August 15, 2023 — Fishers

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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XIII, No. 28

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Accident reignites conversation about Spyglass Falls entry/exit

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

add amenities for the neighborhood, so it would be a win-win for everyone.

The city’s estimated cost for that option in 2016 was about $500,000. That price likely is significantly higher today.

TRAFFIC

A recent deadly vehicle accident on 116th Street has prompted a nearby neighborhood to again reach out to the City of Fishers for help establishing a second, safer entrance to their community.

Spyglass Falls on 116th Street just east of Cumberland Road was built in the early 2000s, according to information from the city. It has one entry and exit point onto 116th Street, an extremely busy corridor with fast-moving traffic.

On July 22, a Fishers man died when the motorcycle he was operating on 116th Street collided with a pickup truck turning west out of the nearby Spyglass Hills neighborhood.

Rob Glinke is the Spyglass Falls Homeowners Association president. He said that accident demonstrates how dangerous it can be trying to exit onto 116th Street. While Spyglass Hills residents have an optional exit at Cumberland Road, Spyglass Falls residents have no choice.

“Our neighborhood was constructed with the intention of having two exits, one on Cumberland Road and one on 116th Street, and a little bit of maybe corporate greed kind of got the better of them,” Glinke said. “Instead of using the egress on the Cumberland roadside, they went ahead and put a house there instead. So, we’ve been stuck with that single exit on 116th Street.”

Glinke said there have been a lot of accidents there, mostly fender-benders. The recent fatal accident spurred the neighborhood to try again to find a solution.

This isn’t the first time Spyglass Falls HOA has approached the city for assistance. In 2016, the city’s then-engineer Jeff Hill submitted a detailed report on that topic following a request from residents. The report talks about various potential solutions, including a roundabout or traffic lights to slow oncoming traffic, and closing the me-

Spyglass Falls neighborhood off 116th Street east of Cumberland Road is again seeking help from the City of Fishers to create a second entry/exit point, citing safety concerns. (Image courtesy of the City of Fishers)

dian to eliminate left turns into and out of the neighborhood.

Two options Glinke said the HOA wants to see explored are building the originally planned connection from Spyglass Falls to Cumberland Road, or expanding what is now a footpath between Spyglass Falls and Spyglass Hills to allow access to the Hills’ Cumberland Road exit.

Spyglass Hills residents have opposed allowing that additional traffic, citing safety concerns.

In its 2016 report, the city noted that building a direct connection from Spyglass Falls to Cumberland Road would require demolishing a home.

Glinke said although the HOA doesn’t want to force anyone out, if one of the five homes nearest to Cumberland Road come up for sale, the HOA would be willing to buy it to make room for a road. He said the association owns land on the other side of those homes that it currently can’t access. If a road is built there, he said they could

DISPATCH

Glinke said the other option — expanding the connection to Spyglass Hills — is acceptable, as well. He understands why the Hills residents oppose it.

“It’s a dangerous area in their neighborhood right there,” he said. “People park on both sides of the road. It’s really narrow at the top of a hill so you can’t really see the oncoming traffic and it in itself is a dangerous situation. I have offered to donate (Falls) ground there to them. So it moves the curb back and allows an extra lot for parking. So, it gets those cars off the street and widens the road.”

He said that suggestion was made during a recent Spyglass Falls HOA meeting that a City of Fishers representative attended. Glinke said that representative indicated the city would reach out to the Spyglass Hills HOA with that idea.

However, that was not the understanding of the city official.

“Spyglass Falls held an HOA meeting and a member of our staff attended,” City of Fishers Director of Community and Public Relations Ashley Elrod said in response to a request for comment. “We attended the meeting to hear the proposal from Spyglass Falls but we are not facilitating conversation between the two (HOAs).”

Elrod added that the city does not have a position on how to resolve the Spyglass Falls entry and exit problem.

Glinke said the issue likely will be a topic of discussion at the next HOA meeting. He said the neighborhood has a lot of drivers and some are just learning.

“I mean, my daughter is 15. She just got her learner’s permit,” he said. “I can’t even imagine how pissed I would be or extremely upset or torn or just violently angry if my daughter fell victim to that intersection because we didn’t do anything about it.”

can opt to have their technician engrave the last 8 digits of the vehicle’s VIN on the catalytic converter and add a stripe of hightemp paint, which adds an extra layer of protection to any vehicle at no additional cost (and no purchase necessary). Services will remain in effect indefinitely.

Prevent catalytic converter theft — Jiffy Lube of Indiana and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. have partnered to launch the Catalytic Converter Identification Initiative to combat a trend of catalytic converter thefts and support vehicle safety. Through this initiative, Hoosiers that visit a Jiffy Lube store in central Indiana

FISHERS

Project: Florida Road Location: Florida Road

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

is closed to realign the S-curve. Local traffic only will be allowed between 113th Street and Southeastern Parkway.

Expected completion: Aug. 21

Project: 146th and Allisonville Road

Location: Phase 2A traffic restrictions are in place, which eliminate left turn movements from 146th Street onto Allisonville Road and reopen to two through lanes on eastbound and westbound 146th Street. Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 146th Street between Herriman Boulevard and Allisonville Road within the existing construction limits will be under a lane restriction for the installation of a barrier wall and centerline delineator repairs.

Expected completion: The entire project is set for completion in summer 2025

Project: 106th Street and Allisonville Road

Location: A sanitary sewer project is taking place at Metro Airport at 106th Street and Allisonville Road. There are times where lane restrictions may be in place on Allisonville Road.

Expected completion: TBD

Project: 2023 resurfacing

Location: ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is taking place in the Bristols and the Parks (Harvard, Oxford and Princeton Park) as part of the 2023 Resurfacing Project. After ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed, areas will be restored with topsoil and seed. Prior to road resurfacing, residents will be notified via street signage for street parking restrictions.

Expected completion: The entire project should be done by fall

Project: Roundabout at 106th and Hoosier Road

Location: Prep work prior to the roundabout construction has started. Work will include tree clearing, utility relocation and storm sewer installation.

Expected completion: To be determined.

Project: Ind. 37 Improvement Project Location: Ind. 37 and 141st Street. A pre-construction phase is in place. During this phase, 141st Street will have a temporary right-in-right-out traffic configuration.

Expected completion: The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the spring of 2024.

Furever Homes Dog Adoption Event

Gray Eagle Golf proposed zone amendment delayed

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

We invite you and your dog to celebrate National Dog Day at Epcon’s Furever Homes Dog Adoption event. Join us on Saturday, August 26th from 12-3pm at The Courtyards of Westfield. At our Furever Homes Dog Adoption event, the Humane Society for Hamilton County will bring dogs that are available for adoption. We’ll also have a photographer getting some glam shots of your four-legged family member and goodies and prizes. Plus, you’ll get to explore our incredible low-maintenance community with your pup, so there’s something for everyone, canine and otherwise.

We want to extend a special thank you to the Humane Society for Hamilton County for helping make this event possible.

