August 8, 2023 – Fishers

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HEPL board removes audience member

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

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sations with “readers.” The goal is to promote understanding and reduce negative stereotypes.

LIBRARY

During the July 27 Hamilton East Public Library board meeting, board members questioned whether the recent Human Library event at the Fishers Library promoted prostitution, asked whether library staff could be paid $5 a book to review books in their down time to hasten the collections policy review process and had police forcibly remove an audience member after he had spoken during public comment.

Board president Laura Alerding also cut off public comment after four of the 16 people who signed up spoke, citing disruptions. The meeting, held at the Fishers Library, had been rescheduled by Alerding from its regular 6:15 p.m. time to 3 p.m. When asked for a reason by board member Michelle Payne, Alerding said she had two reasons: Another board member had a conflict at the usual meeting time, and Alerding hoped that an afternoon meeting would have fewer disruptions.

During the time for Library Director Edra Waterman’s report to the board, board member Ray Maddalone questioned Waterman about how quickly library staff is reviewing books for compliance with the board’s collections policy, adopted late last year.

The review considers content such as nudity, substance use, repeated use of profanity, depictions or incitement to violence and sexual activity. Books containing any of those themes are moved to the adult section of the library. Implementing the policy was estimated in May to take about 8,000 hours of staff time and was expected to cost more than $300,000. That’s all staffing costs, because all the books need to be read carefully to see if their content requires them to be moved to the adult section.

Waterman told the board that staff has been able to review about 3 percent of the collection every two weeks, which Maddalone said is not acceptable. He suggested ways to hasten the review process,

The July 15 Human Library event at the Fishers Library was one of the topics discussed during the July 27 Hamilton East Public Library board meeting. The book titles available during the event are listed on the board. (Photo by Adam Seif)

including offering staff $5 per book that they could read in their down time, such as when they’re at the circulation desk waiting for patrons needing assistance.

Waterman responded that library staff members have tasks to perform in between helping patrons.

“We estimated this would take about a year and think we can get it done in that time frame,” she said. “We all want to get this done, I get it, but I ask that consideration be made to the staff that are doing (their) jobs.”

Waterman noted that her team is always looking at ways to make the review more efficient. However, they have to read every page of every book to find out whether the book has any of the content listed in the policy, and that takes time.

In her report to the board, Waterman talked about the Human Library event, which took place July 15 at the Fishers branch. In her report, she stated that the Facebook post announcing it would be taking place had a reach of about 44,000, the largest reach of any library post so far.

The Human Library is an international nonprofit that organizes events where volunteers — called “books” — with interesting stories and backgrounds have 1-on-1 conver-

Some board members questioned the topics offered during the Human Library event. Micah Beckwith said he saw that one topic offered by the organization focuses on sex workers.

“Does the organization as a whole promote prostitution as something to celebrate?” he asked. “My concern is, if we’re partnering with an organization that’s glorifying something that’s illegal (in Indiana).”

Waterman said the organization doesn’t promote anything except understanding and empathy. The events are meant to give others an opportunity to learn about someone else’s experience.

“Sex Worker” was not one of the topics available during the Fishers Library event.

During public comment at the end of the meeting, Adam Crouch, the first person who spoke, focused on the board’s collection review policy. He said there were numerous references in the Bible that make it eligible to be moved out of the children and teen sections. He held up various copies of the Bible as examples, and when he sat back down, he dropped the books on the floor next to him.

Alerding told Crouch he shouldn’t treat library property that way, and asked him to leave after he spoke back from his seat. When he refused, she asked police officers to escort him out. Crouch continued to refuse to leave, and eventually was taken out in handcuffs by five officers while other audience members repeatedly yelled “Shame!”

Three other people spoke during public comment. Two supported the Human Library event, and one of them suggested that library board members should have attended.

The last person to speak thanked the board for its collections review policy, and compared some books in the library to pornography. As he sat down, there were some comments from the audience. Alerding then adjourned the meeting early, citing “constant disruptions.”

The next HEPL board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 24 at the Noblesville branch.

Robots enhance assisted living services

By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.com

The future is now. The proof is in Hamilton County, where automated machines are providing food service in senior living facilities. Since May, robots have helped staff at Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living at 10312 Allisonville Rd., in Fishers. However, they aren’t replacing employees; they are meant to help improve service.

TECHNOLOGY

Bear Robotics is a food service robotics company, creating automated machines that operate across the United States. Doug Lane is part of its sales team.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of service in dining by automating repetitive tasks that occupy a lot of staff time,” Lane said.

Those tasks include running out to the floor from the kitchen, busing tables or even taking orders.

“This isn’t a replacement for people onsite,” Lane said. “We want them to get to stay up (in) front of the house, actually providing service. It’s more about being present.”

When an order is ready, it is placed on a cylinder-shaped robot called Servi. The robot can be programmed to deliver food anywhere within a facility while avoiding objects in its path. Customers can also make orders through the robot, which Lane said lightens the workload for employees.

Bear Robotics servers are also used at The Barrington of Carmel and Rose Senior Living in Carmel.

Bear Robotics’ robot waiter “Servi” helps with food service at American Senior Communities assisted living homes, including Allisonville Meadows in Fishers.

(Photo courtesy of American Senior Communities)

Back from left are HSE school board members Suzanne Thomas, Ben Orr, Juanita Albright and Sarah Dansbach. Front from left are Dawn Long, Tiffany Pascoe and Sarah Parks-Reese. (Photo courtesy of HSE School District)

HSE school board OKs handbook changes for 2023-24

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern Schools student handbooks for the 2023-24 school year were amended July 26 in a split vote of the HSE Board of Trustees.

were no disruptions resulting from students wearing them. In fact, she said, allowing hats and hoodies eliminated a negative interaction with students.

EDUCATION

The board voted 5-2 in favor of changes to the handbooks, which were discussed during a work session in mid-July. Those changes include a dress code change for grades 5-12 that prohibits hats or hoods worn on the head unless a teacher gives permission for them to be worn in class.

Another change adds clarifying language to the section regarding what is considered inappropriate attire. It states: “Clothing that is designed to reveal buttocks, torso (the body apart from the head, neck, arms, and legs), midsection of the body, undergarments, or the lack of undergarments” is not appropriate. The portion in parentheses was added through the July 26 vote.

