COMMUNITY
FEBRUARY
& MARCH DINE IN DEALS!
About us
HSE Schools’ finance discussion gets tense
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A tense exchange between Hamilton Southeastern Schools board members and Superintendent Patrick Mapes took place during the Jan. 28 board meeting, which focused on district finances.
Following presentations by Chief Finance Officer Tim Brown that showed ongoing deficit spending — exacerbated by legislative changes to state property tax laws in 2025 — Board Member Suzanne Thomas thanked Brown and his team for their thoroughness, adding that she would like to see more board involvement in future district finance planning.
“Even with the regular reporting and committee updates, it often feels like the board is learning about financial stress points after decisions have already been made, or after corrective actions are already necessary,” she said. “We receive information, but frequently in a way that is retrospective rather than predictive. My concern is not that information is being withheld. It is that the timing and framing of the information may not be giving the board the opportunity to provide proactive oversight.”
Thomas said it is important for the board to “anticipate risk, ask questions early and understand trends before they become urgent,” but stressed that she wasn’t criticizing the finance team.
“I have noticed this pattern over the last several years, and I feel it is time to mention it, since we have faced some difficult challenges and now, as we look ahead — particularly with the possibility of a future referendum discussions and our next collective bargaining — I believe it is important for the board to
reflect on whether our current financial reporting structure is giving us the right information in the right amount of time,” she said.
Mapes took issue with her comments, said the district’s financial concerns are the fault of the previous administration and defended the current process.
“We have been bringing you updates from our finance team of where we’re at, which we know we’re within our budget that the board has approved,” he said. “We’ll answer any question that comes across your board agenda at any point in time. It gets published to you three or four days before we get to (a meeting). We have finance meetings, we have facilities meetings. We’re as transparent as the place has ever been before. And so, I take offense to the comment, because the comment is directed at me.”
Thomas said the comment was directed at the process, not any individual.
The issue of board involvement also came up during the board’s Jan. 15 meeting, when Board Member Latricia Schooley proposed a policy change that would establish what district meetings — such as vendor contract discussions — board members could attend as observers. The board’s policy committee is reviewing Schooley’s proposal.
Board Member Dawn Lang said the board’s finance committee receives a significant amount of information every month, and those meetings are open to the public and other board members.
“I disagree with what Board Member Thomas has brought forward, because all of that has been very transparent, not to mention this administration has been very open to 1-on-1 meetings with anyone on sitting over here on the dais, for us to have pointed conversations, ask for clarifying information, even hours on end, with some of us on the board,” Lang said. “This is my fourth year on the board, having served under
two superintendents. By far, this has been the most thorough.”
Schooley said she disagreed and objected to Mapes’ “tone.”
“There are things that we are not presented, especially vendor relationships, that we have to ask questions about — and that is coming from the top down,” she said. “And I also expect in the future that when our administration addresses the board, they do so in a respectful manner.”
Board Member Sarah Parks-Reese added that if several board members are concerned about the need for more information, that indicates there is an issue that should be addressed. She also objected to Mapes’ tone.
Board Member Ben Orr said he didn’t think there was any kind of tone and said none of the financial information provided that night was new.
“There’s a reason none of us freaked out just a moment ago when we found out how much of a deficit we’re all in,” he said. “We’ve been told that for at least a couple of years now. We’re given every opportunity to discuss finances, talk to people. Call Tim (Brown) virtually any time of day or night. They all respond to emails. I can’t think of any question I’ve ever wanted answered that hasn’t been answered.”
Schooley responded that she has been told “no” on multiple occasions when she’s asked for information.
During his presentation to the board, Brown showed the total deficit spending for 2025, which ended at a little more than $8 million from reserves. The 2026 budget also will require district reserves, which he likened to using a savings account to make up for lack of funds in a checking account.
The next regular HSE school board meeting is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at the district’s central office, 13485 Cumberland Rd.
Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XVI, No. 4 Copyright 2025 Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved.
525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444
Contact the editor
Have a news tip, calendar item or photo to share?
Contact Managing Editor Leila Kheiry at leila@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444. You also may submit information at youarecurrent. com. Our print deadline is eight days prior to publication. Submissions for online accepted daily.
Share your thoughts Letters to the editor may be sent for consideration to letters@youarecurrent. com. Letters have a maximum word count of 300 words. Please include your city of residence and a contact phone number for verification. Current Publishing may refuse letters.
Advertise your business
If you’re interested in reaching the Fishers market (30,645 households), you may obtain more information by emailing ads@youarecurrent.com (subject: Fishers advertising) or by calling 317.748.2662.
Obituaries obits@youarecurrent.com
Legal advertising legals@youarecurrent.com
Delivery questions circulation@youarecurrent.com
Join our community facebook.com/youarecurrent x.com/youarecurrent instagram.com/youarecurrent
Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Fishers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
Mapes
Thomas
Schooley
Orr
A life saver
Investigators recover remains of missing teen
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Investigators in Hocking County, Ohio, announced Feb. 3 that they had recovered the likely remains of Hailey Buzbee, a 17-year-old Fishers resident who disappeared from her home about a month earlier.
The Hocking County Sheriff’s Office posted the statement on social media, noting that suspect Tyler Thomas, who faces charges related to Buzbee’s disappearance, directed authorities to a location in Perry County, Ohio.
“Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hocking and Perry County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Forest Service and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation were then able to recover the remains, which is believed to be Hailey Buzbee,” the statement reads. “The remains were sent to the Licking County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy and identification.”
According to the statement, Hocking County Sheriff’s detectives executed a search warrant for a short-term rental property where Thomas allegedly had taken Buzbee. Detectives, assisted by FBI agents, allegedly recovered forensic evidence that indicated a crime may have occurred in the rental.
Thomas is being held on a $1.5 million bond. He is charged with pandering sexually oriented matters involving a minor and tampering with evidence. He has not yet been charged with homicide.
Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart announced during a Feb. 1 news conference that officers used traffic monitoring technology to identify Thomas as the person who picked Buzbee up from her home in early January.
“We made contact with him in Ohio, and he admitted to picking Hailey up at her home,” Gebhart said. “He told us that he dropped her off on the side of the road in western Ohio. However, through continued investigations, his initial story was determined to be untrue.”
Gebhart said Columbus Police Department officers initially searched Thomas’ home and found evidence that Buzbee had been there and then later in the short-term rental.
Gebhart noted that the case is now an
Ohio investigation, but FPD will provide support as needed.
“We have contacted her parents with resources that will help them and we will stay committed to supporting her family through this tragic time,” he said. “Hailey attended (Hamilton Southeastern) High School, and we are working with the district to provide extra support for students that will be impacted by this devastating news.”
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said he spent time that morning with Buzbee’s family.
“Their wishes were truly to express what an incredible human being Hailey was,” he said. “She was a bright light in the family. She was a wonderful big sister. She had a tremendous amount of promise and hope. She was excited about moving on to university, and she was an incredible human being.”
