Founded March 12, 2024, at Indianapolis, IN Vol. I, No. 50
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FEBRUARY & MARCH DINE IN DEALS!
20% off total
New United Way program focuses on solutions
northindy@youarecurrent.com
United Way of Central Indiana is accepting applications for Catalyst, a new nine-week program intended to help participants test and develop sustainable solutions to community challenges.
“Catalyst is built for people who see a clear community problem — an unmet need, a broken system, a service that no longer fits today’s reality, for example — but need time, tools and support to figure out what works and then test and strengthen their ideas before launching them,” a news release stated.
The initiative targets central Indiana nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs and others who work in or alongside human services nonprofits, agencies
or community organizations, as well as independent leaders ready to build something new.
“Across our community, leaders in the human services sector are seeing new challenges and opportunities to reimagine how we support individuals and families. They bring insights, creativity and a deep understanding of what’s possible,” United Way President and CEO Fred Payne stated. “Catalyst is intended to give passionate problem solvers the space, expertise and support to design realistic, scalable solutions to the challenges they see every day.”
Between April 23 and June 18, up to a dozen selected Catalyst participants will meet Thursday mornings for in-person, guided design and testing of their ideas; coaching from experts in both
the for-profit and nonprofit sectors; support for building operational and funding models; and peer learning.
Up to five finalists will be chosen to pitch during a live event June 25 at Salesforce Tower in Indianapolis for the chance to win a $50,000 first-place prize, $30,000 second-place prize or $20,000 third-place prize.
An in-person information session is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 19 at United Way of Central Indiana, 2955 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, with a virtual session set for 3 p.m. Feb. 24.
To apply and to register for an information session, visit uwci.org/catalyst. Applications close March 8. Application and program questions can be sent to catalyst@uwci.org.
Community Hospital celebrates babies
northindy@youarecurrent.com
For the 11th consecutive year, Community Hospital North holds the 2024 title for most baby deliveries in the state, welcoming more newborns than any other hospital for the year.
The numbers were verified by the Indiana State Department of Health, according to a news release, and they show Community Hospital North, 7150 Clearvista Dr., led the state in total births in 2024 with a total of 4,254 new Hoosiers.
Two days in 2024 tied for the most deliveries: April 12 and Aug. 9 each had 21 babies born at Community Hospital North.
“Our nurses love everything about what they do, and it shows in every interaction they have with patients,” Community Hospital North Maternity Nursing Director Krystal Madison stated. “There’s a real sense of family here. I’m proud to be part of this team be-
A Community Hospital North baby born in time for the 2024 eclipse. (Photo courtesy of Community Health)
cause I know that every caregiver shows up ready to give their best, every single time they walk through the doors. Every patient is their family member, and
they provide care as such.”
The hospital’s deliveries in 2024 included 810 babies who received NICU care. Community Hospital North is an obstetric and neonatal Level III perinatal hospital, offering specialized care for moms and babies facing complications or complex medical conditions, according to the news release.
“We know that no family hopes for a NICU stay, but it is our mission to make the experience in our NICU as comfortable as possible,” Community Hospital North NICU Director Maddie Lenig stated. “By determining what is most important to the families, prioritizing consistent and collaborative communication, and celebrating the small milestones of our tiniest patients, our team is able to achieve this.”
Community Health’s overall network delivered 7,923 babies in 2024 at its five hospitals. Another facility, Community Hospital Westfield, is expected to open in 2027.
86th & Ditch Rd or 82nd & Dean Rd
Meridian Audiology LLC, a private Audiology practice, was founded by Dr. Alison Wyss, Au.D. and Kira VonBlon, M.S., after working together as Audiologists in an ENT setting for more than 12 years. The seasoned Audiologists strive to consistently provide premier care to patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders as well as those who want to protect their hearing from damage.
In stark contrast to the medical/ ENT audiology world where patients are in and out in quick succession, private practice allows Ali and Kira to spend whatever time their patients need from them for their individual hearing healthcare situation.
Kira and Ali are available to evaluate your hearing and walk through your many options if you are a hearing aid candidate. Kira and Ali will spend the time to explain the differences in hearing aids, the best options for the hearing concerns you have, and will even have their benefit company call to verify if you have a benefit or discount plan for hearing aids through your insurance. We believe this makes the difference in you feeling comfortable with your individual hearing loss action plan.
S Sign up to come to our Auditory Rehabilitation class: Hearing Aids are Just One Piece of the Hearing Loss Puzzle
March 24, 2026 1:30-3pm at 911 E 86th Street, Ste 40
Bring your communication partner and together we will have
an interactive presentation to help you and your communication partners communicate more effectively in your everyday situations
Cost: $45 for you and a guest
Snacks provided Kira and Ali are also available to speak to your local community clubs about hearing, hearing loss and the link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline. Dr Wyss states “We’ve done many presentations to community clubs in the area and the participants always appreciate our time in giving them information about hearing loss, cognitive decline and tinnitus as well as answering their questions ”
Meridian Audiology accepts most major insurances, offers convenient scheduling via phone, email, or online and are independent of other medical practices or hospitals. Hours are 9am-4pm Monday-Friday by appointment only.
T They are located at 911 E 86th Street, Suite 035 Phone 317-731-5386 Email info@ meridianaudiology com Website: www meridianaudiology com
Library branches become Certified Autism Centers
Five Indianapolis Public Library branches recently were named Certified Autism Centers by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, making a total of six Indy library branches that offer specialized services for people with autism and sensory sensitivity.
The Fort Ben Branch in Lawrence was the first public library in Indiana to become a Certified Autism Center. IPL’s Franklin Road, Beech Grove, Decatur, Haughville and Pike branches have now joined Fort Ben as CACs.
To earn the accreditation, staff at each of the branches completed autism and sensory training. The libraries also will receive onsite reviews by IBCCES to create sensory guides and provide additional recommendations for accessibility.
“When Fort Ben Branch became Indiana’s first Certified Autism Center in June 2025, we saw firsthand how impactful this training could be to our visitors,” stated IPL CEO Gregory Hill. “That success sparked a strategic goal within our organization, inspiring staff at additional branches to deepen their
understanding and expand their service. Now, with five more branches certified, we met our goal — underscoring our commitment to inclusion.”
In addition to training and certification, IPL offers several other accommodations, including:
Sensory-inclusive children’s programming offered throughout the year
Sensory supports, such as sensory stands and sensory bins that feature noise-reducing headphones and fidgets
Flexible sensory environments with bookable rooms, including comfort rooms at select branch locations, allowing lights to be dimmed for patrons with light sensitivity
Accessibility stations at branch locations, including a large-print keyboard, talk-to-text assistive technology and an armrest–equipped computer station for physical accessibility
All six certified branches are featured on the IBCCES accessibility app, which is free to download. It provides guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces and tailored recommendations for people with a variety of disabilities.
For more about the Indianapolis Public Library, visit indypl.org.
David Weekley Homes marks 15 years in Indy — David Weekley Homes is marking 15 years of operations in the Indianapolis market this month, a milestone that coincides with the company’s 50th anniversary. Since expanding to the region in 2011, the Texas-based homebuilder has completed more than 1,700 homes across 40 Indianapolis-area communities. Division President Jess McKinney credited the growth to the company’s regional team and its “CARE” outreach program, which partners with local nonprofits, including Riley Hospital for Children and Wheeler Mission. The company maintains active building projects in four Indianapolis-area communities.
From left, Kira VonBlon, M.S. and Dr. Alison Wyss Au.D. of Meridian Audiology.
Five Indianapolis Public Library branches were recently named Certified Autism Centers. (Photo courtesy of IPL)
Foust files for prosecutor
northindy@youarecurrent.com
Philip Foust, who is the elected clerk-treasurer for Speedway, announced his Republican candidacy for Marion County Prosecutor Feb. 5.
In his announcement, Foust — a Harvard Law School graduate and former prosecuting attorney — called “for an end to the failed policies that have left Indianapolis less safe.”
Foust previously served as a Marion County deputy prosecutor, where he handled cases ranging from juvenile offenses to murder. He worked under two Democrat prosecutors, including incumbent Ryan Mears, who is running for reelection.
“This job isn’t political to me, but the current approach absolutely is,” Foust stated. “I’ve worked for Democrat prosecutors because public safety shouldn’t be partisan. What is unacceptable is that Ryan Mears and city leadership prioritize ideology over enforcement, excuses over accountability, and offenders over victims.”
