March 12, 2024 — Lawrence/Geist

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Geist Marina or 79th & Sunnyside

33 years old today!

(Shouldn’t I be driving a car by now?)

Unique nonprofit digitally preserves veterans’ stories in custom furniture

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Preserving stories of U.S. military veterans has become a labor of love for Westfield resident Roy Adams.

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Opinions

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After serving 20 years in the U.S. Army, including deployment to Iraq, Adams, 52, retired from the service as a lieutenant colonel in 2013. He worked in several different private sectors as part of his post-military career, including serving as executive director for a school district in Omaha, Neb., for four years and as a private consultant before using his GI Bill to attend woodworking school.

“After I finished there, I moved to Indiana and started making furniture,” said Adams, who opened a custom furniture shop after he moved.

But Adams never forgot the stories that meant so much to him in the service. Soon after arriving in Westfield in 2020, he found a way to connect his love of building furniture with his honor and respect for his fellow veterans. He started the nonprofit Chairs of Honor organization in 2022, which creates custom furniture for veterans with a twist — the ability to carry those service members’ stories with the pieces themselves.

“When we were deployed in Iraq, we had a porch and we had rocking chairs that were made by local Iraqis that we would sit in every night and smoke our cigar pipe and try to decompress,” Adams said. “That’s how we tried to maintain our sanity amongst the stresses of combat.”

Adams said he was contacted by his former battalion commander, who asked him to build a rocking chair. But during a twohour phone conversation about the project, Adams realized that the stories they shared in Iraq were getting lost.

“How are we going to remember these stories?” he said. “We just tell them to each other. We don’t tell them to anybody else. That was the seed of the idea, and I started

thinking about how I could honor veterans and their service. Then through reflection time I decided that I wanted to build something that would honor veterans individually and give them the opportunity to tell their stories. So, this whole idea of a chair — that is my favorite piece of furniture to build — came about.”

Adams saw a news report about Holocaust victims who were interviewed and had their stories preserved digitally, which inspired him to consider incorporating an interview process into the effort to make chairs for veterans, to record those interviews of veterans sharing their stories then attaching that to the chair with a digital marker. Currently, that means a QR code on a plate that is attached to the chair. When the code is scanned, it connects to the veteran’s interview on the Chairs of Honor website.

“The mission of the nonprofit is really two-fold: I want to preserve honor and preserve craft,” Adams said. “We do that through capturing the stories of service, and by giving them handcrafted heir-

loom-quality chairs.”

Including himself, Adams has five woodworkers who make the chairs. They are based in five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Colorado and Minnesota. He said the only criteria for the chairs is that the recipient is a veteran. Each chair costs roughly $1,500 to $2,000, which can be funded through donations or by the person who nominates the veteran.

“I want to be about preserving the honor of the service,” Adams said. “I believe everybody has a story to tell. Whether you were in combat or not, you served your country and you have a story to tell. People deserve to know it, and more importantly, your family does. We tend to not tell our families about our service until late in life and we may forget.”

Adams is looking to grow the nonprofit by expanding programs for veterans, including providing workshops so veterans can learn woodworking skills. He’s been working on grant applications for the $20,000 needed to start that effort but is also grateful for donations and other funding.

CHAIRS OF HONOR

WHAT IT IS: Chairs of Honor is a nonprofit organization that constructs chairs with digital technology that captures the stories of the veterans who use them. When the chair is presented to the veteran, a sit-down interview of the veteran telling their story is recorded. The story is then linked to the chair using a unique digital footprint, forever preserving the story to that chair.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Chairs of Honor seeks tax deductible financial support to help purchase materials and cover costs to build chairs for veterans. To nominate a veteran to receive a chair, or to make donations, visit www.chairsofhonor.com.

Westfield resident Roy Adams works in his shop to create chairs for military veterans for his nonprofit organization, Chairs of Honor. (Photo courtesy Roy Adams/Chairs of Honor)

Nonprofit proposes spay-neuter clinics in Lawrence

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A statewide animal services nonprofit has proposed setting up regular low-cost spay-neuter clinics for cats in the City of Lawrence.

GOVERNMENT

Cheri Storms is executive director of Pet Friendly Services of Indiana. She gave a presentation March 4 to the Lawrence Common Council about the nonprofit’s services and the process for establishing clinics in the city.

Pet Friendly Services receives funding through the state’s special license plates program. Storms said that funding and other donations go toward free spay-neuter surgeries for Indiana animal shelters, rescue groups and community cat programs, as well as low-cost spay-neuter clinics for pets throughout the state.

‘We partner with 100 veterinarians to do the surgeries and we pay the bills,” she said. “One of those vets is a mobile clinic — its name is Public Vet. Last year in 2023, they held 130 spay-neuter clinics in 34 communities across our state. They fixed 12,030 cats.”

For the low-cost clinics proposed in Lawrence, the base cost for anyone who shows up to get their cat fixed is $100, she said. Low-income pet owners who qualify for vouchers through a Pet Friendly Services application process can get the service for as low as $25.

Storms said the clinics are popular, with people often waiting in long lines.

“It shows that people know to get their pets fixed,” she said. “They don’t always have access to low-cost spay-neuter.”

Storms said that the organization has helped set up clinics in Indianapolis but has not yet done any in Lawrence. She said they would like to use a local park that has a building suitable for the clinic’s needs.

She stressed that the proposed clinic would be for cats only.

“The reason why is because dogs — they’re a little more difficult,” she said. “People show up and they can bring their cats in carriers — most (cat) owners have a cat carrier. Most dog people don’t have a dog carrier because they put them on a leash. Dogs kind of get nervous. They kind of lose control. They tinkle, they do some stuff. It’s kind of messy. They also come in all different sizes, so the type of medicine that we need to have is different based on sizes, whereas cats are pretty much uniform in size. We do have some resources for where people can sign up to get their dogs fixed. But this is a cat clinic.”

In response to questions from the council, Storms said they could hold regular clinics in Lawrence, potentially once a month. They provide their own liability insurance and take care of all the setting up and cleaning after.

She said they also would like to partner with the community to spay and neuter cats that don’t have owners.

