December 31, 2024 — Zionsville by Current Publishing

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LOOKING AHEAD

Zionsville aims to complete Comprehensive Plan in 2025 / P10

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COMMUNITY

Zionsville senior awarded Lilly scholarship

news@youarecurrent.com

Zionsville Community High School senior Caroline Sampson is one of two Boone County recipients of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, a prestigious full-tuition scholarship awarded to young scholars for community involvement, academic achievement, character and leadership.

EDUCATION

Created in 1937, Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation that supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The scholarship provides full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and equipment needed for four years for full-time undergraduate students attending any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. To be eligible, recipients must be in the top 20 percent of their graduating class; must provide exceptional levels of service to Boone County and surrounding communities; and must plan to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an Indiana college or university.

Sampson is a multisport athlete and team captain for basketball and lacrosse; a 10-year 4-H member; and a servant leader at ZCHS. She works as a swim instructor and volunteers with basketball and soccer organizations for disabled youth.

Sampson is a Girl Scout and serves on the Zionsville Mayor Youth Advisory Council. She also is active in ZCHS Student Council, Best Buddies and Zionsville Girls Mentoring, where she is president. The seventh of 10 children, Sampson plans to attend the University of Notre Dame, Butler University or IU Bloomington to prepare for

a career in health care.

The scholarship selection process is administered locally by the Community Foundation of Boone County.

“We are honored to support (this year’s) Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients. Their dedication and achievements reflect the incredible potential within our community, and we are excited to see all they will accomplish in the years ahead,” CFBC CEO Julie Reagan stated.

Eight finalists were chosen from nearly 60 applications for the 2025 award, including ZCHS seniors Tobias Dollens, Carson Fu, Andrew Qin, Louisa Santos and Sapna Srinivasan.

“Each year, we cannot imagine a group as impressive as the previous class, and every year the students continue to raise

DISPATCHES

Butler hired as executive assistant to mayor — Zionsville native Jenna Swain Butler has been named executive assistant to Mayor John Stehr. Butler joins the mayor’s office after serving as a project manager in business development at IU Health and logistics manager at N.K. Hurst Co., in Zionsville. Butler is a graduate of Zionsville Community High School. She will serve as a key liaison for the mayor’s office with town departments, residents and external

partners. She succeeds Alexa Lingg, who was recently promoted to Communications Manager.

Zionsville Lincoln Lights — Lincoln Park in the Village sparkles with festive holiday lights, presented by Hometown Lawns. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy the lights and take photos this winter. The lights are on display through Feb. 16 at Lincoln Park, 41 S. Second St.

Artist’s work on display in Westfield

— Zionsville Artist Scott Miller will be featured on the Michael and Karen Heaton Art

Zionsville Community High School senior Caroline Sampson is one of two Boone County recipients of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. (Photo courtesy of Community Foundation of Boone County)

the bar,” CFBC Director of Education and Grantmaking Ali Maxey stated. “This was an incredibly fun, and difficult, task for our selection committee. The students who applied have excelled in every aspect — leadership, scholarship and community service. These students should be proud of their accomplishments and we cannot wait to see them soar in the future.”

CFBC unites people, organizations and philanthropy to create a thriving community for all. Since 1991, its leaders have worked to empower and engage local communities to make a difference in Boone County.

Cole Ramsey of Western Boone Junior-Senior High School is the other Boone County recipient.

Gallery Wall at the Westfield Washington Public Library in January 2025. Miller’s watercolor paintings will be on display throughout the month, one of 15 local artists chosen to be featured at the library throughout 2025. The gallery wall is named in honor of foundation supporters and donors Michael and Karen Heaton, whose financial contribution allowed the Westfield Library Foundation to create artistic space. Westfield Washington Public Library, 17400 Westfield Blvd., is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

December 31, 2024

Current in Zionsville currentzionsville.com

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Founded March 20 2012, at Zionsville, IN Vol. XIII, No. 39

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Butler

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Tia Cramer wanted more than a plain white cranial helmet wrap for her son, Magnus. Cramer began searching for a company to make a more colorful cranial helmet wrap, which is being used to fix a flat spot on her son’s head.

