May 30, 2023 — Westfield

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Westfield plans events at Grand Junction Plaza

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

If you’re looking for something to do, Grand Junction Plaza might be the place to be this summer in Westfield.

RECREATION

Westfield Welcome has planned several events and programs ranging from exercise classes, a concert series for children and more.

Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St., will host Workout Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. with classes taking place every Wednesday starting June 7 on the meadow lawn. The one-hour workout class led by local instructors will vary between yoga and high-intensity interval training, while Fit4Mom will also offer Stroller Strides, a fee-based workout class, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Those who want to learn more about nature can explore Grassy Branch Creek within Grand Junction Plaza through programming known as creek stomps that take place every Thursday at 10 a.m. starting June 8.

Participants can splash around and beat the heat while learning about watersheds,

invasive species and creek wildlife, according to Westfield Welcome. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance with each Creek Stomp event limited to 20 people, officials said.

Grand Junction Plaza will also host a kids concert series featuring an interactive performance from children’s musician Mr. Daniel. The series will also include free airbrush tattoos, activities and the chance to sing, officials said.

The shows, which are 90 minutes and begin at 10 a.m., will be held June 20, June 27, July 11, July 18 and July 25, according to the city.

Westfield Welcome’s “Movies in the Plaza” series will also make a return to the Great Lawn in September with screenings beginning at dusk. The lineup includes Ratatouille (Sept. 15); Space Jam (Sept. 29), Halloweentown (Oct. 27); and White Christmas (Dec. 1).

Families are encouraged to visit Westfield Welcome’s Facebook page or website for specific start times as each event approaches.

“Grand Junction Plaza continues to be a popular destination for families, and the programming Westfield Welcome offers en-

courages those community connections,” Mayor Andy Cook said. “We’ve always envisioned year-round programming, and this is certainly a step in that direction.”

For those who enjoy live music, Westfield Welcome has also planned several performances.

“We’ve been asked over and over if we are going to host concerts at Grand Junction Plaza, and we are excited to be able to deliver a great line-up of shows this season. We can’t wait to see families and friends gathering to make these concerts a new tradition,” said Kayla Arnold, director of Westfield Welcome.

A lineup of performances includes:

• June 2: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band featuring Kassey King at 6 p.m.

• June 9: Toy Factory

• July 14: Living Proof

• July 21: Jambox

• Aug. 25: Six Figures

• Sept. 1: Jai Baker Band

• Sept. 8: Flying Toasters

Each concert starts with music at 7 p.m. and kid-friendly activities, with food trucks available starting at 6:30 p.m. For a full schedule of events or ticket reservations, visit westfieldwelcome.com/events.

Library kicks off summer reading program

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

The Westfield Washington Public Library’s summer reading program is open and will offer plenty of prizes for those eager to dive into books.

more time at the library this summer,” said Sara Reitmeyer Perry, coordinator of the summer reading program. “Come meet new friends, cool off while reading a book, or participate in one of our hands-on activities.”

12:10 to 12:50 p.m. and from 12:50 to 1:30 p.m. that will allow participants to dance on a floor covered in foam that will feature live music and games. Advance registration is required, which can be completed on the library’s events page, officials said.

ACTIVITIES

The eight-week program, which begins June 1, is open to all ages and comes with prizes awarded to participants who hit certain reading milestones. Anyone who reads at least 40 hours between June 1 and July 31 will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize that includes an Experience Westfield gift basket with more than $300 in restaurant gift cards and family-friendly options, library officials said.

“We’re encouraging everyone to spend

Sollars

For children, the Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology in Bloomington will be at the library twice this summer with advance registration required.

The first program, “Design, Test, Build!” from 1 to 2 p.m. on June 2 will teach children how to make a Rube Goldberg Machine, while a second program, “Hair Raising Science,” scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. on July 10 will focus on the science of electricity with a demonstration on how to make mini lightning bolts.

The library will also host three foam parties June 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.,

Nearly 3,000 Westfield residents participated in 2022 for a total of 2,577,886 minutes with the goal being 3 million this year, officials said.

“We hope to see hundreds of residents at the library this summer,” said Sheryl Sollars, director of the Westfield Washington Public Library. “Summer break is a fun time for our young readers to learn to use the library and develop a lifelong habit of reading. Plus, reading over the summer helps to keep their skills up.”

To register for the summer reading program, visit wwpl.beanstack.org.

Popcorn and Punchlines set

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Rhonda Corey has enjoyed performing at CrossRoads Church at Westfield’s comedy events.

Kohatsu, are from Arizona. The other comedians are June Colson from Kentucky; Michele VanDusen from Oklahoma; Chris Ruppe from North Carolina; Dorie McLeaMore, Texas and Leslie Rob from Virginia.

COMEDY

“I love the heart of the church,” Corey said of CrossRoads. “They just love to give to the community. My heart, too, is to be part of giving back to the community and welcoming them to the church atmosphere.”

CrossRoads Church at Westfield’s Popcorn and Punchlines Free Comedy Showcase is set for 7 p.m. June 2 at the IMMI Conference Center, 18880 N. East St., in Westfield. The family-friendly event is free.

This is the second event in which Corey has coordinated the comedians. She won a Clean Comedy Challenge of 22 comedians in Chicago in 2018.

Corey and the other seven comedians are part of the Christian Comedy Association. Corey, from Warwick, R.I., said all the comedians will be in the area for a CCA convention, which starts June 5 in Fishers.

Two comedians, Mike James and Brian

Colson holds the title as 2020’s Nashville Clean Comedy champion.

“It’s fun to get together and perform together, so it’s fun for us as well,” Corey said.

Corey said the performance is expected to be approximately 90 minutes. She said the IMMI Conference is large enough to accommodate a larger audience.

“I also produce a Funny Together Tour for churches, so I think all these comics on this show are part of that or will be,” Corey said. “It’s usually three national comedians and we do a tour of churches.”

Popcorn and Punchlines is part of CrossRoads Church’s For Our Neighbor strategy to meet, know, enjoy and serve the people of the community, CrossRoads Lead Pastor Eric Lohe said. Pizza and Punchlines was hosted by CrossRoads in February at Westfield High School.

Westfield creates sports panel

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

• Joseph Laftus, partner, Barnes and Thornburg LLP

• Patrick Tamm, president, Tamm Capital Group

TOURISM

Westfield has created a sports commission that will work closely with the city and community sports organizations to lead the continued development of the sports tourism industry.

The Westfield Sports Commission will operate independently of the city to promote Westfield as a destination for sports tourism and serve as the organizing body developing the business of sports, officials said.

“This organization will go beyond just promoting Grand Park and other sports facilities in Westfield but will also interface with the business community to develop relationships and sports related business opportunities for the Westfield community,” said William Knox, CEO of Legacy Sports Group and a non-voting board member of the sports commission.

Board members of the Westfield Sports Commission will include the following individuals:

• Christine Hill, associate vice president, Global Customer Experience Strategy, Eli Lilly and Company

• Matt Deck, chief operating officer, Tradewinds Logistics

• LeAnne Zentz, associate broker, Berkshire Hathaway

• Non-voting members of the Westfield Sports Commission are:

• William Knox, president, Legacy Sports Group

• Karen Radcliff, director, vice president and chief strategy officer, Hamilton County Sports Authority

“The new sports commission is a natural progression of Westfield’s leadership in the sports tourism industry built around Grand Park and the Grand Park Events Center. 3.5 million people visited the campus in 2022. The newly formed commission further enriches our residents’ quality of life while driving economic development through sports,” Westfield Mayor Andy Cook stated.

Brittany’s story.

After her diagnosis, Brittany needed all the support she could get.

Corey

THIS SUMMER, LET’S MAKE HISTORY!

washington township signature event

WESTFIELD BASH!

June 1, 5-8 p.m.; June 2, 8-10 a.m. and 6-9 p.m.

Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St., Westfield | FREE

June 1, 5-8 p.m. At the Westfield Farmer’s Market, enjoy free entertainment, dozens of vendors and Westfield Washington Schools’ American Pie concert (“Coming Back to Indiana”).

June 2, 8-10 a.m. Enjoy the Westfield Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfast on Park Street and check out vintage vehicles! (Cost for breakfast.)

