DUAL LANGUAGE EDUCATION
Early Application Window for Kindergarten 2026-27 November 3-28
STRONG SCHOOLS. STRONG COMMUNITY. Learn more about Lawrence Township Schools at LTschools.org
About us
116th & I-69, Geist Marina or 79th & Sunnyside
Happy Halloween
Lawrence Township superintendent credits ‘secret sauce’ for success
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Lawrence Township school district has grown by nearly 100 students over last year, increased its already-strong graduation rate and maintained a balanced budget into next year with no operating referendum, despite lower property tax revenue following the state’s Senate Enrolled Act 1 — a new tax law that has been a revenue headache for many local governments throughout Indiana.
In his annual State of the Schools presentation, Superintendent Shawn Smith said the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township achieved all that with its “secret sauce” — a recipe that includes bilingual education, career and technical education and yearround preschool.
Smith said ingredients also include community leaders, parents, teachers and the MSDLT board working together to prepare the district’s nearly 17,000 students for their future.
early childhood program is a big draw for parents, with four Early Learning Centers housed at district elementary schools.
The district’s bilingual education program starts in elementary school and students can continue learning in Spanish and English all the way through high school, preparing them for a diverse workforce.
to go (to) college, into the careers or … they want to go military,” he said. “Our focus is on making sure that every kid achieves at the highest level.”
The presentation included statistics about Lawrence Township schools, which had a 96 percent graduation rate for the Class of 2025. That’s up slightly from the previous two years’ 95 percent.
Smith said workforce development is another key ingredient, and the district offers career and technical education through internships, work-based learning and its McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology.
Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XV, No. 41 Copyright 2025 Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved.
525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444
Contact the editor
Have a news tip, calendar item or photo to share?
Contact Managing Editor Leila Kheiry at leila@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444. You also may submit information at youarecurrent. com. Our print deadline is eight days prior to publication. Submissions for online accepted daily.
Share your thoughts Letters to the editor may be sent for consideration to letters@youarecurrent. com. Letters have a maximum word count of 300 words. Please include your city of residence and a contact phone number for verification. Current Publishing may refuse letters.
District officials also lauded MSDLT’s state-required standardized test results, which include a 78 percent IREAD pass rate and growth in ILEARN and IREADY tests.
The district has been updating its facilities for the past decade and completed renovations on all of its 23 school buildings. The plan for the next decade will involve regular maintenance, expansions and upgrades as needed to those buildings, as well as renovating the Craig School building to accommodate the new Craig Academy, an alternative education program due to open in fall 2027.
Advertise your business If you’re interested in reaching the Fishers market (30,645 households), you may obtain more information by emailing ads@youarecurrent.com (subject: Fishers advertising) or by calling 317.748.2662.
“We want to put them in the best possible position, whether they want news@currentinfishers.com
The City of Fishers has opened its new Fishers Health Center, housed at the 105,000-square-foot Fishers Community Center at 11400 Johnson Farm Way near the intersection of Hoosier Road and 121st Street.
FHD marked its first day of clinic operations Oct. 21 after relocating from its former headquarters on Technology Drive. The health department is now accepting appointments for COVID-19, flu and travel vaccinations, testing and other preventive care, with plans to offer expanded opportunities for health
Smith said the district’s decades-long education and community events at the facility.
“The Fishers Health Department is excited to call the Fishers Community Center, Strengthened by IU Health, our new home,” Fishers Health Department Director Monica Heltz stated. “The centralized location will offer our residents convenient access to many of our clinical and educational services, including vaccinations, testing and other preventive care, along with education on topics such as healthy aging, suicide prevention and much more. This move expands our ability to deliver the accessible health resources our residents
For more about MSDLT, visit ltschools.org. deserve.”
Obituaries obits@youarecurrent.com
Fishers Health Department opens new HQ
FHD’s vital records and permitting will remain at the City Services Building located at 3 Municipal Drive.
For more, visit Health.FishersIN.gov.
The new community center officially opens with a ribbon-cutting and open house set for 10 a.m. Nov. 1, offering visitors a look at the 9,800 square foot aquatics center with central Indiana’s first NinjaCross System; 11,000 squarefoot fitness center; two-story indoor playground; indoor walking track; and future dog park.
For more, visit fisherscommunitycenter.com.
Legal advertising legals@youarecurrent.com
Delivery questions circulation@youarecurrent.com
Join our community facebook.com/youarecurrent x.com/youarecurrent instagram.com/youarecurrent
Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Fishers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
MSDLT Superintendent Shawn Smith gives his annual State of the Schools address. (Photo courtesy of MSDLT)
Fishers man charged with sexual assault
news@currentinfishers.com
A Fishers man faces multiple felonies after the Fishers Police Department investigated an alleged sexual assault at Massage Finesse at the corner of 116th Street and Olio Road.
According to a news release, Xinjun Zhu was arrested Oct. 16 and charged with rape, criminal confinement, sexual battery and resisting arrest.
cers, but was eventually taken into custody,” the news release stated.
“During the execution of the search warrant, six people were detained and believed to be living inside the business. Only one person, Zhu, was arrested and taken into custody for charges related to the sexual assault.”
The news release states that FPD received a report Oct. 13 from a woman who said she had been sexually assaulted at the business by a male masseuse who goes by the name David. FPD detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for Massage Finesse.
“On Oct. 16, Fishers Police executed the search warrant. The suspect disobeyed orders to stop and retreated toward the back, away from offi-
Because it is believed that the employees had been living in the business, city code enforcement closed the business and the property owners changed the locks.
FPD was assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which helped in a linguistic capacity — translating for investigating officers — as well as Homeland Security investigators.
According to Hamilton County Jail online records, Zhu remained in custody Oct. 17 and was awaiting a hearing to determine bail.
FPD investigate shots fired in Sunblest neighborhood
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Fishers Police Department officers were investigating reports of shots fired in the community’s Sunblest neighborhood late in the evening Oct. 18, resulting in some property damage.
Neighbors posted about the incident on various social media platforms over the weekend, and FPD confirmed Oct. 20 that officers had responded to the area and continue to investigate the incident.
“Our officers canvassed the area and found damage to a home and vehicle in the 7700 block of Sunblest Boulevard,”
FPD stated in an email response to a request for information. “We had no reports of injuries.”
