May 7, 2024 — Lawrence/Geist

May 7, 2024

TO HAVE CURRENT DELIVERED TO YOUR PHONE Maya responds to allegations releated to restaurant incident / P2 Lawrence group home generates complaints from neighbors / P7 INSERT INSIDE

IN BLOOM

Seasonal flora and fauna emerging at Fort Harrison State Park / P14

LEARN MORE FROM KAREN ABOUT HANCOCK & MOORE

A community of opportunity.

That’s how I think of the City of Lawrence. And, as spring drifts toward summer, it’s easy to see why.

All of the wonderful spring and summer events on Civic Plaza or on the Fort Ben Cultural Campus provide opportunities to demonstrate that the City of Lawrence is a community that cares, a community that connects, and a community that creates.

My office is working with local partners to show new levels of care for our community by adding some basic health screening services to the Fort Ben Farmer’s Market when it starts back up in June. Our city’s firstever Military Veterans’ Liaison will be at many of those upcoming events to lead my administration’s efforts to connect with local veterans. Matt Hall is a U.S. Army Reserve Battalion Commander, combat veteran, and longtime veterans’ advocate who understands the traditions of service and caring our veterans seek to uphold.

Throughout the summer, IndyGo will continue its work on the Purple Line, with the goal of completing construction this fall on a bus rapid transit line connecting Lawrence to downtown Indianapolis. At the same time, the City of Lawrence will begin work with our partners at Indy’s Urban Wilderness and Indy Parks on a nearly 2-mile extension of the Fall Creek Greenway from Lee Road at 63rd Street to the Upper Look Trail at Geist Crossing. When the extension is complete, Fall Creek Greenway will link the communities of Lawrence, Geist, and downtown Indy through our growing network of trails and pathways offering connectivity, mobility, and recreation opportunities for Lawrence residents and visitors.

Visitors won’t be the only ones traveling those paths of increased connectivity between Lawrence and the communities all around us. Our growing arts and culture landscape, our diverse – and delicious – local dining scene, and a business environment that welcomes entrepreneurs and innovators will continue to attract new opportunities, new people, and new promise for our city’s future.

No matter how you travel, that’s a great path to be on!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS IN 2024

Deborah Whitfield Mayor, City of Lawrence

May 7, 2024

Current in Lawrence/Geist geistcurrent.com

Mayor responds to allegations over medical emergency at Lawrence restaurant

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A medical emergency at a Lawrence restaurant on April 17 where Mayor Deb Whitfield was present became an item of note in a political newsletter, which alleged the mayor escalated the tension rather than offering assistance and that “someone in her group” assaulted one of the restaurant owners.

CITY NEWS

The mayor’s office denied the allegations and the owner of AJ’s Bar & Grill, 9755 Fall Creek Rd., refuted much of what was stated in the newsletter — but corroborated other parts of the report.

The Cheat Sheet is distributed by Abdul Hakim-Shabazz, who operates the Indy Politics blog and was a 2023 Republican primary candidate for Indianapolis mayor. The newsletter includes a disclaimer, stating that it is “a compilation of pure gossip, rumor and blatant innuendo. We assume no liability if it is wrong; we only take credit for it when it’s right.”

The Cheat Sheet’s report about the April 17 incident alleged that Whitfield accused AJ’s staff of not calling 911 and yelled that they were going to let a Black man die.

“Then there was a lot more yelling in the parking lot, and someone in her group shoved one of the establishment owners to the ground and then ran away,” the newsletter stated.

Once the afflicted man was safely loaded into an ambulance, Mayor Whitfield and her colleagues departed the scene.”

A Lawrence police spokesperson and restaurant owner Kevin LaBarr both said the mayor’s group had left the premises before LaBarr’s wife was shoved by a patron who was not connected with Whitfield’s party.

A spokesperson for Whitfield’s office released the following statement about the incident:

“On Wednesday, April 17, Mayor Whitfield and two colleagues were dining at AJ’s in Lawrence when they observed a restaurant patron who appeared to have lost consciousness. As a former healthcare provider, Mayor Whitfield believed the man needed immediate medical attention. After urging restaurant employees to call for help, Mayor Whitfield asked a member of her party to call 911. The mayor and her colleagues waited outside the restaurant for Lawrence first responders to arrive.

LaBarr said the person who had the medical emergency works at AJ’s, but was not on duty at the time. The man was having dinner there with some of his family. LaBarr added that other members of the man’s family also work at AJ’s.

LaBarr said he and his wife were at another of their restaurants in Fortville when the man showed symptoms so he did not personally witness the initial part of the incident, although they made it to the restaurant in less than 20 minutes after learning about it from staff. He said he later reviewed footage from security cameras — which do not have audio — and the footage showed the man was in need of assistance at 9:18 p.m., which is when call logs indicate that AJ’s staff called 911 before calling him and his wife.

LaBarr said staff and some other patrons told him they heard Whitfield loudly and repeatedly expressing displeasure about a perceived delay in calling for emergency responders — both inside and outside the restaurant — and that she wanted to talk to the owners, but then declined a conversation when LaBarr approached her.

He did not find any witness who heard Whitfield say anything about restaurant staff letting a Black man die.