Hailey’s father, Beau Buzbee, stated on social media that the family appreciated the prayers, condolences and support. He asked people to sign a petition for the state to establish “Hailey’s Law,” which would create a pink alert system for missing people and children “when credible risk indicators exist” but criteria for Amber and Silver alerts are not met. The law also would mandate predator awareness education in Indiana. For more, visit bit.ly/4qTQdM4.
Hamilton Southeastern School Dis-
Continued on Page 5
A portrait of Hailey Buzbee, 17, is on display at the Fishers Municipal Center. It was painted by Fall Creek Junior High art teacher Shelley Feeney, who taught Hailey. Across from the portrait is a blank canvas for community members to leave messages of support for the Buzbee family. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)
Continued from Page 4
trict issued a statement shortly after the news conference.
“Hailey was a valued member of our school community, remembered for her big heart and positive spirit,” the statement read. “Her family shared that she was a bright light and a loving big sister. Hailey will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”
District officials stated that they recognize the wide-reaching impact the news would have on students, staff and families.
“This is an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking situation for our entire school community,” HSE Superintendent Pat Mapes stated. “Our thoughts are with Hailey’s family and loved ones during this unimaginable time.”
Crisis response teams will be available throughout the school week to provide support to students and staff as needed, according to the district.
Two planned Feb. 2 HSE student demonstrations related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions were postponed following the news. New dates will be determined at a later time.
DISPATCHES
AARP grants application open — AARP Indiana is accepting applications through March 6 from nonprofits and governments for its 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program. Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $25,000 and fund projects that make communities more livable. Projects will be considered if they serve the needs of people 50 and older, improve public places, transportation, walkability and pedestrian safety, among other criteria. For more, visit aarp.org/livable-communities/ community-challenge.
Bradford named HCLA dean – Andrew Bradford, founder and managing partner of Bradford Consulting Group, will serve as dean for the Hamilton County Leadership Academy Class of 2027. He is a graduate of the HCLA Class of 2019 and has served as chair of the HCLA board. HCLA provides participants an immersive, 10-month experience that takes a deep dive into issues that are critically important to local communities. Applications for HCLA’s 36th cohort of community leaders will open on Feb. 27. Learn more at HCLA.net.
GO FRAMELESS
Fishers resident has picked up litter for 55 years
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Stan Schenher has been picking up trash for 55 years and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.
“I was 20 years old in college, and a buddy of mine — we got tired of looking at trash,” he said, explaining how his unusual hobby began. “In front of a grocery store, that’s where all the teenagers hung out. They threw their cans and bottles and trash, and him and I picked it up one time. And it’s funny, the local newspaper office, almost across the street, came over. They took a picture and did a story and, you know, kind of from then, I just started picking up trash.”
Schenher, who lives in the Geist area of Fishers, said he used to pick up trash while out running until he hit 65 and had to have a couple of hip replacements. Now 75, he gets out and walks every day or drives his golf cart while clearing trash from various stretches of roadway.
When he first started using his golf cart for the task, he was told it was
against local ordinances. But the Fishers City Council, recognizing the good work he was doing for the community, approved an ordinance establishing a special permit for people like Schenher to use golf carts while cleaning trash from their adopted strips of roadway.
“I’ve got eight strips in Fishers that I officially pick up. Some of them I walk, most of them I drive,” he said. “I first adopted 106th (Street) — I used to run home from my daughter’s house. She lived over there — and I just kept adding, because with the golf cart, I can
Community Member Spotlight
presented by
cover a lot of territory with that thing.”
Some other areas Schenher adopted include parts of Hoosier Road, Geist Road, Fall Creek Road, Olio Road and Brooks School Road. Whether walking or driving, he can be seen wearing a bright yellow vest or jacket for visibility and smoking a cigar.
“I consider that my cross training,” he said. “I love picking up trash. I always say business is always picking up, and I just love talking trash.”
Schenher finds all kinds of interesting items discarded along the road, including cash. He has a money jar to collect all the coins and bills he picks up and counts it at the end of the year. He’s collected up to $100 some years and said he once found a $50 bill.
“So, it pays to pick up,” he said. “One
time, I found two $20 bills by the bank down at Cumberland and 116th, and I put (it) on Facebook. I said, ‘I’d like to get these back to the owner. If you can give me the serial number, I’ll get them back to you.’”
In addition to cash, Schenher has found phones, laptops, shoes and other items that people tend to put on top of their cars while getting in, and then forgetting about as they drive away. He tries to get items back to their owners — especially the electronics. Other stuff, he cleans up and donates if it’s in good shape.
Schenher meets all kinds of people on his routes and said everyone seems to appreciate his volunteer efforts. The retired sales manager for UPS said his hobby helps him stay active, physically and mentally.
“I get out every day — I’d go crazy if I couldn’t,” he said. “I try to get 20 miles a weekend walking. I try to walk in the morning and then go out in my cart in the afternoon. I get more steps in that way, if I walk first.”
He said “business is always picking up.”
Stan Schenher picks up trash while out on a walk in the Geist area of Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Stan Schenher)
Mayor Fadness pays tribute to Hailey Buzbee
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness closed his annual State of the City address Feb. 3 with a tribute to Fishers teen Hailey Buzbee, who died after she went missing from her home Jan. 6.
Fadness and Fishers Police Department officials announced Feb. 1 that Buzbee was dead and that a 39-year-old Ohio man has been charged in connection with her disappearance. Fadness indicated during his State of the City address that since that Feb. 1 news conference, Buzbee’s body had been found and will be returned to her family.
“I know that our police department did extraordinary work to make sure that when evil came here and took Hailey away, our police department picked up the track and found Hailey,” he said. “Unfortunately, she’s not coming home alive, but Hailey is going to come home and there’s going to be some semblance of closure for the family and, as importantly, our Fishers Police Department brought justice and accountability to the doorstep of this monster.”
Fadness said he has talked with Buzbee’s father several times, and her family asked that people focus on who she was rather than what happened to her.
“So, if I could, I’m just going to share a little bit about who she was,” Fadness said. “Hailey was a bright, smart, beautiful, hardworking, 17-year-old girl. She was a great big sister who never missed an opportunity to tuck her little sister into bed. She was a good friend. She was loved by her family and she loved her family.”
Fadness asked those in the audience to not give a round of applause at the close of his approximately one-hour speech.
“Instead, I’d ask you to take a moment of quiet reflection, think about if you can make a little room in your individual bucket to find time to think about or pray, or even take action to support Hailey and her family as they walk through this living hell,” he said. “If we do that and we do that well, we as a group of people can be more than just a city, but truly a community.”
The hundreds of audience members at the Fishers Event Center were completely silent as Fadness left the stage and they remained silent and still for a full minute before quietly leaving.
A separate story with more details about Fadness’ State of the City address will be published in Current’s Feb. 17 edition and online, youarecurrent.com.
