October 10, 2023 — Zionsville

Meet Monisha

Monisha Mitchell is proud to call Zionsville home, but she doesn’t just live here. She is invested in our community. “We started worshiping at Trader’s Point Church and moved here soon after.” Then she began serving in the community “Prior to the pandemic I was serving at Wheeler Mission but in 2020 it seemed important to serve close to home.” In 2021 she created a service project for American Heart Month that included a bake sale. “It was great! People in the community bought cookies that I baked for local First Responders and the proceeds went to the American Heart Association.” She went on to serve as co-chair of the charity committee of the Zionsville Mom’s Group, a local nonprofit that supports local children, mothers, and families by creating opportunities to serve, play, and grow together. This year she organized a benefit concert for the American Heart Association, who nominated her as a Woman of Impact. Currently, Monisha serves on the Zionsville Police Department Use of Force Board, Pedestrian Mobility Accessibility Committee and the Hussey Mayfield Public Library Foundation Board.

“What people don’t know is how uniquely qualified I am for the role of Town Councilor.” Monisha has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice

and completed graduate Public Management with a concentration has had leadership roles profit organizations managing employees. She is a times of transition. She was brought in to manage for-profit company with that had been sanctioned previous leadership. bring fresh leadership, structure. It was essentially shut down when I was Nine months later under it was acquired for $4 that skillset to Town talked about experience writing, “I will seek out opportunities and partnerships raising taxes shouldn’t answer.” Monisha created winning suicide initiative drafting potentially life-saving a skill she can bring to drafting ordinances and address the needs of “I live in Zionsville. Zionsville. I shop and So, when I started my made sense to be in when CoHatch rehabbed it was a no brainer.” a Licensed Therapist She specializes in mood

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Founded March 20 2012, at Zionsville, IN Vol. XII, No. 28

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Town council approves 2024 budget

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

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GOVERNMENT

The Zionsville Town Council unanimously approved the 2024 budget during its Oct. 2 meeting. A motion to authorize the town to file an appeal on the council’s behalf for an assessed value levy with the state of Indiana was also unanimously approved.

Mayor Emily Styron and her administration submitted an update for the 2024 budget to keep spending sustainable, necessary and appropriate, support a levy appeal and limit surplus spending. Deputy Mayor Andy Pickell and the town’s financial advisor, Tim Berry, presented the final plan.

Pickell said the administration used councilmember Josh Garrett’s spending plan, which was presented Sept. 18 as a guideline, that reduced spending by an additional $1 million based on his recommendations and discussions with department heads.

The administration accepted a 4 percent cost-of-living increase, a 5 percent 401(a) match and Garrett’s proposal to limit new hires to two for the Zionsville Police Department, two for the town’s department of public works and one each for human resources and finance. Pickell also said ARPA funds might supplement or supplant budget expenses as a future consideration.

“Training all remains in the budget,” Pic-

DISPATCHES

kell said. “Those items, while I understand councilor Garrett’s move to remove them, we understand that without those individual trainings and seminars, some of our employees would (not) be state qualified or remain credentialed in their operation.”

Pickell said the initial plan was to reduce the budget to zero using ARPA funds but everyone working on the budget realized that time was against them when trying to do that.

“In the short time we have left, we (agreed) on $2.7 million worth of reductions from the budget that are hard spends,” Pickell said. “The comprehensive plan is one, and the transportation plan is another. (In total) it leaves the budget line at $1.8 million.”

Berry presented information on the town’s financial standing and where Zionsville is expected to finish 2024 with the new budget. He said that over the last several years, the town has maintained strong financial controls in spending on an annual basis by maintaining and increasing reserve balances.

“Where we anticipate you will end this year is just over $30 million in cash reserves,” Berry said. “You passed a budget last year with a deficit at that time of about $5.5 million, and we anticipate that deficit will be less than $2.5 million given the fact that the town received just under $3 million supplemental local income tax distribution in May of this year.”

Berry said with the budget, he antic-

Community of the Year — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Boone County as Indiana’s Community of the Year. According to the organization, Boone County has been recognized as the second-fastest growing county in the state. Boone County’s achievements include securing nearly $800 million in business expansions over the past five years. Notable investments include Ken’s Foods, NewCold, REGO-FIX, GR Brands, FTIC and Eli Lilly. Boone County will receive the NextEra Energy Resources Community of the Year Award on Nov. 14 at the Indiana Convention Center.

Art show raises $8K for Riley — An art show, featuring work by late Carmel teacher and Westfield principal Robert Brower,

ipates the town finishing the year with nearly $29 million in reserve balances. He also said the town’s biggest impact in the distribution of local income tax dollars is the levy, which is why the budget includes the levy appeal.

“For high-growth communities that have grown faster than the statewide average for a period of two years, the town can submit a levy appeal to have a one-time catch-up period to have enough revenue come in to match the services the town provides,” Garrett said. “I would say getting the levy appeal is our biggest unknown at the moment.”

Garrett said he was pleased with the result and how it was achieved.

“Deputy Mayor Pickell went through a lot of the nitty-gritty stuff, but they did take a lot of suggestions in the last meeting to do that,” Garrett said. “It has been a good process. (The current mayor) allowed Mayor-elect (John) Stehr and Deputy Mayor-elect (Kate) Swanson to come in and give input, so I am appreciative of that because they are going to be inheriting this budget.”

Town Council President Jason Plunkett said Zionsville’s population grew from 14,000 residents in 2010 to 34,000 in 2022.

“We have services that our police and fire (departments) are providing that at times everybody feels like are stretched thin,” Plunkett said. “I would hope that the (levy) appeal goes through.”

The next town council meeting is set for 7:30 a.m. Oct. 16.

held in August at the Carmel Clay Public Library raised $8,195 for Riley Hospital for Children for pediatric cancer research. More than 200 original paintings and drawings were sold at the event, which was organized by the EmilyStrong Foundation, a nonprofit named after Carmel resident Emily Alberts, who received treatment at Riley in 2018.

Large Auction of Small Quilts — The Quilters Guild of Indianapolis will present a Large Auction of Small Quilts at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Zionsville Town Hall, 1100 West Oak Street. Visit quiltguildindy.net to view pictures of the handmade quilts and bags. Proceeds from the auction support the growth and development of quilting in the area through art, education and community.

Pickell

Once-in-a-lifetime experience

FRONT

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Tim gets things done.

Tim is open and transparent.

Tim is passionate.

Tim will work hard for you.

