August 3, 2021 — Zionsville by Current Publishing

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

‘A SIMPLE LIFE’ Boone County man’s secret to living: ‘Don’t give up on it’ / P10

ZCS board votes to require mask for children younger than 12 / P2

ZCS constuction projects continue as population grows / P3

Boone County plans to launch drug court / P8

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August 3, 2021

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Zionsville Community Schools board votes to require masks for children younger than 12 By Jarred Meeks jarred@youarecurrent.com The Zionsville Community Schools Board of Trustees voted 3-2 July 28 to require students younger than 12 PANDEMIC to wear face coverings in school, a decision strongly opposed by many ZCS parents. At its July 12 meeting, the board unanimously voted to adopt ZCS Supt. Scott Robison’s recommendation at the time to make face coverings optional but “strongly recommended” for all students. On July 26, Robison sent an email to ZCS parents informing them that he recommended the board vote in a public meeting to require face coverings for students younger than 12 because of new recommendations he received from the Boone County Health Dept. Before the July 28 meeting, the BCHD issued new guidance, which advised “consistent and correct mask wearing in an indoor congregate setting, such as schools, for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals while community transmission is substantial or high.” Many ZCS parents attended the July 28 meeting, with some carrying signs opposing face masks. Several parents who spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting said they were upset with the board’s decision to reconsider its face mask policy 16 days after having previously voted on it and five days before school was scheduled to begin. Some said they would pull their kids from school and enroll them in another school that doesn’t require masks or home-school them. During the meeting, ZCS Board President Debbie Ungar and board members Michael Berg and Katie Aeschliman voted to require masks. Members Jeff Papa and Michael Coussens voted against. On July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance encouraging all students, teachers and school staff to wear face coverings regardless of vaccination status. The new guidance comes as the delta variant of the coronavirus has led to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the state and across the nation. The board’s decision did not address mask requirements for teachers, staff and other school officials. Robison said ZCS officials would discuss the matter in the coming days and make a decision before school

Zionsville Community Schools parents and community members show their opposition to face masks in ZCS schools. (Photos by Jarred Meeks)

Zionsville Community Schools parents jeer as ZCS Supt. Scott Robison speaks.

starts Aug. 3. Robison said he made his recommendation to “ensure 180 days of quality instruction with the fewest possible disruptions.” Marcus Such, the parent of a ZCS student, said during the meeting that the board’s decision was made out of fear and not supported by local data, citing the town’s high vaccination rate. According to the Indiana State Dept. of Health, 93.9 percent of eligible residents in Zionsville’s Zip Code were fully vaccinated as of July 28. “There isn’t credible information Zionsville itself is under increased risk,” Such said. Such also cited the relatively low risk children have of dying of the disease com-

pared to adults. The ISDH reports Indiana residents 19 and younger account for 0.1 percent of the state’s COVID-19 deaths. But ZCS board members who voted in favor of the requirement said that they did so because children younger than 12 aren’t eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Although a few parents at the meeting supported face coverings for younger students, many other parents told board members that they were elected to represent not only their constituents but also their constituents’ wishes regarding face masks. Some parents also dismissed guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends face masks for children older than 2, regardless of vaccination status, because they believe the organizations have “flip-flopped” and “don’t know what they are doing.” Becky Cash, a Zionsville resident running for a state senate seat, disagreed with the board’s decision. She said she was concerned that some students will be required to wear face masks, while others will have the option to go without one. “We are walking down a slippery slope to medical segregation,” Cash said. “I don’t think that’s a direction our country should be going in.”

August 3, 2021

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Construction continues at Zionsville Community High School. (Photo by Jarred Meeks)

ZCS construction projects continue, as population grows By Jarred Meeks jarred@youarecurrent.com During the 2021-22 school year, Zionsville Community Schools will see a number of construction projBACK TO SCHOOL ects continue as the district expands to meet the needs of a growing population. “Our demographic studies have been really consistent across the past two decades, showing growth between 100 and 300 (students), according to what year it is,” ZCS Supt. Scott Robison said. “We had 127 new people in the queue for the high school alone (this year), but we’ll have to see what that yields when school actually starts. But in a growth year that was supposed to be, according to our demographics study, in the 200-(student) range, we have one school representing darn near all of that. It is about the growth that we are mounting this effort to make sure we have places to accommodate youth.” Construction on the new elementary school, Trailside Elementary School, is almost 50 percent complete, according to school officials. In 2015, ZCS officials began planning for the high school and elementary school populations to outgrow their facilities by 2022, which drew attention to the need for the new elementary school. Robison said the school is expected to open in August 2022.

At Trailside, work has been completed on a variety of projects, including storm piping, brick veneer, window installation, classroom drywall and cooler and freezer installation. Within the next two months, officials expect to complete concrete curbs and walks, metal trim and shingles on the roof and additional classroom drywalling. Classrooms also will begin to be painted. In addition, the district will continue to remodel Zionsville Community High School. As more students are expected to enroll in coming years, ZCS officials began to envision an expansion. Progress on the remodel is at an estimated 17 percent, according to Victor Landfair, vice president of Skillman Corp., the construction company overseeing the district’s projects. At the high school, utilities on the south and east sides have been completed, while utilities on the north side are still in progress. The school’s south addition has seen a complete reroute of utilities, and demolition has started on the north addition. Within the next two months, officials expect to complete the west entrances, the storm detention and reroofing of the south roof, among other tasks. Other projects continue, such as adding artificial turf at the high school stadium. The district will spend approximately $87.5 million constructing the new elementary school, remodeling the high school and implementing other facility improvements.

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Every year, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center notes FROM THE VET an increase in back-toschool-related pet poisonings. If you’re a pet owner, some items on the school supply list can pose serious health risks to your furry family members. • Art supplies — Check for the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) seal. Most art supplies carry the approved product (AP) seal. In general, chalks, pen inks and erasers are considered nontoxic. Stay clear of those with the cautionary label (CL). • Adhesives and glues — Pets can be attracted to the smell of adhesives and glues. Elmer’s glue is relatively safe, but large quantities can still cause gastrointestinal upset and possible obstruction. On the other hand, certain types of high-strength glues, like the popular Gorilla Glue, can pose a large poisoning risk when ingested. • PVC and lead — A large number of school supplies are still manufactured with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), including backpacks, binders and organizers. PVC can contain toxic chemicals such as phthalates and lead. Avoid buying items that have the recycling symbol with the number “3” or words “PVC” or “vinyl” on them. • Choking hazards — Since many school supplies are “bite-sized,” they often prove tempting to our pets. Some of the most common choking hazards include erasers, glue sticks, crayons, markers, pencils, pens, pen caps and paperclips. Always contact your local veterinarian if you suspect your pet has been exposed to anything hazardous.

