October 31, 2023 — Lawrence/Geist by Current Publishing

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October 31, 2023

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Lawrence council approves 2024 budget By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com The City of Lawrence Common Council voted unanimously Oct. 18 to approve the 2024 City of Lawrence GOVERNMENT budget, which totals about $55 million. The budget, which had to be approved by Nov. 1, includes 3 percent raises for city employees and an estimated maximum property tax rate of .8778 cents per $100 assessed value. The vote followed a recommendation of approval by the council’s Finance Committee, which met for a final review of the budget about an hour before the full council meeting. Expenditures listed in the budget include $27.4 million for the city’s general fund, nearly $4 million for highways, about $2.2 million for storm sewers and about $1 million for local road and street maintenance. Other funds include bonds, police pension, fire building

debt, parks and recreation and capital development, according to the ordinance. About 43 percent of the city’s revenue comes from property taxes. The next-largest revenue source is income taxes, which account for about 18 percent, followed by various fees and charges for services. During the Finance Committee meeting, Chief of Staff Cori Korn gave a brief overview of the budget, noting that nearly 80 percent of the city’s expenses go toward public safety. Other expenses include trash collection, parks, public works, the mayor’s office, the council and the clerk. The committee also reviewed other budget-related items and recommended approval to the full council. Those include: • Ordinance 10, establishing salary ranges for appointed officers and employees. • Ordinance 11, establishing salary ranges for fire and police department personnel.

• Resolution 12, authorizing the transfer of appropriations between budget classifications, which in part allows the streets department to purchase a new salt and plow truck, which also can be used as a dump truck during warmer weather. • Ordinance 12, establishing compensation for elected officials. According to the ordinance, the mayor would be paid $99,750 in 2024, the city clerk would receive $78,856 and council members would be paid $16,275 each, except for the council president ($18,375) and vice president ($17,325). The full council approved all the recommended ordinances except Ordinance 12, related to the salaries of elected officials, which Council President Tyrrell Giles postponed until the next meeting. The council’s November meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E. 59th St.

Old Fort Ben PX building gets new life By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com One of the last buildings to be repurposed on the former Fort Benjamin Harrison campus in Lawrence DEVELOPMENT is ready for tenants following an extensive renovation led by OnPoint Fort Ben LLC. OnPoint is associated with Fishers-based developer Meyer Najem. One of the final pieces of the development project was a five-year tax abatement, approved by the Lawrence Common Council Oct. 18 following a lengthy discussion and two votes. The abatement was a sticking point for some councilmembers. Council President Tyrrell Giles questioned developers and Fort Harrison Reuse Authority representatives about how the abatement would benefit the average citizen of Lawrence. FHRA President Jeff Vest said the tenants going into the building are established businesses in Lawrence that want to stay and add more employees. He added that the approximately $85,000 abatement is the

The former PX building on the Fort Ben campus after renovations. (Photo courtesy of Meyer Najem)

total incentive over five years. Meyer Najem Vice President of Development Dan Conners gave a presentation about the building project. He said the PX building is about 125 years old and was left vacant for about 20 years following the base closure in the 1990s. Conners said the building was in rough shape when OnPoint took on the project more than two years ago. “Going back to July of 2021, we’ve invested about $2.5 million into structural

improvements,” he said. “These are things like, the roof was collapsing, and we’ve got new windows. We’ve got a lot of interior structural work … there were life-safety issues that would have to be addressed before anyone could ultimately occupy the building.” Conners said that $2.5 million got the building to “shell” condition. Another estimated $1 million from Meyer Najem and the tenants will customize the interior to fit the tenants’ needs. He said the tax abatement will go toward reducing rent for those tenants. During the council’s first vote on the tax abatement, Giles and Councilmember Rick Wells voted no. With some members absent, the vote was 4-2. A minimum of five votes is required for a motion to pass. The council agreed to vote again, and Giles voted in favor of the abatement during the second round. He said he would like to see evidence of the benefits to Lawrence. “That was a change of my vote because I believe in business,” he said. “I don’t believe in abatements, and I pray that this will not cause a frenzy.”

Clarification — In the Oct. 17 article, “Get to know the Indianapolis City-County Council District 4 candidates,” featuring Republican Natalie Goodwin and Democrat Nick Roberts, Roberts stated that Goodwin had moved back to the area a year before filing for office. Goodwin says that she returned to Indianapolis in 2020.

October 31, 2023

COMMUNITY

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Solid waste contractor OK’d By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com The City of Lawrence Board of Public Works approved a resolution for a new solid-waste provider Oct. 17, SERVICES committing to a five-year contract with Priority Waste. The city’s contract with Republic Services expires in early December. According to the contract, residents will be charged $14.50 per month from December 2023 through November 2024 for Priority solid waste services. The monthly fee increases by about 50 cents each year of the contract. The contract includes an option to renew after 2028. City Attorney Kaitlin Voller said the board received three responses to its request for proposals, and then evaluated the responses. Priority’s response fit the parameters of the RFP and offered the lowest costs, according to the resolution. Voller said her office negotiated the contract with Priority. “I feel like it reflects the board’s requirements laid out in the RFP and there’s nothing in the contract that presents any

Lawrence residents will have a new trash company starting in December. (Image courtesy of Priority Waste)

kind of legal concern for the city to me,” she said. The switch will begin in November, with Priority delivering its trash and recycling cans near the beginning of the month, and Republic removing its cans before Thanksgiving. Some residents will have extra cans until the changeover is complete. According to the contract, Priority services include weekly garbage collection and recycling collection every other week — with a schedule yet to be determined; yard waste collection twice a year in spring and fall; and bulk-item collection twice a year, also in spring and fall. Priority also will pick up Christmas trees placed by the curb from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31 each year.