Born in northern Indiana, Philip was raised in Pike Township by his single
NCHS
Republican Philip Foust is running for Marion County Prosecutor. (Photo courtesy of Philip Foust)
mother. He graduated from IUPUI while working at the Indiana School for the Blind. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School before launching his career in Chicago. He later served as a Marion County deputy prosecutor.
Foust resides in Speedway with his wife, Christi, and three children. In January 2023, Foust was selected by Republican precinct committee members to complete the term of Speedway clerk-treasurer and later that year Speedway voters elected him to a full term.
A formal campaign kickoff will be announced later.
For more, visit philipfoust.com.
diver wins state
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
North Central High School senior Adelyn Flessner took a different route to winning the IHSAA girls state diving title.
“I messed up my first dive and was in last place after the first round last year,” she said.
Flessner regained her composure en route to winning the state title that year by a narrow margin. But this time, it was much smoother as she led throughout the finals.
She didn’t miss 30 points.”
The state record of 563.65 points was set in 2015 by Brooke Schultz of Hamilton Heights, who was coached by Hoeferle.
Hoeferle said Flessner scored almost 100 more than last year. She also had a 604 score in sectionals.
“I made all my dives, and I was really happy with everything,” she said.
Flessner won the 1-meter diving title with 529.30 points Feb. 14 at the IHSAA swimming and diving state finals at the Indiana University Natatorium at IU Indianapolis. She finished far ahead of Carmel senior Helena Gibson with 488.85 points.
“She didn’t miss a dive,” North Central diving coach Steve Hoeferle said. “She deserved the record. The scoring didn’t fit that. She dove extremely well.
Flessner captured last year’s title with a score of 441.80, edging Park Tudor’s Simone Hall with a 435.45 total.
“I really worked on just being confident and knowing I belonged in the spot I was in,”
Flessner said. “Last year, I was really nervous. And this year, I was just having a lot of fun, and it was great experience.”
As a sophomore, Flessner missed the state finals after breaking her leg just before the sectional. As a freshman, she placed fifth in the state.
Flessner will dive for the University of Iowa next season.
“I really like the coach, and their academics are really good for me,” she said. “It just felt like home right when I stepped on the campus.”
Flessner
Runners prepare for 50th Mini-Marathon
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Eugene Lausch is set to compete in his 50th 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.
His streak was in serious jeopardy, however, in 2019, when he was struck by a car in late January 2019 while walking downtown.
“The accident broke my femur,” he said. “That year the Mini organizers allowed me to be pushed in a cart for a portion of the race. I walked 7.1 miles and was pushed for six 1-mile segments by a granddaughter, my son and students who I had coached in track at St. Richard’s Episcopal School. The Mini was held on a cold, rainy day but I will always remember and be grateful for the wonderful support I received from, first, the 500 Festival staff, and, more importantly, many other runners. The feeling I had at the end of the Mini that year was not triumph, but gratitude. I think that year I figured out what the Mini is really all about. It is not about winning, although that is nice. It is about accepting your condition and, disregarding frailty or impediments, pushing through to do the best you can.”
memorable.
“A school friend who ran track talked me into entering, and my father encouraged it, though he thought we were a little crazy,” Such said. “I had never run more than a mile before that May, yet suddenly I was preparing for 13. My family served as our support crew, meeting us at key locations with water, snacks and cameras.”
Then in 2015, Such was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which has affected his mechanics and slowed his race time.
“Even so, my doctor credits my running as some of the best medicine for fighting the disease,” Such said. “And honestly, the race-day atmosphere makes it easy to keep going. The volunteers, the 13 miles of entertainment and the spectators lining the course create an energy that’s impossible to resist.”
Bates, 73, played football, basketball and baseball at Thorntown High School but had never run long distances.
“When the Mini was first announced, I tried to get my younger brother to go with me and I couldn’t get any of my friends to participate in it,” he said. “So, I took this upon myself. I just thought this is something I ought to do.”
The 87-year-old Indianapolis resident is one of five participants who have been in all the Mini Marathons and plan to participate May 2 in the 50th running of the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon The others are Jerry Bates, Clemmons, N.C.; Al Such, Indianapolis; Michael Vollmer, Indianapolis; and John Hostetter, Independence, Ky.
“The Mini is a way to promote athletic fitness and a way to celebrate civic life in Indianapolis,” Lausch said. “For the last 25 years or so, participation in the Mini has become for me an expression of discipline and tenacity, values I appreciate. Since 2019, I no longer run but walk virtually every day.
Such, a 71-year-old Indianapolis resident, said he had the desire to get healthier after graduating from IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis).
Such ran his first Mini on his 23rd birthday and it remains his most
Bates said he had never run more than a mile in his life, but he tried to run 5 miles in high-top basketball shoes two days before the race.
“I didn’t make a mile before I started getting cramps in my calves,” he said. “I bought my first running shoes and went out the night before the race. Then you could sign up the day of the race. I’ll always remember the first race that made it addictive to me right then and there. Back then, they had police escorts on motorcycles guiding the buses downtown, and it was just exhilarating.”
Bates, who lives near Winston-Salem, N.C., said he ran that first race without walking in just under 2 hours.
Bates and his wife, Brenda, two daughters and son have all run in the Mini. Bates’ brother and sister and their families also have participated.
For more, visit indymini.com/ mini-marathon/.
Lausch Such
Bates
Right timing for store
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Vladimir Dzeletovic sometimes wears as many as five different watches a day.
“It depends on my mood,” he said. The watch connoisseur opened Atlas & Temple Watches in December 2025 at 12 W. Main St. in the Carmel Arts & Design District.
“I chose this location because Carmel is the perfect city for it,” the north Indianapolis resident said. “The foot traffic is great and definitely has the audience for my business. It’s a place where people can come in and get educated, find certain gifts for the somebody they love.”
Dzeletovic, who has collected watches for 30 years, worked for Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis for about 15 years as the director of watches.
“The concept is I like vintage watches, that’s my love and what I collect, that’s what I curate and preserve,” Dzeletovic said. “They’re all refurbished, serviced and ready for someone to be the custodian of it. I’ll be selling new watches as well.”
Dzeletovic said he sells not only highend watches, he also has a $200 watch for sale.
“You’ll be surprised how inexpensive a watch looks, but it could be extremely rare and difficult to acquire, it’s maybe one-in-a-world,” he said. “We carry anything from Elgin to Patek Philippe, which is considered the pinnacle of watchmaking and the world of collecting. It’s considered one of the best brands in watches ever made.”’
Dzeletovic, 57, said most of the best watchmakers are based in Switzerland.
“I have a watchmaker, but it has to be the proper watch and worth his time to repair,” he said. “If you have a rare Patek Philippe it has to go to Switzerland, and sometimes it would take five to six years to get the watch repaired. It’s very costly.”
Dzeletovic said the store will eventually have lectures and classes on watches.
Customers mostly ask for Rolex, Patek Philippe and Cartier, Dzeletovic said.
“I also specialize in military watches, that’s a niche because they were never sold to the public, they were issued watches,” he said. “They were made to be turned back to the governments around the world. The military and special forces divers all need a watch. You
cannot have a battery-operated watch, you have to have a mechanical watch.”
Dzeletovic came to the U.S. from Serbia in 1998, working with freight trains in Fort Wayne for eight years. After 15 years with Reis-Nichols, he opened a Triumph Motorcycle dealership in Indianapolis in 2019. He sold the company in 2024.
In the upstairs section of the store, Dzeletovic eventually plans to sell jewelry, leather goods, clothing and maybe some furniture.
Dzeletovic said he is at the store most days, but appointments can be made by calling 260-418-5973.
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Atlas & Temple owner Vladimir Dzeletovic in his Carmel store. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)
WITH HER LEADING
Cathedral High School celebrates 50 years of women
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Cathedral High School is marking a milestone in 2026 — 50 years ago, the private boy’s Catholic school joined forces with Ladywood School for Girls, creating a coed Catholic school education in the Greater Indianapolis area.
The school is celebrating “50 Years of Women” this year, focusing on the generations of women educators and students who have contributed to the school’s success.
