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December 17, 2024
Current in Noblesville currentnoblesville.com
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
An update was presented to the Hamilton County Council by Hamilton County Attorney Connor Sullivan, Noblesville Common Council President Darren Peterson and Building and Grounds Director Steve Wood on the Hamilton County Public Safety Training Facility during its Dec. 4 meeting.
The county council also was introduced to a new mental health platform from the Hamilton County Health Department that recently launched.
The next county council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 8, 2025.
What it means: The Hamilton County Council approved a resolution to move forward with a public safety training facility to be built at River Road and 160th Street in Noblesville at its Aug. 8 meeting. Sullivan said the project, which has been in the works for several years, has been worked on by all public safety agencies in the county. Previously, there were concerns surrounding the land for the project because although the building site is in Noblesville, Westfield owns the area and has offered to donate the land. Sullivan said the issue has since been resolved. An operational budget has yet to be voted on, but Wood presented options to the council ranging from $25 to $31 million.
What’s next: The goal of the presentation was to present estimates to the council so bond documents for the project could be prepared. An official bond ordinance is scheduled to be discussed at the council’s Jan. 8 meeting, and land-use documents are being finalized.
Rendering of the site plan for the Hamilton County Public Safety Training Facility. (Rendering courtesy of Darren Peterson)
What happened: The Hamilton County Health Department gave a presentation on its recent partnership with CredibleMind.
What it means: The partnership with CredibleMind involves the launch of a new digital platform for residents struggling with mental health issues. Tammy Sander, the county’s communications director, said CredibleMind is a wellness-oriented platform that provides 24/7 access to more than 10,000 science-based mental health resources. Featured topics range from anxiety and stress to workplace wellness and parenting. There also is a tab for community resources where residents can find a list of local agencies that provide mental wellness services.
What’s next: The platform launched Dec. 2 and can be accessed at hamiltoncounty.crediblemind. com.
The City of Noblesville presented the second Holiday in Lights Parade Dec. 7 in downtown Noblesville with a record number of 60 entries, eclipsing the total for the city’s 2024 Fourth of July Parade.
Longtime Noblesville business owners Stephen and Moffett Craig served as grand marshals. The Craigs, owners of Adrienes Flowers & Gifts in Noblesville, are retiring at the end of the year. The downtown business has been in Moffett’s family for 45 years.
The parade included appearances from multiple local businesses, school clubs and characters such as The Grinch and Santa Clause. Awards were presented for the best holiday-themed entry, the best use of lights and the most hometown-inspired. City departments also competed against one another for a decoration award.
The 2024 Holiday in Lights Parade award winners were:
• Best Holiday-theme: Freedom Church
• Best Use of Lights: Life Church Youth Group
• Most Hometown-inspired: Ace Hardware
• City of Noblesville Department Spirit: Street Department
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By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Representatives from the Karen Cooper Foundation, a California nonprofit whose mission is to bring Christmas to as many sheltered dogs as possible and bring awareness to adoptions, visited the Humane Society for Hamilton County Dec. 9. The organization brought toys and treats to the more than 200 dogs at the shelter.
Karen Cooper died in a car accident May 26, 2023. Her husband Bob Cooper and their daughter Michele have continued her mission to bring Christmas to shelters each year. Last year, the Coopers delivered Christmas gifts across 10 shelters to more than 1,056 dogs in San Diego County.
The Humane Society for Hamilton County is the first shelter the Karen Cooper Foundation has donated to in Indiana. Lily Darling, the facility’s engagement manager, said the shelter was “thrilled” to be a beneficiary.
“The holiday season can be a lonely one for the animals in our care,” Darling said. “These carefully crafted Santa bags, filled with dog toys and treats, will brighten the spirits of the numerous pups in our shelter.”
As of now, the foundation expects to surpass its initial goal of helping 3,000 dogs and is on track to provide Christmas to 3,400 dogs.
For more, visit karencooperfoundation. org or hamiltonhumane.com.
news@currentnoblesville.com
Noblesville Schools has announced it will launch a Hall of Fame in 2025.
