June 4, 2024 – North Indy

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Founded March 12, 2024, at Indianapolis, IN Vol. I, No. 7

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Midwest Homeschool Expo debuts June 22

The event is a one-stop shop for homeschool families and prospects.

By Samantha Kupiainen NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com

The Academy of Chaos will debut its Midwest Homeschool Expo June 22 at the Ascension St. Vincent Education and Simulation Center in Indianapolis from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

EVENT

The Midwest Homeschool Expo is designed for current and prospective homeschool families, providing them with the opportunity to network and learn about curriculum options. A variety of presenters, workshops and vendors will be on-site.

The Academy of Chaos is an education-based business spearheaded by Jean Lee, a local mom who has homeschooled her children since 2020. Through her business, she offers homeschool advice and a variety of classes to homeschool families in the area, including Noblesville, Lebanon and Westfield.

Lee founded the academy after noticing many families that had switched to homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic were in need of community to engage with.

“Home education and homeschooling is rapidly evolving,” said Lee, the Midwest Homeschool Expo’s event director. “I think COVID changed the world for many people, particularly for families and education. As all of our children came home, we were suddenly intimately involved in educating them. My children started in the public

school system, and we suddenly realized skill gaps and emotional struggles.”

The expo will feature about 50 presenters, including P.J. Vaught from the Indiana Education Scholarship Account and Dr. Paul Geraci from the Indiana Fencing Club. Other presenters include Michelle Peters from Mrs. Peter’s Math, who will talk about high school math, and Bri Radici from PediPlay, who will talk about sensory strategies for homeschooling.

The vendor list includes more than 60 companies, with a variety of curriculum. Some companies include A+ Interactive Math, Designer Education and Kumon Publishing, co-op groups Arrows Learning, Village Roots Collective and Spark Joy Homeschool, among other groups and organizations.

However, one of the biggest draws for

DISPATCHES

SUN Bucks program helps with grocery costs — This summer is the first year of the new Indiana SUN Bucks, a benefits program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school and when households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. Most eligible families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply. For more, visit indianasunbucks.com.

DCS recognized – The Indiana Department of Child Services received national recognition in May for its Indiana Family Pres-

families is the opportunity to explore curriculum options.

“Curriculum is a very difficult thing, and it’s really expensive,” Lee said. “We are paying for it ourselves because we’re home educating. Spending $300 to $400 on a series of books for your child’s learning that may or may not work is a lot. Being able to experience materials in-person is so beneficial. One of the things that I’ve created, and I’ve worked with publishers, national and international, is a curriculum roadshow. It’s essentially a library of homeschool curriculums, because curriculum isn’t necessarily all in one.”

The event will conclude with a family dance and a graduating seniors recognition ceremony. Kids are admitted free but adults must purchase tickets at theacademyofchaos.com

ervation Services program, which provides in-home support to strengthen families and improve outcomes while reducing the number of children entering the foster care system. The program, which launched in June 2020, has been designated a promising practice by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. The program was also highlighted as an example of how new approaches to child welfare practice can enhance child and family well-being in an April report by the Christensen Institute. The program is designed to keep children in their home when it is safe to do so and provides other support and financial assistance to families. Since its inception, Indiana Family Preservation Services has served more than 27,000 children and 14,000 families.

Jean Lee, event director for the Midwest Homeschool Expo, leads a homeschool class. (Photo courtesy of Jean Lee)

Lee

ISBVI leader to retire in September

NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Superintendent James Durst will retire from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired effective Sept. 30, after serving the ISBVI for 33 years in leadership roles.

EDUCATION

“I’m so grateful for the decades Superintendent Durst spent as a dedicated educational leader serving Hoosiers who are blind and visually impaired as well as their families and wider communities,” Holcomb stated. “In recent years, he prepared the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for major upcoming capital improvements, including the eventual world class co-location of the Indiana School for Deaf on its campus.”

Durst was appointed superintendent of the ISBVI in 2001 following 10 years of service as principal at the school. He also had over a decade of teaching and educational leadership in West Virginia.

As one of the largest state schools in the nation serving students who are blind or have low vision, IBSVI enrolls 110 students spanning preschool through high school, approximately 40 of whom are residential, as well as directly serving over 300 students across 46 school districts. The school offers a wide array of other programming aligned to its statutory mission of serving Hoosier students with visual disabilities.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support and collaboration you have provided to me and the school as board members,” Durst stated. “Our shared commitment to providing an outstanding education for the students at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been the driving force behind our accomplishments.”