Cathedral Director of Marketing Grace Trahan-Rodecap said that in 1976, when the all-boys Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis and the all-girls Ladywood on 56th Street were both struggling with enrollment, school leaders knew they had to do something.
“Some really smart people got together and decided the best way to save both schools would be to combine them,” she said. “And so, the young men who were downtown at Cathedral came here to 56th Street and the schools combined. It was a way to save both schools and to ensure that the young men and the young ladies would be able to continue with an outstanding Catholic education.”
Trahan-Rodecap said it was a brave move and there were some challenges as students used to only girls or only boys adjusted to the coed setting. But, she said, the bet paid off and the new school has prospered. The first year of coed classes was 1976, with an enrollment of 615 students — 63 percent boys and 37 percent girls. Trahan-Rodecap said enrollment now is 1,103, with an even split of girls and boys.
“I think what helped it to be successful is that it was grounded in our faith,” she said. “At the end of the day, the mission was to transform the hearts and minds of the students to have the competence to see and the courage to act — that is part of our mission statement — and grounded in our Catholic Holy Cross values. At the end of the day, everyone had the same goal in mind. And I think that’s why the school became (and) continues to be successful”
The 50 Years of Women celebration kicked off in January with a special mass. Trahan-Rodecap said a school alumnus, Victoria Schneider-Temple, donated commemorative baseball caps for every woman — students and educators — who attended the event.
In mid-February, in honor of Black History Month, the school hosted Dorothy Pipes, who graduated in 1945 from St. Agnes Academy in downtown Indianapolis, one of Cathedral’s precursors. St. Agnes merged with Ladywood in 1970, six years before Ladywood combined with Cathedral boys’ school.
“She’s 99 years old. She’s phenomenal,” Trahan-Rodecap said of Pipes. “I can only hope that I have that
energy if I’m blessed to live that long. It was so enlightening to hear her story and to hear what it was like then when she was in high school.”
In addition, the school’s show choir has a special program this year honoring women trailblazers, such as Rosa Parks, St Joan of Arc, Amelia Earhart and Marie Curie.
Coming up is the school’s annual fundraiser, the ShamrAuction, which this year will fund renovations in the girls’ locker room. The event, themed “A League
of Their Own,” is set for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Cathedral. For more and to register, visit gocathedral.com/ giving/events.
For more about the 50-year celebration, visit gocathedral.com/50-years.
Every Friday in 2026, on Cathedral High School’s Facebook page, the school is sharing the story of select women who have contributed to the school over the past 50 years.
They include basketball star Cecilia Mimms, Class of ’77; popular bus driver Linda Blair; and longtime teacher Lisa Ford, who was featured on a student-produced podcast. In that recording, Ford recalled how things have changed for women at Cathedral over her 45 years.
Ford said she was hired in 1981 at the age of 22 — a new college graduate.
“It wasn’t until a few years later that I learned I was paid significantly less than the male teachers,” she said. “The rationale was that, as a married woman, I didn’t need as much money. Obviously, that’s not the case anymore, thank goodness.”
She said during the podcast that when she first started, she didn’t know Cathedral had recently become coed.
“Me personally, and I think all my colleagues, the girls and the boys, we treated everyone the same,” she said.
“Percentage wise. I think there were more girls on the honor roll than there were boys. I think the girls excelled here academically. The girls sports certainly didn’t have the same stature as the boys did. We weren’t having pep rallies for girls basketball, for example. But I think when the tennis team won the state championship in the mid80s, I think that kind of really turned the corner and people started paying attention to girls athletics a little more.”
The tennis team’s 1986 victory was the school’s first-ever state championship.
For a long time, Ford said, there were no women in leadership roles at the school. That, too, has changed.
“We have had female athletic directors. We have had female academic administrators. We even had a female board chair,” she said. “So, about the only thing we haven’t had is a female president. Other than that, I think women are doing very well at Cathedral and are serving Cathedral very well.”
For more stories, visit facebook.com/ cathedralhighschool.
HER STORY
ON THE COVER: Cathedral High School students in the 1980s attend class taught by Sister Mary Ann Stewart, who has been teaching at Cathedral for 45 years and is still teaching today. (Photo courtesy of Cathedral High School)
(Above) A group photo of all the women currently at Cathedral, including students, teachers and non-classroom educators, who attended a January all-school mass. (Photos courtesy of Cathedral High School)
(Below) A donation by Cathedral Class of ’88 graduate Victoria Schneider-Temple went toward commemorative baseball caps for Cathedral women.
Commentary by Larry Greene
This Zionsville basement was transformed from unfinished storage into a warm, inviting entertaining space designed for gathering, hosting and everyday use.
THE BLUEPRINT
• A custom-built bar creates a hub for entertaining, balancing clean lines with rich, darker finishes for a polished yet approachable feel.
• MSI Quartz countertops and matte black fixtures add contrast and refinement while keeping the space practical for casual hosting.
• Textured tile at the bar introduces subtle movement and visual interest, elevating the design without overwhelming the room.
• Thoughtful lighting and layered materials help define zones for dining and conversation.
• Cortec flooring ties everything together, making the lower level feel like a true extension of the home rather than a finished basement.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
Zionsville basement bar transformation
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Claim your spot today and help our audience bring their visions to life.
Beef & Boards to feature unlikely love story
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Adam du Plessis understands audiences have long embraced the Cinderella-type love story.
“‘Pretty Woman’ is such an iconic movie for many people and it’s such a joy and privilege to bring it to stage for them while at the same time introducing it to anyone who is not familiar with the movie,” du Plessis said. “Add in some Bryan Adams music and you’re sure to have a wonderful time.”
“Pretty Woman” runs through April 4 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. This is the first time the musical, which had its world premiere in 2018, has been presented at the Indianapolis venue.
The musical is based on the 1990 movie in which Edward Lewis, a corporate mogul, and Vivian Ward, an escort, become unlikely soulmates, set in Los Angeles in the late 1980s. National tour veterans Dani Kucera plays Vivian and Charlie Fusari is cast as Edward.
A few actors in the cast have been in the show previously.
“Revisiting a show you are so familiar with is always fun and they have the opportunity to show how far they have come and how much they have grown as performers, whether it’s stepping into lead roles or understudying roles they didn’t before,” said du Plessis, who played the Happy Man on the “Pretty Woman” national tour.
planning and troubleshooting and going 100 miles a minute. You have to be able to shut that down and focus on the project you’re in at the moment. But saying that, it does become a welcome break and allows you to come back with fresh eyes.”
Prior to “The Mousetrap,” du Plessis appeared in “Waitress” in the summer of 2025.
moved to the U.S. 10 years ago and became a citizen four years ago.
“I have no true home base here. I go wherever the work takes me,” he said. “But as most theater folks do, I always circle back to NYC in between contracts.”
While preparing for the show, du Plessis performed in “The Mousetrap,” which ended Feb. 15.
“Time management is, of course, crucial as well as the ability to switch off the part of your brain that is working on the new project,” he said. “Directing a show this large is a juggling act, and your mind is constantly
“Beef & Boards has very quickly become one of my favorite places to work,” he said. “They have created something very special here, introducing new shows and material alongside the stories and theater everyone has loved for years. The people who work here are welcoming, caring and passionate about providing high-quality theater, and the audiences are so very supportive. It’s been an absolute privilege to work here.”
A native of South Africa, du Plessis
Kucera made her Beef & Boards debut as Vivienne Kensington in “Legally Blonde” in 2024. She performed as a swing and understudy for Vivian Ward in the national tour of “Pretty Woman.”
Fusari is making his Beef & Boards debut after he understudied his role as Edward and performed in the ensemble on the tour.
The score is by Adams and his longtime collaborator Jim Vallance. The book is by the late screenwriter-director Garry Marshall, who died in 2016, and J.F. Lawton. Marshall directed the 1990 movie. Current Publishing is sponsoring “Pretty Woman.”
