Founded March 20 2012, at Zionsville, IN Vol. XIV, No. 2
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The
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doctor has a ‘visionary’ view of cancer research
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
A Zionsville physician merging her life’s work with philanthropy is a candidate for the 2025 LLS Visionary of the Year — a 10-week fundraising campaign of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for therapies and treatments for blood cancer patients.
FUNDRAISER
Dr. Jodi Skiles is a pediatric oncologist with Riley Children’s Health/Indiana University Health in Indianapolis. In her role, she runs the bone marrow transplant program for pediatric and adult programs. Her campaign began with reaching out to her personal contacts and creating a pool of potential donors through mail, email and social media engagement. From there, efforts grew to include community events.
Skiles said the work of LLS is missioncritical.
“They have three main pillars. The first is fundraising for research, and that’s the pillar that I have identified the most with,” she said. “When they fund research, what ultimately happens is that they fund the drug development for medicines that ultimately can help cure our patients. I use many medicines in the process of treating patients with leukemia and there are many that have been funded, at least in part by LLS, with the drug development funded grants and funded clinical trials that went to direct development.”
The second pillar is patient support and education, a pillar Skiles said is critical for children and young adults who are hit with a diagnosis at a time when they may not be financially dependent. Skiles said LLS can assist patients with twice-yearly $500 grants.
“It sounds like such a tiny amount, but when you’re really struggling and you have no other means of income, it’s in-
credibly helpful,” she said.
The third pillar is advocacy, which includes lobbying elected officials to support budgets for cancer research.
“(LLS) is paving the way that makes it possible for a cure in the future, so I think that’s probably the biggest hope as we continue to raise funds,” Skiles said. “We want to try to fill the gap where the government doesn’t always support funding for this work. This is how we create survivors.”
Skiles said blood cancers are one of the few health maladies that crosses the age continuum, with patients from newborns to the elderly. She said advancements made with research — such as those supported by LLS — are one of the most exciting parts of being in the medical field.
“Cancer treatment today, particularly for leukemia, is not what it used to be,” she said. “Back in the 1970s, when leukemia was first recognized as a phenomenon, pretty much everybody died. We didn’t really have a great understanding of how to treat it. Then fast forward to the 80s, 90s, early 2000s, we had a better understanding of how to treat it, but the treat-
ment was very toxic. And many people, even though they might have been cured of their disease, they died of toxicity from the treatment. But now, we’re in a phase where that’s actually quite rare, at least in the pediatric and young adult populations. The survival statistics now for pediatric and young adults is over 90 percent of people will survive both their diagnosis and not have long-term toxicity from their therapy.”
Skiles said immune-based therapies have become more common — and they are saving lives. She said a cure is on the horizon.
“I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think that by the time I’m ready to retire, 20 years from now, in my mind it’s nearly a foregone conclusion that we will have cured leukemia,” she said. “All cancers are different, so it’s not as easy as to say we want to cure cancer. But I do think that we’re within striking distance of being able to cure leukemia. I would love to work myself out of a job.”
Skiles said her campaign is dedicated to all of her patients, who she views as family. She said leukemia has a high instance of relapse, and some of her patients come to her as children but have come back for treatment well into adulthood.
“Every time they relapse, I give them treatment and they get better for a period of time. But then it always comes back,” she said. “It’s not a blip on the radar in the scheme of their whole life. It has become their life. Their whole lives are laid at the altar of treatment. And that, I think, is just so overwhelmingly hard.”
Skiles’ fundraising efforts include a “dine to donate” campaign with Puccini’s in Carmel April 14; Milky Way in Frankfort April 28; and a pending date with Amore. The LLS Visionary of the Year finale is May 9 in Indianapolis. Skiles’ fundraising page can be found at pages.lls.org/voy/in/ indy25/jskiles.
Dr. Jodi Skiles of Zionsville is a candidate for the 2025 LLS Visionary of the Year. (Image courtesy of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society)
Zionsville’s comprehensive planning winds down
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Town of Zionsville will host two open house events this month for the public to weigh in on its comprehensive plan.
TOWN NEWS
“The comprehensive-planning process is still moving forward and is still on target to wrap up by late summer or early fall,” Mayor John Stehr said. “We have subcommittees doing work right now, and the public will have a chance to weigh in during a couple of community strategy open house meetings.”
A comprehensive plan is a nonbinding strategic plan that municipalities use to guide decisions on growth and planning, including business, residential, recreational, zoning and safety issues.
