OF SUMMER
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OUR STEAKHOUSE IN YOUR BACKYARD
SEASONING STRAIGHT FROM THE ST. ELMO STEAK HOUSE KITCHEN. JUST ADD A GRILL.
Current in Fishers (ISSN: 3143-0686)
Founded: Jan. 25, 2011 • Vol. XVI, No.23
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Field-use change leads to complaints
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Officials with Mudsock Youth Soccer have expressed concerns about a change in how the City of Fishers manages its public athletic fields — specifically that Mudsock Soccer can no longer use Cyntheanne Park fields after the city signed a 10-year exclusive-use agreement with Noblesville-based Indy Premier.
City officials say the change is meant to optimize scheduling and ensure consistency for all the youth sports organizations serving local residents. Although based in Noblesville, Indy Premier — a travel sports organization — has many Fishers participants.
Justin Burtner, Mudsock Youth Soccer president, said his organization serves about 3,400 kids each year, all of whom are Fishers residents. It’s a recreational soccer program, which means youth with low skill levels still get to play.
Historically and through city ordinance, he said, Mudsock Youth Athletics — which Mudsock Soccer is part of — had first rights to reserve any public field.
“We were traditionally at Cyntheanne Park and Cumberland Park (and) Indy Premier was renting space at the Plateau at (Hamilton Southeastern High School), because they wanted some fields in Fishers as well for their program that was growing,” Burtner said, noting that Mudsock and Indy Premier work well together and he has no complaints about that organization. Through a new ordinance approved in April, Mudsock’s first rights for field use was removed, allowing new city Athletic Director Jim Self to assign fields. Burtner said he believes city officials pushed the new ordinance through after an agreement had been reached with Indy Premier. He cited the city’s investment in Cyntheanne Park fields, including two new turf fields — the completion of which is
stipulated in the 10-year agreement with Indy Premier, signed in late May.
“Nobody from Mudsock Youth Athletics, Mudsock Youth Soccer, Mudsock Lacrosse, Mudsock Rugby, was ever asked, ’What do you guys need at the park to run your programs?’” Burtner said. “The city doesn’t just decide, ‘I’m going to spend $3.5 million on infrastructure at a park’ and not ask people that use that facility year round, ‘What do you need to be successful there?’”
Mudsock Soccer has been assigned free use of the high school fields at HSE. Burtner said those fields have fewer amenities — no restrooms, no shelter and limited close parking. Cyntheanne Park fields have all of those amenities.
The city’s 10-year agreement with Indy Premier includes an optional fiveyear extension. The nonprofit travel sports organization will pay $6,250 a
month the first five years, with annual increases after that initial period. Burtner said that fee is too low for what the organization is getting and he feels it’s not a good use of taxpayer money to give exclusive use to an organization that doesn’t exclusively serve Fishers youth.
“That’s the frustration that we have, is — you took a community asset and literally gave it to an organization that’s not part of the community for, now we find out 15 years, which is absolutely crazy, and left Mudsock Youth Soccer out of the conversation completely,” he said.
He also questioned how the agreement was approved — it came in front of the Board of Works in late May, a little more than a month after the ordi-
Continued on Page 5
A recent ordinance change gives the City of Fishers discretion in assigning sports facilities to various user groups. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)
DISPATCHES
‘Hailey’s Army’ golf fundraiser set — The Hailey’s Army Charity Golf Tournament is set for July 11 at the Wood Wind Golf Course in Westfield, 2302 W. 161st St., with registration opening before the 12:30 p.m. start. The event supports Hailey’s Army’s mission to provide education, advocacy and resources to help keep kids safe while navigating the digital world.
HCCF donation — Hamilton County Community Foundation recently received a $10,000 gift from Caesars Entertainment to the foundation’s unrestricted endowment. Through Lilly Endowment’s GIFT IX initiative, that gift is eligible for a 2-to-1 match — tripling its impact to $30,000.
County GOP calls for election fraud investigation
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County GOP officials are calling for a criminal investigation into 10 fake signatures found on a petition to place former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on the November ballot for Indiana secretary of state.
Hamilton County GOP Chair Mario Massillamany said in a June 18 statement that Indiana State Police and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office should investigate and prosecute the person who submitted the fraudulent signatures.
ual” has been removed from the campaign.
“This is the system working exactly the way it’s supposed to,” the statement added.
“It’s why all signatures are verified by the counties and why each signature gatherer has to sign each petition sheet attesting to the validity of the signatures on it.”
Ballard’s campaign stated that the 10 signatures represent about .02 percent of the more than 35,000 collected and turned in at that time.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joshua Kocher said in a June 18 email that he was aware of Massillamany’s statements related to the collection of signatures for a political candidate’s ballot access.
