September 12, 2023 – Zionsville

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Founded March 20 2012, at Zionsville, IN Vol. XII, No. 25

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30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444

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Town council approves Rail Trail funds, reviews chamber budget request

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Town Council met Sept. 5 at Town Hall to discuss several ordinances, and new Zionsville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Hanlon introduced the chamber’s 2024 budget requests.

What happened: Recently appointed Zionsville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Hanlon presented the organization’s top priorities for 2024.

What it means: The chamber’s top five priorities are member engagement; marketing and promotion; business advocacy; economic development programs; and community events and initiatives. Its request is to increase its 2024 budget for community events to $75,000 and for marketing and technology to increase to $45,000. Hanlon said the money requested is to support essential initiatives and community events to attract new businesses, visitors and potential investors to Zionsville.

What’s next: The council will consider the request after reviewing at the 2024 budget plan.

What happened: The council had a final ordinance reading regarding solicitation permits.

What it means: At the Aug. 21 meeting, the council approved the Zionsville Police Department and councilmember Craig Melton’s request to update the town’s House-to-House Solicitation Ordinance. Council attorney Heather Harris said they have cleaned up the ordinance, making it easier to read. They also added a 30-day business permit ($100) to align with the 10-day permit and 120-day permit. They also included in the prohibited actions that an individual could not solicit from any property owner listed on the town’s do-not-solicit list.

What’s next: The council approved the ordinance with the updated amendments.

What happened: The Town of Zionsville Parks and Recreation Department and the Board of Parks and Recreation requested an appropriation of additional funds to complete improvements to the Big-4 Rail Trail.

What it means: According to Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Jarod Logsdon in 2022, the department had the necessary funding to complete all of the Big-4 Rail Trail expansion projects, but in 2023, the department failed to appropriate some of those funds for the Parks Capital Project. Construction of the section of the trail between Bloor Lane and Mulberry Street paused, and equipment going to the tunnel and back destroyed the existing portion, making it unsafe for public transit. The two options would be to get the additional funding and complete the project this year as planned or move it from the 2023 planned activities to next year.

DISPATCHES

Correction — In the Sept. 5 edition of the Consume special session, the church hosting Pumpkinfest and Oktoberfest on Oct. 7 in Zionsville is St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church.

Flea Market — Hoosier Village Retirement Community will hold their Fall Flea Market / Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 14, 15 and 16. The sale includes furniture, household goods and a little bit of everything else except clothing, all at bargain prices. The entrance to Hoosier Village for the sale is through the gates at 5300 W. 96th St. or the Zionsville Road Gate.

White-Out Party — The Boys and Girls Club of Boone County will hold a White-Out party for 7th and 8th grade students on Sept. 15 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is $40 per person and the event will include a DJ, dancing, a Wind Bubble experience and snacks and refreshments. This event will be held at the Whitetown Unit, 5964 S 700 E, Whitetown. Tickets are available now at bgcboone.org/event/ whiteoutparty/?blm_aid=157256706.

Tox Drop Collection — September Tox Drop Collection will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Zionsville Municipal Services building, 1075 Parkway Drive, Zionsville. This is for Boone County residents only. No business or industrial waste will be accepted. For more information about accepted materials visit boonecountysolidwaste.com or call 765-483-0687.

Banquet — The Zionsville Fall Great Banquets will be held at Zionsville Presbyterian Church. The women’s banquet is Sept. 21 - 24, and the men’s banquet is Sept. 28 - Oct. 1. Both the men’s and women’s banquet are for those 18 and older. There will be food and fellowship. Registration is required and is $20 per person. To register, visit zionsvillegb.org.

ZLC Strides — The Zionsville Lions Club will hold a 5K Walk/Run, 10K Run and new 3K Family Fun Walk on Sept. 23 at 8:30 a.m. This event is to bring awareness to diabetes. Packet pickup and onsite registration will be held at the Zionsville Lions Clubhouse at 115 S Elm St. on Sept. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sept. 23 from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. To register early, visit getmeregistered.com.