Marnie Cooke, executive director of marketing and communications for Noblesville Schools, said it will honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service, support, accomplishments or contributions to Noblesville Schools.
“This is different (from) our Noblesville High School Athletic Hall of Fame,” Cooke stated. “Similar to the Noble Miller initiative that was part of the district’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2019, this will be a visible and permanent way for us to celebrate the legacy of those who have positively impacted the students, staff and overall success of Noblesville Schools.”
Eligibility guidelines include:
• Nominees must be at least 18 years old.
• Nominees should have made a significant and positive impact on Noblesville Schools.
• Self-nominations, nominations of current students and nominations of current employees will not be accepted.
• Nominations for posthumous awards will be accepted for consideration. Nomination guidelines include:
• Ideal nominees are alumni, retired staff members or dedicated community leaders.
• There is no limit on the number of nominations you may submit.
• Nominations must be made within the established deadline.
• Once an individual is nominated, they will remain a nominee in future years if they were not yet selected. The initiative is a collaboration between Noblesville Schools and the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation. Cooke said the first class of inductees will be announced at the 2025 Miller-Palooza event. The district is currently exploring options for a permanent structure to honor Hall of Fame inductees, according to Cooke. Hall of Fame nominations are due by Jan. 17, 2025. The application can be found at tinyurl.com/59mspna8
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Fit Body Boot Camp, which offers 30-minute, high-intensity small-group training classes, will open at 14741 Hazel Dell Crossing in Noblesville Jan. 13, 2025.
The fitness center is owned by Jared and Taylor Cooksey of McCordsville. They said they decided to open the franchise in Noblesville because of their fondness for the area.
“I’ve been looking at doing something like this for a while now, and it turns out there’s a Fit Body Boot Camp in McCordsville,” Jared said. “I decided to research and talk through the leadership role at Fit Body and realized I would enjoy doing it. Noblesville is a beautiful area.”
Jared, who has a business administration and marketing degree from Ball State University, said this is his family’s first experience with owning a business.
“We have pretty extensive backgrounds in sports and fitness,” Jared said. “I played football, baseball, basketball and soccer growing up, and (Taylor) was active in soccer. We took TKO boxing classes at the YMCA downtown, which were 30 minutes
long and were intense. It was so much fun going through the grind with people and laughing it out. I also coached and would run the classes for fun because I enjoyed doing it. That led us to this.”
An orientation week will be offered Jan. 8, Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 and regular classes begin Jan. 13. The facility will offer classes for people 18 and older, with an option for high school students to participate with a signed waiver.
Classes are typically $40 for a week for unlimited training sessions, but the facility has a promotion for four weeks of unlimited sessions for $40 for its grand opening.
The grand opening promotion runs until the first week of January. For more, visit go.noblesvillefbbc.com/4-for-40-email-text.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School senior quarterback Maverick Geske put up some eye-popping numbers during the football season.
“He’s had amazing production in his high school career,” said Matt Geske, his father and Brebeuf Jesuit’s head coach. “He finished in the top 14 all-time in career yards.”
A Zionsville resident, Maverick’s single-season total of 4,039 yards in 2024 is fifth on the IHSAA state list.
“Outside of his production and physical attributes from his freshman year to now has been the leadership, the ability to get his teammates all playing together, the camaraderie, the work ethic, all those things combined has made (him) a special on-thefield player and, more importantly, brought our team along with him,” Geske said.
Maverick, who is 6 feet and 205 pounds, completed 211 of 346 passes (61 percent)
Favorite athlete: Baker Mayfield
Favorite TV show: “Succession”
Favorite vacation spot: Grand Cayman
Favorite musician: Drake
Favorite subject: Social studies
with 40 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. He also rushed for eight touchdowns and caught a TD pass for the Braves (8-3), who reached the Class 4A sectional semifinal before losing to Roncalli.
Maverick threw for 3,084 yards as a junior. He became the starter during his sophomore season, throwing for 1,651 yards while completing 56 percent of his
courtesy of LJ Lesing)
attempts. He was recently named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association’s Class 4A All-State Senior Team.