INNOVATION

“The helmet is like a Band-Aid,” Cramer said. “It’s helping to reshape his head. He’ll wear the helmet for four to six months.”

Cramer, a Zionsville resident, started googling cranial helmet wraps. Eventually, she found three area companies, and Carmel-based White Rabbit Wraps quickly returned her call and made the wrap in late October. Cranial Technology in Carmel made the Doc Band brand helmet for the treatment of plagiocephaly.

“I got two sticker designs made,” she said. “My husband works for the Colts, and I wanted to figure out a way to put some blue in it. I asked the graphic designer if she could make it Colts blue, and she did.’

Billie Lou Merriweather, co-owner of White Rabbit Wraps, said the company has made a handful of cranial helmets so far.

“It’s quickly becoming one of the projects we’re most passionate about,” Merriweather said. “Cranial helmet wraps are a wonderful way to add a touch of

personality and joy for families going through what can be a challenging time. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the smiles they bring to parents and kids alike.

Merriweather said customers are often surprised to learn about the wide range of wraps the company offers.

“While vehicle wraps are our most popular service, we also specialize in wrapping architectural surfaces, like walls and windows, and even industrial equipment,” she said. “Our ability to personalize almost any surface with unique designs opens up so many possibilities, and people love discovering what we can do beyond vehicles. We’ve had the opportunity to work on some truly unique projects, and one of the most exciting has been wrapping robots, which give the machines a fresh look and helps showcase a company’s branding in a creative way. We’ve also wrapped custom motorcycles and even personal items like laptops and furniture. No surface is too unusual for us to transform.”

The cranial wraps are among the smallest projects White Rabbit Wraps has tackled.

“On the larger end, we’ve done full fleet vehicle wraps, which can involve multiple trucks, trailers or vans,” Merriweather said. “These are large-scale projects that require precision and planning. Each wrap, no matter the size, gets the same attention to detail and care.”

For more, visit whiterabbitwraps.com.

Magnus Cramer wears a cranial helmet with a wrap by White Rabbit Wraps.

(Photo courtesy of Tia Cramer)

SullivanMunce awarded grant funds for equipment

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SullivanMunce Cultural Center in Zionsville is one of 18 Indiana nonprofit organizations awarded grant funds from the Subaru of Indiana Automotive Foundation for capital projects.

NONPROFIT

The cultural center and historical museum was awarded $12,080, which will be used to procure microfilm digitizing equipment.

SullivanMunce Cultural Center Executive Director Cynthia Young said the funds will enable the cultural center to upgrade its microfilm equipment and improve the ability to view, save and print microfilm images of historic newspapers from Zionsville and Lebanon. The new equipment will provide users the new ability to clip, merge, edit, enhance and create searchable images from all types of microfilm.

SullivanMunce Cultural Center was one of 358 applicants for funding for the fall grant cycle. Subaru of Indiana Automotive

SullivanMunce Cultural Center was recently awarded more than $12,080 in grant funding from Subaru of Indiana Automotive Foundation.

Foundation grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations in 10 Indiana counties, totaling more than $148,000.

ART

news@youarecurrent.com

Zionsville West Middle School student Yoko Zheng is the winner of the Lions Club Indiana Peace Poster competition. Yoko, 12, will now represent Indiana in the international competition.

Established in 1973 as the Patrick Henry Sullivan Museum, SullivanMunce Cultural Center grew in 1981 to include a genealogy library and Munce Art Center.

SullivanMunce Cultural Center, 225 W. Hawthorne St., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Learn more at sullivanmunce.org.

Zionsville youth wins state peace poster contest

The theme for the 2024-25 contest was “Peace Without Limits.” The poster contest is hosted by Lions Club International and receives entries from clubs in 240 counties.

The Zionsville Lions Club picked Yoko’s poster — a colorful creation featuring the earth surrounded by giving hands — from four entries provided by local children aged 11 to 13. Her poster was entered into a district contest, followed by the state competition, where it was awarded first place.

Yoko’s poster moves to the international competition Feb. 1. One international grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize

includes a cash award of $5,000. The 23 merit award winners will each receive $500.