DEVELOPMENT

A proposed zoning amendment that would allow Gray Eagle Golf on Brooks School Road and 126th Street in Fishers to build a new clubhouse/restaurant with hitting bays and install barrier netting up to 160 feet high was postponed by the Fishers Plan Commission during its Aug. 3 meeting.

The delay allows Gray Eagle officials time to meet with more residents of adjacent neighborhoods.

Gray Eagle Golf at 12500 Brooks School Rd. is surrounded by residential neighborhoods on the north, south and east; and a combination of residential neighborhoods, Brooks School Elementary and New Hope Presbyterian Church on the west.

City of Fishers Planning Director Megan Vukusich told the commission that the developers had met with residents to discuss plans. However, during the public hearing that night, a resident of the Greystone neighborhood to the south of the site said there had been no outreach in his neighborhood.

Gray Eagle representative Stephanie Truchan said a meeting is planned with that neighborhood, which led the commission to postpone voting on the zoning amendment.

The commission received one written public comment from Julie Putman. She stated that she’s not in favor of the golf course’s plans.

“I feel the height of the nets at 150 feet (sic) is not appropriate for the residential area,” she stated. “I would suggest that the planners and the mayor go stand in New Hope’s parking lot and take a good long look at the impact the nets will have.”

Development plans call for a new two-story clubhouse with a restaurant and bar. It also would have hitting bays on the first and second floors. The bays would be on the east side of the building. Netting would be a maximum of 50 to 160 feet, depending on the location.

In comparison, Vukusich said Topgolf’s barrier netting is a maximum of 170 feet. That facility’s netting can be seen at 116th Street near I-69.

Gray Eagle Golf’s request will come back to the Fishers Plan Commission during its Sept. 6 meeting.

In other matters, the commission unanimously voted in favor of a zoning amendment allowing new signs at The Link at Fishers District, formerly known as the Navient Building. The building, at 11100 USA Pkwy., was a single-tenant space but has transitioned to a multi-tenant building, according to the planning department. It now houses Navient, IU Health and Burn Boot Camp.

Gray Eagle Golf on Brooks School Road in Fishers wants to build a new clubhouse with hitting bays and install barrier netting up to 160 feet high. (Rendering courtesy of the City of Fishers)

“I feel the height of the nets at 150 feet (sic) is not appropriate for the residential area. I would suggest that the planners and the mayor go stand in New Hope’s parking lot and take a good long look at the impact the nets will have.”

Fishers Fire teammates treasure Junior Olympics experience

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Four Fishers Fire track and field competitors had an experience to remember.

being on TV was so exciting to see,” he said. “I was so proud of myself and the team.”

Andrews placed in the top 20 in the long jump in the boys 8-and-under division.

ATHLETICS

The youngsters competed in the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Championships July 24-30 at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, where many Olympic greats have competed.

To qualify for the Junior Olympics, a participant must place in the top three in the state and the region before they are invited to compete at the national level.

The four Fishers Fire participants, part of the Mudsox program, were Jace Reardon McSoley, 11 years old; Jordan Andrews, 7; Emerson Schoenrock, 7; and Sterling Howard, 10.

Reardon McSoley competed in two events — the 3,000 and the 1,500 meters in the boys 11-12 division — achieving a personal record in both events while finishing top 40 nationally.

“The best part was running in Hayward Field where my favorite runner Usain Bolt ran,” Reardon McSoley said. “I want to run there again. I would love to go to school there and run.”

Reardon McSoley said he was excited to run his 3,000 meters in a time 27 seconds faster than his personal record.

“So, the track made me push hard, and

“When I looked at the stadium, I said this is definitely the Olympics,” he said. “I’ve never ran or jumped in a big, fancy stadium. This was way bigger and better. I think that made me want to get better and faster and I jumped a new personal record.”

Andrews said he didn’t even know about the Junior Olympics.

“I just wanted to get better at each practice,” he said. “When I went to Junior Olympics, even though I didn’t win a medal, I was happy that I qualified and performed my best and now I want to work hard to go back next year.”

Schoenrock finished in the top 20 in the 1,500 meters in the girls 8-and-under division.

“The best part of my experience was coming out of the tunnel in the stadium before my race,” Schoenrock said. “It was fun, and I liked getting USATF gear.”

Howard competed in the 1,500 run in the girls 9-10 division, finishing in the top 20.

“I really liked getting to run at such a cool track against the best competition in the United States,” she said. “Traveling with my teammates and family is always fun. I really want to keep working hard so I can come back soon and compete to be an All-American.”

From left, Sterling Howard, Emerson Schoenrock, Jace Reardon McSoley and Jordan Andrews at the Junior Olympics national meet. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Fire)

“I’m ready for my senior year.”

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Fishers announces new director of engineering

news@currentinfishers.com

Hatem Mekky has been promoted to director of engineering for the City of Fishers. Mekky had been the assistant director of that department and first joined the city in 2017.

forward to working with him as we continue to reinvest in our infrastructure to grow the quality of life here in Fishers.”

PROMOTION

According to an announcement from the city, in his new role, Mekky will oversee the department’s dayto-day operations and lead major initiatives, including roundabout redesign at 96th Street and Allisonville Road; a new roundabout at 116th Street and Allisonville Road; the Nickel Plate Trail; the Ind. 37 corridor project; roundabout improvements at Olio Road and Southeastern Parkway; and the widening of Cumberland Road as well as 136th Street.

“Hatem has played a pivotal role in the engineering department’s success on improving the city’s transportation infrastructure for residents and the general public,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stated. “I look

Prior to working at the City of Fishers, Mekky was a project manager at American Structurepoint, where he worked on multiple high-profile projects, including Ohio River bridges, Super 70, U.S. 31 Kokomo bypass, I-69 Expansion Phase 1 Segment 1 and Lanesville Connector (Peter J. Schickel Way). He was also a member of the Ind. 37 design team.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead our exceptional team with a vision for collaboration and innovation that will shape the future of our city,” Mekky stated. “I look forward to building infrastructure that will serve this community for years to come.”

A graduate of Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Mekky earned his master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS

The heat is on! And Bone Dry’s highly trained service techs are on the road and fully equipped to get your home’s air-conditioning ready for the season. Call today and ask about our Summer TuneUp Special for only $49.95! We can even be there the same day! Phone 317.454.7412 or visit bonedryhvac.com.

Mekky

HEPL audience member faces misdemeanor

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

An audience member forcibly removed from the July 27 Hamilton East Public Library board meeting faces a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

sections. He held up various copies of the Bible as examples, and when he sat back down, he dropped the books on the floor next to him.

CRIME

Adam Crouch, 48, of Franklin, was formally charged Aug. 3 by prosecutors in Hamilton County.

According to the probable cause statement filed by Fishers Police Department officer Luke Grover, he arrived to help another officer with a reported disturbance at the library board meeting, which was taking place at the Fishers Library.

Crouch was the first person to speak during public comment, which took place at the end of the library board meeting.

