Westfield Rocks the 4th coming to Grand Park
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The City of Westfield is ready to rock.
Westfield Rocks the 4th — the city’s signature Independence Day celebration — takes place at Grand Park from 4 to 10 p.m. July 4.
CELEBRATION
The festival moved from its original space at Asa Bales Park to Grand Park in 2016 and draws up to 10,000 visitors each year.
Westfield Welcome Manager Kelley Wells said the festival will include live music, inflatables, a competitive hot dog-eating contest and a drone and fireworks show.
“It is our largest event that we put on in the city, and we have one of the best fireworks displays in central Indiana,” Wells said. “Our drone show has been very popular. It’s been something that people have come to expect in the past couple of years. And we have a very large kids zone that’s filled with lots of different activities and plenty of vendors to keep everyone fed and entertained.”
Main Stage entertainment includes two sets by Jai Baker, from 5 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m. The Main Stage also will host the national anthem and an Honor Guard Presentation of Colors.
On the Kids Stage, families can enjoy performances by Mik the Music Man and a magic show.
“We have most of our normal attractions,” Wells said. “We’ll have about 20 food vendors in the southwest corner of parking Lot C, which is where they were placed last year. That was a new layout for us last year and it worked out pretty well.”
Wells said there is a new component to the festival this year.
“We are working with the Children’s Entrepreneur Market,” she said. “They will have a section within our kids zone. It’s a market run entirely by children. They run
their own booth, and they make and sell their own products. Parents are there to oversee, but they’re not encouraged to help in any capacity. So, we will have a section of kid vendors within our kid zone. That’s a new addition for us, and we’re excited to see what that’s going to look like. In addition to the kids market, we will have some retail and service vendors within the event layout as well.”
The hot dog-eating contest returns this year as competitive-eating enthusiasts try to oust the city’s one and only champion.
“We have had a reigning champion every year that we have done this,” Wells said. “Peter Rush is our reigning champion — he has been our only champion since we started this around seven years ago. He is ready to take on more competition.”
There also is a watermelon-eating contest for children.
“Westfield Rocks the 4th is one of our city’s most popular and highly anticipated events for a reason,” Mayor Scott Willis said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to celebrate our nation while gathering as a
DISPATCHES
Farmers Bank honored by IBA — The Farmers Bank was recently honored as a Five Star Member of the Indiana Bankers Association. The award was presented in recognition of The Farmers Bank’s Association involvement throughout 2024. The Five Star Member designation recognizes IBA-member banks that demonstrate outstanding commitment to the association in five areas — political awareness; issues advocacy; life-long learning; IBA volunteerism; and preferred service provider utilization. The Farmers Bank has locations in Hamilton and Boone counties, including Westfield, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Sheridan and Lebanon.
community for great food, fun and great
Kids Zone wristbands — which provide access to face painting, balloon twisting, bounce houses, obstacle courses and inflatable slides — are available online for $10 for children 4 and older. Children 3 and younger are free but also require a ticket.
A limited amount of preferred parking is available for $15 in Lot G.
“I do want to stress that (a preferred parking pass) guarantees you a parking space, but it does not guarantee any preferred entry and exit,” Wells said. “That has been hard to convey in the past. People think once they purchase a ticket, they can get in and out first and that’s not the case. It just guarantees them a spot.”
Free parking is available in Grand Park’s other parking lots on a first-come, firstserved basis.
Preferred parking passes, Kid Zone wristbands and registration for the hot dog- and watermelon-eating contests are available at westfieldin.gov/rocksthe4th.
Census workers needed — Applications are open for seasonal workers to conduct the City of Westfield special census. The City of Westfield is not conducting the hiring process. Onboarding is expected to begin in late summer or early fall. The City of Westfield is conducting the special census because of population growth since the 2020 census. Apply at westfieldin.gov/346/ Employment-Opportunities.
to the editor may be sent for consideration to letters@youarecurrent.com. Letters have a maximum word count of 300 words. Please include your city of residence and a contact phone number for verification. Current Publishing may refuse letters.
Children participate in the watermelon-eating contest at Westfield Rocks the 4th in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Welcome)
company.”
Vikan North America plans move to Westfield
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield City Council approved a 10-year tax abatement plan June 23 for Vikan North America
DEVELOPMENT
— a hygienic-cleaning solution company that specializes in the food and beverage industry that will move its U.S. operations from Zionsville to Westfield in 2026.
The company will invest $11.2 million to build a new, 80,000-square-foot warehouse and office facility at 196th and East streets.
“We’re an industry leader in sanitation material handling tools, primarily for the food processing industry or any hygiene critical areas,” said Rob Middendorf, executive vice president of Vikan North America. “We offer about 3,000 tools globally (and) we have 100 different patents and designs. (Our) parent company is out of Denmark; they’ve been in business for 125 years.”
Vikan North American has several international patents, including the award-winning Ultra Safe Technology line of brushes, brooms and squeegees. The company’s
HyGo mobile sanitation station has set new standards for cleanliness and efficiency in food production environments. Besides cleaning tools, Vikan also offers customer support and training services, including complimentary on-site surveys, zoning plan development and tool maintenance programs.
The front-loaded step-down abatement schedule will offset the upfront costs to
Vikan North America for annexation, zoning, utilities, construction and relocation. The graduated abatement schedule is 100 percent for year one, with a 5 percent step-down each year through year seven. Abatement will be 45 percent in year eight; 20 percent in year nine; and 10 percent in year 10.
Mayor Scott Willis said Vikan is the second international company since 2024 that has announced plans to relocate its American headquarters to Westfield.
Willis said Vikan’s investment strengthens Westfield’s growing industrial sector and supports his vision to create balance for the city’s commercial and residential tax base.
“We’re really excited to start building out a better commercial tax base, and they will be a key part of that,” he said.
The council approved the abatement schedule unanimously.
Viking North America employs approximately 56 people. The new build is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
Once complete, the parcel is expected to generate $6.1 million in assessed value, versus $45,000 the vacant land generates.
