November 22, 2022 — Fishers

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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XII, No. 43

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Shop Fishers returns for holiday season

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

The City of Fishers will conduct its annual Shop Fishers event beginning Nov. 26 and ending Dec. 31 for the holi day season.

BUSINESS

Seventy local businesses will offer sales throughout the citywide event — some only on Small Business Satur day Nov. 26 and others until Dec. 31. Fishers’ Assistant Director of Community and Public Relations Stephanie Perry said the event is one of her favorite city initiatives.

“The city has held this event each year for nearly 10 years,” Perry said. “It originated as Small Business Saturday, which was one day only. We only had 20 to 30 businesses participate, all in downtown Fishers. But now it’s grown to be so much larger.”

The growth of the event was obvious in 2021 when Shop Fishers had a record num ber of more than 80 businesses participate in the initiative.

From the Allisonville Road corridor to the far east side of the city, all Fishers busi nesses — no matter the type — are welcome to participate.

“We have restaurants, boutiques and even gyms that participate in the celebra tion,” Perry said. “Some have actual loca tions in Fishers, but some business owners operate out of Fishers’ homes to run their online businesses. We include those, too.”

Angela Castelli, owner of Roman and Leo at 8800 North St., Suite 115, the only all-boys boutique in the Midwest, said shopping small is an ideal way to financially support the community.

“We have employees who live in our community that work in our stores, and it’s just keeping that within our local economy,” Castelli said.

Perry said Shop Fishers helps bring the community together during the season of giving.

“It’s a great way to rally behind our neighbors for the holiday season,” she said. “And we wanted to ensure our residents were celebrating businesses throughout the season, so that’s why it ends on Dec. 31.”

As part of the larger Shop Fishers event, the city will also conduct Giving Tuesday Nov. 29. The event pairs businesses and lo cal nonprofits to foster mutually beneficial partnerships. Each nonprofit is vetted by the city and must show proof of supporting Fishers in some way.

“We pair businesses with nonprofits that

have a similar mission,” Perry said. “Some of the businesses include special sales like ‘10 percent of proceeds go to the nonprofit,’ while others host the nonprofit in their store for the day. It’s a fun way to dine or shop local while giving back to a nonprofit.”

Giving Tuesday was launched in 2021.

“We have a lot of local connections (to businesses), and we regularly meet with nonprofit partners, so when we were brain storming how best to help (local nonprofits),

we wanted to bring in community partners,” Perry said.

The city also has a summer edition, the Shop Fishers Summer Series, which is held in mid-July.

“This event is only one week long, but it’s great for supporting local businesses for back-to-school essentials,” Perry said.

For more about Shop Fishers events, visit ThisIsFishers.com/ShopFishers.

Children’s clothing boutique Roman and Leo gets ready for holiday shoppers. (Photo courtesy of Ro man and Leo.)

Picking up the pieces

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

Nearly two months after Hurricane Ian ravaged much of southwest Florida, parttime Naples, Fla., residents like Becky Farley and her hus band, Blaine, are still pick ing up the pieces.

I C O F I C O F

HURRICANE IAN

Becky, a Fishers native and Realtor licensed in Indi ana and Florida, described the devastation she has seen throughout south west Florida. The worst she’s seen during her 20 years in Florida.

“The closer you are to the water in Naples, you see more devastation,” she said. “But what’s surreal is that the beaches are still beautiful. However, the ocean is still off lim its for safety reasons, from dislodged appli ances, knives, you name it, that were swept from people’s homes. Luckily, my condo was unaffected as we’re on the fourth floor. But the building and grounds have been compro mised. They’re still under repair.”

The part that struck Farley the most was how everything seemed normal when they drove to their Naples home from Fishers. Then, with the help of their friends, she and her husband got to work moving their be longings onto the lawn of their single-family home. The Farleys are still in Florida dealing with the storm’s aftermath.

“When I drove down the street to my house, it looked like nothing happened,” Becky said. “The trees looked normal. No one had removed their belongings yet. But when you enter the home, furniture is stacked against the wall where the water receded. You have to move your things to the front lawn in a junk pile. Neighbors start to do the same thing. So, everyone’s lawn has a pile of personal items in their front yard. That’s when it really hit me.”

Becky is concerned about the impact the devastation will have on tourist season.

“The next couple of months will tell a lot about how the overall recovery will look as we get our places ready for the in-season starting in January,” she said. “It’s unknown when people can come back to the buildings and enjoy the amenities, yet.”

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HSE board elects new director

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

The Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees voted Nov. 9 to approve Steve Loser as Direc tor of K-12 Initiatives.

SCHOOLS

The position will be funded through an Indiana Dept. of Education Explore, Engage, and Ex perience (3E) Grant.

Loser will oversee the implemen tation of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate, a community project that highlights the responsibilities and goals of public schools in a community as well as the traits and skills that students will need the most to be successful in adult life. The district submits the Portrait of a Graduate to its Board of Education, which is then in corporated into the district’s strategic plan for education in the schools.

Loser has been the assistant principal at Fishers High School since 2014, but will transition into his role as K-12 director in the coming weeks. In his role as assistant principal, he supported community-based

enrichment experiences for students, such as Launch Fishers High School Fellowship and Fishers Mayor’s Youth Academy.

“Mr. Loser is an experienced leader who is focused on building relationships, develop ing strategies and delivering results that will ensure our students have what they need to pursue their fu ture goals when they graduate from Hamilton Southeastern Schools,” HSE Schools Supt. Yvonne Stokes said.

The IDOE awarded the 3E grant to 97 schools and community part ners across the state. The funding will be used to increase student participation in work-based learning and earning high-value credentials while in school.

“I have always had a single focus and professional drive to shock the world with what young people can do,” Loser said. “I am excited to use my skills to bring the school community together to create a common vision of student learning and achievement.”

Loser will begin working in his new role immediately.

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Council approves bonds for Andretti headquarters

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

The Fishers City Council met Nov. 14 and approved $23 million in bonds for the new Andretti Global corpo ration headquarters and museum.

DEVELOPMENT

The issuance of the bonds was unani mously approved by the council. The $200 million project is now officially underway. Construction will begin as soon as possible, with the goal of the facility being operation al by 2025.

“Indiana holds an important place in the history of racing, and in my career as a driv er and an owner, I’m happy to confirm that the Racing Capital of the World will continue to be the home of our global racing efforts for a long time to come,” Andretti Global Chairman/CEO Michael Andretti stated. “We’re excited about our plans for the new campus and looking forward to becoming a part of the Fishers community.”

The first discussion for the 575,000-square-foot facility was held Sept. 19, when the council unanimously approved the project agreement.

Director of Community and Economic Development Megan Baumgartner said the facility will be built on 90 acres near the Nickel Plate Trail, Ritchey Woods Nature Pre serve and Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport.

According to Andretti Autosport, the fa cility plans to serve as the headquarters of Andretti’s global commercial functions and the base of operations for the team’s NTT In dyCar Series, Indy Lights and IMSA programs and other future racing initiatives.

Besides housing day-to-day operations for the racing team, the building will be home to the advanced research and de velopment of Andretti Technologies. The collaborative campus will feature modern technologies and plans to create 500 new jobs for the area by 2026.

Rendering of the future Andretti Global headquarters. (Rendering courtesy of Andretti Autosports)

Fishers software company integrates with Zoom

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

In September, Fishers-based Docket Inc., a meeting management software company, completed its indepen dent operation and now prepares to integrate with Zoom. Launched in 2019, the company’s co-founder and CEO Darin Brown announced the move Nov. 9.

the Docket team has officially joined Zoom,” Brown stated. “This is just the beginning for us, as we intend to bring our full vision that was Dock et to Zoom.”

tionally provide scheduling, reminders and transcriptions for virtual meetings, according to the company.

