January 14, 2025
Current in Zionsville currentzionsville.com
JANUARY & FEBRUARY DINE IN DEALS!
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Former second lady’s new charitable foundation takes flight
By Les Morris news@youarecurrent.com
“Hummingbird” was former U.S. second lady Karen Pence’s Secret Service code name when her husband, Mike Pence, served as vice president. Mike’s Secret Service code name was “Hoosier,” and the protocol is for the code names of all family members to begin with the same letter.
Now back home in Indiana, the Carmel resident has taken her affinity for the versatile flyers and attached it to a new philanthropic mission – the Hummingbird Charitable Foundation.
The prototype for the group, whose board of directors has expanded to include four of Pence’s friends, was her work as Indiana’s first lady when she launched the Indiana First Ladies Charitable Foundation. In three years, that group raised $600,000 that was distributed to all 92 Indiana counties.
One of the beneficiaries of the Hummingbird Charitable Foundation’s initial fundraising event is Indy Honor Flight, a nonprofit with strong local connections. Indy Honor Flight transports World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans to see the memorials built in their honor in Washington, D.C., at no cost to them. To date, they’ve flown more than 3,700 veterans, with a waiting list of about 800.
There are several Carmel residents who serve as volunteers at Indy Honor Flight, and the venue for the group’s monthly veterans’ breakfasts is The Barrington of Carmel.
One of those heroes is Dan Harlan, 84. He is a Navy veteran who served as a damage control officer and engineering officer on the U.S.S. Cogswell in the South China Sea, the Philippines and Vietnam between 1963-1966 during the Vietnam War.
His recent day trip to D.C. began with an early pick-up by an assigned escort at
3 a.m. By 4 a.m., he and three friends also making the journey were having breakfast at Plainfield High School. The group was bussed to the Indianapolis airport and flew charter to Washington’s Reagan National Airport.
From there, they made the rounds of the war memorials and concluded the day with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
“I was very impressed with the memorials,” Harlan said. Of the cemetery he said, “You can’t believe how big it is and how impressive it is.”
On the flight back home to Central Indiana, the veterans participated in the military “mail call” tradition and received cards of support and gratitude from friends, family and children who volunteered to express their appreciation.
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Awaiting them in the school’s gymnasium were thousands of cheering supporters for one final in-person salute.
“It was almost overwhelming when you walk into that gymnasium,” Harlan said.
Karen Pence is personally familiar with the work of Indy Honor Flight. She said by coincidence in April 2019 while she was second lady, an honor flight was coming into Reagan National just as she was leaving.
“I stopped and greeted every participant there,” she said. “It was so much fun. It’s such a wonderful thing.”
The foundation is holding its first fundraising luncheon on March 27, 2025, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom with proceeds also going to INvets and Indy Warrior Partnership.
Learn more at hummingbirdcharitablefoundation.org. PHILANTHROPY
The long and emotional day was nearly over as the group made its way back to Plainfield High School. Or so they thought.
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Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Zionsville are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
Second lady Karen Pence greets a veteran participating in an Indy Honor Flight in April 2019. (Photo by Amy Rossetti)
at
is
Zionsville mayor keeps the door open to neighbors
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Heading into his second year as mayor of Zionsville, John Stehr said he’s focused on more than simply what’s within the town’s borders.
TOWN NEWS
Stehr said he spent time during his first year in office strengthening relationships with Zionsville’s neighbors.
that going forward. I think it’s not just good for Zionsville, but it’s good for everybody.”
Stehr said that while Zionsville has its own character — one that is often copied but rarely duplicated — it’s important to recognize the town’s value as a community partner.
“I’m in regular contact with the mayors from (Carmel and Westfield), and there’s much more open dialogue because I think there’s a recognition that we’re a region,” Stehr said. “Yes, we compete against one another for various things, but we also need to work together and promote our region. I’m really happy about the contacts that we’ve made, the relationships that we’re building, and I intend to continue
One area Stehr hopes will come into focus in 2025 is the creation of a recreation center that would benefit Zionsville and Whitestown. In August 2024, he told the Zionsville Town Council that initial discussions were underway to establish the feasibility of building a YMCA facility that would serve southeastern Boone County.