DISPATCHES
Westfield student earns grant for Ivy Tech — Henry Janak, a participant in Westfield Youth Assistance Program, is one of six Hamilton County high school students recently awarded $2,500 in scholarship funds to support their education at Ivy Tech Community College. The scholarship program, part of the county’s discretionary grant program, is a partnership between the County Council and six Youth Assistance Programs in Hamilton County. Recipients include Anna Hesser, Carmel; Kenzee Boezeman, Fishers; Cheyenne Boggs, Hamilton Heights; Shaylyn Turner, Noblesville; and Ava Netherton, Sheridan. The students will attend Ivy Tech’s Hamilton County campus in Noblesville.
Italian Fest in Westfield — St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church will host the Italian Festival to celebrate the feast day of St. Maria Goretti July 12. The festival begins with mass at 4:30 p.m. followed by music, food for purchase and games at 5:30 p.m. Learn more at smgonline.org/ifest.
Vikan North America will build an 80,000-square-foot warehouse and office facility at 196th and East streets in Westfield. (Image courtesy of City of Westfield)
Guerin educator pens new book
By Les Morris news@youarecurrent.com
For Westfield resident and longtime educator and author Steve Perkins, the importance of education can’t be overstated.
LITERATURE
Perkins has taken a deep dive into the subject with his latest book, “The Golden Waffle Principle: Finding Meaning in Teaching,” published by Cogrounded, Inc. The release of the book coincides with the 10th anniversary of Perkins being honored as the Indiana Teacher of the Year.
“Education is the supremely human endeavor,” said Perkins, a Latin teacher at Guerin Catholic High School. “It’s human beings interacting with human beings about human things. I don’t really think education is susceptible to the methodology and analysis of the hard sciences.”
And that seems to be the driving message of the book — a shift away from analytics such as test scores and a return to the power of words as transmitters of ideas. Perkins calls words “linguistic time benders” that can capture the essence of an image, idea or experience from one place and time and communicate it in another.
“There comes a point where it just can’t be ‘Have I checked off every tick of the standard? Have I done this or that?’” he said.
The book is divided into 71 insightful essays, often using cultural touchstones to get his point across. He references the golf movie “Tin Cup” in his plea to get educators to just get into the classroom and teach.
“We need to turn off the sound and fury of the educational world and pedagogically speaking, grip it and rip it,” he writes.
Perkins is the author of numerous books and articles in the field of Classical Studies, including “Latin For Dummies.” Originally from New Albany, he earned a bachelor’s degree in classical studies from IU and a master’s degree in Classics from The Uni-
versity of Texas.
“The Golden Waffle Principle: Finding Meaning in Teaching,” is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
(Image courtesy of Steve Perkins)
Along the way, he has influenced generations of students including Megan Kelley, a former student of Perkins’s when he taught at North Central High School in Washington Township.
Kelley just completed her first year of teaching eighth grade English in Dearborn, Mich., and said several things in Perkins’ new book gave her comfort and perspective as a first-year teacher — to the point where she took pictures of helpful passages in the book on her phone.
“It’s one thing to read about teaching philosophies but it’s different when you read from a teacher you know and respect,” she said.
Kelley said being in Perkins’ classroom has impacted her teaching style.
“I think he showed how to build respectful relationships with students,” she said.
“When I became an educator myself, I said, ‘I want my students to have the same respect for me that we had for him and his teaching style.’”
That style of course involved teaching and inculcating his students with an appreciation for Latin and ancient texts. But there was something more, according to Kelley.
“There was also another layer — we all felt cared for,” she said. “It was a good community to have.”
“The Golden Waffle Principle: Finding Meaning in Teaching” is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.
DISPATCHES
Showcase and Taste of Westfield — The Westfield Chamber of Commerce hosts the 3rd annual Showcase & Taste of Westfield from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Grand Park. The networking event, open to the public, is an opportunity for local businesses to connect with potential customers at one of the largest local networking events of the year. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available at westfieldchamberindy.com under the events tab.
Perkins
The Westfield Fire Department recently held a beam-signing ceremony at Station 84. Members of the department, city officials and representatives from contractor Envoy Construction, architect Studio Axis and consultants Bravia Services signed their names to a support beam that will be encased in the structure. Station 84, at 191st Street and Chad Hittle Drive, is an $11.4 million project to support Westfield’s continuing growth. The two-story, 20,000-square-foot facility will include three apparatus bays, living quarters, sleeping quarters and a museum. The station will house up to 12 fire department personnel for 24/7 shifts. Station 84 is expected to be complete by mid-tolate 2026. (Photo courtesy of City of Westfield)
Westfield dominates in new-home permits
news@currentinwestfield.com
A recent breakdown of home permits issued in May shows Westfield continues to lead the way when it comes to new homes under construction in Hamilton County.
HOUSING
The City of Westfield has issued 495 new-home permits since Jan. 1, according to a report compiled by The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis. The report also shows a 4 percent year-overyear increase in single-family building permits across central Indiana at the end of May. BAGI officials said the numbers indicate continued momentum in the region’s residential construction market.
“May’s numbers underscore the strength and resilience of Central Indiana’s housing market,” BAGI CEO Chris Hancock stated. “Builders are taking a strategic, informed approach — aligning with shifting buyer expectations and broader economic trends. Our region
remains a desirable destination for homebuyers, and we expect that demand to hold steady through the remainder of the year.”
Westfield has led the way in new single-family home permits for 10 years. From 2015 through 2024, the city issued 10,765 permits, including 1,647 in 2024; 1,493 in 2023; 1,306 in 2022; and 1,602 in 2021.
In 2023, a Census Bureau report showed Westfield was the sixth-fastest growing city in the U.S. with a population of more than 50,000, with a 7.7 percent increase in population between 2021 and 2022. Westfield was the only Midwestern city on the list — most others were in the South.
According to the BAGI report, total new-home permits issued in the nine-county central Indiana region for January through May 2025 is 4,238, versus 4,076 for the same time period in 2024.
Learn more at BAGI.com/Permits.
HCPR officials seek input for new county park
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Development plans are underway for Bur Oak Bend park, 19024 Riverwood Ave. in Noblesville. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Resource Development Specialist Erica Foreman said Riverwood Canoe Landing, a river access site at 20814 Riverwood Ave., will relocate to the park.
RECREATION
HCPR is seeking state and federal grants to subsidize costs.
“Our mission is to preserve as much land as possible for recreational use in Hamilton County,” Foreman said. “This particular park offers unique access to the White River, which is an incredible recreational asset for our community. The property spans approximately 130 acres, and the current vision is to develop it as a nature park featuring river access, scenic overlooks and a network of trails.”
