Soil settling renders balconies unusable
Troubled nurse practitioner accused of insurance fraud Page 4
Page 5
2 CHS teams celebrate state championships
Page 7 & 8
Page 11 County breaks ground on public safety training center
Morning Sun Movember initiative kicks off Carmel High School set to compete for another BOA national championship
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Saturday, November 29
Enjoy Shop Small Shop Carmel at participating stores located in Carmel's Central Core and Th e Vil lage o f We st Cl ay.
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By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
The City of Carmel has unveiled an online tool to encourage more residents to express interest in being appointed to boards and commissions, but some city councilors are concerned another proposed change might limit the candidate pool.
Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam is considering a plan to shift certain public meetings to regular workday hours, a move she says will save dollars in tough times but opponents believe will make it more difficult for residents to attend or serve on certain boards.
the Carmel City Council during their Nov. 3 meeting. In late October, she added $50,000 to the 2026 budget for after-hours security at City Hall.
City Council President Adam Aasen told Current Nov. 4 he is disappointed that the mayor is still considering rescheduling some public meetings.
“We need to do everything we can to encourage – not discourage – participation in the political process,” he said.
“We have not made any decisions,” Finkam said. “While the decision during the budget process to allocate additional funding for building security is an important new development in this process, we remain committed to looking for solutions to reduce the cost of government while providing access to city services, programs and people.”
Holding public meetings during the typical workday is expected to save the city approximately $173,000 per year, largely by reducing overtime pay for employees required to attend the meetings. The city is looking for ways to cut costs, as Senate Enrolled Act 1 is expected to lead to Carmel receiving approximately $10 million less in property tax dollars than originally projected.
Last month, the council pushed back on Finkam’s proposal by introducing an ordinance requiring Carmel City Hall to be open anytime public meetings are occurring. However, the council does not have the authority to set public meeting times for entities other than itself.
Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam has said she supports the ordinance, but it hasn’t led to her reversing course on earlier meeting times, which appeared to surprise some members of
Aasen said Finkam can set meeting times for boards her office created, such as the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Housing. Other boards, such as the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, can set their own meeting times but may be inclined to defer to the mayor, who appoints a majority of the board members and director.
“We are going to do what is best for the city, and we certainly take our lead from the administration,” CRC Director Henry Mestetsky said at the Nov. 3 council meeting.
Carmel Plan Commission President Christine Zoccola said a decision has not yet been made about whether its monthly meeting will move from 6 p.m to earlier in the day. She said any change would require an amendment to the commission’s rules of procedure.
The city council intends to continue convening at 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Seven of the nine city councilors work day jobs, Aasen said, and earlier meetings would make it more difficult for them to regularly attend. He is concerned about how a mandate to meet earlier might affect other boards with similar makeups.
At the same time, Aasen, who worked with Councilors Anita Joshi and Tony Green to create the online portal, said he was encouraged by the number of applicants for city boards received on the first day the website went live.”
The following boards will have an open position in 2026 for an appointment to be made by the Carmel City Council:
• Carmel Christkindlmarkt board –Two-year term, one appointment
• Advisory Committee on Disability – Two-year term, two appointments
• Audit Committee – Two-year term, one appointment (must be a CPA)
• Carmel City Center Community Development Corporation –One-year term, one appointment
• Climate Action Advisory Committee – Two-year term, two appointments
• Economic Development Commission – Three-year term, one appointment
• Ethics Board – Two-year term, two appointments (One Democrat, one Republican)
• Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Arts – Two-year term, one appointment
• Redevelopment Commission –One-year term, one appointment Apply at forms.carmel.in.gov/ Forms/AppointeeApplication.
Councilor Anita Joshi said the goal is to attract talented residents who can use their skills to serve the community.
“We need to tap into the deep expertise within our Carmel community to fill our boards and commissions,” she said. “This first step increases outreach, so more people know how to apply. The second step is to introduce a rigorous vetting process to ensure we pick the best candidates.”
Aasen said the council is still working through details of the vetting process once applications are received.
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By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
For the last several months, one of the most visible apartment buildings at The Seasons of Carmel has been surrounded by wooden beams attached diagonally to the structure.
The supports went up after soil-related settling affected “certain balcony areas,” according to a statement from Birge & Held, which owns the 256-unit luxury apartments along Westfield Boulevard north of 98th Street.
“The safety and well-being of our residents is our highest priority, and immediate temporary measures were implemented while professional assessments were completed,” the company stated. “Comprehensive plans for permanent repairs are now under review, with construction scheduled to commence upon approval of the most effective solution. Residents will be provided with regular updates as construction timelines are finalized.”
According to the construction design release issued by the state of Indiana, the project includes “replacement of sloping balconies and reinforcement of foundations with helical piles.”
Helical piles are beams inserted into the earth deep below a structure to give it foundational support.
Residents of The Seasons told Current that renters in the impacted building have been unable to use their balconies
Wooden beams provide support to an apartment building at The
for several months and that they’ve received little information about the problem or the plan to fix it.
Birge & Held did not respond to questions from Current about whether the settling soil impacted the structure of the building beyond the balconies, whether residents will be temporarily displaced and when construction could begin and end.
The Seasons opened in 2015 on 21 acres. Barrett & Stokely and Pittman Partners collaborated on the $34 million development.
Planetarium show – The Carmel High School Planetarium will present “Discover the Stars” at 7 p.m. Nov. 25. The program will explore the lives of stars and include a tour of the night sky. Tickets cost $6 for adults and $4 for children and are available at tinyurl. com/2mfytzhp. CHS is at 520 E. Main St.
Free race registration for veterans – First responders and military veterans can register for free for the Bolt for the Heart 5K walk/run, set for 9 a.m. Nov. 27. The Thanksgiving day event begins and ends near Carter Green in Carmel. Learn more and register at boltfortheheart.com.
Civility workshop – Project Civility and Urban Rural Action will present a “Please Pass the Civility,” a workshop aimed at providing tools for navigating disagreement through constructive conversation, from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St. Register for the free event at carmelclaylibrary.org/event/14988886.
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
A Carmel nurse practitioner arrested last month for writing fraudulent prescriptions has also been accused of attempting to commit insurance fraud.
Katherine Curtis, 34, reported a burglary at her home Oct. 6, but several items she claimed were stolen — including Louis Vuitton bags and Apple computers — were later discovered by investigators in her house, according to a probable cause affidavit.
been stolen. She did not mention the Louis Vuitton items in the insurance claim, and she did not tell CPD about the missing computers.
Curtis’ insurance policy began approximately two weeks before the reported burglary, which was a “red flag” to investigators, the affidavit states.
When Carmel police responded to the burglary report, Curtis, owner of medical spa Reclaim Wellness, said $6,270 in items she recently purchased from the Louis Vuitton store, her wedding ring and $6,250 in cash had been stolen while she was briefly away from the home.
Curtis told police she suspected a former employee, who knew her garage code, may have been involved. She said the value of the missing items was approximately $25,000.
The next day, police contacted Curtis’ insurance company and learned she had reported her wedding ring, $6,250 in cash and two Apple computers had
During the investigation, police discovered that Curtis took photos of some of the allegedly missing Louis Vuitton items approximately three minutes before the first CPD officer arrived at her home Oct. 6. They also found photos she allegedly took of the missing computers two days after the reported burglary.
In addition, Curtis returned some of the Louis Vuitton items to the store for a refund and attempted to sell other items she reported missing through Facebook, the affidavit states.
Curtis has been charged with two felony counts of fraud, two felony counts of obstruction of justice and two misdemeanor counts of false informing. She was released from the Hamilton County Jail Nov. 4 after posting $25,000 bond. A trial is set for May 19, 2026.
Curtis was already facing dozens of other charges related to allegedly overprescribing medications and using the identities of other medical professionals to do so.
Student broadcaster recognized – 2025 Hillsdale College graduate Erin Osborne, a Carmel native, won fourth place in the Best Feature News Reporting category at the College Broadcasters, Inc., National Student Media Convention Awards held Oct. 22 to 25 in Denver, Colo. Osborne was recognized for her report on Hillsdale’s “Battle of the Bands.”
Menards Toy Drive — Local Menards stores are serving as Toy Drive drop-off sites from now through Dec. 15. Each store has a drop box near the exit door to collect new and unwrapped presents.
