October 20, 2026 — Current in Carmel

Teen brothers rescue woman, 2 kids from pond Page 2

Sheriff candidate faces questions about 2014 case

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 youarecurrent.com

Page 9

City celebrates Diwali at third annual festival Page 11

History museum welcomes new executive director Page 13

‘WE FOUND A GREAT SPOT’ Pending redevelopment causing Carmel’s only woman-owned brewery to relocate

Interior design firm relocates to larger space Page 19

AND BETTER

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INSERT INSIDE

TIM

GRIFFIN HAMILTON COUNTY COUNCIL PROUDLY ENDORSED BY PAID FOR BY TIM GRIFFIN FOR HAMILTON COUNTY

PUBLIC SAFETY FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY RESPONSIBLE GROWTH PROTECTING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE

THIS EDITION OF

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

PRESENTED BY

Danny Lopez is getting results for us! Paid for by Lopez for Indiana

Delivered record funding for K-12 schools Voted for over $1.3 billion in property tax savings starting this year Demanded tougher rate oversight on utility companies

Vote Danny Lopez for State Representative on or before November 3rd!

Taking on high healthcare costs

Danny Lopez has made lowering healthcare costs a priority. Cracked down on inflated billing by tightening rules on billing office-based care as hospital services.

Held hospitals accountable

by forcing large nonprofit systems to bring their costs down to the statewide average—or face state tax consequences.

Paid for by Lopez for Indiana

Ensuring affordable care for Hoosiers. Vote Danny Lopez for State Representative on or before November 3rd!

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Current in Carmel

(ISSN: 3143-0686 | USPS: 25933) Founded: Oct. 24, 2026 • Vol. XX, No. 52 Copyright © 2026 by Current Publishing, LLC. Published weekly by Current Publishing, LLC, 525 North End Dr. Ste. 175, Carmel, IN 46032. Business, Editorial, Accounting and Circulation Offices: 525 North End Dr. Ste. 175, Carmel, IN 46032. Call (317) 489-4444 to subscribe. Periodicals postage paid at Carmel, IN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Current in Carmel, 525 North End Dr. Ste. 175, Carmel, IN 46032.

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‘We needed to respond’: Teen brothers recount lifesaving water rescue By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com Carmel first responders are crediting two teens with saving the life of a toddler whose stroller became partially submerged in a retention pond in the Delaware Trace neighborhood. Brothers Maddox, 15, and Grant, 14, Larger helped pull a woman and her 2- and 4-year-old grandchildren from the pond at 11:15 a.m. Oct. 12 after they struggled to get out on their own. The younger child was in the stroller, while the older one was clinging to the grandmother’s back. The brothers were spending their first day of fall break fishing in the pond when they saw the stroller roll down the hill about 20 feet away and plunge into the water. They said it appeared that the grandmother couldn’t swim. “The 4-year-old got himself out of the double-seated stroller,” said Grant, an eighth grader at Clay Middle School. “What we didn’t know was that the baby was still in the stroller. (The grandmother) was having a hard time staying up out of the water, and that’s when Maddox decided to jump in.” After Maddox helped the grandmother and 4-year-old reach the shore, he learned a younger child was still strapped in the stroller. So, he went back in the water, which he said was approximately 8 feet deep. “It was pretty difficult, but since I’m used to Carmel Swim Club training, I was able to pull (the stroller) to shore and eventually get it out of the water,” said Maddox, a Carmel High School freshman. Maddox realized the toddler wasn’t breathing but still had a heartbeat.

Grant Larger, left, and Maddox Larger, second from right, with Carmel Fire Department Lt. Brian Hutchison, Division Chief Joel Heavner and Public Information Officer/firefighter Tim Griffin Oct. 12 after the teens rescued a grandma and two children from a pond. (Photo courtesy of Lindsay Larger)

So, he began performing back slaps, a lifesaving method he recalled from a seventh grade CPR class at Clay Middle School. “My teacher taught us whenever someone has (almost) drowned, you hold them over and pat their back. It can help get some of the water out and allow them to cough it up,” Maddox said. “After a couple of times, it worked.” The brothers continued to assist the family until first responders arrived. The teens had called 911 and directed them to their location, which wasn’t easily accessible. “A police officer was able to climb through the woods, through the creek, go up the steep slope and find us on the other side next to the pond,” Maddox said. “He immediately picked the baby up and brought it to an ambulance.” Carmel Police Department Sgt. Matt Keinsley credited the teens with saving the toddler’s life. “The immediate actions taken by Maddox and Grant demonstrated re-

markable courage and quick thinking under pressure,” Keinsley stated. “Their heroic efforts made the difference between a tragedy and a miraculous outcome.” Maddox said the training he received as a competitive swimmer helped him execute the rescue. “It really did play a big role in how I was able to get in confidently,” he said. “If I didn’t swim for Carmel and I didn’t swim at all, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get them out in time.” Grant said he had never seen the grandmother or children before the rescue and is thankful that he and his brother were in “the right place at the right time.” “They were just strangers to us, but we knew that as soon as they fell in the water, that they couldn’t swim, and that we needed to respond,” he said. The Carmel City Council will recognize the brothers’ lifesaving actions at the Nov. 16 meeting, set for 6 p.m. at Carmel City Hall.

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Meet the candidates for state treasurer Compiled by Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com Voters will choose between two candidates in the Nov. 3 general election to serve as Indiana treasurer. Democrat Coumba Kebe, a Noblesville resident and healthcare executive, will face Republican incumbent Daniel Elliott. The candidates answered the following questions from Current. WHY ARE YOU RUNNING? Elliott: I want to keep going with what’s working. We’ve set record investment returns and helped local communities finance firetrucks and parks. There’s more to do, especially protecting 911 and local systems from cyber Elliott threats. I’d like to finish that work for Hoosiers. Kebe: I spent years in healthcare operations watching families struggle while their concerns went unheard. I’m running because Indiana’s resources should work for Hoosiers. I want to bring greater accountability Kebe to how state dollars are managed and ensure public resources are responsibly used to strengthen communities across Indiana. WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CHOICE? Elliott: I’ve got about 25 years in software and systems architecture, plus time running the treasurer’s office. In three fiscal years we earned almost $1.8 billion, nearly triple the previous decade combined. Every dollar earned is a dollar we don’t have to tax from Hoosiers. Kebe: My career in healthcare operations and business compliance required managing complex, multimillion dollar budgets with precision and accountability. I would bring that experience to the treasurer’s office, with a focus on responsible financial stewardship, transparency, strong operational management and public service. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE

CAMPAIGN ISSUES? Elliott: One, strong investment returns so we don’t have to raise taxes. Two, helping local communities finance fire trucks, parks and infrastructure through the Bond Bank. Three, cybersecurity, especially for 911 and local government systems. Kebe: Clarity, making state investments transparent and accessible to taxpayers; people, putting public dollars to work for Hoosiers by supporting responsible investments in local infrastructure and communities; and the future, protecting state funds through disciplined, long-term stewardship while expanding opportunities that help Hoosiers build financial security. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BRIDGE THE PARTISAN DIVIDE TO SERVE ALL YOUR CONSTITUENTS? Elliott: Money doesn’t have a party. A firetruck costs the same in a Democratic city as a Republican one. I work with local leaders from both sides, and I judge every decision by one question — does it help Hoosiers? Kebe: Infrastructure and financial stewardship affect every community regardless of politics. I will work with local leaders across Indiana and evaluate decisions based on financial responsibility, project feasibility and community needs. The treasurer’s office should be a reliable partner to communities throughout the state. WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGY FOR MAXIMIZING RETURNS ON INDIANA’S INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO WHILE PROTECTING STATE FUNDS FROM MARKET VOLATILITY? Elliott: Protect principal first, then earn what we can. We match investments to when the state needs the cash, diversify and stay inside what Indiana law allows. That discipline is how we’ve posted record returns without gambling with Hoosiers’ money. Kebe: My approach emphasizes fiduciary responsibility, diversification, liquidity and disciplined risk management. I will prioritize high-quality investments, competitive returns and appropriate cash reserves while evaluating opportunities with Indiana financial institutions.

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Meet the candidates for secretary of state By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com Four candidates are vying to become Indiana’s next secretary of state in the Nov. 3 general election. The candidates are Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard, 71, a Whitestown resident and former mayor of Indianapolis; Democrat Beau Bayh, 30, an Indianapolis resident and attorney; Republican Max Engling, 39, a Cicero resident who has worked as a political advisor; and Libertarian Lauri Shillings, 55, a Carmel resident and creative director for the University of Indianapolis. WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?

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Ballard: I want to restore integrity to a troubled office. The most important responsibility of Indiana’s secretary of state is overseeing elections. Hoosiers deserve confidence that elections are administered fairly, proBallard fessionally and without partisan influence. I will not endorse, donate to, or raise money for candidates whose elections my office oversees. Bayh: I was raised in a family of public servants Bayh and was taught that, if you decide to run for public office, you should do it to benefit your community — not yourself. The current secretary of state has wasted our hard-earned tax dollars. I was compelled Engling to make a change. Engling: I’m running for secretary of state to protect the integrity of our elections, fight fraud before it hurts Hoosiers, support businesses that play by the rules Shillings and bring accountable conservative leadership to the office. This office matters. Hoosiers deserve a secretary of state who understands the job, focuses on what the office can actually deliver and fights every day to make Indiana stronger.

Shillings: I was raised with a great example of servant leadership from my father, who was a volunteer fire chief. I do not see that same commitment from our elected leaders today, particularly in the secretary of state’s office. I would like to bring those servant leadership values to this office. WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CHOICE? Ballard: I am the only candidate in the race who has ever been the top leader of any significant organization. I ran the City of Indianapolis for eight years and managed a $1 billion budget and 7,000 employees. Secretary of state is not an entry level position. Bayh: I have led hundreds of men and women as a captain in the Marine Corps. After serving in the Marine Corps, I became an attorney. I clerked in our federal court system for a year and then began practicing law in Indianapolis. I gained hands-on experience working with cases that are directly tied to this office’s responsibilities. Engling: I am the only candidate in this race with relevant experience for this office. I bring more than 20 years of experience spanning public service, elections, government oversight, agriculture and the private sector. From the halls of Congress to Indiana’s farms, businesses and communities, my career has given me a strong understanding of how government works, how the private sector operates, and the responsibilities that come with serving Hoosiers. Shillings: I am not beholden to mega donors or party bosses in Washington D.C. This job is not a political stepping stone for me. I’m here to do this job, do it well, and serve the people of Indiana. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE CAMPAIGN ISSUES? Ballard: Election integrity – Hoosiers deserve elections administered fairly, professionally, and without partisan influence. Voter education – Voting should be simple, clear, accessible. I will produce Indiana’s first state-issued voters guide. More voter choice – Indiana should encourage more election choices and competition by making it easier for independents to run. Bayh: Cleaning up the corruption in Continued on Page 5

COMMUNITY Continued from Page 4 the secretary of state’s office by conducting an independent audit on day one. Increasing voter participation and keeping our elections secure. Be a goodfaith partner to the thousands of small business owners in Indiana. Engling: My priorities are straightforward: protect our elections, stop fraud and make government work better for Hoosiers. I’ll fight to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in Indiana elections, create a transparency portal that offers citizens a direct way to report potential election issues, and strengthen frontdoor (business) screening to stop fraudulent shell companies and bad actors. Shillings: I will fix the website. I will not bend to federal pressure to interfere in our elections. I will restore trust in the office by auditing the budget, releasing the results of the election certification audits and running this office as a neutral, professional public service. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ELECTION INTEGRITY IN INDIANA? Ballard: Indiana’s biggest threat to election integrity is the lack of standardized training for county clerks and poll workers. Clerks tell me there are 92

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different ways to administer elections in Indiana and they need more leadership from the secretary of state’s Office. Bayh: Indiana’s elections are safe and secure. The 92 county clerks, the bipartisan election division and countless volunteers who work in polling locations do a fantastic job ensuring that we have secure elections. We also have voter ID in Indiana, which is a common sense way to ensure only eligible voters are casting a ballot. Engling: Indiana has strong election safeguards, and we should be proud of the work our state has done to protect election integrity. We’ve held the line on voter ID requirements, requirements on citizenship verification, and have put important protections in place for absentee voting. Shillings: Elections in Indiana are secure. The perception that they are not secure is being fostered by partisan leadership who are using fear to get votes while destroying trust in our elections to gain more power for themselves. WHAT STEPS, IF ANY, WILL YOU TAKE TO IMPROVE ELECTION INTEGRITY? Ballard: I’m proposing hands-on, standardized training for clerks and a train-the-trainer curriculum so that

clerks all have the same resources to train poll workers. Currently, clerks don’t have hands-on training with their voting machines. Instead, they learn from PowerPoints and, more often, kind colleagues — not the state. Bayh: The current secretary of state and attorney general conducted an expensive investigation where they uncovered 21 cases of illegal voting out of tens of millions of votes cast in the last decade. But so far, it doesn’t appear as if anyone has been held accountable. It is important that we hold those accountable who break the law. Engling: Strong election security doesn’t mean we stop looking for ways to improve in Indiana. As secretary of state, I would build on what Indiana is already doing well by strengthening voter eligibility verification, fully implementing tools to protect the integrity of our voter rolls, increasing transparency, and ensuring Hoosiers can be confident our elections are secure, fair, and administered in accordance with the law. Shillings: We need to restore trust by releasing the results of the certification audits and educating people on how the system works. Trust is lost in the dark but grows in the light of transparency. Let’s be honest with voters about how

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we are ensuring election security. HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE THE STATE’S BUSINESS REGISTRY SERVICES? Ballard: The state’s Business Services website is woefully outdated. When elected, I will quickly make improvements to the website so that entrepreneurs can register or renew their businesses easily and quickly. Bayh: I would like this office to do more to promote the Small Business Development Center, a great resource that informs entrepreneurs about different aspects of starting a business, and to see us cut some of the costs of starting a new business. Engling: I would use the office to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, simplify business filings and make government more responsive to small businesses. In addition, I will screen business filings to push back on shell companies that register identical LLCs to defraud customers, avoid regulation and employ dangerous truck drivers. Shillings: I would make sure that the website works for them and not against them. You have enough to worry about when you are trying to build your dream into a thriving business that supports your family.