LaBarr said he wasn’t happy about what he heard from staff and patrons regarding the mayor’s actions, and she was no longer welcome at AJ’s. He said his staff followed proper protocol for emergencies, which stipulate contacting emergency services first and then calling management.

He said the man who had the medical emergency has recovered.

The assault on LaBarr’s wife took place after the man was taken away in an ambulance and Whitfield and her group had left. LaBarr said they had been preparing to drive the man’s wife to the hospital — because she was too upset to drive herself — when another woman started yelling that they were racist.

“My wife says you need to stop. She walks up and says, ‘You need to stop. What you’re saying is not true,’” he said. “We have customers, guests, coming out of our Italian restaurant next door. They’re hearing (the woman) screaming this at the top of her lungs and stuff, and it’s bad for our business and it’s just wrong. It was just flat wrong. And then this guy comes out of nowhere and blasts my wife to the ground.”

He said his wife was bruised where the man struck her in the chest and she skinned her elbow when she fell. Lawrence Police Department officers were called to respond to that incident. A police report was generated, but so far no arrests have been made.

3

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Founded Jan. 27, 2015, at Fishers, IN Vol. X, No. 13

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An off-duty staff member of AJ’s Bar and Grill in Lawrence experienced a medical emergency April 17. Mayor Deb Whitfield was present at the time. (Photo courtesy of Kevin LaBarr)

Whitfield

Lawrence trail work to begin

news@geistcurrent.com

The City of Lawrence announced that work will begin this year on an approximately 2-mile extension of the Fall Creek Greenway from Lee Road at 63rd Street to the Upper Loop Trail at Geist Crossing.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The new trail will be a paved, multi-use path and will include a section of boardwalk. A date for work to commence has not been set.

The existing Fall Creek Greenway runs more than 14 miles from downtown Indianapolis to Fort Harrison State Park in Lawrence. On 63rd Street, the new trail will link to another Next Level Trails project in Lawrence that connects to Forest Glen Elementary School and residential areas.

Indiana’s Next Level Trails program awarded $5 million for the Lee Road trail extension in December. Central Indiana Community Foundation through Lilly Endowment contributed another $1.75 million for matching funds toward the grant.

“When the extension is complete, Fall Creek Greenway will link the communities

of Lawrence, Geist and downtown Indy through our growing network of trails and pathways offering connectivity, mobility and recreation opportunities for Lawrence residents and visitors,” the announcement stated.

Other partners in the project are Indy’s Urban Wilderness and Indy Parks, according to the City of Lawrence.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website, the project cost will be about $7 million, and the extension will total 1.83 miles.

For more, visit in.gov/dnr/state-parks/ recreation/grants/next-level-trails.

A paved, multi-use path will extend the existing Fall Creek Greenway from Lee Road to the Upper Loop Trail at Geist Crossing. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

• Border Security • 2A supporter • Cost of living must come down • Energy Independence

• Stop Funding Countries who hate us

• Have to fight the squad • We have to stand up to big Pharma • I want to make Healthcare affordable for everyone

I am Married and have 3 Children. Retired from the Department of Corrections 27yrs.

I have 4 Beagle Shih Tzu mix dogs. I love Golf, Football and baseball.

I WANT TO SERVE THE 5TH DISTRICT AND SERVE AMERICA IT’S TIME TO REPRESENT

SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 12TH Fri & Sat: 10:00am-7:00pm Sun / Tues / Wed / Thur: 10:00am-5:00pm Mon: CLOSED

Lawrence group home generates complaints from neighbors

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A former day care at the corner of Mehaffey and East 47th in Lawrence is the site of a relatively new group home for boys who have been removed from their families by social services, and homeowners in the area are not happy about their new neighbors.

CONFLICT

Some of those homeowners met April 23 with Desmond Mathews, the president and CEO of the facility’s nonprofit parent company, Cornerstone Support Services, to air grievances and work toward solutions.

Some of the complaints were emotionally charged and included racial epithets.

The meeting was coordinated by Mathews and Lawrence Common Council Member Rick Wells (D-District 2), who represents that area and is himself one of the facility’s neighbors.

Most of the complaints from neighbors related to a single employee who they said drives too fast through the neighborhood, running stop signs and endangering children. There were some complaints about other staff members’ driving, as well, and concerns about behavior from some of the boys in the home.

One resident — who was trembling with emotion — told Mathews that she had approached the employee who she said drives too fast, asking him to slow down. She said he cursed at her repeatedly.

“I asked him, after he called me a white (expletive) four times, I asked him, I said, ‘How would you like it if I called you (n-word)?” she said.

Shortly after, the woman was interrupted by Common Council Member Carlos Jennings (D-District 4), who asked people in the room to bring the energy down and allow everyone to be heard. Jennings and Councilors Betty Robinson (D-at large) and Sherron Freeman (D-District 3) were present, along with Wells.

Mathews said that, without proof, he wasn’t going to discipline any staff member. However, after hearing complaints about speeding, he plans to install additional security cameras at the facility that will be aimed down the street, so he can monitor his staff’s driving. He also said he could have a driving monitor installed in the one employee’s personal vehicle, to en-

Mathews, president and CEO of Cornerstone Support Services, listens to residents of the Mehaffey Street neighborhood, who had complaints about a group home Cornerstone opened last fall.

sure that employee abides by speed limits.

