February 21, 2023 — Noblesville

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Southwest corner of 116th & I-69

Equipment company to relocate HQ to city

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

An environmental equipment company in Lawrence plans to relocate its headquarters to Noblesville in a move that will bring 41 new jobs to the city.

The abatement will result in an estimated savings of approximately $825,000, said Chuck Haberman, the city’s assistant director for economic development.

BUSINESS

Best Equipment Co., Inc., plans to build a new 35,000-square-foot headquarters on 11.56 acres at the northwest corner of 141st Street and Herriman Boulevard as part of a $9.6 million investment. The company, which is family-owned and operated, has been in existence since 1917.

“Best Equipment’s decision to relocate their corporate headquarters to Noblesville continues our strategy to grow our economic base through corporate relocations in our community,” Mayor Chris Jensen said. “Besides having great people and superior products, Best Equipment is unique because of its values, customer focus and community involvement. We are happy to welcome them home to Noblesville.”

The company, which provides services in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and recently ex-

panded into Michigan, is owned by Mike and Maria Dahlmann. The couple have been involved with Best Equipment since the early 1980s and acquired the company from Mike Dahlmann’s father, city officials said.

The 41 new jobs, which will be added by December 2028, will have an average salary of $92,527, according to the city. City officials have approved a resolution granting a five-year, 80 percent real property tax abatement.

The new headquarters will include office space, a training area for employees and customers on their products, a showroom of heavy duty environmental equipment and indoor and outdoor common areas to host events. The facility will provide centralized support to staff in Indiana, as well as two Midwest service branches, officials said.

Best Equipment has two additional full-service facilities in North Royalton, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky.

“Thanks to the hard work of our teams, Best Equipment continues to grow and improve, expanding our capabilities and support. To better serve our staff, customers, and communities, we are thrilled to work alongside the City of Noblesville, moving to a beautiful property that will allow the company to thrive for years to come,” said Maria Dahlmann, owner and chief financial officer at Best Equipment.

The company plans to break ground later this year on the project.

Noblesville Bed Bath & Beyond to shutter

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

common stock to pay off its debt.

operational changes, we will continue to take disciplined steps to enhance our cost base and improve our financial position.”

CLOSING

The Bed Bath & Beyond store in Noblesville at the Hamilton Town Center is among six Indiana stores that will close its doors as the retail chain continues to face financial woes.

The Noblesville store at 14139 Town Center Blvd., Suite 800, was on the list targeted for closure by the New Jersey-based company. Stores in Avon, Bloomington, Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Valparaiso are also on the closure list recently released by the company.

In January, Bed Bath & Beyond announced it was exploring the possibility of filing for bankruptcy and recently announced that it secured about $1 billion in preferred stock and warrants to purchase the company’s

“This transformative transaction will provide runway to execute our turnaround plan. We continue to put our customers at the center of every decision, positioning Bed Bath & Beyond to meet and exceed their expectations, while resetting our foundation for near- and long-term success,” stated Sue Gove, president and CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond. “We are optimizing our store fleet and supply chain and continuing to invest in our omni-always capabilities. This will enable us to better serve our customers, and grow profitably, by directing merchandise where and how they want to shop with us.

“We are also prioritizing availability of leading national and emerging direct-to-consumer brands our customers know and love. As we make important strategic and

The company said it plans to trim the total Bed Bath & Beyond stores it operates to approximately 360, in addition to about 120 buybuy Baby stores.

“In response to evolving shopping preferences today, this target store base includes the Company’s most profitable locations and best geographic presence for customers that can enable an optimal omni-experience,” the company stated in a release.

In January, Bed Bath & Beyond announced its Avon store, 10350 E. U.S. Highway 36, would be shuttered. The company has not indicated when the stores will be closed for good.

Best Equipment Co., which will relocate from Lawrence to Noblesville, is planning to build a 35,000-square-foot headquarters at the northwest corner of 141st Street and Herriman Boulevard. (Photo by Adam Seif)

COMMUNITY

Project receives housing tax credits

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

An affordable housing development slated to be built in Noblesville has been awarded low-income housing tax credits from the state.

DEVELOPMENT

The development, known as the Townhomes at Stony Creek, will be constructed at 1255 S. 16th St. and have 51 three-bedroom units when it is completed. The project, led by Carmel-based Radiant Communities Development Corp., was recently awarded $1.2 million in tax credits from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

Noblesville was one of five central Indiana communities that received funding from the IHCDA. The development is estimated to cost nearly $14.5 million, according to the state.

The Indiana Housing Dashboard indicates there are 10,515 cost-burdened households who are renters within Hamilton County. Cost-burdened households are those putting more than 30 percent of their household income toward housing expenses, according to the dashboard.

Ian Hauer, a spokesman for the IHCDA, said the tax credits are a public-private partnership and noted that the tax credit program is the most effective financing tool to create affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.

“These developments don’t meet the full demand, but it’s certainly a positive step and communities are excited to be awarded,” Hauer said.

More than $180 million in housing tax credits were awarded to 17 developments to create or preserve 776 affordable units that will serve individuals, families, seniors, individuals with disabilities and individuals experiencing homelessness. The tax credits will be claimed over 10 years.

