May 21, 2024 — Lawrence/Geist

May 21, 2024

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Miracle League aims to expand teams for people with disabilities

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

In January 2023, fundraising efforts began in Westfield to create an adaptive baseball field for people with disabilities.

BASEBALL

More than a year later, the owners of Roundtripper Sports Academy are close to having a dedicated field at their sports complex at 16708 Southpark Dr. as Miracle League of Westfield athletes finish up their second season.

Miracle League is an international nonprofit that provides people with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. Miracle League has more than 250 leagues across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. But so far, there are no dedicated Miracle League baseball fields in Indiana.

“Our goal is to be the first official Miracle League in the state of Indiana with a fully accessible baseball field,” said Jenna Hoffman, volunteer with Miracle League of Westfield. “The mission of Miracle League is to give every person, no matter their abilities, the opportunity to play baseball, ages 0 to 99.”

Hoffman and other volunteers partnered with Sue and Chris Estep, owners of Roundtripper, to help make that dream a reality. In January 2023, the organization held a kickoff fundraising event, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Roundtripper. The event got the fundraising ball rolling, and last year they were able to host their first season.

“We’ll do a four-week league every spring and fall right now, and then we’ll adjust as the number of kids are added,” Sue Estep said. “As the league grows, we can do both a competitive and a noncompetitive. Our league is noncompetitive now, but there are definitely some kids that you can see would thrive in a little bit more of a competitive league. Our goal is to get to that point.”

Hoffman said players in Westfield’s league range in age from 3 to 19, but the plan is to establish leagues based on age group and abilities.

“Some kids want to play real baseball, but because of whatever their ability is, they’re not able to play in a typical recreation league,” Hoffman said. “But what we can offer is a competitive league for those kids as well as a league for adults and so

Miracle League of Westfield held its inaugural season in fall 2023 with 25 participants. This spring, the league doubled in size — from two teams initially to four — mostly thanks to word of mouth.

“We want to slowly learn as we grow, but the interest is always high,” Hoffman said.

For Hoffman, the league is as much personal as it is a volunteer opportunity. Her daughter, 8-year-old Londyn Hoffman, was born with a disability and was diagnosed three years ago with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissue. In remission for nearly 18 months, Londyn is a 2024 Riley Champion, and baseball is an important part of her journey.

“My husband and I have deep roots in baseball. It’s just a big part of our family,” Hoffman said. “So, three or four years ago we came to Chris and Sue and just kind of had an idea — and here we are.”

In its first two seasons, Miracle League of Westfield played games on the indoor field at Roundtripper. But the goal of the fundraising effort is to raise enough funds to convert the outdoor softball field to a multi-use surface that can be used by Miracle League players as well as softball players.

“That will allow us to separate out and run two leagues simultaneously,” Estep said.

So far, Estep said they have raised $200,000 to put toward the new surface, which will be retrofitted onto the outdoor softball field to include removing the infield, compacting the dirt underneath, then adding a new hybrid turf field. Since Miracle League fields are smaller than standard youth diamonds, the accessible field will

take up most of the infield of the softball field after the conversion.

“We put a lot of the work in already, so we’re not starting from an open field,” Estep said. “We already have drainage, we already have a lot of that infrastructure there, so it makes this conversion much more affordable. As the league grows, we’ll take it as far as the demand. We really want to get up and running, because we feel like once we get this in place, that’s where we’ll hopefully be able to do divisions within the league.”

Hoffman said a big part of Miracle League of Westfield’s success the first two seasons has been thanks to volunteers, affectionately known as “Angels in the Outfield.”

“Sometimes, it seems like the volunteers get more out of it than the players do in just that 45-minute experience,” Hoffman said. “And it’s nice to get the parents the opportunity to be in the stands and their child is participating in an actual baseball game. Let the volunteers do their thing, the parents’ job is to just sit there and watch.”

Although most of the league is Westfield-based, participants also come from surrounding areas. The league hopes that as the organization grows, it can attract players from across central Indiana.

“The families just want to see their kids be a part of something that otherwise there just aren’t many opportunities out there,” Hoffman said.

The tentative dates for the fall season are Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 22 and Sept. 29. Parents will fill out a questionnaire at signup for the all-volunteer staff to understand their child’s needs.

For more, including registration information, visit miracleleagueofwestfield.com.

Participants and volunteers for Miracle League of Westfield held their second season this spring. (Photo courtesy of Miracle League of Westfield/Roundtripper Sports Academy)

Lawrence BPW

OKs matching grant agreement

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

The City of Lawrence Board of Public Works reviewed and approved a matching grants agreement for improvements to local roads and bridges during the board’s May 9 meeting.

ROADS

Board Member Zach Brown, who also is the city’s chief of staff, said the agreement bundles a handful of awards that came through the state’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program.

“These funds are to be used for road paving projects around the city,” he said. “I actually have a list of the projects that it will affect this year — roads within the Geist Valley Estates subdivision are included; 52nd Street from North German Church to Sandwood Drive inside of the Winding Ridge subdivision is included; Birmingham Drive and Short Iron Lane, also in Winding Ridge and the Fairways East subdivision of Winding Ridge, are included; and, finally, County Line Road from Pendleton Pike to 79th Street — so Carroll Road from the Pike up to 79th.”