“Eventually, we’d like to start working with the mobile home parks and that’s where we’re going to find a ton of cats because (that’s) great housing for cats — they love getting under those skirts,” she said, and while people living there often will feed the outdoor cats, they generally don’t own them or provide vet care.

For that kind of service, she said, they would ask the city to provide up to $2,000 per clinic.

The council took no action on the proposal, which is still in the preliminary stages.

The council tabled the only action item on the March 4 agenda — a proposal to change how the council approves expenditures and professional agreements.

The next Lawrence Common Council meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. March 20 at Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E. 59th St.

DISPATCHES

Fishers Parks offers lifeguard camp — A new junior lifeguard summer camp at Geist Waterfront Park will teach basic lifeguard skills to kids ages 11-15 while the park is open to the public, allowing oneone instruction and hands-on experience. The camp will help participants obtain lifeguard jobs after they turn 16. Parks Department’s summer camp offerings are

open for registration at playfishers.com/167/ Summer-Camp.

Easter egg hunt scheduled — The Fishers American Legion Post 470 will host an Easter egg hunt starting at 11 a.m. March 30 at the Legion, 9091 E. 126th St. Age groups are 3 and under, 4-6 and 7-10. Participants should bring their own baskets to this free event.

Be among the first to tour our model cottage, where you’ll experience the distinction of sophisticated design and discover the benefits of modern living that sets Promenade Trails apart.

• Maintenance-free community

• Functional and stylish floor plans

• Wooded and waterfront views

• 24-hour maintenance

• Lawn care

• Snow and ice removal

• Professional landscaping

• Curbside or valet trash service

• Optional

After more than 25 years of service with the City of Lawrence Police Department, Lt. Tim Steele retired March 1, according to an announcement from the city. “Throughout his career, Steele has exemplified honor and commitment in various roles within LPD,” the announcement stated. Law enforcement tradition includes the use of “Ten Codes” on the police radio. One code, “10-42,” signals an officer’s end of shift. At 2 p.m. Feb. 27, fellow officers and city officials gathered to bid farewell to Steele during his final 10-42. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

Women of Vision Luncheon

DISPATCHES

Road closures planned on 146th and Allisonville — Allisonville Road will be closed to through traffic between 146th Street and Kensington Drive, and between 146th Street and Helmsley Court for 90 days. The contractor will place detour markers as the closure approaches. Phase 2A traffic restrictions remain in effect for the ongoing road project. These restrictions eliminate left turn movements from 146th Street onto Allisonville Road and reopen to two through lanes on eastbound and westbound 146th Street. Periodic lane closures may be necessary. Crews continue to work on widening the westbound bridge over the White River, and work on the bridge foundations and substructure units.

Mudsock Youth Athletics seeks youth board members — Applications for those interested In joining the Mudsock Youth Athletics’ Youth Action Board are due March 17. The organization is looking for youth in 8th-11th grade interested in coming up with creative ways for teens to unplug, stay active and maintain healthy relationships with parents and coaches. Open to public, private or homeschooled applicants who live within the Hamilton Southeasters Schools boundaries. For more, visit myathletics.com.

Fishers student serves as Senate page — State Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence) welcomed Fishers resident and Hamilton Southeastern High School student Nicole Morris to the Statehouse to serve as a Senate page in January. Pages spend a day at the Statehouse touring the historic building, observing debates from the Senate floor and interacting with their state senator. Students in grades six through 12 participate in the page program on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the legislative session. To learn more about the Senate Page Program, visit IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/ Page-Program.

Register for Rookie Run – Registration is open for the 2024 Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run, which will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 11 in downtown Indianapolis. The Rookie Run is designed to introduce kids ages 3 to 10 to the joy of running in a noncompetitive and festive atmosphere. This family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity for children to experience the excitement of a start and finish line, surrounded by cheering spectators. Learn more and register at 500Festival.com/Rookie.

The Lawrence Central High School girls basketball team recently visited the Indiana Statehouse, where Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence) presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 25, recognizing them for their Indiana High School Athletic Association 4A state championship win. The Lawrence Central Bears completed their 2023-24 season with an overall record of 30-1, becoming the third team in IHSAA history to have 30 wins in a season. “I am proud of this team’s continuous hard work and I look forward to seeing the continued success of this program in the future,” Walker stated in an announcement. “Their dedication represents Senate District 31 well and I congratulate all their achievements.” (Photo courtesy of Sen. Walker’s office)

Life coach offers free workshops at IPL Fort Ben

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A Lawrence-based life coach is offering free workshops to help people reach their personal and professional goals.

CLASSES

Geri Lewis, a certified life coach, has scheduled seven Saturday sessions at the Indianapolis Public Library’s Fort Ben Branch starting in April. The four-hour sessions for up to 10 people will be monthly through the end of the year, except for June and July.

dreams or goals come to fruition.”

Each workshop will start with participants identifying their top-five personal values.

“Then we look at the five and we see how that aligns with our goals and our dreams,” Lewis said. “If you don’t know what your values are, what you really feel about life and what you want, then you’re not going to know how to make the correct decisions.”

Lewis said she will lead participants through a process to identify their values, set boundaries and establish a vision to achieve their goals.

“A lot of times, the goals and dreams that they have don’t come to fruition because they self-sabotage themselves,” she said, adding that identifying values, boundaries and a vision can help end that self-sabotage. “I think it’s something everyone would need. I needed it — I still need it — because we don’t often know what boundaries we need to have in our lives in order to see our

Boundaries are the next topic, and those establish what someone is willing and not willing to do. Boundaries can include limiting time with negative family members or establishing a work-life balance with an employer.

Lewis said the final piece is creating a vision, which incorporates the top-five values with the identified boundaries to determine what participants can do to move forward.

“Now we got to brainstorm — we got to see what it is that you need to be doing in your life that will help you get to where you would like to be,” she said. “You may need to take a class. You may need to — there’s so many things you may have to do in order for you to be prepared to (achieve the vision).

“If you don’t know what your values are, what you really feel about life and what you want, then you’re not going to know how to make the correct decisions.”

– GERI LEWIS

Sometimes we think because we have a goal or vision, we don’t have to do anything. We just wait for other people. But no, you got to put some work in it.”

