September 17, 2024 — Lawrence/Geist by Current Publishing

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New IU Health clinic opens in McCordsville

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

IU Health physicians and administrators, along with officials from the Town of McCordsville, gathered Sept. 4 to celebrate the opening of a new IU Health primary care clinic at the McCord Square development, close to Lawrence and Fishers.

MEDICINE

The clinic, 5986 Main St., is part of the health care provider’s ongoing $300 million “Fishers Community Impact” project, which includes expansion of IU Health Saxony hospital.

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“As we looked at community growth rates, new commercial and housing developments and patient origin, we knew that McCordsville would be the next best place for us to plant IU Health care close to home,” said Soula Banich, regional vice president and chief operating officer of IU Health’s Indianapolis Suburban Region. “What we’re opening here — an extension of IU Health primary and specialty care — will be supported by the expanded scope of services provided at IU Health Saxony, soon to be IU Health Fishers by the end of 2025.”

Dr. Jatin Rana, one of the McCordsville clinic physicians, told the group gathered for the Sept. 4 ribbon cutting that he’s happy to join a clinic in his own neighborhood.

“My home is minutes away from the office,” he said. “Many of our providers and office team members are local to the area. We all agree there’s something really special about providing care in our home community. We’ve had the opportunity to care for several patients already — our office officially opened yesterday. I’ve seen some familiar faces of patients walking through the hallway with their eyes wide open, smiles on their faces — and that’s really nice to see.”

The new clinic has 25 exam rooms and three procedure rooms for physicians, advanced primary care providers and a cardiologist to see patients. According to IU Health, OB/GYN providers will join the clinic’s team later this fall.

Greg Brewer is the McCordsville Town Council president. He said the clinic’s site was empty a year ago. Now, he said, it’s a cornerstone for the city’s McCord Square

development, a private-public partnership that will offer a mix of residential, commercial and municipal structures.

“Having such a large network of health providers now have a foothold in McCordsville and providing our residents top-quality health care and a place to go when they need it is just a true testament to the leadership of IU Health saying we need to be a part of this community,” he said. “We’re extremely excited to have you guys here. So, with that — with the small, minute powers that are vested to me, I do want to officially welcome IU Health to the Town of McCordsville.”

McCordsville also is home to the relatively new Hancock Health Wellness Center, which is a few blocks away from the new IU Health clinic, on the other side of Pendleton Pike.

For more about IU Health, visit iuhealth. org.

McCord Square development moving forward

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

For the past two years, the Town of McCordsville has been working with Rebar Development toward creating a new town center.

DEVELOPMENT

McCord Square is a private-public partnership to build a multiuse development off N. 600 W in McCordsville, just past where Pendleton Pike turns into West Broadway.

Greg Brewer is the McCordsville Town Council president. He said the vision for McCord Square started about 15 years ago, but those plans went on the back burner until Fishers-based Rebar approached the city with some fresh ideas.

“We’re doing most of the infrastructure (and) they’re doing the design to our standards and that’s kind of how this developed,” he said. “It’s just been a work in

The new IU Health primary care clinic in McCordsville is part of the first phase of the

Leila Kheiry)

progress. It’s been great for our town.”

Some residential buildings have opened already and there are plans for more apartment buildings that also will house commercial entities, such as restaurants. Those buildings — and the recently opened IU Health primary care clinic — are part of the project’s first phase.

“We have a second phase where we’re in the preliminary discussions with people on how that’ll look,” Brewer said. “We’ve added our new police station to this area (and) we’re looking at a new town hall being down here in the next five to eight years.”

McCordsville Town Manager Tim Gropp noted that the new police station will open in October. He said there are also about 14 acres of designated parkland for the site and future plans for arts, entertainment and activities within the development.

“We’ll have an amphitheater, we’ll have a space for farmers markets, events, movie nights, things like that, as well as the Stormwater Park, which we’ll rename, but a centralized area where people can fish, walk around, enjoy a little nature,” he said. “Even though you’re in the center of town, you’ll kind of step away, if you will.”

