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Indiana Wish to honor dedicated Fishers volunteers / P13
Council OKs parking permit ordinance / P5
Fishers firefighter competes on ‘Jeopardy!’ / P7
City plans to demolish Kincaid House / P11
FRIDAY AUGUST 22, 2025 7:00 PM
July 29, 2025
Current in Fishers & Geist currentinfishers.com
Children’s Entrepreneur Market teaches business skills to local youth
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Youth across central Indiana are making their mark as future entrepreneurs.
INNOVATION
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market is a national organization that supports young entrepreneurs ages 5 to 17. Founded in Utah five years ago, the market is new to central Indiana in 2025. The market is patterned on typical local markets like farmers and winter markets, except the children operate their own booths, where they sell a variety of goods, including toys, T-shirts, jewelry, cell phone cases, books, blankets and handmade art.
“It’s children entrepreneurs who just want to get their feet wet, so to speak, and get a taste of what it’s like to be an entrepreneur,” said Jason Merrill, co-manager of the Indiana market. “All the booths are run by children. Parents obviously can come and help set them up, and then once they’re set up, it’s all up to the kids to do the selling and taking the money.”
The markets are set up throughout the region this year, getting the word out predominantly through social media channels as the organization grows. About a dozen youth participated in the market July 4 at Grand Park in Westfield.
Griffin Tucker, 10, a rising fourth-grade student at Oak Trace Elementary School in Westfield, sold glow sticks, glow tattoos and sunglasses at the market. He said he was excited to learn about sales and entrepreneurship.
“It’s cool to meet people and it’s cool to see what other people are doing,” he said. “When I grow up, I want to be a game developer, maybe. I’ve already started learning how to code (and) I want to write books and make games.”
Juan Merrill is a rising eighth-grader at Legacy Christian School in Noblesville. The 13-year-old Westfield resident sold keychains, charms, jewelry and original artwork at his booth. He said landscapes are his favorite things to paint.
“Usually the smaller (paintings) take about two days, but the bigger ones usually take four or five days,” he said. “My grandpa on my mom’s side made a living out of (art) and I just really thought it would be nice to keep the legacy in the family.”
Juan said he likes not just selling his own goods, but seeing what other kids have available at their booths. He said he may consider a career in the creative sector when he is an adult.
Fourteen-year-old Charlene Jones of Lawrence sold original paintings and decorated phone cases at the market in Westfield. The rising freshman will attend Lawrence North High School in the fall and enjoys creating art that she can share.
DISPATCHES
Before the Bell event set — Hamilton Southeastern Schools will host its annual Before the Bell back-to-school celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 31 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in downtown Fishers. The evening will feature live performances from student groups, activities, games and informational booths. In the event of rain, the event will move into Fishers High School, 13000 Promise Rd.
Career fair scheduled — The Fishers Event Center will host a career fair, set for 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 21 at the event center, 11000 Stockdale St. Featured employers include ASM Global, Indy Fuel, Fishers Freight, Andy Frain Services, LAZ Parking, IATSE Local 30 Union and CityWide. Registration is encouraged at bit.ly/451f6fl.
She hopes to be a nurse practitioner when she’s an adult but likes having a creative side as well.
“I’ve been selling my stuff for a while to family and friends. Sometimes, I’ll walk up to random people, even,” she said. “I’m drawing, painting and doing stuff that I want to do and also making a little money on top of it.”
Organizers said the market gives children the opportunity to learn lifelong skills.
“Just the drive for a kid to want to do something like this is enough to support them in my opinion,” Merrill said. “They’re kids and they like people for the most part. They want to be out in public and they have some good ideas. I think each kid has their own particular motivations, but I think for the most part it kind of just boils down to that they just have a love for business.”
A complete list of upcoming market dates and times can be found at kidsmarkets.com under the markets tab.
Women’s Collaborative event — The 2025 Indiana Women’s Collaborative is set for Aug. 28 at The Westin Indianapolis. The Empower Award Lunch panel will include former Lieutenant Governors Suzanne Crouch, Sue Ellspermann and Becky Skillman, and the presentation of the 2025 Indiana Women’s Collaborative Empower Award. Nominations are open through Aug. 4 at indianachamber.com/empower-award. For more or to register, visit indianachamber.com/conferences.
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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XV, No. 28
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Visitors browse booths at the Children’s Entrepreneur Market July 4 during Westfield Rocks the 4th at Grand Park. (Photo by Marney Simon)
Deceased Westfield man implicated in sports memorabilia hoax
By Leila Kheiry and Ann Marie Shambaugh Leila@youarecurrent.com, AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
A Westfield man allegedly implicated in a national multimillion-dollar sports memorabilia hoax apparently killed himself the day after Westfield Police Department officers executed a search warrant July 15 at his business on South Park Drive.
INVESTIGATION
According to a news release from the City of Westfield, the search warrants were related to the alleged counterfeit sports memorabilia scheme. On July 16, a second search took place at a location in the 300 block of Hoover Street, and upon arrival officers found the man, later identified by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office as Brett Lemieux, 45, deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
holograms to collectors, surpassing $350 million in sales over the past 20 years.
Lemieux wrote that those items were fraudulently authenticated using auto pens that can digitally mimic signatures and bootlegged technology. He wrote that there was between $500 and $700 million worth of merchandise in the building when police executed the search warrant.
The Westfield Police Department is leading the investigation and declined to disclose any information beyond a brief statement released July 16.
Lemieux posted a lengthy statement on the Facebook group Autographs 101 the day of the first search warrant. The post has since been deleted, but screenshots are still circulating.
In the statement, Lemieux wrote that through the company Mister Mancave, he — along with others he named — had sold more than 4 million counterfeit stickers and
“There will be photos of this bust, I’m sure of it,” he wrote. “If it was fanatics, they may try to bury it all, but the Westfield Police Department came today at 9 a.m. with semitrucks. I hope no one tries to hide this. I want to expose it all and how big of an operation — you all knew (it) was going on but grasp how big it was. I wish I could write a book about this.”
In the post, Lemieux claimed that Dominique Ball of Carmel played a major role in the scheme. Ball, who operated the Authentic Sports Collectibles shop at Carmel City Center from 2012 to 2014, was the “sole person” who put 100,000 items into the market with counterfeit Tom Brady signatures on them, the post states.
Current attempted to reach Ball for comment but did not receive a response. WPD and the FBI declined to comment on whether Ball or others are also being investigated. The scope of the scheme has stunned collectors and dealers of sports memorabilia, but the numbers cited by Lemieux in the post have been disputed by some. According to a report in The Athletic, Florida-based
sports platform Fanatics was aware of Lemieux and the alleged counterfeiting scheme for several years and assisted law enforcement in the investigation. Zohar Ravid, Fanatics president of specialty business and new ventures, told The Athletic he does not believe Lemieux and his associates counterfeited “millions upon millions” of items, as Lemieux’s Facebook post claimed.
“If the numbers were real, we wouldn’t have waited years to put that much pressure on,” Ravid said. “These aren’t the numbers. It’s grossly exaggerated to make a statement. The problem is real. The extent and the scale of it is less than what is being presented, but it is symbolic of what is happening in the industry.”
Fanatics did not make Ravid or anyone else available for an interview with Current, but the company issued a statement about the incident.
“Unfortunately, bad actors exist in every consumer industry,” the statement reads. “In this case, the best way for collectors to know that they are buying officially licensed, 100% authenticated memorabilia, especially online, is to buy from a reputable primary source.”
This is not the first time Lemieux’s business ventures have been investigated. In 2013, the then-Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a lawsuit against Ultimate Sports Connection after the business failed to fulfill customers’ orders. A Hamilton County judge ordered Lemieux to pay restitution to the victims, who reported losses of $13 to $450, according to news reports.
Lemieux
Fishers council OKs parking permit ordinance
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The Fishers City Council voted unanimously July 21 to approve a residential parking permit program, allowing the Fishers Police Department and the Board of Public Works and Safety to establish permits for streets and neighborhoods affected by overflow parking from nearby businesses and organizations.
GOVERNMENT
The ordinance was prompted by ongoing issues at two residential areas off Lantern Road — one near the King Jugg Brewing Co., and the other near the Alhuda Mosque and the American Legion.
During a public hearing prior to the vote, five people spoke, mostly in favor of the ordinance. One speaker objected, however, stating that the businesses or organizations that have caused the problem should be responsible for fixing it. He also objected to placing the burden on residents for making sure they and their guests have permits.
The mosque and King Jugg have overflow parking lots available and FPD Chief Ed Gebhart said that both have made the availability of those lots known to people visiting during busy times. However, that has not overcome the convenience of parking in neighborhoods. The American Legion recently added overflow parking at the nearby YMCA.
Specific details will be established by the Board of Public Works and Safety. The proposal broadly calls for permit enforcement during days and times that are known to be problematic. For example, the mosque has Friday prayers during the day that attract many worshippers who tend to park on nearby residential streets when the mosque’s main parking lot fills up. Therefore, the city likely would
enforce permitted parking on Fridays, but only during the day, as well as during Ramadan evening prayer services. King Jugg hosts live music events on various nights, so parking permits for specific streets in the neighborhood nearby would be needed at those times.
The ordinance calls for a $150 fine for violators.
Councilors thanked Gebhart and other city officials for their work on the ordinance. Council President Pete Peterson said sometimes the council is faced with a tough decision.
“I recognize that there’s a problem in these areas,” he said. “I believe this is an imperfect solution to a problem, for sure — that’s going to take some massaging — but I think if we don’t take action, it’s not certainly getting any better. Fishers is not known for not taking action to try to improve things, so I appreciate the efforts by the mayor’s office and Chief Gebhart’s office to try to do something about it.”
Once the program is in place, residents of affected streets will be able to get free parking permits from the police department for their own vehicles and for visitors. Tickets can be appealed, either at the police department or in court.
The city’s Board of Public Works, which meets twice a month, will be in charge of determining which streets require permits and when. The next Board of Public Works meeting is set for 8 a.m. July 29 at Fishers Municipal Center, 1 Municipal Dr.
Fishers Police Department Chief Ed Gebhart speaks to the Fishers City Council. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
FISHERS AUGUST EVENTS
ARTS COUNCIL GALLERY HOP
The Fishers Arts Council will host a gallery hop featuring various exhibits open between 5 and 9 p.m. Aug. 8. Exhibits locations will be:
• Ignite Studio at Hamilton East Public Library, 5 Municipal Dr.
• High Frequency Arts at Hub & Spoke, 8100 E. 106th St.
• Art Gallery at City Hall, 1 Municipal Dr.
