April 14, 2026 — Current in Noblesville

Railbikes return this month Page 3

Page 7

Seven Democratic candidate vye for 5th District nomintaion Page 9

Local mom opens tanning studio

Noblesville native stars in new reality show Page 12 County wants to add poll sites Page 21

“WE

COMMUNITY

Meet 5th District Democratic candidates

Compiled by Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Seven Democrats are vying to represent Indiana’s 5th Congressional District. Republican Victoria Spartz of Noblesville is the incumbent.

The candidates are Tara Nelson, District 29 State Sen. J.D. Ford, Steven “Avit” Avitabile, Dylan McKenna, Deborah Pickett, Jackson Bailey Franklin and Phil Goss (multiple attempts by Current to contact Goss were unsuccessful).

The primary election is May 5.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE?

Nelson: I’m concerned about the direction of our country. The divide between billionaires and struggling families continues to grow while civil liberties are challenged and Congress fails to respond. We need leadership that defends constitutional rights, protects communities and restores fairness and accountability.

and defend the Constitution. She has surrendered the power voters gave her over appropriations and waging war. She is simply not doing her job.

Pickett: I am running to fight for my constituents who have had their lives upended by the Trump administration. Our Constitution, rights, democratic institutions and government have all been attacked and degraded. I want to bring integrity, competence and experience to Congress and make our government better for my constituents.

Franklin: I believe the people of Indiana deserve representation from someone who will unapologetically fight for their rights. I have had to take veterans home to die because they refuse to put their own families into medical bankruptcy — the nation’s leading cause of bankruptcy. This is a uniquely American problem, and it is time we fix it.

reclaim that power from the president and put it back in Congress where it belongs.

Pickett: My constituents want to live in thriving communities with well-paying jobs, great schools, well-maintained infrastructure and an environment free from pollutants. Well-designed federal policies serve all by protecting their rights, keeping them safe, giving them control over their lives, encouraging smart decisions and providing critical support where needed.

Franklin: While these areas share some priorities, they also face their own distinct challenges. Our approach is rooted in practical solutions, local input and equitable investments. As a federal representative, my job is to secure and shape federal funding opportunities for my fellow Americans. We need to focus on investing in education, health care access and job growth for all areas. The most important thing I believe I can do is listen.

HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THE NATIONAL DEBT WHILE MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND NATIONAL SECURITY?

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Ford: Indiana deserves an experienced leader who will fight for Hoosiers. They deserve a leader who knows how to stand up to this administration, understands accountability and will push to make life more affordable for working Hoosiers. During my eight years as a state senator, I have shown that I understand the needs of Hoosiers and can get things done.

Avitabile: I’m running because everything costs more, and working families are getting squeezed while the system rewards those at the top. I’m not a career politician — I’m running to make life more affordable and deliver real results.

McKenna: I am running for Congress because Victoria Spartz has forfeited her Article 1 authority to President Trump and violated her oath to protect

HOW WILL YOU ENSURE FEDERAL POLICIES SERVE DISTRICT 5?

Nelson: As a lifelong Hoosier raised in rural Lafayette and now living in Carmel, I understand the needs of suburban and rural communities. I will listen to constituents, maintain an open-door approach and ensure federal policies reflect the priorities and voices of all District 5 residents.

Ford: Every community deserves reliable infrastructure and economic independence. Whether it’s high-speed internet for rural areas or sustainable roadways for growing suburbs, federal investment can help provide resources for local leaders to drive their own economies. I’ll ensure tax dollars stay in Indiana, empowering our communities to make their own decisions.

Avitabile: By listening first and focusing on shared challenges — cost of living, health care access and economic opportunity. Different communities, same goal: policies that make life more affordable and support local growth.

McKenna: Buyers, builders and farmers are all feeling the sting of Trump’s tariffs. The cost of materials has skyrocketed from Albany to Carmel to Kokomo. I will vote to end those tariffs,

Nelson: We’re witnessing unprecedented federal corruption. My first step on the deficit is reclaiming taxpayer money wasted by the administration, from massive discretionary outlays and questionable deals to excessive agency spending and luxury travel. We must stop radical executive-branch spending, hold officials accountable and recover funds for taxpayers.

Ford: We must return the “power of the purse” to Congress and end unchecked spending. Rep. Victoria Spartz just voted for a war costing Americans $1 billion per day. We can protect national security while ensuring those tax dollars stay home to lower energy, health care and grocery prices for Hoosiers.

Avitabile: We need responsible budgeting — cutting waste, ending unnecessary spending and closing tax loopholes that cost billions. We can protect essential services and national security while being smarter about how we spend.

McKenna: First, stop starting wars that no one wants. It is expensive and makes us more vulnerable. Second,

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Nelson

Ford

Avitabile McKenna

Pickett

Franklin

Continued from Page 3

simply collect the taxes that people owe. If we enforced the current tax code with no changes, we would bring in about $700 billion per year.

Pickett: We start by helping Americans understand how the debt impacts them. It requires immigration reform and tax reform to include closing tax loopholes. It requires steady, competent leadership that understands businesses and communities need stability, clear regulations, good government and all kinds of labor skills to innovate and grow.

Franklin: We need to stop funneling all of our money to the wealthiest few on the planet and take care of the needs of the rest of us. We are also spending way too much money on the military, more than our top allies combined. And it’s not going to soldiers like me, it’s going to private military contracting companies that lobby our politicians to give them more government contracts. We need to invest back here at home and not feed our tax money to the military industrial complex.

SHOULD CONGRESS HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT OF EXECUTIVE POWERS? WHY OR WHY NOT?

Nelson: Congress doesn’t need more oversight, it has authority to hold the executive branch accountable, yet Congress fails to act. Our district deserves leadership that will stand up to corruption and defend the Constitution. Rep. Spartz has not fulfilled this responsibility; it’s time to elect

leaders who will.

Ford: Congress must adhere to the oversight responsibilities explicitly written in the Constitution. The “power of the purse” and war powers are being treated as suggestions rather than doctrine. I’ll fight to restore Congressional balance to ensure the people’s representatives aren’t bypassing you.

Avitabile: Yes. Checks and balances matter. Congress must provide strong, responsible oversight to ensure accountability and prevent overreach, regardless of which party is in power.

McKenna: Absolutely. For 50 years, the executive branch has been grabbing power for itself while Congress has let them do it. It has been disastrous for our democracy. As the branch closest to the voters, Congress must take that power back.

Pickett: Congress needs to do its job. It has relinquished its important functions and allowed a president to repeatedly violate the U.S. Constitution, our rights, our laws. He has enmeshed us in illegal acts of war. Congress needs new leaders with integrity who will put the people above their personal ambitions.

Franklin: Of course. Too much power has been taken away from Congress to the executive. Presidents of both parties have taken too much power while Congress looks the other way. That is not democracy. Congress must reassert its role, check war powers and stop unchecked executive actions. Power should sit with the people not one office. For more questions, visit youarecurrent.com

Women charged with prostitution

By Jessica Todd • jessica@youarecurrent.com

Lijuan Kong and Yuexia Zhou from Longevity Foot Spa, which also operates as Perfect Foot Spa at 175 Sheridan Rd. in Noblesville, were arrested April 6 and charged with prostitution after undercover officers with the Noblesville Police Department investigated the business.

At the time of publishing, Kong and Zhou were in the Hamilton County Jail.

According to court documents, officers with the Noblesville Police Department Street Crimes Unit went to the business April 6.

According to court documents, at one point Kong had an undercover officer lay on his back, and after a few minutes of massaging, she asked what he wanted.

The officer made a hand gesture for a specific sex act. Kong asked him how much, and the officer offered $50 and asked if she would provide a different sex act. Kong declined because “$50 was not enough money.” Zhou was found in a private room with a nude male customer who admitted to requesting a massage and a sex act.