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August 3, 2021

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Boy Scouts still always prepared Commentary by Ward Degler A group of Boy Scouts showed up at our home a couple weeks ago and tackled an unruly mess of tree limbs, PLAIN TALK twigs and clutter on our front lawn. Through the years, a large European maple had slowly waned and ultimately died. A friend volunteered to cut it down and haul away the main logs. The Scouts volunteered to clean up the rest. It took hours, but when they finished, a large quantity of firewood had been cut to length and stacked; assorted branches and twigs had been snapped into pieces and dumped in a pile to burn later; and the lawn was nearly spotless. They asked for no reward, not even water to drink on a hot day, even though when the work was done, they were hot and sweaty. Scouting was established in 1909 in London by a man named Robert Baden-Powell, an army officer and writer who thought boys growing up should have the opportunity to contribute to society. Scouting was brought to America in 1910 by W. D. Boyce, a newspaper man who got lost in London and was helped by one of Baden-Powell’s Scouts. Boyce offered to pay the young man, but he refused, saying it was important to help others. I was a Scout for only a short time because our scoutmaster moved away and the troop disintegrated. Years later, I made up for it by becoming an assistant scoutmaster.

INSPECTING YOUR HAIL DAMAGE

ZCD announces concert series — The Zionsville Cultural District announced the return of the Concert Series held in Lincoln Park through August. Every Wednesday in August, beginning at 7 p.m. and lasting through 8:30 p.m. residents are invited to bring their chairs and blankets for an evening of music. Select entertainment will

between the size of a pea or a quarter, don’t worry your roof is ﬁne. But, if the hail is the size of a golf ball or larger, your roof should be checked by a

If your plants and trees in your INSPECTING YOUR HAIL DAMAGE

Ward Degler lives in Zionsville with his wife. He is the author of “The Dark Ages of My Youth ... and Times More Recent.” If your plants and trees in your Contact him at ward.degler@ yard are shredded to pieces gmail.com.

DISPATCHES Zionsville ranked safest community in Indiana — SafeWise, a security company, recently released the findings of its 7th annual 10 Safest Cities in Indiana report. To determine the safest cities in each state, SafeWise analyzed the latest violent crime and property crime data from the FBI for each city. The study found Zionsville to be the safest community in Indiana. Westfield, Carmel, Fishers and West Lafayette were the next-safest communities, in descending order, according to the study.

Preparing for hail damage is

Sadly, my greatest achievement in that home and roof. However, there role was to get lost in the woods with a about your home and roof. group of Scouts. We were supposed to follow Scouting signs to our campground, but someone from another group thought it would be funny to turn some of the signs Preparing for hail damage is difficult. If the fallen hail is severe enough, it can cause damage to your around. and roof. However, there are times that hail is not as bad as it seems and you don’t need to worry When we didn’t home show up at the campground, the Scoutmaster sent out a rescue about your home and roof. Below are examples of what you can look for before worrying about WHAT IS THE SIZE OF T party to find us. The guilty Scouts apologized, there being damage on your roof. but my reputation was permanently stained If the around ho and everyone started calling me Magellan. Preparing for hail damage is difficult. If the fallen hail is severe enough, it canhail cause damageyour to your Scouting has made a big difference in home and roof. However, there are times that hail is not as bad as it seems and youthe don’t needof to a worry between size pe the lives of thousands of boys needing a about your home and roof. Below are examples of what you can look for before worrying about don’t worry your roof is fi path to productive adulthood. The Boy Scout there being damage on your roof. WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE HAIL? hail is the size of a golf b Handbook spells out what it means to be a Scout. The Field Manual teaches how your roof should be chec If the hail around your home is in to survive and even thrive in wilderness between the size of a pea or a quarter, conditions. don’t worry your roof is fine. But, if the Scouts live by a strict code of conduct. WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE HAIL? theI size of a golf ball or larger, A Scout pledges, “Onhail my is honor will do Preparing hail damage your roof should checked by afor the hail around your homeisisdifficult. in If the fallen hail is severe enough, it can cause damage to your my best to do my duty to God and my coun-Ifbe home and roof. However, there are times that hail is not as bad as it seems and you don’t need to worry between the size of a pea or a quarter, try and to obey the Scout Law; to help other about your home and roof. Below are examples of what you can look for before worrying about if the being damage on your roof. people at all times; to keep myself physi- don’t worry your roof is fine. But,there cally strong, mentally awake, and morally hail is the size of a golf ball or larger, straight.” your roof should be checked by a And two weeks ago, I watched a group of WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE HAIL? Scouts live up to that pledge on a hot sumIf the hail around your home is in mer day on my front lawn.

yard are shredded to pieces

andthe was caused by home hail falling, Many times if the hail damage is Check sidings of your signiﬁcant enough, your gutters for holes. If there is new damage there is a good chance there and was caused by hail falling, will be heavily dented or ripped in to your thatto is ayour goodroof. issiding, damage there is a good chance there and trees If your plants in your places. If this Many is the times case,ifyou indicator that your roof may also the hail damage is Check the sidings of your hom yardroof. are shredded to pieces is damage to your signiﬁcant holes. If there is new dama have a good reason to beenough, con- your guttersbe for damaged. and was caused by hail falling,about will be heavily to your siding, that is a good cerned your roof.dented or ripped in

consist of the Circle City Trumpets and theis a good If your plants and trees in yourplaces. Many times if the hail damage is Checkindicator the sidings that of your homeroof may a there chance there If this is the case, you your Zionsville Band Saxophone Ensemble, Frank yard are shredded to pieces signiﬁcant enough, your gutters for holes. If there is new damage is damage to your roof. have a good reason to be conbe damaged. and was caused by hail falling, will be heavily dented or ripped in to your siding, that is a good Bradord, School of Rock and the Sunny Side cerned your there is a good chance there places. Ifabout this is the case,roof. you indicator that your roof may also Up Variety Hour. A program guide will also is damage to your roof. have a good reason to be conbe damaged. be published soon, ZCD officials said. cerned about your roof.