BUSINESS

“I’m incredibly excited to announce that

Docket’s meeting management software allows users to collabo rate online by creating and sharing documents, taking notes, searching previous meeting documents and more from a single platform. The software will integrate with Zoom as an app to addi

Although the Docket CEO did not include details such as a timeline for the transition, Zoom released a statement on Brown’s behalf: “The Docket team is thrilled to team with Zoom to continue our focus on meeting efficiency. Over the past four years, we’ve helped tens of thousands of customers have more produc

tive meetings and improve their speed of execution. Our joining Zoom is the natural next step in our evolution, and we’re excit ed about the journey.”

The Docket’s staff of less than 10 people were hired by Zoom.

In May 2020, Docket won Zoom’s “Whale Watch” App Marketplace Competition. The achievement led to a $1.25 million venture investment in the company from firms Se quoia Capital, Emergence Capital, Horizons Ventures and Maven Ventures.

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Guerin Catholic receiver has memorable season

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Guerin Catholic High School senior wide receiver Will Fremion has had a mood swing.

“I’ve always been full on baseball and this season changed it all,” Fremion said. “I’m a lot more focused on foot ball now.”

Fremion had 61 catch es for 1,103 yards and 11 touchdowns for Guerin Catholic (7-5), which lost to Bishop Chatard 49-13 Nov. 4 in the Class 3A Sectional 28 final.

“We were pumped for the year, working all offseason with team bonding stuff,” Fremion said. “We knew we had something special.”

The Carmel resident who had 24 catches as a junior, said he had a huge connection with junior quarterback Ryan Zimmerman during the preseason jamboree.

“Zimmerman and I had a great three (regular) games,” he said. “I think going into Week 4, he was leading the state in passing

MEET WILL FREMION

Favorite athlete: Justin Jefferson

Favorite TV show: “The Office”

Favorite subjects: English litera ture or business management

yards and I was leading in receiving yards. I thought it was funny but really cool.”

Zimmerman was injured in the fourth game and missed the rest of the season.

“Seeing him go down against Brebeuf Je suit was the toughest thing that happened all season,” Fremion said. “What he and I did in those first three games was incredible. I’m never going to forget those. Even on my

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highlight film, half the plays are with him, which I think is hilarious because it’s just three games.”

Fremion said he had confidence in soph omore Malcolm Houze, who became the starter. After a tough two games, Houze was able to turn things around in a 31-30 loss to Chatard in the regular season.

“This year was remarkable,” Fremion said. “From the seniors to the young guys, this was by far my favorite season of all time.”

Fremion said he made the most im provement in speed and strength.

“I got a lot bigger in the offseason and definitely faster than I was the year be fore,” he said.

Fremion gave up basketball after his sophomore season.

“I’ve always taken baseball the most seriously because we come from a base ball family,” Fremion said.

Fremion, a center fielder, hit .330 with 19 runs batted in for Guerin last season.

His older brother, Grant, plays baseball for Saint Louis University.

Fremion is considering playing football or baseball in college.

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Guerin Catholic receiver Will Fremion had 61 catches this past season. (Photo courtesy of Will Fremion)

Fremion

‘Elam Ending’ changes basketball

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

Fishers native Nick Elam is working to revolutionize the game of basketball with his relatively new end-of-game rule, the Elam Ending.

SPORTS

First used in The Basket ball Tournament of 2017, The Elam Ending gained popularity when used in the same tournament on Aug. 2 in Dayton, Ohio. The tournament features 64-teams competing for a $1 million grand prize. The rule was also applied in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland on Feb. 20. The rule paved the way for LeBron James to hit the game-win ning shot against the opposing team head ed by Kevin Durant.

Under the rule, the game clock is turned off in the fourth quarter, and teams must hit a target score to win. The target score is set by adding eight points to the leading team’s total. For example, if the score is 100-90, the target score would be 108.

Elam, who now lives in the Irvington area of Indianapolis, grew up playing basketball until around the fifth grade. The avid basket ball fan drew inspiration for the Elam Ending after noticing how the quality of basketball deteriorated toward the end of games.

“I noticed that the clock had an overbear ing effect on style of play,” said Elam, an assistant professor of education leadership at Ball State University. “The lead team would deliberately stall, or play would be come sloppy with rushed possessions by the trailing team. All these game-ruining phenomena surrounded the clock.”

Elam, who still visits Fishers on occasion to assist high school students through his tutoring service, looks forward to how his rule might change the future of basketball “at every league and level.”

Anthony Davis and Nick Elam pause after Davis hit the game-winning shot for Team LeBron at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. (Photo courtesy of Nick Elam)

Lawrence wins award for Fort Ben initiatives

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

won in the greater-than-50,000 population category.

RECOGNITION

On Nov. 3, the City of Lawrence was awarded the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities Community Placemak ing Award, or AIM, for Operation Fort Ben. The city was honored during the 46th annual Awards Luncheon presented by Bak er Tilly Municipal Advisors during the 2022 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick. Lawrence

Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier credited the award to organizations in the community that made the redevelopment of Fort Ben possible.

“The city is honored to receive this place making award, but of course, it does not happen without the help of many,” Collier said. “Through strong partnerships with the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority, Arts for Law rence, the Parks and Recreation Board and

our entire community, Lawrence continues to be reimagined into a great place to live, work and play.”

Lawrence Deputy Mayor Dave Hofmann agreed that the Fort Benjamin Harrison Reuse Authority played a large part in Law rence receiving the award.

“The award event highlighted hundreds of municipal leaders from all over the state,” Hofmann said. “(It) was awarded for the transformation and redevelopment of decommissioned Fort Ben. The Fort was

described as ‘vibrant and centrally located.’ All this is thanks to the Fort Ben Reuse Authority.”

The Aim Annual Awards program rec ognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A seven-member panel of judges selected this year’s winners from a field of nominees from across the state. The judges looked at how far Fort Ben has come since being decommissioned.

Fishers company releases custom products for holidays

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

On Nov. 14, the Fishers-based company spokenote announced the launch of three new products that allow us ers to add personalized vid eos to holiday-themed items. The products are “To-From” sticker labels, die-cut package tags and greeting cards.

“We have seen continued popularity of our first product, spokenote stickers, and decided to add an innovative twist to traditional greeting products in time for the holiday season,” spokenote founder/ CEO John Wechsler said. “Our hope is that special memories are made with personal videos shared on the holiday labels, tags and cards.”

All products include pre-designed hol iday-themed artwork and the standard spokenote code that users can pair with a recorded or uploaded video. Scanned spoke note codes instantly add video messages to anything. No additional apps or downloads are needed. When the code and video are paired, anyone who scans the code can view and share the video.

The spokenote company develops technology that improves how people communicate, providing tools for human expression and communication via digital

Example of spokenote’s “To-From” sticker labels.

Conner Prairie celebrates Native American Heritage Month

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

As part of Conner Prairie’s “Curious Conversations” series for Native American History month, the living history museum in Fishers presented an online webinar Nov. 10 about the rich culture of the Native Ameri can Lenape, or Delaware, people.