June 2, 6-9 p.m. Before they head out on their international tour, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band takes the stage at Grand Junction Plaza! Local artist Kassey King opens for this FREE concert.

ALSO IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP:

June 1 & 2 | Find the Oldest Tree in Your Neighborhood

June 2 | A Day in the Life “Rocks!”

June 3 | Mainstreet Productions’ Westfield Founders, Weekends at Barker Cabin, and Historic Downtown Walking Tour

June 23 | Family History and Art Activity Day

June 30 | Cool Creek Bicentennial Concert

Hamilton County Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit

FREE | Learn about all five of our Bicentennial themes: Arts, Diversity/Inclusion, Education, Historic Preservation, and Parks/Environment. Visit hamcoturns200.com/events to see where the exhibit is scheduled to be on display.

noblesville township signature event

HAMILTON COUNTY FABRIC ARTS SHOW

August 4-September 1, with open reception August 5 Noblesville | FREE

Hosted in partnership with Nickel Plate Arts and the Noblesville Township Representative, this art show will showcase artists and techniques for different fabric arts. Check out heirlooms and new pieces and vote for your favorite. Still accepting submissions!

ALSO IN NOBLESVILLE TOWNSHIP:

Daily in July | Fun At The Forest Park Carousel and Tom Thumb Golf Course

July 8 | Hamilton County Military & Veterans Celebration and Resource Fair

July 15 | American Legion Post 45 Reopening

July 19 | Taste Of History: Early Noblesville Dining And Recipes

July 22 | History Faire, Political Celebrities And The Vote Ice Cream Social

July 29 | Light Up The Night, Gibson Guitar and Mandolin Company Traveling Instrument Tour

FALL PREVIEW signature events

FALL CREEK TOWNSHIP and DELAWARE TOWNSHIP join forces and partner with Conner Prairie to create a permanent reminder of the Hamilton County Bicentennial! Attend the Bicentennial Marker Unveiling at Conner Prairie on SEPTEMBER 9.

Access the entire 2023 BICENTENNIAL EVENT LINEUP and get event/program details: HamCoTurns200.com

wayne township signature event

FARMING PRESENT AND PAST

August 13, 2-5 p.m., Clarksville Christian Church, 16600 Lehr St., Noblesville | FREE, some food for sale

Join lifelong farmers Donald and David Zeller as they discuss how farming in Wayne Township has changed over the decades. This will include a show-and-tell of artifacts. Inside the church, enjoy history displays about Clarksville and surrounding areas.

Outside, experience the Hamilton Southeastern Schools FFA “touch a truck” area with old tractors alongside new Reynolds farm equipment, and old Ford trucks and Model T’s alongside new trucks off the Don Hines dealership lot. Free refreshments, with the Wayne/Fall Creek Lions Club offering food for sale.

ALSO IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP:

August 12 | Taste Of History: Finding Your Farming Ancestors

CLAY

o

Maps of Carmel, an artistic map of Clay Township’s farms and homesteads during the early 20th century. Maps are a keepsake and will be available for free THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER.

TOWNSHIP

rganizers present Vintage

Indy Eleven to field a pro women’s team

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Indy Eleven’s commitment to growing the sport of women’s soccer recently took another major step.

SOCCER

Stremlaw

Indy Eleven announced May 17 its commitment to the USL Super League, a new professional women’s soccer league kicking off in August 2024. The Eleven will join an initial group of 10 to 12 markets as pioneering members of the first division league in women’s soccer.

Indy Eleven President/CEO Greg Stremlaw said Indianapolis will join the USL Super League when the new stadium is ready.

“It’s important to us to complete Eleven Park and the new stadium for both the men’s and women’s teams to play there,” he said.

Stremlaw, a Noblesville resident, said groundbreaking will happen soon, but the club is not getting locked into a date when the stadium will be finished.

“If the stadium is fully operational in 2025, it’s our intention to enter the league at that time,” he said. “The premiere of an elite level, top-tier women’s pro league launching at the same time we are breaking ground on an elite level, top-tier stadium is more than fate and coincidence. It’s what happens when great ideas and hard work hit the calendar at the same time.”

Indy Eleven’s USL W League team, a pre-professional team made up mostly of college players, went undefeated with a 10-0-2 record in its inaugural regular season in 2022. The team will play its 2023 home opener against Racing Louisville at 7 p.m. June 2 at Grand Park Events Center in Westfield.

“Our focus and commitment to women’s soccer was part of our vision and mission from Day 1,” stated Indy Eleven founder and Chairman Ersal Ozdemir, a Carmel resident. “To create opportunities for girls and women in soccer is so important and we have been driven to not only provide those opportunities but to do so at the highest level. The USL Super League launching as a First Division, Top Tier, Elite major league puts it on par with the top levels of soccer across

the globe. Our national team consistently dominates on the world stage, and we are invested in solidifying the foundation of soccer in the United States and in Indiana to make sure we continue to develop next-level talent.”

The league will include teams from Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Lexington, Ky., Phoenix, Spokane, Wash. Tampa Bay, Tucson, Ariz., and Washington, D.C. Indianapolis is one of five cities slated to join in subsequent seasons.

Indy Eleven acquired two top-tier professional academies May 22 for teams competing in MLS NEXT (boys) and the ECNL (girls) under the Eleven’s crest as the Indy Eleven Pro Academy. The Indy Eleven Pro Academies will compete at the highest level of youth programming, effective July 1 following a partnership with the Indiana Fire Pro Academy.

Both MLS NEXT and the ECNL leagues, which Indiana Fire have participated in since their inception, feature some of the most elite soccer clubs across the nation in age groups from U12 through U19. As part of the leagues, the Pro Academy gives youth soccer players in Indiana the greatest opportunity to grow their game alongside existing and future competition as part of Indy Eleven’s ongoing and future involvement in the USL Academy League and USL Academy Cups. The Indy Eleven Pro Academy teams will train at Grand Park.

“We will not only have the men’s team that plays in the USL Championship top tier, but we’ll have the women’s professional pathway that is being created for young developing athletes all the way through to those that have the ability to play at the highest level of soccer,” Stremlaw said.

Indy Eleven will field a pro women team in the USL Super League. (Graphic courtesy of Indy Eleven)

WESTFIELD

Project: Library/township office construction

Location: Corner of Park and Poplar streets

Jump start your savings.

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. Motorists should use Thatcher Lane or Cool Creek Park Road as a detour.

Expected completion: Fall 2023

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: Pleasant Street

Location: Various locations; Eighth Street and Pleasant Street will be closed after Memorial Day (motorists are advised to use detour routes or visit reimaginepleasantst. com for more information)

Expected completion: Work will be ongoing

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

Project: Nickel Plate Trail

Location: The city of Noblesville will construct its portion of the Nickel Plate Trail from 146th Street to Pleasant Street. Trail will be 12 feet wide and include the rehabilitation of two existing railroad bridges and conversion to pedestrian facilities

Expected completion: By Thanksgiving

FISHERS

Project: 146th and Allisonville Interchange

Location: Phase 1 of construction for the grade separation intersection improvement will begin at 146th Street and Allisonville Road. One thru lane and one left turn lane in all directions will be closed through

the intersection. Closures of Sowers Drive and Saville Road at 146th Street will be necessary in June. Additional notifications will be provided prior to the closures. In addition to these closures, the worksite speed limit will be 35 mph.

Expected completion: The entire project is set for completion in summer 2025

Project: Fall Creek Road

Location: Citizens Energy Group is mobilizing the lift station on Fall Creek Road near Geist Woods Way, resulting in the closure of Fall Creek Trail.

Expected completion: August

Project: 106th Street & Kincaid Drive

Location: Construction of center curb on 106th Street and intersection improvement at 106th Street and Kincaid Drive to modify to a right-in/right-out entrance started in April.

Expected completion: August 2023

Project: Roundabout preconstruction at 106th and Hoosier Road

Location: 106th Street and Hoosier Road. Utility relocation is taking place now for the project, which goes out to bid this spring.

Expected completion: To be determined.

Project: Ind. 37 Improvement Project

Location: Ind. 37 and 141st Street. A pre-construction phase is in place. During this phase, 141st Street will have a temporary right-in-right-out traffic configuration.

