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Founded Jan. 29, 2008, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XIX, No. 9
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FEBRUARY & MARCH DINE IN DEALS!
West Clay at 131st & Towne Rd
Ironstone gets APC recommendation
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
The 765-acre Ironstone planned unit development proposed for the Hortonville area had its fourth and final workshop session March 16 before the Westfield Washington Advisory Plan Commission meeting.
The APC recommended the development to the Westfield City Council for final consideration by a 7-1 vote. Victor McCarty, also a member of the city council, cast the dissenting vote.
Jon Dobosiewicz of Nelson and Frankenberger, representing Ironstone developer Platinum Properties, presented the most recent updates to the APC. A new part of the plan regards land intended to be donated to Westfield Washington Schools on the northwest corner of 206th Street and Six Points Road.
On previous maps, the land was to be donated directly to WWS, but on the new map, the land is to be donated to the City of Westfield.
“Commitments will require that we dedicate the real estate to the city,” Dobosiewicz said. “Then there’s a 10-year window. Within that 10-year window, the city is obligated to transfer the real estate to the schools. If the schools don’t utilize their real estate, it would remain with the city for city use.”
Westfield Mayor Scott Willis offered further context.
“(WWS) owns a lot of land, and I’m not sure they quite understand yet how they’re going to build out the rest of their infrastructure,” Willis said. “We just started laying the foundation to meet between the school board, the city council and representatives from the community to talk about future (school) locations. Until that’s clear, I wanted flexibility. So, if they don’t use it, the city can activate it.”
McCarty has opposed the project
(Right) Rendering of a business proposed for the Horton Square Mixed design Use Block in Hortonville, part of the proposed Ironstone development. (Screenshots from APC agenda packet)
from the beginning. Along with tree preservation, lot sizes and builder percentage concerns, he said residents have expressed concern to him about the amount of townhomes and apartments planned.
“A certain amount of (townhomes and apartments) might be appropriate, but at 230 townhomes and 250 apartment units. That’s a tough pill to swallow for the existing residents,” McCarty said.
Other commission members criticized the tone of some of those who oppose the project, specifically in correspondence sent to them by opponents
Menards hosting food drive — Local Menards home improvement stores are hosting drop boxes for food pantries through March. Donations of nonperishable food items, from
towards Platinum Properties CEO and founder Paul Rioux.
“There’s some comments that come in that question (Rioux’s) integrity, and I think that’s just wrong,” said APC member Mark Keen, a comment that drew an audible groan from a gathering of Ironstone opponents who attended the meeting. “I think he is a man of integrity. Sometimes, we get off track as to the topic and start attacking people and that’s wrong. We should stick with the issues.”
As of publication, it had not been announced when the Westfield city council would vote on Ironstone.
boxes of cereal to cans of soup, can be placed in collection boxes near store exit doors, with donations going to area food pantries.
(Left) The most recent concept map for the proposed Ironstone development.
Byron H., patient
Residents offer input on plan
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Advisory Plan Commission held a public hearing March 11 on the Westfield comprehensive plan draft. Responses to residents concerns were addressed during a subsequent March 16 APC meeting.
Twelve residents spoke during the March 11 meeting — the only APC public hearing on the topic. Cynthia Bowen of Rundell Ernstberger and Associates, the firm that assisted Westfield on the plan, and city officials attended.
Some residents had property concerns while others had reservations about the plan or about the timing of how it’s being implemented.
Erica Strahm, a member of the Washington Township board, was among the public speakers.
“Apartments, townhomes and duplexes. How many do we need?” Strahm asked. “I worry about occupancy. I worry about architectural standards. There are so many apartment complexes (built) in the last few years that are already starting to look their age.”
to slow down the approval process.
The 366-page comprehensive plan was introduced March 9. The plan was scheduled to go before the City Council March 23.
“All I ask is that you slow down the adoption of this, so we all have a chance to read it and send you logical responses to it,” Dalton said.
APC members said that the plan has had several opportunities for public input in the 18 months before the final draft version was revealed.
During the March 16 meeting, Bowen addressed some of the concerns raised, referring to the full text of the comprehensive plan to address issues.
Resident Birch Dalton asked the APC
Jane Callahan, joined at the podium by husband Pat Callahan, speaks to the Westfield Advisory Plan Commission during the March 11 public hearing on the Westfield comprehensive plan draft at City Hall.