October 31, 2023

COMMUNITY

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‘Ghost hunter’ recounts spiritual energy in Lawrence and Geist By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com Lawrence resident Lorri Sankowsky started ghost hunting in the greater Indianapolis area about three HALLOWEEN decades ago, joining a group called Indiana Ghost Trackers with a friend. “I just wanted to be in the graveyard at night, and be safe,” she said. “I wanted to be scared.” Her friend, Keri Young, was more into the scientific aspects, she said, so they had different reasons for joining the group. But they liked the experience enough to become co-directors of Indiana Ghost Trackers. “We met about once a month at Glendale Library, and we would have guided ghost hunts, and sometimes we would go to cemeteries or buildings or things like that,” she said. “We were also being contacted for private investigations — people who were having issues in their homes. We’d been doing this for probably four or five years, and we had seen some crazy things, and I told Keri, I said, ‘You know what? We need to start writing this down.’”

Lawrence resident Lorri Sankowsky hunts for ghosts at Central State Mental Hospital in downtown Indianapolis. She said the circle of light on the chair is an orb — a sphere of spiritual energy. (Photo courtesy of Lorri Sankowsky)

They compiled those stories into a book, “Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Indianapolis.” “We have a chapter on haunted neighborhoods, of which Geist is pretty prominent,” Sankowsky said. “One of the psychics that we worked with very closely, she said that she got more calls for paranormal activity and spiritual cleansing from the Geist

area than she had in any other area of Indianapolis.” Sankowsky said that’s because Geist Reservoir is an unnatural body of water, and it covers the former Germantown. “When you have ground that’s unnaturally disturbed. and then you have water, which is a fantastic conduit for spiritual activity — I mean, that’s a pretty good recipe for paranormal activity right there,” she said, adding that the water likely covers graves. Another part of the book talks about the House of Blue Lights that used to stand where Skiles Test Park is now located at 6828 Fall Creek Rd. in the Lawrence area. The park is named for the property’s former owner, Skiles Test, who built a house there in the 1920s made from milky white glass. “It was a huge house, but it looked like a farmhouse,” Sankowsky said. The House of Blue Lights isn’t really a ghost story — it’s more folklore. Somehow, an untrue rumor started that Test had killed his wife and kept her body in a glass coffin lit with blue lights. There’s no real trace of the house left, she said, and when she went there with her equipment, she found no evidence of para-

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normal activity. She did find a few pieces of broken ceramic, though, which she picked up and took home, tucked into a hiking boot. She forgot about them until months later when her husband decided to clean out their closet. When he showed her the newly organized space, the pieces of ceramic were on the floor, but Sankowsky said her husband was sure he had thrown the broken bits away after he had found them in her boot. “My husband was not a believer in the paranormal and he refused to — I mean, he was scratching his head like, ‘Well, maybe they fell out of my pocket,’ but he distinctly remembered throwing those outside in the trash,” she said. Sankowsky said she doesn’t go ghost hunting as often as she used to but has advice for those interested in giving it a try — be open-minded, but not gullible. “The first thing you do is look for the most obvious (explanation),” she said. “If there’s a cold draft, you look for an air conditioning duct or you look for a leaky window or that kind of thing. Everything’s not paranormal.” But maybe some things are.

October 31, 2023

COMMUNITY

Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com

CURRENT NOVEMBER GEIST/LAWRENCE COMMUNITY CALENDAR LAWRENCE GOVERNMENT MEETING SCHEDULE

2023

ELECTION GUIDE

READ IT ONLINE AT youarecurrent.com/2023electionguide

The following meetings are scheduled during the month of November: • City of Lawrence Common Council, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and 15, Public Assembly Room, Lawrence Government Center • Parks Board, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8, Public Assembly Room, Lawrence Government Center • Redevelopment Commission, 4 p.m. Nov. 9, Public Assembly Room, Lawrence Government Center • Board of Works, 5 p.m. Nov. 9 and 23, Public Assembly Room, Lawrence Government Center • Police Merit Commission, 6 p.m. Nov. 13, Public Assembly Room, Lawrence Government Center • Utility Service Board, 5:30 p.m., Nov. 14 and 28, Public Assembly Room, Lawrence Government Center • Fort Harrison Reuse Authority, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Public Assembly Room, Lawrence Government Center • Board of Zoning Appeals, 6 p.m. Nov.

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21, Public Assembly Room, Lawrence Government Center • Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township Board of Education work session, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Lawrence Education and Community Center, 6501 Sunnyside Rd. • Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. Nov. 27, Lawrence Education and Community Center A LAWRENCE CHRISTMAS SET FOR NOV. 25 The winter holiday season in Lawrence kicks off Nov. 25 at Civic Plaza in Lawrence with all the traditional celebrations and fun. That includes a tree lighting, skating rink, winter market, holiday parade and more. Times for various activities have not yet been announced. ‘HEDDA GABLER’ SHOW DATES The play “Hedda Gabler” by Henrik Ibsen has multiple shows scheduled in November at the Arts for Lawrence Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave. Show dates are Nov. 3 to 5, and Nov. 10 to 12. For more and to buy tickets, visit artsforlawrence.org/tickets.

