January 31, 2023 — Noblesville

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Shadow? No shadow?

Southwest corner of 116th & I-69

Either way, I’m lovin’ my Puccini’s! Happy

Bastian Solutions plans new HQ in Noblesville

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company, is planning a new stateof-the-art corporate campus in Noblesville, according to city officials.

DEVELOPMENT

The 162-acre site will serve as the future home to the company’s corporate headquarters and advanced manufacturing facilities, which will produce industry-leading supply chain automation technologies. The new campus will be designed to support the company’s anticipated growth over the next several decades, with groundbreaking estimated to start in the next 24 to 36 months, according to the city.

“For 70 years, Bastian Solutions has experienced demonstrated success in central Indiana, and we’re proud to continue to call the region home as we embark on the next chapter in our history,” said Aaron Jones, president and CEO of Bastian Solutions. “Our investment in the Noblesville campus will be the largest our company has made to date. This project is indicative of our commitment to Bastian employees, the material

handling industry and the state of Indiana. We’re excited to build upon the roots we’ve established here to ensure we’re successful for the next 70 years.”

To determine the optimal location for the company’s new home, it conducted a thorough Zip Code study of its Indiana-based employees, along with housing market research and labor supply market research to support future growth objectives. The results of the study led Bastian Solutions to select a location near 146th and Promise Road in Noblesville, approximately 13 miles

from its current corporate headquarters, which is on North Meridian Street in Carmel.

The site will provide ample space for manufacturing, engineering, research and development and designed outdoor spaces, which will be used to engage with the larger Noblesville community, according to the company.

“Bastian Solutions has proven itself to be a committed partner who values Indiana’s long history in advanced manufacturing,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said. “This investment will reach beyond company walls and create an engaging environment through connectivity that will improve quality of life for employees, partners, the Noblesville community and beyond.”

The project includes $130 million in total capital investment, with the company committing 250 new jobs over the next five years. The move includes 400 retained and relocated jobs, according to the company.

“Bastian Solutions is not only investing in their future, but also in Noblesville’s,” Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen said. “This project speaks to Bastian’s commitment to job growth and economic development in Noblesville, and we are excited for our upcoming successes and bright future together.”

Business owner forms exploratory committee

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

A business owner in downtown Noblesville has formed an exploratory committee as he ponders a possible run for a seat on the Noblesville Common Council.

ELECTION

Rocky Shanehsaz, who owns Mill Top Banquet & Conference Center, said the committee was formed to evaluate seeking election for either the District 5 seat or an at-large seat on the council. He previously ran for the District 5 seat in 2007 and ran again for an at-large seat in 2019.

“The best thing is a small government. True conservatives look at the wealth of our taxpayers’ investment and the impact that it has,” Shanehsaz said. “I’m interested in making sure our tax dollars have the most impact in our community and working more with existing small businesses, so they stick around.”

Shanehsaz

Shanehsaz cited his interest in investing in the community, pointing to his work with several churches in Noblesville. That includes assisting with the real estate acquisition for Deer Creek Community Church; assisting with the relocation and helping with funding and the real estate acquisition for Chapel Church; and providing

a place of worship for We are the Gathering and Restoration Church, according to Shanehsaz.

What remains unclear, however, is whether Shanehsaz will pursue a run for a council seat. As of Jan. 23, no one had filed to run for the District 5 seat, which is currently held by Common Councilman Greg O’Connor.

Three men — Mike Field, Nick Gomillion and Darren Peterson — have already filed for an at-large seat for the May 2 primary election.

Shanehsaz said he would decide on running once it was clearer whether O’Connor was running for his seat. The deadline to file for the primary is noon Feb. 3.

A rendering of Bastian Solutions’ new corporate headquarters in Noblesville, which will be located near 146th Street and Promise Road. The company plans 250 new jobs over the next five years. (Photo courtesy of Bastian Solutions)

WATER FOLLOWS THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEAST COMPLAINTS.

STUDENTS HEADED TO INDIANA STATE ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP

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.

Four students from the Noblesville West Middle School Robotics Club will compete at the Indiana State Robotics Championship in March at Lucas Oil Stadium. From left, robotics team members Lila Middleton, Genevieve Claffey, Aderyn Madsen and Kelsea Law. (Photo courtesy of Noblesville Schools)

Getting to know James Norman

James Norman, a Zionsville resident, is the principal librarian for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He is a composer by training and a former professor of music theory at Texas A&M University. The principal librarian is a musician who works closely with the music director, guest conductors, and artists to execute their musical vision and ensure that every piece of music is correctly prepared and accurate.