“After his allotted time to speak, Mr. Crouch returned to his seat and slammed down a stack of books while continuing to talk and engage with a board member, causing a reaction from multiple people attending the meeting and disrupting the remainder of the meeting,” Grover wrote in his statement to the court. “While other

members of the public were speaking to the board during their allotted time, officers continued to try to have Mr. Crouch leave, but he refused to get up and ignored officers. Officers had to grab onto Mr. Crouch and lift him out of his seat and escort him from the room while members

MORE OPTIONS FOR ELITE BRAIN AND SPINE CARE

of the board and the attending public were attempting to continue with the meeting.”

In his comments to the board, Crouch focused on the library’s collection review policy. He said there were numerous references in the Bible that make it eligible to be moved out of the children and teen

Board President Laura Alerding told Crouch he shouldn’t treat library property that way and asked him to leave after he spoke back to her from his seat. When he refused, she asked police officers to escort him out.

Crouch eventually was taken out in handcuffs by five officers while other audience members repeatedly yelled “Shame!”

Alerding cut off public comment soon after Crouch was removed, citing “constant disruptions” from those in the audience.

The misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct falls under Indiana code 35-45-13(a)(3), where a person “recklessly, knowingly or intentionally disrupts a lawful assembly of persons.” If found guilty, Crouch faces jail time of up to 180 days and a fine of up to $1,000. He has no prior criminal record, according to the state’s online database.

Crouch’s next scheduled court hearing in the matter is a pretrial conference set for 1 p.m. Sept. 26 in Hamilton County Court.

The Fishers Library hosted the July 27 Hamilton East Public Library board meeting. (Photo courtesy of HEPL)

Four boys arrested for Kia break-ins

news@currentinfishers.com

Four boys between the ages of 14 and 16 were arrested Aug. 6 for allegedly breaking into vehicles at the Napleton Kia of Fishers parking lot, 13417 Britton Park Rd.

CRIME

According to the Fishers Police Dept., officers were called at about 5 a.m. Aug. 6 to the car dealership. The business has a security video monitoring system on the property, which notified the Hamilton County Communications Center that several subjects appeared to be breaking into vehicles.

“Officers arrived in the area to investigate and observed one suspect running north across the property,” according to Fishers police. “At the same time, officers observed a black 2014 Kia Soul exit the parking lot.”

According to police, some officers searched the area on foot with a K-9 unit and a drone but did not locate the suspect who ran away. Other officers pursued the black Kia Soul that was headed northbound in the southbound lanes of Ind. 37.

“The suspect vehicle crossed the median before turning south in the southbound lanes near Greenfield Avenue in Noblesville,” a Fishers Police Department news release stated. “Officers deployed tire deflation devices. The suspect vehicle continued south and crashed near SR 37/I-69 near 116th Street. Four suspects fled from the vehicle on foot.”

The driver was taken into custody shortly after exiting the vehicle, according to police. The other three were found hiding in a dumpster.

The driver of the Kia Soul, a 16-year-old boy, has been charged with resisting law enforcement, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, auto theft, criminal mischief and operating a vehicle without a license. The other three boys, two 14-year-olds and one 15-year-old, face charges of resisting law enforcement, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, auto theft and criminal mischief.

Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been targeted for theft in recent months following a TikTok social media challenge that shows viewers how to steal those vehicles that lack an engine immobilizer security feature, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Presented by

Friday, August 25: Kids starting at 6 p.m.

Saturday, August 26: Teens at 5 p.m., Adults at 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 27: Finals & Award Ceremony at 5 p.m.

Contestants will be competing for up to $500 in cash prizes!

DISPATCHES

August StoryWalk — The August StoryWalk book is “Hello, Little One,” by Zeena M. Piska. The monthly event is a partnership between Fishers Parks and Hamilton East Public Library. Parents and their young children can take a self-guided reading walk on their own time with a featured book. Book locations vary each month. In August, the book takes readers on a walk through Ritchey Woods. A special storytime and craft also is available, set for 10 a.m. Aug. 2 at the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve.

Saxony Farmers Market runs through August — There’s just one month left for the Saxony Farmers market. The Fishers Saxony Market at 13578 E. 131st St. runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday through the end of August. There’s a little more time for the main farmers market in Fishers, however. The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater market runs weekly from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through September.

Remove invasives, receive free plants –The Hamilton County Invasives Partnership and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District will provide up to three, 3-gallon native trees or shrubs for free to Hamilton County residents who show proof of removal of an invasive species from their property. Learn more at hcinvasives.org.

Jury duty scam calls – The Hamilton County Courts are warning residents about a jury duty scam that has bilked dozens of people out of thousands of dollars. Scammers are calling residents and telling them they missed jury duty and have to pay a fine. Victims have reportedly lost upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 through gift cards and mobile payments like Zelle and Venmo. When in doubt, Court Administrator Jill Acklin recommends residents hang up and call 317-776-8589.

Bicentennial commission releases book – The Hamilton County Bicentennial Commission has released the official commemorative book of Hamilton County’s bicentennial, “Celebrating Hamilton County, Indiana: 200 Years of Change.” The glossy, 9-by-12-inch, full-color book features events and figures many people know and love, as well as never-before-published photographs, stories and oral histories. The book is available for purchase on Amazon and through MT Publishing Co. by visiting mtpublishing.com.

Westfield golfer’s confidence grows after successful summer

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Westfield High School senior golfer Samantha Brown’s main goal remains the same as it has all summer.

“I’m trying to hit as many greens as possible,” Brown said. “I feel like if I’m hitting greens, I have a chance at making putts. The more putts you make, the lower you go.”

The Purdue University-bound Brown won the Indiana Junior Girls PGA Championship at Purdue’s course in June and the Girls State Junior Championship at Coyote Crossing Golf Club in West Lafayette in July and tied for second in the Indiana Women’s Open in July at Kokomo Country Club. She finished third in early June at the Pete & Alice Dye Junior Invitational, a national tournament at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel.

“I feel like one of the big things for me this summer is confidence,” Brown said. “If you know you belong in the big tour-

MEET SAMANTHA BROWN

College plans: Play golf at Purdue University and study business

Favorite subject: English

Favorite athlete: Nelly Korda

Favorite type of music: Country

naments, you can compete at the national tournaments.”

Now, her goal is to finally break through to win the state high school individual title.

“I’ve never played well in the state finals,” she said. “My game just hasn’t been on.”

Brown finished tied for seventh in the IHSAA Girls Golf State Finals at Carmel’s Prairie View Golf Club in 2020, tied for 13th in 2021 and tied for sixth in 2022.

Shamrocks girls golf coach Josh Bryant

said Brown has had a tremendous high school and junior golf career.

“She came into high school as a multi-winner on the Indiana Junior PGA Golf tour,” Bryant said. “She was and still is an elite ball striker.”

Bryant said Brown’s Greens in Regulation percentages are some of the best he has seen throughout her junior golf career.