HCPR officials are developing a master plan for the property. Foreman said the land has been cleared for trails, allowing staff to access and manage invasive plants in the area.
“After a chemical dump in the White River in 2000, the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. acquired the land for this property,” Foreman said. “In 2021, they transferred the land to Hamilton County Parks and Recreation for a nominal cost so they could acquire and enhance more properties under their mission statement.”
Foreman said the goal is to complete the master plan by the end of the year, after which the focus will be on creating a design and building timeline.
“(The main goal for Bur Oak Bend is
BUR OAK BEND B U R O A K B E N D
Master plan concept for Bur Oak Bend. (Map courtesy of Erica Foreman and Butler Fairman & Seufert)
to) preserve natural areas (and) protect plants and animals so people in Indiana can experience the state’s natural heritage,” Foreman said. (The) area is in a floodway, so it is not suitable for residential or commercial developments.”
The parks department is seeking input from Hamilton County residents by asking them to participate in a survey. Feedback will help HCPR officials shape the features, amenities and programming at Bur Oak Bend.
Take the survey at tinyurl.com/ msuwkbed.
DISPATCHES
Citizens announces board of directors appointee — Eric Scroggins, vice president and general counsel at Allison Transmission, was recently named to Citizens Energy Group’s Board of Directors. Selected by the Citizens Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors has primary oversight of the management team and long-term direction of the company. Prior to joining Allison in 2007, Scroggins served as general counsel for Product Action International; as an attorney with the law firm of Ice Miller; as deputy director of the Indiana State Personnel Department; and as a consultant for Waggoner, Irwin & Scheele. He has a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and a J.D. from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law. Scroggins is filling a board seat vacated by Anne Nobles, who served on Citizens Board of Trustees for five years and Citizens Board of Directors for 20 years.
against cell
Enhancing comprehens ive canc er care
Community MD Anderson’s Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Institute
The future of cancer care lies in delivering truly comprehensive treatment for patients – a commitment embodied by Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Institute (SCTCTI). Built on a foundation of clinical excellence and an experienced team led by medical director, Dr. Sherif Farag, the program offers both allogeneic and autologous blood stem cell transplants and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, providing eligible patients with cancer, hematologic diseases and autoimmune disorders access to potentially curative treatments.
Autologous blood stem cell transplants use a patient’s own stem cells to replace those destroyed by high-dose chemotherapy used to treat their cancer. This treatment is typically recommended for select patients with cancers still sensitive to chemotherapy at lower doses. Allogeneic blood stem cell transplants replace a patient’s stem and immune cells with healthy
cells from a donor, providing an immunological response that can target selected or chemotherapyresistant cancers.
SCTCTI also offers CAR T-cell therapy, a personalized treatment that engineers a patient’s own immune cells to more effectively target cancer. CAR T therapy inserts a new gene into T-cells collected from
Advanced cell therapies can improve the body’s own response against cancer. Building on decades of research, we’re offering potentially curative treatments for patients with autoimmune conditions and blood disorders. Learn more about our breakthrough work in stem cell transplants and cellular therapy at eCommunity.com/stemcell
the blood — improving their ability to target cancer cells. The modified cells (called CAR T-cells) are then infused into a patient after chemotherapy to begin fighting cancer. An approved treatment for specific blood cancers, CAR T therapy represents an innovative approach for improved outcomes and potentially a cure.
Most importantly, SCTCTI is built on a foundation of offering the best therapies with safety and vigilant monitoring. The team uses evidencebased, multidisciplinary practice to offer patients the best available treatment options and real-time data tracking for prevention and early recognition of complications such as graft-versus-host disease, infections, etc. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the program provides comprehensive services to support patients before, during and after their treatment.
This is just the beginning of Community MD Anderson’s effort to enhance the continuum of cancer care, with more advanced therapies set to follow in the near future.
Dr. Sherif Farag serves as the medical director of the Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy program. He specializes in the treatment of blood cancers, stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies.
WHS golfers sweep team, individual state titles
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
After three consecutive state boys golf state runner-up finishes, Westfield High School was not going to be denied.
SPORTS
The top-ranked Shamrocks finished with a record 8-under-par 568 36-hole total, winning by a record 30 strokes over second-place Homestead June 18 in the IHSAA state finals at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. The previous records were 573 by Center Grove in 2017 and a 27-stroke margin by Noblesville in 1998.
in, it goes in.”
Harvey said the three runner-up finishes were in the back of teammates’ minds.
“But I think our approach was maybe a little different than others, just taking it shot for shot, and in the end, it worked out for us,” he said. “This year, we had something to prove, and I think we showed it (in the final round) being 8-under par. The boys came out hot and it’s something I remember we’ll remember forever.”
The final 18-hole team round of 280 also broke Center Grove’s record of 281 in 2017.
“Getting the monkey off your back feels great,” Shamrocks coach Josh Bryant said. “It kind of feels like we put a rocket on the monkey and sent it all the way to outer space.”
Senior Will Harvey helped lead the way for Westfield, capturing the individual state title with a record-tying 9-under par two-day total of 135 (69-66), winning by three strokes. Harvey, who has committed to Purdue University, also won the Mental Attitude Award.
“So, that will be a team remembered forever,” Bryant said.
Harvey was tied for the lead with Evansville North senior Luke Johnston with two holes to go when play was stopped for three hours because of thunderstorms. Harvey came back strong with birdies on his final two holes to seal his victory
“Surreal — it’s a feeling you don’t get to experience often, so really try to soak it in and enjoy the moment,” Harvey said. “My mindset was making pars, and if one goes
It was a near perfect season for the Shamrocks, who won sectional and regional titles.
“We’re going to finish the season averaging under par, which we’ve never had at Westfield,” Bryant said. “We came up short one time to Brownsburg with our five golfers. Other than that, we’ve won every single event for the entire year, a lot of them by wide margin. It’s an experienced group.”
Bryant said Harvey and senior Jake Cesare instill confidence in the team.
Cesare, who will continue his golf career at Indiana University next season, finished in fifth place with a 69-71 for a 140 total, and younger brother Ryan Cesare, a junior, finished with a 74-70 for 144 to tie for eighth place. Junior Hudson Kutchma was 9-over-par at 76-77 for 153. The top four of five golfers’ scores count toward the total. Shamrocks junior Mitchell Keene had a 157 total.
