October 10, 2023 — Westfield

Opinions

About us

Three candidates are running for two at-large seats on the Westfield City Council in the Nov. 7 municipal election: Republican Kurt Wanniger, former director of Public Works, Republican Chad Huff, a small business owner, and Democrat Gary Lane, executive director of Statewide Lab Business Operations for IU Health.

TOP CAMPAIGN ISSUES?

Lane: My top issues are about future growth. We need to develop a plan to guide our growth over the coming decades — a plan that includes how we will get more commercial development to diversify our tax base. We need more transparency for our citizens to know and weigh in on key decisions. We need investment in our infrastructure (fire, police, and roads/ trails) now while we build towards this future.

ment, resources and training for our public safety departments, especially fire. And responsible development. We have to broaden our commercial tax base in order to keep taxes low for our residents.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WESTFIELD’S FINANCIAL HEALTH?

Lane: Westfield is financially healthy from a debt perspective, but we can do better. We are currently missing out on opportunities for federal funds because of our absence of a parks board and haven’t capitalized on all the general bonds we can access for Fire equipment so that it doesn’t come out of our operating budget. We would also benefit from standard guidelines for how TIF paybacks are evaluated.

profits, churches and businesses to provide social activities and support services for seniors to rely on.

Huff: Westfield’s role in supporting our senior citizens should be comprehensive and collaborative, involving nonprofit organizations, health care providers and the community. By including everyone, we can create an environment that promotes active, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyles for our senior population. We do have some transportation, health care services and social activities, but we can evaluate where there needs to be improvement.

HOW WOULD YOU DECIDE IF YOU SUPPORT A PROPOSED PROJECT IN WESTFIELD?

Lane: I intend to evaluate projects with the analytical rigor that I’ve used throughout my career. While there are more dimensions to decisions than just financial, everything comes down to a weighing of the costs and benefits and how they align to the priorities of the organization. This is why the formulation of a future plan is key. It allows us to ask if a certain decision helps or hinders the plan.

Wanniger

Wanniger: Putting Westfield residents first. I will work to restore confidence in the Westfield City Council through respect and transparency. I am committed to making a positive impact on the residents of Westfield by being transparent and accountable with taxpayer dollars. Westfield’s growth is inevitable. The council must prepare for that growth, plan with all residents’ best interests in mind and be thoughtful with our decisions.

Huff: Community connection. Utilizing my deep understanding of the history, roots and potential for Westfield to encourage cross-generational collaboration. Strategic Infrastructure. I will advocate for roads that support Westfield’s current and future population. Ample parking is also necessary to support local businesses. Additionally, Westfield needs reliable and effective equip-

Wanniger: Westfield’s financial health needs a better balance. Currently, Westfield is heavily reliant on the residential one percent property tax base for single family and two percent multifamily property tax base, which makes Westfield vulnerable to assessed valuation and changes in state legislation. To be more fiscally sound, it is critical that Westfield build a good balance between residential and commercial tax base, which is assessed at three percent.

Huff: Westfield’s financial health has much room for improvement. We’re lacking in funding for infrastructure that supports our city as well as an adequate amount of public safety employees, resources, equipment and training. This can be fixed by broadening our commercial tax base.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE CITY’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING ITS SENIOR CITIZEN RESIDENTS?

Lane: The support of senior citizens needs to be a part of the future plan. Active adult communities are being developed all across Westfield in addition to our seniors who have spent their lives in the community. We will need to invest in the amenities that this group of citizens needs no differently than we’ve invested in our schools.

Wanniger: A city should support their senior citizens in aging healthily with the properly supporting businesses and facilities readily available in their community. The city should also partner with not-for-

Wanniger: What is best for Westfield, is how I would consider if a development project is beneficial both short-term and long-term. I would consider what benefit it would bring to our community, the potential positive and negative impacts, as well as whether it is the right fit for the location and for the surrounding community.

Huff: We have to start with a commitment to welcoming back developers and companies that know and understand Westfield’s vision for success. However, before we can do any of that, Westfield needs to strategically identify which pockets of the city we want developed with which types of development. I will thoroughly consider all angles and outcomes of projects presented to the council.

HOW CAN VOTERS LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU?

Lane: Gary4Westfield.com

Wanniger: wanningerforcouncil.com

Huff: huffforwestfield.com

To read an extended version of this questionnaire, visit youarecurrent.com.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS AT...

Meet the District 4 candidates

news@currentinwestfield.com

Westfield City Council District 4 will have a new representative in 2024.

has been very ineffective and has poorly served the residents of Westfield in the last four years.

Experience an active lifestyle at its best, where every day brings new opportunities for happiness, longevity, and renewed vitality.

• Wooded, waterfront views and various floor plans

• Pedestrian and pet-friendly walking paths and natural trails

• Fully equipped fitness center with personal training

• Social activities and trips organized by our Lifestyle Director

• Swimming pool, perfect for laps or fun in the sun

ELECTION

Republican Patrick Tamm, a small business owner and president/CEO of the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association, is facing Democrat Alexis Lowry, a nutrition coach and owner of Triple L Fit, LLC, in the Nov. 7 general election.

The candidates answered the following questions from Current.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP CAMPAIGN ISSUES?

Lowry: Ensuring Westfield offers good job opportunities, ample family activities and abundant outdoor spaces. Prioritizing a diversified tax base through increased commercial development. And addressing concerns about infrastructure amidst rapid growth, striving for balanced expansion while upholding adequate infrastructure.

Tamm: A unique and well thought out plan for Westfield should reflect a city that prides itself on a high quality of life. Westfield can lower taxes for residents through a diversified tax base that includes attracting businesses and unique organizations to our city. And a council that approaches each decision with a commonsense approach will make Westfield a successful city.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WESTFIELD’S FINANCIAL HEALTH?

Lowry: Our city’s financial health is looking really good. There are some things that are dictated by the state, but we could do even better by diversifying our tax base to take some of the load off homeowners and share the burden with commercial development. Our financial health, in part, comes at the cost of our first responders — we need to take care of those who take care of us, and we are not doing that nearly as well as we could.

Tamm: We are in a fragile position due to our over-reliance on our residential tax base. We are behind in a comprehensive plan; economic development, infrastructure plans for roads, firefighter staffing levels, public safety compensation, and parks — to name a few. In particular, our community

WHAT SHOULD BE THE CITY’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING ITS SENIOR CITIZEN RESIDENTS?

Lowry: Supporting our seniors is just the right thing to do. Many are on fixed incomes, some are disabled and others lack nearby family support. It’s about showing respect and gratitude to those who’ve enriched our community. We need strong partnerships with organizations to help seniors comfortably stay in Westfield, their much-loved home. This includes crucial services like affordable housing, accessible transportation, healthcare resources and the importance of a lively senior center, offering a warm and engaging community space for our elderly residents.