For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘PRETTY WOMAN’
“Pretty Woman” runs through April 4 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Feinstein’s cabaret presents “Now That’s Funny, Andy Beningo” Feb. 26, followed by “Indy Nights Ryan Ahlwardt & Friends” Feb. 27, and “Nathan Chester & the Old Souls Motown” Feb. 28 at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘PETE THE CAT’
Civic Theatre presents “Pete the Cat” at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
THE PEKING ACROBATS
The Peking Acrobats are set to perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
DISPATCH
Best of Fest set for March 6-7 –“The Best of Fest: Heartland Film Festival Edition,” presented by Heartland Film and The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, returns March 6 and 7. The mini movie series re-showcases four fan-favorite films from the 2025 Heartland Film Festival. The schedule includes the festival’s Overall Narrative Audience Choice Award winner, “Nuremberg,” and the Indiana Spotlight Audience Choice Award winner, “The Tenderness Tour.” Filmmakers from “25 Cats of Qatar” and “The Tenderness Tour” will be available after their respective screenings for audience questions.
Adam du Plessis, left, performed with Scot Greenwell in “The Mousetrap” at Beef & Boards. (Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards)
du Plessis
Kucera
Fusari
ENTERTAINMENT
CCP set for ‘Spitfire Grill’
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Kathleen Clarke Horrigan embraces the message of redemption that “The Spitfire Grill” shares with audiences.
Horrigan is directing Carmel Community Players’ production of the musical, which runs Feb. 27 to March 8 at the Switch Theatre at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy in Fishers.
The plot centers on Percy, an ex-felon who is new to the small fictional town of Gilead, Wis.
“Everyone in town was skeptical of this young lady coming to visit,” Horrigan said. “She doesn’t know how to cook or wait tables, and the town doesn’t make it easier on her. The feeling of being able to renew and (have) second chances is very important.”
The production is a musical version based on the 1996 movie. Noblesville resident Breanna Helms plays Percy. “I like the difference of character compared to other ones I’ve played,” Helms said. “She is traumatized and more than just a surface-level type of person. She has a lot of deep flaws, and
to convey that to the audience has been a challenge.”
Carmel resident Susan Smith plays Hannah Ferguson, who owns the grill. She is running an essay contest to sell the grill because she wants to retire. The entry fee is $100 per essay, and she will give the grill away to the essay she likes the best. Smith said she usually plays more comedic characters.
“You have to find a lot of depth in the character and find the layers,” Smith said.
For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5 AT 2PM
From left, Sarah Marone-Sowers, Susan Smith and Breanna Helms perform in “The Spitfire Grill.” (Photo courtesy of Indy Ghost Light)
‘Pete the Cat’ set for Civic
New production replaces ‘The Cat in the Hat’ following decade-long run
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
mel High School in 2013, lives in Fishers. Her sister, Alyssa, is a 2020 CHS graduate.
Amanda recently returned to acting and performing. She graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater in 2017 and worked professionally in theater for several years.
There’s a different Cat in town. Civic Theatre presented “The Cat in Hat” for 10 years with a two-year break for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021-22. Civic couldn’t obtain production the rights this year because of a national tour, so, it is presenting “Pete the Cat” for its student matinees starting Feb. 25, and its two public shows are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“What makes a show like ‘Pete the Cat’ fun is that we have a small cast, so we all get to do a variety of things,” Amanda Boldt said. “I play the Mom, but I also get to be a strict teacher and a groovy member of Pete’s band. It’s fast paced, and I get to create these different personas in each new scene. It’s also been a joy to work with all the cast members and directors to create something that feels silly, fun, genuine and completely unique to this group of five people on stage. Plus, I get to act alongside my sister, who plays Olive in the show, which is actually the first time in both of our acting careers when we have been in a show together.”
Amanda, who graduated from Car-
“Then when COVID hit, I, like I suspect many others, was forced to reevaluate the longevity and stability of a career as an actor,” Amanda said.
“After realizing my biggest passion was teaching theater, I decided to go back to school to get my master’s in theater education. So, now I spend more of my time in the theater world as a teacher and director, which has been a joy. But, of course, the itch to perform again was still there. Most recently, I returned to the stage in ‘Something Rotten’ at Civic in the fall, which was my first show on stage in six years.”
Jacob Butler, a Lawrence resident, plays Pete the Cat.
“Playing Pete the Cat has been a pretty groovy experience,” Butler said. “It’s been so fun to play in the rehearsal room with this cast of people and put myself into the mindset of, ‘What would a rock ‘n’ roll cat do?’ Anne (Beck) is a great director and so collaborative so I can make silly choices as Pete the Cat. Anne will say yes, and (offer) another funny choice, and we just get to have fun bringing this cool cat to the stage.
For more, visit civictheatre.org.
PUZZLE ANSWERS
Boldt Butler
ENTERTAINMENT
Vocalist Collins set for ‘Motown and Beyond’ concert
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Jerome Collins, his upcoming concert is a return to his childhood.
“This is basically you coming into my living room,” Collins said. “This is basically a story of how I grew up. My parents raised me on such great music, like Motown. These songs bring back memories of me growing up, like watching ‘Soul Train’ on Saturday. My parents would do their dancing and would be singing these songs. It’s so nostalgic.”
Collins will perform his “Rewind A Journey to Motown and Beyond” concert at 8 p.m. March 7 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Collins is a founding member of the a cappella group Straight No Chaser, which started at Indiana University. The opening act is Small Town City, which features Straight No Chaser’s Mike Luginbill and Ryan Ahlwardt, a former Straight No Chaser member who lives in Fishers.
“Straight No Chaser is my main thing, but I’m spreading my little wings, and doing something different is good for the soul,” Collins said.
The music spans from the 1960s to 1990s, including Motown and songs by performers such as Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan and Tina Turner.
“I’m going to be 50 in April, and this music is something that stuck to my soul,” he said. “The story needs to be how this music not only inspired myself but a generation.”
Collins said he likes to share stories with the audience.
“I let you in,” he said. “I’m not singing at you. I’m singing with you. It’s just an inviting, heartfelt story, and you are going to want to dance. I very doubt your feet and hands won’t clap or stomp at some point.”
Collins said the setlist will be different from last year’s performance in Carmel.
“I’ve added a Prince medley I didn’t have last year,” he said.
Small Town City opened for Collins at The Tarkington last year.
“It was a blast,” Ahlwardt said. “Jerome is a world-class showman and longtime friend of ours from our time together in Straight No Chaser. Open-
ing for him felt less like a gig and more like a family reunion.”
Small Town City recently finished a new single, “Snowy Daze,” which Ahlwardt said leans into nostalgia and has a more cinematic sound.
“We’re excited to release it digitally and bring it to the stage this year,” he said.
Ahlwardt said he doesn’t get to perform with Luginbill, a fellow 1999 Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate, as often as they would like since they live in different cities, along with juggling family life and other projects.
Luginbill lives in Nashville, Tenn.
“When we do share a stage, it’s intentional and energized,” Ahlwardt said.
“That built-in distance keeps it fresh for us and makes each show feel like an event. We’re excited to share a blend of fan favorites, new material and the stories behind the songs. We want the audience to feel like they’ve been invited into something personal, joyful and distinctly Hoosier when they hear our music.”
For more, visit thecenterpresents. org.
Jerome Collins will perform March 7 at The Tarkington in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Allied Solutions Center)
Age-old questions
Commentary by Terry Anker
Some hold that we’ll only be as old as we think we are. And many of us were raised to believe that age is not a chronological surety, but rather a social construct. In fact, American humorist and author Mark Twain famously remarked, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Twain lived to be 74, which may not seem particularly impressive until considered in the context that the life expectancy of his fellow male citizens at the time is estimated to have been about one half that long.
Among today’s global wealthy elite, there are those who have made longevity their highest priority. Private medical care, exotic contraptions and cold-plunge routines are imagined to keep them going, Energizer Bunny style. Russian President Vladimir Putin was caught in a hot-mic exchange with Chinese leader Xi Jinping contemplating how organ harvesting might help some to “become immortal.” It is unclear whether the
donors would do so voluntarily or not. Longer lifespans have led us to desire even longer ones. Today, Twain would have fallen short by 3.27 percent, or 2.5 years.
Most modern science holds that chronological age is simply the number of years you’ve lived, while biological age reflects the condition of your cells and tissues. So, it is possible to alter but not eliminate the heavy hand of Father Time. Good diet, exercise, sleep and stress management are all factors that we know. Is it possible that we can learn to manage our physical progression much like we manage our intellect? Do we have two emotional ages, one equivalent to the calendar and another that is related to our attained wisdom and maturity? If we are more or less than our age, can we train ourselves to a better ratio?
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.
An honest dishonest mistake
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
All my columns are based on real events. But here’s a good example of how I once stretched things a bit too far and still feel ashamed after all this time.
