April 29, 2025 — Fishers & Geist

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

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HIGH-TECH SLEUTHING

Fishers Police Department’s forensic team fights crime with science / P18

Fishers rental cap ordinance passes / P2

Mason Alexander’s family rallies for answers / P5

Senior Showcase exhibit winners announced / P12

About us

Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XV, No. 15

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Current Publishing, LLC

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525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032

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Council unanimously approves rental cap

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A citywide registration and 10 percent cap on single-home rentals in the City of Fishers passed unanimously following an April 21 public hearing and second reading by the Fishers City Council.

GOVERNMENT

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness gave a short presentation before the public hearing. He said the ordinance has been in development for more than two years and it’s needed for Fishers to continue to be a desirable place for people to live.

“It’s one thing to build a great city,” he said. “It’s quite another thing to maintain a great city — that it’s not just a snapshot of time, but it lives on, today, tomorrow, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years and into the future.”

property owners (and) directly infringing on private property rights by limiting what property owners can do with their property and who they might sell to,” Pryor said.

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Opinions

The views of the columnists in Current in Fishers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

Fadness said too many Fishers homes are owned by institutional landlords who aren’t invested in the community as a whole. He argued that houses need to be available for people who want to purchase them as homes for their families. The proposed cap still allows rentals in the community, he said, but also sets a limit.

A large crowd gathered for the council’s vote on the issue. Council President Pete Peterson told the audience at the Fishers Municipal Center theater that a public hearing was not required by statute, but the council wanted to hear from constituents. He limited the public hearing to 30 minutes. Fourteen people spoke during that time frame and were evenly split on their support of the ordinance.

One speaker said the ordinance violates state law and would lead to costly lawsuits. However, the city’s legal representatives have said the ordinance is within the city’s home rule powers and would withstand a legal challenge.

Several homeowners and homeowner association representatives spoke in favor of the ordinance, stating there are too many rental properties in their neighborhoods. They cited a lack of maintenance by absent landlords. Opponents of the ordinance have argued that the city should focus on enforcing current laws related to property maintenance before implementing a rental cap.

Chris Pryor, speaking for MIBOR — an Indianapolis-area real estate association — spoke in opposition to the ordinance.

“These measures represent serious overreach, placing broad restrictions on

“This proposal also limits much-needed housing options at a time when affordability is already out of reach for many. It directly interferes with the free market, drives up costs and reduces opportunities for residents who rely on rental housing.”

Jack Russell of OneZone Chamber, which represents Fishers and Carmel businesses, said the chamber supports the ordinance.

“As our community continues to grow, it is vital that we take proactive steps to preserve the long-term vibrancy, stability and quality of our neighborhoods,” he said. “We believe this ordinance is a necessary measure to ensure that our housing stock remains well maintained and is accessible to families who want to call Fishers home. This proposal is not about restricting investment. It’s about creating balance by establishing a clear inventory of rental properties, promoting accountability for code compliance and preserving opportunities for homeownership.”

Council members noted that they heard

from constituents via email, phone calls and other means, and those comments were overwhelmingly in favor of a rental cap. They stressed that they didn’t believe landlords or renters were bad people — they simply wanted to protect the community from institutional landlords. Several noted that the ordinance is not carved in stone and can be adjusted if parts of it don’t work.

Following the unanimous vote, one group in the audience loudly applauded. Another group walked out.

Fadness said in an email sent after the meeting that the city council “took a major step forward to securing the sustainability of our neighborhoods while ensuring the opportunity of homeownership. We look forward to working with all stakeholders as we move toward implementation.”

The rental registry will begin this year, with the cap taking effect after Dec. 31. Homes that are registered as rentals before Dec. 31 will not be subject to the cap until they are sold.

For more about the city’s rental registration and cap, visit fishersin.gov/ government/administrative/rentalregistry.

STATE LAWMAKERS ADD, REMOVE RENTAL CAP PROHIBITION

As the Fishers City Council was poised to vote on the state’s first citywide cap on single-home rentals, an Indiana House representative from northwest Indiana made a last-minute push that would have made the city’s ordinance illegal.

On April 21, District 20 Rep. Jim Pressel added language prohibiting cities from limiting rentals to a bill that was headed for a floor vote.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said Monday evening that the legislation was a

“Monday morning surprise.”

“The Indiana Realtors Association is a strong lobby,” he said. “They went and talked to some legislators and got that language put in there. We’re still talking to our legislative team, and we’re optimistic that that language will come out and that we can continue forward and be able to do this.”

Fadness was correct. By the next morning, the new language had been removed from the bill.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness gives a presentation to the city council about the city’s rental registration and 10 percent cap. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

DISPATCHES

Aging Taskforce launches survey — The City of Fishers’ new Aging & Wellness Task Force is evaluating new programming, resources and potential infrastructure for the senior population. As part of this effort, it is seeking community input through a short survey open through May 6. Seniors, a caregivers and others interested in shaping the future of services for older adults in Fishers are welcome to take the survey at FishersIN.gov/ AgingWell.

Triathlon debuting at Geist Waterfront Park — Fishers Area Swimming Tigers is holding its first Fishers Sprint Triathlon May 17 at Geist Waterfront Park, featuring a sprint triathlon, duathlon, aquabike and two- to three-person team triathlon relay. The event, which starts at 8 a.m., is in conjunction with the City of Fishers health initiative. Drivers are asked to watch for runners and bikers during the event. For more and to register, visit fasttigers.com/fisherssprinttriathlon.

Spark!Fishers vendor applications open — The City of Fishers Parks Department is accepting vendor applications for the annual Spark!Fishers community celebration, set for June 23-28. Applications are open for the Car and Art Show, street fair, food carts, entertainment acts and parade participants. For more, visit fishersparks.com/summer-activities-events/ sparkfishers/get-involved.

Forever Young Club in Lawrence — The City of Lawrence is hosting a weekly event with games, fun and fellowship geared toward active older adults, set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Lawrence Community Center, 5301 N. Franklin Rd. On the second Friday of each month, Kandyce Dorsey of KYT Fitness will lead a free chair-based aerobics class for all fitness levels from 11 a.m. to noon at the community center.

Orthopedic services join forces — OrthoIndy and Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center have aligned the two practices with a new framework meant to enhance orthopedic services in the communities they serve. Through the alignment, Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center will continue to see patients at its existing clinics and will now perform surgeries at OrthoIndy hospitals. For more, visit orthoindy.com or indianahandtoshoulder.com.

FRIDAY - SUNDAY | MAY 2–4

P ARADE OF HOMES

CELEBRATE THE CONCLUSION OF THE PARADE OF HOMES WITH A BEHIND THE SCENES PREVIEW OF HOME-A-RAMA!

May 4, 2025 | 2 – 6pm 1360 Chatham Ridge Ct., Westfield, IN 46074

The 2025 Lee Supply Corp Home-A-Rama will be held at Chatham Hills in Westfield this September. Get a sneak peek at this fun event hosted by Henke Development and enjoy some tacos, margaritas and under construction masterpieces.

Mason Alexander’s family rallies for answers

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Family and friends of former Hamilton Southeastern High School student-athlete Mason Alexander, who died in a March 1 vehicle accident in Fishers, gathered April 21 outside of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, quietly holding signs and asking for answers about the accident that ended the life of their loved one.

DEMONSTRATION

Sharice Patterson is Alexander’s cousin. She said they were there to get justice for Alexander.

“We just want answers,” she said. “His mom deserves answers. We deserve answers.”

The sheriff’s office has said repeatedly that the case remains under investigation and that it can take several months for this type of investigation to be resolved. The sheriff’s office reiterated that in a statement released April 21.

“The HCSO Crash Team continues to actively conduct interviews and submit records requests, working tirelessly to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation,” the sheriff’s office stated. “There are established policies and procedures that guide investigations and adherence to them is essential. Any deviation could compromise the integrity of the case, risk overlooking critical evidence and, ultimately, would not be fair to the Alexander family or anyone else involved.”

Patterson said investigators have been telling the family that same thing from Day 1. She said she doesn’t believe the issue is race related. She does, however, think that authorities are protecting the driver of the vehicle.

Alexander graduated from HSE early and was a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a cornerback on the football team. He was home for a visit and was the passenger in a white 2016 BMW 340 driven by a 17-year-old male, who has not been identified publicly. According to the sheriff’s office statement, the driver’s name has been withheld because he is a juvenile.

Patterson said neither the driver nor his parents have reached out to Alexander’s family to express condolences or remorse.

“My cousin, he had a good life ahead of

him,” she said. “He should still be here with us. Someone else’s actions took him from us. So, we just want accountability.”

According to a March 2 announcement from the sheriff’s office, the BMW was traveling south on Florida Road from 113th Street. At the same time, a silver 2015 Toyota RAV-4 was headed north on Florida Road near Geist Park. The BMW tried to pass a southbound car in front of it by entering the oncoming lane just before a hill crest.

“Upon coming over the hill, the (driver of the) BMW saw the Toyota traveling north and realized a crash was imminent,” the announcement stated. “The BMW pulled to the right to avoid the Toyota and then overcorrected.”

The BMW went off the east side of the roadway, slid through the grass and hit a tree. The impact caused the BMW to catch fire. Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a crash report provided to Alexander’s family, the driver was tested for alcohol and drugs. Results of those tests have not been provided to the family.

Adrian Johnson also is Alexander’s cousin. He asked for empathy with what the family has been enduring.

“The only way to get closure in a lot of situations is to know what happened,” he said. “We don’t have that closure, and we need that to move forward. We’re still grieving — we’re still hurt and there’s still no answers. And it’s not right. It doesn’t take that long to figure out how a car ended up from here to there and what happened in between.”

Johnson said the family will continue to demonstrate and speak out until they get that closure.

Family and friends of Mason Alexander gather at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office April 21.

(Photo by Leila Kheiry)

Fishers mayor ready to adjust to new state tax bill

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Following a late-night signature by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, the new state tax bill, Senate Bill 1, was officially approved April 15. City of Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said his office has been paying close attention to the legislation and he believes the resulting bill is “manageable” for the city’s future finances.

