August 15, 2023 — Zionsville

August 15, 2023

Current in Zionsville currentzionsville.com

About us

Founded March 20 2012, at Zionsville, IN Vol. XII, No. 21

Copyright 2023 Current Publishing, LLC

All Rights Reserved. 30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444

Contact the editor

Have a news tip, calendar item or photo to share?

Contact the Managing Editor Jessica Todd at jessica@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444 ext. 804.

You also may submit information at currentzionsville.com. Our print deadline is eight days prior to publication. Submissions for online accepted daily.

Share your thoughts

Letters to the editor may be sent for consideration to letters@youarecurrent.com. Letters have a maximum word count of 300 words. Please include your city of residence and a contact phone number for verification. Current Publishing may refuse letters.

Advertise your business

If you’re interested in reaching the Zionsville market (12,138 households), you may obtain more information by emailing ads@ youarecurrent.com (subject: Zionsville advertising) or by calling 317.847.5022.

Obituaries

obits@youarecurrent.com

Legal advertising

legals@youarecurrent.com

Delivery questions

circulation@youarecurrent.com

Join our community www.facebook.com/currentinzionsville www.twitter.com/CI_Zionsville instagram.com/youarecurrent

Opinions

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

Pickell appointed new deputy mayor

news@currentzionsville.com

Mayor Emily Styron announced earlier this month that Andy Pickell will serve as deputy mayor for the Town of Zionsville. Deputy Mayor Julie Johns-Cole resigned to pursue another opportunity and has been assisting Pickell during the transition of leadership. Her last day was Aug. 11.

TOWN NEWS

Pickell began his role Aug. 11.

Pickell is the founder of AP Project Consulting LLC. He was formerly a project coordinator for Beam, Longest & Neff. He formerly served on the Zionsville Board of Zoning Appeals.

Mayor Emily Styron stated. “Andy has consistently demonstrated a commitment to Zionsville and brings the skills and the drive needed to keep the Town of Zionsville moving forward.”

GIRL SCOUTS’ EFFORTS BENEFIT ISAIAH HOUSE

Pickell

“With decades of experience and a commitment to Zionsville, Andy is highly qualified and well-prepared for this role,”

From left, Abby Gross, Mikaela Hoone, Marin Rose, Ana Aguillon, Acelyn Wishek and Vivian Keiper, members of Zionsville Girl Scout Troop 1764, raised money by selling Girl Scout cookies to buy a playset for the children who receive services at the Boone County Isaiah 117 House — a space that allows children to receive the care they need while child welfare staff completes the necessary paperwork to identify a good placement for them. Purchasing the playhouse was a part of the girls’ Bronze Award project. The Bronze Award is the highest award that a Junior in Girl Scouts can earn. The Scouts were asked to be observant in their community, to recognize a need and then come up with a plan to fulfill that need. The girls visited Isaiah House Aug.

4. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Gerde)

“It is an honor to continue to serve Zionsville in this capacity and to work alongside Mayor Emily Styron,” Pickell stated. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the talented team in the Town of Zionsville and its council, board and commission members.”

Meet the new managing editor

news@currentzionsville.com

Jessica Todd, known to the Current in Zionsville audience as a freelance reporter, has joined the paper as its managing editor. In her role, Todd will direct coverage of “all things Zionsville,” and she will be responsible for reporting much of what happens in the town.

Since being aligned with Current Publishing, Todd has delivered on several fronts, including hard news, feature writing and working on content for the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce’s About Town guide, which was produced in partnership with Current in Zionsville.

“Jessica will serve our Zionsville audience well,” Ben Weir, Current Publishing president and publisher, said. “She is committed to being immersed in the community and accessible to not only newsmakers but the readership, too.”

Todd can be reached at jessica@youarecurrent.com.

Council discusses roundabout, legal agreement

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrnet.com

The Zionsville Town Council met Aug. 7 at Town Hall and discussed a range of old and new issues.

5 and was expected to be completed by Sept. 3. It is now scheduled to reopen Aug. 30, but the area will remain a construction zone through the end of October.

GOVERNMENT

Zionsville Director of Public Works Lance Lantz began the meeting by providing an update on the reopening of the Oak Street and C.R. 800 E. route, where a roundabout will replace the existing traffic signal at the intersection.

The route has been closed since June

In other business, the council discussed the Seaside Ice Agreement, a $45,000 settlement that was proposed by Seaside Ice, LLC/Ice-America, LLC to resolve a lawsuit with the Town of Zionsville. The proposed settlement includes Seaside Ice, the Zionsville Park Board, the Zionsville Town Council and the Town of Zionsville.

Town council attorney Heather Harris said there are several questions that the council

has asked regarding obtaining additional information about what errors might have occurred leading up to the lawsuit and the proposed settlement for an alleged unpaid claim to Seaside Ice, LLC/Ice-America, LLC.

“We received a packet of information that we had been asking (about) for some time relating to how the claim was paid and the process errors that we might have made to pay the claim,” Harris said.

Harris said the deadline for the council to approve the agreement with Seaside Ice is Sept. 1. The matter will be discussed again at the Aug. 22 town council meeting.

ZIONSVILLE CHAMBER PRESENTS STREET DANCE 2023

Ellie Brown, lead singer of the band The Janeways, kicks off the music for the Zionsville Street Dance.

Throughout the night, kids gathered at the front of the crowd to show off their moves.