The ISBVI Board will lead a search to appoint a new Superintendent and intends to name a successor by the time of Durst’s retirement in September.

Durst

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New home permits increase

NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com

A breakdown of new home permits issued in the Indianapolis metro area shows significant growth across the region, according to a new report from the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis.

HOUSING

The report, which compared countywide permit numbers for April 2023 and April 2024, shows the housing market had a 37 percent increase year over year in the number of permits issued for new single-family homes and a 44 percent increase year-to-date in 2024 versus 2023.

In Marion County, permits in April 2024 were up slightly more in April 2023, with 141 compared to 132 one year prior.

In Hamilton County, the total number of new home permits issued in April 2024 was 324, versus 251 the April 2023.

New home permits issued in Boone County in April 2024 totaled 96, versus 36 in April 2023.

“We are excited to see a steady pattern of growth as we near the middle of the second quarter,” BAGI CEO Steven Lains stated. “Even with the slight increase in

interest rates, the demand for new single-family homes remains high, particularly in central Indiana, which is home to several of the top-rated cities in the country.”

Lains added that presidential election years can impact housing markets, adding that this year’s election has the potential to spark demand or cause a slowdown in the market as buyers weigh the risks of buying under current conditions or waiting to see which policies will take hold after the election.

For more, visit bagi.com/permits.

New single family home permits issued in Hamilton, Marion and Boone counties increased in April 2024 versus April 2023. (Photo by Marney Simon)

Skydiving for a cause

By Tirzah Rowland tirzah@youarecurrent.com

Registration is underway for the second annual United Way of Central Indiana Sky High: Parachuting with a Purpose fundraiser, set for June 28 and 29 at Frankfort Municipal Airport 3009 Ind. 28, in Frankfort.

EVENT

“It really stems from United Way’s ambitious goal of finding new ways to entice and capture the spirit of fundraising in ways that people are interested in,” said Jessica French, United Way of Central Indiana senior director of communications. “We have a 100-year history of raising money for community needs, and nowadays, there are so many new and fun and interesting ways to engage people with activities that might be on their bucket list.”

Participants will parachute in tandem with certified Skydive Indianapolis instructors with a goal of each diver raising a minimum of $1,500 for the United Way basic needs initiatives.

“We impress upon these folks that they’re not just being brave and courageous, but they’re being brave and courageous and generous to the community by doing what they’re doing,” French said. “We

still face so many needs in central Indiana food insecurity, transportation and access to health care services. These are critical needs to stay alive, and many people don’t have easy access to them.”

French and her team created the event to encourage camaraderie among philanthropists and to engage more people in helping their neighbors.

Tom Wothke, 65, of Westfield, was the top fundraiser last year, raising more than $3,000 from family, friends and professional colleagues.

“People thought I was crazy, of course, and I thought I was crazy, but once I got into the frenzy of it, I thought about how fun it was going to be, and that excitement helped me raise money for the cause,” Wothke said.

In total, the 17 participants in last year’s Sky High event raised more than $20,000. This year, French hopes to reach the 40-person event capacity, spanning two days of skydives.

Participants must be 18 or older and commit to raising a minimum of $1,500 from family, friends and co-workers prior to the event.

To register or find out more, visit uwci. org/skyhigh.

Westfield resident Tom Wothke, bottom, participates in last year’s skydiving fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Tom Wothke)

COMMUNITY

The Manor of Carmel

MAKING THE SWITCH

Here's why you should consider making the switch from Traditional Assisted Living to Boutique Residential Living

Personalized Care: Our dedicated team takes the time to get to know each resident individually, tailoring our care plans to meet their unique needs and preferences.

Personalized Care: Our dedicated team takes the time to get to know each resident individually, tailoring our care plans to meet their unique needs and preferences.

Engaging Activities: Say goodbye to boredom! We offer a wide range of enriching activities and events designed to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit. From art classes to group outings, there's always something exciting happening at The Manor!

Engaging Activities: Say goodbye to boredom! We offer a wide range of enriching activities and events designed to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit. From art classes to group outings, there's always something exciting happening at The Manor!

Beautiful Accommodations: Our inviting living spaces provide the perfect blend of comfort and your personal preferences. Whether you like to garden, make cookies with your grandchildren, play poker with friends, or watch movies in your suite... we give you the choice to make this home your own!