(Photo by Todd Golden)
Details on ice hockey facility revealed at RDC
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
An ice hockey facility planned for the Grand Park District was revealed in greater detail during a March 16 public hearing at the City of Westfield Redevelopment Commission meeting.
The facility is expected to host tournaments, leagues, camps and community programming. It will be used for youth and adult ice hockey leagues, figure skating, curling, recreational skating and adaptive sports.
The facility will include three NHL-regulation ice sheets with the possibility to add a fourth. It will include locker rooms, training areas, sports performance and training space, food and beverage hospitality areas, a pro shop, retail space and event viewing areas.
“There is really a lack of facilities here in Indiana to support ice hockey to begin with,” said Westfield Executive Chief of Economic and Community Development Jenell Fairman, who made the presentation to the RDC. “So, adding an additional three or four (ice) sheets will really help support the youth programs here locally as well as driving the tourism that we’re looking for.”
Fairman said a three-sheet facility would cost $88.6 million and a foursheet facility would cost $7.9 million more. He said the fourth sheet would create a 30 percent increase in income
compared to a three-sheet facility.
The facility is proposed to be built through a build-operate-transfer partnership, by which a private entity constructs a project, operates and maintains it for a specified period to recover costs and then transfers ownership to another entity.
Fairman said that a 16-team regional tournament at the facility could produce 320 nights of hotel stays, $75,000 in restaurant spending, $25,000 in retail spending and $8,000 in local tax revenue. He said the city would make a $1.5 million commitment to the project.
“(It) really is a low risk to the city when you think of this being, let’s say, near a $90 million project,” Fairman said.
Nicholas Family of Companies will develop the still to be named facility. Fairman said predevelopment for the project would begin in the first quarter of 2027 and construction would be completed in the first quarter of 2028, with a projected opening in September.
Nick Papanicholas Jr., the CEO of Nicholas Family of Companies attended the presentation.
“This is a once-in-a generation-to-build opportunity,” Papanicholas said. “We don’t take this responsibility lightly to deliver on time, on budget, and really (be) something that the community is going to be proud of.”
The RDC voted unanimously to recommend the project. Some aspects must still be approved by the city.
Rendering of the proposed ice hockey facility for the northwest corner of the Grand Park District. (Rendering courtesy of the City of Westfield)
From the outside of an Epcon 2-story towne, it’s hard to imagine what lies behind the door. Step inside and discover spaces made for spring living, with natural light throughout, an open floor plan made for everyday connection and a private, garden courtyard for morning coffee and evenings outside.
Come see it for yourself during the Spring Tour of Homes at The Courtyards of TowneRun.
WPD continues murder investigation
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Police Department has identified a man found dead inside a residence on Westfield Road on the evening of March 12.
According to WPD Assistant Chief of Police Billy Adams, officers responded to a call at 7:24 p.m. in the 3900 block of Westfield Road to assist medics on a report of a person down inside the residence.
Upon arrival, officers found James “Matt” Lushin, 47, inside the residence with apparent trauma. Lushin was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel with the Westfield Fire Department.
WPD is classifying the case as a homicide investigation.
Investigators with the WPD Criminal Investigations Division are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and are continuing to canvass the area for potential witnesses and additional information.
At this time, WPD said the incident appears to be isolated, and there is no indication of a threat to the public.
As of March 18, this remains an active and ongoing investigation. Information will be updated as further details become available.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Marlow at gmarlow@westfield.in.gov.
Egg My Yard fundraiser — The Westfield Youth Assistance Program has announced that registration is open for our 2026 Egg My Yard Fundraiser. Only those in the Westfield Washington School District are eligible. Cost is $25 for 25 eggs, $50 for 50 eggs and $75 for 75 eggs. Proceeds go to WYAP. Deadline for registration is March 29. Eggs will be hidden starting at 7:30 pm on April 4. Register at shorturl.at/Al5Ea
Shamrock Drop celebrated
By Brittney Dial Testin news@youarecurrent.com
Welcome Westfield presented its annual Shamrock Drop March 14 at Grand Junction Plaza.
The free event is a St. Patrick’s Day celebration that featured live Irish music by Irish Airs, carnival games with proceeds benefiting Student Impact of Westfield including the Shamrock Drop. After a scavenger hunt to win a numbered Shamrock Duck, the ducks were dropped from a ladder truck into four “pots of gold.”
