October 11, 2022 – Zionsville

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Councilor calls for Mayor Styron’s resignation

By Elle Kreamer elle@youarecurrent.com

call for her to resign, Styron said that she had not heard about the comments.

The views of the columnists in Current in Zionsville are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

Zionsville Town Council member Bryan Traylor called for Mayor Emily Styron’s resig nation during the

“I am sure that Councilor Traylor is hear ing from his supporters,” Styron said. “But I don’t really put much time or effort into listening to Bryan Traylor.”

information officer, said Styron did not fin ish her presentation, and that there were two slides at the end elaborating on the legal expenditures.

TOWN NEWS

Oct. 3 Town Council meet ing following statements the mayor made during her presentation regard ing changes to the 2023 budget.

Traylor called for Styron’s resignation af ter she left the meeting. Traylor took issue with remarks Styron made during her bud get presentation that he and other council members said were untrue regarding the town’s legal expenses.

After Styron left, Traylor said the mayor owed the council an apology.

“Quite honestly, I’d love to see you resign,” Traylor said. “Not because of tonight’s antics, but because of your almost three years of service. Every day that you’re our mayor, we’re worse off for it. I know changing over to a new mayor for the last year of a fouryear term seems like that would not be easy to do. It’s even harder to keep her in office.”

Frustrations arose as the mayor ad dressed the council’s request to increase its legal budget by $75,000 as part of the town’s 2023 budget. Styron said the re quest was “out of step,” stating that from 2016 to 2022 the town paid more than $2.6 million to Barnes & Thornburg, an Indianap olis-based legal firm that has represented the council since 2020.

When contacted Oct. 4 regarding Traylor’s

Styron presented a pie chart showing 72 percent of the town’s legal ex penses going to Barnes & Thornburg during the 20162022 time frame.

Traylor interjected during the presentation, stating that the information was “inaccu rate” and “misleading,” as Barnes & Thorn burg represented the town, not the council, from 2016 through 2019. Other members of the council agreed that expenses accrued prior to 2020 did not accurately reflect the council’s legal spending.

Styron then voiced frustration with the council’s decision to sign a contract with Barnes & Thornburg with the former may or following the election in 2019, prior to her taking office in 2020, “obligating the town for a future administration when that wasn’t the choice.”

Council President Jason Plunkett said during the meeting that the retainer for Barnes & Thornburg was the same, $186,000 per year, from 2016 to 2022, equating to roughly $930,000 in total retainer values. The additional fees, he said, were the result of the mayor’s lawsuit against the council in 2021 regarding her attempt to demote the fire chief, and her subsequent appeal fol lowing the decision against her, in addition to other bond obligations and ordinances.

On Oct. 4, Amanda Vela, the town’s public

“She did finish her messaging but did not complete showing her PowerPoint slides,” Vela stated in an email. “She was interrupt ed after showing the first legal expense slide, so I am guessing that didn’t help her in finishing the slides.”

Vela and Styron said the information on the additional slides, which are now avail able on the town’s website, state that the legal expenses were further broken down to illustrate that the council’s legal spending is double the town’s legal spending for all other departments.

“The legal fees for town council since the mayor has taken office are almost double what legal fees are for the mayor’s and administration’s attorneys,” Vela stated.

“This is what the mayor was speaking to when the town council has now asked for a $75,000 increase in legal fees.”

When asked for comment on Styron’s re ply, Traylor said, “We get a copy of everything that’s supposed to be presented. We didn’t get a copy of any of her presentation (prior to the meeting). I’ve got no reason to believe based on how that presentation went that she didn’t finish it the way she intended to. Did we interrupt her? Absolutely, because she was intentionally misleading people. We’ve got a proposed budget that’s about $40 million for 2023, and she chose to take the opportunity to make a grandstanding speech over $75,000, when most of the town council’s overages in our legal budget in the last two years have been defending our selves against her lawsuits.”

Ex-firefighter sentenced for child abuse material

Former Zionsville firefighter/paramedic Daniel Stevens, 48, of Whitestown was sen tenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to dis tributing and possessing child sex abuse material.

CRIME

Stevens was an employee of the Town of Zionsville and was em ployed at an Indianapolis hospital. According to a press release from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Stevens used his employers’ internet connections without their knowledge to distribute images and

videos depicting child sex abuse material to others over social media. He also used his tablet to store thousands of photos and videos depicting pre-pubescent children, including infants and toddlers, en gaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted the case.

dering that Stevens be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison. Stevens was also ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution to each of the minor victims depicted and must register as a sex offender.

Stevens

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Chil dren Task Force.

U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson imposed the eight-year sentence, also or

“In fiscal year 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, the Southern District of Indiana was second out of the 94 federal districts in the country for the num ber of child sexual exploitation cases prose cuted,” according to the press release.

The case was brought as part of a nation wide initiative known as Project Safe Child hood that combats child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Styron Traylor

FINANCING FOR

Sizing up downsizing

Commentary by Ward Degler

40% Off

Free

Sooner or later, everybody has to do it. I’m talking about downsizing. You know, moving out of a big house and into a small house.

PLAIN TALK

While we are not ready to take this step yet, it looms on the horizon.

Downsizing is by no means a bad thing. It simply implies certain commitments.

Like de-cluttering. Truth is, the com mitment to de-clutter is the first step in downsizing. It is also the toughest. That’s because we have to make really hefty deci sions about what to keep and what to get rid of.

A quick note about human nature. Based on how my wife and I live, it’s fair to say it is human nature to look at every empty space as a place to be filled. We fill closets with clothing and we fill rooms with furni ture. Drawers and cabinets are stuffed with stuff.

My garage workshop is filled with tools, lumber and furniture to be repaired and refinished. Much of it has been there for years.

My studio is glutted with art materials that are far too valuable to get rid of. For instance, my collection of picture frames. For years, I have stopped at every yard sale in town and dragged home picture frames.

As a result the loft in my studio is filled with frames. Oddly, in spite of having a ton of artwork that needs framing, none of the frames seem to fit any particular painting or print.

Friends and family call us when they spot a lovely dining room set or a beautiful pair of end tables someone is selling. Wonderful! Strangely, it never dawns on us that we already have a dining room set and end tables that somehow have to go someplace else — often to another room in our house.

When we built the addition to the house, we added a gigantic walk-in closet. I think I have stuff in there that I haven’t worn since high school. I might wear it some day though. Better keep it.

We are not ready to downsize yet, as I said, but, hey, it’s a start.

Ward Degler lives in Zionsville with his wife. He is the author of “The Dark Ages of My Youth ... and Times More Recent.” Contact him at ward.degler@ gmail.com.

DISPATCHES

2022 leaf collection schedule announced

— This fall, the Zionsville Department of Public Works will provide curbside leaf col lection for residents in the urban service district. DPW asks residents to rake leaves into long narrow piles along the curb no more than a few feet away, and to not place non-leaf objects in the piles. Any damage to leaf vacuums may delay collection. Residents should park cars off the street if possible. Leaf collection will take place Oct. 17 through Dec. 2, and may be extended to mid-December if necessary, weather permitting. For questions, contact DPW at 317-873-4544. For more information, visit zionsville-in.gov/153/Leaf-Collection.

Town reminds residents to keep election signs out of right-of-way - As the Nov. 8 General Election nears, the Town of Zions ville reminds residents to keep election signs out of the public right-of-way to en sure public safety in accordance with the requirements of the State of Indiana and the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. The public right-of-way is an area that extends beyond the edge of the pavement of the roadway.