Read the full story at youarecurrent.com.

Making

Dr. Susan Leedy Helsel Primary Care

Laurel S. Patient

COMMUNITY

Noblesville resident Chris Theisen, left, and Skylee Shaffer at Serve FUN Fest. (Photo by Torrie Hudson)

Resident creates LGBTQ+ support group

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Chris Theisen has worked with several local organizations since he moved to downtown Noblesville four years ago, and now he’s forming a group of his own.

Theisen is creating Noblesville Love — a support network for LGBTQ+ residents, youth, their families and allies — for people who support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Theisen said the group’s main mission is to connect people with resources and a community of like-minded individuals.

“As a white, straight male, I saw the opportunity and need to be the ally that could get in the right rooms and ask the right questions,” Theisen said. “In the future, that might be who to approach about public events, it might be who to talk to about partnering with so we don’t have to recreate the wheel or start at zero. Basically, how to navigate the multifaceted nature of what it takes to advocate on behalf of others who might not be comfortable showing up in those spaces to advocate for themselves because people in the LGBTQ+ community have been shunned for so long.”

Theisen started holding informal meetings at the end of last year. Meetings are private, monthly gatherings designed to be a safe place for LGBTQ+ children to hang out and meet peers; for LGBTQ+ adults to connect and share experiences; and for parents and allies to connect with other parents of LGBTQ+ children navigating similar experiences.

“Our initial goal was to learn more about what members and allies were struggling with and what kind of support they needed,” Theisen said. “Those initial meetings let us know that access to resources and support were a much greater need than throwing a festival or a parade. It let us know there was real work needed at a much more basic level.”

Skylee Shaffer, the teacher sponsor for the LGBTQ+ club at Noblesville High School, also sees a need for the organization.

“It’s a shame that our students (have) not (had) resources in their hometown,” Shaffer said. “To have to tell them they needed to go to Fishers, Carmel or even to Indianapolis to find community felt unfair. I want to help build the community in their hometown — a community I never had for myself. Noblesville Love can be that community resource for them, and the others that so desperately need it.”

Although he would like to eventually incorporate as a nonprofit, Theisen said he is taking things slow.

“It’ll really depend organically on what the community wants and needs,” Theisen said. “It’s not about just form ing an organization or throwing a Pride festival because it’s the thing to do. It’s more about listening to what the com munity is asking for. We’ve talked with all of the different Pride organizations in Hamilton County and the realiza tion is that it’s a much greater need in the county at large as opposed to just Noblesville.”

For more, email welcome@nobles ville.love or visit noblesville.love.

COMMUNITY

DISPATCHES

 Suburban Housing Conference — Nonprofit Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development Inc. will present its 12th annual Suburban Housing Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 23 at the IMMI Conference Center at 18880 East St. in Westfield. Presented by the Hamilton County Community Foundation, the conference will bring together local elected officials, municipal staff, developers, employers, lenders and nonprofit leaders from across Hamilton, Boone and Tipton counties to explore how housing impacts communities and local decision-making. For more, visit handincorporated.org/2026-suburban-housing-conference-april-23/

 Esports championships — Indiana Esports Network has announced that Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile in Noblesville will host more than 50 middle school and high school esports teams from Indiana competing for 28 different state championships April 25. Approximately 200 school districts will face off in 15 games, including Overwatch, Rocket League, Valorant, Marvel Rivals, Fortnite, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and League of Legends. Later in the day there will be a recruiting fair focused on opportunities for students at the next level of education.

 Water main flushing — Indiana American Water will conduct water main flushing in Noblesville this month. Flushing will begin overnight April 14 and continue through April 16 in the downtown area from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Flushing of the remaining areas of Noblesville and portions of Fishers will start April 16 and run through June 26 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No interruptions in water service are anticipated as a result of the work. Learn more at youtu.be/ KbqDPZeMYNc.

 Pet supplies drive — Local Menards home improvement stores are serving as drop sites for local Humane Associations through May 31. Menards offers a wide variety of pet supplies that can be donated including food, treats, feeders, collars, beds, storage containers and mats, among other supplies. Items can be found in the pet and wildlife department of each store for immediate donation. There is a collection box near the exit doors at each store to place donations.

HOUSE BILL 1002 SIGNED INTO LAW

left, Indiana State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso), Indiana State Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler (R-Noblesville), Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Indiana State Sen. J.D. Ford (D-Indianapolis), Indiana State Rep. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) and Indiana Secretary of Energy Suzanne Jaworowski April 6 as House Bill 1002 is signed into law. House Bill 1002, authored by Shonkwiler, creates performance-based accountability to ensure utilities are hitting targets aimed at reducing costs and increasing reliability. The new law also adds protections for struggling Hoosiers by prohibiting service disconnections during the hottest and coldest days of the year. House Enrolled Act 1002 was an Indiana House of Representatives Republican priority bill and, according to Shonkwiler’s office, it passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support. (Photo courtesy of Kendall Macri)

Railbike season returns

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad will launch its 2026 railbike season at Hobbs Station in Noblesville April 17.

Nickel Plate Railbikes is a nonprofit program of Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, offering pedal-powered outdoor rail experiences on the historic Nickel Plate line in Noblesville.

In 2025, the program had more than 10,000 riders. The organization expects momentum to continue in 2026 with a new lower-priced weekday option. The Forest Park Rail Adventure is now $40 per person on weekdays and $140 when booking a full bike.

“We made this change to help encourage weekday ridership and make the experience more accessible for families, couples and groups looking for a fun outing during the week,” said Emily Reynolds, executive director of Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad.

Additional themed offerings are planned for later this season.

“We have some fun new ideas we are exploring for fall, including a picnic ride and a stargazer ride,” Reynolds said. “We are also looking at ways to partner with downtown merchants to encourage guests to shop, dine and explore during the downtown layover,

season

April 17

especially this year during the Embrace (Downtown infrastructure) project.”

Reynolds said two railbikes have been added.

“Last year, we often had more than 100 people a day on our waitlist on Saturdays and Sundays, so this added capacity will help us better meet demand and hopefully accommodate more walk-in riders,” Reynolds said. “We also added more seating at our turnaround location to make that stop more comfortable and enjoyable for guests.”

The regular 2026 railbike season will run through October.

For more, visit nickelplateexpress. org.

Railbike

begins

in Noblesville. (Photo courtesy of Emily Reynolds)

From

Event to celebrate Earth Day

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The nonprofit arts organization Noblesville Creates will celebrate Earth Day with the return of Fairyville, which runs April 22-25.

Fairyville, in its 14th year, invites the community to celebrate the arrival of spring. Noblesville Creates Executive Director Ailithir McGill said it features a trail through downtown Noblesville with fairyhouses created by local artists, performing artists portraying live fairies along the trail and events such as tea parties and crafts.

McGill said there will be a different trail layout because of Embrace Downtown construction.

“We really want to encourage people to explore downtown Noblesville, even with the construction going on,” McGill said. “We’re going to have some special features along the trail and special connections with some of our downtown merchants to give people extra incentive to explore, and we will have some new craft activities on our campus.”

Returning features include local artist Patty K, who will perform a live glass-blowing demonstration on the Noblesville Creates campus; a tea party; vendors; and performances.

Because of scheduling conflicts, McGill said plans for the annual VIP event are uncertain.

“Details will still be forthcoming, but we’re not able to hold it during the fairy trail this year.” McGill said. “Instead, we’re going to have some extra features April 24. Our friends at Looking Glass Pottery have helped us develop a silent auction experience to help support the fairy trail. Indy Raqs also will have live music and belly dancing along the trail April 24 to sort of give a nod to that VIP experience.”

McGill said downtown merchants rely on this event to bring visitors during the beginning of spring.

“It gives people a chance to explore Noblesville through the eyes of their kids,” McGill said.