From each pot, one winning duck was selected. All prize baskets were composed of donations from local Westfield businesses.
Each scavenger hunt station and all carnival games were hosted by Student Impact of Westfield, a nonprofit that empowers youth through meaningful connections by providing safe spaces for students in fifth through 12 grade to grow in confidence and are equipped to lead.
“Our mission is to provide a safe space for kids in an after school program and we also have small groups, different events that we do, and then we have a student leadership program, which is
what you see here today,” said Brittany Delph, executive director of Student Impact, “We have student leaders that come Monday-Thursday to hang out with us, mentor the younger students and just be involved. Giving back to the community is huge for us and we like for them to get out, be with the rest of Westfield and just show off how awesome they are and make this event happen.”
Since its founding, 774 individual students have participated in the program, with 90 percent of the programming offered at no cost to families.
Proceeds from the carnival games were gifted to the Student Impact of Westfield.
For more, visit westfieldin.gov/274/ Westfield-Welcome.
WWS names Dicken, Eggert to new administrative roles
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Westfield Washington Schools named new administrators to two positions during the March 10 WWS School Board of Trustees meeting.
Caylie Dicken has been named director of the Virginia F. Wood Early Learning Center. Hannah Eggert has been named assistant principal at Carey Ridge Elementary School.
Dicken has worked at the ELC since it opened in 2022. She is the assistant director at ELC.
Dicken succeeds Marci Derado, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
“I’ve been blessed to be mentored by Marci, and we plan to continue with
the vision that she has opened with our building, and we’re excited to keep moving forward,” Dicken said.
Eggert is a second-grade teacher at Oak Trace Elementary School. She has been at Oak Trace for nine years and has administrative experience, as she was the WWS Summer School Administrator in 2025.
Eggert also served as a principal intern at Oak Trace and been Westfield High School’s girls soccer coach since 2018.
“I’m really excited to get started with Carey (Ridge),” Eggert said. “I’m really excited to continue to get to know (all staff members and) work with them. I’m really excited to partner with the families and get to know the students and the staff even more.”
Members of the Westfield Fire Department and mascot Lucky Leprechaun prepare for the Shamrock Drop at Grand Junction Plaza. (Photo by Brittney Dial Testin)
Dicken Eggert
� Say Goodbye to maintenance
DISPATCHES
Mayor’s Youth Council application portal open — The City of Westfield has opened its application portal for the 2026-27 cohort of the Westfield Mayor’s Youth Council. The Westfield Mayor’s Youth Council is a leadership development program designed for local high school students eager to make a positive impact in their community.
The online application will remain open until April 17 at 3 p.m. To be eligible, applicants must:
• Be a resident of Westfield (at least one parent or legal guardian residing in Westfield)
• Be a current or incoming high school student (public, private or homeschooled)
• Be self-motivated and committed to fulfilling their responsibilities
• Be able to dedicate approximately 5-10 hours per week to WMYC activities
To learn more about the Westfield Mayor’s Youth Council, visit westfieldin. gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/180
Al Hambach Memorial Golf Classic
— Meals On Wheels of Hamilton County will host its third annual Al Hambach Memorial Golf Classic presented by First Merchants Bank June 8 at Chatham Hills Country Club in Westfield. The event includes a round of golf, breakfast, lunch, a silent auction and an awards ceremony. Funds raised from the tournament will help feed vulnerable Hamilton County residents and allow them to remain living independently in their own homes.
To register, go to mealsonwheelshc.org/ golf-outing/
Westfield Winter Market — The Westfield Winter Market will run every Saturday through March 28 from 9 a.m.Noon at West Fork Whiskey Co. at 10 E. 191st Street. Nearly 50 vendors, whose offerings include fresh produce, coffee and breakfast foods, locally sourced meat products, handcrafted artisanal goods and more, will participate in the market.
Westfield Middle School cheerleader tryouts — Fifth-through seventh-graders can try out to become a WMS cheerleader. A clinic will take place in the WMS North gym from 4 to 5:30 p.m. March 30-31. Tryouts will take place April 1. For more, email coach Jodi Hardt at hardtj@wws.k12.in.us
He loves a parade
Longtime volunteer key to 500 Festival annual event
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Al Wurster’s passion for the 500 Festival Parade began at an early age.
