Indianapolis Monthly - February 2023 Edition

IMAGES BY CLAY HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY

Ritz Charles | Garden Pavilion at Ritz Charles | Coxhall Gardens Indianapolis Public Library | Lindley Farmstead at Chatham Hills Artsgarden | The Bluffs at Conner Prairie | Artisan Acres Estate

38

HOW TO LOVE WINTER

The endless frigid, gray days are enough to make anyone hibernate. But it’s time to embrace winter: Plan a trip, try a new sport, shake up how you hunker down. Here’s how to make the most of the season.

EDITED BY LAURA KRUTY

50

A BLACK AND WHITE CASE

It’s all but certain that Indianapolis resident Robert Jefferson, laid to rest in Crown Hill Cemetery, was one of Thomas Jefferson’s unacknowledged children. Yet his family still must fight for the truth.

BY PHYLLIS CODLING MCLAUGHLIN

54

CHEF’S KISS

As Tony and Rosa Hanslits of Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta Market step back from the private dinners at their gourmet shop and eatery, the legendary culinary couple reflects on the joys and challenges of growing up alongside Indy’s dining scene.

BY TERRY KIRTS

Tony and Rosa Hanslits

Photography by John Bragg

PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

ONE YOU.ONE HEART.

HEART CARE That’s Personal

There’s only one you. And your spouse, sisters, brothers, coworkers, friends, children and neighbors… they all know it. That one heart you’ve got is loved by a lot of people.

That’s why we’re here to help. Don’t let heart disease get in the way of you being you. Discover our personalized approach to diagnose, treat and manage various heart conditions with a nationally renowned team of cardiovascular experts across Indiana.

GOOD LIFE

23

WANTED

We heart Alessi spoons.

24

SHOP TALK

Victoria Beaty helms a haven “where plant people meet.”

25 TRENDING

Get a bright idea from our curated selection of lamps.

26

STREET SAVVY

Explore a shopping oasis in Butler-Tarkington.

27

REALTY CHECK

A Meridian-Kessler manse goes up against a posh downtown condo.

28

BODY WISE

Sandbox VR brings a new dimension to Bottleworks.

29

THE DISH

31 SWOON

Beurre Sec’s Paris-trained pastry chef sells out of her laminated beauties.

32

FIRST BITE

Nowhere Special goes underground, Soulshine Vegan Café illuminates Broad Ripple, and Byrne’s Grilled Pizza turns up the heat.

33

TASTE TEST

These crunch-adjacent dishes use potato chips as an essential ingredient. Bet you can’t eat just one.

34

FOODIE

Step away from the sour cream. Gabriel Sañudo promises tortilla enlightenment at Taqueria de Julieta.

36

REVIEW

TRAVELER

Broadway beckons with Tony-worthy new shows.

Fountain Square welcomes its latest scruffy rock star, Easy Rider Diner. 78

RESTAURANT GUIDE

A tour of the city’s best eats, from fine dining to favorite dives.

88

BACK HOME AGAIN

Could someone help me find the $1.5 million I misplaced? It has to be around somewhere.

STRENGTHENING

HOOSIER FAMILIES

STRENGTHENING HOOSIER FAMILIES

FEBRUARY

59 // SCHOOL GUIDE

Explore the benefits of extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities that expand and enhance the educational process at area learning academies. This annual resource also gives readers an inside look at public, private, and charter schools—along with statewide colleges and universities—by listing details such as test scores, tuition rates, enrollment numbers, room and board fees, and degrees offered.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE ...

Faces of Indy

Meet Central Indiana business leaders representing a broad range of industries that includes dining, catering, banking, wealth management, medicine, dentistry, residential design, real estate, fine jewelry, education, and senior care.

Advanced Degrees

Climbing the corporate ladder or paving an entirely new career path can require education and training above and beyond a bachelor’s degree. This section gives our readers insights about returning to school for higher degrees, certifications, and professional development with details about various programs and disciplines they can pursue through Indiana institutions.

PHOTO COURTESY MSD LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP

Young athletes from Lawrence Township’s Up & Running club competed as Monumental Kids in the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben.

INTERIM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Megan Fernandez

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LIFESTYLE EDITOR Christina Vercelletto

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STEPHEN GARSTANG

As a creative services director, Stephen Garstang is a big believer in the power of good lighting. “February, for me, is about brightening the darkness,” he says, so the theme for Trending (p. 25) was an obvious choice. A favorite lamp among his picks? The rechargeable “Pina Pro.” “It has the quality of candlelight with the design of a sculpture,” he explains.

PHYLLIS CODLING MCLAUGHLIN

While the living can be entertaining, Phyllis Codling McLaughlin, who wrote the investigative feature on one of Thomas Jefferson’s potential descendants (p. 50), prefers to work with the dead to tell their stories. Using her impressive skills as a genetic genealogist, she has discovered that modern DNA testing means that even centuries-old family secrets are no longer safe.

NEW YEAR. NEW HOME.

Woodstock Custom Homes specializes in low maintenance, custom designed homes for main level living with indoor/outdoor, open concept floor plans that include jaw-dropping architectural detail... and all in just the right blend of luxury and size for you. If this sounds like what you’ve been searching for, keep reading.

We currently own premium lots in Hamilton County’s most sought after neighborhoods like Reserve on South, Grassy Branch at Bridgewater, Sagamore, and Brookside... along with several quick move-in opportunities already underway. However, if you have additional time, we can help design a very unique home worthy of your dream lifestyle. It all starts with a conversation.

BERNIE SCHMITT

The former editor of Indiana’s oldest newspaper, the Vincennes Sun-Commercial, Bernie Schmitt is an English professor at Vincennes University. He’s also a history buff and a photographer who has spent hours investigating the treasures at Grouseland, so he jumped at the chance to take on this month’s Artifact (p. 15), showcasing William Henry Harrison’s spurs.

To learn more about Woodstock and see an example of our lifestyle home design, our fully-decorated model home in Noblesville’s Sagamore neighborhood, 16392 Grand Cypress Drive, will be finished soon. Check WoodstockCustomHomes.com for details.

Get a care plan personalized for you

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. With Ascension St. Vincent Cancer Care, you’re not alone. Your first step is to sit down with a cancer specialist who listens. Your doctor will help you personalize a care plan with a goal of getting you back to the daily life you enjoy. You’ll have an entire care team beside you. With a plan, comes hope.

Talk to a cancer specialist. ascension.org/StVincentCancerCare

Common Census

When it comes to disparities in Marion County’s public art scene, the writing is on the wall. But through an intensive public art audit and now with a detailed report in hand, more equitable changes are on the horizon.

Photos by DANICIA MONÉT MALONE

AN AVANT-GARDE APPROACH. Last summer, Rokh research and design studio, led by Danicia Monét Malone, partnered with the Indy Arts Council to publish Public Art for All, a pioneering inventory and analysis that redefines public art and its role here billed as the first of its kind.

STREET SWEEPERS. Malone and a team of eight scouters crisscrossed more than 6,500 linear miles of Marion County, mostly driving, but also walking, biking, skating, and scootering the more insulated paths and trails. They each covered about 3 square miles a day in search of original public art pieces. The process took almost six months to complete.

AND THE SURVEY SAYS. A total of 3,090 pieces were identified, including murals, installations, roadside memorials, and more, vastly outnumbering the 616 artworks listed in the Indy Arts Council’s public art directory at the time. Murals are the most prevalent form.

PRIVATE EYE. While monuments and civic memorials were once the established brand of public art, here a broader definition includes any artwork viewable from a public space, even if it is on private property or obtained through private funding (or no funding at all, as in many cases). This wider lens will allow more informed conversations about spatial justice moving forward.

ITS ALL GRAFFITI TO ME. Interpreted as the fair distribution of resources within a space and the assurance that opportunities to benefit from those resources are accessible, inclusive, and equitable, the concept of spatial justice has motivated this study since its inception. “We see public art as a resource,” says Malone. “It’s not just something that is slapped on the wall or something that exists in the background.” Public art should reflect and celebrate the community it is in, according to the report.

DIVERSIFYING THE CITY’S PORTFOLIO. When it comes to authored works, women, along with Black, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous residents were underrepresented in comparison to white males. The latter group as a whole accounted for nearly half of the population in Marion County, but only a quarter of public artists in this survey. The report calls to support those living within a community to create public art there. “We have to recognize that space needs to change,” says Malone. “The spatial imaginary of space needs to keep pace with the people who are occupying that space.”

NOTHING TO SEE HERE. Public art deserts, just like food deserts, do exist and were identified throughout the county, lacking accessibility or availability of art.

PUBLIC ART ON PREVIOUS PAGE

(1) Sense Charter School, 1619 Prospect St. (2) Untitled, artist unknown, 8562 Woodfield Crossing Blvd. (3) Lego by Carl Leck, 1901 Bluff Rd. (4) We Are Here! by Skawennati, 2515 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. (5) Buddhist Sculpture Garden, Phap An Temple, 549 S. Franklin Rd. (6) Untitled, artist unknown, 9015 E. McGregor Rd.

(7) Untitled, artist unknown, 6251 Riverview Dr. (8) The Bob-tanical Gardens and Zoo-illogical Par by Bob Richie, 7902 E. White Ln., Lawrence

TAG—YOU’RE IT. Less than 20 percent of the inventoried work was signed by an artist, creating a gap in the data. Julia Muney Moore, director of public art at the Indy Arts Council, and Malone agree signage is critical for the archives as well as exposure of the creative economy and understanding the history of place. Next month, the Arts Council plans to launch initiatives to make it easier for artists to claim unattributed work, as well as sign newly completed projects, both in the directory and onsite, which can be a cumbersome and expensive process due to city policies.

CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE. With data in hand, the Indy Arts Council is actively working to address these issues. “One of the things that we’re doing right now is incorporating what we found into our next round of public art for neighborhoods grants,” says Moore, explaining that areas determined to be public art deserts will be prioritized. Funding will also be available to restore and manage public art pieces that are deteriorating.

SEE FOR YOURSELF. With interactive maps and the current public art directory online, it’s easier than ever to find public art in Marion County. Guided walking tours are offered throughout the year, including a Black history public art tour this month. —SUSAN SALAZ

Artist unknown, 518 N. Pershing Ave. in Haughville

PHOTO COURTESY DANICIA MONÉT MALONE

( UNSPOKEN RULES )

Valentine’s Day Proposal

A MANNER-FESTO ON POPPING THE QUESTION ON FEBRUARY 14.

Slam Dunk

Have

Send

Q: I REALIZE THIS WILL START AN ARGUMENT, BUT WHO IS INDY’S HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GOAT? A: You can bet your Chuck Taylors that the greatest of all time is Oscar Robertson, who led Crispus Attucks to IHSAA championships in 1955 and 1956, the second title capping an undefeated season. But if you’re looking for an argument, try selecting the city’s second-best star. The roster includes Greg Oden, who took Lawrence North to three state titles in four years in the midaughts; George McGinnis, the star of Washington’s unbeaten 1969 team and the first Indiana player to score more than 1,000 points in a season; and perhaps Billy Keller, who carried the same school to the 1965 state championship and four straight city titles. I’m sure other hoops “experts” have their own views—ones they will loudly share over a plate of wings.

—SAM STALL

First rule: Don’t do it. But if you have your heart set on the sentimental perfect storm, consider taking a knee in front of the proposalready Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture at Newfields. In case you haven’t been in a while, the museum moved the sculpture inside in 2016. There are equally LOVEly al fresco spots aplenty in the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. The Scottish Rite Cathedral’s candlelight Tchaikovsky concert on February 14 is a classic romantic mood-setter. Get a balcony seat. St. Elmo Steak House will arrange the shrimp cocktail in the shape of a heart. Don’t hide the ring in the sauce.

marriage rate

BY RYAN JOHNSON; PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

william henry

harrison’s spurs

VINTAGE:1811

Reside at Grouseland in Vincennes

THESE STERLING-SILVER SPURS were worn in 1811 by William Henry Harrison during the Battle of Tippecanoe at Battle Ground, Indiana. The battle was a precursor to the War of 1812, and Harrison’s ensuing reputation as a war hero is widely regarded as the key factor in his landslide victory in the 1840 presidential election. The spurs were initially loaned to the Grouseland Historic Home Museum in Vincennes, Harrison’s residence during his tenure as governor of the Indiana Territory, by John Scott Harrison V, his great-great-great-grandson, to be “returned on demand.” The spurs, along with other items belonging to Harrison, including the bicorn hat he also wore at Tippecanoe, were ultimately purchased to become part of the permanent Grouseland collection. “The little star roulettes still spin,” says Lisa Ice-Jones, executive director of Grouseland. “The detail is amazing.”

Photo and story by BERNIE SCHMITT

Herd Mentality

CENTURIES AFTER BUFFALO LAST ROAMED FREE IN INDIANA, THE KANKAKEE SANDS RESTORATION PROJECT—IN AN AREA OF THE STATE THAT WAS ONCE THE LARGEST INLAND SWAMP IN THE COUNTRY—IS RELYING ON THE ANIMALS TO BALANCE ITS PAST WITH ITS FUTURE.

PATCHES OF brittle, blond grasses slouch between tufts of mud and earth trampled by the massive buffalo (a colloquial term for the American bison). There are more than 90 of them this year. In a few months, there will be more—cinnamon calves, or red dogs as they are called for their color, will trot the fields munching the fresh spring shoots of prairie grass. Those visible today saunter by, perpetually grazing no matter the season. Their presence is humbling and not a usual Indiana scene. But at Kankakee Sands, near the town of Morocco (pop. 1,097) in Northwest Indiana, this herd has made itself right at home.

BY SUSAN SALAZ

“Typically, the bison don’t need much in the winter,” says Olivia Schouten, the land steward and bison manager at Kankakee Sands. But she does monitor the amount of grass they are eating and the solar well for water, moving the animals between pastures periodically. Their hides are woolly now, and if it snows, they’ll easily plow it away, using their enormous heads to reveal the grass and sedge underneath, always in search of a snack.

The tall-grass prairie here is part of the Efroymson Restoration, established by the Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1997, and the buffalo are a vital part of the plan to revive the ecosystem and reflect some of those 18th-century characteristics.

“[Bison] are a keystone species here in North America,” explains Schouten.

“Similar to things like wolves or beaver, where if you remove that animal from an ecosystem, those impacts basically touch down on everything.”

The animals arrived in Newton County on a windy October day in 2016, 23 of them from Lame Johnny Ranch, a Nature Conservancy “seed herd” in South Dakota. They thundered out of a livestock hauler, curious of their new surroundings after the long ride. Earlier that year, the American bison had been named our country’s national mammal. Despite one’s depiction on the Indiana state seal, bison haven’t roamed free here for almost 200 years. Before that, though, nearly 60 million traveled throughout North America in large herds. During the 1800s, they were hunted almost to extinction in order to make way for American settlers. Realizing the catastrophic loss too late, conservation efforts followed.

There are a few other bison herds in Indiana today, but most are livestock raised as a commodity, and none are as unique as those at Kankakee Sands. This wild herd descends from the bison at South Dakota’s Wind Cave National Park, sometimes referred to as “purebred” due to their coveted lineage with significant genetic diversity, presenting alleles versions of genes that aren’t present among most other bison due to the drastic decline in population. While the goal is conservational, it’s not solely to preserve the bison, but to preserve the ecological role they play within the prairie. The bison and the prairie evolved and adapted together, says Schouten, “so connecting them back to prairies … that’s really a huge focus of why we have bison at The Nature Conservancy.”

Trevor Edmonson is the site manager at Kankakee Sands, overseeing the 8,400 acres. “It’s a mosaic of wide-ranging habitat—it’s not just one cookie-cutter type of natural area,” he says, pointing out the black oak savanna, the marsh and wetlands, the sand dunes and tall-grass prairie. The land hasn’t always looked like this. Just 30 years ago, before The Nature

Illustration by CURT MERLO

Conservancy purchased the plot for its manmade experiment, it was industrial farmland as far as the eye could see, and had been for more than a century. So, what are they restoring?

The project sits inside the footprint of the bygone Beaver Lake, once the largest freshwater lake in Indiana, covering more than 35 square miles. But that was still only a small part of the vast Grand Kankakee Marsh system that flourished over more than a million swampy acres across Northern Indiana and stretching into Illinois. This largest wetland in North America was especially important to the Native American tribes in the region and is part of the ancestral lands of the Bodéwadmik, Myaamia, Peoria, and Kiikaapoi, and many other Nations. Known as “the Everglades of the North,” this rare expanse once harbored more wildlife than just about anywhere on earth. But like the buffalo, with abundance came destruction. It took settlers in the mid-1800s more than five decades to drain Beaver Lake and the surrounding marshes and dredge the Kankakee River, rerouting its curvaceous 250mile course to a straight 90 miles from South Bend to the Illinois state line in the name of modern agriculture. It was completed by the beginning of the 20th century—with plants, animals, and life as it was known decimated in its path.

“The black oak savanna is still intact,” Edmonson says. “It’s been neglected for a long time, so we’re kind of nursing that back to health and stewarding it the best we can.” He’s realistic in understanding that what may have been prolific in the 1600s cannot be replicated today. But maybe it can be reimagined. “The keystone to good stewardship is adaptive management and taking the best science that we have today and trying to apply that to our work going forward,” he says.

This place will never be what it once was, but that isn’t the point. The new

ecosystems are a balancing act between the past and the future, and that’s where the bison come in. The animals are grazers, and grazing is crucial to the proper function of a prairie ecosystem, says Schouten. One bison can eat up to 40 pounds of grass per day, which makes a big impact. “The movement of bison across the landscape encourages the biodiversity of plants that we have,” she explains, “which then encourages the biodiversity of the insects and everything that utilizes the plants.” With each planting, it was better understood that grazers would help support the other plants, animals, and insects here in a way nothing else could.

Part of the rewilding process means managing the animals in a handsoff manner. Dr. Jeff Proudfoot, vice president of veterinary services at the Indianapolis Zoo, has worked with the bison herd at Kankakee Sands since its arrival, and notes the marked difference from the intensive management of animals at the zoo. “The approach for this group is to keep it as natural as possible, with as little intervention as possible, from a veterinary perspective,” he says, adding that the annual roundup, or vet day, in midfall is the one exception. During this fast process, his veterinary team from Indianapolis and the crew at Kankakee Sands work together to keep the charismatic bison calm as they make their way through the runway and into a restraint. For the next 90 seconds, everything is evaluated as quickly as possible, vaccines are administered, microchips are checked, and a tail hair is plucked for genetic analysis.

This group has grown to around 100, with about 20 calves born each spring. For Schouten, it’s a sustainable size for the acreage the animals have to graze. Each year, they are cycled in and out of other herds for genetic management and capacity restraints. In the past, excess bison have been sold to private enter-

prise or swapped between other Nature Conservancy herds across the country, but through a new partnership with the InterTribal Buffalo Council, Kankakee Sands was able to restore 21 bison to the Forest County Potawatomi Community in Wisconsin last year.

Troy Heinert, a former rodeo clown and current South Dakota senator, is leading this revival, and last fall, the group was able to restore 2,000 wild bison to 22 tribes across 10 states—its largest transfer yet. “The significance of buffalo extends beyond their physical presence on the land,” says Heinert, the Sicangu Lakota and InterTribal Buffalo Council executive director. “They represent a positive force toward spiritual and cultural revitalization, ecological restoration and conservation, food sovereignty, health, economic development, and much more as each buffalo is brought back home.”

The number of animals provided from the Kankakee Sands herd may seem small compared to the total, but it is significant, and the team at Kankakee Sands is excited to continue supporting these efforts through its bison program in the future. As bison move on from this restored Hoosier prairie and back to Native ancestral lands, The Nature Conservancy hopes to rebuild connections to Native people closer to home. “We have begun that process, but it is patient work that needs to have a deep foundation of trust,” says Edmonson. Spaces like Kankakee Sands are an important foundation for this trust. Not only do they conserve the natural heritage, but they also give humans a place for natural connections unlike any other, because, as Edmonson insists, “We are a part of nature.”

For now, Kankakee Sands is open to the public daily, offering bison-viewing sites, interpretive signs, and a ranger program on many weekends. Thanks to a prescribed burn last year, Edmonson expects the pasture next to the main office off of U.S. Highway 41 to be a popular grazing spot for the herd and new calves as fresh grasses bolt up this spring. The team is currently working with the National Park Service to enhance the guest experience with more robust visitor opportunities in the coming year.

KNOWN AS THE “EVERGLADES OF THE NORTH,” THIS EXPANSE ONCE HARBORED MORE WILDLIFE THAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE ON EARTH. BUT LIKE THE BUFFALO, WITH ABUNDANCE CAME DESTRUCTION.

Serving from the Heart

and successfully pursuing their own careers, Speer continues to actively volunteer, oftentimes in connection with Kevin’s role at the hospital. Serving in a “support role” to Kevin, she has also served as event co-chair of the Sheltering Wings premier event and each year helps out with the planning of the Hendricks Regional Health gala, raising money for a highlighted area of the hospital.

Hendricks County resident Kim Speer has two passions in her life – family and giving back to her community. Oftentimes, those two passions go hand in hand, including her current volunteer role as chairwoman of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® campaign in Central Indiana.

Speer met her husband Kevin, the president and CEO of Hendricks Regional Health, at Valparaiso University School of Law. The two moved to Indianapolis where she spent more than a decade practicing criminal law Defender.

When their sons Eric and Cole were in elementary school, Speer decided to step away from her career and quickly found her calling as a volunteer.

“The boys went to Heritage Christian through middle school, and I was very active with the PTO and board and worked closely on a number of the school’s capital campaigns,” Speer says.

From there, the Speer boys moved to Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School where Kim continued pouring her efforts into helping her family’s school community, including time as president of the Brebeuf Jesuit Mother’s Association and team manager of the men’s hockey team. During Eric and Cole’s time at DePauw University, she served as president of the DePauw University Parents Council and team parent for the men’s lacrosse team.

With their sons having graduated

It was her connection to the hospital, along with a very personal connection to heart disease, that led her to chair the Go Red for Women campaign.

“I will never forget the day I received a call from my dad that my mom had suffered a heart attack,” Speer says. “A few years later, I received a call that Kevin was on his way to the cath lab. Both moments had a profound losing them.”

Her mom’s heart attack happened around the time that

The Speer Family - Eric, Kim, Kevin, Cole.

Kim and Kevin Speer

launched the Go Red for Women campaign in response to the fact that 1 in 3 women’s deaths are due to heart disease.

“Women have historically been misdiagnosed when it comes to heart problems and underrepresented in research,” says Amanda Mills, executive director of the American Heart Association in Indianapolis. “Go Red for Women is an educational program to raise awareness about the prevention of heart disease and stroke, and to help women better recognize the signs and symptoms of heart attacks in addition to raising funds for more heart-related

“We need women like Kim, who

have been personally impacted by heart disease as leaders of this movement.”

Speer, who has attended the annual Go Red for Women luncheon several times, was honored to be asked to lead this year’s campaign.

“Heart disease affects everyone in some way,” Speers says. “Everyone has a story. To impact our community by being able to lead a movement like this – I’m honored.”

For Speer, the overarching message of the campaign is prevention.

“The majority of heart disease and stroke is preventable,” she says. “If we’re proactive by

making healthy choices to eat right, move more and to make our health a priority, we strongly reduce our risks. We don’t have to lose our mothers, sisters and friends to heart disease and stroke.”

While the Go Red for Women campaign is a 12-month effort, Speer is looking forward to the annual celebration luncheon with survivors and volunteers on Feb. 17. She’ll celebrate alongside her husband, sons, friends and the Hendricks Regional Health team that are sponsoring the event.

For more information about Go Red for Women in Central Indiana, visit www.heart.org/ indygoesred.

Nationally sponsored byCentral Indiana Goes Red SponsorMedia Sponsors

Media

BUILDING LONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES IN INDIANA

Creating a community of lifesavers

Educating women about heart disease and stroke

Reaching girls with STEM programs

Kim Speer Hendricks Regional Health Go Red for Women® Chair

Inez Evans IndyGo Circle of Red Chair

Heart disease and stroke are on the rise for the first time in decades, and Hendricks Regional Health is stepping up to help. With Kim Speer leading the way as event chair, we are the proud local sponsor of Central Indiana Goes Red, and our team is all in to make a difference. From supporting the heart walk, providing local public safety workers with free heart scans, and making AEDs available to our community partners, we are just getting started. Please help us make American Heart Month in February one to remember. Together, we can save lives.

Proud to be the local sponsor of Central Indiana Goes Red

from opening night of this brutally hilarious

Get in gear and visit the Indiana State Museum as it opens an exhibit on

BETS

February 21

Bone up on

(1) Wild Horses February 2 You couldn’t drag us away

play at the PhoenixTheatre about a young girl played by her adult self. phoenixtheatre.org

(2) Parlor Social February 10–11 Drawing from Cab Calloway, OutKast, and Ms. Lauryn Hill, this husband-and-wife duo bring the funk (and more!) to The Cabaret thecabaret.org

(3) Winterfest February 11 Raise a glass (or several) at the Indiana State Fairgrounds with the Brewers of Indiana Guild. drinkin.beer

(4) Vintage Vision

February 18

the great cars of the 1920s. indianamuseum.org

(5) National Geographic Live: T. Rex Rises

the apex predator at The Palladium with paleontologist Dr. Lindsay Zanno. thecenterpresents.org

COURTESY PHOENIX THEATRE

COURTESY CONRAD PICCARILLO

STOCK.ADOBE.COM

THIS MONTH’S CAN’T–MISS EVENTS

Illustration by HATSUE

COMING SEPTEMBER 2023

Dream Home is the premier high-end show home in Indianapolis. Built and designed by teams led by Brad Bowman of Homes by Design and Jennifer O’Connor of Dare 2 Design, the 2023 Dream Home offers visitors the opportunity to tour a custom designed residence with picturesque views and luxurious furnishings, finishes, and amenities. Located in Zionsville’s scenic Holliday Farms community, the house is open to the public during select weekends in September.

HOME BUILT BYINTERIOR DESIGN BY

Firefly Children & Family Alliance connects Indiana children, families, and individuals with the resources and services they need to live successfully.