What brought you to the ISO?

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is one of the nation’s largest orchestras, with a reputation for innovation and creativity in their programs. Given my background as a composer, I was excited by the idea of working with an orchestra that values creating music as opposed to simply presenting it.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I suppose not, but at one point I could solve a Rubik’s cube in about 30 seconds.

What do you do when you’re creatively stuck?

I’m very much a fan of getting outside into nature as a method of giving my thoughts the time and space to organize themselves. For me, when starting a new project from scratch, you are forced to confront your own limitations as an artist, which is perhaps the fundamental source of any writer’s block. Therefore, deadlines are a good method for forcing me to move forward even when I’m convinced nothing I’m writing is particularly “good”.

How long have you lived in Zionsville?

My family and I moved to Zionsville in 2014.

CHS senior wrestler aims for state finals podium finish

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School senior wrestler Isaac Ward’s goal for the postseason is clear. He wants to end up on the podium in the IHSAA state finals Feb. 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Ward lost in the first round of the state finals in the 126-pound division last year and the 113-pound class as a sophomore. The topeight placers make the podium.

“I think making it to state last year will definitely help with my experience because I know what it takes to get there, and this year our team should have multiple state qualifiers once again,” Ward said.

CHS coach Ed Pendoski said the experience of being under the lights in the first round should be a benefit.

“Going through it once, you know what is coming,” Pendoski said. “There is a familiarity that makes things calmer.”

As of Jan. 24, Ward had an 18-0 record in the 132-pound weight class. He is ranked fifth in his class by Indianamat.com.

“This year, I have made the most improvements in my mentality and constantly being

MEET ISAAC WARD

Favorite athlete: Allen Iverson

Favorite movie: “Fight Club”

Favorite musician: Zach Bryan

on offense,” he said. “My highlight result probably (was) going 5-0 and winning the Mooresville Holiday Classic as an individual and as a team.”

Ward started out the season at 138 pounds but moved down to 132. which he said has been a good weight for him this season.

“One thing Isaac has always brought to the wrestling room is there are no excuses

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in his world,” Pendoski said. “He works hard. He owns his mistakes. He owns his choices. I think he’s matured a lot through this season. He’s competing at a really high level. A lot of kids will make excuses why they lost, but it’s almost a Ward family tradition not to do that”

Pendoski said Ward has put on muscle.

“What he really has an advantage is with his length and his body,” Pendoski said. ‘There are lot of good kids in his weight class, but no one is unbeatable.”

Ward’s older brother, Ethan, wrestled for CHS. Ward also has two younger brothers competing in the Carmel club program.

Ward will attend Wabash College but is unsure if he wants to wrestle in college.

Growing up, Ward played football, baseball and lacrosse. He started wrestling at age 10.

“I gave up all other sports my eighthgrade year,” Ward said. “I am passionate about wrestling because I love the solo aspect of you controlling your own match as well as enjoying the team and coaches.”

Carmel High School senior Isaac Ward is unbeaten this season. (Photo courtesy of Isaac Ward)

WATERY TALE

Noblesville resident writes book based on float trip on White River

By Chris Bavender news@currentnoblesville.com

Tara Cleary has always loved telling a good story and dreamed of writing a book. The Noblesville resident said the COVID-19 pandemic provided the push she needed.

“What the world went through in the last few years reminded me that our time here is short and not to take it for granted,” the 39-year-old said. “If you have a dream, make it happen.”

And that’s exactly what she did. Her first book, “Indiana Girls Night Float,” was published Oct. 25. It is the true story of the adventures Cleary and three friends had floating down the White River in Noblesville at night. It was an adventure that wasn’t planned.

“We didn’t even know we were going to float down the river until that evening. One of my friends suggested it and we all agreed to go for the adventure,” Cleary said. “It was our first time floating down the river and it was at night. We didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into.”

As the four floated down the river on inner tubes tied together with string, listening to music without a care in the world, a sudden jostling of tree branches and a splash in the water startled them.

“Do you know what it was?” she asked.

As soon as the adventure was over, Cleary started writing.

“I knew it would be a good story,” she said.

Cleary wants readers to feel as if they are on the nighttime adventure with the four friends.

“Floating down the river with all the surprises a river can have and with friends that can make you laugh and laugh, in Noblesville, Indiana,” she said.

Her friends love the book.

“I had originally changed their names in the manuscript, but after they read it, two of the three insisted I change their name back to their real name,” Cleary said. “They are all very proud of the book.”

