ZCS Superintendent: ‘We’re focused on student growth’
Zionsville educator named Spanish Teacher of the Year Page 3
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Zionsville Lions Club welcomes new members
ZIONSVILLE
Zionsville chamber to sponsor Civics Bee
COMMUNITY
ZCS superintendent:
‘We’re
focused on student growth’
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville Community Schools
Superintendent Rebecca Coffman delivered the State of the Schools address Oct. 7 at the Golf Club of Indiana in Whitestown.
Coffman said the educators and staff at ZCS are student-focused — centered on providing a well-rounded education to the district’s 8,056 students. She said the mission of ZCS is to cultivate a learning environment for students to grow academically, develop meaningful skills and become active contributors to their communities through innovation, inclusion and a strong sense of belonging.
“We prepare students to live with confidence and integrity,” she said. “It’s simple — we’re focused on student growth, and we want to partner with our families to make sure that every child is well positioned to find success.”
Coffman said ZCS is a human organization and a learning organization. The district includes 499 educators; 108 transportation employees; 73 food service workers; 21 facilities and grounds crew members; and hundreds of support staff in critical roles including administrative assistants, paraprofessionals, guest teachers, coaches, nurses and custodial staff.
“We have a lot of people that have true passion and commitment to their role so that we can serve kids well every single day,” she said. “But ZCS is also about our families. Our families simply show up when we ask for support or help.”
Coffman said about 85 percent of high school AP students score a 3 or higher on their exams — the threshold to earn college credit. Approximately 92 percent of graduates go to college.
Coffman said although Zionsville students perform well on standardized tests, the students are more than the outcome of those exams.
“We truly believe our kids are much more than a test score,” she said. This is important, and this is something we can celebrate.
Zionsville Community Schools Superintendent Rebecca Coffman delivers the State of the Schools address. (Photo courtesy of ZCS)
This fall, we were on the top list for U.S. News & World Report top high schools — out of 25,000 high schools in the country, we’re ranked 269th nationally. We’re ranked number one in the metro of Indianapolis, and we’re fourth in the state. We do very, very well, but the moment that we start talking about these numbers, we feel that we lose sight of who our kids really are, and the uniqueness that they each bring. We’re measuring well on all of those important measures, but what we truly value are the outcomes for each of our individual kids.”
Coffman said the district tailors to the needs of students in several ways, including 90 clubs at the high school level.
The presentation included a brief discussion of the state’s new property tax law.
ZCS Chief Finance Officer Regina May said the impact of Senate
Enrolled Act 1 for 2026 is about a $2 million loss. But, she said, it’s a complicated process.
“(SEA1) is changing the deduction strategy around how we get money that supports our property tax supported funds — our operations fund, our debt service fund, and our operating referendum,” she said. “What we have seen (from our assessed value for 2026) is for the first time in over a decade, our growth is pretty much stable. We didn’t grow. We grew 0.87 percent. That is very unusual for us. What that shows is that we’re not going to keep up with inflation in those funds. So, we’re going to have to be responsive in our operations fund. Our 2026 budget anticipated this. So everything for 2026 is in line with the budget. What we’re going to really see is that impact for next year is kind of mitigated because we didn’t grow.”
Coffman said although bad days happen, most are positive within ZCS.
“By and large, every single day, (students) show up excited, ready to learn and ready to be together,” she said. “They are inquisitive, they are kind, they are curious. And truly, they give us hope, because we all can use a good dose of hope… Every single day, this is what it’s about, making sure that we can give as many positive experiences to our kids, because any parent in the room knows it goes way too fast. We really have so much time to really pour into these young people and make great things happen and set them up for success in the future.”
And she lauded the district’s educators.
“The old adage really is true — it takes a village to raise kids,” she said. “Our community is an incredible place. I love this point from (American philosopher) John Dewey, who said, ‘Schools don’t exist apart from their communities, but they are the heart of them.’ Each day, as we approach our calling as educational professionals and serving the children of our community, we do so with heart.”
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Union ‘Post Office’ open
news@youarecurrent.com
Students at Union Elementary School in Zionsville recently launched this year’s Union Express — the school’s in-house mail service that connects students, staff and families with handwritten letters.
Second-grade students Chloe Dell, Reagan Ferris, Allison Kissel and Emilia Vela were honored as winners of the school’s annual stamp design contest. Their original artwork will appear on the stamps used for all Union Express mail. The artwork also will be displayed in the school’s gallery
of past winners.
During a special ceremony this month, students learned about the U.S. Postal Service and were sworn in as honorary mail carriers by school resource officer Sgt. Joe Robinson.
The Union Express is operated by second-grade students. The students collect, sort and deliver mail throughout the school each week. The program teaches students about how the postal system works and helps them build organizational skills, teamwork and a sense of responsibility.
Zionsville educator named Spanish Teacher of the Year
news@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville West Middle School Spanish teacher Kylie Staples was recently selected by the Indiana Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese as the 2025 Indiana Middle School Teacher of the Year.
District officials said the honor recognizes Staples’ strong dedication and passion for teaching Spanish and her involvement with students’ success and advancement.
Staples will now represent AATSP Indiana in the IFLTA Conference, with potential to be named 2025 Indiana Foreign Language Teacher of the Year. She will compete with Teachers of the Year recipients in five languages. If chosen, Staples will represent Zionsville Community Schools and the state of Indiana in the 2027 Central States Teacher of the Year ceremony. The winner of that event goes on to represent Indiana and the Midwest in the 2027 ACTFL National Teacher of the Year program. The AATSP Indiana Award Ceremony is Nov. 8 at the Indianapolis Marriott East during the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association Conference. Learn more at iflta.org.
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Second-grade students Allison Kissel, left, and Reagan Ferris are winners in this year’s Union Elementary School post office art contest.
From left, Union Elementary School post office art contest winners Chloe Dell and Emilia Vela. (Photo courtesy of Union Elementary School)
Applications open for Indiana House Republicans interns
news@youarecurrent.com
Applications are open for student interns to serve with Indiana House Republican lawmakers from Boone County during the 2026 legislative session.
The paid, full-time internships are open to college students, recent graduates and students in graduate and law school. Elected leaders said it is an opportunity to gain practi-
cal knowledge of state government through active participation in the legislative process.
“Work-based learning can be a cornerstone in young Hoosiers’ education,”
District 25 State Rep. and Zionsville resident Becky Cash stated. “By interning at the Statehouse, students get a
TOWNES AT GRAND PARK VILLAGE
hands-on learning experience that can make all the difference on a resume and in their future career.”
Interns will work in the Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis full time Monday through Friday during the legislative session from January to March.
dents will have opportunities to interact with state legislators, state agencies and private sector organizations, as well as participate in a weekly speaker series featuring Indiana civic leaders.