Typically, the public right-of-way ends, and private property begins, behind overhead electrical poles, sidewalks, pathways, fire hydrants and similar infrastructure. Regarding private property placement, signs are not permitted to be placed in the vision clearance area. For more, visit zions ville-in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2608/ Candidate-Election-Signs

Salvation Army volunteer opportunitiesThe Salvation Army of Indianapolis is looking for volunteers for the Coats for Kids event on Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Families who wish to register to receive coats for their kids can visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/ indiana/coats-for-kids/. Volunteers are also needed Oct. 10-14 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in volun teering can contact Kathy Dalla Costa at kathy.dallacosta@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Boone County Extension Homemakers

Holiday Bazaar — The Annual Holiday Ba zaar sponsored by the Boone County Exten sion Homemakers will be held on Saturday, November 19th from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Leb anon at the 4-H Fairgrounds in the Witham Pavilion and the Centennial Hall buildings. Over 100 exhibitors from central Indiana will offer handcrafted and unique gift items. For more contact the Purdue Extension Office 765-482-0750.

Meet Marcus Such

Candidate for ZCS School Board

I am a native Hoosier and a graduate of Butler University. As a Vice President and Senior Actuary for a national healthcare company, my focus is in finance and statistics. I am the father of two amazing children.

As a member of the School Board, I will work for the community to help ensure that the education ZCS offers all children is effective in preparing them for their next steps. I also believe in creating a financially secure future for our schools and our town of Zionsville.

"Marcus has a strong financial and analytical background as an actuary. As ZCS receives the least funding per student in the state, we know that the school’s fiscal responsibility is of utmost importance. Marcus is uniquely qualified and will be an asset on the school board."

-Parents for Accountable Schools

V

N O V 8

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Marcus Such

Creating a Strong

Between

and Our

Better

and

from the School Board to the Community

and

to Refocus on Academics

Fiscal

and

for our ZCS Schools

Safety, Mental Health, and Security Programs for all ZCS Students

Goals

Dog walkers gear up for sixth annual Strut 2 Save Lives

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Indiana Donor Network will host the sixth annual Strut 2 Save Lives 1K dog walk Oct. 16 at Dr. James A. Dillon Park, 6001 Edenshall Ln., in Noblesville.

EVENT

The event, which was re scheduled from its original date of Sept. 11 because of inclement weather, will begin at 10 a.m. with registration followed by a wel come at 10:45 a.m. by Mayor Chris Jensen,

Walkers and their dogs participate in the Indi ana Donor Network Strut 2 Save Lives in 2021 at Dr. James A. Dillon Park in Noblesville. (Photo provided by Indiana Donor Network)

event founder and organizer Diana Clauson, and Indiana Donor Network COO Steve John son. The 1K dog walk will begin at 11 a.m.

The cost to participate is $25 for adults, $12 for children ages 12 and under, while families up to five participants is $65. All proceeds benefit the Indiana Donor Network Foundation’s Bryan Clauson Legacy Fund, which provides financial and counseling support for Hoosier organ transplant recipi ents, their families and the families of donor heroes.

A live DJ will provide music at the event until 1 p.m., while a professional photogra pher will be available at no charge.

Anyone who registered for the Sept. 11 date but can’t attend the Oct. 16 event can receive a refund. Individuals are asked to contact Savannah Scott by emailing sscott2@INDonorNetwork.org or call 317-222-3448.

For more on the event, visit indianadonor network.org/events/strut/.

You deserve compassionate care.

Personalized healthcare when you need it most

When you walk through our doors, you deserve to be seen and heard. Your questions matter. That’s why Ascension St. Vincent and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital care teams are here to empower you by listening to you, respecting your experiences and creating a care plan that works for you and your family.

Boone County Commissioners District

candidates

By Elle Kreamer elle@youarecurrent.com

Erin

Boone County

Age: 40

Education: Bachelor of Arts in History; Political Science, Lehigh University

2004 Juris Doctor, New En gland School of Law, 2007 Master of Laws (LLM) in taxation, Villanova Universi ty School of Law, 2008

Occupation: Tax Attorney

City of residence: Zionsville

1

opportunity to use my skills to ensure that the county makes the most of these new opportunities.

What are the top three issues that your campaign will focus on?

Accountability and transparency

Thoughtful growth and planning

Improved working relationships among county government

Immediate family: Husband, Dr. Benjamin Brewster

Previous political experience: I previ ously ran for Boone County Council, District 4, in 2018 Website or best way for voters to reach you: votebrewster.com

Why do you want to run for office? I am running for office because I think it’s the best way to make a positive impact on the community. There is so much change com ing to Boone County, and I would love the

Age: 50

Education: Purdue Uni versity, Bachelor of Science degrees in civil engineer ing and land surveying engineering

Occupation: Professional Engineer and Professional Surveyor

City of residence: Zionsville

Immediate family: Wife, Jennifer, married 25 Years; Three children, Daniel, Erin, Kevin, Previous political experience: None Website or best way for voters to reach you: Tim Beyer for Boone County Commis sioner on Facebook E-mail: tim4commish@protonmail.com

Why do you want to run for office? The motivation to run for office was provided by the lack of government officials, at all levels of government, doing the job they are hired to do, which is to protect people’s individual rights to live their lives as they see fit. Mask mandates, particularly in schools, mandat ed testing for COVID, vaccine mandates by

What sets you apart from other can didates for this office? I have a vested interest in Boone County and no individual agenda. I believe in moving Boone County forward, for the benefit of all residents and to serve my community to the best of my ability. I have closely followed county gov ernment since shortly after I moved here and have run for a county office before. I am confident that I would be a great asset to the Boone County Commissioners and Boone County as a whole.

How long have you lived in your dis trict? Eight years

businesses, government forced shutdown of businesses, “one-size-fits-all” mandated COVID treatments are some examples where government has failed, in this regard, in the past 2 years. This office can make a positive impact on many of these types of issues.

What are the top three issues that your campaign will focus on? Protection of people’s individual rights to live their lives. Efficient and proper use of public funds for roads and other infrastructure. Useful and beneficial information from County offices for people to utilize, as opposed to simply repeating “one-size fits all” information from other government agencies.

What sets you apart from other can didates for this office? Over the last two years, it has become apparent that members of the general public need to be involved in government. This role is a natural extension of the experience that I bring working with government in the private sector.

How long have you lived in your district? Twenty-four years

Tim Beyer

Erin M Brewster

WHS sophomore’s golfing skills continue to grow

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Westfield High School sophomore Addi Kooi has only played competitive golf for three years, but she is rapidly developing on the girls golf team.

“She’s had an incredi ble season,” Shamrocks coach Josh Bryant said. “Her game is blossom ing before our very eyes. She plays tennis on West field’s team. We love having multiple-sport athletes. She’s a competitor.”

Kooi finished in a two-way tie for fourth place with a 154 total in the IHSAA State Finals at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. She shot 79 in the Sept. 30 opening round and 75 in the Oct. 1 final round.

Kooi battled windy conditions in the sec ond round.

“The front nine was a challenge. We had a few shots that didn’t go our way,” Kooi said. “You have to work for every shot out here, and being patient really helped.”

Kooi said she learned some things from

MEET ADDI KOOI

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

Favorite subject: Science/math’

Favorite TV show “The Office”

the first round, as far as where to place the ball.

“I definitely could have shot lower (than 75),” Kooi said. “I made a few mistakes.”

Bryant said she handled adversity very well during the state finals.

Kooi said she has improved the most in her short game.

“It saved me a lot of strokes getting up and down,” Kooi said.

Addi Kooi finished tied for fourth Oct. 1 in the IHSAA state finals. (Photo courtesy of Addi Kooi)

Kooi’s teammate, junior Samantha Brown, was one shot behind with a 78-77 for a 155 total. Westfield finished seventh as a team. “(Brown) pushes me so much,” Kooi said. “This is the first time I’ve ever beaten her.

She’s made me such a better player to see how she works and (how) she hits the ball. She’s a phenomenal player. It’s definitely impacted my play and got me to this level.” Brown, who has committed to play for Purdue University’s women’s golf team, and Kooi both earned all-state honors from the Indiana State Golf Coaches Association.