Lions Club International has hosted the peace poster contest for more than 30 years. According to the Lions, creating peace posters gives children the chance to express their visions of peace.

Learn more at tinyurl.com/5cdfk8sr.

(File photo)

Announcing the winning poster this month, from left, Indiana Peace Poster Chair Tom Robbins, Zionsville Lions Club Peace Poster Chair Martha Pappas, District C/state winner Yoko Zheng and Zionsville Lions Club President Mike Zeller. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

CHS senior swimmer Shackell caps a golden year

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School senior swimmer Alex Shackell had a sweet cap to a special year.

Shackell, who earned gold and silver medals for participating in Team USA relays at the Paris Olympics, had a strong showing at the World Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary.

Shackell was on the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team, which captured the gold with a world record time of 3:25.01.

“Being a part of the world record relay was the most unreal experience,” Shackell said. “Going into the race I had no idea what the world record was. It came as a total surprise. It was great to be able to represent a USA relay at finals again. I’m happy with the two golds I earned but that’s not how I base my success.”

Shackell earned a second gold medal for the 4x100 medley relay since she was a member of the relay in the preliminaries. She won a silver in the 4x100 mixed medley and a bronze in the 4x50 mixed medley and

ALEX SHACKELL

Favorite Athlete: Lilly King

Favorite TV show: “Criminal Minds”

Favorite subject: English

Favorite vacation spot: California

was fourth in the 200-meter butterfly.

“I am pretty proud of my 200 fly prelims swim,” she said. “I thought I swam it smart and was happy with the time. I was actually pretty upset with my 200 fly finals performance. The time I went in prelims would have gotten me on the podium, so I was pretty frustrated. I’ve been working on being able to finish my 200 fly better when

racing elite competition, so this is a good experience for me and the disappointment is only going to make me better.”

CHS boys and girls swimming coach

Chris Plumb served as the USA head coach at the meet.

“Alex had some terrific performances and is now a world record holder,” Plumb said. “At the same time, getting experiences at the world level will continue to help her grow and develop.”

Shackell said Plumb did a great job of leading the national team.

“Although he was head coach, I didn’t really see him any differently,” Shackell said. “We both just kept things as normal as possible.”

Shackell decided to defer her college enrollment for a year and continue training with the Carmel Swim Club for a year after graduation. She originally committed to the University of California at Berkeley.

“Training at Carmel is working for me and I’m super happy with where I am, so for now taking the extra year is best for me,” Shackell said.

Shackell, who has won 11 IHSAA state titles, will seek to add to her total Feb. 15 at the 2025 state meet.

To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.

Carmel High School senior Alex Shackell won two gold medals at the World Short Course Swimming Championships Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary. (File photo)

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to launch surgery center

By Les Morris news@youarecurrent.com

A friendship that began at Carmel Clay Schools’ College Wood Elementary has led to a thriving business partnership decades later. Jeff Williams, 46, and Dr. Eric Inman, 45, bonded in Mrs. Hoffman’s fourth-grade class.

INNOVATION

Today, they own WellBridge Surgical, a surgery center in Zionsville built on transparent pricing, high-quality medical care and lower costs.

The friends took different career paths before joining forces. Inman graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine and is a practicing anesthesiologist. Williams is an entrepreneur who has started, and still runs, multiple companies.

It was the increase in health care costs at one of those companies that led Williams to become keenly interested in the medical business.

Those escalating costs, without the corresponding benefits, were ultimately passed on to some degree to employees, an outcome that left Williams frustrated.

“Entrepreneurs don’t like dysfunction,” Williams said. “We have to be focused on streamlining to stay in business.”

At the same time, Inman learned of a new surgical concept — the Surgery Center of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City — which combined transparent pricing with lower costs. Coincidentally, Williams had just seen a television piece on the facility, so he was familiar with the company. The pair thought a similar approach would work in central Indiana.

Now more than three years old, WellBridge, at 6300 Technology Center Dr., does about 100 surgeries a month. The facility has a roster of 73 surgeons credentialed to operate in four operating rooms. There are 19 full-time employees.

