Letters
If you’re interested in reaching virtually 100 percent of the Zionsville market (11,553 households), you may obtain more information by emailing ads@youarecurrent.com (subject: Zionsville advertising) or by calling 317.847.5022. advertising: questions
Kristi Lee, a Zionsville resident and long time radio personality, has been working in the media industry in various capacities since the age of 15. Although she was interested in aviation when she attended Ben Davis High School, said she took a radio class because a friend said it was easy, and soon after she fell in love with the industry.
HONORLee, 62, is one of six Indiana broadcast ers who will be recognized by the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony Oct. 4 at 502 East Event Centre in Carmel.
“To get this honor was amazing and hum bling, and I never expected it,” Lee said. “I grew up on the west side in a trailer park with a single mom, so to be here now is just kind of surreal.”
Lee got her start at her high school radio station, WBDG, and credits her radio teacher for inspiring her to make a career out of it.
“What got me into radio was because one person in my life said to me, ‘Kid, you’ve got a talent for this,’” said Lee, referring to that teacher. “That one sentence changed my life. No one had ever said that to me before about anything.”
The same teacher encouraged her to get a first-class FCC license, and back in the day, she said she was one of the few wom en in the U.S. that had one.
Lee attended Indiana University after graduating from high school in 1978 but said she didn’t want to wait until her junior year to be on the radio station. She said she went home during winter break and ended up staying there and getting a job.
Lee said she got her first full-time job in media as a television engineer for WRTV while simultaneously working part-time as a disc jockey for WFBQ Q95.
It was there that she eventually became acquainted with Bob Kevoian and Tom Gris wold and began working full-time on “The Bob and Tom Show” in 1988. Lee also spent time as a sideline reporter for various net works covering sporting events.
Since then, Lee has taken on numerous of roles. From starting her own podcast, “Kristi Lee Uninterrupted,” to serving as a board member for multiple charities, she said she is always busy. But she likes it that way.
Lee said she has found a family on “The Bob and Tom Show” and is grateful to have
a job where she can laugh every day. She never knows what a day might bring, she said, and can’t imagine retiring anytime soon.
A young elementary-age girl named Lydia approached her at a recent event, Lee said, and told her that she was her idol, and that she wanted to be just like her when she grew up. Lee said that resonated with her and made her reflect on the impact she had on others.
“Like little Lydia, maybe I’ll inspire some
body. Maybe a little girl out there goes, ‘I didn’t know women could be TV engineers, I want to do that,’” Lee said. “I didn’t know I could do that, either, until they sat me down in front of a huge switcher. Never be afraid to try something new.”
Lee will be joined in the Indiana Broad cast Pioneers Hall of Fame by fellow Zions ville resident John Stehr, a retired news anchor for WTHR, who is being inducted on the same evening. 20 2012, Zionsville, our community: us: Kreamer elle@ youarecurrent.com call 317.489.4444 ext. 805. may also submit information on our website, currentzionsville. com. Remember our news deadline is typically eight days prior to
Kristi Lee pauses with The Bob & Tom Show co-stars Tom Griswold and Bob Kevoian. Lee has been a part of the show since 1988. (Photos courtesy of Kristi Lee) Kristi Lee pauses for a photo with her daughters, Ava, 24, left, and Sophie, 20, right. Kristi Lee pauses for a photo at master control for WRTV in 1980 during her time as a television engineer.Introducing Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center. A partnership that brings all the experience and treatment protocols of one of the country’s top cancer centers to Indiana.
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Compiled by Elle Kreamer • elle@youarecurrent.com
Michael Berg, a licensed therapist and program manager for a large health network, and Tim Hardt, a sales training manager, are seeking a seat on the Zions ville Community Schools school board for Eagle Township in the Nov. 8 election. Learn more about the candidates below:
Age: 43
Education: Illinois State University 2004 M.S. Clini cal-Counseling Psychology
Knox College 2002 B.A. - Psychology/Integrated International Studies
Occupation: Ryan White program manager for a large health network/licensed therapist
City of residence: Zionsville
How long have you resided in your school board district? 9 years.
Immediate family: Two daughters who attend ZMS and a son who attends ZCHS.
Best way for voters to learn more about you: @Berg4Board on Facebook, website is in the works.
Previous political experience: I am com pleting my first term on the ZCS Board of Trustees.
Why do you want to run for school board? I believe that Zionsville Community Schools is a remarkable district with an outstanding staff who strive to do the best for our community. I am concerned that
Age: 54
Education: in Sec ondary Education and Spanish
Occupation: Sales Train ing Manager at ANGI
City of residence: Zionsville
How long have you resided in your school board district: 8 years
Immediate family: Wife, Danette; 2 sons, Shaun and Chris Website: hardt4zcs.com Facebook: Facebook.com/Hardt4zcs
Previous political experience: None Why do you want to run for school board?
I am running for school board because I believe that the current board has not been effective at listening to and respecting the views of the parents. Real transparency and accountability need to be the focus of the school board moving forward. As a school
there are individuals running who might dismantle that.
What are your qualifications for this office? I have been on the school board for the last four years. During that time, I have learned a great deal and developed excellent working relationships with the administration.
What are the top three issues that your campaign will focus on?
1. Ensuring that teachers and administra tors who have dedicated their lives to educa tion, retain the autonomy to do their work.
