February 14, 2023 — Lawrence/Geist

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Bishop Chatard senior runner wins second consecutive state award

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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Bishop Chatard High School senior Lily Cridge had a perfect cap to her high school cross country career. She was recently named Gatorade Indiana Girls Cross Country Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

ACHIEVEMENT

The Lawrence Township resident said it is not only an honor but a blessing to win again.

“I feel as though my hard work has truly paid off, and it was a nice confidence booster going into collegiate running,” she said.

Like her junior year, Cridge, who has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for the University of Oregon, won the sectional, regional, semistate and state individual titles. She captured the state title in the 5,000 meters Oct. 29 at the IHSAA girls cross country state championship in Terre Haute. She won in 17 minutes, 14.6 seconds. After the state meet, she finished fourth in the Nike Midwest Regional Championships Nov. 13 in Terre Haute and 28th at the Nike Cross Nationals Dec. 3 in Portland.

“This year was even better than last year,” she said. “With not having a track season, I was really looking forward to this past cross country season. I wanted to leave my mark on the sport.”

The 4-foot-10 Cridge needed to refresh her mind and body and only competed in a limited portion of the track and field season a year ago. As a sophomore, she captured the 3,200 meters at the IHSAA state finals.

“My goals for track include setting a new personal best in the 3,200 and staying happy and healthy,” said Cridge, whose personal-best time in the 3,200 is 10:03. “Before Oregon, I would love to stay consistent and not overdue things before my training becomes more intense, just staying right where I am before I leave home.”

Bishop Chatard coach Dan Kinghorn said Cridge has been fun to coach.

“I’ve coached for many years, but I’ve never coached anyone that loves to run as much as Lily does,” Kinghorn said. “When she is running and racing, there is a smile on her face and a joy that is apparent to everyone watching her. She calls running her ‘happy place,’ and the tougher the workout, the longer the run, the more punishing the pace, the happier she is. That inner desire to continually explore her limits and have fun doing it I believe is what makes her a special runner and sets her apart from the rest.

“That attitude has rubbed off on her teammates and raised the bar for the whole team, including the boys that she trains with.”

Cridge, who has a 3.81 GPA, is an active member of St. Simon the Apostle Church, where she serves as a Bible camp volunteer. She also has volunteered for Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana by providing meals for the homeless.

Off to the Rookie Run races for kids

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Beth Spoonmore enjoys running, and she’s glad to see her children starting to love it, too.

bag and finisher medal and experience running past a cheering section before they cross the finish line.

500 FESTIVAL

Thanks to the 500 Festival’s Rookie Run, presented this year by Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase, her daughter and son have had the opportunity to participate in a race set to their scale.

“It’s a short enough distance that it’s not intimidating or overwhelming for their age, and it’s a really fun environment,” Spoonmore said. “They were both successful at it, and that made them feel good about themselves.”

This year’s event, set for May 14 in downtown Indianapolis, will feature courses for

Rookie Run participants cross the start line in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Beth Spoonmore)

children ages 3 to 10 that range from two blocks to a one-third mile, with the distance increasing for each age group. The youngest racers will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the final group set to start at 2:30 p.m.

Participants in the event, which is noncompetitive, will receive a race bib, goodie

Matt Adams participated in the Rookie Run as a kid and remembers it as a “cool experience” to run through downtown streets. More recently, he’s attended the event as a volunteer and has enjoyed watching the young runners feel the same sense of awe that he did.

The Rookie Run is held in conjunction with Kids’ Day, a free outdoor festival on Monument Circle. The event will feature more than 40 exhibitors and plenty of educational and interactive family activities. This year Kids’ Day coincides with Mother’s Day.

Registration for the Rookie Run opens Feb. 16. Learn more at indymini.com/ rookierun.

Bishop Chatard senior Lily Cridge celebrates after winning the 2022 state cross country championship. (Photo courtesy of Matt Kemper)

Field set for May 2 primary

news@geistcurrent.com

The May 2 primary election ballots are now set. Filing for the primary ended at noon Feb. 3. Below is a list of all candidates who have filed:

Mayor

• Shawn Denney (D)

• Deborah Whitfield (D)

• David C. Hofmann (R)

City of Lawrence Clerk

• Leatrice Adkisson (D)

• Kathleen Walton (R)

City of Lawrence Common Council 1

• Tyrrell Giles (D)

City of Lawrence Common Council 2

• Rick Wells (D)

• Maythe Castillo (D)

City of Lawrence Common Council 3

• Sherron R. Freeman (D)

• Brent F. Addington (R)

City of Lawrence Common Council 4

• Mateo Wellington Daniel (D)

• Carlos Jennings (D)

City of Lawrence Common Council 5

• Zach Cramer (D)

• Becky Parker (D)

• Pamela Anderson

City of Lawrence Common Council 6

• Kristina Krone (D)

• Jennifer M. Tursi (D)

• Aaron Short (R)

City of Lawrence Common Council

At-Large

• Ray Anthony Anderson (D)

• Lonnell “King Ro” Conley (D)

• Jesse Dotson (D)

• Chunia L. Graves (D)

• Liz Masur (D)

• James D. Melton, Jr. (D)

• Lisa Chavis (D)

• Betty Robinson (D)

• Tom Ashcraft (R)

• Heather Hewitt (R)

• Bob Jones (R)

• Desmond Woods (R)

City of Indianapolis Mayor

• Joe Hogsett (D)

• Bob Kern (D)

• Clif Marsiglio (D)

• Gregory Meriweather (D)

• Robin Shackleford (D)

• “MR LARRY” AKA Larry L Vaughn (D)

• John L Couch (R)

• Rev. James W. Jackson (R)

• Abdul-Hakim Shabazz (R)

• Jefferson Scott Shreve (R)

Denney launches bid for Lawrence mayor LFD has four openings for experienced firefighters

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Lawrence Common Council at-large representative Shawn Denney has a clear motivation for running for mayor of the City of Lawrence.

experience flooding.

Denney recently filed to run in the Democratic primary, set for May 2. Fellow Common Council at-large member Deborah Whitfield also has filed to run for mayor as a Democrat.