Expected completion: The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Summer of 2023.

Project: Clear Path Improvement Project (I-465 and I-69 interchange)

Location: New ramps will provide direct movements from eastbound I-465 and northbound I-465 to northbound I-69. Binford Boulevard. will also be reconstructed to separate local traffic from traffic entering and exiting I-69 and I-465. Access to I-69 from Binford Boulevard will remain open. Drivers can expect to see significant activity on I-69 at the 82nd Street interchange. The ramp from I-69 North to 82nd Street and the ramp from 82nd Street to I-69 North is closed through late 2023. For detour routes and additional project information, visit clearpath465.com

Expected completion: Project lasts through 2024.

Project: Nickel Plate Trail

Location: The remaining paving work from 96th Street to 106th Street is underway, and construction crews are working to clear and prep the area for paving.

Expected completion: Fall of 2023.

CURRENT JUNE WESTFIELD COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HOST ‘AMERICAN PIE’

Westfield High School students will perform its “American Pie” concert June 1 at Grand Junction Plaza. The concert, which will feature students performing songs by Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, David Bowie and other artists, will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

GROUP TO ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF TREE CONTEST

Westfield Green Together will announce the winners of a contest that challenged residents to find the oldest tree in their neighborhoods June 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. and June 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Grand Junction Plaza. Those who attend will be able to see posters about trees submitted to the organization and can also pick up a driving/ waking tour to see some of the trees. The event is free to attend.

CHURCH TO HOST COMEDY EVENT

CrossRoads Church will host a comedy event, “Popcorn and Punchlines,” June 2 at the IMMI Conference Center, 18880 N. East St., Westfield. The event, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature comedian Rhonda Corey and is free for all ages to attend. For more, visit crchurch.org/for-our-neighbor/ big-events.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO UNVEIL RESTORED CABIN

The Westfield Washington Historical Society will unveil its restored Barker Cabin June 3. A ribbon cutting and ceremony will be at 10 a.m. at the cabin, 136 Penn St., which was originally built in 1835. The ceremony will be followed by old-fashioned cooking and demonstrations by costumed interpreters, while a band, re-enactors, a car show and more will also be available for attendees throughout the day. Admission is free.

PERFORMANCES TO DRAMATIZE WESTFIELD FOUNDING FAMILIES

Westfield’s founding families will take center stage during hourly performances June 3 at Basile Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St. Performances will run each hour beginning at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served during the event, which is free to attend.

DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR PLANNED

The Westfield Preservation Alliance will host a self-guided walking tour June 2, which begins at Cave & Co. Printing, 104 W. Main St. Individuals can downtown a free app, “U R HERE - Historic Westfield, IN” on their phones to learn about different people and places in Westfield’s history. Printed materials can be picked up at Cave & Co. Printing. The event is free to participate in.

FITNESS, WORKOUT CLASSES AT GRAND JUNCTION PLAZA

Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St., will host Workout Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. with classes taking place every Wednesday starting June 7 on the meadow lawn. The one-hour workout class led by local instructors will vary between yoga and high-intensity interval training, while Fit4Mom will also offer Stroller Strides, a fee-based workout class, beginning at 9:30 a.m. For more, visit westfieldwelcome.com/ events.

MUSIC ON TAP AT GRAND JUNCTION

If you’re looking for some music and are looking to unwind, Grand Junction Plaza is your place to be. Performances this month include Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band featuring Kassey King at 6 p.m. (June 2) and Toy Factory (June 9). Each concert starts with music at 7 p.m. and kid-friendly activities, with food trucks available starting at 6:30 p.m.

LIBRARY TO HOST FAMILY HISTORY, ART ACTIVITY DAY

The Westfield Washington Public Library will host a family history and art activity day June 23. The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature speakers focusing on genealogy, how to search Quaker and military records and how to use Ancestry.com and Indiana State Library sources. Attendees can also participate in a local arts and crafts demonstration fair, where local artists will showcase their work and guide individuals on how to make historic items. To register, visit the library’s website wwpl.lib.in.us.

WHO WE ARE

CHS senior infielder finishing with strong hitting season

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School senior infielder Case Sullivan has watched his batting average climb considerably for his final high school season.

Sullivan hit around .220 last season. He is hitting about .400 for the Greyhounds, who were 17-8 as of May 23.

“I did a ton of development with my summer team, Canes Midwest, being around a lot of high recruits,” Sullivan said. “I think we had 11 Division I recruits. My coach, Jeremy Honaker, helped me through it. Playing at that high level, you feed off the energy from those guys. I had the opportunity to play against a lot of tough competition. I gained 15 to 20 pounds and gained strength before my senior year. I was just really ready to get after it.”

Sullivan started off the 2022 season stronger, but an injury caused him to miss some games and threw off his timing.

“Then I fouled a ball off my face about

MEET CASE SULLIVAN

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite athletes: David Ortiz and Mookie Betts

Favorite movie: “The Sandlot”

Favorite musician: Morgan Wallen

seven or eight games into the season,” he said. “I broke my orbital floor, my nose and six stitches on top of my eye. I had to come back from that and didn’t get back to the point, but I think I still put us with a chance to win a sectional title last year.”

Sullivan said he struggled with confidence after coming back from the facial injury.

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“Having the summer that I did (was beneficial) and (now I’m) just trying to be a leader for a lot of these guys my last high school season,” he said.

CHS first-year coach Ty Neal is impressed with Sullivan’s leadership.

“Case has embraced the new culture and expectations the coaching staff has implemented,” Neal said. “Case is an excellent leader and is passionate about the game and his teammates.”

Sullivan started the year at third base, but has played shortstop most of the season.

“I’m fortunate to play with JD Stein and we switch,” Sullivan said.

Stein, a sophomore, has committed to play baseball at the University of Louisville.

Sullivan will play for Marshall University next season in the Sun Belt Conference.

“So it will be a lot of warm-weather baseball,” said Sullivan, who plans to major in business and entrepreneurship.

Sullivan has played some recreation basketball and soccer.

“But ever since I was little all I wanted to be was a baseball player,” said Sullivan, whose father, Corey Sullivan, played golf at Indiana University.

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Case Sullivan is hitting .400 for the Carmel High School baseball team. (Photo courtesy of Case Sullivan)

Sullivan

Program to offer academic, career training

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Student Impact of Westfield will offer training to youths with a focus on life preparation, academic and career guidance through a new program starting in September.

EDUCATON

Champion’s Path, a private veteran-owned company based in Westfield, will be hosted by Student Impact of Westfield starting Sept. 15 that will provide a program known as “Our Compass Course.” The intensive, five-week curriculum will meet one evening a week and is designed to help young adults build their own custom academic and career plan intended to help direct them on their own with a unique path toward an honorable, successful and fulfilling life, said Jennifer McCulloch, director of operations for Champion’s Path.

“As part of the course, we also work with students to improve their social media skills, communication skills, financial stewardship skills and job interviewing skills,” McCulloch said. “We understand that many parents are increasingly concerned that

their young adults are struggling to develop a realistic plan for what they will do after high school or college. We also know that even for college students or other young adults in the workforce, finding appropriate direction, identifying opportunity and successfully finding the right fulfilling career can be overwhelming.”

McCulloch said instructors with Champion’s Path also stress foundational values throughout the course that span and impact all career fields, such as integrity, work ethic, leadership, courage and honor. Courses through the program are taught by business owners who all have U.S. Marine, Special Operations Command or high-level U.S. military leadership experience, she added.

Students will also be eligible for scholarships provided by participating sponsors such as employers, technical schools and universities, officials said.

“It is our goal at Champion’s Path to help students identify potential academic majors, vocations, training skill institutions, colleges, internships, military or appropriate careers which will fit their personal goals,” she said. “Upon graduation from the course,

students will have a custom academic and career plan, along with a Champion’s Path diploma. Additionally, each student will have a private, six-month post-graduation follow-up meeting with Champion’s Path staff to help ensure they are following their plan and moving in the right direction.”

The program will be offered in the evening after Student Impact’s programming is completed and will be housed in a new building that will be constructed on the organization’s property, said Danyele Easterhaus. Fundraising is underway for the new building addition, which is expected to be completed by September, according to Easterhaus.