GOVERNMENT

The local government finance bill will lower property taxes through tax credits and by limiting how much communities can raise through property taxes. Fadness said the impact for Fishers will be in the “low millions” over the next few years.

But, he said, that doesn’t mean the city will face cuts to current spending levels.

“We’re not being cut $2 million in the sense that we’re going to have less money than we had the year before,” he said. “It’s that we’re not going to grow our revenue as much as we had forecasted we were going to grow.”

Although that will be a challenge, he said he’s confident his team will come up with a budget that allows the city to continue prospering.

“Are we going to have to make some adjustments and kind of rethink our plans? Yes, but we’re going to be just fine,” Fadness said, adding that it’s too early to provide specifics. “We’re going to continue to move forward and I think … like anything complex, there are some pros that actually weigh in the favor of Fishers.”

That includes a provision in the bill allowing cities like Fishers to collect their own income tax, rather than relying on the county distribution formula.

Local income tax distribution in Hamilton County has been a point of debate for several years. An earlier bill, which did not move out of committee, would have adjusted the way Hamilton County income taxes are dispersed, an attempt to narrow a gap between revenue that goes to Carmel and Fishers — similarly sized communities that receive different amounts of income tax.

The new tax bill will take care of that disparity, Fadness said, adding that it’s too soon to predict what kind of local income tax the city might establish.

The new legislation will cap local income tax rates for counties at 2.9 percent. Municipalities can impose rates up to 1.2 percent. Hamilton County’s current income tax rate is 1.1 percent, according to the Indiana Department of Revenue.

The state tax bill also affects funding for public schools, which receive property tax revenue as part of their overall budgets. In an email to parents and staff before the bill was approved, Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes said the legislation means a reduction of about $11 million to the local district over three years.

“These reductions could lead to fewer academic programs, increased class sizes and staff reductions,” he wrote. “While these cuts are being presented as property tax relief, they come at a significant cost to public education.”

HSE Schools already faces a multiyear budget deficit due to decreased enrollment and increased costs.

At deadline for this report, district officials didn’t respond to a request for additional comment.

To read Senate Bill 1, visit iga.in.gov/ legislative/2025/bills/senate/1/details.

DISPATCHES

MSDLT enrolling for early childhood —

The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township is enrolling students for its early childhood education programs for the 2025-26 school year. For more, visit ltschools.org.

Lawrence schools girls on All-Star team

— The senior Indiana Girls All-Stars will

include Laila Abdurraqib and Jaylah Lampley from 2024 Class 4A state champion Lawrence Central and Ky Hunt from 2025 4A state champion Lawrence North. Those senior All-Stars will play three games in June, one exhibition game against the Indiana Junior All-Stars as well as homeand-home contests against the Kentucky All-Stars.

Fadness

Invest Hamilton County offers child care action plan

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Like many communities throughout Indiana, Hamilton County has a shortage of child care options for working parents, and that shortage is going to get worse as the population grows, potentially limiting the county’s ability to attract new residents.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Invest Hamilton County, which focuses on economic development, recently released its childcare action and investment plan, which President/CEO Mike Thibideau presented to stakeholders during an April 15 kickoff meeting at the Hamilton County Community Foundation building in Fishers. Thibideau said developing the plan has been a multiyear process.

“We started to really hear about the challenges existing within this ecosystem in our community,” he said. “We had a number of day cares closing (because of a) lack of workers. We started to see costs begin to rise in order to lift wages and retain workers, and we began to see more and more, as our population continued to grow, the deserts that existed throughout the community.”

The process started with a survey of about 600 parents with children under the age of 5. Thibideau said about half of those parents reported that the childcare available in the county didn’t meet their needs. Some of the biggest concerns were the lack of openings at a preferred provider, no available providers close to home or work and cost.

The annual cost of child care has grown in Hamilton County from about $15,000 per child in 2016 to about $20,000 per child in 2024. Thibideau said many two-income families in the county can afford that, but about 30 percent of residents on the lower end of the income scale are struggling. Capacity is an ongoing concern, as well. He said the county already has a capacity deficit of about 4,600 openings — a number that was adjusted to consider families with at-home caregivers. Thibideau said if the county does not add more capacity, that deficit will grow to about 9,400 in the next decade.

“We need to increase seats by about 6 percent per year in order to break even

with unmet demand by the year 2034,” he said.

He noted that when surveying Hamilton County businesses, about 60 percent reported that job candidates ask about childcare availability during the interview process. Thibideau said they also assessed how many people reported that they wanted to work but didn’t because of a lack of childcare.

“The number we came up with was 2,339 workers in Hamilton County,” he said. “That’s a real number — it’s not an … approximate statistic. This is an actual number of people who are left out of our labor force in Hamilton County due to lack of quality or affordable child care.”

He said that means that not only are families not earning as much as they could, the county and its communities are missing out on tens of millions in local tax revenue.

One of the solutions in the plan is to grow capacity wherever possible through programs that offer resources to child care facilities to build or expand. The plan also calls for building a more reliable childcare workforce, which is already an issue and will get worse as demand increases.

Thibideau said paying higher wages helps retain workers, but that means higher costs to parents. To address that, the third strategy in the plan is assisting parents with child care grants, for example, and helping child care facilities go through the process of signing up for accepting those grants — a sometimes cumbersome administrative task.

For more about the child care action and investment plan, visit investhamiltoncounty.com/childcare-action-investment-plan.

Invest Hamilton County President and CEO Mike Thibideau talks about the organization’s child care action and investment plan. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

In partnership with the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation and in honor of its founder, John Andretti, join us for Riverview Health’s Drive2Detect!

A night of exotic cars, local cuisine and great race-themed experiences, all in a unique atmosphere. Help us in our mission to increase colon cancer awareness and raise funds to provide no-cost colonoscopies and post-diagnosis support to those who cannot otherwise afford it.

Tickets are now available! Simply scan the QR code or visit drive2detect.com to reserve your place. A limited number of VIP Access tickets to meet Jarett Andretti are available only while they last!

May 17, 2025

6:00 to 11:00 P.M.

Motor District Garage Condos

Westfield, IN

Shamrocks golfer successfully juggles two sports

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Westfield High School senior Will Harvey’s athletic future is on the golf course.

However, the Purdue University-bound golfer was a starting guard for the Shamrocks boys basketball team this season.

“I thought it was cool to finish off my senior year,” Harvey said. “I almost quit going into (my) junior year. Once I committed to that I knew I was going to finish that out. Basketball season was a lot of fun with a lot of my buddies.”

Harvey averaged 9.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He averaged 7.9 ppg as a junior. He finished tied for 15th at the IHSAA boys golf state finals in 2024. He tied for 10th in 2023 and tied for 17th in 2022.

“Will is in that rarified air where he’s a three-year varsity letter winner for us, which is pretty difficult,” Shamrocks golf coach Josh Bryant said. “He and Jake Cesare are in the same class. He’s a special young man, where he has been able to manage two varsity sports at Westfield at a high level. He’s been all-conference (Hoosier Crossroads) in basketball as well as all-con-

WILL HARVEY

Favorite athlete: Stephen Curry

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite sports team: Cincinnati

Bengals

Favorite musician: Bruno Mars

Favorite TV show: “Stranger Things”

ference, all-county and all-state for golf. We couldn’t be luckier to have him.”

Bryant said Harvey’s game has grown throughout his career.

“Early in his career, he had a big reliance on his short game,” Bryant said. “As he’s grown, he’s gotten stronger and is an incredibly powerful player now. What makes

Will Harvey has finished in the top 20 at the boys golf state finals his first three seasons.

(Photo courtesy of Rari Films)

him special (is), he’s got incredible creativity around the greens. More than anything, he’s a good teammate. He’s a good competitor. Guys who play against him love being paired with him.”

Harvey said time management was important for juggling two varsity sports.

“Just being really disciplined,” Harvey said. “You come home from basketball, and you are always tired from practice, and it’s just being able to, late at night, to hit golf balls.”

IN FISHERS

It’s Time to Take Control of your Back Pain

The Shamrocks finished second in the state team finals the past three seasons. The 2025 state finals are June 17-18 at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.

“We finally want to finish it off and win a state championship,” Harvey said. “Individually, I want to be all-state, all-conference, all-county and also want to win state individually, so I think those are big goals for me this year.”

Harvey said he always had a golf club in his hand growing up.

“My dad kind of forced me to play when I was younger, but I grew up loving it,” he said. “I love being able to go out and practice on your own. Just the grind makes it all worth more in the long run.”

The Purdue coaching staff was a big reason he chose the Boilermakers.

“They were one of the schools that were interested in me early, and they were there for the whole ride,” said Harvey, who plans to major in accounting. “Other schools recruited me later, but they saw the vision and I think that’s why I chose Purdue.”

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

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Fishers Arts Council’s Senior Showcase winners announced

news@currentinfishers.com

Oliver Miles, a Hamilton Southeastern High School student, won the Best in Show prize in the Fisher Arts Council’s annual STAR Bank Senior Showcase exhibit for his painting entitled, “Sil3nce.”

AWARDS

Another big winner in the annual art show and scholarship competition was Fishers High School student Alexander Kairi Walton for a poem titled “As Strong as the Beginning.” Walton received the Jordan D. Snider Award for Best Representation of the Written Word and gave a reading of the poem during the ceremony.

According to a news release from the Fishers Arts Council, 95 students participated in the exhibit that showed 125 pieces of 2-D art, 30 pieces or collections of 3D art and seven poetry-based submissions.

The STAR Bank Senior Showcase is an annual exhibit for seniors of Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools to show their artwork and poetry while competing for scholarships.

“The 16th Annual Senior Showcase once again highlighted the impressive artistic

talents coming out of the Fishers and HSE school programs,” stated Les Reinhardt, executive director of Fishers Arts Council.