“When I was 8 or 9 years old, I went down to the parade to help my uncle sell programs,” he said. “The programs used to (feature) the floats, the history, that sort of thing. So, that was my first taste of being at the parade.”
The 63-year-old Zionsville resident became a volunteer with the seating committee in 1987.
“I worked my way up to chair of the parade and then moved on to the 500 Festival board for eight years,” he said. “I started with that role in the fall of 1999, with the first race being the 2000 (Indianapolis 500) race. My last race and time on the board was 2007, the year after I was chairman of the board in 2006.”
Wurster has remained involved with the parade, serving as track liaison coordinator. He also serves on the 500 Festival Foundation board.
“It’s a great community event,” Wurster said. “The biggest event the 500 Festival does is the Mini-Marathon, and the second one is the parade. I’m engaged in logistics and where to stage things. I don’t get to see a whole lot of the fans because the fan experience starts at North Street and Pennsylvania Street, where I am. I see the first section of the crowd. But to see the kids and the energy there is really cool.”
As track liaison, Wurster helps get the 33 Indy 500 drivers from the drivers’ meeting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the parade in Indianapolis.
“I coordinate the activities that happen at the track,” he said. We have a motorcade police escort to the parade route.”
After getting the drivers there, Wurster said he parks his car and heads to the starting line of the parade to work with longtime volunteer Chris Rehme to make sure everything is in order.
“I’ll absolutely do it as long as they’ll have me, as long as I don’t screw up,” Wurster said of volunteering.
Laura Bliss, vice president of operations for the 500 Festival, said Wurster’s contributions are major.
“Al’s dedication to the 500 Festival has been unwavering for decades,” Bliss
said. “From his time on our board of directors beginning in 1999 to his continued involvement on the Parade Committee today, he has remained deeply committed to the success and tradition of the parade. His passion for the 500 Festival and our community truly embodies the spirit of this event.”
Wurster has attended all but two Indy 500 races since 1987, and one of those was 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic that kept fans from attending.
Prior to moving to Zionsville 2 1/2 years ago, Wurster lived in Noblesville. Wurster is a commercial general contractor for Wurster Construction, a family business based in Indianapolis.
“I’m third generation and my son (Max) is fourth generation,” he said. Max, a Westfield resident, has been a 500 Festival Parade volunteer since graduating from college. Wurster has two other children, daughter Madison and son Fritz, who are not involved in the business. His first wife, Sally, died of breast cancer in 2016. He started dating his second wife, Marsha, in 2019 before they married in 2022.
FOND MEMORY
One of the neat things Al Wurster experienced while serving on the 500 Festival board was taking celebrities around the track for a parade lap before the race.
“One year I had actor Patrick Dempsey around the track,” Wurster said. “I knew he was on a TV show, ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ but I didn’t know he went by the nickname ‘McDreamy.’ And as we were going around the track, everybody was yelling ‘McDreamy.’ He was just getting the biggest kick out of that. He was a great guy. There’s a lot of great people I’ve gotten to meet.”
Al Wurster is a longtime 500 Festival Parade volunteer. (Photo courtesy of Al Wurster)
Everwise Credit Union
Opens New Branch for Zionsville-Carmel Community
Everwise Credit Union is expanding to serve the ZionsvilleWest Carmel community with its fifth full-service branch in Hamilton County and its 19th branch in the greater Indianapolis region. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on April 21 at 10920 North Michigan Road.
The new branch reflects Everwise’s ongoing commitment to our members and community-focused service, offering convenient access for commuters and families traveling between neighborhoods, downtown Indianapolis and surrounding communities.
Situated along Michigan Road, the branch is intentionally placed to serve growing families, professionals and small businesses whose lives and work frequently cross city and county lines.
“As communities like Zionsville grow, the needs of the people who live and work there continue to evolve,” said Jay Gendics, Chief Banking Officer at Everwise Credit Union. “Having a presence here allows us to meet members where they are and support them with the financial services they rely on.”
Inside, members will find modern digital banking tools and a team focused on one-on-one financial guidance, helping members build long-term financial confidence, whether they are purchasing their first home, refinancing an auto loan or preparing for retirement.
In an era defined by digital banking, Everwise aims to be digitally convenient and humanly accessible.
“Banking has always been personal,” Gendics said. “Technology should make things easier, not replace genuine connection. Digitize the process, but never the relationship.”