Years ago, my wife Mary Ellen and I visited the Grand Canyon (that part was true). Then I explained how, before our return flight, I sent my digital camera through the security scanner (totally factual). And how it was stolen when I left it behind in my seat at the airport (correct again).
I wanted to write about how careless I am with my belongings. But when I returned from the trip, I ran into my friend George, who lives down the street.
“How was your vacation, Dick?” he asked.
“Oh, it was fantastic! Except my camera was stolen.”
“What a shame. And with all your photos, huh?”
“It’s OK. I had my email address on the camera, so the thief sent the pictures back to me.”
I don’t know where that crazy idea came from. It just slipped out of my mouth. It wasn’t just an exaggeration; it was a boldfaced fabrication. George got hysterical. He couldn’t stop laughing. And I’m so addicted to the sound of people laughing that I left it at that.
George then sent out an email to friends and posted it on Facebook. People started messaging me, saying what a bizarre story that was. Others on the block approached me and said they thought it would be a perfect idea for a newspaper column. As I retold the incident, I embellished it. Then I shared it at church.
When I sat down that night to write my weekly column, I started to believe the whole thing myself. If you repeat something enough times, you start thinking it’s the truth. Ask any politician.
In my column, I even included the fake email from the thief who supposedly stole my camera. I had already crossed over to the dark side — why not get a few extra laughs along the way?
Dear Mr. Wolfsie:
Thanks for leaving your camera unattended at the Denver airport. I’ve always wanted one like that. You have such a sweet-looking family, so I am emailing you all your photos. Your wife is lovely, but she’d look much better with shorter hair. At least in the photos where you don’t cut off her head.
After the column was published, I got emails just like this:
Dear Dick,
Your story was hysterical. You took a real-life negative experience and let us laugh at your expense.
Dear Dick,
Witty as always. We love the honesty in your writing.
The guilt was tearing me apart. I hoped the person who stole my camera would read the column and have the decency to email me my photos. I don’t care about the stupid pictures. I just wanted to be an honest man again.
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. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
16. Former Colts kicker Vinatieri
17. Westfield academy
19. Skirt length
20. Number with 100 zeros
21. Venue for exercise swimming
23. Big name in tractors
26. ___ Lauder
27. High points
31. Make the grade
33. Attention getter
34. Tuna type
35. Harsh
40. Arcadia high school
43. Hi-fi
44. Victory Field ump’s call
45. Dalai ___
46. Provide
48. Leading the Hoosier Crossroads Conference
49. Miller or McGinnis, e.g.
53. Current edition
55. Things grown during in vitro fertilization
57. Exhausted
62. Spanish house
63. Carmel high school
66. Picnic pests
67. Passover feast
68. Baseball Hall of Famer Musial
69. Church area
70. Youngsters
71. “Tall” story DOWN
1. Really punch
2. Taboo
3. Fishers N/S road
4. Online journal
5. Luxurious fur
6. Singer DiFranco
7. Classic British sports car
8. Superman: “Faster than a speeding ___!”
9. On the briny
10. Packs down
11. Dolt
12. White River transport
13. “Say cheese!”
18. Silent agreements
22. Lab dish
24. Cry...cry again?
25. Catastrophic
27. Oohs and ___
28. Casual talk
29. Bit of viral online humor
30. Mideast bigwig
32. Skeptic’s scoff
34. “This weighs ___!”
36. Wrinkled fruit
37. “___ she blows!
38. Night owls’ cash sources
39. Future attorney’s exam, briefly
41. Apprehensive
42. Colorations
47. Mickey Mouse’s creator
48. Part of FOMO
49. MCL pie choice
50. Appliance brand
51. WTTV affiliation
52. Backspace, on a PC
54. Tech-support callers
56. Evict
58. Attention getter
59. Peto’s Greek bread
60. Footnote abbr.
61. Unit of force, in physics
64. Texter’s “Beats me”
65. Geese formation ANSWERS ON PAGE 17
CENTER STAGE
Summer training for Indy’s aspiring musicians and actors / P4
Specialized support meets classic summer fun for local youth / P16
M OVI E S IN T HE P L A Z A
May 27, June 10, June 24, July 22, August 15
Movies begin at 7:30 p.m.
Grand Junction Plaza 225 S. Union Street
CREEK STOMPS
May 28 –July 30 (Thursdays) 10 –11 a.m.
Grand Junction Plaza 225 S. Union Street
KIDS SUMMER SERIES
June 2–July 28 (Tuesdays) 9:30 –11 a.m.
Grand Junction Plaza
225 S. Union Street
Indianapolis music camps build choral, rock skills
By Megan Dial news@youarecurrent.com
Music summer camps offered throughout Indianapolis are allowing children to gain musical skills, confidence and teamwork through intensive performance-based training.
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir offers an intensive summer camp where students learn and memorize six to eight pieces of music in one week, after which they perform a concert for the community.
“The summer camp is a wonderful time for singers in our community to get to see a taste of what the Indianapolis Children’s Choir is about. It’s a great way to come and experience the teachers and the teaching and a great week of music making,” ICC Executive Director Joshua Pedde said.
(Above) Members of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir perform during a previous summer intensive program. (Left) Children rehearse a song during a summer camp session at the School of Rock.
Summer starts NOW
For many participants, the camp marks their first time performing with a children’s choir. Pedde noted that each session includes a premiere of a new piece written specifically for the camp.
“They get to premiere something brand new that no one else has ever heard before,” Pedde said.
Because some of the music is memorized in other languages, the curriculum also provides cultural exposure.
“English might be their primary language, so this exposes them to different cultures and different ideas,” Pedde said.
This year, the ICC is celebrating 40 years of operation. The organization actually began as a summer camp, which is how it first involved young singers. One of the featured songs for the upcoming season is “Magical Kingdom.”
The ICC is hosting its “Magical Moments” camps June 8-11 and July 20-
23. For more information, visit icchoir. org/camp/.
Elsewhere in the city, the School of Rock utilizes summer camps as a platform for its belief that the stage is the ultimate teacher. Its weeklong sessions culminate in a performance of five to 10 rock songs featuring guitar, bass, drums, keys or vocals.
“Sometimes, kids are very scared until they get through their first song, at least,” School of Rock Music Director David Lawson said. “Then, they start to believe in themselves more and it gets easier to keep going.”
Students participate in group instruction and private lessons daily. They are encouraged to try different instruments and roles to spread the difficulty across the various positions in the band.
School of Rock hosts camps throughout June and July in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville. For more, visit schoolofrock.com/music-camps.
Soccer Summer
Soccer Summer
Local camps offer training for aspiring young actors
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
For children and teens, the stage provides a space to inhabit new characters and overcome performance anxiety. This summer, Hamilton County theater academies will offer chances for students of all ages to learn to perform.
The Point Theater, a children’s theater at 1950 E. Greyhound Pass in Carmel, offers four summer camp options for children ages 4-18.
Theater’s founder and artistic director. “It is focused on giving children an introduction to theater.”
Musical in a Week, for ages 11-18, is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8-12 and June 22-26. This year, the musical is “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
“Children send in a video audition — they just have to sing a little song — and we cast the show before they show up,” Baltz said. “The hope is that they’ll show up knowing their role and lines, and by Friday they do a full show. This camp is much more intensive, and they learn a lot of skills like how to memorize lines and choreography.”
CAMPS
CAMPS OFFERED
STRIKER / FINISHING GOALKEEPER
STRIKER / FINISHING GOALKEEPER
This year’s Musical Theater Camp, which is “Wicked” themed, will be held June 8-12, June 15-19 and June 22-26. There are morning and afternoon options for ages 4-6 from either 9 a.m. to noon or noon to 3 p.m., and ages 7-10 attend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BEGINNER SKILLS
BEGINNER SKILLS
RAY GADDIS SKILLS
RAY GADDIS SKILLS
BALLMASTERY / 1 V 1
BALLMASTERY / 1 V 1
“They run through different stations each day — dance, acting, vocal and the backstage component of theater — and there’s games throughout the day,” said Laura Baltz, The Point
The Point Theater also offers Improv Camp July 6-10. Children aged 11-13 attend from 9 a.m. to noon and children aged 14-18 attend from 1 to 4 p.m. The camp focuses on improvisational theater to help children learn to think on their feet, develop
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The Point Theater offers four camps for all ages throughout the summer. (Photo courtesy of The Point Theater)
Continued from Page 4
comedic timing and build confidence through improv games.
