July 29, 2025 — Current in Zionsville by Current Publishing

HELPING HANDS

July 29, 2025

Current in Zionsville currentzionsville.com

Students honored at innovation competition

news@youarecurrent.com

Students from Zionsville Community High School and Carmel High School were recently honored by the STARTedUP Foundation at the eighth annual Innovate WithIN State Finals at Butler University. Ten teams from high schools across the state pitched their startups to a panel of business leaders and investors last month, competing for $25,000 in funding.

RECOGNITION

The competition followed several months of regional competitions and business development for the young entrepreneurs. Teams participated in an intensive eightweek bootcamp designed to accelerate their ventures through real-world feedback and skill development. The students met with more than 30 mentors 1-on-1 for coaching and venture refinement.

The first-place winner was Compleyes.ai, founded by Truman Greaves of ZCHS and Raina Maiga of Purdue Polytechnic High School Schweitzer Center at Englewood. The startup uses AI to automate the complex, manual process of environmental compliance reporting for manufacturing companies. Compleyes. ai was awarded $25,000 in seed funding, sponsored by Applied Research Institute.

“We’re so grateful to both Purdue Polytechnic and Zionsville High School for believing in us,” Maiga stated. “Truman and I are on a mission, and I know this win is just the beginning. I’m especially excited to continue building Compleyes.ai at Cornell this fall through their student accelerator.”

Second-place recognition went to Septo, created by Alexis Karahalios, Abby Mena and Jocelyn Aguirre of Munster High School. Septo is a plant-powered, X-shaped bandage that wraps around vulnerable joints to noninvasively monitor infections in real time. The team was awarded $5,000 in funding.

Third place was awarded to NextGen Research Institute, founded by Prabanjan Jayachandran and Tianle Liang of ZCHS. The platform connects high school students to real-world research opportunities and received $2,500 in funding.

SpheriLine, founded by Kelly Fulk and Maxwell Gootee of Carmel High School, earned the People’s Choice Award. SpheriLine offers a reimagined central line device aimed at reducing infection risk, improving patient comfort, and supporting frontline nurses. The team was awarded $1,500.

The Teacher of the Year was awarded to

Maxwell Gootee, left, and Kelly Fulk of Carmel High School earned the People’s Choice Award at the STARTedUP Foundation at the 8th annual Innovate WithIN State Finals.

Truman Greaves, left, of Zionsville Community High School and Raina Maiga of Purdue Polytechnic High School Schweitzer Center at Englewood won first place at the STARTedUP Foundation 8th annual Innovate WithIN State Finals. (Photos courtesy of STARTedUP)

Carmel High School educator Craig Harper, who teaches biomedical science. Harper was recognized for his outstanding commitment to student growth, specifically for opening his classroom to mentorship, entrepreneurial exploration and career-aligned opportunities in the biomedical field.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the remarkable students who took the stage at State Finals this year,” stated Don Wettrick, CEO of

At left, Prabanjan Jayachandran and Tianle Liang of ZCHS won third place at Innovate WithIN State Finals.

the STARTedUP Foundation. “Behind each of them are teachers who create space for bold ideas, bring in mentors, and inspire students to pursue what’s possible. STARTedUP thrives because Indiana educators believe in fostering innovation in their classrooms.”

All finalist teams also engaged in an immersive entrepreneurship experience in Washington, D.C., following the competition. Learn more at startedupfoundation.org.

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DISPATCHES

Touch a Truck event — The Town of Whitestown will host a free, family-friendly toucha-truck event from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at Main Street Park, 4286 S. Main. St. Children can explore vehicles from Whitestown’s public works, parks and recreation, police and fire departments. Kids can climb in trucks, check out equipment and learn how the town runs. Learn more at whitestown. in.gov/touch-a-truck.

Classical School opening — The Classical School, a new private school in Boone County, will open Aug. 7 in Lebanon offering a classical education introduced by University of Chicago president Robert Maynard Hutchins, philosopher Mortimer Adler and the Great Books program. Curriculum features include phonics language instruction; Singapore math; and world language and Latin. The school will feature small classes with a commitment to making an independent school education affordable and widely accessible. For information and tuition pricing visit TCSBoone.org.