2. Ensuring that ZCS continues to offer a supportive, high-quality public education experience for all students.
3. Ensuring that Zionsville Community Schools continue to be a responsible stew ard of tax dollars.
What do you see as areas of improve ment at Zionsville Community Schools? As in any large organization, there are students within ZCS who struggle to feel comfortable or to fit in. Working to make ZCS a place where all feel that they belong is likely work that will never end.
board member, I will help ensure that Zions ville Community Schools are providing the students with the best educational opportu nity possible. Having a best-in-class public education system is in the best interest of all residents of Zionsville.
What are your qualifications for this office? I taught at the high school level for eight years and was a department chair for three years. I have served on and worked with a variety of boards focusing on youth.
What are the top three issues that your campaign will focus on? Parental rights, school board transparency and school board accountability
What do you see as areas of improvement at Zionsville Community Schools?
We need to focus on increasing literacy and improving competency in core aca demics so that we are competing globally. A concerted effort needs to be undertaken to create well-rounded citizens and to prepare our students to thrive in a global environment.
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This International Baccalaureate (IB) World School takes a different approach to education. With immersion and dual language programs in French, Mandarin, Spanish, and English and enhanced cultural experiences, our students are ready for whatever the world has to offer. After all, why stop at the Crossroads of America when you ’ re prepared to go anywhere?
Now accepting applications, 3 year old through high school. No language experience required. Upper School language classes available in Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.
After her time at ISI, Margaret attended Indiana University to pursue degrees in English and Cognitive Science Afterward, she obtained her Master’s degree in World Literatures in English from the University of Oxford Margaret is currently pursuing her PhD in English at Harvard University
"ISI, and the IB program more broadly, have immeasurably improved my writing, close reading, reflection, and independent thinking skills all of which are essential for my future career in academia and literary criticism. English and Spanish classes at ISI nurtured my love for literature and taught me how to analyze texts at a high level with original, independent thought I use those skills every day "
Students currently in Grade 8 through 10 are invited to fast track their application process and attend our Open Shadow Day.
Michael Berg Tim Hardt Berg Hardt
Compiled by Elle Kreamer • elle@youarecurrent.com
Republican Becky Cash, an alternative health care practitioner and business owner, and Democrat Jen Bass-Patino, a quality assurance manager, are seeking the District 25 seat in the Indiana House of Representatives in the Nov. 8 election. The seat is being vacated by State Rep. Donald Lehe, a Republican who is retiring from office. District boundaries have changed since the previous election because of redistricting.
Learn more about the candidates below:
Age: 47
Education: Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Bowling Green State Uni versity with a minor in sociology and political sci ence, Certification in Cat echesis and Youth Ministry from Steubenville Universi ty, naturopathic degree from Trinity
Occupation: Alternative health care prac titioner, business owner
City of residence: Zionsville
Immediate family: Husband, Chris; 5 daughters, 1 son
Previous political experience: None Website: beckycashforindiana.com
E-mail: info@beckycashforindiana.com
Why do you want to run for office?
I have spent the past 16-plus years serv ing the families of Indiana, helping parents of children with special needs navigate ed ucational options. I have testified multiple times at the Statehouse and tried to work with legislators to help others. However, I came to realize that the rights and needs of families, small business owners and individ uals were not being heard.
Age: 50
Education: B.A. Biolo gy – University of Illinois, Springfield
Occupation: Manager, quality assurance
City of residence: Zionsville
Immediate family: Two daughters, 17 and 13
Previous political experience: none
Website: VoteJenBP.com
Why do you want to run for office? I believe that we must start working to heal the division in this country by focusing on our shared goals using a common sense, moderate approach to help our citizens and communities thrive.
What are your qualifications for this of fice? I have a science degree and a proven
What are your qualifications for this office? I believe that my advocacy work, knowledge of running multiple businesses, work with those with special and medical needs, experience working with people throughout the district and Indiana and ability to collaborate with others makes me well qualified.
What are the top three issues that your campaign will focus on?
1. Parental rights in all decisions
2. Protecting our communities (including law enforcement, those with special needs and our elderly)
3. Fiscal responsibility
What sets you apart from other can didates for this office? I collaborate well with others, research topics and have a history of helping those I seek to serve.
How long have you lived in your district? Over 16 years.
What other organizations are you involved with? St. Alphonsus Liguori Par ish, Purposeful Living, Inc, Boone County Republican Women, Indiana Federation of Republican Women, Board of Advisors for St. Ambrose Academy, among others.
record of global team leadership to achieve complex goals.
What are the top three issues that your campaign will focus on?
Health care: Including mental health and women’s reproductive rights.
Education: Ensuring support for our pub lic education system.
Employment: Helping to remove barriers to growth for small businesses.
What sets you apart from other can didates for this office? My moderate approach, large-team leadership history, experience working in law enforcement and health care.
How long have you lived in your dis trict? Since August 2014
What other organizations are you involved with? Boone County Democrats, precinct committee chair
CARMEL SHOWROOM
99 E. Carmel Drive Suite 100 Carmel, IN
MERIDIAN-KESSLER STUDIO 5912 N. College Avenue Indianapolis, IN
ZIONSVILLE STUDIO 117 S. First Street Zionsville, IN
New name—same ownership, team and award-winning dedication to superior results.Name: Jen Bass-Patino Cash Hardt
As a Traders Point Christian School fresh man, Cooper Simmons-Little chose not to play football. He regretted it quickly.
“I chose not to play football my freshman year because I strug gled with it through middle school,” said Simmons-Little, who lives in Pittsboro. “After watching my friends playing as brothers on the football field, I missed it and joined my sophomore year.”
