County Democrats host candidate forums
Page 3 & 6
HSE board reviews abstinence program
Page 4
Hurdles no obstacle for HSE senior
Page 10
SHOCK TO THE HEART
Fishers recognizes area woman with Citizen Lifesaver Award Page 19
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Hamilton County Democrats host primary candidate forum
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton County Democratic Party wrapped up a series of primary candidate forums April 18 with an event in Fishers featuring candidates for contested races for three area offices, as well as remarks from candidates in two uncontested primary races.
The biggest race of the night was Senate District 31, which has four candidates running for the Democratic nomination — Andrew Dezelan, Kerry Forestal, Lasima Packett and Catherine Torzewski. One of them will face the winner of the Republican primary, which also has four candidates — Juanita Albright, Tiffanie Ditlevson, Travis Hankins and Jan Keefer. Incumbent Republican Kyle Walker is not seeking reelection to the seat, which covers Fishers and parts of Lawrence/Geist.
House District 37 candidate Joel Levi, running against Lauren Cole in the primary, also was present for the event, but Cole wasn’t able to attend. Republican incumbent Todd Huston is unopposed in the primary. Candidates for Senate District 25, which covers a portion of northern Hamilton County in addition to the Anderson area, are Tamie Dixon-Tatum and Todd Shelton. Incumbent Republican Mike Gaskill faces Katherine Callahan in the primary.
Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Josh Lowry emceed the April 18 event, which took place at Fall Creek Junior High School. All candidates were asked similar questions, including what they would choose if they could get one bill guaranteed to pass.
Gun control measures was the most common answer, prompting applause from the approximately 100 people gathered for the event. Levi said he wants mandatory background checks for private gun sales. Torzewski said a safe storage bill would be her top choice, making guns more difficult for children to accidentally find and handle. Forestal spoke about gun control in general, noting that lax laws make it more difficult for law enforcement
Packett chose her Community Stability Act, which she’s already working on.
“This bill will do a few things all at once,” she said. “It is designed to bring
balance to how we support our communities and ensures we can responsibly fund essential public services, while also putting protections and place for seniors, veterans and those on a fixed income, and creating a stronger pathway for workforce housing development.”
Dezelan said he would choose to begin a process toward decriminalizing marijuana in Indiana, starting with allowing medical use.
“When it comes to veterans — that’s a group I worked with in the past that I hear from,” he said. “You know, if you serve your country, if you go overseas and you come back, you find something that (helps you) sleep, helps your anxiety — it’s just plain and simple.”
Cole — who submitted her answers in writing — said she wants an affordable housing bill focused on state investment and limiting the number of corporate ownership homes allowed.
SD31 candidates were asked to name the top issue facing district residents, specifically. Forestal, who has served two terms as Marion County Sheriff, said residents want a government that is predictable and consistent.
“I think that’s what people expect when you go to the Statehouse — if they call their state senator or the representative, they can voice the concerns of what’s going on and not have some crazy idea that one day, the governor is for redistricting the next day is not,” he said, giving an example of unpredictability. “I mean, somebody calls from Washington, tells him to throw people out and redraw the lines. And he says, ‘Yes, sir.’ We need it to where people have a life that they can focus on things they might enjoy, a … ball game instead
The Hamilton County Democratic Party hosted a forum featuring primary candidates for various offices. From left are Catherine Torzewski (SD31), Lasima Packett (SD31), Todd Shelton (SD25) Tamie Dixon-Tatum (SD25), Andrew Dezelan (SD31), Kerry Forestal (SD31), Stephanie Jo Yocum (HD88) and Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Josh Lowry. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
of what crazy thing came on television.”
Packett said housing is a big issue for Fishers because of its rapid growth and high costs. Dezelan said Senate Enrolled Act 1 — the property tax reform bill passed in 2025 — is the biggest problem because it “repackaged these awful ideas” and sold them as a brilliant policy.
Torzewski said the No. 1 issue is funding for public schools.
“They are talking about laying off teachers at Hamilton Southeastern Schools right now,” she said. “They’re talking about cutting programs right now because they don’t have the funds. On top of that you have a school board that is reaching into reserves every single month because they’re spending (is) out of control. And then you also have the issue of — tying in a little bit to housing, as a Realtor, I see kind of how all of this ties in together — HSE schools has the lowest enrollment kindergarten class they have ever had this year, and it’s going to continue, because when young couples come to me, or first time home buyers … they cannot afford to move into Fishers, they’re moving to Lawrence Township schools, they’re moving to McCordsville, and with the way we have now restructured funding for public schools, that means less dollars to HSE schools year after year after year.”
The event also featured comments from House District 32 incumbent Rep. Victoria Garcia-Wilbum and House District 88 candidate Stephanie Jo Yocum, who are running unopposed in the primary.
For more election coverage, visit youarecurrent.com. Indiana’s Primary Election is May 5.
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DISPATCHES
Correction — The Fishers Newcomers Club has about 80 members. They can be reached at fishersnewcomers@gmail.com.
Fatal crash reported — Fishers Police and Fire departments responded to a fatal crash just before 8 p.m. April 20 on Allisonville Road and Harrison Parkway, just south of 141st Street. According to FPD, the accident involved a motorcycle and happened near the 14000 block of Allisonville Road. Hamilton County Dispatch records show that the crash was reported at 7:50 p.m. First responders at the scene also included the county sheriff’s office and Noblesville police. At publication, FPD did not have additional information about the accident.
Election Day coming up — The Indiana primary election is May 5. Voters can find a complete list of candidates for all offices at in.gov/sos/ elections/candidate-information.
HSE board reviews abstinence program
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A proposed new sex education program for seventh through 10th grade that stresses abstinence and aligns with new state standards was presented to the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees April 15.
Senate Enrolled Act 88 expanded Indiana’s required “good citizenship” instruction to include lessons on high school completion, gaining full-time employment and waiting until marriage before having children. Scott Phelps from the Success Sequence Program outlined his company’s curriculum supplement and how it would satisfy the state’s new requirement.