“These low-income housing tax credits represent a significant commitment to our state’s infrastructure,” stated Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as Indiana’s secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The selected developments will directly address the needs of our workforce and will bring hundreds of affordable housing units to Indiana cities, towns, and rural areas.”

ALWAYS LOOK FOR A BETTER BUSINESS.

BECAUSE THEY’RE LOOKING OUT FOR YOU.

Event to offer free financial aid help

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Financial aid professionals from across Indiana will be volunteering at 37 sites to assist College-bound students and their families in securing financial aid during College Goal Sunday at 2 p.m. Feb. 26.

ASSISTANCE

The free program assists Indiana students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In Hamilton County, the event will be held at Westfield High School, 18250 N. Union St.

The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and federal student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The FAFSA must be filed by the state of Indiana’s priority deadline of April 15 to guarantee state aid for those who qualify.

One of many reasons College Goal Sunday is so important, according to the initiative, is because many families perceive the form to be too complicated and time consuming to complete. In less than one afternoon during College Goal Sunday, students and their families can get free help and file the form.

“Indiana is first in the Midwest and fifth in the nation in providing need-based financial aid to Hoosier students. But students must file the FAFSA to claim those funds, which go a long way in making the costs of college manageable for students and families,” Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery stated. “If you are considering education beyond high school, filing the FAFSA should be your first step, so you don’t leave money on the table. You don’t have to go it alone, either, as College Goal Sunday offers 1-on-1 help from financial aid experts.”

Students and parent(s) are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at studentaid.gov before logging in to the event.

Volunteers will walk through the online form line-by-line and answer families’ individual questions as needed.

A complete list of sites is available and more information is available at CollegeGoalSunday.org.

Judge: Commercial courts improve efficiency

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

A Hamilton County Superior Court judge says the county’s commercial courts are helping to resolve business and commercial disputes faster with more predictability.

GOVERNMENT

Hamilton County is one of 10 Indiana counties with a commercial court. Businesses can file their complaints in any of the commercial courts, but both sides must agree to participate.

Common cases include shareholder disputes, breach of contract, trade secrets, noncompete agreements, indemnification issues, unfair competition, securities, insurance disputes, environmental claims and antitrust cases. Hamilton County’s commercial court launched Jan. 1, 2021.

Jon Brown, who presides over Hamilton County Superior Court 2, is a former bankruptcy and commercial litigation attorney who took the bench in 2017. He said he understands how drawn-out and cumbersome complex litigation can be.

CURRENT Q&A

“Commercial courts help improve court efficiency and allow business and commercial disputes to be resolved quicker with more predictability,” Brown said. “Plus, the e-filing, e-discovery and video conferencing technologies help us come to resolutions faster. It’s really like playing open-hand euchre.”

Attorney Sean Clapp, who works for Fishers-based Clapp Ferrucci Attorneys at Law, was part of the original committee that helped the Indiana Supreme Court create commercial courts.

“The courts were too busy with nonbusiness-related cases to leave sufficient time to properly review and analyze complex business cases,” Clapp said. “These cases are much more document-intensive, so commercial court requires mandatory disclosures at the beginning of the case. It’s similar to the federal court system.”

Once a commercial case has been filed, parties must confer to discuss case management and create a plan to expedite the exchange of evidence between the parties. The case management conference with the court must occur within 45 days.

Getting to know Sharon Gleason

Sharon Gleason, a Zionsville resident, is president of Assistance League of Indianapolis, a nonprofit with several community outreach programs in central Indiana.

How did you become connected to the Assistance League?

I was introduced to Assistance League by a friend and neighbor. I attended a couple of fundraising events with her and her husband. I loved the mission of the organization and an ability to give back within my own community.

What do you enjoy most about the Assistance League?

The ability to give back, making a difference for children and adults in my community. I also love the friendships I have made.

What is your best habit?

Being organized. I am a list person!

What do you do when you’re creatively stuck?

I like to read and learn from others what inspires them. This helps me think of my own world in a different way.

Do you have a favorite meal in town?

Muldoon’s Irish Stew. Especially in the winter.

What is your favorite song, and why do you like it?

“Forever Young” by Rod Stewart. It reminds me of all the advice, wishes and dreams I have for my children and grandchildren.

Brown

Carmel High School swimmer regains form after summer set

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School sophomore swimmer Lynsey Bowen showed her determination and resilience this season.

“She had a tough summer (in 2022),” Greyhounds swimming coach Chris Plumb said. “She got sick, but she came back and put in the work. She is just maturing as a person. To see her be here and swim like she did was just awesome.”

Bowen repeated as the 500-yard freestyle champion Feb. 11 in a state record time of 4 minutes, 42.81 seconds at the IHSAA girls swimming and diving finals at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI in Indianapolis. She won the 200 freestyle title in a time of 1:45.49.

“Last year, I tied the record (4:45.15) and this year I broke it, which felt really good to not be sharing the record,” she said of the 500 freestyle race. “I had two of my teammates in the 500 with Lexi (Ward) and

MEET LYNSEY BOWEN

Favorite athlete: Katie Ledecky

Favorite movie: “Elf”

Favorite subject: English Hobbies: Bike riding, baking

Alyssa (Street). I’m just so proud of them, they did so good. I’ve been swimming with Lexi (Ward) for 10 years and I’m just so glad we went 1-2.”

