June 27, 2023 — Zionsville

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Council delays settlement agreement in Ice-America lawsuit, calls for town audit

By Natalie Gargiulo Natalie@youarecurrent.com

the mayor signs off on an audit,” Garett said at the meeting.

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TOWN NEWS

In a meeting held June 20 at Town Hall, the Zionsville Town Council voted to postpone signing a $45,000 settlement agreement, which has been proposed to resolve the legal dispute regarding a lawsuit between Seaside Ice, LLC/Ice-America, LLC and the Town of Zionsville.

Instead of signing the agreement, the council requested Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron agree to a town audit before the council moves forward with its signature.

According to town councilor Josh Garett, the council’s decision to postpone signing the agreement was reached after several attempts by the council to work with the mayor on a financial controls audit of the town because of financial errors similar to the Ice-America incident.

“This lawsuit is a result partially because of financial control errors. I don’t feel this council should sign off on this lawsuit until

Styron declined to comment on the council’s request for an audit, saying only that she signed the agreement.

“I signed the settlement agreement between the Town of Zionsville and Seaside Ice, LLC and delivered it to the council’s attorney last week,” Styron said.

According to the town the officials decision to postpone signing the settlement agreement has the potential to result in further financial damages owed to Ice-America.

The settlement would require the Town of Zionsville to pay Ice-America $45,000 for alleged nonpayment for services provided earlier this year at Mulberry Fields Park’s ice-skating rink.

The settlement was reached through attorneys that represent Ice-America and the Town of Zionsville after Ice-America filed a lawsuit against the town in February. To be implemented, the agreement requires the signatures of the mayor, the Parks Board, Parks Department, the town council and Ice-America to move forward on payment.

The lawsuit was filed in the Indiana Commercial Court in the Marion County Superior Court 1, claiming a “Breach of Contract” against Zionsville to recover damages resulting from the allegedly unpaid contract balance billed to the town in an invoice.

Town officials said Zionsville made a $59,000 payment Jan. 23 for an invoice received from Ice-America. The invoice, according to town officials, requested a change of payment method, via electronic transfer, to a bank in West Fargo, Minn. Cindy Poore, director of the Zionsville Department of Finance and Records, paid the invoice, according to town officials. However, according to Scott Williams of Ice-America, the vendor never received the payment.

The chain of events earlier this year led to a fraud investigation by the Indiana State Police. Attempts to reach the ISP for the status of the investigation were unsuccesful as of press time.

Zionsville Town Council President Jason Plunkett said the Ice-America incident demonstates the need for a town audit.

“The Indiana State Board of Accounts told the town council two years ago that we need to investigate the town,” Plunkett said. “There’s a lack of internal controls and those still exist. This is a perfect example of why we need to audit our internal controls. This is why for the last three months the town council has requested the mayor’s help to fix the systems and processes.”

The settlement agreement will be presented at the next town council meeting in July.

not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

Plunkett

Styron

Zionsville Town Hall. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Zionsville.)

COMMUNITY

CURRENT JULY ZIONSVILLE COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ZIONSVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION

DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT

Game of Throws is a fundraiser for Zionsville Parks and Recreation programming. Teams of six to 10 participants will descend on Mulberry Fields Park in Zionsville, where the pickleball courts will be transformed into dodgeball-playing fields. The tournament is from 6 to 9 p.m. July 7 and is $15 per team member. Team members must be 16 or older to participate. For more, visit zionsville-in.gov.

ZIONSVILLE STREET DANCE

Zionsville’s biggest street party is the Zionsville Street Dance. The street dance will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 5 in downtown Zionsville on Main Street. The bands this year are The Janeways, followed by headliner Mike and Joe. The street dance will have a kids area and local food trucks, wineries and beer on-site. For more, visit zionsvillechamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com.

FREEDOM FEST CELEBRATION

The Boone County Republican Women’s Club and the Boone County GOP present Freedom Fest from 4 to 9 p.m. July 15 at Zionsville Lions Park, 11053 Sycamore St. The program will feature craft beer, barbecue from Backroad BBQ, live music, kids activities, keynote speakers, a flag ceremony and more. Admission is free. Drinks and food can be purchased. Alcohol is not allowed to be consumed in Lions Park but will be available on a property next door.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT ZIONSVILLE LIONS PARK IN JULY

Free Sunday concert series in July is a night for the entire family. Food and drinks are offered for a donation to the Zionsville Lions Club Park at each concert. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Concerts are every Sunday in July from 7 to 11 p.m.

ZIONSVILLE FARMERS MARKET

The Zionsville Farmers Market will be held every Saturday in July from 8 to 11:30 a.m. in downtown Zionsville on Main Street.

FAMILY HIKE

The Zionsville Parks and Recreation is hosting a family hike day from 2 to 3 p.m. July 7 at Turkey Foot Park in Zionsville. Turkey Foot Park is at 4795 Turkeyfoot Ave. All ages are welcome.

Democrat joins race for Zionsville Town Council District 1 seat

By Natalie Gargiulo Natalie@youarecurrent.com

market access training at BeiGene, an oncology biotechnology company.

DISPATCHES

Democrat Tim McElderry has announced he will run for the open District 1 seat on the Zionsville Town Council. He will face Republican Bob Harris in the Nov. 7 general election. Republican incumbent Bryan Traylor is not seeking reelection.

ELECTION

“As a longtime resident of Zionsville, I never thought I would run for office,” McElderry said. “In many ways that may make me the perfect candidate for town council.”

McElderry said he is encouraged by the significant change coming in local government.

“We are going to have a new mayor and many new town council members due to the fact that several current members are not seeking re-election,” he said. “This represents a wonderful opportunity to create a local government that serves the needs of everyone in our community, preserving what makes Zionsville a great place to live and work.”

McElderry, 57, is a graduate of Butler University with a degree in public and corporate communications. He has worked in the bio-pharmaceutical industry and has held many commercial leadership roles. He is the director of leadership and

“I have led hundreds of people over the course of my career, and a few years ago senior executives asked me if I would be willing to train my peers,” he said. “I was honored and felt like I could teach other leaders how to inspire their teams and make the company a better place to work for everyone.”

An increased focus on transparency and civility are among the reasons McElderry said he is running for town council.

“I look forward to listening to everyone, not just those that agree with me, and leveraging my business acumen for the benefit of the town that I love,” he said. “As our town continues to grow and change, we need to have government leaders that are willing to find ways to preserve what is great about Zionsville while allowing change to continue in ways that benefit all of us.”

McElderry has lived in Zionsville for 24 years with his wife, Michelle. They have been married for 32 years and have two daughters, both who are graduates of Zionsville Community High School.

“The town of Zionsville has my promise that I will do my very best to represent every resident and make them proud to be a part of this community,” McElderry said.

ACEC Indiana honors Don Corson as Consulting Engineer of the Year — American Structurepoint Senior Structural Engineer Don Corson, a Zionsville resident, has been named the ACEC Indiana Consulting Engineer of the Year from the Indiana Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies. The award recognizes an individual for significant contributions to consulting engineering in Indiana. Corson has 40 years of structural engineering experience.

Zionsville resident named a Presidential Scholar at Clarkson University — Zionsville resident Margaret Mabel Brooks, a senior at Clarkson University majoring in physics, was named a Presidential Scholar for the spring 2023 semester at Clarkson University June 5. Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.

Zionsville Community High School graduate wins $1,000 award in national essay contest — Holden Hankins, a graduate of ZCHS, won a first-place prize of $1,000 in a national essay contest June 12. The contest was sponsored by the 392nd Bomb Group Memorial Association, a legacy association of World War II veterans who served on the base at Wending, England, and their descendants and friends.

McElderry

Women charged with arson

By Natalie Gargiulo Natalie@youarecurrent.com

Leslee Pettitt-Myers, 51, of Zionsville, was charged June 20 with felony arson and leaving the scene of an accident for allegedly setting fire to a house on West 93rd Street in Indianapolis in 2020. Her husband, Michael Myers, faces one charge of obstruction of justice.

CRIME

The fire was reported by a neighbor who witnessed a white Tesla crash into a nearby street sign before leaving the area.

Homeowner Gary Edwards was not home at the time of the fire.

According to court records, the Tesla was traced to Pettit-Myers by investigators, and cellphone records placed Pettitt-Myers in the area where the arson occurred.

Investigators soon discovered that the home near the site of the arson belonged to Pettit-Myers’ parents.

A Realtor told investigators Pettitt-Myers was upset after she sold her mother’s home in December 2019 for $35,000 less than the original listing.

Pettitt-Myers and her husband will appear for an initial hearing scheduled for June 23.