WellBridge’s growth is fueled by a fulltime sales and marketing team that calls on employers with self-funded health insurance plans. Williams said the sales team approach is novel and has led to 75 companies with self-funded plans, covering more than 80,000 lives, now affiliated with WellBridge.

One happy customer is Katie Barr, the town manager of Whitestown. Whitestown has been using WellBridge for 18 months and Barr said the town and its 165 employees have saved a substantial amount of money in medical costs.

She appreciates WellBridge’s “concierge-quality” service as well.

“Our employees have all had a high level of care and a positive experience with WellBridge,” she said. “It’s very personalized care they provide.”

Although most of WellBridge’s services are cash pay, the company does work with some insurance providers. For instance, WellBridge is in network with all United Healthcare products.

Prices for the different types of surgeries at WellBridge are listed on the firm’s website.

“Everyone has become a passive health care consumer,” Inman said. “We are educating people. If you want to be an active health care consumer, this is what we do.” Learn more at wellbridgesurgical.com.

One of four operating rooms at WellBridge Surgical. (Photo courtesy of Spry Brands)

ZIONSVILLE JANUARY 2025 CALENDAR

PUZZLE SWAP IN ZIONSVILLE

In celebration of National Puzzle Day, the community is invited to bring new and gently used puzzles to Zionsville Town Hall between Jan. 2 and Jan. 23, then return to town hall Jan. 25 to choose a new puzzle to bring home. Puzzles must be in good condition, no more than 15 years old, in their original box or tin and must include all pieces. Puzzles in plastic bags will not be accepted. In 2024, more than 1,000 boxes were swapped on National Puzzle Day. Learn more at tinyurl.com/4pbre3c4.

ILLUMINATE THE NIGHT LUMINARY WALK

Bundle up and gather family and friends for a magical walk through Overley-Worman Park, 640 Godello Circle, from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 4. The park’s path will be illuminated by hundreds of handcrafted, unique luminaries. The peaceful stroll celebrates creativity and community. A drop-in luminary workshop where participants can craft their own unique luminary that will be displayed during the luminary walk takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 at Zionsville Nature Center, 250 N. Fifth St.

JAVA TRAIL

Zionsville’s first ever Java Trail takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at Lincoln Park, 41 S. Second St. For one night only, Zionsville’s beloved Brick Street businesses will stay open late, creating an exclusive evening of coffee-themed excitement. The event is a chance to explore Village merchants after hours, with special deals, meals, drinks and activities. Registration is required. Admission is $10 per person Learn more at zionsville-in.gov/737/Winterfest.

FAMILY BINGO NIGHT

The St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church Knights of Columbus invite the public for an evening of bingo from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at the parish hall, 1870 W. Oak Street in Zionsville. Proceeds will benefit St. Alphonsus youth groups and the community of St. Anthony of Padua in Croix Fer, Haiti. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Learn more at zionsvillecatholic.com under the parish events tab.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Zionsville Town Council meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month and 7:30 a.m. the third Monday of each month, unless otherwise noted, at Zionsville Town Hall in the council chambers room, 1100 West Oak St. Meetings are open to the public. The council will only hold one regular meeting in January 2025, on Jan. 6. The second meeting of the month was canceled due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Agendas are available online at zionsville-in.gov/AgendaCenter. Meetings can be viewed online at youtube.com/user/ TownOfZionsville.

RUMMAGE SALE TO BENEFIT HAITI

St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, 1870 W. Oak St. in Zionsville, will host the annual rummage sale to benefit its twin parish, St. Anthony of Padua, in Croix Fer, Haiti. Proceeds directly support essential services and community needs in Croix Fer. Donations can be dropped off at the church from 2 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 23. The sale takes place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 24 and 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 25.

For more information, contact St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church at 317-873-2885.

DISPATCHES

Scholarship applications open — The Community Foundation of Boone County recently announced applications for 2025 scholarship opportunities are available through Jan. 14, 2025. Boone County students can apply for scholarship funding to pursue postsecondary education, including vocational training, undergraduate studies or graduate studies. Scholarships are made possible by Boone County individuals, families, civic groups and businesses who have established scholarship funds with the CFBC to help alleviate the costs of higher education. Search for scholarships and apply for opportunities at communityfoundationbc.org/search-and-apply.