Madilyn Moore pours a customer a custom Zionsville Street Dance cup of beer from Bier Brewery.

From left, Benny border, Silvia Roland and Trina viterisi took center stage on the dance floor throughout the night.

From left, Cory Flynn, Mike Notaro and Joe Valentino play guitar and sing for the band Mike and Joe.

For the first hour, many residents enjoyed dinner in a local restaurant or were setting up their chairs before the main band began their set. (Photo by Kiersten Reidford)

Hanlon embraces role

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrnet.com

Zionsville resident Mike Hanlon began his role as executive director of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce on June 5.

ZIONSVILLE CHAMBER

In his first two months, Hanlon has focused on building a presence in the community and working extensively with outreach.

“Establishing my presence in the community, as well as the chamber’s, has been my main goal in the past 60 days,” Hanlon said. “I want the chamber and myself to serve as a main resource for the business community, members and nonmembers alike.”

As part of his vision, Hanlon wants the chamber to become involved in more events and collaborations with the startup community in Zionsville, including businesses like CoHatch and zWORKS.

“Collaborations with the startup community allows for more entrepreneurial investments and help the Chamber support the technology and incubator establishments in

town,” Hanlon said.

Hanlon would also like to focus on member engagement and opportunities for businesses in the area that are not along Main Street.

“With nearly 500 chamber members, I want them to get as much value for their membership as possible,” Hanlon said. “We traditionally focus on the businesses along Main Street, but we want to offer more opportunities for other businesses near Corporate Park, Creekside and so on.”

Hanlon moved to Zionsville with his wife and children 15 years ago. He served as the executive director of USO Indiana, a nonprofit that helps Indiana’s military service members stay connected to family, home and country throughout their service.

“My past work with USO is helpful to my new position because it taught me how to balance important relationships and take initiative,” Hanlon said.

While at USO Indiana, Hanlon worked on projects such as golf outings and galas. He said the experience will allow him to bring new ideas to Zionsville events like the Street Dance and Brick Street Market.

Health Center near you at EskenaziHealth.edu/FreeVaccines Please scan to learn more.

“I had a great experience at Westfield Foot and Ankle. Everyone

friendly and professional. I received good advice and treatment from Dr. Sullivan and his staff, and they provided me with a wonderful peace of mind that I could continue my active work and leisure lifestyle.”

Joe Boarini, ball of foot pain patient

Hanlon

Presented by

Recalling ‘tractors with lugs’

Commentary by Ward Degler

Friday, August 25: Kids starting at 6 p.m.

Saturday, August 26: Teens at 5 p.m., Adults at 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 27: Finals & Award Ceremony at 5 p.m.

Contestants will be competing for up to $500 in cash prizes!

PLAIN TALK

Back in the Dark Ages of my youth, when interstate highways hadn’t even yet been thought of, more than half the nation’s roads were unpaved, and the rest were narrow asphalt lanes. Along these paved roads were signs proclaiming, “Tractors With Lugs Prohibited.”

Unlike today, when farm machinery comes with rubber tires, tractors during the Great Depression years had giant cast-iron wheels armed with spikes for traction. You can imagine what those spikes did to an asphalt surface. Hence, they were prohibited, and farmers who violated the rule were subject to heavy fines.

This created a conundrum for farmers. They needed the roads to reach separated fields, but if they were paved — which everyone except the farmers loved — they couldn’t use them.

The solution was the creation of “farm roads,” dirt trails often along highway easements or across neighboring farm fields. Many of these still exist in farm communities today, and, ironically, some are paved.

When I was 5 years old, we lived in a rented farmhouse outside Medford, Wis. During spring and summer, the farmer who owned the place regularly showed up early mornings with his team of draft horses to work the fields. But when harvest time rolled around, he arrived behind the steering wheel of the largest and loudest machine I had ever seen — a gigantic steam tractor with huge cast-iron wheels with lugs.

Towed behind the tractor was a threshing machine, a complex mechanism the size of a Greyhound bus. Other men followed in a Ford Model T towing two flatbed trailers.

What happened next was nothing short of poetry in motion. The farmer hooked the tractor to the trailers and spent the day crisscrossing the fields gathering the ripened wheat.

Farming is different today. It’s still hard work, but the equipment is quieter and more efficient. And I haven’t seen a sign prohibiting tractors with lugs for years.

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.

BOOK READING AT SULLIVANMUNCE

DISPATCHES

Correction — In an article titled “Zionsville Plan Commission conducts special meeting for zoning ordinance” published in the Aug. 8 edition, Regina Sharrow’s last name was incorrectly spelled.

Correction — The number of single-family homes for the Bradley Ridge planned unit development is 350. Seventy-four single-family homes will be west of Eagle Creek and the other 276 would be on the east side. The information was incorrect in a July 25 story in Current.

Citizen’s Fire Academy — The Zionsville Fire Department will host a free Citizen’s Fire Academy on Tuesday nights from August 22 through October 10 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. Citizen’s Fire Academy is a free public education program designed to increase the participant’s fire and safety awareness. Participants must be 18 years or older and reside or work within the boundaries of the Zionsville Fire Department service area. Participation is limited to 20 people. Visit zionsville-in.gov/636/Citizens-Fire-Academy for more information.

Food Drive — St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Outreach Ministry is sponsoring a food drive for

The Caring Center Saturday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 20 from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations of non-perishable food can be dropped off at a truck that will be in the St. Alphonsus Liguori’s parking lot at 1870 W. Oak St.