“This skill alone keeps her in most tournaments she plays in and would be enough to be competitive in every event, but she has taken that ability and pushed herself in all areas of her golf game,” Bryant said. “She has become a real student of the game as she has progressed through high school golf through her work with swing coaches and mentors, which has allowed her to improve off the tee, around the greens and course management.”

Bryant said he is most proud of the progress Brown has made with her mental game.

Brown is optimistic about the fourthranked Shamrocks’ chances of making a run at the IHSAA state championship after they won the State Preview tournament Aug. 5 at Prairie View. Teammate Brown tied for third while teammate Addi Kooi was the medalist.

Although Brown said the team didn’t play its best, it won by 11 strokes. It was Brown’s first high school tournament this season as she had just returned Aug. 4 from the Junior PGA Championship in Hot Springs, Ark.

Westfield High School girls golfer Samantha Brown’s aim is to win a state high school title. (Photo courtesy of Brown family)

Brown

Hey there, folks! Take a good look at this zoomed-in image we’ve snagged from a spot in Fishers. We want you to channel your inner Sherlock and head over to youarecurrent.com/mysterysnapshot to submit your best guess about where this photo was taken. Ready for the challenge? Check back next week for the answer.

Park is home to a community garden. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

SNAPSHOT CHALLENGE AUG.

First responders in Fishers participated in a crisis response training in July at Ascension St. Vincent Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Fire Dept.)

Fishers first responders participate in crisis training

news@currentinfishers.com

public safety.”

SAFETY

Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical responders in Hamilton County gathered for a threeday training in July to help first responders be better prepared if called for a crisis response.

The training was hosted by Ascension St. Vincent Fishers, which planned the event with Fishers fire and police departments. According to an announcement from Ascension St. Vincent, the goal was to enhance coordination between first responders in the event of a crisis.

“Throughout nine separate scenarios, teams were able to practice their response to a series of public safety emergencies,” the announcement stated. “The training showcases the coordinated response of Fishers Fire and Emergency Services, Fishers Police Department, and Ascension hospitals. This exercise provides valuable insights into each organization’s strategies, tactics and capabilities; and emphasizes their shared commitment to maintaining

In addition to Fishers first responders and those from Carmel and Noblesville, participants included hospital personnel and volunteer actors who played the part of injured victims.

“Fishers is our home. And so, I’m so happy that we’re able to partner with EMS, fire, and police to make this training successful for everyone and to help with the community and our safety,” stated Melanie Oliver, nursing administrator at Ascension St Vincent Fishers.

Sgt. Jay Settergren of the FPD’s highthreat response team stated that the partnership with Ascension St. Vincent provided a unique perspective.

“We’ve never been able to do a training exercise in a hospital before and it adds an entirely different element to how we would rescue civilians and what our response structure would be,” he stated.

“And we are extremely grateful for their partnership.”

Additional training is planned for the future, according to the announcement.

Joe Boarini, ball of foot pain patient

SIGNS OF NATURE

Eagle Scout project enhances new Fall Creek Woods Natural Area

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Fall Creek Woods Natural Area is almost hidden, and even GPS doesn’t give accurate directions to the 80-acre park on Southeastern Parkway in Fishers’ Fall Creek Township. Once you’re there, though, it’s a beautifully developed site with restored prairie land, woods and trails along Fall Creek.

Amay Kulkarni chose that scenic park for his Eagle Scout project — the final accomplishment of his Scouting experience. He researched the flora and fauna natural to the area and put the information online. Three physical signs he designed and installed in the park offer a QR code that visitors can scan to directly access that information, along with another QR code that links to Kulkarni’s original music for hikers to listen to as they enjoy nature.

“For this project, I mainly just really wanted to challenge myself when making a project,” said Kulkarni, a senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School. “I realized that I wanted to do something different, but also something that I could put my own, like, personal touch on, which is why I wanted to put my own music on there.”

Kulkarni said he worked closely with Fall Creek Township board member Brian Baehl when brainstorming the design and how to implement Kulkarni’s vision.

“After that, I started working on researching the natural species of the area for the informational aspect,” he said. “At the same time, (I was) also creating music — creating relaxing kind of nature-theme music isn’t something that I’m usually used to. So, I had to do some listening and research for that, as well.”

Kulkarni also worked with a web developer for the digital piece of the project, he said, and gathered a team of volunteer Scouts to help assemble and install the signs, which are 2 feet square, angled and mounted on posts.

“We obviously had to dig a hole, 2-feet deep, put the posts in (and) fill it up with concrete so then it’d be sturdy in there,” he said. “And then we painted the posts.”

One of the signs is in the prairie area. Two others are along the forest trail — one offering information about the woods and the other about the creek.

Baehl said Kulkarni’s signs are the second Eagle Scout project at Fall Creek Woods — the first was a series of bluebird boxes. He said the high-tech features in Kulkarni’s project are unique, and he’s pleased with how the signs enhance the park and provide information for visitors through the links.

Baehl noted that the township wants the park to host more service projects like Kulkarni’s.

Kulkarni’s mother, Mehuli Kulkarni, said she’s happy her son chose to do this particular project, because it’s close to their home.

“Because as a parent, when they fly away (from) this nest — when he’s gone — we live very close to this, we will

be walking this park and we will always be seeing here something that he has created,” she said. “And that makes us so proud.”

His father, Rajesh Kulkarni, said he encouraged his son to go for the Eagle Scout rank, telling him, “Scouting is fun, camping is fun, but Eagle (Scout) is a whole different level. Not everyone makes it, so if you want to get to the Eagle (Scout), then you have to kind of start integrating some of this in your mindset right now and start thinking about projects.”

Achieving the Eagle Scout rank involves a series of ranks and merit badges that must be achieved.

The family thanked a fellow Scout parent, Scoutmaster Al Kane. Mehuli Kulkarni said that as immigrants, she and her husband were not familiar with Scouts, and Kane helped them all.

“He was there with his kids as well, and he just has a personality where Amay felt very comfortable,” she said. “He was a very, very shy kid. We wanted him to go to Scouting because he was very introverted and very shy — very determined, but introverted. But he was very comfortable with Mr. Kane, and one of the reasons why we chose Troop 109 is because he was there.”

Amay Kulkarni said he appreciates the support of his parents, Baehl, Kane, all the people who donated to the project, and his brother, Shlok.

“He’s definitely been my biggest support for my music,” Amay said. “He listens to everything I’ve made — probably

hundreds of music files I have. And you know, all the music here I had him critique and judge. So, yes, he’s always been there for my music and for everything else.”

While Kulkarni’s Eagle Scout project is complete, it still needs to be submitted for final review. He said he’s waiting for a last few letters of recommendation before turning it in.

ON

FALL CREEK WOODS NATURAL AREA

The 80-acre Fall Creek Woods Natural Area has been developed by Fall Creek Township under the supervision of Trustee Doug Allman. The site offers about 3 miles of hiking trails. In September 2022, the township broke ground on new boardwalk bridges at the park, including switchbacks to provide pedestrian access to the top of steep ravines overlooking Fall Creek.