“This year over $4,800 in scholarships were given to 22 seniors, ranging from $50 to $700 per award, thanks to the generosity of local businesses and art patrons across the city. Fishers Arts Council is proud of this event and is thankful for the partnership with the Fishers Art Center in allowing an expansion of the gallery space to better

Best in Show winner of the 2025 STAR Bank Senior Showcase Oliver Miles, center, with Karissa Shaffer of STAR Bank, left, and Fishers City Councilor Cecilia Coble. (Photo courtesy of Michael Jack)

serve our graduating artists.”

The awards were presented during a special reception April 18 in the Fishers Municipal Center theater. Chris Hayes, Fishers Arts Council’s President, Fishers City Councilor Cecilia Coble and STAR Bank Senior Treasury Management Sales Officer Karissa Shaffer presented the awards. Catherine Snider presented the “Best Representation of the Written Word” award in memory of her daughter, Jordan D. Snider.

2025 award recipients were:

• Best in Show — Oliver Miles (HSE)

• Jordan D. Snider Award for Best Representation of the Written Word — Alexander Kairi Walton (FHS)

• Drawing — First place, Hanna Maudlin (HSE); second place, Maddie Harmeyer (FHS); third place, Ava Kuester (HSE); honorable mention, Ximena Guerrero (FHS)

• Painting — First place, M. Dang (HSE); second place, Ambrielle Sendejas (FHS); third place, Maggie Garner (FHS); honorable mention, Rosie Kohler (FHS)

• Photography — First place, Olivia Lewis (HSE); second place, Alexa Lane (HSE); third place, Eddison Williams (FHS); honorable mention, Matthew Walsh (FHS)

• Digital Art — First place, Ryann Carter (FHS); second place, Emma Schumacher (FHS); third place, Maddie Bensch (HSE); honorable mention, Kayla Hopkins (FHS)

• 3D Art — First place, Kinga Dobosz (FHS); second place, Kyndra Layman (HSE) third place Alaina Davis (FHS); honorable mention, Gavin Tucker (HSE)

FREE FISHING DAY

FISHERS MAY EVENTS

• Forum Credit Union Geist Olio Road, set for 3:30 p.m. May 1, 10468 Olio Rd.

A life saver.

Families and anglers of all ages can enjoy a day of free fishing at Flat Fork Creek Park, 16141 E. 101st St., set for 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4. Participants can drop in anytime during the event. Activities and crafts will be available for all ages. Registration isn’t required.

GALLERY HOP

• Marbles Brain Body Fitness, set for 4 p.m. May 8, 11386 Olio Rd, Suite L

• Tom Woods Honda Powersports, set for noon May 9, 3006 E. 96th St. GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

The following Fishers government meetings are scheduled during the month of May:

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The Fishers Arts Council and the City of Fishers will host a Second Friday Gallery Hop starting at 5 p.m. May 9. Exhibit receptions will be at Ignite Studio at the Fishers Library, 5 Municipal Dr. (5 to 7:30 p.m.); Hub & Spoke, 8100 E. 106th St. (5 to 8 p.m.); Art Gallery at City Hall, 1 Municipal Dr. (5 to 9 p.m.); Meyer Najem 2nd floor gallery, 11787 Lantern Rd. (6 to 8 p.m.); the Hub Gallery at Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Dr. (6 to 8 p.m.); and the Fishers Art Center, 1 Municipal Dr. (6 to 9 p.m.). Participants who complete a gallery punch card can get a free dessert at Four Day Ray, 11671 Lantern Rd. For more, visit fishersartscouncil.org/upcoming-events.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

The City of Fishers’ annual Touch-a-Truck event is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. May 19 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Dr. This free event lets kids explore fire trucks, police cars, tractors and snowplows up close. There also will be live demonstrations from Fishers fire, police, public works and health departments, plus kids’ activities and food vendors. Registration is required before the event day for children to use the inflatables play area. For more and to register, visit fishersparks. com/touch-a-truck.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

OneZone Chamber has various ribbon-cutting ceremonies planned for the month of May, including:

• Plat Committee — 4 p.m. May 7, Fishers Municipal Center theater

• Planned Unit Development — 5 p.m. May 7, Fishers Municipal Center theater

• Plan Commission — 6 p.m. May 7, Fishers Municipal Center theater

• Town Hall Building Corporation — 4 p.m. May 12, Nickel Plate Conference Room

• Board of Public Works & Safety — 9 a.m. May 13 and 29, Nickel Plate Conference Room

• Fishers Armed Services Commission, 4 p.m. May 13, Nickel Plate Conference Room

• Finance Committee — 5 p.m. May 14, Nickel Plate Conference Room

• City Council — 7 p.m. May 19, Fishers Municipal Center theater

• Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. May 22, Nickel Plate Conference Room

• Nickel Plate Review Committee — 5 p.m. May 28, Nickel Plate Conference Room

• Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. May 28, Nickel Plate Conference Room

• Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees — Facilities committee, 9 a.m. May 1; finance committee, 8 a.m. May 7; policy committee, 8:30 a.m. May 7; and board meeting, 6 p.m. May 14. All meetings are at 13485 Cumberland Rd.

DISPATCHES

Farm Bureau adds Fishers agent — Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance recently announced that Kenneth Williams joined the company as an agent in the Fishers office, 11876 Olio Rd. He completed Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance’s professional insurance training program. Williams lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Miranda, and their four children. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a graduate of the Kelley School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in management.

School of Rock concert — School of Rock Fishers students will perform at the Irving Theater noon on May 17 and 18. Six student bands will perform over the weekend with show themes like Michael Jackson vs. Prince, Taylor Swift, Southern Rock, Garage Rock, 21st Century Indie Rock and Heart. This event is free, but donations are accepted. For more, email fishers@schoolofrock.com or call 317-284-1148.

Guardianship vs. power of attorney: What’s the difference?

Commentary by Brad Owen

What legal steps can you take to protect a loved one’s well-being while respecting their wishes? In Indiana, guardianship and power of attorney are two essential tools that can help, but knowing the differences is key.

At Dillman & Owen Estate & Elder Law, we help families navigate these options with clarity and care. Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to an urgent need, our experienced attorneys will guide you toward the best solution.

What is guardianship?

Guardianship is a protective measure ordered by the court when someone can no longer make decisions for themselves because of incapacity, such as dementia, mental illness or a disability.

• Court-ordered protection: A guardian is appointed through a formal court process to make decisions on behalf of the individual (known as the “ward”).

• Comprehensive authority: The guardian may oversee personal, medical and financial decisions, ensuring the ward’s best interests are met.

• Court oversight: The court monitors the guardian’s actions to ensure compliance and protection for the ward.

• Guardianship duration: Guardianship typically remains in place until the court determines it is no longer necessary, such as if the ward regains capacity or passes away.

For example, if a loved one suffers from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and cannot manage their health care or finances, guardianship ensures someone is legally empowered to act in their best interest.

What is a power of attorney (POA)?

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows an individual (the “principal”) to name someone they trust (the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) to make decisions on their behalf. Unlike guardianship, this arrangement does not involve the courts unless disputes arise.

• Private agreement: A POA is created without court involvement, mak-

ing it faster and more flexible than guardianship.

• Principal’s control: The principal decides who their agent will be and what powers they will have, such as managing finances, making medical decisions, or both.

• Revocability: As long as the principal is competent, they can revoke or change the POA at any time.

• Durable vs. limited POA: A durable POA stays in effect even if the principal becomes incapacitated, while a limited POA only covers specific tasks or a set period of time.

For instance, if someone wants their adult child to handle their finances while they’re traveling abroad, they can create a limited POA for that purpose.

What are the differences between guardianship and power of attorney?

The main difference is in how they’re established and the level of control they provide. Guardianship requires a court process, where a judge appoints a guardian to make decisions for someone who is unable to do so themselves. This arrangement comes with ongoing court oversight to ensure the guardian acts in the ward’s best interests.

In contrast, power of attorney is a private agreement created by the individual (the principal) while they are still competent. The principal chooses an agent to act on their behalf and specifies the powers granted, which can range from managing finances to making medical decisions. Unlike guardianship, power of attorney can be revoked at any time by the principal, provided they are still competent. While guardianship often involves more comprehensive authority and court involvement, power of attorney offers a flexible, less intrusive option for planning ahead.

If you’re deciding between guardianship and power of attorney, don’t wait to get experienced guidance. Contact Dillman & Owen Estate & Elder Law for a consultation.

Brad Owen is an attorney with Dillman & Owen Estate and Elder Law.

Music & movement classes set

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The owners of Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy know music can provide many benefits for the mind and body.

So, the Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy in Fishers has partnered with the Fishers Art Center to offer free Music and Movement for Silver Age classes for people 55 and older.

Doug Whisman, co-owner of the Music Academy with his wife Ji-Eun Lee, said the idea was pitched to the Fishers Arts and Cultural Commission to hold the classes at the Fishers Art Center, which is on the first floor of Fishers City Hall

“It’s certainly larger than my theater,’ Whisman said. “We could have done this on our own in our theater, but we thought it made more sense to have it at the Fishers Art Center because it’s for the community.”

Classes are from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays for six weeks, starting May 6. Although it’s a free class, registration is required at fishersmusic.com. The classes will be directed by Abby Rose Veselsky, a theater director and voice instructor at the Music Academy.

“You don’t have to stand,” Whisman said. “It’s OK to be in a wheelchair. It’s partly for social activity, partly for physical movement and partly to sing and have fun.”

Lee said Veselsky’s classes will range from musical theater to pop music

“It can be ‘60s and ‘70s pop music, something really familiar,” Lee said. “It’s a very relaxed environment where they can sing together. Then we put on the dance moves a little bit. Abby is hoping it will be more structured and maybe at the end there will be a short performance all together.”

Classes are designed to help participants improve flexibility, balance and overall health.

Whisman said participants don’t have to attend every class.

Veselsky

Carmel resident’s book examines different faiths

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

It was not Freddie Kelvin’s idea to write “Embracing the World’s Faiths.”

It came as a suggestion from Charlie Wiles, then the executive director of the Center for Interfaith Cooperation.