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Indiana House of Representatives District 24 incumbent Hunter Smith (R-Zionsville) is running for reelection against Democratic challenger and Westfield resident Racheal Bleicher. The district includes part of Carmel. Bleicher is a technology sales manager. Smith is a former punter for Smith the Indianapolis Colts. He did not return Current’s Q&A. For more on their campaigns, visit rachealforindiana.com and hunterforindiana.com. The election is Nov. 3. WHY ARE YOU RUNNING? Bleicher: I am running to restore balance to our Statehouse. As the daughter of Air Force veterans, a mom and a business leader, I bring pragmatic leadership, collaboration, transparency and accountable, engaged Bleicher representation. WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CHOICE? Bleicher: As a servant leader, I’ve been deeply engaged in our community, listening to constituents for the past six years. I bring accountability, responsiveness and transparency, along with a genuine willingness to listen and learn. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE CAMPAIGN ISSUES? Bleicher: Fully funding public schools, using our tax dollars for effective community investment and managing smart growth while protecting the environment and heritage that makes Indiana special.

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HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS LOCAL BUDGET GAPS CAUSED BY SEA1? Bleicher: Our current legislators created this fiscal gap with SEA1, leaving local communities to pay the bill. Raising local income taxes should strictly be a last resort. Before asking taxpayers for more, we must audit local spending, eliminate inefficiencies and fight for state funding to protect public safety and essential services.

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Q&A: Sheriff candidates Compiled by Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com Westfield Police Department Lt. Charles Hollowell, a Democrat, and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Dustin Dixon, a Republican, are vying to become the next sheriff of Hamilton County in the Nov. 3 general election. Learn more about Hollowell, 56, a Fishers resident, at CharlesHollowell. com. Learn more about Dixon, 49, a Noblesville resident, at Facebook.com/ DustinDixonforSheriff. WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CHOICE? Dixon: The sheriff has unique statutory responsibilities including the county jail, security and service of the courts, managing the Sexual and Violent Offender Registry, and the county’s juvenile services center. I am the Dixon only candidate with experience in each of these areas who has served in the agency I seek to represent. Additionally, my business experience — where I oversee a seven-figure budget, manage relationships with over 20 clients, and lead more than 100 employees — demonstrates real-world administrative experience. Hollowell: I offer 27.5 years of law enforcement experience, executive leadership, an MBA, finance degree, PMP certification and advanced police leadership training. I’ve led diverse teams, managed multimillion-dollar Hollowell budgets, and understand the needs of a diverse, changing community. I bring the experience, education, relationships and collaborative leadership Hamilton County needs. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE CAMPAIGN ISSUES? Dixon: A. Crime including the influx of violent crime from our surrounding areas and our proactive response to those issues. B. Retention and wellness of our officers and staff. C. Positioning the sheriff’s office for the future requires increased service within the corrections and court divisions and specialized law enforcement services within our operations division. Hollowell: 1. Stronger communities

through partnership — Building trust through outreach, education, accessibility and collaboration. 2. Professional public safety and effective law enforcement — Proactively fighting crime, drugs and emerging threats through technology, innovation, intelligence sharing and coordinated partnerships. 3. Accountability, rehabilitation and organizational excellence — Supporting employee wellness, addressing inmate mental health needs, protecting rights, reducing recidivism and responsibly managing taxpayer resources. WHAT CHANGES, IF ANY, WOULD YOU MAKE IN HOW THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE WORKS WITH U.S. ICE? Dixon: As sheriff, I’m committed to enforcing the state and federal laws currently in place regarding immigration and detainer requests. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal levels. The current administration signed an agreement to participate in the 287(g) program through the Jail Enforcement Model. My incoming administration will review all agreements to determine the benefits for public safety and operational efficiencies. Hollowell: My goal is to end the Sheriff’s Office’s 287(g) agreement with ICE and redirect those resources toward Hamilton County public safety needs. However, as sheriff, I will follow all applicable laws, honor lawful court orders and fulfill required notification and cooperation obligations while protecting constitutional rights. WHAT CAN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE DO TO OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY? Dixon: I have a plan to restructure our agency’s staffing to focus more frontline officers in enforcement and correctional roles while utilizing support staff in administrative functions. I have identified positions that can be streamlined to avoid role duplication and allow us to utilize that staff in essential roles. I think this can be accomplished without financial implications for the taxpayers. Hollowell: I will conduct regular operational analyses to identify inefficiencies, outdated programs and opportunities to reduce costs. I’ll collaborate with employees and the community to solve problems, use data and technology to improve services, strengthen local partnerships and increase sheriff’s office visibility and accessibility.

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 Early voting underway — Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election is underway at the Hamilton County Judicial Center, 1 Hamilton County Square, in Noblesville and the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. Additional early voting locations in Carmel, Fishers and Westfield will open Oct. 21. For a list of early voting locations, dates and hours, visit HamiltonCounty.in.gov.  FEMA assistance — Residents in Hamilton County affected by the Aug. 11-24 storms, tornadoes and flooding can apply for FEMA assistance until Oct. 25. Financial assistance is available for eligible survivors needing help covering uninsured costs for home repairs, personal property, vehicle damage, medical expenses, moving and storage, and reimbursement for temporary housing. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-6213362. To find a location visit on.in.gov/ August2026Disaster.  Sensory friendly trick-or-treat — Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation’s notso-spooky Halloween celebration is returning from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at River Heritage Park, 11813 River Rd. The Sensory Friendly Trick-or-Treat Trail offers individuals with disabilities and their families an opportunity to enjoy an alternative to traditional trick-ortreating, without frightening decorations and loud music and noise. Volunteers in nonthreatening costumes will hand out treats along River Heritage Park’s fully accessible trails, with seasonal games and activities available at the end of the route. Registration is $7 per trick-ortreater, while accompanying family members are free. Preregistration is required at tinyurl.com/bvzv39ek. Sign up as a volunteer at tinyurl.com/msmmfvfc.  ‘Max Goes to the Moon!’ — The Carmel Planetarium and Carmel High School Planetarium Club will show the short film “Max Goes to the Moon!” at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the CHS Planetarium, 520 E. Main St. The film covers the phases of the moon, flying in space and other astronomical topics through the lens of a dog named Max. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children, seniors and CHS students. For more and a link to purchase tickets, visit ccs.k12.in.us/chs/ academics/planetarium.

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Sheriff candidate faces questions about 2014 case By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com A decade-old civil case involving Hamilton County sheriff candidate Lt. Dustin Dixon came to light about a month before Election Day, revealing that then-Sgt. Dixon had been accused of using excessive force during an arrest, and a federal judge denied his claim of qualified immunity. The case was headed for trial, but both sides agreed to settle. Dixon, a Republican, responded Dixon through a spokesperson with a statement after excerpts from a ruling in the case were quoted Oct. 5 on the Hamilton County Democratic Party’s social media. “No court or jury ever made a ruling that Lt. Dixon committed excessive force,” the spokesman wrote in an Oct. 8 email. “The case was dismissed. If the Hamilton County Democrat Party chair or their anointed nominee for sheriff want to coddle criminals, they should move to Marion County and get a job with Ryan Mears.” Current obtained a full copy of the Dec. 30, 2016, ruling, in which U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana Judge Tanya Walton Pratt denied a summary judgment motion to dismiss Louis Pastore’s case against Dixon, stating that “a reasonable jury could

find that Sergeant Dixon’s use of force was objectively unreasonable.” Pratt’s ruling meant the case against Dixon could go to trial. However, the two sides negotiated a settlement agreement and the case was dismissed in February 2017. Current has submitted a records request with Hamilton County for the terms of the agreement, including any taxpayer money paid to complete the settlement. In her summary judgment ruling, Pratt noted she was required to review the facts of the case in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Pratt included detailed background, noting that on March 7, 2014, Pastore had taken antidepressant medication, smoked marijuana and consumed about five alcoholic beverages at a 96th Street bar before getting in his Jeep and heading west toward Keystone Parkway. A Carmel Police Department officer saw Pastore speeding and changing lanes without signaling and initiated a traffic stop. Pastore didn’t stop immediately, but eventually pulled onto the shoulder on southbound Keystone Parkway. The Carmel officer didn’t approach the vehicle right away and Pastore passed out while waiting. According to the court ruling, Pastore didn’t hear the officer’s directions to exit the vehicle because he was unconscious, even after another officer arrived with a loudspeaker. Other officers gathered to help, including Dixon and his K-9, Dibo.

The probable cause affidavit filed in court by the arresting officer at the time of the incident stated that officers could see Pastore moving in his vehicle, but not following commands. According to Pratt’s court ruling, however, video evidence from the incident showed Pastore was not conscious. In her ruling, Pratt wrote that officers fired a foam projectile at the Jeep’s rear window to break it but that was unsuccessful and Pastore remained unconscious. He woke up after they shattered a window. “Officers commanded Pastore to show his hands, open his door and exit the vehicle,” Pratt wrote. “Pastore attempted to exit the Jeep with his hands raised, but he could not unlatch the seat belt and turned back to release the button. While Pastore’s hands were raised up and outside of the Jeep, Sergeant Dixon ordered Dibo to attack Pastore.” According to the court ruling, the K-9 tried to pull Pastore from the vehicle, but the seat belt was tangled around his arm. Another officer had to cut the belt and the dog continued to bite Pastore for about 30 seconds. A motion for summary judgment argued that any force used was reasonable because Pastore failed to comply with verbal commands and was a possible danger to the community and officers. Citing case law, Pratt wrote that the primary question was whether Dixon’s actions were objectively reasonable, which was a matter best left to a jury.