Tim and his wife, Michelle, have lived in Zionsville for a quarter of a century and raised their family here. Zionsville is his forever home and that motivates him to give back to our community.

Service to the community is very important to Tim. Spending thousands of hours coaching and volunteering for Zionsville Youth Soccer Association, he has touched the lives of hundreds of children through sports. Now, he is turning his attention to Zionsville’s future by serving on Zionsville’s Town Council.

Time to Talk with Tim

experiencing totality is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

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“Indianapolis is the closest major city inside the path of totality to Chicago,” said Ken Miller, a retired planetarium director who is helping Hamilton County organiza tions prepare for the eclipse. “So, if it’s like ly to be clear, I would not be at all surprised if 200,000 to 400,000 people in Chicago try to come here.”

Experts are encouraging anyone planning to view the eclipse to plan ahead, from

FRONT

“eclipse chaser” who has traveled to more than 50 nations to witness the phenomenon and has experienced totality more than a dozen times.

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Service to the community is very important to Tim. Spending thousands of hours coaching and volunteering for Zionsville Youth Soccer Association, he has touched the lives of hundreds of children through sports. Now, he is turning his attention to Zionsville’s future by serving on Zionsville’s Town Council.

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Lacrosse club to hold clinic

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Youth Lacrosse Club has been selected by USA Lacrosse to host a Pick Up & Play clinic during the third annual National Celebrate Lacrosse Week. According to ZYLC, the event encourages youth in central Indiana to engage with lacrosse.

Halloween display goes viral

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

A striking Halloween display is turning heads in Zionsville — and beyond.

YOUTH SPORTS SPORTS

The Pick Up & Play clinic will be presented Nov. 5 at Stadium 875, at 4650 S. 875 E., Zionsville. Youth in grades K through 8 are eligible to participate. According to ZYLC, participants will learn fundamental lacrosse skills, engage in drills and exercises and interact with experienced coaches and players.

“We are excited to host the Pick Up & Play clinic and introduce lacrosse to young athletes in Boone County and throughout central Indiana,” said Aaron Walton, president of the Zionsville Lacrosse Club. “This event will provide youth with a fun and interactive experience while fostering their interest in the sport.”

As a 2023 Pick Up & Play clinic host,

Zionsville Youth Lacrosse Club was provided several resources, according to the organization.

“We are grateful to USA Lacrosse for their generous support and guidance,” Walton said. “These resources will allow us to provide a comprehensive and enjoyable experience for the participants.”

To register, visit uslacrosse. secure.nonprofitsoapbox. com/2023-pickupandplay-zlax.

Zionsville resident Michal Owens shared a TikTok video of her Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce skeleton display, and the video went viral, amassing 363,600 views and 119,000 likes at the time. She said she got the idea after news spread that popstar Swift and Kelce, a tight end for theKansas City Chiefs, were dating.

“Our family really loves Halloween and we like to make it fun and clever,” Owens said. “We don’t love the scary and gory stuff. It was originally just a Taylor Swift skeleton with mini-fan skeletons, but after Taylor attended (a) Chiefs game, we knew we had to add a Travis one too.”

The skeleton display is 12 feet tall and sports Swift’s iconic blue dress and Kelce’s Chiefs jersey. Owens said many people have stopped to take pictures with the display, and she credits her husband for keeping the display standing.

“We have a big yard, so when we bought

our house, we decided to do a skeleton display every year rather than decorate the whole house,” Owens said. “A lot of school buses drive past our house, so we are just trying to make kids smile and have fun.”

Owens said she is OK with people taking pictures of the skeletons, but she wants everyone to be safe.

“If anyone wants to take a picture, I just ask that they pull into our driveway and do it safely,” Owens said.

To watch the TikTok video, visit bit. ly/3rEieOt.

The Zionsville Youth Lacrosse Club will hold a Pick Up & Play clinic on Nov. 5 for children in grades K-8. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Youth Lacrosse Club)

The skeleton display features Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, along with Taylor Swift fans. (Photo courtesy of Michal Owens)

Inaugural Fright Nights

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Maplelawn Farmstead is presenting its inaugural Fright Nights event to celebrate Halloween through the end of October.

NO ONE HAS MORE CREDIBLE REVIEWS

The event, at 9575 Whitestown Rd. in Zionsville, will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28 and 31. Tickets are $8 and are only available for specific dates and specific time slots. They must be purchased in advance.

“Mario Clarizia, a neighbor to Maplelawn Farmstead, has been doing Fright Nights at his home for a few years,” Jan Stacy, Maplelawn Farmstead Secretary said. “He had a good response and decided to ask Zionsville Parks and Recreation and Maplelawn Farmstead to host it in a joint venture.”

Jarod Logsdon, superintendent of Zionsvillle Parks and Recreation, said the department is excited to partner with Maplelawn Farmstead on this new event in Zionsville.

“We are excited to bring this new tradition to Zionsville,” Logsdon said. “The Depression-era farmstead is the perfect setting for spooky times and a great oppor-

tunity to highlight all the great work that is being done to preserve the buildings by Maplelawn’s volunteers.”

There will be multiple activities for people of all ages, including a spooky stories barn; a fright barn for ages 8 and up and more. Participants under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and those 12 and older must sign a waiver.

Parking, drop-off and entry are at Mulberry Fields Park, 9645 Whitestown Rd. No dropoffs are allowed at Maplelawn Farmstead. Tickets can be purchased at zionsvillein. myrec.com/info/products/default.aspx.

Celebrating connection

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

On Oct. 4, Zionsville and Whitestown celebrated the grand opening of the Big 4 Trail connection between the two communities.

EVENT EVENT

The trailhead connection is at the intersection of E. 400 S. and Whitestown Road (approximately .5 mile west of the intersection of S. 800 E. and E. 400 S.). The section is nearly 9 miles long.

Dominic Cornett, director of Whitestown Parks and Recreation, thanked elected officials, parks board members and organizations throughout Boone County for supporting the project.

Whitestown extended its portion of the trail by 1.54 miles thanks to a $1.1 million Next Level Trails grant. Zionsville, awarded with a $1.8 million Next Level Trails grant, completed the extension of the trail south to Zionsville Road and north from Heritage Trail Park to the intersection with Whitestown.

“The grant opportunities this program provided turned this connection from an idea into reality,” Cornett said. “It (symboliz-

es) our commitment to a brighter and more sustainable future.”

Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron lauded what the project means to the town, its residents and the Zionsville and Whitestown communities.

“You can really see the difference (the trail systems) have made in terms of mental health outcomes, longevity and pure happiness (for residents),” Styron said.

