December 31, 2024 — Noblesville by Current Publishing

LOOKING AHEAD

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

With the Jim Dandy Restaurant closing at the start of 2025, Syd’s Bar & Grill at 808 Logan St. will become Noblesville’s oldest eatery. It will celebrate its 80th anniversary in the new year with new menu items.

RESTAURANT

Walter Carey and Sid Gill opened Syd’s in 1945. It is known locally for a shuffleboard court, which has been in the building since it opened.

“It is a huge gathering spot,” Syd’s General Manager Michael Smith said. “People love to come in and play it and hang around. It has been a big talking point in Noblesville because it’s antique and unique.”

The restaurant has had a number of owners, with Brian Knoderer taking ownership in 2022. Smith said under Knoderer’s ownership, the business took off in new ways.

“There have been a lot of restaurants

going up and others that go up and then close again,” Smith said. “Our manager Rhonda has done a great job at keeping Syd’s a focal point of the square and making it a welcoming, fun spot to come to with friends. Since Brian took over in 2022, we have renovated and started moving toward the feel of Noblesville with more live music, events and community involvement.”

Syd’s Manager, Rhonda Epp, said the restaurant is more involved with the com-

Longtime business continues to grow County surveyor to retire after 51 years

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton County Surveyor Kenton Ward, a Noblesville resident, will retire after 51 years at the end of the year after serving 51 years in the elected office.

PROFILE

Ward, 70, was 22 when he became the county’s surveyor in 1977. The Association of Indiana Counties named him the state’s Outstanding County Surveyor in 1984, 2004 and 2024.

descriptions for each city and town, among other duties.

“A long time ago, the job involved a lot of field work, like surveying, inspection and looking at problem areas,” Ward said. “It’s graduated to reviewing work from my staff and preparing documents — a lot of office work. I miss going out in the field.”

Technology also has continued to evolve, which has impacted his time as a surveyor.

munity than it has ever been.

“We focus on growth and couple that with the tradition of Syd’s,” Epp said. “The business is very much tapped into tradition. Someone’s dad or grandparent had their first beer here and now they come in for one.”

As downtown Noblesville continues to welcome new businesses, Smith is excited about the square’s future.

“I don’t look at it as a competition as much as bringing more variety to the downtown area,” Smith said. “With all of these new places going in, none of them are what Syd’s is trying to be or ever has been. I think downtown Noblesville could be amazing, like the Broad Ripple of the ‘90s and early 2000s, when it was lively every night with music and multiple places to walk. I’m excited about the new variety, and we support all of them.”

Syd’s Bar & Grill serves a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and entrée items, with its most popular being the breaded tenderloin, according to Epp.

For more, visit sydsfinefoods.com.

“I was going to school for construction and technology, and surveying was part of the courses we had to take,” Ward said. “I needed a part-time job, so I asked the previous surveyor for a job during my freshman year, and he gave me one.”

According to Hamilton County, the county surveyor is a constitutional officer elected to a four-year term. Ward has been responsible for maintaining a legal survey record book for all legal surveys within the county; keeping and maintaining a corner record book showing original government section corners; and maintaining annexation descriptions and dis-annexation

“Technology has gone beyond anything I ever dreamed of,” Ward said. “I started work using an 18-inch dumpy level on a wooden tripod that would give me a groove in my shoulder by the end of the day. I had 10 pounds of mud on each foot when trying to survey or do anything in a farm area.”

Ward said his favorite part of being in office has been solving problems and watching his solutions take shape. His biggest challenge has been funding.

“Drainage projects are basically a user fee,” Ward said. “There’s no other money available until very recently when we had the ARPA funds, but that’s limited. It runs out at the end of this year. Other than that, sometimes you’re not very popular when

you submit a very expensive project.”

Ward said one of his most significant and rewarding accomplishments was helping Sheridan with its floodplain issues.

“There are a number of projects that I’m proud of, but pulling finances together from the federal government and working with Sheridan is one of the most rewarding,” Ward said. “We’ve got a nice area there now that is county-owned that has an open ditch through it, in the detention area, and then a two-stage ditch downstream to accommodate the amount of water needed.”

