February 25, 2025
TO HAVE CURRENT DELIVERED TO YOUR PHONE
NEW MOON RISING
Westfield Parks & Rec reveals unique facilities plans / P9
Council divided on Del Webb expansion / P2
Pizza & Punchlines returns to Westfield / P4
Westfield Fire Dept. increased in size / P7
February 25, 2025
Current in Westfield
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Founded Jan. 29, 2008, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XVIII, No. 3
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JANUARY & FEBRUARY DINE IN DEALS!
Council divided on Del Webb expansion
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
By a one-vote margin, the Westfield City Council gave the go-ahead Feb. 10 to extend the age-restricted Kimblewick of Westfield by Del Webb development on 87 acres along 151st Street west of Towne Road.
DEVELOPMENT
The proposal, a planned unit development amendment requested by Pulte Homes of Indiana, received a favorable recommendation from the Advisory Plan Commission late last year.
The approved proposal limits the number of homes to 150, a reduction from the original proposal of 202 homes. The proposal includes enhanced perimeter buffers that preserve 200 feet of trees to the west, 50 percent open space, trail connections and improvements on 151st Street.
More than 200 residents weighed in on the proposal in person or in writing. Several Kimblewick residents said they support the expansion, while some neighbors on larger estate lots spoke against the conversion of a former tree farm into a housing development.
Councilor Victor McCarty, who also serves on the APC, said the monthslong process of revisions to the initial proposal resulted in a compromise that not everyone will like. He said agreed-upon tree preservation was one of his major concerns addressed by the agreement.
“I was holistically against this proposal after taking my drone up and seeing how many trees there are,” McCarty said. “The reality is that the landowner wants to sell, and it is their right today to be able to clear the entire property and then they have no trees. It’s really unprecedented to have the 200-feet tree preservation that would serve the new residents and the existing residents.”
Councilor Jon Dartt is opposed to the development, which will remove dozens of acres of woodlands. He said the 150 new homes are not needed in that area of Westfield.
“Tell me where else in Westfield we’re going to see that amount of trees?” Dartt said. “We’re going to knock down the majority of trees for a housing development. Yes, that happens. But Westfield in my opinion — I’ve been here 35 years, and I love Westfield — but it is farmland. You don’t have a lot of trees like this anymore, and we’re going to knock down a majority of trees for a housing development. And while I believe that Pulte builds a great product, there’s nothing unique or special about this development.”
Dartt said he believes the council and Mayor Scott Willis’ administration should wait until the city’s updated comprehensive plan is complete before making further decisions on housing.
Councilor Chad Huff agreed with waiting on the comprehensive plan, which should be complete by the end of 2025. Huff said the city should show deeper consideration to those neighbors who live on larger estate lots when it comes to adding density near more rural homesteads. He also said the addition of subdivisions is making larger lots less available in Westfield.
“I struggle to figure out where our balance is as a city,” Huff said. “I know we all want to see the best for the city, but
at what balance? (If) the comprehensive plan determines that Westfield’s vision has changed and that we don’t really see a fit for estate-style lots, then bring (these types of developments) back.”
Mayor Scott Willis weighed in on the issue, something the mayor — who does not vote on zoning issues — usually stays away from.
“I appreciate what (councilors Dartt and Huff) are saying, but we’re not shutting the city down for the next 12 months as we go through (the comprehensive plan),” Willis said. “You can vote ‘no’ on every project until that happens. I respect that, that is your right as a councilor. But keep in mind (when I was on the council) the school district planned a new school building outside our comprehensive plan. That set in motion a lot of things we’re seeing now.”
Council president Patrick Tamm said trails and open space commitments were some of the positive items within the proposal to benefit the community and balance out growth.
The final vote on the PUD amendment was 4-3, with councilors McCarty, Tamm, Joe Duepner and Kurt Wanninger voting in favor while Huff, Dartt and Noah Herron voted against.
West Clay at 131st & Towne Rd
The Kimblewick of Westfield by Del Webb extension is planned for 87 acres at 151st Street west of Towne Road. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
Disability Awareness Month
WESTFIELD SENSORY DAY
MARCH 1 | 1 - 4 P.M.
WESTFIELD WASHINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 17400 Westfield Blvd.
Enjoy sensory crafts, story time, a closed caption movie screening, refreshments, and more at this free and open to the public event!
Pizza and Punchlines returns to Westfield
news@youarecurrent.com
The ninth annual Pizza and Punchlines will feature some nationally known talent when it returns to Westfield March 1.
FUNDRAISER
Comedians Derrick Tennant, Chad Thornsberry and “America’s Got Talent” semifinalist Brynn Cummings will perform at the free event at the Westfield High School auditorium.
Tennant’s performance shares his life experience following an unexpected coma through a comedic lens. Thornsberry is a former educator-turned-comic entertainer.
Fourteen-year-old Brynn Cummings — an “America’s Got Talent” semifinalist in 2023 — entertains through ventriloquism and creative illusions.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with pizza from Greek’s Pizza in Westfield. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets/reservations are not required. The free event is presented by CrossRoads Church at Westfield, 19201 Grassy Branch
Rd., as part of the “For Our Neighbor” strategy designed to help the congregation meet, know, enjoy and serve its neighbors. Learn more about the show at crchurch. org/pizza-and-punchlines-comedy.
MARCH COMMUNITY CALENDAR
MELT THE TRAIL
The 10th annual Melt the Trail 5K run/walk race returns to Grand Junction Brewing Co. at 10:30 a.m. March 1. The race makes its way through Westfield on the Monon Trail and over the bridge at Ind. 32. After the race, there will be food available for purchase from Grand Junction Brewing Co. Register at westfieldin.gov/391/ Melt-the-Trail.
WESTFIELD SENSORY DAY
The City of Westfield and the Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities will host the inaugural Westfield Sensory Day from 1 to 4 p.m. March 1 at Westfield Washington Public Library. The event will launch March as Disability Awareness Month for the city. The free community event, sponsored by Hampton by Hilton, will include sensory crafts and activities, complimentary refreshments courtesy of BeeFree Gluten Free, art exhibit displays and vendor resource booths. Learn more at westfieldin.gov/wmcd.
SHAMROCK DROP RETURNS MARCH 15
Westfield Welcome will host the annual
Shamrock Drop from noon to 2 p.m. March 15 at Grand Junction Plaza. The free family event includes live Irish music, St. Patrick’s Day-themed carnival games with prizes, a Grand Junction Plaza scavenger hunt, games, crafts and more. Each attendee is eligible to win prizes donated by local Westfield businesses. Learn more at westfieldin.gov/392/Shamrock-Drop.
GREATER INDIANAPOLIS NORTHSIDE COLLEGE FAIR
High school students are invited to a free college fair featuring more than 100 colleges and universities from 6 to 8 pm. March 11 at Grand Park Events Center, 1900 Grand Park Blvd., Westfield. The event is sponsored by a consortium of high schools on Indianapolis’ north side in partnership with the Indiana Association for College Admission Counseling. High school students can meet with admissions representatives, learn about majors and explore campus opportunities. Registered students will receive a barcode to share with admission representatives electronically. Register at StriveFair.com.
Brynn Cummins performs on “America’s Got Talent” in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Brynn Cummings)
Paycheck errors plague start of 2025 for Westfield fire staff
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Some Westfield first responders said they’re not getting paid — and it’s an ongoing problem at the start of each calendar year.
CITY
NEWS
Ryan Herron is the Westfield Fire Department district vice president for Local 4416, representing the professional firefighters and paramedics of the WFD.