Letter carrier celebrates 50 years – Carmel letter carrier Barb Crane was recently recognized for her 50 years of federal service. She has been a postal service employee for 46 years, working at Fort Benjamin Harrison and the Department of Veterans Affairs before starting her postal career. During a celebration at the Carmel Post Office, officials celebrated Crane’s milestone with a presentation of her 50-year Service Award and pin. Crane plans to retire in May 2026.
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By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Westfield High School outside hitter
Georgia Bresnahan missed her junior volleyball season following surgery on both knees in the summer of 2024.
“It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through, having to sit out from volleyball,” she said.
“I’ve had injuries before, so it was easy to get down because I had to sit out again. But I think it helped me for the better because I’m stronger because of it. My love for the sport kind of grew because I realized how much I missed it. It kind of helped drive me to be better than I was before.”
The 5-foot-10 Bresnahan helped lead the Shamrocks to a 26-2 record. Class 4A No. 2 Westfield lost to No. 1 Fort Wayne Carroll in five sets Nov. 1 in the IHSAA Class 4A semistate opener at Rochester High School. Westfield won only its second regional in school history.
Favorite athlete: Brazil’s outside hit-
ter Gabriela Braga Guimarães
Favorite TV show: “Modern Family”
Favorite vacation spot: Arizona
Favorite subject: Math
Bresnahan was the season leader for the Shamrocks in kills.
“She is someone who has been a glue for us,” Westfield coach Sean Keeve said. “She’s one heck of a teammate, one heck of a quiet leader. She deserves a lot of recognition for our success this year. Georgia filled some big shoes, playing six rotations for us. (She) generally never came off the floor. She was a big back row attacking option for us.
She held her own on serve receive and did a great job defensively.”
Keeve said Bresnahan was reliable in stressful situations.
“She was never afraid to do the right thing when the moment called for it, and that’s something that’s pretty hard
to replace,” Keeve said.
Bresnahan, who became a varsity starter as a freshman, said she has made the most improvement with her strength over her prep career.
That helped propel the Shamrocks’ success this season, along with the team’s bond.
“Our team is so close together,” she said. “We’ve had to go through some hard games together, and those kind of prepared us to get further into the tournament. Our wins helped build our confidence, and we gained more and more confidence as the season went on.”
Bresnahan has committed to play for NCAA Division I Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
“I really love the coaches,” she said. “They are super kind and welcoming. I feel like I can progress as a volleyball player and person on the team. The girls are really sweet. I’m excited with the level of play on the team as well. I think we can accomplish some cool things.”
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@youarecurrent.com.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Carmel High School girls cross country coach Scott Williams understands how special it is to repeat as state champion.
“Winning it once is hard, and winning it twice is even harder, because you know what it takes and you know what can go wrong,” Williams said.
Nothing went wrong Nov. 1 in the IHSAA state finals in Terre Haute. The Greyhounds finished with 100 points, 29 fewer than second-place Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran. Carmel extended its record of girls state championships to 21. Valparaiso is a distant second with five state titles.
Greyhounds senior Sadie Foley placed third among individuals in 17 minutes, 22.6 seconds.
Foley missed the first two meets after being injured in the 1,600 meters in the state track and field finals in June. She finished fifth in the 1,600 after being tripped and falling near the start of the race. The next day, she learned she had a fracture in her ankle.
“She wasn’t really fully healthy to run until maybe mid-September,” Williams said. “So, that kind of got the team’s attention, and some other girls on the team improved and stepped up. Then when Sadie came back full strength, we were just that much better.”
Foley went from 12th to third, and her time was almost 48 seconds faster
18:10.2 after finishing 17th last year.
“Her time wasn’t that much different, but it was so much more competitive,”
Williams said. “But when you are talking about winning a team title and your third runner is 22nd, that’s pretty good. Other teams have a hard time matching up with that. (Pollert) has been consistent all year.”
Other Greyhounds finishers were Margo Halle, sophomore, 38th; Kaitlyn Oshimura, senior, 73rd; Anna Yoon, junior, 134th; and Lilliana Cate, senior, 161st.
The top five runners’ finishes among the competing teams are counted in the team points.
than last year. Junior Larkin Taylor finished 10th for the second consecutive year but was 20 seconds faster at 17:46.
Williams said the team’s fifth, sixth and seventh runners have been interchangeable.
“We felt good about our front runners, but we knew we had good people backing them up,” he said.
Junior Annabel Pollert placed 22nd in
“With about a kilometer to go, I felt pretty good about our chances looking at our fifth runner compared to theirs,” Williams said. “I knew we had an advantage up front.”
Williams said the team is so deep that the fifth, sixth and seventh runners had never run in a regional or state meet before this season.
“When you have so many kids in your program, you have to work your way up,” he said.
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By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
The Carmel High School boys soccer team’s motto was to trust the process.
“They believed in it and believed in themselves and their teammates,” Greyhounds coach Shane Schmidt said. “I think that made all the difference in the world. They bought in hook, line and sinker. Their efforts and work rate and everything they did throughout the season, it wasn’t a fluke. They put in the work, they put in the belief and ended with the result it ended in.”
The Class 3A No. 3 Greyhounds captured their second IHSAA boys soccer state championship with a 3-1 victory over No. 5 (West Lafayette) Harrison in the Class 3A final Nov. 1 at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis.
Schmidt, in his 19th season as head coach, was the junior varsity coach from 1998 to 2005. He was a varsity assistant when Carmel won its only other IHSAA state title in 2006. His team was a state runner-up in 2021.
Scoring for the Greyhounds (18-1-3) in the final were seniors Curtis Droste, Alex Rubin and Evan Bardos. With the score tied at 1-all, Rubin hit what proved to be the game-winner on a penalty kick in the first half.
The Greyhounds won with balance.
Senior Troy Enslin led the team with nine goals on the season. Quinn Wu and Bardos each had seven goals.
“When you play the difficult schedule that we do, we’re not going to be scoring a ton of goals,” Schmidt said. “I think that it also made it a little bit difficult for teams to figure out who do you key in on the attack when it was different people doing different things in different games.”
The Greyhounds had a senior-heavy lineup with 14 seniors.
The three returning starters are juniors goalkeeper Gray Morgan, midfielder Max Householder and defender Landon Carlin. Sophomore Jet Truitt was a key reserve.
“The other couple of subs that came in were seniors,” Schmidt said. “That’s kind of how we build the program, so we have a larger number of seniors to kind of lead the way every year.”
Schmidt said he likely has four seniors who would like to go on to play in college but have not yet committed.
Schmidt said the players who didn’t play regularly pushed the others.
“We had 24 guys and all of them had just as big an impact, and not all of them got to play when the lights were shining, but they made the difference because of what they did in training sessions,” he said.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Carmel High School girls soccer coach John Simmonds knew the rematch with Hamilton Southeastern was going to be difficult.
“We knew it was going to be a onegoal game either way and somebody was going to make a mistake at some point in the game, based on it’s the state final and the pressure,” Simmonds said. “We had a little bit of a miscue.”
The Class 3A No. 3 Greyhounds lost 1-0 to No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern in the IHSAA 3A girls soccer state championship match at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis.
“As I told the girls after the game, I didn’t want this to take away from the season that they had with 16 shutouts, a player who scored 40 goals, the unbelievable senior leadership that our 10 seniors gave us to help show the way for our younger players moving forward on how a senior should act,” Simmonds said. “For me as a coach in my first year at Carmel, it couldn’t expect anything better than this.”
The Greyhounds, who finished 19-31, lost to HSE 3-1 in the Aug. 16 season
opener.
“Every week, it’s let’s get better individually, let’s get better as a group, let’s get better in the classroom,” Simmonds said. “We had 19 of our 21 varsity players that were Academic All-State. That’s a big deal for me as a coach. That means more than wins and losses.”
Seven of the 11 starters are seniors. Senior forward Adalyn Cameron, who scored 40 goals, is undecided on her college choice. Cameron is a frontrunner for Miss Soccer for Indiana.
Seniors who have made their college commitments include Olivia Joyce, University of Kansas; Emma Ehret, Indiana University; Ryan Weber, Iowa State University; and Kate Klinginsmith, Ball State University. Maddy Recker is undecided on her college decision.