“Since 1999, Student Impact has been on a successful mission to walk alongside students in grades 5 through 12 and help them build relationships through love and acceptance in a safe and consistent environment,” Easterhaus said. “To meet that mission, we have, and are always striving, to provide programs helping young adults find fulfillment in their lives.”

To learn more about Champion’s Path, visit championspath.net or call 317-690-6821.

Flower Market

Westfield Democrat McNally to make another run for District 39

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Navy pilot veteran Matt McNally has announced that in 2024 he will make another run for the Indiana House of Representatives in District 39.

ELECTION

The Democrat from Westfield lost a close race for the seat in 2022 against Republican incumbent Jerry Torr.

“I am running for state representative for the same reasons that I joined the military: to help safeguard the freedoms we all enjoy as Hoosiers and Americans,” McNally stated in a press release.

McNally is the senior vice commander of the local VFW Post 10003. Post 10003 serves veterans throughout Carmel, Fishers and Westfield.

“After two decades of supermajority rule, I believe decision makers at our state capitol have embraced extreme policies that are out of step with our Carmel and Westfield communities,” McNally stated. “I believe our friends and neighbors want our elected representation to put policies in place that allow them and their families the freedom to thrive.”

McNally is employed as a passenger airline pilot. He recently joined the board of the Westfield Kiwanis Club.

Learn more at mcnallyforindiana.com.

Southerland to lead city disabilities organization

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

A Westfield resident has been named chairperson of the Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities.

GIVING BACK

Nicole Southerland, who serves as director of CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, was selected to lead the organization, which was created last year. The organization’s mission is to “make a positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities in Westfield by promoting inclusion, life-cycle planning, and access in the short-term and tackling long-term challenges including housing, transportation and workforce development,” officials said.

Joanne Tedesco, founder of the council on disabilities, said it has been an honor to lead the organization for the past year.

“During that time, we have formed valuable partnerships across Hamilton County. As we continue to provide our community with quality resources and valuable disability-related information, we must remember that positive change will come from systemic transformation at the state level,” Tedesco said.

Officials said the Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities have held events featuring conversations about planning for the future,

special needs estate planning, post-secondary education opportunities, disability employment, deaf and hard of hearing resources and the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability. The ADA, a civil rights law, was established in 1990 and its purpose is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else, according to the ADA National Network website.

“I’m thrilled to take on the leadership role for the Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities and believe my skills and experiences will add great value,” Southerland said. “I’ve been working at CICOA for over 20 years and have a pulse on statewide programs, funding and behind-the-scenes details that will benefit the disability community.”

City officials said Mayor Andy Cook, along with Westfield City Councilman Scott Willis, were both early supporters of a disability council being created in Westfield.

“While I’m disappointed that we weren’t successful in securing a disability ordinance in Westfield, we have made enormous gains,” Willis said. “This council has uncovered issues and has started some critical conversations that will impact not only people with disabilities but the city overall.”

For more, visit westfieldmcd.com.

McNally

Brittany’s circle of support.

Being diagnosed with cancer can feel like your world’s suddenly stopped. That’s why we make sure you talk to an expert within 48 hours. So you can start nding the answers you need. With world-renowned cancer care close to home, your circle of support just got stronger.

Learn more at eCommunity.com/cancer

DISPATCHES

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

Students named to dean’s list – Westfield residents Lindsey Ash and Corren Brown were named to the dean’s list at Cedarville University for the spring semester. The recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Jury duty scam calls – The Hamilton County Courts are warning residents about a jury duty scam that has bilked dozens of people out of thousands of dollars. Scammers are calling residents and telling them they missed jury duty and have to pay a fine. Victims have reportedly lost upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 through gift cards and mobile payments like Zelle and Venmo. When in doubt, Court Administrator Jill Acklin recommends residents hang up and call 317-776-8589.

Volunteers needed for water availability study – The Hamilton County Surveyor’s Office is seeking volunteers for the county’s three year Water Availability Study. The study is being done by INTERA, the engineering firm employed by the county, and will monitor aquifer levels throughout the county in order to better understand the groundwater availability within the county. The data will contribute valuable information to the study. If interested, reach out to the Hamilton County Surveyor’s Office at 317-776-8495 or email at surveyor@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

Bicentennial commission releases book – The Hamilton County Bicentennial Commission has released the official commemorative book of Hamilton County’s bicentennial, “Celebrating Hamilton County, Indiana: 200 Years of Change.” The glossy, 9-by-12-inch, full-color book features events and figures many people know and love, as well as never-before-published photographs, stories and oral histories. The book is available for purchase on Amazon and through MT Publishing Co. by visiting mtpublishing.com.

Concrete Cleaning Concrete Sealing Roof Cleaning Pressure Washing Epoxy Floors

COMMUNITY

Cities make list for safey

news@currentinfishers.com

Crime rates for violent crime and property crime in Indiana are decreasing, according to Safewise, a national organization that looks at crime statistics.

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE CATHEDRAL CLASS OF 2023

CRIME

The top-10 safest cities in Indiana include Zionsville, coming in at No. 2; Carmel at No. 4; Fishers at No. 5, and Westfield at No. 7. Carmel and Fishers also were included in the Safewise top 10 list of safest cities to raise a family; and Zionsville was No 81 on the list of top 100 safest cities in the United States.

The No. 1 safest city in Indiana, according to the Safewise list, is St. John, located in the northwest part of the state. Also on the list are Dyer (third), Brownsburg (sixth), West Lafayette (eighth), Huntington (ninth) and Greenfield (10th).

Safewise reports that Indiana is one of 17 states that experienced decreases in both violent crime and property crime during the past reporting year, and both of those state crime rates fall below the national average. However, surveys of Hoosiers indicated that 5 percent more Indiana residents were concerned about violent crime than the prior year, and gun violence concern rose by 8 percent.

More Hoosiers use some form of personal protection compared to the national average, with most favoring pocketknives.

Property crime concerns among Hoosiers also rose, with most respondents especially concerned about package theft.

“About 61percent of Indiana residents feel concerned about package theft, and property crime comes in second at 53 percent” the announcement states. “Hoosiers worry less about violent crime (49 percent) and gun violence (49 percent), which makes sense because our survey respondents were more likely to have experienced property crime than violent crime.”

Natural disaster concerns also were included in the survey, and Hoosiers worried most about strong winds. Understandably, Indiana residents had fewer concerns about hurricanes and earthquakes.

For more, see safewise.com/blog/ safest-cities-indiana/#city1

Record-breaking reported scholarship offers of more than $73 million!

Albion College

American University

Arizona State University – Tempe

Ball State University

Baylor University

Belmont University

Butler University

Canisius College

Clemson University

College of Charleston

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado State University – Fort Collins

Cornell University

DePauw University

Dominican University

Earlham College

Grinnell College

Hanover College

High Point University

Holy Cross College

Howard University

Indiana University – Bloomington

Indiana University-Purdue University –Columbus

Indiana University-Purdue University –Indianapolis

Ivy Tech Community College

Johnson and Wales University – Charlotte

Juniata College

Lourdes University

Loyola University – Chicago

Lynn University

Marian University

Marquette University

Mercer University

Mercyhurst University

Miami University – Oxford

Michigan State University

Morehouse College

Pepperdine University

Purdue University – Fort Wayne

Purdue University – West Lafayette

Rockhurst University

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

St. Catherine University

Saint Edward’s University

Saint Louis University

Saint Mary’s College

The Ohio State University

The University of Alabama

The University of Findlay

The University of Tennessee –Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee –

Knoxville

Trine University

United States Air Force Academy

United States Military Academy

Preparatory School

United States Naval Academy

Where the Cathedral journey is taking the Class of 2023 GREATNESS CALLED AND THE CLASS OF 2023 ANSWERED!

University of Cincinnati

University of Colorado – Boulder

University of Dayton

University of Evansville

University of Indianapolis

University of Kentucky

University of Miami

University of Michigan –Ann Arbor

University of Mississippi

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University of Redlands

University of South Dakota

Valparaiso University

Wabash College

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Western Michigan University

Xavier University

DOWN THE ROAD

INDOT unveils $80M project along Ind. 32

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Planned improvements on Ind. 32 between Westfield and Noblesville are expected to improve traffic flow and reduce the number of crashes as part of an $80 million project proposed by the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Preliminary design and environmental studies are ongoing, but the project will eventually expand the number of lanes from two to four and add seven roundabouts at different intersections, said Nick Batta, design project manager with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, an engineering firm in Indianapolis. Batta spoke during an INDOT public meeting May 17 about the project at the Prairie Waters Event Center in Westfield that allowed the public to see what is being proposed and to ask questions.