Lawmakers said internships provide crucial professional experiences for students and recent graduates seeking employment. Interns are paired with staff members to work directly with an assigned group of state representatives. Stu-
“Each day there is something new at the Statehouse as interns work hand-in-hand with legislators and staff during session,” stated District 24 Representative Hunter Smith of Zionsville. “Hoosier students can set themselves up for success with a House internship and gain invaluable, real-world skills.”
Applications are due Oct. 31. Apply at indianahouserepublicans. com/internship.
Cash Smith
COMMUNITY
LIONS CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
The Zionsville Lions Club welcomed nine new members during its monthly meeting last month. Attending the induction ceremony are, from left, Zionsville Lions Club President Jason Baker; new members Ted Kuhn, Carmen Maddox, Marlene Doney, Holly Peters, Chad Crowther, Matti Dougherty and Sandy Kuehl; and Zionsville Lions Club Membership Chair Tom Robbins. Not pictured, new members John Luhren and Kristin Shelley. Learn more about the club at zionsvillelionsclub.com. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)
At the Blue Tie Trivia fundraising event, from left, Zionsville Town Councilor Tim McElderry, Whitestown Town Councilor Tobe Thomas, State Senator J.D. Ford, State House District 25 candidate Tiffany Stoner and State House District 24 candidate Racheal Bleicher. (Photo courtesy of the Boone County Democratic Party)
Democrats hold event
news@youarecurrent.com
The Boone County Democratic Party hosted its inaugural Blue Tie Trivia fundraising event Oct. 11 at Zionsville Underground.
Attendees engaged in conversations with 2026 candidates and participated in trivia and networking to support the organization’s mission to strengthen democracy and civic participation in Boone County.
The event included remarks from local leaders and candidates, including State Sen. J.D. Ford, Zionsville Town Councilor Tim McElderry, Whitestown Town Councilor Tobe Thomas, Indiana
House District 25 candidate Tiffany Stoner and Indiana House District 24 candidate Racheal Bleicher.
Chair Eliana Armstrong said there is growing momentum for political change.
“People are tired of Republican-dominated government taking away our rights and services to give money to billionaires,” she stated.
The Boone County Democratic Party will present the Civics Literacy Lab from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct 22 at Zionsville Town Hall and Like-Minded Women: Supporting Candidates in 2026, featuring State Rep. Victoria Garcia-Wilburn, at 10 a.m. Nov. 15 at Public House Zionsville.
COMMUNITY
‘Beautify Boone’ initiative launched
Commentary by Jennifer Lawrence
The Boone County Solid Waste Management District has been spearheading the Lebanon the Cleanest City in Indiana initiative for several years. The program includes adopt-a-spot areas where organizations would take responsibility for cleaning up litter yearround; adopt-a-bucket for the collection of cigarette butts; and the Golden Broom Award.
The initiative fits directly with the district’s mission. Last spring, the litter cleanup brought together more than 600 volunteers to clean up multiple areas throughout the City of Lebanon. The Boone County Solid Waste District is excited to build on the growing success and go county wide with the program.
The new initiative will be called Beautify Boone. Litter cleanups will continue to be the focus of the district and the Lebanon the Cleanest City group. But Beautify Boone will encompass other great initiatives from other partners that have already come on board.
The Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District will lead tree giveaways. The Boone County Invasive Cooperative will focus on removing invasives through plant trade-ins and weed wrangles. The Boone County Master Gardeners will bring their plethora of outstanding education to the table.
The Beautify Boone mission is to inspire collective action to preserve and enhance Boone County, fostering sustainability, environmental education and a shared commitment to stewardship. The goal will be to expand our partnerships with the municipalities and local businesses in the coming months. For more, visit boonecountysolidwaste. com under the Beautify Boone tab.
Jennifer Lawrence is the executive director of Boone County Solid Waste Management District.
Chamber to sponsor civics bee
news@youarecurrent.com
The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to sponsor the central Indiana regional competition for the 2026 National Civics Bee. The initiative allows middle school students to compete in a nonpartisan, multi-round competition on civics knowledge.
The competition begins with a written essay leading to live events at the regional, state and national levels. Finalists who advance to the National Championship in Washington, D.C., compete for cash prizes, national recognition and a $100,000 529 education savings plan contribution.
“We’re proud to bring the National Civics Bee to central Indiana and give local students a chance to engage more deeply with their communities and the democratic process,” stated Mike Hanlon, executive director of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce. “This initiative not only strengthens civic education but also fosters community engagement — values that are at the heart of Zionsville.”
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee helps elevate civics as a national priority through a network of state, regional and local organizations.
“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we have a powerful opportunity — and responsibility — to reignite civic learning across the country,” stated Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation. “Our hope is that the National Civics Bee inspires more schools to prioritize civics education.”
The essay application portal is open through Feb. 3, 2026. All students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to apply. Apply at tinyurl. com/3edwmbje.
Maplelawn Fright Nights — Maplelawn Farmstead, 9575 Whitestown Rd., presents the annual Maplelawn Fright Nights from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23-25. Proceeds from the event will benefit Maplelawn Farmstead. Tickets are $10. Learn more and purchase tickets at zionsville-in.gov/740/Fright-Nights.
Pumpkins and Hayrides — The Zionsville Lions club will host Pumpkins and Hayrides from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26 at Lions park, 11053 Sycamore St. The event will include Heavenly Acres Farm; the Pacers Fan Jam; hayrides; bounchouses; a s’mores pit; facepainting; pumpkin painting; games; and food and drinks. A costume contest, sponsored by Miss Indiana Title Holders, also will take place. Learn more at zionsvillelions. com.
Genealogy event — SullivanMunce Cultural Center will hold a genealogy lock-in event from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29. During the event, staff will be available to answer questions and assist participants in using genealogy resources. Three public computers will be available for use, or researchers may bring their own laptops and connect to Wi-Fi. The lock-in is free and fees will be waived for printing and copying. Water, coffee and limited snacks will be provided. Participants also may bring their own food. Registration is required. Register at 317-873-4900 or at tinyurl.com/ych8ju8w.
Applications are open for students in sixth through eighth grade for the 2026 National Civics Bee (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation)
PAINTING PASTIME
Meridian Audiology LLC, a private Audiology practice, was founded by Dr. Alison Wyss, Au.D. and Kira VonBlon, M.S., after working together in an ENT setting for more than 12 years. The seasoned Audiologists strive to consistently provide premier care to patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders as well as those who want to protect their hearing from damage.
In stark contrast to the medical/ENT audiology world where patients are in and out in quick succession, private practice allows Ali and Kira to spend whatever time their patients need from them for their individual hearing healthcare situation.
“The number of patient’s referring their family/friends, along with referrals from area Consierge and Internal Medicine Physicians speaks volumes to us,” VonBlon said. “We have the trust of our patients and many area physicians. They tell their friends and their patients about us, and we cannot buy that kind of loyalty and referral!” She goes on to say, “We’ve also had many of our previous patients find and follow us to Meridian Audiology and that is a testament to our relationships we build with them.”