Readers also are enjoying the tale.

“When people tell me they read my book, they’re always smiling. Most tell me they laughed out loud,” Cleary said. “Some have said they know the area, so they knew where we were along the journey in the book. That is very neat to me.”

Cleary will have a book signing at Jim Dandy, 2301 Conner St., Noblesville, from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 18.

“It is very neat for the book signing to be held at Jim Dandy. It is the diner where the story begins and ends in my book,” Cleary said. “The first chapter is named JD (short for Jim Dandy). My neighbors told me that is what people used to say whenever they were going to meet friends there to eat, ‘Let’s go to JD (Jim Dandy).’”

Don’t expect this to be Cleary’s only book. The contract specialist at Automotive Finance Corp. at KAR GLOBAL already has another book in the works.

“I have learned so much from publishing the first book, so I know it will be a bit easier to publish my next one and I can’t wait,” she said.

ON THE COVER: Noblesville resident Tara Cleary wrote a book, “Indiana Girls Night Float,” that was published in October.. (Photos provided by Tara Cleary)

“Indiana Girls Night Float” is available at most bookstores, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Cleary’s website, Indiana-girls.com. Cleary will have a book signing event from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at Jim Dandy, 2301 Conner St., Noblesville.

Cleary

The White River in Noblesville is the setting for Tara Cleary’s book, “Indiana Girls Night Float. (Photo courtesy of Tara Cleary)

Performers eager to share ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Gemma Rollison has always felt it necessary to know the story of Anne Frank because of her Jewish heritage.

‘CLUE’

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

THE WRIGHT BROTHERS

PLAY

“I’m Jewish on both sides, not religiously,” Rollison said. “It was always something from a young age that my mother made sure that I knew. It never really hit me until I decided to research about it for this role.”

Rollison plays the title role in Civic Theatre’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which is set for Feb. 10-25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

The story centers on Anne Frank, who wrote a diary and planned to write a book about her life hiding from the Nazis in a concealed annex in the Netherlands. She and her family were eventually captured, and she died of typhus in a concentration camp.

“It was really inspiring to me because if I had lived those 75plus years ago, it could well have been me, and that’s a very frightening reality,” said Rollison, a homeschooled high school senior who lives on the south side of Indianapolis.

Rollison said her character is always jumping around and saying everything she thinks.

“She speaks very fast and she is very witty, so there are lot of lines to remember,” Rollison said. “There is a lot of complexity in what she says.”

Hamilton Southeastern High School senior Sydney Pinchouck is the understudy for the roles of Anne and older sister Margot but is guaranteed at least two performance as Anne.

“My dad’s family is Jewish and I read it as a young girl,” Pinchouck said. “Anne is the reason I was inspired to learn about my Jewish heritage. I also went to a Christian school for much of my life and learning about the Holocaust in a Christian school was a rough experience. We spent a lot of time talking about the Holocaust but it was less sensitive. Some insensitive comments were directed to me, things people didn’t realize they shouldn’t be saying to someone who is Jewish.

“Having Anne’s experiences to read helps me become more connected with that part of my life. So when I found out that Civic was doing the show, I knew I needed to be part of it.”

Rebecca Piñero, an Indianapolis Shortridge High School junior, is cast as Margot.

“I’m have two little siblings, so it’s easy to connect to the text you see between Margot and Anne,” Piñero said. “I’ve always been very interested in her story. I read her autobiography and autobiography of her best friend. I saw it performed at the IRT a few years ago.”

Piñero said it’s difficult to portray the history while understanding the grief of it.

“But you also still want to explore the hope and the triumph in the moments of the annex,” she said.

David Wood, a Lawrence resident, plays Anne’s father, Otto Frank.

“I’ve seen the play a few times and seen the movie,” Wood said.  Adrienne Reiswerg is the dramaturg for the production, making sure the Jewish holidays and traditions are accurately portrayed.

“My daughter-in-law, Michelle Cohen, is Jewish and thus my granddaughter,” Wood said. “My brother-in-law is Jewish. I have a little background, but I’ve learned more.”

Wood said he always thought Otto Frank was a fascinating character.

“It’s hard to get to know the real Otto because he’s always portrayed so stoically because he was so heroic to Anne,” Wood said. “Everyone else had an outlet and he didn’t have that outlet. I want to be able to think what he is feeling inside and maybe express that a little more, even though if that’s not the interpretation people have seen a lot of.”