If you are ex

If you are experiencing all of these hail warning signs, here Whitestown plans National Night Out here are the next steps you should take: signs,

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Mercer hopes summer provides springboard for success By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Carmel High School senior tennis player Eli Mercer got a nice lift from his summer experience. Mercer joined 2021 CHS graduate Jones McNamar and four other friends on a boys and girls team that won the World Team Tennis national title for 18 and under in Orlando at the United States Tennis Association campus. The Central Indiana team beat a California team in the final. “It was special because we’ve all known each other since we were in second or third grade,” Mercer said. “We’ve played the same competition the last three years, and to finally make it to the top is really nice.” In June, Mercer won the Central Indiana 18 and under boys singles title and advanced to the Midwest Section tournament. Mercer said he is playing at a high level entering his final high school season. Carmel tennis coach Bryan Hanan said Mercer is an exceptional leader for the younger players. “He is a very hard worker and has really showed great improvement the last four

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School: Carmel High School. Class: Senior. Sport: Tennis. College Plans: Wants to play tennis in college and major in business, perhaps sports management. Hobbies: Playing basketball, soccer with friends. Favorite movie: “1917.” Favorite athlete: Liverpool soccer standout Andrew Robertson. Favorite TV show: “Ted Lasso.” Ideal vacation spot: Visiting Disney World in Orlando.

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Eli Mercer was unbeaten at No. 2 singles for Carmel High School as a junior. (Photo courtesy of Eli Mercer)

years,” Hanan said. “He puts the work in during the offseason and plays in a lot of tournaments, and that’s the reason for his success.” Mercer finished 27-0 as a junior at No. 2 singles for the state champion Greyhounds (23-0). “He also was the clinching point in the state finals and was the reason we won the state championship last year,” Hanan said. Mercer’s three-set win was the difference

in a 3-2 victory over North Central in the state final. Senior Broc Fletcher was the No. 1 singles player last season. “I think it will be interesting to see Eli and Broc battle it out for the top spot,” Hanan said. “I think competition is a great thing and both those guys will be able to push one another to get better this year. They are both really good friends and great competitors, but when it’s all said and done, whoever plays one singles they will still be the other one’s biggest cheerleader because just that’s how they both are. They are just great kids that come from great families.” Mercer said his conditioning has improved since last season. “I’m more fit and I’ve just grown a little bit,” he said. “My serve has gotten better. I’m just trying to play smarter tennis. I’ve got smarter on the court from practicing with a lot of good players.” Mercer said he expects the Greyhounds to contend for another state title. “We still have four really good players returning and we have some good freshmen and sophomores,” he said. “I’m feeling confident we can get a sixth one in a row.”

August 3, 2021

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ZCS pushes Strong in Every Way By Jarred Meeks jarred@youarecurrent.com Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Zionsville Community Schools will continue to champion its Strong in BACK TO SCHOOL Every Way initiative to help students, ZCS Supt. Scott Robison said. “We continue to work through Strong in Every Way to help young people for life,” Robison. “That is an ongoing initiative for us.” Strong in Every Way is an initiative Zionsville Community Schools began in 2016 with the goal of developing “connected, resilient, self and culturally adept young people during their formative years,” according to ZCS. Strong in Every Way supports students by providing connections, assets and resources and cultural understandings. “The first pillar of that is the webs of supports,” Robison said. “Those sorts of activities that are very affiliative actually happened pretty well last year. For instance, there is a speaker series for middle school kids where we have speakers come in to talk to young boys and girls about coming of age as people of leadership and integrity

and so on.” In addition, the school continued to offer extra-curricular activities and sports last year that kept kids engaged, but with modifications. The school district plans to offer similar activities this year. The central pillar of the initiative focuses on assets and resources by providing children opportunities to learn and grow, such as travelling, which was greatly restricted last year. “Great experiences are happening with kids and for kids, so it’s in that area that we look (at) the array of opportunities,” Robison said. “We were on the cusp, in the year before COVID, of our best years of pausing experiences where kids go places, do things and, obviously, learn a great deal.” Robison said a trip to New York City when he was 10 remains one of the most memorable experiences of his life. He said it was instrumental in expanding his interest in the world during his formative years. The third pillar, cultural understandings, maintains that everyone belongs at ZCS. “That’s a whole skill set and dispositional set of traits that will serve kids well through their whole lives,” Robison said.

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Boone County plans to launch drug court By Jarred Meeks jarred@youarecurrent.com Boone County officials plan to establish a drug court to increase services for people afflicted with drug addiction. Boone County Corrections Pre-Trial Coordinator Ashley McClure would be the drug court’s coordinator. She said the drug court is in the early planning phases. The county intends to assemble a steering committee with the goal of launching the court in early 2022. Other neighboring counties have drug courts, including Hamilton County, which established one in 2010. The court created an “intensive supervision and treatment program for non-violent drug addicted and drug dependent defendants,” according to Hamilton County’s probation department, something Boone County officials want to replicate. Drug courts typically allow people who qualify to participate in rehabilitation and treatment services and receive resources, through the help of a case manager, to find housing and employment while undergoing regular drug screening. Requirements for participants to graduate from the drug court also are outlined. Boone County’s drug court would be administered by the county’s circuit court under Boone County Circuit Court Judge Lori Schein. Michael Nance, executive director of the county’s community corrections department, said during a July Boone County Commissioners meeting that a drug court would supervise people “in a way that has been

shown across the country to actually help reduce recidivism and address the drug-use issue.” Nance said the impact of the drug court might not be seen immediately. He said the county would need to view the court as a long-term approach to providing assistance. “You will see whether or not they, obviously, return to jail, but it is hard to measure things like their family life getting better or the fact that now they are employed and doing better at work or the fact that they are now going to their kid’s baseball games instead of going to do drugs,” Nance said. McClure said the cost of launching the drug court hasn’t been determined. “A lot of our expenses currently will, hopefully, be covered under grant funding,” McClure said. “We are too early, funding-wise, to know what this is going to look like at this point.” To start, McClure said the county’s target population for the court would be “high-risk/high-need” residents who have “failed at all other types of community supervision.” “This is going to be some intensive inyour-face, all-of-the-time contact with community corrections and the judge weekly,” McClure said. County officials said the drug court would partner with local providers to offer myriad forms of therapy for participants. “The drug court is a huge deal,” said Tom Santelli, president of the Boone County Commissioners. “It is another extension of the services that our community corrections and probation is providing, working with the judges.”

