January 3, 2023 — Lawrence/Geist

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Nonprofit jewelry business offers therapy, helps empower women in need

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

Caring for others and crafting jewelry have always gone together for Fishers business owner Lindsay Schloss. Making jewelry was always therapeutic for her family, so she paired the craft with a business model and turned into it a successful nonprofit to help women.

GIVING BACK

HopeAnchor & Crew, founded by Schloss, is a nonprofit jewelry business at 13578 E 131st St., Suite 101. It has a philanthropy-centered mission focused on helping women in need. Founded in 2019, the business is the first of its kind to pair jewelry making with philanthropic therapy and has grown to a nationally known brand that empowers those who need it most.

HopeAnchor & Crew’s mission is to “empower women to create handmade philanthropic jewelry shining light on local and global causes in our community.” Schloss said the therapeutic nature of the nonprofit is a natural fit for her because of her background in social work with Child Advocates, Inc.

The nonprofit offers a fellowship program with residential treatment facilities for women who have experienced sex trafficking, domestic violence or other abuse. Schloss refers to the program as “group coaching.”

“We go into these facilities to make bracelets and base it off of our Full Balance Life curriculum,” Schloss said. “It’s kind of our take on the Wheel of Life where we focus on 10 different areas and set goals with vision boards or creating a life mission statement. We call it ‘group coaching.’”

Schloss said the group coaching provides an indirect means of therapy for those who need it most.

“We’ve found that when people are busy with their hands, especially women who have endured trauma, and not looking straight into your eyes like in therapy, they’re more likely to share and be vulnerable,” Schloss said. “It’s kind of magical when we get them together and they get to express themselves creatively through bracelet making.”

Graduates of the nonprofit’s fellowship program visit the Fishers studio and can design a bracelet to be named after them and sold on the business’ website.

Schloss said throughout January, Hope-

Anchor & Crew invites people to participate in any of the nonprofit’s craft nights where they can focus on their “word of the year” to be strung onto a bracelet they design.

“Everyone leads such crazy lives,” Schloss said. “I feel like taking the time to slow down and really be intentional with our goal-setting and what we’ve learned over the past year is a way to help ourselves grow better than a resolution that most people end up forgetting before it’s February.”

Schloss said focusing on one word each January can help people create personal goals throughout the year. In fact, the entire Schloss family has made it a tradition for four years.

“My parents were great parents, but they never taught me about the importance of intentionality in living our lives,” Schloss said. “It wasn’t part of our culture growing up. But this way, having a fun, tangible activity to help us set goals is a great way to make our kids think.”

The idea to make bracelets stemmed from a Father’s Day gift request by Schloss’s husband, Steve.

“The kids all made (Steve) bracelets, and then it turned into family craft night each Friday night,” Schloss said. “We found, like with the women in our fellowship program, that it was a great way to sit as a family and let our kids just talk. We’ve had some of our best conversations sitting around our dining table making bracelets together.”

From there, Schloss’s boutique-owner

friends asked if they could sell the bracelets in their stores. Schloss said that her heart told her to incorporate philanthropy into the bracelets to form a business.

“I’m a social worker by trade, so my heart was like, ‘I don’t really want to make bracelets for the rest of my life, but I could incorporate nonprofit work for the rest of my life,’” Schloss said. “Then we thought about the name for the business and were influenced by the quote, ‘Hope anchors the soul.’ We take it a step further and say that hope also anchors our community.

“So, we have hope, anchor and crew in reference to our kids, because they were the first crew. We have a nautical influence because our family hub is a lake cottage.”

Schloss said the business grew quickly and organically. HopeAnchor & Crew began wholesaling and expanded into the national market. From there, it was able to find more sponsors, collect donations and partner with other nonprofits for the benefit of those in need.

Schloss said the goal of the studio is to be a “beautiful space” where women feel welcome and safe to create their art.

“Beauty and creativity are two of our core values,” she said. “If you have somewhere beautiful to go and create, especially for women, you feel more joy.”

HopeAnchor & Crew plans to expand its studio and have a presence in 1,000 boutiques by the end of this year.

For more, visit hopeanchorandcrew.com.

HopeAnchor & Crew started as a Schloss family craft project. Family members are, from left, Noah, 13; Nahla, 14; Sophia, 6; Lindsay, husband Steve Schloss, 38; Jackson, 11; and Steven, 12. (Photo courtesy of HopeAnchor & Crew)

IT’S gr e at TO

DINE OUT!

The Great Dine Out in Hamilton County January 2–31, 2023

It’s great to dine out—enjoy the company of others, participate in local culture, and support local restaurants all while earning special deals on food. Simply check in at participating Hamilton County restaurants with the Great Dine Out digital passport. If you check in five times, you’ll get a $25 local restaurant gift card—while supplies last.

Claim your digital passport at DineOutHamiltonCounty.com or scan the QR code.

Crouch visits Carmel, discusses gubernatorial run

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch kicked off her campaign for governor Dec. 12 with a tour across the state, conducting several interviews over a few days. She took questions from Current Publishing during a Dec. 14 visit to Carmel.

ELECTION

Where did you get your motivation for running?

After being elected with Gov. Eric Holcomb in November 2016, I got a check (the next month) from a supporter made out to ‘Crouch for Governor. I called and told him, “It’s lieutenant governor.” He said, “No, I want to be the first person to write a check for your campaign for governor.”

At the time, I thought, “That’s eight years away. I can’t even think about that.” But I started to think more and more that my experience and leadership in serving in local and state government at the legislative and executive branch has brought me to this position, and the next step is to run for governor.

I have a vision for Indiana that will propel us into the future. I’ve been to all 92 counties many times over. I’ve talked to people, and I’ve listened to them. We’ve accomplished great things over the last 17 years. We’ve turned the state around to where we have low taxes, healthy surpluses and balanced budgets.

The next chapter in Indiana’s history is going to be about quality of life. Why is that important? Because that’s how we grow our population and attract talent. Quality of life is as important to businesses as low taxes and tax incentives. It used to be that people followed businesses. Today, businesses are following people, and people want to live in communities where they enjoy quality of life. We have a plan for the future to grow our economy, invest in education, strengthen our families and communities.

Why is education a major theme of your campaign?

We need to create a cradle-to-career education system. It starts with early childhood education. We need to be investing more in early childhood education. We need to align K-12 higher education development and workforce development better. whether it’s employment or enrollment.