Pride festival at Mulberry Fields — The inaugural Zionsville Pride Festival, presented by The Lovely Dev, is 1 to 7 p.m. Aug. 16 at Mulberry Fields, 9645 Whitestown Rd. Admission is free, with parking on-site and at Zionsville United Methodist Church. The event will include live music, dancing and drag performances; a kids’ zone with crafts, activities, face painting and Drag Story Time; a wellness zone; an outdoor games zone; and food and beverages for purchase. Pets on leashes are welcome. Zionsville Pride is an alcohol-free event. Learn more at zionsvillepride.org.

Wheeler appointed to Department of Justice role — Thomas E. Wheeler II of Indianapolis was recently sworn-in as Interim United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana by United States District Court Judge James R. Sweeney. A Pike High School graduate, Wheeler earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington and his Juris Doctor from IU’s Maurer School of Law. He is a two-time recipient of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Benjamin Harrison Writing Award and a Burton Award for Legal Achievement winner for his work on cyberbullying and hate crimes. He recently served as the acting general counsel for the U.S. Department of Education and acting assistant attorney general for civil rights for the U.S. Department of Justice. His appointment was effective July 14.

ZCS to construct early learning center

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Zionsville Community Schools will build a new early learning center campus on 69 acres of vacant land south of Zionsville West Middle School and east of Zionsville Fire Department Station 93 on 700 E.

SCHOOLS

A development plan was approved by the Zionsville Plan Commission last month for a 120,000-square-foot building with parking and a playground. The building will include an 80,000-square-foot early learning center and the school district’s educational services administrative center. The site will include landscaping, parking, bicycle parking and perimeter pathways along 700 E and 550 S.

An entrance drive that aligns with the entrance to the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County Whitestown Unit, west of the development on 700 E, will be constructed. Road construction and design are underway with Boone County Highway, the Town of Whitestown and the Zionsville Department of Public Works. An emergency access road will also be built adjoining the Stonegate subdivision.

Zionsville Community Schools Director of Operations Matt Doublestein said the new facility will address a growing ZCS.

“We have a desire to provide this as an asset for our community for a number of reasons, not the least of which is we hope for the opportunity to return 19 elementary school classrooms to elementary school use that are currently used by our preschool students (as well as) five middle school classrooms,” he said. “As

The new Zionsville Community Schools early learning center will be south of Zionsville West Middle School. (Image courtesy of Town of Zionsville)

we remain a growing school district, we need those classroom spaces for the students for which they were designed. And we hope that in the design of this building, we can then provide for our youngest Eagles a building that is designed for their younger needs so that we don’t have our 2- and 3-year-olds in buildings that are designed for 5- and 6- and 11- and 12-year olds.”

Doublestein said the administrative offices also will address areas where office space is tight for the district. Some administrative positions are currently housed at Zionsville Community High School.

Doublestein said the district met with representatives from the Stonegate HOA, the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County and the Zionsville Fire Department about the design.

Fanning Howey of Indianapolis is the architect and designer of the project.

The plan commission approved the development plan unanimously. A construction timeline was not announced.

DISPATCH

Women’s Collaborative event — Elevating Hoosier women professionals and entrepreneurs is the focus of the 2025 Indiana Women’s Collaborative Aug. 28 at The Westin Indianapolis, hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Session topics include confidence and credibility in leadership; making connections that matter; building influence through relationships; executive thinking for non-executives; setting boundaries that build trust; and owning your voice as a thought leader. The Empower Award Lunch panel will include former Lieutenant Governors Suzanne Crouch, Sue Ellspermann and Becky Skillman. Registration is $199 for members and $249 for non-members. The 2025 Indiana Women’s Collaborative Empower Award will be presented to the professional who has made significant contributions to empowering women and had a meaningful impact on her organization and community. Nominations can be submitted through Aug. 4 at indianachamber. com/empower-award. View the agenda or register at indianachamber.com/ conferences.

The sudden, shooting pain he experienced was caused by a life-threatening ruptured aneurysm. The expert team at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital responded with skill and compassion. Exactly the kind of care that makes a difference.

Zionsville Paint Out returns

ART news@youarecurrent.com

The Zionsville Paint Out returns for the 23rd year Aug. 2, sponsored by SullivanMunce Cultural Center and Indiana Plein Air Painters Association.

Artists will paint en plein air — a French term meaning “in open air” — from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to artists of all ages and skill levels. Participants will create original artwork in any medium outdoors in Zionsville. Works completed by 2 p.m. will be eligible for judging.