The property includes previous farmland that has been planted with native grasses and wildflowers. It is open to the public from dawn to dusk. No pets are allowed in the natural area.

For more about Fall Creek Woods Natural Area, visit fallcreektwp.com/fall-creek-woods.

From left, Mehuli Kulkarni, Brian Baehl, Amay Kulkari and Rajesh Kulkarni visit Fall Creek Woods Nature Area. (Photo by Adam Seif)

THE COVER: From left, Rajesh, Mehuli and Amay Kulkarni and Brian Baehl with one of the signs Amay installed at Fall Creek Woods Nature Area (Photo by Adam Seif)

Ivy Tech to offer training for trucking industry

By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.com

Ivy Tech Community College’s Hamilton County campus in Noblesville is partnering with an Indianapolis truck driving school to provide training and career opportunities in the trucking industry.

providing our students with high-quality education and career opportunities in growing sectors. The trucking industry offers stability, excellent earning potential and the chance to play a crucial role in keeping our economy moving.”

EDUCATION

Ivy Tech will collaborate with DriveCo CDL Learning Center, an Indianapolis-based truck driving school that campus officials said will “address the growing demand for skilled truck drivers and empower individuals with the necessary skills for a rewarding career in transportation.”

“Through this partnership, Ivy Tech Hamilton County students will have access to DriveCo CDL Learning Center’s industry-leading commercial driver’s license (CDL) training program,” according to a news release from Ivy Tech.

Instructors from DriveCo CDL Learning Center will provide hands-on training and instruction, which will cover essential driving techniques, safety protocols and industry regulations, according to Ivy Tech, which said that students will also gain proficiency in vehicle inspection, maneuvering and defensive driving skills.

“We are excited to partner with DriveCo CDL Learning Center to offer our students a direct pathway to the thriving trucking industry,” said Rachel Kartz, interim chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College’s Hamilton County campus. “This collaboration aligns with Ivy Tech’s commitment to

Students who complete the CDL training program will receive a certificate of completion from DriveCo CDL Learning Center that will demonstrate their proficiency and readiness for employment, according to Ivy Tech, which said that students will also sit for the state CDL skills test to obtain their CDL.

“Our partnership with Ivy Tech Hamilton County allows us to combine our expertise in CDL training with Ivy Tech’s reputable educational programs,” said Karen Orosz, school director of DriveCo CDL Learning Center. “We are proud to contribute to the development of a highly skilled workforce that meets the industry’s demands. Through this collaboration, we are fostering opportunities for career growth and economic prosperity.”

The American Trucking Association said that 8.4 million people were employed throughout the economy in jobs that relate to trucking activity in 2022, according to the Washington, D.C.,-based organization’s website. A total of 3.54 million truck drivers were employed in 2022, an increase of 1.5 percent over the prior year, the organization said.

For more, contact Julie Miller by emailing julie.mitchell@driveco.org or call 317-779-0551.

Ivy Tech Community College in Hamilton County is offering truck-driver training. (File photo)

OneZone announces four board members

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

OneZone Chamber of Commerce recently announced the appointment of four new members to its board of directors.

CHAMBER

“These new members bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion to our organization, further strengthening our mission of helping businesses and communities thrive,” the announcement states.

The new members joining the Chamber of Commerce board are:

• Dr. Tom Koch of Beck’s Hybrids

• Mark LaBarr of Duke Energy

• Steve Nelson of Mr. Muffin’s Trains

• Mindi McMillan of Fairgate Farms

“These individuals have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their respective fields and a shared commitment

to fostering economic prosperity in the communities we serve,” the announcement states. “Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will ensure that the chamber of commerce continues to be a dynamic and forward-thinking organization.”

OneZone Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization serving the business communities of Carmel and Fishers since 2015, when the chambers from those two communities merged. OneZone recently partnered with Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce, which maintains its own board of directors.

Koch Nelson

LaBarr McMillan

Navigating the arc of life

Commentary by Terry Anker

We leave the world the same way we enter it, naked and alone — so goes the modern retelling of Ecclesiastes 5:15. For those of us who prefer the original, “As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.” Like much of the accumulated wisdom of humankind, the admonishment is open for some degree of interpretation. Is the crux of the message to inform us that worldly possessions do not pass with us into a next existence — reminding us therefore of the folly to build our entire beings around them? Or it could be to better help us to prepare for the natural arc of life?

ESSAY

tween, we build a family, a home and a career only to arrive at a point no longer filled with mortgage payments, back-to-school nights, anniversaries and early morning staff meetings. We go from a life of leisure to one of great obligation and back again. If this curve is assured, what elements of our youth might we anticipate as we slide down the back end of the slope? Children smile effortlessly. They worry little. They are curious and willing to learn without embarrassment. They largely know no shame. They forgive as easily as they love. They take help as offered and let you know how they feel. They eat as they wish and play with their favorite toys for hours. If our return is guaranteed, could we find joy even as we confront the diapers?

We begin life nearly helpless and often end it almost the same way. We grow, learn and obtain an ever-increasing set of physical skills until we begin to shrink, forget and lose mastery of our corporal self. In be-

Wasn’t exactly fun money

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

“Have a yard sale!” they said. “It’ll be fun!” they said. Alas, dear readers, I naively fell for their hateful lies and recently turned my driveway into a B-grade flea market smelling of sweat and desperation. I did make around $500 and managed to purge more than a decade of accumulated trinkets and trash from our basement and several forgotten closets, but fun?

wanted, nay, needed, a semi-broken train set circa 1998 or a collection of mismatched Christmas mugs. I even meticulously stickered every item with pink price tags in anticipation of a fast-paced, crowded Saturday.

HUMOR

Absolutely not.

For starters, I spent days sifting through boxes and containers sorting everything from old college textbooks to my husband Doo’s outdated hunting equipment into three categories: Throw Away, Keep and Sell/Donate. The thrill of rediscovering a beloved wedding photo was vastly outweighed by the hours hunched over baskets full of discarded Barbie accessories and probable exposure to mold.

Next, I had to haul the junk upstairs, wipe away dirt and spider webs and arrange charming vignettes in such a fashion as to draw the buyer in, to make them think they

Of course, then it rained. I nearly stroked out last-minute prepping in my hot, humid garage before finally deciding to postpone it until the following day, when I had to compete with dumb church services and family lunches. Ugh. Where are all the people?

Ultimately, I made some cash and cleared our storage room by half, and Goodwill received two van loads of decent artwork, toys and glassware. But my friends are big, fat liars. Because having a yard sale was definitely not fun.

Peace out.

Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.

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

“I had to haul the junk upstairs, wipe away dirt and spider webs and arrange charming vignettes in such a fashion as to draw the buyer in.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

CONSU M E 2023 FALL

DINING GUIDE

Consume will be delivered to 130,959 households on Sept. 5, 2023 Its mission is to help our audience get dialed in on where to gather for gastro delights with an autumn focus, among others. It will have meaningful content packaged with targeted advertising messages to help readers choose from among dining and entertainment spots in Carmel, Fishers, Lawrence/Geist, Noblesville, Westfield and Zionsville. There, they can gather with friends and family for fall specials, outdoor dining and football watching, as well as other pursuits. Consume will feature which establishments have fall specials and fall-centric menus, fall-inspired cocktails and fall attractions; it will cover restaurants, bars, breweries and coffee shops. So, Consume, because it’s good for your business!

