Carmel Monthly-November 2022

MONTHLY

17 COVER STORY

Dr. Harrison Hines: CHS Alumnus Named White House Fellow

This month, we are pleased to feature Dr. Harrison Hines on our cover. Dr. Hines, a 2008 Carmel High School graduate, was recently named a 2022–2023 White House Fellow. Hines was one of 15 early-to-mid-career professionals selected to participate in the oneyear program out of thousands of applicants. Hines’ professional background in the ology and medicine is what placed him at the White House Domestic Policy Council. We spoke with Dr. Hines about the work he hopes to accomplish in his role as a White House Fellow, the purpose of the council that he has been appointed to and what he hopes to take away from the experiences he has over the course of the year. Dr. Hines also shared how his public-school education at CHS prepared him for what he has already accomplished in his professional life, as well as a few of his treasured memories and experiences while living in Carmel, Indiana, where his parents still reside.

CARMEL MONTHLY

PUBLISHER / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803

PUBLISHER / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418

DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418

HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison janelle@collectivepub.com / 317-250-7298

Cover Story Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photo // Courtesy of EOP/WHO

Carmel Clay Parks and Clay Township

Reimagined

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of Carmel Clay Parks

With the support and assistance of the Clay Township Impact Program, Clay Township and Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation have helped improve the community with a strong focus on parks, community amenities and public safety. The [Impact] program has provided benefits for all [Carmel Clay] Township residents, businesses and schools. I spoke with Clay Township Board Member Matthew Snyder, Michael W. Klitzing, Director of Parks and Recreation/CEO, and Richard F. Taylor III, President of Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation, about how the collaboration and master planning efforts have contributed to the legacy of the excellence that residents and guests are accustomed to throughout Carmel Clay Township.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE CLAY TOWNSHIP IMPACT PROGRAM

Taylor shared that Snyder has been delegated the authority on behalf of the township trustee and township board to run and manage the Clay Township Impact Pro gram, as it was Snyder’s “brainchild.”

Taylor added, “It has been an honor working with Matt [Snyder] and Clay Township to reimagine six parks. This type of collaboration between government entities is rare. The success of our efforts is evident by the smiling faces of those who are using the new amenities at each park. I feel grateful to be a part of this team.”

What literally began as an idea on the back of a cocktail napkin, Snyder shared, has morphed into remarkable projects that have positively impacted the com munity, such as the indoor fieldhouse at Badger Field.

“What kind of started as a side project to help the [Carmel] Dads’ Club was also an opportunity for really cool joint projects funded solely by the Township with the Parks Department,” Snyder said. “We are always trying to find ways for joint use and symbiotic relationships and assets [where] more than just one organization benefits from a taxpayer-funded facility, and that’s what kicked off the [Impact] program.”

Snyder continued, “Through speaking with Rich and Michael and identifying the needs of the parks, we came up with a list, and the same thing with the [Carmel] Fire Department — we came up with a list of needs. Because if we wanted to do an impact program, I wanted it to be big. However, I am a huge believer that when a tax dollar is spent, it needs to impact the gross majority of everybody that put that money into it. It needs to impact all of the residents of Carmel and not just

one segment, and that’s how we approach these individual projects. Parks and the fire department are no-brainers — they impact everybody, no matter where you live in the community.”

Snyder complemented the master plan ning of the Carmel Clay Parks organization.

“The master planning process through the parks was wonderful,” Snyder stated. “The Township did the engagements of the designing and bidding out and ran the projects but with the understand ing that these are truly Parks projects, and the final says and decisions were all through Michael, Rich and their orga nization. I’m very passionate about the impact program, and I think the commu nity as a whole should be very excited, as we did all of these projects without impacting the tax rate at all. That was very important to us.”

Klitzing returned the compliments and appreciation for the Township’s support and collaboration.

“I want to recognize that Clay Township has always been such a significant partner in creating the park system that we have in Carmel today,” Klitzing expressed. “Without the partnership between the city of Carmel and the township, we wouldn’t have the two-time national gold medal award-wining park systems that we have, and without the generous funding from Clay Township, we certainly wouldn’t have any of it. So, the Clay Township Impact Program just builds upon that strong legacy of support that we have received, and it’s a testament to the Township leaders, past and present, that they have recognized the transformative power of parks and recreation in the community and the impact they have.”

When it came to assessing the needs and planning out the projects, specifical ly the six parks that were on the list of projects that needed upgrades and/or re placements, Klitzing explained, “A lot of it ties back to the time when Matthew and the Township board were considering and figuring out the strategies for CTIP, and at the same time, we [Parks & Rec] were finishing up our [5-year] comprehen sive Parks and Recreation master plan. This plan is really the guiding principles that establishes the big-picture vision for the parks over the next 5 years from a development as well as a management standpoint and incorporated public in

put, is reviewed and then adopted by the parks board.”

Klitzing concluded, “We worked with engineering and architects that have worked with the park system before and did a comprehensive assessment of all of our capital assets to identify: ‘What shape are they in?’ and ‘When can we expect to make major upgrades and replacements of these capital assets?’

