January 10, 2023 — Lawrence/Geist

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Tuesday, January 10, 2023 ECRWSS Residential Customer Local Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Indianapolis, IN Permit No. 1525 Local resident to debut art exhibit / P3 Indiana’s new turn signal law takes effect / P5 Geist Half Marathon to return in fall / P8 Local mom turns hobby into thriving confection business / P10 HOW SWEET IT IS SCAN HERE TO HAVE CURRENT DELIVERED TO YOUR PHONE
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Founded Jan. 27, 2015, at Fishers, IN Vol. VIII, No. 51

Copyright 2022 Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved.

30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444

Artist’s work displayed by Fishers Arts Council

The views of the columnists in Current in Geist are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

Art, travel and teaching are three passions that one Fishers resident holds near and dear to her heart. Her accomplishments in each area have set her apart and made her the Fishers Art Council’s featured Artist of the Month for January.

PAINTING

Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi, 63, will debut her newest exhibit, “Impressions,” Jan. 13 at the Collaboration Hub at 11810 Technology Dr. in Fishers. The exhibit will feature Parssi’s art and allow attendees to learn more about the accomplished local artist and her international travels.

Parssi began painting nearly 30 years ago visiting her mother, who encouraged her to try out the oil paints set up in her home after taking a community art class.

“I didn’t really know painting was for me,” Parssi said. “I graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics. I worked in the printing and advertising world in Chicago for 15 years. When my first child was born, I took her to Cincinnati to visit my mother. My mom had just started taking oil painting classes and recommended I try them. I picked up a brush and a reference photo nearby, and I was hooked.”

Prior to that fateful visit, Parssi had not dabbled in the arts. In school, she was much more focused on science. The experience inspired her to enroll in oil painting classes at her local community center in Chicago. The rest, she said, was history.

“I’m 100 percent self-taught,” Parssi said. “It took me a long time to be able to say that with confidence because so much of the art world revolves around pedigree. I think my business degree helped me sustain and put together a career doing what I love to do.”

In 1997, Parssi moved to Florida, where she continued taking community classes. She later created and began teaching at an arts education nonprofit in south Florida called Art Start in 2006. The nonprofit oversaw outreach programs for underserved areas of Palm Beach County, which is where Parssi’s art teaching career began.

Parssi moved to Fishers in 2018 with the goal of continuing the nonprofit in the area. She said she initially faced difficulties “finding (her) footing” but soon found her way. She was named maker-in-residence at Ignite Studio for three months in the spring of 2019.

“That’s really what helped me get my footing in the area,” Parssi said. “The community exposure through that venue helped get my name and art out there.”

Now, Parssi teaches at Nickel Plate Arts, online and in-person. Classes include drawing, painting and mixed-medium arts.

Parssi looks forward to having her exhibit displayed by the Fishers Arts Council. The exhibit is comprised of work with a painting technique that she has “always wanted to do.”

“I’ve always wanted to paint oil on paper,” Parssi said. “I also always wanted to go back to palette knives and see what I could do with just that. So, the paintings featured at the exhibit are what a colleague called ‘little gems.’ They’re 6-by-6 inches and painted only with a palette knife.”

The “little gems” were painted after Parssi’s “creative sojourn” in May of last year that led her to Loire Valley in France. She said the focus on the paintings is the color, a major component she tries to capture in her artwork.

Parssi said her travels and affinity for nature landscapes are what inspire her to

paint. Artwork inspired by a recent trip to Ghost Ranch, a 21,000-acre property previously owned by modernist artist Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico, will also be featured in her Art Council exhibit. Parssi said the trip was a “dream” that came true.

“For me, it was a channeling of a spirit that was so cool,” she said. “It was incredible to stand on the ground there and actually look at the same landscapes that (Georgia O’Keeffe) painted.”

Because travel is a major component of her work, Parssi plans to lead a group on a creative trip in May back to the Loire Valley, the place that inspired her most recent artistic work.

“Having a successful adventure in May in France is high on my list because I can foresee going to the south of France, Italy, leading other sojourns, as well,” Parssi said. “I love traveling, and this will be a great way to merge both art and travel.

“This is my life. It doesn’t ever feel like work, so I’m really looking forward to the year ahead.”

For more, visit jpparssi.com.

3 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com COMMUNITY
Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi stands next to her artwork in a previous exhibit. (Photo courtesy of Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi)

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.

New turn signal law in place

Indiana’s new turn signal law went into effect Jan. 1. It removes the specified distance of when motorists are required to activiate their signal before turning or changing lanes. The law now states that drivers must engage their turn signal prior to making any lane changes or turns.

LAW CHANGE

Previously, Indiana law required motorists to signal a minimum of 200 feet before a turn or lane change, or 300 feet if traveling more than 50 mph.

In February of 2022, lawmakers argued the specified distances were hard to enforce because the distance between some intersections and turns were shorter than the minimum 200 feet. For Chris Daniels of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, the old law created “impossibilities.”

“It’s just removing these impossibilities,” Daniels said. “It’s removing the technical violations that weren’t necessarily dangerous.”

Police voiced concerns that the specific distances of the previous law made it hard to enforce.

“Was it 170 feet? Was it 230 feet?” Lawrence Police Dept. Chief Gary Woodruff said. “That’s asking an awful lot of an officer in a dynamic environment, in a fluid environment.”

House Enrolled Act 1167, sponsored by Rep. Jim Pressel, removes the specified distance and replaces it with a mandate that drivers need only signal before safely making any lane turns or changes. No specific distance is listed in the law, stating instead that drivers must signal at a “reasonable” time before committing the turn or lane change.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the act into law on March 14, 2022.