There also is a Play in a Day camp beginning at 9:30 a.m. June 17 for ages 11-18. This year’s play is “The Audition.”
“They send in an audition, and we cast it ahead of time,” Baltz said. “We rehearse all day, and then parents come in at 4 p.m. and watch the performance. So again, it’s a really intensive day, participants learn a lot about characterization and blocking, how to build a role quickly and working with other people on stage.”
For more, visit thepointtheater.org/ camps.
Civic Theatre at 3 Carter Green also offers a variety of summer camps for all ages.
Little Stages Camp, for ages 4-5, engages students in creative activities based around the 2026 Jr. Civic presentation of “SHREK The Musical.” The camp is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 1518 and is $225. A final presentation will be held at 11 a.m. June 18.
Musical Theatre Mini-Camp, for ages 6-7, is from 12:30 to 3 p.m. June
15-18, with a final presentation at 2:30 p.m. June 18. The camp, which is $275, delivers the same elements as the Musical Theatre Camp for older students in a compact package for aspiring actors, singers and dancers.
Jr. Civic Musical Theatre Camp, a $500 camp for ages 8-14, is held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 6-10 or July 13-17. The camp will immerse students in a high energy learning experience consisting of instruction in acting, singing and dancing, culminating in a performance at the end of each week.
Jr. Civic Musical Theatre Intensive Camp is for experienced students ages 10-14. It is $450 and will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9-12.
Using a curriculum designed to enhance existing skills and accelerate technique, campers will be challenged in the three core disciplines of musical theatre — acting, singing and dancing.
Students must submit an application to enroll in this camp. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28, and applicants will be notified by March 13.
For more, visit civictheatre.org.
Kick out of soccer camps
By Alicia Kelly alicia@youarecurrent.com
Young athletes across central Indiana will have several opportunities to sharpen their soccer skills this summer through camps offered by USA of Indiana.
The organization’s summer programming will focus on skill development rather than competition, with specialized camps for strikers, goalkeepers, ball mastery and 1-on-1 play, as well as a beginner skills camp for newcomers to the sport.
Mariana Mesa, club administrator for USA of Indiana, said the camps are open to players ages 7 to 18 and will run in three- to four-week sessions, meeting for about an hour per session. While the organization also serves younger “tots” in other programming, the summer camps will focus on older youth.
Mesa said the goal is to help players grow, whether they are just starting out or have years of experience.
“These camps are designed to allow
kids to hone their skills and learn a little bit more,” she said. “Even if they’re on the recreational side, just starting out, never played, or even if they have been playing for a while, they can still get all the skills built up.”
Sessions will be held primarily at the Mary & John Geisse Soccer Complex on East 56th Street, near the Indianapolis Colts’ practice facility, and will serve families in both Pike Township and Hendricks County areas.
Unlike the organization’s seasonal leagues, the camps will not include games. Instead, coaches will lead structured drills and skill-building exercises in a supervised environment.
“For our camps, we provide a safe environment, a fun environment for them to learn soccer as well as have qualified soccer coaches to teach the kids the fundamentals,” Mesa said. “Our aim is to help them get better, not just in soccer, but in life as well, because our motto is, ‘we teach more than just a game’.”
For more, visit usaofindiana.org.
More than just summer fun, camp is where kids celebrate achievements and discover a place they can truly belong.
Swimming, sports, and outdoor play
Creative art and STEM projects
Field trips
And so much more!
YMCA gives summer camp a model venue
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Ascension St. Vincent Westfield YMCA is the newest in the Indianapolis area, having opened in January 2025, and offers a wide variety of summer camps.
YMCA facilities offer traditional and discovery camps. The Westfield YMCA hosts traditional camps.
“What I do love the most when we open a new facility like this is the feeling of ownership, that feeling of kids getting a chance to come there every day,” said Desiree Brandon Gouveia, the YMCA’s director of Camps & Family Programs. “You can see when they feel at home
Locally, discovery camps are offered at the Fishers YMCA. Traditional and discovery camps usually incorporate aspects of STEAM learning.
The Westfield YMCA has facilities
that enhance traditional camp experiences, such as fenced-in outdoor space and large studios for indoor activities. Its Olympic-size Westfield Washington Aquatic Center also is one of the best facilities of hits kind in the Greater Indianapolis area.
“One of the big assets is that (campers) get to swim, and they also have enrichment clinics that are available,” Brandon-Gouveia said. “We also have swim lessons that families can tap into and be able to have their kid learn how to swim and become a better swimmer while they’re at our camp.”
Brandon-Gouveia said enrichment clinics are offered on- and off-site.
“That is really awesome about our camps at Westfield,” Brandon-Gouveia said. “We have the ability for families to add on a piece to their
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Campers play a game in the outdoor area of the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA during the 2025 camp. (Photo courtesy of YMCA)
Continued from Page 6
child’s day. And so, enrichments are generally three to four hours in a day, and we have varying different enrichments that are available out in all of our camps.”
Brandon-Gouveia said enrichments include visiting park area parks and playing miniature golf, laser tag and organized water games in the YMCA pool. She said some STEAM activities are offered at the traditional camp.
“If (parents) are looking for fun STEAM but also have a chance for their kids to experience other things, Westfield traditional camp really would be a great spot for them to be in,” Brandon-Gouveia said. “They’re still going to get some STEAM activities. It’s just not the complete focus of the camp.”
Brandon-Gouveia said the YMCA is proud to give children a place where they can expand their horizons.
“It is the chance for kids to learn more about themselves,” Brandon-Gouveia said. “We have kids who come in and have great days and kids who are dealing with the world on their shoulders. I think that’s one of the reasons why this fits into what the YMCA is trying to do. We try to give a place where people belong, where we love and serve and care for our com -
munity, and kids are a part of that as well.”
Cost for traditional camp is $198 for members and $257 for nonmembers per week. Discover camps are for ages 5-12 and take place June 1-July 24. Cost is $176 per week for members and $234 per week for nonmembers.
For more, visit indymca.org/ landing_pages/summer-camp/.
A YMCA instructor speaks with campers during the 2025 summer camp at the Westfield Washington Aquatic Center. (Photo courtesy of YMCA)
Campers take part in water activities in the outdoor area of the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA during the 2025 camp. (Photo courtesy of YMCA)
14950 Greyhound, Suite 4 Carmel, IN 2026 Summer Dance Camps & Classes
FOR AGES 3-6
June 1 - 5
June 22 - 26
July 6 - 10
July 13 - 17
July 20 - 24
July 27 - 31
FOR AGES 6-9 FOR ALL AGES
July 6 - 10
Under the Sea Party
Moana and Maui’s Island Luau
Bluey and Bingo‘s Summer Adventures
Royal Princess and Prince Ball
Frozen Prince & Princess Party
Fairytale Princesses and Princes
Youth Summer Ballet Intensive
Open Classes - Two 3 Week Sessions (June 8 - 26 & July 13 - 30)
For the most up to date information and scheduling visit CIAODANCE.COM or call 317-581-2423
Camp locations throughout Fishers, including the new Fishers Community Center, Strengthened by IU Health
DISCIPLINE AND DREAMS
Dance academies offer summer camp experiences
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Several Hamilton County dance academies will host summer camps this year. Whether a child is taking introductory classes or training at high, intensive levels, summer camps can offer a rigorous yet rewarding experience.
CENTRAL INDIANA ACADEMY OF DANCE
Central Indiana Academy of Dance at 14950 Greyhound Ct. in Carmel offers themed camps in addition to summer intensives.
For children ages 2 1/2 through 6, each week of camp features a theme like “Frozen” from 9 a.m. to noon. The camp, held on several days through -
out June and July, is $155 per week. Ashley Jacobs, co-owner and director of Central Indiana Academy of Dance, said it is a good introduction to dance.
“The campers get to do a little mini performance at the end of the week with themed songs,” Jacobs said. “They get to do crafts and have snacks every day, and it’s a good introduction to movement and rhythm in general.”
The academy’s Youth Ballet Summer Intensive is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 6-10. Dancers will participate in ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern classes, among other styles. A showcase will commence at the end of camp.
