on farms and ranches, and therapeutic riding facilities.
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the positions of this newspaper.
Through its nonprofit Round Room Gives, Fishers-based Round Room and its authorized Verizon retailers, TCC and Wireless Zone, gave $1.7 million to seven area nonprofits Aug. 29 during a sales rally in Indianapolis for hundreds of TCC employees.
According to a news release from the organization, the seven nonprofit organizations knew they were nominated, but thought that just one would be chosen to receive a $100,000 grant.
The news release stated that before the rally, Round Room employee resource groups each nominated one nonprofit to receive the Mega Grant. They also thought that the Round Room Gives board would select just one winning nonprofit out of the selected seven finalists.
According to the announcement, as a surprise to everyone, each of the nominated nonprofits won. DREAMAlive received a grand prize of a $580,000 grant. All seven each received a $100,000 check, plus $60,000 apiece specifically for their organizations’ transportation needs.
The seven organizations and their nominating employee groups are:
• DREAMAlive, nominated by MILE, a group that promotes Mentoring, Inspiring,
Seven Indianapolis-based nonprofits received a total of $1.7 million from Round Room Gives, part of Fishers-based Round Room. (Photo courtesy of Round Room)
Leading and Empowering. The nonprofit’s mission is to mentor youth in seventh through 12th grade to become civic leaders, with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.
• 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, nominated by the Black Alliance at Round Room. The nonprofit serves Indianapolis youth through mentoring-based educational programs and was founded in 1984.
• 91Place, nominated by the Prayer & Encouragement Group. The nonprofit provides a home for homeless youth, with community, relationships and a family environment as its mission.
• Ben’s Ranch Foundation, nominated by PAUSE, a group that provides a support system for people struggling with mental health, substance abuse or general well-being. The nonprofit’s mission is to create options and hope for young people facing mental health challenges. It provides employment opportunities
• Coburn Place, nominated by the Circle of Influence, a group that celebrates and encourages women in the workplace. The nonprofit provides support and safe housing for people facing domestic violence, and helps clients create fresh starts.
• Cocktails & Caregivers, nominated by WINS, a group that focuses on Wellness, Impact, Fitness and Strength. The nonprofit supports people who are caregivers, sending them care packages, providing financial assistance and offering support networks.
• Trinity Haven, nominated by SAGE, the Sexual and Gender Equality employee group. The nonprofit provides safe, affirming long-term housing and support for Indiana LGBTQ+ youth ages 16 to 21 who face housing instability.
TCC makes ongoing investments in its communities, according to the announcement. In 2023, it donated 120,000 backpacks full of school supplies with its sister company, Wireless Zone, to children across the nation through its 11th annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. TCC also hosted in-store pet supply drives and animal adoption events and provided funds for teacher appreciation initiatives.
To learn more about TCC, visit TCCRocks. com.
seasons.
SCHOOLS
A new Hamilton Southeastern Schools policy requires students in kindergarten through eighth grade to be accompanied by an adult when attending HSE sports events.
A message was sent to parents Aug. 29 informing them of the policy change. The message states, “To increase safety at our high school sporting events this year, students in grades K-8 must now be accompanied and supervised by an adult (aged 18+) to enter the event. This change in practice is due in part to an uptick in incidences involving unsupervised K-8 students. Although we want student participation at
Hamilton Southeastern Schools has a new policy requiring kindergarten through eighth-grade students to be accompanied by an adult when attending sporting events. (Photo courtesy of HSE Schools)
our home games, students without an adult will not be admitted.”
Emily Pace Abbotts is HSE’s director of school and community relations. She said the growing number of unsupervised students has been a concern the past few
“While the district has increased the presence of (school resource officers) at varsity football games, we don’t have enough school personnel working after hours to keep an eye on younger students that come unaccompanied by an adult,” she said, adding that there wasn’t any single incident that sparked the policy change. “There had been reports previously of younger students running around, knocking into people, throwing footballs and minor fights between junior high students, etc.”
Pace Abbotts said neighboring districts have had similar policies for a while, and the district is trying to be proactive before something serious happens.
The new policy went into effect immediately.
Project: Roundabout at 106th and Hoosier Road
Location: The intersection of 106th Street and Hoosier Road will be closed for 60 days for the construction of a roundabout. Access into and out of Windermere subdivision will be on Geist Road via Governors Lane.
Expected completion: TBD
Project: 146th and Allisonville Road
Location: Phase 2A traffic restrictions are in place, which eliminate left turn movements from 146th Street onto Allisonville Road and reopen to two through lanes on eastbound and westbound 146th Street. Utility relocation work is ongoing. Periodic lane closures may be necessary to complete this work. Watch for flaggers and workers in and around the construction zone. Construction crews are continuing to work on storm sewer installation and roadway grading. Crews have begun working on the widening of the westbound bridge over the White River. The contractor has installed cofferdams and delineating buoys in the White River for pier construction. Please use caution if canoeing or tubing through the work zone.
Expected completion: The entire project is set for completion in summer 2025
Project: 106th Street and Allisonville Road
Location: A sanitary sewer project is taking place at Metro Airport on 106th Street and Allisonville Road. There are times where lane restrictions may be in place on Allisonville Road.
Expected completion: TBD
Project: 2023 resurfacing
Location: ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed in the Parks (Harvard, Oxford and Princeton Park), and resurfacing has begun in that area and the Bristols as part of the 2023 Resurfacing Project.
Expected completion: The entire project should be done by fall
Project: Ind. 37 Improvement Project
Location: Ind. 37 and 141st Street. A pre-construction phase is 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 spring of 2024.
The Fishers Health Department has launched a Retail Food Inspection Grading System for Fishers restaurants. As a result of 2023 food inspections, restaurants receive a letter grade based on a 100-point scale.
David Weekley Homes announces new division president – David Weekley Homes, one of the nation’s largest privately held home builders, has appointed Jess McKinney as its division president for the company’s Indianapolis operations. McKinney, who joined the company in 2011, most recently served as division president in Nashville, Tenn. He previously held roles as a sales manager and project manager in Indianapolis. “Indianapolis is very special to my family and I am very happy to be back home. I look forward to growing this division of David Weekley Homes and bringing our beautiful homes to more communities in the area,” McKinney said. “I also look forward to supporting our amazing team members and helping them to succeed and maximize their talents.” For more about David Weekley Homes in Indianapolis, call 317-644-0909.
Geist half marathon road closures – The Geist Half Marathon & 5K is Sept. 16. Road closures and restrictions will be in effect around Geist Reservoir beginning at 4 a.m. that day and will continue throughout the morning. For a full list of restrictions, visit GeistHalf.com. Please note that the closures and restrictions are subject to change. Course marshals will do their best to allow vehicles through when there is a break in the runners. Breaks cannot be guaranteed, and drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes.
See the restaurant grades and inspection reports on the interactive dashboard at fishers.in.us/FoodGrade.
Beginning in September, grades will also be posted on the exterior doors of all Fishers restaurants.
Congregation Shaarey Tefilla offers free High Holy Day services — Congregation Shaarey Tefilla at 3085 West 116th St. in Carmel is inviting Jewish people throughout the Indianapolis area to attend High Holy Day services for free. Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow, the congregation’s spiritual leader, will guide all sanctuary services. Hazzan Giora Sharon will lead the musical components of the service, along with a guest cantor Tom Berkson. The congregation also will host special youth services, conduct Tashlikh at West Park, and organize events beneath the Sukkah during Sukkot. The High Holy Days are the most sacred set of days on the Jewish calendar. They start Sept. 14 with Erev Rosh Hashana services at 7:30 p.m. The season culminates with Simchat Torah on Oct. 7. For more, visit shaareytefilla.org.
By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com
A popular food chain, Mochinut, has opened a new store in Fishers, which features an array of unique desserts.
Mochinut opened Aug. 18 at 11630 Olio Rd., Suite 105 in Fishers. The franchise is known for its signature mochi doughnuts, a fusion of American doughnuts and Japanese rice cakes known as mochi.
Bua Sisca, the new store’s manager, said the doughnut is crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and not overly sweet.
“It’s really good,” Sisca said. “It’s not something you would expect. “
Mochinut comes in a variety of flavors, including strawberry cream, teddy graham cracker and chocolate brownie. The store rotates six different flavors each week. Another one of the store’s popular sweets is its mochi ball, Sisca said.
“It’s the same dough but filled with custard cream,” Sisca. “Those flavors also change. Right now, we have green tea and Oreo.”
Mochinut also offers catering for busi-
Mochinut has opened a new franchise in Fishers at 11630 Olio Rd. Suite 105. (Photo courtesy of Mochinut)
nesses and events such as birthdays and weddings.
J.D Zou, a Carmel resident, owns the Fishers location and another store in Plainfield. He plans to expand to Greenwood next year.
“He saw that Fishers would be a great fit for Mochinut,” Sisca said. “It has a lot of young families and the city itself is continuing to grow.”
Mochinut in Fishers opens daily at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Weekly announcements of the store’s flavors are posted every Monday and can be found on the store’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
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the event by readers.”
The goal of this year’s program theme is to see classic tales from a different per spective. The books are inspired by the clas sics “Les Misérables,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Pride and Prejudice.”
Hamilton East Public Library will spotlight books of rewritten classic tales with some imaginative flair during its annual Books Build Bridges program Sept. 30.
“Books Build Bridges is a community-read program we host each fall,” said Danielle Acton, adult engagement coordinator. “The goal of the program is to build community through shared experience, provide diverse reading opportunities and engage the HEPL community with noted authors.”
This is the fourth consecutive year HEPL will present the program, and it is making some changes.