GOOD LIFE

WANTED The Lovin’ Spoonfuls

It seems apropos that the home of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE would be where you can find the Alessi Big Love Coffee Spoons. The Italian kitchenware company, known for its striking mix of functionality and aesthetics, had them designed by Miriam Mirri. The gleaming, gently curved stirrers are made of mirror-polished stainless steel in Italy. Who needs a gift for their galentine?

Set of four, $45. The Museum & Garden Shop at Newfields, 317-955-2320, ext. 281, shop.discovernewfields.org

(

SHOP TALK )

Happy Hour

AT BOTANICAL BAR, VICTORIA BEATY BRINGS HOMES TO LIFE ONE POTHOS AT A TIME. BY KATIE MARPLE

THE QUAINT, tranquil space at 11th and College is the result of three generations of green thumbs. With a florist grandmother and a houseplant-collector mother, a prowess for plants was in Victoria Beaty’s DNA. She bolstered that knowledge by studying urban farming, and then Botanical Bar blossomed. Each locally sourced plant has growing instructions, so first-time plant parents know how to care for their sprouts. The shop also offer an easy-care plant subscription for newbies. Unsure what kind of subscription to get? Beaty can help guide you. “When you want to add a plant to a space, choose based on three factors,” advises Beaty. “The time you have to care for it, the light, and the decor style.” Design services, where a pro customizes your space with greenery, are available. Did you know you can rent plants? Hire a photogenic bird of paradise or fiddle fig for your next event. And customers are loving the store’s Repot Spot. “Repotting is intimidating,” says Beaty. “That service was one of the most requested.”

Botanical Bar

ADDRESS

1103 N. College Ave. HOURS

Wednesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

scouted

(1) “Self-care” coloring books, $15 each (2) Mugs for plant moms and dads, $20 each (3) Celfie pots,

HOW DID YOU GET INTO SELLING VINTAGE CLOTHING?

My own vintage shop has been a dream since I was 13. I started out casually selling secondhand items online. After a pop-up at The Garage food hall, I opened Nuova Vita Vintage in March 2022.

WHAT’S ON-BRAND FOR YOU, PERSONALLY?

Leather jackets; loafers; big, thin gold hoops; Converse high-tops; layered gold necklaces; and any classic silhouette in a neutral color.

DOES YOUR STYLE AESTHETIC CHANGE?

At this point in my life, not really. I have a clear understanding of what colors, styles, and fits I like. People might be surprised at how streamlined my closet is. —K.M.

$10–$22, depending on size

Macey Schumacher

Owner, Nuova Vita Vintage

Brass desk lamp $1,499. Surroundings, 1101B E. 54th St., surroundingsantique-store .business.site

TRENDING

Light On!

ILLUMINATE DREARY WINTER DAYS WITH ONE OF THESE STUNNING LAMPS.

BY STEPHEN GARSTANG

E. 86th St., park sidelinen.com

Permanent jewelry is having a moment. Clasp-free bracelets are—fast and painlessly— welded on. Local pros see not only those who love the ease of a perpetual accessory, but besties and mom-daughter-grandma groups wanting matching baubles. Designs are delicate and understated, so they go with everything. Try it out at HONEY BOUTIQUE (420 W. Main St., Carmel) or FRANCIS + FERN (421 Massachusetts Ave.). —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

Codex Series table lamp $600. Cory Robinson Studio, coryrobinson studio.com

table lamp

D-Haene Studio “Mizutama” small table lamp $1,488. Willa Gray Home

“Cleo” orb accent lamp $579. Willa Gray Home, 6516 Carrollton Ave., willagrayhome.com

Zafferano “Pina Pro” cordless lamp $149. Parkside Linen, 1762

Butler-Tarkington

THIS SMALL STRIP OF STOREFRONTS ON THE NORTH SIDE SURPRISES AS AN UPSCALE SHOPPING OASIS NOT TO BE MISSED.

ADMIRE Curated with works by Indiana artists, James R. Ross Fine Art

(1) is an elegant gallery filled with impressive oil paintings, sculptures, and more. Vivid still lifes and thought-provoking portraits are poised to become hallmarks in the homes of local tastemakers. 5627 N. Illinois St., 317-255-4561, jamesrrossfineart.com

FOLD The menu at Byrne’s Grilled Pizza (2) brims with standards as well as inventive pairings. Try a slice of Cheesus, topped with Alfredo, feta, ricotta, and hot honey. 5615 N. Illinois St., 317-737-2056, byrnespizza.com

STYLE The textural decadence of knits, silks, and flannels at J.McLaughlin (3) befits heritage patterns worthy of a country club–chic ensemble. Colorful scarves present accent possibilities from casual-cool to refined. 5611 N. Illinois St., 317-854-7428, jmclaughlin.com

BY MONICA SALLAY

DROOL Explore a trove of fine gold, diamonds, and gemstones at Petite G Jewelers (4). Cases sparkle with new designer pieces, as well as estate finds. Opt for a trendy charm … or maybe a dazzling tennis necklace? 5609 N. Illinois St., 317-255-5555, petiteg.com

ORDER Around for more than 100 years, Kincaid’s Meat Market (5) is part of Indianapolis culture, creating custom sausages for St. Thomas Aquinas’s SausageFest in the neighborhood and Sullivan Hardware’s Big Green Eggs. Aside from the vast meat selection, the local cheese, house dressings, and spices are also worth a look. 5605 N. Illinois St., 317-255-5497, kincaidsmeatmarket.com

SIP A former firehouse redone in aprèsski style, Chalet (6) offers artisanal lattes, such as pleasantly spicy ginger with turmeric, alongside fresh pastries and bialys. At night, the menu flips to organic wines and cheesy raclette sammies. 5555 N. Illinois St., 317-207-2127, chaletindy.com

14K emerald and diamond

STREET SAVVY

Clockwise from left: A moment of reflection at James R. Ross; a Chalet barista whips up a latte; Byrne’s Grilled Pizza’s thin-crust pies; elegant pieces await at J.McLaughlin; service with a smile at the Kincaid’s counter.

“God’s eye” charm $1,250. Petite G Jewelers

PHOTOS BY TONY VALAINIS

A Life of Luxury

IF YOU WERE READY TO SPEND $1.5 MILLION, WHICH ONE OF THESE DREAM HOMES WOULD YOU MOVE INTO?

BY JEANA HARRIS

WITH A budget of $1.5 million, a home shopper has pretty good odds of landing just what he or she has in mind. And whether that’s skyline views and nightlife, or a stately gem in a historical part of town, we have good news. Both options are on the table this month.

It’s great when a home has even a single stellar view. This swanky condo boasts views of the skyline from every last window. Located in Indy’s sought-after Fletcher Place neighborhood, it’s surrounded by fantastic restaurants and shopping. Inside, you can enjoy more than 4,000 square feet of luxurious living space—a marble foyer with a lighted fountain sets the tone instantly, while other opulent features can be found in the gourmet kitchen and primary suite. Surround sound is embedded throughout, and a Smokemaster ventilation system in the rec room allows for a cigar lounge or private speakeasy.

Homes in Meridian-Kessler often elicit thoughts of they don’t make ’em like this anymore. Case in point: This grand home, built in 1917, was designed to maximize sun exposure. If classic curb appeal is what you seek, the circular driveway with manicured gardens and fountains, clay-tile roof, and façade of arched windows are sure to make your heart skip a beat. Inside, find plenty of space to spread out, while a large pool and pool house can be enjoyed during the warmer months.

BEDROOMS 5 BATHROOMS 6 SQUARE FOOTAGE 5,932 YEAR BUILT 1917 WINNING EXTRA 15 sets of French doors REALTOR F. C. Tucker

BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 5 SQUARE FOOTAGE 4,302 YEAR BUILT 2006 WINNING EXTRA 450-foot balcony with skyline views REALTOR Keller Williams

435

Ave., Unit 600, Fletcher Place

Level Up

LOOKING FOR A FRESH WORKOUT? ENTER A PORTAL TO THE METAVERSE AT BOTTLEWORKS.

BY DYLAN LEE HODGES

IT USED TO BE THAT video games were the last thing associated with getting in shape. But now, in the age of the metaverse, there’s Sandbox VR. No one is taking you into the (active) virtual world like this new Bottleworks District studio.

Virtual reality devices like the popular Oculus Quest 2 have immersive fitness apps. Sandbox, though, takes it to a whole other level with its Hollywoodgrade productions where your body itself is the controller. Developers of Sandbox games, including creative director Michael Hampden of Assassin’s Creed fame, are known for superb cinematography. Now, you and your crew of up to six can get thrown into one of four private rooms, called “holodecks,” for VR gameplay in one of six surprising worlds, such as the adrenaline-pump-

ing zombie thriller Deadwood Valley. There, you’ll have to survive the hordes by ducking and twisting. And shooting the undead swarming you from all sides, of course.

The equipment makes a 30-minute session at Sandbox even more of a calorie torcher. For the full-body tracking to work, it takes four motion-sensor cuffs—two on the wrists and two around the ankles—a haptic (motion-detecting) vest, and a backpack. Add on the VR headset and a weapon, and you’re toting 30 pounds as you dodge all those attacks. Comfortable attire is a must.

None of this is to say that playing a game with your pals is the optimal form of exercise. Yet it is definitely the way to have a blast while breaking a sweat on dreary late-winter days. And at the end of your adventure, you can all relive the fun by watching your complimentary highlight reel.

new downtown salon is the place to go for the hot new (old) style.

IF YOUR look needs zhuzhing, talk to the stylists at French Pharmacie in Fountain Square. They’re specialists in modern shags, rocked by Jennifer Affleck, Malin Akerman, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway. The key is modern. “1970s and ’80s shags were often permed, so they were rounder and bulkier,” says coowner Danny Cheshire.

“And with stylists now using razors, we achieve customized shapes.” The beauty of a modern shag is that it flatters most hair types and lengths. “It’s all about how you sculpt the fringe around the face,” says Cheshire. “It adds volume to fine hair; it can eliminate too much density in thick hair. I love a shag and bob mashup, with Bardot bangs that melt into face framing.” Plus, it’s lowmaintenance. “My clients are wearing it air-dried, starring their natural texture.” The only product you may need is a texturizer. Cheshire’s go-to is R+Co’s Death Valley ($33). Joan Jett T-shirt not included. 435 Virginia Ave., 317-4263694, frenchpharmacie .com —JAYDE LEARY

BODY WISE

SANDBOX VR PHOTOS PROVIDED; MODERN SHAG PHOTO BY DANNY CHESHIRE

New York City

DISTANCE

731 miles

FLIGHT TIME

1 hour, 45 minutes

It’s Showtime!

WICKED , SCHMICKED. THE SHINY NEW PRODUCTIONS ON BROADWAY ARE SUPERB.

BY LOU HARRY

NEW YORK CITY is synonymous with theater. Even if you’ve already seen the household-name shows, the latest debuts are worth a trip to Gotham.

Some Like It Hot is a smart adaptation of the 1959 comedy classic to contemporary sensibilities. It still concerns two musicians who witness a gangland hit, don drag, and join a girl band to escape the mob. But this time, Jerry (J. Harrison Ghee) is fulfilled in his new identity as Daphne. It’s propelled by toe-tappers from the composer-lyricist team who brought us Hairspray. Kimberly Akimbo may be the best-reviewed musical

of the season, and it’s a charmer. Despite the narrative, built around a teen with a rare condition that causes her to age rapidly, the show is surprisingly fun. The inspiring, soaring score is courtesy of Jeanine Tesori (Shrek: The Musical). Expect a strong showing at the Tonys.

Other worthy spring and early-summer openings include Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bad Cinderella, an intriguing revival of Camelot by Aaron Sorkin, and a Back to the Future musical.

On the TodayTix App (todaytix.com), you can score last-minute offers and enter dayof lotteries for bargain tickets to some of the most popular shows.

IF YOU GO

STAY At the new Hard Rock Hotel (hardrockhotels .com) in the theater district, see Hendrix’s guitar and Gaga’s boots, and enjoy musician-curated playlists in your room.

DELVE The Museum of Broadway (themuseum ofbroadway.com) houses iconic costumes, such as Annie’s red dress, The Lion King masks, and a room of mirrors mimicking those of A Chorus Line

SHOP Check the schedule of live script run-throughs at The Drama Book Shop (dramabookshop.com). The merch is cooler than at the touristy souvenir stores.

Sure, you could go out to dinner—along with every other couple in the Circle City. But if you want a fresh idea for Valentine’s Day, check out the themed train rides on the NICKEL PLATE EXPRESS , leaving out of Noblesville. February offerings include a bourbon- and chocolate-tasting junket and a murder-mystery experience. nickelplateexpress.com

—CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

Some Like It Hot wows; Hamilton costumes at the Museum of Broadway; chic digs at Hard Rock.

Buttered Up

Chantell Kayyod trained for six months at Le Cordon Bleu Paris before launching Beurre Sec, her sweet tribute to viennoiserie. Customers who show up for the monthly popups at Lulu’s Coffee and Bakehouse get their pick of tarts fringed in torched Italian meringue, tiny galettes, tricked-out brioche, and other laminated beauties—but only if they get there before the dainty inventory sells out. The December offerings were gone in 40 minutes. “I usually get there at 2 or 3 in the morning,” says Kayyod. “When 8 a.m. comes around, I see people at the door. I’m like, Oh boy, here we go.” For February, she threw her heart into this Valentine’s Day collection that includes a strawberry dark chocolate heart—strawberry compote, ßdark chocolate mousse, and soft vanilla sponge atop a Sablé cookie and finished with edible rose petal and gold leaf—a raspberry-vanilla Saint Honoré, a raspberry kouglof, and other precious cargo. It’s available over the counter and through Instagram pre-order at @beurre_sec. —JULIA

SPALDING

Photo by TONY VALAINIS

(

CHEERS )

Get Down

DON’T LET THE NAME FOOL YOU. NOWHERE SPECIAL BRINGS NEW LIFE TO THE OLD LIBERTINE SPOT. BY AMY

LYNCH

DAN CAGE and Zoë Hayes are aiming to turn Nowhere Special into something pretty fabulous. “The name was something we workshopped, and we just thought it was fun,” Cage explains. “We chuckled at the thought of people jumping into an Uber and asking where they should go, then having the driver tell them he’s taking them to nowhere special.” The team behind Bocca and the Commodore is currently working to bring the subterranean Libertine on Mass Ave back to life as a newly reimagined cocktail hotspot, with tentative plans to open in April. Kaitlyn Barrett of Noblesville’s Parallel Design Group has been tasked with creating a whole new look and vibe for the 70-seat space, moving in the direction of a relaxed basement escape elevated by a little bit of edge. Expect a whiskey-centric bar inventory, along with some interesting agave-based options, a half dozen or so wines by the glass and bottle, and a small, laser-focused beer lineup. 608 Massachusetts Ave.

PINCH OF WISDOM

“When reheating leftover pizza, use a cast-iron skillet, which is a lot like a pizza stone already. Cover it with a lid at the last minute to remelt the cheese.”

—Adam Reinstrom, back from a stint in Portland, Oregon, to take over the reins at Byrne’s Grilled Pizza from parents Ken and Dot, adding seasonal specials and innovative cocktails

Shining Example

Soulshine Vegan Cafe plants itself in a familiar Broad Ripple spot.

THE TINY building that housed Ezra’s Enlightened Cafe now hosts yet another veggie-focused establishment. Soulshine Vegan Cafe took up residence there last November. The place is as cramped as it was during Ezra’s prime, with room for a few two-seater tables and a counter where customers can order no-meat versions of diner fare, including biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, steak tacos, and a Hangover Burger featuring a Beyond Meat patty, egg, cheese, “bacon,” and Hollandaise on a brioche bun. Soulshine relies on premade fake meats (but states it plainly on the menu). Coffee drinks are served in mismatched mugs, and the Gingerbread Frap comes in a jar, topped with faux whipped cream and a ginger cookie. 6516 Ferguson St., 317-974-9514, soulshineindy.com —SAM STALL

PERK UP Fresh Pots Coffee Bar is now pouring handcrafted cups of joe in downtown Greenwood … LUNARECLIPSE Fortville’s Moon Drops Distillery opened a tasting room inside its 9,000-square-foot production facility … SMALL BITE Specializing in dim sum and Cantonese cuisine, Castleton newcomer Benyue Restaurant is the new incarnation of former westside favorite Taste Restaurant @ Lucky Lou’s.

( NEW IN TOWN )

CHEERS AND PINCH PHOTOS BY TONY VALAINIS; NEW IN TOWN PHOTO PROVIDED BY SOULSHINE VEGAN CAFE

Crunch Time

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BAG, THESE FIVE RESTAURANTS USE POTATO CHIPS AS AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT.

BY AMY LYNCH

Natural State Provisions

A layer of sea-salt kettle chips lends textural interest to the Momwhich, a fried bologna sandwich embellished with American cheese, red onion, bread-and-butter pickles, and Smoking Goose ’nduja mayo. Mercy. 414 Dorman St., 317-492-9887, naturalstateprovisions.com

Hirosaki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Sushi chefs fill the Dynamite Roll with shrimp, avocado, red snapper, and cream cheese before deep-frying the whole thing and crowning it with a scattering of crispy potato chips.

9086 E. U.S. Hwy. 36, Avon, 317-2738866, hirosakisteakhouse.com

Mochi Joy

A pillowy chocolate mochi doughnut sprinkled with potato chips makes occasional appearances on the rotating lineup of chewy, rice flour–based treats at this Hawaiian doughnut stand inside a VFW. 654 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 463-266-0021, mochijoydonuts.com

Crafters Pizza and Drafthouse

A piquant dust of crushed Grippo’s chips tops the Small Town chicken-bacon pizza. 2430 E. 146th St., Carmel, 317-798-2056, craftersdrafthouse.com

GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet

Owner Kristine Bockman thought it’d be fun to add potato sticks to the Presidio hot dog topped with house hummus, pickles, and pepperoncini at her Monday-night Don and Viv’s Hot Dog Emporium event. She was right. 1901 E. 46th St., 317-600-3542, goldleafindy.com

What a Filling

MEXICO CITY NATIVE GABRIEL SAÑUDO PLANS TO RAISE INDY’S TACO STANDARDS AT TAQUERIA DE JULIETA.

BY JULIA SPALDING

AMONG the dining concepts to debut inside downtown’s resuscitated Stutz building, Taqueria de Julieta will pack freshly pressed tortillas (made from corn nixtamalized on site) with the classic slow-cooked flavors that coowner Gabriel Sañudo recalls from his younger days in Mexico. At the age of 14, he helped his mother run a restaurant in Cancun, offering simple homestyle meals and aguas frescas. He also worked at a cousin’s Japanese restaurant in Mexico City before moving to the United States in 2010.

After a brief stint as a forklift driver, he made his way back to the kitchen, working up the ranks at Meridian Hills Country Club, where he met fellow chef and tortilla connoisseur Esteban Rosas. “We grew up eating almost the same things,” Sañudo says. “We always

talked about opening a restaurant together.” The two went on to share kitchen duties at the late Black Market, then Milktooth, occasionally collaborating on their wildly popular taco pop-up, Con Todo.

This year, the pair will make good on their original plan to have a restaurant of their own. Their appreciation for quality ingredients and time-honored preparation will guide the menu at Taqueria de Julieta, an authentic Mexican street-taco shop that Sañudo will operate while Rosas continues to helm Milktooth. Named after Sañudo’s grandmother, the walk-up will focus on grab-and-go fare, but don’t let the casual setup fool you. “Mexican food is not as simple as people think,” Sañudo says. “The meat we’re buying is the same meat you will get at a steakhouse, and our food takes just as long to cook as Italian meatballs and pasta, and was probably more complicated.”

FAVORITE THINGS

(1) Tacos al pastor. “When we had a trompo at our Con Todo pop-up, we sold out of the meat in three hours.” (2) Lil Dumplings. “I’m a big fan of Carlos Salazar.” (3) Cilantro and onions. “Ingredients I love.” (4) One World Market.

“A Japanese store in Castleton where they make a tonkatsu with curry that’s so good.” (5) Smoked pork ribs. “I’ve been making a lot

FOODIE

Opening Act

FOUNTAIN SQUARE’S LATEST SCRUFFY ROCK STAR, EASY RIDER DINER CATERS TO BOTH EARLY BIRDS AND NIGHT OWLS. BY JULIA SPALDING

A FEW BITES into my short rib sandwich with its meat braised to velvety tenderness under a layer of chunky chipotle slaw, the wall behind the bar began to throb and thump with the sound of live music. The startled customers of Fountain Square’s Easy Rider Diner, a casual morning-to-night spot that opened at the end of October, looked up from their plates.

Our server smiled knowingly while a kick-drum and bass boomed in the “intimate, 400-capacity” music venue next door, the Hi-Fi. “I didn’t know there was

a show tonight,” she said as she refilled our waters. But no one squeezing in a late Cubano or plate of garbage-can nachos at this funky little dining room wrapped in flowered red wallpaper and thrifted art should have been surprised when the whole place turned into a boom box. Josh Baker, a prolific local music promoter who is CEO and co-founder of MOKB Presents, owns both Easy Rider and Hi-Fi, tucked side-by-side in the historic, sprawling G.C. Murphy Building (now called the Murphy Arts Center). He put chef Ricky Martinez in charge of an effortlessly cool menu packed with surprises. The choices are delightful

EASY RIDER DINER

1043 Virginia Ave., 463-224-0430, easyriderindy.com

HOURS

Mon., Wed.–Thurs. 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri. 8 a.m.–midnight; Sat. 9 a.m.–midnight; Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

VIBE

Millennial diner

TASTING NOTES

Tacos, sandwiches, bottomless coffee, and greasyspoon brunch standards with a Southwestern touch

NEIGHBORHOOD

Fountain Square

MUST-ORDER

Shrimp and grits packed with bacon and a spicy tomato kick, a side of jumbo sweet potato wedges, and the late-night short rib sandwich. Fortify your weekend brunch with a mimosa flight or a Bloody Mary garnished to impress. 3 STAR RATING

One of the grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches, a Fischer Farms steak-and-cheese melt (right) gets a kick of flavor from pickled onions and roasted peppers, while the tomato-forward shrimp and grits (below) is nice and spicy.

but unfancy: simple beer-battered fish tacos, chilaquiles drenched in tomatillo, mini Belgian waffles to dunk in a flight of sweet spreads, and bread pudding a la mode. Keeping with the greasy-spoon protocol, the doors open at 8 a.m. (or 9 a.m. on the weekend) for customers who want to kick-start their day with some chorizo breakfast tacos or a pastramiand-Swiss sandwich fortified with egg and bacon. Prepped and wrapped breakfast sandwiches (scrambled egg and cheddar; steak and cheese with bacon, pickled onion, and roasted peppers; and a compact Fischer Farms cheeseburger topped with egg and caramelized onion) are stowed in a heated case at the front counter for easy grab-and-go access next to the branded glass coffee mugs and “Take It Easy” T-shirts.

With snug vinyl booths and bold red French bistro–style pendants hung over the tables, the place is unrecognizable from its previous life as the subdued Pure Eatery. A first-time restaurant owner, Baker snapped up the space last January, before he knew exactly what he wanted to do with it. “It has been a learning experience,” Baker says. “We were pretty blessed to already have a team of people who know how to produce events. A restaurant isn’t much different. You just add in the food component.”

Martinez, a veteran chef who has worked in a variety of kitchens around Indy—Adobo Grill, The Ripple Inn, Delicia, Bocca—adds some Southwestern flavor to dishes, like an omelet that’s cheesy with queso and garnished with pico and lime crema. The short rib eggs Benedict has chipotle Hollandaise, and you can get either wonderfully sticky and starchy sweet plantains or a dish of Mexican street corn on the side of your short-order huevos rancheros. Just keep in mind that Martinez’s chiliforward flourishes are more novelty than homage. Satisfying and rib-sticking between cold swigs of Topo Chico, sure, but if you’re a West Coast stickler craving true taqueria comfort food, you won’t find it here.

The menu switches to dinner at 4 p.m., subbing in dishes like a skillet of mac and queso embellished with pork belly and roasted peppers, a Buffalo-style fried fish sandwich, and a plate of roasted beets and rainbow carrots laid over a pouf of goat cheese mousse. And like a true rock star, Easy Rider keeps the latenight B&Gs and hard seltzers flowing until the house lights go up.

Carmel

HOW TO

Love Winter

Weathering winter in Indiana requires a certain level of hardiness. A seemingly endless string of frigid, gray days is enough to make you hibernate until spring. But maybe it’s time to warm up to the idea of embracing the season. Bundle up (or not!) and get active with a new or familiar sport. Plan a trip an hour or several time zones away. Sip from a cozy handmade mug. Finally nail down that igloo reservation. Sure, you’ll soon be able to stash the hat and gloves. Until then, layer up and chill out with these seasonal pleasures.

Edited by Laura Kruty

Written by Robert Annis, Amy Lynch, Michelle Mastro, and Susan Salaz

Photo by John Bragg

Daniel’s Vineyard, page 45

Head for the Hills

So you’ve mastered Paoli Peaks and Perfect North. (The latter has a new skiing and snowboarding trail, FYI.) Maybe it’s time to branch out to one of the many ski resorts scattered across the Midwest. Here are three options.