• Meyer Najem 2nd Floor Gallery, 11787 Lantern Rd.
• FAC Hub Gallery at Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Dr.
• Fishers Art Center, 1 Municipal Dr.
• Four Day Ray, 11671 Lantern Rd., open until 11 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9. Fill out a gallery hop punch card by visiting all six locations for a free dessert with dinner purchase.
For more, visit fishersartscouncil.org/ upcoming-events.
ONEZONE EVENTS
• OneZone Chamber’s annual Golf Classic supporting OneZone programs is set for 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 11 at The Hawthorns Golf & Country Club, 12255 Club Point, Fishers. For more and to register, visit onezonechamber.com.
• OneZone Chamber will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Priority Risk Management, 7050 E. 116th St., Suite 50.
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
The following Fishers government meetings are scheduled during the month of August:
• Plat Committee — 4 p.m. Aug. 6, Fishers Municipal Center theater
• Planned Unit Development — 5 p.m. Aug. 6, Fishers Municipal Center theater
• Plan Commission — 6 p.m. Aug. 6, Fishers Municipal Center theater
• Town Hall Building Corp. — 4 p.m. Aug. 11, Nickel Plate Conference Room
• Board of Public Works & Safety — 9 a.m. Aug. 12 and 26, Nickel Plate Conference Room
• City Council — 7 p.m. Aug. 18, Fishers Municipal Center theater
• Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees — Finance committee, 8 a.m. Aug. 6; policy committee, 7:30 a.m. Aug. 6; facilities committee, 9 a.m. Aug. 7; and board meeting, 6 p.m. Aug. 13. All meetings are at 13485 Cumberland Rd.
Fishers firefighter competes on ‘Jeopardy!’
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
After about five years of trying, Fishers firefighter Jeff Hague achieved his dream of competing on the longrunning TV game show “Jeopardy!”
TELEVISION
The game aired July 21 and while Hague didn’t win, he said the experience was otherwise everything he hoped it would be.
Hague said he started taking the “Jeopardy!” tests yearly when the show began offering them online during the COVID-19 pandemic and he finally heard back from them earlier this year to move on to a second test.
“It was another version of an online test, but this time somebody was watching you take it on a Zoom meeting,” he said. “After that, there was a third round where it was actually like you and two other people were ‘contestants’ on a Zoom call, and their contestant team was watching and asking questions, and they did a little mock interview like they would do on the show. And then at the end of that, they said, ‘Congratulations, everybody here got got through the third round.’”
That put Hague in the contestant pool for two years, but soon after that third round, the show contacted him and invited him to compete. He flew west the first week of May.
“It was a phenomenal experience,” he said. “I spent three days in California. The first day was a travel day, then the second day, I was what’s called the outof-town alternate, so I had to sit there the entire day in the green room as a standby person in case somebody else couldn’t perform. And then the (third) day was the actual taping day and it was an incredible experience.”
Hague said he has been watching “Jeopardy!” and playing along for decades.
“It was always a dream to be on the show,” he said. “The people were incredible. (Host) Ken Jennings is as advertised. He’s as smart and witty as they come and he’s very friendly. It makes it a good experience. And they really go out of their way to make it as easy as possible.”
Hague said he found himself marveling at the wonder of the experience when he should have been paying attention, think-
Fishers Fire Department Capt. Jeff Hague recently competed on “Jeopardy!” (Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc.)
ing to himself, “I can’t believe I’m here, and this is so amazing, and there’s Ken Jennings, and oh my gosh, there’s a buzzer in my hand. I gotta keep playing.”
Hague said managing the buzzer was challenging. When playing along at home, he’s used to calling out answers soon after reading the clues on the screen, but contestants’ buzzers don’t work until a clue has been at least partially read out loud.
Hague’s competitors included returning champion Scott Riccardi, who had at that point won 12 times and accumulated more than $300,000.
“He is as good as advertised,” Hague said. “He is also just a really nice guy. He’s much younger than I am and it’s interesting — the things that he could pull out of thin air. I’m like, ‘Yeah, my age is starting to show a little bit.’”
Hague went into Final Jeopardy with $4,600, compared to Riccardi’s $35,000. After the July 21 show, Riccardi extended his streak to 13 wins and more than $360,000.
Although he didn’t win, Hague said competing on “Jeopardy!” was 100 percent worthwhile and he recommends the experience to anyone interested in trying.
HSE ILEARN test scores continue to improve
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The Indiana Department of Education released spring ILEARN standardized test scores for grades three through eight July 16, and results for Hamilton Southeastern Schools show that district students continued to improve in English language arts and math proficiency.
EDUCATION
According to an announcement from the district, HSE’s average proficiency for math was 66.31 percent for grades that were tested. For ELA, the district’s proficiency average was 62.5 percent.
Statewide averages were 42.1 percent for math and 40.6 percent for ELA, according to a separate announcement from the state DOE.
HSE’s proficiency averages were up this year compared to 2024 results, which showed an average 64.3 percent proficiency rate for math and 61.2 percent for ELA. In general, HSE’s ILEARN scores have increased annually since 2021.
HSE Superintendent Pat Mapes praised district educators and students for their accomplishments.
“These results reflect the incredible work happening in our classrooms every day,” he stated. “Our students rose to the challenge and our teachers embraced new systems designed to meet learners where they are. This progress is a testament to our commitment to student success and continuous improvement.”
According to the state DOE, 2025 statewide results show that math proficiency has continued to increase since 2021
across all grade levels, but ELA proficiency has remained relatively flat.
Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner stated that although Indiana middle school students are improving in math, there is a need for more ELA support.
“It is essential that our schools and parents/families continue to work together and stay laser-focused on increasing student learning and success,” she stated, noting that a new ILEARN program will launch in 2026 and “will provide a beginning, middle and end-of-year look at student performance. This will be key to knowing early and often if a student has mastered certain knowledge or skills, or if they may still be struggling, ensuring the student has increased, personalized support.”
According to detailed 2025 results provided by the state, the percentage of the 9,599 HSE students tested who were proficient in ELA, by grade level, was 60.6 percent for third grade, 66 percent for fourth, 59.6 percent for fifth, 65.4 percent for sixth, 60.4 percent for seventh and 62.8 percent for eighth.
The percentage of HSE students by grade level who tested proficient in math was 73 percent for third grade, 70.8 percent for fourth, 63.4 percent for fifth, 64.7 percent for sixth, 64.9 percent for seventh and 61.6 percent for eighth.
The district’s SAT results for 11th-graders also were released July 16. According to the state DOE, 78.1 percent of HSE students who took the test reached or surpassed the national benchmark. That is an increase from last year’s 75.3 percent.
The SAT is a national college-entry exam.
DISPATCHES
Walker assigned to study committees — Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence) announced that he will serve on several study committees in preparation for the 2026 legislative session. The committees are the Economic Enhancement Board, Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority, Indiana White River State Park Development Commission, Interim Study Committee on Elections, Interim Study Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions, Interim Study Committee on Fiscal Policy and Interim Study Committee on Public Policy. To view study committee agendas and stream
hearings online, visit iga.in.gov/2025/ committees/interim.
Indiana Energy Saver Program open for applications — The Indiana Office of Energy Development Indiana Saver Program has $182 million in federal funding to provide Indiana residents with utility bill energy savings while enhancing home comfort and energy efficiency throughout the state. Eligible residents will receive a free home energy audit to identify potential improvements. For more or to apply, visit IndianaEnergySaver.com.
Indy eyes earlier curfew
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The Indianapolis City-County Council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee voted unanimously July 16 to recommend approval of a proposed new curfew for juveniles and forwarded it for consideration by the full council.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The council will review the proposal during its Aug. 11 meeting.
The proposed ordinance, prompted by deadly shootings and other criminal activity over the July 4 holiday, would implement an earlier curfew that restricts juveniles ages 15 to 17 from being out in public unsupervised after 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and after 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Youth under age 15 would have a 9 p.m. curfew every night.
The current curfew law prohibits youth 15 to 17 from being in public after 1 a.m. on weekends or after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Children under 15 are not allowed out after 11 p.m. any night of the week.
In an open letter to city leaders, a coalition of Marion County superintendents
expressed full support for the proposal and noted that it is about prevention, not punishment.
“As leaders, we see firsthand the promise and potential of our young people as well as the responsibility we share — as educators, parents and community leaders — to ensure their safety and wellbeing,” the letter stated.
“We are proud of our students’ achievements, but we are even more proud of the values they embody. A curfew reinforces those values. It sends a clear message that our community stands united in protecting our youth and investing in their future.”
The letter was endorsed by various Marion County school leaders, including those from Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence and Washington townships, and IPS Schools.
Also July 16, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey announced that IMPD is launching a “safe and secure location” for juveniles who are found out past curfew. From that location, detained youth will be reconnected with family and offered support services.
If family members can’t be located, detained curfew violators will be taken to juvenile detention.
DISPATCHES
Community Safety Day — The City of Lawrence is planning its annual Community Safety Day, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 23 at Fire Station 40, 9530 E. 59th St. Participants can meet public safety officers, see demonstrations by Lawrence Police and Fire Departments and learn about services provided throughout the Lawrence community.
Foundation hires new partnership director — The Arthur Dean Family Foundation has added Tracy Butler as the new director of partnership strategy and investments. ADFF supports organizations that serve young people and families in Marion, Hamilton and Whitley Counties, awarding approximately $4 million annually.
Nonprofit plans Race Away From Domestic Violence — The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is hosting its 22nd annual Race Away From Domestic Violence 8 a.m. Aug. 16 at IU Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The 5K race raises awareness of domestic violence in Indiana and shows support for Hoo-
sier survivors. This year, participants can double their impact — every dollar raised will be matched up to $7,000. For more, visit icadvinc.org.
State chamber offers tobacco program — Indiana officials estimate that nearly 40,000 Hoosiers will want to stop using tobacco after tax increases went into effect July 1, bumping the new average price of a pack of cigarettes to $11. To help people with that goal, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Wellness Council of Indiana has released an enhanced version of its Quit Now Tool, a web-based platform with cessation tools. For more, visit wellnessindiana.org.
Hamilton County young professionals golf outing — The Westfield Young Professionals Council will host its third annual golf outing Aug. 27 at Wood Wind Golf Course in Westfield. The outing is exclusively for young professionals 40 and under who live and/or work in Hamilton County. Register at tinyurl. com/4d7dd9ka.
Temple celebrates Hindu festivals
northindy@youarecurrent.com
The Jagannath Odia Association of Indiana hosted hundreds of worshippers recently who gathered at the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana, 3350 N. German Church Rd., to celebrate Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra June 29 and July 6.