“The Success Sequence Program … teaches youth the optimal pathway for future success, with a clear emphasis on the objective benefits of reserving all sexual activity and childbearing for marriage,” Phelps said. “The three steps of the success sequence … have indicated that if students can get an education, learn to prepare for work full time and then marry before having children, it is
almost impossible for them to end up in poverty or in government dependence, welfare, food stamps and so forth.”
Phelps provided some statistics showing that most Americans, regardless of political beliefs, agree with the values taught through the program, which includes teacher training and a series of workbooks that are taught over eight class periods per semester per grade.
“It gives a clear message of abstinence until marriage, which is consistent with Indiana law,” he said. “We want to help young people understand, not that sex is a bad thing, but reserving it for the context of marriage is factually, objectively, provably the safest, healthiest option available.”
Phelps said many school districts already use the program, including a large number in Illinois. He noted that grants are available to help pay for program materials and related teacher training.
If adopted, the program would be in addition to existing curriculum, which can be reviewed on the district’s website at hseschools.org/academics/sec-
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ondary. Parents can choose to opt their children out of the district’s Human Sexuality curriculum.
TEACHER APPRECIATION GRANTS
In other matters, interim Superintendent Matt Kegley gave an update April 15 on the district’s annual Teacher Appreciation Grants, a state program that provides grants to teachers whose students have met certain criteria. The state provided about $770,000 to the district, which was about $12,000 short of what was needed to provide grants to all qualified teachers.
Kegley said that the district made up that amount to make sure nobody was left out.
“We almost felt like we would be arbitrarily determining who would get it and who would not, rather than just go over a little bit,” he said. “So, you will see that we are spending a little over $12,000 of our money to make sure that everybody gets covered that met the criteria.”
The board unanimously approved TAG grants as presented.
Council OKs athletic fields amendment
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
City of Fishers sports facilities will be managed differently following an April 20 vote by the Fishers City Council.
The amendment — which provides free use of city-owned sports facilities to local groups like Mudsock Youth Athletics and paid use to other groups, either through use agreements or hourly fees — was approved in a 6-1 vote, with Councilor Bill Stuart voting no. Councilors John DeLucia and John Weingardt were absent.
Before voting no, Stuart expressed concern that the residency requirement for “partner organizations” that can negotiate use agreements with the city was reduced from 75 percent local membership to 60 percent. He said that could lead to those groups cutting Fishers players to make room for someone from another community.
Mayor Scott Fadness said the intent is to provide opportunities for emerging sports, like cricket, that don’t have a large pool of local players.
“I appreciate your point and I respect
your decision on this but do understand that the intent here is to try to get as many kids home-playing on the fields that their families are funding here in the city as possible,” he said.
Stuart responded that there are other ways to accommodate emerging sports.
Organizations like Mudsock that get free use of fields must have 100 percent local players, a requirement that has not changed. The amendment gives the city exclusive discretion when assigning sports facilities to user groups, where previously Mudsock officials had some control.
Justin
Burtner from Mudsock Youth
Athletics spoke during public comment after the vote. He said the change makes Mudsock teams less of a priority.
“I really hope that Mudsock Youth Soccer is able to be at its home at Cyntheanne Park again, where they have been for countless years,” he said. “If we’re not going to bump Mudsock Soccer, I would ask for the mayor to publicly state that we will still have a home in the fall for Mudsock Soccer at Cyntheanne, for lacrosse and rugby — that’s an easy ask, right? We don’t have fears of other programs … we have fears of our kids being pushed to fields that don’t have the infrastructure that our parents deserve to have as taxpayers in this community.”
In other matters, the council had a first reading for an amendment to city code related to e-bikes — updating definitions for e-bicycles, e-scooters, e-motos and electric personal assistive mobility devices and establishing prohibited locations for each device.
The ordinance will come back to the council for further consideration.
The next council meeting is 7 p.m. May 18 at the Fishers Municipal Center.
The City of Fishers now has exclusive discretion in assigning sports facilities to various user groups. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)
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Endorsed by 4 FOPs Endorsed by 3 Hamilton County Mayors
• Sue Finkam, Carmel Mayor
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Endorsed by Doug Carter, Retired Indiana State Police Superintendent and Hamilton County Sheriff
5th District Dem candidates participate in forum
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Hundreds of community members packed the Fishers Arts Center theater April 15 for a 5th Congressional District Democrat candidates forum presented by the Indiana Democratic Party.
All seven Democratic candidates, Tara Nelson, J.D. Ford, Steven “Avit” Avitabile, Dylan McKenna, Deborah Pickett, Jackson Bailey Franklin and Phil Goss, attended.
The primary election is May 5. The winner will face Republican incumbent Victoria Spartz or Republican Scott A. King in the general election. All candidates said they would support the Democratic primary winner, with many wanting to see Spartz defeated.
“I absolutely support my fellow Democrat colleagues here,” said Pickett, a Carmel resident. “I see so many fabulous Democrats that are out there running for office. We will prevail in November.”
During the forum, community members wrote questions on notecards, which were then presented to candidates by moderators Dr. Laura Merriwether Wilson and Robin Winston. Questions touched on health care; women’s reproductive rights; labor; ethics and campaign finances; immigration enforcement; and affordability and energy costs.
All candidates said they support protecting women’s reproductive rights.
Westfield resident McKenna said more needs to be done to keep the government out of individual health care decisions.
“What I would do even to go further would be to introduce programs or enhance programs that give young mothers the support they need so they don’t feel like pregnancy is the end of their professional life or personal life so that maybe they don’t choose abortion in the first place,” McKenna said.
McKenna also supports fighting for Hoosiers’ rights to Medicare and Medicaid, saying Spartz has “essentially resigned her job.” Nelson, a Carmel resident, agreed, saying that Mexico recently approved universal health care for all, which Americans also deserve.
Candidates also discussed their strategies to ensure Indiana receives its fair share of federal investment, and described specific steps they would take to promote the creation of high wage union jobs in the fifth district. Franklin, a Muncie resident and former combat medic, said he believes everyone has the right to unionize, and living wages should be at least $25 an hour across the nation.