Bowen was fourth in the 200 freestyle in last year’s state meet.

“It felt really good,” she said. “I just tried to sprint as fast as I can and get my hand on the wall, work on my turns and

underwaters.”

Bowen helped the Greyhounds capture their 37th consecutive state championship with a record 498 team points.

“I think this team is the best team I’ve ever been a part of,” Bowen said. “Everyone is so encouraging, and the meet was so much fun.”

Bowen said it took time to regain strength after being ill.

“I missed most of July and didn’t really swim anything at Summer Junior Nationals,” Bowen said. “I think I got back to mostly 100 percent at Winter Junior Nationals in December.”

Then she concentrated on improving.

“I worked on my stroke a lot and my turns,” she said. “Lexi and Alex Shackell have helped me so much with my technique and turns. I’m getting better and stronger every day in practice.”

Bowen’s sister, Kendra, is a former CHS swimmer who won the 200 freestyle in the state meet in 2019, her senior year. Kendra is a senior swimmer for Purdue University.

“I just always wanted to be like her, and I look up to her so much,” said Lynsey, whose mother, Renee, swam at Ball State University.

On the back of her horse is Ginger’s favorite place in the world. When her chronic back pain became so bad that it kept her out of the stables, she realized how limited she’d felt for years. She turned to the expert care at Goodman Campbell to get her back in the saddle.

Learn more about Ginger and her story at GoodmanCampbell.com.

Carmel High School sophomore Lynsey Bowen was a double winner at the state finals. (Photo courtesy of Luke Miller Photography)

Bowen

I’M RIDING WITHOUT PAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Campbell

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Motorists travel on Campus Parkway Feb. 12 in Noblesville. The city recently received $200,000 in federal funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program that will be used to develop a safety plan and help identify areas for improvements. (Photos by

SAFETY IN MIND

City awarded $200,000 in federal funding through Safe Streets and Roads for All program

By Matthew Kent matt@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville has been awarded $200,000 in federal funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program that will be used to develop a plan to address roadway safety.

The city’s plan was among 510 projects selected through the program that is intended to improve roads and address traffic fatalities. The grant program, which awarded $800 million in the first round of funding, was established by President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law.

The grant program will provide $5 billion over five years for regional, local and tribal initiatives — from redesigned roads to better sidewalks and crosswalks — to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways, federal officials said.

The city, which received what is known as an action plan grant, intends to collect crash data within all streets and roads within Noblesville with a portion of the funding it received and make improvements as needed, said Andrew Rodewald, project manager with the city’s engineering department.

“Because we share boundaries with other communities and have many roads going through the city with the Indiana Dept. of Transportation and Hamilton County jurisdiction, there will likely be some overlap to make sure we are painting a complete picture,” Rodewald said. “We hope to use these funds to look closer at pedestrian and bicycle injuries as well, particularly in the downtown area.”

U.S. Dept. of Transportation officials say the funding comes

at a time when traffic fatalities reached a 16-year high in 2021 with preliminary data indicating that will remain near those levels in 2022 while getting worse for people walking, biking or rolling, as well as incidents involving trucks.

The city monitors crash history through data gathered by its police department and the Indiana Local Transportation Assistance Program that Rodewald said has been helpful in determining hotspots.

“However, that crash data can’t find locations that are potential problem areas,” Rodewald said. “This grant will allow us to dive deeper and find those as well.”

Rodewald said once data is collected, it will be analyzed to determine problem areas and create long-term plans for remedies, such as replacing signs or implementing a curve correction or a new roundabout.

“The goal is that the city will be able to be proactive in planning for making the transportation network safer for all users,” he said. Rodewald said a timeline, means and methods in which data will be collected hasn’t been determined. However, that will likely require a combination of analysis of crash reports from several years, in-person site visits, interviews with local agencies and a review of roadway geometry, he added. Rodewald said there are few locations in Noblesville with roadway deaths and a history of injuries.

“Most of the locations are, not surprisingly, narrow, high-volume roadways such as Boden Road and Olio Road,” he said. “Noblesville has locally funded roundabouts at 146th Street and Olio Road, as well as 156th Street and Boden Road.”

Rodewald added that 166th Street and Boden Road recently

received safety funding for a roundabout to be built in 2026. Still, he noted that more work lies ahead with safety in mind.

“The overall goal of developing this safety plan is a holistic look at all elements of roadway safety: road geometry, lighting, pedestrian crossings, signage, road surface and public safety responses,” Rodewald said. “When complete, we plan to have involved all elements and stakeholders involved in this system.”

ON THE COVER: Motorists travel on a roundabout on Olio Road in Noblesville Feb. 12 in Noblesville. The city plans to develop a safety plan with $200,000 in federal funding it received to address roadway safety and identify problem areas.

