December 13, 2022 — Noblesville

From minor check-ups to major illnesses, visiting the doctor is hardly anyone’s idea of a good time. But it should be a simple one.

At Community Health Network, we make it easier for you to access the care you need. From making an appointment to paying for it, we’ll be by your side with simple scheduling, convenient locations, personal estimates, and financial support.

Our commitment to simple care means you always know that when you need answers, we’re here to listen. When you need support, we’re here to help. And when you need care, we’re here to deliver.

Learn more about how we’re uncomplicating healthcare at eCommunity.com/simplydelivered

EXCEPTIONAL CARE. SIMPLY DELIVERED.

Being sick isn’t fun. The least we can do is make it simpler.

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Southwest corner of 116th & I-69

Developer plans senior housing project

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

A developer is planning to bring a senior housing project to Noblesville near Ind. 32 and Little Chicago Road.

DEVELOPMENT

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The Justus Companies, based in Indianapolis, plans to build Promenade Trails at the northwest corner of Ind. 32 and Mill Creek Road that will feature 151 apartments and 59 cottage rental homes for people 55 and older. The property is near Promenade Apartments that opened in 2020. A 90,000-square-foot Meijer store is also planned at the corner of Ind. 32 and Little Chicago Road near Promenade of Noblesville that is being developed by The Justus Companies.

Plans for the Meijer store were an-

nounced Oct. 27 during the Billion Dollar Bus tour, which took Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, city department heads and investors to different locations in the city to highlight $1 billion in private investments that have been made in Noblesville since 2020. The new Meijer store will be considerably smaller in comparison to its superstores, which typically range from 150,000 to 250,000 square feet, according to Meijer.

Promenade Trails, which will feature common areas, a courtyard and a multiuse trail, is slated to be completed in 2024, according to the company. The city has already given approval to make nearly $1.9 million of infrastructure improvements for the project, which could result in $50 million in development activity over the next two years, according to city officials.

Church accepting applications for home repairs

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Founded Sept. 15, 2009, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XIV, No. 14

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30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032

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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.

CHARITY

CrossRoads Church at Westfield is accepting applications from Hamilton County residents for free home repairs that will be provided by high school students next summer.

The program is offered in partnership with Group Mission Trips, a youth mission organization based in Fort Collins, Colo., and will bring 300 high school students in June for a week to provide free home repairs for those in need. It is geared primarily toward older adults, veterans and any low-income families who live in the community and own their own homes, according to the church.

To be considered for repairs, residents must live in Westfield, Noblesville, Cicero, Tipton or Sheridan, according to the church.

“We want to help people stay in their homes for as long as possible,” said Eric

Lohe, lead pastor of CrossRoads Church in Westfield. “During the week of June 19-23, 2023, 300 high school students from across the country and their adult leaders will come to the Westfield community, live at

Westfield Middle School, and go out in smaller groups of six people to serve in Westfield and the surrounding communities. They will serve at 35 to 45 home sites where each of those small groups will spend a week doing repairs for the people and families.”

Building or repairing wheelchair ramps, constructing decks, doing mobile home skirting and exterior and interior painting are being offered through the program. Applications, which are due by March 1, 2023, can be found at forourneighbor.life or by visiting bit.ly/3AdlYHY.

When applications are submitted, staff from CrossRoads Church at Westfield will assess needed repairs and determine if they have the skills and manpower to meet the need, according to the church. Not all those who apply will be guaranteed repairs because students may not have the skills to make the proper repairs, the church said.

In the summer of 2021, students and adults who participated in the program repaired 26 homes in local communities. For more, email forourneighborinfo@gmail.com or call Lohe at 317-402-6574.

A rendering of Promenade Trails, which will feature 151 apartments and 59 cottage rental homes at the northwest corner of Ind. 32 and Mill Creek Road for individuals 55 and older. (Photo courtesy of The Justus Companies)

CrossRoads Church at Westfield is accepting applications from individuals in need in Hamilton County for free home repairs that will be performed by 300 high school students next summer. (Photo provided by CrossRoads Church at Westfield)

Lohe

uwci.org

to him for 3 procedures and ALL COMPLETELY SUCCESSFUL and WITHOUT COMPLICATION!!! I would recommend this group of professionals to ALL my family, friends & ANYONE looking for an AMAZING PODIATRIST… Actually, I already have!!!”

Nonprofit helps with cleanup

A cleanup drive in Noblesville dedicated to the birth centennial of Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari was conducted by residents and volunteers of a nonprofit organization in collaboration with the Indiana Dept. of Transportation.

INITIATIVE

The nonprofit, Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari, conducted cleanups at the Hamilton County Auto Auction, 22221 Ind. 37, Noblesville, on July 9 and Oct. 15, said Ganesh Ghodake, who is associated with the nonprofit. As part of a national cleanup drive initiative by DSNDP, the organization has collaborated with 14 states and 16 cities across the U.S. that were held from July until October, Ghodake said.

The cleanup drive in Noblesville was held

over a 2-mile stretch from Ind. 37 mile-marker 179 to 180 and was held as part of a partnership between the Indiana Dept. of Transportation and DSNDP volunteers through INDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program. The Noblesville Adopt-A-Highway program was held concurrently with others in Chicago and California, according to the nonporfit.