Curator of Native American History & Life at Conner Prairie Sara Schumacher hosted a webinar entitled “Learning Through Objects in Lenape Culture Confirmation.” The we binar focused on the tradition and culture found within the clothing and objects of the Lenape people. Three citizens of the Dela ware Tribe of Indiana spoke on the topic, including Mike Pace, who works at the Con ner Prairie Lenape Indian Camp as a cultural liaison between his tribe and visitors.

“Each tribe developed in different areas of the country,” Pace said. “The resources were quite different. We had to learn to adapt to where we are, where we were forced to move. The things used for tra ditional art are based on the tribe’s envi ronment. Each tribe has their own way of expressing that.”

Pace is a member of the Delaware tribe and is the great-grandson of Charles Elkhair, the last hereditary ceremonial chief of the Oklahoma Delaware. He is knowl edgeable about many topics, including how to throw a tomahawk, the intricacies of beadwork and Delaware interactions with fur traders.

“Earlier clothing was based on buckskin, and later, cloth with the fur trade on the East Coast,” Pace said. “For instance, with bead work, everything was handmade and done one bead at a time. The glass beads later came from Europe in trading, which brought about more colors to work with. Cloth from the trade was also used as a recreation of ribbon work. The styles were indicative of specific tribes, and even (are) still today.”

Schumacher said traditional clothing evolved to blend with the Europeans’ style, which meant that modesty became the focus of Native Americans’ wardrobe. Differ ent tops became more popular as they lived among the Europeans in the area.

Annette Ketchum, a Delaware citizen whose husband was chief of the tribe from 1998 to 2002, shared her knowledge about women’s traditional clothing.

“Clothes back then really have not sur vived, especially skirts,” Ketchum said. “But they have evolved based on the recreation materials available today. I think, probably, our ancestors used shells and dried seeds to make beads for beadwork necklaces. To day, not so much.”

Beadwork was an important aspect of Native American culture. In many cases, the intricate form of embroidery was a way to communicate when language fell short.

“When we were using the wampum beads (beads made from various white and purple mollusk shells), Northeastern tribes had

different symbols that they would wear on their clothes to differentiate themselves,” Pace said. “The Delaware usually had large white belts, worn diagonally across your shoulder to your waist. The tribes did not have anyone who spoke English or French, so they used wampum belts to draw pic tures of treaties with the Europeans so everyone could understand.”

Pace said that a 6-foot belt required be tween 6,000 to 7,000 beads, each made by hand. Eventually, the beads became a form of currency.

“The Lenape tribe used red and black

beads as tribal colors,” Pace said. “Those colors mean life and death (respectively). When it came to design, diagonal diamond shapes were seen in the Miami tribes. The Delaware used two-color designs like red and yellow or white and black in order to make the designs standout.”

Ketchum said the way certain clothing items were made and adorned further rep resented the location of tribes.

“The moccasins I’m wearing are softsoled,” she said. “You can always tell a woodland tribe by the soft soles.”

Woodland tribes wore soft-soled mocca sins to protect their feet from the ground, brush and rocks while also keeping their feet warm and dry.

Pace said traditional tribal clothing and objects are a form of art that connects com munity and culture.

“Art is something so important, but to be able to retain the art of your tribe is of greater importance,” Pace said. “The art is shared through saving and reproducing artifacts. The artifacts need to be passed down, either orally or physically. And as elders, it’s our privilege to pass on the skills we possess.”

ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

According to the National Congress of American Indians, November is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Here is a list some of the tribes that called Indiana home.

Delaware: White River area

Miami: Fort Wayne area

Wea: Terre Haute

Potawatomi: Central north of state

Shawnee: All along Ohio River (southeast to southwest corners of state)

Kickapoo: Northwest and central Indiana

Piankashaw: Vermillion County

Michael Pace, left, great-great-great-grandson of Chief William Anderson (Kikthawenund) and art ist-in-residence at Conner Prairie, with Delawares (Lenapes) Annette Ketchum and her husband Dee Ketchum of Bartlesville, Okla., in a recent issue of The Hoosier Genealogist. (Photo courtesy of Conner Prairie)

ON THE COVER: Mike Pace dressed in traditional Lenape clothing. (Photo courtesy of Conner Prairie)

Thu Apr 13 at 7:30pm

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ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914

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DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMAS TOUR

Fri Dec 9 at 8pm

MARIE OSMOND: A SYMPHONIC CHRISTMAS TOUR

Sat Dec 10 at 8pm

MICHAEL BOLTON: GREATEST HITS & HOLIDAY FAVORITES

Tue Dec 13 at 7:30pm

CELTIC WOMAN: A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY TOUR

Thu Dec 15 at 7:30pm

JEFF ALLEN

Sat Jan 7 at 7:30pm

THE MAVERICKS

Fri Jan 27 at 8pm

UGLY DUCKLING

Sat Jan 28 at 11am & 1:30pm

DUBLIN IRISH DANCE:WINGS A CELTIC

MUSIC CELEBRATION

Fri Feb 10 at 8pm

BONEY JAMES

Sat Feb 18 at 8pm

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE: LINDSAY ZANNO: T. REX RISES

Tue Feb 21 at 7:30pm

LVIV NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA OF UKRAINE

Fri Feb 24 at 8pm

SAMMY MILLER AND THE CONGREGATION

Fri Mar 3 at 8pm

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS

Fri Mar 17 at 8pm

PEKING ACROBATS

Sat Mar 18 at 8pm

JIM MESSINA

Wed Mar 22 at 7:30pm

Sun Mar 26 at 7pm

KEVIN NEALON

Fri Apr 7 at 8pm

MARC COHN & SHAWN COLVIN TOGETHER ONSTAGE

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ABILENE

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THE FOUR PHANTOMS IN CONCERT

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FILIPE DEANDRADE: UNTAMED

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GET HAPPY: MICHAEL FEINSTEIN CELEBRATES THE JUDY GARLAND CENTENNIAL Sat Apr 29 at 8pm

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Celebrating Christmas on the Prairie

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

The fourth annual A Merry Prairie Holiday festival at Conner Prairie returns to cele brate the season throughout the grounds of the living history museum. Featuring Christ mas lights, a carousel and much more, the event is a local favorite.

Conner Prairie spokesperson Holly Pas quinelli said festival planning begins as soon as the previous festival ends, which gives staff plenty of time to organize and perfect the next celebration. Setting up for A Merry Prairie Holiday begins as soon as the Prairie’s Halloween event, the Headless Horseman Festival, ends.

When determining the centerpiece event for the festival, Pasquinelli said it depends on who attends.

“If you have small kids, you might be drawn to the Polar Bear Plunge slide and meeting Santa,” she said. “If it’s you and your spouse or a group of friends, you may want to hang out in the Winter (Wonder land) Stroll and just enjoy the grounds with all the lights. (The festival) has something for everyone and every interest.”

The event will feature a transformation of the William Conner House, which will host a 3D projection-mapping holiday show de signed to “capture the feel and nostalgia of the holidays.” The presentation will feature “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” to trans port guests 198 years back into the story.

Attendees can also skate on real ice at Frosty’s Skating Rink and explore the Reyn olds lights, with new displays set up across Conner Prairie’s property.

Prairietown will celebrate during the event with actors in historically accurate clothing and holiday traditions from the

1800s. There also will be a “Holidays From Around the World” old-fashioned crankie show at the Potter Shop Kiln Shed. Kids will have the chance to take a selfie with Santa and meet Mrs. Claus and the elves as they get ready for the big night.

Pasquinelli marvels at Conner Prai rie’s holiday display.