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Carmel’s third annual Diwali Festival of Lights filled Carter Green Oct. 10. The free event included cultural performances, a market, children’s activities, a Palladiscope light show finale and more. Diwali, one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

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Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam, center, displays a teacup presented as a gift from the Diwali festival organizers during an Oct. 9 preview event. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

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Kaleo narrows focus to collective generosity By Piper Bailey Piper@youarecurrent.com

Since its founding in 2008, Kaleo Giving Circle has operated on three pillars: equipping, serving and giving. Beginning next year, the nonprofit will concentrate all of its efforts on collective generosity. As part of its restructurPLUS TAKE ing, it wants to increase its donor base AN EXTRA and expand the number of gospel-cenTerms and Conditions: 40% off any order of $980 or more or 30% off any order of $680 or more on any complete unit order of custom closet, garage, or home tered ministries receiving the pooled office, and any other products. Take an additional 10% off on any complete system order. Not valid with any other offer. Free installation with any complete donations. unit order of $850 or more. With incoming order, at time of purchase only. Expires “We can accomplish 11/22/26. Offer not valid in all regions. so much more together SPECIAL FINANCING FOR 18 MONTHS than we could alone,” With approved credit. Call or ask your Designer for details. said Stephanie PatterNot available in all areas. Reach -In- Closets son, a Carmel resident and president of Kaleo Giving Circle. Patterson Reach Reach -In--InClosets Closets Since its founding, Reach -InClosets Kaleo’s 350 members have generated more than $2 million in donations to 20 organizations. It currently has 10 ministry partners that receive donations. The nonprofit accepts donations of any amount. Donors who contribute $1,000 or more are eligible to vote on how grants are distributed. Ministries apply for grants, and eligible donors select their top three organizations. Donations are accepted through Dec. 31. Voting occurs in January, and grants are distributed in February and March. Kaleo’s ministry partners serve people facing homelessness, hunger, pregnancy-related challenges, family crises and other difficult circumstances. Grants can help organizations meet capital or programming needs. This year, nine of Kaleo’s 10 ministry partGarage Garage Cabinets Cabinets ners are eligible for grants, with many Garage Cabinets requesting approximately $25,000. The organization hopes to raise $250,000 or more during its 2026 campaign. “You don’t have to be this major philanthropist to make a major impact,” Patterson said. Learn more at kaleogiving.org.

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Kaleo Giving Circle’s ministry partners are Family Hope, Heritage Change Ministries, Life Centers, Like a Lion, Midwest Food Bank, Outreach, Inc, ParHobby Hobby Rooms Rooms Hobby Rooms ent Life, The O’Connor House, Unconditional, Wheeler Mission,

COMMUNITY

CURRENT IN CARMEL

10.20.26 • youarecurrent.com

Museum hires new director A Missouri native, Hrachovec moved frequently as a child, as her father worked to decommission nuclear powFor the last 15 years, Bethany Hracho- er plants in the U.S. and abroad. She vec has been honing her professional earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees skills through various roles at IUPUI. at several central Indiana At one point Hrachovec conmuseums. sidered becoming a teacher but She believes that experience found she preferred the pace of has set her up well to lead the working in a museum, where she Carmel Clay History Museum as could provide educational expeits new executive director, a role riences for visitors of all ages. she began Sept. 23. “Museums are such powerful Hrachovec “I’d been looking for opportucatalysts for inspiring learning nities to flex my fundraising, communi- and change,” she said. “They not only ty development and education skills all preserve our material culture and the in one location, and I’d been looking for stories of our past, but they provide opportunities where I could really make such a wonderful ground for having a difference within the community,” conversations about not only why the Hrachovec said. “(The Carmel Clay Hispast matters, but how it has shaped our tory Museum) was a really interesting present and what we want to ideate for opportunity to step into all of the skill our future.” sets that I’ve gained throughout my Hrachovec and her husband, Micareer.” chael, a 2009 Carmel High School Most recently, Hrachovec was the graduate, and basset hound, Rumpeldirector of education and engagement stiltskin, live in Indianapolis. at the Indiana Historical Society. She’s Hrachovec replaced Suzanne Yoder, also worked at the Indiana State Musewho left the museum in May to become um, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis the director of marketing and commuand the Indianapolis Museum of Art, nications at Hussey-Mayfield Memorial now known as Newfields. Public Library in Zionsville. By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

OBITUARY Daniel F. Peters of Carmel, IN, passed away on October 10, 2026, at the age of 80. He was born in Bridgeport, CT, on June 12, 1946, to parents, Alfred and Stacia (Buchkowski) Peters. Dan served seven years in the Army as a medic, twice in Viet Nam, including the aeromedical evacuation unit call sign “Dust Off,” and one tour in Thailand. Dan completed his education as a Physician Assistant at the University of Washington. During his professional career he specialized in Occupational Medicine, Urgent Care, and medical computer technology. After retiring as Physician Assistant – Emeritus in 2021, Dan devoted himself to helping seniors with technology. He was always graciously available to answer questions, give an interesting and educational presentation, fix a phone or solve a computer or television problem. Dan loved the Lord, his family and friends, golf, ice skating, volleyball and his “favorite vegetable chocolate.” He was gregarious, professional, hardworking, fun-loving,

humorous, religious, community-minded, caring, kind, helpful, and generous. Recently, Dan achieved trained volunteer status with AARP. Even in death he is taking care of others as a tissue donor. He is a gift that keeps on giving. Dan will always be missed, and he will always be loved. Daniel married Patricia “Pat” Bowles-Peters on July 4, 2005. Together they spent 21 loving years. She survives. He is also survived by one brother Alfred “Buzz” (Gail) Peters, children, Heather (Jeff) Derouin, Robyn Hubbell, Steve (Amy) Ward; grandchildren, Parker (Catie) Hilliard, Taylor (Callie) Hilliard, Jonathan “Jonny” Gregg, Emma (Matt) Linville, Maxwell Derouin, Joshua Derouin, Dalton Hubbell, Nick (Laura) Ward, Brock Ward; great-grandchildren, Josiah Hilliard, Emma Ward, Luke Ward, and Lucy Linville. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Dan’s honor may be made to Serenity Senior Living Pet Sanctuary or Paralyzed Veterans of America.

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CURRENT IN CARMEL

THANK YOU FOR 20 YEARS! 10.20.26 • youarecurrent.com

You win with people, and for two decades, we’ve been fortunate to have the very best on our team and in our corner. Behind every edition delivered to your mailbox is a dedicated staff, a vibrant community, and a diverse network of advertisers — from local shop owners to regional and national brands — who make our work possible. To celebrate 20 years of local reporting, cofounder Steve Greenberg looks back at our scrappy beginnings, major milestones, and what’s next for Current. SCAN THE QR CODE TO READ CO-FOUNDER STEVE GREENBERG’S STORY ON HOW CURRENT GREW FROM AN IDEA INTO 20 YEARS OF COMMUNITY IMPACT.

TO YOU, OUR INCREDIBLE ADVERTISERS: Thank you for being the fuel behind our journey. Reaching our 20th anniversary truly would have been “mission impossible” without your unwavering trust, partnership and vision. You didn’t just support our platform, you built this milestone with us! Here’s to two decades of shared successes!

— Steve Greenberg, co-founder/executive vice president

Every issue we deliver carries your investment in our communities. For two decades, your loyalty and belief in local media have been the foundation we’ve built on. This anniversary belongs to you as much as it does to us. With deep gratitude, here’s to the next 20 years of growing together!

— Ben Weir, co-owner/president

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COMMUNITY

CURRENT IN CARMEL

10.20.26 • youarecurrent.com

15

20 years and counting Commentary by Terry Anker Once upon a time, we shared a single entertainment culture. We watched the same television, went to the same movies, and sang the same songs. While it is difficult to deny the advantages delivered by our streaming, custom, on-demand modern age, many of us pine for the loss of a collective narrative – a time when even the teasers for coming attractions stuck with us. 1993’s “Jurassic Park” debuted its iconic tag, “A story 65 million years in the making.” Your local newspaper, Current, and this column are this month celebrating, forgive the paraphrase, “A story 20 years in the making.” In this span, you’ve read here about 28,000 words annually, roughly 575,000 since Day 1, enough to fill a 1,200-page book. At outset, the essays were longer, but as we all came

to embrace this as our hometown news source, space became premium. At its best, this column, like its author, has lived inside a specific place and time, treating local life as worthy of sustained, serious attention — how we grew, argued, celebrated and remembered. It is an informal archive tracking elections, school debates, development fights, church and nonprofits and the small civic rituals that define us. Our skyline, politics and demographics have changed, but we’ve had a constant weekly appointment. Thank you for laughter, melancholy and the countless letters, good and not so good.

Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing. You may email him at terry@ youarecurrent.com.

From vision to 20-year milestone Commentary by Brian Kelly “You want to start a newspaper?” some asked incredulously. We heard that a lot back in 2006 as Steve Greenberg and I ran around drumming up support for our launch of Current in Carmel, the first of our now six publications. And here we are, now celebrating our 20th year publishing Current. Current began as a vision that our communities deserved a local newspaper tailored to the needs and interests of readers. What a novel concept! To take the guesswork out of what readers wanted, we undertook comprehensive independent research to determine that which our future readers wanted to see in their newspaper. Thanks to you, our readers; a dedicated and talented staff, past and present; and supportive advertisers and stakeholders, we’ve been able to deliver the news you wanted to read. Over these 20 incredible years, I feel together we’ve seen it all. Incredible growth, everyone putting in long hours, wearing several hats at once, and learning along the way. There were certainly challenges over the years but we tried to seize on opportunities when they were presented. We always tried to produce a quality product, foster relationships, build trust and support with the communities we love. We were able to achieve all this while at the same

time the newspaper industry as a whole was collapsing all around us. We were determined to prove newspapers can work if you had the right content and mailed it — free — to homes. Reflecting on this milestone, I think most about the friendships I’ve formed thanks to Current. Whether advertising clients, readers, suppliers, stakeholders, elected officials, I’m proud to count many as friends. Too, I’m thankful I have been able to work in an industry that I love, with people I respect, and for that I consider myself quite fortunate. Althought I’ve written about the past quite a bit, the future at Current has never been brighter. Under its present leadership, the company continues to expand, and it’s rewarding to think something I helped build has a strong foundation on which future growth is a certainty. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Thank you for your trust, your hard work, your faith in the mission. Let us raise a toast to 20 years of achievement — and to the next 20 years of growth, discovery and success.

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COMMUNITY

CURRENT IN CARMEL

10.20.26 • youarecurrent.com

Guerin volleyball player breaks the ‘Cardinal rule’ By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Guerin Catholic High School senior Emery Cardinal had a choice to make about her future. As a sophomore, she realized to play for the Pineapple High Performance volleyball club in Ft. Wayne she had to give up basketball. “My whole life I’ve known that I love volleyball more,” Cardinal said. “It just brought me a different kind of feeling than basketball has done. I knew I wanted volleyball to be my life and I couldn’t keep juggling both.” What made it hard is she comes from a basketball family. Her dad, Brian Cardinal, played for Purdue University and in the NBA. Her mother, Danielle (Bird) Cardinal, played at Purdue and is the Guerin Catholic girls basketball coach. Her brother, Bryson, plays at Butler University. Even younger sister Delanie is a sophomore basketball player at Guerin. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker knows she made the right choice as she will play volleyball next for the University of Iowa. “She is that athlete that is super competitive and has that fire. As a coach, you want (that) on the court,” said Jennifer Shortenhaus, who has been Guerin’s volleyball coach for two seasons. “She has really put time and thought into being a leader. She’s shown tremendous leadership, and that has been foundational

ATHLETE

OF THE WEEK MEET EMERY CARDINAL Favorite athlete: Nebraska volleyball player Andi Jackson Favorite TV show: “Gossip Girl” Favorite subject: English Favorite food: Pizza Favorite musician: Yeat

in building our program.” Shortenhaus said Cardinal is a dynamic hitter. “She is also a formidable blocker,” she said “She can dominate at the net. We try to get her the ball a lot.” Cardinal, a Westfield resident, missed the final games of the regular season with patellar tendinitis but hoped to play in the IHSAA Class 3A sectional at New Castle, which was scheduled for Oct. 17. “What makes me passionate is volleyball has given me a future and it has grown me as a person and given me the ability to continue to compete and do something I love,” she said. “The atmosphere and the community that it brings is just so amazing. It makes me have so much joy playing it.” Cardinal has especially loved playing for the Golden Eagles. “I’ve played with the same girls all four years and it’s a great place to be,” she said. “It’s really embedded some big friendships in my life.” Cardinal said she made the most improvement playing club her sophomore year. “It put people around me who are competitive and want to play (NCAA Division I),” she said. “It definitely changed my mindset and my game as a player.” Cardinal said the coaches were the biggest factor in choosing Iowa. “I want them to know their stuff and make me feel secure and they definitely did for me,” she said. “The culture Iowa has is unbelievable.”