The 6-foot-2 Simmons-Little played receiv er his sophomore year but was injured and missed much of the season. The senior now plays quarterback.
Last season, Simmons-Little completed 141 of 315 passes (44.8 percent) for 2,154 yards with 18 touchdowns and 18 intercep tions for the Class A school in Whitestown.
In the first five games this season, he greatly improved his completion percent age by completing 108 of 174 passes (62.1
Favorite Subject: Math
Favorite Movie: “Cars 2”
College plans: Play football and major in business
percent) for 1,592 yards with 18 touchdowns and two interceptions.
“My deep ball has improved the most,” Simmons-Little said. “My goal since last year was to be able to throw the ball deeper with more accuracy.”
His receivers deserve credit as well. Senior Phillip Moran had 34 catches for 519 yards and eight TDs in the first five games.
Sophomore Colton Pollard had 26 catches for 446 yards and senior Eli Meals had nine receptions for 325 yards.
“I have solid receivers and our relation
ships have come easy,” said Simmons-Little, who also plays basketball for Traders Point. “We do little things to connect, such as (having) dinner together.”
Traders Point coach Sam Carnes said he is impressed with Simmons-Little’s leader ship during adverse moments.
Carnes, who is in his third year as Knights head coach, said he also is im pressed with Simmons-Little’s footwork in the pocket.
“A lot of kids when there is pressure will just go down or throw a bad pass or just try to go ahead and run,” Carnes said. “Coo per’s footwork has improved to the point where he is always trying to complete the pass. He is going to use his feet to maneu ver in the pocket and complete a pass. He’s thrown three or four touchdowns that way. I’m very impressed with his feet, very im pressed with his attitude.”
Carnes’ brother Ben is the Knights’ offen sive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Ben formerly was a Westfield High School assistant coach before joining his brother.
Carnes said some NAIA and smaller college teams are showing an interest in Simmons-Little.
Traders Point Christian senior quarterback Cooper Simmons-Little threw for 1,592 yards in the first five games. (Photo courtesy of Traders Point Christian)
Simmons-Little
Join the Zionsville Lions Club, Inc. in a STRIDES for Diabetes Awareness 5K/10K Walk/Run
Kenneth A. Arnold, 33, of Crawfordsville — a former gymnastics coach at an athletic center in Zionsville — was found guilty Sept. 21 of three counts of child molesting as a Level 1 felony.
WHEN: Saturday, October 15, 2022 8:30 AM 5K/10K Run/Walk start time
WHERE:
Zionsville Lions Park 115 S. Elm Street, Zionsville, Indiana 46077
WHY:
Diabetes is a leading cause of death in the U.S. We need your help to raise awareness and reverse this devastating trend.
QUESTIONS: Email zlcdiabetes@gmail.com or call 317-873-5540 if you have questions.
REGISTER: https://www.zionsvillelions.com/events/strides-walk-for-diabetes
After a daylong contested bench trial, Boone County Superior Court II Judge Bruce E. Petit announced the verdicts. The charges stem from acts committed by Arnold be tween January of 2014 and December of 2016 while he was working as a gymnastics coach at an athletic center in Zionsville. The victim was under the age of 14 at the time of the criminal acts. The specific allegations came to light in the fall of 2020 after the juvenile victim disclosed the abuse through counseling and notification was made to authorities.
Arnold had previously been the subject of two investigations in 2016 of other sex
crime-related charges that were alleged to have occurred during the same time period of these charges. One of the cases went to trial and the jury was unable to reach a verdict. On the second case, a plea agree ment was reached after consultation with the parents of the victims, who desired not to put their young children through the trial process.
The prosecution team was led by Special Victim’s Prosecutor Heidi Jennings, co-coun sel Deputy Prosecutor Christina Pace and Victim Advocate Director Tracey Christner. After the verdict, Jennings stated:
“We are extremely happy that we were able to obtain this important verdict for the victim, the victim’s family, and the commu nity. Our job is not finished as we still have a sentencing hearing coming up where we will be advocating for a lengthy sentence.”
The sentencing hearing for Arnold is set for Nov. 21 at 1:30 PM in Boone Superior Court II.
Zionsville man dead after vehicle collision — Gary Favrot, 81, of Zionsville was struck and killed by a vehicle on Sept. 18 at 5:44 p.m. while riding his bike on Indianapolis Rd. Deroyce Simmons, 41, of Zionsville was identified as the driver of the GMC Yukon. Simmons has been cooperating with law enforcement and was not injured in the collision. The crash is under investigation by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Donations being accepted for trees plant ed along Rail Trail — The Zionsville Parks Dept. will be planting 68 trees along the northern extension of the Rail Trail that will connect to Whitestown. Individuals and businesses interested in donating $600 for a tree can have their name or the name of a loved one featured on a group commem orative plaque on the trail. For more, visit zionsville-in.gov/trailtree.
2023 National Merit Scholarship Semifi nalists — High school seniors selected as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholar ship have an opportunity to continue to com pete for approximately 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that
will be offered in spring 2023 on a state-rep resentational basis. Students Kirtee Ayitha, Katherine C. Berman, Anjali D. Gupta, Akkash S. Rathnasabapathy, Alvin K. Xu, Ashley R. Young, Jiaming Zhou and Jiayi Zhou of Zions ville High School are recognized as semifinal ists for the 2023 National Merit Scholarship.
