February 27, 2024 — Zionsville

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Town council, mayor give comprehensive plan update, appoint Pathways Committee

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Town Council met Feb. 20 at Town Hall, where Mayor John Stehr gave an update on town business and the council appointed Pathways Committee members. The next town council meeting is set for 7 p.m. March 4 at Town Hall.

What happened: Stehr gives an update on the comprehensive plan.

What it means: Request for quotes from consulting firms to lead the town’s comprehensive plan were due Feb. 16. Stehr said Mike Dale, director of the planning and building department, assembled a committee to review proposals and narrow down applicants. Stehr asked to have a few council members take part in narrowing down consultants. By March 1, the field will be narrowed to three finalists.

What’s next: A joint public session between the town council and plan commission will be conducted from noon to 4 p.m. March 16 to hear from the three finalists.

What happened: Stehr said the town is searching for a new communications coordinator.

What it means: Stehr said the search for a communications coordinator has been ongoing for the last month, and the town is still “seeking candidates.” He said it has been “difficult to track candidates” with the required experience and believes salary plays a role. Stehr said he believes that is why the town “lost the last communications coordinator” Amanda Vela, who resigned last month.

What’s next: Stehr said he would update the council as the search continues and that there might be a request to amend the salary ordinance to “make the job more attractive to the type of candidates that have a more appropriate level of experience.” Town Council President Jason Plunkett said it would be possible to change the salary ordinance, as the previous mayoral administration lowered the role’s reimbursement.

What happened: Stehr and the town council announced appointments for the Pathways Committee.

What it means: At the Jan. 16 town council meeting, Stehr said the Pathways Committee would combine the pathways and pedestrian mobility committees into one committee. The town council appointed four members to the pathways committee, including councilmember Craig Melton, Brad Gressel, Emily Makinson and Mark McDonald. Stehr appointed three individuals: Kim Storen, Bethany Narkiewicz and Jody Miller.

Zionsville Fire Department swears in new member

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

At the Feb. 20 Zionsville Town Council meeting, Jonathan Rollins and his parents, Matt and Donna, joined at the front of the room for his swearing-in to the Zionsville Fire Department. Mayor John Stehr administered the oath.

PUBLIC SAFETY

ZFD Chief James VanGorder said Rollins began his journey with the ZFD Feb. 27, 2023, by participating in the Northside Fire Academy class. Rollins completed his emergency medical technician training but could not complete the class because of a medical condition that required “immediate surgery.”

“Jonathan continued his employment with the fire department after his surgery

VanGorder said Rollins was assigned to the Noblesville Fire Department’s 2023 Recruit Academy to finish his training, which he completed in December 2023.

ZFD gifted Rollins with a medal.

“Every time you feel it against your chest, realize there are people that are counting on you to do your job,” Deputy Chief Josh Frost said.

Rollins was also given a bottle of alcohol with the ZFD patch and the date he completed the fire portion of the fire academy.

on restricted duty in the office until he was able to make a full recovery,” VanGorder said.

“We hope this will be a bottle that you’ll be able to use to celebrate with your co-workers and former shift mates and that the day you retire, you can celebrate and tell your story,” Frost said. “In 20 years, we hope you will open this bottle with those close to you and tell those stories.”

From left, ZFD Chief James VanGorder, ZFD Deputy Chief Josh Frost, firefighter Jonathan Rollins and Rollins’ parents Donna and Matt. (Photo courtesy of ZFD Chief James VanGorder)

Name Says It All

Road project coming to Zionsville

news@currentzionsville.com

A new Indiana Department of Transportation project in Zionsville, 421 Forward, will address driver and pedestrian mobility needs in a “fast-growing area,” according to INDOT.

CONSTRUCTION

The project, centered on the U.S. 421 corridor between Greenfield/Templin Road to C.R. 300 S., is in the early stages, with design starting this year and lasting through 2026.

During this timeframe, INDOT stated the 421 Forward team will be “conducting detailed analyses of accident data, traffic counts and environmental elements for roadway improvements along US 421. The goal is to identify and study the issues and determine potential solutions.”

INDOT stated it will coordinate with Boone County and Zionsville leaders on recommendations. INDOT will also provide opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback during the planning process.

“INDOT is fully committed to a public process for this important project in Zionsville,” INDOT West Central public relations director Blake Dollier stated. “INDOT and the entire

project team are looking forward to working with residents, business owners and other stakeholders to address their needs and concerns.”

According to INDOT, the 421 Forward project might include various roadway improvements, including “pavement rehabilitation, added auxiliary lanes, intersection improvements, pedestrian facilities and storm drainage enhancements.”

More information will be shared in the coming weeks regarding a public meeting in April, when interested parties can share input during the planning process, according to INDOT.

For more, visit 421forward.com.