For more, visit noblesvillecreates. org/fairyville.

COMMUNITY

Noblesville native makes waves on new reality show

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville native Delaney Kluger, a 2016 Noblesville High School graduate, is making a splash on the new Hulu reality show “Love Overboard.”

The show, a dating series hosted by TV personality Gabby Windey, follows singles as they seek romance on a luxury yacht in Malta. While couples enjoy luxury atop the yacht, single contestants must work on the bottom deck, participating in challenges to earn their way up. The winning couple receives a $100,000 trip around the world.

The show was filmed throughout summer 2025 and premiered March 26. Kluger, 28, was contacted by a casting director on Instagram for the show.

“They said they thought I’d be a great fit for this new show coming up,” said Kluger, a model and makeup artist who now lives in Los Angeles. “They couldn’t tell me what the show was about or who was involved. I just knew it was a dating show, and they said a big celebrity influencer was going to be involved in it.”

Kluger learned she was selected for the show four days before her flight to Malta.

“Honestly, I didn’t have much time to prepare at all,” Kluger said. “Four days before I get a call and they’re like, ‘We want you on board, you leave in four days and you need three outfit changes a day for six weeks.’ I started scrambling. I was going shopping and

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my sister was sending me clothes. This photographer gave me 12 bikinis. I was so underprepared. It was really chaotic.”

Kluger boards the yacht as a “shipwrecker,” a contestant introduced later in the show to challenge the strength of established couples, in Episode 3. She was

the first female shipwrecker.

“I was surprised a little bit, because I didn’t really know what the show was about or that there were going to be late arrivals,” Kluger said. “But I was excited. I feel like the producers saw something in me, and they wanted me to fill that role. I enjoyed being a shipwrecker. I do think that it’s funny, because that’s not really my personality to, like, steal someone’s man or anything like that.”

Shipwreckers start on on the bottom deck as workers, which is how Kluger formed a connection with male contestant Keif Kratochvil. They eventually became a topside couple, but self-eliminated in the final episode after deciding they were better as friends.

“I actually was really proud of us,” Kluger said. “I feel like we left on our terms, and we really took the relationship how we wanted to. Ultimately, we just decided we’re better off as friends, but I’m very happy with how we ended things and how we self-eliminated.”

Kluger said the show helped her grow as a person.

“I think reality TV has a way of really pushing your boundaries and limits,” Kluger said. “It’s a lot being filmed 24/7. I think that being under pressure for so long really made me grow internally in my confidence, and it really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I’m really grateful for the whole experience.”

All episodes of “Love Overboard” are streaming on Hulu.

Noblesville native Delaney Kluger is a contestant on Season 1 of “Love Overboard.” (Photo courtesy of Hulu)

NHS senior shortstop keeps honing baseball skills

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville High School senior shortstop Aiden Reynolds is passionate about the only sport he has ever played.

“He’s a super-talented kid who works very hard at this craft,” Millers coach Justin Keever said. “He’s an excellent hitter and a smart player who sleeps and drinks baseball. He’s a fouryear starter. He’s been hitting at the top of the order for us from the word go. He’s continued to develop and got better and better every year as his body has matured. More importantly, he’s been an excellent leader for us this year. He’s invested in his teammates.”

Through the first five games, Reynolds led the team with a .375 batting average with one home run and six RBIs.

“I think my biggest improvement has been made on the defensive side,” he said. “I am much more confident with my glove and footwork.”

The Millers finished 16-11 last season, 22-7 in 2024 and 23-7 in 2023.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

MEET AIDEN REYNOLDS

Favorite athlete: Javier Baez

Favorite movie: “Interstellar”

Favorite food: Pasta with freshly grated parmesan

Favorite sports team: Chicago Cubs

Favorite holiday: Christmas

“Our goal is to win, that is the only thing that every single person agrees on,” Reynolds said. “Obviously, I expect myself to perform well, but winning outweighs everything else.”

Reynolds had a .309 average with three home runs and 19 RBIs last season. He hit .373 with 27 RBIs as a sophomore and hit .315 as a freshman.

Reynolds started playing baseball at

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“I started to really take my training seriously when I was going into my (11-under club) season, and ever since then I have continued to get better,” he said. “What makes me passionate about baseball is seeing all of the hard work I put in pay off. It’s very rewarding to see and feel that, and that’s what makes me want to work.”

Reynolds committed to continue his career at Indiana University as a freshman.

“I had talked with numerous other schools at the time, but ultimately it felt like the coaches at IU were the best fit for me, plus it is close to home,” said Reynolds, who will report June 22 to IU. “I think IU is the right fit because they believe in building a strong community within the baseball team and I think that’s exactly how my career at Noblesville has been, and because of that, I think it will be an easy transition from high school to college.”

To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com

Noblesville High School senior Aiden Reynolds will play baseball for Indiana University next season. (Photo courtesy of Miller Sports Media)

25 Years of Faith: Riverview’s longest-serving volunteer

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville resident Faith Gates has spent 25 years volunteering at Riverview Health in Noblesville.

Gates, 85, is the longest-serving volunteer at the hospital.

“Faith Gates has given so much of her time and has made such a tremendous impact to the hospital,” Riverview Health Volunteer Manager Melinda Nash said.

Gates began volunteering at Riverview Health in 2001.

“My mother had always volunteered at her local hospital,” Gates said. “That kind of gave me the idea. I’ve always been able to volunteer, and I have always wanted to.”

A former teacher, Gates said she has performed several tasks as a Riverview Health volunteer.

“Mostly, it’s about what we can do for the patients and people coming into the hospital,” Gates said. “I started out working in the surgery area greeting the patients and families as they came in to have surgery. I also have worked

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it’s about being a friendly face to greet them with a smile and help them find what they need.”

After her husband Keith Gates retired, she talked him into joining the volunteer team at Riverview Health as well. The two also have done volunteer work with Agape Therapeutic Riding, local food pantries and their church.

with others at the hospital, saying the team makes each shift worthwhile.

“We have a lot of volunteers, and we all look out for each other and care about each other,” Gates said. “That’s another thing that makes a difference. You make friendships.”

She said it’s fulfilling to help people.

“People know you care when you show that you’re interested in them,” Gates said. “It’s just very satisfying to know that I can do this little thing, especially when I’m as old as I am, to help other people.”

Gates encourages community members to look into the volunteer program at Riverview Health.

at the visitors entrance, the nurses station, in the cardiac waiting room and at the emergency room desk.”

She enjoys talking to patients and families.

“I like being out where I meet people and get to talk to them,” Gates said.

“Most of the time it’s very pleasant, and it’s just a quick conversation, but

“It’s really good for us to do it together,” Gates said. “We can talk about it, and the other person understands a little bit more about what we’re doing, what has happened and circumstances. We get lunch at the hospital when we work, and we eat lunch together with a whole bunch of other volunteers and have a good time getting to know each other.”

Gates said she enjoys volunteering

“Volunteering at the hospital helps them immensely,” Gates said. “The little jobs we do that take a lot of time or energy ensure the nurses and other staff don’t have to do those things. When I first started, I didn’t know many people and didn’t branch out as much. Now, since I have been here and have gotten to know a few more volunteers and staff, it’s made a difference in my life, and I hope it’s made a difference in the lives of people that I’ve met.”

Noblesville resident Faith Gates began volunteering at Riverview Health in 2001. (Photo by Jessica Todd)

County aims to add poll sites

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

County officials are expressing frustration as several local schools have opted out of being polling sites for elections.

Indiana Code 3-11-8-4 states, “(a) School buildings, fire stations, and all other public buildings shall be made available without charge to a county for holding an election,” which means schools are required to provide access to conduct elections.

for not participating. Craig Tierney, a spokesperson for Westfield Washington Schools, said the school district believes other community locations are better fit to host.