LFD INSTALLS NALOXBOXES AT 3 STATIONS

The Lawrence Fire Dept. now supplies NaloxBoxes at three fire stations to help reduce overdoses and drug-related deaths in the area. In support of Overdose Lifeline, a nonprofit based in Indianapolis that helps people with “substance use disorder,” the LFD has installed the nonprofit’s Opioid Rescue Kit, or Nalobox, in Stations 37, 39 and 40. The kit includes Narcan and fentanyl test strips that are free to the public. For Naloxbox locations in Indianapolis or help with substance abuse, visit overdoselifeline.org. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

5 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com COMMUNITY
Woodruff
VisitLawrenceIndiana.com VisitLawrenceIndiana.com

Senior forward’s improvement boosts WHS basketball team

Westfield High School senior forward Alex Romack has continued making advances on the basketball court.

Shamrocks coach Shane Sumpter said Romack began picking up his game last season during the Hall of Fame Classic Dec. 30, 2021. At that time, when Braden Smith, now a Purdue University freshman starter, was sidelined for several games with an injury, Romack picked up his scoring.

“The first game Braden was out I think Alex had 24 points,” Sumpter said. “He brings a unique skill set to the table.”

The 6-foot-6 Romack was averaging 15.3 points on 49 percent shooting from the field and 10.3 rebounds for the Shamrocks prior to their Jan. 3 game.

“I definitely have worked on my shot a lot,” he said. “I’m trying to get better at creating offense for other players.”

MEET ALEX ROMACK

Favorite athlete: Tom Brady

Favorite TV show: “The Office.”

Hobbies: Going to pool in summer, hanging out with friends

Romack said he has improved his strength, which is helping with his rebounding.

“We have a good weight training program,” he said.

Romack averaged 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds as a junior.

Sumpter said Romack has continued to improve his quickness.

Alex Romack leads the Westfield High School boys basketball team in scoring and rebounding. (Photo courtesy of Alex Romack)

After missing his only 3-point shot last season, Romack has made 2 of 7 from 3-point range this season.

“He’s definitely a threat from the perimeter now,” Sumpter said. “His free throw shooting is a lot better, especially toward the end of the game.”

Romack, who was shooting 68 percent from the free throw line, said he wants to improve that percentage as the season goes on.

The Shamrocks won their first boys basketball state title last season with Indiana Mr. Basketball winner Smith leading the way. Despite losing Smith, Westfield was 7-1 in its first eight games this season.

“I think we do a really good job playing as a team,” Romack said. “No one on our team wants all the credit. We have really good chemistry, and everyone plays hard. It helps that everyone understands what they need to do, especially in big moments. That’s been part of our success.”

Sumpter said Romack is drawing interest from NCAA Division II schools and NAIA schools. Romack said he definitely wants to play in college and is considering pursuing a degree toward medical school.

Romack played baseball until high school and made the decision to focus on basketball.

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6 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com COMMUNITY
Romack

Student creates new product for dementia patients

Mayor visits LFD on Christmas

In 2022, Fishers resident Luke Gilligan, who attends Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., created Resense. The Pennsylvania-based company has a mission to “bring comfort and joy to those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.”

MEMORY CARE

memory issues missed reading a daily newspaper. The main focus of the company’s latest product is to decrease frustrations dementia patients might encounter with a newspaper, such as struggling to read small print or complete complicated crossword puzzles.

Among the company’s chief products is the Memory Box, an activity toolkit designed to increase brain health, exercise the senses and elicit long-term memories. Now, the company is releasing a new product — the Resense Register.

Gilligan, 20, said the Resense Register is a mock newspaper that features simple stories for easy reading comprehension. The product is designed for those living with dementia to feel as though they’re actually reading a newspaper.

“One of my employees, Logan Mays, and I attended one of our activity sessions where we go into care communities and do a game night or bingo session with their residents for free and bring our Connect + Comfort Kits as gifts to show how they will benefit their community and care plans,” Gilligan said. “After this session, (Mays) came to me and explained that he was interacting with one of the residents and he mentioned that he missed newspapers and the crossword (puzzles). (Mays) wanted to find a way to replicate a newspaper for these individuals but also make it dementia-friendly and beneficial to their brain health and care plans.”

Gilligan said poll-based research led his team to conclude that many seniors with

“The first thing that we wanted was for it to be easily accessible and readable,” Gilligan said. “So, we ensured that (the Register) has a much larger font than a classic newspaper and that the crossword was also larger and designed for seniors. In our research, when going into care communities, we found that many individuals missed opening up a newspaper every day. By creating the Register, we wanted to bring back that routine and give them something that we know they will enjoy.

“Doing the same thing each day and adding structure has been proven to decrease agitation, restlessness and aggression.”

Gilligan said Resense also has a goal to ensure that each product increases brain health and exercises the senses.

“There is nothing better than feeling a paper each morning, but we also designed each article to elicit long-term memories,” Gilligan said. “We have articles about pets that can remind them of the pets that they had, or if they love cooking, we included recipes. We also added historical articles of people that they know, such as Abraham Lincoln.

“Unlike a current newspaper, we wanted to make sure they knew and recognized the content in the articles that are included.”

The Resense Register is expected to be available in February. For more, visit resensebox.com.

GIVING BACK

For the past several years, Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier has visited first responders on Christmas Day. Last month was no different, as Collier stopped by Station 38 of the Lawrence Fire Dept. on Christmas morning to deliver homemade food and snacks to firefighters on duty.

“In what has become a tradition that Chris (Collier’s wife) and I look forward to each year, (LFD) Chief (Dino) Batalis accompanied us to our firehouses and LPD headquarters to personally thank each of them for spending their Christmas working for the citizens of Lawrence,” Collier said. “Far too often, we forget that our first responders don’t really get to spend this holiday with their family.”

Batalis also visited the city’s first responders. Batalis headed the Lawrence Firefighters Family Assistance Program for the 38th year. The program helped 800 children in the city receive new toys for Christmas and provided fresh donated

food for families for Christmas dinner.

Ryan Mack, an LFD firefighter, said working Christmas wasn’t all bad because of the camaraderie and friendship the team shares.

“It’s nice because it really didn’t feel as bad as it could have,” Mack said. “The guys all celebrated together by cooking or bringing in food, so it helped us forget about the family gatherings and celebrations we missed out on.”