Tamm: We can enhance our city by investing in community parks, open spaces and trail systems while also fostering vibrant districts that appeal to all generations. By attracting innovative employers, we can retain and attract young residents, their children and grandchildren, to ensure Westfield’s continued prosperity and longevity.

WHAT DO YOU WANT VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Lowry: I am a lifelong Westfield resident and the only mom running for city council. Your well-being is my absolute priority. I am dedicated to representing your interests and building meaningful relationships. With the qualifications to effectively address our city’s challenges, my track record reflects a commitment to treating people with respect and kindness, even when we disagree. My deep love for Westfield fuels my vision for a place where not only my children but also the next generation can work, live and play.

Tamm: I am the only candidate in this district with the relevant experience and knowledge needed to lead Westfield into the future. I want to focus on growing a strong quality of life in Westfield that builds upon what we already have in place. Also in my vision is creating a more diversified tax base to lower taxes for residents. I intend to lead by being transparent and team oriented.

HOW CAN VOTERS LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU?

Lowry: alexisforwestfield.com

Tamm: tammforwestfield.com

To read an extend version of this questionnaire, visit youarecurrent.com.

Lowry

Tamm

HSE sophomore has been key to girls soccer team’s success

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern High School sophomore girls soccer player Sloane May has made up for lost time.

Hampered by an ankle injury her freshman season, May has been a force this fall.

Entering the sectional, the forward had five game-winners for Hoosier Crossroads Conference champion Hamilton Southeastern this season. She had teamhighs of 10 goals and seven assists.

“Sloane has a knack for taking players on and finding her goal,” Royals coach Greg Davidson said. “When the game is on the line, Sloane has certainly stepped up for the Royals. Her biggest improvement is that although only a 10th-grader, she is willing to take the team on her shoulders and get the big goal when needed.”

May said the team focuses on grit.

“We’ve had a few games when we’ve gone down and I think us working together

MEET SLOANE MAY

Favorite athlete: Mallory Pugh Swanson

Favorite subject: Spanish

Favorite musician: Drake

Favorite vacation spot: Costa Rica

and persevering has been really good for us,” May said. “We’ve been able to get some last-second goals in to secure the win.”

May was a starter as a freshman but sprained her ankle in the opening game.

“It bothered me, and I was never strong and healthy for the season,” May said. “I played four or five games but was hurt in all of them. (The sprain) was just reoccurring.”

She said she did physical therapy and has been healthy since December. She plays

club soccer for Indiana Premier Soccer Club.

“There are a lot of girls on my club team that play on my high school team,” May said. “Just being able to play with them and play with them in high school, too, has been going really well because we just have so

much chemistry. We’re working together and encouraging each other. I know the other players have been key for the mental aspect for me and on the field.”

May said it’s helped that she and her teammates play against a high level of competition year-round.

“We push each other in practice to play high intensity and push each other in games because we know what we’re capable of,” May said.

May said she started playing soccer when she was 3 years old.

“I played volleyball and basketball, but I’ve always enjoyed soccer more than other sports,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to succeed in soccer and focus on soccer so I could pursue my goals.”

She stopped playing basketball in fifth grade and volleyball in sixth grade.

“I’ve been fortunate with amazing soccer coaches throughout my entire journey, which have helped me create a passion for soccer and helped me pursue my goals,” said May, who wants to play soccer in college.

Her younger sister, Sydney, plays soccer and will be a HSE freshman next year.

Sloane May has been a clutch performer for the Hamilton Southeastern High School girls soccer team. (Photo courtesy of Marcus Laux)

WHS senior captures state girls golf title

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Westfield High School senior Samantha Brown has been one of the best golfers in the state throughout her career.

SPORTS

But by her own admission, she had not played well in the IHSAA state finals. That changed in her final appearance.

Brown won the IHSAA individual state title with a combined 2-under par 142 Sept. 30 at the Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.

Brown, who helped her team place second, shot a 68 in the first round Sept. 29 and didn’t have a bogey for the first time in her career. She finished with a 74 in the final round.

She said her confidence was high because she had been playing well entering the finals.

“I knew I could do it,” said Brown, who has committed to play for Purdue University next season. “I had some good results this summer and I’ve been hitting the ball really well. I just tried to continue hitting the greens and sticking to my process.”

After her bogey-free round, Brown had two bogeys in the final round, both in the final nine holes.

“I made a few good putts for par on the front nine, like from 5, 6, 7 feet,” she said. “But we got to the back nine, and I could not make anything. It was like tap-ins all day.”

Westfield coach Josh Bryant said there

is a lot of pressure for standout players to do well for their schools. But Bryant said Brown’s great first round eased that pressure.

“Our goal all season talking about the state finals was to limit ourselves to a couple bogeys over the two days and hit a lot of greens, and she did exactly that,” Bryant said.

“So, I couldn’t be more proud of her. She’s going to finish her career having won 50 percent of all the events she played in high school. That’s her 24th individual title.”

Brown had finished tied for seventh in the state finals in 2020, tied for 13th in 2021 and tied for sixth last year.

The Shamrocks finished with a score of 617, nine strokes more than state champion Carmel. Westfield had led by one stroke halfway through the second round.

Shamrocks junior Addi Kooi finished in a four-way tie for second with a pair of 73s for a 146 total. It’s the first time since Yorktown did it in 1976 that one team had players finish in first and second.

“Sometimes you get beat and Carmel deserved to win,” Bryant said. “They played awesome.”

Senior Samantha Lemieux had a 164 total for the Shamrocks. Sophomore teammate Kelsey Haverluck was right behind at 165.  The fifth golfer was sophomore Samantha Hanavan (180 total).

“We hope to reload with Addi, Kelsey and Samantha Hanavan,” Bryant said. “They got experience and high-level ability.”

The Westfield High School girls golf team with its state runner-up trophy. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Brown

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Township Trustee to become mayor-elect’s chief of staff

By Amy Adams amy@youarecurrent.com

Scott Willis, mayor-elect of Westfield, has selected Danielle Carey Tolan to be his chief of staff when he takes office Jan. 1, 2024.

CITY NEWS

Carey Tolan, a fifth-generation Westfield resident, is leading Willis’ transition team. She is currently serving in her third term as Westfield Washington Township Trustee and was named as the 2021 Trustee of the Year by the Indiana Township Association.

“Danielle Carey Tolan is a respected, strategic leader with deep roots in Westfield and a vision for what our community can become,” Willis said. “She will bring talent, successful relationships and strong leadership skills to this critical role. She has experience bridging the gap between governmental services and nonprofit efforts to strengthen our community.”

Technically, Carey Tolan could stay on

as trustee since her term doesn’t end until Dec. 2026.

“I don’t see that happening,” Carey Tolan said.

Although no decision has been made, Carey Tolan anticipates there will be a caucus at a later date to fill the position she will be vacating.

“I’m honored to be selected to serve the community I love,” Carey Tolan said. “We are at an important point in Westfield’s history, and I am uniquely positioned to help with our next stage, as a steward of our past with a vision for our future.”

