June 6, 2023 — Westfield

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Tuesday, June 6, 2023 ECRWSS Residential Customer Local Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Indianapolis, IN Permit No. 1525 Grand National Racquet Center on target for 2024 / P3 Westfield’s population grows / P6 Conner Prairie refines westward expansion / P8 Longtime educator marks 50th year of teaching / P12 A ‘LEEP’ IN EDUCATION CURRENT TEXT T0 317-489-4444 TO SIGNUP FOR MORNING BRIEFING AND BREAKING NEWS
the arts in Hamilton County. View a wide variety of creative and free public art throughout the county. Immerse your inner artist in art classes, u-paint shops and festivals. Plus, sing along to your favorite songs with live music—from free to famous. With three recognized state cultural districts, no matter where you go in Hamilton County, experience the arts. Claim your digital passport at VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Art-Pass or scan the QR code.
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Grand National Racquet Center on target for 2024

The Grand National Racquet Center has taken its next major step toward construction.

ATHLETICS

Birch Dalton, managing director of EdgeRock Development Corp., said the master development plan for infrastructure, roads and utilities was received in April from the City of Westfield. Dalton is with Grand National Racquet Center, LLC, which will own and operate the facility.

“You figure it will take the summer to get the roads and utilities in, then we can start in the fall,” Dalton said.

The roads and utilities are for the commercial project and for David Weekley Homes’ 350 lots, a separate development planned north of the Grand National Racquet Center. Dalton said the Grand National Racquet Center, at 191st Street between Spring Mill Road and Tomlinson Road, is a privately funded development. The master developer of the overall master development is 191st Land Acquisition LLC, while the main work on roads tied to the project will be later this month.

With the master development plan, the indoor courts will be open before the end of 2024, based on the current supply market for building materials, Dalton said.

In addition to the Grand National Racquet Center, there will be 200 Airbnb apartments and a large family entertainment center. There will be a wedding chapel and reception hall.

“We are going to start taking membership applications this fall for both the founders and platinum memberships,” Dalton said.

“This is going to be a private club with a public access, with the founders (20 avail-

able) and platinum members (maximum of 400) having higher-end amenities.”

There will be gold base members and silver memberships for people 55 and older.

“Pickleball really took off in that 55 and older group originally but now all ages are playing,” Dalton said.

Dalton is leasing the Grand Park Events Center for a national pickleball tournament from Dec. 15 to Jan. 7, 2024, for a national tournament of open play for area players to promote the new facility and small corporate sales events for work and play events.

“It’s going to be one of the largest national pickleball tournaments in the country,” Dalton said. “We’re going to have 40 indoor courts. We’re going to have a college tournament and maybe a high school tournament.”

In the new Grand National Racquet Center, there also will be playing opportunities for tennis, squash, badminton and pickleball.

“We’re projecting 36 indoor pickleball, 10 indoor tennis courts and seven squash courts,” Dalton said. “We’ll have seven indoor squash (courts) and (a) utility gym. The utility gym is not for basketball, per se, but when you have big tournaments, you have

DISPATCHES

to have a big area to register people. You can shoot around in it or have yoga.”

There also are plans for a pro shop, restaurant, spa, fitness center and locker room inside the facility.

The Airbnbs are designed to serve Grand Park visitors and the new facility.

“You can’t have long-term leases in them,” Dalton said.

Dalton said the city’s Planning Commission and the City of Westfield did their due diligence for the plan. Dalton’s company is developing 50 acres.

“We’re going to pack a lot of restaurants and bars up there to keep the crowd here in Westfield,” he said. “The family entertainment center will have an arcade and maybe bowling and laser flash.”

Dalton said his initial plan was to build indoor tennis courts because that is the sport he plays.

“Then all the pickleball people came to me to say, if you are doing tennis, you really should be doing pickleball,” he said. “I had a company from California (whose) feasibility study showed pickleball scored off the charts because there isn’t any indoor pickleball around the area.”

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 www.mtpublishing.com.

3 June 6, 2023 Current in Westfield currentinwestfield.com
West Clay at 131st & Towne Rd
COMMUNITY
A rendering of what the Grand National Racquet Center in Westfield will look like. (Rendering courtesy of Birch Dalton)
Founded Jan. 29, 2008, at Westfield, IN Vol. XVI, No. 17 Copyright 2023. Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved. 30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444 Join our community: www.facebook.com/currentinwestfield www.twitter.com/CI_Westfield instagram.com/youarecurrent Contact the editor: Have a news tip? Want to submit a calendar event? Have a photograph to share? Contact Managing Editor Matthew Kent at matthew@youarecurrent.
The views of the columnists in Current in Westfield are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
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Westfield’s population grows

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Westfield’s population grew nearly 8 percent last year as the city remains one of the fastest growing in the nation, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

cording to the U.S. Census Bureau. The total population estimate grew to 357,330 the following year and rose to 364,921 in 2022, according to the agency.

CITY NEWS

Estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that Westfield’s population rose 7.7 percent in 2022, boosting the city’s population to 54,605. Those new figures mirror Westfield’s growth the prior year when the city’s population also grew by 7.7 percent, making it the fastest-growing city in Indiana among those with at least 5,000 residents.

Four cities in Texas – Georgetown, Kyle, Leander and Little Elm — and one city in California, Santa Cruz, were ahead of Westfield on the list of 15 fastest-growing cities between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, with populations of 50,000 or more.

The boost in population is also reflected in Hamilton County, which had a population estimate of 348,966 as of July 2020, ac-

“The census figures are a testament to the desirability of Westfield,” Mayor Andy Cook stated. “We have created a city where people want to live, work and feel safe. We have beautiful parks, trail systems, great neighborhoods and Grand Park, the nation’s biggest and best youth sports campus. Our welcome mat is out.

“We don’t have mountains or an ocean, so we must create a place where people choose to live and businesses choose to build and grow. Designations are wonderful, but our residents remain one of Westfield’s greatest assets.”

Nine of the nation’s 15 fastest-growing cities were in the South, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau also shows that Indiana’s population also grew to 6.83 million people last year, while the U.S. population grew to 333.3 million.