Ward said he is proud of the county’s Water Availability Study. The three-year, $2-plus million study began in 2021 and includes monitoring aquifer and surface water levels and quality, improving long-term water availability, expanding aquifer yield for drinking water and exploring innovative designs for aquifer recharge.

Ward said he looks forward to traveling when he retires and that his wife, Robin, told him he was not allowed to say yes to anything for one year.

“I’m just tired,” Ward said. “I think my successor is going to do a good job and carry on the work that I started.”

December 31, 2024

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Syd’s Bar & Grill at 808 Logan St. in Noblesville. (Photo courtesy of Syd’s Bar & Grill)

Ward

Parents host hot cocoa stand for daughter with rare disorder

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville couple Matt and Emily Haus will have a hot cocoa stand at their home at 206 Andover Lane from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 to raise awareness and funds for their 4-year-old daughter, Haley, who has a rare disorder for which there is no cure or treatment.

FUNDRAISER

swer,” Matt said. “Only about 300 to 400 people in the world have been diagnosed with it.”

A small group of parents and families who have children affected by the disorder gather yearly to fundraise for a nonprofit called SLC6A1 Connect. Matt said his family has been raising funds for the organization for three years.

Haley has SLC6A1 neurodevelopmental disorder, a genetic condition that impacts brain development and function, causing developmental delays, seizures, intellectual disabilities and autism, among other health problems.

Matt said he and his wife noticed Haley was having developmental delays and tremors at a young age. They saw several doctors before a diagnosis was made.

“They ordered genetic testing for her and that is where we finally got our an-

“As parents of a child affected by SLC6A1 disorder, this cause is very close to our hearts,” Matt said. “We are passionate about spreading awareness and supporting organizations like SLC6A1 Connect, which provides vital resources and research funding for individuals with SLC6A1 neurodevelopmental disorder.”

Although there is no cure or treatment for the disorder, Haley is on a trial medication that Matt said has helped her symptoms.

“She is doing relatively well,” Matt said. “A lot of the kids cannot talk. She can. The

trial medicine she is on is a result of some of the fundraising that we have done. She still has some seizures. She’s behind with her development, but we’re really fighting for her because we would love for her to have a chance to grow up and do all the things you want your kids to do, like drive and live independently. At the pace she’s on, that’s definitely in question.”

Over the summer, the family raised $3,000 through a lemonade stand. The idea to hold a hot cocoa stand came from family friends who live in Kansas City.

“The hot cocoa stand is pay-what-youcan because every little bit helps,” Matt said. “Whether it’s $3 or if some people donate $100, it gives people a chance to meet Haley and learn about the disease. Right now, there’s zero awareness because of how rare it is, and there’s no incentive for any pharmaceutical company or professionals to search for it.”

For more, visit hopeforhaley.org and slc6a1connect.org/haley.

DISPATCHES

Promotions — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office recently announced a series of promotions across multiple divisions.

Promotions include:

Jail Division:

Dustin Castor – Jail captain

Justin Rennaker – Assistant jail commander

Dalton Ballard – Lieutenant

Kirstin Wagoner – Sergeant

Ryan Mosley – Sergeant

Teresa Woods – Sergeant

Luke Dietz – Sergeant

Allen Henricks – Sergeant

Patrol Division:

Adam Leckrone – Sergeant

Austin Rumer – Sergeant

Indiana Chamber — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce will begin 2025 with 24 new directors on its board. All new board members will serve three-year terms through fall 2027. Amongst the new board members is Nathan Stallings of Noblesville, president at Matrix Integration.

Haley Haus

CHS senior swimmer Shackell caps a golden year

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School senior swimmer Alex Shackell had a sweet cap to a special year.

Shackell, who earned gold and silver medals for participating in Team USA relays at the Paris Olympics, had a strong showing at the World Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary.

Shackell was on the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team, which captured the gold with a world record time of 3:25.01.

“Being a part of the world record relay was the most unreal experience,” Shackell said. “Going into the race I had no idea what the world record was. It came as a total surprise. It was great to be able to represent a USA relay at finals again. I’m happy with the two golds I earned but that’s not how I base my success.”