Lewis said she’s blunt with people — if they aren’t willing to put the work in, then they probably didn’t choose the right vision for themselves — but she celebrates every step someone makes toward their goals.

The workshops are scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. April 6, May 4 and Aug. 17; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7 at the Fort Ben Branch, 9330 E. 56th St. Space is limited for the free events, and registration is required. To register, email Lewis at glouis6220@comcast.net.

DISPATCHES

2024 Kick off May Coloring Contest — The 500 Festival and STAR Financial Bank have announced the launch of the 2024 Kickoff to May Coloring Contest. The contest invites children 12 and under to participate. The coloring sheet and entry form can be downloaded at 500Festival.com/Color. Winners will be chosen based on creativity and originality. The two grand prize winners selected will receive a scholarship of $500, courtesy of STAR Bank, and a free one-year membership to the INDYCAR Nation Rookie Program courtesy of INDYCAR. All entries must be received by noon, April 8. For more about the contest entry rules, visit 500festival.com/ kickoff-to-may-coloring-contest-rules.

Mission Possible – The Assistance League of Indianapolis will present its Mission Possible fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. April 18 at Daniel’s Vineyard & Winery, 9061 N. 700 W. in McCordsville. The event will include a silent auction, raffle and more. Learn more about ALI and the event at ALIndy.org.

Lewis

Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township. (Photo courtesy of MSDLT)

A juvenile shot in the leg at Harrison Hill Elementary School March 5 is in stable condition and police are investigating the incident.

A news release from the Lawrence Police Department stated that the report of a shooting at the school, 7510 E. 53rd St. in Lawrence, came in a little after 4 p.m.

“As responding officers arrived, they were advised by witnesses that the shooting occurred in the vicinity of the elementary school grounds,” the news release stated. “The Lawrence Fire Department responded swiftly to the scene, where they found the 16-year-old victim suffering from a single gunshot wound to the leg. Immediate medical attention was provided and the victim was transported to Riley Hospital in stable condition.”

Lawrence Police detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Police stated that there was no current threat to the school or neighborhood.

Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to contact the Lawrence Police Department at 317-545-7575.

HCLA announces dean – Hamilton County Leadership Academy has selected Megan Wiles, a member of the Noblesville City Council, as the dean for the Class of 2025. The dean plays an integral role in creating the class culture and connectivity and provides meaningful insight and expertise throughout the HCLA class experience. Applications for the HCLA Class of 2025 are open until April 8. The cohort will be announced in June. Learn more at HCLA.net.

Harrison Hill Elementary School is part of the

Greyhounds senior point guard grows as a leader

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel High School point guard Ryan Clevenger made his biggest strides in leadership this season.

Clevenger

“I had to take that role being one of the only seniors with experience from last year,” he said. Greyhounds boys basketball coach Ryan Osborn said Clevenger filled the role quite well.

“Ryan was a vital piece to our team this season,” Osborn said. “He grew up in terms of leadership, accountability and production. Ryan brought a level of toughness to practice every day that challenged everyone in the gym. There aren’t many productive point guards out there that lead without saying a whole lot.”

Osborn said Clevenger learned how to lead the team when it mattered most.

“His teammates respected him and responded with the same level of competitive spirit,” Osborn said. “Watching Ryan grow into a humble leader over the last

MEET RYAN CLEVENGER

Favorite athlete: Paul George

Favorite TV show: “The Rookie.”

Favorite musician: Zach Bryan

Favorite subject: Business

Favorite vacation spot: Rosemary Beach, Fla.

four years is one of the biggest joys I’ve experienced as a head coach. He takes pride in doing things the right way and it was important to him that he left an impression on our team and younger players that would resonate for years to come. He exceeded expectations.”

Clevenger averaged 9 points, 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game for the Grey -

Ryan Clevenger was a key performer for Carmel High School’s basktball team. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Clevenger)

hounds, who finished with a 12-11 record.

“Going 8-2 in our last 10 games was a

For Jephrey, a backache could have ended

in heartache.

fun experience as it turned our season around,” Clevenger said. “Especially with how hard those 10 games were, it was awesome to go 8-2.”

In that stretch, Carmel beat then-Class 4A No. 1 Fishers 54-46 Jan. 27 and then-4A No. 1 Lawrence North 42-35 Feb. 1. Both were home games for Carmel.

“Beating both two No. 1 teams back-toback was a great experience for us as we had great weeks of preparation leading into that, so we had total confidence going into the games,” Clevenger said.

Fishers got revenge by topping Carmel 54-41 in the Feb. 27 Class 4A sectional opener.

Clevenger said he still hasn’t made a college choice. He plans to major in business and is considering playing basketball in college.

Growing up, basketball was always his favorite sport to play, Clevenger said.

“I have played it ever since I can remember,” he said. “I also played football and baseball but stopped playing both of them to focus on basketball.”

He stopped playing baseball going into his freshman year.

The sudden, shooting pain he experienced was caused by a life-threatening ruptured aneurysm. The expert team at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital responded with skill and compassion. Exactly the kind of care that makes a difference.

Learn more about screenings at eCommunity.com/vascularscreen

Fishers Event Center new home for Indy Ignite volleyball team

news@currentinfishers.com

Brand-new professional volleyball team Indy Ignite announced Feb. 28 that the Fishers Event Center will be its official home court. The venue in Fishers, under construction now, will host Indy Ignite home games starting in January 2025.

VOLLEYBALL

The Fishers Event Center is set to open in November.

The announcement took place at the Fishers Event Center, with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, Pro Volleyball Federation CEO Jen Spicher, Indy Ignite co-owner Jim Schumacher, former Husker Volleyball player Kenzie Knuckles and Indy Ignite General Manager Mary Kay Huse.