LIONS CLUB WELCOMES MISS INDIANA CANDIDATES TO ZIONSVILLE

The Zionsville Lions Club hosted its annual dinner for Miss Indiana candidates at the Lions Clubhouse June 12. (Photo courtesy of Roger Manning)

Butterfly trail returns to Zionsville

By Jessica Todd Jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Butterfly Trail is now open through Aug. 31. The trail was launched last year.

would not go to our parks the chance to go out and search for the butterfly wings while allowing them to see what we are doing in the parks, as far as conservation and restoration,” Murdock said.

CONSERVATION

The trail features eight butterfly wings spread throughout Zionsville Parks and in town at places such as the SullivanMunce Cultural Center and Zionsville Town Hall Plaza.

The trail is organized by Zionsville Parks and Recreation and Director of Recreation services Mindy Murdock.

“Last year was a huge success, so we thought, why not bring it back for another year?” Murdock said.

According to Zionsville Parks and Recreation officials, the project was inspired by the Town of Zionsville’s commitment to the National Wildlife Federation Mayor’s Monarch Pledge and is a celebration of the town’s conservation and environmental education efforts.

“The trail allows people who normally

The wings were created by local artists Katie Roberts, Sarah Osborne, Harriet Ayshford, Sofia Andrews, Helena Streib and Hensley Krieble, Nicole Empey, Sofia V. Baloski and Lisa Ping.

“We did a call-out looking for local artists in the area to submit their designs,” Murdock said. “Many of this year’s artists are kids, so it is good to see the number of teens that submitted this year.”

Murdock said the decision process is difficult each year, and the parks department tries to pick designs that reflect Zionsville.

“We try to choose designs that celebrate nature, culture or just the town itself,” Murdock said.

For more, visit zionsville-in.gov/668/ Zionsville-Butterfly-Trail. Anyone who takes pictures with the wings can hashtag their photos #zbutterflytrail on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The “Plant Native Beauty” wings sclupture by Nicole Embey can be found at the Zionsville Town Hall Plaza. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Parks and Recreation)

Jump start your

.

Walmart opens 2.2 million square foot fulfillment center

By Kiersten Riedford kiersten@youarecurrent.com

these folks that you’re seeing behind you — their experience each and every day and providing for our customers.”

INDUSTRY

Walmart celebrated the opening of its largest fulfillment center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 15 at the new facility in McCordsville.

The fulfillment center — a warehouse where goods are packed and dispatched to fulfill online orders — is a 2.2 million square foot warehouse at 5259 W. 500 N. It is the size of 40 football fields.

The center is filled with the latest technology to deliver orders within two days, according to the fulfillment center’s general manager, Geoffrey Appleby.

“With this building, in combination with our traditional fulfillment centers, we’ll be able to reach 95 percent of the U.S. population within the next day or two-day shipping move,” Appleby said. “So (we are) really excited, not only for the associates and their experience in here making it better for them, but also from a customer experience that wants their deliveries in a next day or a two-day time period.”

The building is stacked with technology, with more than two miles of conveyor belts inside the facility to make order processing more efficient.

“Using technology, automation and robotics, we’ve taken this manual 12-step process for associates and really transformed it into a five-step process,” Appleby said. “That breeds a more positive, more comfortable environment for our associates. And that’s really what’s got me most excited about

Van Thawnz, a recently promoted lead at the fulfillment center, has worked at the center for the past two months, but has been working for Walmart for six years.

He said prior to working at the McCordsville center, he was working at the former Walmart Distribution Center at 9590 Allpoints Pkwy. in Plainfield. The center burned down in March of 2022.

After the fire, associates were placed at a different location and over time have been pulled to work in the McCordsville fulfillment center.

Thawnz said he loves working at the new facility. He said the technology in the center has lessened the amount of physical labor he needs to put in, and the facility installed new floormats to make work comfortable for the associates.

“It’s amazing,” Thawnz said. “So I think whoever works here, they will love it.”

During the event, Riley Hospital for Children and the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation were granted $5,000 each. Appleby said Walmart gave the grants so it could give back to the community that helped them thrive.

“We want to make sure that everybody knows that we at Walmart, Sam’s Club and (other) distribution centers (are) here to make sure that people can save money and live better,” Appleby said.

Walmart plans to open two more next-generation fulfillment centers in Indiana over the next three years.

Employees of the new Walmart fulfillment center in McCordsville cut the ribbon during a June 15 ceremony. (Photo by Kiersten Riedford)

RIBBON CUTTING FOR NO LABEL SALON IN ZIONSVILLE

Zionsville Baseball Club & Eagles Select Softball Tryout Information

Baseball Tryouts

Ages 6-12

DATES

July 22nd 8U, 10U & 12U 9am 6U, 7U, 9U, & 11U 12pm

All tryouts at Whitestown Lions Park

All

Softball Tryouts

Ages 6-12

DATES

6U-12U: July 22nd

8U & 10U: July 25th 12U: July 27th

6U-12U: July 29th

Tryouts will be at Zionsville Lions Park

DISPATCHES

Fourth of July celebration in Zionsville

—

The Zionsville Lions Club will presents its annual Fourth of July Celebration at Zionsville Lions Park. In conjunction with the Town of Zionsville and the support of the Partners in the Park sponsors, the Zionsville Lions Club is set to host its annual celebration with fireworks at dawn. Parking begins at 4 p.m. and is $8.00 per vehicle. Music in the gazebo begins at 5 p.m. as well as the Kid’s Corner with Celebration Central Party Rental bounce houses. Festival food, including pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, elephant ears, ice cream and popcorn will be available for purchase. The presentation of colors and the singing of the national anthem is at 7 p.m. and the announcement of the Fourth of July raffle winner will be at 9:50 p.m.

Golf tournament fundraiser – The fifth annual Evan R Hansen Legacy Foundation Golf Tournament is set for July 29 on both 18-hole courses at Pebble Brook Golf Club in Noblesville. The foundation plans to use the proceeds to begin sponsoring nationally

known mental health speaker presentations at local high schools as well as other causes related to its mission. For more, visit erh32.org.

Benefit concert planned — The AGES Band is performing a benefit concert to help victims of the April 17 Timber Creek fire that destroyed homes in a 50-unit condo development. The concert is 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 1 at the Carmel Gazebo. The event is free, and all donation proceeds are managed through the Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County. To donate, go to www.GSNlive.org.

Zionsville Lions Club Family Fun Day — The second Family Fun Day and Diabetes Awareness Event is set for 2 to 5 p.m. July 16 at Zionsville Lions Park. The event includes crafts, obstacle course, water balloons, cornhole, ladder golf and other activities sponsored by the Lions Club. Free screening for diabetes will be available and professionals will be on-site to provide information about diabetes.

Dr. Siddiqui led the way, bringing together a team of experts.

The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 17 for the No Label Salon in Zionsville. From left, Ella Potter, Athenia Ramirez, Zoe Spray, Madison Messick, Ashli Evans, Rio White, Eva Goff, Karli Baron, Cassidy Stonehouse, Sonia Patel and Giana Moore participate in the ceremony. Front center in yellow dresses are Zara and Ezra White. (Photo courtesy of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce)

Art student updates bench, Little Free Library

Commentary by Donna Monday

A little paint, a little help and a talented artist went a long way toward beautifying the Village. A great example is the bench and Little Free Library in front of the SullivanMunce Cultural Center on Hawthorne Street. Both the bench and the Free Little Library were donated to the center years ago by Psi Iota Xi (Psi Otes) sorority in Zionsville.

ABOUT TOWN

Psi Ote Melissa Keeney, walking by the bench and library more than a year ago, thought they looked worn. At the time, she had no idea about the history of the items and, of course, did not know the Psi Otes had donated them. Upon learning that, she felt maybe the Psi Otes should maintain them. She took her case to the sorority, and voila, a beautiful repaired and repainted bench and library, complete with new theme, were completed.

Except it wasn’t that easy. An artist had to be found, which happened when Psi Ote Linda Kern reached out to Zionsville Community High School and was connected with senior Carissa Szalkowski, who volunteered to do the work and set about researching Indiana.

Next came approvals from the sorority and the SullivanMunce board, and more than a little help from Psi Ote husband Dave DeMars, who sanded the bench and library, and sorority sisters Rhonda Fox and Melissa Keeney, who primed them. Finally, Szalkowski could go to work.

Her work of art is not only fresh and historic in nature, but simply fun to look at. Black and white checks cover the seat and arms of the bench, representing the Indianapolis 500. The pink fluffs are peonies, the state flower. Red cardinals, the state bird, fly in blue skies over a field of green on the little library.