Herron addressed the Westfield City Council this month regarding what he called an ongoing issue for the city’s public safety employees. Herron said the first three paychecks of the year issued for first responders were fraught with errors.
“Every payroll produced this year has contained errors detrimental to (union) members and their families,” he said. “We expected some bumps in the first pay cycle because it was the first pay of the year. Unfortunately, incorrectly issuing our first pay has become an annual occurrence.”
Herron said the second pay period of 2025 was “a complete disaster” and said things only got worse with the third pay period of the year.
“After receiving multiple commitments to fix said errors, everything somehow worsened on the third pay of the year,” he said. Some examples of the issues my members
faced — four members did not receive a direct deposit whatsoever of their paycheck, even though ADP showed they had been paid; multiple members got hit with double deductions of taxes, HSA, insurance premiums, union dues and 457 contributions; multiple members’ overtime hours were not paid out at all. My members couldn’t even access their timecards, nor could their supervisors within the department.”
Herron said the payroll issues have caused undue hardship and stress for the city’s first responders.
“Public safety members should not have to worry about their paychecks while responding to emergencies or making life-and-death situations that affect our citizens,” he said.
While the issue was brought to public comment, Herron said Mayor Scott Willis and members of the city council have made efforts to address problems, including bringing in an outside accounting firm to address payroll issues.
“I’m thankful for the collaboration between the council, the mayor’s office, financial strategists and HR for the countless hours they’ve spent trying to reach a resolution on behalf of my members for a problem that they did not create,” Herron said. “It’s great to have support from some of our elected officials. I’m hopeful we can all find a solution.”
DISPATCH
Library in Westfield on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through April 10.
ship is not required for assistance. Appointments are required. Schedule an
at 317-896-9391.
David Weekley Homeowners Libby & Chris Phillips, Ben & Heather Muser, and Andrew & Rebecca Barrilleaux
ASSISTANCE
Collaboration assists
The City of Westfield, Westfield Washington Township and Westfield Washington Public Library recently announced a new partnership to offer nonprofits complimentary access to Candid — a subscription-based service that helps nonprofit leaders find grants from foundations and public charities.
The library will serve as the central access point for the service. Nonprofit organization representatives can access free services including consultations; project planning assistance; guidance on building capacity and outreach; and Candid. The services will enable nonprofits to build prospect lists of nearly 300,000 grant opportunities.
Organizations also are encouraged to register for the township’s two-part grant writing series, presented in partnership with Purdue Extension. The series — scheduled for April 16 and May 14 — will provide
training on grant writing and valuable insights on how to craft compelling proposals and secure funding.
“This partnership represents a collaborative effort to help our nonprofits grow, build sustainability and make an even greater impact on our community,” Westfield Washington Township Trustee Jamie Goetz-Mills stated. “We encourage all local nonprofits to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.”
Register for the Westfield Washington Township grant writing series at tinyurl. com/yuyj575x.
Westfield Washington Township hosts a grant writing series this spring. (File photo)
Fourteen new members of the Westfield Fire Department are sworn in Feb. 10. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Fire Department)
Westfield Fire Department increases in size
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Fire Department is growing in preparation for two new fire stations under development.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Eight new recruits were sworn in by Mayor Scott Willis during the Feb. 10 Westfield City Council meeting.
“We have a great fire department and we’re adding more young talent to it as well,” Council President Patrick Tamm said.
Westfield recruits recently joined seven new recruits from the Whitestown Fire Department in a 20-week intensive training program at Westfield Fire Department Station 81 headquarters as part of the combined class of the Northside Fire Academy.
The training will equip the new personnel with skills to earn Indiana firefighter and national registry EMT certifications. The recruits will move to on-the-job training as probationary firefighters following the course.
“This is the finest our city has to offer among our (first responders),” Willis said. “Very few people are willing to raise their
hand and put their lives on the line every single day for every single one of you (in Westfield), including myself.”
The academy curriculum is approved by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Besides the recruits, two lateral firefighters and four lateral paramedics who recently completed their training also were sworn in Feb. 10.
Willis said the Westfield community has a special appreciation for its first responders.
“Please keep them in your prayers. We have fires in Westfield — we had a really bad one a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
“Many of these (firefighters) will roll up on a scene that God forbid anyone else would ever have to see. This weighs on them in the coming years as they grow with our city, so just keep them in your thoughts and prayers that they stay safe physically and mentally. Our residents in Westfield always pay respect to our public safety people.”
Follow the activities of the Westfield Fire Department on social media at facebook. com/WestfieldFire.
Fishers High School senior guard saving best for last
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Fishers High School basketball player
Justin Kirby was a key contributor off the bench on the team’s 2023-24 Class 4A state championship team.
This season, the 6-foot-3 guard has taken everything up a notch in helping lead the Tigers to a 22-0 record prior to Feb. 21 action.
“Justin is, in my opinion, the most improved player in the state of Indiana,” Tigers coach Garrett Winegar said. “He has improved in virtually every area of his game — ballhandling, outside shooting, finishing through contact and decision-making. What makes Justin special is his continual improvement. He has put in the work and made significant leaps in skill every single season since entering FHS as a freshman. Along with his basketball development, Justin has grown tremendously as a young man and has become a leader in our program.”
Kirby, who will play for Miami (Ohio) University next season, is averaging 13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per
JUSTIN KIRBY
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite athlete: LeBron James
Favorite musicians: Drake and Lil Baby
Favorite movie: “Man of Steel”
game. As a junior, he averaged 5.8 points and 2.1 rebounds.
“Justin is a three-level scorer and his strength on the floor is his ability to get to the rim and finish in a variety of situations,” Winegar said. “He is also extremely efficient.”
Kirby shoots 70 percent overall from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range.
“Defensively, Justin impacts the game with his length, shot-blocking ability, willingness to defend and ability to defend multiple positions,” Winegar said.
Kirby said shooting has been his biggest improvement.
“I used to not have a very good shot the last couple of years. I worked on it every
day but just wasn’t confident to shoot it,” he said. “Now, as a senior, I definitely have a lot of confidence. I’m shooting the ball whenever I’m open and I’m more comfortable letting it go from 3.”
Kirby started playing basketball at age 6. He quit for a short time but began playing again in third grade. He gave up football in fifth grade. He competed in 400- and 200-meter races in track and field for FHS as a freshman but found he missed too much time with his AAU basketball team.
“Basketball is an important factor for me in my life as far as where I am today and who I’ve become,” Kirby said. “What drives me is basketball has helped me during the worst times of my life and the only thing I could rely on was basketball.”
Kirby said he chose Miami over the University of Virginia and Belmont University.
“I felt it was best for my development and growth as a basketball player,” Kirby said. “Miami has a four-step program to promote and build their players to be where they are now.”
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
•
•
• Treatment of back and neck pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, herniated discs and work-related injuries
• Management of simple and complex spine problems, including revision surgery
Justin Kirby has made dramatic improvements during his senior season on the Fishers High School boys basketball team. (Photo courtesy of FHS athletics)
Clay (half-day)
Art Camps (half-day)
Clay (half-day)
Art (full-day)
Art/Drama Combo (full-day)
Art/Clay Combo (half- and full-day options)
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis offers a variety of summer camps
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has a full schedule of summer drop-off camps at more than a dozen locations, including Westfield, Fishers and Fort Benjamin Harrison.
Traditional day camps focus on time-honored summer camp activities like swimming, arts and crafts and the great outdoors.