The Sunblest neighborhood is between 116th and 126th streets, and Allisonville and Lantern roads. The 7700 block of Sunblest Boulevard is close to Roy G. Holland Memorial Park.
FPD stated that officers will increase police presence and patrols in the area.
“Our officers will not tolerate this activity in our city and will utilize all of our resources to find the person(s) responsible,” FPD stated. “We encourage anyone with information or video to contact us at 317-595-3300.”
DISPATCHES
CORRECTION: Captions for photos accompanying the Oct. 14 cover story, “Scout’s honor: Eagle projects create outdoor classroom at HSE’s Thorpe Creek Elementary,” indicated the wrong order. The photos showed Cash Miltenberger at left and Nathan Witte at right.
“Shark Tank” star to appear at chamber awards — Fashion entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor Daymond John will headline the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner Nov. 5 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. For tickets, visit indianachamber.com/ad.
HSE boys team reaches 1st state tennis finals
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton Southeastern High School boys tennis team became true road warriors.
“It was a weird season because they were working on our courts, so we didn’t have home courts to practice on and every match was on the road,” Royals coach Doug Gernert said. “The best we could do is hopefully get a neutral site. But I think it really helped the team pull together.”
The No. 9 Royals reached the IHSAA team state semifinals Oct. 17 before losing to eventual state champion and top-ranked Carmel 5-0 at North Central High School. In the morning quarterfinals Oct. 17, Hamilton Southeastern shut out No. 28 Silver Creek 5-0.
This was Hamilton Southeastern’s first boys tennis state finals appearance.
“I think it’s nice we had a good group of seniors who have been friends and teammates for a while and sort of set the tone for what we wanted to do,” Gernert said. “Everybody bought in, everybody helping everyone.”
Gernert said the players shared advice.
“We had players saying, ‘I know how this guy plays, you want to be doing this,’” said Gernert, who has been coach for three seasons “We really worked hard in the offseason and really put the time in to get us where we
wanted to go.”
The three senior starters were Landon Osswald, Ian Ransom and Max Weinberger.
Osswald and sophomore Logan Foust had a 22-6 record at No. 1 doubles. Ransom and Weinberger finished 22-6 at No. 2 doubles.
The Royals, who finished 16-6, will return all three singles players. They are junior Brady Stump, who had a 18-8 record at No. 1 singles; freshman Parker Stump, Brady’s brother, who was 22-5 at No. 2 singles; and junior Evan Holderman, who had a 15-14 mark at No. 3 singles.
Brady played No. 2 singles as a sophomore, succeeding last year’s No. 1 singles player Alex Piercy, now a freshman on the Indiana University East tennis team.
Gernert said there were several matches in the conference when the teams played a seven-match format.
“We have some younger players now that have some varsity experience, and I think that will help them step into those roles as well,” he said.
Gernert said he was optimistic following the 2024 season.
“I’m hoping we’ve broken through and we can continue that into next year,” he said. “Returning a bunch of seasoned players is going to help. I’m looking forward to seeing what new talent is coming in and seeing if we can improve a little bit every day.”
Bible Education
For Fishers Elementary Students
during school hours
• Equips kids to know and live out biblical truths and valueslike generosity, responsibility, accountability - in everyday life
• Provides Practical Instruction Focused on Character Development
• Positively Impacts Kids - Improved Academics, Attendance, Behaviors
• Serves students in 1st through 4th grade at participating elementary schools
• FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS!
Learn More and Enroll
The Hamilton Southeastern High School boys team with its semifinal medals. (Photo courtesy of Doug Gernert)
FISHERS NOVEMBER EVENTS
NOVEMBER ART EXHIBIT & GALLERY HOP
• The Fishers Arts Council will host “Duty, Honor, Creativity: Veteran Artists,” during the month of November at its Art Gallery at City Hall, 1 Municipal Dr.
• A Second Friday Gallery Hop featuring multiple gallery exhibits is set for 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 14. Participating galleries are Ignite Studio at Hamilton East Public Library; Hub & Spoke; Art Gallery at City Hall and Fishers Art Center at the Fishers Municipal Center; Meyer Najem 2nd Floor Gallery; and the Hub Gallery at Hamilton County Community Foundation. Four Day Ray will be open until 11 p.m. that evening with a special deal for customers who have visited all the exhibits. For more, visit fishersartscouncil.org.
RIBBON CUTTING
OneZone Chamber will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Center for Pain Management, set for 4:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the center, 11594 Whistle Dr., Suite 220, in Fishers.
MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY
The Fishers American Legion Post 470 will host a celebration of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday, set for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the post, 9091 126th St. The celebration is open to the public.
ANNUAL QUILT SHOW
The Mudsock Quilters Guild will host its annual quilt show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Fishers, 13450 E 116th St. More than 300 quilts will be on display, made by guild members over the course of the year. At the conclusion of the show, quilts will be donated to Community North Hospital for distribution to people who are hospitalized over the holidays. Entry is a $5 cash donation. For more, email pritchettm1959@gmail.com.
AUCTION FOR VETS
Cyntheanne Christian Church is hosting a fundraising auction for Veterans & Athletes United, a national organization that supports disabled veterans, set for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 8 at the church, 13151 Cyntheanne Rd. Items will include baked goods, crafts, Amish items and more.
VETERANS DAY
The City of Fishers will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Fishers Municipal Center theater, 1 Municipal Dr. The event is open to the public and will be streamed live on the city’s YouTube channel.
WACKY TRIVIA
Fishers Tri Kappa will host its third annual Wacky Trivia fundraiser, set for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Daniel’s Vineyard. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. for the event, hosted by comedian Craig Tornquist. Proceeds support local philanthropic needs, including second-chance grants for teachers through the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/fishers-tri-kappawacky-trivia-tickets-1703624429529.
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
The following Fishers government meetings are scheduled during the month of November:
• Plat Committee — 4 p.m. Nov. 5, Fishers Municipal Center
• Planned Unit Development — 5 p.m. Nov. 5, Fishers Municipal Center
• Plan Commission - 6 p.m. Nov. 5, Fishers Municipal Center
• Town Hall Building Corporation — 4 p.m. Nov. 10, Fishers Municipal Center
• Board of Public Works & Safety — 9 a.m. Nov. 12 and 25, Fishers Municipal Center
• Finance Committee — 5 p.m. Nov. 12, Fishers Municipal Center
• City Council — 7 p.m. Nov. 17, Fishers Municipal Center
• Fishers Arts & Culture Commission — 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18, Fishers Municipal Center
• Nickel Plate Review Committee — 5 p.m. Nov. 19, Fishers Municipal Center
• Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. Nov. 19, Fishers Municipal Center
• Fall Creek Board of Zoning Appeals — 6 p.m. Nov. 20, Fishers Municipal Center
• Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees — Policy committee, Nov. 5; finance committee, Nov. 5; facilities committee, Nov. 6; and board meeting, 6 p.m. Nov. 12. Meetings are at 13485 Cumberland Rd.