Three people spoke during public comment before the vote. Two opposed the motion because the handbook changes had not gone through the traditional review process that allows teachers, administrators, students and parents to provide feedback. One speaker supported making immediate changes, stating that provocative clothing is distracting in a learning environment.

Members of the handbook committee were present, including HSE Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Nataki Pettigrew. She said she talked with administrators who would be responsible for enforcing the rule, and they told her that for the past year — when hats and hoodies were allowed — there

Pettigrew said teachers always had the option of asking students to remove hats or take down a hood if they seemed disruptive. She said it was important for the board to have that feedback before their vote.

“I thought it was fair if we’re not going to honor the process that I at least honor the words of our staff and administrators,” she said.

There was little board discussion prior to the vote. Board members Sarah Parks-Reese and Sarah Donsbach cast the two dissenting votes. Parks-Reese said she opposed the motion because the changes had not gone through the proper review process. Donsbach said she decided to vote no following conversations with HSE administrators.

Among those who voted in favor of making immediate handbook changes was Tiffany Pascoe, who said she wanted the board to look into creating a student uniform policy after the Nov. 7 school funding referendum vote.

Others who voted in favor of making immediate student handbook changes were board members Dawn Lang, Juanita Albright, Suzanne Thomas and Ben Orr.

Besides changes to the dress code, the handbook revisions will add back the option for parents to come to the schools to have lunch with their children and add clarifying language about inappropriate conduct and discipline.

The next HSE Board of Trustees meeting is Aug. 9.

Is joint pain keeping you from activities you enjoy?

Community Health Network's Center for Joint Health invites you to a FREE dinner seminar to hear from Community orthopedic surgeons, Zach Ongwijitwat, MD, and David Foulk, MD, on the latest treatment options for hip, knee and shoulder pain. Joint Pain Dinner Seminar Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Updated Office Locations

West District Office

West District Office

5540 Pebble

5540 Pebble Village Ln. Suite 400

Noblesville, IN 46062

Phone: (317) 848-0201

East District Office 420 S. High St. Mailbox 14 Suite 207

Muncie, IN 47305

Phone: (765) 639-0671

Services Provided:

Services Provided:

• Help with a Federal Agency

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• Help with a Federal Agency

• Social Security issues

• Social Security issues

• Medicare claims

• Medicare claims

• Veterans issues

• Veterans issues

• Passport assistance

Fishers Rotary grows vegetables for local food pantries

• IRS questions

• Passport assistance

news@currentinfishers.com

• IRS questions

• Tours and Tickets

• Assistance with Federal Grants

• Tours and Tickets

• Assistance with Federal Grants

www.spartz.house.gov

www.spartz.house.gov

GIVING

Each summer for the past nine years, Rotary Club of Fishers members have planted, tended and harvested a garden, providing fresh produce to local food pantries.

According to an announcement from the club, the garden is in full harvest mode now at its large plot at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church.

“There is an ever-growing need for fresh veggies at local food pantries,” the announcement states. “When it costs as much as $5 a pound for fresh tomatoes, we try to grow as much food as we can maintain and deliver to three pantries: Come to Me, Delaware Township, and St. Vincent de Paul.”

Some of the regular volunteer gardeners are getting older, the announcement states, and they had to reduce how much they planted this year.

“But we still have three kinds of tomatoes, three kinds of peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, potatoes and a few watermelons,” the announcement stated. The club also had help from Hamilton County Master Gardeners.

“This is the ninth season for the garden that has produced a total of 27,508 pounds of produce for our community,” the announcement states. “Last year’s harvest yielded over 6,000 pounds of fresh vegetables. While the total pounds will be less this year, we know that the recipients are grateful for whatever fresh vegetables we can provide.”

Whether there will be a 10th season hasn’t been determined, the announcement states. The club is looking for summertime volunteers to help with anything from weeding to picking vegetables. Those who are interested are asked to contact Fishers Rotary at Fishersinrotaryclub@gmail.com.

Ron Crawford finds a tomato ready for picking at the Fishers Rotary Garden. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Rotary)

FHS graduate takes Sogility position

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Sean VandeWiele is ready to put his soccer experience and education to use for a fresh challenge.

SOCCER

The Fishers resident started July 24 as the director of athlete development at Sogility, a technology-driven soccer training facility in Westfield.

“I think the challenging part of this role is making sure athletes are being pushed to their full potential while still taking physical limitations into account,” VandeWiele said. “But I’m always up for a challenge.”

VandeWiele, who played soccer at Fishers High School and Defiance College in Ohio, is replaces Samantha Dewey, who will remain as part of the athlete development team but needed more time to focus on a new coaching position.

“Big shoes were left to be filled,” Sogility CEO Jimmy Carson stated. “But we think we found the person that can step into those shoes and move things forward. By having a soccer person at the heart of the athlete development program, we can ensure we continue to provide soccer-specific training.”

VandeWiele, a 2015 FHS graduate, was the boys freshman team coach at Warren Central High School in 2019. He then spent three years coaching at FHS: two seasons as the boys junior varsity coach from the summer of 2020 through the fall of 2021, and the summer and fall of 2022 as the boys varsity assistant coach.

VandeWiele said he will step away from coaching to concentrate on his development role this season.

“The knowledge gained from receiving my degree in exercise science gives me insight into how the human body functions on a muscular and skeletal level which allows me to use science-based knowledge to help players develop,” he said. “It also allows me to continue to educate myself further on the human body and different movements I can implement in soccer-specific training.” For more, visit sogility.net.

VandeWiele

Presented by

JOIN US FOR THE SECOND SATURDAY GALLERY WALK

EXPERIENCE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Live music throughout the district

PLAY BINGO for a chance to win $250 gift basket!

COMMUNITY ART ACTIVITY

Nancy Keating of Mosaic Gardens and Carmel Art on Main Gallery and Gifts will host a chip in Community Mosaic at Anthony’s Plaza (201 W. Main St.). You can start “chipping in” at 4 p.m.

NEW EXHIBITS AND FEATURES IN DISTRICT GALLERIES

The Children’s Art Gallery

40 W. Main St.

Art on Main Gallery and Gifts

111 W. Main St., Suite 140

CCA Gallery

111 W. Main St., Suite 135

Circle Contemporary Art Gallery

30 W. Main St.

Indiana Artisan Gifts & Gallery

22 N Range Line Rd.

Kuaba Gallery

404 W. Main St.

Soori Gallery

33 E. Main St.

The Art Studio of Carmel 30 N. Range Line Rd.

