November 24, 2020 — Current Gifts 2020

MERRY AND BRIGHT? how to combat Therapist gives tips on liday season / P12 loneliness, stress this ho

gifts 2020

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upbeat pursuits in which to engage at home with loved ones. You could consider a menu of movies to watch (leave the series bingeing for after the holidays), favorite music playlists and sing-a-longs, tag-teaming of a difficult jigsaw puzzle, paired cooking (and cleaning!), and board and virtual games and contests, among other opportunities. Or, maybe there are books you’ve been meaning to read, or a blank canvas on which to paint, or even starter pots for seeds that will give you wonderful indoor plants. The point is, there’s no denying it will be a different kind of season, but everyone can maximize on it if they put their minds to it. Take it as a positive challenge and see just how much you can make the most of everything.

The Current Publishing family wishes the best of everything for you and yours, and we say, “Bring on 2021!”

Health department suggests safe holiday celebration alternatives editorial@youarecurrent.com The Hamilton County Health Dept. is suggesting safe ways to celebrate the holidays following a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the county.

In August, the health department partnered with area schools to launch the “Show Some C.L.A.S.S” campaign to keep kids healthy and in school. That acronym has been updated to reflect a change in the trends being seen through contact tracing and to provide guidance on planning holiday gatherings. elebrate virtually. Try using Skype, Zoom or some other video chat platform for a family toast or virtual dessert. imit travel. Stay close to home. Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.

Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. void in-home gatherings. Contact tracers have determined private parties and in-home gatherings are the leading cause of transmission. Visit with people outside your immediate family in public spaces. peak to contact tracers. Only a third of Hamilton County residents who test positive for COVID-19 are answering the call from contact tracers. Answer

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To our readers: We’ve nearly reached the end of the Year of the Surreal, and that means the holidays are upon us, thankfully! We hope you and yours are healthy and happy and will remain so throughout the season and well beyond.

While many events and activities cannot be held this year, after you avail yourselves of what is available, there still are plenty of prospects to make the most of what’s before us. With adequate self-protection measures, you’ll be welcomed at our local advertising partners’ establishments. There, you’ll find warm greetings and unique gifts, delicious meals and other “wants and needs.”

While many events and activities cannot be held this year, after you avail yourselves to what is available, there still are plenty of

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the phone so they can monitor hotspots and notify those who may be at risk for contracting the virus. tay home. Stay home if you are sick or waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test.

“The holidays are an incredibly stressful time of year without a pandemic,” stated Christian Walker, emergency preparedness coordinator for the Hamilton County Health Dept. “While not ideal, canceling your holiday parties and scrubbing big travel plans may just help alleviate some of that stress.”

If county residents still feel like they must host extended family for the holidays, they should consider limiting the number of people and the amount of time spent together. Celebrate outside if weather permits or try to open windows to maintain good air circulation. Designate one person to prepare and serve all the food and bring your own drinks and utensils to gatherings. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet away from others and frequently wash their hands.

“For those tempted to cut corners, please don’t,” Walker stated. “It’s critical that we be as careful as humanly possible right now. That includes Thanksgiving Eve bar crawls and the lure of Black Friday crowds.

If you don’t have to leave home, just don’t.”

For more, visit showsomeclass.org.

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November 24, 2020

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November 24, 2020

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Santas take virtual approach amid pandemic

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A GIFT THEY’LL LOVE!

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Santa Claus will have to take a different route into people’s homes this holiday season.

“None of the guys I know are doing home visits,” said Steve Russell, who has portrayed Santa Claus for more than 40 years.

“We’re not doing home visits because 99.9 percent of Santas are overweight with some kind of underlying condition, so we are all high risks. So, we can Zoom into your home instead of through your chimney.”

Russell, 71, moved to Westfield 1 1/2 years ago after retiring and moving to be closer to his daughter, Marisa Grover, and two grandchildren in Westfield.

“I had a thriving Santa Claus business in Fort Wayne, which I had to walk away from,” Russell said.

Russell has had 17 hours of virtual training. He has a studio in his home with a green screen and virtual backgrounds of the North Pole and Santa’s workshop. He refers to himself as the Fireside Santa. He collects information about each child he interacts with which he can incorporate into Santa’s book of good little boys and girls. It used to be a wallpaper book. He will talk to the children and tell a story.

