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Founded Sept. 15, 2009, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XVII, No. 3
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Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Noblesville are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
Project delays, possible tax hikes lead some to question impact of property tax law
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Tax hikes, layoffs and delays to major projects are on the table as counties and municipalities across Indiana work through the financial impacts of the state’s new proper ty tax law.
STATE
Senate Enrolled Act 1 is expected to save Hoosiers up to $300 on their 2026 property tax bills and more in the future, but some are wondering if the savings are worth the pending upheaval elsewhere.
Fred Montagna, who has lived in Carmel for 38 years, said he feels the property tax savings are “rather insignificant” compared to the vision for major reform presented by now-Indiana Gov. Mike Braun during his election campaign — especially considering the uncertainty of future new taxes.
Homeowners are expected to see lower property tax bills in the coming years, but the savings may be essentially offset by other new taxes. In addition to a 10 percent deduction (up to $300), SEA1 also includes an increase in the supplemental homestead deduction. (Image courtesy of the City of Carmel)
“I’m really disappointed,” Montagna said. “The way the governor promised to do major reform ended up being rather a drop in the bucket.”
In Hamilton County, financial constraints tied to SEA1 have led to an indefinite delay in constructing a domestic violence center and are throwing into question plans for a child care facility for children of county employees, according to Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt. The law also could lead to layoffs and impact future road construction projects.
As a result of SEA1, the county is set to receive $6.4 million less than previously projected in 2026, $8.6 million less in 2027 and $11.5 million less in 2028, Heirbrandt said.
He described the impact of SEA1 as a “shell game,” as savings for property owners might be lessened by other new taxes, including a wheel tax state legislators are requiring local governments to implement to receive Community Crossings road improvement matching grants. Other new or increased taxes are under consideration in many Indiana communities.
“So, where are the savings?” Heirbrandt said. “It’s things like that, I sit there and look at it and scratch my head. Is that really worth it?”
In Elkhart County, several county commissioners, councilors and mayors signed a joint statement urging state legislators to “fix” the unintended consequences of SEA1.
“This legislation was meant to create fairness,” the statement reads. “Instead, it
has created uncertainty, shifting burdens in ways that threaten critical services in our communities. Unless corrected, the result will not be lower costs for families, but fewer services, higher fees, and a heavier tax load on individual homeowners and renters.”
The Elkhart County leaders state that SEA1 “does not address the rising burden from increasing assessments,” meaning that even with the new property tax deductions the total due is likely to continue rising for many homeowners.”
State Rep. Danny Lopez, a Republican whose district includes parts of Carmel and Westfield, acknowledged that the new law is requiring local governments to make difficult funding decisions, but he said savings for property owners go beyond a deduction in 2026, saving Hoosiers $1.3 billion over three years.
Beyond that, the law phases out the standard homestead deduction by 2030 but boosts the supplemental homestead deduction to 40 percent in 2026. The supplemental deduction increases each year until it levels out at 66.7 percent by 2030.
“Delaying that (full) implementation gives us a longer timeline to really understand the impacts that this will have at the local level and then be able to adjust where we need to adjust,” Lopez said.
According to data presented by the City of Carmel during a workshop to review the proposed 2026 budget, a family living in a $568,000 home with an annual household
income of $176,000 will see their property tax bills drop by $558 in 2026 and nearly $799 in 2027.
However, in 2028, the $1,444 in property tax savings would be offset by $2,537 in new local income taxes, meaning the family would pay $1,093 more than they would have if SEA1 did not become law. By 2030, the full implementation of the supplemental homestead deduction essentially offsets the new income tax, leading to modest savings for homeowners. But that does not take into account other potential new or increased taxes.
Heirbrandt said he believes the legislature needs to prioritize making adjustments to the law.
“I kept telling several legislators (before the bill became law) that one size doesn’t fit all. It’s going to affect every county, every city, every town completely different,” he said. “I think you are going to see a lot of changes that have to happen down at the statehouse, because there are gaps that were unexpected.”
Lopez said he hasn’t been surprised by the impact of SEA1 so far, other than finding that most Hoosiers don’t understand the full scope of the legislation.
“People see it as $300 or 10 percent annually and say, ‘Well, that’s not a huge number,’ but the truth is that when twothirds of your net assessed value starting in 2031 is deducted on your property tax bill, that’s a significant reform and a significant change for taxpayers,” Lopez said.
City programs, projects on pause in 2026
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Several programs and capital projects in the City of Noblesville’s 10-year Capital Improvement Program are being paused because of the state’s new property tax law, Senate Enrolled Act 1.
CITY NEWS
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen made the announcement during a review of the 2026 proposed budget at the Sept. 23 Noblesville Common Council meeting.
The city’s proposed budget for 2026 is $119.2 million and includes $114,003,534 in ongoing expenses and $5,229,494 in onetime expenses. The proposed budget is $8.4 million less than the city’s 2025 budget.
Jensen said several parts of the budget are impacted by SEA1 as the city will receive $30.4 million less in core revenues over the next four years, and $8.2 million less in 2026 than the city projected.
Projects on pause because of SEA1 include the Federal Hill Commons ice rink; quality of life and trail gap projects; intersection improvement projects; a dog park project; and a new salt barn.
Jensen said the city also froze unplanned hiring and pay increases for employees in 2026.
“We all believe that they work incredibly hard and deserve that, but under the current fiscal standpoint we have, it’s the facts that we have in front of us,” Jensen said.
Also because of SEA1 constraints, Jensen said the city’s property tax rate is expected to decrease in 2026 from $1.10 to 97 cents per $100 of assessed property value
“We have had about a $1.10 tax rate ongoing for about six years now,” Jensen said. “Based on some constraints put in SEA1, that rate will fall. That doesn’t necessarily mean tax rates or tax bills (of individuals) will fall, but our tax rate within the city does go down to 97 cents.”
The city is committed to moving forward with several capital improvement projects, such as Reimagine Pleasant Street; a new police station and the acquisition of land for a new fire station; the widening of Olio Road and Boden Road; Embrace Downtown; the Nickel Plate Trail bridge; Ind. 37 interchange improvements; and annual neighborhood street and sidewalk resurfacing and improvements.
County vote centers a no
news@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton County Election Board failed to get the unanimous vote needed to move the county from traditional precinct-based voting to a countywide vote center model Sept. 18.
ELECTION
The Hamilton County Council and the Hamilton County Commissioners previously voted in favor of the initiative. Under Indiana law, moving to a vote center model requires approval from all three governing bodies.
Hamilton County Communications Director Tammy Sander said Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Kreag Williams and Democratic appointee Greg Purvis voted in favor of the measure. Republican appointee Ray Adler cast the deciding vote against it.
“With our growth to (more than) 280,000 registered voters, it was the right fit at the right time,” Williams stated. “We have been patient, worked through the process and were at a point where it would have worked for us. It all came down to needing three votes and we were one short.”
Sixty-eight of Indiana’s 92 counties have
adopted the vote center model. Sander said the Allen County Election Board approved a similar proposal Sept. 15.
“I just think we should let Allen County go through it and see what problems they have,” Adler stated. “We’re changing voting for hundreds of thousands of people and I want to make sure it’s not an experiment.”
Sander said public sentiment in a recent countywide survey also suggested 60 percent of respondents were in favor of moving to the vote center model and 10 percent were indifferent.