ELECTION

“For far too long, Lawrence has been looked at as the sleepy northeast suburb of Indianapolis, a drive-thru community as some have called us,” Denney said. “However, Lawrence is its own city within Marion County, with its own history, legacy, people and community. We have an amazing school district as well as a strong sense of community, so the foundation is there for Lawrence to be even better. As mayor, I want to lead others to see what I see in Lawrence — a great city to work, live and play in, a city of opportunity for businesses large and small, a city to be proud of.”

Denney, 50, said he plans to focus on the issues that directly impact the residents of Lawrence, such as new investments in public safety, clean drinking water and infrastructure projects that include street repaving and pothole fixes, sidewalk additions and stormwater drainage improvements, particularly in neighborhoods that

“There are also big initiatives which have stretched back for decades that still need to be in focus, such as the new trades district, building a thriving downtown on the Fort, safety improvements on Pendleton Pike, and a continued partnership with our MSD Lawrence Township school district,’’ Denney said. “In all instances, I want to always be mindful to bring equity in opportunity and access of city resources to all neighborhoods in the City of Lawrence.”

Prior to being elected to the Common Council in November 2019, Denney served on the school board.

“Both have allowed me to serve Lawrence as an advocate for our families and our community at the most local level,” Denney said. “At times, that advocacy took me downtown to the City County Building or even to the (Indiana) Statehouse. What I always found when I came home and met with folks, either on their front porch or in community rooms, is that what party we belonged to on the national level did not matter. What was important is a common-sense solution that benefited the whole community. A solution-based, common-sense approach is how I will address issues once I am in the mayor’s office.”

Denney and wife, Amber Denney, have three sons. They are active members of North United Methodist Church.

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The City of Lawrence Fire Dept. is seeking firefighters with experience.

ELECTION

Chief Dino Batalis said the department is accepting applications for “lateral” firefighters/paramedics.

“That means firefighters who are already with another department, and they are medics,” Batalis said. “We have an active list now. They fill out an application we have online. As long as they are with a current fire department (they can apply). We have an active review board.”

Batalis said the department is seeking to fill four spots on the lateral list.

Batalis said the department also has an active hiring list for applicants who don’t have previous experience. The application for those positions will open in April.

“In Marion County, we do a merit list for two years,” Batalis said. “We draw from that list any time there is an opening or retirement, or if someone leaves or passes away. We go in the exact order of that list. There are different components (the applicants) have to go through on the list. Then I have to present it to the merit board to go over the criteria to certify the list.

For more, visit cityoflawrence.org/fire-department.

Denney

NHS leading scorer gets lift on tips from Indiana legend

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville High School senior guard

Luke Almodovar’s passion for basketball is understandable. He’s had a quite a mentor.

His grandfather, Billy Keller, was a star guard at Purdue University and played seven seasons (1969 to 1976) with the Indiana Pacers in the ABA. Keller, a 1965 Indiana Mr. Basketball from Indianapolis Washington High School, also was a basketball coach at the University of Indianapolis for seven seasons.

“Growing up, any time he could, he would try to get the ball in my hands and work with me,” Almodovar said. “I didn’t realize it then, but it really helped me out a lot learning from him. He’s a great teacher and great coach.”

Keller is Almodovar’s mother Jill’s stepfather. These days, Keller watches games from livestreams in Florida.

“Almost after every game he calls or texts

MEET LUKE ALMODOVAR

Favorite subject: Science

Favorite athlete: LeBron James

Favorite musician: Luke Bryan

me to give me things to work on,” Almodovar said.

The 6-foot-3 Almodovar, who recently accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, is averaging nearly 17 points per game for the Millers, who were 13-5 as of Feb. 10. He averaged 12.6 points as a junior and 11 ppg as a sophomore.

“On the court and off the court, I feel

I’M RIDING WITHOUT PAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

On the back of her horse is Ginger’s favorite place in the world. When her chronic back pain became so bad that it kept her out of the stables, she realized how limited she’d felt for years. She turned to the expert care at Goodman Campbell to get her back in the saddle.

Learn more about Ginger and her story at GoodmanCampbell.com.

Noblesville High School guard Luke Almodovar gets advice from his grandfather, former Purdue and Indiana Pacers guard Billy Keller.

improved as a leader,” Almodovar said.

lost a few games we shouldn’t have,

but it helps learning from our losses.”

Noblesville coach Scott McClelland said he noticed more of a commitment from Almodovar this season.

“He was not only working to improve individually, but to help our team,” McClelland said. “From a basketball standpoint, he’s hit 40 (three-pointers) in 18 games. He’s shooting over 50 percent from the 3-point line. He’s shooting 56 percent from the field. He’s had a good senior year.”

Almodovar said he wants to play in college right away, so NAIA program Saint Francis was a good fit.

“I want to play next year,” said Almodovar, who plans to major in business and minor in communications. “I don’t want to go to a big school and sit on the bench. The opportunity was perfect.”

Jill, whose maiden name is Lyon, played on Noblesville High School’s 1987 girls state championship team. She played volleyball at Purdue Fort Wayne and so did Almodovar’s father, Norman. Jill has previously served the NHS head volleyball coach three times. Almodovar’s sister, Lexie, is a NHS graduate who plays volleyball for the University of Dayton.

Campbell

Goodman -

(Photo courtesy of Jill Almodovar)

Almodovar

I’ve

“We’ve

Center for the Performing Arts launches DEI initiative

Commentary by Jeffrey C. McDermott

candidates of diverse backgrounds.

ENTERTAINMENT

At the Center for the Performing Arts, we take pride in presenting a broad range of artists and cultural traditions from across the country and around the world for audiences comprising different races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, political views and socioeconomic circumstances, all sharing one common goal – to witness, enjoy and be enriched and inspired by an artistic experience.

Our events bring diverse audiences not only to our campus, but also to local restaurants, hotels, shops and other businesses. Nearly 50 percent of ticket purchases, both for our Center Presents performances as well as those of our six resident companies, come from outside Hamilton County.