It was the Shamrocks’ fourth boys golf state championship and first since winning back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
The Westfield High School boys golf team won the IHSAA state championship June 18 at Prairie View Golf Club. (Photo courtesy of IHSAA)
Harvey
Taste of Indy Returns July 5 for 14th year of food, music and fun
By Les Morris news@currentinwestfield.com
Taste of Indy takes center stage on the holiday weekend, returning for its 14th edition at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. The culinary celebration is 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 5.
EVENT
The event is billed as Indiana’s largest food festival and there will be a wide variety of food tents and food trucks
The day will also feature a mix of local music highlighted by jazz legend Rob Dixon at 4:45 p.m. Cathy Morris takes the main stage at 6:15, and D-Roq + Bulletproof Soul performs the finale at 7:45.
General admission tickets are $20 each and are available at tasteofindy.org. Kids 10 and younger are admitted free. Food tickets are $1 per ticket and can be redeemed for food, beverages and alcohol.
“Come out and come hungry,” said organizer Jonathan Warren, who created the event in 2012. “We have people who come out for lunch and usually stay for dinner. Food is a great motivator.”
Warren is excited about some new food vendors that showcase Taste of Indy’s wide variety and cultural fluidity. Pinoy Garden Cafe, a Filipino restaurant in Bloomington, will
make its Taste of Indy debut. In the festival’s food tent, attendees will be able to taste dishes from Bawarchi Biryanis Indian Cuisine Indianapolis and Bibibop Asian Grill.
Warren’s career has revolved around food safety consulting, both in his Army career and civilian life. He founded Indy Food Safety Consulting in 2002 and his relationships with restaurants led him to start Taste of Indy.
“They kept asking if there was anything we could to help marketing wise,” he said.
Warren thought back to his Army career in the Pacific Northwest when he was doing food inspection at Naval Station Everett.
“It’s pretty lonely duty when you’re the only active-duty army guy on a navy base,” he said.
But Warren did remember a few culinary events from those days – “Taste of Tacoma,” and “Bite of Seattle,” – and thought a similar food festival would be successful here.
In addition to the sumptuous food and musical entertainment, Taste of Indy will also feature many family-friendly amusement activities from Jump N Play Party Rentals, including an axe throw, an obstacle course, yard pong, corn hole and a game that challenges participants to stay on their feet while dodging rotating boom arms called Toxic Meltdown.
For more, visit tasteofindy.org.
DISPATCHES
State of the Campus — Ivy Tech Community College Hamilton County will host its inaugural State of the Campus event from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at The Bridgewater Club in Westfield. Chancellor Rachel Kartz and other campus leaders will share accomplishments, growth milestones and the vision for the future of Ivy Tech’s Hamilton County campus. Ivy Tech students also will share their personal experiences and the impact the college has had on their educational and career journeys. The event includes a breakfast buffet and opportunities for networking. Tickets are $30 through Aug. 29 and $45 after. Proceeds will benefit Ivy Tech Hamilton County students through the Ivy Tech Foundation. For more, visit link.ivytech.edu/ IVY2025.
Hamilton County young professionals golf outing — The Westfield Young Professionals Council, a council of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce that connects young professionals with a network of peers, mentors and regional business and civic leaders, will host its 3rd annual golf outing Aug. 27 at Wood Wind Golf Course in Westfield. The outing is exclusively for professionals 40 and under who live and/or work in Hamilton County. Tickets include 18-holes and access to the range; two golf carts per foursome; a Bloody Mary Bar; a box lunch; and entry to the 19th Hole Reception. Register at tinyurl.com/4d7dd9ka.
WYAP to hold walk/run
news@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Youth Assistance Program will hold its second walk/run event, The Double, from 8 to 10 a.m. Aug. 9 at Cool Creek Park.
FUNDRAISER
The 2-mile, family-friendly event is a fundraiser for WYAP programming.
“This is our second year hosting The Double, and we’re proud to see it becoming a tradition that brings the Westfield community together,” stated Dan Morrow, WYAP board member and committee chair. “It’s a simple event with a big purpose — raising critical funds to support the youth and families we serve every day through mentoring, tutoring and early intervention.”
WYAP was formed in 2009 to serve as an early intervention advocate for Westfield youth ages 3-17 who are facing challenging life circumstances. WYAP provides professional, family-centered coordination of services to students and families of the Westfield Washington Schools district. Proceeds from The Double will help support WYAP’s services, including mentoring, tutoring, mental health supports, camps and other
Children participate in the inaugural The Double walk/run in 2024. (Photo courtesy of WYAP)
enrichment activities. According to WYAP officials, the organization has seen a drastic increase in need as Westfield continues to expand rapidly.
Since 2009, WYAP has provided services to more than 1,400 Westfield youth.
Early-bird registration for The Double is $30 per person through July 20. Families can opt for multiperson pricing for discount registrations for three to six people. Although there is no competitive division, registrants can choose a preferred pace.
WYAP anticipates at least 200 participants. Learn more and register at westfieldyap.org.
JULY 3 & 4 • DOWNTOWN CARMEL Indy’s biggest 4th of July celebration!
Live music - Delicious food - Local vendors Rides & games in the KidsZone Indiana’s largest 4th of July Parade Epic fireworks finale synced to music
Shop CarmelFest merch online at CarmelFest.net/shop
Get updates & sign up to volunteer at CarmelFest.net
BACK TO SCHOOL is nearly here, and a healthy start to the school year begins with a primary care visit. From routine check-ups to addressing specific concerns, Riverview Health is here to support your child's well-being.
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If you happen to have missed us these last few years, we’re a locally owned and operated company specializing in large trees. We stock thousands of them in our yard at 300 South (146th) and Michigan Road. Come walk through the farm and choose the perfect trees for your space, or give us a call and we’ll pick them out for you. From there, we’ll handle everything: delivery, installation, mulch, cleanup, and warranty. It’s all included in our prices. We’re grateful for the thousands of customers who have trusted us, most of whom have left us 5-star ratings. We’re fully stocked and ready to earn your business!
