June 8, 2021 — Westfield by Current Publishing

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

SHARING HER JOURNEY Westfield swimmer takes steps to raise awareness, find cure for Crohn’s disease / P17

New law removes authority from health departments / P3

Oak Trace administrator named new principal / P11

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June 8, 2021

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Law removes authority from health departments By Jonathan Matthes jonathan@youarecurrent.com

office holder, somebody voted on by the people, was making the final decision,” said Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, a Health departments throughout Indiana Republican state representative whose disare adjusting to the passage of Senate Bill trict includes Fishers. “I don’t think it limits 5, which requires local flexibility. We didn’t change any of the acPANDEMIC elected officials to approve tions that a health department or a health measures more stringent official could recommend. We are just saythan state-issued executive orders during a ing that before those actions come into efdeclared emergency. fect, they need to be approved by somebody In essence, the bill requires local electwho is actually elected by the voters.” ed officials to make the final decision on The veto override passed 36-10 in the Senmatters of health care policy under their ate, with four abstentions. It then passed jurisdiction rather than allowing health in the House, 59-30, with 11 abstentions. The department officials to establish policy on measure was largely partisan with Republitheir own. Proponents of SB5, which passed cans voting almost unanimously to override when the General Assembly overrode a veto Holcomb’s veto. Only three Republicans votby Gov. Eric Holcomb, view the change as ed against the override, all in the House. bringing accountability to the decision-makFrom the majority perspective, public ing process, while those in opposition see it health emergencies — like COVID-19 — are comas a roadblock that can slow reaction time plex, and elected officials are the ones who during an emergency. should be ultimately responsible for making The impacts are felt more directly in critical decisions on how to address it. Fishers, which established its own health “There are a whole lot of factors that department 10 months earlier. Fishers is one need to be considered, not just health, but of only a handful of municipalities in Indieconomic and educational,” Huston said. “All ana with its own health department. the components need to be factored in by Now, instead of utilizing city council-prothe people who are making the final decivided authority to make and enforce decision and, quite truthfully, will have to stand sions, the Fishers Health Dept. will need to one day potentially for reelection, and then provide the council the people can voice with recommendasupport or opposi“I don’t, frankly, think that all of tions and let the tion to the types of our elected officials want to have councilors make the decisions that were final call. made.” that responsibility in making the “We of course District 30 State decisions regarding the health and always work closely Sen. Fady Qaddoura, welfare of the community, but that is a Democrat, voted with the mayor and part of the role in being an elected with our elected offiagainst the bill. cials here in the city, official. We just hope that it doesn’t Qaddoura said loso hopefully it will cal health officials result in any serious consequences be less of a hurdle largely have the with the additional (steps).” here than in other better training, and – MONICA HELTZ expertise should be places, but it is still a hurdle that we haempowered to guide ven’t had before,” said Monica Heltz, Fishers health care policy. Health Dept. public health director. “I don’t, “This bill assumes that there is no colfrankly, think that all of our elected officials laboration between health care experts at want to have that responsibility in making the local levels and their elected officials the decisions regarding the health and weland their communities, which is absolutely fare of the community, but that is part of the false,” he said. “During this pandemic, we’ve role in being an elected official. We just hope seen, on a day-to-day basis, even on an that it doesn’t result in any serious consehour-to-hour basis, a high level of coordiquences with the additional (steps).” nation between the Indiana department of Ensuring that elected officials can be public health with health officials and proheld accountable for decision making was fessionals with elected officials. So, the bill a key point of emphasis for the Republican is trying to falsely convey that the way we majority in the General Assembly. managed the pandemic was only following “The legislative body just wanted to make health care experts with no coordination sure that, at the end of the day, an elected with municipalities or cities and so on.”

SENATE BILL 5 PATH TO VETO, OVERRIDE • Jan. 7: Senate Bill 5 was authored by Senators Chris Garten, Ron Alting and Mark Messmer. • Feb. 8: Bill passes the Senate on third reading, 40-8. • Feb. 9: Bill is referred to the House. • April 6: Bill passes the House 65-28. • April 21: Bill’s final draft is formally adopted by the House (65-29) and Senate (37-12). • April 28: It is signed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate (Rod Bray) and the Speaker of the House (Todd Huston). • May 4: Bill is vetoed by Gov. Eric Holcomb. • May 10: Veto is overridden by both bodies and becomes law. Another aspect of SB5 troubling to Qaddoura is that when a policy is established, local businesses and citizens have several opportunities to appeal it before being compelled to obey. For example, if a county were to enforce a mask mandate when the state is not, a local business could ignore the mandate. Then if challenged by a local health official, it could choose to ignore the mandate while appealing to local elected officials to decide the matter. If the local officials rule against the business in favor of the health officials, the business can appeal again to a circuit court or superior court and ignore the mandate while the case is heard. “In a way, we are giving people every opportunity not to follow guidelines while this appeal process is still pending,” Qaddoura said. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said the city will adapt to the new law. “When we talk about these types of legislations, they are often founded and motivated by the most extreme situations,” Fadness said. “One situation would be that we need to protect the residents from a group of public health officials who have gone rogue and are putting undue restrictions on their residents. On the flip side, I think the idea that public health officials are going to have elected officials clamp down on them and never let them do their job is also a rare occasion. “If you are already in good communication with your public officials, it can seem like another bureaucratic step that you have to take. We’ll deal with it.”

June 8, 2021

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June 8, 2021

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Westfield tops vaccination rate By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Westfield tops the list for percentage of residents vaccinated against COVID-19 in Hamilton County with 76 PANDEMIC percent of its residents vaccinated. Most other Hamilton County ZIP codes have at least a 50 percent vaccination rate, but some of the county’s northern communities are struggling to administer vaccinations quickly. Hamilton County is the second-most vaccinated county in the state, with 59 percent of county residents fully vaccinated, which equates to 165,112 residents 12 and older. Yet in the northern communities of Sheridan, Atlanta and Arcadia, only 40 percent of residents are fully vaccinated. “When we break our vaccination numbers down by ZIP code, we see considerably fewer people getting vaccinated in the northern, more rural area of our county,” stated Chris Walker, emergency preparedness coordinator for the Hamilton County Health Dept. “We need to reevaluate how we’re reaching residents in the Atlanta, Sheridan and Arcadia areas.”

100%

Walker said there are 49 vaccination sites in the county, but only two are north of Ind. 32, which passes through Westfield and Noblesville. “As we start to wrap up our mass vaccination clinic at the 4-H Fairgrounds, we need to find ways to ramp up vaccinations in the northern third of the county,” Walked stated. For more, visit hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

Free mental health virtual courses scheduled in June news@currentinwestfield.com The Hamilton County Health Dept. has partnered with Aspire Indiana Health to offer a series of free virtual EVENT courses designed to help residents improve their mental health. The three-week curriculum will cover trauma after a major life event, debunk myths about suicide and offer ways to determine a loved one’s suicide risk. “Life can take a toll on our mental and physical well-being, especially after the year we’ve all been through,” stated Jim Ginder, health education specialist for the Hamilton County Health Dept. “There is no shame in asking for help. Behavioral health can take a real toll on our quality of life if left untreated.” The first of three courses, Psychological First Aid, will be at 7 p.m. June 14. It is designed to help children, adolescents, adults and families in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The course will teach participants how to reduce the initial distress

AN 5-Y NI EA VE R RS AR Y

PERCENT OF POPULATION FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 • 46030 (Arcadia): 40 percent • 46031 (Atlanta): 33 percent • 46032 (Carmel): 65 percent • 46033 (Carmel): 68 percent • 46034 (Cicero): 54 percent • 46037 (Fishers): 70 percent • 46038 (Fishers): 57 percent • 46060 (Noblesville): 53 percent • 46062 (Noblesville): 61 percent • 46069 (Sheridan): 39 percent • 46074 (Westfield): 76 percent • 46280 (Carmel): 63 percent • 46290 (Carmel): 72 percent

caused by traumatic events and to foster short-term and long-term adaptive functioning and coping. To learn more and register, visit eventbrite.com/e/psychologicalfirst-aid-for-covid-19-tickets-156905519633. The second course, Question, Persuade, Refer, is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 21. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help. Participants will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide, how to offer hope and how to get help. To learn more and register, visit eventbrite. com/e/qpr-suicide-prevention-training-tickets-92794848891. The third course is an introduction to the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). It will be held at 7 p.m. June 28. To learn more and register, visit eventbrite.com/e/columbia-protocol-training-tickets-156935330799. The virtual events are free, but registration is required.

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June 8, 2021

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COMMUNITY DISPATCHES Westfield opens new splash pad — The City of Westfield opened a new splash pad at Quaker Park May 29. The new splash pad includes 20 water features, almost double the number of the previous splash pad, which had 11. With new technology, the facility will use less water running at 104 gallons per minute versus the previous 15-year-old system that used 316 gallons per minute. Additionally, the facility has a new surface which is safer than the concrete surface of the previous structure. The splash pad will be operational from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week until the weather turns in late September or early October. June solar webinars scheduled — Hamilton County Solar Co-op is offering free webinars to teach the solar basics for a home, farm or small business. Attendees also will learn how solar protects against rising electricity bills and can increase property values, how to take advantage of net metering and federal tax credit. The next webinar is 6:30 p.m. June 24. To register, visit carmelgreen.org or email a request to lwebb@carmelgreen.org. Community First Bank of Indiana to host shred day — Community First Bank, 707 E. Ind. 32, will conduct a free shred day open to the community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 15. The public is welcome to drive through the branch parking lot between to drop off boxes of documents to be securely shredded. To ensure proper social distancing, bank staff and Westfield Youth Assistance Program volunteers will remove the documents for shredding from the vehicle. There is a limit of five boxes to be shredded per vehicle, and the event will end once the shred truck is full. All documents will be shredded on-site and 100 percent of the material is recycled and eventually made into other paper products. Donations will be welcome to support Westfield Youth Assistance Program, which was formed in 2009 to serve as an early intervention advocate for youth ages 3-17 who are facing challenging life circumstances. Heart and Soul Free Clinic to host polo event — Heart and Soul Free Clinic in Westfield will conduct its third Polo with Purpose Event at Hickory Hall Polo Club Polo at Sunset in Whitestown July 2. The event is $40 per car at the gate for general admission. Each car can bring chairs and a picnic to watch the match. For more regarding the clinic and Polo with Purpose, visit heartandsoulclinic.org or call 317-804-5782.