Brown said the city has obligated the required matching funds for the grants, which total about $1 million.

Also May 9, the board approved a motion declaring a city police vehicle as surplus equipment. The 1985 Chevy Blazer will be donated.

The next Board of Public Works meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. May 23 at the Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E. 59th St. Meetings are streamed on the city’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ cityoflawrencein.

A Community Crossings Matching Grant from the state will help pay for road paving work in Lawrence. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

Students from the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township’s Mary Castle Elementary School compete in the Math

Students from the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township’s Mary Castle Elementary School were among the many central Indiana students who participated in the second NBA Math Hoops Regional Tournament. The event was hosted by Pacers Sports & Entertainment and sponsored by Eli Lilly, according to an announcement from the Pacers. It took place May 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Mary Castle Elementary School principal Carl Blythe stated in a social media post that the students use NBA player statistics and math knowledge to compete in NBA Math Hoops.

“They had a blast and left with much Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever swag,” Blythe stated, adding a thanks to the teachers who worked with students to help them play the game and improve their math skills.

Indianapolis Public Schools’ Henry W. Longfellow Middle School team won the regional tournament.

NBA Math Hoops aims to build math skills through a basketball-themed board game, according to the NBA Math Hoops website.

“Designed for students in grades 4-8, this free program develops students’ algebra readiness prior to entering high school while strengthening important skills, including self-regulation and executive function,” the website states. “The NBA Math Hoops program is implemented in in-school, out-of-school and home learning environments.”

For more, visit nbamathhoops.com.

Hoops regional tournament May 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

(Photo courtesy of MSDLT)

Fort Ben Farmers Market offers free space for nonprofits

news@geistcurrent.com

The Fort Ben Farmers Market opens for the season June 6, with vendors from throughout central Indiana offering fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, handcrafted items and more.

SHOPPING

According to an announcement from the City of Lawrence, the market also offers a limited number of free spaces for nonprofit organizations to provide information about their services.

“All we ask is that you provide a craft or activity for children on the dates you attend the market, along with your own table, tent and chair,” the announcement stated.

Individual nonprofits can select up to four dates during the season. The market is scheduled for every Thursday afternoon through Oct. 3.

To apply for a free spot, visit bit. ly/4brvd7l. For questions about the program, contact Jami Weirich at jweirich@

The Fort Ben Farmers Market opens June 6 and runs through Oct. 3. (Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence)

cityoflawrence.org.

The annual Fort Ben Farmers Market takes place at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8920 Otis Ave. Besides vendors, the market has live music and food trucks. Learn more at visitlawrenceindiana.com/ events/fbfarmermarket.

DISPATCHES

Fort Ben Branch summer reading club —

The Indianapolis Public Libary’s Fort Ben Branch, 9330 E. 56th St., will have a kickoff party for its Summer Reading Club, set for noon to 4 p.m. June 1 at the Lawrence Civic Plaza, 5710 Lawrence Village Pkwy. A pet adoption wagon from the Indy Humane Society will be there from 1-3 p.m., and the library will offer outdoor activities, crafts, glitter tattoos, bubbles and more. In case of rain, the event will move inside the library. For more, visit attend.indypl.

org/event/10726718.

Chamber golf outing scheduled — the 2024 Annual Greater Lawrence Chamber Golf Outing is set for June 27 at Old Oakland Golf Club, 11611 E. 75th St. The cost is $200 per individual or $650 for a foursome. Player registration opens at 11 a.m., with play starting at noon. Prizes are available for closest to the pin and longest drive, and for the putting contest. To register, visit greaterlawrencechamber.org.

Seasonal activities planned at Fort Harrison State Park

news@geistcurrent.com

Fort Harrison State Park in Lawrence offers numerous events through the spring and summer season, including guided nature walks, concerts and presentations.

EVENTS

Upcoming events at Fort Harrison are:

• Sweeping Swallows: Naturalist Sarah Fox will lead a presentation about the swooping birds that can be seen around Delaware Lake, including the best places to watch swallows in the park. The presentation starts at 1 p.m. May 25 at the park’s information center, 6000 N. Post Rd. No registration is required for the free event.

• Sunday Morning Bird Walk: The last Sunday Morning Bird Walk of the season is set for 8 a.m. May 26, led by naturalist Emilie Sweet. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water and appropriate footwear for a two-hour walk. Meet at the northeast corner of Delaware Lake parking lot. No registration is required for the free event.

• Indiana Mammals: Fox will lead a presentation about the variety of mammals in Indiana, their characteristics and how to identify individual species. The presentation starts at 1 p.m. May 26 at the park’s information center, 6000 N. Post Rd. No registration is required for the free event.

• Summer Concert Series: Park visitors are invited to bring a lawn chair and relax on the park’s sledding hill while listening to a free concert by local musicians. The music begins at 7 p.m. May 18. Leashed dogs are welcome.