Princess Program applications — The 500 Festival is accepting applications for the 2023 500 Festival Princess Program. Appli cations are available at 500Festival.com/ Princess. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Jan. 8, 2023. The program provides 33 wom en from Indiana colleges and universities with the opportunity to make an impact during their college years as ambassadors of the 500 Festival and its mission to enrich lives and positively impact the community.
Boone County Democratic Party pancake supper fundraiser — The Boone County Democratic Party is hosting a pancake sup per fundraiser Oct. 6 at the Zionsville Chris tian Church at 120 N 9th Street. The event runs from 5-7:30 p.m. and will include a talk with candidates, including State Senator J.D. Ford. For more, visit bit.ly/BCDpancakes.
Cathedral High School
Cathedral High School open house
Cathedral High School open house
Thursday, October 13
Mass - 5:00 p.m. • Open House - 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Commentary by Ward Degler
By the time this goes to print, we will have switched seasons. Summer is gone and fall is now in charge. That means leaves, and lots of them. Last year, we stacked 100 bags along the street to be picked up by the city. On the ground they were a foot deep.
The biggest offenders were the maple trees. Why maples have so many more leaves than oaks or sweet gums is beyond me. They just seem to build up all summer and then let go after the first frost.
Years ago someone suggested I could mulch the leaves with the mower and put nutrients back into the soil, presumably to nourish the maples so they can produce even more leaves.
Anybody who thinks they can mulch ahead of falling maple leaves, however, is dreaming. Trust me, I’ve tried. Maples de mand leaf bags, and lots of them.
Through the years, I have tried several methods for dealing with leaves. Rakes, of course, manned by as many family members as possible.
I had a compost pit back then and we raked the leaves into that. The idea was to use the compost for gardens in the spring. Funny, once the leaves were in the compost pit, I don’t recall ever looking at them again. When I was a kid, folks raked their leaves into the street and burned them. The fall air smelled of rich smoke on those days. I raked my leaves into a pile and burned them a couple times. Then someone said there were new laws that prohibited burning. That’s when I bought leaf bags.
As much drudgery as leaf season brought, there were a couple activities that made it fun. Every kid looks forward to div ing into a huge pile of leaves and burrowing around in it. It’s even more fun when the dog gets involved.
Actually, I miss raking, burning and bur rowing. Still, it’s rewarding to count bags of leaves accumulating along the street.
Contact him at ward.degler@ gmail.com.
Ward Degler lives in Zionsville with his wife. He is the author of “The Dark Ages of My Youth ... and Times More Recent.”
During their second-grade year at Trad ers Point Christian Academy, friends Sarah Pfleeger and Lillie Duncan partnered under the pseudonyms Annie Meade and Bailey Richards to bring two young detectives to life in their now-published book, “The Mys tery of the Stolen Pearl Necklace.”
The book was published by AuthorHouse in 2017 when Pfleeger, now 16, and Duncan, now 15, were in fourth grade. The synopsis of the book is as follows: “Two fourth-grade girl detectives (are) stuck in a trap door trying to find a widow’s pearl necklace. Will they be stuck there forever, or will they escape in time?”
After six years with little contact, the Zi onsville residents, now sophomores in high school, have reconnected and are continu ing their childrens’ chapter-book series.
“(Pfleeger) just texted me one day. I was in the car when I read it, she said, ‘By the way, this has more potential than we thought,’” Duncan said. “I was surprised that people actually cared about our book.”
Pfleeger said they aren’t starting com pletely from scratch, as they found a half-finished manuscript of a second book they began writing in fourth grade.
Duncan said they are attempting to keep the next book, “Mystery of the Stolen Fu ture,” consistent with the writing style and reading level of the first, though they have found it challenging to get back into the mindset of their younger selves.
Duncan and Pfleeger agreed the most effective way they’ve found to tap into that mindset was by rereading their previous book and building off the partial manuscript from the second book, which they said is now complete and in the editing process.
One of the biggest challenges for the co-authors in their elementary years was getting used to the editing process, Duncan said. Pfleeger recalled how hard it was to accept changes the editor would make af ter having concluded the laborious task of using their third-grade typing skills to “peck out” portions of the manuscript during in door recess.
Pfleeger, however, said they came to realize editing was crucial to the process of creating a polished piece, and they are now
extremely grateful for it.
Pfleeger said in her younger years, she found the phrase, ‘You can do anything you put your mind to’ to be rather cliche. Follow ing the publication of their book, she said she realized that while she may not be able to do absolutely anything, there are still amazing things that can come along if they work hard enough.
Nevertheless, the co-authors agreed it
can be challenging being young authors in an industry largely dominated by older individuals. Pfleeger noted the more obvious obstacles, such as not yet being able to drive, and finding time to write while jug gling school and extracurricular activities. The two agreed, however, the bigger challenge was getting people to take them seriously, particularly having started out so young.
“People get the misconception that our parents did everything for us, but it really wasn’t that way,” Duncan said. “We did this ourselves. Our parents are our biggest sup porters, but this was us.”
Duncan and Pfleeger’s former sec ond-grade teacher, Tenille Marowelli, said that she enjoyed seeing the passion the two had for creative writing at such a young age, and would let them work on their book following lessons on creative writing practices.
“They really took initiative. They were the ones that decided they wanted to find out what the process was (of publishing a book) and contacted people in the area that could help them,” Marowelli said.
The former teacher said that she teared up watching Pfleeger and Duncan in a recent local TV interview about their book because it was special to see former stu dents accomplish something they felt so passionately about.
“These girls were just very natural, ab stract creative writers,” Marowelli said. “They were the first students to show me that age was really no factor in creative writing.”