Mad River Mountain

ZANESFIELD, OHIO

DRIVE TIME: 2 HOURS, 45 MINUTES

Mad River Mountain is a low-key, unpretentious ski hill where you’re likely to find more people rocking Carhartt insulated coveralls than the latest pricey ski apparel. Mad River claims to be the largest ski resort in Ohio with 144 acres of skiable terrain, 11 lifts, and a 300-foot vertical drop. Skiers of all experience levels will find something fun throughout Mad River’s 20 trails, while the terrain park is aimed at all abilities. If you didn’t get enough excitement on the trails during the day, Mad River offers night skiing as well. Adult lift tickets start at a relatively cheap $64 in advance, with kids $10 cheaper. 800231-7669, skimadriver.com

Swiss Valley

JONES, MI

DRIVE TIME: 3 HOURS, 10 MINUTES

Swiss Valley is the beloved, small, family-owned ski hill where you will probably become friends with the lift operators, as well as your fellow skiers, by the end of the day. Across its 60 skiable acres, you’ll find 11 runs, a 225-foot vertical drop, seven lifts, and a terrain park. Swiss Valley arguably offers the best skiing value in the Midwest, boasting inexpensive rental, lift ticket, and lesson prices. Not only does Swiss Valley rent skis and snowboards, but you can also rent helmets, goggles, and other gear. Adult lift tickets start at $42 Monday through Thursday, $45–$53 Friday through Sunday. 269-244-5635, skiswissvalley.com

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

LAKE GENEVA, WI

DRIVE TIME: 4 HOURS, 15 MINUTES

Grand Geneva caters to skiers at all levels with 20 downhill runs, a six-acre terrain park, and a 211-foot vertical drop. Want to do more than ski? You’ll find a host of activities. Kids will love the nearby indoor waterpark, while adults can spring for a spa session. Grand Geneva also offers miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, sledding, and ice skating. Or rent a private igloo with a gorgeous view, where you can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and hot cocoa. Adult lift tickets start at $60 Monday through Thursday shred sessions, rising $10 more on the weekends. 262-248-8811, grandgeneva.com

Swiss Valley SWISS VALLEY PHOTOS COURTESY MIKE PANICH; CURLING PHOTOS COURTESY SUSAN FLECK

Brush With Fame

If you’re anything like writer Rob Annis, curling could be your ticket to Olympic glory. Here’s what to know—and how to learn.

EVERY FOUR years during the Winter Olympics, the world once again becomes infatuated by curling. Luckily, after years of renting ice at area hockey rinks, the Circle City Curling Club just opened its brand-new facility in Anderson late last year, where it offers learn-to-curl workshops so potential athletes can try out Canada’s second-best export. A sport where a schlubby, middle-aged person like me could potentially become an Olympic athlete? Sign me up!

So How Do You Play?

Teams have four players who take turns delivering a 38- to 44-pound curling rock down an approximately 150-foot sheet of pebbled ice toward the 12-foot bull’s-eye called the “house.” A player can put a bit of rotation on the polished-granite stone, causing it to curve or curl, hence the sport’s name. (Fun fact: All curling stones come from a quarry in Wales or Scotland.) The team captain, called the skip, points to the spot on the ice where they want the rock to wind up. Two other players, meanwhile, glide in front of the stone on either side, brushing its path with brooms. The faster those players brush, the farther the stone travels, typically. Oh, and teams can knock their opponents’ rocks right out of its house, so it pays to be strategic when deciding where on the ice to place them. The team that gets closest to the house’s center—aka the “button”— scores the points. It’s like the unholy love child of bowling and chess, on ice for good measure. The $50 Learn to Curl sessions include instruction, ice time, and equipment. 1735 W. 53rd St., Anderson, 765-400-4883, circlecitycurling.com

INDIANA DAY TRIPS

Get Outta Town!

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Game of Thrones fans will feel major “winter is coming” vibes at Wolf Park. Throughout the season, the research facility offers Saturday-evening Howl Nights when guests can see (and hear) the pack up close. That’s because as temps drop, the wolves become more active. It’s also their mating season, so the canines are even more chatty this time of year. 4004 E. 800 N, Battle Ground, 765-567-2265, wolfpark.org

FOOD & DRINK

Even the building is rich in history: The mansion that holds Lafayette’s Haan Museum was the Connecticut State Pavilion during the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Check out Renaissance Revival furniture and art by the Hoosier Group, or bundle up to explore the sculpture gardens and nature trail. 920 State St., Lafayette, 765-7426449, thehaan.org

ART & CULTURE

Here’s a food festival after the heart of Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope. The Maple Syrup Festival February 25 and 26 and March 4 and 5 at LM Sugarbush in Salem boasts a bevy of pancakes and waffles dripping in liquid gold, er, pure maple syrup. Tour the farm and stock up on other goodies, like delicious maple candy. Get an H&R doughnut for the ride home. 321 N. Garrison Hollow Rd., Salem, 812-967-4491, lmsugarbush.com

MIDWESTERN WEEKENDS

Just east of Galena, Illinois, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa provides complimentary transportation to Chestnut Mountain’s ski and snowboard slopes and terrain park. There’s also a horsebackriding facility nearby and ice skating and sledding. Or choose to while away the hours inside with a balmy spa experience. 815-777-5000, eagleridge.com

Through March 5, downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, hosts the World of Winter Festival, the Midwest’s largest of its kind. Massive outdoor art (some of which lights up) is dwarfed only by the number of free events and activities, such as ice-carving and fire-dancing demos. No winter doldrums here. 616-7194610, worldofwintergr.com

SUNNY HOLIDYAS

Calling snowbirds: The Florida tropics are a great place to roost. Recently celebrating its 75th year, Everglades National Park hosts a menagerie of exotic fauna, from crocs to homegrown birds like the cotton candy–hued Roseate Spoonbill. Stay in the Keys, then head to the Flamingo Visitor Center in Homestead for boat tours and bike rentals. 239-695-2945, nps.gov

The landscape of Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row is dotted by colorful public art, delicious restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. But step out during the First Friday Art Walk, and you can combine all of these into one of the largest self-guided art explorations in the country, replete with food trucks and an open-air market. visitphoenix.com

Winter is the time for comfort food, and Virtue Restaurant & Bar in Chicago has plenty. The restaurant proffers Southern-inflected classics like rich mac and cheese and fried green tomatoes. Chefowner Erick Williams packs each bite with kindness and hospitality, key ingredients for this 2022 James Beard winner in the Best Chef, Great Lakes category. 773947-8831, virtuerestaurant.com

On the 56th floor of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Vetri Cucina recently reopened after a long pandemic closure. At a table overlooking Sin City, savor Chef Marc Vetri’s classic seasonal tastes of Italy, mingled with others from around the globe. No passport required. 702-944-5900, vetricucinalv.com

A change of scenery, not to mention experiencing something new, can work wonders to break up the monotony of winter. Stay inside state lines, further explore the Midwest, or rack up airline points with these 12 trip ideas to fit a range of interests.

UNIQUE STAYS

OK, you’ll want more than just a day trip to Getaway’s new petite-cabin outpost nestled in the woods between Columbus and Nashville. Accommodations have queen beds, kitchenettes, full bathrooms—and unabated views of the hibernating Southern Indiana landscape. getaway.house/brown-county

Take the Plunge

Ever wondered what it’s like to dive into arctic waters? Veteran Polar Plunge participant Veronika Slivova strips it down.

Hallmark dreams come true with a Hocking Hills BAKEcation. Reserve a batch of kitchen supplies (mixing bowls, cookie sheets, recipes, and more—basically everything but the ingredients), and hunker down with loved ones in a cozy cabin or luxury lodge, baking up a storm amid a beautiful woodsy Ohio winter setting. 740-385-9706, hockinghillsbakecation.com

THE POLAR PLUNGE is a very cool experience, no pun intended.

I’ve done this Special Olympics fundraiser for 16 or 17 years now. My family and I first got involved when my special-needs son, Tomas, was 8 years old. He’s 32 now. He loves the water; it doesn’t matter the temperature, he just wants to get in. When we heard about the Polar Plunge, it sounded almost perfect for us.

When you jump in, you have about a second of shock as your body reacts to the frigid water. Then the adrenaline kicks in, and for the next minute or so, you barely register the cold.

Make the newly and fully renovated Beacon Grand hotel, which combines the dazzle of old San Francisco with modern and plush looks in guest rooms, your home base during a trip to the Golden City. Reopened since June, the Beacon resides in the Union Square neighborhood, with cable cars out front to whisk you over the hills. 844223-3713, beacongrand.com

Even though I am a seasoned participant, my feelings are all over the place beforehand. I still get a bit anxious, excited, and worried about our rookies. I shiver uncontrollably, partly from nerves and partly from waiting outside while wearing almost nothing. There’s not a lot you can do to prepare yourself. A cold shower might be bracing, but it’s not going to fully submerge every inch of your body in icy water.

A lot of people will wear costumes to do the Plunge, but I found the fewer clothes, the better. You have all that cold, wet fabric sticking to your skin, not wanting to come off. Better to wear a bikini. Another pro tip: Have everything laid out beforehand, so you can easily strip off your wet clothes as quickly as possible, towel off, and put on lots of warm clothes. You actually warm up pretty quick after that.

The best thing about the Polar Plunge, besides helping a good cause, is the endorphin rush that stays with you the rest of the day. It’s the best legal high you can get, almost like walking on a cloud.

The Special Olympics Indiana Polar Plunge takes place across the state on various dates through March 4. There is an $85 fundraising minimum to make the leap. CHART PHOTOS PROVIDED; PLUNGE PHOTO COURTESY VERONIKA SLIVOVA

Liquid Courage

When the weather outside is frightful, warm yourself from the inside out with these tasty seasonal sippers.

From its cozy Fashion Mall digs, Tilly’s Tea Room at Saks Fifth Avenue puts on a proper English tea service that includes a dainty selection of assorted finger sandwiches and scones with real-deal clotted cream. The Fashion Mall, 317-816-0171, tillystearoom.com

Warm your belly with a West Fork Whiskey flight on a leather sofa in the Stave Cocktail Lounge. Pick pours of high-proof Hamer bourbons, the distillery’s core spirits lineup, or exclusive singlebarrel offerings.

10 E. 191st St., Westfield, 317763-5400, west forkwhiskey.com

Set to banish winter doldrums, Ash and Elm Cider Co.’s fruity Orange

Creamsicle cider of the month is sure to evoke fond childhood memories of chasing the ice cream truck on sunny summer days. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-600-3164, ash andelmcider.com

The Chatterbox Jazz Club tempers cool jazz with its signature hot toddy—a steaming mug of water elevated with shots of Drambuie and Goldschläger, then garnished with lemon slices and cinnamon.

435 Massachusetts Ave., 317-6360584, chatterbox jazz.com

The Cake Bake Shop’s hot chocolates dazzle. Crushed candy garnishes Peppermint; “pixie glitter” tops off Unicorn; and graham crackers and toasted marshmallows fortify S’mores. 6515 Carrollton Ave.; 799 Hanover Pl., Carmel; 317257-2253, the cakebakeshop.com

THE CAKE BAKE SHOP AND 1933 LOUNGE PHOTOS BY TONY VALAINIS; IGLOO PHOTO BY JOHN BRAGG

Inner Circle

Out of a sea of glowing Hoosier domes, one igloo cluster emerges as best.

Amid a snowy landscape that includes gaggles of igloos for dining and drinking (Field Brewing, Union Jack Pub, Urban Vines), the crop at Daniel’s Family Vineyard and Winery stands out for a couple reasons. The setting is ridiculously scenic to begin with, and each of the eight heated snowglobe structures boasts its own distinctive decor—Christmas movie themes like Elf and The Polar Express have transitioned to more winter-neutral “Cozy Night” and “Snowy Night” motifs now through March. Each igloo pampers up to eight guests with food and drink service (plus blankets), and all ages are welcome. Let the storm rage on. It’s warm and toasty in here. 9061 N. 700 W., McCordsville, 317-248-5222, daniels vineyard.com

Advanced Lit

If you must leave the house, thaw out next to one of our favorite fireplaces around the city.

Warm your bones with an artisanal cocktail in front of the roaring fire at Hotel Tango Distillery, now a Fletcher Place institution. Here, the handbuilt stone fireplace is not only a focal point, but a cozy spot around which to gather on chilly evenings. 702 Virginia Ave., 317653-1806, hoteltangodistillery.com

Sink into the leather couches and snuggle in front of the oversized fireplace at Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall, where you can enjoy crispy brisket burnt ends, smoked wings, or hot honey Brussels sprouts, along with their very own Big Lug Brewing Co. beers. 5301 Winthrop Ave., 463-212-8180, halfliterbbq.com

The seemingly ever-lit woodburning fireplace at Mama Carolla’s might not be the restaurant’s only claim to fame, but it does make for an endearing winter experience. The crackling blaze and glowing

embers add to the romance and Old World charm here, and the timehonored Italian menu is equally heartwarming. 1031 E. 54th St., 317-259-9412, mamacarollas.com

Heat rises, so make your way to the second floor of St. Elmo Steak House downtown, where you can post up by the fire at 1933 Lounge. The swanky space features leather armchairs, a full bar, and menu favorites that include another way to warm up: the fiery shrimp cocktail. 127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636, 1933lounge.com

For rustic luxury, request the fireside table at Meridian Restaurant & Bar, but be prepared to wait for this popular hot seat. Glowing candlelit chandeliers add to the ambience, and belly-warming fare such as osso buco and wild boar Bolognese are surefire ways to beat the winter blues. 5694 N. Meridian St., 317-4661111, meridianonmeridian.com

COZY G

YZOC

1933 Lounge above St. Elmo Steak House

Freeze Watch

Who knew frozen water could look this cool?

Veal’s Ice Tree

As the days below freezing mount, so does the everchanging masterpiece (pictured) in the Veal family’s southeast-side backyard—a fairy-tale ice sculpture that reached 80 feet tall in 2014. What started as a hobby back in 1961 has become an annual tradition garnering a cultlike following, with folks flocking to the creation for photo ops every winter. Continuous sprays of water and powdered food coloring are all it takes to grow the magical ice tree you really do have to see to believe.

6445 Mimosa Ln., vealsicetree. wixsite.com/vealsicetree

Cataract Falls

Beauty and power churn through Mill Creek at Cataract Falls every season, but if you’re willing to make the trek to the Spencer attraction during a cold snap, you’ll catch a rare glimpse of the water—free flowing any other time of year—frozen in time, hanging mid-air in arctic slabs over an otherwise impetuous descent. Put on your ice cleats and hike the creekside trail through the woods to the Lower Falls, slightly smaller than the state’s largest Upper Falls, but icy eye candy nonetheless.

2605 N. Cataract Rd., Spencer, on.in.gov/liebersra

Whoosh, There It Is

MORE THAN 90,000 intrepid travelers make the annual pilgrimage to Pokagon State Park in Angola to experience Indiana’s quintessential winter thrill ride down a refrigerated track. The Civilian Conservation Corps Company 556 constructed the legendary quartermile toboggan run way back in 1935, opening it up to public access a few years later.“The toboggan run is an iconic attraction,” says interpretive naturalist Nicky Ball. “It gives our visitors a feeling of nostalgia as generation after generation enjoys it each year.”

The adventure starts atop a 30-foot tower, loading up four passengers per sled before barreling down a 90-foot drop over the course of the run. Coasting at speeds up to about 45 miles per hour, it takes just 20 to 30 seconds to complete the exhilarating journey.

Expect to wait in line for at least an hour, or longer, during busy weekends. You’ll also pay a one-hour toboggan

rental fee of $20 in addition to the $7 state park vehicle entrance fee.

“Riders are responsible for transporting their toboggan sleds back to the top of the run,” Ball adds. “Some riders have a driver meet them at the bottom of the run with a truck, then load the sled and drive it back to the top.” Smart.

More good-to-knows: Gloves are required, and if your hat happens to fly off, just let it go—staff members will safely retrieve it for you. Cell phone video recordings, as well as GoPro cameras, are strictly forbidden.

Make a weekend of it by booking a room at the Potawatomi Inn Resort and Conference Center ($125 to $250). At the very least, duck into the Lakeview Restaurant to load up on some good, oldfashioned Hoosier cooking.

Want a ticket to ride? Better hurry. The season ends February 26. 450 Lane 100 Lake James, Angola, 260-833-2012, tobogganrun.com

A primer to Indiana’s classic winter joy ride.

PHOTO COURTESY JANET

POKAGON PHOTO COURTESY DNR; MUG PHOTOS BY TONY VALAINIS

French Connection

Flowing through a yoga practice as moving images of Monet landscapes wash over and around you is nothing short of trippy, in a good way. On Sunday mornings, Invoke Studio instructors guide students through hour-long vinyasa sessions amid the shifting sights and sounds of The LUME Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s immersive fourth-floor digital installation. Some scenes stimulate. Others soothe. All leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. BYO mat and blocks if you’ve got ’em, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to snag a spot and ease in. Bonus: The $29 class fee includes general museum admission for the day to keep the glow going. 4000 Michigan Rd., 317-631-9642, discovernewfields.org

Turn Up the Heat

If you just can’t seem to shake off the chill, hot yoga may be the ticket to staying warm this winter.

The rush of cold air feels downright refreshing after exiting classes at The Yoga Studio (pictured), where the heat combined with Ujjayi breathing boosts endorphins and immunity. 6245 N. College Ave., 317-255-9642; Carmel City Center, 317-805-1868; indyyogastudio.com

The experienced instructors at Invoke Studio crank up the infrared heat during vinyasa sessions at both locations to help students detoxify and burn extra calories. 970 Fort Wayne Ave., 317-631-9642; 1315 W. 86th St., 317-802-1374; invokestudio.com

Sweat it out with chaturangas in an 85- to 90-degree room during Honor Yoga’s heated flow sessions that aim to increase strength, flexibility, and endurance.

11 Municipal Dr., Ste. 100, Fishers, 317-203-9526; fishers.honoryoga.com; 7117 Whitestown Pkwy., Zionsville, 317-768-3013, zionsville.honoryoga.com

Hot Tropic

In a landscape of bare trees and dormant greenery, Garfield Park’s conservatory emerges as a lush respite.

If a trip to the Caribbean isn’t in the cards this winter, escape for an hour or two to the Garfield Park Conservatory, a tropical oasis on Indy’s near-south side. Enveloping warmth welcomes guests as soon as they step inside the 10,000-square-foot Art Deco greenhouse, filled with more than 100 species of flora that actually thrive through harsh Indiana winters. Naturalist Jessica Helmbold recommends seeking out the cacao tree; the fluffy, neon-pink powderpuff tree blooms; the fruiting banana plant; and the showy, teal-hued jade vine blossoms, all unique-looking and colorful, she says, and all clearly marked. Here, vegetation fares just fine, even when the weather outside is frightful. 2505 Conservatory Dr., 317-327-7183, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

BY PHYLLIS CODLING McLAUGHLIN // ILLUSTRATION BY ED TUCKWELL, FOLIO

AN UNMARKED GRAVE IN CROWN HILL CEMETERY MIGHT HOLD THE ANSWER TO A PRESIDENTIAL MYSTERY—DID THOMAS JEFFERSON HAVE A SON WHO FOUND FREEDOM AND SUCCESS IN INDIANAPOLIS?

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE PERFECT DAY TO exhume a body. The cloudless sky above Indianapolis was deep blue, the air warm, the humidity low, and a light westerly breeze rustled through the leaves of trees standing watch over the dead at Crown Hill Cemetery. But timing is everything, and it turned out that my companions—Nick Woods, his daughter, and his granddaughter—had traveled here from Chicago for nothing. The longawaited exhumation of their relative Robert Jefferson was not going to happen.

Nick is a direct descendant of Robert and his wife, Celia, both born enslaved in the early 1800s. The family’s oral history tells that

Robert was the son of an enslaved woman in Virginia named Milley Reddiford (likely Rutherford) and our nation’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. A talented carpenter, Robert purchased the family’s freedom in 1852 and brought them north to Indiana, eventually settling in Indianapolis, where he lived until his death in 1882.

I arrived in Indianapolis on the day before the scheduled exhumation. The event had been arranged with Crown Hill with help from Rodney Nay, a Madison, Indiana, funeral director and county coroner, who guided me and the descendants through the process. We had the required permit from the

state health department allowing for Robert’s disinterment, along with letters of consent from Woods and several of his Jeffersonline cousins.

By sheer coincidence, the cemetery’s administrators were dealing with another exhumation request that had the potential to create a full-blown media circus. The body of John Dillinger, also interred at Crown Hill, was to be exhumed September 16 at the request of a nephew, Michael Thompson. Thompson, working with the History Channel, was hoping to document what he believed to be true about his infamous uncle—ßthat the gangster had not died the night he was shot by police in Chicago. He believed they would prove that, if there was a body entombed there, it wasn’t Dillinger’s.

But on that August day, Nick and I both were angry, a bit confused, and deeply disappointed. Our only consolation from the administrator was a guided tour of the historic cemetery that led us to the section where Robert and Celia are interred. As a journalist, historian, and genealogist, I was thrilled to stand on the spot where they lay at rest but saddened to find there was no marker for them. I am of no relation to Robert, Celia, or any of their descendants, but three years earlier, when I became active with a Madison–area historical preservation group, I learned about Robert’s story, and it quickly became my quest to prove what previous research hadn’t: that he was Thomas Jefferson’s son. I also wanted to confirm that Lucy and Georgiana Jefferson, who attended Eleutherian College in Lancaster, Indiana, in the 1850s, were, in fact, Jefferson’s granddaughters.

In 2016, with a grant from the Jefferson County Genealogical Society, I purchased and sent AncestryDNA test kits to Woods and six other living descendants of Robert and Celia. By then I had taken several courses on using consumer DNA testing in genealogical research, and I wanted to see if the DNA could, finally, prove Robert’s story, which has been public knowledge for more than a century but never formally recognized. Ancestry and most of the other companies that provide consumer DNA testing rely on autosomal DNA, which is comprised of the 22 pairs of chromosomes found in the nucleus of nearly every cell in our bodies. The science detects genetic relationships based on segments of chromosomes common to both the tester and another person. Family relationships are determined by the total amount of DNA shared between two people, which is measured in centiMorgans (cM). Parents and children, as well as full siblings, share half of their DNA at about 3,500 cM. With each generation, the amount shared is reduced by half, meaning we inherit 25 percent of our DNA from each of our grandparents, 12.5 percent from great-grandparents, 6.25 percent from great-great-grandparents, and so on.

Genetic genealogy research, like any kind of research, is much like detective work. To find the information I’m looking for, I have to search out leads and then accumulate evi-

dence to show how someone’s DNA matches are related. The goal is to find the “most recent common ancestor” or ancestral couple between a DNA tester and one of his or her matches. It is tedious work that often involves locating matches who keep their DNA tests and Ancestry accounts private and their identities secret—many have only usernames and do not use their real names. I also look for matches whose accounts include their own family trees, particularly trees that appear to be fairly welldocumented. This can take hours, days, or even weeks for each match. Over the past six years, I have found matches for each of Robert Jefferson’s descendants that connect them back to common ancestors, including Thomas Jefferson’s daughters with his wife, Martha Wayles; Sally Hemings’s children, known to be fathered by Jefferson; John Wayles, the father of both Martha Jefferson (nee Wayles) and Sally Hemings; and the president’s maternal relatives in the Randolph family.

These connections don’t definitively prove that Woods and his cousins are direct descendants of Thomas Jefferson, but according to genetic genealogy pioneer Blaine Bettinger, who has taught several advanced DNA courses I have taken, DNA testing can provide strong evidence to disprove such hypothetical relationships.

If my research never found DNA matches that connected Robert’s descendants to Thomas Jefferson and his related families, then it would be fairly clear that Robert’s claim was false, and the project would have ended there. I have found those connections, and obtaining Robert’s autosomal DNA could provide additional matches to confirm them.

At the very least, I would hope the exhumation might yield Y-DNA, which is passed from father to son. If we find his Y-DNA matches that used to connect Jefferson with descendants of Sally Hemings’s children, that would be additional confirmation of the hypothesis. A bonus would be to obtain Robert’s mitochondrial DNA, which is passed from a mother to her children, which would tell us more about his mother, Milley.

ALMOST ALL I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT Robert Jefferson comes from researching every aspect of an 1879 Indianapolis Journal article titled “Blood Will Tell. A Dark-Skinned Son of Thomas Jefferson Discovered in Indianapolis.” The reporter heard about Robert from William C. Thompson, a highly respected local physician who employed Robert in some unknown capacity. Thompson gave the reporter Robert’s address: 185 Minerva Street, on what is now the west edge of downtown. It was erased with the rest of the Black neighborhood during the 1970s expansion of the IUPUI campus.

“Large evergreen trees cast their shadows on the front of the house, a two-story frame, simple in architecture and neat in appearance,” the reporter wrote of Robert’s home. Robert answered the door, and the

CLASS ACTION

Eleutherian College, which enrolled Black students in the mid-1800s, may have attracted the Jeffersons to Indiana.

COURTESY (THIS PAGE) SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE / (OPPOSITE PAGE) NICK WOODS

reporter described him as “a colored man rather below the medium height, apparently 60 years of age, a dark mulatto in color, and with hair straight and black.”

In the fall of 2020, I shifted my focus from the DNA research and took a deep dive into the leads from the 1879 article, tracing Robert’s life from the northern Shenandoah Valley to Madison (see the timeline, right). The main goal first, however, was to identify Edward Christian, Robert’s mother’s enslaver and an attorney who served as deputy county clerk for Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia).

A 2003 column published in The Spirit of Jefferson and Farmer’s Advocate, Charles Town’s newspaper, included a reprint of a letter circulated in July 1879, several weeks after the Indianapolis Journal article. In it, old-timers had confirmed that Thomas Jefferson, while president, frequently visited to Charles Town and would stay as a guest in the home of Edward Christian.

When Christian defaulted on a loan in 1818, he sold Milley and her four sons to settle the debt. I traced Robert’s life afterward to a planter named Asa Dearing in Georgia. As Dearing’s personal servant, Robert was introduced to many prominent men, including senators and leaders of the Confederate States of America. Dearing died in 1826, and Robert was inherited by a nephew, John Thomas Dearing, who was just 8 years old. By 1835, the younger Dearing had moved to a plantation near Canton, Mississippi, and Robert went with him. Dearing was friends with Thomas J. Catchings, a physician who enslaved Celia, Robert’s future wife. His daughter later mentioned Robert and Celia in a geneaology report, describing him as once being owned by Thomas Jefferson—recognition of their connection, if not paternity.

It wasn’t for 13 more years that Robert was able to buy his family’s freedom. In 1852, he paid Catchings $1,500 to free Celia and their two daughters and an additional $2,700 for his own independence. Perhaps his carpentry skills were the reason for such a high price, or perhaps it was his status as a president’s son. Either way, that amount, which equals just over $91,000 in today’s economy, was almost double the average amount paid for enslaved Black men half his age. The amount also seems to be a clue to his status among slaveowners.

ELEUTHERIAN COLLEGE IN SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA WAS established in 1848 to educate children regardless of race or gender. It advertised in newspapers circulating in cities along the

Mississippi River and into the deep South. Robert was illiterate, but he may have heard about the school from free Blacks who worked the riverboats, or, perhaps, abolitionists he may have met during his travels with his enslavers. As a carpenter for hire, he would have had the opportunity to interact with many people from all walks of life. Why he decided to move the family to Indiana is unclear, but in 1853, he and Celia enrolled Lucy and Georgiana at Eleutherian.