“Sam was the leading all-state points getter,” Bryant said. “The crazy thing about Sam is, she was 14-under par for the season cumulatively.”

Kooi has been playing tennis since she was little. She played No. 3 varsity singles for the Shamrocks as a freshman last season.

“I’m leaning more toward trying to play golf in college,” she said. “But I love tennis and I will play throughout high school. I think I’ve gravitated more to golf, and it is more of my passion now.”

Kooi’s mother, Keri Grossman, played college tennis at the University of Southern Illinois and her father, Jeff Kooi, played basketball at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa.

“My dad started golfing when he was young and he taught us all,” Kooi said.

When a brain, spine, or nerve issue puts the activities that make your life worth living at risk, we can help. Hear about our patients’ successes at GoodmanCampbell.com.

Kooi

Harvest 50 Gravel Race set for Oct. 15

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Gravel cyclists will soon converge on Zionsville.

CYCLING

The race starts at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at Maplelawn Farmstead with a police escort from the beginning to the start of the gravel roads, where riders will be paced by three motorcycles.

Zionsville resident Mike Krug, organizer of the Harvest 500, said the Harvest 50 Gravel Race, which is powered by ZIPP and sponsored by Team Nebo Ridge, might be the longest-consecutive gravel race in Indiana. An after-party includes food trucks, beer from Grand Junction Brewery and music by Luke Kite.

Boone County gravel provides for a challenging course.

“Boone County gravel tends to be deep, which makes it very challenging,” Krug said. “In addition, the 50-mile course has approximately 47 miles of gravel coupled with fall winds (that) makes for a very hard, long ride.”

Riders can choose the 25-mile challenge ride or the 50-mile race.  Krug said the highly competitive race draws cyclists from other areas, mostly from Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Illinois. More than 250 riders have regis tered for the event.

While organizing the race, Krug will be riding the 50-mile course.

Carmel resident Matt Tanner, founder of Strate Fuel, said his supplement company will sponsor the race. Strate’s Superfuel is an endurance drink. Tan ner, an experienced gravel cyclist, will compete in the race as well, along with other members of his Rollfast team.

Strate Fuel will provide the product to the top three male and female finish ers of the open category.

Riders can register harvest50gravel.com or on site the day of the race.

Cathedral High School

Cathedral High School

Cathedral High School open house

open house

open house

Thursday, October 13 Mass - 5:00 p.m. • Open House - 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Zionsville resident Mike Krug organizes the Harvest 50 gravel race (Photo courtesy of Mike Krug)

The Midwest's only international school is right here in Indianapolis.

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.

Lawsuits continue among Boone County officials

By Elle Kreamer elle@youarecurrent.com

T H R E E Y E A R S I N A R O W !

All ISI students are able to take multiple arts classes and choose their preferred arts track to follow Music, Visual Arts, or Theatre. Students have many leadership opportunities through the arts and can expand what they learn in class by participating in arts based clubs. With over 8 annual arts showcases, ISI students have many opportunities to show their hard work to our supportive community

HIGH SCHOOL OPEN SHADOW DAY

OCTOBER 18

Students currently in Grade 8 through 10 are invited to fast track their application process and attend our Open Shadow Day.

Boone County Council member Aaron Williams has filed a counterclaim in a suit filed by a Boone County

LITIGATION

employee who accused him of sexual harrassment, in which court documents state he “denies that any ‘events’ of sexual harass ment occurred.” Williams also has filed a separate suit against Boone County Commissioner Tom Santelli, who he claims conspired to “destroy Williams’ reputation.”

Megan Smith, human resources director for Boone County, filed a formal complaint to Boone County against Williams on Sept. 22, 2021, claiming that Williams subjected her to sexually harassing behavior. She filed a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Jan. 6, 2022, claiming she was subjected to retaliation following her complaint.

Williams, Smith and Santelli declined com ment when reached by Current, citing the ongoing litigation.

A federal lawsuit was filed by Smith July 27, 2022, detailing two counts against Boone County, her employer and one against Williams.

The accusation of sexual harassment against Smith’s employer, Boone County, alleges Williams sexually harassed Smith, and “Boone County failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action” following Smith’s report of the alleged incident, ac cording to court documents.

In Smith’s filing of the charge of discrim ination with the EEOC, she detailed various alleged incidents of sexual harassment she said Williams instigated from April 2021 through Sept. 10, 2021.

Smith alleges Williams made calls to her work cellphone twice a week between June and mid-August 2021, and made comments such as asking “intrusively personal details about her marriage,” asking Smith in front of another co-worker whether she had “a second boyfriend,” and brushing his arm against hers Sept. 10, 2021, at an outdoor 9/11 memorial service, then asking “if she needed a hug,” among other allegations.

The count of retaliation, also against

Boone County, alleges “Williams removed Smith’s responsibilities on the Compensa tion Committee” following her complaint to the county Sept. 22, 2021, and that the county dissolved the committee instead of removing Williams, accord ing to court documents.

The third count of inten tional infliction of emotion al distress filed against Williams alleges Williams intentionally engaged in conduct causing Smith to suffer “emotional distress, pain, suffering and mental anguish,” accord ing to the lawsuit.

Williams filed a response and counter claim to Smith’s suit on Aug. 30, 2022, which stated that the “slanderous statements are unequivocally and undoubtedly 100% false.”

The first count in the counterclaim al leges defamation per se, claiming Smith conspired with Santelli to “spread the falsi ties and lies about the false sexual harass ment claim” with intent to cause harm to councilman Williams.

According to court documents, the sec ond count alleges abuse of process, and the third alleges Smith’s suit is frivolous and groundless and contributes to the “effort to harass and/or maliciously injure Councilman Williams.”

Williams also filed a suit against Santelli Aug. 30, 2022, that claimed Santelli was “conspiring with others” to make “false, defamatory statements … with the intent to harm Councilman Williams and Councilman Williams’ reputation.” The two counts in the suit alleged defamation per se, as well as invasion of privacy (false light).

The false light allegation claims Santelli “demanded” that the Boone County Council president remove Williams from his commit tee assignments, and if he was not removed from the council, “he [Santelli] would contact the media and ‘leak’ information about Wil liams,” according to court documents.

In the spring and summer of 2021, the county commissioners sought to have the county council approve the development of a new Boone County Justice Center and approve a tax on Boone County taxpayers to help fund the project.

Williams’ counterclaim and suit against Santelli state that Williams’ reluctance to approve the project motivated the alleged conspiracy, according to court documents.

Williams Santelli

Sisters make volleyball history

By Edward Redd news@currentzionsville.com

Marcus Fredwell recognized the Kirkendol sisters.

Senior Emily Kirkendol and her older sis ters, Gabby and Katie, have made history by playing on the Zionsville Com munity High School’s varsity volleyball team. According to their mother, Christy Kirkendol, it is the first time in ZCHS history a trio of sisters has played on the team.

SPORTS

Athletic director Greg Schellhase said the girls and their father, Mike Kirkendol, have been involved with the Eagles volleyball program for a decade.

“They’re the first family of Zionsville vol leyball,” Schellhase said. “They have been very instrumental in our program for the last 10 years or so. Mike’s been a coach. Their daughters have come through the pro gram, and they all have been tremendous players, great representatives of our school and community.”

The school organized a senior night celebration Oct. 4 to recognize the seniors as they finish out their season. During a brief speech prior to the match, announcer

During her four-year varsity career, Emily played 341 sets and recorded 1,169 digs. Gab by and Katie Kirkendol were both standouts as former ZCHS players as well. In total, the Kirkendol sisters have played a combined 683 sets and tallied nearly 2,000 assists, 1,950 digs and 265 aces.

Emily is the last of her siblings to play for the high school team.

Members of the Kirkendol family said it was an emotional night.

Gabby, the eldest sister, noted the sib lings had shared the same jersey number, 1, throughout their high school volleyball careers.