• Intro to Fishing: Registration has closed for this free class, which takes place at 9 a.m. June 16. For information about future classes, contact Christopher Conner at cconner2@dnr.IN.gov.

• Beginner Catfishing: Registration has closed for this free class, which takes place at 12:30 p.m. June 16. For information about future classes, contact Conner at cconner2@dnr. IN.gov.

New events are added to the park’s calendar throughout the season. For updated information, visit bit.ly/3woYIYC.

DISPATCHES

Poets Laureate of Lawrence — Poets Laureate of Lawrence will meet at 7 p.m. May 28 at the Arts for Lawrence Theater at the Fort, second floor. Featured poet Norbert Krapf will read from two recent books, “Homecomings: A Writer’s Memoir,” which covers 50-plus plus years of writing and publishing, and “Songs for All Souls,” a collection of short, meditative spiritual poems.

CPR classes offered — The Lawrence Fire Department has free CPR classes July 26 and Oct. 26. The classes are open to ages 15 and up. Participants will earn a certificate upon completion. To register, visit bit. ly/3wcZszY.

Resurfacing planned in Lawrence — The City of Lawrence had secured $1 million in funding through the state Community Crossing Matching Grant Program to resurface roads in Geist Valley Estates, the Fairways East neighborhood and 52nd St in Winding Ridge. Work will begin in the fall.

Bike share opens for the season — The City of Lawrence bike rental program is open, with two locations at Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8950 Otis Ave. and Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E 59th St. Renting a Tour Lawrence bike comes with free admission into Fort Harrison State Park and the first hour is free with a Tour Lawrence Annual Membership of $30 per year. Payas-you-go rates are $3 per hour.

Delaware Lake is a popular spot at Fort Harrison State Park. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

ZCHS pitcher’s increased velocity leads to more success

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Zionsville Community High School pitcher Mateo Wells has started to develop his 6-foot-6 frame.

Wells said he stopped growing this year, so he has been able to add some strength and weight. He has boosted his weight to 225 pounds.

“Pitching mechanics is something kids work on nonstop,” Eagles coach Jered Moore said. “When they are still growing, it impacts things. Now that he’s done growing, he can focus on getting stronger. His fastball velocity has increased.”

Wells said his fastball averages 87 to 90 mph. Moore said his fastball had reached 92 mph several times this year. As of May 14, Wells has a 5-0 record with a 0.46 earned run average. He has 62 strikeouts in 46 innings.

Wells was 3-0 as a junior with 24 strikeouts in 35 innings.

“My main improvement is adding 2 mph

MEET MATEO WELLS

Favorite athlete: Formula One

driver Daniel Ricciardo

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite movie: “The Benchwarmers”

Favorite vacation spot: Cancun

to my fastball, which is pretty significant, especially in our conference,” Wells said.

Wells said being able to throw his changeup more consistently has been a boost, too.

“Last season, I was only a two-pitch guy, and being able to add a third pitch has made me more efficient this year than I was last year,” Wells said. “I was more of just a fastball and curveball-type of guy, but

Zionsville Community

High School pitcher Mateo Wells boasts an earned run average of 0.46 this season.

(Photo courtesy of Matthew Dumbris)

in the offseason, I changed my two-seam (grip) to four-seam and developed a better changeup.”

Wells became a pitcher his freshman year and stuck with it for high school and his travel baseball team, the Indiana Mustangs. He will play for the PRP Mambas this summer.

“He was a very good pitcher last year,” Moore said. “But being able to get command of his changeup this year and throwing it any count has definitely helped him this year.”

Wells learned from former ZCHS pitchers

Drew Dickson and Nate Dohm. Dickson now plays for Northwestern University, and Dohm is at Mississippi State University.

“I watched how they tried to be perfect in everything they do and everything they do has a specific reason,” Wells said.

Moore said being around other high-caliber pitchers and seeing how they trained was a positive for Wells.

“Now, Mateo is helping our young guys,” Moore said.

Wells will pitch for High Point (N.C.) University, an NCAA Division I program, next season.

“I wanted to be in a place with good weather, so that obviously was a plus,” said Wells, who plans to major in sports management. “The academics are really good. The overall feel of the campus is more my type. It’s a little bit smaller, so I can get to know my teachers more.”

Wells’ parents are from Colombia, and he still has relatives there.

“My great-grandfather played baseball and helped baseball grow in Colombia,” said Wells, who organized a baseball equipment donation drive to send equipment to Colombia in the past.

Wells

RipFest summer camp returns

By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com

When it comes to training Olympians, RipFest Diving has an established background. Its CEO and head coach, John Wingfield, has coached 11 Olympians — and counting — at his diving camp in Arcadia.

DIVING

The RipFest diving camp encourages participants to come as they are and do their best. Its program includes coaching, unique tools and training techniques.

“We meet kids where they are and move them forward no matter what their aspirations or goals are,” said Kate Bramlett, RipFest’s director of operations. “Our program is set up so that anybody at any skill level can come in and reach their goals, and even reach potential that they never knew possible.”

RipFest offers training sessions in the winter, summer, fall and during spring break and is spearheaded by Wingfield, who was the U.S. Olympic diving coach in 2008 and 2020.