Gropp said McCordsville has about 12,500 residents now and continues to grow, with 350 building permits so far this year.

IU Health and McCordsville officials gather Sept. 4 to cut the ribbon for the new IU Health primary care clinic in McCordsville. (Photo courtesy of IU Health)

McCord Square development. (Photo by

Know something? Tell us

Commentary by Rick Morwick

When you pick up Current each week, or read the digital edition, do you ever wonder where all those stories come from that inform you about all things — big, small and everything in between — happening in your community?

NEWS GATHERING

It’s an important question with many answers.

Newspapers cultivate stories in a variety of ways, but each has a common denominator: Somehow, some way, a topic was brought to a reporter’s attention.

Often, stories are generated from traditional sources, such as press releases, news conferences, personal contacts, event coverage (think school board and city council meetings, live sports, court trials, crime scenes, etc.) and social media.

But there are other, less formal ways, including a reporter’s curiosity, good old-fashioned investigative reporting — and you.

Yes, you.

As much as Current might give the impression of being omnipresent, it is not. No media outlet is. We rely on tips from a range of sources. That’s where you come in.

Sometimes (maybe oftentimes), we need you to be our extended set of eyes and ears. If you see, hear or know about anything in your community that you think is news, let us know. Although we take great pride in covering our seven Current communities like no other media can (or perhaps cares to), we cannot report on what we do not know.

If something is happening, or has happened, in your community that you think might be newsworthy, contact us at news@youarecurrent.com, and know that what you deliver to us will be accorded every consideration.

Together, we can make hyper-local news even better.

Thank you for reading, and hopefully participating in, Current’s weekly report.

at rick@youarecurrent.com.

Rick Morwick is a veteran journalist and longtime senior copy editor for Current Publishing. You may reach him

Lawrence council moves forward with budget advisor contract

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

The City of Lawrence’s administration has retained an Indianapolis-based municipal advisor since April to help the city’s controller with finances. The cost of those services is close to the threshold of what the administration can spend without approval from the Lawrence Common Council, and the mayor’s office has asked the council to extend that contract through the end of the year.

GOVERNMENT

The council’s Committee of the Whole met Sept. 5 to review the proposal and forwarded a favorable recommendation for consideration at the next regular council meeting, set for Sept. 18.

Andre Riley of Baker Tilly LLC addressed the committee and said that while the previous contract called for billing on an as-needed basis, the contract extension would be set at $8,500 a month and sunsets Dec. 31. He estimated the total cost from April through December would be approximately $50,000.

In April, the council increased the dol-

lar amount for contracts that need to come before the council for ratification to $50,000 or more. The threshold had been $5,000 for much of 2023, when there were tensions between the council and the previous administration.

Riley said his firm would continue to provide help with the city’s budget, including drafting the 2025 budget.

“There’s certain requirements to get an approved budget with the (Department of Local Government Finance),” he said. “Part of our role would be to make sure that ev-

erything is complied with.”

The upcoming year’s budget timeline, according to the DLGF, includes an Oct. 12 deadline to post a public notice of the 2025 proposed budget, tax levies and public hearing dates. The last day to hold a public hearing is Oct. 22 and a 2025 budget must be adopted by Nov. 1.

The city’s finances have been a topic of discussion for the past few council meetings, starting in early August when Controller Humphrey Nagila gave an update that indicated there was a deficit but

didn’t provide specific numbers. He said he would come back with more details but so far there has been no clear information about how much of a deficit the city is facing in its 2024 budget.

During the council’s Aug. 5 meeting, Nagila told the council that city expenses had been higher than anticipated. Through June, the city had spent about 64 percent of its appropriated $27.4 million general fund, rather than 50 percent. The 14 percent in additional spending equals $3.8 million. However, Nagila said on Aug. 21 that appropriations needed to balance the 2024 budget should be less than $1 million. He still did not have exact numbers to share at that time and said he would provide details during the council’s Sept. 3 meeting. However, that presentation was postponed.