The Meridian Audiology Audiologists pride themselves on keeping up with and offering the top-of-the-line newest technology in hearing aids, tinnitus and auditory processing disorder.
In March 2026 we are going to start a quarterly class for anyone who wears a hearing aid and their communication partner called “The Listening Lab: Connect & Communicate with your World” where we will discuss hearing aid use and strategies for better communication. You can call us for more information. We are also available to speak to your local community clubs about hearing and hearing loss. Dr. Wyss states “We’ve done many presentations to community clubs in the area and the participants always appreciate our time in giving them information about hearing loss, cognitive decline and tinnitus as well as answering their questions.”
Meridian Audiology accepts most major insurances, offers convenient scheduling via phone, email, or online and are independent of other medical practices or hospitals. Hours are 9am-4pm Monday-Friday by appointment only. They are located at 911 E. 86th Street, Suite 035. Phone 317-731-5386. Email info@meridianaudiology.com Website: meridianaudiology.com
Stay safe and steady this fall
Commentary by David Stordy
Autumn in Indiana is one of the prettiest times of year — cooler weather, colorful leaves and cozy evenings at home. But along with the season comes a hidden risk: falls. For adults 55 and older, a simple trip or slip can lead to serious injury. The good news is that with a few mindful changes, your home can stay safe and comfortable year-round.
Light the way
Shorter days mean darker evenings. Make sure walkways, stairs and entryways are well lit. Nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways can prevent trips during late-night routines. Motion-sensor lights are another simple upgrade that adds safety and convenience.
Tidy up hazards
Loose rugs, electrical cords and cluttered hallways are common tripping hazards. Use nonslip pads under rugs, keep walkways clear and store everyday items where you can easily reach them — avoiding the need to climb on chairs to grab things from high shelves.
Add
extra support
Small home improvements can make a big difference. Install grab bars in the bathroom, add sturdy handrails to both sides of stairs and talk with your doctor
about whether a cane or walker would provide added stability.
Stay strong and active
Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. Gentle walking, stretching or chair exercises improve balance and flexibility, reducing fall risk and helping you move with confidence.
Plan for peace of mind
Safety goes beyond falls. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly, keep emergency contacts easy to access, and consider technology like automatic stove shut offs or medical alert systems.
Even with precautions, some tasks can feel tiring or risky. That’s where inhome caregivers can help. BrightStar Care provides personalized support — from meal preparation and light housekeeping to mobility assistance and companionship — so you can enjoy your home safely and independently this fall.
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call BrightStar Care at 317-706-0799 or visit BrightStarCare. com/locations/indianapolis-nw.
David Stordy is the directorowner of BrightStar Care. To learn more about home care or schedule an assessment, call BrightStar Care at 317-706-0799 or visit brightstarcare.com.
VonBlon
Wyss
Adults 55 and older should be careful of falls on walks. (Stock
Medicare open enrollment: What you need to know
Commentary by Julia DeLong
Open Enrollment started Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. Any changes you make during this period will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
During Open Enrollment, you can make certain changes to your Medicare health coverage, such as:
• Adding, dropping, or changing your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D prescription drug plan
• Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan or vice versa
• Reviewing and selecting a new Part D plan that better fits your needs
You can make updates any time during the enrollment period, but the last change you make before Dec. 7, 2025, is the one that will go into effect.
When reviewing your 2026 Medicare plan options, take time to compare plans available in your area; you may find better pricing or coverage. Be sure to consider:
• Access to your preferred doctors, health care providers and pharmacies
• Access to the benefits and services you use most
• Total costs, including premiums, deductibles and co-pays
You should receive the “2026 Medicare & You” handbook, which provides details on Original Medicare benefits. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your plan should also send an Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage outlining any updates for 2026.
Once you’ve made your decision, you can:
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE
• Visit Medicare.gov
• Or contact your plan provider directly to enroll
Always request confirmation of any plan details in writing before making your final decision.
Protect yourself from Medicare marketing violations
Medicare has strict rules about how Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can market their services. Knowing these rules can help protect you from
aggressive or misleading sales tactics. Keep these important points in mind during Open Enrollment:
• Unsolicited contact is not allowed. Plans may send you postal mail, but they cannot call, email, visit your home or approach you in public without your permission unless you are already enrolled with them.
• No false affiliations. Plans are not allowed to claim they represent or are endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. They also cannot use the Medicare name or logo in their marketing materials.
• Scope of appointment. If you agree to meet with an agent, they must provide a Scope of Appointment form that outlines what will be discussed. The appointment must take place at least 48 hours after you sign the SOA.
• Transparency before enrollment. Before enrolling you, a representative must explain how the new plan will affect your current coverage. They are required to review a checklist with you to ensure the plan fits your needs including your preferred providers, medications, and cost expectations.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, is a free, federally funded program available in every state to provide unbiased, 1-on-1 counseling to people with Medicare, their families, and caregivers. SHIP services do not sell insurance and are there purely to help you make the best decisions for your individual situation.
A review of your Medicare benefits is also included as part of many services offered at Dillman & Owen Estate and Elder Law. If you’d like to schedule a personalized consultation with our team, call our office at 317-492-9569. We’re here to guide you through your options, answer your questions, and help you make the best choices for your healthcare coverage and peace of mind.
Julia DeLong is a Medicare and benefits specialist for Dillman & Owen Estate and Elder Law.
Sycamore Reserve resident a working musician
By Ken Severson editorial@youarecurrent.com
New Sycamore Reserve resident Greg Anderson is always active and it’s music to his ears — literally.
Anderson, 74, an Indianapolis native and North Central High School graduate, maintains an active lifestyle.
“I moved to Sycamore in July but still own a log cabin in rural Owen County that we visit,” Anderson said. “Most of my musical contacts are in Indianapolis, so I got this (apartment) as a rented office, but I live here.”
Additionally, Anderson stays busy working as a musician. He plays in a duo with longtime collaborator Steve Quinn. They play together at Prime 47 in Carmel on Friday nights and also at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.
Anderson plays bass and keyboards and has played professionally for 50 years.
Besides his current gigs, Anderson plays at weddings and has played at friends’ weddings and his friends’ children’s weddings and grandkids’ weddings.
Anderson said life at the Sycamore has been rewarding.
“I love living here at Sycamore,” Anderson said. “It’s a great community and I enjoy it a lot. It’s nothing like living in a nursing home and that’s a big difference to me.”
Anderson said Sycamore had good, friendly people
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Visit westfieldin.gov/volunteer or scan the QR code to find out how you can get started!
“I love living here at Sycamore. It’s a great community and I enjoy it a lot. It’s nothing like living in a nursing home and that’s a big difference to me.”
— Greg Anderson
and was fun. After looking at several facilities, Anderson said Sycamore resonated with him.