Six Hamilton County 2025 high school graduates were recently presented with $3,000 each as recipients of the Barney Hobbs Memorial Horticulture Scholarship from the Hamilton County Master Gardeners Association. The Master Gardener Program, sponsored by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, is a volunteer training program that educates the community about gardening and horticultural topics. Barney Hobbs was a founding member of HCMGA. Recipients are, from left, Johnathan Popiela, Sheridan High School; Alexandra Ely, Fishers High School; Breanna Hudson, Hamilton Southeastern High School; Reagan Decraene, Westfield High School; Connor Reiff, Options of Noblesville; and Noah Brooks, Fishers High School. Applications for the scholarship are due March 15 each year. Learn more at hcmga.org. (Photo courtesy of Hamilton County Master Gardeners Association)
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Stremlaw named to YMCA advisory board in Westfield
APPOINTMENT
Stremlaw
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis recently announced the appointment of Indy Sports & Entertainment CEO and Grand Park Sports & Entertainment co-CEO Greg Stremlaw to the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield Advisory Board of Advisors. Besides joining the board, Stremlaw also will serve on the Program Development Committee to help shape local YMCA programming to support community health, youth development and social responsibility.
“We are honored to welcome Greg to our Advisory Board,” stated Shannon K. Russell-Marshel, executive director at the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield. “As a respected leader in our community, (his) expertise, passion and commitment to service align with our mission and values, making (him) an ideal candidate to help guide and support our efforts.”
Stremlaw’s term begins July 30.
“I am very proud to help play a role in advancing the mission and values of the YMCA,” Stremlaw stated. “The ability to not only help influence youth, but provide value towards healthy living and make our community better is an honor to be involved in. This community is a special place, and I am especially thrilled to help advance fitness and recreational activities, amongst many other elements for the YMCA.”
Learn more about Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield at indymca.org/ ymca-westfield.
Jams at the Junction — Westfield hosts a summer outdoor concert series at Grand Junction Plaza. The lineup includes Groovesmash July 25; The Flying Toasters Aug. 8; and Fleetwood Gold Aug. 15. Food trucks and shuttle service will be available.
Willis to hold community events
news@currentinwestfield.com
Westfield residents are invited to attend a series of informal question-and-answer sessions with Mayor Scott Willis in July and August.
GOVERNMENT
“Coffee and Conversation with Mayor Willis” events are from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. July 17 at Biggby Coffee, 1529 S. Waterleaf Dr.; and Aug. 21 at a location to be announced.
“These events are about creating direct connections,” Willis stated. “I want to hear what’s on people’s minds, from neighborhood concerns to new ideas for our community. And what better way to do that than over a good cup of coffee?” Willis stated the sessions are designed to foster open dialogue with residents and local stakeholders. The events will provide the public an opportunity to sit down with the mayor in a relaxed setting to engage in discussion and voice questions, concerns or ideas.
Registration is not required.
DISPATCHES
Food drive at Menards — Menards home improvement stores are drop sites for local food pantries through July. Large collection boxes are placed near the exit doors. Donations will be accepted through July 31.
Movies in the Plaza — Family-friendly movies on the Great Lawn at Grand Junction Plaza include “Despicable Me 4” July 30 and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Aug. 27. Movies begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.
Workout Wednesdays — Join the Westfield Parks & Recreation Department and The Yoga Studio and Jazzercise for Workout Wednesdays on select Wednesdays throughout the summer. The all-level fitness classes are open to participants 12 and older. Formats include Slow Flow Yoga with The Yoga Studio or Move to the Music with Jazzercise. Advanced registration is $5 and can be purchased at tinyurl. com/4ys6mr4t.
Willis
Building Legacy: Pete Gray Reflects on 30 Years of Executive Homes
By Kirsten Clark
For three decades, Executive Homes has been quietly shaping the landscape of Central Indiana—one carefully crafted luxury home at a time. As the founder and President of Executive Homes, Pete Gray has earned a reputation for his meticulous attention to detail, commitment to quality, and an unshakable focus on what matters most: his clients.
“In the beginning, I really wanted to build homes that felt like they belonged to the people living in them,” Gray reflects. “It was never about being flashy. It was about being faithful to the process—and to the people who trusted me with one of the biggest decisions of their lives.”
Gray founded Executive Homes in 1995 with a clear purpose: to build high-end, high-quality homes with integrity. Over the years, that purpose has guided him through countless builds across Westfield, Carmel, Zionsville, and the surrounding communities—each one a testament to thoughtful design, intentional craftsmanship, and a deeply personalized client journey.
“I’ve always believed that our job isn’t just to build homes,” Gray says. “It’s to build relationships. That starts with listening—really listening—to what people want their life to look like, and then figuring out how to make that happen through the home we build.”
Walk through an Executive Home, and the difference is palpable. From custom woodwork and luxury finishes to open-concept layouts and family-first floorplans, every element is designed with purpose. No detail is too small, no client request too big. It’s this commitment to excellence that has earned Executive Homes a loyal following—including many repeat clients who return for second, third or even fourth homes as their lives evolve.
That distinctive quality resonates deeply with homeowners. Over the years, Gray has heard countless people say that the moment they step into a home, they can tell it was built by Executive Homes.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to hear that repeatedly,” Gray says. “It means we’re creating something recognizable—not just a house, but a feeling of quality and care that stays with people.”
But for Gray, success has never been about quantity.
“We’re not a volume builder,” he says. “That’s by design. We take on a select number of projects each
year because that’s what allows us to stay hands-on, stay involved, and make sure we’re delivering the kind of quality and service people come to us for.”
The very first home he built still stands out in his memory.
“I can picture it clearly,” he says, smiling. “That build taught me that doing things the right way—taking your time, being precise, communicating well—it always pays off. And that mindset has stayed with me ever since.”
Advertorial
Over the past 30 years, Gray has witnessed significant changes in the homebuilding industry. Design trends have come and gone. Technologies have advanced. Customer expectations have evolved. But his core values haven’t wavered.
“The tools have changed, sure. But the foundation of good business hasn’t,” he explains. “People want to work with someone they can trust—someone who’s going to show up, follow through, and make sure the end result reflects their vision, not just ours.”
That collaborative spirit has become a cornerstone of Executive Homes’ approach. Clients are guided through every step of the design-build process—from lot selection and architectural planning to interior finishes and final walkthroughs—with a level of attention and care that is rare in today’s market.
Perhaps the most meaningful evolution in Gray’s journey has been the involvement of his son, Patrick, who has joined the business and has learned the ropes from the ground up.