Knowing this, we take seriously our responsibility to be a leader in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion not just within our venues, but throughout our community. That means facing fundamental questions about our moral obligations, our mission objectives and even our bottom line: Does our organization have a welcoming and inclusive reputation among underrepresented communities? Are we making all feasible accommodations for people with disabilities and sensory issues? Are our events affordable? Do our business relationships reflect our stated values? Is the diversity of our audiences reflected in our staff, our leadership and our community partnerships?

After months of extensive groundwork, the Center has launched an internal DEI initiative that strives to address these issues and more. The elements include:

• Providing staff education opportunities, including a regular schedule of guest speakers and discussion groups, online learning opportunities and a library of recommended books and other resources.

• Updating our recruiting and hiring processes to be as inclusive as possible and focus on opportunities for

• Identifying under-resourced schools and community groups to receive discounted tickets and assistance with transportation expenses to attend arts and education programs.

• Tracking our vendor relationships to ensure opportunities for businesses owned by underrepresented groups, including women, veterans and people with disabilities.

The spirit of the initiative is summed up in this statement, which is posted on our website and included in many of our materials:

“The Center for the Performing Arts and the Great American Songbook Foundation strive to be models and leaders in the community by creating a welcoming, affirming environment that is anti-racist and dedicated to advancing social justice and human rights, in which all employees, patrons and other visitors feel safe, supported, respected and valued. We treasure the arts for their unique ability to express the individual spirit while celebrating our common humanity. Our mission to engage, inspire and educate encompasses the entire Indiana community and leaves no room for exclusion or discrimination of any kind, whether based on race, color, age, sex, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, socioeconomic status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. Diversity, equity, inclusion and empowerment are essential principles that guide our decisions as an employer and as a presenter of public events.”

With this initiative, we join many organizations and individuals who are taking a fresh look at themselves through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we certainly don’t have all the answers.

We are listening and learning.

Jeffrey C. McDermott is president and CEO of the Center for the Performing Arts and the Great American Songbook Foundation in Carmel.

With this initiative, we join many organizations and individuals who are taking a fresh look at themselves through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we certainly don’t have all the answers.

– JEFFREY MCDERMOTT

CURRENT Q&A

Getting to know Victoria Kintner

Zionsville resident Victoria Kintner has been a violinist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra since 1993. She previously was a member of the Boston Pops Esplanade and Boston Ballet orchestras and has written the programs for the ISO’s “Teddy Bear” series, designed for children ages 3-6. Where did your passion for music and the desire to perform it come from originally?

My dad (Paul) was an electrical engineer, but he played the viola. He would have friends come over and they would

play string quartets. It was a Saturday night event at least once a month. I remember from age 7 that I begged to play, and probably by the time I was 11, I was sitting in with them. For some of the easier music, I would play the second violin.

What is your favorite piece of music to play?

A: I love (Gustav) Mahler symphonies. He wrote nine symphonies, and I love those symphonies. The richness and the texture. They’re beautifully written.

What exactly is the “Teddy Bear” series, and why is it important to you?

They started in 2014. The woman in the education department at ISO had been asking about designing a program for little kids from 3 to 7. They’re 45 minutes long. I’ve written five different programs, and in there they’ve introduced 18 different instruments from the piccolo to the tuba. We do 10 to 15 concerts per year and have served over 8,000 children at this point.

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Former HSE standout plays big role for IU women’s special season

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

When Sydney Parrish was making her college decision while at Hamilton Southeastern High School, the University of Oregon was a national title contender in women’s basketball. Indiana University was not.

Parrish, however, said she still considered IU because she had known Hoosiers coach Teri Moren and her staff since middle school.

“But in all honesty, at that point in my life I was looking for a program that was a (top) winning program, and IU wasn’t at that time,” Parrish said. “But a credit to the staff and players that have come through the program. They’ve made a dynasty, and that’s what attracted me the second time. I know now it’s because of all the

work the staff and the girls put in that separates us from the other teams in the country.”

After two seasons at Oregon, the 2020 Indiana Miss Basketball transferred to IU before this season and has helped the Hoosiers earn a program-high No. 2 ranking Feb. 6. The 6-foot-2 junior guard is second in scoring (13.0 points per game) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) for IU, which was 22-1 and 12-1 in the Big Ten prior to the Feb. 9 scheduled game with Iowa.

Oregon made the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2017 and 2018 and the Final Four in 2019. The Ducks made the Sweet 16 in 2021 and lost in the opening round in 2022.

Parrish averaged 8.5 points in 32 games as a sophomore and 6.0 points in 23 games as a freshman. Parrish just felt it was time for a fresh start and chose to come home.

“My confidence on the floor has definitely improved from my freshman and sophomore year,” said Parrish, who led Hamilton Southeastern to an IHSAA Class 4A state championship in 2019. “I think it starts with our coaching staff and trusting our preparation going into each game and the workouts we do in the off-season and the way we practice.”

Moren loves Parrish’s competitiveness.

“She’s a passionate basketball player who has

brought so much to us,” Moren said. “We watched Syd grow up and recruited (her) very hard. The thing I’ve been most impressed with Syd is every time you come into a new culture, you kind of have to find your way. Syd is social and she has a big voice and has a lot to say in a good kind of way. Syd would pick and choose (her spots). She knew (teammates) Grace Berger was the leader and she knew Mackenzie Holmes is really good. She knew a lot of these players had been in our system. She has led from the side, which is great.”

Parrish said coming into a program where relationships are already established isn’t easy, but her teammates and coaching staff made it super easy.

“We all want to play for each other and win for each other, which is huge for us coming down the stretch with huge games to wrap up Big Ten play,” she said.

As the only player from the state on the Hoosiers’ roster, Parrish took her role seriously in her first game in the Purdue rivalry.

“I had to step up and be the person to show who the best team in Indiana is,” said Parrish, who scored 15 points Feb. 5 in IU’s 69-46 victory over host Purdue.

Former Hamilton Southeastern High School standout Sydney Parrish is second in scoring and rebounding for the No. 2 Indiana University basketball team. (Photo courtesy of IU athletics)

FILL ’EM UP

Former service station becomes home of Denver’s Garage Pizza & Brews

By Chris Bavender news@geistcurrent.com

For two years after Fritz Fentz bought the building at 110 E Broadway St. in Fortville in 2017, it was his man cave, complete with couches and a pool table. Fentz lives next door — you can’t miss the pink flamingos — and knew the previous owner, Denver Lee.