Perhaps Robert was an associate within the secret network of the Underground Railroad— Dr. Thompson’s father-in-law knew Levi Coffin, one of the most prolific conductors of the network in Indiana and Ohio. Robert may have helped fugitives from Southern slavery reach freedom in the northern United States and Canada before and after his own emancipation. In the Journal article, Robert said he spent part of the first two years of his life as a free man living in Canada. Did he lead others there—perhaps even Milley and his siblings? There is still much research to be done.

FOOTSTEPS TO FREEDOM

HOW ROBERT JEFFERSON BECAME A HOOSIER AS A FREE MAN.

1803 Robert is born in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia), to Milley Reddiford, enslaved by Thomas Jefferson’s close friends. It’s believed that the president fathered the child on a visit.

1820 Robert is purchased by Asa Dearing of Wilkes Co., Georgia.

1835 Robert likely moves with John T. Dearing, Asa’s nephew, to his plantation in Canton, Mississippi.

1852 Robert purchases freedom for his family and they move to Madison, Indiana. His daughters attend a progressive school nearby.

1860 The family is living in Ward 4 of Indianapolis.

1879 Robert, a carpenter, lives on Minerva Street (now the IUPUI campus) and is interviewed by the Indianapolis Journal about his relation to Thomas Jefferson.

1882 Robert dies at daughter Lucy’s home in Oberlin, Ohio, at the age of 79 and is laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. Celia is reinterred from St. Louis to Crown Hill.

Though it’s difficult to admit, my early vision of Robert Jefferson was somewhat biased: I saw him only as an uneducated and illiterate former slave. I didn’t expect him to be an interesting person, like his daughters, who were not just well-educated, but married to successful businessmen and impressed upon their children the importance of education. I felt he was someone I would never be able to know.

But by digging deep into the Journal article and learning more about the people with whom Robert associated, as well as those who had enslaved him, the whole man began to emerge from the misty, almost formless vision I had of him at the start. The more I learn about him, the more I want to know. He has established residence in my head, and I feel compelled—even obligated—to continue this research as a tribute to him and his descendants, who have become my good friends.

ROBERT AND CELIA’S GREAT-GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER, EMILY Brin Roberson, grew up knowing her family’s oral history of their connection to Thomas Jefferson. “It was just a weird fact about our family,” the San Francisco native

ROOT CAUSE

Jefferson descendantNick Woods and his family at the gravesite in Crown Hill Cemetery on the day of the cancelled exhumation.

Chef’s Kiss

As Tony and Rosa Hanslits step back from the private dinners at their SoBro gourmet shop, the esteemed culinary couple reflects on the joys and challenges of growing up alongside Indy’s dining scene.

BY TERRY KIRTS PHOTOS BY TONY VALAINIS

PERHAPS NO NAME has been as synonymous with Indy’s food scene for the last three decades as Tony Hanslits. From his early days at the groundbreaking Peter’s in Fountain Square to jobs at some of the city’s most innovative and polished supper spots (including Something Different, Snax, Malibu on Maryland, and 14 West) to heading up his own Italian-inflected eateries and markets, Hanslits quietly had his hand on nearly every culinary trend that passed through town and trained some of our most talented chefs and restaurateurs. In the midst of all that was a decade-long stint as the director of culinary education at the now-closed Chef’s Academy, where he taught dozens of culinary professionals who went on to push Indy’s dining scene in new directions. Along with his wife, Rosa, whom he started dating while working at South Bend’s Carriage House in the 1980s, he operated the innovative Italian trattoria Tavola di Tosa and Tosa Euro Cafe in the early 2000s, and for more than a decade, the pair has held court at Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta + Market + Back Room Eatery, known for its hard-to-source gourmet products, as well as a private dinner series that always sells out of a year’s worth of reservations in hours. Now, with grandchildren in North Carolina and retirement on the horizon, the Hanslits are taking some time for themselves and training their staff to do the heavy lifting. While Tony and Rosa aren’t hanging up their aprons just yet, they won’t be getting them quite as dirty. Recently, the pioneering husband-and-wife team sat down with us to look back on the rewards of a life lived so deliciously.

You’ve both been in Indianapolis since 1985. What was the food scene like way back then?

Tony Hanslits: In 1984, I came here to interview for a job at the Canterbury Hotel, which was essentially just working a full day’s shift to show them what I can do. Afterward, we went out for drinks near what’s now Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and we came out and saw the rock-and-roll legend Prince dressed all in red with a full entourage of bodyguards. I knew I wasn’t in South Bend anymore. But on Sunday when we looked around for a place to have brunch, we practically saw tumbleweeds rolling through the streets of downtown. Sadly, with an offer of $6.40 an hour, I just couldn’t justify relocating the family to Indy. It wasn’t until Peter [George, longtime Indianapolis restaurateur] brought me on at the original Peter’s in Fountain Square that I thought I could really make the move.

What were the challenges of cooking in Indianapolis at the time?

Tony: It was pretty much a blank slate in Indianapolis, and it was difficult getting diners to try a lot of things they weren’t used to. We wanted to serve veal sweetbreads, which were a classic French delicacy, but they wouldn’t have it. We had to grind them up into a forcemeat for other dishes and get them to try it that way. For a few years, Peter wanted us to go all Midwestern, which was the trend at a lot of Chicago restaurants. So that meant only lake fish and produce from the five states around us. That made things nearly impossible at times, but we were pushing the envelope and trying things that no one had seen in this city. It was such an education for my other restaurant jobs at Something Different, Snax, Malibu on Maryland, and 14 West.

When did you know that the time was right to go it alone?

Tony: Honestly, I was happy working for others, and I wasn’t dying to have my own place. I didn’t want to handle the payroll, the finances, and all the orders. But we got the opportunity from some investors who approached us, and we really couldn’t pass it up. So that led us to Tavola di Tosa in the early 2000s, which was a true education in the restaurant business. We put out some great food, but, in many ways, there

were a lot of things we weren’t prepared for. We essentially had two restaurants at one location. Although I could look out the pass-through and see the cafe [Tosa Euro Cafe], that was too far for me. It really divided my attention. I’ve never been like a lot of chefs who want to franchise out into a bunch of locations. I wanted to keep my eye on doing the best I could at one spot. Having to hire and manage the lives and careers of nearly 50 people was something I hadn’t dealt with before.

Was Italian food always in the plan?

Rosa Hanslits: I knew that I wanted to do a market where you could get the kind of Italian and Mediterranean products I could find back in South Bend. There, you could go to Italian butcher shops and bakeries. Here, you couldn’t get real quality Italian olive oils or cheeses, so I had this idea to provide a

Moveable Feasts

WHERE DO THE HANSLITS EAT WHEN THEY DON’T HAVE TO DO THE COOKING?

source for those ingredients I loved. We planned Tavola di Tosa around that.

What advice would you give anyone starting a restaurant?

Tony: Never get things that you don’t need, and never sign on the line unless you’re sure you can pay for it. With the buildout and the expenses at Tavola di Tosa, we were still paying that off for several years after we closed the restaurant. And we didn’t really overextend ourselves or buy lots of new things. Here at Nicole-Taylor’s, we’ve really learned to wait until we can afford something. I had a range hood for our main stove in storage for almost a year before we had the money in hand to pay someone to install it. But doing that meant that I didn’t have to borrow for it. When we went from owning a restaurant to making pasta for local farmers markets, we had this old vintage pasta maker that could only do about 7 pounds of pasta in an hour. You could go out to dinner

BREAKFAST

Keystone Deli

“We just get the two eggs, potatoes, and rye toast. It’s always the same. And it’s the kind of place where if you comb your hair, you’re overdressed.”

Workingman’s Friend

“Like many locals, we just love the burgers here. It’s an absolute classic in the Indy food scene.”

NOODLE & COMPANY

Nicole-Taylor’s first tiny pasta maker, left, still sits on display, a reminder of how far the restaurant has come.

DINNER

Twenty Tap or Fat Dan’s

“When we do have the evening off to go out, we really like simple, casual food.”

LUNCH

and come back between batches. But we made it work for the time being because we had it. We have that on display in the back just to show where we’ve come from.

When you had the opportunity to pivot to culinary education in the mid-2000s, what things changed for you?

Tony: Giving back my knowledge and seeing my students grow was rewarding. But it was eye-opening. I saw that in the rest of the world, people went home at 5 p.m. and got time off and paid sick days. It was so interesting to see how things worked outside of restaurants, and it was an education knowing that the students had lives outside of the kitchen and classes. These days, when we are trying to hire new employees, they almost always want weekends and some nights to be with their families. That’s great, but it’s not how I started out.

Tony Awards

Rosa: Suddenly, Tony was coming home in the evenings, and it sort of upended my usual routine. I’ve talked to a lot of wives of chefs who say the same thing. Of course, it was great to have Tony home, and even to have him cook at home, but it was an adjustment. It had been a big challenge to raise kids with Tony working such long hours. But Tony’s hard on himself, and he sometimes says that he wasn’t there enough for our girls. But he was a great dad. Our girls went to Bishop Chatard High School and were really into volleyball. He hardly ever missed their games. Sometimes, he would come to see them play between reservations, then go right back to work.

Neal Brown

Legendary chef/owner of L’Explorateur, Pizzology, The Libertine, Stella, and One Trick Pony.

Micah Frank

Former chef of R Bistro, Black Market, Duos, and The Inferno Room.

DINNER THEATER

Hanslits wowing fans at 14 West in 2005 (opposite page) and during an up-close chef’s table dinner at Nicole-Taylor’s.

What does it mean to finally step back from some of the day-to-day duties at Nicole-Taylor’s? Rosa: Our grandkids are still toddlers, and we don’t want to miss out on seeing them grow up. And the job doesn’t get any less tiring as the years go by. We love the dinners, but sometimes after a dinner and cleaning up, we get home and take a breath, then we look around and say, “We have to do this all again tomorrow.” That never gets easier, so being able to let someone else pick up some of the slack will be a relief.

Tony: Being able to scale back to teaching and small dinners, rather than doing hundreds of covers a night, has really saved my life. Especially with what I’ve been through healthwise and my kidney transplant [the Hanslits are both cancer survivors], not having the rigor and hours of a full-scale restaurant has really made it possible for me to have a career that has spanned four decades. But there’s a point when you just have to say that you’ve done so much, and there’s a point when you take time for yourself. But I’ll still be cooking and planning. I just finished my next seasonal menu for Back Room Eatery this morning.

Ben Hardy Longtime pastry instructor and founding co-owner of Gallery Pastry Shop.

Joe Kalil

Former chef of Woodland Country Club and Rick’s Cafe Boatyard, as well as the current chef de cuisine at Nicole-Taylor’s.

Alison Keefer

Former enrollment specialist and nutrition instructor at The Chef’s Academy who is currently owner of Gallery Pastry Shop.

Erin Kem

Former sous and executive chef of R Bistro, Cannon Ball Brewing Company, Scarlet Lane Brewing Company, and now Small Victories Hospitality.

Erin Gillum Oechsle

Former executive chef of Spoke & Steele who is now a culinary instructor at Area 31 Career Center.

Carlos Salazar

Former sous chef at Oakleys Bistro and Pizzology, chef and coowner of Rook, executive chef at West Fork Whiskey, and chef/owner of Lil Dumplings Noodle Bar .

“I’ve never been like a lot of chefs who want to franchise out into a bunch of locations. I wanted to keep my eye on doing the best I could at one spot.”

HERE’S THE SHORTLIST OF INDY CULINARY HEAVY HITTERS TRAINED BY HANSLITS IN THE KITCHENS OF TAVOLA DI TOSA, THE CLASSROOMS OF THE CHEF’S ACADEMY, OR AT NICOLE-TAYLOR’S.

2022 NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

VISIT TODAY

Cathedral High School is a four-time National Blue Ribbon award recipient and Indiana’s only private high school to be recognized in 2022.

Explore the benefits of extracurricular and co-curricular activities and get the stats on more than 200 Central Indiana schools and systems.

S C H O O L SCHOOL G U I D E GUIDE

BY JULIE YOUNG

E BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities expand and enhance the academic process at public and private schools.

ENRICHING ACTIVITIES CAN OCCUR before and after school, in the evenings, during weekends, and even over summer vacation. These outlets provide a fundamental component of a holistic education, helping students develop leadership skills and become more well-rounded, healthy, caring, and responsible humans, all while making new friends and having fun. Above all, clubs, athletics, and interest groups expand on concepts taught in the classroom and can improve a child’s academic standing. As such, extracurricular and co-curricular offerings are a vital part of the overall educational experience.

A member of the International School of Indiana middle school soccer team expresses a love of the game on the playing field.

The University of Evansville is honored to be selected for several 2022-2023 awards by Colleges of Distinction. They select top schools that are well equipped to provide a personalized education catered to students’ interests and focused on a commitment to the undergraduate experience.

WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION CLOSE TO HOME

Recognized Majors:

Business

Education

Engineering Nursing

Recognized Departments:

Career Development

Equity and Inclusion

Military Support

Learn more and apply today at evansville.edu/ApplyNow.

GROW, EXPLORE, AND LEARN

With 20-plus varsity sports, robust performing arts programs, and countless clubs and activities, MSD Lawrence Township affords tremendous opportunities to its students to meet their social and developmental needs. The district’s 11 elementary schools offer various interest-driven clubs, as well as teams and ensembles for robotics, academic competition, athletics and fitness, and the arts.

According to Dr. Grant Nesbit, director of operations for Lawrence Township, approximately 25 percent of elementary students participate in school-based extracurricular activities, while over 50 percent join one or more groups at the secondary level.

“Beginning in pre-kindergarten and continuing through [high school] graduation, students grow, explore, and learn in every aspect of their development. The broad offerings of co-curricular and extracurricular choices is essential in determining their interests and talents, as well as what they want to pursue. The only limit is time,” he says.

Guided by core values of achievement, integrity, and service, Nesbit says district schools are focused on the entire student experience. Educators know enrollees grow and learn beyond the four walls of the classroom. No matter which path students take after graduation, the team-building and collaboration skills learned through these activities prepare them for future success.

“Schools are in the business of human development, and one of the best ways to do that is by building positive relationships that work to strengthen the educator-to-student relationship, resulting in more positive outcomes for all involved,” he says. “For elementary students, extracurricular activities give them the first taste of areas of potential interest. At the secondary level, they are essential in determining and supporting unique student interests as well as fostering leadership opportunities.”

Lawrence Township students participate in robotics team competitions (top) and the Indy Half Marathon and 5K through the district’s Up & Running club (bottom).

EXTENDED EXPERIENCE

Founded in 1998, The Oaks Academy is a Christ-centered school that provides a rich, classical education to children of diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds so they are prepared to succeed at the secondary level. The Oaks Academy serves 1,050 students in pre-K through grade 5 across four campuses and offers a variety of opportunities to participate in athletic teams, clubs, and camps through The Oaks Academy Plus.

Chad Lynn, director of Oaks Plus, says having a unique before- and after-care program that incorporates extra and co-curricular activities gives students an extended learning opportunity and helps families afford an education from The Oaks Academy.

“They can be dropped off as early as 7 a.m. and stay until 6 p.m., and while some of our activities are similar to those you would find in other after-school care programs, ours are integrated into the school day as well,” he says. “We have homework time, read aloud time, snacks, free time, and we have clubs that meet once a week.”

Competitive sports begin in the fifth grade and include fall, winter, and spring athletics for boys and girls. While The Oaks Academy does not cut players based on ability, students are divided into conference and in-house teams by tryouts and then led by Oaks staff members. Lynn says this tight-knit extracurricular and co-curricular program allows the staff to get to know children and families better while enabling participants to use their life skills to solve problems and experience success. This is especially important for students who struggle academically and can be a big motivator for scholastic improvement.

“We provide high-quality extracurricular programs at our school that are convenient for our families,” Lynn says. “We are a familycentric school that is careful to give every student the opportunity to participate in all that The Oaks Academy has to offer.”

The Oaks Academy offers outlets for children to develop their athletic abilities through sports teams (top) and put their artistic creativity on display (bottom).

BUILDING ON LESSONS

With students ranging from pre-K to grade 12, the International School of Indiana offers vigorous after-school enrichment programs at the Lower School, which are cycled quarterly and include athletics, arts, cultural, and STEMbased programming, among others. As an International Baccalaureate World School, ISI includes co-curriculars designed to enhance academic subjects and allow enrollees to take ownership of their learning and development.

At the Upper School, ISI students have an adjusted schedule, which includes a period at the end of the day that clubs can use for meetings. Children can join up to five groups that meet during the day, freeing their evenings for sports, theater productions, after-school jobs, and internships. Kristen Kaiser, vice president for development and external affairs, says

offering a wide range of co-curricular and extracurricular experiences creates wellrounded, passionate learners who are strong university candidates.

“ISI students have opportunities to compete in over 20 different athletic teams and participate in 50 clubs annually,” Kaiser says, noting that because club meetings are built

into the school day, ISI’s participation rate is 100 percent. “While some of our clubs introduce completely new opportunities, many also allow students to build on classroom learning for a deeper understanding.”

ISI believes that the middle and high school years are a time for enrollees to try new things, explore their interests, and pursue different ventures. Any child is able to start a club with a teacher sponsor, and all groups have student leaders. Kaiser says these leadership opportunities allow participants to find their passions, make a difference in the community, and engage in valuable endeavors as they move on to university and the working world post-graduation. All Upper School teachers sponsor at least one club, which gives instructors an opportunity to get to know students outside of class.

“This creates stronger relationships overall, which positively impacts the classroom experience,” she says.

Children show off their stage presence during a performance at the International School of Indiana.

“While some of our clubs introduce completely new opportunities, many also allow students to build on classroom learning for a deeper understanding.”

KRISTEN KAISER, VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF INDIANA

The District of Destination

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM

STRONG SCHOOLS. STRONG COMMUNITY.

Our job is to educate and provide a graduation pathway for every student. Our commitment is to deliver innovative academic and extracurricular choices in stimulating learning modes with equitable student outcomes from Pre-Kindergarten through high school, advancing students toward their post-graduation plans.

LTschools.org

47 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 5 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

4 NAEYC ACCREDITED EARLY LEARNING CENTERS

11 X BEST COMMUNITY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Cathedral High School students excel not only in the classroom, but also on the stage, on the playing field, and in the community. The northside Catholic institution believes its long tradition of involvement in co-curricular and extracurricular activities results in savvy individuals who appreciate the arts, participate in clubs, volunteer regularly, and aren’t shy about showing off their school spirit.

According to director of marketing Grace Trahan-Rodecap, Cathedral offers more than 50 extracurricular and co-curricular activities, ranging from academic to spiritual disciplines, which include leadership, special interests, broadcasting, and STEM-related fields.

“It sounds cliché to say there’s something for everyone, but the truth is, there is something for everyone at Cathedral High School,” she says.

Members of Cathedral High School’s Horse Club gear up for a group ride (top). Students in the Civil Air Patrol program travel to further explore aviation and air power outside of a classroom setting (bottom).

Nearly all students at Cathedral engage in at least one co-curricular or extracurricular activity (and usually many more) by the time they graduate. Trahan-Rodecap says the school’s participation percentage is extremely high thanks in part to the wide range of offerings, moderators who genuinely care about students and enjoy spending time with them outside of school hours, and a philosophy that allows teens to create and lead their own initiatives.

“Cathedral encourages all students to participate in at least one activity, but also to be careful to commit to only a few activities at one time so that they can fully participate in each one,” she says.

While sports and clubs are designed to be fun, they can sometimes lead to students discovering their life’s calling. For example, participating in the Medical Club might ignite a passion for studying medicine. Likewise, a love of public speaking could develop through competing on the Speech and Debate Team.

Of course, the benefit is not only to the student or the institution, but also to the adult coaches, mentors, and moderators, who often get just as much out of the extracurricular experience. Trahan-Rodecap says although all of the coaches and club moderators love working with students, their full gratification may hit its peak years after their mentees graduate from high school.

“When a coach or teacher witnesses the kind and responsible citizen their former student has become, the amount of pride and satisfaction is hard to put into words,” she says. “Knowing that they played a role in a person’s lifelong success is a tremendous honor and a blessing for educators, coaches, and moderators.”

“When a coach or teacher witnesses the kind and responsible citizen their former student has become, the amount of pride and satisfaction is hard to put into words.”

GRACE TRAHAN-RODECAP, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

S C H O O L SCHOOL L I S T LIST

All school information, except private school tuition, is from the Indiana Department of Education. Enrollment figures are from 2022. ILEARN proficiency rates for grades 3–8 (English/language arts and Math), ISTEP+ passage rates for grade 11 (English/language arts and Math) are from 2021, and graduation rates are also from 2021, unless otherwise noted. For more info, visit doe.in.gov or, for more school data, visit inview.doe.in.gov.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MARION COUNTY

BEECH GROVE CITY SCHOOLS

ENROLLMENT: 2,888. ILEARN: 13.1%; ISTEP+: 14.8%. 5334 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove, 317-788-4481

Beech Grove Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 968. ISTEP+: 14.8%. GRAD. RATE: 78.4%. 5330 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove, 317-786-1447

MSD DECATUR TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 6,681. ILEARN: 14%; ISTEP+: 20.9%. 5275 Kentucky Ave., 317-856-5265

Decatur Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,011. ISTEP+: 21.1%. GRAD. RATE: 89.8%. 5251 Kentucky Ave., 317-856-5288

Decatur Township School for Excellence (7–12)

ENROLLMENT, ILEARN, ISTEP+ & GRAD. RATE: n/a. 5106 S. High School Rd., 317-856-0900

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP CSC

ENROLLMENT: 11,139. ILEARN: 32.7%; ISTEP+: 41.7%. 6141 S. Franklin Rd., 317-862-2411

Franklin Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,223. ISTEP+: 41.7%. GRAD. RATE: 95.7%. 6215 S. Franklin Rd., 317-862-6646

INDIANA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 123. ILEARN, ISTEP+ & GRAD. RATE: n/a. 7725 N. College Ave., 317-253-1481

INDIANA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 138. ILEARN: 4.7%. ISTEP+ & GRAD. RATE: n/a. 1200 E. 42nd St., 317-550-4800

INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ENROLLMENT: 22,126. ILEARN: 10%; ISTEP+: 8.1%. 120 E. Walnut St., 317-226-4411

Arsenal Technical High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,122. ISTEP+: 4.4%. GRAD. RATE: 70%. 1500 E. Michigan St., 317-693-5300

Crispus Attucks High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,143. ISTEP+: 3.5%. GRAD. RATE: 85.2%. 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., 317-226-2800

George Washington High School

ENROLLMENT: 910. ISTEP+: 3.3%. GRAD. RATE: 72.4%. 2215 W. Washington St., 317-693-5555

Shortridge High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,025. ISTEP+: 19.2%. GRAD. RATE: 82.8%. 3401 N. Meridian St., 317-226-2810

MSD LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 16,247. ILEARN: 14.3%; ISTEP+: 22.8%. 6501 Sunnyside Rd., 317-423-8200

Lawrence Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,255. ISTEP+: 20.9%. GRAD. RATE: 92.8%. 7300 E. 56th St., 317-964-7400

Lawrence North High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,844. ISTEP+: 24.2%. GRAD. RATE: 94.1%. 7802 N. Hague Rd., 317-964-7700

PERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS

ENROLLMENT: 16,603. ILEARN: 29.3%; ISTEP+: 28.8%. 6548 Orinoco Ave., 317-789-3700

Perry Meridian High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,385. ISTEP+: 32.3%. GRAD. RATE: 94.9%. 401 W. Meridian School Rd., 317-789-4400

Southport High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,391. ISTEP+: 24.9%. GRAD. RATE: 85.3%. 971 E. Banta Rd., 317-789-4800

MSD PIKE TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 10,928. ILEARN: 11.5%; ISTEP+: 28.5%. 6901 Zionsville Rd., 317-293-0393

Pike High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,387. ISTEP+: 28.5%. GRAD. RATE: 89.7%. 5401 W. 71st St., 317-291-5250

SPEEDWAY SCHOOLS

ENROLLMENT: 1,863. ILEARN: 41.7%; ISTEP+: 55.7%. 5300 Crawfordsville Rd., Speedway, 317-244-0236

Speedway Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 543. ISTEP+: 55.7%. GRAD. RATE: 99.2%. 5357 W. 25th St., Speedway, 317-244-7238

MSD WARREN TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 11,801. ILEARN: 7.9%; ISTEP+: 16.8%. 975 N. Post Rd., 317-869-4300

Warren Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,868. ISTEP+: 16.8%. GRAD. RATE: 81.7%. 9500 E. 16th St., 317-532-6200

MSD WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 10,902. ILEARN: 21%; ISTEP+: 34.6%. 8550 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., 317-845-9400

North Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,709. ISTEP+: 34.6%. GRAD. RATE: 91.7%. 1801 E. 86th St., 317-259-5301

MSD WAYNE TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 16,343. ILEARN: 10.9%; ISTEP+: 17.4%. 1220 S. High School Rd., 317-988-8600

Ben Davis High School (10–12)

ENROLLMENT: 3,278. ISTEP+: 16.5%. GRAD. RATE: 87.2%. 1200 N. Girls School Rd., 317-988-7000

Ben Davis University High School (10–12)

ENROLLMENT: 387. ISTEP+: 20.8%. GRAD. RATE: 100%. 1155 S. High School Rd., 317-988-7800

BOONE COUNTY

Lebanon Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,001. ISTEP+: 40.3%. GRAD. RATE: 86.7%. 510 Essex Dr., Lebanon, 765-482-0400

Western Boone Junior-Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 794. ISTEP+: 39.3%. GRAD. RATE: 96.3%. 1205 N. S.R. 75, Thorntown, 765-482-6143

Zionsville Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,242. ISTEP+: 68.3%. GRAD. RATE: 97.2%. 1000 Mulberry St., Zionsville, 317-873-3355

HAMILTON COUNTY

Carmel High School

ENROLLMENT: 5,327. ISTEP+: 76.1%. GRAD. RATE:

97%. 520 E. Main St., Carmel, 317-846-7721

Fishers High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,611. ISTEP+: 62%. GRAD. RATE: 97.8%. 13000 Promise Rd., Fishers, 317-915-4290