Overview rendering of the 421 Forward project. (Map courtesy of INDOT)

Brick Street poem lands on moon

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Brick Street Poetry, a Zionsville nonprofit that provides local writers an opportunity to connect and share experiences through poetry, recently had a collaborative poem sent to the moon.

POETRY

On Feb. 15, the poem “Following the Rivers Flow” was sent to the moon via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It landed on the moon Feb. 22. Joyce Brinkman, executive director of Brick Street Poetry, is the original creator of the poem.

Brinkman said the poem was selected to be a part of Lunar Codex, a digitized archive of art, including film, poems and music that was launched to the moon by Lunar Codex founder Samuel Peralta.

The poem, designed to be preserved for many years, was taken to the moon via a commercial lunar lander and is on the moon’s Lunar South Pole.

“Following the Rivers Flow” is a collaboration between poets Brinkman, Mark Neely, Orlando Menes, Shari Wagner, Don Platt, Kevin McKelvery, Mitchell Douglas, Matthew Brennan, Marcus Wicker and Laurel Smith.

The poem displayed at SullivanMunce Cultural Center at 225 W. Hawthorne St. (Photo by Jessica Todd)

Most of the collaborators teach at Indiana colleges.

The poem, with illustrations by Cynthia Young and calligraphy by Julia Thompson, is displayed inside the SullivanMunce Cultural Center at 225 W. Hawthorne St.

Brinkman said “Following the Rivers Flow” is a poem that was initially written for the book “Mapping The Muse: A Bicentennial Look at Indiana Poetry.” The poem describes rivers throughout Indiana.

For more about Brick Street Poetry, visit brickstreetpoetry.org. For more on the Lunar Codex, visit lunarcodex.com.

KNOWS ZIONSVILLE

Hear what your neighbors are saying....

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Commentary by Ward Degler

I recently had a lengthy telephone conversation with my brother Roger. He lives in Arizona, and we don’t see each other often. The last time we were together was at our father’s funeral several years ago.

I had just turned 16 when Roger was born. He was only 2 when I left home, so we never got to know one another. I’m not sure it would have made any difference if we had spent more time together.

The reports I got from my mom and dad were that Roger was an odd duck.

When Dad’s wind-up alarm clock died, he gave it to me. I reduced it to a gazillion cogs and wheels and then threw it away.

When Dad gave Roger a broken clock, he tore it apart, then put it back together so that it ran at twice the speed it had run when it was new. And backward.

When he was 10 years old, he built a computer from scratch. When he attended

the University of Arizona, it was in the engineering school, and he carried a slide rule on his belt. By contrast, I drew pictures and made-up songs.

Roger worked for a company that tracked wildlife. He designed and built small radio transmitters that could be attached to ducks and geese to record their migration habits. I don’t know if he got credit for his creation, but he worked for the company until he retired a few years ago.

Now, he keeps up his house and does things on his computer. I don’t know what those things are and probably wouldn’t understand them if I did.

On a positive note, he and I connect by phone from time to time. And, slowly, we are getting to know one another.

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.

‘Seussical Jr.’ hits stage at ZWMS

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville West Middle School Drama Club will perform “Seussical Jr.” March 8 and 9.

MUSICAL

“Seussical Jr.” is a musical comedy based on Dr. Seuss’ children’s books. The cast consists of 80 ZWMS students. According to eighth-grade student Vivian Kiper, who plays the lead role of Horton, the story focuses heavily on her character.

“Seussical is about an elephant named Horton who finds a speck of dust that he believes has humans on it,” Kiper said. “They need his help to protect them from any danger. He goes on a journey trying to take care of the people living there — the Whos”

Julianna Boyd, ZWMS Drama Club director, chose “Seussical” this year because it allows many students to get stage time.

“This musical has the most characters that get their own song or chance to own the stage on their own,” Boyd said. “We have a lot of talented students who deserve and have worked for the chance to get their own solo or part.”

Kiper, who has acted in multiple shows at ZWMS, said she is most excited for the audience to see the set and the costumes.

“I hope the audience gets the message that we’re trying to tell with the story that you should help anyone, no matter how different they are from you,” Kiper said.

ZWMS eighth-grader Avery Lewis, who portrays The Cat in The Hat, said seeing their work come together is exciting.

“We all support each other,” Lewis said. “When everyone sees the set and show for the first time, I think they’ll love it.”

“Seussical Jr.” will have performances at 7 p.m. March 8, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 9. Tickets are $8 and can only be purchased online at sites.google.com/site/ zwestdramaclub.

ESKENAZI HEALTH FOUNDATION IS GRATEFUL TO

FOR THEIR LEAD GIFT

THEY BELIEVE IN: “Partnership. We’re very strategic in the causes we support and in choosing organizations we align with. Eskenazi Health’s neighborhood-centric approach and track record makes this project a natural fit for us. We’re proud to be associated with this.”