FISHERS

Project: Florida Road

Location:

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

Florida Road is closed to realign the S-curve. Local traffic only will be allowed between 113th Street and Southeastern Parkway.

Expected completion: Aug. 21

Project: 146th and Allisonville

Interchange

Location: Phase 2A traffic restrictions are in place, which eliminate left turn movements from 146th Street onto Allisonville Road and reopen to two through lanes on eastbound and westbound 146th Street. Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 146th Street between Herriman Boulevard and Allisonville Road within the existing construction limits will be under a lane restriction for the installation of a barrier wall and centerline delineator repairs.

Expected completion: The entire project is set for completion in summer 2025

Project: 106th Street and Allisonville Road

Location: A sanitary sewer project is taking place at Metro Airport at 106th Street and Allisonville Road. There are times where lane restrictions may be in place on Allisonville Road.

Expected completion: TBD

Project: 2023 resurfacing

Location: ADA ramp and curb reconstruction are taking place in the Bristols as part of the 2023 Resurfacing Project. After ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed, those areas will be restored with topsoil and seed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the seed for the seed to germinate. Prior to road resurfacing, residents will be notified via street signage for street parking restrictions.

Expected completion: The entire project should be done by the end of summer

Project: Fall Creek Road

Rain on Main, a popular painted rain barrel contest and auction, kicks off this weekend with a display of 20 decorated barrels along Main Street. Vote on your favorite in the People’s Choice contest on the Rain on Main Facebook Page.

To learn more go to RainOnMain.com

Location: Citizens Energy Group is mobilizing the lift station on Fall Creek Road near Geist Woods Way. Fall Creek Trail has reopened and should remain open through the end of the project. The lift station site will have a temporary fence and other safety measures in place during non-construction hours.

Expected completion: Early September

Project: Roundabout at 106th and Hoosier Road

Location: Prep work prior to the roundabout construction has started. Work will include tree clearing, utility relocation and storm sewer installation.

Expected completion: To be determined.

CARMEL ARTS & DESIGN DISTRICT

Hey there, folks! Take a good look at this zoomed-in image we’ve snagged from a spot in Fishers. We want you to channel your inner Sherlock and head over to youarecurrent.com/mysterysnapshot to submit your best guess about where this photo was taken. Ready for the challenge? Check back next week for the answer.

A replica of an old wooden water tower is in the children’s section of the Fishers Library. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

PROMISED LAND

New Conner Prairie exhibit focuses on Black Hoosier history

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Conner Prairie has been planning and developing its newest exhibit, Promised Land as a Proving Ground, for about three years. Following a series of delays, the outdoor museum is finishing up work on the last of three buildings integrated into the main outdoor Prairietown exhibit.

The new additions focus on Black Hoosiers, how they got here, what they endured and how they built lives for themselves.

On a very hot day in late July, Curatorial Director Charlene Fletcher and research associate Easton Phillips walked through Prairietown to show what’s been completed so far in the PLPG exhibit, and to talk about its evolution.

Fletcher, who has a doctorate in history, said she was hired about 2 1/2 years ago to curate PLPG. She said the original plan focused on Black history through the lens of the AME — the African Methodist Episcopal Church — and Black interactions with the Quaker community.

“And I said, ‘OK, no, we’re not doing that.’” Fletcher said, noting that Black people are not monolithic; they’re not all Christian; they don’t all attend church; and those that do attend many different churches.

The exhibit still has a faith focus, but different faiths are now represented. Fletcher said she also wanted to make sure the story started in pre-colonial Africa.

“This country tends to want to start the conversation about Black history around enslavement,” she said. “Enslavement was an experience that you find in Black history, but it’s not who Black people are.”

Another change she initiated was to integrate the new exhibit into Prairietown — where characters dress and act as though it’s 1836 — rather than offering it as a separate experience.

“I made it clear this cannot be a segregated experience,” she said. “Conner Prairie already has enough problems with the African American community. Follow the North Star damaged the relationship with the African American community — (there are) Black people who don’t want to come up here, quite frankly.”

The former North Star program was a reenactment of the Underground Railroad, where guests played the part of slaves. Fletcher said the program ended in 2019.

The new exhibit’s first cabin is complete and open to visitors. The Origins Cabin includes a garden in front and pens with spotted pigs in a tree-shaded area in the back.

Fletcher said the exhibit showcases how faith permeates many aspects of the African American experience through history, including food. The garden and livestock represent that and offer a way for Conner Prairie to build a relationship with Black residents.

“One-third of the City of Indianapolis is a food desert,” she said. “Since Conner Prairie is a working farm, and obviously we have the capacity to grow things and keep piggies

The Origins Cabin is the first of three cabins in the Promised Land as a Proving Ground exhibit at Conner Prairie and is the only one open to the public now. (Photo by Adam Seif)

and other animals because there’s a ton of animals up here, I feel like one of the first ways to develop that reciprocal relationship is to give food back to communities that are in need in Marion County.”

Inside the Origins Cabin, a video plays on a loop, telling the story of pre-colonial Africa, trade routes and eventually the slave trade, including how enslaved Africans brought seeds with them so they could grow their traditional foods. Graphics by Indianapolis-based artists Braintwins accompany the audio recording.

As visitors walk through Prairietown to the second cabin, Fletcher said they’ll have the opportunity for an “augmented reality” experience through an app. The app allows visitors to virtually meet real people from Indiana’s Black history, such as a schoolteacher, a blacksmith and a Civil War nurse.

The second cabin, the Resistance Cabin, is not yet open to the public but is complete. It focuses on Black Hoosier history. Fletcher noted that although Indiana was not a slave state, it wasn’t welcoming to Black people.

“In 1831, the state passed a law that required African Americans to register with their local clerk’s office, and they had to pay a $500 bond. That’s a lot of money in 2023, so just imagine in 1831,” she said. “And you had to prove financial stability, moral fitness. This is something that was not required of their white neighbors.”

Phillips looked it up, and $500 in 1831 is the equivalent of about $17,500 today.

Indiana also passed a law in 1837 that declared Black children were not allowed to attend public schools, and in 1851 rewrote the state Constitution to prohibit African Americans or biracial people from settling in Indiana.