“At Carmel, it’s not rebuild, it’s reload,” said Simmonds, who previously coached at Park Tudor. “Our JV and freshmen teams were undefeated this year. There’s quite a lot of sophomore and junior talent coming up. I’d anticipate we’d be a top 10 team going into the season and, hopefully, we get it together and end up where we were this year, in the state finals.”
500 Festival Princess Program applications open for 2026 – Young women across Indiana can apply for the 500 Festival Princess Program, which celebrates college-age women who demonstrate leadership, a commitment to service, and embody the Hoosier spirit. Applications are open until Jan. 4, 2026. Selected Princesses will serve as ambassadors for the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis 500 and will participate in community service projects and outreach from February through May. Each Princess receives a $1,500 scholarship. Those interested can apply at 500Festival. com/Princess.
Featuring soloist Bruno Sandes with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Featuring soloist Bruno Sandes with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
The Palladium
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
With a state title on the line, Guerin Catholic High School senior goalkeeper Ryan McGrath couldn’t help thinking of his late father.
“Honestly, (the) first (penalty kick), I was crying in the goal,” he said. “It was a really emotional moment for me. I wanted to get the job done because I know he’s up there watching me.”
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before McGrath’s save.
The Golden Eagles had topped Chatard 4-2 Sept. 6. This time, the Trojans held Guerin scoreless in regulation and two seven-minute overtimes.
Alvarez said the Golden Eagles said a prayer all season to have the courage to be great.
McGrath composed himself to help the Golden Eagles win the IHSAA Class 2A state championship Oct. 31 at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis.
The 2A No. 2 Golden Eagles edged Bishop Chatard 1-0, winning 12-11 in penalty kicks. It set a record for most penalty kicks in IHSAA state finals history. The Golden Eagles (18-4) won Class A titles in 2013 and 2014.
McGrath’s father, Chris McGrath, was the Golden Eagles’ coach from 2016 until his death from COVID-19 complications at age 53 in 2021.
“Ryan dedicated the season to his dad,” said Guerin coach Jim Alvarez, who was an assistant under Chris McGrath. “Ryan’s a great kid. To be able to coach him and see him put so much into this season, he embraced it.”
McGrath, a Noblesville resident, even stepped in and made a penalty kick himself.
“I’m happy I converted mine, but I really wanted to save one at the end of the day,” he said. “I really wanted to get it done.”
Golden Eagles senior Christian Zermeno converted his penalty kick right
“It doesn’t mean you do great things, it means you (do) the little things to get there,” Alvarez said. “It’s about the process. We practice PKs, but these are high school boys and you never know when they step up and take a kick what is going through their mind.”
Alvarez said that the penalty kicks were by far the most in a game he’s coached.
“I think the longest I’ve coached a game in PKs is six,” he said. “You’re just hoping either they miss or the goalie makes the save. Ryan finally made the save. It was not easy on the coaches, but it was awesome. Kudos to Chatard. They played their tails off. We probably outshot them 3-to-1 but couldn’t put them away.”
Golden Eagles senior Chris Jurewicz, who didn’t play because of an injury, received the Mental Attitude Award for Class 2A boys soccer.
“I felt bad for him,” Alvarez said. “He had a hip injury and came back two weeks ago. He was playing significant minutes before (the injury). I felt bad for kids like that who couldn’t get in (the game), but he’s a great kid and he’s all about the team.”
For the season, senior Will Scheu led Guerin with 23 goals, followed by Zermeno with 19.
Hamilton County officials broke ground Nov. 3 on a new $32 million Public Safety Training Center near 160th Street and River Road in Noblesville.
The facility, funded through county-issued bonds, will provide police, fire and emergency responders with a shared space to train and prepare for real-world emergencies.
“This is one of the most important public safety investments our county has ever made,” stated Steve Dillinger, president of the Hamilton County Commissioners. “As Hamilton County continues to grow, so does the need for well-trained, well-equipped first responders. This facility will allow them to train together, strengthen coordination and ensure they’re ready for whatever emergency situations may arise.”
According to a news release from the county, the project site will be cleaned up and redeveloped into a modern training complex featuring approximately 20,000 square feet of classroom and indoor training space, a five-story fire training burn tower, SWAT and tactical training areas, multiple shooting ranges and an Emergency Management Agency training area.
“This will be one of the best facilities in the Midwest — if not in the country,” stated Jim Barlow, the county’s training center coordinator and former Carmel police chief.
Dillinger said the county has been working on the project for 15 years. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months.
By Lauren Weidinger news@youarecurrent.com
Children’s TherAplay, at 9919 Towne Rd. in Carmel, will undergo its final phase of renovation with the completion of the Dobbs and Towriss Engagement Center.
The nonprofit will host a ribbon cutting for the center at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 13.
The completed center will feature a gym, equipped with a rock wall and basketball hoop; a large multiuse space; an ADA-accessible kitchen and a stage.
The multiuse space will allow for the facility to host workshops, educational events for families, work groups and provide group therapy for patients.
According to representatives at TherAPlay, the Dobbs family – TherAPlay was founded by Craig Dobbs in 2001 – along with benefactors Dan and Cassidy Towriss, wanted to develop the engagement center to create a multiuse space to expand upon the services and educational opportunities offered.
Additionally, Children’s TherAPlay Executive Director Kathy Pelletier said
that TheraPlay aims to launch a new program out of the center called Stirrup Hope.
This program involves adding a social worker to the Children’s TherAplay team to aid families through support groups, providing additional resources on social and emotional health and wellbeing and offering customized events. The team hopes to begin programming in January 2026.
Children’s TherAplay has undergone several phases of renovation since 2017. Phase 1 involved the addition of a 17-horse barn. Phase 2 was completed in 2020 and involved an update of the clinic space and adding office space for support staff.
Hippotherapy is a medical treatment that utilizes the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a treatment strategy to address functional goals. Typical therapy sessions involve having patients spend half of their time with the therapy horses and half of their time in a clinical setting.
For more visit, childrenstheraplay. org.
news@currentincarmel.com
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Hamilton County Health Department, has announced the launch of a new Bike Share program at Strawtown Koteewi Park at 12308 Strawtown Ave. in Noblesville.
Bike racks are at the White River Campground along the Steve Nation Trail and at the Taylor Center of Natural History.
The program is designed to promote recreation and wellness by encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor activity in Hamilton County’s largest
park.
Jason LeMaster, administrator of the Hamilton County Health Department, applauded the launch of the program.
“Active living and outdoor recreation are key to improving community health,” LeMaster stated. “Partnerships like this help make physical activity more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
Bikes can be rented at $1.50 per 30 minutes using a smartphone app or onsite kiosk, and users are encouraged to bring their own helmet.
For more, visit tinyurl. com/43n2xahh.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Two Hoosiers were among the top chefs in the Oct. 16-19 World Food Championships preliminary competition at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Bacon champ Daniel McDonald of Franklin and dessert champ Cindy Hawkins of Indianapolis will move on to the finals, set for spring 2026 in Bentonville, Ark.
Although competitions were the focus of the four-day event inside the fairgrounds’ Fall Creek Pavilion, visitors also could observe live demonstrations, taste samples from local vendors, see the most up-to-date equipment and, of course, watch the 400 teams from around the world compete for a top spot in 10 categories.
In addition to McDonald and Hawkins, the other eight winners were:
• Barbecue: Al Lino from Rio Hondo, Texas
• Burger: Dave Elliot from Olathe, Kansas
• Chef: Preston Nguyen from Arlington, Texas
• Live Fire: Mike Johnson from Clayton, Missouri
• Noodle: Rocky Julianelle from East Haven, Connecticut
• Sandwich: David Casey from Brockton, Massachusetts
• Seafood: Michael Everd from Bel Air, Maryland
• Vegetarian: Surabhi Suri from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Erica Blaire of Texas, host of the Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl,” was at the event and described how the competition works. She said chefs can bring ingredients with them — with prior approval — but they also grab items from pantries stocked by sponsor Sam’s Club.
Blaire said the chefs prepare a dish centered on the category. In the bacon category, for example, chefs make recipes with bacon as the main ingredient.