Remodeling Seminar Kitchen & Bath
Plan Before You Build
Join us for a complimentary seminar covering today’s top kitchen and bath trends, budgeting tips, and design insights to help you plan your next remodeling project with confidence.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19 | 7 - 8:30pm
99 E Carmel Dr | Carmel Showroom
Limited Seating | RSVP by February 17th Call 317 846 2600 to claim your spot
What You’ll Learn
Budgeting & Timeline Expectations
Kitchen & Bath Design Trends
Permits & Planning Tips
Q&A with Designers
Scan to Call:
Trusted by Central Indiana homeowners for 25+ years
Fisher Mayor Scott Fadness speaks Feb. 3 at the Fishers Event Center. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
TIMELY CARDIOLOGY APPOINTMENTS
If you’ve been told you’re at risk for heart disease, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. From everyday heart care to the most complex procedures, we offer leading-edge medicine that’s personalized for you. Call 317.962.0500.
A helping hand
Indy nonprofit feeds hungry people while reducing food waste
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Second Helpings, an Indianapolis-based regional nonprofit that feeds people, reduces food waste and teaches culinary job skills, recently moved some of its operations into a warehouse close to its main building, ensuring it has the space it needs to continue distributing food to partner organizations that help Hoosiers in need.
Second Helpings officially opened its 14,000-square-foot warehouse, 901 E. Maryland St., with a Jan. 21 grand-opening celebration. However, the new space — walking distance from the nonprofit’s main building on Southeastern Avenue — was already in use earlier that month as Laraine and Tim Hudson collected a flat of donated food totaling 469 pounds.
Laraine Hudson said the food was destined for Bethel United Methodist Church and its freezer-meal ministry.
“We cook once a month for three days and fill our freezers with meals for people to take,” she said. “We can (help) people that are recovering or homebound — any reason. It’s been such a blessing — I can’t even begin to tell you. Our church is so small that we could not afford to give out as much food as we do without this help.”
The church is one of many nonprofits in the nine-county central Indiana area that Second Helpings works with to distribute food. CEO Linda Broadfoot said the distribution process starts by “rescuing” food from corporate partners.
“That could be suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, caterers — so really, really good food that would just otherwise go to waste,” she said.
Some of that food is the result of a supplier ordering too much, other items might be close to their expiration dates. Second Helpings quickly uses food with a short shelf life by cooking meals in its Southeastern Avenue kitchen for distribution.
“We’re averaging about 5,000-6,000 meals a day that we’re creating from that food that we then deliver to some of these 200 community programs,” she said.
Other donated food, such as frozen
meat and shelf-stable items, now can be stored at the warehouse for distribution, rather than a cramped garage space the nonprofit has been using for more than 20 years, allowing the program to continue expanding and helping more people.
In addition to distributing food and meals, Second Helpings provides a free culinary arts training program to help area residents who are unemployed or underemployed find better jobs.
“We make sure folks get a ton of certifications, so it’s a lot of workplace skills, financial literacy training — those sorts of things,” Broadfoot said. “Then we also are doing, of course, all the culinary training, so that folks are ready to go out in the culinary field in our communities. That also means we have a graduation ceremony in the building about once every two months. Those are absolutely the best days.”
Jon Askelson, chef instructor, said his students recently prepared whole striped bass, learning how to fillet the fish and making a beurre blanc sauce from scratch.
“And they blanched and shocked some green beans,” he said. “Then they sauteed that, and they took those striped bass filets, they crusted them and fried them.”
The plated fish and green beans then got a drizzle of sauce over the top.
Broadfoot said the average class size is about 10 students and the program has celebrated more than 1,000 graduates. Those students are eligible for jobs in hotels, catering businesses and restaurants, etc.
For more, visit secondhelpings.org.
From left, volunteers Anna France, Mike Santino and Melanie Harris prepare meals at the Second Helpings kitchen. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
Lawrence Central standout a McDonald’s All American
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Lawrence Central High School senior Lola Lampley, becoming a McDonald’s All American completes a mission.
“I think the neat thing is starting in her fifth-grade year, she put a poster up on her wall, and on that she said she wanted to win a state championship, which obviously she’s done that, and she wanted to be a McDonald’s All American,” said Jannon Lampley, Lola’s mother and Lawrence Central’s girls basketball coach.
Lola, who will play for LSU next season, was selected Feb. 2 to play in the McDonald’s All American girls basketball game March 31 in Glendale, Ariz. She helped lead Lawrence Central to an IHSAA Class 4A state championship in 2024.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing for a child at that point to aspire to be something and then have the courage to pursue it for that extended amount of time,” said Lampley, a Fishers resident. “It’s a testament to the person and the work ethic it takes to that commitment to bring it to fruition. I’m both happy and proud of what Lola has achieved.”
Lola, a 6-foot-2 forward who will play for the East team, had career-high averages of 17.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game prior to the Feb. 6 Class 4A sectional semifinal game against Tech.
“I think her leadership has improved tremendously,” Lampley said.
Lola’s older sister, Jaylah Lampley,
Lawrence Central High School girls basketball player Lola Lampley has been selected a McDonald’s All American.
(Photo courtesy of Jannon Lampley)
plays for Mississippi State University, and former Lawrence Central teammate Laila Abdurraqib (University of New Mexico) graduated in 2025.
So, Lola and senior Aniyah McKenzie are needed to lead.
“Aniyah is more of a vocal leader and Lola leads by example,” said Lampley, who played for Purdue University. “In the past, as much as Lola could have been dominant for us, she’s always taken a reduced role because Laila and Jaylah were so dominant scoring. Now, she has been pushed into the lead role as an offensive threat. She is the one instead of Jaylah drawing the box-and-one and the triangle-and-two, so she had to navigate different defenses. I think she’s done a phenomenal job, and it helps having great teammates as well.”
Lola also has been selected to play in the USA Basketball Nike Hoops Summit. The April 11 game in Portland will match top U.S. girls high school players against a team of top international players.
Carmel High School guard’s energy provides spark
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Carmel High School sophomore guard Bella Ramsey never seems to tire.
“Bella’s biggest strength is her motor,” Greyhounds girls basketball coach Jessica Darmelio said. “She can ‘go’ both offensively and defensively. This has allowed her to get out in transition and pressure the basketball to put strain on opponents for 32 minutes.”
Prior to the Feb. 6 sectional semifinals, the 5-foot-8 Ramsey averaged a team-high 13.3 points per game on 44 percent shooting and 1.5 steals per game for the Greyhounds (9-13). She averaged 5.0 ppg as a freshman.
“Bella has made the most improvement with her confidence offensively,” said Darmelio, who is in her first season as Carmel’s coach after serving the previous three seasons as the Franklin College head coach. “She has turned the dial to be most consistent scoring at all three levels as we have progressed through the season.”
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
MEET BELLA RAMSEY
Favorite athlete: Caitlin Clark
Favorite movie: “Home Alone”
Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy”
Favorite musician: Morgan Wallen
Ramsey said her leadership skills have gone up a notch, too.
