January 3, 2023 — Noblesville

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Founded Sept. 15, 2009, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XIV, No. 17

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The views of the columnists in Current in Noblesville are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

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Library amends placement policy, moves children’s book to adult section

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

After conducting two special meetings last month, the Hamilton East Public Library board amended its collection development policy on Dec. 15, resulting in the relocation of a controversial children’s book to the library’s adult section.

UPDATE

In November of 2022, the Hamilton East Public Library board discussed restricting access to the book “Making a Baby” by Rachel Greener, which was cataloged in the children’s section by recommendation of the publisher. The library received a request for reconsideration in October 2022 from a patron regarding the book, asking that it be moved out of the children’s collection because of “graphic depictions of sex.”

The book includes a detailed outline of various methods of procreation, ranging from in vitro fertilization to sex. The issues that some patrons found with the book centered on the illustrations associated with procreation. The board considered the concerns and voted in favor of restricting access to the book. The vote resulted in a change to the library’s collection development policy outlining that explicit depictions of sex in any book will result in the book being placed in the adult section of the library.

The board held special meetings on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 for the public to voice opinions.

The changes approved by the library board were contested by some members of the public, while others voiced approval for the board’s decisions. Fishers resident Amber Carmichael commended the board for its decision to restrict access to “inappropriate” books for children, saying that social media was a source of misinformation on the matter.

“Back in December 2021, my husband and I started attending (library) board meetings,” Carmichael said. “Over the past year, there have been several occasions where misinformation on social media has caused people to show up (to the meetings) in droves to speak out against ‘book banning,’ only to discover that no one was asking for a book to be banned.

“The views of those in favor of the policy change and those who aren’t are more closely aligned than many of you think. It’s something this library most desperately

needs.”

Geist-area residents Barbi Stenacker and Ginny Reetz said the board’s decision to relocate the book to the adult section “over-

stepped” the board’s authorized power.

“What it boils down to is a power struggle on the board, because cataloged books at the library are organized by their suggested category as declared by the publisher,” Reetz said. “(That means) if it’s listed as a children’s book, then it should stay in the children’s section.”

Michelle Payne, vice president of the board, said moving educational books for children to the adult section does not necessarily keep a child from seeing the book. Instead, the policy change may “expose” children to other adult materials not intended for their consumption.

“What about when a child goes looking for this book in the adult section?” Payne said. “Then they’re exposed to even more graphic (books) that aren’t intended for them. If the point is to protect children from graphic depictions of sex, then why are we sending them to the adult section?”

Although the board has changed the library’s collection development policy to prohibit the placement of sexually graphic books in the children’s section, the board expects to conduct future public meetings on the matter.

Fishers resident Amber Carmichael speaks at the Dec. 8 library board meeting in support of its decision to relocate the book “Making a Baby” and implementation of changes to the library’s collection development policy.

Patrons attend a Dec. 8 Hamilton East Public Library board meeting to voice opinions on the library’s collection development policy. (Photos by Rebecca Fending)

IT’S gr e at TO

DINE OUT!

The Great Dine Out in Hamilton County January 2–31, 2023

It’s great to dine out—enjoy the company of others, participate in local culture, and support local restaurants all while earning special deals on food. Simply check in at participating Hamilton County restaurants with the Great Dine Out digital passport. If you check in five times, you’ll get a $25 local restaurant gift card—while supplies last.

Claim your digital passport at DineOutHamiltonCounty.com or scan the QR code.

Duke Energy donates $20K to White River Alliance

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

WATER FOLLOWS THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEAST COMPLAINTS.

ENVIRONMENT

Duke Energy has donated $20,000 to the White River Alliance to boost the nonprofit’s efforts to improve and protect water resources throughout central Indiana.

“We understand the importance of environmental stewardship and the benefits it provides to the communities we serve,” said Mark LaBarr, government and community relations manager at Duke Energy. “We’re proud to invest in organizations like the White River Alliance that are creating resources and educational programs that promote, protect and enhance the biological, chemical and physical integrity of the White River ecosystem.”

Duke Energy’s financial support will fund the installation of two new White River Art Canoes, one near Duke Energy’s substation in Noblesville and the other at Conner Prairie in Fishers, to raise awareness of the importance of the White River to the local economy and the quality of life for area residents. Each canoe will be hand-painted by a different local artist from either Marion County or Hamilton County to reflect the unique elements of the river at each location.

The funding will also support the White River Alliance’s River Assessment Field Teams, which are groups of trained volunteers who serve as citizen scientists, gathering data on local water quality that aids in state and local pollution prevention strategies and resource allocation, according to the organization. In addition, the funding will support the White River Alliance’s annual Clean-Up Paddle Days, in which hundreds of local residents collect up to 2 tons of trash and debris along the White River while enjoying a day of paddling in a canoe or kayak.

“Our organization has spent nearly two decades improving the White River’s water quality,” said Bryan Grotz, president of the White River Alliance. “Partnerships with companies like Duke Energy have been key in enabling us to expand our impact and protect our vital water resources.”