One of the things that we have to do is encourage our high school seniors that want to go to college to go to Indiana colleges and universities. Why is that important? Because 70 percent of them will stay in Indiana (after graduating). It’s about getting our young people prepared for that next step in life. If college is where they want to go, let’s get them in Indiana colleges and universities and then move toward addressing that quality of life.

Quality of life can look like all different things to all different people. I think when most people think about quality of life, they think about destinations. They think about the trails. They think about those amenities that make life meaningful. But quality of life is also about helping those Hoosiers who struggle with mental illness or addiction, helping those Hoosiers who are disabled or those who have intellectual development disabilities, whether it’s autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy. Quality of life is about providing more meaningful opportunities for all Hoosiers, including those who are more vulnerable.

How do you plan to address workforce development?

It’s important that we have a workforce that is trained and skilled for the jobs of the future. It’s estimated that by 2025, 60 percent of all jobs will require post-secondary education. So, it’s important our students are prepared for that next step, and we encourage them to have the education for the industries of the future. Industries of the future are advanced manufacturing, aerospace, ag-bioscience, cybersecurity, defense, health care, orthopedics and life sciences. If those are the jobs of the future, we want to have our children and our future workforce prepared. So, aligning education with that becomes extremely important.

Did Sen. Mike Braun’s announcement that he is running for governor have any effect on your timing?

This is a plan we’ve had in place for months. I learned a long time ago that I can’t be responsible for other people. I have to be responsible for myself. We’ve put together a plan and we’re executing it. I’m taking my vision to the people of Indiana, not waiting for people to come to me. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past eight years is traveling the state and connecting with Hoosiers.

RESISTANCE. MAYBE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEAST COMPLAINTS.

Crouch

CURRENT COMMUNITY CALENDAR

PAWS TO READ AT LAWRENCE

Beginning or reluctant readers from 6 to 11 years old are invited to read aloud to a registered therapy dog who loves to listen to stories. It’s a “great way to improve a child’s reading skills and self-confidence,” according to the Indianapolis Public Library. The event will be held Jan. 14 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m at the Indianapolis Public Library Lawrence Branch, 7898 Hague Rd. in Indianapolis.

INDY VINEYARD MISSIONAL FOOD PANTRY

Indy Vineyard Church’s Missional Food Pantry serves those in need, both physically and spiritually by providing food, prayer and forming relationships with recipients. In addition, their team offers Bible study and children’s ministry for volunteers’ and recipients’ families. The food pantry will be open each third Tuesday starting Jan. 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. each session. To learn more, contact Mary Stevens at missionalfoodpantry@indyvineyard.org.

BLISSFUL BAKERY COOKIE DECORATING CLASS

Learn how to decorate a basic set of five winter forest-themed cookies step-bystep at Daniel’s Vineyard, 9061 N 700 W.

in McCordsville. All cookies and icings are handmade by Blissful Bakery owner Christy Booker. The class includes instruction on how to outline, flood and add finishing touches to the cookies students will decorate. One glass of wine/beverage is included with your ticket. Visit danielsvineyard.com to see a wine list and information about their food options as well. The class will be held on Jan. 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person.

“THE LIVES WE LEAD”

BY CROSSROADS DANCE INDY

Crossroads Dance Indy, an Indianapolis dance company, will perform at Arts for Lawrence stage with their latest work, “The Lives We Lead.” The performance portrays various aspects of life and humanity over the course of several vignettes choreographed by Katie Porras, Nicole Dean, Brittany Gaither, and Shannon Stone. The performance features a look into family life, including blood relatives, global society and chosen families, as well as commentary on work-life “balance” and how work lives have been altered in recent years.

Performances will be held at Arts for Lawrence at 8920 Otis Ave. on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.

City conducts food drive

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

• Heritage Park: 10595 Eller Rd.

• Kroger: 9799 E. 116th St.

• Kroger: 11700 Olio Rd.

GIVING BACK

On Jan. 16, the City of Fishers will hold its first-ever communitywide food drive to support local food pantries. Donations will be collected with a “Pack the Bus” event at Fishers local parks and all three Fishers Kroger stores from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fishers has partnered with Good Samaritan Network, Memory Ventures and Hamilton Southeastern Schools to conduct the food drive. The purpose of the donation effort is to “celebrate the kindness of Martin Luther King Jr.,” according to the City of Fishers.

Donations will be collected at the following parks and Kroger stores:

• Brook School Park: 11780 Brook School Rd.

• Cyntheanne Park: 12383 Cyntheanne Rd.

• Flat Fork Creek Park: 16141 E. 101st St.

• Harrison Thompson Park: 13573 Conner Knoll Pkwy.

• Nickel Plate Amphitheater: 6 Municipal Dr.

• Holland Park: 1 Park Dr.

• Saxony Hall: 13362 Pennington Rd.

• Kroger: 7272 Fishers Crossing Dr. Amy Crell, volunteer coordinator with the City of Fishers, said the event is in response to local food drives experiencing “extreme need.”

“We’ve learned that the local food banks are experiencing an increase in demand and a decrease in supplies,” Crell said. “We want to support them and the people who use our food banks.”

Crell said the city’s goal is to donate at least 50,000 pounds of shelf-stable food to local food pantries.

“It’ll really take the help of the whole community to come together for this goal,” Elrod said. “We’re hoping that everyone plays a part to make this happen.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating can visit VolunteerFishers.com to sign up.

People looking to donate but can’t do so in person can order donations and have them delivered to the city via the Amazon wish list. A link to the wishlist can be found at thisisfishers.com/mlk-day/.

Patient brightens holidays

news@geistcurrent.com

Ten-year-old Tony Dingle, a patient at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, didn’t forget his fellow patients this holiday season. He raised $1,230 and purchased several giant bags of brand-new toys and donated them to the hospital. A Fishers resident, Dingle, alongside his mom, Tracey, made the donation Dec. 21. Dingle said he “just wanted to spread some joy.”

GIVING BACK

“Because as a patient from Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, I felt the pain of everybody in this hospital right here,” Dingle said. “I just wanted to spread some joy and happiness this Christmas. And then we did a GoFundMe and then here we are right here in this very moment.”

Dingle was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome at age 3. His kidneys don’t function properly, and he’s been working with pediatric nephrologist Dr. Daniel McKenney since his diagnosis. Thanks to the help from McKenney and other health professionals at the hospital, Dingle competes in football, basketball and wrestling. His condition needs continual monitoring and staff at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital say he brings happiness and light every time he

comes into the hospital.