“The YMCA has done a study on the market and the possibilities of a community center here,” he said.
“We’re working with Whitestown, and hopefully, we’ll find a path forward on that, but it’s a little premature yet.
We’re still kind of in the investigatory stages, but I hope that we can work together and create something. Each of our communities are not quite big enough to sustain that on our own. But together we have a lot more power, so if we can work together, I think that’ll lead to greater opportunities for people that live both here and in Whitestown.”
Stehr said improving the relationship with Whitestown has been one of his priorities. The relationship between the towns has been strained for the past 10 years because of annexation disputes that ultimately ended up before the Indiana Supreme Court. But, he said, things are changing. A portion of Whitestown is within the Zionsville Community Schools District, and Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library opened a Whitestown branch in 2024.
“We can accomplish a lot more together,” Stehr said. “Together, we have critical mass.”
DISPATCHES
Scholarship applications open — The Community Foundation of Boone County recently announced applications for 2025 scholarship opportunities are available through Jan. 14. 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.
Meijer donates to Community Foundation of Boone County — Team members at Whitestown’s Meijer store recently selected the Community Foundation of Boone County as the recipient of a $10,000 donation. The Meijer Team Gives program has awarded millions of dollars to various nonprofits in Indiana and Kentucky, all handpicked by Meijer team members. The CFBC is a nonprofit organization that provides funding, scholarships and programming support to Boone County and Boone County-supporting nonprofit organizations and charities. This is the fourth year Whitestown’s Meijer store has participated in the program.
Stehr
January 17– 19, 2025
The 2025 Festival of Ice at Carter Green features:
• Professional ice carving demonstrations in the Arts & Design District
• Fast-paced ice carve-off competition at The Ice at Carter Green
• Firehouse chili cook-off
• And more!
A special thanks to Allied Solutions for participation and sponsorship of many of our holiday events.
Zionsville youth honored for community service
news@youarecurrent.com
A Zionsville Middle School seventh grader is one of two Boone County recipients of the Youth Power and Hope Award for outstanding community service efforts.
RECOGNITION
Emma Westfall was recognized last month at the Indiana Electric Cooperatives annual meeting.
The award recognizes five students from across the Hoosier State in grades 5-8 who make a positive impact in their communities. Emma’s list of volunteer efforts and community service includes volunteering at Boone Animal Shelter by cleaning, organizing supplies, and making treats for animals; serving meals at Wheeler Mission and assisting at Safety Town Camp each summer; and supporting the Zionsville Food Pantry by packing boxes for foster children.
Lebanon Middle School eighth grader Claire Wilhoite is the other Boone County youth honored. Fletcher Abner of Palmyra, Cressa Kohrman of St. Paul and Malarie Schoettmer of Greensburg also earned the recognition.
Each winner received $500 to further
their community service activities and will be featured in the February issue of Indiana Connection magazine.
Since 2009, the program has annually honored Indiana youth in grades 5-8 for their community service. Past winners’ community projects have included raising money for Riley Hospital for Children and donating toys for its patients; collecting coats for the less fortunate; and providing police officers with stuffed animals to comfort children in crisis situations.
Boone REMC youth-serving programs include Indiana Electric Cooperative Page Day; a youth tour to Washington, D.C.; scholarships for high school seniors; and a calendar featuring artwork of Hoosier art students.
Boone REMC also hosts Camp Kilowatt — a three-day summer camp that combines traditional outdoor camp activities such as ziplining, canoeing and horseback riding with environmental education, electrical safety practices and cooperative business education.
Boone REMC is an electric utility cooperative serving more than 19,000 meters in Boone, Clinton, Hamilton, Hendricks and Montgomery counties. Learn more at bremc.com.