However, actual construction on the federally funded project won’t take place until 2026 and will continue into 2027, according to Batta. The project is driven by ongoing congestion along the corridor, in addition to crashes that have been seen in the area with an average of about 110 per year, he said.

“That’s a big part of the foundation for the need of the project,” Batta said. “The alternative we proposed here is specifically targeting rear-end crashes, delays people have to (face) when they’re sitting in traffic today and reducing the amount of time it gets from downtown Westfield to downtown Noblesville.”

As part of the project, roundabouts are proposed at Carey Road/Grassy Branch Road, Gunther Boulevard, Moontown Road/Gray Road, Pebble Brook Boulevard/Hazel Dell Elementary School, Hazel Dell Road/Little Chicago Road, Mill Creek Road, in addition to one being added at Hague Road and the Pleasant Street extension that will be constructed by the City of Noblesville. The roundabouts will ease the flow of traffic and provide better access to side roads as well, Batta said.

An 8-foot asphalt path will also be added along both sides of the roadway, according to INDOT. The expanded lanes should also allow traffic to move more quickly through the corridor, Batta said.

“There’s so much traffic on (Ind.) 32, one lane each direction is not enough to handle it, so another lane is needed,” he said.

Westfield’s portion of road improvements will likely begin at the East Street intersection as part of the project, which will continue to the Mensa Drive intersection in Noblesville. Batta said officials don’t yet know the order of construction on the project, but that is anticipated to be known by the end of 2023.

“It’ll be in some sort of phases. Exactly the phases, we don’t quite know yet, but we’ll know by the end of the year,” Batta said.

But Westfield residents such as Trisha Staneart say the proposed improvements are greatly needed. Staneart, who

has lived in Westfield for 22 years, attended the INDOT open house primarily to find out information about the project.

Staneart said she has concerns about traffic congestion in the area, especially with construction of new homes being built. Safety is also an issue as well, particularly making a left-hand turn out of her subdivision, she added.

“That’s why I usually leave the house early when I go to work because I have a better chance of making a left-hand turn,” she said.

Still, she said she looks forward to the proposed improvements down the road.

“I think they have to do something, and it’ll be different when it’s all said and done,” Staneart said. “Getting from Noblesville to Westfield and making that easier, yes, I’m happy about that.”

The public meeting was an opportunity for residents to offer feedback as INDOT continues to develop plans for the project, city spokesman Chris Proffitt said.

“Their input will be important in the final design,” he said. “We do know observationally there are more crashes when Roundabouts at intersections:

there are more cars in a certain area and you don’t have the wide-open lanes, so when you’re going to downtown Westfield, you have two lanes — one going east and one going west. To see that change as we get into State Road 32 expansion, plus the use of roundabouts, will be very significant as well because we do know that roundabouts are important in safety.”

Kyleigh Cramer, public relations director for INDOT’s East-Central District, said the agency is in the “communication and conversation phase of construction” regarding the project. The current goal is to understand what the public wants as well, Cramer said.

ON THE COVER: Motorists travel along Ind. 32 in Westfield. The Indiana Dept. of Transportation is planning improvements along the corridor between Westfield and Noblesville that will expand the number of lanes from two to four and add roundabouts at various intersections. (Photo by Adam Seif)

AN OVERVIEW OF THE IND. 32 PROJECT

roadway

• Carey Road/Grassy Branch Road

• Gunther Boulevard

• Moontown Road/Gray Road

• Pebble Brook Boulevard/Hazel Dell Elementary School

• Hazel Dell Road/Little Chicago Road

• Mill Creek Road

• Hague Road/Pleasant Street extension (to be constructed by city of Noblesville)

Pedestrian paths:

• 8-foot asphalt paths along both sides of the

• Grass buffer between path and road where where space permits

• Connection to paths in Westfield, Noblesville and Midland Trace

Crash rates:

• Average of about 110 crashes per year

• Approximately 70% of crashes are rear-end incidents

• Approximately 14% of crashes involved incapacitating injuries

For more, visit improvetomove32.com.

Motorists travel on Ind. 32 in Westfield

(Photo by Adam Seif)

Flohr to lead Taranis as new CEO

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

An artificial intelligence-powered crop intelligence company with its headquarters in Westfield has appointed Opher Flohr as its new chief executive officer.

LEADERSHIP

Flohr, who took over the top leadership position last month at Taranis, succeeds Bar Veinstein in the role. Flohr joined Taranis as chief financial and operating officer in 2019 and previously held leadership positions at several global companies, where he helped drive growth and improve operational efficiency, company officials said.

“The ag industry is ripe with opportunities to turn innovation into customer value and business success,” said Zvika Orron, board chairman at Taranis. “Opher is the best person to lead Taranis through its next chapter, bringing a deep understanding of the market, a clear vision of where Taranis is heading and the ability to execute on this vision.”

Company officials said Veinstein, who has

led Taranis to 260 percent growth over the past 2 1/2 years, has accepted a leadership role at a major public company. The name of that company was not disclosed, but officials said that Veinstein would work closely with Flohr and Taranis’ management team to ensure a smooth transition.

Orron also thanked Veinstein for his work and “substantially accelerating the company’s growth and solidifying its strategy to make Taranis the leading provider of crop intelligence solutions.”

Flohr said it is an honor to lead Taranis.

“We have had substantial growth and are poised for industry-defining success,” he said. “Ag retailers face tremendous opportunities to build stronger relationships with their growers and drive more value out of every acre. Taranis is at the forefront of this revolution, building on a unique blend of expertise in agriculture, high-end technology and operational excellence.”

He added: “I thank Bar for his leadership, which has helped us to capitalize on our strengths and deliver even greater value to customers in the coming years.”

Local residents recognized for business accomplishments

Conexus Indiana recently announced the newest members of the Conexus Indiana Rising 30, a group of young professionals recognized for their accomplishments in the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. Area residents were among those chosen for recognition.

The Rising 30 program is in its third year, according to the announcement. It is part of Conexus Indiana’s mission to strengthen the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries.

ana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries continue to modernize and embrace the next-generation workplace, we’re in good hands with young people like these making it happen.”

Area residents included in the program this year are:

• Noblesville’s John Coleman (Backhaul Direct)

• Fishers’ Adam Gushwa-Williams (Rolls-Royce)

• Fishers’ Kendal Rosenbaum (Circle Beverage)

Williams

“It is exciting to see such a rich pipeline of young professionals who already are contributing to Indiana’s largest economic engine,” Scott Brand, executive vice president of Subaru of Indiana Automotive and chair of the Conexus Indiana Board, stated. “As Indi-

• Geist-area resident, Nicholas LaNeve (LHP Analytics & IoT)

• Carmel’s Natalie Roberts (Flexware Innovation)

• Carmel’s Morgan Chang (Purdue University)

Rising 30 honorees represent diverse professions, including quality specialists, entrepreneurs and business owners, engineers, educators, CEOs and software designers, according to the announcement.

Flohr

Rosenbaum

Three reasons for red feet

Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan

Have you recently looked at your feet and noticed they are red? In most cases, red feet are nothing significant to worry about and can be easily treated. However, sometimes, red feet indicate a more severe condition, and you should make an appointment immediately.

the blood to flow backward. Common signs of this condition include your feet becoming red over time and painful.

PODIATRY

Infection

Bacteria and fungus can enter through breaks in the skin and cause an infection. Tell-tale signs are pain and redness, discharge, an odor and swelling. Your skin may burn, peel or itch. If you have these symptoms, you risk a worsening infection and need medical assistance.

Vascular conditions

Blood clots occur when your blood flow decreases. Common causes of blood clots include sitting for long periods, immobility or following surgery. Besides redness, signs of a clot can consist of swelling and warmth in the location of the clot.