“The county wishes the schools would comply with the Indiana Code and open their facilities for polling as it was intended to be,” Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “The schools should be off that day. It was intended as a government learning day as I understand it.”

Hamilton County Elections Administrator Beth Sheller said the issue has not been pushed in the county because officials want student safety to be the top priority.

“We could request, and the Hamilton County Commissioners have the right to lawfully enforce it by Indiana Code,” Sheller said. “However, all of that would hopefully never be necessary if we could work together and ensure the safety of students and still have the school polling sites. Those must go hand in hand though.”

To solve the problem, Sheller said plans are underway to discuss making Election Day an e-learning day for students.

“I think we could start with discussions and the pros and cons and see where that gets us,” Sheller said.

Sheller said there are 105 polling sites this year, but there used to be more. She said the county would like to transition to a voting center model with 50 to 60 polling sites.

“These would need to be larger facilities,” Sheller said. “If we remain precinct-based voting, and if we could safely use the schools, then we would eliminate some of our little locations with hardly (any) parking and combine them to make voting more accessible. The whole reason why we would like to use the schools is because they’re large, they have a lot of parking, they’re ADA compliant and if we ever went to vote centers, that would be ideal as well.”

Local schools have several reasons

“Essentially, the schools don’t host election sites for a few different reasons — to prevent disruption to the school day for our staff and students; other organizations like churches are very enthusiastic about hosting so there isn’t a shortage in locations to host; for safety, we require background checks and check in/out procedures for visitors to our schools, and election site hosting brings with it more of an ‘open-door’ policy that does not align with those safety protocols.”

Sheller said although many churches participate, she is concerned more will opt out.

“I call churches over and over asking them, and I’m not getting a very good response anymore on adding locations,” Sheller said. I fear that we are going to lose more and more churches as it goes along.”

Hamilton Southeastern Schools spokesperson Emily Abbotts said community growth creates an election site challenge.

“Displacing P.E. classes from the gyms and having to barricade and man the adjoining areas of the building to keep the community from entering the school became a safety challenge,” Abbotts said. “Couple that with the parking lot issues, particularly at arrival and dismissal times — it became too much.”

Sheller said her hope would be to make Election Day an e-learning day for students in time for the 2028 election year.

“I don’t want to do anything to impose on the safety of students or teachers or anything like that,” she said. “I think if we did the 2028 elections, it would give the schools the time to figure out a calendar and figure out how it’s doable while still keeping the students safe. Ideally, maybe we would get more response from students and teachers being able to be poll workers and things like that.”

Noblesville Schools spokesperson Marnie Cooke said if the district received a formal request about making Election Day an e-learning day, they would discuss that option.

Sheller

HEPL author fair expands, moves to new location

news@currentinfishers.com

Hamilton East Public Library’s annual Local Author Fair, set for April 18 and 19, will offer two days of literary events this year, with opportunities for central Indiana writers and readers.

The weekend kicks off April 18 at HEPL’s Noblesville Branch, 1 Library Plaza, with a series of writing workshops for writers and aspiring authors of all ages and experience levels, according to a news release. Workshops will cover topics such as creative storytelling, self-publishing and common writing pitfalls. Participants are encouraged to register online.

The main event, during which authors can connect directly with readers, is set for 1 to 4 p.m. April 19 at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Exhibition Center, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. The event previously took place at the FORUM Event Center in Fishers.

“The free, open-house-style event welcomes readers of all ages to meet and support local authors from across central Indiana,” the news release stated. “Nearly 70 authors and literary organizations from Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield, Cicero, Indianapolis

and beyond will be present with books available for purchase and signing. Attendees can explore a wide variety of genres, including picture books, mystery and thriller, romance, science fiction, biography, local history, self-help and more.”

The event also will feature giveaways, such as book bundles and other prizes, throughout the event.

“We’re excited for the return of this annual event showcasing the talent of local authors,” stated Allison Kartman, HEPL systemwide program coordinator. “Our service area within Hamilton County and Indiana at large has many gifted writers, some of whom have self-published and others who have launched their works through traditional publishing houses. The HEPL Local Author Fair provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with nearly 70 authors and literary organizations as you support local storytelling. During the event, you can purchase books for yourself or as gifts, network with other authors, ask them about their writing inspiration or process, and learn more about their journey to publishing.”

For more or to register for workshops, visit hamiltoneastpl.org.

Visitors to the annual Hamilton East Public Library Local Author Fair browse books written by central Indiana authors. (Photo courtesy of HEPL)

DISPATCHES

 Book launch — Author Kate Clark Stone will celebrate the launch of her debut novel about the Indy 500, “THE LAST SUNDAY IN MAY,” at Chapter Book Lounge in Noblesville at 7 p.m. May 13. Set in the world of professional race car driving, “THE LAST SUNDAY IN MAY” follows Mack Williams, a once rising star whose reckless choices cut her racing career short. Now a single mother juggling an ailing father and a struggling business, her dreams seem out of reach

until a trailblazing racing legend offers her one final shot at the Indy 500.

 Plant sale — The Hamilton County Master Gardeners Association will host its 27th annual Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville, 2003 Pleasant St. There will be a wide selection of plants and free gardening information and planting advice.

(Advertorial)

TRAVELING WITH AMBASSADAIR

By Bob Kraft

When Barbara Gentry and I started dating in 2014, she regularly entertained me with stories of her travels around the world.  She traveled extensively after her divorce in the 1990’s, often with the original Ambassadair and the new Ambassadair after its merger with Grueninger Travel. My travels up to that time had been limited to family visits and driving vacations with my late wife as well as occasional business trips.

Barb encouraged me to renew my long-expired passport and began sharing travel information with me. Finally, in early 2019 she convinced me to join her at Ambassadair’s presentation about their upcoming cruise from Greece to Turkey through the Greek Isles. I was fascinated by both the itinerary and the opportunity to travel on a four-masted sailboat, and we signed up.

This was the first of ten trips that Barb and I have taken with Ambassadair. Each has been unique, but each has been carefully choreographed and supplemented with knowledgeable local guides. We have travelled in commercial airliners and a single engine prop plane that landed on an airstrip carved out of the center of San Pedro, Belize; on sailboats and tour boats and river cruise ships; on cog railroads; on ski-lifts and cable suspended gondolas; and on a number of motor coaches (which Ambassadair never calls busses).

With Ambassadair we have visited world renowned sites such as the Vatican, the Acropolis, La Scala Opera House, and the Black Forest as well as lesser-known locations identified by the Ambassadair staff. We Hoosier flatlanders have been awed by

Stewart enters board race

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Democrat Jenna Stewart, a Noblesville resident, has joined the race for the Noblesville Township Board. Five Republicans are running for the Noblesville Township Board in the May 5 primary. The field includes challengers Thomas Houghtalen and Jo Spangler and incumbents Joe Arrowood, Mary Sue Rowland and Peggy Pfister.

the majesty of the Rockies in Glacier National Park, the Alps in Switzerland, Italy and Croatia, and the fiords of Scandinavia. We have enjoyed local cuisine and sampled local beverages including an afternoon at Munich’s Oktoberfest.

Recently, we attended a couple of pre-trip presentations by Ambassadair. We were not among strangers. Many of those in the audience had been with us on one or more of our previous trips. That so many former travelers returned to Ambassadair’s presentation indicates that they share our view that reinforces the value of traveling with an experienced tour guide and following a pre-established itinerary.

Barb and I have already committed to traveling on two more Ambassadair trips.  It is exciting that a locally based tour company offers such a variety of travel experiences and that the trips are totally escorted starting in Indianapolis.

Ambassadair offers leisure group travel to destinations all around the world. For more information visit ambassadair.com or call 317-581-1122.

Stewart has worked as a deputy attorney general, a Hamilton County deputy prosecutor and a juvenile defense and child welfare attorney. She has served as past president of her Homeowners Association and volunteered with the League of Women Voters.