Riley said there would be more information for the council during its Sept. 18 meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E. 59th St. Meetings are livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page, facebook.com/cityoflawrencein; and its YouTube channel, youtube. com/@visitlawrenceindiana.

The Lawrence Common Council’s next meeting is Sept. 18. (Photo courtesy of The City of Lawrence)

Rep. Jeter seeks reelection

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Current is publishing Q&As with candidates for various seats in our readership area. Below are the responses of District 88 State House Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers), who is running for reelection against Democrat Stephanie Jo Yocum. The election is Nov. 5.

ELECTION

Jeter is an attorney and small business owner who lives in the Geist area with his wife, Karen, and children Macy, Hayden and Kali.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM YOUR OPPONENT?

I have a proven track record of votes and accomplishments that are consistent with the views of the district.

WHAT ISSUES ARE YOU MOST FOCUSED ON?

Protecting kids, empowering parents,

ensuring individual liberties and fundamental rights, reducing regulatory burdens and cutting taxes.

HOW CAN THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION?

Universal school choice — let parents pick the education that is best for their kids. They know them best.

HOW WILL YOU REPRESENT ALL YOUR CONSTITUENTS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY VOTED FOR YOU?

My goal is to give individuals, parents, small business owners and workers the opportunity to chart their own path and accomplish their own objectives without government intervention or a “one size fits all” approach to issues. That means diverse people can pursue diverse values, goals and service within our community.

WHAT DO YOU MOST WANT VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I’m a husband, dad, neighbor and friend long before I’m an elected official.

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Ivy Tech campus closing

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Ivy Tech Community College is closing its Lawrence building on East 59th Street in Lawrence’s downtown Fort Ben area.

EDUCATION

In an email, Ivy Tech Chancellor Stacy Atkinson said the closure is part of the college’s capital master planning project that started in 2021.

“During this process, the campus completed a space utilization study that showed an excess of space in the buildings at the downtown campus as well as the buildings in Lawrence,” she said. “Based on the master planning and data utilization processes, the campus developed a plan in late 2021 to renovate existing space in the Illinois Fall Creek Center and North Meridian Center at the downtown campus. This plan was ultimately approved and funded by the Indiana General Assembly as part of the 2023 budget bill.”

That plan also called for closing Ivy Tech’s Fairbanks Center in Lawrence.

“In doing so, the campus will be able to reduce duplicative services between locations, move the approximately 2,700

students served at the Fairbanks Center annually, more efficiently utilize the physical space it already has and avoid approximately $30 million of needed repairs at the Fairbanks Center,” Atkinson said.

The Fairbanks Center opened in 2003. Atkinson said it has served about 2,700 students annually. She said a timeline for when the building will officially close and go up for sale has not been finalized.

Ivy Tech has 45 locations in Indiana and serves more than 175,000 students annually. It offers two-year degrees and certification courses in a variety of fields. For more, visit ivytech.edu.

DISPATCHES

Free smoke detectors — The City of Lawrence Fire Department, in partnership with Koorsen Fire Protection, is offering free smoke detectors to households that don’t currently have one, while supplies last. After a request is received, the LFD Fire Marshal’s office will get in touch to arrange a convenient delivery time. To apply, visit cityoflawrence.org/ smoke-detector-request.

Fort Harrison State Park events — Some fall events coming up at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park include a 10 a.m. Nature Preserve Hike along Lawrence Creek Trail on Sept 21 — meet at the Walnut Trailhead parking lot; 8 a.m. Sunday Morning Bird Walks on Sept. 22 and 29 — meet at the northeast corner of the Delaware Lake parking lot; a DIY Fungi presentation about the role of mushrooms in the environment, set for 1 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Visitor Center; the National Public Lands Day volunteer clean-up project from 9 a.m. to noon — sign up to volunteer by emailing esweet@dnr. gov; and a guided Salamander Search at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 — meet at Delaware Lake parking lot.