The intensive is for any dancer with one or more years of ballet training or any current academy student in levels 1 through 3A. Jacobs said it helps students immerse themselves
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Central Indiana Academy of Dance offers themed camps for young children through the summer. (Photo courtesy of Central Indiana Academy of Dance)
Continued from Page 8
in ballet technique while branching out to other styles. Cost is $340, and registration closes June 5.
Registration also is open for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s Summer Intensive June 8-18. Central Indiana Dance Ensemble is the academy’s preprofessional ballet company.
The two-week intensive, which features guest teachers, is for children 10 and older or Central Indiana Academy of Dance students in levels 3B-9.
“A lot of our dancers take it to improve their technique and learn from new instructors, and there’s a performance with that as well,” Jacobs said. “We also will have seminars discussing nutrition and injury prevention to help them learn about taking care of their bodies in the dance world.”
Registration for the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s Summer Intensive closes May 8.
For more, visit ciaodance.com.
INDIANA BALLET CONSERVATORY
Indiana Ballet Conservatory at 849 W. Carmel Dr. offers three camp options — a Summer Intensive for ages 9 and older, a Young Dancers Intensive for ages 6-9 and Fairytale Camp for ages 3-5.
Fairytale Camp, a $125 camp held from 9 a.m. to noon June 1-5, June 8-12 and June 15-19, gives students the same ballet education offered in the summer intensive, with consideration for age-appropriate time and class content.
Business Operations Manager Chris Lingner said it is an introduction to ballet and creativity.
“They will use movement and fairytale storytelling to learn how movement tells a story,” Lingner said. “They also will do arts and crafts, and at the end of each week, they will do a showcase of everything they’ve learned.”
The Young Dancers Intensive, held from 9 a.m. to noon June 1-5, June 8-12 and June 15-19 gives students
Indiana Ballet Conservatory’s Young Dancers Intensive gives students indepth training in ballet technique. (Photo courtesy of Indiana Ballet Conservatory)
in-depth training in ballet technique, pre-pointe and conditioning. Students learn and familiarize themselves with various styles of dance and participate in seminars about nutrition, costume history, injury prevention and stage makeup.
Linger said the camp, which is $200 a week, is designed with more discipline than the Fairytale Camp.
“It’s designed to give the more serious student preparations for our pre-professional division,” Lingner said. “They’ll do some jazz and contemporary in addition to ballet, and they start conditioning, which is a big part of what we do. We start teaching that early to protect them from injury.”
The Summer Intensive has various date options available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in June and July, with the opportunity to participate for two or three weeks for $500 or five weeks for $2,000. Students must audition to participate.
“We bring in world class guest faculty to supplement our own faculty,” Lingner said. “The camp is for a serious dancer that really wants to take their skills to the next level. They get the conditioning. They get proper ballet class, point work and contemporary. At the end, there is a showcase that we do at Carmel Middle School that’s absolutely free and open to the public. It tends to be a favorite amongst the community.”
For more, visit indianaballetconservatory.org.
Local schools become multifunctional hubs
By David Jacobs david@youarecurrent.com
From Minecraft and LEGO to cross country and pickleball, local summer camps cater to a variety of interests for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.
With spring break approaching and the academic year ending in a few months, private schools across the area are preparing for summer camps hosted on their campuses.
Camp Cathedral at Cathedral High School, Summer U at University High School and The Summer Experience at Park Tudor will host camps with prices ranging from $20 to nearly $400.
Half-day and full-day options are available at each camp. Summer U also has a few full-day options.
“A lot of people like to do the halfday sessions, so they’ll be over in the sports camp, have lunch and then
Students test their robots on a challenge course during a STEM session at Camp Cathedral. (Photo courtesy of Cathedral High School)
they’ll come over and might do a STEM camp,” said Meredith Van Rooy, University High School’s summer program coordinator. “They’re weeklong,
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so in one week, every morning would be sports and then every afternoon would be Minecraft.”
Camp Cathedral follows a weeklong schedule for its nearly 80 offerings.
“We try to keep our enrichment small and have limits on the number of kids that can sign up for each camp,” camp director Anthony Ernst said. “The hands-on opportunity they get to interact with a teacher and Cathedral students is much more beneficial when there are only 10 to 15 kids in that camp versus 45.”
Van Rooy is entering her third year at Summer U, where her focus on learning is the priority when curating curricula.
“We’ve tried to grow our variety over the past few years,” she said. “I’m aware we’re still used as a day care, but I think it’s important that enrichment is happening within these camps. That’s one of the goals we have. We want them to have fun, and we want this to be a good experience for them.”
Camps are open to anyone within the age range, regardless of the
school they attend during the year.
Spots are filling up fast for both Summer U and Camp Cathedral, but Park Tudor does not begin registration until March.
“Traditionally, families seek out when our registration is going to open, and it fills very quickly,” Ernst said. “This year’s camps are looking very good. We’ve had several camps sell out already, but waitlists do exist. If the camps are going to sell out, they’re going to sell out in February
SUMMER CAMP
Campers play outdoor sports activity during Summer U at University High School. The program offers half-day and full-day sessions, allowing students to pair a morning sports camp with an afternoon enrichment session like STEM or Minecraft. (Photo courtesy of University High School)
and March. We still have room in several of our camps, and our sports camps are wide open.”
Summer U does not expect to sell out until the end of March or April.
• The Summer Experience at Park Tudor: parktudor.org/summer
SUMMER AT ISI
Summer camps offer STEAM innovation
Redstone circuits to light up lamps and trigger mechanisms like traps, automatic doors and repeaters.”
Summer at ISI offers students engaging, hands-on camps that foster learning, confidence, and friendships. Programs include Lower School language camps (French, Mandarin, Spanish, and Arabic), Amazing Athletes, and enrichment camps, as well as Upper School athletic programs and the Inspirit AI Program in partnership with Stanford and MIT gradu
Local programs use Minecraft, video games and forensic science to teach engineering
By Megan Dial news@youarecurrent.com
Numerous science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — or STEAM — summer camps throughout Indianapolis are preparing children for their future through engaging, educational projects.
Indy STEM Camps utilize Minecraft to teach children engineering concepts.
“There are numerous features within Minecraft that model engineering concepts,” said Matt Mulholland, Indy STEM Camps director and founder. “One example is a material called Redstone that operates like electricity. Campers can build functioning
Children also learn soft skills such as teamwork and creativity.
“Minecraft is the ultimate sandbox game. This means that the activities, adventures and in-game lessons presented to campers are far more open-ended than the standards-based and structured curriculum that students experience during the school year,” Mulholland said.
“Because our camps emphasize social interactions, it is absolutely necessary for campers to learn to work together to solve problems. This introduces conflict resolution and team building in a way that directly mirrors the real world. As we like to say at Indy STEM Camps, the best kind of learning occurs when you don’t even realize you are learning something.
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Playing Minecraft creates just this type of experience for children.”
Indy STEM Camps are offered in Zionsville, Westfield, Indianapolis and Fishers between June 1 and July 24. For more, visit indystemcamps.com.
At iCode Fishers, children learn about coding through gaming experiences.
“Students aren’t just writing code— they’re creating games, animations and programs they care about,” said Lauren Gehle, iCode Fishers’ marketing manager. “Our instructors break concepts into manageable steps and celebrate progress along the way, so campers feel capable and motivated from Day 1. We have a variety of levels of coding, customizable for a wide range of students’ comfortability and compatibility.”
Campers combine coding skills with creativity.
“They learn by doing and being, which makes concepts stick and builds genuine excitement around STEM,” Gehle said. “One of the most exciting moments is when campers design and build their own video
game from scratch. They create characters, design levels and program how everything works. By the end of camp, they have a finished game they can share with friends and family, which is incredibly rewarding.”
iCode summer camps are offered weekly between May 25 and Aug. 8. For more, visit icodeschool.com/ fishers.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame hosts Camp Invention, where children can practice becoming creators, innovators and entrepreneurs.
“Camp Invention has just the right
Camp Invention encourages creativity and teamwork.
(Photo courtesy of Camp Inventiont)
balance of structure and freedom,” said Corey Nielsen, Camp Invention’s marketing coordinator. “There’s a clear framework, but within that, kids are encouraged to be creative and explore their own ideas.”