“It’s disappointing because I know there was a lot of bipartisan support for the measure,” Purvis stated. “I wish Mr. Adler had shared some of his concerns more openly. Maybe we could have worked through it. We’ve spent a lot of time trying to make sure this worked right just to have it go nowhere.”
Precinct-based voting will remain in place for the 2026 primary and general elections. Without the vote centers, Sander said the county will have to find polling locations for 15 new precincts for the 2026 election, bringing the total number of precincts to 235.
Ohio man charged in Ham. Co.
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
An Ohio man has been charged with felony counts of rape, burglary, two counts of domestic battery, strangulation, criminal confinement and intimidation after a victim contacted the Noblesville Police Department Aug. 13 reporting that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend.
ARREST
The accused, Craig Prophett, 40, is in the Hamilton County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim stated that at approximately 2:20 a.m. Aug. 13, Prophett drove to her residence from Cincinnati, ran up the stairs, entered her room, grabbed her ankle and pulled her off the bed onto the floor. The victim stated he began choking her.
The affidavit states that the victim said he started to slap her while she was pinned down. She said she “couldn’t get up” and “he was choking me so hard I couldn’t get any sound out.”
The victim reported that she was strangled approximately seven times throughout the incident, saying at some points she was close to passing out. She stated that after being lifted off the ground by her shirt, Prophett threw her on top of a chest at the foot of her bed and repeatedly penetrated her with his finger asking who she “was sleeping with.”
When asked if she ever gave consent to be touched, the victim said, “No. Absolutely not.”
The probable cause affidavit states that the victim said she was unable to defend herself because he was holding her arms and neck.
The victim said Prophett threw her phone against the wall to break it.
Throughout the incident, the probable cause affidavit states Prophett told the victim, “I am going to kill you.”
Eventually, the victim reported that she escaped and ran to a neighbor for help. The probable cause affidavit states she sustained multiple injuries.
A pretrial hearing for Prophett will be Oct. 22.
Prophett
Former councilor questions county’s DV center delay
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County officials announced Sept. 18 that financial constraints caused by the state’s new property tax law have put plans to build a domestic violence center on hold.
COUNTY
But one former county official is questioning that logic.
Community & Rural Affairs since January. “They have just not made this a priority like other projects.”
Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt confirmed that the county is yet to reach an agreement with Prevail to operate the center.
Fred Glynn, who served on the Hamilton County Council from 2015 to 2022, said he believes the project is yet to move forward in large part because the county hasn’t yet inked an agreement with Prevail of Central Indiana, a nonprofit that provides crisis intervention and restorative support, to operate it.
He also believes the county has not prioritized the project.
“The county has bonded $60 million for the Hamilton County Judicial Center expansion, spent $35 million for a training center and is getting ready to hand over a total of $100 million to Riverview hospital. With that level of spending, blaming a little $6 million cut from (SEA1) is a little duplicitous,” said Glynn, who has served as executive director of the state’s Office of
“We all have a common goal, but there has to be a good structure in place for how long people will stay in those housing units and who is going to maintain them,” he said. “But we were confident we were going to get it done. Both parties really want it done.”
But he also pointed to the financial impact of SEA1 as a reason the project stalled.
Prevail Executive Director Tami Wanninger directed Current to county officials for information about the project and declined to comment beyond a statement included in a county press release.
“The need for safe and affordable housing for survivors in Hamilton County is urgent and deeply felt,” Wanninger stated. “This project represents years of thoughtful collaboration. We remain steadfast in our commitment to pursuing innovative and sustainable solutions that honor survivors’ needs and their healing journey.”
Road to close at Ind. 38
INFRASTRUCTURE news@youarecurrent.com
The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Sept. 24 that intersection work on Ind. 38 and Moontown Road and Hinkle Road, at the Westfield-Noblesville border, will resume Sept. 30, including a complete closure of the intersection for up to 45 days.
The project includes the installation of new traffic signals and turn lanes.
The posted detour will follow Grassy Branch Road, 191st Street and Little Chicago Road.
During construction, both shoulders of Ind. 38 will be closed between East Street and Little Chicago Road, and the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph. Hinkle Road is scheduled to close once Moontown Road reopens.
Intersection work on Ind. 38 and Moontown Road and Hinkle Road, at the Westfield-Noblesville border, will resume Sept. 30, including a complete closure of the intersection for up to 45 days.
Overall construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of January.
Work is weather-dependent, and schedules are subject to change.
Get construction updates at 511in.org.
Glynn
Commissioners OK resolutions Noblesville and Westfield disabilities councils partner
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton County Commissioners approved two resolutions at their Sept. 22 meeting.
COUNTY NEWS
The first resolution authorized a support agreement, a formal contract in which one party agrees to provide a service in exchange for something of value from the other party, between Hamilton County and the Riverview Health Board of Trustees.
Jeremy Ullom, an adviser with Barnes & Thornburg law firm, presented the resolution, which states that in exchange for the county’s support in connection with financing, the hospital agreed to a reimbursement obligation, which will be secured by hospital revenues.
Hamilton County Attorney Connor Sullivan said the hospital’s revenue will be used to make bond payments. The agreement also includes reporting requirements.
“Riverview is part of the county’s audit, so it might just mean twice a year, they
send their financial information to the commissioners, and then the commissioners, who currently meet with them twice a year, will probably meet with them four times a year going forward,” Sullivan said.
The second resolution, also presented by Ullom, is an agreement for the county to acquire two properties Riverview Health currently uses — property next to the hospital, a former car dealership, and a building in the Noblesville Square Shopping Center.
Sullivan said the commissioners’ approval is the first step in the approval process. The Riverview Health Board of Trustees and Hamilton County Council also have to approve it.
The resolution confirms Hamilton County as the lessor and Riverview as the lessee of the properties. The hospital uses portions of the property for a rehab facility, and Ullom said there’s reimbursement implications if they were to relocate it.
The next commissioners meeting is at 1:45 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center in Noblesville.
news@currentnoblesville.com
The Noblesville Advisory Council on Disabilities and Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities have partnered to host the inaugural sensory nature walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 4 along the Midland Trace Trail.
RECREATION
Parking, sensory friendly activities, resource booths and complimentary refreshments will be located at Hazel Dell Elementary School, 3025 Westfield Rd., in Noblesville, where the walk will start.
“I’m proud that the Noblesville and Westfield Councils on Disabilities are partnering for a sensory walk that offers an opportunity to all residents to enjoy nature and be a part of a fun fall activity that is inclusive to all,” Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen stated. “I look forward to joining Mayor Willis and all the participants for a walk on the Midland Trace Trail and continuing collaborations that showcase accessibility in our communities.”
The sensory nature walk will be led by the Noblesville and Westfield Parks & Recreation Departments. There will be four interactive, sensory activities focusing on the senses during the walk.
The Midland Trace Trail is ADA accessible, allowing individuals of all ages and abilities to participate. Participants may choose to walk as much of the 1.5-mile route (3 miles round trip) as they wish. Resting spots also will be available along the path. No bicycles are permitted during this program.
“Ensuring residents feel seen, heard and respected is a value Westfield and Noblesville share, which makes this collaboration a natural fit,” Westfield Mayor Scott Willis stated.
Both cities ask that community members use caution on the Midland Trace when passing through the event area. In the event of inclement weather, the walk, booths and activities will be moved inside Hazel Dell Elementary.