The petition is part of an effort to collect the required voter signatures to add Ballard to the November election ballot.
“The irony cannot be overstated,” Massillamany stated. “Greg Ballard is running for the very office charged with protecting Indiana’s elections and a volunteer on his campaign has been caught committing election fraud. If you cannot run an honest petition drive, you have no business running the office that safeguards our elections.”
Ballard’s campaign released a statement in response, noting that the “rogue individ-
Ballard served two terms as mayor of Indianapolis from 2008 to 2016. He is running as an independent candidate. For more, visit gregballard.com.
Hamilton County Elections Administrator Beth Sheller confirmed that a nominating petition had included some potentially fake names.
“We had someone who dropped off many pages of petitions,” she said in an email.
“During the certifying of these signatures, we found one page that appears to possibly be fraudulent.”
Sheller said Indiana State Police picked up the petition about two weeks before the county GOP’s statement was released.
“The integrity of the election process is fundamental to our maintaining public trust in our democratic institutions,” Kocher said. “As with any allegation of criminal conduct, our office will review any information provided and work with the appropriate investigative agencies to determine if criminal charges are appropriate in Hamilton County. It would be inappropriate to comment further on any specific investigation at this time.”
Massillamany urged election officers throughout the state to carefully scrutinize all Ballard petition documents and called on the Indiana Election Division to flag and audit petition pages from the person who collected the fake signatures.
In a June 23 announcement, the Ballard campaign stated that it had submitted about 64,000 petition signatures to county clerks — more than the 37,000 required — and would continue collecting signatures through the end of the month.
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Massillamany Ballard
Continued from Page 2
nance passed.
“There was never a public discussion about giving exclusive access to fields at a city park to a private organization, but that’s what happened,” he said. “That is something that I would want my city council members to be a part of, and I would want (it) to be disclosed publicly.”
City of Fishers Chief of Staff Jordin Alexander said the change in how the city allocates field use came out of a series of conversations in 2025 with various user groups — including Mudsock Youth Athletics. Key findings included a need for a centralized scheduling system that included city and school fields, capital improvements for all the community’s fields and one person to coordinate field use.
Those findings led to hiring Self as athletic director for the city and school district, and investing more than $10 million in city and school athletic fields.
Self said he worked with Mayor Scott Fadness and then-HSE Schools Superintendent Pat Mapes to identify sports that take local kids out of Fishers for practices and games. Indy Premier’s membership is about 70 percent Fishers kids, he said, and those kids and their families were leaving the community regularly to participate in Indy Premier activities.
“That’s really how it started for me, was identifying what their needs were and trying to find a place for them to call home,” he said, adding that it made sense to assign HSE fields to Mudsock because of that organization’s close ties to the school district.
Self agreed that HSE fields have fewer amenities, but said that will be addressed.
“That asset of the plateau (at HSE) and the assets at Fishers High School will be improved because of this relocation of Mudsock Youth Athletics, and again that just benefits more kids, not only through Mudsock, but also at each high school,” he said, adding that improvements will include restrooms, new turf fields and better parking, with completion anticipated sometime this year.
Self said that with the new use agreement, Indy Premier will host more tournaments and league games in Fishers, bringing families who will stay in local hotels and eat in local restaurants — supporting the local economy.
Fishers Communications Director Ashley Elrod added that youth sports is a $40 billion industry nationally and is a key focus for Hamilton County Tourism.
“For Fishers to not invest in those fields and put our best foot forward to attract those tournaments, and our piece of that pie, would be detrimental to our revenue streams, our exposure as a great community, and so, it is part of an overall strategy,” she said.
Mudsock Youth Athletics Executive Director Scott Spillman confirmed that he was involved in discussions about field use. and had brought that information to the board of directors. Mudsock Youth Soccer is its own nonprofit, but is a member of Mudsock Youth Athletics and has a representative on the board.
“We were part of the conversations and we knew there was always a possibility (of changing fields),” Spillman said. “Would we have loved to have gotten every single field that we want to be able to utilize? Sure. But we also recognize that, as a nonprofit organization that has a great relationship with the city, having access to the fields at no cost is still a priority, more so than any one field or location.”
FREEDOM STARTS AT HOME
-Kathy
DISPATCHES
Eskenazi expanding mental health services — Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center recently announced plans to expand its services as the designated community mental health center for behavioral health services in Warren and Lawrence townships. The center has been approved by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction to assume responsibilities currently held by Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health. Both organizations are working on the transition to provide seamless services for the townships’ individuals, families and community partners.