“This year’s event will feature a panel of three authors rather than three separate author visits, which is something new for us,” Acton said. “For adult readers, the featured book is ‘Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors’ by Sonali Dev. For teen readers, the featured book from our high school collection is ‘Skin of the Sea’ by Natasha Bowen. For children, the featured book is ‘A Wish in the Dark’ by Christina Soontornvat.”
The panel is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the FORUM Events Center in Fishers. Registration is required.
“We are expecting our largest audience yet, so this year’s program will be presented off site at the FORUM Events Center,” Acton said. “Each author will have time to present on their featured book and writing journey. Then all three authors will come together in a conversation hosted by local artist and author, Rue Sparks, to discuss retelling classic stories followed by a Q&A session with questions submitted prior to
Utilizing her insights into Indian culture, author Sonali Dev created “Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors.” It describes how Trisha Raje, a neu rosurgeon from an Indian American family, navigates love, social class, and family expectations while chal lenging societal norms. It explores themes of prejudice, identity and romance.
Natasha Bowen, a “New York Times” bestselling author, wrote “Skin of the Sea,” which follows the journey of Mami Wata, a mermaid, who has broken the rules and sets out to protect herself and the other Mami Wata’s impacted by her actions to defy the gods. It tra verses themes of identity, love and sacrifice.
Inspired by Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables,” Christina Soontornvat created, “A Wish in the Dark,” a Thai-inspired fantasy where two young characters discover the world is not what they believed it would be. It delves into themes of justice, inequality and the power of hope.
“We hope attendees will uncover new takes on well-known stories and see them selves reflected in classic tales no matter their cultural background,” said Allison Kart man, HEPL youth engagement coordinator. “By reading the featured books, HEPL hopes to foster a love of reading within the local community.”
To register for the event, visit bit. ly/3Z1I23l.
To submit questions for the author panel, visit bit.ly/3qVbtHB.
“The goal of the program is to build community through shared experience, provide diverse reading opportunities and engage the HEPL community with noted authors.”
–
Zionsville Community High School senior Luke Murphy keeps growing as a quarterback.
“On the field, the thing I’ve improved on most is pocket presence,” Murphy said.
Murphy said his decision-making on when to stay in the pocket and when to run or get rid of the football has improved.
“(The improvement) comes both from his development in the offense, his willingness to take coaching and also his knack for making plays if things break down,” Eagles coach Scott Turnquist said. “He knows he can count on the guys around him to make plays for him as well.”
In the first three games, Murphy completed 73.3 percent (44 of 60) of his passes for 546 yards for the Eagles (2-1).
Turnquist said Murphy has embraced his role as a leader.
“His play has commanded the respect of
Favorite athlete: Joe Burrow
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite TV show: “Family Guy”
Favorite musician: Drake
his teammates and he has developed vocally as well,” Turnquist said. “His teammates know they can count on him to give everything he has to help the team be successful and they listen to his experience. He has continued to develop his understanding of the offense in all phases and is growing every day as a pocket passer.”
Last season, Murphy was the backup quarterback and played safety.
“I think his time last season at safety helped him develop his understanding of the
game overall and what defenses are doing, which helped a lot in his quarterback play as well,” Turnquist said.
Murphy said playing safety helped him learn to recognize different coverages.
As a junior backup to Christian Abney,
Murphy completed 40 percent of his 60 passes. As a sophomore, he started for part of the season when Abney was injured and completed 110 of 176 passes (62.5 percent) for 1,421 yards to help the Eagles reach the Class 5A state title game before losing to Cathedral.
“I think the time as a sophomore helped a great deal so that he knew what to expect from the high-quality opponents in our conference and what to expect week in and week out,” Turnquist said.
Murphy said he was understandably nervous as a sophomore.
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Murphy said. “I had a lot of talented players around me. We were able to have success and that has helped me a lot this year.”
Murphy said he is fortunate to have a talented group of receivers, including seniors Wrigley Bumgardner, Ryan Skura, Mason Riggins and junior Eugene Hilton, son of former Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton.
“We got our timing and chemistry down in the offseason and it’s helped a lot,” he said.
Murphy, who also is a catcher for ZCHS baseball team, said he would play football in college if he gets the right opportunity.
Compiled by Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Samantha Chapman is running as a Democrat for the Fishers City Council’s Northeast District seat.
the next four years?
Chapman, 33, is an attorney and is the Indiana state director for the Humane Society of the United States. She moved to Fishers in 2022 with her beagle, Sunny, and two cats. She has served on the boards for Outrun the Sun, Beyond Monumental, Friends of Indy Animals and Waldo’s Muttley Crew Animal Rescue.
Q — What can you offer to the citizens of Fishers as an elected official?
A — I have experience working with state and local elected officials on policy proposals that benefit animals and people. I am an empathetic leader and strive to find common ground.
Q — What do you consider the most important issue facing the City of Fishers in
A — I hear concerns about the rapid growth in Fishers. I support economic development in our community, but we must be mindful of traffic, pollution and disappearance of green space and how that affects the quality of life.
Q — How will you make sure all Fishers residents feel included and heard by their elected officials?
A — I plan to host quarterly town hall meetings, send monthly email updates and give my neighbors my personal cell number so they can communicate directly with their city council member.
Q — What can the city do to address housing availability in Fishers?
A — We need to invest in affordable housing solutions in Fishers by working with organizations like HAND and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, so that those who serve our community have opportunities to live here. The general election is Nov. 7.
Compiled by Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Howard Stevenson is running as a Democrat for one of three at-large seats on the Fishers City Council.
Stevenson, 55, is an attorney and has lived in Fishers 23 years. He and his wife have been married 34 years and they have three adult sons.
Stevenson is president of the Fishers Plan Commission and vice president of the Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals. He previously served on the HSE Schools board and is an adjunct law professor.
Q — What can you offer to the citizens of Fishers as an elected official?
A — As an 18-year small-business owner and law professor, I will bring a focus on job creation, fiscal responsibility and a keen knowledge of zoning and land-use laws to help make Fishers an even better place to work, live and raise a family.
Q — What do you consider the most important issue facing the City of Fishers and how would you address it?
A — Fishers has approximately 7 percent undeveloped land, so we need a smart growth and development plan.
Q — How will you make sure all Fishers residents feel included and heard?
A — I want to hear from as many residents as possible. I will accomplish that by hosting town halls, attending HOA meetings, meeting one-onone with residents, and having a regular newsletter.
Q — What can the city do to address housing availability in Fishers?
A — There are many people who work in Fishers who can’t afford to live here, and that includes some of our teachers, police officers, firemen and veterans. The city can encourage developers to offer a variety of housing options to meet the demand.
The general election is Nov. 7.
news@currentinfishers.com
Allison Greig of Fishers is the 2023 Red Gold Food Science Scholarship Award recipient.
paneling and analytical testing, according to the announcement.
According to an announcement from Red Gold, the annual scholarship is awarded to Purdue University students with strong aptitudes for a career in food science. In addition to the scholarship, Red Gold rewards recipients with a paid internship at its corporate headquarters, along with hands-on experience at its food processing facilities and product development lab.
Greig is the daughter of Josh and Amie Greig of Fishers. She is a junior at Purdue University working toward a bachelor’s degree in food science. She expects to graduate in 2025.
Through her internship with Red Gold, she learned about equipment calibration, product formulations and batching, sensory
“I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to gain experience in the food science industry at Red Gold so early on in my career,” Greig stated. “While school is extremely valuable to my future, this experience has allowed me to apply my knowledge and learn things about the industry that I may not have been able to in a classroom. Red Gold has helped me gain more confidence in myself as a food scientist, which has enabled me to set and achieve more ambitious goals in my career.”
Food science applies the basic sciences, mathematics and engineering to convert agricultural commodities into foods and beverages.
Red Gold was founded in 1942 by the Reichart family. The announcement states that it is the largest privately owned tomato processor in the nation, with facilities in Elwood, Geneva and Orestes, Ind.
These days, everything is rated. Even roofs. Which is good, because Bone Dry puts on one incredible roof. If you like honest opinions from real customers, check out bonedry.com. We respond to all reviews. Even the one-in-twenty other companies might ignore. So, do five-star reviews really matter? Yep. Because who really wants a one-star roof! Call 317.873.6005 today for a free estimate and inspection.
$170,000,000* Lease Rental Revenue Bonds, Series 2023
Anticipated date of offering on or around Week of September 18
The offering of Bonds will be made only by the Official Statement, which describes the security for such issue and which may be obtained in any state in which the undersigned may lawfully offer such issue.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Jenn Reardon McSoley discovered her son Jace had dyslexia when he was in second grade.
Rez Mollabashy, WMS™
317.577.6013
11611 North Meridian Street, Suite 600 // Carmel, Indiana 46032
the state and/or locality where the bonds are issued However, bonds may be subject to federal alternative minimum tax, and profits and losses on tax-exempt bonds may be subject to capital gains tax treatment Raymond James & Associates, Inc , member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC
*Preliminary, subject to change
“I have dyslexia, so we were not surprised,” Jenn said. “We wanted to help him get the tools he will need at school to make him successful. Jace is a happy and joyful boy, and he was starting to become sad and depressed. We asked him what was wrong and the amount of stress and confusion he had at school was taking a toll on him.”
His parents discussed options with him, and he chose a tutor trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach.
“We found an amazing lady (Tracy Powell) in our area that was certified and started the process,” Jenn said. “We discovered that finding a tutor in our area was hard for others and to find one that is affordable. If it wasn’t for his amazing tutor, he wouldn’t be the confident, joyful kid he is today. This help gave him his life back and for that we will be forever grateful.”
Jace, now a sixth-grader at Fall Creek Intermediate School, wanted to help others and decided to hold a 5K for Dyslexia run/ walk, starting at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 in downtown Fishers. October is Dyslexia awareness month.