Beautiful Accommodations: Our inviting living spaces provide the perfect blend of comfort and your personal preferences. Whether you like to garden, make cookies with your grandchildren, play poker with friends, or watch movies in your suite... we give you the choice to make this home your own!

settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your assisted living experience. Make the switch to The Manor of Carmel and discover a new level of happiness and fulfillment. Reserve your spot by June 15th and your moving expenses are on us!

Nutritious and Delicious Dining: Enjoy delicious, chef-prepared meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our culinary team is committed to providing nutritious and flavorful meals that cater to your dietary needs and preferences.

Supportive Community: Join a welcoming community of like-minded individuals who share your interests and passions. Forge new friendships and create lasting memories in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Nutritious and Delicious Dining: Enjoy delicious, chef-prepared meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our culinary team is committed to providing nutritious and flavorful meals that cater to your dietary needs and preferences.

Supportive Community: Join a welcoming community of like-minded individuals who share your interests and passions. Forge new friendships and create lasting memories in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The Manor of

for the

and

on June 9, 2024 at 12:00p-4:00p Prepare for a day of sharing, creating memories, and taking part in a variety of enjoyable activities. Bingo with Prizes, Raffles, Food and Fun Come experience the future of Assisted Living!

44 Horseshoe Ln Carmel, IN, 46033

Contact us today to schedule a tour and see why you will be proud 463.273.9066 dcody@themanorofcarmel.com

best when it comes to your assisted living experience. Make the switch to The Manor of Carmel and discover a new level of happiness and fulfillment.

Reserve your spot by June 15th and your moving expenses are on us!

The Manor of Carmel is hosting a Family Fun Day for the Senior community and their families on June 9, 2024 at 12:00p-4:00p. Prepare for a day of sharing, creating memories, and taking part in a variety of enjoyable activities. Bingo with Prizes, Raffles, Food and Fun Come experience the future of Assisted Living!

44 Horseshoe Ln Carmel, IN, 46033

Contact us today to schedule a tour and see why you will be proud to call us home. 463.273.9066 • dcody@themanorofcarmel.com

Don't

Carmel is hosting a Family Fun Day

Senior community

their families

GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

IMPD Motorcycle Drill Team represents city, state

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

It’s traditional for the captain of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Traffic Division to also be a member of the IMPD Motorcycle Drill Team, and Capt. Fred Ilnicki, a Fishers resident, is happy to continue that tradition.

“I love riding and I love the — basically what the drill team stands for,” Ilnicki said during a conversation at the division’s headquarters on 23rd Street in Indianapolis’ Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. “I mean, it’s all about public relations and being ambassadors for the city and for the department. And we’ve gotten to do a lot of neat things.”

The drill team is made up of IMPD officers who volunteer their free time to practice motorcycle drills and then perform in parades and other exhibitions in Indiana and nationwide.

“Some of them we do on an annual basis, like Benton Harbor, Mich., is coming up,” Ilnicki said. “It’s the Blossom Time festival and the team has done that every year since — I think it was like ’68 or something — 1968. And then there’s some other ones that we do on a pretty regular basis, like Amarillo, Texas, and the Edison Festival of Lights down in Fort Myers Beach, Fla.”

The team also travels to Hawaii every few years and participated in the 2017 inauguration parade for then-President Donald Trump.

And, of course, the IMPD Motorcycle Drill Team participates in Indianapolis-area parades for St. Patrick’s Day, the Circle City Classic, Veteran’s Day and — most recently — the Indy 500.

A Lawrence Police Department officer on the team, Capt. Tracey Cantrell, also has performed solo during the annual City of Lawrence Fourth of July parade.

Sgt. Chad Dixon is commander of the drill team and said IMPD’s team is one of only a few motorcycle drill teams in the nation. He said every officer on the team first goes through basic police motorcycle training, which is much more rigorous than anything an average civilian motorcycle operator learns.

“It’s more than just stopping and going and riding in traffic,” he said. “What if we need to weave in and out of cars, or around obstacles? You need to know how to operate that 900-pound motorcycle.”

Drill team members take those skills even further. Dixon said any officer interested in joining is invited to first watch a few practices.

“They come in, they watch and they learn, they can ask questions,” he said. “And then (if) they tell me that, ‘Yeah, I think this is something I want to do,’ I have a book of our moves and maneuvers and things like that that I give to them. And I say, ‘Here, learn the names.’”