Centier Bank — Centier Bank has welcomed Christie King as Branch Manager of the bank’s Zionsville branch, located at 50 N. Ford Rd. King joins Centier Bank after working as a Universal Banker and Branch Manager at a national financial institution. Prior to that, she was an elementary and middle school teacher for 15 years. King is delighted to utilize her background in banking and education to help serve as a financial guide to Zionsville clients.

Humane Society — The Humane Society for Boone County received a $6,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Boone County. The grant funds will be used to purchase pet food for the Humane Society’s Pet Pantry, which will be distributed free to people struggling to pay bills and buy food for their pets. Pet owners in need of food for the pets can call 877-473-6722 and listen to the recording to leave a message requesting assistance.

Rosaleen Crowley, left, presents poet Mary Sexson with a special Poetry on Brick Street bag after Sexson’s Aug. 3 reading at SullivanMunce Cultural Center. Sexson read from her latest book, “Her Addiction an Empty Place at the Table,” which chronicles her daughter’s battle with —— and triumph over —— addiction. Sexson is a frequent participant in Poetry on Brick Street’s projects. (Photo by Donna Monday)

Wine Tasting • Designer Shopping Delectable Bites • Incredible Auction Items

FRI DAY, AUGUST 2 5 11AM - 3PM at Lucas Estate, Carmel IN

Autumn Elegance

STYLE SHOW & LUNCHEON

Riverview Health Auxiliary invites you to the Autumn Elegance Style Show & Luncheon featuring the latest fashions by The Secret Ingredient.

When: Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Where: The Bridgewater Club, 3535 East 161st Street, Carmel, IN 46033

Registration & Shopping: 10:30 a.m.-noon Style Show & Luncheon: 12 p.m.

Sponsored by Riverview Health Medical Staff

$60/ticket

GreekFest to celebrate 50 years

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The 50th anniversary of the Indianapolis GreekFest is more than a special milestone.

Fest mission year after year.”

EVENT

“Celebrating Hellenism and the Greek immigrant story in central Indiana is truly something that fills us with pride every year, but it’s even more special this year as we celebrate this accomplishment, especially after an interesting few years of navigating what a cultural festival looked like during an era of a pandemic,” GreekFest marketing director Lenie Tsakonas said. “This included really thinking about how we continue to make this event viable in an effort to continue engaging our youth to have a foundational understanding of their Hellenic roots. How do we strategically work out a festival plan that is run exclusively by volunteers, in a time where volunteer-run organizations are struggling to fill roles? Much of it came down to the Greek American values of humility and hard work. Those values truly are what keeps our community dedicated to the Indy Greek

Indianapolis GreekFest, which has been held in Carmel since 2009, will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 25 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 26 on the grounds of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3500 W. 106th St. The event will include Greek music, authentic Greek food and pastries and cooking demonstrations. Tours of the cathedral will also be available.

To celebrate 50 years, Tsakonas said there will be the addition of a special mezze (Greek appetizer) called the Herculean platter. The platter includes tiropita, spanakopita, feta cheese, spicy feta dip, Kalamata olives, hummus, tzatziki, pita quarters and Keftedes (Greek meatballs).

“We’re excited to be returning to our usual festival footprint of being fully outdoors again with our famous pastry shop inside the Cathedral,” Tsakonas said. “Our kids zone is back as well and it will include yard games, puppet shows and some special sweet treats. We’re also excited to welcome back George Karras and Band to Indiana.”

Learn more at IndyGreekfest.org.

Bluewater Kings Band

Saturday, September 23 | 7:30 - 10:30PM

MYSTERY SNAPSHOT CHALLENGE

Hey there, folks! Take a good look at this zoomed-in image we’ve snagged from a spot in Zionsville. We want you to channel your inner Sherlock and head over to youarecurrent.com/mysterysnapshot to submit your best guess about where this photo was taken. Ready for the challenge? Check back next week for the answer.

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS

The heat is on! And Bone Dry’s highly trained service techs are on the road and fully equipped to get your home’s air-conditioning ready for the season. Call today and ask about our Summer TuneUp Special for only $49.95! We can even be there the same day! Phone 317.454.7412 or visit bonedryhvac.com.

A fairy house, small carriage watering can and miniature Ferris wheel on top of a kid’s table outside of the Zionsville Public Library. The table is outside of the children’s area of the library. (Photo by Kiersten Riedford)

MYSTERY SNAPSHOT CHALLENGE AUGUST 8 SOLUTION

Westfield golfer’s confidence grows after successful summer

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Westfield High School senior golfer Samantha Brown’s main goal remains the same as it has all summer.

“I’m trying to hit as many greens as possible,” Brown said. “I feel like if I’m hitting greens, I have a chance at making putts. The more putts you make, the lower you go.”

The Purdue University-bound Brown won the Indiana Junior Girls PGA Championship at Purdue’s course in June and the Girls State Junior Championship at Coyote Crossing Golf Club in West Lafayette in July and tied for second in the Indiana Women’s Open in July at Kokomo Country Club. She finished third in early June at the Pete & Alice Dye Junior Invitational, a national tournament at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel.

