January 31, 2023 — Lawrence/Geist

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Fishers mom helps place exchange students

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

Fishers resident Diane Yows was looking for a job that would allow her to spend more time with family and get involved with the community. With the Council for Educational Travel USA, or CETUSA, she found what she was looking for.

NONPROFIT

“I’ve been doing this for just over a year,” Yows said. “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done, and I want to tell the world.”

CETUSA is a nonprofit that works with high schools’ exchange-student programs to place overseas students in the schools. A national organization, CETUSA has placed exchange students in schools throughout Indiana, including Fishers High School, Lapel High School in Lapel, Columbus North in Columbus, Arsenal Technical in Indianapolis and Owen Valley in Spencer.

“I will say, I’m always impressed by Fishers High School,” Yows said. “For such a big school, officials are always open to working with (CETUSA) and are great to work with. They almost always take the allotted maximum number of five exchange students each year, sometimes more.”

Fishers High School has enrolled approximately 30 international students since it started working with CETUSA.

Yows’ role as a local CETUSA coordinator is to find a host family in the school district to pair with an arriving exchange student — something Yows said is actually easier than it sounds.

“A lot of families volunteer,” Yows said. “People want to open their homes to these (exchange) students in hopes of seeing a different world.”

Yows said families that have participated in CETUSA’s program said their decision revolved around the idea of learning about new cultures.

“Most Americans don’t have the money to travel the world, but these exchange students do,” Yows said. “So, they invite these students into their homes both because the students need a home while studying here and (the families get) to learn about new

cultures, thanks to exchange students.”

Yows acknowledged there can be hiccups with exchange students once they’re placed in their hosts’ homes.

“I love all of my families. There can be times where kids are unruly or it just doesn’t work out,” Yows said. “It’s never perfect, but I’ve always had the backing of (CETUSA) if something goes wrong.”

In emergency situations, Yows has taken in exchange students.

“Recently, an exchange student in (Indianapolis Public Schools) didn’t work out with her host family,” Yows said. “So, I took her in and she lived with me for a while. I didn’t realize this at the time, but a few of her teachers had come together to help relocate

her. With their outreach, they were able to find her a new home with an awesome family, all while keeping her in the high school she was currently attending.”

That community effort that Yows experienced was something that made her want to stay with CETUSA.

“This organization made me see there is community even in larger communities,” Yows said. “I learned that it’s OK to ask for help and depend on other people. It was something I was able to show both my kids and the exchange students. It turned into a life lesson.”

For more, visit cetusa.org or contact Yows at dmtank4@hotmail.com.

Host mother Marla Ailor of Westfield and her Brazilian host son, Eduardo, enjoy a gathering of other host families and students. (Photo courtesy of Diane Yows)

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

FHS set to host Silver Spotlight Show Choir Invitational Pendleton project begins

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

CONSTRUCTION

The Indiana Dept. of Transportation gave an update on progress and plans for the Pendleton Pike Progress project that will affect much of Lawrence during a Jan. 19 Pendleton Pike Progress Public Meeting.

Pendleton Pike Progress is an Indiana Dept. of Transportation project along 5 miles of U.S. 36 between Interstate 465 and 65th Street. It is expected to focus on left turns to high-traffic areas, improving safety and traffic flow. A review of crash reports during a three-year span found multiple areas with crash rates and severity higher than the statewide average.

The project also includes intersection improvements at 56th Street. Local cross streets are expected to be realigned to make it easier for drivers to turn and see oncoming traffic. The project would also connect sidewalks in the area.

Luis Laracuente, district traffic engineer for INDOT, said the need for the project stems from the high and increasing num-

ber of car accidents along the corridor.

“This is a very busy corridor, and because of its current configuration, there are a lot of crashes, specifically at intersections, that result in serious injury,” Laracuente said. “Forty-five percent of the crashes are right-angle crashes. Half of those result in injury.”

Pendleton Pike Progress is in the environmental and design stage. Construction is expected to begin no earlier than 2024 and last up to two years.

Fishers High School senior choir member Holly Kalk always is eager for the Silver Spotlight Show Choir Invitational.

MUSIC

“Since we host the competition, we technically do not compete in it,” Kalk said. “We give an exhibition performance, so this is a trial run for our competition season. For choirs attending, this could be any range in their show choir competition season.”

The 13th annual Silver Spotlight Show Choir Invitational is open to the public and set for Feb. 4 at Fishers High School. The competition starts at 8:30 a.m.

Kalk has been a member of Sound, an all-female show choir, since her freshman year. Kalk is co-president of Sound with April Brownell.

Kalk said she looks forward to seeing other schools perform.

“We get assigned a school to host and we

get to decorate a classroom where they can change and hang out during the competition day,” Kalk said. “We decorate it with the theme of their show. We get to know them, and friendships are formed with the other choirs.”

Sound’s exhibition is set for 7:20 p.m. Electrum, the FHS mixed show choir, will perform at 9:30 p.m. Lawrence Central’s The Central Sound will perform at 11 a.m., and Lawrence Central’s Sweets is set for 6:20 p.m. For more, visit fhschoirs.com.