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10.20.26 • youarecurrent.com

17

‘WE FOUND A GREAT SPOT’ Pending redevelopment causing Carmel’s only woman-owned brewery to relocate

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

PROJECT PLANNED

Union Brewing Company is preparing to relocate and retool in response to changes to the local landscape and national drinking habits. The brewery plans to remain at 202 Gradle Dr. until its lease expires Nov. 28. It hopes to reopen a week or so later approximately a mile north at 513 Industrial Dr. UBC is among dozens of tenants in two buildings on the northwest corner of Gradle Drive and the Monon Greenway whose leases are not being renewed as the site readies for redevelopment. “We love it here, and we’d love to stay here,” UBC brewer Derek Herring said. “That’s not an option.” Herring purchased UBC in 2023 after its former owner moved out of state. In 2025, his partner in business and life, Jessica Hayden, bought the brewery, and the Zionsville couple continues to operate it together. They met at Danny Boy Beer Works in the Village of WestClay, where Herring previously worked as a brewer. Hayden worked in a nearby dental office. “I walked down one day before the brewery actually opened and peeked through the windows, and he and his best friend who brewed with him were inside and saw me and opened up the door and let me in,” Hayden said. “I just started hanging out with them, testing beers, learning about craft beer, falling in love with craft beer, and him.” Now, UBC is among the 3 percent of breweries in the U.S. solely owned by women, according to a 2021 Brewers Association survey. “That is something that I’m very proud of,” Hayden said. “I feel like I can make a difference in the industry here and put my own little stamp on it.” Herring described UBC as “the garage bar you went to with your dad, where he knew everybody in there.” He said it has a loyal customer base, with many stopping by on foot or bike as they travel along the Monon Greenway. Finding a new location in Carmel has been challenging, as vacancies are limited and rents are pricey, Herring said. “We’re the antithesis of Carmel,” Her-

The Carmel City Council in 2024 paused a decision on funding for The Valentina mixed-use redevelopment at 3rd Avenue SW and Gradle Drive, but it appears planning for the project is now moving ahead. A spokesperson for Keystone Group, which has owned and managed the site for several years, told Current the company remains “fully committed to its redevelopment.” “Our vision is to replace the existing industrial buildings with a transformational mixed-use development that reflects Carmel’s continued growth, distinct character and award-winning quality of life,” the spokesperson stated. “Recent discussions with the City have been productive, and we continue to work collaboratively to establish the right framework to move the project forward.” Carmel Redevelopment Commission Director Henry Mestetsky told Current he did not have any updates on the future of the site or impact on existing tenants. In late 2023, Mestetsky introduced to the council plans for The Valentina, a $150 million mixedused development that would have included 380 multifamily dwelling units, 17 for-sale townhomes, 50,000 square feet of office and retail space and a 600-space parking garage. The city was considering authorizing up to $23 million in developer-backed bonds to fund the project. At the first city council meeting of 2024, the council put the project indefinitely on hold. A new mayor and five new city councilors had just taken office, and the pause gave them time to review the project before committing city funds to it. Keystone Group did not provide details about timing for future redevelopment. “We look forward to sharing more as plans progress,” the spokesperson stated.

Union Brewing Company owner Jessica Hayden and brewer Derek Herring in front of storage shelves for Mug Club drinkware. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

ring said. “We’re not here to bash Carmel by any means. We understand what they’re doing, but it’s a struggle for small businesses like ourselves to find our spot here. I think we found a great spot.” The new location will double the brewery’s size. Hayden and Herring plan to use the increased space to create a family-friendly dining area and draw larger crowds for live music. An upstairs mezzanine will overlook the stage. “We’re going to try and focus on larger music acts to try and get some bigger bands in there,” Hayden said. UBC will sublease space to a chef so it can begin selling food, such as barbecue and homemade flatbreads. Herring said UBC is working to expand its offerings beyond beer, as national studies and sales show many people in the U.S. are drinking less than they used to or not at all. “You can see all the breweries that went out of business, and we’re trying not to be one of those,” Herring said.

“We have to change up the game plan in order to make it work.” Herring, who has been a brewer for about 15 years, made one major adjustment after purchasing UBC. The company had stopped brewing its own beer after relocating from Monon Square in 2022, but he wanted to change that. “We were more of a tap room than a brewery,” Herring said. “We weren’t making our own product. So, I started designing recipes again and getting product back on the shelves, back on the taps. That was the biggest change.” UBC plans to hold a “big, awesome party” to conclude its time on Gradle Drive, Herring said. It will plan another one in the spring to celebrate the new space. Learn more about UBC at facebook. com/unionbrewingcompany. ON THE COVER: Union Brewing Company

owner Jessica Hayden fills a glass with beer. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

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HEALTH

CURRENT IN CARMEL

10.20.26 • youarecurrent.com

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about every eight weeks, with stays typically lasting five to seven days. “I don’t think they could ever really In less than a year, RISE for LCHAD recover from the hospitalization before has turned one Carmel family’s expethere was another one,” Gray said. rience with a rare metabolic disorder About two years ago, Gray said, into an effort that has raised more than things began to calm down, giving the $90,000 for research. family an opportunity to think The nonprofit was created to more seriously about how they raise awareness and advance could help others. Last Christresearch into long-chain 3-hymas, Gray surprised Roth by droxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase incorporating RISE for LCHAD deficiency, or LCHAD, a rare and launching the nonprofit as a genetic metabolic disorder that Christmas present. prevents the body from properly RISE held its inaugural FuGray breaking down certain fats for eling Hope gala Aug. 28 at The energy. Without careful management, Stutz in Indianapolis, drawing approxfasting, illness or inadequate calories imately 180 people. The organization can trigger a potentially life-threatenexpects to direct at least $70,000 this ing metabolic crisis. year to research led by Dr. Jerry VockFor RISE founder Nikki Gray and her ley at UPMC Children’s Hospital of husband, Dave Roth, the severity of the Pittsburgh. disease is part of everyday life. Roth’s RISE plans to continue its Fueling 9-year-old daughter, Jillian, was diagHope gala in 2027. nosed with LCHAD within days of her “A rare disease might affect a small birth after dangerously low blood sugar group of people,” Gray said. “But to that sent her to the NICU. small group of people, it’s their entire Roth had talked for years about findworld.” ing a way to help other families affected For more about RISE for LCHAD, visit by LCHAD, Gray said. But frequent riseforlchad.com. hospitalizations left little opportunity Read the full story at youarecurrent. to act on the idea. When Gray met Jilcom. lian, she said she was being hospitalized By Sara Palmer news@currentincarmel.com

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Commentary by Dr. Frannie Feichter One of the most difficult aspects of earning “more candles on our birthday cake” is the way our near vision is impacted. We were once able to see so easily up close. However, as we approach our early 40s, our natural lens starts to become more rigid and seeing up close is often not as easy as it once was. Needing glasses for near vision, when you have never needed them before, can be really frustrating. Thankfully, many new treatment options have come to the market in even the last five years. Many contact lens companies have released newer contact lens designs that allow us to offer great distance and near vision to patients, simultaneously. It does take some brain adjustment time, but the brain is really adaptable and results have been outstanding for thousands of our patients.

These include monthly and daily disposable lenses that offer excellent distance vision while also helping you to see your computer, screens and devices. If you have been discouraged with multifocal contacts in the past, you should reconsider trying a newer technology that is constantly improving. Technology has improved contact lenses for children, as well. For children who are nearsighted, we have amazing treatment choices. We utilize the specialty contacts to help slow how quickly the prescription changes from year to year. This is really amazing because we can then lower the final prescription the patient ends up with when they are adults.

Dr. Frannie Fiechter is the pediatric specialist at Little Eyes.

BUSINESS LOCAL

CURRENT IN CARMEL

10.20.26 • youarecurrent.com

Design firm relocates

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Stephanie Wiott needed more space for her growing business. That necessitated Stephanie Wiott Designs, a full-service interior design firm, to move from Carmel’s Indiana Design Center nearby to a newly renovated studio at 30 1st Street SW. Wiott said she now has an additional 1,000 square feet. “The new location is amazing,” she said. “It’s a great building.” Wiott moved from the Chicago area to Carmel in 2018. She owned a business in Chicago that focused on remodeling. “We did lots of kitchen remodels, basements, bathrooms and things like that,” she said. “Here, because there’s so much new construction, we turned it into a full-service firm.” The firm won two national awards from interior design-architecture magazines, being named to House Beautiful’s Next Wave of Designers and recognized as a Rising Star by Traditional Home. “We’re getting a lot more (requests) from out of state, so we’re navigating that right now and trying to figure out how best to make that work,” Wiott said. Wiott became familiar with the area

From left, Stephanie Wiott Designs team members Ella Ingersoll, Kim Denaway, Stephanie Wiott, Chase Durham and Ava Smith. (Photo courtesy of Courtney Culver)

approximately a decade ago when she worked with clients in Carmel, Zionsville and north Indianapolis. “I really liked the area,” she said. “When my son was getting ready to select colleges, he picked Indiana University. So, my son was going to be a freshman in college and my daughter was starting kindergarten, so it was a really good time to make the transition.” Wiott Designs left the Indiana Design Center in July 2025. “(The new space) was an eye doctor’s office,” she said. “We had to completely gut and remodel it. It took about a year before we had our grand opening (Sept. 24).” Learn more at stephaniewiottdesigns.com.

Egg Republic now open By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com

A new restaurant along U.S. 421 is bringing a different vibe to breakfast. A morning at Egg Republic features upbeat music, a bright interior and a menu with nods to global cuisine. The brunch restaurant at 3295 U.S. 421 opened in July at Appaloosa Crossing. It is the third owned by Illinois residents and married couple Jon and Mirie Pinjolli. The restaurant has a diverse menu ranging from classics like pancakes and omelets to pacos — pancake tacos with scramble eggs, chorizo and cheddar cheese drizzled with honey — and shrimp and grits. Jon Pinjolli said the menu is inspired by Mediterranean, South American and North African cultures. “We want to give people a diverse menu,” he said.

Egg Republic is at 3295 U.S. 421 in Appaloosa Crossing. (Photo by Spencer Durham)

There are two Egg Republics in Illinois. The Pinjollis expanded to the area after a friend recommended they check out suburban Indianapolis. “We fell in love with the area, the aesthetic, the people, the community,” Pinjolli said. “We were thinking, ‘We’ve got to be here.’” The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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CURRENT IN CARMEL

10.20.26 • youarecurrent.com

Your source for local arts & entertainment and upcoming events • youarecurrent.com

Actor embraces role in ‘Little Shop’ By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Joey Boos has developed a personal connection with Seymour, the shy floral clerk. Boos is playing the character for the third time in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” Oct. 23 to Nov. 8 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. “I love Seymour and I find a lot of things that are similar,” Boos said. “I feel like he’s such a people pleaser, which is something that I am. I find those things that are similar that help me hold on to the character and become him a little more.” The first time Boos played Seymour was when he was 18 in a community theater in his hometown of Salina, Kan. The second time was at Beef & Boards in 2019. Boos, an Indianapolis resident, is making his debut with ATI. “The thing about doing a role again is you are doing it with different people, and that affects your feeling in a scene,” he said. “Each experience and my emotions in the show have been different. I still get to start at Square 1 with the new group of people that I’m working with.” Seymour is in love with Audrey, his co-worker, who is played by Michaela McGarel. Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton plays Audrey’s sadistic dentist boyfriend along with some ensemble characters. “He’s of an antagonist nature to an extreme personality type,” Toniazzo-Naughton said. “I get to be completely evil and loving it. The show itself lends itself to these larger-than-life personalities. I get to play this Snidely Whiplash, Machiavellian character who is a motorcycling, tooth-pulling maniac. It is kind of the opportunity of a lifetime. I always wanted to play the role. It’s so far removed from who I am as a person but it’s the most amazing mask to put on and play this comedic villain.” Toniazzo-Naughton, a Philadelphia

‘CATS’ “Cats” runs through Nov. 22 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com. ‘TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH’ James Garner’s “Tribute to Johnny Cash” is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org. ‘SALEM’ Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents “Salem” at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 and 5 p.m. Oct. 24 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org. ‘BEST OF BROADWAY’

Michaela McGarel and Joey Boos will perform in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s “Little Shop of Horrors.” (Photo courtesy of Joey Mervis)

resident, had unsuccessfully auditioned for the dentist role before. “The main challenge is to have as much fun the next day as I had the day before,” he said. “This show is a gift, and I’m so excited to work with everyone on it.” Toniazzo-Naughton and Boos were in Beef & Boards’ production of “The Play That Goes Wrong” in the summer. Indianapolis resident Mark Fishback plays Mushnik, the greedy shop owner, for the third time. He played the role in a small production and then again at Civic Theatre more than 20 years ago. “It’s always great to come back to a part I love,” he said. “Every time you have a new cast, new venue, new everything, it’s completely different. The easiest thing is rememorizing the lines, so you don’t have to start from scratch.” He previously performed in “Come-

dy of Tenors” with ATI in 2018. Jathan Briscoe plays the voice of Audrey II, the man-eating plant. The late Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops used his baritone voice for the 1986 movie. “I’ve dreamed about this and my dream is coming true,” he said. “I’m really excited to be doing this. The Four Tops and Temptations were groups I looked up to and it’s really cool to do this role and pay my respects to Levi Stubbs and everyone else who has played this part.” Briscoe, from Lexington, Ky., has been preparing for the role for two months. “I’ve been watching the movie and looking at other versions of how people have played the character,” he said. This is the first time Briscoe, who will be off stage, has been a voice actor. For more, visit atistage.org.