Our park system was established in 1991, and we just celebrated our 30th anni versary last year. A lot of our parks were built 20 years ago, and 20 years is about that magic cycle where playgrounds need to be replaced, splash pads need to be replaced and a lot of infrastructure needs to be upgraded. So, the timing of this [impact program] was perfect. We very quickly were able to identify a lot of the things that needed to be replaced to make sure that they remain safe for the public to use and inviting, and this [program] allowed us to do it.”

For more information on Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation, visit carmelclayparks.com.

CARMEL CLAY IMPACT PROJECTS

*For a complete list of projects, visit claytownshipimpact.com.

CARMEL CLAY COMMUNITY BUILDING

A new 5-story building is under constructed to house fire department administrative offices and a fire department museum that will contain the “Survive Alive” educational exhibit, teaching young visitors about the dangers of fire and how to react in a fire emergency. There will also be space made available for community gatherings and events.

FIRE STATION IMPROVEMENTS

Safety improvements to fire stations across the Township include various interior and exterior facility renovations and equipment upgrades, including a new ladder truck and fire suppression system.

Fire Stations 41, 42, 46

FIBEROPTIC RING

The expansion of the existing fiberoptic ring within the

Township will improve safety by allowing for faster, more reliable communications between our schools, Township facilities and the Carmel Clay Fire Department.

CARMEL CLAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY – HISTORY MUSEUM

PARK IMPROVEMENTS

Improvements to the following parks include updating the walking trails, lighting, aquatic features, Wi-Fi/security, playgrounds, dog park, restrooms, parking lots and park entrances.

∙ Carey Grove Park ∙ Flowing Well Park ∙ Meadowlark Park ∙ West Park

∙ Central Park ∙ Inlow Park ∙ River Heritage Park

CENTRAL PARK ENTRANCE IMPROVEMENTS

Roundabouts implemented on 111th Street at Westfield Boulevard, Central Park Drive and College Avenue will allow for safer access to Central Park and will the improve traffic flow in and around the Homeplace area.

CLAY TOWNSHIP CHILDREN’S PAVILION AT COXHALL GARDENS

The addition of a large pavilion to this existing park will allow for childfriendly activities and will support various children’s programs.

INDOOR FIELDHOUSE AT BADGER FIELD

The construction of a new multiuse, indoor fieldhouse at Badger Field will allow for year-round sports activities for Carmel Dads’ Club participants, as well as the overall community.

∙ Indoor synthetic field ∙ Locker rooms ∙ Basketball / sports courts

JAPANESE GARDENS AND MONON GREENWAY

The existing Japanese Gardens will be expanded and made more accessible by the connection to the Monon Trail, City Hall and Carmel Drive. The Monon Greenway, started in Midtown Carmel, will continue between City Center Drive and Carmel Drive. The Japanese Gardens designer is a worldrenowned garden designer: Hoichi Kurisu from Japan.

Richard Taylor

Michael Klitzing Matt Snyder

CENTER PRESENTS:

MICHAEL BOLTON: GREATEST HITS & HOLIDAY FAVORITES

THE PALLADIUM // TUESDAY, DEC 13, 7:30 P.M. ET

From “When a Man Loves a Woman” to “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and more, Michael Bolton’s time, love and tenderness have created the soundtrack of our lives. To date, he has seen nine studio albums rank in the Top 10, with nine No. 1 singles. His most recent release, the Billboard Classical chart-topper “A Symphony of Hits,” is a collection of his favorites recorded with a full symphony orchestra.

Bolton’s songs and performances have been featured in numerous television and film soundtracks, including the Oscar-nominated theme song “Go the Distance” from Walt Disney’s blockbuster animated film Hercules and the recent Russell Crowe film Fathers & Daughters, which has become a favored wedding song and part of several viral videos. He also executive produced the documentary Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America and was Emmy-nominated for writing the title song “Tears of the Angels.” Bolton also produced a feature-length documentary, American Dream: Detroit, which is his love letter to the Motor City.

Catch the Grammy Award winner’s return to the Palladium for an evening of timeless song and a journey through pop, rock, soul, standards and even classical music. Purchase your tickets at thecenterpresents.org.

Janelle Morrison: How impactful was your early foundation, having grown up in a household that supported the arts, to the launch and longevity of your career?

Michael Bolton: The support and encouragement of my parents definitely influenced my interest in pursuing singing at a young age. My parents chipped in to get me my first guitar, which is what started me songwriting. My mother had wanted to be a singer and would play piano in the house. My older brother was always introducing me to new music, from the Stones and the Beatles

to Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. This was the era of Motown and “The Ed Sullivan Show,” so music was very much a part of the culture.

JM: How has the music industry evolved, based on your observations, from when you released your first album, and in what ways is it better or more challenging for established artists?

Bolton: The music industry today is a complete ly different landscape than when I first broke as

Writer // Janelle Morrison

Photography // Courtesy of Andrew Macpherson and The Center

an artist. There was no talent show to make you a global overnight success or online platform where you could be discovered or go viral. Back then, it was all about playing live and getting someone to see you who would believe in you and take a chance to develop your career. A lot of resources were poured into artist development, and of course, launching an album was all about working all the media and especially radio relationships in every city around the world where you wanted to connect. I am fortunate that at the time I finally launched my career I had a lot of support from the label and did all the work around the world to really cast roots where my fanbase has continued to grow and allowed me throughout all these years to continue touring and releasing music.