According to DSNDP, the nonprofit is driven by more than a million volunteers worldwide, who strive to keep the legacy of Dharmadhikari alive by running massive blood-donation drives, cleanliness drives, tree plantation and conservation drives, conserving natural water reservoirs, assisting hearing-impaired children with free hearing-aids, in addition to free adult and children’s literacy classes and more. For more, visit dsndp.com.

Laura Strobel Fross, ingrown toenail and hammertoes patient

Residents and volunteers of a nonprofit organization, Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari, held a cleanup drive in Noblesville on Ind. 37 in Noblesville earlier this year as part of a national cleanup drive initiative. (Photos provided by Ganesh Ghodake)

NHS sophomore basketball player develops into ‘stat stuffer’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville High School sophomore Meredith Tippner has had a memorable calendar year.

She has already been a part of state championships in soccer and basketball and now is off to a strong start in the 2022-23 basketball season. In games through Dec. 3, the 5-foot-10 Tippner was averaging 16 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.6 assists for the Millers, who were 7-2 during that span.

“Meredith has been awesome for us this season,” Millers coach Donna Buckley said. “She is a stat stuffer. She scores, rebounds, defends and has the ability to impact the game in so many ways. She is an unbelievable talent and an even better kid.”

Tippner said her biggest improvement has been rebounding, inside post presence and using her body to establish position.

Noblesville captured the IHSAA Class 4A girls state title in February. Prior to this

MEET MEREDITH TIPPNER

Favorite athlete: Steph Curry

Ideal vacation spot: Florida

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite TV show: “All American”

school year, Ashlynn Shade, who has signed with the University of Connecticut, transferred to La Lumiere, a prep school in La Porte.

“Ash cannot easily be replaced,” Tippner said. “But I think the best way we replace her contributions is as a team. We all need to score more efficiently than last year, rebound more and defend at a high level. I

have been focused on trying to make the best decisions for my team. I feel like that’s what we all need to focus on in order to make another run. A better decision, a deflection, an extra pass, these are the things that make winning teams.”

Tippner already has collegiate basket-

ball offers from Ball State University, the University at Buffalo, Butler University, the University of Evansville, Purdue University Fort Wayne, the University of San Francisco and the University of Toledo.

In soccer, Tippner scored 15 goals for Noblesville’s girls team, which captured the IHSAA Class 3A state title Oct. 29 at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis.

Tippner loves both sports, but basketball is her favorite because she said she is always in a position to make a contribution.

“With a soccer field being so large in comparison, the action may be 40 yards away,” Tippner said. “But in basketball, I’m always just feet away from making a difference, even if it’s just getting into a passing lane, bumping a cutter, or taking a charge.”

Tippner said one sport helps the other with vision, explosion, judging speed and direction of teammates and opponents and making something a player could do on their own easier by combining with a teammate.

“Both sports are actually very similar as far as what it takes to win,” she said.

Tippner said being part of two state championships was exciting.

I’M BACK TO LIVING A NORMAL LIFE.

For Jay, the thing that pained him most wasn’t his back, it was living within the limits his back pain set for him. Skipping workouts. Contorting to pick up a shoe. Avoiding playing with Agnes. Now that Goodman Campbell physicians treated not only his pain, but the underlying spine issues that caused it, Jay is back to living the life he loves.

Learn more about Jay and his story at GoodmanCampbell.com.

”

R., Goodman Campbell Patient

Jay

Noblesville basketball player Meredith Tippner prepares to shoot a free throw. (Photo courtesy of Matt Tippner)

Tippner

Artists’ work reflects winter

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

are a picture of.”

•

•

American Songbook Foundation

Performing Arts

• Special musical performances by local talent

• Remarks from the Bicentennial Commission and dignitaries

NICKEL PLATE ARTS

Artist Mark Rouse will be featured in Nickel Plate Arts’ December Stephenson Showcase in Noblesville. Rouse, whose work coincides with the beginning of the winter season, said he loves the snow and the visual changes it creates. The effect on textures, colors and the physicality of objects are what inspire him to create, he said.

“I was in college during the Blizzard of 1978, and I remember what that was like when the snow was coming down and you couldn’t see much of anything,” Rouse said.

Rouse’s exhibit, “Snow Globe,” is on display through Dec. 31 from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Stephenson House at Nickel Plate Arts, 107 S. 8th St., Noblesville.

The concept inspired a small series, “Blizzards 1, 2, 3,” which will be featured in the exhibit and is a new style for Rouse. He will remove his digital elements and focus solely on acrylics, he said.

“This is going to be a different way of looking at (my art for) people who know my work. Like the Blizzard of ‘78, these paintings will be almost entirely white, and the images are going to be texture,” Rouse said. “The texture will give a clue as to what they

Rouse said snow changes the outlook on things and inspired the artwork featured in his exhibit. Rouse, who will make his own impasto paste, said he will create a completely white painting that is rich with texture and use different shades of white and a little sparkle to do an acrylic pour from top to bottom to give the air of snow coming down.

Acrylic pouring is new to Rouse, who has only experimented one other time with smooth and circular surfaces.