October 31, 2023

COMMUNITY

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Lawrence council president cuts off public comment By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

adequate representation and I feel it is the duty of the entire council to uphold these rules.” During the first Lawrence Common CounGiles interrupted Logston by asking, “Did cil public comment period in months, the you sleep with me last night?” one person He then asked how she knew GOVERNMENT who signed up where he resided, and Logston reto speak Oct. sponded that his residency was a 18 wasn’t able to finish her comknown issue. ments after she was interrupted Following some back and forth by Council President Tyrrell Giles. between Giles and Logston, the Judy Logston, who said she lives council’s attorney Kristina Wheeler on North Franklin Road, addressed said the council doesn’t have the Giles the council at the close of the authority to vacate a council seat meeting. She expressed concern that Giles based on the allegations Logston cited. was serving on the council but hasn’t lived Wheeler added that the Marion County in his house in Lawrence for more than a elections board voted in February to reject year. a challenge to Giles’ candidacy based on Giles has said that he is renovating his residency. his home and he intends to return. In the Giles added that if people in District 1, meantime, he is living at his wife’s home in which he represents, don’t want him on Speedway. the council anymore, they can vote for his Logston, who spoke for less than two opponent in the upcoming Nov. 7 election. minutes before she was interrupted, called Giles, a Democrat, faces Republican chalon the rest of the council to vacate Giles’ lenger Carl Barnett. seat. Giles then adjourned the meeting. “Let’s remember the council transparenThe council had not offered time for cy and trust of the government are essenpublic comment during its meetings since tial to our democracy,” she said. “As locally April, but following a discussion at the Oct. elected leaders, you council members, all 2 meeting, Giles agreed to put public comof you serve on the forefront and your acment back on the agenda. tions or inactions impact our communities For more details about the issue of Giles’ more quickly than any other. Our commuresidency, see Current’s August 31 news nity members in all neighborhoods deserve story.

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October 31, 2023

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ZCHS junior receiver Hilton drawing heavy college attention By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com When asked who his favorite athlete is, Zionsville Community High School junior receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. didn’t hesitate. “I’ve got to say my dad,” Hilton said. Makes sense or there might be an awkward moment at the dinner table. His father is Hilton Jr. former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, whose given name is Eugene. Nicknamed “The Ghost,” he played 10 seasons with the Colts and one season with Dallas in 2022 and was selected to four Pro Bowls. Hilton, who has 20 scholarship offers so far, said his top six schools now are Missouri, Kentucky, Wisconsin, University of Mississippi, University of Miami and his father’s alma mater, Florida International University. “It’s nice knowing that hard work pays off and it’s started to finally take notice,” he said.

MEET EUGENE HILTON JR.

Favorite subject: Math Favorite musicians: YoungBoy and Drake Favorite TV show: “Paradise PD” He said his father’s main advice about recruiting is to enjoy the process and take it day by day. Hilton caught 49 passes for 598 yards last season as a sophomore. Prior to the Class 6A sectional opener Oct. 27, Hilton had 40 catches for 757 yards and nine touchdowns. Hilton said his biggest improvement this season is definitely yards after the catch. “Last year, I could have had much bigger plays than what I had,” Hilton said. “My

Eugene Hilton Jr. has increased his yards after catch this season. (Photo courtesy of Tom Marron Photography)

yards-after-catch average has improved greatly, and that’s shown through the stats. I’ve had people help me work on that. Once you get the ball, it’s your time to

shine.” Hilton said supportive teammates have been important. “Everyone cheers everyone on and lifts everyone up,” he said. At 6-foot-1 and just 16 years old, Hilton said his hope is to grow at least 2 or 3 more inches. “I was kind of slow early on,” he said. “But as I started to get taller and build strength, I started to get really fast and become really powerful.” Eagles coach Scott Turnquist said Hilton has developed in a lot of ways since starting varsity late in his freshman season. “He done a great job working at his craft and getting better in terms of his skill set,” Turnquist said. “Over the last year, he’s done a good job developing his voice as a leader, especially in that receiver group.” Being around the game his entire life has helped as well. “When you’re around it a lot, you understand much more stuff than someone, let’s just say, that wasn’t around the game as long,” Hilton said. “It’s just knowing what is going on, and a good feel for the game puts you above everyone else.”

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October 31, 2023

COVER STORY

Current in Lawrence/Geist

THE BENJAMIN

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Keystone Group breaks ground on new mixed-use development in Lawrence

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com City of Lawrence and Keystone Group officials officially broke ground Oct. 24 on The Benjamin, a Keystone Group mixed-use development that will offer luxury apartments and commercial space, set for completion in fall of 2025. On the sunny October morning, more than 60 people gathered at the site of the planned development, now a grassy space off 56th Street, to celebrate the start of the project. It’s one of the last sites on the former Fort Benjamin Harrison property to be developed following the base’s closure in the 1990s. Fort Harrison Reuse Authority Executive Director Heather Millikan said she grew up in the area, and she’s happy the former base has been repurposed so successfully. “What I’m seeing, it just brings me so much joy because you know, when the Army left, it was kind of scary times for all of us in Lawrence, not knowing what was going to happen,” she said. FHRA Board President Jeff Vest said the estimated $70 million Keystone Group development has been in the works for more than six years. It involved a lot of conversations and was delayed in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vest said he’s happy the project is moving forward and said it should benefit all of Lawrence. “It’s the largest private development — private-public development — in the history of Lawrence,” he said. “This will be a little cliché here, but it should be the keystone to drive people to The Fort — the whole work, live, play concept.” Vest said The Benjamin will be similar to Keystone’s Sophia Square in Carmel, with higher-end retail and commercial opportunities. According to a Keystone Group announcement, The Benjamin will offer 220 residential units, a pool and luxury amenity spaces, and about 24,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space on the ground floor. In his remarks during the ceremony, Keystone Group President and CEO Ersal Ozdemir said his company considers how functional a local government is when deciding where to build. He said he was ini-

(Left) Keystone Group President and CEO Ersal Ozdemir, left, FHRA Board President Jeff Vest and Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier talk after the Oct, 24 groundbreaking of The Benjamin mixeduse development.