His production earned him an offer to play football at several schools, including a recent offer from Indiana University.
“Being with a lot of those guys for the past four years in the weight room and offseason, it was pretty fun,” Maverick said. “We got a couple of special things done, like beating Carmel. We didn’t go as far as
we planned (in the postseason) but it was definitely a fun season.”
Maverick said his main improvement has been in leadership
“My leadership has improved drastically over the last two years,” he said.
On the field, he said his decision-making has been another big improvement.
Studying game film helped in that aspect, he said.
Maverick, who will graduate this month, might enroll in college in January to take part in spring practice.
“I want to put on some weight to compete with those (older) guys,” he said. “I want to get a little stronger. My goal weight is 215.”
Maverick, who turns 18 later this month, had a 7-1 record for Brebeuf’s baseball team last season as a pitcher. The Braves reached the IHSAA Class 3A state championship before losing to New Prairie.
“Baseball has been a close second, but football has always been my No. 1 sport,” Maverick said.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
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• Treatment of back and neck pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, herniated discs and work-related injuries
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• Cutting edge, minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery and less post-operative pain
• Experienced, Compassionate, Fellowship-trained Spine Surgeon
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen serves as a guest conductor Dec. 7 at the Noblesville High School’s 12-hour Play-a-Thon. The event raised funds for the orchestra’s trip to the 2025 National Music for All Festival. Other guest conductors included Noblesville Schools Superintendent Dan Hile, school board member Joe Forgey and the Noblesville Miller mascot. The NHS orchestra has been chosen to compete in the music festival, which will be March 13 through March 15 in Indianapolis. NHS is the only school that was selected from Indiana to perform. To support the orchestra, visit tinyurl. com/bdfwzjez. (Photo courtesy of Marnie Cooke)
The Noblesville community gathered in Seminary Park Dec. 6 as Mayor Chris Jensen flipped a switch to light the park for the holidays. The city partnered with several organizations to make the event possible, and it coincided with the Indiana Peony Festival’s final flower market of the year. Noblesville Preservation Alliance Executive Director Josh Glassburn-Ruby said the tradition to light the park was initiated in 2018 by Noblesville Community Engagement Manager Aaron Head. “Aaron Head took a trip to Riverview Hospital to look at decorations they no longer had storage space for, though he wasn’t sure what to do with them,” Glassburn-Ruby said. “After (he) spoke with the parks director, the answer became clear — Seminary Park.” (Photos by Jessica Todd)
Traffic shift — Drivers traveling through the intersection of Allisonville Road and 146th Street will experience a traffic shift as part of ongoing construction at the interchange. The shift, scheduled on or after Dec. 19, will reroute eastbound traffic onto the eastbound White River Bridge. The intersection is on schedule to be completed in summer 2025, but not before another traffic shift in the spring. The spring shift will move traffic onto the bridge over Allisonville Road and will allow drivers access to the roundabout below, weather permitting. Crews are converting the current intersection into a grade-separated interchange with a roundabout running below 146th Street on Allisonville Road. The improvements are designed to reduce congestion and enhance safety for drivers in the area.
Stuff Da Bus — The Stuff Da Bus project has been running at the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville for 15 years as a joint project between the BGCN’S Torch & Keystone Clubs. This year members were able to raise $11,150 in sponsorships with 28 different donors. Members also had the opportunity to walk in the city’s Holiday in Lights Parade to celebrate and recognize the project.
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
An Indiana nonprofit that provides applied behavioral analysis therapy services has expanded its offerings at its Carmel location.
Little Star ABA Therapy provides a variety of services to people with autism. Although the center provides daily services to children, the Little Star Psychological Services department is focused on teens and adults who are underserved in the Indianapolis region.
The program assists adults with time management, money management and social skills.
“The psych-services department at Little Star is relatively new. We’ve only been around since 2020,” said Lauryn M. Toby, a behavior analyst, psychologist and vice president of Psychological Services at Little Star Therapy Center. “We’ve just been slowly trying to grow these services.”