Duke Energy’s donation is also supporting the planting of trees at Conner Prairie near the 3.3 miles of river that run through its property, according to officials. The new trees will provide habitat for local wildlife and support the local ecosystem.

DISPATCH

Bicentennial commission releases book — The Hamilton County Bicentennial Commission has released a commemorative book, “Celebrating Hamilton County, Indiana: 200 Years of Change,” marking Hamilton County’s 2023 bicentennial. The glossy, 9-by-12-inch, full-color book features events and figures that many people know and love, as well as never-before-published photographs, stories and oral histories, according to a news release. The book will be available on Amazon and through MT Publishing Co. at www.mtpublishing.com. Visit the Bicentennial website for an updated list of local retail stores carrying the book by visiting www.hamcoturns200.com/our-book.

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

Duke Energy has donated $20,000 to the White River Alliance. A portion of the funding will go toward the installation of two new White River Art Canoes, one near Duke Energy’s substation in Noblesville, and the planting of trees at Conner Prairie. (Photo provided by Duke Energy).

Applications open for Senate Page Program

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

The Indiana Senate is accepting applications for the 2023 Senate Page Program.

age-appropriate tasks. Students also can meet their state senator.

GOVERNMENT

The full-day program gives students in grades 6 to 12 an opportunity to tour Indiana’s Statehouse that includes the House and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court and the governor’s office, listen to debates and help staff with

“Knowing how our state government operates is a vital part of a young Hoosier’s education,” said State Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville, who represents Senate District 20 that includes portions of Hamilton County. “This program provides an excellent opportunity for students to see the legislative process in real time and better understand all that goes into passing laws in Indiana.”

The Senate Page Program begins this month and runs through early April. Pages are scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the legislative session.

Pages begin their day at 8:30 a.m. and are dismissed at 3:30 p.m., while groups serve together on Wednesdays. Serving as a page is considered an excused absence from school.

For more information or to apply, visit IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/ page-program.

You can have cancer and hope

Get a care plan personalized for you

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. With Ascension St. Vincent Cancer Care, you’re not alone. Your first step is to sit down with a cancer specialist who listens. Your doctor will help you personalize a care plan with a goal of getting you back to the daily life you enjoy. You’ll have an entire care team beside you. With a plan, comes hope.

Talk to a cancer specialist. ascension.org/StVincentCancerCare

The Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. (Stock photo)

Gaylor Electric receives award

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Gaylor Electric has received the 2022 Impact Award from Cherish, a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center for Hamilton County.

RECOGNITION

The award highlights the success and contribution of community members who have made a significant impact in the fight to make children’s lives better over the past year, according to the organization. The award is designed to recognize an organization’s impact on the community and the clients that Cherish serves.

Gaylor was chosen for the award because it has been an ongoing partner of Cherish for many years, according to Cherish, which stated the following in a release:

“Not only do they consistently support events of Cherish, but they are always willing to assist with facility needs as well. They regularly lend their gifts and influence to make an impact beyond their work as the highest performing national contractor of excellence. They truly do deliver on their genuine care for people.”

Cherish, a nonprofit founded in 2009, is the child advocacy center for Hamilton

County and provides intervention and prevention services for victims of abuse and neglect. The mission of Cherish is to serve and protect the lives of abused and exploited children in Hamilton County and to provide regional leadership on child abuse and exploitation issues, according to its website.

The organization’s services include child forensic interviews, advocacy, community education, trauma therapy intervention, and psychoeducational groups that focus on healthy relationships and safe dates. Cherish provides comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims and their families, according to the organization.

“We want to sincerely thank Gaylor Electric for their steadfast support of Cherish. This partnership means so much to us, as we depend on it to be able to provide much needed services to children and families who have been affected by traumatic events,” said Wendy Gamble, executive director and founder of Cherish. “We are grateful that Gaylor Electric has supported not only Cherish but has shown their commitment to the safety and well-being of children and families in our community. Their generosity will have ripple effects throughout our community for years to come.”

DISPATCH

Bicentennial

Gaylor Electric recently won the 2022 Impact Award from Cherish, a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center for Hamilton County. From left, Michael Fort, Chuck Goodrich, Wendy Gamble, Kelly Reiff and Chris Harrington accept the award. (Photo provided by Gaylor Electric)

commission announces event lineup — The Hamilton County Bicentennial Commission has announced the official 2023 Bicentennial event lineup. Officials say that upwards of 45 events funded by the Bicentennial’s grant program are set to take place over 12 festive months to celebrate the county’s 200th anniversary. In addition, a traveling exhibit will be available to the public at 25-plus locations around the county. To access the complete events calendar, visit the Bicentennial website at www.hamcoturns200.com/events.

Lawrence Central defensive end boasts strong athletic skills

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Despite drawing a lot of attention on and off the field, Lawrence Central High School defensive end Joshua Mickens was able to have a special senior season.