Hamilton Heights High School

ENROLLMENT: 731. ISTEP+: 29.7%. GRAD. RATE:

96.2%. 25802 S.R. 19, Arcadia, 317-984-3551

Hamilton Southeastern High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,430. ISTEP+: 63.9%. GRAD. RATE:

97%. 12499 Olio Rd., Fishers, 317-594-4190

Noblesville High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,234. ISTEP+: 53%. GRAD. RATE:

98.3%. 18111 Cumberland Rd., Noblesville, 317-733-4680

Sheridan High School

ENROLLMENT: 329. ISTEP+: 35.1%. GRAD. RATE: 89.7%. 24185 N. Hinesley Rd., Sheridan, 317-758-4431

Westfield High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,627. ISTEP+: 60%. GRAD. RATE:

96.3%. 18250 N. Union St., Westfield, 317-867-6800

HANCOCK

COUNTY

Eastern Hancock High School

ENROLLMENT: 379. ISTEP+: 53.2%. GRAD. RATE:

91.6%. 10320 E. 250 North, Charlottesville, 317-936-5595

Greenfield-Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,474. ISTEP+: 35.4%. GRAD. RATE:

91.7%. 810 N. Broadway St., Greenfield, 317-462-9211

Mt. Vernon High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,375. ISTEP+: 38.6%. GRAD. RATE:

95.4%. 8112 N. 200 West, Fortville, 317-485-3131

New Palestine High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,167. ISTEP+: 40.7%. GRAD. RATE:

95.9%. 4485 S. Victory Dr., New Palestine, 317-861-4417

HENDRICKS COUNTY

Avon High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,258. ISTEP+: 43.9%. GRAD. RATE:

97.3%. 7575 E. C.R. 150 S, Avon, 317-544-5000

Brownsburg High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,013. ISTEP+: 58.5%. GRAD. RATE:

97.9%. 1000 S. Odell St., Brownsburg, 317-852-2258

Cascade Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 495. ISTEP+: 48.8%. GRAD. RATE:

99.1%. 6565 S. C.R. 200 W, Clayton, 317-539-9315

Danville Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 766. ISTEP+: 39.6%. GRAD. RATE: 90%. 100 Warrior Way, Danville, 317-745-6431

Plainfield High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,823. ISTEP+: 58.4%. GRAD. RATE: 93.4%. 1 Red Pride Dr., Plainfield, 317-839-7711

Tri-West Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 625. ISTEP+: 38.2%. GRAD. RATE: 90.3%. 7883 N. S.R. 39, Lizton, 317-994-4000

JOHNSON COUNTY

Center Grove High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,754. ISTEP+: 50.4%. GRAD. RATE: 95.6%. 2717 S. Morgantown Rd., Greenwood, 317-881-0581

Edinburgh Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 228. ISTEP+: 27.7%. GRAD. RATE: 90.4%. 300 S. Keeley St., Edinburgh, 812-526-5501

Franklin Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,571. ISTEP+: 27.7%. GRAD. RATE: 90.6%. 2600 Cumberland Dr., Franklin, 317-738-5700

Greenwood Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,193. ISTEP+: 37.4%. GRAD. RATE: 88.6%. 615 W. Smith Valley Rd., Greenwood, 317-889-4000

Indian Creek Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 591. ISTEP+: 31%. GRAD. RATE: 96.4%. 803 W. Indian Creek Dr., Trafalgar, 317-878-2110

Whiteland Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,021. ISTEP+: 37.3%. GRAD. RATE: 92.1%. 300 Main St., Whiteland, 317-535-7562

MORGAN COUNTY

Eminence Junior-Senior High School (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 191. ILEARN: 2%; ISTEP+: 4.2%. GRAD. RATE: 97.1%. 6760 N. S.R. 42, Eminence, 765-528-2221

Martinsville High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,286. ISTEP+: 35.6%. GRAD. RATE: 87.9%. 1360 E. Gray St., Martinsville, 765-342-5571

Monrovia High School

ENROLLMENT: 531. ISTEP+: 30.6%. GRAD. RATE: 86.8%. 205 S. Chestnut St., Monrovia, 317-996-2258

Mooresville High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,391. ISTEP+: 40.9%. GRAD. RATE: 96%. 550 N. Indiana St., Mooresville, 317-831-9203

SHELBY COUNTY

Morristown Junior-Senior High School (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 337. ILEARN: 34.1%; ISTEP+: 31.1%. GRAD. RATE: 94.4%. 223 S. Patterson St., Morristown, 765-763-1221

Shelbyville Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,133. ISTEP+: 29.1%. GRAD. RATE: 95.2%. 2003 S. Miller St., Shelbyville, 317-398-9731

Southwestern High School (7–12)

ENROLLMENT: 269. ILEARN: 28.9%; ISTEP+: 41.2%. GRAD. RATE: 95.6%. 3406 W. 600 South, Shelbyville, 317-729-5122

Triton Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 462. ISTEP+: 39.6%. GRAD. RATE: 91%. 4774 W. 600 North, Fairland, 317-835-3000

Waldron Junior-Senior High School (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 283. ILEARN: 18.3%; ISTEP+: 61.3%. GRAD. RATE: 93.9%. 102 N. East St., Waldron, 765-525-6822

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Charter schools are public schools that are granted control of their own curricula by the state, under an agreement that they will meet certain performance standards. Many are aimed toward specific educational purposes, and all are tuition-free. This is not a comprehensive collection; for a full list of institutions authorized by the Indiana Charter School Board, visit in.gov/icsb/icsb-schools.

MARION COUNTY

Andrew J. Brown Academy (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 640. ILEARN: 6.6%. 3600 N. German Church Rd., 317-891-0730

Avondale Meadows Academy (K–5)

ENROLLMENT: 327. ILEARN: 3.3%. 3980 Meadows Dr., 317-803-3182

Avondale Meadows Middle School (6–8)

ENROLLMENT: 158. ILEARN: 6.6%. 3980 Meadows Dr., 317-550-3363

Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School (7–12)

ENROLLMENT: 396. ILEARN: 4.2%; ISTEP+: 25%. GRAD. RATE: 79.6%. 3960 Meadows Dr., 317-545-1745

Christel House Academy South (K–12)

ENROLLMENT: 738. ILEARN: 19.8%; ISTEP+: 14%. GRAD. RATE: 88.2%. 2717 S. East St., 317-783-4690

Christel House Academy West (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 474. ILEARN: 5.8%. 55 N. Tibbs Ave., 317-783-4901

Christel House DORS (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 705. ISTEP+: n/a. GRAD. RATE: 19.5%. Three locations: South, 317-783-4686; West, 317-783-4722; and Ivy Tech, 317-916-7544

Enlace Academy (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 654. ILEARN: 5.4%. 3725 Kiel Ave., 317-383-0607

Herron High School (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 976. ISTEP+: 53.4%. GRAD. RATE: 94%. 110 E. 16th St., 317-231-0010

Herron Preparatory Academy (K–3)

ENROLLMENT: 120. ILEARN: n/a. 110 E. 16th St., 317-231-0010

Herron–Riverside High School (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 409. ISTEP+: 36%. GRAD. RATE: 81.7%. 3010 N. White River Pkwy. E. Dr., 317-231-0010

Hope Academy (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 29. ISTEP+ & GRAD. RATE: n/a. 8102 Clearvista Pkwy., 317-572-9356

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 256. ISTEP+: 1.7%. GRAD. RATE: 41.7%. 1635 W. Michigan St., 317-524-4627

Irvington Community School Inc. (K–12)

ENROLLMENT: 978. ILEARN: 19.9%; ISTEP+: 11.9%. GRAD.

RATE: 62.5%. 6705 E. Julian Ave., 317-357-3770

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School (7–8)

ENROLLMENT: 237. ILEARN: 2.7%. 4352 Mitthoeffer Rd., 317-552-1600

NOW ENROLLING AGE 3 - GRADE 8

For more information go to orchard.org/visit, call 317.251.9253 or email admissions@orchard.org.

KIPP Indy College Prep Middle (6–8)

ENROLLMENT: 377. ILEARN: 1.7%.

1740 E. 30th St., 317-547-5477

KIPP Indy Legacy High School (9–11)

ENROLLMENT: 304. ISTEP+: n/a.

2255 N. Ralston Ave., 317-547-5477

KIPP Indy Unite Elementary (K–5)

ENROLLMENT: 627. ILEARN: 1.6%. 1740 E. 30th St., 317-547-5477

Paramount School of Excellence Brookside (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 801. ILEARN: 36.7%. 3020 Nowland Ave., 317-775-6660

Paramount School of Excellence Cottage Home (K–4)

ENROLLMENT: 218. ILEARN: 32.4%. 1203 E. St. Clair St., 463-231-2880

Paramount School of Excellence

Englewood (5–8)

ENROLLMENT: 207. ILEARN: 24.6%. 3029 E. Washington St., 463-231-2830

Purdue Polytechnic High School North (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 189. ISTEP+: 36.8%. GRAD. RATE: n/a. 1405 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-832-4800

Purdue Polytechnic High School

Schweitzer Center at Englewood (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 563. ISTEP+: 33.7%. GRAD. RATE: 72.7%. 3029 E. Washington St., 317-832-1200

Tindley Genesis Academy (K–6)

ENROLLMENT: 419. ILEARN: 11.7%. 4020 Meadows Pkwy., 317-777-6832

Tindley Summit Academy (K–6)

ENROLLMENT: 260. ILEARN: 10.4%. 3698 Dubarry Rd., 317-777-6830

HAMILTON COUNTY

Options Charter School—Noblesville (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 224. ILEARN: 5.6%; ISTEP+: 5.3%. GRAD. RATE: 49.1%. 9945 Cumberland Pointe Blvd., Noblesville, 317-773-8659

Options Charter School—Westfield (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 170. ILEARN: 5.6%; ISTEP+: 0%. GRAD. RATE: 68.2%. 17721 Gunther Blvd., Westfield, 317-815-2098

HANCOCK COUNTY

Geist Montessori Academy (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 220. ILEARN: 22.1%. 6058 W. 900 North, McCordsville, 317-813-4626

The Orchard School’s Mission is to develop and educate

THE WHOLE CHILD.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Graduation rates, ILEARN proficiency rates for grades 3–8 (English/language arts and Math), and ISTEP+ passage rates for grade 11 (English/language arts and Math) are listed if provided by the Indiana Department of Education. Enrollment figures are from 2022, and graduation rates are from 2021. Tuition rates are for 2022–23 (for one student), unless otherwise noted. Many schools offer discounts for multiple students from the same family, as well as several types of financial aid (including vouchers and scholarships). Regardless of their financial situation, all parents are encouraged to apply.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (NORTH)

Bishop Chatard High School

ENROLLMENT: 667. ISTEP+: 61.9%.

GRAD. RATE: 100%. TUITION: $10,690 archdiocesan rate, $13,815 non-archdiocesan rate. 5885 N. Crittenden Ave., 317-251-1451

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

ENROLLMENT: 841. ISTEP+: 80.5%

GRAD. RATE: 99.5%. TUITION: $19,980. 2801 W. 86th St., 317-524-7050

Cathedral High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,073. ISTEP+: 64.2%.

GRAD. RATE: 93.2%. TUITION: $16,250. 5225 E. 56th St., 317-542-1481

Christ the King Catholic School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 344. ILEARN: 71.1%.

TUITION (2020–21): $5,130 parishioners, $7,940 non-parishioners. 5858 N. Crittenden Ave., 317-257-9366

Guerin Catholic High School

ENROLLMENT: 740. ISTEP+: 91.7%. GRAD. RATE: 100%. TUITION: $14,900. 15300 N. Gray Rd., Noblesville, 317-582-0120

Immaculate Heart of Mary School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 379. ILEARN: 64.1%. TUITION: $5,630 parishioners, $9,220 non-parishioners. 317 E. 57th St., 317-255-5468

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 328. ILEARN: 46.8%.

TUITION: $6,400 parishioners, $6,900 Catholics, $7,900 non-parishioners. 9900 E. 191st St., Noblesville, 317-770-5660

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 619. ILEARN: 70.8%. TUITION: tithing through the parish; must be a church member. 14596 Oak Ridge Rd., Carmel, 317-846-1118

St. Joan of Arc School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 269. ILEARN: 26.6%. TUITION (2021–22): $5,250 parishioners, $6,500 nonparishioners. 500 E. 42nd St., 317-283-1518

St. Lawrence Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 234. ILEARN: 11.2%. TUITION: contact school. 6950 E. 46th St., 317-543-4923

St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 540. ILEARN: 73.1%.

TUITION: $6,280 active parishioners, $8,750 non-active parishioners. 11441 Hague Rd., Fishers, 317-842-1125

St. Luke Catholic School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 539. ILEARN: 57.3%. TUITION: $5,500 active parishioner, $8,445 non-parishioner. 7650 N. Illinois St., 317-255-3912

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 438. ILEARN: 56.1%.

TUITION: tithing through the parish. 17104 Spring Mill Rd., Westfield, 317-896-5582

St. Matthew Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 358. ILEARN: 34.4%.

TUITION: $5,740 active parishioners, $7,200 Catholics, $9,640 non-Catholics. 4100 E. 56th St., 317-251-3997

ThisInternationalBaccalaureate (IB)WorldSchooltakesadifferent approachtoeducation.With immersionandduallanguage programsinFrench,Mandarin, Spanish,andEnglishandenhanced culturalexperiences,ourstudentsare readyforwhatevertheworldhasto offer.Afterall,whystopatthe CrossroadsofAmericawhenyou’re preparedtogoanywhere?

St. Monica Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 360. ILEARN: 25.3%.

TUITION: $5,100 parishioners, $5,662 Catholics, $7,168 non-parishioners. 6131 N. Michigan Rd., 317-255-7153

St. Pius X Catholic School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 398. ILEARN: 56.2%. TUITION: $5,227 parishioners, $7,035 non-parishioners. 7200 Sarto Dr., 317-466-3361

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 198. ILEARN: 68.8%. TUITION: $5,875 parishioners, $9,386 non-parishioners. 4600 N. Illinois St., 317-255-6244

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (EAST)

Holy Cross Central School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 171. ILEARN: 5.1%. TUITION: contact school. 125 N. Oriental St., 317-638-9068

Holy Spirit Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 373. ILEARN: 32.8%.

TUITION: contact school. 7241 E. 10th St., 317-352-1243

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 182. ILEARN: 42.9%. TUITION: $6,390 parishioners, $7,690 non-parishioners. 30 S. Downey Ave., 317-357-3316

St. Michael Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 142. ILEARN: 44.7%.

TUITION: contact school. 515 Jefferson Blvd., Greenfield, 317-462-6380

St. Philip Neri Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 286. ILEARN: 6.8%. TUITION: contact school. 545 N. Eastern Ave., 317-636-0134

St. Simon the Apostle Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 545. ILEARN: 61.7%. TUITION: $6,111 parishioners, $10,664 non-parishioners. 8155 Oaklandon Rd., 317-826-6000

St. Therese/Little Flower Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 314. ILEARN: 24.5%. TUITION (2020–21): grades K–7, $6,540; grade 8, $7,120. 1401 N. Bosart Ave., 317-353-2282

Scecina Memorial High School

ENROLLMENT: 439. ISTEP+: 17.9%. GRAD. RATE: 94.8%. TUITION (2021–22): $10,325 Catholics, $12,974 non-Catholics yet Catholic-educated, $13,840 non-Catholics. 5000 Nowland Ave., 317-356-6377

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (SOUTH)

Central Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 245. ILEARN: 12.9%.

TUITION: contact school. 1155 E. Cameron St., 317-783-7759

Holy Name School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 238. ILEARN: 21.9%. TUITION: contact school. 21 N. 17th Ave., Beech Grove, 317-784-9078

Lumen Christi Catholic School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT, ILEARN, ISTEP+ & GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: K, $2,975 Holy Rosary parishioners, $3,475 non-parishioners; grades 1–8, $5,525 parishioners, $6,025 non-parishioners; grades 9–12, $7,550 parishioners, $8,050 nonparishioners. 580 Stevens St., 317-632-3174

Nativity Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 352. ILEARN: 35.8%. TUITION: K–8, $5,703 parishioners, $7,235 non-parishioners. 3310 S. Meadow Dr., 317-357-1459

Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 314. ILEARN: 36.5%. TUITION: $5,665 parishioners, $6,435 non-parishioners. 399 S. Meridian St., Greenwood, 317-881-1300

Roncalli High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,081. ISTEP+: 69%. GRAD. RATE: 98.7%. TUITION: $10,430 parishioners, $13,615 non-parishioners. 3300 Prague Rd., 317-787-8277

St. Barnabas School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 479. ILEARN: 49.4%. TUITION: contact school. 8300 Rahke Rd., 317-881-7422

Sts. Francis & Clare of Assisi Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 363. ILEARN: 62.5%. TUITION: $5,556. 5901 Olive Branch Rd., Greenwood, 317-859-4673

St. Jude Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 493. ILEARN: 53.3%. TUITION: $5,551 parishioners, $8,358 non-parishioners. 5375 McFarland Rd., 317-784-6828

St. Mark Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 487. ILEARN: 41%. TUITION: $5,200 parishioners, $5,950 non-parishioners. 541 E. Edgewood Ave., 317-786-4013

St. Roch Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 278. ILEARN: 49.7%. TUITION: contact school. 3603 S. Meridian St., 317-784-9144

St. Rose of Lima School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 149. ILEARN: 21.7%. TUITION (2020–21): $4,890 parishioners, $6,138 non-parishioners. 114 Lancelot Dr., Franklin, 317-738-3451

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (WEST)

Cardinal Ritter High School (7–12)

ENROLLMENT: 608. ILEARN: 13.1%; ISTEP+: 37%. GRAD. RATE: 95.8%. TUITION: junior high, $5,965 Catholics, $6,965 non-Catholics; high school, $10,100 Catholics, $12,800 non-Catholics.

3360 W. 30th St., 317-924-4333

Holy Angels Catholic School (PK–6)

ENROLLMENT: 154. ILEARN: 7.7%. TUITION: contact school. 2822 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., 317-926-5211

Providence Cristo Rey High School

ENROLLMENT: 191. ISTEP+: 4.8%.

GRAD. RATE: 80.4%. TUITION: $300 (average family contribution). 75 N. Belleview Pl., 317-860-1000

St. Christopher School (PK–6)

ENROLLMENT: 183. ILEARN: 38.6%. TUITION: $5,640 parishioners, $6,220 Catholics, $6,830 nonparishioners. 5335 W. 16th St., 317-241-6314

St. Malachy Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 472. ILEARN: 65.1%. TUITION (2021–22): $5,840 parishioners, $6,530 nonparishioner. 7410 N. C.R. 1000 E, Brownsburg, 317-852-2242

St. Michael–St. Gabriel Archangels Catholic Elementary School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 326. ILEARN: 14.5%. TUITION: $5,965 parishioners, $6,964 non-parishioners. 3352 W. 30th St., 317-926-0516

St. Susanna School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 226. ILEARN: 61.2%. TUITION: $6,500 Catholic, $7,500 non-Catholic. 1212 E. Main St., Plainfield, 317-839-3713

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ NONDENOMINATIONAL

Covenant Christian High School

ENROLLMENT: 352. ISTEP+: 72.1%.

GRAD. RATE: 96.4%. TUITION: $12,950. 7525 W. 21st St., 317-390-0202

Gray Road Christian School (PK–6)

ENROLLMENT & ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: $4,200. 5500 S. Gray Rd., 317-786-3559

Greenwood Christian Academy (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 455. ILEARN: 58.7%. TUITION: K–grade 4, $7,125; grades 5–6, $8,275; grades 7–8, $9,375. 835 W. Worthsville Rd., Greenwood, 317-215-5300

Greenwood Christian Academy High School

ENROLLMENT: 166. ISTEP+: 64%.

GRAD. RATE: 97.7%. TUITION: $11,375. 1495 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-215-5300

Heritage Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 1,457. ILEARN: 60%; ISTEP+: 75.2%.

GRAD. RATE: 99.1%. TUITION: K, $9,405; grade 1, $10,725; grades 2–4, $11,154; grades 5–6, $13,079; grades 7–8, $13,464; grades 9–12, $14,718. 6401 E. 75th St., 317-849-3441

Horizon Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 271. ILEARN: 23.3%; ISTEP+: n/a.

GRAD. RATE: 85.7%. TUITION: K–grade 6, $8,380; grades 7–8, $8,570; grades 9–12, $9,150. 7702 Indian Lake Rd., 317-823-4538

Kingsway Christian School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 489. ILEARN: 43.2%.

TUITION: K, $7,440; grade 1–4, $7,660; grade 5, $7,985; grades 6–8, $8,930. 7979 E. C.R. 100 N, Avon, 317-272-2227

Legacy Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 373. ILEARN: 49%;

ISTEP+ & GRAD RATE: n/a. TUITION: K, $8,272; grades 1–5, $8,944; grades 6–8, $9,601; grades 9–12, $10,004. 470 N. Lakeview Dr., Noblesville, 317-776-4186

Mooresville Christian Academy (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 326. ILEARN: 30.8%; ISTEP+: n/a.

TUITION: K–grade 4, $6,468; grades 5–8, $6,840, high school, $7,540.

4271 E. S.R. 144, Mooresville, 317-831-0799

Traders Point Christian Schools (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 556. ILEARN: 34.4%; ISTEP+: 39.4%.

GRAD. RATE: 86.7%. TUITION: K–grade 4, $10,259; grades 5–6, $11,379; grades 7–8, $12,957; grades 9–10, $14,480; grades 11–12, $14,995. Lower school: 5770 Whitestown Pkwy., Whitestown, 317-769-2450; upper school: 5608 Whitestown Pkwy., Whitestown, 317-360-0468

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/BAPTIST

Bethesda Christian Schools (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 386. ILEARN: 46.1%; ISTEP+: 31.8%.

GRAD. RATE: 96%. TUITION: K, $7,795; grades

1–2, $8,545; grades 3–4, $8,645; grades 5–6, $8,745; grades 7–8, $9,745; grades 9–12, $10,895. 7858 N. C.R. 650 E, Brownsburg, 317-858-2823

Central Christian Academy (K–12)

ENROLLMENT: 187. ILEARN: 4.8%; ISTEP+: n/a.

GRAD. RATE: 5.6%. TUITION (2021–22): K–grade

4, $7,300; grades 5–8, $7,500; grades 9–12, $8,500. 2565 Villa Ave., 317-788-1587

Colonial Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 213. ILEARN: 58.9%; ISTEP+: 68.4%.

GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: $6,070. 8140 Union Chapel Rd., 317-253-0649

Fishers Christian Academy (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 114. ILEARN: 48.6%; ISTEP+ & GRAD.

RATE: n/a. TUITION: K, $6,325; grades 1–12, $6,425. 9587 E. 131st St., Fishers, 317-577-1777

Suburban Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 537. ILEARN: 28.2%; ISTEP+: 75%.

GRAD. RATE: 100%. TUITION: contact school. 722 E. County Line Rd., 317-888-3366

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ EPISCOPALIAN

St. Richard’s Episcopal School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT & ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: K, $18,635; grades 1–4, $19,250; grade 5–7, $19,995, grade 8, $21,330. 33 E. 33rd St., 317-926-0425

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ LUTHERAN

Calvary Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 200. ILEARN: 42.5%. TUITION: contact school. 6111 Shelby St., 317-783-2305

Emmaus Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 78. ILEARN: 20%. TUITION: contact school. 1224 Laurel St., 317-632-1486

Lutheran High School

ENROLLMENT: 224. ISTEP+: 58.5%. GRAD. RATE: 93%. TUITION: $11,600. 5555 S. Arlington Ave., 317-787-5474

Our Shepherd Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 179. ILEARN: 40.8%. TUITION (2021–22): K, $5,032 members, $6,290 nonmembers; grades 1–4, $5,278 members, $6,766 non-members; grades 5–8, $5,505 members, $7,058 non-members. 9201 E. C.R. 100 N, Avon, 317-271-9103

St. John Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 114. ILEARN: 43.4%. TUITION: $6,100. 6630 Southeastern Ave., 317-352-9196

Trinity Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 143. ILEARN: 27.1%. TUITION: 5,500. 8540 E. 16th St., 317-897-0243

Zion Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 128. ILEARN: 56.9%. TUITION: contact school. 6513 W. 300 South, New Palestine, 317-861-4210

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ PRESBYTERIAN

Southport Presbyterian Christian School (PK–5)

ENROLLMENT: 196. ILEARN: 37%. TUITION: K, $5,120; grades 1–5, $5,330. 7525 McFarland Blvd., 317-534-2929

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

Indiana Academy (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 78. ISTEP+: 36.4%. GRAD. RATE: 100%. TUITION: contact school. 24815 S.R. 19 N, Cicero, 317-984-3575

Indianapolis Junior Academy (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 52. ILEARN: 17.9%. TUITION (2020–21): $5,200. 2910 E. 62nd St., 317-251-0560

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

Calvary Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 231. ILEARN: 47.1%; ISTEP+: 71.4%. GRAD. RATE: 100%. TUITION (2021–22): elementary, $4,035 members, $6,440 non-members; middle school, $4,140 members, $6,610 non-members; high school, $4,210 members, $6,725 non-members. 3639 S. Keystone Ave., 317-789-8710

JEWISH SCHOOLS

Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 89. ILEARN: 62.8%. TUITION: K, $11,075; grades 1–4, $15,400; grades 5–8, $15,830. 6602 Hoover Rd., 317-251-1261

NON-CHURCH-AFFILIATED

Curtis Wilson Primary School & Academy (PK–6)

ENROLLMENT (2021–22): 120. ILEARN: 50%. TUITION: $210–$240 per week. 7850 S. Emerson Ave., 317-882-8636

International School of Indiana (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 138 (9–12 only). ILEARN: n/a; ISTEP+: 52.3%. GRAD. RATE: 85.2%. TUITION: K, $21,193; grades 1–5, $21,649; grades 6–8, $22,017; grades 9–12, $23,625. Preschool and elementary: 200 W. 49th St.; middle and high school: 4330 N. Michigan Rd., 317-923-1951

Marian University Preparatory School (6–9)

Inaugural class began August 2022. TUITION: $7,500. 2916 W. 30th St., 855-777-0679

Midwest Academy of Indiana (3–12)

ENROLLMENT, ILEARN, ISTEP+ & GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: contact school. 1420 Chase Ct., Carmel, 317-843-9500

The Oaks Academy (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 1,044. ILEARN: Fall Creek, 58.1%; Brookside, 53.9%; Middle School, 48.1%.