Lions Club awards scholarship

news@youarecurrent.com

A Westfield High School senior was recently awarded a $2,000 culinary arts scholarship from the Westfield Lions Club.

RECOGNITION

Olivia Jones received the scholarship for her work in her culinary arts classes and the “Foodies Rock” program at the high school, said Jeff Larrison, secretary of the Westfield Lions Club.

“The Westfield Lions wanted to do something special to recognize the high school’s outstanding culinary arts program and provide financial assistance to a deserving student,” Larrison said.

Larrison said after the organization reviewed its budget and identified some available funds, it approached Nikki Hefflin, food and culinary sciences teacher at the high school, to help nominate candidates for the scholarship.

“The Westfield school system and its students are a major focus of the Lions. A conscious effort has been made to build and expand the services and support provided by the Club to Westfield students and staff,” Larrison said. “These include free dictionaries to all third graders, expanded scholar-

CONCERT

June 20, 27

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ship awards to WHS seniors, donations to the Westfield Education Foundation, vision screening services for students, free eye exams and glasses for financially challenged students, and grants to the choral music program and culinary arts program.”

The Westfield Lions Club awarded $16,500 in financial assistance to WHS seniors this year, according to Larrison. For more, visit westfieldlions.org.

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Westfield High School senior Olivia Jones, second from right, recently received a $2,000 culinary arts scholarship from the Westfield Lions Club. Pictured with Jones, from left is Jeff Larrison, Bob Benson and Melissa Paradise. (Photo provided by Westfield Lions Club)

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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.

County accepting grant applications –

The Hamilton County Commissioners and Councilors are now accepting grant applications from Hamilton County nonprofits for funding in 2024. The grant program is intended to furnish funding to organizations that provide services in furtherance of county goals, officials said. Awards are provided based on application score and funding available. Any funds awarded must be supported by other funding sources or documented in-kind services and may only be distributed to Hamilton County based organizations. Complete information, including eligibility criteria, can be found by visiting hamiltoncounty.in.gov/1682/ Non-profit-Grant-Application. Applications

will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. June 9. For questions, email Hamilton County Councilor Sue Maki at Sue.Maki@HamiltonCounty. in.gov or Lee Buckingham at Lee.Buckingham@HamiltonCounty.in.gov.

Student named to dean’s list – Westfield resident Jordyn Feiwell was named to the dean’s list in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas for the spring semester. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must achieve at least a 3.75 grade-point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours.

Bank to host shred day June 7 – Community First Bank of Indiana will host a free shred day at its branch in Westfield. The event will be held at 707 E. Ind. 32 and will allow individuals to drive through the branch parking lot between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to drop off boxes of documents to be shredded. There is a limit of 5 boxes to be shredded per vehicle, and the event will end once the shred truck is full. For more, visit cfbindiana.com/shred.

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United Way announces Basic Needs grants

news@currentinfishers.com

United Way of Central Indiana announced that it will award $12.45 million through its Basic Needs Fund to 60 nonprofits to help the region’s most vulnerable neighbors.

CHARITY

United Way’s Basic Needs Fund is intended to address access to food, housing, health care and transportation, according to the announcement. Funding is also granted to organizations proposing improvements to practices and policies to help eliminate barriers for people seeking services.

Grant awards range from $45,000 to $360,000 and will be distributed over 18 months. All 60 nonprofits that applied received funding.

The funds will help more than 90,000 people in the region have access to essentials, said Sara VanSlambrook, United Way’s chief impact officer.

“These grants are important because they support community organizations that are meeting the most essential needs of our community, like food and housing and transportation and health,” she said.

In alphabetical order, the grantees are:

• American Cancer Society – $45,000

• At Your School, Inc. – $75,000

• The Arc of Greater Boone County, Inc.

– $100,000

• Boone County Senior Services, Inc.

– $90,000

• Boys & Girls Club of Boone County

– $120,000

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis

– $275,000

• Catholic Charities Indianapolis, Inc.

– $325,000

• CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions

– $360,000

• Community Alliance of the Far Eastside

– $300,000

• Concord Neighborhood Center

– $275,000

• Damien Center – $345,000

• Edna Martin Christian Center

– $345,000

• Family Promise of Hendricks County

– $125,000

• Fathers and Families Center – $120,000

• Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center

– $150,000

• Firefly Children & Family Alliance

– $300,000

• Flanner House of Indianapolis, Inc.

– $345,000

• Foster Success – $90,000

• Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana – $325,000

• Hawthorne Community Center

– $300,000

• Hendricks County Senior Services

– $300,000

• Horizon House, Inc. – $345,000

• HVAF of Indiana, Inc. – $180,000

• Indiana Legal Services, Inc. – $75,000

• Indiana Youth Group – $225,000

• Indianapolis Legal Aid Society

– $180,000

• Indianapolis Urban League – $275,000

• John Boner Neighborhood Centers

– $325,000

• The Julian Center – $175,000

• La Plaza, Inc. – $165,000

• Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County

– $250,000

For a full list, see the story at youarecurrent.com

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Conner Prairie refines westward expansion

Plans for the westward expansion of Conner Prairie amenities into Carmel continue to evolve as the living history museum works with neighbors and city officials to refine the project.

DEVELOPMENT

The proposed expansion in Carmel is divided into two zones, with the northern Zone 1 operating as a ticketed museum area that includes food, farm and energy exhibits; a modern farm; trails; a pedestrian bridge over the White River; and other amenities. The southern Zone 2 is proposed to include the White River Education Center, eco-lodge, office building, restaurant and more.

“Conner Prairie is trying to create something really special, something that exemplifies innovation and an eye toward the future but also links back toward the past,” said Aaron Kowalski, a planner with MKSK who has been heavily involved with the project.

Conner Prairie owns more than 1,000 acres that straddle the White River south of 146th Street, with all existing development east of the river in Fishers. It has requested a rezone of its land west of the river, which is in Carmel, to a planned unit development, meaning development guidelines would be specific to the site.

The Carmel Plan Commission committee as a whole met May 23 to discuss the proposed PUD. Conner Prairie has made several changes to the proposed PUD since filing it with the city in August 2022, including reducing the number of rooms in the ecolodge from 140 to 70, increasing setbacks from nearby neighborhoods and adding a cap on non-museum uses in the office building.