“Josh would probably say he didn’t have as good a year, at least statistically, as he did as a junior, but Josh was amazing for us,” Lawrence Central football coach Will Patterson said. “We told him it wouldn’t be the same because people know about you, he wouldn’t surprise anyone. He accepted the challenge and played well. He saw a lot of double- and triple-teams at times. He learned how to adapt to that and still bring impact to the game.

“He did a phenomenal job of adjusting. He battled some injuries in the middle of the season and fought his way through it.”

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mickens was recently named the Indiana Mr. Football position winner for defensive line. He had

MEET JOSHUA MICKENS

Favorite type of music: Rap or hip-hop

Favorite subject: Social studies

Favorite TV show: “American Dad” College plans: Major in engineering at Ohio State University.

74 total tackles, including 20 1/2 tackles for loss, and 6 1/2 sacks. In 2021, he had 78 total tackles, 12 sacks and 23 tackles for loss.

“He’s an extremely tough kid,” Patterson said. “He’s freakishly athletic for his size. It’s going to help him a lot down the road.”

On Dec. 21, Mickens signed a National Let-

ter of Intent to play football for Ohio State University.

Mickens had originally committed to Louisiana State University in July 2022, but decommitted in November.

“It’s been a long process,” Mickens said. “It was a family thing, wanting to be closer to home overall.”

Patterson said Mickens had a love for LSU

but wanted to play close to home.

“To be able to share this experience with his mother and sister was important to him,” Patterson said. “There are only a couple places around the Midwest that play the same quality of football they do down South. In the interest of having the best of both worlds, he felt Ohio State was the best fit.”

Mickens’ father, Arnold Mickens, died at age 49 after a battle with COVID-19 In January 2022. Arnold was an all-state running back and linebacker at Broad Ripple High School. After transferring from Indiana University to Butler University, he set 18 NCAA Division 1-AA records, including rushing for 2,255 yards in 1994. He appeared in three games for the Indianapolis Colts in 1996.

Mickens was averaging 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in the first seven games for Lawrence Central’s basketball team. He averaged 13.0 points and 7.3 rebounds last season.

Although Mickens, who has a 3.8 grade point average, could have graduated in December and got a jump start on college football practice, he chose to play one last season of basketball.

Lawrence Central defensive end Joshua Mickens was the Indiana Mr. Football position winner for the defensive line. (Photo courtesy of Joshua Mickens)

Mickens

CURRENT Q&A

Get to know Jodi Gietl

Jodi Gietl, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Boone County, works full-time to ensure nonprofits in the Boone County area are connected with donors and volunteers that help their organizations thrive. Gietl, who now lives in Thorntown, resided in Zionsville for 25 years.

What is your best habit?

“My best habit is that I never stopped running. I’ve been a runner my whole life, and I still run pretty much every day.”

What is your worst habit?

“I have three kids, and I will forget who I told what to and then I will sometimes tell one of them the same thing twice.”

Do you have a hidden talent?

“I get asked to sing at a lot of weddings and funerals.”

What do you do when you’re creatively stuck?

“I just go for a run. That cures so many things in life. I just get outside and get in nature.”

Is there a book that you recommend to everyone?

“‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ by James Clear.”

What’s the advice that you’re glad you took?

“When I was in college, I ran collegiate track, (NCAA) Division I, and I was trying to make the decision of whether I would continue on or retire. My dad, of course, wouldn’t tell me what to do, right? As no good parent should tell you what to do. Instead, he said, ‘Make a decision. Be happy with it. Never look back.’ So, that’s what I’ve done my whole life.”

Is there a person you admire? Why?

“Bob Wessler, the former chairman of the board of the Community Foundation of Boone County. He currently serves as my mentor for business, and he has been a great source of wisdom, guidance and discernment in my professional career.”

Do you have a favorite podcast?

“The one that I’ve been listening to the most lately is called ‘Shift the Gravity.’ The theme is how to shift the gravity into any room that you walk into.”

What is your biggest indulgence?

“Oh, totally chocolate. Anything chocolate.”

How do you exercise?

“Running and CrossFit.”

Favorite ice cream?

“Mint chocolate chip”

Do you have a favorite meal in town?

“Sushi from Noah Grant’s Grill House & Oyster Bar in Zionsville.”

What is your go-to song to get pumped up?

“‘September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. You just can’t not groove when you listen to that song.”

Noblesville man sentenced to prison

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

A Noblesville man will spend more than 10 years in federal prison for distributing and receiving child sexual abuse material.

conduct with adults.

CRIME

Chakra Dasari, 34, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. According to court documents, in January of 2021, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. officers received information that Dasari had been using a cloud storage and file hosting application called Mega to store and exchange images of child sexual abuse.

Dasari had sent the witness child sexual abuse material via Mega’s chat feature, authorities said. On May 11, 2021, investigators with the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant at Dasari’s Noblesville residence.