“I feel like one of the big things for me this summer is confidence,” Brown said. “If you know you belong in the big tour-

MEET SAMANTHA BROWN

College plans: Play golf at Purdue University and study business

Favorite subject: English

Favorite athlete: Nelly Korda

Favorite type of music: Country

naments, you can compete at the national tournaments.”

Now, her goal is to finally break through to win the state high school individual title.

“I’ve never played well in the state finals,” she said. “My game just hasn’t been on.”

Brown tied for seventh in the IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals at Carmel’s Prairie View Golf Club in 2020, tied for 13th in 2021 and tied for sixth in 2022.

Shamrocks girls golf coach Josh Bryant

said Brown has had a tremendous high school and junior golf career.

“She came into high school as a multi-winner on the Indiana Junior PGA Golf tour,” Bryant said. “She was and still is an elite ball striker.”

Bryant said Brown’s Greens in Regulation percentages are some of the best he has seen throughout her junior golf career.

“This skill alone keeps her in most tournaments she plays in and would be enough to be competitive in every event, but she has taken that ability and pushed herself in all areas of her golf game,” Bryant said. “She has become a real student of the game as she has progressed through high school golf through her work with swing coaches and mentors, which has allowed her to improve off the tee, around the greens and course management.”

Bryant said he is most proud of the progress Brown has made with her mental game.

Brown is optimistic about the fourthranked Shamrocks’ chances of making a run at the IHSAA state championship after they won the State Preview tournament Aug. 5 at Prairie View. Brown tied for third while teammate Addi Kooi was the medalist.

Although Brown said the team didn’t play its best, it won by 11 strokes. It was Brown’s first high school tournament this season as she had just returned Aug. 4 from the Junior PGA Championship in Hot Springs, Ark.

Westfield High School girls golfer Samantha Brown’s aim is to win a state high school title. (Photo courtesy of Brown family)

Brown

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

ZCHS graduate passionate about rugby despite spinal cord injury

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

At the time, it seemed like any other hard tackle to White River Rugby Football Club player Jeff Russell.

Only this tackle, in a Sept. 11, 2021, game at Carmel, was far different. He dislocated the top vertebrate in his neck and had a spinal cord injury.

“I stopped breathing and was carted off to the hospital in an ambulance,” Russell said. “I spent a week in the ICU. I was paralyzed from the head down.”

After almost another week in the ortho unit, he was able to walk out with a walker.

“Then I spent six months with partial paralysis on my left side,” said Russell, a 2004 Zionsville Community High School graduate.

Russell said images of his neck showed his top vertebrae was more cartilage than bone.

“I really had no business playing rugby for the last 20 years,” he said. “Now, I had just been rolling the dice every time I got out there and I finally rolled snake eyes.”

Although Russell hasn’t been able to play the game he loves, he is still devoted to it.

A Whitestown resident, Russell started playing rugby while he was a student at ZCHS. He is now the head coach of the White River Rugby club and is an assistant coach for the Carmel High Schools boys rugby team.

“I still have some lingering symptoms that will probably never go away,” he said. “I have balance problems because I damaged my brainstem. I can’t tell hot or cold on the right side of my body.”

Russell said the first couple of hours after his injury, doctors knew he was going to recover most of his functions.

“What they’ve learned over the years treating spinal cord injuries is that the first several days are paramount in making sure that you have adequate blood flow to that area to restore and prevent further injury from swelling and those kinds of things,” he said.

Russell said he has other coaches demonstrate contact drills.

When Russell was injured, he was playing against Louisville, a team he played with for

several years. At the time of his injury, Russell was also the ZCHS boys coach.

White River returns to action Sept. 9 against Louisville. The team plays its home games at American Legion Post 155 in Carmel. Russell had played rugby and coached his University of Southern Indiana team and then played several years with Louisville’s club. Russell said some people wonder why he is so passionate about the sport despite his injury.

“I had a congenital defect that I wasn’t aware of,” he said.

Russell said he highly recommends people have a CT scan and MRI to asses their spine before engaging in a contact sport.

Russell said he played rugby for 20 years and estimates he was tackled around 100 times a year before the catastrophic injury.

To Russell, the sport is special because people of varying abilities can play it.

“So, whether you’re a proficient athlete, or this is your first time trying a sport, rugby has a home for you,” Russell said. “I think it’s a really good way of keeping kids out of trouble. That certainly was the case with

me. I wasn’t very good at any of the other sports that I tried.”

That changed when he began playing rugby his junior year at ZCHS.

“Rugby has made my life much, much better than it otherwise would have been,” said Russell, who is a heating, ventilation

and

REVIVING THE CLUB

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the White River Rugby club’s player numbers had shrunk.

Jeff Russell said in 2022 it was on the verge of folding. He took over as head coach and the club formed an operations board.

The roster has since grown from 15 to 65.

“I have people that are in law enforcement and business owners that are players,” Russell said. “We have lawyers and mechanics. We have people from Venezuela, Italy, South Africa and Germa-

his father.

ny. It’s a very diverse group that has all kinds of different talents and we’re putting that to use. We call ourselves the Dead Fish Society. We have two major goals. One is to grow the sport of rugby in central Indiana, and the other is to give back to the communities.”

The club will run a Ruckin Hot Ruck & 5K Aug. 27 at the Carmel American Legion Post, 852 W. Main St., Carmel. The event, which runs from 1 to 8 p.m., will include live music and a silent auction to raise funds for veterans.

For more, visit. whiteriverrugby.com.