“Indy Ignite is proud to represent not just Indianapolis, but the entire, regionwide volleyball community that makes Indiana one

Members of the Hamilton Southeastern High School state champion volleyball team attended a Feb. 28 announcement revealing that Indy Ignite, Indiana’s new professional volleyball team, will make the Fishers Events Center its home court, with home games starting in January 2025. (Photo courtesy of INNOVATIVE)

home. ECHL Indy Fuel hockey team and the Fishers Freight Indoor Football League team also will play home games at the new center. According to the city, the three teams will bring more than 100 events to Fishers each year.

sion teams to debut in 2025. For more, visit

HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY

Lawrence family processes grief with a children’s book celebrating their loved one

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Steve Mitchell was a big man with a big heart, and while they don’t have direct memories of him, his daughter Ava, 8, and granddaughter Liah, 7, have been processing the grief of losing him in 2017 to complications following a seizure.

As part of that process, the girls — who both attend Amy Beverland Elementary School in Lawrence Township — and Ava’s mother, Jan Mitchell, put together a story/ coloring book about Steve Mitchell. “Happy Heavenly Birthday, Daddy!” was published in early February, a few weeks before the seven-year anniversary of Steve Mitchell’s death.

The girls said their dad was a good cook, especially items like steak and pork chops.

“He was a better cook than my mom,” Ava said, prompting a laugh from Jan Mitchell, who said she’s willing to admit that.

Jan Mitchell said Liah wasn’t even born when Steve died, and Ava was only a year old, but the family keeps his memory alive.

“We have his pictures up around the house and we talk about him,” she said. “I remember him a lot, and they decided to do something that would be commemorative of his presence.”

Mitchell said they started by sitting down and simply talking.

“And having them share about their thoughts and their feelings — how they feel as children without having the dad any longer in the home — or the grandpa,” she said.

They wrote down those thoughts, made sure to check the spelling carefully and hired Christina Rudenko to create illustrations to accompany their story. The result is a colorful book filled with happy memories of Steve Mitchell. While his death is part of the story, the book is geared toward young children and maintains a positive message about keeping a loved one’s memory alive.

Ava said her favorite part of the book is an illustration of her dad walking up a set of gold stairs to a gate, a pair of wings on his shoulders. It was when “God decided to make Daddy all better by taking him to

Heaven,” the book states.

Liah pointed out the black-and-white pages at the back of the book that are meant for coloring and said those are her favorite.

Jan Mitchell said it’s unique to combine a story book with pages for kids to color.

“That gave us an opportunity to have the black and white sketches for children who also have lost their parents to be able to color in their emotions, so to speak — like color therapy for children,” she said.

Mitchell said it was good for the family to get together, share their feelings and

celebrate Steve Mitchell through memories. She said that at more than 6 feet and about 225 pounds, he was “a lot of man,” and had a big heart, too.

“Everybody he was friends with, if he said he loved you, that was it, you were his for life,” she said. “A great big heart, great big laugh, always happy and upbeat — never really saw him upset. He had his moments, but it was almost like his default posture was that of joy and happiness. He was always happy.”

Steve Mitchell was part of a prison ministry at Putnamville Correctional Facility in

SHE MOVES FORWARD

Jan Mitchell has channeled the grief of losing her husband, Steve Mitchell, toward helping others going through their own grieving journeys. Mitchell is now a certified grief coach and founded an organization called She Moves Forward that offers different grief therapy services.

Mitchell also has written three books for adults about coping with grief. They

are “Suddenly Single Widows Edition: Navigating Grief While Colliding with Purpose,” “Suddenly Single: Surviving The Demise Of Your Relationship” and “How to Not Go Cuckoo While Caregiving: 7 Tips to Manage Stress and Grief While Caring for Your Loved One.” They’re all available through Amazon.

For more about Mitchell’s grief coaching services, visit shemovesforwardinc.com.

Greencastle, driving there monthly to work with inmates, Jan Mitchell said.

He also had lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause a variety of health conditions. One of those is epileptic seizures, which is what led to his death in 2017 at the age of 47.

“One day when he was coming home from doing his prison work, he actually had an epileptic seizure as he was coming into the house,” Jan Mitchell said. “He had an epileptic seizure, fell, hit his head onto a wall, broke his neck in three places, which paralyzed him immediately. He stayed in the hospital system for five and a half months straight.”

Jan Mitchell said her husband went into heart failure four times the first month and was resuscitated each time. The doctors didn’t think he’d be able to move again, but, she said, he recovered enough to be able to hold Ava on her first birthday. He moved to a rehab facility for a while, and Jan Mitchell said they were talking about bringing him home, but then he died after developing bedsores that became septic.

She said writing the book with the girls was healing for her, as well, and she hopes the book will help people of all ages know it’s OK to talk about grief.

“I think a lot of times as parents, we try to shield our children by pretending to be hard, trying to keep that strength,” she said. “It’s OK to cry in front of your children. It’s OK to allow them to cry. So, just allowing them that process, and letting them have that — it actually bonds the family. And that’s one thing, I will say, (that) I shied from at the beginning. But then I had to learn to open up and allow them to see Mom cry, which opened them, and allowed them to be able to share their feelings and emotions, as well.”

“Happy Heavenly Birthday, Daddy” is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble bookstores.

ON THE COVER: Ava Mitchell, left, and Liah Stowers worked with Ava’s mother, Jan Mitchell, to write a combination story and coloring book about Steve Mitchell, Ava’s father and Liah’s grandfather, who died seven years ago. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

(Above) Ava Mitchell, left, Liah Stowers and Jan Mitchell look at the book they worked on together, called “Happy Heavenly Birthday, Daddy!” (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

(Below) Steve Mitchell and his daughter, Ava, before his death in February 2017. (Photo courtesy of Jan Mitchell)

The choice is clear

Commentary by Dr. Amy Iddins

Let’s talk about contact lenses — specifically, the unsung heroes known as daily disposables. If you’re tired of the monthly lens hassle and discomfort, it’s time to consider the practical benefits of switching to a fresh pair every day.

VISION

For many years, monthly replacement lenses have been the most common modality. However, there have been many great advances in contact lens technology that leave many of the popular monthly lenses falling short.

When it comes to eye health, daily disposables take the cake. The risk of eye infections and overall intolerance decreases drastically when compared with their monthly counterparts. This is the main reason eye care providers are big proponents of these lenses. They are also generally thinner and more breathable, which helps to eliminate the complaint of dryness, especially toward the end of the day.