Investigators located an Apple iPhone on Dasari’s person that held 17 video files and one image file of child sexual abuse material, authorities said. The iPhone also contained Telegram social media messages in which Dasari received material from an unknown Telegram user depicting toddlers and infants being made to engage in sexually explicit

According to authorities, Dasari possessed child sexual abuse material between June of 2020 and May of 2021 and made multiple false statements to investigators during a recorded interview, denying that he had ever sent or received sexually explicit images or videos of minors. Dasari stated to police that he only “might have said certain things (I’m) not proud of” during his conversations with another Mega user.

“The defendant joined others online to share heinous images depicting the sexual abuse of babies and toddlers,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Those who are gratified by the sexual exploitation of the most vulnerable of victims are a tremendous danger to our communities. The outstanding investigators of the Indiana ICAC Task Force will continue to work tirelessly with our U.S. Attorney’s Office to identify these criminals and send them to prison, where our children are out of their reach.”

As part of the sentence, Judge Hanlon ordered that Dasari be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison. Dasari must also register as sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law.

CURRENT COMMUNITY CALENDAR

THE GREAT DINE OUT

The Great Dine Out will offer discounts and specials at Hamilton County restaurants from Jan. 2 to 31. Offers must be redeemed by smart phone. Participants will receive a $25 gift card to a local restaurant after five check-ins, while supplies last. Learn more at visithamiltoncounty.com/great-dine-out.

ALICE LEE SHOWCASE

Nickel Plate Arts will host the “Do Art No Matter What” exhibit by artist Alice Lee at the Stephenson House, 107 S. 8th St., Noblesville, as part of the Stephenson Showcase during the month of January. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public can meet Lee during the First Friday event Jan. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Stephenson House on the Nickel Plate Arts campus.

HOLIDAYS AT THE HILL

Ice skating, carriage rides and a walking light tour are featured during Holidays at the Hill at Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan St., that runs through Jan. 9. Admission and skate rental applies for ice skating activities. For more, visit www.noblesvilleparks. org/235/Holidays-at-the-Hill.

JANUS DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES OPEN HOUSE

Janus Developmental Services will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 20 at its location, 1555 Westfield Road, Noblesville. The organization

will unveil changes that will occur as a result of the Creative Abundance Group coming to Janus. Their two-week residency ends on Jan. 20 and will showcase the art and creations that have been completed, according to an event description. For more, visit https://janus-inc.org/.

COMIC BOOK IN A DAY CHALLENGE

The Nickel Plate Arts 10th Annual Comic Book in Day Challenge is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 21.

Celebrity special guest and legendary comic artist Bob Hall will be in attendance and assisting participants as a featured artist. The event will be held at the Ignite Studio at the Hamilton East Public Library, 5 Municipal Dr., Fishers. For more, visit https://nickelplatearts.org/comicbookinaday/.

BICENTENNIAL KICKOFF

The Hamilton County Bicentennial will open the county’s 200th year with a free, family-friendly event at 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Palladium in Carmel. Michael Feinstein, artistic director for the Center and founder of the Carmel-based Great American Songbook Foundation, will perform and emcee the program, which will include remarks from local dignitaries and engaging performances by area artistic talent. Attendees will receive a goodie bag as well as potentially a special, limited quantity commemorative item. Tickets for this seminal event are free but must be reserved in advance at thecenterpresents. org/tickets-events or by phone at 317-843-3800.

Noblesville

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Schools

Noblesville Schools is giving elementary students a head start in STEAM education.

“The STEAM class is an opportunity for all of our elementary students to gain real-world experience in science, technology, engineering, arts and math,” said Wes Dicken, elementary STEAM lead teacher. “Students in all grade levels (kindergarten through fifth) experience hands-on tasks, challenges and lessons in areas like robotics, biology, data analysis, physics and engineering. This is a standalone class that all students participate in regularly throughout the year. Learning in this class aligns with the standards that students cover in their regular classrooms.”

Dicken develops and assembles curriculum for the elementary STEAM program in all seven of the district’s elementary schools. He also coaches and supports educators who teach the class at each school.

“The future is rapidly changing, and we want to prepare students for future careers in the STEM field, possibly careers that don’t even exist yet,” Dicken said. “Exposing students to these concepts at an earlier age can help spark their interest and prepare them for future learning in these areas.”

Dicken said the students seem to love STEAM.

“They absolutely enjoy solving problems and coming up with solutions for challenges,” he said. “They also enjoy learning new things and showing what they know or what they’ve learned. We hear stories from parents about their students trying challenges or experiments at home — some more successful than others — and having conversations about the things that they’ve learned. There are times when students have struggled with research, note-taking or sketching designs, but this is a great learning opportunity about perseverance and are areas where we’ve seen growth.”

Hazel Dell Elementary fourth-grader Owen Aloisio said he enjoys the class because students work with cardboard and other fun material.

“You get to build stuff and test out your theory,” Aloisio said.

One project the class worked on was incorporating kinetic energy learning to design and build vehicles and restraint systems that can protect an egg in a crash.

“I like it because I love art and you get to be creative and learning at the same time,” Hazel Dell fourth-grader Ada Bishop said.