Monetary awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place professional artists. The winner of the first-place award will have their name added to the Cynthia Van Tassel Yeo Plein Air Award plaque on display at SullivanMunce Cultural Center.

First-, second- and third-place awards also will be given in amateur adult, teen and youth categories.

Artists must register or check-in between 7 and 10 a.m. at SullivanMunce Cultural Center, 225 W. Hawthorne St. in the Village.

Adults will provide their own canvasses or multimedia supplies that will be

stamped before beginning work. Youth ages 7 to 11 will be provided a canvas, and children 12 to 17 may use the canvas provided or bring their own.

The Zionsville Paint Out is held rain or shine, and no advance registration is required.

The paint out is free for SullivanMunce Cultural Center members, IPAPA members and children 17 and younger. The event is $25 for adult nonmembers.

All works will be available for sale at the SullivanMunce Cultural Center immediately after the awards ceremony. Learn more at sullivanmunce.org. Pamela Newell of Fishers participates in the 2024 Zionsville Paint Out. (File photo)

ZIONSVILLE LIONS CLUB PREPARES FOR SCHOOL VISION SCREENINGS

Zionsville Lions Club Eye Screening Chair Dan Dumbauld held a training session July 10 for 46 attendees who will volunteer for eye screening events at local schools. Lions International’s main humanitarian focus is vision screenings — an effort the club has championed since 1937 when Helen Keller challenged Lions to be “Knights of the Blind.” The Lions will provide free vision screenings to approximately 20,000 students in central Indiana, including Zionsville, Westfield, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Hamilton Northeastern and Lebanon schools, by December. Attending the training session are, from left, Ann DelPozzo, Charles Wormington. Dennis Tackett, Kathy Ravestein, Dan Dumbauld, Kathy Terrell, Donna Fisher and Dave Aschenbach. Learn more at zionsvillelions.com. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)

Boone County Clerk: Check requirements for

The Boone County Clerk’s Office recently issued a public notice advising residents to be prepared before visiting the office to obtain documentation needed for their REAL ID applications.

The clerk’s office reported a significant number of delays have been caused by incomplete or missing information related to divorces, which require time-consuming manual searches by staff.

The Clerk’s Office is requesting that individuals seeking divorce decrees or related documentation bring information verifying the divorce petition was filed in Boone County; the full name used at the time of the divorce; and an approximate date or year of the divorce.

“Many people don’t realize that REAL ID requirements can include proof of name changes due to marriage or divorce,” Boone County Clerk Lisa Bruder stated. “When patrons arrive without any details about their divorce, it can take a significant amount of time to locate the correct records, which slows down service for everyone.”

According to Bruder, a general idea of the date of a divorce can greatly reduce wait times and improve efficiency.

REAL ID is a federal requirement for identification that is necessary for boarding domestic flights and entering certain federal facilities. The deadline for obtaining a REAL ID to travel domestically by air was May 7. Those attempting air travel without REAL ID now face long delays at the airport.

Learn more at www.dhs.gov/real-id.

Bike with a cop in Whitestown — The Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department Bike Patrol Unit partners with local youth Bike with a Cop program, to build relationships with community youth. Rides include Eagles Nest from 10 to 11 a.m. Aug. 9 and Harvest Park from 10 to 11 a.m. Aug. 23. Learn more at whitestown.in.gov.

Bruder

The LIV Golf information booth at Westfield Rocks the 4th July 4 at Grand Park. (Photo courtesy of City of Westfield)

Events planned ahead of LIV Golf tournament in Westfield

GOLF news@youarecurrent.com

The City of Westfield and LIV Golf have teamed to form a local organizing committee to host a series of events to engage the community leading up to the LIV Golf season-finale tournament at The Club at Chatham Hills Aug. 15-17.

“Westfield and LIV Golf are committed to making sure the entire community feels included in the excitement,” Westfield Mayor Scott Willis stated. “This is a great opportunity for residents to enjoy the festivities, for visitors to discover all that our great city has to offer, and for local businesses to reach new customers. It’s going to be an incredible time to be here.”

Community engagement activities include:

BEYOND THE COURSE

work take shape in real time before the finished piece is relocated to City of Westfield-owned Wood Wind Golf Club as a permanent tribute to LIV Golf’s debut in Indiana. ARCY’s portfolio includes work for the Smithsonian Institution, Major League Baseball and the Walt Disney Corporation. Learn more at arcyofficial.com.