Carey Tolan has more than 20 years of experience working in the government and nonprofit sectors. She has served on numerous boards and committees throughout Westfield, Hamilton County and Indiana.

The City of Westfield has a staff of 272, including public safety, and an annual budget of $60.3 million. Willis plans to focus on economic development, public safety, infrastructure and community engagement.

ONE HAS MORE CREDIBLE REVIEWS THAN US.

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Carey Tolan

Newest councilmember named

By Amy Adams amy@youarecurrent.com

also running uncontested in November, will take the council seat for District 3 at that time.

“Now, I will be able to listen and learn, and that’s my plan,” McCarty said.

GOVERNMENT

In a closed caucus on Oct. 2, the Hamilton County Republican Party voted to elect Victor McCarty to fill the Westfield City Council seat for District 3 vacated by the passing of longtime public servant Joe Edwards in September.

“I have had great respect for Joe as I see myself following in his footsteps,” McCarty wrote on his Facebook page. “It is a great honor to serve District 3 in his memory.”

McCarty is still running uncontested in the Nov. 7 general election for city councilor representing District 2. He is the only future councilor who lives within the District 3 lines as they were defined when Edwards was elected in 2019 and will serve the residents in District 3 through the end of the year.

In January, McCarty will move into the seat of city councilor for District 2 under updated district lines. Joe Duepner, who is

In light of his new position, McCarty tendered his resignation effective immediately on the Westfield Advisory Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.

“I tremendously appreciated my time on both the APC and the BZA,” McCarty said. “It helped me learn what I needed to in order to prepare myself for my role on city council.”

At the regularly scheduled APC meeting that was held within an hour of McCarty’s resignation, commission Vice President Ginny Kelleher expressed gratitude to McCarty for his service with the commission since he was appointed by Mayor Andy Cook in 2020. Other commissioners echoed her sentiments.

There is no word yet on whether either the APC or the BZA will ask Cook to appoint anyone to fill McCarty’s position until the end of the year.

McCarty

WESTFIELD

Project: Monon Trail Closure

Location: A section of the Monon Trail along Wheeler Road just south of Virginia Rose Avenue will be closed for improvements for eight weeks. Improvements include a new entrance to Wheelhouse Apartments (off of Wheeler Rd.) and a paver section of the Monon.

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

closed to construct the future 196th Street roundabout. The Chester Cemetery will be temporarily accessible through Chatham Villages subdivision during construction.

Project: Library/township office

construction

Location: Corner of Park and Poplar streets

Project: New roundabout

Location: The intersection of 161st Street and Oak Road will be closed for 60 days beginning on or after Monday, Sept. 11, to construct a roundabout.

Project: Natalie Wheel Trail Closure

Location: Natalie Wheeler Trail between 161st Street and Woodside Drive is closed until further notice. Please follow detour signage to the Monon Trail during this closure.

Project: 175th Street and Oak Ridge Road

Lane Restrictions

Location: An intersection improvement project at 175th Street and Oak Ridge Road was scheduled to begin this Wednesday, Oct. 4. There will be temporary lane restrictions while work is completed.

Project: 196th Street Closure

Location: A section of 196th Street east of Tomlinson Road is closed and will remain

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

Project: New roundabout

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

ZIONSVILLE

Project: INDOT’s 421 Forward

Location: The proposed project will begin approximately 2.91 miles north of I-465 (just north of Greenfield/Templin Road) and extend north for approximately 2.9 miles along US 421 to a point approximately 2.86 miles south of SR 32. The proposed project is anticipated to consist of various roadway improvements.

Expected Completion: The project is expected to be completed Nov. 6.

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Each course is a five-week night program, meeting one time per week and based at the Student Impact in Westfield Indiana. (Students may attend in-person or on-line).

Our courses are led exclusively by successful business owners who also have US Marine, US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) or high-ranking US military experience. Champion’s Path is a disabled veteran owned small business, based in Westfield, Indiana. We are dedicated to helping young adults find a great career and an honorable future!

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DISPATCHES

Update on Mayor Cook — The City of Westfield announced that Mayor Andy Cook was discharged from the hospital Oct. 1 after being treated for COVID-19 and other complications.

Best High School — Once again, Westfield High School has been named a Best High School by U.S. News and World Report for 2023-24. Out of nearly 25,000 public high schools, WHS earned a ranking in the top 10% nationwide based on state-required tests, graduation rates and other objective data sources. This ranks WHS as No. 5 in the Indianapolis Metro Area, No. 8 in Indiana and No. 552 in the nation.

Market District Breaks Ground — Though no official event was held, Pittsburgh-based Grand Eagle broke ground early this month on a 6-acre site at the northeast corner of Grand Park Boulevard and Tournament Trail for a nearly 50,000-square-foot Market District supermarket. Grand Eagle anticipates completion in the second half of 2024.

Bulk Trash Day — Heavy Trash and Bulk Item Drop-Off Day will be 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 14 at 2706 E. 171st St. Citizens can dispose of many items not included in weekly trash and recycling services at no charge. Unacceptable items include paint, construction/demolition debris, prescription medicine, light bulbs, propane tanks, bio-hazardous material and chemicals. Cash only fees will apply: $5 for mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic), $5 for tires, and $10 for truck tires. TVs and monitors will incur a $20 fee payable by cash or check. Bring your City of Westfield trash/stormwater bill to prove residency. Check details at westfield.in.gov/.

Kids Coats — Kids Coats collects gently used coats for children in Hamilton County. Families who live in the Westfield Washington School District and have kids up to age 19 can register at no cost to pick up coats at Cross Roads Church at Westfield at 19201 Grassy Branch Rd. Email registration@ kidscoats.org or call 317-324-8818 for an appointment. Registration ends Oct. 15.

Student Impact Basketball — This year’s Student Impact basketball leagues will run Friday evenings from late Oct. to late Feb. at The Pacer’s Athletic Center at 200 E. 186th St. at Grand Park. Scholarships are available. Register at therockwestfield.org/ basketball.

WMS welcomes new principal

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

Westfield Middle School’s new principal, Stacey Swan, wants to build a legacy for helping the youth.

EDUCATION

“I want people to say I care for kids and that I would do whatever it takes to help a student and the staff because they’re helping the kids,” Swan said.

Swan started her position as Westfield Middle School’s new principal at the start of the 2023-24 school year after the previous principal, Mike Hall, was named director of operations for Westfield Washington Schools. He began the role in July.

Before joining WMS, Swan had been the principal at Fall Creek Junior High School since 2019. Prior to that, she was the principal at Noblesville West Middle School from 2012 to 2019. She said she has a passion for working with middle school students because she didn’t enjoy middle school when she was a student.

“I had a terrible middle school experience,” Swan said. “If I can make this time better for one kid, then I’ve done my job in

life.”

Swan said her administrative experience at other schools will help her navigate WMS through the challenges that the project Destination Westfield will present. The project includes moving all sixth- through eighth-grade students in the district to WMS at some point in the future.

