April 25, 2023 — Westfield

PAID FOR BY WESTFIELD FIRST - WANNINGER FOR COUNCIL

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Ailor, Hyatt seek Westfield clerk-treasurer seat

Compiled by Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Two Republican candidates are vying to become the next clerk-treasurer for the City of Westfield in the May 2 primary election. Incumbent Cindy Gossard, who was initially appointed in 2001 and was elected two years later, announced in January that she was not seeking another term.

Marla Ailor, who works as a deputy clerk in the clerk-treasurer’s office, faces a challenge from Tonya Hyatt, who has a background in accounting and finance. Both candidates answered a series of questions from Current.

Why are you running for this position?

Ailor: I decided to run for clerk-treasurer in order to serve my community in a bigger capacity. As a deputy clerk, I was among the first to know when Cindy Gossard decided to retire, and I knew I was uniquely qualified for her job. My time working in the office has prepared me for the role and given me knowledge of it, the staff, and the many duties of the job. I am running to ensure that our community continues to be provided a solid financial footing to build upon and that the proper procedures, administrative duties, and records management of the city are maintained to meet the high standards of the State Board of Accounts. The clerk-treasurer is the city’s fiscal officer and I’m ready to serve Westfield in this capacity with integrity, transparency, and accountability as the staff and I work to manage the finances of the city.

Hyatt: The next five years are critical for Westfield. This position and office is the closest the city currently has to a CFO and a finance department. I want to contribute to our community by offering my accounting and other skill sets gained throughout my career to lead the clerk-treasurer office. Westfield is experiencing rapid growth and dysfunction, the challenges are going to become more complex. I am running for the clerk-treasurer office because I have the skills and education and can lead as a partner to assist the city council and the administration to ensure they have accurate and trusted reports and data so they can competently

vote on policies and other matters that affect our city, businesses, and taxpayers. I will be a conservative and strategic steward of Westfield’s finances. I commit to being intentional and responsible with taxpayers’ money.

What are some of your priorities if elected and how do you plan on tackling them?

Ailor: My top priorities are to be fiscally responsible with the management of the budgeting decisions made by the administration and city council; to be transparent with taxpayers in regard to reporting city finances; and to be accountable for the statutory responsibilities with which the clerk-treasurer is charged by law. Put simply, the role of the clerk-treasurer is to protect the taxpayers from government overspending; to provide financial oversight; and to ensure the smooth operation of the office. I will immediately work to build good relationships with every member of the city council and our new mayor.

Hyatt: I believe that fostering a culture of financial accountability and responsibility is crucial for the success of Westfield. I am committed to being open and transparent about our city’s finances, as I believe that transparency builds trust and allows us to work together towards our goals. To ensure that we are making progress towards those goals, I will collaborate with other city leaders to set clear financial objectives and will monitor our performance regularly. I am ready to face the challenges head on and work towards our objectives with teamwork and unity. Together, I am confident that we can create a financially stable and prosperous future for Westfield.

What experience do you have with budgets and financial management?

Ailor: As the general manager at Loman Eye Care, my duties included many of the same functions the clerk-treasurer performs today like payroll, scheduling, and budgeting of revenue and expenses for our three practice locations. My degree was earned by studying the processes of budgeting, accounting, and financial planning. Focused on public administration, the science of government administration is a field in which leaders serve communities to advance the common good and effect positive change. Additionally, my time as a deputy clerk has provided me with invaluable knowledge of the rules, regulations, and deadlines of the clerk- treasurer pertaining to budgeting and fiscal management. I have already estab-

lished relationships with our financial institutions, consultants, and other clerk-treasurers throughout the state of Indiana.

Hyatt: I am a seasoned finance and accounting professional. I have worked for two different Health care systems in healthcare accounting and finance where there are many strict rules and regulations, restricted funds, grants, and other government monies, etc. I have also served on many community boards and finance committees and served as a treasurer. These roles not only had fiduciary responsibilities, but I was also responsible for holding others accountable for the financial wellbeing of those organizations.

How would you work with the city administration and the council to achieve its goals?

Ailor: It is my goal to ensure that our office maintains a great relationship with the mayor as well as every member of the city council and seeks to introduce coherence in the decision-making process. Having open lines of communication is vital to the operation of the government. When acting in the best interest of the taxpayer, I will always help them achieve their goals as easily as possible.

Hyatt: It is absolutely important to build trust with both city administration and city council. Once trust is established and all parties feel comfortable communicating and working collaboratively, then I would like to work together to establish a long-term vision to promote collaboration, continue to build trust with open communication, collective decision making for all key stakeholders so all feel they have a voice, create clear rules and well-defined boundaries and protect and promote mutual trust and respect for one another.

What else do you want voters to know about you?

Ailor: I really want voters to know I’m a fellow taxpayer who feels passionately about better serving every resident of Westfield. My duty will be to ensure their tax dollars are fully accounted for and used in a responsible way and I will always do exactly that.

Hyatt: My experience, education and passion for community service are best suited for this role as it is not a policy voting role; however, it should provide accurate and trusted reports and data so those who do vote on important matters can make the best decisions for our city is most important.

Ailor

Hyatt

Candidates seek two at-large council seats

Compiled by Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Four candidates are seeking two at-large seats on the Westfield City Council.

Three Republicans candidates — Chad Huff, Brian Tomamichel, Kurt Wanninger — are running in the May 2 primary election, while Democratic candidate Gary Lane faces no opposition. Current asked all four individuals a series of questions.

What are some of your priorities if elected and how do you plan on tackling them?

Huff: I will advocate for roads that support Westfield’s current and future population.

Ample parking is also necessary to support local businesses. Westfield also needs reliable and effective equipment, resources, and training for our fire department. We have to broaden our commercial tax base in order to keep taxes low for our residents.

Tomamichel: If elected, my top four priorities would be expanding our public safety, enhancing our infrastructure, updating our

community’s comprehensive plan, and continuing the finance committee. First, with my education in accounting and finance and my 12 years of government finance experience, I look forward to continuing the current finance committee structure and bringing a voice of financial knowledge to the new council. Secondly, I believe the city needs to review our current comprehensive plan. Finally, I believe the city needs to strategically invest in improving our roads and infrastructure and increasing our public safety presence, specifically our fire department.

Wanninger: I will work to restore confidence in the Westfield City Council through respect and transparency. I am committed to making a positive impact on the residents of Westfield by being transparent and accountable with taxpayer dollars. Westfield’s growth is inevitable. The council must prepare for

that growth, plan with all residents’ best interests in mind, and be thoughtful with our decisions.

Lane: My priorities are to renew the city development plan, increase city government transparency through engagement with residents, and invest in Westfield’s current infrastructure needs. Our current comprehensive city plan is outdated. We need a refreshed roadmap to make sure we’re properly guiding our city’s growth so it works for all residents. We then must adhere to this plan and communicate how it impacts residents by increasing city government transparency. Lastly, Westfield has real needs our government must meet along the way. We must invest in our police and fire departments as well as safe pedestrian access across our growing city. All of these priorities need to be tackled by having increased cooperation among council members, the mayor’s office, city staff members, and citizens.

What do you think the council’s role should be concerning economic

development?

Huff: We have to start with a commitment to welcoming back developers and companies that know and understand Westfield’s vision for success. This could include offering tax incentives or streamlining the permitting processes in order to help businesses get up and running faster.

Tomamichel: I believe the council should work hand in hand with the city administration in promoting desired economic development. I believe it is important that the community, city administration, and the council are on the same page when it comes to economic development.

Wanninger: We must approach growth strategically and designate key areas for mixed use opportunities. The Westfield Comprehensive Plan should be updated and adjusted with residents and businesses having a clear voice in the process.