June 8, 2021

COMMUNITY

Creation of first all-girls speech tournament earns Gold Award By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Sabrina Richard’s first appearance in the National Speech SCOUTS and Debate Tournament in 2019 was eye-opening. At the tournament in Dallas she noted the male dominance in several categories, and that gave her an idea for a Girl Scout Gold Award project. Richard, a member of Carmel Girl Scout Troop Sabrina Richard at the computer in the tabulation room for the allgirls speech tournament. (Submitted photo) 906 who just completed her junior year at Westfield High School, all-girls speech meet. was awarded Girl Scout Gold Award for “People participate from all 50 states and creating the nation’s first all-girls speech other countries,” Richard said of nationals. meet, “Speech for Success, Women’s Words “Seeing people do what they love is someMatter.” Richard said her WHS speech and thing that is always exciting about nationdebate coach, Holly Reineking, was enals for me.” thusiastic about the idea and helped her Richard became the third person, and organize it. the first junior, from WHS to earn Academ“In November 2020, we did it virtually, but ic All-American honors from the National it was the first-ever girls-only speech and Speech and Debate Association earlier this debate meet, even though there are meets year. for just boys,” Richard said. “That was a big Richard doesn’t have any set goal for uphonor to have.” coming competitions. Along with her coach and family, Richard “It’s just an honor to be there,” Richard said she worked more than 100 hours on the said. “I think I have a cool speech and am project. More than 115 girls from 18 Indiana proud of what I’ve done this year. I don’t high schools, including WHS, participated. expect to place, but it would be really fun Richard had to run the entire meet and if I did.” scoring system remotely while her speech Richard’s speech is about New York City coaches were at the school assisting her. in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. Gold Award recipients will be honored July 11 11 terrorist attacks. by Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. “It’s also about it prevailing through Richard raised enough money through COVID,” she said. “I’ve spent a lot of time in donations to pay for the tabulation program New York and really love and admire the and provide ribbons and trophies. She plans city. I’ve been to all of the 9/11 memorials. I to hold the event again in the fall. think it’s a moment in history really import“I’m hoping to do it as an in-person event ant to Americans.” in October or November,” said Richard, who Richard appeared on a season of the Food not only ran the tournament but also comNetwork’s “Rachael Ray’s Kids Cook-off” peted in it. during the summer of 2015. She was a semiRichard will compete in the National finalist and the sous chef for the winner Speech and Debate Tournament, which will on the final episode. In 2016, Richard was a be held virtually June 13-19. She also qualjudge on “Beat Bobby Flay.” In 2017, she was ified for the 2020 tournament, which was on “Guy’s Grocery Games.” held virtually. “Having my interest in public speaking in Her WHS teammate Elaine Quirke, a 2021 Girl Scouts helped with the Food Network,” graduate, also will compete in the national Richard said. “That led me to doing speech tournament. Quirke helped Richard with the and debate in middle school.”

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June 8, 2021

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Soccer Tryouts Soccer Tryouts Soccer June 8-9 Tryouts & 14-15

Indiana Juniors will14-15 hold soccer tryouts for the JuneFire8-9 8-9 14-15 June && 2021-2022 season at Grand Park Sports Campus.

Birth Group Birth 2014 BoysGroup and Girls Birth Group

2014 Boys and Girls 2013 Boys 2014 Boys and Girls 2013 Boys 2013 Girls 2013 Boys 2013 Girls 2012Girls Boys 2013 2012 Boys 2012Boys Girls 2012 2012 Girls 2011Girls Boys 2012 2011 Boys 2011 2011Boys Girls 2011 Girls 2011 Girls 2010 Boys 2010 Boys 2010 Boys 2010 Girls 2010 Girls 2010 Girls 2009 Boys 2009 Boys 20092009 BoysGirls

2009 Girls

Indiana Fire Juniorswill willhold holdsoccer soccertryouts tryoutsfor forthe the Indiana Fire Juniors 2021-2022 season GrandPark ParkSports SportsCampus. Campus. Please visit: https://www.indianafirejuniors.com/tryouts 2021-2022 season atatGrand Please visit: https://www.indianafirejuniors.com/tryouts Please visit: https://www.indianafirejuniors.com/tryouts

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U13

June 14 & 15

Time

Time 12:30-1:45 PM Time 12:30-1:45 PM 2:00 - 3:15 12:30-1:45 PM PM 2:00 - 3:15 PM 2:003:30-4:45 - 3:15 PMPM 3:30-4:45 PM 5:00-6:15 3:30-4:45 PM PM 5:00-6:15 PM 6:30-7:45 5:00-6:15 PM PM 6:30-7:45 PM 12:30-1:45 6:30-7:45 PM PM 12:30-1:45 PM 12:30-1:45 PMPM 2:00-3:15 2:00-3:15 PM 2:00-3:15 PM PM 3:30-4:45 3:30-4:45 PM 3:30-4:45 PM 5:00-6:15 5:00-6:15 PMPM 5:00-6:15 PM PM 2:00-3:15 2:00-3:15 PM 2:00-3:15 PM 12:30-1:45 PM

12:30-1:45 PM

20092008 GirlsBoys 2008 Boys

U13U14June 14 14 & 15 12:30-1:45 PM June 5:00-6:15 PMPM U14 June 14&&15 15 5:00-6:15

20082007 GirlsBoys and Girls

U14U15June 14 14 & 15 June & 15

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20072006 BoysBoys and and GirlsGirls

U15U16June 14 14 & 15 June & 15

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20062005 BoysBoys and and GirlsGirls

U16U17June 14 14 & 15 June & 15

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20052004 BoysBoys and and GirlsGirls

U17U18June 14 14 & 15 June & 15

8:00-9:15 AM 6:30-8:15 PM

20042003 BoysBoys and and GirlsGirls

June & 15 U18U19June 14 14 & 15

6:30-8:15 PM 6:30-8:15 PM

2003 Boys and Girls

U19

6:30-8:15 PM

20082008 BoysGirls 2008 Girls

2007 Boys and Girls 2006 Boys and Girls

2005 Boys and Girls 2004 Boys and Girls 2003 Boys and Girls

U14U14June 14 14 & 15 5:00-6:15 PM June 3:30-4:45 PMPM U14 June 14&&15 15 3:30-4:45

U15

June 14 & 15

U16

June 14 & 15

U17

June 14 & 15

U18

June 14 & 15

U19

June 14 & 15

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▪ 2003 Players must still be in Highschool during the 2021-2022 school year ▪ Check in at the Events Center LOT Web: C. Check in begins one hour prior to your start time. indianafirejuniors.com/tryouts 2003Players Players must still in Highschool during 2021-2022 school year ▪▪ 2003 must still bebe in Highschool during the the 2021-2022 school ▪ NO SOCCER BALLS OR SPORTS EQUIPMENT WILL BE ALLOWED INTOyear THE BUILDING AND THIS INCLUDES Email: Check the Events Center C. indianafirejuniors.com/tryouts Check in begins to your start time. ▪▪ Check ininatatthe Events Center LOTLOT C. TRYOUTS. Check in begins one one hourhour priorprior to your start time. Web: indianafirejuniors.com/tryouts SIBLINGS NOT PARTICIPATING IN Web: Phone: ▪ NO SOCCER BALLS OR SPORTS EQUIPMENT WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THE BUILDING ANDINCLUDES THIS INCLUDES ▪ NO SOCCER BALLS OR SPORTS EQUIPMENT WILLEmail: BESocial: ALLOWED INTO THE BUILDING AND THIS Email: SIBLINGSNOT NOTPARTICIPATING PARTICIPATING TRYOUTS. Phone: SIBLINGS IN IN TRYOUTS. Phone: Social: Social:

DISPATCHES Shepherd’s Center seeks volunteers — Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County is in need of volunteers. The organization helps adults ages 55 and older to live indepenedlty in their own homes for as long as possible. Volunteers work to combat senior-related obstacles by offering assistance with transportation, care package delivery, light home cleaning and maintenance, friendly visitors and emergency assistance. Volunteers complete background screenings and interview to ensure that they are best suited for helping older adults. Information and trainings will be available from 8 to 9 a.m. June 8 and 7 to 8 p.m. June 14. To sign up, visit the Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County Facebook page. NCL grants scholarships, awards — The Crossroads Chapter of National Charity League recently held its annual awards ceremony. Summer Stogsdill, a Lebanon High School senior, was the NCL Crossroads scholarship winner. Lana Reinking, a Westfield High School junior, received the Modelette Award. Paige Kuper, a senior at Westfield High School, received the Senior Service Award. Sisters Brooklyn Wolf, Katie Wolf and Adrienne Wolf received the Yellow Rosebud Award. Leadership awards were given to Kiersen Wettschurack, Ava Heitz, Brenna Willis, Cassie Echelmeier, Ava Watkins and Ally Heitz. Mother-daughter awards were given to the Mother-Daughter Awards Gretchen and Kiersten Wettschurack, Laura and Adrienne Wolf, Abby and Rachel Kovacs, Gretchen and Hadley Wettschurack, Michelle and Katie Peddycord, Laura and Katie Wolf, Sarah and Ava Watkins, Gretchen and Ella Wettschurack, Laura and Brooklyn Wolf, Tracy and Paige Kuper and Laura and Isabelle Crum. Westfield, Hamilton County receive funds for road improvement — Some communities in Senate District 20 will receive more than $2 million to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. Hamilton County received $715,452, Noblesville received $313,973 and Westfield received $1 million. Through the program, the Indiana Dept. of Transportation matches up to $1 million annually when localities invest in road and bridge repairs. Counties with populations fewer than 50,000 and cities and towns with populations fewer than 10,000 receive a 75 percent/25 percent match, while counties with populations of greater than 50,000 and cities and towns with populations of greater than 10,000 receive a 50 percent/50 percent match. For more, visit in.gov/indot/2390.htm.

June 8, 2021

COMMUNITY

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Women’s group benefits Hamilton County nonprofits By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Three Noblesville women figured there is strength in numbers. Carolyn Deines, Dana GIVING BACK Randall and Mary Beth Woehrle founded 100+ Women Who Care of Hamilton County in January 2017 and held the first quarterly meeting in August that year. “The whole idea of the giving circle is my $100 combines with other women, and we are able to make a bigger impact,” Randall said. “Especially now, a lot of those organizations really need our help. It’s an easy way with four hours a year to make a huge impact in the community.” 100+ Women Who Care of Hamilton County will meet in person at 7 p.m. June 16 for the first time since February 2020. The group, which will meet at the Delaware Township Community Center in Fishers, continued to conduct quarterly fundraising. Randall said more than 100 women have contributed at least one time. Randall said regular attendance is 40 to 50 women. Randall said they like to have more

100+ Women Who Care of Hamilton County donates to area nonprofits. (Submitted photo)

than 100 women, so they are seeking new members. Nearly $80,000 has been donated to various nonprofits by the group. “Each woman who is a member can bring a nominee of a 501(c)3 in Hamilton County,” Woehrle said. “The names go in a hat, and we draw out three names, and those three people drawn give a quick presentation of 3 to 5 minutes of who the organization is, why the money is needed, this is what they do and their mission.