“We need to make sure we have our structures aligned and our practices aligned,” Swan said. “We want to make sure we get things kind of solidly in place here at this middle school so then in three years we can duplicate it.”

Westfield Middle School Principal Stacey Swan, right, with WMS eighth-grade student Ellie Rotterman. (Photo by Edward Redd)

LIBRARY HOSTS COLUMN-SIGNING CEREMONY

The Westfield Washington Public Library hosted a column signing at the construction site of its new library building Sept. 28. Library staff and supporters took turns signing one of the steel columns that will become a permanent part of the library’s structure. Construction of the 43,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is more than 50 percent complete. It is expected to be complete by next summer. For more, visit wwpl.lib.in.us.

From left, Westfield residents Eleanor Burch, Sarah Burch and Sophia Burch.

“Keith has represented me in the sale and purchase of three very different homes. Each time Keith’s knowledge and professionalism was extraordinary. This included fluid communication between Keith and his staff and I at every step of each transaction. His personable approach is reassuring, and he understands the very personal (and sometimes emotional) side of buying, selling and moving. Even after each transaction, Keith and his team followed up with phone calls, texts and emails to inquire about any concerns. I cannot recommend Keith highly enough.”

OFFICE:

Westfield residents Harrison Montgomery and his brother Iverson Montgomery were among the approximately 70 people who attended the column-signing ceremony.

(Photos by Edward Redd)

(Left) Residents from Westfield and the surrounding area, like Indianapolis resident Iverson Montgomery, signed the new Westfield Public Library’s steel columns.

Local Solutions to a National Workforce Challenge

WYSI hires executive director

How

The Pursuit Institute is generating a pipeline of talent for advanced manufacturing

Kristopher Subler, Senior Consultant at TPMA

Recently I had the oppportunity to facilitate multiple town hall discussions with local manufacturers, educators and other stakeholders on the state of the advanced manufacturing workforce in their region.

The objective of these town halls was to determine the workforce and training needs of regional manufacturers. As we surveyed the room, it became clear that everyone acknowledged the need for a highly-skilled, well-trained workforce to fill the growing demand for jobs in the sector. However, when asked who would recommend a manufacturing career to their child, few hands were raised.

The demand for advanced manufacturing jobs in Indiana is real. According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, over 9,100 new manufacturing jobs are projected to be in demand by 2031 in Indiana– an increase of 1.7%.

A prospective workforce needs the tools and resources to not only know about the jobs in advanced manufacturing, but also what it takes for them to be successful. A career pathway provides an overview of the career opportunities within an industry and details the education and training, wage outlook, and skills needed to succeed.

Take entry-level jobs in manufacturing. The average annual wage for workers aged 19-21 was over $46,000 in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Entry-level skills can be developed at the high school level through career and technical education (CTE) where students can earn stackable, industryrecognized credentials.

According to a recent workforce study completed by Conexus Indiana, fewer than 6 in 100 students are enrolled in an advanced manufacturing or logistics CTE course in Indiana. Hamilton County is positioned to reverse that trend.

The Pursuit Institute (TPI) offers

Hamilton County students the opportunity to pursue their career pathway into advanced manufacturing, among other industries. TPI is focused on delivering CTE courses onsite at local businesses and community partners, which leads to credentials and skills. TPI is changing the way that education and industry collaborate, and students benefit from opportunities afforded by this deliberate partnership. (can we pull this out as a pull quote in the article?)

We change the perception of career pathways and advanced manufacturing by bringing it to the people: offer facility tours to families and teachers; offer hands-on, work-based learning opportunities; provide the opportunity for students to “dip their toe in the water” by enrolling them in a course; and promote returnships by capturing success stories of students who pursued and were successful in a manufacturing career.

Through career pathways and partners like The Pursuit Institute, we can begin paving the way for a strong, resilient workforce.

Kristopher Subler is a Senior Consultant at TPMA, an Indianapolis-based consulting firm that specializes in workforce development, economic development, education, and research/evaluation.

By Holly Saddler news@currentinwestfield.com

to grow the organization.”

ATHLETICS

Westfield Youth Sports Inc. has named Molly Wright as its first executive director. Previously, the nonprofit youth sports organization was led by a volunteer board of directors. The board created the executive director position to help WYSI expand.

“We’re growing at a pace that has made it increasingly challenging for volunteers to manage without fulltime support,” said John Moore, WYSI board of directors’ president.

As WYSI’s first full-time employee, Wright will focus on the day-to-day operations and oversee strategic planning, program development and fundraising. She began her new role Oct. 1.

“She knows the organization very well and her background is in sports,” Moore said. “She is someone we trust. She is a workhorse and we know that she is going

Prior to joining WYSI, Wright was the senior director of youth programming for the Indiana Sports Corp., where she oversaw events in Indianapolis, including the Big Ten football championship game, Big Ten basketball tournaments, NCAA events and Olympic Trials. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Butler University and has served on the WYSI board of directors for three years.

“I am passionate about sports and recreation, and I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to participate in activities that they enjoy,” Wright said.

Wright also said she looks forward to working with a wide variety of people within WYSI and in the Westfield community.

A Noblesville native, Wright lives in Westfield with her husband and five children, who she has coached in various sports.

WYSI provides youth sports programs to children of all ages and abilities within the Westfield community.

Wright

To learn more The Pursuit Institute, scan our QR code.

“TPI is changing the way that education and industry collaborate, and students benefit from opportunities afforded by this deliberate partnership.”

– KRISTOPHER SUBLER

COMMUNITY

Early voting begins Oct. 11

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

• 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26, and Nov. 1 and 2; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28, and Nov. 3 and 4

Jill Perelman Pavilion, 3000 W. 116th St., Carmel

ELECTION

Early voting for the Nov. 7 general election will run from Oct. 11 to Nov. 6 at several sites in Hamilton County. Registered voters who live in the county may vote at any site during early voting. On Election Day, voters must cast a ballot at their designated polling location. Check voter registration status at indianavoters.in.gov or by calling 317-776-9632.

Early voting is available at: Hamilton County Judicial Center, 1 Hamilton County Square, Noblesville

• 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11 to 13, Oct. 16 to 20, Oct. 23 to 27, Oct. 30 to Nov. 3; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 and Nov. 4; 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 6

Hamilton County Fairgrounds, Hall C, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 to 13, Oct. 16 to 20, Oct. 23 to 28 and Oct. 30 to Nov. 4; 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 6

Wilfong Pavilion at Founders Park, 11675 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Building A, Carmel

• 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26, and Nov. 1 and 2; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28, and Nov. 3 and 4

Westfield City Hall, 130 Penn St., Westfield

• 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26, and Nov. 1 and 2; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28, and Nov. 3 and 4

Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000-1 E. 151st St., Westfield

• 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26, and Nov. 1 and 2; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28, and Nov. 3 and 4

Roy G. Holland Memorial Park Building, 1 Park Dr., Fishers

• 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26, and Nov. 1 and 2; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28, and Nov. 3 and 4

Billericay Park Building, 12690 Promise Rd., Fishers

• 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26, and Nov. 1 and 2; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28, and Nov. 3 and 4

Former councilor remembered

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

To Hamilton County Republican Chairman Mario Massillamany, Meredith L. Carter was a beloved member of his party and a devoted Hamilton County Council member.