RELIGION
According to an announcement from temple representative Shriya Una, Rath Yatra is a nine-day festival that celebrates the annual journey to their aunt’s home of three Hindu deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra — in grand chariots.
“(The celebration) began with a chariot procession, where community members helped pull the massive decorated wooden rath around the temple grounds,” Una stated. “The air was filled with chants of
‘Jai Jagannath,’ the sound of conch shells and the energy of a community coming together.”
An addition to this year’s celebration was an art exhibition inside the temple. Community members of all ages submitted artwork inspired by Jagannath and Odisha heritage.
“In both ceremonies … families, children and elders joined hands to pull the chariot, help with decorations or serve food, making the whole experience feel deeply rooted in the community,” Una stated.
“This event was quite significant to the Indian community as it was a day to come together, enjoy each other’s company and get a glimpse of Odisha culture and what it represents.”
Odisha is a state in India.
For more, visit the JOAI’s Facebook page, facebook.com/joaiinorg.
DISPATCHES
State of the Campus set — Ivy Tech Community College Hamilton County will host its inaugural State of the Campus from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at The Bridgewater Club. Tickets are $30 through Aug. 29 and $45 after, with proceeds benefitting the Ivy Tech Foundation. For more, visit link.ivytech. edu/IVY2025.
Property fraud protection —The Hamilton County Recorder’s Office has a new, free alert service that provides protection against property fraud, which occurs when
someone illegally records a fraudulent document — such as a fake deed — making it appear as if they own someone else’s property. Property Fraud Alert tells subscribers if a document is recorded in their name. Subscribers also receive confirmation notifications when legitimate documents are recorded. It replaces the county’s previous service, Doxpop.com, and residents who were registered with that service must re-enroll. For more, visit propertyfraudalert.com or call the Property Fraud Alert hotline at 800-728-3858.
Kanoon to open in Fishers
FOOD news@currentinfishers.com
A new restaurant that blends Mediterranean flavors and smoked meat opens Aug. 1 in Fishers.
Kanoon, which has locations along the upper East Coast — including New Jersey and Connecticut — has moved into the Midwest with its new space at The Depot at Nickel Plate, 8594 E. 116th St., Suite 30.
According to an announcement from the company, the restaurant’s signature dishes pair authentic Mediterranean cuisine with smoked meats, which the owners state fills a gap in the Greater Indianapolis area.
“We chose this location in Fishers because it offers an ideal setting for our restaurant concept,” General Manager Adam Hineiti stated. “Downtown Fishers has become a vibrant area and we believe a concept like ours, featuring Mediterranean-inspired smoked meats paired with fish and vegetarian options, will be both enjoyed and appreciated by the community. The area’s growth and its appeal to diverse tastes made it a perfect match for our vision.”
The announcement stated that Kanoon offers an experience in addition to a meal.
“We are most excited to introduce our unique menu and concept to the community, offering a new dining experience that emphasizes authentic Mediterranean flavors,” Hineiti stated. “We’re also excited to create an engaging and fun twist to our guests’ meals by offering unique experiences, such as fire shows throughout the night.”
For updates, visit kanoonrestaurants. com or @kanoon_indy on social media.
Kincaid House coming down
news@currentinfishers.com
The City of Fishers announced July 22 that it will “deconstruct” the historic Kincaid House, which has been in a vacant lot off USA Parkway next to I-69 ever since the 1861 home was moved there in 2014 from its original location in what is now the Fishers District development.
HISTORY
The city announced that it will salvage and repurpose bricks from the 19th-century farmhouse for a future project at the Fishers AgriPark, an urban farm in east Fishers that offers educational programming, animal encounters and u-pick crops for the community.
“We’re at a point where there is such an advanced level of deterioration that rehabilitating the structure would be a significant financial and logistical undertaking, and the house likely wouldn’t survive another move,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stated. “With a lack of interest from private entities to take over ownership of the house, we have decided to preserve what we can and celebrate the legacy of the Kincaid House at a location that bet-
ter fits the historical significance of the structure.”
The brick home, formally known as the Flanagan-Kincaid House, has a range of structural issues, according to the announcement, including sunken floors, joist collapse and separation resulting in unbraced and unstable exterior walls.
“While the usefulness of the current Flanagan-Kincaid house has come to an end and we are sad to see it go, we are pleased it can continue in another form to honor the farming heritage of Fishers,” Fishers resident Randy Kincaid stated on behalf of the Kincaid family.
Deconstruction is scheduled to be completed by the end of July. Plans for the project at the Fishers AgriPark are in development. The historic Kincaid House will be demolished by the end of July. (Photo by Sara Palmer)
Worshippers move a decorated chariot around the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana grounds during the recent Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra celebrations. (Photo courtesy of Shriya Una)
Kanoon restaurant opens Aug. 1 in Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Kanoon)
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Roadmap to trust funding, Medicaid protection
Commentary by Christine Stolle
When planning for your future, it’s important to understand the roles of a Revocable Living Trust (RLT) and a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT). An RLT helps avoid probate and ensures your assets transfer smoothly to your heirs but does not protect assets from long-term care costs or Medicaid eligibility rules. In contrast, a MAPT is designed to shield your assets from Medicaid spend-down requirements after a five-year look-back period, preserving wealth for your loved ones.
Why funding your trust matters
A trust — whether revocable or irrevocable — only works if it’s properly funded. If assets aren’t retitled into the trust, they remain vulnerable to probate, creditors, or Medicaid spend-down. Funding your trust is simply the process of transferring assets into the trust’s name, ensuring they receive the intended protections. What is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust?
A MAPT is an irrevocable trust that protects assets from long-term care costs while helping you qualify for Medicaid. While you give up direct ownership, you appoint a trustee—often a trusted family member or professional—who manages the assets. You retain the right to live in your home and can receive income from trust assets. Upon your death, the assets pass to your beneficiaries outside of probate.
Key benefits of a MAPT:
• Avoid probate: Assets in the MAPT bypass probate, saving time, money, and stress for your loved ones.
• Protect privacy: Unlike wills, trusts are private documents.
• Preserve out-of-state property: Avoids probate in multiple states.
• Protect against scams: Assets aren’t in your direct control, reducing vulnerability to fraud or undue influence.
• Medicaid eligibility: Assets in the MAPT (after five years) are not counted for Medicaid, helping preserve your estate.
• Safeguard your home: Protect your home from Medicaid estate recov-
ery after death if it’s been in the trust for five years.
• Maintain control: While the trust owns the assets, your trustee manages them according to your wishes.
• Protect family wealth: Ensures assets go to your heirs rather than being spent on long-term care costs. The five-year look-back rule Medicaid reviews financial transfers over the five years before applying. Any transfers to a MAPT during this period can result in a penalty. The five-year clock starts when you fund the trust— not when you sign it. Early planning is essential.
What does “funding the trust” mean?
Funding means retitling assets into the trust’s name, including:
• Real estate
• Bank and investment accounts
• Life insurance policies
• Personal property
• Business interests (case by case) Assets not properly transferred remain exposed to probate and Medicaid spend-down.
Retirement accounts and MAPTs To protect your retirement assets, strategic planning is essential when utilizing a MAPT – it is important to work closely with your financial advisor and CPA. This collaboration ensures you can strategically withdraw funds (“harvesting”) to minimize taxes and safeguard your assets.
Final thoughts
In Indiana, funding your trust correctly and early is key to protecting your assets and starting the Medicaid five-year look-back clock. Our team at Dillman & Owen Estate and Elder Law collaborates with your financial and tax professionals to ensure your plan stays current and effective. Reach out to us anytime — we’re here to help secure your future and give you peace of mind.
For more, visit dillman-owen.com.
Christine Stolle is an attorney at Dillman & Owen Estate and Elder Law.
Summer wellness tips for seniors
Commentary by David Stordy
After an Indiana winter, summer sunshine feels like a gift. But when the heat kicks in, it’s more than just uncomfortable -- it can pose real risks to your health.
As we age, our bodies don’t regulate temperature as well. You might not feel thirsty even when you’re dehydrated. Conditions like heart disease or diabetes, or medications that affect circulation, can make it harder to stay cool.
A few smart summer habits
• Drink water often – even if you don’t feel thirsty. Keep a bottle nearby and aim to sip throughout the day.
• Keep your home cool
– Use air conditioning or fans and close the blinds during the hottest part of the day.
Conditions like heart disease or diabetes, or medications that affect circulation, can make it harder to stay cool.
• Eat light, cool meals – Avoid using the oven when it’s especially hot. Salads, fruit, and pre-cooked proteins are great options.
• Watch for signs of heat stress – Dizziness, fatigue, swelling, or muscle cramps are all signs to slow down and cool off.
Need a Little Extra Support?
If everyday tasks start to feel more tiring this time of year, you’re not alone. BrightStar Care offers in-home help on your terms—whether it’s assistance with meals, companionship, or personal care. Our team is here to help you stay safe and independent all summer long. You’ve earned the right to enjoy the season — comfortably and confidently.
David Stordy is the directorowner of BrightStar Care. To learn more about home care or schedule an assessment, call BrightStar Care at 317-706-0799 or visit brightstarcare.com.
Medical use of psychedelic mushrooms might have benefits
Commentary by Dr. Carol Weesner
Boomers, blue meanies and Silly
Putty — perhaps the names take you back to the 1960s, elementary school bullies, or playing years ago with some wonder substance you had fun playing with until your mother found it stuck under the kitchen table. But alas, none of this is the case in this article. All the above terms are slang for magic mushrooms, or medically speaking, psychedelic mushrooms. Interestingly, after all the years of bad press and parental distress, they may turn out to be quite beneficial, in the appropriate doses and setting, of course.
Johns Hopkins University, among other universities domestic and foreign, has published several studies on psychedelic mushrooms in the treatment of depression, adding credibility to the idea. I don’t imagine they had any trouble finding volunteers for the control group, or for those who struggle mightily with depression and haven’t found a lasting solution. For those who haven’t had depression, count your blessings, because no one can truly
understand its depths and effects on daily life unless you’ve been so touched. The ingredient of note is psilocybin, which can cause alterations in perception, mood and thought processes. It is thought to act on serotonin receptors
in the brain (the same receptors targeted by drugs such as Prozac) that affect depression and anxiety. One of the most exciting findings is that one or two psilocybin treatments have been found to have rapid and persistent positive
effects, sometimes lasting up to a year. Research has shown the treatment to be safe in supervised settings, but temporary side effects such as nausea, headaches and anxiety may be seen. It is not recommended yet for schizophrenia or severe psychosis.