The process to update the town’s plan began in March 2024, when the town council approved a $450,000 contract with HWC Engineering to create a comprehensive plan and a transportation plan to update the 2003 plan. Since then, the town has engaged the public in a series of community meetings and an online community survey.
The plan will update the current 22-yearold document that guides growth. Town leaders have noted the need for the update based on growth — the town’s population has grown from just over 11,000 residents in 2003 to an estimated 33,000 residents in 2024. Zionsville also increased exponentially in land size since the inclusion of Perry and Union townships within the town’s borders. The Town of Zionsville now covers 67 square miles — the third-largest municipality by land area in Indiana. Once complete, the comprehensive plan will focus on — among other areas — where and how infrastructure and development will benefit all residents.
Open houses are 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 9 at Zionsville Town Hall and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 15 at Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library in Zionsville. Learn more about the comprehensive planning process at uniquelyzionsville.com.
Saturday, April 19th
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Midwest Center for Joint Replacement expands
HEALTH CARE news@youarecurrent.com
Midwest Center for Joint Replacement
— a partner of OrthoAlliance – recently expanded to Zionville at Central Indiana Orthopedics, 625 S. Main St. Dr. Colin Penrose — a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee conditions, including total knee replacement, partial knee replacement and anterior hip replacement — will see patients at the new state-of-the-art office, which opened in March.
Midwest Center for Joint Replacement specializes in advanced hip and knee replacement procedures in Zionsville and at its locations in Indianapolis, Bloomington and Terre Haute.
The partnership between Central Indiana Orthopedics and Midwest Center for Joint Replacement enhances access to expert hip and knee care for patients in the region.
Central Indiana Orthopedics provides onsite casting and X-ray services and specialized care for upper and lower extremities; joint replacement; and sports medicine.
The health care team and their specialties include Dr. Brian L. Badman, shoulder surgery; Dr. Aaron M. Baessler, shoulder and elbow surgery, sports medicine; Dr. Brian E. Camilleri, hip arthroscopy, sports medicine, regenerative medicine, knee replacement; Dr. Jonathan S. Chae, sports medicine, general orthopedics; and Dr. Adam W. Lyon, foot and ankle surgery.
“Our team is committed to improving the quality of life for patients, and that includes enhancing convenience,” President of Central Indiana Orthopedics Dr. Steven Herbst stated. “We look forward to serving more Hoosiers and bringing the exception-
Midwest Center for Joint Replacement recently expanded to Zionville at Central Indiana Orthopedics, 625 S. Main St. (Photo by Marney Simon)
al care we’re known for to the Zionsville area.”
Learn more about the Midwest Center for Joint Replacement at mcjr.com.
Appointments at Central Indiana Orthopedics can be scheduled at ciocenter.com/ Zionsville or by phone at 800-622-6575.
Founded in 1950, Central Indiana Orthopedics is an independent orthopedic practice treating patients with bone, joint and muscle injuries and conditions. Besides Zionsville, the provider has offices in Fishers, Anderson, Muncie and Marion, and serves as team physicians for Anderson University.
Zionsville finds the way
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
More than two years after finalizing a master plan on the best way to assist motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians as they navigate their way through Zionsville, new wayfinding signs have been installed.
TRAVEL
The Town of Zionsville kicked off a public input process in December 2020 and finalized the wayfinding plan in 2022. The goal was three-fold — create a cohesive, equitable and creative wayfinding system for all vehicular, pedestrian and parking signs in the Zionsville area; attract and direct residents and visitors passing through the area to explore amenities, attractions and businesses within the community; and connect pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles with the Village business district, other shopping areas, parks, trailheads and community attractions.
The master plan was designed to create a cohesive wayfinding system throughout the town.
Mayor John Stehr recently updated the town council on implementation of the plan.
“After more than four years of planning, design and production, the wayfinding signs that were approved through a public process that began in 2020 and funded by the previous town council in 2022 will be installed over the next few months,” he
said. “In all, there will be 24 signs installed around town and four along the Big-4 Rail Trail.”
Stehr said so far, the most notable installation is a 9-foot tall “Zionsville Welcomes You” sign at 96th Street and Zionsville Road. The intersection was identified as a “key entry gateway” on the master plan.
According to the wayfinding master plan, signs were first recommended in 2012 and were included in the 2014 comprehensive plan amendment/downtown market study parking analysis and the 2016 Zionsville Strategic Trails Implementation Plan.
Wayfinding signage is included in the Zionsville Department of Public Works budget. In 2023, the wayfinding budget was approved at $189,200.