Portrait of Wishes Gala set — The Indiana Wish Portrait of Wishes Gala is set for Sept. 19 at The Indianapolis Marriott North, 3645 River Crossing Pkwy. in Indianapolis. The event will celebrate the nonprofit’s 42nd anniversary and more than 3,600 wishes granted for Indiana children. It will have a Roaring Twenties theme and will feature a Bourbon Trail with tastings from local and national distilleries, along with live and silent auctions, an outdoor cigar lounge and dancing. Earlybird tickets are $250, with the price increasing to $300 after July 1. For more, visit IndianaWish.org/ events.
Menards hosting food drive — Menards home improvement stores are serving as drop sites for local food pantries through the end of July. Donations can be placed in large collection boxes near the exit doors.
Grant supports online volunteer hub — United Way of Central Indiana has created a centralized online platform, volunpair.org, where nonprofits can post volunteer opportunities and community members can match their volunteer interests with what’s available. The new website is supported by a $1.3 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Beekeepers club — North Central Beekeepers Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at Cool Creek Nature Center in Westfield, 2000 E. 151st St. Meetings are free to attend for all levels of beekeepers north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. Learn more at facebook.com/groups/ncbclub.
COMMUNITY
Local powerchair athlete heading to world cup
By Hannah VanLandingham hannah@youarecurrent.com
Fishers resident Lexi Heer will compete in the 2026 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup this fall in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Heer has been involved in the sport since she was 5 years old. She played for local teams throughout her childhood and later spent one season on the Ball State University team. As she began to advance her skills, she also advanced to international competition.
Heer first represented the U.S. on the U-18 National Team in 2013, made her senior team debut at the 2014 Copa America and was named to the U.S. Power Soccer National Team for the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup, which she will compete with again this fall. She also plays for RHI Sudden Impact, the Indianapolis-based Premier Conference team.
Lexi was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at a young age.
“Being a young kid in a wheelchair, having a physically apparent disability and being someone that stands out amongst the crowd, a lot of times you feel like you don’t fit in,” she said. “Power soccer gave me that sense of belongingness with other people that have similar disabilities like myself.”
The sport also gave her a sense of independence, coming out of her shell as she connected with teammates.
“I am someone who is definitely more introverted than extroverted, so through soccer, I’ve been able to learn communication,” Lexi said. “Being able to excel at something that I love to do has definitely helped shape me into who I am.”
Lexi’s mother, Cheryl Heer, noted how impactful it was to have access to the sport and the community it gives to the family.
“The support that Fishers has provided to her through the school systems growing up, and then even her fellow students, and teachers pouring into her, and even coming to her games to see her play — that hometown support was just amazing through the years,” Cheryl said. “I just feel like God has really blessed us, having us in this community.”
Cheryl also stressed how the sport
helped increase Lexi’s independence, citing the support they received from fellow families and players.
“In her school … you see maybe one person in a wheelchair, but when she went to this, everybody was on equal playing ground,” she said. “There’s just so much more of a support system through that, that I never expected. I just thought, ‘Well, this is a sport, this is cool, you can do it (independently),’ but for her, (it) has become a worldwide experience.”
Power soccer is played indoors on a regulation basketball court. Players use power wheelchairs, equipped with specialized footguards, to pass, dribble and shoot an oversized soccer ball with the objective of scoring more goals than the opposing team during two 20-minute halves.
Matches are played with four players from each team. Player positions are goalie, center or striker, near or “strong-side” wing and far or “weakside” wing. Lexi tends to rotate positions with RHI Sudden Impact, often playing center, but consistently plays far wing for the national team.
Advancing to a high level within the sport comes with a feeling of responsibility for Lexi, using her own experience to help younger athletes.
“A lot of times it takes seeing someone similar to yourself and seeing that they can do it to make you believe that you can do it as well,” she said. “Being an adult in the sport and having people look up to me, that’s something that I’ve tried to embrace.”
Lexi will compete for the U.S. National Team at the 2026 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup tournament at the Buenos Aires Olympic Park in October.
Lexi Heer will compete with the U.S. National Team in October at the 2026 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup tournament. (Photo courtesy of Lexi Heer)
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Hallett foundation pledges $1M to HSEF
news@currentinfishers.com
The Hallett Sports Foundation has pledged $1 million to support the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation, with a minimum contribution of $100,000 a year over the next 10 years.
Funds for the annual donation will be generated through fundraising initiatives led by the Indy Fuel hockey team and Fishers Freight indoor football team, according to a news release. The initiatives will include a portion of ticket proceeds from select home games, along with additional in-game fundraising and community engagement activities.
“We believe meaningful change is created through long-term commitment and community participation,” Hallett Sports CEO Sean Hallett stated. “This pledge creates an opportunity for fans, partners and supporters to directly contribute to educational impact
through experiences that bring our community together. We are excited to support the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation and invest in opportunities that will benefit students for years to come.”