Depending on the season, the camp typically has a 1-to-8 or 1-to-10 ratio of coaches

from 12 weeks to two weeks.

RipFest operates the Dryland Center, which has trampolines, dry boards, dry-platforms and conditioning areas. The center, which is also RipFest’s central hub for camp training, includes training aids such as harnesses, visual spotting tools and state-of-the-art video replay systems.  RipFest is suitable for participants 8 and older and is accepting registrations for its summer camp online at ripfest.net/ summer-camp.

Divers dive off a springboard at the Ripfest facility. (Photo courtesy of Kate Bramlett) to athletes and varies

URBAN FARM

AgriPark opens for the season, offering rural experiences for Fishers, Geist residents

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Sitting slightly east of the northern tip of Geist Reservoir is a unique opportunity for residents of the primarily urban Fishers and Geist areas. The Fishers AgriPark, 11171 Florida Rd., honors Indiana’s farming traditions with a mix of fresh produce and farm animals for all ages to experience up close and personal.

Trevor Wildey, operations manager for the Fishers AgriPark, was busy on the park’s opening day of the 2024 season as parents with young children arrived to visit animals and take a small selection from the earliest of the park’s spring produce. Wildey said produce is a big draw throughout the season, and park staff try to ensure a large variety. Staff members start more than 100,000 plants each spring, utilizing the park’s greenhouses to germinate the seeds and get the plants ready to go out into the fields.

“We’re going to lose some due to weather,” he said. “We had a bunch out a couple of weeks ago — it rained almost 4 inches, so we lost some. We’ll lose some to disease and pests and stuff like that. My guys definitely plant a lot of it, but it definitely wouldn’t be possible without the community.”

Volunteers — in groups or individually — help transplant those thousands of starts, he said, and then help tend them throughout the season.

“Last Friday, for example, we had Fishers High School — they sent out 40 students and they planted over 4,000 onions for us,” Wildley said.

The first produce of the season is mostly leafy greens.

“Then we’ll transition to squash, peppers, green beans, sweet corn, tomatoes — the good stuff,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll run that through October, and then we’ll end our season with a big fall festival at the end of the year — give away our pumpkins and all that stuff.”

Like with any farm, the success of the AgriPark’s growing season each year depends on weather and other factors. But, Wildey said, when produce is ripe, everything is free for visitors to pick — and they pick a lot.

Trevor Wildey, operations manager for the Fishers AgriPark, shows some of the plant starts that will be planted outside during the growing season for visitors to pick free of charge. (Photos by Leila Kheiry)

Multiplying the average weight of filled produce boxes by the number of boxes handed out each season, he estimated the AgriPark gives away about 100,000 pounds of fresh produce each season.

“That’s not necessarily counting squash and sweet corn and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “That’s just tomatoes, peppers, okra, green beans.”

On opening day, it was still too early for visitors to pick their own produce. Instead, they gathered at the park’s playground and at the animal pastures — home to goats and sheep, a pig named Otis and a very friendly horse named Spirit, who

will happily nibble your shirt while you pat his nose.

Otis and Spirit originally belonged to Wildey, who brought them to the AgriPark after he started working there. When Otis spotted Wildey from across the pasture, the pig fast-waddled toward his favorite person, grunting happily, and Wildey hopped over the fence to give the pig some belly rubs.

In another pasture, a small herd of cows and a donkey ate hay but approached the fence when Wildey brought over a bucket of feed. A young boy thought he wanted to feed the cows,

ACTIVITIES AT THE AGRIPARK

Throughout the season, the Fishers AgriPark hosts activities and workshops and offers summer camps for children.

Operations Manager Trevor Wildey noted that even during the offseason, when the park is technically closed, it hosts school groups that come to learn about agriculture. The AgriPark also hosts pop-up classes, he said, such as

quick pickling, flower arranging and salsa — the sauce, not the dance.

“Although, we have done some barn line dancing before,” he said.

Pop-up events take place once or twice a month, Wildey said, and are announced just a day or two in advance. The best way to stay notified is through the park’s social media pages.

but when their large heads got close, he changed his mind and let his mom do it for him.

“We live about five minutes away, so we come here a lot in the summertime,” Kaycee Port said of her and son, Owen. “We really like seeing all the animals. It’s not like anything else around. It’s a lot of free, independent play. He gets to kind of just explore and be in nature — kind of messy play. It’s really nice to be able to come to a working farm. You can see how it works. We like to pick crops, too, in the summertime.”

Owen said his favorite crop to pick is broccoli, which was news to his mother. She said that last year, they picked a lot of jalapeños and peppers.

The Fishers AgriPark is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s closed Sunday and Monday. For more, visit playfishers.com/217/ Fishers-AgriPark.

ON

COVER:

THE

A young visitor to the Fishers AgriPark, located in the Geist area, feeds some of the park’s cows. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

The Fishers AgriPark is home to sheep, goats, chickens, pigs and cows, in addition to large vegetable fields.