E.A.T. conference set for Oct. 2
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
The Center for Justice and Exoneration Network at Purdue University Northwest will host the E.A.T. conference from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Embassy Suites Noblesville, 13700 Conference Center Dr. E.A.T stands for engage, advocate and transform.
EVENT
Registration begins at 11 a.m., followed by the program from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The event will feature nationally recognized speakers whose stories underscore the cost of wrongful convictions and the power of advocacy, according to the CJEN.
Nicky Jackson, executive director at the CJEN, which aims to identify and eradicate miscarriages of justice and to provide support to those who have had a wrongful conviction, said Oct. 2 is International Wrongful Conviction Day.
“I wanted to do it not only to focus on folks who were innocent and spent decades in prison for crimes they did not commit, but I also wanted to address how people can be falsely accused of crimes
and what that impact is on their lives,” Jackson said.
Speakers include:
• David Yannetti — An attorney at the center of the high-profile Karen Read case. Read was found not guilty of murder in 2025 after the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
• John Ramsey — The father of JonBenét Ramsey. JonBenét was found murdered in her home in 1996. The case remains unsolved.
• Timmy Donald — An exoneree featured in People Magazine Investigates, Donald was wrongly convicted for murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 60 years behind bars.
• Aaron Quinn & Denise Huskins — Survivors featured on Netflix’s “American Nightmare.” Huskins and Quinn were a California couple who were the victims of a real-life home invasion and kidnapping in March 2015 but were falsely accused of staging the event. For more, visit pnw.edu/center-for-justice-and-exoneration-network-at-purdue-university-northwest.
Fall Fest returns Oct. 3
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Noblesville Main Street, a nonprofit that creates partnerships and programs to connect the community, will present its annual Fall Fest from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3 on the downtown square in Noblesville.
EVENT
During the event, 9th Street will be closed between Conner and Logan streets for extended fall festivities, including a s’mores station.
“Just like every year, we’re getting trick-or-treating going nice and early, so kids are encouraged to come in costume,” Noblesville Main Street Executive Director Kate Baker said. “We’ll have a map of all the shops and restaurants that are participating in trick-or-treating. Teter Organic Farm also will be doing hayrides, and there will be several fall crafts and makers around the square.”
The Noblesville Lions Club will serve grilled cheese alongside the event’s annual soup cookoff.
“What’s different about our cookoff this year is that we’re going to make it a soup
crawl,” Baker said. “Anyone interested in tasting different soup samples will make their way to the different restaurants around the square to do so.”
Throughout the week leading up to Fall Fest, NMS will launch its Giving Tuesday campaign.
“Community First Bank of Indiana has generously decided to do a matching gift program,” Baker said. “So, if you give to Noblesville Main Street from now through the day of the event, they will match donations for us up to $1,500.”
For more, visit noblesvillemainstreet.org/ events/fall-fest-weekend.
The Fall Fest soup cookoff returns Oct. 3. (Photo courtesy of Noblesville Main Street)
B&B Group to relocate
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Property services company B&B Group has announced plans to relocate its headquarters from Noblesville to the new Park 69 development in the Madison County community of Ingalls, north of Fortville and just across the county line from Noblesville and Fishers.
DEVELOPMENT
According to a news release from developer Podell Partners, the new facility — which also will serve as headquarters for Real Time Detention and Real Time Furniture — broke ground Sept. 19 and will be completed in late 2026.
“The combined headquarters will span 36,000 square feet and feature a two-story office and showroom, column-free warehouse space and professional outside storage,” the release stated. “Designed in a campus-style setting with room for longterm expansion, the project will provide a first-class environment for employees and clients.”
Wes Podell, president of Podell Partners,
said in a phone interview that he’s excited about the project and continued development of the new industrial park. He said the development complements what’s happening in the neighboring Fishers and Noblesville areas, noting that B&B will be Park 69’s first tenant.
“They were really looking for something that would give them the ability to kind of control their entire setting in a headquarters fashion,” Podell said. “They’re in a multitenant facility about five minutes away at the Saxony exit, just south of Deer Creek — in a great facility, but, they’re one of, I call it a dozen tenants in there. So, this lets them spread out, gives them room for growth and a little more of a presence that’s really up to the standard of the quality that they’ve provided to their clients over the years.”
Andy Barker, president of B&B Group, Real Time Detention and Real Time Furniture, stated that the move allows the companies to elevate operations in a facility that reflects the team culture.
For more, visit bbgroupinc.com, realtimedetention.com or realtimefurniture.com.
State of Indiana Surplus Land Auction
Attorneys seek further review of NHS First Amendment case
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
A panel of federal appeals court judges ruled last month that Noblesville High School did not violate a student’s First Amendment rights when it derecognized a pro-life group she founded on campus.
COURTS
Now, the student’s attorneys are asking the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit to review the case.
The clash began in 2021 after NHS officials allowed a student to launch Noblesville Students for Life, a local chapter of a national organization that opposes abortion. But NHS temporarily suspended the club after the student and her mother attempted to receive approval from an administrator to display a flyer in the school featuring political messages after the principal had already rejected them.
School officials told the student that club flyers could only contain neutral information about meetings and that a photo depicting people holding signs with messages such as “Defund Planned Parenthood” and “I am the ProLife Generation” was not permitted.
Last month, a three of the appeals court’s judges affirmed a district court’s 2024 ruling in favor of Noblesville Schools, which found that NHS officials did not violate the student’s First Amendment rights. Rather, the school suspended the club, which was reinstated in January 2022,
not be displayed on campus, which eventually led to a lawsuit against the district. (Image from U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruling)
because it did not follow established procedures and did not appear to be fully student led.
In their decision, the judges stated that the district’s restriction of content on the club’s flyer aligns with “both the nature of the school walls as a limited forum for student expression and its broader pedagogical duty to create a stable, neutral educational environment.”
“The ‘no political message’ restriction applies only to the use of school walls to post flyers, not to students’ broader right to express political opinions,” the decision states. “The rule merely limits how certain messages may be disseminated, not whether they may be expressed at all. That distinction matters.”
Marnie Cooke, Noblesville Schools’ executive director of marketing and communications, stated that the school district appreciates the court’s ruling.
“We support our students forming clubs they’re passionate about and have dozens of student-led clubs that represent a wide range of interests, activities, and beliefs – including a Students for Life club,” Cooke said.
However, attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal organization representing the plaintiffs that focuses on religious and free speech issues, filed a petition Sept. 11 for the court to rehear the case en banc, meaning the suit would be considered by all 11 judges appointed to the court.
According to ADF Legal Counsel Mathew Hoffman, the student’s club was “specifically punished” because of the pro-life messaging on its flyers.
“The appellate court panel’s decision conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent by giving school officials broad powers to restrict student speech,” Hoffman stated. “We are urging the full court to uphold the free speech rights of all students, not just those who agree with the school’s preferred messages.”
In its petition, ADF claims that the appeal court ruling conflicts with three Supreme Court cases, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit cases and two other “authoritative decisions from other circuits.”
ADF did not respond to Current’s request to interview an attorney or the plaintiffs involved in the case.