“I am re ally looking forward to seeing the grounds at night with all the lights,” she said. “When most people visit, it’s during the day when the grounds are open. You can come here during the festival and have a totally differ ent experience. It’ll be covered in Christmas lights, and the interpreters in Prairietown will be dressed in traditional Christmas costumes.”

A Merry Prairie Holiday is open Friday through Sunday each weekend from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18. During the week of Christmas, the festival will be open Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 for those looking to celebrate closer to the holiday.

For more, visit connerprairie.org.

30 N Rangeline Rd. | Carmel, IN 46032 | 317- 993-3011

Holiday Traditions

“Taking all of our kids and grandkids ice skating. We usually get together early in the day and make cookies and then we all go to the ice-skating rink in Noblesville.”

How do you feel when you’re skating with family? “We always have a good time. We started doing it few years ago. The little ones had never done it before. We’re trying to make traditions with our children.”

Traditionally, Ciara’s favorite part of the holidays has been spend ing time with her family and having a meal.

“We come together around 2 o’clock, visit for a little bit and then maybe around 4 (p.m.) we’ll have a little dinner and afterwards we just hangout for a little bit. We don’t really play any games or watch movies.”

During the holidays, Kelley enjoys spending time with his wife. “Me and my wife, normally, we’ll order pizza and just kind of hang out. We’ll have a vegetarian Thanksgiving. For Christmas, we like to hang out at the house and get some house projects done.”

USPS Operation Santa

USPS Operation Santa pairs letters from kids and families with generous people who fulfill their holiday wishes. You can be a part of it — the more letters sent to Santa, the more magic we can deliver.

HOW IT WORKS:

• Letters are written to Santa’s special address and USPS receives them.

• They redact personal information and publish those letters online.

• Generous people “adopt” and fulfill them.

• Adopters ship gifts. Holiday wishes are delivered.

WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA What to include within the letter:

• Tell Santa what type of year you’ve had. Be honest. He knows!

• Requests for clothes and shoes should include preferred size, style and color. For toys, games and

books, include names and titles.

• Return address information with a full name, street address, apartment/unit number (if applicable), city, state and ZIP Code.

ADDRESSING A LETTER TO SANTA Letters to USPS Operation Santa must be postmarked no later than December 12.

1. Write your full name and home mailing address, including apartment number if applicable, in the upper left corner of the envelope.

2. Address the envelope to: Santa Claus, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888

3. A First-Class Mail postage stamp is required, placed in the upper right corner of the envelope.

For more, visit about.usps.com/ holidaynews/operation-santa.htm

KRISTY HARDISTER

CIARA REED

JAMES KELLEY

Favorite Holiday Pastime

JUSTIN PECKHAM

“Baking. In the winter, I start baking cheesecakes, pumpkin pies and all sorts of stuff that I don’t really get to make or have a reason to make throughout the year”

Why baking? “It’s the area of cooking I’ve explored the least in my private life.”

Favorite thing to bake? “Pumpkin pie. I’m working on perfecting the recipe.”

PEDUTO

Adrian’s family has prepared Thanksgiving turkey together each year for as long as he can remember. Since his father passed, he has picked up the role of cutting the turkey.

“My dad, when he was around, he passed a couple of years ago, but he used to cut the turkey. My mom would cook it. She’s been using the same recipe for years but it’s really good. I’m the one that cuts it and it’s just been nice carrying the tradition.”

SARAH LUKE

“Spending time together. We have family meals and enjoy mov ies together. Whatever everybody wants is what we’ll make, and everyone cooks or says what they want someone else to make. For movies, we love old movies but also comedies.”

“Everyone cooking and helping. Everyone making their go-to dish. It’s a lot of food and everyone in the kitchen. It’s great. It’s a lot of laughing, warmth, and love.”

Favorite Holiday Memory

VALERIA HERNANDEZ

“When I was little. About 7 or 8, we would pass out little toys to other kids.”

Kids that you knew or didn’t know? “Kids that we didn’t know.”

What makes it special to you? “It’s just really nice. You know? People that I don’t know and you know how some kids don’t cele brate Christmas. It was just really nice.”

Thinking back, how does it make you feel? “Really happy.”

“Christmas, and my whole family would cook from the day before to the morning. We cook all of the food and then all of the family would come to my house. We would just play games and talk. The cousins would stay upstairs, and we would play the Wii.”

Favorite part? “When me and my cousins would sit upstairs and talk. The adults would all be downstairs, and we would dig deep into life.”

LANCE SYVERSON

“Probably around Christmas time with all of my family and friends having a good time. When I was a kid, coming down the stairs, look ing forward to opening the presents and seeing all of the presents around the Christmas tree.”

Most memorable gift? “When the PlayStation Portable came out. I got the PSP one year and I was excited.”

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ADRIAN

DYMONE SMITH

Best Holiday Movie

LATASHA HANDSBOROUGH

“‘Home Alone.’”

Why? “It’s a classic and I watched it when I was a little girl. I still watch it today as if I’ve never seen it before. My favorite part is when he puts the spider on his face.”

Do you watch it every year? “I wouldn’t say it’s a tradition to watch it everywhere but if I catch it on TV I will turn away from whatever I’m watching.”

“‘A Year Without a Santa Claus.’” It’s a 1974 stop motion animated Christmas television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. After Santa Clause decides to skip his Christmas Eve delivery for the year, Mrs. Clause and the elves try to change his mind.

Why? “It’s the one that I always watched as a kid, and it was always on ABC family. I always watched that one.”

“‘Home Alone.’ It’s a classic.”

Do you watch it every year? “Yes. I watch it with my mom on the couch every year. All three of them were good.”

Worst Holiday Movie

“‘Santa Claus’ with Tim Allen.” Why? “He just didn’t seem like a good Santa Clause to me. He wasn’t fat and jolly enough.”

Worst Holiday Song

“Maria Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is

Why? “Not because of quality. Quality-wise it’s fine. It’s just like repeti tion, you know? Plus, I just feel like I hear that one, like, a lot.”

EMMA RUND

DAVID HERNANDEZ

JESSE FRANCK

ERIC ORTIZ

Best Holiday Song

SHAWN SMITH

“‘Silent Night.’ I like the song in general. I feel like it really brings the meaning of Christmas to light.”

What is the meaning of Christmas? “Jesus. He’s the reason for the season.”

ABBY GARCIA

“Frank Sinatra’s ‘The Christmas Song.’”

Why that song? “When I hear it, it’s so comforting and sets the tone for Christmas. I’m in my cozy blanket, there’s snow outside and I’m by a campfire. I really love the tone.”

What do you see when you hear the song? “It reminds me of looking outside and the lights are on and there’s snow falling.”

“‘All I Want for Christmas’ is You by Mariah Carey. This has been a song that’s really been on my mind lately.”

Why? “Probably Mariah. She’s a classic.”

MUSIC CAMPS

RICHARD HARDISTER

Virtual Silent Auction, Friday Nov. 18 to Tuesday Nov. 29

A MERRY PRAIRIE HOLIDAY

From 1836 Prairie Town to 1863 Civil War Journey, a new set of holiday lights will be sure to dazzle and delight. There will be activities for the whole family. Walk through the grounds and see the local favorite Reynolds’ Christmas Lights display. There will be opportunities to make gifts with Santa’s elves in the North Pole Work shop, rides on Kringle’s Carousel and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Food and drinks will also be available.

When- 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Nov. 25 to Dec. 18 and Dec. 21 to Dec. 22.

Where- Conner Prairie in Fishers at 13400 Allisonville Rd.