“So, if you had not already been here and had registered, you couldn’t come here,” Fletcher said.

The third building, still under construction, focuses on the 20th and 21st centuries. That includes the civil rights movement, Black Hoosiers who served during the two world wars and interviews with current community faith leaders.

Fletcher is leaving for another job and said she’s disappointed that construction delays mean she won’t be at Conner Prairie when PLPG is completely open. She said the best part of the experience has been mentoring her team of research assistants — young historians who have been an important part of the overall project.

Phillips, one of those young historians, described his job as a “historical detective.”

“Because it’s more like piecing things together, like, ‘OK, what here would make sense, what here would not make sense.’ And just figuring all that out, that has basically been my role,” he said. “Sometimes you can do that from the comfort of a chair and look things up online. And other times, you have to physically get up and go to the (Indiana) Historical Society or the (Indiana) State Library to make sure you’re getting the best information, if it’s available.”

Phillips said not everyone will be open to the Promised Land as a Proving Ground exhibit, but he’s optimistic.

“We just want to make sure we have the best thing built to last so that we can reach as many people as possible, because if 100 people go into PLPG today and the Origins Cabin, and one person walks out a little bit more curious than they were and 99 people don’t, I think that’s a victory,” he said.

Fletcher said what’s needed now is outreach, especially to the area’s African American community. She has done some of that on her own but said a “build it and they will come” attitude is not going to work. She hopes Conner Prairie leadership will take a more active outreach role after she leaves.

According to the Conner Prairie officials, construction delays make it unclear when Promised Land as a Proving Ground will fully open.

For more, visit connerprairie.org.

ON THE COVER: Conner Prairie Research associate Easton Phillips, left, and Curatorial Director Charlene Fletcher lead the way through the outdoor museum’s Promised Land as a Proving Ground exhibit, still under development. (Photo by Adam Seif)

NEW EXHIBIT LEADS TO HISTORY PODCAST

Two research assistants at Conner Prairie who have been working with Curatorial Director Charlene Fletcher launched a podcast about a year ago. Easton Phillips and Hannah Murphy are the hosts, and through the podcast they focus on problematic history and how that has affected society in the present day.

“This is Problematic” is hosted on the Conner Prairie website. Episodes can be found at connerprairie. org/this-is-problematic, and other podcast distribution sites.

August Eggs & Issues speaker announced

news@currentinfishers.com

The Pursuit Institute – Back to School

Carrie Lively, Executive Director, The Pursuit Institute

EVENT

Elaine Bedel of Indiana Destination Development Corp. will be the Eggs & Issues presenter for OneZone, Northern Hamilton County and Westfield chambers of commerce on Aug. 11.

According to an announcement from the three chambers, Bedel was appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2019 to serve as the first secretary and chief executive officer of Indiana Destination Development Corp., a new organization at that time.

The organization is a quasi-government agency focused on making Indiana a great place to live, visit, learn and earn.

Attendees will hear more about why the

department was created, marketing efforts the state is working on and what is in store for the future, according to the announcement. The program will be moderated by Jack Russell, president of OneZone and Northern Hamilton County Chamber; and Steve Latour, president of Westfield Chamber.

The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Aug. 11 at The Bridgewater Club in Carmel, 3535 E 161st St. Registration is required by Aug. 8. The cost for members is $28 and $40 for nonmembers. Reservations can be made at onezonechamber.com or by calling 317-436-4653.

For more about Indiana Destination Development Corp., visit in.gov/iddc.

NBA gamer shifts gears to cleaning business

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

A former professional NBA 2K gamer is looking to clean up in a different way in Indiana.

Over the past two years, career and technical education (CTE) has undergone a transformation in Hamilton County. The Pursuit Institute is a prime example of how collaboration, innovation, and publicprivate partnerships are instrumental in cultivating a talented workforce while empowering students with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to thrive in diverse industries that drive our local economy.

Innovation in CTE is pivotal in preparing students for the 21st-century workforce. The Pursuit Institute has expanded beyond vocational training, to include career pathways such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, education, agriculture, and other high-demand fields. Emphasizing work-based learning, Pursuit programs foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability, equipping students with the versatility required in the modern workplace.

Strategic public-private partnerships have been essential. Educational institutions, businesses, and local governments have created an ecosystem that bridges the gap between education and industry. These partnerships not only facilitate the development of industryaligned curricula, but also provide students with real-world experience.

stakeholders to anticipate workforce demands accurately. This proactive approach allows tailored programs that address skill shortages and emerging industry needs, ensuring Hamilton County remains at the forefront of workforce development.

5. Economic Growth: A well-developed talent attracts businesses and industries to the region. Hamilton County’s reputation for producing a skilled and diverse workforce enhances its appeal to potential investors and employers.

Innovation in CTE in Hamilton County has reshaped the landscape of workforce development. CTE programs empower students with relevant skills, preparing them for success. Publicprivate partnerships play a crucial role in cultivating a talented workforce pipeline by aligning educational offerings with industry needs.

The collaborative efforts in Hamilton County demonstrate the power of partnerships in shaping a brighter future for the community and its workforce.

Want to learn more about The Pursuit Institute?

Carmel resident Stanley Lebron started Glorious Cleaning, a home cleaning business, in September 2022. The company serves Hamilton and Boone counties.

NEW BIZ

Lebron, 28, was born In the Dominican Republic and moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., when he was 1 year old. He started working at his father’s grocery store when he was 7.

Lebron became a part of the NBA 2K League season in 2018 after being drafted by the Miami Heat.

“My favorite team growing up was the Miami Heat, so you could only imagine the feeling I had being a part of that organization and representing them as a professional gamer,” he said.

After two seasons, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and moved from Miami to Portland for one season.

Lebron spent one year with the Sacramento Kings’ gaming team. Then he moved to Indianapolis in 2022 when he became a member of the NBA 2K franchise from Spain called DUX Infinitos. The team worked out

of downtown Indianapolis at the Pan Am Tower. He met his girlfriend in the area and decided to stay.

“I made a decision before the draft in January that I was just going to put (the gaming) on pause, try to pursue this business and see how far I can go with it,” Lebron said.

He has been doing 90 percent of the cleaning himself but wants to add employees.