Opinions

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

What’s next: Some of the town council members acknowledged the importance of the trail but were frustrated with the lack of budgeting previously done for the project. The council approved the appropriation of an additional $300,000 to complete the project.

Blessing Box — Saint Francis In-the-Fields Episcopal Church recently replaced their food blessing box with a larger new box designed by local Girl Scout Troop 4038 as a community project. The Blessing Box has been providing food for the community since 2017 and is located outside of the church parking lot along the driveway to the Boys and Girls Club. A rededication of the box will be held from noon to 2:15 p.m. on Sept. 24 at St. Francis. The event will include the rededication, food trucks and a community showing of the 30 minute film “The Working Hungry.”

Lamenting the end of summer

Commentary by Ward Degler

Summer’s gone. Deader than a doornail. I know, because Sept. 4 was Labor Day.

PLAIN TALK

Sure, technically we still have a couple weeks left before the autumnal equinox, the official end of summer. But the real in-your-face end of summer was always Labor Day. That was because the next day we went back to school.

All summer we had slept in, ridden our bikes, gone swimming, and done the thousand special things guys did in summer.

The last week of August was the most intense. We knew we had only seven days left to squeeze the final ounce of fun out of the season.

We had already driven to St. Louis to shop at Famous Barr and Stix Baer & Fuller for school clothes. That included new shoes that would wear painful blisters into our heels. I never understood why we couldn’t just wear our summer tennis shoes to school. After all, they were comfortable, fast and could continue to remind us of summer fun well into the school year.

Naturally, the memory always faded about the middle of October, and school became the norm by the time November rolled around. Somewhere around Thanksgiving, I realized I actually understood the Bill of Rights, was able to diagram a compound sentence, and was really into the “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

Then sometime after Christmas when the days became 90 hours long, and the snow melted and that special fragrance filled the air signaling the return of spring, we found ourselves in the midst of a major transformation. Suddenly, we were a year older, and we could smell the return of summer.

After school those days we worked on our bikes, oiled the chains and touched up the paint. Some of us made lists of things we would do come summer. And we waited.

I’m older now, of course, and school clothes are but a memory. Still, I grit my teeth when Labor Day rolls around because I know in my heart that summer is over.

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.

Work begins on Rahal HQ

social club,” stated Graham Rahal, own er and president of GR Brands. “There is a lot packed into our two buildings, but we are excited about all we can offer the community.”

Rahal said the GR Brands headquarters is relocating to Zionsville because of his affinity for the town. He moved to Zionsville 10 years ago.

“It is a small town with a lot to offer, and I believe that relocating to Zionsville is not only beneficial to our companies and

clients but also to the town,” Rahal stated. “(Zionsville) is growing rapidly but will never lose the small-town atmosphere. It is a very tight-knit community, home to so many small businesses, which is important to us since our companies fall in that category.”

Rahal said the headquarters will create nearly 175 jobs, including in the retail and dining services.

Construction is expected to be finished by January 2025. It will be accessible to the public and have a members-only social club.

Graham Rahal Brands celebrated the groundbreaking of its new headquarters in Zionsville (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Chamber

Zionsville quarterback develops accuracy, pocket presence

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Zionsville Community High School senior Luke Murphy keeps growing as a quarterback.

“On the field, the thing I’ve improved on most is pocket presence,” Murphy said.

Murphy said his decision-making on when to stay in the pocket and when to run or get rid of the football has improved.

“(The improvement) comes both from his development in the offense, his willingness to take coaching and also his knack for making plays if things break down,” Eagles coach Scott Turnquist said. “He knows he can count on the guys around him to make plays for him as well.”

In the first three games, Murphy completed 73.3 percent (44 of 60) of his passes for 546 yards for the Eagles (2-1).

Turnquist said Murphy has embraced his role as a leader.

“His play has commanded the respect of

MEET LUKE MURPHY

Favorite athlete: Joe Burrow

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite TV show: “Family Guy”

Favorite musician: Drake

his teammates and he has developed vocally as well,” Turnquist said. “His teammates know they can count on him to give everything he has to help the team be successful and they listen to his experience. He has continued to develop his understanding of the offense in all phases and is growing every day as a pocket passer.”