Zionsville Mayor-elect John Stehr echoed the sentiment.

“(The connection) is a wonderful manifestation of the beginning of a relationship that I hope grows in the coming years,” Stehr said.

Go ahead, ask your neighbors and search the internet, we’re fairly confident the name you’ll hear most for expert chimney repair is Bone Dry. We get a lot of five-star reviews because of our five-star masons. Each one well-versed in all sorts of chimney and fireplace issues. Call us. We’ve been in and out of more chimneys than, well, just about anybody.

The inaugural Fright Nights event will kick off Oct. 20 at Maplelawn Farmstead. (Photo by Jessica Todd)

From left, Eric Nichols, Jared Logsdon, Dominic Cornett, Mayor Emily Styron and John Stehr spoke at the celebration. (Photo by Jessica Todd)

THAN US.

Meet the District 1 candidates

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Republican Bob Harris and Democrat Tim McElderry are running for the District 1 seat on the Zionsville Town Council in the Nov. 7 municipal election.

The candidates answered the following questions from Current:

WHAT

ARE YOUR TOP CAMPAIGN ISSUES?

Harris: My top three campaign issues are preserving Zionsville’s charm, responsible growth and public safety.

McElderry: My entire business career has been in leadership roles where I had to find common ground, build consensus and secure commitment from others who may not have initially agreed with me. Municipal politics do not have to be divisive. People move to rural Zionsville for a reason, and we need to respect that when considering development projects. I will advocate for responsible growth that fits the aesthetic that makes rural Zionsville special.

finances with the information they have. Having spoken with business owners on Main Street, I feel Zionsville is doing well in that regard. A great example is Francis and Parke. They started here five years ago and have now moved into a larger space because of the success they enjoyed. I would describe Zionsville’s financial health as good, as reflected in the calls I’ve received regularly from businesses wanting to locate here. We need to do everything we can to help them find properties already zoned for their use.

McElderry: Zionsville is very healthy financially. Our reserves are near 60 percent, well above what the Department of Local Government Finance recommends. Sure, we would benefit from a greater commercial presence to bring better balance to our tax base, and we could be more accurate with our budgeting process by identifying and prioritizing the needs of the town before setting our budget for the next 18 months, but we are in a strong position. I look forward to representing Zionsville as an attractive place for businesses, retailers and restaurateurs, so the homeowner doesn’t have to carry so much of our tax bill.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE IF A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN ZIONSVILLE IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD SUPPORT?

WHAT

ARE ZIONSVILLE’S GREATEST STRENGTHS? WHERE DO YOU SEE AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT?

Harris: Zionsville’s strengths have always been our schools, the quaint Main Street business district and safety. We need more amenities for families in Zionsville, including more restaurants, grocery choices and better parks and trails that connect.

McElderry: Without question, Zionsville’s greatest strength is its people. Zionsville benefits from a mix of urban and rural districts. Main Street and the Village are defining attractions for Zionsville, as are the beautiful neighborhoods that draw homeowners from all over the world to live here. Sometimes lost in the discussion about Zionsville’s strengths is the rural setting that is incredibly important for the environment, wildlife and so many Zionsville residents that prefer to live in the country. Finally, our parks, retailers, restaurants and welcoming atmosphere are special compared to many of the municipalities north of Indianapolis.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ZIONSVILLE’S FINANCIAL HEALTH?

Harris: The town council deserves a lot of credit for how they have handled the town’s

Harris: I would get the truth and facts about the development, check how it matches up with the comprehensive plan, meet with the people it affects most, find out their concerns and weigh the benefits it brings to the town.

McElderry: I believe an elected official is first and foremost responsible for representing the people that elected them. My support for a development project will lean heavily on the opinions of the people of our town, specifically District 1. I understand that development is necessary for a town to thrive, but anything we do must look and feel like it belongs in Zionsville. In District 1, that means it needs to fit the rural aesthetic that makes our rural community special. We have one chance to get it right with any development project because we are stuck with the footprint of whatever we approve forever.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR VOTERS TO CONTACT YOU?

Harris: www.harrisforzionsville.com

McElderry: timforzionsville1.com

For an extended version of this questionnaire, visit youarecurrent.com.

Harris

McElderry

HSE sophomore has been key to girls soccer team’s success

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern High School sophomore girls soccer player Sloane May has made up for lost time.

Hampered by an ankle injury her freshman season, May has been a force this fall.

Entering the sectional, the forward had five game-winners for Hoosier Crossroads Conference champion Hamilton Southeastern this season. She had teamhighs of 10 goals and seven assists.

“Sloane has a knack for taking players on and finding her goal,” Royals coach Greg Davidson said. “When the game is on the line, Sloane has certainly stepped up for the Royals. Her biggest improvement is that although only a 10th-grader, she is willing to take the team on her shoulders and get the big goal when needed.”

May said the team focuses on grit. “We’ve had a few games when we’ve gone down and I think us working together

MEET SLOANE MAY

Favorite athlete: Mallory Pugh

Swanson

Favorite subject: Spanish

Favorite musician: Drake

Favorite vacation spot: Costa Rica

and persevering has been really good for us,” May said. “We’ve been able to get some last-second goals in to secure the win.”

May was a starter as a freshman but sprained her ankle in the opening game.

“It bothered me, and I was never strong and healthy for the season,” May said. “I played four or five games but was hurt in all of them. (The sprain) was just reoccurring.”

She said she did physical therapy and has been healthy since December. She plays

club soccer for Indiana Premier Soccer Club.

“There are a lot of girls on my club team that play on my high school team,” May said. “Just being able to play with them and play with them in high school, too, has been

much chemistry. We’re working together and encouraging each other. I know the other players have been key for the mental aspect for me and on the field.”

May said it’s helped that she and her teammates play against a high level of competition year-round.

“We push each other in practice to play high intensity and push each other in games because we know what we’re capable of,” May said.

May said she started playing soccer when she was 3 years old.

“I played volleyball and basketball, but I’ve always enjoyed soccer more than other sports,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to succeed in soccer and focus on soccer so I could pursue my goals.”

She stopped playing basketball in fifth grade and volleyball in sixth grade.

“I’ve been fortunate with amazing soccer coaches throughout my entire journey, which have helped me create a passion for soccer and helped me pursue my goals,” said May, who wants to play soccer in college.

Her younger sister, Sydney, plays soccer

Sloane May has been a clutch performer for the Hamilton Southeastern High School girls soccer team. (Photo courtesy of Marcus Laux)

what changing the world looks like, one invention at a time.