“I want kids with dyslexia to never feel less than or overlooked,” Jace said. “I want all kids with dyslexia to love who they are and be confident that they were made for something more.”
The Orton-Gillingham approach is a multi-sensory phonics technique for remedial reading instruction. It is practiced as
a direct, explicit, cognitive, cumulative and multi-sensory approach, according to the Orton-Gillingham Academy website.
Jace has partnered with Cam Conn, an eighth-grader at Fall Creek Junior High to help raise awareness. Jace and Conn are teammates on the Fall Creek Junior High cross country team.
“I love meeting new friends with dyslexia,” Jace said. “It feels like we are not alone, and we have an instant bond because we know how hard school can be and how it really hurts our heart when we don’t understand things.”
Conn, who no longer uses a tutor, said life would be tougher if he didn’t have the two years of tutoring.
“I think that it’s important for people with dyslexia to have the same help that I got,” Conn said.
Jenn said 100 percent of proceeds will be given to teachers and tutors in the Fishers community who would like to be trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, to help children with dyslexia and other struggling readers.
For more, visit runsignup.com/Race/IN/ Fishers/5kforDyslexia.
news@currentinfishers.com
An international consulting company founded in Germany is relocating its North America headquarters to Fishers.
According to an announcement from the City of Fishers, Miebach Consulting has had its headquarters in Indianapolis and Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with about 23 employees. As part of the relocation plan, Miebach intends to add an additional 22 high-paying jobs and invest $2.5 million in capital.
“Indiana has long been the epicenter of supply chain activity in North America, and we are happy to continue our partnership with the State of Indiana and a new partnership with the City of Fishers to continue our long history of success in unleashing our client’s supply chain potential,” Miebach’s Chief Revenue Officer for North America Nick Banich stated. “Our firm’s success is completely dependent on our clients’ trust and our people’s incredible work. After a long and thoughtful search, the vibrant Fishers community and their impressive plans for continued growth proved to be the best location to support our own evolution, enabling us to hire and retain the high-quality talent our work and clients demand from Miebach.”
Miebach Consulting has been named among Forbes’ World’s Best Management Consulting Firms, according to the announcement. It provides consulting services for supply chain solutions. Founded in 1973 in Frankfurt, Germany, Miebach
Consulting is a global firm with more than 500 employees.
The new headquarters in Fishers will be located at 11100 USA Pkwy., at the former Navient Building, now called The Link at Fishers District.
“Fishers is a growing global city, and the team of Miebach is proving that we are competitive on a global scale,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stated. “I’m looking forward to welcoming the Miebach team to Fishers and supporting their global efforts in our community.”
As an incentive, the City of Fishers has offered Miebach Consulting a $77,000 matching, reimbursable workforce training grant for new employees, subject to approval by the Fishers City Council and City of Fishers Redevelopment Commission.
Ann Lathrop, chief strategy officer for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, stated that the move is a positive development for Indiana as a whole.
“Miebach’s decision to grow here not only demonstrates the attractiveness of our state for businesses but also the dedication of our workforce,” she stated. “We are laser-focused on fostering a progrowth environment that will allow for continued expansion and innovation, and we look forward to supporting Miebach and seeing the positive impact they will have on central Indiana.”
The IEDC has offered Miebach Consulting up to $425,000 in performance-based tax credits. The company will be eligible to claim that incentive once Hoosiers are hired, according to the announcement.
Public notice is hereby given to affected property owners pursuant to 170 IAC 4-9-4(f) that within two (2) to six (6) weeks of the date of this notice, weather permitting, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC will be performing vegetation management as part of its power line maintenance program in the area described below. As part of this project, one of its qualified contractors will be applying EPA approved and registered herbicides to control vegetation that may interfere with the safe operation and maintenance of power lines. This vegetation management will be performed in/near Fishers, Fortville, Noblesville on or near streets identified below:
• Beginning at the substation located off E 146th St, E of Marilyn Rd, to include the areas around & near: N of 69, E of Royal Vista Dr, S of E 179th St, W of S CR 1000 W
• Beginning at the substation located off E 186th St, E of 37, to include the areas around & near: E of Park Dr, N of Central Ave, W of the substation, S of E 221st St
• Beginning at the substation located near the Florida Rd & E 113th St intersection, to include the areas around & near: E of the substation, N of Geist Ridge Dr, W of Atlantic Rd E, S of E 136th St
The date this notice is published initiates the two (2) week period for calculating implied consent by an affected property owner under 170 IAC 4-9. If you have any questions you may contact the Duke Energy Vegetation Management toll free number, 866-385-3675.
Duke Energy Indiana, LLC Vegetation Management Department
By Mike Thibideau, President & CEO, Invest Hamilton CountyAccording to federal studies and surveys, 20.9 million American adults consider themselves to be in recovery from substance use disorder, and 38.8 million consider themselves to be in recovery from a mental health issue. This recovery month Invest Hamilton County celebrates the people in our community who are working through, or have worked through, any type of struggle with mental health and/or substance use and are doing the work to live the best life they’re capable of living. We also want to recognize our business partners and the local Chambers of Commerce for all the great resources we’ve produced/curated together to help businesses looking to retain and support talent living with mental health challenges.
That “best life someone is capable of living,” or economic vitality as referenced in the Invest Hamilton County mission is foundationally intertwined with career awareness and exploration efforts. For both traditional and non-traditional job seekers identifying potential careers and opportunities can be challenging, but specifically for those individuals struggling with mental health concerns, and/or whose paths have been sidetracked by the impact of trauma, they often find themselves having painted the word “can’t” on the bricks paving their future path in life.
Fear is the primary opponent when encouraging someone to seize opportunity. A lack of belief or comfort in/with one’s own self can corrupt a great path forward long before a failed interview, job termination or real adverse event ever has the chance.
This is why when local employer partners ask me, “what is the
best things I can do for [insert population] in the community?” my most frequent answer is that they assist in career awareness and exploration efforts. Being a place where people can see what a job is like, have an internship, tour a floor, or even just meet with and ask questions of someone who does a job they’re potentially interested in, can have an outsized impact on helping a person remove many of the “cant’s” they’ve placed in their own path forward.
Throughout the next year Invest Hamilton County will continue expanding this type of work in multiple settings with traditional and non-traditional potential workers and youth within the community. While some of the employers who partner with us will hire people from these initiatives, we’ll look for many more to volunteer to just be a place that helps awaken dreams our most vulnerable populations’ need help visualizing.
Mike Thibideau serves as the President & CEO of the Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation (dba Invest Hamilton County). In this role Mike manages workforce development, talent attraction and quality of life initiatives throughout Hamilton County.
To learn more about Invest Hamilton County, scan the QR code. To register for the Mental Health First Aid class, visit our Events page.
Register for our last Mental Health First Aid Class
December 13
8am-4pm
Hamilton Cunty Community Foundation Collaboration Hub
To learn more about Invest Hamilton County, scan the QR code.
St. George Orthodox Christian Church has been celebrating its parishioners’ Arab heritage for the past 26 years with its annual Middle Eastern Festival. This year’s event is set for Sept. 15-17 at the church, 10748 E 116th St. in Fishers.
The church is easy to spot with its distinctive dome, traditional for Orthodox churches. Riyad Bannourah, a festival organizer, said the event celebrates the cultures of Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Iraq. Those countries all have sizable Christian Arab populations.
Bannouorah, who is Palestinian, said St. George has non-Arab members, as well, but the church was founded in Indianapolis by Arab immigrants in 1926. The church stuck with the Arab “flavor” for its annual festival.
There will be plenty of flavor available, too. Bannourah said parishioners use the church’s commercial kitchen to prepare all kinds of Arabic food. That includes falafel, a fried vegetarian patty made with ground chickpeas and spices; lamb shank; shawarma, which is marinated chicken served in a pita with pickles and a creamy garlic sauce; kafta, which is ground beef mixed with parsley, onions and spices, served in a pita with tahini sauce and tomatoes; stuffed grape leaves; and kibbee — ground beef or lamb mixed with bulgar wheat wrapped around a mixture of ground meat, onions and spices, and fried or baked.
Then there’s dessert. They offer different kinds of baklava — crispy filo dough with nut fillings; and various cookies, including gharibeh, a buttery, crumbly shortbread, and mamoul, another kind of shortbread filled with dates or nuts.
But save room for the knafeh, a rich, indulgent, extremely satisfying dessert. It has a base layer of cheese — the cheese from Nablus, Palestine, is best — topped with shredded pastry, baked until crisp on top and smothered in syrup. Eat it while it’s hot and melty, and don’t think about the calories.
There will be opportunities to burn a few of those calories off. Bannourah said a dance group from Detroit will perform the
traditional dabke — a type of line dance.
Bannourah said the Mawtini Dabke Troupe dancers come from a small town outside of Ramallah, Palestine. They’ll perform their own routines, and then will spend time teaching dances to festival attendees.
“And of course, we have our Saint George dancers that also will be performing,” Bannourah said. “We have two groups. We have the young group, and we have the teen group.”
He said the dabke is an important part of Arab celebrations.
“The dabke really started during the weddings,” Bannourah said. “(An Arab) wedding party starts a week in advance of the wedding. It’s not like here, just one night. They start from Monday and all the way to the climax of the big feast, on Sunday usually. And the dabke is part of that culture, to bring everybody together. Let them dance together and enjoy everybody’s company.”
The festival also will have a children’s play area for kids ages 3 to 15; a section for adults to try Lebanese wine and other grownup beverages; various vendors offering Middle Eastern goods, such as carvings made from olive wood; a silent auction; and a band — David Hakim of Cleveland, Ohio — playing traditional Arabic music.