Those affected by Parkinson’s disease should take note as well. The University of California San Francisco has found that individuals with mild to moderate disease showed improvements in mood, cognition and motor function. Again, the improvements in these symptoms lasted weeks to months. Psilocybin has also been studied and shown promise in the treatment of various addictions. It is very exciting and promising that something so long maligned may benefit so many. Bell bottoms, short basketball shorts and Chuck Taylor shoes are back in vogue, too, so what’s next?
Whether you’re greeting attendees, assisting with rides, or making new friends, your involvement makes a meaningful impact. Volunteer with us to help create a stronger, more welcoming community. There's a volunteer opportunity for anyone looking to make a di erence!
westfieldin.gov/volunteer or scan the QR code to find out how you can get started.
Dr. Carol Weesner is the founder and medical director of Motion 4 Life Fitness in Carmel. For more, visit motion4lifefitness.com/ about-us/.
Jean-Marc Mayu leads dance crew at Motion 4 Life Fitness. (Photo courtesy of Tom Weesner)
Eskenazi doctor’s aging brain care program grows
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Dr. Malaz Boustani’s research on dementia care has expanded in the last year.
Boustani’s research led Eskenazi Health Aging Brain Center in Indianapolis to be established in 2008. The center combines research and clinical care, resulting in the rapid translation of research discoveries into clinical practice. The center works closely with the patient’s primary care provider and the multidisciplinary care team, consisting of physicians, nurses, psychologists, care coordinator assistants and social workers and develops a personal treatment plan for each patient. The plan includes medications as well as nondrug treatments to improve the quality of life for patients and caregivers.
also the family member or caregiver. So, when we developed the program, we wanted to improve the quality of life of the patients living with dementia and also the quality of caregivers and keep them in their homes and their communities as long as possible.”
A Carmel resident, Boustani said his team evaluated the program in a controlled trial and found that it worked.
“This program focuses on brain health,” Boustani said. “The brain is the only organ in the body you can’t transplant. The dementia syndrome is one of the most common problems to make you lose your brain, starting with affecting your memory and language. It starts affecting your emotion and then finally starts affecting your ability to function. Unfortunately, certain patients end up leaving their home and live the rest of their lives in an institutional setting. This doesn’t just cause a problem for the person that has dementia, but
“That led us to publish in the highly prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association,” he said. “I wanted to make sure my work didn’t stay on the bookshelf, so I converted it into a clinical program. This clinical program has been able to do exactly what we did in the original research study and was able to keep people at home much longer than other programs without jeopardizing the quality of life of the patient and the quality of life of their care partner.”
In 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Center announced a new dementia care and payment model. It was developed, in part, by Boustani and providers at Eskenazi Health, who were part of the team that helped guide the payment model of care. Eskenazi Health became one of the first health systems to utilize the new care model. Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience is the first model established by the Innovation Center that directly ad-
dresses the needs of unpaid caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. The model aims to provide comprehensive support and resources for caregivers intended to help reduce caregiver strain and to keep patients in their homes.
“This month, this program or a prototype of it is now available across the entire nation and is delivered across 400 organizations,” Boustani said.
The GUIDE model became available on July 1, 2024, with Eskenazi Health being one of the first to implement it.
“Between 2008 and 2024, I worked with colleagues across the country and with the Alzheimer’s Association to make sure the program is available to every American,” he said. “The benefit of this program is it’s a win-win for everybody. If you are a patient living with dementia, it improves your quality of life. It prevents you from worsening your functional decline and your behavior and depression. It also prevents the stress and depression of your care partner. It reduces your need to go to the hospital inappropriately by almost 50 percent. It keeps you at home longer by at least 24 months. It reduces the cost of care substantially.”
Boustani said reducing insurance cost is why the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services support the model.
Continued on Page 7
Boustani
Meridian Audiology: Built on trusting relationships and improving communication
Meridian Audiology LLC, a private Audiology practice, was founded by Dr. Alison Wyss, Au.D. and Kira VonBlon, M.S., after working together in an ENT setting for more than 12 years. The seasoned Audiologists strive to consistently provide premier care to patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders as well as those who want to protect their hearing from damage.
In stark contrast to the medical audiology world where patients are in and out in quick succession, private practice allows Ali and Kira to spend whatever time their patients need from them for their individual hearing healthcare situation.
sandwich from their hometown in Ohio.”
The Meridian Audiology Audiologists pride themselves on keeping up with and offering the top-of-theline newest technology in hearing aids, tinnitus and auditory processing disorder.
“The number of patient referrals, along with referrals from area Consierge and Internal Medicine Physicians speaks volumes to us,” VonBlon said. “We have the trust of our patients and many area physicians. They tell their friends and their patients about us, and we cannot buy that kind of loyalty and referral!” She goes on to say “We’ve also had many of our previous patients find and follow us to Meridian Audiology and that is a testament to our relationships we build with them. I even went on vacation this year and made a special stop along the way to bring a longtime patient back their favorite
W We are also available to speak to your local community clubs about hearing and hearing loss Dr. Wyss states, “We’ve done many presentations to community clubs in the area and the participants always appreciate our time in giving them information about hearing loss, cognitive decline and tinnitus as well as answering their questions.”
Meridian Audiology accepts most major insurances, offers convenient scheduling via phone, email, or online and are independent of other medical practices or hospitals. Hours are 9am-4pm MondayFriday by appointment only. T They are located at 911 E 86th Street, Suite 035. Phone 317-731-5386. Email info@ meridianaudiology com Website: meridianaudiology com
Pickleball 4 Parkinson’s set
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Indiana Parkinson Foundation program director Addie Cunningham views pickleball is as the sport that draws a wide range of interest.
“We wanted to create a fun, active and inclusive way for our community to come together in support of individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease,” Cunningham said. “Pickleball is a sport that brings people of all ages and abilities together, and it perfectly aligns with our mission to promote movement, connection and hope.”
So the nonprofit is using Pickleball 4 Parkinson’s as a fundraiser. The oneday tournament, set for Nov. 15 at The Picklr, 9847 Cumberland Pointe Blvd., Noblesville, features women’s doubles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles. Players compete in skill levels ranging from 3.0 to 4.0-plus, divided into two age divisions, 50 and older and 50 and under, Cunningham said. All proceeds benefit the Indiana Parkinson Foundation and their mission to support individuals and families impacted by Parkinson’s disease.
“The idea grew from recognizing how powerful physical activity and community engagement can be in improving the
lives of those impacted by Parkinson’s.
The Noblesville resident said several people with Parkinson’s will participate in the tournament while others will volunteer or be a part of the event through cheering on the participants. All funds raised through Pickleball 4 Parkinson’s will support the vital programs and services we offer across Indiana, providing exercise, encouragement and education to those affected by Parkinson’s and their families.”
Noblesville-based Indiana Parkinson Foundation has CLIMB, an evidence-based exercise class developed for living with Parkinson disease.
“Our CLIMB classes incorporate many of the same types of exercises that pickleball encourages, but we haven’t included actual pickleball in the classes out of consideration for safety,” Cunningham said. “Pickleball isn’t a good fit for everyone with Parkinson’s.”
Registration for nonmembers of The Picklr is $65 per player. The first event is included in the registration cost, each additional event is $20. The Picklr members’ registration is $50 per player. The first event is included in the registration cost, each additional event is $10.
For information about sponsorship, volunteering or to register to play, visit indianaparkinson.org/p4p/.
VonBlon
Wyss
Indiana Parkinson Foundation program director Addie Cunnignham and her husband, Eric Cunningham, will participate in the third annual Pickleball 4 Parkinson’s. (Photo courtesy of Addie Cunningham)
Resident enjoys several Sycamore Reserve activities
By Ken Severson editorial@youarecurrent.com
Better late than never. That’s how Sycamore Reserve resident Terry Klemann probably felt after moving into the facility in February.
A native of St. Louis, Klemann, 71, was content living in an apartment complex when she was having conversations with her two adult children about moving into a facility that was more elderly friendly.
Balking at first, Klemann decided to look at a couple of facilities, with Sycamore Reserve in Indianapolis being one of them.
“I really didn’t want to move,” Klemann said. “But my kids asked me to reconsider, and I said I’d take a look.”
After checking out Sycamore, Klemann fell in love with it and ruled out all other options.
“There was really no comparison between the (the other options),” Klemann said. “They are super, and they treat you really well.”
Klemann enjoys the food and service she receives, plus it’s pet friendly, something very important to Klemann because she has a Lhasa Apso named Lady.
Klemann, who has been single for nearly 30 years, also appreciates the social opportunities at Sycamore Reserve.
“(Sycamore Reserve employees) take you to the bank, pharmacy, the grocery
“There are also a lot of outings. You get a weekly agenda so you know what’s going on be it bingo, happy hour, live entertainment.”
— Terry Klemann
store — really, anything you need,” Klemann said. “There are also a lot of outings. You get a weekly agenda, so you know what’s going on, be it bingo, happy hour, live entertainment.”
Klemann moved to Indianapolis several years ago to be near a younger sibling who had an illness. Prior to that, she lived in Illinois and Upstate New York. She has a son in Arkansas and a daughter in New York.
Klemann also worked at Macy’s for nearly three years, but after her brother died, she thought of moving but chose to stay in Indianapolis because of friends. That’s when she moved into an apartment until her children brought up the topic of a senior facility with things to do.
“I can go swimming in the beautiful swimming pool and there’s a nice garden with pool parties and so many other things,” Klemann said. “If you’re bored here, it’s your own fault.”
Continued from Page 5 program functions under the Sandra Eskenazi Center for Brain Care Innovation.
“No one wants to live in a nursing home,” he said. “No one wants to go to the hospital for just the sake of it and no one wants to burden their loved one. Everyone wants to optimize their quality of life, and this program fits all of that.”
Boustani said he and his wife each have family members who lived with dementia. Unfortunately, Boustani said the program did not expand quickly enough for his wife’s parents in Kentucky and his father and mother in Syria to take advantage of it.
The Eskenazi Health Aging Brain Care
“Through decades of research in brain health, we have learned that by reorganizing care, we can obtain better outcomes at lower costs,” Boustani said.
The team that helped develop the innovative model includes Boustani; Dr. Christopher Callahan, chief research and development officer of Eskenazi Health; Sandra Eskenazi Center for Brain Care Innovation; the Regenstrief Institute; and the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Klemann
TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE?