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Noblesville High School told a student this flyer could
Noblesville Schools celebrated homecoming Sept. 19 with a parade leading up to the Noblesville High School football game against Zionsville, which the Eagles won 22-7. The homecoming theme, “Golden Gala,” paid tribute to 100 years of the Millers. The parade’s grand marshal was retired NHS teacher Butch Robbins. The 2024 grand marshals, Tony and Marita Oilar, also participated because last year’s parade was canceled. (Photos courtesy of Noblesville Schools)
Fishers soccer player’s position change fuels offensive attack
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Fishers High School senior soccer player
Elise May has found her new position to be a nice fit.
“I’ve definitely been able to find the back of the net a lot, which I’m happy about,” she said.
In the Tigers’ first 14 matches, May has a team-high nine goals. She had 12 goals as a junior.
“I’m usually a striker, but this season I’ve been put at the attacking midfielder role,” she said. “I feel like I’ve done a good job of how to play the position in a way that can really impact my team.”
Tigers coach Harold Spooner said the 5-foot-7 May exclusively played forward last season but has moved her around this season to avoid double teams.
“Her biggest skill set has always been her ability to physically overpower the defense,” Spooner said. “She is almost impossible to defend with one defense because she has a unique kind of blend of both strength and speed. She had that coming in as a freshman, but it’s gotten more de-
MEET ELISE MAY
Favorite athlete: Sophia (Smith) Wilson
Favorite genre of music: Country
Favorite subject: Biology
Favorite TV show: “Gilmore Girls”
veloped over the years.”
Spooner said May is an exceptional role model for her teammates.
“She works harder than anyone else,” he said. “She will do what needs to be done. She ultimately wants the team to be as successful as it can possibly be. On top of that, she is a great student and does all the stuff outside of the classroom.”
Spooner said other players work hard but it helps when the most talented player
sets an example.
Elise May scored nine goals in the team’s first 14 matches this season.
(Photo courtesy of Kelly Applegate)
“It definitely sets the tone for the rest of the players and future players in the program,” he said.
May, who has committed to Butler University, plays for the Indy Eleven 2007 Pro Academy Elite Clubs National League team.
“Indy Eleven has been amazing for me,” she said. “The environment is super competitive there and I’ve also gotten opportunities to play with the USLW (pre-professional) team, which has been great.
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I got to play in several games this past season. Just being in the environment with successful collegiate athletes has really helped me elevate my game. I’m excited to have that opportunity again leading into college.”
May said she chose Butler because she was impressed with the coaching staff.
“When I took the visit there, I knew that is where I wanted to go,” she said. “The team culture is absolutely amazing, and that is something that is so important to me. I see myself fitting in because it’s such a competitive environment and everyone just has the desire to win.”
May, who wants to become a pediatric physician’s assistant, is an intern in a retirement home. She helps with social activities for the residents. She will shadow a physician’s assistant next semester.
She also mentors younger soccer players.
“I’ve always loved working with kids,” she said. “I love to help kids have these goals and then achieve them.”
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
PROFILE IN COURAGE
Fishers resident stays positive through cancer fight
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Fishers resident Leah Hempfling, a phone triage nurse for Riley Children’s Health Neurology in Carmel, is no stranger to the heavy physical and mental strains of life-threatening medical battles — including her own.
A three-time cancer survivor, Hempfling, 55, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2009. She was in remission for 12 years before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.
Since then, she has had two recurrences. Yet, she has remained strong throughout her healing journey and is resolute in her fight against the disease.
“I think some of the positives is that my breast cancers have been found early, and it’s treatable,” Hempfling said. “I hold on to the hope that as long as I stay strong and keep a positive mind, I’m going to get through this. I’m not going down without a fight.”
Hempling’s oncologist, Dr. Nawal Kassem, said her unwavering strength and determination helps her with treatment.
“Throughout the time I’ve known her, if anything came up or she was concerned about something, she would let me know,” Kassem said. “Staying positive has helped her tremendously throughout all of this. She’s a perfect example of resilience.”
Hempfling was initially diagnosed with right breast cancer and chose to have a right lumpectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a small tumor or lump from the breast.
Continued on Page 16
Fishers resident Leah Hempfling during cancer treatment. (Photos courtesy of Emma Packard)
Kassem
“You can’t just put it off.”
Heather, Breast Cancer Survivor
Life is known for throwing curveballs, which is why it’s important to plan ahead. This includes prioritizing your annual mammogram. The simple screening takes about 15 minutes, and with Community Health Network, you have the option to schedule ahead of time or visit one of the walk-in clinics. When it comes to a reliable, safe and certain way to prioritize your health — and your peace of mind — you can count on the experts at Community Health Network.
Annual mammograms are an essential part of your health routine. Something so simple and convenient can save your life.
Schedule your screening mammogram today or find a walk-in location near you at eCommunity.com/mammogram
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates helped organize “Pink Out the Statehouse” in spring to bring awareness to lawmakers. (Photo courtesy of Heather Pirowski)
Advocacy group works to improve laws, save lives
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Breast cancer survivor Heather Pirowski co-founded Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates in part because of her son’s high school AP research project, which showed most women didn’t understand that the legally required dense breast tissue notification means cancer is more difficult to see and they might want to get a more thorough screening.
Pirowski said she was one of those women.
“I didn’t realize that when, if you have dense breasts, mammograms don’t really work because dense breasts hide and mask cancer,” she said. “If I would have been told that I needed additional diagnosis testing, who knows if I would have been Stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer when I was officially diagnosed?”
Pirowski teamed up with another breast cancer survivor, Carrie Cagnassola, to form Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates and together they were able to convince state lawmakers in 2024 to change the notification, making it clearer, and to improve the standard of care provided to people with breast cancer.
This year, she said, they worked with lawmakers to establish a state fund to support breast cancer research. The fund doesn’t have any money in it yet because of fiscal challenges, she said, but creating it was a first, important step in the process. She hopes that in the near future, funds will be made available to help save lives.
“Over 5,500 Hoosiers are diagnosed with breast cancer every year — That’s the entire town of Cicero diagnosed with breast cancer every year,” she said. “And over 900 of us die, which is the town of Shipshewana, dead every year of breast cancer.”
Pirowski said she’ll “talk about boobs” anytime to help raise awareness among lawmakers as well as the general public. To that end, her group helped organize “Pink Out the Statehouse” in March, which brought more than 20 breast cancer organizations to the capitol for a program that included an audience of 48 state lawmakers. It was so successful, she said another “Pink Out the Statehouse” already has been scheduled for Feb. 17, 2026.
Hoosier Breast Cancer Advocates is “small but mighty,” Pirowski said, with only three organizers who coordinate the group’s volunteers and advocates throughout Indiana. She added that they plan to launch a new “Pink Out” podcast to share survivor stories, information about research and more.
For more, visit hoosierbcadvocates.com.
Early detection, doctors give woman new outlook after cancer
By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com
[Editor’s note: To protect her medical privacy, Current is not publishing Melissa’s last name.]
When Melissa’s doctor told her that her routine mammogram turned up “something that we just need to keep an eye on,” she knew in her gut what it was. She didn’t need to wait for further testing to know she had breast cancer.
“I didn’t want to dwell on it,” said Melissa, a breast cancer survivor. “I was ready to take those next steps before we even knew that official diagnosis.”
Doctors had a hard time staging her cancer because it was caught so early. Throughout treatment, she was never given a stage. Prior to her annual mammogram, she had virtually no signs or symptoms that anything was wrong.
According to the National Institute of Health, most breast cancers are most commonly detected through mammograms, an X-ray of the breast that can detect cancer before signs or symptoms surface.