DORA on track to go live
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville Mayor John Stehr said the town is on track to activate its Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area this spring.
TOWN NEWS
Stehr recently told the Zionsville Town Council that public works is preparing to install the signs that designate the boundaries of the district.
“We do have the signage and the first round of cups that have been ordered,” he said. “These signs will begin to go up in preparation for a launch that will occur sometime in April or May.”
Stehr also unveiled the official DORA logo. Only cups branded with the official logo can be carried within the district.
The DORA was approved by the town council in October 2024 and granted final approval by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission later shortly thereafter. Zionsville’s DORA encompasses the Village, with the north to south border from Poplar Street to south of 106th Street; and extending west to east from Second to Elm streets, with a carve-out between Hawthorne and Sycamore streets to include SullivanMunce Cultural Center. The district also includes Creekside Corporate Park. Businesses that are designated permittees — those that sell alcohol and those that allow cups to be carried into their establishments — will be marked with official DORA decals.
A date for when the DORA becomes active has not been announced.
A new 9-foot sign extends greetings to Zionsville visitors at 96th Street and Zionsville Road.
(Photo by Marney Simon)
SATURDAY | APRIL 26
THURSDAYS | MAY 8 - SEPTEMBER 4 Exclud in g July 3
DISPATCHES
Memory care facility approved — The Zionsville Plan Commission recently approved a development plan for a 14-bed memory care facility in the Stonegate subdivision. The petitioner, Cottages at Zionsville, first presented to the commission in February and returned in March with changes, including revisions on the building color and elevation at the request of the Stonegate Property Owners Association. The proposal includes office/conference space, a kitchen/dining area and services for the residents such as a salon and activity area. An Improvement Location Permit will be required to be obtained from the town prior to the commencement of any site work and/or building construction.
Pickleball tournament — The Zionsville Rotary Club will host its inaugural pickleball tournament May 10 at Mulberry Fields Park, 9645 Whitestown Rd. in Zionsville. Medals will be awarded to first, second and third place participants. Registration is $65 and all proceeds support the Zionsville community. Previous Rotary club initiatives include support of local food banks; the Million Meal Movement; high school scholarships; and assisting local nonprofits. The club is seeking participants and volunteers for the event. Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/4aj54ybt.
Native plant sale — Sales are open through April 18 for the inaugural Zionsville Parks and Recreation native plant sale, in coordination with the Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District and Zionsville Parks Foundation. Proceeds from the sale support Zionsville Parks and Recreation’s habitat restoration efforts. A variety of plants that thrive in the local environment are available. Native plants are low maintenance, sustainable and wildlife-friendly. Pickup is May 3 at Heritage Trail Park. Order plants at tinyurl.com/mujb7uda.
Educational Scholarships available —
Boone REMC awards post-secondary scholarships to students who are dependents or legal wards of Boone REMC members each year. Ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded via random drawing from all eligible applications at the Boone REMC annual meeting April 24. Eligible students must be current high school seniors or college students who will be enrolled full time in a post-secondary institution during the 202526 academic year. The application deadline is April 22. Learn more at bremc.com/youth.
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.
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Eagles softball pitcher a hit at mound and plate
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville Community High School junior softball player Leah Helton’s talent as a pitcher was evident at a young age.
“When I was younger, I didn’t hit that often,” she said. “When I got to high school, I developed more as a hitter and that led into travel softball, too.”
Helton hit .429 last season, but it’s her pitching that still draws the most attention. She has already accepted a scholarship to play for Indiana University.
“She’s been working a ton on her individual strength and endurance as well as her pitch development,” Eagles coach Mike Garrett said. “She’s been pitching since her freshman year. Last year, we were able to give her offense to back up her pitching. That turned our record around. We’ll be a very competitive team with her arm leading the way. We have the bats now and upperclassmen in the lineup to give her
LEAH HELTON
Favorite subject: English
Favorite TV show: “Gilmore Girls”
Favorite musician: SZA
Favorite vacation spot: Cancun
some run support.”
Last season, the right-handed Helton had a 9-3 record with a 1.52 earned run average and 155 strikeouts. She allowed only 22 walks.
“She has great control,” Garrett said. “We’ll try to keep her fresh for conference games and the postseason.”
Helton said she has worked hard in the weight room.
“I definitely got a lot stronger than I was
Zionsville Community High School junior pitcher
Leah Helton has committed to Indiana University. (Photo courtesy of ZCHS athletics)
last year,” she said. “I definitely prioritized weightlifting and I’ve seen that help my game a lot.”
Strength training has enabled Helton to hit for more power.