“Watching him come into this with his own passion and ideas has been very fulfilling,” Gray says. “It’s not just about continuing the business—it’s about continuing the values, the reputation, the way we treat people. That matters to me more than anything.”
Family, in fact, is at the heart of everything Gray does—both at home and at work.
“When you build a home for someone, you become part of their story,” he says. “You’re giving them a place to grow as a family, celebrate milestones, weather hard times. That’s sacred ground, and I don’t take it lightly.”
Looking ahead, Gray remains as motivated as ever.
“There’s still so much I want to do,” he says. “New designs to explore, new ways to improve how we serve our clients. I love the creative challenge of it all.”
When asked what advice he’d offer to someone just entering the field, Gray’s answer is simple but sincere: “Stay focused. Be humble. Learn from the people around you. And always—always—care more about doing the job right than doing it fast.”
Thirty years in, that quiet, steadfast commitment continues to define Executive Homes—and the man behind it. Pete Gray hasn’t just built some of the most beautiful homes in Central Indiana. He’s built a legacy of trust, character, and craftsmanship that will carry on well into the next generation.
Jeff and Julie, satisfied clients of Executive Homes.
Pete and Patrick Gray.
A completed Executive Homes custom home.
TEENS ON A MISSION
CrossRoads Church at Westfield completes Home Repair Week
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
More than 300 high school students from across the nation recently spent a week in Hamilton County and Indianapolis to lend a helping hand to homeowners in need.
Home Repair Week — organized by Group Mission Trips of Colorado with local support of CrossRoads Church at Westfield — is a Christian mission where teens provide free residential home repairs for seniors, low-income families and veterans. The local initiative ran June 15 to June 21.
The teens spent a week in mid-June building and repairing wheelchair ramps; constructing decks; installing mobile home skirting; and painting homes in Westfield, Sheridan, Noblesville, Cicero and north Indianapolis. It was the third year the program was offered through CrossRoads. Participants spent the week on location at homes and lodged at Westfield Middle School.
CrossRoads Church at Westfield Lead Pastor Eric Lohe said the mission is a way to assist those who want to stay in their homes but need help with expensive repairs.
“Because finances are tough for many, we do not check bank statements or ask financial questions,” he said. “We just want to serve our neighbors.”
Lohe said the church received 87 applications for repairs and were able to approve 44 homeowners for assistance.
“They get to go out on Monday and work the rest of the week for people they don’t know, but they get to know them really quickly because they’re working together and doing all of that,” he said. “We locate the sites and the residents, and then we come out and interview them, and then if we feel like this is the place, this is where we need to be because of the situation, we then have a crew come out to draw plans so that we then can order materials and have them all delivered before the students go to work.”
Megan Riley, 18, traveled to Westfield from Akron, Ohio, to participate in the program. She was part of a crew that performed interior and exterior work at a home on Eagletown Road in Westfield, including rebuilding a portion of the deck,
window replacement and painting.
“Originally we were going to be taking out the rotting boards, but as we were removing them, we ended up finding way more than we thought were rotted, and the foundation was rotting too, so we ended up taking everything out,” she said. “ It took us longer than we thought. We pulled all of the boards out and then did some concrete work. The joists were rotted, so we did a lot of replacement, and I don’t really think any of us had any carpentry
skills whatsoever.”
Homeowners Steven and Natalie Silver inherited their home from Steven’s grandmother, who lived in the small ranch from 1967 until her death in 2020. Natalie Silver saw a flyer for the program while participating in programming at CrossRoads and applied for assistance. She said even after they were accepted, they weren’t expecting the scope of the work to be so broad.
“I’m overwhelmed by how much help we’ve gotten, and the kids are great,” she
ABOUT HOME REPAIR WEEK
Central Indiana is one of 14 communities participating in Home Repair Week through Colorado-based Group Mission Trips. More than 15,000 people participate in missions in 22 states every summer.
“I have been attending these camps since 2005 working as staff and a volunteer,” CrossRoads Church at Westfield Lead Pastor Eric Lohe said. “Our church has sent many students and adults to these home repair camps in the past
and are sending 18 high schoolers to a group workcamp in Middletown, Ohio this summer.”
Home Repair Week with CrossRoads Church at Westfield was funded through a donation by the Community Foundation of Hamilton County and church and participant fundraising efforts, with assistance from Westfield Washington Schools, Rotary Club of Westfield, Culver’s and the Westfield Lion’s Club. Learn more at crchurch.org.
said. “They were really sweet, and it’s been nice to just have them here. It’s been great. We’ve really enjoyed the kids helping us. They just get in and do everything and it’s amazing. It’s been a blessing. We’re happy with everything.”
Leonard and Julia Jones of Noblesville applied to the program when they received a flyer in the mail. The couple said assistance sprucing up their mobile home on Cicero Road couldn’t come at a better time.
“I had cancer surgery and radiation and some ongoing treatments,” Leonard Jones said. “My wife has arthritis in her feet. So, we’ve been basically living off my Social Security for a while and we basically had to file bankruptcy at the beginning of this year, because my medical bills were phenomenal. So, we’d done all we could do by ourselves. We’ve lived here for going on 12 years and I fixed up the inside but didn’t get a chance to get outside.”
Jones said when some trees were removed from the front of the property, he didn’t like how his home looked compared to some of the other homes in the subdivision.
“I was thinking one day as I was pulling in, ‘We’re the most unsightly one here on the front row.’ Everybody else has vinyl siding, they’re newer mobile homes, things like that,” he said.
Home Repair Week crews completed several projects for the Joneses, including adding new vinyl skirting to their mobile home; painting the outside and the roof; and building a new wooden staircase for the rear exit.
“We’ve been so thankful for our particular crew,” Jones said. “They’re the greatest. They come in, they say, ‘Thank you’ a lot. We set up a canopy every day for them and told them if they need anything, like extra water, to just let us know.”
The total cost for home repair materials for the weeklong mission was $48,500. Money was raised through a grant from the Hamilton County Community Foundation, fundraising efforts by the church and the program participants.
ON THE COVER: Teens paint the outside of a mobile home in Noblesville as part of Home Repair Week. (Photo by Marney Simon)
(Below) Participants in Home Repair Week fix a staircase at a home in Westfield.