Dr. Samuel Heiser, a surgeon at Riverview Health and a member of Melissa’s care team, said finding breast cancer early is key because that’s when it’s most treatable.
Currently, there are four ways to treat breast cancer.
“Surgery is used first, either just a lumpectomy where we remove just the tumor, or it can be a mastectomy, where the whole breast is removed,” Heiser said.
Additional treatment options include radiation or chemotherapy. For Melissa, her case required radiation. According to Mayo Clinic, “Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It can be used to treat many types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.”
“We’re lucky enough now to have very specific testing that can indicate whether or not chemotherapy might be successful for a particular person,” Heiser said. “Not everybody by any means gets chemotherapy for their breast cancer, but we can test to see what the probability is that chemotherapy would be helpful.”
Lastly, in some cases, endocrine therapy or hormone blocking therapy is a successful option in treating breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society reports “about 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women” in 2025. Melissa began treatment at the beginning of June 2025 and was
cancer-free by the end of July 2025.
Throughout the treatment process, Melissa stayed active and didn’t require much downtime, which she said was a blessing and helped her stay positive throughout.
Looking back on her cancer journey, Melissa said the three main components that helped were her care team, a positive mindset and not a lot of downtime. She also kept the circle of people who knew about her diagnosis small, which she did intentionally so others wouldn’t voice opinions or foment fear.
“I’m a pretty big faith-based person, so having that trust that it was going to be OK,” she said. “I didn’t feel down. I never had that ‘woe is me.’ I moved through the process and they (doctors) kept me very informed. I think getting that information makes you feel like you know what to expect and it doesn’t make it scary anymore. I think that’s why there’s such a stigmatism. It doesn’t have to be scary.”
When Melissa was diagnosed, she got a second opinion.
“I needed to know that that was where I was supposed to be,” she said.
She received her treatment through Riverview Health, where she was first diagnosed. Doctors there encouraged her to get a second opinion.
“It is a very different feeling when you go to different places, and maybe some place that was comfortable for me might not be comfortable for everybody else, but you have to find that,” she said. “I think that makes a big difference on your road, your recovery, all of the procedures.”
Melissa recalls her care team calling her on weekends to check in. She also said she felt comfortable asking questions and appreciated being able to call her nurse navigator whenever she needed her.
“I think having a support group that you trust is a huge part of the process and recovery,” Melissa said. “For me, it was my family, my doctors — all of them, down to all of the therapists. I felt very comfortable asking any question that I had and they made me feel very comfortable asking any question.”
Now that she’s cancer-free, Melissa looks forward to the future and has a positive outlook.
“It’s been, I think, a really good experience,” she said. “That sounds crazy to say, but I think sometimes things like this are wakeup calls, not only to make sure you’re taking care of yourself but making sure you’re prioritizing what needs to be prioritized in your life. I can’t say that I’m great at it because I don’t know anybody that’s great at it, but making sure what is important is really front and center of my life.”
Heiser
Continued from Page 15
“Of course, the first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was in shock and had a hard time with it,” Hempfling said.
Following surgery, her doctors, including Kassem, a breast oncologist specializing in genetics at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel, discovered her cancer had advanced.
Hempfling underwent four rounds of high-dose chemotherapy and 15 radiation treatments. She also started endocrine therapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses hormones or drugs to alter the hormone balance in the body.
Following treatment, in 2022, doctors discovered she had a tumor in her left breast.
“The second time, I was even more shocked,” Hempfling said. “I just have to have a positive attitude. I can’t let cancer define who I am, and I can’t sit at home feeling sorry for myself.”
Kassem said a biopsy showed estrogen receptor-negative ductal carcinoma.
“When we see that, it essentially tells us that this is a Stage 0 breast cancer, and usually the treatment is going in for surgery to see if there’s an invasive disease in the vicinity,” Kassem said.
Hempfling chose to have a double mastectomy, a surgical procedure to remove both breasts. Kassem said when she went in for surgery, the mass was larger than expected.
“Quite frankly, the biopsy didn’t even give us a clear indication,” Kassem said. “It was not Stage 0. It was triple-negative breast cancer.”
Kassem said the goal was to do 18 chemotherapy treatments, but Hempfling was struggling with wound healing following surgery, so she only completed 12.
“It was toxicity from chemotherapy, in addition to the fact that she had complications post-surgery, in addition to the fact that she’s had several rounds of chemotherapy in the five- or seven-years prior,” Kassem said.
Following a reconstructive surgery in 2023 and the removal of her chemotherapy port in 2024, Hempfling received more devastating news — a recurrence of right breast cancer.
“It was a little shocking,” Hemp-
fling said. “I was told if I had the double mastectomy and went through chemo and radiation, it would help put me in remission. So, finding the cancer, especially back in my right breast, was really surprising. But I finally was able to tell myself that I’m at peace with this.”
Hempfling had a right axillary lymph node dissection, a procedure that involves removing lymph nodes from the armpit. She chose not to undergo more chemotherapy.
“She had a significant number of positive lymph nodes when they did the surgery,” Kassem said. “I wasn’t enthused about her doing chemotherapy, and I told her I did not know how much benefit, if any, that she would derive from it.”
Hempfling now takes two cancer drugs, tamoxifen and verzenio, to stop cancer cell growth. She said although she carries herself well, her cancer journey has been difficult.
Hemplfing encourages cancer patients to take things day by day.
“I would tell other patients to make sure they feel comfortable with their medical team and ask a lot of questions,” Hempfling said. “I know sometimes it can be hard. I do have my days when I’m not feeling very well, but I’m able to get up every morning and go to work. I just want to continue living.”
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
How cosmetic tattoos help restore wholeness after surgery
Commentary By Kait James
The journey of healing after breast surgery extends far beyond physical recovery. It encompasses emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects, as well.
For individuals undergoing nipple reconstruction through cosmetic tattooing, the process of healing is not only about restoring physical aesthetics but also about reclaiming a sense of wholeness and self-confidence. It is a profound journey of healing during the post-cosmetic tattooed nipple phase, highlighting the importance of self-care, emotional support and embracing the beauty of resilience.
Nurturing the healing process following the cosmetic tattooing of nipples, the initial phase of healing begins. This period is characterized by sensitivity, as the skin adjusts to the pigmentation and the body initiates its natural healing mechanisms. It’s crucial during this time to prioritize gentle care, ensuring that the treated area remains clean, hydrated and protected from external irritants.
PRACTICAL
TIPS FOR HEALING
Keep the area clean: Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your cosmetic tattoo artist diligently. Gently cleanse the treated area with mild soap and water to prevent infection and promote healing.
Moisturize regularly: Apply a recommended moisturizer or healing ointment to keep the skin hydrated and prevent dryness or cracking.
Avoid sun exposure: Protect the treated area from direct sunlight and UV radiation, as exposure can cause fading and affect the longevity of the tattoo.
Avoid abrasive activities: Refrain from engaging in activities that may irritate or traumatize the healing skin, such as rigorous exercise or wearing tight clothing.
Patience is key: Understand that the healing process takes time; be patient with your body as it adjusts to the cosmetic tattooing.