“For pitching, I feel like I’ve been able to change speeds better than last year,” she said.
The 5-foot-9 Helton said she is optimistic about the team’s improvement this season, too.
“Having a lot of seniors puts you in a good position because everyone is used to the speed of varsity (play),” she said. “I’m looking forward to competing against a lot
of teams and upholding the reputation we created last year. Our defense is a lot more experienced than last year. If there is a year to get far (in the IHSAA Class 4A tournament), I think it could definitely be this year. A goal for us would be to win state. I think we have the potential to beat any team in Indiana.”
Helton started playing softball at age 7. She played several sports, but softball and cheerleading were her main activities.
“I quit cheer after elementary school to focus on softball,” she said. “In middle school, I did cross country for a year. But I decided I liked practicing for softball a lot more.”
Helton, who plays club softball for the Indiana Magic Gold 16-and-under team, committed to play for IU in October 2024.
“I really liked that IU was close to home, so my parents could watch me play,” she said. “I also really clicked with the coaching staff. I liked how high energy they were because that’s something important for me.”
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
Helton
INITIATING SEQUENCE
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
A group of teens from Traders Point Christian School in Whitestown will take their expertise on robotics to the world championship after winning last month’s Indiana VEX IQ Robotics State Championship at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
The RoboKnights — made up of eighth-graders Graham Chandler, Natalia Fuentes, Ruby Hsu, Yining Nelson and Parker Voors — won the state title March 22, beating out 111 Hoosier teams. At VEX tournaments, teams participate in alliance matches where they are randomly paired with other teams. The two teams work together on strategy.
The state finals were the culmination of a long season where the RoboKinights earned multiple first-, second- and thirdplace finishes in several tournaments and five regional competitions.
“The game is for a year,” Traders Point Christian School accelerated math teacher and RoboKnights head coach Deb Huffine said. “When we go to worlds, there will be divisions. The winners from that go to perform on the stage at Dallas and then after the winner they’ll announce the game for the next year and then we start a whole year trying to build a robot to meet the criteria constraints of the game. It’s pretty wild, and then after that year we get another one.”
Indiana has the largest VEX IQ Robotics program in the nation, with more than 2,000 teams.
The win at the state championship was dramatic. The RoboKnights began with a tournament-high score of 200 in their opening match, then encountered several challenges, including some broken parts and difficult pairings. But after eight qualification matches, they made it to the finals, where they secured the title after a sudden-death tiebreaker where they earned 212 points — the highest score of the entire Indiana state championship.
The robots are fully student-built with multiple functions that allow the students to play a game — the robots pick up balls, pass them and score by tossing the ball into a goal. The game the robots play is
the same across all VEX tournaments worldwide. Besides driving the robot, there is an autonomous component to competition where the students code the robot to play the game at the push of a button.
Chandler is the builder and driver of the RoboKnights eighth-grade team. The 14-year-old Zionsville resident said he’s always been interested in the world of robotics.
“I have liked building my entire life, and I like to play a lot of video games like racing,” Chandler said. “So, it’s just really interesting because like I get six months to build a robot out of these different pieces and then we get to drive it.”
Hsu, 13, also of Zionsville, is the team’s note keeper. She was inspired to join when her older brother got into robotics.
“I came in sometimes and I’d check out (what he was doing), and I thought it was just really cool,” she said. “I also just like the competitiveness.”
At Traders Point Christian School, ro-
Members of the Traders Point Christian School in Whitestown RoboKnights team are, from left, Yining Nelson, Graham Chandler, Parker Voors, Natalia Roman and Ruby Hsu. (Photo courtesy of Andy Hsu)
botics begins at the elementary level with the basics. By the time the students get to eighth grade, they are practicing nearly every day after school, building and driving the robots.
“What they have done with their robots is beyond compare,” Huffine said. “I will say, honestly, this team — and I’m bragging on them because it’s not me — they’ll say, ‘Hey, I’ve got this. Now, I’m going to get to the next level.’ And that’s what it takes to be really super competitive. It is student-led.”
In fact, adults are not allowed to physically assist the students as they build and operate the robots.
“No adult in this building is allowed to put anything on a robot,” coach Chris Chandler said. “They have to do everything. Our job is to just ask a lot of questions and help them think about it.”
Besides the math, science and physics skills that come along with building robots, the participants learn an abundance of life skills.
ABOUT VEX ROBOTICS
The VEX Robotics World Championship is the largest robotics competition in the world.