JM: Again, in your opinion, is the [music] industry more or less focused on promoting the authenticity of an artist, and does the current culture of the “industry” affect how you produce and write your music?

Bolton: I think each artist discovers what is authentic to them through the process of dealing with the industry, the media and the audience. It’s an evolving process, like for anyone as you grow and get to know yourself — just that with an artist that happens in the spotlight. I have always gravitated to strong melodies and messages in music and that is still what I do — the production of music is the vehicle, but it’s the lyric and melody that delivers the opportunity to connect with people on a personal and universal level, and that is what I aim to do.

JM: How important is it for you to continue collaborating with other artists, and what’s the general takeaway you get after you have worked with other artists?

Bolton: I love collaborating with a wide range of artists. It keeps me inspired, and I find that the younger artists are looking to learn about longevity, so we have this reciprocal enthusiasm to create together.

JM: How have you enjoyed exploring other entertainment sectors such as your appearances and production work on several hit TV shows, documentaries and podcasts?

Bolton: I love finding any vehicle to combine music and comedy, two of my favorite things. Many people may have taken my seriousness about my career as me being a serious person. But I’ve always been the wise guy, and being able to have fun with that in TV or commercials is the best. The bottom line is every platform is another opportunity for creative expression and to connect with your fans and hopefully create new ones.

JM: Are you just as comfortable appearing on camera as you are on the stage? Do the differing experiences provide opportunities for you to grow as an artist/entertainer/producer? Specifically, how?

Bolton: The stage just comes so naturally to me. It’s my home. Showing up for a TV show or com mercial is entering someone else’s home, so it takes adjusting and learning, but I’ve been fortunate to work with the best teams out there, so they always make it enjoyable and comfortable for me, and I always learn and grown in the process.

JM: I have read in past interviews that you were influenced by many big band legends, such as Mr. Frank Sinatra and Mr. Nat King Cole. Are there any current or upand-coming artists that you find as inspiring?

Bolton: I love Sam Smith, Bruno Mars, Adele, Sia, Kelly Clarkson — strong, passionate, soulful singers.

JM: In your autobiography, Soul of It All, you say you’re “just teeing off the back nine of your career.” What are some of the milestones you are setting out to achieve in this phase of your life and career? Aside from

continuing to create and share exceptional music!

Bolton: Continuing in comedy — whether TV shows, commercials, voice over, animation or digi tal media — has been a big part of my “back nine,” and of course, continuing to tour, make music and share my voice with as many people as I can.

JM: As an advocate for the arts, it is my job to remind people of the importance and luxury we enjoy, of coming together in community to experience artists such as yourself. During this holiday season, it is even more important to recognize how important the arts are to our everyday lives and to our emotional and spiritual health. What would you like for the audience to know about your upcoming performance at the Palladium, and what are your wishes for your fans this holiday season?

Bolton: During the pandemic, I think we all really realized how much we needed events like concerts, where we come together and replay a soundtrack from our life or just let go of the daily grind for a couple of hours and feel con nected to ourselves and maybe something bigger. This holiday season, we have the opportunity to appreciate great venues that bring us closer to music and to each other

CENTER

PRESENTS:

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMAS TOUR

THE PALLADIUM // FRIDAY, DEC 9, 8PM ET

A popular annual tradition at the Center, saxophonist and bandleader Dave Koz’s holiday concerts feature stellar special guests performing fresh, lively arrangements of seasonal favorites in a high-energy show for the entire family.

Dave Koz & Friends released “Christmas Ballads (25th Anniversary Collection)” on September 23. The chart-topping, GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist is joined on the album by pianist David Benoit, trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Peter White — the friends who accompanied him on the road in the earliest years of the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022 and holds the record as the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour. This year’s “friends” also include Keiko Matsui [keyboardist] and Rebecca Jade [vocalist]. Rebecca Jade is the featured vocalist on the album’s gorgeous medley of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over) / Imagine.”

In a career spanning three decades, Koz has earned nine Grammy nominations and sent nine albums to the top of

Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. An entrepreneur and restaurateur, he also hosts two radio programs: the syndicated The Dave Koz Radio Show, on the air for more than 20 years, and The Dave Koz Lounge on SiriusXM.

Opening the evening will be the bass-keyboard duo Bethany Robinson and Sarah Scharbrough McLaughlin. Robinson, Jazz Band Director for No blesville Schools, is a Yamaha perform ing artist, former Indiana Jazz Educator of the Year and 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award Finalist. McLaughlin, a Noblesville resident, is a singer and songwriter who has released six original studio albums and performs regularly across central Indiana.

Purchase your tickets at thecenterpresents.org.

Janelle Morrison: Happy holidays, Dave! It’s become an annual tradition talking with you about coming to Carmel, Indiana. So, we’re looking forward to having you back!

Dave Koz: Happy Thanksgiving! We love coming to the Palladium! It’s certainly a bright spot on our tour because we feel very well taken care of there, and it always ends up being a great show for those of us on the stage.

JM: This is a rather special year for you and your group. It’s been 25 years of time, effort, talent and passion. What’s the secret to the longevity of your Christmas shows?