Commissioners asked for additional modifications, including a request to consider relocating the eco-lodge, which is currently proposed directly across River Road from Prairie Trace Elementary. Kowalski said the project team will discuss it.

John Reinhardt, who lives in The Overlook at Legacy neighborhood just north of the elementary school, attended the meeting and told Current May 24 he would prefer the eco-lodge and office building, which he described as “out of context” for the area, be moved east of the river. He’s also concerned

about increased congestion on nearby roads and a potential lengthy construction timeline.

“The bottom line is, we don’t want to look at a hotel or a lodging facility, nor do we want the constant in-and-out traffic that’s going to congest things more,” Reinhardt said. “It changes the nature of our living experience.”

Commissioner Josh Kirsh asked the petitioner to consider additional improvements to pedestrian connectivity along River Road and urged planners not to “dumb down” the project.

“I think that we should be bold. I think we should be adventurous,” he said. “I think we should recognize we’re providing a legacy project to our community.”

Project planners will use feedback from the meeting and additional input from the community to continue modifying the proposed project. The PUD is expected to be discussed by the committee as a whole again before eventually going back to the full plan commission for a vote. The Carmel City Council will have the final vote on the PUD.

8 June 6, 2023 Current in Westfield currentinwestfield.com COMMUNITY © Leap Tie Kelsey Ehrgott Family Service Advisor (317) 353-3752 Call Kelsey today to learn about the preplaning process or to schedule a tour. FlannerBuchanan.com/PWEC Honoring Memories in an Unforgettable Setting At eskenazihealthfoundation.org ESKENAZI HEALTH FOUNDATION IS GRATEFUL TO Mike and Sue Smith FOR THEIR LEAD GIFT Beyond Barriers is a campaign that through philanthropy and partnerships, addresses health equity in Central Indiana.
Development on Conner Prairie’s property in Carmel is divided into two zones. (Image from documents filed with the City of Carmel) Zone 2

Award winners announced

Hamilton County Leadership Academy has announced Dan Stevens and David Heighway as its 2023 award winners.

According to the HCLA, the awards recognize alumni and community partners for commitment and service to the organization and for their impact on Hamilton County. Both men will be honored during the HCLA Leadership Summit, set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Noblesville.

Stevens will receive the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. It recognizes an alumnus who has made a difference in the organization’s network and the county through leadership efforts and community service.

“They have utilized the knowledge gained from the program to leave a mark in the community where they reside and work,” according to the HCLA.

Stevens joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department in 1974, where he worked

as a dispatcher, corrections officer, process server, patrol deputy, division commander and chief deputy, and then eight years as the elected county sheriff. He became director of administration for the Office of County Commissioners in 2009 and retired at the end of March.

“(Stevens) has received numerous community recognitions for his work, including the 2016 Community Service Award from Noblesville Sunrisers Kiwanis Club, 2020 Outstanding Administrator Award from the Indiana Association of County Commissioners, and in 2023 received the Hamilton County Commissioners Continental Award for Service,” according to the HCLA.

“He will continue to serve Hamilton County in his retirement as an appointment by the county commissioners on the Riverview Hospital Board of Trustees, president of the Hamilton County Redevelopment Commission, vice president of the Hamilton County Theater Guild, and on the board of directors for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Chaplaincy.”

(Advertorial)

Tom Wood Subaru – Celebrating 40 Years!

Tom Wood Subaru just recently celebrated their 40th Anniversary! They opened their doors on April 1, 1982 and have been proudly serving the community since then.

Their biggest accomplishment is being nationally recognized for their dedication to their customers and community through the Subaru Love Promise. Tom Wood Subaru believes in making the world a better place and the Subaru Love Promise is their vision of respecting all people. They are committed to showing love and respect to their customers and their teammates in order to make a positive impact on the world.

They are grateful for their first 40 years of business, and look forward to another forty years of taking care of their customers! “It’s because of this

community that we are here, and for that, we say thank you” said Jeff Wood, President & CEO of Tom Wood Group.

Heighway will receive the 2023 HCLA Honorary Alumni Award, which recognizes a Hamilton County leader for their partnership with the organization.

“Honorees are not alumnus of the program but have a deep belief in the mission and vision of HCLA and the impact graduates can make in the community,” according to the HCLA.

Heighway is the county historian, and recently authored the book, “Hidden History of Hamilton County.” He works at Hamilton East Public Library and serves on the Noblesville Historic Preservation Commission and is on the board for the Hamilton County Historical Society.

According to its website, HCLA was established in 1991 to develop a pool of knowledgeable community leaders to apply their skills to government, business and civic activities, and positively shape the future of Hamilton County. HCLA selects a cohort of leaders each year to complete a comprehensive, 10-month curriculum exploring local issues. After completing the program, graduates are prepared to assume active roles in addressing critical issues facing Hamilton County. Learn more at hcla.net.

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Carmel Marathon has new owner

The name Full Circle Events seemed appropriate for Jay Druba’s new race management company.

“We want to continue the legacy of a great event,” he said. “The most important thing for us is the runners’ experience and the relationship we build with event partners and the city.”

Druba was an intern in 2011 for the Carmel Marathon. Now Druba and his wife, Kati, have purchased the rights to Carmel Marathon from the Carmel Road Racing Group.

“It’s more of a passion project for us,” Druba said. “We both have fulltime jobs.”

This will be the only event Full Circle Events plans to run at this time.

“We’re 100 percent focused on the Carmel Marathon,” said Druba, who lives in Fishers with his wife and two young daughters. “We used to produce events a few years ago, but we took a job in Tampa. We moved back to the area in the summer of 2022. We wanted to get back involved in the running community. We don’t want to do a bunch of events. We want to focus on the Carmel Marathon.”

The couple’s previous company was under a different name, so Full Circle Events was formed. Kati ran the Carmel Marathon in 2014 and 2015. Druba ran track and cross country at Franklin College.

Druba said there are no significant changes planned for the Carmel Marathon Weekend, which is set for April 6, 2024.

The Carmel Marathon is the biggest event CRRG Events owned and produced.