The Zionsville Lions Club held its Strides for Diabetes Awareness 10K run, 5K walk/run and 3K family fun walk Sept. 23. Tuxedo Brothers Event Management helped the ZLC Diabetes Committee organize the race. The race began at the ZLC Clubhouse and went through part of the village, down village neighborhoods and connected with other trails. The trails were lined with questions and answers about diabetes. The 10K run overall winners were Scott Sauer (top left), and Erika Sauer (top right), and the 5k run overall winners were Monty Andrew (bottom left) and Amber Lee (bottom right). For more about the Lions Club, visit zionsvillelions.com. (Photos courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

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Treating Shoulder, Hip & Knee Pain

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Carmel, IN 46033

My most embarrassing moment

Commentary by Ward Degler

The most embarrassing moment of my life happened when I was in third grade, and I blame Sears and Roebuck for it.

PLAIN TALK

When their fall catalog arrived, my mother noticed they had reduced the price of knickerbockers. She ordered three pairs for me.

I didn’t know what knickerbockers were, but when they arrived, I knew I was in trouble. They ended just below the knee, and Mom ordered three pairs of socks to match.

It would have been OK at some Ivy League private school or in England, where kids wear knickerbockers and fancy knee socks. But we were living in the Missouri Bootheel.

The kids in my class wore patched blue jeans or bib overalls. Several of them came to school barefoot. Not because they wanted to but because they had no shoes.

To make matters worse, I was also the new kid in school. I prayed for invisibility. When that didn’t work, I prayed for a level-five earthquake to destroy the school.

What I got were fights.

After the first couple of fights, I could dust off the shirt and knickerbockers and straighten the knee socks. But after the third or fourth, things changed. The elastic ripped in the knickerbockers, and now the pants sagged around my ankles.

For some reason, the fight squad lost interest in me after that, and something remarkable happened. My pockets ripped out, and I discovered I could carry just about anything in my pants legs. My jackknife, slingshot, lunch money and all of my marbles sank to ankle level and made a strange crunching sound when I walked.

The bib overalls group thought it was funny, the teacher stopped calling on me to go to the blackboard and solve the arithmetic problems and my mother swore she’d never buy me nice clothes ever again.

I was happy.

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.

COMMUNITY

DISPATCHES

Bottled Water Drive — In partnership with the United Service Organizations, the Knights of Columbus at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church in Zionsville will have a Bottled Water Drive. This initiative aims to provide hydration and support to the men and women of the armed forces who serve our country. The Bottled Water Drive will run the weekend of Oct. 14 and 15. Drop off water to the marked trailer in the church parking lot, 1870 W Oak St., Zionsville.

Band Concert — The Zionsville Concert Band, a nonprofit community band, will hold a free concert at 4 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Zions ville Fellowship Church, 9090 Oak St., Zions ville. No tickets are necessary for this event.

Observe The Moon — Celebrate Observe the Moon Night with the Indiana Astronomical Society. Speak with professional astronomers, observe the moon through a telescope and participate in a moon-inspired craft for all ages. Come early, at 6:30 p.m., to enjoy a presentation on Owls of Indiana by the Zionsville Nature Center. The actual event begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Mulberry Fields, 9645 Whitestown Rd. Register at bit.ly/3PQJb9U.

Pumpkins and Hayrides — The Zionsville Lions Club will hold its annual Pumpkins and Hayrides event from 2-5 p.m. on Oct. 22 at Zionsville Lions Park, 11053 Sycamore St., Zionsville. There will be hayrides, pumpkin painting, food, games and more. There will also be a costume contest for pets and kids. For more, visit zionsvillelions.com

Trick or Treat Trail — From 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28, trick or treat for candy from local businesses, roast s’mores over a bonfire and go through the spooky woods at Anson Acres Park, 4671 Anson Blvd., Whitestown. For more, visit whitestown.in.gov/ community/parks-and-recreation/events/ halloween-trick-or-treat-trail/

Trick or Trees — From 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 28, join Zionsville Parks and Recreation to roast marshmallows by the campfire, enjoy fun fall activities and mad scientist experiments and more at 165 Elm St., Zionsville, zionsville-in.gov/598/Special-Events.

Ask Zionsville — The Town of Zionsville recently announced the launch of AskZionsville. com which will serve as a hub for all questions related to the town. People can search submitted questions by topic or submit questions and the town will respond. Others will be able to view the responses, too.

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FAST TIMES

Zionsville West Middle School student excels at BMX racing

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Zionsville West Middle School student

Aiden Tuell recently celebrated his 12th birthday in a special way — by winning first place in his age category at the Sept. 24 Indiana State Championship USA BMX Finals.

The state finals were in Portage in northern Indiana at the Imagination Glen BMX Track. And Sept. 24 — the last day of the two-day competition — happened to be Tuell’s birthday.

“The race was fun, but it was the race I was most nervous for,” Tuell said. “On the second day of competing, I was in fourth place overall and first for the novice category.”

Tuell, who only began competing this year, won first place overall in his age category at the championship and placed second in the state championship series overall for the season in the 12 Novice/Intermediate category. The occasion was his first time competing in a state finals race.

At age 7, Tuell, who lives in Whitestown, took an interest in BMX racing, a sport his father used to participate in. He started practicing at the BMX Indy Cycloplex in Indianapolis.

“I raced in Tennessee as a kid and enjoyed it,” said Tuell’s father, Brian Tuell. “The sport started to go away when mountain bikes came about, and people got into that. I was excited when Aiden took an interest in it because it was so fun when I was a kid. There is so much technology now, such as the components to build a bike.

“I don’t want to spend money on hotels and travel and have him (get) beat because someone has a better bike.”

Brian Tuell said Indy Cycloplex has programs and beginner classes where people can rent bikes and try the sport. Aiden’s parents bought him a bike this year when his interest grew.

“My dad and I were talking about getting a bike, and I started practicing a lot more once I got one,” Aiden said. “After that, I got an even newer bike, and that’s when I decided to do a couple of local races. When they had a state race at the Cycloplex, I

tried that out and liked it, so I started competing in state races.”

Aiden’s mother, Angela Tuell, said Aiden began practicing in 2018 and began taking intro classes at Indy Cycloplex. It was not until April of this year that he started to practice seriously and compete in state competitions.

Aiden is involved in other activities, including football. He also takes piano lessons. He has two siblings, which can make juggling practice time difficult during BMX and football seasons.