EMBRACING
EMOTIONAL HEALING
Beyond the physical aspects, the journey of healing also involves emotional resilience and self-compassion. For many individuals, undergoing cosmetic tattooing for nipple reconstruction is a deeply personal and empowering experience. It’s essential to acknowledge and honor the emotional journey, allowing
oneself to feel a range of emotions from gratitude and joy to vulnerability and sensitivity.
COPING STRATEGIES:
Seek support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family or fellow survivors who can offer empathy, understanding and encouragement.
Express yourself: Journaling, art therapy, or engaging in creative activities can provide an outlet for processing emotions and expressing oneself authentically.
Practice self-compassion: Be gentle with yourself during this vulnerable time. Practice self-care rituals that nourish your mind, body and spirit, whether it’s meditation, gentle yoga or spending time in nature.
Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate milestones in your healing journey, whether it’s the completion of the tattooing process or small victories along the way. Stay connected: Stay connected with your cosmetic tattoo artist for follow-up appointments and ongoing support throughout the healing process. They can offer guidance, reassurance and touch-ups as needed.
THE BEAUTY OF RESILIENCE
As the body heals and the cosmetic tattooed nipples settle into final appearance, there’s a profound beauty in the resilience of the human spirit. Each scar, each imperfection, tells a story of survival and strength — a testament to the journey of transformation and renewal. By embracing the process of healing with compassion, patience and self-love, individuals can emerge from their cosmetic tattooed-nipple journey with a newfound sense of confidence, wholeness and beauty.
Healing during the post-cosmetic tattooed nipple phase is a multifaceted journey that encompasses physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions. By nurturing the body with gentle care, embracing emotional healing with compassion and self-expression, and celebrating the beauty of resilience, individuals can navigate this transformative process with grace and empowerment. Ultimately, the journey of healing is not just about restoring what was lost but also about discovering newfound strength, self-acceptance and beauty in the journey itself.
Kait James is the owner of Lux in the Village of WestClay in Carmel. She is a licensed esthetician, as well as an Indiana University graduate with a degree in psychology and a Kelley School graduate with an MBA in business health care management. For more information, email her at luxurydebeaute@gmail.com.
James
Leah Hempfling, a three-time cancer survivor and a phone triage nurse for Riley Children’s Health Neurology in Carmel, said she won’t go down without a fight.
(Photo courtesy of Emma Packard)
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Supporting your senses during chemo: an Ayurvedic path
Commentary by Rachel Greenberg
SOUND: RESTORING HARMONY
While chemotherapy is one of modern medicine’s greatest gifts, it also places deep demands on the body. It calls for strength, resilience and patience while testing the spirit in equal measure. Yet, the human body is not fragile; it holds a profound intelligence with the capacity to heal and regenerate. As recipients of chemotherapy, our central priority is stress reduction through lifestyle choices that support the body’s natural healing intelligence.
Ayurveda, the ancient science of balance from India, offers gentle practices that complement medical treatment. By being intentional about what we eat, see, hear, touch and smell, we can invite steadiness, comfort and joy into daily life. These shifts become a way to reclaim agency, nurture body and spirit, and move with greater ease through the challenges of cancer treatment.
TASTE: FOOD AS MEDICINE
What we eat directly affects energy, digestion and comfort. During chemo, appetite may shift, but gentle nourishment can make a difference.
• Favor: Warm, cooked meals such as soups, stews and porridge; root vegetables; mild spices like ginger, turmeric and cinnamon; and soothing teas such as chamomile or licorice.
• Reduce: Cold or raw foods, heavily processed meals, fried or spicy dishes, alcohol and excess caffeine.
SIGHT: CREATING CALM
The eyes influence mood and stress levels more than we realize. Surroundings that feel chaotic can heighten anxiety.
• Favor: Natural light, soft colors (such as green and blue), simple and uncluttered spaces, flowers, or time spent looking at trees, sky or water.
Sound directly impacts the nervous system. Gentle choices help regulate mood and energy.
• Favor: Calming music, such as acoustic or soft instrumental; nature sounds; short periods of quiet and gentle, guided meditations.
• Reduce: Constant exposure to screens, harsh lighting, clutter and distressing media.
• Reduce: Loud television, aggressive or fast-tempo music, constant background noise and overstimulation from multitasking.
TOUCH: COMFORT AND GROUNDING
The skin is a gateway for soothing the body. Gentle touch can ease tension and promote rest.
• Favor: Soft clothing, warm baths, weighted blankets, or light self-massage and extra hugs from loved ones.
• Reduce: Synthetic fabrics that irritate the skin, harshly cold environments, or overstimulation from rough textures.
SMELL: HEALING AROMAS
Scent connects directly to memory and emotion, offering quick relief from stress or discomfort.
• Favor: Lavender, rose, sandalwood, or peppermint essential oils; the aroma of warm herbal teas; fresh flowers; or clean, natural air.
• Reduce: Strong chemical cleaners, synthetic fragrances, cigarette smoke and overpowering scents that may worsen nausea.
A GENTLE REMINDER
Ayurveda does not replace medical treatment, but it does offer supportive tools. By favoring sensory experiences that nourish and reducing those that overwhelm, you can create more ease during chemotherapy and give your body and spirit steady ground to heal.
Rachel Greenberg is an Ayurvedic health counselor. For more information, you may email her at bookofrach@gmail.com.
Greenberg
DISPATCHES
500 Festival appoints new board members, officers — The 500 Festival announced its elected officers for its 2025-26 500 Festival Board of Directors, which includes six new members. New officers also were named to the board. New officers are board chair Christina Moungey, vice chair Roger Harvey, secretary Bali Heir, treasurer Jeff Harrison and immediate past chair Jim Callaghan. New board members are Laurie Henry-Bradley of McDonald’s; Greg Goelzer of Goelzer Investment Management; Angela Smith Jones of Indiana University; Tadd Miller of Milhaus; Doug Talley of the National Bank of Indianapolis; and Karen Woods of First Financial Bank. For more, visit 500festival.com.
Employment — Noblesville Creates is looking to hire an experienced deputy director of operations to assist in the leadership and management of its programs and services. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Noblesville Creates Executive Director Aili McGill by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 3. Learn more about the position at noblesvillecreates.org/stories/ seeking-a-deputy-director-of-operations.
Humane Society for Hamilton County hires new VP/COO — The Humane Society for Hamilton County has hired Terry Massey as its first-ever vice president and chief operating officer. In this role, Massey will oversee HSHC’s shelter programs, human resources, daily operations, IT services and software development/ integration projects. Massey has 17 years of experience in project management and most recently was senior director of human resources for The Heritage Group.
Trunk-or-Treat — The Noblesville High School Theatre program will hold a free Trunk-or-Treat from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Noblesville High School, 18111 Cumberland Rd. In addition to free candy, kids can enjoy games, stories and concessions. Any parents or Noblesville businesses who would like to provide a trunk can email Mrs. Nieten at susan_nieten@nobl.k12.in.us.
Hamilton County Community Foundation receives $100,000 grant — The Hamilton County Community Foundation has received a $100,000 grant as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow community foundation initiative. The grant can be used for any charitable purposes the community foundation chooses.
Nonprofit holds 50/50 raffle
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
The Noblesville Band Boosters’ 50/50 Raffle is underway, and the public can still participate.
FUNDRAISER
The Noblesville Band Boosters is a nonprofit that supports. Noblesville High School band programs. The organization works to reduce the burden on families and make the experience accessible for more students.