CARMEL

MERIDIAN-KESSLER

ZIONSVILLE

The cast for “Seussical Jr.” (Photo courtesy of Julianne Boyd)

Guerin Catholic junior Cardinal gets boost from basketball pedigree

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Although he played basketball, football and lacrosse through his freshman year at Guerin Catholic High School, it seemed a given that Bryson Cardinal would eventually concentrate on basketball.

After all, his father, Brian Cardinal, was a Purdue University standout who played 12 seasons in the NBA, and his mother, Danielle (Bird) Cardinal, was a Purdue women’s basketball player and is now Guerin’s girls basketball coach.

“I consulted my coaches and my parents just about what was going to be best for me for my sophomore year, and I decided to play AAU, which I think really helped me to develop as a basketball player,” said Bryson, now a junior. “On that team, I played a lot of the perimeter, so I think that really helped me this year to understand where I can get shots from, whether it’s dribble pull-ups or setting a good screen

MEET BRYSON CARDINAL

Favorite athlete: Dirk Nowitzki

Favorite subject: English

Favorite movies: “Star Wars” series

Favorite genre of music: Rap

for someone to slip in, and not just playing that inside guy, the center.”

It wasn’t an easy decision for the Westfield resident, because he played lacrosse for several years and enjoyed it.

“But I started to realize that playing college basketball was really my dream of my future,” Bryson said,

Entering the Class 3A sectional opener against Indianapolis Herron Feb. 27, Bryson, who is nearly 6-foot-8, is averaging 13.5

Guerin Catholic junior Bryson Cardinal, wearing his father’s familiar 35 jersey number, is averaging 13.5 points per game. (Photo courtesy of LiveActionSports)

points and eight rebounds per game for the Golden Eagles (17-7). That’s more than double last season’s scoring average of 6.1.

“His offense has really improved,” Guerin Catholic coach Bob Allen said. “He can score from inside and out and he is another player that our opponents have to prepare

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for. At times, he commands a double team, which is helping some of our other guys to get open looks.”

Allen said Bryson’s game is similar to his father’s.

“Like his father, he is an ultimate competitor,” Allen said. “He wants to win, and he understands the importance of every play, which is why he isn’t afraid to dive for a loose ball or take a charge in a crunchtime situation.”

Allen said his play has definitely attracted interest from NCAA Division I coaches.

“There is no doubt in my mind that he can play at the next level, and he will continue to improve every day,” Allen said.

Like his father, Bryson said his play sometimes irritates opposing teams and fans.

“There’s been a couple of games this season where I’ve had parents yelling at me and coaches yelling at me just because I like to do the dirty work,” he said. “I like to dive on the floor. I like to take the charges. One of my favorite things is guarding one of their bigger or better players and just try to get in their head and being a good hard-nosed player.”

Cardinal

MARCH COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FISH FRY

The Zionsville Knights of Columbus will offer fish dinners for dine-in and carryout throughout March. The dinners will be avail able March 1, 8, 15 and 22 at Saint Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church at 1870 W Oak St. in Zionsville from 5 to 8 p.m. Dinners include fried fish, coleslaw or applesauce, french fries, a brownie and a beverage. Beer and wine will be available to purchase. Adult dinners are $12 to $13 and children 5 and under eat free.

FIRST TUESDAY

The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce will hold its First Tuesday networking event at D-BAT Zionsville, 6200 Technology Center Dr., from 4:30 to 6 p.m. March 5. Guests can bring batting gloves and hit balls in the indoor batting cages. This event is free for Zionsville Chamber members and first-time guests. Registration is not required for this event.

SEMINAR

ILADD, a Zionsville nonprofit serving adults with intellectual and developmen tal disabilities, is hosting an Information Seminar event from 6 to 8 p.m. March 7 at Town Hall. The seminar will feature guest speakers Robert Fechtman, an Elder Law and Special Needs attorney, and Mark Olson with LTO Ventures. The event will discuss providing a permanent home for a child with disabilities, using special needs trusts and more. Register at program.manager@ iladdinc.org.

AWARDS

The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual awards celebration at the Zionsville Underground to recognize the accomplishments of Zionsville’s business community. The event will take place March 7 at 91 S. Main St. in Zionsville. Attendees can network from 11:30 a.m. to noon and an awards program will follow from noon to 1 p.m. The cost to attend is $45 per person, including admission and a lunch buffet.

STATE OF THE TOWN

Mayor John Stehr will hold State of the Town to discuss things happening in Zionsville from 7:30 to 9 a.m. March 27 at Town Hall, 1100 W. Oak St., in the Ascension St. Vincent Community Room. Register at business.zionsvillechamber.org/calendar/ Details/state-of-the-town-with-mayor-johnstehr-1047011.