Lawrence councilors to amend draft 2026 budget
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Members of the public and City of Lawrence councilors weighed in on Mayor Deb Whitfield’s proposed 2026 budget during an Oct. 15 public hearing, and there were no positive comments about the draft spending plan.
Before the public hearing began, at-large Councilor Lisa Chavis gave a statement from the council, noting that councilors prefer to continue the city’s practice over the last several years of positive fiscal management.
“The proposed 2026 budget provides for a $4.5 million increase in the general fund,” she said. “This increase to the budget may be feasible for 2026. However, with the potential impacts of (Senate Enrolled Act 1), there may be a question of sustainability past 2026.”
With that in mind, she said, the council wants to work toward a zero-based budget — one where income and spending are equal with no reliance on reserves. Chavis said the council understands the challenges the city faces with reduced property tax revenue from SEA1, but will work with the mayor and department heads to come up with a spending plan that takes care of citizens and provides cost-of-living raises for city employees.
According to a budget spreadsheet posted on the city’s website, the $57 million budget includes a proposed operating fund of about $40.7 million with revenue of $36.8 million — a deficit of nearly $4 million. Combined with deficits in other funds, the proposed 2026 spending plan would rely on an estimated $4.5 million from city reserves. Nobody from Whitfield’s adminis-
tration provided a budget presentation before the public hearing. Two residents spoke, both expressing concern about the city’s 2026 spending plan.
Daniel Rapp questioned why nobody from the administration gave a presentation and said he didn’t want to pay more taxes to fund the city.
Matt Huckleby, who is the Lawrence Township GOP chair, said he, too, was concerned that the administration didn’t provide a presentation and had created the budget behind closed doors before putting out any public information.
“To my knowledge, there hasn’t been a single public presentation outlining the impact of SEA1 here in Lawrence — a law that directly impacts revenue for the city,” he said. “Is this administration making these decisions with incomplete information? And if not, then why haven’t they shared this analysis with the council and with the public? I’m deeply concerned the mayor’s proposal would eliminate nearly half of the city’s operating reserves. What’s the fallback plan if revenues decline mid year or SEA1 hits harder than expected? With city reserves dropping from 22 percent to 13 percent, one economic hiccup could create a financial shortfall.”
A news release sent out by the Indy GOP after the budget hearing also criticizes cuts to fire and police training, and capital spending for streets and parks.
Chavez said the council plans to have at least two public budget meetings before approving the city’s 2026 budget. The state deadline for a city budget to be approved is Nov. 3.
A schedule of council meetings can be found at cityoflawrence.org/ common-council.
DISPATCHES
Brooke’s Place fundraiser set — Brooke’s Place will host its 13th annual Legacy of Hope Breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Nov. 13 at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, with a goal of raising $250,000 to support grief programs for children, teens, young adults and their caregivers. The breakfast is the central Indiana organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, sponsored by Valeo and The Willard and Anne Levin Foundation. For more and to register, visit brookesplace.org/events/loh25.
Call for art — Fishers Arts Council’s annual “Art of the Emerging Artist,” returns in December, featuring artists who have either never shown their art publicly or who have never shown with Fishers Arts Council. The deadline to submit work is Nov. 14. For more, visit fishersartscouncil.org/post/ call-out-december-2025.
Lawrence North girls flag football making history
By David Jacobs david@youarecurrent.com
Lawrence North is quickly making strides in girls flag football, just a year after its inaugural season in 2024. Going 9-1 on the year, the Wildcats were among eight teams from across the state to play in the sport’s Oct. 18 inaugural state championship after it received an “emerging sport” designation from the IHSAA prior to the season.
The Wildcats lost to Penn High School of Mishawaka in the state championship game.
Girls flag football started with just eight schools in 2023 before expanding to 27 in 2024, and ultimately getting up to 79 schools this year.
The Colts have been a leading factor in the effort to make the sport a success throughout the state, offering $10,000 to the first 100 schools to offer a team.
Lawrence North head coach Donny Mimms has seen the expansion of the sport firsthand ever since watching Ben Davis and Shortridge play at halftime during a Colts game two years ago.
“I saw (them) play and I said, ‘Wait
a minute, they’re in the MIC, so we should be getting a team, too,’ and the following spring my athletic director asked me (if) I wanted to coach a girls flag football team,” he said. “I was scrambling to get some girls, but my daughter was going into her junior year at the time, so she knew some students and we reached out and were able to get five girls. Once they took pictures of the team and we put it on social media, it lit like wildfire.”
As the sport continues to grow, Mimms is confident the ceiling might be higher than some believe.
“By this time next year, we should be
The Lawrence North girls flag football team defeated North Central in the sectional championship Oct. 14. (Photo courtesy of Lawrence North Athletics)
around 150 (schools),” he said. “I would think that as it grows, more schools will jump on board. It gives female students opportunities to not only be active, but (gives them) a reason to come to school.
School isn’t fun for every kid, but the more opportunities that your school offers, the more you can reach kids and give reasons to latch onto school and have an outlet for stress management and things of that nature.”
For Lawerence North, specifically, its girls flag football team has helped four students earn scholarships for flag football at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne.
Sat. November 29, 2025 3pm - 7pm at Civic Plaza
3:00pm - Skating & Vendors, 5:30pm - Parade 6:00pm - Variety Show & Tree Lighting
at
A majority of the girls on the roster are current or former basketball, softball or track athletes, and can transfer that athleticism onto the football field.
“Sports teach kids discipline and self-respect. It gives them self-esteem,” Mimms said. “Especially with young ladies, (they) tend to have more self-esteem issues than young males. So, this right here, they’re bonding together as a group of young women… They’re learning lessons and building life memories that they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives.”
As the season wraps up, the Wildcats’ girls flag football team is a stepping stone for years to come.