August 3, 2021

COMMUNITY streets of Oak Street who are Project: North/South in the direct location of the Connector sewer project are being conLocation: The final element sidered for sewer, including to begin on the project is CONSTRUCTION residents as far west as 800 the new, two-lane roundE. and as far east as 950 E. about on Oak Street at C.R. As a first step, the Wastewater Dept. 850 E., also known as Cooper Road. assessed interest, asking residents in While Oak Street is planned to remain the area to complete a survey. The Town open to traffic throughout this phase, needs greater than 50 percent buy-in from C.R. 850 E. will close south of the interthe neighbors to run sewer down a street section for approximately 30 days during and all neighbors will be asked to contribconstruction. This is due to the change in ute in the cost. However, residents will elevation; the roundabout will be higher not be forced to connect. than the cross-street, so a temporary acExpected completion: For the Oak Street cess cannot be provided. sewer system, expected completion is Expected completion: The project is exmid-August. The project is currently under pected to be complete this summer. construction. For the low-pressure force Project: C.R. 500 S. widening main system, construction will begin in Location: The project is similar to the 2022. Expected completion is summer C.R. 400 S. project in that it widens and 2022. resurfaces C.R. 500 S. from C.R. 875 E. to Project: U.S. 421 and C.R. 550 approximately 0.4 miles west. A full road Location: INDOT has started the interclosure is anticipated. section improvement project at U.S. 421 Expected completion: Summer 2021 and CR 550 to add a traffic light at this Project: Oak Street sewer/low-pressure intersection. The project could take a few force main months to complete. There will not be any Location: The sewer will be on the north closures but there may be lane restricside of Oak Street and extend west of tions at times with flaggers present. Cooper Road, traveling east to just west Expected completion: Late summer 2021. of Irish Hill. All residents along the side

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Boone County man’s secret to living: ‘Don’t give up on it’ By Jarred Meeks jarred@youarecurrent.com Off U.S. 421, heading east on Ind. 32, 10-foot dinosaurs, sprawling flowers and other oddities appear in a large field on the south side of the road. They are all made of old car parts, farming equipment and other discarded metal materials — the imaginative creations of Ernie and Dottie Taylor. In 2019, Dottie, Earnie’s wife of 62 years, died, and he now lives with his small dog that waddles because of its weight. Three Taylor months ago, Taylor, 93, suffered a massive heart attack, leading to the placement of a third pacemaker. Although his recent health setback means his movements are diminished versions of what they were, he remains active. “I lost my dad when he was 86, and he said he didn’t have anything to look forward to,” Taylor said. “Hell, I got all kinds of things to look forward to.” Taylor grew up during the Great Depression. He contends his family suffered as much as anyone and that “there wasn’t anybody raised poorer.” He said the family would often get by without shoes and by only eating parched corn heated on a stovetop during those years. To escape his impoverished state, Taylor became the first of his family to graduate from high school. He wanted to specialize in something he knew would help him earn a living, so he focused on welding courses, which later led to a long career in the profession. He also said he lied about his age and joined the Army, serving in occupied Italy during World War II. It was in Italy where he began measuring the

Ernie Taylor has made original art pieces at his property where he moved with his wife in 1962. (Photos by Jarred Meeks)

worth of all the goods in the world in cheeseburgers. He said seeing the theater of war and experiencing hunger made him appreciate what he had. “Of all the things you do, you want to be able to eat,” Taylor said. “I could afford to buy a new car. I could afford to buy a new truck. But I think about how many cheeseburgers I could eat on that, and I’d rather have a cheeseburger. It’s like my dad used to preach to me, ‘Be happy with who I am and what I got.’ It looks different if you count all them dollars in cheeseburgers.” Taylor now lives what he calls “a simple life” on his property off Ind. 32, where he has lived since 1962 and continues to measure an item’s worth in cheeseburgers. His house is more than 100 years old, and the heritage barn he works in is more than 50 years old. His truck, a red ’89 Chevy, is parked among a cluster of metal art pieces he has welded and crafted into shapes of floral arrangements, people and animals — a hobby he and his wife started when he retired nearly 25 years ago. Taylor doesn’t sell the art. He said selling something implies work, and he no longer

works. At most, he might give a piece or two away, likely to family who ask him for pieces. But working more isn’t why the Taylors started making art. Taylor and his wife didn’t travel much. He jokingly said she was “a nervous wreck,” always worrying about potential dangers, which freed up time at the house, so they found other ways to stay busy, chief among them creating their own art. “We didn’t plan any of this,” Taylor said. “We just got to doing this, and here it is.” His art is his passion, and he aims to keep it that way while discovering new ones as well. At 72, Taylor learned to play the guitar and ukulele and has played for 20 years. For him, learning new things and staying passionate about them gives him renewed vigor. “I think the secret (of life) is that you just don’t give up on it,” Taylor said. “It would be pretty easy for me to sit back in that ol’ chair and do nothing. But you have to stay interested in something.” Following his surgery, Taylor sits outside in the summer air more often with small crystal windchimes softly adding to the songs he plays on the ukulele, some of which he wrote. “Well, I might be old, but I ain’t dead,” sang Taylor, strumming his instrument. “Get your biscuits in the oven and your buns in bed. Well, too old to cut the mustard that’ll never be said. Get your biscuits in the oven and your buns in bed. Well, I’m 93 years old, my life hanging by a thread. Get your biscuits in the oven and your buns in bed. But if there ever comes a time when I ain’t here, get your biscuits in the oven and your buns in bed.” He knocks twice on the wooden ukulele after the last strum. ON THE COVER: Ernie Taylor sings a song he wrote at his property. (Photo by Jarred Meeks)

BUILDING A DINOSAUR For nearly five years, Ernie Taylor, who lives off Ind. 32, collected parts to build a dinosaur that would tower above the other art pieces on his property. “I finally decided I had enough to do it,” Taylor said. “Once you get it in your mind, it’s easy enough, but finding the parts to make it out of is the hard part. Most people, when they want to build something, they design it and go out and buy what they need. I do it in reverse. I look in the junk pile and see what I got and make something out of that.” He estimates the dinosaurs in his field are each worth thousands of cheeseburgers. “I think Ernie is satisfied just being Ernie,” said Chuck Gowen, a friend who lives in Carmel. “He refuses to quit in life. He’s not giving up and sitting on the sidelines and letting life pass you by.” For Years, Ernie Taylor collected parts to build large metal dinosaurs.

August 3, 2021

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Commentary by Terry Anker “You are wrong, and I don’t want to hear what you think,” barked the domineering spouse to their beleaguered partner. Wouldn’t it make sense to consider what they say before determining disagreement with it? Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to have our views challenged openly than to rest insecurely in ignorance? Indiana Congressman Jim Banks was recommended by his peers for appointment to a review commission. Our nation’s capital is rife with such blue-ribbon panels, special committees, and double-secret boards. One can assume that they are designed to help our leaders gain insight into important or faddish matters and oil the rusty gears of government so that they might lurch forward. In this case, a wrench has fallen into the works. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has broken tradition by blocking Banks from appointment. There are many, given the chance, who would do the same to her. Is it true that open discussion is dangerous in that it only obscures a predetermined truth? Or are we calling folks liars before they lie? A commission is not required to determine the moment of sunrise. Still, there is much debate about whether we should awake before, at, or after it. We all have our perspectives, perhaps firmly held, of when to emerge from slumber. So, how do we honor the views of those with whom we disagree? It is an alluring temptation to prevent those thoughts that don’t align from ever being heard. It is an alluring temptation to hold back that seat at the table. It is an alluring temptation to invite disingenuous compliance from those who will quiet their own beliefs to avoid expulsion. But do we benefit from their exclusion or are we weakened by failure to seek challenge? Can we seek the truth if we already believe we know it?