There also are scheduled tours of the church, which was built about nine years ago.
With the thousands of people expected to attend the three-day festival, parking is an important part of the planning process.
Bannourah said they arranged for parking at Hoosier Road Elementary School at 11300 E. 121st St., and will have a shuttle bus every 15 minutes to bring people back and forth between the parking lot and the festival. Handicap parking is available at the church. There is a $5 fee per car to park, but the festival itself is free to attend.
Bannourah said money raised through food sales and festival sponsorships goes
toward the church’s community programs. Sponsors include Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grill, Timpe wealth management, First Internet Bank, Taft law firm, Ascension St. Vincent and the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission.
For more, visit stgindy.org/ st-george-festival.
ON THE COVER: Mawtini Dabke Troupe from Detroit performs the traditional dabke, a line dance that’s traditionally part of Arab celebrations. There will be dabke demonstrations during the St. George Middle Eastern Festival Sept. 15-17 at the church in Fishers. (Photo courtesy of St. George Orthodox Church)
The St. George Orthodox Christian Church annual Middle Eastern Festival is 5-10 p.m. Sept. 15, 1-10 p.m. Sept. 16 and 1-5 p.m. Sept. 17 at the church, 10748 E 116th St. in Fishers.
Dabke dancing:
• Mawtini Dabke Troupe dancers perform at 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 15; and 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 16.
• St George Dancers perform at 6:30
and 8 p.m. Sept. 15; 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Sept. 16; and 2 p.m. Sept. 17.
Church tours (enter through the glass lobby doors):
• Sept. 15, 6, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
• Sept. 16, 2, 3:30, 6:30 and 8 p.m.
• Sept. 16, Vespers (evening prayers), 5 p.m.
• Sept. 17, 2 and 3:30 p.m.
Nestled next to Market District in Carmel, Osteria is a rustically refined eatery by celebrity chef, hospitality developer and TV personality Fabio Viviani. This signature venue offers seasonally inspired dishes, including elevated takes on his favorite comfort foods, as well as local craft drafts and cocktails. Osteria features housemade pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, barrel select bourbons, and an extensive wine list.
Market District Supermarket 11505 Illinois St, Carmel, IN
(317) 689-6330
osteriacarmel.com
By Mark Ambrogi
There may not be scenic ocean views, but the outdoor dining experience continues to grow in popularity in the Indianapolis area.
Jason Benish is vice president of operations for Huse Culinary, which includes Harry & Izzy’s on the north side of Indianapolis and HC Tavern + Kitchen and 1933 Lounge in Fishers. Huse Culinary also operates St. Elmo Steak House and Harry & Izzy’s in downtown Indianapolis.
“We used to have no overheard shelter,” Benish said of Harry & Izzy’s on 82nd Street. “It was simply sun and umbrellas. We struggled with umbrellas for a number of years. They don’t look great after a while.”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, patrons felt safer to dine in open-air restaurants. Benish said the desire for outdoor dining started before the pandemic but grew fast in its wake.
Benish said they invested in a louvered roof system at the northern Harry & Izzy’s first and then the two Fishers restaurants.
“We can open and close the louvre based on sunlight and direction,” Benish said. “That was a great first step. From there, we found it’s still very cold in the winter outside. We took the next step to install vinyl-paneled walls in the winter months. The following season, we put in 15 outdoor heaters out there. We started to get some traction, and most of that was happening during the peak of COVID. So, there was definitely a strong interest in outdoor dining. We had a lot of success. On one of the COVID Christmas Eves, we brought in more heaters and people liked it. I think things have normalized a lot from an outdoor perspective. It’s a popular place to dine when the weather is lovely.”
There are cooling fans as well during the summer.
Benish said 18 months ago, the restaurants installed outdoor carpet to soften the space. Then they started dressing the tables with white tablecloths.
“We really tried to create the comfort of the indoor dining experience and try to elevate that,” he said.
Benish said they purchased new bar stools for the high-top tabletops outside at Harry & Izzy’s.
Benish said it’s around three seasons of outdoor dining at Harry and Izzy’s and all four seasons at HC Tavern and 1933 Lounge, except for the three or four coldest weeks of the year.
Claudio Bertolini, co-owner of The Smart Pergola, said his company has installed about 40 pergolas at restaurants in Hamilton County and the north side of Indianapolis with a few more planned.
“During COVID, the restaurants were calling us because due to the social distance, they had to utilize as much space as they could,” Bertolini said. “Now, they are calling because restaurants are extremely busy and outdoor dining has boomed and become more and more popular.”
Some of the restaurants include Woody’s Library, Bar Louie and Muldoon’s in Carmel. Noblesville restaurants include Ford’s Garage and Livery at Hamilton Town center.
“Our patio has been very popular from spring going into fall,” Bar Louie bar manager Sydney Brothers said. “We have the option of having the patio enclosed and kicking on our outdoor heaters to keep the patio warm during those cool fall nights. Along with having a warm spot to sit during the cooler months, we have multiple fans that keep the space cooled off for those warmer summer days.”
There are numerous options for those wishing to watch football this fall. Parks Place Pub co-owner Matt Whitlow said there are more 50 televisions at his Fishers restaurant.
“Football season is definitely the best time to come watch a game,” Whitlow said. “Saturdays and Sundays are equally packed. Colts games are the most sought after seat. We have increased steadily through the first 25 months. We are expecting 100 percent occupancy for football season this year.”
Fox 59 named Parks Place Pub the best sports bar in 2021. Whitlow said it was based on total experience.
“We have amazing food, 23 draft beers, 180-plus bourbons and 50-plus tequilas,” she said.
Anthony Lazzara, owner of Anthony’s Chophouse and 3UP in Carmel, said he expects 3Up to become a popular place to watch college football on Saturdays this fall.
“With three TVs, two indoor and one outdoor, we can accommodate all the Saturday games now that we open at noon,” said Lazzara, who said 3UP began opening at noon on Saturdays in May.
The rooftop bar is closed on Sundays.
Bar Louie is another popular spot to watch games in Carmel.
“We do have 10 TVs inside surrounding our bar and one upstairs in our mezzanine,” Bar Louie bar manager Sydney Brothers said. “We do play the sound to highly requested games. Being an Indiana bar, we always play the sound to every (Indiana) Pacers and (Indianapolis) Colts game.”
Brothers said Saturday night college games and NFL on Sunday afternoons are the most popular.
“While sitting indoors there is a view of every TV,” Brothers said. “We play every game, making it the most enjoyable for our guests who either come to watch their favorite team or root for their fantasy football players. Our mezzanine is a highly requested space for March Madness, along with the Super Bowl. The mezzanine space is the perfect spot for our sports fans to have their own private space to watch and listen to their favorite team.”
Other popular places to watch football include Joe’s Grille in Westfield and Fishers; Fox + Ale House, Brockway Pub, Danny Boy Beer Works and Pint Room in Carmel; and Birdies Grill House and Sports Bar in Westfield, among others.
There are Wolfies Grill locations in Noblesville, Fishers, Geist and Carmel. The Fishers location is a 21-and-older restaurant/bar.
Although football — and the NFL, in particular — is king, there are plenty of soccer fans who show up at Chatham Tap in Fishers to watch their favorite sport.
I love good chicken wings, and we in central Indiana are fortunate to have numerous options to get excellent wings without having to travel too far. Everyone has their own way to make wings, but often it comes down to the sauce. So, if you are looking for a great place to catch a football game and get your fingers messy, I have a list of some great options for you. If you are a boneless wing eater, a.k.a. you love chicken nuggets, never fear, you can get your fix at all these wing spots.
Fork + Ale in Carmel has a large menu with several unique and scratchmade items that can make it easy to overlook their wings, but don’t do that. Get your wings bone-in. They are naked and lightly smoked before being deep fried. It has several house-made sauces like mango habanero, Parmesan garlic and maple bacon.
Moontown Brewing in Whitestown makes delicious beers. Its crispy pilsners are lights out and a great option for washing down some tasty eats. The Moontown menu is often changing to keep things interesting, and that includes wings. Expect something seasonal and delicious here. Currently, you can expect to enjoy a naked dry-rubbed smoked wing tossed in house hot honey mustard and served with a roasted garlic aioli dipping sauce.
Crafters Pizza and Brewhouse in Carmel is always packed and for good reason. Its pizza is great. Owners Bryan and Alexis Hall love to make funky pizza topping combinations, and they are often switching out their wing sauce recipes as well! Their bone-in wings are naked, deep-fried and dry rubbed. Dip your wings in a variety of sauces, including buffalo garlic parm, Tennessee honey or sweet Thai chili. You should check out the PB&J hot wing.
Fat Dan’s in Carmel is a great place to get hot sandwiches, smoked brisket and killer fries. It is also a great spot for grabbing some wings. Fat Dan’s wings are smoked to tender perfection and dry rubbed before being tossed in the fryer to crisp up a touch. These wings are smokey and delicious, not one to miss. Enjoy these wings by watching a Cubs game. Fat Dan’s may be a Chicago-style deli, but you won’t find many White Sox fans there.
Ale Emporium is about as Indianapolis as Monument Circle. This neighborhood pub was opened in 1982 by Marc Luros, who was later joined by Herman Perryman and his daughter and son-in-law. The pub is famous for wings. It serves a deep-fried naked wing with several sauce options, but if you are eating wings at Ale Emporium, try the Hermanaki-style wings, named after Herman himself. It is a secret recipe that can only be found here.
Everyone has their own way to make wings, but often it comes down to the sauce.
(Stock photo/Unsplash)
From
By Mark Ambrogi
Jeremy Holmes understands he is blessed to be the executive chef at perhaps the most well-known restaurant in Indiana.
“We’ve been here since 1902,” Holmes said of St. Elmo Steak House in downtown Indianapolis.