Koz: It’s funny. When I hear it coming out of somebody’s mouth like yours just now, I’m like, “Wait … wow! How did we get to 25 years?” It’s pretty astonishing because when you look at the fact that I’m Jewish and here we have eight Christmas albums and 25 years of touring at Christmas time, it’s kind of ironic, to say the least. But I love the music, and I’m such a fan of

the musicians that I get a chance to work with every year. We change up our show every season, which keeps it interesting for all of us, and hopefully it’s still interesting for the people that come to see the show. You’re not coming to see the same thing year after year, and I think that’s been the recipe for us getting to 25 years.

JM: This is also a reunion of sorts for you and some of the “friends” who have joined you for this year’s tour, is it not?

Koz: Yeah, Rick [Braun] and Peter [White] were both original cast members of our shows going back to the beginning, as well as David Benoit. And David couldn’t do the tour, sadly, because of some health reasons, but he’ll be joining us for a couple of shows later on in the tour. But these guys are my oldest friends in the business. We’ve been through so much together. And Keiko brings a beautiful presence to the stage and incredible amounts of energy! We also have a young singer, Rebecca Jade, who is one of the real bright spots in the world of contemporary jazz music, bringing a whole new element and new energy to it with her music. So, it’s a really nice group of people with me this year.

JM: I listened to the gorgeous medley of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over) / Imagine” that’s featured on your

latest album. How beautiful, and sadly, relevant those [two] Lennon songs still are.

Koz: I was coming from a place of being a John Lennon fan. When I worked on the record with the wonderful producer and arranger, Philippe Saisse, a Frenchman, to our knowledge, those two songs had never been paired as a medley before. They fit together perfectly, and when you listen to it, it’s not just one song followed by the next, there’s fragments of each song blended throughout the song. So, that’s the genius of that one particular arrangement that really showcases the genius of Philippe. Philippe and I wrote one of the songs on the album, “Wrapped Up in Your Smile,” which we will perform in the show as well.

JM: This latest album is a different “vibe” than your previous Christmas albums.

Koz: When we started to look at the song titles, there seemed to be a mood that was shaping up with this collection of songs. It’s a little bit more meditative, a little more romantic and quieter. We imagined if you have a holiday party at your house, this is the “mood” after your guests have left, you’ve put away the dishes and it’s quiet now. There’s a fire going in your fireplace and maybe a nice glass of wine in your hands, and you’re enjoying a special quiet moment with your special person. This album truly celebrates that moment, and the music really helps complement the mood.

JM: Again, you’ve been touring during the holidays for 25 years. That’s time away from your family and friends, and I’m curious: What keeps you energized and passionate about sharing the bulk of the holiday season with your audiences, year after year?

Koz: My family has become my touring fam ily and also the people that come to the shows every year.

Especially when we get a chance to come back to the same venues. There’s a tradition that happens, and we’ve been going on this tour to some of the same places for 25 years in a row. So, I remember people who have come and brought their kids every year — seeing them in the front and 2nd rows — and those kids grew up right in front of my eyes. And now they’re bringing their kids to the show! So, there’s this nostalgic tradition that has happened over the years, and I feel very grateful to be a part of it. And as long as people want to come and celebrate the holidays with us, we will continue doing it!

Enjoy the Festivities at Feinstein’s This Holiday Season!

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, and Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael has a spectacular lineup of holiday entertainment to add to the long list of local festivities this month! There is a variety of talent coming to this intimate and fabulous venue, but tickets are selling fast, so don’t wait too long to purchase yours at feinsteinshc.com!

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH ATI LIVE!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 AND FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 / DOORS 5:30 P.M., START 7:30 P.M. / FEINSTEIN’S CABARET – CARMEL, IN

Join Judy Fitzgerald, Cindy Collins and special guest, Matt Branic, as Actors Theatre of Indiana celebrates the Holiday Season! Come hear the music we all know and love, plus Carmel High School’s elite acapella group, SELECT SOUND, will join in the fun and, of course, there will be an appearance by Santa!

A $25 food and beverage minimum is required per ticket holder. Both Judy Fitzgerald and Cindy Collins expressed that they enjoy performing at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael and are excited to share the holidays with their fans and friends.

“We’ve performed in so many different venues, but like the Studio Theater [in Carmel], we love the intimacy and warm setting of Feinstein’s,” Fitzgerald shared. “It’s very inviting to the audience, and as performers, we can really communicate with them and see them! People can escape [the hustle] to Feinstein’s, and once you walk into the Hotel Carmichael and then into Feinstein’s [downstairs], you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh!’ You’re instantly transported into this warm and inviting space and love it!” Expect to be entertained and engaged during these two performances! Fitzgerald and Collins shared a few teasers ahead of their two performances at Feinstein’s. “We’re going to do some fun stuff with the audiences this year,” Collins said. “And we’re going to be bringing in some new material to the show like we do every year to keep it fresh and energetic. So, we’ll be doing a variety of songs that the audiences love and have heard before, but there’s always a different variety [of songs], and it’s never the same show every single year!”