“In September 2023, he unexpectedly invited me to write a series of monthly essays about the world’s faiths,” Kelvin said. “As a nonpracticing secular Jew, I did not consider myself sufficiently well-informed about any faith or religion. However, he persisted, and having seen my memoir ‘Urban Nomad,’ opined that I can write. It was flattering, and so I accepted. I had no idea what was in store for me.”

the Sanskrit word ‘Sindhu,’ which referred to the Indus River.”

Kelvin said ancient Persians had difficulty pronouncing the letter “s” and therefore called the people living beyond that river “Hindus.” So, he said the word was initially only a geographic designation and not a term denoting a religion.

The 81-year-old Carmel resident said he was surprised to learn how many of the world’s faiths evolved from a single founder.

“While most of us know that the three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as Buddhism, originated in this way, I found out that this was also true of other, less well-known faiths such as Sikhism, Jainism, and the Baha’i Faith,” Kelvin said. “Hinduism is a notable exception, and indeed, its name is a misnomer. The term ‘Hindu’ originated from

“It was also fascinating to find out that several religions originating in India, specifically Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, all believe in reincarnation,” he said. “Parenthetically, the thought that your soul is reborn after death has far more appeal to me than the dubious alternatives of heaven or hell.”

Kelvin said each time he studied another religion, he was filled with unexpected pleasures.

“I found out that both Sikhism and the Baha’i Faith consider that all people, whatever their religion, race, or sex, are equal in the eyes of God,” Kelvin said. “These strong examples of mutual respect are very much in keeping with the core values of the interfaith tradition. Now, more than ever, we need to respect and understand each other’s belief systems if we are to live in relative harmony and survive intact. Fortunately, Carmel is a progressive and increasingly diverse community that provides hope for such an outcome.”

Kelvin worked on the book from October 2023

through October 2024.

“I was thoughtfully connected to carefully selected members of the CIC community, many of whom co-authored the essays pertinent to their faith,” he said. “Each member was provided with my initial draft, which was then amended and extended, usually following one or more phone conversations. The final draft for each faith was approved by each member of that faith.”

Although he is well aware of the rise of antisemitism and other bigotry, Kelvin said they weren’t factors in writing the book.

“As the son of parents who narrowly escaped the fateful grip of the Nazis in Austria, I have always been fully aware of the widespread nature of antisemitism,” he said. “My agreement to write these essays took place before the onset of the more than 300 percent increase in antisemitic incidents that have been recorded in the USA — according to the Anti-Defamation League — since the Hamas massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent war that Israel is still waging against Hamas and Iran’s other proxies. Islamophobia is another dangerous prejudice that has currently given rise to grossly unnecessary acts of discrimination which should, in any civilized society, be roundly condemned.”

The book was published by BookBaby Bookshop and will be available on Amazon.

Kelvin

Fabrics store offers variety Sycamore resident stays busy

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Susan Hill has seen many changes in her nearly 33 years at Griffon Decorative Fabrics in Carmel.

“We’ve had our up years and down years,” Hill said. “We survived the (Great) Recession (in 2008-09). Other than the initial month of COVID (March 2020), when everyone freaked out and we had to close, we did OK because everyone was staying home and re-doing a lot of their stuff. We do a lot of reupholstering work. We have workrooms that do draperies and pillows.”

A 60-year-old Noblesville resident, Hill has been with the store since it opened in the fall of 1992.

“We were opened by two men out of North Carolina, and then four years after that, myself and Judy Stewart bought it from them,” Hill said. “They originally opened four stores around the country, but this is the only one left.”

Stewart, a Fishers resident, retired five years ago and Hill became the sole owner. Although the store is popular

with older shoppers, Hill said it has customers of all ages.

Griffon Fabrics started at 116th St. and Range Line Rd. and remained there for 20 years and then moved in 2012 to its present location at 598 W. Carmel Dr.

“We do a lot of reupholstery work, custom draperies, custom cushions, custom bedding and pillows,” Hill said.

“We have started to carry a few accessories like small side tables, artwork, lamps and tabletop items. Sometimes, I’ll pick up an antique chair and reupholster it and sell it.”

DBy Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

ebbie Cooney takes full advantage of the activities at Sycamore Reserve Senior Living in Indianapolis.

There are exercise classes six days a week and she tries to participate in as many as she can. Classes include yoga and gentle aerobics and rehab sessions three times a week.

He worked at the Chrysler Foundry and Cooney served was his caregiver when he went on disability.

Although Cooney can still drive, she takes the Sycamore’s bus on weekly supermarket trips.

Cooney also enjoys bingo, trivia games and the Friday afternoon happy hour with live entertainment.

“I’ve made some good friends here and everybody has been welcoming — the staff and the residents,” she said. “It’s been very enjoyable. They offer a lot. I don’t go to all the activities. I have to pick and choose.”

Cooney, 73, moved to the Indianapolis senior living center in November 2024 from an apartment on the east side of Indianapolis. Her husband, Clifford, died at age 70 in June 2023.

She was a preschool teacher for 38 years at Old Bethel Weekday School in Indianapolis, retiring when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. An Indiana University and Hobart High School graduate, she taught one year in Portage.

“I loved the children,” she said.

“I appreciated their exuberance for learning. I taught every age but mostly ages 3 and 4. I do miss it.”

Cooney has two adult children, Heather Moody and Bob Cooney. Heather had two children and Bob has three. Her youngest grandchild is 6, and the next youngest is 15.

About a year after retiring, Cooney volunteered at Old Bethel for a short time. She had to give it up because of back issues.

(Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Cooney

Skin cancer warning signs

Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan and Dr. Kenneth Stumpf

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, reminding us to prioritize skin health, particularly in often-neglected areas like the feet and lower legs. Skin cancer is among the most common types of cancer, making early detection crucial. Regular examinations by health care professionals, especially podiatrists, are essential for skin health in these regions.

The feet and lower legs are frequently exposed to environmental factors such as sun and pollutants. Many neglect to apply sunscreen in these areas, increasing the risk of skin cancer, especially for those with a history of sunburn. There are several types of skin cancer to be aware of:

• Melanoma: The most serious type, which can appear as a new dark spot or a change in an existing mole.

• Basal cell carcinoma: Typically presents as a shiny bump and is generally found on sun-exposed skin, causing local damage if untreated.

• Squamous cell carcinoma: May appear as a firm red nodule or a flat sore and requires attention if persistent.

Podiatrists play a vital role in identifying skin conditions specific to the lower extremities.

To protect against skin cancer, individuals should consider several preventive measures:

• Conduct regular self-examinations of the feet and lower legs for any changes.

• Apply sunscreen to these areas, even in cloudy weather.

• Wear protective footwear to limit UV exposure.

• Schedule routine visits to a dermatologist as well as a podiatrist for thorough lower extremity skin checks.

Dr. David Sullivan and Dr. Kenneth Stumpf are both board-certified foot surgeons at Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC. Contact them at appt@westfieldfoot.com or 317-896-6655.

Planning for home care needs

Commentary by David Stordy

As we age, it’s natural to think about maintaining our independence while ensuring we have the support we may need. Home care is an essential part of this planning, whether you’re managing a chronic condition or preparing for the future.

Home care can range from basic help, like meal prep and bathing, to more specialized services such as nursing care, physical therapy or memory support for conditions like Alzheimer’s. Identifying potential needs early allows you to choose the right care provider, whether it’s a personal caregiver or a specialized agency.

When researching home care options, ask about the services offered, caregiver qualifications and availability. It’s important to understand how agencies handle scheduling, emergencies and backup caregivers. Look for providers who can adjust care as your needs change over time.

Another key part of planning is having conversations with family about your

preferences. Discussing home care and end-of-life decisions now ensures your loved ones can support you according to your wishes, avoiding potential conflicts later.

Home care checklist

• Agree on roles: Assign responsibilities for finances, medical decisions and home maintenance.

• Monitor your health: Track physical or cognitive changes and adjust care plans as needed.

• Discuss preferences: Have ongoing conversations with family about care and end-of-life wishes.

• Gather documents: Prepare key records, insurance policies and powers of attorney.

Planning ahead brings peace of mind, knowing your future care will align with your needs and preferences.

David Stordy is the directorowner of BrightStar Care. To learn more about home care or schedule an assessment, call BrightStar Care at 317-706-0799 or visit brightstarcare.com.

Feeling good to enjoy favorite summer activities

Commentary by Autumn Kolpin

As a personal trainer, one of my favorite parts of the year is when the weather starts to shift. These early spring days when the sun sticks around a little longer, there’s more energy in the air, and people start coming out of winter hibernation. You see neighbors walking, kids playing, gardens getting some love again. It’s like everything and everyone starts to wake up.

Every year around this time, I hear the same thing from clients and friends: “I just want to feel good doing the things I love this summer.”

Whether it’s running around with the grandkids, playing pickleball, going on a vacation hike or just working in the yard, feeling strong and capable makes all the difference.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that you don’t need to change everything all at once or hit the gym six days a week to feel better. It can be as simple as building a little more strength in your legs so walks feel easier or working on your balance so that you feel steadier when you’re on uneven ground. I’ve seen clients go from being nervous about getting back into movement to confidently doing the things they love again. That’s the kind of progress that excites me.

And it’s not just physical.

Getting your body moving again has a huge impact on your mental health, too. I’ve had clients come into a ses-

sion feeling tired, stressed or a little off and leave with more energy, better focus and a smile. There’s something about moving your body, especially in a supportive space, that lifts your entire mood.

Spring and summer are filled with chances to move more and have fun doing it. But to really enjoy it, to feel free and not held back by aches, stiffness or low energy, you need to give your body a little love now and continue to do so that you feel good all year round. A bit of strength training, some core work, improving mobility, it all builds a foundation that makes summer activities easier and way more enjoyable. When summer ends, you’ll be ready to tackle the cold weather ahead.

So, my advice? Start small. Start now. Take a walk, stretch a little more, try a new class or ask a trainer for guidance if you’re unsure where to begin. You don’t need to be an athlete. You just need to be ready to say “yes” to all the opportunities that come with warm, sunny days.

If I can help someone feel more confident in their body and enjoy summer to the fullest, then I’m doing what I love, too.