“Our program, you know, for me, it’s about giving these young ladies opportunities,” Mimms said. “You know, to use their God-given talents to be able to possibly earn a scholarship. If I can continue to grow this program, then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll continue to do it, as long as I’m putting out a good product and giving girls hope.”
Including Lawrence North, there are nearly 30 Indianapolis-area schools that field girls flag football teams.
LN receiver attracting major college attention
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
There are good reasons why Lawrence North High School junior wide receiver Monshun Sales is a consensus five-star college football recruit.
Sales was second in the 200 meters in 21.56 seconds at the IHSAA boys state track and field finals in June and was on the winning 400 relay team. He had set a state record of 21.09 in the 200 prelims.
“When you add in his big 6-foot-5 frame, he’s not only fast, he’s tall and he becomes hard to bring down once he gets going,” Wildcats coach Patrick Mallory said.
Sales has 35 receptions for 782 yards this season heading into the Oct. 31 Class 6A sectional game against Lawrence Central. He had 34 catches for 568 yards last season.
“I feel like I most improved in my catching and getting open,” Sales said. “Track helps me get more explosive.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
MONSHUN SALES
Favorite athlete: Jeremiah Smith
Favorite musician: NBA YoungBoy
Favorite subject: History
Favorite movie: “Friday”
Favorite vacation spot: Miami
It really teaches me how to run and stride.”
He has seen his yards per-catch average rise from 16.7 yards to 22.3.
“He’s bigger, faster and stronger,” Mallory said.
Besides physical qualities, Mallory said Sales keeps maturing.
“We get them as young kids and some might not even be teenagers yet,” Mallory said. “Once they get into a system
and they see what the system can do for them, it really helps that process of thinking and what they can probably do.”
Sales is optimistic about the team’s chances in the postseason.
“We are more motivated than ever,”
he said. “We have something to prove to everyone doubting us. We don’t care about that. We want to prove to ourselves that we are who we say we are.”
Sales has a slew of scholarship offers, including from the University of Alabama, Ohio State University, Indiana University, University of Oklahoma, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame and Purdue University
“Everybody is going to be drawn to what they can see — the tangibles versus the intangibles,” Mallory said. “They see the big body that can move and then you see him catch the ball. If you can take the top off the defense here, you are probably going to be able to do it at each level as you keep moving up.”
Sales began playing football when he was 5.
“What makes me passionate about the sport is it makes me want to play harder seeing my mom happy watching me play,” he said.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
Lawrence North’s junior wide receiver is a five-star recruit. (Photo courtesy of Lawrence North athletics)
Vanquish Shower Mold! Conquer Dirty Grout Lines!
Chris Center rebrands
news@currentinfishers.com
The Chris Center, a nonprofit that works to strengthen youth mental wellness in Hamilton County and Marion County schools, announced that it has rebranded to Kindling Minds.
Kindling Minds was created in 2021 as The Chris Center by Nancy Elbert. It was named after Elbert’s brother, Chris Elbert.
“We knew we needed a name that more accurately reflects our mission, work and future, and we also wanted a name that stays true to Chris Elbert’s memory and legacy of compassion, community and empathy,” Kindling Minds Executive Director Sandra Moreira stated. “Kindling Minds does all that.”
Moreira said that although the organization has rebranded, it has the same mission to help teens and pre-teens in central Indiana build resilience and improve mental wellness through research-informed programs rooted in connection — with animals, nature and art.
“We have a new name, but we have the same staff, board and volunteers who truly spark connection and ignite hope,” Moreira stated.
Kindling Minds has three programs in Marion and Hamilton county schools, including Noblesville, Westfield, Fishers and Carmel and served nearly 700 teens and pre-teens in 2024.
The organization’s PAWS Wellness Support Program teaches and models skills for stress-reduction, joy and social connection through registered dog/handler teams and encourages students to use the power of the human-animal connection in their own lives.
Its Mindful Arts Program builds mindfulness, connection, self-expression and self-regulation through creative artmaking.
Through a partnership with Stone Farm, Kindling Minds’ Alpaca-Assisted Wellness programming teaches lessons about mindfulness, stress-reduction, empathy and social connection. For more, visit kindlingminds.org.
DV Task Force relaunched
news@currentnoblesville.com
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with the Noblesville-based nonprofit Prevail, Inc., has relaunched the Hamilton County Domestic Violence Task Force.
According to the announcement, the task force brings together community partners to strengthen the county’s response to domestic abuse, with a particular focus on high-risk cases to prioritize survivor safety, offender accountability and community safety.
“Domestic violence has no place in our community,” stated Hamilton County Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Kocher. “By bringing together law enforcement, victim advocates, service providers and prosecutors through this task force, we are strengthening our collective ability to hold offenders accountable and provide meaningful support for survivors.”
The task force serves as a collaborative, where agencies and individuals who work with survivors can share
resources, expertise and strategies. It works to identify gaps in services, promote awareness and prevention initiatives, and assess training opportunities to ensure all partners are equipped to respond effectively.
The task force will focus on high-risk cases that are identified through Hamilton County’s evidence-based Lethality Assessment Program, which screens and identifies survivors at greatest risk of homicide based on offender behaviors. Participating officers will connect survivors directly to support services at Prevail, ensuring timely intervention and safety planning.
From left, Tami Wanninger, Prevail’s executive director, and Josh Kocher, Hamilton County’s deputy prosecutor. (Photo courtesy of Abby St. Amand)
You’re Invited
Thursday, November 20 | 6–9pm 502 EAST EVENT CENTRE | CARMEL, IN
Bur Oak Bridge officially open for pedestrians
Join us for a night of celebrating the year’s most remarkable stories of rescue and redemption. You’ll enjoy a plated dinner, a silent auction featuring exclusive items and experiences, and so much more!
Proceeds Benefiting VISIT TINSELANDTAILS.COM OR SCAN BELOW TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS!
Special thanks to our sponsors...
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
The Bur Oak Bridge, which connects Carmel to Fishers, was open for pedestrians after an Oct. 20 ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring officials from communities on both sides of the White River.
The 500-foot span links Carmel’s Hazel Landing Park and Fishers’ Heritage Park. The bridge provides pedestrians access to three major rail trails in suburban north Indianapolis. They are Zionsville’s Big Four Rail Trail, Carmel’s Monon Greenway and Fishers’ Nickel Plate Trail.
ties” the bridge might provide.