“We’ll check the naughty and nice list, sing ‘Jingle Bells’ at the end and say goodbye,” he said. “Every year the children amaze me. They put a sparkle in my eye as much as the sparkle goes into their eye.

Santa doesn’t come in the home through your chimney. He comes in through your heart. That’s sort of my motto.”

Russell said segments are available in 10 minutes, 30 minutes or one hour, whatever the customer requests, he said.

“Since it’s a whole new world out there, everything is negotiable,” said Russell, whose Facebook page is called The Santa Agency. “We can figure out what is right for the customer and what is right for the kids.”

In 2019, he still traveled to Fort Wayne to see his old clients. Home visits previously were often 40 minutes to an hour. They cost $100 and included Mrs. Claus, Russell’s wife, Marie.

“People would leave gifts on the porch and we would pass them out,” he said.

The virtual calls will include his wife and sometimes his grandson Henry as an elf.

A 10-minute virtual call will cost $40 and 30 minutes will cost $60.

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ily did home visits, corporate parties, hospitals and nursing homes.

“I was a store Santa once decades ago and I didn’t want to do that anymore,” he said.

Russell, who belongs to an association called Hoosier Santas, attended a Santa seminar in 1978, where he said he learned the majority of his skills. In 2000, he attended the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Mich., the oldest Santa Claus school in the world. In 2018, he attended a professional school in Indianapolis, operated by a company based in Denver.

Russell, who is retired from a career in pharmaceutical sales and the investment business, refinishes furniture as a hobby/ business.

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Steve Russell portrays Santa Claus with his wife, Marie, as Mrs. Claus.

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November 24, 2020

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Photo letters by photographer Gail Weiner Where to buy: CCA Art Gallery, 111 W. Main St., Suite 135 Price: $5 to $10 per letter

CARMEL G I F TS Big Heart Herbal Tea Co. herbal tea Where to buy: Silver in the City, 111 W. Main St. Suite 150 Price: $10.50 per box

Christmas tree tea light Where to buy: Out of the Blue Polish Pottery & Gifts, 727 Hanover Place, Suite 149 Price: $50

Whiskey Rum Soap Co. handpoured soy candle Where to buy: Linden Tree, 736 Hanover Place Suite 108 Price: $22.95

Stomp rocket Where to buy: Kits & Kaboodle Classic Toys, 723 Hanover Place Price: $22.99

Items to make homemade wreath Where to buy: Sundown Gardens, 505 W. 186th St., Westfield Price: Prices vary, $6.99 and up

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Candy Cane Kalanchoe Where to buy: Root 31 , 226 Park St., Westfield Price: $7.50

Specimen collecting kit Where to buy: Remedy, Opening soon at 203 Jersey St., Westfield.

Price: $24 “The Book of Two Ways” by Jodi Picoult Where to buy: Turn the Page, 149 N. Walnut St. Price: $28.99

Zöller & Born Carmel Christkindlmarkt beer stein Where to buy: All Things Carmel, 110 W. Main St. Price: $100

Black Magic sweet red wine Where to buy: Urban Vines Winery & Brewery, 303 E. 161st St., Westfield Price: $18

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Hopwood Cellars Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon, left, and Sweet Riesling Where to buy: Hopwood Cellars Winery, 12 E. Cedar St., Zionsville Price: $24, left, and $14.96

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Justin Patten T-shirts Where to buy: Back to the Bricks, 120 S. Main St., Zionsville Price: $28-32

P.J. Salvage pajama sets Where to buy: Frances + Parke, 20 N. Main St., Zionsville Price: $68 each

Blind date with a book Where to buy: Black Dog Books, 115 S. Main St., Zionsville Price: $7 each Dog toys Where to buy: The Rescue Boutique, 115 S. Main St., Zionsville Price: $9-14

Assorted pillows Where to buy: Fivethirty Home, 205 S. Main St., Zionsville Price: $28

Lion puzzle Where to buy: Moonshot Games, 50 N. Ninth St., Noblesville Price: $10.99

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Shiny Brites vintage ornaments Where to buy: Thistle and Thyme, 29 S. Ninth St., Noblesville Price: $4 each

Baby Yoda Cross Stitch Where to buy: Gal’s Guide to the Library women’s history library, 123 S. Eighth St., Noblesville Price: $30, including frame

Bird bath – black stand with built in heater and heavy plastic dish Where to buy: Wilds Birds Unlimited, 14753 Hazel Dell Crossing, Noblesville Price: $142.99

Growler Where to buy: Books & Brews Noblesville, 13230 Harrell Parkway, Noblesville Price: $2.50 to buy, various prices to fill

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With eyes wide open, give the gift of travel

By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Despite the steady rise of COVID-19 cases, Carmel Travel Co. owner Melisa Keiser has seen an uptick in the public’s interest to travel in recent weeks.