Russell

From left, Daniel Heindricks of Fortville, Parks Groninger of Muncie, John Harmon of Lebanon, and Brandon Forbes of Columbus during a recent rugby practice. (Photo by Adam Seif)

air conditioning technician with Zionsville-based Earl Russell Heating and Cooling Inc., which he co-owns with

ON THE COVER: Jeffrey Russell is the head coach of the White River Rugby Club. (Photo by Adam Seif)

READER’S VIEW

Developer shouldn’t serve on council

Editor,

I am concerned about the inherent conflict of interest when a developer sits on the Zionsville Town Council. We have had town councilors in the past with ties to Zionsville development projects, and, once again, there are candidates in this year’s race that are developers.

As more people move to our beautiful town, land use and development is becoming more concerning among residents, making it more questionable to have developers sitting on our Town Council.

Even if a town council member who is a developer recuses themselves from voting on a development project where they stand to profit, they leave their constituents without a vote.

Additionally, voting on potential tax abatements or incentives that would deprive our schools and police and fire departments of needed funding would be inappropriate because the councilmember

would still be supporting their own project for profit.

Finally, having a developer sitting on the town council risks dampening our town’s potential to secure the best, most competitive development proposals that can complement and add to our town’s beauty, charm and amenities. How likely is it that a reputable out-of-town developer will compete for a bid when there is a local developer sitting on town council?

As Zionsville grows, we deserve to have only the best, most thoughtful and appropriate developments. Having developers sitting on our town council jeopardizes that possibility.

I urge my fellow Zionsville residents to join me in rejecting any Zionsville developer who wants to represent us on town council.

Annette England, Zionsville

Navigating the arc of life

Commentary by Terry Anker

CONSU M E

2023 FALL DINING GUIDE

Consume will be delivered to 130,959 households on Sept. 5, 2023 Its mission is to help our audience get dialed in on where to gather for gastro delights with an autumn focus, among others. It will have meaningful content packaged with targeted advertising messages to help readers choose from among dining and entertainment spots in Carmel, Fishers, Lawrence/Geist, Noblesville, Westfield and Zionsville. There, they can gather with friends and family for fall specials, outdoor dining and football watching, as well as other pursuits. Consume will feature which establishments have fall specials and fall-centric menus, fall-inspired cocktails and fall attractions; it will cover restaurants, bars, breweries and coffee shops. So, Consume, because it’s good for your business!

ESSAY

We leave the world the same way we enter it, naked and alone — so goes the modern retelling of Ecclesiastes 5:15. For those of us who prefer the original, “As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.” Like much of the accumulated wisdom of humankind, the admonishment is open for some degree of interpretation. Is the crux of the message to inform us that worldly possessions do not pass with us into a next existence — reminding us therefore of the folly to build our entire beings around them? Or it could be to better help us to prepare for the natural arc of life?

We begin life nearly helpless and often end it almost the same way. We grow, learn and obtain an ever-increasing set of physical skills until we begin to shrink, forget and lose mastery of our corporal self. In be-

tween, we build a family, a home and a career only to arrive at a point no longer filled with mortgage payments, back-to-school nights, anniversaries and early morning staff meetings. We go from a life of leisure to one of great obligation and back again.

If this curve is assured, what elements of our youth might we anticipate as we slide down the back end of the slope? Children smile effortlessly. They worry little. They are curious and willing to learn without embarrassment. They largely know no shame. They forgive as easily as they love. They take help as offered and let you know how they feel. They eat as they wish and play with their favorite toys for hours. If our return is guaranteed, could we find joy even as we confront the diapers?

Wasn’t exactly fun money

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

“Have a yard sale!” they said. “It’ll be fun!” they said. Alas, dear readers, I naively fell for their hateful lies and recently turned my driveway into a B-grade flea market smelling of sweat and desperation. I did make around $500 and managed to purge more than a decade of accumulated trinkets and trash from our basement and several forgotten closets, but fun? Absolutely not.

HUMOR

For starters, I spent days sifting through boxes and containers sorting everything from old college textbooks to my husband Doo’s outdated hunting equipment into three categories: Throw Away, Keep and Sell/Donate. The thrill of rediscovering a beloved wedding photo was vastly outweighed by the hours hunched over baskets full of discarded Barbie accessories and probable exposure to mold.

Next, I had to haul the junk upstairs, wipe away dirt and spider webs and arrange charming vignettes in such a fashion as to draw the buyer in, to make them think they wanted, nay, needed, a semi-broken train set circa 1998 or a collection of mismatched Christmas mugs. I even meticulously stickered every item with pink price tags in anticipation of a fast-paced, crowded

Saturday.

Of course, then it rained. I nearly stroked out last-minute prepping in my hot, humid garage before finally deciding to postpone it until the following day, when I had to compete with dumb church services and family lunches. Ugh. Where are all the people?

Ultimately, I made some cash and cleared our storage room by half, and Goodwill received two van loads of decent artwork, toys and glassware. But my friends are big, fat liars. Because having a yard sale was definitely not fun.

Peace out.

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

“I had to haul the junk upstairs, wipe away dirt and spider webs and arrange charming vignettes in such a fashion as to draw the buyer in.”

–DANIELLE WILSON

CCP’s musical revue seeks to raise funds for permanent home

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Carmel Community Players will celebrate its 30th birthday Aug. 16.