“It’s the final chapter of a really long se ries,” Gabby said. “It’s definitely bittersweet but it’s not super emotional because I know it’s not the end for us.”

Katie said the three sisters had played volleyball since childhood.

“It’s honestly really emotional,” Katie said. “My sisters and I have been playing Zions ville volleyball since we were little. This is bittersweet with it coming to an end.”

From left, sisters Gabby, Emily and Katie Kirkendol pause. All three played volleyball at Zionsville Community High School. (Photo by Edward Redd)

Co eries in Park

New Addition to the Community

The Zionsville Cultural District (ZCD) presents "Elm Street Park Sunshine", a pop-up art mural for local community and business events. ZCD received a grant from the Zionsville Community Enrichment Program to create a piece of public art which can be moved from place to place. The piece allows the community to stage it as a backdrop for selfies while recognizing Zionsville’s local park setting. Local artist Karen Stanley's design was chosen during the artist call-out. This may be the perfect addition for proms, school dances, business gatherings or community promotions.

Presented

Bloodhounds descend on Hamilton County for training

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

August 31 Zionsville’ s Got Talent

Clear skies and crisp fall air in central In diana provided just the right conditions for Michael Sarvich to enjoy a week off from his job as an Amazon delivery driver.

in some states (although Indiana is not one of them). For those reasons, they are often used to follow trails of missing people or suspects on the run.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

He spent the time away in Hamilton County with his search-and-rescue partner, Joey, a 4-year-old bloodhound.

Wednesdays in Au featuring area performers

“People who don’t do this, they go on cruises, or they’re over in Europe,” Sarvich said. “My vacations are spent in a car with a dog in the woods.”

Sarvich and Joey, who live in Indianapolis and volunteer with the North Star Interna tional K9 Training Association, were among 15 teams from across the nation that partic ipated Sept. 25-29 in the second bloodhound seminar organized by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. During the week, the teams visited several sites throughout the county to practice trailing techniques and gathered in the evenings for dinner and discussion.

“They’ve been bred for this. They’re very ef ficient,” Hoard said. “They’re not agile. They’re made for straight lines and long distances.”

Hoard and his bloodhound, Maudie, are one of the few in central Indiana employed by a law enforcement agency. Some of the seminar participants work in law enforce ment, including a team from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Hoard said, but the majority — like Sarvich — are volunteers.

Most volunteer bloodhound handlers purchase their own dogs, and they continue to fund expenses related to their care and training. They’re typically on call 24 hours a day and must be willing to head out to a case at a moment’s notice.

...And End of Season Celebration! 2 dewalk Poetry winners

HCSO held its inaugural bloodhound semi nar in 2021 after COVID-19 restrictions closed a similar event held in Virginia to out-ofstate handlers. Indiana’s COVID-19 measures were not as strict at the time, allowing teams to attend from across the nation. Neal Hoard, a HCSO deputy and seminar host, said the inaugural event went so well that HCSO plans to continue hosting it for the foreseeable future.

Bloodhounds have more scent receptors in their noses than any other dog breed, and their trailing work is so reliable it is permitted to be used as evidence in court

It’s not always easy, Sarvich said, but it’s worth the effort.

“We show up at someone’s house at probably one of the worst moments of their lives. Their family member is missing, and they don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “We show up to try to help.”

Franki Henriques, a volunteer with Search Dogs Northeast, traveled 15 hours from the Boston area with her 7-year-old bloodhound, Diamond, to attend the seminar. They also participated in 2021, and Henriques said the experience was “priceless.”

“We actually get to work alongside law enforcement, so we are training exactly the way they would train,” said Henriques, who works full time as a pet groomer. “When we are deployed, we can follow the same pro tocol and procedures that law enforcement would want us to take.”

Steve

- Vice President

Public Art Committee Chairman.

Franki Henriques, right, a volunteer handler with Mas sachusetts-based Search Dogs North east, and her blood hound, Diamond, work with Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nate Biddle to follow the scent of a person hiding in the woods during a Sept. 27 training exercise. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

By Elle Kreamer elle@youarecurrent.com

John Shertzer, 46, a Zionsville resident experienced in nonprofit management, has worked in many leadership roles, most re cently appointed executive director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation by board chair Dave McIntyre.

Shertzer said he is not a veteran himself, but was inspired to work for the Foundation because of his admiration for the military and the people who regularly make sacrific es on behalf of the nation.

“The living recipients (of the Medal of Honor) are tremendous individuals with great stories to share,” Shertzer said. “With the acts of heroism that led them to receive that honor, and also just on their own ac cord, they are tremendous individuals and great representatives of our society and our country.”

The Foundation’s mission is to “advance the mission and provide a path for finan cial support of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society,” and was founded in 1958 by Congress and President Eisenhower to address the well-being of Medal of Honor recipients, according to the Foundation’s website.

“We looked for someone who saw the importance of the values and legacy of the Medal of Honor who could then bridge them with a vision for involving new partners and supporters,” McIntyre said. “John has that vision, along with the experience and gen uine sense of the special opportunity this represents to work alongside our country’s greatest heroes.”

Shertzer has served as the chief pro grams officer at Kiwanis International; executive director of Kiwanis Youth Pro grams; founded and led the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council in Indianapolis; and most recently served as executive director for the Society of Professional Journalists, among other roles.

Shertzer said he left the SPJ to work for the Medal of Honor Foundation because of his admiration for the military and be cause it is where he would like to finish his career.

In his new role, Shertzer said he will be overseeing the entirety of the organiza tion, doing behind-the-scenes work like

budgeting and fundraising for Medal of Honor recipients and programs run by the Foundation.

“We would benefit from having more con versation and discussion around things like courage, sacrifice, commitment, patriotism, citizenship, those values that are core to what we do (at the Foundation),” Shertzer said.

Rod Hicks, director of ethics and diversity for the SPJ, said Shertzer was one of the best bosses he’d ever had. Hicks said he is sad to see Shertzer go but is happy for him in his new role.

“He does not come from the journalism world, but it would be hard to tell,” Hicks said. “I was impressed with how quickly he came to understand our industry, to the point that he could have really good conver sations about it and sound like he is speak ing from authority.”

Shertzer said he’s had mentors every

step of the way who have inspired him in his career and personal life. One of the people he said has inspired him most is Lee Dorsey, his longtime mentor and life skills coach, who he met nearly 15 years ago at Leadership Ventures, a leadership develop ment program that brings together boards of trustees from nonprofit organizations.

Dorsey, an Avon resident, former firefight er and retired pastor, said it didn’t take long for him and Shertzer to realize they had similar interests in developing organiza tions and people, particularly those working through periods of transition.

“He believes in and practices servant leadership. Those aren’t just words to him. He really takes that to heart and tries to see how that fits whatever organization or environment he’s in,” Dorsey said. “He has a gift for helping others to focus their vision and their commitment to an organizational mission.”

Dorsey, who volunteers with nonprofit organizations and has a small life skills coaching practice, said he has met Shertzer at least once a month since he’s known him and has always known Shertzer to be driven by his mission to help the community in a way that makes him uniquely suited to work in a variety of nonprofit organizations.

“John has an unassuming manner about him,” Dorsey said. “He doesn’t make it about him. He cares about doing quality service that benefits others and his larger community.”

Shertzer said he takes into account his family, especially his sons, when he makes decisions regarding his career. He said he loves getting his three sons, who are 16, 12 and 9, engaged in the work he does, and the Foundation provides plenty of opportu nities to do so.

“When I think about a position to take or what I’m going to do, I think, ‘Would my kids be proud of me if I were to do this? Is there a way that they can get involved in the cause as well?’” Shertzer said.

Shertzer said he encourages others to think about getting involved in nonprofit work if they aren’t already.