Dicken said the district is working to streamline its elementary STEAM program with the STEM classes offered at the middle school and high school levels.

introduces elementary students to specialty disciplines

“Our goal is to give elementary students opportunities to try several different STEAM areas so that they can take that experience with them as they move into middle school, high school and college,” Dicken said. “Schools are beginning to focus more in this area. It’s exciting that Noblesville created this separate class for all elementary students to support what they’re learning in their traditional classrooms, and in some cases take it to the next level.”

Dicken said STEAM classes rotate throughout the year with music, art, physical education and technology classes in the schools

“We plan to add some additional content, including projects and challenges in computer programming, renewable energy — understanding the positives and the negatives — and genetics,” he said.

Noblesville Schools is working toward building community partnerships that can help students see how the STEAM concepts they are learning have a place in everyday life.

“We are also working with the Noblesville Education Foundation to develop a STEAM museum that would provide hands-on experiences that are bigger than what can be experienced in the classroom,” Dicken said. “We’re also hoping that this could showcase some of what students have done at the middle school and high school levels, building excitement for their future in education.”

OTHER STEAM PROJECTS INCLUDE:

• Constructing bridges and testing how they support weight. This includes studying how bridges are designed, why they’re designed that way and the different types of bridges.

• The study of aerodynamics and flight which includes learning why planes operate the way that they do, applying this to how rockets work, then designing a rocket that is successfully launched and recovered.

• Robotics and automation like building robots, programming and using controllers to move them.

• How light and sound travel in waves and how they can use this information to create a solution for travelers lost on a hike.

• The study of simple and complex machines where students create their own machine to solve a real-world problem like rescuing an animal from a zoo enclosure.

ON THE COVER: Noble Crossing fifth-graders, from left, Logan Quinn, Mohammad Shakoori and Yamen Ashour test the integrity of their bridge construction (Photo courtesy of Noblesville Schools)

Dicken

Hazel Dell fourth-graders, from left, Nora Cobb, Ada Bishop and Owen Aloisio use kinetic energy to test whether the restraint system and car they built can protect an egg in a crash. (Photo courtesy of Noblesville Schools)

ESSAY

Opt-in options

Commentary by Terry Anker

“Opt in to our extensive and relentless email and text marketing campaign,” offers the pop-up box blocking our advance with the install of the new application demanded of us to order a tasty pizza, or it offers simply, “not now.” Two things come to mind. One, why is it nearly required to log into a virtual world to satisfy a late-night mozzarella and pepperoni craving? And, two, do the software developers really believe that we might change our minds later? Is it too hard to simply give us a yes/no option?

Kidding aside, it is kind of nice to order a pie without the old-school phone call — or even more cumbersome, walking up to a counter and talking to another human face-to-face. In these recent years where websites have replaced order-takers, we’ve come to know that our requests are almost always correct when we make them in electronic form. There is one less opportunity for human error. Extra pineapple and double anchovies don’t raise an eyebrow. For all we’ve gained, some of us still pine for the lost personal interaction. If we were asked to join a mailing list and declined, the kid behind the counter might offer a free 2-liter of soda if we complied but rarely shamed us by pretending that we didn’t know how to say “no.” Today, the sale of our data — who we are and what we like on our stay-uplate snacks – has become of considerable value to the companies collecting it. So-called “data mining” implies the rich minerals being sought. Modern interactions seem to exclaim, “You might not give in now, but it is only a matter of time before we get you.” Although they are probably right, it all feels a little ominous. When did no disappear?

CURRENTOON

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

POLICIES

Letters to the editor: Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 150 words. Letters must be thoroughly vetted prior to submission. Current retains the right to reject or return any letter it deems to carry unsubstantiated content. Current also retains the right to edit letters, but not their intent. Send letters to info@youarecurrent.com. Writers must include a hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Guest columns: The policy for guest columns is the same as the aforementioned, but the allowable length is 240 words. Guest columns should address the whole of Current’s readership, not simply special-interest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.

HUMOR

Navigating a travel challenge

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Friends, the Wilson Family Vacation Challenge has commenced! After months of secret planning, seven individuals came together with seven different travel itineraries to create one night of extreme PowerPoint fun.

My husband Doo kicked off the evening with rum punches and the pros and cons of an Airbnb in Belize. I countered with a Kahoot! on an all-inclusive in Costa Rica and a plate of homemade fried plantains. Next up, our older daughter and resident voice actor, who proposed a journey through both England and Ireland while cradling her cat Mr. Crawley (unfortunately named before she’d started Season 3 of “Downton Abbey”) and flawlessly alternating between British and Irish accents. Naturally, she served Guinness.

Our oldest child followed with salmon sushi (emphasis on salmon) and an inordinately detailed accounting of how we could swing an RV experience in Alaska, and then his girlfriend gave a very convincing argument for Switzerland, shamelessly employing Lindt chocolate truffles to sweeten the deal. Younger son scored major points for coming in underbudget with Iceland and the Northern Lights (he provided Icelandic bottled water, of course), and for the finale, our youngest shared 49 (49!) slides of Balkan wonderment and hefty portions of to-die-for baklava.