“Racing season is from April to September, and my football season also just ended. I had practice for that on Mondays and Wednesdays,” Aiden said. “My BMX practice was on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours, but I usually only go once a week because we are all involved in many activities.”

Because the final round of the Sept. 24

state finals was on his birthday, Aiden had to move to a different age category right before his race.

“When we got to the track on Sunday, because of my birthday, instead of being in 11 Novice, I moved up to 12 Novice right before the state finals, so I was kind of nervous to be in a new division,” Aiden said. “We knew I would move up soon, but we did not know it would be that day.”

According to his mother, the competitors run two or three qualifying races, depending on the number of competitors. The last race was for the championship.

“I qualified first to go to the main race, and we had to wait a long time for the rest of the qualifying races to finish,” Aiden said. “I went from fourth to second in the 12 Novice/Intermediate category and won first overall for my age division.”

Aiden said his favorite part about BMX

racing is going to different races and trying out new tracks. He also likes to meet new people at competitions.

His parents said they like the sport because no competitor has to sit on the bench. They also appreciate the support of the entire racing community.

“Everybody there is competing, and nobody has to wait for playing time like in other sports,” Angela said. “He plays other sports, but we like the individual part about BMX racing because when he wins, it is on his own, and he did it all himself.”

Angela said the experience has been fun for the entire family.

“It has been fun, and as a parent, I am happy he is doing something he loves and that we get to support him,” Angela said. “It is weekends away, but our other two kids come and support him. It is a dangerous sport, which makes me nervous, but we enjoy watching him.”

During the offseason, Aiden wants to visit an indoor track to practice and continue going to Indy Cycloplex for lessons and classes when he can.

“My long-term goal is to get better and move up in the ranks,” he said. “I’d like to become a professional bike rider one day. Nobody I go to school with does it, but a couple of my friends are interested in it, and I would like more kids to get involved.”

THE AIDEN TUELL FILE

Age: 12

Grade: Sixth

Residence: Whitestown

School: Zionsville West Middle School

Hobbies: Football, piano, riding bikes

Favorite color: “My favorite colors are black and red because they are my racing colors.”

Current bike: GT Factory Bike

Favorite track: Burdette Park BMX Club, Evansville

ON THE COVER: ZWMS student Aiden Tuell practices BMX at Indy Cycloplex in Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of Angela Tuell)

Aiden Tuell, 12, won first place in his age category in the Indiana State Championship USA BMX Finals Sept. 24. (Photo courtesy of Angela Tuell)

Prevent fall hiking injuries

Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan

In Indiana, October is one of the most beautiful months to enjoy the fall foliage by hiking trails. Before heading out, you’ll want to take the proper precautions to avoid foot or ankle injuries. Check out my three tips for hiking safely.

PODIATRY

PROTECTION

Uneven surfaces, branches or rocks on the path can cause you to misstep, leaving you with a sprained ankle and causing you to walk back out on that injured foot!

Protect yourself by picking a high-top hiking boot with plenty of ankle support. Strong, well-insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer excellent ankle and foot support that helps lessen stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. The supportive shank decreases strain on the arch by allowing the boot to distribute impact as the foot moves forward. So, if a boot bends in the middle, don’t buy it.

BLISTERS

To prevent blisters, socks and boots should fit securely, and it’s best to break

boots in by wearing them around the house or on short walks. Keep your feet dry by choosing sweat-wicking athletic socks for the first layer. For the second layer, wool socks absorb moisture, add warmth and provide cushioning. Use Band-Aids or padding to protect sensitive areas and avoid further irritation. If a blister pops, wash the area with clean water, then apply antibiotic cream and cover to prevent infection.

OVERUSE

Pain usually occurs from overuse, even from just walking. If you’re not accustomed to walking on sloped or uneven ground, your legs and feet will tire and cause muscles and tendons to ache. Rest if your feet start hurting to avoid a serious injury, such as a severe ankle sprain or an Achilles tendon rupture.

If you injure your foot or ankle while hiking, see us immediately.

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.

In search of equilibrium

Commentary by

Terry Anker

Trying to keep my brain alive

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

ESSAY

The squeeze is on. It happens in most things. A competitive sporting event might find the participants in a vice between a soon-to-expire clock and a run down the field that might require more than the time remaining. The young paramour might find his inability to make a decision at odds with the object of his affection’s desire to elevate their relationship to something more permanent. The pressure to commit is palpable. At home, many of us feel the tension between increasing prices and stagnant income. How can we hold our position against the forces pulling against us? Are we doomed to living a lower standard of life than we were just a few weeks ago? Can we stop the bleeding?

That cabal of bankers around the world that sets the rates of interest for borrowers of all sorts has continued to ramp up the cost of debt. For Americans, it tends to manifest most immediately in credit cards, where the rates can move up without constraint. One of the nation’s largest pro-

viders of consumer credit now demands 25.24 percent interest on balances and 29.99 percent for cash. A loan shark might blush. Affordable payments that were once attacking principle are now insufficient to cover interest.

In December of 2021, many — including this writer — called out the looming problem on the horizon. To be sure, some of us overspend, some are debt-free and others still are caught in the vortex of changes to their financial situation that are beyond control and prediction. The question, it might seem, is how and if we share in the cost? Do we demand higher wages, thus higher costs of goods and services for our customers? In turn, do they do the same? Who sacrifices the most? With winners and losers, what is the best equilibrium?

Jumping through Hulu hoops

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

I am so irritated right now. I just wanted to have a nice morning sipping coffee and Googling dream vacations while Ryder Cup matches played quietly in the background. But no. Stupid Hulu has decided to mess with me, and my husband, Doo, has made it worse. Here’s the lowdown. For some reason when I switched on the TV, Hulu asked me to sign in. This is an annoying process that includes — but is not limited to — tracking down a crazy password that consists of numbers, letters, symbols, swear words and the blood of a sacrificial lamb. Doo insisted I use a generated one, and he changes it periodically because god forbid someone hacks my “Handmaid’s Tale” streaming account. Anyhoo, I hail Doo as he’s heading for the door, and he tells me to open Last Pass. What the heck is Last Pass? “I helped you set it up. It has all the passwords.” He is correct. He did. I found it buried among my apps and discovered three different passwords for Hulu. I picked one at random and painstakingly used the remote to enter it, deftly toggling between 17 screens and

HUMOR

“For some reason when I switched on the TV, Hulu asked me to sign in. This is an annoying process that includes — but is not limited to — tracking down a crazy password that consists of numbers, letters, symbols, swear words and the blood of a sacrificial lamb.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

praying I capitalized the middle Q. Denied. “It didn’t wooooooorrrrk!” I whine.