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

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.” — ANNE FRANK

POLICIES Letters to the editor: Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 150 words. Letters must be thoroughly vetted prior to submission. Current retains the right to reject or return any letter it deems to carry unsubstantiated content. Current also retains the right to edit letters, but not their intent. Send letters to info@youarecurrent.com. Writers must include a hometown and a daytime phone number for verification. Guest columns: The policy for guest columns is the same as the aforementioned, but the allowable length is 240 words. Guest columns should address the whole of Current’s readership, not simply special-interest groups, and may not in any way contain a commercial message.

People often ask which of our four heirs is my favorite. The expected response is, “I don’t have one,” and I suppose in the aggregate, that’s true. But let’s be honest, on the daily, there is absolutely a podium placement for Most Loved Kid. And though it changes frequently, I’ve noticed the gold medal normally goes to whoever is in their happy place, typically when they are away from the expectations of established family roles. To that point, last week’s Champion Child was our youngest, simply because I had the chance to spend time with just her. We traveled to Massachusetts for a few days to visit fancy colleges and geek out on American history (our reenactment of the Boston Massacre is sure to become legendary). It was amazing to me that once I got her on her own, she transformed into a totally different person. Instead of encountering an angsty teenager who constantly competes with her older brothers and verbally spars with her sister, I enjoyed a kind and caring young woman who is quite funny (she dramatically threw the “snowball” at my unsuspecting British soldier, beginning the aforementioned Boston Massacre reprisal). Now that we’re back home again in Indiana, she’s returned to her usual MO of either hiding in her room except, for meals, or running off to hang with her besties. We communicate through eye-rolling, cold silence and incessant hurumphing, if we see her at all. It’s a struggle to remember that the girl with whom I’m occasionally interacting isn’t necessarily who she is. Suffice it to say, she is no longer my reigning favorite. Congratulations Male Heir No. 2! Peace out.

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

August 3, 2021

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Remembering a close friend and public servant Commentary by Dick Wolfsie There will never be another Dr. Pat Keener. This dear friend of the Wolfsies passed away two weeks ago. Even HUMOR if her name is not familiar to you, her lifelong dedication to the health of this city — indeed the nation — should not be forgotten. Among a score of accomplishments, this dedicated pediatrician and neonatologist founded the Indianapolis Campaign for Healthy Babies back in 1989 that improved the dismal infant mortality rate in central Indiana. She also was the founder of the Safe Sitter Program, a national training initiative to teach teens how to be better babysitters. The program covers everything from whether it’s OK for sitters to raid the fridge to how to save a choking toddler. For the past 40 years, Pat was resolute in finding appealing little snippets in magazines and newspapers, cutting them out and sending them to me via snail mail. I always looked forward to seeing what was in each next installment. If it weren’t for Pat, I wouldn’t know that: • It is possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs. • A duck’s quack doesn’t echo, and no one knows why. • The shape of a Pringle is a hyperbolic paraboloid. Dr. Pat once mutilated a brand-new copy of the “New England Journal of Medicine” so she could send me an article saying babies are born with about 300 bones, but by the time they reach adulthood, these bones will have fused together to form 206 bones. There is something about opening a ma-

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nilla envelope fresh from the mailbox and having several pieces of a newspaper article (that was continued on three different pages) tumble out across the kitchen table and flutter to the floor. Just fitting it all together was always a challenge, and I must admit that I have probably read the parts in the wrong order more than once. My mother also used to send me newspaper articles with references to people I knew from years earlier. She usually included a little note with each article: “Thought you’d want to see this. Wasn’t he a friend of yours?” Mom asked. I know my mother’s heart was in the right place, but obituaries didn’t quite cheer me up the way Pat’s articles did. Pat read everything, so I always wanted to look smart when I was with her. One evening, she and her husband, Garry, were out to dinner with Mary Ellen and me. I tried to jazz up the conversation. “Pat, did you know that an ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain?” “I did,” she said. “I’m the one who sent you the article.” There is so much about this incredible woman that I will miss. There was a wonderful write-up about her in the newspaper when she passed away. In her honor, I cut out the article … and mailed it to several of my friends.

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

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August 3, 2021

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BCHD issues COVID-19 guidance news@currentinzionsville.com Because of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the county and new guidance from the Centers for PANDEMIC Disease Control and Prevention, the Boone County Health Dept. has issued new guidance regarding mitigation strategies. The week of July 17 to July 23, the BCHD reported 62 new cases of COVID-19 in the county, the most cases it has reported in a week since the end of April. BCHD officials stated the department has close working relationships with the school corporations in Boone County and that it plans to incorporate science-based mitigation strategies to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in school settings. The BCHD’s recommendations follow the CDC’s guidance, which is available at cdc. gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html. A media release from the BCHD states, “Currently, there are substantial positive cases being reported in Boone County, as well as across the nation. Layered approach

prevention strategies are the key to protecting those in our community.” The BCHD recommends the following mitigation strategies: • Promoting vaccination to all who are eligible • Physical distancing • Indoor ventilation • Handwashing and respiratory etiquette • Consistent and correct mask use • Staying home when sick • Testing sick individuals • Contact tracing, in combination with isolation and quarantine • Cleaning and disinfecting The BCHD also encourages face coverings in indoor congregate settings, such as schools, for vaccinated and unvaccinated people while community transmission is substantial or high. In addition to the new guidance, the department strongly recommends everyone 12 years and older to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. For more, visit ourshot.in.gov for available vaccination locations.

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August 3, 2021

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BOONE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES JULY IMPACT AWARD WINNER

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Race in-person or virtually Fundraise for PAWsome prizes Leashed dogs welcome Dog medal for participating pets PLUS awesome swag for you Proceeds benefit HSHC's Survivor Program and hundreds of animals in need

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The Boone County Chamber of Commerce announced the Amazon fulfillment center in Whitestown as the July 2021 Chamber Impact Award recipient. In 2008, Amazon launched the Whitestown fulfillment center, which has more than 2,000 full-time employees. To date, Amazon officials say the company has created more than 20,000 jobs in Indiana and invested more than $15 billion across the state, including infrastructure and compensation to its employees. Above, from left, Allie Tribble, with the Boone County Chamber of Commerce; Nichole Renaud, with Amazon; Diane Schultz, the BCC executive director; Marissa Beck, with the BCC; and Don Barrett, a BCC board Member, pause while Amazon officials are presented the award.