The drawing for the winner is at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 via Facebook live. The winner receives half of the total amount of money raised, and the other half is donated to the band programs.
Last year, the total pot was $58,760.
Ferens said the fundraiser has helped make scholarships and financial assistance requests happen for families that would not be able to participate in the band programs otherwise.
“This is our biggest fundraiser,” Ferens said. “The money also goes to providing staffing for all of our band programs and supports kids who need uniforms and costumes. The huge progress and success that all of our programs have had has been
a direct result of the increased financial support coming in through the raffle.”
Janelle Heald, also a co-chair, said community involvement makes it possible.
“It’s neat to see repeat people who didn’t win previously but want to support the programs and try again,” Heald said. “The community backing has been really great.”
To purchase raffle tickets, visit noblesvilleband.org/raffle. Tickets also will be sold at the NHS football stadium Oct. 2 from 8 to 9 p.m. and Noblesville Farmers Market Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Boom names new president
news@currentnoblesville.com
The Noblesville Boom, the NBA G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, announced Sept. 22 that Ryan Grant has been hired president of business operations.
According to the announcement, Grant spent six years as president of business operations for the Iowa Wolves, the NBA G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
ations, including ticketing, marketing, partnerships, community outreach and fan experience.
Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said Grant’s experience across multiple levels of professional sports makes him an ideal leader for the Noblesville Boom.
“During his six-year tenure, Grant led the organization through record-setting growth in attendance, fan engagement and revenue,” stated Erin Wittern, vice president of earned media and corporate communications for Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “Under his leadership, the Wolves earned the 2022-23 President’s Choice Award, recognizing excellence in business performance, and Grant was named the league’s Executive of the Year.”
In his new role, Grant will oversee all aspects of the team’s business oper-
“As part of our player development pipeline and a key piece of the Pacers’ basketball ecosystem, the Boom plays an important role in our long-term vision,” Raines stated. “Ryan understands what it takes to grow a team, build a brand and connect with a community, which will be essential as we grow our presence in Noblesville.”
Grant said his focus with the Boom will be on growing the team’s local presence and ensuring it becomes a key part of the Noblesville and greater Hamilton County community.
“Our goal is to build a team and experience that fans are proud of both on the court and in the community,” Grant stated. For more, visit NoblesvilleBoom.com.
The Noblesville Band Boosters annually sell 50/50 raffle tickets at several community events. (Photo courtesy of Megan Ferens)
Gant
NOBLESVILLE OCTOBER EVENTS
POTTER’S BRIDGE FESTIVAL
Hamilton County Parks will present the 25th annual Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 in Noblesville, 19401 Allisonville Rd. There will be more than 120 arts and crafts vendors and several food vendors. The free festival also features a kids zone with inflatables and balloon artists, live music and stilt walkers, among other activities. For more, contact hamilton. parks@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
TRIVIA
The Noblesville Boys & Girls Club will present a trivia night fundraiser beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Noblesville Moose Lodge, 950 Field Dr. The trivia competition, for adults 21 and over, begins at 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. To register, visit bgcni.org/index.php/ trick-or-trivia.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The Noblesville Fire Department Auxiliary, which supports the NFD through events and fundraisers, will host a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Noblesville Public Safety Building, 135 S. 9th St. Attendees can check out the fire trucks, meet the firefighters and participate in interactive activities. The event is $5 per person. Children six and under are free.
HAUNTED HAMILTON COUNTY
Teens and adults are invited to join the Hamilton East Public Library for an evening with officials from unseenpress.com to hear about haunted happenings in Hamilton County from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. Nicole and Michael Kobrowski of unseenpress.com will lead attendees through some of the most haunted locations they have investigated in Indiana and beyond. Nicole and Michael will share their stories, experiences and the tools they use to detect paranormal activity, including spirit photography, electronic voice phenomena and automatic writing. Register at hepl.libnet.info/ event/13872487.
TAROT & POTTERY PAINTING NIGHT
Kiln Creations at 60 N. 9th St. in Noblesville will host an evening of pottery painting and tarot reading from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17. Attendees can choose a piece of pottery to paint with celestial designs or card symbols and receive a mini tarot reading during the evening. Tickets are $10 and pottery will be priced separately the night of. Pottery will be glazed, fired and ready for pickup in about a week. For more, visit app.getoccasion.com/p/n/ns9wJc69/v5.
TUMBLING IN
Noblesville selected as site for USA Gymnastics Training & Wellness Center
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Phase 1 of Innovation Mile, is expected to have a $1 billion economic impact for the City of Noblesville over the next 30 years — a financial boom bolstered by the addition of USA Gymnastics, which will break ground on a training and wellness center at the 600-acre hub in 2026.
The Innovation Mile development near I-69 is focused on sports, business and technology.
“Based on data alone, USA Gymnastics will drive about 22,000 room nights a year in Hamilton County, which is a big deal for our hospitality industry,” Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen said. “That’s not just Noblesville, that’s all of central Indiana. The revenues that we’re seeing show that this is a great investment for our state and our region.”
The facility, a $115 million investment, is set to open in 2028. It will host USA Gymnastics National Team camps, educational workshops, community outreach events and competitions throughout the year in all disciplines, including artistic, rhythmic, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic, parkour and gymnastics.
“It will be a welcoming place for young gymnasts who can come and see their role models training,” USAG President and CEO Li Li Leung said. “It will be a gathering point and educational basis for the local community as well.”
Jaycie Phelps, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist and USA Gymnastics Hall of Famer who owns and operates the Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center in Greenfield, said the facility offers a wealth of opportunities for young athletes in the area.
“When you’re spending 35 to 40 hours a week dedicated to your sport, what you want is knowing that you can eat the things that fuel you and be able to spend that amount of time doing what you love doing,” Phelps said. “Where we’re at today, elite sports in general but also gymnastics, I would say is probably 80 percent mental when you get to this stage. To know the athletes are going to have the tools and the resources to get themselves in the
right spot to be able to handle the challenges is amazing.”
Located 20 miles north of USA Gymnastics’ current headquarters in downtown Indianapolis, the organization has launched a fundraising campaign to support the construction and operation of the facility. Leung said the total amount required has not been determined.
“We will go out and work with founda-
tions in the area as well as individuals to create the capital that we need,” Leung said. “We’re still working out the details because it will depend on exact specifications, but that stuff will come over time.”
Leung said finding a site for the facility has taken many years, and more than a dozen cities submitted proposals.
“Staying in Indiana was never a guarantee, as we wanted to make sure that we
ABOUT USA GYMNASTICS
USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, overseeing acrobatic, artistic, gymnastics for all, parkour, rhythmic and trampoline and tumbling.
Alex Renkert, chair of the USA Gymnastics Athletes’ Council, said having the new facility in Noblesville will provide a home for the gymnastics community that can serve every discipline of the sport.
“It’s somewhere that each and every athlete can train, connect and thrive,” Renkert, an American trampoline gymnast, said. “As a proud Indianapolis native who started my gymnastics career only a few miles down the road, I really got the sense and reputation that central Indiana built for itself, which was being an amateur sports capital. To now see a training center for the sport of gymnastics come to a place like Noblesville, it’s not just a full circle moment for me, but it’s truly a powerful continuation of that legacy of the greater Indianapolis area.”
The USAG headquarters, currently at 1099 N. Meridian St. in Indianapolis, will move to the Noblesville facility when it is complete.
did the due diligence to select the best site for our future home,” Leung said. “Noblesville came out on top fair and square.”