Toby said most people served at Little Star are younger and more impacted by autism symptoms, which often require intensive therapy. But the psychological services program focuses on adolescents and the adults who are in school or who have recently finished school but are struggling in certain areas.
“A lot of times with higher-functioning autism or people who are less impacted by their autism symptoms, (it) doesn’t start to really affect them as significantly until they become adults,” Toby said. “Where they struggle is with keeping a job and living independently and all of those skills that you need to be successful as an adult. And so, our goal has really just been, ‘What can we bring and what can we provide to fill in those gaps?’”
One way Little Star assists the adults is through social skills groups, where those receiving services can form connections and practice hands-on skills — sometimes as simple as role-playing how to act in a social setting, from answering the door to hosting friends to interacting with others at a party.
Jennifer Baker, a behavior analyst and Little Star’s Psychological Services director, said working with adult groups led to the inaugural Infinity Market, which took place in November at the West Fork Whiskey
event center in Westfield.
“The Infinity Market was kind of born out of individuals in our adult group noting that they really struggle with traditional employment for a variety of reasons,” Baker said. “So, we would have lessons on interviewing and traditional 9-to-5 instructions. We had a lot of anxiety and fear (over workplace settings), just a lot of different sensory concerns which is typical with autism.”
Adults in the program can set up booths at the market to sell their own goods, such as handmade journals, cutting boards and purses. It was a way to introduce creators to alternative career opportunities.
“It’s also a representation,” she said. “It’s not very often that they might see other autistic people being really successful in their careers.”
Baker said the idea behind the fair was not only to provide a space to sell their wares, but to serve as inspiration for others to consider similar career options.
“We wanted to create a space for them where we were really thinking about the sensory accommodations that we need there and they have a lot of support,” she said.
Little Star ABA Therapy is at 12650 Hamilton Crossing Blvd. in Carmel. Additional centers are in Bloomington, Clarksville, Newburgh and West Lafayette. Learn more at littlestaraba.org.
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Former Noblesville resident Andrew Lemna is bringing improv comedy to his hometown at the end of the month.
Lemna, who graduated from Noblesville High School in 2011, co-founded a nonprofit improv theater, Logan Square Improv, with Carmel High School graduate Alex Prichodko in 2018. They are now teaming to present a one-night show in Noblesville at Preservation Hall, 1274 Logan St., at 7 p.m. Dec. 28.
“We’re going to have long-form improv from Alex and I, as well as a team based in Indianapolis, Behind the Couch Improv,” Lemna said. “We’re hoping they can promote their team and create a new audience by performing at this show.”
Tickets are $10 and all proceeds defray operations and programming costs at Logan Square Improv at 2825 W. Diversey Ave. in Chicago and will help pay the Dec. 28 show.
“We decided to do the show in our hometown to share what we do in Chicago with all of our friends and family, as well as the Indianapolis community,” Lemna said. “There’s a lot of comedy in Chicago, but there’s also great comedy in Indianapolis. Our goal is to show everyone what a typical show at Logan Square Improv looks like. Preservation Hall is a natural fit to capture the environment of our theater in Chicago.”
Prichodko said he looks forward to the show and for the audience to enjoy Lemna’s improv skills.
“Andrew is truly the best,” Prichodko said. “It’s been so incredible being on this improv journey with him and watching him grow as a performer and leader. He’s the heart and soul of Logan Square Improv, and the theater wouldn’t be the same without him. Andrew is a joy to watch improvise on stage.”
After graduating from NHS, Lemna attended Purdue University, where he majored in Agribusiness and met Prichodko. Lemna briefly moved to Noblesville after graduating. Prichodko then introduced him to improv at INDYPROV in Indianapolis.
“I learned about improv at INDYPROV, and once I moved to Chicago for a job offer, I started taking classes at an improv theater called The Second City,” Lemna said. “I got really involved in the comedy scene there.”
Prichodko also relocated to the Chicago area, where he and Lemna started a weekly variety show, the “Thursday Show,” in a bar in Chicago. The show expanded into what is now Logan Square Improv.