Stewart

Voters can select up to three candidates for the three-member board. The three GOP winners will advance to the November general election to face Stewart and Democrat Paula Gilliam.

Stewart is a mom, lawyer and community advocate. She and her husband, Doug, have lived in Noblesville for more than 25 years and have two children who attend Noblesville Schools.

“I am running for Noblesville Township Board because I believe our community can be well served through local control of carefully managed tax dollars,” Stewart said.

She said her top three priorities are township transparency, accountability and engagement with Noblesville residents.

“It is important that township leaders show the valuable work they are doing for the community and include residents in the conversation,” Stewart said. “The primary and unique purpose of the township is to provide assistance to residents who need food, basic essentials and help paying their bills. Taxpayers must be able to see that their dollars are helping the residents who need it. In addition, township leaders must engage with the community and elected leaders to advocate for township government.”

More about Stewart’s candidacy can be found on Facebook, Instagram and ActBlue by searching Elect Jenna Stewart.

2026Primary Election

May 5 May 5

The communities served by Current Publishing are comprised of highly educated and, predominantly, issues-focused residents. As a candidate for election to public office, it’s arguably the best audience in the state to which you can state your campaign’s case. As has been the practice in elections past, Current is using a level playing field with respect to pricing. Any candidate wishing to advertise may do so at Current rates customarily reserved for advertising placements of between 13 and 26 times a year. You are entitled to use the rates below one time or more to connect with our audience. Thank you for your consideration, and good luck on the campaign trail.

For more, contact your Ad Representative by email ads@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444

This year’s event allow attendees to explore over 90+ homes from more than 20+ builders across central Indiana. New home construction has never been a better option. With homes on the tour ranging from $230k to $2m+, there’s something for everyone.

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CELEBRATE THE CONCLUSION OF THE PARADE OF HOMES WITH A BEHIND THE SCENES PREVIEW OF HOME-A-RAMA! The 2026 McComb Pella Window & Door Home-A-Rama will be held at the newest community in Zionsville. Experience Wild Air in Zionsville this September. Get a sneak peek of behind the scenes builds of some of the top builders in Central Indiana.

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THE PLANNING PRO

Homegrown resident’s travel agency continues expansion

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville resident Tammy Murray is no stranger to the challenges of planning a vacation.

A mother of three, Murray, 51, owns Grand Global Vacations, a travel agency she operates at home that helps clients find destinations for their getaway plans. She started the business about eight years ago.

Over the next year, Murray plans to shift her focus to offer group options where she will plan trips and have others join her.

“I think one of the things I try to do in terms of my business is be strategic about where I invest and where I want to continue to grow,” Murray said. “I’m personally in a life stage where I’m looking to do more ‘come with me’ travel. I have done ‘travel with me’ trips before such as girls trips. I’m also getting a lot more demand for Portugal, so that will be something I’ll be looking at exploring on my own.”

Murray, who has lived in Noblesville for 17 years, specializes in cruises, tropical vacations and group trips. These days, she focuses more on international trips to destinations such as Italy, New Zealand and Africa as opposed to all-inclusive resort vacations.

“I find a lot of people start off wanting to travel to Disney or the all-inclusive resorts, and as they go through life, they want to experience something different,” Murray said. “It’s fun to see my business progress to where the majority of what I do now is plan international trips.”

She said she especially enjoys the planning aspect of travel.

“I’m pretty process-driven and like to get into the details of logistics,” Murray said. “I find that’s something a lot of people stress about. We all enjoy taking a trip, but some people end up coming to me because they don’t enjoy the planning process.”

Murray said she differs from competitors because, as a boutique travel agency, she does not accept all requests.

“I cater to those that want a personal experience and (to) not be passed

around a call center or (to) a bunch of other agents,” Murray said. “People work with me from start to finish. And because I handle not just one destination, but most international destinations, I can focus on getting to know my clients and what is important to them.”

Murray said traveling with her husband and family inspired her to start the business.

“I’ve always enjoyed traveling,” Murray said. “When I look back and think about my family and my youth, I remember vacations and (spending) time with my family. I wanted to have my own business and continue to travel. I just decided to take that pivot in my professional life, and everything aligned very nicely.”

Murray said it typically takes about two weeks to plan a trip, with cost depending on the destination.

“Once the planning and deposit is done, I kind of monitor the trip — flight changes, travel insurance suggestions, adjusting tours they can add to their trip,” Murray said. “Before they travel, I put together an itinerary that’s on an

app that makes it easy for them to use at their destination.”

Murray said she has grown her client base in the last few years, especially in Hamilton County. Noblesville resident Beth Niedermeyer said Murray has made planning her travel experiences seamless and worry-free.

“From the very beginning when the trip is just an idea, she listens, asks pertinent questions and then creates a custom travel plan that is just perfect for us,” Niedermeyer said. “She takes care of all of the details from beginning to end. All we have to do is show up and have fun.”

Murray said she enjoys getting to know her clients.

“I have a lot of clients that are friends and family of other clients,” Murray said. “As my business has continued to grow, I now have pockets of people in Texas and Florida and various locations. I really like to specialize in my clients and learn what their preferences and tastes are.”

For more, visit grandglobalvacations. com.

THE MURRAY FILE

AGE: 51

FAVORITE PLACES TO TRAVEL:

“Early on, one of my favorite trips was Costa Rica. I just love nature, warm weather and adventure. My second favorite trip would be a Greek islands trip I took. It checked off that food, culture and warmth box for me that I love.”

FAVORITE HOBBY OUTSIDE OF

WORK: Pickleball

DREAM TRAVEL DESTINATION: Galápagos Islands

RECOMMENDATION IF SOMEONE WAS TRAVELING TO NOBLESVILLE:

“I really enjoy music, so I would probably always drift to doing a summer concert at Ruoff Music Center.”

ON THE COVER: Tammy Murray is growing her home-based travel agency business. (Photo courtesy of Tammy Murray)

Noblesville resident Tammy Murray at the Colosseum in Rome. (Photos courtesy of Tammy Murray)

Murray vacations in Milos, Greece.

Celebrate the Class of 2026 with a Senior Spotlight AD.

Wellness on the go

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville resident Lindsey Sprunk knows that some women struggle with midlife health issues and wants to help those who do.

Sprunk, 41, owns Lindsay Sprunk Lifestyle Wellness, a mobile business where she works primarily with women over 40. She started the business in 2022 and has since expanded services.

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WE’RE SO PROUD, PRESLEY ROSS CLASS OF 2026

Your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From building robots in the garage to leading the choir to state finals, you have always followed your own path with courage and curiosity. It feels like only yesterday we were dropping you off for your first day of school, and now we stand in awe of the visionary young leader you’ve become. As you head off to study Engineering this fall, know that your home team is behind you forever. You have the heart of a lion, the mind of an innovator, and a spirit that lights up every room. The sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning. We love you more than words can say!”

“I started as a generic health coach, but I was finding that every single person coming to me was a woman over 40 with the same frustrations, questions and complaints,” Sprunk said. “I realized it was an underserved demographic.”

Sprunk, who studied kinesiology with a concentration in fitness specialization and nutrition science at Indiana University before training in culinary arts at the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, will soon begin hosting workshops in the community focused on specific topics like managing stress in midlife or how to eat to balance blood sugar levels.

circle discussing topics more in depth.”

Sprunk also offers an eight-week program called Midlife Mastery, which helps women understand the physiological shifts in midlife and how things like stress load, blood sugar regulation, sleep disruption and muscle loss play a role.

She also hosts free nights locally at places like Chapter Book Lounge or in client’s homes called “Midlife Unfiltered,” where women gather to discuss health topics and ask questions.