“I think anyone who loves the idea of entrepreneurship or building a business or working in the business world, but at the same time wants to make a difference in a community sense, a not-for-profit entity is a good choice for them,” Shertzer said. “It allows you to use the skills that you’d use in business, but every night you go to bed knowing that you did something that likely mattered to a lot of people and made their lives better.”

MEET JOHN SHERTZER

• Has lived in Zionsville for 13 years

• Bachelor’s degree in mass com munication from Miami University

• Master’s degree in higher educa tion from Iowa State

Zionsville resident appointed executive director of Medal of Honor Foundation

ON THE COVER: John Shertzer pauses for a portrait. (Photo courtesy of John Shertzer)

• Executive vice president of the Zionsville Little League board

• Coaches youth sports

Shertzer pauses with a group from the 2018 Indianapolis Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council he helped to establish.

John Shertzer pauses with his sons, from left to right, Jack, 16, Luke, 12, and Bennett, 9. (Photo courtesy of John Shertzer)

John Shertzer speaks during an event for the Triangle Fraternity after receiving their Rich ard H. Sudheimer Interfraternal Leadership Award for his work in fraternity leadership and education.

ESSAY

Ready to roll?

Commentary by Terry Anker

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 did not arrive at its des tination. Most Americans recall without prompting the events of that day. Ag grieved radicals, making a point of their dissatisfaction with our society, decided to teach us a lesson in the form of mass murder. With most tragedy, there are tales of heroism. There are stories of the best of us to counter the obvious exam ples of the worst. In coming to know that their lives were surely to be soon taken, a group of daring passengers refused to go silently into that good night. They refused to allow the villains to reap the full pleasure of their heinous acts. In rushing the cockpit, they’d either take control of the guided missile upon which they found themselves or drive it into the open fields below. Their sacrifice might allow others to survive.

Even as he headed to his own execu tion, Todd Beamer entreated the cellular operator to call his young wife and say that he loved her. It must have resem bled an epic moment from a modern re make of “Romeo and Juliet.” At home, Lisa Beamer must have clung to their young sons, 3-year-old David and baby Drew. Leading the resistance, Todd dropped the phone and was last heard to proclaim, “OK, let’s roll.”

Life is filled with many moments of both importance and inconsequence. They come to us as we are — ready or not. Sure, not having our car keys in hand as we walk through a darkened shopping center parking lot is likely inconsequen tial. Or it may predict our demise at the hand of an armed robber. Can we prepare after the fact, or do we have to be ready to roll when life demands it? What is the price if we choose not to be?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK POLICIES

— WILLIAM JAMES

HUMOR

Gravely behind in decorating

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Oh, it’s on. I drove by my neighbor the other day as she was setting up Halloween decorations in her front yard. With weeks to go before the greatest and most perfect holiday of the year, she’s already fooling around with purple twinkle lights, Styrofoam tombstones, and what looked to be a new inflatable. How dare she! I have not yet mentally nor physically prepared for my own elaborate display of zombies, witches, a pumpkin-head man and various incar nations of demon-possessed Regans and Carol Annes. But now she’s thrown down the gauntlet. I cannot have her house up and ready while mine still bears the boring décor of fall mums and pretty green September grass.

I’ll have to start with the big-ticket items, which means hauling close to a dozen life-size animatronics and skele tons from our basement room of horrors up the stairs, out through the garage and onto the lawn. I’ll then spend an hour or so on each “tableau,” arranging them in either unsettling or humorous scenes involving cauldrons, lawnmow ers and spider-infested tea parties to eventually construct a veritable wonder land of evil. Next up is the arbor entry way, a cheap metal apparatus held to gether only by duct tape and my sheer force of will. The electrical comes last, which, depending on the weather and if I can locate enough splitters, extension cords, and green floods, could take any where from one day to several. I’m not that far from Lowe’s, but each trip takes precious time!

My gung-ho neighbor may have gotten the jump on me this glorious Halloween season, but not for long. Be cause it’s on.

Peace out.

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.

Danielle

The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.

Smashing tale of a lost cellphone

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

On my way to pickleball last Saturday, I realized I didn’t have my cellphone with me. I panicked, but as I admitted in a previous column, my phone is never really lost, it is simply — to coin a new application for a perfectly good word — “unfounded.”

I knew when I arrived home it would be exactly where I left it, which is usually where you find things.

I remembered load ing the car with my stuff: gym bag, sun glasses, hat, paddle and … the phone. It must be in the car, I thought. I pulled over, got out, and looked between the seats, under the seats and in all the side compartments.

has a magnet on the back of the case) on the car’s roof and sped away. Your watch tracked the phone as you drove. The phone remained secure until you hit a pothole at 111th and Westfield. In a nanosecond, it was dislodged and bounced into the street.”

After I thanked Sherlock, I left to buy a new phone.

I showed the destroyed phone to the salesman.

“Isn’t the protective case guaranteed?”

“It was completely smashed to smithereens. I retrieved it and went home, clueless as to how this had all happened.

– DICK WOLFSIE

I said.

“Yes, 100 percent guaranteed.”

“But the phone is smashed.”

“Sir, we guaran teed the case, not the phone.”

I explained how embarrassed I was.

I got back in the car and headed for the gym.

At the first stoplight, I activated the “Find My Phone” app on my Apple Watch. It said the phone was at 96th and Lantern Road. So was I! When I turned west, the watch said the cell was at 96th and Gray Road. Me, too! A few minutes later, we were both at 106th and Westfield.  Obviously, the phone was in my car. But where?

The last time I checked the app, it said the phone was at 111th and Westfield. I played my pickleball games and bee-lined back to that address afterward. Sure enough, there was my phone — smack dab in the middle of the street, and except for the protective case, it was completely smashed to smithereens. I retrieved it and went home, clueless as to how this had all happened.

My wife’s analysis: “Loading the car with your hands full, you placed the phone (which

Flower

“Oh, don’t be,” he said. “I’ve had several customers who drove over their phones.”

I said, “I did not run over my own phone. Someone else did it for me.”

The tech guys shared other cellphone misadventures.

“Years ago, I had a customer,” said one employee, “who forgot he had set his phone in the freezer while he needed both hands to retrieve a stuck ice cream container from the back.”

That made everyone laugh. Except me. It was a very painful memory. I searched for hours to find that cellphone. And my screen was frozen the rest of the day.

Check my Facebook page for photo of my phone.

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

The Furnace is

Hip and knee replacement: What to expect from your care team

Commentary by Dr. Leonard Buller

Getting a knee or hip replaced is a sur gery that can improve an individual’s quality of life dramatically.

ORTHOPEDICS

Throughout the entire process, from before surgery to the recovery stage, the patient’s care team will be there every step of the way.

What happens before surgery?

The patient’s doctor will determine if surgery is necessary by taking X-rays. From there, the doctor can get a closer look and decide if surgery is the right path. Patients are encouraged to try other alternatives to limit pain before deciding on surgery. Options include exercise, over-the count er-medications, steroid injections, bracing, acupuncture, weight loss, or activity mod ifications. It is also vital that the patient’s health is evaluated with blood tests and sometimes a chest X-ray prior to surgery.

What happens during surgery?

A hip or knee replacement can last one to two hours, while the patient is under general anesthesia. For a hip replacement, the surgeon will remove the damaged bone, tissue and cartilage from the hip joint. Then, the “ball-and-socket” part of the hip is re placed with artificial parts (typically metal rods) that will allow the hip joints to work properly and smoothly. For a knee replace

ment, the surgeon will make an incision on the front or side of the knee to access the joint. The surgeon will then remove the damaged bone, tissue, or cartilage and re place the area with a new (manmade) joint.   What happens after surgery?