Lane: It’s our responsibility to be on the lookout for development opportunities, to make contacts, and vet new potential partners. City councilors should be the ones that know the most about what could benefit our city, and they should take an active role in helping to court it.

Huff

Tomamichel

Wanninger

Lane

Qualified to Lead Westfield

Executive Marketing Experience MBA & Doctorate in Leadership* Westfield Advisory Plan Commission

*Summer 2023

Event celebrates school staff

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Westfield Education Foundation was seeking a way to reward the Westfield Washington Schools staff after trying times.

EVENT

“We were looking for a way to reach out and connect our staff across the district and reenergize everyone with the long two years we had endured with the pandemic,” said Ashley Knott, executive director of the Westfield Education Foundation.

“The Westfield Education Foundation worked with the PTOs across the district and administration and hosted the first Laugh it Off. It was such a success we had to host it again this year. We had an overwhelming positive response from staff.”

The second Laugh it Off Comedy Night, which is a free event open to all Westfield Washington Schools staff, is set to start at 5:30 p.m. April 28 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

The event, which includes a cash bar, begins with an appetizer service at 5:30

p.m. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will feature Westfield resident Brad Neale as emcee, comedian/educator Gerry Brooks, from Lexington, Ky., and magician Jeff Loeser, a longtime Westfield resident. The show ends at 8:45 p.m., followed by dessert service.

Loeser, who primarily performs magic for private and corporate clients, has two children who graduated from Westfield High School.

“It was a night full of appreciation for everyone involved in our schools,” Loeser said of the 2022 event. “We’re fortunate to have such dedicated professionals: teachers, bus drivers, nurses, custodial staff, administrators and more. I have several friends that work in Westfield schools, and I was grateful to play a small part in the evening’s celebration.”

Loeser said magic is experiencing a renaissance on television and online.

“However, nothing compares to seeing magic live, where the audience is part of the show,” Loeser said.

Knott said she expects all 1,200 tickets to be requested for the event. For more, visit wwswef.org.

Paid for by the Committee of Kristen Burkman for Westfield

Loeser

Former inmate to speak at event

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For senior chaplain Mark Fidler, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Chaplaincy Prayer Breakfast is a perfect place to explain the mission of the program.

FUNDRAISER

The breakfast is set for 7:30 to 9 a.m. April 26 at the Mill Top Banquet and Conference Center, 802 Mulberry St., Noblesville.

“There is no theme per se, but we have a keynote speaker (Keith Williams) who is a person who was incarcerated, went through our programming and has turned their life around and now is living a life they only dreamed of,” Fidler said of Williams, who now works at Gaylor Electric.

Individual tickets for the breakfast fundraiser are $35 each, while a table for 10 is $300.

Fidler said his role as senior chaplain is to oversee the day-to-day operation of the chaplaincy program for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Chaplaincy.

“I am responsible for the religious programming for the men and women’s adult jail, Hamilton County Community Corrections and the Youth Detention Center,” Fidler said. “Daily, we try to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of those incarcerated.”

Fidler said when called to a scene in the county, it is usually because of a death and a notification needs to be given to the family.

“Our chaplains are trained in giving death notifications, spiritual and emotional care during a disaster, grief and trauma counseling, suicide prevention-intervention-and postvention,” he said. “We are trained in areas of PTSD, stress management, ministering to law enforcement families and much, much more.”

Fidler’s other full-time position is as senior pastor at Amazing Grace Bible Church.

“My life is a 24/7 ministry,” he said.

For more, visit hamiltoncountychaplains. com. For individual tickets, visit square. link/u/Biy6k9dW or for a table visit square. link/u/BLGiQJtq.

Fidler

Conservative & Strategic Steward of Westfield’s Finances

Experienced Financial Professional

Community Focused Leader

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PAID FOR BY TONYA HYATT COMMITTEE FOR WESTFIELD

County awarded $1M for roads

news@currentinwestfield.com

• Hickory Ridge Circle from Dead End to 226th Street in Jackson Township

INFRASTRUCTURE

Noblesville and Hamilton County have each been awarded $1 million in state matching funds for local road projects. The funding was awarded through the Community Crossing matching grant program, a component of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Roads program. Funding through the grant program can be used for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements and other items.

Hamilton County Highway Director Brad Davis said the county intends to use its funding for road resurfacing projects totaling 10.2 miles at the following locations:

• 256th Street from Ind. 213 to Ind. 13 in White River Township

• Cammack Road from 216th Street to 236th Street in Jackson Township

• 226th Street from Cammack Road to Tollgate Road in Jackson Township

• Tollgate Road from 226th Street to 231st Street in Jackson Township

• Pleasant Hill Drive from Dead End to 226th Street

• Forrest Hollow Drive from Dead End to 226th Street in Jackson Township Davis said the county will work to get the projects under contract by mid-August and anticipates the work would be done this fall. A Noblesville city official did not respond to a request seeking information by deadline on how it intends to use its funding.

“Safe, modern infrastructure at the local level makes Indiana’s transportation network stronger,” Indiana Dept. of Transportation Commissioner Mike Smith stated. “Partnering with locals on these projects is something INDOT looks forward to each year. The hard work and dedication of local entities to secure these funds and make improvements in their communities does not go unnoticed.”

Noblesville and Hamilton County were among 224 Indiana cities, towns and counties that received a combined $133.4 million in state matching funds through the Community Crossings program. The town of Cicero received $720,135, while Fishers also received $1 million, according to INDOT.

DISPATCHES

Women of Vision luncheon set for April 27 — The 19th annual Women of Vision luncheon will be held April 27 at the Ritz Charles in Carmel. Without Borders Boutique, Bash Boutique and Carolyn’s Corner Gift Shop will be in attendance to showcase their new spring clothing lines. Shopping begins at 10:30 a.m. with lunch and the program following at 11:30 a.m. featuring motivational speaker and comedian Amy Dee. Proceeds from the event benefit women and children served at Riverview Health. Register by visiting https://donate.riverview.org/23WomenofVision.

500 Festival volunteers needed — The 500 Festival is seeking thousands of volunteers to fill positions as part of the 2023 500 Festival Volunteer Program. The nonprofit invites individuals and groups to be part of the behind-the-scenes action of the Month of May by lending their time and talent to support a variety of 500 Festival community events and programs. With more than 100 areas of volunteer opportunity, there are over 7,000 positions available, providing a role to fit every interest and ability. Learn more at 500Festival.com/Volunteer.

Westfield Band Boosters hosting fundraiser — The Westfield Band Boosters is hosting a prom corsage and boutonniere fundraiser. The silk floral corsage and boutonniere sets can be customized to match prom attire and cost $35 Pre-orders are available by visiting westfield.band/s/shop or tinyurl.com/whsflowersprom23.

Breakfast at the Brickyard — Tickets are on sale to the general public for the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, set for 9 a.m. May 20, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Gallagher Pavilion. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett will host and honor more than 70 mayors from across Indiana for their work in advancing Hoosier communities. Guests will enjoy a traditional breakfast and hear from Indianapolis Motor Speedway executives and 500 Festival leaders. Purchase tickets at 500Festival.com/Breakfast.

Parade tickets on sale — Tickets are on sale to the public for the 2023 AES 500 Festival Parade. Parade tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at 500festival.com/tickets. Proceeds from all 500 Festival ticketed events help support the organization’s free programming and events for Indiana youth and college students. The parade will take place at 11:45 a.m. May 27 in Indianapolis.

CURRENT MAY WESTFIELD COMMUNITY CALENDAR

PAINT AND PLAY AT CARTER’S PLAY PLACE

On May 7, paint a small ceramic figurine with Kiln Creations and have some fun playing at Carter’s Play Place, 1021 Kendall Ct., Westfield. Cost is $25 that allows one painter and one chaperone to paint an animal figurine and play in the play space. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. For more, visit placefull.com/paint-and-play-at-carter-splay-place or call 317-774-8982.