‘SOPHISTICATED LADIES’

“Sophisticated Ladies” runs through Aug. 20 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

PAULSON AND SCHARBROUGH

PERFORMANCES

A nice gift would be a new home. The acting company has not had a permanent home since it had to leave Clay Terrace in 2018.

Carmel Community Players will hold a two-night fundraiser featuring a musical revue of the works of Jerry Herman called “Jerry’s Girls” Aug. 18-19 at Woodland Country Club of Carmel in the grand ballroom. The reception starts at 6:30 p.m. with the performance at 7:30 p.m. each night. There also will be a silent auction and prizes. Proceeds benefit the CCP Capital Fund.

“For the next 30 years, we hope we only have one new home,” longtime CCP board member Rich Phipps said.

Since April 2018, after its lease was terminated at Clay Terrace, CCP has performed at four different venues: 17 productions at The Cat in Carmel, four productions at the Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville, three productions at the Switch Theatre in Fishers and one at the Carmel Friends Church.

CCP was issued a certificate of incorporation as a nonprofit corporation on Aug. 16, 1993, by Indiana Secretary of State Joe Hogsett, now Indianapolis mayor. CCP performed its first production, “Once Upon a Mattress,” later that month at what was then Carmel Junior High School.

Phipps, a Carmel resident who has been on the board since 2009 and is CCP’s treasurer, attended the first public meeting of the Carmel Community Players in early 1993 before it was incorporated.

“I went to the meeting expecting this group would be saying they are going to put on a show, but they were much more ambitious than that,” Phipps said. “Right from the get-go, they wanted to put together complete theatrical seasons with productions of all ages with musicals, comedies and youth shows. The emphasis

was really on community.

“It’s not just the name, it was fundamental to the whole identity of the organization. CCP people started participating in everything from the CarmelFest Parade, Carmel International Arts Festival and they sang at the farmers market.”

In the past 30 years, CCP has performed 137 shows, along with more than 30 cabarets, talent shows and fundraisers.

There were 23 productions, all plays, at 15th 1st Street NE in Carmel, a 60-seat venue fondly referred to as “Studio 15,” Phipps said.

There were 25 productions, mostly musicals, at the former Carmel Performing Arts Center at 575 West Carmel Dr., which is now Piano Solutions.

Then there were 46 productions at Clay Terrace’s Playhouse, which had approximately 120 seats. The first one was presented in October 2009 and the final one began in February 2018.

“(Clay Terrace) was almost like a permanent home, but we always knew it was year to year on the lease,” he said.

There are several advantages to having a permanent home.

“Some directors only really want to direct shows where they can release on location,” Phipps said. “To pick up a show from a rehearsal site and only move in a couple days before opening night, it limits what you can do. It limits what kind of set

From left, Vickie Cornelius Phipps and Susan Smith (with Marilyn Monroe) in CCP’s 2007 production of “Nunsense” at Clay Middle School. Both actresses will be featured in “Jerry’s Girls” at the CCP Fundraising Gala. (Photo courtesy of CCP)

you can have. You can’t be as ambitious in your vision of the show.”

The Cat, for instance, has a smaller stage, so it limits the cast size.

“From an audience perspective, it gets confusing where you are going to be,” he said. “We lose patrons that way because senior citizens, in particular, might not want to drive all over the place to try to find us.”

Phipps said it’s hard to find directors if they don’t know the production site.

“I’ve only directed a few shows, but I’d never want to direct a show without knowing where we were going to put it on because it impacts everything in terms of the staging and how much room you have and what kind of set you have,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest driver along with controlling your own destiny in putting on the shows when you want to put them on.”

“Jerry’s Girls” features six women with ties to CCP and Herman’s shows, such as “Hello, Dolly!” and “Mame.”

Phipps’ wife Vickie is one of the six performers, along with Susan Smith from Carmel. The others are Fishers residents Diane Tsao and Jill O’Malia, Heather Hansen of Zionsville and Georgeanna Teipen of Greenfield.

Tickets are $75 or $500 for a table of eight. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

Joe Paulson and Sarah Scharbrough will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Freeform Concert Series presents Steve Everett with Jefferson Rinck at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Admission is free for this series. There is a $25 food and beverage minimum per person. Deception: An Event of Magic & Lies’ is set for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 and Nicolas King & Seth Sikes —The New Belters will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

SYMPHONY ON THE PRAIRIE

The Marshall Tucker Band will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 18 and Unforgettable Fire: U2 Tribute Show is set for 8 p.m. Aug. 19 in the Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie in Fishers. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.

“FOUR

OLD BROADS’

“Four Old Broads” will be featured Aug. 1827 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

DISPATCH

Documentary set for PBS showings — “The Addict’s Wake,” a documentary on the opioid crisis in Brown County, is being released nationally on PBS this month. It will show at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 26 on WIPB, the Ball State University PBS station and at 9 p.m. Aug. 31 on WFYI, Indianapolis’ station. Amy Pauszek, a Geist resident whose photo column Where’s Amy appears in Current newspapers, and former Fishers residents Lisa Hall were the producers, and Zionsville resident Michael Husain was the director.

Teacher’s play set for Indy Fringe

By Mark Ambrogi

mark@youarecurrent.com

Despite being an English teacher, Blake Mellencamp confesses he is a “pretty big history nerd as well.”

District Theatre’s main stage at 627 Mass Ave, Indianapolis. Mellencamp portrays the emperor in the play.