So, where are we going this summer? It’s still TBD, although we’ve narrowed it to Iceland and Switzerland. We’re awaiting a championship pitch-off between Team Reykjavik and Team Geneva before we cast our final votes (apparently, no one but me appreciates a jungle/beach combo with free-flowing liquor and the option to zipline with monkeys. Go figure). Regardless of the outcome, the first-ver Wilson Family Vacation Challenge has been a hoot! Peace out.

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

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

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.”

— T.S. ELIOT

Thanks for the memories, Part 2

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

This is Part 2 of my look back at 2022 with appreciation for those people, places and things that made my column possible. So, thanks …

• The Walmart cashier watching me jog around the entire store to avoid the freezing weather and still get in my 15,000 steps. I bought a $10.00 pair of warm gloves, but she said my total was $14.89.

“What’s the extra charge?” I asked.  “Mileage,” she said.

• To the dollar store cashier working the day the prices went up to $1.25. I bought a balloon for a party, not aware of the price increase.

“Why are the balloons so high?” I asked.

“Because we put helium in them,” she responded.

• To my sister, who encouraged me to meditate. “I feel like I am one with everything,” she claimed. That was good enough for me, because that’s the way I order a hot dog at Costco.

• To whoever makes remote controls. You guys need to find a way to prevent

them from disappearing just before people need them. I connected my remote to a long piece of dental floss and tied it to the leg of the couch. Now I not only find the device quickly, but I also have 27 percent less plaque between my teeth.

• To the tech guys at the cellphone store who laughed when I told them I once left my phone in the freezer after I tried to extricate a pint of ice cream that was stuck in there.

“Did the phone work when you found it?” the salesmen asked.

“Yes,” I said, “but the screen was frozen for two days.”

• To the Prevagen people who make a supplement that supposedly improves your memory. Mary Ellen and I both took the pills for a few weeks. One night Mary Ellen was annoyed with me.

“I am hurt because you once told me I

To whoever makes remote controls. You guys need to find a way to prevent them from disappearing just before people need them.

was starting to look a little chubby in a bathing suit,” she said.

“Wow, that was 40 years ago.”

“I know, I just remembered.”

• To me, for not realizing until the middle of some movies that I may have already viewed them. Recently, my wife and I were watching “Toy Story 3” and I was sure we hadn’t seen it, since one of the characters didn’t look familiar.

“You don’t recognize Mr. Potato Head? He was also in ‘Toy Story 2.’”

“Well, maybe he had a different nose.”

And a final shout-out to the Hammacher Schlemmer gift catalog. My favorite item in this year’s holiday edition is the Side Sleeper’s Ergonomic Pillow: Ideal for someone who is sleeping with someone on the side. The pillow adjusts to your head and neck and provides support. Providing support is what you will have to do if you get caught.

wolfsie@aol.com.

Company’s Pilot program are able to use Rider 91 CS – Critical Peak Day Pricing or Rider 94 RS -Critical Peak Day Pricing. This submission is expected to be approved approximately thirty days after filing, unless an objection is made. Any objections may be made by contacting the Secretary of the Commission, or Randall C. Helmen with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor at the following addresses or phone numbers: Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission PNC Center

101 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 East Indianapolis, IN 46204-3407

Telephone: 317-232-2703

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor PNC Center

115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South Indianapolis, IN 46204 Telephone: 317-232-2494

Duke Energy Indiana, LLC By: Stan Pinegar, President

Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at

Golf Academy premiers new tech

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

Barla Golf Academy hosted an open house Dec. 10 to display its recently renovated and expanded space.

Business is still open through construction.

SPORTS

Founded in 2016 at 14660 Herriman Blvd., Suite 600, in Noblesville, Barla Golf Academy expanded its facility to more than 4,000 square feet in March. The expansion included four custom-built, pro-level simulator screens, each with new GCQuad launch monitors from Foresight Sports. The PGA-certified indoor training facility opened to the public for guests to tour the academy’s state-of-theart facility and take a test drive to experience the facility’s game-changing training.

Owner Scott Barla is a 1994 graduate of the Professional Golf Management Program at Ferris State University. He is a PGA-certified coach who has worked with amateur golfers across central Indiana.

“I’ve been a PGA member since 1996, so I’m a quarter-century PGA member,” Barla said. “I really love the sport and love what I do.”

Barla Golf Academy’s state-of-the-art facilities include GCQuad launch monitors. As the only launch monitor in the industry to employ quadrascopic imaging, the GCQuad delivers the most accurate detailed picture of ball and club head performance analysis.

Barla Golf Academy also offers in-house custom club fitting, repairs and a “trade in, trade up” program for junior golfers’ clubs.

“People come here for different reasons,” Barla said. “Someone could come in who just wants to stay sharp in the winter, others come in to get better. Whatever it is, we’re here to help.”

For more, visit barlagolfacademy.com.