“I feel like going from my freshman year to my sophomore year,” she said.
“I have stepped up as one of the leaders on the team since we have a pretty young team.”
Ramsey is adept at playing either guard spot.
“I would say that I play more of a shooting guard at times, but I handle the ball and am the point guard if it is
APPROACH
Our team-based approach ensures seamless, expert care focused on the source of your pain and lasting relief
RELIEF
Treatment of back and neck pain, shooting leg or arm pain, numbness in extremities, sciatica, spinal stenosis, herniated discs and work-related injuries
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
Cutting edge, minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery and less post-operative pain
EXPERTISE
Compassionate, Experienced, Board Certified, Fellowship-trained Spine Surgeons and Interventional Pain Management physicians
needed,” she said.
Ramsey plans to play for IndyOne on the Nike circuit.
“The main thing that I am going to focus on in the offseason is getting stronger and finishing through contact,” she said.
She expects the Greyhounds will improve as well.
“I am very optimistic for our next season because since we are a young team this year, we will be able to continue to build our chemistry as a team,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey began playing basketball when at age 5. She played soccer and ran track but soon concentrated on basketball.
“I just love the competitiveness, and I love the bonds and friendships I have been able to make,” she said.
Ramsey has already received an offer to play for Taylor University, an NAIA program.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com
WORLD CLASS SPINE CARE RIGHT HERE
IN FISHERS
Carmel High School sophomore guard Bella Ramsey is the Greyhounds’ top scorer. (Photo courtesy of Hounds HQ)
Engaged couple launches positivity-focused app
Spencer Durham spencer@yourarecurrent.com
Zionsville residents Sarah Pfleeger and her fiancé Leo Dickson-Sharp are like many Gen Zers — they spend a lot of hours on their phones.
But instead of doomscrolling, they’re aiming for something better, something a little more positive.
Pfleeger, 19, and Dickson-Sharp, 22, are the co-founders of Kairo, a new social meda app.
Kairo is like its more-popular counterparts — Instagram and TikTok — allowing users to post pictures and videos. The interface is similar to what a typical social media user is accustomed to.
However, there are some key differences.
Users can only upvote one post per day. When a user upvotes a post, a prompt asks the user to send an encouraging comment to the poster. The comment is sent to the poster via a direct message.
This serves two functions: Promote positivity and ensure the upvote feature is not accidentally used.
The upvote function is different than the like feature. Users can like an unlimited number of posts per day; however, the number of likes a post receives is only visible to the person who made it.
Again, it is another way the app leans into positivity and aims to reduce feelings of competition and comparison.
There are also public comments.
There is no AI content.
Kairo’s founders said they want the app to brighten people’s day instead of the not-so-positive qualities on other sites.
“Social media was marketed as something you can use to connect with people,” Pfleeger said. “We’re really trying to push away the negativity.”
The desire for a better social media experience has been a topic of conversation since the couple, now engaged, met.
“The most popular things on there are controversial or hateful,” Dickson-Sharp said.
Pfleeger agreed.
“There’s not a place right now where the things going viral aren’t meant to (make you angry),” she added.
So, the two set out to make an app in
their own image. Neither have technology backgrounds and both have day jobs. They learned coding language and how to design an app themselves.
“We both have raging ADHD,” said Pfleeger, who is no stranger to lofty projects, having published multiple books as a teenager.
Kairo, the Arabic word for “victorious one,” is heavily moderated by both Pfleeger and Dickson-Sharp and a series of filters that flags inappropriate material.
The two are trying to grow their user base in Zionsville before expanding. They said the reception so far has been positive.
“People are coming back to it,” Pfleeger said. “That’s what we’re excited to see.”
They also plan to market the app to businesses and teams — Kairo is for anyone 13 years and older — as a place to track goals and foster healthy competition. A subscription option is likely if the app grows in popularity.
User data cannot be accessed by the app’s administrators unless content is flagged for inappropriateness, a conscious design feature based on data leaks that are common online.
The Kairo app is available at kairoconnect.org/. It will be available on the Google Play Store and the (Apple) App Store pending a review.
ENJOY
Employee Pricing
Between January 21 and March 29, 2026,
Leo Dickson-Sharp and Sarah Pfleeger recently launched Kairo, a social media app that emphasizes positivity. The app has a similar interface as other popular social media platforms but has certain features meant to guard against negativity. (Photo by Michael Dennemann)
Grants available for historic churches
northindy@youarecurrent.com
Indiana Landmarks is accepting applications from historic churches and other houses of worship that need financial help to preserve their buildings. Applications are due by midJune, with a webinar set for Feb. 19 to provide guidance about the application process.
“Churches and other historic houses of worship stand among the most architecturally distinguished structures in a community, and when congregations shrink, maintenance suffers and landmarks become threatened,” the nonprofit stated in a news release.
The Sacred Places Indiana Program started in 2015 with support from Lilly Endowment Inc., in response to the need for maintenance funds. In December 2025, Lilly Endowment renewed its support with a $10 million grant for ongoing programs to support historic houses of worship, including expert guidance, training and financial assistance.
“Lilly Endowment’s continued support for Indiana Landmarks’ Sacred
Places Indiana program is valuable beyond words,” stated David Frederick, director of Sacred Places Indiana.
“We’ve already seen the impact that the program is having, not only in terms of support to participating congregations and the historic buildings they steward, but to the communities they serve as well.”
The Sacred Places Indiana Fund
awards matching funds for planning grants up to $25,000 and capital grants up to $500,000, according to the news release. In 2025, the program provided $2,835,950 to 25 congregations around the state.
To register for the webinar, visit indianalandmarks.org/sacred-places-indiana-fund-webinar; or call 317-6394534 or 800-450-4534.
DISPATCHES
Awards nominations open — The Indiana Manufacturers Association is accepting nominations through April 30 for the 2026 Manufacturing Excellence Awards, which honor Indiana companies and individuals for outstanding work, exceptional contributions and impact on the future of manufacturing in Indiana. The awards are open to all manufacturers in Indiana. For more, visit indianamfg. com/2026-manufacturing-excellence-awards.
Calls for art — The Fishers Arts Council is seeking submissions for its April exhibit, “Spring Blooms with Poetry — Tiny Art.” The exhibit will focus on 2D and 3D works that are no larger than 8 inches square, along with poetry. Fishers Arts Council will print and frame accepted poems. The deadline to apply is March 16. Musicians are also needed for the 2026 Season of Art which offers paid performance opportunities for solo, duet, and trios throughout the year. For more, visit FishersArtsCouncil.org/blog.
Previous recipients of capital grants from Indiana Landmarks’ Sacred Places Indiana Fund are, from left, North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis; Saint Adalbert Catholic Church in South Bend and First Christian Church in Bloomington. (Photo collage courtesy of Indiana Landmarks)
A FAMILY BUSINESS
Woodworker known for cigar ashtrays, Speedway merchandise and more
By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com
In 2020, Michael Gant was laid off from his job because of the COVID-19 pandemic and joined millions of Americans facing financial uncertainty that year.