“Becoming an entrepreneur has been very humbling, and it’s not what everyone thinks it is,” Lebron said. “It feels like the hard work never ends, and it makes me appreciate everything my dad did for us growing up even more.”

The Pursuit Institute’s Impact on Talent Pipeline:

1. Industry-Relevant Skills: Public-private partnerships align CTE programs with the needs of the job market, ensuring students acquire the skills most sought after by local employers. This fosters a pipeline of job-ready graduates.

2. Career Exploration and Guidance: Students gain access to mentorship and guidance from industry professionals. This exposure demystifies career paths, enabling students to make informed decisions about their future.

3. Employment Opportunities: By collaborating with local businesses, CTE programs facilitate direct employment opportunities for students. Employers often prefer to hire from within the community, leading to a mutually beneficial relationship.

4. Addressing Workforce Demands: Public-private partnerships enable

Join us to hear about the 2023-2024 Pursuit Institute programs and more. FREE to attend; advance registration required (limited capacity)

Bedel

Teammate Waseem Talbert watches Stanley Lebron, seated, during an NBA 2K session. (Photo courtesy of Stanley Lebron)

Discern when to learn

Commentary by Terry Anker

Dread the popcorn moment

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

ESSAY

Touring the campus of a beloved alma mater with their soon-to-be-college-bound offspring, the doting parents did everything possible to convey their love for the place to their youngster. She, in-hand, took it all in. “There is where Mom and me first met,” Dad proudly proclaimed, pointing to the gazebo visible through the trees. “Oh,” responded the daughter, now more attentive to the chirping phone in her hand than in the parental-sponsored tour down Memory Lane. Disappointed that the sales pitch was not going entirely as planned, Mom and Dad resigned themselves to the disinterested child. The next day would be the formal student-led campus tour for a group of potential enrollees.

As the time came, the daughter was sent along with the pack of teenagers guided by one of their own, not much older. The parents skipped it and went to lunch, certain there was no reason for more effort dedicated to the lost cause. Three hours later, the daughter reappeared filled with energy

and entirely committed to attendance! What happened on this tour? She regaled her astonished parents with tales of trails, edifices and opportunities of great interest. These were things that she’d visited many times before — in fact, their phones were filled with pictures of them standing in the spot yesterday that she’d described as seeing for the first time just now. How could this be?

We process information as we need it. Knowing about her parents courting was not yet appealing, but keeping up with her peers was. Eventually, the family history will matter, and the gaggle of teens won’t. Alas, often we don’t learn our lesson until too late. It must matter to us to get our attention. Until that moment, we think it can wait. Maybe, but too long and it’s lost forever.

My wife Mary Ellen and I went to see a movie last week with our friends Bob and Cathy.

Feeling the back-to-school blues

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

Friends, summer is coming to an end and I’m starting to feel the anxiety of heading back to school. With less than a week left to luxuriate in lazy mornings and Netflix shenanigans, I’m already panicking over lesson plans and class rosters and strategically designed bathroom breaks. What I wouldn’t give for another month! Or four.

HUMOR

But it seems like yesterday when I absolutely longed for this time of year, when I couldn’t wait for that beautiful yellow bus to show up on our street! As a stay-athome mom, I reveled in the August return to routine and schedules and hours without my precious little angels. Our family operated far better when everyone had a place to be each day and limited access to Minecraft and “SpongeBob.” And by family, I mean me. My creativity is noteworthy, but even I struggled to fill June and July with enough exciting activities to keep my rugrats engaged. Story hour and zoo visits can only get you so far, and then you’re left eyeballing each other over a third round of Capri Suns and Goldfish wondering who’s going to crack first. Hint: It’s not them.

But now that once much-anticipated ice cream social represents the end of my vacation, too, my break from endless grading and teenage angst. When I see the new kindergartens practicing pickup, my gut reaction is no longer a fist pump but rather a middle finger. And when I hit Meijer, I must purposefully avoid the northwest quadrant, lest the mechanical pencil and three-ring binder sales trigger my educator PTSD.

Alas, another school year approacheth, and so, too, does my anxiety.

Peace out.

Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.

HUMOR

“Are you going to get popcorn again, Mary Ellen?” I asked.

“I have to. It’s been a movie tradition for me since high school.”

“So was necking in the balcony, but you cut that out completely after we got married.”

Once we reached the theater, the tension rose.

“Dick, I’ll find seats for the four of us,” Mary Ellen said. “You wait in line for the popcorn.”

“Why do I have to wait in line? I don’t even like popcorn. And when I come into the movie theater, you’ll forget to look around for me. Then I walk aimlessly up and down the aisles while people stare at me. Everyone assumes I’m all alone and have no one to sit with. Or I’ll wave my cellphone flashlight to get your attention and all three of you slump down in your seats while you laugh hysterically. At the Tom Cruise movie I never found where you guys were sitting, but I did get my 10,000 steps in searching for you.”

Of course, I do wait in line and buy the popcorn as directed. It drives me crazy that you pay about six bucks for a bucket of air. What a rip-off. And I don’t let my wife forget it.

“Did you know, Mary Ellen, that when I was a kid, popcorn in the theater was only a quarter?”

“Yes, and here’s another update — the actors in films are talking now.”

And then there’s eating the popcorn. Mary Ellen takes one piece from the top of the box with two fingers, then bites off half at a time. Yes, two bites per kernel. She claims this helps her rhythm and draws her into the movie. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch my wife’s arm go down to the box, up to her

mouth. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down. For two hours. Ahhhhh!

She pretty much follows a similar routine at home. After we have searched for a good flick or series on Netflix, Mary Ellen is at the stove to make popcorn the old-fashioned way. Just oil and popcorn in a pot, which she meticulously jiggles at the right speed, so every kernel is popped. The movie starts and the routine begins — one piece at a time, every 10 seconds, for the entire show. About 500 times. If she preferred M&Ms, she’d weigh 400 pounds.

Here’s the right way to eat popcorn in a movie. Dig way down into the container, which spews the popcorn all over the person in the seat next to you. Take an entire handful, shake the kernels in your fist like a pair of dice and throw several into your mouth at one time. Then while still chewing, reload and prepare to fire again. This is how Orville Redenbacher wanted you to do it. You could look it up. Heaven knows why there aren’t instructions on the popcorn box.