(Above) Home Repair week is a mission of CrossRoads Church at Westfield and Group Mission Trips of Colorado. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Carmel High School siblings land together on Broadway
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Christopher Ramirez was considering different career path when fate intervened en route to his Broadway debut.
PERFORMANCES
Ramirez is performing in “Real Women Have Curves,” a musical that opened in late April. To make it even sweeter, his sister, Monica Tulia Ramirez, is in the cast. Christopher graduated from Carmel High School in 2009, and Monica is a 2012 CHS graduate.
The stage pairing almost didn’t happen.
“I was interested in exploring other channels of the arts, such as arts administration,” Christopher said. “I was working as executive assistant to the general manager at the Metropolitan Opera. It’s kind of a crazy story. I was going to take a step back from being an actor. I thought I needed to enter this career path because it could be opening some exciting channels of income and future endeavors. It was a bittersweet email to send.”
He sent a long email to his manager and agent, and 30 seconds later his agent called. He asked if his agent had already read the email.
Instead, his agent said he hadn’t and then his manager joined on the phone
“They were calling to tell me I had the role and was going to Broadway with the show,” Christopher said. “It’s one of the classic tales of you are about to leave and get the Broadway call.”
The Ramirez siblings are in the ensemble.
“We cover other roles as typically the ensemble does in Broadway shows, so that’s been really fun,” Monica said. The siblings also rehearse together twice a week.
“Thank God, we love each other,” Monica said.
Monica, who made her Broadway
debut in “Suffs” in 2024, moved to New York after graduating from Ball State University.
Christopher said for his sister to be in back-to-back Broadway shows is a massive accomplishment.
Christopher, a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, moved to New York in 2014. Monica lived with him for 3 1/2 years when she first moved to New York.
“We also worked at a restaurant together at one point during that time,” Monica said. “So, we’re pretty locked-in best friends.”
This is the first time they have worked on a show together.
“We get to see each other work in a room, which has been really refreshing,” she said.
Christopher performed in “Real Women Have Curves” at the American Repertory
Theater in Cambridge, Mass,. in late 2023 and early 2024.
“I saw it in January 2024, and it was so incredible,” Monica said. “Christopher found out in the fall of 2024 he was going to go with it to Broadway.”
When Monica found out “Suffs” was going to close in January 2025, she decided to audition for “Real Women Have Curves.”
“Christopher helped and coached me through it, but it was an extensive process,” she said. “I went through five different auditions, including tapes. They combed through everybody to find the perfect people for this, and the fact we’re family members doing a show about families is really nice.”
They also did a short interview together on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
In previewing the show, Christopher and Monica were in a cast piece on the Tony Awards show June 8 on CBS. In addition, they were on “Good Morning America” on ABC, and Christopher appeared on “TODAY” on NBC.
“Real Woman Have Curves,” about a first-generation Mexican American woman who wants to go to college instead of staying with her family, has special meaning because the siblings’ father emigrated to the U.S. from Colombia and their mother is from Illinois.
“We acknowledged the privileges we have that we get to chase our dreams and get to be actors because of the sacrifices our parents made, especially my dad because he had an artistic side,” Christopher said.
But it wasn’t financially feasible for his father, Michael Ramirez, to be an artist while providing for his family.
Christopher, who earned his master’s degree through the University of San Diego’s Old Globe Theater, has acted regionally in California, Houston and Boston, among other places. Monica has worked on several workshop shows while attempting to make a path to Broadway.
‘THE LITTLE MERMAID’
“The Little Mermaid” runs through July 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘THE COTTAGE’
Red Barn Summer Theatre presents “The Cottage” July 2-6, except July 4, at the Frankfort venue. For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.
ROCK THE RUINS
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs at 6:30 p.m. July 9 at the Rock the Ruins series at Holliday Park in Indianapolis. For more, visit rocktheruins.com.
DISPATCHES
Vocalist to hold album release at Feinstein’s — Two-time No. 1 Billboard vocalist Deborah Silver will take the stage for a special album release event celebrating “Basie Rocks!” at 7:30 p.m. July 24 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Silver, renowned for her dynamic jazz interpretations across genres, recorded with The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra. Along with her signature glamour and powerhouse vocals, Silver delivers a swinging twist to rock classics by The Beatles, Elton John, Peter Frampton, Steve Miller, the Eagles and more as she performs songs from “Basie Rocks!” Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and drinks. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
Molly Hatchet set for Palladium concert — Southern rockers Molly Hatchet will perform at 7 p.m. July 25 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The band will be joined by guests Timothy Scott and Toolbox Union. Since the early ‘70s, Molly Hatchet has injected a heavy dose of boogie into Southern rock. The band was originally formed by guitarist Dave Hlubek in Jacksonville in 1971. The band enjoyed commercial success during the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Carmel High School graduates Monica and Christopher Ramirez are performing in “Real Women Have Curves.” (Photo courtesy of Monica Ramirez)
Wood Brothers to Rock the Ruins
By Bill Forman editorial@youarecurrent.com
For a dozen-plus years, brothers Chris and Oliver Wood had pursued separate musical paths — Chris in the acclaimed jazz-rooted group, Medeski Martin and Wood and Oliver in King Johnson, which released six albums of blues-infused country, R&B and funk. Finally, in the early 2000s, their paths converged when King Johnson opened a show for Medeski Martin and Wood.
CONCERT
The Wood Brothers are, from left, Chris Wood, Jano Rix and Oliver Wood. They will perform July 10 in Rock the Ruins series at Holliday Park. (Photo courtesy of Laura Partain)
The first time the siblings played together in the same room changed everything for the brothers.
“It was just this weird feeling, like I was looking in a kind of mirror when I was playing with him,” Chris Wood said. “I just saw the way he approached the instrument, like the musical choices, his style. There was something sort of almost creepily familiar.”
Soon the siblings had turned their attention to starting the Wood Brothers, and over the course of nine albums and more than two decades, that musical familiarity
has continued to grow. The Wood Brothers will co-headline with St; Paul & The Broken Bones at 6 p.m. July 10 in the Rock the Ruins series at Holliday Park in Indianapolis.
As a trio with drummer-keyboardist-vocalist Jano Rix, they’ve earned a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album, reached No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s Top Heatseekers chart, and built a loyal fanbase by touring.