For advertising opportunities, email ads@youarecurrent.com

Autumn Elegance

STYLE SHOW & LUNCHEON

Riverview Health Auxiliary invites you to the Autumn Elegance Style Show & Luncheon featuring the latest fashions by The Secret Ingredient.

When: Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Where: The Bridgewater Club, 3535 East 161st Street, Carmel, IN 46033

Registration & Shopping: 10:30 a.m.-noon Style Show & Luncheon: 12 p.m.

Sponsored by Riverview Health Medical Staff

$60/ticket

A different word for everything

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

One of the things on my bucket list is to be fluent in another language. My wife Mary Ellen and I are planning a trip to Mexico this winter, so I decided to look into the many apps that you hear advertised on the radio like Babbel, a lousy name for an application that claims to help you speak a new language clearly. There was also Rosetta Stone and Duolingo.

HUMOR

I opted for Duolingo and am achieving some success. Up until now, the app has been pretty good, so long as I speak only in the present tense and want to order only beans and rice at a restaurant. It also gives me different scenarios and then provides the terminology I might employ in those situations, like at a library or a café. Here’s one:

• You are walking down the street alone. You see a stranger. You ask for directions and then strike up a conversation. You suggest having a drink where you can talk, maybe get to know each other better and then plan to have some fun together.

This sounds to me like a chapter from “Spanish 101 for Street Walkers.”

Now, in my sixth month of study, I get the feeling that Duolingo is running out of new things for me to translate from English to Spanish. The sentences below are actual examples from Unit 14 along with a few editorial remarks by me. All are 100 percent true. Totalmente Cierto!

• Yesterday, the birds cleaned the kitchen.

• (What about the bottom of their cage?)

• The horse and the cow went out for dinner.

• (Good luck. It’s hard to find a good vegan restaurant in Indiana)

• My cat cleans the house.

• (But his litter box is still a disgusting mess)

• The duck learned to use the toilet.

• (But never flushes or puts the lid down)

• The pig wrote a letter to his grandmother.

• (How many pigs still have a living grandmother?)

• The horse is taking lessons in German.

• (But is having trouble putting on the lederhosen)

• The cats are learning Chinese.

• (Big deal, they are Siamese cats)

• Pigs can learn to spell.

• (Yes, and they think “farm” is spelled E I E I O.)

I doubt I will ever have to use any of these phrases, but it’s always good to be prepared. For example, right now I have to wrap up this column quickly. There is a lot going on in my house and I need to attend to it now…

• Mi cerdo y mi vaca estan en la computadora pidiendo una pizza de anchoasa entregar.

• (My pig and my cow are on the computer ordering an anchovy pizza to be delivered)

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 oncemonthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.

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

“I opted for Duolingo and am achieving some success. Up until now, the app has been pretty good, so long as I speak only in the present tense and want to order only beans and rice at a restaurant.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

CCP’s musical revue seeks to raise funds for permanent home

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Carmel Community Players will celebrate its 30th birthday Aug. 16.

‘SOPHISTICATED LADIES’

“Sophisticated Ladies” runs through Aug. 20 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

PAULSON AND SCHARBROUGH

PERFORMANCES

A nice gift would be a new home. The acting company has not had a permanent home since it had to leave Clay Terrace in 2018.

Carmel Community Players will hold a two-night fundraiser featuring a musical revue of the works of Jerry Herman called “Jerry’s Girls” Aug. 18-19 at Woodland Country Club of Carmel in the grand ballroom. The reception starts at 6:30 p.m. with the performance at 7:30 p.m. each night. There also will be a silent auction and prizes. Proceeds benefit the CCP Capital Fund.

“For the next 30 years, we hope we only have one new home,” longtime CCP board member Rich Phipps said.

Since April 2018, after its lease was terminated at Clay Terrace, CCP has performed at four different venues: 17 productions at The Cat in Carmel, four productions at the Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville, three productions at the Switch Theatre in Fishers and one at the Carmel Friends Church

CCP was issued a certificate of incorporation as a nonprofit corporation on Aug. 16, 1993, by Indiana Secretary of State Joe Hogsett, now Indianapolis mayor. CCP performed its first production, “Once Upon a Mattress,” later that month at what was then Carmel Junior High School.

Phipps, a Carmel resident who has been on the board since 2009 and is CCP’s treasurer, attended the first public meeting of the Carmel Community Players in early 1993 before it was incorporated.

“I went to the meeting expecting this group would be saying they are going to put on a show, but they were much more ambitious than that,” Phipps said. “Right from the get-go, they wanted to put together complete theatrical seasons with productions of all ages with musicals, comedies and youth shows. The emphasis

was really on community.

“It’s not just the name, it was fundamental to the whole identity of the organization. CCP people started participating in everything from the CarmelFest Parade, Carmel International Arts Festival and they sang at the farmers market.”

In the past 30 years, CCP has performed 137 shows, along with more than 30 cabarets, talent shows and fundraisers.

There were 23 productions, all plays, at 15th 1st Street NE in Carmel, a 60-seat venue fondly referred to as “Studio 15,” Phipps said.

There were 25 productions, mostly musicals, at the former Carmel Performing Arts Center at 575 West Carmel Dr., which is now Piano Solutions.

Then there were 46 productions at Clay Terrace’s Playhouse, which had approximately 120 seats. The first one was presented in October 2009 and the final one began in February 2018.

“(Clay Terrace) was almost like a permanent home, but we always knew it was year to year on the lease,” he said.

There are several advantages to having a permanent home.

“Some directors only really want to direct shows where they can release on location,” Phipps said. “To pick up a show from a rehearsal site and only move in a couple days before opening night, it limits what you can do. It limits what kind of set

From left, Vickie Cornelius Phipps and Susan Smith (with Marilyn Monroe) in CCP’s 2007 production of “Nunsense” at Clay Middle School. Both actresses will be featured in “Jerry’s Girls” at the CCP Fundraising Gala. (Photo courtesy of CCP)

you can have. You can’t be as ambitious in your vision of the show.”

The Cat, for instance, has a smaller stage, so it limits the cast size.

“From an audience perspective, it gets confusing where you are going to be,” he said. “We lose patrons that way because senior citizens, in particular, might not want to drive all over the place to try to find us.”

Phipps said it’s hard to find directors if they don’t know the production site.

“I’ve only directed a few shows, but I’d never want to direct a show without knowing where we were going to put it on because it impacts everything in terms of the staging and how much room you have and what kind of set you have,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest driver along with controlling your own destiny in putting on the shows when you want to put them on.”

“Jerry’s Girls” features six women with ties to CCP and Herman’s shows, such as “Hello, Dolly!” and “Mame.”