“Sharpe Family Singers: Best of Broadway” is set for 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org. ‘WONDERBOY’ Magician-comedian Michael Carbonaro presents his “Wonderboy” show at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org,

DISPATCH  Students win at Carmel International Arts Festival — Nearly two dozen local high school students earned awards at the annual Carmel International Arts Festival, which ran from Sept. 26-27. Young artists from Carmel High School and University High School submitted 133 works of arts across various media. University High School student Liz Maitz won the Rosemary Waters Excellence in the Arts Scholarship ($2,500) for a watercolor entitled “Spring in Finland.” A full list of scholarship winners can be found on youarecurrent.com.

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From left, Doug Allen, Dr. Steve Ahlfeld, John Laskowski, John Kamstra and Dr. Steve Green at the “First Five” premiere. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Knight’s first IU class featured in ‘First Five’ By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com At first, Dr. Steve Green didn’t know what to think about the idea of making a documentary about Indiana University men’s basketball coach Bob Knight’s first five recruits in 1971. The idea came from a friend of the late Wayne Radford, who said at Radford’s funeral in 2021 that Radford said there was much he learned from that first class. Radford was a freshman on the Hoosiers’ 1974-75 team. “We didn’t want it to be a 1975 or ’76 — who’s better,” said Green, a Fishers resident and dentist. Instead, it was a story of how the first class built the foundation for success under Knight. The five players were Green, John Laskowski, Dr. Steve Ahlfeld, John Kamstra and Doug Allen. The documentary, “First Five,” premiered Oct. 7 as part of the Heartland International Film Festival at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. “We did turn (the basketball program) around pretty fast, and we started winning a lot of games,” Laskowski said. “People don’t know how that came about, so that’s what we’re describing, how it came about. It wasn’t too hard. You listen to what Coach Knight told you to do. You worked harder than you even thought you could and good things started to happen. It was just a wonderful experience.” Laskowski said the documentary has given the former teammates a chance to reconnect. “We don’t have daily work jobs and we’d go to lunch and talk about this and that and tell a story,” he said. “It’s just great to relive that.” Green said he hopes a streaming ser-

vice will pick up the documentary. “But if it doesn’t, our pledge to each other if we get the story out (is) we don’t care if it’s the five of us talking to 10 people,” he said. Green said one of the assistant coaches, Bob Weltlich, on the 1974-75 team, said he believed Knight, who died in 2023, would have loved the film. Weltlich was interviewed as part of the documentary. Allen said he heard about the documentary from Green. “We talked and said, ‘You know what, we have a special story that no one else can tell,’” he said. “So, let’s talk about our experiences, get it on film for future players to be able to come back and see what the early years were like.” Allen said what Knight loved most is how all the players were successful. Allen, Laskowski and Kamstra were successful businessmen. Ahlfeld is an orthopedic surgeon and served as the IU basketball team’s orthopedic surgeon for nearly 40 years. “We all started our different occupations and we’ve had success,” Allen said. “I think that’s what he’d take the most pride in.” Knight said in the 1990s that the 197475 team was the best he ever coached. Scott May, who averaged 16.3 points per game, broke his left arm late in the season. He missed the first NCAA Tournament games and tried to play against Kentucky with a cast but managed only seven minutes and scored two points in IU’s 92-90 loss in the Elite Eight game. The Hoosiers had beaten Kentucky by 24 points early in the season. The 1974-75 team finished 31-1. The 1975-76 is the last unbeaten NCAA champion with a 32-0 record. For more, visit firstfivemovie.com and heartlandflilm.org.

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‘Salem’ takes witch hunt into future By Alex McCarthy alex@youarecurrent.com Most fictional representations of the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials transport audiences back to the Puritan era of Biblical fears and mass hysteria. That’s not the case in the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s upcoming show “Salem.” “This is a futuristic version of it,” administrative assistant and coordinator Christine Thacker said. “Kind of a ‘1984’ meets ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ version of it.” The one-act ballet, which runs Oct. 23-24 at the Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, is the first show of the 2026-27 season for GHDT. It features sound design by Seager, a composer and recent Purdue graduate based in West Lafayette. The shows also will include several other performances, including the world premiere of “Ophelia,” a ballet based on the tragic figure of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The performance features a haunting score by composer Cory Gabel. More information and tickets are available at thecenterpresents.org. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER Docket No. PZ-2026-00224 Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer meeting on the 26th day of October, 2026 at 5:30 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 approval for a proposed swimming pool and decking to be located 20 feet from the rear yard property line, where a 40-foot rear setback is required for a through lot. Variance requested from UDO Section 5.02(B)(1)(a)(iii): Rear Setback on Through Lots, minimum 40-foot setback required; 20-foot setback requested. With the property being known as: 4944 Limberlost Trace Carmel IN 46033 The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2026-00224. The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: Parcel Number: 16-10-28-03-04-001.000 Legal Description: Acreage .60 Section 28, Township 18, Range 4, MOHAWK CROSSING Section 5 Lot 118 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. Jonathan and Emily Buck PETITIONERS

Dancer Abigail Lessaris performs during “La Llorona” at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. “La Llorona” will be one of the performances along with the premiere of “Salem” on Oct. 23. (Photo courtesy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre)

Hancock — the company’s founder, executive artistic director and principal choreographer — envisions timeless performances that make audience members think differently about the source material. “He likes to present stories that are not rooted in a particular time or place,” Thacker said. “He wants a story to be something that speaks to anyone from anywhere at any time. So, that’s one of the reasons why he’s pulled ‘Salem’ out of the 1600s and he’s put it into this innocuous future.” From the moment “Salem” opens in a futuristic prison yard, the show will feel almost like a rock show, Thacker said. She added that screens on stage will offer close-up views of the dancers, and the light show by lighting designer Ryan Koharchik will make for a vibrant atmosphere. Thacker said audiences never leave a GHDT production without feeling something. “It’s not just spectacle, it’s not just dance,” Thacker said. “It’s usually something that touches something emotionally in all of our audience members, whatever that emotion is. I think ‘Salem’ is going to have a very interesting message at the end of it.”

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Ahlwardt’s concert set By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Ryan Ahlwardt drew on many of his favorite songs from his youth in creating his latest solo album. The album, “Crying in the Canyon,” which is set to be released Oct. 23, features Ahlwardt’s eight new original songs. “Much of the musical inspiration comes from the early ’70s Laurel Canyon era and artists I grew up listening to like James Taylor, Eagles, America and Crosby Stills Nash & Young,” he said. “There’s a warm, organic, nostalgic quality to that music that I wanted to capture while still making a record that sounds like me today.” The Fishers resident will perform selections from the new album along with songs from his previous albums at an 8 p.m. concert Oct. 30 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. There will be a few other surprises. “I wanted the concert to feel bigger than simply playing the new record front to back and to tell some of the

Fishers vocalist Ryan Ahlwardt will perform Oct. 30 at The Tarkington. (Photo courtesy of Megan Mellinger)

story of my music along the way,” Ahlwardt said. A 1999 graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School and Indiana University, Ahlwardt was a member of Straight No Chaser’s professional group from 2008 to 2012. Ahlwardt stepped down in June as the co-host of “Indy Now” on WXIN-59. “Stepping away from ‘Indy Now’ was very intentional,” he said. “I loved my time there, but I knew I wanted to create more space for music, performing and some of the other creative work I’ve been building.”

Chorus honors history By Alex McCarthy alex@youarecurrent.com

The Indianapolis Men’s Chorus is paying tribute to the state of Indiana’s contributions to American music with its upcoming show “American Voices, Indiana Stories.” The show includes selections from Hoosier artists one might expect, such as Michael Jackson, Hoagy Carmichael and Cole Porter. The show draws its format from an Indianapolis native one might not expect — David Letterman. The 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 performance at Basile Theater at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center follows the format of a late-night talk show. Along with the performances, it will include interviews with key figures in the Indiana music scene. Nicholas Johnson, professor of musicology at Butler University, plays the Letterman role. Johnson provided historical research and interpretation for the show, working closely with curator and director Joseph Perkins Jr. to determine the lineup and flow of the show. “You don’t really want people to

The Indianapolis Men’s Chorus is performing songs from Indiana musicians in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary. (Photo courtesy of Shotwell Photos)

know that they’re learning,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to kind of trick them through laughing and enjoying music.” The idea stemmed from the Indiana Arts Commission, which was commissioning projects that celebrated the United States’ 250th anniversary, IMC Executive Director Stephen McCoy said. He knew that the IMC could put together an entertaining show honoring Indiana musicians, and reached out to Indiana Humanities, which provided financial support and Johnson’s services. Tickets for “American Voices, Indiana Stories” are $15 and available at indianapolismenschorus.org.

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Editor, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the devastating impact domestic violence has on individuals, families and communities. It is also a reminder that this is not someone else’s problem. It affects people right here in Hamilton County. In Indiana, more than 42 percent of women experience physical violence, sexual violence or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. At the same time, funding for victim services in Indiana has declined by $6 million this year. Last year alone, Prevail served more than 3,268 unique individuals. We see every day how domestic violence can affect a person’s safety, housing, financial stability, children, employment and overall well-being. Behind every statistic is a person: a neighbor, co-worker, friend, family LICENSED BONDED member, parent or perhaps someone we INSURED know and care deeply for. That is why awareness matters. Do-

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mestic violence often thrives in silence and isolation. Awareness helps us recognize the signs and understand that leaving an abusive relationship is often complex and dangerous. It reminds us to listen without judgment, believe survivors and know where to turn when help is needed. Sometimes, one supportive conversation can be the first step toward safety and healing. Each of us has an important role in creating a community where domestic violence is recognized, taken seriously and met with support rather than silence. We can learn more, challenge the myths that allow abuse to continue and respond with compassion when someone reaches out. This October, I invite our community to Go Purple with Prevail. Wear purple. Turn your business, organization or home purple. Share information. Start conversations. Let survivors know they are seen, supported and valued. Tami Wanninger, executive director at Prevail

Shaw best choice for judge Editor, I am voting this fall — early. I vote in all primaries. I vote in presidential election years. I vote in non-presidential election years. I am voting for Democrats. I have looked at all the candidates’ websites to find out about their positions. I have paid attention to local media coverage about the candidates. I’m ready to vote. We need to elect leaders who know and respect the Constitution and will stand up for us by keeping us informed and representing us throughout their term in office — not just at election time. Hamilton County Superior Court 8 is a new judgeship. I’m voting for Emily Angel Shaw. Since 2015, Emily has

served as director of family law services at Kids’ Voice of Indiana, where she advocates for the best interests of children in family law and child welfare cases and develops training for advocates across the state. In addition to her nonprofit work, Emily has operated her own private law practice since 2014, primarily handling family law matters, with additional experience in probate, criminal and business-related cases, including in Hamilton County. Earlier in her career, Emily provided legal counsel through Indiana Legal Services. Emily’s knowledge and respect for the rule of law will make her an outstanding judge for Superior Court 8. Shelley Carey, 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.

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As the father of two, Danny Lopez knows protecting children is a responsibility that parents, communities, and lawmakers share.

That’s why Danny has worked to strengthen protections for children:

Parental Consent

Required parental consent for children to create social media accounts.

Safer Places

Further restricted certain sex offenders from working at or entering places serving children.

Missing Children Expanded Silver Alert eligibility to include missing children.

Prevent Crimes

Strengthened laws against child grooming to catch predators earlier.

Vote for a candidate who delivers results for our kids.

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Danny Lopez is getting things done for us! A Trusted Partner for Carmel

Danny Lopez works closely with Mayor Sue Finkam and other local leaders to deliver real results for the communities he represents.

Standing with our first responders

At the Statehouse, Danny has consistently supported Carmel’s police officers, firefighters and first responders—working to ensure they have the resources needed to keep our community safe.

Delivering when Carmel needed help

When devastating floods damaged homes and neighborhoods in Carmel, Danny stepped up and helped secure critical disaster relief for local families.