Eyeballing me like I’m a dummy, he showed me his phone, where Hulu is condescendingly open. “Try it on your computer,” he said. I did, but it signed me in automatically. “Log out and reenter everything.” Login failed. Then Doo left, mumbling he didn’t have time for this nonsense, and I was left with only my coffee and Google, no calming British accents or green grass in sight. Sonofa! Stupid Hulu. Peace out.

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

I love to walk up and down the bookstore aisles occasionally removing something from the shelves to sample, hoping it fits my tastes. The people at Barnes & Noble are totally OK with this, but that habit has gotten me kicked out of Kroger about six times.

HUMOR

Recently, I decided to search the shelves for a book that might help me address a problem I am facing. My memory is not what it used to be. I tried Prevagen, but that was a total waste of money. They tout the product as made from jellyfish, one of the few animals in the world with no brain.

I did find one book, “Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises.” The authors, Larry Katz and Manning Rubin, contend that there is not enough unpredictability in our lives. So, the book encourages you to use each of your senses in new and innovative ways. One of the author’s suggestions is to brush your teeth with your nondominant hand, thus creating new neural pathways. I tried it one night and found the experience instructive. I then used my other hand to clean the toothpaste out of my nose and inside my ear.

To enhance your appreciation of good food, says Katz, stick plugs in your ears. This permits you to fully enjoy what is on your plate, focusing only on taste. I totally forgot to tell my wife, Mary Ellen, I was doing this, so I didn’t hear a word she said during dinner for almost a week. Fortunately, she didn’t notice the difference.

The book also suggests that to fully

experience the texture of food, you should hold your nose when you eat. My wife did notice this on that first night when she had prepared what I assume was a delicious dinner. She was not happy, but I got a nice note from Grub Hub thanking me for all my subsequent take-out orders 10 nights in a row.

There is also a chapter on sex. Katz encourages you to have a romantic dinner with your partner, and “to be sure to enjoy some flowers and candles.” I choked down a few rose petals, but the candles made me gag. For another novel experience, Katz suggests you switch cars with a nearby friend for a day so you can have a new tactile experience behind the wheel. Of course, remember to tell your neighbor before you do this, or you can then look forward to really feeling something new: Your hands cuffed behind your back.

My favorite suggestion is to eliminate the traditional grocery list. Instead of jotting down the name of each item, write a description instead so you can fully appreciate its qualities. I tried that. On my shopping list, I wrote, “It’s about the size and shape of a soccer ball, tannish, heavily veined and dimpled.”

I was talking about a cantaloupe, but it sounded a lot like my rear end.

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.

“My memory is not what it used to be. I tried Prevagen, but that was a total waste of money. They tout the product as made from jellyfish, one of the few animals in the world with no brain.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

ATI co-founder Farrell embarks on next performing journey

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Don Farrell is ready for the next chapter of his performing career.

BEEF & BOARDS

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through Nov. 19 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘THE PROM’

PERFORMANCES

Farrell, a co-founder of Carmel-based Actors Theatre of Indiana with Judy Fitzgerald and Cynthia Collins, resigned in September. Collins resigned in the summer to concentrate on her job in the musical theater department at Anderson University. Fitzgerald has taken over as artistic director and Darrin Murrell has joined as associate artistic director.

“It’s a new phase of my life,” Farrell said. “It’s been a great ride with ATI. I’m proud of all the accolades, successes and accomplishments that the organization has been able to accomplish in the past 18 years. I’m excited to see what new opportunities might open up for me. I’m looking to pursue more of my acting and performing career and exploring new projects and ideas I’ve had on and off during the past 18 years. Sometimes there are some great ideas to pursue but you just don’t have the time to do it.”

The 54-year-old Westfield resident said it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

“I truly love everybody that I’ve been able to work with and all the new friends and acquaintances, whether it’s the artists, the artisans, the patrons, the sponsors, the donors, the directors, the designers, the staff and the board,” Farrell said. “Everybody I’ve worked with is lovely. I don’t want to let anyone down.”

Farrell said he wants to use his talents in other ways to perform for the community.

“I love this community,” he said. “I’m heartfelt about that. It’s just been a great community to be a part of. I want to find ways to give back. Hopefully, these ideas and projects may benefit one arts organization but possibly more than that. We’ll see where the journey takes me and what opportunities open up. There is a lot of

faith and trust and a lot of excitement in this new chapter in my life. I’m very proud of all the work at ATI. It was literally blood, sweat and tears for all three of us. I’m very excited for the future of ATI. I love ATI. I always have and always will. I’m still going to help when I can. Hopefully, in the future, people will see me on that ATI stage — just in a different capacity.”

Farrell said his relationship with Feinstein’s has been very successful. He previously had performed his Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow shows at Feinstein’s.

Farrell has three Feinstein’s shows scheduled with his collaborator Terry Woods. They will perform tributes to Tony Bennett Oct. 12, Neil Diamond Nov. 9 and

“A Sinatra Christmas” Dec. 13. He also will play the role of the narrator in a “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 1-22 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre.

Farrell also has some private events scheduled for the rest of 2023 and has

committed to shows in 2024 that have yet to be announced.

“I’ve been auditioning for some other plays and theater companies, so I’ve been excited about being able to do that,” he said.

Farrell said the idea of leaving ATI to pursue other options has been on his mind for a while. He said there was so much administrative work that he didn’t have a great deal of time to devote to his craft.

“The talents and gifts we’ve been given in our life are not ours but given to us from God,” Farrell said. “I think a true sin is to not take the talents as best you can.”

Farrell had previously set up Crossroads Entertainment LLC as his production company. For more, visit crossroads-ent.com or Crossroads Entertainment’s Facebook page.

For private events, contact thisisdonfarrell@gmail.com

Civic Theatre’s production of “The Prom” is set to run through Oct. 21 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

ROBERT CRAY BAND

The Robert Cray Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Don Farrell will present “Because of You ... a Tribute to Tony Bennett” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and Ben Johnson and Ron Abel present a tribute to Frank Sinatra at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

“WISH YOU WERE HERE”

“Wish You Were Here: The Sight & Sound of Pink Floyd” will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

“DON’T TELL ANYBODY THE SECRETS TOUR”

Lucinda Williams and her band will perform presents its “Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets Tour” at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

“TROILUS & CRESSIDA”

Bard Fest’s “Troilus & Cressida” will conclude with performances Oct. 13-15 at The Cat in Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

CELEBRACIÓN DE ESPAÑA

The Indianapolis Opera will present Celebración de España, a fundraiser and a celebration of music, opera and art, set for 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Don Farrell will perform with pianist Terry Woods at Feinstein’s. (Photo courtesy of Don Farrell)

NIGHT

DAY

Lab series features ‘Liars Bench’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Julie Lyn Barber looks forward to seeing what changes a reading might bring to her play.