Boone County Youth Power and Hope Award winner and Zionsville Middle School seventh-grader Emma Westfall, right, with Boone REMC President & CEO Bill Conley and Lebanon award winner Claire Wilhoite. (Photo courtesy of Boone REMC)
REGO-FIX USA announces leadership appointments
TRADES news@youarecurrent.com
Whitestown-based REGO-FIX USA recently announced two new leadership positions at its North American headquarters. The Swiss-precision tooling technologies manufacturer opened its Center for Machining Excellence in October 2024 in Whitestown.
The company recently announced that Bill Obras will spearhead strategic relationships for the Center for Machining Excellence as Director of Partnerships. Orbas also serves as general manager for Latin America operations.
North American sales manager Jeff Schemel will move into the General Manager USA role.
“With the company for nearly 30 years, (Orbas) was a driving force behind the development of our Center for Machining Excellence, and we want to be sure he remains at the helm with partners and for our customers,” REGO-FIX Global Sales and Marketing Director Pascal Forrer stated. “(Schemel) has more than two decades invested with REGO-FIX and our customers, maintains a distinguished track record of success in North America and is unquestionably the ideal choice for his new pivotal position.”
Headquartered at 4420 Anson Blvd. in Whitestown, REGO-FIX USA and the Center for Machining Excellence provide training opportunities nationally and locally, working with universities and technical schools for unique opportunities for handson manufacturing learning experiences. The facility houses a wide range of cutting-edge technology and serves as a hub for industry innovation for manufacturers and industry leaders worldwide. Learn more at Rego-USA.com.
Schemel
Obras
HSE junior point guard a key to team’s success
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton Southeastern High School junior point guard Kennedy Holman has become a force offensively and defensively.
“She is one of the hardest workers at both ends of the floor,” Royals girls basketball coach Brian Satterfield said. “There is a reason why we rarely take her out of the game. She is the leader or second in almost every statistical category, along with being our best defender. She continues to grow on reading the defense and seeing the floor. Some of the passes she makes are jaw dropping. Her growth in that area is impressive.”
As of Jan. 8, Holman averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game for the Royals (17-0), and ranked No. 1 in the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association coaches poll. She shoots 48 percent from the field.
As a sophomore, Holman averaged 11.7 points, 7.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. As a freshman, she averaged 6.1 ppg. “It has been fun to watch her game grow every year,” Satterfield said. “We look
KENNEDY HOLMAN
Favorite athlete: University of Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore
Favorite artists: SZA
Favorite movie: “Coach Carter”
Favorite vacation spot: Puerto Rico
forward to seeing her compete at the next level but are excited to have her for another year.”
Holman said the goal for the team is “to continue to build on what we’ve started with taking steps forward and not back.”
Senior Maya Makalusky, who has signed to play basketball at Indiana University, led the team with 21.1 points and seven re-
Hamilton Southeastern High School point guard Kennedy Holman is one of the leaders of the unbeaten Royals. (Photo courtesy of Gabby Stimac)
bounds per game as of Jan. 8. Junior Kayla Stidham had a 10.3 ppg scoring average.
“Playing with two great players like Maya and Kayla has been so fun, it makes the game a lot easier and less stressful,” Holman said. “I think I’ve made the most improvement in my offensive side, specifically the shooting part. This is definitely the strongest team (in high school). Our chemistry is the best it’s ever been, which has led us to better opportunities.”
Holman is called “KK” by friends and family.
“Not sure how my mom came up with KK
because my middle name starts with an M, but she’s been calling me that for as long as I can remember and it stuck with me,” Holman said.
Holman’s most recent college offers are from the University of Oregon and University of Louisville. The other three schools she is considering at this time are Butler University, the University of Illinois and Marquette University.
“I’m going to wait to see how the start of the AAU season goes for me and after the first few tournaments, narrow it down from there,” said Holman, who has played for the Indiana Girls Basketball program since fourth grade.