ROCK THE JUNCTION CRAFT BEER AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

Enjoy craft beer, wine and live music at Rock the Junction Craft Beer and Music Festival May 13 at Grand Junction Brewing Co., 1189 E. 181st St., Westfield. Food trucks will also be on site during the 1 to 5 p.m. event, which is open to individuals 21 and older. Tickets are required. For more, visit gjbrew. com/events/ or call 317-804-9583.

BASEBALL TOURNAMENT AT GRAND PARK

A baseball tournament, USSSA Rocks Grand Park, will be held at Grand Park Sports Complex May 19-21. Hours and teams will vary. For more, visit play.bullpentournaments. com/.

MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

The City of Westfield will hold a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony May 25 beginning at 10 a.m. at Asa Bales Park, 205 W. Hoover St. Those interested in attending in person are asked to arrive before the start of the program. The ceremony will be emceed by Lisa Wilken, Air Force veteran and board member of the Indiana Veteran Support Council, featuring several distinguished speakers. The Communications Detachment, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division will present the Presentation and Retiring of the Colors. Parking is available at Christ United Methodist Church and will serve as a rain location in inclement weather.

GRAND RUN 5K, 10K, HALF MARATHON RACES

Enjoy your Memorial Day by participating in the Grand Run 5K, 10K and half marathon races. The race begins and finishes at Grand Park Sports Campus and includes portions on the Monon Trail. Donations from the event benefit Helping Veterans and Families, a local veteran-focused organization. Registration is open with prices increasing after April 30. For more, visit runsignup.com/ Race/IN/Westfield/MemorialDayGrandRun.

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Sometimes you don’t need a new roof. Sometimes it’s what’s at the end of your roof that goes first. Bone Dry has become as well known for gutters and downspouts as we have for roofs. So if you’re staring at a waterfall and you’re not on vacation, it’s time to call Bone Dry. You’ll know it in your gutters.

WESTFIELD

Project: Library/township office construction

Location: Corner of Park and Poplar streets

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Expected completion: Work is expected to continue through the end of the year with the library expected to open in early 2024.

Project: New roundabout

Location: A new roundabout at the intersection of 171st Street and Eagletown Road is now open. However, there will be periodic lane restrictions in the coming weeks due to utility relocation and pavement striping. Please use caution in the area.

Project: Academy Sports & Outdoors

Location: Drive in front of the building will close for renovations, while the left turn lane from eastbound Greyhound Pass will be closed to avoid traffic turning into the worksite. Closure is expected to last eight months. Motorists should use Thatcher Lane or Cool Creek Park Road as a detour.

Expected completion: To be determined

Project: Oak Road - Citizens Energy Group (Project 2)

Location: A section of Oak Road is closed

between 161st Street and 151st Street for a Citizens Energy Group project. The closure began the week of March 20 and was expected to last approximately three weeks, according to the city. Lane restrictions on eastbound 151st Street will limit access to the Silverthorne neighborhood for approximately one week in the final week of the project. Local access will remain open.

Expected completion: Around April 24

NOBLESVILLE & NORTH

Project: Pleasant Street

Location: 1.1 miles west of River Road to 10th Street and includes work by Hamilton County for a bridge to be built over the White River.

Expected completion: End of 2024

Project: Stony Creek pedestrian trail

Location: Under Ind. 37

Expected completion: Construction will continue this year with the trail expected to open by early summer.

Project: Roundabout construction

Location: Ind. 32 and River Road

Expected completion: End of summer

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Westfield resident Matt Harrison, talks with State Rep. Donna Schaibley, R-Carmel, at the Statehouse. Harrison is an intern with Schailbey during the legislative session. Harrison attends IUPUI, where he is majoring in geography. As a legislative intern, he corresponds with constituents through phone calls, letters and emails while also staffing committee hearings and floor proceedings. (Photo provided by Indiana House Republicans)

Mt. Vernon senior proves to be a man for all seasons

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Mt. Vernon High school senior pitcher/ shortstop Eli Bridenthal’s competitiveness began to show during grade-school recess.

“Even in fifth-grade recess, the teachers would get mad at me for not passing the ball because I didn’t want to lose,” Bridenthal said. “I mean, I’ll race you down the hallway just to say I beat you. Some people just don’t like me simply for the fact that I’m too competitive sometimes.”

That competitiveness drove Bridenthal to play football, basketball and baseball throughout high school.

“He is one of the most competitive players I’ve coached in my 20 years as a head coach,” Mt. Vernon baseball coach Brad King said.

As of April 18, Bridenthal, who will play baseball for Xavier University next season, was hitting .432. The 6-foot-2 right-hander

MEET ELI BRIDENTHAL

Favorite subject: Business

Favorite athlete: Patrick Mahomes

Favorite TV show: “Rick and Morty”

Favorite musician: Lil Uzi Vert

had a 2-0 record with a 1.27 earned run average for the Marauders (8-2).

“Eli puts in a great deal of time to improve all of his skills,” King said. “Eli is one of the best pitchers in the state, a very solid defensive shortstop, and his athleticism makes him a threat on offense. But his greatest improvement has been as a leader. Eli has been on several successful teams at

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In his first two games, Eli Bridenthal has a 2-0

MVHS, including baseball. Younger players see this and realize he understands what it takes to get to the next level of success.”

King said it’s rare these days to see three-sport athletes at larger schools such as Mt. Vernon.

“It’s even more rare to see one who is as skilled as Eli is in those sports,” King said. “He was, and is, not only a starter on each of the teams, but he plays a large role in the success these programs have. Again, this is due to being blessed with great athletic ability and traits, a tremendous work ethic, and a competitive drive to maximize his potential.”

Bridenthal said he enjoyed playing all three sports his entire life.

“I’ve never had an offseason,” he said. “I don’t like sitting around doing nothing. I love individual things about each sport. With basketball, I love the culture. Being in Indiana, there’s nothing like it. Football, you can’t beat Friday night lights. I love everything about baseball.”

Bridenthal invents games to liven up practice.

“We’ll be taking batting practice and I’ll be in the outfield, saying whoever catches the most balls wins,” he said. “It makes my teammates go harder.”

Bridenthal, who played some quarterback and receiver, threw for 422 yards, rushed for 394 yards and caught 41 passes for 622 yards last season.

record with 20 strikeouts in 11 innings. (Photo courtesy of Stacy Muffler)

Bridenthal

Getting to know Amogha Paleru

Amogha Paleru is a Carmel High School senior who recently received a perfect score on the ACT. Paleru plans to attend Stanford University to major in human biology and public policy on pre-med track.

What is your favorite subject in school?

My favorite courses have been in the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Pathway with Mr. Harper, but I love history and economics as well as these science courses.

Any tips for studying for tests and exams?

The first thing that has helped me is to stop worrying about the result and focus on making a study plan to master the material to your best ability. The results will follow. One thing that helps is making a to-do list and writing the hours it will take to do each task.

What is your dream job?

Cardiothoracic surgeon or

interventional cardiologist

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

If it’s meant to be, it will be. Everyone is on their own path.

What is your best habit?

Making sure to get to bed as early as possible and mapping my time out well to do so.

What is your dream vacation?

Iceland or Hawaii

What food do you most dislike?

Cilantro

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Telepathy

Do you have a hidden talent?

Baking

What is your favorite podcast?

“Science Vs” or “Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain”

Play ball!

WHERE THEY STAND

Three candidates vie for Republican mayoral nomination

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Three Republican candidates seeking to become the next mayor of Westfield are headed into the home stretch as the May 2 primary election approaches.