(Right) The Benjamin mixed-use development will be constructed off 56th Street at the entrance to The Fort in Lawrence. (Photos by Adam Seif)

tially skeptical about building in Lawrence when the conversation started with city officials, but Mayor Steve Collier told him to just come take a look. “I didn’t realize what had happened (in the) last 10 years — the amount of the development and redevelopment, the residential apartments, the village plaza, and obviously, there’s a great asset here that really a lot of people don’t appreciate: the state park,” Ozdemir said. “The city leadership has done an amazing job the last 10 years. I got excited to be part of this big vision to help to grow the area to a better place.” Collier told the audience that he was

determined to get Keystone Group to build on the Fort Ben campus. “Being a mayor of a city like Lawrence, you’ve got to be a pretty good salesman,” he said. “So Ersal, I’ve got to tell you, I did my toughest sales job on you to get you out here.” Collier noted that the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority is nationally recognized for its success in making sure the former Fort Benjamin Harrison base remained a vibrant part of Lawrence. He mentioned other recent and ongoing projects, such as the recently completed Indianapolis Public Library Fort Ben Branch; the Metropolitan

School District of Lawrence Township’s administrative building, which on Sept. 8 celebrated its groundbreaking about a block away from The Benjamin site; and the planned Indiana Golf headquarters at the Fort Ben Golf Resort. ON THE COVER: From left, Fort Harrison Reuse

Authority Executive Director Heather Millikan, Keystone Group President and CEO Ersal Ozdemir, Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier, FHRA Board President Jeff Vest and FHRA board member Jason Fenwick officially break ground on The Benjamin mixed-use development at Fort Ben in Lawrence. (Photo by Adam Seif)

WHAT’S LEFT TO DEVELOP AT FORT BEN? Nearly all the former Fort Benjamin Harrison buildings and lots have been repurposed, but there are a handful of sites that remain open for development. Fort Harrison Reuse Authority Executive Director Heather Millikan said discussions are under way for one site, but she can’t talk about that in any detail. “Until it’s all finalized, we really aren’t

saying a whole lot,” she said. “But we’re really excited about the prospects of what could be happening soon.” Millikan said in addition to the unnamed project, there are a couple of acres just past the Jockamo Pizza building that the authority would like to see developed, and a few others. “I found a couple of smaller, just-un-

der-an-acre parcels that we just have to decide what’s going to be best for those — more than likely a smaller office building or something, and maybe a couple more townhomes,” she said. ”So literally, that’s about it.” For more about the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority and the history of Fort Benjamin Harrison Army Base, visit fhra.org.

October 31, 2023

VIEWS

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Lessons from the news cycle

A S K A B O U T O U R I N T E R E S T R AT E I N C E N T I V E P RO G R A M *

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The arrival of the 24-hour news cycle delivered an abundance of bad, shocking and salacious information from ESSAY the four corners of our universe. Where we once had a troupe of editors at the local morning daily paper that would sift through, as Adolph S. Ochs said in 1896, “all the news that’s fit to print,” today we have unfettered access to virtually limitless bits of who-knows-what. Like the shelves of a modern grocery store, not all choices are equally healthy, affordable or necessary. Yet without the guiding hand of someone who is thinking about quality and nutrition, we can slide into some fairly bad habits, eating only what we’ve always eaten while not understanding why we are becoming obese. We live in an increasingly toxic internet age where thieves send us daily messages by every electronic medium manifesting all matter of deception. And when we seek the worst manifestations of human behavior each morning with our coffee, we come to believe that these abhorrent individuals are

more common than they actually are. Most people are good and decent. Most of us try to behave ourselves. And we do. But this so-called democratization of news has had a twisted effect. Even as we are horrified to watch in real time as missiles are fired and buildings burn, knowing that there must have been humans where now only flames are seen, others conspire about how terror, death and kidnapping might advance their agenda. Likewise, most read about drug arrests, corruption or even murder and wonder how it has become so commonplace while others find comfort that their own perversions might be perceived as mainstream. The middle school cliché, “Well, everyone is doing it” comes to mind. Does learning of the bad actions of our fellow humans motivate fear, action, disinterest or abject indifference?

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EpconIndianapolis.com | 317.785.1566 *Offer incentives are valid on purchase agreements, not contingent on the sale of another home, accepted by affiliates of Epcon Communities, for a limited number of to- be-built homes and inventory homes in specified communities. Offer incentives are subject to change or withdrawal at any time without notice. To qualify for the incentive the purchase of an inventory home must close on or before December 29, 2023 and the purchase of a to-be-built home must close within 6 months of the acceptance of the contract by Epcon’s affiliates. The incentives are available only for certain financing options and do not apply to all lenders and loans. Some conditions, limitations, and restrictions apply. Offer may vary locally. See your Sales Consultant for more details. Finance incentives are capped at no more than $20,000 based on participation in this offer, including financing through GO Mortgage, LLC, (NMLS 1018). Offers may not be redeemed for cash or equivalent. This offer may not be combined with any other offers or discounts. Offers not valid on previously written sales contracts or contract re-writes. Community Association fees required. This offer is void where prohibited. GO Mortgage is an Equal Opportunity Lender. ^No step entryways are not available for all homes or in all communities. Although all floorplans, features, illustrations, and specifications of the homes and communities are believed correct at the time of publication, the right is reserved to make changes, without notice or obligation. Windows, doors, ceilings, layout, colors, finishes and room sizes may vary depending on the options and elevations selected. This information is for illustrative purposes only and not part of a legal contract. ©2023 IP86, LLC.