CHEERS TO, PRESLEY ROSS CLASS OF 2026

We are so incredibly proud of the woman you’ve become. From your first day of kindergarten to walking across the stage, it’s been a joy to watch you grow. We can’t wait to see what you achieve at Purdue! Love, Mom, Dad, and Sarah. SCAN HERE

“With the workshops, I would teach women how to strength train in a way that actually works for their bodies after 40,” Sprunk said. “The second half of the workshop would be a conversation

Deadline: May 18, 2026

“Support and friendship and community are such a huge part of midlife,” Sprunk said. “I like to give space for that so women feel like they’re not alone in what they’re going through.”

For more, visit bit.ly/4tAaXJN.

Area builders pull back

news@currentnoblesville.com

The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis has reported that single-family building permit activity across central Indiana showed a slight pullback in February.

According to a news release, the nine-county region recorded 662 permits in February — compared to 723 permits in February 2025 — reflecting an 8 percent year-over-year decrease.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and analysis from the National Association of Home Builders, single-family permitting and housing starts remain cautious nationwide as affordability pressures and interest rate conditions continue to influence builder activity. Recent NAHB data also shows new home sales declined sharply in January — in part because of severe winter weather disruptions.

“Central Indiana’s housing market continues to demonstrate balance as we move through the early months of 2026,” stated Chris Hancock, CEO of BAGI. “Builders are staying disciplined — pacing production, responding to buyer demand and adjusting to economic conditions while maintaining a steady pipeline. Compared to national trends, central Indiana remains relatively stable. The fundamentals supporting this market are still in place, positioning the region for steady performance as we move further into 2026.”

Hamilton County had the highest number of building permits in February with 185; followed by Marion County with 155. Hancock County had 76; Hendricks County, 69; Johnson County, 67; Boone County, 59; Madison County, 26; Morgan County, 13 and Shelby County, 12.

For more, visit BAGI.com/Permits.

Noblesville resident Lindsey Sprunk helps women struggling with midlife health issues. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Sprunk)

Former stay-at-home mom opens tanning studio

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville resident Kari Mitchell opened K Spray Tans last year in her home in the North Harbour neighborhood.

Mitchell was previously a stay-athome mom who homeschooled her two sons before opening the spray tan business.

“I had the idea to start a business, something I could run from home so that I still had the flexibility that I was used to, but I would have something to do,” said Mitchell, whose sons now attend college. “I did a bunch of research about (spray tanning) and invested in the equipment and the supplies. My husband and I built a studio in our home, and I just got started.”

Her business offers rapid tan and standard tan options.

“They just differ in the amount of time you have to wait before you shower,” Mitchell said. “With the rapid tan, you can shower several hours later, and with the standard tan you wait at least eight hours.”

Pricing for a standard tan is $40 for one, $120 a month for unlimited tans and $500 for a six-month pass. Pricing for a rapid tan is $45 for one, $130 a month for unlimited and $500 for a sixmonth pass.

Mitchell also offers a group package for groups of four or more for weddings, events and girls nights for $30 a person. She said her focus is giving clients a natural tan.

“When someone comes in, we sit down and talk about what they’re looking for,” Mitchell said. “Some people want to be really, really dark. Other people want it to look natural. I change the color and adjust the solution, strength, undertone and development time based on what that person wants.”

Mitchell also tries to use products that don’t have a strong odor.

“In the past, I think that’s been something that sticks out with spray tans is the smell that comes with the solution,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said she has been growing steadily in the last five months.

“It’s getting busier,” Mitchell said. “I have several clients that come in regularly, and then I have people that just come in for a wedding, a vacation, prom or some kind of event like that.”

Right now, Mitchell is focused on building a steady clientele.

“Eventually, I might decide to offer different products or do more, but right now I’m just focused on spray tans and building that side of the business,” Mitchell said.

For more, visit tinyurl. com/3dwkdu2p.

Noblesville resident Kari Mitchell offers spray tans inside her home. (Photo courtesy of Kari Mitchell)

Seeing success on the court

Commentary by Dr. Jeremy Ciano

Pickleball has taken our community by storm, and for good reason — it’s social, fast-paced and accessible for all ages. However, as an optometrist and pickleball player, I’ve noticed a growing trend accompanying the sport’s popularity: a rise in pickleball-related eye injuries.

While the ball is lightweight, it can travel at speeds of 50-plus mph, often with opponents standing just 14 feet apart at the “kitchen” line. This leaves very little time for our natural blink reflex to protect us from a direct hit.

Most players are surprised to learn a standard pickleball is the perfect size to fit inside the eye socket. Without hitting the surrounding bone, the ball’s full force is delivered directly to the eye, which can lead to serious injuries like corneal abrasions, bleeding inside the eye or even retinal detachment. Most of these injuries are preventable with proper eyewear. Unlike everyday glasses, which can shatter upon impact, dedicated pickleball glasses are made of impact-resistant materials rather

than standard plastics. Pickleball (and tennis)-specific eyewear isn’t just about safety; it’s also a competitive advantage. In addition to protection, proper tints can make the neon ball “pop” to improve reaction time. Polarization helps block 50 percent of the sun’s glare to reduce squinting, enabling us to see cleaner and make proper line calls. UVA and UVB protection also slow down the progression of cataracts and macular degeneration. And, of course, sports contacts help to improve clarity as well as increased peripheral vision — not all contacts are created equally.

Whether you have perfect vision or require a prescription, there are lightweight, fashionable options designed to stay secure through every dink and overhead smash. Consider adding some cool eyewear to your gear bag.

The most important meal

Commentary by Farah Myers

Mornings are hectic. You grab your coffee, fire off a few emails and rush out the door, often without a bite to eat. While skipping breakfast may feel efficient, the science continues to show that this habit comes with real long-term health costs.

For my patients who want to optimize their health and longevity, we often start with a simple but powerful conversation regarding the importance of breakfast. Research consistently shows that people who eat breakfast regularly have lower rates of the following: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and overall cardiovascular risk. But these benefits aren’t just about what you eat, they’re also about when you eat.

Our bodies run on internal clocks or circadian rhythms that regulate metabolism, hormones and energy levels. Each morning, these systems are primed for daylight and food intake. Eating breakfast at a consistent time helps synchronize these clocks.

When breakfast is skipped, circadian misalignment occurs, leading to exaggerated blood sugar spikes after lunch, sometimes rising by 36 to 46 percent, which often shows up as that familiar mid-afternoon energy crash. Repeated over time, these spikes increase the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

If you’re not hungry in the morning, it’s usually a signal that your internal clocks are out of sync.

The good news? Change doesn’t have to be dramatic. Start small with a protein and fiber-focused breakfast to gently resynchronize your circadian rhythm. Aim to eat before 8 a.m. and pair this with a roughly 13-hour overnight fast. Small changes can shape long-term health, and breakfast is one of the simplest places to begin.

Commentary

by Larry Greene

An unfinished west Carmel basement was transformed with a custom bar feature, adding function, warmth and a defined gathering space within the open layout.

• Defined bar zone within previously open, unfinished basement.

• Custom cabinetry in rich wood tones to add warmth and contrast.

• Cambria quartz countertops paired with a vertically stacked tile backsplash.

• Integrated beverage fridge and undercounter sink for functionality.

• Arched niche detail creates a focal point with architectural interest.

• Floating wood shelf with integrated lighting for display and ambiance.

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

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Actor reprises role in Civic’s ‘Fiddler’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Tobin Strader has deep ties to “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The Fishers resident is reprising his role of Tevye in Civic Theatre’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” which runs April 24 to May 9 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

Strader, who previously played Tevye the last time Civic performed it in 2016, directed the musical twice at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.

“This is just a show I feel is deeply in my DNA,” Strader said. “I played it in high school in 1987 in Charleston, Ill. I’ve just always connected with this show. My dad listened to (the music) a lot. It was a big deal in my house when I got to play Tevye in high school and for him to see me do it as an adult. The songs are beautiful and I love the story.”