Proudly endorsed by:

Danny Lopez shows up for Carmel—and delivers. Vote Danny Lopez for State Representative on or before November 3rd!

Issue 27 | AUTUMN 2026

AND BETTER

Carmel resident entertains fellow senior center residents, guests

MAKE EVERY SEASON MORE MEMORABLE (317) 648-5458

55+ LIVING

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55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

DISPATCHES A Salute to Veterans — The Hamilton County Historical Society presents A Salute to Veterans through Nov. 14, showcasing military uniforms from throughout the nation’s 250 years. The exhibit displays uniforms worn or owned by Hamilton County residents and is presented in conjunction with the Clay Township Military Library and Museum in Carmel and other county veterans. The Hamilton County Historical Society Museum is free for tours and open to the public Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It also will be open Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. For more, visit hamiltoncoinhs.com. Community Center accepts ‘SilverSneakers’ — The Fishers Community Center accepts insurance-based memberships, such as SilverSneakers, Renew Active, Silver&Fit and Active&Fit. Insurance-based memberships provide the same access as regular memberships, but fees are processed directly through the member’s insurance. For more, visit fisherscommunitycenter.com/insurance. Cross-county public transit service offered — A new public transit service that takes riders between Hamilton and Hancock counties has launched through a Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority, Hamilton County Express and RIDE Hancock partnership. OneCall Connect helps riders navigate a public transportation funding rule that doesn’t allow transit providers to cross county lines. The new service, which offers users a flat one-way fee of $8, has a transfer point in McCordsville where riders switch between each county’s ADA-accessible transit providers. To book a trip weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., call 317-327-7433 at least 48 hours in advance. Forever Young Club — The City of Lawrence hosts a weekly event with games, fun and fellowship geared toward active older adults, set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Lawrence Community Center, 5301 N. Franklin Rd.

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When arthritis affects your feet and ankles

MERIDIAN AUDIOLOGY WANTS TO PREPARE YOU FOR HEARING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan and Dr. Kenneth Stumpf The holidays are fast approaching! And with holidays come family gatherings and parties with your friends or coworkers. And if you can’t hear well, it can cause frustration and miscommunication. We want to provide you with some tips for hearing better at your holiday gatherings: If you’re the one with the hearing loss: • Arrive at gatherings relaxed and well-rested in order to hear your best • Sit toward the middle of the table, where you’re able to see everyone’s face and lips for speechreading • Choose a seat with a wall behind you to avoid background noise and distance yourself from a bustling kitchen, if possible • Use smartphone apps or a remote microphone if you have them • Sit with an ally who understands your hearing loss and can help you • Have one-on-one conversations in other rooms, or away from the noise • Give yourself frequent breaks, as group settings are tiring physically and mentally • Don’t bluff—tell the other person you didn’t hear and ask them to repeat or rephrase for you • Accept that you won’t hear everything, and neither will anyone else! If you’re hosting someone with hearing loss, consider: • Keep background music low and turn it off during

F From left, Kira VonBlon, M.S. and Dr. Alison Wyss Au.D. of Meridian Audiology.

dinnertime when conversations are key • Use smaller round tables that allow guests to hear dinner table conversation and see faces for speechreading • Skip large centerpieces that block faces and visual clues • Avoid dim lighting—ensure lights are bright enough to see faces • Speak clearly while facing guests, and avoid talking while chewing or drinking • Do your best to minimize household noises during conversations—running water, dishwasher, dogs barking, kids playing nearby all interfere with listening (https://www. hearingloss.org/find-support/ social/holiday-hints/) If you have difficulty with hearing and understanding others, please call and make an appointment. We’ll be happy to help you look at your current hearing aids, check your hearing or determine if new hearing aids are your best option! Meridian Audiology, LLC Independently owned and operated by Alison Wyss, Au.D. and Kira S. VonBlon, M.S. Licensed Audiologists

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55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

or many adults over 55, arthritis is a familiar condition that can affect the knees, hips, hands – and the feet and ankles. Because our feet support us throughout the day, arthritis in these areas can have a significant impact on mobility, balance, and overall quality of life. Arthritis occurs when the joints become inflamed or the protective cartilage that cushions the bones begins to deteriorate. Osteoarthritis, often associated with aging and years of wear and tear, is one of the most common forms affecting the foot and ankle. Previous injuries, excess weight, certain medical conditions and family history can also increase the likelihood of developing arthritis.

Recognizing the symptoms

Foot and ankle arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness around an affected joint. Some people notice discomfort when they first get out of bed or after sitting for an extended period. Pain may become more noticeable with walking, standing, or climbing stairs. Arthritis can also cause reduced joint motion and make certain shoes uncomfortable. In more advanced cases, changes in the shape of the foot or ankle may develop, making it increasingly difficult to remain active.

Treatment can help

Treatment depends on the severity of arthritis and which joints are involved. Fortunately, surgery is not always necessary. Conservative treatments may

include supportive footwear, custom orthotics, activity modification, physical therapy, and medications to help control pain and inflammation. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce stress on the feet and ankles. For some patients, injections may provide temporary relief when inflammation and pain are more significant. When arthritis becomes severe and significantly interferes with daily activities, surgical options may be considered. Depending on the location and severity of the arthritis, procedures can range from removing damaged bone or correcting deformities to joint fusion or joint replacement.

Don’t ignore persistent foot pain

Foot and ankle pain should not simply be accepted as a normal part of getting older. Early evaluation can help identify arthritis and other conditions that may be contributing to discomfort. A podiatrist can examine your feet and ankles, review your symptoms, and recommend an individualized treatment plan designed to help you remain active and independent. If foot or ankle pain is interfering with your daily activities, schedule an appointment with your podiatrist. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can help you take comfortable steps toward maintaining an active lifestyle. Dr. David Sullivan and Dr. Kenneth Stumpf are boardcertified foot surgeons at Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC. Contact them at appt@westfieldfoot.com or 317-896-6655.

Foot and ankle arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness around an affected joint. Some people notice discomfort when they first get out of bed or after sitting for an extended period.

2026 SR - CURRENT 55 AD - Medicare - v5.qxp_Layout 1 10/13/26 10:44 AM Page 1

Catherine Dillman moved into Sycamore Reserve Senior Living Center more than two months ago. (Photo courtesy of Sycamore Reserve)

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Wednesday, October 28th Sycamore Reserve resident enjoys new home By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

C

atherine Dillman is a newcomer to Sycamore Reserve, but she is feeling quite at home. Dillman, who moved in a little more than two months ago, is enjoying meeting new people at the Indianapolis senior living center. “I love the people that are here and I’m very happy with it,” she said. “I’ve been to the roundtable discussions and some of the devotional things in the morning. My niece and I have been decorating my apartment, so I haven’t participated that much in the activities.” She is eager to work with the garden club in the spring. “I love flowers and vegetables and I’d kind of rather be outside than inside,” said Dillman, who lives with her black cat, Halle. The 84-year-old Dillman grew up in Westfield, graduating from Westfield High School in 1960. Her father was a farmer. “When I graduated, there were only 39 people in my graduating class,” she said. There were 715 in the 2026 class at WHS.

After marrying, she moved to Indianapolis. Several years after her husband Larry Dillman died in 2001, she moved to Carmel for about 14 years. “God never gave me children of my own, so my husband and I managed kids,” she said. “My husband was a coach, umpire and referee for sports. That’s what we did for recreation.” Dillman said softball was her main hobby. Her husband played fast pitch softball when he was younger. “We had a young girls team in slowpitch and the 18-and-under boys team,” she said. “In Indianapolis, they started slow-pitch co-ed teams, and Larry and I were in that for 22 years. Plus, he was a nationally ranked umpire, so we traveled quite a bit in the summer.” Dillman hasn’t been able to get to many softball games because a pinched nerve in her hip has kept her from driving the past three years. Dillman worked in the home loan department of the Veterans Administration for nearly 40 years. Her husband worked for the U.S. Postal Service and the state of Indiana Motorcycle Division. For more, visit sycamorereserve.com.

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SHIP is supported through state and federal partnerships that are not reimbursed by private health insurance plans or entities. SHIP is not paid per enrollment.

55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

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Retired Butler professor writes sales book By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

D

aniel McQuiston found his calling was teaching. Now professor emeritus of marketing at Butler University, McQuiston has put his years of experience and research to use. His book, “The Serving Salesperson: Seven Pillars to Transform The Customer Relationship,” was released in June. The idea for the book was formed 25 years ago when the 75-year-old Carmel resident became aware of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Robert Greenleaf was an executive at AT&T. “His idea was you take the organizational pyramid and turn it upside down where rather than the boss being at the top and filtering down to the employees, employees (are) at the top and then filter down to the boss,” he said. Instead of the supervisor issuing orders, the attitude would be what the supervisor could do to help the salesperson accomplish what he needs. At one point, Butler conducted a

Retired Butler University professor Daniel McQuiston wrote a book, “The Serving Salesperson.” (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

symposium with the Greenleaf Center. “I started reading some of it and said, ’This is very applicable to what’s successful in sales,’” McQuiston said. “It’s the authenticity, the honesty, the integrity and so forth. I was talking to my dean about some research I was thinking of doing. He leaned back and said, ‘You should write a book on being a serving salesperson.’ So, that seed got planted. That was probably around 2001.” McQuiston began conducting seminars and management development

sessions. He said he viewed his role as preparing students for their first job in sales. “When I had nonsales groups, I would ask what salespeople did that you really liked,” he said. “I’d hear the same answers — integrity, honesty and hard work. You know all of this, but I was in a seminar one time and there was a woman who was sitting right down there in front and she said, ‘The best salespeople, the ones I like best, I feel they’re there to serve me rather than serving themselves.’” McQuiston said the entire audience agreed, which led him to again consider a book. He said it couldn’t be a book based on his beliefs. “So, I said this can’t be an ‘I think’ book because nobody cares what I think,” he said. “Sad, but true.” McQuiston said he identified some serving salespeople, men and women, and asked what they do to serve their customers. He asked them to give him the name of another serving salesperson. He would interview them and then ask for more names. He eventually in-

terviewed 33 salespeople and came up with seven practices of a serving salesperson. He wrote an article about it. When McQuiston was retiring, the advice given to him by his financial representative was, “You don’t retire from something, you retire to something.” So, he decided it was time to make it a book with the help of two research professors at Butler. He interviewed two dozen MBA students on what salespeople do that creates value for them. McQuiston and the professors created an electronic survey. “We got back over 300 usable responses, and so we took that and analyzed it, and (that’s) where I have the seven pillars of a serving salesperson,” he said. McQuiston provides a step-by-step approach to achieving each pillar. “I just want people to be successful,” he said. “It’s been shown time and time again that companies that have a servant leadership mentality are just more successful. They’re more profitable. They have less turnover. Their employContinued on Page 8

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ees are happier.” The seven pillars are: 1. Set Serving as Your True North 2. Blend Passion and Perseverance 3. Sharpen Your EQ 4. Build Trust Through the Human Touch 5. Communicate for Impact 6. Facilitate the Journey 7. Guide the Transformation A chapter is devoted to each of the pillars. McQuiston said his parents set an example for him. “I grew up in what could be called a servant-led household as both of my parents had a true serving mentality,” he said. ”My father was a member of the Battle Creek (Mich.) Board of Education for 44 years, served on any number of community boards and in his retirement was a fundraiser for nonprofits. For 33 years, my mother ran the local children’s theater and focused on giving kids the opportunity to be on a stage they wouldn’t have had otherwise. Even today, 15 years after her passing, I get messages on the impact she had on people’s lives.” McQuiston and his wife, Cathy, have two daughters and four grandchildren. McQuiston didn’t start out to be in the academic world. “I tried working for a living once and I didn’t like it. They expected results and everything,” he said jokingly. “No, the short story is that I was rather unfocused when I graduated from college.” McQuiston, who earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University, said his undergraduate performance was less than stellar. When he was 25, he decided to get more serious and went back to get a Master of Business Administration from Bowling Green State University. After getting his MBA, he earned a doctorate from Ohio State University. While at Bowling Green, he did a graduate assistantship in 1979-80. “I got to do a little teaching and I thought I like this environment and it just so happened they needed somebody to teach a sales class,” he said. “I thought, ‘Well, let’s try this and see if I like it,’ and I did, so I decided to pursue academics as a career.” After earning his doctorate, McQuiston taught at IU for five years. After that, he spent 31 years at Butler University before retiring in 2021. The book is available on amazon.com.