BLAIR CLARK PRESENTS: HOLIDAY CABARET SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 / DOORS 5:30 P.M., START 7:30 P.M. / FEINSTEIN’S CABARET – CARMEL, IN

Take a little pop, throw in some R&B, mix it with some soul and add a touch of jazz, and the result is the electrifying sounds of Blair Clark. Clark has had the privilege of working with Grammy award-winner/producer Narada Michael Walden, BMI® award-winner Preston Glass and New Orleans jazz legend Henry Butler, to name a few. He’s enjoyed collaborating and recording with Evelyn “Champagne” King and Ron Tyson of The Temp tations. Clark shared his thoughts on why he enjoys the local venue and what he hopes his audience will take away from his performance later this month. “The layout [of Fein stein’s] is perfect for the way that I perform,” Clark said. “It is very cabaret, and it allows an entertainer to reach the audience on a very close level. I can literally walk up to them and sing and dance with them. It’s a very intimate setting with class that goes all the way from the entertainment to the food and the service.” Clark added, “We will have a nice full band [accompanying] these arrangements, and that will really make these songs resonate with the audience. The audience is going to hear these songs in a different energy, and they’ll walk away feeling that warm feeling that goes with this holiday. We want them to walk out feeling that it was a great experience! It’s not just a show — we collaborate with the audience, and we put on a party!”

FRANC D’AMBROSIO’S CHRISTMAS IN CARMEL

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 / DOORS 6:00 P.M., START 7:30 P.M. / FEINSTEIN’S CABARET – CARMEL, IN Join Franc D’Ambrosio on a nostalgic stroll through one of his favorite cities as he joyously celebrates the music and magic of the holidays. You will immediately get into the spirit of the season with classics like “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” You’ll enjoy hearing Broadway standards, such as Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. Franc will close the night with songs that made him famous from The Phantom of the Opera, and The Godfather Part III. A $25 Food and Beverage minimum is required of all patrons. Fans of this internationally renowned vocalist and actor will be thrilled beyond measure to see D’Ambrosio perform again at Feinstein’s. D’Ambrosio has performed many times at Feinstein’s at the Nik ko in San Francisco. When asked what about Feinstein’s in Carmel he enjoys so much that it keeps prompting him to return, he replied, “The room at Feinstein’s and the staff is first rate. So, whenever I have the chance to play at Feinstein’s and to have people that close to me, it’s so nice and so intimate. For me, if feels like I’m playing in my living room, and I have the opportunity to see the faces of every single person in the entire room, and that’s what makes it wonderful for me.” As D’Ambrosio takes his audience on an imaginary tour of Christmas in New York City and into his vault of beloved holiday childhood memories, the evocation of nostalgia and wonderment will leave the audience feeling emotionally fulfilled. “The show is called ‘Christmas in New York,’” D’Ambrosio shared. “It’s basically a musical walk around New York City at Christmas time. I tell the story of when I was a kid on Christmas Eve in the Bronx. We would always go into Manhattan to see the sights and sounds of Christmas. And the first stop was always Macy’s. I will perform ‘Ave Maria’ and some songs from Phantom of the Opera at the end. It’s a really nice feelgood show, and it’s light and fun. It’s one of my favorite shows to perform.”

TO READ THE FULL CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS, GO TO CARMELMONTHLYMAGAZINE.COM.

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Dr. Harrison Hines:

CHS Alumnus Named White House Fellow

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of EOP/WHO

This month, we are pleased to feature Dr. Harrison Hines on our cover. Dr. Hines is a 2008 Carmel High School graduate who was recently named a 2022–2023 White House Fellow.

Hines was one of 15 early-to-midcareer professionals selected to participate in the one-year program out of thousands of applicants.

Hines’ professional background in theology and medicine is what placed him at the White House Domestic Policy Council.

We spoke with Dr. Hines about the work he hopes to accomplish in his role as a White House Fellow, the purpose of the council that he has been appointed to and what he hopes to take away from the experiences he has over the course of the year. Dr. Hines also shared how his public-school education at CHS prepared him for what he has already accomplished in his professional life, as well as a few of his treasured memories and experiences while living in Carmel, Indiana, where his parents still reside.

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

Although he is a resident of Washington, D.C., Dr. Hines remains a steadfast fan of his hometown: Carmel. He reflected back on his time as a student at CHS and expressed his gratitude for the time he spent there.

“I love how welcoming people in Carmel are,” Dr. Hines said. “Though I haven’t lived there in over 14 years, I carry that sensibility with me and try to make ev eryone I encounter feel welcome, valued and loved. I am incredibly grateful for my time at [CHS], and I loved it. I participated in a variety of activities: tennis, concert

and jazz band, student senate, etc. Tennis dominated much of my life growing up in Carmel. I played in tournaments on the weekends, on the CHS freshman and varsity teams, and taught tennis to kids in the summer. Our tennis team coaches, Coach Bostic and Coach Jones, were forc es in my life. They taught me to believe in myself, not just because I thought I could achieve but because I would not have to do it alone. I have kept lightly in touch with them over the years and continue to be inspired by their dedication to me and my teammates.”

Dr. Hines continued, “One of the most salient lessons my teachers and class mates at CHS taught me was how to be a lifelong learner. I took a Spanish class with an excellent teacher who wrote his own educational songs on guitar and en deavored every day to pass his excitement for Spanish on to his students. He was constantly experimenting with his peda gogical technique because he wanted ev ery day to be a better teacher than he was the day before. About halfway through the year, he observed some students were struggling and clearly had questions about the material but did not ask those questions in class. To foster shared learn ing and responsibility, he rearranged the seating chart so that the students who were excelling were paired with students who needed some assistance. He encour aged quiet side conversations in class between pairs so that students could ask one another what a word meant or the correct tense to use on a worksheet. That teacher, though an expert in his discipline, was trying to improve his teaching and learn a new way to do class. I think on my time in that class often. As a physi cian and policy advocate, being a lifelong learner is an indispensable ingredient for sustainable and fulfilling career.”