“I’m anxious to see how this works. I’m going to play a bit with glitter to see what it does, but I’m guessing it will enhance the image,” he said.

Although the new artistic experiments will be featured in the exhibit, his signature mixed-media style will still be included.

“Instead of aiming mostly for things that people hadn’t seen before, I want people to see what I love. The mixed media that I do allows me to do that relatively quickly,” Rouse said.

Rouse also said he wants the exhibit to be fun and take viewers back to looking at things differently covered in a magical layer of snow.

The public can meet Rouse at his free public reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Stephenson House.

Artwork can be ordered by contacting Nickel Plate Arts at 317-452-3690 or by visiting nickelplatearts.org/exhibits.

Hosted by Michael Feinstein, artistic director for the Center for

and founder of the Great

Artist Mark Rouse will be featured in Nickel Plate Arts’ December Stephenson Showcase in Noblesville. His artwork coincides with the beginning of the winter season. (Photo provided by Nickel Plate Arts)

DISPATCHES

Send us your stories and photos — Please email story suggestions on new businesses, interesting residents, upcoming events and photos to Current in Noblesville Managing Editor Matthew Kent at matthew@ youarecurrent.com. For photo submissions, please provide the full names of individuals, along with a short description of the event, location and the date of when it took place.

Ice skating tickets available — Tickets for the Ice at Carter Green in Carmel are on sale. The rink will be open Nov. 19 through Feb. 26, 2023. Skate sessions last 90 minutes, unless noted on the skate session calendar. The cost per session on all days is $10 for adults and youth 11 and older, $8 for children 10 and younger. Skates may be rented for $4 per person. Buy tickets and learn more at theiceatcartergreen.com/ tickets.

500

Festival launches Living Well Program

— The 500 Festival has launched the Living Well Program, a no-cost, resident-based health initiative for apartment complexes to promote resident wellness and build community. It includes discounted registration for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K, training resources and built-in support to reach health goals. It also features headto-head competition against other apartment complexes for an award for resident participation. Learn more at indymini.com/p/ mini-marathon/register/living-well-program.

500 Festival Princess Program now accepting applications — The 500 Festival is accepting applications for the 2023 Festival Princess Program. Applications are available at 500Festival.com/Princess with the deadline to apply at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 8, 2023.

State’s cutest dogs — Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the Indiana Destination Development Corp. and Indiana’s First Dog, Henry, are searching for adorable dogs in great locations across the state through the Visit Indiana Cutest Dog Photo Contest. A different winner will be selected every week for one year. Each winning dog will get a note from Indiana’s first dog, an exclusive ‘More To Discover IN Indiana’ dog bandana, a feature as one of the Cutest Dogs IN Indiana on the Visit Indiana social channels. To enter, upload a photo or video of your dog to Instagram, tag @VisitIndiana and use the hashtag #DogsINIndiana. Entries must include the photo location.

NOBLESVILLE RESIDENT WINS $2,000 DURING POKER TOURNAMENT

Noblesville resident Victor Parra took home $2,000 during the Westfield Lions Club’s Poker-for-Sight Texas Hold’em tournament held Nov. 18-19 at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The annual event is part of the club’s efforts to raise funds to donate to the community. (Photo provided by Westfield Lions Club)

Gatewood

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

A local family farm operation in Noblesville is celebrating 100 years in business and looks forward to continued success.

Gatewood Vegetable Farm & Greenhouses, 9555 E. 206th St., was honored by the state of Indiana earlier this year with the Governor’s Century Business Award, which recognizes a company’s longevity and service to its employees, community and the state.

Bruce Gatewood has been a part of the family-run establishment since he was a child and runs the business alongside his mother, Nancy, his wife, Chelse, and his sister, Kelli Balke.

Bruce’s father, Billy, had owned and operated the business since 1971 before his passing in 2013. Billy moved it to its current location from where it originated just up the road. Bruce’s great-grandfather James started the farm with an orchard and a hatchery that sold chickens, eggs and apple cider before eventually adding fruits and vegetables, according to Bruce.

Eventually, Bruce’s grandfather, Bill, continued running the farm before his parents took over the business, which sources goods found inside the store from local Indiana farms. Now, Bruce is an important part of making sure things run smoothly and took over the family business when his father passed away.

“(My mom) still comes out and makes sure we’re still doing it right,” Bruce said with a laugh.

The business, which is open from March 1 until mid-December, sells a variety of products such as local honey, meat, plants, flowers, furniture, pumpkins, wreaths and Christmas trees. Nancy Gatewood said what has made it most special for her is knowing the business has been passed on from generation to generation and the people who have visited the business.

“Mostly the customers and friends who come back to see us,” she said. (There’s) a lot of enjoyment.”

Gatewood Vegetable Farm & Greenhouses was among 47 companies across the state that were recognized with the Governor’s Century or Half-Century Business Award.

Farm & Greenhouses in Noblesville marks 100 years in business

is a true honor,” Gov. Eric Holcomb stated.

“Through strong drive and dedication, these businesses have set the tone of Indiana’s past, present and future economy and provide confidence in knowing for the next 100 years, Indiana will be on a journey to success.”