Each maneuver has its own name and Dixon said that when they’re in a parade, he rides in the back and com-

municates to the team which maneuver to do next. There isn’t a set series of moves that they do, he said — it all depends on what’s happening at the time and the crowd’s responses.

“Each spot (on the team) has its own area of responsibility they need to do while moving, because a lot of times, it’s a moving machine,” he said. “We’re coming in, we’re turning through each other, coming around and moving. So, you’ve got to trust in your partner that you’re coming to that, ‘I’m not going to hit you. You just do what you got to do.’”

Ilnicki said that although the motorcycles belong to IMPD, the time and expenses related to the drill team’s performances are funded through a nonprofit.

“For the city, it’s kind of a win-win, because we get to be ambassadors to the city. The only thing — the agreement we have with the agency is they let us use the bikes, but outside of that our guys are on vacation time (for performances),” he said. “We take our own time for that unless it’s paid for by private funding.”

Ilnicki said he is humbled to be part of the IMPD Motorcycle Drill Team and, even though he’s the captain, he follows Dixon’s lead when it comes to the team.

“I’m part of what’s called the gold team — we’re the guys in the back that do a lot of waving,” he said. “I can ride a bike safely and I can maneuver what I need to maneuver, but most of my guys are leaps and bounds above my capabilities. And I’m OK with that.”

For more, visit motorcycledrillteam.org.

HISTORY

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Motorcycle Drill Team started in 1954, before there was an IMPD.

Sgt. Chad Dixon, the drill team’s commander, said it all began because the American Legion’s national convention was coming to Indianapolis.

“They needed something to represent the city to lead off that parade through downtown,” he said. “Somebody came up with the idea of like, how about we take motorcycles and we’ll put Indiana on it?”

A group of Indianapolis officers mounted letters on their bikes to spell out “INDIANA” and rode through the parade. The idea expanded from there and 70 years later, the drill team is still going strong.

MOTORCYCLE DRILL TEAM

Captain Fred Ilnicki of Fishers, left, and Sgt. Chad Dixon are members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team.

(Photos by Leila Kheiry)

ON THE COVER: The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team performs in parades throughout the country. Travel is paid for through a nonprofit.

(Photo courtesy of Sgt. Chad Dixon)

A historic photo shows the IMPD Motorcycle Drill Team in the 1970s. (Photo courtesy of Sgt. Chad Dixon)

Riley expands at IU Health North

NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com

Riley Children’s Health has expanded its pediatric emergency care options with the addition of dedicated space at Indiana University Health North Hospital in Carmel.

HOSPITALS

The addition brings eight pediatric patient rooms and support services within the emergency department, where services for children are provided by Riley Children’s emergency medicine doctors, nurses and child life specialists. Pediatric care is available for children from infants to the age of 18.

“The expansion of our 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Medicine program into its own eight-bed department is paramount to the care of pediatric patients in Carmel and the surrounding communities,” stated Dr. Dan Slubowski, medical director of IU Health North’s Emergency Department. “This individualized pediatric care space allows our healthcare providers to see the growing number of pediatric patients seeking emergency care.”

A ribbon cutting was held May 2.

Riley emergency medicine doctors and nurses staff the IU Health North Hospital Emergency department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to emergency medicine,

Riley Children’s Health at IU Health North offers outpatient, inpatient and pediatric surgery services.

Learn more at rileychildrens.org/practice-location/emergency-medicine-rileychildrens-health-at-iu-health-north.

Eight pediatric emergency care rooms have been added to Indiana University Health North Hospital in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of IU Health North Hospital)

Rejuvenated Bentley to play new songs, familiar hits

By Alan Sculley editorial@youarecurrent.com

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, Dierks Bentley packed up his things and moved his wife and kids from Nashville to Colorado, where he spent much of the year unplugged from music and savoring life in the mountains.

“I was out in Colorado and I was living the life I’d been dreaming about for many years,” Bentley said in a phone interview. “I was back in the mountains biking, skiing, hiking, fishing and camping. I wasn’t interested in music at all.”

That all changed later in 2020 when Thomas Rhett and his family came to town to meet with the Bentleys for a hike and a visit.

“He’d been working on music a lot and he start ed playing me his record,” said Bentley, who will perform at 7 p.m. June 14 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. “I was like, this guy’s been busy.’ I ha ven’t been doing anything and he’s been out there writing songs. Maybe I should start thinking about getting something out there.”