ABOUT THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL GRANT PROGRAM

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next 5 years. The Safe Streets and Roads for All program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. On Feb. 1, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $800 million in grant awards for 510 projects through the first round of funding for the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. A notice of funding opportunity is expected to open in April for a second round of grant funding.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Transportation website

Rodewald

Adam Seif)

317-848-7634 www.centennialremodelers.com

BATHROOMS

BATHROOMS

KITCHEN REMODELS

BATHROOMS

Not at your service?

Commentary by Terry Anker

LEGAL NOTICE OF DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC’S STANDARD CONTRACT RIDER NO. 50

PARALLEL OPERATION – FOR QUALIFYING FACILITY

DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC (“Duke Energy Indiana”) hereby provides notice that on or around February 27, 2023, Duke Energy Indiana, in accordance with 170 IAC 4-4.1-10, will submit its Standard Contract Rider No. 50, Parallel Operation-For Qualifying Facility (“Standard Contract Rider 50”) to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (“Commission”) for approval under the Commission’s thirty-day administrative filing procedures and guidelines. This filing of Standard Contract Rider 50 provides the updated calculation of the standard offer rates for the purchase of energy and capacity for 2023. Standard Contract Rider 50 is available to all qualifying Duke Energy Indiana customers and is expected to be approved approximately thirty-days from the date of 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 the Utility Consumer Counselor at the following addresses or phone numbers:

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission 101 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 East Indianapolis, IN 46204-3407 317-232-2703

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor PNC Center - 115 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 South Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-2494

Duke Energy Indiana, LLC

By: Stan Pinegar

“It’s not my job,” sneers the kid behind the counter. Perhaps, we think. But if not them, then who? OK, specialization leads to greater efficiency. Having the latte person make the Americano might slow down the entire production line leading to the kind of biblical chaos that was only known to readers of the Old Testament. Skinny-foam customers would likely get disproportional halves of “caf” to “decaf.” And some highly educated MBA’s vision of the perfect optimization of steps required to dispense coffee would be disrupted. Still, can’t we just get an extra cup?

As labor markets have tightened, the things that used to get done are now not happening. Young workers are scoring some of the lowest labor participation rates ever recorded. Older workers are retiring early as not before measured. And highly productive employees are self-reporting significant reductions in the amount of time they are putting into their jobs. Maybe it is a needed reset of expectations and demands. Maybe

we have all gotten a little lazy. Whatever the genesis or the analysis, we find that we’re being told to do it ourselves with increasing regularity and ferocity.

The promise of technology might help to carry us along. Soon, we hope, some device will lift the shifted burdens. In the meantime, we’re left to manage our own beverages or learn to live without. As we are confronted with a new paradigm of service, can we come to accommodate the changes gracefully while clinging to the fundamental elements of civil interaction? Kind, respectful exchange still carries the day, in most cases. But conflict over increasing gaps in expectation between providers and customers may be a harbinger of a new age in human interaction. We just want an extra cup. Is it really that diffcult? Well, it might be.

of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.

Out of sight, way out of mind

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

I’ve come to the realization that I may take the adage “out of sight, out of mind” a bit too seriously when it comes to my husband, Doo. Case in point, his recent ski trip.

HUMOR

Basically, since I wasn’t part of this vacation and because I was more excited to have Doo gone, his itinerary literally went straight from my inbox to deleted mail with no acknowledgement on my part.

I knew he would be in Colorado and that he’d be meeting up with our older girlchild who’s at Colorado State University. And of course, I knew the exact day of his departure because I’d been dreaming for months about the five evenings of blissful solitude I’d be enjoying, filled with cozy frozen dinners for one in a perfectly tidy living room. Heaven was nigh!

But that’s about it. So, when our daughter called to ask for the Airbnb code, I could not help. And when my friends at work wondered where they were skiing, I responded, “Breckinridge? Veil? The Rockies?” I didn’t know the airline, if he was renting a car, nor that three of Doo’s buddies were going,

– DANIELLE WILSON

too. Basically, since I wasn’t part of this vacation and because I was more excited to have Doo gone, his itinerary literally went straight from my inbox to deleted mail with no acknowledgement on my part. He would be dead to me, and I couldn’t wait. But what if something had gone wrong? I would have been worthless to investigators had he suddenly disappeared or had a horrible accident. I’d have probably heard about the killer avalanche on the radio and turned the station. “Ooh, I love this song!”

Regardless, Doo has returned and my brief sojourn as a single lady is over. I still have no idea where he was, though. Out of sight, out of mind. Peace out.

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

Terry Anker is an associate editor

Left to my own ‘devices’

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Mary Ellen and I compete against each other every evening as we watch “Jeopardy!” I usually win because she is also playing sudoku and is only listening to the show. She doesn’t realize the closed-caption answers come up on the screen. When I hear a clue like, “It’s the highest point in South Dakota,” I yell out, “What is Black Elk Peak?” Mary Ellen is impressed and asks, “How did you know that?” Her question would be easier to answer if I were willing to admit to cheating.

HUMOR

at a blistering 3 mph, and I’m expected to make this decision on the run? Well, it’s not really a run, but still, it’s a blistering 3 mph. I know one thing: Whichever option I choose, the phrase, “Can you hear me now?” is bound to be said a dozen times during the call.