Pendleton Pike will soon be under construction to increase safety for motorists and pedestrians. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

Fishers High School senior choir member Holly Kalk sings during a past performance.

(Photo courtesy of Allen McCaskill)

Convicted felon sentenced for illegal firearm possession

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Desmond Breaziel, 33, of Indianapolis, was sentenced Jan. 23 to 75 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents, on March 7, 2022, Lawrence Police Dept. officers responded to a report of two men passed out in a parked Ford Explorer at a Waffle House parking lot. The driver, Breaziel, was unresponsive upon the officers’ arrival. When Breaziel woke up and exited the vehicle, he appeared confused and disoriented. Officers found a loaded Taurus .38 caliber handgun and approximately 81 pills containing methamphetamine on Breaziel’s person. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a fanny pack containing marijuana and a digital scale.

Breaziel is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law because of previous felony convictions, including dealing narcotics and a prior federal conviction for illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.

Bill in works to strengthen penalties for killing police K-9s

Breaziel was still under court supervision following his release from federal prison when he was again arrested for illegal gun possession.

“I commend the quick response by the Lawrence Police Dept. and the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to protect the public from this criminal,” stated Zachary A. Myers, United States attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The serious sentence imposed is a message to others who are legally barred from possessing firearms: put down the guns or you risk federal prison time.”

“The Lawrence Police Dept. thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana and U.S. Attorney Zachary Myers, along with our law enforcement partners at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for focusing federal resources on holding armed felons accountable,” LPD Chief Gary Woodruff stated. “These federal, state and local agency collaborations leading to convictions result in a safer central Indiana for all Hoosiers to enjoy.”

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On Jan. 18, The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee approved State Rep. Chris Jeter’s (R-Fishers) bill to strengthen criminal penalties and sentencing for killing a police K-9.

LEGISLATION

Jeter, an attorney who serves as a member of the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, authored House Bill 1306. The legislation would increase the penalty for killing a police K-9 from a Level 6 to a Level 5 Felony, carrying a sentence of between one to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

“These K-9s are vital for police officers who work tirelessly to protect our community,” Jeter stated. “Not only do they serve alongside their handlers, but they also fearlessly pursue suspects and take on dangerous tasks to save Hoosiers.”

Jeter’s legislation was inspired by the 2019 killing of Harlej, a K-9 with the Fishers Police Dept. shot by a fleeing suspect.

Koopman said in addition to the emotional toll of losing a K-9, their deaths are costly and impacts budgets as training can cost up to $45,000 per dog.

House Bill 1306 now heads to the House floor for further consideration. For more or to watch sessions and committees live, visit iga.in.gov.

Fishers Police Dept. Officer Jarred Koopman testifies in favor of House Bill 1306 on Jan. 18 at the Indiana Statehouse. Koopman’s K-9 partner, Harlej, was killed in the line of duty by a fleeing suspect in November 2019. (Photo courtesy of Abrahm Hurt)

CHS senior wrestler aims for state finals podium finish

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School senior wrestler Isaac Ward’s goal for the postseason is clear. He wants to end up on the podium in the IHSAA state finals Feb. 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Ward lost in the first round of the state finals in the 126-pound division last year and the 113-pound class as a sophomore. The topeight placers make the podium.

“I think making it to state last year will definitely help with my experience because I know what it takes to get there, and this year our team should have multiple state qualifiers once again,” Ward said.

CHS coach Ed Pendoski said the experience of being under the lights in the first round should be a benefit.

“Going through it once, you know what is coming,” Pendoski said. “There is a familiarity that makes things calmer.”

As of Jan. 24, Ward had an 18-0 record in the 132-pound weight class. He is ranked fifth in his class by Indianamat.com.

“This year, I have made the most improvements in my mentality and constantly being

MEET ISAAC WARD

Favorite athlete: Allen Iverson

Favorite movie: “Fight Club”

Favorite musician: Zach Bryan

on offense,” he said. “My highlight result probably (was) going 5-0 and winning the Mooresville Holiday Classic as an individual and as a team.”

Ward started out the season at 138 pounds but moved down to 132. which he said has been a good weight for him this season.

“One thing Isaac has always brought to the wrestling room is there are no excuses

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in his world,” Pendoski said. “He works hard. He owns his mistakes. He owns his choices. I think he’s matured a lot through this season. He’s competing at a really high level. A lot of kids will make excuses why they lost, but it’s almost a Ward family tradition not to do that”

Pendoski said Ward has put on muscle.

“What he really has an advantage is with his length and his body,” Pendoski said. ‘There are lot of good kids in his weight class, but no one is unbeatable.”

Ward’s older brother, Ethan, wrestled for CHS. Ward also has two younger brothers competing in the Carmel club program.

Ward will attend Wabash College but is unsure if he wants to wrestle in college.

Growing up, Ward played football, baseball and lacrosse. He started wrestling at age 10.

“I gave up all other sports my eighthgrade year,” Ward said. “I am passionate about wrestling because I love the solo aspect of you controlling your own match as well as enjoying the team and coaches.”