7 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com COMMUNITY
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Mayor Steve Collier, third from left, and Lawrence Fire Dept. Chief Dino Batalis, right of Collier, visited Lawrence firefighters on Christmas morning to deliver food and converse with on-duty firefighters. (Photo courtesy of the Lawrence Fire Dept.) Gilligan

Geist Half Marathon to return

Senator recognizes D.C. interns

RACE

In partnership with Geist Half Marathon, the City of Fishers announced Dec. 27 the return of the popular 5K and half marathon races for 2023. The races are set for Sept. 16, a change from previous years in which the event was held mid-May.

Management and operations of the popular race has transitioned to Fishers, as authorized by Geist Half Marathon board members in 2022.

In 2008, a group of residents who live near Geist Reservoir created the Geist Half Marathon to share their passion for health, wellness and community building. The half marathon is unique in its topography, scenery and community support along the course, according to organizers. Fishers is partnering with Vision Event Management to present the race.

“I’m incredibly excited to continue the tradition of the Geist Half Marathon for the community,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said. “This is an opportunity to reimagine the race with participants and community,

first and foremost. We’re grateful for the service of the Geist Half Marathon board members all these years as we embark on the next chapter of this tradition to build a strong culture of health in Fishers.”

The 2023 Geist Half Marathon will feature 13.1-mile and 5-kilometer races, with optional VIP registration and volunteer opportunities. Participants can register at geisthalf. com.

For more, visit geisthalf.com or follow Geist Half Marathon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Last month, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) recognized Hoosier students who participated in the fall session of his internship program in Washington, D.C.

INTERNSHIP

The students assisted legislative and communications staff with daily activities and special projects. The intern class included Mason Pickett, a junior from Fort Wayne attending Indiana University; Jasmeen Saini, a junior from Fishers attending Butler; Mia Schul, a junior from West Lafayette attending Indiana University; and Katelyn Rickert, a junior from Brownsburg attending Georgetown University.

Young said the internship program benefits young people looking to familiarize themselves with the world of politics.

“Internships provide an invaluable experience to young professionals who want to have a front row seat in learning the workings of Congress and get some real world experience,” Young stated. “Over the course of the internship, each intern has

helped serve the people of Indiana and we all have the capacity whether it’s through an internship with a U.S. senator, helping out their local community or running for office one day, each has an opportunity to give back. We have a duty, an obligation, in this country to do so.”

Young’s office offers internship opportunities year-round, in his Washington and Indianapolis offices. The internship program offers students the opportunity to experience the legislative branch of government and serve Hoosiers.

For more, visit internship webpage or call 202-224-5623.

8 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com COMMUNITY
Participants in last year’s 5K run along Municipal Drive in Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Geist Half Marathon) Senator Todd Young stands on the steps of the U.S. capitol building with interns, from left, Mason Pickett, Jasmeen Saini, Mia Schul, and Katelyn Rickert. (Photo courtesy of Todd Young’s office)

CURRENT Q&A

Getting to know Danyele Easterhaus

Danyele Easterhaus is executive director of Student Impact of Westfield, an organization that provides afterschool programming for children in Grades 5 through 12 in Westfield Washington Township.

What is your best habit, and what is your worst?

“Best, (reading) Bible before bed every night. Worst, eating my feelings.”

Do you have a hidden talent?

“I am a photographer.”

What do you do when you’re stuck?

“I wait (and) go back later.”

Is there a book that you recommend to everyone?

“’Undistracted’ by Bob Goff.”

Is there a businessperson you admire? Why?

“Danielle Carey Tolan. Danielle leads with character and strength and passion. She develops people for who they want to become.”

Do you have a favorite podcast?

“’Crime Junkies.’”

What is your biggest indulgence?

“Frangos (chocolate) from Macy’s at home. Out, definitely desserts from Rail.”

How do you relieve stress?

“I do deep breathing a lot. But if I have time, I love to read a book.”

What is your favorite drink?

“It depends on time of day. Coffee with cream in the morning. Iced tea most of the time, sometimes a Diet Coke. And a Preservation Fizz for a drink out from Rail.”

Do you have a favorite meal in town?

“Rail burger with potato salad.”

What is your go-to song to get pumped up?

“’Our Song’ by Taylor Swift.”

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Local mom turns hobby into thriving confection business

With encouragement from friends and family, one local chocolatier’s small business has taken off within the Geist area.

Jessica Marks, owner of Sodapop’s Sweet Shop, runs her business out of her home at 12717 White Rabbit Dr. in Indianapolis.

Marks specializes in custom-made, small-batch chocolate treats. Since opening about a year ago, the chocolatier has created an inclusive menu for all to enjoy.

Marks, 33, and her family have lived at their current residence and business location for six years. During that time, the family has made it a priority to be engaged with the community in efforts like supporting other small businesses and Marks’ involvement with local mom support groups.

Marks grew up around the wedding industry because her mother was a wedding planner. She found herself in the same industry but realized that being home with her family was a priority.

“I grew up around the wedding industry before going on to work in it myself,” Marks said. “After having my daughter, I realized I needed to change my career path so that I could be home more with my family. Now, I work full time as a title specialist for Cox Automotive, one of the biggest car auctions in the country. In my free time, I build my business with the help of my family.”

Marks’ husband, Brian, helps with the business, choosing and sourcing ingredients for treats in development. He was also central in Jessica’s decision to name the business “Sodapop’s Sweet Shop.”

“The name comes from my husband,” Marks said. “He’s always called me ‘Sodapop’ as a term of endearment. When it came time to name my business, it just seemed like an obvious choice.”

Marks was inspired to start her chocolate business after being encouraged by friends and family. After proving her chocolate and treat-making abilities by giving treats as gifts for special occasions, it made sense that Marks would start her own business.

“It actually started with fudge,” Marks said. “My friends pushed me to start selling my sweets. (Fudge) was something I made for the holidays for my friends, and when I started my own business, I thought there were so many cookie companies out there but so few chocolate and fudge companies. I thought that this would be something more unique and stand out a little more.