The other night I asked Alexa to play John Legend. My Apple Watch chimed in and said, “Sorry, to hear John Legend you must sign up for Apple Music.”

There’s more competition in our household. We have the following electronic devices plugged in: My Amazon Fire, Mary Ellen’s Kindle, my Apple Watch, her Fitbit, three Alexa Echoes and two iPhones. Oh, and a landline phone, which I seldom use. But you’d have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. I’m old school.

I purchased new hearing aids before the holidays. These incredible devices have changed my life, but not always for the better. They’re intended to interface with other electronic devices, which has caused a bidding war for my undivided attention.

When I’m jogging, for example, my cellphone might ring. I hear that ring through my hearing aids. After I dig the phone out of my sweatpants pocket, I select how I want to take the call: over my headset, through my hearing aids, on the speaker or holding the phone to my ear. Here I am, moving

“I’m not talking to you,” I yelled at my wrist. Then I realized I should watch my tone because all the gadgets in my house are monitoring me. They know my most personal secrets. Best not to disrespect them.

Recently, one of my wife’s audio books for her monthly book club started coming though my hearing aids, and I couldn’t turn the sound off. I was doing the dishes, so I just kept listening. Later that week, I was the only person at the ladies’ book club who hated “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”

Yesterday, I asked Alexa what the weather would be like for the next week. She said, “I’m sorry, I can’t answer that question while you are driving.”

“I am not driving,” I hollered. “I am on my treadmill, going at the blistering speed of….”

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.

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

There’s more competition in our household. We have the following electronic devices plugged in: My Amazon Fire, Mary Ellen’s Kindle, my Apple Watch, her Fitbit, three Alexa Echoes and two iPhones. Oh, and a landline phone, which I seldom use. But you’d have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. I’m old school.

– DICK WOLFSIE

It’s not about the music in Carmel Community Players production

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Tanya Haas doesn’t want attendees to be misled by the title of Carmel Community Players’ upcoming production.

COMEDY

“Even though the title is, ‘The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,’ it is not a musical. There is a little bit of singing as part of the plot, but it’s definitely a straight play,” Haas said.

Carmel Community Players’ production will run Feb. 24 to March 5 at the Ivy Tech Noblesville Auditorium.

The play takes place in an isolated mansion in the middle of a snowstorm. A group of performers and producers are cut off from the outside world with a deranged murderer, called the Stage Door Slasher, on the loose.

Haas, a Carmel resident, plays Helsa,. “She isn’t a major character in terms of stage time, but she is very important to the plot,” Haas said. “She tells everyone a bit about her life in the course of the show but is quite mysterious. One of the things I love about the role is also what is challenging about it, in that it’s a lot of physical comedy, which I love doing but my body doesn’t always love as I get older. I also have a German accent in the show, which I had thankfully been working on since appearing in a production of ‘The 39 Steps’ in 2021.”

Haas said the show is fun for the entire cast because the comedy is deliberately over the top.

“Not one character is meant to be subtle,” she said. “I think audiences will really enjoy it because it’s the type of show that just makes you laugh, and there’s really nothing serious about it all despite being a murder mystery.”

Zionsville resident Elizabeth Ruddell said she chose to direct the play because it is hilarious.

“There are many characters in it, and they are all bigger than life,’ Ruddell said. “I have seen this show many times before.

Each production brings something new to it. That’s why it is a joy to direct. There are challenges for the show, but it is not with the actors, all of whom are very talented and very funny. The challenge is the set, which holds many surprises for the audience. Be prepared to feel suspense and laugh. What a great combination.”

Noblesville resident Robert Fimreite plays Patrick O’Reilly.

Fimreite, 62, acted during his senior year in high school in Whitehall, Wis.

“I had to be talked into doing that, and then I took a 40-year hiatus,” Fimreite said. “I had a bucket list of things I wanted to do, and I wanted to do a show.”

In October 2018, Fimreite returned to

the stage as Lurch in Carmel Apprentice Theatre’s “The Addams Family” at The Cat in Carmel.

“Now, I’m doing three to four shows a year,” Fimreite said. “It’s been fun. It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends.”

Fimreite said he is performing his role with three different accents: Irish, New York City and German.

“That will be a challenge to me,” he said. “It’s been hilarious watching everyone develop their character.”

Fimreite agreed the show will be an audience favorite.

For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

‘FOOTLOOSE’

“Footloose” runs through March 26 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’

Civic Theatre presents “The Diary of Anne Frank” through Feb. 25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘NEW WORLD DANCES’

The Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present “New World Dances” Feb. 25-26 at The Florence at the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

‘PROOF’

Mud Creek Players’ production of “Proof” runs through Feb. 25 at the Mud Creek Barn Theater in Indianapolis. For more, visit mudcreekplayers.org.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE

“National Geographic Live: Lindsay Zanno: T. Rex Rises” is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

LIVE AT THE CENTER

The Live at the Center series will feature the Katherine Nagy Trio with Tim Wright at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 or register for a free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA OF UKRAINE

The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts.

FLOYD NATION

Floyd Nation: Experience Pink Floyd, a tribute band, will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts.