Discovery Camps focus on STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — for children ages 5 to 12 with add-on enrichment and sports clinics. Discovery Camps are hosted at Fall Creek Elementary and Sand Creek Intermediate in Fishers.
Sports clinics include traditional sports like basketball, soccer and volleyball while enrichment clinics include topics like Artrageous, Parks & Playgrounds, Lego and Mad Scientist. Parents can add a camp swimming lesson to their child’s day.
“The YMCA is a place where everyone belongs,” Director of Operations/Youth Development for YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Cara Scott said. “With a wide range of program offerings, 15 camp
locations, camps for ages 5-15 and care from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., we feel confident there’s a camp for everyone at the YMCA. “
Camps also provide access for children of all abilities.
“The YMCA is for all,” Scott said. “We are proud to work with families and create accommodation plans to help children have a successful and enjoyable experience at the YMCA. Accommodation forms are offered to families during the enrollment process.”
The newest location — the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield — adds the attraction of a brand-new 54,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. The location includes a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and pickleball; a fitness center; group exercise studios; a walking track; and an Olympic-sized pool.
The site’s amenities stretch beyond summer camps and into daily enrichment activities for youth and adults.
“It houses a teaching kitchen for healthy cooking classes, child care facilities, including a Play and Learn area and Kids Adventure Zone, an intergenerational room for all ages to connect
Traditional day camps are available at YMCA of Greater Indianapolis locations in Westfield and Fishers. (Photo courtesy of YMCA of Greater Indianapolis)
Registration is available for day camps and STEAM camps at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis locations in Westfield and Fishers.
(Photo courtesy of YMCA of Greater Indianapolis)
Continued from Page 2
and classrooms dedicated to collegiate learning and community education,” Scott said. “The facility is attached to the Westfield Washington Schools’ Aquatic Center, which includes a 10-lane Olympic-sized pool. This YMCA serves as a community cornerstone, fostering health, wellness and social connections among Westfield residents.”
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has a 170-year history.
“The YMCA is special because it brings people together and creates a real sense of community,” Scott said. “It’s a place where everyone — kids, families and individuals — can feel welcome, stay active, learn new things and build connections. Whether it’s through sports, classes, or community programs, the Y is all about supporting people and making a positive impact.”
Representatives said whether it’s summer camp or day-to-day activities, the Y is for all.
“A Y membership opens the door to endless ways to stay active and connected all summer long,” YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Associate VP of PR and Marketing Communications Tony Wise said. “Families can enjoy open swim at the pool, play basketball, volleyball and pickleball in the gym, or take a walk on our indoor track. Almost all of our Greater Indianapolis locations offer family-friendly events, wellness challenges and volunteer opportunities, helping people stay engaged and involved. And perhaps one of the best parts? The friendships and sense of belonging that naturally come from being part of a supportive, welcoming community. The Y is a place where you don’t just pass the time, you make meaningful memories.”
Learn more about YMCA of Greater Indianapolis summer camp options at tinyurl.com/4wp8m669. Registration links are available at tinyurl.com/8de4t9py.
JAM
Camps for Ages 6-8 / 9-11
Camp
news@youarecurrent.com
Camp Cathedral provides a safe and enriching environment for campers in kindergarten through 8th grade. With more than 50 different camps to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Camp Cathedral runs from June 2 to July 25.
Campers can explore their interests in theater, music, art, community service and STEM. Sports enthusiasts can improve their skills with coaching from top high school coaches. Leadership and adventure camps also are available. Before and after camp care is available. For more, visit campcathedral.com.
iCode Fishers offers engaging STEM and coding camps for kids
news@youarecurrent.com
iCode Fishers offers a variety of engaging STEM and coding camps for kids of all ages and skill levels. Whether it’s summer, winter, spring break or a school holiday, iCode Fishers has the perfect camp for every young explorer.
Campers can dive into exciting fields like robotics, Minecraft, Roblox, engineering, game design, drones and programming languages like Python, Lua and Java. From introductory programming with Scratch to advanced AI engineering, iCode Fishers offers a range of programs designed to inspire and empower kids with skills for the future.
Camps are available for various age groups and run throughout the year. For more, visit icodeschool. com/fishers/camps.
Camp Invention fosters creativity
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
For the last 35 years, Camp Invention has been helping children foster a spirit of creativity and problem-solving at weeklong day programs throughout the U.S.
learn about optical illusions and how special effects are used in art, movies, theater and animation. They will have an opportunity to invent moving props and build a spinning animation device.
This year, participants entering kindergarten through sixth grade will have the opportunity to explore what it takes to become an inventor through four handson modules, collectively known as Camp Invention: Discover. Locally, the program will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9 to 12 at Eagle Elementary in Zionsville and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 7 to 11 at St. Louis de Montfort School in Fishers.
The modules, which are new each year, are inspired by inductees into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, which partners with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to offer the program.
“Any child with an interest in pursuing science, technology, engineering, math or art is going to be best served by this,” said Corey Nielsen, marketing coordinator for the National Inventors Hall of Fame. “But every child can benefit from this, because it engenders a lot of different ways of thinking, creativity and inventiveness.”
The 2025 modules are:
• Illusion Workshop — Campers will
• Claw Arcade — Campers will construct (and fill with prizes) their own claw machine and study claws in nature.
• Penguin Launch — Campers will learn about penguin colonies with the help of a robotic research penguin. They will design launchers to propel their own magnetic, wearable, plush penguin and learn how to make instant snow.
• In Control — Campers will assemble a custom control panel with a transmitter and receiver and explore the use of artificial intelligence in everyday items. They also will learn the basics of Morse Code. For middle school students who have aged out of Camp Invention, a training program is available. High school and college students can participate as leadership interns.
The camp costs $285 at St. Louis de Montfort and $310 at Eagle Elementary. Nielsen said discounts are available at various times at invent.org/save, including the largest discount available March 20. Sibling discounts and payment plans are available.
Campers build their own claw machine at Camp Invention: Discover. (Photo courtesy of Corey Nielsen)
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Let the music play — at summer camp
Students of various musical abilities, from none to excellent, have multiple opportunities this summer to explore and expand their music experiences through summer camps designed just for them.
School of Rock, Bach to Rock and the Fishers Music and Arts Academy each offer weeklong summer camps for all ages and abilities, with different weeks providing brand-new experiences for returning campers.
School of Rock
At the School of Rock in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville, camps are designed for children as young as 6 years old, said Manager Matt McFarland.
“They are basically our entire program condensed into a week,” he said. “We have kids that come in that have never touched an instrument on Monday and then by Friday, they’re performing an actual show for their parents with their bandmates.”
The program has camps for different age groups up to 18, according to the website. McFarland said they have songwriting camps, recording camps and even a Taylor Swift camp.
“Kind of a wide variety of all the genres and different styles for any student, really,” he said, adding that the camps are all focused on rock music and typical rock instruments — guitar, drums, keyboard and vocals.
McFarland said that while each camp is one week long, kids can sign up for multiple weeks.
“We’ve had kids do every single week and it’s great. Obviously, they learn a ton throughout the summer,” he said. “That’s kind of the cool thing about rock music is, because it’s such a wide genre, there’s so much in there that they can learn.”
School of Rock has camps scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the summer
months. For more, visit schoolofrock.com and click on the Camps and Workshops tab.
Fishers Music and Arts Academy
The Fishers Music and Arts Academy is somewhat new to the scene, opening about a year ago in its own building —
9746 Olympia Dr. in Fishers — by founder and longtime piano teacher
Sally Eppert. Eppert said it’s been an interesting journey and she’s grateful for the help and advice she’s received through national and international music school organizations, along with the support of the community. In addition to piano lessons, the school teaches guitar, percussion, strings and voice. She said one goal is for every student to learn to read music.