Garrett Rowe, a Lebanon resident who graduated from Indiana University in 2022, plays 16-year-old Peter Van Daan.

“He’s trying to find that balance because he’s still a kid, but he gets looked at as an adult,” Rowe said. “I got to see my high school (Lebanon) perform this when I was a freshman in college. I love the way it’s written.”

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

The Wright Brothers will play a farewell show at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Feinstein’s Cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. The concert was rescheduled from Dec. 3. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

ACTORS THEATRE OF INDIANA

Actors Theatre of Indiana will present “ATI’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.

DISPATCHES

Dublin Irish Dance set — “Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration” is set for 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. “Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration” is a new dance production created by a critically acclaimed artistic team. “Wings” features Irish and world champion dancers together with Ireland’s finest musical and vocal virtuosos.

‘Around the World in 80 Days’ — The Belfry Theatre’s production of “Around the World in 80 Days” will be performed at Arts for Lawrence Theater at the Fort from Feb. 10-19. The adventurous play is adapted from Julies Verne’s novel of Phileas Fogg’s attempt to travel the world in a hot-air balloon. For more, visit artsforlawrence.org.

Fantastic Cat set for Concerts for a Cause — Indianapolis vocalist Ryan Brewer will open for the Fantastic Cat group Feb 4 at the Concerts for a Cause event at the Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67th St. Fantastic Cat is a band of four singer-songwriters from New York City. The event begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and dinner with performances starting at 7 p.m. The nonprofit benefitting from the concert will be Cycles for the City, which provides new bikes to kids from low-income homes. For more, visit www.indyconcertsforacause.org.

David Wood and Gemma Rollison appear in “The Diary of Anne Frank.” (Photo courtesy of Joshua Hasty Photography)

‘Night Must Fall’ comes to Basile Westfield Playhouse

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Adam Phillips is making his return to acting after a 13-year hiatus.

PLAY

The 33-year-old Carmel resident is coming back with a splash with the role of Danny, a charming killer, in Main Street Productions’ “Night Must Fall” Feb. 9-19 at Basile Westfield Playhouse.

“Night Must Fall,” a psychological thriller, was first performed as a play in 1935. It was made into a movie in 1937 with Robert Montgomery and again with Albert Finney in 1964.

“It’s a dream character when you look at the script,” Phillips said. “It’s an incredible role, so I was thankful to get cast. I read the script a few weeks before auditions and fell in love with the writing. I only auditioned for Danny. My wife and I are having a baby. Our due date is three days after the show ends. When I came to audition, I said, ‘I’m not going to show up for a role I’m not dying to be in.’ So. this was a perfect marriage.

“I’ve always been more attracted to (playing) villains. There’s a lot of fun in finding the dark spots of those characters.”

Phillips’ last production was “Biloxi Blues” at the now-defunct Spotlight Players in Beech Grove.

“My wife and I traveled the country for my work, and we just came back to Indy a few years ago,” said Phillips, a software developer and Perry Meridian High School graduate. “We got settled in and it seemed like the right time to get back into it.”

Phillips said the line memorization came along quicker than he expected.

“Being away from it a bit, you feel you are familiar with the territory, but it’s all changed a bit,” he said.

Noblesville resident Ian Hauer is directing for the first time with Main Street Productions. He has his own acting company, The Hyperion Players. Hauer said the script was recommended to him by one of the producers, Jen Otterman.

“I read it and was fascinated by it and applied the last time Westfield was taking applications for directors, and they went with me,” Hauer said. “It’s a strong script. It’s an Agatha Christie-type thriller. It’s a little bit faster paced than something Christie would do. It’s a wonderful building of tension from beginning to end. I’ve encouraged the cast

to really sell the tension to the audience.”

Hauer said casting Danny was the toughest decision.

“It creates a lot of talent and a lot of emotional range. You have to hit the notes right,” Hauer said. “Adam does a fantastic job with that. We’re lucky to have him.”

Indianapolis resident Rachel Kelso is making her third appearance with Main Street Productions.

“I had never read the script before the season was announced,” Kelso said. “I always look at the shows putting up and I’ll order some scripts to see if there is a role for me. I ordered the script and fell in love with the character of Olivia. I like that she sticks with her convictions because she has her suspicions, and no one agrees with her. They are all laughing it off, saying, ‘You’re crazy. You’re wrong. He’s charming.’ She is (saying), ‘No, there is a problem here.’ She stands by that, and I admire that quality.”

Kelso said she tries not to look at other portrayals, so not to influence her character choices.