Anderson said amenities at Sycamore are part of the vibe, including the swimming pool and gym and the proximity to the Nickel Plate Trail for walking and biking.
“That vibe is a major reason I am here,” Anderson said.
Anderson said although he’s a working musician, he hasn’t had a chance to perform for Sycamore residents.
“I would like to play a show, but my schedule is very full,” Anderson said. “I’ve played at other communities like (Sycamore).”
Anderson and his wife Kathy have six children, Jaymi, Kara, Andy, Patrick, Drew and Paige.
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Sycamore Reserve resident Greg Anderson stays busy as a musician. (Photo courtesy of Sycamore Reserve)
Pickleball helps Westfield resident with Parkinson’s disease
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Jennifer Joyce found a new pastime after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020.
The 62-year-old Westfield resident had always been an active runner who competed in running and masters swimming events and triathlons.
But she took up pickleball when she moved to the Osborne Trails neighborhood in Westfield after her diagnosis.
“I was involved with the whole idea of Pickleball 4 Parkinson’s,” said Joyce, a 1981 Carmel High School graduate.
Joyce shared her idea with Indiana Parkinson Foundation Program Director and co-founder Addie Cunningham and IPF Director Kim Williams
The tournament, which benefits the Indiana Parkinson Foundation, begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 15 at The Picklr, 9847 Cumberland Point Blvd., Noblesville.
Joyce credits her Osborne Trails pickleball group for spurring her interest.
“There is a huge group of people who are involved with pickleball here,” Joyce said. “This whole neighborhood group really taught me the game. I really started feeling a lot better when I was playing. You can’t think of anything else when you’re playing. You have to really concentrate and really be intentional be-
cause you can really get hurt whether you have Parkinson’s or not. I wanted to make sure it was something I could keep doing as I got older and as my disease progressed.”
Joyce was soon hooked on the game.
“The best part about playing pickleball is that you forget, if just for an hour, that you have a degenerative neurological disease. You are just another player trying to do their best to beat their opponent while making a new group of friends,” Joyce said. “I wouldn’t hesitate for a second, if I needed help, to call anyone on my
team. They would be there in a second.”
Joyce said the first year of the tournament, several members from her neighborhood played.
“This year, I decided I really wanted to play, and my husband is going to play with me,” she said. “I’m also going to try to be on a women’s team as well.”
Joyce runs and regularly competes in marathons.
“Pickleball is something anyone can do,” she said. “I’m starting to get into pingpong, and I think that can be the next steppingstone. You don’t hear of anyone getting hurt playing pingpong.”
Joyce said she liked going to the Rock Steady Boxing (in Indianapolis) but it’s just too far away with too much traffic,” she said. “So, I started doing some research and my husband a found boxing program inside the Meta Quest called Supernatural.”
Meta Quest is used with a virtual reality headset.
“It’s an excellent workout and helps me a lot on balance,” Joyce said. “You get good feelings when you hear the songs you love and (it) produces the dopamine and makes you feel better when you are actually exercising.”
Joyce said she recommends Meta Quest to people with Parkinson’s.
“It is hard, and some people can’t do it because it messes with their balance,” she said.
For more on the Pickleball 4 Parkinson’s tournament, visit indianaparkinson.org/p4p/.
Importance of podiatrist visits for skin lesions
Commentary by Dr. David Sullivan and Dr. Kenneth Stumpf
s we age, our bodies undergo various changes, and our skin is no exception. For individuals older than 55, regular health checkups become increasingly important, particularly when it comes to the skin on our feet and lower legs.
Although routine dermatology visits are essential for skin health, seeing a podiatrist specifically for foot and leg concerns is equally crucial, especially for identifying skin lesions that could indicate underlying issues.
Skin lesions, such as moles, growths or sores, are not uncommon in older adults. Some may be benign, but others can signify more serious conditions, including skin cancer. The feet often bear the brunt of various ailments and lesions may develop because of factors like diabetes, poor circulation or prolonged pressure. A podiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treating foot-related issues and can provide targeted care that other providers may not focus on.
One of the most significant reasons to visit a podiatrist for skin concerns is that they are adept at distinguishing between various skin conditions that can affect the feet and lower legs. They can perform thorough examinations,
often utilizing specialized tools to assess lesions more accurately. Furthermore, podiatrists can advise on the best preventive care for your feet, which is vital in maintaining mobility and reducing the risk of complications.
In addition to addressing current lesions, podiatrists can guide the management of underlying health issues, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, which could make you more susceptible to skin conditions. Regular visits can lead to early detection and treatment, minimizing the risk of more serious complications down the line.
Overall, while dermatology checks are essential for skin health, don’t overlook the importance of a podiatrist’s expertise. For those older than 55, making podiatric evaluations a part of your health care routine is a proactive step toward preserving not only your skin health but your overall well-being. Regular examinations can keep you active and mobile, ensuring quality of life as you age.
at appt@westfieldfoot.com or 317-896-6655.
Podiatrist
(Stock Photo)
Dr. David Sullivan and Dr. Kenneth Stumpf are boardcertified foot surgeons at Westfield Foot and Ankle, LLC. Contact them
How quickly things change
Commentary by Tom Weesner
Not too long ago, my mother was exercising twice a week with a personal trainer, as she had been for more than 25 years. She certainly doesn’t look like someone who trained that much, but her dedication to her body helped with speedy recovery for heart surgery and two knee replacements. Afterward she was back at the gym. Did I mention she is Motion 4 Life Fitness’ second-oldest member at 93 years of age?
And then things changed, quickly. A series of strokes landed her in the hospital for several days. When she moved to acute rehabilitation, her cognition was down and she was unable to walk. The next three weeks, she worked 15 hours each week in occupational, physical and speech therapy. And we saw significant improvement, not only in her physical movement, but more important, her cognition. She was sharp, alert and working hard to get back to her normal self. Despite her tremendous improvement, she had to move along to the next step of her recovery.
Because mom worked very hard at acute rehab, she qualified for assisted living with care. During this transition, she did not have physical therapy for the first week, and we noticed some physical and cognitive decline in this short period of time. She now only qualified for two, 40-minute sessions of
physical therapy each week. Five weeks later, insurance reduced PT to one session a week, and then it will go to none.
Takeaways from our experience:
Cognitive decline due to inactivity is real. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several of our members shared they experienced noticeable cognitive decline due to not exercising during the shutdown.
The harder you work prior to and during recovery, the more you will improve. If you don’t, you won’t. It will be up to you to keep up the hours of exercise because insurance continues to decrease covered physical therapy whether you get better or not.
It is vitally important to work with a professional trainer to provide encouragement and support when you feel you can’t do it on your own.
Socialization and connection are critical for brain health and motivation.
Please don’t wait. Things change quickly!