At the time, Gant had been working in corporate athletic sales — specifically, custom locker and equipment rooms. But he always wanted to open his own woodworking shop. He and his wife, Shannon, a real estate agent, had even determined a timeline for opening a woodworking business, and had decided Gant would quit his job in 2022 to do woodworking full-time.
His unexpected layoff accelerated that timeline, but he was able to launch his own Fishers-based company — The Gant Collective — producing high-quality, handcrafted wood products. And six years later, he’s still at it.
“I’m old enough to have been in that era where you had to take shop classes,” Michael Gant said. “All through middle school and high school, I took woodworking and metalworking courses, and then started doing some things on my own, just messing around with some things that we needed at home. Then folks would say, ‘Hey man, is there a way you can do one for me?’ Then, as a side gig every once in a while, I’d make something for somebody. I did it well enough that I knew I could do this full-time.”
The Gant Collective now is the family-owned business he envisioned all those years ago. Gant and his son, Evan Gant, are the creative artists for the company and make all of their products by hand. Shannon Gant takes care of business development, handling everything from marketing to shipping and sales.
Evan, an Indiana University graduate with a degree in music production, learned everything he knows about woodworking from his father.
“He’s taken to it because it allows him to be creative with some of the pieces that we do,” Michael said. “He’s also a perfectionist. It’s awesome watching him work, side by side.”
Evan and Michael complete their woodworking items for The Gant Collective out of the Makers
Playground space in the Hub and Spoke building in Fishers. The business does not have a storefront and is exclusively online. However, a storefront is something the Gants wants to open in the future, should the right space become available.
The Gant Collective is best known for its high-end cigar ashtrays. Michael and Shannon appreciate a quality cigar and found their niche with the ashtrays. Michael even picked up the nickname “The Cigar Ashtray Guy” from friends and has made two for the lead singer of Metallica.
Other top-selling products include bourbon
coasters, charcuterie boards, valet trays and custom furniture.
Michael Gant uses Indiana hardwood, which he obtains from Pittsboro.
“There’s only one guy I’ll go to,” he said. “He’s become a really good friend. He also happens to be a bourbon and cigar guy, so it makes it easy.”
He has other sources of wood, though, including from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“What happens is, just about every single time they cut a tree down out there, either on the course or on Speedway property, they’ll call me and see if I want the wood,” Gant said. “Then they allow me to create
INSPIRATION
Michael Gant was first exposed to woodworking in middle school, but his skills improved as an adult after his family dog, “a very spoiled husky,” arrived and Gant made a fence from palette wood for the backyard. He later made dog food and water bowls.
Grant moved on to items for humans, completing the home’s basement to look like a coffee shop. He made his first cigar ashtray for himself, and the business took off from there.
pieces that I want to create, from tables to coasters to what have you, out of those pieces of wood. They have a certificate of authenticity that we get from the track. So, when the person purchases that piece, it says this is an officially licensed piece from wood taken from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”
To date, he’s made tables, ashtrays, coasters, pens and more out of trees harvested from the track.
In addition to wood from the Speedway, Gant uses wood from the company that manufactures Winchester, Browning and Ruger firearms. The wood he obtains from his source is used exclusively for his Gunstock Series.
“I’m the only woodworker out of the gun community that he’ll sell his walnut to,” Gant said.
The company recently announced two new product lines for golfers: Golf Maps Engraved and the Stogie Cube, which is a compact, magnetized cigar accessory that can attach to metal golf carts. Its Golf Maps En
graved are precision-engraved wooden maps of iconic golf courses.
For more, visit thegantcollective.com.
-
ON THE COVER: Michael Gant works at a wood shop station at the Makers Playground in Hub & Spoke in Fishers.
(Photo by Samantha Kupiainen)
(Above) Michael Gant uses the laser machine at Makers Playground in Hub and Spoke.
(Photo by Samantha Kupiainen)
(Below) A new Gant Collective product is a Stogie Cube for golfers, which holds a cigar and attaches to a golf cart with a magnet. (Photo courtesy of Michael Gant)
Eye myths busted, Part 2
Commentary by Dr. Amy Iddins
In my last article, we debunked some common eye myths—but it turns out there’s still plenty of “eye advice” floating around that deserves a closer look. From carrots giving you perfect vision to crossing your eyes causing permanent misalignment, our eyes seem to attract more old wives’ tales than any other part of the body! Let’s separate fact from fiction -- science first, superstition second.
MYTH 1: CARROTS GIVE YOU PERFECT EYESIGHT
This classic started in WWII, when the British Royal Air Force claimed their pilots had amazing night vision thanks to carrots—to hide the real reason: new radar technology. While carrots are high in vitamin A, which supports overall eye health, eating more won’t improve your vision beyond normal levels or improve your refractive error.
MYTH 2: CROSSING YOUR EYES WILL MAKE THEM STICK
Most of us heard this as kids. The truth? Temporarily crossing your eyes is harmless -- they won’t get stuck. Persistent or involuntary crossing, however, could be a sign of strabismus, which deserves a professional eye exam.
MYTH 3: TAP WATER OR SALIVA CAN RE-WET CONTACTS
This is a dangerous one and a big no! Saliva and tap water aren’t sterile and can introduce bacteria, risking serious sight threatening eye infections. Only use sterile contact lens solutions, and if none are available, it’s safer to leave the lens out until you have proper solution.
With these myths busted, you can rest easy — and maybe even share a few more eye-opening facts with your friends and family!
Dr. Amy Iddins of RevolutionEYES completed her Doctor of Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Pantries
Just Pop In to close Broad Ripple restaurant
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A locally owned popcorn, restaurant and event business announced Jan. 26 that it will be closing and selling its Broad Ripple building in advance of a business expansion.
Co-owners and twin sisters Mandy Selke and Carly Swift made the announcement through a social media post, noting that the business started 23 years ago with a small location in Broad Ripple, followed by an invitation to open a retail space at the Indianapolis Airport.
“Not only did we earn the (airport) contract, we ended up earning best new retail concept of all of North America,” Swift said in the video announcement. “What an honor that was.”
Selke said they bought the Broad Ripple site in 2008.
“We built this beautiful public house … where we would not only host our production popcorn staff, but we would also develop a restaurant and do fun wine (and) popcorn pairings,” she said, adding that the house also hosted private events. “We have had the pleasure
Just Pop In in Broad Ripple announced it will close at the end of March.
(Photo courtesy of Just Pop In)
of hosting thousands and thousands of amazing guests celebrating their most important occasions in their life, to hosting artists and local musicians. It has been nothing short of magical.”
Selke said the business is “in a season of growth” and has outgrown the Broad Ripple building. The sisters plan to sell the building and close by the end of March.
“We have some more exciting news to come,” she said. “We’re just so thankful that you have followed our journey and have supported us as long as you have but stay tuned — we’ve got a lot of more exciting things to do.”