Shackell earned a second gold medal for the 4x100 medley relay since she was a member of the relay in the preliminaries. She won a silver in the 4x100 mixed medley and a bronze in the 4x50 mixed medley and

ALEX SHACKELL

Favorite Athlete: Lilly King

Favorite TV show: “Criminal Minds”

Favorite subject: English

Favorite vacation spot: California

was fourth in the 200-meter butterfly.

“I am pretty proud of my 200 fly prelims swim,” she said. “I thought I swam it smart and was happy with the time. I was actually pretty upset with my 200 fly finals performance. The time I went in prelims would have gotten me on the podium, so I was pretty frustrated. I’ve been working on being able to finish my 200 fly better when

racing elite competition, so this is a good experience for me and the disappointment is only going to make me better.”

CHS boys and girls swimming coach

Chris Plumb served as the USA head coach at the meet.

“Alex had some terrific performances and is now a world record holder,” Plumb said. “At the same time, getting experiences at the world level will continue to help her grow and develop.”

Shackell said Plumb did a great job of leading the national team.

“Although he was head coach, I didn’t really see him any differently,” Shackell said. “We both just kept things as normal as possible.”

Shackell decided to defer her college enrollment for a year and continue training with the Carmel Swim Club for a year after graduation. She originally committed to the University of California at Berkeley.

“Training at Carmel is working for me and I’m super happy with where I am, so for now taking the extra year is best for me,” Shackell said.

Shackell, who has won 11 IHSAA state titles, will seek to add to her total Feb. 15 at the 2025 state meet.

To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.

•

Carmel High School senior Alex Shackell won two gold medals at the World Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary. (File photo)

I Bridge.

FRE E Bridge Classes

Classes Start in January

Beginning Bridge

• Offered Sundays at 2 p.m., Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. or Thursdays at 9 a.m.

• 9 weeks

• $10 for the instructional materials; non-members price $180 Play of the Hand

• Offered Mondays at 2:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.

• 9 weeks

• $10 for the instructional materials; non-member price $180

WHERE:

From left, Noblesville High School seniors Israel (Josh) Tioua Ponpou and Vaibhav Patel recently received Lilly Scholarships that will pay all their expenses to any university in Indiana. This is the first time NHS has had two winners in the same year and marks the third consecutive year NHS has had a Lilly winner. (Photo courtesy of Noblesville Schools)

HCPR expands

Potter’s Bridge Park

news@currentnoblesville.com

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation has announced the acquisition of 50.85 acres of land at Potter’s Bridge Park in Noblesville, 19401 Allisonville Rd.

PARKS

The land was previously considered for a Beaver Gravel Corp. gravel pit, but the Noblesville Common Council voted against it in 2022.

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Resource Development Specialist Erica Foreman said the acquisition will increase the park’s size to more than 125 acres and is part of an ongoing effort to preserve natural landscapes and expand recreational opportunities in Hamilton County.

Foreman said the addition unites park property, which previously had three disconnected boundaries. Additionally, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation can open approximately 20 acres of previously inaccessible land for recreational use and facilitate ecological preservation, as it includes approximately 10 acres of riparian

buffer, which will be preserved to protect the health of the White River ecosystem and the surrounding environment.

“This acquisition allows us to fill a critical gap, creating a more connected and cohesive space at this park,” Director of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Chris Stice stated. “It’s an exciting opportunity to continue expanding Potter’s Bridge Park and provide our community with more recreational space.”

For more, visit hamiltoncounty. in.gov/1968/Potters-Bridge-Park.

Rendering of the expanded park at Potter’s Bridge Park. (Rendering courtesy of Erica Foreman)

Koteewi Seasonal Slopes opens

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes at 11800 Koteewi Dr. in Noblesville has opened for its seventh season.

ACTIVITY

Koteewi Run Seasonal

Slopes is central Indiana’s only groomed snow tubing hill, according to Brian Cooley, founder and CEO of Outdoor Excursions, which operates the slopes. Participants slide 700 feet down groomed lanes in custom snow tubes to a soft landing and then ride a tow line back to the top.