TUITION: K–grade 5, $12,300; grades 6–8, $12,560. Fall Creek: 2301 N. Park Ave., 317-931-3043; Brookside: 3092 Brookside Pkwy. N. Dr., 317-822-4900; Middle School: 1301 E. 16th St., 317-969-8500

The Orchard School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT & ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: K–grade 4, $21,998; grade 5, $22,273; grade 6, $22,408; grade 7, $22,453; grade 8, $23,738.

615 W. 64th St., 317-251-9253

Park Tudor School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT, ILEARN, ISTEP+ & GRAD. RATE: n/a.

TUITION: K–grade 5, $23,400; grades 6–8, $24,930; grades 9–12, $25,050. 7200 N. College Ave., 317-415-2700

Sycamore School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT & ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: $20,430. 1750 W. 64th St., 317-202-2500

University High School of Indiana

ENROLLMENT: 335. ISTEP+ & GRAD. RATE: n/a.

TUITION: $22,260. 2825 W. 116th St., Carmel, 317-733-4475

INDIANA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Costs listed are approximate for Indiana resident full-time undergraduates for the 2022–23 school year, unless otherwise noted. Those figures may vary based on majors and other factors; federal financial aid, grants, and scholarships are available. Enrollment figures include both undergraduate and graduate students.

Anderson University

ENROLLMENT: 1,567. TUITION: $33,070. ROOM AND BOARD: $11,420. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This private Christian liberal arts school offers more than 50 majors and several graduate programs, including business and theology. Its small size is a plus for many. 1100 E. Fifth St., Anderson, 800-428-6414, anderson.edu

Ball State University

ENROLLMENT: 21,597. TUITION: $8,434. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,676. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Ball State, founded in 1899 as a private teacher’s college, is an NCAA Division I public university with nationally ranked programs in architecture, business, music, communications, and education. 2000 W. University Ave., Muncie, 800-382-8540, bsu.edu

Butler University

ENROLLMENT: 5,554. TUITION: $43,470. ROOM AND BOARD: $14,820 and up. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, Pharm.D. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Located five miles from downtown Indy, Butler is a private, independent university offering more than 65 majors. It is continually ranked among the top schools for first-year student experiences, internships, and studyabroad opportunities. 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, 800-368-6852, butler.edu

Christian Theological Seminary

ENROLLMENT: 161. TUITION: $710 per credit hour. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Aff iliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), CTS offers master’s degrees in divinity, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, theological studies, and Christian ministry. 1000 W. 42nd St., Indianapolis, 317-924-1331, cts.edu

DePauw University

ENROLLMENT: 1,752. TUITION: $54,400. ROOM AND BOARD: $14,400. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: At this Methodist-aff iliated liberal arts school, all students live on campus, and approximately 70 percent take part in the Greek system. The annual football game against Wabash College, known as the Monon Bell, draws national attention. 204 E. Seminary St., Greencastle, 765-658-4800, depauw.edu

Earlham College

ENROLLMENT: 900 (undergraduate). TUITION: $49,218. ROOM AND BOARD: $12,447. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Founded by Quakers in 1847, Earlham College is an independent liberal arts college with programs under the umbrellas of business, humanities, math, science, social sciences, and performing arts. 801 National Rd. W., Richmond, 765-983-1200, earlham.edu

Franklin College

ENROLLMENT: 952. TUITION: $35,636. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,398. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Franklin College, founded in 1834, is a residential liberal arts institution offering 50-plus majors and two master’s programs. In 1842, the college became the first coed institution in Indiana and only the seventh in the nation. The charming small-town campus includes more than 50 student organizations and a Greek system. 101 Branigin Blvd., Franklin, 800-852-0232, franklincollege.edu

Goshen College

ENROLLMENT: 811. TUITION: $36,660. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,980. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This private Christian liberal arts college also owns a marine biology laboratory in Florida and a 1,189-acre environmental learning center about 30 miles southeast of Goshen. It has earned honors for its student-run farm and is home to one of the top-ranked study-abroad programs

in the country. Popular majors include nursing, biology, elementary education, and business. 1700 S. Main St., Goshen, 574-535-7000, goshen.edu

Hanover College

ENROLLMENT: 1,028. TUITION: $40,681. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,148. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, doctorate. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: At this private liberal arts school, students can choose from 32 majors, or design their own, on a beautiful 650-acre campus on the Ohio River. 517 Ball Dr., Hanover, 812-866-7000, hanover.edu

Huntington University

ENROLLMENT: 1,364. TUITION: $27,914. ROOM AND BOARD: $9,600. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This Christ-centered liberal arts university offers more than 70 academic programs. 2303 College Ave., Huntington, 260-356-6000, huntington.edu

Indiana State University

ENROLLMENT: 9,459. TUITION: $9,452. ROOM AND BOARD: $7,346 (traditional freshman housing). DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Indiana State offers more than 100 academic majors, ranging from criminology to education. It supports a lively student community with nearly 300 clubs and organizations, NCAA athletic programs, and a Greek system. 200 N. Seventh St., Terre Haute, 812-237-3773, indstate.edu

Indiana Tech

ENROLLMENT: 5,564. TUITION: $29,064. ROOM AND BOARD: $9,232 and up. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This four-year private residential university offers degrees in human services, business, information systems, criminal justice, and more. Accelerated degree programs are offered at satellite campuses to fit the needs of working adult students. Main campus: 1600 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, 260-422-5561. Satellite campuses in Elkhart, Evansville, Fishers, Greenwood, Hammond, Huntington, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kendallville, Lafayette, Mishawaka, and Warsaw; indianatech.edu

Indiana University

ENROLLMENT: 43,134 (Bloomington). TUITION: $11,446. ROOM AND BOARD: $12,228. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Indiana’s premier public liberal arts university system draws thousands with its wide academic offerings, including music, education, health, informatics, journalism, law, and more. Its undergraduate business program is ranked among the top five in the country by Bloomberg Businessweek Main campus: 107 S. Indiana Ave., Bloomington, 812-8554848. Satellite campuses in Fort Wayne, Gary, Kokomo, New Albany, Richmond, and South Bend; indiana.edu

Indiana University–Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI)

ENROLLMENT: 27,690. TUITION: $10,144. ROOM AND BOARD: $11,252. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: IUPUI combines more than 350 programs—including medicine, law, dentistry, nursing, business, and social work—from both Purdue University and Indiana University at its campus on the near-west side of Indy. 420 University Blvd., Indianapolis, 317-2745555. Satellite campus in Columbus; iupui.edu

Indiana Wesleyan University

ENROLLMENT: 13,285. TUITION: $29,684.

ROOM AND BOARD: $10,050. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This evangelical Christian university offers more than 80 majors, from art and accounting to global ministries and Biblical literature. 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, 866-468-6498. Six educational centers throughout Indiana; indwes.edu

Ivy Tech Community College

ENROLLMENT: 148,091 statewide. TUITION: $2,243. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, technical certificate, workforce certifications, associate. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Ivy Tech is Indiana’s largest post-secondary degree-granting institution. It offers two-year associate degrees and one-year technical certificates in fields such as nursing, computer technology, education, and business. Credits can also be transferred to four-year

schools. Main campus: 50 W. Fall Creek Pkwy. N. Dr., Indianapolis, 888-489-5463. 49 additional campuses throughout Indiana; ivytech.edu

Manchester University

ENROLLMENT: 1,265. TUITION: $34,504. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,694. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, Pharm.D. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: All students receive financial aid at this liberal arts school, which offers more than 70 areas of study and 20 NCAA Division III sports. 604 E. College Ave., North Manchester, 260-982-5055, manchester.edu

Marian University

ENROLLMENT: 3,722. TUITION: $37,600. ROOM AND BOARD: $12,000. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts university is a private school catering to both traditional and non-traditional students. It opened its osteopathic medical school in 2013, and recently launched an engineering school, with the first class entering fall 2022. 3200 Cold Spring Rd., Indianapolis, 317-955-6000, marian.edu

Martin University

ENROLLMENT: 412. TUITION: $535 per credit hour. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This private, not-for-profit liberal arts institution offers a wide variety of programs, and is the only such predominately Black institution of higher learning in the state. Most students are over age 25. 2186 N. Sherman Dr., Indianapolis, 317-543-3235, martin.edu

Oakland City University

ENROLLMENT: 1,241. TUITION (2021–22): $25,740. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,400. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Oakland City is a Christian university founded in 1885, with schools of business, education, and religious studies, among others. 138 N. Lucretia St., Oakland City, 800-737-5125. Learning centers in Bedford, Evansville, Jasper, and Rockport; oak.edu

Purdue University

ENROLLMENT: 49,639. TUITION: $9,992. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,030. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Purdue began in 1869 as a land-grant school and continues a strong program in agriculture to this day—but it is probably best known for engineering: U.S. News & World Report has ranked Purdue’s undergraduate engineering programs among the top 10 in the U.S. 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, 765494-4600. Satellite campuses in Fort Wayne, Hammond, and Westville; purdue.edu

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

ENROLLMENT: 2,066. TUITION: $50,961. ROOM AND BOARD: $16,647. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Founded in 1874, this private, technology-oriented university is one of the nation’s top colleges for engineering, science, and math. The school has a virtually 100 percent career-placement record and has ranked first on U.S. News & World Report ’s list of undergraduate engineering programs for 23 consecutive years. 5500 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute, 812-877-1511, rose-hulman.edu

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

ENROLLMENT: 1,300. TUITION: $31,150. ROOM AND BOARD: $11,350. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: The nation’s oldest Catholic liberal arts college for women was granted a charter for the higher education of women in 1846. It now also offers courses to men, and has the only equine program in the state. 1 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, 812-535-5151, smwc.edu

Saint Mary’s College

ENROLLMENT: 1,390. TUITION: $48,880. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,580. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: At this all-female liberal arts school, students design their own major or choose from about 60 areas of study. Saint Mary’s offers many cooperative programs with the University of Notre Dame, which is within walking distance of campus. Notre Dame, 574-284-4000, saintmarys.edu

Taylor University

ENROLLMENT: 1,779. TUITION: $37,176. ROOM AND BOARD: $9,788. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This Christian liberal arts university’s top majors are business, art, film and media, and education. It is continually ranked highly in the “Best Regional Colleges–Midwest” category by U.S. News & World Report 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, 765-998-2751, taylor.edu

Trine University

ENROLLMENT: 5,421. TUITION: $34,330. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,320. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Trine provides 40-plus degree programs, primarily in education and engineering, and small class sizes, at its northeast Indiana campus. 1 University Ave., Angola, 260-665-4100, trine.edu

University of Evansville

ENROLLMENT: 2,078. TUITION: $40,100. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,620. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Much of the student body studies abroad at some point, many at the university’s Harlaxton College in England. UE offers more than 80 areas of study in Indiana’s third-largest city. 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, 812-488-2000, evansville.edu

University of Indianapolis

ENROLLMENT: 5,600. TUITION: $33,252. ROOM AND BOARD: $11,828. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Founded in 1902, UIndy offers 100+ undergraduate degree programs, with the largest being physical and occupational therapy, nursing, business, and education. UIndy is a national leader in aging studies and education reform. 1400 E. Hanna Ave., Indianapolis, 317-788-3368, uindy.edu

University of Notre Dame

ENROLLMENT: 12,809. TUITION: $60,301. ROOM AND BOARD: $16,710. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Perhaps best known for its picturesque campus and academic rigor, Notre Dame,

founded in 1842, has been deemed one of the “new Ivies” in American higher education by The Wall Street Journal U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and others consistently rank the school among the top 25 institutions of higher learning. Notre Dame, 574-631-5000, nd.edu

University of Saint Francis

ENROLLMENT: 2,196. TUITION: $32,870. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,910. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This Catholic university has been providing a liberal arts education in Indiana for 130 years and offers 70 degree programs. 2701 Spring St., Fort Wayne, 260-399-7700. Additional education center in Crown Point; sf.edu

University of Southern Indiana

ENROLLMENT: 9,758. TUITION: $275 per credit hour. ROOM AND BOARD: $9,874. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Among its 130+ areas of study, USI offers degrees in business administration, health services, education, nursing, and engineering. In 2022, the school announced a move to NCAA Division I athletics. 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, 812-464-8600, usi.edu

Valparaiso University

ENROLLMENT: 2,939. TUITION: $43,400. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,180. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: Valpo, a NCAA Division I school founded in 1859, enjoys a location near Chicago and Indiana Dunes National Park. U.S. News & World Report ranks it in the top 10 of the “Best Regional Universities–Midwest.” 1700 Chapel Dr., Valparaiso, 219-464-5000, valpo.edu

Vincennes University

ENROLLMENT: 17,485 (systemwide). TUITION: $6,450. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,908. DEGREES OFFERED: certificate, associate, bachelor’s. ABOUT THE SCHOOL: The state’s first college, VU was founded in 1801 by William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. president. Today, the campus offers more than 200 programs, and prides itself on offering the lowest tuition of any residential college in Indiana. 1002 N. First St., Vincennes, 800-742-9198. Additional campus in Jasper and an aviation tech facility in Indianapolis; vinu.edu

Wabash College

ENROLLMENT: 837. TUITION: $46,600. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,150. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This all-male private institution wears its 189-year history proudly. Classes have a student-to-faculty ratio of 10-to-1 or lower, and all faculty members hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree. 301 W. Wabash Ave., Crawfordsville, 765-361-6100, wabash.edu

WGU Indiana

TUITION: $3,475 and up (per 6-month term).

DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: This nonprofit online university offers more than 60 degree programs in career fields with high demand, such as teaching, IT, business, and healthcare. 877-214-7014, wgu.edu/indiana

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53

said during an interview at her home in July. “Nobody cared. It was just a thing. I mean, my father kind of cared, because he got a kick out of it. There was no reason to doubt it. Why would anybody make that up, right?”

The 64-year-old is the daughter of the late Mason A. Roberson (a great-grandson of Robert and Celia) and the late Doris Brin Walker. Doris was a highly respected attorney and a member of the legal team that defended Angela Davis, who was acquitted of federal charges relating to her involvement with the Black Panthers in the early 1970s. Mason, who was Black, played football in college and went into journalism, starting a newspaper in San Francisco. Emily is an accomplished botanist with degrees from Harvard, University of California–Davis, and UC–Berkeley. Today she is the director of the Native Plant Society of the United States.

Her cousin, William Neff Roberson, known to friends and family as Bill, never heard his father, William Artrudoe Roberson, speak of their relationship to the third president. In fact, the 84-year-old retired Los Angeles attorney didn’t really believe the story, even after he found a photocopy of that 1879 Indianapolis Journal article among his father’s papers.

“To me, it was a ‘maybe,’” Bill says. “I’m not a shrinking violet. I’ve seen a lot of life. I know it’s not just possible, but it’s quite probable. Frankly, [a man like that would] have political friends who would make sure all [his] needs were taken care of. I’m sure the president had that kind of friend in Charles Town.”

Bill’s AncestryDNA test shows that he inherited 13 percent of his DNA from ancestors who once lived in Nigeria and another 1 percent from ancestors who had lived in Benin and Togo. The evidence was clear: One of his direct, yet distant, ancestors had been of African descent. The African ancestry was somewhat of a surprise, but Bill said he accepts it. “I’m comfortable in my skin. It comes together now in a way that I have certainty, as near

as possible, and I’m comfortable with it. I especially like it because I’ve always been a fan of Thomas Jefferson.”

Nick and Steve Woods, sons of Bill’s first cousin Frances, said they were about 8 or 9 years old when they first heard of their connection to Jefferson. “I think I found it interesting. You know, you’re in school, learning a lot of history, and for me it was like, ‘Oh, OK. That’s weird,’” Steve recalls. “We took our family history at face value.” Like his cousin Emily, he reasoned, “Why would you make something like that up? This was 30 years before DNA [testing became available commercially], so we couldn’t really do anything but take their word for it.”

Nick’s grandfather, Francis Rassieur Roberson, was an architect for the National Park Service. Known by his middle name, pronounced “rasher,” he designed Mount Rushmore’s visitors center, famous from the Hitchcock film North by Northwest, and helped design a portion of the Gateway Arch, built in the 1960s as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson’s role in America’s westward expansion.

Francis Jefferson Roberson, Rasher’s father and Bill’s great-grandfather, also was an architect who designed and built some of St. Louis’s most famous structures. He traveled the world studying architecture in South America, India, Europe, and Africa, and gave a series of travelogues and architecture-related lectures on the topic at Purdue University in 1908 and 1909.

Like Emily’s father, Mason, who was a voracious reader and conversant in Latin, cousin Steve Woods has read thousands of books, according to brother Nick. The importance of education for Robert and Celia’s descendants seems to have remained central to their families, from the time Lucy and Georgiana attended Eleutherian College in a rural Southern Indiana town to their second- and thirdgreat-grandchildren, who have become attorneys, architects, engineers, information-technology specialists, and scientists.

ROBERT AND CELIA’S DESCENDANTS MAY never receive the same status at Sally Hemings’s descendents, who were recognized by the Monticello Association in 1998 after DNA confirmed that Jefferson fathered children with her. But to Indianapolis historian Eunice Trotter, that doesn’t mean Robert’s story isn’t worth telling.

The director of the Black Heritage Preservation Program for Indiana Land-

marks, Trotter sees Robert’s life as significant regardless of who his father was. In researching her own family for her book, Black in Indiana, Trotter discovered that one of her great-grandfathers had invented a horseshoe that became very popular in Indiana, and that her third-great-grandfather handled horses for William Henry Harrison and was at the Battle of Tippecanoe.

“Particularly if you are from the area you’re researching, don’t be surprised if you find an intersection of American or Indiana history with your own personal family,” Trotter says. “Every single one of those stories—the Robert Jefferson story or my own ancestor’s, the Mary Clark story—are part of American and Indiana history, not just Black history. They aren’t isolated bits of history that had no impact on anyone else. So, to not know these stories, to not have any understanding of these stories, is to not know the full history of Indiana.” Or of America.

In her role at Indiana Landmarks, Trotter is working to increase the amount of research done and stories written about Blacks in Indianapolis and elsewhere in Indiana with a goal of getting more Blacks involved in preserving their oral history. “It’s so critical,” she says. “My philosophy is what my sister always says—‘If it ain’t in writing, it ain’t.’ You can’t preserve and remember what you don’t know exists,” Trotter says.

And it’s impossible not to see parallels between things that happened long ago and what’s happening today around systemic racism and police intimidation. Trotter was struck by the fact that Robert Jefferson carried his freedom papers with him until his death in 1882—almost 20 years after the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the United States. “Can you imagine that? As the mother of a Black son and four Black grandsons, I can,” she says. “I know the fear remains today. It’s almost in our DNA. For Robert Jefferson, those papers were his ID to prove that he was legitimate and free.”

Exhuming Robert’s body remains a priority, and his descendants and I plan another attempt to retrieve his DNA for further evidence of his paternity. But, as someone who stumbled into the role of Robert Jefferson’s biographer, I find Trotter’s opinion—that his life story is significant on its own—very meaningful. It takes all of us to weave the colorful fabric of America. In the end, we are all a part of history, from the most local perspective to the most national one.

Carbonara at Pizza & Libations, p. 87

Photo by TONY VALAINIS

DOWNTOWN

INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square

Amberson Coffee

ADDED

COFFEEHOUSE Modestly housed in a former Fletcher Place gas station, this tiny coffee spot with a walk-up window feels like a snug neighborhood hangout. But its curated beans and precise pourover program make it a worthy destination for serious coffee-lovers. Sip a perfect cup—perhaps a Madcap Coffee Summer Solstice with notes of lime, green apple, and berries, or a Nømad Coffee Guatemala Los Pablos from Barcelona that tastes of apricot, brown sugar, and florals. The date latte and Cool Kid mocha headline the espresso drinks. For sustenance, they whip up superb egg salad sandwiches, avocado toasts, and griddled Mexican-style biscuits with homemade jam. 401 S. College Ave., 463-230-2255, ambersoncoffee.com $

Aroma

INDIAN Familiar tandoori and tikka masala staples mingle with heartier, more elevated offerings at this elegant pan-Indian spot that opened in the former Rook location in early 2021. Lunchtime lamb and chicken rolls in crispy flatbread wrappers stand out, as do hearty chaat dishes dressed up with yellow peas, yogurt, and chutneys. An impressive lamb shank is the highlight of the chef’s specialties and easily feeds two or more. A full bar and an artful array of desserts help round out a special-occasion meal. Opt for the orange pudding, a creamy, lightly sweet rice pudding served in an orange shell with a chocolate tuille. 501 Virginia Ave., 317-602-7117, aromaindy.com V $$

Ash & Elm Cider Co.

Restaurant and Cider Bar

GASTROPUB A long-awaited move to the historic former Ford Assembly Plant building on East Washington Street not only brought Indy’s premier cider-maker a few blocks closer to downtown but also ushered in a full menu of snacks and dinner dishes created by chef

Tracey Couillard. Start with a cider slushie or a cidermosa (peach, mango, or guava) to enjoy with tangy, rich deviled eggs or crisp, light elote fritters with a bright cilantro crema. Then move to a flagship cider such as the semi-sweet or tart cherry for the main courses, including a standout roasted chicken breast with a crispy hasselback potato, hanger steak with chanterelles, or pan-fried walleye. But don’t pass up the apt apple-cheddar melt or the burger of the moment, lavished with crab dip or garlic scape pesto. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-600-3164, ashandelmcider.com $$

Beholder

CONTEMPORARY A former car-repair shop sets the stage for daring performance art that has featured pig-skin noodles and granita-topped uni designed to melt on the tongue, as well as buttermilk fried chicken with wildflower honey. The labor-intensive cocktails are spot-on. 1844 E. 10th St., 317-419-3471, beholderindy.com V $$$

Bluebeard

CONTEMPORARY Bluebeard opened in 2012, and crowds still roll in for chef Abbi Merriss’s take on seasonal comfort food. Start with the bread baked next door at Amelia’s—it’s especially delicious slathered with anchovy butter—and build your meal from the ever-changing menu of small and large dishes. Fried morels may show up on a spring picnic plate, while winter nights call for a comforting butcher-shop Bolognese. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580, blue beardindy.com V $$

Bodhi: Craft Bar + Thai Bistro

THAI This Mass Ave restaurant serves a small, focused menu of Thai dishes like Massaman curry with braised beef and Bodhi’s own version of non-Americanized pad thai. Cocktails get a lot of attention on a drinks list designed by Ball & Biscuit’s Heather Storms. Try the Thai Iced Tea cocktail with bourbon, rye, spiced ginger liqueur, demerara sugar, orange peel, and housemade Thai iced tea. 922 Massachusetts Ave., 317-9416595, bodhi-indy.com V $$

Brew Link

BREWERY What started as a casual brewery on

the edge of a Hendricks County golf course has expanded to include a good-time downtown Indianapolis spot that is serious about its bar bites. Get an order of smoked chicken wings for the table or loaded nachos piled high with your choice of chicken, carnitas, or steak. The burgers are elaborately garnished, and the mac and cheese is doused with Brew Link’s house beer cheese. 714 N. Capitol Ave., 317-653-1884, brewlinkbrewing.com $$

Bru Burger Bar

GOURMET BURGERS The generous patties here combine sirloin, chuck, and brisket and are paired with cocktails and craft beers. Highlights include the signature Bru Burger, with bacon, Taleggio, sweet tomato jam, and porter-braised onions. 410 Massachusetts Ave., 317-635-4278, bruburgerbar.com $$

Cafe Patachou

CAFE The original Meridian-Kessler “student union for adults” continues to draw in the morning crowds and has inspired citywide offshoots, such as this sleek downtown location, a huge hit with the business and weekend hordes alike. The cinnamon toast remains as thick as a brick; the produce is still locally sourced; the massive omelets continue to have cheeky names; and the broken-yolk sandwiches are a perennial lunch favorite. 225 W. Washington St., 317-632-0765, cafepatachou.com V $$

The Capital Grille

CLASSIC A theme of decadence permeates this steakhouse adjoining the equally posh Conrad hotel, from the gilded-framed pastoral paintings that hang on its dark-paneled walls to the selection of elaborate steaks (one of them drenched in a Courvoisier cream sauce, another flavored with aged balsamic—and some of them dry-aged). The servers are exquisite, of course. 40 W. Washington St., 317-423-8790, thecapitalgrille.com $$$$

Dave’s Hot Chicken

FAST FOOD The name of this Los Angeles–based chain is no joke. Strips of white meat are brined to lock in the chicken’s juiciness before the Nashville hot–style, Carolina reaper–based spice is applied in seven levels of firepower. Heat-seekers

SYMBOLS

Brunch

Outdoor seating Reservations

V Vegetarian friendly

$$$$ $30 and up

$$$ $20–$30

$$ $10–$20

$ Under $10

NEW

ADDED

UPDATED

Very Good Good

Recently opened establishment.

Open for more than five months but making its first appearance in the guide.

Recently revisited and reevaluated.