“But it was my husband and daughter that helped me believe I could be a real success.”

Marks said in the past year, she received a handful of orders each month. However, when the holiday season arrived toward the end of the year, business “picked up a lot,” with Christmastime being the busiest time.

“I usually only have a few orders each month, but around a holiday like Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s or a special time, like back-to-school or teacher appreciation days, my business picks up a lot,” Marks said. “At Halloween, I had nine (orders). For Christmas, I had 15 orders.”

Although Sodapop’s Sweet Shop is a one-woman operation, Marks said she regularly receives help from family members and has the support of friends.

“My husband is a huge help, whether it’s picking up ingredients or helping me figure out the business side of things,” Marks said. “My daughter is my best taste tester. My extended family helps with marketing, such as photography, promotional materials and

brainstorming ideas on how to grow.

“My friends were some of my first, and now most loyal, customers. They are always helping me come up with new products and taste testing my ideas.”

Marks said some of her most popular items are cookies and cream fudge and character-shaped treats such as goblins and ghouls at Halloween time.

“The cookies and cream fudge is addictive,” said Sara Chieko Barton, a regular customer. “It’s seriously so good, so hard to resist.”

Although cookies and cream fudge is a popular choice for customers, when it comes to favorite treats within the family, each member has their own vice.

“My family all have favorite treats,” Marks said. “For my husband, it’s the orange creamsicle fudge or the salted caramel candies. For my daughter, it’s the chocolate-covered strawberry fudge. My mom likes my dairy-free, coconut-free raspberry dark chocolate. For my dad, it’s my chocolate-covered pretzels. For me, it’s got to be my mint chocolate hearts.”

Something Marks takes special pride in is her creation of Lee’s Line — a vegan, nutfree and allergy-friendly line of dark chocolates named after her mother, Lee Johnson.

“One of the things that I’m most proud of is Lee’s Line,” Marks said. “My mother has a large variety of food sensitivities. Due to this, she’s had to give up many foods she

enjoys, especially chocolate. When I started making chocolate, I wanted to develop something she could eat. It took six months of trial and error, but I finally found the right recipe and have been pleased to offer Lee’s Line ever since.”

Honoring family members is a common theme for Sodapop’s Sweet Shop. For Valentine’s Day, Marks is offering a special 25 percent discount for all salted caramel sweets in honor of her husband’s favorite treats.

Marks said she has a goal in the new year to create a postpartum line of treats in homage to a close friend’s approaching due date.

“I’m hoping to develop a postpartum line of sweets,” Marks said. “It will be something for new moms to enjoy and to help support breastfeeding. My best friend is going to have a baby soon, and I want to be able to provide comfort to her and others like her in any way I can.”

For more or to place an order, visit facebook.com/sodapopssweetshop.

ON

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE MAKING

The history of chocolate can be traced back more than 3,000 years to the Maya, Toltec and Aztec people who prepared a beverage from the fruit of the cocoa bean.

The Maya considered chocolate to be the food of the gods, held the cacao tree to be sacred and buried dignitaries with bowls of chocolate.

In 1847, British chocolatier J.S. Fry and Sons created the first chocolate bar molded from a paste made of sugar, chocolate liquor and cocoa butter. Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter is generally credited for adding dried milk powder to chocolate to create milk chocolate in 1876 — a technique still used today.

10 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com
COVER STORY
THE COVER: Jessica Marks stands in her kitchen where she runs her small business. (Photo courtesy of The Heart Narrative) Jessica Marks’ favorite creations are mint chocolate hearts. (Photo courtesy of The Heart Narrative) Marks

ESSAY

Lines of communication

We interact with tons of communication shorthand. We make faces at each other to express myriad emotions, from distrust to sorrow. We pantomime, point and gesture to direct our wishes to those around us. And we use all manner of language conventions to get our points across. We opine, “That dog won’t hunt.” Or demand some time to “get a little shut-eye.” With most of us, we figure out the gist.

Like all linguistic and social conventions, older generations teach the youngsters both meaning and intent. Sure, the up-and-comers like to twist the expressions into their own understanding. But for the most part, we all come to accept that a “thumbs-up” is a good thing.

In a recent conversation, the discussion evolved into an assessment of the space between helping someone and doing their work for them. “It is a distinction without a difference,” one asserted. Looking puzzled, another member of the roundtable asked, “What the heck does that mean?” Shorthand only works where everyone knows the code.

It is a common fallacy to attempt to divide into two camps those things that are essentially identical. Parents of small children know the concept when youngsters will argue over possession of two indistinguishable items — something like, “Eat your own apple and let your sister eat hers.”

Demanding the action of another suggests the authority to do so. No payback is required. But if we are asked to help, what exchange is suggested? Help seems collaborative. A demand does not. If we end up doing someone else’s work, is the polite veneer enough to create a distinction with a difference?

CURRENTOON

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

A very puzzling time

Friends, I have officially contracted puzzle mania. This time of year always triggers me with its incessant ugly weather and kids still home from college (just go back already, for the love of a mom’s sanity!). And, since I can’t escape physically to Tahiti right now, I take a mental vacation with jigsaws. Far less exotic and rum soaked, true, but much more accessible.

Who cares if I spend 48 hours hunkered down over a 1,000-piece replication of rural Kentucky? Not me, though my aching shoulders beg to differ. And so, what if my eyes feel a bit crossed from examining no less than 50 shades of green to find the exact one that depicts a Lexington horse pasture?

What a thrill when I finally get it! And maybe instead of cooking dinner, I lob meal suggestions like expletives at my aforementioned young-adult moochers: “Microwave! DiGiorgno! HelloFresh!” I’m teaching independent living.

The point is, when I’m working a puzzle, I’m in the groove. I’m engaged, challenged, and most important, distracted from the tedious responsibilities of marriage and motherhood. At the end of the day, or weekend in my case, I have created something. Admittedly, it’s not as productive as writing my Christmas letter (I’m currently shooting for a Valentine’s mailing), but I do experience a sense of accomplishment.

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.