Illusions of agreement

Commentary by Terry Anker

Placate. Mollify. Appease. Pacify. Quell. Assuage. Moderate. Allay. There are those who default to interpersonal tactics designed to prevent confrontation. It is not that we inherently have low confidence in our position. We believe that our point of view is superior and are possessed with every intention of getting our way. Still, experience has taught that an imagined cooperative approach then followed by a more assertive one to be the most effective in accomplishing the objectives. The target of the deception is lured into the trap with claims of agreement and consensus. “No, you’re right,” falsely proclaims the serpent. Once hypnotized with a false sense of sympatico, the victim is constricted by the warm embrace of a pretend compliment. “You are so much smarter than me,” it continues with each compression.

ESSAY

Now, the object is fully ensnared, unable to budge from the tightening hold. The mood shifts from passive to aggressive, invariably. Tone changes to disagreement. There was no accord. The

claims of shared perspective were entirely fabricated. There is no mutual ground. In fact, the time of delay was used to bolster the argument and position. Whether a discussion about where to go to dinner, how much to donate to charity, or if to ceasefire in a protracted war, we find ourselves manipulated by the stall. Should we simply fight every battle without any social nicety to keep us from each other’s throats? Are we necessarily dishonest if we hold back a bit on our emotion? Is restraint a weakness?

But what if we never resolve anything? If conflict is not healthy, is avoidance any better? So, how do we disagree with respect and understanding? Long-term caring, loving relationships can help. If better connected, we withstand the strain of bitter disagreement. Can we value trust and respect more than victory?

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

Center schedule includes familiar names, different genres

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Center for the Performing Arts’ 2024-25 schedule includes a mix of familiar names of classical, pops, rock, jazz and country performers.

“It’s the most artists we’ve announced at this point of the season, I believe, with right around 60 performances,” Center for the Performing Arts President/CEO Jeffrey McDermott said. “We’ve left space for eight to 10 more to be added through the season as other artists go out on tour and we have the opportunity to get them booked. We’re really excited that it’s a diverse lineup of genres and artists. There is clearly going to be something for everyone. I think we have some great headliners in each genre. There are some artists that are household names, some artists who are up and coming. There are great recognizable names in every single category.”

McDermott said he has artists and genres he likes more than others.

“I go back to my ’60s and ‘70s roots and I was a big fan of The Monkees,” McDermott said. “We’re excited about getting Micky Dolenz, the last living Monkee.”

Dolenz will perform April 25, 2025, with songs and stories from his days with The Monkees.

Most of the performances are set for the Palladium, with a few at The Tarkington.

McDermott said Grand Funk Railroad (Oct. 19), Welcome Back: The Return of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (March 21, 2025) and Pure Prairie League (April 5, 2025) are cool additions.

“Leslie Odom Jr. has been on our list for a long time, and we are really excited to bring him in (Nov. 22),” McDermott said. “We have some people coming in for a second and third time. We have people like Dave Koz, who are just traditions for us. It wouldn’t be the holidays without Dave Koz and Friends.”

Dave Koz’s “Christmas Tour” is set for Dec. 13. Holiday concerts also include The Four Phantoms: “Holiday Show” (Dec. 6); Jane Lynch’s “A Swingin’ Little Christmas” (Dec. 7) and Jon McLaughlin & Friends: “Home for the Holidays” (Dec. 14)

“Jon McLaughlin is an Indiana favorite with his roots here,” McDermott said. “We’ve had him a couple times and had him in the Palladium last year and sold it out quickly. He may be the next tradition brewing because people just love him. He brings great artistry and friends, but he’s just a great show person. He relates and connects with the audience.”

Great American Songbook Foundation Hall of Famer Dionne Warwick will perform Nov. 24 in her first full concert at the Palladium.

“Dionne has been here for two (‘Center Presents’) galas and people loved her,” McDermott said. “She’s a legend. She puts on a great show and has so many hits of her own.”

McDermott said it’s great to have two classical legends in the 2025 portion of the schedule with Chinese pianist Lang Lang (March 18) and Itzhak Perlman (April 17).

“We always feel fortunate to have one artist of their caliber in a season, but to have both of them in the same season is a real coup for us,” McDermott said.

McDermott said the Center is trying to add some comedy shows.

“I think you can count on shows we add will have some comedy,” McDermott

said. “I’m personally a big fan of comedy. I love bringing comedy here. It sells really well.”

There will be several tribute shows with Leonid & Friends: The Music of Chicago (Sept. 27), and Space Oddity: The Quintessential David Bowie Tribute Experience (Oct. 26). In 2025, tribute acts include Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience (Jan. 18); The Evolution of Joni Mitchell starring Lauren Fox (Jan. 24); Folsom Prison Experience: Legendary 1968 Johnny Cash Concert (Feb. 15); The Kings of Queen (Feb. 1); and Brooklyn Charmers: A Steely Dan Tribute (March 7).

“We don’t do too many tribute shows, but when we try to bring in the top tribute bands around, typically (they’re featuring) artists who are not performing or not with us anymore,” he said.

Ben Folds will bring his “Paper Airplane Request Tour” to the Palladium Oct. 10. Other 2025 performers include Mac McAnally (Jan. 10) and Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives (May 1).