Kristen Burkman, Jake Gilbert and Scott Willis have been on the campaign trail for months meeting voters, participating in mayoral forums and going door-to-door leading up to the primary. All three candidates, who bring a vast range of experience and qualifications, answered a series of questions from Current about their priorities and why they believe they’re the right individual to lead Indiana’s fastest-growing city.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PRIORITIES IF ELECTED AND HOW DO YOU PLAN ON TACKLING THEM?

BURKMAN: My priorities include developing data-driven systems for decision-making, attracting new high wage employers, optimizing Grand Park, revitalizing the downtown and listening to our citizens. As a city with a population of 50,000, we need data-driven systems implemented to effectively manage the city. I will develop strategic plans and a branding message to target and attract high wage employers to our community. With my experience in travel sports and marketing, I will lead our city to utilize Grand Park as an asset to attract new businesses and realize the full potential of the Grand Park facilities. Our downtown needs a development, trail and thoroughfare plan and I will continue the work I started as Downtown Streetscape leader to accomplish this. Our citizens are the fabric of our community and their participation in guiding our future is critical. Instilling transparency, collaboration and integrity is a top priority.

GILBERT: My strategic focus will be on (bringing) the community together, and I believe that starts with Westfield’s leaders. We need servant leadership in City Hall that will reflect the civic pride we all have in our community. We must eliminate the political posturing and personal quarrels that distract from the work that needs to be done on behalf of taxpayers. I believe we can accomplish big things if we are first focused on a positive, results-driven culture. In addition, I will focus on key policies critical to Westfield’s future including smart and managed growth, infrastructure improvements, and public safety funding.

WILLIS: Westfield must keep taxes low while making sure that we keep up with the infrastructure and public safety needs of the community. Focusing on growing our

commercial tax base will allow us to have the income to keep up with those needs while protecting residential taxpayers. In a business where seconds matter, we owe it to our residents to ensure we have the tools, technology, and resources available to keep them safe. To help further our ability to elevate our community, my plan is to revitalize downtown Westfield and bring more density, businesses, and parking to the area. We must capture and keep our dollars here in Westfield by creating a vibrant, walkable city center that provides the dining and shopping opportunities that our residents want.

WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST LEADER TO SERVE WESTFIELD AS ITS MAYOR?

BURKMAN: Having a mayor with an executive marketing business background, strategic planning and branding experience, travel sports expertise and highly developed communication skills is exactly what Westfield needs right now. The mayor of Westfield job is not a political steppingstone for me. I want to lead for the people of Westfield, and I will listen to citizens. I’ll also be a full-time mayor, not part time. I understand the importance of Westfield’s history and the need for greenspace preservation in our city. Westfield is special and I’m the candidate who will strive to preserve and enhance our city’s identity, greenspace and sense of community.

GILBERT: Everything rises or falls on leadership. As a leader and local official, I think it is important to note that I am the only candidate who manages people daily (a staff of 40). I am also the only candidate who has won a contested election. I am also proud to be the only candidate who has served our community on a daily basis for years.

WILLIS: Experience matters. I have the right leadership skills from running my own businesses as well as from 30 years of managing Marine battalions. I’ve managed large budgets of more than $100 million. I’ve led groups of more than 1,500 Marines. I know what it’s like to create a vision and work to inspire large groups of people to accomplish the goal.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR WESTFIELD’S GRAND PARK SPORTS CAMPUS AND HOW CAN THE CITY CAPITALIZE ON ITS SUCCESS?

BURKMAN: Grand Park is Westfield’s most strategic asset and a top 15 youth sports facility in the country. I do not want to sell Grand Park. In graduate school, the first thing that you learn is to protect your assets. As mayor, I would work diligently to protect and optimize this asset. The first step is to compile and share a complete financial picture with citizens. Next, we need to think strategically about Grand Park. Youth sports is a $20 billion industry. I will pursue companies in the youth sports industry. With

my executive marketing background, I’m qualified to create strategic plans and a branding message to not only attract new companies but also increase amenities near Grand Park to keep the tax dollars in Westfield. I’ll also explore initiatives to increase the viability of the sports facilities and event center.

GILBERT: The taxpayers paid for Grand Park, and taxpayers must be fully engaged in its future. Our residents should have access to Grand Park when it’s not being used. It’s premature to sell Grand Park because we haven’t optimized it as an asset, especially without community input. I’m open to a lease or hiring the private sector to help us run it. As a career coach, I know I can bring sports-related businesses to our city and find new sources of sports driven revenue, such as pickleball court rental. We have just scratched the surface on non-sports-related revenues and the event center is the best mid-level convention space in the doughnut counties. Lastly, it’s time to finally secure a sponsor for Grand Park. All of these solutions will help us capitalize on the record number of visitors that Grand Park is bringing in every year.

WILLIS: First and foremost, should the city decide to enter into a partnership to operate the park, we have to make sure our youth sports leagues are protected. After that, I have a strategic plan for attracting the right businesses and industries to Westfield. I believe we should have businesses around Grand Park that support the business of sports.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR APPROACH TO WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS ON ISSUES FACING THE CITY?

BURKMAN: My approach working with any group is to approach them respectfully and with a willingness to listen and learn. This would be my approach with the city council, clerk-treasurer, city employees and citizens. I highly value the collaboration of ideas and working together to reach the best solutions for the community. I also believe in practicing transparency in communication to all stakeholders. This mindset builds community, which is exactly what is needed in our city government. I would instill the idea of team Westfield in all aspects of leading the city.

GILBERT: I believe people are the key to building a great organization. As our next mayor, I will work to hire and retain the most qualified and competent people in city hall. I will also make sure that transparency and open communication are valued. I believe part of being a good leader is being a good listener and I will have an open-door policy with all city officials and fellow elected officers.

WILLIS: Great leadership starts with having a vision. After I win the election in May, I will bring the incoming council together to start the collaboration. We will work together, we will get input from the community, and we will be transparent.

Burkman

Willis

Gilbert

Purple Stride 5K returns April 29

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

survived or was lost to pancreatic cancer, Beeler said.

Head, neck cancer awareness

Commentary by Dr. Michael W. Sim

FUNDRAISER

Pancreatic cancer survivors, their families and supporters are set to participate in the Purple Stride of Indianapolis 5K April 29 to fundraise in the fight against the disease. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at White River State Park in Indianapolis.

Sixty Purple Stride walks are scheduled throughout the U.S. to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Funds raised will be used for research for new treatment options and provide patients free 1-on-1 support through PanCAN patient services.

Rob Beeler, co-chairman of the Purple Stride affiliate of Indianapolis, said last year’s event generated $270,000. This year’s goal is $290,000.

“Last year, we had about 1,000 people participate, and we’re hoping to have a little over 12,000 this year,” said Beeler, a Carmel resident.

Fundraising is typically done by teams formed around a family member who

Jenny Bivans, affiliate chair of PanCan in Indianapolis, began her journey with the network after forming a Purple Strides team in 2016 after her sister, Victoria, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Bivans, a Zionsville resident, said she formed team Victory for Victoria to give her sister hope.

“Every time a donation would come, or somebody would join her team, it excited her. It made her know people were supporting her. It really encouraged her to keep fighting,” Bivans said.

After a long battle with the disease, Victoria died in 2020. In her memory, Bivans accepted her role with PanCan in Indianapolis. Team Victory for Victoria has been one of the top 10 fundraisers since 2016. It has raised more than $80,000.

The Purple Stride event is open to everyone. Participants will be able to enjoy snacks, write on the tribute wall and take pictures with friends and family at the photo area.

Learn more and register bit.ly/3GGkCbA.