The next day her fitness trainer, Justin, asked her if she had been doing her upper body exercises.

“Yes, I did them for three hours last night,” she said. “When we went to see ‘Oppenheimer”’ at the movies.”

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

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Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent. com.

“It drives me crazy that you pay about six bucks for a bucket of air. What a rip-off. And I don’t let my wife forget it.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

“When I see the new kindergartens practicing pickup, my gut reaction is no longer a fist pump but rather a middle finger.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

Ex-Michigan State player chose saxophone over shot at pro football

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

A former Michigan State University football player, Tim Cunningham had an opportunity to sign a $40,000 free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys.

He wasn’t really interested because football was a means to an education and music was his passion.

“I had 20 credits to finish and if you sign a pro deal, your scholarship is gone,” he said.

Cunningham, a saxophonist who lives in St. Louis, will have two performances with his quartet in the two-day Carmel Jazz Fest. Cunningham will perform from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. He then returns to play from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at The Tarkington. Cunningham needed an early spot because he has a performance scheduled that night in St. Louis.

Cunningham, whose last season playing for Michigan State was 1983, got a record deal with Atlantic Records and his first album, “Right Turn Only,” came out in 1996. Now 61 years old, he continued working as a full-time musician from 1991 to 1998, when the record label dropped all its jazz artists.

“A lot of the smooth jazz radio stations were dropped,” said Cunningham, an insurance adjuster. “I just went back to work and worked on my own CD projects at home. It was bad that you didn’t have a major label out there to promote you with the big money. But it was good that you own your own (master recordings). I was performing two or three times a month.”

Cunningham had some regular weekly gigs in the early 2000s. Then he started performing his own shows in St. Louis and out of state.

“Most jazz musicians work on the weekends,” he said. “The demand for us to be playing on a Wednesday or Thursday is not the same as a big R&B or pop act. It’s

early to hold down a regular job and get out on weekends.”

Cunningham has nine albums, with “Freedom” being released in October 2022. A single, “Enough Said,” with live drum and some piano parts, was recently released.  Cunningham performs a lot of remixes of his favorite song. His best-known song is “This is the Life,” which he wrote with Culbertson.

“But I have to play songs people will recognize and I sprinkle in a few of my originals here and there,” he said.

Cunningham and Carmel Jazz Fest Executive Director Blair Clark are from Lansing, Mich., and have known each other for years.

Cunningham was going to give up football after ninth grade, but he got talked into playing because the team needed players. He had been playing backup quarterback but got moved to running back because of injuries. He started to get letters from colleges.

“I guess God wants me to play football,” he said.

Cunningham played strong safety for

Michigan State, earning a starting spot during his freshman season and remained a starter throughout his career. University of Alabama coach Nick Saban was Cunningham’s defensive backs coach as a senior.

AUG.

11

Gazebo Stage: 5-6:30 p.m.: Brenda Williams & Friends; 7-8:30 p.m.: Tad Robinson Band; 9-10:30 p.m.: The Danny Lerman Band. The Tarkington: 5-6:30 p.m.: The Dave Bennett Quartet; 7-8:30 p.m.: Sarah Scharbrough & Bethany Robinson; 9-10:30 p.m.: Tim Cunningham. Studio Theater: 5-6:30 p.m: Sue Wickliff; 7- 8:30 p.m: Tommy Baldwin; 9-10:30 p.m.: Joe Filipow. Carter Green: 5-6:30 p.m.: Premium Blend;

7-8:30 p.m.: Jennie DeVoe; 9-10:30 p.m.: The Dave Bennett Quartet. Kids Zone/The Athenaeum at Carter Green: 6:30-7 p.m.: Mr. Daniel, 8:30-9 p.m.: Mr. Daniel. Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael*: 7:30 p.m.: Harry Allen & Rossano Sportiello.

AUG. 12

Gazebo Stage: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dysfunktion Brass; 1:30-3 p.m. Tad Robinson Band; 4-5:30 p..m: The Bottom 40 Band; 6:30-8 p.m.: Blair Clark; 9-10:30 p.m.: Evelyn Champagne King. The Tarkington: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Tim Cunningham; 1-2:30 p.m.: Josh Kaufman; 3:30-5 p.m.: Both Sides of Joni Project ft. Alexis Cole; 6-7:30 p.m.: Steve Allee Big Band; 8:30-10 p.m.: College Professors. Studio Theater: 11 a.m -12:30 p.m.: University of Indianapolis; 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.: Butler University Jazz Collective; 4-5:30 p.m.: Ball State University Jazz; 6:30-8 p.m.: Indiana University. Carter Green Stage: 5- 6:30 p.m.: Freddie Fox; 7-8:30 p.m.: Hurricane & The Gang; 9-10:30 p.m.: Pavel & Direct Contact. Kids Zone/The Athenaeum at Carter Green: 2-5 p.m.: Mr. Daniel. Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael*: 7:30 p.m.: Denise Times. The Palladium*: Carmel Jazz Fest headliner 8 p.m.: Spyro Gyra. * Tickets sold separately and not included in festival pass pricing. To purchase tickets and add-on experiences, please visit the carmeljazzfest.org.

‘SOPHISTICATED LADIES’

“Sophisticated Ladies” runs through Aug. 20 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

The Freeform Concert Series presents Fox Royale with Anna Rose at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Admission is free. There is a $25 food and beverage minimum per person. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

SYMPHONY ON THE PRAIRIE

The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute is set for 8 p.m. Aug. 11 and Here Come the Mummies with Rock E. Bassoon will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie in Fishers. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.

‘MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS’

The Carmel Community Players’ production of Ken Ludwig’s “Murder on the Orient Express’’ runs through Aug. 13 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

DISPATCHES

Russell Dickerson concert set for Fishers — MOKB Presents and The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in Fishers announced Russell Dickerson live in concert Sept. 10, along with special guest David J. Tickets for the Russell Dickerson show can be purchased at npdamp.com. Russell Dickerson’s show is part of the venue’s annual summer series. Snarky Puppy was previously announced for a Sep. 8 concert. For more, visit npdamp.com.

Carmel International Arts Festival music lineup set — The Carmel International Arts Festival, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23-24, will include The Hippie Dream, Tim Brickley and the Bleeding Hearts and Tim Wright during the first day of festival hours. Entertainment will continue into the evening with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra. ART ROCKS is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. with Bluewater Kings Band from Chicago. The music continues Sept. 24 with the Kenny Phelps Trio, Touch of Grass and Phone Club.