DISPATCHES Stocks that benefit from rising inflation — The last time the annual inflation rate topped 2.5 percent was 2011, when it hit 3 percent. As of November 2020, it was a mere 1.2%. And although many economists expect price rises to remain tame, some predict that steppedup inflation may surface as pent-up demand surges among consumers freed by new COVID-19 vaccines…and trillions of dollars in stimulus money bolsters global economies that were hit by the pandemic-induced recession. Good candidates can be found in the materials and industrial sectors, such as the ones that follow: Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), the world’s largest copper miner, will see stronger profits due to a 60 percent jump since last spring in the price of copper — essential for home construction and electric-vehicle production. Recent share price: $24.63. Caterpillar (CAT) is a global leader in producing heavy machinery. Rising commodity prices will lead Caterpillar’s customers, ranging from industrial metalmining firms to agricultural companies, to buy more of Caterpillar’s excavators,

backhoes and bulldozers. Recent share price: $180.96. Cummins (CMI). This century-old company will see demand rise for diesel engines that power big-rig trucks and trains used to haul commodities and other goods. Also, investors are underestimating the profit potential of Cummins’s new “clean–energy” engines that use fuel cells and hydrogen technology. Recent share price: $224.31. Source: BottomLine.com Facility fee is hidden health care charge -- Facility fees are one of the biggest ripoffs the hospital industry has ever come up with, according to Charles B. Inlander, a consumer advocate and health-care consultant based in Fogelsville, Pa.. Across the nation, consumers who go to “off-site” urgent-care centers or medical practices (they are not located on a hospital’s campus but are owned by the hospital entity) are being charged facility fees that in some cases are higher than the cost of care that was provided. Sadly, the fees themselves are perfectly legal.

August 3, 2021

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Hamilton County breweries strike gold By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Three Hamilton County breweries won big at the July 10 Indiana Brewers Cup. Grand Junction Brewing Co., BEER Westfield, won four medals and took home the Best of Show designation for its Mulligan Scottish Ale. Field Brewing, Westfield, won two gold medals. Primeval Brewing, Noblesville, won seven medals — one gold, four silver and two bronze. The seven medals tied Primeval Brewing with Metazoa Brewing Co. in Indianapolis for Brewery of the Year, but Metazoa won the distinction by virtue of receiving more gold medals than Primeval. GJBC owner Jon Knight said the brewery has participated in the Indiana Brewers Cup for the past seven years and he was confident entering the competition that the brewery would do well. Winning Best of Show was a first-time accomplishment for the brewery. Knight credits GJBC’s head brewer, Ryan Thomas, for the achievement. “We have got a tremendous head brewer, and he has actually won medals in the past for us, and I think he’s really hitting his stride,” Knight said. The competition had more than 500 entries. The Best of Show category pits gold medal-winning beers in 35 categories against each other. GJBC won a trophy and banner with the Best of Show designation and plans to display the items in the brewery.

Mulligan Scottish Ale won Best of Show at the Indiana Brewers Cup. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Thomas)

Knight said the competition shows that breweries in Hamilton County strive to produce the best beers. “When you’ve got 13 medals between three breweries 12 to 13 miles apart, that’s a pretty unique thing,” Knight said. Field Brewing owner Jackie Dikos credits the brewery’s head brewer, Rian Umbach, for the brewery’s wins at the competition. “Working with Rian has been amazing. He definitely feels like part of our team and family for sure. He started with us

before we opened Field Brewing,” Dikos said. “I feel like what Rian’s creating is the backbone of who we are in Westfield and the type of beer we wanted to create. Rian’s greatest strength is making beers approachable.” Primeval Brewing co-owners Nathan Compton and Tim Palmer also serve as the brewers at Primeval. The brewery produces mainly European-inspired beer, drawing from Germany, Great Britain and Belgium. Compton and Palmer have competed in the Indiana Brewers Cup as home brewers for several years, but this is the first year they competed as professionals. Compton said although he didn’t expect to win so many medals, he was confident about his chances of winning something. “It’s limited to 12 entries (per brewery), so in a competition of that size, to place in over 50 percent of your entries is certainly more than you could reasonably expect,” Compton said. Compton described Primeval Brewing as “contrarian” in the craft beer world. “The American craft beer scene has tended to push the envelope on bigger beers, hoppier beers, and beers more out there with creative additions,” Compton said. “We focus more on traditional styles, and we try to make them as best we can.” Thomas said that’s his strategy at GJBC as well. “I pride myself on not being a brewer that only brews IPAs or trying to figure out the next ridiculous thing I can put in a beer to sell as much as I can,” Thomas said.

HAMILTON COUNTY WINNING BEERS Grand Junction Brewing Co., 1189 E. 181st St., Westfield: • Mulligan Scottish Ale, won Best of Show and gold in the Scottish & Irish Ale • Westfield Underground ESB, a strong bitter, won bronze in the Pale British Ale • Imperfect Backside Oatmeal Stout, an oatmeal stout, won bronze in the British & Irish Stout • Westfielder 8, a Biere de Garde, won

silver in the Belgian Ale Field Brewing, 303 E. Main St., Westfield:   • Doppel Dribble, a Doppelbock, won gold in the Strong European Lager • Black Friday, a sweet stout, won gold in the British & Irish Stout category Primeval Brewing, 960 Logan St., Unit 100, Noblesville: • Rauch My World, a Rauchbier, won gold in the Smoke-Flavored Beer • Chompinator, a Doppelbock, won

bronze in the Strong European Lager • Edelweiss, a Weissbier, won silver in the German Wheat & Rye Beer • Titus, a Weizenbock, won bronze in the German Wheat & Rye Beer • My Pretty Irish Girl, an Irish stout, won silver in the British & Irish Stout • Afterflow, an English Strong Ale, won silver in the Strong UK Ale • Spring Fling, a Saison, won silver in the Saison

BEEF & BOARDS Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents “The Sound of Music” through Aug. 15. For more, visit beefandboards.com. FEINSTEIN’S Don Farrell will perform “All the Way: A Frank Sinatra Tribute” at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Carol J. Bufford will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6-7. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com. CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS The Songbook Academy Online Virtual Showcases, held at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, will be presented at 8 p.m. Aug. 6-8. The virtual events are free, but registration is required. Donations are accepted. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Discovering Broadway hosts ‘Hamlet’ concert editorial@youarecurrent.com The creative team of the new musical “Hamlet” will participate in Discovering Broadway’s writers’ retreat program in Carmel. Discovering Broadway Inc. will premiere songs at 8 p.m. Aug. 20 in a concert from the new musical “Hamlet” in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre at the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis. The writers’ retreat begins Aug. 17 at the Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Discovering Broadway founder Joel Kirk, a 2012 Carmel High School graduate, is the bookwriter and director for “Hamlet.” The concert features Jordan Donica (“My Fair Lady”) as Hamlet; Samantha Pauly (“Six”) as Ophelia; Adam Pascal (“Rent”) as King Claudius; and Bryonha Marie Parham (“Prince of Broadway”) as Gertrude. Giving the concert a local flavor are performers Eric Wiegand, a CHS graduate; Christina Barnes, a Zionsville Community High School graduate; and Sophie Miller, a 2018 CHS graduate.