ESKENAZI HEALTH FOUNDATION IS GRATEFUL TO William

and Moriag McCarthy Family

FOR THEIR LEAD GIFT

Eskenazi Health was recently named Indiana’s #1 hospital for community benefit and health equity by the Lown Institute. Thanks in part to community partners and philanthropy, we are helping families get beyond barriers.

eskenazihealthfoundation.org

April is Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Month, a time to bring awareness to these conditions. Head and neck cancers occur twice as often in men as they do in women, but overall are relatively uncommon. As with all cancers, the earlier that physicians can diagnose head and neck cancers, the better the outlook.

ONCOLOGY

Head and neck cancers are, as they sound, any cancers that occur within the head and neck. Many types fall under this category. This includes those on the skin of the head and neck, inside the nose and sinuses, mouth and throat, salivary glands, thyroid gland and at the base of the skull.

Several symptoms are associated with this kind of cancer, including skin bumps or sores that don’t heal, mouth or throat ulcers, trouble swallowing, ear pain, difficulty breathing, double vision, change or hoarseness in the voice, blocked sinuses and any unexplained lumps in the cheek or neck.

There are several known risk factors for head and neck cancer. This includes common lifestyle choices, such as tobacco use and alcohol use. Poor oral hygiene, ultraviolet exposure (skin cancer), and some occupational exposures to wood, metal, formaldehyde and other substances are also considered risk factors. Human papilloma virus, HPV, has come to play a major role in the growing incidence of throat cancers in the oropharynx, which includes the tonsils, base of tongue and soft palate. In fact, most oropharynx throat cancers we treat now are caused by HPV, not from smoking and drinking.

Many head and neck cancers develop in delicate locations that require great skill and experience for a successful outcome. One treatment option is transoral robotic surgery, which is a minimally invasive surgery that removes tumors through the mouth to treat the throat or voice box, while preserving swallowing and speech.

Learn more about IU Health’s head and neck cancer program at iuhealth.org/ find-medical-services/head-neck-cancer.

Dr. Michael W. Sim, surgeon specializing in head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstruction at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel.

Couple to open Crazy King Burrito

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youareucrrent.com

Growing up, Paul Giefing and his wife, Alrea, both worked in restaurants.

NOW OPEN

“We’re in a position that we decided to follow up on that dream of running a restaurant and found a great opportunity,” Paul said.

The Westfield couple will open the first Crazy King Burrito in Indiana at 13756 N. Meridian St. in Carmel’s Meridian Village Plaza.

“We were looking for opportunities and this particular opportunity came to us because the family who brought this restaurant to the United States from Cozumel lives in St. Joseph, Mich., and he is next-door neighbor to two of our closest friends,” Paul said. “After having some conversations about the restaurant in Cozumel and trying the food, we immediately jumped on the opportunity.”

Paul said the soft opening for the fast-casual restaurant, which features burrito bowls, is tentatively set for June 1. There will be seating for 60 people in the 2,520-square foot space. There will be covered outdoor seating, as well.

“There will be a drive-up/walk-up window

outside that is not technically for a drive-thru because you won’t order there, because you’ll have an app to order,” Paul said.

Inside, customers will place their orders at the counter.

“If things are not busy, you would have it brought out to your table,” Paul said.

The couple plans to open more Crazy King Burrito restaurants in the area. Westfield and Fishers are at the top of the list of possible locations.

“We bought the rights to three to five restaurants in central Indiana,” Paul said.

“We still have the rights reserved to acquire the entire state.”

Eyemart Express opens store

On April 17, the first Eyemart Express in the greater Indianapolis area opened in Fishers. The national retail chain’s newest Indiana storefront is at 8240 East 96th St.

The new store offers eye exams, frames and finished glasses in one day, according to an announcement from the Texas-based company. Eyemart Express stores carry about 2,000 frames for men, women and children, and have a lens lab at the store. The announcement said that 80 percent of customers’ glasses are done in an hour.

Customers can bring a valid prescription to the store or get an exam from an independent licensed optician operating next to the retail store.

“Demand has grown in Fishers for high-quality eyewear that you can wear home on the same day and won’t break the bank,” stated Marie Shaffer, Eyemart Express manager in Fishers. “Our stores are an easy and convenient choice for timestrapped shoppers who want to maintain

their eye health.”

The announcement said that Eyemart Express plans to open two additional Indianapolis storefronts in May.

Eyemart Express in Fishers expects to add around a dozen full- and part-time jobs. Those include sales associates, lab technicians and opticians.

The new store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more, visit eyemartexpress.com.

Alrea and Paul Giefing. (Photo courtesy of Paul Giefing)

Eyemart Express opened a store in Fishers April 17. It’s the first location in the Indianapolis area for the national chain. (Photo courtesy of Eyemart Express)

Vendors include:

AH Collection | Bash Boutique | Linden Tree Gifts

State of Grace | Tangerine Gifts & Cards

Clutch & Kindle | Jill Duzan

Presenting Sponsor:

Prevail strives to empower victims of crime and abuse on their path to healing, while engaging the community to support safe, healthy relationships. For more information visit prevailinc.org.

Taking stock of our lives

Commentary by Terry Anker

Stock prices go up and down based upon a panoply of factors, but a few variables are the most predictive. One, the company is earning more than others like it and there is a pipeline of opportunity that will keep the situation positive. Two, management accurately predicts how the enterprise will do quarter to quarter. When a business begins to underperform, these indicators will drive investor action. The first has a sluggish impact, often taking time for shareholders to recognize the market threat from new technologies or competition and sell off shares of companies experiencing a slow annual decline. But when the corporation misses quarterly earnings expectations, the market can respond harshly with swift authority. It seems that disappointment is more disturbing than the long, hard road to irrelevance. We might find value in imagining the investments we make in our relationships through a similar lens. Take school reunions, for example. We’ve made the investment in these people. Maybe we’ve kept up

ESSAY

and reaped something from the time spent concurrently. So, getting together seems unnecessary. Perhaps we’ve ignored them all since graduation. We’ve fully depreciated all that we once had there. Somewhere between too soon and too far, and there might be some value in reconnecting.

Depending on how we perceive our past and present, we might believe that our stock has gone up. Life, career, family, whatever the metric, has increased. Or it could be that we have begun that inevitable decline into old age and infirmity. At the launch of our productive lives, don’t we all have about the same origin point? What we do is much up to us and to circumstance. But as others see us, what do they observe? How did we hold up? Did our lives beat market expectations, or did we underdeliver on our potential?

Love Japan, hate the eel

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Friends, I have recently returned from Japan! The trip was part of a 2021 grant to study World War II that I could take only now thanks to dumb COVID-19. I was super excited for the history and culture parts but also anxious about the long flight (I don’t sleep on planes) and potential food situation (I don’t do raw fish). Obviously, your gal rose above. Here’s what happened.

the amazing opportunity I’d been given, I stuffed the complaints and caught up on all the Oscar-nominated films I’d missed except for “The Whale” because there’s no crying on airplanes.

HUMOR

The Chicago-Tokyo leg was rough, I won’t lie. For starters, my husband Doo tagged along because he suffers from severe FOMO anytime anyone goes anywhere without him, and since he’s over 6-foot tall, he took the aisle seat. This meant I was relegated to the middle for 13 excruciating hours, both directions. I couldn’t stay comfortable or use the bathroom sans two minutes of decamping. Even worse, I had to have the gross chicken as Economy Row 56 means the pasta primavera is no longer available. But, recognizing

But, recognizing the amazing opportunity I’d been given, I stuffed the complaints and caught up on all the Oscar-nominated films I’d missed except for “The Whale” because there’s no crying on airplanes.