“There is a question-and-answer period, and each member gets to vote which of the three get the checks written to them that night. One of the big strengths is we keep our meetings to an hour.” The organization also reaches outside Hamilton County, “But what we require is the donation we give has to remain and serve people in Hamilton County,” Woehrle said. Each woman writes a check for at least $100 for the selected nonprofit. Two women

S P A R W E L C VEHI

can split the $100, but they only get one vote. Women can donate more than $100 if they choose. During the virtual process, Randall said nominations were submitted to her and drawn from a hat during Zoom meetings. “Anyone connected with nonprofits understood the need remained and actually was greater for many of our charities (amid the pandemic),” Randall said. “The women were committed, and we continued a good participation rate.” Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County was the chosen nonprofit in February. It was awarded approximately $5,075. The Women Who Care concept sprang from the international organization 100 Who Care Alliance in 2006, when founder Karen Dunigan from Jackson, Mich., asked for help trying to get cribs to needy mothers. She invited 100 women to a meeting and asked if they each could donate $100. Within the hour, they raised more than the $10,000 goal, and the first 100 Women Who Care chapter was born. For more, visit 100womenwhocarehamiltoncounty.com.

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June 8, 2021

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WWPL Summer Reading Program returns – The Westfield Washington Public Library’s Summer Reading Program began June 1 and continues until July 31. Numerous programs and special events are planned at the library over the summer months, and more information is available on the library’s online events calendar at wwpl. librarycalendar.com. The summer program theme is Tails & Tales, and all ages are able to participate. Events will focus on animal themes. To participate in the reading program, register at wwpl.beanstack.org beginning June 1. Sign-up prizes are available beginning June 14. After reading or listening to books, log the reading hours and complete optional activities on Beanstack to earn digital badges plus virtual tickets for drawing prizes. The program is completed after 40 hours of listening or reading

for all ages. Earn a completion prize and an entry to the grand prize drawing by finishing the program. The grand prize winner will be announced Aug. 1. Hamilton County Democratic Party launches nonpartisan program – The Hamilton County Democratic Party recently launched #BoostHamCo, a non-partisan community improvement program focused on volunteerism and community engagement. There will be scheduled events centered around three key pillars – supporting local businesses, beautification and placemaking and civic education. For more, email HCDPindiana@gmail.com. WEF receives $45,000 grant – Westfield Education Foundation received a $45,000 as a part of a $300,000 Central

Heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, GERD — whatever you call it, get real relief Talk with a GI specialist Heartburn and indigestion can interfere with your daily life. And if this is happening frequently, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux. Talk with a gastroenterologist about your care options. If your medications are not working and you are looking to stop taking them for acid reflux, a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment may mean less pain and a quicker recovery. Ask about an online appointment for your first visit.

Schedule an appointment. Call 317-953-5314 or visit ascension.org/StVincentHeartburnCare

If you are experiencing chest pain, especially in combination with jaw or arm pain, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting or difficulty breathing, you might be having a heart attack. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund grant from United Way of Central Indiana to all six Hamilton County Education Foundations. The funds will help serve the school districts by meeting the needs of families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. F.C. Tucker stats – Westfield’s residential real estate market remained dynamic in April, with homes leaving the market much faster than this time last year. According to F.C. Tucker Co., homes in Westfield sold 57.9 percent, or 33 days, faster than April 2020. The average sale price of a Westfield home also increased, up 23.6 percent to $466,344 compared to this time last year. The average price per square foot for Westfield homes also increased to $178.05, up 15.7 percent.

June 8, 2021

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Oak Trace administrator to become new principal July 1 By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com

and keep preparing our youngest Shamrocks for future successes,” Hitch stated. “Oak Trace is an amazing school community. Oak Trace Elementary School Assistant I am looking forward to the challenge of the Principal Jane Hitch has been promoted future as we continue to make connections to principal. She and learn and grow together. I’m EDUCATION replaces Robin thankful for the opportunity to take Lynch, who is all that I’ve learned and give it back retiring at the end of the 2020-21 to the students, staff and families school year. of Oak Trace.” A media release from Westfield Hitch will be the elementary Washington Schools stated Hitch school’s second principal in its 20was selected after an extensive year history. Hitch search. Hitch received a master’s degree Lynch has been the assistant principal in elementary and middle school princiat Oak trace since June 2017. Prior to that, palship and administration from Indiana she taught at Oak Trace for seven years. University and earned a bachelor’s degree She also taught in Hancock County and East in elementary education and teaching from Allen County schools and spent six years Purdue University. Hitch and her husband, supervising student teachers at Purdue Ron, are Westfield residents. They have two University. children who both attended WWS for their “I am so excited to continue serving Oak K-12 education. Trace Elementary School in this new role For more, visit wws.k12.in.us.

Volunteer receives award By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Donald “Lynn” Gang has worked more than 60 elections as a volunteer during the past 36 years and was RECOGNITION recently recognized for his service. Gang received the Rampart Award May 19 from the Hamilton County Commissioners. Gang primarily helped with transport, set-up and tear down of voting machines. “Lynn has certainly seen it all,” Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Williams stated. “Back in 1984 when Lynn first started volunteering with us, the voting machines weighed over 700 pounds. Now, we use iPads. Lynn has always been able to roll with the changing times.” The Rampart Award is presented to someone who generously gives of their time to make Hamilton County a better place. Recipients also have an attitude of teamwork, a generosity of spirit and a desire to tirelessly support and celebrate the people and communities of Hamilton County. “I appreciate this very, very much,” Gang stated. “I’m going to miss working with the people in the Elections Office, but it’s time for me to retire.”

Lynn Gang, center, displays his award with, from left, Hamilton County Commissioners Steve Dillinger, Mark Heirbrandt and Christine Altman and Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Williams. (Submitted photo)

Williams said that Gang will be dearly missed. “With elections you have no room for error,” Williams stated. “It takes dedicated people like Lynn that you completely trust to get the job done correctly. Lynn did whatever needed to be done to ensure a fair, safe and efficient election.” Gang also worked for the Noblesville Police Dept. from 1967 to 2010, when he retired.

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June 8, 2021

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Connor to compete for Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen title By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Although Keegan Connor is competing in Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen competition for the first time, she is no stranger to similar competition. COMPETITION The Westfield resident has appeared in the National All-American Miss three times. “NAM has prepared me for Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen through speaking skills, on-stage presence, interviews, and even how to walk,” Connor said. The Miss Indiana and Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen competitions, part of the Miss America circuit, is set for June 16-19 at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center. Connor, 14, wasn’t successful in her first attempt to qualify for Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen in February 2020. The 2020 competition was canceled. “I had such amazing conversations and moments with the girls backstage that they inspired me to compete again,” said Connor, who recently completed her freshman year at Westfield High School. “This year, I won as Miss West Central Outstanding Teen, qualifying me for state. I’m so excited to experience the state competition activities throughout the week like a parade, luncheons and rehearsals to bond with the other ladies and make a connection with them.” In addition, it’s been more than a year since Connor has performed in a musical.

Keegan Connor is competing for the Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen title. (Submitted photo)

“So, I can’t wait to sing in talent (category) because I love performing on stage,” she said. Connor will sing “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from “Funny Girl.” “I wanted to do this song because it’s about making your own way, a ‘can-do’ message that’ll be empowering to sing,” Connor said. “I also admire Barbra Streisand and love that she has a bridge on her nose like I do. By being proud of her nose, she makes me feel less insecure. And, it’s nice to know we share a love of musical theater.” Connor’s platform is her nonprofit, Keegan Cares, whose mission is to advocate for scoliosis awareness so that people can spot the signs. Scoliosis affects 3 percent of the U.S. population, mostly young girls between the ages of 10 and 15. “When I was 13 years old, I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis with a 48-degree curve,” she said. “Curves above 40 degrees usually require surgery. Scoliosis seemed to instantly change my world and dream to be on Broadway, so now it’s my mission to help others spot the signs to detect it early. Were it not for the office manager (Julie Downs) at my orthodontist (Dr. Michelle Wittler), my scoliosis may not have been caught in time for me to have the newer type of surgery called VBT (vertebral body tethering) that has to be done while a kid is still growing. “To help identify scoliosis, I made a flyer pointing out the signs to make them recognizable by using a picture of my back for illustration. On my website, KeeganCares.com, people can download the flyer to share with others.”

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The Courtyards of Carmel is an age-restricted community. No less than eighty percent of homes within the community must have at least one permanent occupant fifty-five years of age or older. Although all floorplans, features, illustrations, and specifications of the homes and communities are believed correct at the time of publication, the right is reserved to make changes, without notice or obligation. Windows, doors, ceilings, layout, colors, finishes and room sizes may vary depending on the options and elevations selected. This information is for illustrative purposes only and not part of a legal contract.

June 8, 2021

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Community Action Plan to address mental health, addiction issues By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Hamilton County Community Foundation Community Leadership Officer Jeena Siela is convinced pooling information and resources will help address mental COUNTY health and addiction issues in Hamilton County. Hamilton County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation, is partnering with Hamilton County and Aspire Indiana Health to conduct a comprehensive assessment of behavioral health needs with the mission to create a Community Action Plan, which will Siela increase accessibility and affordability for those who need it most. Community Solutions has been hired to conduct the behavioral needs assessment. “We brought in Community Solutions to drive home results-based accountability,” Siela said. The project is estimated to cost $30,000. The Hamilton County Community Foundation has committed $20,000 to the project, with Aspire Indiana Health and Hamilton County each contributing $5,000. The goal is to finalize the action plan by August. “Mental health is a very timely issue to be taking on at the county level given what everyone has gone through

with the pandemic,” Siela said. “Even before the pandemic, there were certainly mental health issues, and they’ve just been exacerbated both by adults and children because of COVID. At the foundation, we were planning on doing this before COVID, and now it’s just really highlighted the real need to come together as a community and address mental health at the county level.”

“Mental health is a very timely issue to be taking on at the county level given what everyone has gone through with the pandemic.” – HAMILTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP OFFICER JEENA SIELA Siela said many municipalities have taken on mental health at the city level. “The furthest along is Fishers with their StigmaFree Fishers. With Mayor Scott Fadness and his leadership, they have been doing a lot of great work,” she said. “We helped start up the Westfield Wellbeing Coalition, and we are currently working with Noblesville with their Wellbeing Coalition.” Siela said the goal with Community Solutions is to take

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all the good work the cities and municipalities are doing and bring it to light at the county level. “We want to make sure we are all collaborating and working together,” Siela said. “If something great is happening in Fishers, it’s maybe something Noblesville could start implementing and vice versa. Just as an example, we want to make sure at the end of the day we are making the strides needed in order to really affect mental health in Hamilton County.” Community Solutions’ two-phased approach will start by assessing community needs, resources and gaps. It will accomplish that by partnering with state and local public health agencies, health systems, criminal justice and law enforcement partners as well as township trustees, paramedical agencies and service providers to help determine the county’s priority populations and health issues. Community Solutions also will develop a comprehensive listing of behavioral health partners, programs and services already available in the county. “It always requires a collaboration and lots of different folks around the table to make a difference,” said Lisa Osterman, director of strategic initiatives at Community Solutions. “It requires partners to develop a shared understanding of why things are the way they are and what causes them to be that way. Also, (it takes) a shared understanding of what it takes to make a difference both in terms of the types of strategies and making sure they are not doing what they’ve always done before.”