“And it can be any type of bacon,” she said. “So, you might see some old-world cuts of bacon — things that are not traditional but are still technically bacon.”
The chefs have a set amount of time to make their recipe from start to finish, arrange it on a platter and get it to the judges. “Cheferees” in striped refer-
ee-style shirts, patrol the cooking area to make sure rules are followed and to help clear a path when it’s time to race to the judges’ table.
“When these guys have to run all the way over and drop their dishes off, the dish has to stay in perfect form,” Blaire said. “The cheferees will be there to guide them and act almost like running backs to get them through. A lot of these dishes will weigh 10 to 15 pounds, and they’re carrying it and running over cords and everything to make it over there. If their dish does not make it to the table, their whole team is disqualified.”
Blaire added that the teams wait until the last minute to deliver their food, to make sure the recipe is served at the optimal temperature.
Blaire, who has competed in the WFC in the past, said her specialty is ribs and
“Nobody can beat me, and if they do, my mama is my runner — she knows how to trip people,” she joked.
The World Food Championships debuted in 2012 and since then has grown in popularity.
Last year, an Indianapolis chef brought home the $150,000 top prize. For more, visit worldfoodchampionships.com.
Christmas lights at the fairgrounds — The Indiana State Fairgrounds presents the Christmas Nights of Lights through Dec. 31, a drive-through holiday light show with a synchronized music radio broadcast. Through Nov. 22, a portion of ticket prices will benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition when purchasers use promo code NOCC25. For more, visit christmasnightsoflights.com.
Brooke’s Place fundraiser set — Brooke’s Place will host its 13th annual Legacy of Hope Breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Nov. 13 at Ritz Charles in Carmel, with a goal of raising $250,000 to support grief programs for children, teens, young adults and their caregivers. The breakfast is the central Indiana organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, sponsored by Valeo and The Willard and Anne Levin Foundation. For more and to register, visit brookesplace.org/events/loh25.
By Lauren Weidinger news@youarecurrent.com
Four Carmel High School students recently received a national honor for their documentary, “Buried Rights and Broken Duties: Love Canal and the Call for Responsibility.”
Senior Divya Ariyur and juniors Shawn Feng, Emma An and Benjamin Lu won The Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, which Ariyur and Feng accepted Oct. 21 at the Boston Public Library.
The students submitted their documentary for review during National History Day, a yearlong academic program that encourages middle and high school students to conduct research into historical topics and present their findings through various mediums, including documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances or websites. The projects are judged at the local, state and national levels.
This year, more than a half million students worldwide participated in National History Day. The CHS group earned second place in the national competition in the Senior Group Documentary category.
By finishing in the top three, the students became eligible for the Next Generation Angels Award, an annual prize sponsored by The Better Angels Society presented to six middle and high school documentary filmmakers. According to the society’s website, the award “recognizes excellence in well-researched history filmmaking in the model of Ken Burns.”
In winning the honor, the CHS students have the opportunity for a mentorship session with Burns, a renowned documentary filmmaker, and have permanent copyright and preservation of their documentary in the Library of Congress.
“The Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film award ceremony was an unforgettable experience,” Ariyur said. “One of the most incredible moments was meeting Ken Burns in person. It was surreal to meet someone so accomplished. During the ceremoshown andof our documentary were shown, and knowing that Ken Burns himself was watching our documentary was both exciting and deeply humbling.”
Feng, who narrated the documentary, said he expects to learn a lot from Burns.
“We hope that our mentorship with Ken Burns will provide us insight into professional filmmaking strategies that enhance the viewing experience,” Feng said. “We hope Burns will provide us wisdom that will help make our documentary more engaging, strengthening its foremost function of being historically argumentative and informative.”
In making the documentary, Feng said the team wanted to look at modern environmental issues with connections to the past. The abandoned Love Canal in Niagara Falls, N.Y., was used as a toxic waste dump. After the waste site was buried, a neighborhood was built on top of it, which led to severe health complications for residents and an environmental disaster.
“The sharing of the story of Love Canal is essential to promoting greater public awareness of environmental issues, especially the fact that there are still many ongoing disasters that are yet to be addressed,” Lu said. “While the Love Canal disaster occurred many years ago, by bringing its history to light we hope that more communities are inspired to take action against similar environmental concerns and prevent them from destroying our planet further.”
Watch the students’ documentary at y2u.be/3Yz9sby29nE.
Carmel Salt Caves & Spa is a one-of-a-kind wellness destination offering much more than just relaxation.
It’s a place where rejuvenation meets adventure, making it an unforgettable destination for those looking to recharge and reconnect in a serene, healing environment. Discover a hidden gem that truly transforms your well-being at the cellular level.
Enjoy our two handcrafted Himalayan Salt Caves where the air is infused with mico-particles known to enhance respiratory health and relieve stress. Perfect for anyone seeking more than the ordinary, we provide a range of healing therapies. Follow a salt cave therapy session with a relaxing ionic foot detox or spend time in our medical-grade red light therapy chamber designed to relieve pain and inflammation.
Take time to peruse a curated selection of quality salt products, handcrafted soaps, and other temptations in our well-appointed gift shop. This holiday season, gift your friends and family a unique wellness experience. Each service is just $45 and is all-inclusive. Gift Certificates are available both online and in-person.
Looking for a meaningful gift for celebrations, holidays or appreciation?
Give the gift of relaxation and wellness at Carmel Salt Caves & Spa. Show you care by treating your loved ones to an experience that leaves them feeling pampered, revitalized, and truly appreciated.
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Salt Therapy has long been used as a natural healing therapy for respiratory symptoms and skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. It is also beneficial for anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
Enter the salt cave and recline in an oversized zero-gravity recliner or lay directly in the salt. You’ll listen to the gentle sounds of the ocean waves as micro-particles of pharmaceutical grade salt are diffused into the air, creating an enhanced micro-climate of a beach.
Relax, recharge and reconnect in a serene, healing environment that truly transforms your well-being.
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Our salt caves and foot spa offer a unique and restorative setting where your employees can unwind, recharge, and relieve stress. With scientifically backed benefits for respiratory health and relaxation, a session in our Himalayan salt caves promotes clear breathing, improved focus, and overall stress relief—perfect for enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.
For companies looking to support their employees’ health, our foot spa offers ionic detox treatments, ideal for reducing fatigue, alleviating tension, and encouraging relaxation.
For companies looking to support their employees’ health, our foot spa offers ionic detox treatments, ideal for reducing fatigue, alleviating tension, and encouraging relaxation. By incorporating these sessions into your employee wellness benefits, you’ll provide your team with a unique opportunity to reset and feel appreciated.
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Whether you want to schedule a corporate wellness day, offer regular passes, or include our services as a year-round benefit, we’re here to create a flexible package that fits your needs. Show your commitment to your team’s well-being and let Carmel Salt Caves & Spa become a rejuvenating escape they’ll love and remember. Contact us today to discuss customized options that will help keep your team motivated, healthy, and inspired!
Whether you want to schedule a corporate wellness day, offer regular passes, or include our services as a year-round benefit, we’re here to create a flexible package that fits your needs. Show your commitment to your team’s well-being and let Carmel Salt Caves & Spa become a rejuvenating escape they’ll love and remember. Contact us today to discuss customized options that will help keep your team motivated, healthy, and inspired!
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
As evidenced by past results, the Carmel High School marching band is annually among the best in the nation.
The Marching Greyhounds will get another chance to prove it at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium, where they will compete in the Bands of America grand nationals. CHS seeks its seventh BOA grand national championship, having won in 2005, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022 — more than any other school this century.
“It’s my favorite time of the year,” said junior Noley Hall, a flute player. “It really brings all of the moments of hard work and grit we put into it. It feels amazing to know the hard work you’ve put in is actually worth it.”
CHS also has won six Indiana State School Marching Association championships. Carmel was bidding for a seventh title beginning Nov. 8 at the ISSMA championships at Lucas Oil Stadium. Results were not available at press time. The Marching Greyhounds won ISSMA titles in 1990, 2001, 2002, 2012, 2018 and 2022.