“As I was standing there, I had this image in my head of the next time Fishers and Carmel get into an argument, we’ll meet right here in the middle.
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation Director Michael Kltizing, Clay Township Trustee Paul Hensel, Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman, Delaware Township Trustee Debbie Driskell, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation Board President Judy Hagan all spoke during the dedication.
The organizations they represented all played roles in the construction of the bridge — which cost $11 million — via funding and other means. Officials lauded the communication and coordination necessary to get the bridge built.
“To me, the bridge doesn’t just represent safe passage. It doesn’t just represent the beauty of the surroundings or the history and the value that White River brings to our community, but more importantly, this represents cooperation,” Altman said.
Fadness joked about other “possibili-
(Carmel Mayor) Sue (Finkam) and I will come to terms right here,” said Fadness, who also joked that there was not a roundabout in the bridge.
Klitzing said the bridge was named following input from Native American tribes.
“The tribes next asked for a listing of native plants and trees that you might find along the river in this location that might have been witnessed by visitors to the site over the generations,” Klitzing said. “Given the prominence of several bur oak trees nearby, they chose this for the bridge’s name.”
Once the ribbon was cut, cyclists and walkers immediately began using the bridge.
Kassie Braun
The new Bur Oak Bridge spans the White River and links Carmel’s Hazel Landing Park and Fishers’ Heritage Park. (Photos by Kelly Sullivan)
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness addresses the crowd ahead of the Bur Oak Bridge ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A SURVIVOR’S STORY
Documentary shares former Geist man’s Holocaust experience
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Philip Paluso recognized immediately that Frank Grunwald’s story was one he had to share.
A Holocaust survivor, Grunwald’s life is featured in “Sweet Lorraine in Auschwitz,” a documentary that premiered Oct. 12 at the Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis. Fishers resident Paluso was the director, writer and cinematographer. Westfield resident Amber Maze was the writer-producer.
A former Geist-area resident, Grunwald’s love of music provided his only escape while in the World War II German concentration camps, which he was forced into at age 10.
Grunwald was born in Czechoslovakia and died at age 90 in 2023. At Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia, he was put in the boys barracks. At Auschwitz in occupied Poland, he was in the Czech family camp. Grunwald’s mother and older brother John, who had one leg shorter than the other, died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. His father survived and they were reunited after the war.
“I was captivated by his story,” Paluso said. “What we realized was that telling his complete story and not just the anecdotes around the music was something that would be fairly worthy. That’s when the germ of putting the documentary together began. The rest, as they say, is history. There was fundraising that happened. We planned to go abroad to walk in his footsteps as he suffered through the ordeal of the Holocaust, then it all came together for a nice movie.”
Paluso first encountered Grunwald while filming Grunwald’s performance on the accordion during a 2021 performance for an Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council fundraiser,
“It was so easy to like Frank,” Paluso said. “He was just a remarkable man. He was so engaging. He was so artistic. Not only was he a fantastic musician, but he was a great artist as well.”
Grunwald narrowly escaped dying in the gas chambers when he was purpose-
ly shoved by another prisoner from the death row line into a line of older boys headed to a slave labor camp.
Most of the interviews with Grunwald were conducted in January 2023 over three days.
“We wanted to have a comprehensive accounting of his experiences, because in a documentary, you never know what you need,” Paluso said. “You shoot video, talk to people and then you craft the story. One of the things I was happy
LEARNING FROM HISTORY
Amber Maze, a 2006 Westfield High School graduate, said she became close friends with Frank Grunwald during the years.
“I worked with him on the narratives and I was really sort of the driving force to make sure this project got off the ground and that it was successful,” Maze said. “The JCRC had never done anything like this before and I hadn’t, either.”
Maze had a background of Holocaust studies, graduating with a master’s degree in Holocaust and genocide studies from Stockton University in New Jersey.
“It’s always been very important to me to preserve these stories, especially as we get further and further away from the actual event and it begins to fade into the recesses of society’s memory,” Maze said. “These stories and testimonies still have things to teach us, things
that, as a country and global society, we have not learned yet.”
Maze said it is important to share the stories for people to hear them, feel them and be inspired.
“Becoming close friends with Frank made that desire and charge even more important to me,” she said, “I count myself very lucky to spend a day with him each week up until he passed away in August of 2023.”
Maze said when they visited the concentration camp sites, she was able to call and text Grunwald.
“He was able to provide context and details and stories that we were able to put in the film,” Maze said.
Maze said she worked with Paluso on the scripting, mostly to ensure historical accuracy.
For more, visit sweetlorraine-movie. com.
about is we were able to show him some of the interview footage and some of the footage we shot in Prague and the other places he was in during the Holocaust. My only regret is he didn’t live long enough to see the documentary. It’s a shame people didn’t get to talk to him after seeing it.”
Paluso got to know Maze when was hired by the JCRC to put together a virtual Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony. Maze works for the JCRC, which became the executive producer of the film.
Paluso and Maze discussed Grunwald’s harrowing journey when Grunwald performed jazz standards he credits for helping him survive the Holocaust as a young boy. “Sweet Lorraine” was Grunwald’s favorite song.
“Interwoven were vignettes about his experiences,” Maze said. “The JCRC recognized the educational value in ensuring that Frank’s story continued on and that there was (an opportunity) for adults and students alike to connect to the music and how music can be used as a vehicle for survival.”
ON THE COVER: Frank Grunwald shares his story as a Holocaust survivor. (Photo courtesy of Philip Paluso)
Director/cinematographer Philip Paluso and producer Amber Maze at Aushwitz. (Photos courtesy of Philip Paluso)
Frank Grunwald plays the accordion.
Commentary by Larry Greene
This Windemere home in Carmel underwent a remarkable transformation featuring a sunroom addition, new deck and sunken porch designed for year-round outdoor living.
THE BLUEPRINT
• Replaced the dated deck and concrete patio with a multilevel outdoor retreat that flows seamlessly from the home.
• Added a bright and airy three-seasons room with panoramic windows for natural light and weather-protected comfort.
• Built a spacious new deck ideal for dining, grilling and entertaining.
• Created a cozy sunken porch with integrated seating for relaxing around the fire.
• Unified the design with cohesive finishes and architectural detailing that complement the home’s exterior.