Carmel High School senior Isaac Ward is unbeaten this season. (Photo courtesy of Isaac Ward)

LFD RETIREE RECEIVES RECOGNITION

Hamilton County kicks off year of bicentennial events

By Edward Redd news@currentinfishers.com

Hamilton County kicked off a year of celebrating its bicentennial with a program Jan. 22 at the Palladium in Carmel. Local leaders and residents came together to recount and reflect on critical events that shaped Hamilton County over the past 200 years.

200 YEARS

Josh Kaufman, winner of Season 6 of “The Voice,” emceed the event.

The program began with acknowledging that the land of Hamilton County was previously the homeland of the Myaamia (Miami people) and was near land with ties to the Delaware, Shawnee and other indigenous groups who were forced out.

“For land acknowledgement to be meaningful, it must be coupled with action. We seek to establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships, collaborating with relevant federally recognized tribes to present a complete narrative of our entangled histories,” said Jessica Layman, Hamilton County bicentennial coordinator.

The program also included historical

stories and readings dating from the early 1800s to the 1960s. Speakers and storytellers included Hamilton County historian David Heighway, Conner Prairie storyteller Dwight Gallian and Fishers City Councilor Cecilia Coble, among others.

Live music was performed by the Freetown Village Singers, The Moontown Picklestompers and Josh Kaufman, accompanied by the Mudstock Jazz Combo.

“We hope that we’ll establish a legacy that will last for the next 100 years and will be the template for the next tercentennial committee,” Hamilton County Commissioner Christine

Altman said during the closing.

From left, Carmel residents Elizabeth Itzkowitz, Johnny Itzkowitz and Kathy Prusak attend the event. (Photo by Edward Redd)

The Lawrence Fire Dept. hosted a flag presentation ceremony Jan. 21 for retiring firefighter Matt Jewell at Station 39. All retiring members of LFD receive an American flag that has been flown over their station. Jewell, right, shakes hands with Lawrence Deputy Mayor Dave Hofmann. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

WATER FOLLOWS THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEAST COMPLAINTS.

Hamilton County awards

$750,000 to nonprofits

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of recipients is below.

When you have as many years repairing leaks and installing new roofs as we do at Bone Dry, it translates into having the fewest complaints. What we’ve learned in three decades can teach you a lot about who to call whenever your roof turns into some kind of medieval water torture.

GRANTS

The Hamilton County Commissioners and Hamilton County Councilors announced Jan. 20 that 12 nonprofits were awarded more than $750,000 in support for 2023. The funds are in addition to contract services already provided to the county by organizations like Janus Developmental Services, the Humane Society for Hamilton County and Cherish Center.

“The county is proud to be able to support many of our not-for-profit organizations,” Hamilton County Councilor Sue Maki stated. “While we could not fund all organizations or always fund to the amount requested, we do believe we used the taxpayers’ money to make the greatest impact on Hamilton County residents.”

The grant program is intended to furnish funding to organizations that provide services in furtherance of county goals, and without the providing of the services, the county might need to consider the development of such programming.

The largest grant, $180,000, was awarded to Noblesville-based Prevail, Inc. to help provide crisis intervention and support services for survivors of crime and abuse. PrimeLife Enrichment, a Carmel-based agency that provides programs and services to support senior citizens, has been awarded $100,000. And $90,000 was approved to fund mental health initiatives for underinsured and uninsured students in Hamilton County’s six school districts through their youth assistance and education foundation programs. A complete list

Maki

“The County Council and County Commissioners are proud to support these community not-for-profit partners in a meaningful way,” Maki stated. “We are fortunate that we have these professionally run organizations serving our citizens in need.” Grant applications for not-forprofit funding in 2024 are due in June. Awards are provided based on application score and funding available. Complete information, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the application at hamiltoncounty. in.gov/1682/Non-profit-Grant-Application.

ORGANIZATIONS AWARDED GRANTS INCLUDE:

• Prevail, Inc., Noblesville — $180,000

• PrimeLife Enrichment, Carmel — $100,000

• Hamilton County Education Foundations — $90,000

• Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County, Noblesville — $75,000

• Good Samaritan, Fishers — $60,000

• Trinity Free Clinic, Carmel — $51,564

• Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank — $50,000

• Family Promise of Hamilton County — $45,000

• Heart & Soul Clinic, Westfield — $35,000

• Indiana Center for the Prevention of Youth Abuse & Suicide — $30,000

• Hope Family Center, Cicero — $20,000

• Meals on Wheels — $10,000

• Conner Prairie Museum, Fishers — $7,500

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

From making small-batch brews to becoming a grocery store during the pandemic, two local brewery founders are making a name for themselves in the kitchen and brew room.

Triton Brewing Co., at 5764 Wheeler Rd., is a dream 30 years in the making for co-founder David Waldman.

“I’d been thinking of starting a brewery in 1992,” Waldman said. “Originally, we were just going to be a production brewery that distributed. Maybe have a little tasting room and invite food trucks to set up on-site.”

When the business and quality of food trucks started to decline six years ago, Waldman decided to open a kitchen in Triton Brewing to make “good bar food” to pair with the brews. That, he said, is what helped the business weather the pandemic.