Convenience is also an area where daily lenses shine. No need for contact lens cases or solutions for daily cleaning. You sim-

ply use them for the day and dispose of the contact lenses that night. This also makes them a great option for kids.

Where are my allergy sufferers? Wearing daily disposables is a very smart decision for anyone who struggles with itchy, watery or irritated eyes. While monthly lenses can be a magnet for allergens, dailies offer a clean slate every morning.

If you feel like your vision gradually declines over the course of the month as your lenses age, you may be a great candidate for dailies as well. They do not get the type of deposits that accumulate when using the same lens over and over. It is hard to beat the clean, sharp vision daily disposables provide each day.

In a world that’s hectic enough, daily disposable contact lenses offer a pragmatic and hassle-free approach to contact lens wear. The benefits are quite clear!

Dr. Amy Iddins is an optometrist with RevolutionEYES in the Fishers office. Contact her at driddins@ revolution-eyes.com.

DISPATCHES

Fall prevention program available — The Fishers Health Department and Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services are offering support to eligible Fishers residents to reduce the potential for injuries from falling. The fall prevention program includes free support, home visits, fall prevention education, assistance with necessary in-home modifications and referrals to community partners as needed. For more, contact the Fishers Health Department Social Work program at 317-463-4361 or email socialwork@ fishers.in.us.

Community Compass app helps locate food pantries — For community members who are food insecure, food pantries can be a lifesaver. The Community Compass app helps Indiana residents in need of assistance to find the closest food pantry, free meal sites and SNAP and WIC retailers. It also can help users learn whether they’re eligible for federal nutrition programs. The app is available in English and Spanish, and the Community Compass website is available in 11 languages. The app can be found in online app stores or by visiting communitycompass.app.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Doubles: BOILER, DATE, ENTENDRE, JEOPARDY, PLAY, SPACE; Ingredients: BELL PEPPER, CHEESE, EGGS, HAM, ONION; States: IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA; Blades: EPEE, FOIL, SABRE; Colors: CRIMSON, GREY; City: SHELBYVILLE

Lawrence firm celebrates ‘Super Lawyers’ and ‘Rising Stars’ news@geistcurrent.com

Lawrence-based law firm Craig, Kelley & Faultless announced recently that seven of its lawyers have been named 2024 Indiana Super Lawyers or Rising Stars

David W. Craig, William J. Kelley II, Scott A. Faultless and Krysten M. LeFavour were Super Lawyers honorees, and Craig was named among the Top 50 on the 2024 Indiana Super Lawyers List, according to the announcement.

Craig and Faultless have been Indiana Super Lawyers honorees for Alexander R. Craig and Samantha Craig Stevens, both Lawrence North High School graduates; and Whitney L. Coker, a Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate, were

named as Rising Star honorees.

According to the announcement, Indiana Super Lawyers recognizes top lawyers in Indiana annually through a process that involves peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation.

“Only 5 percent of the attorneys in Indiana become Super Lawyers honorees each year,” the announcement stated. “Those named to the Rising Star honoree list are selected using the same process, except they are 40 years old or younger, or have been in practice for 10 years or less. Only 2.5 percent of the lawyers in Indiana are named Rising Stars honorees.”

Craig, Kelley & Faultless focuses on cases involving semi-trucks, wrongful death and other catastrophic injury cases throughout the United States. For more, visit ckflaw.com.

DISPATCHES

McCord Square pre-leasing for May move— The $50 million mixed-use McCord Square development in McCordsville includes 205 apartment homes, along with commercial retail and restaurant space on the first floors. The first building, The Jackson, is set for completion in May, and project partners are offering hard-hat tours for those interested in leasing space. McCord Square Apartments has one- and two-bedroom apartments with inunit washers and dryers and balconies. Rental rates start at $1,300 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,900 a month for a two-bedroom.

For more, visit mccordsquareapartments.com.

Premier Commercial hires new admin — Premier Commercial Real Estate Services in Fishers has hired Stephanie Henry as the office administrator. According to an announcement from the company, Henry was a residential broker for six years and has more than two decades of experience in operations and administration. She will oversee and organize various administrative processes within the organization. Premier Commercial Real Estate Services is at 9785 Crosspoint Blvd.

Craig Stevens

Coker

Choosing words carefully

Commentary by Terry Anker

Each day, we average humans deploy about 16,000 words. Of the species, females tend to use a few more, but for the most part, we are hitting about two hours, if it were contiguous, of daily talking. Most of us manage to speak at a pace of about 100 to 150 words per minute.

ESSAY

According to an analysis of TED talks, famed self-help guru Tony Robbins tops out at 201 words in the same 60 seconds. Auctioneers stand out at 250, and the fastest talker on record made it to 655. It seems that we have a lot to say.

American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson is known for lamenting, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” If what we do is eminently more important, why do we have to talk so much about it? We all want to be trusted. There is a great advantage to it. It’s even conceivable to believe that most of us want to be trustworthy, although

being such often leads to folks lining up to seek our help and support. As such, are we using our many words to convince people of our virtue or to deceive them with our vice? If actions speak so deafeningly, why are we hearing all the chatter? We deeply want to connect with others. So, even if actions speak most forcefully, they can often be misunderstood or misconstrued. Did we bring the bananas to the office pitch-in because we care about people and want them to be healthy, or because we thought the cake was too fattening for the already obese co-workers? Words can help to define our acts. But if it matters what we say and what we say matters, why aren’t we more careful about the words that cross our lips?

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

Sweet dreams of no teens

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

The Wilson family has reached a major milestone, friends. Our youngest turned 20 recently, marking us as officially done with teenagers! Huzzah! And while I’m ecstatic to be finished with that challenging phase of life and know that in reality nothing has changed, I’ll admit to already being nostalgic. My babies are adults now!

HUMOR

The middle school years, I do not miss. They are horrible for kids and they are horrible for parents. Bullies, periods, braces, acne, mean girls, band concerts and that godforsaken carpool line. Ages 13 and 14, no thank you!