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Barla Golf Academy has included new GCQuad launch monitors from Foresight Sports in its recent expansion. (Photo by Rebecca Fending)

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Jeff Allen brings his comedic act for all ages to The Tarkington

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

‘CLUE’

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

‘SETH’S BIG FAT 70S VARIETY SHOW’

COMEDY

Jeff Allen’s comedic appeal is finding the humor in everyday life, the ups and downs of marriage, raising kids, being an empty nester and being a grandparent.

“I also talk a lot about my ailments and my body falling apart,” he said.

“The Jeff Allen 2.0 Tour” lands at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Carmel comedian Dave Dugan will perform the opening act.

“I tell the audience that people think it’s a reboot of old material, but it’s really just my GPA,” Allen said. “I was a C student and a middle dweller and this is a celebration of the middle dwellers. We figure all the smart people ruined the world. We just show up and do our jobs and want to be left alone. Higher learning is not for everyone, that’s my point.”

Allen, 66, has been working professionally as a comedian since 1978. He got out of regularly doing comedy clubs for approximately 20 years.

“I just got back into them three years ago because of Dry Bar Comedy,” he said.

Dry Bar Comedy is a site where comedy is suitable for all ages. Dugan also has been featured on Dry Bar Comedy.

“Dry Bar went viral with 150 million views,” Allen said. “I liken it to back in the ‘70s if you did the ’The Tonight Show’ with Johnny Carson. It was like overnight the phone started ringing. It’s interesting after being around for 40 years, people are just finding you. It’s exhausting. We had to make up 50 to 60 COVID dates in the last year-and-a-half.”

In the 20 years when he wasn’t regularly working clubs, Allen primarily performed at corporate events and churches.

“I got older and people going to clubs didn’t. I didn’t want to go back until I could draw my audience,” he said.

Allen said he was friends with comedian Brian Regan.

“I wasn’t working very clean,” Allen said. “I said, ‘Why are you working clean?’ He said, ‘I don’t know, it works for me.’ I started cleaning everything up as a storyteller. I realized that I was using a third of the vocabulary that I should use. I found it was just better for stories when you get a thesaurus out and look for different ways to say the same thing and it started working for me. A couple years later, I came to my faith, and it just seemed to kind of fit.”

Allen said his goal is to bring three generations out to shows.

“When I grew up, we just went to the Ice Capades as a family,” Allen said. “No

one likes the Ice Capades, but it was just, ‘Shut up and get in the car. We have to do something. We’re a family.’”

Allen can be heard regularly on SiriusXM’s comedy channels, Pandora and Spotify. His previous tour centered on “My America I Grew Up In.”

Allen is known for the special, “Happy Wife, Happy Life Revisited.” He also has appeared in the full-length comedy films “Apostles of Comedy” and “Thou Shalt Laugh.”

For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org. For more, visit jeffallencomedy.com or drybarcomedy.com.

Seth Rudetsky’s “Seth’s Big Fat 70s Variety Show” shows are set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6-7 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘A CONVERSATION WITH BONEY JAMES’

“JazzTalk: A Conversation with Boney James,” a free livestream, is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 10. James will perform Feb. 18 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. To register for the livestream, visit thecenterpresents.org.

ICC to move to new home

news@youarecurrent.com

After 36 years of being housed in various locations on the campus of Butler University, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir has finalized the purchase of a building of its own to call home. The ICC will continue to have a partnership with Butler University as the organization moves forward. ICC artistic director Joshua Pedde, a Carmel resident, said the ICC will look forward to new opportunities to collaborate with the university in the future.

Over the last five years, the ICC leadership and board of directors have been strategizing what the ICC’s future will look like when it is no longer housed on the campus of Butler due to the completion of the current lease. After searching for properties for more than two years, the ICC found a building that will help it reach these goals. The ICC will be moving its organizational operations and rehearsals to 9111 Allisonville Rd. in Indianapolis at the beginning of the 2022-23 season in August, pending all of the legal and other required approvals, including renovations.

Jeff Allen will perform his comedy routine Jan. 7 from his “Jeff Allen 2.0 Tour” at The Tarkington in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Allen)

Art exhibition honors the life, talent of Dr. Robert Bratton

By Mike Beas editorial@youarecurrent.com

The watercolor paintings Dr. Robert Bratton poured his heart, soul and creativity into were the result of things that interested or inspired him.

Landscapes were a Bratton favorite, as were people, machinery, old circus wagons, animals and trains.

Sadly, Bratton, a longtime Carmel dentist who retired approximately 20 years ago, died Aug. 31 –five days before the death of his wife, Sally, and three days prior to what would have been the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary. Both were 83.

Bob Bratton’s works, however, live on through the Remembered Art Exhibit bearing his name inside McFarland Hall, on the third floor of Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 27, is presented by Between Paper and Palette and the Second Presbyterian Fine Arts Advisory Team.

In all, 63 Bratton paintings are on display.

“My dad was always interested in art, ever since he was a kid,” said Eric Bratton, 52, who lives in Seattle, and is the younger of Bob and Sally’s two sons. “He used to build miniature model circus wagons, so when we were growing up, that’s what he primarily did when he got home from work.