The annual event brings together the top VEX IQ Robotics Competition, VEX V5 Robotics Competition, and VEX U Robotics Competition teams from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments and be crowned champions.
The competition includes elementary school, middle school, high school and college divisions,
The competition — including all divisions — takes place May 6-14 at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
Follow the broadcast of the competition at vexworlds.tv.
“There’s definitely a lot of communication, because some teams have a really good robot and they say, ‘We’ll score, you pass to us,’ and that’s all they say,” Graham Chandler said. “But for us, we always are very specific. As we practice, we also test out different strategies, because it’s really important to communicate what you want them to do. So, when you actually go and compete, you know exactly what they’re going to do, and they know exactly what you’re going to do.”
The students also learn skills crucial to long-term success, like leadership and teamwork.
“We learn a lot about respect, because when we go to our competitions and we’re with an alliance partner, even if we don’t do so well, we always shake their hand,” Hsu said.
Coaches said they made sure the team members understand the sacrifices the coaches, parents and judges make, since those positions are all volunteer.
“It’s just really nice to reach back and say thank you,” Huffine said. “That’s a life skill.”
The teammates said they would recommend to their friends and classmates giving robotics a try.
“There are so many people, it’s so much fun to go around and talk to different people and make new friends,” Hsu said. “Just watching the matches is also really fun and getting to be a part of that.”
Chandler echoed the sentiment.
“You get to make a bunch of new friends,” he said. “At tournaments, instead of like sports where it’s one versus one trying to beat the other person, in robotics, you’re teaming up with them, and then you’re trying to score the most points together.”
The teens will compete alongside 30,000 participants from 50 nations May 12-14 at the VEX IQ World Championship in Dallas. Follow the RoboKnights competitions at youtube.com/@DeborahHuffine.
ON THE COVER: Members of the Traders Point Christian School in Whitestown RoboKnights participate at the state championship in March. (Photo courtesy of Andy Hsu)
Traders Point Christian School robotics team wins state title
Dolenz to share songs, stories of The Monkees
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Micky Dolenz makes certain the legacy of The Monkees lives on.
Dolenz, the last surviving member of the group formed for a 1966 TV series, will perform his show “Micky Dolenz of the Monkees: An Evening of Songs and Stories” at 8 p.m. April 25 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“Some things always remain constant. I always sing the great big Monkees hits in their entirety,” Dolenz said. “You kind of have an unspoken contract with the audience when you are in my position. They want to hear those hits. Once they know they are going to get those hits, you can go on and do all kinds of things. Over the years, I’ve done deep album cuts. I’ve done other artists’ material. That changes up a lot.”
Dolenz, 80, said he has learned that people love to hear stories of his experiences.
“I tell stories of Stephen Stills, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles,” said Dolenz, who was The Monkees’ drummer and colead singer. “I find if I tell these stories and then follow it with a song that’s appropriate, a punchline if you will, that ties into the story.”
But the stories are only a part of the show.
“It’s a flat-out rock ‘n’ roll concert,” he said. “I have a five-piece band plus my sister who sings with me.”
Some of The Monkees’ biggest hits include “I’m a Believer,” “Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville” and “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You.”
Dolenz pays tributes to his late bandmate with photos. Co-lead singer Davy Jones died in 2012, followed by bass guitarist and keyboardist Peter Tork in 2019 and guitarist Michael Nesmith in 2021.
“It was like one blow after another, but in a way it’s like they are still there because of all the songs I sing and all the photographs,” Dolenz said.
TV reruns of “The Monkees” have
sparked interest in different age groups of fans.
“It’s quite common to have two or three generations because of the resurgence in 1986 and then again in 2006,” Dolenz said.
Dolenz said he gives credit to all the great songwriters each show. The band had songs written by Neil Diamond, Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, Carole Bayer Sager and Tommy Boyce/ Bobby Hart.
“It was an enormous stable of writers,” Dolenz said. “But there was also the television show and the writers of that and the producers and directors. It was not a band created for a TV show. It was a television show about a band that was an imaginary band that didn’t exist except on the television show.”
But Dolenz said the producers knew the actors would perform because they cast the show like it was a musical.
“You had to be able to sing, dance, act and play an instrument,” he said.
Dolenz said all the pieces fit together.
“At a certain point, the whole became greater than the sum of its parts,” Dolenz said.
Dolenz said sometimes he performs 100
or more shows a year.
“When I lived in England in the 1970s and ‘80s, I didn’t do any touring,” Dolenz said. “I was just directing and producing television shows.”
He resumed performing in 1986 with a Monkees’ 20th anniversary tour.