CONCERT HEADLINERS

The free, mobile-friendly Beyond the Course pass includes discounts and offers for participating restaurants and attractions near the golf course. The pass is delivered via text and email with no app download required. The pass is valid through Aug. 18. Sign up at tinyurl.com/ r682py54.

MINI GOLF POP-UP

The City of Westfield will host a mini golf hole-in-one competition at Rock the Block, 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1 at Westfield High School; and the Westfield Farmers Market, 5 to 8 p.m. at Grand Junction Plaza Aug. 7. Winners will receive four tickets to the tournament.

LIVE MURAL BY ARCY

Internationally acclaimed street artist ARCY will create a custom mural live in the LIV Golf fan village during tournament weekend. Spectators can watch the art-

Free Family Concerts in Lions Park

August

3, 2025

GM Horns Big Band

Country music star Riley Green and multiplatinum singer Jason Derulo will headline the entertainment stage at the 2025 LIV Golf season-finale tournament at The Club at Chatham Hills. Green will perform at 5 p.m. Aug. 15, and Derulo takes the stage at 4 p.m. Aug. 16. Concerts are included with tournament tickets on days of the performances. Buy tickets at livgolf.com.

GOLF BALL PHOTO OPS

Four oversized LIV golf balls will be located throughout Westfield leading up to the tournament. Specific locations will be listed on the city’s social media pages, facebook. com/CityofWestfield and instagram.com/ cityofwestfieldin.

BLOOD DRIVE WITH VERSITI

Versiti will host a blood drive at the Westfield Public Safety Building, 17535 Dartown Rd., from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 11. All donors will receive LIV Golf swag and be entered to win a pair of tickets to the tournament.

The local organizing committee includes staff from the Hamilton County Sports Authority, Hamilton County Tourism, the City of Westfield and more than 40 community volunteers.

For more on the LIV Golf tournament at Chatham Hills, including tickets, schedules and community programs, blood drive registration, visit westfieldin.gov/LIV.

Director: Edward Zlaty

Derulo

Green

Recycling drop spot available in Whitestown

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

A recycling pilot program in Whitestown is only one month into a three-month trial period. But the drop spot at the Whitestown Municipal Complex on Whitestown Parkway already is getting a workout.

ENVIRONMENT

The Boone County Solid Waste Management District opened the recycling drop spot in Whitestown last month. Jennifer Lawrence, executive director of the district, said changes in haulers in Whitestown, Zionsville and nearby areas meant curbside recycling service was not available for some residents. Lawrence said the district does not compete with private-sector services but fills gaps in service.

“We saw a need growing in this area and we were fortunate to partner with the Town of Whitestown for a host location,” she said. “The bin was placed in early June, and we are analyzing it as a 90-day pilot program. This will enable us to make changes that are necessary to benefit the town and the residents. But we have been thrilled at the response, so we foresee the program being in place into the future.”

The 24-hour site is emptied three times a week. Lawrence said if the bin is full, people should take their items with them and bring them back at a later time. Items left outside the bin can be considered illegal dumping.

Items not accepted at the drop spot include polystyrene/ Styrofoam; building materials; furniture; household hazardous waste; cookware; windows; lightbulbs; scrap metal; appliances;

electronics; household trash; food waste; yard waste; toys; play equipment; and anything that is not specifically listed on the bin sticker or educational pieces.

“Learning and understanding the recycling rules are imperative to good recycling,” Lawrence said. “That starts with understanding what is acceptable. This list may vary between curbside services, our recycling drop spots and other recycling bins in other areas. Beyond recycling the right items, also ensure the items are clean, dry and loose. This simply means give them a quick rinse (and) ensure all liquids have been removed from containers and that all materials are left loose. Do not recycle bagged materials.”

Lawrence said information on how to properly dispose of or recycle items prohibited at the drop spot can be found at boonecountysolidwaste.com.

DISPATCHES

Farmers market in Zionsville — The Zionsville Farmers’ Market takes place from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays through Sept. 27 on Main Street in the Village. Market vendors offer a variety of produce and goods from local vendors. The weekly market includes food trucks, activities, a community booth and live entertainment. Weekly vendor and entertainment lineups are available at zionsvillefarmersmarket.org.

Brooke’s Place seeks volunteers –Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young People is looking for volunteers to serve as support group facilitators for its westside, eastside and northside program nights. Volunteers provide a safe and supportive environment for young people, ages 3-29, and their caregivers, to grieve. Facilitators engage groups through conversation as well as age-appropriate therapeutic activities. Facilitators serve families twice a month on either Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays. To learn more, contact chelsea@brookesplace.org or visit brookesplace.org/ grief-support-volunteer.