The Center Celebration featuring trumpeter and composer Chris Botti is set for Sept. 21.

“I always tell people programming a season is part art, part science and part luck,” McDermott said. “You have to find the right artist touring at the right time with a date you have available and at a price that works. When all those stars align, we get them.”

For a full list of the schedule, visit youarecurrent.com.

‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” runs May 23 to July 7 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

The Freeform Concert Series features Katie Peterson with Anana Kaye and Omega Defern May 22; “Deceptions: An Evening of Magic and Friends” is set for May 23; and Josh Merrit May 24 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA’ Indiana Ballet Conservatory presents “The Phantom of the Opera” at 4 and 7 p.m. May 25 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit indianaballetconservatory.org.

LUMINARIES: ‘VISUAL ARTS AND OPERA’

The Luminaries series features Lyndsay Moy discussing “Visual Arts and Opera” at 2 p.m. May 28 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $10. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

ROCK THE RUINS

The Decemberists will perform at 7 p.m. May 23 as part of the Rock the Ruins concert series at Holliday Park in Indianapolis. For more, visit rocktheruins.com.

DISPATCH

Dennen’s concert set at NDP Amphitheater — The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater and MOKB Presents announced that singer-songwriter Brett Dennen will perform an Aug. 24 concert at the Fishers venue. Tickets for the show were scheduled to go on sale May 17. Dennen’s show is part of the venue’s annual summer concert series that also includes an Aug. 23 performance by Niko Moon. Dennen’s next release, “See The World,” is due out July 23 on Mick Music. For ticketed shows, the venue is an all-ages facility and children 2 and under are admitted free. Guests can bring their own lawn chair and blankets. For more, visit npdamp.com.

Dionne Warwick will perform Nov. 24 at the Palladium.

(Photos courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

Violinist Itzhak Perlman’s concert is set for April 17, 2025.

Micky Dolenz, the last living member of The Monkees, will perform April 25, 2025, with songs and stories from his days with the band.

SONGBOOK ACADEMY IN CONCERT

SATURDAY, JULY 20 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

AVERAGE WHITE BAND: A FUNK FINALE SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

JEROME COLLINS: REWIND–A JOURNEY TO MOTOWN & BEYOND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

VERONICA SWIFT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

CENTER CELEBRATION 2024

FEATURING CHRIS BOTTI

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 AT 5PM | THE PALLADIUM

NICK CARTER: WHO I AM TOUR

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

LEONID & FRIENDS: THE MUSIC OF CHICAGO AND MORE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DAMIEN ESCOBAR: VICTORY LAP TOUR

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BEN FOLDS: PAPER AIRPLANE REQUEST TOUR

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

#IMOMSOHARD: LADIES’ NIGHT!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

RENÉE ELISE GOLDSBERRY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

SPACE ODDITY: THE QUINTESSENTIAL

DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE EXPERIENCE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DANA & GREG NEWKIRK’S HAUNTED OBJECTS LIVE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 AT 7PM | THE TARKINGTON

VITAMIN STRING QUARTET: THE MUSIC OF TAYLOR SWIFT, BRIDGERTON AND BEYOND

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

ZAKIR HUSSAIN & RAHUL SHARMA

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BONEY JAMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE MAGIC OF MICHAEL GRANDINETTI EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 AT 2PM & 8PM THE TARKINGTON

GRUPO NICHE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE PIANO GUYS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AT 4PM & 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BUCKETS N BOARDS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 AT 5PM | THE PALLADIUM

AN EVENING WITH LESLIE ODOM JR. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

CANADIAN BRASS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DIONNE WARWICK SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

CHERRY POPPIN’ DADDIES:

WWII TIKI XMAS CANTEEN

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE FOUR PHANTOMS: HOLIDAY SHOW FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

JANE LYNCH’S A SWINGIN’

LITTLE CHRISTMAS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR 2024 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

JON MCLAUGHLIN & FRIENDS

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

MAC MCANALLY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

YESTERDAY AND TODAY:

THE INTERACTIVE BEATLES EXPERIENCE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE EVOLUTION OF JONI MITCHELL

STARRING LAUREN FOX

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

HEART OF AFGHANISTAN

FEATURING THE FANOOS ENSEMBLE SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE KINGS OF QUEEN SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

PETER SAGAL: HOST OF NPR’S WAIT WAIT...DON’T TELL ME! FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

FOLSOM PRISON EXPERIENCE: LEGENDARY 1968 JOHNNY CASH CONCERT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH STEVE WARINER

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

KALANI PE’A: GRAMMY-WINNING SINGER, SONGWRITER SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DON WAS & THE PAN DETROIT ENSEMBLE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

THE STEPCREW FRIDAY, MARCH 7 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BROOKLYN CHARMERS: A STEELY DAN TRIBUTE FRIDAY, MARCH 7 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

WELCOME BACK: THE RETURN OF EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER FRIDAY, MARCH 21 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

DUSTBOWL REVIVAL: A LAUREL CANYON RETROSPECTIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 21 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON

THE RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS SUNDAY, MARCH 23 AT 7PM | THE TARKINGTON