CHECKMATE

Zionsville Community High School junior mastering game of chess

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

David Tran is relatively new to chess. But after learning the game less than two years ago, he is already winning championships.

His goal is to win even more.

A Zionsville Community High School junior, Tran recently competed at the Scholastic Chess of Indiana Championships, winning first place in the Junior Varsity division.

The championships were Jan. 27 at Pike High School in Indianapolis.

“I have been waiting over a year to compete at the Scholastic Chess of Indiana Championships,” Tran said. “I lost at the competition a year before and I have been anticipating coming back and placing better than last year.”

Tran, 15, said his passion for chess began in the summer of 2022. He has been playing competitively for about a year and a half. His father, Binh Tran, said his son would spend up to six hours a day in the summer watching YouTube videos about the game.

Tran credits the videos for growing his interest.

“A YouTube video about chess (was) randomly recommended to me, and I started playing a little bit and it was really fun,” Tran said. “I kept doing it and would play online against random people.”

As he got better at the game, Tran said he grew more interested in everything chess has to offer, especially competing.

“I don’t know if it’s been the popularity of the show ‘The Queen’s Gambit,’ or some of these other TV shows,” Binh Tran said. “(The media) raised the popularity of chess in high schools. David is really passionate about it.”

Besides his first-place finish at the Scholastic Chess of Indiana Championships, Tran placed first for the first time at MichiganTown Madness, a chess tournament in Michigantown, Ind, in March 2023.

“My placements depend on how many people show up because that determines different sections that can be split up based on ratings,” Tran said. “If I’m in a lower section, I usually place first or second. In a medium section, I usually place around the middle.”

When playing in tournaments, Tran said he is paired with an opponent based on ratings, which are based on a player’s win-loss record. Tran’s United Chess Federation rating is 1,466.

“(The rating) is just a number to show a player’s strength,” Tran said. “A few rankings are that I am 249 in Indiana out of 1,356 people and I am 4,974 out of 59,271 juniors. There’s a United States Chess Federation, which is the United States governing body of chess. When you register for that, you can get a rating based on how many games you play and how much you win and lose in USCF

plays chess blindfolded as well sometimes.”

Tran said he has only played blindfolded with friends.

“I haven’t done it in a while, but I do it when I play against my friends sometimes,” Tran said. “I can usually only win blindfolded if I am playing a lower-rated opponent. It’s mostly just a fun party trick.”

Tran said his goal is to continue improving and raising his USCF rating.

“My biggest goal is getting my ranking to 2,200 so I can get a title,” Tran said. “The title of National Master is awarded to anyone who gets to a rating of 2,200, so if I get there, then I get the title. I think it would be really cool to win one eventually. “

Tran’s next competition will be March 2 through March 3 in Indianapolis, where he hopes to compete with members of the ZCHS Chess Club.

tournaments.”

Tran competes regularly in chess tournaments in Greenfield as a member of the BC Chess Club. He became president of the ZCHS chess club this school year.

“I have competed at maybe six tournaments now, but definitely less than 10,” Tran said.

Tran said his favorite part of chess is that each match is different.

“What interests me the most is how different every game is,” Tran said. “You could play thousands of games and they will be different from each other.”

Besides chess, Tran enjoys activities that focus on problem-solving, such as puzzles and Rubik’s Cubes.

“Before he took up chess he was trying to participate in Rubik’s Cubes-solving competitions,” Binh said. “I think his fastest time is 15 seconds, and he’s done it blindfolded. He

“We don’t usually compete as a club, but there is another Scholastic Chess of Indiana tournament coming up, and I hope I can attend with other members of the club,” Tran said. “I will also play at the Indiana Chess Congress competition in March, which is a state championship. I will be competing in a lower section, but I hope to do well there.”

Name: David Tran

Residence: Zionsville

Age: 15

Hobbies: Academics, video games, puzzles

Favorite tournament to compete in: Scholastic Chess of Indiana Championships

Future college major: Software engineering

David Tran, a Zionsville Community High School junior, with his first-place trophy at the Scholastic Chess of Indiana Championships Jan. 27. (Photos courtesy of Binh Tran)

David Tran, right, competing at the MichiganTown Madness tournament in March 2023.

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Resolution Mediation, a mediation busi-

at 70 E. Hawthorne St., opened in Zionsville in August 2023.

The business team consists of Attorney-Mediator Tess Worrell, Mediator Hillary Sharpnack and Mediator Marli Emenhiser. They said the practice is dedicated to keeping families out of court and providing a safe legal process.

“Hillary and I worked at another firm in Zionsville, and we have a lot of connections here,” Worrell said. “We both love the community and love the connectedness of different businesses.”

Resolution Mediation primarily offers mediation services, including pre-marriage agreements, divorce mediation, post-divorce help and help with paternity cases. It also offers marriage mediation for couples struggling with marriage but not wanting a divorce.