Former MSDLT administrator chosen for fellowship — Teach Plus, a national nonprofit that helps educators to lead student-centered improvements in educational policy and instructional practice, has selected a group of 14 educators from across Indiana for its 2024-25 Policy Fellowship cohort. Among them is David McQuire, former assistant principal at the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township’s Winding Ridge Elementary School. For more about Teach Plus Indiana, visit teachplus. org/in.

PACE receives $500K Lilly grant — Public Advocates in Community Re-Entry has received a $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to continue its Breaking the Chains program, which helps men preparing to return to their Marion County communities make a successful transition following incarceration. Launched as a pilot program in 2022 with an initial $500,000 grant from Lilly, the program provides tailored, collaborative solutions to foster long-term rehabilitation. New funding will enable PACE to expand the program throughout Indiana. For more, visit paceindy.org.

Ivy Tech Community College has offered classes in Lawrence since 2003. (Photo courtesy of Ivy Tech)

HEPL considers building a new branch

Hamilton East Public Library is in the early stages of planning a new library branch on Fishers’ east side and is surveying residents about those plans.

A Sept. 2 social media post from HEPL promoting the survey stated, “We’re building a new library branch! Help us prepare for the future by completing a brief feasibility study community survey. Your answers will be used to further understand the needs of our community for both services and library location.”

The link takes library users to a survey titled “HEPL Olio Road Location.” The survey asks what services patrons use; what services they would like added or expanded; and optional demographic information.

Although HEPL’s social media post stated that the new branch will be built, plans apparently aren’t set in stone. In

response to a request for more information, HEPL Director of Marketing and Communications Kelsey Sweet said the library has started a feasibility study and the community survey is part of that effort.

“The goal of the survey is to identify the needs of our growing community and how HEPL can make adjustments to their services and future plans to better serve the community,” Sweet stated in an email.

“This could result in additional programming opportunities, collaboration with other like-minded public entities, additional deployment of the library outreach vehicle, remote-holds lockers at locations throughout the community, or an additional branch location.”

HEPL currently operates two branches — one in downtown Fishers at 5 Municipal Dr. and another in Noblesville at 1 Library Plaza.

To take the survey, visit surveymonkey. com/r/HEPL2024.

Fishers nonprofit seeks sculpture proposals

news@currentinfishers.com

Fishers Music Works wants to honor late trombone player Grant Lansdell, who also was a longtime member of the nonprofit’s board of directors and performed with multiple ensembles.

MEMORIAL

FMW recently announced that it is seeking proposals for the creation of a sculpture using old musical instruments, dedicated to Lansdell’s memory.

“This project aims to pay tribute to Grant Lansdell’s legacy while promoting sustainability and artistic expression through the repurposing of discarded musical instruments,” the announcement stated. “We invite experienced metal artists to submit their proposals for consideration.”

Fishers Music Works will provide all raw materials for the sculpture. The project budget is currently $4,000, but the organization is seeking additional donations to support the winning submission. It’s also seeking a corporate or business sponsor for placement of the finished piece.

The winning sculpture should commemorate Lansdell’s contributions to the community, according to the announcement.

“Grant Lansdell was so much more than an obsessed audiophile and esteemed trombone player,” the announcement stated. “He was a believer in the restorative and therapeutic power of music. He was a musical evangelist. He proudly served his vision of community through shared artistry with every concert he watched, listened to, played in or helped to plan — and he radiated immense joy as he did it.”

Lansdell and his wife Ashley died after a car accident in 2022. They were both Fishers residents and Ashley was a teacher in Fishers.

More information can be found at fishersmusicworks.org/lansdell-sculpture-rfp.

Lawrence Oktoberfest tickets available — Tickets are now on sale for the 7th Lagers in Lawrence Oktoberfest, set for Sept. 21. The event includes unlimited samples, a German band, food, dancing and wiener dog races and agility course. For more, visit LagersinLawrence.com.

Lansdell

Operation School Bell to celebrate 40 years of supporting students

By Jennifer A. Haire news@youarecurrent.com

To celebrate 40 years of helping students, the Assistance League of Indianapolis is inviting the public to a special behind-the-scenes event featuring its Operation School Bell program Oct. 1.