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

declaring, “I don’t need to come back to this city.” How dare you, madam! Boston is Friends, I recently returned from a mothawesome! And was I annoyed that we had er-daughter trip that went surprisingly to cut the Freedom Trail short, right before well. But please don’t tell my Paul Revere’s house (and Mike’s Pastry), HUMOR sisters! They’ve been applaud- because her allergies were acting up? Yes. ing my Yes, I was. “sacrifice” and But we shared She’s always wanted to see the showering me with great laughs when a presidential sites up there, and since tourist tried to run comments like “We I’m the lone history teacher of her five onto The Plain at West owe you!” and “God bless you.” It’s been Point -- only to be vigdaughters, I volunteered as tribute. lovely, much like the – DANIELLE WILSON orously sworn at by aforementioned jaunt our expatriate German Mom and I took to tour guide, and we New York and Boston. She’s always wanted made quite the pair traipsing around Eleato see the presidential sites up there, and nor Roosevelt’s estate at 8 a.m., not a soul since I’m the lone history teacher of her in sight. I’ll forever cherish our 30 minutes five daughters, I volunteered as tribute. I in the Hancock Cemetery, failing miserably steeled myself for moments of annoyance to keep track of the prolific Adams family. and hours of stories that I’ve already heard “Who’s this guy again?” So fun. and accepted the fact that the week would But please don’t tell my sisters! Peace out. be emotionally exhausting. But I focused on the opportunity for spending 1-on-1 time with my mom and the chance to eat some Danielle Wilson is a contributing outstanding North End cannoli. columnist. You may email her at Was there impressive eye rolling on my info@youarecurrent.com. part? Absolutely. Mom frequently commented on the horrendous traffic, eventually

October 31, 2023

VIEWS

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Lost another food fight Commentary by Dick Wolfsie Typically, restaurant coupons you get in the mail give you several options. They require some crafty figuring in HUMOR order to know how to most efficiently use them. That’s why we brought along one evening our adult son who has a year of college calculus under his belt. I just wasn’t sure how much stayed in his head. “It looks to me,” began my wife, Mary Ellen, eyeing the coupons, “that we can get a free burger as long as someone else also orders a burger, two-for-one.” “Great,” I said. “Brett and I will each have a burger.” “Hold it, Dad. I don’t want a burger. I eat them all the time. I thought you didn’t want me to eat so much red meat?” “Look, we just have to work together as a family. OK, Mary Ellen, how about this? If one of us gets an Asian salad, the other gets a salad at half price, as long the second salad is the same or a lesser value. Which salad do you want?” “I don’t like the salads here. I want the fish and chips dinner.” “You can’t have a fish and chips dinner, Mary Ellen. There’s no discount for a fish and chips dinner.” “Why are we eating out if we can’t get something we like?” “Because once, just once, I want to show these restaurants that I am not a fool. They are not going to snare me into their trap. We will save money. I don’t care if we hate every morsel.” “Hey, Dad, if Mom gets the $14.95 Cobb salad, this coupon says we get a free

appetizer.” “No, that’s exactly what they want us to do. That won’t save us a penny because we never order an appetizer. So, we don’t gain anything.” “OK, Dad. Here’s a coupon for a 99-cent draft beer. But you have to order the John Wayne Sirloin for $39.95.” I was tempted. I sensed growing dissension around the table. “Here, Dick,” Mary Ellen said. “This part of the coupon says we can get $10 off the check if we spend at least $50. Then we can order what we want. And what a concept -you know, enjoying what you eat.” “No, that would – DICK WOLFSIE make the final bill $40, and I want to keep dinner under $40.” “Why?” “I have no idea. It’s just a personal goal I set.” Twenty minutes later, the server finally dared approach. “We’ll have two spinach salads, one of which one is free. And a tenderloin for my son, who was a consultant on this project.” “You know, Dick,” Mary Ellen said, “I changed my mind. I think I’ll have the fish tacos.” The bill was $62. I didn’t speak to Mary Ellen the rest of the evening. But I can’t blame the expensive dinner on her. The coupon had expired.

The bill was $62. I didn’t speak to Mary Ellen the rest of the evening. But I can’t blame the expensive dinner on her. The coupon had expired.

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given oncemonthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.

October 31, 2023

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Guest conductor eager for CSO’s Masterworks concert celebrating veterans By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com David Commanday is finding his stint as a Carmel Symphony Orchestra guest conductor to be an enjoyable MUSIC experience. “The first concert was a great pleasure to prepare and perform with the musicians,” Commanday said. “I think we really hit it off. I love the (concert) hall and I’m really impressed with the town.” Commanday returns as guest conductor for the third time for Carmel Symphony Orchestra, which will present its Masterworks 2 concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Commanday first served as guest conductor Oct. 7 as Janna Hymes’ resignation as artistic director was announced that day. Hymes resigned to concentrate on her new position as leading the orchestra in Sonoma, Ariz. Commanday then returned Oct. 22 to conduct the Gershwin Kids concert. Commanday, based in Peoria, Ill., is the conductor of Heartland Festival Orchestra. He served as music director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra from 1990 to 2009. “(Masterworks 2) is opening with a piece by Valerie Coleman, an African American composer and performing flutist of real distinction,” Commanday said. Coleman’s piece is “Umoja, Anthem of Unity,” which she wrote for the wind quintet she played in. “Later, she was asked by the Philadelphia Orchestra to orchestrate it for full orchestra,” Commanday said. “That’s the first time that orchestra played a piece by an African American woman composer. It’s brilliantly orchestrated and a very beautiful piece. The concert, in my opinion, is about diversity and unity.” This is the first time Commanday has conducted the piece but he is quite familiar with the other three pieces on the program. Maurice Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couper-

David Commanday will return as guest conductor for Carmel Symphony Orchestra. (Photo courtesy of David Commanday)