Last season, Murphy was the backup quarterback and played safety.

“I think his time last season at safety helped him develop his understanding of the

game overall and what defenses are doing, which helped a lot in his quarterback play as well,” Turnquist said.

Murphy said playing safety helped him learn to recognize different coverages.

As a junior backup to Christian Abney,

Murphy completed 40 percent of his 60 passes. As a sophomore, he started for part of the season when Abney was injured and completed 110 of 176 passes (62.5 percent) for 1,421 yards to help the Eagles reach the Class 5A state title game before losing to Cathedral.

“I think the time as a sophomore helped a great deal so that he knew what to expect from the high-quality opponents in our conference and what to expect week in and week out,” Turnquist said.

Murphy said he was understandably nervous as a sophomore.

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Murphy said. “I had a lot of talented players around me. We were able to have success and that has helped me a lot this year.”

Murphy said he is fortunate to have a talented group of receivers, including seniors Wrigley Bumgardner, Ryan Skura, Mason Riggins and junior Eugene Hilton, son of former Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton.

“We got our timing and chemistry down in the offseason and it’s helped a lot,” he said.

Murphy, who also is a catcher for ZCHS baseball team, said he would play football in college if he gets the right opportunity.

Zionsville Community High School senior Luke Murphy keeps developing his quarterbacking skills. (Photo courtesy of Tom Marron)

Murphy

ZCHS PRESENTS 16TH ANNUAL CLUB FAIR

Zionsville Community High School held its 16th annual Club and Activity Fair Aug. 25 at the ZCHS Field House. Approximately 75 clubs had displays. For the event, any student-led club that is active in the school was encouraged to set up a display booth. The officers and leaders of the clubs sat at the booths during the fair. All students in grades 9-12 were given time out of class to attend the fair and stop by the club booths to find out more details about the clubs. The clubs had their call-out meetings the following week for students to attend and join the clubs that interested them. (Photo courtesy of ZCHS)

Ride helps families battling cancer

DO FIVE STARS MATTER? NOT IF YOU WANT A ONE-STAR ROOF.

DO FIVE STARS MATTER? NOT IF YOU WANT A ONE-STAR ROOF.

By Jessica Todd news@currentzionsville.com

For 16 years, Josiah’s Ride: Cruzin 4 A Cure has been sponsoring children and families who have dealt with blood cancers.

MEDICAL

This year’s annual event — presented by the nonprofit Zionsville American Legion Riders — is at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 23, beginning at the American Legion in Zionsville, 9950 E. 600 S.

To date, the event has raised more than $200,000. This year, the ride will benefit the family of 6-year-old Rileigh Woodard, of Lebanon who is battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The event began in 2007, when the Zionsville American Legion Riders met the family of Josiah Nelson, who is now a healthy 24-year-old Purdue University graduate.

“My son was 6 years old at the time, and he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia,” said Josiah Nelson’s mother, Susan Nelson. “The Zionsville American Legion Riders told the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society they wanted to do something to give back to kids with blood cancer, and they gave them our name.”

This year’s event will benefit the family of 6-yearold Rileigh Woodard.

Since then, the event has sponsored 20 families whose children are battling blood cancer.

The event will open with breakfast at the Zionsville American Legion before riders take to their motorcycles for a ride to the Crawfordville American Legion. The day also includes dinner, a bounce house and a band in the evening when the motorcycle riders return. There are also raffles and a silent auction throughout the day.

To register or to make a donation, visit Facebook page, Josiah’s Ride: Cruzin 4 A Cure.

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(Photo courtesy of Josiah’s Ride: Cruzin 4 A Cure)

HEALING SOUNDS

Musical event designed to raise awareness for mental health

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and one Zionsville family intends to spread awareness with an upcoming musical event.

In November of 2021, Zionsville residents Randy and Angie Eugenio lost their 19-yearold son Tate, who died by suicide. In his memory, they are organizing a concert to raise money for local nonprofits in an effort to end the stigma surrounding mental health.