Cooley created Koteewi Slopes in partnership with Hamilton County Parks in December 2017. He personally began making snow for the 2024 season at midnight on Thanksgiving Day. Information about the snow-making process can be found at koteewi-adventures.com/ snow-making-process.

“Hamilton County had made the hill, and they had invested in the original snow-making equipment,” Cooley said. “They needed someone to put the business together, and I also operate the White River Canoe Co., so the parks (department) was familiar with me.”

The snow tubing hill opened for the season Dec. 21 and operates through the end of February or early March, 2025, weather permitting. Cooley said plans to expand the

operation are underway.

“I’m working with the county to (create) a master plan,” Cooley said. “We worked with a company out of British Columbia that designs ski area operations all around the world. They came in and worked with us on new snow-making technology that would allow us to begin to make snow in October and open up by mid-November. We are also in the design phase of an actual lodge building, just like you would see at any ski resort. Part of that master plan includes a synthetic surface that resorts put in so they can tube through the summer and a moving carpet that you step on, which carries you back up the hill.”

Visitors can choose from three different passes: A two-hour weekend/holiday session pass starting at $35; a weekday full-session pass starting at $30; or a season pass starting at $120.

To purchase a pass, visit koteewi-adventures.com.

County coroner’s office purchases toxicology tech

INVESTIGATIONS news@youarecurrent.com

The Hamilton County Coroner’s office recently purchased new technology to assist with death investigations.

Coroner Jeff Jellison said coroners’ offices throughout the country are experiencing delays in evidence data sharing and case completion because of backlogs at private toxicology laboratories.

overdose investigations in a timely manner by minimizing testing delays created by the nationwide backlog.

Jellison

To mitigate those challenges, the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office purchased a Randox Multistat Rapid Toxicology Analyzer. According to a news release, the analyzer will provide the coroner’s office with the ability to complete drug and alcohol

“Having this technology in-house, we now can produce toxicology results within 30 minutes versus the four-week average time frame from private toxicology laboratories,” Jellison stated. “The ability to provide real-time toxicology data to forensic pathologists, law enforcement, and the public health community is a game changer in forensic investigations.”

In the release, Jellison noted that national backlogs are associated with the rising caseloads caused by drug-related deaths, often related to opioid abuse and new emerging illegal drugs.

Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes at 11800 Koteewi Dr. in Noblesville. (Photo courtesy of Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes)

2024: Year in Review

REIMAGINE PLEASANT STREET

Phase 1 - Opened on September 27

Phase 2 & 3 - Began construction this year.

The project includes 1,750 trees planted, 6 roundabouts and 70,000 tons of asphalt

Over 200 people are working on the project

FINCH CREEK BY DEL WEBB

Broke ground on transforming 603 acres in east Noblesville into a mixed-use development worth $700 million when completed

10,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail space.

690 age-restricted single family Del Webb units

First phase set to open in 2025

HARD HAT RESILIENCY GRANTS

The city launched the "Hard Hat Resiliency Grant" program over the summer to support downtown businesses impacted by INDOT’s Reconstructing SR32 project along Conner Street This project also made upgrades to SR37 at 186th Street and 191st Street

PARKS & RECREATION CAMPS

Spring Break Camp served a total of 267 children over a span of 10 days

Summer Camp served a total of 830 participants over 7 weeks.

Tots at Play served a total of 40 toddlers and their parents

NEW POLICE STATION ANNOUNCED, BREAKING GROUND IN 2025

A new police station addresses the growing needs of the Noblesville Police Department and will provide space for additional staff and equipment

Worked alongside FOP to evaluate sites and receive their endorsement on the former Firestone site

INNOVATION MILE

Innovation Mile is a public/private partnership that encompasses 600+ acres fronting I-69 and is a live, work, play, and engage innovation district

The Arena is under construction and will open next year. It will be the home of the Indiana Pacers G League franchise

DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA (DORA)

15 downtown restaurants and bars participating.