CARMEL JAZZ FEST

Tim Cunningham will have two performances at the Carmel Jazz Fest. (Photo courtesy of Tim Cunningham)

SINGLE TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

CHS grad to share expertise

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Jennifer Haire has served in all kinds of behind-the-scenes roles in the film industry.

FILM FORUM

The 1998 Carmel High School graduate, who works as a line producer and production manager, is credited on TV shows such as Season 2 and 3 of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” all seven seasons of TNT’s

“The Closer” starring Kyra Sedgewick, pilot presentations for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “Schitt’s Creek,” and Season 4 of “Yellowstone.” Haire’s film work includes Martin Scorsese’s upcoming “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

Haire

Haire will teach a two-day workshop Aug. 26-27 called How Hollywood Works: The Behind the Scenes of Bringing a Motion Picture to the Screen. It will be presented at the Carmel Film Forum at the Community Room in the Carmel Public Library. The times for the workshop, designed for ages 16 and older, are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26 and 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 27.

“The workshop is perfect for local professionals interested in taking their work to the next level, passionate hobbyists that want to learn how to run a more professional production or anyone just plain curious about general film and tv production,” Haire said.

The workshop is divided into six sessions, each with different topics but each focusing on beginner and intermediate Hollywood industry standard film and TV production operations, Haire said.

A 1998 Carmel High School graduate, Haire recently co-wrote a book with Giana Lobel called “Keys to the Production Office: Unlocking Success as an Office Production Assistant in Film & Television.” She will have a book signing from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 during Meet Me on Main at All Things Carmel.

After living in Los Angeles for 19 years, Haire now lives in Carmel when not on a production site.

The workshop marks the first time Haire has participated as a presenter in the Carmel Film Forum.

For more, visit moriartymedia.com.

DAY

Spyro Gyra takes Jazz Fest spotlight

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Spyro Gyra saxophonist and founding bandleader Jay Beckenstein figures the group’s jazz fusion style is pretty well known in jazz circles by now.

“We’re going on our 50th year. It’s surprising if someone who likes jazz hasn’t seen us before,” Beckenstein said. “We are conscious of playing music that reaches people. Our form of jazz is lyrical and combines a lot of styles, and people like it.”

Spyro Gyra is the headliner for the Carmel Jazz Fest, capping the two-day festival with an 8 p.m. concert Aug. 12 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. It is a separate ticketed event, available through thecenterpresents.org.

“Something about jazz festivals is they attract an audience that is really nice,” Beckenstein said.

Spyro Gyra has received 13 Grammy nominations.

Beckenstein said the band will likely perform one song from recent albums of cover songs.

“We’ve done 33 albums and only one had the covers,” Beckenstein said. “At this stage of our career, we find that at least a percentage of the audience wants the music to be from our heyday. An average set for us will be 10 songs, and five of them will be classics.”

Beckenstein said there are three songs that are musts: “Shaker Song,” “Catching the Sun” and “Morning Dance.” He said all three were played heavily on the radio in the 1970s and 1980s.

The band started in clubs in Buffalo, N.Y.,

CONCERT DISPATCH

in 1974 before it emerged as a national act.

“We got our first record out in 1976,” Beckenstein said. “We did our best to distribute that, but we had very low expectations being from Buffalo. In many ways, players in the band, who were very good, were starting to get offers to do other things. It felt like it was a farewell record to Buffalo and a farewell record to the band. The first record did so well that it not only kept the band together but got us a national deal for a second record.”

Keyboardist Tom Schuman, who joined the band when he was 16 before the release of the first album, retired in March to move to Barcelona, Spain.

Beckenstein, 72, said he understands the 65-year-old Schuman’s decision because traveling is hard, and he wants to spend more time with his wife.

“We have found a fantastic player, Chris Fischer, and in the end a little change is stimulating,” Beckenstein said.

In the early days, Beckenstein said there were years when the group played 150 concerts. In recent years, the band has cut back to 60 to 70 shows.

Center Presents single-event tickets on sale

— Tickets for individual performances for the Center Presents season went on sale to the general public Aug. 4. Subscription packages still are available for the 2023-2024 Center Presents Season at the Center for the Performing Arts. Presented in partnership with Allied Solutions, the season features more than 50 events in a broad range of genres, with more to be added. Tickets are available online at thecenterpresents.org, by phone at 317-843-3800 or through the Fifth Third Box Office at the

Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel.

Civic Theatre individual show tickets on sale — Tickets for Civic Theatre’s 2023-24 season are now available. The season opens with the regional premiere of “The Prom” Oct. 6-21. This holiday season features the return of “Elf The Musical” Dec. 1-24. In the winter of 2024, Civic Theatre will feature two classics: “Romeo & Juliet” Feb. 9-24 and “Driving Miss Daisy” March 14-30. The main stage season closes with “Anastasia” April 26-May 11. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

From left, the members of Spyro Gyra are Lionel Cordew, Julio Fernandez, Jay Beckenstein, Chris Fischer and Scott Ambush. (Photo courtesy of Spyro Gyra)

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Grant to perform at Center Gala

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Jeffrey McDermott understands that the Center for the Performing Arts’ annual gala has a challenging mission each year.

ter Celebration, which is set to begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 23. Grant previously performed at the Palladium in October 2012 and again to a sold-out house in May 2019.

FUNDRAISER

“Our goal every year is to create an unforgettable experience for our most vital supporters, and that’s a challenge, because this audience knows what we can do,” said McDermott, president and chief executive officer of the Center for the Performing Arts. “In choosing a headliner, we look for artists who not only have broad appeal but also have made distinctive contributions to the music world. That’s true of our previous headliners, like Chris Isaak and Straight No Chaser, and it’s certainly true of Amy Grant, who has enjoyed great success while also breaking boundaries in the industry. She’s a proven hit with our patrons, and we look forward to seeing her in this intimate setting.”

Singer-songwriter Grant, a six-time Grammy Award winner, will perform at The Cen-

The event includes a cocktail hour, dinner, performance by Grant and after-parties throughout the Palladium. There is also a live auction. It is the Center’s key fundraising event of the year.