Comprehensive plan survey — An online survey is open for Zionsville residents to state their opinions on development and growth. The Town of Zionsville is conducting the survey as part of the comprehensive planning process. HWC Engineering is developing the plan, which will replace the town’s previous plan from 2003 prior to the inclusion of Perry and Union townships within the town’s borders. A comprehensive plan is a nonbinding strategic plan that municipalities use to guide decisions on growth and planning, including business, residential, recreational, zoning and safety issues. Learn more and take the survey at uniquelyzionsville.com.

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LOOKING AHEAD

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

The Town of Zionsville is looking ahead to 2025 — and beyond.

Mayor John Stehr said as he wraps up his first year in office, his focus for the new year is developing a vision for Zionsville’s future by way of the comprehensive plan. The process kicked off in March 2024, when the town council signed a $450,000 contract with HWC Engineering to create a comprehensive plan and a transportation plan to update the 2003 plan. Since then, the town has held several public meetings and launched a community survey.

“There are some trends that are emerging,” Stehr said. “One of them that I think is very gratifying is that there’s an understanding among people that we have to have a change in our commercial tax base. We have to raise that to bring more balance to our tax structure. The question is going to be — where is that going to occur? I think the comprehensive plan will kind of lead us in those directions as to where we can have commercial development.”

Stehr said although the comprehensive plan might not be a “sexy” story for 2025, it’s an important one. He said that while the Village is Zionville’s “calling card,” the comprehensive plan will focus on where and how infrastructure and development will benefit all residents.

“I think that is tangible,” he said. “Where we are right now is the data collection stage. We’re going to start breaking down and really drilling into the specifics of what the comprehensive plan is going to do. There is going to be a subcommittee that’s going to look into transportation. There is going to be a subcommittee that’s going to look into finance and then into economic development. Things that are really important to the future of the town. It might not sound exciting, but it’s going to be really important because it’s really going to give us the roadmap that we need.”

Stehr said the town’s second priority in 2025 is roads, specifically the gateway into historic downtown Zionsville. The town will utilize $4 million of state-issued READI 2.0 grant funding for construction of two new roundabouts and road connections at First and Sycamore streets and Main and Syca-

Zionsville aims to complete Comprehensive Plan in 2025

more streets.

“We’re still in the engineering phase for that and we’re trying to build some momentum with our people and with our council to embrace what we’re trying to do there,” Stehr said. “It’s very complicated; there’s a lot of engineering that’s going on. But we’re also very fortunate that READI 2.0 money is going to help us pay for some of that.”

Stehr answered critics who have commented — predominantly on social media — that the addition of those roundabouts will fundamentally change the Village.

“The traffic grid that is in place right now is more than 150 years old. It was designed before cars had even been invented,” Stehr said. “It’s not efficient and all you have to do is drive through there once to realize it’s not an efficient way around or through

town. What the roundabouts will do is keep traffic flowing and also slow traffic down. One very important thing here is that we’re going to maintain that connection between Zionsville Road and Main Street. That was something a lot of people were concerned about. It’s very important to us that we are not going to disturb the brick street at all. It’s in fact going to make it more accessible than it is right now.”

Stehr also said plans to address traffic will have no impact on Lincoln Park — Zionsville’s historic Village greenspace where Abraham Lincoln stopped while traveling by train to his inauguration in 1861 on the rail line that formerly ran adjacent to downtown.

“Lincoln Park is sacred ground to me,” he said. “We can’t touch an inch of Lincoln Park. In fact, the parks department has (plans) to renovate Lincoln Park to make the grass grow a little better and put some nice benches in there and to replace the gazebo which is not in the best of shape. So, no. There’s never going to be any plan — as long as I have anything to say about it — to change Lincoln Park. We’ll improve it. But we’re not going to change it in any significant way.”

As far as accomplishments in 2024, Stehr pointed to the town’s improved credit rating. Standard & Poor’s revised the town’s financial outlook from “negative” to “stable” and reaffirmed its AA credit rating on tax-secured bonds in December.