McKenney said while he was surprised to see such a generous donation, he wasn’t surprised to learn that it came from his patient Tony.

“He’s always been kind of an inspiration. When I see him in the clinic, just walking through the door I always hear, ‘Oh hi Dr. McKenney! He’s always cheerful, happy and a pleasure to see. He’s continuing to be inspiring seeing this today,” McKenney said.

Construction, led by Terre Haute-based company Garmong Construction, continues on Lawrence Fire Dept. Station 38. Upon completion, the station will be the newest for the city in nearly 36 years. The 17,000-square-foot facility will feature a five-bay apparatus area, 14-dorm living area, two day rooms, a kitchen, fitness area, turnout gear room, workshop, laundry and a decontamination area. Located at 4450 McCoy St., Station 38 is one of the busiest fire stations in Marion County. The new station is slated to open in the fall. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

Tony Dingle, a 10-year-old patient at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, with a cart of toys he raised for fellow pediatric patients. (Photo courtesy of Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital)

Lawrence Central defensive end boasts strong athletic skills

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Despite drawing a lot of attention on and off the field, Lawrence Central High School defensive end Joshua Mickens was able to have a special senior season.

“Josh would probably say he didn’t have as good a year, at least statistically, as he did as a junior, but Josh was amazing for us,” Lawrence Central football coach Will Patterson said. “We told him it wouldn’t be the same because people know about you, he wouldn’t surprise anyone. He accepted the challenge and played well. He saw a lot of double- and triple-teams at times. He learned how to adapt to that and still bring impact to the game.

“He did a phenomenal job of adjusting. He battled some injuries in the middle of the season and fought his way through it.”

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mickens was recently named the Indiana Mr. Football position winner for defensive line. He had

MEET JOSHUA MICKENS

Favorite type of music: Rap or hip-hop

Favorite subject: Social studies

Favorite TV show: “American Dad” College plans: Major in engineering at Ohio State University.

74 total tackles, including 20 1/2 tackles for loss, and 6 1/2 sacks. In 2021, he had 78 total tackles, 12 sacks and 23 tackles for loss.

“He’s an extremely tough kid,” Patterson said. “He’s freakishly athletic for his size. It’s going to help him a lot down the road.”

On Dec. 21, Mickens signed a National Let-

ter of Intent to play football for Ohio State University.

Mickens had originally committed to Louisiana State University in July 2022, but decommitted in November.

“It’s been a long process,” Mickens said. “It was a family thing, wanting to be closer to home overall.”

Patterson said Mickens had a love for LSU

but wanted to play close to home.

“To be able to share this experience with his mother and sister was important to him,” Patterson said. “There are only a couple places around the Midwest that play the same quality of football they do down South. In the interest of having the best of both worlds, he felt Ohio State was the best fit.”

Mickens’ father, Arnold Mickens, died at age 49 after a battle with COVID-19 In January 2022. Arnold was an all-state running back and linebacker at Broad Ripple High School. After transferring from Indiana University to Butler University, he set 18 NCAA Division 1-AA records, including rushing for 2,255 yards in 1994. He appeared in three games for the Indianapolis Colts in 1996.

Mickens was averaging 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in the first seven games for Lawrence Central’s basketball team. He averaged 13.0 points and 7.3 rebounds last season.

Although Mickens, who has a 3.8 grade point average, could have graduated in December and got a jump start on college football practice, he chose to play one last season of basketball.

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Lawrence Central defensive end Joshua Mickens was the Indiana Mr. Football position winner for the defensive line. (Photo courtesy of Joshua Mickens)

Mickens

Service dog trainer helps shelters

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

Duke Energy donates $20K to White River Alliance

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

ENVIRONMENT

Medical Mutts Service Dogs Inc., at 6120 Allisonville Rd., held a Service Dogs Graduation Celebration at the Delaware Township Community Center Dec. 13. The organization has called Indianapolis home for 10 years and plans to keep supporting the community.

Medical Mutts trains shelter dogs to become service animals for people with disabilities. Director of Development Kelsey Burton said what sets Medical Mutts apart from other training organizations is that it does not breed dogs.

“We go to local shelters for our dogs,” Burton said. “We work with Indianapolis Animal Care Services and other smaller shelters to source dogs for training. If we end up not being able to train a dog to be a service animal, we adopt them out.”

The organization also uses “ethical training methods.” Burton said that is important for helping foster positive relationships between recipients and their dogs.

“Ethical training is so important for the

Bertie, 1 1/2 years old, was a graduate of Medical Mutts’ Dec. 13 Service Dogs Graduation Celebration. (Photo courtesy of Medical Mutts)

bonds the dogs create–bonds between trainers and other people in the office and then the bond with their owner,” Burton said.

Medical Mutts focuses on providing service animals for seizure and diabetic alerts and psychiatric support animals. Burton said the organization helps combat the negative stigma associated with shelter dogs.

For more, visit medicalmutts.org.

ENVIRONMENT

Duke Energy has donated $20,000 to the White River Alliance to boost the nonprofit’s efforts to improve and protect water resources throughout central Indiana.

“We understand the importance of environmental stewardship and the benefits it provides to the communities we serve,” said Mark LaBarr, government and community relations manager at Duke Energy. “We’re proud to invest in organizations like the White River Alliance that are creating resources and educational programs that promote, protect and enhance the biological, chemical and physical integrity of the White River ecosystem.”

Duke Energy’s financial support will fund the installation of two new White River Art Canoes, one near Duke Energy’s substation in Noblesville and the other at Conner Prairie in Fishers, to raise aware-

ness of the importance of the White River to the local economy and the quality of life for area residents. Each canoe will be hand-painted by a different local artist from either Marion County or Hamilton County to reflect the unique elements of the river at each location.

The funding will also support the White River Alliance’s River Assessment Field Teams, which are groups of trained volunteers who serve as citizen scientists, gathering data on local water quality that aids in state and local pollution prevention strategies and resource allocation, according to the organization. In addition, the funding will support the White River Alliance’s annual Clean-Up Paddle Days, in which hundreds of local residents collect up to 2 tons of trash and debris along the White River while enjoying a day of paddling in a canoe or kayak.

Duke Energy’s donation is also supporting the planting of trees at Conner Prairie near the 3.3 miles of river that run through its property, according to officials.