The funding will support HSEF’s mission to strengthen educational programming, create innovative opportunities and enhance initiatives at Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
“We are incredibly grateful for this transformational commitment,” HSEF Executive Director Justin Hirnisey stated. “A partnership built around sustained community engagement and long-term support creates meaningful opportunities for our students and schools.”
Additional details regarding designated games, fundraising initiatives and annual allocations will be announced later by HSEF and Hallett Sports Foundation.
DISPATCHES
Cross-county public transit service offered — A new public transit service that takes riders between Hamilton and Hancock counties has launched through a Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority, Hamilton County Express and RIDE Hancock partnership. One-Call Connect helps riders navigate a public transportation funding rule that doesn’t allow transit providers to cross county lines. The new service, which offers users a flat one-way fee of $8, has a transfer
point in McCordsville where riders switch between each county’s ADA-accessible transit providers. To book a trip weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., call 317-3277433 at least 48 hours in advance.
Forever Young Club — The City of Lawrence hosts a weekly event with games, fun and fellowship geared toward active older adults, set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Lawrence Community Center, 5301 N. Franklin Rd.
Hallett Hirnisey
FISHERS JULY EVENTS
FOURTH OF JULY CONCERT, FIREWORKS
Celebrate Independence Day with three fireworks shows throughout Fishers plus a concert, presented by Fishers Parks. Enjoy live music by Groovesmash starting at 8 p.m. July 4 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater before fireworks at that location. Residents also can view fireworks from the water on Geist Reservoir, or gather at Hamilton Southeastern High School, 12499 Olio Rd. Fireworks displays are each set to start at 10 p.m.
FREE CONCERTS
Fishers Parks’ annual Free Tuesdays at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater runs through July, with concerts starting at 7 p.m. July performances are Big Rosco & The Hammers July 7, The Doo Band July 14, The Flying Toasters July 21 and Stella Luna & The Satellites July 28. For more, visit fishersparks.com/summer-activities-events/ free-tuesday-concerts.
JULY ART EXHIBIT
The Fishers Arts Council’s July exhibit, “All Our Best: Hamilton County Artists’ Association Member Show” will be on display at the Art Gallery at City Hall, 1 Municipal Drive. A Second Friday reception is set for 6 to 8 p.m. July 10 for the public to meet artists and view the artwork. Light refreshments and music will be provided. For more, visit FishersArtsCouncil.org.
NEWCOMERS CLUB
Fishers Newcomers Club meets at 3 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. The July meeting will be at the Delaware Township Community Center, 9090 E. 131 St.
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
The following Fishers government meetings are scheduled:
• Plat Committee — 4 p.m. July 1 Fishers Municipal Center
• Planned Unit Development — 5 p.m. July 1, Fishers Municipal Center
• Plan Commission - 6 p.m. July 1, Fishers Municipal Center
• Town Hall Building Corporation — 4 p.m. July 13, Fishers Municipal Center
• Board of Public Works & Safety — 9 a.m. July 14 and 28, Fishers Municipal Center
• Art & Culture Commission — 4:30 p.m. July 14, Fishers Municipal Center
• Finance Committee — 5 p.m. July 15, Fishers Municipal Center
• City Council — 7 p.m. July 20, Fishers Municipal Center
• Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. July 22, Fishers Municipal Center
• Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. July 23, Fishers Municipal Center
• Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees — 6 p.m. July 8, 13485 Cumberland Rd.
Flag disposal – American flags that are tattered and worn should be disposed of following federal guidelines, which include burning and proper handling of the ashes. Collection bins for flags in need of retirement can be found throughout Hamilton County, including VFW Stanley E. Banks, Sr. Post 10003, 12863 Old Meridian St. in Carmel; American Legion Post 173, 852 W Main St. in Carmel; VFW Ralph Lehr Post 6246, 654 S 9th St. in Noblesville; and American Legion Post 102, 9091 E 126th St. in Fishers.
Meridian Audiology LLC is a private Audiology practice, founded by Alison Wyss, Au.D. and Kira VonBlon, M.S. in 2001 after working together as Audiologists in an ENT setting for more than 12 years. The seasoned Audiologists strive to consistently provide premier care to patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders as well as those who want to protect their hearing from damage.
Kira and Ali are available to evaluate your hearing and walk through your many options if you are a hearing aid candidate. They will spend the time explaining the differences in hearing aids, the best options for the hearing concerns you have, and will even have their billing company call to verify if you have a benefit or discount plan for hearing aids through your insurance. We believe we can make the difference in you feeling comfortable and confident with your individual hearing loss action plan.
loneliness, anxiety, falls and a quicker rate of cognitive decline in those predisposed to dementia. Hearing loss is an easily treated piece of your total health puzzle. Let us help you find your solution!
