina in a production in the U.S.

“She is a delightful character as well,” Fuchs said. “She’s pure of heart.”

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Farm beefs up operations

Commentary by Mark LaFay

Indiana may be known to be a pork-producing state, but there is quite a bit of great beef to be found in the Crossroads of America. Look no farther than Howell Farms in Middletown in rural Delaware County.

The Howell family has been farming the amber waves of grain for nearly 50 years. Their primary focus is corn, soy, wheat, barley and tomatoes, and now with a touch of beef!

Siblings Adam and Aaron Howell took up the family mantle to become the second generation in the Howell family to farm the Indiana countryside. The brothers are also the driving force behind the farm’s relatively new grass-fed beef program.

“We want to be good stewards of the family business and the land that it is based on,” Adam said. “By combining vegetable and grain production, cover cropping and then rotational livestock grazing, we can improve soil health.”

Ultimately, soil health drives the quality of the products they produce.

At present, the Howell’s have 22 head

of cattle that rotate across different pastures each day. The cattle is 100 percent grass-fed and the beef is processed under USDA inspection. Customers can shop their assortment of beef products online at Farmersprovisions.com. The website provides all the current offerings as well as plenty of information about the Howell family, the farm and the beef operation.

Customers are encouraged to shop the beef assortments by the box. Free shipping to 26 states is offered with the purchase of any assortment box. Customers can also shop by the cut and build their own box to have shipped. All current and future shipping destinations can be found on the website.

Customers can expect their product to arrive cold and safe to be put back into the freezer or thawed out to cook immediately. For more, visit farmersprovisions.com.

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

Fuchs

Did I hear that correctly?

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

I’ve written before about mondegreens — music lyrics people mishear. Many of you mistake Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” line as “Hold me closer, Tony Danza.”

GRAMMAR GUY

Today’s column is along those lines.

Now that you’re refreshed on mondegreens, I’m sure you’re also aware of homophones, two or more words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Examples include peace/piece and whole/hole.

A visit to Masada National Park

Commentary by Don Knebel

or sentences that sound the same but are spelled differently. The difference between oronyms and homophones is that oronyms almost always cause confusion and lead to misunderstandings. Let’s get into some examples, shall we?

When it comes to my 9-year-old son, he has seasonal spring allergies, and he fancies himself an expert on many subjects. I could rightly say, “You’ll be amazed by the stuffy nose.” However, if I want to declare him a harbinger of facts, I could also say, “You’ll be amazed by the stuff he knows.” The two sentences are true, and they sound identical. But their meanings are different.

Here are two similar-sounding sentences that have incredibly different meanings. Consider “The drunk man fell into oblivion.” Now think about “The drunk man fell into a Bolivian.”

TRAVEL

Today, in our continuing visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Masada National Park in Israel, about 45 miles south of Jericho.

During his reign as king of Judea from about 36 B.C. to 4 B.C., Herod the Great was a prodigious builder. The artificial harbor at Caesarea Maritima and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem were architectural wonders. But none of Herod’s many building projects have had the lasting influence of Masada, rising 1,300 feet above the Judean Desert. At the top of this rocky plateau, Herod built an elaborate city, complete with Roman baths, an underground reservoir holding 1 million gallons of water and a three-tier summer palace overlooking the Dead Sea. The only way up to the heavily fortified complex was along a narrow “snake path.”

In A.D. 66, Jewish revolutionaries captured Masada from the Romans. They and the families that joined them held out against a Roman siege until engineers built a ramp to the top and soldiers broke down the walls with a battering ram. Both the site of the Roman encampment and the remains of the ramp can still be seen from the snake path. According to Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, the entering Roman soldiers found all but seven of the 960 holdouts dead, killed by their own hands to avoid being taken alive.

Today, a metal plaque at Masada reads: “What of us? What is our Masada? How much of all this will we take with us, and how much of our own will we add?” For a time, members of the Israeli military walked up the snake path to be sworn in among the ruins, pledging that “Masada shall not

fall again.” Masada, now also reachable by cable car, is a powerful reminder of the indomitable Jewish spirit and the universal yearning of people to be free.

With these in mind, you’re all set for today’s topic, oronyms. This sounds like a term for different names of gold. In fact, oronym is a recently coined term by author Gyles Brandreth. Brandreth, who is famous for being a past European Monopoly champion and president of the Association of British Scrabble Player, is also a witty linguist. He came up with the term “oronym” in his 1980 book, “The Joy of Lex.”