Phipps’ wife Vickie is one of the six performers, along with Susan Smith from Carmel. The others are Fishers residents Diane Tsao and Jill O’Malia, Heather Hansen of Zionsville and Georgeanna Teipen of Greenfield.

Tickets are $75 or $500 for a table of eight. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

Joe Paulson and Sarah Scharbrough will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Freeform Concert Series presents Steve Everett with Jefferson Rinck at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Admission is free for this series. There is a $25 food and beverage minimum per person. Deception: An Event of Magic & Lies’ is set for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 and Nicolas King & Seth Sikes —The New Belters will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

SYMPHONY ON THE PRAIRIE

The Marshall Tucker Band will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 18 and Unforgettable Fire: U2 Tribute Show is set for 8 p.m. Aug. 19 in the Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie in Fishers. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.

“FOUR

OLD BROADS’

“Four Old Broads” will be featured Aug. 1827 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

DISPATCH

Documentary set for PBS showings — “The Addict’s Wake,” a documentary on the opioid crisis in Brown County, is being released nationally on PBS this month. It will show at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 26 on WIPB, the Ball State University PBS station and at 9 p.m. Aug. 31 on WFYI, Indianapolis’ station. Amy Pauszek, a Geist resident whose photo column Where’s Amy appears in Current newspapers, and former Fishers residents Lisa Hall were the producers, and Zionsville resident Michael Husain was the director.

Where’s Amy?

Where’s Amy attended the one-night only performance of “La Casa Azul” Aug. 5 at the Palladium at the Center for The Performing Arts in Carmel. The production was a collaboration with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and the Carmel Symphony Orchestra on

Gregory Hancock’s musical about the life of artist Frida Kahlo. The night ended with a VIP reception, where guests had a chance to mingle with the cast, board members and crew. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

Where’s Amy attends

From left, “La Casa Azul” vocal Director Tammy Anderson (Indianapolis), stage director Georgina Escobar (New York City), CSO conductor Janna Hymes (Carmel) and composer, choreographer, producer Gregory Hancock (Carmel). (Photos by Amy Pauszek)

“La Casa Azul” composer, choreographer, producer Gregory Hancock (Carmel) with cast member Jessica Crum Hawkins (Fishers), who played Frida Khalo.

‘La Casa Azul’

Pauszek is a photographer, award winning film producer and scouting and casting associate for Talent Fusion Agency in Indianapolis. She can be reached at Amy@youarecurrent.com. To see more of her photos, visit currentnightandday.com.

Islamic Theatre presents new play

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Mohammad Amin is convinced theater provides strong benefits.

PRODUCTION

“Our goal is to give confidence to kids, especially children of immigrants and refugees, to be able to communicate stories to a different audience,” said the Carmel resident, who founded the Lantern Islamic Theater Co. “It also helps children develop skills.”

The company’s second full production is “Halima at the Flying Hijab,” set for 7 p.m. Aug. 18–19 at Eman School, 11965 Allisonville Rd., Fishers. The first play was presented last summer.

Amin, a 2016 Carmel High School graduate, wrote the play with Hana Shatara Sobers, a Whitestown resident. Sobers also has a role in it.

“It’s about a little girl whose time it is to put on the hijab, but she is not ready and tells a big lie,” Sobers said. “It’s about the truth you are not comfortable with and realizing you have to tell the truth.”

fourth-grader from McCordsville, plays Halima.

“The hardest part is memorizing all my lines,” she said.

Atif Baloch, Fishers, plays a role as a protester. His son, Zohair Boloch, is playing Imam, who is accused of stealing Halima’s hijab.,

Musa Sethi, a Fishers resident and a freshman at Eman, enjoys interacting with people in the cast.

The group is supported by the Alhuda Foundation mosque in Fishers.

Tickets are $10 and available at Eventbrite and at the door.

Time for fall beers

Commentary by Mark LaFay

The kids are going back to school, and in my opinion, that means it’s fall. I know it isn’t officially fall yet. I mean, we haven’t had Labor Day weekend, and the temperatures are still ebbing and flowing between 80 and “make it stop.” But we are deep in the heart of August. Currently, we are wrapping up fall guides, pumpkin beers are coming back on tap, and the smell of pumpkin-spiced bacon (yes, that is a thing) can be faintly detected on the easterly breezes. One of the many things I love about fall is the food and the beverage. I don’t drink much beer anymore, but I love a good Oktoberfest and pumpkin beer. Judge me. I don’t care. Generally speaking, these Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers are only available this time of year. If you don’t have a favorite, here are four options to get you going.

UPLAND OKTOBERFEST

Upland makes killer beer. Champagne Velvet is my favorite beer. This is a delicious beer that is more of a märzen than a true fest beer. It is malty, crisp and delicious. Grab one at their new tap house in Clay Ter-

race (opening soon).

NEW HOLLAND

ICHABOD

New Holland is in New Holland, Mich. The pumpkin beer, Ichabod, is out of control. It is brewed with real pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg and it is lower in alcohol, which I prefer. This used to be bottle-only but is now available in cans.

BIG LUG OKTOBERFEST

Available primarily at the brewery and various Sahm restaurants, this is a traditional fest beer that is fuller bodied than a pilsner, light in color and absolutely delicious.

MOONTOWN KING OF TROY

This isn’t a fest beer, it is essentially a Dortmunder in style, which is not as rich as beer. But it is lights-out delicious, and I’ll drink it year-round.

Mark LaFay is a butcher, certified sommelier and founder of Old Major Market, 4021 Millersville Rd., Suite 107A, Indianapolis

Lina Fatnassi, 9-year-old Eman School

The cast of “Halima at the Flying Hijab” will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 18–19 at Eman School, 11965 Allisonville Rd., Fishers. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

MEETING FOR INDOT DES #s 2003081 and 2003082

S.R.13 Roundabouts in Hamilton, Madison and Tipton Counties

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will host a public information meeting to discuss the proposed construction of two roundabouts on State Road (S.R.) 13 in Hamilton, Madison and Tipton counties.

What: INDOT Public Information Meeting

When: Thursday, August 17, 2023

5 to 7 p.m.; presentation at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Lapel High School Auditorium

1850 S 900 W, Lapel, IN 46051

The first roundabout is proposed at the intersection of S.R. 13 and Strawtown Avenue/West 8th Street near Perkinsville. The second roundabout would be located at the intersection of S.R. 13/37 and S.R. 128/East 296th Street near Elwood.

The purpose of the public open house is to give residents an opportunity to learn more about the proposed roundabouts and to provide feedback to the project team. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. Project maps and handouts will be available for public review before and after the presentation at an open house session.

The purpose of the project is to improve safety and mobility at both intersections. Existing two-way stop intersections would be converted to single-lane roundabouts at an estimated cost of $3 to 4 million per intersection.

INDOT is committed to ensuring that all public meetings are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you require special accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Erin Pipkin at erin@compassoutreachsolutions.com or (317) 966-7301 in advance of the meeting.