Although there was a steep learning curve in their journey to becoming authors, Pfleeger said she appreciates that their work has inspired other young people to pursue their passions, regardless of age.
“We weren’t prodigies. I always say, we just wrote a book and then made it hap pen,” Duncan said. “So many people have reached out and asked about the process because they want to do the same, which is really great to see.”
The book is available for purchase on line at amazon.com or bn.com, or can be purchased in person at Black Dog Books in Zionsville or other retailers.
ON THE COVER: Lillie Duncan, left, and Sarah Pfleeger, right, work on edits to their second childrens’ chapter book at Starbucks in Zionsville. (Photo by Elle Kreamer)
When: Oct. 22 at 1 p.m.???
Sarah Pfleeger and Lillie Duncan pause for a photo at the WISH-TV studio following a tele vised interview in 2022. (Courtesy photo) A still from a promotional video shot when Pfleeger and Duncan were in third grade as they worked on their first book. (Courtesy photo) Pfleeger signs a book at an event for local authors at Indianapolis Public Library’s Central Library in 2022. (Courtesy photo) What: Book signing with Sarah and Lillie Where: Black Dog Books in Zionsville
Cocktail menus are often conspicuous ly absent prices. Some food menus are, too. Boutiques routinely keep the MSRP on a need-to-know basis. Consumers, it seems, don’t need to know. One is urged to try it on, fall in love and throw down the credit card. How much we would pay and how much the object is worth to us is not a consideration.
Health care is likewise priceless. Asking cost is almost always met with a look of abject confusion. “Why do you care? How much is your health worth to you?” How can we know the answer to that question unless we know how much we are about to be charged? Shaming and social pressure do the dirty work. It is like middle school all over again, and good decision-making is out the window.
Nonprofits have their own version. An acquaintance reaches out to see if we’re interested in catching up over a meal. In fact, he has an open spot at an event next week. No need to buy tickets, it’s on him. In addition to our talk, we’ll learn something about the cause. It all conceals a modern fundraising tool, the “get-to-know-us” breakfast.
The host is already sold on the project and is “network marketing” to us. For the cost of a continental breakfast, he becomes entitled to arm-twist cash for the cause before we are freed. It is a timeshare presentation for charity. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the device, if we know what we are getting ourselves into. But the Trojan horse of it all is the demand for giving. “Give a lot,” the pledge card directly placed into our hands by the host pressures. “Give every month,” it not-so-politely urges. We find ourselves cajoled into giving to a cause that, while important, is not central to our priorities.
My, how times have changed! I re cently attended a birthday party for the soon-to-be 3-year-old of a co-worker. Be sides the grandmother and great-grand mother, I was the oldest person there and the only one without little kids claimable as blood kin. Although this is not a new phenomenon — our young est is 18, after all — the idea that I no longer am beholden to nap schedules and cupcake sugar rushes and bouncy house injuries really hit home. And it was magical.
I thoroughly enjoyed sitting back and watching the chaos unfold, able to enter the fray if — and only if — I chose. I was not required to chase down a toddler as she made a break for a neighbor’s jun gle gym, nor did I need to carefully pre pare a dinner plate with nonchokeable, cut-up grapes. I didn’t have to worry about food allergies or skinned knees or the bees wreaking havoc near the baked beans. And when a tense moment erupt ed during the present-opening grand finale — “That’s my Baby Moana!” — I could legitimately just shake my head and giggle.
Lest you think I’m a complete jerk, I did help clear plates and locate juicebox straws, and I occasionally assisted with step navigation. But the point is, I was under no obligation to do so. I was there as a true guest, unencumbered by the responsibilities and expectations of parenthood.
— DALE CARNEGIE
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The moral of my story is this: Even tually, everyone makes it to the empty nest Promised Land, where backyard barbeques are actually delightful experi ences and other peoples’ children, much like puppies, are unlimited sources of entertainment. My, how times will change.
Peace out.
Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com. Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@ youarecurrent.com.My wife and I didn’t go to the Indiana State Fair this year, the first one we missed (other than the two years affected by COVID-19 closures) since we moved to Indiana in 1982. Mary Ellen’s favorite thing is going to the poultry barn to see the baby chicks. I love to get a grilled you-know-what on a stick. We don’t talk much about our favorite things on the way home.
Menards sells mag azines called Chick ens and Poul try World — both dedicated to the proper care and breeding of our feath ered friends. On the cover, the editor is seen holding his buddy, a handsome Springer Spaniel. I guess he has learned he’ll attract more chicks holding an adorable puppy than cuddling a rooster.
Inside these magazines, let the puns begin. There are puns I am sure have made their way into every edition through the years. Let’s face it, there are only so many chicken plays-on-words you can come up with to name various sections of the periodicals.
Eggciting recipes: During Easter, we see this wordplay in every newspaper a hun dred times. Enough, already. It’s, well, you know … eggasperating.
Online eggstras and eggsclusives: The plays-on-words here cover the spectrum from horrible to somewhat clever. Mary Ellen and I only eat cage-free eggs, and we want the jokes to have free range, as well.
Cracking up: Their joke page, of course.
A chicken in every shot: Don’t have an adorable cat to feature in YouTube videos? Here’s some advice on how to capture your
cuddly capon on camera.
Chicken scratch: Gifts and gadgets for chicken lovers with the subtitle, “Everything Our Readers Are Crowing About.” You buy an app that figures how many eggs annually to expect from your flock. Yes, it’s called a cluck-u-lator.