Cost- $11 for members. $22 for non-mem bers. Tickets can be purchased through https://www.connerprairie.org/explore/ things-to-do/merry-prairie-holiday/

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Gather as a family for a memorable experi ence and enjoy a special breakfast with an opportunity to visit with Santa. Santa will regale the room with lively tales of Christ mas past before moving to a special stage where he can visit with each family’s youth individually. Families will enjoy a delicious hot breakfast buffet with everyone’s favor ites. Don’t miss the signature freshly made waffles.

When- 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Nov. 26 and 27. Dec. 3 and 4, 10 and 11 and 17 and 18.

Where- Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd. Cost- Members $25.95, $15.95 ages 2–12; nonmembers $29.95, $19.95 ages 2–12 Tickets can be bought at connerp.ticketapp. org/portal/product/166/events

SENSORY-FRIENDLY VISIT WITH SANTA

Visit with Santa in a Sensory Friendly en vironment. Santa welcomes people to visit with him and tell him their Christmas wish es, but at your own pace and comfort level. Each visitor will receive a small gift and a cookie to decorate.

When- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 10

Where- Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd. Cost- $8 ages 13+ and $4 ages 2-12 Members $6 ages 13+ and $2 ages 2-12 Tickets can be purchased at connerp. ticketapp.org/portal/product/167/ event/131962c3-82a3-4acf-8a6d-3825c1827749

SENSORY-FRIENDLY HOURS AT THE CONNER PRAIRIE

Enjoy a calm environment and explore at your own pace. Anything that makes loud noises or has bright lights will be shut off unless specifically asked to turn on. Access to the quiet space areas in the buildings and across the grounds will be highlighted for easy access.

When- 10 a.m. to noon, Dec. 11

Where- Conner Prairie in Fishers at 13400 Allisonville Rd.

Cost- (13+) $20 (65+) $19 (2-12) $15 Access Pass: $2. Members get general admission for free.

THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER IN THE LILY THEATER

The beloved story is told in the slap-stick comedic style of the traditional British pan tomime, complete with the Shoemaker and his wife, and a villainous Landlord who tries to secure the wife for himself by destroying her husband. The Good Fairy ensures that the Shoemaker has help from her friends, the Elves, as well as some audience partici pation to save the day and set things right. With a small cast playing all the characters (with a little help from some puppets), the happy Christmas morning ending is sure to send everyone out smiling.

When- 11 p.m. and 2 p.m., Dec. 17 Where- Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd. Cost- (13+) $20 (65+) $19 (2-12) $15 Access

Pass: $2. Members get general admission for free. Reservations can be made at con nerprairie.org/purchase-tickets

TINSEL AND TAILS PETACULAR PRESENTED

A premier event celebrating the year’s most remarkable stories of rescue and redemption. You will witness the power of healing and hope that pets bring into our lives when they rescue us — followed by the featured guests’ moment to shine on the runway. A spectacular silent auction, din ner, golden ticket raffle, and presentation of the year’s most amazing rescue stories will make for an unforgettable evening. Your support as an in-person attendee, sponsor and/or silent auction item donor makes all the difference in helping fund daily opera tion and life-saving efforts.

BY HAMILTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY

Continued from Page 25

Purchase your tickets now before the Tinsel & Tails Holiday Petacular sells out. Tickets can be purchased at hamiltonhumane.com/ programs/events/tinsel-tails-2 Where: 502 East Event Centre in Carmel When: 6 p.m., to 9 p.m., Nov 17. Cost: $175 per person

COOKIES WITH THE GRINCH

Enjoy decorating holiday-themed cookies, a visit from the Grinch, and Whoville themed fun with Fishers Parks. Snap a photo with the Grinch at our photo booth for a delight ful keepsake. Pre-registration is required and opens Nov. 14.

Where: Fishers Maker Playground, 8100 E 106th St Ste. 150, Fishers When: Dec. 17 and 18 Cost: Free

SHOP FISHERS: HOLIDAY SERIES

Support local businesses this holiday sea son with the citywide Shop Fishers celebra tion. Beginning on Small Business Saturday, November 26, and running through Decem ber 31, shop and dine local while enjoying special deals and promotions at businesses throughout Fishers. This year they will also celebrate Giving Tuesday on November 29, so you can support local businesses while also giving back to nonprofits around the Fishers community. Check back in Novem ber for a listing of deals and more informa tion about this year’s celebration. Business registration for the 2022 Shop Fishers: Holiday Series closed on Nov. 5, however, businesses may still register prior to Nov. 17 to receive their deal listing on the Shop Fishers: Holiday Series web page and inclu sion on the Shop Fishers digital map. Addi tional marketing efforts are not guaranteed for businesses registering late. Questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions or contact shopfishers@fishers.in.us. For more information and registration visit thisisfish ers.com/shop-fishers/

Where: Around Fishers at 1 Municipal Dr. When: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Nov. 26 to Dec 31. Businesses will be closed Nov. 24 and Dec. 24-Dec. 25.

SANTA AND GRINCH VISIT PIZZA KING

Holiday Fun at Pizza King, talk with Santa and the Grinch, free photos

Where: Pizza King at 11228 Fall Creek Rd, in Fishers

When: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 27.

Cost: Free photos

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AND MAKER MARKET

Experience the holiday art exhibition fea turing some of the regions’ top artists.

Featured artists include Craig Mullins, Sherry Haines, Jessica Green, Cindy Wingo, Tom Slack, Addie Hirschten and Anastasia Combs. Experience the beautiful design center, meet the artists and shop at the High Frequency Arts showroom of fine art, prints, glassworks, fibers, jewelry, home decor, and more from artisans and makers. Many artists will have additional artwork and artisan-made goods on display just in time for Holiday Gift Giving. Live Holiday music by Butler University student, Ian Knight. A cash bar and refreshments will be provided. All Bar and refreshment proceeds and 10% of sales during the event will be donated to Dove Recovery House, a local non-profit committed to empowering wom en to become substance free, self-sufficient & healthy by providing safe housing, quality programming and hope for the future.

Where: High Frequency Arts at the Hub and Spoke at 8100 E. 106th St., suite 110

When: 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 9, 2022 Cost: Free Admission

FISHERS PARKS AND RECREATION STORYWALK

Take a self-guided hike through the month of December and follow along page by page with a children’s book, “When the Snow is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall” by Jean Reidy.

Learn more at playfishers.com/333/ StoryWalk

Where: Holland Park at 1 Park Dr. in Fishers When: Daily through December Cost: Free

MARBLING ORNAMENT & CUSTOM CARD WORKSHOP

Learn the art of marbling. Participants will get two large ornaments, two small orna ments, and four 5-by-7 cardstock papers to create their own beautiful designs. All ma terials are included. This is an all-age event; Younger children will need to have an adult with them.

Where: Maker Labs or in the Maker Play ground makerspace at the Fishers Parks HQ, 8100 E. 106th Street.

When: 5, 6, or 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Fishers Parks Maker Labs

Cost: Residents: $25. Non-residents: $37.50 To register visit secure.rec1.com/IN/ fishers-in/catalog

HOLIDAY WREATH MAKING

Dress up your door for the winter season with fresh, winter greenery. This two-hour class will walk you through creating a beau tiful wreath for your home using unique bundles of a variety of fir, pine, and spruce

Continued from Page 26

GIFT MAKING SERIES: ECO-DYE THROW PILLOW

trees.