Just Pop In’s airport store remains open in the terminal’s Concourse B.
Regional construction remains stable in ’25
news@currentinfishers.com
The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis has reported that single-family building permit activity across central Indiana closed out 2025 on stable footing, with year-end totals modestly exceeding 2024 levels.
According to a news release, the nine-county region recorded 10,173 permits in 2025 — compared to 10,044 permits in 2024 — reflecting a 1 percent year-over-year increase. Permit activity remained consistent during the final months of the year, in line with typical winter seasonality and broader national housing trends.
The U.S. Census Bureau and an analysis from the National Association of Home Builders indicates that single-family permitting and construction softened nationally late in 2025,
JOINT GRAND OPENING OF FISHERS CRYOTHERAPY AND THE GYM INSIDE PRECISION FIELDHOUSE AT FINCH CREEK.
Saturday, February 21st, 2026 10am - 6pm
Refreshments, Giveaways, Special Appearances and a Live DJ!
Grand Opening Celebration at Precision Fieldhouse at Finch Creek
as elevated interest rates, affordability constraints and economic uncertainty weighed on builder confidence. However, central Indiana’s year-end performance remained relatively steady.
“Central Indiana’s housing market finished 2025 in a balanced position,”
BAGI CEO Chris Hancock stated. “Builders responded thoughtfully to changing conditions throughout the year — managing inventory carefully, aligning with buyer demand and maintaining a disciplined approach to new construction.”
Hamilton County had the highest number of total building permits in 2025, with 2,809; followed by Marion County with 1,674. Hendricks County had 1,518; Hancock County, 1,268; Johnson County, 855; Boone County, 901; Madison County, 477; Morgan County, 377 and Shelby County, 194.
For more, visit BAGI.com/Permits.
Big news for the Finch Creek community — Fishers Cryotherapy and The Gym are officially celebrating their Grand Opening together, and you’re invited to be part of the excitement
WHAT TO EXPECT
• Founders rates available now and through the celebration day
• Special guest appearances • Complimentary refreshments
• Fitness giveaways • Wellness giveaways
• A first look at two incredible new additions to the Fieldhouse
This is your chance to explore cutting‑edge fitness and restorative wellness under one roof, meet the teams, and enjoy a day packed with energy, connection, and celebration.
Don’t miss it — this is the kickoff you’ll want to be part of.
Trumpeter to perform Palladium concert
By Alan Sculley editorial@youarecurrent.com
In the time leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Chris Botti wasn’t sure if he’d add any new albums to the 10 studio releases that had made up his catalog through 2012.
Album sales had tanked as streaming and downloading took hold, and with Botti’s touring business being robust, he began to think there was no need for more of his music. He even was entertaining the thought of leaving Columbia Records, the label that signed him before his fourth album, 2001’s “Night Sessions,” and had helped elevate him to a place where his albums consistently hit the top of the jazz chart.
“(Columbia Records) did such a great job for me,” said Botti, who will perform at 8 p.m. March 6 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. “But as (of) 2015, 16, 17, 18, right in there, I could kind of tell that Columbia Records was basically kind of in the Adele business, which I don’t fault them for. I think it’s a fine business. And so, I kind of spent those years just touring and letting our touring do the talking.”
But coming out of the pandemic, two things surfaced that changed Botti’s thinking. Now, he’s on tour with an album, “Vol. 1,” that arrived in October 2023, and he’s planning more trips to the studio to make at least two more albums.
“This opportunity came up to go to Blue Note, and that was thrilling because it’s such an iconic label,” Botti said. “And (label president) Don Was has been lovely to me, letting me kind of do whatever I want. Then obviously, having David Foster produce was the kind of kick in the butt. I felt if I could get him to come out of retirement and produce me, it would be super special and we should do this. So over dinner, I asked him and he said ‘Sure.’” Foster, of course, has had a storied
career as a producer, songwriter, recording artist, keyboardist and record executive, working with Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Josh Groban, Celine Dion and Michael Bublé, among many others. Along the way, Foster has won more than a dozen Grammy Awards.
In approaching “Vol. 1,” project, Botti and Foster decided it would be a small group project featuring acoustic instrumentation and a selection romantic standards such as “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “My Funny Valentine” and “Someday My Prince Will Come,” along with a couple of more contemporary tunes, including a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” – all centered around Botti’s trumpet.
Although Botti has frequently used full orchestras on his previous albums, he knew the album called for a leaner treatment for the material.
“Part of the problem when you do one of those big orchestra records, you Google for an arranger and you turn over like everything to arranger. Then you fly all the way to London, and you stand before the orchestra and if it doesn’t work, it’s toast,” Botti said. “But when you’re doing something that is more stripped back like this, you can change songs, change (arrangements).
This was so much more immediate, and we wanted to do a lifestyle record that was definitely stripped back, that was central to the sound of my horn and do kind of a more jazz record, but still make it lifestyle and approachable for people to listen to.”
Botti and Foster got the album they wanted, as “Vol. 1” is an elegant, highly melodic ballad-focused work.
Elegance and sophistication have been constants for Botti throughout a career that began in the mid-1980s. He first began gaining notice when he joined Paul Simon’s touring band in 1990, a touring relationship that would continue through the 1990s.
Botti began his solo career in 1995 with the CD, “First Wish,” but it was in 2000 that his career got a pivotal boost when Sting hired the trumpeter to join his band for his “Brand New Day” tour. In the midst of that tour with Sting, Botti was signed by Columbia Records and released the “Night Sessions” CD. His profile and reputation as a player have only continued to grow since then as albums like 2004’s “When I Fall In Love,” 2007’s “Italia” and his biggest release, the 2009 concert album “Chris Botti In Boston,” have topped the jazz charts, and especially in the case of that latter album, crossed over to pop.
“In order to get an audience to feel music in their seats, so to speak, in their core, you can’t just play necessarily all of the beautiful stuff,” he said.
“You’ve got to hit them with some visceral, kind of flashy and musical chop-oriented stuff that makes them go ‘Oh, my god!’ You know, like, ‘Boom!’”
Botti considers the “Vol. 1” title very much signaling a new phase in his career, and looking ahead, he sees himself picking up the pace on making albums while he maintains his heavy touring regimen.
“I’ll hopefully be on board with Blue Note for at least ‘Vol. 1,’ ‘2’ and ‘3.’ And we can knock them out pretty (quickly), like every year or year and a half,” Botti said. “That’s kind of what my thought process is, maybe do three things for Blue Note.”
‘THE MOUSETRAP’
“The Mousetrap” runs through Feb. 15 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Feinstein’s cabaret presents “Summer Nights, The Music of Grease” Feb. 12, followed by “Esque, Burlesque at Feinstein’s” Feb. 13 and “Paul Hughes, Songs for the Lovers” Feb. 14 at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc. com.
‘THE PAGEANT’
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present “The Pageant” through Feb. 22 at The Florence at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
‘LUCKY STIFF’
Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Lucky Stiff” through Feb. 15 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.