BEEF & BOARDS Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through Nov. 19 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com. FEINSTEIN’S CABARET Ari Axelrod: “A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway” is set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Singer-songwriter Andie Case will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com. GRACE POTTER Grace Potter’s concert is set for 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org. THE LITTLE MERMEN

in” is next in the concert. “At first, it’s not clear how it fits in with Veterans Day and the United States,” Commanday said. “Tombeau means memorial and Couperin was a French composer. The fact is, Ravel is a veteran who wanted to serve in the first World War and was disqualified on medical grounds. In order to serve, he became a medical assistant and drove an ambulance.” Commanday said Ravel wrote the piece on the piano between 1914 and 1917. When Ravel decided to orchestrate it, he dedicated each of the movements to a friend who died in World War I. “So, it is kind of a tribute to veterans and their sacrifices,” Commanday said. Charles Ives’ “Variations of America” is the third piece. Ives wrote it when he was 17. “He wrote a tough pedal part,” Commanday said. “Playing the pedal is almost as much fun as playing baseball.” Commanday said Ives was an insurance man with a refreshing personality. “He liked the idea of simultaneous things happening that are disconnected,” Commanday said. Commanday said there are a couple of moments where two different keys are happening at the same time in “Variations

of America.” “I consider it a patriotic and celebratory type of thing,” he said. The final piece is William Grant Still’s “Afro American Symphony No. 1.” It was the first symphony by a Black composer to be performed by a major orchestra. Commanday said in 1930 it became the most performed symphony. “This is a piece I’ve had the pleasure of performing a couple of times,” Commanday said. “William Grant Still was classically trained as a composer and musician. In this piece, he incorporates themes from jazz, specifically blues. He included that as a celebration of his roots. It’s a symphony that takes the audience on a journey through in four movements. He also includes the sound of the banjo, which is an American instrument.” Commanday said jazz itself is an infusion of West African influences and European classical music. “This is a fun symphony with a lot of heart in it,” he said. J’lan Stewart, from Kokomo, will be featured in the program as a guest soloist. Stewart was one of 40 national finalists in the Songbook Academy summer intensive program in July. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

The Ultimate Disney Tribute Band will perform at 3 and 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts. For more visit, thecenterpresents.org. ‘CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG’ Carmel Apprentice Theatre will present “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” from Nov. 3-19 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

DISPATCH Heartland to present sneak preview of ‘KENNEDY’ — Heartland Film will partner with the History network to present a sneak preview of the network’s new docuseries “KENNEDY,” directed by Hoosier and Heartland Film award-winning alumnus and 23-year-old filmmaker Ashton Gleckman, from Carmel. A screening of Episode 7 from the series is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Toby in Newfields in Indianapolis. It will be followed at 7:45 p.m. by a discussion and question-and-answer session with director and composer Gleckman and featured subject Lawrence J. Haas, former White House official and author, columnist, commentator and historian. “KENNEDY” premieres at 8 p.m. Nov. 18 with three backto-back episodes on the History network and then continues Nov. 19-20. For sneak preview tickets, visit heartlandfilm.org.

October 31, 2023

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Actor takes on Don José again By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

its moments when it can be very taxing. That’s not always fun if you are having an off night. Don José has some redeemable Adam Diegel might be making his Indiaqualities but very few. He’s a pretty twisted napolis Opera debut, but he is no newcomer character.” to his role of Don José Don José leaves a woman who OPERA in “Carmen.” loves him for the fiery Carmen. “This will be my 80th“In my opinion, they are equally plus performance of Don José,” he at fault, maybe him a little more,” said. Diegel said. “Carmen” is set for Nov. 10-12 at Don José eventually kills Carmen. The Tarkington at the Center for the Diegel said Indy Opera will stay true Performing Arts in Carmel. Perforto Georges Bizet’s original opera. Diegel mances will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10-11 “I just did a production where I and 3 p.m. Nov. 12. was the one who was killed,” Diegel said. Diegel, who is based in the Orlando area, “They did it tactfully within the context of said there is a unique character arc to Don the storyline. Don José does admit at the José. end, ‘I did wrong and come arrest me and “It’s kind of fun to follow the betrayal and take me to my fate.’ But, unfortunately, he demise of the character,” Diegel said. “He had to kill Carmen to do that.” kind of devolves into madness.” Diegel has previously worked with Nina Diegel, a Korean American tenor, said Yoshida Nelsen, who plays Carmen, in a cou“Tosca” is probably the favorite opera in ple of productions. which he has performed because he plays a “She played my mother in ‘Cavalleria rusprotagonist. ticana,’” Diegel said. “Now she plays my love “But I’ve definitely performed in (‘Carinterest, so we’ve come full circle.” men’) the most,” Diegel said. “Don José has For more, visit indyopera.org.

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Conrad said IWS is playing another piece based on it, called “Fantastique,” by Tyler Harrison. It might be five days after Halloween, “It’s a spoof of the piece (the audience) but Indiana Wind Symphony Music Director will hear right after ‘Dream of a Witches’ Charles Conrad figSabbath,’” Conrad said. CONCERT ures the audience IWS principal flute player Carl will still be in the Butler is the soloist in the concert, mood for some haunting music. performing during the “Concerto IWS will present “Echoes of Halin D Major” by Wolfgang Amadeus loween” at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Mozart. Palladium at the Center for the PerThe four members of the bassoon forming Arts in Carmel. section will be featured in the “FuButler It will open with a piece called neral March of a Marionette.” It was “Witch Hunt” by Aaron McMichael. written first as a piano piece in 1872 and The concert will close with “Dream of a orchestrated in 1979, but the IWS commisWitches’ Sabbath” by Hector Berlioz. sioned the arrangement, “More people will know it as the finale “People will recognize it because it’s the to ‘Symphonie Fantastique,’” Conrad said. theme from the old ‘Alfred Hitchcock Pres“It’s really a significant piece in the history ents’ TV show,” Conrad said. of music because it’s kind of the official Conrad said the concert will also include opening of the Romantic Period. It’s one “Symphony in Blue and Gold,” which was that shocked everybody in 1830 when it first part of a commission consortium. The compremiered. It’s one of those landmark move- poser is Erika Svanoe. ments in the history of music. It introduced “It’s a jazzy, very modern-sounding symso many new sounds that people had never phony with kind of a jazz rhythm section,” heard before. When you hear it, you think Conrad said. it was written in the 1880s instead of 1830. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org. It’s just that far ahead of its time.”