Continued on Page 7
Fishers Music and Arts Academy offers lessons in piano, guitar, percussion, strings and voice. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Music and Arts Academy)
School of Rock in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville has various summer camps focused on rock music, including a Taylor Swift camp. (Photo courtesy of School of Rock)
Continued from Page 4
“But we also work with students from, right away — it doesn’t matter if they’re 4 or 5, or if they’re 45 or if they’re 85 — we want students to learn that they can make music, that they can make it up,” Eppert said. “I feel like that is such an important release in this day and age, to be able to find a place where you can let go of some of your emotions (through improvisation).”
The school will offer four weeks of summer camps this year, with each weeklong camp offering instruction in a variety of instruments from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“It’s the idea of beginners coming in and doing music, learning about the piano, but also doing voice and drums, too, because, oh my gosh, when I started, I didn’t get to touch anything but the piano and now to get to sing into a microphone when you first start — so empowering,” she said, adding that the kids will make up a song and perform it at the end of each week.
For more, visit fishersmaa.com.
Bach to Rock
Bach To Rock, with locations in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville, also offers weeklong camps during the summer months and will take students as young as 3 1/2, said co-owner Jennifer Flickner.
“Three-and-a-half and potty trained,” she clarified, adding that kids up to age 17 can sign up for a half-day camp or a full-day camp, with different programs offered for different age groups and interests.
The camp for the youngest kids is designed to be fast-moving because sitting still is hard, she said, and it provides an opportunity for students to explore all kinds of instruments.
“There’s a little bit of an artsy element to it — the kids will make or decorate their shirts,” she said, which the students wear for the performance at the end of the week. “This is for all of our camps. Everybody does a performance on the last day.”
Older students don’t need experience,
Bach to Rock, with locations in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville, offers summer camps for ages 3 1/2 - 17. (Photo courtesy of Bach to Rock)
either, Flickner said. They’ll be grouped with kids of similar abilities and a coach helps each group learn songs and — very important — come up with a band name.
“They could be the Marshmallow Cows,” she said. “We have very interesting names that come up. It could be Late Night Vibes, the Flaming Cheeseburgers, those are the types of things that happen over here.”
Bach to Rock also offers a Glee Camp that focuses on singing and dancing, a DJ Camp and a Recording Arts Music Production Camp, which teaches audio production using computers and recording equipment.
The recording group also helps record the rock bands’ performances, so each camper has a music track to take home.
For more, visit bachtorock.com and click on the “Camps” tab.
SUMMER CAMP
Summer art camps at SullivanMunce Cultural Center
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SullivanMunce Cultural Center invites youth and teens to explore their creativity this summer with a variety of exciting art camps. From in-depth clay camps to nature-inspired art adventures and time-traveling theatrical productions, there’s a camp for every young artist.
Campers can learn throwing and glazing techniques in Youth Clay Camp, create art with organic materials in Nature’s Palette, embark on historical adventures in Time Travelers camp, explore global art traditions in Art Around the World, bring mythical creatures to life in Mythical & Magical camp, or dive into a world of color in Color Explosion! camp.
Camps run from June 2 to Aug. 1, with both half-day and full-day options available. For more, visit sullivanmunce.org.
Watch Us Weave offers summer weaving camps and classes
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Watch Us Weave in Zionsville offers a variety of weaving camps and classes this summer for teens, pre-teens and adults.
Teens and pre-teens can participate in week-long summer camps designed to introduce the joy of weaving and inspire a lifelong hobby. Adults can sign up for custom personalized weaving classes tailored to their individual interests and skill levels.
Watch Us Weave is located at 45 South Elm Street in downtown Zionsville. For more or to register for camps, call 317-379-7569 or visit watchusfarm.com.
CAMPERS CELEBRATE WITH PIZZA + KONA ICE FOR LUNCH! BOYS + GIRLS AGES 5 - 14, ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS WELCOME!
Summer of discovery at Summer U Camps
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University High School will host Summer U camps from June 2 to Aug. 1, offering fun and engaging activities for children in pre-K through 12th grade. Campers can choose from a variety of programs, including STEM, arts, athletics and more.
Hands-on activities will spark curiosity and inspire learning on University High
School’s campus. Program options include sports, games, esports, technology, science, math, rocketry, robotics, LEGO, Minecraft, Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, American Doll, worldbuilding, dinosaurs, cooking and baking, musical theater, writing, arts, nature and more. Before and after care is available.
For more, visit universityhighschool. org/summer.
RoundTripper Sports Academy announces sports classes and camps
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RoundTripper Sports Academy offers a variety of sports camps this summer for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Professional instructors provide personalized attention in small class settings, maintaining a 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Summer camps run from June 2 to June 27, with various sports and skill development options available. Early registration is recommended as camp spaces are limited.
For more, visit roundtripper.com/classes-camps.
M14Hoops camps offer variety of specialized training
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
M14Hoops summer camps offer a bit of everything for young basketball players.
Nick Daniels is the managing partner for M14Hoops Indianapolis. M14Hoops, which has sites in Westfield and Noblesville. The summer camps will be held in June and July. The camps are designed for boys and girls in third through eighth grade.
The Noblesville M14 camp is held at the Mojo Up Sports Complex at Finch Creek, which is the training center. The Westfield M14 training center is the Pacers Athletic Center, but the camp will be held in Farmers Bank Fieldhouse in Lebanon.
Daniels, who also is managing partner of M14 in Cincinnati and Phoenix, is the head of player and staff development for M14Hoops.
FISHERS • CARMEL • AVON • GREENWOOD
Robotics Summer Camp
FOR KIDS 6 YEARS AND OLDER
“Each week, we offer a morning and afternoon option, or they can stay all day with us and they get lunch,” Daniels said. “Each camp has a different skill focus. Our No. 1 goal for camps is they learn, they get better and they have fun. We want to create a fun environment. If they want to improve their skills, this is a good way to do it.”
There are camps for ballhandling, scoring, shooting, 3-on-3, “let’s play” and shooting and defense.
“We get a lot of the kids that train with us regularly throughout the year,” Daniels said. “It’s also a great time for players to try our program who haven’t tried it. Our camps are popular for new players and current players.”
Daniels played collegiately for Purdue University Fort Wayne, which was then Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Daniels had planned to play basketball overseas but ended up working part time for M14, which was just starting in Chicago. In 2016, he came to the Indianapolis area to launch the second location.
M14 is named after founder Matt Miller, who wore No. 14 when he played. He played for four colleges, finishing his career with Bellarmine University. He then played professionally overseas.
The camps are run by full-time staff. Daniels said the camp counselors are part-time staff and college athletes.
The Noblesville site is directed by Randy Reed and the Westfield director is Eric Easter.
For more, visit noblesville.m14hoops. com and westfield.m14hoops.com.
Nick Daniels is the managing partner for M14Hoops Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of Nick Daniels)
Kids Explore Robotics offers educational summer camps
By Lauren Weidinger news@youarecurrent.com
Kids Explore Robotics will host interactive summer camps for children 6 and older throughout the summer. The camps will be offered at several locations throughout the Indianapolis area, including Greenwood, Fishers, Carmel and Avon.
Each camp session will take place over five days, with time options available 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The first session begins June 2 in Greenwood, and the last session begins July 21 in Avon.