U UPCOMING EVENTS: SEPTEMBER 15, 2026: Our next Auditory Rehabilitation Class This class is perfect for those who still have frustrations and communication issues that exist beyond their hearing aids
OCTOBER 6, 2026: Lunch and Learn with ReSound hearing aid company an opportunity for you to try hearing aids in a dynamic environment
Y Your hearing is more important than you may realize: Research is consistently showing us that hearing loss is related to diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, autoimmune diseases and arthritis…and untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation,
Meridian Audiology is located in Nora and is open 9am-4pm Monday-Friday by appointment only We accept most major insurances, offer convenient scheduling via phone or email and are independent of other medical practices or hospitals When calling the office, Michael can schedule your appointments and answer many of your questions!
VonBlon
Wyss (Advertorial)
Dinner • Live Entertainment • Specialty Cocktails
To purchase tickets, visit IndyOpera.org call 317-283-3531 or scan the code Saturday | July 11, 2026 | 6pm At the Basile Opera Center in the Heart of Meridian-Kessler
CO-SPONSORS
Program helps residents engage with HSE Schools
news@currentinfishers.com
Hamilton Southeastern Schools is accepting applications for its next cohort of HSEngaged, a program designed to provide participants with a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the operations of HSE Schools.
The program is open to parents, residents, business owners and community leaders who are interested in learning more about a district that educates more than 20,000 students.
First launched in 2021, HSEngaged provides participants with direct access to district leaders and staff through monthly sessions focused on academics, school finance, student services, school safety, transportation, facilities and communications.
“HSEngaged gives community members a chance to see beyond the headlines and gain a deeper understanding of the work happening across our schools,” Director of School and Community Relations Emily Pace Abbotts
stated. “Participants hear directly from district leaders, visit our schools and engage in conversations that help build informed and meaningful connections to HSE Schools.”
Participants selected for the 2026-27 cohort will attend monthly meetings from August through April at schools throughout the district.
Participation is limited. Applications are due by noon July 7 and applicants will be notified of their status by July 31. For more, including the meeting schedule and application, visit hseschools.org/hsengaged.
The HSEngaged Class of 2025-26 included parents, residents, business owners and community leaders. (Photo courtesy of HSE Schools)
State nonprofit to explore religion
news@youarecurrent.com
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Indiana Humanities has launched a multiyear project to explore the role of religion in Hoosiers’ lives and how religious liberty influences education, democracy and culture.
To lead the project, Indiana Humanities announced in a news release that it hired Terre Haute native Emma Crossen as its new director of religious initiatives. She has a master of divinity from Harvard Divinity School and a bachelor of arts, history and political science from Bethany College.
“The stuff of religion is the stuff of being human — how we seek truth, make meaning, understand right and wrong, and embrace or reject stories, traditions and institutions to find guidance and belonging in these endeavors,” Crossen stated. “Every person, family and community in Indiana has a story to tell about the matters of religion in their own lives. I’m excited to engage Hoosiers in programs that help us approach these stories with curiosity and respect.”
The goal of Matters of Religion is to bring
Hoosiers together to explore why America’s founders valued freedom of conscience, how the meaning of religious liberty is negotiated and experienced by individuals and communities, and how curiosity about the religious lives of others can animate our commitment to freedom and strengthen the civic fabric of our state, the news release stated.
“Religious movements were early providers of humanities engagement in our state, spreading literacy and bringing texts, arts and stories into communities as sources of connection, truth and meaning,” stated Megan Telligman, director of programs at Indiana Humanities. “We lean on this tradition every day at Indiana Humanities, so it’s particularly fitting that we are embarking on this project to celebrate the ways that Hoosiers engage with religion, and to understand religious liberty as a vital condition for our collective thriving.”
Matters of Religion programs will include statewide grants to local libraries, museums, congregations, schools and other organizations; a traveling exhibition; speakers bureau; public conversations; and research fellowships.
A grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. supports Indiana Humanities’ religious liberty project. For more, visit indianahumanities.org.
DISPATCHES
Correction – Ray Maddalone’s name was misspelled in the June 23 edition of Current.
Christmas in July — Piney Acres Christmas Tree Farm and The Pond will host the first “Jingle in July” Festival July 25. The event will include Santa and live music, with headliner Dave & Rae, along with Booze Hounds Bluegrass and Katie Jo Robinson School of Music.
Guerin Catholic golfer places second in state — Guerin Catholic High School golfer Eli Wessel was the state runner-up in the IHSAA state golf finals June 17 at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. Wessel finished tied with Westfield’s Hudson Kutchma with a two-round 142 total. Kutchma won a two-hole playoff. Wessel, a recent graduate, will join his brother, Leo, on the University of Cincinnati
“Let’s
team next season. The Golden Eagles finished third in the team standings with 596 strokes. Westfield won with a 592 total, one less than Center Grove. Hamilton Southeastern placed fifth with a 608 total and Noblesville sixth with 610. Zionsville senior Max Steiner and Noblesville senior Tyler Marucci finished in a four-way tie for fifth.