Where: AgriPark at 11171 Florida Rd. When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 12

Cost: Residents: $30. Non-residents: $45. To register, visit secure.rec1.com/IN/fishers-in/ catalog

MAKER PLAYGROUND’S GIFT MAKING SERIES

Welcome to Sewful Cheryl’s gift making series. Learn to eco-dye with natural mate rials. On the first day, you will create your throw pillow shape & design. Second day, you will fill & sew your pillow with hand sewing. All supplies are included.

Where: All events will be at the Maker Play ground at 8100 E. 106th St. in Fishers

MACRA-WAVE WORKSHOP

Learn to macrame and weave. This is a beautiful art form that is very free forming. You will learn the basics to make your own amazing creation. All supplies are included but you are welcome to bring any materials you may like to add to your piece. Ages 13+ When: 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec 10. Cost: $85. Tickets can be purchased at se cure.rec1.com/IN/fishers-in/catalog

You will fill & sew your pillow with hand sewing. All supplies are included.

When: 6:30 to 9 p.m., Dec. 6-7.

Cost: $70 - $150. Tickets can be bought at secure.rec1.com/IN/fishers-in/catalog

POM POM

Learn to make pom poms, it makes wonder ful gifts as well as decor, participants will get to make lots of pom poms and have a chance to turn some into art/décor. Ages 8 – 13.

When: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Dec. 10. Cost: $35

BEADED SNOWMAN PIN: ADULT VIRTUAL

Craft Create a colorful and festive winter pin that depicts a smiling snowman. All it takes is safety pins, seed beads and pa tience. Registration with email required for Zoom meeting invitation. Register at bit. ly/3GmhmTJ

When: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 8. Where: Virtual Cost - Most supplies will be provided but you will need your own small needle-nose pliers, and a split-ring opener (found in jewel ry-making) or a very small screwdriver. Class is intended for those age-18 and above.

Holiday at the Table

A holiday meal should never be served without rolls.

“It’s like sweet Hawaiian rolls. My mom will get a baguette and you just got to butter it up. It is so good.”

Nichols said that during Thanksgiving, there has to be turkey. “Any kind of turkey. Roasted, deep-fried, any kind of turkey. It has to be turkey.”

“Christmas. My grandma comes and we all spend time with her. We make a lot of memories together, and it’s fun all around.”

Favorite part? “I like to eat, so eating with them and watch ing my little brother have fun with his toys. “

Any special memories? “I’m from Hawaii. So, every year I will go to the Ice Palace with my auntie, grandma and family and we’ll go ice-skating. It’s really fun.”

ZACH GOGGINS

GERALDINE NICHOLS

JONAVIN OFIOA

ESSAY

Share the road

Commentary by Terry Anker

Scooting along in traffic, we come to know that some people like to use their brakes more than their accelerator. They are a bit more cautious. They planned ahead and take their time. They are not going to risk their lives, or that of any one else, in making up for “lost time” on the way to the grocery. How can these drivers not be loved?

Still, others — who like to use their accelerator more than their brakes — might argue the reverse. “Don’t these slowpokes have anything better to do?” While they may be taking their time, they are also taking ours, so the argument goes. Productive people don’t waste time plodding along. There is nothing wrong with living a full life. There is nothing wrong with moving a little more deliberately through space. These good people are making the best of every moment. How can they not be loved?

The challenge, of course, is that we all share the same streets. Sometimes, we even share an office, home, or bed with one decidedly in the opposite camp from our own. Sure, we can make it all work. Each of us, in certain conditions, use both the gas and the brake pedals. But mostly, we tend to deploy the one most closely aligned with our perspec tive on life. Are we likely to accelerate into traffic or hold back, reticent be cause of the risk? Even as we make our own choices, are we also imposing our views on those who share the road with us? Are we that certain of our justification?

As a society, we’ve set some bound aries around it all through myriad regulations, codes and enforcement mechanisms. But mostly, we just have to figure out how to share. Accelerator or brakes, do we leave room for others?

CURRENTOON

QUOTE OF THE WEEK POLICIES

CHARLIE BROWN

Unhappy with happy people

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Sometimes, I don’t like happy peo ple. Sometimes, I want to luxuriate in my own bad mood without chronically joyful folks invading my space. Some times, I just want the world and all its inhabitants, and even Mother Nature, to join me in feeling grumpy. The proverbial misery loves company, you know?

Which is why on a recent morning I found my husband, Doo, so annoying. I came downstairs to him watching a “SNL” recap on his phone, oscillating between grade-school giggles and up roarious laughter. This went on for a solid 15 minutes, and my temperament — which had started at “Blessings, it’s cold and gray outside” — nosedived to, “Ugh, you’re ruining everything!” He was too gosh-darned happy for my pre-cof fee, introverted, already-in-a-funk-self to handle, and of course, in my tactless manner, I told him exactly that. Doo, with a big smile, simply responded, “Deal with it.”

My teaching neighbor, who is school-renowned for her high-energy kindness and spontaneous hugs, is at least aware of her occasional toxic posi tivity (her words, not mine) and can rein in the cheerfulness when necessary. A couple of my kids are like that, too. They can read when the room is gloomy and understand that force-feeding joy is not always the right play. And in fairness to Doo, he’s come a long way in accepting the idea that it’s OK to not constantly be OK.

But on this day, he clearly misread the “Your wife is in a snit; tread care fully” signs. Instead of moving to the kitchen and leaving me to wallow, he in advertently exacerbated my blechtness with his obnoxious delight. So, yeah, sometimes I don’t like happy people.

Peace out.

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.

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.

“What if today, we were just grateful for everything?”

—

Marriage in double ‘Jeopardy!’

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Third night

Mayim: Dick, tell us about the time you had an embarrassing moment on TV with a big Hollywood star.

HUMOR

In last week’s column, I shared personal recollections my wife might discuss during the “chat” portion of the show “Jeopardy!” if she were a contestant. All of Mary Ellen’s responses were true stories. This week is what I would say if I were accepted to be one of the three challengers. Again, all my answers are true.

First night on show

Host Mayim Bialik: So, Dick, I understand you lied to get your first job as a teacher.

Dick: Mayim, it’s true. Arriving for my interview at the high school I had attended four years earlier, I discovered that the En glish position I wanted had been filled. What they needed now was a psychology teacher. The assistant super intendent asked me what I majored in. I said psychology, which wasn’t true. I got the job. Then I taught psychology for 10 years.

Second night

Mayim: Dick, is it true you once made the front page of a tabloid magazine?

Dick: In New York City, I became friendly with exercise guru Richard Simmons. The paparazzi snapped a photo of us jogging together in Central Park. The next week at the supermarket checkout counter, I saw one of those trashy tabloids with a photo of us on the lower left-hand corner of the cover. The headline read: Exercise with your lover. I received calls from friends I hadn’t heard from in years. I thought the whole thing was funny. Richard thought it was hysterical. So did my wife. What about you?

Dick: Mayim, I interviewed Cyd Charisse, the renowned actress and dancer. My pro ducer told me to mention Underalls, a panty hose brand that I assumed was sponsoring her tour. This made sense; the woman had awesome legs. I mentioned Underalls nu merous times until Ms. Charisse corrected me, saying she had nothing to do with Underalls, but she did want to talk about Enderall, her arthritis medicine. This week, 35 years later, I finally got a pair of hearing aids. A little late, to be sure.

Fourth night

Mayim: I’m told you have asked some really dumb questions on your TV shows. What was the dumbest?