We are proud of our mom. She worked hard prior to and during her recovery. And now, she is returning to work with her trainer at the gym twice a week with the goal of three times a week!
Tom Weesner is president of Motion 4 Life Fitness.
Motion 4 Life Fitness members celebrate after a fun group exercise (Photo courtesy of Tom Weesner)
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
FINDING AN ONCOLOGIST
By Dr. Nawal Kassem, breast oncologist at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than a reminder to wear pink. It’s an opportunity to educate, empower and encourage people to take charge of their health. A breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but one of the most important steps a patient can take is building the right care team. At the center of that team is an oncologist, who helps guide treatment decisions, coordinates with other members of the care team and supports patients through every stage of their journey. Finding the right oncologist and the right team can make all the difference in both outcomes and quality of life.
WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, though men can develop it too. Early detection significantly improves outcomes. Screening tools such as mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs allow doctors to identify cancer at its earliest stages when treatment is most effective. IU Health provides comprehensive screening and diagnostic services, as well as specialized highrisk programs for individuals with family histories, genetic predisposition or other risk factors.
When breast cancer is diagnosed, care is coordinated through a multidisciplinary team. This includes radiologists, breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, dietitians, psychosocial support and nurse navigators. Treatment plans are individualized, taking into account the type and stage of breast cancer, personal preferences and other overall health, ensuring that patients receive care that is both evidence-based and compassionate.
WHY ONCOLOGISTS MATTER
Oncologists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer. In breast cancer care, several types of oncologists play distinct and essential roles:
• Radiologists: Interpret mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs to detect abnormalities. They also perform image-guided biopsies when further evaluation is needed.
• Medical oncologists: Direct systemic treatments (chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy).
• Radiation oncologists: Plan and deliver radiation therapy when it’s part of treatment.
• Surgical oncologists or breast surgeons: Perform breast surgeries, sentinel lymph node evaluation, while collaborating with plastic surgeons on reconstructive options.
Beyond treating the cancer itself, oncologists work with other specialists to support prevention of recurrence, manage side effects and address quality of life, nutrition, mental health and survivorship care. At IU Health, patient care is coordinated across experts to ensure you’re supported in all phases, from diagnosis through follow-up.
HOW TO FIND YOUR ONCOLOGIST
Here are some practical tips:
• Start with referrals and reputable centers: Ask your primary care doctor for referrals. Look for cancer centers that are accredited and, when possible, affiliated with medical schools. These often provide access to leading specialists, clinical trials, advanced diagnostics and multi-disciplinary teams. IU Health’s partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine is one example.
• Check what services and specialties they offer: Confirm that the center has experience with your specific breast cancer subtype. Is there access to high-risk programs
or genetic counseling, if needed? Do they offer the full range of treatments that you might need, such as surgery, radiation, medical oncology and reconstructive surgery?
• Evaluate communication and support: Quality care goes beyond treatment. You want someone who listens, explains options clearly, considers your preferences and helps you understand risks and benefits. Ask about support staff, such as nurse navigators, social workers, dietitians and psychological support. At IU Health, shared decision making is central to the patient’s experience.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection, informed decision-making and comprehensive care. Advances in screening, surgery, systemic therapies and survivorship support have significantly improved outcomes.
Still, navigating a breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. That is why establishing a strong partnership with an oncologist and a multidisciplinary care team is essential. Together, they ensure that treatment is personalized, evidence-based and supportive of the whole person, not just the disease.
For individuals seeking additional information or resources about breast cancer care, including screening, diagnosis, treatment options and support services, IU Health provides extensive expertise and comprehensive programs. To learn more, visit iuhealth.org/breastcancer.
Dr. Nawal Kassem
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Lynda M. Parziale wanted a purpose and a hobby.
“When you get older or retire, it’s very easy to just get into a rut,” Parziale said. “You really have to make the effort to go out and do things and meet people. I think that is one of the things that helps you stay young. I’ve met a lot of interesting people from all age groups.”
Parziale initially donated her time as a volunteer fundraiser for Franciscan Health.
More recently, the 79-year-old Parziale took up art in April 2024.
“It’s a stress reliever,” she said.
Parziale does acrylic paint pouring to create her pieces.
“You can pour it on in different ways, but once it’s on, you have to maneuver it,” she said. “One of the things that I tell people is the paint has a mind of its own. It will do what it wants to do, but you can cajole it along.”
Paraziale said each person might see something different in her work.
“I get pleasure out of doing it because you get totally immersed in it,” she said. “It’s very relaxing.”
She said she discovered acrylic pouring on Facebook.
“It clicked that I could do it,” she said. Her work has been on display at No blesville Creates and Fishers City Hall.
Parziale sold her first piece after six weeks and has sold several pieces since then.
“I just did my 11th piece for a brand-new building in Boston,” she said.
She has sold nearly 25 pieces.
“I went to school in England, and as far as artistic things, I had to write in calligraphy until I was 10
Continued on Page 11
Carmel resident discovers passion for acrylic pouring
Lyndia M. Parziale with her art work. (Photos courtesy of Lynda M. Parziale)
Continued from Page 10
years old,” she said. “In school in England then, you have to make choices whether you are going into the arts or sciences very early. So, I just had an art class for two years, probably when I was 12 and 13, and that’s it. Even though I went on the science track, I’ve always been very interested in the arts. I think it’s because when we moved around a lot, I had to decorate the house. I did a lot of sewing and knitting.”
Parziale has lived all across the U.S. after meeting her husband, Vincent, in his first year of medical school at Stanford University. She had moved from England to Canada in her early 20s. The couple have lived in Oregon, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada. They lived in Indianapolis for two years in the 1980s when her husband worked at Eli Lilly.
I’ll be honest, I’d never in a million years thought that my art would be hanging in galleries and people would be buying it — Lynda Parziale
erous with donations for pieces of art for fundraisers. I did fundraisers for Franciscan Health before they built the hospice.”
Parziale was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.
“Everything was taken care of, which was great,” she said. “One of the ways that I felt I could pay back was to help raise money for The Giving Gig. On a couple of occasions we made over $2 million. Continuing my drive to bring in many, many items we were very successful.”
Parziale said one of her bucket list items would be owning her own art store or gallery.
“I’ll be honest, I’d never in a million years thought that my art would be hanging in galleries and people would be buying it,” she said. “It’s been a whole new lease on life and opened a lot of doors for me.”
For more, visit Parziale’s Instagram page at englishdame_lmrp_acrylics.
“When we found out our married daughter was pregnant, we came back here 18 years ago,” Parziale said. “We’ve been in Carmel for 10 years.”
Parziale’s daughter, Vanessa Barth, and her husband, Brian, have one child, Elyce, and live in Carmel. The Parziales lived in Bargersville before moving to Carmel.
GIVING BACK
From moving so often, Parziale has a lot of connections across the U.S. When she was younger, she worked in nuclear medicine research.