That is, until I discover a piece is missing! My jealous husband? A jilted teen? Perhaps my daughter’s cat, Mr. Crawley? After his first sabotage attempt with the Lazy Susan, I wouldn’t put it past him. Oh, wait. I found it. Stupid oriental rug.

Next up, ‘80s movies. Yippeekiyay! It’s puzzle mania, friends!

Peace out.

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

11 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com VIEWS
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@ youarecurrent.com.
HUMOR
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

Spot-on dinner apparel

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

“Why not?”

“It has a smudge under the second button.”

HUMOR

Next month, Mary Ellen and I will take our first vacation out of the U.S. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re excited about this cruise. I had to buy a dress shirt for one of the special dinners on the ship. I don’t like to wear a white shirt, but Mary Ellen was adamant that I go traditional. I purchased an additional shirt for the more casual nights.

I came home with the two shirts. I opened the package and tried the white one on. It fit perfectly. My wife was in the room watching me with a smirk on her face.

Sure enough, once again I had purchased a brand-new piece of apparel that had somehow anticipated its unavoidable destiny and went ahead and self-stained.

“Wait a second, Mary Ellen. I’ll wear a tie. That will cover it.”

“Super idea. Too bad that every tie in your closet has ketchup on it.”

I came home with the two shirts. I opened the package and tried the white one on. It fit perfectly. My wife was in the room watching me with a smirk on her face.

“You have a stain on your shirt already,” she said.

“That’s impossible. I just put it on.”

“They must really know their customers at Kohl’s.”

“What do you mean?”

“They pre-stained it for you.”

Yes, right next to the third button were brown blotches, nothing I was familiar with despite my extensive experience with the tell-tale signs left by every condiment I have ever slathered on a fast-food sandwich.

“I guess I can’t wear that to dinner,” I said as I was about to unpack my second option.

“Why not?” she asked. “It’s gonna look like that, anyway, right after you finish your appetizer.”

I reached for the blue button-down, carefully removing all the pins from the folded shirt before I put it on. I thought it looked great and said to Mary Ellen, “As long as I’ve got it on, let’s go out for a nice dinner.”

“You can’t wear that shirt, either,” she said.

“OK, I’ll button my sport coat. That will cover the mark on the tie.”

Mary Ellen walked over to the closet and pulled out the one sport coat I still wear. She looked at it carefully and shook her head.

“This is not going to work. It has mustard on the lapel. Do you own a raincoat?”

After we returned home from dinner, I washed both shirts and successfully removed the original soiled areas, but the shirts were destined on the trip to be become a kaleidoscope of tasty tidbits from our buffets.

Recently, we were going over final plans for the vacation, and I asked Mary Ellen questions about the reputation of the cruise line we were using.

“Do you really think I will like the food, Mary Ellen?”

“Oh, yes. For you, Dick, it will be spot on.”

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

Ex-Secret Service agent lends expertise to Carmel security firm

help with protecting missions depending on support that comes from Washington.”

Goodes finished his career as special agent in charge of the Indianapolis field office.

SECURITY

Roger Goodes brings more than 26 years of United States Secret Service experience and corporate security expertise to a new partnership.

Goodes and his firm, Goodes Security, recently became a partner with Carmel-based Veracity IIR, which stands for intelligence, investigation and research.

“It will be mostly physical security. That’s really my bailiwick,” he said. “With my time with the Secret Service, we dealt with that at all times. It’s part of our culture. With the protective assignments we have, we learned quite a bit.”

Goodes, a Fishers resident, said there is a great team at Veracity.

“They saw with my background and my experience it could blend nicely into their overall strategy,” Goodes said. “I think it will be a good partnership.”

Goodes, 62, retired at age 53 from the Secret Service.

“In the Secret Service, we move around quite a bit. I started here in Indianapolis and then moved to Miami for about 4 1/2 years and then to the president’s detail in Washington, D.C.,” Goodes said. “I moved to California for a little over three years and then back to Washington and ended my career here in Indianapolis,”

Goodes served mostly on President Bill Clinton’s detail and at the beginning of President George W. Bush’s presidency.

“Most of the field offices focus on investigations,” Goodes said. “The Secret Service was founded to combat counterfeit money during the Civil War. As the Secret Service’s responsibilities grew throughout the years, it included more financial crimes. That’s why most of the field offices focus on financial crimes, and when there is a president or vice president or some other dignitary protected by the Secret Service when they come to a city, say Indianapolis, then we

After he left the Secret Service, he spent time with an Indianapolis firm with its security department.

“Then I also worked with an internationally renowned physical security practice (Hillard Heintze). I was able to glean a lot more detail about how things work and how things should work to really put together a comprehensive and strategic security strategy,” Goodes said. “It involved all different types of security programs under the umbrella of corporate security. It was alarms, cameras and building security. It also was for employee travel security and executive security.”

Goodes has been working with his own company for the past 18 months.

“I’ve been mostly subcontracting with my previous employer, and this last month or so I’ve been working on being out on my own,” he said.

Veracity CEO Doug Kouns, a former FBI special agent, said Goodes will be a valuable addition.

“In this day and age where mass shootings, workplace violence and other crimes have become commonplace, it is of utmost importance for businesses to protect themselves from both internal and external threats,” Kouns stated. “Thoughts and prayers after a tragedy don’t help. Security assessments and countermeasures to prevent them do. Roger’s vast experience at the highest level puts us in a unique position to provide recommendations to all types and sizes of businesses.”

Goodes said he can look at a company’s policies and security programs and determine if there are any gaps.

For more about Veracity IIR and Goodes Security, visit veracityiir.com and goodessecurity.com.

DISPATCHES

for under $10 — Many investors have never heard of these companies because they all have stock prices lingering near or under $10 a share despite compelling potential for growth. But

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Tips to prevent cervical cancer

WHO SHOULD BE SCREENED FOR CERVICAL CANCER?

DISPATCHES

Did you know that more than 14,000 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year? Cervical cancer is a gynecologic cancer of the female reproductive tract, specifically the cervix. January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, so I’d like to share some tips on how to prevent it and information on screenings.