One of Zionsville Mayor John Stehr’s first initiatives was a town-led planned unit development plan for South Village — a mostly underdeveloped region south of downtown to Old 106th Street.

The proposal to set standards for development within the South Village was voted down by the town council in August after Stehr said there was not adequate public support for the project. But, he said, the need is still there.

“The pressures that existed to have us come up with the South Village plan still exist,” Stehr said. “Seventy percent of that land is privately owned, and the people that own that land want to develop it. They want to do some things there. It’s our job to manage that as

best we can. The South Village plan was really nothing but a zoning proposal to a land use plan — we weren’t going to build anything. But maybe I didn’t do a good job communicating that. I think those land uses are still something that we need to discuss.”

Stehr said future South Village projects will come for approvals one at a time.

“We don’t own the land and we don’t control it. So, that’s going to be an ongoing discussion,” he said. “An overall land use plan doesn’t seem to be in the cards right now, but it will evolve in pieces. These are discussions that we’re going to have in the coming years.”

“We have worked really hard to put our finances back in order, to create new internal controls, to have a new five-year financial plan that we’ve never had before,” Stehr said. “All these things together have led us to a place where Standard & Poor’s has removed the negative outlook (and) they’ve given us a pathway to get our AA+ rating back. What we need to do is show good financial management over the next couple of years and show some consistency. Because it’s one of those things where it doesn’t take much to lose it, but it takes a lot to get it back. We are on track to get it back.”

ON THE COVER: Protecting the Village while helping Zionsville grow is the focus of the comprehensive plan, set to be completed in 2025.

FUTURE OF SOUTH VILLAGE

(Photo by Marney Simon)

Zionsville Mayor John Stehr said there are no plans to disturb Zionsville’s historic Lincoln Park. (Photos by Marney Simon)

Construction of two roundabouts leading into downtown Zionsville is expected to begin in 2025.

currentnightandday.com

Coral Reefer Band veteran McAnally set to keep party going at Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The night before Jimmy Buffett died in 2023, he had a special message for band members Mac McAnally and Mike Utley.

McAnally said they all understood the end was near.

“He was in as good a spirit as someone who just won the lottery,” McAnally said. “He was smiling that smile Jimmy Buffett always had on his face and talking about what a hell of a ride his life had been. He specifically said, ‘Keep the party going.’ He never wanted anyone to be sad. He liked to spread joy. In his particular case, he left a body of work that is going to keep spreading joy for generations and we get to be part of that.”

McAnally, a longtime Coral Reefer Band member and frequent Buffett songwriting partner, will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 10, 2025, at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The concert is nearly sold out.

“I give Mr. Buffett credit for selling tickets for me from the great beyond,” McAnally said. “A lot of Jimmy’s fans have graciously supported those of us who are still going on and playing.”

McAnally said the plan is for the Coral Reefer Band to play some shows later in 2025.

McAnally tours with percussionist Eric Darken, another former Coral Reefer member.

“He makes a drum kit out of pots and pans and auto parts,” McAnally said. “Eric brings a whole lot to the table. We did almost 80 shows, just Eric and myself. We love traveling together and making records together.”

The setlist includes a mix of Buffett songs and McAnally’s solo work.

“Sometimes, the mix gets influenced by a particular crowd on a given night,” McAnally said. “We try to be light on our feet. If it’s a night when everyone wants to sing Jimmy’s songs, we’ll do that.

We’re always going to sing some, but we’ll steer that more if everyone enjoys singing along.”

McAnally said there might be a crowd that wants to hear some of McAnally’s solo songs or songs he wrote for other country artists.

“I’m happy to go in any direction,”

McAnally said. “I’m fortunate that I’ve had a lifetime of work that I’m not only proud of but fortunate to be connected to.

I’ve been fortunate to open shows with some of my heroes and make records with some of my heroes, then on top of that be able to tour several decades with Jimmy to the point that he’s just basically my big brother. It’s been truly a blessing and I’m just celebrating that every night I play.”

McAnally likely will play some songs from Buffett’s final album, “Equal Strain on All Parts,” which was finished shortly before he died.