“I think people are starting to just experience a general interest in traveling again. I think people are restless,” Keiser said.

Keiser said she’s helped organize several trips to Mexico, as there are less severe restrictions there than most nations. Mexico doesn’t require a negative COVID-19 test to

visit. The Caribbean also has been a popular destination.

“I think people just want to get away and have some downtime, and I think they understand there’s maybe some different expectations right now during the pandemic,” Keiser said. “As you go out right now, maybe restaurants have reduced menus or some places are still closed, so you’ll see that during travel. But you get to get Keiser away and lay on the beach in the sunshine and kind of get away from here, and that provides a stress release.”

Keiser said some nations, like France and Italy, still aren’t open for travel for U.S. residents. An interactive map is available at iatatravelcentre.com/world.php that shows the countries and their travel restrictions.

“The majority of the world is still closed,” Keiser said.

“This is not something you go into with your eyes closed.”

Keiser has seen people show interest in booking for next year, and she encourages people to consider giving the gift of travel this holiday season.

“Travel is always a great gift,” she said.

For more, visit carmeltravelcompany.com.

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Tiberius Northwest Double IPA 6 pack Where to buy: Scarlet Lane Brewing Company, 7724 Depot St., McCordsville Price: $12.99

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Salt lamp gift sets Where to buy: Indianapolis Salt Cave, 8899 Kent Ave., Lawrence Price: Price varies from $20 to $60

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Nickel Plate Express offers ‘Christmas Caboose’

By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Trains have a certain holiday charm, and the Nickel Plate Express will continue its long tradition of offering train rides around Christmastime. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization is offering rides on a locomotive called the “Christmas Caboose” instead of its passenger train.

“We are not having our Reindeer Ride or Holiday Cheer Ride this year. That’s what we typically offer on our really big passenger train, which seats 200 people,” Nickel Plate Express Director Dagny Zupin said. “Obviously, we are not having that, so instead we are offering the Christmas Caboose.”

The Christmas Caboose is a small-group version of the Reindeer Ride that is offered on the Nickel Plate Express’ red caboose. It is a 35-minute ride where families can enjoy Christmas carols and sugar cookies and children can have a socially distanced Santa experience. The ride is shorter than the Reindeer Ride and contact is minimized.

In lieu of single-seat general admission tickets, benches are being sold for the Nick-

The Christmas Caboose can seat up to 28 people per trip. It runs every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 20. The caboose boards at Forest Park in Noblesville.

(Submitted photo)

el Plate Express.

“If a family has 15 people, they can look at the (online) map (of the caboose) and say they want these three benches that are

five-people benches,” Zupin said. “Then, the family splits up into groups but can still be together.”

Five-person benches are $75 and

three-person benches are $50. The Christmas Caboose also offers VIP, second-level seating for four people for $100.

“You’ll go to checkout, and instead of buying five tickets for five people, you purchase one bench, then show up to the event and that bench gets five people,” Zupin said.

The rides begin Nov. 27 and are offered every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 20.

The caboose leaves every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It boards at Forest Park, 1077 Cicero Rd., Noblesville.

Tickets are available for purchase.

“I think tickets will sell out really fast because with this caboose, we can seat up to 28 people per trip as opposed to 200,” Zupin said.

Nickel Plate Express has spots for roughly 50 percent of the number of rides it offered last year, when tickets sold out.

Face masks are required for everyone 8 and older. Nickel Plate Express will sanitize the caboose between each ride.

“It’ll be the fun experience everybody is used to, just in smaller groups,” Zupin said.

For more, visit nickelplateexpress.com.

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International holiday cuisine: tostones editorial@youarecurrent.com Recipe and photo provided by Chef Andy Gillespie, who cooks at Hotel Carmichael/ Vivante French Eatery of Carmel, Texy Mexy of Noblesville and is executive chef of Ruoff Music Center.