Children will have the opportunity to learn about, build and code two robots, which are designed to accomplish a variety of tasks. Robots can be coded to play different drumbeats, relay traffic patterns, do pull-ups and much more. At the end of camp, kids get to keep two of the robots they worked on. Vinod Agrawal, one of the founders of Kids Explore Robotics, shared one of the benefits of their approach to teaching.
“(Children) are learning to make changes to the code and seeing the immediate impact of what the robot does,” Agrawal said. “So, they relate, ‘I can make this
change to the code to make the robot do different things.’ It inspires their curiosity, and they can be as creative as they want.”
Agrawal and his son, Aarav Agrawal, founded Kids Explore Robotics two years ago when Aarav, a then-junior in high school, expressed interest in teaching kids about robotics to inspire interest in STEM. Since then, Aarav and Vinod have designed and developed 14 different robots, 50 different activities and crafted a curriculum to educate children about the process of robotics through various classes. They personally engineered and designed wooden and 3D-printed materials that are used to build the robots.
The robots have an open-concept design to increase children’s understanding of the inner workings of motors, micro-controllers and coding.
Besides summer camps, Kids Explore Robotics offers free one-hour classes each week and several other classes and courses. Kids Explore Robotics also offers several online summer camps. The cost for the summer camp is $259 per person for the in-person summer camp and $279 per person for the online camp. For more, visit kidsexplorerobotics.com.
STEM skills are stressed at Kids Explore Robotics. (Photo courtesy of Kids Explore Robotics)
Wright’s Gymnastics to host themed summer camps
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
With several summer camps available for children, Wright’s Gymnastics, with locations in Noblesville, Fishers and Westfield, has weekly themes for all camps.
Wright’s Gymnastics Director of Marketing Lauren Lofgren said the camps, which start at the end of May and run until early August, will have several activities each week for children ages 3 through 13.
“They get to come and do all sorts of activities, crafts and games,” Lofgren said. “We also will do a different theme each week, like ‘Pirates and Pixies,’ to keep things exciting. It influences their crafts and games.”
With daily access to the gym, Lofgren said children can play throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and have opportunities to learn gymnastics skills.
“In the gym, they are playing the entire time, but there is a lesson that will go on, too,” Lofgren said. “The kids will walk away having learned something. Suppose they’re not currently enrolled in classes, or they’ve never done gymnastics or
ninja — a combination of gymnastics and parkour. In that case, they’re going to experience it and learn a bit more about getting upside down with their bodies.”
Although activities vary by location, most of Wright’s camps also will have water and outdoor activities throughout the week.
“We get the kids outside at least twice a day, weather permitting, and we have inflatable slides, scooters and basketball,” Lofgren said. “It’s a really active camp. We’re trying to keep them moving as much as possible but with a couple of opportunities for downtime as well.”
Lofgren said weekly themes keep kids engaged in a range of activities.
“The biggest thing we’re incorporating this year is trying to get a form of entertainment for each week that applies to the theme,” Lofgren said. ‘My favorite part is when they make friends through these days and want to sign up for another camp. It’s like controlled chaos because they’re running around and giggling. I look forward to it.”
Registration is open for Wright’s Gymnastics summer camps at wrightsgymnastics.com.
Kids stay active during Wright’s Gymnastics camps. (Photo courtesy of Wright’s Gymnastics)
Zionsville’s Z’Camp summer day camp registration opens March 5
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Z’Camp in Zionsville opens registration for its 2025 summer day camp program March 5. The camp serves children in preschool through 6th grade. Campers participate in a variety of activities throughout the summer, including sports, games, arts and crafts, and field trips.
Camp hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The daily schedule includes morning meetings, organized activities, lunch, swimming, and snacks. Z’Camp offers weekly sessions from June 4 to July 25, with a special all-day field trip week from July 21 to 25.
Families receive discounts when enrolling multiple children. Campers can attend for a single week or multiple weeks. For more, visit zcamponline.com.
Z’Camp registration begins March 5. (Photo courtesy ZCS Zcamp)
Indy Stem Camps offers engaging Minecraft-themed STEM camps
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Indy Stem Camps provides exciting Minecraft-themed STEM camps for children in grades 1-8. Founded by a physics teacher, Indy Stem Camps has entertained and educated more than 10,000 children with a focus on creative, cooperative gameplay in a social setting.
Campers enjoy their own computer
workstation in a secure multiplayer environment guided by knowledgeable counselors. With eight unique camp titles to choose from, there’s something for everyone, from beginners to advanced levels.
Camps run from June 2 to Aug. 1, for 3 hours daily over five days, with options for both creative and survival gameplay. For more, visit indystemcamps.com.
Indiana Basketball Academy summer camps tip off soon
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The Indiana Basketball Academy tips off its 29th year of summer basketball camps for boys and girls ages 5-14, starting May 27. With 18 weeks of camp available at two convenient locations in Carmel and Lebanon, IBA offers a fun and engaging environment for players of all experience levels.
Campers can expect to learn and work
Our summer programs are open to all Central Indiana students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, and offer a great introduction to the extraordinary opportunities available at Park Tudor.
From Cub Camp for 3 & 4 year-olds to options for high school students, Park Tudor summer programs offer something for everyone – arts & crafts, sports, performing arts, science, literature, chess & gaming, and more!
on drills and fundamental skills, play games, compete in contests, make new friends and hear coaches’ stories. Each camper will receive a T-shirt and collect NBA cards. Full-day campers also will enjoy pizza and Kona Ice for lunch on competition Fridays.
Camps run through Aug. 1, with options for full or half days. For more, visit playiba.com/camps.
The Point Theater to have music-filled summer camps
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The Point Theater at 1950 E. Greyhound Pass has numerous opportunities for children to gain theater experience this summer.
Set Sail with Moana — themed musical theater day camps
At this camp, designed for students ages 4 through 6 for half days or students ages 7 through 10 for full days, children will participate in acting, singing and choreography to create an end-ofweek performance for family and friends. There are three weeks and locations available for this camp. They are:
• June 9 through 13: 3600 W. 96th St., Indianapolis
• June 16 through 20: 621 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel
• June 23 through 27: 1870 W. Oak St., Zionsville Musical-in-a-Week
After a two-year hiatus, the Musicalin-a-Week, fast-paced, high-energy camp is back. This camp challenges students to rehearse and perform “Elf” in five days and is best for children ages 11 through 18.
There are two weeks available for this camp at CrossRoads Church in Westfield, 19201 Grassy Branch Rd. They are June 9 through 13 and June 23 through 27.
Play-in-a-Day: A one-day theatrical adventure
Play-in-a-Day is a camp designed for children who like a challenge but prefer to skip singing and dancing. This year’s play, “How to Get Away with a Murder
The Point Theater offers a variety of music-themed camps. (Photo courtesy The Point Theater)
Mystery” by Don Zolidis, offers a fastpaced experience where students ages 11 through 18 rehearse in the morning and perform for an audience in the afternoon.
Play-in-a-Day will take place June 17 at the Marian University Theater, 3200 Cold Spring Rd., Indianapolis. Improv Camp
The Improv Camp is a half-day camp for children ages 11 through 18 that sharpens comedic timing, spontaneity and creativity through engaging improv games.
The camp is grouped by age at CrossRoads Church at Westfield, 19201 Grassy Branch Rd. Time slots are:
• July 7 through 11, ages 11 through 13, 1 to 4 p.m.
• July 7 through 11, ages 14 through 18, 9 a.m. to noon
For more, visit thepointtheater.org.