NONPROFIT

Operation School Bell provides new clothes to students in need in kindergarten through fifth grade. It was the first program launched by ALI, which draws a large percentage of its membership from Carmel, and it is estimated to have saved families more than $3 million since 1984.

“At the beginning of the school year, the parents are having to buy (school) supplies and everything else, and this just takes a burden off of the parents,” said Julie Yates, a 12-year volunteer and retired Wayne Township middle school special education teacher. “We get the sizes from the school social workers, who get them from the parents, and we pack bags.”

Each student is provided with the same items.

“In each duffel bag, kids get a winter coat, a hat and a set of gloves, six pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear, either two pants or one pants and a skort or jumper, two shirts and a toothbrush,” Yates said.

OSB provides clothing to students in Indianapolis Public Schools and Lawrence, Pike,

Warren, Washington and Wayne township schools.

“We did a study that showed that the children that received this new clothing reported being bullied less and their school attendance went up,” Yates said.

ALI operates completely with volunteers, with about 180 working with the program. Anyone interested in learning more about the program and how to get involved is encouraged to attend. There is no cost and registration is not required.

“People don’t even realize that we exist, and we really have contributed to the Indianapolis community for a while,” Yates said.

“You know that getting these clothes really means a lot to these kids.”

From 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Oct. 1, program supporters and community members can enjoy light snacks and a tour of the Northbrook facility, which houses the program, at 1433 W. 86th St. in Indianapolis. Tours will be at 3:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. OSB chair Candi Harcourt and other volunteers will be on hand to walk attendees through how a bag of clothing is packed and answer questions.

ALI President Carol Valentine will welcome attendees. Additional speakers include Principal Kevin McMahan from IPS 109, Jonathan Jennings elementary school, and State Sen. Fady Qaddoura.

For more information about Operation School Bell and the Assistance League of Indianapolis, visit alindy.org.

From left, ALI volunteers Laura Ellis, Kathy Drewes and Harriet Majors work in the Operation School Bell program. (Photo courtesy of ALI)

HSE volleyball player embraces role as setter

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

When Hamilton Southeastern High School senior volleyball player Ava Hunter was younger, she wanted to be an outside hitter like her older sister, Grace.

“She said I was going to be too undersized for the people I’d be playing against,” Hunter said. “She said I had huge hands and needed to become a setter, so I switched to setting. At first, I was like, ‘This is so hard, it’s not my favorite.’ Then a year or two into it (I realized) this is the best job. It’s so fun. It’s fun to be the one that makes the decisions in the game.”

The 5-foot-11 Hunter shared the setter role with Macy Hinshaw, now a freshman player for Santa Clara University, the past two seasons for the Royals, who won the IHSAA Class 4A state championship the past two seasons. As of Sept. 10, the Royals were 10-1.

“I think the last two years sharing time with Macy has definitely helped me understand everyone has their own role and each role is important,” Hunter said. “I un-

MEET AVA HUNTER

Favorite subject: Science or math

Favorite TV show: “The Office.”

Favorite vacation spot: Florida

Favorite music performers: Rhianna and Billie Eilish

derstand everyone’s perspective.”

Hunter said although everyone wants to play more, she can encourage players on the bench that every role is important.

Royals coach Jason Young said Hunter has had to take on a leadership role this season.

“We graduated a huge group of seniors who were incredibly talented and great leaders,” Young said. “She’s stepped in

and been a leader and captain for us. It’s natural for that position. A setter is like the quarterback. She runs the show offensive-

ly for us and has done a good job leading the way.”

Young said he had two of the best setters he has ever coached in Hinshaw and Hunter.

“Ideally, you’d like to have them come by every four years, but we are glad to have had both of them,” Young said. “(Hunter) is a very upbeat, positive individual. She is a big cheerleader for others.”

Hunter recorded her 1,000th career assists in the season opener.

Hunter is optimistic the Royals can make another run at the state title.