With venous insufficiency, blood in the veins usually doesn’t flow easily because the veins and valves are damaged, causing

Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, is caused by a blockage or narrowing of the arteries when fatty deposits of plaque buildup. PAD can cause walking and exercising to be painful. The pain usually shows up when you move and stops when you rest. Early detection is essential to prevent complications like a heart attack or stroke.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in which the cartilage in the joints wears away. Besides redness in the feet and ankles, symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain with movement, swelling and tenderness of the affected joints, difficulty putting pressure on your feet and pain or swelling even when at rest.

A board-certified foot surgeon and wound specialist, Dr. David Sullivan is the owner of Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC. Contact him at drs@ westfieldfoot.com.

Well, there went her ticket to sainthood

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

must have me confused with my husband.”

“Ma’am, your license plates are expired.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“There’s a little sticker on the plate. It says 2022.”

HUMOR

My wife, Mary Ellen, is vacationing with my sister in North Carolina. This trip worries me. If my name comes up, no one in that car will take my side.

Mary Ellen was just pulled over for a minor infraction. She never breaks rules, believing they were made to be followed. This kind of harebrained notion caused a rift in the way we raised our son. To her credit, in more than 35 years, Brett has not spent a single night in jail.

Getting stopped by the police has crushed her, ruined her clean record and put a damper on her vacation. My wife’s life has been exemplary. She never had detention, never cheated on a test, never told a lie, never even hot-wired a car. The woman was a saint. Until now.

“Well, how can you expect me to see that from the driver’s seat?”

I actually tried that line myself once, hoping to get a laugh from a cop. I got a sobriety test instead.

Now, back to the phone call from Mary Ellen right after she was stopped.

“Dick, I was just pulled over by the police.”

“She never had detention, never cheated on a test, never told a lie, never even hot-wired a car. The woman was a saint. Until now.”

When you have a clean past, being followed by a police officer is a perplexing and nerve-racking experience. I’ve studied how to deal with the cops when getting pulled over for speeding. For example, I know that saying, “Officer, I was running out of gas, so I had to get home quicker,” doesn’t work.

Mary Ellen has no experience in this area. When she noticed the lights flashing behind her, she waved the policeman around her … for about 23 blocks. Then it dawned on her that he was after her.

“When you stop crying, ma’am, may I see your license and registration?” the officer asked.

“Oh, there must be some mistake, officer,” Mary Ellen said. “I’ve never done anything wrong in my entire saintly life. You

“Why didn’t you let my sister drive the getaway car?”

“Look, this is no joke. Up until 20 minutes ago, I had a perfect record. I had never done anything wrong in my life. Do you know what this stain on my reputation means?”

“A big celebration at the convent! You’ve moved a lot of the sisters into first place.”

This event apparently created some soul searching on Mary Ellen’s part.

“Dick, this brush with the law has given me a new perspective. I’ve led too sheltered an existence. In fact, marrying you is really the only questionable thing I’ve ever done until today.”

“Hey, marrying me was not exactly committing a crime.”

“No, but it’s probably the closest I’ll ever come.”

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.

– DICK WOLFSIE

Calls to post-graduation action

Commentary by Terry Anker

‘Tis the season, the graduation season, that is. Just as surely as leaves erupt from barren trees, notices, announcements and invitations burst from our mailboxes carrying tidings of matriculation. Adults, children and young adults of our friends, business associates and family are marking the end of some component of their formal education. Kudos to them. The pursuit of knowledge is always a good thing.

ESSAY

Like all matters, many of the traditions surrounding these events have changed. We find ourselves stuffing the congratulatory envelopes with more cash than a few years back and guests at the ceremonies are just as likely to wear shorts and flipflops as neckties. But still, the graduates themselves don the slightly ridiculous mortarboard cap and long robe. They march in line, receive diplomas and other recognitions and move the tassel dangling from the square academic hat from right to left signifying attainment of their degree. Even more, the speechifying, recognitions and charges to those assembled have largely remained

unscathed by the passing years. Faculty and staff make final remarks to fully mint their nascent progeny. Dignitaries drawn from community leaders and exemplar alumni take the podium to impart their accumulated wisdom. Sometimes, they are poignant, entertaining, inspiring and memorable. Sometimes, they are not. Almost always, there is a charge to the gathered class. “Go forth and…” is the general idea. It is in these words that we find reflected our current trends. Go forth and prosper. Go forth and contribute. Go forth and be vulnerable. Go forth and embrace change. Go forth and defend tradition. Go forth and build a fortune to donate to this school.

Each of the varied and disparate from above reflect speeches heard just this year. Some miss the mark and others are on target. Given the microphone, what would we say?

I ‘May’ not survive this invasion

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

It’s May, people, and you know what that means. No, not the race. Race, schmace. I’m talking about the life-altering phenomenon that occurs when college kids return. And though we technically only have one coming back, my wonderfully quiet house and relatively full fridge are about to take a beating. Somehow, I must find the will to survive the next 10 to 12 weeks.

time. But now there will be another human being in the mix, someone with actual opinions and perceived needs and a history of staying up until dawn playing Xbox.

HUMOR

We’ve already had “the talk.” You know, the one that makes parents sound like Old Man Get-Off-My-Lawn Wilson. “So long as you are under my roof … blah blah blah.” Curfews, chores, driveway spot — basic family responsibilities and expectations. But even assuming he abides by all the rules, his mere presence, while enjoyable in small doses, changes the dynamics of our humble abode.

For starters, my husband Doo and I have grown quite accustomed to being empty nesters. No constraints on dinner, TV, bed-

I’m particularly concerned about his ability to consume vast amounts of calories. While hitting Meijer in anticipation of the ensuing food shortage, I saw several other moms filling carts with PopTarts, Cheeze-Its and various other “luxury goods” that our coeds cannot afford. It’s like a plague of locusts has arrived for the summer, and no kitchen is safe from its destructive gastronomical path.

How will we survive this temporary home invasion? I’m not sure. And it’s still only May. Stupid May. 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.

“It’s like a plague of locusts has arrived for the summer, and no kitchen is safe from its destructive gastronomical path.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

New Works to present three premieres at Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Saxophonist Cecily Terhune is eager to perform a new piece in a special setting.

PERFORMANCES

“The opportunity to perform a new work for the New Works project is monumental,” the Carmel resident said.”I’m honored to be able to experience the Palladium’s precise acoustic capabilities as a solo performer performing a piece I’m passionate about.”

Terhune’s project is one of three selected for the second season of New Works: An Arts Commission Project, an initiative of the Carmel-based Center for the Performing Arts to promote and sustain central Indiana’s working artists and arts communities in an inclusive way by supporting the creation of new works across the arts disciplines. The three winning proposals, selected by judges, will be presented in a free presentation at 8 p.m. June 10 at the Palladium, followed by a talkback discussion.

Instrumental and electronic music composer Katie Madonna Lee of South Bend composed “Boon Bestowed” for Terhune.

“We worked together to conceptualize the piece and she wrote the motifs,” Terhune said. “‘Boon Bestowed’ is composed of four separate movements and is 10 minutes long.”

Each movement will feature one instrument from the standard saxophone quartet: soprano, alto, tenor and baritone. Each movement represents a powerful female archetype: nurturer, leader, activist and teacher.

“The visual component began as a slideshow but is now a series of short videos representing each of the powerful female archetypes,” Terhune said.

Terhune, a 2011 Carmel High School graduate, teaches private woodwind lessons

for CHS and Noblesville High School students. She performs regularly with Audiodacity and other groups.

Another New Works is Emily Franks’ original dance piece, “Suits.” She developed it with the help of Noblesville-based En Pointe Indiana Ballet, where Franks is a part-time instructor. Franks, who lives in downtown Indianapolis, previously was a dancer for Dance Kaleidoscope.

“This was my first time being able to create a longer piece, which has always been a dream of mine,” Franks said. “After retiring from dancing professionally, I wasn’t sure where I would find my artistic outlet, but choreographing and creating works has been such a fun and new experience for me. I’m falling in love with it.”

The narrative is a mystery about a sto-

len document, set amid the human dynamics of corporate culture.