Szalkowski loved doing it. A 2023 ZCHS graduate, she is on her way to Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla.

“I want to try new things and see what sticks,” she said.

What’s sticking in the meantime is a photo of her Hawthorne Street project in her portfolio.

reached at dmonday8698@

Donna Monday is a longtime Zionsville resident. She can be

att.net

Artist Carissa Szalkowski, seated, had a lot of help from Psi Iota Xi members when she redesigned and painted the bench and Little Free Library at SullivanMunce Cultural Center. Some of those who helped include back, from left, Cathy DeMars, Cricket Williams and Rhonda Fox and, kneeling, Melissa Keeney. Not pictured are Lisa Kern, Dave DeMars, and Hannah Everette. (Photo by Donna Monday)

Project: CR 800 E. and Oak St. Roundabout

Construction work for the roundabout at Oak Street and CR 800 East (Kissell Road) has started. The project will necessitate a full closure of Oak Street, which is currently scheduled to occur between June 5 and Sept. 1.

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

After the road is re-opened to traffic, work will continue with final completion currently scheduled for Nov. 29.

The roundabout will replace the existing traffic signal located at this intersection. The traffic signal was installed in 2017 as a temporary measure to assist with traffic management of the intersection until a roundabout could be designed, funded and constructed. Over the last several months, utilities within the area have been relocating their facilities in preparation for the road construction work.

Project: U.S. 421 Pavement Restoration - INDOT

Through Nov. 6 INDOT, will do concrete pavement restoration work on U.S. 421 from I-465 ramps to 121st Street. Crews will be working on one lane at a time. Lanes will be open to traffic in both directions during weekends.

Project:Oak Street Pathway Corridor Study

DPW started a pathway corridor study along Oak Street to explore options to add multi-use pathways. The study corri-

dor spans Oak Street from the Blackstone subdivision on the west end to C.R. 950 East on the east end. It is anticipated the study will take place over the next few months. Because a pathway on Oak Street would take years to develop, it is expected that the pathways will be added in phases. A combination of off-road pathways and on-road pathways for cyclists will be considered.

Project: CR 300 S. Corridor Project

Through a grant from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, the town partnered with the Boone County Highway Department to conduct a corridor study along C.R. 300 S. from C.R. 800 E. to the Boone/Hamilton County line. The purpose of this study was to identify a preliminary scope and a potential design of future road widening and intersection improvements considering feasibility, costs, impacts to properties, environmental concerns and bridge needs.

While there is one known bridge replacement project planned in the near future, there are no identified intersection or road projects at this time. The information learned from this study will guide bridge design as these structures are maintained and replaced as needed. Future intersection or roadway capacity projects will not be undertaken until the volume of vehicles and levels of service justify the improvements.

DISPATCHES

Artists needed — The Zionsville Cultural District has issued an artist call-out for a mural to be painted on the northwest side of the Cripe building at 45 N. Main St. in Zionsville. Proposed renderings should be artistically engaging and sufficiently stimulating to ignite conversation, foster interaction and evolve appreciation by the general public. For more, visit zvillecd.org. Submissions must be sent to markn@zvillecd.org in PDF format and received by 5 p.m. Sept. 1.

Golden Hoosier nominations — Nominations are being accepted for the 2023 Golden Hoosier Award, which honors senior Hoosiers for their lifetime of service and commitment to their communities. Since the start of the program, more than 200 Hoosiers have been honored. To be eligible, the nominee must currently be an Indiana resident, age 65 or older and have been a volunteer in the community for the past three years. The deadline for submitting appli-

Free Family Concerts in Lions Park

cations is July 9. Nomination forms can be accessed at in.gov/lg/lt-governor-initiatives/ golden-hoosier-award.

Introduction to pickleball class — Join the pickleball craze and join the Zionsville Parks and Recreation for an introduction to pickleball. The class will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 18 at the tennis courts and tots playground at 115 S. Elm St. and will cover the basics of pickleball rules, terminology, primary skills and more. Paddles and balls will be provided. Classes are for participants 15 and older. For more, visit zionsville-in.gov

Art in Nature: Nature Crowns — The Art in Nature program starts with an easy hike with a naturalist to explore one of Zionsville’s parks and to collect materials. Afterward, participants can create art with different mediums such as leaves, mud, pinecones and more. The program is from 1 to 2 p.m. July 25 at Elm Street Green, 165 Elm St. in Zionsville.

Zionsville Concert Band

Director and Founder: John Richardson

EVERY TUESDAY IS JUNE 27 – JULY 25

TENDERLOIN TUESDAY

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PARKS FOUNDATION PLANTS MILKWEED PLUGS

The Zionsville Parks Foundation received a $1,500 grant from Monarch Watch to plan milkweed plugs. The foundation recruited volunteers and joined the town’s parks department to plant the milkweed plugs in clusters along the northern extension of the Big-4 Rail Trail. From left, ZPF board member Jay Miller and ZPF founder and President Nancy Carpenter. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Vela)

Driving cars a luxury today

Commentary by Ward Degler

Plus, a lot of today’s cars have four-wheel drive that makes it even safer.

PLAIN TALK

Driving a car is a lot easier today than it was in the 1950s, when I was just getting behind the wheel. And the wheel is the first reason for this.

Back then, a car’s steering mechanism operated on the principle of a worm gear. It was necessary to spin the steering wheel hand-over-hand multiple revolutions to make a hard left or right turn.

Today’s cars, by contrast, have rackand-pinion steering, which involves a simple gear that pushes rods left and right for quicker and simpler turns. Today, a slight nudge of the steering wheel usually gets us where we want to go.

The old cars had a transmission attached to the engine, a long drive shaft attached to the transmission, and a differential attached to the drive shaft. That’s what drove the rear wheels.

Sadly, this system often failed when driving on ice or snow. The wheels would spin, and we would be stuck. Today, the engine and transmission are one, and the front wheels get the power. There is also a neat arrangement that allows power to go to the opposite wheel if the other starts to spin.

We have unibody construction today, too. That means the car’s frame and body are a single unit. Back in the day, the body was bolted to the frame. And any connection that wasn’t absolutely tight would rattle. And there was always a connection that wasn’t absolutely tight. It’s probable, I think, that more Americans went insane back then because of car rattles than from any other cause.

Back then, cars had bench seats supported by springs that had a relatively short life span. As the springs weakened, driving became more uncomfortable. Any trip of more than 50 miles often resulted in serious back pain.

The automobile industry has happily resolved most of these aggravations, and today’s cars are a pleasure to drive. There is one new aggravation, however.

The price for a new Chevrolet in 1950 was $1,340.

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.

Back then, a car’s steering mechanism operated on the principle of a worm gear. It was necessary to spin the steering wheel hand-overhand multiple revolutions to make a hard left or right turn.

– WARD DEGLER

The Mulberry Street tunnel mural, which depicts a hollowed-out log with native reptiles, bumblebees and mammals painted along faux-wooden walls, was paid for through a $150,000 impact

from the Community Foundation of Boone County for public art and signage and is on the Big-4 Trail. (Photo by Natalie Garguilo)

DAZZLING DISPLAY

Zionsville Lions Club set to host annual Fourth of July celebration

By Natalie Gargiulo natalie@youarecurrent.com

The Town of Zionsville is gearing up for its annual Fourth of July celebration at Lions Park that will feature a variety of activities, including a display of colorful fireworks to cap the night.

The festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. July 4 at Lions Park, 115 S. Elm St. Fireworks will begin at dusk at approximately 10 p.m. Parking will be available from 4 p.m. onward for $8 per vehicle.

Steve Gayheart, a Zionsville Lions Club member and event chairman, said people often arrive at Lions Park early in the day to save their spots to watch the fireworks.

“If you’re going to park in the downtown area, you’ll need to get there a little early because it gets crowded quickly,” he said. “The parking lot is a couple of blocks down from the park.”

The event will include activities for children in Celebration Central, such as bounce houses and games. Food vendors with items like elephant ears, pizza and corn dogs will also be on-site. Greek’s Pizzeria will sell pizza, and The Scoop will sell ice cream. The Lions Club will sell tenderloins, hotdogs, french fries and drinks at concession stands.

The Leo club, Zionsville’s Lions Club for kids, will serve shaved ice.

Wristbands for unlimited access to the bounce house area can be obtained at the event for $10 each.

“Zionsville Lions Club loves putting the show on for the town,” Gayheart said. “We have a lot of fun organizing it.”

Nearly 10,000 people annually attend. The Zionsville Lions Club has sponsored Zionsville’s Fourth of July celebration since 1979. All funding comes from the Lions Club and its partners.