One Impact campaign — OneZone Chamber of Commerce has launched a $10,000 capital campaign for its One Impact Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that focuses on scholarships, leadership programs, workforce and talent initiatives, and direct support for nonprofit organizations and small businesses. For more, visit onezonechamber. com, click on the Programs & Initiatives tab and then on the One Impact Foundation tab.
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Crossen
HEPL gears up for annual library card campaign
By Hannah VanLandingham hannah@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton East Public Library is gearing up for its third annual “Show Your Library Card and Save” campaign. In September, library card holders will be able to access special offers with local businesses, exclusive to HEPL cardholders. Offers can include discounts, free items with purchase, special promotions or other incentives determined by the participating business, according to a news release.
Those who do not have a card at HEPL can sign up, and those who have library cards are invited to further explore the library’s resources.
The campaign was created to celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month within the local community, connecting the library and its patrons to local businesses.
“Library Card Sign-Up Month is an opportunity to celebrate one of the most
valuable cards in your wallet while also supporting the businesses that help our community thrive,” HEPL Director of Marketing and Communications Kelsey Sweet stated. “We’re excited to partner with local businesses to encourage library use, strengthen community connections and drive residents to explore what Hamilton County has to offer.”
Participating businesses will have exclusive offers for HEPL cardholders throughout the month in exchange for promotion on the library’s website, social media, email newsletters and other campaign related materials.
Local businesses can join the campaign through Aug. 10. Although the opportunity for businesses to be included in the Discover Guide has passed, HEPL will include new offers in its digital promotions.
Local businesses interested in participating can visit hamiltoneastpl. org/showcase-your-business-during-library-card-sign-up-month-2026.
SOUNDS OF SUMMER
Fishers students get real-world experience running audio for city concerts
By Hannah VanLandingham hannah@youarecurrent.com
Audiences gathered from across the city to enjoy a Tuesday night out, settling into their lawn chairs and blankets. As they hear wave after wave of music, they might wonder how that sound is reaching them.
Behind the scenes of the City of Fishers’ weekly Free Tuesday Concert series, a team of local Fishers High School students runs the live audio — part of a program created in partnership with Fishers Parks.
Every Tuesday, students from the Fishers High School’s Music and Sound Production class take what they’ve learned during the school year and turn it into real-life experience.
“We do smaller-scale events like this throughout the year,” FHS Music and Sound Production teacher Ray Masterson said. “I try to do two big (showcase concerts), one in the winter and one in the spring, and the venue just gets a little bigger each time.”
The experiences students have change each week.
“(What they do) varies depending on the needs of the individual artists,” Masterson said. “They’re handling front-of-house sound, which is the mixing of the sound that the patrons hear from their seats. They also do set up, tear down, stage management and light.”
The opportunity and the variety of work creates unique experiences for the students involved, and will hopefully help them transition to college programs, trade schools or the job market.
“(This program can fulfill) the hours for work study for the graduation pathway requirement, which can be very important for some students,” Masterson said. “It’s (also) a great resume boost. To be able to produce concerts this large and not just be an intern, but actually do the front-of-house (sound and) the planning with the artist — that is not something that people get to do in high school very often, and they’re not going to get to do it nine times throughout the whole summer like my kids are. It’s just going to look really,
really good on a resume for them.”
Students in the program can earn a total of 54 work-based learning hours across the nine weeks, and it gives many of them the opportunity to network within the industry.
“It’s been a really great way to get out in the real world (and) use my experience that I’ve learned in my class, music and sound production, at Fishers High School,” co-lead Adam Jacobs said. “There’s been some stressful moments, but other than that,
it’s been great. I’ve gotten to meet so many bands, so many people who also work in the live sound industry. I’ve gotten connections and it’s just been incredible.”
Having accrued a few weeks of concert experience, the team has had to adapt to challenges and learn as they go.
“I’ve gotten to learn a lot about my communication skills, just generally talking and working with others in a cohesive way,” Jacobs said. “We’ve all been getting along really great, and all
FREE TUESDAY CONCERTS
Toasters July 21 and Stella Luna &
July 29. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. For more, visit fishersparks. com/summer-activities-events/ free-tuesday-concerts.
of us have learned and grown together in different areas.”
Masterson didn’t hesitate to praise students for their work thus far.
“It’s been almost flawless,” he said. “Every show has hiccups and things, but I think the students have done an amazing job.”
Masterson noted the gratification he feels seeing the growth from his students through his class.