DISPATCHES

Send us your stories and photos — Have a story suggestion? Want an event covered? Know of a new business or have photos for submission? Please email Current in Lawrence/Geist Managing Editor Rebecca Fending at rebecca@ youarecurrent.com or call 317-489-4444. Remember our deadline is about eight days prior to publication.

LPD is hiring — Open enrollment for the Lawrence Police Dept. opened Oct. 19 with the hopes of hiring new officers by March of 2023. The first 20 eligible interest form submissions sent to Lawrence Police Dept. will have the first opportunity to participate. To learn more, visit www. joinlawrencepd.com.

Princess Program applications — The 500 Festival is

accepting applications for the 2023 500 Festival Princess Program. Applications are available at 500Festival.com/ Princess. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Jan. 8, 2023. The program provides 33 women from Indiana colleges and universities with the opportunity to make an impact during their college years as ambassadors of the 500 Festival and its mission to enrich lives and positively impact the community. Each 500 Festival Princess will also receive a $1,000 scholarship.

United Way seeking volunteers for ReadUP program — United Way of Central Indiana is seeking volunteers for its ReadUP program. The program sends individuals to elementary schools across the region to read with third graders who are behind on their reading skills. Volun-

teers who are interested must complete a background check and a one-hour training session. For more information, visit www.uwci.org/readup.

Prevent catalytic converter theft — Jiffy Lube of Indiana and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. have partnered to launch the Catalytic Converter Identification Initiative to combat a trend of catalytic converter thefts. Hoosiers that visit a Jiffy Lube store in central Indiana can opt to have their technician engrave the last 8 digits of the vehicle’s VIN on the catalytic converter and add a stripe of high-temp paint, which adds an extra layer of protection to any vehicle at no additional cost (and no purchase necessary). Services will remain in effect indefinitely.

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Library amends policy, moves children’s book to adult section

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

After conducting two special meetings last month, the Hamilton East Public Library board amended its collection development policy on Dec. 15, resulting in the relocation of a controversial children’s book to the library’s adult section.

In November of 2022, the Hamilton East Public Library board discussed restricting access to the book “Making a Baby” by Rachel Greener, which was cataloged in the children’s section by recommendation of the publisher. The library received a request for reconsideration in October 2022 from a patron regarding the book, asking that it be moved out of the children’s collection because of “graphic depictions of sex.”

The book includes a detailed outline of various methods of procreation, ranging from in vitro fertilization to sex. The issues that some patrons found with the book centered on the illustrations associated with procreation. The board considered the concerns and voted in favor of restricting access to the book. The vote resulted in a change to the library’s collection development policy outlining that explicit depictions of sex in any book will result in the book being placed in the adult section of the library.

The board held special meetings on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 for the public to voice opinions. The changes approved by the library board were contested by some members of the public, while others voiced approval for the board’s decisions. Fishers resident Amber Carmichael commended the board for its decision to restrict access to “inappropriate” books for children, saying that social media was a source of misinformation on the matter.

“Back in December 2021, my husband and I started attending (library) board meetings,” Carmichael said. “Over the past year, there have been several occasions where misinformation on social media has caused people to show up (to the meetings) in droves to speak out against ‘book banning,’ only to discover that no one was asking for a book to be banned.

“The views of those in favor of the policy change and those who aren’t are more closely aligned than many of you think. It’s something this library most desperately

needs.”

Geist-area residents Barbi Stenacker and Ginny Reetz said the board’s decision to relocate the book to the adult section “overstepped” the board’s authorized power.

“What it boils down to is a power struggle on the board, because cataloged books at the library are organized by their suggested category as declared by the publisher,” Reetz said. “(That means) if it’s listed as a children’s book, then it should stay in the children’s section.”

Michelle Payne, vice president of the board, said moving educational books for children to the adult section does not necessarily keep a child from seeing the book. Instead, the policy change may “expose” children to other adult materials not intended for their consumption.

“What about when a child goes looking for this book in the adult section?” Payne said. “Then they’re exposed to even more graphic (books) that aren’t intended for them. If the point is to protect children from graphic depictions of sex, then why are we sending them to the adult section?”

Although the board has changed the library’s collection development policy to prohibit the placement of sexually graphic books in the children’s section, the board expects to conduct future public meetings on the matter.

Fishers resident Amber Carmichael speaks at the Dec. 8 library board meeting in support of its decision to relocate the book “Making a Baby” and implementation of changes to the library’s collection development policy. (Photo by Rebecca Fending)

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

When it comes to growing a business, gardening might be one of the most difficult to cultivate. From the challenges of planting seasons to keeping up with trends, one local farmer has high hopes for the new year.

Garcia’s Gardens, at 11717 42nd St. in Lawrence, is an urban farm that grows organic produce. The “small but mighty” farm sells its goods to residents, restaurants and grocery stores. Owned and operated out of his backyard by Daniel Garcia, a second-generation harvester and farmer, the gardens began as a way to help fight food insecurity in the Lawrence area.

“We opened in 2015,” Garcia said. “But we were researching how to open a farm and taking farm tours for some time before that. I looked at different farms around Indianapolis and decided to go for it.”

Garcia decided that starting an organic farm in Lawrence was a must, given that the area struggles with food insecurity.

“Where we are is the largest food desert in the area,” Garcia said. “Twenty percent of the kids in Indianapolis and Lawrence Township struggle with food insecurity.”

Garcia’s roots began in Hagerstown, a small town with a population of under 2,000 about an hour east of Lawrence. As a child, Garcia would ride his bike to help local farmers pick corn and beans — his first experience with farming.

“My father was a migrant worker who was granted amnesty under the Carter administration,” Garcia said. “He flew to Indiana with some friends and met my mom, who was a taxi driver in Lafayette at the time. The rest was history.”

Garcia said his father always had an “entrepreneurial mindset,” and at the center of their lives was food.

“I realized that with Garcia’s Gardens, I was reconnected with what my dad was doing,” Garcia said. “I thought, ‘This is what my family did,’ and it just felt right.”

The connection to following in his father’s footsteps reignited Garcia’s passion for Garcia’s Gardens. Since then, the urban farmer has worked tirelessly to make his farm a success.

Garcia’s Gardens first made appearances at local farmers markets after Garcia was

laid off from his previous job. He said getting his footing was the hardest part.