June 8, 2021

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Westfield teen recalls therapy dog experience By Haley Miller news@currentinwestfield.com Ellie Sullenberger, 17, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 13, would sometimes wake up in her HOSPITALS hospital bed to a therapy dog lying next to her. “It was the cutest thing,” said Sullenberger, a Westfield resident. “I love it, and it’s one of the only things I remember.” During the past year, the coronavirus pandemic forced pet therapy teams like those that visited Sullenberger to halt in-person visits at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital. Paws & Think, the organization that provides the dogs, will defer to national recommendations and the comfort level of their volunteers as they decide when to restart in-person interaction with patients. The dogs returned to the hospital in April to support and interact with the staff. Clinical program manager Kaitlin Knapp said staff wants to resume bedside visits with patients again soon. In the meantime, Sullenberger had the opportunity to see some of the therapy

Ellie Sullenberger holds Pipsqueak, a therapy dog. (Submitted photo)

dogs at the 20th anniversary celebration for Paws & Think. “Pipsqueak, one of the smallest dogs I’ve ever seen, was there,” Ellie said. “I was pret-

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ty much holding her the whole time, and I kept joking that I was going to steal her because one of these days I’m going to.” Knapp said pet therapy aligns with a holistic approach to care, including not only physical health but mental and emotional health as well. “When you walk down the hallway, just people passing by, you just hear this wonderful, ‘A dog!’” Knapp said. “Their mood instantly lifts.” Sullenberger said she especially missed seeing the dogs at the hospital last year when she was undergoing chemotherapy. “They distract from a lot of the things, and there’s no judgment at all from a dog,” Sullenberger said. “You can cry, and they don’t care.”

If you’re thinking about jumping into a fun summer project, adding a new deck to your home might be the perfect fit. A deck not only provides a peaceful HOME place to enjoy nature, but it also adds value to your house, gives you a perfect area to host guests and can have lots of functional purposes, too. Here are six ideas that can make your deck the envy of the neighborhood: • Outdoor kitchen: You probably already eat outside on occasion when the weather is nice. Why not cook outside, too? An outdoor kitchen is a unique hardscaping feature that makes this possible and can be designed with all the accoutrements of an indoor kitchen, including a stove, refrigerator, sink, drawers and cabinets and more. • Firepit: Many people already have a firepit in their backyard, but you can really take things to the next level by building it into your deck. Because decks are typically made of wood and firepits require a fuel source, installation should always be handled by the professionals. • Tiles and pavers: Tiles are typically used as indoor flooring in places where quick and easy cleaning is essential, like kitchens and bathrooms. And you

probably associate pavers with outdoor walkways, patios and driveways. But both can be used on your deck and give a very modern, distinctive look. • Stylish railing: Many people never consider using a railing other than something that matches the wood of their deck. But there are so many other options, and some can really make your deck design pop. • Multiple levels: The best deck designs allow for lots of freedom of movement, and adding multiple levels can really improve the flow of your deck’s floorplan. The multi-level interior home designs that were popular in the 1970s actually translate to a very modern look when applied to a deck. • Lighting: A lot of people forget about lighting when it comes to a new deck, but we think it’s essential — especially if you want your deck to stand out from the rest. It’s also important if you ever want to enjoy your deck at night during the fall and winter when days are shorter.

Brittany Harvey is an estates designer for Engledow. Learn more at engledow.com/residential, by emailing inquiries@engledow.com or by calling 317-575-1100.

June 8, 2021

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Joy of repetition Commentary by Philip Mott My wife Kristen learned how to use a VCR at the age of 5, mostly because her mom had just given birth EDUCATION to her baby brother. Her parents lovingly recount her obsession with “Winnie the Pooh” and how adorable she was practically wearing out the “Winnie the Pooh” tape. She would watch the tape, rewind it and start it over to her heart’s content while her mom got some needed rest. There’s something especially freeing to a child when they’re able to do something for themselves that makes repeating the activity joyful. Not long after our second child arrived, we bought “Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site,” and it was a huge hit. Kristen read him this book several times a day and a few times before bedtime. One Sunday we were relaxing on the couch, and he was playing in the living room. He got quiet for a bit and picked up the book and laid it on a cushion. He began turning the pages and reciting the words. We listened closely — it was word for word.

The universe is a very strange place. Science continues to show that the universe contains things you ASTRONOMY might find difficult to believe, and nearly impossible to get your head around. Yet, with every passing day, new discoveries are made that boggle the mind. Neutron stars where matter is so dense, a thimble-full weighs a billion tons; trillions of rogue planets that travel the universe completely alone in the darkness that may have sub-surface oceans teeming with life; and exoplanets, where it rains shards of glass at hypersonic speeds. There are countless things out there that simply defy all logic. Yet, one of the most fascinating and tantalizing discoveries ever made in the long history of astronomy is the discovery of “exoplanets.” These are worlds orbiting other stars, and they come in a wide variety of sizes, from gas giants larger than Jupiter to small, rocky planets the size of Earth. They can be hot enough to boil metal or locked in deep freeze. They can orbit their stars so tightly that a “year” lasts only a few days; they can orbit two suns at once. And as I mentioned above, some exoplanets

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He was even on the right page. Clearly, he had memorized the book, but we didn’t care. We were quite impressed. He didn’t ask us to read that book anymore. He kept it close by and anytime he wanted to read it he pulled the book out and made his way through it. It’s amazing how much he sounded like us in these early readings, even softening his voice in the quiet parts and putting his finger up to his lips whispering, “Shhhhhh, goodnight concrete mixer.” It had not occurred to us that he would, or even could, memorize the book. But through repetition, that’s exactly what he did. His sisters would end up doing the same thing with a few of their books. It’s like we had taught each of them how to use a VCR — all they had to do was put in the cassette and press play. Philip Mott was a reluctant learner who became an elementary teacher and then a home-schooling father. He lives in Westfield and writes parenting and education advice for families on his website, philipmott.com.

It’s a fascinating universe Commentary by Greg McCauley

are sunless rogues, wandering endlessly through the galaxy in permanent darkness. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is the thick stream of stars that cuts across the sky on the darkest, clearest nights. Its spiraling expanse probably contains about 400 billion stars, our sun among them. And if each of those stars has not just one planet, but, like ours, a whole system of them, then the number of planets in the galaxy is truly astronomical. Some of these exoplanets are Earth-like and reside just the right distance from their parent star to have mild surface temperatures, thick atmospheres and the possibility of water oceans. Currently, we have discovered 4,383 exoplanets in 3,254 planetary systems, and the number of discoveries doubles every 27 months. There are estimated to be more than 1 trillion exoplanets and 60 billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way galaxy alone. For the full column, visit youarecurrent.com

Westfield resident Greg McCauley is president and CEO of Grand Universe. He also is an amateur astronomer who worked for NASA during the Apollo moon missions.

State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel), center, joins House Republican interns Garrett Tiberi, right, of Carmel, and Rachel Winkler of Westfield before a legislative session at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. As interns, Tiberi and Winkler will worked closely with legislators by corresponding with constituents and staffing committee meetings and floor proceedings when the General Assembly was in session. For more on internship opportunities with the Indiana House Republican Caucus, visit IndianaHouseRepublicans.com/internship. (Submitted photo)

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Project: Anthony Road will be Project: Olio Road and 146th closed June 2 for reconstrucStreet Intersection Location: The Olio Road and 146th tion and realignment as part of the East Street Extension Street Improvement project Project. is widening Olio Road from Location: Anthony Road CONSTRUCTION 141st Street to 146th Street to between Ind. 38 and 216th four lanes and 146th Street Street from Bergen Boulevard to Expected completion: July 1 Olio Road to three lanes as well as conProject: Ind. 38 lane shift structing a two-lane roundabout at the Location: There is a temporary lane shift intersection of those two streets. In adon a section of State Road 38 near Grassy dition, significant drainage improvements Branch Road while work on the north side in the area, including relocation of a legal of the road is completed for the East Street drain, as well as a sanitary sewer extension will occur. Extension Project. Additionally, Anthony Road will be closed from State Road 38 to Expected completion: The intersection the north for 30 days. closed March 15 for 108 days. Expected completion: July Detour: Motorists should use Prairie BapProject: New roundabout construction tist Road, 156th Street, Boden Road and Location: The intersection of 171st Street Campus Parkway to avoid the closure. and Carey Road closed June 6 for 60 days Project: 236th Street East Rehabilitation for the construction of a roundabout. FolProject low the direction of detour signage during Location: 236th Street between Deming this time. Road and Devaney Road is closed to all thru www.KeithsHomes.com Estimated completion: Early August traffic for road rehabilitation. It is Phase II of the 236th Street East Rehabilitation Project: 146th Street roundabouts Location: A section of 146th Street beProject. tween Towne Road and Shelborne Road is Expected completion: Aug. 3. being rerouted south for a Hamilton County Detour: Local traffic will continue to have project. This section of 146th Street is access to their homes, while thru traffic is being constructed to connect to the roundasked to utilize the posted detour route of abouts. Drivers are encouraged to use 256th Street, Anthony Road and Devaney caution in the area and follow the direction Road. of signage. FISHERS Expected completion: Aug. 1. Project: Nickel Plate Tunnel Project Project: Jersey Street Location: Beginning June 1, 116th Street will Location: From Union Street to Mill Street be closed from east of Municipal Drive to Expected completion: Jersey Street will be west of Maple Street for the duration of the closed for the remainder of the Grand Juncconstruction. Local business will remain tion Plaza construction. open. 106th Street will serve as the main Project: Grand Junction Plaza detour route beginning at Hague Road Location: The parking lot west of Union for eastbound traffic and Lantern Road Street and south of Main Street for Westbound. Lane restrictions on 116th Expected completion: The gravel parking Street have already begun, and will be in lot on the east end of Park Street is permaeffect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until the comnently closed as the Grand Junction Plaza pletion of the project. is moving into the construction phase. Expected completion: An estimated 60 Parking is available on the west end of days, opening expected in late July or early Park Street. August. Project: East Street extension Project: 131st Street reconstruction Location: East Street is being extended Location: 131st Street between IN-37 and north from 196th Street to Ind. 38. Utility Britton Park Road. That portion of 131 st relocations are ongoing. Street will be completely closed. Project: Natalie Wheeler Trail Expected completion: The project began Location: On Union Street between Mill and on April 26 and will take approximately Jersey streets. three months to complete. Project should Expected completion: Closed during conbe completed by late July. struction of the Grand Junction Plaza, estimated completion in 2021.