Hunter, who plans to major in business, has committed to play for Loyola University in Chicago next season. Grace, a 2020 HSE graduate, was on the Royals’ Class 4A state runner-up team as a senior and played for Marian University.

“Grace helped me become the player I am today,” Hunter said. “We have all the pieces (to win another championship). We just need to get each piece working together.”

To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, email mark@youarecurrent.com.

Ava Hunter is a senior setter for Hamilton Southeastern High School’s two-time defending Class 4A state champions. (Photo courtesy of Kirk Green/Capture Sports Media)

LICK O’ PAINT

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Lawrence residents, local artists gather for skatepark graffiti party

Plain gray concrete covered with crudely drawn images, profanity and derogatory words has been replaced with bright, colorful and well-crafted graffiti, turning Lawrence Skatepark into a large, open-air, interactive art gallery.

It was a community effort with the bulk of the painting taking place during a Sept. 8 celebration — a bright, sunny day with a hint of fall in the air. Skaters, kids, parents, military veterans and public officials gathered to add their own flourishes as Indianapolis-based graffiti artists and muralists made their marks on larger sections.

If everything goes as planned, the new artwork at Lawrence Skatepark, located inside Community Park off Franklin Road, will discourage vandals from again turning the park into an eyesore.

Casper Jones, a longtime skateboarder who lives near the park, led the effort to clean it up — inspired after he found some derogatory words painted on the concrete. He said he was happy to see the community come together in a positive way and make the park welcoming to everyone.

“I stopped by the park last night to check it out,” he said, noting that one graffiti artist already had put up his piece. “I was jumping around like a kid on Christmas.”

Jones said he hopes other cities facing graffiti problems consider this project as an example of how to address it, “because obviously this is working.”

Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield was among the people helping to paint the city seal at the center of the skatepark. She said it’s exciting to see the project bring people together.

“I talk about inclusivity in Lawrence and this gives us an opportunity for (skating) culture to come out and feel part of the City of Lawrence,” she said.

Astro, who preferred to go by his graffiti artist name only, was working on one section and said he was happy for the opportunity to do something positive for the community. His piece was a traditional graffiti style with stylized block letters

and vibrant colors.

“It’s more of a visual representation of — I was here and I contributed to this,” he said.

Derien was working on another section of the park and said he’s been “writing” — making graffiti art — since he was 15 or 16 years old.

“I’m 35 now. I don’t write as much, very

seldom, really, do I write illegally,” he said. “I’ve got a wife, two kids. I am a full-time artist. So, that is what I do — murals, graphic design, things like that. (But) this is kind of where my heart is, you know?”

Robert Bentley is an Indianapolis muralist who also started as a young graffiti writer. He got involved with the Lawrence project when he saw a post on Jones’

HOW MUCH PAINT?

It takes a lot of spray paint to cover an entire skatepark.

Casper Jones said that, while he coordinated the work, the City of Lawrence bought paint supplies based on his estimate of what would be needed. He looked up how much of each color was ordered and added them up with a calculator app. The grand total was 296

cans of spray paint.

That doesn’t include paint for the base layers, which was rolled on and came in gallon-size buckets. The city ordered about 50 gallons for that part of the project, he said, allowing for some leftover paint to be used for touch-ups as needed going forward.

social media showing the racial slur that sparked the cleanup effort.

“I was like, ‘Hey, do you ever need me to come paint over anything like this with something prettier or more positive?’” Bentley said. “And he was just like, ‘Hey, let’s do this whole thing like Major Taylor. And it just — it took off.”

Major Taylor is another Indianapolis skatepark that has murals and graffiti art. Bentley helped coordinate the artists for the Lawrence project and mapped out the paint-by-numbers City of Lawrence city seal, allowing anyone who wanted to add their own touch of color to the community’s skatepark.

Bentley’s work can be found on Instagram @bentley_murals.