“The bulk of what we do is either divorce or post-divorce agreements,” Worrell said.

The business also offers children’s services, with Emenhiser leading as a child consultant.

Worrell and Sharpnack said the practice differs from other mediation firms in the area because they “don’t pit people against each other.”

“It is generally almost exclusively faster, cheaper and more productive than litigation processes,” Worrell said.

Resolution Mediation offers free informational meetings to clients wondering if the mediation process is right for them. The business is taking clients from all over the state.

For more, visit resolutionmediationin.com or call 317-793-0825.

From left, Tess Worrell and Hillary Sharpnack. (Photo courtesy of Tess Worrell)

Tom Wood Subaru partners with AdoptAClassroom.org

In the heart of the vibrant community of Indianapolis, the Edison School of the Arts found itself facing both challenges and opportunities. Amy Berns, the dedicated Principal of the school, was not just juggling the responsibilities of an educational leader but also playing the role of CEO, determined to provide the best for her students.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by Edison School of the Arts, Tom Wood Subaru decided to join forces with AdoptAClassroom.org to make a lasting impact for this school. AdoptAClassroom. org collaborated with Tom Wood Subaru to provide $5000 to Edison School of the Arts. The Leadership Team at Edison then chose 10 deserving teachers, to give $500 each, for their individual classrooms. Sadly, so many teachers reach into their own pockets to provide much needed items for their students.

Through these funds, teachers were able to purchase writing utensils, stickers, candy, crayons, stamps, and so much more! One of the primary focuses was the introduction of a Book Vending Machine, but it didn’t stop there, the school needed more than just books – clothing, personal hygiene items, and volunteers were also essential to fostering a conducive learning environment. A food pantry box was also established, ensuring that no student went hungry.

The teachers and students at Edison sent us so many great photos, sharing their many purchases made through the collaboration with Tom Wood Subaru and Adoptaclassroom.org. We were so touched to receive the beautiful pictures

and thank you cards that the children created! Thank you children....we are the ones that are blessed to be able to help you!!

Would you like to join us in helping Edison School of the Arts?

If you would like to volunteer, provide donations, or help Edison School of the Arts in any way, please be sure to reach out to Ebony Cook or Amy Berns at 317-226-4992 or via email at bernsa@myips.org

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE:

TomWoodSubaru.com

Highest: ACME, APEX, CREST, PEAK, SUMMIT, ZENITH; Lowest: BASE, BOTTOM, FOUNDATION, GROUND, NADIR; Equipment: ARROW, BOW, QUIVER, TARGET; Drinks: COCOA, COFFEE, TEA; Meanings: INDEPENDENT, INDIANA; Alma Mater: HANOVER

Much ado about nothing

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

When I retired from television three years ago, I hoped to relax and have nothing to do.

HUMOR

But I did have stuff to do. Lots of stuff. I was busier than ever. So, I decided last week that I would set out a day where I had absolutely nothing to do. Zero. Nada. That was my goal.

Today looks good. I have nothing to do. Absolutely nothing. I don’t know where to put myself. But putting myself somewhere is doing something, so I better be careful.

I am home now. I am two weeks ahead on my humor column. No bills to pay. We have no dog to walk. All my laundry has been folded and put away. I think I’ve done it. But I am a little bored.

You might say, “Dick, why don’t you read a book or watch a movie on TV?” But then I am doing something. That’s been my way of avoiding what needs to get done. If I read a book when I have nothing to do, what will I do when I really have to do something, and I don’t want to? I’m losing you, aren’t I? Don’t stop reading now. Do you have anything better to do?

I’ll call one of my busiest friends. I know he’ll be jealous.

“Bob, it’s Dick. What are you doing?”

“Nothing, what about you?”

“Hey, that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“Dick, when I say nothing, I don’t really mean nothing. I’m paying some bills, shopping online, laundry.”

“You call that nothing? That’s a lot of something. Don’t you know anything about nothing? I am really doing nothing. I mean absolutely nothing.”

“Do you want to come over here and do something together?”

“No, Bob, that’s the whole point. I don’t want to have anything to do with you.”

“Well, you don’t have to get nasty about it.”

I tried another friend …

“I am two weeks ahead on my humor column. No bills to pay. We have no dog to walk. All my laundry has been folded and put away. I think I’ve done it. But I am a little bored.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

“Mikki, it’s Dick. Guess what? I have nothing to do.”

“So, take a nap.”

“A nap? You consider a nap nothing? A good nap is a commitment. A nap is not nothing. Trust me. If I were sleepy right now, a nap would be something to do. Geez, can’t I find one friend who knows something about nothing?”

I called my wife. I decided to rub it in. “Mary Ellen, I wanted you to know I am home right now and I have absolutely nothing to do.”