Comfortable seating areas, private consultation rooms and integrated digital tools in the branch allow members to move seamlessly between technology and personal interaction. Members can stop in to ask questions, explore options or gain clarity about their next step with Everwise’s experienced professionals.
With a long history of supporting local schools, nonprofits and small businesses in local communities, Everwise is also looking forward to establishing stronger roots in Zionsville and West Carmel.
The organization invests more than $1 million annually into local initiatives including supporting lifelong learning through financial education and scholarships. Everwise’s annual “Day of Giving” mobilizes employees to support local non-profits through hands-on service.
Millers senior softball player ready for leadership role
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.comi
Noblesville High School senior softball player Haley Schatko wants to end her prep career with a flourish.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for me to show my leadership as a senior,” Schatko said.
“I think everything that we’ve been working on in the offseason is going to prepare us for the level of competition that we’re going to be playing this season. I think the competition in Hamilton County is amazing, and we’re really going to get pushed as a team. The team with better chemistry and better overall training is going to come out on top, and I think we’ve really prepared ourselves for that.”
Millers coach Deke Bullard said Schatko is a positive influence.
“Haley is a great vocal leader who encourages her teammates in practices and games alike,” said Bullard, whose team opens the season March 25 at West-
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
MEET HALEY SCHATKO
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Favorite musicians: Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
Favorite subject: Biomedical inovations
ern. “She pushes them to be better and keeps the mood light and fun. As a senior, Haley will have the responsibility to step up and lead from the senior-level position. We will be looking for her to foster and help her younger teammates succeed at the varsity level.”
Bullard said Schatko will play shortstop, third base and catcher.
Noblesville High School senior Haley Schatko batted .463 last season.
(Photo courtesy of Julie Montgomery)
Schatko said her goal every season is to win a state championship.
“I think we have a lot to prove after losing in regionals,” she said. “I think we want to prove we can go further.”
Schatko batted .463 with 11 doubles, six home runs and 33 RBIs last season. She hit .292 with five doubles and one home run as a sophomore. She hit .333 in 14 games as a freshman.
“I just want to be the best athlete I can for our team,” she said. “I hope I have a good hitting season again and a good defensive season. Last season was definitely one of my best stretches of hitting.
The (stretch was) amazing and that’s a big thanks to my hitting coach, Justin Glass. He’s an awesome instructor and I think I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s prepped (me) for more of the mental size of hitting and making adjustments.”
Schatko travels to Fort Wayne once or twice a week to work with Glass during the offseason.
“He transformed my swing so much,” she said. “It’s a lengthy drive, but it’s worth it.”
Schatko, who will play for Indiana University next season, was recruited as a catcher. She has been a catcher for her Indiana Magic Gold travel team
As a junior, she caught only one game and played every other game at third. She played catcher nearly every game for the Millers as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the first game in the sectional.
“That took me out until mid-July,” she said of the injury. “I think it taught me a lot and I learned a lot sitting to the side and watching my teammates grow.”
Schatko’s older sister, Bella, a 2023 NHS graduate, is a junior infielder for Earlham College’s softball team.
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ARM IN ARM
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Jeff Crist is a seventh-grade teacher at Westfield Middle School, and Will Sevick is a student in Crist’s Medical Detectives class — and they have made a connection beyond the traditional teacher-student relationship.
Sevick, 12, was born without a portion of his right arm. Crist wanted to know whether Sevick would be interested in a project where a functional prosthetic arm was designed for him using a 3D printer that Crist bought via a Westfield Education Foundation grant during the 2024-25 school year.
“We were dissecting sheep brains in the lab one day (for the Medical Detectives class),” Crist said. “Will asked for a second rubber glove so he could have a right hand. He stuck the rubber glove on his arm and blew air into it and said he wore it for the rest of the day. I’m like, ‘Why can’t we just make you a hand?’“
Sevick loved the idea and presented it to his mother, Shannon Sevick, who approved.
“William came home from school and said, ‘My teacher is going to give me an arm.’ And I said, ‘What?’,” she said, noting that there is no specific medical condition that caused her son to be born without part of his arm. “He said it was the teacher who has the 3D printer. I simply asked him if he was OK with this. Is this what you want? I don’t know what it’s like to live life as he has to. We navigate life through him.”
Crist, who has taught at WWS since 2001, took on the the project through his participation in the Project Lead The Way STEM CTE program at WMS.