Bruce said the business has changed over the last 100 years with a larger greenhouse and offering more goods such as meat, jams, jellies, frozen pies, fruits, vegetables and other items. It also saw a significant increase in traffic during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic because many grocery stores were out of items and resulted in people coming to the farm.

Customer service has also played an important role in the overall success. Employees took orders and carried out items to customers during the peak of the pandemic, reducing face-to-face contact, Nancy said.

“I think (the elderly) thought that was a good thing,” she said.

Asked if she had ever thought of selling the business, Nancy was clear that it likely won’t change hands anytime soon.

“As long as Bruce can keep it going, I’m not selling it,” she said.

Bruce, 51, said “there’s really a strong sense of family” in running the business.

“The customer interaction is probably the funnest part,” he said. “I think they feel like home when they come in.”

Nancy is also appreciative of the public’s support for Gatewood Vegetable Farm & Greenhouses over the last 100 years.

“I’m very thankful for my customers and the friendships we’ve had with them and everything,” she said. “It’s important to us.”

CONTACT INFO

To learn more about Gatewood Vegetable Farm & Greenhouses, visit gatewoodvegetablefarm.com or call 317-773-1214. The business is at 9555 E. 206th St. in Noblesville.

ON THE COVER: Kelli Balke, Nancy Gatewood, Bruce Gatewood and his wife, Chelse, inside Gatewood Vegetable Farm & Greenhouses. The family-owned business is marking 100 years in operation this year. (Photo by Matthew Kent)

Vegetable

A collection of historical photos inside Gatewood Vegetable Farm & Greenhouses.

Bruce Gatewood outside Gatewood Vegetable Farm & Greenhouses in Noblesville. The family-owned business is celebrating 100 years in operation. (Photos by Matthew Kent)

“Recognizing Hoosier businesses and their accomplishments for not only for de-

cades of resilience and hard work but for the lasting impact on Indiana’s economy

ESSAY

’Tis the season

Commentary by Terry Anker

Among the many blessings of aging is that along with the extra pounds and fine lines comes a considerable amount of perspective. Although a few of us get a bit crankier as our bones begin to creak, there are just as many that come to better understand the difference between the truly unacceptable and the merely inconvenient. Life is long, and much learning occurs. Things that we found to be beyond the pale in the rigid certainty of ignorant youth come to light with greater nuance as we travel through life. The “I will nevers” of a teenager become the “I can understand whys, even tolerate” of a fully developed adult.

Despite social media, politics and the 24-hour news cycle, this is a season to pull together. What does it really matter if Aunt Jane disagrees with us on the genesis of the pandemic if she makes killer sweet potato pie? And even if Uncle Mitchell demands that we defund this or that, he still used to attend all of our childhood softball games, cheering the loudest.

If Ecclesiastes has it right and “to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,” why can’t this be a season of acceptance? If we are so certain in our position or simply too immature to get over ourselves, can’t we just overlook the disagreement and seek to find commonality for a few short weeks? With the cold, gray days of February, we can return to disliking each other again. But maybe, just maybe, we will have realized that it all didn’t really matter as much as we thought. Grandma only had one brother, and it would make her very happy to know that he came over for dinner — even if he is a Patriots fan!

CURRENTOON

Slept in heavenly peace

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Friends, you’ll never believe what happened this weekend. No, I didn’t win the Powerball, but it was like hitting the lottery in some ways. I slept through the night! I know, a true Christmas miracle.

Prior to having children, I could sleep eight hours without even turning over. Solid, deep, delicious ZZZs almost every single night. I’d awake rested, energized and generally in good spirits. Pregnancy changed all that, what with raging hormones and an ever-growing belly that made staying in bed for more than 120 minutes a pipe dream. Then of course, once the rugrats arrived, my time became their time. Feedings, diapers, bad dreams, sudden coughing and the random thunderstorm all colluded with my little ones to ensure I never reached REM sleep.

The tween and teen years were no better, as my kids became independent creatures of the dark. I’d jolt awake to a toilet flush or a microwave beep, possibly a poorly concealed guffaw. And once they started driving, it was always the post-curfew garage door opening that thrashed my hopes of uninterrupted slumber.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK POLICIES

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

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.

And despite being an empty nester now, I still generally wake up two to three times. Basically, the combination of motherhood and middle age has made me a perennial light sleeper with superhuman hearing and little bladder control. Go figure.

Which is why I am rejoicing this morning. I went to bed at 9 p.m. and can’t remember seeing the clock until 5 a.m. What? I had to confirm this tremendous feat with my husband because I simply couldn’t believe it. My sleeping through the night?

Peace out.

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

Terry

“Never

Have time for a fob story?

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

This kind of thing could only happen to me (in a way, that’s good, because if things like this happened to you, you’d have your own humor column).

Kevin asked where my spare fob was, and I told him it had been missing for several weeks.

HUMOR

The other day as I got into my car and pressed the button to start the engine, it fired up as usual. But wait: My key fob was not hanging on its little knob where I always put it.

I went inside the house, and sure enough, there it was on the table. How could my car start without the fob?

It was way out of range. It meant anyone could get in my car and drive off.

I was on my way to visit my friend, Bob. I said to him, “My car started this morning, but it wasn’t supposed to.”