“When we lived in Las Vegas, I was director for one of the largest real estate firms in Las Vegas,” she said. “When we moved here, I was going to retire. Trust me, I can’t retire. I tried it before, and I ended up doing a lot of volunteer work. I met a lot of artists. People were gen-
Jeffery P. Schoonover, MD
RPVI, DABVLM Chief Medical Officer, Fellow, American Vein & Lymphatic Society
Are swollen ankles, leg heaviness, and muscle cramping keeping you from your daily routine?
Call Indiana Vein & Lymphatic today and get on the road to better health.
EVALUATION AND TREATMENT
Lynda M. Parziale with her acrylic pouring paintings. (Photo courtesy of Lynda M. Parziale)
Looking For A New Place
Stratford resident becomes author for 1st time at 91
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Marti Macke has been writing most of her life but never expected to publish her first book at age 91.
“I never thought I would see the day, and I was surprised how much fun it was,” said Macke, a resident of The Stratford retirement community in Carmel. “I should have written more. I was surprised everybody in the family wants the book, and they want it for their children, so that feels good. People always said to me, ‘I wish I would have asked my mother questions or I wish I had talked to my grandma.’”
So, Macke talked to her mother, Mary. Macke drew on those stories and memories over the years to write “Where the Heroes Are: Stories of an Immigrant Family and the Home Front During WWII.”
Macke, whose maiden name is Cmar, said she learned her family came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which dissolved after World War I.
“(My mother) started to talk to me about what it was like in the olden days, and it was pretty interesting to me,” Macke said. “The Austrian part, where she was from, turned into Poland, but we didn’t speak Polish. I found out later my father was from the Hungarian part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and they had a different king.”
Macke moved to The Stratford 10 years ago. Her husband, Elmer Macke, died in 2007 at age 77 when the couple lived in Florida.
Macke said she remembers growing up like it was yesterday.
“I lived during a unique time and want people to learn from our history,” Macke said. “Many of the same issues, from when I was young during World War II, are still relevant today.”
She grew up in Gary, the youngest of six children. She graduated from Gary Tolleston High School in 1952. Tolleston closed in 1969 and is now a home to the Boys & Girls Club. She graduated from Indiana University with a radio and television degree in 1956.
Macke worked at a radio station, creating fun jingles. She also wrote articles for the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
when she lived in Fort Wayne, where her husband had a land development business.
Macke’s daughter, Mary Lou Cox, said her mother has been writing all her life and taking writing classes.
Cox said her mother wrote stories and sent them to the grandchildren. The grandchildren began to request the stories as Christmas presents.
“Which was really cool because I didn’t have to go out shopping. I’d just sit down on these little typewriters we used to have and later the computer,” Macke said.
The book editor was Jenny Kalahar, who has written several books and is one of Indiana’s premier poets. Kalahar was recommended to Cox to help publish her book.
“She started working on it and (said), ‘This is an important book that people need to know about,’” Cox said.
Macke said she wrote the book for her own four children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and her nieces and nephews.
Stratford resident Marti Macke with a copy of her book. (Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Cox)
Continued from Page 12
“My oldest brother was 20 years older than me,” she said. “My nieces and nephews are 12 to 20 years younger than me, so I’m as close to my nieces and nephews as I was to my brothers and sisters, who are all gone now.”
Macke’s two brothers served in World War II. One of her sisters was married during that time and her husband also was in the war. She talked to her siblings before they died and also had letters they had written from home. The book addresses the challenges her brothers faced after the war.
“My one brother, Peter, had malaria and he was a radio operator and he would wake up screaming, ‘Pop,
you son of a gun, pop,’” Macke said. “Mama and Dad would rush upstairs. What it was that Germans would play ‘Pop Goes the Weasel’ repeatedly (over the radio) and he said after a while, it messed with your mind.”
Her oldest brother, Johnny, slept between two beds because he was used to sleeping in a foxhole, which gave him protection.
Macke also has three sons, Chris, Michael and Mark. Cox said her mother’s family faced prejudice being an immigrant family when they first arrived in the U.S.
“One thing we all wanted to be was Americans,” Macke said. “My mother baked apple pies, and my brothers always said that was a pie worth fighting for.”
Macke said she relies on a little historical fiction to
One thing we all wanted to be was Americans.
— Marti Macke
recreate dialogue.
Macke will participate in the Carmel Library Local Author Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Carmel Clay Public Library’s Community Room. Books were submitted in advance and reviewed prior to her invitation. She will have books available for sale at the event and the book is available on Amazon.com.
Have Medicare question s? I have answers
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AND BETTER
This quarterly publication from Current Publishing will focus on how those 55 years old and older can make the most of every day to create and enjoy a vibrant, productive lifestyle. Focal points will include relationships of all sorts, handling grief and loss, dining, cooking at home, how to love again, fitness and wellness, active-life choices, travel, personal finance, scam alerts and, among other topics, making the home exactly what is wanted. 55 and Better is distributed as part of Current (126,986 households) by U.S. Mail.
Issue Date Jan. 27, 2026 April 28, 2026 July 28, 2026 Oct. 27, 2026
Ad deadine Jan. 16, 2026 April 17, 2026 July 17, 2026 Oct. 16, 2026
COMMUNITY
CAPTURING ZIONSVILLE
Midwest Jewelers and Estate Buyers home to the latest mural in the Village
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The wall behind Midwest Jewelers and Estate Buyers, 190 S. Main St. in Zionsville, has been transformed from gray cinderblock to a work of art celebrating the history of the town.
Owner Brian McCall said he realized the wall, which he described as “kind of ugly,” was probably viewed by hundreds of people each day who were walking or waiting in traffic on First Street. He had the wall painted with a fresh coat of gray paint and reached out to local programs that subsidize murals, but found those programs were either short on funds or had a year-long waiting list.
Not wanting to wait, he turned to Westfield artist Mara Milan, the daughter of one of his employees at Midwest Jewelers and Estate Buyers.
“I’ve seen some of her artwork in the past, and I knew that she was supremely talented,” he said. “When I asked her about the back wall, she was enthusiastic about it. Anybody else that I had talked to that was familiar with mural art was very skeptical, but I had a great deal of confidence that she could figure it out.”
Milan produced dozens of sketches with ideas for the mural, and the two collaborated to finalize the ideas. McCall said ultimately, they chose a design that spotlights the history of the Village in Zionsville and includes the town’s flower, the dahlia.
“We landed on something that we all love,” McCall said. “There are all these different elements that are very specifically Zionsville.”
Milan has a bachelor of fine arts in drawing and illustration from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Her portfolio includes paintings and drawings, but this was her first mural.
“It’s funny because I’m usually more — I don’t want to say fantasy completely — but kind of like that more fantastical, whimsical-ish sort of thing,” she said. “I get inspiration and pulling from that, but real-life things have come very easy, too.”