“We had access to stuff that normal people couldn’t get ahold of during COVID,” Waldman said. “Our food suppliers weren’t (supplying) for the grocery chains. So, we opened a grocery store at the beginning of the pandemic. Toilet paper, bleach-based cleaning supplies, you name it. Most restaurants were closed, so we took advantage.

“It’s the reason Triton’s still here.”

Triton Brewing opened in 2011. Waldman, a former nonprofit management professional, began working on the business in 2008 to follow a dream he had since 1992.

“At the time, there wasn’t really space to do something like this,” Waldman said. “It wasn’t like it is today, where breweries are commonplace for most areas. We were on the frontside of a giant growing bubble.”

When Waldman registered Triton Brewing with the state in 2010, his co-founder, Jon Lang, joined the operation.

“I was with Barley Island Brewing Co. (in Noblesville, now permanently closed) for nine years,” Lang said. “A mutual brewery friend brought us together. He recommended me to Waldman.”

Lang has won national awards for brews he created at Barley Island. He is now the master brewer for Triton Brewing.

Triton Brewing has always had a sterling reputation for its beer, Waldman said. When

the kitchen was added, it was a logical next step to elevate the business. So far, it has paid dividends.

“Our kitchen is growing the fastest since we’ve created a great reputation for our beer,” Waldman said. “We use the best-quality ingredients to make our beer, and that starts with the water.”

The City of Lawrence has won several awards for its water quality, including engineering excellence awards for the water system. Originally, Triton was named for its superior water quality.

“Beer is 96 percent water,” Waldman said. “So, we want to make sure that the water we use is up to par to really let the actual science of the brew come through. When we decided to open in Lawrence, we didn’t even know about the improvements about to be made to the water. It was just an added bonus.”

The building that Triton Brewing Co. occupies is a former mule barn at Fort Benjamin

Harrison. Waldman said that it’s one of the things that sets the business apart from other breweries.

“We kind of set up in the history of the area,” Waldman said. “We were the first retail space on the Fort.”

Waldman and Lang attribute a majority of the brewery’s continued success to the city’s efforts to reface and repurpose the Fort Ben campus.

“When the weather’s nice, we see a lot of people ride their bikes here from the (Fort Harrison) state park,” Lang said. “We’ve seen people park here, bike into the park and stop in for a beer and a bite before heading home.”

“Lawrence is a great place, and we love being able to be a part of the community,” Waldman said.

ON THE COVER: Co-founders David Waldman and Jon Lang stand next to one of their brew tanks. (Photo by Rebecca Fending)

TRITON BREWING EVENTS

It isn’t just about the brews at Triton Brewing Co. Co-founders David Waldman and Jon Lang’s commitment to the community means that every fourth Saturday of the month, they have a yoga and brews event.

The yoga class is taught in the parking lot or brew room by a previous server with a passion for yoga.

Waldman said that Triton was the first brewery in the state to have a yoga program.

Waldman and Lang have also offered free space to local artists in need of a space to help kickstart teaching careers. With the cultural campus and Arts for Lawrence nearby, it was a great fit, according to Waldman.

Local brewery focuses on quality, community

Triton Brewing offers 14 of its brews on tap. (Photo by Rebecca Fending)

Tips for seasonal depression

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

With winter well underway, so is the potential for young adults to develop seasonal depression. Each year, seasonal depression affects around 5 percent of adults in the U.S., according to Sarah Longe, a behavioral health therapist with IU Health.

“Typically, seasonal depression begins between the ages of 18 to 30,” Longe said. “Between seasonal and regular depression, it just depends on when the episodes happen. For people with regular depression, the seasonal aspect of depression can be part of it.”

Symptoms of seasonal depression are similar to “regular depression,” Longe said. Symptoms such as reclusion, lack of interest and general sadness that interferes with everyday life are tell-tale signs of depression. The difference between seasonal and “regular” depression is that the seasonal variation occurs through winter.

“January and February tend to be the

most difficult months for people,” Longe said. “There’s less sunlight, the days are gray, and it gets dark by 5:30 (p.m.). That can be rough for most people. Plus, it’s cold, so people tend to stay indoors and are less active.”

Many products can help as prevention tools.

“There’s light therapy, which you can get one that’s called HappyLight on Amazon,” Longe said. “It projects bright, indirect light in a room, and it’s recommended that you do that for 20 to 30 minutes every day. I have patients that swear by it.”

Longe also recommends that seasonal depression sufferers settle into a healthy daily routine.

“A good diet and exercise can help, too,” Longe said. “Really, connecting to others is a great way to fight against seasonal depression. That’s something I’ll do with patients is talk about what they’ll be doing during the months and what they’re looking forward to — hobbies to do, friends to see.”

For those whose depression is worsened by the season, Longe advises finding a therapist and keeping the suicide hotline number, 988, on hand.

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Performers eager to share ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Gemma Rollison has always felt it necessary to know the story of Anne Frank because of her Jewish heritage.