IN MEMORIAM

A Carmel resident, Carter died Sept. 5 at age 87 surrounded by family. Carter began his 32-year stint on the Hamilton County Council in 1983, serving District 1, part of Clay Township.

“He spent over 30 years helping the Hamilton County Republican Party and Hamilton County Council,” Massilamany said. “He made contributions in making Hamilton County one of the best places to live. He was (one) of the people who had the idea of developing Hamilton County from a sleepy little bedroom community to the vibrant community it is today.”

Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman served with Carter as a councilmember for six years in the ’90s and worked with him when she became a commissioner.

“Meredith was always a champion of

protecting the underserved in the county, whether insisting that public defenders were adequately funded to assure a fair trial or that those who might have developmental disabilities had opportunities to succeed with securing consistent county funding for Janus Developmental Services,” Altman said. “He was a strong and fair public servant and will be missed.”

Carter served as the vice president/chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis from 1983-2004. He had been named the academic dean of Ivy Tech in 1971.

Councilor Brad Beaver joined the county council more than two decades ago after Carter was already on it.

“He always wanted everyone to do the best they could,” Beaver said. “We became fast friends. He was a good guy and a good public servant.”

He said Carter never had a political agenda.

“He always had the best interest of Hamilton County at heart,” Beaver said.

Carter was married to Nellie for 60 years. He also is survived by three sons, Chad, Todd and Michael, seven grandchildren and nine siblings.

Carter

Pumpkin Funktion returns along with other fall events in Westfield

By Holly Saddler news@currentinwestfield.com

Welcome Westfield has announced the return of Pumpkin Funktion at Grand Junction Plaza from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 21. The free event invites attendees to participate in family-friendly activities, fall-related carnival games and more. Although the event is mostly fall themed, it does have Halloween elements such as the Funky Fun House — a kid-friendly haunted house inside the café building. Other activities include balloon twisters, face painters, a palm reader, a professional pumpkin carver, a caricature artist, a stilt walker, a silly scarecrow, pumpkin tic-tac-toe and checkers and carnival games with prizes.

“Although Pumpkin Funktion is not a trick-or-treating event, attendees are more than welcome to show up in their Halloween costumes to add to the festive atmosphere,” said Kelley Wells, Westfield Welcome’s community event coordinator. “This is our second annual Pumpkin Funktion event. Last year’s event was a huge success, and we hope to see another big turnout this year. We are hoping to see around 1,000 or more attendees.”

Admission is free and all attractions are free. Food and retails items from vendors will be available for purchase. Food vendors include Kona Ice, Indie Coffee Roasters, Queso’s Taco Truck, Scott Diggity Dogs, Envara Grill, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, Chef Karyn and The Cotton Candy Bar.

Free parking will be available at the far west end of Park Street. A free shuttle also will be available to and from Westfield Intermediate school.

For more, visit westfieldwelcome.com/ pumpkin-funktion.

IF YOU GO

When: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 21

Where: Grand Junction Plaza, 225

S. Union St., Westfield

Admission: Free

OTHER FALL ACTIVITIES

DRIVE-THRU HALLOWEEN BARN

New displays feature Hotel Transylvania, Alice in Wonderland, Shrek and more. Each child will receive candy, and some nights

Drive-thru nights 7:30-9 p.m. Oct. 20, 21 and 27 and 7:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Walk-thru night 7:30-9 p.m Oct. 28

Where: 2060 W. 291st St., Sheridan

Cost: $15 per carload to drive-thru; $20 per carload to walk through For more: facebook.com/OurBarn2020

HALLOWEEN IN THE PLAZA

Trick or Treating at Grand Junction Plaza hosted by the Westfield Chamber of Commerce and NSpire Church followed by Movies in the Plaza brought to you by Community First Bank of Indiana.

When: Trick or treating from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 27; “Halloweentown” showing begins at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St., Westfield.

Cost: Free

For more: westfieldwelcome.com/trick-or-treating

HISTORIC UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WALK

Walking tour filled with stories of ghosts of the Underground Railroad mixed with modern-day gangsters and spirits from Westfield’s haunted history.

When: 7-11 p.m. Oct. 14, 20, 27 & 31

Where: Westfield City Hall, 130 Penn St., Westfield

Cost: Reservations required. $23 ages 10 and older, seniors 65 and older $20

For more: 317-840-6456 or Unseenpress.com

In search of equilibrium

Commentary by Terry Anker

Trying to keep my brain alive

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

ESSAY

The squeeze is on. It happens in most things. A competitive sporting event might find the participants in a vice between a soon-to-expire clock and a run down the field that might require more than the time remaining. The young paramour might find his inability to make a decision at odds with the object of his affection’s desire to elevate their relationship to something more permanent. The pressure to commit is palpable. At home, many of us feel the tension between increasing prices and stagnant income. How can we hold our position against the forces pulling against us? Are we doomed to living a lower standard of life than we were just a few weeks ago? Can we stop the bleeding?

That cabal of bankers around the world that sets the rates of interest for borrowers of all sorts has continued to ramp up the cost of debt. For Americans, it tends to manifest most immediately in credit cards, where the rates can move up without constraint. One of the nation’s largest pro-

viders of consumer credit now demands 25.24 percent interest on balances and 29.99 percent for cash. A loan shark might blush. Affordable payments that were once attacking principle are now insufficient to cover interest.

In December of 2021, many — including this writer — called out the looming problem on the horizon. To be sure, some of us overspend, some are debt-free and others still are caught in the vortex of changes to their financial situation that are beyond control and prediction. The question, it might seem, is how and if we share in the cost? Do we demand higher wages, thus higher costs of goods and services for our customers? In turn, do they do the same? Who sacrifices the most? With winners and losers, what is the best equilibrium?

Jumping through Hulu hoops

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

I am so irritated right now. I just wanted to have a nice morning sipping coffee and Googling dream vacations while Ryder Cup matches played quietly in the background. But no. Stupid Hulu has decided to mess with me, and my husband, Doo, has made it worse. Here’s the lowdown. For some reason when I switched on the TV, Hulu asked me to sign in. This is an annoying process that includes — but is not limited to — tracking down a crazy password that consists of numbers, letters, symbols, swear words and the blood of a sacrificial lamb. Doo insisted I use a generated one, and he changes it periodically because god forbid someone hacks my “Handmaid’s Tale” streaming account. Anyhoo, I hail Doo as he’s heading for the door, and he tells me to open Last Pass. What the heck is Last Pass? “I helped you set it up. It has all the passwords.” He is correct. He did. I found it buried among my apps and discovered three different passwords for Hulu. I picked one at random and painstakingly used the remote to enter it, deftly toggling between 17 screens and

HUMOR

“For some reason when I switched on the TV, Hulu asked me to sign in. This is an annoying process that includes — but is not limited to — tracking down a crazy password that consists of numbers, letters, symbols, swear words and the blood of a sacrificial lamb.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

praying I capitalized the middle Q. Denied. “It didn’t wooooooorrrrk!” I whine.