Ingredients: • 1 bunch of firm, green plantains • Oil for frying (omit if you’d like to bake your plantains) • Kosher salt • Water for boiling Directions: Place a pot of salted water on your stovetop and begin to boil. Slice the exterior peel of the plantain lengthwise in order to open. Cut the plantain into 1-inch rounds (I like to cut on a bias to create more surface area, which makes it great for dipping!). When the water has come to a boil, carefully drop in the plantain segments, and boil for 5-8 minutes or until the plantain is tender. Remove and drain on a paper towel. If frying your plantain, prepare a pot or shallow fry pan with oil heated to 350 degrees. Fry the plantain until golden brown on one side, and flip to continue cooking, 2 minutes per side. Choose your favorite “smashing tool”. I like the bottom of a coffee mug or a plate (this part is great for the entire family!). Gently press down on each warm plantain, exposing some of the flesh.

When the smashing is done, season with kosher salt on both sides.

For the Avocado/Cilantro crema Ingredients: • 5 avocados, peeled and pitted • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro,stems

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Tostones include plantains, which are a staple among many Latin American nations. In the classic Puerto Rican preparation, the plantain is treated like a starchy potato, fried until golden brown on the outside with a creamy and slightly sweet interior. Serve with Chef Andy’s easy avocado/cilantro crema for a delicious appetizer. (Submitted photo)

included • 1 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt

Directions: Place all ingredients into a food processor and mix until thoroughly combined (can also be mixed by hand for a more coarse, rustic texture),

Recipe: Peppermint hot chocolate oatmeal Recipe provided by Julia Gabennesch editorial@youarecurrent.com Peppermint hot chocolate oatmeal is a festive breakfast treat to enjoy during the holidays.

Ingredients: • 1/2 cup oats • 1 cup milk or water • 1/2 large banana, mashed • 1 tbsp cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix • 1/4 tsp peppermint extract • Dash of salt • Toppings: crushed peppermint candy, chocolate chips and Greek yogurt Directions: Bring milk/water to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Stir in the oats. Add in mashed banana, cocoa powder, peppermint extract and salt. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add desired toppings and enjoy.

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Peppermint hot chocolate oatmeal is topped with crushed peppermint candy, chocolate chips and Greek yogurt. (Photo by Julia Gabennesch)

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MERRY AND BRIGHT ?

Therapist gives tips on how to combat loneliness, stress this holiday season

By Anna Skinner anna@youarecurrent.com Traditionally, holidays are a time for families to step away from the busyness of their lives and enjoy each other’s’ company. But this year, quarantines and stress created by the COVID-19 pandemic have raised troubling mental health concerns that experts say are important to monitor.

The Cabin Counseling and Resource Center Executive Director Deidra Rausch said there has been a 40 percent national increase in anti-anxiety prescriptions, a 19 percent increase in anti-depressants, a 15 percent increase in anti-insomnia medications and an 11 percent increase in suicidal ideation. There also has been a 14 percent increase in alcohol and drug addiction.

“When you think about the holidays, I think the first thing that we are all terrible at is acknowledging our feelings,” Rausch said. “I think when you assume (this year) is going to be a Norman Rockwell Christmas, you’re already mistaken. You need to acknowledge that, ‘Yeah, I am around you people 24/7, I am stressed.’ Name that stress and anxiety because when they don’t do that, that’s where I think frustrations and anger and kids’ stress levels go up.”

Rausch said stress and depression in children ages 5 to 13 has increased this year. She said the nation is seeing much higher percentages of loneliness.

Despite the world’s current situation, Rausch said families can enjoy the holidays if they follow certain suggestions.

“Acknowledge feelings, set realistic expectations, set a budget and stick to that,” she said. “I think to be realistic is that this year probably won’t look like previous years because of fears with elderly parents. Be realistic to what it can look like and acknowledge it will look different.”

Not being able to celebrate the holidays with an elder family member also can be a source of stress and depression, as can not having family or someone to celebrate with.

“Too often when I have someone single or elderly not have family visiting, I hear, ‘I

Therapist Ann Collins, right, works with a client at The Cabin Counseling and Resource Center. (Submitted photos)

The Cabin Counseling and Resource Center Executive Director Deidra Rausch encourages people to get outside and enjoy nature.

just won’t put up decorations.’ If decorations cause some sense of holiday spirit, you can put up decorations. Don’t disallow yourself to do whatever traditions you usually have done,” Rausch said. “If you’re a single person who has always gone to visit family, you’re allowed to start your own Christmas tradition.”

Rausch suggests a Zoom gift-opening hour or something similar with family.