“Alex and I were good friends who got along and had the same creative energy, so we started doing programs and shows on the weekend and teaching classes,” Lemna said. “I just really fell in love with how much community improv created for me and how much positivity came from it.”
Lemna said organizing the initial “Thursday Show” and meeting audience members is what inspired he and Prichodko to open their nonprofit theater in 2018.
“We wanted to grow our network and help out other people who wanted to try improv,” Lemna said. “We have $5 tickets for shows, which is cheap for a nonprofit. One of our big goals is to make a space where anyone can show up for an affordable price and watch and learn about good improv.”
Lemna said improv is an art form rooted in social work and helping children who speak different languages connect, which also is a big issue Logan Square Improv supports.
“The roots of improv are in community and connection more than anything else,” Lemna said. “That is valuable and important to our theater.”
Logan Square Improv is continuing to evolve with more classes and shows. It presents shows Wednesday through
Who: Alex Prichodko and Andrew Lemna
What: An improv comedy show with special guests and performances from Lemna, Prichodko and Behind the Couch Improv.
When: 7 p.m. Dec 28
Where: Preservation Hall in Noblesville, 1274 Logan St.
Why: Prichodko and Lemna want to show the greater Indianapolis community how they have evolved with improv and give their hometown a look at the work they do at their Chicago theater, Logan Square Improv.
Tickets: tinyurl.com/3erbw54a
Sunday and offers a two-level improv class program.
“Our community has naturally expanded in the Logan Square neighborhood and beyond,” Lemna said. “It is an exciting time for us, and we hope to continue to be a space where improv is not considered intimidating. I am excited for the show in Noblesville and to show both of our hometowns a glimpse at everything we have created.”
For more about Logan Square Improv, visit logansquareimprov.com.
ON THE COVER: From
currentnightandday.com
Submitted by Great American Songbook Foundation
As the air fills with the familiar strains of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” – the bestselling pop single of all time — the Great American Songbook Foundation is unveiling a piece of music history once owned by the man who wrote it.
Irving Berlin, a Jewish immigrant from Russia, revolutionized American popular music with many classic songs that have become part of the fabric of our culture: “Blue Skies,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Anything You Can Do,” “Happy Holiday,” “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and even “God Bless America,” to name a few.
His success came despite interesting personal limitations: Berlin did not read or write music, and as a self-taught pianist, he preferred playing on the black keys, corresponding to the key of F-sharp. As time went on, he commissioned piano makers to build transposing instruments — pianos with mechanisms enabling the player to shift the keyboard left or right and play in any key without changing hand position.
One of those rare instruments was donated recently to the Songbook Foundation’s vast Songbook Library & Archives by Berlin’s family. Built circa 1955 by Sohmer & Co. of New York, it is a well-constructed but simple upright piano with a twist: a transposing lever mounted under the keyboard.
After some restoration work at Piano Solutions in Carmel, the unusual instrument is back at the Songbook Library & Archives, near the Songbook Foundation’s headquarters at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Later this month, it will be publicly displayed for the first time in conjunction with Civic Theatre’s production of “White Christmas” at the Center’s Tarkington theater, a musical adaptation of the 1954 Bing Crosby film that features 17 songs by Berlin.
(“Moon River,” “Hooray for Hollywood”) and Richard Whiting (“On the Good Ship Lollipop,” “Ain’t We Got Fun?”).
Kept in the songwriter’s New York office, the piano was one of three Sohmers left to Berlin’s three daughters after his death in 1989. His daughter Mary Ellen Barrett died in 2022 and passed it down to her daughter Elizabeth Matson, who donated it to the Songbook Foundation.
“I learned about the Great American Songbook Foundation a few years ago, and knew right away it would be the perfect place to donate this treasured family heirloom,” Matson said. “There could be no better place for Irving Berlin’s special instrument than in this museum devoted to celebrating the legacy of all the Great American Songbook writers.”