Dolenz, who was a child star in the TV show “Circus Boy” in the 1950s, said the break from performing probably kept him from burning out.
“During the second season of ‘The Monkees,’ I was already thinking about moving on and getting into production and directing,” he said. “I went to England and got lucky directing for the BBC and some films. It came at a very opportune time.”
Dolenz joked that what keeps him going is that a moving target is tougher to hit.
“It’s what I do,” he said. “It’s my day job. It is my business, show business.”
Dolenz said he will keep performing as long as it’s profitable and rewarding.
“It’s like someone throwing you a birthday party every night because the songs engender so much affection from so many people,” he said. “The songs are so great, it’s hard to go wrong.”
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘JERSEY BOYS’
“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘SPIDER’S
WEB’
Main Street Productions presents Agatha Christie’s “Spider’s Web” through April 13 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Comedy Night is set for April 10, followed by Dueling Pianos April 11 and Divas of the Songbook April 12 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All three performances are set for 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
WORLD VOICE DAY
World Voice Day is 8 p.m. April 10 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Singers will sign up on arrival and must bring sheet music. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL’
Carmel Community Players presents “Ruthless! The Musical” through April 13 at The Switch Theatre at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy in Fishers. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will perform at 8 p.m. April 12 at the Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
DISPATCH
Heartland Film fundraiser set — Cinemania, Heartland Film’s signature fundraiser, returns with the theme “A Tribute to Dance Films of the 80s.” Presented by F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., it is set for April 11 at The Crane Bay Event Center in Indianapolis. The celebration is inspired by classic films like “Flashdance,” “Purple Rain,” “Fame,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Footloose” and “Xanadu.” Sponsor and party-pack tickets are good from 6 to 11 p.m. and premiere tickets are good from 7 to 11 p.m. For more, visit heartlandfilm.org.
CONCERT
Micky Dolenz is the last surviving member of The Monkees. (Photo courtesy of Micky Dolenz)
Symphony on the Prairie set
editorial@youarecurrent.com
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Kroger Symphony on the Prairie schedule opens with Fleetwood Mac and ABBA tribute acts in the final weekend of June.
CONCERTS
The schedule runs through August at Conner Prairie in Fishers. Gates open at 6 p.m. and concerts begin at 8 p.m. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
June 27 — Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Featuring the ISO
June 28 — Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA. Featuring the ISO
July 3 - 5 — Kroger Symphony on the Prairie presents the Star-Spangled Symphony with the ISO with conductor Alfred Savia and guest jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling.
July 11 - 12 — Disney in Concert: Once Upon a Time. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly
July 18-19 — Celebrate the music of iconic composers John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, and more as Everly and the ISO bring to life music from legendary film scores
July 25 — Greatest Love of All: A Tribute
to Whitney Houston. Singer Belinda Davids will perform “The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston,” with Lopez-Yañez and the ISO.
July 26 — EagleMania — The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band. Get ready for EagleMania — The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band, featuring Lopez-Yañez and the ISO.
August 1-2 — Let’s Sing Taylor: An Unofficial Live Tribute Band.
August 8 — Dark Star Orchestra. Recreating a Deer Creek Grateful Dead concert experience.
August 9 — Face2Face. A Tribute to Elton
John and Billy Joel
August 15 — One Night of Queen. Featuring Gary Mullen & The Works
August 16 — Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute
August 22 — Neil Forever. The music of Neil Diamond
August 23 — A1A. The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show
August 29 — In-Vincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson.
August 30 — Voyage. Celebrating the Music of Journey.
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MANAGING EDITOR
READERS’ VIEWS First Amendment rights at stake
Editor,
We should all be talking about Mahmoud Khalil.
Many families of Zionsville have similar wishes for their children — obtain a degree from a prestigious university, get a great job, get married and get involved in their community. Mahmoud Khalil recently earned his master’s degree from Columbia University. He married his wife, Noor, in 2023, and they are expecting their first child.
Everyone reading this column (and everyone in Zionsville) has at one time or another shared their opinion about a policy, political leader or current event. In doing so, you’ve exercised your First Amendment right to free speech.
Mahmoud Khalil also exercised his right to free speech. He helped negotiate for the rights and safety of students protesting for Palestine at Columbia University while he was a graduate student there. However, for Mahmoud, using his First Amendment rights has led to him being arrested. Mahmoud, a permanent legal resident, was arrested by the Department of Homeland Security March 8. The arrest is retaliation
Where are the
Editor,
It looks like in his effort to make a name for himself as new mayor, Mayor (John) Stehr has instead sent our town in the wrong direction. In less than two years of his administration, we now have a permanent porta-potty being installed in
for his peaceful protests and using his First Amendment rights.