The patient’s movement will be extremely limited post-surgery. Patients can expect to be prescribed medication for pain. Following the surgery, a therapist may help with move ments and exercises to regain movement, momentum and recovery. Patients may be in the hospital anywhere from two to four days. It is vital to make sure the patient has a caregiver available to help them. Also, the patient should make sure they have enough groceries and prepared meals. Creating a designated area with easy-to-reach items and a plan for washing/bathing is also important. Patients should also make sure floors are walkable. Anything that may cause a tripping/falling hazard must be moved.

At IU Health Saxony, the care team will be there to answer any questions and help to make this process as seamless as possible. For more information, visit iuhealth.org/ joints or call 317-944-9400.

Dr. Leonard Buller is an orthopedic surgeon at IU Health Saxony–soon to be IU Health Fishers

DISPATCHES

Get started running — Want to start run ning but are so out of shape you don’t know how to begin? Couch to 5K is a free app that takes you through an eight-week program designed to build up your endurance and stamina. It’s a great way to get started if you’ve never tried running. Available for iOS and Android.

Source: Greatist.com

Natural appetite suppressant — Research shows that a spinach extract, called Ap pethyl, can significantly reduce cravings and snacking. A teaspoon per day was given to women in the study and they lost 43 percent more weight than women in the placebo group. Appethyl is available online as spinach extract in powder or capsule form.

New radiation technique — For patients with cancer of the left breast, radiation therapy can be dangerous because it ex poses the heart and lungs to radiation. New research shows that holding one’s breath during radiation can push those organs out of the way and protect them. A machine assists with the process, so the patient breathes properly.

Source: Practical Radiation Oncology

Moving for better health — Sitting for most of the day is terrible for your health, raising your risk for diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. For better health, try to get up and do some light activity several times a day, even if you have a sedentary job. Moving around triggers blood flow, clears glucose from the blood and breaks down triglycerides.

Video game stock growth -- The video game industry is booming. The global video game market is likely to double to $300 billion in revenue by 2025, according to tech research firm GlobalData, driven by the expansion of mobile-phone and online gaming. Also, there has been tremendous growth in games played by multiple players over the Internet, such as Fortnite, in which 100 players fight against one another for survival. And rather than buying individual games in stores such as GameStop, players are paying fees for monthly subscriptions to online services that allow them to stream or download games. Two subscription services, Apple Arcade and Google Stadia, were launched last year, but they’ve had lukewarm results, partly because of compe tition from free online video game providers such as Epic Games, the privately. Epic made more than a billion dollars in 2019 by selling optional virtual accessories such as character outfits. Investors should focus on third-party video game publishers with a history of churning out blockbuster games for consoles, PCs and mobile devices. Their stocks can benefit no matter what platform

gamers choose to play on or what business model prevails. Two attractive video game publishers now are:

• Activision Blizzard (ATVI) hits in clude World of Warcraft, which has had $9 billion in revenue since 2004. It part ners with YouTube to stream live broad casts of tournaments for games such as Overwatch and Call of Duty.

• Electronic Arts (EA) makes best-selling games such as the FIFA soccer se ries, Madden NFL and Battlefield

Source: BottomLineInc.co

New car replacement insurance – Typical insurance policies only pay a depreciated value for your car if it’s totaled in an acci dent. Recent ads offering full replacement cost are very common. They don’t, however, tell the whole story. Full replacement cost coverage will increase your premium by at least 15 percent and is only good for a limit ed time period, or specific number of miles. It might not be worth the extra premiums given the chance of totaling your car is less than 1 percent in a year.

Source: BottomLine.com

Cheftacular

2023

Seeking sponsors and restaurant partners for the 5th Annual Cheftacular Charity Tasting Event.

Come join us as we support Carmel High School Culinary Arts and the Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank. Contact Chaya Reich at Carmelculinaryboosters@gmail.com for more information.

Aerate

Carmel Community Players ready to set off ‘Tick, Tick … Boom!’ musical

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Dominic Piedmonte, the theme of “Tick, Tick… Boom!” immediately had an impact.

‘THE ADDAMS FAMILY’

“The Addams Family” runs through Nov. 20 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianap olis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘RENT’

MUSICAL

At first, the Indianapolis resident was unfamiliar with Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical.

“A friend told me about the auditions the day before I auditioned, and so I did a deep dive the night before and fell in love with the show immediately,” Larson said. “I was 29 and turned 30 the week after auditions, so I was incredibly connected to what Jonathan was feeling at the time of my audition.”

Piedmonte will play the role of Jon in the Carmel Community Players’ production of the musical Oct. 14 to 23 at The Switch Theatre, 10029 E. 126 St., Fishers. Larson went on create the musical “Rent” before dying of aortic dissection at age 35 the day of the off-Broadway preview in 1996.

“I really try to capture Jon’s mannerisms in the show, but also a bit of myself since a lot of what this show is talking about is turning 30 and having that feeling of not having done enough with the time that is given to us,” Piedmonte said. “That’s some thing everyone over 30 has experienced at one time or another.”

The biggest challenge for Piedmonte is mastering the lines.

“I’m on stage the entire time and have several monologues that are tricky in their wording because they are literally the writings of what was going through Jona than’s head when he encounters the feel ing of failure, realizations that the world around him feels dystopian, that everyone around him is so much more successful by the societal standards of the ‘90s,” he said. “Being a musician and artist myself as well as a full-time teacher, time just is something I never have enough of it seems. This show honestly really helped me process through some of the turmoil I was struggling with turning 30, and I

really am grateful that I’m given the oppor tunity to share this wonderful show that Jonathan Larson created.”

Like Piedmonte, Ervin Gainer is per forming for Carmel Community Players for the first time. Gainer said what he enjoys about the role is that he can relate to the character in some ways.

“I know what it feels like trying to achieve a dream that just doesn’t pan out in your favor,” said Gainer, who plays Michael. “I know what it feels like to settle for a job that isn’t your dream job/career, but it pays the bills and keeps a roof over your head. I know what it feels like to want love, have a family and be financially secure. Michael wants to live his ‘American dream,’ but it does come with challenges.

He is an openly gay male in corporate America who happens to find out that he is HIV positive at a time where folks left and right were dying of AIDS. To most, getting an HIV positive diagnosis meant a death sentence. You could be alive and well one week but gone the next week.

That is a major struggle for the character throughout the show and it weighs heavy

on his heart. I know how it feels to be openly gay and HIV positive because that is my life. I am thankful that nowadays getting an HIV positive result doesn’t mean a death sentence with all of the HIV medications that are out today.

“I love that this subject matter is touched in the musical. It’s so import ant. HIV stigma is still alive and well, unfortunately.”

Kathleen Horrigan, a Fishers resident, is directing with CCP for the first time. Horri gan said the biggest challenge is also serv ing as a director for the Lawrence Central High School play “You Can’t Take it  With You,” which is set for Nov. 11-13. She is the director of theater for Lawrence Central.

“I directed ‘Rent’ in Indianapolis for Footlite Musicals about 10 years ago and became quite a fan of Jonathan Larson,” Horrigan said. “Then my high school stu dents told me about the movie version of ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ and once I watched it, I was hooked then. Then I started reading a book about Jonathan Larson’s life and really wanted to direct it.”

For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

Civic Theatre’s production of “Rent” will be presented Oct. 22 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘POSTMODERN JUKEBOX’

Scott Bradlee’s “Postmodern Jukebox: Life in the Past Lane” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘MY NAME IS NOT MOM’

Internet stars Tiffany Jenkins, Meredith Masony and Dena Blizzard will present “My Name is NOT Mom” at 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘VOICE OF ROMANCE TOUR’

Johnny Mathis will visit with his ‘Voice of Romance Tour’ at 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Palla dium at the Center for the Performing Arts. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

EDWARDS TWINS

The Edwards Twins present “The Ultimate Variety Show: Vegas Top Impersonators” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more fein steinshc.com.