Test your macular pigment
Commentary by Dr. Angeline McLean
Macular degeneration is a degenerative process affecting the macula, the part of the retina that corresponds to your central vision. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. This disease process can result in significant distortion of your vision and loss of clarity. In more advanced forms, it can lead to the inability to drive safely and read.
Studies have shown a lower risk of developing macular degeneration in individuals with higher levels of macular pigment, which is formed from the deposition of the dietary nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, in the macula.
The protective effect is believed to be due to the blue light filtering and antioxidant properties of the pigment. Macular pigment has also been shown to have a positive impact on visual performance by improving contrast sensitivity and reducing glare. These benefits can be helpful in dim lighting situations and improve overall acuity.
Today we are bombarded with many sources of blue light. Chronic exposure to our devices and sunlight put us all at
greater risk of suffering the detrimental effects of blue light. While studies have not revealed how much macular pigment is necessary to be of benefit, there is a demonstrated relationship to having more macular pigment and improved vision function, eye health and a lower risk of developing macular degeneration.
Your macular pigment can easily be quantified with a simple, noninvasive, and inexpensive test performed in your eye doctor’s office. This test can provide you with important information regarding your potential risk for developing macular degeneration.
Ask your eye doctor to perform this valuable test at your next eye exam for an individualized risk assessment of developing this debilitating eye condition, as well as get advice on steps you can take to protect yourself and mitigate your risk.
Dr. Angeline McLean has been with Revolution EYES since March 2024. She has practiced primary care optometry in the Indianapolis area for 20 years.
Health network names CEO
Community Health selects
Dr. Patrick McGill to take over as president and CEO
northindy@youarecurrent.com
Dr. Patrick McGill has been chosen as the new president and CEO of Community Health Network.
McGill, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at the Indianapolis-based Community Health, will assume the role of CEO from Bryan Mills effective Jan. 1, 2026.
leader who already understands and embodies the mission, values and culture of Community Health Network,”
Board Chair Rafael Sanchez stated.
“The board considered candidates from across the country and Dr. McGill emerged as the clear choice to lead us forward.”
A board-certified family medicine physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience, McGill was selected following a nationwide search and evaluation process led by Community’s board of directors, according to an announcement from Community Health.
“After an extensive and thoughtful search, we are pleased to appoint a
McGill now supervises systemwide initiatives in information technology strategy, analytics, digital transformation, population health, personalized medicine, health equity and value-based care. He stated that he is honored to be chosen to lead Community Health.
“Community Health Network is more than a health care system, it’s a mission-driven organization rooted in compassion, innovation and service,” he stated. “I look forward to working with our exceptional team to build on our legacy and shape the future of care for the communities we serve.”
Mills announced his retirement earlier this year after more than 40 years.
& warranty
McGill
Tenor gets rare villain role in Indy Opera
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
This will be a rare experience for Ganson Salmon.
“For once in my life as a tenor, I get to play the bad guy,” Salmon said. “Most of the time I’m singing the lover role.”
Salmon plays the Duke of Mantua in Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Rigoletto” Nov. 14-16 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. “Rigoletto” features the music of composer Giuseppe Verdi.
“The Duke is a lecherous manipulator and powerful and a cruel guy,” Salmon said. “He uses his power and charm to get what he wants. It’s an interesting character study to step into because it’s much different than just singing sweet love duets. There’s a lot of layers. It’s something that I’m so excited to do.”
The Whitestown resident said it’s a stimulating exercise to play the villain.
“You have to be willing to be disliked by the audience,” he said. “I had the experience in the past when I sang in ‘Madame Butterfly’ and they disliked the naval officer Pinkerton, who leaves the Japanese wife with the child in Japan and marries an American woman. The audience learns to hate Pinkerton so much that they will boo Pinkerton at the end. Though they may not realize, they are booing the nice and kind-hearted opera singer that played this role. From that experience, it helped me learn something from the role of the Duke, that you have to be willing to be disliked.”
Salmon said he loves the music from “Rigoletto”
“Not just the songs that I get to sing but the great duets and arias sung by Rigoletto and his daughter Gilda,” he said.
Mark Rucker plays Rigoletto Nov. 14 and 16. Jose Luis Maldonado plays the role Nov. 15. Brandie Inez Sutton portrays Gilda.
Salmon, an Indianapolis native who
graduated from Heritage Christian School in 2011, began his career as a resident artist with Indianapolis Opera in 2016. The Ball State University graduate, who earned a master’s degree at Mannes School of Music in New York City, had a small supporting role in the Indy Opera production of “Mansfield Park.”
Since then, Salmon said he has been part of numerous Indy Opera concerts, Opera in the Park twice and was in the COVID-19 livestream production of “Madame Butterfly” in November 2020.
“That was with a small orchestra and in front of a very small studio audience in 2021,” Salmon said. “This actually will be my main stage leading role debut with Indianapolis Opera. It’s extraordinarily meaningful to be here at home in Indianapolis with my family and friends and to be singing with this wonderful opera company that I’ve had a fruitful relationship with over the years. It’s time to take stock on how far I’ve come personally and to put on a great show for everybody.”
Salmon said he is thankful his
97-year-old grandmother, Sarah Jane Gradison, will attend “Rigoletto.”
“She supported Indianapolis Opera on its board long before I knew what opera was,” Salmon said. “She still loves hearing about my career and follows it very closely, so I’m so excited to sing in front of her.”
Since moving back to the Indianapolis area during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Salmon can travel to perform in a variety of locations.
“It’s a nice balance, less cost of living and I get to be around my family rather than be in New York City or somewhere else,” said Salmon, who grew up in the Lawrence area.
For more, visit indyopera.org.
IF YOU GO
What: Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Rigoletto”
When: November 14–16
Where: The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel Tickets: indyopera.org
‘TOOTSIE’
“Tootsie” runs through Nov. 23 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘SPOOKY NIGHT OF COMEDY’
Dave Dugan and Steve Iott will perform “A Spooky Night of Comedy” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
‘FOUR SEASONS’
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will present Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Don Farrell will host “Monster Mash: A Night to Dismember!” Oct. 29, followed by “The Magic of David Ranalli” Oct. 30, “Murder Mystery Night” Oct. 31 and “Celebrating Celine” with Jenene Caramielo Nov. 1-2 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. The performances are at 7:30 p.m. except for a 1 p.m. Nov. 2 show. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN’
Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Young Frankenstein” through Nov. 9 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘BUGS BUNNY’
“Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” is set for 8 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Ganson Salmon plays the role of the Duke of Mantua in Indianapolis Opera’s production of “Rigoletto.” (Photo courtesy of Ganson Salmon)
Pub features weekly Irish music sessions
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Madeleine Luther was looking for a musical outlet.