The men’s group at the annual camping renewal trip. (Photo courtesy of Tom Weesner)

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The sounds of silence Commentary by Tom Weesner

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“

’m giddy!” After hearing these two words, we know that in just six weeks we will be together – a collective of men and young sons on our annual camping renewal at Pokagon State Park in Angola. And there, we will hear the sounds of silence — raccoons in the trash, wind, raindrops and walnuts crashing through the leaves before hitting the ground (or us). Yet, these background instruments are just warmup for the symphony created by a group of men building brotherhood through acceptance, strengthening selves through solitude and conversation and setting an example for the next generation of men. We have been gathering annually for the last 27 years. It is my seventh year, and for something that began as a father and sons adventure, the “family” has expanded to friends and strangers. Chuck, a 21-year attendee said, “I’m lucky to be surrounded by a bunch of cool people. Once a year we get together and enjoy the conversation of what this last year has done for us, what we expect out of the next year, and on top of that, lets us build a relationship that can grow and be nurtured in between that one-year camping trip.” Why do we return each year? In the guys’ words, “family,” “fellowship,” “building connections,” “lots of guitars,” “euchre” and traditions like Aunt Jean’s chocolate cake, berry cobbler and thick steaks grilled over the fire — and, of course, the first Christmas music of the year. And the amazing thing? For many, we only see or talk to one another once a year, yet when we camp, it is as if a day hasn’t passed. The relevance? As men, we are faced

with thousands of images daily of what it is to be a man. Many of which are created by whom? In our noisy world of work, traffic, messages and social media, we often find ourselves lost, disconnected and in need of support. We call our group “Man-Up,” precisely to dispel the notion that to be a man you need to be “macho,” “unemotional,” or “judgmental.” Rather, that in the face of adversity, men can listen to, share with and support one another in this difficult life. Larry said it best: “We all have a good time and a trust that has been built up over so many years. We also have a nearly unbreakable bond because we can accept each other for who we are, regardless of situation, regardless of background, regardless of political and religious ideologies — it doesn’t matter.” And so, when you silence the noise of everyday life, the strumming of new chords is heard — conversation, acceptance, support and love — men becoming better men and setting examples for their sons. In Larry’s words, “When it is all said and done, and I’m driving home tomorrow, there’s going to be a bit of sadness, but it gives me new insight and new drive and new focus to look at the coming year.” Men’s mental health is as important as physical health. So, take a walk away from the everyday freneticism of work, light and noise pollution. And when you return, call that friend or relative and just say, “I care about you.”

Tom Weesner is the president of Motion 4 Life Fitness

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ADVERTORIAL

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By Dr. Folasade Imeokparia, breast surgeon at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel

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very October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as an important Dr. Folasade reminder to Imeokparia prioritize breast health, learn about breast cancer risk factors and stay up to date on recommended screenings. While awareness campaigns often highlight the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis, they also provide an opportunity to focus on something equally important: early detection. Understanding breast cancer and knowing when to get screened can help people take an active role in their health and may lead to better outcomes if cancer is found. UNDERSTANDING BREAST CANCER Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, although men can also develop the disease. It occurs when abnormal cells in the breast begin growing uncontrollably. There are several different types of breast cancer, and they can develop in different areas of the breast. Some cancers grow slowly, while others are more aggressive. Because every cancer is unique, providers use specialized testing to better understand the characteristics of a tumor and develop an individualized treatment plan. What works for one patient may not be the best option for another, which is why personalized care plays such an important role in breast cancer treatment.

This imaging test uses low-dose radiation to look for changes or abnormalities in breast tissue that may not yet be noticeable during a physical exam. For women at average risk, conversations about screening mammograms should begin around age 40. Women ages 50 to 74 are generally recommended to receive a mammogram every other year unless their healthcare provider suggests a different screening schedule. For women with dense breast tissue, additional imaging may be recommended. In some cases, an ultrasound is used alongside a mammogram to improve cancer detection and provide a more complete picture of breast health.

THE POWER OF EARLY DETECTION One of the most effective ways to improve breast cancer outcomes is to find cancer early, before symptoms develop or the disease has had a chance to spread. Breast cancer is often detected through routine screening or when a lump is felt in the breast. When found early, treatment options may be less extensive, and outcomes can improve significantly. In fact, early detection can increase a woman’s fiveyear survival rate to 97%.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AN ABNORMAL SCREENING? Receiving a call after a mammogram can be unsettling, but it does not automatically mean cancer is present. Additional testing is often needed to gather more information. Depending on the situation, follow-up testing may include diagnostic mammography, ultrasound, MRI or a biopsy. These tests help providers determine whether cancer is present, identify its location and understand the stage of the disease.

WHY MAMMOGRAMS MATTER A mammogram remains one of the most important tools for early breast cancer detection.

TREATMENT CONTINUES TO ADVANCE Breast cancer treatment has evolved significantly over the years. Depending on the type and

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55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

stage of cancer, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapies designed to attack specific cancer cells. Surgical options may include a lumpectomy, which removes only the tumor, or a mastectomy, which removes breast tissue. Some patients may also choose breast reconstruction as part of their treatment journey. Advances in research and clinical trials continue to create new opportunities for more personalized and effective treatments, helping patients receive care tailored to their specific diagnosis. TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR BREAST HEALTH Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than wearing pink. It is a reminder to schedule preventive screenings, understand your personal risk factors and pay attention to any changes in your body. Whether you’re approaching your first mammogram or simply looking to learn more about breast health, taking proactive steps today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow. Early detection remains one of the most powerful tools in the fight against breast cancer, and staying informed is an important part of protecting your long-term health. IU Health offers online mammogram scheduling at convenient locations throughout the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Learn more at iuhealth.org/mammo.

Breast cancer is no match for our skill. Indiana University Health is the state’s most preferred cancer program by physicians and patients. Our breast cancer team offers the most advanced treatment options, access to clinical trials and Indiana’s most highly-skilled physicians.

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55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

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Carmel resident entertains fellow senior center residents, guests By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

L

ouise Newman never gets tired of playing the piano. The 95-year-old, who everyone calls Lou, plays daily where she lives at StoryPoint Carmel, formerly Woodland Terrace of Carmel. There is a piano in the main area. “We have a piano or keyboard in every major room in this facility,” said Newman, who also has a piano in her apartment. “We even have one in the memory care unit. We have a small choir here that I accompany, and once a month we go down to the memory care. It’s amazing how people don’t know their own children’s names but they know the words to some of the old songs.” Newman plays whenever anyone gets a tour of the facility. “They seem to be impressed when they walk in to hear piano music,” she said. “I play after meals and maybe at night at request.” Newman can play approximately 500 songs. “Music has been the biggest part of keeping me going,” she said. “People stop by the piano every day, they say, ‘I was so down this morning, but when I heard your music, it made me happy.’ So, how can you not play?” Newman plays music from the Great American Songbook and Broadway show tunes. She said sometimes when she plays a song, someone says it was their wedding song. Her late husband, Lenny, was an accordionist. “We played together in nursing homes, retirement centers, like we did in Bloomington,” Newman said. They even played in weddings.

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55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

Lou Newman plays piano at StoryPoint Carmel. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Newman started out playing short tunes when she was 6 years old and then took lessons at age 7 in her hometown of New Madrid, Mo. “My parents had a ready-to-wear store and a used furniture store across the street,” she said. Newman accompanied the school choir on piano and for people competing in vocal competitions. Her reasons for playing weren’t always altruistic. “I found if I had to practice my piano, I had to do it after dinner, so my sisters had to do the dishes and I got out of that job,” she said. Newman attended Interlochen (Mich.) Arts Camp when she was 14.

“They picked 18 (campers) to sing in the choir, and I asked the director, ‘Why on earth would you pick me to sing in the choir when you have so many with really fine voices?’” Newman said. “He said, ‘That’s why I picked you. I need voices that will blend in, not stand out.’” She said her husband knew many members in her family before he met her. “One day I got a call, ‘This is Lenny. I hear that we’re probably going to be getting married, but I’d like for us to meet first,’” said Newman, who was a freshman at the University of Wisconsin at the time. “I said, ‘I think that would be a good idea.’” Instead of flying home to Memphis

from Madison, Wis., where her family had moved, Lenny suggested he pick her up at the airport in St. Louis. Her parents, who knew him, said that would be fine. Newman said Lenny, a Purdue University graduate, picked her up at the airport and then went to her cousin’s house. “He sat on the piano bench and played ‘Back Home Again,’ and I moved him over and played, ‘In Indiana.’ He said, ‘You’ll do just fine.’ He called his mother that night and said, ‘I’m going to be marrying this girl.’” Lenny was a Purdue cheerleader but Continued on Page 13

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From left, Lou Newman at the piano with Dee Bloom and Heidi Newman. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Continued from Page 12 was in the crowd when the bleachers collapsed in 1947 during a basketball game at Lambert Fieldhouse in West Lafayette. Three students died and many spectators were injured. It blew out Leonard’s eardrums. He was living in St. Louis because he had ear surgeries there. The couple lived in Lenny’s hometown of Jasper for nearly 40 years. “At one point, we counted over 20 instruments in our living room,” Newman said. “That included the recorders, little banjos and percussion instruments, but there was always music around.” Newman used to play with a tennis group at an indoor facility in French Lick, “We ended up around the piano after tennis and the girls were all singing, so that was a nice tradition we had for several years,” Newman said, When Lenny retired following heart bypass surgery, they sold the department store and kept the jewelry store for several years before they sold it and moved to Bloomington because three of the couple’s five children lived in the

Indianapolis and Bloomington areas. Newman said they were in Bloomington only two weeks before her husband found himself the board of one of the Indiana University music school’s competitions. “We were asked to join the board of the Friends of Music, which is the fundraiser for the music school,” Newman said. While in Bloomington, the couple recorded music videos of Lenny and Lou’s Second Kitchen Collective, which can be found on YouTube. “It’s mind-blowing how they flow together,” said their daughter, Heidi Newman. The home piano was a gift from Lenny with the inscription, “To Lou with a heart full of deepest love for 25 years of perfect harmony, Lenny.” The couple, who were married 67 years, moved to StoryPoint about 10 years ago. Lenny died in 2019 at the age of 91. Daughter Dee Bloom lives in Carmel. Heidi lives in Indianapolis. Son Marty lives in the Lawrence area of Indianapolis. Son Alan lives in Phoenix and daughter Shelley Smuckler lives in St. Louis.

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Bill Paradise is in the process of writing his fourth book. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)

Stratford resident pursues passion for writing, spirituality

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55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

ill Paradise developed a passion for writing in retirement. The first book The Stratford resident wrote was “You and God,” which is about having a relationship with God. It came out in 2010. His second book, “Cancer, You and God,” was published in 2017. “I’m a bit biased but it’s an interesting book,” he said. “It’s got 21 stories of patients, surviving spouses and healthcare providers and then a lot of reflections on cancer itself.” Paradise, 86, had a minor battle with skin cancer. He had members of his extended family deal with cancer. “In these 21 stories, God is in all of them, one way or another,” he said. “Some of the people I interviewed have died since then.” The book’s subtitle is “Spiritual, mental and emotional help for cancer patients and their loved ones.” Paradise moved to The Stratford in Carmel in July 2025. He spent his career in the health insurance industry, mostly in sales and marketing. He retired from United Healthcare in June 2006. He pre-

viously worked for Anthem and Golden Rule. His fourth book, “Belief in God Makes a Lot of Sense,” is projected to be out by the end of the year. “Modern science makes a lot of sense for belief in God,” he said. The third book he co-authored was “Alzheimer’s: A Patient’s Journey” in 2021. He wrote it with Indianapolis resident Mike Langdon, his friend of 50 years, who was diagnosed in 2017. “He said he wanted to tell his story, but ‘I can’t write it myself,’” he said. “He’s since passed away from Alzheimer’s (in 2023), but it’s a very short book. It’s for a patient, or a spouse or other family members dealing with it. He was a great friend and it was a joy for me to work with him and help tell his story.” When Paradise wrote the first book, he was asked to visit the Indiana’s Women’s Prison in Indianapolis to discuss the book with a small group of inmates. He would go for a six-week period to discuss each section of the book. “It was successful, and I did that for 12 years,” he said. For Paradise, the books are a labor of Continued on Page 15

Continued from Page 14 love. Another love is golf, which he plays twice a week with seven other friends. “We play different courses, but Plum Creek in Carmel is our favorite,” he said. Paradise said it’s important to stay active. “I’ve come up with the idea of three Es: engage, exercise and execute,” he said. “So, I engage with other people, and there are a lot of opportunities at The Stratford. People are very interesting and very nice. They come from different backgrounds. I get together with a retired physics professor and retired pastor on a monthly basis. We have great discussions.” Paradise takes part in The Stratford exercise groups

and golfs., “I think it’s important for people to volunteer,” he said. “I think reading is very important, whether fiction or nonfiction, whatever your interest. I think it’s important for people to have a spiritual life.” Paradise attended Saint Fisher University in New York and went to graduate school at the University of Syracuse. Before graduate school, Paradise served a year in the U.S. Army in Vietnam in 1967-68. He was drafted three weeks before he would have been too old for conscription. “I wasn’t out there on the lines but I saw limited combat,” he said. “I made friends who I am still in contact with today.”