“I think if Jeff Bezos (and) Elon Musk have enough money to go to outer space, then I know damn sure that they have more than enough money to pay all of their workers a living wage,” Franklin said. “We need to stand up for
From left, 5th District Democratic candidates Steven “Avit” Avitable; J.D. Ford; Jackson Franklin; Phil Goss; Dylan McKenna; Tara Nelson; and Deborah Pickett at the April 15 forum. (Photos by Jessica Todd)
COMMUNITY
A crowd of approximately 300 people attend the forum.
Continued from Page 6
our unions and stand up for the work ing class people, not just the billionaire class.”
A significant topic in Hamilton County has been the actions of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce ment (ICE). Some residents have been concerned following reports of a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforce ment office set to open near I-465 and U.S. 31. Many candidates support the abolishment of ICE, while others say border security is needed, but not in the way it is being enforced. Avitable said ICE has overstepped its bounds to the point where they have “poisoned themselves.”
“I would be in favor of abolishing ICE and re-establishing a new agency in its place,” Avitable said. “If we do have people that are here illegally that are criminals, yes, I want them gone, but I don’t want mass, roving gangs of armed thugs posing as law enforcement on the streets.”
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Campaign finances were also a topic of discussion. Goss, a Noblesville resident, said campaign finance is what keeps politics going, but he wants to get
ing service from Hoosiers, particularly in the summertime when it’s over 95 degrees.”
Early voting is underway at select locations.
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COMMUNITY
HSE standout chooses mother’s alma mater
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Fate led Hamilton Southeastern High School senior Kennedy “KK” Holman to follow in her mother’s collegiate journey to the University of Oregon.
The 5-foot-8 guard had signed to play basketball at the University of Florida but reopened her recruitment after Gators coach Kelly Rae Finley was fired after the season.
“When I initially opened up my recruitment again, I wanted to keep it small,” said Holman, who will play for the Indiana Girls All-Star team in June. “Not visiting (the) University of Oregon before, it was definitely one I wanted to visit, so I wanted to get out there. Playing under my mom and being able to carry on her legacy is something really special to me and her.”
Lisa Holman, whose maiden name is Bowyer, played at Oregon from 1995-99 and ranks in the top 10 in assists and steals for the Ducks. She coached her daughter in AAU and was an HSE assistant coach.
“The fact Kennedy ended up at Oregon is just a surreal feeling for me,” said Lisa, who is from Australia. “Obviously, I always thought that would be cool if Kennedy played for Oregon, but I never really thought it would happen, especially with her committing to Florida. I was totally cool with her going to Florida because she felt that was the right fit. But Oregon was always on her radar. That was the only school that when they offered her, she cried.”
Lisa said Oregon coaches were a little late recruiting her daughter initially.
“She had already built that relationship with Florida,” Lisa said. “It’s just crazy how things worked out when the Florida coach was let go. She was upset and disappointed in that. When she reopened her recruiting, Oregon was the first school to reach out, and she decided to go full steam ahead with it.”
Taking the trip with her daughter stirred a lot of memories for Lisa.
“I tried to keep them to myself because I didn’t want to sway her,” she said. “I tried to step back and let her take it all in and engage with the coaching staff. I thought halfway through the visit, this could be it because of the way she was acting carefree. She was goofing
Kennedy “KK” Holman in frong with her mother Lisa Holman, whose maiden name is Bowyer, in the middle. On the left is Tash O’Brien. Sonja Curtis is on the right. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Holman)
off with the coaches and wasn’t stressed like she was at some other visits.”
Kelly Graves has been the Ducks coach since 2014, and Holman had photos taken with him when she was younger.
Holman took a picture in front of a picture of her mother, which also included her mother’s close friend Tash O’Brien, an Australian who Lisa convinced to join her at Oregon. O’Brien still lives in Eugene, Ore., and Lisa said she will act as her daughter’s “adopted mom.”
“When they came to take the photo shoot, the photographer said he took that picture of me after we won the Pac10,” Lisa said. “(I thought) ‘Whoa, you took that picture of me in 1999 and now you are doing my kid’s photo shoot.’”
Holman averaged career highs of 17.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a senior. Her best memory was winning the sectional title as a junior, beating Westfield in the final.
“It was the first time we got out of sectionals since 2019 when Sydney Parrish was playing,” she said. “We did not come out good. When we came out of the locker room, no one was doubting one another. We kept fighting and came out and won.”
Now, she is eager to play against the Kentucky All-Stars in the annual boys and girls doubleheaders. The games are June 5 in Lexington, Ky., and June 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The senior AllStars will play the Junior All-Stars June 3 at Mt. Vernon High School.
“I’m most looking forward to playing with some of my AAU teammates one last time,” Holman said. “(Valparaiso’s) Lilli Barnes is one of my best friends and I only got to play one AAU season with her.”
Hurdles no obstacle for Hamilton Southeastern senior
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
About a month after competing in the 300-meter hurdles for the first time, Hamilton Southeastern High School senior Chloe Senefeld had instant success.
Senefeld placed second in the 300 hurdles at last year’s IHSAA girls state track and field meet.
Now, she is ready for an equally impressive encore as a senior.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish in the 300 hurdles this year now that I have much more experience,” Senefeld said. “I was so new to hurdling last year, so I feel like I will improve a lot this season. I have trained so much and been working with my coach since the summer. I’m also excited for both our 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. I think we have a lot of potential in both and are even looking to break school records.”
Senefeld’s goal is to break the state record in the 300 hurdles.
“This would require a big (personal record), but I don’t think it’s necessarily out of reach,” she said. “The record is
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41.36 (seconds), and I ran 42.62 last year. However, that 42-second run was only my sixth time ever running the 300 hurdles. So, I believe this season, after all the work I’ve put in, this is an attainable goal.”
Royals girls track and field coach Julie Alano said Senefeld developed quickly.
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“If a strong sprinter is willing, it’s better to learn the hurdles later because then you have the strength and speed to do well in them,” she said. “She was able to take that 400 and 200 training and just transfer right over to the 300 hurdles.”
Senefeld is now working on the 100 hurdles, which she didn’t compete in last season because she hadn’t developed the proper form for the higher hurdles.
“The 300s are 3 inches lower and don’t
necessarily require the precise form that the 100s do, at least not when you’re starting out,” she said.
Senefeld ran the 400 hurdles in 2025 at the Nike Outdoors Nationals, her first time running.