“We’re always going to do ‘Bubbles Up’ because the fact that he wrote that song when he was going through the toughest time of his life and the hardest thing he had to deal with, he wrote such a positive message,” McAnally said. “I think it’s

as good as anything he ever wrote.”

McAnally said Buffett worked as hard as he had ever seen him work on the last batch of songs. Paul McCartney played bass on one of the songs, “My Gummie Just Kicked In.”

“You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the music world or out of the music world that ever spent time around Jimmy that didn’t love the guy,” McAnally said.

McAnally said an example is the diverse group of performers who appeared in the Hollywood Bowl tribute show to Buffett in April. McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, the Eagles, Kenny Chesney and Brandi Carlisle, among others, performed.

“His fans are loyal in the way that almost no one’s fans can compete with,” McAnally said. “There are Parrotheads clubs that are doing good charitable work based around his music.”

McAnally said the first song he wrote that Buffett recorded was “It’s My Job.”

“It’s the first song we sang together and it turned out to be the last song we ever sang together,” he said. “I’ll always have that in my show.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Story: The Musical” runs through Jan. 5 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“Elton, Billy & Barry — They Write the Songs” is set for 7:30 and 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

GREGORY’S XIT

Gregory’s Xit performs at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

Scharbrough makes children’s series debut

editorial@youarecurrent.com

Scharbrough

Professional musician-songwriter Sarah Scharbrough will make her first appearance in the “Peanut Butter & Jam” series at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 at the Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Scharbrough’s interactive show features singing, rhythm and movement.

“Our aim is to make this show both fun and instructional,” the Noblesville resident said.

Tickets to the program, which is designed for ages 1-7, are $10 per child and include two free adult admissions.

“It’s been an incredibly busy holiday season,” she said. “I kicked off the season with my annual Christmas shows at the Jazz Kitchen, then I hit the road with gospel music group Point of Grace for a national tour (which ended Dec. 21).”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Singer-songwriter Mac McAnally will play at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Mac McAnally)

A thrift in time saves dimes

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Every year in late December, the Wolfsie family sits down and decides where we will donate money. We try to spread our giving to as many well-deserving charities as possible rather than giving a more considerable sum to only one or two.

HUMOR

One of my favorites is Centered Around Christ, or CAC, a service organization dedicated to helping those with food and housing needs. Two of our friends have dedicated much of their lives to this organization. When I wrote them a check, I knew it would be used for their mission, but my frustration with such donations is that you don’t know exactly how those in need benefit. That’s why I never pass someone on the street corner asking for money without giving. I know that’s a controversial issue, but I like the human contact. I ask their names and wish them luck. So, when I wrote a check to CAC, I stuck a $100 bill in the envelope with this note to my friends:

“Please use this cash to buy necessary items for those experiencing homelessness.”

I did this because my friends are geniuses at getting stuff like socks, cereal, candy bars, underwear and canned goods at incredibly low prices. They use coupons, beg from store managers and keep an eye out for overstocked items that a store might be happy to let go of at a rock-bottom price. I also knew they would keep me apprised of their negotiations and the specifics of their shopping purchases. Here were their texts to me for the first week:

• Dick: We just got three boxer briefs packs for $4.50; Retail was $38.00, an 88 percent saving.

• Dick: 36 boxes of cereal for $11.33

• Dick: 70 Granola bars for $15.72

• Dick: Just got 12 cans of soup for $5.52.

• Dick: What a deal: Nature’s Path, 15 boxes for $9.30.

• Dick: 1,260 Kit Kats for $37.08, a savings of $333.00.

• Dick: We spent the rest of your money today. We got 33 pairs of thermal socks for $16.50.

• Dick: Your final total shows that for your hundred bucks, we purchased food and clothing worth $829.00. I also got a spreadsheet. Oh, to be so

“My friends are geniuses at getting stuff like socks, cereal, candy bars, underwear and canned goods at incredibly low prices.”

organized.

By the way, I’ve added this up, and I think they still have a nickel left over. I hope they don’t squander it. With those 5 cents, they could treat me to a dozen Kit Kats. Although they work as a couple, my buddy does most of the finagling (I love that word). I won’t tell you his name, but he’ll answer to any grocery store manager screaming, “Cereal, 10 cents a box!”