June 2021

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A love story: Tobacco and coffee By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Images of whiskey may accompany one’s thoughts when thinking of enjoying a luxury cigar, but Blend Bar co-owner and President Corey Johnston said the best beverage to enjoy with a cigar is coffee. “What’s unique about coffee is, it’s available all over the world, and so is tobacco,” Johnston said. “Coffee is still the No. 1 beverage. Coffees from different parts of the world have unique flavor profiles, so we blended our own brand of coffee (with Hubbard & Cravens) from Africa, and we think it pairs best with the cigar. It’s sort of like a wine pairing with cheese. What makes it so delightful is you can have different types of coffee and it hits the palate differently, just like tobacco, just like wine, just like food.” Blend Bar opened at 3981 E. 82nd St. in Castleton in 2013. In 2017 it was named the best cigar lounge in the world by Cigar Journal. Since then, Johnston has strived to create a luxurious space that lives up to the title. Despite being a cigar bar, the inside of the building isn’t foggy with smoke. A $300,000 HVAC system circulates the air eight times per hour. “We went above and beyond trying to make

THE JOURNALIST OLD-FASHIONED Commentary by Anna Skinner

Blend Bar offers cigars that range from $5 to $100. (Submitted photo)

the furniture and interior design something relaxing and comfortable and approachable,” Johnston said. “A lot of people come in and think it’s going to be a smoky bar, and yes, it’s a lounge that has smoking, but the way the ventilation is, it takes away that.” Blend Bar also employs the state’s only cigar sommelier, Richard Peyton. His job is to help connect customers with the perfect cigar. Blend Bar’s cigars are 100 percent tobacco that has been aged five to seven years. Unlike a cigarette, the cigars have no added toxins and take about 2 hours to smoke. For more, visit blendbarcigar.com.

I started writing Current Publishing’s Behind Bars column almost six years ago, at age 21. I didn’t truly appreciate a balanced cocktail until after years of refining my palette and learning what it means to put the “craft” in craft cocktail. Writing the column also has refined my palette to be less appreciative of overwhelmingly sugary simple syrups and more apprecia- Use brown sugar instead of regular simtive of a balanced recipe, which led ple syrup to create a cozy cocktail called The Journalist. (Photo by Anna Skinner) to the creation of a recipe that is truly my own — a rich, cozy take on the old-fashioned that I like to call “The Journalist.” I like to actually taste the liquor in my drinks, so if you don’t want a punchy bourbon beverage, then add a bit more sugar. Ingredients: 1/2 tablespoon loosely packed brown sugar, 1/2 tablespoon warm water, dash of cherry bitters, dash of chocolate bitters, 2 oz. Maker’s Mark FAE-01 limited released bourbon, bourbon cherry, orange swath Directions: Muddle brown sugar with 1/2 tablespoon of warm water and both bitters in the bottom of a rocks glass. I actually enjoy a little bit of gritty brown sugar in my cocktail, but if you want a smoother version, use a pre-made brown sugar simple syrup. Place a large ice cube in the glass and add bourbon, then express the orange swath over the drink and tuck it next to the ice along the rim. Add a bourbon cherry and enjoy. Cheers!

June 2021

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Limoncello: A versatile drink By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com

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Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano’s house-made limoncello is so popular, owner Adson Franco orders 5,500 lemons each year to keep up with demand. Limoncello, a lemon liqueur made from soaking lemon peel in grain alcohol and adding simple syrup, is used as either an aperitif or digestif, in which it can be enjoyed either before or after a meal. It originated in Italy in the early 20th century. Franco said the Italian regions of Naples, Sorento and Amalfi claim bragging rights for creating the alcoholic beverage. Franco makes 5-gallon batches of limoncello at a time. Although Indiana liquor laws prevent him from selling it by the bottle, an $8 glass of limoncello is still the restaurant’s most popular beverage. “We make it in-house and peel about 100 lemons, and that’ll give us about 5 gallons,” Franco said. “We go through about 100 gallons monthly. We are always making it. We order lemons three times a week.” Franco orders the lemons from Sorento, Italy. Sorento lemons differ from American

Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano owner Adson Franco displays the restaurant’s house-made limoncello. (Photo by Anna Skinner)

lemons. “American lemons are smaller,” Franco said. “Italian lemons are a bit sweeter, and it’s just a cleaner flavor. It’s not as bitter.” Franco soaks lemon peels in high-quality grain alcohol for two to three weeks. When the peels have absorbed the alcohol, he makes a simple syrup out of boiling water and sugar and filters it through the lemon peel three times. Then, he freezes the golden liquid for 10 hours. The final product is limoncello. For more, visit matteosindy.com.

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June 2021

CURRENT PUBLISHING youarecurrent.com

Shop celebrates 25 years By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com For the past 25 years, Noble Coffee & Tea has been a cozy place for the community to gather. Co-owner Robyn Wilson began working at the shop in 2009 as a barista for Jim Howard, the original owner, but her memories span further back. “I grew up here in Noblesville and graduated from Noblesville High School, so everything is very familiar to me – the customers, teachers, people I went to school with,” Wilson said. “For me, it’s important to keep a place that is comfortable and provides everybody a place to go.” Recently, Wilson was working at the shop when she overheard a customer say that Noble Coffee & Tea was similar to safe spaces in video games. “I guess in video games there’s safe spaces and a place you go to rest, and I thought that was a really nice thing,” she said. The shop, at 933 Logan St. in downtown Noblesville, celebrated its silver anniversary in April but had a low-key celebration because of COVID-19 restrictions. Wilson said she’s considering another celebration later

One of Noble Coffee & Tea’s most popular beverage is boba tea, which commonly includes tea and tapioca or fruit-flavored balls called boba. (Photo by Shwa Hall)

this year. The most popular item on the menu is still filter coffee because it’s roasted next door, but Wilson said boba tea has started to become popular as well. Boba tea originated in Taiwan and usually consists of tea with chewy tapioca balls. Noble Coffee & Tea also offers popping boba, which has a fruit flavor when bitten. The shop is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, and 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Wilson said she plans to extend Friday and Saturday hours in the coming weeks. For more, visit noblecoffeeandtea.net.

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933 Logan St Noblesville, IN 46060 Mon-Sat: 6:30am - 6pm Sun: 8am - 3pm

June 2021

CURRENT PUBLISHING youarecurrent.com

Recipe: Steak Gruyere Commentary by Torrie Hudson Ingredients for steak: 16 oz. New York strip steak from Joe’s Butcher Shop, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon butter, 2 garlic cloves (smashed), 2 sprigs fresh rosemary Ingredients for Gruyere cream sauce: 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 garlic cloves(chopped), 1 1/2 cups half and half, salt and pepper, chopped parsley Instructions: Pull steak out of the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking. Pat meat dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat until smoking hot. Add vegetable oil and swirl. Place steak in skillet and sear each side for 4 minutes or until the internal temperature has reached 145 degrees. Also sear the sides. When the steak is almost done, add butter, garlic and rosemary into the skillet with the steak. Once butter melts, use a spoon to baste the steak. Remove the steak to a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes. Shred 1 cup of Gruyere into a bowl. Melt butter in a saucepan over ipping Available! r medium-lowShheat. Add garlic. ou Add flour; stir o int Call or stop fo! in re mo r fo op sh

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Use meat from Joe’s Butcher Shop for this steak gruyere recipe. (Photo by Torrie Hudson Photography)

2 minutes (do not brown). Pour half and half with the mixture. When it boils, turn down the heat and add cheese. Continually stir until cheese has melted and sauce thickens (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and add salt, pepper and parsley. Slice steak against the grain. Plate steak and use a spoon to pour the gruyere cheese sauce over the steak. Top with parsley and enjoy! Torrie Hudson is a photographer and creative director in Hamilton County who loves food. His mission is to bring people together through his passion for photography, people, art and food. For more, visit torrieh.com and torrieH.com/foodoir.

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June 2021

CURRENT PUBLISHING youarecurrent.com

Columnist names top 5 patios Commentary by Anna Skinner As Current Publishing’s At the Table with Anna’s food columnist, I have been blessed to visit more than 200 restaurants in the area and comb through those options to find the best patio dining for you to enjoy this summer. Juniper on Main, 110 E. Main St., Carmel I will never stop singing praises for Juniper on Main. The owners have gone above and beyond in decorating the Southern/ coastal fare restaurant, and when I dined on the patio in warm weather, it seemed to transport me directly to Charleston or Savannah. Not only is the food delicious, but the quaint patio is a great place to watch the hustle and bustle of downtown Carmel while dining under Edison lights. 3UP, 201 W. Main St., Carmel Perched on top of Anthony’s Chophouse in downtown Carmel, 3UP is a rooftop bar with luxurious touches like a living plant wall and a picturesque view of the Arts & Design District. 1933 Lounge, 9707 District N. Drive, Suite 1120, Fishers One of my favorite parts of 1933 Lounge in

Juniper on Main’s quaint patio is At the Table with Anna’s top spot for outdoor dining in Hamilton County. (File photo)

Fishers, in addition to its 21-and-older policy, is that it has an indoor/outdoor patio if you want a bit of fresh air but don’t want to be fully exposed to the elements. Field Brewing, 303 E. Main St., Westfield Who doesn’t love gardens and games? Field Brewing’s front yard is a beautiful garden, and the back patio has a bocce ball court and a green space for kids and adults to enjoy. Sun King Brewing, 351 Monon Blvd., Carmel Speaking of games, if you’re in the mood for table tennis, an outdoor greenspace, outdoor movies and lounge-style seating in the great outdoors, be sure to check out Carmel’s Midtown Plaza and grab a beer at Sun King while you’re at it.