Eyeballing me like I’m a dummy, he showed me his phone, where Hulu is condescendingly open. “Try it on your computer,” he said. I did, but it signed me in automatically. “Log out and reenter everything.” Login failed. Then Doo left, mumbling he didn’t have time for this nonsense, and I was left with only my coffee and Google, no calming British accents or green grass in sight. Sonofa! Stupid Hulu. Peace out.

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

I love to walk up and down the bookstore aisles occasionally removing something from the shelves to sample, hoping it fits my tastes. The people at Barnes & Noble are totally OK with this, but that habit has gotten me kicked out of Kroger about six times.

HUMOR

Recently, I decided to search the shelves for a book that might help me address a problem I am facing. My memory is not what it used to be. I tried Prevagen, but that was a total waste of money. They tout the product as made from jellyfish, one of the few animals in the world with no brain.

I did find one book, “Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises.” The authors, Larry Katz and Manning Rubin, contend that there is not enough unpredictability in our lives. So, the book encourages you to use each of your senses in new and innovative ways. One of the author’s suggestions is to brush your teeth with your nondominant hand, thus creating new neural pathways. I tried it one night and found the experience instructive. I then used my other hand to clean the toothpaste out of my nose and inside my ear.

To enhance your appreciation of good food, says Katz, stick plugs in your ears. This permits you to fully enjoy what is on your plate, focusing only on taste. I totally forgot to tell my wife, Mary Ellen, I was doing this, so I didn’t hear a word she said during dinner for almost a week. Fortunately, she didn’t notice the difference.

The book also suggests that to fully

experience the texture of food, you should hold your nose when you eat. My wife did notice this on that first night when she had prepared what I assume was a delicious dinner. She was not happy, but I got a nice note from Grub Hub thanking me for all my subsequent take-out orders 10 nights in a row.

There is also a chapter on sex. Katz encourages you to have a romantic dinner with your partner, and “to be sure to enjoy some flowers and candles.” I choked down a few rose petals, but the candles made me gag. For another novel experience, Katz suggests you switch cars with a nearby friend for a day so you can have a new tactile experience behind the wheel. Of course, remember to tell your neighbor before you do this, or you can then look forward to really feeling something new: Your hands cuffed behind your back.

My favorite suggestion is to eliminate the traditional grocery list. Instead of jotting down the name of each item, write a description instead so you can fully appreciate its qualities. I tried that. On my shopping list, I wrote, “It’s about the size and shape of a soccer ball, tannish, heavily veined and dimpled.”

I was talking about a cantaloupe, but it sounded a lot like my rear end.

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES

Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.

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

“My memory is not what it used to be. I tried Prevagen, but that was a total waste of money. They tout the product as made from jellyfish, one of the few animals in the world with no brain.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

ATI co-founder Farrell embarks on next performing journey

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Don Farrell is ready for the next chapter of his performing career.

BEEF & BOARDS

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through Nov. 19 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘THE PROM’

PERFORMANCES

Farrell, a co-founder of Carmel-based Actors Theatre of Indiana with Judy Fitzgerald and Cynthia Collins, resigned in September. Collins resigned in the summer to concentrate on her job in the musical theater department at Anderson University. Fitzgerald has taken over as artistic director and Darrin Murrell has joined as associate artistic director.

“It’s a new phase of my life,” Farrell said. “It’s been a great ride with ATI. I’m proud of all the accolades, successes and accomplishments that the organization has been able to accomplish in the past 18 years. I’m excited to see what new opportunities might open up for me. I’m looking to pursue more of my acting and performing career and exploring new projects and ideas I’ve had on and off during the past 18 years. Sometimes there are some great ideas to pursue but you just don’t have the time to do it.”

The 54-year-old Westfield resident said it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

“I truly love everybody that I’ve been able to work with and all the new friends and acquaintances, whether it’s the artists, the artisans, the patrons, the sponsors, the donors, the directors, the designers, the staff and the board,” Farrell said. “Everybody I’ve worked with is lovely. I don’t want to let anyone down.”

Farrell said he wants to use his talents in other ways to perform for the community.

“I love this community,” he said. “I’m heartfelt about that. It’s just been a great community to be a part of. I want to find ways to give back. Hopefully, these ideas and projects may benefit one arts organization but possibly more than that. We’ll see where the journey takes me and what opportunities open up. There is a lot of

faith and trust and a lot of excitement in this new chapter in my life. I’m very proud of all the work at ATI. It was literally blood, sweat and tears for all three of us. I’m very excited for the future of ATI. I love ATI. I always have and always will. I’m still going to help when I can. Hopefully, in the future, people will see me on that ATI stage — just in a different capacity.”

Farrell said his relationship with Feinstein’s has been very successful. He previously had performed his Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow shows at Feinstein’s.

Farrell has three Feinstein’s shows scheduled with his collaborator Terry Woods. They will perform tributes to Tony Bennett Oct. 12, Neil Diamond Nov. 9 and

“A Sinatra Christmas” Dec. 13. He also will play the role of the narrator in a “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 1-22 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre.

Farrell also has some private events scheduled for the rest of 2023 and has

committed to shows in 2024 that have yet to be announced.

“I’ve been auditioning for some other plays and theater companies, so I’ve been excited about being able to do that,” he said.

Farrell said the idea of leaving ATI to pursue other options has been on his mind for a while. He said there was so much administrative work that he didn’t have a great deal of time to devote to his craft.

“The talents and gifts we’ve been given in our life are not ours but given to us from God,” Farrell said. “I think a true sin is to not take the talents as best you can.”

Farrell had previously set up Crossroads Entertainment LLC as his production company. For more, visit crossroads-ent.com or Crossroads Entertainment’s Facebook page.

For private events, contact thisisdonfarrell@gmail.com

Civic Theatre’s production of “The Prom” is set to run through Oct. 21 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

ROBERT CRAY BAND

The Robert Cray Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Don Farrell will present “Because of You ... a Tribute to Tony Bennett” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and Ben Johnson and Ron Abel present a tribute to Frank Sinatra at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

“WISH

YOU WERE HERE”

“Wish You Were Here: The Sight & Sound of Pink Floyd” will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

“DON’T TELL ANYBODY THE SECRETS TOUR”

Lucinda Williams and her band will perform presents its “Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets Tour” at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

“TROILUS & CRESSIDA”

Bard Fest’s “Troilus & Cressida” will conclude with performances Oct. 13-15 at The Cat in Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

CELEBRACIÓN DE ESPAÑA

The Indianapolis Opera will present Celebración de España, a fundraiser and a celebration of music, opera and art, set for 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Don Farrell will perform with pianist Terry Woods at Feinstein’s. (Photo courtesy of Don Farrell)

NIGHT & DAY

Lab series features ‘Liars Bench’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Julie Lyn Barber looks forward to seeing what changes a reading might bring to her play.

READING

Barber’s musical

“The Liars Bench” will be presented as part of Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Lab Series. The play will be presented as a free reading at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at Carmel Clay Public Library. The Lab series helps playwrights receive feedback on their work.

each of the character’s specific voices and three-dimensionality.”

The story is set in the 1920s in a small town that hasn’t progressed as much as the rest of the nation.

Barber

“(The reading is) such a gift,” Barber said. “It’s always so helpful to hear it out loud and to be able to see audience reactions in real time, in addition to the opportunity to hear their thoughts about it after the reading. My goal was to wrap some heart into a comedy so that it’s an evening spent laughing, that sends you away with a bit of nostalgia. There’s no way to know if that goal is near achieving until there is an audience involved.

I’m also very excited to have such a skilled group of professional actors interpret the characters. It really helps me in developing

“I grew up in a small town in Canada. My husband grew up in Selma, Indiana, which is where my kids went to school,” Barber said. “I used to work in Farmland, Indiana, and one of our favorite places to visit is the small town of Nashville in Brown County. Frank Hohenberger’s photographs of the people of Brown County provided inspiration for several of the characters in the play.”

Barber said the play has had several readings through the years.

“The piece has changed significantly after each reading,” said Barber, who is the head of musical theater at Purdue University Fort Wayne. “The last one was a staged reading with students at Western Kentucky University, after which the cast size was significantly pared down to focus on the three sets of siblings.”

Registration for the free tickets is on Eventbrite. For more, visit atistage.org.

7:30pm

GRACE POTTER

Fri Nov 3 at 8pm

MUSIC BY MATTHEW SKLAR

BOOK BY BOB MARTIN & CHAD BEGUELIN

The Edwards Twins return

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Edwards Twins sold out their first appearance at Feinstein’s in Carmel last year.

BEGUELIN

PERFORMANCES

“The promoter said then next year we’re going to do two shows,” Anthony Edwards said.

Identical twins Anthony and Eddie Edwards, 58, will present “The Ultimate Variety Show” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20-21 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael.

Some new additions will be in their repertoire.

“We’re doing Elton John from the ‘70s, the ‘80s and the 2000s era,” Anthony said. “That’s a new thing we put in the show and it’s blowing the audience away. We’re also bringing in Bette Midler, which is also brand new. The Bee Gees will be coming. John Fogerty is another new one.”

Anthony impersonates all the male performers while Eddie portrays the females.

“Eddie’s favorite character is Barbra Streisand because he has been doing that the longest,” Anthony said. ‘That’s really a character people just go crazy over.

Anthony said two of his favorites to impersonate are Elton John and Andrea Bocelli.

Anthony said it was natural for Eddie to impersonate females because he spent years touring the world as part of La Cage aux Follies.

It was Carol Burnett who suggested the twins combine their acts.

“She was very instrumental in getting the act started,” Anthony said. “She had seen me in Toronto, and we became good friends. She then went to see Eddie and was so enamored with him, she asked him to be on ‘Carol & Company.’ Eddie was on the first season of that show. After we got endorsed by her, it absolutely skyrocketed.”

For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

CCP brings ‘aMUSEd’ to the stage

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Kelly Keller was eager to bring Megan Ann Jacobs’ latest play to the stage. The Carmel Community Players will present “aMUSEd” from Oct. 13-22 at Switch Theatre in Fishers. Keller, a Fishers resident, will direct the show.

The play has been produced a total of five times previously, three times in its full form in Wisconsin and twice in Indianapolis as an hour-long festival version.

PLAY

“I’ve worked with Megan before when she directed me in ‘Coping with Autumn,’ which she also wrote,” Jacobs said. “I love her writing style. It’s direct and real. She writes about regular, ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Her language is accessible by everyone but is smart, thoughtful and funny. When Megan gave the cast of ‘Coping with Autumn’ the ‘aMUSEd’ script as a gift, I read it shortly thereafter. I immediately loved it. I love how it starts. I love how it evolves. I love the story and themes. (Jacobs) includes themes of loss, recovery and redemption expertly through interesting and real characters.”

Jacobs, an Indianapolis resident, said she got the idea for the story when Danielle E. Shipley showed her the cover of her new book “Inspired.”

“This image with the man in the suit in this light bulb and the great line of ‘What the muse wants...he gets,’” Jacobs said. “And I truly was inspired by it. This image launched my brain into the general premise of ‘aMUSEd.’This was actually the first time I had ever written a play. I had mostly done fiction writing and poetry. But from the onset, I knew this idea was meant for the stage.”

Jacobs said the play’s last revisions were in early 2019 for both versions of the show.

“I think I am most excited to experience it like new,” Jacob’s said. “Seeing it come to life under someone else’s direction, the choices of the performers, and seeing the production team add their flair, truly it feels like a gift.”

For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

LYRICS BY CHAD

BASED ON AN ORIGINAL CONCEPT BY JACK VIERTEL

Jacobs

Eddie Edwards is well known for his Barbra Streisand impersonation. (Photo courtesy of Anthony Edwards)

NIGHT & DAY

Authors present ‘Summer Stock’ legacy at Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

More than 50 years after her death, Judy Garland’s legacy lives on.

PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE

Film historians Tom Johnson and David Fantle will discuss their book, “C’mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock,” at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

BOOK DISCUSSION

“There is worldwide fandom for Judy Garland that is very robust to this day,” Fantle said. “People are endlessly fascinated by her life.”

The lobby will open at 5:30 p.m. for the book signing. Fantle and Johnson will give a 15-minute talk before the 7 p.m. screening of the movie and a brief Q&A after the screening. Tickets are $10 for the presentation.

The book, which will be released Oct. 16, includes extensive interviews with the cast, crew and writers involved in the production.

It’s fitting that the book release is held in Carmel, where the Great American Songbook Foundation is headquartered. Fantle said Songbook Foundation founder Michael Feinstein provided great insight into Garland’s career. There will be an archival display of materials relating to Garland’s life and legacy, donated to the Songbook Library and Archives by her daughter and fellow Songbook Hall of Fame member Liza Minnelli.

Fantle said there is a lot of significance to “Summer Stock.” It was Garland’s final film after 15 years at MGM.

“The film was beset with behind-thescenes issues,” Fantle said. “Judy was part of the reason that there were delays and production delays. But we really go out of the way to tell the entire ‘Summer Stock’ story and make sure there were other factors beyond Judy’s own personal issues that caused these production delays. We have to have empathy for Judy at this stage of her life.”