Holman has played basketball since first grade. She also played volleyball, softball, gymnastics, soccer and track. She started concentrating only on basketball in seventh grade.
“I think just the feeling of winning is what makes me passionate,” Holman said. “I’m just a naturally competitive person who doesn’t like to lose in anything.”
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
The circular economy — beyond the three Rs
Commentary by Jennifer Lawrence
Circular economy has been a popular topic for several years.
ENVIRONMENT
To understand what the circular economy is, we first need to discuss the linear economy model.
The linear economy model refers to taking natural resources, making products, using said products and then disposing of them, typically in a landfill. The circular economy model takes the mining of natural resources and disposal out of the equation all together. In the circular economy we begin with recycled feedstock material, which is made into products, those products are then used, refurbished, reused and then recycled continuing the loop of the circular economy. An important part of the circular economy is rebuying items made from recycled material. This is often referred to or labeled as “closing the loop.”
In all things, it is not a perfect system, as all items don’t fit into the loop equation. For example, polystyrene is rarely recycled. So, the key is to avoid utilizing polystyrene egg cartons, packing material, etc., as much as possible. Paper, although readily recyclable, has a limited number of times it can be recycled as the fibers break down with each cycle. But using the circular economy loop for paper as much as possible does greatly reduce the number of trees that are consumed as a natural resource. Lastly, a great example of the circular economy is glass as it can be infinitely recycled.
Whether it be a New Year’s resolution or simply making the effort to be a little greener this year, each of us can focus on the waste we create. We can think about reducing, refurbishing, reusing, repurposing, recycling and rebuying recycled materials, in that order.
The Boone County Solid Waste Management District is responsible for implementing programs and educating residents to reduce, recycle or properly dispose of their residential waste.
Jennifer Lawrence is the Executive
Director
of Boone County Solid Waste Management District. Learn more about recycling and other sustainable topics at boonecountysolidwaste.com.
Winter Market — The Town of Whitestown hosts a monthly winter market at the Whitestown Community Recreation Center at the Whitestown Municipal Complex. The market is 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 8 and March 8. A variety of vendors will sell local products and foods. Learn more at whitestown.in.gov under the community tab.
Purdue Extension to offer workshop — Annie’s Project — an educational framework to empower women in agriculture sponsored by Purdue Extension — will host a six-week workshop for new or experienced cut flower-growers in Boone County beginning Jan. 20. The workshop will focus on nurturing business skills while participants network with other cut flower growers.
Participants will engage in topics including implementation of risk management skills; development of skills in new business development; financial management; strategic marketing; competitive production practices; and liability geared toward sustainable growth. The workshop is $65 per person. Courses can be taken online, on in-person at The Farm Bureau Inc. Community Building at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds in Lebanon. Register at tinyurl.com/deb88pre.
Melt the Trail registration open — Registration is available for the 10th annual Melt the Trail 5k run/walk race at 10:30 a.m. March 1 at Grand Junction Brewing Co. in Westfield. Registration includes a long sleeve race shirt, finisher’s medal, post-race snacks and drinks, one
free drink ticket for participants 21 and older, a timed route and a chance to win an award. Guaranteed shirt deadline is Feb. 11. Register at westfieldwelcome.com/ melt-the-trail.
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 through 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.
Children who need heart surgery can get world-class care close to home
Welcome Dr. Bryant, pediatric and congenital heart surgeon
World-class congenital heart surgery and cardiac care are now more convenient for families in Indiana. Roosevelt Bryant III, MD, a board-certified pediatric and congenital heart surgeon, brings the highest level of surgical care to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
Ask your child’s pediatrician or cardiologist for a referral. And to learn more, scan the QR code.
Peyton Manning Children’s — Indianapolis Pediatric Heart Care 8333 Naab Road, Suite 320, Indianapolis, IN 46260
IT’S SHOWTIME
Zionsville couple’s Indianapolis restaurant featured on The Food Network
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
A Zionsville couple who serves lunch specials in downtown Indianapolis will get national exposure for their restaurant, Subito, this month on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ on The Food Network.