The inaugural Music2Heal event will be presented at 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center. Zionsville musicians, past and present, are coming together for a benefit concert to highlight the importance of mental health in honor of Tate.

“My family and I are all music lovers, and Tate was no exception,” Angie said. “His middle school teachers guided him to the drums, and it was the perfect fit.”

Tate Eugenio graduated Zionsville Community High School summa cum laude. He was attending Purdue University to study computer engineering at the time of his death. He was active in sports and music from middle school to college.

Tate’s mother’s goal was to create an event that would allow bands to perform while raising awareness for mental health.

“Tate had a short battle with mental health, and our family struggled to find the best way to help him and (find) the correct resources,” Angie said. “We do not want that for any other family. We do not want anyone else to go through what we did.”

Tate played in a band called The Fragments, which will perform at the event.

“I have been wanting to allow bands to play and raise money for mental health for a while now, and it took a minute to find the right idea,” Angie said. “It was a dream, and I did not know how to make it a reality.”

Angie contacted Isaac Spillman, an arts administrator and educator who was thrilled about the idea of doing a benefit concert. According to Angie, the Zionsville community has been extremely supportive. Music2Heal will feature performances by Six Foot Blonde, Remember June, The Fragments, The Papercuts, Barrett and other

bands. During intermission, local mental health nonprofits will be on-site to give presentations.

“At the event, we will be previewing an upcoming documentary titled ‘Racing to Respond’ that features Tate’s story,” Angie said.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Tate Eugenio Memorial Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Boone County. The money raised will also go to mental health organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Health, Zions-

ville Alliance for Mental Wellness and the American Society for Suicide Prevention.

“I have worked with the nonprofits we have chosen during our journey with Tate,” Angie said. “All of them offer great resources, and I look forward to shining a lot on everything they offer.”

Angie said she would love for Music2Heal to become an annual event, but for now, her focus is on making the first one a success.

“My goal for the event is to fill all the seats and give the performers a great audience,” Angie said.

Above all, Angie said she hopes the event raises awareness of the resources the Zionsville community offers for mental health.

“This event would not be possible without the eagerness of performers to participate,” Angie said. “I am so grateful for everyone who has come together to make this event happen. I hope our event helps make it safer to talk about mental health and gives the community a chance to enjoy a night of music.”

IF YOU GO

What: Music2Heal benefit concert

When: 7 p.m. Sept. 30

Where: STAR Bank Performing Arts

Center, 1000 Mulberry St., Zionsville

Tickets: $10 for students, $15 for adults

Where to purchase tickets: Visit zionsvillepac.ludus.com/index. php?sections=events&widget=1

ON THE COVER: The inaugural Music2Heal event will be presented at 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center in memory of Tate Eugenio. (Photo Illustration)

(Above) Tate Eugenio was part of a band called The Fragments, which will perform at the event. (Right) Tage Eugenio was inspired to play the drums by his middle school teachers. (Photos courtesy of Angie Eugenio)

Fall prevention tips

Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan

NEW 3K Family Fun Walk for Diabetes Awareness

year and your hearing and inner ear health every other year.

5. Remove hazards from your home. Remove items you can trip on, like throw rugs, boxes or cords.

PODIATRY

September is Fall Awareness Prevention Month. Fall prevention is critical since falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injury for older Americans. This month, I’m sharing tips on protecting you and your loved ones from dangerous falls.

1. Examine your feet. If you notice any changes in the shape of your feet, make an appointment with our office immediately.

2. Wear shoes that keep you safe. Choose rubber or nonskid soles that fit well. Athletic shoes and shoes with low heels are good choices.

3. Check your medications. Talk with your primary care physician about your medications at every visit. How your body reacts to medications can change as you age, so certain medicines that were once fine may increase your fall risk.

4. Check your vision and hearing. Problems with sight or hearing can lead to falls. Get your eyes checked once a

6. Exercise. Simple stretching exercises help you maintain strength, balance and mobility. We can help you determine which activities are best for fall prevention.

7. Improve your balance by wearing orthotics or foot braces. These devices will give your ankle extra support while walking. Orthotics put your foot back in the ‘neutral’ position for more stability while walking. For some of our patients, orthotics will offer sufficient fall prevention. But if you are at high risk, we offer a fully customizable balance brace.