‘THE GREAT GATSBY’
Civic Theatre presents “The Great Gatsby” through Feb. 21 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘ALMOST, MAINE’
Main Street Productions presents “Almost, Maine” through Feb.15 at the Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
‘MASQUERADE BALL’
Indiana Wind Symphony’s “Masquerade Ball” is set for 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
Chris Botti will perform at 8 p.m. March 6 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Randall Slavin)
ENTERTAINMENT
Guest clarinetist joins IWS
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Indiana Wind Symphony Orchestra Music Director Jay Gephart knows there is a buzz around a special guest musician.
Jazz clarinetist Doreen Ketchens will perform in the “Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball” concert at 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“This is going to be huge for us,” Gephart said. “I told the band she was coming, and the immediate response was overwhelming. They couldn’t believe it.”
Ketchens will perform a piece that was written for her for the National American Bandmasters Association Convention. The piece is “Troubles of the World” by William May.
“It has a little bit of a jazz bent to it, but he also writes in a really wonderful classical style,” Gephart said. “So, there is a combination of the two styles that showcase Doreen as more of a jazz player. She is going to play two lighter piec-
Doreen
Ketchens, a jazz clarinetist, will be a guest performer Feb. 15 at the Indiana Wind Symphony concert in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of IWS)
es in the second half of the concert.”
Ketchens will perform Paul Hemmer’s arrangements of “Caravan” and “Amazing Grace.”
The concert will open with “Fanfare from La Péri” by Paull Dukas, followed by “Occident et Orient” by Camille Saint-Saens.
The concert closes with Brant Karrick’s “Bayou Breakdown” and “Satchmo,” a tribute to Louis Armstrong by Ted Ricketts. It features IWS principal trumpeter Brian Hoover.
For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
Opens February 19
Play to examine Riley’s life
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
James Whitcomb Riley is known as a famous writer and poet from Indiana.
“But many don’t know how he got started,” Carmel resident Keith Miller said. “I was shocked to learn he started out on the traveling medicine show and even posed as a blind man cured by a magic elixir. He was really quite the character. He was not the stodgy poet that we know from later in his life photographs. He was a showman.”
in a fictional conversation with an assistant stage manager, Caleb Jonson. Nolan Daugherty plays Caleb Johnson and Paul Hansen plays Riley.
“It really put me at ease when the audience laughed for the first time and then they applauded when I hoped it would applaud,” Miller said.
Miller
Miller’s play “An Evening with James Whitcomb Riley” is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The performance will benefit Riley Children’s Foundation. The play had a reading Oct. 11, 2025, at Carmel Clay Public Library as part of the Actors Theatre of Indiana Lab series.
“So, I know we have a really good play that everyone can enjoy.”
Following the reading, Miller said many audience members stuck around for nearly an hour to offer feedback, “They wanted to know more about Riley, and they wanted to hear more poetry, which was encouraging,” he said. “So, we added a new scene and we added additional poetry.”
The play spotlights some scandals in Riley’s life.
Fall in love all over again with this modern musical fairy tale, based on the popular film!
The two-person play centers on Riley’s appearance with Mark Twain in 1894 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, where he talks about his life
Now retired, Miller, 68, is pursuing his passion for writing. He is working on his fifth novel in a five-book series. The books haven’t been published yet. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents. org.
Movie music in spotlight
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Hendricks Symphony’s “Music of the Silver Screen” concerts will cover an array of music from various film genres.
The concerts are set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 3 p.m. Feb. 15 at Hendricks Live! in Plainfield. The performances are part of the “Silver and Gold” theme for the 2025-26 season.
“The upcoming program includes movie music masterpieces from ‘Tara’s Theme’ from ‘Gone with the Wind’ and ‘Over the Rainbow’ from the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ all the way through the ‘Raiders March’ from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and the ‘Star Wars Suite for Orchestra,’” said Carmel resident Amy Eggleston, Hendricks Symphony’s music director and conductor. “The hauntingly beautiful ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ from ‘The Mission,’ a charming choral version of ‘Moon River’ from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and an exciting chorus and orchestra version of ‘The Ecstasy of Gold’ from ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ‘are sure to be audience favorites.”
This is the fourth show of the six-con-
Hendricks Symphony Music
Director Amy Eggleston will conduct “Music of the Silver Screen” Feb. 13 and Feb. 15. (Photo courtesy of Hendricks Symphony)
cert season series at Hendricks Live!.
The April 23 and 25 concerts, “The Gold Record,” will feature music from the Voyager Golden Record. The concerts will include “Brandenburg Concerto No. 2” by Johann Sebastian Bach and “The Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky.
“(They were) the records that were sent out into space many decades ago with the sounds of Earth that we wanted to communicate to anyone that might be out there in the universe, somewhere on a different planet,” Eggleston said.
For more, vist hendrickssymphony. org and hendrickslive.org.
COMMUNITY VOICES
ICE in Minnesota
Editor,
The Trump administration’s immigration deportation policy is out of control and we all know that. We saw how Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents killed two American citizens. Are we going to accept lawlessness that makes us all unsafe?
Immigrant families were employed, paying taxes, paying for their own housing and food, and caring for their families. Does it make economic sense that we are now taking immigrants off our streets — not just the worst but anyone — and housing and feeding them at taxpayers’ expense at $165-$187 or more per day?
The American people need some accounting disclosures on how much this is costing us. How many people are arrested weekly/monthly in each state? Where are they taken? What is the cost to build new detention centers? Who is getting those contracts? And how long do we intend to keep them imprisoned?
For months? Years? How many were flown out of the country? Plus, each day we have the cost of ICE agents. How much are we paying to house agents in hotels, provide food in restaurants and vehicles and other travel expenses?
If ICE is ordered to remove the worst criminals, then arrest and deport them. I am not opposed to that. But hiring ICE agents with $50,000 signing bonuses to rough up ordinary people and citizens is outrageous. Are any of these poorly trained ICE agents pardoned Jan. 6 rioters or current members of a white supremacy group?
Congress has the power to restrict what the president and ICE do, but will they? Courage and integrity are in short supply when we need it so badly at this moment.
We all need to resist the cruelty and the bad policies of ICE. Yes, arrest the criminals, but are millions of people murderers and rapists?
Ron Crawford, Fishers
Personalized
Personalized
Personalized
Personalized Care With A Gentle Touch
Kevin D.
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S. info@fishersdentalcare.com
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.
D.D.S. info@fishersdentalcare.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
Setting boundaries
Commentary by Terry Anker
South Carolina delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention Christopher Gadsden created a flag and presented it to Commodore Esek Hopkins of the Continental Navy in 1775 to fly above the USS Alfred. The banner was a bright yellow field with a coiled rattlesnake centered above the words “DON’T TREAD ON ME.” It is believed that the reptile was intended to represent the danger of disregarding the emerging American identity. The indigenous animal was often docile unless provoked into deadly consequence. The moto was aimed at making it clear to the imperial house in London that it was the object of the ensign.