Candlelight Theatre hosts ‘Haunted States’

The Candlelight Theatre will present “The Haunted States of America” at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site this month. The actors include Geist resident Donna Wing, who is the Candlelight Theatre creative di rector. The show is set for three weekends, Oct. 14-15, 22-23, 28-29, at the Harrison Pres idential Site, 1230 North Delaware St., India napolis, For more, visit: bhpsite.org/events/ hauntedstatesofamerica/.

From left, Dominic Piedmonte, Margaret Smith and Ervin Gainer appear in “Tick, Tick … Boom!” (Photo courtesy of Carmel Community Players)

‘One Dark Night’ at Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Nick Zaza is eager to see how his Hal loween stage extravaganza plays in other markets.

MUSIC

The first one was performed in in 2018 in Akron, Ohio, where Zaza is based. The classically trained rock guitarist has previously played other shows across Ohio.

“One Dark Night…A Rock Symphony of the Macabre” will make its out-of-state debut at 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“We’re excited because the Palladium is beautiful,” said Zaza, who will perform four shows this month. “That’s the date I’m most looking forward to this year.”

The show will then be in the Pittsburgh area later in the month.

“The show is a celebration of the Gothic classical music from some of the great com posers, Prokofiev, Mozart, Beethoven. The musical element is classical music, rocked up with the band,” Zaza said. “It’s really electrified. We bring in the seasonal Hallow een element. We love the classical Holly

“One Dark Night…A Rock Symphony of the Ma cabre” is set for Oct. 22 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo courtesy of Nick Zaza)

wood monsters, Frankenstein and Dracula, but quite possibly, could the real monster be inside of us, the monster within? We have a story that goes through it and great multimedia visuals behind us. It’s really an immersive experience.”

There are actors performing as “haunters” who loom throughout the set and venue,

There is a six-person band for the orches tral rock show and a narrator.

“It seems to be catching on and blowing up,” said Zaza, who also tours with his own band.

For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org

Twins bring act to Feinstein’s

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Twin brothers Anthony and Eddie Ed wards are not only identical but they share the gift of being mas ter impersonators.

VARIETY SHOW

“We do over 100 lookalikes and soundalikes,” Anthony said. “Every year is a different show. Everything is live. It’s not a drag show.”

“The Edwards Twins and their Ultimate Variety Show” is set for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael.”

“We started out at the Riviera many years ago,” Anthony said. “We decided to take the show on the road. We’re adding shows ev ery year. It’s been a great journey.”

The twins, based in Las Vegas, perform ap proximately 300 shows a year. They do about 20 different impersonations per show.

“We never usually do this small a theater, but Michael (Feinstein) is a dear friend,” An thony said. “We want to do as many of his showrooms as possible. We’ve been doing his showroom in (Los Angeles) for a very long time. We were in the area. I’m sure it’s a matter of time before we come back,

and we probably have to do two shows (in Carmel).”

Anthony said the show is fast paced and similar to variety shows like “Laugh-In,”

“The Sonny and Cher Show” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”

“Carol saw me perform as her in Toronto and we became instant friends,” Anthony said. “Then two weeks later, she was in LA and she saw my brother in ‘La Cage’ and she thought it was me. She said, ‘Why are you guys together? You need to form an act.’ She said she would help any way she can, and she did. The rest is history.”

For more, theedwardstwins.com.

Anthony Edwards performs as Andrea Bocelli during the variety show. (Photo courtesy of the Edwards Twins)

CHS graduate shakes off nerves to earn spot on ‘The Voice’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Morgan Taylor Koontz began performing in musicals when she was 9.

Nashville. “The excitement really got to me.

ACHIEVEMENT

The 2019 Carmel High School graduate has sung solo in public numerous times — such as at CarmelFest Has Talent and at Urban Vines — through the years and was selected as a Songbook Academy finalist in 2019.

But her blind audition performance for “The Voice” was another level of challenging.

“Personally speaking, I don’t think there is any amount of performing I would have done to prepare for the amount of nerves you feel when you go on that stage,” Koontz said. “Especially when you know it’s been recorded and in front of these incredibly talented and well-known artists right in front of you. The more you do it, the easier it gets, but that first time was really a dif ferent experience performing.”

Koontz, who performs as Morgan Taylor, shook off the nerves and earned a spot on Season 22 of “The Voice” on NBC with her rendition of Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You.” The performance was taped a few months ago but it aired Sept. 26.

Blake Shelton quickly turned his chair around to indicate support, followed by the other three judges, Gwen Stefani, John Leg end and Camila Cabello.

All four celebrity judges made a pitch to have Koontz on their team.

“When (Shelton) turned around, it was so early on, I felt that I did a double-take,” said Koontz, who majors in commercial music and songwriting at Belmont University in

I think that showed in my performance, because in that moment what would you be doing if you weren’t singing? You’d be screaming to yourself. There’s a lot of adrenaline. There was one bit where I thought about what I was doing, and I had to reel myself back in and finish strong.”

Koontz said it is “super weird” to describe the feeling she had unless one had been in that position.

“You can’t even imagine it until you are there,” said Koontz, who is in an ensemble group at Belmont.

Koontz, who views her genre as soulful pop, chose Legend as her coach because he best fits her style.

“I wanted to go with John from the getgo,” she said. “But I won’t lie, I really recon sidered my choices because of all of the arguments, I was reconsidering all of them.

I’m happy I chose John in the end because I really like working with him. But I think you can’t go wrong with any of them, honestly.”

Koontz said musically speaking, Legend’s style is the closest to what her original mu sic sounds like.

“Vocally, he has the most to offer, but genre-wise, he also made the most sense,” she said.

Koontz submitted audition tapes and was invited to Los Angeles for the blind audition.

“The rest is history,” said Koontz, who was a three-year member of the Ambassa dors, the mixed show choir at CHS.

The taping was a few months ago, so she had to keep her selection a secret. Her par ents, Angela and Scott Gallagher, attended the audition.

BOOK, MUSIC, AND LYRICS BY JONATHAN LARSON

Morgan Taylor Koontz performs during the blind audition of “The Voice.” (Photo courtesy of Tina Thorpe/ NBC)

(Photo

of Huse

Naraine’s art described as ‘bold’

Commentary by Randy Sorrell

Absolutely one of my favorite local artists is Janie Naraine, known in the art commu nity as JD Naraine. Perhaps that’s why we have several of her pieces confidently hanging on our walls! Her work is very bold and suggestive and can be well described as abstract figurative.

ARTIST

Naraine has been painting all her life and has a degree in fashion design from the University of Cincinnati and loved several classes in the fine art department. For years, she focused on portraits and transi tioned to her present mode about 15 years ago. Most of her work is completed with a live model and then finished back in her studio. Predominantly working in oil and pastel, Naraine also enjoys mixed media influences. She notes, “I play with color and shape and composition, capturing a bit of the essence of the model but also striving for a complete and finished painting.”

I fell in love with her style and work when my design studio was in the Indiana Design Center. Diane Wright featured her work at Coats Wright Art & Design there and now at her new place at 1057 East 54th St., C3, in south Broad Ripple. Her work also is available at galleries in Naples, Fla.

Naraine mentioned how affordable her art is and that she is witnessing a strong movement of people wanting original art. That’s a trend I have experienced as well.

Randy Sorrell, a Carmel artist, can be reached at 317-6792565, rsorrellart@gmail.com or rsorrellart.com.

“Face of Many Colors” is dis played at CoatsWright Gallery in the Indiana Design Center

A visit to Boston’s Old Town

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, returning from Cape Cod, we visit Boston’s Old Town, so successfully combin ing the best of our past and present that I was induced to “dance” in public.