Tevye is the father of five daughters. Strader said with his two sons being adults now, the role is more meaningful.

“From them being kids 10 years ago to grown adults now, the story resonates with me more,” he said. “I’m always looking for different ways to tell the story, so the audience relates to it. Now, it’s trying to convey the emotional highs and lows of watching his daughters become independent.”

Strader has known cast member Sadie Cohen for several years. He cast Cohen, now a Carmel High School junior, as one of the children eight years ago in Brebeuf Jesuit’s production of “The King and I.” Strader and Sadie were in Civic’s “The Sound of Music” in 2023. Sadie’s mother, Melissa Cohen, plays her mother Golde. It will be Melissa’s debut in a Civic Theatre main stage production. She did participate in Civic’s “Jesus Chris Superstar” concert in 2025.

“I’ve been involved with Civic for many years as a volunteer and board member, so to be able to act on the stage is really a great honor,” she said.

Her son, Evan, a Creekside Middle School eighth-grader, is in the ensemble, too.

“It’s a family affair and it’s very, very special,” Melissa said.

Melissa is a cantor for Congregation Beth-El Zedeck

“It’s probably been 20 years since I’ve been on a stage in a production,” Melissa said.

Sadie has been performing since she was 7 years old

“At first, it was just a ‘me’ thing, and then as Evan got older, he started doing it,” she said. “So, I’ve gotten to do a few shows with my brother, which has been super fun, and now my mom is included, too. It’s full circle now.”

Sadie played the role of daughter Chava in the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre production in 2024.

“It’s one of the first musicals I think I ever saw when Civic did it 10 years ago,” she said. “It’s always been a fantastic show, and it stands out to me and my family because we are Jewish. It’s such a special, powerful story.“

Sadie said she is trying new things to portray the character a little bit differently.

“It’s special getting to have these deep and emotional scenes with my mom and Tobin, who I’ve also known

From left, Mackenzie Foulks, Gretta Hambrook, Sadie Cohen, Tobin Strader and Melissa Cohen. (Photo courtesy of Joshua Hasty Photography)

my entire life,” she said. “It’s a different situation acting with people I don’t know personally than acting with my family on stage.”

Melissa said the story is not unlike her own family’s story of coming to America.

“My great-grandmother left Ukraine about the same time,” Melissa said.

Mackenzie Foulks, a 2016 North Central High School graduate, plays Hodel.

“I knew some of the songs, but I didn’t know much about the story,” she said. “I’ve always been fascinated with that time in history in the pre-Russian Revolution.”

Foulks said the biggest challenge is working on a 1905 Yiddish accent.

“We are all working on things together, and it’s nice to be in a family unit on stage,” he said.

Civic Theatre’s Executive Artistic Director Michael Lasley is directing the show as he did in 2106. He directed three shows in the 2015-16 season.

“It’s kind of a blur and I’m glad to get a chance to do it again when my brain is more engaged in it,” he said. “I’m proud of what we did but I think this will be a great production as well. Different people bring different energy.”

For more, visit civictheatre.org.

‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’

“Singin’ in the Rain” runs through May 23 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Feinstein’s cabaret presents “Who’s Bad, The Ultimate Michael’ April 17, followed by Dueling Pianos April 18 at Feinstein’s in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

MELANGE SERIES

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents the Melange Series April 18-19 at The Florence at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

‘MEN ON BOATS’

Carmel Community Players present “Men on Boats” April 17 to 26 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit carmelplayers.org

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN

Michael Feinstein will perform with special guest Sandi Patty at 8 p.m. April 17 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘SYMPHONIC ODYSSEY’

Carmel Symphony Orchestra presents “Symphonic Odyssey” at 7 p.m. April 18 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

 Rice, Anderson concert canceled —

The April 18 concert featuring Chase Rice with Clayton Anderson as an opening act at Fishers Event Center has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. No reason was given for the cancellation.

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Men on Boats’ docks at CCP

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Director Samantha Kelly has a special connection to “Men on Boats.”

Kelly performed in the play at Albion (Mich.) College, she said.

“It was fun to have a different take on history and not have a bunch of dudes,” she said.

Carmel Community Players presents “Men on Boats” April 17 to 26 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. The play features females portraying male characters.

“It’s pretty much all comedic,” said Kelly, an Indianapolis resident and 2015 North Central High School graduate. “There’s some dramatic elements to it and we definitely touch on the fact that history was written by white men, so there are lot of things that get erased. Overall, it’s a very, very funny show. There are twists and turns, and you never know what is

going to happen next.”

Noblesville resident Barb Weaver plays Major John Wesley Powell, who led a three-month geographic expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers in 1869. Weaver said she likes the premise of playing a male role.

“I liked the fact it was based on history, a real expedition,” Weaver said. “It’s fun to read through the script and find out how much is actually new.”

Weaver said one challenge is that her character lost an arm in the Civil War.

“Right now, I’m just keeping my arm behind me,” she said.

Ozzie Buttler, a Herron High School senior from Indianapolis, plays Frank Goodman.

“For me, the biggest challenge is the (British) accent,” she said. “It’s the first show I’ve done with an accent. It’s an adjustment, but I’ve learned how to do it and I’m practicing.”

For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

Romeo & Juliet

Yakovleva

Kelly Weaver

Buttler

Feinstein, Patty concert set

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Michael Feinstein treasures any time he gets to share the stage with Sandi Patty.

Feinstein will be joined by special guest Patty at the 8 p.m. April 17 concert at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“Sandi is one of the great artists of our time, or perhaps any time,” Feinstein said. “She has an iconic voice, and she is a love of a human being. I adore collaborating with her and it always feels very special when I get to see her and simply to hear her sing.”

Patty said they will probably perform a couple of songs together. She had a project called “Broadway Stories” a few years ago.

“It has some of my favorite Broadway songs on it, and we have to do some American Songbook songs because that’s what Michael is all about, keeping those songs alive,” she said. “Michael is the aficionado of Gershwin, so I sent him a list of my suggestions and he gets first dibs. But I think we’re narrowing down the (setlist), and it’s going to be a wonderful musical evening.”

Feinstein, the artistic director for Allied Solutions Center, said the pair share a love for George and Ira Gershwin tunes. Feinstein said he hadn’t planned one but might have to add one.

Patty, who shares time between a home on the south side of Indianapolis and Oklahoma City, said the Palladium has become her favorite place to per-

form, replacing her previous favorite, a performing arts center in Cincinnati.

Patty, who has won several awards for her Contemporary Christian songs, said she performs once or twice a month.

“Retiring for me now means being home more than I’m on the road,” she said.

Patty met Feinstein at a patriotic event in Washington, D.C., several years ago.

“Every once in a while, our paths will cross whether it’s intentional or unintentional,” she said. “I’m so thrilled Michael invited me to be part of this evening again. We’ve done it a couple other times. He does such a beautiful job of hosting guest artists like myself.”

Feinstein has been busy lately promoting his friend Liza Minnelli’s autobiography, “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!” Feinstein helped Minnelli write the book.

“The response has been extraordinary with the book being No. 1 on The New York Times and USA Today and Amazon lists, really all around the world,” he said. “It’s been humbling to see how revered and loved Liza is after all these years. I’m very happy for her and grateful to be involved in the process.”

Feinstein said the book took 10 years to put together.

“The response is such that it tells me people were waiting to hear her story,” he said. “I’m grateful she had the courage to step out and tell her story in such an honest way. That’s made all the difference in the success of the book.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Feinstein Patty

ENTERTAINMENT

CSO to present ‘joyous’ musical journey

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s 202526 season finale is filled with uplifting musical works.