“This summer’s program is called Spark, and it’s packed with four experiences that campers work on throughout the week,” Nielsen said. Modules include:
• Fur-ensics: Campers team up with a robotic capybara to investigate mischievous animal pranks, exploring fingerprints,
DNA and forensic science.
• Make Waves: Campers explore entrepreneurship through physics experiments, prototype pitching and creative marketing as they turn ideas into market-ready inventions.
• The Infringers: Campers learn how to protect their ideas by exploring cryptography, security technology and intellectual property.
• Space Morphers: Campers design and transform a new planet by building rockets, racing rovers and creating inventions to survive extreme environments.
“Each module is tailored to the various age groups. Campers work on each of the four modules each day and build gradually. We’ve found that approach helps them retain what they’re learning. It also ensures that if a camper misses a day, they don’t miss an entire experience,” Nielsen said.
Camp Invention is offered in Zionsville, Indianapolis and Fishers at various points in June and July. For more, visit invent.org/programs/ camp-invention.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Westfield, Zionsville offers diverse summer programming lineup course, music.
By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com
Westfield’s Grand Junction Plaza was the place to be in the evenings and on weekends when it first opened. But there wasn’t much happening during the day, especially in the summer for families with children.
Enter the Kids Summer Series. The first iterations featured interactive concerts and musicians for children.
“That was really born out of feedback from the community,” said Kayla Arnold, communications director for the City of Westfield.
Today, the free summer programming features a wide variety, including magicians, exotic animals, and of
SUMMER CAMPS
June 8 - 12 | College Park Ministry Center, Carmel
June 15 - 19 | Carmel United Methodist Church
June 22 - 26 | St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Zionsville
New afternoon option for Half-Day Campers
Half Day | Ages 4-6 | 9 a.m.-noon OR noon-3p.m. Full Day | Ages 7-10 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 8 - 12 and June 22 - 26 Ages 11-18 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. University High School Theater, Carmel
Kids Summer Series is 9:30-11 a.m. on Tuesdays starting June 2.
Creek Stomps also return this summer as kids explore the Grassy Branch Creek.
Armed with a net and bucket, children can learn what lives in the creek.
The Thursday morning sessions begin May 28 and run through July 30. Each one is from 10 to 11 a.m. Cost is $5 per week.
The program is also accessible to those who cannot walk down to the creek.
To register, visit https:// in-westfield.civicplus.com/231/ Programming.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
The Boys & Girls Club of Boone County will again offer its summer day camps at all locations and specialty camps.
For regular summer campers, they’ll have access to all spaces at the Boys & Girls Club units. There are also weekly field trips like the movies, splash pads and parks.
These camps are open to all children ages 5-18, regardless of residence. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Specialty camps offer the opportunity for children to travel outside the area.
by Don Zolidis
July 6 -10 Ages 11-13 | 9 a.m.-noon Ages 14-18 | 1-4 p.m. CrossRoads Church. Westfield Ages 11-18 | 9:30 a.m. | 4 p.m. Show Marian University Theater
For example, a two-week travel camp features trips to Columbian Park Zoo and Malibu Jacks in Lafayette, Urban Air trampoline park and the Indianapolis Zoo.
Eric Richards, the club’s CEO, said the specialty camps are popular.
“My litmus test is my kids (who are in the club),” he said. “They love them.”
A two-week water park camp features trips to five different water parks including ones in West Lafayette, Plainfield, Marion and Kokomo.
“That’s the whole goal; they travel out of Central Indiana,” Richards said.
Camps range between $200 and $400 depending on membership. Scholarships are available to those who qualify.
For more, visit bgcboone.org/ programs/camps/.
SULLIVANMUNCE
SullivanMunce Cultural Center will offer a variety of youth and teen art camps throughout June and July.
There are three different youth drama/art camps, themes include fairy tales, create- your-own monsters and mythical quests. Camps are June 8-12, June 15-19 and July 13-17. There are full- and half-day options for each.
Drama camps give kids the opportunity to create their own props and perform for their parents at the end of the week.
“They have more leeway in their creative expression,” said Cynthia
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Boys & Girls Club of Boone County will offer its summer day camps at all locations and specialty camps. (Photos courtesy of Boys & Girls Club of Boone County)
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Young, executive director of SullivanMunce.
There’s also an all-day youth art camp, June 22-26, where artists use different mediums.
The Teeny Tiny Art camp, set for July 27-31, brings the opportunity of making small art to kids. The camp is inspired by last year’s popular Teeny Tiny Art Market.
The all-day camp will have kids work with multiple mediums to create pieces no larger than 6 x 6 inches.
All youth camps are for kids ages 7-11.
SullivanMunce will offer a variety of art camps for both youth and teens throughout June and July. (Photos courtesy of SullivanMunce)
Our summer programs are open to all Central Indiana students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, and offer a great introduction to the extraordinary opportunities available at Park Tudor.
From Cub Camp for 3 & 4 year-olds to options for high school students, Park Tudor summer programs offer something for everyone – arts & crafts, sports, performing arts, science, literature, chess & gaming, and more!
For teens, there is a ceramics camp — July 6-10 or 20-24 — a mixed media camp — July 6-10 — and a fiber arts camp from July 20-24. Camps are half days.
Teen camps are open to kids ages 12-17.
To register, visit sullivanmunce.org, call 317-873-4900 or email info@sullivanmunce.org.
ZIONSVILLE EAGLE RECREATION & ENRICHMENT
Zionsville Eagle Recreation & Enrichment will offer more than 100 different camps for kids of all ages.
Camps include art, nature, sports, engineering, Minecraft, robotics and
Registration starts March 2 for summer camps through Zionsville Eagle Recreation & Enrichment, which will offer more than 100 camps. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Eagle Recreation & Enrichment)
foreign language.
Ann Hall, manager for Eagle Recreation, said 5,000 attended camps last year.
“Because Zionsville doesn’t have a community center, we’re known as the community resource for summer camps … and enrichment classes,” she said.
Registration opens March 2 for all Eagle Enrichment camps. Visit zionsvilleeaglerec.com/.
Camps run June 8 through July 24 during the day.
Camps pair resources with outdoor fun
By Alicia Kelly alicia@youarecurrent.com
On any given summer day, campers in Indianapolis can be found scaling a rock wall, paddling across a lake or sounding out syllables with a tutor — all in the name of confidence.
Two local programs, Jameson Camp and Camp Delafield, operated by the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana, are blending traditional camp experiences with special ized support designed to help children thrive academically and socially.
For nearly 100 years, Jameson Camp has offered overnight sessions on its wooded cam pus at 2001 Bridge port Road. The camp serves youth ages 7 to 17 in six-day, five-night sessions running Sunday through Friday. About 525 campers attended last year, with roughly 90 children participating each week.
The nonprofit operates with a 1-to5 counselor-to-camper ratio and includes behavioral specialists on staff to assist children with ADHD, anxiety, depression and other diagnoses.
“About half of our kids that come to camp have a diagnosis like that, half of our kids that come to camp don’t,” said Zach White, the camp’s development director. “We operate camp with all of those kids having a shared experience, but with some additional support in place.”
Campers stay in air-conditioned cabins with attached bathrooms and spend their days choosing activities such as archery, fishing and rock climbing. The camp is technology-free, a feature White said builds independence.
Across town, Camp Delafield takes a different — but complementary — approach to summer growth.
The monthlong day camp is for children 7 to 12 at Colonial Hills
School in Indianapolis. The program runs June 1 through July 2, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays until noon.
Mornings are devoted to academics, including daily one-on-one Orton-Gillingham tutoring and small group instruction in reading comprehension, written expression and math. Afternoons feature swimming, outdoor play, art and STEM activities.
Katie Eynon, a tutor with the institute, said the balance is intentional.
“We have the academic mornings, and then the fun, play-filled afternoons,” Eynon said. “So, the kids get a reward for all their efforts.”
Camp Delafield maintains roughly a 5-to-1 camper-to-teacher ratio in small groups, with each child receiving an hour of individualized tutoring daily. Enrollment typically ranges from 60 to 65 campers.
(Above) Campers climb the rock wall during a past summer session at Jameson Camp in Indianapolis. (Photo provided by Jameson Camp) (Left) Campers create arts and crafts projects during a past session of Camp Delafield at Colonial Hills School in Indianapolis. (Photo provided by the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana)