Barber’s musical “The Liars Bench” will be presented as part of Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Lab Series. The play will be presented as a free reading at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at Carmel Clay Public Library. The Lab series helps playwrights receive feedback on their work.

each of the character’s specific voices and three-dimensionality.”

The story is set in the 1920s in a small town that hasn’t progressed as much as the rest of the nation.

READING Barber

“(The reading is) such a gift,” Barber said. “It’s always so helpful to hear it out loud and to be able to see audience reactions in real time, in addition to the opportunity to hear their thoughts about it after the reading. My goal was to wrap some heart into a comedy so that it’s an evening spent laughing, that sends you away with a bit of nostalgia. There’s no way to know if that goal is near achieving until there is an audience involved. I’m also very excited to have such a skilled group of professional actors interpret the characters. It really helps me in developing

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“I grew up in a small town in Canada. My husband grew up in Selma, Indiana, which is where my kids went to school,” Barber said. “I used to work in Farmland, Indiana, and one of our favorite places to visit is the small town of Nashville in Brown County. Frank Hohenberger’s photographs of the people of Brown County provided inspiration for several of the characters in the play.”

Barber said the play has had several readings through the years.

“The piece has changed significantly after each reading,” said Barber, who is the head of musical theater at Purdue University Fort Wayne. “The last one was a staged reading with students at Western Kentucky University, after which the cast size was significantly pared down to focus on the three sets of siblings.”

Registration for the free tickets is on Eventbrite. For more, visit atistage.org.

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Appliances: BLENDER, MICROWAVE, MIXER, OVEN, STOVE, TOASTER; Palindromes: KAYAK, LEVEL, MADAM, RADAR, ROTOR, STATS; Snacks: MILK DUDS, NACHOS, POP CORN, SKITTLES; Reptiles: LIZARD,

TURTLE;

BOOK BY BOB MARTIN & CHAD BEGUELIN

The Edwards Twins return

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Edwards Twins sold out their first appearance at Feinstein’s in Carmel last year.

PERFORMANCES

“The promoter said then next year we’re going to do two shows,” Anthony Edwards said.

Identical twins Anthony and Eddie Edwards, 58, will present “The Ultimate Variety Show” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20-21 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael.

Some new additions will be in their repertoire.

“We’re doing Elton John from the ‘70s, the ‘80s and the 2000s era,” Anthony said. “That’s a new thing we put in the show and it’s blowing the audience away. We’re also bringing in Bette Midler, which is also brand new. The Bee Gees will be coming. John Fogerty is another new one.”

Anthony impersonates all the male performers while Eddie portrays the females.

“Eddie’s favorite character is Barbra Streisand because he has been doing that the longest,” Anthony said. ‘That’s really a character people just go crazy over.

Eddie Edwards is well known for his Barbra Streisand impersonation. (Photo courtesy of Anthony Edwards)

Anthony said two of his favorites to impersonate are Elton John and Andrea Bocelli.

Anthony said it was natural for Eddie to impersonate females because he spent years touring the world as part of La Cage aux Follies.

It was Carol Burnett who suggested the twins combine their acts.

“She was very instrumental in getting the act started,” Anthony said. “She had seen me in Toronto, and we became good friends. She then went to see Eddie and was so enamored with him, she asked him to be on ‘Carol & Company.’ Eddie was on the first season of that show. After we got endorsed by her, it absolutely skyrocketed.”

For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

LYRICS BY CHAD BEGUELIN

MUSIC BY MATTHEW SKLAR

BASED ON AN ORIGINAL CONCEPT BY JACK VIERTEL

Authors present ‘Summer Stock’ legacy at Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

More than 50 years after her death, Judy Garland’s legacy lives on.

BOOK DISCUSSION

Film historians Tom Johnson and David Fantle will discuss their book, “C’mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock,” at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“There is worldwide fandom for Judy Garland that is very robust to this day,” Fantle said. “People are endlessly fascinated by her life.”

The lobby will open at 5:30 p.m. for the book signing. Fantle and Johnson will give a 15-minute talk before the 7 p.m. screening of the movie and a brief Q&A after the screening. Tickets are $10 for the presentation.

The book, which will be released Oct. 16, includes extensive interviews with the cast, crew and writers involved in the production.

It’s fitting that the book release is held in Carmel, where the Great American Songbook Foundation is headquartered. Fantle said Songbook Foundation founder Michael Feinstein provided great insight into Garland’s career. There will be an archival display of materials relating to Garland’s life and legacy, donated to the Songbook Library and Archives by her daughter and fellow Songbook Hall of Fame member Liza Minnelli.

Fantle said there is a lot of significance to “Summer Stock.” It was Garland’s final film after 15 years at MGM.

“The film was beset with behind-thescenes issues,” Fantle said. “Judy was part of the reason that there were delays and production delays. But we really go out of the way to tell the entire ‘Summer Stock’ story and make sure there were other factors beyond Judy’s own personal issues that caused these production delays. We have to have empathy for Judy at this stage of her life.”

Fantle said during filming in 1949 and into early 1950, Garlands marriage to movie director Vincent Minnelli was on the rocks. Their daughter Liza was a toddler then. She had concert appearances and radio

recordings.

“She was just worked to the bone,” Fantle said. “She also had a growing dependence on prescription medications. It was the perfect storm.”

Fantle said while the movie is not as well-known as other Garland films such as “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Easter Parade,” there are more wonderful musical numbers jammed into the 108 minutes than virtually any of the famous MGM musicals. The film ends with one of Garland’s iconic songs, “Get Happy.”

“Most people don’t realize that Gene Kelly’s all-time personal favorite solo tap dance is in ‘Summer Stock,’ so there are a lot of compelling reasons why we thought this story should be told,” Fantle said.

Fantle and Johnson began researching the golden age of Hollywood in 1978 when they were starting as college journalists at the University of Minnesota.

“We had the tenacity, hutzpah and dumb luck to have face-to-face interviews with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly,” Fantle said.

They saved money to go to Los Angeles, where they had interviews set up by requests through the mail. They also had interviews with “Summer Stock” director Charles Walters, co-star Eddie Bracken and Harry Warren, the musical’s primary songwriter.