– DANIELLE WILSON

The culinary scene proved much better. Most places offered a variety of East Asian dishes, including noodles, dumplings and fried stuff, so I never went hungry. And when we finally stumbled upon Doo’s most magical of magical eateries — a tiny, 10seat hole-in-the-wall sushi joint that served whatever the catch of the day was — I did just fine with rice and soup. Apparently, I do like Japanese food!

Although I still abhor long flights and would hard pass on eel sashimi, I’d go back to Japan in a heartbeat. Peace out.

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

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

Game on — or is it?

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

I have been lecturing my adult son about playing so many video games. I don’t think he was listening, so next time I’ll wait until he takes his headset off.

HUMOR

I told him what a waste of time video games are, and how little you benefit intellectually. Plus, it involves absolutely no exercise. I was going to tell him all that, but I played golf all that day because carts were half price.

I have an addiction, as well. Not to golf, not to nicotine, not to prescription drugs, not to Uncle Ralph’s Hard Lemonade -- not even to pickleball (but I am getting close on this one).

I am addicted to Scrabble.

Not Words with Friends. I don’t like that game. It involves friends, which is exactly what I am trying to avoid when I seclude myself in the basement every night for an hour. I also don’t mean the board game that is up in your hall closet wedged between your winter galoshes and the Monopoly game. And I also don’t mean the Scrabble game that you flung in your basement crawl space because you’re missing a J and a V.

I’m addicted to the type of Scrabble that I downloaded on my computer. Oh, it’s the same concept, but in this case, you are playing Noah Webster and someone I assume is his obsessive-compulsive sister, Merriam.

Good luck.

In this game, you can control the difficulty, but with a degree in English, I’ll be

darned if I’ll compete as a novice or beginner. Instead, I check off wxpert, at which point the computer runs a program that has beaten all but 200 Scrabble players in America. I wonder who these people are and if their wives and children would like them to come up from the basement occasionally to shower.

I realize I’m in over my head. Just before writing this column, I was trounced by the computer. Here were some of the words that beat me: promial, zootier, hewable, zlote, schalene. Every time I make a word that’s worth more than 30 points, a nerdy little figure pops up on the screen and seduces me with adulation: GREAT JOB! EXCELLENT MOVE!

I’m a sucker for this because my 43rd wedding anniversary is coming up and I’ve only heard GREAT JOB maybe six times during our marriage. I can’t remember ever hearing EXCELLENT MOVE! And I’m counting our honeymoon.

My son has become concerned about my obsession. He promised me the other day that if I gave up Scrabble, he’d cut down on his video game playing.

“Just say the word, Dad,” he told me. “Just say the word and video games are history.”

The question is: What is the word? And how many points will I get?

POLICIES

Letters to the editor: Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 150 words. Letters must be thoroughly vetted prior to submission. Current retains the right to reject or return any letter it deems to carry unsubstantiated content. Current also retains the right to edit letters, but not their intent. Send letters to info@youarecurrent.com. Writers must include a hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Guest columns: The policy for guest columns is the same as the aforementioned, but the allowable length is 240 words. Guest columns should address the whole of Current’s readership, not simply special-interest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.

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

I’m addicted to the type of Scrabble that I downloaded on my computer. Oh, it’s the same concept, but in this case, you are playing Noah Webster and someone I assume is his obsessive-compulsive sister, Merriam.

– DANIELLE WILSON

CHS grad gets dream role in ‘The Sound of Music’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Renée La Schiazza figures she started watching “The Sound of Music” on VHS tape when she was about 2 years old.

MUSICAL

The 2012 Carmel High School graduate will play Maria in Civic Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music,” which runs April 28 to May 13 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“This is my favorite musical of all time,” she said. “It’s a dream role. It introduced me to musical theater and the arts.”

La Schiazza played a nun in the musical as a Clay Middle School sixth-grader.

This is the Carmel resident’s first production with Civic Theatre. It is her first performance since joining the Great American Songbook Foundation staff in February 2018. She is now the director of programs. She was a 2012 Songbook Academy participant and intern with the organization in 2013.

“Like anything, there are some challenges to overcome, but it’s really just a joy to be back in the process and back in the rehearsal room and to be inspired by ev-

eryone else in the cast,” she said.

Carmel resident Kirsten Gunlogson portrays Mother Abbess in her first role with Civic Theatre. She has performed in Rodgers and Hammerstein productions, such as “The King and I” and “Oklahoma.”

“Being new to Civic and being asked to do a show with them, I could not ask for a better production to be involved in,” said Gunlogson, who is an Indiana University graduate. “Most of my younger years I was performing operatic literature and concert music. I did some operettas and some musicial theater. I moved away from Indiana for a long time and moved back here in 2015.”

Gunlogson, a Butler University professor of voice, has performed some concerts and chamber music in the Indianapolis area. She also performs in a chamber trio, which does concerts throughout the U.S.

“It’s wonderful to get to know this company and to learn about the staff and administration,” Gunlogson said. “It’s a wonderful sense of community here. Of course, my favorite part is, I get to work with my daughter. That’s a huge treat for me as well.”

Her daughter Katherine LeFan, a 9-yearold West Clay Elementary third-grader,

plays Marta. This is LeFan’s favorite musical as well.

“It’s kind of what got me into theater,” LeFan said. “It’s a really awesome musical. I really like ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and ‘Climb Every Mountain.’”

Clay Middle School sixth-grader Addie Giesting, who plays Brigitta, said her favorite song is “The Lonely Goatherd” that they sing with Maria.

“My favorite part is I get to lay back on the bed and conduct that part,” the 12-year-old Giesting said.

“The Sound of Music” is one of the first musicals Giesting ever saw.

“My grandma is a big ‘Sound of Music’ fan and travels all across the country to see the show,” Giesting said. “It’s really special to have me in it. She is going to come all the way from Minnesota to see it.”

Giesting performed in Junior Civic’s production of “Frozen Jr” in 2021.

For more, civictheatre.org.

currentnightandday.com

‘AN AMERICAN IN PARIS’

“An American in Paris” runs through May 14 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

THE WALLFLOWERS

The Wallflowers will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 26 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘TRUE WEST’

Carmel Community Players’ production of “True West” will run through April 30 at Ivy Tech Hamilton County in Noblesville. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

‘MR. CONFIDENTIAL’

Actors Theatre of Indiana’s world premiere of “Mr. Confidential” is set for April 28 through May 14 at the Studio Theater at at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.

‘THE SOUND OF MUSIC’

Civic Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music” is set to run from April 28 through May 13 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

AMANDA MCBROOM

Amanda McBroom will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 28 and Alexandra Silber at 7:30 p.m. April 29 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘GET HAPPY’

“Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial” at 8 p.m. April 29 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘Crimes of the Heart’ set for Theater at the Fort — The Belfry Theatre’s production of “Crimes of the Heart,” a comedy by Beth Henley, will run from April 28 to May 7 at Arts for Lawrence’s Theater at the Fort. The cast includes Brook Hackman and Mickey Masterson from Carmel and Sarah Eberhardt and Ka’Lena Cuevas from Fishers. Others in the cast include Becca Bartle from Westfield and Tanner Brunson from Noblesville.

LeFan

Giesting

From left, Keegan Connor as Louisa, Renée La Schiazza as Maria, Greta Schaefer as Gretl in a rehearsal scene. (Photo courtesy of Joshua Hasty Photography)

Feinstein is set for tribute to Judy Garland

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For the Center for Performing Arts Artistic Director Michael Feinstein, the annual spring concert at the Palladium in Carmel will be personal for him.

CONCERT

The concert, set for 8 p.m. April 29, will feature Feinstein’s “Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial.”

Feinstein answered questions from Current about how the series of Garland performances developed.

How special was it to put together this show considering your long friendship with Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli?