August 3, 2021

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Indy Opera regulars to perform at Lobster Palooza By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Indianapolis Opera veterans Daniel Narducci and Marci Jackson will FUNDRAISER display their musical theater talents at the 11th annual Lobster Palooza. The Indianapolis Opera Narducci fundraiser is set for 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8 at Daniel’s Family Vineyard and Winery in McCordsville. Jackson said they will start by singing four songs with a pianist and then perform a Nat King Cole song with the Dean Martini Band. “It’s a little musical theater, a little Gershwin. It will be fun,” Jackson said. “Dean Martini has a ton of great songs. If they need background vocals, I might feel the need to pop in.” Narducci said he has always performed in opera and musicals.

“I always cherish the opportunity to present the classic music theater,” said Narducci, who lives in Unionville. “I’ll be singing a Frank Wildhood song from the modern Broadway era. The Dean Martini band does a lot of ‘50s and ‘60s songs, kind of jazzy blues. The whole point is just to have a blast.” This will be Narducci’s first time at Lobster PalooJackson za, which previously had been held in downtown Indianapolis. Narducci appeared as King Arthur and Jackson was Guinevere in Indy Opera’s Camelot in March 2019. Jackson, an Indianapolis resident, is eager to perform live again. “This will be my first public performance since a recital in March 2020, just a week before the pandemic shut things down,” Jackson said. Jackson attended Lobster Palooza a few years ago. For more, visit indyopera.org.

Front Porch Music Fest set By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com When Noblesville resident Jason Pearson and his wife, Jessica, took a trip to Evansville for a weekend getaway EVENT and saw a front porch music festival, they thought downtown Noblesville would be a perfect fit for a similar event. The Front Porch Music Festival will be from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 on Logan Street between 10th and 14th streets. Logan Street will be blocked to vehicle traffic, making the event pedestrian friendly. Bands will perform on nine porches, with half of the bands performing throughout the first block and the

last block of the street, with the middle area reserved for food vendors. Admission is free. “Local businesses have sponsored the event to pay the musicians,” Pearson said. “We want to make sure this is a free event, but the musicians aren’t donating their time. They’re sharing their talents and need to be compensated for that.” The event is the first of its kind in Noblesville. Depending on turnout, Pearson would like to make it a biannual event. Pearson said he chose Logan Street for the event because of its proximity to the courthouse square, the historic brick street and beautiful homes along the street. Pearson said Noblesville resident Ken Bubp has been instrumental in planning the event.

DISPATCH Art show set to honor Seward’s memory — In an effort to honor the memory of Samantha Lee Seward (Oct. 22, 1971 to June 19, 2021), friends of the Seward family, Sue Wickliff and Mary Ann Davis, will be hosting an Art Show and Sale, Aug. 7 at the SullivanMunce Cultural Center, 225 W. Hawthorne Street, Zionsville. Various artists have donated paintings with 100 percent of the proceeds being contributed to The Samantha Seward Memorial Scholarship to be awarded by the Indiana University School of Nursing where Samantha received her nursing degree. The works will be on display starting at 10 a.m. and a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres available for the attendees. Current Ad Single Ticket Sales 8.3.indd 1

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August 3, 2021

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LouVino Fishers

Wednesday, August 4 7 pm Zionsville Concert Band Presents

Commentary by Anna Skinner Address: 8626 E. 116th St., Fishers What to get: Seared duck and peaches Price: $28   Anna’s take: LouVino is an excellent place for date night or brunch with friends. I tried an array of items, including the baller board charcuterie ($36), which was overflowing with Italian pepperoni, Manchego, a triple-cream brie, Capacolla, pancetta and local honey, among other items; Brussels sprouts salad ($11), which gave me fiesta vibes with cilantro lime vinaigrette, pickled cherry peppers and roasted corn; and the raspberry wedge salad ($14), a delicious, sweet salad with crushed raspberries, dates, gorgonzola cheese, red onion, Marcona almonds, romaine and a creamy raspberry vinaigrette. My favorite dish was seared duck with peaches ($28), which was thinly sliced layered duck and juicy peaches atop fingerling potatoes, assorted veggies

Seared duck and peaches features thinly sliced duck, juciy peaches, fingerling potatoes. (Photo by Rachel Greenberg)

and a sweet cognac gastrique that paired beautifully with the duck. Another favorite was the vegan stir fry ($20), which got extra points because not only was it vegan, it was delicious, with a colorful array of rainbow carrots, baby corn, water chestnuts, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, onions and spinach, all tossed in a spicy sweet ginger sauce and dotted with sesame seeds. LouVino does an excellent job with cooking its veggies, which may seem like an easy task, but I’ve found most restaurants overcook them, whereas LouVino prepares them with the perfect amount of crisp and still hold their shape. End your meal with chocolate chip cookie dough stuffed beignets ($9).

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Behind bars: HGS Get it at LouVino, Fishers Ingredients: 2 oz. vodka, 3 dashes grapefruit bitters, 1 orange wedge, 1 lime wedge, 1 basil sprig, 1 rosemary sprig, soda water, cranberry juice Directions: Muddle the orange, lime, basil and rosemary with the vodka and bitters, then shake with ice and pour into a tall glass. Top with soda water and a splash of cranberry juice.