But if there were any concerns that the several months in Colorado enjoying family time and his love of the outdoors had dulled Bentley’s passion for music or his willingness to put in the work it takes to maintain the high stan dard he’s set with his craft — those went out the window once Bentley picked up his guitar and started forming his next musical statement.

By late 2020, the wheels were in motion for a project that would turn into quite the odyssey on its way to becoming “Gravel and Gold,” the album Bentley released in February 2023.

“At the end of ’20, I picked the guitar back up and started doing some writing retreats and having people come out to Colorado (for songwriting),” Bentley said. “Anyway, long story short, I was collecting songs and felt pretty good about it, and I came back to Nashville and went into the studio, and back here it was still masks on and COVID testing in the studio. And trying to make a record wearing masks, it’s not really an en joyable experience. I was waiting for that little last bit that makes albums magic. It’s kind of an intangible thing that you can’t put your finger on. I

just felt like the record was just missing a little magic.”

So, Bentley scrapped the session, wrote more songs and returned to the studio awhile later, after COVID-19 protocols had been eased.

“So, I went back in and cut six songs. That was really fun,” he said. “But I felt like that session, it was really good at capturing a certain sound, but I wasn’t able to capture the whole sound I was thinking of.”

As that realization took hold, Bentley figured out what the album was trying to become and he set about taking a third run at making the album.

“I was like, ‘OK, I’m making my 10th album. What this album needs to be is a collection of my greatest sounds, not greatest hits,’” Bentley said. “I want to write all new songs but make sure I capture all of the different sounds I’ve been associated with,” he said. “I’m really happy with the way it turned

In the end, “Gravel and Gold” indeed fulfills the goal of showcasing the multiple styles of music — including contemporary country, traditional country and bluegrass — Bentley has woven into his music in a recording career that began 20 years ago with the release of his self-titled debut album.

That 2003 album put Bentley on the map with his first No. 1 country single, “What Was I Thinkin’” — and the hits have kept coming ever since.

Eighteen of his songs have topped either Billboard magazine’s Hot Country or Country Airplay singles chart (with four of those singles going No. 1 on both of those charts), while seven of Bentley’s 10 albums have topped Billboard’s country album chart.

Bentley is finding room to play several songs from the new album in his shows this summer alongside plenty of his hits. It’s also a big show visually, with a stage design that includes a video wall with footage that Bentley said has “unbelievable” depth and detail.

“It looks like a physical backdrop,” he said. “It looks like steel, or it looks like a wooden barn or it looks like Colorado in the middle of the mountains. It’s mind boggling, the technology.”

‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” runs through July 7 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

The Freeform Concert Series presents Josh Joplin with Jamie Drake June 5; Norman Lasiter’s Gray Pride June 6-7; and Andie Case June 8 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU’

Main Street Productions presents “You Can’t Take It With You” through June 9 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

’SAGAS AND

SUPERSTITIONS’

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents “Sagas and Superstitions” at 7 p.m. June 7-8 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

DISPATCH

ICC accounces season theme — The Indianapolis Children’s Choir has announced its 2024-25 concert season titled “Sounds of Progress” as the organization celebrates its 39th season. The voices of singers from more than 25 different ICC choirs will be featured in this eight-concert series. Singers will range in age from kindergarten to high school, in addition to ICC alumni singers going as far back as the 1986 founding year. The concerts are “Lights. Camera Song” at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center in Zionsville; “A Vintage Holiday” with various concert times from Dec. 13-15 at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis; “Now is the Time” at 4 p.m. March 9, 2025, at Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis; “Christel DeHaan In Harmony: A Beautiful Tomorrow” at 3 p.m. May 3, 2025 at Pike Performing Arts Center in Indianapolis; and “Dawning” at 4 p.m. May 18, 2025 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. For tickets, visit icchoir.org/tickets.

Dierks Bentley will perform June 14 at Ruoff Music Center (Photo courtesy of Jim Wright)

Artists team up for show

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Tresa Steenberg is convinced this will be a special collaboration.

DISPLAY

Steenberg, a Noblesville resident, and Diane Staver of Kokomo, will display their artwork at Art on Main, 111 W. Main St., Suite 140, in Carmel throughout June. The open ing reception is set for 5 to 8 p.m. June 8 as part of Meet Me on Main.