Mathews also cleared up some misconceptions about the facility, which residents had believed was for juvenile offenders. He said the original intent was to have a “locked” facility for children needing specialized services, but after hearing concerns from neighbors during a town hall meeting several years ago, he opted for an “unlocked” facility, that temporarily houses boys who have become wards of the state.

In an earlier interview, Mathews said he bought the building in 2019.

“The only reason I even chose that particular facility was because it was at the end of a dead-end street butted up next to an industrial plaza,” he said. “I’m like, ‘OK, this shouldn’t be much disruption to anyone’s peaceful life, because I observed the building for months — there’s semi-trucks going up and down there, there’s an oil distribution company that has oil tankers going up and down the street at all hours of the night.”

Mathews said the facility, which opened in fall 2023, is licensed by various state agencies, including the Department of Child Services, and must follow stringent regulations to maintain those licenses.

The April 23 meeting lasted a little more than an hour and ended with more positive energy than how it started. Besides Mathews, other administrators from the facility spoke, and the manager, Shaidra McGrew, gave her personal cell number to neighbors, so they could call her directly with concerns.

For more about Cornerstone Support Services, visit cornerstonesupportservices. net/home.html.

Desmond

(Photo by Leila Kheiry)

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Police seek help identifying man from February shooting

Indiana State Police detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify a person who investigators believe is connected to a Valentine’s Day shooting on Ind. 465 near Pendleton Pike.

CRIME

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According to a news release from ISP, the shooting happened at about 12:15 a.m. Feb. 14.

“Anyone with information, or who can identify this person, is asked to call the Indiana State Police at 317-899-8577 or call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317262-8477,” the news release stated. “Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.”

Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for cash rewards.

DISPATCH

CPR classes offered — The City of Lawrence Fire Department has free CPR classes planned for July 26 and Oct. 26. The classes are open to ages 15 and up. Participants will earn a certificate upon completion. To register, visit bit.ly/3wcZszY.

Indiana State Police are seeking help identifying this man, who might be connected to a February shooting on Ind. 465. (Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police)

COMMUNITY

DISPATCHES

CPR classes offered — The City of Lawrence Fire Department has free CPR classes planned for July 26 and Oct. 26. The classes are open to ages 15 and up. Participants will earn a certificate upon completion. To register, visit bit.ly/3wcZszY.

Resurfacing planned in Lawrence — The City of Lawrence had secured $1 million in funding through the state Community Crossing Matching Grant Program to resurface roads in Geist Valley Estates, the Fairways East neighborhood and 52nd St in Winding Ridge. Work will begin in fall.

Bike share opens for the season — The City of Lawrence bike rental program is opem, with two locations at Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8950 Otis Ave. and Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E 59th St. Renting a Tour Lawrence bike comes with free admission into Fort Harrison State Park, according to the city, and the first hour is free with a Tour Lawrence Annual Membership of $30 per year. Pay-as-yougo rates are $3 per hour.

Fiesta Lawrence call for artists — Musicians and performers are needed for the upcoming Fiesta Lawrence International Food Festival. The event will be from noon to 4 p.m. May 11 at Lawrence Civic Plaza, 5710 Lawrence Village Parkway. Applications are welcome from solo artists, bands, dancers or other performers. To apply or for more information, visit bit. ly/4aV7FI7.

Lawrence Central principal honored — Lawrence Central High School Principal Franklyn Bush received a Leadership Award during the 10th annual Administrator Appreciation & Student Recognition Banquet of the Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators Midwest Regional Conference, which took place in late April.

SUN Bucks program helps with grocery costs — This summer is the first year of the new Indiana SUN Bucks, a benefits program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school and when households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. Most eligible families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply. For more, visit indianasunbucks.com.

Shamrocks senior pitcher’s confidence keeps growing

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Westfield High School senior pitcher Ty Anderson’s confidence has continued to build throughout this career.

“I feel like I can get any batter out,” he said.

In his first five appearances this season, Anderson had a 3-2 record with a 1.64 earned run average for the Shamrocks baseball team. As a junior, he had a 5-1 record with a 1.12 ERA and was 2-2 with a 1.24 ERA as a sophomore.

“Ty’s strengths on the mound are the movement on his fastball and his slider is a tight, late-breaking pitch,” WHS coach Ryan Bunnell said. “He pairs those two pitches with a solid changeup to put together a way to attack every hitter.”

Bunnell said Anderson isn’t a high-velocity pitcher, usually throwing 84 to 86 mph, with a maximum of 87 to 88 mph.

“So, the movement on his pitches and his ability to execute the placement of

MEET TY ANDERSON

Favorite athlete: Anthony Rizzo

Favorite subject: History

Favorite TV show: “Reacher”

Favorite musician: Koe Wetzel

pitches is fundamental to his success and his ability to pitch at the next level,” Bunnell said. “Ty is also a high-level strike thrower. He had multiple complete games last year on pitch counts in the 70s. I think the development of his changeup and the confidence he has to throw it, has been important for him, especially against left-handed hitters. He has always had confidence and competitiveness on the mound, along with the movement of his fastball and a tight slider.

Letter of Intent to play for Eastern Illinois University next season, said his changeup is a work in progress.

“But it has been much more effective for me this year than it has been in past years,” Anderson said. “My velocity has slightly increased from last year to this year, but that’s not what brings me success.”