ON THE COVER: Community members help

paint the City of Lawrence seal at the Lawrence Skatepark. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

(Above) Community members and area graffiti artists gather Sept. 8 to paint the Lawrence Skatepark, part of an effort to combat offensive and derogatory graffiti. (Photos by Leila Kheiry)

(Below)

Mayor Deb Whitfield, left, paints a portion of the City of Lawrence seal in the middle of the Lawrence Skatepark.

Center’s annual gala supports education, outreach programs

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Jeffrey McDermott has watched how the Center for the Performing Arts annual gala has evolved.

“I’m one of the rare people who have been to every single gala we’ve had here,” said McDermott, who was a board member prior to assuming his role as president/CEO for Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts. The sold-out Center Celebration 2024 Presented by Ice Miller with headliner Chris Botti is set for Sept. 21 at the Palladium. The fundraising event supports the Center’s education and outreach programs. The first gala was in a huge tent on Carter Green in January 2011, the same year the Center opened.

“We then came in there for the show and it was star-studded,” McDermott said. “What I recall is the next day there was an ice storm and the tent was destroyed. Then for the next couple of years we switched to the summers and we had it in connection with the Songbook Academy (Hall of Fame induction), which was great but created a huge stress on our staff. It’s an all-hands-on-deck (event) and when we did it in connection with the Songbook Academy, we would have the Songbook Academy one night and the gala the next. While it was great fun, it became overwhelming as the Songbook (event) and the gala continued to grow.”

McDermott said there were a few years when the dinner was held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom on one night and the show at the Palladium the next night.

“That worked but it was a two-night event and that’s a lot for people to commit to,” McDermott said. “We felt a onenight affair was much better. We’ve hit a nice pace now.”

McDermott said each year the staff discusses ways to make it more unique and

accommodate 250 people, so it’s ideal for wedding receptions. It’s a fun opportunity for us in rentals to sell that space.”

Adams said every department is involved in staging the gala.

“It’s a real all-hands-on-deck kind of event,” she said.

Kendra Latta, vice president of development, said the gala lays a fundraising foundation to support and raise awareness for the Center’s education and outreach missions.

‘MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet” runs through Oct. 6 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘RING OF FIRE’

Actors Theatre of Indiana’s production of “Ring of Fire” runs through Sept. 29 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.

more memorable. What has helped the event evolve is that Carmel businessman Zak Khan donated a festival floor that sits on top of the seats. McDermott said they can seat 250 people on the floor and another 150 in the various boxes at the Palladium. The first one with the festival floor was held in 2015.

“It starts with the red-carpet entrance, cocktail reception around the building, the dinner and show on the festival floor and then goes throughout the building for the after-party,” McDermott said. “That formula has worked well for the last several years.”

“We have limited seating at the gala, but it’s a big enough event with a strong enough message that we want to get it out in the community that we do more than concerts,” Latta said. “We’re a place for education and a place for gathering, and donor support makes that possible. Our education programs are growing like crazy. We offer free matinee programs for school children and for the last two years those shows have been filled to capacity by the time school starts each year.”

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“Summer Nights: The Music of Grease” is set for Sept. 19, followed by Don Farrell’s “Frank Sinatra: The Tribute” Sept. 20; Adam B. Shapiro in “Hollywood or Bust: Songs of the Silver Screen” Sept. 21; and “An Evening with Michael Feinstein” Sept. 22 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All the performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

DISPATCHES

Ramona Adams, the Center’s vice president of events, said it takes two to three days to install the floor and about the same amount of time to take it down. The floor is installed the first week of August and then is taken down when the gala is over.

It enables the Center to rent Palladium space for weddings, conferences and corporate events.

Adams said it probably takes about a dozen professional stagehands and production experts to install the floor.

“The floor has been a game-changer for us being able to hold larger scale events,” Adams said. “We don’t have room for much more than 100 until we install the festival floor in August. Then we can

Latta said the gala’s volunteer cochairs are Adam Arceneaux and Michael and Caroline Garvey. Arceneaux is the senior co-chair in his second year of a two-year commitment. The Garveys will become senior co-chairs for the 2025 gala.