“I am also looking forward to this show as I love Diane’s work and am enjoying working on this show together,” said Steenberg, whose work also is on display at High Frequency Arts in Fishers. Steenberg has displayed her art at Art on Main since June 2022.

“I usually show four to six pieces per month,” Steenberg said. “For this show, I will have 15 to 20 pieces on display of mixed media and collage work. I began painting in 2015 as a hobby.”

Steenberg specializes in abstract art by using mixed media. She uses traditional mediums such as acrylics, pens, pencils and unexpected materials like book pages, kids’ homework and found paper. She said her approach interweaves various mediums to create unpredicted visual intrigue in the artwork and provide insight into the artist’s joy.

Staver is a retired college professor who taught at the Art Institute of Indianapolis for more than 12 years.

“I enjoy her work and feel our artistic styles complement one another,” Staver said of Steenberg. “I am also pleased to show a larger body of my work in Carmel, which will be a first for me. I joined Art on Main in February and show a half-dozen new works at the gallery each month. I plan to have a minimum of 25 pieces in the June show, including paintings, mixed media and digital art.”

LIGHTS, CAMERA, MUSIC

Unforgettable

Noblesville artist Tresa Steenberg’s abstract painting

FOOD

In a vegetable pickle

Commentary by Mark LaFay

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, but several May hot weather days has made me think summer started weeks ago. If you have a green thumb and got some early spring veggies in the ground, you may be up to your ears in produce by now. Here’s an idea: Try preserving your vegetables by pickling

Pickling spring vegetables is a delightful way to enjoy their crisp, tangy goodness throughout the year. This simple and rewarding process not only enhances their flavor but also extends their shelf life so that you can enjoy them through the year.

Pickling involves immersing vegetables in a vinegar-based brine, which not only preserves them but also imparts a delightful tangy flavor. Spring vegetables such as ramps, asparagus, radishes, green beans, turnips, cauliflower, spring onions, and garlic are ideal for pickling due to their freshness and crunchiness. The key to successful pickling is ensuring that the vegetables are fresh, clean and properly prepared. Here’s a straightforward recipe to get you started on pickling your favorite spring vegetables:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of spring vegetables (such as sliced radishes, asparagus tips, carrot sticks or green beans)

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1 cup water

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1 teaspoon dill seeds or a few fresh dill sprigs

Instructions:

1. Prepare the vegetables: Wash and trim the vegetables, cutting them into uniform sizes to ensure even pickling.

2. Make the brine: In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat.

3. Pack the jars: Place the garlic, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and dill into a clean, sterilized jar. Pack the vegetables tightly into the jar, leaving a little space at the top.

4. Add the brine: Pour the hot brine over the vegetables, ensuring they are fully submerged. Tap the jar gently to remove any air bubbles and add more brine if needed.

5. Seal and store: Seal the jar with a lid and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the pickles. They will be ready to enjoy in about 24 hours but will develop more flavor if left to pickle for a few days.

Happy pickling!

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4201 Millersville Rd., Suite 119, Indianapolis

CHS grad in Broadway show

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Actress Monica Tulia Ramirez took a leap of faith when she moved to New York City.

THEATER

“I moved to New York in 2016, and you never know how it’s going to turn out. This career is extremely competitive,” the 2012 Carmel High School graduate said. “You think every final Broadway callback could be it.”

Awards, including Best Musical.

“I love it so much,” Ramirez said. “Each ensemble track has a couple of featured roles throughout the musical. It’s a mixed track because I pivot between characters throughout the show and get to be different women/men. I am also an on-stage swing (understudy) for two principal roles, Inez Milholland and Ruza Wenclawska.”

Ramirez is appearing in the ensemble of “Suffs The Musical,” which opened in April on Broadway.

“This whole debut journey started when we did the production/workshop at the Public Theater in 2021 and 2022 (in New York),” she said. “You always think a transfer to Broadway is possible, but it’s never a guarantee. Almost three years later, here we are and it feels so worth the wait. It feels like all the work that started way back in 2016 and even before has paid off. Dreams come true if you continue to work hard, be kind and push your limits.”

“Suffs” has been nominated for six Tony

Ramirez has appeared in TV shows such as “Elementary,” “Evil,” “Uncoupled” and “Madam Secretary.”

Ramirez was a part of the Ambassadors, CHS’ mixed show choir, and president of the school’s drama club.