“It was unbelievably so much work,” Garcia said. “It was like pushing a rock up a hill, going to sleep and then realizing the rock had rolled down the hill overnight. Then we had to push it back up the hill again. I don’t know why it’s still so hard. Maybe just because farming is a business with weather. You only have so many opportunities to grow things. Once the season is up, you can’t plant tomatoes, peppers, etc.

“Farming is seasonally challenged, but I love what I do, and I love being outside.”

Garcia said farmers markets are great places to network and get involved with the community.

“People come to tell us about their life,” Garcia said. “(Farmers markets) are a really interesting experience. We can see community kids grow up since this will be our ninth season in the markets. It’s just a great way to connect. I don’t care if they don’t buy something, I just want to get to know people.”

Garcia runs the gardens with the help of his wife, Sarah.

“She definitely keeps me grounded,” Garcia said. “Whenever I bring up a loony idea for the farm, she reels me back in and makes me think about the limitations associated with the ideas.”

The couple’s children, Lula, 9, Flo, 7, and

Sam, 4, occasionally help in the garden. Their well-being, Garcia said, was another motivating factor.

“The kids are really influenced by being outside. Anymore, I feel like people just aren’t outside like they used to be,” he said. “Having kids outside is a habit that forms early, the same with eating well. Kids make memories surrounding fresh produce, good and bad. If we can introduce healthy produce to develop those experiences early on, then people might be influenced to plant their own garden to live off the land. Or just influenced to eat well.”

Garcia said his “rule of thumb” is that farm work is never an assignment for his children.

“I never make them work on the farm,” Garcia said. “If they want to, that’s great. They can do whatever they want. But the idea of a ‘legacy’ isn’t for us. I want them to grow up and do what they want.”

Garcia’s Gardens works with local businesses to provide access to its organic goods. The farm partners with Porter Books & Bread at 5719 Lawton Loop E. Drive. Garcia said several benefits come from the partnership.

“Stuff lasts longer when you buy locally due to less travel time,” Garcia said. “We work with Porter Books & Bread by telling them what extra produce we have and (Porter Books & Bread) makes it a special on

their menu.”

During the winter months, Garcia said the farm produces about eight gallons of organic maple syrup each year. He also cleans, organizes and prepares for the growing season ahead while the weather is cold.

“I’m currently working to put together microgreen kits so that people can grow their own microgreens at home in a windowsill,” Garcia said. “We also plant in the high tunnels and stock our cooler full of root vegetables.”

Looking ahead, Garcia wants to see more growth for the business and educational opportunities.

“We’re starting to grow mushrooms and may switch from nursery starters with flowers,” Garcia said. “We’re also hopeful that supplies for restaurants and grocery stores will pick up. I also want to collaborate with even more local businesses and offer tours and education to those interested.”

For more, visit garciasgardens.com.

ON THE COVER: Daniel Garcia, owner of Garcia’s Gardens, harvests lettuce in a high tunnel. (Photo courtesy of Garcia’s Gardens)

FOOD INSECURITY

A study by Feeding America found that 15 percent of Indiana’s population struggles with food insecurity. According to Daniel Garcia, who owns Garcia’s Gardens in Lawrence, 20 percent of kids in Lawrence Township are affected by food insecurity. Below are specifics for Marion County:

• 13 percent of the population and 23 percent of children in Marion County were food insecure in 2020 (Source: Feeding America)

• 25 percent of Marion County residents use some sort of food assistance, such as food pantries.

• 1 percent of Marion County residents have an unmet need for food. Families with children comprise half of those with unmet needs.

Sources: Feeding America and Indy Hunger Network,

Garcia’s Gardens sells organic goods to residents, restaurants and stores

Daniel Garcia gardens with daughters, from left, Lula, 9, and Sam, 4. (Photo courtesy of Garcia’s Gardens)

ESSAY

Opt-in options

Commentary by Terry Anker

“Opt in to our extensive and relentless email and text marketing campaign,” offers the pop-up box blocking our advance with the install of the new application demanded of us to order a tasty pizza, or it offers simply, “not now.” Two things come to mind. One, why is it nearly required to log into a virtual world to satisfy a late-night mozzarella and pepperoni craving? And, two, do the software developers really believe that we might change our minds later? Is it too hard to simply give us a yes/no option?

Kidding aside, it is kind of nice to order a pie without the old-school phone call — or even more cumbersome, walking up to a counter and talking to another human face-to-face. In these recent years where websites have replaced order-takers, we’ve come to know that our requests are almost always correct when we make them in electronic form. There is one less opportunity for human error. Extra pineapple and double anchovies don’t raise an eyebrow. For all we’ve gained, some of us still pine for the lost personal interaction. If we were asked to join a mailing list and declined, the kid behind the counter might offer a free 2-liter of soda if we complied but rarely shamed us by pretending that we didn’t know how to say “no.” Today, the sale of our data — who we are and what we like on our stay-uplate snacks – has become of considerable value to the companies collecting it. So-called “data mining” implies the rich minerals being sought. Modern interactions seem to exclaim, “You might not give in now, but it is only a matter of time before we get you.” Although they are probably right, it all feels a little ominous. When did no disappear?

CURRENTOON

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

POLICIES

Letters to the editor: Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 150 words. Letters must be thoroughly vetted prior to submission. Current retains the right to reject or return any letter it deems to carry unsubstantiated content. Current also retains the right to edit letters, but not their intent. Send letters to info@youarecurrent.com. Writers must include a hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Guest columns: The policy for guest columns is the same as the aforementioned, but the allowable length is 240 words. Guest columns should address the whole of Current’s readership, not simply special-interest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.

HUMOR

Navigating a travel challenge

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Friends, the Wilson Family Vacation Challenge has commenced! After months of secret planning, seven individuals came together with seven different travel itineraries to create one night of extreme PowerPoint fun.

My husband Doo kicked off the evening with rum punches and the pros and cons of an Airbnb in Belize. I countered with a Kahoot! on an all-inclusive in Costa Rica and a plate of homemade fried plantains. Next up, our older daughter and resident voice actor, who proposed a journey through both England and Ireland while cradling her cat Mr. Crawley (unfortunately named before she’d started Season 3 of “Downton Abbey”) and flawlessly alternating between British and Irish accents. Naturally, she served Guinness.

Our oldest child followed with salmon sushi (emphasis on salmon) and an inordinately detailed accounting of how we could swing an RV experience in Alaska, and then his girlfriend gave a very convincing argument for Switzerland, shamelessly employing Lindt chocolate truffles to sweeten the deal. Younger son scored major points for coming in underbudget with Iceland and the Northern Lights (he provided Icelandic bottled water, of course), and for the finale, our youngest shared 49 (49!) slides of Balkan wonderment and hefty portions of to-die-for baklava.