“A lot of times I’ll watch movies, if I haven’t already seen them, after the show is concluded,” she said.

Like Kelso, Phillips said he has avoided watching other portrayals of his character.

“I saw a tiny snippet of Robert Montgomery’s version just to get an idea of the dialect,” he said.

For more, visit westfieldplayhosue.org.

From left, standing, Matt Hartzburg, Ashley Engstrom, Ian A. Montgomery, Adam Phillips. From left, on sofa: Lizzie Schultz and Rachel Kelso, in wheelchair, Julie Wallyn and kneeling, Cassie Knowling. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Best buys are local

Commentary by Terry Anker

We have a bit of a confidence problem. Or maybe we are a tad overly modest about our successes. Whatever the genesis of the matter, we Hoosiers are too quick to dismiss our own advantages while fully embracing perceived, if not self-inflicted, shortcomings. Sure, it is tough to be the best at everything. And there is more than a fair amount of decent competition. But in most cases, Indiana is solidly in the mix. It could be the 50-mile rule — that notion that all things close to us must be discounted in preference for all things distant. Maybe it is simple human nature.

ESSAY

Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville and other municipalities find their way into the top10 national lists each year. Could they be better? Maybe. Yet it is not entirely honest to find less value there. Our institutions of higher education — IU, Purdue, Notre Dame — and others might lack the brand appeal of an East Coast address but are routinely generating remarkable advances in science, human thought and even the occasional

U.S. Supreme Court justice. What the landscape may lack in visual interest, to some, it makes up for in arable abundance to all. Hoosier farmers produce more by land mass than any other state (eighth in production, 38th in size). Balanced budgets provide security to public sector employees. And companies like local investment management firm Woodley Farra Manion, which was just named the top such firm in the U.S., continue to be iconoclastic. How can it be? With talent harvested from Hamilton, Boone and Marion counties, shouldn’t they be behind firms from further away?

Work hard. Improve every day. Stay humble and always be willing to learn, adapt and innovate. Geography doesn’t dictate intelligence, but it may dictate bias. Buy local and expect the best. It is here for the taking.

Happy birthday to me

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

able number of failed attempts. Take that, Balkans!

HUMOR

Friends, I’ve just celebrated another birthday, and even though it occurred in the middle of a work week while I was suffering from a nasty head cold, it was one of the best in years. What gives?

Because it didn’t begin well. I awoke around 2 a.m. to a coughing fit that had my husband, Doo, scrambling to check on me, and then dosed myself with NyQuil until being rudely awaken by an incessant alarm at 6. But I came downstairs to a candle-bearing scone, a latte from Starbucks and a handmade card from our youngest filled with inappropriate but hilarious words of encouragement.

Once at school, my day only got better. Despite being bullied by my teacher neighbor into a dumb hug, I was inundated by sweet colleagues and students stopping by to wish me HB. And during my prep period, I finally named all 197 countries in less than 15 minutes on Sporcle after an immeasur-

I ended my most special of Thursdays with gal-pals and McDonald’s cheeseburgers before hitting two school events, the opening races in a swim meet and then the first half of the annual talent show. I returned home with enough time to chat with Doo, read and respond to the gazillion text messages that had poured in, and be in bed by 9. Perfect. I turned 51 mid-work week while battling a stupid non-COVID virus. By most accounts, this should have been an obvious do-over. But people bent over backwards to celebrate me, making this birthday one of the best in a long time. Peace out.

By most accounts, this should have been an obvious doover. But people bent over backwards to celebrate me, making this birthday one of the best in a long time.

– DANIELLE WILSON

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.

Destination unknown

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

My wife is getting ready for our upcoming vacation. She has already packed and unpacked and packed again. She practices to make sure everything fits in her suitcase. I practice putting on my pants to be sure there will be room for the waistband to expand after I indulge in the all-you-can-eat buffets on the cruise.

HUMOR

I assume I’m going with Mary Ellen on this trip, but there isn’t a great deal of evidence to support this. My input hasn’t been requested, so I don’t want to jump to any conclusions that could lead to disappointment.

My wife did exhaustive research, studied travel brochures, and did endless web searches to secure the best plane fares. She even made a few meal reservations for when we are off the ship. In fact, she already checked the menu at one restaurant, and she knows what she wants for dinner in three weeks. She made a great salad dressing choice.

saw her this obsessed with a vacation was years ago when we went to Ireland. There were travel posters in every room, shamrocks pasted on the fridge and Irish music blasting from the portable CD player. Mary Ellen even started calling our beagle Blarney instead of Barney, which might have confused him, but he was getting so many corned beef leftovers, he let it slide.