“Utilize that technology as best as pos-

sible,” she said. “I know with our nursing home residents there has been family visiting outside the window, and now it’s getting cold, but find some way to have that new form of connection, even if it may not be in the same room.”

Rausch knows that holidays are typically a time when people abandon healthy habits and indulge in overeating and overdrinking, but she encourages families to remain extra

vigilant with regard to their health.

“The holidays historically are a time for overeating and drinking excessively, and maybe we are already all there, so be aware of that,” she said.

Rausch encourages people to get outside for fresh air and said it’s OK for parents or spouses to tell their families that they need some uninterrupted time.

“There’s great research that does suggest that getting outside in nature does wonderful things for your brain,” she said. “Yes, I know it’s colder. The Indiana doldrums are upon us, but getting outside, listening to the birds, watching the leaves change is critical.”

Rausch said if someone is persistently anxious or has spent more than one to two weeks feeling like they can’t get out of bed, they should seek professional help.

The Cabin Counseling and Resource Center has a satellite office in Zionsville and offices in Zionsville and Westfield. For more, visit thecabin.org.

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Classic roast chicken recipe provided by Vivante French Eatery. (Submitted photo)

International holiday cuisine: classic roast chicken editorial@youarecurrent.com Recipe and photo provided by Joseph Hsu, Executive Chef of Vivante French Eatery at Hotel Carmichel in Carmel Many families will celebrate holidays at home with smaller gatherings this year, so Current Publishing collected some international as families around the world dine from the safety of their home.

CLASSIC ROAST CHICKEN Ingredients: • One 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, patted dry with paper towels • 1 tablespoon salt and pepper mix, divided • 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons softened and 2 tablespoons melted • 1 clove garlic, smashed • 1 thyme sprig • 1 carrot, sliced • 2 celery sticks, sliced • 1 small yellow onion, sliced • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil Directions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Sprinkle the inside of the chicken (make sure the chicken is patted dry) with 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper mix, and smear on 1 tablespoon of the softened but-

ter. Truss the chicken with kitchen twine, then rub it with the other tablespoon of softened butter.

Scatter the garlic, thyme, carrot, celery and onion slices in a roasting pan and place the chicken on top, breast up. Stir the oil into the melted butter to use for basting.

Roast the chicken to brown lightly for 15 minutes, rotating it onto its left side after 5 minutes and onto its right side for the last 5 minutes, basting with every rotation.

Keep the chicken on its right side and lower the oven to 350 degrees. Baste and season with another teaspoon of salt and pepper mix. Roast for 15 minutes, then rotate back to its left side, baste and season with the remaining teaspoon of salt and pepper mix. Roast another 15 minutes.

Rotate the chicken back onto its back, breast up. Baste and continue to roast until the chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees, some ovens might need 20 to 25 minutes more.

Remove the chicken from the oven, let it rest 5 to 10 minutes before carving.

The juice/butter mix from the roasting pan can be reserved and used to gravy with, just add in little white wine and pinch of flour.

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International holiday cuisine: chocolate chip cannoli editorial@youarecurrent.com Recipe provided by Adam Aasen, Carmel City Council member and co-owner of Donatello’s Italian Restaurant.

Filling Ingredients: • 1/4 cup of miniature chocolate chips • 2 cups NY-style ricotta cheese (mascarpone cheese can be substituted) 3/4 cup powdered sugar (granulated sugar can be substituted but at a much smaller amount. Powdered sugar gives a smoother texture).

2 tablespoons real vanilla extract • 2 tablespoons Galliano Liqueur Shell Ingredients: • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces • 1 egg yolk • 1/2 cup dry white wine For the shells: Mix together the flour, sugar and salt in a bowl and then work the butter pieces into the flour with your fingers until the mixture becomes coarse and sandy. Add the egg yolk and the white wine and mix until smooth.

It’s best to let the dough cool in the fridge for a few minutes. The dough will stiffen a bit when cool so some people like to flatten it on plastic wrap while cooling so it’s easier to roll out later, but either way can work.

When you roll out the shells, you want to get them about 1/8 of an inch thick. So very thin, but most importantly an even thickness all around so it cooks evenly. You can use a small bowl or round lid in order to measure the dough so you can cut them into circles with a butter knife. Trace around and cut the dough into circles. Some people use a tool called a cannoli mold to shape the circles into round tubes with two openings at the top. The cannoli mold also

Chocolate chip cannolis are an Italian dessert. (Submitted photo)

helps the cannoli shell hold its shape when frying in oil. If you don’t want to buy that, you can make your own by making a tube shape out of aluminum foil. But be careful that you don’t press the dough too hard and it ends up sticking.