“I think what these four pieces have in common is they are all reflecting really important deep aspects of the human experience,” said Kelly Corcoran, the guest conductor for Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s “Symphonic Odyssey” concert, set for 7 p.m. April 18 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

The program features Antonín Dvořák’s “Carnival Overture, op. 92,” Cristina Spinei’s “…throes of increasing wonder,” Gustav Mahler’s “Adagietto from Symphony No. 5” and Felix Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 5, op. 107, Reformation.”

Corcoran said the “Carnival Overture” is especially joyous.

“Cristina’s piece is also very celebratory and upbeat,” Corcoran said. “Mahler’s piece is reflective and emotional in a way. Mendelessohn’s piece has an undercurrent of thinking about faith and is also very celebratory.”

Corcoran and Spinei are colleagues in Nashville, Tenn.

“We’ve worked on many programs and projects, so I’m very familiar with her music and repertoire,” Corcoran said. “She’s just a wonderful composer. This piece was commissioned by a ballet company, so it was composed as kind of a dance piece.”

Spinei said the piece has been performed twice by Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle with the debut in 2023. She wrote it with choreographer Kiyon Ross, who was commissioned to write a piece to celebrate Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 50th anniversary.

For more, visit carmelsymphony.org and thecenterpresents.org.

Spinei

Corcoran

A shared drive

Commentary by Terry Anker

Although the work-from-home phenomena has changed the nature of commuting a bit, there are still many among us who find our way out of our homes each morning. The streets swell through rush hour and then deflate again in spontaneous order.

Some of us function with the accuracy of a Swiss watch. We brush our teeth, tie our shoes and back out of the garage with timed precision. At some point, there was a specific plan. How long does it take to make breakfast for the kids and when does the school bus arrive? From there, what is the optimal route to work, keeping a backup path if there is any obstruction on the first choice? After a few weeks, it becomes thoughtless habit. Days melt into weeks, months and years. The ritual makes it automatic. For others, each day is spawned anew, as if we’ve never lived a morning before. The wakeup is fully dependent upon the number of times we press the snooze bar on the annoy-

ing alarm. From there, we wrangle through our closet, seeking to assemble an acceptable outfit and a pair of shoes that match. Likewise, the drive is chaos. How did we get so far behind? Did we remember to bring our clothes to go to the gym after work? But somehow, we managed to arrive just in time for the staff meeting. Well, nearly on time.

The commute reflects our variation. Some are settled into the stream, our confidence boosted by intentional planning and years of experience. Some appear frantic but enjoy weaving in and out of traffic hoping to get back a few minutes. Together, we manage to arrive, open the stores and make the doughnuts — each perplexed by the strategy of the other. Each shares the drive to a common purpose.

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

Dine but don’t wine

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

When I go to the supermarket, I mainly buy things I like and then stash them away in my personal basement fridge so my wife Mary Ellen doesn’t know what I’m eating while she’s at her yoga class.

In the upstairs kitchen, I’m only allowed to keep “mutual food,” a term my wife invented. Milk and butter go upstairs, for example. Guess where salami, pickles, beer and sauerkraut go?

Mary Ellen thought it was time to finally clean out the unit. I had accumulated many old purchases, but I’m not a big fan of throwing away perfectly good food. However, I do realize that if you see a layer of blue-green fuzz covering the whole wheat bread, you only have a two-day window to eat it before it might actually spoil.

In the back of the fridge, I found dog biscuits. We haven’t had a dog in 15 years. The box said that they were “best used” by August of ’86. But I wondered, “What could go wrong with them?”  Would they turn greener, get harder, even chewier? Just what any dog wants … if we had one. I hid it in the basement closet. If we get a beagle again, he’ll find it.

The bottle of Bookbinder’s Shrimp Cocktail Sauce said, “Use by October l997.”  It looked fine, although I think shrimp sauce is supposed to be bright red, not black with maroon specks.  I opened it and gave it a sniff. It smelled better than the fresh shrimp that had been in our upstairs fridge for only 36 hours. But I chucked it.

We also found some Orville Redenbacher Popcorn, and under Orville’s

picture, it said, “Expires in 1995.” I think that might have referred to Orville and not the popcorn.

There was also a jar of tartar sauce with no expiration date at all, but it did say, “Famous since 1877.” I got rid of it. Anything that spelled backward is “rat rat,” you need to be careful with. Finally, we found a bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing, with an expiration date during COVID-19. I think the name tells it all. It had remained hidden from me for eight years.

To economize and be less wasteful, I decided to prepare a dinner out of food that probably should have been discarded.

• Popeye spinach (Best if used by December 2019)

• Artichoke hearts (Enjoy by March of 2018)

• Tomato soup (Purchase by March of 2023)

• Can of tuna (Put in toxic landfill after October 2012)

We wanted something to accompany the dinner, and sure enough, we found a bottle of wine in the back of the refrigerator. But I poured it down the drain. You can take a chance with a can of spinach from 2019, but an unopened bottle of Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) dated 1978 seemed a bit risky.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES

Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent. com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.

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

18. Sandwich fish

19. *Lake County town

21. Despot

22. Mice, to cats

23. Roman 502

24. Inits. on a toothpaste

tube

25. Nile vipers

26. Sgt., e.g.

28. Some bends

30. Have debts

31. Showing off one’s pecs

35. Cereal grain

36. Not true

39. Be unwell

40. Rolex rival

42. Civic Theatre play part

44. Allow

45. Artifact

47. Body shape

49. Currier and ___

50. Son of Seth

52. Yule quaff

53. ___ Severin Hotel

55. Part of AARP (Abbr.)

57. African nation

60. Acquired kin

63. Kuaba Gallery display

64. Links org.

65. Ambitious sort

67. Caustic stuff

68. Stun gun

70. Fannie ___

72. IU Health visitor

74. Geese formation

75. Level

77. Did the

Mini-Marathon

78. Mideast ruler

80. Hubbub

81. “2001” computer

83. Steams up

87. Timbuktu’s land

88. Pacers statistical achievement...and a hint to the answers of the starred clues

91. “___ cost you!”

92. Went cycling

93. Unveiling

94. Pronoun

95. Church area

96. Brunch fare DOWN

1. Speed reducer

2. ___-friendly

3. Parched

4. Voice box

5. Kimono sash

6. “Finished!”

7. Shapiro’s, e.g.

8. Boxing great

9. Refrain syllables

10. Pupil’s reward

11. On the briny

12. Canada’s capital

13. *Putnam County town

14. Lose it

15. Rowing need

20. Compete

27. Tech giant

29. *Martin County city

30. O’er and o’er

31. Distant

32. Tall tale

33. *Monroe County town

34. JPEG relative

37. Observe

38. UFO crew

41. Chess piece

43. Biz bigwig

46. Not Rep. or Dem.

48. Unsightly

49. Quaint lodging

51. Droop

54. Sporty Mazda

55. Traitor

56. Victory Field pitching stat

58. Try to impress, in a way

59. iPhone buy

61. Writer Rand

62. Damp

64. Opposite of post-

66. Noble realm

69. In a spooky way

71. Sidesteps

73. Totally

76. Stanley Cup org.

78. Send forth

79. WHS subject

80. Razor brand

82. Aviation prefix

84. Clarinet’s cousin

85. Surplus

86. Tennis units

89. ___ Wee Reese

90. Bullring cry

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The Envision collection is available as a sectional, sofa, chair, or ottoman.

The Envision collection is available as a sectional, sofa, chair, or ottoman.

Choose fabric, arm style, seat depth, back height, silhouette, back pillow and seam detail, base and wood finishes.

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The Envision collection is available as a sectional, sofa, chair, or ottoman. Choose fabric, arm style, seat depth, back height, silhouette, back pillow and seam detail, base and wood finishes.

Custom order yours today!

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RG DECOR.COM (317) 873-6139

RG DECOR.COM (317) 873-6139

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KAREN KING, OWNER

KAREN KING, OWNER