COMEDY

That gave the Zionsville Middle School seventh-grade teacher an idea for a play.

“I went down a rabbit hole of exploring what daily life for everyday people in the Roman Empire was like and learned how truly similar some aspects of their culture are to ours today,” Meilencamp said. “For instance, the opening scene of the play takes place in a Thermopolium, which is essentially an ancient Roman fast-food restaurant. The genesis of ‘Pompeii & Circumstance’ really came from seeing that most of the media concerning this time period deals with great leaders and wars, and instead I wanted to try to center the lives of common people in this era.”

Clerical Error Productions presents Mellencamp’s satirical play, “Pompeii & Circumstance,” in the IndyFringe Festival at The

“The more thought-provoking elements of the play come from those parallels between life in the Roman Empire and life in America today,” Mellencamp said. “Whether it’s eating at fast-food restaurants, watching sporting events, checking out a stand-up routine, a lot of things feel like they have direct comparisons to parts of life in the Roman Empire. As the first satirist, Juvenal, who makes an appearance in the play, says, ‘People are placated by bread and circuses.’”

This is the first play Mellencamp has produced on stage; however, he did compose the music for one of Clerical Error’s previous productions, “Father Ned in Space: The Musical.”

Before joining Clerical Error Productions, he hadn’t done any acting since high school.  Performances are at noon Aug. 19; 7 p.m. Aug. 20; 7:15 p.m. Aug. 24; 8:45 p.m. Aug. 26; 5:30 p.m. Sept. 1; and 1:45 p.m. Sept. 2. For more, visit indyfringe.org/festival/.

Time for fall beers

Commentary by Mark LaFay

The kids are going back to school, and in my opinion, that means it’s fall. I know it isn’t officially fall yet. I mean, we haven’t had Labor Day weekend, and the temperatures are still ebbing and flowing between 80 and “make it stop.” But we are deep in the heart of August. Currently, we are wrapping up fall guides, pumpkin beers are coming back on tap, and the smell of pumpkin-spiced bacon (yes, that is a thing) can be faintly detected on the easterly breezes.

One of the many things I love about fall is the food and the beverage. I don’t drink much beer anymore, but I love a good Oktoberfest and pumpkin beer. Judge me. I don’t care. Generally speaking, these Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers are only available this time of year. If you don’t have a favorite, here are four options to get you going.

Upland makes killer beer. Champagne Velvet is my favorite beer. This is a delicious beer that is more of a märzen than a true fest beer. It is malty, crisp and delicious. Grab one at their new tap house in Clay Ter-

race (opening soon).

NEW

HOLLAND ICHABOD

New Holland is in New Holland, Mich. The pumpkin beer, Ichabod, is out of control. It is brewed with real pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg and it is lower in alcohol, which I prefer. This used to be bottle-only but is now available in cans.

BIG LUG

OKTOBERFEST

Available primarily at the brewery and various Sahm restaurants, this is a traditional fest beer that is fuller bodied than a pilsner, light in color and absolutely delicious.

MOONTOWN KING OF TROY

This isn’t a fest beer, it is essentially a Dortmunder in style, which is not as rich as beer. But it is lights-out delicious, and I’ll drink it year-round.

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4021 Millersville Rd., Suite 107A, Indianapolis

UPLAND OKTOBERFEST

Mellencamp

Where’s Amy?

Where’s Amy attended the one-night only performance of “La Casa Azul” Aug. 5 at the Palladium at the Center for The Performing Arts in Carmel. The production was a collaboration with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and the Carmel Symphony Orchestra on Gregory Hancock’s musical about the life of artist Frida Kahlo. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

Where’s Amy attends ‘La Casa Azul’

PUZZLE ANSWERS SPONSORED BY SHEPHERD INSURANCE

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Months: APRIL, AUGUST, JULY, JUNE, MARCH, MAY; Majors: DENTISTRY, LAW, MEDICINE, OPTOMETRY, PHARMACY; Lakes: LEMON, MICHIGAN, MONROE, WAWASEE; Desserts: CAKE, COOKIE, CUSTARD; Deserts: GOBI, SAHARA; Home: GOSHEN

From left, “La Casa Azul” vocal Director Tammy Anderson (Indianapolis), stage director Georgina Escobar (New York City), CSO conductor Janna Hymes (Carmel) and composer, choreographer, producer Gregory Hancock (Carmel). (Photos by Amy Pauszek)

“La Casa Azul” composer, choreographer, producer Gregory Hancock (Carmel) with cast member Jessica Crum Hawkins (Fishers), who played Frida Khalo.

Amy Pauszek is a photographer, award winning film producer and scouting and casting associate for Talent Fusion Agency in Indianapolis. She can be reached at Amy@youarecurrent.com. To see more of her photos, visit currentnightandday.com.

Hard look at lazy words

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

Because Americans value efficiency, we combine multiple words into one super word. One way we do this is through contractions. These words include don’t (do not), we’ve (we have), and can’t (can not). Yes, contractions increase our efficiency, so we have more time to manage our burgeoning stock portfolios while refilling our Big Gulps (for free). But some contractions can be tricky.

wise communicated. The same rule applies for “must’ve” (not must of), “could’ve” (not could of), and “would’ve” (not would of).

GRAMMAR GUY

Have you ever been tripped up by “should’ve?” Should’ve is a contraction for “should have.” For example: I should’ve worn sunscreen when we were at the zoo.