The Lions Club organizes a Fourth of July raffle each year with a first-place cash prize of $1,000 and a second-place prize of $500.

Gayheart said a portion of funds raised from the raffle will go to a special cause this year.

“Fifty percent of the raffle funds will be donated to The Leader Dog for the blind, which is a Lions Club organization that we support, and the other fifty percent will go to Lions Park,” Gayheart said.

Raffle tickets will be sold near the gazebo. They can be purchased in advance at the farmers market or from any Lions Club member.

Gayheart said the Miss Indiana and Miss Teen Indiana winners will sing the national anthem at 7 p.m. Following the national anthem, Master Yoo’s Tae Kwon Do will present a martial arts demonstration.

The Boy Scouts will present the colors in a flag presentation ceremony after the national anthem.

The fireworks display will be presented by the Mad Bomber, a fireworks production company that combines fireworks choreographed to music.

SCHEDULE OF FESTIVITIES

• Entertainment at Lions Park begins at 5 p.m.

• Food vendors throughout the park

• Kids Corner, at the southwest corner of the Lions Park and sponsored by Celebration Central, offers $10 wristbands allowing unlimited access to the bounce house area

• Miss Indiana 2023 and Miss Teen Indiana will sing the national anthem at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Presenting the Colors ceremony.

• Fireworks begin at dusk, 10 p.m.

ON THE COVER: Residents gather at Lions Park to watch a previous Fourth of July fireworks show. (Photo courtesy of Roger Manning)

The event includes Celebration Central for kids to play on the bounce houses.

(Photo courtesy of Roger Manning)

Boy Scouts from last year’s celebration present the colors in a flag ceremony. Miss Indiana contestants dance to music.

‘BROUGHT TO LIGHT’

have been removed. He said the negative reviews began appearing soon after Southland fired an executive pastor, identified by several former Southland attendees as Ryan Fox, who CJ Johnson said, “left really poorly.” CJ Johnson did not explain how Fox “left really poorly” in the meeting and did not respond to questions from Current about it.

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

When Steve Poe, longtime Northview Church senior pastor, introduced his successor, CJ Johnson, at a meeting in August 2021 for church members to approve the hire, Poe told the congregation that rumors circulating online about financial fraud and other misconduct at CJ Johnson’s previous church in Minnesota had been fully vetted and found to be untrue.

“We are 110 percent convinced that there’s absolutely nothing to these false allegations,” Poe said at the meeting.

“That’s all they are.”

Several people, however, who served at CJ Johnson’s former church, Southland City Church in the Minneapolis suburb of Lakeville, tell a different story, one they said they suspect is repeating itself — at least in part — at Northview.

They accuse CJ Johnson, 38, of speaking dishonestly from the pulpit, lacking transparency about church finances and threatening or manipulating those who questioned his ideas or leadership. They watched as most of Southland’s staff quit — without new jobs lined up — within a couple of weeks in late 2020.

Michelle Creasman, who served as an elder at Southland from 2018 to late 2020, said she feels it’s important for those attending Northview to know what happened at CJ Johnson’s previous church, which ceased to exist soon after he left.

“My motivation is not to aid in a hit piece on CJ but rather hold him accountable at his new church and also educate the congregation so they can make an informed decision on where they call home,” Creasman said. “His actions impacted many people who are still recouping from what happened whether it be emotional, spiritual or financially, so I wanted to make sure this was brought to light.”

Northview, whose website listed 145 people on staff as of June 16, has also experienced a staff exodus, though not as extreme as at Southland, since CJ Johnson began working there in the summer of 2021. Several former Northview employees and attendees said they are aware of more than 40 church staffers who have left their jobs because of issues or concerns — which echo some of those raised at Southland — about the new senior pastor, and they believe that total to be an undercount.

One former Northview employee, who requested anonymity because of fear of retribution and continued work in local ministry, compared Northview’s situation to the fate of the Titanic.

“We are on this thing that feels (comfortable), yet those who are in the belly of the ship know that we’ve hit some-

thing and there’s water gushing in, but nobody’s acknowledging it,” the former employee said. “I care about Northview, and I don’t want it to sink. But I think it’s sinking, and if something doesn’t happen, if there’s not enough humility, grace and openness or willingness to have this conversation, it’s going to go down.”

TRUST ISSUES

Northview, a nondenominational megachurch based in Carmel with — according to its website — more than 8,800 weekly attendees among its dozen campuses, declined multiple times over several months to allow CJ Johnson, Poe, church elders or anyone else from its leadership team to be interviewed for this story. Northview leaders also declined to respond to specific questions sent by Current.

In a prepared statement sent to Current on behalf of Northview’s elders, executive team and Poe, Executive Pastor Jason Pongratz said the church’s elders conducted a full “due diligence process” when hiring CJ Johnson and that church leadership “did not take this task lightly.”

“Everyone involved has worked hard to ensure that the selection of the senior pastor was a person that they could confidently stand behind as the person God has for the church for the next chapter in Northview’s history. What has been a great turn in the story is that members of Pastor CJ’s former staff have recently reached out to own their parts of the distortion of truth and have begun the reconciliation process with Pastor CJ,” the statement read. “We believe that it is in the best interest of all involved for our church to respect the former staff members’ privacy and give them the space to heal with Pastor CJ. We do not wish to reopen old wounds or compromise the privacy of those involved. At this time, and for this reason, Northview will not be commenting further or providing any additional information.”

Northview elders, who finalized the decision to hire CJ Johnson, either didn’t respond to Current’s request for comment or directed Current to Pongratz for a response. Pongratz declined to comment beyond the statement he provided.

In the August 2021 Northview member meeting, however, CJ Johnson addressed the allegations posted in several reviews of Southland City Church on Google — which since

In that same meeting, Poe read a letter purportedly from Southland’s elders stating that the severance agreement with Fox contained standard nondisclosure clauses, meaning Southland could not share with its congregation specific reasons for the termination.

“This resulted in much frustration among the executive pastor’s family, friends and fellow staff,” the letter stated. “Within days of his termination, accusations against Pastor CJ began to circulate online.”

Fox did not respond to Current’s multiple requests for comment. Northview declined to provide a copy of the letter from Southland’s elders. No one contacted by Current who was on the Southland elder board at the time CJ Johnson left for Northview agreed to comment for this story. Creasman said her husband, who remained a Southland elder until the church dissolved, did not sign the letter or know it existed before it was read at Northview. No former Southland employees contacted by Current agreed to speak on the record for this story.

While the late-2020 firing of Fox may have been the final straw that spurred some of the events mentioned in the Google reviews — such as the mass exodus of Southland’s staff — problems at the church began well before that.

Josh Johnson said his young family attended Southland for several years in the 2010s, helping to launch the youth group and volunteering in various capacities. It was after Southland moved into its own building in 2017 that Josh Johnson said he began to develop serious concerns. He said there was constant pressure to donate money to the church, leading him to question how the funds were allocated and spent.

“I went directly to CJ, questioning how the monetary donations (were) being distributed within and outside of Southland,” Josh Johnson said. “CJ directed me to Ryan Fox, who was in control of the church’s finances. He would not return my calls, texts or emails. I would get crickets. When I would corner them in person, they would deflect or refuse to answer questions regarding money.”

Greg Reis, who attended Southland from 2016 to 2018, had a similar experience. He said his concern about the leadership at the church sparked after CJ Johnson — from the pulpit — embellished a story in 2016 about Reis making a donation.

“He (effectively) said, ‘It was so big, I reached out to Greg, and I had a conversation with him to make sure he wanted to donate this much money,’” Reis said. “For a moment, I thought, ‘What? He never called me,’ and I just let it go. But he used that (claim)

Continued on Page 19

Northview Pastor CJ Johnson preaches on June 18. Northview services are available to follow live online or watch later at northviewchurch.online.church. (Photo by Zach Ross) Poe

Northview Church stands behind senior pastor in wake of allegations of dishonesty, manipulative behavior

COMMUNITY

Continued from Page 18

to raise a whole bunch of money, and it worked. After we bought a building, he told us that the weekend when he made that announcement, the money just started rolling in. So that was the first lie.”

Eventually, after several incidents he said he found concerning, in 2018 Reis decided to confront pastors CJ Johnson and Fox about Southland’s finances.

“We wanted to have a conversation about money. We were in there for a good hour, and we didn’t get anywhere. We could not get an answer out of them,” Reis said. “At the end of our conversation, it was basically, ‘If you can’t trust me with your money, you can’t trust me.’ And we were done that day. We quit going (to Southland).”