AWARENESS

WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Typically, cervical cancer occurs most often in women over age 30. Long-lasting infections of human papillomavirus will cause cervical cancer. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few of them will get cervical cancer.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER?

The first thing you can do to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to get the HPV vaccine. You can get the vaccine starting as early as age 9, but it is recommended for preteens ages 11 and 12. The HPV vaccine is also recommended for adults through age 26 if they are not vaccinated. It is also not recommended for everyone older than 26. Some other tips to prevent cervical cancer are to use a condom during sex so you do not contract HPV, and to limit your number of sexual partners.

There are two different types of screening for cervical cancer. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes. Both tests can be done in a doctor’s office or a clinic. You should begin getting tested for cervical cancer at age 21.

If your pap test is normal, your doctor will tell you to come back in three years. You can continue testing that often until you are 29, but from ages 30 to 65, you can do a Pap test only, an HPV test only, or you can do both Pap and HPV tests. If you do only a Pap test, you can wait another three years until your next screening. If you do an HPV test, you can wait another five years until your next screening. If you do both Pap and HPV, you can wait another 5 years until your next screening. Getting test results can take as long as three weeks.

If you have any questions or if you or a loved one might have cervical cancer, please talk to a doctor immediately. Learn more at iuhealth.org/cancer.

Wake up faster – If you have trouble waking up in the morning, try using your shower as a stimulant. Switch the water temperature from hot to cold several times, holding each temperature for about 10 seconds. The changes in temperature can rev up your blood flow, which can help make you more alert.

Source: BottomLineHouseholdMagic.com

Hidden sugars – Added sugars come in many forms, so it can be hard to find on the ingredients list of your foods. There are at least 61 different forms of sugars. Some of the lesser-known sugars include agave nectar, cane juice, dextrin, malt syrup, mannose and sorghum. For the complete list of sugar names, visit sugarscience.ucsf.edu.

Source: sugarscience.ucsf.edu

Helping loved ones recover – When a loved one is ill, you can help their recovery even if you have no medical training. When you talk to them, get an update and be sympathetic, but quickly shift to a positive, upbeat tone. Don’t talk about your own illnesses. Let the person know that you are looking forward to meeting for lunch, or some other outing, in the near future. Have a funny story or wonderful reminiscence to share. Laughter is a great healer, and it can make the recovering person’s day.

Source: BottomLineHealth.com

14 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com HEALTH
Jayde Wall is a gynecologic oncology nurse practitioner at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel.
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Civic’s ‘Ghost Light Cabaret’ set for Feinstein’s

A ghost light is a single light bulb left burning on stage whenever a theater is dark.

‘CLUE’

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

‘A

CONVERSATION WITH BONEY JAMES’

FUNDRAISER

It is there for safety, but tradition has it that the ghost light keeps burning to keep the theater happy and healthy.

Thus, Civic Theatre officials figure a “Ghost Light Cabaret” is a perfect fundraiser to help keep all its lights burning brightly.

There will be two performances of “Ghost Light Cabaret” at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Feinstein’s Cabaret at the Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. The performances will include highlights of Civic’s previous seasons since moving in 2011 to the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel

“We’ll have some of our most wellknown performers doing some highlight numbers that people know from those shows,” Civic Theatre Executive Artistic Director Michael J. Lasley said.

The first “Ghost Light Cabaret” was a virtual presentation from The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts, serving as a fundraiser in October 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was successful from a virtual standpoint, and we tried to figure out the best way to do it in person, but we got the idea to work with Feinstein’s,” Lasley said. “They’ve been great at working with us on timing.”

Lasley said it’s a different format from the regular productions.

“We’ve done the same format in our virtual shows (as) in 2020 and 2021,” Lasley said. “This is our first time trying to do it live. I think it will be a fun thing for our performers and our patrons. It’s a different style and presentation than they are used to seeing.”

There has been only one previous presentation of “Ghost Light Cabaret.” Civic Theatre held “Holiday Lights,” which was a similar format, in December 2020. In the spring of 2021, Civic Theatre presented “Light on the Horizon,” which had limited in-person seating with a virtual option.

Zionsville resident Mikayla Koharchik, who performed in Civic Theatre’s “Ghost Light Cabaret” in 2020, will return in the Jan. 26 performances.

Lasley said there is an opening and closing number when all performers are on stage.

“But it’s a pretty small stage, so there’s not a lot of room for staging or choreography,” Lasley said. “There will be solo performers and duets with maybe two to three people backing them.”

Lasley said 30 Junior Civic company performers will perform, with half doing the first show and the other half doing the second show.

“Right now, we have 14 songs that we have cherry picked from our shows,” Lasley said. “We will talk about other shows in between. We have a tried-and-true format we’ve always done. Cabaret allows us to put some twists on things. Some of these pieces will be almost like you saw them in the shows, and some we will sort of mix it up a little bit. Some will be a little more imaginative since it’s a small space

where you can do all the flashy dance and scenery.”

Most of the Civic shows are in The Tarkington, which seats 500.

“This will be a more intimate, close-up view of these performers and the performance itself,” Lasley said. “It’s our hope this will be successful, and it will be an annual fundraiser for us, and we’ll work with Feinstein’s to find a similar date each year. We’ll work to find different themes. We might try a particular musical genre, or we might try a particular composer’s musicals.”

There is seating for 110 at each performance at Feinstein’s.

Lasley said there will be five or six karaoke standards. The highest bidder will get to choose the song and perform it live on stage. The list includes “Sweet Caroline,” “Tomorrow,” “Summer Nights,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “Dancing Queen.”

“This is a new idea and I hope it works,” Lasley said.

The karaoke session will be led by Brent E. Marty, Civic Theatre’s director of music and education.

“We loosely refer to this as ‘Marty-oke’ as opposed to karaoke,” Lasley said. “It’s come from a lot of times Brent will go to the theater after-party and he’ll have a box of music where people can pick things out and he’ll play and sing.”