“Denver and I got to know each other over 14 years, and one day he said he was going to retire soon,” Fentz said. “I had already told him to let me have the first opportunity to buy (the building) and told him I would name a restaurant after him.”

The building, which is now a unique restaurant — Denver’s Garage Pizza & Brews — first opened in 1956 as a service station, complete with a gift shop inside.

“I fell in love with the building. The design is Mid-century, and there was no other gas station in Indianapolis that looked like this,” Fentz said.

The building is one of five historic service stations left today in Indiana. It features large glass windows and a 22-

foot sloping overhang, and two garage doors that can be opened onto the patio during warmer weather.

After operating for many years as a gas station, Lee bought the building, and it became Denver’s Auto Repair. Lee owned and operated it for nearly 20 years. But the underground tanks that stored gas remained, and they needed to be pulled out before the building could transition into a restaurant.

“We had to go through the environmentals, where they had to do the coring and the testing of the soil and the water,” Fentz said. “During that time, it made it easy because I could remodel in here. COVID kind of helped because I could slow down and put the finishing touches. I cut some openings and tiled the floors, and it wasn’t a rush to do a concept.”

In July 2021, Denver’s Garage Pizza & Brews opened. Fentz’s partner in the business is his brother, Karl.

“I just asked if he wanted to come in and start a restaurant, and he said, ‘Let’s do it,’” Fritz said.

“I thought it was a great location,” Karl added.

The siblings already worked together at Service Master

(Fritz owns a local franchise) and Karl oversees sales.

“We think a lot alike. He’s more technical than I am, and I am a little more creative I would say,” Fritz said.

Both also have backgrounds in the food service industry. Fritz worked for MCL from age 16 to 30 as a cafeteria manager at all the locations, while Karl was a food broker.

“So, he knows the best dough to buy, the best sausage, the best cheese, etc.,” Fritz said.

Fritz said he initially thought about opening a barbecue restaurant.

“But then I thought, most people eat barbecue maybe once a month, but people eat pizza probably once a week, and we get people in here three times a week,” he said. “We have four other pizza places in town, but they are more pick-up places. You can’t go in and grab a beer, and none of them have live music.”

Denver’s Garage Pizza & Brews menu is simple, offering pizza, wings, breadsticks, tots and salad.

“Our goal is to get the pizza out to customers within 20

Continued on Page 11

COVER STORY

WATER FOLLOWS THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEAST COMPLAINTS.

Continued from Page 10

minutes of sitting down and ordering,” Fritz said. “We have a galley size kitchen so it is just too small to add a bunch of other menu items.”

Customer favorite pizzas include the Denver Lee, named after the former owner and loaded with sweet onion, green pepper, mushroom, black olives with thick-cut pepperoni and pork sausage; the Charlie, a meat lover’s pizza named for a former mechanic who worked at the location; and the Fortvillain, a Denver’s Garage original with olive oil, garlic, Grande mozzarella/provolone cheese blend, gorgonzola, goat and Romano cheese, fresh sliced tomatoes and mushrooms topped with oregano.

“It will give you bad breath, so I call it a date night pizza because you should both eat it,” Fritz said, laughing.

Denver’s also offers gluten-free crust.

A Hot Rocks Pizza Oven is the main attraction in the kitchen. The oven can cook a pizza in 5 1/2-half minutes. The stone granite is cool on both ends, ensuring kitchen staff don’t burn themselves putting food on the conveyor belt and taking it out on the other end.

The 2,200-square foot building features decor Fentz has collected through the years, ranging from a speed limit sign to the back of car complete with bumper stickers to knick-knacks lining a high shelf running along the wall.

“It was already in here when it was my man cave, so I just took it out, painted the

place and then put everything back in,” Fritz said.

The brothers hope customers will enjoy their time at Denver’s.

“It’s a great place to hang out, very laid back,” Karl said. “During the warm weather and when we have a band, it’s a great place to meet a group of friends.”

For more, visit denversgpb.com.

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.

ON THE COVER: Denver’s Garage Pizza & Brews is an a building that was formerly an auto repair shop. (Photo by Adam Sief)

Denver’s Garage Pizza & Brews co-owner Fritz Fentz makes a pizza in the restaurant. (Photos by Adam Sief)

Pizza is among the restaurant’s specialties

The restaurant features an array of beers.

Invasive plants a nuisance for gardeners

Commentary by Betty Montgomery

Over the years, gardens have been enriched by the introduction of plants from other parts of the nation and from abroad. Most are fundamental to our lifestyle, such as food crops, while others, like hostas and begonias, enhance our gardens.

to the U.S. during the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. It was touted as a great ornamental plant for its sweet-smelling blooms and sturdy vine good for control erosion.

GARDENING

These non-native plants species are also called exotic species. Some exotic species are invasive while many are not invasive. The ones that are invasive can be a real nuisance.

Now, what is an invasive species? Invasive plants compete against other plants, crowd them out and discourage the growth of our native plants species, also called indigenous plants.

They produce large quantities of seeds, thrive on disturbed soil, smother roots of surrounding vegetation and inhibit the growth of native plants around them. However, non-native plants are not invasive everywhere. There are plants listed as invasive in the South that are not invasive in the North, and vice versa.

Conditions vary wildly in our nation because of the size. Species become invasive if it outcompetes and displaces native species, causing ecological and economic damage and we should avoid planting them for sure.

One of the most popular food crops in the world are tomatoes. They originated in the Andes, growing in parts of Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Primroses, begonias and hostas are a few of the flowering plants that are frequently planted in gardens.

We also plant spruces, junipers and yews that come from Asia. These are beloved plants, and none are considered invasive.

On the other hand, kudzu, a perennial vine native to Japan and China, spreads like wildfire. It is said to be the “invasive vine that ate the South.” It was first introduced

Another plant that became popular, about 40 years ago, was the callery pear. People love these trees because they have showy, white flowers in the spring and produced colorful leaves in the fall.

Today, these invasive pear trees are coming up everywhere and continue to spread. Now, they are plants that you should certainly steer clear of planting.