“She just missed All-American. She was ninth and the top eight are All-Americans,” Alano said.
Alano said Senefeld is very coachable.
“She leads by example and does everything we ask her to do,” Alano said. “She’s usually the last one here because she is still working out in the weight room or somewhere — she is always trying to get better.”
Senefeld committed to the University of Iowa in late October 2025.
“I absolutely loved the coaching there,” she said. “All the coaches are extremely qualified and have a ton of experience. I also feel like Iowa is more of a hurdle-focused school compared to some others I visited. The head coach is also the hurdle coach, which I love since my high school head coach, Coach Alano, is also my hurdle coach. She really sets the standard high for my future coaching.”
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IN FISHERS
Hamilton Southeastern High School senior Chloe Senefeld is a top hurdler. (Photo by Mike Kepner Photography)
Dayana Escobar, a Fishers High School sophomore, won the Hamilton Southeastern Schools high school culinary challenge April 14 when diners chose her Pineapple Teriyaki Melt as their favorite during the final championship round at Ford’s Garage in Noblesville. Escobar and Hamilton Southeastern High Shool freshman Beckett Schetzsle took over the Ford’s Garage kitchen for the event, serving their burger creations as diners tasted, voted and crowned a winner. Escobar’s burger will be featured on the restaurant’s menu throughout May. All proceeds from sales of her burger will be donated to HSE Food Services for future programs. (Photo courtesy of HSE Schools)
Bob Kevoian of ‘Bob & Tom Show” dies
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Longtime co-host of the popular “Bob & Tom Show” Bob Kevoian, 75, a Geist-area resident, died April 17, according to an online announcement from the show.
“Bob Kevoian was a pioneering force in American radio, helping to build ‘The Bob & Tom Show’ into one of the most successful and enduring syndicated programs in broadcasting history,” the announcement stated. “With his sharp wit, steady presence and unmistakable voice, Bob connected with millions of listeners across the country, creating a daily habit of laughter that spanned generations.”
Kevoian co-founded the show with Tom Griswold in 1983 on Indianapolis radio station WFBQ-FM. It became nationally syndicated in 1995.
“Bob used to say that our show was simply a conversation between two friends — not heard, but overheard,” Griswold stated. “We created a space where humor brought people together every morning. That legacy lives on.”
According to the announcement, Kevoian’s comedic timing and curiosity helped define a format that blended humor, music, interviews and cultural commentary in a way that felt personal as well as entertaining.
“Over decades on the air, he became a trusted companion to listeners — someone who could make you laugh on your commute, lighten a tough morning, or simply make your day better,” the announcement stated. “Over the years, ‘The Bob & Tom Show’ received many awards, including the Kurt Vonnegut Humor Award and radio’s highest honor, the Marconi Award.”
Kevoian was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2015. After retiring from the airwaves a decade ago, he and his wife, Becky, traveled the country in an Airstream RV.
Details regarding memorial services will be shared at a later time.
Kevoian
FISHERS MAY EVENTS
SENIOR FAIR
A free resource fair for seniors and their caregivers is set for 4-6 p.m. at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, 13450 E. 116th St., with information about elder law, finance, senior living, care and wellness. For more, email knute@seniorcareauthority. com.
NEWCOMERS CLUB
Fishers Newcomers Club meets at 3 p.m. the third Thursday of each month. In May and June, meetings will be at the Fishers Community Center. Starting in July, meetings are at the Delaware Township Community Center, 9090 E. 131 St.
MAY GALLERY HOP
The Fishers Arts Council and various partners are hosting a May Gallery Hop, with multiple receptions, set for May 8. The Art Gallery at City Hall and Fishers Art Center will celebrate the annual STAR Bank High School Senior Showcase between 5 and 9 p.m. Other receptions are planned at the Fishers Library Ignite Studio, Meyer Najem 2nd Floor Gallery and Build BW Gallery. Four Day Ray will have a special
offer for visitors who have gone to all participating receptions. For more, visit FishersArtsCouncil.org.
FISHERS FARMERS MARKET
The Fishers Farmers Market opens for the season at 8 a.m. May 2 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
The following Fishers government meetings are scheduled:
• Plat Committee — 4 p.m. May 6, Fishers Municipal Center
• Planned Unit Development — 5 p.m. May 6, Fishers Municipal Center
• Plan Commission - 6 p.m. May 6, Fishers Municipal Center
• Board of Public Works & Safety — 9 a.m. May 12 and 28, Fishers Municipal Center
• Finance Committee — 5 p.m. May 13, Fishers Municipal Center
• City Council — 7 p.m. May 18, Fishers Municipal Center
• Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees — 6 p.m. May 13, 13485 Cumberland Rd.
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HSE board OKs Apex contract
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously April 15 to approve an amendment to the district’s contract with Apex Benefits, a health benefits management company, essentially affirming a pricing change that already had been implemented.
Apex and the district signed a three-year contract without a competitive bid process or board vote in 2024, which has raised some concerns. During the board’s March meeting, Apex co-owner Jim Harenberg gave a presentation outlining the company’s services and why the contract started at $20,000 a month in July 2024, but then dropped to about $7,200 a month by the next year.
HSE Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown told the board April 15 that the contract with Apex is mostly unchanged.
“What did change is their monthly fee that originally started in Year 1 as $20,000 and moved to $7,232.28 effective July 1 of 2025,” he said, adding that there was a waiver of that fee in July and August because the company’s commissions were above target. “So, before you tonight, is that amendment just documenting that (pricing) change and still establishing no change … in terms of the deadline of June 30 of 2027.”
Board Member Suzanne Thomas thanked fellow board members who worked with administrators to resolve concerns about the contract’s approval process, and thanked administrators who were able to make sure the contract will not automatically renew. She said she remains concerned that Apex is owned by the same parent company as another district contractor, Innovative Rx Strategies, a pharmacy benefits consultant.
“I would prefer a simple, more transparent arrangement with clearly defined, not-to-exceed total annual compensation figures when engaging any benefits consultant or partner moving forward,” she said. “I would also like to suggest that we explore the formation of a benefits committee to work along-
side administration.”
Board Member Ben Orr questioned the motivation of those who expressed concern with how the contract was established, calling it “political theater.” He said district administrators selected the company, which delivered significant savings to the district and employees.