So, where are we going this summer? It’s still TBD, although we’ve narrowed it to Iceland and Switzerland. We’re awaiting a championship pitch-off between Team Reykjavik and Team Geneva before we cast our final votes (apparently, no one but me appreciates a jungle/beach combo with free-flowing liquor and the option to zipline with monkeys. Go figure). Regardless of the outcome, the first-ver Wilson Family Vacation Challenge has been a hoot! Peace out.

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

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

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.”

— T.S. ELIOT

Thanks for the memories, Part 2

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

This is Part 2 of my look back at 2022 with appreciation for those people, places and things that made my column possible. So, thanks …

• The Walmart cashier watching me jog around the entire store to avoid the freezing weather and still get in my 15,000 steps. I bought a $10.00 pair of warm gloves, but she said my total was $14.89.

“What’s the extra charge?” I asked.  “Mileage,” she said.

• To the dollar store cashier working the day the prices went up to $1.25. I bought a balloon for a party, not aware of the price increase.

“Why are the balloons so high?” I asked.

“Because we put helium in them,” she responded.

• To my sister, who encouraged me to meditate. “I feel like I am one with everything,” she claimed. That was good enough for me, because that’s the way I order a hot dog at Costco.

• To whoever makes remote controls. You guys need to find a way to prevent

them from disappearing just before people need them. I connected my remote to a long piece of dental floss and tied it to the leg of the couch. Now I not only find the device quickly, but I also have 27 percent less plaque between my teeth.

• To the tech guys at the cellphone store who laughed when I told them I once left my phone in the freezer after I tried to extricate a pint of ice cream that was stuck in there.

“Did the phone work when you found it?” the salesmen asked.

“Yes,” I said, “but the screen was frozen for two days.”

• To the Prevagen people who make a supplement that supposedly improves your memory. Mary Ellen and I both took the pills for a few weeks. One night Mary Ellen was annoyed with me.

“I am hurt because you once told me I

was starting to look a little chubby in a bathing suit,” she said.

“Wow, that was 40 years ago.”

“I know, I just remembered.”

• To me, for not realizing until the middle of some movies that I may have already viewed them. Recently, my wife and I were watching “Toy Story 3” and I was sure we hadn’t seen it, since one of the characters didn’t look familiar.

“You don’t recognize Mr. Potato Head? He was also in ‘Toy Story 2.’”

“Well, maybe he had a different nose.”

And a final shout-out to the Hammacher Schlemmer gift catalog. My favorite item in this year’s holiday edition is the Side Sleeper’s Ergonomic Pillow: Ideal for someone who is sleeping with someone on the side. The pillow adjusts to your head and neck and provides support. Providing support is what you will have to do if you get caught.

IDN honors organ, tissue donors at funerals

Editor,

One’s decision to save lives as their own life ends is one of the most selfless acts a person will ever make.

In 2021, hundreds of Indiana residents became organ and tissue donors, giving others a second chance at life. Their gifts provided recipients more time with their family, friends and loved ones, more opportunities to realize their hopes and dreams, and more years to enjoy all that life presents.

I am privileged to lead an organization that not only facilitates these gifts of life, but supports donors, transplant recipients and their families before, during and long after their donation and transplantation experiences. Driven by innovation, we are the only one of 57 organ procurement organizations in the U.S. to formally honor donors at their funerals and celebrations of life, upon the request of their families, through our new Donor Honor Guard program.

Donor Honor Guard began recognizing donors at their services in 2021 as part of our Funeral Home Partnership program, which unites our organization with funeral home directors throughout the state. Each Donor Honor Guard ceremony included reading a tribute provided by the family, a moment of silence, illuminating a Donate Life candle and dedicating roses to immediate family members.

I thank our Indiana donor heroes for their gifts of life, and I appreciate each family that has welcomed our Donor Honor Guard and allowed us to pay tribute to their loved one. I am also grateful for our partnership with funeral directors throughout the state who have helped us develop and implement this meaningful experience for donor families.

Kellie

Tremain, president and CEO, Indiana Donor Network

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

To whoever makes remote controls. You guys need to find a way to prevent them from disappearing just before people need them.

Flexware names new business development VP

news@currentinfishers.com

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PROMOTION

Flexware Innovation, a Fishers-based software company, announced that Sam Chumbley has been promoted to the role of Vice President of Business Development on Dec. 20.

Chumbley replaced Jeff Etchison who is now Flexware’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.

Chumbley, who has been with Flexware for about five years, will be responsible for driving the company’s sales and marketing efforts. He will work closely with the executive team to develop and implement strategies to continue the company’s growth and success, according to a release from Flexware.

“We are thrilled to have Sam take on this new role at Flexware,” Scott Whitlock, President and CEO of Flexware Innovation, stated. “Sam has been a key contributor to the company’s success, and we have no doubt that he will continue to excel in this new role.”

Chumbley previously held technical and consulting roles with Rockwell Automation. He is known for his expertise in helping manufacturing firms make progress on their digital transformations, according to Flexware.

“I am honored to accept this role at Flexware,” Chumbley stated. “We have a great business development team in place and are planning to add additional professionals in order to support our further growth.”

Flexware Innovation is a next-generation systems integrator and engineering firm for forward-thinking manufacturers. The company works with manufacturers, utilities and other industrial organizations that need to integrate their business and production systems to maximize resources. Founded in 1996, Flexware works side-by-side with customers to solve real business problems by providing best-in-class software development, automation engineering, manufacturing systems integration, business intelligence solutions, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, enterprise level business systems, and specialized product development.

For more, visit flexwareinnovation.com.

Chumbley

Doctor offers health tips for extreme winter weather

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

ventable. It is not normal to not be able to catch your breath. You need to come to the emergency room if that occurs.

PUBLIC SAFETY

With much of Indiana in the firm grip of winter, Dr. Jeremy Gagan of Community Hospital East urges people to exercise caution and be aware of the risks associated with bitter cold temperatures, ice, wind and snow.

An emergency room physician for nearly 20 years, Gagan has “seen it all” with regard to winter-related injuries, including falls and heart issues.

Gagan said during bouts of cold weather, the emergency room predominantly sees an increase of fall-related injuries.