“Were you out of gas?”

“No, my car is not supposed to start without the fob inside.”

“Your fob was not inside?”

“Yes, it was inside — inside the house.”

Bob was no help. He reminded me that a month ago I drove around with my cellphone on the hood of the car, so this didn’t surprise him. He suggested I go to the dealership.

I headed over and spoke with my service advisor, Kevin.

“You have great technicians, right?” I said.

“Only the best, Dick. What’s wrong?”

“My problem is that my car started.”

“Hmmm. In 25 years, that’s the oddest complaint I’ve ever heard.”

“BingoI It must be somewhere in your car,” he said, “Go home and look for it. I have people waiting with serious powertrain issues. I can’t help you now.”

Back in my driveway, I looked for it under the seats, between the seats, under the floor mats. The problem was the fob is black, the seats are black, and the carpet is black. Looking for it in the daylight was not working, so I waited until it was dark out and used a flashlight. Mary Ellen came outside and found me on my knees searching the car. I explained what happened.

“Do you want me to call it?” she asked.

“Jeesh, it’s a fob Mary Ellen, not a cellphone.”

I finally found it, lodged on the track that the seat slides back and forth on. I put the extra key in a safe place, and I felt relieved.

By the way, I’m not the only one in my family who loses things. The next evening, Mary Ellen said she wanted to prepare a holiday dessert ahead of time and couldn’t find our electric mixer that we keep in the basement.

I told her not to worry, that I’d give it a call first thing in the morning.

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

Dick

Donut 5K set for Christmas Eve

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Donut 5K run will be a little different this year, since it will take place on Christmas Eve.

DISPATCHES

EVENT

“We’ve always been the Saturday before Christmas, unless Christmas falls on a Saturday,” said Todd Oliver, the president and race director for Carmel Road Racing Group. “This is the first time for the race that Christmas Eve has fallen on a Saturday, and we’re really excited about it.

The race, billed as the “The Sweetest Race in Indiana,” is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 24, starting at the Carmel Racquet Club. Jack’s Donuts will provide treats on the course and at the finish line.

“Before we moved to Carmel, we were downtown at the NCAA (Headquarters),” he said. “When the NCAA was the host venue, the race was always held the third Saturday in December. We switched to the Saturday before Christmas when we made our partnership with the Carmel Racquet Club. We were at the Monon Center for three years and we outgrew the Monon Center, and we went to the Carmel Racquet Club in 2017.”

The 2020 run was held in downtown Indianapolis because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is the first time we’ve offered four animal rescues to be the beneficiaries,” Oliver said. “We’ve had three in the past, but we are expanding it to four because of the popularity of the connection of benefiting the animal rescues.”

The 5K is limited to 2,000 people, and Oliver said it is on pace to sell out again. Oliver said the cap is to ensure everyone receives a medal, shirt and the famous Donut Me stocking hat.

Oliver said because the event is on Christmas Eve, large groups and families are registering together. With Thanksgiving being such a popular day for families to run

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EXCEPTIONAL CARE. SIMPLY DELIVERED.

together, race organizers figured Christmas Eve might be as well.

Packet pickup and a post-race party will be indoors on the courts of the Carmel Racquet Club.

There will be a cash prize for the top three male and female finishers.

“It’s considered one of the fastest 5Ks in the state,” Oliver said. “The reason for it is we have a lot of former collegiate and professional runners who come home for the holidays.”

Since many participants walk with their dogs, there is a costume contest for the dogs. There also are awards for fastest and biggest dog.

To register, visit donut5krun.com.

Basil, the anti-aging herb — There are more than 40 varieties of basil, but new research is showing Indian basil has anti-aging properties and is used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including stress, heart and respiratory problems, diabetes, digestive and skin disorders, inflammation and pain. The traditional method is to boil fresh leaves and water until the water reduces to half. Then you can either drink the resulting tea or eat the crushed herb when it cools. However, since it is difficult to find the fresh leaves in the U.S., dried Indian basil may be easier to find.

Source: Bottom Line Inc.

Moving for better health — Sitting for most of the day is terrible for your health, raising your risk for diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. For better health, try to get up and do some light activity several times a day, even if you have a sedentary job. Moving around triggers blood flow, clears glucose from the blood and breaks down triglycerides.

Source: BottomLineHealth.com

Runners participate in a previous Donut 5K. (Photo courtesy of Todd Oliver)

Local man launches electrical contracting business

By Rebecca Fending rebecca@youarecurrent.com

Trevor Agre moved to Cicero from Southern California in 2021 with a dream of owning a business. In June of this year, that dream came true.

ENTREPRENUERSHIP

Agre is a licensed electrician who owns and manages A5 Electric, a residential and commercial electrical contracting business based in Cicero that provides services to the greater area of central Indiana.

Agre has been in the industry for 21 years and used his experience to create his own company.

“I was born and raised in Southern California,” Agre said. “My family and I moved to Cicero because we saw opportunities here that we didn’t have in California. While working in construction as a laborer, I saw the benefits of a skilled tradesman and decided being an electrician was a great fit for me. So, I joined the (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and did a fiveyear apprenticeship in Los Angeles.”