“Putting together this Garland Centennial tribute was no small feat. I felt the weight of her legend through the entire experience and longed to create something that would celebrate her in a way that she would want to be remembered and also to please her family. Liza was the person who suggested that I put together this concert as I didn’t feel I had the gravitas to properly pay tribute to Judy Garland. But she encouraged me by pointing out a number of things, one of which is that being a male that would remove some of the comparisons that would inevitably happen with a woman singing Judy Garland songs.

“Also, she pointed out that I have a very balanced perspective about her mother, and by that I mean that I understood this is a concert that should be celebratory of Judy Garland and focus on her art and the reason that she became famous and eventually a legend. It’s unseemly to focus on the tabloid aspects of anyone’s life because it’s really beside the point. It is the extraordinary experience that people still feel when they listen to a recording by Judy Garland or see one of her films or one of her videos from her television series that still can galvanize all these years after her passing.

“I wanted to explore her history, and it turned out better than I could have possibly imagined in my wildest dreams.”

Was celebrating her 100th birthday in 2021 the first time you devoted an entire show to Garland?

“The first time I did an entire show celebrating Judy Garland was, I think, 2016, which I did with special appearances by Liza and (Garland’s daughter) Lorna (Luft) in

San Francisco at Feinstein’s at the Nikko, my club in that city. Prior to that, I don’t believe I had ever sung a tribute concert to Judy Garland, even though I had conducted a symphony tribute to Judy in Pasadena with the Pasadena Pops.”

Do you have a favorite portion of the concert?

“I think my favorite moment in the concert is when I accompany Judy Garland singing a song that is taken from a home recording that I discovered in a house that she once lived in and I tell the story in the show. It’s quite amazing that this recording turned up so many years after her passing and was one that she recorded when she was only 19 years old. The other funny thing about it is that the recording is a cappella without any accompaniment, so she sings the melody of the song solo, so it created the opportunity for me to accompany her. The song that she sings is ‘I’ll Be Seeing You,’ and it’s a song that she never, ever sang publicly. And so, it’s a world premiere and quite a thrill.”

Was it cool to perform the Garland concert at Carnegie Hall, the site of her famous 1961 concert?

“The response of the audience was particularly resonant that night. They were really going crazy, and the way they applauded after every number, I think it’s because everybody was excited. To think that she had actually performed at Carnegie Hall all those years before and there we were in the same place where she sang many of the songs that I sang, albeit in different arrangements, (was special). It was a joy, and it will remain one of my most happy experiences for the rest of my life.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Michael Feinstein will perform a tribute to Judy Garland at the Palladium. (Photo courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

NIGHT & DAY

Red Barn to present 3 comedies

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

It will be another summer of laughs with the three scheduled shows at Red Barn Summer Theatre.

PERFORMANCES

“They’re very light. It’s a nice summer selection, and even though they are all comedies, they’re all very different,” Red Barn Theatre Artistic Director Michael Taylor said. “They’re different kinds of comedy. Coming to the show you will see three very different kinds of performances.”

The first show is the English comedy “See How They Run” (June 7-18); the second show is “Boeing Boeing” (June 21-July 1); and the musical will be “Curtains, A Musical Comedy Whodunit” (July 6-16). Performances run Wednesdays through Sundays at the Red Barn Theatre in Frankfort.

Taylor will direct “Boeing Boeing” and “Curtains.”

Taylor, who has been with the company for 25 years, said Red Barn performed “Boeing Boeing” several years ago.

“Since then, the script has been updated,” Taylor said. “It was revised on Broadway, so we’re doing the new Broadway revival version.”

A French farce, “Boeing Boeing” takes place in a 1960s apartment in Paris rented by a swinging American architect, Bernard. He is engaged to three women who he only keeps apart because they are all flight attendants for different airlines. When Bernard’s tight schedule is disrupted, his juggling act turns frantic — and then disastrous.

“See How They Run” tells the rollicking tale of a conservative English bishop whose sedate home is turned upside down by the outlandish actions of an American actor and actress, four men disguised as clergymen and an old maid who has touched alcohol for the first time.

“Curtains” is set in 1959 in the Colonial Theatre in Boston. On opening night, the lead actress falls dead and a fast-talking cop, who just happens to be a musical theater aficionado, is sent to investigate.

Season and single tickets can be purchased at redbarntheatre.net starting May 8.

Farrell relishes role in premiere

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Actors Theatre of Indiana co-founder Don Farrell knows there is a responsibility in portraying a real-life person.

Farrell will play the role of Bob Harrison, who created Confidential magazine, in the world premiere of “Mr. Confidential,” which starts April 28 and runs through May 14 in the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“It’s a pretty hefty role,” Farrell said. “‘I’ve got a lot of woodshedding to do to get this on to my gray matter, but the music is so much fun. The lyrics are fun, and the story is fun. To be able to roll up my sleeves and start delving into it, it’s really going to be great. I think as an actor, roles that are complex are more interesting. The human condition itself is interesting. We’re all three-dimensional beings and with a lot of history and life experience.”

Farrell said he wants to give heart to his portrayal.

“On the surface, when you read, you might think this might not be the best guy in the world,” Farrell said.

However, Farrell said Harrison built a very successful magazine and provided work for others.

“He was an amazing, interesting guy, and I’m excited to bring him to life on the Studio Theater stage,” he said. “There is a responsibility to not paint them as a two-dimensional character. You want to see all the sides of this person. It’s exciting to find stuff that might not be on the page, but in the rehearsal process you are able to explore.”

Since the reading, Farrell said the production team has written some new scenes, added songs and adapted songs,

“(The audience) are going to get all the songs they originally fell in love with, and they are going to get even more in this world premiere,” he said.

Farrell said ATI has created new works before but nothing to this magniture in its 18-year history.

For more, visit atistage.org.

MUSICAL

Taylor Farrell

Soprano embraces new role

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Soprano Anne Fuchs is quite familiar with “The Magic Flute.”

OPERA

“I used to sing the role of Papageno in Germany in this opera, so it’s very near to my heart,” Fuchs said. “In the German opera system, you sort of perform a role for a year or two. You’ll just do it again and again and again. So, it’s one of those operas that I know inside and out and deeply, deeply love.”

The Indianapolis resident will play the role of the First Lady in Indianapolis Opera’s production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” May 5-7 at The Toby Theater at Newfields in Indianapolis.

This is Fuchs’ first performance on the main stage with Indianapolis Opera. She had performed in outreach concerts in the community with the company.

Fuchs, 37, lived in Germany for 2 1/2 years, leaving in 2015.

“This was my first role in Germany, and I had to do all the dialogue within the first

Fuchs

two weeks of setting foot there,” she said. “It’s kind of a crazy story. The manager of a theater asked, ‘Do you know the role of Papageno?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Great, you go on in two days.’ The only problem was I didn’t know the role. I just knew it was my chance. So, I drove myself crazy over the next 48 hours just learning that role, which is kind of a hard thing to do. I don’t know if Anne in her 30s could now pull that off, but in my 20s I could. I got it together and had to also learn the German dialogue and speak it convincingly and with a good German accent.”

The First Lady is one of the three ladies in service of the evil Queen of the Night.

“This opera is just so incredible because it’s basically about this duality of good and evil,” Fuchs said. “The bad guys seem like good guys, and then the good guys seem like bad guys. It’s just confusing knowing which is which.”

Fuchs also played the role of Pamina in a production in the U.S.

“She is a delightful character as well,” Fuchs said. “She’s pure of heart.”

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Farm beefs up operations

Commentary by Mark LaFay

Indiana may be known to be a pork-producing state, but there is quite a bit of great beef to be found in the Crossroads of America. Look no farther than Howell Farms in Middletown in rural Delaware County.