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June 8, 2021

Current Publishing youarecurrent.com

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June 8, 2021

COVER STORY

Current in Westfield

www.currentinwestfield.com

Westfield swimmer takes steps to raise awareness, find cure for Crohn’s disease By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Although there’s not much positive about being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Annie Spaletto said she is fortunate it was discovered quickly. Spaletto began experiencing symptoms of Crohn’s disease, or inflammatory bowel disease, in the beginning of January 2020 and was diagnosed at the end of February. “So, it was only two months of symptoms without a diagnosis,” she said. “For some people, it takes around two years to be diagnosed.” The 15-year-old Westfield resident became involved with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation early in her journey and was asked to be the 2021 Pediatric Ambassador for the Indiana chapter of the foundation. Spaletto is fundraising for the annual Take Steps Walk June 13. “I assist with their fundraising and social media announcements and marketing, so I have a chance to share my story with everyone out there,” Spaletto said. “Part of what I do is making IBD known to more people and spreading the message about what it is and how it affects people. Some people with it feel really alone and don’t have the support system yet. So, what I’m doing is helping people feel more comfortable and find their support system.” Spaletto has spoken at national events to share her story and her experiences. Spaletto, who will be a Westfield High School junior in the fall, is a swimmer for the high school and the Westfield Aquatics Club. “My teammates and coaches are really understanding and know what I’ve been going through,” Spaletto said. “They’re really helpful in supporting me when I’m not having the best day. I have many flareups even though I’m stable on treatments right now. Sometimes you have to bear with it and wait it out. Despite my infusions, I’ll still have some random symptoms here and there.” Every six to eight weeks, Spaletto has two-hour infusions of Remicade, a medication to treat Crohn’s disease. Barring a cure, she will need the infusions her entire life. “It’s more than just having to go to the bathroom — it’s the countless doctors’

MEET ANNIE SPALETTO BIRTHDAY: Aug. 2, 2005 SWIMMING: Began competing on

Annie Spaletto gets her first infusion in March 2020. (Submitted photo)

visits, it’s the trips to the hospital, it’s the countless times I’ve gotten my blood drawn for blood work, it’s worrying if my levels are going to be off,” Spaletto said. “It consumes my mind at times.” Her goal is to raise $16,000 by June 13. As of June 1, she had raised more than $5,000. She will speak June 13 at the Take Steps Walk at Victory Field. “I’m trying to raise money for a cure and patient advocacy,” Spaletto said. Her team includes family, friends and swimming teammates. It is named Annie’s S.Q.U.A.T., which stands for Super Quick Undercover Abdominal Torture. That’s something she has to prepare for flaring up on a daily basis. Spaletto said she likes the Pediatric Ambassador’s role because she has been able to see her friends and family come together

for a cause. “I feel like we really are making a change,” Spaletto said. Her mother, Jeanne Spaletto, said the family is incredibly proud of the grace and strength her daughter has shown in the past year. “A lifelong illness is a hard diagnosis for anyone to hear, most especially a teenager,” Jeanne said. “She has persevered through pain and fatigue and continues to show up for life and give her all. She is forthcoming with her journey and shares her story to encourage others to talk about theirs. Her determination to help others and to raise funds to find a cure is inspiring for all.” ON THE COVER: Annie Spaletto swims for Westfield High School and Westfield Aquatics Club. (Submitted photo)

neighborhood swim teams when she was 4 years old and has been a club swimmer since fifth grade. Her specialties are breaststroke and individual medley. Spaletto was on the 200yard medley relay team that finished 13th in the IHSAA girls swimming and diving state finals in February. HOBBIES: Baking, singing, going for drives with friends while playing music. Has an Instagram account for her baking: @spalettosweets FAVORITE ATHLETE: Former University of Southern California volleyball player Victoria Garrick “because she spreads body positivity and helps everyone feel more confident in who they are,” Spaletto said. FAVORITE SUBJECT: Math/algebra and nutrition and wellness FAVORITE TV SHOW: “Friends.” WHAT SHE DOES TO RELAX: Listen to music, exercise/run and online shopping. BEST VACATION TRIP: Cancun, Mexico, with her childhood best friend. WAYS TO SUPPORT HER FUNDRAISING TEAM: Two ways to access her

team fundraising pages are online. crohnscolitisfoundation.org/goto/ SQUATteam2021 and cctakesteps.org/ indiana2021 and search for Annie›s S.Q.U.A.T.

June 8, 2021

VIEWS

Current in Westfield

www.currentinwestfield.com

ESSAY

HUMOR

Personal connections

Summer survival strategy

Commentary by Terry Anker Our one-time cultural proclivity to stay home in the evenings with our families led to a communal television viewing experience. “The Love Boat” was soon making another run and most of us were there to watch it. Perhaps it was a combination of a handful of television stations available and about the same options to dine out, but we could largely count on a water-cooler conversation the next day about the hilarity from the night before. Today, we binge watch. But back then, it was must-see TV. The Huxtables gave us a new way to look at the world, together. Now, we are keeping up with the Kardashians and a mob of dystopian zombie, the-world-is-over programming, as if there is much difference. But unlike where we once found commonality, we are now fully subdivided. Some of us get our undead on cable — others use HBO Max, or Disney+, or Netflix, or Hulu, or Amazon Prime, or even Pluto TV. And isn’t there still “free” programming flying through the air? For some, media is delivered exclusively via even more personal methods. We enjoy YouTube on our phones, watches, or have programming projected directly into our eyes via Google Glass. Like an ever-increasing variety of things, we retreat to our own little enclaves, all by ourselves, even as we imagine that we are connected night and day. It has been a long-time coming. Many of us drink our water from personal bottles — even if the office has a cooler, it hasn’t been seen, or refilled, during the months of pandemic furlough. Private bottles are alleged to be healthier. There is no risk without interaction, right? Still, is it possible that we are causing one problem by solving another? Can we be “all in this together” if we are no longer together?

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

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.

— ROBERT COLLIER

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.

Summer is finally here, friends, and while in the past I would have shared my plan for surviving these next two months with kids at home, this year I have no such delusions that chore charts and curfews have any effect. For 2021, my Generation Z-ers will be 100 percent free range! Maybe I’m making a huge mistake, but honestly, with three of the four back from independent college living, why bother? Half the time they aren’t even in the house, so making Wednesdays Andrew’s night for dinner is a literal crapshoot on whether or not I’ll get a meal. And any attempt on my part to have our precious little angels home by midnight is nullified by my strict 9 p.m. bedtime. As they say to me incessantly, “It’s not like you’ll know, Mom!” Fair point. Nope, this June and July will be about encouraging rather than requiring domestic responsibility and good decision making. We will maximize our finely tuned parental skills of shaming and guilt-tripping to encourage them to be contributing members of our Wilson tribe. Examples include: “That’s my new Xanax prescription for when I wake at three in the morning and your car isn’t in the driveway. It keeps me from calling hospitals thinking you’re dead on a forgotten ER gurney.” “Yeah, I see an orthopedic now for my debilitating carpel tunnel from all the extra dishwashing and laundry folding.” “We had to cancel our anniversary trip to pay for the increased Meijer bill. No big deal. Twenty-five isn’t a big one.” “I drink because you leave half-eaten carne asadas on the couch.” Sorry to be of no help this summer. And godspeed, friends. Godspeed. Peace out.

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

June 8, 2021

VIEWS

Current in Westfield

www.currentinwestfield.com

Oh, deer, we’ve got mice Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Mary Ellen also noticed that rabbits were chewing on her new plants in the rock garMice are getting into the Wolfsie house. den. She loved watching the bunnies, but Not wanting to hurt the invaders, my wife they were destructive. If she wanted me to purchased several no-kill traps. help her deal with this, I told her she had HUMOR We did catch a couple and reto dress like Elmer Fudd and say, “Wichard, leased them. Here is how I enyou have to do something about those wasvision a conversation in the woods behind cawy wabbits!” our home: Squirrels were eating from our bird feeder. • Mouse 1: “Hey, Myron, have you been in We tried a high-tech feeding apparatus that the Wolfsie house recently?” spins the squirrels around when the device • Mouse 2: “No, why? Is it worth the registers excess weight. Now, the squirrels trip?” are bringing their • Mouse 1: “It’s pups to the feeder Mary Ellen and I are proud to awesome. Once for a free amusement report that no animals have been park ride. you’re inside the pantry, you We see racoons harmed after venturing onto walk into a every night around our property — although I am container and dusk, although lateconcerned about the kids in the this little door ly they have been closes right neighborhood who are climbing up coming out much behind you. Inlater in the evening. the trees to snack on the Jell-O. side, there is a Since the local mask – DICK WOLFSIE mandate was lifted, delicious mountain of peanut the little bandits butter. After you feast on it, you hear must be feeling a bit self-conscious. the Wolfsies walking into the kitchen We have a chipmunk in our air duct that before they open the pantry door. Then runs right under the bed. This is keeping they pick up the container and give you Mary Ellen up at night. Not from the scratcha free ride back to the woods.” ing noises, but I keep yelling “Alvin!” when • Mouse 2: “Cool! So, that means you can she is trying to get to sleep. go back for more peanut butter the Mary Ellen and I are proud to report that next day? How dumb can they be?” no animals have been harmed after venturWe also have a deer predicament. They ing onto our property — although I am conare eating our hydrangeas. First, we tried cerned about the kids in the neighborhood a product called Deer Out, which was well who are climbing up the trees to snack on named because after trying it for a month, the Jell-O. we threw it out. Mary Ellen read that deer enjoy lettuce, so she thought we could convince the deer to dine on something other Dick Wolfsie is an author, than our plants. When I nailed some lettuce columnist and speaker. Contact leaves to a tree, Mary Ellen laughed out him at wolfsie@aol.com. loud. Then she told me she read that deer really like lime Jell-O, too. Very funny.

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CarmelFest Chair: Steve Krusie Festival Dates: Sunday July 4 and Monday July 5 1-10pm Parade Date: Monday July 5 10:30am Grand Marshal Unit: Honoring Our Healthcare Heroes who helped us navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic even with the risks involved to their own health CarmelFest Has Talent Date: The entire program will be held Sunday July 4 1:00pm KidsZone Features: Mo More individual activities including single seat bungee trampoline, gyroscope ride, rock climbing wall Extended Petting Zoo/Mobile Bird Aviary: Great family activities to enjoy Entertainment Stage Locations: Carter Green North Stage: The Wright Brothers Sunday July 4; My Yellow Rickshaw Monday July 5

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Gazebo Stage: Carmel Symphony Orchestra Sunday July 4; Indiana Wind Symphony Monday July 5

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Visit carmelfest.net for our complete entertainment schedule. CarmelFest is organized by the Rotary Club of Carmel, a service club whose primary mission is to serve our local and international communities. CarmelFest proceeds help provide local grants and assistance programs.