A5 Electric, named for Agre’s family of five, offers services from full-service upgrades, whole home re-wires, outlet upgrades and light fixture installations. If it needs electricity, Agre said, A5 Electric can install or fix it.

Agre became a journeyman electrician in 2009. From there, he “worked (his) way up” through the management side of the trade to become a general foreman. Agre oversaw projects with a budget of $500,000 to $15 million in electrical work. He said hose projects prepared him to operate his own electrical contractor business.

A5 Electric officially started business in

late June 2022. Agre set out to specialize in residential, commercial and tenant improvement construction. So far, he said business is going well thanks to the support of the community.

“Business is doing very well,” Agre said. “I never expected to have the support of my community as fast as I have earned it, but I pride myself on quality installation and practices. I feel that has a lot to do with my success.”

Agre looks forward to what the future holds for A5 Electric. His goal, he said, is to grow his team.

“I hope to keep growing my business to the point where I have several employees,” Agre said. “I want to help train up future generations in the construction and electrical trade. As this is a family business, I hope to hand over the company to my three boys when they are old enough.”

For more about A5 Electric, call 317-982-1587.

DISPATCHES

Stocks benefit from cancer test breakthroughs — Molecular diagnostic firms are developing innovative blood tests that can detect many forms of cancer, some even at the earliest stages before cancerous cells mass together. Over the next decade, the diagnostics market is expected to soar to more than $50 billion annually. Three promising companies are:

Exact Sciences (EXAS) had nearly $900 million in total revenues last year, mostly from two products — Cologuard and Oncotype Dx,

a genomic test that can predict which women with early-stage breast cancer will not benefit from chemotherapy.

Guardant Health (GH) makes liquid biopsy kits that test for mutations in the tumors of advanced cancer patients to enable proper therapy selection.

Natera (NTRA) tests monitor for relapses in breast and lung cancer and can identify recurrent tumors months before traditional methods such as CT scans.

Source: BottomLineInc

Trevor Agre, owner of A5 Electric, and his family moved to Indiana from California to start the electric company. (Photo courtesy of Trevor Agre.)

currentnightandday.com

Irish Christmas music coming to the Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Celtic Woman violinist Tara McNeil views the group’s Christmas Symphony Tour as special.

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’

“It’s a Wonderful Life” runs through Dec. 23 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL’

CONCERT

“It’s a very different show than our spring tour,” McNeil said. “We get to perform with these incredible orchestras around the states. Every city has incredible musicians we get to share the stage with. It’s such an honor, especially for me because I’m from a classical background. As a violinist, I performed with orchestras at the start of my professional career. It’s special to make music with these people who have given their lives to it from a very young age.”

The “Celtic Woman: A Christmas Symphony Tour” concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

The 16-show tour, which began Dec. 2, ends Dec. 22 in Waterloo, N.Y.

“It’s been three years since we were last out on our Christmas tour (because of the COVID-19 pandemic),” McNeil said. “We missed it because I had got used to it being part of my Christmas routine. We are very grateful to be back. The Christmas music is always so much fun and everyone is in great spirits, especially the audiences.”

McNeil said the show begins with “Ding Dong Merrily On High,” a very energetic number.

The group will perform songs from their new EP, “Christmas Cards from Ireland.”

“We have songs that have never been performed that we are doing on this Christmas tour,” she said.

The songs include “The Toys’ Waltz” and “I Saw Three Ships.”

The concert includes new arrangements of “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night.”

“It’s going to be great to perform them,” McNeil said.

There are traditional Celtic Woman songs such as “Danny Boy” and “Amazing Grace.”

“Even though it’s not Christmas music, I don’t think it would be a Celtic Woman show without those two,” McNeil said. “We

wanted to include them, otherwise people might be kicking up a fuss.”

Celtic Woman formed in 2004. McNeil joined the group in 2016 and is now the longest-running member.

Hannah Traynor is making her first tour with Celtic Woman. Murgen O’ Mahony is making her first Symphony Tour.

McNeil replaced Mairead Nesbitt, the only other violinist for Celtic Woman. Nesbitt left to pursue solo projects.

“Celtic Woman is a combination of Irish traditional music,” McNeil said. “It brings in classical musical elements and brings in musical theater. It’s always been the platform for Irish women to perform and showcase their talents across the world. It’s always been made to be this platform for us. It’s always been about the music, and the music is the priority. We’re trying

to give a little piece of Ireland and our history. I think it will continue, and I hope it does for a long time.”

The group performs nearly 90 shows in the spring in North America. Typically, it tours Europe and China in the fall, but the pandemic has curtailed that the last three years.

“With our big 20th anniversary coming up (in 2024), I’m hoping we can do a worldwide tour,” McNeil said. “I feel very lucky to be part of Celtic Woman. I admired the women who were in the group before me. I wanted to find a way to showcase my talents. I feel lucky with these talented singers. They are some of the closest friends in my life.”

For tickets, visit thecenterpresents. org. For more, visit celticwoman.com.

Civic Theatre presents “A Christmas Story, The Musical” through Dec. 24 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT’

Mud Creek Players’ production of “The Christmas Spirit,” a holiday comedy, runs through Dec. 17 at Mud Creek Theater, 9740 E. 86th St., Indianapolis. For more, visit mudcreekplayers.org.