Here’s to moving more, feeling better and having a whole lot of fun this season!

Meridian Audiology: Your Hearing Care Experts

Meridian Audiology LLC, a private Audiology practice, was founded by Dr. Alison Wyss, Au.D and Kira VonBlon, M.S. in 2021 after working together in an ENT setting for more than 13 years.

The seasoned Audiologists strive to consistently provide premier care to patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders as well as those who want to protect their hearing from damage.

In stark contrast to the medical audiology world where patients are in and out in quick succession, private practice allows Ali and Kira to spend the time their patients want and need from them for their individual hearing healthcare situation.

“We love getting to know our patients, and we feel we treat them like we we would treat our own family,” VonBlon said.

“We won’t rush you out the door to get our next patient.

We both feel one of our greatest compliments over the last 4 years is how many of our previous patients have found us at Meridian Audiology and have followed us here for their continued hearing treatment.”

The Meridian Audiology Audiologists pride themselves on keeping up with, and

offering the top-of-the-line newest technology in hearing aids, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders. While we focus on Phonak and ReSound, we can work with most all major hearing aid companies to be able to help a wide majority of patients with existing hearing aids. We know there are many places you can go to treat your hearing loss, but if hearing your absolute best, feeling comfortable and safe in your providers office and trusting your Audiologist are priorities for you, Meridian Audiology is where you belong.

M Meridian Audiology accepts most major insurances, offers convenient scheduling via phone, email or online and are independent of other medical practices or hospitals Hours are 9am-4pm Monday-Friday by appointment only We are also available to speak to your local community clubs about hearing and hearing loss.

VonBlon

Wyss

Motion 4 Life Fitness members stay fit with a parachute and ball. (Photo courtesy of Motion 4 Life)

Autumn Kolpin is a certified personal trainer at Motion 4 Life Fitness

WHEN TO SEE A SPINE SPECIALIST

KNOW YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS

By Dr. Camden Burns, MD, IU Health spine and orthopedic trauma surgeon

The spine has five sections of vertebrae, including the neck (cervical spine), the midback (thoracic spine), the lower back (lumbar spine), the base of the spine (sacrum) and the tailbone (coccyx). Pain generated from any of these areas can have different causes, ranging from a muscle or ligament strain to spinal tumors. As a lifelong athlete, I learned firsthand the importance of the musculoskeletal system, leading to my career in orthopedics and sports medicine. It’s my goal to help patients afflicted by these musculoskeletal types of injuries and conditions and get them back to a healthy, functional lifestyle. Proactively addressing your spine health can help prevent more serious pain and injuries in the future. There is a wide array of treatment options, from physical therapy to pain management to spine surgery.

BACK PAIN AND INJURY SIGNS THAT SHOULDN’T BE IGNORED

All back injuries should be taken seriously. Minor injuries, such as muscle strains, can be treated with over-the-counter medication, rest and relaxation. Sometimes, these minor injuries may require a short course of physical therapy as well. More significant and persistent injuries, especially herniated disc fractures, may need to be seen and evaluated by a spine specialist. Certainly, anytime you experience neurological symptoms, such as pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the extremities, you may need to be evaluated more urgently.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR BACK PAIN

Conservative options for management of spinerelated issues start with rest and relaxation, physical therapy and a combination of either over-the-counter or prescription medications. If symptoms persist, there are some interventional pain management procedures, such as injections, that may also help. In more extreme cases, surgical intervention may be warranted when there are neurological symptoms that not only involve pain in the neck and back, but also symptoms in the extremities.

A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO BACK PAIN

Patients with new onset and minor symptoms should first be evaluated by their primary care physician. They may suggest a short course of rest, followed by physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication. More severe symptoms are sometimes seen in the emergency room. Again, conservative treatment is usually attempted first if there are no emergent symptoms. For more chronic symptoms that fail conservative measures, patients may be evaluated by either the physical medicine and rehab or the anesthesia pain management service for further nonsurgical intervention. If those efforts fail or if the patient has significant neurological symptoms in their extremities, evaluation by a spine surgeon may be necessary.

IU HEALTH’S SPINE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO EXPAND

Over the past decade, we have made efforts to expand spine care at IU Health outside of the downtown region. Certainly, we still

maintain a large presence in that area. However, we understand that patients may not have the ability or desire to travel downtown for evaluation and treatment. In those instances, we have established practices at IU Health North in Carmel and IU Health West in Avon, with plans for further expansion to other suburban facilities in the future.

A UNIQUE AND “COMPLETE” SPINE PROGRAM

I think the best way to describe the Spine program at IU Health as “complete.” It is the only academic Spine program in the state of Indiana. It is also the most comprehensive spine care program comprised of non-operative sports medicine, physical medicine and rehab, anesthesia pain management, interventional radiology, as well as neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery. We have the ability to provide treatment in all aspects to spine care throughout the Indianapolis Metropolitan and suburban region.

To learn more about IU Health’s Spine program, visit iuhealth.org/find-medical-services/ back-spine-care.

Dr. Camden Burns

Suffer from back or neck pain? Find highly skilled treatment options from non-invasive to surgical close to home. Visit iuhealth.org/spine and schedule your appointment today.

Golf helps keep Carmel resident in the swing of things

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Webber LaGrange doesn’t have a lengthy explanation for his longevity.

“I’ve exercised most of my life,” said LaGrange, who turns 98 May 2.

Good genes help, too.

“My dad was a month short of 99 when he passed away,” he said. “I’m trying to pass him.”

LaGrange’s advice to recent retirees is, “Stay active. The guy who dies the quickest is the one who sits on the front porch.”

LaGrange, who lives in The Stratford in Carmel, stays active through exercise classes and playing golf several times a week when the weather turns warm.

LaGrange has only been to the hospital once in his life, which was for cataract surgery when he was 33. He has never had a broken bone or any other operation.

“I’m fortunate. I can see that when I look around here (at The Stratford),” he said. “I can still walk without a walker.”

Golf gives him the opportunity for some good walks.

“We play about 25 golf courses around here every summer,” said LaGrange, who has had an 88 stroke average the last two years. “I do my best to ride with someone so I can walk as much as I want. It keeps you young. I’m playing more golf now than when I was in my 60s.”

LaGrange plays golf with a travel group on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and plays in a men’s club at Wood Wind Golf Club in Westfield. He has a plaque from Wood Wind for twice shooting 81 – 16 strokes below his age — in 2024.

“When you play in a group like that, you don’t have to worry about tee times,” he said. “Someone has (set) it up and you just show up.”

LaGrange, who enjoys several aspects of golf, said he frequently plays at Wood Wind.

“I enjoy the fellowship and the 19th hole, especially,” he said. “It keeps me moving. I exercise all winter at The Stratford. It’s nice to have a different means of exercise.”

LaGrange was in his late 30s when he took up golf.

“It took too much time away from my family on the weekends, so I gave it up for a while,” he said. “When the kids got out of high school, I started playing golf again.”

LaGrange moved to The Stratford around 11 years ago. His wife, Kathryn, died nearly14 years ago. He did his homework before moving to the Carmel senior living center.

“I looked at 10 or 12 places, and this was the best bang for the buck and still is,” he said.

LaGrange recently had his driver’s license renewed.

“That allows me to play golf,” he said.

Neal Miller, The Statford lifestyle advisor for independent living, said LaGrange is a very accomplished

Continued on Page 11

Webber LaGrange is an avid golfer. (Photo courtesy of The Stratford).

Continued from Page 10

individual.

“But with regard to his longevity he’s a perfect example that if you live right you can continue to do the things you want and enjoy for a very long time,” Miller said. “Most people think aging is synonymous with decline and that’s just not the case. My hope is that people will see Webber and say, ‘Hey, I can do that too.’’’

LaGrange keeps busy socializing, too. He said residents have a lot of outings and events at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

‘They have nights where they go out for dinner at different restaurants,” he said. “There is nice camaraderie. They’ve got so many activities here (that) you can’t do them all. You can pick and choose what you like.”

EAGER TO SERVE

A 1945 Franklin Community High School graduate, LaGrange persuaded his parents to let him enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

“I was at sea when my class graduated,” he said. “I was on a battleship in the South Pacific. They took me three or four months before graduation, so they didn’t waste any time getting rid of me. They were kind enough to present my diploma while I was gone.”

Webber LaGrange in front of the Indiana War Memorial plaque. (Photo courtesy of The Stratford)

LaGrange, who served 18 months in the Navy, said the ship was on its way to Japan when the Japanese surrendered.

“So, we did a U-turn and went to Hawaii,” he said. “I tried college, but I ended up doing the school of hard knocks. I farmed some and then got into banking. My uncle had a big farm in Franklin, but I was trying to work smarter, not harder.”

LaGrange was a banker for 25 years, eventually becoming a senior vice president of the Fidelity Bank of Indiana in Carmel. Then he became national treasurer for the American Legion for 20 years. He also was named to the Indiana War Memorial Commission and named executive director of the Indiana War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis. He has been honored with three Sagamore of the Wabash awards by three different Indiana governors — Robert Orr, Evan Bayh and Frank O’Bannon.

LaGrange’s daughter, Susan Loman, lives in Carmel, and his son Gene LaGrange lives in Franklin. His middle child, Alan, died of pancreatic cancer at age 56 in 2014.

LaGrange has five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one greatgreat granddaughter.

ON THE COVER: Webber LaGrange has three Sagamore of the Wabash awards. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

• Restaurant-Style Gourmet Dining

• Activities & Social Calendar

• 24-Hour On-site Staff

• Housekeeping

• Transportation

• Emergency Trip / Fall Pendant

• Outdoor Heated Saltwater Pool

• Utilities (Power, Water, Trash)

• High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi)

• HD Cable TV

• Theater Room

• Fitness Center

• Dog Park

• Putting Green

• And So Much More...

TBy Les Morris editorial@youarecurrent.com

he first Marble Brain Body Fitness “brain gym” in the U.S. was opened in Fishers by wellness entrepreneur Sharea Clark, and now she is on track with a novel concept with a new business for a growing community.