“I definitely wear that badge proudly and I don’t take it for granted,” the 45-year-old Fishers resident said. “I know that I have a job that a lot of people want. I come to work every single day proud of that and make sure I do my best to my ability to keep that. You never know who is going to walk through the doors. I’ve seen (everyone) from Ciara to Shaquille O’Neal to John Travolta.”
Holmes enjoyed meeting former San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
“He and I had a deep conversation because I saw one of his pieces on HBO, how he was raised in the South,” Holmes said. “His family grew up on a plantation, and that kind of resonated with me. So, I talked to him in the 1933 Lounge (in the upstairs of the restaurant) about how his piece touched me and he reminded me of my hometown (in Mississippi), you know, so he and I connected a little bit for that short period of 15-minute conversation.”
Holmes also has appreciated his interactions with former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning through the years.
“He’s such a down-to-earth guy, really cool, really nice,” Holmes said. “(When) word gets out when Peyton is in town, we get a crowd forming outside.”
One of his favorite customers is CBS sports broadcaster Jim Nantz.
“He’s a great guy,” Holmes said. “He’s a fan of St. Elmo. He talks it up on the air and put it in his book. When he’s in town, he makes it a point to come in here, and he and I are on a first-name basis.”
Holmes has been at St. Elmo for 24 years. He moved to Indianapolis with his cousin in 1996 from Mississippi, the day after he graduated from high school.
“I had three older brothers living here, and two of them were in the restaurant industry,” he said. “So, we technically had a job waiting on us when he moved here. Taco Bell was my first job.”
He worked at Taco Bell for about a year before picking up a second job at an Arby’s. He then moved into a prep cook role at an Outback Steakhouse.
“One of my brothers was the assistant kitchen manager (at St. Elmo) and recruited me here in April of 1999, and I’ve been here ever since,” he said.
Holmes started as a pantry chef and worked his way around all the stations. He was a sous chef at the catering business for about two years. He got the position of lead boiler cook before moving into the executive chef position in 2010.
Holmes said his specialty is pasta.
“On my days off, I make some kind of pasta dish,” Holmes said. “It’s not typically something you should eat every day, but it’s my guilty pleasure.”
Holmes, however, cooks plenty of steaks.
“I’m still one of the best grill cooks here, if not the best,” he said. “Every once in a while, I have to get back there and show them who is the top dog.”
His biggest duty is overseeing the entire operation.
“Lately, I’ve been working the grill with the guys because we got understaffed a little bit or somebody called in sick or for whatever reason,” he said. “So, I jump in and then when I’m back there, it’s like being back home. I do kind of miss it a little bit. But I’m not missing doing it five days a week anymore.”
St. Elmo is a place where many employees stay for years, Holmes said. The Legends room features paintings of employees who have been there 30 years or more.
“Every year, we have dinner for those (who have been) here 20 years or more and it’s like 30 people,” he said. “People typically don’t leave because Steve and Craig (Huse) are great owners to work for. Their goal is to make each person feel they are part of something great and what we’re building here.”
By Mark LaFay
Bier Brewery has been making popular beer since 2010. Founded by Darren Connor with the support of his father, Jerry Connor, the brewery initially launched with a 55-gallon brewing system and quickly won the hearts and palates of Indiana beer drinkers.
The brewery’s incremental approach to growth has created success for the Connor’s. Patience is a key ingredient to longevity, especially in the beer business, which is often considered congested. Bier’s brews can now be found in stores, bars — including its Carmel pub location and restaurants across the state.
Bier Brewery Carmel pub is the brewery’s first expansion outside of its home base of Indianapolis. The brewpub has a neighborhoodbar atmosphere and a full menu of food options provided by Fox Lane. It is a unique approach to operating a brewpub, one that allows the craftsmen to focus on their respective crafts.
Besides indoor seating, Bier Carmel has a spacious patio that can accommodate 50-plus guests. It also has heaters and a fire pit.
“Bier Brewery Carmel has some new things coming this fall that we are excited to announce,” said Leah Conner, co-owner of Bier Brewery. “We are hosting our first Oktoberfest parking lot party in October, and we will officially be open on Mondays starting Oct. 2 with Kolsch service.”
This fall, guests need to try Bier Brewery’s seasonal märzen, a German amber traditionally served at the Munich Oktoberfest. The brewery’s pumpkin ale is also a seasonal favorite and has often been compared in flavor to be like drinking liquid pumpkin pie. The Oktoberfest party is Oct. 7. There will be fest-style food, Oktoberfest beer, stein-holding contests, dog races, live music and more. Guests are encouraged to wear lederhosen or dirndl.
After 95 years in business, Tuttle Orchard in Greenfield has built a generational fan base.
“We have so many customers that it’s their family tradition to be out there every fall,” said Kelly Wenning, the orchard’s marketing coordinator. “Things have evolved over the years and changed as we’ve added new opportunities, but it’s always fun hearing the stories and the memories they have.”
This year, many traditional favorites — such as apple picking, a pumpkin patch, corn maze and Tractor Town play area — have returned. Fall hours in September and October are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and for the first time the grill will be open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Previously, it only operated on Saturdays.
Some offerings at the orchard, which is in its fourth generation of family ownership, vary by the week. For example, sunflowers tend to peak in late August or early September, Wenning said, while the pumpkin patch won’t be available until Sept. 22. Most of the best apples from the orchard are gone by October, she said.
Playdates at the Orchard are set for Sept. 5 to 8. The event includes a discounted combination pass for the play area, hayride, corn maze and flower picking
garden. Tuttle Orchard does not have any school groups or other field trips scheduled to visit that week.
“If (families) are wanting to play in a quieter atmosphere, that’s a good week to come,” Wenning said. “(Participants) can do a free apple-themed kids craft, and we’re doing an apple-themed storytime at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day.”
Tuttle Orchard has special events scheduled throughout the fall, including the Caramel Apple Festival on Sept. 9 and 16. The store carries the dipped treats throughout the season, but during the festival guests can create their own caramel apple combination and roll it in a wider variety of toppings than usually available.
Tuttle Orchard is open year-round, but Wenning said fall is its busiest season.
“Fall is definitely the biggest time around here,” she said.
Cost to visit the sunflower fields, Tractor Town, corn maze and hayride is $7 each. Combination passes to visit all attractions are $14 each. Season passes valid for September and October cost $30. General admission and parking are free.
Tuttle Orchard is at 5717 N 300 W in Greenfield. Learn more at IndianapolisOrchard.com.
DULL’S PUMPKIN HARVEST
1765 W. Blubaugh Ave., Thorntown
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday Sept. 23 to Oct. 29; also open 1 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays starting Oct. 5
Learn more: dullstreefarm.com/PumpkinHarvest
STUCKEY FARM
19975 Hamilton Boone County Rd., Sheridan
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Learn more: stuckeyfarm.com
PINEY ACRES FARM – FALL ON THE FARM
1115 East 1000 North, Fortville
Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Sept. 23 to Oct. 30
Learn more: pineyacresfarm.com/fall-fun
RUSSELL FARMS
12290 E. 191st St., Noblesville
Hours: Vary by day. Learn more: russell-farms.com/admission.html for details.
SMITH FAMILY FARMS
7055 W 675 S, Pendleton
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October
Learn more: smithfamilyfarms.com/pumpkin-patch
WISEWOOD FARM
50 W. 250 S. Lebanon
Hours: Fall Fest from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 15
Learn more: wisewoodfarm.com
The Hoosier state might be known for pigs and corn, but it’s also home to more than 100 wineries, some growing their own grapes in addition to importing fruit from more established wine-producing states.
Native Hoosier grapes have natural resistance to Midwestern weather, and scientists at places like Purdue University have crossed traditional varieties from Europe and the West Coast with native grapes to create vines than can handle Indiana’s cold winters and produce grapes during the area’s comparatively short growing season.
Locally, there are quite a few businesses to choose from that offer Hoosier-made wine. In the Geist area, for example, is Daniel’s Family Vineyard and Winery, 9061 N. 700 W., McCordsville.
Winemaker Blake Trobaugh said the vineyard has about 22 acres of vines, and it — like other vineyards in the state — grows hybrid grapes that can handle Indiana’s weather.
“Your more traditional varieties like cabernet, they’re not cold-hardy enough, and they don’t have any sort of (local) disease resistance,” he said.
Daniel’s also grows native grapes, Trobaugh said, such as Concord and traminette. Both produce sweet wines. Daniel’s offers dry wines from their hybrid vines and imports whole fruit from the West Coast to make traditional wines like cabernet or pinot noir.
Daniel’s wines can be bought at the vineyard, which also has a tasting room and event space, and at various liquor and wine stores in the area.
Trobaugh said with fall fast approaching, he recommends their Gewurtztraminer, a semi-sweet white wine. He said the acidity and the slightly sweet notes pair well with a heavier meal, such as Thanksgiving.
“Also, if you’re having anything spicy in the fall, whenever it’s football season, you got the pregame chili on or whatever, it’s a great kind of balance for that too,” he said.
For red-wine fans, Trobaugh said they will have a pinot noir available in November, adding that their canned wines and wine spritzers are perfect for tailgate parties. For more, visit danielsvineyard.com.
Sugar Creek Winery, 1111 West Main St. in Carmel, is another local winery that grows its own grapes, albeit on a smaller scale. Co-owner David Phillips said their vineyard totals about three acres in Montgomery County east of Crawfordsville.
Phillips said they had their first commercial harvest in 2015 and opened their tasting room in September of 2018. They offer wine by the glass, bottles for sale and guided tastings for those who aren’t sure what they want.