“If there is ice, we’ll see a lot of falls and a lot of wrist and ankle injuries,” said Gagan. “We’ll see some head injuries, too, but predominantly wrist and ankle.”

But falling isn’t the only risk associated with winter precipitation. For people with cardiac issues, shoveling snow can also pose a risk if not done correctly.

“There’s always that risk of a lot of snow producing excessive effort and somebody having a cardiac event,” Gagan said. “We don’t see that as frequently as people may think, but for the person it happens to, just a few times is too many. It’s entirely pre-

“Take nice, long breaks if you plan to shovel your driveway by hand. Do not shovel your driveway if you have a heart condition.”

Gagan said when a person displays or feels signs of skin discoloration from the cold, it’s vital to go inside.

“If you are starting to show signs of red, blue or even worse — white discoloration on your skin — it’s time to go inside and re-warm up,” Gagan said. “Give it a couple of hours before you go back outside.”

Gagan said the time to visit a health professional is when a person begins to feel numbness and their skin turns white. Professionals can help slowly and carefully re-warm extremities.

Besides winter-related injuries, Gagan said emergency rooms typically treat a lot of flu cases during the winter.

“With influenza, you can expect it to be highly contagious,” he said. “If multiple people in your household have symptoms of fever, runny nose, cough or sore throat, then it is likely influenza.”

For more, visit ecommunity.com.

DISPATCHES

Arugula for ulcers — Arugula contains sulforaphane, a compound already known to reduce the risk of cancer. Now it appears that the same compound can also help prevent ulcers. It helps the body eliminate H. pylori, a bacterium that causes peptic ulcers and increases the risk for gastric cancer.

Source: BottomLineHealth.com

Eat sprouted garlic — If your old garlic has started to sprout, is it safe to eat, or should you throw it away? Actually, garlic that has been sprouted for five days has twice as many antioxidants as unsprouted garlic, and it has greater flavor and pungency than the clove itself. So, it is safe to eat, and also is better for you.

Source: Dr. John La Puma, ChefMD

Get some sun — Sunlight is necessary for vitamin D production, and low levels are associated with increased risk for death from cardiovascular disease and other causes. A recent study showed that women who avoided the sun entirely were twice as likely to die over a 20-year period as women with the greatest sun exposure.

Source: Journal of Internal Medicine.

Improve your focus — Do you have more trouble concentrating than you used to?

Studies show that our attention spans are declining, largely due to the use of technology. We feel we have to respond to every text, alert and call immediately. Instead, try putting the phone on “do not disturb” mode for a few minutes when you need to focus on something else. You may find it easier to concentrate and you probably won’t miss anything truly important.

Source: Cynthia Green, Ph.D.

Gagan

currentnightandday.com

Jeff Allen brings his comedic act for all ages to The Tarkington

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

‘CLUE’

“Clue” performances runs through Feb. 5 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘SETH’S BIG FAT 70S VARIETY SHOW’

COMEDY

Jeff Allen’s comedic appeal is finding the humor in everyday life, the ups and downs of marriage, raising kids, being an empty nester and being a grandparent.

“I also talk a lot about my ailments and my body falling apart,” he said.

“The Jeff Allen 2.0 Tour” lands at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Carmel comedian Dave Dugan will perform the opening act.

“I tell the audience that people think it’s a reboot of old material, but it’s really just my GPA,” Allen said. “I was a C student and a middle dweller and this is a celebration of the middle dwellers. We figure all the smart people ruined the world. We just show up and do our jobs and want to be left alone. Higher learning is not for everyone, that’s my point.”

Allen, 66, has been working professionally as a comedian since 1978. He got out of regularly doing comedy clubs for approximately 20 years.

“I just got back into them three years ago because of Dry Bar Comedy,” he said.

Dry Bar Comedy is a site where comedy is suitable for all ages. Dugan also has been featured on Dry Bar Comedy.

“Dry Bar went viral with 150 million views,” Allen said. “I liken it to back in the ‘70s if you did the ’The Tonight Show’ with Johnny Carson. It was like overnight the phone started ringing. It’s interesting after being around for 40 years, people are just finding you. It’s exhausting. We had to make up 50 to 60 COVID dates in the last year-and-a-half.”

In the 20 years when he wasn’t regularly working clubs, Allen primarily performed at corporate events and churches.

“I got older and people going to clubs didn’t. I didn’t want to go back until I could draw my audience,” he said.

Allen said he was friends with comedian Brian Regan.

“I wasn’t working very clean,” Allen said. “I said, ‘Why are you working clean?’ He said, ‘I don’t know, it works for me.’ I started cleaning everything up as a storyteller. I realized that I was using a third of the vocabulary that I should use. I found it was just better for stories when you get a thesaurus out and look for different ways to say the same thing and it started working for me. A couple years later, I came to my faith, and it just seemed to kind of fit.”

Allen said his goal is to bring three generations out to shows.

“When I grew up, we just went to the Ice Capades as a family,” Allen said. “No

one likes the Ice Capades, but it was just, ‘Shut up and get in the car. We have to do something. We’re a family.’”

Allen can be heard regularly on SiriusXM’s comedy channels, Pandora and Spotify. His previous tour centered on “My America I Grew Up In.”

Allen is known for the special, “Happy Wife, Happy Life Revisited.” He also has appeared in the full-length comedy films “Apostles of Comedy” and “Thou Shalt Laugh.”

For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org. For more, visit jeffallencomedy.com or drybarcomedy.com.

Seth Rudetsky’s “Seth’s Big Fat 70s Variety Show” shows are set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6-7 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘A CONVERSATION WITH BONEY JAMES’

“JazzTalk: A Conversation with Boney James,” a free livestream, is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 10. James will perform Feb. 18 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. To register for the livestream, visit thecenterpresents.org.

ICC to move to new home

news@youarecurrent.com

After 36 years of being housed in various locations on the campus of Butler University, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir has finalized the purchase of a building of its own to call home. The ICC will continue to have a partnership with Butler University as the organization moves forward. ICC artistic director Joshua Pedde, a Carmel resident, said the ICC will look forward to new opportunities to collaborate with the university in the future.

Over the last five years, the ICC leadership and board of directors have been strategizing what the ICC’s future will look like when it is no longer housed on the campus of Butler due to the completion of the current lease. After searching for properties for more than two years, the ICC found a building that will help it reach these goals. The ICC will be moving its organizational operations and rehearsals to 9111 Allisonville Rd. in Indianapolis at the beginning of the 2022-23 season in August, pending all of the legal and other required approvals, including renovations.