Paradise and his wife, Bernie, have been married for 57 years. They were introduced by mutual friends in Washington, D.C., in 1969. “It was love at first sight, and five months later, we were married,” he said. They moved to Indianapolis from Washington, D.C., in 1972, when he began working on a federally funded project. He did that for seven years before moving into an insurance role in 1979. His wife retired as associate director of the Catholic Schools of Indianapolis the same day he did in 2006. They have three children, Naomi, 54, Matthew, 52 and Angela, 49, and eight grandchildren. His first book is out of print, but the other two books are available on Amazon.com

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55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

Imagine tomorrow is your last day at work. You’ve thought about retirement for years, and now it’s here. You have investment accounts, Social Security on the horizon, maybe a pension. You feel reasonably prepared. Then Monday arrives. Where will your money come from? How much can you spend? Which accounts do you draw from first? When should you claim Social Security? How will your taxes change? During your working years, the goal was simple: save, invest wisely and build a nest egg. In retirement, the question shifts from “How much have I saved?” to “How do I make this last 20, 30 or even 40 years?” That transition requires some thought. Consider Social Security. When you begin benefits can affect your monthly income for life. For married couples, the decision is more complex — each spouse’s claiming strategy can affect household cash flow, including for the surviving spouse. Then there are your investments. Your portfolio’s job changes — instead of just growing for the future, it may need to fund your current lifestyle. That makes market swings and withdrawal timing more important. Taxes are another piece of the puzzle. Retirees often hold traditional IRAs or 401(k)s, Roth accounts, and brokerage accounts, each taxed differently. The order and timing of withdrawals can affect your tax bill, and later on, Required Minimum Distributions add another variable. Even Medicare can be affected by your income. A higher income year can potentially result in higher

Medicare premiums through the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. None of these pieces exists in isolation. A Social Security decision affects cash flow. Cash flow affects withdrawals. Withdrawals affect taxes. Taxes affect Medicare premiums. And Medicare premium adjustments can circle back to reduce Social Security payments. One simple decision can snowball. This is why retirement planning is less about finding one perfect answer and more about coordinating the different pieces of your financial life. You don’t have to wait until the day before retirement to figure it all out. The years immediately before retirement can be some of the most valuable years for planning— time to adjust savings, evaluate Social Security strategies, consider future tax implications, review investment risk, and determine whether your expected spending is realistic. A retirement plan shouldn’t be something you create once and put in a drawer. Life changes. Markets change. Tax laws change. Your spending may change. A good plan should be flexible enough to adapt. If you could retire tomorrow, would you know exactly where your next paycheck—or more accurately, your next month’s cash flow—would come from? If the answer isn’t clear, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unprepared. It may simply mean there are still decisions to work through. Working with a financial planner can help bring those decisions together. Rather than looking at investments, taxes, Social Security or retirement income separately, a planner can help you see how the pieces fit together and identify the decisions that deserve attention before you retire.

Carmel Comedy Club to host monthly programs for seniors By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

We have a new website! Scan the QR Code and follow the info to connect to Karen Sigman Agency.

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armel Comedy Club founder Debbie Hughes understands many older adults might not want to attend an evening comedy show. However, she figures they might be up for some afternoon laughs. “Laughter is the best medicine,” Hughes said. “It also provides socialization outside of the living environment. From the seniors’ perspective, they enjoy going out during the daytime and not being out at nighttime. We want to bring laughter and joy into their lives.” Hughes, who performs as Lady Wisecrack, said a matinee series will be called “Lady Wisecrack Presents You Crack Me Up.” The matinees will debut at 1 p.m. Dec. 4 at Meridian Music School’s Goodwin Hall, 845 West Carmel Dr., Carmel. The venue has 60 seats. “There are going to be local, regional and national comedians,” she said. Included in the admission cost will be coffee, light appetizers and finger food desert. The admission prices will likely vary. The schedule of comedians will be on carmelcitycomedyin.com.. The series is planned on the first Friday of each month. Hughes said her goal is to show Carmel is a senior-friendly city. In that spirit, Carmel Comedy Club also will host another monthly series. “The Laughing into Longevity” series begins at 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at Goodwin Hall. The plan is to present it on the first Thursday of each month. Hughes said the series is designed to bring humor to issues the aging might face. Carol Applegate, a retired elder law attorney and chair of Mayoral Advisory Commission on Seniors, will join the discussion. The first session is “Hard of Hearing.”

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Hughes said an expert such as an audiologist might be included. She said the plan is to use humor to get seniors and their family members to discuss senior aging issues. “So, we’re providing the comedy that’s relatable to the audience about hard of hearing and then there will be speakers on the point,” she said. “There could be an audiologist there or a hearing aid representative. We’re going to be looking for resources to help elderly access how to improve their hearing.” Hughes said sponsorship is being sought for the program. The Carmel Comedy Club began presenting shows at The Cat in Carmel in June. For more, visit carmelcitycomedyin. com.

“Laughter is the best medicine. It also provides socialization out of the living environment.”

— Debbie Hughes 55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

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How often should you update your estate plan? Commentary by Christine Stolle

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early one in four Americans with an estate plan has never updated it since it was created. If that’s you, your plan may no longer reflect your life, your wishes, or even the people you intended to protect. Creating an estate plan is important, but it should not be set aside forever. As your life, family, and assets change, your plan may no longer reflect your wishes or your loved ones’ needs. For Indiana families, reviewing an estate plan every few years is a good habit, as is reviewing it after major life changes. At Dillman & Owen, our estate planning attorneys help families create, review, and update estate plans so their wishes are clear and their loved ones are protected. Why estate plans need to be updated An estate plan is meant to guide important decisions if you become incapacitated or pass away. It may include a will, trust, powers of attorney, health care directives, HIPAA authorization,

beneficiary designations, and other planning tools. Outdated documents may name the wrong decision-maker, omit a new child or grandchild, or overlook a home, business, retirement account, or other major asset acquired after the plan was created. Updates help your documents match your life. When should you review your estate plan? Review your estate plan every three to five years. A review does not always require changes; it may simply confirm your plan still works. Review sooner after a significant life or family change. Major life changes that may require an update You may need to update your estate plan after: • Marriage or divorce • Birth or adoption of a child • Death of a spouse, child, beneficiary, trustee, or named decision-maker • A serious illness or disability

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55 AND BETTER Autumn 2026

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• A child becoming an adult • A change in family relationships • Moving to or from Indiana • Buying or selling a home • Starting, selling, or closing a business • Receiving an inheritance • A major change in retirement accounts, investments, or life insurance • A loved one developing special needs or long-term care concerns These changes can affect who should inherit, who should make decisions, and how your property should be managed. Review the people named in your plan One of the most important parts of an estate plan is choosing the right people to act for you. These may include a personal representative, trustee, financial power of attorney, health care representative, or guardian for minor children. Someone who was the right choice ten years ago may no longer be the best fit today. They may have moved away, passed away, developed health concerns, or become less involved in your life. Confirm that everyone named is still willing, able, and appropriate for the role. Check beneficiary designations too Your will or trust is only part of the picture. Some assets pass by beneficiary designation, including many retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death accounts. If these designations are outdated, they may override what you intended in your broader estate plan. For example, an old beneficiary form may still name a former spouse, omit a child, or fail to reflect a trust you created later. Review beneficiary designations whenever you update your estate plan. Why legal updates matter Estate planning laws, tax rules, health care forms, and Medicaid planning considerations can change over time. Your documents may still be legally valid, but that does not always mean they are the best fit for your current situation. An Indiana estate planning attorney can help review your documents, explain whether updates are needed, and make sure your plan is still structured around your goals. Updating your plan does not have to be a complete restart Updating a plan does not always mean starting over. A limited update,

amendment, or new supporting document may be enough. The first step is simply gathering your existing documents and talking through what has changed. From there, your attorney can help determine what needs attention. How long-term care costs can impact your estate Reviewing your estate plan becomes especially important as you or your loved ones age, because the cost of long-term care can quickly erode the assets you hoped to preserve for your family. In Indiana, the median cost of a private nursing home room is $123,918 per year, or about $10,326 per month. A semi-private room costs a median of $107,310 per year. Even non-medical care at home averages about $80,080 annually based on 44 hours of care per week. Many families assume Medicare will cover these expenses, but Medicare generally does not cover ongoing longterm custodial care, such as extended nursing home care or help with activities of daily living. It may cover certain short-term skilled nursing or home health services when specific requirements are met. That means an estate plan that made sense at age 50 may not provide the same protection at age 75. Reviewing your plan with future care needs in mind can provide an opportunity to consider tools such as trusts, updated powers of attorney, and Medicaid planning while more options may still be available. Timing matters. Indiana Medicaid generally reviews certain transfers of assets made during the 60 months before an individual becomes institutionalized and applies for Medicaid. Planning well before a long-term care crisis can therefore provide significantly more flexibility than waiting until care is immediately needed. Meet with an estate planning attorney today Your estate plan should give you peace of mind, not uncertainty. If your documents are several years old, or if your life has changed since they were signed, now may be a good time to review them.

Christine Stolle is an attorney at Dillman & Owen Estate and Elder Law. For more, visit dillman-owen.com.

From left, Jonah Smith, tenor saxophone; Derek Ai, alto saxophone; Will Eaton, trumpet; and Junmo Kang, alto saxophone, are all members of Jazz for Discovery and students or recent graduates of Park Tudor High School. (Photo courtesy of Jazz for Discovery)

Carmel teens use jazz to connect generations By Piper Bailey Piper@youarecurrent.com

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or some residents of Carmel-area senior living communities, a Jazz for Discovery performance offers more than entertainment. Familiar melodies can bring back memories of their younger years and create opportunities for residents to connect with the students performing. Founded in 2024 by high school students Derek Ai and Alex Mi, Jazz for Discovery is a student-led jazz band that performs at senior living communities and public venues in Carmel and Indianapolis. The band includes students and recent graduates from Park Tudor School and Carmel High School who share a passion for jazz music. The group has performed nearly 30 times since its founding, including at senior living communities and public venues in Indianapolis such as the Jazz Kitchen in Broad Ripple. “Jazz is a form of expression where it’s not confined by just a single musical phrase,” said Junmo Kang, vice president of Jazz for Discovery. “I feel like there’s more emotion in it rather than a stagnant piece of music. I think it’s a very good way for us to connect with Carmel.” The students have seen that connection firsthand. During performances, Mi said he has watched residents tap their feet, nod their heads and smile along with the music. Afterward, the students sometimes talk with residents about their musical memories and experiences. During one performance, a resident recognized a song and told the students she had played saxophone in

a jazz band years earlier. Mi recalled that the band may have been based in Noblesville. “It’s these small things that kind of trigger their core memories from their childhood,” Mi said. “I think (that) is a reason why we keep performing.” In addition to connecting with older adults, Jazz for Discovery raises money for N=1 Collaborative, an organization focused on researching rare diseases in children and developing individualized treatments. The students were inspired by the organization’s work, including its efforts to develop Milasen, a drug created to treat a rare neurological condition affecting a child named Mila. According to Kang, Jazz for Discovery has raised more than $2,300 for the organization since its founding. “It’s really rewarding that this has all worked out so great for us, and we’re able to (fundraise while performing),” Ai said. All three student leaders are seniors and want to recruit younger musicians to continue the organization after they graduate in May. Mi said connecting younger and older generations is an important part of the group’s mission, particularly for residents who may experience isolation. “I think it’s important for us to bring the community to them,” Mi said. Jazz for Discovery has performed nearly every weekend during the past two months, although it does not have upcoming performances scheduled. The group hopes to recruit more musicians and connect with more senior living communities throughout the school year. To learn more about Jazz for Discovery, visit jazzfordiscovery.com.

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