Carmel’s 2025 show is titled “La Arena” and includes music by Ennio Morricone, Joaquin Rodrigo and Ernesto Lecuona. CHS’s drum majors are Mia Cline, Jayce Davis, Bella Gulden, Annabelle Inskeep, and Ansley Thornton.
For the CHS band, continuity is a huge factor in its success.
CHS Bands Director Chris Kreke has been with the band in some capacity for 31 years. He took over as band director from Richard Saucedo in 2012.
Kreke has been a part of five of the band’s six ISSMA state championships and all of Carmel’s BOA grand national championships. He’s reached the point where he’s teaching kids of band members he coached earlier in his career.
“We have had teams of directors and designers in place for a really long time,” Kreke said. “The expectation of the students, the parents, everything administratively here in the school system of that excellence occurring is what keeps driving that.”
A family atmosphere is fostered, and it helps band members feel at home at CHS.
“When you come in as a freshman, it’s super intimidating with the size of how the program is,” said CHS band parent Terri Yates, whose son, Jack, plays saxophone. “They tell you all of the time that this isn’t just a band. It’s a sense of belonging and a sense of community. It’s a family. It helps make this big school a lot smaller.”
For band students, the commitment begins in sixth
grade, and the musical component is refined throughout middle school.
“We get to know that subset of students really well. We learn about them and about how they grow,” said CHS Director of Bands Kyle Young, who is in his 13th year with the band. “We learn from them best how to approach the group. This year, we have a young group, so we’ve had to show them the ropes a bit.”
Precision is vital in marching band. Marching has to be crisp, synchronized movements have to be timed to the second, and it requires hours of commitment to master.
“It is broken down into the finest and minute detail and then drilled repeatedly enough to make that a habit or set of muscle memory for the kids,” Kreke said. “The expectation is to be as good at that little thing as you can be. And then we’re going to add on more little things.”
Hall said excellence is the standard and is achieved through positive reinforcement.
“When we do reps, they give us a lot of pointers to make sure to fix this to be more successful,” Hall said. “It’s a lot of motivation to help you succeed and to continue to walk and play the music.”
Kreke noted that CHS has won 29 BOA regionals, six national and state championships and has performed in high-profile events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City.
“All of those material reward things are very grat-
For high school bands in Indiana, there are two organizations that sanction band competitions.
At the state level, the Indiana State School Marching Association hosts competitions in either the Scholastic Class (meant for bands with lesser resources) or Open Class. Scoring criteria are the same for both classes. CHS competes in Open Class A, the largest class.
ISSMA hosts regionals, a semi-state and the state finals at Lucas Oil Stadium. The ISSMA state finals took place Nov. 8.
There also is Bands Of America national competition. Bands compete in a regional preliminary round, regionals proper, the super regional and the grand nationals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Carmel, competing in the highest enrollment AAAA class, will compete in the grand national prelims at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 13.
ifying,” Kreke said. “But it’s the kids and the kids’ names on those plaques and their accomplishments that are really the thing.”
ON THE COVER: The Marching Greyhounds perform the “La Arena” show at the Bands Of America super regional Oct. 25 at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Photo provided by Carmel Band Boosters).
news@youarecurrent.com
Carmel-based home builders Old Town Design Group recently partnered with the charity organization Homes of Hope to build a new home for a family in need in Mexico.
Homes of Hope has built more than 10,000 homes around the world, including in Mexico, where many families face housing insecurity. Selected families live in unsafe or unstable conditions, and a secure, permanent home can be life changing, according to the organization.
In Mexico, Homes of Hope provides jobs to local family members of the recipients, empowering them to be part of the homebuilding process. The local family members build cabinetry, windows, beds and more, laying the foundation for shelter and self-sufficiency.
In total, 97 percent of children who receive a Homes of Hope home graduate from school, compared to the national average of 26 percent in Mexico. By having a stable home, the children can focus on their education and futures, according to the organization.
For the Old Town Design Group team, each year’s trip is a reminder that design and purpose can go hand in hand.
Learn more about Old Town Design Group at oldtowndesigngroup.com.
Merchants Capital financing Fishers project – Carmel-based financial services provider Merchants Capital recently announced more than $56 million in total financing for the acquisition and substantial rehabilitation of Cumberland Crossing, a 232-unit affordable housing development in Fishers developed by Birge & Held. The resyndication of tax credits will extend Cumberland Crossing’s affordability period for an additional 30 years, with rent restrictions for half of the units at 50 percent of area median income and the other half of the units at 60 percent. Cumberland Crossing’s tenant in-place rehab includes exterior and interior updates.
IDC LUXE Layers Design Showcase set – The Indiana Design Center will host the 2025 LUXE Layers Design Showcase Nov. 12-13 at the IDC, 200 S. Range Line Rd. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12 and 4 p.m. Nov. 13. The event series is designed to inspire and be the resource for home design, remodeling and custom building projects. Advanced tickets are required. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Habitat for Humanity Women Build program, To purchase tickets, tinyurl.com/39dtemz7.
The Carmel Fire Department celebrated the kick-off of the Everyone Deserves Their Mornin Sun Movember event Nov. 1 in the roundabout at Range Line Road, Lowes Way and Clay Terrace Boulevard, home to the “Morning Sun” sculpture. The monthlong initiative highlights the importance of men’s health, as well as mental health and suicide prevention. During November, blue flags will be placed around the sculpture for each $5 donation in honor of survivors, those battling health challenges and lost loved ones. Make a donation on PayPal to @carmelfireaux or Venmo to @CFDAuxiliary.
Members of the
Commentary by Larry Greene
This Spring Mill home in Carmel underwent a stunning transformation, turning two everyday spaces into a seamless blend of function, organization and timeless design.
• Reimagined the layout to improve flow and maximize every inch of usable space
• Added custom cabinetry with brass hardware for a bold, elevated look
• Introduced white quartz countertops and herringbone tile flooring for a bright, refined finish
• Balanced the dark cabinetry with warm wood accents and open shelving
• Combined beauty and practicality through thoughtful storage, integrated laundry features and cohesive design details
at lgreene@worthingtonindy.
worthingtonindy.com
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Gregory Roberts was seeking to complete a bucket list item.
“I turned 50 in February,” Roberts said. “I’ve had a list in my head of things I was either too lazy, too busy or too broke to pursue. Community theater was at the top of the list, and right beneath that was playing Centre Court at Wimbledon. I found that to be infinitely more difficult.”
The Noblesville resident makes his acting debut in Carmel Community Players’ production of “Four Weddings and an Elvis,” which runs Nov. 14-26 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. Roberts plays Fist, a felon.
“I feel like everyone here seems like a seasoned actor,” Roberts said. “I’m just trying to keep up and not be a weak link. I found everyone here is really supportive, especially (director) Nicole (Amsler), who has given me a lot of autonomy to figure out this character on my own, doing a little ad-libbing and a little improv. She has been supportive of the changes I’ve made. That has put me at ease. Memorizing the lines has come easier to me.” Roberts has found a niche.
“This has been the most fun I’ve had in my life,” he said. “I wish I had done this 25 years ago.”
Amsler pitched the script of “Four Weddings and an Elvis” to Carmel Community Players. The plot centers on Sandy, who owns a wedding chapel in Las Vegas.
“There are four different weddings that take place over time, and the last one brings everyone back together,” Amsler said. “The first vignette is about a revenge marriage. The second one is about Hollywood has-beens that do a publicity stunt. The third is about
an ex-con marrying a mild-mannered postal worker and her ex-con boyfriend shows up, trying to break the marriage up. Elvis does make a surprising cameo.”
Amsler said she has worked with some of the cast before and some are good friends.
Veronique Duprey, an Indianapolis resident, plays Sandy
“The challenge is I’m pretty much always on stage, so it’s a little bit demanding,” she said. “It’s a fun role. Sandy is a little bit quirky, a little bit sarcastic. But really, she is a romantic at heart and hopes she sees true love unfold in front of her.”
Duprey said she wasn’t familiar with the play but enjoyed the script.
“I thought it was really funny,” she said. “Sometimes, comedies in theater are not my style, but I thought this was clever, funny and really sweet.”
Duprey’s daughter, Audrey, also is in the play. They were in a play together when Audrey was younger.
Kelly Melcho, an Indianapolis resident, plays an ex-con, Fiona.