‘CLUE’

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

THE WRIGHT BROTHERS

PLAY

“I’m Jewish on both sides, not religiously,” Rollison said. “It was always something from a young age that my mother made sure that I knew. It never really hit me until I decided to research about it for this role.”

Rollison plays the title role in Civic Theatre’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which is set for Feb. 10-25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

The story centers on Anne Frank, who wrote a diary and planned to write a book about her life hiding from the Nazis in a concealed annex in the Netherlands. She and her family were eventually captured, and she died of typhus in a concentration camp.

“It was really inspiring to me because if I had lived those 75plus years ago, it could well have been me, and that’s a very frightening reality,” said Rollison, a homeschooled high school senior who lives on the south side of Indianapolis.

Rollison said her character is always jumping around and saying everything she thinks.

“She speaks very fast and she is very witty, so there are lot of lines to remember,” Rollison said. “There is a lot of complexity in what she says.”

Hamilton Southeastern High School senior Sydney Pinchouck is the understudy for the roles of Anne and older sister Margot but is guaranteed at least two performance as Anne.

“My dad’s family is Jewish and I read it as a young girl,” Pinchouck said. “Anne is the reason I was inspired to learn about my Jewish heritage. I also went to a Christian school for much of my life and learning about the Holocaust in a Christian school was a rough experience. We spent a lot of time talking about the Holocaust but it was less sensitive. Some insensitive comments were directed to me, things people didn’t realize they shouldn’t be saying to someone who is Jewish.

“Having Anne’s experiences to read helps me become more connected with that part of my life. So when I found out that Civic was doing the show, I knew I needed to be part of it.”

Rebecca Piñero, an Indianapolis Shortridge High School junior, is cast as Margot.

“I’m have two little siblings, so it’s easy to connect to the text you see between Margot and Anne,” Piñero said. “I’ve always been very interested in her story. I read her autobiography and autobiography of her best friend. I saw it performed at the IRT a few years ago.”

Piñero said it’s difficult to portray the history while understanding the grief of it.

“But you also still want to explore the hope and the triumph in the moments of the annex,” she said.

David Wood, a Lawrence resident, plays Anne’s father, Otto Frank.

“I’ve seen the play a few times and seen the movie,” Wood said.  Adrienne Reiswerg is the dramaturg for the production, making sure the Jewish holidays and traditions are accurately portrayed.

“My daughter-in-law, Michelle Cohen, is Jewish and thus my granddaughter,” Wood said. “My brother-in-law is Jewish. I have a little background, but I’ve learned more.”

Wood said he always thought Otto Frank was a fascinating character.

“It’s hard to get to know the real Otto because he’s always portrayed so stoically because he was so heroic to Anne,” Wood said. “Everyone else had an outlet and he didn’t have that outlet. I want to be able to think what he is feeling inside and maybe express that a little more, even though if that’s not the interpretation people have seen a lot of.”

Garrett Rowe, a Lebanon resident who graduated from Indiana University in 2022, plays 16-year-old Peter Van Daan.

“He’s trying to find that balance because he’s still a kid, but he gets looked at as an adult,” Rowe said. “I got to see my high school (Lebanon) perform this when I was a freshman in college. I love the way it’s written.”

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

The Wright Brothers will play a farewell show at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Feinstein’s Cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. The concert was rescheduled from Dec. 3. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

ACTORS THEATRE OF INDIANA

Actors Theatre of Indiana will present “ATI’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.

DISPATCHES

Dublin Irish Dance set — “Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration” is set for 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. “Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration” is a new dance production created by a critically acclaimed artistic team. “Wings” features Irish and world champion dancers together with Ireland’s finest musical and vocal virtuosos.

‘Around the World in 80 Days’ — The Belfry Theatre’s production of “Around the World in 80 Days” will be performed at Arts for Lawrence Theater at the Fort from Feb. 10-19. The adventurous play is adapted from Julies Verne’s novel of Phileas Fogg’s attempt to travel the world in a hot-air balloon. For more, visit artsforlawrence.org.

Fantastic Cat set for Concerts for a Cause — Indianapolis vocalist Ryan Brewer will open for the Fantastic Cat group Feb 4 at the Concerts for a Cause event at the Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67th St. Fantastic Cat is a band of four singer-songwriters from New York City. The event begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and dinner with performances starting at 7 p.m. The nonprofit benefitting from the concert will be Cycles for the City, which provides new bikes to kids from low-income homes. For more, visit www.indyconcertsforacause.org.

David Wood and Gemma Rollison appear in “The Diary of Anne Frank.” (Photo courtesy of Joshua Hasty Photography)

INDY’S CITY WIDE DINING EXPERIENCE

‘Night Must Fall’ comes to Basile Westfield Playhouse

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Adam Phillips is making his return to acting after a 13-year hiatus.

The O'Connor House Presents Make a Joyful Noise

PLAY

The 33-year-old Carmel resident is coming back with a splash with the role of Danny, a charming killer, in Main Street Productions’ “Night Must Fall” Feb. 9-19 at Basile Westfield Playhouse.

“Night Must Fall,” a psychological thriller, was first performed as a play in 1935. It was made into a movie in 1937 with Robert Montgomery and again with Albert Finney in 1964.