People drop off their recycling at the new drop spot in Whitestown.

(Photo by Marney Simon)

By Leila Kheiry and Ann Marie Shambaugh Leila@youarecurrent.com, AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Deceased Westfield man implicated in national sports memorabilia hoax

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.”

INVESTIGATION

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.

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.

The Westfield Police Department is leading the investigation and is receiving assistance from the FBI. The FBI referred all questions about the case to WPD, and WPD 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 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.

“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

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. Fanatics authenticates its own products and uses only licensed products through its partnerships with sports leagues and players associations. We double and triple check any third-party product that flows

through the channels we control. Fanatics never purchased and re-sold any products directly from Mr. Lemieux or Mister Mancave.”

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

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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)

COVER STORY

HELPING HANDS

Local students visit Panama to participate in service project

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

A group of 22 students from Noblesville High School and Zionsville Community High School recently put their Spanish-speaking skills to the test in Coclé, Panama.

Last month, the students traveled to Panama for a nineday service-learning trip with Squads Abroad, a nonprofit that provides service-learning and international travel opportunities.

Students completed a service project at the Los Pilares School in Los Pilares, Panama. NHS Spanish teacher Allison Delp and ZCHS Spanish teacher Lindsay Alessandrini accompanied the students.

Alessandrini said this is the first year the opportunity has been open to Noblesville students, but a group of ZCHS students made a similar trip in 2024.

“In 2022, (2025 ZCHS graduate) Parker Coyle asked me if we could reinvigorate a ZCHS student club, (Puentes), that had died off during COVID,” Alessandrini said. “When we found Squads Abroad, we chose to travel to Guatemala in June 2024. About midweek of our experience in Guatemala, the students asked where we were going next, which led us to Panama.”

The service project involved completing the first piece of a multiphase project to build a new restroom for K-6 students. Students dug and hauled dirt to build the foundation for the bathroom floor, dug trenches and pits for new wastewater pipes and holding areas, and mixed concrete to form the walls and floor of the bathroom.

“It’s great to feel like a part of the community for a week,” Coyle said. “My favorite part was the service project and helping dig for the bathroom. My main takeaway is feeling appreciative of what we have in America and the appreciation for the fact that I can leverage what I grew up with to help other people.”

Students raised funds to cover the cost of their trip and raised $1,600 to purchase supplies for the project.

“We had some different opportunities,” Delp said. “In Noblesville, the library provides an opportunity for clubs to sign up to help sell coffee and treats. We raised money that way, and we did an online Double Good Popcorn fundraiser that worked well for the whole group.”

Delp said Los Pilares School currently has two latrines. The new bathroom will have two flushing toilets and two sinks with running water.

“Our partners pointed out that the female students don’t have private spaces where they can easily care for themselves while menstruating, which tends to cause girls to be absent for multiple days each month,” Delp said. “These absences add up to create a learning gap between the male and female students.”

NHS junior Greta Bubp said she appreciates how impactful small efforts can be.

“Helping build a bathroom reminded me how easy it is to take things for granted,” Bubp said. “The community was extremely grateful for our work, and I came back with a deeper appreciation for what I have.”

Students also collected nearly 450 pounds of school supplies, books, games, learning tools and sports equipment to deliver to Los Pilares School.

“The kids collected things on their own and donated them,” Delp said. “We also had an Amazon wish list that we put out for the community so people could donate items.”

The group also participated in several cultural learning activities.

“Spending a week immersed in another environment teaches you that no matter our culture, our country, our language or our circumstances, all citizens of the world want the same basic things,” Alessandrini said. “We all want safe, clean spaces for our families, good schools for our children, plenty of healthy food to eat, open spaces to play together (and) quality time to spend with family and friends.”

The teachers are planning a trip for 2026.

“This trip was more than just traveling to a new country,” Bubp said. “It was connecting with new people, learning about new perspectives and serving others.”

STUDENTS TEACHING STUDENTS

While in Panama, students from Noblesville High School and Zionsville Community High School taught a lesson to Panamanian students on mental health.

“We made calm-down jars,” NHS Spanish teacher Allison Delp said. “The kids all had water bottles, and we brought glitter. Students taught them how to shake them up and use them as a way to calm down if they’re ever mad or upset.”