Anderson started playing recreational league baseball in Westfield when he was 5 years old and began playing travel baseball three years later.

“I never had intended to become a pitcher only, but as I got older and threw harder, it became something that I grew passionate about,” he said. “I played basketball and football when I was younger, but once I got to middle school, I decided I wanted to focus on baseball because that was the sport I loved.”

“But without high velocity, the ability to execute multiple pitches for strikes is a must and developing the third pitch was important.”

Anderson, who has signed a National

Anderson, who played with the Indiana Bulls during the summer, committed to Eastern Illinois in October 2023.

“I chose Eastern Illinois because Coach (Jason) Anderson has confidence in my ability and believes I can be an asset to the team,” he said.

Westfield High School senior pitcher Ty Anderson has a 3-2 record in his first five outings. (Photo courtesy of Owen Ferreri)

Anderson

Lawrence North senior a Gates Scholar — Lawrence North High School senior Jetzabel Rivera-Lopez has been named a Gates Scholar. Through the program, she will receive the full cost of college attendance — tuition, room, board, books, transportation and some personal costs — not covered by other financial aid. According to the school, she is the second Lawrence North student to win the prestigious award.

Drug Take Back Day a success — Community Health Network sites in central Indiana served as drop-off locations for expired and no-longer-needed medications as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-sponsored National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. More than 1,400 pounds of medication were col-

lected at the sites for safe disposal. Facilities that participated in the April 27 Drug Take Back event included Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center North, Community Hospital South, Community Hospital East, Community Howard Regional Health and Community Hospital Anderson.

Registration open for Spark!Fishers 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk — New to the Spark!Fishers 5K events in 2024 is the Spark!Fishers 1-Mile Run/Walk. The shortened version of the 5K route invites any age or ability to join the Spark!Fishers 5K festivities, presented by IU Health Fishers. Participants receive a T-shirt, medal and admission into the Spark!Fishers 5K after party. The 1-Mile Run/Walk begins at 6:15 p.m. June 26. Regis-

tration is $24.99 per person. Kids 12 and younger are $19.99 per person. The 2024 Spark!Fishers Festival, presented by Meijer, is June 25-29 in downtown Fishers’ Nickel Plate District. See the full event schedule and learn more at sparkfishers.com.

Registration open for 3-on-3 Tournament + 3-Point Contest — To celebrate the completion of a new mural at Brook School Park, Fishers Parks will host an outdoor 3-on-3 double-elimination tournament for ages 16+ and a 3-Point Contest for ages 8+ starting at 9 a.m. May 18, at Brooks School Park. To register, visit playfishers.com/759/Buckets-at-Brooks-School.

Oh baby!

births and counting

We’re tickled pink — and blue — to be celebrating 5,000 births at St. Vincent Fishers

Our team, including experienced OB-GYNs and 24/7 Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital newborn specialists, is ready to be by your side when you deliver.

Start a conversation with an OB-GYN today at ascension.org/FishersWomensHealth

New Fishers sports bar offers Cajun flair

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A sports bar and restaurant with a Cajun flair is moving into the Fishers market, offering Louisiana specialties like po’boys and deep-fried alligator, along with more traditional sports-bar fare like burgers and onion rings.

FOOD

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is based out of Baton Rouge, La., said co-owner Todd Johnson. The Fishers store, opening May 6, is the 89th in the franchise, which boasts a handful of sports stars among its owners. They include NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks and Super Bowl champion Drew Brees, who played quarterback for Purdue University and the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.

The restaurant’s name comes from the co-founders Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, who were both walk-on basketball players for Louisiana State University, according to the company’s website.

Clearly, the sports theme has strong roots at Walk-Ons, and they make sure customers have plenty of access to a variety of sports broadcasts. Johnson said they will have 80 big-screen TVs in the new location, 11655 Fishers Corner Blvd.

“Anywhere you sit, you can see four TVs,” he said, adding that the scratch kitchen — which means they cook everything from scratch — sets the venue apart from other sports bars. “We have a lot of seafood. It has a New Orleans kind of flair to it. We have a thing called Devils on Horseback, which is a shrimp where we cut the back of it put a small jalapeno and cream cheese and wrap it in bacon and bread it and fry it. We have gator on the menu. We fry that up into chunks — it looks just like boneless chicken bites — and deep fry. It is wonderful.”

He said gator tastes just like chicken.

“We also have a lot of a lot of shrimp, seafood, pastas. We have a hamburger where we put six hand-breaded onion rings on top of — it’s called the hickory burger,” he said. “If you order a chicken sandwich, all of our chicken sandwiches come with two breast patties, not just one, stacked on top of each other.”

If a customer is still hungry for dessert after all that, the restaurant has beignets, traditional Cajun doughnuts covered with

Sports Bistreaux’s bread pudding is made from Krispy Kreme doughnuts. (Photos courtesy of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux)

powdered sugar, and bread pudding — but not a typical bread pudding.

“Our bread pudding is made out of Krispy Kreme doughnuts,” Johnson said. “It’s amazing. I mean, you put 72 Krispy Kreme doughnuts in there and smash them all down, shred them all up almost like a stuffing you do for Christmas with bread. And then we let it congeal up overnight. And then we cut it out and then we take the actual sweet glaze that you put on a glazed doughnut and we drizzle it over the top (and serve it with) whipped cream.”