Milan did research on Zionsville, including taking several photographs and visiting local sites to make sure her details were correct, like the clock face at Village Corner Park on Main Street.
“At one point, I actually realized when I had drawn it originally, I did standard Roman numerals,” she said. “As I was doing the details, I was looking at the picture (of the clock) and I saw the 4 was not (a Roman numeral 4) as IV. So, I walked down to see the actual clock, and it’s four Is.”
A prominent feature of the mural is a steam engine train, which Milan designed after research on trains from the 1860s. She said the design mirrors the type of train that carried President Abraham Lincoln to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration in 1861. Lincoln stopped briefly in Zionsville on that trip. The train carrying his body back to Illinois in 1865 after his assassination also traveled through Zionsville.
Milan said people walking by as she was painting the mural made comments and suggestions.
“One guy was walking around with his two grandkids and he actually helped me find the name of the Big-4 Railway,” she said. “He said, ‘ I remember when I was little in Zionsville, our mom would be putting us to bed and like we wouldn’t want to go to bed until the Big-4 rolled by.’ It’s kind of nice to see all that — it’s like a combination of photographs and research and then those references.”
The mural, which was completed in September, took about nine days to finish. Milan said planning her first large-scale project was surprisingly enjoyable.
“I think process is one of my favorite things,” she said. “I love all that — the planning and the figuring out and the sketching. Brian came to me with the idea and we talked about several things, maybe doing something a little bit more surreal or doing something a little bit more realistic. So, I made a ton of sketches. At the beginning, you’re not totally sure what you want until
you see something, which is my job to translate that into a visual thing.”
Once the final sketch was chosen, the process moved to buying the right paint and prepping the wall, then using painters tape to create a grid. Milan drew and painted square-by-square, using a scissor lift to paint the elevated portions.
“I honestly thought I was going to be more nervous when the week to actually do it came,” she said. “I (had) never done a giant wall. But the week before, I felt completely normal and fine. Usually once I’m into it, it’s pretty good. From there, it was basically just filling the bigger spaces with one flat color to begin with, and then, as the days went, breaking it down.”
McCall said the artwork fits in with downtown Zionsville, where there are several murals scattered around the Village representing several artistic styles.
“It’s the concept that beauty matters,” he said. “Even if somebody doesn’t have all these connections to Zionsville, when they go by and see that, it’s got to make them smile. The whole idea was to have this bucolic setting, kind of throwback to nostalgia. I think that in and of itself puts a smile on people’s faces, and that makes me happy.”
ABOUT THE MURAL
Midwest Jewelers and Estate Buyers owner Brian McCall commissioned Westfield Artist Mara Milan to paint a mural on the rear wall of the Main Street business in Zionsville.
McCall said the mural was sparked by the idea that beauty matters, and the blank wall on his business was a prime location for a mural. Milan said the piece creates a sense of place in Zionsville.
“Because it’s so tied to Zionsville, it’s familiar,” she said. “When you can recognize things, it makes you feel a little bit happier or at least more attached.”
Scenes captured in the mural include a steam engine train, a gazebo, the brick Main Street and a church steeple. Although the majority of the mural is painted in a sepia tone — to mimic an old photograph — there are pops of color with dahlias, an American flag and the town’s historic clock on Main and Cedar streets.
McCall said the dahlias were drawn by Milan and painted by Midwest Jewelers and Estate Buyers employees.
Artist Mara Milan paid close attention to detail to make sure the Roman numerals in the clock in the Village mural matched the real clock. (Photos by Marney Simon)
ON THE COVER: Midwest Jewelers and Estate Buyers owner Brian McCall, left, and Westfield artist Mara Milan with the new Midwest Jewelers mural in the Village. (Photo by Marney Simon)
McCall
Milan
ATI cast ready to take on classic comedy
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Ben Asaykwee got his wish to be in “Young Frankenstein.”
“There aren’t a whole lot of shows that I really want to do, and this is one of them,” Asaykwee said. “I actually went to New York to see the Broadway cast because I loved the movie so much.”
The Noblesville resident portrays Frederick Frankenstein, a role Gene Wilder played in the 1974 movie, in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s musical production of “Young Frankenstein” Oct. 24 to Nov. 9 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Mel Brooks, who created the movie, also helped create the musical version.
“I love Gene Wilder, and throughout my career, I’ve been compared in a beautiful way to him,” Asaykwee said. “I think it’s really because we both have round faces. I just wanted to get my hands on the show one way or the other. I was willing to play Igor, which would be a fun role.”
Asaykeee said the biggest challenge is “keeping a straight face around all these jokers.”
John Vessels Jr., who has been in several ATI shows, plays Igor, a role the late Marty Feldman played in the movie.
“I was a huge fan of the movie. The musical I wasn’t super familiar with, but when I saw the script, I saw a lot of the movie is still there,” said Vessels, a Louisville resident who previously lived in Indianapolis. “I’m also a big fan of Marty Feldman. I think he was tremendously funny and naughty in the way Tim Conway was funny for the audience but also for your colleagues. To have (Feldman’s) body type, you have to have a thyroid condition. His eyes were that way because he had a thyroid eye
condition. I have the exact opposite thyroid condition that makes you gain weight.”
Vessels said the tap dance number will be a challenge.
“Simply because I can’t remember which foot is which,” he said. “I’m mostly excited because I’m pretty sure Igor is a salamander with the heart of a golden retriever. He’s kind of this little gross thing with a heart of gold, so that’s where I’m going with (the character).”
Julie Lyn Barber, head of the musical theater department at Purdue University Fort Wayne, plays Frau Blucher.
“(The role) is the German cabaret woman that I love to sink my teeth into like Marlene Dietrich,” she said.
She said she gets to play the straight comedian role most of the way.
“When I get my cabaret song, then all bets are off,” she said. “It’s
called ‘He Vas My Boyfriend.’”
Sophie Jones plays Inga.
“The biggest challenge I conquered is the yodeling part,” she said. “I’ve been working on it for a bit. I really like it. My neighbors really hate it. It’s finding where she can be the straight woman in this zany cast of characters and also where she can fly off the handle a little bit and be the crazy one, then go back to playing the straight woman. That’s going to be really fun. If we’re going to be having fun on the stage, we’re going to be fun to watch.”
Jones, who is based in New York, saw her friend play Inga in a production in Philadelphia.
“It was really interesting to see all the small nods the stage version made to the movie,” she said.
ATI Associate Artistic Director Darrin Murrell is directing the show.
For more, visit atistage.org.