“There is no legitimate issue with this contract,” he said. “It has saved millions, strengthened our finances and improved benefits. Rising medical costs and claims remain our main challenges.”
The next HSE Schools Board of Trustees meeting is a special meeting set for 5:30 p.m. April 29 at the HSE Administration Building, 13485 Cumberland Rd. The board will hold a public hearing on a new superintendent’s contract, with an expected vote to follow.
HSE BOARD APPOINTS TWO NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTORS
The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees confirmed the hire of two new high school athletic directors during its April 15 meeting.
Drew Tower will take over the open position at Hamilton Southeastern High School following the departure of Jim Self, who has taken the newly created position of city-district athletic director. Tower served previously in the position.
Tyler Nicole is the new Fishers High School athletic director, filling the position left open by Jim Brown. Nicole has served as the assistant athletic director at Westfield High School.
Tower and Nicole’s contracts both run through June 2028. According to information in the board packet, Tower’s annual salary will be $120,269 and Nicole will receive $110,155 a year.
Thomas Orr
Nicole
Tower
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Contractor scams prevalent
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Tanya Gilbert is well aware of the prevalence of online scams. So, when she needed a deck railing installed at a home she rents out, she took steps to ensure the contractors who responded to her Nextdoor post about the project were legitimate.
Two of them took her money and failed to do the work anyway, she said.
Now, the Carmel resident is speaking out to alert others of the lengths some bad actors will go to appear trustworthy online.
“I’m a little embarrassed to share, but I also know this can happen to anyone,” Gilbert said. “I’ve got my ducks in a row. I’ve got three university degrees. I’m a smart, responsible person, and it’s like I got slapped in the face and then kicked in the face.”
Gilbert, 42, reported both contractors to the Carmel Police Department, and as of April 13 charges had been filed against one of them.
CONFIRMED AND TRUSTED?
Gilbert began communicating with Anthony Golden, owner of Golden Scape Logistics, in November 2025 when he sent her a message through Nextdoor expressing interest in installing the rail.
Golden had created a Nextdoor profile page for his business, which the neighborhood social networking site verified as “confirmed and trusted.” However, Golden Scape Logistics does not appear as a registered business through the Indiana Secretary of State’s online portal.
After weeks of texts back and forth about the project, Gilbert paid Golden $300 up front, approximately half the project cost, to begin the work. However, Golden continually failed to show up and offered excuses for the delays, ranging from a flat tire to fog keeping his kids out of school, according to Gilbert. Soon, Gilbert told Golden she no longer wanted to work with him and requested her money back. He didn’t return it, so Gilbert filed a complaint with CPD. In March, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office charged Golden with fraud and theft. The warrant for his arrest remains active.
What Gilbert didn’t know at the time was that she wasn’t Golden’s only alleged victim.
A warrant for his arrest in a similar Westfield case also remains active.
Golden did not respond to requests for comment. Nextdoor did not respond to multiple requests for an interview about how it vets contractors or handles complaints about them.
‘MUCH MORE CONNIVING’
After moving on from Golden, Gilbert was on the clock to get the railing project done before a tenant moved in, but she wanted to avoid becoming the victim of another scam.
So, she felt reassured when another contractor who responded on Nextdoor discussed the project with her through FaceTime video chat, sent photos of his workshop and said he used Cash App, a payment app that made refunds easy if something went wrong.
“I told him I just got scammed,” Gilbert said. “He name-dropped a couple of people that we both knew. He was much more conniving and good at getting my trust.”
After Gilbert paid the contractor $373 up front for supplies, she began noticing a familiar pattern of delays and excuses. So, she went into the app to ask for a refund but received a message that her request was denied.
Gilbert didn’t receive any of her funds back until April 14, when the contractor sent her $100 and said he intended to return the rest. He told her he’d been having issues with the payment app.
The partial refund came less than half an hour after Current left a voicemail with the contractor seeking comment for this story (Gilbert said she also reached out to him around the same time to request repayment again). He did not return Current’s message.
Gilbert reported the contractor to the police, but as of April 13 charges had not been filed.
The third person Tanya Gilbert hired to install a deck railing completed the work and did a ‘great job,’ Gilbert said. (Photo courtesy of Tanya Gilbert)
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Sheriff candidates: Same party, different priorities
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Two Republicans with lengthy careers in local law enforcement are vying to become the next sheriff of Hamilton County.
in seven years,” Dixon said. “It’s something that has to be built by 25 years of frontline experience.”
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Although there are many similarities between John Lowes and Dustin Dixon, they took different paths to their current roles in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and offer competing views on top priorities for the agency. Lowes places more emphasis on addressing national issues at the local level, while Dixon stresses community partnerships.
Both men said under their leadership, HCSO would continue to partner with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement efforts in the county. But there are differences in their motivations.
Dixon Lowes
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Local leaders have taken notice. Lowes has been endorsed by Hamilton County Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush, who is leaving office because of term limits, and Westfield Mayor Scott Willis and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. Dixon has endorsements from Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen and the police unions representing the four largest cities in the county.
Lowes and Dixon will face off in the May 5 Republican primary. The winner is on track to become the next sheriff, as no other candidates in any other parties have entered the race.
Lowes joined HCSO as chief deputy in 2019 after the newly elected Quakenbush recruited him from the Westfield Police Department, where he had worked for 19 years.
His work at HCSO includes overseeing day-to-day operations and managing a $34 million budget.
“The executive level experience really sets me apart (from Dixon), because that’s something that he doesn’t have at the agency,” Lowes said.
Dixon, a U.S. Army veteran, joined HCSO in 2002 and worked his way through the ranks to become a lieutenant. During that time, he said he’s “done virtually every job (the) agency has” and built relationships with officials across the county.
“Really getting to know the people and the concerns and the needs and their issues regarding public safety is something you can’t learn in an office
For Dixon, it’s primarily a matter of following Indiana code.
“The state legislature changed the law in the last year or two to where essentially all county sheriffs are now required to honor any detainer from (ICE),” Dixon said. “We’re certainly going to follow the law.”