So, if you see a completely bald, 6-foot-4inch man stuffing 30 boxes of Froot Loops in his trunk, that’s him.

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 oncemonthly 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.

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

LIFESTYLE

Across

1. Victory Field snack

8. Banned pesticide

11. Where to watch “Family Feud” reruns

14. Horse back in the pack

15. “Days of ___ Lives”

16. Rock genre

17. 2025 Pantone color of the year

19. ___ King Cole

20. Part for a Civic Theatre performer

21. Guarantee

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

23. Use UPS

25. Ed Martin auto sticker inits.

26. Adel’s Gyros bread

27. First Hispanic Republican to serve in the Indiana House: ___ Kubacki

Notice is hereby given that the Indiana Finance Authority (the “Authority”) will hold a public hearing on January 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Indianapolis time, in the office of the Authority located at One North Capitol Avenue, Suite 900, Indianapolis, Indiana, regarding a proposal by Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, Inc., an Indiana nonprofit corporation (the “Borrower”) and an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for a proposed issuance of one or more tax-exempt series of its Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 (Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, Inc. Project) (the “Bonds”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Twenty-Four Million Dollars ($24,000,000). Once constructed, the following projects will be owned and operated by the Borrower and the proceeds of the Bonds will be loaned to the Borrower for the purposes of (a) the construction of a new Goodwill store located at 3103 S. Walnut Street, Bloomington, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed $3,360,000 (b) the construction of a new Goodwill store located at 900 Market Street, Charlestown, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed $2,800,000 (c) the construction of a new Goodwill store located at 11615 Fox Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed $3,440,000 (d) the construction of a new Goodwill store located at West 750 North and North 600 West in McCordsville, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed $3,360,000 (e) the construction of a new Goodwill store located at 5900 W. 96th Street in Zionsville, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed $3,360,000 (f) the construction of a new Goodwill store located at North Anchor Position @ Appaloosa Crossing, Zionsville, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed $3,360,000 and (g) the Goodwill corporate remodel of the headquarters of Goodwill located at 1635 W. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed $3,600,000 (collectively, the “Project”) and paying certain ancillary costs associated with the issuance of the Bonds, debt service reserves (if desirable), construction period interest (if any), and costs of issuance. The Bonds will be issued as qualified 501(c)(3) bonds as defined in Section 145 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and will be used to finance economic development projects.

The Bonds will be issued by the Authority pursuant to Indiana Code 5-1.2, as supplemented and amended, and a resolution proposed for adoption by the members of the Authority. The Bonds will not be in any respect general obligations of the Authority, the State of Indiana, or any political subdivision thereof, but will be special and limited obligations of the Authority, as the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds will be payable solely from the property pledged thereto, including without limitation the revenues and receipts received from the repayment of the loan by the Borrower. The Bonds will not be payable in any manner from revenues raised by taxation. The Bonds shall not constitute a debt, liability or general or moral obligations of the Authority, the State of Indiana, or any political subdivision thereof, or a pledge of the faith and credit or taxing power of any of them and shall be payable only as aforesaid.

The public hearing is being held pursuant to Indiana Code Section 5-1.2-9-14 and Section 147(f) of the Code. The public is invited to attend, and comment on any of the matters herein noted, and all taxpayers, residents or interested parties who appear or participate will be given a reasonable opportunity to express their views, both orally and in writing, on the proposed plan of financing for the Project and other matters relating to the Bonds. Written comments may also be submitted to the Authority through the Public Hearing Officer at One North Capitol Avenue, Suite 900, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 until 4:30 p.m. EST, January 15, 2025.

Notice dated December 31, 2024.

Indiana Finance Authority

By: Cynthia S. Herron, Public Hearing Officer

30. Fancy furs

33. Fury

34. ___ d’oeuvres

36. Bistro, e.g.

37. 2024 Pantone color of the year

39. Finally

42. Sprinkler attachment

43. I-465 sight

46. Word with “rapid” or “mass”