Sugar Creek Winery has front and back patio space, live music on the weekends, trivia nights and music bingo, and offers the space for events. They don’t have a kitchen, but customers can bring carryout or buy some of the limited snack items.
Like other Indiana wineries, Phillips said Sugar Creek grows hybrid varieties, such as Brianna.
“It’s a hybrid out of the University of Minnesota,” he said. “It makes a very floral, nice white. All of the ones that I grow. I make them either semi-sweet or sweet. I think that those varieties, in my taste, tend to work better (for sweet wine).”
Sugar Creek imports fruit or juice to make its other wines. Whole fruit is better for reds, he said, because fermenting with the skin helps the flavor.
Phillips said white wines are preferable in the summer because they’re served slightly cold. For the upcoming cooler fall weather, he recommends Sugar Creek’s Holiday Wine. That’s a spiced red wine, which is not the same as their mulled wine.
“Our mulled wine has a base of apple cider with wine added to it and a bunch of a bunch of seasonal spices and we serve it hot,” he said. “Whereas the Holiday Wine is a true wine that’s been fortified with small amount of port. We call it Christmas in a glass. It’s what everybody’s grandmother’s kitchen used to smell like in the holidays.”
The Holiday Wine is a nice red with hints of cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Phillips said they will introduce that wine at their Carmel tasting room in October. For more, visit sugarcreekwinery.com.
Fall is a great time for a glass (or two) of wine. Here are a few more local wineries to check out that aren’t too far from home:
PEACE WATER WINERY, 37 W Main St, Carmel
URBAN VINES WINERY, 303 E 161st St, Westfield
SPENCER FARM WINERY, 7015 E 161st St, Noblesville
HOPWOOD WINERY, 12 E Cedar St, Zionsville
COUNTRY MOON WINERY, 16222 Prairie Baptist Rd, Noblesville
Commentary by Mark LaFay
Nothing kicks off the start of fall quite like Oktoberfest, but do you know what Oktoberfest is all about? The original event was a celebration of the marriage of German Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810. To celebrate their nuptials, they invited the public to join them for a massive party. Every year since, more events, activities and celebrations were added for anniversary celebrations. The event ultimately grew to become an annual event and the date was pushed forward to September to take advantage of longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures.
Oktoberfest has evolved through the years to become a celebration of agriculture, friendship, German culture, food, family and life in general. The event still pays homage to its roots. Each year since 1850, to kick off the party in Germany, a parade proceeds through the streets of Munich to the Oktoberfest grounds to honor the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.
Oktoberfest has become popular in Western cultures in recent decades. Coupled with the explosion of beer culture in America and our penchant for co-opting the traditions of our cultural heritage, Oktoberfest celebrations have begun to pop up in greater concentration domestically.
“Moontown Oktoberfest is first and foremost a celebration of beer, especially German beer,” said Bobby Mattingly, proprietor of Moontown Brewing Co. in Whitestown. “Lager is a passion of ours and we show it by tapping a handful of them, including our awardwinning Oktoberfest lager. On top of the beer, it’s a gathering of friends, family and a big portion of the Whitestown community. We’re proud to have this event every year. It’s my favorite event we do at Moontown.”
What’s not to love about food, friends, family, beer and the fall season?
We have done our best to assemble a comprehensive list of Oktoberfest celebrations in the area. Grab your lederhosen or dirndl and head on out with family and friends to enjoy food, beer, live music and the commencement of fall in the Midwest!
CARMEL OKTOBERFEST
Location: Carmel City Center
Date: Oct. 6
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Details: Beer, food, live music, all ages welcome
GRAND JUNCTION OKTOBERFEST
Location: 1189 E 181st St, Westfield
Date: Sept. 9
Time: Noon to 10 p.m.
Details: Music, beer, food, contests and activities for kids. All ages welcome
BIER CARMEL OKTOBERFEST
Location: 13720 N. Meridian St, Carmel
Date: Oct. 7
Details: Bier-stein holding contest, dog races, live music and more
MOONTOWN BREWING OKTOBERFEST
Location: 345 S. Bowers St., Whitestown
Date: Sept. 30
Time: 2 to 11 p.m.
Details: Live music, food, stein-holding contest, best dressed contest
ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI CATHOLIC CHURCH PUMPKIN FEST & OKTOBERFEST
Location: 1870 W. Oak Street, Zionsville
Date: Oct. 7
Time: Pumpkin Fest 2 to 6 p.m.; Oktoberfest 6:30 p.m. to Midnight
Details: Pumpkinfest will have food, hayrides, face painting, pumpkins for kids. Oktoberfest starts at 6 p.m. with food, dancing, and music for guests 21 and older.
PRIMEVAL BREWING OKTOBERFEST.
Location: 960 Logan St., Noblesville
Date: Sept. 8-9
Time: 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 8, noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 9
Details: Food, beer tapping, live music, wear traditional apparel, indoor/ outdoor games, all ages welcome
GUGGMAN HAUS BREWING OKTOBERFEST
Location: 1701 Gent Ave., Indianapolis
Dates/times: 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15, 1 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17
Details: Live music, stein-holding contest, cookie decoration, run, food, beer
Commentary by Dr. Erin M. Lips
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, which is recognized every year as a chance to raise awareness. Two of these cancers are cervical and ovarian cancer.
CERVICAL CANCER
Cervical cancer is a disease that is usually caused by infection with human papillomavirus, or HPV. Most precancerous changes and early cervical cancers do not cause symptoms, but they can be detected on routine health screening with Pap smears. Pap smears and HPV tests are performed during some pelvic exams. Guidance about frequency of Pap smears varies based on age and history of prior abnormal testing, so ask your doctor about how often you should have yours done. If the Pap smear results are abnormal, the next step is a colposcopy procedure done in the office. This involves a pelvic exam, looking at the cervix with a magnifying glass and taking several biopsies. More advanced cervical cancers can cause irregular vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain and bleeding after intercourse. When more advanced, these cancers are usually diagnosed through a pelvic exam and biopsy.
OVARIAN CANCER
There is no screening test yet for ovarian cancer, and unfortunately the symptoms can be vague and may not occur until the cancer is in an advanced stage. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the
better the outcomes. Symptoms can include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, constipation and increased urinary frequency. Usually, a pelvic exam is performed, and imaging is done with a pelvic ultrasound or a CT scan.
Ovarian cancer can look like small or large masses in the pelvis and abdomen but can also cause increased fluid inside the abdomen. Typically, the first step is surgery to remove the masses and several lymph nodes to obtain a diagnosis and stage. The next step depends on the type of ovarian cancer, but most are treated with chemotherapy. Most people with ovarian cancer or a close family relative with ovarian cancer should have genetic testing done to determine whether they or their family members are at risk for ovarian and other types of cancers.
Cervical and ovarian cancers are diagnosed and treated very differently. Speak with your doctor to ensure that you are staying up to date on proper screening with pelvic exams, Pap smears and HPV tests. Do not hesitate to report new or different vaginal bleeding, bloating, constipation or pelvic pain to your doctor.
For more, visit iuhealth.org and search “cervical cancer” or “ovarian cancer.”
September is Suicide Prevention Month —
The Fishers Health Department is highlighting its online resources during September’s Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness of suicide as a public health problem and how everyone can do their part to prevent suicide. The City of Fishers’ Stigma Free Fishers website offers resources to help residents talk to someone about how they're feeling, listen to someone without judgment and connect someone with professional help to prevent suicides.
The Fishers Health Department also offers information about 988, the new national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It provides support for those experiencing mental health crises such as suicidal ideation, emotional distress or a substance use crisis. Anyone can call, text or chat 988 and be connected with trained counselors for support. They also can dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one. For more visit fishers.crediblemind.com, or 988lifeline.org.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Little Eyes pediatric eye care and RevolutionEYES eye care opened in Carmel 10 and 17 years ago, respectively, and have been “busting out at the seams,” said owner Jeremy Ciano. It was time to expand, and the stars aligned for them to move to a second location at 11480 Lakeridge Dr. in Fishers.
A grand opening for the new Fishers stores was Sept. 11. Ciano said that, unlike the Carmel stores, the new stores will be side-by-side, with a shared back-office space.
“It’ll be two doors. It’s two separate (spaces), but in the back it’s kind of attached,” he said. “From a business standpoint (that allows) some shared services, but for the public it’ll operate as two completely separate, independent businesses.”
Ciano said that he had considered the Fishers location five years ago, but his wife ended up taking it for her business, Ninja Zone.
“They ran out of space because they’ve just — they killed it,” he said. “So, she bought land down the street, and she was going to have to let that space go and basically eat rent for about a year. And I said, ‘Well, you know what, it’s really a good spot.’”
Ciano said that even before opening,
the new location had booked nearly 100 examinations.
He said Little Eyes is a unique business model, specializing in primary pediatric eye care. Among the services are special contact lenses that not only correct near-sightedness but help prevent that condition from increasing.
Little Eyes was his son’s idea, Ciano said.
“Here’s a little 4-year-old. He’s like, ‘Daddy, I want to be an optometrist someday and I want to have my own store with little chairs and little glasses and I’m going to call it Little Eyes.’” Ciano said. “And we’re like, ‘Well, that’s a pretty good idea.’ Sure enough, about three years later, we had an opportunity and we opened up that store.”
Ciano said his son is headed to college now, and still wants to be an optometrist.
RevolutionEYES is a boutique eye care business with specialty lines, he said, and like Little Eyes, it is growing.
“Our secret sauce is we (offer) super five-star, white-glove customer service, but we have this down-to-earth kind of Hoosier hospitality, open heart kind of mentality,” he said. “We’re super welcoming, but we deliver the best of the best.”