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William to play at Feinstein’s By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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‘Willie Wonka,’” said William, who is based in New York. “I even do a song from the TV show ‘Smash,’ so it’s a range of different Mark William puts his own spins on being material. Whatever age comes in, they are a classic crooner. going to have a good time.” “I love Great William, a native of Toledo, Ohio, CONCERT American Songbook said this is first chance to take his material and classic tour out of New York. He previously Broadway stuff,” William said. “But has performed shows in Maine. I try to stay up to date as well, “It’s an exciting time and I’m so I like to bring material from all glad to have Feinstein’s be a part different genres and eras and inof that,” he said. “My manager and terpret through the lens of a young I are spearheading a musical that William crooner.” is for me, which hopefully will be William will perform at 7:30 p.m. happening next year. I also recorded Aug. 13-14 at Feinstein’s cabaret in the Hotel a pilot for a new television show as the lead Carmichael in Carmel. The title of his show of a young priest who is struggling with his is “Come Croon with Me,” which also is the faith and personal life. I started in musical name of his album, which came out in the theater, but I’ve done the work and develfall of 2019. oped my skills to go and do anything.” William, 25, will perform songs from that William developed his love of music from album and a couple bonus songs. his mother, Teresa Blowers, a pianist and Some of the songs that are part the almusic teacher. His mother is bringing a bum are “Come Fly With Me,” “Moon River” large group or friends to the Carmel shows. and “On The Street Where You Live.” “I’m sure it will be wonderful to see so “I do stuff by Peter Allen and stuff from many people I haven’t been able to perform some of the classic movies that my nieces since I left home,” William said. and nephews watch, like ‘Wizard of Oz’ and For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

Artist ‘grinds away’ at painting By Rick Morwick rick@youarecurrent.com

Become a volunteer today Riverview Health is looking for volunteers to join its great team. Some of the many volunteer service areas include patient transport, guest services and the gift shop. Shifts are available in the morning or afternoon, at least one day per week, Monday-Friday. If you’re interested in volunteering at Riverview Health in Noblesville or Westfield, please contact the manager of Volunteer Services, Melinda Nash, at 317.776.7236 or mnash@riverview.org. RIGHT SIZE. RIGHT CARE. RIGHT HERE.

tured the finest work of juried artist members in the categories of watercolor; oil/ acrylic; drawing/mixed media; photography; While exploring the gristmill at Spring Mill and 3-D art. State Park, Dr. Robert Bratton was intrigued A retired dentist, Bratton, 82, took first by a piece of pre-Industriplace in the watercolor category ART al Revolution machinery as well as Best in Show. He took inside the 18th-century up painting three decades ago structure. after taking lessons from a former “I went inside the old mill there patient. and was struck by the wooden “I have always been interested in cogs that turned the millstone creativity and art, which is useful in grinder,” he said. “I decided that it the dental profession,” Bratton said. Bratton would make a good subject for a “I have been painting in watercolors painting. I photographed it for a reference almost exclusively for about 30 years. I love and planned on emphasizing the colors and to paint metal objects, architecture, matextures so that I could create an abstract, chinery, animals, or anything that has color realistic painting.” and texture. Bratton did more than that. The Carmel “I particularly like to paint old, rusty resident created a watercolor painting that steam locomotives or things relating to the won Best of Show at the June 4 “All Our railroad.” Best” reception for the Hamilton County A frequent exhibitor at the Birdie Gallery, Artists’ Association at the Birdie Gallery in has been a juried member of the HCAA since Noblesville. 1994 and is a Cardinal Fellow of the WaterBratton’s painting, “Grinding Away,” was color Society of Indiana. the centerpiece of the HCAA’s “All Our Best” “It’s what I love to do in retirement, and I exhibit that was on display June 5 through enjoy entering competitions,” said Bratton, July 24 at the Birdie Gallery. The exhibit feawhose website is robertbrattonart.com.

August 3, 2021

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Holistic spelling of wholistic Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

T. C. Steele State Historic Site, near Nashville, Ind. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Visiting T. C. Steele State Commentary by Don Knebel Continuing to focus on Hoosier historic sites, my 450th column is about Brown County’s T. C. Steele State HisTRAVEL toric Site. Theodore Clement Steele, Indiana’s best-known artist, was born in Owen County in 1847. After studying at Munich’s Academy of Fine Arts, Steele and his family settled in Indianapolis, where he earned a living painting portraits for $500 (about $16,000 today). However, his passion was for plein air (outdoors) painting and his impressionist landscapes gained widespread acclaim. In 1907, he moved with Selma, his second wife, to the House of the Singing Winds, a studio/residence featuring high ceilings and porches he built on a remote hilltop 10 miles south of Nashville. He expanded the site and built a barn-like studio in 1916, where he displayed his works for visitors from across the nation. Steele frequently painted his woodlands and formal gardens Selma created on the property, but also traveled, painting from a horse-drawn wagon. Steele’s Brown County paintings drew other plein air artists to Nashville,

where they established an artist’s colony. When Steele died in 1926, his ashes were buried on his property, marked by a stone proclaiming “Beauty Outlasts Everything.” Selma, who was 23 years younger, maintained the property until just before her death in 1945, when she donated the entire 211 acres and 350 of Steele’s paintings to the state of Indiana. Today, the Indiana State Museum operates the site. A visitor’s center, opened in 2019, provides information about the Steeles and their property. The spectacular grounds, including hiking trails, a lily pond, Selma’s restored gardens and a replica of Steele’s studio wagon, are open to the public without charge. The House of the Singing Winds, furnished essentially as it was at Selma’s death, and Steele’s barn studio, displaying his works on a rotating basis, are available with a reservation and a modest fee at tcsteele.org/.

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We all know the difference between a “whole” and a “hole.” Entire doughnuts and bagels have both! For most things, if they get a hole, GRAMMAR GUY they’re not whole. Sure, this is a whole lot of “hole” talk, but right now it’s time to examine the difference between the words “holistic” and “wholistic.” Other than the “w,” what distinguishes these two words? Holistic is an adjective describing the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Clear as mud? And did you catch the word “whole” in the definition? I’m already confused. That didn’t help too much, so let’s check the definition of “wholistic.” After arriving at its dictionary entry, I find a one-word definition: holistic. Thanks for clearing it up, dictionary. The first usage of the word “holistic” was in the 1920s when South African statesman Jan Smuts used it in his book “Evolution and Holism.” As a side note, is “statesman” a job? If so, I’d like to know

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the starting salary. The term “wholistic” actually came out of “holistic” after Mr. Smuts developed the idea of holism. In the past century, both words evolved to mean slightly different things (emphasis on “slightly”). The words get used interchangeably, but there is a more precise distinction: The term “wholistic” gets used to underscore the totality of something — the whole thing. When someone uses “holistic” (especially in therapeutic fields), they are likely emphasizing the interaction and interdependency of the parts. Still, other jargon juggernauts insist “wholistic” is merely a misspelling of “holistic” and do not recommend anyone use the “w” spelling. If you do decide to pick one over the other, opt for holistic. Curtis Honeycutt is a national award-winning, syndicated humor writer. Connect with him on Twitter (@curtishoneycutt) or at curtishoneycutt.com.

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Don Knebel is a local resident who works for Barnes & Thornburg LLP. For the full column visit donknebel. com. You may contact him at editorial@youarecurrent.com.

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