A ribbon cutting was May 6, and Johnson said for the week of May 6, all proceeds from the bar up to $5,000 will go to Mudsock Youth Athletics, a Fishers-based nonprofit that offers sports opportunities to young residents. A larger grand opening celebration is planned for some time in June.

For more about Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux, visit walk-ons.com.

Walk-On’s

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux hickory burger is topped with six onion rings

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

IN BLOOM

Seasonal flora and fauna emerging at Fort Harrison State Park

Spring is a beautiful time of year at Fort Harrison State Park, especially when the sun is shining. On a recent spring afternoon, the surface of Delaware Lake glimmered, birds called to each other as they flitted through the trees and a trio of turkey vultures soared majestically overhead.

Naturalist Emilie Sweet has gotten pretty good at identifying birds by their call, even if she can’t see them — and most of them were difficult to spot because they don’t stay still for very long.

“Birds are migrating, and springtime is when we see a lot of really cool stuff here,” she said, noting that the park is a hotspot for warblers. “Last year, we saw a great blue heron in May. It was an adult, so he had all of his beautiful plumage.”

“That was a redwing blackbird,” she said, suddenly pausing during a walk along Harrison Trace Trail, but the bird proved to be elusive, albeit loud.

Plants don’t move around, though, and there is an abundance of flora throughout the park offering vibrant blooms for visitors to enjoy while listening to all the birds who make their home in the 1,700-acre park in the heart of Lawrence.

Redbud trees, for example, are a native tree with distinct spring flowers. Their purple blooms appear early in the season and can last several weeks or longer, depending on where they are located, Sweet said.

“That’s something to look out for,” she said. “And then our dogwoods are flowering right now, as well. We might see one a little farther out the trail — they have really large white flowers. So, they kind of stick out really well, too.”

The forest also offers numerous spring blooms closer to the ground. Sweet identified prairie trillium next to the trail — with its distinctive maroon flowers — and wild ginger hiding under some leaves.

“It’s one that a lot of people don’t see, because it is covered,” she said. “Wild ginger is a really great native ground cover and a really great option to replace any invasive ground cover some people might have in their yards.”

Tiny cream and blue violets were also

(Below)

Mayapple flowers tend to hide under the leaves. A patch of the native plants was in bloom next to Fall Creek

along the side of the trail, as well as golden ragwort.

What flowers visitors can see varies from week to week.

“Our ephemerals, they have short-lived flowers,” Sweet said. “Our bloodroots are around for two weeks in March, and we have snow trilliums in early March — they don’t stick around very long, so it’s a treat to be able to see those. Mayapples are starting to bloom right now, which we’ll see up here, and we’ve got wild geranium.”

The geranium and a patch of nearby phlox provided a pretty combination of pink and purple flowers.

A little way down a section of Fall Creek Trail was a large patch of drooping trillium, with flowers that — as the name suggests — droop. They and the mayapple flowers can be difficult to see without reaching down to lift some leaves.

Sweet said mayapples bear fruit, usually in May, that are small and green — similar to an apple, but much smaller. They are

edible, but Sweet said she hasn’t had an opportunity to taste one.

“Box turtles really, really love mayapples,” she said. “So, usually when they’re ripe, box turtles are ready to grab them. You don’t find them too often in the wild when they’ve ripened and fallen off.”

Sweet said springtime in the park is her favorite time of year.

“It brings more people to the park, it brings a lot more wildlife to the park that you don’t normally get to see,” she said. “It’s just really exciting. I like to take note of when I notice things every year, like when I noticed my first flower or when I noticed my first leaf on a tree, things like that. So, springtime is definitely a big favorite for us. I can even tell you when the first flower I saw this year — I took a picture of it. It was a harbinger of spring, which is fitting. That’s the name of the flower — harbinger of spring.”

Looking back in her phone, Sweet said it was March 4, following some warm weather, that she looked for and found the tiny blooms.

Other flowers that will start blooming as spring progresses include Virginia spiderwort and zigzag spiderwort. Sweet noted that visitors also can hear and see frogs, which start their breeding season soon.

“We’ve already heard them vocalizing — they’re out at duck pond,” she said. “And then salamanders. We have some eastern redback salamanders that we sometimes find out here. It’s a really common salamander to see.”

To help visitors get the most out of the spring migratory bird season, Fort Harrison State Park offers weekly bird-watching walks led by volunteers. The walks take place at 8 a.m. Sunday mornings each week through May 26.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to bring binoculars, water

and appropriate footwear for a two-hour walk.

The group meets at the northeast corner of Delaware Lake parking lot. Registration is not required for this free event.

For more about events at Fort Harrison State Park, visit in.gov/dnr/state-parks/ parks-lakes/fort-harrison-state-park.

Bird migration also will ramp up with more warblers and birds of prey. During the walk, Sweet identified a wren, bluejay, woodpecker and cowbird, among others, and right at the end, an osprey made an appearance high in the sky. Its distinctive wings allowed Sweet to identify the raptor, which she said she had never seen before at the park.

For more about Fort Harrison State Park, visit in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/ fort-harrison-state-park.