Dick: I interviewed a man who had a 6-foot-long alligator pet named Fritz. When I got to his house, his reptilian giant had on a T-shirt that said, “I’m a Dick Wolfsie Fan.” I asked the owner if he had ever gotten in the tank with the gator. “No, Dick, Fritz put that shirt on by himself.”

Fifth night

Who am I kidding? There is no chance I would get to the fifth night. Or the second night, for that matter.

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

Who am I kidding? There is no chance

I would get to the fifth night. Or the second night, for that matter.

– DICK WOLFSIE

currentnightandday.com

The Wright Brothers set for ride into sunset

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is set for Nov. 25 through Dec. 23 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beef andboards.com.

CONCERTS

The Wright Brothers were ready for their farewell concert at CarmelFest July 4, 2021. Unfortunately, the sound person got sick and went home and there was no one to run the system.

“The last concert we did at CarmelFest was a disaster and we hated leaving the people with that in their ear,” John Mc Dowell said. “Fifty years is a long time not to have a good finale, if you know what I mean.”

The Wright Brothers will say goodbye with a series of concerts at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. The Nov. 25 and 26 shows are sold out at Fein stein’s, which is seating 135 for the show. There are tickets remaining for the Dec. 3 and 9 concerts.

“So, these shows at Feinstein’s will be our apology to the fans that had to endure that outdoor fiasco in 2021,” Carmel resi dent Tim Wright said.

There is a possibility of another show being added in January.

“We’ll keep doing shows until everyone is sick of us,” Tim said jokingly.

The group, which formed in 1971, was originally called Wright Brothers Overland Stage Company with brothers Tom and Tim Wright and Karl Hinkle. McDowell replaced Hinkle a few years later.

“These shows will be like what we performed in showrooms all across the country during the ‘70s and ’80,” Tim said. “There were many hotels, casinos and stand-alone showroom venues where Tom could do stories and do his comedy bits and we could actually put on a show, com pared to outdoor festivals and the private corporate jobs we began playing when we got off the road in 1988. We’ll be playing songs that go back to our very beginnings, some originals and the many covers we redid our way musically.”

The band dressed in Western attire with cowboy hats and had nine singles reach Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart.

“We started as folk or country rock,” Tim said. “It was heavy on vocals. We did more

folk music at first. We’ve always done a variety of music.”

The Wright Brothers will perform one of their biggest hits, “Made in the U.S.A.”

“There will be some Beatles songs and Eagles song,” Tim said. “It will be the stuff we enjoyed listening to and playing.”

The Wright Brothers performed “Shot Down in Hot Blood” and a cover of “Jim Dandy” for the soundtrack of the 1987 mov ie “Overboard,” starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

McDowell was in a band called Shiloh Morning when The Wright Brothers began.

“And I would go see The Wright Brothers and The Wright Brothers would come and see us often when we had a chance,” he said. “We were quite popular here in Carm el, along with The Wright Brothers, I got an offer from Tim and Tom Wright to join the band and I accepted in the late ‘70s.”

McDowell has been in Carmel since 1972 when he moved from Texas, with a short stint in Cicero for 10 years.

“The band has had some incredible

experiences over the years, and it’s been quite a journey,” McDowell said. “We are so looking forward to our shows at Fein stein’s, a much better way to close out the years of music.”

Tim said the band was a full-time pur suit with 17 years on the road. When it got off the road in 1988, the members got jobs but kept playing and doing out-of-town shows.

“For the last 10 years, we’ve just been playing locally,” Tim said. “We played at the Palladium five times with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.”

Tom and McDowell are both 74. Tim is 70. Mark Dodd, from Dodd Technologies, will be running the sound, Tim said.

“We will say our farewell with the best sound man in the business,” he said. “We are so looking forward to these shows, we’re even rehearsing. But after 50 years of playing most of these songs, the ‘call back’ is pretty easy.”

For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

’THE NUTCRACKER’

Indiana Ballet Conservatory will present “The Nutcracker” Nov. 26-27 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Car mel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘HOLIDAY & MORE’

Ashley Nicole Soprano’s “Holiday & More” concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

‘THE SOUND OF MUSIC’

The Belfry Theatre will present “The Sound of Music” from Nov. 25 to Dec. 4 at the Ivy Tech Auditorium, 300 N. 17th St., Noblesville. For more, visit thebelfrytheatre.com.

‘AN INTIMATE CHRISTMAS WITH LORIE LINE’

“An Intimate Christmas with Lorie Line” is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Car mel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Art on Main celebrates anniversary — Art on Main Gallery and Gifts recently celebrat ed five years in the Carmel Arts and Design District. Art includes paintings in oil, acrylic and mixed media; fine art photography, mosaics, pottery, jewelry, glass art, textiles, charcuterie boards, cards, artisan candles and more. Featured artists for November are Sara Bernstein and Tresa Steenberg. December will feature all artists and holiday offerings.

Film premiere set for Kan Kan Cine ma— Indianapolis resident Demetrius Witherspoon, a screenwriter and film di rector, will have the red carpet premiere for “Submerge: Blue Star” Nov. 22 at the Kan Kan Cinema, 1258 Windsor St., India napolis. The movie was filmed at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, downtown Indianapolis and Monrovia. For tickets, visit goelev ent.com/Kan-KanCinemaandBrasserie/e/ SUBMERGEBLUESTARPREMIERE.

From left, John McDowell, Tim Wright and Tom Wright form The Wright Brothers, who are per forming farewell concerts. (Photo courtesy of Tim Wright)

Noblesville actor lands dream gig

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Benjamin Elliott will finally get his wish.

who is portrayed by Logan Moore.

“I have dreamed of being on the Beef & Boards stage since I first saw Kenny Shepard in ‘A Beef & Boards Christmas’ when I was a young child,” said Elliott, a Nobles ville resident. “Beef & Boards was my first experience with profession al theater, and the people onstage were like celebrities to me. It is humbling to think that a child in the audience could now be inspired by a play that I am a part of.”

THEATER

Elliott will play Harry Bailey in the Beef & Boards’ production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23.

“I have always loved the themes and sentiments of the movie, and this adapted script in particular brings the best moments from the movie to life and makes the char acters stand out in a relatable and emotion al way,” Elliott said.

Elliott said he appreciates the love Harry shows for his older brother, George Bailey,

“I am the youngest of three brothers, and I am lucky to have a good relationship with them,” Elliott said. “I feel like Logan and I, on and off the stage, have crafted a brotherly relationship that is truly indicative of the sentiments of familial love, especially around the holiday sea son. Harry is an honorable man, and despite the luck he inherits at George’s detriment, he never for gets his roots in his hometown.”

A 2018 Noblesville High School graduate, Elliott sang the role of Figaro in “The Marriage of Figaro” at Anderson University in the spring of 2019. He is studying musical theater at Anderson University and will graduate in 2023.

“I am passionate about all stage works,” Elliott said. “There is nothing like the immersion and communication that live theater provides, and I see all stage works as works of important and profound art. I would love to direct modern interpretations of classical works.”

For more on “It’s a Wonderful Life, visit beefandboards.com.

Photo by Daniel Grose Photography

Elliot

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Ralphie Parker hated putting on the pink bunny suit.

Jackson Duncan loves it.

The Zionsville Middle School seventh-grader plays Ralphie in Civic Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Story, The Musical” Dec. 2-24 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Per forming Arts in Carmel.

“I try not to laugh when I walk down the stairs in that suit,” Duncan said of his favor ite scene. “I really like the scene where Flick gets stuck to the flagpole. I think that is an iconic scene.”

Duncan said he was somewhat familiar with the movie but had never seen the musical.