TRAVEL

In 1630, Puritan settlers established Boston, named for an English coastal town, on an 800-acre peninsula extending into Massachusetts Bay. By 1710, Boston, capi tal of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was the largest city in the 13 colonies, with a population of 9,000. In 1713, the colonial government constructed a brick building near the waterfront for meetings of the Massachusetts General Court. Now known as the Old State House, the brick structure

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed Bids for the TriCo Regional Sewer Utility Project No. 2203 – Biosolids Building Addition as specified and shown on the Drawings will be received by TriCo Regional Sewer Utility at their office located at 7236 Mayflower Park Drive, Zionsville, IN 46077 until 10:00 a.m. local time on November 2, 2022, and then at said office opened and publicly read aloud. Bids received after such hour will be returned unopened.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 9:00 a.m. (local time) on October 19, 2022, at the TriCo Regional Sewer Utility Water Resource Recovery Facility, 7236 Mayflower Park Drive, Zionsville, Indiana 46077. A project site visit will take place immediately following the Pre-Bid Conference. Attendance at the Pre-Bid Conference is encouraged for all prospective bidders, but not mandatory to submit a Bid. Each bidder is responsible for inspecting the project site(s) and for reading and being thoroughly familiar with BIDDING DOCUMENTS. The failure or omission of any Bidder to do any of the forgoing shall in no way relieve any bidder from any obligation with respect to its bid.

The BIDDING DOCUMENTS may be examined at the office of TriCo Regional Sewer Utility, 7236 Mayflower Park Drive, Zionsville, IN 46280; Phone: 317-844-9200 (by appointment only, no walk-ins). Copies of the BIDDING DOCUMENTS may be obtained at the same location. All costs for printing, distribution, packaging and shipment shall be paid by the Bidder. Payment is not refundable. Bidders shall contact TriCo Regional Sewer Utility at 317-844-9200 to advise that they will be bidding and to be placed on the Plan Holder List. TriCo Regional Sewer Utility Engineering Manager Wes Merkle should be contacted at (317) 844-9200 for questions about this Project.

Bids shall be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total Bid amount (inclusive of all Bid Alternates) to ensure the execution of the contract for which the bid is made. In case the Bid is not accepted, the bid bond will be returned to the Bidder, but if the Bid is accepted and the Bidder shall refuse or neglect to enter into a contract with the Owner within ten (10) days after the time s/he has been notified of the acceptance of its Bid, the said bid bond shall be forfeited to the Owner as liquidated damages for the failure to do so.

Approved performance and payment bonds guaranteeing faithful and proper performance on the work and materials, to be executed by an acceptable surety company, will be required of the Successful Bidder at the time s/he executes the contract. The bonds will be in the amount of 100% of the Contract Price and must be in full force and effect throughout the term of the Construction Contract plus a period of twelve (12) months from the respective date of substantial completion.

A conditional or qualified Bid will not be accepted. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible Bidder as determined in the sole discretion of the Owner

Bids shall be properly and completely executed on forms included in the Specifications. Bids shall include all information requested by Indiana Form 96 (latest revision) included with the Specifications. Under Section III of Form 96, the Bidder shall submit a financial statement. The Owner may make such investigations as deemed necessary to determine the ability of the Bidder to perform the work and the Bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data for this purpose as the Owner may request. The Owner reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such Bidder, fails to satisfy the Owner that such Bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement and to complete the work contemplated therein. No Bidder may withdraw his/her bid for a period of sixty (60) days after the time scheduled for the receipt of bids. The Bidding Documents do provide for a liquidated damages clause to insure timely completion of the Project.

The Owner reserves the right to accept any Bid, to reject any or all bids, to reject bids that do not meet the qualifications outlined in the Bidding Documents and/or to waive any formalities or irregularities in the bidding process or bids received where such acceptance, rejection or waiver is considered to be in the best interest of the Owner as determined by it in its sole discretion. The Owner further reserves the right to reject any Bid where evidence or information submitted by the Bidder does not satisfy the Owner that the Bidder is qualified to carry out the details of the Bidding Documents. The Owner further reserves the right to reject all bids should the Owner determine in its opinion, based on bids received, that the contemplated construction costs is not economically feasible. All requirements as indicated in the Bidding Documents shall be met by successful bidders.

Published by TriCo Regional Sewer Utility Wesley J. Merkle, P.E., Engineering Manager

made a speech in the Old State House that inflamed Bostonians against the English. On March 5, 1770, the Old State House was the site of the so-called “Boston Massacre,” in which British troops opened fire on an un ruly crowd, killing five.

replaced a building destroyed by fire. In 1742, Peter Faneuil, a wealthy Boston mer chant and reputed slave trader, built a mar ket house nearby, which he donated to the city. Despite its origins, Faneuil Hall became known as the “Cradle of Liberty” because Samuel Adams, James Otis and others made important speeches in the building support ing independence from England. In 1762, Otis

Today, the restored Old State House houses a museum. A cobblestone marker in front remembers the Boston Massacre. Nearby, Faneuil Hall, along with Quincy Market and two other markets, constitute Faneuil Hall Marketplace, one of the nation’s earliest and most successful urban renewal projects. Since its opening in 1976, street performers have helped make the Market place area one of Boston’s most popular destinations, attracting 18 million visitors a year. When I was there, five multi-talented African American performers, looking for “seven rich white guys” to teach to dance, pointed to me. What followed was not really dancing, but it was a lot of fun.

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

Creepy sound of onomatopoeia

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

Most people know what onomatopoeia is, but I’d bet most of them couldn’t spell it! Just ask me.

instance of a word formed by the sound it makes. If you give out the “Krackel” candy, you’re likely to be one of the more popular houses on the block.

GRAMMAR GUY

Onomatopoeia, of course, is the naming of a thing based on the sound it makes. I can’t think of a better season to discuss onomatopoeia than Halloween. The word onomatopoeia is a Greek word meaning “the making of a name or word.”

We’re all wary of things that go “bump” in the night. Is “bump” an example of ono matopoeia? The answer is: probably. Bump first shows up in the late 16th century as an English word meaning “a protuberance caused by a blow.” We can pretty safely assume that “bump” came from the dull noise made that causes the bump itself. Obviously, there’s the noun “bump” and the verb “bump” as well. Bump’s cousins include thump and thud.

What about the sound a nice bonfire makes? The fire crackles, as we say. The word crackle is another good example of onomatopoeia in action. The word “crack” showed up first, and it’s yet another great

You’ll want to be careful about mysteri ous creatures rustling in your bushes. The word “rustle” means what it sounds like: to emit soft, rapid sounds when in motion. Does anyone have creaky basement stairs? I do, and they come complete with complimentary cobwebs. Creak shows up in the early 14th century, meaning “to utter a harsh cry.” By the end of the 16th century, the definition evolved to what we think of today — the sound of rusty hinges and old basement stairs.

Keep your ears open this season for spooky things that make creepy noises from which we get imitative, soundalike words. After all, onomatopoeia could be lurking around every corner.

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

Faneuil Hall in Boston, Mass. (Photos by Don Knebel)

WILL DO BOBCAT WORK

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NOW HIRING: PAINTERS

We are in need of painters with or without experience Please Call (317) 397-9389 for info

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS FOR SKILLED CARPENTERS!

Looking for job security? Simpson Construction Services has so much work that it must hire five people for residential remodeling NOW. The skilled carpenters we select will have strong abilities in bathroom remodeling, but also with respect to kitchens, decks, basements, wood and tile flooring, doors and windows, interior and exterior painting, drywall, plumbing and electrical, siding and room additions. Again: Only skilled carpenters need apply.

For immediate consideration, call Gary Simpson at 317.703.9575.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SHOP TO CALL HOME?

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

The best candidate is a motivated, well-organized technician with at least three years hands on experience in automotive diagnosis, problem-solving and repair. Able to interpret and apply diagnostic/repair information from computerized databases and other sources. Also able communicate clearly and effectively with your supervisor, your fellow employees and, as needed, with customers. A complete job description is available with a request to frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net.

We offer competitive pay with a Monday through Friday work week and (after 90 days) up to four sick/personal days per year and paid holidays.

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

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