GRIMMZ FAIRY TALES SUNDAY, MARCH 23 AT 5PM | THE PALLADIUM

LANG LANG FRIDAY, MARCH 28 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND & SOLDIERS’ CHORUS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BACHELORS OF BROADWAY: GENTLEMEN OF THE THEATRE SUNDAY, APRIL 13 AT 7PM | THE PALLADIUM

ITZHAK PERLMAN IN RECITAL THURSDAY, APRIL 17 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

MICKY DOLENZ OF THE MONKEES: AN EVENING OF SONGS & STORIES FRIDAY, APRIL 25 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

BLACK VIOLIN SATURDAY, APRIL 26 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

OUR PLANET LIVE: A NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES WITH DAN TAPSTER TUESDAY, APRIL 29 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES

THURSDAY, MAY 1 AT 7:30PM | THE PALLADIUM

CELEBRATE THE SONGBOOK: MICHAEL FEINSTEIN WITH THE INDIANAPOLIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SATURDAY, MAY 10 AT 8PM | THE PALLADIUM

iLUMINATE SUNDAY, MAY 11 AT 4PM | THE PALLADIUM

RENEE ELISE GOLDSBERRY

NICK CARTER

GRUPO NICHE LESLIE ODOM JR.

PETER SAGAL LANG LANG

BLACK VIOLIN MARTY STUART

Beef & Boards cast off to Oz

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Elizabeth Stark Payne went through a phase of repeatedly watching “The Wizard of Oz” as a youngster.

MUSICAL

“This was the only VHS (recording) that my grandparents had at their home when we went for holidays, and while the adults were all in the kitchen, laughing and playing cards or talking, us kids would watch it on repeat back in the middle bedroom,” Payne said. “I never got bored of this movie. I love that my kids are starting to go through the same phase now, although it has to contend with TikTok now.”

to stray too far from those images in people’s minds but would still like to bring it along with us into new, fun visions. I also want to keep it fresh for the kids and adults alike. Our family-friendly shows have something for everyone.”

Payne said the show has a nice mix of cast members who have performed at Beef & Boards and some who are newcomers.

Payne will direct Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz,” which runs May 23 to July 7 at the Indianapolis venue.

“My biggest challenge with a show like this is keeping it fresh,” Payne said. “People come expecting the same nostalgia and feelings they got when they first watched the movie. We don’t want

“I have several cast members that I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot over these last several years, (and) some, like Ty (Stover), who I’ve known since I was a child, and others that I will be meeting for the first time in person on our first rehearsal day,” Payne said. “It’s always nice to welcome new people into the Beef & Boards family.”

Payne said the adult cast is normal size.

“But once you add in all those cute Munchkins, it is a pretty large cast for us,” Payne said. “We are utilizing several Munchkins in shorter contracts.”

For more, visit beefandboards.com.

Indy Opera to celebrate legacy

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The main theme of Indianapolis Opera’s 50th season is celebrating legacy and alumni.

MUSIC

“The legacy are the families that from the beginning started the company and those who have come along through three or four generations of supporters,” said David Starkey, who has been the Indianapolis Opera general director since 2016.

Indy Opera will reunite with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for the 50th Anniversary Legacy Gala Concert at 7:30 p.m. March 22, 2025, at the Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis.

“We will have all those legends coming back, not only the artistic leaders but the famous and world-renowned singers who have been on our stage,” Starkey said.

“They are very key civic leaders and families, and the desire to have a world-class city is the desire to have a world-class opera and symphony and all those kinds of institutions. Then you come along with the alumni. You have two iconic leaders, Bob Driver in the ‘80s who went on to take Opera Philadelphia and was a legend in the opera world, followed by the era of (artistic director) Jim Caraher. There are singers who got their start here or really developed their career in Indianapolis. That’s one of the biggest emphasis of our event.”

Starkey

The 2024-25 season will open with Opera in the Park at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7, a free event at MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park in Indianapolis.

“The Barber of Seville” is set for Nov. 15-17 at The Tarkington in Carmel. Starkey said “The Barber of Seville” was the first Indianapolis Opera show at The Tarkington in 2016. Starkey was the production director for that presentation before taking the general director post later that year.

Following the concert, there will be a debut production of “West Side Story” May 9-11, 2025, at the Bicentennial Pavilion at the Indianapolis Zoo.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Visiting the Valley of the Kings

Commentary by Don Knebel

In our continuing tour of Egypt, we visit the Valley of the Kings, containing at least 65 royal tombs, including that of Tutankhamen.

TRAVEL

By about 1500 B.C., Egyptians had either forgotten how to build pyramids or had concluded that they were too easy to rob. So, they began burying the pharaohs and their families, along with other important Egyptians, in a valley on the west bank of the Nile River near the modern city of Luxor, called Thebes by ancient Egyptians. The site was apparently selected because of the large pyramid-shaped rock overlooking the valley. The area’s soft limestone allowed workers to dig sloping shafts extending hundreds of feet to underground burial chambers enclosing a giant stone sarcophagus. Along all the walls and ceilings, artisans painted scenes of the pharaoh’s life and life with the gods, some intended to give the pharaoh help with questions asked at the final judgment. The pharaoh’s earthly possessions were buried with him (or her) for later use if, as

expected, he survived that judgment.