“We started the event from the ground up,” said Todd Oliver, president of CRRG.

Oliver said there is “no one he trusts more with the future of the Carmel Marathon Weekend than Jay and Kati.”

Druba said he approached Oliver about the possibility of selling.

Oliver, who will serve as an advisor for Carmel Marathon in 2024, said the transition will allow CCRG to grow other events and expand CRRG into new markets.

The Indiana Women’s Half Marathon & 5K has been relocated from Indianapolis to Carmel for 2023 and will be Oct. 21.

“It was the eighth largest women’s-only half marathon in the U.S. in 2019 and we are pushing hard to move it back into the top10 now that it has a new permanent home in Carmel,” he said. “In 2019 it attracted ladies from 37 states, including seven USA Track & Field Olympic Trials Qualifiers. It is the only women’s half marathon in the U.S. that offers a top-20 cash purse.”

For more, visit carmelmarathon.com.

DISPATCHES

District seeks participants for Shamrock Academy – Westfield Washington Schools is seeking participants for its Shamrock Academy, an ambassador development program that is open to any Westfield resident or community member interested in learning more about the district. The application period is now open and will close on July 1. For more or to apply, visit www.wws.k12. in.us/about-us/shamrock-academy/shamrock-academy. Session dates will be announced before the final selection process.

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 317-7768495 or email at surveyor@hamiltoncounty. in.gov.

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Jay Druba Kati Druba

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Late restart frustrates Ericsson

officials.

“I did everything I could,” he said. “I felt like I caught Josef by surprise and kept the lead, but it wasn’t enough. For sure, it’s hard to swallow.”

INDY 500

Marcus Ericsson’s heart was full after winning the Indianapolis 500 in 2022. This year, it was heartbreak as he came less than 1/10th of a second from repeating. The victory went to first-time winner Josef Newgarden.

Ericsson, a Swedish driver who moved to Carmel four years ago, said he felt victory was snatched from him by a decision by race control officials after a third red flag came out with less than five laps to go. The sprint restart came with one lap to go.

Newgarden made a last lap pass in Turn 3 to win by 0.0974 seconds over Ericsson.  “I think there were not enough laps to go to do what we did,” Ericsson said. “I don’t think it’s safe to go out of the pits on cold tires straight on restart. I don’t think that’s a fair way to end the race. I don’t think it’s the right way. I don’t agree with that.”

Ericsson said nothing will change now, so he doesn’t plan to talk to IndyCar

Ericsson said he believed the race should have ended under yellow. Ericsson said if the officials wanted a red flag, they should have started earlier.

“I knew on the last restart it was going to be almost impossible to keep the lead,” Ericsson said.

Had Ericsson won, he would have received an additional $420,000 from Borg-Warner as the first repeat winner since Helio Castroneves in 2001-02.

Conor Daly, who was born and raised in Noblesville, finished eighth. Daly, who was driving for Ed Carpenter Racing, had started 16th.

“Fought our way forward slowly but surely,” said Daly, who was sixth in 2022. “Spent most of the day in the top 10. Our car on long green flags was outstanding. We had a couple of struggles that hurt us at the end.”

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A ‘LEEP’ IN EDUCATION

Longtime educator marks 50th year of teaching

Marcie Durbin says she loves her job, her colleagues and being able to interact with young children who enter her classroom each year.

Step inside Durbin’s classroom at Oak Trace Elementary School, where she works as a literacy specialist, and you’ll find frogs decorated on the walls, on the carpet and in other areas as part of her classroom theme. The frog-based theme is based off LEEP, an acronym for Literacy Enhancement Ensures Progress, that is designed to focus on providing support to students who struggle with reading in small groups, Durbin said.

The longtime educator recently wrapped up her 50th year of teaching with Westfield Washington Schools, but said she isn’t ready to step away from her job just yet.

Durbin, 71, described Oak Trace as a family-like atmosphere and said she enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues each day. But teaching was always something that Durbin, who grew up in Sheridan and still resides there, wanted to pursue as a career.

“Back when we graduated high school, most wanted to either be a teacher or a nurse,” Durbin said. “I had done a lot of babysitting and I loved little kids, so I thought teaching would be a good fit.”

Durbin, who graduated from Indiana University-Kokomo with a degree in education, did her student teaching with Westfield Washington Schools and eventually landed a full-time job the following year. Durbin has seen plenty of changes as Westfield has grown, noting that when she started teaching, the district had one high school, one middle school and one elementary school.

She has been at Oak Trace for the last 23 years and previously taught at Shamrock Springs Elementary School. But Durbin said what she most enjoys about her role is working with her students.

“I love seeing the kids and seeing their excitement when they learn something new,” Durbin said.

But Durbin said she never envisioned teaching this long, noting that she had initially planned to teach for three years and then stay home to raise her children. Still, Durbin said what motivates her to continue making a difference is the fact that each day is different in the classroom, in addition to her interactions with other individuals at Oak Trace.

“I have a great team of colleagues and we have a lot of fun inside and outside of school,” she said.

Durbin said she has occasionally thought about retiring, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but noted that her son created partitions to keep her and her students safe. Durbin also pointed out that Oak Trace remains close-knit.

“This school is like a family and that’s why I keep coming back,” Durbin said with a smile. “I have great colleagues to collaborate with and I’ve been very fortunate.”

Durbin, however, doesn’t take all the credit for student success in the classroom as she works closely with instructional assistant Jami Harris, who happens to be one of Durbin’s former students. Durbin was Harris’ second grade teacher and has also taught two of Harris’ three children.

Harris, who has worked with Durbin for the last 14 years, described the longtime educator as an individual who is “so caring and passionate about what she does.”

“She’s an inspiration to other younger teachers,” Harris said. “She’s always learning new things, a lifelong learner and truly has a passion for what she does.”

Harris said she and Durbin enjoy helping students learn when they come into the classroom.

“We just have so much fun working together,” Harris said. Harris also said she and Durbin often discuss retirement each spring and that she fully supports whatever decision Durbin decides to make. But Durbin isn’t ready to say farewell to teaching and plans to return to the classroom for the 2023-24 school year.