Restaurants included in this guide are selected at the discretion of the Indianapolis Monthly editorial staff based on food quality, innovation, atmosphere, service, value, and consistency. IM does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for dining coverage. Price symbols indicate the average cost of a meal per person (without tax, tip, or alcohol). Due to limited space, this list does not cover every evaluated restaurant. For a more comprehensive guide to Indianapolis dining, visit IndianapolisMonthly.com/Dining. Feedback? Please email TheDish@IndianapolisMonthly.com.

line up to order the incendiary poultry in degrees that top out at a 911–worthy “Reaper,” but even the tamer “Hot” and “Medium” are not for the faint of heart. Order an entry-level “Mild” in slider form, dressed with slaw, sweet pickles, a generous swipe of the tangy, mayo-based house sauce, and tucked inside a squishy white bun that serves as insulation between the tongue and sear. Crinkle-cut french fries and a soothing chocolate milkshake complete the meal. 530 Massachusetts Ave., 317-285-0200, daveshotchicken.com $$

Easy Rider Diner

DINER Chef Ricky Martinez oversees this colorful Fountain Square diner that connects to the HI-FI music venue. The daylight menu applies Latin flourish to breakfast and brunch dishes, including a chorizo omelet with roasted tomato salsa, queso, and lime crema, shrimp and grits, and a waffle flight. For dinner, Martinez spotlights fried chicken and steak sandwiches, along with an appropriately indulgent late-night lineup of garbage can nachos and Cubanos available from 10 p.m. until the entertainment next door calls it a night. 1043 Virginia Ave., 463-224-0430, easyriderindy.com V $$

Fat Dan’s Deli

MEAT AND POTATOES Brisket cooked for 14 hours is a mainstay of the made-from-scratch menu, as is the house corned beef. Get an order of tender smoked wings and some tots for the table, served no-frills on a spread of craft paper. Whatever you do, don’t miss the plump Vienna dogs that will transport you straight to Wrigleyville. 410 E. Michigan St., 317-600-3008, fatdansdeli.com $

Gallery Pastry Bar

CONTEMPORARY The second location for the popular Broad Ripple bakery and brunch spot specializes in European-inspired pastries, brunch, dinner, and cocktails. 110 S. Pennsylvania St., 317820-5526, bar.gallerypastry.com $$

The Garden Table

CAFE Expanding on the spa-style menu at its original Broad Ripple location, this pretty, sundrenched venue adds a full dinner and drinks menu to the established house-pressed juices, health-conscious salads, and carefully embellished toasts. The place remains a cafe at heart, though, especially with the elaborate espresso station cranking out caffeinated stunners like an iced latte with strawberry puree and the peppery, basil-infused Pablo Honey. 342 Massachusetts Ave., 317-638-0321, thegardentable.com V $$

Harry & Izzy’s

STEAKHOUSE Craig Huse’s casual alternative to big brother St. Elmo holds its own as a clubby hangout worthy of destination-steakhouse status itself. The marbled bone-in ribeye sizzles in its juices, a smart umami-rich pick among the high-quality (and high-priced) Midwest-sourced prime cuts. The menu expands to thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and seafood selections like pan-seared scallops. 153 S. Illinois St., 317635-9594, harryandizzys.com $$$

Hinata Japanese Fine Dining

JAPANESE An elevated experience awaits inside this modern and elegantly appointed downtown establishment. With a thoughtful and measured approach to exploring Japanese cuisine beyond traditional sushi and noodle dishes, chef Akinori Tanigawa educates guests in the traditional kai-

seki, or multicourse, dinner with dishes that showcase his expert skills with fresh seafood and local Midwestern produce. California wines suited for Japanese cuisine, crafted cocktails, and an impressive sake list accompany the prixfixe menu that is remixed monthly with respect to availability of ingredients. 130 E. Washington St., 317-672-4929, hinataindy.com

$$$$

The Hulman

CONTEMPORARY With its sleek midcenturymodern decor, the street-level restaurant inside downtown’s Hotel Indy pays tribute to the VIP Indianapolis Motor Speedway experience. The pared-down seasonal menu supplies some fittingly elegant dishes, like short rib spaccatelli with horseradish sugo and a fancy Alaskan king crab bisque presentation. High-concept desserts (such as a candied-almond churro curled around banana gelato) are a must, as are signature craft cocktails. 141 E. Washington St., 317-735-2586, thehulmanindy.com V $$$

Iozzo’s Garden of Italy

ITALIAN Expand your pasta knowledge with the textbook bucatini all’Amatriciana with a rich and hearty pomodoro sauce, or an order of light but decadently dressed gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce and just enough sliced beef filet. Save room for creamy tiramisu cheesecake and a refreshing lemon olive oil cake topped with sweet and tangy Meyer lemon confiture and toasted meringue. 946 S. Meridian St., 317-9741100, iozzos.com $$$

King Dough

PIZZA Chewy and with just the right flop in the middle, the pizzas are bona fide craft, from the dough to the quality toppings. Standouts include the Stinky Pete with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola, and plenty of garlic and herbs. Burgers, including one made from chorizo and topped with manchego cheese, play surprisingly close second fiddles to the pies. Cocktails concocted from boutique liqueurs and aromatics are reason enough to drop in, and they make for perfect sippers while you wait for your pie on the patio. 452 N. Highland Ave., 317-602-7960, kingdough pizzas.com V $$

Kuma’s Corner

BURGERS Towering burgers are dressed with as many hardcore flourishes as a Megadeth guitar shred at this lively Fountain Square spot. Burgers of the month have included the Mutoid Man, topped with tempura-battered jalapeño, braised beef, and a Sriracha drizzle, and the Wolves in the Throneroom, which includes apricot chipotle jam among its toppings. 1127 Prospect St., 317-9291287, kumascorner.com $$

La Eskina

MEXICAN Jesus Metlat’s Latin cantina offers an array of regional Mexican specialties, as well as generously stuffed tortas. Be sure to start with ultra creamy guacamole topped with braised pork belly, though savory plantains slathered with mole and crema and showered with cotija cheese also make for a great first course. 641 Virginia Ave., 317-492-9467, orderlaeskina.com V $$

Leviathan Bakehouse

BAKERY Pastry chef Pete Schmutte’s patisserie and lunch cafe near Chatham Arch is a welcome addition to the downtown bakery scene. Schmutte draws on his talented staff’s specialties to

produce earthy artisan breads, ultra-flaky Frenchstyle laminated pastries, and elegant financiers. If you oversleep the day’s breakfast sandwich with creamy, soft eggs and local charcuterie, grab a chimichurri roast beef sandwich with apple-fennel chutney and brie on porridge bread. 1101 N. College Ave., 317-493-1879, leviathan bakehouse.com V $$

Lil Dumplings Noodle Bar

ADDED NOODLES The menu is scribbled on a chalkboard wall at Carlos Salazar’s fragrant noodle stand inside The Garage food hall. Customers have just a few options, served in disposable bowls and baskets. But every item is a winner, from the banh mi with Filipino pork sisig to the brothy Yuzu chicken ramen with jammy egg to the fiery dan dan noodles. Korean pickles and house kimchi add some funky tartness to every bite. The Garage food hall, 317-5561252, garageindy.com/lil-dumplings $$

Livery

LATIN This place feels like a hidden urban treasure, especially when the mezcal cocktails are flowing and the partially open kitchen is sending out plate after plate of contemporary Latininspired fare. Favorites have included a salad tucked inside a folded manchego crisp, meltingly tender steak fanned over a block of polenta, and a silky tres leches cake to die for. Snag a spot on the upper-level deck for a real treat. 720 N. College Ave., 317-383-0330, livery-restaurant .com $$

Love Handle

SANDWICHES Daily lunch and brunch features such as schnitzel and waffles and a pulledchicken Hot Brown are the main draw at Chris and Ally Benedyk’s cheeky sandwich shop. The chalkboard menu also offers side options in the form of braised greens and potato salad with roasted tomatoes. 877 Massachusetts Ave., 317384-1102 $$

Maialina Italian Kitchen + Bar

ITALIAN Straw-wrapped chianti bottles, wooden cross-back chairs, and family photos give a throwback trattoria feel to this addition to the city’s Italian scene, opened by Ambrosia heir Francesca Pizzi and stepbrother Lawrence Green. Meatballs, from a family recipe, are always a good choice with a solid house marinara. Pastas range from a straightforward toss of rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe to a rich, three-meat Bolognese lavished atop plump gnocchi. The Torta della Nonna, a light and lemony ricotta sweet, is the perfect way to end a meal. 1103 Prospect St., 317-982-7676, maialinaindy.com $$$

Milktooth

BRUNCH This diner-style cafe has a playfully gritty vibe. The early-morning counter service featuring pastries and coffee gives way to a full-service brunch menu with daytime craft cocktails. 534 Virginia Ave., 317-986-5131, milk toothindy.com V $$

Modita

ASIAN-INSPIRED The lavish restaurant in Bottleworks District’s showpiece slot gets extra style points for its gorgeous industrial-sleek decor that is equal parts silk wallpaper and factory-grade doors. Sip a Singha or a citrusy Tokyo Exchange Rate under the glow of dangling pendants and

Room designed by Cathy Wright of Wright Interiors

soak up the thoughtfully preserved vintage vibe. 850 Massachusetts Ave., 317-316-0470, modita.com

$$$

Mori Sushi

JAPANESE At this cheery ramen-and-sushi spot that opened in early 2020 in one part of the former Milano Inn, highlights include the Spiderman roll, which accents crunchy softshell crab tempura with avocado, spicy mayo, and eel sauce, as well as especially fresh yellowtail and white tuna sashimi. Tonkotsu porkbelly ramen is a rich and flavorful go-to bowl, but yakisoba and udon in beef, chicken, and seafood versions are good bets as well. 231 S. College Ave., 317-964-0139, morisushi-japanese restaurant.business.site $$

Nesso

ITALIAN Highly stylized seafood and meats paired with small pasta courses and shared a la carte sides add up to a sumptuous dining experience inside the Alexander hotel. Pass around a plate of prosciutto-wrapped prunes or crab arancini, but keep the tortelloni and sea bass all to yourself. 339 S. Delaware St., 317-643-7400, nesso-italia .com

$$$

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

SEAFOOD Luxury dining takes the form of stuffed trout in tomato-chive butter, Panamanian cobia served Oscar-style, and whole fried fish rising off of the plate at this high-end chain inside a section of the former L.S. Ayres department store, an Art Deco gem. Even if you just stop in for oysters and martinis at the bar, the Baked Alaska makes for a spectacular finish. 30 S. Meridian St., 317-955-2277, theoceanaire.com

$$$$

Oishi Sushi & Ramen

NEW JAPANESE Prolific Thai restaurateur Kanlaya Browning (Thaitanium, Thai Orchid, and others) expanded her Asian portfolio with this lively Japanese-inflected spot in the former Pizzology location on Massachusetts Avenue in the fall of 2022. Chicken and veggie gyoza, spring rolls, and an especially crunchy, flavorful version of chicken karaage are highlights among starters. And while classic maki rolls feature all of the usual suspects such as California, spider, and shrimp tempura rolls, be sure to order at least one contemporary roll like the generously dressed Cherry Blossom with spicy tuna, avocado, fish roe, spicy mayo, and eel sauce. Just over a half dozen varieties of ramen include the straightforward but comforting tonkotsu ramen with chashu pork belly, wood ear mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, as well as spicier versions and tan tan ramen, the Japanese riff on Szechwan dan dan noodles. And a side patio for warm months makes this a great new addition to downtown’s Asian food scene. 600 Massachusetts Ave., 317-493-1884, oishiindy.com $$

OP Italian

ITALIAN Dramatic lighting and an open kitchen revealing a stone oven make the signature lobby restaurant at Indy’s JW Marriott hotel an especially stylish spot for dinner, and a refined menu will appeal to locals and travelers alike as one of downtown’s best Mediterranean choices. Highlights include pillowy gnocchi with deeply savory Wagyu beef short rib and an earthy Gorgonzola cream, as well as a generous lamb shank that’s braised for half a day

and served with taleggio-enriched polenta. 10 S. West St., 317-860-5777, opitalianindy.com

$$$

Pier 48 Fish House & Oyster Bar

SEAFOOD In a sleek, well-placed fish house across the street from the Pacers arena, diners pregame on fresh seafood delivered from the restaurant’s own South Bristol, Maine, fishery. The selections range from a fried chicken sandwich to market-priced lobster prepared baked, steamed, or chargrilled. But the Lobstah Roll, dressed with either butter or mayonnaise, is the star of the show. 130 S. Pennsylvania St., 317-560-4848, pier48fresh.com $$$

The Rathskeller

GERMAN Head to Indy’s oldest restaurant (established in 1894) for a hearty dinner of slowroasted sauerbraten or rouladen with spaetzle noodles, potato salad, and giant steins of German beer. Or drop into the Kellerbar for a brat or a frikadelle, a German-style burger. When it’s warm, join the crowds for a deep selection of suds under a leafy oak in the biergarten. 401 E. Michigan St., 317-636-0396 $$$

Revolucion

CANTINA This funky Fountain Square cantina run by Radio Radio mastermind Tufty Clough is decorated in three acts: a Lucha Libre–themed dining room, a surf-inspired back room, and a grass-skirted tiki bar out back. The menu is brief but appropriately filled with a selection of tacos stuffed into double tortillas and served basket-style. 1132 Prospect St., 317-4239490 V $$

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

STEAKHOUSE While nightly specials at this stately steakhouse include innovative seafood and poultry options, supper-club classics abound, from the succulent, fat-marbled ribeye to a delicate petite filet, all served on sizzling-hot plates. 45 S. Illinois St., 317-633-1313, ruthschris.com

$$$$

Salt on Mass

SEAFOOD Fresh fish arrives daily at this gleaming Mass Ave restaurant that boasts of not even owning a freezer. That means the menu is written around the latest catch, but perennial favorites include sea-salt grilled salmon and meaty seared cobia topped with a cheesy mix of crab and artichokes. 505 Massachusetts Ave., 317-440-1649, saltonmass.com $$$

Shapiro’s Delicatessen

DELI Slide your tray along and take your pick of kosher comfort foods at this downtown institution. Hot pastrami and corned-beef sandwiches on rye have drawn long lines for more than a century. The Reuben contends for the city’s best, and heartier fare such as potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and matzo-ball soup are perennially satisfying standbys. Load up on a massive wedge of pie, or you haven’t really had the proper Shapiro’s experience. 808 S. Meridian St., 317-631-4041, shapiros.com $$

Siam Square

THAI Soothing red and green curries—redolent of coconut milk, Thai chili paste, and fresh veggies—play strictly by the book. The same goes for the fresh shrimp-and-chicken spring rolls packed inside a filament of rice paper, and the

crab Rangoon, fried crisp around the fluffiest sweet cream-cheese filling. 936 Virginia Ave., 317-636-8424, siamsquareindy.com V $$

Sidedoor Bagels

BAGELS This carb-lover’s dream draws in customers with the warm baking smell of 16 varieties of bagels. With nine schmear options (from bacon-scallion cream cheese to deviled egg salad to Amazeball vegan spread)—well, you do the math. Order online in advance to secure your dozen, or one of the open-face Lox & Loaded bagel sandwiches. 1103 E. 10th St., 317762-5336 V $

Social Cantina

MODERN MEXICAN This Bloomington import’s festive vibe runs on perky street tacos, ricebased bowls, and tequila-bottle bling. The chips and salsa flight—the mound of housemade hot-and-crispy tortilla chips comes with two salsas, queso, and guac—is a straight-up table-pleaser. But for a more foodie-forward starter, the ahi-stuffed avocado is a creamy fusion bomb with bright, tropical salsa and a sweet soy glaze that leans Asian. The tacos are fussier than their humble forerunners served from carts, but tasty. Vegan options and substitutions abound. The tequila flex—more than 100 bottles, plus two on tap—is impressive, but not surprising given that Social Cantina comes from the same restaurant group that conceived The Tap, whose beers are also featured on the deep list of adult beverages. 148 S. Illinois St., 317-218-3342, thesocialcantina.com V $$

Spoke & Steele

CONTEMPORARY At the sleek lobby restaurant of Le Méridien, French classics with fusion touches imagined by chef Joel Scott Johnson include a spiffed-up bouillabaisse with wasabi tempura cod, steak tartare with fennel and watermelon radishes, and a Niçoise salad with fried potatoes standing in for the traditional tuna. Entrees feature hearty pastas, steak au poivre lavished with bone marrow butter, and chicken paillard accompanied by broccolini. A perfectly cooked burger made with Fischer Farms beef is crowned with Colby and shaved garlic. 123 S. Illinois St., 317737-1616, spokeandsteele.com $$$

St. Elmo Steak House

STEAKHOUSE Since 1902, this stately house of red meat has served as the unofficial ambassador of downtown Indianapolis—the walls carry decades’ worth of celebrity photos, the burnished bar hearkens to an earlier era, and the servers remain starched and bow-tied. The drill remains the same as well: a generous martini; a shrimp cocktail with that infamously hot sauce; the bean soup or tomato juice; the wedge; and one of the legendary steaks. 127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636, stelmos.com $$$$

Sugar Factory

BURGERS Over-the-top items dominate the menu at this downtown showstopper, one of 25 pink glitter–bombed burger lounges around the country. Juicy, elaborate 8-ounce burgers—one topped with cheddar and a serving of mac and cheese, another tucked inside vanilla-bean waffles and served with maple syrup—satisfy Black Angus cravings. Sugar Factory also serves a prism of rainbow-bunned sliders and a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Burger. For diners who venture beyond the bun, there is a

massive stacked club and roasted lobster tail with frites. The four-piece fried chicken and waffles comes out perfectly hot and crispy, but it is beside the point, because people come here mainly for the ice cream dessert menu, which includes a $99 King Kong Sundae and a roster of heavily adorned Insane Milkshakes, along with celebrity-endorsed cocktails, such as Snoop Dogg’s Strawberry Lemonade Smash and Kendall Jenner’s Sunshine Breeze, served in oversized goblets with a smoke trail of dry ice. 49 W. Maryland St., 463-217-0383, sugar factory.com $$$

Sweetgreen

SALADS A California import with locations across the country, this bowl-based eatery assembles oversized salads and healthy grain dishes. The decor is bright and spartan, and ordering is Chipotle-style at a long counter. Customer favorites include a roasted chicken Harvest Bowl with warm wild rice and the vegan Shroomami with tofu, warm portobello, raw beets, cucumbers, and kale tossed in miso sesame ginger dressing. 157 E. New York St., 463-220-4400, sweetgreen.com V $$

Taxman CityWay

GASTROPUB Soaring ceilings, rustic candelabra lighting, brick walls, and a 3,000-square-foot beer-garden patio make this one of Indy’s most welcoming drinking spots. The gastropub menu includes some of the city’s best frites, served with more than half a dozen sauces or loaded with bacon, beer cheese, and scallions. Liège waffles are topped with hearty add-ons like fried chicken and rosemary-scented maple syrup or cheesy shrimp and grits. 310 S. Delaware St., 317734-3107, taxmanbrewing.com $$

Tinker Street

NEW AMERICAN Reservations are a must, so snag whatever date you can get and hope there’s a warm-night seat on the twinkling patio. Then settle in for small plates such as surprisingly light and flavorful chickpea ravioli with vegan ricotta and a host of colorful garnishes. Or try one of the always-vegan soups or a seasonal salad such as a refreshing mix of greens with asparagus, pickled rhubarb, and tangy blue cheese. Fall-apart pork belly with kimchi, forbidden rice, and a duck egg is perhaps the star of the main dishes, though shrimp and grits with green-tomato chow-chow and a refreshing halibut with carrot soubise are excellent bets. 402 E. 16th St., 317-925-5000, tinkerstreet restaurant.com V $$$

Tony’s Steaks and Seafood

STEAKHOUSE Elegantly presented oysters, mussels, and calamari tossed with pepperoncini and cherry tomatoes top a list of mostly seafood appetizers, but don’t miss what has to be one of the city’s biggest crab cakes, mounded on a swath of tangy mustard aioli. A special seasoning blend of paprika, sea salt, and pepper means New York strips and bone-in prime ribeyes have an especially flavorful char while being perfectly lush and tender inside. 110 W. Washington St., 317-638-8669, tonysofindianapolis .com $$$

Union 50

CONTEMPORARY Marrying the retro trappings of a onetime union hall with all of the sleek amenities of a 21st-century cocktail lounge, this

instantly popular supper club features a stunning backlit glass bar and a wood-fired kitchen with a prep line and pass-through visible to the spacious dining room. 620 N. East St., 317-6100234, union-50.com $$$

Upland Brewing

GASTROPUB Bloomington’s Upland Brewery brings its casual-dining experience to Indy’s near southside, with an open-concept dining room and a popular dog-friendly patio. The Upland repertoire gets proper representation in the wall of taps behind the bar. You can casually sip a flight of sours and snack on smoked chicken wings, or get busy with dishes plucked from the chef’s rotating seasonal menu. 1201 Prospect St., 317-672-3671, uplandbeer.com V $$

Wine Market & Table

CONTEMPORARY One of Fountain Square’s landmark buildings (once home to both Deano’s Vino and Pioneer) now houses this casual tribute to wining and dining. An extensive and affordable list of bottles is bolstered with solid craft cocktails. The food gets plenty of creative flourish, too, from the steak bites appetizer that’s cooked at the table on hot rocks to pork belly served sliced and sizzled with cannellini bean puree, cherryapple barbecue sauce, and a sweet fermented slaw. Brunch is served every day that the restaurant is open, offering dolled-up mimosas and filling early-bird fare like nduja-spiked skillets and breakfast hash. 1110 Shelby St., 317-493-1010, winemarketindy.com V $$$

EAST

INCLUDES Beech Grove, Irvington

10th Street Diner

VEGAN Surprisingly familiar and hearty plantbased takes on diner classics occupy the entire menu at this rehab of a former pawn shop, a comfy backdrop for enjoying such tasty fakeouts as a gooey and satisfying seitan Reuben, a “chicken” pot pie, and house chili that rivals your favorite con carne version. Showstoppers include the many-layered lasagna with plenty of fresh veggies, a bright tomato sauce, and a tangy “cheese” concocted from tofu and cashews. Arrive early, before the day’s supplies run out. 3301 E. 10th St., 463-221-1255 V $$

Don Juan Peruvian Sandwiches

PERUVIAN Crisp-crusted fresh bread made by a local baker and finished on site surrounds tempting meats at this darling sandwich shop tucked behind a secluded strip mall at Raymond Street and Sherman Drive. Favorites include the lomo saltado with tender strips of beef tenderloin, and the lechon, a South American take on a Hoosier tenderloin featuring breaded pork roast topped with an onion “salsa criolla.” A fried-fish sandwich and creamy chicken salad get a boost of flavor from the tasty mild green sauce served at the table. 3720 E. Raymond St., 317-377-4677 $

Landlocked Baking Company

CAFE What began life as a production bakery along Irvington’s tucked-away Audubon Road has expanded into a full-service daytime spot

serving sandwiches and plated entrees. The menu keeps things brief, with a special focus on the array of fresh-baked carbs. The LGBT is a BLT enhanced with guacamole and tangy fried green tomatoes, and the focaccia grilled cheese includes local ham and cheese, plus pickled peaches. Gorgonzola grits topped with poached egg and hot honey, crispy-skinned confit potatoes, signature lattes, and a brunchy cocktail list make this sunny dining room more than just a neighborhood favorite. 120 S. Audubon Rd., 317-207-2127 V $$

Mayfair Taproom

FAMILY PUB Housed in a 120-year-old structure with a colorful past, this eastside hang has the timeless feel of a well-loved neighborhood pub. Walk-ins can relax over pints of beer at the bar, right next to a family-friendly dining room with window-seat booths and local art on the walls. The menu is brief and sandwich-heavy, with equal love given to the thick and cheesy Mayfair burger and daily vegan breakouts like the spicy seitan sloppy Joe and the massive bean burger. 2032 E. 10th St., 317-419-239 V $$

Natural State Provisions

CASUAL Customers order at the counter and find a table inside this former microbrewery reinvented as an endearingly kitschy eatdrinkery. The food is rooted in homestyle Arkansas cooking from co-owner Adam Sweet’s native state, heavy on the deep frying and sweet-tea brining. Order a Sling Blade cocktail, get a side of collard greens with your fried bologna sandwich, and don’t miss the daily soft serve ice cream flavor. 414 Dorman St., 317-492-9887, naturalstate provisions.com $$

Steer-In

DINER Wear your stretchiest pants here. SteerIn’s classic Guy Fieri–approved short-order fare includes breaded tenderloins, beef and noodle dinners, and beer-battered fish sandwiches. The Twin Steer burger is a Big Mac knockoff that pairs deliciously with a side of battered and fried onion rings. Rib-sticking breakfast platters are served all day. Wash it down with a legit vanilla Coke and take home a towering slice of coconut cream pie for later. 5130 E. 10th St., 317-356-0996, steerin.net $

NORTH SUBURBAN

INCLUDES Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville

101 Beer Kitchen

CASUAL The energy is high and the flavors are forward at this Ohio import. In a dining room that combines the best parts of a craft brewery and an unfussy family haunt, crowd-pleasing dishes like loaded tater tots, Andouille sausage–spiked shrimp and grits, and brown-buttered pierogies have lots of moving parts, complex but more fun than fancy. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-537-2041, 101beerkitchen.com $$

9th Street Bistro

BISTRO In a snug cafe off Noblesville’s town square, owners Samir Mohammad and Rachel Firestone Mohammad create meals worth lin-

gering over, from a lamb shank slow-smoked to buttery tenderness and served on top of fresh pappardelle pasta to a housemade burrata that makes several appearances on the menu. Hyperlocal ingredients fill out thoughtful seasonal dishes, such as butternut squash bisque and duck confit toast. Chef Samir’s rotating Fried Thing of the Day (from tofu to artichoke hearts) should not be missed, and neither should the rustic desserts. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-774-5065, 9thstbistro .com $$$

1933 Lounge

STEAK AND COCKTAILS This clubby cocktail lounge offers a younger, sexier take on finedining institution St. Elmo Steak House. The twist here is that the black-vested servers deliver Oysters Rockefeller and 45-day dry-aged ribeyes to diners tucked into noir-lit corners where no one can see their faces melt into a brief ugly-cry at that first bite of incendiary shrimp cocktail. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-758-1933, 1933lounge.com/fishers $$$

Anthony’s Chophouse

STEAKHOUSE The interior of this swanky heavy hitter along Carmel’s Main Street has the polished gleam of a new Vegas hotel, with an upper-level lounge containing the salvaged mahogany bar from The Glass Chimney, a finedining legend. The food has equal flourish. Lobster bisque with a hunk of tempura-fried meat begins a meal that might include a cowgirl ribeye, a flight of filets, or a domestic Wagyu smashburger. Black-suited servers and well-composed cocktails keep the high-dollar meal running smoothly. 201 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-7400900, anthonyschophouse.com $$$$