Get the shell out: Ensuring the maximum daily egg production from each breed. This pun is also used in Turtle Monthly Digest in articles encouraging pet owners to exercise their aquatic friends with a daily walk.
Fowl language: A glossary of import ant terminology for bird lovers. Actually, I like that pun. But once or twice is enough.OK, three times.
– DICK WOLFSIEThere were also questions in a feature called “Chicken Chat.” A better title would be, “Can We Squawk?” I know nothing about chickens, but I would like to take a stab at some of the answers.
Q: My chicken seems bored. Her head is down, and she is all fluffed up. What does that mean?
A: It is definitely a chicken.
Q: I raise quail. Recently, I found one run ning around my yard with half of its head missing. What should I do?
A: It’s too late.
Q: I am considering hatching chickens myself for the first time. Any suggestions?
A: No, but if you are successful, we’d like to interview you for this magazine.
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
Mary Ellen’s favorite thing is going to the poultry barn to see the baby chicks. I love to get a grilled you-know-what on a stick.
Hamilton Surgical Associates is pleased to welcome Dr. Samer Kawak to the team. Dr. Kawak attended Indiana University School of Medicine and is board-certified in general surgery and fellowship-trained in colon and rectal surgery. Dr. Kawak prides himself on creating a safe space for patients where they feel comfortable discussing their problems and needs. Dr. Kawak has extensive training in robotic surgery, and is committed to providing the most up-to-date treatment to patients when appropriate.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kawak, call 317.776.8748 or visit riverview.org.
Witham Health Ser vices has received a naloxone vend ing machine at its Zionsville location, 6085 Heartland Dr. The vending machine is free and dispenses medication used to reverse the effect of an opioid overdose. (Photo provided by Witham Health Services)
use by the public at its Zionsville location, 6085 Heartland Dr.
Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is given when a person is showing signs of opioid overdose to block the deadly effects of the overdose.
A vending machine stocked with free medication used to reverse an opioid over dose is now available at Witham Health Services in Zionsville.
The Lebanon-based hospital said the nal oxone vending machine is one of 19 placed across the state and will be available for
“There is no single solution to ending this epidemic that has taken the lives of thousands of Hoosiers,” Gov. Eric Holcomb
Continued on Page 17
stated. “We can, however, take thoughtful steps to help shake the scourge of addic tion from our communities. Naloxone vend ing machines are a practical tool to prevent overdoses and save lives.”
The vending machines, which hold up to 300 naloxone kits, are manufactured by Shaffer Distribution Co. and programmed to dispense free naloxone kits. Each kit includes a single dose of naloxone, instruc tions for use, and a referral to treatment for substance use disorder.
Indiana reported a 21 percent increase in fatal overdoses during the 12-month period beginning in December 2020 and ending in December 2021, according to provisional data released in May by the Centers for Dis ease Control and Prevention.
“This machine gives Boone County resi dents zero-barrier access to a medication that could mean the difference between life and death,” said Kelly Braverman, president/ CEO of Witham Health Services. “Witham is proud to be the recipient of one of the state’s first naloxone vending machines, and we applaud Gov. Holcomb’s commit ment to address the drug epidemic. From our recent Community Health Needs Assess ment, residents of Boone County ranked
mental health and substance abuse one and two top areas of concern.”
Overdose Lifeline, an Indiana nonprofit that helps those affected by substance abuse disorder, is purchasing the vending machines using $72,600 in federal grant funds made available through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction.
“We must continue to ensure widespread access to naloxone, given the lingering im pact of COVID-19 and the increased supply of fentanyl in our 92 counties,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director for drug pre vention, treatment and enforcement for the state of Indiana. “Every life lost to a drug overdose is one too many. Naloxone offers the opportunity to get individuals with substance use disorder on the path to longterm recovery.”
Braverman also said the vending machine will be an asset to the hospital’s services.
“This is a great extension to the mental health in the emergency department pro gram Witham has in place where patients who come to our emergency departments with a mental health crisis have the oppor tunity to receive immediate treatment from an integrated wellness mental health pro fessional and get support 24 hours a day,” Braverman said.
Civic Theatre Executive Artistic Director Michael Lasley has a special connection to “Rent.”
The musical centers on struggling artists in Lower Manhattan’s East Village. Two of the char acters are HIV positive and another has AIDS.
Lasley is directing the rock musical, “Rent,” and his wife Marni Lemons is the assistant director. Civic’s production is set for Oct. 7-22 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Per forming Arts in Carmel.
“It’s a seminal piece of theater for peo ple of a certain age,” Lasley said. “COVID brought up other epidemics in my mind, and the AIDS epidemic has been going on since the early 1980s. While we’ve made a lot of progress, it still exists. There are thousands of people who die from AIDS every year. It’s far more treatable if you are in a situation where you can seek out treatment. It’s still a serious health issue in the world. Many of the characters are HIV positive.”
Being in the artistic world, Lasley said he and his wife lost many friends because of the AIDS epidemic in the early and mid-1990s.
“It seemed like we were going to more funerals than our parents and grandpar ents because it was taking so many peo ple from the theatrical and artistic world,” Lasley said.
Lasley said the musical, which debuted in 1996, ran 13 years on Broadway. The composer, Jonathan Larson, died at age 35 of an aortic dissection on the night of the off-Broadway opening for “Rent.”
Lasley said Civic Theatre presented a concert version of it in 2010.
“It was a bigger cast, but less staging,” Lasley said. “We mostly concentrate on the music.”