The Wood Brothers’ upcoming album “Puff of Smoke” is scheduled to be released Aug. 1. For more, visit rocktheruins.com
WHS grad returns to academy
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Journee Woodley’s confidence got a boost from her Songbook Academy participation last year.
VOCALS
The 2025 Westfield High School graduate is one of 40 students selected nationally for the summer intensive program July 12-19 at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“I have clearer goals and different expectations,” she said. “I am so much more developed, and I hope to continue my growth. One week wasn’t enough. I knew I needed to come back and soak in all of the resources and knowledge I could.”
Woodley was president of Westfield High School’s Signature Sound vocal jazz a cappella choir and performed in many cabarets and musicals. She will attend the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music in the fall to pursue a degree in jazz studies.
At Songbook, she plans to sing “This Could Be The Start Of Something Big.”
“It’s upbeat, fun and wordy,” she said. “Last year, I was immersed in the idea that music, especially jazz, is conversational. It’s more than notes and rhythms; it’s telling a story in detail and emotion. Performers are usually worried about the technical side of their performances and not worried enough about the storytelling.”
Woodley said many students, including herself, focused on jazz standards.
“Some focused on musical theatre tunes and even a classical-style tune,” she said. “There is so much music to appreciate from The Great American Songbook era, and everyone has a unique voice to share.”
Woodley is eager to reunite with friends she made last year at Songbook.
“There are so many great bonds that have been formed through the love for music at Songbook,” she said.
The Songbook Showcase is 7 p.m. July 17 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. The Songbook Academy in Concert is 7 p.m. July 19 at the Palladium.
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Woodley
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As a ‘manner’ of fact
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
Five years ago, while the world was in the throes of COVID-19, I started looking through some of my wife’s old cookbooks. I was preparing Mary Ellen for the next pandemic. I also found a couple of editions of books written by manners maven Emily Post, who died in 1960. Very few attended her funeral because people feared they’d wear something inappropriate. Here are some new insights from the second edition, with a few favorites from the first edition.
HUMOR
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• Don’t tell guests beforehand if you are serving an unfamiliar dish. It could prejudice them before they even taste it. After the first bite, casually mention that it’s not beef burgundy but gopher goulash.
• In 1930, Emily said you should avoid “promiscuous kissing” at a dinner party. Yes, that’s her exact phrase. I’m no prude, but I agree. At least wait until you have been introduced. Then please wait until after dessert.
our kids off at school on your way home?”
• If your hostess has not begun to eat, once several people have been served at the table, it is OK to pick up your fork and begin. I tried that once and Mary Ellen also picked up her fork … and stuck it in my thigh.
• “Napkins must be unfolded in your lap,” Emily said. I tried that and Mary Ellen thought I was secretly looking at my cellphone. Talking about folding, Emily Post says never cut your salad. Instead, always fold the lettuce leaves. Fold the lettuce leaves? I can’t even fold a fitted sheet.
• To prevent guests from showing up late, ask them to come about a half hour before you really want them to arrive. If the doorbell rings while you are still in your underwear, rethink the concept.
• The guide says at home to peel a banana halfway down and eat it bite by bite. These rules for humans are pretty much the same as for orangutans.
• Emily does not like pretension. She is not in favor of saying, “I am going to retire.” She wants you to say, “I am going to sleep.” In 2021, after 40 years on TV, I guess I went to sleep. She also prefers, “Excuse me” to “Pardon me,” unless you have committed a crime and are talking to the president.
• If you visit a friend’s home, you must conform to the habits of your host family — have meals at their hours, eat what is put before you and go to bed according to their schedule. Similar advice is found in “Joining a Cult for Dummies.”
• How about guests who overstay their welcome? Incredibly, the author says it is OK for the host to stifle a yawn. I prefer, “Would you mind dropping
• Another prohibition: Ms. Post says never to say, “I’m stuffed” after dinner. Growing up, failure to make this observation meant you were disappointed with the food.
• “Overnight visits require written thank-you notes.” We spent five days at my sister’s house in New York recently. We consumed all the food she prepared, we agreed to sleep in her spare room and we let her do our laundry. So far, not a word of thanks from her.
I thought our mother taught us better.
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Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
LIFESTYLE
Across
1. Simon Property Group property
5. “Yeah, right!”
9. More rational 14. Pelvic bones
15. Boy’s name/Indiana city
16. Quickly
17. Muldoon’s menu item
18. Tibetan monk
19. Aquarium fish
20. Purdue professor’s offering
22. Boy’s name/Indiana city
24. Provide with funds
27. Existing
28. ___ fide
30. Photos, for short
32. Small salamander
36. Civil rights org.
37. Investment option, briefly
39. Butler frat letter
40. Between ports
41. UND’s ACC foe
42. Sporadic offering from the Golden Arches
44. Tuna type
45. Gremlin’s kin
47. To-do list item
48. Hoosier National Forest home
50. Former Yankee slugger, familiarly
51. Nobleman
52. Query
54. Stir from sleep
56. Boy’s name/Indiana city
60. Circular currents
64. Go one better
65. Lots
68. “Copacabana” showgirl
69. Make changes
70. Boy’s name/Indiana city
71. List-ending abbr.
72. Feather in one’s cap
73. Food stamp letters
74. Tirade Down
1. Catchall abbr.
2. Westfield HS choir voice
3. In ___ of (replacing)
4. Boy’s name/Indiana city
5. Ran in neutral
6. Hamilton County Fair barn sound
7. Zionsville street that goes past Pine, Cedar and Walnut
8. Oolong and pekoe
9. Woodland deity
10. Our ancestors, hypothetically
11. Defense acronym
12. Hosiery shade
13. Stern of a ship 21. Retort angrily
23. Right on an Indiana map 25. Choose
26. Boy’s name/Indiana city
28. Soak in the tub
29. Desert haven
31. Woulda, ___, shoulda
33. Victory Field miscue
34. Spin
35. One of Hamlet’s choices
36. Fresh Indian Grill bread
38. Hosted a roast
43. Boy’s name/Indiana city
46. Yard tool
49. Bicycle built for two
53. Colts 10, Titans 7, e.g.
55. Home country of 25 winners of the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon men’s races
56. It’s sold in bars?
57. Word on a door
58. “___, Brute?”
59. Pasta sauce brand
61. Teeny bit
62. Panache
63. Pretzel topping
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