“She is so much fun,” Melcho said. “She shows many faces. As soon as she arrives, she shows this tough exterior. She has this, ‘Don’t mess with me’ attitude, and as soon as she sees her fiancé, it’s, ‘Hey, baby.’ She is enraptured with him, but you find later how insecure she is and how defensive she is of him and their relationship. She is trying really hard not to swear and trying to improve herself.”
The show is Melcho’s first with Carmel Community Players.
Jacob Bradford, an Alexandria resident, also is making his CCP debut, playing her fiancé.
“What I like about this role is you see growth in him,” he said. “I play this mild-mannered guy who learns to stand up for himself and stand up for his wife in a respectful way. It’s cool to watch him grow.”
Bradford, 34, has been acting since he was 10 years old.
“I’ve been trying to find new theater groups and actors to work with,” he said.
For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
“Tootsie” runs through Nov. 23 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
“Now That’s Funny: A Comedy Night” is set for Nov. 13, followed by “Indy Nights with Ryan Ahlwardt & Friends” Nov. 14, and “Dueling Pianos” Nov. 15 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
Main Street Productions presents “Death of a Salesman” Nov. 13 to 23 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
Indianapolis Opera’s presentation of “Rigoletto” is set for Nov. 14-16 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit indyopera.org.
Samara Joy will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
John Legend’s “Get Lifted” 20th anniversary tour will stop at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Fishers Event Center. For more, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
Hendricks Live! presents “Rumors ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute” at 8 p.m. Nov. 14; and Love Dawn 2025 SF9 Live Fantasy #5 is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 15 in Plainfield. For more, visit hendrickslive.org.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Samara Joy has sung her entire life. However, she wasn’t exposed to jazz in a meaningful way until college.
“In high school, I sang a couple of (jazz) songs, but I wasn’t really interested in the tradition,” said Joy, who graduated from State University of New York’s Purchase College. “I wasn’t immersed in it as much. In college is where I pretty much heard Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald for the first time and really listened to Betty Carter, Carmen McRae and Abbey Lincoln.”
Joy quickly embraced making her own interpretations of jazz standards and her star rose quickly. She will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Joy, 26, won five Grammy Awards by age 25. She won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2023 and Best Jazz Artist in 2023 and 2025. She won Grammys for Best Jazz Performance in 2024 and 2025.
Joy drew attention early through her TikTok videos.
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org and samarajoy.com.
“(The concert) is going to be a blend of things that I’ve been working on for the most recent album as well as new arrangements that haven’t been recorded quite yet,” Joy said. “I think as a performing artist, I find the most joy in not only finding new ways to make older material sound fresh for a new audience but also trying out completely new songs and seeing how they kind of land with different people. So, I’m excited for that opportunity.”
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Jessica Hawkins loves the uniqueness of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s Mélange Series.
The series features a vocalist, dancer and visual artist simultaneously creating art. Hawkins, a vocalist and Fishers resident, will make her debut in the series with performances at 5 p.m. Nov. 15 and 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at The Florence at the Academy of GHDT in Carmel.
sual artist.
Hawkins said she has sung in cabarets before, but most of those performances consisted of three to five songs with other acts in between hers.
“What I am most looking forward to with the Mélange performances is seeing how the collaboration of the three different art forms come together,” Hawkins said. “I have seen some of the past Mélange Series, and each one is so unique. Each artist, and combination of artists, will create a different tapestry of sight, sound and movement. It is intimidating to not know the exact result but also very exciting.”
Vivien Mickels, a Noblesville High School graduate who lives in Lapel, is the dancer and Mayra Espino is the vi-
Hawkins
“This is quite a challenge for me to create a 60-minute program with a good mix of songs and dialogue between the numbers,” she said. “My decision-making skills have certainly been getting a workout. Having a dancer and visual artist to equally bring the audience into this experience is also a new and thrilling treat for me.
“
Hawkins said the dancer and artist won’t know her musical selections before they hear them during the first performance.
“I certainly tried to pick songs that would be danceable with varying styles and tempos, as well as songs that together would make a cohesive theme,” Hawkins said. “I have incredible respect for artists that can perform any kind of improvised art.
“For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Clay Middle School eighth-grader Sophia Phillips is enjoying taking her turn as a villain.
Phillips plays the Witch in the school’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods Jr.” The primary cast performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 14-15.
“It’s so much fun because I’m kind of the main antagonist,” Phillips said. “The Witch kind of steals the show in a way. You have to go with your gut for a lot of these characters. It’s definitely hard to get her character right because she’s really a complicated character. She has some fun lines and songs.”
Kincie Snarr, an eighth-grader, plays Cinderella.
“I really like all the songs that she sang,” Snarr said. “When I watched the movie, I knew that I wanted to be her because ‘On the Steps of the Palace’ is one of my favorite theater songs. The most challenging thing is probably memorizing the cues and notes.”
Eighth-grader Gabrielle Doyel plays
the Baker’s Wife
“It’s a very unique role,” she said. Eighth-grader Clark Sanders plays the Baker.
“I thought it would be really hard to memorize my lines, but I have them pretty memorized at this point, although the choreography for one of the songs is not stuck in my head yet,” Sanders said.
The understudy cast will have performances at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 and 2 p.m. Nov. 15.
For tickets, tinyurl.com/yeukxrs8 for the primary cast and tinyurl.com/c2dfap56 for the understudy cast.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Aaron Moon never planned on playing the iconic character of Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman.”
“I went in to audition for Charley, the neighbor,” he said. “At the end of the audition, my lovely wife said, ‘He hasn’t read for Willy.’ They threw me into the last scene, the big blowup with his son. So, I just had the appropriate level of exhaustion at the time. They thought it was good acting. I was just tired.”
Loman. “It’s so very difficult to be indifferent about Willy — and you have to be indifferent because Willy is not A or B.
Willy is all shades of gray. He’s a wonderful guy here and a (bad) guy on the other side. You have to rectify that and not have an opinion about that. Willy deserves to be done well. I hope to disappear (in the role), so the audience leaves just thinking about Willy.”
Moon plays Loman, the despondent salesman, in Main Street Productions’ presentation of “Death of a Salesman” Nov. 13-23 at Basile Westfield Playhouse.
“This is my first time being on stage for this production,” he said. “I’ve done props on the show and worked in other capacities.”
Moon, 50, said the role is a logical progression for him, given his long career.
“But it’s terrifying,” he said of playing
Moon, a Whitestown resident who grew up in Frankfort, started his acting career at a young age at the Red Barn Theatre in Frankfort. He has returned to act at the Red Barn in recent years.
Avon resident Vincent Pratt plays one of Loman’s two sons, Biff, who has a troubled relationship with his father.
“I showed up for auditions and didn’t realize how big the part is, so it’s been a challenge, for sure, Pratt said. “It’s a show for anyone who has ever been disappointed with where they are in life.”
Susan Hill, who plays Linda Loman, is a Noblesville resident.
For more, westfieldplayhouse.org.
Gear up for the ultimate celebration of local commerce with our Small Business Saturday Guide! This dedicated section, which will publish on November 25, is our audience’s go-to resource for finding unique, thoughtful gifts and supporting independent entrepreneurs during the biggest holiday shopping weekend of the year. Readers will explore a curated selection of unique, must-have items, unbeatable local offers, and insider tips for making the most of their Small Business Saturday shopping experience on November 29. Reach a vast, community-minded audience by securing your spot in this special edition, distributed to 126,981 households eager to seize the savings in Brownsburg, Carmel, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, North Indy, Westfield and Zionsville via U.S. Mail.
Don’t miss the chance to capture shoppers and boost your Small Business Saturday presence with one affordable package!
Space reservations due: Ad content due: Advertorial content due: Nov. 14, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025 Nov. 17, 2025
For more, contact your Ad Representative by email ads@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444
Editor,
I just read your (Oct. 21) article on e-bikes and wanted to say that I experienced two scary events on a morning walk. I wasn’t on the Monon but on the sidewalk. I was walking when I heard a whine and turned to see a kid on an e-bike coming at me. He neither slowed nor moved off the sidewalk. I had to get off the sidewalk as he flew past me. I wondered what he would have done if I hadn’t heard him coming.