As is abundantly apparent through an even rudimentary knowledge of history, King George and the British Empire did not heed the warning and decided to tread. After considerable loss of human life and years of toil, the serpent proved itself deadly. The Americans had managed to defeat the most powerful nation on the planet
and raise their own flag, this instance the Stars and Stripes. Over time, the Gadsden pennant faded and has come to serve for many as a reminder of individual freedom and restraint on government overreach.
But in a society where we all share a common space, if not specifically common objectives, how do we know if someone is really treading upon us? When does transgression become a moral authority to act? No doubt, we often find slight in the impositions of others. “Why are they cutting in traffic or in line? How dare they say something aloud that’s inconsistent with our view? Don’t you dare tread on us!”
If there are limits to righteous indignation, what are those boundaries and how do we stay on the right side of them? It could decide if we are victorious or just another snake in the grass.
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.
Playing the numbers game
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
I am now beginning my 26th year of writing this humor column. It seems like yesterday I was floundering for ideas, unable to put together a coherent sentence and making bad puns. Wait, that was yesterday. You were way ahead of me on the joke, weren’t you? This insight has made me realize that there are countless things in my life I am no better at than when I started on this earth 79 years ago. I say countless, but I’m going to count some of them, anyway.
1: Am I better at fixing things? No! I still hire a handyman for everything. All that has changed is the price. It’s about 50 bucks an hour. It’s $65 an hour if I try to assist him. Sometimes when I do try to assist, Randy will ask, “Why are you trying to help? What did I ever do to you?”
2: Am I a better typist? No! After 2,500 columns, 12 books and thousands of emails, I still hunt. Then, after quite a while, I peck. My wife can watch her favorite TV show while composing a letter on her laptop and never once look at the keys. I tried that. Here’s what it looked like: DeAr joE, gooD TO hEAr from You. Let,s get toGether fOR a DRINK!
3: Am I a better listener? No! This is especially true with directions. I listen to the first sentence and then space the rest. Yes, I do have a GPS, but I don’t trust the device. It’s a man’s voice. What do they know? I could have changed it into a woman’s voice telling me where to turn,
but Mary Ellen wasn’t available that day to sit next to me.
4: Am I better at making friends? I have always had two or three close friends. That has never changed, but the friends keep changing. That should tell you something.
6: Am I a better driver? No! But I admit it. I once accidentally went over a median when I was making a left-hand turn. A policeman pulled me over and wanted to give me a breathalyzer test. “I’m not drunk,” I told the officer, “I’m just a lousy driver.”
7: Am I any better at putting down the toilet seat, eating without staining the tablecloth, remembering to wipe my feet when I come in the house and putting the dishes in the dishwasher in the correct slots? No! No! No! No! (And thanks to my wife, Mary Ellen, for helping me with No. 7).
8: Am I any better at following the plot of a movie? No! “Mary Ellen, why is everyone jumping off the ship? “It’s the Titanic, Dick. Sorry if the shipwreck disturbed your nap.”
10: Am I a better writer? Well, I’m not sure, but you did get all the way to No. 10. By the way, I didn’t get any better at numbering, either.
Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES
Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent. com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker.
16. Battery terminal
17. “Kapow!”
18. ___ Wayne, Ind.
19. Like some patches
20. Building supplies salesladies in
MILLERSBURG?
23. IU Health triage sites
24. Mount Everest guide
25. Ship of fuels?
27. Smoke House vape pens, briefly
30. Artist’s lifetime work
33. IMPD rap sheet letters
36. Kind of band or show
38. Stir up
39. Anxious feeling
41. ___ room
42. Does tough work
43. Move, to a Realtor
44. In a tidy way
46. Ruby or Sandra
47. Magazine with an annual “Sexiest Man Alive” issue
49. Cambodian currency
51. Frisbee maker
53. Japanese hostess
57. Teacher’s favorite student
59. Chart topper about being miserable over an unrequited relationship in HORTONVILLE?
62. Single-celled organism
64. Lambs’ moms
65. Subside
66. Aroma
67. Philosopher Descartes
68. ___ mater
69. St. Nicholas, to some 70. Hoosier Park gait
71. Consider DOWN
1. Prominent bulldog features
2. “You bet!”
3. Guilty feeling
4. Sound quality
5. Part of a Mellencamp song
6. Frenzied
7. Actress Spelling
8. The Jetsons’ dog
9. Annoyance
10. Opposite of WSW
11. Missing a crew member in RIVERWOOD?
12. Aroma
13. Bears’ lairs
21. Disney theme park
22. Colt foe
26. French coin
28. “Pretty Woman” star
29. Bad-mouth
31. Anger
32. “If all ___ fails...”
33. 50+ org.
34. Patella’s place
35. Beaming adolescent in EAGLETOWN?
37. Start of a Belfry The-
PUBLIC NOTICE
atre play
40. Second-year student at WHS
42. Colts 2026 Pro Bowl tight end Warren
44. Nautilus captain
45. Kit with toy bricks
48. “Deck the Halls” syllables
50. “Arabian Nights” sailor
52. For all to see
54. Fissile rock
55. Blackjack request
56. First-stringers
57. Pacers point guard option
58. Austen novel
60. Decorative pitcher
61. Fallon’s predecessor
63. Muldoon’s on Main sandwich, for short ANSWERS ON PAGE 23
Fishers Wash Investments, LLC (905 Hickory Lane, Mansfield, OH 44905) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) of our intent to comply with the requirements of the Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with the Tip Top Express - Fishers project located at 9650 Lantern Road, Fishers, IN 46037. Runoff from the project site will be routed through the existing stormwater system and onto an existing regional detention pond. Please direct questions to MLS Engineering at 260-489-8571 or by email at coreysmith@mlswebsite.us.
WE DO INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING ESTIMATES
PUZZLE ANSWERS
Clarity Care Givers LLC is Indiana’s premiere personal service agency for elder care. We hire, train, support and value all that it takes for our clients and caregivers’ success.
NOW HIRING
Visit our website:https//claritycaregivers.com/contact/ and click Careers to complete an on-line application. Our culture is welcoming, friendly and above all, professional and respectful to our clients and caregivers. We value the work being done and we offer, • Competitive wage • Work life balance • Simple IRA • And, so much more
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
If you or a loved one need an extra pair of hands to meet daily care needs, Clarity Care Givers may be exactly what you are looking for. Our service provides: • Companionship • Assist with daily care tasks • Light housekeeping • And, so much more
FREE SUPPORT
Come join us every 4th calendar Tuesday at 7050 E. 116th Street, Suite 150 in Fishers, IN from 2:00 until 4:00. Witness and participate in SUSTAIN. It’s a time of respite for those who provide care to share and to gather tips from others facing same or similar concerns.
We do one thing only and we do it better than anyone else. We provide exceptional care. Come join us. That’s why Clarity Care Givers is Trusted, Requested – Preferred.