‘UH-OH, HERE COMES CHRISTMAS’

Carmel Community Players will present “UhOh, Here Comes Christmas” through Dec. 18 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

‘MICHAEL BOLTON: GREATEST HITS & HOLIDAY FAVORITES’

‘‘Michael Bolton: Greatest Hits & Holiday Favorites’’ concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

‘GLORIA’

The Indianapolis Children’s Choir will have four performances of “Gloria” from Dec. 1618 at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. For more, visit icchoir.org.

‘FESTIVAL OF CAROLS’

Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s “Festival of Carols will present concerts at 8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 3 p.m. Dec. 17-18 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Vocal groups get Songbook honors — The Great American Songbook Foundation has selected three acclaimed vocal groups as its 2022 Songbook Hall of Fame inductees. The Lennon Sisters, The Manhattan Transfer and Straight No Chaser took part in a video induction ceremony and will be honored throughout the coming year with programming.

From left, Celtic Woman members Hannah Traynor, Murgen O’ Mahony, Megan Walsh and Tara McNeil will perform Dec. 15 at the Palladium. (Photo courtesy of Celtic Woman)

Ballet plans Christmas show

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville-based En Pointe Indiana Ballet’s Christmas show presents a true contrast between acts.

“It’s inspired by Smuin Contemporary Ballet company in San Francisco, which is the last company I danced for,” said Robert Moore, who is En Pointe co-artistic director with his wife, Pollyanna Ribeiro. “The first act is classic Christmas, and the second act is cool Christmas. The first act is all classical ballet. It’s religious classical music and it’s all in white. The second act is more jazz inspired. It’s all in red and it’s done to the more popular Christmas music that we know today.”

“An En Pointe Christmas” is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at Noblesville High School.

The nine-minute finale is a rendition of Boston Pops’ “12 Days of Christmas.”

There are 109 dancers in the school. The ages range from 3 to 20.

“The talent is better than ever,” Moore said. “We have a pre-professional day program, and they dance almost 40 hours a

week. There are 23 of them dancing in the show and the age range is 14 to 20. They are all pursuing professional careers. I’m proud of the school and the talent we’ve been able to cultivate.”

Moore said the Christmas show is constantly evolving.

“We bring back some of the favorites we do each year,” Moore said.

For more, visit enpointeindiana.com.

‘Festival of Carols’ concerts set

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Jim Toombs has watched as the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s “Festival of Carols” has come a long way.

There you can spread out.”

Toombs, a tenor 2, has been a member for 27 years. He is a Steffen singer, which means he has been in the choir for more than 20 years. The honor is named after ISC founding conductor Elmer Steffen.

ICC set for ‘Gloria’ concerts

By Mike Beas editorial@youarecurrent.com

p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 17.

The final “Gloria” will be presented at 4 p.m. Dec. 18.

MUSIC

It could be said that Joshua Pedde saw the light when contemplating options for a potential theme to upcoming Christmas shows.

As a result, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir’s “Gloria” will be performed four times from Dec. 1618 at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

“Every year we look for a new theme of what our Christmas show should be,” said Pedde, a Carmel resident who is in his seventh year as the artistic director for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. “The word ‘Gloria’ just kept coming up, and when I looked at the definition, it’s the abundance of light.

“As we continue to find our way out of the pandemic, it’s how we are coming back together, that sense of joy that we experience during the holiday season.”

The Dec. 16 performance of “Gloria” starts at 7 p.m., followed by shows at 3

Indianapolis Children’s Choir is comprised of 600 kids ranging in age from kindergarten through 12th grade. The afternoon shows will feature 400 singers, with 200 taking part in the lone evening performance.

In every performance, the choir will be accompanied by a 15-piece chamber orchestra.

Performance pieces include “We Need A Little Christmas,” “What Child is This?” and “A Tribute to Carols.”

All performances will be inside the church’s main sanctuary.

“I think the joy that I see, not only from the audience, but from the singers, is absolutely wonderful,” Pedde said. “I think it goes back to me having wonderful teachers, so to be able to do that for other students is just a great blessing.”

For more or to purchase tickets, visit icchoir.org or call 317-940-9640 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

CHOIR

The Carmel resident said when he first started singing with the group, “Festival of Carols” was held in a local church.

“We were hoping that two/thirds or maybe the whole congregation was there,” Toombs said. “Nowadays there are usually three soldout performances at the Palladium with a full orchestra.”

“Festival of Carols” is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 3 p.m. Dec. 17-18 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The ISC will perform the “Festival of Carols” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University’s campus in Indianapolis

“The Palladium is such a wonderful facility to sing in,” Toombs said. “It’s easy to hear and easy to see. Some places you get stuck on these risers and your elbow to elbow.

“The organization has really grown,” Toombs said. “We’ve been to Carnegie Hall several times. We’ve been invited to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In 2010, we went to China to sing in the Beijing Concert Hall.”

The artistic director is Eric Stark, the director of choral activities at Butler.

“He is amazing,” Toombs said. “The quality of the performances are great. We’ve developed relationships with other music organizations.”

There are approximately 150 ISC members.