The Carmel Little Eyes location at 1372 S. Range Line Rd., and RevolutionEYES at 14250 Clay Terrace Blvd. will remain open. For more information, visit littleeyes.com or revolution-eyes.com
Every four years another presidential election rolls around, and it seems we always have to choose between two candidates we don’t like. Is there a way out of this mess? One approach is to use rankedchoice voting in our primary elections. Our current voting system has a tendency to elect extremists. For example, suppose there are eight moderate candidates and one extreme candidate. If 20 percent of the voters support the extreme candidate, the remaining 80 percent of the votes are divided among the eight moderate candidates, giving each about 10 percent. So, the extreme candidate wins, even though most of the voters may strongly dislike him or her. With ranked-choice voting, this problem is less likely to occur, because voters can
specify their second choice, third choice, etc.
Many people are not aware that there are several types of ranked-choice voting. The best known is “instant runoff.” But there is a better system called Borda count. In Borda count voting, if there are nine candidates, your first choice gets nine votes, your second choice gets eight votes, your third choice gets seven votes, etc. This is simpler to understand than instant runoff and more reliable.
Everybody agrees that we need fair and dependable elections. Switching to rankedchoice voting could be a big step in that direction.
Brian Schmidt, Carmel
Editor,
(Hamilton County Councilor) Brad Beaver has proposed Hamilton County raise its tax rate as the state reduces its tax rate. Why?
To provide property tax relief to a relatively small number of “qualified” homeowners. Essentially this is wealth transfer — a concept pushed by socialists. Most homeowners in Fishers and Carmel will likely not see a property tax reduction but will see an income tax increase.
How about this proposal: Have the
taxing bodies in this county propose reasonable budgets (subjective, I know), determine the property tax rate, then apply that rate to our assessments. Manage by actual need.
With the current approach, taxing bodies get automatic pay raises without needing to justify them. Most people would probably like that plan for their personal finances.
Beale,"Excruciating pain from the little toe on my left foot is what brought me in to see Dr. Sullivan. I was in such constant pain that I couldn't walk. After Dr. Sullivan performed a minor in-office procedure, I could walk again pain-free and help take my care of my grandson. Dr. Sullivan is a miracle worker!"
Marie Russell, hammertoe patient
Russ
Fishers
“With ranked-choice voting, this problem is less likely to occur, because voters can specify their second choice, third choice, etc.”
– BRIAN SCHMIDT
“Most homeowners in Fishers and Carmel will likely not see a property tax reduction but will see an income tax increase.”
– RUSS
predecessors.
Our summer months are nicely bookended by Memorial Day at the beginning of May and Labor Day wrapping it up with the arrival of September. The solar system would tilt the days a little later on each end, but we manage to get in our sunny days in the Northern Hemisphere, more or less, in this window.
Tradition would dictate that natty dressers only wear their whites in this period. The more relaxed among us might find the weekends the perfect time to bust out the open flames and host epic family barbeques. For many scores of others, these demarcations on the calendar signify the opening and closing of their cottage on the lake or camp in the woods. The balmy, long days bring us out into nature. It is good. We spend too much time indoors. Still, there are an increasingly precious few who use the days to memorialize those who have valiantly served our nation or recognize the labor contributions of our
By 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September a federal holiday to recognize the work of unions and their organizers. Private companies were exempted from the edict for decades, and some unions urged for local strikes where it was not voluntarily recognized. Interestingly, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the number of people not working because of a labor dispute is at its highest level since 2003. Hollywood, baristas and auto workers are pushing for improvements to their positions. Picket lines, parades and protests may return as a central feature. Rampant inflation, pandemic emergencies and changing culture may cause it to signify more than just the end to summer.
Many longtime readers will remember that I lost my father to cancer in 2020. Yah. Like I needed another traumatic experience to handle that year. By the fall of 2022, however, I was far enough on the other side of grief to forget his deathiversary (copyright pending) entirely. “Why are my sisters so sad today?” But for whatever reason, his 2023 date hit me hard. Comically hard. You’re welcome.
I hadn’t slept well the night before (our black Lab is still in her cone and perpetually bouncing off walls) and the coffee was doing nothing to dispel my grumpiness. I turned on the TV to catch the F1 qualifying rounds (dumb Netflix has made me a junkie for hot guys in fire-retardant jumpsuits) and suddenly began crying. Dad had started watching it in the months before he died, and I have vivid memories of him trying to explain it to me. “Your only competition is your teammate!” It made no sense, just like my unexpected weeping.
Then I decided to practice yoga, but that also backfired. I felt increasingly vulnerable as I tried to slow my breathing and discover my inner chi and soon found myself sobbing in downward dog. Mindful meditation was namaste no-go.
I made it a tear trifecta later that morning in a Chick-fil-A drive-thru when I learned that Jimmy Buffett had passed. Dad was a latecomer to the smooth tunes of “Margaritaville,” but it was the soundtrack of our father-daughter road trip to Florida in 2019. “It’s been my pleasure to serve you, even with mascara running down your cheeks.”
Grief is funny sometimes, especially for me.
Peace out.
Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.
My wife, Mary Ellen, is extremely concerned about identity theft and is urging me to change my passwords. Many of the words we create to log in are what a website might call “weak passwords.” I thought I used some pretty nifty ones in the past. For example, I once used Joy1959 for my ATM account. Joy was my girlfriend back in those days. I knew this was a very good password because even Joy didn’t know she was my girlfriend.
I tried putting in BOB, who’s my best friend, but they just hated that. The prompt said: You have to be kidding.
If it’s been a while since you changed your passwords, the sites will now give you specific directions:
• It shouldn’t be personal data.
• It shouldn’t be a pet’s name.
• It shouldn’t be a person’s name.
• It shouldn’t be a past address.
• And everyone knows you had a crush on Joy.
Then they warn: Be sure you remember your password. If you must write it down:
• Don’t write it on your wall.
• Don’t put it in a computer file.
• Don’t put it on a sticky note.
• Just memorize it, OK?
They don’t like old passwords, but I tried to revive JOY1959. It rejected it not only because it was weak, but because someone else was using it. I always suspected there was another guy back in those days. Now, I had the proof.
Then I tried my birthday. I got a prompt: Very weak, claiming it was too easy to figure out. I think I look younger than my age, so this really annoyed me. Also, no one has remembered my birthday in 40 years, so I wasn’t concerned about that information
No, I needed a strong password, so I put in HERCULES. It was rejected as weak. Then I tried SAMPSON. This time, very weak. I don’t think the people at this website have read their mythology. But it did answer the age-old question of who was stronger.
At one point, I just ran my fingers haphazardly across the keyboard.
Very strong, said the prompt, followed by, Please remember to write your new password down. Write it down? I had no idea what I typed. Was it KKDFJHG%$, or was it YQWOKW?0&?
I finally found a password that was acceptable. It was deemed very strong. Then the website asked me a series of personal questions in case it ever needed to confirm my identity,
What was the name of your first girlfriend?: (Joy. Wait, now I’m thinking it was Judy).
Your best friend’s name: (It was Bob, but lately he has ticked me off).
A strong fictional character: (Wait, wait, don’t tell me -- Mighty Mouse).
Here’s my new password: J&U*HY*&^JG%^JOY. I’m giving it to you just in case I can’t remember it. Please put it in a safe place.
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“No, I needed a strong password, so I put in HERCULES. It was rejected as weak. Then I tried SAMPSON. This time, very weak.”
– DICK WOLFSIE
“ I felt increasingly vulnerable as I tried to slow my breathing and discover my inner chi and soon found myself sobbing in downward dog. Mindful meditation was namaste no-go.”
– DANIELLE WILSON
The Center for the Performing Arts is renown for bringing a variety of entertainers to Carmel each year.
“Grumpy Old Men” runs through Oct. 1 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
Yet just as important to the Center’s mission is educational programming.
The Center Celebration, the Center for the Performing Arts annual gala fundraiser, is set to begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Palladium. Headlining the gala is six-time Grammy Award winner Amy Grant.
Julia Shildmyer, the Center’s director of education and community engagement, said fundraising is vital to the programming.
“We keep our education program affordable and several of them are free to attend,” she said. “We couldn’t do that without the money that comes in from the gala. If we don’t have a sponsor for the program, then the money we raise from the gala goes to covering the cost of the education program. The education program in a nonprofit is never a big income generator. It really is mission-driven.”
Some of the educational programming includes Child & Adult Music classes.
“We have programs that range from babies all the way to the elderly,” Shildmyer said. “We had a gentleman a couple years ago who was 91 who participated in our Group Vocal Coaching class. It was a bucket list item to sing in public and he did that on World Voice Day.”
Shildmyer said the Center has different entry points into the performing arts from the novice, intermediate and advanced.
Among the novice ones are the Peanut Butter & Jam series, primarily for ages 1 to 7, and Beginning Ukulele.
Shildmyer said there are master classes for the advanced.
There also are programs for those who might want to have nonperforming roles. Some of the programs for adults include Intro to Stand-Up Comedy and Group Vocal Coaching.
Carmel resident Donna Skeens said she is delighted to be a part of the Palladium Bookies.
“I joined at the very beginning and look forward to our book discussions and making many new friendships,” she said. “All that is required is to read a book every other month and join the rest of the club in the West Lobby of the Palladium. Where else could I find such interesting people and a magnificent venue like that?”
Skeens enjoys the Luminaries program and said it might be one of the best-kept secrets in Carmel.
“This is a program in the early afternoon that meets bimonthly as well,” Skeens said. “Local musicians, artists, comedians and actors present programs that you might not see or hear anywhere else in the area. A $10 ticket certainly makes the events well worth your time.”
Westfield resident Maggie Adams and her 2 1/2-year-old daughter Kendall have participated for a year in the child and adult music classes, a five-week music and movement class for toddlers and adult caregivers offered a few times a year.