There will be a wine pull and a gift card pull.

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

“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.

‘THE NASHVILLE SONGBOOK’

Mandy Barnett will celebrate “The Nashville Songbook” with performances at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13-14 at Feinstein’s Cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

Carmel PorchFest begins grant program

news@youarecurrent.com

Carmel PorchFest officials have announced the new Carmel PorchFest Grant Program designed to provide financial support for up-and-coming musicians in the community in the form of grants to cover items such as new instruments, lessons, schooling and other musical opportunities in exchange for volunteer hours.

As part of the Grant Program, students must volunteer four hours at a Carmel PorchFest event to become eligible for the grant.

PorchFest recently awarded its first three grants at Holiday PorchFest at Midtown Plaza. The recipients are Carmel High School students Erin Kong, Taehee Kim and Brayden Meng.

Carmel PorchFest is a free event with a variety of local musical acts performing live on neighborhood porches.

Students ages 6-18 years can apply for financial assistance in return for volunteering time at events throughout the year. Students ages 13 and under need a parent or guardian to volunteer with them.

For more, visit carmelporchfest.org.

16 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com
The Junior Civic company will perform in “Ghost Light Cabaret.” (Photos courtesy of Civic Theatre)

Rian Johnson wants you to know something: “Glass Onion” is not a sequel to “Knives Out,” the 2019 box office success that won over audiences and critics alike. Johnson, the film’s writer and director, intended this to be a self-contained story, not another chapter in the whodunit series. You’ll be disappointed if you’re expecting a follow-up movie. The film’s protagonist is the only thing the two stories have in common.

This time, Detective Benoit Blanc trades his stylish suits and spectacles for resort wear and sunscreen after receiving a puzzling invite to an exclusive murder-mystery party in the Greek islands. Blanc arrives on the island and mingles with the other invitees, learning they all have personal ties to the party’s host, Miles (Edward Norton), an eccentric tech mogul with expensive hobbies and priceless home décor. But sport turns to tragedy when a real crime shatters the party’s festivities. As their backstories unfold, everyone becomes a suspect.

Janell Monae is the film’s superstar with a spectacular performance as Andi, a former

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

business partner of Miles, whose arrival on the island takes everyone by surprise. Andi and Blanc partner together, peeling away the layers of façade surrounding those who have the motive to lie and perhaps even kill.

Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Detective Blanc lacks the cadence and grace of his performance in “Knives Out.” With his best Foghorn Leghorn impression, he delivers some of the film’s funniest lines and moments.

Johnson struggles to find a rhythm between exposition and conflict, rushing through the plot at a dizzying pace. Still, it’s fun trying to keep up with the film’s surprising twists.

It is now streaming on Netflix.

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

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To see a video of this drink being mixed, scan this QR code.

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grade 12.

Tony Award winner to have role in Discovering Broadway concert

Discovering Broadway’s concert of “Five Points” will feature a Tony Award winner along with a very familiar face.

Jessie Mueller, who won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance as Carole King in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” will perform with Carmel resident Josh Kaufman, the winner of the sixth season of “The Voice.” Mueller will sing the role of Rona while Kaufman portrays P.T. Barnum.

The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Madame Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis.

A writers’ retreat, hosted by Discovering Broadway, was held in Carmel for “Five Points” in October 2022. The concert is the

next step in moving the musical toward a Broadway production.

“‘Five Points’ is a special story of two men from different cultures fighting for the same American dream in a divided country after the Civil War,” Discovering Broadway chief executive officer and founder Joel Kirk said. “It explores race, fatherhood, and the art made in cultural tension. This is a world-class cast and creative team.”

The concert also features David Owens, who graduated with Kirk from Carmel High School in 2012. Kirk and Owens were in the Ambassadors, the school’s mixed show choir.

“We taught theater classes together and even wrote a musical together,” Kirk said. “In 2015, David interned at Madison Square Garden while I interned at a theater company in Manhattan. A few years later, David was on NBC’s ‘The Voice‘ on Kelly Clarkson’s team. The authors of ‘Five Points’ saw David’s per-

formance on ‘The Voice,’ and when we began casting local Hoosiers, they asked him to audition for Cornelius. It is surreal to collaborate with a friend you have known for 12 years.

“I cannot wait for people to hear David sing this gorgeous music in February.”

Kirk said the concert will be special for several reasons.

“We have actors flying out from New York City and Los Angeles, writers traveling from Minneapolis and Brooklyn, local actors rehearsing in town, and the drummer is flying from Los Angeles,” Kirk said. “Multiple rehearsals will be going on simultaneously in different cities as we have local professional actors and cast members based in New York City.

“What I love about Discovering Broadway is it honors the traditions of Indiana. We are the Crossroads of America, a hospitable place where artists from all over the world can gather and create something special.”

For more, visit discoveringbroadway.org.

CYT Indianapolis to become The Point Theater

Christian Youth Theater Indianapolis will now be known as The Point Theater.

The local children’s theater program, which serves ages 4 to 18, decided not to renew its license with the national CYT organization when the three-year contract ended Jan. 1. It had been a CYT franchise for 13 years.

“The name comes from at the end of every show we do, all of the students point up to heaven to give God the glory,” said Laura Baltz, board member and artistic director. “It’s a really important part of our process.”

Baltz, a Carmel resident, said CYT members won’t notice much difference, with the biggest changes being the website and the name.

“The franchise cost quite a bit of money,” Baltz said. “Several years back, we stopped using their model. They had a model of weekly classes where we were required to have classes every week.”

Baltz said students were required to at-

tend nightly weekday classes for 10 weeks, and most students just didn’t have the time, she said.

“Our attendance was falling,” Baltz said. “We started doing workshops that are a 90-minute, one-time workshop where you get training on improv, vocals or cold reading. We held those on different nights throughout the week or Sunday afternoon.

“We found that was much better for the kids because they could choose the model they wanted to go to.”

Baltz said the organization hadn’t been using the CYT curriculum. She said the instructors they use like to teach what they developed themselves.