The Howell family has been farming the amber waves of grain for nearly 50 years. Their primary focus is corn, soy, wheat, barley and tomatoes, and now with a touch of beef!

Siblings Adam and Aaron Howell took up the family mantle to become the second generation in the Howell family to farm the Indiana countryside. The brothers are also the driving force behind the farm’s relatively new grass-fed beef program.

“We want to be good stewards of the family business and the land that it is based on,” Adam said. “By combining vegetable and grain production, cover cropping and then rotational livestock grazing, we can improve soil health.”

Ultimately, soil health drives the quality of the products they produce.

At present, the Howell’s have 22 head

of cattle that rotate across different pastures each day. The cattle is 100 percent grass-fed and the beef is processed under USDA inspection. Customers can shop their assortment of beef products online at Farmersprovisions.com. The website provides all the current offerings as well as plenty of information about the Howell family, the farm and the beef operation.

Customers are encouraged to shop the beef assortments by the box. Free shipping to 26 states is offered with the purchase of any assortment box. Customers can also shop by the cut and build their own box to have shipped. All current and future shipping destinations can be found on the website.

Customers can expect their product to arrive cold and safe to be put back into the freezer or thawed out to cook immediately. For more, visit farmersprovisions.com.

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis.

Did I hear that correctly?

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

A visit to Masada National Park

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, in our continuing visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Masada National Park in Israel, about 45 miles south of Jericho.

TRAVEL

During his reign as king of Judea from about 36 B.C. to 4 B.C., Herod the Great was a prodigious builder. The artificial harbor at Caesarea Maritima and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem were architectural wonders. But none of Herod’s many building projects have had the lasting influence of Masada, rising 1,300 feet above the Judean Desert. At the top of this rocky plateau, Herod built an elaborate city, complete with Roman baths, an underground reservoir holding 1 million gallons of water and a three-tier summer palace overlooking the Dead Sea. The only way up to the heavily fortified complex was along a narrow “snake path.”

In A.D. 66, Jewish revolutionaries captured Masada from the Romans. They and the families that joined them held out against a Roman siege until engineers built a ramp to the top and soldiers broke down the walls with a battering ram. Both the site of the Roman encampment and the remains of the ramp can still be seen from the snake path. According to Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, the entering Roman soldiers found all but seven of the 960 holdouts dead, killed by their own hands to avoid being taken alive.

Today, a metal plaque at Masada reads: “What of us? What is our Masada? How much of all this will we take with us, and how much of our own will we add?” For a time, members of the Israeli military walked up the snake path to be sworn in among the ruins, pledging that “Masada shall not

fall again.” Masada, now also reachable by cable car, is a powerful reminder of the indomitable Jewish spirit and the universal yearning of people to be free.

GRAMMAR GUY

I’ve written before about mondegreens — music lyrics people mishear. Many of you mistake Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” line as “Hold me closer, Tony Danza.” Today’s column is along those lines.

Now that you’re refreshed on mondegreens, I’m sure you’re also aware of homophones, two or more words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Examples include peace/piece and whole/hole.

With these in mind, you’re all set for today’s topic, oronyms. This sounds like a term for different names of gold. In fact, oronym is a recently coined term by author Gyles Brandreth. Brandreth, who is famous for being a past European Monopoly champion and president of the Association of British Scrabble Player, is also a witty linguist. He came up with the term “oronym” in his 1980 book, “The Joy of Lex.”

Oronyms, which are also known as continunyms or sliceonyms, are phrases

or sentences that sound the same but are spelled differently. The difference between oronyms and homophones is that oronyms almost always cause confusion and lead to misunderstandings. Let’s get into some examples, shall we?

When it comes to my 9-year-old son, he has seasonal spring allergies, and he fancies himself an expert on many subjects. I could rightly say, “You’ll be amazed by the stuffy nose.” However, if I want to declare him a harbinger of facts, I could also say, “You’ll be amazed by the stuff he knows.” The two sentences are true, and they sound identical. But their meanings are different.

Here are two similar-sounding sentences that have incredibly different meanings. Consider “The drunk man fell into oblivion.” Now think about “The drunk man fell into a Bolivian.”

Ruins of Masada in Israel. (Photos by Don Knebel)

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

Masada Reservoir in Masada National Park.

Model of Herrod’s Summer Palace in Masada National Park.

47. Board member

49. Tunes

51. Kinda

52. South American nation

55. Steinway products

59. Bypass

60. Madison Avenue park with a Lars Jonker sculpture

63. Tom Wood car type

64. Scent

65. Amber Indian Restaurant bread

66. Pacers’ three-pointers

67. Crafty website

68. Utters Down

1. Neutral shade

2. “Now hear ___!”

3. Church area

4. Mackey and Market Square, e.g.

5. Telephone pole sign words

6. Half of bi-

7. Eye part

8. Gestation sites

9. Acquiesce

28. Comic Carvey

30. Show the way, in a way 31. Low-budget prefix 32. Stair part 35. Bento Cafe cuisine 38. Indy park with “Ruins” 40. “Yes, captain!” 42. Timbuktu’s land 43. Hang on a clothesline

10. Indy park known for its Conservatory and Sunken Gardens

11. Curved molding 12. Aft

13. Upper limbs 18. Withdraw from a Hamilton County Court case

. Some Colts linemen

. Old-time messengers

. Glendale Body Shop jobs

. Numbskull 27. Constitutional capital of 52-Across

6 Common Adjectives

4 States That Begin With “I”

3 Indiana Mikes

2 Women Astronauts

5 TV Networks

1 John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” Town

Stewart's

Service

tree roots, stumps in and around chain link or wood fences. We also remove tree stumps that are protruding up onto sidewalks and around sidewalks. We grind them and/or remove. Please Call & Text at 816-778-4690.

VACATION PROPERTY RENTAL

Hondo’s Hideaway on beautiful, serene Bald Head Island, N.C., is a new-tomarket, exquisitely decorated 3 BR/2.5 BA in prime location. Close to beach, shopping, market and dining. Owner’s suite on first floor with ensuite bath, tile shower, dual sinks and two closets. Second floor has two bedrooms with Jack-and-Jill bath, each with private sink and tile tub/shower. Two four-passenger golf carts, bicycles and kayak. Spacious screened porch. Additional queen air bed will accommodate two additional guests. Temporary club memberships to both Shoals Club and BHI Lifestyle Club. Kitchen is fully equipped with top-of-line large and small appliances as well as every culinary necessity you would need to prepare the most elaborate meal.

Additional details and photos: https://www.bhiturtletimevacations. com/vacation-rentals/rental/6988/

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

MATH TEACHER

A math teacher at Midwest Academy will be responsible for teaching all aspects of mathematics, including fundamental and introductory algebra skills, to Middle School and High School students in a progressive environment designed for children with learning differences.

This position is full time and compensation is commensurate with experience. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a child-centered mentality are essential to this position.

To apply please send your resume to careers@mymwa.org

HELP WANTED

Looking for an entry level employee to join our help desk.

Primary duties include inbound tech support calls and emails utilizing a project management, ticket tracking software. This is a part-time position, depending on experience and demand (15+ hours), in a flexible work environment.

Available shifts are mid-day 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. and evenings 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Please send resumes to info@theankerconsultinggroup.com

PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Adjectives: BAD, FIRST, GOOD, LAST, LONG, SHORT; Networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS; States: IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA; Mikes: EPPS, PENCE, WOODSON; Astronauts: JEMISON, RIDE; Town: SEYMOUR

PAID FOR BY WILLIS FOR WESTFIELD

Scott Willis is a former member of the United States Marine Corps. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform do not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy, the United States Marine Corps, or Department of Defense.

SCOTT WILLIS IS PROUDLY ENDORSED BY WESTFIELD PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS