May 7, 2024 — Westfield

LEARN MORE FROM KAREN ABOUT HANCOCK & MOORE

Westfield girl named a Riley Champion

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Eight-year-old Londyn Hoffman has dealt with a lot of health issues in her young life. But none of them can erase her smile.

HONOR

When Londyn was only 5 years old, she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissue. The tumor presented behind her right eye, and treatment included chemotherapy and radiation. During treatment, she was hit with a neurological complication — Guillain-Barre syndrome.

After a recurrence of her cancer, her right eye had to be removed. But since her last round of treatment, Londyn has been cancer free for almost 18 months.

Treatment, however, can be hard on a body, especially a young body. Since concluding treatment, Londyn has had to relearn how to walk, talk and swallow. She spent three months at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, where the care from Riley’s made a difference for Londyn and her family.

Londyn has been named a 2024 Riley Champion by Riley Children’s Foundation. A banner presentation ceremony honoring Londyn was held at Monon Trail Elementary School April 26.

Londyn’s parents, Jenna and Adam, as well as her siblings — Lincoln, a freshman at Westfield High School, and Luci, a sixth-grader at Westfield Middle School — all participate in events to promote the services and care that Riley provides to those children facing a diagnosis as well as their families.

“It’s kind of a way for our family to give back for all the ways that Riley’s has helped her,” said Jenna Hoffman. “It’s our way to give back and to generate awareness about Riley and all the help they provide to all Riley families throughout the year. That’s what the Riley’s Champions program is all about.”

Although Londyn does have some cognitive deficits, she attends Monon Trails Elementary, where she is enrolled in the life skills program, a special education program offered through Westfield Washington Schools to meet the needs of individual students.

“We work on all the academics that general education kids work on, we do math and reading and writing every day,” life skills educator Margo Hoaglan said. “But we also work on the things to help these

kids with things like patience and waiting, what they need to grow so they can live and do things by themselves. Our goal is always how independent we can help them to become.”

Jenna Hoffman said with help from Riley and her school, Londyn has grown to be a beacon of light for their family, and every-

one who meets her.

“She is always happy,” she said. “She has had very few moments in her entire health journey where she has been unhappy. We say she lost her sparkle for a period of time, but she just makes friends with everyone. Her personality is just infectious.”

ABOUT RILEY’S CHAMPIONS

Riley Champions Presented by Kroger is a program through the Riley Children’s Foundation that honors Riley patients and families across Indiana who demonstrate courage and commitment to helping others while navigating medical obstacles.

Riley Champions are typically between the ages of 8-18 and show a desire to leave a legacy of helping others. As ambassadors for Riley, Champions share their stories publicly.

Olivia Mozzi, communications specialist with Riley Children’s Foundation said individuals and families chosen as Riley

Champions represent Riley at different events to share their stories and help motivate donors and serve as ambassadors throughout the year.

“We find that they are inspiring for other Riley families,” Mozzi said.

Riley Children’s Foundation is the nonprofit organization that opened Riley Hospital for Children in 1924. Riley Children’s Foundation inspires communities to invest in world-class pediatric research and care at Riley Children’s Health and Indiana University School of Medicine.

Learn more at rileykids.org.

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Contact Managing Editor Marney Simon at marney@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444 ext. 804. You also may submit information at currentinwestfield.com. Our print deadline is eight days prior to publication. Submissions for online accepted daily.

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Londyn Hoffman, front, left, is a 2024 Riley Champion. Londyn was honored April 26 along with her family, mom Jenna, siblings Luci and Lincoln and dad Adam. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Washington Schools)

Westfield recognizes Municipal Clerks Week

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

A proclamation issued by Westfield Mayor Scott Willis honors the duties performed by the city’s clerk-treasurer’s office.

CITY NEWS

Willis issued a proclamation marking May 5 through May 11 as Professional Municipal Clerks Week during the April 22 meeting of the City Council. Willis presented the proclamation to Westfield Clerk-Treasurer Marla Ailor, who leads the city’s six-person clerk-treasurer’s office.

By state law, the clerk-treasurer has more than a dozen specific duties, including keeping the city’s financial accounts, preparing the budget estimates and financial statements and maintaining the town seal and records.

The proclamation extends appreciation to the clerk’s office for the work and dedication of its employees.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to

serve with the mayor,” Ailor said. “I have the least amount of experience in our office, but the staff combined has over 70 years of experience. They are an extraordinary group of individuals who not only leave the lights on and the agendas being produced, but in addition to the responsibilities we have as clerks we are also clerk-treasurers still here in Westfield. And we take our jobs very seriously.”

Ailor was elected clerk-treasurer in 2023.

Westfield Clerk-Treasurer Marla Ailor was presented a proclamation honoring Professional Municipal Clerks Week by Mayor Scott Willis.

(Photo by Marney Simon)

Westfield man faces federal fraud charge

CRIME news@youarecurrent.com

A Westfield man who previously worked for the Social Security Administration in Anderson has been charged with one count of wire fraud. Christopher Markham, 40, is accused of allegedly defrauding the SSA of nearly $50,000 as an employee between Feb. 13, 2019, and June 17, 2022.

According to court documents, Markham allegedly engaged in a scheme to make it appear he was teleworking full time for SSA, but he was actually earning income working as a home inspector for his personal business, Markham Inspection Services.

Markham was paid his full federal salary and benefits while allegedly concealing the fact that he was working for his personal business and not for SSA. According to court records, Markham routinely performed home inspections for his personal business during his telework hours. The charge alleges that Markham concealed the fact that he was not performing SSA work during official

work hours by having his wife and his mother access the SSA computer system and send emails to supervisors to make it appear as though he was online and working.

Additionally, court records state Markham allegedly engaged in other fraud schemes to obtain Emergency Paid Leave by falsely claiming he was required to stay home to take care of his children, who were in day care. He allegedly performed at least 70 home inspections for his personal business while claiming to be providing emergency care for his children.

The documents also allege Markham fraudulently claimed benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act by falsely claiming he was unable to work because of illness during times he was performing home inspections.

The filing alleges that Markham’s conduct caused a loss to the SSA of approximately $49,255.97.

The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General is investigating the case.

Shamrocks senior pitcher’s confidence keeps growing

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Westfield High School senior pitcher Ty Anderson’s confidence has continued to build throughout this career.

“I feel like I can get any batter out,” he said.

In his first five appearances this season, Anderson had a 3-2 record with a 1.64 earned run average for the Shamrocks baseball team. As a junior, he had a 5-1 record with a 1.12 ERA and was 2-2 with a 1.24 ERA as a sophomore.

“Ty’s strengths on the mound are the movement on his fastball and his slider is a tight, late-breaking pitch,” WHS coach Ryan Bunnell said. “He pairs those two pitches with a solid changeup to put together a way to attack every hitter.”

Bunnell said Anderson isn’t a high-velocity pitcher, usually throwing 84 to 86 mph, with a maximum of 87 to 88 mph.

“So, the movement on his pitches and his ability to execute the placement of

MEET TY ANDERSON

Favorite athlete: Anthony Rizzo

Favorite subject: History

Favorite TV show: “Reacher”

Favorite musician: Koe Wetzel

pitches is fundamental to his success and his ability to pitch at the next level,” Bunnell said. “Ty is also a high-level strike thrower. He had multiple complete games last year on pitch counts in the 70s. I think the development of his changeup and the confidence he has to throw it, has been important for him, especially against left-handed hitters. He has always had confidence and competitiveness on the mound, along with the movement of his fastball and a tight slider.

Letter of Intent to play for Eastern Illinois University next season, said his changeup is a work in progress.

“But it has been much more effective for me this year than it has been in past years,” Anderson said. “My velocity has slightly increased from last year to this year, but that’s not what brings me success.”

Anderson started playing recreational league baseball in Westfield when he was 5 years old and began playing travel baseball three years later.

“I never had intended to become a pitcher only, but as I got older and threw harder, it became something that I grew passionate about,” he said. “I played basketball and football when I was younger, but once I got to middle school, I decided I wanted to focus on baseball because that was the sport I loved.”

“But without high velocity, the ability to execute multiple pitches for strikes is a must and developing the third pitch was important.”

Anderson, who has signed a National

Anderson, who played with the Indiana Bulls during the summer, committed to Eastern Illinois in October 2023.

“I chose Eastern Illinois because Coach (Jason) Anderson has confidence in my ability and believes I can be an asset to the team,” he said.

Westfield High School senior pitcher Ty Anderson has a 3-2 record in his first five outings. (Photo courtesy of Owen Ferreri)

Anderson

Health Dept. to donate CPR mannequins to schools

news@youarecurrent.com

Schools in Hamilton County can now provide students with instruction on lifesaving skills, thanks to a donation of 256 CPR mannequins from the Hamilton County Health Department.

HEALTH

Westfield Washington Schools will receive 32 adult and 32 infant mannequins.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Hamilton County Health Department for their generous donation of CPR mannequins,” stated Teresa Layton, nursing coordinator for WWS. “With these resources, we can ensure that our students receive top-notch CPR training, empowering them to become confident and capable responders in emergency situations.”

According to health department representatives, the high-fidelity mannequins offer an interactive learning experience, responding to students’ actions to provide immediate feedback on compression depth and speed. The feature ensures that stu-

Westfield Washington schools will receive 32 adult and 32 infant CPR mannequins from the Hamilton County Health Department.

(Photos courtesy of Hamilton County Health Department)

dents receive accurate training and develop confidence in their CPR skills. Indiana law requires school districts to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator instruction as part of their high school health curriculum.

CPR mannequins were also donated to the Noblesville School District and Carmel High School. For more about CPR training and resources contact the Hamilton County Health Department, 317-776-8500.

We

protect our nation and keep us well. That is why May is Epcon’s Hometown Heroes Month. Throughout the month, we are celebrating educators, law enforcement, firefighters, military personnel and medical professionals.

When these Hometown Heroes* purchase an Epcon home in any of our low-maintenance communities, they will receive $3,000 towards HOA dues. This is our way of saying thank you and showing our gratitude to our heroes.

We invite you to visit our low-maintenance communities to discover single-level living and the luxurious lifestyle you have earned.

Lions begin renovation project

GROUNDBREAKING news@youarecurrent.com

The Westfield Lions Club has begun an extensive remodel of its clubhouse at 1101 E. 169th Street. The renovation project will allow the Lions to resume renting out their clubhouse to members of the community, according to the organization. Since the late 1950s, the Lions have leased space for parties, family reunions, baby and bridal showers, church services and other events. Rentals ceased when the previous clubhouse on Jersey Street was torn down for a redevelopment project.

With renovations underway, Lions Club members said the facility is expected to be open before fall 2024.

Included in the renovation project is a larger meeting room, a full kitchen, a conference room, handicap-accessible bathrooms, and storage for the Club’s poker tournament and fish fry equipment and supplies.

Once the renovation work is complete, the Westfield Lions will host an open house. Club members said they have

worked closely with the state of Indiana and the City of Westfield to make sure the new facility meets all the proper codes and standards.

Mayor Scott Willis joined club members for a ceremonial groundbreaking April 18. Willis also gave members a review of his first 100 days in office.

The Westfield Lions Club was formed in 1930. For more, visit westfieldlions.org.

Mayor Scott Willis joins members of the Westfield Lions Club during a ceremonial groundbreaking event April 18. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Lions Club)

Food drive set for May 11 throughout Westfield

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Westfield residents are encouraged to pack up nonperishable items and participate in the nation’s largest one-day food drive May 11.

GIVING BACK

Letter carriers in the city will once again participate in the annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, collecting donations for distribution locally. The drive happens each year on the second Saturday in May.

Greg Gormong, a letter carrier covering Westfield, Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville and a handful of other communities, is heading up the local National Association of Letter Carriers food drive.

“We really want to make a great push for this,” Gormong said. “Talking with food pantries, they say that everything is great during Thanksgiving time. But when it comes around to this time of year, they are a little low on stock. So, that’s why the National Association of Letter Carriers did this, to keep that cycle going.”

This is the 32nd year for the food drive. Residents are encouraged to bag items such as canned chicken and tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed meals, peanut butter, boxed cereals and other nonperishable items and leave them by their mailboxes.

“(The donations) only go to local food pantries,” Gormong said. “We always solicit to residents, and they’ve always been great about it, but in order to make this our best one we’re also soliciting businesses. We’ve reached out to cities like Westfield to help promote the event. The

more people see it, the more they might say they want to do something to help out.”

Westfield donations will again be delivered to Open Doors food pantry.

“It’s a great pleasure and honor for us to be a part of this food drive every year, and we much appreciate the work that the postal carriers do to collect all this food for us,” Open Doors President Bruce Watson said. “Our particular pantry here in the last few years has collected over 30,000 pounds of food. That’s a lot of food, and it takes us a couple of months at least to sort through all of that. We touch every single piece of food to check for the date on it, to make sure it’s within date, and if not, it goes to the side. But the majority of it is. This is great honor for us.”

Mayor Scott Willis encouraged the public to consider volunteering with Open Doors in addition to donating to this year’s food drive.

“A lot of people don’t realize that even here in Westfield, we’re very blessed here and a lot of people think we don’t have poverty in Westfield, but we do,” Willis said. “About 7 percent of our population is in poverty. So, we do have people, fellow Shamrocks right here who need your help. Open Doors is doing wonderful things every day for our community.”

On April 22, Willis issued a proclamation marking May 11 as Letter Carriers’ Food Drive Day in Westfield.

Since launching in 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has collected and distributed more than 1.9 billion pounds of food nationwide.

For more, visit opendoorswestfield.org.

Mayor Scott Willis, far right, issued a proclamation to Greg Gormong, holding proclamation, of the National Association of Letter Carriers and volunteers from Open Doors marking May 11 Letter Carriers’ Food Drive Day. (Photo by Marney Simon)

Westfield Welcome dollars placed in new fund

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

The City of Westfield has created a new fund to better organize finances.

CITY NEWS

On April 22, the Westfield City Council amended the rules in order to vote on an ordinance creating a new fund for Westfield Welcome.

“These are restricted funds. We have to separate them because they were under

parks beautification,” Deputy Mayor Danielle Carey Tolan said. “All that money is really Westfield Welcome, which is restricted.”

The change does not represent additional money for Westfield Welcome, but rather a shift of money used by the city-run hospitality organization from one fund to another. The funds total $76,419.40.

“It is not appropriation of any more money other than what’s already been budgeted, we’re just going to move it into the right account so that it can be properly used by

The Westfield City Council has created a new fund specifically for Westfield Welcome. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)

the right department,” Clerk-Treasurer Marla Ailor said.

Within the new fund, revenue will be received via event, program, registration and sponsorship fees. Approved expenditures by ordinance are event, marketing and programming/operational expenses.

Westfield Welcome is the city’s department focused on community events and hospitality for residents and visitors.

The council approved the creation of the new fund unanimously.

Learn more about Westfield Welcome at westfieldwelcome.com.

This Mother’s Day, it’s time to celebrate you

All year long, you’re busy doing what you do best — caring for your family. But sometimes, you need to refocus on your own health and well-being. At Ascension St. Vincent, we’re here with the care you need, from checkups to specialty care.

Need help scheduling? Try online chat and talk with a care navigator today. ascension.org/StVincentWomens

DISPATCHES

Breakfast at the Brickyard with Mario Andretti — Mario Andretti, the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time IndyCar Series champion, will be the featured guest at the 2024 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. The event will take place at 9 a.m. May 18 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Tickets are on sale to the public, with individual tickets priced at $100 each and Preferred Corporate Tables at $1,200. For more, visit 500Festival.com/ Breakfast.

Trail closure – The Midland Trace Trail is temporarily closed between Carey Road and Sanders Glen because of trail realignment and stormwater connection for the Simon Moon expansion project. The trail will reopen June 1.

Used bike sale and donation day – Recycled Cycles will host a used bicycle sale and donation day from 10 a.m. until noon May 18 at their repair shop, 810 E. Main St. in Westfield north of Big Hoffa’s Barbecue. Several bicycles in good condition will be offered for sale at reduced prices. Proceeds from the sale will go toward the purchase of parts to repair additional bicycles. In 2023, Recycled Cycles repaired and gave away more than 375 bicycles to deserving families in Hamilton County. The group repairs both youth and adult bicycles year-round under the sponsorship of Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County. Donations of any used bicycle no matter the condition will be accepted, as parts of unrepairable bikes are salvaged to make whole bikes. Payment by check is preferred.

Superior Shamrocks – Westfield High School earned the ranking of 8th high school in Indiana and 5th high school in the Indianapolis metro area in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 rankings. WHS also ranked 7th in Indiana for college readiness, and in the top 3 percent of all high schools nationwide. Westfield High School students have an overall proficiency in mathematics of 55 percent; in reading of 74 percent; and in science of 55 percent. The graduation rate at WHS is 97 percent. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation rates and how well students are prepared for college. Learn more about rankings at usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/ national-rankings.

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Financial review of Carmelbased megachurch underway

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

A Carmel-based megachurch that quietly quadrupled a retirement payout to its longtime senior pastor in 2022 is undergoing a formal compliance review by the Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability, an organization that provides accreditation for religious organizations that agree to adhere to a set of standards that promote responsible stewardship.

Staci Brown, ECFA senior vice president of member accountability and relations, confirmed the review of Northview Church but declined to provide details about what led to the review or specific concerns, directing questions to the church. The review was still underway as of April 25 and has been ongoing since at least December

Northview officials postponed a meeting with Current to discuss financial matters and then declined to reschedule it, asking for questions to be submitted by email instead. The church posted Current’s questions and responses from church elders in its app in early February and sent the document to Current more than two weeks

In the answers posted on the app, Northview elders acknowledged the ECFA’s ongoing compliance review.

“If there are allegations of noncompliance, then the ECFA will conduct a compliance review. The allegations in this matter came from sources taking things out of context,” the document states. “The review was not instigated because ECFA saw something in the financial data that caused them concern and warranted an investigation. Everything requested in the review has been submitted to the ECFA as they are still conducting their review.”

According to ECFA’s website, a formal compliance review occurs “when there is a serious concern of noncompliance.” If ECFA staff determine noncompliance, its board may suspend or terminate the organization’s membership.

Brown said she does not know when the review will be complete, but that ECFA aims in all cases to “conduct the reviews as expeditiously as possible, while being as thorough as necessary.” The results will not be publicly released by ECFA.

Northview has been accredited by ECFA since 2017. ECFA records show that Northview reported cash donations of more than $27 million in 2022 and total revenues of more than $30 million. It reported $26.9 million in expenses.

ECFA and Northview did not provide information about specific concerns being addressed through the review, but a quadrupled retirement benefit provided to a retiring senior pastor caught the attention of the church’s auditor. It is not clear if the retirement benefit is being evaluated as part of ECFA’s compliance review.

According to Northview’s audit report for 2021 and 2022, conducted by Indianapolis-based firm Capin Crouse, in September 2022 the church increased its retirement benefit for longtime Senior Pastor Steve Poe from $700,000 over five years to $2.8 million over seven years, which was noted in the “subsequent events” portion of the document. Poe, now the church’s legacy pastor, retired in October 2022 after working at the church for two decades.

After a second request for comment, Poe responded to an email from Current by questioning Current’s motivations for reporting the story.

“A story about what?” he stated. “I’m having a hard time understanding what your motivation is?”

In response to Current’s questions, Northview’s elders explained the retirement benefit increase, which they stated was instigated with them by Poe “while discussing necessary due diligence/ comparisons.”

“In 2015 the board of elders used an outside firm to conduct a salary audit of various leadership roles within the church including the senior pastor. This resulted in the discovery that the senior pastor’s salary and benefits package were significantly lower than other pastors of churches of similar size and had been for 10 to 12 years. This was adjusted in 2015 for future compensation,” the document states.

Northview did not respond to questions about Poe’s salary or the salaries of other members of the executive team. Although most nonprofits are required to publicly report the compensation of employees who make $150,000 or more and its five highest-paid employees who make $100,000 or more, churches are exempt from these reporting requirements.

COVER STORY

SOBERING LESSONS

Westfield High School students experience impaired driving simulation

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

For an hour during the school day April 25, Westfield High School students tried their hand at a few tasks that don’t normally seem too difficult — stacking cups, walking a line, catching a ball.

But the catch for these students: Before they could perform the tasks, they had to get drunk — figuratively.

The students took part in a workshop utilizing special goggles known as “drunk busters.” The goggles mimic what happens to one’s vision when impaired. Besides small tasks to test their motor skills, the students also got behind the wheel of one of two peddle cars, testing their skills and reaction times while wearing the goggles.

The students said although the activity felt silly, it also made an impact.

“I thought it was fun, but I can’t do that in real life,” senior Nae Johnson said. “I’d need to be able to take (the goggles) off.”

Senior classmate William Goodvine III agreed.

“It was very interesting. It definitely opened my eyes on how it affects your vision,” he said.

The Westfield Police Department administered four stations to students as they wore the goggles. Billy Adams, the public information officer and field sobriety instructor for the WPD, said the program shows students how their bodies react to being impaired. Adams said the goggles mimic double vision, which can show students that even if they think they are OK, a task as simple as walking a line can be nearly impossible.

“It’s knowledge and empowerment,” Adams said. “What we hope is that they go out and tell their friends what they’ve experienced. We hope they take it to heart, and they learn from it and they spread that information. We hope that they choose not to drink and drive, and they’re also the ones who stop a friend from drinking and driving and be that responsible one.”

The students said although the event had a layer of humor to it — they and their peers looked and felt silly wearing the

large glasses — they were able to understand the seriousness of drinking and driving — and its consequences.

“It was really confusing. It’s weird to see how different it is,” sophomore Sage Knott said. “I know I probably couldn’t focus while driving if I was impaired, but now I know for sure that I cannot see the

lines.”

Adams said the program is an important way to illuminate the dangers of drinking and driving during prom season and as summer approaches. He also said that the adults in the room are aware that the exercise has a “fun” side to it, since it is a simulation where the students are not

DRINKING AND DRIVING BY THE NUMBERS

Students wearing “drunk buster” goggles were able to see how drinking can impair their vision. But Westfield High School and Westfield Police Department officials also made sure the students were given relevant information in order to understand just how serious driving while impaired can be.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has compiled some of the most shocking statistics on impaired driving, including:

• Every 79 seconds someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash.

• About 31 percent of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers with a blood

alcohol content of .08 or higher.

• Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk driving crashes, or one person every 39 minutes.

• In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic crashes, a 14 percent increase from 2020.

• Drunk driving deaths are up 31 percent since 2019

• In 2021 there were 388,136 injuries due to a drunk driving crash.

• In 2021, 401,520 people were killed or injured in a drunk driving crash. For more, visit madd.org.

actually impaired. He said in an effort to temper the fun part of the afternoon, the police also arm students with information to help them understand just what drinking and driving can mean.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, automobile accidents account for 40 percent of deaths for youth aged 15 to 20. Of teen drivers who are victims of fatal car crashes, 23 percent have a blood alcohol content of .08 or above, according to the National Highway Safety Administration.

Statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving show that one person dies every 39 minutes from drunk driving, and 31 percent of fatal collisions are the result of an impaired driver.

The program at WHSwas funded through a grant from the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs and a donation from Flanner Buchanan, which was used to purchase multiple sets of the goggles as well as two pedal cars.

Sophomore Sage Knott attempts to catch a tennis ball while wearing impairment simulation goggles. (Photo by Marney Simon)

WHS Senior Nae Johnson tries to steer while wearing DUI simulation goggles as WWS communications ambassador MaryEdith Malin assists.

ON THE COVER: WHS junior Jackson Davis participates in a drunk driving simulation at the high school April 25. (Photo by Marney Simon)

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

My computer can calculate how long it takes me to write each of my columns. It adds the time I took to write the first draft and then revise it.

HUMOR

For my last column, the computer program said I worked about three hours, but the computer did not count the time I rolled around in bed banging my cranium against the headboard trying to think of an idea or the three hours last week that I spent riding on my stationary bicycle trying to think of a clever ending.

Nor did the computer consider the two hours I spent lost in Franklin when I missed my exit trying to think of a cute title.

When I counted all this time up and divided it by my compensation, I was better off working at a fast-food joint, especially when they raise employee pay to 20 bucks an hour.

My wife asked me to clean up the garage the other day. When I was through, she said, “You’re done? In only an hour? You couldn’t have done a very thorough job.”

How insulting. I’d been thinking about cleaning that garage for more than a year. I got no credit for that. I also spent a fair amount of time planning how I would attack the mess. Should I move everything out of the garage, or just pile things up in the corner and then move stuff around? All that time should be counted.

Before cleaning the garage, I went to three stores to find my favorite beer. Then an endless wait while the cans and the glass got frosty in the fridge. Did I get credit for all that time? I did not.

“When I counted all this time up and divided it by my compensation, I was better off working at a fast-food joint, especially when they raise employee pay to 20 bucks an hour.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

came over for dinner. I asked him to read a short story I was working on. He does a little writing himself and I wanted his opinion.

“Hey, Dad. I’m done. Let’s have dinner.”

“Done already? I worked so hard on that. You took only five minutes to read it.”

“Dad, it may seem like five minutes, but did you consider my grade-school years when I spent hours and hours learning the alphabet? You may recall the summer of ‘95 when we drove around Indianapolis and you made me look for misspelled words on store signs. Or our trip to Hawaii, when I was 11 and I wasn’t allowed to have dessert until I found the misplaced apostrophe on the menu. Or the time you’ve spent drumming into my head that even when we have a conversation, I need a topic sentence. Dad, not counting all that time is not fair to me and the work I did to read that story.”

“Brett!”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Let’s have dinner.”

I explained this all to my family and it backfired. The other night my son, Brett,

Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist

Which purposes drive life?

Commentary by Terry Anker

Important 20th century American philosopher Robert Nozick introduced the thought experiment of the “experience machine” in his 1974 book, “Anarchy, State, and Utopia.” He imagined a device into which we could plug ourselves and effectively deliver whatever pleasure we might desire directly into our minds. If we wanted to have the experience of being the MVP of a Super Bowl, ruling as the king of a foreign land or, in the more mundane, living as the most erudite and compelling of all others in our would-be existence, the gadget would deliver it to us. We would satisfy all our desires, prurient or otherwise, with little required effort or consequence.

ESSAY

He predicted, with remarkable effect, the living now on the horizon for many of us. With computer-generated reality, we will soon be able to be anything we might imagine. We could eliminate disappointment and coercion. We would never be challenged to let someone else talk

or limit our demands to the extent of our ability or resources. We’d be delivered to hedonistic paradise. Pleasure would be the order of the day, every day. To some, it will be heaven on Earth.

Why wouldn’t we retreat into a world of our own making? We could sing vocals with Elvis and continue to spend time with our deceased loved ones. Still, is this our best selves? What is the purpose of a human life? Pleasure? Suffering? Wisdom? Ignorance? Can we find our way in a life that is untested in interaction? Are we simply an accumulation of our best moments, or are we better having endured the slings and arrows of a corporal life fully lived? Like the promise of flying automobiles, it may be a while before a substitute existence is realized — and yet signs advise us of the coming off-ramp.

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

Average White Band will serve as Palladium headliner for Carmel Jazz Fest

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The second Carmel Jazz Festival lineup is starting to take shape.

MUSIC

Blair Clark, founder and artistic director, announced Average White Band will be the Aug. 10 headliner at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. As previously announced, Antonia Bennett, daughter of the late Tony Bennett, will be the Aug. 9 headliner at the Palladium in the two-day festival. She will be joined by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.

Average White Band, a Scottish funk and R&B band, includes founding membes Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre. The band, which was formed in 1972, is known for hits such as “Pick Up the Pieces,” “Cut the Cake, “Queen of My Soul,” “Walk On By” and “Schoolboy Crush.”

“I was able to communicate with an agent I had in the past when I lived in California and got a recommendation for the Average White Band,” Clark said. “We’re really excited about them coming and excited about the collaboration with the Palladium as always.”

“Dave Bennett is coming back by popular demand,” Clark said. “He’s a phenomenal artist.”

Clark said the same is true of Cunningham, who also returns as a performer.

“We brought back acts that people really loved last year and we’re looking forward to them coming as well as our new artists,” Clark said.

In The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts, saxophonist Danny Lerman will be the headliner Aug. 9. The Tarkington headliner for Aug. 10 will be announced later.

“What I love is we have a mixture of jazz, blues and R&B and jazz sounds,” Clark said.

“With Antonia Bennett and Carmel

Symphony, we have that element. With the Average White Band, you have an R&B funk kind of feel. Tim Cunningham is very jazz funk and Dave Bennett is very traditional jazz with a kick. We want to make sure we give our audience a great blend of blues, jazz and R&B. It’s staying in that jazz world but we’re mixing it up so people are entertained and have a great time.”

One difference this year is the outdoor concerts on Carter Green will be free

to the public. There will be a section at Carter Green for VIP ticket holders. There will be drink tickets and food vouchers with the VIP tickets, Clark said.

Clark said there will be separate acts at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael during the Carmel Jazz Festival. Those will be announced later with separate ticketed events.

The event is 5 to 10:30 p.m. each day. For more information and tickets, visit carmeljazzfest.org.

‘THE KING AND I’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “The King and I” runs through May 19 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Corey Williams will perform May 8, followed by Marty Brown May 9 and John Lloyd Young May 10-11 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘ANASTASIA’

Civic Theatre’s production of “Anastasia” runs through May 11 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘FORBIDDEN BROADWAY’

Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Forbidden Broadway” through May 12 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.

THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN

The Magic of Motown will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

DISPATCH

Carmel resident receives New Works prize — A proposal from a former dean of the Herron School of Art and Design has won the first visual arts prize awarded through the Center for the Performing Arts’ annual New Works commission program. Carmel resident Valerie Eickmeier will receive $2,500 to support the creation of a triptych of oil paintings, each 24-by-36 inches, titled “The Wind Makes the Sea Dance,’ inspired by the three movements of Claude Debussy’s 1905 Impressionist composition “La mer.” “When I’m painting, I listen to it over and over,” she said. A St. Louis native, Eickmeier received her MFA from Washington University and moved to central Indiana in 1982 to teach at Herron, where she was dean from 1998 to 2018. She has lived in Carmel since 2001.

From left, Average White Band members are Cliff Lyons, Rob Aries, Onnie McIntyre, Brent Carter, Alan Gorrie, Rocky Bryant and Fred “Freddy V” Vigdor. (Photo courtesy of Average White Band)

Saxophonist Tim Cunningham will be the 9 p.m. Aug. 10 Carter Green headliner. (Photos courtesy of Carmel Jazz Fest)

Jazz clarinetist Dave Bennett will be the Carter Green headliner at 9 p.m. Aug. 9.

StageStruck! screenings set

ediitorial@youarecurrent.com

The Great American Songbook Foundation will host two special film screening events as part of its StageStruck! Conference to honor the 100th anniversary of MGM. The celebration will feature participation by distinguished guests including Patricia Ward Kelly and Lorna Luft to shed light on the life and legacies of film icons Gene Kelly and Judy Garland.

FILM

The first event will take place May 14 and will highlight the enduring impact of Gene Kelly and his contributions to classic films like “Singin’ in the Rain.” The Songbook Foundation will welcome Patricia Ward Kelly, wife and official biographer of the legendary dancer, director and choreographer. She will host a pre-screening presentation featuring behind-the-scenes stories about the production process of “Singin’ in the Rain” and Gene Kelly’s experience starring in and directing the film.

On May 15, the Songbook Foundation will welcome Luft, an esteemed actress and singer known for her versatile talents and rich family legacy in the entertainment industry. She will share memories of her mother, Judy Garland, and insights into her work and legacy, including her starring role in the film “Meet Me in St. Louis.” The screening event is part of a yearlong celebration of Judy Garland as a recent inductee to the Songbook Hall of Fame.

Both screenings will take place on the campus of the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, the home of the Great American Songbook Foundation. Free general admission tickets can be reserved online at thesongbook.org/stagestruckscreenings or through the Center’s Fifth Third Bank Box Office at Tickets@thecenterpresents. org or 317-843-3800.

For more, including event details, visit thesongbook.org

Kelly Luft

Show House Ticket: $35 • At Door: $40 Credit Card only Tickets: showhouseindy.org OR SCAN THE QR CODE No parking in the neighborhood. A shuttle will be provided.

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Civic Theatre offers variety

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Civic Theatre Executive Artistic Director Michael Lasley knows selecting a season can be a challenging balance.

SCHEDULE

“You are trying to appeal to the broadest possible audience while putting together a set of titles that seem to make some sense together, and at the same time advancing the storytelling and educational goals of the institution,” Lasley said. “I think we achieved that with this season. There truly is something for everyone. It’s artistically challenging but also hits those notes of comfort and nostalgia.”

and acceptance — in this case with a very popular and critically acclaimed title. ‘Kinky Boots’ won both the Tony Award and the Olivier Award for Best Musical.”

“White Christmas” will also be a firsttime production for Civic.

“In fact, the stage version of the show has only been around for about 20 years, so it’s likely to be new for many people,” Lasley said. “But it features most of the music and story of the classic film, including the title song. This classic Christmas show with its ties to the Great American Songbook is a perfect fit for our patrons.”

In contrast, Civic’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is its 10th since 2000.

The 2024-25 season opens with “Kinky Boots” Oct. 4-19, followed by “White Christmas” Nov. 29 to Dec. 24. The 2025 portion of the season opens with “Pride & Prejudice” Feb. 7-22, followed by “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” March 14-29 and “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” April 25 to May 10. The performances are at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, except for “The Curious Incident,” which will be at the Studio Theater.

“Kinky Boots” will be a Civic Theatre premiere.

“I believe it’s only been produced one other time locally,” Lasley said. “It’s an exciting title for us and provides another opportunity to present a story of diversity

“It is incredibly popular and was the anchor of our holiday rotation until we recently switched to a holiday-themed title,” Lasley said. “The classic Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice collaboration has its roots in the earliest year of their partnership and is one of their most enduring shows. ‘Joseph’ represents in many ways what so many of our patrons look for in Civic productions — high energy, family friendly, technically exciting and just plain fun.”

“The Cat in the Hat” returns from Feb. 25 to March 6, 2025. Other 2025 shows include Junior Civic production of “Seussical Jr.” June 20-25, Young Artists Program’s “Revue!” June 23 and “Legally Blonde: The Musical” July 24-27.

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

More than 400 people attended Civic Theatre’s production of “Anastasia” April 27. The performances opened April 26 and run through May 11.

CIVIC SNAPSHOT

From left, family members Katie Montieth and Ava Johnson-Guerrero of Carmel, Kylie Benakovich, Clara Benakovich, Lauren Benakovich of Crawfordsville, Ava Montieth, Andrew Montieth and Carter Montieth of Carmel attend the show. (Photo by Jennifer Haire)

Lasley

Pandemic-inspired concerts now a tradition at Holliday Park

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

What started as an effort to present live music during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a summer tradition that aims to bring the community together at Holliday Park in Indianapolis.

MUSIC

The Rock the Ruins concert series will kick off its fourth season May 24, with 13 shows featuring a variety of sounds and styles scheduled through Sept. 20. The stage and viewing area are nestled between trees and the Ruins, which features a trio of sculptures made of Indiana limestone relocated from a New York City building facing demolition in the 1950s.

The partners at Forty5, which owns and operates several local performance venues, launched Rock the Ruins after COVID-19 restrictions halted most live events just months after they purchased The Vogue Theatre in Broad Ripple. They knew that nearby Holliday Park had hosted outdoor concerts in the past and could provide a unique setting to bring people together while still providing enough space for social distancing. It also allowed staff to keep working through the pandemic.

“That first year had spray-painted boxes, and you didn’t leave your box in the COVID days,” Forty5 CEO Jenny Boyts said. “It’s continued to evolve and this year is a really full calendar and full lineup. This wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan idea, but there were people and citywide institutions who believed that parks are an asset.”

Forty5 works with Indy Parks & Recreation and the Holliday Park Foundation to coordinate Rock the Ruins.

Adam Barnes, executive director of the Holliday Park Foundation, said the nonprofit had previously organized a small summer concert series at the park in the past and felt it was ripe for expansion. The partnerships finally allowed that to occur, he said, leading to one of the most “laid back” concert experiences in town.

“It’s just a very relaxed atmosphere. It’s very family friendly,” Barnes said. “There’s some incredible venues around town, but I’ve never seen one that has as many families here. So, it’s friends, families, neighbors just enjoying being outside. Then the music starts and everybody comes together around that, but it really is a unique

atmosphere.”

Rock the Ruins aims to present a variety of musical genres throughout the season from artists with diverse voices.

“We’re trying to get better across gender lines and across sexuality lines and race and putting those kinds of artists on stage,” Boyts said.

Rock the Ruins has space for up to 2,500 attendees and guests are invited to bring their own chairs or reserve them onsite.

For the first time, this year a space called “the pit” will be designated for those who would rather stand or move around during the performance, Boyts said. Food trucks will be available at all shows to provide refreshments.

The limited parking spaces at Holliday Park must be reserved and purchased in advance, but free offsite parking is available at The Orchard School or Congregation B’Nai Torah. Shuttle buses will transport guests from the offsite lots to the park.

Ticket prices vary by concert and various upgrades are available. Learn more and purchase tickets at RockTheRuins.com.

May 23 – The Decemberists

June 8 – Greensky Bluegrass

June 9 – Orville Peck

June 22 – Amos Lee

June 30 – Band of Horses

July 11 – Elle King

Aug. 8 – Andrew Bird with Amadou & Mariam

Aug. 15 – Switchfoot/Blue October/Matt

Nathanson – Help From My Friends Tour

Aug. 16 – The Struts

Aug. 17 – The Mavericks

Aug. 18 – Charley Crockett

Sept. 20 – Manchester Orchestra

Rock the Ruins returns to Holliday Park in Indianapolis May 24. (Photo Doug Fellegy / Rock the Ruins)

ROCK THE RUINS 2024 LINEUP

Visiting Medinet Habu

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Egypt, we visit Medinet Habu on the west bank of the Nile River across from Luxor. Medinet Habu is the name for the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramses III, who ruled Egypt from 1186 B.C. until his death in 1155 B.C. The well-preserved temple celebrated the pharaoh’s earthly achievements and allowed priests to nourish his soul so he could live forever as a god. Columns in the hypostyle hall of his 150-meter-long temple show Ramses among the gods. Statues in a courtyard portray him as Osiris, god of the afterlife.

TRAVEL

Carvings on the north exterior wall portray Ramses and his troops battling a confederation of invading “sea people,” predominantly people the Egyptians called Pelesets and the Bible calls Philistines.

The carvings show the invaders riding three-man chariots pulled by two horses, wielding double-edged swords and long spears, carrying round shields and wearing

feathered headdresses. According to the hieroglyphic account, Ramses defeated the invaders, taking many of them prisoner. Most scholars believe the sea people described at Medinet Habu left the Aegean Sea area in about 1200 B.C. for reasons unknown and sought to settle in Egypt. After Ramses III beat them back, they moved into nearby areas. The Philistines took what is now the Gaza Strip area along the eastern Mediterranean coast. According to the Bible, as the Israelites entered their Promised Land, they stayed clear of the Philistines, apparently because of their superior iron weapons and fighting skill. The Philistines later moved aggressively into Israel’s heartland until young David killed their champion Goliath and they retreated to five cities along the coast.

Entrance to Medinet Habu.

Hypostyle hall inside the Medinet Habu. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Knebel

LIFESTYLE

36. Service charge

37. Fishers HS math class

39. Brought forth

41. Butler frat letter

42. Gillette razor

44. Waiting, in a way

45. Palladium concert equipment

47. “Fine by me”

49. ___-bitsy

50. Sense of self

52. Pick up the tab

54. Heptagram

59. Portent

60. Jog on the Monon Trail

61. Rich soil

62. Delhi dress

63. Zionsville HS subj.

64. Mystical glow

65. Curved molding

66. Colts stats

67. Put one’s foot down Down

1. Shapiro’s, e.g.

2. Crooked Stick golf club

3. Kind of view

4. “Now you ___, now you don’t”

5. Lacking a musical key

6. Pittsburgh team Indianapolis Indians players move up to

7. Chick’s chirp

8. Weeps loudly

9. More spine-tingling

10. Historical periods

11. Taylor Swift, e.g.

19. Distribute pro rata

20. Very vocal

23. Tom Roush Mazda

roadster

24. Muslim faith

25. Prepare to advance on a fly ball

27. Some batteries

29. “___ now, when?”

30. Senses

31. A Roosevelt

33. Pacers’ org.

35. ___ Diego

38. Kuaba Gallery piece

40. Blizzard hazard

43. Astonish

46. Extreme

48. Space shuttle gaskets

51. Bottled spirit

53. Book of maps

54. Ho-hum

55. Online ‘zine

56. Quarry

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VOCALIST - An Indy-based variety band has an opening for an experienced female singer for background vocals and some lead vocals. Energetic stage presence required. Tell us about your qualifications for immediate consideration at otrbandindy@gmail.com.

Neighborhood Garage Sale in The Bristols 126th Street & Brooks School Road in Fishers (46037) Friday, May 10 & Saturday, May 11 8AM - 1PM each day

Waterstone Neighborhood Garage Sale

Tons of homes participate. Make sure you get to all four neighborhoods!

Designer clothing, furniture, housewares, kids’ stuff, and incredible deals! This sale is too good to miss!

Waterstone is east of Gray Road between 116th and 126th Entrances to neighborhood are at 116th, 126th, and Gray Road

Includes Bayhill, Brookfield, Stonewick and Windpointe.

Thursday May 9th

Friday May 10th

Saturday May 11th

From 8:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m daily

Integrity Automotive is looking for a full time automotive technician. In business for 28 years in downtown Carmel with a solid, happy customer base and a positive,

paid holidays. To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net . 40 S Rangeline Rd Carmel Indiana 46032 www.IntegrityAutomotive.net

THE NEST MODULAR SECTIONAL