“You’re home in a house that has burnedout light bulbs, a broken smoke detector, a dishwasher to be unloaded and a dirty litter box … and you say you have nothing to do? I’m glad you called. Get moving, time to get things done.”

Boy, did that backfire. Now, I have like four things to do. I guess I better get started. I have nothing else to do.

Dick

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Students and their parents participate at one of the the Edison School Of Arts classrooms.

Edison students display what they purchased, with funds provided from Tom Wood Subaru and AdoptAClassroom.org.

MUSIC

Veteran actress-singer Purl set for Feinstein’s show

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Linda Purl has had her share of recognizable TV roles through the years.  She portrayed Fonzie’s girlfriend on “Happy Days,” Ben Matlock’s daughter on the first season of “Matlock” and Pam Beesly’s mother on “The Office.

“I feel lucky to be a journeyman actress and have been active through different decades of my life,” said Purl, who also sings and will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 7 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel Purl, 68, said “The Office” attracted a new generation of viewers.

“I gained temporary coolness with my son,” she said. “It’s fun to go around the country and perform because you meet people who have enjoyed those shows.”

Purl said the show is based on her 2023 album, “This Could Be The Start.”

“It’s very joyful to be in the intimate setting (that) cabaret is,” Purl said. “It’s a special, jeweled treasure-box art form. To be in a smaller room and do these beautiful songs with a group of strangers and virtually embrace at the end of the evening and go back to your lives (is special).”

Purl will be accompanied in the concert by her music director, Tedd Firth.

“He’s a phenomenal jazz pianist,” she said. “We’ve been working together for years. It’s all (material) from the Great American Songbook, which is one of the many reasons why we absolutely worship Michael Feinstein, because he has really single-handedly created this space for the Great American Songbook to thrive in and to keep it alive. One of the many reasons that appeals to me is that, more than other eras of music, they are short stories. So, as an actress and a singer, that very much appeals to me. There’s always a beginning, middle and end. There’s a journey and a character behind the voice in the song.”

The songs were a way for people to heal after World War II and the Korean War, Purl said.

“There were great fissures in their lives that they needed to massage and work through,” she said. “They articulate the human spirit with such depth and such poetry, and the music’s not bad, too. They touch on timeless themes and there’s also, as I’ve learned through Tedd, there’s such an elasticity in the songs. You can do them straightforwardly. You can put them into a jazz feel, and they work. These songs can time travel for different eras and different tastes.”

One of her favorites is “I’m in the Mood for Love.”

“It’s engaging, it’s inviting,” Purl said. “It’s fun to be able to share that moment thematically with an audience. It’s a wellknown tune, but Tedd just has an unusual treatment of it.”

Eight years after appearing as Richie’s date, Gloria, in Season 2 of “Happy Days,” Purl returned in a regular role as a new character in Season 10.

Purl and her boyfriend, Patrick Duffy, have recurring roles on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Duffy is best known as Bobby Ewing on “Dallas.”

Duffy and Purl have a business called Duffy’s Dough.

“It’s been a big adventure for us with a huge learning curve,” Purl said. “Patrick has

had a sourdough starter in his family for over 70 years and Patrick is a wonderful baker. At one point, he said I should start a business with this, and I said, ‘Yes, of course.’”

They reached out to business friends, who advised the couple on a simple model.

“They said they just start doing it all in one kit, so when people receive the package, they have the sugar, the flour, the rolling pins, the recipes and the aprons to get started,” she said.

Purl said they were advised to start with 200 packages and see if they sold.

“We had a packing party and launched in September 2022 and hoped they would sell by Christmas, and they all sold by noon of our first day,” Purl said. “It was great but terrifying news because we had to make a bunch more packages. It’s been going strong ever since.”

All net proceeds go to food scarcity charities.

“That’s our end game,” Purl said. “At this point in our lives, we want to be celebrating with gratitude the fortune that we’ve had, and we want to be part of giving back on a regular basis.”

For more, visit lindapurl.com and duffysdough.com. For tickets, visit feinsteinshc. com.

currentnightandday.com

‘BEAUTIFUL”

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” through March 30 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

LIVE AT THE CENTER

Peyton Womack Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Studio Theater as part of the Live at the Center series at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $10 or register for the free livestream. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

CIVIC IN CONCERT

Civic in Concert will present music from “Ragtime” at 7 p.m. March 2 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

MIXED REP

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble will present “Mixed Rep” at 4 p.m. March 3 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit cidedance.org.