The 2013 Carmel High School graduate grew up playing the violin in school orchestras.
The Noblesville resident plays fiddle in the Indianapolis Ceili Band. When she can, she performs with other musicians in a traditional Irish session every Tuesday night at the Brockway Pub in Carmel. The tradition started in 2009.
“I grew up watching Riverdance, which was really popular when I was a kid,” Luther said. “As I was getting older and didn’t want to continue playing classical, I found a fiddle teacher in Carmel, Emily Thompson, and started playing with her. From there, I got into the sessions and Indianapolis Ceili Band. I have two young boys, so I used to come a lot more, but now I come when we’re all able. It’s kind of my escape. I’m a mom and a preschool teacher. This is my hobby that I do for fun.”
shanties and folk tunes.
Noblesville resident Ed Delaney has been a member of the Indianapolis Ceili Band since it started several years. He plays the accordion and concertina, which is a small accordion.
The Ceili Band plays a variety of Irish festivals throughout central Indiana, along with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, weddings and other shows.
“There are two other sessions in the Indianapolis area that Ceili Band members go to, depending which is closer to their home,” Delaney said. “I’ve played this music since I was a teenager. I play old-time American music and play banjo on the side. But Irish music has always been my thing. The thing that sets the Brockway apart for us is that it’s been a stable home for music for years now. We’ve had lots of people like Jim (Fallis) that showed up and wanted to learn an instrument and how to play with others.”
JOSEPH ROBINETTE
Indianapolis resident Jim Fallis said anyone that has an instrument can play in the session.
“We come and play for the joy of playing,” he said. “I’ve been here nights when we have 35 people come in. We usually have seven to 14. We have several people that do vocals.”
Fallis said the sessions are where he learned to play.
Many of the people who join in the sessions are with the Indianapolis Ceili Band, which Fallis joined a year ago. He plays the mandolin and the tenor banjo. He previously played in a band called Rusty Musket, which performed sea
Alberta Lathan, a north Indianapolis resident, has been with the Ceili Band since the beginning. The rehearsals are held at her house. The Ceili Band traveled to Ireland in August. She also frequently attends the Brockway sessions.
Lathan said it is special “to have a business willing to make space for traditional Irish music at a consistent time, sometimes when they might be very busy. It’s wonderful for people just beginning to play Irish music and they can come and listen.”
Lathan, who plays the flute, has won awards in Irish regional competition for her vocals.
For more, visit Indianapolis Ceili Band on Facebook.
Madeleine Luther plays the fiddle at the Irish session at Brockway Pub in Carmel. (Photo by Mark Ambrogi)
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Happy Birthday’ wins Heartland Film’s top prize
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Heartland International Film Festival showcased more than 100 films, including 19 world/U.S. premieres, 27 regional premieres and seven Special Presentations from major distributors during its Oct. 9-19 run in Indianapolis.
As is often the case, Heartland Film Artistic Director Greg Sorvig said he expects many will draw Academy Award attention.
“Top contenders from our festival include Audience Award winners ‘Nuremberg’ and ‘Rental Family,’” Sorvig said. “Both are starting to make some awards’ season noise. Other major contenders featured at the festival were ‘Blue Moon,’ ‘Sentimental Value,’ ‘The Tale of Silyan” and ‘The Secret Agent,’ and others. ‘Happy Birthday,’ our $20,000 Grand Prize for Best Narrative Feature Award winner, is also the Egyptian entry for this season’s Academy Awards.”
Sorvig said it was a happy surprise that Sarah Goher’s “Happy Birthday” won the Grand Prize.
“She and her husband, Mohamed Diab (“Cairo 678,” 2012), are the first couple to have won the same major top honor with films they separately directed,” Sorvig said. “We are proud of our international slate of winners in this year’s festival.”
The Opening Night film, “Rental Family,” directed by HIKARI from Searchlight Pictures, won the Narrative Special Presentation Audience Choice Award. The Closing Night film, “Nuremberg,” directed by James Vanderbilt from Sony Pictures Classics, received the Overall Narrative Audience Choice Award. The festival presented more than $60,000 in cash prizes to recipients at the Awards Party Oct. 18 at The Jazz Kitchen
The Hoodox Indiana Spotlight Award goes to a film that highlights stories from the Hoosier state or created by filmmakers in Indiana. Director Andie Redwine accepted the $2,000 Hoodox Indiana Spotlight Award for the world premiere documentary, “The Tenderness Tour.” The film also won the Indiana Spotlight Audience Choice Award. Since 1989, Indianapolis native Richard D. Propes has traveled more than 5,000 miles by wheelchair, raising hundreds
resident
was
of thousands of dollars for charities worldwide in his nationally recognized effort known as the Tenderness Tour. A paraplegic/double amputee with spina bifida, Propes completed the 35th year of the acclaimed event last year. He is the founder and publisher of TheIndependentCritic.com and a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association.
Propes also is the namesake of two Heartland International Film Festival’s social impact awards. “Comparsa,” directed by Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson, received the $2,000 Richard D. Propes Documentary Social Impact Award. “Shakti,” directed by Nani Sahra Walker, received the $2,000 Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award, as well as the $2,500 Best Narrative Premiere Award.
“Jimmy & The Demons,” directed by Cindy Meehl, won the $20,000 Documentary Feature Grand Prize. The documentary followed 79-year-old artist Jimmy Grashow as he poured four years into his magnum opus. He died in September. Film subject Lesley (Guzzy) Grashow, Jimmy’s widow, accepted the award during the presentation.
The Overall Documentary Audience Choice Award went to the World Premiere title “Best Day Ever,” directed by Ben Knight and Berne Broudy. “John Candy: I Like Me,” directed by Colin Hanks from Prime Video, was voted Documentary Special Presentation Audience Choice Award winner.
Heartland Film has the honor of being the only festival in the world sanctioned by the Stewart Family to present an award in honor of acclaimed actor Jimmy Stewart. “The Eyes of Ghana,” directed by Ben Proudfoot, received the $5,000 Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award.
Now on stage
Indianapolis
Richard D. Propes
the subject of the world premiere documentary “The Tenderness Tour.” (Photo courtesy of Heartland Film)
Too little or too much?