Olivia Broadwater, a 2020 Zionsville Community High School graduate, plays Maureen Johnson.
“She is a powerful, bisexual woman who
is a performer and protester,” Broadwater said. “It’s a role that is pushing me outside of my comfort zone, artistically, and finding the confidence to do some of these awe some, crazy things on stage (is challenging).
Vocally, it’s a very good challenge for me. I’ve had a blast playing her. She is just so power ful and it’s awesome to get to play.”
Broadwater said she has been watching the musical for years.
“This is definitely the closest to a rock musical I’ve done,” she said. “But I’m clas sic rock girl. I like all the oldies. One of my goals is to be in ‘Rock of Ages’ because that is one of my favorites.”
Broadwater loves the fact that the production is almost all singing, like ‘Les Miserables.”
“There isn’t much plain dialogue,” Broad water said.
Broadwater was first runner-up June 18 in the Miss Indiana competition. Auditions for “Rent” were two days later. She told her mother she wasn’t going to go at first.
“I was nervous and didn’t feel prepared on the audition day, and my mom said, ‘Just go do it, it will be fun,’” she said. “It wasn’t one of the most fun auditions I’ve ever had. I was glad I ended up going.”
Broadwater, a Ball State University mu sical theater major, is traveling from Mu nich for rehearsals. So is fellow Ball State junior Julia Ammons, a 2020 Carmel High School graduate who plays Alexi Darling, among other ensemble roles, and is one of the two dance captains.
“I saw it once with the national tour and once with a smaller production,” Ammons said. “I loved both times I saw it and could envision myself being part of it someday.”
Ammons has performed in Civic’s Young Artists Program in the past. Her last pro duction at Civic was “Elf” in 2019.
“This show has more maturity and inti macy work that we do with our intimacy coordinator, which is stuff I’ve worked with before but not in this depth,” Am mons said.
Ammons said she is used to performing in more traditional musicals, not rock musicals.
“Alexi talks really fast, and she is pretty annoying,” Ammons said. “She says a lot of phone numbers really fast, so there was a lot of memorization. But it came pretty easily once I started working on it.” For more, visit civictheatre.org.
“Escape to Margaritaville” runs through Oct. 2 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indi anapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
Main Street Productions of “The Curious Sav age” will be presented from Sept. 29 through Oct. 9 at the Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
The Belfry Theatre will present “Rehearsal for Murder,” a murder mystery, through Oct. 2 at the Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville. For more, visit thebelfrytheatre.com.
Live at the Center presents WHAM (We Have All Music), a Carmel-based nonprofit group, as part of the Live at the Center series at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $5 or register for the free lives tream at the centerpresents.org.
Violinist Joshua Bell will be accompanied by pianist Peter Dugan in concert at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Palladium in Carmel. For more, visit the centerpresents.org.
Tower of Power will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Palladium in Carmel. For more, visit the centerpresents.org.
Men sought for choral group – VOCE, Voic es of Choral Excellence, is looking for male vocalists with tenor, baritone and bass ranges. Singers with music degrees or cho ral experience and excellent music-reading skills are encouraged to apply. VOCE is a small semi-professional vocal ensemble based in Carmel. It meets twice a month on the second and fourth Sundays from 2-4 p.m. at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 1402 W. Main St, Carmel. For more or to schedule an audition, contact Brenda Iacoc ca at bmiacocca@gmail.com or 317.946.2056, or visit voceindy.org.
MUSICAL Olivia Broadwater, left, and Miata McMichel appear in Civic Theatre’s production of “Rent.” (Photo courtesy off Joshua Hasty Photography) Ammons
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
them,” Assad said. “It not, ‘Let’s just do Latin music.’ It’s, ‘Let’s celebrate music for what it is.’”
Carmel Symphony Orchestra Music Direc tor Janna Hymes watched Brazilian pianist and vocalist Clarice Assad perform a set of pieces in a concert in Maine.
Hymes liked what she saw and invited her to perform with the CSO.
“I was with musicians who just got together to perform that one concert (in Maine),” Assad said. “The music was a varied combination of world music, Brazilian music, classical music and jazz. It was me on keyboards and singing arrangements that I had written for the group that I performed. (Hymes) said she loved the music and felt it could really work with her orchestra.”
Assad will make her CSO debut with the concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The concert celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
“I’m also performing some Bach with
Assad, who was born in Brazil and is based in Chicago, will be joined by India napolis-based band Pavel & Direct Contact. Assad said she watched Pavel Palanco-Safadit in online performances.
“He’s incredible,” said Assad, who said this will be her first appear ance in the Indianapolis area.
Assad came to the U.S. to attend college. She studied at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Hymes said it will be an upbeat and thrill ing program.
Hymes has not worked with either per former before, but said she feels like she has.
“The reason I say that is that we have been in communication for over a year, and I have a strong grasp of their musical lan guage and performance skills,” Hymes said. “Both of these artists are extraordinary.”
Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per cou ple. For more, visit CarmelSymphony.org.
Assad
FILM By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Films from the Heartland International Film Festival and Indy Shorts International Festival captured 33 Academy Awards nominations and won sev en Oscars in 2022.
Heartland Film Artistic Director Greg Sorvig is con vinced there will be several Academy Awards contend ers among the more than 115 films in the 2022 Heart land Film Festival, set for Oct. 6-16.
“We have an amazing slate of inde pendent films which makes up the lion’s share of our lineup,” said Sorvig, a Carmel resident. “We have become an Oscar stop. Distributors see something special with our festival. If it plays in Indiana, it will play anywhere.”