‘VIOLET’

Carmel Community Players’ production of “Violet,” a musical, is set for March 1-10 at the Switch Theatre, 10029 E. 126th St., Suite D, Fishers. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

DISPATCH

ICC presents musical journey across the U.S. — The Indianapolis Children’s Choir will present “The Crossroads of America” performance at 4 p.m. March 10 at Hilbert Circle Theatre. “The idea for this concert is to really celebrate the diverse genres of music in our country,” ICC Artistic Director Joshua Pedde said. More than 250 singers will perform songs in the style of gospel, spiritual, jazz, folk and more. Performing choirs include Beginning Level Choirs and Lyric Choirs that have locations across Indianapolis, as well as the advanced singers in Indy Voice. Master Chorale, the ICC’s high school division, will round out the performance with mixed voices. Tickets are $14 and can be purchased online in advance at icchoir. org/tickets. Ages 5 and under can attend for free but require a ticket.

Veteran actress-singer Linda Purl will perform at Feinstein’s March 7. (Photo by Kevin Alvey)

Veteran actress/singer Linda Purl and boyfriend Patrick Duffy. (Photo courtesy of Linda Purl)

ZCHS senior gets special role

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Zionsville Community High School senior Izzy Casciani figures this is a rare opportunity.

MUSICAL

Casciani will appear in a concert of the music from “The Trouble With Dead Boyfriends” at 5 and 8 p.m. April 20 at The Tobias Theater at Newfields in Indianapolis. It’s the sixth musical supported by Discovering Broadway, a pre-Broadway incubator nonprofit founded by Carmel High School graduate Joel Kirk

Broadway (Sierra Boggess, Erika Henningsen and Samantha Pauly), which put me in contact with the directing team.”

Kirk said each cast member is making their Discovering Broadway debut.

“I saw Izzy Casciani and Alanna Porter perform in our master classes and the world saw Ephraim Owens get a four-chair turn on ‘The Voice,’” Kirk said. “Brett Mutter and Sadie Cohen also blew the authors and I away in the audition with distinct choices. I am excited to direct this exceptionally talented group.”

Owens is a Carmel resident and Cohen is a Carmel High School freshman.

“I feel so privileged to be able to learn about and participate in the early process of creating a show,” Casciani said. “As an actor, you usually only get to work on the finished product, so this is very exciting.”

Casciani said her college audition coach, Kelly Butler Smith, sent her the casting call.

“The character I was cast in felt very similar to some of the material we had worked on,” Casciani said. “Then, I received further information because I had participated in some master classes through Discovering

The dark comedy is described as a female empowerment musical. It centers on Stella, Grace and Madison as they navigate senior prom with their dream dates — who just happen to be dead.

“We’ve received limited information so far, but I am always excited to support new theater and I am confident the show will not only be entertaining but will include some great messages for any type of audience,” Casciani said.

For more, visit discoveringbroadway.org.

Casciani

CIDE presents Mixed Rep

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Carmel High School senior Lily Guntz, the special thing about Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s Mixed Rep is the versatility of the repertoire.

DANCE

“I love ballet, but it is also very beneficial and enjoyable to be able to perform other styles with music we don’t typically dance to,” Guntz said.

“Especially this year, our performance of ‘Khachaturiana’ has the perfect combination of challenging choreography, unique music and enjoyable components of neoclassical ballet that are enticing for the audience and dancers alike.”

Mixed Rep is set for 4 p.m. March 3 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

‘Khachaturiana’ is choreographed by Joffrey Ballet dancer Lisa Slagle.

“My favorite part of Mixed Rep is the mix of neoclassical choreography in the first

Guerin Catholic High School senior Charlotte Van Dyke will perform in central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s Mixed Rep.

(Photo courtesy of Paul Retzlaff Photography)

two acts and performing as Swanhilda in the excerpts of ‘Coppelia’ in Act 3,” said Charlotte Van Dyke, a Guerin Catholic High School senior from Carmel.

“Coppelia” was a ballet first performed in 1870 in Paris.

CIDE co-Artistic Director Ashley Jacobs said Mixed Rep also will include pieces of choreography by former Ballet Arkansas dancer Paul Tillman, titled “Riverside;” “Morpheus” choreographed by a former Joffrey Ballet dancer, Mauro Villanueva; and a student choreography piece by graduating senior Gretchen Greener.

For more, visit cidedance.org.

Studdard returns as ‘The Cat’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

There are good reasons why Jonathan Studdard is in the title role in Civic Theatre’s production of “The Cat in the Hat” for the fifth time.

“He is fearless and will try anything,” said Anne Beck, who directs the annual performances. “He is playful. His smile and giggle are infectious. He would prefer not to carry the big red box with Thing 1 and Thing 2 in it — but he knows how much fun kids will have with Thing 1 and 2 that he does it for them.”

“The Cat in the Hat” is set for public performances at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 2 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Performances for school children begin Feb. 27.

Studdard always enjoys performing the role.

“It is so thrilling to find new moments to breathe life into the show,” Studdard said. “It doesn’t get old because it’s always the best feeling to hear and see the kids having so much fun. The show is very specific in the way we present it, so there is not

much room for deviating away from our model. But there are small moments that we can breathe new things into the show.”