The couple lived in the Pacific Northwest — Chuck is a native of Seattle while Meganne is a Hoosier — until they moved to Indianapolis in 2013. They made the move to Meganne’s hometown of Zionsville four years ago.
“We lived in Indianapolis and really loved it, but just outgrew the house,” Chuck Brezina said. “One day we were on Main Street. We were just watching the kids ride up on their bicycles and we said, yes. We were on 86th Street in Indianapolis in Nora and we never felt confident with kids riding their bikes on 86th Street. It’s just so busy, It doesn’t feel like a neighborhood or a little town. So, when we saw the kids riding bikes in Zionsville, we thought all right, this is cool.”
Moving to Indiana provided the couple with an opportunity that was hard to come by in Seattle — opening a restaurant for an affordable price.
Chuck Brezina operated a restaurant in Seattle with a similar menu as Subito — carryout soups, salads and sandwiches. When the family moved to Indiana, he knew he wanted to continue working in a similar environment. After about a year of looking, they found a small shop for rent in downtown Indianapolis. With a business loan and some assistance from family, the first Subito opened in 2015.
In 2020, they signed a lease at 34 N. Delaware St., just east of Monument Circle — just two weeks before COVID-19 shut the city down. But while other businesses struggled to keep their doors open during the pandemic, Subito ended up in the right place at the right time.
“In retrospect, a really incredible move because we gained a lot more people moving just a little bit north (of our first location), with people working on the circle and we are across the street from the city-county building,” Brezina said. “The city-county building — throughout the pandemic — operated at around 50
percent, whereas most of the other towers were empty. They also shut down Market Street at that same time. So, everybody was coming out of the west entrance directly across the street and seeing our new restaurant across the street. We were lucky. The right place and we had a good reputation, so we kept the people who were still there who knew of us and then we gained a lot of people by just kind of luck.”
After they moved into the Delaware Street site, the landlord offered them the option to expand if the unit next door became available. That expansion happened in 2023. In December 2023, Guy Fieri’s production team reached out with news that the show was planning to visit sites in central Indiana.
“They had got a bunch of viewer emails,
Chuck and Meganne Brezina with Guy Fieri during filming for ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ at their restaurant, Subito. (Photo courtesy of Meganne Brezina)
local people who emailed the show,” Brezina said.
The Brezinas sent the show a presentation on Subito for consideration, making it through several rounds before becoming one of six Indianapolis-metropolitan region restaurants chosen to be featured on the show.
The visit took place during last year’s NBA All-Star Break week. Brezina said the two-day production schedule was hectic, stressful and exhausting — but also the chance of a lifetime. Day one was working with the crew on filming food preparation and scenes around the restaurant, while the second day included Guy Fieri and finally getting on camera.
“(Guy) says, ‘Stand right here.’ And then I look down, there’s like some blue tape where they want to do the interview.
LUNCHTIME SPECIALS
Open since 2015, Subito in downtown Indianapolis is known for its lunchtime fare and homemade bread.
“We do soups, salads, sandwiches. We make the bread, and we just do all fromscratch stuff. That’s what I like — I like to create,” said owner Chuck Brezina of Zionsville.
Brezina said he’s excited to share his restaurant and Indiana with The Food Network’s audience when Subito is featured on ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ Jan. 17.
“I couldn’t be happier in Indianapolis,”
he said. “It’s a pretty good food scene. We got kind of hurt by the pandemic, but overall, I couldn’t have done it in Seattle. I was able to do it here and people have embraced us. I’m always very happy because there’s a lot of corporate stuff in downtown Indy. It’s nice to be recognized as a good restaurant and for making Indianapolis more unique.”
Subito’s downtown Indianapolis restaurant is at 34 N. Delaware St. It has a second shop at 1220 Waterway Blvd., in Indianapolis.
Learn more at subitosoups.com.