‘I’VE ASKED PEOPLE TO LEAVE FOR LESS’

Creasman, the former Southland elder, said she also was shocked by a story she heard CJ Johnson tell from the pulpit during a Southland service. Creasman said that in mid-2018, CJ Johnson described how, a year earlier, a family in the church had given $1 million just in time to secure financing for Southland to move into a new building.

She knew the story was about her family, but she also knew it involved a $1 million loan — not a gift. Her brother had taken out a line of credit backed by the equity in a storage business their family owned, and they fully expected it to be paid back.

“Several times CJ got up on that platform and he told the congregation that someone gave them a million dollars. So that’s when we were first like, ‘Oh, that’s not correct. Why is he saying that?’” she said.

Creasman wasn’t the only one to question CJ Johnson’s story about the $1 million gift. Bob Clatterbuck, Southland’s former volunteer head of security, said the story about the funding kept changing, so, on behalf of others who also had questions about the situation, he decided to ask CJ Johnson and Fox for clarity.

“The next thing I know, I get called in by CJ, and he wants me to come into the church,” Clatterbuck said. “He basically threatened to kick me out of the church. His words were something to the effect of, ‘I’ve asked people to leave for less.’”

Current could not vet Clatterbuck’s comment, because Northview would not make CJ Johnson available to do so.

Clatterbuck said CJ Johnson didn’t give a reason for the threat other than stating that his questions were causing problems or divisions in the church. Clatterbuck said he was caught off guard and apologized, but the incident left him unsettled. After several other concerning events, his family left the church later that year.

‘ALL THEY CARED ABOUT WAS THEIR NAME’

After loaning the church $1 million, Creasman said she and her husband were asked to join Southland’s elder board. Their position gave them an inside look on happenings at the church, including in late 2020 when Fox was fired and most of the other employees quit.

With the church in crisis after losing most of its staff, the Creasmans reached out to the Minnesota District Council of the Assemblies of God, which governed Southland’s denomination in the area. Its leaders conducted interviews with remaining and former staff members and soon presented

the findings to the church.

It was during that process Creasman stepped down from the elder board, as she could not agree with the Assemblies of God’s decision to not put CJ Johnson on a leave of absence.

“I resigned because I saw the Assemblies of God, all they cared about was their name,” Creasman said. “They’re supporting CJ. They’re not even doing any discipline.”

After she stepped down as an elder, Creasman said her husband remained on the board because he said he believed the situation had not been fully investigated. He wanted to ensure an audit was done and was prepared to pay for it himself.

Another organization took care of that, however. Emmanuel Christian Center, an Assemblies of God church in the area, agreed to fund an audit after it helped transition what remained of Southland — which had shrunk in attendance as well as staff — into a new campus of its own in the summer of 2021.

The audit was not complete before CJ Johnson was hired by Northview, according to Creasman and other sources. Current asked ECC and Northview officials for a copy of the audit but neither responded to the request. Officials from ECC and the Minnesota District Assemblies of God did not respond to Current’s multiple requests for comment.

‘LOOKING AT THE NEXT PASTOR’

CJ Johnson started working at Northview on Sept. 1, 2021, after beating out six other finalists selected by VanderBloemen, a Christian executive search firm, Poe told Current in October 2022. VanderBloemen did not respond to Current’s request for comment.

Poe said he told the elders and search firm that he wanted his replacement to be young, have leadership skills and be a “very strong communicator.” He said the choice became clear as soon as he and his wife watched a sermon from each of the finalists.

“I got to CJ’s, and I got emotional. I actually left the room, collected myself and came back,” Poe said. “My wife said, ‘What’s the matter?’ I said, ‘We’re looking at the next pastor.’”

Poe, who retired in October 2022 and is now Northview’s legacy pastor, said he asked the elders to watch the same seven sermons and that all of them ranked CJ Johnson as their top choice.

A former Northview employee, who asked not to be named because he still works in local ministry, said initially he was encouraged by the “spirit of unity” in the unanimous choice. He had seen the negative Google reviews of Southland, but he said he trusted church leaders when they said the allegations had been fully vetted and proven false.

Over time, however, he began to have concerns about his

new pastor. For example, he said he witnessed CJ Johnson largely inflate the number of people in a service who raised their hand to indicate they gave their life to Christ at a Northview service.

Clatterbuck, who had a view of the entire worship center at Southland as part of the security team, said CJ Johnson frequently embellished numbers there, too.

“I would be behind him, watching out while he did this. I saw the number of hands, then I heard the inflated numbers,” Clatterbuck said. “That is definitely something he has done time and time again.”

Current spoke with eight former Northview employees or attendees, all of whom left the church — or were asked to leave — because of concerns about CJ Johnson or church leadership. Most said they took their concerns to church elders or other leaders, many of whom were not willing to seriously discuss the matter with them or act on it, the former employees said.

“Part of why (CJ Johnson) was able to create so much confusion and gaslighting of our staff was by making us feel like we were wrong for being interested in his past,” a former employee said. “At one point during an all-staff meeting, he referenced the fact that people had been looking into his past, and he made a joke onstage about how disgruntled people from his previous church are trying to bring him down. So, he would publicly diminish these things that we were trying to shed light on almost as a way of discrediting some of the accusations being made.”

Another former employee said his efforts to discuss his concerns with church leaders went nowhere, leading him to conclude they don’t have a “willingness or (the) humility” to address the matter.

“It’s not about me being right or wrong. I just want to have the conversation and handle this biblically,” the former employee said. “If, at the end of the day, everything comes out and CJ was right, great. That is a win for everybody, the best-case scenario. But (Northview’s) handling of it this way makes it worse, because then everybody’s going, ‘Well, they’re playing the deck of cards we all thought they would play.’ And that doesn’t end well for anybody. It hurts the church and the staff and friends and family more than anything.”

HOME ADDRESS DISCREPANCIES

CJ Johnson, Northview Church senior pastor, has been accused of speaking falsehoods from the pulpit, and it appears he has been inaccurate on public documents, as well, according to discrepancies in public records.

In Northview’s business entity report filed March 28 with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office, CJ Johnson’s address is listed as a home in Fishers assessed at $259,000 and owned by Jacqueline Lucas and Jonathan Swift. Lucas is an executive assistant at Northview whose parents were elders at Southland City Church, where Johnson previously pastored.

Documents filed with the Hamilton County Recorder’s Office state that on March 30 CJ Johnson and his wife signed paperwork for a $1.5 million mortgage on a 6,454-square-foot, six-bedroom home on 10 acres in Noblesville. The property includes a pole barn and an in-ground pool.

Neither CJ Johnson nor Lucas responded to Current’s requests for comment.

The building that previously housed Southland City Church in Lakeville, Minn. It is now a campus of Emmanuel Christian Center. (Photo courtesy of Bob Clatterbuck)

Clatterbuck

Nature of good and evil

Commentary by Terry Anker

For those of us involved in agriculture, or who spent our youth so engaged, these warm, sunny summer days are a bit of a paradox. Although we may enjoy them recharging after a long, cold winter, we might be rightly worried about the lack of rain. We’re a couple of inches down for the year, give or take, in most places. And for those of us who eat, we are legitimately concerned about the plight of Hoosier farmers. Their success keeps us fed. Still, we have not yet arrived at a crisis point, and with good luck, rain will fall as needed and averages will return to average.

ESSAY

In the meantime, we can take some solace in the benefits of the hot, dry weeks. Aside from improving our bodily vitamin D supply, we may notice a reduction in nuisance insects. Relying on standing water in ditches and nearly anything that holds a thimbleful of liquid, mosquitos and other pests have declined some with the dry weather. Still, we carry gallons of “repellant” to our family picnics, outdoor concerts and sports activities for the hardy few that emerged despite the dry conditions. But why? For the hardy few that have made it this far, what would be strong enough to repel them from dinner?

If we are sufficiently hungry, what can drive us from what we need, or believe that we do? Fear of death? Fear of discomfort? Alternatively, we attract moths to the flame, glowing blue bug light. They gleefully surrender, so compelled by attraction to their own demise that they appear unaware of the clear and present danger. Sure, these tiny creatures likely exist on instinct and are devoid of intellect, but do we fare much better? What good repels and what evil attracts in our own lives?

Concrete Cleaning Concrete Sealing Roof Cleaning Pressure Washing Epoxy Floors

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

Could use a rest after vacation

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Friends, I’m pleased to announce that I have survived the annual family vacay to South Carolina, where 27 of us piled into a beach house for one week. The youngest is 2 and the oldest is 78, but we managed to make memories and keep the shanking to a minimum (there was a major blow-up between my four sisters and me, but everything was eventually resolved, or at least suppressed enough that we departed with authentic “I love you-s,” which is saying something considering the amount of wine consumed).