Proceeds from the gala support the Center’s arts and educational programming, including Center Presents performances as well as children’s concerts and camps, book clubs, lectures and music classes. The Center also offers free student matinees for school groups and a Transportation Grant Program that reimburses their travel costs.

Jeff and Shari Worrell of Carmel, serving their second year as steering committee cochairs, are joined by Carmel resident Adam Arceneaux in the first of his two years as a co-chair. Arceneaux is Indianapolis managing partner at law firm Ice Miller LLP, the gala’s presenting partner,

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org/ gala.

Where’s Amy?

Where’s Amy attended Civic Theatre’s Young Artists Program’s sold-out July 27 production of “Mean Girls High School Version” opening night. The young actors earned a standing ovation, and the audience was mesmerized by Civic’s choreographer Anne Beck’s (Fishers) dance numbers. This was an amazing musical. Next up is “The Prom” coming Oct. 6-21. For more, visit

civictheatre.org.

From left, YAP Actor Andrew Horras (Fishers), choreographer Anne Beck (Fishers) with daughter and YAP actress Nya Beck. (Photo by Amy Pauszek)

Where’s Amy attends ‘Mean Girls’

Amy Pauszek is a photographer, award winning film producer and scouting and casting associate for Talent Fusion Agency in Indianapolis. She can be reached at Amy@ youarecurrent.com. To see more of her photos, visit currentnightandday.com.

Blueprint for Improvement: Outdoor enhancements in Zionsville

Commentary by Larry Greene

Built in Zionsville’s Austin Oaks section in 1999, this home’s owners were looking to make their outdoor space more dynamic. Our design included space for entertaining and protection from the elements while featuring low-maintenance materials that make upkeep a breeze.

THE BLUEPRINT

• The existing raised deck was removed and a screened porch, new deck and ground-level patio were built in its place.

• The new porch provides protection from the sun, rain and insects, while the stone fireplace can provide a relaxing ambiance and warmth to extend outdoor enjoyment through the fall.

• An outdoor kitchen and integrated storage were added to make entertaining, meal prep and cleanup a breeze. Trex composite decking provides the look of natural wood with minimal maintenance and added durability.

• Roofing, siding and soffits were carefully crafted to match the home’s façade, ensuring the new porch blends seamlessly into the existing aesthetic.

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

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Tag along on this grammar trip

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

I appreciate clothing companies that have stopped adding tags to their shirts. Instead of adding the tag, they print the size and washing instructions directly on the inside of the shirt. Just like that -- no more back-of-theneck irritation! I’m glad someone finally figured that out. If there’s a sartorial equivalent of the Nobel prize, we should track down the inventor of the tagless shirt and give them one.

put my stapler in Jell-O again, didn’t you? See how that works? Let me rephrase that: you see how that works, don’t you?

GRAMMAR GUY

When it comes to grammar and tags, I like “question tags.” A question tag is a question added to the end of a sentence. This could either be to keep a conversation going, get someone to agree with us, or ask a question. Here’s an example: You don’t think I can slam dunk a basketball, do you? He’s trying to bring back the sleeveless turtleneck, isn’t he?

Interestingly, if the initial statement is positive, the question tag is negative; conversely, when the initial statement is negative, the question gag is positive. You never learned the Macarena, did you? You

The question tag uses the same verb if the initial statement uses an auxiliary verb (like do, be or have) or a modal verb (like could, may or shall). I couldn’t win the presidential election next year, could I? He sure does like his long ties, doesn’t he?

However, if the initial statement doesn’t use an auxiliary or modal verb, simply use the verb “do.” The Colts won the game on a last-second field goal, didn’t they? Byron didn’t buy another apocalypse shelter, did he?

Question tags are fun, aren’t they? This is kind of like when you buy a new car — once you’re aware of question tags, you’ll notice them everywhere. It’s kind of like a shirt with an itchy tag — it’s annoying, isn’t it?

A visit to Skagway

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, in our continuing tour of Alaska, we visit Skagway, 100 miles northwest of Juneau.

began to wither. Skagway was saved from extinction after residents began promoting it as a tourist destination. Six blocks of downtown Skagway have been designated a National Historic District.

TRAVEL

After gold was discovered in the Klondike region of Canada in 1896, American prospectors began sailing to the northern end of the Inside Passage, a waterway along the west coast of North America protected by barrier islands. Prospectors, many led by indigenous guides, walked the mountainous White Pass Trail and sailed on the Yukon River to the gold fields. To supply the prospectors for their 500-mile trek, a town soon formed, named “Skagway” after the Tlingit name for the area.

By June 1898, Skagway, with a population of about 10,000, was the largest city in Alaska. Because of its rapid growth, away from civilization, Skagway was lawless. About 300 prostitutes serviced arriving prospectors, some having come to Skagway to be prospectors only to learn that women could not stake claims. By 1890, when the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon railroad was completed through the mountains, the Klondike Gold Rush was over, and the town

Skagway, with a population of just more than 1,000, attracts 1 million people each year. Replica streetcars with costumed drivers take visitors around town. Popular stops include the Gold Rush Cemetery, containing the grave of Frank Reid, who died in an 1898 shootout with Soapy Smith, a notorious swindler also killed in the shootout.

Broadway Street includes many restored historic structures, including the Arctic Brotherhood Building, covered with 8,800 pieces of driftwood. The Red Onion Saloon features a reconstructed brothel on the second floor, where costumed “madams” explain early uses for Lysol. The White Pass & Yukon Route takes passengers through scenic mountains to the White Pass Summit.

Curtis Honeycutt is a national award-winning, syndicated humor writer. Connect with him on Twitter (@curtishoneycutt) or at curtishoneycutt.com.

A White Pass & Yukon train.

Along Broadway Street in Skagway, Alaska. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Don Knebel is a local resident. For the full column visit donknebel.com. You may contact him at editorial@ youarecurrent.com.

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14. Black-and-white cookie

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41. Part of a Santa costume

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49. ___ culpa

50. Type of Fishers HS rally

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55. FedEx rival

58.

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48. Unexpected winter break, for kids

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59. Ye olde jerk

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5

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8. One of the Jenners

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21. Antlered animal 23. Pious

25. Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer ___ Folk George (who became a national water

6 Classical Music Composers

4 Eiteljorg Museum Tribes

3 Spanish Numbers

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