“It’s a dream character when you look at the script,” Phillips said. “It’s an incredible role, so I was thankful to get cast. I read the script a few weeks before auditions and fell in love with the writing. I only auditioned for Danny. My wife and I are having a baby. Our due date is three days after the show ends. When I came to audition, I said, ‘I’m not going to show up for a role I’m not dying to be in.’ So. this was a perfect marriage.

“I’ve always been more attracted to (playing) villains. There’s a lot of fun in finding the dark spots of those characters.”

Phillips’ last production was “Biloxi Blues” at the now-defunct Spotlight Players in Beech Grove.

“My wife and I traveled the country for my work, and we just came back to Indy a few years ago,” said Phillips, a software developer and Perry Meridian High School graduate. “We got settled in and it seemed like the right time to get back into it.”

Phillips said the line memorization came along quicker than he expected.

“Being away from it a bit, you feel you are familiar with the territory, but it’s all changed a bit,” he said.

Noblesville resident Ian Hauer is directing for the first time with Main Street Productions. He has his own acting company, The Hyperion Players. Hauer said the script was recommended to him by one of the producers, Jen Otterman.

“I read it and was fascinated by it and applied the last time Westfield was taking applications for directors, and they went with me,” Hauer said. “It’s a strong script. It’s an Agatha Christie-type thriller. It’s a little bit faster paced than something Christie would do. It’s a wonderful building of tension from beginning to end. I’ve encouraged the cast

to really sell the tension to the audience.”

Hauer said casting Danny was the toughest decision.

“It creates a lot of talent and a lot of emotional range. You have to hit the notes right,” Hauer said. “Adam does a fantastic job with that. We’re lucky to have him.”

Indianapolis resident Rachel Kelso is making her third appearance with Main Street Productions.

“I had never read the script before the season was announced,” Kelso said. “I always look at the shows putting up and I’ll order some scripts to see if there is a role for me. I ordered the script and fell in love with the character of Olivia. I like that she sticks with her convictions because she has her suspicions, and no one agrees with her. They are all laughing it off, saying, ‘You’re crazy. You’re wrong. He’s charming.’ She is (saying), ‘No, there is a problem here.’ She stands by that, and I admire that quality.”

Kelso said she tries not to look at other portrayals, so not to influence her character choices.

“A lot of times I’ll watch movies, if I haven’t already seen them, after the show is concluded,” she said.

Like Kelso, Phillips said he has avoided watching other portrayals of his character.

“I saw a tiny snippet of Robert Montgomery’s version just to get an idea of the dialect,” he said.

For more, visit westfieldplayhosue.org.

From left, standing, Matt Hartzburg, Ashley Engstrom, Ian A. Montgomery, Adam Phillips. From left, on sofa: Lizzie Schultz and Rachel Kelso, in wheelchair, Julie Wallyn and kneeling, Cassie Knowling. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Harlem Quartet to join Carmel Symphony Orchestra for concert

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Felix Umansky, it will be nice to perform in his hometown of Carmel.

soloists, but it’s a collaborative masterpiece I think with the orchestra and string quartet soloists together.”

Umansky said the Harlem Quartet has performed the piece several times, but not for a few years.

MUSIC

“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing many familiar faces, friends and family,” he said. “I’ll be seeing friends that go back to high school or even middle school.”

The 2004 Carmel High School graduate is a cello player for the Harlem Quartet, which will join the Carmel Symphony Orchestra for a Masterworks concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The performance will be Umansky’s first at the Palladium.

The Harlem Quartet will join CSO for Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story.”

“It’s such a fun piece of music,” Umansky said. “This piece itself is fantastic. This arrangement by the late, great Randy Fleischer, he really made an amazing arrangement for a string quartet and orchestra. Unlike some concertos, the orchestra plays a really big role. So, it’s not just having the spotlight shine on the string quartet

CSO Artistic Director Janna Hymes is pleased to finally have the Harlem Quartet perform the concert.

“They were scheduled over the past few years with the Carmel Symphony and the pandemic got in the way, but finally they will be here,” Hymes said.

The concert has a definite Valentine’s Day theme.

“Since this performance is scheduled just before the most romantic day of the year, we’re presenting a program filled with some of the world’s most romantic music,” Hymes said. “Each piece has a ‘love’ connection, and I will introduce many of them. Even music from the hit show ‘Bridgerton’ will be on the program.”

Hymes studied under Bernstein while learning the fine art of conducting an orchestra.

“It brings back wonderful memories of the maestro for me,” she said.

For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

From left, Felix Umansky, cello; Melissa White, violin; Ilmar Gavilan, violin; and Jaime Amador, viola, form the Harlem Quartet, which joins the Carmel Symphony Orchestra for a Feb. 11 concert. (Photo courtesy of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra)

“Since this performance is scheduled just before the most romantic day of the year, we’re presenting a program filled with some of the world’s most romantic music”

— CSO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JANNA HYMES

Best buys are local

Commentary by Terry Anker

We have a bit of a confidence problem. Or maybe we are a tad overly modest about our successes. Whatever the genesis of the matter, we Hoosiers are too quick to dismiss our own advantages while fully embracing perceived, if not self-inflicted, shortcomings. Sure, it is tough to be the best at everything. And there is more than a fair amount of decent competition. But in most cases, Indiana is solidly in the mix. It could be the 50-mile rule — that notion that all things close to us must be discounted in preference for all things distant. Maybe it is simple human nature.