June 8, 2021

BUSINESS LOCAL

Current in Westfield

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Come Join Our Movement

Healthy Living

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Wise said Northwestern Mutual’s involvement with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer raised his awareMark Wise discovered he shared a similar ness that the majority of money raised for passion with his financial client, cancer research goes more toward former Indiaadults than children. PHILANTHROPY napolis Colts “That made me want to double offensive down and really work toward raislineman Ryan Diem. ing money for this great cause,” “Ryan and I had the shared desire said Wise, a married father of three. to give back to the community,” In addition, Wise said he has said Wise, who is president and CEO several clients whose children have Wise of Wise Financial, a Northwestern died from some form of childhood Mutual private client group. “We formed this cancer. He noted that it takes a toll on the partnership to support families affected by entire family. childhood cancer with a fundraiser event.” “I’m always passionate, because I think So, in 2018 they started Strike Out Canwith a lot of research, we can come up with cer to support Peyton Manning Children’s a cure to strike out cancer,” Wise said. Hospital. The event was held for the fourth Wise said he is encouraged by all the new time May 10-14 in a virtual format amid the treatments now available. COVID-19 pandemic. “Some of the children might have beaten Wise, a Westfield resident, was one of 16 cancer, but through all the drugs, chemo recipients the Northwestern Mutual Comand radiation, they have disabilities or munity Service Award earlier this year in health challenges for the rest of their lives,” recognition for his work with Peyton ManWise said. “My hope is through the fundraisning’s Children’s Hospital and the annual ing we are able to not only cure it but some Strike Out Cancer event. Wise was presentof these side effects can be significantly ed a $20,000 grant from the Northwestern reduced for children.” Mutual Foundation for Peyton Manning’s Diem, a Zionsville resident, said Wise’s Children’s Hospital in April. service award is well deserved. “Ryan and I bumped into each other a lot “Mark has been one of the most generous in philanthropic circles,” Wise said. “Through supporters in the Indianapolis community that, he invited me to a charity golf outing since I met him many years ago,” Diem said. west of Chicago.” “He’s passionate about making a difference, That event was in memory of Allie Neff, a especially in the area of pediatric cancer 3-year-old from Rochester, Minn., who died research and treatment.” after a battle with cancer in 2006. Wise Diem said the in-person events raised took a foursome to the tournament for a more than $300,000 the previous three few years. years.

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Stocks benefit from cancer test breakthroughs — Amid the race to develop coronavirus tests, vaccines and treatments, many investors might overlook another realm of impressive medical breakthroughs. In the past five years, genomic blood testing has become a $6 billion-a-year market, mostly driven by tests such as “liquid biopsies” that allow patients with potentially cancerous tumors to avoid expensive and invasive surgery to remove sample tissue. Three promising companies are: • Exact Sciences (EXAS) had nearly $900 million in total revenues last year, mostly from two products — Cologuard,

an alternative to colonoscopies that screens stool samples for colon cancer, and Oncotype Dx, a genomic test that can predict which women with early-stage breast cancer will not benefit from chemotherapy. • Guardant Health (GH) makes liquid biopsy kits that test for mutations in the tumors of advanced cancer patients to enable proper therapy selection. • Natera (NTRA) tests monitor for relapses in breast and lung cancer and can identify recurrent tumors months before traditional methods such as CT scans. Source: BottomLineInc

June 8, 2021

HEALTH

Current in Westfield

www.currentinwestfield.com

Preventative foot care for men

DISPATCHES

Treatment of Hip & Knee Arthritis

Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan In honor of Men’s Health Month and Father’s Day, I’m focusing on PODIATRY preventative foot health for men this month. Must-have men’s foot care products • Good moisturizer: Men’s feet are notoriously dry, leading to cracked, bleeding heels. Buy a moisturizer — with urea — and use it every day. Apply cream right before bed. Then, slip on socks and let the feet soak up the moisture all night long. • Supportive orthotics: Whether standing or at a desk all day, men put lots of pressure on their feet, which can lead to foot pain. To take the weight off of the feet and keep arch and heel pain at bay, invest in a pair of orthotics.

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.

Walking for arthritis — Walking is so beneficial in fighting arthritis pain that it’s considered a natural medicine. Painful, stiff joints make it hard to get moving but moving is exactly what is needed for pain relief. For maximum benefits, you should try to walk at a moderate pace for at least 30 minutes every day. If 30 minutes is too much, start with less time and work up gradually. Source: American Journal of Public Health Sunscreen tip – Most skin cancers are a result of exposure to UV radiation. UV radiation comes in two forms – UVA and UVB. Sunscreen products list an SPF on the label, but the SPF only refers to protection from UVB rays. Make sure to buy products that are labeled as “broad spectrum” in order to obtain protection from both types of radiation. Source: fda.gov

Preventative care for men’s feet • Clean and dry the feet daily: Men often deal with athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that usually develops on the soles of the feet or between the toes. To avoid this problem, change socks every day and wash and dry feet at least once a day. Reduce the risk by spraying shoes with anti-fungal spray. • Keep them covered: Walking barefoot leaves feet open to fungal infections as well as injuries. It forces bare feet to absorb the full shock of walking, leading to heel and arch pain. To avoid this problem, always wear your shoes. • Watch for changes: Look at your feet regularly. A change in the color of the nails, a new bump on the side of the foot, or harder spots of skin, especially between or on the toes, are all signs of a problem. Contact our office right away. Just like you see your general physician once a year, check in annually with a podiatrist. And, when any discomfort or pain develops, it’s even more important to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. That way, a small issue with your feet won’t become a major problem.

We know good health can mean doing the activities you love. Do you suffer from hip or knee arthritis? At our free seminar we will discuss: • • • •

Nonsurgical treatment options Hip replacement Partial and total knee replacement Medical advancements which shorten operation recovery time

Presenter: Andrew Malin, MD When: Wednesday, June 30, 6-7 p.m. Location: Riverview Health, 395 Westfield Rd., Noblesville, IN 46060 Krieg DeVault conference room (entrance 3) Registration: Visit riverview.org/classes or call 317.776.7999. Registration is required. Attendees must wear masks.

Fiber to fight diabetes – New research shows that people who are willing to more than double the fiber in their diets from 16 to 37 grams per day can better control diabetes. It needs to be a high amount of diverse types of fibers. Getting nearly 40 grams may sound like a tall order, but it’s actually not that hard and it could make a radical difference in your blood sugar level by increasing insulin production. Source: BottomLineHealth.com Improve your focus – Do you have more trouble concentrating than you used to? Studies show that our attention spans are declining, largely due to the use of technology. We feel we have to respond to every text, alert and call immediately. Instead, try putting the phone on “do not disturb” mode for a few minutes when you need to focus on something else. You may find it easier to concentrate and you probably won’t miss anything truly important. Source: Cynthia Green, Ph.D. Helping loved ones recover – When a loved one is ill, you can help their recovery even if you have no medical training. When you talk to them, get an update and be sympathetic, but quickly shift to a positive, upbeat tone. Don’t talk about your own illnesses. Let the person know that you are looking forward to meeting for lunch, or some other outing, in the near future. Have a funny story or wonderful reminiscence to share. Laughter is a great healer, and it can make the recovering person’s day. Source: BottomLineHealth.com

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Center for the Performing Arts’ schedule features a mix of performers By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com The Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2021-22 Center Presents season schedule June 8. But MUSIC expect more to come is the message from President/CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott. “This is what is booked to date,” McDermott said. “There are still a number of artists who aren’t touring yet and are still trying to put tours together. We know we’ll be adding a number of shows as we go, just because there are ongoing tours that aren’t announced just yet.” Many national acts are waiting to see how the nation bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shut down much of the entertainment world since March 2020. The 2021-22 season opens with Rufus Wainwright and José González: Unfollow the Rules in the Local Valley Tour Sept. 25. The final announced show will feature Center for the Performing Arts Artistic Director Michael Feinstein and Sandi Patty May 7. Most of the announced shows will be at the Palladium, with some at The Tarkington. “COVID rules are still different in different states, so an artist touring in the Midwest, Michigan might have different rules than Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky,” McDermott said. “Some of the larger commercial artists are pointing their finger in the air and seeing which way the wind is blowing. We’re pretty excited about what we’ve booked so far. I think Randy Rainbow (Oct. 7) is going to be an interesting one. We always love Pink Martini (Oct. 23) and Postmodern Jukebox (Dec 10). Singer/ songwriter Ben Folds (Nov. 12) is going to be very well received, and that is one (performer) we’ve been trying to get for a number of years.” Folds is on a solo piano tour. “Our country fans will love Clint Black (Oct. 24), and those who enjoy gospel, Christian music, the Gaither Vocal Band (Nov. 7) is very popular with them,” McDer-

BEEF & BOARDS Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre will present “Smoke on the Mountain” through June 20. For more, visit beefandboards.com. FEINSTEIN’S Feinstein’s presents Don Farrell’s Frank Sinatra Tribute at 7:30 p.m. June 9 and Josh Kaufman at 7:30 p.m. June 12 at Feinstein’s at the Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com. IMPROBABLE FICTION THEATRE Improbable Fiction Theatre’s production of “Waiting for Godot” is set for 7 p.m. June 12 and 2 p.m. June 13 outdoors at Teter Retreat in Noblesville. For more, visit ftheatrecompany.org. LATE NIGHT ON MAIN

Clint Black will perform at the Palladium Oct. 24 as part of the 2021-22 Center Presents season. (Submitted photos)

Singer/songwriter Ben Folds will perform at the Palladium Nov. 12 as part of the 2021-22 Center Presents season.

mott said. Holiday concerts include Debby Boone (Dec. 4) and Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour (Dec. 11). “Dave Koz is popular and has become a tradition around here,” McDermott said. “We have some tribute bands coming in like 1964 The Tribute (The Beatles, March 11, 2022) and George Michael Tribute (March 5, 2022). When you can bring in Itzhak Perlman (April 9, 2022), who is one of the great violin virtuosos of our time, that is saying something as well.” Perlman, who made his debut on the “The Ed Sullivan Show” at age 13, has 16 Grammy Awards. “There is a lot to choose from here,” McDermott said. “We’re really focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, and we’re trying to make that stand out in our programing, making sure we’ve got something that will be attractive to our community and beyond. A bit of our theme is looking forward, and no one wants to look back at the last 15 months, other than lessons learned, and we did learn some. There are things we changed in how we do things that were out of necessity, but we’ll continue to do that because we

know they work. We’ve learned a lot about livestreaming capabilities. I don’t think anything beats coming to a show and seeing it in person.” The annual gala will be virtual and streamed live Sept. 18 from the Palladium. The event will feature Feinstein, a gospel choir and other performers and surprise guests. Donations and auction proceeds will support the Center’s artistic and educational programming. Among other highlights are Brubeck Brothers Quartet: Dave Brubeck Centennial Celebration, Oct. 2; The King’s Singers, Dec. 12; An Evening with David Sedaris, Dec. 15; The Company Men, Feb. 18, 2022; Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Feb. 27; and Peking Acrobats, March 26. Subscription sales will start June 8. Available subscription packages are Classical Series, Jazz Series, Songbook Series and Create Your Own Series (any three or more). Single-event tickets for 2021 shows go on sale to the general public Aug. 6. Single-event tickets for 2022 shows will be on sale later in the fall. For a full schedule, visit thecenterpresents.org.