To prevent looting, the entrances to the tombs were scattered and concealed behind tons of limestone. But the camouflage did not work, and the tombs were systematically raided. Raiders eventually found and looted all but the tomb of Tutankhamen, who had died at age 19 after a very short reign. Tutankhamen’s small tomb, discovered in 1922, included both the king’s mummy and about 3,500 items of gold and other rich materials.

Only about 20 of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings held mummies of pharaohs. Today, about 18 tombs are open to the public on a rotating basis. The finest is the elaborately decorated tomb of Pharaoh Seti I. The most popular tomb is that of King Tut, which, unlike all the others, includes his mummy.

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

Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Egypt. (Photos by Don Knebel)

Tomb of Pharaoh Seti I.

16.

17. Drinking fountain, to a Hoosier?

18. Classic shoe style

20. Hoosier National Forest tree

21. Direct to a specialist

22. Colts second-stringers

25. Raggedy Ann, e.g. 26. Comfort

30. Captain Nemo’s vessel

33. Pops out, as a DVD

35. “___ the ramparts...”

36. Taunts

Centric Projects, LLC is submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) of our intent to comply with the requirements of 327 IAC 15-5 to prevent stormwater pollution for construction activities associated with the development of the Chicken N Pickle at 9001 Maynard Lane in Fishers, Indiana. Stormwater will discharge into the city stormwater sewer system (MS4) via inlets protected with fabric filter. Any water not discharged into the sewer system will flow into the Crossings at Fishers District Detention pond and ultimately into Sand Creek and Mud Creek. All stormwater discharges will be properly controlled through the approved erosion control plan and the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWP3). Please direct any questions to Brad Wehde at (816) 389-8300 or brad.wehde@centric.build.

38. Ahead by a point

39. Heavy rainstorm, to a Hoosier?

42. Hard guy to find in kids’ books

44. Hammerin’ Hank

45. IndyGo vehicle

48. Eye makeup

50. Metal craftsman

52. Electri-

LEGAL NOTICE DUKE ENERGY INDIANA,

LLC

cian’s supply

53. Very long time

55. Frozen treat

56. Wanderer

58. LPs’ successors

60. Flying Wham-O toy

63. “Did you eat, yet?” to a Hoosier?

67. Secluded spot

68. Annoy

69. Taking a sabbatical

70. Fine, to NASA

71. Radiator sound

72. Everlasting Down

1. City Barbeque bit

2. Ostrich kin

3. Ad-___ (improvise)

4. If all goes well

5. Gloomy atmosphere

6. Flower part

7. Always, poetically

8. Waterpark accessory

9. Suppress

10. Skin woe

11. Have a tenderloin at Mash House

Public notice is hereby given to affected property owners pursuant to 170 IAC 4-9-4(f) that within two (2) to six (6) weeks of the date of this notice, weather permitting, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC will be performing vegetation management as part of its power line maintenance program in the area described below. As part of this project, one of its contractors that employ qualified utility line clearance tree workers will be trimming and/or removing trees and brush to clear the lines of vegetation to provide safe and reliable electric service. Vegetation management will be performed in/near Carmel, Fishers on or near streets identified below:

• Beginning at the substation located near the intersection of E 146th St & N Gray Rd to include the areas around & near: N & W of the substation, E of Cool Creek Park Rd, S of Joshua Cir

• Beginning at the substation located near the intersection of Florida Rd & E 113th St to include the areas around & near: N of Newburyport Dr, E of Windswept Dr, S of Royalwood Dr, W of the substation

• Beginning at the substation located near the intersection of E 126th St & Cumberland Rd to include the areas around & near: N of E 121st St, E of the substation, S of Meadow Lake Dr, W of Marilyn Rd

The date this notice is published initiates the two (2) week period for calculating implied consent by an affected property owner under 170 IAC 4-9. If you have any questions, you may contact the Duke

12. CBS forensic franchise

13. Pos., to neg.

19. Bloomfield’s county

21. Scented splash

22. ___-cone

23. OPEC member

24. Cause for alarm?

25. 43rd prez, informally

27. Bitterly harsh

28. Alphabet run

29. Mentalist’s claim

31. Arctic house

32. Diminutive, in rap names

34. Papa ___ Pizza

37. Hindu garments

40. Fair Oaks Farms milk dispensers

41. Mama’s boy

42. U-turn from ENE

43. Tuna type

46. Eiteljorg Museum tribe

47. Seashell seller

49. Is undecided

51. Man’s title

54. Tech whizzes

57. Kimono sashes

58. Lincoln’s coin

59. Proofreader’s notation

60. Lilly watchdog org.

61. ___ Speedwagon

62. Current printer’s need

63. Mayor Hogsett

64. MLK birthday month

65. Actress Mendes

66. ___ Aviv Answers on Page 20

BATHROOMS

DO CONTACTLESS EXTERIOR ESTIMATES

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

PUZZLE ANSWERS