The smooth metal cannoli tubes do help prevent sticking.

Fill a medium pot with canola oil at 360 degrees. Use a pair of tongs to hold the metal edge of the cannoli mold and submerge the shell to fry, which takes about two to three minutes. Carefully slide off the shell so it doesn’t break.

For the filling, you can add all of the ingredients to a medium mixing bowl and whisk lightly until it’s all mixed. A hand mixer might be too strong for this unless you just use the lowest speed. The filling should be thick, not runny. So, don’t add too much vanilla or liqueur.

Use a small spoon to put the filling in the shell once it’s cooled and garnish with chocolate chips, powdered sugar and maraschino cherries.

Welcome Santa Nov. 27, visit through Dec. 24 editorial@youarecurrent.com Families will still be able to see Santa Claus at Clay Terrace despite the COVID-19 pandemic. They will be able to meet-and-greet with Santa from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24 across from Bath & Body Works and next to the Village Clock Shop, 14311 Clay Terrace Blvd, Suite 160, Carmel.

A welcoming parade will be held for Santa Nov. 27, followed by a tree lighting. The welcoming ceremony will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Village Green in Clay Terrace.

Families also can visit with reindeer on the opening day, take a ride in Santa’s sleigh and watch the Christmas tree lighting. Local vendors will be at the event selling holiday items.

To RSVP and get full event schedule and details, visit facebook.com/events/837986213631155.

Santa Claus will offer in-person and virtual visits at Clay Terrace in Carmel from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24. (Submitted photo)

Throughout Santa’s stay at Clay Terrace, children will be able to have a socially distanced conversation with him and get their picture taken. Advance registration is strongly

encouraged to promote social distancing and contactless payment for photo packages. Walk-up visits will be permitted as space allows.

In addition to in-person visits, Clay Terrace also will offer a variety of digital experiences with Santa. For more on virtual Santa experiences, visit createholidaymagic.com.

“Visits with Santa are such a nostalgic part of the holiday season for so many children and families in Carmel,” Clay Terrace General Manager Jennifer Jones stated. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring a bit of normalcy and holiday magic to our community, while keeping health and safety as our top priority.”

Santa will be on-site to visit with families from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 24. Guests can book their reservation time in advance at reservations.cherryhillprograms.com/view/ WlnsEDe9/clay-terrace.

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Weather conditions permitting, Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes in Noblesville will open Dec. 19 for the 2020-21 season. (Submitted photo)

Cool runnings at Kotweewi

By Rick Morwick rick@youarecurrent.com No mountains? No problem. There is plenty of winter fun to be had at Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes, where snow tubing has become a wildly popular attraction since the facility opened in 2017.

A part of Strawtown Koteewi Park in Noblesville, Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes features the only groomed snow-tubing hill in central Indiana. Tubers glide down a 700-footlong slide in groomed lanes covered in snow produced by state-of-the-art machines.

“Central Indiana is clearly not the Rockies or the Alps, but the snow-tubing experience we present is the same as any resort anywhere in terms of man-made snow and groomed lanes,” said Brian Cooley, owner of Outdoors Excursions Inc., the firm that operates Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes, in partnership with Hamilton County Parks & Recreation.

“We use the same equipment and techniques to make and maintain the park that are used in every ski area around the globe,” Cooley said. “The closest snow-tubing parks are two-plus hours from Hamilton County, so there is literally nothing else like it in central Indiana.”

With snowmaking set to begin early next month, Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes — 11800 Koteewi Dr. — is set to open Dec. 19 for the 2020-21 season. Weather conditions permitting, the facility will be open daily, with the exception of Christmas Day, through February and possibly into March.

Although there is no minimum age restriction, children must be able to handle their own tube unassisted, at the point of the lift line, and slide down the hill by themselves. A separate tubing area is available for children who are too young to ride the lift line.

Although access will be restricted because of COVID-19, Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes has enclosed warming areas with heaters and heated restrooms. Extra fire rings and outdoor propane heaters also will be in place.

Light concessions, such as hot chocolate, coffee, hot dogs and candy, will be available for purchase.

For tickets, operating hours and answers to frequently asked questions, visit koteewi-adventures.com.

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