But high school and those first few steps into independence after graduation? Those are the memories I cherish. Like the time when our oldest was 16 and called to tell me he’d been in a fender bender, four days into having his driver’s license. It was Mother’s Day. Classic. Or when we busted our other son with a girl he’d sneaked in through the walk-out basement. We immediately christened him the 17-year-old “Night Moves.” And I’ll never forget the trip to New York with his twin sister her senior year when we waited literally for hours in the freezing rain to get an overpriced-but-worth-it milkshake at a swanky

“The middle school years, I do not miss. They are horrible for kids and they are horrible for parents. Bullies, periods, braces, acne, mean girls, band concerts and that godforsaken carpool line.

Ages 13 and 14, no thank you!”

– DANIELLE WILSON

SoHo joint. Of course, our fourth child has been our world traveler, spending most of her 19th year backpacking across three continents. The hundreds of FaceTime calls to hear about her latest crazy cab ride or hostel debacle have brought me immense joy.

What’s up next? Who knows. Grad schools, cool loft apartments, perhaps a wedding or, gulp, a grandbaby. Regardless, the Wilsons are saying farewell to teenagers! Huzzah!

Peace out.

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

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Do you need help? I’d like to give you some. Help is unwanted in my house. I try to give help, but my wife Mary Ellen doesn’t want it. She is totally helpless.

This is of her own choosing. If you are confused by this, let me give you a few examples that might be helpful.

When Mary Ellen cooks dinner, I always ask, “Anything I can help with?” It’s been more than 40 years since she could think of something that I would really be of any help doing. I sometimes say, “Is there anything you can help me, help you with?” Nope. Nothing.

On rare occasions, she requests that I go to the supermarket, but she takes no chances with my ability to find exactly what she needs.

“Dick, I need almond milk. I am sending you a text to remind you exactly what to get. It has to say ‘unsweetened’; it has to say ‘Almond Breeze’; and it has to say ‘Original’ on the container. It can’t say ‘Vanilla.’ Now, I will also send you a picture of the package so you can’t make a mistake.”

I ask people shopping in the dairy department if they know where almond milk is, and they just shrug. Apparently, these people drink something that comes from a cow’s udder. Yuck!

Finally, I saw a pecan milk bottle, so I bought it.

“What did you buy, Dick? This is cashew milk. I don’t like cashew milk.”

“I figured any nutty idea was as good as the next.”

Once, she requested canned tomatoes and said she would text me a photo and description of exactly what she wanted. But when I got to the supermarket, my phone was dead. I wasn’t taking any chances. I did not want to go back to the store. So, I got tomatoes every which way: Diced, as a sauce and a soup, stewed, crushed, whole peeled, quartered, sun dried and condensed. They were all wrong. I was back at the store an hour later. What the heck is tomato paste? At least, it doesn’t sound as bad as Gorilla Glue.

Recently, Mary Ellen requested I stop and pick up — get ready for this — a container of egg whites.

“Mary Ellen, I’ll never find something

“When Mary Ellen cooks dinner, I always ask, “Anything I can help with?” It’s been more than 40 years since she could think of something that I would really be of any help doing.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

weird like that. I’ll buy two dozen eggs and separate them myself.”

“No, the package must say cage-free. It has to be 100 percent liquid, and it must be zero cholesterol.”

I asked one of the clerks, “Do you sell egg whites?”

“Of course.”

“Where should I look?”

“Inside our eggs.”

Finally, later that day, Mary Ellen agreed she would extract the egg whites herself. This incident did cause some conflict between us, but we made up. Now, only our eggs are going to be legally separated.

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currentnightandday.com

Soprano Brown featured in Indy Opera’s ‘Charlie Parker’s Yardbird’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The role of Addie Parker was made for Angela Brown.

MUSIC

Brown debuted the role of Charlie Parker’s mother, Addie Parker, in June 2015 at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater. She will reprise the role in the Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird,” set for 7 p.m. March 16 at Madam Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis.

The story focuses on the legendary saxophonist and one of the inventors of bebop. The premise has Parker’s soul linger between life and death, and his spirit returns to his famous New York City jazz club called Birdland, where he is challenged to compose a final masterpiece.

The Indianapolis soprano said the story follows Addie from a young mother to the time of her son’s death from a heart attack at age 34 in 1955. Charlie Parker was a heroin addict.

“Addie is a role that was created for me, so I was able to put my fingerprints on her first and being able to draw from all of my ancestors like my mother and my grandmother and thinking about all the Black mothers in the community,” Brown said. “When I was growing up, that poured into me. I’m able to put flesh on the bones of Addy and just imagine how she felt having a son that was multitalented that she loved and adored, but that had vices in life and the fear and the anguish and the pains that she gets to come out four separate times in this 90-minute opera. She’s giving you frustration, she’s giving you joy and adulation. She’s giving you fear and she’s also giving you grief, so it’s been great to portray.”

Brown said she has reprised the role in all but two of the presentations. It was the first opera to be performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. It’s also been performed in London.

“I never gave birth to a child, but I have three stepsons,” Brown said. “I know how much I love them and seeing them go through as Black men in America. This was a woman before the Civil Rights Movement who was proud of her son but she knew he was a drug addict. He also was married and had a child, but he also was playing around on his wife and he liked white women. She knew at that time she could be lynched or killed in Kansas City, Mo.”

Brown said the music is accessible to audiences.

“You hear the names of the different pieces that he made famous,” Brown said. “It was all scored on a saxophone. You feel the influences of bebop throughout the opera.”

Brown described the opera as a 90-minute “ghost story,” which opens with Parker dying.

“The premise is Charlie Parker is com-

ing back to write a symphonic piece that he’s always wanted to write,” Brown said. “He dies in a white woman’s apartment, his benefactor. So, he has been placed in a morgue as John Doe. He comes back in spirit form. While his spirit is writing this music, he is visited by his mother, his best friend Dizzy Gillespie and his three wives. They are all telling him he’s a genius, he’s well-loved but he has to get off the drugs. Finally, there is a funeral and he is set free.”

Brown can’t remember the last time she performed at Madam Walker.

“I’ve done special programs,” she said. “I’ve never done an opera or some type of stage play, but I’ve definitely sung there.”

Brown said it’s fitting to be held at Madam Walker because Parker performed at the jazz clubs nearby on Indiana Avenue.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

‘BEAUTIFUL”

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” through March 30 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘DRIVING MISS DAISY’

Civic Theatre’s production of “Driving Miss Daisy” is set for March 15 to 30 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents. org.