By: Dr. Leonard Buller, orthopedic surgeon and medical director of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at IU Health Fishers
Total joint replacement surgery is a common and highly effective procedure for individuals experiencing chronic joint pain, limited mobility and reduced quality of life due to joint damage. Most often involving the hip or knee, these surgeries are typically recommended when non-surgical treatments—such as medications, physical therapy and lifestyle changes—fail to provide adequate relief. At IU Health, total joint replacement is a cornerstone of orthopedic care, with expert surgeons performing thousands of these procedures each year. The surgery aims to replace damaged joint surfaces with artificial components, reducing pain and restoring function so that patients can return to the activities they enjoy.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT?
Candidates for joint replacement are evaluated based on the severity of their symptoms, overall health and personal goals. Patients considering joint replacement are encouraged to attend a convenient virtual educational seminar, which helps them understand their condition, treatment options and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Our team works directly with patients to create a personalized care plan for their needs.
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR SURGERY?
Preparation for joint replacement begins well before the day of surgery. IU Health provides comprehensive pre-surgery educational resources and has team members dedicated to ensuring patients and their support partners have all their questions answered throughout the journey. Patients undergo a thorough medical evaluation to ensure they are healthy enough for the procedure. This includes reviewing medications, conducting blood tests and assessing cardiovascular and pulmonary function. Preparing the home for recovery is also important—this may involve removing trip hazards, installing safety equipment like grab bars, and arranging for help with daily tasks during the first few weeks post-surgery.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT ON THE DAY OF SURGERY?
The surgery itself typically lasts one to two hours and is performed under spinal or general anesthesia. Immediately after the procedure, patients begin a carefully guided recovery process that includes pain management and early mobilization. At IU Health, a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals—including nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and case managers—works closely with each patient to ensure a smooth and safe transition from surgery to recovery. Most patients begin walking with assistance the same day or the day after surgery.
WHAT DOES RECOVERY LOOK LIKE?
Recovery timelines vary depending on the individual and the specific joint replaced. Rehabilitation begins in the hospital and continues at home or in an outpatient setting, with physical therapy playing a key role in regaining strength, flexibility and independence. Patients gradually transition from using assistive devices such as walkers or crutches to walking unassisted. While many people begin to feel significantly better
within a few weeks, full recovery and return to normal activities often take several months.
ARE THERE RISKS?
As with any major surgery, total joint replacement carries some risks. However, when performed at high-volume centers like IU Health, the risks are low, and outcomes are generally exceptional. Most artificial joints function well for 20 years or longer, allowing patients to enjoy longterm mobility and quality of life improvements.
IU Health is recognized nationally for its comprehensive joint replacement program, offering patients access to advanced surgical techniques, innovative research and coordinated care throughout the entire journey. With a strong focus on patient education and individualized treatment plans, IU Health helps patients navigate the joint replacement process with confidence. By choosing a trusted healthcare partner and preparing thoroughly for the experience, patients can look forward to life with less pain, better function, and a renewed sense of independence. Learn more about Indiana’s most preferred destination for total joint care at iuhealth.org/orthopedics.
Dr. Leonard Buller
Author mixes
love of books and horse racing
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Catherine Besaw was able to marry her love of books and horse racing.
At 76, the Carmel resident wrote her first book, “Worth Fighting For — a Bluegrass Romance,” which was published in April.
“My 7-year-old granddaughter wants to be an artist,” Besaw said. “I tell her, ‘Don’t wait to be in your 70s like me.’”
Besaw said the original format for the book started more than 30 years ago, but she never quite completed it.
“It was just something fun to do,” said Besaw, who also owns small shares in horses for fun. “When COVID hit, I moved into a new home on the day everything shut down (in March 2020). There was nothing much to do and I pulled out the old book, which was dated in so many formats, and I just started to write.”
During that time, Besaw met Noblesville resident Myra Levine, who has published two books. Levine also is a writing coach.
“She convinced me that I could actually write a book, that I could publish, and she would help me every step of the way, and she did.” Besaw said. “When I look at the first draft now, it was so amateurish. It just grew and developed. Myra helped me proofread and get it published through Amazon.”
Besaw said the first draft sat dormant for years,
“I was a working mother,” she said. “I didn’t honestly think that people would be interested in what I have to say and just needed something.”
Besaw said the book focuses on two things she loves — Kentucky and horse racing.
Besaw, who moved to Carmel in 1991, lived in Lexington, Ky., for seven years. She previously lived in Lake County in Indiana in the 1970s and worked for a man who owned horses and was half-owner of a farm in Lexington. Besaw’s husband, Gary, enjoyed horse racing, so they developed a friendship.
“I would work with his partner and do the secretarial work and he and my husband would go
Continued on Page 11
Catherine Besaw with thoroughbred Seize the Grey in January. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Besaw)
to the races,” she said. “We fell in love with Lexington and moved there and I worked for a man named Robert Clay.”
Clay owned Three Chimneys Farm before selling it in 2013.
The book’s plot centers on a couple, Brett and Perry, who have a bitter argument and are separated. Perry has a thoroughbred horse farm.
“The only purpose of throwing in when Perry sees a murder is to put them back together because Brett is a police detective,” Besaw said. “I had to get them back to living in the same house and that was for protection.”
She is working on a second book, “Worth Believing In,” that develops other characters in the first book. She said she wants to finish it by the end of the year.
“I like romance. I love happy endings,” she said. “I like mysteries. I lead a book club through the Newcomers Club of Carmel.”
After retiring from her work in office, Besaw worked in two scrapbook shops that both closed, and then worked parttime at Carmel Clay Public Library but had to quit because of her back issues.
“There’s a lot of bending to put books on the shelf,” she said.
SEIZING THE MOMENT
Catherine Besaw became involved with MyRacehorse, where people can own micro-shares of horses.
At first, Besaw was skeptical when her husband told her about it, but then she did more research.
“I said, ‘You know we are never going to own a racehorse on our own, so let’s do it,’” she said. “He bought a couple shares in horses and so did I.”
Besaw has shares in eight horses.
She said no horse compares to 2024 Continued from Page 10
Preakness winner Seize the Grey. They now have shares in the breeding rights for Seize the Grey.
They bought the racing shares when the horse was 1 year old. Seize the Grey has more than 2,000 owners.
“That’s typically when you are going to buy your share when they are 1 year old,” she said. “You don’t do it for profit.”
There are perks, such as special trips to Keeneland in Lexington or Saratoga (N.Y), and if your horse wins, you get to go into the winner’s circle. That happened July 5 when a horse she has shares in, Elite Heat, won a maiden race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on the day of the Indiana Derby. She also visited Seize the Grey at Gainesway farm in January.
“It’s a hobby and you don’t make money off a hobby,” she said.
“Worth Fighting For” is Catherine Besaw’s debut novel. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Besaw)
Stratford resident Terry devoted to helping others
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Sharon Terry has survived two heart attacks and two bouts of cancer but is still going strong at 87.
The Statford resident has led a life devoted to volunteering.
Terry has lived at The Stratford for four years. The longtime Carmel resident worked at The Stratford when it opened in 2008 as a part-time concierge.
“I was there the very first night it opened,” she said. “I lived in the Village of WestClay and I knew the person that was building The Stratford because she lived in the village.”
She previously worked in the Village of WestClay, starting in 2000. She and her husband moved to the Village of WestClay in 2004.
“I knew the marketing director and I was there two weeks after it opened,” Terry said. “There were 200 people in there because everyone wanted to see it. I said, ‘You need some help.’”
So, the marketing director asked if Terry wanted to work there.
“I had never worked other than being a nurse,” she said.
But after talking with her husband, she decided she did want to work in The Village of WestClay Information Center. She helped start Breakfast with Santa, an ice cream social and a croquet tournament.
Before working at The Village of WestClay, her only job was being a nurse.
Terry has four sons, who she said all have successful careers
Her son, David Broecker, was the quarterback on Carmel High School’s first state championship football team in 1978. He played football at Wabash College and then went on for postgraduate work at MIT and University of Chicago.
Her second son, Tom Broecker, attended Yale University and is head costume designer for “Saturday Night Live.”
“As my husband said, we went 11 years without a new car because they
were all in these private colleges,” Terry said.
Her third son, Ed Broecker, is a lawyer and Zionsville resident. After a divorce, she had a fourth son, John Terry, who came from her second marriage to Steve Terry. A lawyer, Steve died at age 96 in 2019.
“Steve adored the boys and they adored him,” Terry said. “We had a rule in our house that if you don’t make the honor roll, you can’t play sports. We never had any trouble.”
David. Ed and John played football and Tom played tennis at CHS.
Terry was a nurse at St. Vincent but quit after her second son was born. She got divorced when her first three sons were young and moved back to the Indianapolis area after living in New York.
She worked as a nurse for an ear, nose and throat doctor. She and Steve moved to Carmel in 1971 after getting married. All four sons graduated from CHS.
Terry served two terms on the Carmel Clay Schools Board of Trustees. She also helped start Coxhall Guild to support Coxhall Gardens and Mansion.
The only thing that has slowed Terry recently was a second hip replacement. Her femur broke when she was moved
Sharon Terry’s book “Oh My! What a Life!” was published in 2010. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)
Terry
Continued from Page 5
to the operating table. She developed lymphedema, which occurs when lymph fluids build up, which sometimes causes swelling.
“When I had the first cancer, they took out all the lymph nodes in my groin,” she said.
The first cancer was metastatic squamous cell, a type of skin cancer, and the second cancer occured three years later. It was metastatic ovarian cancer.
“I had radiation, chemotherapy and never had another cancer,” she said.
Sharing memories
For her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Sharon Terry decided to write a book, so they would have her memories.
“Oh My! What a Life!” was published in 2010.
“One of my sons gave me a book on how to write a book on your life story,” she said. “I would write one or two pages when I went to Florida, but then my grandson, who was 11 then, said, ‘I didn’t know you were poor growing up.’ After that, I decided I had to get busy (writing).”
The book follows Terry growing up in poverty as the youngest of seven children. Her father died when she was 9 years old.
Her mother remarried when Terry began high school and then moved from Washington to Poseyville. She graduated from Poseyville High School with 29 students in her graduating class.
After her second marriage, Terry began volunteering. She volunteered at Saint Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Church and at Carmel Middle School.
“They didn’t have a paid nurse, so I volunteered as a school nurse,” she said.
“I did that for a couple of years and then spent 13 years on the PTO. Then they gave me a plaque for 13 years of devotion to Carmel Middle School.”
Terry then became president of the CHS PTO and an elementary school PTO. In 1984, her husband suggested she run for school board.
She has continued volunteering at The Stratford. She is an elected member of the resident advisory council, serving on dining, activities and welcoming committees.
“I love to stay busy, and I enjoy people,” she said.