Oronyms, which are also known as continunyms or sliceonyms, are phrases

Ruins of Masada 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.

Masada Reservoir in Masada National Park.

Model of Herrod’s Summer Palace in Masada National Park.

47. Board member

49. Tunes

51. Kinda

52. South American nation

55. Steinway products

59. Bypass

60. Madison Avenue park with a Lars Jonker sculpture

63. Tom Wood car type

64. Scent

65. Amber Indian Restaurant bread

66. Pacers’ three-pointers

67. Crafty website

68. Utters Down

1. Neutral shade

2. “Now hear ___!”

3. Church area

4. Mackey and Market Square, e.g.

5. Telephone pole sign words

6. Half of bi-

7. Eye part

8. Gestation sites

9. Acquiesce

28. Comic Carvey

30. Show the way, in a way 31. Low-budget prefix 32. Stair part 35. Bento Cafe cuisine 38. Indy park with “Ruins” 40. “Yes, captain!” 42. Timbuktu’s land 43. Hang on a clothesline

10. Indy park known for its Conservatory and Sunken Gardens

11. Curved molding 12. Aft

13. Upper limbs 18. Withdraw from a Hamilton County Court case

. Some Colts linemen

. Old-time messengers

. Glendale Body Shop jobs

. Numbskull

. Constitutional capital of 52-Across

6 Common Adjectives

4 States That Begin With “I”

3 Indiana Mikes

2 Women Astronauts

5 TV Networks

1 John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” Town

roots, stumps in and around chain link or wood fences. We also remove tree stumps that are protruding up onto sidewalks and around sidewalks. We grind them and/or remove. Please Call & Text at 816-778-4690. WILL MOW LAWNS WILL DO BOBCAT WORK

Painting inside or Outdoors Clean Gutters Property Clean Outs FULLY INSURED Text or Call Jay 574-398-2135 shidelerjay@gmail.com www.jayspersonalservices.com

VACATION PROPERTY RENTAL

Hondo’s Hideaway on beautiful, serene Bald Head Island, N.C., is a new-tomarket, exquisitely decorated 3 BR/2.5 BA in prime location. Close to beach, shopping, market and dining. Owner’s suite on first floor with ensuite bath, tile shower, dual sinks and two closets. Second floor has two bedrooms with Jack-and-Jill bath, each with private sink and tile tub/shower. Two four-passenger golf carts, bicycles and kayak. Spacious screened porch. Additional queen air bed will accommodate two additional guests. Temporary club memberships to both Shoals Club and BHI Lifestyle Club. Kitchen is fully equipped with top-of-line large and small appliances as well as every culinary necessity you would need to prepare the most elaborate meal.

Additional details and photos: https://www.bhiturtletimevacations. com/vacation-rentals/rental/6988/

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SHOP TO CALL HOME?

Integrity Automotive is looking for a full time automotive technician. In business for 28 years in downtown Carmel with a solid, happy customer base and a positive, goodnatured work environment.

The best candidate is a motivated, well-organized technician with at least three years hands on experience in automotive diagnosis, problem-solving and repair. Able to interpret and apply diagnostic/repair information from computerized databases and other sources. Also able communicate clearly and effectively with your supervisor, your fellow employees and, as needed, with customers. A complete job description is available with a request to frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net.

We offer competitive pay with a Monday through Friday work week and (after 90 days) up to four sick/personal days per year and paid holidays.

To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net

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

MATH TEACHER

A math teacher at Midwest Academy will be responsible for teaching all aspects of mathematics, including fundamental and introductory algebra skills, to Middle School and High School students in a progressive environment designed for children with learning differences.

This position is full time and compensation is commensurate with experience. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a child-centered mentality are essential to this position.

To apply please send your resume to careers@mymwa.org

HELP WANTED

Looking for an entry level employee to join our help desk.

Primary duties include inbound tech support calls and emails utilizing a project management, ticket tracking software. This is a part-time position, depending on experience and demand (15+ hours), in a flexible work environment.

Available shifts are mid-day 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. and evenings 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Please send resumes to info@theankerconsultinggroup.com

PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Adjectives: BAD, FIRST, GOOD, LAST, LONG, SHORT; Networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS; States: IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA; Mikes: EPPS, PENCE, WOODSON; Astronauts: JEMISON, RIDE; Town: SEYMOUR