A 1976 Carmel High School graduate, Toombs was a member of the Ambassadors, the mixed show choir, and played clarinet in the marching band at CHS. He is a deputy prosecutor with Hancock County.

For more, visit indychoir.org.

Noblesville residents Joseph Moore and Bella GoMillion will perform in “An En Pointe Christmas.” (Photo courtesy of En Pointe Indiana Ballet)

Pedde

Toombs

Where’s Amy?

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.

A twist on ‘The Nutcracker’

By Mike Beas editorial@youarecurrent.com

Where’s Amy attends ‘A Christmas Story’

DANCE

Growing up just south of Milwaukee in the city of Oak Creek, Wis., Lauren Nasci was barely past her second birthday when she was introduced to the world of ballet.

Now 30, her passion for this approach to performance dance has only increased.

Nasci, a 2014 Butler University graduate who is a founder and community outreach director of Ballet INitiative, will take part in the upcoming productions of “Nutcracker with a Twist,” set for Dec. 16-18 at the Basile Theater at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis.

Naturally, the question the Carmel resident receives most frequently centers on the so-called twist in the title of the holiday favorite.

“Our twist is that our first scene is set in the 1920s with Duke Ellington’s version of Tchaikovsky’s scores,” Nasci said. “Most ‘Nutcrackers’ are the classic Tchaikovsky score. We do use the classic score in our second act, so we do have a little mix of both.

“We wanted to have a fresh take to ‘The

BEHIND BARS: THE WHISTLER

Nutcracker.’”

The Dec. 16-17 shows are at 7:30 p.m.; the Dec. 18 presentation begins at 2 p.m.

The show lasts between 1 hour, 45 minutes, to two hours, with a 15-minute intermission.

Adult tickets are $35 and can be purchased at balletinitiative.org. Tickets are $20 for those 13 and younger.

The Whistler is a tart and refreshing cocktail featuring Hiatus blanco tequila, elderflower, grapefruit soda, lime.

To see a video of this drink being mixed, scan this QR code.

(Photo courtesy of Huse Culinary)

Cutline: Ballet INitiative dancers will perform “Nutcracker with a Twist,” at Dec. 16-18 at The Basile Theater at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of Ballet INitiative)

Fishers residents Josh and Angie Morris with daughter Sage and son Adler attended Civic Theatre’s Dec. 2 opening night of “A Christmas Story, The Musical” at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. This family-friendly musical is sensational. Do not miss it. The feel-good holiday classic runs until Dec. 24. For more, visit Civictheatre.org or call 317-843-3800.

(Photo by Amy Pauszek)

Blueprint for Improvement: Meridian-Kessler kitchen refresh

After

Sometimes, a little refresh is all a room needs to give it an entirely new look and feel. That was exactly the case with this Meridian-Kessler home. The previously-updated kitchen needed a style upgrade to transform the room into a brighter, more modern gathering space.

THE BLUEPRINT

• Zellige hex tile was used to transform the backsplash, providing a subtle yet vibrant pop of color, reflective of the homeowner’s style.

• Granite countertops were replaced with quartz for a more durable work surface with less maintenance and a more seamless, sleek appearance.

• Brass hardware was added to the existing cabinets, giving them an instant upgrade that blends classic warmth with modern style.

• New floating wood shelves provide additional storage and display space, with a rich chestnut stain that adds dimension to the bright space.

• The existing sink was replaced with a farmhouse sink, including a built-in soap dispenser and a goose-neck faucet that provides a more contemporary look. www.spartz.house.gov

Before

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.

Commentary by Larry Greene

Visiting the Chicago River and historic Navy Pier

Commentary by Don Knebel

Chicago has many excellent places to visit, any one of them justifying a trip to the nation’s third-most populous city. Today, we visit two of them — Navy Pier and the Chicago River for an architectural tour.

TRAVEL

Navy Pier is Chicago’s second-most visited site (after Millennium Park), drawing about 9 million visitors each year. The pier, extending 3,300 feet into Lake Michigan, opened in 1916 as both a dock for ships carrying freight and passengers and a waterfront recreation site. Originally known as Municipal Pier, it became Navy Pier in 1927 in honor of Chicago’s World War I veterans. The name became literal during World War II, when the United States Navy used the pier as a training center, employing about 10,000 people on its 50 acres.

After the war, use of the pier for shipping declined and it was reimagined, opening to the public in 1995 as a place for dining, relaxation and entertainment. Among its most popular attractions today are the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, a botanical garden, a large Ferris wheel and a drop tower. A variety of tour boats leave from Navy Pier, some offering dinner cruises.

The most popular cruises, departing from both Navy Pier and near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, tour the Chicago River and explore the city’s history and unique architecture. Probably the most informative of these tours is run by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. The 90-minute tour includes a description of 50 landmark buildings visible from the river, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Marina Towers, the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower and the Montgomery Ward Complex.

Knowledgeable guides explain how the flow of the Chicago River was reversed to keep sewage from flowing into Lake Michigan and how some of the buildings along the river are perched above rail lines.

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

Navy Pier in Chicago at night. (Photo by Don Knebel)

The Chicago River in downtown Chicago.

A view of Chicago from the Chicago River.

Rides at Navy Pier.

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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