Jeff Allen will perform his comedy routine Jan. 7 from his “Jeff Allen 2.0 Tour” at The Tarkington in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Allen)

Art exhibition honors the life, talent of Dr. Robert Bratton

By Mike Beas editorial@youarecurrent.com

The watercolor paintings Dr. Robert Bratton poured his heart, soul and creativity into were the result of things that interested or inspired him.

PAINTING

Landscapes were a Bratton favorite, as were people, machinery, old circus wagons, animals and trains.

Sadly, Bratton, a longtime Carmel dentist who retired approximately 20 years ago, died Aug. 31 – five days before the death of his wife, Sally, and three days prior to what would have been the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary. Both were 83.

Bob Bratton’s works, however, live on through the Remembered Art Exhibit bearing his name inside McFarland Hall, on the third floor of Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 27, is presented by Between Paper and Palette and the Second Presbyterian Fine Arts Advisory Team.

In all, 63 Bratton paintings are on display.

“My dad was always interested in art, ever since he was a kid,” said Eric Bratton, 52, who lives in Seattle, and is the younger of Bob and Sally’s two sons. “He used to build miniature model circus wagons, so when we were growing up, that’s what he primarily did when he got home from work.

“It wasn’t until after he retired that he really started doing the watercolors. My dad started taking classes and kept improving his art. He loved to experiment, so he was always trying to paint different things.”

Oldest son John, 54, resides in Fishers. The story of Bob and Sally Bratton is almost fairytale in nature.

As very young children growing up in Kokomo, their mothers met and befriended one another while pushing baby strollers in opposite directions.

Thus, Bob and Sally knew each other roughly 82 of their 83 years.

As a young married couple, they moved to Carmel in 1968, with Bob’s dental practice becoming a staple of downtown Carmel. The family lived in the same house for 54 years until a year ago, although starting this month, John Bratton and his family will

reside there.

John graduated from Carmel High School in 1986, while Eric is part of the Class of 1988. John Bratton’s wife, Patricia (Robertson), is also a Carmel alum.

Mary Jane Keys, who had been a neighbor of the Brattons since 1972, is also part of Between Paper and Palette, which meets every Wednesday evening.

To call Bob Bratton merely an artist wouldn’t be doing his legacy justice, according to those who knew him best.

“Bob was just the kindest, gentlest, most humble man you could’ve met,” Keys said. “He won numerous awards for his art and never bragged about his own abilities. As a couple, Bob and Sally were just best friends who were devoted to each other.

“They were very active at Second Presbyterian Church, and she was his biggest supporter when she was in good health.”

On Dec.11, a reception was held at Second Presbyterian Church, with both John and Eric Bratton in attendance.

Having lived so far away the past decade or so, it gave Eric a greater appreciation for his father’s talents.

“An act of appreciation and love is what it is,” Eric said. “I had seen a lot of his work, but not all of it. To see it all in one space, it was just incredibly moving, just the breadth of it.”

Bratton

Dr. Robert Bratton’s watercolor paintings will be on display through Jan. 27. (Photos courtesy of Bratton family)

What’s your word of the year?

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

Many people focus on one word to guide them through the next year. Is this something you do? If so, you might want to make sure it’s the correct word. While I don’t recommend choosing any of the following words to usher you through 2023, you certainly don’t want to get these confused!

GRAMMAR GUY

When something “topples,” it means that an item falls over. Similarly, if a government gets “toppled,” that means the people in power get overthrown by another group. On the other hand, if a government gets “topless,” that means they had too much to drink at the New Year’s party and took their shirts off.

If you take your shirt off, are you likely to see “muscles” or “mussels”? If you’ve been doing crunches and bicep curls at the gym, you’re likely to see some burly muscles. If you happen to be smuggling clams in your shirt, you’ll accidentally reveal a bevy of mussels.

Speaking of “smuggling,” you don’t

want to confuse the word with “snuggling.” Snuggling involves curling up with a special person and affectionately cuddling with them. Smuggling, on the other hand, involves sneaking an item illegally from one place to another, usually across international borders.

Don’t get “border” mixed up with “boarder.” A border, as you know, is the edge that separates a country or state from the one adjacent to it. A border can more broadly be known as the edge of any surface or area. A boarder is someone who pays to stay at a hotel, hostel or bed and breakfast.

Do you have a word for 2023? For me, I need to give myself grace and accept it from others. So, my word is “grace.” Grace allows you to start over and turn the page from dark or difficult times in the past.

Visiting Caesarea Philippi

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, during our trip through Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we visit Banias, previously known as Caesarea Philippi, the site of one of Jesus’ best-known claims.

TRAVEL

Banias lies at the base of Mount Hermon in the far northeastern corner of Israel, 3 miles east of Tel Dan, which we visited last week. Water from underground springs flows out of a cave opening in a rock wall about 500 feet long and 100 feet high. Ancient people believed the cave opening led directly to the damp and shadowy home of the dead the Greeks called “Hades.” To appease the potentially angry gods who lived in these nether regions, worshippers made sacrifices before idols residing in niches carved into the rock face near these literal “gates of Hades.”

In the third century B.C., the Greeks built a temple in front of the cave to honor Pan, the half-man, half-goat god of fright from which “Banias” is derived. After the Romans conquered the area in the first century B.C., they gave it to Herod the Great, who built a temple to Augustus Caesar near the Greek temple. Herod’s son Phillip named the area Caesarea Philippi after himself and Caesar. According to the Gospel of Matthew, before heading to Jerusalem for the last time, Jesus led his followers to Caesarea Philippi, about 25 miles north of their base around the Sea of Galilee. While there, Jesus said, as reported in Greek, “And I tell you that you are Peter (Petros) and on this rock (petra) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

The rock cliff at Banias has become a popular destination for people trying to un-

derstand what Jesus meant while standing before it with his followers. An artist’s rendering at the site suggests what it looked like at the time.

“The Gates of Hades” at Caesarea Philippi. (Photo by Don Knebel)

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

An artist’s rendering of ancient Caesarea Philippi.

Mount Hermon in Banias in northeastern Israel.

Caesarea Philippi in what is modern-day Banias in Israel.

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

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SHOP TO CALL HOME?

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

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

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

To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net 40 S Rangeline Rd Carmel Indiana 46032

www.IntegrityAutomotive.net