‘THE CAT IN THE HAT’

Civic Theatre will feature “The Cat in the Hat” Feb. 28 to March 4 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

Cast members of ‘’The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” are, front, from left, Tanya Haas, Kelly Keller, Jeffrey Haber; middle, from left, Hannah Janowicz, Eric Bowman, Eboni Wallace, Amber Roth; back, from left, Robert Fimreite, Sam Brown and Richelle Lutz. (Photo courtesy of Carmel Community Players)

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Games: CHECKERS, CHESS, CLUE, MONOPOLY, RISK, SCRABBLE; Languages: ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, SPANISH; Buttons: ELEVATOR, PANTS, PHONE, SHIRT; Instruments: CELLO, DRUM, VIOLIN; Flavors: COOKIE DOUGH, SMORES; Animal: DAIRY COW

CHS graduate to guest conduct

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Evan Cooper was ready to guest conduct Indiana Wind Symphony’s tribute to legendary film composer John Williams in September 2022.

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But IWS Music Director Charles Conrad needed emergency eye surgery and the concert was postponed about 10 days before it was set. Now Cooper, a 2005 Carmel High School graduate and Franklin Central High School director of bands, will get a second shot as the IWS is set to present the Williams tribute at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

preparation — the focus, hours of practice, time spent on the study of the music. A unique sense of accomplishment and pride can be enjoyed by everyone in the room. Unfortunately, a canceled concert stifles the energy of the preparation. Fortunately, on the 26th, we’ll be able to finally unleash the music and play a great concert for those in attendance.”

Cooper

Cooper will conduct Harry Potter’s “Symphonic Suite” and “The Raiders March” from “The Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

“I’m thrilled to finally get to conduct these great works by such a great composer,” Cooper said. “Like John Williams’ music, there is building suspense and energy as an ensemble prepares for a concert. The excitement peaks at the performance where the ensemble lets loose all the energy spent in

SYMPHONY PALLADIUM

“I have very fond memories of watching Indiana Jones on his adventures when I was younger,” Cooper said. “My cousin and I would love wearing hats like his and diving around the living room furniture trying to escape the bad guys. It’s special to conduct the John WIlliams melodies, not only from the movies, but the soundtrack to many of my most fond memories.”

Conrad will direct the rest of the concert, which includes music from “Star Wars,” “Jaws,” “Superman” and “Schindler’s List.”

For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.

Ukraine orchestra to visit

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine was booked in 2021 to play Feb. 24, 2023, at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

At the time, the Center for the Performing Arts president/chief executive officer Jeffrey McDermott said no one had any idea what that date would signify. Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, 2022, igniting a war between the two nations.

“European orchestras are a staple of our classical programming at the Center, and those performances typically are booked years in advance,” McDermott said. “When we confirmed this show back in 2021, we had no reason to expect anything unusual. The coincidence of the date just seemed to confirm that this performance carried a special significance. We’re pleased that the show gave us an opportunity to partner with the local Ukrainian American community and the consulate in Chicago.”

The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, led by Theodore Kuchar, will perform at 8 p.m. Kuchar has been the artis-

tic director and principal conductor of the Ukraine orchestra since 1994.

McDermott said when the Center for the Performing Arts announced the 2022-23 season in the spring of 2022, Ukraine was the focus of the world’s attention.

Two nonprofit groups, the Ukrainian Society of Indiana and Indiana Supports Ukraine, will be in the lobby to share information about their efforts to celebrate Ukrainian culture and ship supplies to people living through a winter of war.

The concert will include works by Johannes Brahms, Edvard Grieg and Antonio Dvorák, with piano soloist Oksana Rapita

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

A COMEDY BY JOHN BISHOP

DIRECTED

Theodore Kuchar conducts The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine. (Photo courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

DAY

‘Ant-Man’ fun for the family

Commentary by Julieanna Childs

The new Ant-Man movie, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” is the 31st in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the first of Phase Five, tagged the “Secret Wars,” with additional releases scheduled between 2024 and 2025.

outside of our space and time, a “Star Wars” vibe visual medley with creative life forms and droids. As they travel among rebels and allies, Janet’s secrets expose a connection that threatens to destroy them all.

MOVIE REVIEW

The movie kicks off with the return of Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Hope Van Dyne/Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Cassie (Kathryn Newton), Scott’s now 18-year-old daughter. The group returns to the Quantum Realm, facing down supervillain Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). Majors’ delivers a Darth Vadar-like, menacing performance of the outer world outlaw who originally made his debut in the comic book “Fantastic Four No. 19” in 1963. The character will have a more prominent role in the MCU’s upcoming projects, “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”

Janet is the film’s star, leading the costume-clad alliance in their journey through the Quantum Realm, a sub-atomic sphere

Rudd is entertaining in reprising his role of Scott, just your average divorced, nice guy superhero bug dad raising a talented teenage daughter. Cassie comes into her own, learning the ropes of honing the talent and traits inherited from her dad. Sadly, Hope/Wasp is given little influence in the quest; her character is primarily insignificant, reduced to reactionary one-liners of the other players.

Much like Cassie’s meta telescope that transports them into the Realm, “Quantumania” sucks you into the action and delivers a few surprises in a fantasy world of victory and vengeance.