Fantle said during filming in 1949 and into early 1950, Garlands marriage to movie director Vincent Minnelli was on the rocks. Their daughter Liza was a toddler then. She had concert appearances and radio

The book cover of “C’mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock.” (Photo courtesy of Dave Fantle)

recordings.

“She was just worked to the bone,” Fantle said. “She also had a growing dependence on prescription medications. It was the perfect storm.”

Fantle said while the movie is not as well-known as other Garland films such as “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Easter Parade,” there are more wonderful musical numbers jammed into the 108 minutes than virtually any of the famous MGM musicals. The film ends with one of Garland’s iconic songs, “Get Happy.”

“Most people don’t realize that Gene Kelly’s all-time personal favorite solo tap dance is in ‘Summer Stock,’ so there are a lot of compelling reasons why we thought this story should be told,” Fantle said.

Fantle and Johnson began researching the golden age of Hollywood in 1978 when they were starting as college journalists at the University of Minnesota.

“We had the tenacity, hutzpah and dumb luck to have face-to-face interviews with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly,” Fantle said.

They saved money to go to Los Angeles, where they had interviews set up by requests through the mail. They also had interviews with “Summer Stock” director Charles Walters, co-star Eddie Bracken and Harry Warren, the musical’s primary songwriter.

Those initial interviews weren’t only about “Summer Stock,” but all touched on the musical. The authors had the foresight to save the old cassettes from those interviews.

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Appliances: BLENDER, MICROWAVE, MIXER, OVEN, STOVE, TOASTER; Palindromes: KAYAK, LEVEL, MADAM, RADAR, ROTOR, STATS; Snacks: MILK DUDS, NACHOS, POP CORN, SKITTLES; Reptiles: LIZARD, SNAKE, TURTLE;

Fantle Johnson

An expanding vocabulary

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

The folks at Merriam-Webster have been hard at work keeping the dictionary relevant for a new generation of vibrant verbophiles. The new class of 690 words promises to keep M-W a real page-turner.

pass anything that is clearly superior to other things in its category. Depending on your perspective, Michael Jordan is the GOAT of basketball, while others consider LeBron James to be the GOAT.

GRAMMAR GUY

As you can see, the English language is alive and well, as its words, phrases and meanings continue to evolve. Allow me to introduce to you a few words from the class of ‘23.

• Doomscroll: to spend endless time scrolling on your phone. I’m an expert doomscroller, seamlessly switching between Instagram, Facebook and Reddit. While the youngsters prefer TikTok, I prefer to watch reposted TikTok videos on Instagram.

• Doggo: a dog. My doggo, Socks, is a 1-year-old cockapoo who likes stealing food from my 1-year-old son.

• GOATED: G.O.A.T. stands for “greatest of all time,” and the phrase “GOATED” (in all caps) has evolved to encom-

• Jorts: jean shorts. There’s nothing inherently wrong with jorts, but they have come to be associated with men over the age of 40. The best place I’ve found to see the most jorts per capita is at the Indy 500. Whether they’re cutoffs or born that way, jorts are a mainstay among American motorsport fans. While some may scoff at the slang terms and online lexicon added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, new words keep a language fresh and exciting. I, for one, think the English language is really bussin’ (extremely good).

Experiencing aviation progress

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing visits to places within easy driving distance of Indianapolis, we resume our exploration of Dayton’s National Museum of the United States Air Force.

TRAVEL

Walking among the 350 or so airplanes on display in the 19-acre museum makes one conclusion unavoidable — 80 years after a Wright brothers airplane became the nation’s first powered military aircraft, an enormous amount of progress had been made in the design of military aircraft, some made very quickly.

The earliest powered airplane on display is an exact reproduction of the Wright brothers’ Flyer, sold to the U. S Army for $30,000 in 1909. Like their earlier planes, this biplane had chain-driven pusher propellers in the rear, no wheels, elevators in the front and muslin-covered wooden fuselage and wings. It had a top speed of 42 mph and a range of 40 miles. Just eight years later, the Sopwith F.1 Camel, which destroyed more German aircraft than any other Allied airplane, featured wheels and a

rotary engine driving a single puller propeller in front. It had a top speed of 112 mph, a range of 300 miles and could reach an altitude of 19,000 feet. Fast forward to 1964 and the North American XB-70A, a bomber with a top speed of 2,056 mph (more than three times the speed of sound), a range of 4,288 miles and a ceiling of 77,350 feet. Also on display is the Lockheed F-117A, introduced in 1981, the world’s first operational aircraft capable of evading enemy radar, with an unlimited range enabled by inflight refueling.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is open, with free admission and parking, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visitors are advised to arrive early, go first to the back of the museum and work forward.

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

A Lockheed F-117A on display.

A North American XB-70A bomber at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. (Photos by Don Knebel)

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

9. Nike rival

13. Scannable bars, briefly

14. Postpone

15. Fundamental

16. Gen-___

17. Hang loosely

18. Palladium to-do, e.g.

19. With 56-Across, Clay County facility where you can find 9-, 34-, 41- and 67-Across and 30-Down

22. Singer Lana 23. Young newt

24. Katz Sapper & Miller audit pro

27. Viking Ship Museum city

28. Indianapolis Indians fielders’ gloves

mascot

36. White River angler’s string

38. Rokita, Hill and Zoeller, initially

40. Word-of-mouth

41. Cub Scout newcomer

43. Blunder

45. Run away

46. Like the Hanna Haunted House

48. Indiana Senate staffer

52. “___ chance!”

53. Okla. neighbor

54. Black eye, informally

56. See 19-Across

59. Show reluctance 62. Come next

63. MashCraft brew letters

64. Offed

65. Ford flop

66. Lucas Oil Stadium restroom sign

67. Colt foe

68. Go-getters 69. Finish Down

1. Fishers HS prom wear

2. Highest points

3. Rolled up document

4. ___ Merlot’s steakhouse

5. “Oh,

Waterpark

26. PC key

29. 401(k) kin

30. Golfer Woods

31. Part of ATV

33. Earl Grey, e.g. 35. Dove’s sound 36. “Damn Yankees” siren 37. “Yeah, right!” 39. ___ Lanka 41. Pal 4 life 42. Plum Creek Golf Club pegs 44. Carmel firefighter, on occasion 47. Surpass 49. Eventually

Dredge, say

Gofer’s task 53. Shore bird 55. Shoe parts

Destroy

Cancel out

Latin 101 verb

lordy!”

6. Uwe Blab’s “little” brother (at 7-feet), who played at Evansville

7. Masking or duct

8. Shoelace hole

9. Do I-69 roadwork

10. “For Official ___ Only” 11. Hr. part

12. Perform at The Belfry Theatre

15. Not straight

20. Beat the Pacers decisively

21. “In that case...”

24. Coca-___

25. Place to do laps at The

Indiana Dunes Reptiles

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5-Letter Palindromes

1 ISU Sports Teams Nickname

ISP option 60. A Manning

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