I finally questioned her detailed planning.

I was concerned that this much preparation might make the trip seem less spontaneous.

Our house is littered with books, charts, maps and travel magazines. The last time I saw her this obsessed with a vacation was years ago when we went to Ireland. There were travel posters in every room, shamrocks

“Dick, when you enter a new country, it’s important to have a plan for what to do — a strategy.”

“Yes, I agree — if you are invading, but not if you are vacationing.”

The other day, I asked why she looked so preoccupied.

“Dick, I’m repacking in my head, thinking about how to position my shoes, where to stuff my bathing suit and how to layer in my blouses. I don’t like to leave anything to the last minute. When do you plan to pack?”

“The week before our 50th anniversary.”

Mary Ellen said this trip may be a bit pricey, but it’s the perfect way to celebrate the 50th. This confused me because I know it’s not her 50th birthday. We celebrated that four different times about 20 years ago. And I am almost positive it’s our 43rd anniversary coming up, so it’s obviously just a ploy to get me to agree to splurge on this trip. But just to be sure, I’m going to run the numbers again.

Our house is littered with books, charts, maps and travel magazines. The last time I

After reading this, you might be curious to know where we’re going on this trip. I promise you that once Mary Ellen tells me, you’ll be the first to know.

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.

pasted on the fridge and Irish music blasting from the portable CD player.

– DICK WOLFSIE

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

Visiting Beth She’an National Park

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing trip through Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Beth She’an National Park, featuring ruins from thousands of years of successive occupiers of the site.

TRAVEL

The park site, about 20 miles southeast of Nazareth, was first settled in about 7,000 B.C. As the site was repeatedly occupied and abandoned, accumulating debris created a large mound, or “tell,” archaeologists cutting through the tell determined that Canaanites established a city around 200 B.C. After Egyptians captured the area in about 1,500 B.C., they made the city an administrative center. The Egyptians lost control of the area to the Philistines, who used the city as their base. According to the Bible, Philistines defeated King Saul at nearby Mt. Gilboa and hung his headless body and those of his three sons on the wall of the city, then called “Beth She’an.” King David drove the Philistines from the area, adding Beth She’an to his United Monarchy. When the Assyrians conquered the divided Northern Kingdom in 732 B.C., they burned Beth

She’an. The Greeks later took over the area and created a city named Scythopolis atop the ruins. The Romans conquered the area in 63 B.C. and expanded Scythopolis beyond the tell, adding a colonnaded main street, or cardo, a hippodrome and a 7,000-seat theater. Scythopolis became the leading city of the Decapolis, a loose confederation of 10 Greco-Roman cities Jesus visited. By the fourth century, Scythopolis was a Christian city, captured by the Muslims in 634. A massive earthquake destroyed the city in 749.

Visitors to Beth She’an National Park can explore one of the largest Roman theaters in the Middle East. They can also climb to the top of the tell, where a replica of an Egyptian stele (monument) chronicles the successful efforts of Egyptian Pharaoh Seti I to recapture the area from rebellious Canaanites.

Replica of the Seti I stele at Beth She’an National Park in Israel. (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.

Beth She’an National Park, about 20 miles southeat of Nazareth.

Ruins of Scythopolis in Israel.

37. Some Indy Zoo primates

38. Dupe (and not a feline’s foot, as you might expect)

42. Minn. neighbor

43. Village Spa heated massage item

44. Public square

47. “I’m happy” in Siamese? 48. Table scraps 49. St. Elmo menu item 52. DIY buy 53. Descartes’ conclusion 54. White River slender swimmer 55. Sauvignon ___ 57. Utah national park 59. Cut into cubes 61. Superbly pitched game at Victory Field 64. Latin 101 verb 65. Overly fussy 66. Pleasing scent

67. Part of AARP (Abbr.)

68. Letters before Q 69. Taste quality

1. Playground game

2. Mine find

3. St. Elmo menu item

4. Slightly, to an ISO player

5. Eagle’s

21

dive

6. Food providers

7. Spanish gold

8. The Father of Genetics

9. Native Bread worker

10. School grp.

11. Like a literary Dodger

12. Tragic end

13. Two trios

. Rat, for one

23. Wood Wind Golf Club garb, often

. ___ salad

. Hawaiian dance

. IU prof’s aides

. Needs to repay

Cartoon Characters

Tom Wood Fords

Indy Mayors

Reasons to call

Desserts

Indy Hockey Team

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