This is a truism for me even on cloudy days. I can get a sunburn through a T-shirt during a solar eclipse.

What about “should of”? As Americans, sometimes we talk so quickly, we say things like “shoulda,” which is an even shorter way of saying “should’ve.” Many people mistakenly think this phrase is “should of.” “Should of” is incorrect and should never be spoken, typed, or other-

If someone you care about uses “should of,” wait until you have some one-on-one time with them, calmly sit them down, and then gently correct them. Please don’t correct them in public; that’s the quickest way to lose friends and end up with a house full of cats (I believe the politically correct term is “fur babies”).

In general, contractions like “should’ve” are still regarded as informal speech, so, if you’re writing your doctoral dissertation or cover letter to be hired as a lawyer, avoid these shortcut words. However, in everyday conversations, feel free to contract away. After all, the First Amendment grants us free speech. And since it’s the first one, that probably means that it’s the best.

A visit to Ketchikan and Revillagigedo Island

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, in our continuing tour of Alaska, we make the first of two visits to Ketchikan.

TRAVEL

Ketchikan is on Revillagigedo Island at the southern end of Alaska’s portion of the famous Inside Passage, a waterway that snakes around the islands and fjords in Alaska’s Panhandle and along the coast of British Columbia.

Before Europeans came onto the island, the indigenous Tlingit people used it for a fish camp. In 1885, an Oregon canning company sent Mike Martin to Revillagigedo Island to establish a salmon cannery, which soon supported a town. Ketchikan, named after the Tlingit name for a creek running through town, was incorporated in 1900. In 1903, the town enacted an ordinance banning brothels from the downtown area, west of Ketchikan Creek. Until they were shut down in in 1954, a number of brothels operated along Creek Street, a boardwalk perched above the east side of Ketchikan Creek in what was then disparagingly called “Indian Town.”

Today, Ketchikan is a picturesque city with a population of about 8,000. Each summer, cruise ships make about 500 stops in Ketchikan’s harbor, bringing in about 1 million visitors. Ketchikan bills itself as “Alaska’s First City” and the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Because of its rainfall, Ketchikan is also sometimes called the “Rain Capital of Alaska.” Ketchikan and the surrounding area include the largest collection of standing totem poles in the

world. Until recently, the Chief Kyan pole in Whale Park near the center of town was featured on Page 25 of U.S. passports. The historic buildings along Creek Street have been restored. The Star Building, named for the star in the center of its maple dance floor, was once the largest brothel in town and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Dolly’s House, another former brothel on Creek Street, is now a museum.

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

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

A view of downtown Ketchikan, Alaska. (Photo by Don Knebel)

The Chief Kyan totem pole in Ketchikan.

39. Pacific Island nation

41. Convent dweller

42. Like a neglected garden

43. “...ish”

44. The Melting Pot concoction

46. Sandra or Ruby

47. “Later!”

49. Flub

50. There are 220 in 44-Down (Abbr.)

51. Corydon’s Spring Wine Walk mo.

52. Jockey rival

54. Coach Parseghian

57. Senior member

59. In addition

63. Purdue campus quarters

65. Lin-___ Miranda of “Hamilton”

67. Local company whose CEO’s name can be found in the puzzle’s circles

68. Mountaineer’s tool

69. Tide type

70. “People Puzzler” channel

71. Pompous walk Down

1.

26. Ray Skillman inventory

27. Fashion Mall unit

28. Taste or touch

31. Demanding attention

32. Finished

33. Eyelid woes

36. “Becoming a vegetarian is a big missed steak,” e.g.

37. Make beloved

40. “The Naked Maja” artist

42. “Those ___ the days”

44. Hoosier Park distance

45. Grecian pot

48. Basile Center performance

52. Macho guys

53. More logical

54. Yemeni port

55. Civic Theatre part

56. Kind of code

58. IU Health VIPs

60. Hawaiian feast

61. Send some pixxx?

62. Bullring bravo

Gawk at the Pacemates

2. Close

3. ___ Drive-In

4. Noblesville lodge member

5. Colts stats

6. Former IND carrier

7. Indy newspaper

8. Included for free

9. Itinerary preposition

10. Comparison words

11. John’s Famous ___ (Indy restaurant)

12. Part of NBA, briefly

13. Appropriate 15. ___ & Young (accounting firm)

19. Japanese garment

22. Pre-Euro currency

23. Indiana’s Lincoln

25. Rope fiber

Butler “Pre-” Majors

Elkhart County Courthouse Home

64. NFL award won five times by Peyton Manning 65. Prefix meaning “wrong”

66. Perform with the Mud Creek Players Answers on Page 15

ARMESON LECTRIC LLC

Boarding/Daycare for Small & Medium Dogs at My Home in Carmel!

Susan 317-432-1627 pawptrl@aol.com

Fenced Yard

24 Years

Experience

Luv the dogs

dogs, kennel upkeep, and other tasks related to keeping our guests happy and comfortable. Hours are from 7 AM to 12 PM or 3 to 8 PM with potential for 18 - 35 hours per week. Part-time Front Desk Assistant: responsible for corresponding with clients through emails ,phone, and in- person as well as various computer tasks. Hours are 8:30 to 11:30 AM or 4:30 to 7:30 PM and as needed. Applicants should have availability on weekdays as well as occasional weekends and holidays. Interested? Have questions

Email:huntclubkennel@gmail.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