Central Indiana Academy of Dance announces summer dance camps
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The Central Indiana Academy of Dance in Carmel offers a variety of summer dance camps for children aged 3 to 9.
Camps for ages 3 to 6 run from 9 a.m. to noon and feature themes like Moana and Maui’s Adventures, Frozen Summer Celebration, Moana and Maui’s Island Luau, Fairytale Princesses and Princes, and Frozen Prince &
Princess Party.
For ages 6 to 9, CIAD offers a Youth Summer Ballet Intensive from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., when dancers with at least one year of training can enjoy a variety of dance classes, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, PBT, pre-pointe and stretch and conditioning.
Camps run from June 2 to Aug. 1. For more, visit ciaodance.com.
Musicologie announces summer music camps for kids and teens
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Musicologie in Noblesville offers a summer of music fun with three exciting camps designed for ages 4 to 15. Mini Musicians Camp introduces young children ages 4 to 6 to the joy of music through rhythm games, improvisation, and creative projects. Music Explorers Camp, for ages 7 to 10, allows campers to explore music through composition, improvisation and collaborative projects, culminating in a final performance. Rock Band Boot Camp is an immersive camp for teens ages 11 to 15 that allows them to form bands, write songs and perform like rock stars.
Camps are available in June, July, and August, with both full-day and half-day options. Early-bird and multi-kid discounts are available. For more, visit go.musicologie.com/ summer-camps.html.
Musicologie offers music camps for ages 4 to 15 (Photo courtesy Musicologie
Kids’ summer camp workshops at Board & Brush
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Board & Brush Noblesville invites children 6 and older to participate in their creative Kids’ Camp Workshops this summer. Each workshop features a fun theme and allows kids to enjoy hands-on activities while creating personalized projects.
Themes include S’mores Campout, Ice Cream Sundae Bar, Christmas in
July, Popcorn Bar, Beach Party and Pajama Pizza Party. Children ages 6 to 8 must be accompanied by an adult; children 9 and older can attend solo.
Workshops are held on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and include two projects, a snack and a drink. The cost is $75 per child. Pre-registration is required. For more, visit boardandbrush.com/ noblesville.
International School of Indiana offers summer camp for central Indiana students
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The International School of Indiana offers summer programming for incoming kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Campers can choose from a variety of programs, including language learning, enrichment and sports camps. Language Summer Camp, hosted in partnership with the Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies,
June 2-6
June 23-27
July 7-11
July 14-18
July 21-25
July 28- Aug 1 July 7-11
Moana and Maui’s Adventures Frozen Summer Celebration
Rapunzel’s Summer Adventures FULL Moana and Maui’s Island Luau
Fairytale Princesses and Princes
Frozen Prince & Princess Party
Youth Summer Ballet Intensive
provides language immersion experiences in French, Mandarin, Spanish and Arabic. Enrichment Camps offer STEM activities, writing and arts, and cultural learning. The new Amazing Athletes Sports Camp allows campers to explore different sports themes each week. Weekly sessions run from June 16 to July 25. For more, visit isind.org/events/ summercamp.
Fortune Academy offers summer camp for students with learning differences
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Fortune Academy, a school for students with learning differences, offers a unique summer camp program combining academic remediation with traditional summer camp activities. The program runs from June 9 to 27.
Mornings focus on educational breakout sessions using the Orton-Gillingham approach, while afternoons are dedicated to hands-on activities and field trips. Before and aftercare are available.
The camp offers a variety of breakout groups focusing on different academic and therapeutic areas.
For more, visit thefortuneacademy.org/summer-camp.
Indianapolis Children’s Choir announces summer music camp
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The Indianapolis Children’s Choir announces its Summer Music Camp 2025, “Just a Dream Away,” for children entering first through eighth grade. Two sessions are available: June 2-5 and July 21-24.
Campers will enjoy a week of singing, instrument exploration, music games and crafts, culminating in a concert performance. The camp takes place at the ICC Performing Arts Center in Indianapolis. Financial assistance is available. For more, visit icchoir.com/camps.
NEW MOON RISING
Westfield Parks & Rec reveals unique facilities plans
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Department of Parks and Recreation recently unveiled its plans for the new playground at Simon Moon Park — a state-of-the-art play and educational space with a feature available nowhere else in the U.S.
The $807,916 equipment purchased from Recreation Insites LLC of Fishers was approved by the parks and recreation board Feb. 5. The equipment will replace the current playground offerings as part of the Simon Moon Phase 2 project.
The playground is slated to open in 2026.
Westfield Parks and Recreation Director Chris McConnell said the park’s most unique feature is a sandhill crane climbing structure made of Robinia wood — black locust wood used for garden furniture, playground equipment and hydraulic engineering.
“At its wing peaks, it is 9 ½ feet-tall and has handholds on the backs of the wings and on the body of the crane,” he said. “This will be the first compound sculpture crane in the United States, so it will be very unique. It is all very environmentally based because the purpose of Simon Moon is the outdoors and also outdoor education. So, we’ve tried to keep within that theme.”
McConnell said the crane is one of several new features thoughtfully designed for children of all ages.
“This is a very unique custom playground,” he said. “It will actually be larger than the playground that is currently there. Some of the unique features — it will have (an age 2-5) equipment area that has balance beams, a lot of different activities and play panels that are interactive for the kids. Obviously, it has a slide. It is based on a lot of other playgrounds and playground design. Right now, this is all done based on universal design and playground designs that are accommodating to all types of users. It is a little different from our Freedom Trail Park, which is a full ADA playground and has decks and ramps. You don’t see that here, but this does offer an opportunity for children with mobility issues to get on and play along with their friends.”
The area will include play panels with an outdoor education component for young children.
“One of the more unique features are these climbing structures,” McConnell said. “These are full size climbing structures that (follow) the lifecycle of a frog. So, you
have the egg, the tadpole — or polliwog — and then the full-size frog. The little items that are on those are actually handholds, so kids can actually climb up on these things and interact with them and then they also have an educational value to them.”
REDEVELOPING SIMON MOON
The playground equipment purchased for Simon Moon Park is part of Phase 2 of the $6.8 million expansion at the park on 171st Street next to the Westfield City Services building.
Westfield Parks and Recreation Director Chris McConnell said Phase 1 is substantially complete, but the work closed the sled hill for the season.
“We weren’t able to open the sledding hill because it has been re-engineered and there was a lot of earthwork that was done on it,” he said. “It was completely replanted with new trees and new native plantings and new turf grass. If we allowed sledding on it this year, we risked destroying that work. So, we wanted to make sure to keep the fence up so that we could prevent that from happening.”
Besides the sledding hill improvements, Phase 1 work included parking lot upgrades and connection of the
former wastewater lagoons — which have been cleaned and converted into recreation and fishing ponds — to the surrounding stormwater infrastructure
McConnell said a ribbon cutting for Phase 1 will take place this spring. The parks and rec department is expected to stock the fishing pond in late April.
Phase 2 updates include the new playground, a shelter, a seating plaza, a four-season shelter on top of the sledding hill, boardwalks and an outdoor education facility.
“This will really make this park one of my favorites and I think also something that the community really can be proud of and provide a lot of different recreational opportunities, including kayaking and a couple of other unique opportunities,” McConnell said.
Learn more about Westfield parks at westfieldin.gov/229/Parks.
The age 5-12 section equipment features traditional playground offerings such as slides, a seesaw, a climbing net and swings.