“PTLW offers a variety of classes anywhere from sixth grade up to the high school level,” Crist said. “The courses
WMS teacher and student collaborate to make prosthetic limb
we currently teach here at the middle school are Automation Robotics and Medical Detectives and just lots of fun hands-on projects that kind of get kids doing things physically.”
Designing a prosthetic arm for Sevick is one of the hands-on projects. It will be an ongoing project while Sevick attends WMS.
Besides the 3D printer, Crist also received a $1,000 grant for printing supplies. The 3D printer uses a variety of filaments to “print” its object.
“You buy the filament at one kilogram spool, and it costs typically anywhere from $12 to $20 a spool,” Crist said.
“It’s just plastic. I like to think of it like squeezing a tube of toothpaste.”
Creating a prosthetic is a complex process. It has to be molded to fit Sevick’s to feel natural — not too tight or too loose.
“I give him feedback on how to make it better and how to fix it,” said Sevick, who also is a Junior All-Star center for the Indy Fuel ice hockey team.
Designing the prosthetic goes beyond just what the 3D printer can provide. Crist said tubing to reduce friction and fishing line for easier movement have been added to the 3D printed prosthetic to make it more stable. Mastering the
PICKING THE RIGHT ARM
When Westfield Middle School teacher Jeff Crist and seventh-grade student Will Sevick decided to collaborate to make a prosthetic arm, for Sevick, they had to determine what type to use.
A nonprofit called Team UnLimbited has created arms that can be made with a 3D printer. The design is provided free of charge through an open-source license.
From there, the design process is
simple.
“You take the measurements of Will’s good arm, with the circumference up by his bicep and the length from his elbow down to his wrist and from his wrist to his fingertip,” Crist said. “And then we scaled this model to fit to be identical to his other arm.”
Crist said one of his goals is to work with Team UnLimbited to produce prosthetics for other students in need.
straps is also part of the process.
Sevick and Crist have created different iterations of the prosthetic. The latest version, dubbed 2.0, is red with gold trim to pay tribute to the “Iron Man” movie series.
Crist hopes the project can lead to incorporation into the WMS curriculum. He said it also has been one of the highlights of his teaching career.
“I want this to be an ongoing thing, like not just while he’s at the middle school, but even at the high school, as he grows,” Crist said. “I’ve got a chart ready so I can alter these pieces so they can grow with him.”
Shannon Sevick appreciates Crist’s efforts for her son.
“I’m very thankful that Mr. Crist took interest in him,” she said. “Not as a spectacle type of thing, but to look at William for William.”
Sevick also is thankful for Crist.
“I really like it, it was really nice of him, and (the arm) is really cool,” Will said.
ON THE COVER: Westfield Middle School teacher Jeff Crist and seventh-grade student Will Sevick with the prosthetic arm they designed together. (Photo by Todd Golden)
Two of the prosthetic arms that Westfield Middle School teacher Jeff Crist and seventh-grade student Will Sevick designed for Sevick’s use. The red arm is the latest model, with the motif based on the “Iron Man” film series. (Photo by Todd Golden)
Crist
Sevick
A 3D printer, acquired by Westfield Middle School teacher Jeff Crist through a Westfield Education Foundation grant, makes part of the prosthetic arm used by seventh-grade student Will Sevick. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Crist)
Representatives from Panera Bread, the Westfield Chamber of Commerce and the City of Westfield take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 17 at the new restaurant at 222 E. 175th St.
New Panera Bread opens
By Brittney Dial Testin news@youarecurrent.com
Panera Bread at 222 E 175th St., had a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 17 for its second Westfield restaurant.
Panera Bread is an American multinational chain of bakery-café fast casual restaurants serving soups, salads, sandwiches and bakery items.
The new restaurant has Wi-Fi, a drive-thru, dine-in, rapid pick-up, delivery, catering and other amenities. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from
7 a.m. from 9 p.m.
“We are really excited to be a part of the community,” said Stephanie Hardy, director of retail operations for the new Panera Bread. “I live in Westfield as well, so I am very excited for this opening.”
Attendees received a free baguette and special discounts. Those who signed up for the Unlimited Sip Club received a special edition tumbler.
Panera’s other Westfield restaurant is at 2001 E Greyhound Pass. For more, visit panerabread.com.