HUMOR

Anyhoo, highlights included ideal temperatures, delicious dinners and the first-ever Morris Olympics, which pitted two-person teams representing various countries against each other in multiple events. My nephew Nick, 19, and my niece Georgia, 10, pulled off a stunning victory for Ukraine, in part because of their outstanding performance on the pool kayak course, where they expertly navigated the volleyball net and turnaround without tipping over. My twin and I didn’t even make it to the semifinals thanks to a poor showing in cornhole, though we felt OK about it since we had to be North Korea (obviously, the kids chose the nations).

We also enjoyed another competitive Great Beach Bake-Off, where first-time participant Keegan, 8, stole the show with his perfectly baked vanilla cupcake; multiple games of charades and truffles; and a movie night of “80 for Brady,” which my mom outwardly, and everyone else secretly, loved. I never slept well. There was nonstop action and noise, and I had to literally hide on a second-floor back balcony to get my daily dose of “Grey’s Anatomy,” but I survived! Peace out.

her at info@youarecurrent.com.

Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email

Better not safe than sorry

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

ABC’S “Prisoners of the Snow” is a true story of a rugby team stranded in the Andes in sub-zero weather after their plane crashed into the side of a mountain in 1972. Also recently in the news, the miraculous 40-day survival of four young children stranded in the Amazon jungle. Imagine finding yourself with no food or water in the hot jungle, or caught in an avalanche, freezing to death beneath a mountain of snow. Many of these brave people survived, but it might have been easier if they were all wearing something called the Paracord Survival Bracelet (also helpful: a cellphone, your GPS, warm blankets, three-month’s supply of food, a Coleman stove and Netflix).

and help finally arrives, isn’t that the first thing you’d think about — who do I need to tie up?

HUMOR

The manufacturer is concerned that people will not want to use the rope in an emergency because making it back into a bracelet is harder than solving the Rubik’s Cube with your feet. That’s why auto safety systems do not allow you to disengage the airbag apparatus. “Push the airbag off button, Agnes. We’re going to hit that truck head-on, but I have no idea how to stuff that thing back into the steering wheel.”

Many of these brave people survived, but it might have been easier if they were all wearing something called the Paracord Survival Bracelet (also helpful: a cellphone, your GPS, warm blankets, three-month’s supply of food, a Coleman stove and Netflix).

The device is called a 550 Cord. This is confusing because that’s also the name of the Levi’s I wear. The bracelet is 90 feet of intricately woven thread crafted into a nifty piece of rope jewelry. First used in World War II by paratroopers, the manufacturer describes it as having a “32-strand woven nylon outer sheath with an inner core of seven 2-ply yarns.” I know, I know, that sounds a lot like Charmin.

Here are two uses suggested by the manufacturer:

• Replace a broken zipper pull: Nothing would be more embarrassing than being rescued after 12 days on a deserted island and being caught with your fly open.

• Detain a person: When you are shipwrecked in the middle of nowhere

– DICK WOLFSIE

Paracord Survival Bracelet used to give a free one if you use its product in a legitimate emergency. Simply send it the story of how you used the rope, along with a photograph demonstrating the life-threatening predicament you were in, such as:

Dear Survival Bracelet Maker:

My wife and I were recently cleaning the gutters on our roof when the ladder tipped over. As I helped her rappel down the side of our house using your nifty piece of jewelry, I tried to get my cellphone out of my pocket to send a picture, thus qualifying for a free replacement. I was too slow, but I am attaching a photo of her on the ground with two broken legs.

Personally, I think this bracelet is a waste of money at $39.95. Better not safe than sorry.

POLICIES

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

Powers to share songs, stories at Feinstein’s

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Wayne Powers has a lifetime of stories to share.

‘BEAUTY & THE BEAST’

“Beauty & the Beast” runs through July 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

CONCERT

The singer/actor/comedian had a few appearances on “Laverne & Shirley” and starred in his own NBC hospital sitcom, “13 East,” for two seasons. He appeared in episodes of “ALF,” “Full House,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.” “Murder She Wrote” and “Simon & Simon,” among others. He also once worked for composer Henry Mancini as an administrator of his music publishing and worked in improv comedy clubs with Robin Williams in the 1970s.

Powers will perform with his All-Star Trio of Kevin Anker (piano), Fred Withrow (acoustic bass) and Mike Kessler (drums) at 7:30 p.m. July 22 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.

“I’m mostly singing. I’ll tell a few stories and there’s a little comedy,” Powers said. “I’m excited because that venue could have been built for me. It’s the old supper clubs that I first started singing in at age 16 in New York. Those supper clubs are gone now, but Michael (Feinstein) had the vision and knowledge to bring them back because he understood what makes them work.”

Powers will perform standards from the Great American Songbook. He recently released an album, “If Love Were All,” which also is the name of one of the songs on the album.

Last year, Powers performed a show at The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis and did some guest spots there this year. He lives in Muncie but plans to move.

“It was kind of a bucket-list thing,” he said. “I was looking for a historic mansion to live in and restore. I looked all over the country and found this incredible mansion in Muncie. I bought and restored it. It’s 10,000 to 12,000 square feet, built in 1902. I’ll never get out what I put into it, but life changes happen. I’m going to put it on the market.”

Powers did network television shows for approximately 15 years but decided to move to Charlotte, N.C., with his then-wife

and two younger sons.

“I wanted a place where my kids could have a childhood,” he said.

He had already been contemplating a move when the car his sons were being transported from a private school in was hit by stray bullets by rival gangs in Los Angeles.

Then, an earthquake happened in the early 1990s. The family got out of the home in time, but it was destroyed.

“I looked up at God and said, ‘I hear you, we’re going now, don’t send me any more signs,’” he said.

Powers started on WBT, a radio station in Charlotte, as a guest host and in special programming. After 20-plus years, he hosted his own radio talk show at WKZO in Kalamazoo, Mich., for a few years before moving to Chicago.

He performed in one of the lead roles of ‘The Sunshine Boys” in Kankakee, Ill., in 2019.

“It’s one of my favorite shows. I want to do that show again,” he said. “That response was incredible. It’s so fresh. It’s Neil Simon and it’s hilariously funny.”

Five years before that, he had a different theater role at the request of his close friend, the late Paul Sorvino.

“He was like my brother,” Powers said. “He was the godfather to both of my sons.”

Powers wanted to learn the song “Mama” in Italian so he could sing to his mother, who was turning 90. So, Sorvino agreed to teach him but wanted a favor in return.

“(He said) ‘In a couple of months I’m doing ‘King Lear’ in New York and I’m directing and playing Lear and I want you to play the Fool opposite me,’” he said. “I hadn’t done Shakespeare since I was in college. I said, ‘I don’t know if I could do it,’ and he said, ‘Of course, you can.’”

Sorvino convinced Powers to join the cast with Shrunken Shakespeare Company because they already had a strong chemistry that was necessary for the role.

Sorvino died in 2022 at age 83.

“He was my mentor,” Powers said. “It’s still hard for me to get over losing him. I miss him a lot.”

For more, visit waynepowers.com.

Adam Pascal will perform Broadway hits at 7:30 p.m. June 30 and July 1 at Feinstein’s cabaret in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinhc.com.

‘BOEING BOEING’

Red Barn Summer Theatre’s presentation of “Boeing Boeing” runs through July 1 at the Red Barn Theatre in Frankfort. For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.

‘NEWSIES JR.’

Jr. Civic Theatre presents the final two performances of “Disney’s Newsies Jr.” from June 27-28 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘STAR-SPANGLED SYMPHONY’

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will present “Star-Spangled Symphony’’ at 8 p.m. June 30 to July 3 in the Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie in Fishers. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.

DISPATCH

Musical theater camp returns to Noblesville — The Point Theater, formerly Christian Youth Theater, returns to Noblesville with musical theater day camps for youth between the ages of 4 and 11. The camps are offered at Emmanuel Methodist Church, 1600 Cumberland Road, during the week of July 17. With a “Beauty and the Beast” theme, the camp places students in groups by age, then rotates them through interactive stations in vocals, dance, acting and props each day. The week culminates in a Friday performance for family and friends. Seasoned actors and dancers lead the camp, with Point students rounding out the staff as counselors. To register, visit thepointtheater.org.

Actor/singer Wayne Powers, right, with his close friend Paul Sorvino. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Powers)

Beyond Barriers is a campaign that through philanthropy and partnerships, addresses health equity in Central Indiana.