Have Medicare question s? I have answers
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Addressing pickleball injuries
Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan and Dr. Kenneth Stumpf
ickleball, a game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has rapidly gained popularity among older adults, particularly those 55 and older. Its social and physical benefits make it an appealing choice for maintaining an active lifestyle. However, like any sport, pickleball comes with its risks, especially concerning foot, ankle and calf injuries. Understanding these injuries and seeking professional treatment can help players stay active and healthy.
Common injuries in pickleball Ankle sprains: One of the most frequent injuries in pickleball, ankle sprains occur when the ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or torn, often due to sudden movements or awkward landings. Older adults are more susceptible to these injuries due to decreased ligament elasticity and balance issues.
• Achilles tendinitis: This condition is characterized by inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel. Overuse during dynamic movements common in pickleball can lead to pain and stiffness, particularly in players who may not have engaged in regular physical activity prior to starting the sport.
Plantar fasciitis: Many pickleball players report heel pain related to plantar fasciitis, a condition resulting from inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It can arise from the repetitive impact associated with pickleball and wearing inadequate footwear.
Calf strains: This injury involves a tear in the calf muscles and often occurs during explosive movements such as sprinting or sudden stops, which are common in the fastpaced nature of pickleball.
Risk factors for older adults
Players older than 55 face unique risk factors that can increase the likelihood of foot, ankle and calf injuries. These include:
• Decreased flexibility: Aging often
results in reduced flexibility, which can limit range of motion and contribute to injuries.
• Reduced muscle strength: As we age, muscle mass and strength tend to decline, making older adults more vulnerable to strains and sprains.
• Balance issues: Impaired balance can lead to falls and increased risk of ankle injuries.
Importance of professional treatment
Proper treatment and management of foot, ankle and calf injuries are crucial for older pickleball players. Consulting a podiatrist can provide several benefits:
• Expert diagnosis: Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating foot-related issues, ensuring you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.
• Customized treatment plans: They can create tailored rehabilitation programs that consider individual health needs and activity levels.
• Preventive advice: Podiatrists can recommend appropriate footwear, orthotics and stretching exercises to prevent future injuries. Encouraging active lifestyles Staying active is vital for overall health, especially in older adults. Although injuries can be daunting, understanding the potential risks and prioritizing foot and ankle health will help players enjoy pickleball safely. By seeking the expertise of a podiatrist, older adults can address any concerns, get back on the court faster and continue playing the sport they love.
In conclusion, it’s essential for pickleball enthusiasts aged 55 and older to remain vigilant about their foot health. With the right knowledge and support, they can minimize their risk of injury and enjoy the many benefits that this fun sport offers. Remember, prioritizing your foot care is a crucial step in maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle.
and
are boardcertified foot surgeons at Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC. Contact them at appt@westfieldfoot.com or 317-896-6655.
Dr. David Sullivan
Dr. Kenneth Stumpf
Carmel resident’s book features comical country song titles
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Aretired newspaper columnist, Carmel resident Garret Mathews finds a way to stay busy.
Mathews, 75, has written several books and plays since retiring in 2011 after 24 years of being the metro columnist for the Evansville Courier & Press. Prior to that, he wrote columns and features for the Bluefield (W.Va.) Daily Telegraph.
“I like to think of it as a toy. It’s just fun for me,” he said of writing books and plays.
His latest book, released in June, is “Fractured Country Song Titles,” a series of humorous country song titles with illustrations. He doesn’t expect to make a lot of money from it but said he would be happy to get his book in Cracker Barrel, a Branson, Mo., gift store or get some country and western radio stations to discuss it.
“It would be nice to have some success,” he said. “It’s something to play around with. I’m a writer, not a book salesman.”
His first humor book was “From My Funny Bone (hopefully) To Yours,” a collection of 46 humor columns, in 2024.
“In 1971, what I really wanted to do was to write humor columns,” said Mathews, who graduated from Virginia Tech that year.
Mathews had hopes of writing a humor column for a metro paper. He sent samples but got a job as a reporter with the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.
“After a while, I got a once-a-week humor column there,” he said.
At the Evansville Courier, he wrote a mix of columns, some based on interviews, some on opinion and some humor.
“To me, the hardest writing to do is humor because it’s (the beat) of a song,” he said. “If your punchline is out of whack (the humor doesn’t work). With these (song) capsules, it’s the same thing. If you have one or two too many words, it’s not as funny.”
Mathews said it was fun to come up with the song captions.
“I started with the idea of doing 20 or 30, and then I got the idea to do 80 to 100 in the book,’” he said. “The
idea came in the 1970s and ‘80s when I occasionally wrote a column of silly country and western song titles. I wrote a couple columns like that in Bluefield and two or three in Evansville.”
After writing some more, he found a talented illustrator in Tim Eterno.
Some of the song titles include “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed,” “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly,” “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose,” “She’s Acting Single, I’m Drinking Doubles” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
His theatrical play about the Civil Rights Movement, “Jubilee in the Rear View Mirror,” has been performed three times.
His books include “Swing Batta,” which was published by Michigan State University Press, is about coaching 10-year-old baseball players.
When not writing, Mathews enjoys spending time with his three grandchildren.
By his own admission, Mathews gets bored easily. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, he practiced juggling a 16-pound shot put and bean bags.
For more, visit pluggerpublishing.com and garretmathews.com
Garret Mathews has writen several books and plays. (Photo courtesy of Garret Mathews)
MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE
Indiana Wish to honor dedicated Fishers volunteers
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Helping grant wishes for sick kids has been a longtime mission for Fishers couple Julie and Greg Papagiannis, but after supporting a national wish-granting organization for many years, they realized their support was going too much toward paying executives rather than making wishes come true.
Greg Papagiannis said he accidentally called Indiana Wish to express concerns about the national organization. That wrong number is how he and Julie first connected with the smaller Hoosier-based nonprofit.
After clearing up the confusion, he said they met with the nonprofit’s executive team and, soon after, Greg joined the board. Now, a few years later, the two have been chosen as the recipients of this year’s Shining Star Award, recognizing their dedication to Indiana Wish.
Julie Papagiannis said they were surprised to learn they’d been picked.
“It’s not why we do it,” she said. “We’re not here for the recognition. We’re here to help. We’re fortunate. We’re at a time in our life where we can (help) and it’s an honor.”
Greg Papagiannis said they were impressed with Indiana Wish from the start.
“In looking at a national organization and the ridiculous amount of overhead that they have in executive compensation — and Indiana Wish does this with four women, four salaries, and everybody else is volunteers,” he said. “The fact that they’ve been around 41 years now, have granted close to 4,000 wishes and done it with such a small group, just really impressed us. We know where our money goes — it’s going 86 cents on every dollar directly to the kids.”
The two recalled some of the families who have been helped by Indiana Wish, including a family with twins who both have brain cancer. The boy was diagnosed years before his sister and was the first wish recipient for that family. Greg said he learned the boy loves dogs and police.
“I also happen to be the chairman of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Advisory Board, so I have a lot of friends on IMPD,” he said. “And so I said, ‘We can take care of that.’ We ended up arranging … half a day with the IMPD canine unit.”
The two volunteers went along on that
visit and got to know the family. Julie Papagiannis said that kind of connection is one of the many reasons she loves her involvement with Indiana Wish.
“We’ve gotten the opportunity to meet a lot of (the families),” she said. “It’s not just a one-time event — they feel like they’ve gained a community, a family, and it just helps them through these really difficult times. They don’t feel alone anymore. It’s very touching.”
Greg Papagiannis added that the orga-
Indiana Wish’s upcoming Bourbon Bling & Bowties event is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at Marriott North, 3645 River Crossing Pkwy.
Executive Director J’Lynn Edwards said the gala is one of the nonprofit’s largest fundraisers.
“The night is fun, festive and brings together our corporate and individual supporters who help us raise over $300,000 for our precious wish children,” she said in an email.
The event includes a bourbon trail with tastings from local and national distilleries, a bourbon ring-toss game, silent and live auctions, an outdoor cigar lounge and live music. The event also is when Julie and Greg Papagiannis will receive the organization’s Shining Star Award.
An announcement from Indiana Wish stated that since joining our board in 2021, Greg Papagiannis has been a “pas-
From left, Indiana Wish Executive Director J’Lynn Edwards, Julie Papagiannis, Greg Papagiannis and Indiana Wish Events and Marketing Coordinator Courtney Bickett at an Indiana Wish event. (Photo courtesy of Indiana Wish)
nization hosts multiple events throughout the year for wish recipients and their families to connect with each other and keep in touch with Indiana Wish volunteers and staff.
The two are gearing up for Indiana Wish’s big fundraisers, starting with the annual Bourbon, Bowties & Bling gala — an event that started around the same time Julie and Greg Papagiannis joined the organization. This year’s event is Sept. 20 at the Marriott North at Keystone at the Crossing. Another
A bourbon ring toss is one of the fundraising events during the annual Bourbon Bling & Bowties gala benefiting Indiana Wish. (Photo courtesy of Julie Papagiannis)
sionate advocate and guiding voice” and Julie Papagiannis has lent her artistic talents to transform the organization’s events.
“Together, they exemplify the heart and spirit of our mission — turning wishes into reality for Hoosier children facing life-threatening illnesses,” the announcement stated.
For more, visit indianawish.org/events.
event that’s been ongoing for many years is Christmas in the Kitchen at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis.
“I’m a florist at heart and have been a professional florist (since) early in my life, so I am helping with, you know, just some of the decor for (the bourbon) event and decorating the photo wall so people, as they come in, all dressed up, could get some great photos of themselves and their families,” Julie Papagiannis said. “And then for Christmas the last couple years, I have done the centerpieces for 36 tables for the Hyatt. So, I tend to get busier — one of our rooms last fall into Christmas became a shop full of Christmas glitter.”
The two events, along with individual and in-kind donations, help fund an average of 50 wishes each year. Greg Papagiannis said all the work — and their glitter-filled home — is worthwhile when they get to hear how happy a child was about going to Disney, for example.
“(It’s) a chance to be a family and pause the terrible situation that they’re in for just a minute to just enjoy life and be a family,” he said.
Trips to Disney are a common request, he said, but there have been many types of wishes granted.
“There was a young man who wanted a bicycle, and we ended up getting him an electric bike and all the accessories, because with his situation, it’s difficult to ride a bike,” he said. “Another one was a pop-up camper, because (the child was) not able to travel by air. So, they have to travel ground wherever they go.”
Greg Papagiannis said he wants more people to know how much Indiana Wish does for Hoosier families who are facing difficulties.