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ASK ABOUT THE SUITE EXPERIENCE! 317.843.3800 | THECENTERPRESENTS.ORG $15 student tickets & first responder discounts available for select events These activities made possible in part with support from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

October 31, 2023

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INDIANA WIND SYMPHONY

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Banjo star featured in quartet By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

teresting mix of soothing energy and very exciting hot playing. We try to be very balanced in how much each person does and For Béla Fleck, performing in an interhow it all fits together. There is a lot of joy national all-star ensemble has several that we experience together playing music, benefits. and hopefully that puts warm enerMUSIC “Playing with different gy into the crowd, which they can people certainly brings take home with them.” out different qualities in a player,” Fleck, 65, said the band is a Fleck said. “In this case, there’s great vehicle to explore different an opportunity for some beauty, a genres. connection to the Indian musical “I love learning new stuff and language and a lot of improv.” experiencing different musical lanFleck Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir guages on the banjo,” Fleck said. Hussain, along with Rakesh Chaurasia, will Fleck became interested in the banjo perform at the “As We Speak” concert at when he heard the theme song from “The 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Palladium at the CenBeverly Hillbillies.” ter for the Performing Arts in Carmel. “As We Fleck said the theme was musician Earl Speak” is the name of the quartet’s album. Scruggs making a silly song very serious, at Fleck, who has won 15 Grammy Awards, least in the banjo department. is a banjo legend. Hussain is a tabla player, “Then I was fortunate to study with Tony Meyer is a double bassist and Chaurasia is a Trischka,” Fleck said. “If Earl created the bansuri Indian flute player. tradition nearly single-handed, Tony devel“We knew right away that the band had oped a whole new set of strategies to use it a ton of potential, especially when Rakesh for self-expression.” joined in,” Fleck said. “We can have so many For more, visit thecenterpresent.org. more textures and colors now. It’s an in-

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NIGHT & DAY

Singer-songwriter Potter to perform at Palladium By Alan Sculley editorial@youarecurrent.com During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace Potter and her husband Eric Valentine set about mapping CONCERT out their future after what had been a roller coaster of experiences through the preceding years. Potter had been through the breakup of her band, the Nocturnals, and divorced her husband, Nocturnals drummer Matt Burr. Potter She went on to make her 2019 solo album “Daylight,” with Valentine producing, after which the two became a couple, married and had a son. Along the way, Potter and Valentine decided to settle into a new phase of life by moving from their home in the Topanga Canyon area of Los Angeles back to Potter’s native Vermont and building a home and a studio there. “I think he (Valentine) was really wisely looking at our lives and looking at the trajectory of where we were going and what kind of a life we could have and what we could build together that would be a stabilizing force,” said Potter, who will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. But Potter found she wasn’t ready emotionally for her homecoming. She had more processing and healing to do and decided the way to do that was to hit the road by herself. On her trips, she recalled stories she’d written in her youth, found connections from her past to her present and eventually settled on a concept for her new album, “Mother Road.” As Potter describes it in a press release, “Mother Road” developed into a series of character-driven story songs that in some way express facets of her personality, her past and her present. Now, Potter is on tour with a band she said she feels can bring the lively, soultinged rock of “Mother Road” and her previous albums to vivid life on stage. “What we’re actually doing is the most surprising, creative live music experience I’ve ever had,” Potter said.

October 31, 2023

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October 31, 2023

INSIDE & OUT

Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com

Blueprint for Improvement: Classic kitchen in Fishers Commentary by Larry Greene The homeowners wanted to elevate their dark and dated kitchen’s aesthetic appeal, improve functionality and increase entertainment space.

After

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LIFESTYLE

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Across 1. Poet 5. “Who’s there?” reply 10. Spanish gold 13. Ice mass 14. Cabbage dish 15. St. Maria Goretti sister 16. Start of a punny autumn palingram 18. Explosive letters 19. Meadow 20. “Indeed!” 21. Hex- halved 22. Sam’s Club rival 25. Enticing 28. ISO woodwind 29. Slyly suggest 32. Big Red Liquors buy 33. Brebeuf HS and IU basketball star Henderson 34. Zionsville Farmers’ Market fruit 35. Part 2 of palingram

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D I T K R E L L E A E A Y T C O I N E A L A A S S O D S M V E P I I S H L O L L E A A B I T E R

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M U E S L S I N O N O O P E L D V E D E S E

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FALL CLEAN UP AND LEAF REMOVAL FREE ESTIMATES CALL 317-491-3491 C&H TREE SERVICE

FIREWOOD SALE Topping – Removal Deadwooding – Landscaping Stump Grinding – Gutter Cleaning INSURED – FREE ESTIMATES CALL STEVE 317-932-2115

With Baker Scott

Beginners thru Advanced All styles Electric-Acoustic-Bass Private Lessons Parent-Child Lessons I teach improvisation for all instruments. Gift Certificates Available Read my LinkedIn bio/About near Carey Road & 146th • Carmel 317-

910-6990

PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Groups: COLONY, FLOCK, HERD, PACK, PRIDE, SWARM; Insects: BEE, FLY, GNAT, MOTH, WASP; Words: HILLBILLY, ILLEGALLY, SKILLFULLY, VOLLEYBALL; Drinks: ESPRESSO, LATTE, MOCHA; Sandwiches: PASTRAMI, REUBEN; Player: MYLES TURNER

Locally owned/operated over 42 years

Guitar Lessons

FOR SALE: 2100 sq ft 2bed + two full bath condo in Muir Woods, Fishers. In immaculate condition. Call 317 674 0065 for details. No realtors please.