BIRD WALKS AT FORT HARRISON STATE PARK

(Above) Fort Harrison State Park Naturalist Emilie Sweet points out some spring blooms that can be seen along the trail system at the park. (Photos by Leila Kheiry)

Trail at Fort Harrison State Park.

ON THE COVER: Wild geraniums bloom along the Harrison Trace Trail close to Delaware Lake at Fort Harrison State Park. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

Which purposes drive life?

Commentary by Terry Anker

Important 20th century American philosopher Robert Nozick introduced the thought experiment of the “experience machine” in his 1974 book, “Anarchy, State, and Utopia.” He imagined a device into which we could plug ourselves and effectively deliver whatever pleasure we might desire directly into our minds. If we wanted to have the experience of being the MVP of a Super Bowl, ruling as the king of a foreign land or, in the more mundane, living as the most erudite and compelling of all others in our would-be existence, the gadget would deliver it to us. We would satisfy all our desires, prurient or otherwise, with little required effort or consequence.

ESSAY

He predicted, with remarkable effect, the living now on the horizon for many of us. With computer-generated reality, we will soon be able to be anything we might imagine. We could eliminate disappointment and coercion. We would never be challenged to let someone else talk

or limit our demands to the extent of our ability or resources. We’d be delivered to hedonistic paradise. Pleasure would be the order of the day, every day. To some, it will be heaven on Earth.

Why wouldn’t we retreat into a world of our own making? We could sing vocals with Elvis and continue to spend time with our deceased loved ones. Still, is this our best selves? What is the purpose of a human life? Pleasure? Suffering? Wisdom? Ignorance? Can we find our way in a life that is untested in interaction? Are we simply an accumulation of our best moments, or are we better having endured the slings and arrows of a corporal life fully lived? Like the promise of flying automobiles, it may be a while before a substitute existence is realized — and yet signs advise us of the coming off-ramp.

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

Time is not on my side

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

My computer can calculate how long it takes me to write each of my columns. It adds the time I took to write the first draft and then revise it.

HUMOR

For my last column, the computer program said I worked about three hours, but the computer did not count the time I rolled around in bed banging my cranium against the headboard trying to think of an idea or the three hours last week that I spent riding on my stationary bicycle trying to think of a clever ending.

Nor did the computer consider the two hours I spent lost in Franklin when I missed my exit trying to think of a cute title.

When I counted all this time up and divided it by my compensation, I was better off working at a fast-food joint, especially when they raise employee pay to 20 bucks an hour.

My wife asked me to clean up the garage the other day. When I was through, she said, “You’re done? In only an hour? You couldn’t have done a very thorough

job.”

How insulting. I’d been thinking about cleaning that garage for more than a year. I got no credit for that. I also spent a fair amount of time planning how I would attack the mess. Should I move everything out of the garage, or just pile things up in the corner and then move stuff around? All that time should be counted.

Before cleaning the garage, I went to three stores to find my favorite beer. Then an endless wait while the cans and the glass got frosty in the fridge. Did I get credit for all that time? I did not.

I explained this all to my family and it backfired. The other night my son, Brett, came over for dinner. I asked him to read a short story I was working on. He does a little writing himself and I wanted his opinion.

“Hey, Dad. I’m done. Let’s have dinner.”

“Done already? I worked so hard on that. You took only five minutes to read it.”

“Dad, it may seem like five minutes, but did you consider my grade-school years when I spent hours and hours learning the alphabet? You may recall the

“When I counted all this time up and divided it by my compensation, I was better off working at a fast-food joint, especially when they raise employee pay to 20 bucks an hour.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

summer of ‘95 when we drove around Indianapolis and you made me look for misspelled words on store signs. Or our trip to Hawaii, when I was 11 and I wasn’t allowed to have dessert until I found the misplaced apostrophe on the menu. Or the time you’ve spent drumming into my head that even when we have a conversation, I need a topic sentence. Dad, not counting all that time is not fair to me and the work I did to read that story.”

“Brett!”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Let’s have dinner.”

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 once-monthly 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.

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

Average White Band will serve as Palladium headliner for Carmel Jazz Fest

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The second Carmel Jazz Festival lineup is starting to take shape.

MUSIC

Blair Clark, founder and artistic director, announced Average White Band will be the Aug. 10 headliner at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. As previously announced, Antonia Bennett, daughter of the late Tony Bennett, will be the Aug. 9 headliner at the Palladium in the two-day festival. She will be joined by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.

Average White Band, a Scottish funk and R&B band, includes founding membes Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre. The band, which was formed in 1972, is known for hits such as “Pick Up the Pieces,” “Cut the Cake, “Queen of My Soul,” “Walk On By” and “Schoolboy Crush.”

“I was able to communicate with an agent I had in the past when I lived in California and got a recommendation for the Average White Band,” Clark said. “We’re really excited about them coming and excited about the collaboration with the Palladium as always.”

“Dave Bennett is coming back by popular demand,” Clark said. “He’s a phenomenal artist.”

Clark said the same is true of Cunningham, who also returns as a performer.

“We brought back acts that people really loved last year and we’re looking forward to them coming as well as our new artists,” Clark said.

In The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts, saxophonist Danny Lerman will be the headliner Aug. 9. The Tarkington headliner for Aug. 10 will be announced later.

“What I love is we have a mixture of jazz, blues and R&B and jazz sounds,” Clark said.