DORA allows patrons 21+ to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved businesses within the DORA district and sip, shop & stroll downtown Noblesville

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES & MAYOR’S YOUTH COUNCIL

Advisory Council on Disabilities hosted two resource fairs Mayor’s Youth Council hosted a Culture Fair with SERVE Noblesville, raised money for The Cooper House & Ben’s Ranch, and volunteered at the Michael Treinen Foundation's Turkey Trot and other community events

THE GRANARY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES IN 2024

Private investment: $671,000,000

New Commercial Space: 855,069 Sq ft

New Jobs Created: 227

New Residential Units: 1,403

Added 1,429,232 sq ft of new non-residential space

$67 million mixed-use development on 3 acres

Includes 225 apartments, 5,000 sq. ft. of retail, 300 parking spaces for residents/public and a trailhead on southern portion for Nickel Plate and Midland Trace Trail

Invests in the livability for current and future residents

PUBLIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

Noblesville has been ranked the 12th safest suburb in the United States by SmartAsset

Added 5th ambulance into service and a new ladder truck

$200,000+ invested in physical wellness initiatives

More than 50% of budget is allocated to public safety.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

A Party on Pleasant was held to celebrate the Reimagine Pleasant Street Phase 1 milestone and allow guests to walk the road and bridge prior to the roadway opening

The city held a Pre-Eclipse Party at Federal Hill Commons to celebrate Noblesville being in complete totality for the Total Solar Eclipse

MORSE VILLAGE

$250 million mixed-use development project covering 175 acres, including 30+ acres of dedicated greenspace

The project features 30,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and local restaurants, 675+ residential units and a new roundabout at 206th Street and Hague Road

PLANNING FOR NOW & THE FUTURE

Issued permits for 890 residential units, which includes townhomes and single-, two-, and multi-family homes

Received 1,200+ contributions from residents on the East and West Gateways Master Plans

The master plan will establish a vision and steps needed to bring the vision to reality over the next 15–20 years

PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMMING

Over 30,000 people attend the Easter Egg Hunt, summer concerts at Federal Hill Commons and Dillon Park and Movies in the Park

New Programming: Frights at Forest, Parks-Palooza, Sit-n-Stitch, Noblesville’s North Pole, Jingle Bell Breakfast and Candy Cane Crawl.

LOOKING AHEAD

Noblesville projects and developments to watch for in 2025

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The City of Noblesville has a variety of projects planned for 2025, including roadways, a school expansion and new developments.

NOBLESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STEM & PERFORMING ARTS EXPANSION

Construction on a $42 million academic expansion is underway at Noblesville High School to support STEM and the performing arts. It is expected to be completed by August 2025.

The expansion will add 70,000 square feet of space for STEM programming and include the renovation of 37,000 square feet for expanded performing arts space. The addition will be the largest at NHS since 2014. It will feature up to 22 new classrooms, STEM labs, enlarged performing arts spaces, an additional café area, a makerspace, room for large group meetings and storage, among other amenities.

“Beyond addressing general capacity needs at the high school, this project will significantly expand our academic reach in STEM and performing arts education,” Noblesville Schools Superintendent Daniel Hile stated. “Noblesville Schools is nationally recognized in these areas, and they are huge points of pride for our community. This additional space will allow us to meet growing demand and best prepare students for future high-paying, competitive careers.”

INNOVATION MILE

Innovation Mile, which encompasses approximately 600 acres adjacent to Ind. 69, will become a “dynamic business and technology hub that will serve as an anchor for revolutionary thinking and a gateway for innovation, leveraging long-term growth opportunities and catalyzing reinvestment in Noblesville,” according to the City of Noblesville.

Innovation Mile is projected to generate $914 million in new net revenue, create more than 540 full-time jobs and collect $26.2 million in local taxes over the next 30 years, according to Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen.

The district will be home to several businesses, including the $93 million Arena at Innovation Mile and the $35 million Indiana Joint Replacement Institute. Indiana Joint Replacement Institute is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, and the Arena at Innovation Mile, which will be home to the Indiana Pacers’ G League team but also will be used for conferences, concerts and events, is anticipated to open in spring 2025.