When asked at what point Dr. Hines began to realize the direction he wanted to go after graduating from CHS, he replied, “I took 2 years of chemistry with Ms. Deborah Haire at CHS and fell in love with science — its simplicity, is ambition, its limitations and the opportunity to learn more. I knew then I wanted to

major in science in college. The decisions to go to medical school, seminary, and engage in policy did not happen until later in my career.”

Following his passions, Dr. Hines attended Duke University as a Robertson Scholar and majored in Chemistry and Re ligion. Dr. Hines continued his educational and career pursuits with an M.D. from Stanford University and earned a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Duke Divinity School.

“I was interested to several schools with attractive science programs, but Duke awarded me a Robertson Scholarship,” Dr. Hines explained. “The Robertson is a 4-year, full ride scholarship to either Duke or the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and is the nation’s premier leadership development program for undergrads. I felt incredibly blessed to be selected for this program and thought the opportunity was too good to pass. My decision to major in Religion in addition to Chemistry came after taking a class in church history as a freshman. In high school, I disliked history. However, Church History was my favorite class during freshman year and got me interested in learning more about the history of Chris tianity and other religious traditions. That major was my impetus to eventually attend seminary.”

MAKING AN IMPACT AS A WHITE HOUSE FELLOW

A series of life choices would lead a now married Dr. Hines to Sacramento, California, where an introduction to then–Assembly member Shirley Weber

would spark Hines’ interest in policy making and a desire to participate in the law-making process.

“My wife was a resident at UC Davis in Sacramento at the time,” Dr. Hines recalled. “As we had been living apart for a few years already, I decided to spend the last several months of medical school living with her in Sacramento. Studying bioethics in seminary piqued my interest in policy making as an expression of our social moral reasoning, so I wanted to find a way to work in the state legislature and participate in the law-making process. A friend introduced me to a staffer in then–Assembly member Weber’s office, and they eventually took me on as an intern. I answered phone calls, managed office mail and sat in on meetings when I could. As I learned more about the office and legislature, I was given increasing responsibility: staffing the member on a committee, advising her on bills and championing two bills myself. I am forever grateful that Dr. Weber and her staff gave me that opportunity, because that job excited me about civil service as a potential part of my career.”

Upon developing an interest in a variety of policy issues in areas ranging from healthcare administration to education to immigration and wanting to make a broader impact — specifically in the area of public health — Dr. Hines applied to the White House Fellows Program.

“Envisioned by John Gardner and enacted by a 1964 executive order by Pres ident Johnson, the White House Fellows program offers emerging leaders with a dedication to service an opportunity to work at the highest levels of the federal government,” Dr. Hines said. “As a neu rologist with a passion for advocacy and policy development, this program is an unparalleled gift. I view my selection as a White House Fellow as a blessing meant for me to give back to my community and to our country, both of which have invest ed so much in me.”

Dr. Hines shared the purpose of the White House Domestic Policy Council and what he hopes to accomplish during his times on the DPC.

One of the most salient lessons my teachers and classmates at CHS taught me was how to be a lifelong learner.”

“The DPC drives the development and implementation of the President’s domestic policy agenda in service to the American people,” Dr. Hines stated. “One recent example of work done by the DPC was organizing the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on September 28, 2022. The conference brought together Americans from across the country to discuss how we can end hunger, increase healthy eating and increase physical activity by 2030. One of my roles was serving on a team garnering more than $8 billion in commitments from organizations outside the federal government in the Conference’s call to action. Throughout my time working at the DPC, I hope to continue making an impact on a broad scale, both in healthcare and other areas our country faces. I have some state level experience with policy development through working in the California State Assembly, and I am eager to continue that work now at the federal level.”

Along with Dr. Hines, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice is a member of and leads the DPC. And she serves as the Domestic Policy Advisor to the President.

Dr. Hines added, “Under [Rice’s] supervision, the DPC has been integral in the passage of legislation like the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act and other landmark bills. The entire DPC team is experienced and driven. Working alongside colleagues with decades of experience in a variety of domestic policy areas has been inspiring.”

Q&A WITH DR. HARRISON HINES

Janelle Morrison: What made you focus primarily on public health? How would you explain your professional purpose with regards to social ethics and physician/patient advocacy?

Dr. Hines: For most people, good health stands proximate to one’s ability to function well in society. My dedication to serving the needs of my community drives my interest in public health. However, there are other problems that must be addressed in order to address someone’s health. For example, if one of my patients is underinsured, unhoused, food inse cure, or lacks transportation to get to my clinic, treating their stroke, while vital, will not help them live a full and healthy life as much as insuring them, housing them, securing nutrition for them or providing them with trans port. I see myself as a person dedicated to serving people in whatever way I can, whether through doctoring or other avenues.

JM: Please explain in detail the initiative to end hunger and improve nutrition. Is this a national initiative with hopes of expanding into a global initiative?