Dizgo to perform at Palladium

By Mike Beas mark@youarecurrent.com

Two letters separate the band’s name from a word mostly synonymous with the late-1970s.

eskenazihealthfoundation.org

MUSIC

Carmel High School graduate Patrick Milescu is too young to have experienced the short-lived — and, yet, somehow enduring — musical phenomenon that was disco, but he’s doing the next best thing.

Milescu, 29, manages the Bloomington-based band Dizgo, a quartet known for blending jamtronica with funk, soul and psychedelic rock to create a sound that is danceable and introspective.

And now, Dizgo is coming home.

Back to Milescu’s home, that is.

Dizgo, comprised of guitarist Andrew Pickel, bass player Kevin Hinnefeld, drummer Jacob Powell and keyboardist Jake Evatt, will perform June 28 in the Live at the Center series at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9. Dizgo is expected to play between 10 to 12 songs.

Milescu looks forward to bringing the band, with its unique sound, showmanship and playlist, to the Palladium.

“Oh, it’s awesome. We’re very excited to play at a theater like that,” said Milescu, who was born in Montreal, moved with his family to Carmel when he was 7, and now resides in Bloomington. “My parents loved going there to see shows and then would tell me about it afterward.”

To purchase tickets, visit dizgoband. com or thecenterpresents.org. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a $5 minimum. Patrons also can register for a free livestream option.

Indy Shorts lineup set

editorial@youarecurrent.com

world have this designation.

FILM

Heartland Film has announced the lineup for the sixth annual Academy Award-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival, running July 18-23. Less than 4 percent of the films submitted to the festival are selected. This year, a record 3,900-plus shorts were submitted, and from those, 165 shorts from 21 countries were programmed. The lineup includes 18 world premieres, 19 U.S. premieres, 54 Midwest premieres and 47 Indiana premieres. Screenings will be at Living Room Theaters (indoor), Newfields (indoor and amphitheater), Fort Ben Cultural Campus (indoor and outdoor) and virtually.

The 2023 festival is embracing a summer camp vibe that promises more than 165 short films that are curated into 29 themed programs, with 100 filmmakers expected to attend for Q&As following the screenings. Fest Pass and tickets are on sale at IndyShorts.org.

Indy Shorts is also an Academy AwardQualifying Film Festival in all three short film categories: Live Action, Documentary and Animated. Only 34 film festivals in the

With a track record of 33 nominations and 10 Oscar-winning shorts, there’s a good chance attendees will see the next Academy Award-contending films first in Indianapolis. Last year, an Indiana Spotlight film, “Stranger at the Gate,” won the Grand Prize for Best Short Documentary receiving its Oscar qualification. The film was then nominated for an Academy Award.

“With last year’s Oscar track and this year’s record number of submissions, the enthusiasm behind the Indy Shorts International Film Festival is unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” stated Hearland Film Artistic Director Greg Sorvig, a Carmel resident. “I can’t wait for Indianapolis to meet the filmmakers and explore the wide variety of stories showcased in the 29 themed programs.”

More than $30,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to filmmakers July 22. Selected award-winning films will be showcased at Newfields’ Amphitheater for the Summer Nights: Award Winners Program. Before the films, attendees can enjoy free HotBox Pizza and camp-themed activities.

ESKENAZI HEALTH FOUNDATION IS GRATEFUL TO Sharon Barner & Haywood McDuffie FOR THEIR LEAD GIFT

From left, Andrew Pickel, Jake Evatt, Patrick Milescu, Kevin Hinnefeld and Jacob Powell form Dizgo, which will perform June 28 at the Palladium in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Dizgo)

Barbershop chorus in harmony

By Jeff Decker editorial@youarecurrent.com

When she was younger, Carmel resident Barbara Birnbaum had performed in her school choirs. But as an adult, Birnbaum didn’t have time to keep singing with a group.

MUSIC

In 2006, friends convinced her to attend guest night with Harmony Magic, a central Indiana-based women’s barbershop chorus.

“I really was enamored with the idea,” she said of performing again.

When Birnbaum arrived at guest night, a group member greeted her with a hug.

“And it was, ‘OK, I’m hooked,” she said. Birnbaum and other members of the chorus, between 25 and 30 strong and under the direction of Janet Foster of Greenfield, competed in the Harmony Inc. area convention and contest beginning June 8 in Bloomington-Normal, Ill. At stake was a berth in an international competition Nov. 8-11 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Harmony Magic was one of six choruses to qualify for the competition, called Pure Harmony.

“We really couldn’t have asked for better,” Birnbaum said.

Harmony Magic prepared for the contest on Thursday evenings at Woodland Terrace in Carmel. For the competition, they performed “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” from the musical “Annie,” and “When I Fall in Love,” a standard from 1952.

Harmony Magic performs four-part harmony a cappella versions of songs from many styles and eras and sings while executing choreographed movements.

“We really like to sing,” she said. “We want to entertain people.”

The group is a nonprofit, paying its way through performances (about 20 a year), sponsors and fundraisers.

Artist earns one-word identity

Commentary by Randy Sorrell

If you live in Carmel, you know Ranj! Identifiable by a one-word name, like Sting and Bono, his presence is felt in our community through his leadership, philanthropic and entrepreneurial efforts at Allstate Insurance. And now, we are appreciating Ranj’s artistic gifts, too.

PAINTINGS

Ranj Puthran’s art journey started when he was a little kid in Ann Arbor, Mich., as he filled notebooks with shapes and patterns, which he gradually developed through college. He frequented area museums, galleries and other stimulating and culture-fueled entities. Although he majored in political science at the University of Michigan, he also took classes in art history, and his relationship with art intensified.

India and Paris inspirations

Because of an “art-won’t-pay-the- bills” perspective, he focused on business after college and set art aside for a spell. A trip to India with his son in 2018 provided a sense of solitude, and his subconscious thoughts about art came to light! Classes at the Monon Center and the Indianapolis Art Cen-

Ranj Puthran enjoys creating acrylic and oil paintings. (Photo courtesy of Ranj Puthran)

ter sculpted his fundamentals of art.

Ranj enjoys many mediums, including pencil drawings, acrylic and oil painting, and he is especially drawn to landscapes and portraits.

His donations of art for fundraisers brings Ranj great joy as does his time painting.

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

Harmony Magic has qualified for an international barbershop competition. (Photo courtesy Susan Spencer)

Blueprint for Improvement: A modern makeover in Zionsville

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in 1977 in Zionsville’s Colony Woods neighborhood, this home’s owners wanted to update the living room with modern finishes.

THE BLUEPRINT

• The fireplace became the room’s focal point, accented by dynamic porcelain tile that gives the appearance of metal but without the maintenance.

• Custom built-ins with sleek acrylic laminate cabinets, quartz countertops and floating poplar shelves provide the perfect place for displaying family pictures, keepsakes and décor.

• The carpet was replaced with luxury vinyl plank flooring for an elevated aesthetic with exceptional durability.

Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.

LEGAL NOTICE OF STANDARD CONTRACT RIDER NO. 6 ANNUAL BUDGET BILLING PLAN, QUARTERLY BUDGET BILLING PLAN DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC

DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC (“Duke Energy Indiana”) hereby provides notice that on or around July 7, 2023 Duke Energy Indiana in accordance with 170 IAC 4-4.1-10 will file a request to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (“Commission”) for approval under the Commission’s thirty-day administrative filing procedures and guidelines to revise its Standard Contract Rider No. 6, Rate RS Residential Electric Service. This revision is to clarify the terms of the Annual and Quarterly Budget Billing Plan options offered to residential customers. This submission is expected to be approved approximately thirty days after filing, unless an objection is made. Any objections may be made by contacting the Secretary of the Commission, or Randall C. Helmen of the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor at the following addresses or phone numbers:

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission 101 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 East Indianapolis, IN 46204-3407 317-232-2703

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor - PNC Center 115 W. Washington St. Suite 1500 South Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-2494

Duke Energy Indiana, LLC

By:

Stan

Pinegar, President

LEGAL NOTICE DUKE ENERGY INDIANA, LLC

Public notice is hereby given to affected property owners pursuant to 170 IAC 4-9-4(f) that within two (2) to six (6) weeks of the date of this notice, weather permitting, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC will be performing vegetation management as part of its power line maintenance program in the area described below. As part of this project, one of its contractors that employ qualified utility line clearance tree workers will be trimming and/or removing trees and brush to clear the lines of vegetation in order to provide safe and reliable electric service. Vegetation management will be performed in/near Carmel, Zionsville on or near streets identified below:

Beginning at the substation located on W 121st St, just W of West Rd, to include the areas around & near: E of the substation, W of 31, N of 465, S of Main St

The date this notice is published initiates the two (2) week period for calculating implied consent by an affected property owner under 170 IAC 4-9. If you have any questions you may contact the Duke Energy Vegetation Management toll free number, 866-385-3675.