During the past 14 years, Julieanna Childs has worked as a film studio representative, contracting for all the major Hollywood studios. Her film reviews can be found at TheJujuReview.com. She is a Hamilton County resident.

BEHIND BARS: NEW YORKER COCKTAIL

The New Yorker is sophisticated, yet very fun. Created by Vanessa B. from The HC Tavern + Kitchen, the New Yorker is made of Maker’s Mark, spiced simple syrup, lemon, orange and a red wine float, garnished with an orange wheel. To see a video of this drink being mixed, scan this QR code.

(Photo courtesy of Huse Culinary)

Where’s Amy?

Academy set to perform

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Where’s Amy attends Civic’s ‘Anne Frank’

DANCE

Carmel-based Nrityangan Kathak Academy has had to wait to stage its eighth annual showcase. The academy’s showcase is set for 4 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis. Doors to the auditorium will open at 3:30 p.m. for the free showcase.

The performance is the first since February 2020, which was presented just before the COVID-19 lockdown began, the academy’s founder/director Anindita Sen said. The academy’s studio is inside Sen’s Carmel house.

Special dances this year include collaborations with area artists. Sen said the academy is partnering with saxophonist George Wolfe, professor emeritus of Ball State University’s department of music, and Amudhan Venkateswaran on the Indian drums called tabla.

“Together with them we are presenting Kathak to a well-known jazz piece in a true

fusion manner,” Sen said. “This is the first time that anyone has attempted Kathak to ‘Take 5.’ We are also collaborating with my student Rasitha Jayasekare from Sri Lanka, who has trained in Kandyan dance form while growing up in that country, in our attempt to present a Kathak Kandyan fusion dance for the very first time.”

There are 54 students participating, ranging in age from 6 to almost 60. The majority of students are from Carmel, Zionsville and Fishers. Some are from Muncie, Crawfordsville and the south side of Indianapolis. For more, visit indykathak.com.

Mullen earns role in ‘Five Points’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern Junior High eighth-grader Jackson Mullen had the time of his life. Mullen, 13, attended a Discovering Broadway master class with Sierra Boggess in the fall of 2022 and ended up being selected to participate in Discovering Broadway’s “Five Points” concert, which was presented Feb. 10 at Madame Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis.

Carmel resident Josh Kaufman sang a number as P.T. Barnum. This was his first experience with Discovering Broadway, which was founded by 2012 Carmel High School graduate Joel Kirk.

PERFORMANCE

“This experience has been the best thing to be with all these amazing actors and singers,” Mullen said. “I’m so honored. Indiana is such a great place.”

Mullen was thrilled to work with Jessie Mueller, who won a Tony award for “Beautiful.” Aisha Jackson, who played Anna in “Frozen,” was another cast member. She was the first Black woman to play Anna on Broadway.

“I went to New York when I was 9 and saw her as Anna, and I got a picture with her,” Mullen said. “I thought it was cool that now I get to work with her.”

Mullen

“It was interesting because going into it, all I had was the song that I was doing,” Kaufman said. “It was a little bit of discovering for me, and all of us as well.”

“Five Points” is set in New York in 1863 during the Civil War. It follows Willie Lane, a young Black performer, and John Diamond, an Irish immigrant and dancer.

This is the first time Kaufman, winner of Season 6 of “The Voice” in 2014, appeared in the incubation process for a production. A team has been working on “Five Points” for several years.”

“It was fun to do that,” said Kaufman, who played the title role of “Pippin” on Broadway in 2014. “I have such a broad range of music interest, so it’s nice to put yourself in a different style and try something different.”

Kirk said it was exciting to see all 900 seats filled.

For more, visit discoveringbroadway.org.

Carmel-based Nrityangan Kathak Academy performs North India dances. (Photo courtesy of An

Amy Pauszek is a photographer, award winning film producer and scouting and casting associate for Talent Fusion Agency in Indianapolis. She can be reached at Amy@youarecurrent.com. To see more of her photos, visit currentnightandday.com.

Kathy Palmer (Westfield), left, and Carrie Rodriguez (Noblesville) attended Civic Theatre’s Feb. 10 opening night of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Do not miss this incredible production with family and friends. The acting, set design and story are so powerful. The production runs through Feb. 25. For more, visit civictheatre.org or call 317-843-3800. (Photo by Amy Pauszek)

Blueprint for Improvement: Contemporary kitchen in Carmel

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in 1980 in Carmel’s Cedar Point neighborhood, this home’s original kitchen was ready for a remodel to improve form, function and flow.

THE BLUEPRINT

• The existing peninsula was removed to improve flow and infuse the space with light.

• An island was added to increase functionality for the homeowner, an avid baker.

• Caesarstone Misty Carrara countertops were used on the perimeter cabinets, and Bianco Paradiso granite was used to accent the island.

• White upper cabinets combined with a light backsplash resulted in an airy and open feel, while base cabinets in a warmer wood tone help to ground the space.

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.

Singling out hybrid words

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

Our family bought a minivan last year. With child No. 3 on the way, we needed more room for car seats and Cheerio dust. While some people hesitate to get on board with the idea of buying a minivan, I was all about it.