• Varicose Veins/Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Spider

Clark, 50, also owns Fitness 4 Function, a fitness company that helps seniors stay in their homes by providing in-home fitness care.

While attending a Chicago conference in February 2024 sponsored by the International Sports Sciences Association, Clark heard a presentation by Cody Sipe and Dan Ritchie, who both have doctorates and ties to Purdue University. Their talk included an idea, not fully formed, about a facility that would aid older adults with their

Continued on Page 15 cognitive functions. That idea resonated with Clark and that led to conversations with the pair

Tailored Programs

• Personalized brain-body workouts for adults aged 55+, addressing physical and cognitive abilities.

Dual-Task Approach

• Simultaneous cognitive-motor training for maximum effectiveness.

High-Tech, High-Touch

• Engaging exergaming technology with personalized support for members.

Clark

Bill Watson, father of owner Sharea Clark, works out on the Power Plate machine. (Photo courtesy of Sharea Clark)

TWright keeps pedal down

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

he Wright Brothers’ final performance was in February 2023, but Tim Wright isn’t slowing down.

The 72-year-old Wright, who performed for many years with older brother Tom, plays with a variety of groups and also is a solo performer.

Wright plays pedal steel guitar, guitar and sings a few songs for Barometer Soup, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, which will play from 5 to 7 p.m. May 13 at Hoosier Village in Zionsville. Another free public concert at Hoosier Village is Aug. 5 with Josh Kaufman, the Season 6 winner of “The Voice.”

Wright knew a few of the late Buffett’s famous songs, but he learned more when he played a regular solo show several years ago for since-closed Bahama Breeze on the north side of Indianapolis.

“They gave out song lists they want you to play, and most of it was reggae and Jimmy Buffett songs,” he said. “I learned about 300 Buffett songs the

At age 72, Tim Wright keeps an active performing schedule. (File photo)

three years I played there when they were open.”

Barometer Soup will play June 21 at the Sunset Music Fest at Clay Terrace in Carmel.

Wright doesn’t mind if he doesn’t sing.

“I’m farming myself out as a pedal steel player,” he said. “I’d rather play pedal steel with other people than anything. I’ve sung my whole life since I was 19. I don’t mind if I don’t sing a note. It’s easier and fun to play.”

Tim Wright and the Steel Petals, which includes two female vocalists, will play at 7:30 p.m. May 2 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.

Continued from Page 12

about opening what turned out to be the first franchise and location for the initiative.

Clark said she was uncertain about the gym’s prospects at first.

“I said yes, then no, then I don’t know, and I finally said yes, and here we are,” she said.

The gym is at11386 Olio Rd. in Fishers in a 1,600-squarefoot facility that opened April 7. The philosophical underpinning of Marble Fitness is dual tasking – attempting to ward off cognitive decline in adults 50 and older by activities that engage the body and brain at the same time.

“This is for cognition and brain health,” Clark said. “We’re focused on doing exercise on your body and brain

to decrease the risk of cognitive decline.”

All the activities at the gym are evidence based, Clark said. After a brief initial assessment to measure a baseline of cognitive ability, members schedule 30-minute group sessions at the facility. The activities are primarily designed to improve brain performance, cognitive performance, processing speed and memory but there also are multiple body benefits, including gains in strength, endurance, balance and mobility.

Membership levels are based on the number of visits per week, ranging from two to five times a week. Rates are $149 to $299 monthly, depending on the frequency of visits.

Marble Fitness’ grand opening is May 8, with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. and an open house to follow.

Continued from Page 5

The shop also sells Hunter Douglas blinds.

“Upholstering is the top seller now,” Hill said. “There was a time (when) we did tons of bedding and a time (when) we did a ton of draperies. Styles change, too. It’s a little more simplistic now, not as fancy.”

The store has another full-time employee and two part-time designers on staff. Griffon Fabrics is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

For more, visit griffonfabrics.com.

Have Medicare question s? I have answers

I’m Kimberly Hughes, a licensed sales agent in Hamilton County, serving central Indiana. When it comes to Medicare, it’s important to consider all of your options. What works well for your neighbor may not be the best fit for you. I know the ins and outs of Medicare, and I’m ready to answer your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs. Make the most of my knowledge and experience to:

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It’s time to enjoy retirement the way it’s meant to be.

Ex-Guerin Catholic coach eager for HSE challenge

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Bobby Allen not only enjoyed success as Guerin Catholic High School’s boys basketball coach, but he formed great relationships.

SPORTS

“There are great people that are there. That’s what’s made this the hardest decision, leaving the people that have been my family for the past seven years,” Allen said.

However, the opportunity to become the Hamilton Southeastern High School boys coach was too good to pass up.

“The people at HSE have been so welcoming, which has put me at ease that this is the right decision for me and more importantly for my family,” said Allen, a Fishers resident. “Guerin is an incredible program and some of my best friends are there. The administration is supportive. The school community is top-of-the-line. There are a very small number of jobs I would leave for, and this turned out to be one of them.”

Allen replaces John Ashworth, who resigned after a record of 44-54 in four

seasons. Allen guided Guerin to a 128-56 record in seven seasons at Guerin Catholic, including four sectional crowns, three regional titles and a Class 3A state runner-up finish in 2023.

“(Allen) is passionate about building positive relationships, building strong leaders and using basketball as a tool to teach life lessons,” Hamilton Southeastern Athletic

Director Jim Self said. “He is very familiar with Hamilton County basketball, the competition and what it takes to win at a high level. I love that he and his family already live in our district and his boys already attend HSE schools. Some coaches would look at our job in the (Hoosier Crossroads Conference) and the Sectional 8 and see obstacles. Coach Allen sees opportunity. I love that.”

The Royals graduate just one player from a 13-12 squad. The HSE junior varsity team finished 19-3 and the freshman team was 20-0.

Allen said he is challenging the returning players during 1-on-1 meetings.

“I’m understanding what their individual goals are and, more importantly, what their team goals are,” he said. “I think we’ve all come to this conclusion that we want this to be a program that they want to return to once they graduate. There are a lot of juniors that are going to be seniors next season. I want this to be a part of the best high school year of their life.”

Allen said he is aware of the competitiveness of the Hoosier Crossroads Conference and the Class 4A sectional 8, which

includes four other HCC teams and Carmel.

“I know the great coaches we’ll be going up against every single night, but that was part of the intrigue and attractiveness of this opportunity to compete against the best every single night and to be at the highest level of Indiana high school basketball,” he said. “I’m seeing if I can bring some of that desire to win into this environment. I understand the want to win and to be the best team in Hamilton County. We’re going to compete. We’re going to work our tails off. But I understand it will be a process to (get) where I want to be.”

The Royals’ last sectional championship came in the 2013-14 season.

A Cathedral High School graduate, Allen grew up on the Indianapolis/Fishers border. Allen will finish the school year teaching English at Guerin Catholic before beginning teaching at HSE in the new school year. Guerin returns several strong sophomores from a 23-5 team.

“Whoever the next coach is will have a great opportunity at a great place,” said Allen, who was a Cathedral assistant coach and the head coach at Knightstown for six seasons before arriving at Guerin.

Bobby Allen holds up a Hamilton Southeastern basketball jersey. (Photo courtesy of HSE athletics)

Fishers graduate interns Local students serve as pages

news@currentinfishers.com

Fishers native Elisabeth Falk has been learning about state government through an internship with Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler (R-Noblesville) and other members of the Indiana House of Representatives during the 2025 legislative session.

GOVERNMENT

Falk, a Fishers Christian Academy graduate, is the daughter of Carlene and Todd Falk. She is a junior at IU Indianapolis majoring in criminal justice.

“This internship has opened my eyes as to what goes into the legislative process,” Falk stated in an announcement from Shonkwiler’s office. “This may seem like a simplistic answer, but there is so much more involved in ensuring legislation benefits all Hoosiers. I am happy to play a small, but significant part in making meaningful change for our state.”

As a legislative intern, Falk corresponds with constituents through phone calls, letters and emails while also staffing committee hearings and floor proceedings.

“Elisabeth plays an integral role in

Elisabeth Falk, left, and State Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler (R-Noblesville) in the Indiana Statehouse chamber. (Photo courtesy of Indiana House Republicans)

helping both members and constituents throughout the session,” Shonkwiler stated. “She is developing essential skills that will benefit her as a criminal justice major and into her professional career.”

At the start of each year, the House of Representatives offers paid internship opportunities to college students, lawschool students, graduate students and recent college graduates for the duration of the annual legislative session.

For more, visit indianahouserepublicans.com/internship.

news@currentinfishers.com

Thirteen local students from Fishers and the greater Indianapolis area served as Indiana State Senate pages during the month of March, spending a day at the Statehouse, touring the building, observing debates and interacting with State Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence).

LEGISLATURE

The following students were part of the 2025 Page Program:

• Kooper Cooley, Sheridan, who attends Guerin Catholic High School

• Patrick Fisher, Indianapolis, Heron Classical Schools

• Jericho Grimmer, Fishers, Oaks Academy Middle School

• Evelyn Holladay, Fishers, Fishers Junior High School

• Sophie Holladay, Fishers, Fishers High School

• Adele Klare, Columbus, Central Middle School

• Levi McCreery, Fishers, Our Lady of Grace Catholic School

• Mae Morgan, Fishers, Fishers Junior

“You can’t just put it off.”

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High School

• Chinmay Nambiar, Fishers, Fishers High School

• Olivia Roberts, Fortville, Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate Junior High School

• Caden Rose, Fishers, Fishers High School

• Tanner Schrock, Fishers, Oaks Academy Middle School

• Mallory Wilson, Fishers, Fall Creek Intermediate School

The 2025 Senate Page program has ended. For more, visit IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Page-Program.

Sen. Kyle Walker, left, with Fishers High School student

Chinmay Nambiar, one of 13 area students who served as Senate pages. (Photo courtesy of Indiana Senate Republicans)

County tree-removal program renewed

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District has renewed its Callery Pear Removal Program for 2025.