NHS junior Greta Bubp said she enjoyed practicing mindfulness with the students.

“Teaching the students about mindfulness and seeing how engaged they were showed me that no matter someone’s background, everyone deals with stress and emotions,” she said.

Parker Coyle, a 2025 ZCHS graduate, said it is a message everyone should spread.

“I think, at least in America, that we don’t always do the best job of teaching the importance of mental health,” Coyle said. “I think it’s a message that needs to be pushed more and one that I don’t think is talked about very much in that area.”

ZCHS Spanish teacher Lindsey Alessandrini said it is a topic that is important to local students.

“The things that students used to be able to get away from at the end of the school day are now constant antagonists because of social media and personal texting conversations,” Alessandrini said. “We wanted our students to connect with the content they would be teaching, and this seemed like a natural fit for them.”

ON THE COVER: Students dig trenches and pits for

new wastewater pipes at the Los Pilares School in Los Pilares, Panama. (Photo courtesy of Allison Delp)

Students from Noblesville High School and Zionsville Community High School travel to Coclé, Panama. (Photo courtesy of Allison Delp)

Building A Refuge helps men with mental health struggles

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

Tragedy is sometimes the catalyst for action. That is certainly true in the case of Carmel resident Brandon Leum.

ASSISTANCE

After his brother died by suicide in 2015, Leum wanted to make a difference to help men cope with mental health struggles.

“Myself and co-founder Erik Robinson started this in 2018,” Leum said. “We were hanging out in a coffee shop and we were like, ‘There’s nowhere for guys to go to, to come (into) kind of a nonthreatening, nonexpectation environment to address mental health.’”

Leum and Robinson — who survived his own suicide attempt in 2010 — decided to create Building A Refuge. The organization is devoted providing hope and encouragement to men and to help them cope with mental health issues.

“The goal is to bring men together. We sit on three pillars: awareness, education and funding,” Leum said.

In conceiving what he wanted Building A Refuge to be for such a wide-ranging subject as men’s mental health, Leum knew what he didn’t want.

“I’m sure many men have experiences of being forced into talking,” Leum said. “That’s what we didn’t want it to be. So, what is that going to look like? We wanted to create environments where you prime the discussion and maybe you get someone open to sharing a story.”

The approach Building A Refuge took was to have a discussion group. It meets monthly at the Harley-Davidson of Indianapolis shop at 12400 Reynolds Dr. in Fishers. The meetings are designed to be social gatherings where men can feel comfortable.

Leum said although some men are reluc-

tant to share stories of their mental health struggles, he wanted to share his own experience as a survivor to help others.

“The more you talk about (men’s mental health), the more you find out it’s not as uncommon as what you think it is. People can walk out (the discussions) feeling better and that’s what we want to be,” Leum said.

A goal of Building A Refuge is to take away the stigma for men seeking help for mental health issues.

“Everyone has a mental health barometer,” Leum said. “Some days that barometer can read really good. Some days, it can’t. What we want to try to continue to do and support and create normalcy around that. It’s OK to have a bad day. It’s 100 percent normal. The more we normalize, the more people open up about it. We want to help people get comfortable about it. That’s where the stigma comes in. People don’t want to talk about (mental health).”

Building A Refuge began hosting a self-titled podcast in November 2022. So far, 36 episodes have been produced. They are available at the Building A Refuge website, Youtube and streaming services such as Apple Podcats and Spotify.

Guests range from mental health experts, educators and those who have been affected by men’s mental health issues and want to tell a story of hope.

“We have a studio version that we shoot over in Noblesville and we have a live version that we can set up pretty much anywhere,” Leum said.

Building A Refuge also hosts events that seek to promote men’s mental health awareness. Leum noted that veterans have special mental health needs specific to their service. On Aug. 31, Building A Refuge is hosting a Rib Fest at Carmel VFW Post No. 10003 at 12863 Old Meridian St. There is no charge but donations are encouraged. For more, visit buildingarefuge.org.

DISPATCH

Automate Your Front Desk

Medical debt workshops available — The Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute recently announced virtual “Medical Debt Know Your Rights” training workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to noon July 30 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7. According to the institute, medical debt is a top barrier to financial well-being for hard-working Hoosiers. The state legislature recently announced that lawmakers will be studying medical debt in this year’s interim study session. Registration for the July 30 workshop is available at tinyurl.com/JulyMedDebtKYR. Registration for Aug. 7 is at tinyurl.com/AugustMedDebtKYR.