ESSAY

Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville and other municipalities find their way into the top10 national lists each year. Could they be better? Maybe. Yet it is not entirely honest to find less value there. Our institutions of higher education — IU, Purdue, Notre Dame — and others might lack the brand appeal of an East Coast address but are routinely generating remarkable advances in science, human thought and even the occasional

U.S. Supreme Court justice. What the landscape may lack in visual interest, to some, it makes up for in arable abundance to all. Hoosier farmers produce more by land mass than any other state (eighth in production, 38th in size). Balanced budgets provide security to public sector employees. And companies like local investment management firm Woodley Farra Manion, which was just named the top such firm in the U.S., continue to be iconoclastic. How can it be? With talent harvested from Hamilton, Boone and Marion counties, shouldn’t they be behind firms from further away?

Work hard. Improve every day. Stay humble and always be willing to learn, adapt and innovate. Geography doesn’t dictate intelligence, but it may dictate bias. Buy local and expect the best. It is here for the taking.

Happy birthday to me

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

able number of failed attempts. Take that, Balkans!

HUMOR

Friends, I’ve just celebrated another birthday, and even though it occurred in the middle of a work week while I was suffering from a nasty head cold, it was one of the best in years. What gives?

Because it didn’t begin well. I awoke around 2 a.m. to a coughing fit that had my husband, Doo, scrambling to check on me, and then dosed myself with NyQuil until being rudely awaken by an incessant alarm at 6. But I came downstairs to a candle-bearing scone, a latte from Starbucks and a handmade card from our youngest filled with inappropriate but hilarious words of encouragement.

Once at school, my day only got better. Despite being bullied by my teacher neighbor into a dumb hug, I was inundated by sweet colleagues and students stopping by to wish me HB. And during my prep period, I finally named all 197 countries in less than 15 minutes on Sporcle after an immeasur-

– DANIELLE WILSON

I ended my most special of Thursdays with gal-pals and McDonald’s cheeseburgers before hitting two school events, the opening races in a swim meet and then the first half of the annual talent show. I returned home with enough time to chat with Doo, read and respond to the gazillion text messages that had poured in, and be in bed by 9. Perfect. I turned 51 mid-work week while battling a stupid non-COVID virus. By most accounts, this should have been an obvious do-over. But people bent over backwards to celebrate me, making this birthday one of the best in a long time. Peace out.

By most accounts, this should have been an obvious doover. But people bent over backwards to celebrate me, making this birthday one of the best in a long time.

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.

Destination unknown

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

My wife is getting ready for our upcoming vacation. She has already packed and unpacked and packed again. She practices to make sure everything fits in her suitcase. I practice putting on my pants to be sure there will be room for the waistband to expand after I indulge in the all-you-can-eat buffets on the cruise.

HUMOR

I assume I’m going with Mary Ellen on this trip, but there isn’t a great deal of evidence to support this. My input hasn’t been requested, so I don’t want to jump to any conclusions that could lead to disappointment.

My wife did exhaustive research, studied travel brochures, and did endless web searches to secure the best plane fares. She even made a few meal reservations for when we are off the ship. In fact, she already checked the menu at one restaurant, and she knows what she wants for dinner in three weeks. She made a great salad dressing choice.

Mary Ellen said this trip may be a bit pricey, but it’s the perfect way to celebrate the 50th. This confused me because I know it’s not her 50th birthday. We celebrated that four different times about 20 years ago. And I am almost positive it’s our 43rd anniversary coming up, so it’s obviously just a ploy to get me to agree to splurge on this trip. But just to be sure, I’m going to run the numbers again.

Our house is littered with books, charts, maps and travel magazines. The last time I

saw her this obsessed with a vacation was years ago when we went to Ireland. There were travel posters in every room, shamrocks pasted on the fridge and Irish music blasting from the portable CD player. Mary Ellen even started calling our beagle Blarney instead of Barney, which might have confused him, but he was getting so many corned beef leftovers, he let it slide.

I finally questioned her detailed planning.

I was concerned that this much preparation might make the trip seem less spontaneous.

“Dick, when you enter a new country, it’s important to have a plan for what to do — a strategy.”

“Yes, I agree — if you are invading, but not if you are vacationing.”

The other day, I asked why she looked so preoccupied.

“Dick, I’m repacking in my head, thinking about how to position my shoes, where to stuff my bathing suit and how to layer in my blouses. I don’t like to leave anything to the last minute. When do you plan to pack?”

“The week before our 50th anniversary.”

After reading this, you might be curious to know where we’re going on this trip. I promise you that once Mary Ellen tells me, you’ll be the first to know.

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.

Our house is littered with books, charts, maps and travel magazines. The last time I saw her this obsessed with a vacation was years ago when we went to Ireland. There were travel posters in every room, shamrocks pasted on the fridge and Irish music blasting from the portable CD player.