“I’m naturally more introverted, so I tend to be more of an observer than a talker,” she said. “I’ve always loved to people-watch and imagine their stories and lives. I imagine the people around me that I don’t even know live some pretty cool lives. After thinking about the corporate workforce, I wanted to tell a story through movement that would be close to watching a movie. I really wanted it to be accessible to all, where it wasn’t very abstract and anyone could see a plot line in the movement.”

The piece is made up of seven sections and runs 18 1/2 minutes.

“I retired from dancing professionally in June 2022 due to health reasons,” Franks said. “After getting diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, the athletic career of a dancer was just no longer sustainable. Seeing these incredibly talented students dancing my work up on the stage brings me just as much joy as performing did in my professional career.”

Franks has worked with the En Pointe dancers for several months on the piece.

“They’ve really impressed me with their dedication to their work as such young artists,” she said. “Their passion for the art shines through the choreography I gave them.”

Robert Moore, co-artistic director of En Pointe with his wife Polly Ribeiro, offered advice.

‘Rob has been such a wonderful mentor and watched me work through this process,” Franks said.

The third New Works is Jamey Guzman’s “Open Heart Surgery,” a contemporary opera piece modeled after a TV medical drama. It features three singers and several musicians from Bloomington-based New Voices Opera. Guzman collaborated with librettist Carolina Cao to tell a story of a young doctor caught between her dreams of film and her Immigrant family’s expectations of a career in medicine.

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘BEAUTY & THE BEAST’

“Beauty & the Beast” runs through July 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘LIVE AT THE CENTER’

The Live at the Center series presents Public Universal Friend at 7:30 p.m. May 31 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 for in-person or register for the free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Zack Zadek, who is working on the project with Discovering Broadway, will perform at 7:30 p.m. June 1 along with Elizabeth Teeter at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Natalie Douglas will sing Songs of the ’60s at 7:30 p.m. June 2-3. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘FAIRY DOLL’

Indiana Ballet Conservatory presents “Fairy Doll” at 1 and 4 p.m. June 3 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit indianaballetconservatory.org.

DISPATCHES

Dugan’s comedy show set — Dave Dugan presents: Comedy at The Cat is set for 7:30 p.m. June 3 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. Dugan is the co-headliner and host. The other co-headliner, Troy Davis, will perform with his daughter CoLee Reyes opening for him. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more, visit eventbrite.com/e/ comedy-at-the-cat-tickets-638831832207.

Two shows added to Palladium — The Center for the Performing Arts, which released its schedule May 22, has added two more shows to the 2023-24 schedule. Roots-rock singer-songwriter Grace Potter will appear at the Palladium for the first time Nov. 3. Actor Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro will present an evening of songs and stories titled “Och & Oy! A Considered Cabaret” Feb. 3, 2024.

Saxophonist Cecily Terhune’s New Works piece called “Boon Bestowed’’ will be performed June 10 at the Palladium. (Photo courtesy of Cecily Terhune)

Franks

CCP schedule offers laughs, thrills

By Mark Ambrogi mark@yourarecurrent.com

Carmel Community Players’ 2023-24 schedule is designed to produce a lot of laughs and a few chills.

PRODUCTIONS

“Each show explores a very different era and location, but there’s a shared theme of striving for genuine human connection,” said Hannah Janowitz, CCP’s artistic director and a Carmel resident. “We can all benefit from listening to one another’s stories. Each show’s main characters demonstrate that, be it through laughs or thrills or song. We have four strong plays, one beautiful musical, and one Rising Star Production play for younger actors.”

Janowitz

Carmel; “Violet,” (musical) music by Jeanine Tesori, book by Brian Crawley, directed by Kathleen Horrigan, March 1-10, 2024 at the Switch Theatre; “The Dinner Party” by Neil Simon, directed by Matt Trgovac and Tonya Rave, April 26-May 5, 2024 at The Cat; “Anne of Green Gables” (Rising Star Production) based on the novel by L.M. Montgomery, directed by Amber Roth, June 28-July 7, 2024 at The Cat and “The Woman in Black,” based on the novel by Susan Hill, adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, directed by Lori Raffel Aug. 16-25, 2024 at The Cat.

The schedule includes: “aMUSEd” by Megan Ann Jacobs, directed by Kelly Keller, Oct. 13-22 at the Switch Theatre, Fishers; “Moon Over Buffalo” by Ken Ludwig, directed by Elizabeth Ruddell, Dec. 8-17 at The Cat,

“I’m especially eager for our season opening production of ‘aMUSEd,’ which is written by local playwright Megan Ann Jacobs,” Janonwitz said. “An abridged version of the play premiered at the Indy Fringe Festival in 2019. This will be the first full-length production of the play in the state of Indiana, and we’re happy to lift up local talent.”

ATI reading helps playwright

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Emma Rund was delighted when she learned Actors Theatre of Indiana wanted to include her play in its Lab Series.

PLAY

“In the playwriting world, there’s a lot of submitting and never hearing back, so when you finally get that 1-in-50 that is interested in working on your play, it’s extremely exciting,” the 2015 Guerin Catholic High School graduate said. “With this play, it was especially gratifying because I wrote it back in 2017. I submitted it to ATI in 2019, and then let it sit untouched for four years. Getting to pull it back out of the drawer to work on it again as a more experienced playwright was an absolute blast.”

The reading of “Rosemary & Time” was held May 20 at the Carmel Clay Public Library. The play is about Rosemary struggling with early onset Alzheimer’s. When her daughters come home for Thanksgiving, she must face the fact she is losing her grip on reality.”

Rund

“The actors in this reading were absolutely fantastic talents and they did a marvelous job with the play,” Rund said. “My favorite moment as a playwright is hearing audiences talk about how the play affected them. If the play sparks conversation, that’s a good sign in my book, so I think the reading went very well because the talkback afterwards was full of conversation.”

Rund, who grew up in Lebanon, was active in Carmel-based Civic Theatre’s Young Artists Program, appearing in three musicals. After graduating from Ball State University, she moved to Chicago to pursue her playwriting career. She works at the University of Chicago in central communications.

The reading helped Rund learn about the audience’s response to some of the comedic moments and their tolerance for the challenging characters.

The talkback definitely also planted some seeds for revisions,” Rund said. “Some of them are larger questions and I’ll need to marinate on them for a little while before I tackle another draft of the play.”

‘Still’ an openhearted documentary on actor’s battle

Commentary by Julieanna Childs

Michael J. Fox has never been still. It wasn’t until his battle with Parkinson’s disease that he slowed down and began living in the moment.

the director. When asked what she means to him, he falls silent, then gives one word: “Clarity.”

MOVIE REVIEW

Wickedly funny and self-deprecating, Fox — in the documentary film “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” — recounts his sudden rise to fame in the 1980s and the moment he fell in love with actress and future wife Tracy Pollan, who played Alex P. Keaton’s girlfriend in Season 4 of “Family Ties.” His Parkinson’s diagnosis at age 29 left him depressed and battling alcoholism.

“My first three years of sobriety were like a knife fight in a closet,” he said.

Oscar award-winning director Davis Guggenheim spent a year interviewing Fox for “Still” and observing his family life with Pollan and their four children. The heart of the documentary is his love story with Pollan, whose unwavering support leaves him speechless during a conversation with

The film goes inside Fox’s therapy appointments with doctors unveiling the physical impairments Parkinson’s has taken on him. He walks in a jerky saunter, trying not to lose his balance. But the charisma and charm that made Fox a star haven’t diminished. Recovering from a stumble on a city sidewalk, he says to a passing fan, “Nice to meet you! You knocked me off my feet!”

Fox approaches his disease as a personal journey to help others, refusing to retreat from life: “I’m still me people recognize, just me plus Parkinson’s,” he said.

In 1999, Fox testified before Congress advocating for more research and funding.

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

Time for farmers markets

Commentary by Mark LaFay

There is quite a bit to love about May in Indiana. The obvious is the passing of the gray gloom and the warming temperatures. The Indy 500 takes us through to the end of the month. Kids wrap up another year of school and plow into summer vacation. Last but not least is the summer farmers market season!

There are numerous farmers markets within a short Saturday morning drive. We (Old Major) sell at the Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Garfield Park and Broad Ripple markets every Saturday morning. You can also find us at the Wednesday SoBro market and the Thursday Westfield market. The Thursday Westfield market is roaring back to life this year thanks to the hard work of Nick Stepaniak and the Westfield Chamber of Commerce. This year you will find 50 vendors every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Grand Junction Plaza.