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)

Leashed

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)

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.

SIGN-UP FOR

Editor,

READERS’ VIEWS Fighting food Insecurity

On July 19, the Boone County Democratic Party hosted a food drive at the Zionsville Farmers’ Market — and the community showed up in force. We collected carloads of canned goods and shelf-stable foods, and hundreds of dollars in cash donations. These contributions to the Zionsville Food Pantry will directly aid families in Boone County who are struggling with food insecurity.

Rural communities like Boone County face rising challenges, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — SNAP — remains a vital lifeline for thousands. However, recent state and federal changes by our elected republican leaders mean fewer people will qualify or will receive less support. A recent Feeding America study puts Boone County’s food insecurity rate at over 10 percent — 1 in 10 of our neighbors. Statewide, it’s more than 15 percent, affecting over 1 million Hoosiers. These numbers translate to increased food insecurity for our neigh-

bors, and added strain on local food banks, churches, charities, and donors.

One of the most powerful ways communities respond to hardship is through mutual aid — neighbors helping neighbors, without bureaucracy or delay. Saturday’s food drive demonstrated exactly that: people of goodwill — neighbors and friends — coming together simply because it’s the right thing to do. When we care for one another, we strengthen the heart of democracy — trust, compassion and civic responsibility.

To everyone who donated food, funds or time, thank you. Your generosity matters. If you’re facing food insecurity, please know that we see you, we care, and support is here. To donate or to inquire about food assistance, contact the Zionsville Food Pantry, 4775 W. 116th St. in Zionsville, or visit zpc.org/articles/ zionsville-food-pantry.

Kathy Marrs, Ann Palmer, Denny Stephens and Eliana Armstrong, Zionsville

See and be seen on rural roads this summer

Commentary by Janis Highley

We all know the adage “corn is knee high by the Fourth of July,” but most farmers know that nowadays, thanks to technological advancements, corn is actually much taller than your knee by mid-summer. By late-July, corn should really be more like “head high,” or even towering over you at about 7- to 8-feet tall. But with taller corn comes safety precautions that Hoosier farmers must remember.

SAFETY

Many of us know the importance of road safety during planting and harvest season. Accidents involving tractors and other agricultural machinery occur every year. However, fewer people may realize that road safety is critical during the growing season too, specifically at intersections. I farm corn and soybeans with my family in northeast Indiana. Our corn is well beyond “head high” now, so I understand firsthand the importance of visibility on our rural roads. When you are driving you need to make sure you can see and be seen because it could be a matter of life and death.

Intersections along rural county roads often have crops that are so tall and close to the road that they obscure the views of drivers and farmers in their equipment, leading to potential deadly collisions.

Hoosier farmers should keep this in mind when they are planting corn close to road corners in the spring and consider planting their crops farther back. We should also remain vigilant about cutting back corn from intersections, so the crop doesn’t obstruct drivers’ line of sight. It takes just a few moments to trim back growth and could ultimately save lives.

As second vice president of Indiana Farm Bureau, I also have the privilege of

“Many of us know the importance of road safety during planting and harvest season. Accidents involving tractors and other agricultural machinery occur every year. However, fewer people may realize that road safety is critical during the growing season too, specifically at intersections.”

– JANIS HIGHLEY, INDIANA FARM BUREAU SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

chairing the Indiana Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. The committee is dedicated to keeping Indiana farmers safe by raising awareness of different aspects of farm safety, from precautions to take when applying chemicals or working in grain bins, to tips and resources for rural road safety — not just during planting and harvest season — but all year round.

Don’t forget that everyone — both farmers driving equipment and motorists going to and from work — should slow down when driving. We are all neighbors, so let’s remember to be alert, be patient, watch out for each other, and we will all get home safely.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES

Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.

Janis Highley is the second vice president of the Indiana Farm Bureau. Learn more about the bureau at infarmbureau.org.

1. Religious offshoots

6. Change for a five

Queries

14. Penske Honda luxury line

15. Math term used with median and mean

16. “Go ahead!”

17. Nitwits

18. Give off

19. Part of SRO

20. Why is the pig an unpopular teammate on the Pacers?

23. Thai neighbor

25. Tail motion

26. Poem

27. ___ Brothers Band

30. MCL dessert choice

32. WTHR morning show

33. Lewd look

35. 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

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