Dr. Hines: More can be read on the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health website [health. gov], but our goal is to make significant headway in these areas as I mentioned above. Global hunger and malnutrition are pressing and monumental problems. Through numerous mechanisms like USAID funding and international development, the U.S. government continues to work to improve food security across the globe. In concert with those efforts, the conference goals are to end hunger, improve nutrition and improve health across our nation.

JM: Do you feel that the events of 2020 and the ripple effects of that year have enlightened and motivated more people to be better humans, or do you feel that we, as a nation, took ten paces backwards with regards to

social ethics, accessibility to quality health care, equity in education, support of humanitarian efforts, etc.?

Dr. Hines: While reflecting on the tumult of 2020 threatens to dash hope against the craggy rocks of despair, my optimism remains buoyed still by the humanity and decency I see across our nation, struggling against the torrents alongside me. I used to tell people that being a doctor is the greatest job in the world because I see love every day. Listening to a stroke patient in the emergency room tell how their concerned neighbor checked in and found them on the floor, hearing a spouse of a Veteran explain sacrifices made car ing for her cognitively declining hus band, watching a community advocate for a patient with substance use dis order who needed a heart transplant … To not have hope would be to deny the compelling testimony of their lives. My colleagues at the federal government are among the most dedicated, competent and compassionate I have ever known. Watching them work, often behind the scenes and unrecognized, is inspiring beyond description. Our nation faces challenges, but I refuse to believe they are insurmountable.

JM: What can individuals and communities like Carmel do to help you and your fellow members’ efforts?

Dr. Hines: View everything in life as an undeserved gift and take nothing for granted. I believe anything that I have is a gift entrusted to me so that I may multiply it and give it to others. One concrete way to practice this principle is to actively seek out and listen to people whose political beliefs differ from yours. I believe most people are trying to do what they think is right. Though your opinion of what is right may differ from another person’s, try listening to that person and understanding why they think differently and give them the benefit of the doubt. Enter into the conversation with the presumption that they are truly trying to do what they believe is good.

Carmel Fire Department Awarded for

Safe Haven Program Success

Last month, Carmel Fire Department was recognized for its work with the nonprofit Safe Haven Baby Box program and was presented with the Hope Award that was received by CFD Chief David Haboush and CFD Division Chief of Community Relations John Moriarty.

and offering the Safe Haven Baby Boxes a last resort option for women who want to maintain complete anonymity. Safe Haven Baby Boxes travels to fire stations and hospitals to train first responders on the Safe Haven Law. The organization has found that many of the first responders are familiar with the law but need more training on how to handle safe surrenders and their response to mothers in crisis.

HOW DO THE BABY BOXES WORK?

CFD Station #45 installed their SHBB on December 28th, 2018. It went 1,194 days before it received its first surrendered baby. Haboush and Moriarty shared that the baby boxes are safe incubators that have alarm systems that notify 911 and the fire department as soon as a baby is placed inside. The baby boxes lock from the outside once the baby has been placed inside, preventing the person surrender ing the child from access afterwards.

There are avenues for the biological parent(s) to regain custody of the baby, but there are several safeguards and processes in place out of protection for the child. Un der Indiana’s Safe Haven Law, surrendered infants are placed in the custody of the state’s Department of Child Services once they are released from the hospital.

The baby boxes are heated and/or cooled, and the CFD Station #45 has a baby changing station set up right next to the baby box so that EMTs can immedi ately tend to the infant’s medical needs and prepare the infant for transport via ambulance to the hospital where it will receive a through exam and any necessary medical treatments.

Ispoke with both chiefs about how the Safe Haven Baby Box program works and how CFD Station #45 has been a crucial part of the national program’s success.

WHAT IS THE INDIANA SAFE HAVEN LAW?

The Indiana Safe Haven Law enables a person to give up an unwanted infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution, up to 30 days after birth. As long as there are no signs of intentional abuse on the baby, no information is required of the person leaving the baby.

Read the full description of the law online at www.in.gov and click on IC 31-34-2.5 Chapter 2.5. Emergency Custody of Cer tain Abandoned Children.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey, who was abandoned as an infant. Kelsey has dedicated her life to helping mothers in crisis and giving them a safe, anonymous way to surrender their babies without fear of persecution or judgment. Safe Haven Baby Boxes’ mis sion is to prevent illegal abandonment of newborns by raising awareness, offering a 24-hour hotline for mothers in crisis

Inside of the CFD SHBB, there is also an orange bag labeled “Please take this.” Moriarty shared, “When mom, dad or whoever places the baby in the box, they’ll see this bag. In it there is information and resources for mom to get treatment, explanations on how to take of herself if she’s experiencing any medical issues and how to take care of all that. The first two of the three mothers [who placed their in fants in the CFD SHBB] took these [bags].”

CFD SETTING THE EXAMPLE

Although it certainly wasn’t the intent of CFD to break records and to be the role

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of CFD

models for the SHBB program, its success with the program in 2022 has clinched the department’s place as a leader and mentor to other fire departments, police departments and hospitals throughout the nation who are participants in the SHBB program.