Mahmoud exercised the same rights that I am doing by writing this letter to the editor. Do you think this article should justify my arrest? Or do you think the rules should be different because I am a white woman from Zionsville instead of a Palestinian refugee?
The current attacks against our First Amendment rights won’t stop with the arrest of Mahmoud. As the Rev. Adriene Thorne, a presbyterian minister, recently said, “If they’re coming for him today, they’re coming for you tomorrow.” This is not the last act of retaliation for dissent against our government that we have seen or will see.
Join me in calling our local representatives to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil and protection of our First Amendment rights.
Sen. Jim Banks, 202-224-4814
Sen. Todd Young, 202-224-5623
Rep. Jim Baird, 202-225-5037
Morgan Cornacchini, Zionsville
improvements
the Village, utility bills are up 40 percent and now we’re getting “companionship” ads in the local paper! How are these changes an improvement to our life here in Zionsville?
Derek Brewester, Zionsville
Nature plays a role in development
Editor,
I would like to talk about the housing situation in Zionsville. I am a resident of Zionsville and a sophomore at Zionsville Community High School.
The more recent developments in Zionsville have included housing a lot — it’s certainly a good cause, bringing in jobs, providing shelter and the like. I just hope that builders decide to spare as much natural space as possible, since it’s basically the defining factor of the town. Pollution plagues many parts of the world, and I’m sure no one would want to have this beautiful place join that statistic.
In order for the citizens of Zionsville to enjoy nature, I’d recommend building bike paths and trails for people to walk and/or exercise on, bringing in a much wider diversity of plants into existing residential areas (such as flowers and native trees) and exercising cleaner and efficient ways to power these new areas (renewable energy, etc.). Doing so would likely make Zionsville even more of a role model than it currently is and would also likely attract more visitors and potential residents.
We would then see nothing but benefit for our community.
Alden Toney, Zionsville
1. Book jacket promo
6. Disfigurement
10. Fishers Event Center convention freebies
14. Gung-ho
15. Well-ventilated
16. “Doggone it!”
17. Colorful Kosciusko County place
19. Lo-cal
20. Half of hex-
21. Tom Wood inventory
22. Takes the bait
23. Guitar kin, briefly
24. Indiana Senate staffer
25. Fixate
28. Elegant and stylish
30. Less diluted
31. ___ and Caicos Islands
33. Sock part
35. Polo rival
36. Old Testament book
37. Go sightseeing
38. Immediately
39. Purse handle
Notice of Public Meeting
40. Westfield HS prom outfits
41. Hoity-toity
43. Quite a crowd
45. Fastener
46. Tin Man’s need
47. Fencing sword
49. Mooring site
52. Slugger’s stat
55. Tater
56. Colorful Hancock County place
58. Infamous fiddler
59. In the vicinity
60. Current edition
61. USMC rank
62. “Do ___ others...”
63. Short letters Down
1. Top-rated
2. Hibernation spot
3. Citrus hybrid
4. Gun an IndyCar engine
5. Word after heart or circuit
6. Pretzel topping
7. “Arrivederci!”
8. Torah chests
9. Shapiro’s loaf
10. Side in eight-ball
11. Colorful Boone County place
12. Poker stake
13. Attends
The Board of School Trustees (“Board”) of Zionsville Community Schools (“School”) will hold a public meeting on April 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm EST at 900 Mulberry St, Zionsville, IN to discuss and hear public comments including objections to and support for the proposed contract between the Board and Superintendent.
The proposed contract includes the following details:
1. Duration starting July 1, 2025 and through June 30, 2028, with automatic extension unless notice given;
2. Position includes serving School as a superintendent during the term and performing duties generally recognized as normal functions of an IN public school superintendent and as outlined in Board policy;
3. $205,000.00 annual salary beginning July 1, 2025, with potential for annual increase beginning July 1, 2026, depending upon results of superintendent’s performance evaluation;
4. Employer retirement contributions of: Maximum limit allowed under law to a 403 (b); 0.5% of annual salary into 401(a) plan; 0.75% of annual salary into ZCS HRA plan; Maximum limit allow under law to a 457 plan.
5. Reimbursement for appropriate business and professional expenses incurred on employer’s behalf including the cost of membership and participation in professional associations of school leaders and expenses related to the superintendent’s attendance at preapproved conferences and activities;
6. Payment of $10,000.00/year for a local travel allowance;
7. Access to current group insurance plans offered to full time employees (e.g., life, long term disability, health, dental, vision).