Here are a handful of vendors that you should check out:

• Tulip Tree Creamery – Great local creamery making great cheese in the Dutch tradition. Check out their trillium, it is similar to brie and it wins lots of awards!

See them at the Saturday Carmel market.

• Pig’s Tale Charcuterie – These guys make great snack sticks, summer sausage and dry-cured salamis. New to the scene and definitely a great addition to your charcuterie board. See them at the Westfield Thursday market.

• Circle City Sweets – Check them out at the Carmel Saturday market. Great baked goods. My favorite is the ham and cheese croissant.

• Old Major – Great bacon and sausage, with pork, chicken and beef options, including beef bacon and pork bacon. Local and delicious. Visit us at Westfield this week.

• My Dad’s Sweet Corn – I detasseled corn for Alan Baird when I was 13 years old. They grow fantastic sweet corn that comes in season by the Fourth of July. Check them out at the Carmel Market.

FOOD

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4201 Millersville Rd. Suite 107A.

Blueprint for Improvement: Complete basement transformation

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in 1989 in Carmel’s Queen’s Manor neighborhood, our clients were ready to transform their basement from an unfinished storage space into a fully functional extension of their home, with room for everyone.

THE BLUEPRINT

• A warm beige, tan and sky-blue palette provides an airy, warm and welcoming ambience, despite being subterranean.

• The entertainment center cabinetry provides plenty of storage space and feels more like furniture thanks to details like crown molding and beadboard backing.

• Sky blue stain on the cabinetry in the wet bar area provides a touch of style and subtle hint of color.

• Even the tiniest occupants in this home were taken into consideration in designing this space. The area under the staircase transforms into the perfect playhouse — complete with a tiny Dutch door, mail slot and window boxes.

• The built-in bookcase serves a dual purpose, providing storage and display space while disguising the door leading to the mechanical closet.

Flowery language in full bloom

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

As spring turns to summer, I love taking leisurely laps around my house to see what’s in bloom. Nearly every day, I find a new flower opening its doors for business to bees and butterflies.

got a drink of water from the water fountain. Depending on where you grew up, you could also say Judith got a drink from the drinking fountain or the bubbler.

GRAMMAR GUY

Sorry to get so gushy about flowers, but native perennials are kind of my thing.

Flowery language is characterized by the abundant use of lengthy, occasionally outdated vocabulary and the inclusion of figurative expressions. In general, the jury is in on flowery language; it says, “Don’t use it!” I’ll be the judge of that.

Let’s see some examples. “As Judith languished in her cotton-mouthed state, she laboriously approached the silver oasis that promised aqueous vitality. As she painstakingly summoned the spirit to press her dainty thumb against the fountain’s operative button, water flowed like a river into her eagerly awaiting mouth.”

Whew. Glad you made it, Judith. A straightforward way of writing the above paragraph is: Judith was thirsty, so she

How about this one: Rik raced faster than a cheetah on the hunt toward the falling, hurtling white sphere. As the ball neared the blades of grass at a rapid clip, Rik sprawled out to secure it in the safety of his leather mitt.

Simply put, Rik made an exceptional diving baseball catch. Whether the play ended up on SportsCenter’s top plays or not, perhaps we’ll never know.

Using a blend of direct and flowery words is the secret sauce to make writing interesting and easy to understand. Writers should aim to inform but also entertain. If you go all-out with flowery language, it’s easy for the message to get lost in translation.

Visit to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, in the last (for now) look at often-overlooked places in New York City, we visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, remembering the 2,977 people killed at the site by the Sept.11, 2001, attack and the six killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

TRAVEL

President Barack Obama and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg dedicated the memorial and museum on May 15, 2004. The memorial includes a wooded park on the World Trade Center site, with two 1-acre reflecting pools

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

CarDon & Associates, Inc. (11313 USA Parkway, Suite E-148; Fishers, IN 46037) is submitting an NOI letter to notify the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of the intent to comply with the requirements under 327 IAC 15-5 (Rule 5) to discharge storm water from construction activities for the following project: Copper Trace by CarDon – Building Expansion located at 1250 West 146th Street in Washington Township, City of Westfield, Hamilton, County, Indiana, more specifically, part of the SW quarter of Section 15-T18N-R3E; located on the north side of 146th Street just east of the intersection with Ditch Road. Construction is scheduled to commence on July 1, 2023 and construction is to be completed on or before December 31, 2024. Stormwater runoff from the project site will discharge via subsurface storm sewers into an existing stormwater detention facility master-planned for the overall development. The stormwater detention facility discharges at a controlled rate into the Hinshaw-Henley County regulated drain flowing east via subsurface storm sewers discharging into an open ditch known as the Charles Osborn County regulated drain. The stormwater ultimately flows into Williams Creek. Questions can be directed to Mr. Scott Rigney, 11313 USA Parkway, Suite E-148; Fishers, IN 46037.

occupying the footprints of the destroyed twin towers. The names of the 2,983 victims are inscribed on 152 bronze panels on the pools, which include the world’s largest man-made waterfalls, masking city noises. The museum occupies 110,000 square feet beneath the park, extending to bedrock 70 feet below ground level. Visitors descend to Foundation Hall, the largest section of the museum, on a ramp adjacent to a stairway that 9/11 survivors took to safety, moved to the underground museum after being recovered largely intact.

At the bottom of the ramp is an evocative work by artist Spencer Finch, comprising 2,983 individual paper panels of varying shades of sky blue, with a quote from Virgil: “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” Along one side of Foundation Hall is a slurry wall that was designed to hold back the Hudson River from the towers and survived the attack. Among the 14.000 artifacts on display are a fire engine destroyed in the attack and the 36-foot-tall Last Column, the final column removed from the wreckage that includes a variety of inscriptions and messages. Twisted steel beams reflect the enormous temperatures from burning fuel that led to the towers’ collapse. For me, the most sobering part of the visit was the chance to talk with survivors, who volunteer to recount the horrors of Sept. 11.

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

Foundation Hall at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. (Photos by Don Knebel)

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

5. Support beam 10. Evansville winter hrs.

13. “Jingle Bell Rock” singer (born in Bloomington)

15. Hinkle Fieldhouse cheer

16. San Jose resident 17. Botch 18. Escapes capture 19. “The Simpsons” bus driver 20. “___ Were the Days” 23. Tart pie filling 25. Suspenders alternative 26. IU profs’ aides 28. Walking sticks 29. “___ you kidding?”

32. Ex-Pacers coach and broadcaster (born in Terre

Haute)

37. Immigrant’s subj.

38. “Family Feud” reruns channel

39. Have sushi at Chiba

41. Burn a bit

50.

60. ___ Zeppelin

24. 2023 March Madness winner, briefly

26. Texter’s “Ta-ta!”

27. Indiana School for the Deaf subj.

30. “Ghosts” playwright

31. Hoosier National Forest growth

33. Start 34. “I” problem 35. Smell bad 36. Challenge 40. Colts stats 41. Capital of Minn. 42. Poker declaration 43. Caught in the act 44. Close 45. Rush headlong 47. “Silas Marner” novelist 48. Low-pitched

51. Indiana Supreme Court garb

44. Refusals

45. Cow collection

46. New employee 48. British nobles 49. Misery

Greater in size

53. Feel unwell

54. Indianapolis Ballet spins

58. Waste not

59. Real-life “Hoosiers” star (born in Pierceville)

61. Eye problems

62. Website with homemade Indy 500 jewelry

1. UK TV network

2. Tic-tac-toe win

3. Lots of ozs.

4. CVS medical exam administered on the forearm

5. Via, for short

6. WRTV’s “Duffy’s Diner” creator: ___ Duffy

7. Stomach woes

8. Break into pieces

9. Indiana tax ID

10. Certain Greek

11. French philosopher Jean-Paul

12. Pulsates

14. Governor Robert Orr’s alma mater

19. US President with two Grammys

20. WTTV schedule abbr.

21. A Simon

22. Butter substitute

Evansville’s County

52. They go with gals

54. WFYI net. 55. Egyptian boy king

57. KGB job Answers on Page

FINE BATHROOMS