“Essentially, SHBB is an opportunity for parents in crisis to surrender their child in a safe environment that will be able to meet and take care of the needs of the child,” Haboush shared. “John [Moriarty] and I received the [Hope] award for the work that CFD has done for this program. In March of this year, the first baby came, and in April of this year, the second baby came. Then the third baby came to our box in May of this year. The nonprofit’s work aligns perfectly with what fire service is all about. It is about preserving human life and taking care of human beings.”

Haboush added, “To date, we are the only station to have received 3 babies in the nation and we were the 7th [depart ment] in the country to install a SHBB.

And now there are over 122 boxes installed across the nation in 8 to 10 states. The program has really grown.”

Moriarty mentioned that in all three instances where infants were surrendered at Station #45’s baby box, only the first of two alarms were triggered, which means the infant was retrieved by a member of CFD in less than minute of the first alarm going off.

“There is an object sensor in the box that can’t be seen with the naked eye,” Moriarty explained. “The sensor triggers the first alarm that notifies [Hamilton County] dispatch. If the baby is in [the box] longer than a minute, it will set off a second alarm to the dispatch and the department as well. All three babies were retrieved in less than a minute, and that second alarm has never been activated. Another interesting point: all three babies were surrendered during the day. Gener ally, babies are dropped off in the evening. And all three instances happened in less than a 6-week period.”

Moriarty shared that it has become a

tradition that the department shares a birthday cake — made by Moriarty’s wife and daughter — to honor the infant’s birth and safe arrival to Station #45. He has also worked with his fellow chiefs to create an operating manual that has since been endorsed by Kelsey and the SHBB organi zation. CFD has shared this baby box oper ating manual with other departments and hospitals, and it is available upon request by any participating SHBB facility.

Haboush concluded, “It is imperative that we continue to educate people and get the word out about the baby box pro gram. And if the mom needs help, we need her to know that we are not going to walk away from mom if she needs help. We will get her connected with the right places, counselors, etc. If mom or the parents need help at the fire station, we will not turn them away.”

Carmel Fire Department Station #45 is located at 10701 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46280. For more information on the Safe Haven Baby Box organization, visit shbb.org.

THE ART OF THE MINGLE:

Practiced and Perfected

The winter holiday season with all its glorious aromas, chiming, and ringing is permeating life full tilt. With the hustle and bustle nearing its peak, the calendars quickly filling, and spare time dwindling, there remains a cluster of boxes to check and places to be. In all the swirl, we often recklessly forget to make space for ourselves, and the maintenance we need to be our best and make the most of these oh-so-valuable moments.

It’s no wonder many of us haven’t the capacity to refine our social behaviors. If given the time, energy, and direction, most of us can benefit from a refresher course on the Art of the Mingle. The mingle as we’re calling it, is the art of exhibiting societal norms when hosting or attending social gatherings. It’s simply being prepared for holiday gatherings and displaying the kindness and general humanity we all possess.

Blame social media, excessive screen time, or a global pandemic, there’s a concerning decline in the general professional level of the mingle

seen in these past few years. Let’s examine why our mingle game is suffering and what we can do to fix it.

First, consider the overwhelming stressors of hosting a holiday bash. It’s typically not the host who is having

the most fun, as too many demands are in constant flux, pulling them in all directions. The preparations began days or weeks before the event. With cleaning, food preparations, shopping, planning, fighting with traffic, high

gas prices, unsavory hand gestures, crowded isles at the grocery store, who has food allergies and who doesn’t eat pickled beets, it’s too much.

This is only the beginning. What about the gathering itself, and the mingling? The

greeting, half hug or full hug, handshake, or head nod, one cheek kiss or two cheeks. Let’s not get into mistletoe mishaps and conversational curveballs.

To better equip ourselves for our next gathering, let’s look no further than the good people over at The Stratford. They’re an exemplary example. 1. the incredibly well-prepared team knows how to properly host big social events. 2. The Members have the mingle covered. Their secret, they’ve eliminated many of the stressors, leaving behind the burdens of cooking, cleaning, shopping, and decorating. We all know time is valuable and when we consider the number of holidays we get to spend with our most cherished loved ones, it becomes priceless.

The Stratford is stuffed with expert minglers, top-tier socialites, and all happy people. Their never-ending social calendar lends to the

Member’s daily opportunities to keep their mingle game sharp. Not only grandiose holiday celebrations but sporting competitions, carnivals, outings, local theater shows, in-house entertainment, chef table demonstrations, wine tastings, you name it. With constant exposure to so many social settings, it’s no wonder, The Stratford Members are on the must-have invite list.

Their expert advice, do what we can to eliminate some of the stressors and focus on our mingle, it will be returned in happiness and time well spent with loved ones.

“Beyond measure, The Stratford had the overall best of everything! The apartments are stunning, the dining area is beautiful, and the food is delicious! The

Members are delightful and every time I’m there visiting my mom, I am reminded how grateful we are that she is living at The Stratford!” –Mary B.

The Stratford is Carmel Indiana’s premiere luxury retirement community providing a lifestyle where Members live Longer, Health ier, and Happier lives. In addition to hosting incredible holiday celebrations, signa ture events, and a year-round calendar of shenanigans, there’s a full continuum of care on-site, so there’s never a need to move again.

Speak with a Lifestyle Advi sor to schedule a tour or visit the website for more informa tion at Stratford-Living.com to take your first step in becom ing a top-tier mingler.