Those initial interviews weren’t only about “Summer Stock,” but all touched on the musical. The authors had the foresight to save the old cassettes from those interviews.

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Fantle

Johnson

The book cover of “C’mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock.” (Photo courtesy of Dave Fantle)

WE PROMISE YOU’LL GET AT TACHED TO THESE.

FROM LOADING AND UNLOADING TO CUTTING OR GRADING

An expanding vocabulary

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

The folks at Merriam-Webster have been hard at work keeping the dictionary relevant for a new generation of vibrant verbophiles. The new class of 690 words promises to keep M-W a real page-turner.

As you can see, the English language is alive and well, as its words, phrases and meanings continue to evolve. Allow me to introduce to you a few words from the class of ‘23.

• Doomscroll: to spend endless time scrolling on your phone. I’m an expert doomscroller, seamlessly switching between Instagram, Facebook and Reddit. While the youngsters prefer TikTok, I prefer to watch reposted TikTok videos on Instagram.

• Doggo: a dog. My doggo, Socks, is a 1-year-old cockapoo who likes stealing food from my 1-year-old son.

• GOATED: G.O.A.T. stands for “greatest of all time,” and the phrase “GOATED” (in all caps) has evolved to encom-

pass anything that is clearly superior to other things in its category. Depending on your perspective, Michael Jordan is the GOAT of basketball, while others consider LeBron James to be the GOAT.

• Jorts: jean shorts. There’s nothing inherently wrong with jorts, but they have come to be associated with men over the age of 40. The best place I’ve found to see the most jorts per capita is at the Indy 500. Whether they’re cutoffs or born that way, jorts are a mainstay among American motorsport fans. While some may scoff at the slang terms and online lexicon added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, new words keep a language fresh and exciting. I, for one, think the English language is really bussin’ (extremely good).

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

GRAMMAR GUY

AP12F Pallet Forks RC2072 Rotary Cutter BB5072 Box Blade

1. IU profs’ helpers

4. Ham it up 9. Nike rival

13. Scannable bars, briefly

14. Postpone

15. Fundamental 16. Gen-___

17. Hang loosely

18. Palladium to-do, e.g.

19. With 56-Across, Clay County facility where you can find 9-, 34-, 41- and 67-Across and 30-Down

22. Singer Lana 23. Young newt

24. Katz Sapper & Miller audit pro

27. Viking Ship Museum city

28. Indianapolis Indians fielders’ gloves

31. Awl, for one

mascot

36. White River angler’s string

38. Rokita, Hill and Zoeller, initially

40. Word-of-mouth

41. Cub Scout newcomer

43. Blunder

45. Run away

46. Like the Hanna Haunted House

48. Indiana Senate staffer

52. “___ chance!”

53. Okla. neighbor

54. Black eye, informally

56. See 19-Across

59. Show reluctance 62. Come next

63. MashCraft brew letters

64. Offed

65. Ford flop

66. Lucas Oil Stadium restroom sign

67. Colt foe

68. Go-getters

69. Finish Down

1. Fishers HS prom wear

2. Highest points

3. Rolled up document

4. ___ Merlot’s steakhouse

5. “Oh,

Waterpark

26. PC key

29. 401(k) kin

30. Golfer Woods

31. Part of ATV

33. Earl Grey, e.g. 35. Dove’s sound 36. “Damn Yankees” siren 37. “Yeah, right!” 39. ___ Lanka 41. Pal 4 life

42. Plum Creek Golf Club pegs 44. Carmel firefighter, on occasion 47. Surpass 49. Eventually

Dredge, say

Gofer’s task 53. Shore bird 55. Shoe parts

Destroy

Cancel out

Latin 101 verb

lordy!”

6. Uwe Blab’s “little” brother (at 7-feet), who played at Evansville

7. Masking or duct

8. Shoelace hole

9. Do I-69 roadwork 10. “For Official ___ Only” 11. Hr. part

12. Perform at The Belfry Theatre

15. Not straight

20. Beat the Pacers decisively

21. “In that case...”

24. Coca-___

25. Place to do laps at The

3 Indiana Dunes Reptiles

2 Largest Indiana Cities

5-Letter Palindromes

1 ISU Sports Teams Nickname

ISP option

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Integrity Automotive is looking for a full time automotive technician. In business for 28 years in downtown Carmel with a solid, happy customer base and a positive, goodnatured work environment. The best candidate is a motivated, well-organized technician with at least three years hands on experience in automotive diagnosis, problem-solving and repair. Able to interpret and apply diagnostic/repair information from computerized databases and other sources. Also able communicate clearly and effectively with your supervisor, your fellow employees and, as needed, with customers. A complete job description is available with a request to frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net. We offer competitive pay with a Monday through Friday work week and (after 90 days) up to four sick/personal days per year and paid holidays. To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net 40 S Rangeline Rd Carmel Indiana 46032 www.IntegrityAutomotive.net

Monisha Mitchell

graduate programs in and Social Work in leadership. She roles in many nonmanaging over 100 proven leader in She explained she manage a struggling with a state contract sanctioned under “I was able to leadership, programing and essentially going to be was asked to step in. under my leadership $4 million. I will bring Council.” Monisha experience with grant out unique funding partnerships because shouldn’t always be the created an award initiative that involved life-saving policies, to Town Council by and policies that of the community.  Zionsville. I worship in and play in Zionsville. my business, it just Zionsville. Then rehabbed an old church, Monisha has been for nearly 20 years. mood disorders

and trauma. “Every day, people share with me the worst times of their lives. I consider it a sacred honor and my clients strong and brave.” Monisha connected her work as a therapist to her role as a Town Councilor, “I respectfully hold space for the emotions and experiences of others. I think we need to see more of that in leadership.” She went on to say, “Through my work, I experience the resilient nature of the human spirit and it gives me hope.”

Monisha acknowledges the challenges Zionsville has experienced the last 3 ½ years. “It is a pivotal time for our town. We need fresh leadership” says Mitchell.  Monisha is concerned as well about the division and what it means for our country and our community. “From the halls of Congress to our own Town Hall, we are the people. We elect leaders not because they are better or smarter, not because they belong to one party or another. We elect leaders to lead with ‘we’ in mind, not special interests, developers or PACs.” Monisha encourages people to be engaged “This year, we the people will elect our local leaders. Our elected officials in these races aren’t in DC, they are around the corner and up the street. It’s up to ‘we the people’ to decide who will represent Zionsville. I hope to have the opportunity to represent and serve District 3.”

Vote Mitchell for Zionsville