Then, all of a sudden, the show’s on and he starts asking me questions,” Brezina said. “And I look up and there’s like five cameras. It was just going, and he was super professional, he knew exactly how he wanted the show to look, which I thought was pretty incredible.”
After the initial interview, they moved to the kitchen for the food demonstration.
“I was super nervous, I felt like an absolute dummy,” Brezina joked. “I’ve thought about it since then and kind of during that filming, I realized he’s the funny guy. He’s the star and I’m the straight man. I needed to give him enough for him to do his thing.”
Brezina said they showcased two sandwiches and Subito’s signature homemade bread.
“And then I blinked, and I swear it was over,” he said. “He was there for about two hours, but it only felt like a half hour. Because he’s in, and then he’s out. But he’s super complimentary. He really understood, I think, the restaurant and how we were operating, which I thought was great. He said to me, off camera, ‘You are the trifecta for the show — you have a good story, you have good culinary and you’re not a dud.’ So, I was like, cool, I’m not a dud.”
Brezina said although he loves his downtown location, he also enjoys coming home to Zionsville at the end of the day.
“It’s a great place to be and a great place to raise a family,” he said. “Zionsville doesn’t have to pretend to be a little town.” He said the restaurant reflects that quaint feel that Zionsville provides.
“At the restaurant, since this renovation happened, I changed my menu board and people were like, are you going to get a digital menu board? But no,” he said. “I’m going to hand write this in chalk because it feels good when you walk in and see it. Somebody did this. It’s not digital; it’s not a TV board. There’s something about those feelings. The brick street in Zionsville is one of them. Zionsville is the real thing, and you can tell.”
Subito’s episode of ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ airs at 9 p.m. Jan. 17 on The Food Network.
ON THE COVER: Subito expanded its downtown Indianapolis location in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Meganne Brezina)
Audience picks ‘Yesterday and Today’ setlist for Beatles interactive tribute act
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Billy McGuigan and his two brothers have deep ties to Beatles music and the memories associated with the songs.
“Our dad was a military man who traveled all over the world,” McGuigan said. “When we didn’t have money, we always had his Beatles records and guitar. We lost our dad to leukemia when he was 42. This music is what kept his spirit alive with us and kept us together as brothers. When we started 17 years ago, there were probably 30 to 40 Beatles acts with everyone dressed like The Beatles. We didn’t dress up as kids, so we didn’t want to do that.”
McGuigan, 49, and his brothers Ryan, 46, and Matthew, 42, created Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience.” The band will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 18 the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Before the two-hour tribute show, audience members are invited to fill out request cards listing their name, favorite Beatles song and the reason the song is so important to them.
About two minutes before the show, McGuigan said they put together a setlist from the audience, which he said makes each performance unique.
McGuigan said the show is less about how The Beatles dressed and more about what their music means to the concertgoers.
“Now, there are not as many bands dressing up like The Beatles, and we’re still around because our show has heart,” McGuigan said. “We’re not just playing the songs because someone is paying us to do it. We would do it, anyway. We just bring all our friends in the audience with us. At the end of the show, instead of twisting and shouting, you’ve gone through an experience that was kind of unique and unlike anything else out there.”
McGuigan said they have played every Beatles song in their catalog at least once on stage. The catalog contains approximately 225 songs.
The band played “Now and Then,” which was released in November 2023, one day after it was released. John Lennon, who was killed in 1980, recorded it as a home demo. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr completed it with overdubs and guitar tracks by George Harrison, who died in 2001.
McGuigan said the band can perform songs by McCartney’s Wings band and solo songs by the four Beatles, so they can play about 400 songs. He said there is rarely a show when “Hey Jude” isn’t requested. Other heavily requested songs are “Here Comes the Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You.”
“Those consistently make our show,” he said.
McGuigan said he recently received six requests for “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.”
This is the first time McGuigan has
played in the Indianapolis area.