(Photo by Brittany Dial Testin)
‘Exodus’ returns to GHDT for third time
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre returns to what Executive Director Gregory Hancock calls perhaps one of his all-time favorite pieces that he created.
“Exodus” is set for 7 p.m. March 27 and 5 p.m. March 28 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
This is the third time “Exodus” has been performed. The last time was in spring 2022.
“It is also an important piece, and more relevant than ever with our world in so much chaos,” Hancock said. “It is a cautionary tale about not learning lessons from the past, but it is also filled with hope, strength and freedom. When I created ‘Exodus,’ the most important moment was when the mother sets her child adrift on the river and sacrifices her happiness so her child could be saved and have a better life. The piece is driven by this sacrifice for love.”
Hancock said his adaptation was inspired by the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament, but the setting is the contemporary world.
“It includes the contemporary plagues of desecration of the Earth, gun violence, racism, war, poverty, crime, social media, government, selfishness and death of the firstborn,” he said. “Some of the plagues are difficult to watch and perform due to the content, but art is intended to challenge at times. The Moses character is named The Chosen and is represented as female. This was a choice I made due to the sacrifice of her mother and my personal experience of having a strong, independent, powerful mother who sacrificed for me. While there are many hardships represented in ‘Exodus,’ it is ultimately a story of love and sacrifice of a mother and the resilience of the human spirit and its capacity to find beauty and hope amid sorrow and despair.”
Hancock said the production contains powerful and athletic choreogra-
phy that pushes dancers to new levels of performance and endurance.
“Images of the river, the burning bush and the voice of God are all represented through humans, which makes for incredible visuals through the fulllength piece,” Hancock said. “If audiences have not experienced a GHDT performance, ‘Exodus’ is a perfect entry being a full-length story piece driven by an epic story, powerful imagery, stunning music, dramatic lighting and costuming and tour-de-force performances from dancers. Presented a week prior to Passover, ‘Exodus’ reminds us to remember and learn from our past.”
“Exodus” features eight company dancers, 20 additional dancers from throughout Indiana and seven young dancers. Company dancer Olivia Payton will reprise her role as The Chosen, and company dancer Thomas Mason will reprise his role as The Oppressor.
“It is wonderful to see how both dancers have evolved into the characters much further this time,” Hancock said. “The beauty of repeating a role is finding new depths in the characters and imbuing more personal life experiences into the roles.”
Payton is eager to return to the role “’Exodus’ is truly a production like none other,” she said. “I have been so lucky to be a part of this masterpiece every time it has been performed. This show is incredibly demanding physically, which makes the rehearsal process very challenging, but rewarding. From a visual standpoint, this production will immediately draw the audience in. The set pieces are minimalistic but incredibly powerful. The visuals of the burning bush and the river are captivating.”
She said the story’s cultural relevance is an impactful part of the production for her.
“The story is heavily inspired by the biblical story of ‘Exodus,’ but with modern plagues and other relevant imagery, audience members are sure to find parallels to our current world,” she said. “Getting to portray The Chosen is one of the biggest honors. This role pushes me physically and emotionally. It means a lot to me to show young women that they can be strong, powerful, soft and beautiful all at the same time.”
For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
‘PRETTY WOMAN’
“Pretty Woman” runs through April 4 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Feinstein’s cabaret presents “Now That’s Funny: Joey Villagomez” March 26, followed by Morgan James March 27-28 at Feinstein’s in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. The performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘SCARLET LETTER’
Civic Theatre’s production of “The Scarlet Letter” runs through March 28 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
‘THE
DROWNING GIRLS’
Main Street Productions’ presentation of “The Drowning Girls” runs through March 29 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
‘AND
THEN THERE WERE NONE’
The Carmel Apprentice Theatre will present Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” March 27 to April 4 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
THREE ITALIAN TENORS
“Direct from Rome: Three Italian Tenors” is 7 p.m. March 29 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
DISPATCH
Connick set for Carmel concert — Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, composer and actor Harry Connick Jr. and his band are set to perform at 7:30 p.m. July 20 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. Tickets are on sale at TheCenterPresents.org.