A visit to Ketchikan and Revillagigedo Island

Commentary by Don Knebel

Today, in our continuing tour of Alaska, we make the first of two visits to Ketchikan.

TRAVEL

Ketchikan is on Revillagigedo Island at the southern end of Alaska’s portion of the famous Inside Passage, a waterway that snakes around the islands and fjords in Alaska’s Panhandle and along the coast of British Columbia. Before Europeans came onto the island, the indigenous Tlingit people used it for a fish camp. In 1885, an Oregon canning company sent Mike Martin to Revillagigedo Island to establish a salmon cannery, which soon supported a town. Ketchikan, named after the Tlingit name for a creek running through town, was incorporated in 1900. In 1903, the town enacted an ordinance banning brothels from the downtown area, west of Ketchikan Creek. Until they were shut down in in 1954, a number of brothels operated along Creek Street, a boardwalk perched above the east side of Ketchikan Creek in what was then disparagingly called “Indian Town.”

Today, Ketchikan is a picturesque city

with a population of about 8,000. Each summer, cruise ships make about 500 stops in Ketchikan’s harbor, bringing in about 1 million visitors. Ketchikan bills itself as “Alaska’s First City” and the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Because of its rainfall, Ketchikan is also sometimes called the “Rain Capital of Alaska.” Ketchikan and the surrounding area include the largest collection of standing totem poles in the world. Until recently, the Chief Kyan pole in Whale Park near the center of town was featured on Page 25 of U.S. passports. The historic buildings along Creek Street have

been restored. The Star Building, named for the star in the center of its maple dance floor, was once the largest brothel in town and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Dolly’s House, another former brothel on Creek Street, is now a museum.

Hard look at lazy words

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

“could’ve” (not could of), and “would’ve” (not would of).

GRAMMAR GUY

Because Americans value efficiency, we combine multiple words into one super word. One way we do this is through contractions. These words include don’t (do not), we’ve (we have), and can’t (can not). Yes, contractions increase our efficiency, so we have more time to manage our burgeoning stock portfolios while refilling our Big Gulps (for free). But some contractions can be tricky.

Have you ever been tripped up by “should’ve?” Should’ve is a contraction for “should have.” For example: I should’ve worn sunscreen when we were at the zoo.

This is a truism for me even on cloudy days. I can get a sunburn through a T-shirt during a solar eclipse.

What about “should of”? As Americans, sometimes we talk so quickly, we say things like “shoulda,” which is an even shorter way of saying “should’ve.” Many people mistakenly think this phrase is “should of.” “Should of” is incorrect and should never be spoken, typed, or otherwise communicated. The same rule applies for “must’ve” (not must of),

If someone you care about uses “should of,” wait until you have some one-on-one time with them, calmly sit them down, and then gently correct them. Please don’t correct them in public; that’s the quickest way to lose friends and end up with a house full of cats (I believe the politically correct term is “fur babies”).

In general, contractions like “should’ve” are still regarded as informal speech, so, if you’re writing your doctoral dissertation or cover letter to be hired as a lawyer, avoid these shortcut words. However, in everyday conversations, feel free to contract away.

After all, the first amendment grants us free speech—and—since it’s the first one, that probably means that it’s the best.

What do you think? Are shortcut words like these lazy, efficient or a mixture of both?

Don Knebel is a local resident. For the full column visit donknebel.com. You may contact him at editorial@ youarecurrent.com.

The Chief Kyan totem pole in Ketchikan, Alaska.

(Photo by Don Knebel)

39. Pacific Island nation

41. Convent dweller

42. Like a neglected garden

43. “...ish”

44. The Melting Pot concoction

46. Sandra or Ruby

47. “Later!”

49. Flub

50. There are 220 in 44-Down (Abbr.)

51. Corydon’s Spring Wine Walk mo.

52. Jockey rival

54. Coach Parseghian

57. Senior member

59. In addition

63. Purdue campus quarters

65. Lin-___ Miranda of “Hamilton”

67. Local company whose CEO’s name can be found in the puzzle’s circles

68. Mountaineer’s tool

69. Tide type

70. “People Puzzler” channel

71. Pompous walk Down

1. Gawk

26. Ray Skillman inventory

27. Fashion Mall unit

28. Taste or touch

31. Demanding attention

32. Finished

33. Eyelid woes

36. “Becoming a vegetarian is a big missed steak,” e.g.

37. Make beloved

40. “The Naked Maja” artist

42. “Those ___ the days”

44. Hoosier Park distance

45. Grecian pot

48. Basile Center performance

52. Macho guys

53. More logical

54. Yemeni port

55. Civic Theatre part

56. Kind of code

58. IU Health VIPs

60. Hawaiian feast

61. Send some pixxx?

62. Bullring bravo

at the Pacemates

2. Close

3. ___ Drive-In

4. Noblesville lodge member

5. Colts stats

6. Former IND carrier

7. Indy newspaper

8. Included for free

9. Itinerary preposition

10. Comparison words

11. John’s Famous ___ (Indy restaurant)

12. Part of NBA, briefly 13. Appropriate 15. ___ & Young (accounting firm)

19. Japanese garment

22. Pre-Euro currency

23. Indiana’s Lincoln

25. Rope fiber

Butler “Pre-” Majors

Elkhart County Courthouse Home

64. NFL award won five times by Peyton Manning 65. Prefix meaning “wrong”

66. Perform with the Mud Creek Players Answers on Page 22

ARMESON LECTRIC LLC

Boarding/Daycare for Small & Medium Dogs at My Home in Carmel!

Susan 317-432-1627 pawptrl@aol.com

Fenced Yard

24 Years

Experience

Luv the dogs

dogs, kennel upkeep, and other tasks related to keeping our guests happy and comfortable. Hours are from 7 AM to 12 PM or 3 to 8 PM with potential for 18 - 35 hours per week. Part-time Front Desk Assistant: responsible for corresponding with clients through emails ,phone, and in- person as well as various computer tasks. Hours are 8:30 to 11:30 AM or 4:30 to 7:30 PM and as needed. Applicants should have availability on weekdays as well as occasional weekends and holidays. Interested? Have questions

Email:huntclubkennel@gmail.com

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SHOP TO CALL HOME?

Integrity Automotive is looking for a full time automotive technician. In business for 28 years in downtown Carmel with a solid, happy customer base and a positive, good-natured work environment. The best candidate is a motivated, well-organized technician with at least three years hands on experience in automotive diagnosis, problem-solving and repair. Able to interpret and apply diagnostic/repair information from computerized databases and other sources. Also able communicate clearly and effectively with your supervisor, your fellow employees and, as needed, with customers. A complete job description is available with a request to frontdesk@integrityautomotive. net. We offer competitive pay with a Monday through Friday work week and (after 90 days) up to four sick/personal days per year and paid holidays. To schedule an interview, send your resume with contact information to: frontdesk@integrityautomotive.net

40 S Rangeline Rd Carmel Indiana 46032 www.IntegrityAutomotive.net