In Indiana, Asian bush honeysuckle, callery pears and burning bush are some of the ones that should not be planted. There are wonderful native plants that can give you the same effect, plants like service berry, redbud, winterberry and chokeberry.

What is the best way to get rid of invasive plants? That is the $64,000 question! You can manually remove them or use herbicides.

You can tackle them manually by digging them out or cutting them down. If you want to remove them organically, you can try using a vinegar mix as an herbicide, but the most popular herbicide/chemical is glyphosate. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow the recommended amount to mix for specific plants.

The best thing to do when deciding to purchase a new plant is to read about what you are considering to plant. Make sure it is a good plant for your area. So, find a plant that pleases you and have fun trying something new in your garden.

Betty Montgomery is a master gardener and author of “Hydrangeas: How To Grow, Cultivate & Enjoy,” and “A Four-Season Southern Garden.” She can be reached at bmontgomery40@gmail.com or please contact Hamilton County Invasive Partnership at hcinvasives@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or through www.hcinvasives.org.

DISPATCH

Melt the Trail 5K slated for Feb. 25 — Westfield Welcome will host the ninth annual Melt the Trail 5K event Feb. 25 at Grand Junction Brewing Co., 1189 E. 181st St., Westfield. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. with participants being able to redeem drink tickets, purchase food and enjoy music and arcade games at the brewery. The taproom is kid and dog friendly. Registration is $35 and will increase to $40 on Feb. 11. Packet pickup will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at Riverview Health Westfield Hospital, 17600 Shamrock Blvd. and on race morning at Grand Junction Brewing Co. For registration or more details, visit meltthetrail.com.

Slapfish celebrates opening

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Mark Weghorst, this Fishers location is a perfect spot for a third Slapfish.

NEW BIZ

The modern seafood restaurant will have its grand opening Feb. 18 at 11547 Yard St., Suite 820.

“It’s an exciting area to be with top restaurants in the area and IKEA and Top Golf are right here,” said Weghorst, who lives in Carmel. “There is a lot of development in the area.”

The first 100 customers when the Fishers restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Feb. 18 will receive a free lobster roll, one per customer. There also will be live music and entertainment for children from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The first Slapfish that Weghorst and his wife Lauren opened was in Noblesville in July 2019 as part of Broccoli Bill’s, 15009 Gray Rd., which is owned by Mark’s parents, Bill and Carol Weghorst.

The second Slapfish opened in July 2020 at 345 Mass Ave in Indianapolis.

There are 80 to 100 seats at the Fishers restaurant. Patio seating is available.

“We’ll be doing fast casual at lunch, order at the counter, and then at dinner from 4 p.m. on there will be full service,” Mark said. “We will have beer, wine and cocktails.”

Slapfish in Noblesville doesn’t offer full service.

“Noblesville is fast casual all day,” Weghorst said.

Along with lobster rolls, popular items include power bowls, seafood tower and seared ahi. Like the Indianapolis restaurant, oysters will be on the menu.

“We don’t have oysters now in Noblesville but will in the future,” Weghorst said.

Lobsters and steaks will be options at the Fishers restaurant.

Slapfish will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

“We’ll have a piano and live music on the weekends and maybe some other nights,” Weghorst said.

DISPATCHES

Hiring a tax professional – In most states, including Indiana, tax preparers do not have to meet any licensing standards, so you need to do your homework if you plan to hire a professional to do your taxes. Ask about any professional certifications, such as a CPA or Enrolled Agent. Find out what your recourse against the preparer is if you get audited and penalties are assessed. Finally, ask for references and check them out.

Source: BottomLineInc.

Discounts that actually cost you money -- Retailers have latched onto a way to offer giant percentages off that are mesmerizing to shoppers but are not what they seem. The pitch: You get a gigantic discount, typically up to 70 percent off, but the fine print notes that you get that discount only on a second or third of multiple similar items. Signs in store windows and on store shelves (and online) shout out the percentage and shoppers often don’t do the math to see just how unimpressive these offers typically are. For example, based on an offer of “buy two, get the third 50 percent off,” you take three items to checkout, where you then receive a total discount of 17 percent because you pay full price for the first two items.

Source: Source: BottomLineInc.com

Cryptocurrency risks – Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson wants to remind Hoosiers to be cautious about such investments. Common cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Unlike traditional currency, these have no physical form and are not backed by tangible assets. To learn more, visit IndianaMoneyWise.com.

Co-owners Mark and Lauren Weghorst outside Slapfish in Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of Slapfish Indiana)

Balancing silence and words

Commentary by Terry Anker

Does this ever get easier?

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

ESSAY

Texan Jeannie C. Riley became the first female recording artist with a song topping both the pop and country charts. The hit, “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” tells the story of a small-town single parent who is thought to be a less-than-fit mother. The institution sends a note home with the middle school child to admonish Mom to clean up her act. In a how-dare-youjudge-me moment, the outraged Mrs. Johnson marches off to a PTA meeting to be held that very day. Confronting the assembled volunteers and officials, she lambasts them by delineating each of their own moral shortcomings.

We can all find a little satisfaction in lashing out at someone who dares to critique us. We are good people, right? So, let’s teach those who might criticize that they’d better be ready for some public humiliation. In the last line, the lyrics triumphantly proclaim it to have been “the day Mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA!”

Generally, it is a good idea to live and let live. We refrain from the nominal opinion about others and expect that they do the same for us. But is there a time when judgement is not only prudent but required? Do we express concern when the teenager next door seems a little too fixated on weapons? Do we do the same when the one on the other side seems a little too eager to smoke illicit substances? Are we perfect enough to throw a stone? Probably not. Still, do we have an obligation to risk being shamed by the angry Mrs. Johnson to urge her better provision for the minor in her care? Our own shortcomings may release us from the duty, if there is one, to help hold society together, but there must be times when we cannot stay silent.

HUMOR

They say that parenting never gets easier, that even when your children grow up, you’ll still worry about them. I never believed any of this, especially while I was a stay-at-home mom to four little ones. Anything had to be better than dealing with endless diapers and unidentifiable rashes and middle-of-the-night shenanigans. But they’re right. Parenting never gets easier, it just changes.