“I just love what I do and the kids keep me young and make me laugh,” Durbin said. “It’s just a fun job.”

ON THE COVER:

MEET MARCIE DURBIN

Age: 71

Hometown: Sheridan

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from IU-Kokomo, master’s degree in reading from IU-Kokomo Fun facts: She enjoys making cards in her free time, spending time with her family and owns a pug

12 June 6, 2023 Current in Westfield currentinwestfield.com COVER STORY
Oak Trace Elementary School teacher Marcie Durbin pauses for a portrait inside her classroom. Durbin, 71, recently wrapped up her 50th year of teaching with Westfield Washington Schools and plans to return for another school year. (Photo by Adam Seif) A look inside Marci Durbin’s classrooom at Oak Trace Elementary School in Westfield. (Photos by Adam Seif)

VIEWS

READERS’ VIEWS HB 1177 merely sets up training mechanism

Editor,

I’m afraid your article in the May 23 edition of Current about HB 1177 may lead some readers to believe that any school employee in Indiana could theoretically apply for the state funded firearm training that the bill sets up and funds, and perhaps even believe that those employees could then possess a firearm in the school building where they are employed. That is not the case.

Indiana law allows school corporations to authorize certain employees to voluntarily possess firearms on school property and has for several years. I’m told that only about three to five school districts in Indiana currently do so. HB 1177 merely sets up a training mechanism and funding to ensure that those employees can get training similar to what new police officers receive.

The school districts that have authorized some personnel to possess a firearm on school property are rural school districts that can’t afford resource officers and where it might take as long as 20 minutes for law enforcement officers to respond. In those districts, it only makes sense that those employees have appropriate training.

POLICIES

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Thoughts on prayers

Commentary by Terry Anker

It seems inevitable that the morning news will deliver alongside the weather report and yesterday’s lottery numbers disappointing news about those humans among us who seem bent to exert their most sinister and destructive actions upon us. We blithely finish our corn flakes while seeing Putin’s army kill countless civilians and destroy all that Ukraine has built. The next segment carries images of road rage that turned from an argument over a preferred parking spot at the mall into a shooting incident with two in the hospital and one in a coffin. We switch to social media only to find more tales of woe. Sure, there are the sunny moments. Some of us work hard to keep the internet streets swept and even plant a few flowers on the path. But if we chose to see it, we are barraged with rage, cultural unrest, pornography and political intrigue.

ESSAY

it. The death of a friend’s family dog might have been cause for a note, phone call or even a casserole-in-hand visit. Now, might garner a sad face or prayer emoji on Facebook. With immediate access to the news of all, it is difficult to invest ourselves deeply. If we are sufficiently moved, we might offer our “thoughts and prayers” to the mourning. It is certainly better than ignoring their plight. Human connection matters, but what exactly are we doing for them?

Isn’t condolence an action as much as a sentiment? Can’t the same be asked about gratitude? Theologians and religious leaders have long urged followers to assume a “posture of gratitude” before God. Why isn’t the expectation to assume a thought of gratitude? By equating the two, are we giving ourselves a pass?

Much like walking through Times Square in the 1970s, we notice the filth but too quickly become tolerant, if not immune, to

A scary dog day afternoon

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Friends, I almost killed our dog this week. I know! After 11 years of kinda-sorta hoping she’d quietly “disappear” (because I am not an animal lover and because, of course, I’m the one who became her primary caregiver), I must have subconsciously sought to hasten that end. I’m horrible. Here’s what happened.

that our black Lab Libby had hopped into the van. I was able to pull Doo’s dumb vehicle forward and then successfully close my door, but I completely forgot about Libby.

HUMOR

My husband, Doo, was renting a goblin-green Hyundai monstrosity (he’d just sold his Accord to our oldest, whose 2002 Ford Explorer had finally succumbed to a long-ago-diagnosed case of failing transmissionitis, may she rest in peace). I mention this fact because when I pulled into our garage with my big old minivan, I hyper-focused on the hideous color of said rental and then parked way too close to it — so close that my sliding passenger door gently kissed its automotive sister upon opening. Oops. While I was trying to figure out how to rectify the situation, I only half registered

When she didn’t come running for breakfast the following morning, I began an increasingly panicked search of the house, during which I convinced myself that I would stumble upon her canine corpse. And then I remembered: She was still in the car!

She had spent almost 12 hours locked in a janky people-mover in a closed garage, after a day when temperatures had climbed into the 80s. No water, no way to relieve herself, no fresh air. Ugh.

She was fine, but I was not. I almost killed our dog! Peace out.

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

14 June 6, 2023 Current in Westfield currentinwestfield.com 3 17.454.7412 B O N EDR Y HVAC .COM
VIEWS
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.
“I was able to pull Doo’s dumb vehicle forward and then successfully close my door, but I completely forgot about Libby.”
WILSON

VIEWS

(Bird) talk is cheep

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

A few weeks back, I mentioned an app called Smart News that features daily tantalizing headlines accompanied by brief articles. Here are some of their recent postings:

type out simple messages using a keyboard. This proved painfully slow, since most of the birds were unable to progress past the hunt-and-peck method.

HUMOR

• 6 Things to NEVER Buy at Costco

• 4 Dangerous Fast Foods

• 7 Canned Fruits to NEVER Buy

• 8 Great Things About Pickles

I only read the pickle one. Wow, they qualify as veggies. Finally, some good food news!

I also subscribe to a magazine called The Week. If you’re young and not familiar with what a magazine is, Google it. If you’re an older senior and don’t know what Google is, look through some of your old magazines. There’s probably an article about it somewhere.

Smart News deals with the big political stories of the day, but it also sprinkles in an assortment of newsy tidbits, like this one: “Birds taught to make video calls.”

That got my immediate attention. I’ve ignored FaceTime calls on my iPhone, assuming they were robo — not robin — calls. I block callers after these attempts to reach me, assuming it’s someone phishing. Maybe some calls were from pelicans, the best phishermen around.

Dr. Ilyena Hirskyj at Glasgow University says she has taught parrots to call each other using an iPad. Domestic parrots (of which there are 28 million globally) usually spend their very long life alone in cages and need some social interaction. Playing solitaire and munching on crackers for 75 years just doesn’t cut it.