“I love it when a kid (comes) up on the first day of my class and doesn’t know if they’re supposed to be in my class, and then a year or two years later, they’re screaming their lungs out at the very end of our (concert),” Masterson said. “Seeing kids make that huge leap in one or two years; it’s incredibly rewarding to see them find their voice.”
Co-lead Ayden Austin said was one of the students. He initially took the class because of a gap in his schedule but now has a passion in the craft.
“I took this class junior year because I (had) space to fill, and I ended up producing a live show, and doing the live audio for that,” Austin said. “There’s two shows every year, I’ve done that every year since, and now I’m in charge of doing front-of-house mixing for all the shows here.”
Going from a tentative student to a leader in this program has been challenging and rewarding for Austin, but he’s taken the opportunity to expand his skills.
“This is probably the biggest venue we’ve worked at before, so it’s just different, but learning it (has) been really fun,” he said. “It’s been a very big learning experience. I think that’s probably the biggest thing: obviously there’s stress that comes with that, but at the end of the day, if you want to make a big jump in your knowledge, you (have) got to do something you’ve never done before, and this (is) that for us.”
Fishers Parks’ annual Free Tuesdays at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater will feature Karma June 30, Big Rosco & The Hammers July 7, The Doo Band July 14, The Flying
The Satellites
ON THE COVER: From left, sound production students Adam Jacobs, Jude Little, Riley Evans, Ayden Austin, Bowen Dilks-Hicks, Gabe Mason and Jacqueline Reilly run live audio for the City of Fishers’ Free Tuesday Concert series. (Photo courtesy of Hamilton Southeastern Schools)
Fishers High School sound production students set up for a City of Fishers Free Tuesday Concert performance. (Photos courtesy of Hamilton Southeastern Schools)
Fishers High School sound production students mix sound in class.
Indy Opera set for final Lobster Palooza
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
This will be Indianapolis Opera’s 16th annual Lobster Palooza and will be special because it’s the last one. Indianapolis Opera General Director David Starkey said the rising cost of lobsters the last several years will force the organization to find a new signature fundraiser. Lobster Palooza is set for 6 p.m. July 11 at Basile Opera Center, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis
“Lobster is a traded commodity around the world, so it is very volatile to global economic influences, which is a very interesting novelty of lobster,” Starkey said. “So, in our 16 years there have been periods where lobster is very available, it’s very affordable and there are times where it’s very expensive. It’s very expensive now and that doesn’t align very well when you are trying to raise money.”
Starkey said Indy Opera is welcome to new ideas people have presented to the organization.
“We need to put this theme aside and welcome the next theme, which is going to be around a festival idea, but build upon this great excitement that we have been able to influence for these last 16 years,” he said. “There’s still a lot of people that remember it fondly, but we need to grow into sort of the next evolution of how we partner with people.”
Starkey said there will be pictures and stories from the past about how Lobster Palooza started.
The idea came from Jimmy and Muffi James, who designed the event. Jimmy James, who died in 2021, owned 21st Amendment liquor stores. The opera supporters convinced NBA legend Larry Bird, then the Indiana Pacers president of basketball operation, and his wife, Dinah, to be honorary chairs.
“There were other celebrity people involved from the Pacers and the neighborhood,” Starkey said. “I was told that in the early years that people would come from other parts of the
country just to meet Larry Bird.”
The first Lobster Palooza was held in the back parking lot of the Basile Opera Center under a circus tent, the former site of GreekFest.
“Seventy percent of the people that visit our building will remember they attended GreekFest sometime in their lifetime,” Starkey said. “One of the things about (Indy Opera) doing Lobster Palooza outside and putting up the massive circus tent was to reflect on that festival environment that used to be on the property.”
Jimmy James’ mother was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, which was formerly in the neighborhood. The church and GreekFest moved to Carmel in 2009.
Muffi James was on the Indy opera company board for more than 20 years.
The event was held at Daniel’s Vineyard in 2021 and 2022.
Indianapolis Opera purchased the building at the end of 2020 and started a renovation. But the previous owner sold the parking lot separately.
“In 2023, we redesigned the event to be part of the restored building, the historical renovation of it, and to incorporate the 1-acre footprint that we are on today,” Starkey said.
Starkey said the new theme will be announced later.
“I know we’ll have a festival environment in the summer and we’ll have singers,” he said.
For more, indyopera.org.
‘CINDERELLA’
“Cinderella” runs through July 12 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“Esque, Burlesque” is set for July 3, followed by 2000’s Night BBMak, a British pop trio, July 7 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘WAIT UNTIL DARK’
“Wait Until Dark” concludes July 1-5 (except July 4) at Red Barn Theatre in Frankfort. For more, visit redbarntheatre.net.