Take, for example, our youngest, who is currently enjoying a semi-gap semester. She’s living at home, doing a class online and working at a local coffee shop (RIP, empty nest). Recently, she’s decided to assert her power as a woman by going to the Balkans. Solo. And then to a youth hostel in the mountains of Poland. Again, solo. In total, she’ll be gone six weeks backpacking through Europe. All by her young, beautiful lonesome.

Our initial response? Absolutely not! What if you get snatched and sold

into a sex trafficking ring? We’ve seen “Taken,” we know how it works. “But Mom, you were in Vietnam by yourself and were fine!” “That’s because I was a middle-aged woman with readers and clunky orthotic shoes!”

She pressed her case: “Where I’m going is safer than half the large cities in the U.S., and besides, I’m 18. And I’m paying for everything. You actually have no say.” Fine.

Now, I’ll spend the next few months in abject terror that even if she somehow avoids being kidnapped, she’ll fall into a ravine while hiking, lose her passport, be mugged at gunpoint, contract a deadly disease and/or (gasp) fall in love and decide to stay! The horror.

Nope, parenting certainly does not get easier. Peace out.

POLICIES

9-month 4.55 4.7

6-month

1-year 4.75

110 Indianapolis, IN 46220-4197 317-899-4764

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 specialinterest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.

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

Generally, it is a good idea to live and let live. We refrain from the nominal opinion about others and expect that they do the same for us.

– TERRY ANKER

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

And our survey says …

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

At first glance, it seemed like a pretty good deal. Enjoy a complimentary $25 gift card from one of the local supermarkets. All it required was answering a few questions online. I figured it was a marketing scam. I wasn’t born yesterday. In fact, as you’ll see, I was born 100 years ago.

I had to agree to certain contractual terms, including giving my permission for the research firm to forward my responses to businesses that could contact me to pitch their products or services. What was I thinking?

The first line asked me the date I was born. I was honest about the exact day in March, but I scrolled all the way to the bottom of the drop-down menu and found the earliest birth year listed. I clicked on 1923. I thought that might dissuade the life insurance salespeople from pestering me with calls.

Next, I was confronted with several odd questions disguised as statements:

• Ninety-two percent of females who fill out this survey want to receive free samples. Do you? (Was this a trick question? I’m a guy. How do I answer that? I think the first question on tests should be the easiest).

• Forty percent of those who fill out this survey meditate. Do you? (Yes, and right now, I’m deep in thought, wondering why I am doing this for a lousy 25 bucks).

• Then things started getting really serious:

• Eight percent of those who fill out this survey are unemployed. Are you?

• Six percent of those who fill out this survey are clinically depressed. Are you?

• Eleven percent of those who fill out this survey are in debt. Are you?

• Thirteen percent of men who fill out this survey need ED medicine. Do you? Next, they asked my level of education. One of the choices was,“I’d rather not answer this.” No such option was available for my mental state, my sex life or my financial status. But did I complete high school? Apparently, that’s getting way too personal.

Here was another inquiry: Have you considered replacing the aluminum siding on your home?

I clicked “yes,” because I was afraid that too many “no” answers would have suggested I was just in this for the free frozen pizzas I was going to get with my gift card. While I was still typing, the phone rang.

“Mr. Wolfsie, this is A.A. Monroe Home Improvement. Based on your response 45 seconds ago, we have determined that you are exactly the kind of person who can benefit from our aluminum siding, which comes with a lifetime warranty for as long as you own your home.”

“Look at the survey. I’m 100 years old. Could I rent your siding?”

In a final notation, the research company reserved the option of substituting a prize worth the equivalent of the $25 in free groceries, which probably meant a knock-off Rolex. I called the hotline number and told the woman that I felt I had been conned and that the entire questionnaire was a waste of my time.

She said 82 percent of the people who took the survey felt exactly the same way.

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

Carmel Jazz Festival set for debut in August

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel residents Blair Clark and Ashley Ulbricht want to celebrate their love of jazz and the city.

MUSIC

Thus, the Carmel Jazz Festival is set for an August debut.

Clark is the executive director/chief executive officer of the nonprofit. Ulbricht, an attorney, is the president.

Clark said part of the mission is to showcase Carmel’s state-of-the-art entertainment venues.

“It’s not only one of the best places to live, but it’s one of the best places to come for entertainment, and we have some great event spaces for that,” said Clark, a vocalist who also is a voice coach.

The Carmel Jazz Festival is set for Aug. 11-12 at several venues across the city.

“We want to bring the flavor, feel and flair of New Orleans to Carmel,” Ulbricht said. “We have all these venues, but we don’t have a dedicated music festival for Carmel that includes other international and national acts.”

Acts will perform at The Tarkington and Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts and outside the venues on Carter Green. There also will be acts at the Carmel Gazebo.

“We are partnering with the Palladium for at least one act,” said Ulbricht, a violinist and backup vocalist for SixFigures.

Ulbricht said Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael also is a partner, and there will be multiple acts in the two-day period.

“We are putting up some pop-up performances, sponsored by the city, during Meet Me on Main, which is always the second Saturday of the month,” Clark said.

Clark said the event will be a great indoor and outdoor opportunity, which includes food trucks, for attendees.

“We’re focused on making our local vendors and businesses put their productions and their stuff up there,” Clark said.

Ulbricht said there will be VIP experiences throughout the two-day festival.

Clark said they are in conversations with national performers, including Evelyn “Champagne” King.

Carmel resident Josh Kaufman, the winner of Season 6 of “The Voice,” is expected to perform. Among other area performers expected to appear are soul and blues singers Tad Robinson and Jennie DeVoe and jazz musician Steve Allee.

“We’re bringing the top-end local acts around the state of Indiana,’ Clark said.

“We want to make sure it’s an all-inclusive experience of local, international and regional acts.”

Jazz bands from Indiana University, Ball State University and Butler University will perform Aug. 12 at the Studio Theater.

“Then all the professors from those colleges will be performing after that at The Tarkington,” Clark said. “We’re hoping to get the high school jazz bands as well. One of the missions is to get instruments

and lessons in the hands of underprivileged kids. We’ll be collaborating with other musical outlets to get them to donate instruments and the instructors to donate some free lessons.”