‘BOHEMIAN DELIGHT & THE FIREBIRD’

Carmel Symphony Orchestra will present “Bohemian Delight & The Firebird” at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Dan Hall and Steven Stewart will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 14 and Ryan Ahlwardt and his Friends are set to perform at 7:30 p.m. March 15 and vocalist Maddie Poppe March 17-18 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael. For more, feinsteinshc.com.

ST. PAT’S COMEDY AT THE CAT

St. Pat’s Comedy at The Cat, presented by Dave Dugan, is set for 7:30 p.m. March 15-16 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way. For more, visit thecat.biz.

DISPATCH

‘Guys and Dolls’ — The HSE Drama Club and the Performing Arts Department will present the American classic “Guys and Dolls” March 14, 15 and 16. Performances begin at 7 p.m. in the Leonard Auditorium at Hamilton Southeastern High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Visit Purplepass.com/HseMusical to order. “Guys and Dolls” is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on two short stories by Damon Runyon. The story, which includes New York gamblers and gangsters, had its Broadway debut in 1950 and was made into a 1955 movie with Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons.

Angela Brown performs as Addie Parker in New Orleans Opera production. She will perform in Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird” March 16. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Strout Photography)

Musical gives fresh look at crime

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

A chorus girl, actress and model, Evelyn Nesbit has been described as one of the first to be labeled an “It Girl.”

Nesbit was at the center of what was billed as one the crimes of the century when, in 1906, architect Stanford White was killed by Nesbit’s husband Harry Thaw. Nesbit alleged White raped her when she was intoxicated or unconscious, but she later had an affair with him.

A reading, which includes musical numbers, of “Evelyn and the Eternal Question” is set for 2 p.m. March 16 at the Carmel Clay Public Library’s Community Room. Admission is free for the Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Lab Series program. A registration link is on atistage.org.

Scott said she knew the story of “Girl in the Velvet Swing,” and E.L. Doctorow’s “Ragtime,” both movies about Nesbit.

“I used to work at the Indiana Historical Society, and they had a tiny collection of books in the break room,” Scott said. “One

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Actors Theatre of Indiana Artistic Director Judy Fitzgerald was looking for several months for the right fit to replace Jim Reilly as executive director.

“Unbelievable that he was right under our noses,” Fitzgerald said.

Fishers resident Brian Frost, 74, has been named executive director of ATI, replacing Reilly, who retired at the end of 2023 after 12 years.

of the books in the collection was ‘American Eve’ by Paula Uruburu, which gave a more detailed account of Evelyn Nesbit’s life. I started reading this book at the beginning of the #MeToo movement and during the (Supreme Court justice Brett) Kavanaugh hearings, and a light bulb went off in my head. I saw the pattern of history repeating itself, particularly when someone speaks truth to power and gets damaged by it. Every popular reference to her is always told in cartoonish ways where we forget that Evelyn was a teenager put in impossible situations. The choices were limited then. So, I wanted to explore this story from a victim’s advocacy perspective. Not to judge her or make her a cartoon, but to demonstrate how easy it is to get trapped in these situations with dangerous people.”

At first, Scott was interested from what she described as a true crime nerd’s perspective.

“I love ‘Ragtime,’ and naturally, all of her photos are stunning, but I did not look too deeply into her life until I started writing this musical,” Scott said.

ATI two years ago.

“I’ve always had an interest in the theater and have absolutely no musical talent,” Frost said. “As I see it, we have all the people on the creative side who know how to put on the show. So, it’s my job to manage budgets.”

“As a board member, Brian already had an established relationship with ATI,” Fitzgerald said. “He stepped in and was helping during the hunt for the new executive director, and everything just seemed to fall into place. He is the perfect fit and the transition has been seamless. He has all of the qualities that we were searching for, and we are so grateful that when we asked, he said yes.”

Frost, who has attended ATI productions for 19 years, was encouraged by Marketing Director Meg Osborne to get involved with

Frost wants to improve internal communications between the board of directors and staff by improving technology used for communications.

“Fundraising is No. 1 on my list of priorities,” he said. “All arts organizations have struggled.”

However, Frost said ATI is benefiting from a major legacy gift of $687,000 from the late Christel DeHaan. Frost said it enabled ATI to create an endowment fund managed by the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

“It provided us with some operating funds, so we finally have a little bit of a cushion,” said Frost, who had been treasurer of the board of directors.

Frost worked at Fifth Third Bank for 25 years in the financial brokerage department as a financial advisor. He retired in 2017.

Scott

Frost

‘Idol’ winner set for Feinstein’s

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Winning Season 16 of “American Idol” made a huge impact on Maddie Poppe.

CONCERT

“‘American Idol’ opened more doors for me than I ever could’ve imagined,” Poppe said. “I learned so much since my win six years ago and have made so many amazing memories along the way.”

A singer-songwriter, Poppe will appear at 7:30 p.m. March 17-18 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Her boyfriend and guitarist, Gabe Burdulis, will join her.

“I like to play my original music, but I can’t help adding classics that are familiar with everyone in the room. Cabaret-style rooms are some of my favorite to play,” Poppe said. “I feel my music is best suited for small and intimate rooms. I like to feel like I can have a conversation with anyone in the room. One of my favorite parts of playing shows are the conversations and stories I get to tell in between each song. It’s the thing that helped me conquer my stage fright in the beginning of my career.”

Poppe is a multi-instrumentalist who

Maddie Poppe appears at Feinstein’s March 1718. (Photo courtesy of Maddie Poppe)

plays the guitar, piano and ukulele. She received a People’s Choice Award in the category of Competition Contestant for her “American Idol” performance.

Following her “American Idol” victory, Poppe had a hit that reached No. 2 on the iTunes Pop Charts.

After playing Feinstein’s, she will spend 11 consecutive days supporting singer-songwriter Joshua Radin on tour.

“One of the many things that makes me so excited about touring with Josh is how our music styles mesh together so nicely,” she said.

For more, visit feinsteinhc.com and maddiepoppe.com.