The brothers don’t play a particular Beatle on stage. McGuigan sings most of the McCartney songs. Ryan performs most of Lennon’s songs and Matthew sings most of Harrison’s songs.
“I play piano and guitar,” McGuigan said. “Matthew is music director and plays bass guitar and piano, and Ryan does a little of everything. He plays percussion and hits buttons on his keyboard.”
The band, which is based in Omaha, Neb., has three other members besides the siblings. Keyboard player Darren Pettit has been with the group since the start.
“We do about 100 shows a year,” McGuigan said. “The best part is having my brothers with me because we’ve been doing it since we were little kids. To see the adult versions of them become rock stars is kind of fun.”
Before McGuigan started the band with his brothers, he toured as the late Buddy Holly for several years.
‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS’
“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” runs through Feb. 9 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
’YESTERDAY AND TODAY’
“Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience” is set for 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“Thank You for the Music! An ABBA Party” is set for Jan. 16, followed by “Indy Nights with Ryan Ahlwardt & Friends” Jan. 17 and “Dueling Pianos” Jan. 18 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All three performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
DISPATCHES
Civic Theatre fundraiser set — “Waiting in the Wings,” a fundraiser to support Civic Theatre, is set for Jan. 22 at Feinstein’s cabaret in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. There will be performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m. The cast will perform selections from shows Civic Theatre officials plan to stage in the future. The cast includes Bella Agresta, David Brock, Drew Bryson, Sadie Cohen, Joe Doyel, Jay Fuqua, Braxton Hiser and Sally Root. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
‘Luminaries’ series features African American Classical Composers — The Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts’ “Luminaries” series will present “The Music and Lives of African American Classical Composers” at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Palladium in Carmel. Saxophonist Trevor Conerly and pianist Andrew Brown will perform several musical pieces while highlighting the lives, challenges and stories of the composers. Conerly, a DePauw University graduate, is a saxophonist who lives and works in the Indianapolis area. Pianist Andrew Brown is a fellow DePauw grad and Indianapolis native. Admission is $10 and includes light refreshments. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
From left, Ryan, Billy and Matthew McGuigan from “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Battles Experience.” (Photo courtesy of Billy McGuigan)
NIGHT & DAY
Actresses embrace ‘murder’
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Devan Mathias views a murder mystery play as a juicy piece to put together because the actors and production team already know the ending.
MYSTERY
“We get to build those clues into the show throughout the rehearsal process, planting seeds for the sleuths in the audience along the way, but we have to do that without tipping our hats too much,” Mathias said. “So much of what’s happening in a murder mystery is about what’s ‘not’ being said, but rather what’s happening without words, all right in front of the audience. The challenge for us as actors — and part of what makes it such fun — is to develop these really rich backstories and strong opinions of each other to breathe life into that aspect of the story.”
& Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis.
“The playwright, Ken Ludwig, has done such a marvelous job honoring the original Agatha Christie tale while also bringing the comedy of this story to the forefront,” Mathias said. “What’s lovely about this script, and our production, is that it unites the mystery and the comedy genres in such a delicious way.”
The Fishers resident portrays Greta Ohlsson in “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” set for Jan. 9 to Feb. 9 at Beef
Noblesville resident Suzanne Stark portrays Princess Dragomiroff.
Stark said there are challenges with any role, particularly ones that are new to her resume.
“I am so looking forward to finding out ‘who’ I will end up being as we work through the rehearsal process,” Stark said. “The age of the Princess is the same range as my age, but I imagine I will approach her with more gravity than my normal personality or the roles I usually play.”
Stark said finding comedic moments in a play that has a dark theme is an interesting challenge. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘Heart of Afghanistan’ set
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
The Fanoos Ensemble will introduce a Carmel audience to a unique blend of their heritage.
MUSIC
The group will perform its “Heart of Afghanistan” program at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.
Elham Fanoos, 27, who is based in New York City, plays piano and is the music director.