Dr. Hirskyj’s subjects were also trained to

Many of the parrots, when reaching out to other parrots, would preen and display their colors in a mating posture in front of the camera. Florida’s legislature wants to ban such videos. Disney World’s Donald Duck and his nephews are planning a protest.

Adult parrots were thrilled to finally get calls from their kids: “I hadn’t heard a peep out of my son in 50 years,” one excited mama said. In a related story — and one I am totally making up — researchers in New York City equipped pigeons with miniature iPhones around their necks and taught them to communicate with each other while walking around Central Park. Testing was halted when in one week, 26,000 were killed crossing the street while talking on their cells.

Most birds just want to settle down and have a family. They are using a new app called hatch.com. Chickens are downloading scratch.com.

Having read this silly column, my wife, Mary Ellen, now summons me to the phone whenever she gets a call identified as spam.

“Dick, there’s some chick on the phone for you,” she says.

“How do you know it’s for me?”

“Well, she keeps saying, ‘Cheap, cheap!’”

POLICIES

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Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
“Adult parrots were thrilled to finally get calls from their kids: “I hadn’t heard a peep out of my son in 50 years,” one excited mama said.”
– DICK WOLFSIE

Indy actor, ATI co-founder to reprise roles in ‘Million Dollar Quartet’

Brandon Alstott is ready to walk the line again.

MUSICAL

The Indianapolis resident will perform as Johnny Cash for the third time in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s “Million Dollar Quartet.” The performances will be at 7:30 p.m. June 16-17 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts.

“I’m happy to be back in the saddle again,” Alstott said. “It’s a really fun role to play. I’m a huge Johnny Cash fan. I’ve read multiple books and I play his music all the time, so to portray him on stage is just such a thrill.”

Alstott previously performed as Cash in ATI’s 2016 and 2018 productions in the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts. “Million Dollar Quartet” is based on the true story of Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins jamming together one December night in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis.

Alstott said he is eager to perform on the Palladium stage.

“So many legends have performed on that stage and it’s such a beautiful venue,” Alstott said. “The acoustics are perfect. It will be a different setup and not as intimate as the smaller stage. The audience isn’t as close, so I might be a little bigger in my performance and a little more demonstrative. I might be a little more animated.”

ATI co-founder Don Farrell said Alstott does a great job as Cash.

“He’s an amazing actor and musician,” Farrell said.

Farrell will play Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, for the third time.

“When I started delving into him and watching different interviews with him, he’s a very interesting person,” Farrell said. “There’s a fatherly quality about him. He found all these people before they became icons, like Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Howlin’ Wolf. He helped make them who they were, and he had an ear, kind of like Clive Davis. Sam Phillips nurtured these young voices into these icons. For me, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ is really about Sam Phillips and Sun Records.”

Farrell said he had no idea how integral Phillips was to music until he did more research.

“I knew he was big, but I didn’t realize how big he was in shaping the music that we listen to today,” Farrell said.

DJ Salisbury, who is based in Orlando, returns as the director for the third time. He also has directed the show for The Appalachian Center for the Arts in Pikesville, Ky.

“It’s a nice little slice of Americana,” Salisbury said. “There’s not any huge drama. It’s really all about the personalities and the music. Besides Brandon and Don, I’ve not worked with the other performers before, but they all know the show and have done it before.”

Jefferson McDonald is the music director and plays Jerry Lee Lewis.

Nathan Shew returns in the role of Fluke.

Indianapolis resident Amanda McCarthy said she is excited for her ATI debut, playing Elvis’ girlfriend.

“I have seen ‘MDQ’ performed a few times,” she said. “I love the live music, and playing Dyanne puts me right in the middle of all the action.”

McCarthy has performed locally, including at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre and with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. For more, visit atistage.org.

‘BEAUTY & THE BEAST’

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

‘AUGUST:

OSAGE COUNTY’

Main Street Productions will present “August: Osage County” from June 8 to 18 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

An Evening with Judy Kuhn is set for 7:30 p.m. June 8-9 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Jazz Brunch: Blair Clark Birthday Brunch is set for 11 a.m. June 11. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF ARTS

National Taiwan University of Arts: Enchanting Dance and Music Show is set for a free performance at 7 p.m. June 7 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘DIRECTOR’S CHOICE’

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will feature “Director’s Choice” at 7 p.m. June 9-10 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

DISPATCH

More acts added to Carmel Jazz Festival — In addition to headliner Spyro Gyra, several other acts have been announced for the inaugural Carmel Jazz Fest taking place Aug. 11-12. Spyro Gyra will perform at the Palladium Aug. 12. The festival will feature more than 30 acts, including Evelyn Champagne King, a singer, songwriter and record producer best known for her hit disco single “Shame,” which was released in 1977. Carmel Jazz Fest is the first multi-performance event to utilize and unify the stateof-the-art venues, green spaces and stages throughout the Carmel Arts & Design District in a festival format. Other performers include Dave Bennett Quartet, Freddie Fox and Tim Cunningham. Area performers include Josh Kaufman, Tad Robinson Band and Pavel Polanco-Safadit.

16 June 6, 2023 Current in Westfield currentinwestfield.com currentnightandday.com
From left, Betsy Norton, Adam Tran, Nathan Shew, Don Farrell and Brandon Alstott from the 2016 production of “Million Dollar Quartet.” (Photo courtesy of ATI) McCarthy Salisbury
17 June 6, 2023 Current in Westfield currentinwestfield.com These activities made possible in part with support from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. 317.843.3800 | THECENTERPRESENTS.ORG PICK 4 OR MORE & SAVE UP TO 20% ASK ABOUT THE SUITE EXPERIENCE! SEASON PARTNE R AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE Sat Nov 4 at 8pm

‘August: Osage County’

Brent Wooldridge wanted to direct “August: Osage County” since seeing the movie in 2013.

THEATER

“I fell in love with the movie,” said Wooldridge, a Plainfield resident.

Main Street Productions will present “August: Osage County” from June 8 to 18 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. The play centers on a dysfunctional family.

“It’s an actor’s piece,” Wooldridge said. “All the roles are very big. The set is big. I like the subject matter because it makes it more challenging to do.”