“With Antonia Bennett and Carmel

Symphony, we have that element. With the Average White Band, you have an R&B funk kind of feel. Tim Cunningham is very jazz funk and Dave Bennett is very traditional jazz with a kick. We want to make sure we give our audience a great blend of blues, jazz and R&B. It’s staying in that jazz world but we’re mixing it up so people are entertained and have a great time.”

One difference this year is the outdoor concerts on Carter Green will be free

to the public. There will be a section at Carter Green for VIP ticket holders. There will be drink tickets and food vouchers with the VIP tickets, Clark said.

Clark said there will be separate acts at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael during the Carmel Jazz Festival. Those will be announced later with separate ticketed events.

The event is 5 to 10:30 p.m. each day. For more information and tickets, visit carmeljazzfest.org.

‘THE

KING AND I’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “The King and I” runs through May 19 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Corey Williams will perform May 8, followed by Marty Brown May 9 and John Lloyd Young May 10-11 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘ANASTASIA’

Civic Theatre’s production of “Anastasia” runs through May 11 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘FORBIDDEN

BROADWAY’

Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Forbidden Broadway” through May 12 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.

THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN

The Magic of Motown will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

DISPATCH

Carmel resident receives New Works prize — A proposal from a former dean of the Herron School of Art and Design has won the first visual arts prize awarded through the Center for the Performing Arts’ annual New Works commission program. Carmel resident Valerie Eickmeier will receive $2,500 to support the creation of a triptych of oil paintings, each 24-by-36 inches, titled “The Wind Makes the Sea Dance,’ inspired by the three movements of Claude Debussy’s 1905 Impressionist composition “La mer.” “When I’m painting, I listen to it over and over,” she said. A St. Louis native, Eickmeier received her MFA from Washington University and moved to central Indiana in 1982 to teach at Herron, where she was dean from 1998 to 2018. She has lived in Carmel since 2001.

From left, Average White Band members are Cliff Lyons, Rob Aries, Onnie McIntyre, Brent Carter, Alan Gorrie, Rocky Bryant and Fred “Freddy V” Vigdor. (Photo courtesy of Average White Band)

Saxophonist Tim Cunningham will be the 9 p.m. Aug. 10 Carter Green headliner. (Photos courtesy of Carmel Jazz Fest)

Jazz clarinetist Dave Bennett will be the Carter Green headliner at 9 p.m. Aug. 9.

HSE to perform teacher’s play

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern High School teacher Ethan Mathias is giving his theater students another opportunity to perform one of his plays.

PRODUCTION

HSE will present director Mathias’ play “Where’s There’s a Will” as its thespian show at 7 p.m. May 9-11 at the school’s Little Theatre. In 2022, the students performed in his play “Provenance.”

“The most special thing about this show is having the playwright on hand throughout the entire process,” senior Gloria Lane said. “It has been immensely helpful in getting to know my character. It is great to ask questions about who your character is and get introspective answers instead of guesses. Out of all of my shows, this is the character I feel most connected with. As I experienced with Mr. Mathias’ previous work, it is great to experience the revisions,

some of which are to comply with the school policies, but others help with flow and storytelling, and it is a great experience to see the thought behind it.”

Mathias said the plot centers on three women facing vastly different choices and challenges when their grandmother leaves each of them a sizable portion of her estate with very particular final wishes.

“Navigating drama in the family, pressure in the local rural community and prejudices in a changing society, this women-centered dramedy makes some hard twists and turns as it confronts difficult issues with humor, heart and humanity,” he said.

The story was originally planned as a short play, but Mathias revisited and expanded it. There have been some informal readings.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. It is intended for audiences 14 and older. For tickets, visit HSEDrama.org.

StageStruck! screenings set

ediitorial@youarecurrent.com

The Great American Songbook Foundation will host two special film screening events as part of its StageStruck! Conference to honor the 100th anniversary of MGM. The celebration will feature participation by distinguished guests including Patricia Ward Kelly and Lorna Luft to shed light on the life and legacies of film icons Gene Kelly and Judy Garland.

FILM

On May 15, the Songbook Foundation will welcome Luft, an esteemed actress and singer known for her versatile talents and rich family legacy in the entertainment industry. She will share memories of her mother, Judy Garland, and insights into her work and legacy, including her starring role in the film “Meet Me in St. Louis.” The screening event is part of a yearlong celebration of Judy Garland as a recent inductee to the Songbook Hall of Fame.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Center’s Fifth Third Bank Box Office at the Palladium, call 317.843.3800 or visit atistage.org.

The first event will take place May 14 and will highlight the enduring impact of Gene Kelly and his contributions to classic films like “Singin’ in the Rain.” The Songbook Foundation will welcome Patricia Ward Kelly, wife and official biographer of the legendary dancer, director and choreographer. She will host a pre-screening presentation featuring behind-the-scenes stories about the production process of “Singin’ in the Rain” and Gene Kelly’s experience starring in and directing the film.

Both screenings will take place on the campus of the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, the home of the Great American Songbook Foundation. Free general admission tickets can be reserved online at thesongbook.org/stagestruckscreenings or through the Center’s Fifth Third Bank Box Office at Tickets@thecenterpresents. org or 317-843-3800.