Other businesses at Innovation Mile will soon be announced.

REIMAGINE PLEASANT STREET

Construction on the Reimagine Pleasant Street project, which has been in the works since 2020, is expected to continue throughout 2025 and be completed by 2026.

The project’s first phase, the segment from River Road to 11th Street, is now open and helped enhance traffic flow in Noblesville with a new bridge over the White River and four new roundabouts.

Phase 2 includes widening Pleasant Street to four lanes and reconstructing the roundabout at 19th Street to a twolane roundabout. The Midland Trace Trail will be extended along the north side of Pleasant Street in Phase 2.

Phase 3 includes a roundabout at the intersection of Hague Road and Ind. 32 that will be constructed in coordination and partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Continued on Page 11

Rendering of the Noblesville High School STEM + Performing Arts expansion. (Rendering courtesy of Noblesville Schools)

The Noblesville community celebrates the opening of the first phase of the Reimagine Pleasant Street Project. (Photo courtesy of Lexie Rock)

Rendering of The Arena at Innovation Mile which will be home to the Indiana Pacers G League team. (Rendering courtesy of Lexie Rock)

Continued from Page 10 Rock said the station will address the growing needs of the NPD by providing sufficient space for staff and equipment.

PARK IMPROVEMENTS

In 2024, the Noblesville Parks and Recreation Department hired a new director, Savannah Solgere, and a new deputy director, Charlie Elliott.

Looking ahead to 2025, the parks department will begin the process of updating the splash pad and playground at Dillon Park at 6001 Edenshall Lane, along with completing the department’s master plan.

FINCH CREEK BY DEL WEBB

The City of Noblesville broke ground to transform 603 acres annexed in east Noblesville into a mixed-use development called Finch Creek by Del Webb in 2024. Upon completion, the development will have a $700 million market value, with 10,000 square feet of commercial and retail space and 690 age-restricted, single-family Del Webb units.

A grand opening for the first development phase will be in the spring of 2025.

POLICE STATION

Noblesville was recently named the 12th-safest suburb in the United States by SmartAsset, a personal finance website. In the second half of 2025, construction will begin on a new police station at the former Firestone site along Division Street.

The Noblesville Police Department shares a building with the fire administration and Station 71. The departments have been operating in the same building since 1992, when the population was approximately 20,000, according to City of Noblesville Communications Director Lexie Rock. Rock said Noblesville’s population has reached 75,000, and the department has more than 100 officers. She said construction of a new police headquarters is a top priority in the city’s 10-year Capital Improvement Plan and has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police.

OTHER PROJECTS

Several other projects will take shape in 2025. They are:

Morse Village: The Noblesville Common Council voted 6-3 to approve the $250 million mixed-use development project, Morse Village. The LOR Corp. development covers 175 acres, featuring 30,000 square feet of commercial space and local restaurants at 206th and Hague Road, including a new roundabout at that intersection. Construction of the development will begin in 2025.

Justus Companies: An Indianapolis-based real estate company will relocate and build its new headquarters in Noblesville in a $7.3 million investment as part of the Planned Urban Development, Promenade of Noblesville. The company, which has 23 employees, will add five more full-time employees. The headquarters will house executives, IT professionals, accountants, regional operations, marketing and communications, HR, construction and administrative support.

Hamilton County Public Safety Training Facility: The Hamilton County Council, in collaboration with engagement from every public safety agency in the county, approved a resolution to move forward with a public safety training facility at River Road and 160th Street in Noblesville. The facility will provide police, fire and emergency management professionals with a stateof-the-art training center. The facility is scheduled to break ground in 2025.

Street Department: In 2025, the Noblesville Street Department will oversee the installation of new school zone flashers at public schools in Noblesville. In addition, it will oversee the installation of new pedestrian crossing rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the roundabouts along Hazel Dell Road, Little Chicago and Union Chapel Road.

Dream Home

Rendering of the Noblesville Police Station set to begin construction in the second half of 2025. (Rendering courtesy of Lexie Rock)

Coral Reefer Band veteran McAnally set to keep party going at Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The night before Jimmy Buffett died in 2023, he had a special message for band members Mac McAnally and Mike Utley.