City of Carmel will present Late Night on Main featuring Barometer Soup, a new Jimmy Buffett tribute band, at 9 p.m. June 11. For more, visit Carmel Arts and Design District page on Facebook.

Clay Terrace concert series set editorial@youarecurrent.com The LadyBug 11th annual Summer Concert Series continues with Stella Luna & the Satellites June 10 at The Lawn at Clay Terrace. The series opened with Groove Smash June 3. This year’s main stage acts will begin at 7 p.m. each Thursday, with the warm-up act on the community side stage set for 6 to 6:45 p.m. It is sponsored by Carmel Music Academy. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. The VIP Tent, presented by Prodigy Burger and Bar, will offer signature summer concert series cocktails. The rest of the concert series lineup includes: June 17: Dave & Rae; June 24: Endless Summer Band; July 1: Toy Factory; July 8: Jambox; July 15: Dwight Lightning and the Conch City All-Stars; July 22: Big Rosco & The Hammers; and July 29: My Yellow Rickshaw. The rain date is Aug. 5. The series is sponsored by LadyBug Pest and Wildlife Control.

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Red Barn opens with comedy By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Join us for a night of socially-distant fun with performances by Actors Theatre of Indiana!

Friday

JUNE 18

OUR FATHERS’ FAVORITES Please visit atistage.org for more information and to purchase tickets for this performance.

Red Barn Theatre artistic director Michael Taylor always enjoys directing a Michael Parker play for a few reasons. PLAY The Frankfort venue will present Michael Parker’s “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” from June 9 to 20. Taylor, who will direct the play, said Parker, who died in 2019, always called the director before the production of one of his plays began to wish him well and then sent a note after it started. “I loved that. There are not many playwrights that do that,” Taylor said. The playwright’s wife, Susan Parker, who also wrote plays with her husband, reached out to Taylor to let him know her husband had died. “She wished us well and it looks like she is going to continue that tradition,” said Taylor, a Frankfort High School theater teacher. The plot centers on a California billionaire’s only child, Constance, who assumes she will inherit her late father’s estate. But she learns that is not the case, and an

Director Michael Taylor works with actress Rochelle Meyers during rehearsal. (Submitted photo)

eccentric butler seems to be at the center of it. Like many of his plays, “Who’s in Bed with the Butler?” is a farce. “His stuff is very lighthearted,” Taylor said. “It’s great stuff for the summer. It’s the kind of show that if you had a bad day, you just want to relax and smile. That’s what this offers. All the shows this summer are light because I think the whole world needs it.” The production is the first since the 2020 season was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays. For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.

BTCA presents ‘Cinderella’ By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Natalie Heinemeyer understands it will be difficult to make her final performance with the Ballet Theatre of Carmel BALLET Academy. “I am focusing on the performance, but I know how much I will miss everyone,” said Heinemeyer, who has been with the BTCA since 2013. “I am thankful for our tight community at BTCA.” The 18-year-old Westfield resident will make her final appearance in the title role of “Cinderella” June 12 and 13 at Marian University in Indianapolis. The shows are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. each day. “This will be my first time as Cinderella,” said Heinemeyer, who will major in dance a Butler University in the fall. “I’m excited to bring this iconic character to life. After the past year, I am really looking forward to dancing on stage in an auditorium with an audience. I’ve missed performing. This will be my first time as Cinderella. I’m excited to bring this iconic character to life.” Heinemeyer will perform as Cinderella in the June 12 evening and June 13 mati-

Noblesville resident Stella Bubenzer performs in a few roles in “Cinderella.” (Photo by Jenny Danek)

nee. Elizabeth Brame, who just finished her junior year at Westfield High School, will perform as Cinderella in the other two performances. When not playing Cinderella, each will play the Fairy Godmother. Noblesville resident Stella Bubenzer, a 2021 graduate of Herron High School, plays the Arabian Princess in her final performance. “It’s a more mature role and I enjoy it,” said Bubenzer, who played Clara in “The Nutcracker” in 2020. Bubenzer has been with BTCA for two years. For more, visit ballettheatreofcarmel.org.

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Live at the Center 2021-22 events The Center for the Performing Arts is extending its popular Live at the Center livestream concert series CONCERTS through the 2021-22 season, with 12 monthly events featuring top local and regional artists. Along with the free livestreams that have drawn viewers from across the nation, the new season starting in July will welcome on-site audiences at $5 per person at the Carmel venue. Seating is limited. Tickets are on sale at thecenterpresents.org or 317-843-3800. Information on tickets and viewing options is available at thecenterpresents.org/ LATC. The newly announced performances from July 2021 through June 2022 are: The Indigos, alternative/funk-rock, 7:30 p.m. July 26, Palladium; Crescent Ulmer and the Tall Boys, folk-rock, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11, The Tarkington; and Josh Kaufman with Cliff Ritchey, singer-songwriter, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9, 2021,

The Indigos, an alternative funk/rock group, will appear at 7:30 p.m. July 26 in the Live at the Center series at the Palladium. (Submitted photo)

Palladium; Vickery Chamber Live, classical, 7 p.m. Oct. 10, Palladium; Strange Birds, Americana/country, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, The Tarkington; Gordon Bonham & Gene Deer, acoustic blues, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Studio Theater; Clint Breeze and the Groove, jazz/hip-hop, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13, 2022, Palladium; Zach DuBois, country, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 2022, Palladium; Native World, indie rock, 7:30 p.m. March 31, 2022, Palladium; The Brothers Footman, soul/rock, 7:30 p.m April 28, 2022, Palladium; Sophie Faught Quartet, jazz, 8 p.m. May 27, 2022, Palladium; Wife Patrol, alternative rock, 8 p.m. June 18, 2022, Palladium.

Big Hoffa’s adds ice cream shop By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Big Hoffa’s Freezery opened May 14 and will complement its famous barbecue menu with hand-dipped ice cream, DINING regular shakes and Insane Shakes. “We have these shakes called Insane Shakes, and they are massive 20 oz. cups of ice cream shapes topped with all different kinds of ingredients,” owner Adam Hoffman said. “One of them is called Tears of a Mermaid, and it has a cinnamon roll on top with cotton candy and donuts and sprinkles and whipped cream, and it stands about a footand-a-half tall.” There are eight Insane Shakes. They cost $15 each. The other ice cream items on the menu range from $3 to $7. Hoffman said he’s always wanted to open an ice cream shop inside of Big Hoffa’s, 800 E. Main St., Westfield. “I have been to different areas around the country that had those shakes and they’re really awesome and fun,” Hoffman said. “There’s not anything like that in the area. I wanted to bring something different to Hamilton County, and based on the things we do at Big Hoffa’s and our crazy creations over there, it was the perfect fit for us.”

Cool Creek series returns By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

editorial@youarecurrent.com

The Tears of a Mermaid Insane Shake is 1-1/2-foot tall and features a cinnamon roll, doughnut, cotton candy and other ingrediants. (Submitted photo)

The ice cream store is in front of the building, where Big Hoffa’s used to be. Big Hoffa’s manages the rest of the building, which opened the space for the Big Hoffa’s Freezery. Big Hoffa’s Freezery ice cream is made at Glover’s Ice Cream in Frankfort. Big Hoffa’s Freezery also sells ice cream pints to go. Big Hoffa’s Freezery is open 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que has different hours. For more, visit Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que on Facebook.

The Cool Creek Summer Concert Series returns with some old favorites and a newly formed band, CONCERTS “We always attempt to provide a mix of confirmed favorites and performers we’ve researched and feel our loyal fans would enjoy like Barometer Soup,” said Don Nicholls, resource development specialist for Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. “So far, that formula has proven successful.” The series, at Cool Creek Park in Westfield, opens June 11 with Dave and Rae. The series follows with: • June 18, Barometer Soup • July 9, 45 RPM • July 16, The Doo! Band • July 30, Stella Luna and the Satellites • Aug. 6, The Flying Toasters. Barometer Soup, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band which was formed earlier this year, features Tim Wright of the Wright Brothers, and Steve Greenberg, Current Publishing co-founder, as primary vocalists. The band features Dane Clark, who

has played drums for John Mellencamp since 1996, and Randy Melson, Sandi Patty’s bassist. The 12-member band is set up as a near replica of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. “We believe the Parrot Head Nation will be out in force at the park for this concert,” Nicholls said of Barometer Soup. The 2020 series was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “At this time, we are hoping to put on the concerts without crowd restrictions,” Nicholls said. “We will be paying close attention to state and local health officials’ recommendations. One thing 2020 taught everyone responsible for planning community events is to expect the unexpected. Even though we hope the worst of the pandemic is behind us, HCPR is not assuming anything and refuses to let its guard down. The event planning team has made, and continues to make, decisions related to concert activities designed to keep not only everyone safe, but comfortable as well.” The concerts begin at 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

SUMMER

CONCERT SERIES JUNE 3RD - AUGUST 5TH 7-9PM EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT Visit ClayTerrace.com for full band line up SPONSORED BY

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Twenty Tap The spicy crispy southern chicken sandwich is made with in-house hot sauce. (Photo by Anna Skinner)

Commentary by Anna Skinner

FRIDAY, JUNE 18

GATES: 4PM | MATCH: 6PM

Hickory Hall Polo Club 7551 E 100 N, Whitestown, IN 46075

Address: 5406 N. College Ave., Indianapolis What to get: Crispy southern chicken Price: $13 Anna’s take: I recently went to Twenty Tap in Broad Ripple for a Current Publishing editors’ night out. Although I’ve never been, I was pleased with the spicy crispy southern chicken sandwich that I ordered. The sandwich is available regular or spicy, and if you’re a frequent reader of this column, you know I enjoy spicy. I was very pleased

with how hot the in-house hot sauce was, and if you’re sensitive to spicy things, I would suggest ordering the regular version because the spicy one definitely cleared my sinuses. The breaded chicken breast is topped with Bibb lettuce, tomatoes, house pickles and a black pepper aioli and served with a side of fries. As its name implies, Twenty Tap sells beers on tap, although according to its website, it has 38 offerings rather than 20. Regardless, it had some unique offerings. The Bare Hands Thai PA, a Thai-spiced IPA, paired wonderfully with the heat of the chicken.

Behind bars: Jackson was a Rapper Get it at Hotel Tango, Zionsville Ingredients: 1 oz. vodka, 1 oz. orangecello, .5 oz. lime juice, .5 oz. tangerine, ginger simple syrup, 1 dash grapefruit bitters, orange swath, rosemary sprig Directions: Shake liquid ingredients together, express an orange swath in a chilled coupe glass and serve neat, then garnish with the rosemary.