Songbook Foundation Executive Director Christopher Lewis said the priceless artifact will receive the respect and attention it deserves.
“Few artists exemplify the American Songbook more than Irving Berlin,” Lewis said. “We are eternally grateful to the family for entrusting us with this historic instrument and to the Piano Solutions staff for their expertise in helping us to preserve it. This piano will soon have a prominent place in our Songbook Exhibit Gallery at the Palladium and it ultimately will be a highlight of our planned music museum and visitor experience.”
Piano Solutions owners Greg Durthaler and Brian Hostetler have serviced several historic pianos for the Songbook Foundation, including instruments owned by songwriters Harold Arlen (“Over the Rainbow,” “Stormy Weather”), Johnny Mercer
Despite their decades in the business, however, the Berlin instrument was the first transposing piano they had worked on. They described the project as a “conservation” job, returning the long-dormant instrument to its original working condition with a minimum of replacement parts. The piano had to be dismantled to a large extent, with the keyboard removed to reveal the machinery within. The meticulous work included reglueing joints and cleaning and lubricating scores of small parts, rebuilding rather than replacing any broken or worn elements. The wooden case was deep-cleaned and treated for mildew but not refinished.
The first priority was to figure out how the transposing mechanism was designed and how to get it working again. Hostetler deduced that the piano’s central pedal had to be pushed all the way down to allow the lever and the keyboard to move freely, sliding left or right in increments to cover the 12 keys of Western music. A small brass plate with markings indicates the current key.
“It’s ingenious, but it also can cause problems if you’re not really careful with it,” Hostetler said. “Over the years, the device can actually break parts that you don’t want broken.”
Now fully functioning, the Berlin piano will be viewable publicly for the first time during the Dec. 20-21 final weekend of Civic Theatre’s “White Christmas” at The Tarkington. The lobby display also will include other relevant items from the Songbook Library & Archives, including an original promotional poster for the movie, a written arrangement of “White Christmas” owned by co-star Rosemary Clooney and a snow globe gifted by Berlin to Clooney as a memento of the production.
The piano also will be employed for a tune at the Songbook Foundation’s upcoming presentation Songbook Academy Sings the Songs of the Season, with two sold-out concerts by Songbook Academy alumni scheduled Dec. 22 at the center’s Studio Theater.
‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Story: The Musical” runs through Jan. 5 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
“A Sinatra Christmas” is set for Dec. 18, followed by “Deception: An Evening of Magic and Lies: Dec. 19 and Frank D’Ambrosio Dec. 21-22 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. The performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’
Civic Theatre presents “White Christmas” through Dec. 24 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
‘FESTIVAL OF CAROLS’
Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s “Festival of Carols” is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 20 and 3 p.m. Dec. 21-22 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘SEUSSICAL’
Carmel Apprentice Theatre’s production of “Seussical” runs through Dec. 22 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way. For more, visit thecat.biz.
‘Voices of Christmas’ concert set — The Indianapolis Opera’s “Voices of Christmas” concert is set for 3 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Basile Opera Center, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis. The concert includes the Indianapolis Opera Chorus and a special appearance from the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra. Tickets are $25.
Foxworthy to perform in Fishers — Renowned comedian Jeff Foxworthy will perform live at the new Fishers Event Center Feb. 21, 2025, for the first Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation Legacy Celebration. Tickets are on sale at FishersEventCenter.com. A portion of proceeds benefit staff and students of Hamilton Southeastern Schools. For more, visit jefffoxworthy.com.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Indianapolis Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” has been a holiday fixture at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre in Indianapolis for several years. Althought the story remains the same, it’s always a new look.
“The production is staged every year in a similar way, but it is never the same as it is a live performance,” said Victoria Lyras, Indianapolis Ballet’s founding artistic director. “It is a wonderful time of the year to share the love for this art form with our audiences through this magical production.”
Indianapolis Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will be presented Dec. 19-22. The production has been at the Murat since 2016 except for 2020, when the performance was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this year’s production, we feature three ballerinas as the Sugar Plum with three different Cavaliers,” Lyras said. “We also have three Snow Queens with their three Snow Kings. Clara is danced by a student from the Indianapolis School of Ballet and ‘The Nutcracker’ is performed by three different dancers in the company.”