Indianapolis resident Sally Carter plays Violet Weston, the family matriarch.

“She has three daughters, and a husband who is missing,” Carter said. “They gather to be with one another before his disappearance is resolved. This is a troubled family on many levels. The family has experienced a lot of trauma and addiction. You can see through the course of this play how that has become intergenerational, starting with the parents before them and the effect it has on the children and the relationship with their parents. Each of them copes in a very different way. It’s something that is more prevalent than we might realize. These are subjects many families refuse to talk about, or deny, deflect or blame others. It’s a pretty intense presentation of how these things can happen.”

The tragicomedy play was written by Tracy Letts and won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Letts is from Oklahoma, like the family in the play.

Carter said Letts drew on some of his own family history for some of the incidents in the play.

“It’s an ensemble piece and everyone contributes substantially to this play,” Carter said. “We’ve been trying to familiarize ourselves with moving on the massive three-story set. It’s quite high. This play requires that kind of large set.”

Carter has performed for 30-plus years.

“This is my first post-pandemic production,” she said. “As one becomes older, learning lines becomes more difficult. Brent is extremely supportive and helpful and encouraging. He’s willing to listen to alter-

native viewpoints. I’m very blessed to be part of this particular production with these particular people. It’s a three-act play, so there are a lot of lines.”

Carter performed in Carmel Community Players’ “Lend Me a Tenor,” which closed March 8, 2020. Less than a week later, the lockdown was in effect because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Megan Janning, a 2022 Brownsburg High School graduate, plays Jean Fordham, a 14-year-old.

Janning aspires for a professional acting career.

“The goal is to save my money and move to Chicago or New York and pursue it further,” she said.

This is Janning’s first performance with Main Street Productions.

“It’s a difficult role, especially for me because it’s a lot of intense subject matter,” Janning said. “This is definitely the most mature show that I’ve done. Stepping into that has been nerve-racking, exciting, just all kinds of emotions. The cast has been so great with making me feel so comfortable with all of it.”

Janning concentrates on plays.

“I can’t sing to save my life,” she said. “But I’ve definitely done more lighter, child-friendly shows previously.”

Janning said the play is well-written.

“It’s like how people actually talk,” she said. “It’s very important to get the little things (right). It’s not the amount of the lines I have, it’s more how they are written and how I can pull out the nuance in them.”

Rob Lawson, Noblesville, is one of the cast members.

For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

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Megan Janning, a 2022 Brownsburg High School graduate, plays Jean Fordham, a 14-year-old, in “August: Osage County.” (Photo courtesy of Rob Slaven/Indy Ghost Light Theatrical Photography)

DAY

Farce opens Red Barn season

For Red Barn Summer Theatre Artistic Director Michael Taylor, precision is the key to “See How They Run.”

COMEDY

“Comedy is way harder than drama, especially because of the timing,” Taylor said. “In a show like this, the timing has to be on point.”

Red Barn will present “See How They Run” June 7-11 and June 14-18 at the Frankfort venue.

“We start off very light and something the family can come see,” Taylor said.

The play is set in England, where a conservative bishop’s home is turned upside down by the outlandish actions of an American actor and actress, an old maid who has touched alcohol for the first time, four suspicious men disguised as clergymen, and a cockney maid who has seen too many American movies.

There are nine cast members, including Taylor. Taylor is the theater director at Frankfort High School, and Kiara Wood, the music director at Frankfort High School, is in the show.

Most of the performers are from Lafayette and the Frankfort area. Taylor said some actors from outside the state will be in for the second show later in June.

“I love farces and Michael also loves farces — the slamming of doors, the falls, the pratfalls and mistaken identities,” said Luke McLaughlin, who is the director. “It’s fast-paced and zany. In my mind, there is nothing better than seeing a really fast, clean show just come together. When all the wheels are clicking, it’s really funny.”

For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.

Songbook Academy set for July

editorial@youarecurrent.com

entertainment professionals and leading university educators.

MUSIC

From hundreds of applications nationwide, 40 finalists from 16 states have been selected to participate in this year’s Songbook Academy summer intensive, a pre-professional music program for young singers focusing on the timeless standards of jazz, pop, Broadway and Hollywood. Among the 11 finalists from Indiana are two Carmel residents, Jordan Pecar, who attends Park Tudor School; and Seth Jacobsen, who attends Carmel High School; and Eve Hodges, a Zionsville Community High School student.

Now in its 14th year, the Songbook Academy is the flagship education initiative of the Great American Songbook Foundation, providing an opportunity for talented high school performers to experience a life-changing week of classes, workshops and performances under the guidance of arts and

The Songbook Academy will take place July 15-22 at the Foundation’s headquarters, the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The week includes three public performance events at the Palladium, which will take place before a live audience and will be livestreamed for viewers worldwide:

• Public Masterclass – 2-5 p.m. July 19

• Songbook Showcase – 2-5 p.m. July 20

• Songbook Academy in Concert – 7 p.m. July 22

For the July 19-20 events, on-site tickets and livestream registration are pay-what-you-can with no minimum price. For the final concert, on-site tickets start at just $25, and the livestream option is paywhat-you-can with a $10 minimum.

Tickets are on sale now atTheSongbook.org, by phone at 1-317-8433800 or toll-free at 1-877-909-2787.

19 June 6, 2023 Current in Westfield currentinwestfield.com
NIGHT &
From left, Aaron Moon, Cole Riegle, Kiara Wood, Xander Haan and Brenna Coogan rehearse for “See How They Run.” (Photo courtesy of Luke McLaughlin)

Turn heavy baggage into litotes

A visit to The Hermitage

GRAMMAR GUY

It’s someone’s job to name new medications. Drug Company A approaches Marketing Company B and says, “Hey, we’ve got this new drug. It makes people happy in the short run, but they’ll still have to deal with all their baggage in the long run. And, boy, does it have a ton of side effects!”

Marketing Company B comes back with “Litotes: The medicine that makes your baggage feel lighter. May cause ironic understatements that convey affirmations by negating their opposites. Use as directed.”