“To be honest, the only thing we were using was the website, the name and the logo,” Baltz said.

Baltz said the cost was between $1,200 and $1,800 a month, along with a percentage of ticket sales.

“CYT has been great. They have been so wonderful to us,” Baltz said. “We love CYT. We are grateful for what they have given us. They gave us our start. They supported us during the pandemic, lowering our monthly

rate. Unfortunately, it’s time for the sake of our students so we can do other things. We want to develop some good programming for the students on the autism spectrum, and that wasn’t part of their programming.

“It gives us a chance to diversify and use that money a little more wisely in a way that benefits our students.”

The first show under The Point Theater will be “Legally Blonde Jr.,” running Feb. 3-5 at Marian University in Indianapolis.

Zionsville Community High School junior Margaret Williamson has been attending CYT classes since she was 6 and has been doing shows since 2014.

“I think that this will be a fantastic transition,” Williamson said. “I think The Point will offer so many opportunities they haven’t been able to offer before. I think it’s good we get to hold the traditions that I hold near and dear to my heart. We always say ‘Crowns for Jesus, sing for the king’ after we pray. It was a tradition like that I was afraid would go away, but I found out we would still be able to do that.

“I think that’s one example of a tradition we are able to keep, along with new things being introduced.”

For more, visit thepointtheater.org.

18 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com NIGHT & DAY
We offer weekly music experiences for children ages 18 months -
MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS Mueller Baltz

Blueprint for Improvement: Timeless kitchen upgrade in Cicero

After

Built in 2003 in Cicero’s Bear Slide neighborhood, this home’s kitchen had good bones but needed a modernized facelift. Our team got to work, infusing the space with light, dimension and timeless style.

THE BLUEPRINT

• A new custom range hood was installed, serving as the room’s focal point while adding a touch of elegance.

• White perimeter cabinets and a white herringbone backsplash brighten the room, while the gray tone on the island adds a layer of dimension and depth.

• Crown molding additions on the upper cabinets and carved legs on the kitchen island elevate the space while incorporating traditional design and style.

• Chrome faucet and cabinet hardware finishes add a touch of luster and elegance with classic appeal.

• A dual mount double-basin sink, faucet with magnetic pull-down sprayer and integrated soap dispenser add functionality to the space and make clean-up a breeze.

Before

19 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com INSIDE & OUT SIGN UP FOR YOUR MORNING
Get free news and updates delivered to your inbox. Sign up at youarecurrent.com/morning-briefing INDY’S CITY WIDE DINING EXPERIENCE VIEW PARTICIPATING RESTAURANT MENUS, DONATE, AND LEARN MORE.... PROUDLY SUPPORTING GLEANERS FOOD BANK OF INDIANA C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
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Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice. Commentary by Larry Greene

It’s not as bad as it sounds

I’ve been accused of acting my shoe size more times than I can count. I’m OK with that. Why is that you ask? Kids have way more fun. If we take ourselves too seriously, we’ll turn into gargoyles — stiffly observing the world around us from our lofty perches. No thanks.

With that in mind, here are some words I’ve collected that only sound bad — they’re actually completely innocent words (I promise!).

Let’s start with the word you know about: masticate. All masticate means is to chew. There’s no need to have your mind in the gutter when someone utters “masticate.”

Have you ever seen an aholehole? Before you ask me if I kiss my mother with that mouth, let me assure you that an aholehole can be found swimming around the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, an aholehole is a species of flagtail fish. Aholeholes are silver and have big tails that kind of look like flags.

Speaking of fish, have you ever heard of a lumpsucker? Don’t worry, you don’t have to shield your children’s eyes. In fact, a lumpsucker is another name for a lumpfish. These fish, which come in a few lumpy, frumpy varieties, can be found in an ocean near you. Fun fact: lumpsuckers have pelvic fins that act as suction discs, allowing them to attach themselves to other objects.

While those words were admittedly fishy, the next word will make you blush. In fact, it may replace “moist” as your new least-favorite word. The word is “invagination.”

Before you cancel your subscription, let me assure you that “invagination” is the act of putting a sword into its sheath. When you “invaginate” something, you put an object into a sheath or pocket. Don’t look at me — I didn’t make it up.

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

Visiting the Sea of Galilee

Today, on our continuing trip through Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we travel 25 miles south from Caesarea Philippi (Banias) to the Sea of Galilee.

TRAVEL

Eight miles wide, with an area less than 65 square miles, the harp-shaped Sea of Galilee is more accurately called a lake. Also known in the Bible as the Lake of Gennesaret, the Sea of Tiberias and the Sea of Kinnereth, its surface is about 700 feet below the level of the Mediterranean Sea, making it the world’s lowest freshwater lake. The Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee from the north and flows out of it for 88 miles south until it reaches the Dead Sea, the lowest lake in the world.

At the time of Jesus, two Greco-Roman cities that were part of the Decapolis overlooked the Sea of Galilee from the east. Hippos, founded by the Greeks in about 200 B.C., was atop a flat hill rising more than 1,000 feet above the water, near today’s Kibbutz Ein Gev. It was probably the city Jesus had in mind when he said, “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Gardara, just across the Jordan River in what is now Jordan, was probably where the New Testament says Jesus drove evil spirits from a man so tormented by them that not even chains could restrain him. The evil spirits then went into 2,000 pigs, causing them to rush down a steep bank into the lake below, where they all drowned.

Today, boats built to resemble ancient fishing boats take visitors around the Sea of Galilee. The excavated ruins of Hippos, which include Byzantine-era churches, are in the Hippos National Park. The ruins of Gadara are near the Jordanian city of Umm

20 January 10, 2023 Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com LIFESTYLE
Qais, accessible from Israel via the Beit She’an border crossing. Byzantine-era church ruins in Hippos. (Photos by Don Knebel) Don Knebel is a local resident. For the full column visit donknebel.com. You may contact him at editorial@ youarecurrent.com. Hippos city gate. A boat on the Sea of Galilee. Sea of Galilee from Gardara.
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