A portion of the proceeds from the festival will benefit that mission.

Current Publishing is serving as the media sponsor.

The hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 11 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 12. Tickets are $25 for Aug. 11, $35 for Aug. 12 and $50 for both days. Attendees will get wristbands to enter different venues.

There will be separate tickets for performances at Palladium and Feinstein’s. For more information and tickets, visit carmeljazzfest.org.

‘FOOTLOOSE’

“Footloose” will run through March 26 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’

Civic Theatre will present “The Diary of Anne Frank” through Feb. 25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘NEW WORLD DANCES’

The Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present “New World Dances” Feb. 18-19 and Feb. 25-26 at The Florence at the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

‘NIGHT MUST FALL’

Main Street Productions of “Night Must Fall” will be presented through Feb. 19 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

‘PROOF’

Mud Creek Players will present “Proof” through Feb. 25 at the Mud Creek Barn Theater in Indianapolis. For more, visit mudcreekplayers.org.

‘AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS’

The Belfry Theatre’s production of “Around the World in 80 Days” will runs through Feb. 19 at Arts for Lawrence Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave., Lawrence. For more, visit artsforlawrence.org.

‘THE MUSIC OF MANILOW’

Actors Theatre of Indiana co-founder Don Farrell will perform “One Voice: The Music of Manilow” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘ARTE D’ITALIA’

“Arte D’Italia” feature classical pianist Francesco Attesti, of Cortona, Italy, in a concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. There is another event at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17, featuring Attesti in a jazz trio. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Blair Clark, left, and Ashley Ulbricht are the organizers of the Carmel Jazz Festival. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Opera show at Union 50 returns

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Indianapolis Opera General Director David Starkey is determined to make opera accessible to all.

FUNDRAISER

The Opera Cabaret at Union 50 helps in that regard. The fundraiser is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Union 50, 620 N. East St., Indianapolis. Indianapolis Opera resident artists will perform an intimate cabaret-style program that will showcase opera favorites, musical theater hits and American Songbook gems.

“We’ll be singing selections from ‘The Magic Flute,’ our May show,” Starkey said. “We’ll be singing music from our March opera workshop show.”

There will be a tribute to Ned Rorem, a prolific contemporary classical music composer who was born in Richmond and died in November 2022 at age 99.

A multi-course meal will include a complimentary glass of wine.

“Last year’s Opera Cabaret at Union 50 was an extension of all the neighborhood

concerts and different food events that we did in 2020 and 2021,” Starkey said. “It was a large mixture of whatever we could do to serve the community. Those two years we were singing all over the city. We learned a lot, not only about our neighbors, but also how much food and fine drink were a part of people’s gatherings, so we wanted to continue that in a more formal way.”

Starkey said Union 50 has a great cabaret music stage.

“It’s an ideal experience for an evening for a gathering with friends and to help raise money,” Starkey said. “At the same time, we are still doing these activities in neighborhoods that may not have the same economic capabilities. We want to give back. Not everybody can come to a fundraiser at Union 50, but there are some that can do that and help us raise money. Some of the money helps us go into the communities that can’t afford us at normal prices.”

Starkey said last year’s Union 50 fundraiser was successful in raising dollars for the education department to sing throughout the entire community.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Floyd Nation set for Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Floyd Nation keyboard player Bob Harris knows his granddaughter won’t remember it, but he is excited she will get to see him play.

Harris’ son, Wryan, lives in Carmel with his wife, Laura, and 3-year-old daughter, Caelyn.

Floyd Nation will perform the music of Pink Floyd at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. There are 10 members on stage, including three female singers. The band’s studio is in Ft. Myers, Fla. “I was in a Pink Floyd tribute band prior to joining this one,” Harris said. “All of us in the band are avid fans of Pink Floyd. It’s fortunate that we all found each other. We all work together well. There are no overbearing egos.”

Harris said the band starts the set with “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a fan favorite.

“It sets the mood for the night,” Harris said. “Toward the end of the show, we play

‘Comfortably Numb’ and ‘Run Like Hell.’ Those songs are typically in frenzy. When we play ‘Another Brick in the Wall,’ a lot of people get up to dance.”

Ray Nesbit, who grew up on the southwest side of Indianapolis and graduated from Decatur Central High School, is one of Floyd Nation’s founding members.

“I guess you could say I’m the architect of it,” Nesbit said. “This whole thing is happening a lot faster than any of us thought it would. Our first gig is a little over a year ago.”

Nesbit started as the sound engineer, but now that the sound system is established, he plays guitar.

“In the ‘90s, I did a solo act and was known for playing Pink Floyd as well,” Nesbit said.

Nesbit was introduced in the 1990s to Brendon McDonnell, who is Floyd Nation’s lead guitarist and vocalist.

“We’ve been playing Pink Floyd together for 25 years, and here we are in a band together. It’s pretty cool,” Nesbit said.

For more, visit floydnation.live. For tickets, visit the centerpresents.org.

Summer sausage in winter plans

Commentary by Mark LaFay

The lineup for Super Bowl LVII was cemented two weeks ago, and the congratulations go to Kansas City and Philadelphia. I didn’t have a dog in the fight, so my interest level was a bit low. Regardless, the Super Bowl is a great excuse to get together with friends, eat some tasty snacks and play a few games of euchre. This year, we whipped up some hot wings and a few hot dips. Of course, we will also have a small spread of meats and cheeses for grazing throughout the evening. One thing you can always count on finding in the Midwest, and you will definitely be finding at my home, is summer sausage!

Summer sausage is a generic American term used to describe any sausage that can be stored without refrigeration. Rarely ever is summer sausage a term used to describe dry-cured salamis, or other preserved dried sausages heralding from other parts of the world. In my family’s tradition, summer sausage is almost always venison. We are a hunting family, and without fail, we process our deer into summer sausage. Summer sausage, however, can be pork or beef, and

it is almost always smoked or has smoke flavoring.

Summer sausage is great with sharp cheese, grainy mustard and a crunchy cracker. It is a hearty and delicious snack that can be quite filling. One of my favorite summer sausages can be found in Wawa, Ontario, Canada, at Young’s General Store. But if you don’t find yourself three hours north of Sault St. Marie, a couple options you can find locally are Neuske’s and Old Major Summer Sausage.