Lowes lists securing the U.S. border among his campaign platforms on his website. Although Indiana isn’t a border state, Lowes said communities throughout the nation are impacted by people in the U.S. illegally and that Hamilton County has seen an increase in this area in recent years.
“We have to enforce the law,” Lowes said. “In communities that don’t support ICE, we see that it seems like things are falling apart. So, when a federal agent — whether it’s ICE or FBI or whatever it is — requests help, we have to be ready to assist them.”
Lowe’s said he supports continuing recent efforts to address and support HCSO employees’ mental and physical health. He also wants to continue to look for ways to protect taxpayer dollars.
“Leadership matters, and how we run the department really determines whether it becomes (financially) bloated, or are we able to look for efficiencies,” Lowes said, adding that HCSO has spent below its budget in recent years.
Dixon said he supports resuming HCSO training alongside law enforcement officials in the county’s smaller northern towns, a practice he said ended during Quakenbush’s tenure. He also would like to dedicate an officer to managing active arrest warrants, create units to focus on traffic enforcement and patrolling county waterways.
“We don’t even own a watercraft to be able to patrol those areas,” Dixon said. “We have to borrow a good citizen’s boat or wait on DNR.”
SHOCK TO THE HEART
Fishers recognizes area woman with Citizen Lifesaver Award
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Olivia Harper had a lot of reasons to skip pickleball on Feb. 25. She was still recovering from working a night shift as a nurse at Ascension St. Vincent Anderson and she had plenty of other things to do — housework, grocery shopping, etc. But something made her keep her appointment at the Indianapolis Pickleball Club in Fishers, where she saved Brenda Cantwell’s life.
Harper, an Anderson resident, was recognized in March by the Fishers Fire Department and Fishers Police Department with the city’s Citizen Lifesaver Award for her actions that day, which included giving CPR and using an automated external defibrillator to restart Cantwell’s heart.
Cantwell doesn’t remember much about what happened. The Indianapolis resident had been playing pickleball with friends, just like she did every week.
“It was a normal Wednesday and I was feeling great — nothing unusual,” she said. “We played the first game, which I thought would be the first of many, and we won our game. There were five of us there, and so we kind of just take turns sitting out. And I was talking to my friend, I said, ‘Hey, you know what? I don’t mind sitting out.’ … And then all of a sudden, just out of the blue, I got vertigo and the room started spinning. I grabbed the (net) and that’s all I remember.”
Harper, 44, an emergency room nurse, said she was checking in for her own game when she heard people yelling for help. She glanced over, saw Cantwell flat on the ground and ran over.
“She didn’t have a pulse at all at that moment. So, then I just gave her two breaths and started compressions,” she said. “The manager of the pickleball company came over right at that moment, and I asked him, ‘Can you get the AED?’ … I have never used a bystander AED, so that was kind of interesting not to see the rhythm … and just
trust it, because it said, ‘Shock immediately.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, here we go.’” A bystander AED is made for members of the general public who don’t
have medical training. They provide instructions on how to use the equipment and how to give CPR.
After the first shock, the AED in-
EQUIPMENT THAT SAVES LIVES
Fishers Fire Department EMS Division
Chief Joe Harding said Cantwell is lucky — not only that Harper was there but that the pickleball facility has an AED on site.
“The statistics are pretty poor (for) out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,” he said. “Only about 10 percent nationwide survive (and) only about 8 percent survive with good neurological outcome, and most of those that do are because of early intervention, like almost immediate intervention (with an) AED.”
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is another lifesaving skill that Harding would like more people to learn, but what he really wants are more AEDs in as many places as possible.
He said Fishers is working on a program to assess and improve the community’s
response to cardiac emergencies.
“We’re hoping to … improve cardiac arrest save rates in the community over time — even though our (saves) are a little higher than national average, we still feel like we could always do better,” Harding said, adding that younger people can have unknown heart conditions, similar to Cantwell’s. “People have no idea — they walk around and the big things like chest pain or the exhaustion, things like that, may not be there, and they may not even know. So, having AEDs and people to do CPR are just vitally important.”
Harding said many city and local school facilities have AEDs. He also mentioned a free app, PulsePoint AED, which helps users find the closest AED in case of emergency.
structed Harper to continue CPR and shock two more times. After the third shock, she said Cantwell finally had a steady pulse. That’s when emergency responders arrived and took over. Harper said it was probably about eight minutes total, but those eight minutes were critical.
“You hear ‘You’re in the right place at the right time,’ like, happenstance, but all the things that went through my brain not to be there — even to being in the parking lot and thinking, ‘Man, I could just do groceries and I could pick up my daughter,’” Harper said. “Pickleball was just not a priority, right? I really feel like God really orchestrated that — made me walk into that facility to do that. Because, not to say that no one else could have (done it) — I don’t mean that by any means — but it just very much felt like I was supposed to be there at that time.”
Cantwell agreed and although the two women didn’t know each other before, they’ve kept in touch and met officially for the first time at the award ceremony.
“I was trying to visualize — can I remember what she looked like? And just as soon as I walked through the door, I’m like, ‘Oh, that has to be her, because she’s coming right toward me,” Cantwell said.
Cantwell, 69 and a retired nurse, was told that it wasn’t a heart attack — there was no blockage and the heart showed no damage — her heart had simply stopped.
“They’re surmising that there was some kind of weird electrical event where a couple signals got crossed at the wrong time, and it just caused my heart to stop,” she said, adding that she now has a pacemaker and an internal defibrillator that will shock her if it happens again.
ON THE
COVER: Fishers fire and police departments recently recognized Olivia Harper, left, with a Citizen Lifesaver Award for her actions Feb. 25 that helped save Brenda Cantwell, right. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Fire Department)
Brenda Cantwell hugs Adam Lee, one of the Fishers first responders who helped when she had a cardiac arrest at Indianapolis Pickleball Club in February. (Photos courtesy of Fishers Fire Department)
Indianapolis Pickleball Club was recognized for maintaining an AED on-site. Chris Banguis, left, receives the award from EMS Division Chief Joe Harding.
big trees now!
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New businesses open
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Two new businesses with close ties to Fishers’ Arab and Muslim communities have opened recently, one offering nuts, candy and specialty beverages and the other featuring traditional Palestinian menu items with an American twist.