Beck said the show is fun to direct.

“It is organized mischief and chaos,” Beck said. “The actors do so much physically and mentally with thousands of sound cues.”

Noblesville resident Emily Bohannon returns in the role of Sally. Indianapolis resident Karen Woods Hurt plays Thing 2 for the second consecutive year.

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

Jonathan Studdard plays the title role in “The Cat in the Hat” (Photo courtesy of Civic Theatre)

Guntz

Visiting the Pyramids of Giza

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing visit to Egypt, we stop by the famous pyramids on the Giza Plateau above Cairo.

TRAVEL

The Giza pyramids were built as tombs for three consecutive pharaohs — Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure — who ruled Egypt between 2589 B.C. and 2504 B.C. Scholars believe paid workers, including farmers during annual Nile River flooding, built the pyramids. Khufu’s pyramid, the earliest and largest, is often called the Great Pyramid, the only surviving “wonder” of the ancient world. It was originally 481 feet tall, making it the tallest thing made by man for almost 4,000 years. The Great Pyramid, built between about 2589 B.C. to 2566 B.C., was constructed from 2.3 million stone blocks, weighing an average of 2 1/2 tons each. If those blocks were laid end to end, they would extend more than 2,000 miles. At 92 million cubic feet, Khufu’s pyramid is still the most massive structure ever built. Its alignment varies from true north by less than 3.4-arc minutes, less

than 1 part in 1,000. Its base, the size of 10 football fields, is a perfect square to within 4.6 inches, again less than 1 part per 1,000. All of this was accomplished when the Egyptians had not yet invented the wheel and had only stone and copper tools.

Khafre’s pyramid is smaller than that of his father but appears larger because of its higher elevation. Its apex still contains the polished white limestone that once covered all the Giza pyramids. The Great Sphinx, about a mile east of Khafre’s pyramid, lies in the quarry from which workers mined limestone for that pyramid. Scholars believe its damaged face is that of Khafre. The pyramid of Menkaure is by far the smallest of the Giza pyramids, rising only to about 215 feet, less than half the height of Khufu’s Great Pyramid.

The Pyramid of Khafre.

The Pyramids of Giza outside of Cairo. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Across

1. Fishers HS tennis match parts

5. Dwelling

10. “Golly!”

14. Crude letters?

15. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” author

16. Make a decision, as the Indiana Supreme Court

17. White River angler’s catch

18. Boss with a Monument Circle music group?

20. Civic Theatre play start

21. Latin 101 verb

22. Lauder of cosmetics

23. Camera type, briefly

25. Prejudice

27. Cartoonist with a Newfields gallery?

32. Drunk

36. Argentine soccer star

playing for Inter Miami

37. Face part

39. Haunted house sound

40. Bikini piece

41. Cheese Shop variety

44. Sr. and Jr. at NHS

45. Wicked

47. Gov. Holcomb rejection

48. Off the leash

50. Made over

52. Snake Pit attire on a hot race day?

54. Hombre’s house

56. Evansville winter hrs.

57. Early Peruvians

60. ___ tea

63. Stood up

67. Monthly jewel for a downtown Indy play producer?

69. “___ It Romantic?”

70. Slushy drink

71. Hefty wrestlers

72. Stylish

73. WTHR timetable, informally

74. Went on a buying spree

75. “Hell ___ no fury...”

Down

1. Couch

2. Heroic tale

3. ZCHS final, e.g.

4. Great divides

5. Declare

6. A/C measures

7. “My bad!”

8. Doofus

9. Poetic contraction

10. NASA’s “Gus” who was a paperboy for The Indianapolis Star

11. Expel

12. ___ gin fizz

13. Roll-call response

19. Joe’s Butcher Shop offering

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24. Animal shelter

26. “A likely story!”

27. Yellow shade

28. Chutzpah

29. “To repeat...”

30. Enough, for some

31. Miniseries based on a Haley novel

33. “Happy birthday ___”

34. Ankle bones

35. Beginning

38. Put in an overhead bin

42. Currier’s partner

43. Charitable donations

46. Found the spot

49. Indy Zoo big bird

51. Bandmate of Crosby and Stills

53. Least friendly

55. Throw a tantrum

57. Heron’s kin

58. Indianapolis City Councilor Roberts

6 Highest Point 4 Koteewi Archery Equipment

3 Drinks with Caffeine

5 Lowest Point

2 What “Ind.” Can Mean

1 Gov. Holcomb’s Alma Mater

59. Eiteljorg Museum tribe

61. “___ Alone”

62. Bard’s “soon”

64. Job safety org.

65. Foul mood

66. Engrave, in a way

68. Leak sound

Answers on Page 16

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