“It wasn’t until after he retired that he really started doing the watercolors. My dad started taking classes and kept improving his art. He loved to experiment, so he was always trying to paint different things.”

Oldest son John, 54, resides in Fishers. The story of Bob and Sally Bratton is almost fairytale in nature.

As very young children growing up in Kokomo, their mothers met and befriended one another while pushing baby strollers in opposite directions.

Thus, Bob and Sally knew each other roughly 82 of their 83 years.

As a young married couple, they moved to Carmel in 1968, with Bob’s dental practice becoming a staple of downtown Carmel. The family lived in the same house for 54 years until a year ago, although starting this month, John Bratton and his family will

reside there.

John graduated from Carmel High School in 1986, while Eric is part of the Class of 1988. John Bratton’s wife, Patricia (Robertson), is also a Carmel alum.

Mary Jane Keys, who had been a neighbor of the Brattons since 1972, is also part of Between Paper and Palette, which meets every Wednesday evening.

To call Bob Bratton merely an artist wouldn’t be doing his legacy justice, according to those who knew him best.

“Bob was just the kindest, gentlest, most humble man you could’ve met,” Keys said. “He won numerous awards for his art and never bragged about his own abilities. As a couple, Bob and Sally were just best friends who were devoted to each other.

“They were very active at Second Presbyterian Church, and she was his biggest supporter when she was in good health.”

On Dec.11, a reception was held at Second Presbyterian Church, with both John and Eric Bratton in attendance.

Having lived so far away the past decade or so, it gave Eric a greater appreciation for his father’s talents.

“An act of appreciation and love is what it is,” Eric said. “I had seen a lot of his work, but not all of it. To see it all in one space, it was just incredibly moving, just the breadth of it.”

Bratton

Dr. Robert Bratton’s watercolor paintings will be on display through Jan. 27. (Photos courtesy of Bratton family)

What’s your word of the year?

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

Many people focus on one word to guide them through the next year. Is this something you do? If so, you might want to make sure it’s the correct word. While I don’t recommend choosing any of the following words to usher you through 2023, you certainly don’t want to get these confused!

GRAMMAR GUY

When something “topples,” it means that an item falls over. Similarly, if a government gets “toppled,” that means the people in power get overthrown by another group. On the other hand, if a government gets “topless,” that means they had too much to drink at the New Year’s party and took their shirts off.

If you take your shirt off, are you likely to see “muscles” or “mussels”? If you’ve been doing crunches and bicep curls at the gym, you’re likely to see some burly muscles. If you happen to be smuggling clams in your shirt, you’ll accidentally reveal a bevy of mussels.

Speaking of “smuggling,” you don’t

want to confuse the word with “snuggling.” Snuggling involves curling up with a special person and affectionately cuddling with them. Smuggling, on the other hand, involves sneaking an item illegally from one place to another, usually across international borders.

Don’t get “border” mixed up with “boarder.” A border, as you know, is the edge that separates a country or state from the one adjacent to it. A border can more broadly be known as the edge of any surface or area. A boarder is someone who pays to stay at a hotel, hostel or bed and breakfast.

Do you have a word for 2023? For me, I need to give myself grace and accept it from others. So, my word is “grace.” Grace allows you to start over and turn the page from dark or difficult times in the past.

Visiting Caesarea Philippi

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, during our trip through Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we visit Banias, previously known as Caesarea Philippi, the site of one of Jesus’ best-known claims.

TRAVEL

Banias lies at the base of Mount Hermon in the far northeastern corner of Israel, 3 miles east of Tel Dan, which we visited last week. Water from underground springs flows out of a cave opening in a rock wall about 500 feet long and 100 feet high. Ancient people believed the cave opening led directly to the damp and shadowy home of the dead the Greeks called “Hades.” To appease the potentially angry gods who lived in these nether regions, worshippers made sacrifices before idols residing in niches carved into the rock face near these literal “gates of Hades.”

In the third century B.C., the Greeks built a temple in front of the cave to honor Pan, the half-man, half-goat god of fright from which “Banias” is derived. After the Romans conquered the area in the first century B.C., they gave it to Herod the Great, who built a temple to Augustus Caesar near the Greek temple. Herod’s son Phillip named the area Caesarea Philippi after himself and Caesar. According to the Gospel of Matthew, before heading to Jerusalem for the last time, Jesus led his followers to Caesarea Philippi, about 25 miles north of their base around the Sea of Galilee. While there, Jesus said, as reported in Greek, “And I tell you that you are Peter (Petros) and on this rock (petra) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

The rock cliff at Banias has become a popular destination for people trying to un-

derstand what Jesus meant while standing before it with his followers. An artist’s rendering at the site suggests what it looked like at the time.

“The Gates of Hades” at Caesarea Philippi. (Photo by Don Knebel)

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

An artist’s rendering of ancient Caesarea Philippi.

Mount Hermon in Banias in northeastern Israel.

Caesarea Philippi in what is modern-day Banias in Israel.

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

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