The Nutcracker Tea, featuring characters from the performance, is set for noon Dec. 21 in the Tunisian Room at the Murat Shrine. Those buying Nutcracker Tea tickets receive a 20 percent discount on the same-day matinee tickets.
“The Nutcracker Tea is very popular, especially combining it before our Saturday matinee,” Indianapolis Ballet Executive Director Don Steffy said. “Families receive two holiday experiences in one afternoon — the Tea and the performance of the full-length ‘Nutcracker.’”
For tickets, visit indyballet.org.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Mary Jo Wright has been with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir for 11 years, but being a member never gets old.
“I love singing with the choir because it just provides an outlet to do really beautiful music with people that love music as much as I do,” the Carmel resident said. “I’m not professionally trained, but that is not a requirement to be in this choir, although you do have to go through an audition every year for quality control. I love that part of it and it’s challenging.”
There will be three performances of the ISC’s “Festival of Carols” at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The performances are at 8 p.m. Dec. 20 and 3 p.m. Dec. 21-22. There will be a 7:30 p.m. performance at the Schrott Center for the Arts in Indianapolis.
Wright said the music changes every year, but the group always performs Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from the “Messiah.” The ISC also performs “The Dream Isaiah Saw” each year.
Lyras Wagaman Wright
“We get our Christmas music in October and we start working on it,” Wright said. “It really is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s music we all love and people come to hear it.”
“We usually end the concert with those two songs because it’s a very poignant part of the concerts,” Wright said.
Wright said they are revisiting “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” with longtime award-winning journalist Debby Knox doing the narrator’s part. The Lawrence Central High School choir will do two pieces and join for the final two songs.
Alden Wagaman, a 25-year-old Noblesville resident, is in his first year with the choir.
“It’s something I wanted to do my whole life as a young aspiring musician,” he said. “Being in the Symphonic Choir has been amazing.”
Wagaman, the director of choral activities at Lincoln Middle School in the Pike schools system in Indianapolis, said ISC Artistic Director Eric Stark creates a good grouping of sacred and secular songs.
“There are fast and slow tempos. There is a nice wide variety,” Wagaman said. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.
A duck leg, sausage, and beans is cassoulet (Photo courtesy of Lone Pine)
Lone Pine Steakhouse, 710 S Rangeline Rd, Carmel, is the new bistro on the block featuring a menu full of classic dishes with plenty of personal touches.
Diners can expect some familiar options with steak and frites, chops and seasonal seafood. Or they can venture into some of the dishes where chefs Ben Barnas and Aaron Hansen let it all hang out.
Starters like chicken liver pate with pickled plums, mustard seed and leek strands on crispy semolina toast, or “pizza” mushrooms, are a great way to kick off the meal, followed by either cassoulet, a stew of duck, sausage and beans, or brined and crispy fried Cornish hen for entrees. Even the deserts are scratch made and always
change. Don’t forget the beverage program, Owner and Certified Sommelier Josh Mazanowski has curated a great bottle and by-the-glass wine list.
Lone Pine is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m.; and Sunday 5 to 10 p.m. It is losed Monday.
MOST UNIQUE MENU ITEM
Pizza mushrooms! Eli Creek maitake and oyster mushrooms sautéed in tallow butter with roasted red peppers and pepperoncini, pizza spices, basil aioli, pecorino cheese.
CAN I GET ANOTHER GLASS OF … Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel, Sonoma County.