“We’ve got some great people on our board and everybody’s passionate about the mission,” he said. “To do what we do with only four full-time employees — and all four of our ladies are absolutely fantastic — their hearts are in this organization like you wouldn’t believe. It’s not a job for them. It’s part of who they are.”
For more, visit indianawish.org.
ON THE COVER: Julie and Greg Papagiannis attend the 2024 Indiana Wish Bourbon Bling & Bowties gala fundraising event. (Photo courtesy of Julie Papagiannis)
BOURBON BLING & BOWTIES
Summer safety tips for children
Commentary by Dan Slubowski
VISION
Pediatric emergency departments often see a spike in preventable injuries during the warmer months, many of which can quickly turn a carefree day into a medical emergency.
WATER SAFETY
One of the most urgent concerns during summer is water safety.
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. Active supervision is critical when kids are around water.
Race in-person or virtually
Leashed & in-stroller dogs welcome Shirt, medal and swag for all participants
Fundraise for PAWsome prizes
Parents and caregivers should set aside distractions like phones during swim time, and children should always wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating or swimming in open water. Inflatable floaties may offer a false sense of security.
HEAT AND SUN EXPOSURE
Heat and sun exposure also are major risks during the summer. Children are more susceptible to dehydration and heat exhaustion.
To prevent this, ensure your child drinks water regularly, takes breaks in the shade and wears lightweight, breathable clothing. Parents and caregivers should apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to children every two hours and more frequently if they are swimming or sweating. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can also protect skin and eyes from UV rays.
FALLS AND INJURIES
Falls and injuries from bikes, scooters or playground equipment are other common causes of emergency department visits in the summer.
Wearing properly fitted helmets and protective gear significantly reduces the risk of head injuries. Make sure bikes and outdoor toys are in good condition, and always supervise younger children during active play.
Community Health Network president to retire
news@currentnoblesville.com
Bryan Mills, president and CEO of Community Health Network has announced that he will retire at the end of the year, concluding a 40year career with the organization.
WELLNESS
A search is underway for Mills’ successor.
Mills began his career with Community Health Network in 1985 as a member of the leadership team that opened Community Hospital North in Indianapolis. He was appointed president and CEO of Community Health Network in 2009.
baton to Community’s next leader,” Mills stated.
As CEO, Mills guided Community Health Network into a health system that encompasses five acute-care hospitals, a cardiovascular hospital, a recovery center, three rehabilitation hospitals and soon, freestanding behavioral health hospitals.
Mills
Community Health Network officials said under his leadership, the network expanded to include multiple ambulatory practices, surgery centers, virtual care services and advanced cancer care through a partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center.
His announcement follows the 40th anniversary of Community North and the recent opening of a new campus in Westfield, where a hospital is under development.
“With both of these amazing milestones in mind, and with the end of my contract term approaching later this year, I feel this is the right time to prepare to pass the
Rafael A. Sanchez, president of the Community Health Network Board of Trustees, said Mills’ vision, integrity and commitment have shaped the network into a respected health system.
“His leadership has touched countless lives, and we are deeply grateful for his decades of service,” Sanches stated.
For more, visit ecommunity.com.
Dr. Dan Slubowski is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Riley Children’s Health at IU Health North.
Ed Carpenter Racing plans move to Westfield
news@youarecurrent.com
Ed Carpenter Racing announced July 15 plans to move its corporate headquarters from Indianapolis to Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield.
INDYCAR
ECR will build a 76,000-square-foot state-of-the-art engineering facility, office and retail space; a public viewing area into the team’s operations; a full-service merchandise store; and an on-site Java House café.
Founded in November 2011, ECR is in its 14th season of NTT IndyCar Series competition. The team’s ownership group is made up of four Indiana businessmen — Ed Carpenter, Ted Gelov, Tony George and Stuart Reed. Gelov, owner of Heartland Food Products Group, joined the team prior to the 2025 season. Heartland FPG also is headquartered in Hamilton County and is best known for its consumer brands Splenda and Java House Coffee.
“Establishing ECR’s permanent home at Grand Park is a defining moment for our organization,” Gelov stated. “This new headquarters will not only serve as the foundation for our racing operations and technical development, but also as a place where fans can truly connect with our team, our partners and the sport of INDYCAR. As a longtime Hamilton County resident and business owner, I’m proud to invest in this community and help bring a new level of energy, innovation and opportunity to Westfield.”
ECR competes full-time in the IndyCar Series with drivers Alexander Rossi and Christian Rasmussen. Carpenter drives each May to round out the team’s threecar lineup in the Indianapolis 500.
“We are very excited about this project and how it will impact the growth of ECR into the future,” Carpenter stated. “The opportunity to build a world-class facility within Grand Park was something we could not pass up. The demographic of Grand Park and its annual visitors is not only a great opportunity for our team to reach new fans, but also a great opportunity for INDYCAR itself as we continue to capitalize on the current momentum of our sport. We are very focused on building a unique and best-in-class facility that will support our team and also showcase our
The Ed Carpenter Racing team at the 2025 Indianapolis 500. (Photo courtesy of ECR)
brand to visitors each and every day.”
The new headquarters will be located at the current site of the D-1 field, south of the Grand Park Event Center on the west side of Grand Park Boulevard. As part of the planning, the D-1 field will be relocated to the northeast corner of 186th Street and Grand Park Boulevard.
“ECR’s decision to relocate and expand at Grand Park is a major milestone for our city and a testament to the strength of our vision for Grand Park’s future,” Mayor Scott Willis stated. “This project brings new opportunities for our residents, visitors and local economy. With the addition of another professional sports team, this further solidifies Grand Park as a premier destination for sports and innovation. We are excited to welcome ECR to our community.”
The project also will include the construction of the first city-funded parking garage at Grand Park.
“ECR’s new headquarters is the first of many projects that will shape (the) Grand Park District,” stated Ersal Ozdemir, founder and owner of Keystone Group, which operates Grand Park through Grand Park Sports & Entertainment, LLC , a joint venture of Bullpen Tournaments, Indy Sports and Entertainment and Keystone Realty Group. “As the master developer of the district, Keystone is proud to lead the transformation of one of the nation’s most visited sports destinations into a true livework-play-and-stay place. By delivering what we do best, transformative multifamily, office, hospitality, and retail developments we’re creating a vibrant and lasting destination in partnership with the City of Westfield’s visionary leadership.”
Automate Your Front Desk
Construction on the new headquarters is expected to begin early 2026, with project completion anticipated by early 2027.
Legendary Guess Who vocalist to perform hits, new songs
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Burton Cummings, these words are music to his ears.
“People are saying, ‘Burton, you still sound like the guy on the records,’ and that aways makes me proud and happy,” he said. “That is something every singer wants to hear.”
Cummings, famous for being the lead singer of The Guess Who, will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
The tour is named for his most recent album, “A Few Good Moments.”
“It’s a tremendous band I have,” he said. “It’s the best band I’ve ever had around me. Some of these guys I’ve been with now for 20 years. We do the big songs. We understand why people are coming to see us.”
Cummings said the band performs the signature Guess Who hits, such as “American Woman,” “No Time,” “Laughing,” “Share the Land,” “Undun,” “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature” and “These Eyes.” After leaving The Guess Who, Cummings started a solo career in 1976. One of his biggest hits is “Stand Tall.”
“We do a lot of my solo stuff,” he said. “So, it’s a two-hour show. It’s pretty high energy and a lot of recognizable songs, that’s the main thing. We’re feeling this great welcome back feeling to the states, so it’s terrific right now.”
Cummings, 77, has plans to return in 2026 with former Guess Who bandmate and fellow Canadian Randy Bachman. Cummings and Bachman co-wrote nearly all of The Guess Who’s biggest hits.
However, Cummings’ focus now is the current U.S. tour.
“It’s basically the same show every night, although we do change it around a little bit from time to time,” he said. “But I love being on stage, and so do the guys in the band, and we plan to do this for
quite a while yet.”
Cummings said he spends time talking about the past.
“I talk to the audience and they find out things they might not already know,” he said. “Overall, we try to send the audience home happy. That’s our main goal.”
Cummings was glad to return to performing after the COVID-19 shutdowns in March 2020. He had to cancel a North American tour with Bachman in 2020 and there were tight restrictions when touring resumed. Cummings said he did get COVID-19 during that time.
“I was very sick,” he said.
But he is back feeling great and had several touring dates in the U.S. in 2024.
“One of the things that makes me the proudest is that the songs have never gone away,” he said.
Cummings said his favorite Guess Who recording is “No Time.”
“I think it has lasted well,” he said. “It still sounds like a rock ‘n’ roll song. I’m very happy with that. As far as my solo
stuff, my new album is my favorite in a long time. I think the songs are strong and my vocals are good. We are doing several songs from the album on the tour now and the reaction is tremendous.”
Cummings said it took about four months to record the album.
“Some of the songs were older than I had written before,” he said.
Cummings still enjoys the recording process.
“I’ve been making records for 60 years,” he said. “It’s one of the most important things to me.”
With so many different ways people listen to new music, Cummings said he and his band do whatever they can to promote it, in addition to live performances.
“We come at promoting it from different angles,” he said. “I’m very happy with the critics’ response. Everybody’s saying it’s a terrific record.”
For more, visit burtoncummings. com. Tickets are available at thecenterpresents.org.
‘WAITRESS’
“Waitress” runs through Aug. 31 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Now that’s Funny Comedy Night is set for July 31, followed by Divas of the Songbook Aug. 1 and Murder Mystery Night Aug. 2 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All three performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
TOMMY DECARLO
Tommy DeCarlo, lead singer of Boston since 2008, and former Chicago lead singer Jason Scheff will perform at 7 p.m. July 31 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘MAN
ON THE MOON’
Fritz and the Tantrums will perform its “Man on the Moon” tour at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
DISPATCHES
Center Presents tickets on sale Aug. 1 — Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 for individual events in the 2025-26 Center Presents performance season at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets will be available online at thecenterpresents.org, by phone at 317-843-3800 or through the Fifth Third Bank Box Office at the Payne & Mencias Palladium, Carmel.
Concert to feature political folk songs — Carmel singer-songwriter and former U.S. government educator Mike Culver will perform at 8 p.m. at the Turntable at Indianapolis. The evening will feature a set of political folk songs addressing critical issues facing the U.S. Opening for Culver will be his daughter, Abigail Jane, a Carmel High School graduate and music technology student at IU Indianapolis. For more, visit turntableIndy.com. Tickets are $10 for ages 18-21, $18 for ages 21 and older.
Burton Cummings will perform Aug. 10 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Burton Cummings)
CHS grad debuts first album
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Emma Hedrick mixes her many interests into her music.