Nutopia, 9538 East 126th St., opened mid-March. It has a variety of chocolates, nuts, spices, Zaytoona olives and candy, including halal gummies, as well as coffee drinks like their cookie butter latte.
Nutopia is open 10 a.m. daily and stays open through 11 p.m. weeknights and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. More information is on their Instagram, instagram.com/nutopiaus.
Al Manakeesh, 12707 Parkside Dr., opened in early April and is the third location for the company, which also has restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago. Its halal menu includes traditional manakeesh — flatbread with za’atar seasoning; along with sfeha — flatbread with ground beef and tahini or tomato; flatbreads that have toppings similar to pizza; and kaak — a
sesame-crusted bread similar to a bagel — with various sandwich fillings.
Al Manakeesh also has a full coffee bar and other specialty drinks. For more, visit almanakeesh.com.
Racetrack restaurant opens
news@currentinfishers.com
Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson opened the new Sulky’s Restaurant & Bar April 23, offering an upscale yet casual menu overlooking the racetrack’s finish line and winners circle.
Sulky’s menu balances hometown favorites with new dishes created by Chef Joe Grilliot.
“With Sulky’s, we wanted to create a menu that’s both familiar and exciting,” Grilliot stated in a news release. “These are dishes that people around here know and love, elevated with thoughtful ingredients, in a place where you can relax and take in the energy of our racing experience.”
Old favorites include filet mignon, breaded shrimp, pork belly bites and prime rib, and new dishes include a wagyu burger with applewood-smoked bacon and house aioli on a brioche bun, as well as shareable starters like the street corn dip and handcrafted cocktails.
“The opening comes amid continued
enhancements at Harrah’s Hoosier Park,” the news release stated. “A completed $40 million property renovation in 2024 saw a completely reworked dining space within the casino and an increase in live table games, including blackjack and roulette.”
Sulky’s is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Harrah’s Hoosier Park, 4500 Dan Patch Circle, is off I-69 Exit 226.
Nutopia offers drinks, nuts, candy and more. (Photo by Ben Weir)
Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson opened the new Sulky’s Restaurant & Bar April 23. (Photo courtesy of Harrah’s Hoosier Park)
Al Manakeesh bakes its breads fresh in a custom-made oven. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
Commentary by Larry Greene
This Carmel home was expanded with a light-filled sunroom addition, creating a seamless transition to the outdoors while enhancing everyday living and entertaining space.
THE BLUEPRINT
• Added sunroom to extend living space and improve indoor-outdoor connection.
• Clean-lined ceiling with recessed lighting for a seamless, cohesive look.
• Large windows maximize views and bring in abundant daylight.
• Stone fireplace creates a warm, central focal point.
• Neutral palette and layered textures for a timeless, cohesive feel.
• Direct access from the kitchen to the backyard for effortless entertaining and relaxation.
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.
Etheridge brings ‘Rise’ tour to Palladium
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
It always invigorates Melissa Etheridge to share her music with an audience.
“Having this new album that seems to be received so well, I’m able to do these new songs, so it makes for a new show,” she said. “I was able to rethink some of the older songs, put them together differently and it makes for a new show that me and the band are really enjoying doing.”
Etheridge will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 3 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. She also performed in Carmel in 2018.
Etheridge’s album “Rise” was released in late March. It marked the first time working with Grammy-winning producer Shooter Jennings, son of the late Waylon Jennings.
“I was very, very happy to work with him,” Etheridge said. “It had been about seven or eight years since I did a full studio album on my own of new material. I really wanted to do something different, new, and I really wanted to look at the artists who were making country rock, outlaw country and Americana and all that, all those genres that I’ve always thought were just rock ‘n’ roll. But (Jennings) was just a name that kept coming up and, boy, he was so wonderful. I loved working with him.”
Etheridge, 64, said her new song “Matches” is unique.
“I’ve never allowed myself to kind of write a song with that kind of feel,” she said. “It kind of just rolls along, and it’s a memory that brings us into right now. The last verse I love because it’s now, ‘I’m rolling down the road, pulling into your town,’ and whenever I sing that, the people in the audience, they go nuts and it’s a really fun song to do.”
Etheridge co-wrote a song with Chris Stapleton called “The Other Side of Blue.”
“I first wanted to write with him
because I appreciate and respect his music, his art and him as a person,” she said. “I’ve always felt that he’s got this great presence in music right now and is such a great talent.”
Etheridge, who is based in Los Angeles, said she met Stapleton in Nashville.
“I had never met him before, and we wrote it very easily and quickly,” she said. “He was just very open, very creative. I think he’s an amazing writer. Then after we wrote it, I said, ‘Chris, I really think the world should hear the two of us sing together,’ and so we decided to do it as a duet. I’m just very pleased and very grateful.”
Etheridge said she hasn’t performed the song on the tour yet, but might sing it solo on the tour.
The song deals with navigating grief and finding hope. Etheridge’s son, Beckett, died from causes related to his opioid addiction at age 21 in 2020.
Etheridge said writing that song
Melissa Etheridge will perform May 3 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Primary Wave Music)
and “Call You” provided some comfort.
“Presenting that to an audience, I realize I’m not alone in that (grief), unfortunately,” she said. “It feels very cathartic. It’s a great thing to get off my mind.”
Etheridge has been performing about seven songs from “Rise’ on the tour that began in March
“I do five or six hit songs,” she said. “I do a couple of deeper tracks, so there’s eight of my old songs.”
Some of Etheridge’s biggest hits are “I Want to Come Over,” “Come to My Window,” “I’m the Only One” and “Like the Way I Do.”
Although she wasn’t selected, Etheridge was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the first time in February.
“It was nice to be thought about and in the room with everyone,” she said. For more, visit thecenterpresents. 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
“Now That’s Funny: Brian Hicks” is set for April 30, followed by Tim Wright & Steel Petals at Feinstein’s in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘BROTHERS GRIMM’
The Point Theater presents “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” May 1-3 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thepointtheater.org.
‘RISE’
Melissa Etheridge will perform a concert in support of her latest album “Rise” at 7:30 p.m. May 3 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘SUNSET BOULEVARD’
Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Sunset Boulevard” through May 10 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.
‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’
Civic Theatre presents “Fiddler on the Roof” through May 9 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
ELO EXPERIENCE
The Electric Light Orchestra Experience featuring Evil Woman — The American ELO will perform at 8 p.m. May 2 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
ENTERTAINMENT
Actor back in familiar opera role in ‘Figaro’
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Rafael Porto is very familiar with “The Marriage of Figaro.”
“It’s one of my favorites. It’s timeless and really fun to do,” he said.
Porto will perform in the famous opera for the sixth time in Indianapolis Opera’s May 1-3 production at The Toby Theater at Newfields in Indianapolis.
tober 2025. They sing in the Lyric Opera in Chicago, one of three full-time opera choruses in the nation.
Porto performed in the same production in 2025 at Northern Lights Music Festival in Minnesota.
Porto, who grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from Ben Davis High School, portrays Don Bartolo for the fifth time. He was cast as Figaro once.
“I love the comedic elements of the role,” he said. “I think (Bartolo) is a guy who is not trying to be funny. The comedy comes from him thinking he has everything figured out and knows how to work the system, and he doesn’t realize he’s getting played like a fiddle. The fun side is he thinks he’s quite serious and brilliant.”
Porto said the comedy comes from the audience seeing the plan he and Marcellina have is falling apart.
Porto’s wife, Cara Collins, plays Marcellina. The couple were married in Oc-
“We also had the same director (A. Scott Parry) and the same Figaro (Jason Cox) and Countess (Rebecca Krynski Cox) in this production,” Porto said. “It will be very fun to do it with them again because that’s more of a rarity. It’s a really good group of people with good chemistry.”
The first time Porto appeared with Indianapolis Opera as a chorus member was at Butler University, and then his first principal role was in “Madame Butterfly” in 2011.
“It’s been a company that’s just been a part of my life for my whole artistic journey,” said Porto, who earned his bachelor’s degree at Butler and master’s degree at Indiana University.
Porto has been a freelance performaner for several years.
“It’s always nice to come back to Indiana because that was a place that gave me a lot of chances when I was starting up,” he said.
For more, visit indyopera.org.
Comedy shows added — Two comedians, Michael Blaustein and Becky Robinson, have been announced for the 2026-27 season at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Michael Blaustein’s “The Taste Me Tour – The Final Leg” is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 24. Robinson’s :”The Beasts in Me Tour” is set for 8 p.m. Oct. 9. Both shows will be at the Payne & Mencias Palladium. Tickets are on sale at thecenterpresents.org.
Billy Strings rescheduled — The Billy Strings concerts originally scheduled for April 24-26 at the Fishers Event Center have been rescheduled to August 6-8 Ticket holders should retain their tickets as they will be honored for the rescheduled dates.
PAVILION
Porto
May 1 & 2 at PM May at PM
I hate the 70s
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
Last month, I celebrated my 79th birthday. My wife Mary Ellen and son tried to find me the perfect gift. But I am a very difficult person to shop for. I know this because my mother started telling me this when I was 3 years old.
To help them, I Googled “Gifts for men in their 80s.” I still have a year to go, but I wanted to give my family a good start on the next decade.
Here was the first recommendation: “The gift should convey to the celebrant that he is still loved, respected and appreciated.”
I don’t want to be a celebrant. It’s bad enough that many consider me an
Another suggestion: “Why not a collage of stamps from that person’s birth year? Can you think of a better present?” Yes. How about a gift certificate for my next colonoscopy? By the way, a postage stamp in 1947 cost 3 cents, which was expensive at the time. That’s why my father didn’t want to send out my birth announcements.
I’m surprised Starbucks never thought of this. It seems tasteless, but it’s nothing compared to their scones.
I Googled a list for those who said their final goodbyes on March 5.
• Jay Silverheels (Tonto on the “Lone Ranger”)
• Patsy Cline (Country singer)
• William Powell (Movie star)
I’d suggest they add dictator Joseph Stalin, who also died on March 5. Anything to brighten up that mug.
Just before my birthday, Mary Ellen and I went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. I saw her eyeing one of those little books on the gift rack that features statistics from the year you were born. The stand starts with 2005 at the top, and the years work their way down the rack. By the time she reached 1947, she was on her knees. This is a marketing mistake. When you are a senior, everything you want to buy should be at eye level. If CVS stocked Depends on the lower shelf, they’d never sell a single package.
Mary Ellen ended up giving me a coffee mug: TO MY FAVORITE SEPTUAGENARIAN
Then there also were several ideas for personalized coffee mugs: “What about an eye-catching cup with a list of all the famous people born on their birthday?” I thought that sounded like a good idea, so I did a little research about March 5 on AI. Amazing how many notables share my birth date:
• Tang Gonghong (Chinese weightlifter)
• Jef Eygel (Belgian basketball player)
• Olusegun Obasanjo (former president of Nigeria)
But how long will that priceless gift last before someone swipes it?
Here’s another hint: “A coffee mug decorated with the names of famous people who died on your birth date.”
I don’t like being in my 70s. It certainly doesn’t sound as much fun as being a sexagenarian.
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
COLUMNIST ON THE WEB
This week’s commentary by Current Publishing essayist Terry Anker may be read at youarecurrent.com.
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The Tobias Theater at SHOW SPONSOR
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68. ___ King Cole
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70. Personal records
71. Org.
DOWN
1. Clay Terrace shoe store letters
2. “Go Greyhounds!”
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4. Lymph ___
5. Easily identifiable
6. ___ ‘n’ cheese
7. Become swollen
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9. Cruel person
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17. Purgatory Golf Club
peg
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35. Yoko ___
38. Cups, saucers, sugar bowl, etc.
39. Coloration
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41. One who rights old wrongs
42. ___ non grata
45. Bringing together
46. Pacers’ former org.
47. Hasty escape
49. First female Speaker of the House
51. Larynx locale
54. “Skyfall” singer
55. Tom Wood offering, briefly
58. “Moby-Dick” captain
60. ___ and aahs
62. Freight weight
63. Columbus Crew org.
64. Fishers Farmers Market corn unit
65. Some Indy 500 drivers’ sponsorship letters ANSWERS ON PAGE 27
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