Neuske’s is based out of Wisconsin. Its summer sausage is a 10-ounce chub that is lightly smoked with fruit wood. It has a subtle spice flavor and is quite delicious (full disclosure, Old Major is my company). Old Major Summer Sausage is all beef, smoked with hickory and cherry and lightly seasoned. Future Super Bowl plans? Work the sausage of summer into your plans!

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

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What’s in a name?

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

A visit to Caesarea Maritima

Commentary by Don Knebel

GRAMMAR GUY

Names hold enormous power. I’ve always been impressed by people who go by names with only one word — Cher, Beyoncé, Prince, Madonna, Bono, Beck, Banksy or Pelé come to mind. These one-word names are called mononyms. Add Plato, Aristotle, Fergie, Fabio and Coolio, and you’re looking at quite the lineup of mononymous people. If you’re not singing “mononym” to the Muppet tune of “Mahna Mahna,” you will be by the end of this sentence.

You probably know about pseudonyms. These “pen names,” “noms de plume,” or even “aliases,” are the names authors use for a particular purpose. Classic examples include Dr. Seuss, Mark Twain and Mrs. Silence Dogood. Modern examples include Richard Bachmann (Stephen King) and Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling).

However, do you know the word for the “given” name of an author who goes by a pseudonym? It’s called an “orthonym.” Mark Twain’s orthonym (a.k.a., his original name) was Samuel Clemens, and Dr.

Seuss’ orthonym was “Theodore Giesel.” While “pseudonym” translates to “false name,” “orthonym” means “true name.”

Now I need to discuss another type of pseudonym — the stage name. In the entertainment industry, performers want to stand out in a sea of fame-seekers. One great way to do that is with an interesting name. You probably didn’t know that Jamie Foxx is a stage name for the man with the given name Eric Bishop. Have you ever heard of Robert Zimmerman? You probably know him by his stage name, Bob Dylan. To rattle off a few more stage names, how about Elton John (Reginald Dwight), Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Mortenson), Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta), and the greatest actor of all time, Nicolas Cage (Nicholas Coppola).

TRAVEL

In our continuing tour of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to the Mediterranean coast about 28 miles southwest of Megiddo to visit the ruins of the spectacular ancient city of Caesarea Maritima.

In 40 B.C., the Roman Senate named Herod, whose ancestors had converted to Judaism, the “King of the Jews,” with authority over Judea, Galilee and Peraea, an area east of the Jordan River. Herod’s little kingdom along the eastern Mediterranean lacked even a suitable harbor. Herod soon undertook a number of massive construction projects, both to gain the loyalty of Jews wary of his Nabatean ethnicity and to impress his Roman patrons.

To create a harbor, Herod’s engineers designed breakwaters extending several hundred meters from the straight Mediterranean shoreline. Divers, trained to stay underwater for five minutes, placed forms on the seabed and filled them with newly invented concrete that hardened under water. When completed in 13 B.C., the harbor was the largest on the Mediterranean. Herod constructed a 164-acre city adjacent to the harbor, named Caesarea in honor of Caesar Augustus. Home to 100,000 people, Caesarea included 100 warehouses for products passing through the port, a temple to Augustus, a lighthouse, a hippodrome and a 4,000-seat theater. A 13-mile aqueduct, sections of which are still standing, brought water to the city, which became the Roman capital of Judea in A.D. 6. Herod’s city, which rivaled Alexandria, is now called Caesarea Maritima to distinguish it from Caesarea Philippi.

In 1961, archaeologists excavating the

theater uncovered an engraved slab of limestone identifying Pontius Pilate as the “prefect of Judea,” the only contemporaneous evidence of his existence. Today, visitors attend concerts in the restored theater, dive among the ruins of the sunken breakwaters, destroyed by an earthquake in about A.D. 100, and understand why history remembers Herod as “the Great.”

PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE:

Animals: DOLPHIN, PENGUIN, SEAL, SHARK, TURTLE, WHALE; Sports: BILLIARDS, BOWLING, GOLF, SQUASH, TENNIS; Gifts: CHOCOLATE, JEWELRY, LINGERIE, ROSES; Words: INDIANA, REPERTORY, THEATRE; Bars: GREGS OUR PLACE, TINI; Sport: CYCLING FRENCH, GERMAN, GREEK, ITALIAN

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

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

Aqueduct at Caesarea Maritima. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Caesarea Maritima Harbor.

swers to the starred clues, phonetically 41. *Roll-call vote 42. Large amount 44. Brings up to speed 46. Busy month for the IRS 47. Four-time Indy 500 champ

48. Most cunning

52. Linen’s place

54. *Butler alumna bio word

55. ___ culpa

56. A score

59. Cuts into cubes

61. Penske Chevrolet SUV

64. Angers

66. Hoosier National Forest home

67. *Is aware of

68. ___ helmet (safari wear)

69. *Big bash

70. Group of eight

71. Meh

72. Scent

Down

1. If all goes well

2. Thanksgiving role

3. “Seinfeld” role

4. Job for Church Brothers Collision Repair

5. Bygone IND carrier

6. Black ___ spider

7. German auto

8. Email button

9. Thread holders

10. Former Indiana Black Expo prez Mckinzie

11. Regret

12. PU Big Ten foe

13. Verve

21. Perfume oil

23. Lip application

26. What Macs ran on, until a 2016 renaming

28. Mini-Marathon, e.g.

29. IU’s Kelley School deg.

30. Pirates’ domain

32. Surrounded

33. Poker declaration

34. Olympic sled

37. Sit ___ by (do nothing)

38. Big Apple inits.

39. Card game 41. Wasn’t well 42. Kings, on a Pacers scoreboard 43. USMC rank 44. Dove shelter

5 Sports that use Balls

6 Marine Animals 4 Valentine’s Day Gifts 3 IRT Words 2 Indy LGBTQ+ Bars

1 Marjor Taylor Sport

62. Nelson Mandela’s org. 63. Chris Wright summer forecast

65. HBO alternative Answers on Page 20

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