Olivia Payton returns in the role of The Chosen in Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s production of “Exodus.” (Photo courtesy of Lydia Moody)
Illusionist performance set
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
There is one constant during a performance by illusionist Rick Thomas “My show is centered around my ‘Mansion of Dreams,’” he said. “I wanted to create an evening where I invite the audience into my home or mansion and take them from room to room throughout my ‘Mansion of Dreams’ and show them how my dreams become a reality. I do the same in reverse by sharing with the audience how they can follow their dreams as well. The theme of the show is nothing happens until you dream.”
Thomas will perform at 8 p.m. April 4 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Thomas has received the highest award in the industry, the Illusionist of the World, presented by the World Magic Awards.
“I’m not a guy up there doing tricks,” Thomas said. “This goes far beyond magic and it’s a relationship that audiences will never forget.”
Thomas, who has won Entertainer of the Year and Show of the Year awards in Branson, Mo., has been a professional illusionist for 45 years.
“I was in Las Vegas for 20 straight years, and I had the most successful show for families in the history of Las Vegas,” he said. “I received a key to the City of Las Vegas.”
About 13 years ago, singer Andy Williams died and Thomas was asked to take over the 2,000-seat Moon River Theatre in Branson. Thomas now performs in the 700-seat Americana Theatre in Branson.
“I decided to go out there for one year
and help them out,” he said. “Now, it’s our 12th year anniversary and I call Branson home. I know why Andy Williams called it home. He left Hollywood and never returned. It’s a beautiful part of the country. It gives me a chance to raise my family as I so desire and I get to tour the world because Branson is closed about three or four months a year.”
Thomas said he recently performed in England and Florida.
Thomas was the magician for Disneyland Hotel for two years when he began his career.
While in Las Vegas residencies at different casinos, he performed two shows a night for six nights for about 50 weeks a year.
“I (perform) about one month a year now in Las Vegas just to keep my name in Vegas,” he said. “But what’s funny about Las Vegas is the longer you are there the less of the world knows who you are. There are entertainers in Vegas who have been there for ages and outside of the Vegas community, if you’re not out there touring and traveling beyond Vegas, you almost disappear.”
Thomas has conducted five world tours in more than 50 nations.
For more, visit rickthomas.com and thecenterpresents.org.
Illusionist Rick Thomas will perform April 4 in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Rick Thomas)
1. Type of buddy 6. Mideast gulf
Serene
Rich German cake
Monon Trail trek
16. Fishers N-S Road
17. ___ State Park (featuring water under the bridge)
19. Bad blood
20. Non-Rx
21. Herb that tastes like licorice
23. Wagering option, briefly
26. Secretary of State Rubio
30. Plow guy
31. ___ fatale
33. Zionsville Farmers’ Market corn unit
34. Smart-alecky
35. Arctic floater
36. Two-thirds of AOL
38. ___ State Park (featuring a big drop of water)
42. “Enough!”
43. Rapper on “Law & Order: SVU”
46. Group of plotters
50. IU conference foe
51. Delight
52. Connect
53. Front-wheel alignment
55. Nutritional fig.
56. Capital of Colombia
58. Point to pick
60. Tehran’s land
61. ___ State Park (featuring a water source not found in a waterbed mattress)
68. Stick with it!
69. Attention getter
70. Untidy
71. Boilermakers’ list of games, for short
72. Stately splendor
73. Battery terminal DOWN
1. Texter’s “incidentally”
2. ___ and aah
3. Lanka lead-in
4. Palindromic boy’s name 5. “Let’s get together”
6. Tuna type
7. AFC South, e.g.
8. Squeeze (out)
9. Soft ball brand
10. Eye part
11. Some skirts
12. Indiana State Prison long-term residents
13. Like a varied “crew”
18. Hoosier Dome sponsor, for awhile
22. Ford flop
23. Switch position
24. Business card abbr.
25. BSU hotshot
27. Lease
28. Caribbean music
29. Hole in the head?
32. Pacers Hall of Famer Daniels
36. Frequently, in verse
37. ___ King Cole
39. Part of an archipelago
40. Abner’s adjective
41. Evidence of an old wound
44. IND gate info
45. Mad Hatter’s drink
46. Ark measures
47. Winter coat
48. Galoot
49. Made amends
51. Puzzling situation
54. Brown County lodge
57. Letters of urgency
59. IRS employees
62. Chao Vietnamese Street Food soup
63. Sleep acronym
64. Little devil
65. Monument Circle music grp.
66. ‘60s psychedelic
67. Alkaline cleaner
ANSWERS ON PAGE 19
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