INVASIVES

The program was launched in 2024 intended to defray landowner costs for removal of mature, standalone and landscape Callery pear trees.

“We have a pretty robust invasive species program called the Hamilton County Invasive Partnership, and it’s a collaborative of volunteers like private citizens and all the different parks departments in the county and municipalities,” Urban Conservationist Claire Lane said. “We heard from a lot of people throughout the years that they can’t afford to take the trees down. So, we knew there was a need there.”

For approved applicants, the program provides a $400 reimbursement for the removal of any variety of Callery pear tree. Trees must meet specific requirements to be approved for removal.

“Trees must be mature, have a trunk at least 20 inches in circumference and be in

a landscape setting,” Lane said. “Participants get a response from us on their application, have a contractor of their choice come out and take out the tree and then they get their rebate check.”

Lane said the state gave the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District a grant to run a pilot program last year for the trees, and all of the money was gone within a month.

“We were able to dedicate some of our funds and budget for 2025 to open the

program up again,” Lane said. “We have already allocated half of the money in the first round of applications this year. With the pear trees being in bloom right now, people are always a little more aware of the problem, and we’re always working to educate people as well.”

Lane said Callery pear trees are shortlived, have a foul smell when they bloom, have weak branch structure and are susceptible to wind and ice damage. The trees are still for sale in Indiana.

“Callery pear is a catch-all term for all the different Callery pear species like Bradford, aristocrat, Cleveland select and chanticleer,” Lane said. “They produce berries, and birds eat those berries and then plant them, which causes the infestation to spread. The problem there is that they are eliminating habitat for native trees and shrubs, which native wildlife, pollinators and birds are dependent on.”

Lane said the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District wants to work with individual communities or get more grants to continue the program.

For more, visit hamiltonswcd.org/landscapepeargrants.html.

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A Callery pear tree. (Photo courtesy of Claire Lane)

HIGH-TECH SLEUTHING

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Fishers Police Department’s forensic team fights crime with science

The City of Fishers Police Department is the only municipal law enforcement agency in Indiana with high-tech forensic capabilities, such as rapid DNA testing, digital imagery that identifies fingerprints on items like bullet casings, and special equipment that helps investigators see fingerprints on various surfaces, such as paper.

FPD recently opened its Forensic Services Unit lab to members of the media to show how the equipment helps local law enforcement investigate and solve crimes.

Lt. Jim Hawkins of the FPD Forensic Services Unit said although city law enforcement has had a forensics unit for many years, it only recently added some of the hightech equipment to the team’s arsenal.

“In 2022 we began the process of implementing rapid DNA in the Fisher Police Department,” Hawkins said, noting that it “went live” with that ability in 2023. “Rapid DNA allows us to take single-source DNA samples … and allows us to generate a DNA profile in 90 minutes.”

The department collects DNA samples through in-house equipment and then has those samples processed to create a DNA profile through a partnership with Thermo Fishers Scientific — which has laboratories in Fishers. Some profiles are clear, but others require a little more expertise, Hawkins said. To that end, the city has another partnership with the University of Indianapolis’ Department of Anthropology to analyze profiles that need a DNA scientist’s expert eye.

Hawkins highlighted a case the city solved through its rapid DNA testing — a car crash in which one of the people involved was found in the passenger seat and claimed the driver had run away.

“The man was intoxicated. The officers had a suspicion that he was actually the driver and had moved over,” he said. “Our criminal forensic investigators went out to the scene, took swabs of blood from the driver’s-side airbag of this vehicle. The investigators got a DNA search warrant for

a (DNA) swab from the known suspect. The criminal forensic investigators were able to take those samples, put them into the rapid DNA instrument and get a DNA match. And we had a match that night (showing that the suspect was the driver).”

The department has helped other law enforcement agencies in Indiana and beyond, he said, and even helped identify remains found in a noncriminal investigation at the U.S.-Mexico border, allowing a

mother in Nicaragua to know for certain what happened to her son and to bury him. Some of the equipment used to extract DNA includes a vacuum metal deposition chamber, which superheats small particles of metal in a vacuum chamber. As the metal evaporates, it sticks to the item placed in the chamber, but it won’t stick to DNA. That allows investigators to see exactly where a DNA sample is on a piece of clothing, for example, or to see a fingerprint

BY THE NUMBERS

Since implementing rapid DNA and other high-tech services in early 2023 through 2024, the Fishers Police Department’s Forensic Services Unit has helped close 44 cases of unknown human remains and has linked 18 suspects to evidence in criminal cases. The Fishers Police Department also has about 485 suspect profiles in its DNA database, which is independent from CODIS, the national database.

CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System.

FPD Chief Ed Gebhart said the forensic unit also helps other law enforcement agencies, including those with

The City of Fishers Police Department is the only municipal law enforcement agency in Indiana with rapid DNA and other cutting-edge forensic technology. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

unsolved cold cases. He said helping neighboring agencies ultimately helps Fishers, too, because criminals don’t know borders.

that wasn’t visible through other methods.

“It works on porous and nonporous surfaces,” Hawkins said, “It works on cartridge casings. It works on paper. It allows us to get prints off of very difficult surfaces — money, textured wood, the inside of latex gloves, multicolored surfaces.”

The department also has a DNA vacuum system that literally sucks DNA-containing substances — such as blood — from evidence. Another new piece of equipment is the digital capture system, which can create an image of a fingerprint left on cylindrical objects, like bullet casings.

The system takes multiple photos of the casing as it rotates to produce a 2D image that law enforcement can use to help identify suspects.

Hawkins noted that the Fishers Police Department’s forensics abilities help establish enough probable cause to charge a suspect. For the evidence to be used in court, it must be sent to the Indiana State Police lab for conventional testing.

FPD Chief Ed Gebhart said he appreciated the mayor and city council for providing the resources needed to enhance the city’s forensics capabilities. He said it started with the city’s push to reduce the number of illegal guns in the community.

“Rapid DNA was the next step into understanding who possessed those weapons and adding that person to that gun,” he said. “It’s not just the guns we’re after. We’re after the people that possess illegal firearms that want to commit crimes.”

Gebhart ended with a message for would-be criminals.

“Don’t come to the City of Fishers,” he said. “We will go through great lengths to solve the crime here. Don’t come here. Please don’t come here, because we have everything we need, and we have the support we need to solve the crime.”

For more about the Fishers Police Department, visit police.fishersin.gov.

ON THE COVER: Fishers Police Department forensic investigator Matt Noyes demonstrates the digital capture system, which can photograph fingerprints on objects like bullet casings. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

Fishers Police Department forensic investigator Jenna Mungovan gets ready to use the vacuum metal deposition chamber, which can help reveal fingerprints and DNA on items such as money and clothing. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

Hawkins

Gebhart

Blueprint for Improvement: Elegant outdoor escape in west Carmel

Commentary by Larry Greene

What once was an open, unfinished back patio was reimagined into a serene and stylish screened-in porch in the heart of west Carmel. The transformation turned an underutilized outdoor space into a cozy yet refined extension of the home — perfect for entertaining and relaxing. THE

BLUEPRINT

• By enclosing the space with full-height screened panels, the homeowners now enjoy protection from the elements while maintaining clear views of their beautiful backyard and surrounding neighborhood.

• The addition of warm-toned furnishings, cozy seating and layered greenery creates a welcoming ambiance that blends comfort with sophistication.

• Soft overhead lighting enhances usability during evening hours, while the consistent design materials tie seamlessly into the rest of the home’s exterior.

• The upgraded porch now functions as a true outdoor living room, offering three-season versatility and timeless charm.

• With the simple addition of screens, lighting and purposeful furniture placement, the space was transformed into a multifunctional retreat without the need for major construction.

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.

Where would I be without my wifes complaints?

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

For the past 25 years, my wife Mary Ellen has been crucial to my success as a humorist.  She’s complained about my napping, sense of direction and messiness. She’s told me how scatterbrained I am. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

HUMOR

Lately, however, I have started to lose a little confidence in her ability to irritate me. We may need to talk to somebody professionally. She’s not hitting the right buttons.

Last weekend, she was about to select a movie we could watch together, a Sunday night tradition. This was potential grist for the humor mill.

“She’s going to pick out a chick flick,” I thought. “What a great column — a husband forced to watch an old movie that no self-respecting man could possibly enjoy.”

The column was half-written in my head when she grabbed the TV remote.

“How about this one, ‘Pulp Fiction.’ That sounds like a good one.”

“No, Mary Ellen, that’s a horrible selection! You hate violence. How about a movie that’s all character development, exquisite cinematography and no bad language. Something that will bore me to death.”

“No, let’s do ‘Pulp Fiction.’ I want to make you happy.”

“No. I don’t want to be happy. I want you to make me miserable, force me to sit through something unbearable.”

The next night, we went to dinner. My wife always wants to go to some place a little bit fancy. I always make a case for fast food. Then Mary Ellen calls me cheap, a skinflint. Great humorous essays are made from this common marital conflict.

“OK, Dick. How about Steak ’n Shake? I’m really in the mood for a greasy burger.”

“Lately, however, I have started to lose a little confidence in her ability to irritate me. We may need to talk to somebody professionally. She’s not hitting the right buttons.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

“No, you’re not in the mood for a burger. You’re just dying for grilled salmon or scallops, like at a fancy seafood place. Come on! Work with me! Call me a tightwad.”

“Nah, a burger sounds good. But first, I need to stop by Designer Shoe Warehouse and look for a new pair of sandals for the summer.”

Saved! This would take her at least two hours. I would wait in the car where I could fill out my entire 2024 tax extension, and I could get a good start on “War and Peace.” But 10 minutes later …

“Hi, Dick, I’m back.”

“Go back inside. You’ve been gone only 10 minutes.”

“I saw exactly what I wanted as soon as I walked into the store.”

“No, no! You have to try on dozens of shoes. And hate them all. Then make me come back tomorrow night.”

“Dick. I’m on to you. You want me to behave in a certain way so you’ll have a topic for a column. Without me, you’re an empty shell, a man devoid of original ideas, a writer without a muse.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you. I was afraid I was never going to make that deadline.”