The opening and closing nights have Indi ana ties. “Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues” will open the festival at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at The Toby at Newfields in Indianapolis. Sorvig pointed out Armstrong’s recording career began in Indiana when he recorded “Chimes Blues” with King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band in 1923.
“We all know Louis Armstrong but there is more behind the man,” Sorvig said. “The director really brings Louis to life. (Arm strong) kept these super-detailed journals, so you get to see those journals come to life with some great narrators.”
The festival’s closing night begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at The Toby with “The Whale” with Indianapolis native Brendan Fraser. The actor visited the festival in 2019 on the 20th anniversary screening of his film “The Mummy.”
“The Brenaissance started a couple years ago when he returned here,” Sorvig said of the welcome Fraser received at the festival. “We loved Brendan before it was cool. ‘The Whale’ is the story of a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity who intends to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.”
Fraser should be an Oscar contender, Sorvig said.
For more, visit heartlandfilm.org.
Sorvig
Amy Pauszek is a photographer, award winning film producer and scouting and casting associate for Talent Fusion Agency in Indianapolis. She can be reached at Amy@ youarecurrent.com. To see more of her photos, visit currentnightandday.com.
From left, Angie and Randy Ernst (Carmel), Jeanne Merry (Carmel), Pete Emigh (Westfield), Shari and Jeff Worrell (Carmel) and Kim and Randy Sorrell (Indianapolis) attend the Center Celebration Sept. 16 at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel for the annual arts gala. Manhattan Transfer, Straight No Chaser and the Lennon sisters were inducted into the Songbook Hall of Fame. Guests enjoyed a lovely dinner, fabulous auction and a great concert featuring Michael Feinstein with the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre performers and Straight No Chaser. The gala raised money for pro gramming for kids and young adults to be a part of great music programs. Guests were dressed to the nines celebrating and supporting the arts. Through table reservations, auction sales, partner ships and donations, the gala, presented by Krieg DeVault, raised more than $689,000 in support of the Center’s arts and educational programming. (Photo by Amy Pauszek)
From left, Bill and Nancy Palmer (Carmel), filmmakers Laura and Jeffrey Graham (Carmel/Los Angeles), Linda Maurer (Carmel) and Carol and Brian Urbanski (Carmel) at tended the Sept. 14 Heartland VIPs and Sips announcement party at Daniel’s Vineyard in McCordsville. The 31st Annual Heartland International Film Festival revealed more than 100 independent films for viewing from Oct. 6-16. For more, visit Heartlandfilm.org. (Right) Brianna and Ronnie Saunders (West field). (Photos by Amy Pauszek)
Is it too early to talk about zombies?
Halloween is still about a month away, but Home Depot is selling creepy inflatable lawn creatures. In addition, Starbucks has its pumpkin spice latte (the McRib of hot drinks) back on the menu. Surely, it’s zombie season.
I love a good rebranding effort, and that’s pretty much what writer Helen Sword did with nominalizations. A nominalization is a noun made from other parts of speech. Picture the leg of a verb or the neck of an adjective sewn onto a suffix like “-ism,” “-ity” or “-tion.” What you end up with is a new noun. Sword calls nominalizations “zombie words” because, as she writes, “they consume the living, they cannibalize active verbs, they suck the lifeblood from adjectives, and they substitute abstract entities for human beings.”
So, what are some examples of zom bie nouns, and are they lurking in your basement, waiting to eat your kids? Tune in tonight at 10 p.m. after the seven-day forecast.
I’m kidding, of course. These words make sentences obscure and hard to understand. Take the word “negotiation,” for example. This word, a noun, was formed from the verb “negotiate” and the suffix “-tion.” “The two parties engaged in a negotiation” is much more abstract than “The two parties negotiated.” Do you see the differentiation?
“Writers who tend to overload their sen tences with nominalizations tend to sound pompous and abstract,” writes Sword, who has the coolest last name since Danny Machete. OK, I made up Danny Machete, but you could bet both authors write some sharp prose.
Zombie nouns have taken over the souls
of well-meaning words, leaving us with bloated terms including causation, annoy ance, collusion, formulate and implementa tion. When these words are used sparingly and intentionally, they can stand out; how ever, the amalgamation and confluence of these integrated synchronizations result in the obfuscation and overutilization of un necessary, annoying utterances. Plus, you sound like a snooty jerk.
In my opinion, the two quickest ways to suck the life out of writing are to 1) use the passive voice and 2) unleash an entire horde of zombie nouns into your work.
“A writer’s style should be direct and personal, his imagery rich and earthy, and his words simple and vigorous. The greatest writers have the gift of brilliant brevity, are hard workers, diligent scholars and compe tent stylists.”
In other words: Be brief, and then be done. Look out for zombies.
Curtis Honeycutt is a national award-winning, syndicated humor writer. Connect with him on Twitter (@curtishoneycutt) or at curtishoneycutt.com.
STATE OF INDIANA, COUNTY OF HAMILTON: SS
I, Kathy Kreag Williams, Clerk of the Hamilton County Circuit Court, pursuant to IC 3-11-13-22 and 3-11-14.5-1 do hereby publish notice of a test of the voting systems to be used in the General Election held November 8, 2022 to ascertain that the system will correctly count the votes cast for all selections. The test will be conducted in the Hamilton County Election Office at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center, One Hamilton County Square, Noblesville, Indiana on the 7th day of October, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Witness my hand and seal this 13th day of September, 2022.
Kathy Kreag Williams Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk
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