Auberge

FRENCH Brick Street Inn’s classic French bistro installed talented chef Toby Moreno (The Loft at Traders Point Creamery, Plow & Anchor) in early 2022 and immediately sent him to Paris, where he trained in the kitchens of famed chef Alain Ducasse. Moreno has added that continental know-how to the vintage dishes he makes fresh with as much local produce, meats, and cheeses he can. That translates to an impressive plate of buttery escargot topped with croutons, seasonal salads, and a deeply flavorful French onion soup with a rich broth. Seafood stars among entrees, especially crispy-skinned roasted cod with browned-butter sauce, though diver scallops with asparagus puree, showered with herbs and toasted almonds, also impress. Quiche of the day is a solid choice, as is the house burger, made with Angus steak and slathered with a tarragon aioli that’s especially good on a side of pommes frites. Old-school cocktails are even better when enjoyed on the streetside patio. 175 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317-733-8755, auberge-restaurant.com

$$$

Ben’s BBQ Shack

BARBECUE Ben Hoffman gained a following for his old-school barbecue technique (smoked with hickory and cherry wood with no assist from electricity or gas) when he parked his trailermounted smoker outside Grand Junction Brewing Co. a few days a week. When a 300-squarefoot shack on Westfield’s main drag became available in 2020, he snatched it up and turned it into a prep kitchen and walk-up window. Standard sides like baked beans and cole slaw are available, but as you would expect, the meat’s the

star of the show. There is no way to go wrong, whether you order the juicy, flavorful brisket or shredded pork by the pound, or a smoked pork belly sandwich with jalapeños and onions. The only mistake you might make is waiting too long to place an order. Your best bet is to order on the website in advance. 124 E. Main St., Westfield, bensbbqshack.com $$

Bica Cafe

CAFE A huge chalkboard menu lays out the options at this counter-service cafe in downtown Noblesville. Dishes are infused with Portuguese and Italian flavors, including cacoila (slow-cooked pulled pork), a Portuguese steak sandwich, and a weekend brunch of batter-fried chicken and waffles drizzled with both maple syrup and peppery piri piri sauce. Pick up something sweet from the pastry case stocked with Portuguese desserts like fried-dough malasadas and tiny custard tarts. 933 Conner St., Noblesville, 317-764-2555 $$

The Cake Bake Shop

ELEGANT The fairy tale continues at Gwendolyn Rogers’s second tribute to layered cakes and buttercream icing, a pristine Carmel expansion dripping with chandeliers. There are hints of the twinkly, cottage-like Broad Ripple original in the white-on-white-on-white decor, but Cake Bake 2.0 is polished to a brilliant sheen, and the patisserie menu has expanded to include delicate fare like Chicken Velvet soup and frites. 800 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel, 317-257-2253, thecakebake shop.com $$

Chao Vietnamese Street Food

VIETNAMESE Sourcing the beef and pork for its noodle bowls, tacos, and pho from Fischer Farms, this strip-mall eatery delivers fresh, flavorful dishes. Shrimp spring rolls come with a rich and complex dipping sauce, and a bracing green papaya salad is refreshing. Pork-belly tacos are highlights among the lighter choices. A full list of coffees, bubble teas, and unusual bubble waffles make this a great place to bring the family for an intro to one of the world’s great cuisines. 7854 E. 96th St., Fishers, 317622-8820, chaovietstreetfood.com $$

Convivio

ITALIAN With a menu that traces the geographical regions in Italy, this is not your average Midwestern red-sauce joint. The pasta, including curled nests of black squid ink spaghetti and purple beet-infused fettuccine, are all made in house. The torchietti pasta, tossed with dried figs, black olives, basil, goat cheese, and Parmesan has been known to induce deep cravings in the weeks after eating, and the frutti di mare packs a generous serving of mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, and calamari among tonnarelli pasta in a spicy and bright tomato sauce. Beyond pasta, the menu offers Neapolitan-style pizzas served blistered and hot from the imported Italian pizza oven, rotating regional specials, and an easy-to-navigate, Italian-heavy wine list that makes picking a bottle for the table a pleasure. For dessert, order a towering slice of chocolate cake for all to share. 11529 Spring Mill Rd., Carmel, 317-564-4670; 40 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317733-3600; convivioindy.com $$

Divvy SMALL PLATES With its roster of 80-plus sharable dishes, this lively favorite is no place for

the indecisive (or kids—patrons must be at least 21). A good rule is to order two or three items per person over the course of a meal. The crock of rich, slightly spicy corn crème brûlée is now legendary. 71 City Center Dr., Carmel, 317-706-0000, divvycarmel.com V $$$$

Eggshell Bistro

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH This eccentric and lovable Carmel City Center brunch spot, as noted for its antiques-store decor and tableware as for its cuisine, has the feel and palate of globe-trotting owner and chef Larry Hanes. Coffee and tea arrive in conversation pieces while vintage French pop plays in the background, and many dishes are served in miniature cast-iron Staub skillets. Whatever it is, you can bet on an aromatic mélange of flavors from around the world, such as Moroccan shakshuka with baked eggs, goat cheese, and za’taar infused with rose petals. A hearty mushroom strata is enriched with rabbit sausage and smoked gouda, then finished with a bright and earthy hazelnut romesco. 51 City Center Dr., Carmel, 317-660-1616, eggshell bistro.com V $$

Farmhouse Brunchery

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH It’s hard to resist the extravagance of lemon-curd pancakes with fresh blueberries and cream cheese mousse or—on the savory end of the spectrum—cracker-crusted jumbo shrimp called Cowboy Chaps at this northside provider of daytime sustenance. Customers pay at the counter, as in an old-school diner, and can go retro with a serving of corned beef hash and a bottomless cup of coffee. Meanwhile, steak and eggs that come with the choice of sirloin, strip, or rib-eye, and the Seriously Adult Grilled Cheese stuffed with Swiss, brie, cheddar, Muenster, and raspberry-chipotle cream cheese are gateway options for brunchy indulgence. 8664 E. 96th St., Fishers, 317-288-0884, farm housebrunchery.com $$

Field Brewing

BREWPUB This Westfield addition to the local craft brewery scene would be dazzling enough for its mod fixtures and bocce ball court that spans the family-friendly outdoor space. But the menu is as daring as it is easy to pair with the house brews. Tender lamb ribs with chimichurri are a standout small plate, and deeply caramelized brussels sprouts with hunks of bacon are some of the best in town. 303 E. Main St., Westfield, 317-804-9780, fieldbrewing.com V $$

The HC Tavern + Kitchen

CONTEMPORARY The term “tavern” hardly captures this swank addition to the Huse Culinary Group/St. Elmo family. A hit among starters is the lobster “cargot” with lumps of lobster meat in garlic butter and melted Havarti. Chops include the supper-club darling steak Diane with mushroom cream sauce and horseradish mashed potatoes, though equally regal is the Wagyu meatloaf enriched with pork and veal, sauced with a truffle mushroom demi-glace. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-530-4242, atthehc .com $$$

Moontown Brewing Company

BREWPUB The craft beer and barbecue come with a side of Hoosier hoops nostalgia at this popular Boone County hangout. Its location, a former high school gymnasium, drips with

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vestiges of its hardwood past, but Moontown’s house-brewed beers are constantly evolving, from the Moon Lite Cream Ale to Moontown’s robust porter, Into the Void. The food is kissed with smoke, served on paper-lined trays, and not limited to conventional barbecue. Though the beef brisket and pulled pork have that thick Southern dialect, the adobo brisket nachos, smoked Portobello burger, and Nashville hot chicken sandwich prove that nothing should be sacred. 345 S. Bowers St., Whitestown, 317-7693880, moontownbeer.com $$

Noah Grant’s Grill House & Oyster Bar

CONTEMPORARY The sushi list is solid at this packed surf-and-turf spot, but even better bets are super-fresh oysters and savory short rib wontons to nibble on while you explore the voluminous menu. It’s hard to go wrong here. Entrees range from fish and chips to coconut-crusted mahi mahi to internationally inspired dishes like Korean bibimbap. 91 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317-732-2233, noahgrants.com $$$

Osteria by Fabio Viviani

ITALIAN You would never guess that the Top Chef alum’s modern Italian restaurant takes up residence in a dining room connected to Carmel’s mega Market District supermarket. Rustic fresh pastas, including pesto gnocchi with pistachio and a creamy pasta alla boscaiola with nubs of sausage and mushrooms, share the spotlight with oven-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas. 11505 N. Illinois St., Carmel, 317-689-6330, osteriacarmel.com $$

Sangiovese Ristorante

ITALIAN The ebony walls, gilded frames, and soft glow from pendant orb light fixtures set a dark and sexy scene at this longtime Indianapolis favorite. The food is luxuriously authentic—a tribute to Italian pastas, from the showstopping lasagna with both béchamel and marinara to the delicately sauced linguini frutti di mare, a light, luscious, garlicky tangle of shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams in white wine. 2727 E. 86th St., 317-757-5913; The Yard at Fishers District, 317-219-6413, sangiovese ristorante.com $$$

NORTHEAST

INCLUDES Broad Ripple, Castleton, Geist, Herron-Morton, Kennedy-King, Keystone at the Crossing, Meridian-Kessler, Nora, SoBro

Apocalypse Burger

BURGERS The Patachou crew repurposed its shuttered Crispy Bird location into this modernday diner. The focus is on a handful of burger variations and clever greasy-spoon sides like Old Major bacon–loaded fries and blocks of fried macaroni and cheese washed down with canned wine. For dessert, it’s a toss-up between Ding Dong cake or a root beer float. 115 E. 49th St., 317426-5001, apocalypseburger.com V $$

Aroma

INDIAN See Downtown listing for description. 4907 N. College Ave., 317-737-2290, aromaindy .com V $$

Baby’s

BURGERS This playful, family-friendly joint limits its menu to smashburgers, broasted chicken, milkshakes (spiked or not), and cocktails, which means it hits every pulse point for its faithful Herron-Morton clientele. Housed in a former drag-show bar, it also has fun with the building’s artsy legacy—the house burger is called a Strut Burger, and all of the cocktail names come straight from the RuPaul meme factory. Sip a Tongue Pop or a Sashay Away as you polish off the last of the Talbott Street Style fries dressed with bacon, cheese sauce, white barbecue sauce, and pickled jalapeño. 2147 N. Talbott St., 317-6003559, babysindy.com V $$

Big Lug Canteen

BREWPUB In this spacious hangout steps from the Monon Trail, seasonal beers and house standards include spins on wheats, ales, and IPAs. The menu is always filled with fun surprises (a Taco Bell–inspired pizza, for example, or a “horseshoe of the week” inspired by the gloppy sandwich of Springfield, Illinois) as well as excellent poutine, salads, and sandwiches, none more macho than the Nashville Hot Chicken. 1435 E. 86th St., 317-672-3503, biglug canteen.com $$

Bocca

ITALIAN A dark and sleek renovation of the former Shoefly Public House location, this modern-Italian eatery shares DNA with siblings Ambrosia, Maialina, and Blupoint Oyster House—all branches of Indy restaurateur Gino Pizzi’s pasta family. Seared scallops share the dish with little cheese-filled sacchetti dumplings, and the lasagna is a light, mushroomlayered variety sauced with bechamel. The hulking lamb shank served with polenta is a showstopper, though. After dinner, descend the stairs behind the host stand to the basement speakeasy, for some sofa lounging and mixology magic. 122 E. 22nd St., 317-426-2045, boccaindy.com $$$

Delicia

NEW LATIN Since it opened in 2013, this sexy SoBro spot has served up classic sips and easyon-the-eyes Caribbean dishes to a chic and boisterous crowd. The Fire ’n’ Ice is still the go-to cocktail for its chile-dusted rim and mix of tequila, hibiscus, and basil. Standards include tender, smoky octopus tostones; bright guacamole dusted with pistachios; and rich, aromatic enchiladas de pato filled with tender shredded duck and topped with habanero sauce, lime crema, and plenty of bubbling Chihuahua cheese. Churros with chocolate sauce make for the perfect finale. 5215 N. College Ave., 317-925-0677, deliciaindy .com $$

Diavola

PIZZA Pies emerge expertly bubbly and charred from a centerpiece brick oven. Ingredients are simple but top-shelf, including homemade meatballs, which join the likes of spicy sopressata, smooth clumps of fior di latte, torn basil, and EVOO. Deep booths are perfect for leaning in over a luscious mound of burrata. 1134 E. 54th St., 317-820-5100, diavola.net V $$

Fat Dan’s Deli

MEAT AND POTATOES See Downtown listing for description. 5410 N. College Ave., 317-600-3333, fatdansdeli.com $

Big Bear Biscuits

BRUNCH The focus is on brunch at this colorful 96th Street spot where the classic Southern biscuit serves as a canvas for culinary improvisation. Sandwich-style stuffed versions have some of the more ambitious fillings, whether a pork chop with fig jam and brie for breakfast or fried bologna, jalapeño jelly, and mornay sauce for lunch. And open-faced platters such as a spin on the Kentucky Hot Brown with turkey and bacon or the playful Petting Zoo with roasted tomatoes, avocado, and goat cheese will satisfy your midday cravings. But perhaps the best way to appreciate the buttery, fluffy biscuits big enough for a bear is simply straight up with homemade strawberry jam or apple butter, local honey, fruit, and candied pecans. 3905 E. 96th St., 317343-2103, bigbearbiscuits.com $$

Festiva

MEXICAN This lively Latin spot puts a gourmet flourish on south-of-the-border fare. The menu includes tacos, plus an old favorite: poblanos stuffed with housemade chorizo and queso. 1217 E. 16th St., 317-635-4444, festivaindy.com $$

Grump’s Slice Stop

PIZZA Futuro’s emo brother pays tribute to the extra-wide New York slice in a fun, colorblocked industrial space connected to Black Circle Brewing. The menu is posted over the cash register and mentions just a handful of judiciously adorned options. But every one of them is a hit, from Grump’s balsamic-drizzled take on a margherita pizza to the bold, banana pepper–dotted TurboKid. Nurse a basket of stretchy mozzarella sticks while you wait for your slice to cool off, and order a pizza puff to go. 2201 E. 46th St. V $

Half Liter

BARBECUE In the airy back half of the complex that houses its sister event center, Liter House, owner Eddie Sahm’s Bavarian-themed barbecueand-beer hall has all the rollicking energy of Oktoberfest with the laidback charm of a Texas brisket pit. 5301 Winthrop Ave., 463-221-2800, half literbbq.com $$

Late Harvest Kitchen

CONTEMPORARY A luscious comfort-food menu delivers top-shelf versions of family-table dishes, such as chunked kielbasa (on a base of mustard spaetzle browned in dill butter) and braised short ribs. Dessert is all about the sticky toffee pudding. 8605 River Crossing Blvd., 317-663-8063, lateharvestkitchen.com

$$$

Petite Chou

FRENCH-INSPIRED The sweet-or-savory crepe dilemma is no contest: dessert. The brown-sugar version delivers gooey caramelized filling, velvety bananas, and sugar that crystallizes as you eat. 823 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-259-0765, petitechou bistro.com V $$

The Roost Nora

BRUNCH Locally inspired bennies, dolled-up pancakes, and a variety of cheesy midday melts top the menu at the converted Sahm’s Alehouse along the Monon Trail in Nora. The second location of The Roost in Fishers, opened in 1996, the new spot next to the popular beer draw Big Lug has its own unique menu and feel, as well as plenty of options for the brunch set. Big Lug’s beers are still on tap, but don’t resist the bottom-

less mimosas or your choice of four brands of bubbly. For gut-busting day-after nourishment, try the two-egg Hoosier Benedict with a pork tenderloin and loads of sausage gravy on a buttery biscuit. Be sure to add some fluffy flapjacks, whether or not you dress them up with cinnamon apples or pecan granola. A la carte eggs, sausage, and toast are available for the purists. 1435 E. 86th St., 317-735-1293, theroostindiana .com/nora V $$

NORTHWEST

INCLUDES College Park, Lafayette Square, Traders Point

Byrne’s Grilled Pizza

PIZZA What began as a food truck became one of Butler-Tarkington’s most popular brick-andmortar eateries in 2015. The simple menu here focuses on a tasty gimmick: Pizzas are grilled over an open flame, which chars the thin crust in a manner familiar to Neapolitan lovers. The Hey Zeus (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onion, banana peppers) is a favorite. 5615 N. Illinois St., 317-737-2056, byrnespizza.com V $

Chapati

MIDDLE EASTERN It’s not enough that the butter chicken melts in your mouth or the lamb kebab bursts with flavor—or that those family recipes, passed from generation to generation, barely scratch the surface of a menu that goes deep into Pakistani, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. This chill westside counter-service spot has a fried-chicken side hustle called Shani’s Secret Chicken focused on humanely prepared Halal fried chicken cooked three ways: tandoorimarinated and buttermilk-battered; fried and dipped in spicy-sweet sauce; and the batterless, dry-rubbed Faridi style that’s extra spicy. 4930 Lafayette Rd., 317-405-9874, eatchapati.com V $$

Oakleys Bistro

CONTEMPORARY The meticulously plated fare at Steven Oakley’s eatery hails from a culinary era when sprigs of herbs and puddles of purées provided the flavor, and every single element on the plate served a purpose. The presentations are wild, with menu descriptions giving little more than clues as to what might arrive at the table. Heads-up on anything that appears in quotes, such as a creative “Coq au Vin.” 1464 W. 86th St., 317-824-1231, oakleysbistro.com V $$$

Rusted Silo

BARBECUE Nestled between I-74 and the railroad tracks in Lizton (pop. 511), you’ll find this barbecue joint with only six indoor tables and usually a line out the door. Pitmaster Robert Ecker smokes, cooks, and even bakes some of the best Southern-style pit barbecue, sides, and desserts in Indiana. Grab a beer from one of the floor-to-ceiling coolers just inside the door and get ready to make your way down the menu. If you can’t decide between the perfectly seasoned, pink-tinged shredded pork butt or a slice of the fork-tender brisket, go ahead and get both and try them with one (or all) of the four housemade sauces on deck. On the side? The ranch beans are creamy and well-seasoned. During peak sweet corn season, you’ll find cotija-dust-

ed elotes on the menu. Where other barbecue joints might phone in their desserts with frozen pies and canned fruit, Rusted Silo dishes up homemade bourbon pecan pie and peach cobbler. 411 N. State St., Lizton, 317-994-6145, rusted silobrewhouse.com $$

SOUTH SUBURBAN

INCLUDES Bargersville, Greenwood

Field to Fork

SANDWICHES This gourmet market and local meat counter that set up shop along Franklin’s small-town main drag puts its inventory center stage in a bantam menu of sandwiches, including the Well-Dressed Italian that is built around thin-sliced salami, provolone, and banana peppers and the fig-forward Franklin Jam that puts thick-sliced Fischer Farms ham and Gruyere to delicious use. 90 W. Jefferson St., Franklin, 463710-6170, fieldtofork.shop $$

Pizza & Libations

to the table. 8810 S. Emerson Ave., 317-586-8212, yummybowl.business.site $$

WEST

INCLUDES Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Speedway

Big Woods Speedway

BREWPUB Pulled-pork nachos reign among starters at this Main Street Speedway reboot of the Brown County fave. While pizzas and street tacos get the most attention on the menu, ribs and chicken may be the best bets for dinner. Of course, you will want to finish the meal with a Nashville fried biscuit tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with apple butter and toasted coconut rum sauce. 1002 W. Main St., Speedway, 317-7573250, bigwoodsrestaurants.com $$

Brew Link

BREWERY See Downtown listing for description. 4710 E. U.S. Hwy. 40, Plainfield, 317-838-9694, brewlinkbrewing.com $$

NEW

PIZZA The personal-sized pies are presented on thin, fermented crusts at this Bargersville establishment run by the folks who own the neighboring Taxman Brewing Company. But the menu has surprising range. Shared plates include a jumbo ball of fresh burrata oozing over caramelized onions and blistered tomatoes, delicate beef carpaccio, and a version of octopus in squid-ink sauce that is not for the faint of heart. Chase your bites with sips of the When in Rome bourbon cocktail that has hints of lemon and basil, or pick anything off of the extensive spirits menu that includes a section dedicated to prosecco spritzes and trending aperitifs and digestifs. For dessert, do not pass up the baseballsized scoops of buttery-sweet housemade gelato in creamy, complex flavors such as raspberry, chunky pistachio, and a lovely Italian stracciatella rippled with slivers of shaved chocolate. 75 N. Baldwin St., Bargersville, 317-771-3165, pizza andlibations.com V $$$

SmockTown Brewery

BREWERY Brother-in-law duo Mark Sublette and Ken Johnson’s Old Town Greenwood brewery and Attic Hardware walk-up speakeasy do double duty for day drinking ambers and porters or sipping Old Fashioneds in the evening on the second-story veranda. Hot Pink Pepper Catering adds some beer-worthy eats, including snackable fried pickle spears with a kicky dipping sauce, Everything pretzel bites with Scottish-ale beer cheese, and a meaty flatbread. But don’t pass up the rich and well-dressed short rib nachos, with all of the garnishes and a bright cilantro-lime crema. Slider combos and tacos are also great for staving off the munchies, but save room for some cinnamon-dusted fried biscuits. 223 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-215-4836 $$

Yummy Bowl

SUSHI/MONGOLIAN STIR-FRY This fresh take on Mongolian barbecue adds solid sushi offerings to mix-and-match stir-fry bowls in a well-appointed storefront setting. First-time customers should opt for building their own bowls from a buffet of ingredients, with suggested sauces and seasonings that are then stir-fried and brought

Che Chori

ARGENTINEAN Marcos Perera-Blasco’s colorful westside drive-thru restaurant offers a delectable introduction to full-flavored Argentinean street food. A selection of traditional butterfliedsausage sandwiches and warm empanadas filled with seasoned meats are the focus of the menu. But do not overlook the seasoned burgers and cook-at-home sausages, from Spanish-style chorizo with smoked paprika to rich Argentinean black sausage. 3124 W. 16th St., 317-737-2012, chechori.com $$

The Iron Skillet

FAMILY DINING Heaping platters of skillet-fried chicken and bowls of buttered corn and mashed potatoes rule here, where everything from the flowered wallpaper to the antique furnishings suggest days gone by. 2489 W. 30th St., 317-9236353, ironskillet.net $$$

Rick’s Cafe Boatyard

SEAFOOD You don’t have to be a Parrothead (though it helps) to appreciate the pontoon-life allure of Eagle Creek’s waterside restaurant, with its breezy dining room on stilts over the Dandy Trail boat slips. The menu gets creative with all of the casual-dining tropes, mixing smokedsalmon nachos and chicken cordon bleu fingers in with the jumbo shrimp martinis and oyster shooters. It serves all of the pastas, burgers, steaks, and entree salads you’d expect from a place that draws big crowds. 4050 Dandy Trail, 317-290-9300, ricksboatyard.com $$$

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I’m Rich! I’m Rich!

AND ONCE I ACTUALLY LOCATE THAT $100 MILLION, YOU’LL SEE IMPRESSIVE CHANGES AROUND THE GULLEY HOUSEHOLD. TUNA HELPER WILL BE THE FIRST THING TO GO. BY

PHILIP GULLEY

BEING VAIN AND INSECURE, I recently Googled my name to see whether people were talking about me, and if so, what they were saying. Most of the Google entries were book reviews, the weekly blogs I post on my website (philipgulley.com), and letters to the editor from cranks who disagree with something I’ve written or said. One Google entry caught my eye: It was my name, followed by my estimated net worth, which, according to that website, is $105,200,000— roughly four times the amount Jed Clampett had in Milburn Drysdale’s bank on The Beverly Hillbillies.

I was delighted to learn this, since I was under the impression I was running out of money.

I told my wife our financial problems were over, then went in search of our money. I checked my savings and checking accounts, but it wasn’t there. I phoned Evan Moore, our financial adviser at Edward

Jones, and he didn’t have it. My wife manages our finances, so I asked her if she knew where our money was, and she had no idea. I have a sneaky neighbor, Brian Ritchie, and I’m thinking maybe he took our money, but he swears he didn’t. Yet he’s been making a lot of improvements to his house, now that I think about it, and his wife, Jennifer, is driving a new Mercedes. I was able to account for $20,000 by tallying the value of my five motorcycles. My three cars are worth around $40,000, and on a good day my pocketknife collection might be worth $500, which leaves $105,139,500 unaccounted for. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t worry about it, but with inflation pegging 8 percent and my wife’s birthday coming up, I’m stretched thin, moneywise. Perhaps you think the website was mistaken, so I don’t have more than $100 million, which makes me wonder why you take such a dim view of my earning power. After all, Mike Lindell, the owner of My Pillow, was worth $50,000,000 before spending half his money trying to get Donald Trump back in the White House, which doesn’t strike me as all that bright. I’ll tell you one thing, when I find my $105,139,500, no politician is getting a dime of it. When Bitcoin first launched, my son, Spencer, then in high school, suggested I invest $10,000 in it, but I laughed and said Bitcoin was for suckers. If I had taken his advice, I’d have north of $150,000,000 today, plus five motorcycles, three cars, and a pocketknife collection. And I would know right where my money was. Actually, I wouldn’t, since I don’t understand crypto, so I would be only vaguely aware

that it was in a digital wallet stored on the cloud, wherever the heck that is. Life was simpler when wallets were made of leather and molded to your butt.

When I find my missing money, things are going to change around the Gulley household. No more putting gas in my car 20 bucks at a time. I’ll be topping it off, thank you very much. No more Tuna Helper the last three days before I get paid, either. We’ll be eating at MCL every evening, and not the Blue Plate Special, either. Roast beef, green beans, and mashed potatoes, plus dessert. And iced tea, not water. There’ll be no more using my old underwear as dust rags. If it’s not a microfiber polishing cloth, it’s not touching our furniture. No more putting metal slugs in the collection plate at church, either. I’ll be dropping in real quarters, so help me God.

I’m the first person I know worth $100 million, and I hope I don’t squander it. I’m planning to spread it out among as many banks as I can and get a bunch of free stuff—toasters, calendars, pens, and cardboard fans with Jesus on them. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock …” I’ll be right there with Jesus, knocking on a few doors, starting with Brian Ritchie’s, who just got back from Disney World. At the rate he’s spending my money, I’ll be lucky if there’s $100 left when I get my hands on it.

To be honest, I wish I had never found out I had so much money. Now it’s all I think about. Money, money, money. Before I was rich, I relaxed by watching Colts games at Brian Ritchie’s house. I think I’ll wander over this Sunday and watch the Colts on his big, new TV.

Illustration by RYAN SNOOK

Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor, author, and humorist. Back Home Again chronicles his views on life in Indiana.

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