“Carmel High School’s performing arts department gave me so many skills while prepping for college auditions,” Ramirez said. “Carmel is extremely competitive and pushes their students to be the best young artists they can be. My senior year at Carmel I played Éponine in ‘Les Misérables’ and the head of the department of theater and dance at Ball State University, Bill Jenkins, came to see the show, loved the performance as well as my college audition and asked me to come to BSU.”

Ramirez

Blueprint for Improvement: A stylish and spacious culinary haven

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in 1978 in the Raintree Place neighborhood of Zionsville, this home’s original kitchen was past its prime. We reworked the room’s footprint to let in more light, maximize space and improve functionality and style.

THE BLUEPRINT

• Combining the kitchen and dining room increased the room’s footprint, helping open the space, improve flow and let in more natural light.

• Ceiling-height perimeter cabinets provide ample storage and accentuate the ceiling height, and an oversized island means more room for cooking, dining and gathering.

• Functional optimizations include double ovens, a coffee niche, spice drawer and pull-out trash bins.

• The pearlescent finish on the backsplash and rich brass tones on the hardware add an elevated feel with a touch of artisan charm.

Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.

LIFESTYLE

Across

1. Make over

5. Beginning of a conclusion

9. Sail supports

14. Tied

15. “Indy Now” co-host Ahlwardt

16. Tusk material

17. Submitted a Current re-

porter’s story?

19. Font flourish

20. Covers with goo, like in “Ghostbusters”

21. Children

23. Plaything

24. ___-lock brakes

26. Praise

28. Went on a buying spree

31. Ran away from hogs?

36. Word of assent

37. Words of assent in Acapulco

39. Type of dive

40. Crash-probing agcy.

42. Aristocratic

44. Sports org. with headquarters on the Canal Walk

45. Salsa brand

47. “Jane ___”

49. FedEx alternative

50. Talk smack about Santa’s just hired helper?

52. Swear

54. Balkan native

55. ‘Vette option

57. Sleep stage letters

60. Some Indiana Senate votes

62. Notwithstanding 66. Inactive

68. Indy’s place for nature and the arts...and an anagram of 17-, 31- and 50-Across

70. “The Teflon Don”

71. End-of-week cry

72. On the briny

73. Pale

74. PlayStation maker

75. Race around I-465 Down

1. Hinkle Fieldhouse whistle blowers

2. Wicked

3. Shapiro’s, e.g.

4. Kind of band or show

5. Young’s accounting partner

6. Leviathan Bakehouse bread choice

7. Get an eyeful

8. At the scene

9. Annual pageant winner

10. Keystone or College, briefly

11. Categorize

12. Jazz Kitchen group, maybe

13. “Resident Alien” airer

18. Cars’ scars

22. Los Angeles baseball player

25. In that case

27. Mattress size

28. Church council

29. Lab dish

30. Indianapolis Bridge Club positions

32. Defame in print

33. Bring about

34. Certain tides

35. Clean the slate

38. Somewhat

41. Stein and Stiller

43. Uber rival

46. Wiggly dessert

48. Dangerous bacteria

51. Current ___

53. Optimistic

56. Indiana State Fair chewy treat

57. Latvia’s capital

58. Son of Seth

59. “Breaking Bad” drug

61. Utah’s state flower

63. Otherwise

64. Piece of mind?

65. Russian despot

67. GPS suggestion

69. Finish first in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference Answers on Page 12

• Fabulous, modern layout with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms AND a fully finished basement!

• Patio area is perfect for entertaining-equipped with fireplace, Phantom Screen, and TV!

• Upgraded audio and video throughout the home!

• Corner lot with a 3-car garage fitted with premium cabinets and storage.

• Amenities such as basketball, pickleball, tennis, multiple pools, a gym, walking trails and more!

• Location, location, location! Just minutes from unique shopping, dining, and entertainment options! Call, text or email for more information about this beautiful property!

5 Piece Set: sofa, 2 lounge chairs, coffee table, nesting side table

3 Piece Set: sofa, 2 swivel gliders $4,317 THE HIXON $3,455

Book a complimentary in-showroom meeting with our design team.

BAINBRIDGE

THE DEL MAR

5 Piece Set: 3 armless sofas, 2 storage arm rests, ottoman

$5,578

DISCUSS YOUR DESIGN

Meet your designer and review the outdoor space, budget, and style vision.

CONFIRM DESIGN & INSTALL 1 2 3

Give your final approval and our team will schedule your install day!