Duke Energy Indiana, LLC Vegetation Management Department

A trip on the Alaska Railroad

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, in our continuing visit to Alaska, we travel the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks toward Denali National Park and Preserve.

TRAVEL

The Alaska Railroad runs 470 miles between Fairbanks, in the middle of the state, to Seward, on the southern coast. The railroad, built by the United States government to facilitate settlement and commerce in the Alaska Territory (not a state until 1959), opened upon completion of the Mears Memorial Bridge over the Tanana River near Nenana. On July 15, 1923, Warren G. Harding, the first president to visit Alaska, drove a golden spike at the north end of the bridge. Harding briefly visited Mount McKinley National Park (now Denali National Park and Preserve) and then traveled by train 100 miles north to Fairbanks, where residents in their Sunday best turned out to greet him.

Today, the Alaska Railroad, now owned by the state of Alaska, makes daily trips between Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping at Denali National Park and Preserve, where

DON’T lock in on all caps

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

17 percent of the visitors come by train. The trip from Anchorage to the park takes about 7 1/2 hours, and from Fairbanks, about four hours. Each year between mid-May and mid-September, Wilderness Express engages the Alaska Railroad to pull its extra-large glass-domed cars, featuring dining rooms and bars, through the picturesque countryside, often with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Guides explain to passengers what they are seeing. Among many interesting sites along the route is a marker near the tiny village of Nenana, identifying the site of the famous Nenana Ice Classic. Thousands of people each year try to guess the minute the ice in the river will begin to break up, with the winner (or winners) pocketing about $300,000. A tripod set on the ice stops a clock at the instant the ice begins to move.

GRAMMAR GUY

Why are you yelling? Have you seen someone post a social media update in all caps? It’s not a good look. In fact, posting in all caps makes it seem like we’re getting yelled at by a bike of hornets (yes, one term to describe a group of hornets is a “bike”). Calm down!

In honor of International Caps Lock Day, a semiannual holiday observed on June 28 and Oct. 22, here’s a deep dive into big and little letters.

The origin of the term “caps lock” has its roots in typewriters. When typing a capital letter on a mechanical keyboard, a typist would press and hold the “shift” key to physically shift the typebar up in order to type a capital letter. To remain shifted up to capital letters, typewriter technology developed the “shift lock” key, which would essentially lock the keyboard in the capital position. As computers were introduced, shift lock became “caps lock,” allowing users to type in big letters with gusto.

What about “uppercase” and “lowercase”? Many of you know this one, but I’ll

recap (no pun intended) the origin story of these words we still use to refer to capital and smaller letters.

In the days of the printing press, typesetters would manually set the letters to print on a page. Smaller letters were kept in a low, easy-to-access case, while larger letters were stored in a case above the typesetter’s desk. The large letters, therefore, became known as “uppercase” letters, while the smaller letters became “lowercase.”

If you type an entire page in bold letters, nothing stands out. If everything is important, nothing is important. Typing in all caps is similar. In 2010, Google’s Cr-48 laptop launched without a caps lock key on its keyboard. Is caps lock overused and tired? Is it time to lose it? Either way, please don’t send me a heavily opinionated email in all caps.

Mears Memorial Bridge over the Tanana River near Nenana, Alaska. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Wilderness Express cars on the Alaska Railroad.

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

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

9. Palladium seater

14. Strong wind

15. Paperless test at Purdue

16. Entrap

47. Beneath

49. Footnote abbr.

50. Blood line

51. Omaha-to-Zionsville dir.

52. Modern warfare threats, briefly

54. In a timid way

56. Sagamore Club instructor

57. Nile reptile

58. Competent

61. Door sign

64. Indiana Senate helpers

69. Lavish meal

71. Door sign

73. Henhouse

74. Takes a break

75. Pacers foe

76. “___ Karenina”

77. In first place in the Hoosiers Crossroads Conference

78. Org. whose local museum can be

34. Gillette brand

35. Spark!Fishers charity race distance, briefly

36. Online commerce

37. Butler’s ___ Golson Jazz Festival

40. Sent a dupe email

42. Like WTHR’s evening newscasts

45. Hoosier National Forest trees

48. Prez before GHWB

53. Boone County Fair barn sound

55. Clean air org.

56. Matteo’s basil-garlic sauce

57. “West Side Story” role

58. Bushy ‘do

59. “___ there, done that”

60. In the cellar in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference

62. Ivy League school

63. Lilly corporate VIP

65. Optimist’s credo

found on the Downtown Canal and in the puzzle’s circles

79. Loch ___ monster

1. Town name abbr.

2. Disfigure

3. Earthen pot

4. Exchange for cash

5. London lav

6. Gearshift letters

7. Victory Field event

8. Sheltered, at sea

9. New Big Ten sch.

10. Pig’s nose

11. ISO stringed instrument

12. Word before a conclusion

13. Hoosier Park bridle strap

21. Cyber chuckle

23. Wedding reception entertainers, initially

26. Words before a conclusion

28. Guitar’s little cousin

29. Current edition 30. Middays 31. Unruly crowd 32. Poker stake 33. Thai currency

County’s (Colorful) County Seat

“Me Day” destinations, often

amt.

IND ID checker

NOW

HIRING-CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

Royal Dental Labs, Inc

Position involves two main responsibilities: data entry and providing exceptional customer service through phone and email interaction. Other responsibilities may include general office tasks and possible help in other departments. Full time position, Monday through Friday. Great work environment w/ excellent pay including quarterly bonus potential. Three years data entry and/or customer service experience required.

Starting pay $17 to $20/hr. Send resume to alan@royaldentallabs.com

SUPPLY CHAIN CONSULTANT W/ ENVISTA LLC IN CARMEL, IN

(position remote, req. up to 50% travel)

Design & dev. Strategic network solutions for SC & operations problems; build SC models for optimization using stats analysis, regression modeling & optimiz.; network analysis.

Requires minimum of MS in Indust. Eng, Stats, Math, Logistics/Supply Chain or closely related or foreign equiv.; 3 yrs. Industry exp in supply chain, Fin. & Adv Analytics; SCCP Certification; Lean Six Sigma Gr. Belt Cert.

For full description and requirements of positions, https://recruiting.ultipro.com/ ENV1003ENVIS/JobBoard/adc7da17182d-0b77-a5c5-46cf3cb50218/ Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?oppor tunityId=a9042b1e-3336-4d42-9f84578db1289c13

Submit CV and cover letter to David Jensen, Sr. Mgr, 11555 N. Meridian Street, Ste 300, Carmel IN

ENVOY, INC. SEEKS PRECONSTRUCTION MANAGER

to guide design team members through the preparation of programmatic, schematic, design development and construction documentation, as well as maintaining, updating and validating strict estimate adherence. Position based in Fishers, Indiana. Requirements: Bachelors Degree in Construction Management, Building Construction, Engineering, or similar field, as well as at least 3 years experience in construction, commercial development, and/or estimating. Also requires knowledge of MS Project, Gmail, Google Drive, Project Management software applications

Procore, Prolog, Constructware and PDF annotation.

Send resume to Amanda Good, 8890 E. 116th St., Suite 250, Fishers, IN, 46038

HIRING-DELIVERY DRIVER/ PACKING & PROCESSING ASSOCIATE

Royal Dental Labs Inc

Looking for a team-oriented individual to fill a part-time and a full-time position as Delivery Driver/Packing and Processing Associate. Candidate will be responsible for ensuring timely delivery and pick up of cases to dental offices throughout the Indianapolis, IN metro area, reviewing orders prior to delivery, packing and processing cases for UPS/FedEx shipping, printing shipping labels, and various office support roles. Must have excellent driving record. If you’re interested in taking on a new challenge at a growing company, we encourage you to apply today. Starting rate of pay $14 to $15 an hour with quarterly bonus potential. Retirees welcome to apply. Send resume to alan@royaldentallabs.com

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, good-natured 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

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Clothing: BLOUSE, COAT, JACKET, PANTS, SHIRT, SLACKS; Capitals: ATHENS, BERLIN, OSLO, PARIS, ROME; Peppers: BELL, CAYENNE, JALAPENO, SERRANO; Reservoirs: EAGLE CREEK, GEIST, MORSE; Area Codes: FOUR SIX THREE, THREE ONE SEVEN; County Seat: AUBURN