The Fanoos family’s father, Ahmad, came to the U.S. in 2021 and is the vocalist and plays the harmonium. Elham’s younger brother, Mehran, who is an Indiana University music student, plays the violin and Sohail Karimi plays the tabla.
“We like to call (Sohail) a brother from another mother because we’re very close,” Elham said.
The “Heart of Afghanistan” program is in collaboration with American Voices, which presents music around the world.
“We started presenting the program in 2022 and have performed in about 25
states and over 40 concerts so far,” Elham said. “We are mixing Afghan music with Western classical music because we believe this is a unique ensemble.”
Elham, who has been in the U.S. since 2015, said his father evacuated from Afghanistan with the help of Fox News.
“It was very unsafe for him and there were a lot of threats on him because he is quite well known in Afghanistan because he was a judge on ‘Afghan Stars,’” Elham said. “It was similar to ‘American Idol’ and big around Afghanistan.”
For more, visit fanoosensemble.com. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Mathias
Stark
From left, Mehran Fanoos, Sohail Karimi, Ahmad Fanoos and Elham Fanoos will perform Jan. 25 in Carmel. (Photo courtesy Elham Fanoos)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
6PM & 8:30PM
FEINSTEIN’S AT HOTEL CARMICHAEL
LIFESTYLE
Across
1. Gloomy atmosphere
5. Zionsville Farmers’ Market fruit
9. Wall Street term
14. Slurpee alternative
15. Indiana Toll Road toll unit
16. Self-assurance
17. Start of a quote attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr.
20. Fable fellow
21. Pirelli product
22. Hair holder
23. Vintner’s valley
26. ___ Diego
27. Pacers tiebreakers, briefly
28. IU and PU foe
31. Ticket, slangily
33. Asian New Year
35. Colts supporters
37. Did the Mini-Marathon
38. Pancake topper
40. Texter’s “Just sayin’”
41. Quote, Part 2
43. “What’s ___ for me?”
45. Hose woes
47. Fish story
48. Indiana State Prison chamber
49. Fight decision, for short
50. Kind of question
52. VCR button
53. Bier Brewery brew
55. IND scanning org.
57. Pop 59. Swindle
60. Duke Energy
measurements
62. Black-and-white cookies
66. End of quote
70. “The Barber of Seville,” e.g.
71. Mata ___
72. Top-notch
73. U-Haul rival 74. Thumbs-up votes
75. “Uncle!” Down 1. Adel’s Gyros bread
2. Tummy pain
3. Jeans brand
4. Allow to board
5. Cook’s spray
6. PC file suffix
7. Came down 8. Just say no 9. Abundant
10. AAA Hoosier Motor Club job 11. One who works on a grand scale?
12. So far 13. Takes a break
18. Apple tablet
19. Coach Parseghian of Notre Dame
24. Cat
sounds
25. Trendy berry
28. Slightly awry
29. Wood cutters
30. Not deliberate
32. It may be obtuse
34. Indiana Mr. Basketball from North Central HS: ___ Gordon
36. Letters on a love letter
38. Shorthand pro
39. Heap
42. Snake’s warning
44. RN’s specialty
46. Take up arms
50. Harley competitor
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Docket No. PZ-2024-00187 V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on the 27th day of January, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to: Requesting a Variance from UDO Sections 3.92 and 5.03(B), to exceed the allowed lighting foot-candle measurements, with a range of 0.6 to 3.7 footcandles along the north and west property lines. Max. allowed is 0.3 footcandles along the property lines.
With the property being known as: 10800 N. Michigan Rd. Zionsville, IN 46077
The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2024-00187 V .
The real estate affected by said application is described as follows:
Parcel No. 17-13-06-00-00-030.203
The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
of America, N.A.
51. Aroma
53. Westfield Playhouse player
54. Ditzy
56. “Quiet!”
58. 70-Across highlights
61. Canine command
63. Showbiz “grand slam”
64. “Good heavens!”
65. Put your foot down
67. Mine find
68. Fury
69. Bro’s sib Answers on Page 19
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