A board-certified foot surgeon and wound specialist, Dr. David Sullivan is the owner of Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC. Contact him at drs@ westfieldfoot.com.

THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM GUILD’S HAUNTED HOUSE PRESENTED BY

Consider ranked-choice primary voting for less extreme candidates

Editor,

Every four years another presidential election rolls around, and it seems we always have to choose between two candidates we don’t like. Is there a way out of this mess? One approach is to use rankedchoice voting in our primary elections. Our current voting system has a tendency to elect extremists. For example, suppose there are eight moderate candidates and one extreme candidate. If 20 percent of the voters support the extreme candidate, the remaining 80 percent of the votes are divided among the eight moderate candidates, giving each about 10 percent. So, the extreme candidate wins, even though most of the voters may strongly dislike him or her. With

ranked-choice voting, this problem is less likely to occur, because voters can specify their second choice, third choice, etc.

Many people are not aware that there are several types of ranked-choice voting. The best known is “instant runoff.” But there is a better system called Borda count. In Borda count voting, if there are nine candidates, your first choice gets nine votes, your second choice gets eight votes, your third choice gets seven votes, etc. This is simpler to understand than instant runoff and more reliable.

Everybody agrees that we need fair and dependable elections. Switching to ranked-choice voting could be a big step in that direction.

Brian Schmidt, Carmel

Marie Russell, hammertoe patient

“With ranked-choice voting, this problem is less likely to occur, because voters can specify their second choice, third choice, etc.”

– BRIAN SCHMIDT

Alternative ideas of Labor Day

Commentary by Terry Anker

predecessors.

Take the ‘Joy’ out of passwords

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

getting out.

ESSAY

Our summer months are nicely bookended by Memorial Day at the beginning of May and Labor Day wrapping it up with the arrival of September. The solar system would tilt the days a little later on each end, but we manage to get in our sunny days in the Northern Hemisphere, more or less, in this window.

Tradition would dictate that natty dressers only wear their whites in this period. The more relaxed among us might find the weekends the perfect time to bust out the open flames and host epic family barbeques. For many scores of others, these demarcations on the calendar signify the opening and closing of their cottage on the lake or camp in the woods. The balmy, long days bring us out into nature. It is good. We spend too much time indoors. Still, there are an increasingly precious few who use the days to memorialize those who have valiantly served our nation or recognize the labor contributions of our

By 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September a federal holiday to recognize the work of unions and their organizers. Private companies were exempted from the edict for decades, and some unions urged for local strikes where it was not voluntarily recognized. Interestingly, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the number of people not working because of a labor dispute is at its highest level since 2003. Hollywood, baristas and auto workers are pushing for improvements to their positions. Picket lines, parades and protests may return as a central feature. Rampant inflation, pandemic emergencies and changing culture may cause it to signify more than just the end to summer.

Funny thing about grief

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Many longtime readers will remember that I lost my father to cancer in 2020. Yah. Like I needed another traumatic experience to handle that year. By the fall of 2022, however, I was far enough on the other side of grief to forget his deathiversary (copyright pending) entirely. “Why are my sisters so sad today?” But for whatever reason, his 2023 date hit me hard. Comically hard. You’re welcome.

HUMOR

I hadn’t slept well the night before (our black Lab is still in her cone and perpetually bouncing off walls) and the coffee was doing nothing to dispel my grumpiness. I turned on the TV to catch the F1 qualifying rounds (dumb Netflix has made me a junkie for hot guys in fire-retardant jumpsuits) and suddenly began crying. Dad had started watching it in the months before he died, and I have vivid memories of him trying to explain it to me. “Your only competition is your teammate!” It made no sense, just like my unexpected weeping.

Then I decided to practice yoga, but that also backfired. I felt increasingly vulnerable as I tried to slow my breathing and discover my inner chi and soon found myself sobbing in downward dog. Mindful meditation was namaste no-go.