“These volunteers go out and recruit a committee of volunteers,” Latta said. “They are people in the community that go to shows and work for companies that support us and maybe serve on our board of directors. We try to get 40 or 50 committee members and it’s their work and advocacy that sells the tables, gets the corporate sponsors, helps secure the auction items and they have a great input in making it a great evening people want to attend. We’re really indebted to them. They are an incredible group.”

Latta said the co-chairs are the cheerleaders of the group.

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Rising country star set for Fishers Event Center — Singer/songwriter Megan Moroney announced that her forthcoming “Am I Okay?” tour will stop April 24, 2025, at the new Fishers Event Center. Moroney, a rising country star, will headline the 25-date North American tour. Tickets are on sale at FishersEventCenter.com. Fresh off playing stadiums all summer in support of Kenny Chesney’s “Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour,” Moroney has emerged as one of country music’s most exciting live acts in recent years.

Proposals sought for New Works — Indiana-based artists and arts organizations are invited to submit proposals for New Works, a commission program in its fourth season at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. New Works promotes and sustains local artists and arts communities by supporting the creation of new works in various disciplines. The submission deadline is Sept. 20 at 11:59 p.m. For more, visit TheCenterPresents.org/NewWorks.

The Center Celebration seats about 250 people on the festival floor and another 150 in boxes. (Photo courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

Adams

Latta

McDermott

ICC goes to the movies

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Indianapolis Children’s Choir Executive Artistic Director Joshua Pedde figures “Lights. Camera. Song” is the perfect start to the 39th concert season.

CONCERT

Pedde said the movies theme is always a fun way to engage audiences since so many people have shared memories of music from movies.

said Pedde, a Carmel resident. “So, this time around, it will open up even more opportunities for performing songs from various genres and time periods.”

The concert will include songs from “The Wizard of Oz” and Disney classics.

There will be a free public open house from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the ICC Performing Arts Center at 9111 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis. There will be movie screenings and free popcorn. The choir also will screen the “Trio of Minuet” children’s opera that the ICC debuted 20 years ago on WFYI.

The “Lights. Camera. Song.” concert is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at the STAR Bank Performing Arts Center in Zionsville.

“We haven’t done a movie-themed concert for quite some time and the last time we did, it was specifically for the holiday,”

“The singers just love the repertoire for this concert. The movies are a great way to bring everyone together,” Pedde said. “There will be hits from ‘90s Disney classics like ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘The Lion King’ and then older songs like ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ and ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.’”

Pedde said the concert will include songs from other movie classics like “The King and I,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and featured music by legendary movie composer John Williams. ICC alum and professional recording vocalist Erin Benedict will be the featured guest soloist.

Tickets for the concert are $16 and can be purchased online at icchoir.org/tickets. Children aged 5 and under can attend for free but require a ticket.

Pedde

The 1959 Lesovsky Roadster Indy 500 pole-winning car driven by Johnny Thompson in 1959. Thompson also drove the car in 1960.

Blueprint for Improvement: Cosmopolitan Carmel kitchen

Commentary by Larry Greene

Talk about a transformation! Our clients were determined to make a statement with their downtown Carmel kitchen and our team embraced the challenge. We took their builder-basic space and meticulously reimagined it into a sleek, sophisticated culinary haven that masterfully captures their bold vision.

THE BLUEPRINT

• A stunning gold brushstroke tile, arranged in an artistic pattern, sets the tone, making a bold and sophisticated statement.

• Dark acrylic cabinets are the perfect contrast to the light backsplash and appliances, adding just the right amount of depth and drama.

• A new peninsula, featuring a custom-designed curved corbel, artistically bridges the space between the kitchen and living room.

• A circular light fixture, ombré faucet and appliances with metallic accents add a touch of modern glamour.

Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.

Sunday, October 6

12:30-4pm Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center (the Colts practice facility)

Join us for an upgraded watch party experience of the Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars away game! Enjoy tailgate food, an open bar, bounce houses for kids and more, all while supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

Learn more at morethanaphone.org.