Luv the dogs

SERVICES

Trim/Remove trees & shrubs Building Demolitions Build Decks Painting inside or Outdoors Property Clean Outs FULLY INSURED Text or Call Jay 574-398-2135 shidelerjay@gmail.com www.jayspersonalservices.com

CALL TODAY

SERVICES

Fenced Yard 24 Years Experience

October 31, 2023

Shayne King 317-508-7117 CWCservices@outlook

Do you have Dirty & Smelly Trash/Recycle Carts? We offer Recycle/Trash Cart Cleaning and Deodorizing Services One Time Recycle/Trash Cleaning Service Up to 2 Carts ... $75 • 3 Carts ... $85 4 Carts ... $95 Ask how to sign-up for our 6 or 12 month Cart Cleaning Services at discounted rates (Cleaning Visits every 4 Weeks)

317- 508-7117

Classifieds

VISA, MasterCard accepted. Reach 130,194 homes weekly

Susan 317-432-1627

FREETES A ESTIM

Current inCleaning Lawrence/Geist L.L.C. Contemporary Window 19 geistcurrent.com Residential & Commercial Trash Can Sanitizing Pressure Washing Gutter Cleaning

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GROUNDHOG STUMP REMOVAL

Professional & Economical Remove tree stumps, ugly tree roots, stumps in and around chain link or wood fences. We also remove tree stumps that are protruding up onto sidewalks and around sidewalks. We grind them and/or remove. Please Call & Text at 816-778-4690.

ROLL OFF DUMPSTER SERVICE CALL 317-491-3491 FOR INFO/DETAIL

For pricing e-mail your ad to classifieds@youarecurrent.com

NOW HIRING

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

Clinical Architecture, Carmel, IN seeks Advanced Software Engineer to perform the following duties: Design, develop and modify software systems; Develop and direct software system testing; Coordinate software installation and monitor equipment function; Consult with customers about software design and maintenance; Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design. This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or closely related field. Send resume to careers@clinicalarchitecture.com

FULL TIME FRONT OFFICE POSITION – MEDICAL OFFICE Busy dermatology practice in Noblesville Hours: 8:AM to 5:PM Need dependable, detail, energetic person With strong customer service skills. Maintain patient files, answer the phones and scheduling appointments (including other various tasks). SEND RESUME TO: HUMAN RESOURCES 116 Lakeview Dr., Noblesville, IN 46060 or email: DermatologyNoblesville@gmail.com

YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE! Call Dennis O’Malia 317-370-0749

Order your classified ad or business card ad at youarecurrent.com today!

October 31, 2023

Current in Lawrence/Geist

FALL INTO SAVINGS

geistcurrent.com

TOM ROUSH MITSUBISHI

With A Great Lease On A New 2023 Outlander PHEV

Lease from $285 a Month for 24 months using the $6200 EV Lease Customer Cash and $1000 bonus lease cash Or Choose 4.99% APR Financing for 60 Months

525 David Brown Dr Westfield IN 46074 tomroushmitsubishi.com | 317-896-5561 Lease offer is 24 months 10,000 miles per year and includes $6200 lease cash. $4284 due at lease signing plus tax title and $199 documentation fee with approved credit. Excess miles charged at .20 cents per mile. Finance offers through Santander Consumer USA for well qualified buyers and subject to credit approval. See dealer for complete offer details. Offer subject to change without notice. Offer ends 10/31/23.

October 31, 2023

Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com

Meet Dave

Top Priorities

My name is Dave Hofmann, and I’m asking for your vote in 2023 to become the next Mayor of Lawrence.

Public Safety: Job One After more than six years of serving as your Chief of Police (with 27 years total service as a police leader), I know that we cannot have a prosperous Lawrence unless it continues to be a safe place to live, work, and raise a family, for everyone, at all times.

After living here for more than 25 years, and being the Chief of Police of your Lawrence Police Department for more than six, I am very familiar with our neighborhoods, our businesses, our schools and our churchs. I have a deep admiration for the great, hard-working people from all walks of life who make up our great city. I most recently served as the Lawrence Deputy Mayor and as Chief of Staff for Mayor Collier. Combined, these duties have given me the experience, expertise and vision necessary to build upon our financial strength, continue our many development and redevelopment projects, keep our people safe and to lead Lawrence into a very bright future where everyone will feel safe and welcome. I look forward to seeing you in person soon and hearing directly from you about how I can continue to be the best possible servant leader in our community! Until then, feel free to contact me anytime, day or night, for more information, or to just say, "Hello!" My email address is:

dhofmann@daveforlawrence.com

Infrastructure: Streets, Sewers, Drainage Improving connectivity and accessibility on good, safe, smooth roads, trails and sidewalks throughout our city is critical. Economic Growth and Blight Elimination We have seen a lot of business and residential growth and prosperity in Lawrence, but we also have some neighborhoods that need attention. I will focus on a new strategy for combating abandoned and blighted residential properties. Financial Conservatism and Transparency in Government As Mayor, I promise that taxpayer dollars will be spent responsibly, that all city officials are held accountable. The best interests of our community members will always come first. A Fair City for Everyone Lawrence is tremendously diverse, and all people deserve to have their voices heard and their cultures respected. That will happen under my leadership!

October 31, 2023

Current in Lawrence/Geist

, N E V O R P A D E C N E I R EXPE

geistcurrent.com

LEADER

Learn more at DaveForLawrence.com