8. Cell phone allowance offered to administrators;
9. Holiday paid leave days offered to other full time administrative employees. Superintendent will receive 23 vacation, 4 personal, and 15 sick leave days per year;
10. Additional fringe benefits available to other full time School employees;
11. Provisions regarding evaluation and termination process consistent with applicable law; and
12. Miscellaneous provisions regarding non-monetary aspects of the contract.
A copy of the proposed contract will be posted at www.zcs.k12.in.us. The Board anticipates taking final action on the proposed superintendent contract at a public meeting on April 14, 2025 at 6:00 pm EST at 900 Mulberry St, Zionsville, IN.
18. Regrets
22. View with a skew
23. Second-hand
24. ___-Seltzer
25. Greek liqueurs
26. Colorful Hendricks County place
27. I-Team 8 news feature
28. Moved cautiously
29. Indiana’s senior US Senator
30. Noblesville HS wrestler’s win
32. Patriotic chant
34. IU Health trauma centers
36. Web address starter
37. Level or bevel
39. Fly high
40. Mythical beast that’s half lion and half eagle
42. The letter E, in Morse code
44. Westfield Marching Band instrument
47. Indiana tax IDs
48. Indy Zoo beasts
49. Small songbird
50. Pacers foe
51. Prefix with dynamic or space
52. Take five
53. Butler school color
54. Midmonth day
56. Serengeti grazer
57. Hilbert Circle Theatre org.
Answers on Page 19
In accordance with the Construction Stormwater General Permit from the NPDES General Permit Program, this is to notify the public that the project site owner listed below is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to discharge storm water from construction activities associated with the following:
The project site, to be known as Advent Lutheran Church – Phase 3 Building Addition, is located in the Northeast Quarter of Section 1, Township 17 North, Range 2 East in Boone County and the Northwest Quarter of Section 6, Township 17 North, Range 3 East in Hamilton County at the northwest corner of the Michigan Road and Bennett Parkway intersection in Zionsville, Indiana. The project involves construction of a building addition. All necessary infrastructure including but not limited to asphalt parking lots, curbs, sidewalks, storm sewers, and other site utilities will be constructed with the project.
Storm water runoff will be conveyed to the existing wet and dry stormwater detention ponds onsite which discharge into an existing ditch which flows north through Timber Ridge residential subdivision. The ultimate receiving water for the project is Long Branch. Construction is anticipated to begin in May 2025.
Contact information for the project site owner is as follows:
Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church LC-MS, Inc.
11250 N. Michigan Road
Zionsville, IN 46077
(317) 873-6318
For persons wishing to comment, or with questions, drawings and specifications are on file and may be examined at the following location: CrossRoad Engineers, PC 115 N. 17th Avenue
Beech Grove, IN 46107 (317) 780-1555
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Painting inside or Outdoors
Property Clean Outs FULLY INSURED Text or Call Jay 574-398-2135 shidelerjay@gmail.com www.jayspersonalservices.com
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PUZZLE ANSWERS
Springmill Blvd. April 17-18, 8am-4pm April 19, 8:00 to Noon
FRONT OFFICE SUPERVISOR MEDICAL OFFICE FULL TIME Busy Dermatology Practice in Noblesville HOURS: 8:00AM TO 5:00PM NEED DEPENDABLE, DETAILED, ENERGETIC PERSON WITH MEDICAL EXXPERIENCE, STRONG CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS. ANSWER PHONES, INSURANCE KNOWLEDGE HELPFUL, SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS (INCLUDING OTHER VARIOUS TASKS). SEND RESUME TO: HUMAN RESOURCES 116 LAKEVIEW DRIVE NOBLESVILLE, IN 46060 EMAIL: dermatologynoblesville.com
Full-time receptionist needed for Carmel area law firm. Mon – Fri, 9-5. Phones, filing, light typing required. Previous experience desired. Friendly office. $20/hour. Send resume to cyount@hovdelaw.com. No phone calls please.
NOW HIRING
DAN’S AUTOMOTIVE DETAIL IS NOW HIRING:
Outbound
Landscape crew members for mowing/ landscaping. Starting pay $14-16/ hr depending on experience, though no experience is required. Full time position with overtime paid at time and a half. Must be able to lift and carry 50lbs. to qualify for the job. Valid Indiana driver’s license and clean driving record is preferred. To apply please call/text DJ @ 317-354-5650.
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