Werkstatt
Dec. 16-24, Anja Werner, Plauen Woodworking Artist
Kinderecke
Dec. 16-20, Woodworking with Deeply Ingrained
Spielhaus
Dec. 17, 4-9 p.m., Storytelling & Roz Puppets
Dec. 20, 12-3 p.m., Music & Dance with Copper Z Wellness
Dec. 21, 4-7 p.m., Snow Queen & Happy Snowman
Dec. 22, 12-6 p.m. & Dec. 24, 12-4 p.m. Santa
Entertainment
Dec. 17, 6-7 p.m., 6-7 p.m., Dianna Davis and Mario Joven
Dec. 20, 7-9 p.m., 7-9 p.m., Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio
Dec. 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m. & 8-9 p.m., Mike Schneider Band
Dec. 22, 12:30-1:30 p.m. & 3:30-4:30 p.m., Mike Schneider Band
November 23 - December 24
As a Noblesville resident, I’ve spent countless hours driving across the White River. My wife and I live in South Harbor with our two kids, and many days, we’re crossing town for school, sports and activities. Before Pleasant Street, most commutes meant a frustrating crawl through downtown traffic. Now, that same trip is a swift jump across the river.
To be clear, the White River has been a challenge long before I called Noblesville home. At one time, 146th Street was a twolane road, and Conner and Logan streets were the only ways through downtown. As our city grew, important arteries like Logan Street, Ind. 37 and Field Drive expanded with it.
Each of these projects stirred controversy, as change often does. The Pleasant Street extension has been no exception. For decades, the barriers to this project seemed insurmountable. There was no easy route, and the funding needed was significant. Yet, every study illustrated the same picture — we needed to build the bridge.
That’s exactly what Chris Jensen campaigned on when he ran for mayor in 2019. He clearly laid out the vision with transparency and fiscal responsibility — a model other leaders in our state would be wise to follow.
Most importantly, the bridge now serves as a connection point. In the past, my neighbors found it more convenient to visit Westfield to eat or shop. Now, more of us are choosing to visit stores downtown and along Ind. 37, as the commute has become significantly easier.
To my fellow Noblesville residents, give Pleasant Street a drive. Your tax dollars have been invested well. The bridge is a symbol of our community’s commitment to moving forward while honoring our past. We should all remember that we are a part of Noblesville’s ongoing history – and our best chapters are yet to be written. Matt Dripps, Noblesville
Sound of laughter 16. Apt anagram for DORMITORY
18. Change one’s story? 19. I-465 road goo 20. “Once ___ a time...”
22. Like an Indy car 25. Uppity one 26. Swampy ground 29. Japanese currency 30. Britney Spears: “Oops!...I ___ It Again”
Autocrats of old
In no way 36. Beat at the Mini Marathon
37. Apt anagram for WESTERN UNION
39. Mar
40. Make sure
42. “We Have the Meats!” advertiser
43. Pen filler
44. Fishers-to-Omaha dir.
45. Colts stats
46. Arm bone
48. Europe’s longest river
50. UIndy instructor
51. Beatles: “___ the Walrus”
52. Leg hinge
55. Apt anagram for BUTTERFLY
60. Fruit trees
61. Voice quality
62. Clinton’s veep
63. Coagulate
64. Do laps in the Westfield Community Pool
65. At the summit
1. Depressed
2. CBS forensic franchise
3. Put on WTHR
4. Photo finish
5. Dog’s warning
6. Late Chinese leader
7. Beach Boys: “I Get ___”
8. ISO pace
9. One of the five Ws for a Current reporter
10. Peter, Paul and Mary: “If I ___ a Hammer”
11. Tuna type
12. Tit for ___
17. Talk, talk, talk
21. Kind of angle
22. Dictionary abbr.
23. Ex-Pacers coach: Slick
24. Buries in a vault
25. Locale
26. It may give a hoot on
a farm
27. Using the soapbox
28. Channel with “Family Feud” reruns
30. Calamitous
32. Proofreader’s mark
34. On the road
35. California coastal region
36. Short race, for short
38. Annapolis inits.
39. 86,400 seconds
41. Bygone airline
43. Company’s receivables
47. Some artists’ studios
48. Easley Winery container
49. Rolex rival
50. Annoying one
51. Tabloid pair
52. Col. Sanders’ chain
53. Indy Eleven’s zero
54. Sense of self
56. A third of tri-
57. Decompose
58. “My man!” 59. Slangy assent Answers on
Save
your time!
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