I rounded the corner only to have another bike whiz past. Both kids were going too fast as they headed to the high school. I’m a senior citizen, and the thought of being injured while walking on the sidewalk is frightening. E-bikes do not belong on the sidewalk, especially going at the speeds these kids are going. No courtesy, no slowing and no concern for the injuries they could cause.
Jan Pirkle, Carmel
Editor,
Recently, Carmel City Councilors launched a website to encourage everyone to apply to be on civic boards. This is a great idea, and everyone should try to get involved, even if just to attend meetings.
This would be even better if the mayor weren’t simultaneously trying to move civic board meeting times to daytime hours, thereby preventing people with day jobs from participating. The council is working to prevent this with an ordinance, but that hasn’t stopped the mayor from informing those boards to plan for daytime meetings in 2026. This is ostensibly to ‘save money’ (to pay for the frivolous rebranding and forgettable logo?), but that doesn’t ring true.
If you read about the (Susan) McDermott defamation suit (against the city and mayor), you’ll know that the mayor is using a defense of immunity, meaning she, as a public official, can publicly say whatever negative, some might say defamatory, things she wants about board volunteers and they have
no recourse. Regardless of whether or not this is a valid defense, it is an insight into her mindset and will have a chilling effect on convincing people to volunteer. She doesn’t want to be challenged. Reducing the pool of potential volunteers and attendees will go a long way toward that goal.
In deflecting another challenge, a female member of her staff was asked difficult questions by a male councilor. Instead of answering the questions and recognizing this as merely “difficult work,” the mayor claimed it was harassment. Misusing “harassment” prevents actual victims from being heard. Would she also claim harassment if a male employee had been asked difficult questions? Remember that she hosted a SHE Leads conference exclusively for females. Her male employees couldn’t have attended if they wanted to.
Please support our city councilors as they advocate for civic involvement and ask the tough questions.
Jan Hoffman Hurlbut,
Carmel
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.
Commentary by Terry Anker
Buried treasure is a romantic notion. As children, we explored endlessly, hoping — half expecting — that we’d soon find a chest filled with jewels or the sword of King Arthur. It is understandable, since so much literature is dedicated to the unseen. If we seek often and deep enough, we will find. And we’ll be rewarded for it. Occasionally, we uncover an artifact or two, buried in the flower bed. Mostly, our efforts reveal discarded bottle caps and errant buttons. As the disappointments of life deliver a dose of cynicism, we move on. Our plans for retirement are more populated by IRAs and 401(k) plans than by the notion of discovering a Van Gogh hidden behind Grandma’s water heater.
Yet, there are a few of us who hang on to the dream. Caribbean shipwreck hunters continue to mount expeditions for long-lost gold entombed at the seabed after storms took the armadas returning to the European coasts filled with plunder. Infrequently, they prevail, armed with recently uncovered intelligence or struck with a healthy serving of dumb luck. Surfacing billions in doubloons stokes others into setting
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Redevelopment Commission (the “Commission”) is considering the establishment of separate residential housing development programs (collectively, the “Programs”) in certain portions of the City of Carmel, Indiana (the “City”) in accordance with Indiana Code 36-7-14-53, as amended, as part of (i) amendments that the Commission is considering to the existing economic development plans for the Old Town Economic Development Area and the Flora Economic Development Area within in the City, and (ii) an economic development plan that the Commission is considering for a proposed new economic development area in the City, to be known as “146th and Towne Economic Development Area”.
Notice is further given that representatives of the Commission, as governing body of the City’s Department of Redevelopment, will conduct a public meeting in accordance with Indiana Code 36-7-14-53(d)(3), on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (local time), in the Council Chambers, Second Floor, Carmel City Hall, One Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana 46032, at which time those in attendance will be afforded an opportunity to learn more about, and express their views regarding, the proposed Programs.
CARMEL REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
How much of our treasure will we leave behind undiscovered?
– TERRY ANKER
sail. Is the lost City of Atlantis still lost? Landlubbers might plot for secret diamond mines or the stolen loot of past wars.
For those of us a bit less swashbuckling, we manage to put our special things in special places. The lockbox key is too important to go in the key drawer with the rest of the lot, so we put it in a better place. The problem is that the “secret” location is so superior that we immediately forget where it is. Cash stuffed in the mattress, Aunt Matilda’s jewelry under the loose kitchen floorboard, and the signed photo of Abe Lincoln stashed in a book. How much of our treasure will we leave behind undiscovered?
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
Docket No. PZ-2025-00238 V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on the 24th day of November, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to: Seek the following Development Standards Variance approval to Encroach into the Minimum 10-ft setback from the side lot line (8-ft requested) to build an outdoor entertaining space to include a 16’ x 34’ swimming pool and patio in the VOWC PUD Section 6.1 and UDO Section 5.02.C(7). With the property being known as: 1905 Hourglass Drive
The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2025-00238 V.
The real estate affected by said application is described as follows:
Acreage .51 Section 28, Township 18, Range 3 VILLAGE OF WESTCLAY Section VO2-A Lot 274 Irregular Shape.
The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche. All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
Philip Ennis, PJE Lawn Care & Landscaping LLC
PETITIONERS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
HEARING OFFICER
Docket No. PZ-2025-00232 V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer meeting on the 24th day of November, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance applications for an existing 11’x20’ pool and decking:
UDO Section 5.02(C)(7): Minimum swimming pool, its decking or equipment setback must be 3-ft from easement, 2-ft encroachment requested.
With the property being known as: 13120 Broad St., Carmel, IN 46032.
The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2025-00232 V.
The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: Acreage .51 Section 28, Township 18, Range 3 VILLAGE OF WESTCLAY Section 10012 Lot 144 Irregular Shape. Parcel No. 17-09-28-00-52-001.000
The petition can be examined on the City’s website through Public Documents- Laserfiche.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
Rob Sherrard of Sherrard Pools PETITIONERS
Notice of public hearing before the Carmel board of zoning appeals hearing officers Docket No. PZ-2025-00236V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer meeting on the 24th day of November 2025 at 5:15pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Square, 2nd Flr. Carmel, In 46032, will hold a public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to:
Applicant is seeking a variance to canopy Tent the existing patio for the Holiday and Winter months to allow expanded use of the patio seating that already exists. The Canopy Tent will remain inside the picket fence currently enclosing the patio.
With the property being known as Wine and Rind, 254 G Veterans Way, Carmel, In 46032, the application is identified as Docket No. PZ-202500236V
The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: .40 acre, Section 25, Township18, Range 3
The petition my be examined on the City website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche.
All interested parties desiring to present their views on the above application, with in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place
Charles Lazzara D/B/A Lazzara 254 LLC Wine and Rind
Department Board of Public Works and Safety
One Civic Square
City of Carmel, Indiana 46032
Project: Carmel Fire Department Training Facility - IFB-2025-037
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Public Works and Safety for the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana will receive sealed bids for the above described “Project” via the City’s e-Procurement Portal, available at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/carmelin, until 9:00 a.m. EST on December 3rd, 2025 No late bids will be accepted. Bids will be opened by Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety at the meeting starting at 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, on the 2nd floor of Carmel City Hall, One Civic Square, Carmel, IN.
A bid bond or certified check in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount bid must be submitted with each bid. A one hundred percent (100%) performance and payment bond will also be required of the successful bidder. It is intended that actual construction of all work divisions shall be started as soon as practicable, and each bidder shall be prepared to enter promptly into a construction contract, furnish a performance bond, and begin work without delay in the event the award is made to the bidder.
The Project consists of construction of a 5-story fire training facility at 4925 E 106th St. Carmel, Indiana 46033 comprised of multiple modified storage containers and incorporating internal staircases, stair tower with internal stairs, two (2) balconies, one (1) recessed and one (1) exposed rappel window, and multiple internal rooms for training scenarios, including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: All Project documents, including drawing, plans on file via the City’s e-Procurement Portal available at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/carmelin in the solicitation and the attachments section
The Project must be completed by March 1, 2026.
Bidders shall assure that they have obtained complete sets of drawings and Project Documents and shall assume the risk of any errors or omissions in bids prepared in reliance on incomplete sets of drawings and Project Documents.