I made it a tear trifecta later that morning in a Chick-fil-A drive-thru when I learned that Jimmy Buffett had passed. Dad was a latecomer to the smooth tunes of “Margaritaville,” but it was the soundtrack of our father-daughter road trip to Florida in 2019. “It’s been my pleasure to serve you, even with mascara running down your cheeks.”

Grief is funny sometimes, especially for me.

Peace out.

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

My wife, Mary Ellen, is extremely concerned about identity theft and is urging me to change my passwords. Many of the words we create to log in are what a website might call “weak passwords.” I thought I used some pretty nifty ones in the past. For example, I once used Joy1959 for my ATM account. Joy was my girlfriend back in those days. I knew this was a very good password because even Joy didn’t know she was my girlfriend.

I tried putting in BOB, who’s my best friend, but they just hated that. The prompt said: You have to be kidding.

HUMOR

If it’s been a while since you changed your passwords, the sites will now give you specific directions:

• It shouldn’t be personal data.

• It shouldn’t be a pet’s name.

• It shouldn’t be a person’s name.

• It shouldn’t be a past address.

• And everyone knows you had a crush on Joy.

Then they warn: Be sure you remember your password. If you must write it down:

• Don’t write it on your wall.

• Don’t put it in a computer file.

• Don’t put it on a sticky note.

• Just memorize it, OK?

They don’t like old passwords, but I tried to revive JOY1959. It rejected it not only because it was weak, but because someone else was using it. I always suspected there was another guy back in those days. Now, I had the proof.

Then I tried my birthday. I got a prompt: Very weak, claiming it was too easy to figure out. I think I look younger than my age, so this really annoyed me. Also, no one has remembered my birthday in 40 years, so I wasn’t concerned about that information

No, I needed a strong password, so I put in HERCULES. It was rejected as weak. Then I tried SAMPSON. This time, very weak. I don’t think the people at this website have read their mythology. But it did answer the age-old question of who was stronger.

At one point, I just ran my fingers haphazardly across the keyboard.

Very strong, said the prompt, followed by, Please remember to write your new password down.  Write it down? I had no idea what I typed. Was it KKDFJHG%$, or was it YQWOKW?0&?

I finally found a password that was acceptable. It was deemed very strong. Then the website asked me a series of personal questions in case it ever needed to confirm my identity,

What was the name of your first girlfriend?: (Joy. Wait, now I’m thinking it was Judy).

Your best friend’s name: (It was Bob, but lately he has ticked me off).

A strong fictional character: (Wait, wait, don’t tell me -- Mighty Mouse).

Here’s my new password: J&U*HY*&^JG%^JOY. I’m giving it to you just in case I can’t remember it. Please put it in a safe place.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES

Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.

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

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

“No, I needed a strong password, so I put in HERCULES. It was rejected as weak. Then I tried SAMPSON. This time, very weak.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

“ I felt increasingly vulnerable as I tried to slow my breathing and discover my inner chi and soon found myself sobbing in downward dog. Mindful meditation was namaste no-go.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

Center Celebration funds education programs

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Center for the Performing Arts is renown for bringing a variety of entertainers to Carmel each year.

‘GRUMPY OLD MEN’

“Grumpy Old Men” runs through Oct. 1 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

FUNDRAISER

Yet just as important to the Center’s mission is educational programming.

The Center Celebration, the Center for the Performing Arts annual gala fundraiser, is set to begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Palladium. Headlining the gala is six-time Grammy Award winner Amy Grant.

Julia Shildmyer, the Center’s director of education and community engagement, said fundraising is vital to the programming.

“We keep our education program affordable and several of them are free to attend,” she said. “We couldn’t do that without the money that comes in from the gala. If we don’t have a sponsor for the program, then the money we raise from the gala goes to covering the cost of the education program. The education program in a nonprofit is never a big income generator. It really is mission-driven.”

Some of the educational programming includes Child & Adult Music classes.

“We have programs that range from babies all the way to the elderly,” Shildmyer said. “We had a gentleman a couple years ago who was 91 who participated in our Group Vocal Coaching class. It was a bucket list item to sing in public and he did that on World Voice Day.”