McAnally said they all understood the end was near.

“He was in as good a spirit as someone who just won the lottery,” McAnally said. “He was smiling that smile Jimmy Buffett always had on his face and talking about what a hell of a ride his life had been. He specifically said, ‘Keep the party going.’ He never wanted anyone to be sad. He liked to spread joy. In his particular case, he left a body of work that is going to keep spreading joy for generations and we get to be part of that.”

McAnally, a longtime Coral Reefer Band member and frequent Buffett songwriting partner, will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 10, 2025, at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The concert is nearly sold out.

“I give Mr. Buffett credit for selling tickets for me from the great beyond,” McAnally said. “A lot of Jimmy’s fans have graciously supported those of us who are still going on and playing.”

McAnally said the plan is for the Coral Reefer Band to play some shows later in 2025.

McAnally tours with percussionist Eric Darken, another former Coral Reefer member.

“He makes a drum kit out of pots and pans and auto parts,” McAnally said. “Eric brings a whole lot to the table. We did almost 80 shows, just Eric and myself. We love traveling together and making records together.”

The setlist includes a mix of Buffett songs and McAnally’s solo work.

“Sometimes, the mix gets influenced by a particular crowd on a given night,” McAnally said. “We try to be light on our feet. If it’s a night when everyone wants to sing Jimmy’s songs, we’ll do that.

We’re always going to sing some, but we’ll steer that more if everyone enjoys singing along.”

McAnally said there might be a crowd that wants to hear some of McAnally’s solo songs or songs he wrote for other country artists.

“I’m happy to go in any direction,”

McAnally said. “I’m fortunate that I’ve had a lifetime of work that I’m not only proud of but fortunate to be connected to.

I’ve been fortunate to open shows with some of my heroes and make records with some of my heroes, then on top of that be able to tour several decades with Jimmy to the point that he’s just basically my big brother. It’s been truly a blessing and I’m just celebrating that every night I play.”

McAnally likely will play some songs from Buffett’s final album, “Equal Strain on All Parts,” which was finished shortly before he died.

“We’re always going to do ‘Bubbles Up’ because the fact that he wrote that song when he was going through the toughest time of his life and the hardest thing he had to deal with, he wrote such a positive message,” McAnally said. “I think it’s

as good as anything he ever wrote.”

McAnally said Buffett worked as hard as he had ever seen him work on the last batch of songs. Paul McCartney played bass on one of the songs, “My Gummie Just Kicked In.”

“You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the music world or out of the music world that ever spent time around Jimmy that didn’t love the guy,” McAnally said.

McAnally said an example is the diverse group of performers who appeared in the Hollywood Bowl tribute show to Buffett in April. McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, the Eagles, Kenny Chesney and Brandi Carlisle, among others, performed.

“His fans are loyal in the way that almost no one’s fans can compete with,” McAnally said. “There are Parrotheads clubs that are doing good charitable work based around his music.”

McAnally said the first song he wrote that Buffett recorded was “It’s My Job.”

“It’s the first song we sang together and it turned out to be the last song we ever sang together,” he said. “I’ll always have that in my show.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘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.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“Elton, Billy & Barry — They Write the Songs” is set for 7:30 and 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

GREGORY’S XIT

Gregory’s Xit performs at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

Scharbrough makes children’s series debut

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Scharbrough

Professional musician-songwriter Sarah Scharbrough will make her first appearance in the “Peanut Butter & Jam” series at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 at the Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Scharbrough’s interactive show features singing, rhythm and movement.

“Our aim is to make this show both fun and instructional,” the Noblesville resident said.

Tickets to the program, which is designed for ages 1-7, are $10 per child and include two free adult admissions.

“It’s been an incredibly busy holiday season,” she said. “I kicked off the season with my annual Christmas shows at the Jazz Kitchen, then I hit the road with gospel music group Point of Grace for a national tour (which ended Dec. 21).”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Singer-songwriter Mac McAnally will play at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Mac McAnally)

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