You may be thinking, “Boy, he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.” Great — that’s a litote! Also, my reply to your retort is, “You’re not wrong about that.” Yes, folks, that was another litote. Sometimes,you have to be light on your toes to notice them.

In the above examples, I expressed positive statements by canceling out their opposites. Litotes flip negative meanings around to create a positive statement. By saying, “He’s not the sharpest tool in the

shed,” you’re implying I am dull. And when I reply, “You’re not wrong about that,” I’m suggesting that you are correct in your rude (albeit astute) accusation.

Litotes are all around us. In my opinion, litotes are brilliant literary devices.

We get the word “litote” from the Greek word “litotes,” which means “plainness” or “simplicity.” It’s not rocket science once you think about it.

When I think of litotes, I hear the voice and tone of David Spade in my head. It’s a dry, witty way of actually conveying something positive. What did you think of the play? Well, I didn’t hate it. In fact, it wasn’t bad at all.

Okay, you get the idea at this point.

I’m a fan of litotes. Before using litotes, just make sure to consult your doctor to see if litotes are right for you. When you only want to be a little positive, try litotes.

Today, we visit The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s famous estate about 10 miles east of downtown Nashville, Tenn.

TRAVEL

Andrew Jackson, a war hero and seventh president of the United States, was also a lawyer, merchant, tavern owner, land speculator, planter, racehorse breeder and judge. In 1804, after losing a farm because of a business failure, he and his wife, Rachel, purchased 425 acres for growing cotton and raising horses. The plantation, named The Hermitage, was later expanded to 1,050 acres, operated by more than 150 enslaved people who lived in cabins on the property.

Beginning in 1819, the Jacksons built an eight-room Federal-style brick house on the grounds, flanked by a formal garden. When Rachel died in 1828, she was buried in the garden. In 1831, during Jackson’s first term as president, he expanded the house, which was severely damaged in a fire three years later. Jackson then built an elegant Greek-Revival mansion on the existing foundation. The 13-room house featured a large entry hall lined with French wallpaper depicting scenes from Homer’s “Odyssey.”

A self-supporting elliptical staircase led to four upstairs bedrooms. Visitors approached the house on a guitar-shaped driveway lined with cedar trees.

In 1837, after his second term as president, Jackson returned to The Hermitage, where he lived until his death in 1845. He was buried alongside Rachel beneath a colonnaded Greek-style monument evoking

the entry hall wallpaper. In 1998, an F5 tornado hit the property, uprooting 1,000 trees, including those planted by Jackson almost 200 years earlier.

Today, The Hermitage, including 1,000 acres of land, is open to the public. The mansion, which includes original furnishings, is considered the best preserved of all early presidential homes. A visitors’ center provides information about Andrew Jackson’s life and family. Special attention is given to the enslaved persons who worked and died at The Hermitage.

20 June 6, 2023 Current in Westfield currentinwestfield.com LIFESTYLE
Curtis Honeycutt is a national award-winning, syndicated humor writer. Connect with him on Twitter (@curtishoneycutt) or at curtishoneycutt.com.
Yardvarks...doing a common thing uncommonly well! You’re dying to call us. Just admit it! 317-565-3540 YARDVARKSLAWNCARE.COM PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Juices: APPLE, GRAPE, LEMON, LIME, ORANGE, TOMATO; Sewing Items: NEEDLE, PIN, SCISSORS, THIMBLE, THREAD; Meats: CHICKEN, HAMBURGER, RIBS, STEAK; Rhymes: CINDY, MINDY, WINDY; Cities: GARY, MICHIGAN CITY; Shelter: TENT 9 2 6 5 3 4 7 1 8 3 7 1 2 8 9 6 4 5 5 4 8 1 7 6 2 3 9 4 8 5 9 1 7 3 2 6 1 6 7 3 2 5 8 9 4 2 9 3 4 6 8 1 5 7 6 1 9 7 4 3 5 8 2 7 3 4 8 5 2 9 6 1 8 5 2 6 9 1 4 7 3 B B B M A N I C T E A R E O R A I N B O W R A P A F T S C R E E C H I R S V O T I V E A C E T O N E O R L O P A D M I R E S E E N A V E S E L F I N S P E C V A C A N T L G B T Q P R I D E M O N T H U T E R U S D E L I G E N I E P E N D R A M P B A D A S S K I T E S D E V E L O P E I G H T Y U T E E D A M A M E O R C P A N R O Y G B I V M E H E S T S A B E R E S E
Don Knebel is a local resident. For the full column visit donknebel.com. You may contact him at editorial@ youarecurrent.com. Parlor room inside The Hermitage near Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Don Knebel)

1. Consumer protection org.

4. Frenzied

9. Coffee alternative

12. ___ Speedwagon

13. 34-Across flag inspiration represented by the puzzle’s colored squares

15. BTK Villeion genre

16. Back of a boat

17. Owl sound 18. Tax agcy. 19. Kind of candle 21. Salon solvent 23. Lowest deck on a ship 24. Regard highly 26. Spotted 27. Blvd. crossers 28. Spritelike

32. Blueprint detail, briefly 33. Unoccupied 34. Annual June celebration

39. Latin for “womb”

40. Shapiro’s, e.g.

41. Magic lamp occupant

42. Await action

43. I-465 exit

47. Awesomely tough

49. Toys on strings

50. Take shape

53. Average speed on I-69, it seems

54. University of Utah player

55. Asian Kitchen menu

33. African plain

34. Car nut

35. Old AT&T rival

36. ___ Davis HS

37. Eiteljorg Museum group

38. Cozy retreats

42. Tropical fruit

43. 18-wheeler

44. In one’s house

45. Scotland yards?

46. Freud topic

48. Idiots

49. Chicken ___

50. Hoodwink

51. IND postings

52. Rant and rave

53. Mideast ruler

56. Classic British sports car

57. Indiana’s Lincoln, familiarly

Answers on Page 20

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Across
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 6 Juices 4 Grilled
2 5 4 2 6 4 5 8 2 8 1 6 6 7 8 9 2 6 5 9 5 7 3 4 2 6 1 7
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Meats 3 Rhymes
of “Indy”
2
Lake Michigan Cities
5
Sewing Kit Items 1 Sleepy Bear Campground Shelter
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