Shildmyer said the Center has different entry points into the performing arts from the novice, intermediate and advanced.

Among the novice ones are the Peanut Butter & Jam series, primarily for ages 1 to 7, and Beginner Ukulele.

Shildmyer said there are master classes for the advanced.

There also are programs for those who might want to have nonperforming roles. Some of the programs for adults include Intro to Stand-Up Comedy and Group Vocal Coaching.

Carmel resident Donna Skeens said she is delighted to be a part of the Palladium Bookies.

“I joined at the very beginning and look forward to our book discussions and making many new friendships,” she said. “All that is required is to read a book every other month and join the rest of the club in the West Lobby of the Palladium. Where else could I find such interesting people and a magnificent venue like that?”

Skeens enjoys the Luminaries program and said it might be one of the best-kept secrets in Carmel.

“This is a program in the early afternoon that meets bimonthly as well,” Skeens said. “Local musicians, artists, comedians and actors present programs that you might not see or hear anywhere else in the area. A $10 ticket certainly makes the events well worth your time.”

Westfield resident Maggie Adams and her 2 1/2-year-old daughter Kendall have participated for a year in the child and adult music classes, a five-week music and movement class for toddlers and adult caregivers offered a few times a year.

“She loves it. It’s one of our favorite activities that we do together,” Adams said.

“She has really blossomed in that class. When she first joined, she was really shy and actually cried the first time. Now, to see her just playing with all the instruments and showing a genuine love and

curiosity for music is incredible.”

Kelly Fischer’s son Noah, 22, is blind with autism and developmentally delayed. Fischer was the camp coordinator for the Prism Project at the Center, which was held in the summer of 2023 for the first time. The program involves taking people with disabilities and coordinating with performance arts instructors in dance, music and theater. Fischer said the participants create their own show.

“He’s been involved in Center programs since we moved back to Carmel in 2018,” said Fischer, a Carmel High School graduate. “I think everyone who goes to the Center goes for the wide variety of opportunities there and finds their own special connections. The thing I love is Noah finds more of the adult activities like concerts and the Group Vocal Coaching class to be not only enjoyable but he gets something out of it. But because of his unique disability, he also enjoys programs like Peanut Butter and Jam. When I first tentatively reached out if I could bring him, everyone was like, ‘that would be great.’ He was welcomed with open arms even though he is obviously much older physically than the average fan of that program.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Ann Hampton Callaway presents “Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration!” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Melinda DeRocker and her Jazz Trio’s performance is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘TRUE TALES OF THE PARANORMAL’

Life with the “Afterlife: True Tales of the Paranormal” with Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni is set for 8 p.m. Sept 16 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

IWS names new music director

editorial@youarecurrent.com

The Indiana Wind Symphony has chosen Jay Gephart as its new music director to lead the group in the 202425 season.

Gephart is the second music director in the symphony’s 26-year history. He is a professor at Purdue University and serves as Al G. Wright Chair of Purdue Bands and Orchestras. He also is the director of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band and the Purdue University Wind Ensemble, as well as the past president of the American Bandmasters Association and current chairman of the board of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Gephart will replace music director and founder Charles Conrad, who will retire following the 2023-24 season.

For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org/ events.

The Peanut Butter & Jam series is one of the many educational programs the Center for the Performing Arts offers. (Photo courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

Register

The O'Connor House Baby on the Way 5K

Sunday,

Singer well-suited for Feinstein’s

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Melinda DeRocker’s love of the Great American Songbook is rooted in her childhood.

“My parents influenced me strongly in this golden era of popular music in the U.S. because this was the music of their courtship and marriage right in the middle of World War II,” DeRocker said. “I really began to dive into it in the last year of my mother’s life about 12 years ago. I wanted to give her a gift for her last Christmas on Earth and decided to record some standards to give to her, and in doing that project I decided the next year to record a full album in 2013 and then began singing these tunes with a group of jazz musicians from New York City where I lived.

DeRocker will sing some of the tunes from the 2013 album, “I’ll be Seeing You,” but with new arrangements.