DISPATCH
Carmel to become Songbook City — The City of Carmel is transforming into Songbook City next month to recognize the Carmel-based Great American Songbook Foundation and its work to preserve and celebrate the history of popular music. Founded in 2007 and headquartered at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, the Songbook Foundation is known for its preservation efforts through the Songbook Library & Archives and its annual Songbook Academy summer intensive. Running from July 6 to 31, the Songbook City activation will include the temporary substitution of select street signs with the names of music legends, such as songwriter Cole Porter and vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. This year’s Songbook Academy, which starts July 11 includes three public events at the Payne & Mencias Palladium, all of which will also be livestreamed: There will be a free public masterclass at 2 p.m. July 13 followed by Songbook Showcase at 7 p.m. July 16 and Songbook Academy in Concert at 7 p.m. July 18. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
(Above) Lobster Palooza is set to return July 11 at Basile Opera Center. (Photos courtesy of Indy Opera)
(Below) Dinah and Larry Bird were honorary chairs at the start of Lobster Palooza.
Indy Shorts features variety
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
The Indy Shorts Film Festival will have something for the tastes of all filmgoers.
“We have a wide range of world-class short films,” Heartland Film Artistic Director Greg Sorvig said. “You are going to get a grab bag of different types of things, whether it’s a comedic short film made right here in Indiana or animated films that are meant for kids and some not meant for kids.”
we continue to grow?’”
“The Sinners” was Oscar-nominated as a live action short through Indy Shorts last year and went on to win the Academy Award.
Sorvig said the magic of short films is they don’t need a huge budget to produce.
Heartland Film announced June 25 Indy Shorts will feature 266 films across 40 theme programs, such as horror, comedy, love and dating, music and sports. The screenings, set for July 2126, will be at the Indy Art Center, Living Room Theaters and Newfields. The films are 40 minutes or less, Sorvig said.
“We’re coming off a historic run with the most Oscar-nominated shortlisted films that we organically had at our festivals,” Sorvig said. “Every year we think, ‘How do we get bigger, how do
Comedian-actress Janeane Garofolo appears in “My Bird is Sick.” Comedian and actor Tony Cavalero stars in two U.S. premiere films, “American Rampage” and “Please and Thank You.”
Carmel filmmaker Ashton Gleckman’s world premiere of “Sylvia” focuses on the death of Sylvia Likens in 1965 in Indianapolis. Likens, 16, was tortured to death by her caregiver Gertrude Baniszewski and her children and some neighbors.
Filmmakers are competing for more than $35,000 in cash prizes, including three $5,000 Grand Prize Awards. The three Grand Prize winners also will receive their Oscar qualifications in their designated categories at the July 25 awards program.
Sorvig
briefly
16. Butler sports org.
17. I wanted to buy a pair of camouflage pants, but
20. Filming location
21. Still contending
22. Buenos ___
23. Lake County city
25. Actress de Armas
26. I used to hate facial hair, but ___
33. Repeat
34. UN workers’ agcy.
35. Objectives
37. “Evil Woman” band, for short
38. Puffy dessert
42. Meadow
43. IU basketball all-American Benson
45. Blackhawks and Blue Jackets grp.
46. Metallic sound
48. I used to play the piano by ear, but ___
52. Pacers’ tiebreakers, briefly
53. Trip odometer’s initial reading
54. Soft leather
57. Neutral shade
59. GI’s address
62. I never thought orthopedic shoes would work for me, but ___
66. Refuse
67. Santa’s laugh
68. Destroy documents, in a way
69. Historical periods
70. Brian Wilkes winter forecast
71. Rips DOWN
1. WTTV military drama
2. In the past
3. Kind of point
4. Alphabet run
5. Salon01 offering
6. Big name in smooth jazz
7. Start of a play at The Cat
8. Disagreement
9. ___ Friday’s
10. “Popcorn Capital of the US”
11. Wound mark
12. Downfall
13. Hamilton County Council votes against 18. Scandal sheet fodder
19. Prefix meaning “billionth”
23. Safari sight
24. Puts on WIBC
25. MP’s quarry
26. Arduous journey
27. Singer Reddy
28. Budget, in brand names
29. Biathlon need
30. North Pole worker
31. 1954 basketball state
champ that inspired the movie “Hoosiers”
32. Revise
36. ___ Fifth Avenue
39. Burden
40. Sounds of hesitation
41. Off-the-wall feedback
44. 48 hours
47. Thai neighbor
49. Fla.-to-Calif. highway
50. Rob of “NUMB3RS”
51. Part of BYOB
54. “West ___ Story”
55. Addict
56. Sicilian volcano
57. PU business course
58. Salmon type
59. Gillette razor
60. Social equal
61. Hoosier Park postings
63. Some batters, briefly
64. Fishers winter hrs.
65. Revolutionary Guevara
ANSWERS ON PAGE 19
PUZZLE ANSWERS
Northside
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