For more, including event details, visit thesongbook.org

Kelly

Lane Luft Mathias

Civic Theatre offers variety

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Civic Theatre Executive Artistic Director Michael Lasley knows selecting a season can be a challenging balance.

SCHEDULE

“You are trying to appeal to the broadest possible audience while putting together a set of titles that seem to make some sense together, and at the same time advancing the storytelling and educational goals of the institution,” Lasley said. “I think we achieved that with this season. There truly is something for everyone. It’s artistically challenging but also hits those notes of comfort and nostalgia.”

for the Performing Arts in Carmel, except for “The Curious Incident,” which will be at the Studio Theater.

“Kinky Boots” will be a Civic Theatre premiere.

“I believe it’s only been produced one other time locally,” Lasley said. “It’s an exciting title for us and provides another opportunity to present a story of diversity and acceptance — in this case with a very popular and critically acclaimed title.

Lasley

The 2024-25 season opens with “Kinky Boots” Oct. 4-19, followed by “White Christmas” Nov. 29 to Dec. 24. The 2025 portion of the season opens with “Pride & Prejudice” Feb. 7-22, followed by “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” March 14-29 and “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” April 25 to May 10. The performances are at The Tarkington at the Center

“White Christmas” will also be a first-time production for Civic.

In contrast, Civic’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is its 10th since 2000.

“It is incredibly popular and was the anchor of our holiday rotation until we recently switched to a holiday-themed title,” Lasley said.

“The Cat in the Hat” returns from Feb. 25 to March 6, 2025. Other 2025 shows include Junior Civic production of “Seussical Jr.” June 20-25, Young Artists Program’s “Revue!” June 23 and “Legally Blonde: The Musical” July 24-27.

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

Rock the Ruinds set

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

What started as an effort to present live music during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a summer tradition that aims to bring the community together at Holliday Park in Indianapolis.

MUSIC

The Rock the Ruins concert series will kick off its fourth season May 24, with 13 shows featuring a variety of sounds and styles scheduled through Sept. 20. The stage and viewing area are nestled between trees and the Ruins, which features a trio of sculptures made of Indiana limestone relocated from a New York City building facing demolition in the 1950s.

The partners at Forty5, which owns and operates several local performance venues, launched Rock the Ruins after COVID-19 restrictions halted most live events just months after they purchased The Vogue Theatre in Broad Ripple. They knew that nearby Holliday Park had hosted outdoor concerts in the past and could provide a unique setting to bring people together while still providing enough space for

social distancing. It also allowed staff to keep working through the pandemic.

Forty5 works with Indy Parks & Recreation and the Holliday Park Foundation to coordinate Rock the Ruins.

The limited parking spaces at Holliday Park must be reserved and purchased in advance, but free offsite parking is available at The Orchard School or Congregation B’Nai Torah. Shuttle buses will transport guests from the offsite lots to the park.

Ticket prices vary by concert, and various upgrades are available. Learn more and purchase tickets at RockTheRuins.com.

Rock the Ruins returns to Holliday Park in Indianapolis May 24. (Photo Doug Fellegy / Rock the Ruins)

LIFESTYLE

36. Service charge

37. Fishers HS math class

39. Brought forth

41. Butler frat letter

42. Gillette razor

44. Waiting, in a way

45. Palladium concert equipment

47. “Fine by me”

49. ___-bitsy

50. Sense of self

52. Pick up the tab

54. Heptagram

59. Portent

60. Jog on the Monon Trail

61. Rich soil

62. Delhi dress

63. Zionsville HS subj.

64. Mystical glow

65. Curved molding

66. Colts stats

67. Put one’s foot down Down

1. Shapiro’s, e.g.

2. Crooked Stick golf club

3. Kind of view

4. “Now you ___, now you don’t”

5. Lacking a musical key

6. Pittsburgh team Indianapolis Indians players move up to

7. Chick’s chirp

8. Weeps loudly

9. More spine-tingling

10. Historical periods

11. Taylor Swift, e.g.

19. Distribute pro rata

20. Very vocal

23. Tom Roush Mazda

roadster

24. Muslim faith

25. Prepare to advance on a fly ball

27. Some batteries

29. “___ now, when?”

30. Senses

31. A Roosevelt

33. Pacers’ org.

35. ___ Diego

38. Kuaba Gallery piece

40. Blizzard hazard

43. Astonish

46. Extreme

48. Space shuttle gaskets

51. Bottled spirit

53. Book of maps

54. Ho-hum

55. Online ‘zine

56. Quarry

57. Challenge 58. Astronomer’s aid Answers on Page 23

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Neighborhood Garage Sale in The Bristols 126th Street & Brooks School Road in Fishers (46037) Friday, May 10 & Saturday, May 11 8AM - 1PM each day

Waterstone Neighborhood Garage Sale

Tons of homes participate. Make sure you get to all four neighborhoods!

Designer clothing, furniture, housewares, kids’ stuff, and incredible deals! This sale is too good to miss!

Waterstone is east of Gray Road between 116th and 126th Entrances to neighborhood are at 116th, 126th, and Gray Road

Includes Bayhill, Brookfield, Stonewick and Windpointe.

Thursday May 9th

Friday May 10th

Saturday May 11th

From 8:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m daily

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,

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

THE NEST MODULAR SECTIONAL