Artist inspired by grocery strolls

Commentary by Randy Sorrell

Al Hopkins walks through the produce section of local grocery stores to “get his creative on.”

PAINTING

His realism art of fresh fruit and veggies is incredibly detailed. The colors are so precise and real that it seems like I could reach into the painting and pluck off a blueberry. Persimmons were a recent inspiration in his highly controlled studio environment.

Hopkins has dabbled in art since his high school art classes taught by the admired James P. Doversberger (1928-2017) at Tipton, where he experimented with oils/acrylics and watercolors before firmly sticking with oils.

After getting married in the 1990s and launching his career, Hopkins took an artistic respite for a few years. His talent landed him directly in the Hoosier Salon upon his serious return around 1996 with multiple showings since. It was quite an accomplishment and soon was followed by exhibiting in the Indiana Heritage Arts exhibition!

The Carmel resident noted that Freder-

ick Ebbesen Grue (1951-1995) is a strong influence. Most of Hopkins’ paintings are 6-by-8-inches or 5-by-7-inches and take between 40 to 60 hours to complete — understandable, considering the extreme details, multiple layers and refined shadows that his still lifes reflect. Visit his Instagram @alhopkinsfineart or his compelling blog anartistinindiana.globspot.com for more.

Tell me your story at rsorrellart@gmail. com or rsorrellart.com.

Cheers!

Carmel artist Al Hopkins’ painting of fruit.

(Photo courtesy of Al Hopkins)

Randy Sorrell, a Carmel artist, can be reached at 317-6792565, rsorrellart@gmail.com or rsorrellart.com.

A visit to Egypt’s Grand Museum

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Egypt, we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, or GEM, which will soon bring Egypt’s most famous attractions within walking distance of each other.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is on the Giza Plateau a little more than a mile from the famous Giza pyramids. The massive museum, the largest of its kind in the world, includes 20 acres of indoor exhibit space and a 7-acre courtyard. The cornerstone of the museum was laid in 2002 and completion was originally scheduled for 2013, at an expected cost of $500 million. A series of delays have repeatedly pushed back the official opening, now scheduled for this spring, and increased the cost to at least $1 billion.

The GEM is now partially open, with visitors able to see a small part of the items that will eventually be there. The courtyard features a 50-foot-tall, 110-ton “hanging obelisk” mounted atop a unique plinth so visitors can walk under it and see the un-

derside cartouche of Pharaoh Ramses II.

Just inside is a colossal 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II. The 83-ton statue, which previously stood in a Cairo square, was moved into the building during construction. Several important statues from antiquity are arranged on steps ending with a view of the Giza pyramids.

When the museum fully opens, it will include more than 100,000 items, many of which will be on display. For the first time, visitors will be able to see all 4,549 items found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1922, including the famous gold death mask. The GEM is expected to attract up to 15,000 visitors a day from around the world, three times the number who visit the crowded Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo that now displays some of the Tutankhamun treasures.

Ancient statues at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The Giza Pyramids are near the Grand Egyptian Museum just outside of Cairo. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Across

1. Like some WRTV newscast banter

6. Eli Lilly and Company inventory

11. “___ voyage!”

14. Deliberately mislead

15. Gold bar

16. Big name in ice cream

17. Send to the Indiana Senate

18. SUV at Bill Estes Chevrolet

19. Ages and ages

20. Michiana city that could be in the state’s menagerie

22. Poor imitation

24. Nary a soul

27. So-so

28. Seasonal Golden Arches sandwich

31. Rock genre

33. Lecherous look

36. FOX59 reporter Graves

37. Workshop items

39. Expunge

40. Peculiarity

42. Futuristic animated TV family

44. U-turn from NNE

45. Mario’s brother in video games

47. Wander

48. ___ Christian Anderson

50. Wildebeest

51. Grill brand

52. Chum

54. Chews like a beaver

56. John Roberts’ judicial grp.

59. Hamilton County city that could be in the state’s menagerie

64. Tuna type

65. Halley’s ___

68. Baby-to-be

69. Bar Louie spirit

70. Public persona

71. Amherst school, familiarly

72. Picnic pest

73. Interior design

74. Most of Santa’s mail Down

1. Sheltered, at sea

2. Shapiro’s pickle flavoring

3. Onion’s kin

4. Nagging desire

5. Garfield Park Conservatory garden type

6. “Same here”

7. Genetic letters

8. “Gross!”

9. Blunder

10. Power source

11. Marion County city that could be in the state’s menagerie

12. Fragrance

13. Big Apple inits.

21. Indy Zoo CEO Shumaker

23. ___ Speedwagon

25. “The Matrix” hero

26. Texting icon

28. What you’d be smart to join?

29. Northwest Indiana city that could be in the state’s menagerie

30. Hinkle Fieldhouse backboard attachment

32. Bullring cheer

34. Ocean vessel

35. Current big shots, briefly

37. Getting even with

38. Full of tension

40. Campfire residue

41. Carry with effort

43. Weep

46. Paintball shooter

49. Had a seat

51. Conflict that ended on Nov. 11, 1918

53. Clearheaded

55. Subsequent

56. Heroic tale

57. Goatee site

6 Double ___

“I” US States

3 UND Fencing Team Blades

5 Denver Omelet Ingredients

58.

60.

61.

2 UIndy Colors

1 “Pride in Progress” City

meaning “half”

63. Leaky tire sound

66. ___ and cheese

67. Self-conceit

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024

CARMEL FISHERS

NOBLESVILLE WESTFIELD NORTHERNTOWNS

THE SKIES ALIGN FOR A SPECTACULAR SHOW IN HAMILTON COUNTY ON APRIL 8, 2024

Get ready to be mesmerized by a celestial masterpiece as the communities of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield and the Northern Towns become the perfect stage for the Total Solar Eclipse, when the moon gracefully dances in front of the sun and casts its shadow across the landscape.

Witness the magic of the cosmos with friends and family at official viewing locations like Carmel Civic Square, Conner Prairie, Cool Creek Park, Grand Park Sports Campus, Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center and Strawtown Koteewi Park.

Grab your Eclipse glasses, set up your cameras and join Hamilton County in this celestial celebration—it’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience!

VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Eclipse

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