– DICK WOLFSIE

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

Baby got back slang

Commentary by

Curtis Honeycutt

As I approach the magical age of 40, I’m supposedly getting to the peak of my life (and then it’s all downhill from there). What I didn’t realize is what a rude awakening this would be for my newly aching body. My kids all still want to be held from time to time, which is killing my back. Now, before you recommend your favorite chiropractor, allow me to make a segue as weak as my back.

guessing the sellers wanted to communicate freely to each other about things like problem customers, prices for cabbage and private theories about the identity of Jack the Ripper.

GRAMMAR GUY

Today, I want to introduce you to the idea of “back slang.” Feel free to groan all you want, but I had to whet your appetite for a healthy dose of word nerdery. For those of you who love wordplay, back slang is a way to play with language in which you speak or spell a word backward. Easy as “eip,” right?

Originally conceived in Victorian-era London, back slang began as a clandestine way for costermongerers (street merchants who sold produce) to talk to each other about things they wanted to keep secret. I know this sounds weird, but I’m

Imagine a loud, crowded street market where you needed to share trade secrets with your fellow carrot-seller across the way. If you shouted something about “storrac,” you’d be talking about “carrots.” As this secret way of communicating evolved, the sellers developed a fast way of talking that made no sense to their clientele. For instance, if you could get away with swindling an old man, you could tell your friend to “less eht delo nam mus deliops jabbac,” which translates to, “Sell the old man some spoiled cabbage.”

You’ll notice the spelling in the back slang example above isn’t truly backward.

Visiting Beth She’an National Park

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing trip through Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Beth She’an National Park, featuring ruins from thousands of years of successive occupiers of the site.

TRAVEL

The park site, about 20 miles southeast of Nazareth, was first settled in about 7,000 B.C. As the site was repeatedly occupied and abandoned, accumulating debris created a large mound, or “tell,” archaeologists cutting through the tell determined that Canaanites established a city around 200 B.C. After Egyptians captured the area in about 1,500 B.C., they made the city an administrative center. The Egyptians lost control of the area to the Philistines, who used the city as their base. According to the Bible, Philistines defeated King Saul at nearby Mt. Gilboa and hung his headless body and those of his three sons on the wall of the city, then called “Beth She’an.” King David drove the Philistines from the area, adding Beth She’an to his United Monarchy. When the Assyrians conquered the divided Northern Kingdom in 732 B.C., they burned Beth She’an. The Greeks later took over the area and created a city named Scythopolis atop the ruins. The Romans conquered the area in 63 B.C. and expanded Scythopolis beyond the tell, adding a colonnaded main street, or cardo, a hippodrome and a 7,000-seat theater. Scythopolis became the leading city of the Decapolis, a loose confederation of 10 Greco-Roman cities Jesus visited. By the fourth century, Scythopolis was a Christian city, captured by the Muslims in 634. A massive earthquake destroyed the city in 749.

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

Visitors to Beth She’an National Park can explore one of the largest Roman theaters in the Middle East. They can also climb to the top of the tell, where a replica of an Egyptian stele (monument) chronicles the successful efforts of Egyptian Pharaoh Seti I to recapture the area from rebellious Canaanites.

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

Replica of the Seti I stele at Beth She’an National Park in Israel. (Photo by Don Knebel)

Beth She’an National Park, about 20 miles southeat of Nazareth.

Ruins of Scythopolis in Israel.

37. Some Indy Zoo primates

38. Dupe (and not a feline’s foot, as you might expect)

42. Minn. neighbor

43. Village Spa heated massage item

44. Public square

47. “I’m happy” in Siamese? 48. Table scraps 49. St. Elmo menu item 52. DIY buy 53. Descartes’ conclusion 54. White River slender swimmer 55. Sauvignon ___ 57. Utah national park 59. Cut into cubes 61. Superbly pitched game at Victory Field 64. Latin 101 verb 65. Overly fussy 66. Pleasing scent

67. Part of AARP (Abbr.)

68. Letters before Q 69. Taste quality

1. Playground game

2. Mine find

3. St. Elmo menu item

4. Slightly, to an ISO player

5. Eagle’s

21

dive

6. Food providers

7. Spanish gold

8. The Father of Genetics

9. Native Bread worker

10. School grp.

11. Like a literary Dodger

12. Tragic end

13. Two trios

. Rat, for one

23. Wood Wind Golf Club garb, often

. ___ salad

. Hawaiian dance

. IU prof’s aides

. Needs to repay

Cartoon Characters

Tom Wood Fords

Indy Mayors

Reasons to call

Desserts

Indy Hockey Team

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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

Characters: BETTY BOOP, GOOFY, POPEYE, PORKY PIG, TWEETY, YOGI BEAR; Desserts: CAKE, CUSTARD, ICE CREAM, PIE, PUDDING; Fords: BRONCO, EDGE, EXPLORER, MUSTANG; Mayors: BALLARD, HOGSETT, LUGAR; Reasons: FIRE, INJURY; Team: FUEL