Commentary by Terry Anker
Walking into his home, one could immediately tell that he was a collector. The walls were lined with shelves and those were lined with beer cans, thousands of them. There were ones from foreign lands. There were ones to commemorate this or that. There were ones no longer manufactured. And there were ones that showed the progressive logo and can design from the early days to the present. Really, there were a lot of beer cans. The collector was delighted to share tales of his decades-long work to assemble the group. For some, he traveled many miles to attend gatherings of the like-minded. There are lectures, meetups and beer celebrity sightings. While many of us wouldn’t fully understand or embrace the project, others loved it just as much as our intrepid collector did.
While lines that distinguish the ethos of collectors from those of the simple accumulators are not abundantly bright, we still seem ready to call out a hoarder for their transgres-
sions and assume ourselves not to be. Minimalist or maximalist, we find the level to which we fill our lives. For many, fewer is better. For others, having one of each example is barely enough. What is it that makes the need so strong?
In his own autobiographical documentary, an heir to a multibillion-dollar fortune complained to his similarly situated father of the boredom that accompanies an inherited life of leisure. Dad admonished the youngster to take up collecting as he’d done, perhaps maps, in the expectation that after a life’s work, he could gift the group to a museum. Wasn’t it his duty? The assembly of objects has long been the purview of the aristocratic class. But is it our desire to be like them or something more shared and deeply human that urges the habit?
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.
My ‘selfie’ awareness
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
“The
My wife has run off with my sister. They were only supposed to vacation together for a little over a week, but when Linda asked my wife Mary Ellen if I could manage all right being alone for so long, Mary Ellen said, “He’ll be fine. I’ll only be gone 10 years.” I assume she meant 10 days. I’d like Dr. Freud to examine that verbal slip. The truth is that we both have habits that annoy each other after 45 years. But after about a week, I started to miss all the things Mary Ellen does that irk me. Here are some examples. It bugs me when we go somewhere where we’ve been hundreds of times, like our Unitarian Church, and right before the exit, Mary Ellen says, “This is your exit coming up. “
truth is that we both
have
habits
that
annoy each other after 45 years. But after about a week, I started to miss all the things Mary Ellen does that irk me.”
– DICK WOLFSIE
Well, I know this. I’ve driven here every week for 12 years. Well, at least I wasn’t going to have to hear that directive for two weeks. While she was gone, I missed the exit twice.
I hate it when Mary Ellen lectures me about putting things back on the right shelves in the fridge. She says that if I don’t do that, I won’t be able to find anything next time. I knew once she left that I had full control of storage in our Samsung appliance. That first night, I just threw things back in randomly. I mean, what’s the difference? Yesterday, I ate a hot dog with mayonnaise on it. I know the mustard is in the fridge. But I have no clue where.
Something that really drives me crazy is when she walks into my home office, she always ends up fiddling with something. She straightens the photos on the wall and adjusts the lamp shades. But what really drives me nuts is how she always fixes the slats on my blinds, which are always askew because I often open one just to check the weather. While she was away, I sent her a selfie from my office with the blinds behind me. Yes, she texted back and told me two slats were open. I looked carefully at the photo. I never knew we had a Peeping Tom in our neighborhood. When Mary Ellen was gone, I watched about 12 baseball playoff games. I was finally free of her persistent question during every sporting event, “Is it over, yet? Dinner is on the table.” Now, I could finally watch the playoff games in peace. But I truly missed her when one playoff game went 15 innings, lasting until 1 a.m. I knew if Mary Ellen were home, she would have waited up until the final inning, kept the food hot for me and waited to eat so we could sit together for dinner. Did you actually believe that for one second?
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.
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
PUZZLES
1. Group of Girl Scouts
6. Duke Energy electrical unit
9. Part of a barn
13. A2Z Cafe seating option
14. Life story, briefly
15. Mayberry boy
16. It began as Standard Oil of Indiana, then merged with BP in 1998
17. Breakfast drinks, initially
18. Drool catchers
19. ___ Speedwagon
20. Laundry room supply
23. White River angler’s aid
24. Napleton car
25. Parents of Gen-Xers
27. Body part between elbow and wrist
31. It ended 11/11/1918
32. “Terrible” czar
33. Monon Community Center place to play hoops
35. Grayish brown
39. Lower limb
40. Halloween blunder 42. “Ready, ___, go!”
43. Curacao neighbor
45. Scrooge’s cry
46. Author/filmmaker
Vladic
47. Apt. units
49. Quantity held in a large bag
51. Imaginary source of fear
55. Artist Lichtenstein
56. Clean air org.
57. “You got that right!”
59. Navigation letters
62. Exited
64. Poetic tribute
65. Bazbeaux Pizza topping
67. Facts, briefly
68. Zilch
69. No-no
70. Steinbeck novel: “East of ___”
71. Blown Away hair product
72. “Your Movie Sucks” writer DOWN
1. Building beam
2. City on the Tiber
3. Colts shutout, on a scoreboard
4. Non-Rx
5. Fear
6. ISO instrument
7. Muslim veil
8. City on the Moskva
9. Tennis shot
10. Express one’s view
11. Dietary need
12. Fishers HS exams
21. Key ___, Fla. 22. Half Price Books section
24. Barbie’s beau
26. “Mamma ___!”
27. Nike rival
28. Finished
29. Prego alternative
30. “Butt out!,” briefly 34. Butler’s Lacy School advanced degs.
36. B-52 org.
37. Miami County town about 50 miles north of Westfield
38. List-ending abbr.
40. Disney deer
41. Scarlett of Tara
44. Bikini top
46. Fever foe
48. “See ya!”
50. Wolf’s kin
51. Contradict
52. Topple
53. Social faux pas
54. WJJK classic hit
58. Peddle
59. Tease
60. Destitute
61. Bratty kid
63. Freight weight
66. Capture Answers on Page 23
574-398-2135 shidelerjay@gmail.com www.jayspersonalservices.com
Join our exciting and supportive team serving older adults in a non-franchise, local fitness facility. We are looking for an experienced, part-time trainer with the possibility of moving to full-time. Clients are provided, so there is NO SELLING. BA/BS 4-year or greater degree in exercise related field required. If you have a passion for changing the lives of older adults, you will want to be part of our welcoming environment. Send resume and cover letter to info@motion4lifefitness.com