GRAMMAR GUY

My wife and I looked into hybrid minivans to save money on gasoline. Unfortunately, the hybrid van life was too rich for our blood, so we opted for a traditional gas-guzzler. Our kids named the newto-us gray minivan “Delfín,” Spanish for “dolphin.”

Hybrid electric vehicles operate through the combination of an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, utilizing energy stored in batteries. Hybrid words (also called hybridisms) combine prefixes and suffixes from multiple languages to create new words.

The most common type of English hybrid words combines Latin and Greek prefixes and suffixes. Since we’ve been talking about vehicles, we’ll start with the

word “petroleum,” which combines the Greek word “petra” (rock) with the Latin word “oleum” (oil). In the same way, the word automobile fuses the Greek “auto” (self-) with the Latin “mobilis” (movable). Here are a few of my favorite Greek and Latin hybrid words. The word liposuction fuses the Greek “lipos” (fat) with the Latin “suctio” (sucking). Dysfunction combines the Greek “dys-” (bad) with the Latin “funtio” (performance). Of course, this invention came much later than the Greek and Latin languages, but the word television marries the Greek “tele-” (far off) and the Latin “visio/visere” (to see). Note we have a company that makes TVs called Visio.

Nearly every example of English hybrid words combines Greek and Latin, and — interestingly — the Greek prefix or word usually comes first.

Visiting the City of David

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Jerusalem, an ancient city important to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Today we will visit a site that some archaeologists believe goes back to the time of biblical King David.

TRAVEL

According to the Bible, David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites in the 10th century B.C., and made it the capital of a kingdom uniting the 12 Tribes of Israel. People today probably imagine Jerusalem at the time as a great city, reflecting their view of David’s United Monarchy. However, most scholars believe that David’s Jerusalem occupied a narrow hilltop strip comprising no more than 10 acres, with a population of perhaps 2,000. This area, now called the City of David, was southeast of Mount Moriah, where King Solomon later built the first Jewish Temple across the Kidron Valley from the Mount of Olives.

Excavations in the City of David area began in the 19th century. In the 1920s, archaeologists discovered a 60-foot-high terraced structure made of stone along the eastern side of the hill, overlooking the Kidron Valley. The purpose of this structure, labeled the Stepped Stone Structure, has long been a mystery. In 2005, Dr. Eliat Mazar, an Israeli archaeologist, reported that she had found another stone structure, just as unimaginatively called the Large Stone Structure, supported by the Stepped Stone Structure. With great fanfare, she said she had found King David’s palace. Other archaeologists quickly disagreed, saying that

there would not be a palace in such a small “hill-country village” at the time of David.

The site of Dr. Mazar’s excavations has become a popular tourist destination in Jerusalem. Guides point out that whatever the purpose of the Stepped Stone Structure, the square stone found at its lower righthand corner, with a hole in the center, is undoubtedly a latrine.

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

View of the Mount of Olives from the City of David 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.

The Stepped Stone Structure in the City of David.

A latrine in the City of David.

Across

1. Expenditures

6. Org. with more members from Africa than the Mideast

10. In the Red?

14. Dickens’ Heep

15. Indiana Tech president Einolf

16. Hr. divisions

17. Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore

19. Spa treatment, for short

20. Seazcond oldest town in Indiana (in Perry County)

21. Like a spot in “Macbeth”

23. High card

26. Crushes and musses

29. Scot’s denial

30. Opposite of front

32. “Star Wars” princess

33. Old Russian rulers

35. Leave high and dry

37. TNT part

39. Indiana Senate President

(and Lieutenant Governor)

43. Agree to join

44. Snoozing

46. Nose around

49. Change direction

51. Balkan native

52. Surveillance device, briefly

53. Part of an Indiana driver’s license exam, usually

56. RN’s forte

57. Work too hard

59. Puts on WFYI

61. Latvia’s capital

62. Indiana Senate Minority Leader

68. Tidy

69. Butler frat letter

70. Poker declaration

71. Leaky radiator sound

72. Former Colts first round

pick Dawkins

73. Aggressive personality

Down

1. Mangy mutt

2. Spanish gold

27. Pesto ingredient

28. Non-clergy

31. Musical instrument of a sort

34. Spiritual essences

36. Dozed for a bit

38. Word with mass or rapid

40. “Nick at ___”

41. Ancient Brit

42. Recuperate

45. Plastic pipe, initially

46. Shows disdain

47. Maritime forces

48. Some Swiss watches

50. 40th US president

54. Meditation teachers

55. Distinguishing feature

58. “Peanuts” expletive

60. “Stargate Atlantis” network

63. ___ v. Wade

64. IND schedule abbr.

65. Cut off

66. Bullring cheer

3. Longtime Indy 500 announcer Collins

4. Bakery buy

5. Bake eggs in a shallow dish

6. “No prob”

7. Crooked Stick scorecard number

8. Indianapolis Indians pitching stat

9. Bonnie’s partner in crime

10. Alarm clock toggle

11. Earthy color

12. Make beloved

13. Stage whispers

18. Had prior arrangements

22. 2022 World Series winner

23. “Washboard” muscles

24. Felines 25. Sandy shade

Cream

67. Nutritional fig. Answers on Page

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