A pre-bid conference for discussions of the Project, the bidding requirements and other important matters will be held on November 24, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. EST in the CFD Training Center at 4925 E 106th St. Carmel, Indiana 46033. All prospective bidders are invited to attend the pre-bid conference. The pre-bid conference is not mandatory. For accommodations needed by persons with disabilities planning to attend the pre-bid conference or public bid opening meeting, please call or notify the City of Carmel Fire Department at (317) 571-2600 at least forty-eight (48) hours prior thereto.
This Project will be funded by the City of Carmel.
No bidder may withdraw any bid or proposal within a period of thirty (30) days following the date set for receiving bids or proposals. The Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety reserves the right to hold any or all bids or proposals for a period of not more than thirty (30) days and said bids or proposal shall remain in full force and effect during said period. The City of Carmel reserves the right to reject and/or cancel any and all bids, solicitations and/or offers in whole or in part as specified in the solicitations when it is not in the best interests of the governmental body as determined by the purchasing agency in accordance with IC 36-1-12.
Contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Jacob Quinn, Clerk
NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS CARMEL, INDIANA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FUND (#410) Ordinance D-2801-25
Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana, that the proper legal officers of the City of Carmel, at their regular meeting place at Carmel City Hall, One Civic Square, Council Chambers at 6 p.m. on the 1st Day of December will consider the following appropriation in excess of the budget for 2025:
$258,991.00 from General Obligation Bond Fund (#410) To
General Obligation Bond Fund (#410): Line Item 4354028– 2024 Prop Tax Bonds - $258,991
The source of revenue for the above is the General Obligation Bond Fund (#410).
Taxpayers appearing at the meeting shall have a right to be heard. The additional appropriation as finally made will be referred to the Department of Local Government Finance. The Department will make a written determination as to the sufficiency of funds within fifteen (15) days of receipt of a certified copy of the action taken.
Jacob Quinn, Clerk
NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS CARMEL, INDIANA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM THE LOCAL ROAD AND STREET FUND (#202)
Ordinance D-2800-25
Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana, that the proper legal officers of the City of Carmel, at their regular meeting place at Carmel City Hall, One Civic Square, Council Chambers at 6 p.m. on the 1st Day of December will consider the following appropriation in excess of the budget for 2025: $429,272.00 from Local Road and Street Fund (#202) To
Local Road and Street Fund (#202): Line Item 4350900-Other Contracted Services - $429,272.00
The source of revenue for the above is the Local Road and Street Fund (#202).
Taxpayers appearing at the meeting shall have a right to be heard. The additional appropriation as finally made will be referred to the Department of Local Government Finance. The Department will make a written determination as to the sufficiency of funds within fifteen (15) days of receipt of a certified copy of the action taken.
Jacob Quinn, Clerk
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
PZ-2025-00188 SE; PZ-2025-00189 SE; PZ-2025-00192-00193 V; PZ-2025-00209 V; PZ-2025-00212-00213 V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer meeting on the 24th day of November 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold Public Hearings of the following applications:
• Docket No. PZ-2025-00188 SE: UDO Section 2.09. Permitted Uses, Residential Special Exception, Renewal required for a short-term residential rental. The 2.07-acre site is located at 2525 E Smoky Row. (not part of any subdivision). It is zoned R2/Residence. Filed by Mark Nathaniel Custer, owner.
• Docket No. PZ-2025-00189 SE: UDO Section 2.09. Permitted Uses, Residential Special Exception, Renewal required for a short-term residential rental. The site is located at 10828 Timber Ln. (Jordan Woods Subdivision Lot 95). It is zoned S2/Residence. Filed by Thomas & Karyn Elliott, owners.
• Docket No. PZ-2025-00192 V: UDO Section 2.08. Minimum 10-ft side yard setback required; 5-ft requested.
• Docket No. PZ-2025-00193 V: UDO Section 5.02(B)(3)(a). The combined square footage of the ground floor area of garages and/or accessory buildings shall not exceed 75% of the ground floor area of the principal building; 107% requested. The 0.49-acre site is located at 3765 E. Carmel Drive (Brookshire, Lot 321). It is zoned R-1/Residence. Filed by Joshua Pfendler of Space Craft on behalf of Max Pauker, owner.
• Docket No. PZ-2025-00209 V: UDO Section 5.02(B)(3)(a). The combined square footage of the ground floor area of garages and/or accessory buildings shall not exceed 75% of the ground floor area of the principal building, 88% requested. The 1.55-acre site is located at 10613 Winterwood Drive (Winterwood, Lot 4). It is zoned S-1/Residence. Filed by Steven B. Zintel of Summit Design Group, Inc. on behalf of Stephen & Lori White, owners.
• Docket No. PZ-2025-00212 V: UDO Section 2.06. Minimum 10-ft side yard setback required; 6-ft requested.
• Docket No. PZ-2025-00213 V: UDO Section 2.06. Maximum 35% lot coverage allowed; 45% requested. The 0.34-acre site is located at 10414 White Oak Drive (Glenwood, Lot 11). It is zoned S-2/Residence. Filed by Joshua Pfendler of Space Craft on behalf of Mark & Lori McDonough, owners.
The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
City of Carmel, Department of Community Services 317-571-2417
1. Texter’s “Then again...”
Stockpile 10. Timber wolf
14. Prefix for “call” or “cop”
15. Portillo’s hot dog topper
16. Mideast ruler
17. Powered up
19. “Puppy Love” singer
20. Its clue is: “Estimate phrase”
21. Colts QB who helped the team score on their first 10 possessions of the season (see 38-Across)
23. Indianapolis Indians
pitching stat
24. Brief excursion
26. Catch some rays
28. Yank’s Civil War foe
29. Humdinger
33. Geist quacker
34. Word of warning
36. Tiny
37. Kuaba Gallery display
38. “Keeping up with the ___”...and a hint to the surnames of 21- and 50-Across
39. Pacers org.
40. X-ray alternative
41. Hole for a shoelace
42. “Hamilton” role
43. Vonnegut’s “Jailbird,” e.g.
45. HS proficiency test
46. California wine valley
47. Tummy trouble
49. Participated in the Mini-Marathon
50. Colts CB named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week last season (see 38-Across)
53. Watch sound
57. Black-and-white cookie
58. Cruise ship
61. Chess piece
62. Indiana Ballet Conservatory skirts
63. Sports org. with headquarters in White River State Park
64. Simple
65. Online cash-back deal
66. Clothing DOWN
1. Estimate phrase
2. Arcadia, Atlanta or Cicero
3. Off-Broadway award
4. Share a workspace, in modern lingo
5. Inverted “e”
6. Not now
7. Help
8. ___-mo
9. Vishnu worshiper
10. Crude shelter
11. Downtown Indy hotel: ___ Severin
12. Monon Trail transport
13. Spoken
18. Wine bottle plug
22. South American mountains
24. Reis, Nichols or Aronstam, e.g.
25. Humbled
26. Donkey
27. Tarkington play part
28. Break a promise
30. Confess
31. Indy Zoo striped beast
32. Twelve months
33. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a ___.”
34. Young fella
35. No longer working (Abbr.)
38. MCL’s jiggly dessert
42. Money business
44. Graveside words
46. Salt, to a chemist
48. Slang for a $100 bill
49. Washer cycle
50. It might begin: “Knock knock”
51. Indianapolis Opera solo
52. Cravings
53. High-strung
54. Empire that built Machu Picchu
55. Close
56. Snatch
59. Wrigley Field player
60. IND flight info
ANSWERS ON PAGE 31
4-year or greater degree in exercise related field required. If you have a passion for changing the lives of older adults, you will want to be part of our welcoming environment. Send resume and cover letter to info@motion4lifefitness.com HOLIDAY CRAFT BOUTIQUE Saturday, November 15, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Free Admission
All proceeds go to Mission Projects
Hand-crafted items, baked goods, holiday decor
Faith Presbyterian Church Corner of E. 82nd Street and Hague Road
Sublease apartment available in Carmel until June 2026; current leaser will not be returning to apartment. Very nice, unfurnished 2 bedroom, 2 bath with fireplace and sunroom within walking distance to Carter Green and Midtown. Base rent is $2100 (not including other fees). If interested, please contact mariatinah889@gmail.com.
Fun OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS THAN YOURS.