“She loves it. It’s one of our favorite activities that we do together,” Adams said.
“She has really blossomed in that class. When she first joined, she was really shy and actually cried the first time. Now, to see her just playing with all the instruments and showing a genuine love and
curiosity for music is incredible.”
Kelly Fischer’s son Noah, 22, is blind with autism and developmentally delayed. Fischer was the camp coordinator for the Prism Project at the Center, which was held in the summer of 2023 for the first time. The program involves taking people with disabilities and coordinating with performance arts instructors in dance, music and theater. Fischer said the participants create their own show.
“He’s been involved in Center programs since we moved back to Carmel in 2018,” said Fischer, a Carmel High School graduate. “I think everyone who goes to the Center goes for the wide variety of opportunities there and finds their own special connections. The thing I love is Noah finds more of the adult activities like concerts and the Group Vocal Coaching class to be not only enjoyable but he gets something out of it. But because of his unique disability, he also enjoys programs like Peanut Butter and Jam. When I first tentatively reached out if I could bring him, everyone was like, ‘that would be great.’ He was welcomed with open arms even though he is obviously much older physically than the average fan of that program.”
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Ann Hampton Callaway presents “Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration!” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Melinda DeRocker and her Jazz Trio’s performance is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
Life with the “Afterlife: True Tales of the Paranormal” with Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni is set for 8 p.m. Sept 16 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
editorial@youarecurrent.com
The Indiana Wind Symphony has chosen Jay Gephart as its new music director to lead the group in the 202425 season.
Gephart is the second music director in the symphony’s 26-year history. He is a professor at Purdue University and serves as Al G. Wright Chair of Purdue Bands and Orchestras. He also is the director of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band and the Purdue University Wind Ensemble, as well as the past president of the American Bandmasters Association and current chairman of the board of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Gephart will replace music director and founder Charles Conrad, who will retire following the 2023-24 season.
Gephart
For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org/ events.
Melinda DeRocker’s love of the Great American Songbook is rooted in her childhood.
DeRocker will sing some of the tunes from the 2013 album, “I’ll be Seeing You,” but with new arrangements.
“My parents influenced me strongly in this golden era of popular music in the U.S. because this was the music of their courtship and marriage right in the middle of World War II,” DeRocker said. “I really began to dive into it in the last year of my mother’s life about 12 years ago. I wanted to give her a gift for her last Christmas on Earth and decided to record some standards to give to her, and in doing that project I decided the next year to record a full album in 2013 and then began singing these tunes with a group of jazz musicians from New York City where I lived.
“I’m constantly trying fresh approaches to the songs from this iconic era of music,” DeRocker said. “I was singing many of these standards when I was a teenager with my mom at the piano and began back then to not only have an appreciation for this music but to see it as timeless for every generation to come in my show.”
DeRocker
DeRocker said she will share stories behind some of the songs and the composers who wrote them.
She will be accompanied by a jazz trio of Gregory Jones, bassist, Jeff Ciampa, guitarist, and Tom Jennings, pianist.
DeRocker said two of her favorites, Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and Hoagy Carmichael’s “The Nearness of You,” are always popular with the audience.
“It felt like I was just coming home musically, kind of full circle back to those teenage years when I would sing these songs with my mom.”
DeRocker will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Feinstein’s in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.
The performance will be DeRocker’s first at Feinstein’s.
DeRocker, who released a Christmas album in 2018, performed at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt in December 2022.
For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Carmel PorchFest will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a bang.
MUSIC
The Carmel High School Drumline will kick off the Sept. 17 event at 11:45 a.m., marching down 1st Avenue NW to 6th Street NW in downtown Carmel. The free festival will feature 58 bands performing on 21 porches from noon to 6 p.m. Each set is 45 minutes. The area is only open to foot traffic during the event.
Two bands, The Failers and Circuit Thursday, will be honored with special awards for their 10th appearance at the event. Carmel PorchFest Executive Director Sondra Schwieterman said the bands will receive a Carmel PorchFest cooler stocked with beer.
The Failers will perform at 12:45 p.m. on Porch 13, and Circuit Thursday will play at 4:30 p.m. on Porch 15.
Food vendors include Arepas, Ice Cream Donuts and Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Bier Brewery will have three locations. Peace Water Winery, Sugar Creek Winery and Pure Green Juice will also be on-site.
All Things Carmel will sell 10-year PorchFest T-shirts. Carmel PorchFest also will have a booth.
“We’re going to host a band hospitality tent, so the bands can network and meet one another,” Schwieterman said.
Feinstein’s will have VIP lounge tent for sponsors and donors.
Schwieterman said donations go toward the Carmel PorchFest grants to students ages 6-18 with musical aspirations. The grant application and other event information can be found at carmelporchfest.org.
The first PorchFest was started in Ithaca, N.Y. in 2007. Since then, several other cities in the U.S. and Canada started the music festival. Carmel became the first city in Indiana in 2014.
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editorial@youarecurrent.com
The word for Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s 2024 season is “Beautiful,” as the Carole King musical highlights a schedule of classics, popular movie-based musicals and a celebration of four of America’s greatest musical artists.
VIP memberships for the 2024 season are now available, while 2024 season individual show tickets go on sale to the general public starting Oct. 1.
In January, Beef & Boards presents the humorous celebration of women and the change with “Menopause, The Musical,” running Jan. 5 through Feb. 4. Set in a department store, four women who seem to have little in common make fun of their hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges in a production that includes parodies from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.
The inspiring true story of Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” On stage for the first time at Beef & Boards, “Beautiful” follows the life of Carole Klein, a songwriter who wrote dozens of memorable hits for some of the biggest names in music before developing her own career as Carole King. Songs include “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “Natural Woman.” The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical show is on stage Feb. 8 through March 30.
Returning to the Beef & Boards stage for the first time in more than 20 years is the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, “The King and I,” which runs April 4 through May 19. Based on the novel “Anna and the King of Siam” by Margaret Landon and winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, “The King and I” is the story of the unlikely friendship that emerges between Anna, a widow from England, and the King of Siam when she arrives to teach his many children and wives. Famous songs include “Getting to Know You,” “I Whistle A Happy Tune,” “Something Wonderful” and “Shall We Dance.”
The Beef & Boards’ 2024 Family Show’s “The Wizard of Oz” runs May 23 to July 7. Dorothy Gale discovers friendships and
adventure along the Yellow Brick Road and ultimately learns the valuable lesson “there’s no place like home.” “The Wizard of Oz” features $10 discounts off tickets for all children ages 3-15.
Beef & Boards goes blonde for the summer with “Legally Blonde the Musical,” running July 11 through Aug. 25. After being dumped by her boyfriend for someone “serious,” Delta Nu sorority president Elle Woods drops the credit cards and hits the books to win him back.
The true story of the spectacular night when four stars aligned in Memphis, Tenn., is celebrated with the musical “Million Dollar Quartet,” set for Aug. 29 through Oct. 6. On Dec. 4, 1956, an extraordinary twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever.
One of musical theater’s most beloved musicals, “Fiddler on the Roof,” returns to the Beef & Boards stage from Oct. 10 through Nov. 24. Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. Nostalgic songs include “Tradition,” “If I Were A Rich Man,” and “Sunrise, Sunset.”
On stage for the holidays is the movie-turned-musical “A Christmas Story,” set from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31. Young Ralphie Parker lives in a fictional Indiana town and is on a quest to obtain his most desired Christmas gift, a Red Ryder BB gun.
For more, visit beefandboards.com.
WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT WONDERFUL ARTWORK FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD IN THE
a year, which the brothers used to finance their growing interest in flying machines.
Today, in our continuing visits to sites within easy driving distance of Indianapolis, we come to Dayton, Ohio, where we learn more about the Wright brothers.
In 1884, Wilbur and Orville Wright moved with their parents back to Dayton, Ohio. Wilbur had just left high school in Richmond, without receiving a diploma. In 1889, Orville dropped out of high school after his junior year and opened a printing business in Dayton, using a printer he had built. Wilbur soon joined the business, which printed, among many other things, the Dayton Tattler, a weekly newspaper published by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, a renowned local African American poet.
In 1892, the brothers opened what became known as the Wright Cycle Co., repairing and selling bicycles. Four years later, they began selling their own model that included improved brakes. They named the model Van Cleve in honor of their great, great grandmother, the first white woman to settle in the Dayton area. The bicycle business was soon earning about $3,000
In 1899, Wilbur wrote a letter to the Smithsonian Institution on Wright Cycle Co., letterhead, successfully seeking all the materials it had on flight.
Today, a number of sites in and around Dayton remember the Wright brothers’ early activities, many now run by the National Park Service as the Dayton Aviation National Historical Park. The park includes a bicycle shop where the brothers fixed and built bicycles. On the same street is the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, which includes items related both to Wilbur and Orville Wright and to Paul Dunbar. On the second floor is the recreated Wright & Wright Job Printers, featuring some of the equipment the brothers owned and used. Next week, we will visit other Dayton sites related to the Wright brothers.
34. Local Catholic high school
37. WTTV military drama
40. “Milk’s favorite cookie,” according to ads
41. Wild hogs
45. Duke Energy unit
46. Eiteljorg Museum Western tribesman
47. Picturesque
23. Go one better
24. Cold War inits.
27. Chest muscles, briefly
31. Destroy documents
32. Big shoes to fill
33. ___ gin fizz
35. Dog in Oz
36. Preschool basics
37. Slangy refusal
38. Local Catholic high school
39. Overstayed one’s welcome, say 42. Ticked off
43. Local Catholic high school
44. Cold Stone Creamery ice cream serving 46. Website ID 47. R-V link 50. Wrap up by 51. Kremlin denials
54. Indiana House creations
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