Happenings
‘TOOTSIE’
“Tootsie” runs through Nov. 23 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS
Squirrel Nut Zippers will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
“Now That’s Funny: Comedy Night “is set for Oct. 23, followed “Human Jukebox with Ryan and Lauren Ahlwardt” Oct. 24 and “Monster Mash: A Night to Dismember!” Oct. 25 a Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘THE CASKET GIRLS’
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s production of “The Casket Girls” is set for Oct. 24-25 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
JESSE COOK
Jesse Cook’s concert is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
DISPATCH
Songbook Foundation presents ‘White Christmas’ — The Great American Songbook Foundation, in partnership with Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, will welcome Maria Ferrer Murdock, daughter of Songbook Hall of Fame inductee Rosemary Clooney, to the Payne & Mencias Palladium for a festive holiday film screening event of “White Christmas”at 7 p.m. Dec. 4. For more, visit thecenterpresent.org.
Ben Asaykwee, left, and John Vessels Jr. star in “Young Frankenstein.” (Photo courtesy of Actors Theatre of Indiana)
Osborne to play Palladium
By Dave Gil de Rubio editorial@youarecurrent.com
The recent movie “A Complete Unknown” may have stoked a mini revival in all things Robert Zimmerman, but Joan Osborne has been paying homage to the man better known as Bob Dylan dating back a few decades. That admiration is reflected in her latest album, “Dylanology Live,” which features eight Dylan covers performed live at a show and also features guest appearances by Amy Helm, Jackie Greene and Robert Randolph.
Tarrytown Music Hall. Normally, I’m the harshest critic of listening back to my live stuff. This time, I was pleasantly surprised that this nice discovery from the archives all sounded pretty good.”
“We put out a ‘Songs of Bob Dylan’ cover record studio album in 2017, and following that, I decided to do something really fun,” Osborne said. “I invited some special guest artists to come out and do a full-band show. It was great and turned out to be a nice tour. I was recently looking through some archives and found we had this recording of one of the shows at
For her current tour, the Kentucky native is shaking it up a bit in terms of who will join her for this string of dates. Osborne will perform with Lisa Loeb at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center in Carmel. It’s the 30th anniversary of Osborne’s album, ‘Relish.”
“Some of these shows are going to be trio gigs and some of them are going to be full-band gigs with special guests,” she said. “And it’s not the same ones that are on the album. I say it’s going to be like the (Dylan’s) Rolling Thunder Revue with more women and fewer drugs.”
For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Osborne
2025 SUBARU OUTBACK
A tisket, a tasket, put it in the basket
Commentary by Donna Monday
I don’t know how long you have to live in Zionsville to be an old-timer, but I think I qualify. I was living in Zionsville when the post office was built. Heck, I was living in Zionsville when we put letters in a box on the pharmacy counter at McKamey’s Village Pharmacy (now Rosies’s), which reminds of something that happened recently.
After all these years, I thought I knew how to mail a letter in Zionsville. Wrong. I always thought if I went inside the post office and put my mail in one of the two slots in the lobby, it would go out the next day. That, I figured, would get anything to Zionsville in a day or two. Thus, rain, shine, sleet or snow, I always came inside to put it in a slot.
Turns out it does go out from those slots, but not to Zionsville. I learned this the hard way when my rent check didn’t get to my landlord in time. He lives in Zionsville. “Gee,” I thought, “I mailed that a long time ago.”
So, I went to the post office and explained my problem.
“I never put things in the drive through,” I told them. “I always come into the lobby and put mail in the slot.”
“That’s your first mistake,” a clerk said. “Those things go downtown.”
“OK,” I said. “Could I talk to the postmaster?”
I was surprised but not disappointed when a woman came out to speak to me. In my day in my little town the woman heading our post office was called the postmistress. That was then; this is now. She is the postmaster.
He said he didn’t know how long they could take. Then I told him that the check was in a cute little envelope because I tucked it inside a note card.
“That’s your second mistake,” he said.
He explained that those little envelopes are hard to reach in all that mail.
“Where do I put mail for Zionsville so it will go out the next day?” I asked.
“You have to bring it in here,” he said, “and hand it to one of us.”
I figured if I didn’t know this, maybe some others didn’t either and suggested a sign in the lobby.
“We aren’t allowed to put up a sign,” someone said from behind the counter.
Her name is Julia Dunn, and she jumped right into finding a solution. We’d put a box on the counter labeled “Zionsville Mail.” That way people don’t have to stand in line behind folks dealing with packages, passports and parcels. Just step right up and put your envelope, whatever size, in the box.
Two days later, I dropped by and found there was no box on the counter. So I went home and fetched a basket. It passed muster with Dunn and sits proudly on the counter. Just in time for all those Halloween and holiday cards, not to mention rent checks. It’s a lowtech answer in a high-tech world. Seems like old times.
Donna Monday is a longtime Zionsville resident. She can b reached at dmonday8698@ att.net
Zionsville Post Office Lead Clerk Alex Hine with the new local mail basket. (Photo courtesy of Donna Monday)
COMMUNITY VOICES
‘One-sided’ (letters to the editor)
serve no purpose
Editor,
Charlie Kirk was assassinated for political and religious reasons. Millions of people around the world were deeply affected and mourned the loss. Yet for some unfathomable reason, your publication found it necessary to intentionally publish not one but two scathing (letters) that inaccurately portrayed Charlie Kirk as an evil person. He was not. Publishing these one-sided “(letters) s” was insensitive, unnecessary and served no purpose other than to fan the flames that continue to divide people.
I thought the purpose of this publication was to highlight local news, people and events, with no political agenda in mind. It has become increasingly evident that your (letters) are selected with a political bias that most likely are aligned with those who are doing the selecting. This is unfortunate since a true “editorial” page should present both viewpoints. The lack of compassion and the unbelievable timing of publishing that editorial garbage on Charlie Kirk was truly uncalled for.
Dee Revny, Zionsville
Anti-Charlie Kirk letters miss mark
Editor,
You published two letters in the Oct. 7 issue that were clearly anti-Charlie Kirk. You titled one “Charlie Kirk was not a hero” and the other “Kirk’s tragic passing doesn’t erase his messages.” I read both letters several times and couldn’t make a connection between the authors’ intent and the titles you gave their letters. I think your bias was on display.
I also found it interesting that both letter writers used the terms “others” or “othering” in their letters — and in
quotation marks. Very unusual and beyond a simple coincidence.
While I 100 percent disagree with the assertions made in each of the letters, I won’t debate them here. Instead, I’ll just point out that if either author had spent 15 minutes watching Kirk’s videos (less time that it took to actually write each letter), in their entirety and before writing to you, they would have completely different opinions of the man and his message.
Dave Reves, Zionsville
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES
Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@ youarecurrent.com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.
PUZZLES
. Ye ___ Shoppe
16. Main street in Indy...or a Hamilton Co. township
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53. Third most common crop in Indiana, behind corn and soybeans
54. Fort ___...or a Hamilton County township
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57. “None of the above”
59. Salary increase
61. DVR button
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65. Wrath
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67. Vigor’s partner
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69. 18-wheeler on I-69 Answeres on Page 19
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PUZZLE ANSWERS
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