MUSIC
The 2016 Carmel High School graduate said she draws inspiration from different sources, including poetry, Haiku, colors and personal experiences. Her debut album, “Newcomer,” features 10 original songs in the contemporary jazz genre.
“I wrote the songs for this album over the course of seven years and we recorded it last November (2024) at the Bunker Studio in Brooklyn,” Hedrick said. “January to April was the mixing and mastering phase and since then, we’ve been working on the album art, promotion, music videos and finishing touches.”
Hedrick, a jazz vocalist-composer, returns for album release shows at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis. The shows are at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 1. The album will be released the same day on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms. Peter Eldridge, of the New York Voices, produced the album.
“I’m most looking forward to debuting
Emma Hedrick’s debut album “Newcomer” is set for Aug. 1 release. (Photo courtesy of Emma Hedrick)
these originals for the audience and getting to celebrate the release together,”
Hedrick said. “The Jazz Kitchen has been supportive of my career and a place of community from the start, so I’m grateful to do my first album release show at the venue.”
Following the two shows at the Jazz Kitchen, Hedrick will begin a weeklong tour of seven shows in four states.
The touring band includes Ellie Pruneau, piano; Greg Niemi, drums; Gavin Gray, bass; and Shane McCandless, saxophone.
Tickets for The Jazz Kitchen shows start at $15. For more, thejazzkitchen.com and emmahedrick.com.
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Head and Heart show set
By David Jacobs david@youarecurrent.com
A little more than 15 years after starting as a small indie band from Seattle, The Head and The Heart is touring in support of its sixth studio album, “Aperture,” and will perform Aug. 6 at Everwise Ampitheater in Indianapolis.
CONCERT
Co-founded in 2009 by lead vocalist Jonathan Russell and former vocalist Josiah Johnson, the band consists of Russell, violinist Charity Rose Thielen, bassist Chris Zasche, pianist Kenny Hensley, drummer Tyler Williams and guitarist Matt Gervais.
“When I first moved to Seattle, I was (waiting) tables in an Irish restaurant,” Russell said. “At some point, the band started doing little shows on the weekends. I don’t know if I ever really could have envisioned where we’re at now.”
After self-producing its first two albums, the band then signed with Warner Bros. They left the label after their fifth studio album, “Every Shade of Blue,” in 2022. Being free agents under new management, they had no deadlines and decided to take back the creative decisions
within their own band.
“We realized when making ‘Aperture’ we were ready to self-produce again,” Russell said. “We learned that we can do it on our own and it feels even more like ourselves. This band is capable of playing all types of music, but I think it’s most interesting when we don’t have an outside producer putting their touch on it.”
On the second leg of the ‘Aperture’ tour, Russell feels as if this tour is a “rebirth” for the band.
The Head and The Heart will be joined by opening bands Marfa and Wild Rivers. For more, visit whiteriverstatepark.org/event/ the-head-and-the-heart-aperture-tour/.
Center’s children’s
concert
series returns
news@currentincarmel.com
Families can introduce young children to the joy of live performance through Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts’ monthly Peanut Butter & Jam series, which begins a new season Sept. 27.
PERFORMANCES
With fun and informal sessions designed specifically for ages 1-7, PB&J is typically presented one Saturday each month from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the Studio Theater in Carmel
The season begins with MARS the Melody Maker at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 27
“American Idol” veteran Marrialle Sellars, aka MARS, will sing, dance and groove with live guitar music and interactive songs.
Tickets for sessions are $10 per child, which includes free admission for two accompanying adults. Tickets and more information are available at TheCenterPresents.org/PBJ, 317-843-3800 and the
Payne & Mencias Palladium’s Fifth Third Bank Box Office.
The rest of the season’s events include:
• Grupo Bembé: Latin Rhythm, Melody & Movement 10:30 a.m. Oct. 11
• Silly Safaris: Animals of the North Pole 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22
• Melchior Marionettes: Holiday Cabaret on Strings
10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Dec. 13
• Move & Groove with The Call 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17, 2026
• Traveler’s Dream: Musical Journey to Early America 10:30 a.m. Feb. 21
• Bobcat Opossum 10:30 a.m. March 7
• Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre 10:30 a.m. April 4
• Todd Williams Trio: All Aboard the Short Track Shuffle 10:30 a.m. May 23
The Head and The Heart is set to perform at Everwise Amphitheater Aug. 6. (Photo courtesy of The Head and The Heart)
FAMILY DENTISTRY FOR ALL AGES
FAMILY DENTISTRY FOR ALL AGES
FAMILY DENTISTRY FOR ALL AGES
Personalized Care With A Gentle Touch
Personalized Care With A Gentle Touch
Personalized Care With A Gentle Touch
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S. info@fishersdentalcare.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S.
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com www.fishersdentalcare.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S.
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. 11959 Lakeside Drive | Fishers, Indiana 46038
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. Molly E. Dwenger, D.D.S. info@fishersdentalcare.com
Email: kwarddds@fishersdentalcare.com
Kevin D. Ward, D.D.S. 11959 Lakeside Drive | Fishers, Indiana 46038
No point in hiding
Commentary by Terry Anker
Any one of us who has spent much time with contemporary television, film or fiction can point to our current obsession with the dystopian. We imagine our end of times not in a welcoming all-white, pearly-gate manner, but with vampires and zombies and each of us struggling to hang on to a life barely worth living. To be honest, the “Mad Max,” post-apocalyptic genre has been around for a long time. Some might suggest that even the Bible’s Genesis leans into the style. In short, they might hold, “The end is coming, and it is going to be terrible, so get ready!”
ESSAY
Still, we live in a modern age of exceptional marvel. In many cases, we have fully mastered disease. And our manipulation of our own physical limitations has been able to extend our lives despite our increasingly self-destructive exercise and eating habits. So, what makes us so bleak in our outlook? Why do we assume the worst?
For those of us who have made a few
trips around the sun, we remember the threat of a global extinction event. While Wikipedia defines it as “a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth,” we all thought it would happen when the Russians sent nuclear warheads our way, en masse. Even as children, we all somehow knew that we would not survive by hiding under the desks in our elementary school classrooms. But just as we imagined that the solution was exaggerated, we believed the threat was real. It left us with a sense that even as the paranoia was justified, that hope was not.
Do the next COVID-19, countless global conflicts and economic meltdowns lead to constant panic? Is our extinction relentlessly looming? Yet if the desk cannot protect us, why would we go under it? What’s the point?
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent. com.
Remind me not to forget to remember
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
There is nothing funny about dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but there is something humorous about all the commercials about various products to help memory.
HUMOR
There’s one guy on the Prevagen commercial who claims he is just “a normal guy.” I have seen him on other TV shows. Maybe he forgot he was an actor.
A new post in Parade magazine has me scratching my head. Literally. The author is a well-known doctor whose name I don’t remember but who claims that we need to be aware of signs that indicate declining mental ability. He calls these red flags. He claims you can notice these in the shower.
The only flag I am aware of that is mostly red is the flag of China. I have never seen one in my shower, but almost everything else in there — soap, sponges, toothbrushes, toy duckies and soap — was made in China.
According to the doctor, “You need to be aware in the shower of early signs of dementia, like forgetting if you applied body wash or cleanser first.” Yes, he used the word cleanser, which makes me wonder if he was washing his body or his toilet bowl.
The author believes in a shower routine. I spend 3 minutes in the shower. Here’s my routine: Get in, get wet, get soapy, get wet again, get out. If I do spend more than 5 minutes in the process, I forget what body parts I washed, so I have to start all over again. This eats up a lot of time. That’s why I post a list on the shower door.
Here are other signs the physicians are concerned about and why this is making me, at age 78, a bit nervous: Putting items in unusual or illogical
“I have admitted that I have found my keys in the freezer, my cellphone in the dog cannister and my wallet in the trash can.”
– DICK WOLFSIE
places. I have admitted that I have found my keys in the freezer, my cellphone in the dog cannister and my wallet in the trash can.
Inability to perform simple tasks like meal prep and getting dressed. When I first retired, I didn’t get dressed for a month. And when I first got married, I didn’t prepare a meal for 45 years. But I just found a recipe I might try.
Getting lost in unfamiliar places. What scares me is when I get lost in familiar places. Like the shower.
Confusion about the day of the week. I’m not confused. Like I said, I’m retired. Who cares what day it is? Except when it’s Tuesday and I have to put the trash out. Or is that Monday?
You should do whatever you can to exercise your brain, forcing you to focus and remember. Which is why I’m going to allow my wife Mary Ellen to remove her name tag that I stuck on her forehead.
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Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
line 15. Math term used with
“Go ahead!”
Nitwits 18. Give off 19. Part of SRO 20. Why is the pig an unpopular teammate on the Pacers?
Thai neighbor
Tail motion
Poem
___ Brothers Band 30. MCL dessert choice 32. WTHR morning show
Lewd look
Zilch 39. If a Hoosier is the
victim of a crime, who do they call?
42. British noble
43. Grammar subject
44. Words of denial
45. Light brown
46. Kitchen utensil
47. Scatter
51. Banks or Young, briefly
53. Miracle-___ (plant food)
54. What’s the best thing about living in the rural parts of the Hoosier state (and why you keep doing the Current crossword)?
59. Guesstimate phrase
60. Days gone by
61. Spanish pal
64. Hoosier Park harness part
65. Heroic tale
66. IndyGo passenger
67. Bingo relative 68. Colts ticket
specification
69. Pollster’s find Down
1. Unhappy
2. “Green” prefix
3. Spot for a driver’s drink
4. Hoosier National Forest growth
5. Miss Hamilton County accessory
6. Butler frat letter
7. Request at a Chinese restaurant
8. Word processor command
9. Cain’s brother
10. Sun-dried brick
11. Submarine detector
12. Slays
13. Fashion sense
21. Possess
22. Cain’s mother
23. Bovaconti Coffee order
24. Hawaiian greeting
28. Inbox filler
29. Author Rand
30. Ivy League school in Philly
31. 401(k) kin
33. Indy Zoo roarer
34. Seine contents
35. Lymph ___
36. Next to
37. divvy patron
38. Start to physics or logical
40. Genetic letters
41. Domino dot
45. A couple
46. Music’s Yoko
47. Baby bird?
48. A trio
49. Pine’s sticky secretion
50. Budget, in brand names
51. Mideast nation
52. Throw out
55. Shapiro’s Deli loaves
56. Slangy refusal
57. Go-___ (small racer)
58. Muslim ruler 62. ___-Xer 63. Chicago airport code Answers on Page 23
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