“On the end is a basket swing that can hold up to 600 pounds and also doubles as an ADA swing, so those with mobility issues actually can be put inside this with their friends and pushed and enjoy it, along with anyone that chooses to be a part of it,” McConnell said. “It also holds adults, because I’ve been in one and I’m a pretty big guy.”
McConnell said the equipment purchased includes wheelchair-accessible options.
“We have an inclusive carousel,” he said. “This would allow someone with a wheelchair to be wheeled into the merrygo-round and actually be spun around and enjoy with their friends. It’s 100 percent inclusive, and it is one of those features that (we can do) because we’ve gotten away from using playground mulch and we use playground turf instead. This playground will be entirely playground turf.”
The purchase will be made through a cooperative purchasing program. The program — established by state code — allows the City of Westfield to purchase the playground equipment at a discount of 19.9 percent below market price, with 5 percent savings for installation and 5 percent savings for surfacing. The result will save the city approximately $123,812 on the total purchase.
McConnell said the anticipated time for delivery of the equipment is 32 weeks. The current playground will remain open while the new equipment is on order.
The purchase represents a full replacement of the playground, which was installed in 2012.
“Normally, the lifespan of a playground is around 10 years,” McConnell said. “They will tell you that it can push 15, but comfort level and safety level-wise, I don’t like to go much past 10. So, it is time to replace that. We will replace it and hopefully have it back open no later than spring of 2026.”
ON THE COVER: A sandhill crane climbing structure planned for Simon Moon park is the first of its kind in the United States. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
The sandhill crane climbing structure at Simon Moon Park will be made of Robinia wood. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
TobyMac’s ‘Life After Death’ album features deeply personal songs
By Alan Sculley editorial@youarecurrent.com
TobyMac remembers going to his first official songwriting session for his most recent album, “Life After Death,” and it wasn’t the usual pleasant feeling.
“I was driving out there and I was like, ‘What am I doing? Am I going to write a song like everything’s back to normal?’” sad TobyMac, who will perform on the “Hits Deep” tour at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. “It made me sick, almost, honestly.”
Normally, the Christian music artist said writing songs with a collaborator would be exciting, something to anticipate as an artist wonders if some creative magic will happen in that writing room that day. But these weren’t normal times for TobyMac (whose given name is Toby McKeehan).
In October 2019, his son, Truett Foster McKeehan, the oldest of his five children, died from an accidental overdose. An aspiring musician, Truett, 21, had just launched his solo career. He had battled addictions in his past, but signs were pointing toward a bright future, and Truett’s father was proud of what his son had seemingly overcome and accomplished.
“You feel like you shouldn’t go back to what (you do),” TobyMac said of the first writing session. “If you go back to normal, in some way you’re dishonoring your lost loved one. But when I got there, I just started writing this song ‘Faithfully.’ It was so deeply personal to me, about God’s faithfulness at the hardest time in my life.”
It should be noted that “Faithfully” wasn’t the first song TobyMac had written about losing his son. He released the top 5 single, “21 Years,” in January 2020. “‘21 Years’ came like almost within the first month, but it was because I didn’t view that as songwriting,” TobyMac said. “I viewed that as a song to honor my
son’s life. Thank God for the 21 years I got to interact with my boy. I immediately started just turning my faith to God and trying, trying. There were times when I struggled through that, but I found God to be kind in the end and I wanted to remember all of the best things about my son in that song.”
As he moved forward with songwriting, it became clear that “Life After Death” would be about losing Truett and the path toward healing that TobyMac and his family had taken over the preceding two years.
“Life After Death” starts on a hopeful note with “Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)” and “The Goodness,” songs that promise God will be “rolling up His sleeves” to help in times of trouble. And even when songs touch on “dark days” and “long nights” (as on “Show Up Choose Love,” “Faithfully” and “Rest”), he said a similar ray of hope from God’s love filters through the lyrics. Musically, the material isn’t the downer the subject matter might suggest. Several songs touch on sadness and loss. But the soulful “Help
Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)” and the hip-hop track “Life On It” are upbeat and at times even bouncy, while “Deeper” and “Fire’s Burnin’” are chipper bits of R&Blaced pop.
“The Goodness” became a key song in helping TobyMac find his emotional footing during the writing, as it describes how God is the unshakable goodness in life.
“I didn’t think I’d ever write another song that felt like joy or was uptempo,” TobyMac said. “And when I got hit with that, there was just so much promise in it for me at that moment, that that song poured out of me.”
Honest and relatable lyrics — and lots of catchy songs that have blended hiphop, R&B, pop and rock — have been key ingredients in making TobyMac one of Christian music’s biggest stars. He began his career alongside Michael Tait and Kevin Max in the trailblazing and hugely popular Christian hip-hop group, DC Talk before he launched his solo career in 2001.
In all, TobyMac’s eight solo albums have sold more than five million copies combined and won seven Grammy Awards. So far “Life After Death” has given TobyMac three No. 1 Christian music singles in “Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight),” “The Goodness” and “Cornerstone” (as well the top 5 single in “Promised Land”) to go with his seven previous chart-topping songs.
Those chart-topping songs figure to be included in TobyMac’s shows on his “Hits Deep” tour. As the tour title suggests, TobyMac’s set will focus on his hit songs from throughout his career. He might also include a song or two from “Heaven On My Mind,” the new album that he’s releasing March 7.
“The beautiful part about it (‘Life After Death’) is we’ve already had three significant singles off it, so those three, I’m not forcing them into the hits category,” TobyMac said.
For more, visit ticketmaster.com
‘JERSEY BOYS’
“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’
Carmel Community Players’ production of “Pride and Prejudice” runs from Feb. 28 to March 9 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
‘SHOWSTOPPERS’
The Songbook Foundation will screen “Showstoppers,” a documentary about women of television variety shows in the 1960s and ’70s, at 2 p.m. March 2 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Eric Baker Presents “Sounds and Stories” at 7:30 p.m. March 1 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘THE CAT IN THE HAT’
Civic Theatre’s production of “The Cat in the Hat” is set for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 1 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts at Carmel. For more, visit the thecenterpresents.org.
‘LITTLE WOMEN’
The Belfry Theatre and Hamilton County Theatre Guild’s production of “Little Women” runs through March 2 at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville. For tickets, visit thebelfrytheatre.com or call or text 317-773-1085.
DISPATCH
IWS concert set for March 1 — Indiana Wind Symphony’s “An Extraordinary Life” concert will pay tribute to the composer Joseph Bologne. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. March 1 at the Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Bologne emerged from enslavement in the Caribbean to become a composer, violinist and acclaimed conductor. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
TobyMac performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Photo courtesy of TobyMac)
‘Pride and Prejudice’ set
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
When Alec Cole watched the 2005 movie “Pride and Prejudice,” it was love at first sight.
PLAY
“I’ve been a big fan of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ for about six or seven years. I watched the (2005 movie) and fell in love with the characters. and then started watching that every Valentine’s Day,” Cole said. “I would host a little ‘Pride and Prejudice’ watch party. It’s a sweet, quintessential romantic story and it’s a feel-good tale.”
too much as being this cold, dark character. He’s a little rough, but he’s trying.”
In contrast to Cole, prior to being cast as Lizzy, Speedway resident Katie Endres had never read the book or seen the movie.
“So, that was my homework after I got cast,” Endres said. “It’s been an honor to play one of the most iconic literary female characters of all time. She’s such a strong and complex character. It’s been really fulfilling, and having a great ensemble behind me makes it all the more fun and even easier to me.”
Cole plays Mr. Darcy in Carmel Community Players’ production of “Pride and Prejudice,” which runs Feb. 28 to March 9 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel.