“Ralphie is a very funny character,” he said. “He also has the side where he can be serious. He is a character who knows what he wants. He doesn’t wait around for it to come to him, he goes to it.”

Duncan, who has performed several times at Christian Youth Theater, is performing in his first Civic Theatre show. He previously participated in Civic Theatre’s intensive summer camp.

“This is the most fun role I’ve had,” Dun can said. “It’s my first super, super lead role. It’s been fun to work with all the amazing cast and crewmates. Everyone has been super helpful. The adults can be helpful if I’m confused on a term I haven’t heard before or if I don’t understand a part of blocking.”

Evan Cohen, a fifth-grader at Carmel’s Clay Center Elementary School, plays Grover Dill.

“It’s fun I get to play a bully when I’m not actually a bully,” he said.

Cohen said the biggest challenge is tap dancing.

Jackson Duncan wears the pink bunny suit as Ralphie in “A Christmas Story, The Musical” at Civic Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Civic Theatre)

dance numbers.

“I’m living my dream to be a Rockette,” she said. “I grew up dancing and singing.”

This is her seventh show with Civic.

“I love doing Christmas shows at Civic. This is my third year,” she said.

Gaudreau performed in “Elf” in 2019 and 2021.

“We would stream the movie in our house almost nonstop,” she said. “We had lines and scenes memorized. They just make me laugh when I think about the movie because it’s such an iconic comedy. It’s a heartwarming story. You see the develop ment of the father and son’s relationship. It’s really touching, along with the comedic aspect of it. It’s attractive to a large range of audience.”

Gaudreau was a figure skater but stopped because of injuries. She has been acting since 2016.

Steve Kruze, a Plainfield resident, por trays Jean Shepherd, who narrates the story.

Cohen

“I like doing shows with adults and kids,” he said. “Doing a show with adults and kids makes it a lot more fun. The adults are able to help us with dancing.”

Cohen performed in Junior Civic Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid” during the summer.

Carmel resident Leslie Gaudreau performs in the ensemble, playing a couple of small roles as children’s mothers and different

“I have a real sentimental attachment to a group of friends who saw this movie when it came out,” he said. “It hit us at the right age and stuck with us. It’s not typical for me to work on the holiday shows. but I could not pass up the opportunity to see if they could use me for this.”

Carmel resident Emily Rogge Tzucker, who is directing, said she grew up watching the movie that was made in 1983.

“It’s been a big part of my holiday enjoy ment,” Tzucker said. “It’s 100 percent true to the movie. It has every single big fun thing in the movie that people that are serious about it would want.”

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY BENJ PASEK AND JUSTIN PAUL Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark, and upon 12/2-12/24 ACS Ad for The Current.indd 1 11/10/2022 1:33:07 PM

In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash written by Jean Shepherd.

Civic Theatre presents iconic Christmas show

Drinking in salami cocktails

Commentary by Mark LaFay

There is something really awesome about a well-crafted cocktail. The flavor possibili ties are endless. From the fruity and sweet to the herbal and bitter, there is an ocean of possibilities because of all the different wonderful ingredients that can be found all around the world. Cocktails are a lot like salami: They both can tell the story about a place and its people. They can give you a taste of what a place is about. Cocktails and salami give the artisan the ability to express themselves in culinary form. But what if you took your favorite cocktails and used them as the inspiration for your own salami? That’s what Scot Bridi at Brooklyn Cured did!

CHARCUTERIE

Great with olives and sharp cheeses. Next up is the Brooklyn Cured Pork Salami with Rye Whiskey and Orange Zest. Any guesses? Maybe my favorite cocktail for sitting around a fire, the Old Fashioned. An other delicious salami from Brooklyn Cured. Warm spices pair nicely with the spiciness of rye whiskey. The fresh orange zest brings a vibrant pop of flavor that brings it all together. This pairs nicely with white hard cheeses, mustards, or go sweet with fig jam.

First, let’s take a look at the Brooklyn Cured Pork Salami with Bourbon and Sour Cherries. This is a riff on a classic cocktail, The Manhattan. This salami is made with a touch of bourbon, sour cherries, a touch of black pepper and garlic. This is a great sala mi with subtle oaky flavors and spice with a touch of sour and sweet from the cherries.

Last but not least is the Brooklyn Cured Pork Salami with Mezcal and Lime. Mezcal is an agave-based spirit that is made by fermenting the sugars in agave piñas that have been cooked in wood fires. The species of agave and the smokiness from cooking in a wood fire give the mezcal a smokey flavor. The salami is further flavored with lime zest, coriander and garlic.

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

Mark

A visit to Lexington’s historic homes

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, we begin a visit to Lexington, Ky., stopping by the homes of two important families.

TRAVEL

In 1797, Henry Clay moved to Lexington, where he developed a thriving law practice, once successful ly defending Aaron Burr against treason charges. He established Ashland, a 672-acre plantation outside town, where, among oth er agricultural innovations, he bred champi on thoroughbred horses. In 1806, Clay built a Federal-style house on the property, which he enlarged as his wife Lucretia bore 11 chil dren. While residing at Ashland, Clay, a slave owner, became known as the “Great Com promiser” for his actions as a United States senator and ran three times for president, losing each time. Among those voting for him was Abraham Lincoln, whose wife Mary Todd grew up in Lexington and knew the Clays. In 1847, Lincoln and his wife visited the Todd house on their way to Washington, D.C. When Henry Clay died in 1852, his son razed Ashland’s house, replacing it with an Italianate-style house using the same foundation and floorplan as the original. In 1866, the Ashland estate became the home of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, the predecessor of the University of Kentucky.

The Ashland estate has been open to the public since 1950. The 18-room mansion is filled with Clay-family memorabilia. The tree-covered grounds include formal gar dens and reconstructed icehouses that provided cooling water for Henry Clay’s dairy. An outbuilding features the carriage

Clay used for his many trips to and from Washington. In downtown Lexington, about 2 miles from Ashland, is the 14-room Feder al-style house where Mary Todd Lincoln was raised, along with her 15 siblings. The house opened to the public in 1977, the first house museum honoring a first lady. It includes period furnishings, a rare print picturing Lincoln’s assassination and information about how the Civil War divided the Todd family.

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

Icehouses on Henry Clay’s Ashland estate, in Lexington, Ky. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Mansion on Henry Clay’s Ashland estate.

The Todd house in Lexington, Ky.

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LIKE TO SEW & CREATE?

Custom drapery and soft furnishings workroom in Carmel is looking for friendly, personable people who like to sew. Sewing experience is necessary and the desire to learn and enjoy and increase your skill is a must. We’ll teach you our methods. Part-time weekday daytime, flexible 20 hour week position in a handy location in Carmel. Ability and willingness to climb a ladder is needed. Good communication skills. Call Mark at Silk Mountain Creations 317 815-1660 to set a time to come by. Please do not drop-in. www.silkmountaincreations.com

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 students in a progressive environment designed for children with learning differences. .

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

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

LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER

A language arts teacher at Midwest Academy will be responsible for teaching all aspects of language arts, including fundamental reading and writing skills, to middle school students in a progressive environment designed for children with learning differences.

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

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

PRESCHOOL TEACHING ASSISTANT

Seeking a reliable, motivated, positive Christian applicant with good communication and interpersonal skills to assist the Lead Teacher.

Experience with children preferred. Full time - $16/hour + Email ltob.preschool@gmail.com to apply or for more information.

Little Town of Bethlehem is a ministry of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Carmel, IN.

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

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