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

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

When does ‘no’

Commentary by Terry Anker

The belief that honesty is liberating and moral is firmly rooted in the Christian Bible, John 8:31:32, where Jesus Christ said to his followers, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Here, the freedom sought is likely spiritual in nature and not of the corporeal variety. Having faith and being true in one’s devotion may open the lockbox to heaven but will it help us here on terra firma?

ESSAY

A wise person once observed about many political leaders, “How can you tell when a politician is lying? When their lips are moving!” Alas, it may be a good point. Honesty may be the best policy, yet it rarely helps someone to get elected. We humans generally like people who tell us what we want to hear. The facts are somewhat more uncomfortable. Our pants did not shrink in the laundry, it is that we gained a few pounds. It is not that the neighbors are too busy to come for dinner, it is that they really don’t like us. If we made it our mission to be completely honest, would others really like us so much?

mean ‘yes’?

“Honesty may be the best policy, yet it rarely helps someone to get elected. We humans generally like people who tell us what we want to hear.”

– TERRY ANKER

Still, there is always another point of view. From the political leader, they rely upon the promises of we voters to make their decisions. Do we really care about the things that we say or are we simply expressing a whim of the moment? The politician might rightly say, “How can we tell when a voter is lying? Unless they say that they are definitely not supporting us, we probably cannot.” Many of the “yeses” are actually “nos.” Why are we all so comfortable lying to each other? Is a hard “no” better than a soft “yes”?

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

READERS’ VIEWS

roundabout

Editor,

Twice, my family has narrowly avoided an accident when another driver didn’t understand how to drive in the Allisonville Road and 96th Street two-lane roundabout. Please add standard traffic lights to that intersection. I believe you could do that with-

out reconstructing the intersection again And please learn from this debacle and leave Allisonville Road and 116th Street as it is. It works, even in high-use times. People understand traffic lights.

Leanne Jackson, Fishers

Indianapolis Opera present a twist to ‘West Side Story’ musical

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Indianapolis Opera is taking a different approach to “West Side Story.”

Instead of the original tale of the feud between the Puerto Rican gang the Sharks and the white gang the Jets — as depicted in the 1957 Broadway play and 1961 movie — the story will not be set in New York in the 1950s.

“The (original) script is about the racial and ethnic difference,” said A. Scott Parry, who is directing the show. “The script and songs remain the same but we’re taking it into the future.

“It looks very post-modern.”

Indianapolis Opera’s production of “West Side Story” is set for 7 p.m. May 9-11 at the Bicentennial Pavilion at the Indianapolis Zoo.

“We no longer think of this as far as the ethnicity of the performer but rather the color of clothing the performer wears,” Parry said. “We’re not focusing on ethnicity but anything that makes us feel different or separate. It could be religion, politics, gender, sexuality, socio-economic conditions, neurodivergence, civility, anything in society (that) currently feels like us versus them. How that idea of difference creates a fracture in society and tension and violence. How do we bridge that idea of difference and see each other more humanistically, more as equals and in an empathetic way with each other’s positions.”

Sondheim.

Parry, a professor at New York University and Manhattan School of Music, has directed several productions for Indy Opera. He has a longtime association with two cast members.

Parry said the dance numbers show physical differences in the groups. The only other time Parry directed a full production of “West Side Story,” it was with this adaptation in October 2001 in Phoenix.

“It’s nice to come back to it after almost a quarter century,” he said.

The famous musical score is by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen

‘CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES’

Opera General Director David Starkey for almost 30 years, usually approaches musical theater from an operatic perspective.

“I ride that middle line of doing opera and musical theater equally, and I think that’s why David appreciates that,” Parry said. “We talk all the time that there is too much stigma that this is an opera or this is a musical and they are really one (and) the same thing.”

Castro has played Maria twice in other productions and was once one of the Shark girls.

“The music and the whole score, I never get tired of it,” Castro said. “I always find new moments in the music whenever I hear it and whenever I perform it. As far as Maria, the character, I love how she is a symbol of hope, and she is willing to put aside whatever she’s learned culturally from her family to be able to learn about somebody that is different from her. I think that’s very wise for a young woman. She is growing up and coming of age and learning to look past prejudices to find love, humanity and acceptance. I think that’s very powerful in a young woman. Not every role is easy to come back to, but I love Maria as a character.”

Cristina MarÍa Castro, who plays Maria, is Parry’s former student when he was at Ohio State University and she was working on her master’s degree in 2011.

Olga Perez Flora, who plays Anita, was Parry’s former college roommate in the 1990s. Flora also was one of Parry’s students while working on her doctorate at Ohio State.

“I’ve worked with a couple other performers on other productions but don’t have as long a relationship with them,” he said.

Parry, who has known Indianapolis

Castro said Maria tried to bring people with differences together.

“Singing ’Tonight’ as a duet and then when it comes back as a quintet might be my favorite,” she said. “What I like about the score is it can be performed classically, or it can be approached more theatrically.”

Castro said her previous performances were traditional versions.

“I do believe the story can be told in many different ways and that’s why it’s timeless,” Castro said. “I love working with Scott Parry and I’m excited to work with him again. Scott and I have stayed in touch and we’ve done a couple productions since then. He’s a mentor of mine and a friend.”

For more, visit indyopera.org.

“Church Basement Ladies” runs through May 18 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“The Carpenters Project” is set for May 1, followed by Tim Wright & Steel Petals May 2 and Eric Baker & Friends present “Echoes of Soul” May 3 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘9 TO 5’

Actors Theatre of Indiana’s production of “9 to 5” runs through May 11 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.

CIVIC THEATRE

Civic Theatre presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through May 10 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

MARTY STUART

Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 1 at the Payne and Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

DISPATCH

Grant’s ‘Christmas Together Tour’ set for Fishers Event Center — Grammy winners Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans have announced plans to co-headline the “Christmas Together Tour.” The tour will hit nine major markets across the U.S., making a Dec. 4 stop at the Fishers Event Center. Tickets are available at FishersEventCenter.com and Ticketmaster.com. While Grant and Smith’s holiday concerts have become regular events of the season for more than 30 years, the “Christmas Together Tour” will mark the first time they’ve been joined by Winans on the holiday venture since she originally appeared on their 1998 Christmas tour.

Cristina MarÍa Castro plays Maria in “West Side Story.” (Photo courtesy of Dan Wright Photography)

Parry Castro

ICC’s season finale set

By Sara Palmer editorial@youarecurrent.com

More than 400 young voices from across central Indiana will come together May 3 to perform “Christel DeHaan In Harmony:

CONCERT

A Beautiful Tomorrow,” the Indianapolis Children’s Choir season-finale concert. Joined by its affiliate choirs, the Anderson Area Children’s Choir and the Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir, singers from kindergarten through ninth grade will take the stage at 3 p.m. at the Pike Performing Arts Center.

help one another?”

Songs like “Be the Bridge” and “Rainbow Connection” reinforce messages of empathy and hope. One of the emotional highlights, according to the ICC, will be “Now is the Time,” an original composition by ICC’s composer-in-residence Lee Ann Starkey. Starkey, an ICC alumna who wears many hats for the organization, said the song was inspired by the choir’s March concert and written with the singers in mind.

Centered on themes of compassion, connection and hope, the performance invites audiences to reflect on joining voices to shape a better tomorrow, according to the ICC.

“The concert focuses on the message of tomorrow -- what kind of community do we want in tomorrow?” said ICC Artistic Director Joshua Pedde, a Carmel resident who has been with the organization for 25 years. “What kinds of things can we do for one another? How can we reach out and

“Our children are the voices of tomorrow, and there is power in their words and in what they are capable of doing,” Starkey said. “They deserve to hold a special place in our world. That’s the message they sing in the song, ‘Now is our time to shine, now is the place, now is our chance.’”

Pedde agreed.

“The way the kids sing it, the way she composed it, it’s magical,” he said. “And I think the audience is really going to enjoy it.”

For tickets and more about ICC’s programs, visit icchoir.org.

Pedde

Anger

12. Four-time Indy 500 winner Mears

13. ___ Speedwagon

14. A mad, mad, usually mild-mannered neighborhood Mister?

17. Pacer foe from Ohio, briefly

18. ___ and aah

19. Henhouse perch

21. Tough nut to crack

23. 1/2 fl. oz.

26. “Waking ___ Devine” (1998 film)

27. French miss (Abbr.)

28. Carmel City Councilor Locke

29. Leaky tire sound

30. Women’s clothing size

32. Tree house

34. Gravity yielding mistake?

38. Barcelona boy

39. Sped around I-465

41. Some email attachments

44. ___-bitsy

46. Evil

47. Magic, on a Pacers scoreboard

48. From the beginning

49. Director DeMille

50. Cable service

52. UFO crew

54. “Norma ___”

55. Hamilton County prosecuting attorney, and an anagram of 14- and 34-Across 59. Deity

60. DVR option

61. GOP org.

62. Colts stat

63. Warning sign

64. Opposite of NNW Down

1. Divine happenings

2. “Saturday Night Fever” star

3. Chill (out)

4. First 007 film

5. Northern Indiana interstate

6. Big name in ATMs

7. Boxing ref’s decision

8. Sandwich cookie

9. White River waders

10. Tree-trunk growths

15. WIPX network

16. Org.

17. Pitch tents

20. Colts stat

22. Wears the crown

SOCIAL MEDIA!

24. “Kapow!”

25. Grumpy coworker

28. Bring under control

29. Tried hard

31. ___ Fridays

33. Sellout sign

35. Musical staff symbol

36. Butler frat letters

37. Dependency

40. Editing mark

41. Soda

42. Dreadfully slow

43. Fishing gear

45. Change course suddenly

48. GPA part (Abbr.)

49. CBS forensic drama

51. Traders Point restaurant: ___ Montana Grill

53. Suffix with Jumbo or cyclo

56. Classic muscle car

57. “Ready, ___, fire!”

58. Fourth-yr. students at FHS Answers on Page 27

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