“It’s absolutely a dream role for me,” he said.
Cole, who lives on the south side of Indianapolis, also watched the BBC’s 1995 miniseries to prepare for the role.
“He’s certainly an exciting character to play,” Cole said. “He almost gets maligned
Samantha Kelly, a 2015 North Central High School graduate and north Indianapolis resident, is making her directorial debut.
“I’ve seen several renditions of it,” Kelly said. “I like how (playwright) Kate Hamill made everything funny because Jane Austen is usually hard to make funny. It’s a lighthearted version.”
There are eight performances, including a recently added 2:30 p.m. March 8 matinee. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
Comedy routine to open film
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Mike Young has chosen a unique approach to promoting his new film. Young will perform a comedy routine before some of the showings of “Stealing Jokes,” including a March 3 appearance at Emagine Noblesville, a movie theater.
MOVIE
stiffed on their pay.
“I think audiences are more fickle now and have so many reasons to stay home, so I wanted to give them another reason to go out,” Young said. “Maybe the ticket price is a little higher, but they get a live show, then a movie. It’s almost like ‘Rocky Horror’ back in the day where the audience got fully involved in the film on all levels. Plus, thematically it makes sense for this film as it stars a few really talented comics.”
Young said he will perform for 10 minutes and another comic will do 10 minutes.
Young wrote and directed “Stealing Jokes” and plays a small role. The story is about comics who rob a venue after being
“I’ve been a touring comic for 20 years and I’ve seen a lot on the road,” Young said. “I’ve seen club owners try and pay you in vintage coins and baseball tickets and I’ve seen them straight up not pay you, so for me, this was a testament to any great comic who’s ever been stiffed. We tell jokes, we make you feel better. Pay us what you owe us and there won’t be any issues. I had to make this movie. They get their due.”
Young came up with the idea about four years ago.
“I shopped it around to a few producers and lucked out with the best partner in Dan Gilbert, founder of Rocket Mortgage, who totally understood the humor and came on board to produce it,” Young said.
Young said actor-comedian Michael Rapaport was the only comic in the movie he was friends with before filming
The film features comedians Jeff Dye, Dustin Ybarra, Al Madrigal, Haha Davis and Luke Null, among others.
For more, visit emagine-entertainment. com/theatres/emagine-noblesville/.
Cole
Young
READERS’ VIEWS
Call to action to preserve Westfield
Editor,
On Feb. 10 the Westfield City Council approved expanding Kimblewick age-restricted housing into 80 acres of hardwood forest, misleadingly labeled a “tree farm” at the meeting. This forest, though registered as a farm, wasn’t scheduled for harvesting for 60 years with plans for sustainable cutting. The development contradicts the current comprehensive plan. Why this matters:
• Preservation of natural beauty: The Little Eagle Creek basin, with its woods and farms, has been a jewel of Hamilton County. The current development proposal threatens to erase this rural charm, replacing it with dense housing that disregards the area’s natural heritage.
• Economic and environmental impact: Developing this land into 3-5 acre estate lots could maintain our community’s allure; support local wildlife; and still contribute to our economy. The push for more residential units seems driven by short-term tax gains, not long-term community health or sustainability.
• Transparency and planning: At the recent council meeting, Mayor (Scott) Willis outlined a new comprehensive
plan that would erase density limits and zoning specifics, suggesting a future where development is unchecked and uniform. This raises serious questions about transparency and whether our substantial investment in planning consultants is genuinely valued.
A call to action:
• Demand accountability: Ensure the new plan reflects community desires, not just the mayor’s vision.
• Engage in the process: We must insist on meaningful public input into the new comprehensive plan. This is your chance to influence the future of Westfield, ensuring it remains a place we’re proud to call home.
• Support responsible leadership: Council members Jon Dartt, Chad Huff and Noah Herron advocate for balanced development.
Westfield faces a choice between urban sprawl and preserving its rural identity. Engage, question, and act to influence a sustainable future. Attend meetings, give feedback, and contact representatives for balanced growth, ensuring Westfield remains a community to be proud of.
Vernon Poland Westfield
READERS’ VIEWS
Just say no to golf carts on trails
Editor,
I only recently found out about the plan to expand the use of golf carts on the Monon and adjoining trails. I believe more residents of Westfield need to be informed of this possibility and voice their concerns and their opposition. I have written an email to Mayor Scott Willis and encourage all residents to speak up and let their voices be heard. If we are loud and numerous, we may be able to stop this infringement on our trails.
Here is my email:
Dear Mayor,
I would like to express my intense opposition to the proposed idea of allowing expanded use of golf carts on the Monon Trail. I believe this is a horrendous idea that would negatively impact the safety and enjoyment of the trail for most users.
The Monon Trail is a valuable community asset that is used by walkers, runners, cyclists, and families. The closeness to nature in many of the areas is uplifting and inspirational. There is an implied camaraderie among those who use the trail as we enjoy the outdoors while doing something positive for our bodies.
Introducing golf carts into these areas would detract from the peaceful and natural environment of the trail with noise, congestion and pollution.
I urge you to reconsider this proposal and to prioritize the safety and enjoyment of all trail users. Let’s keep the trail for its original intention — a safe place to hike, walk, run, bike and be active without motorized vehicles.
Barbara Jennings, Westfield
LIFESTYLE
Across
1. Calculators with beads
6. Kid around
10. Top cards at the Indianapolis Bridge Center
14. Team and town that was the inspiration for the film
“Hoosiers”
15. Ratio phrase
16. Lavish party
17. Civic Theatre play part
18. Custard dessert
19. “___, Brute?”
20. Slogan on a POW-MIA Indiana license plate
23. Spice mix for Rackz BBQ ribs
26. Lock opener
27. Bit of land in the sea
28. In mint condition
30. Southern pronoun
33. Ambulance letters
34. Narrow winning margin at Hoosier Park
35. AMC Castleton Square 14 offerings
37. Slogan on a Habitat for Humanity Indiana license plate
41. Consider
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45. Bucks on a Pacers scoreboard
48. Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church service
49. Stockholm natives
51. 1300 hours
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54. Nonetheless
55. Slogan on an Indiana Bicycle Coalition license plate
60. Relinquish
61. Video streaming site
62. Name before Rabbit, Pan or Piper
66. Mine finds
67. Varieties
68. Nebraska city
69. Marries
70. Miss Indiana accessory
71. Deafening
1. Doc bloc
Down
2. Pen name
3. CTRL-___-DEL
4. Abel’s brother
5. Call upon
6. Short time
7. Norway’s capital
8. Indy newspaper
9. ___ Kong
10. Helps in a heist
11. Fair Oaks Farms milk producers
12. Respect
13. Turns aside
21. Montana Grill guy
22. Lubricated
23. Go jogging on the Monon Trail
24. Family card game
25. Obama predecessor
29. Clairvoyant
30. “My place or ___?”
31. Like some Colts fans
32. ___ Abner
35. Lacy School of Business advanced degs.
36. Royal address
38. “I wanna try it!”
39. ___ Championship (tourney held at Crooked Stick in
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40. Neat
43. Membership cost
44. Fishers winter hrs.
45. Red Square locale
46. “Where are you?” response
47. Gasoline option, at one time
49. HBO alternative
50. Dueler’s choice
52. Iron
53. Teen’s infatuation
56. Not that
57. Hawaiian dance
58. Noblesville lodge group
59. Showroom model
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64. Sounds of hesitation
65. Indy car czar Skillman Answers on Page 15
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