“I’m constantly trying fresh approaches to the songs from this iconic era of music,” DeRocker said. “I was singing many of these standards when I was a teenager with my mom at the piano and began back then to not only have an appreciation for this music but to see it as timeless for every generation to come.”

DeRocker said she will share stories behind some of the songs and the composers who wrote them. She will be accompanied by a jazz trio of Gregory Jones, bassist, Jeff Ciampa, guitarist, and Tom Jennings, pianist.

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“It felt like I was just coming home musically, kind of full circle back to those teenage years when I would sing these songs with my mom.”

DeRocker will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Feinstein’s in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.

DeRocker said two of her favorites, Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and Hoagy Carmichael’s “The Nearness of You,” are always popular with the audience. The performance will be DeRocker’s first at Feinstein’s.

DeRocker, who released a Christmas album in 2018, performed at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt in December 2022.  For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

NIGHT & DAY Beef & Boards offers variety

editorial@youarecurrent.com

and I,” which runs April 4 through May 19.

PERFORMANCES

The word for Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s 2024 season is “Beautiful,” as the Carole King musical highlights a schedule of classics, popular movie-based musicals and a celebration of four of America’s greatest musical artists.

VIP memberships for the 2024 season are now available, while 2024 season individual show tickets go on sale to the general public starting Oct. 1.

In January, Beef & Boards presents the humorous celebration of women and the change with “Menopause, The Musical,” running Jan. 5 through Feb. 4.

The inspiring true story of Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical show is on stage Feb. 8 through March 30.

Returning to the Beef & Boards stage for the first time in more than 20 years is the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, “The King

The Beef & Boards’ 2024 Family Show’s “The Wizard of Oz” runs May 23 to July 7. Dorothy Gale discovers friendships and adventure along the Yellow Brick Road and ultimately learns the valuable lesson “there’s no place like home.” “The Wizard of Oz” features $10 discounts off tickets for all children ages 3-15.

Beef & Boards goes blonde for the summer with “Legally Blonde the Musical,” running July 11 through Aug. 25.

The true story of the spectacular night when four stars aligned in Memphis, Tenn., is celebrated with the musical “Million Dollar Quartet,” set for Aug. 29 through Oct. 6.

One of musical theater’s most beloved musicals, “Fiddler on the Roof,” returns to the Beef & Boards stage from Oct. 10 through Nov. 24.

On stage for the holidays is the movie-turned-musical “A Christmas Story,” set from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31. Young Ralphie Parker lives in a fictional Indiana town and is on a quest to obtain his most desired Christmas gift, a Red Ryder BB gun.

For more, visit beefandboards.com.

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37. WTTV military drama

40. “Milk’s favorite cookie,” according to ads

41. Wild hogs

45. Duke Energy unit

46. Eiteljorg Museum Western tribesman

47.

23. Go one better

24. Cold War inits.

27. Chest muscles, briefly

31. Destroy documents

32. Big shoes to fill

33. ___ gin fizz

35. Dog in Oz

36. Preschool basics

37. Slangy refusal

38. Local Catholic high school

39. Overstayed one’s welcome, say 42. Ticked off 43. Local Catholic high school

44. Cold Stone Creamery ice cream serving 46. Website ID

47. R-V link 50. Wrap up by 51. Kremlin denials

54. Indiana House creations

Picturesque

48. Tube top?

49. Rats and mice

52. Pontiac muscle car

53. Coral island

55. Spike Lee’s alma mater, for short

56. Governor Holcomb’s rejection

57. Flight suit letters

58. Indiana Senate staffer 60. ___ throat

61. Sketched 62. Winter wear

63. Hamilton County Court jury member

64. Hoosier Park figures

65. Severs

66. Part of Q&A Down

1. Keep company

2. They may be fine or liberal

3. ___ Plaines, Ill.

4. “Get lost!”

5. Civil rights org.

6. Chapel Hill sch.

7. “Wow!”

8. Crackers Comedy Club bit

9. Still on the plate 10. Local Catholic high school

11. Camper’s spike 12. Local Catholic high school 15. Pond growth 19. Dirt + water

20. GPS suggestion

22. Explorer of kids’ TV

on

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