Jensen said Noblesville was one of three finalists for the facility this summer alongside Frisco, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colo. When he got the news that Noblesville was selected, he said it was overwhelming.
“It’s my hometown,” Jensen said. “To go from having the Pacers have their G League team here and now to have USA Olympians right here in Noblesville, it’s slightly overwhelming to me.”
Leung said there is potential for Olympic trials to be held in Indianapolis in the future and hopes athletes can begin training in the facility prior to the 2028 Olympics.
“If we can land this organization in Noblesville, we can do anything here, and I think we’re just getting started,” Jensen said.
Further details and specifications about the project will be determined pending the completion of the fundraising campaign. For more, visit usagym.org.
ON THE COVER: Rendering of the proposed USA Gymnastics Training & Wellness Center. (Rendering courtesy of USA Gymnastics)
From left, Alex Renkert, chair of the USA Gymnastics Athletes’ Council, USA Gymnastics President and CEO Li Li Leung, 1996 Olympic gold medalist Jaycie Phelps and Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen at the Sept. 23 annoucement. (Photo by Jessica Todd)
Fall market set for Oct. 4
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Handmade Vintage Markets, which holds events featuring local small businesses, will present its fall market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St.
RETAIL
The market will feature more than 70 local vendors. Admission is $5. The first 100 shoppers get a free tote bag.
Handmade Vintage Markets started in 2013. It holds a fall and winter market each year. Courtney James, a Cicero resident, said she started the marketplace to connect with other small businesses. She runs Handmade Vintage Markets full-time.
“When I started hosting these markets at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, we started in the smallest building,” James said. “We’ve now worked our way up to hold it in the largest building.”
James said markets showcase what small businesses in the community offer. Fall market participants include HadBro Co, Mar-Lo’s Handmade, AbFlo Creative and Sprinkle Joy Bakes.
“We have all types of vendors selling things from home goods to food items like cookies and breads,” James said. “I try to reach out to more small businesses each year. My biggest thing is I want people to feel inspired when they come to a market.”
Her primary goal is growing market attendance.
“Since COVID, we’ve been trying to rebuild our attendance, and each market since then has gotten better,” James said. “We are hoping for more than 1,000 shoppers this year.”
Free coffee roasted by Dark Side Roasters in Cicero will be served throughout the day.
For more, visit handmadevintagemarkets.com.
Riverview gala raises funds
news@currentnoblesville.com
Riverview Health Foundation hosted its annual Gratitude Gala, a black-tie event, Sept. 12 to raise funds to support patients at Riverview Health.
WELLNESS
With the help of more than 300 attendees and several sponsors, including the event’s community presenting sponsor, Parkview Health, the event raised more than $350,000.
Riverview Health Vice President of Foundation and Community Affairs Megan Wiles said the gala allowed the foundation to recognize individuals who have had a significant impact on Riverview Health.
“This year, while highlighting Riverview Health’s values of compassion, belonging and excellence, the foundation shared stories of Tom and Soni Sheehan, Jill Fleenor and Dr. Shelly Friedman, who during their lives made a tremendous impact on Riverview Health,” Wiles stated.
Funds from the event will support the continued renovation of the Mindrebo Family Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit and the Help for Healing Fund, which provides
assistance to Riverview Health patients who are facing severe financial hardship due to their medical condition.
“The community’s continued support of Riverview Health Foundation is an investment in our shared future,” stated Dave Hyatt, president and CEO of Riverview Health.
“With the support of individuals, families and businesses, Riverview Health is able to invest in the resources and infrastructure necessary to meet our community’s evolving health care needs.”
Attendees enjoy a previous fall market. (Photo courtesy of Courtney James)
From left, Dave Hyatt, president and CEO of Riverview Health, and Riverview Health Vice President of Foundation and Community Affairs
Megan Wiles speak at the Gratitude Gala Sept. 12. (Photo courtesy of Riverview Health)
Blueprint for Improvement: From closed off to contemporary
Commentary by Larry Greene
This Carmel kitchen, only steps away from the Monon Trail, underwent a remarkable transformation, opening the floor plan and introducing modern finishes for function and style.
THE BLUEPRINT
• Transformed a dark, closed-off kitchen into a bright, open space by removing walls and reimagining the layout.
• Installed a massive island with seating, storage and prep space, now the centerpiece for both cooking and entertaining.
• Upgraded to professional-grade appliances, including a striking ZLINE range that combines style and performance.
• Kept the original hardwood floors and gave them new life with a fresh stain.
• Added quartz countertops and a vertical lay tile backsplash for modern elegance.
• Finished with statement pendant lighting to define the space.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
Before
After
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
2025 Show Dates
A deep dive into the season’s artistic offerings
JAZZ BAND BRINGS ORIGINAL SOUND
Squirrel Nut Zippers to perform ‘lively’ show at Payne & Mencias Palladium
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Squirrel Nut Zippers features a combination of jazz and swing music with roots from a bygone era.
“It’s the showmanship of an early show biz or vaudeville show as well,” said James “Jimbo” Mathus, a founding member. “We’re known for writing, composing our own numbers. It’s not a historical recreation. It’s all original material, varying influences but between the 1930s, ’40s era of swing jazz, hot jazz, Harlem jazz, gypsy jazz and all the early weird American music. I channel all that together. If you heard it, you might think the songs are old songs. Well, they are now.”
Mathus co-found the band in 1993 while living in North Carolina. He is the only founding member remaining.
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. It’s the band’s first appearance at the venue.
“We do a lot of historical theaters,” Mathus said. “Our main venues are auditoriums or theaters or performing arts centers. We’re just basically a jazz band at heart, so we’re easy to mix (acoustically). We try to pick the venues that best suit the people that want to come and see us. They are not necessarily diehard jazz fans. Some of these people have been listening to us for 25 years and have children that have grown up listening to us. We like it a little lively and a little rowdy. A proper jazz band should have an element of danger, in my opinion.”
The name “nut zipper” is derived from a Prohibition-era drink of bootleg moonshine. The band came up with the name from a
newspaper headline of an intoxicated man climbing a tree. The music style has roots in the Back O’ Town neighborhood in New Orleans. Most of the band lives in New Orleans, but Mathus lives in Mississippi.
Mathus said they have done a few cover albums.
“But most of the songs we’re known for are our own compositions,” he said. “I think that’s what sets us apart. We have the musicianship and the skill of a proper nine-piece jazz band.”
Most of the songs contain vocals, Mathus said.
“We’re known for our lyrics and our kind of subversive humor and stuff like that,” he said. “We’ve always done a few instrumentals, but they are mostly vocal numbers.”
Mathus, who is often the emcee, said he shares the microphone with four other singers.
“We like to keep it moving,” he said. “There is so much talent on stage, I love to share the spotlight.”
Mathus said the band packs a lot into its 90-minute show, including all the fan favorites.
The band’s most recent album, “Lost Songs of Doc Souchon,” was released in 2020. The band has sold more than 3 million albums.
Mathus said the band isn’t working on a new album at this time
“We’re just busy going around making concerts and letting the people have a good time,” Mathus said.
The band plays 40 to 50 shows a year.
“We don’t want to wear out the excitement,” he said. “When we do get together, it’s a little run once a month or every couple of months. I want it to be exciting. If we’re not excited, then I’m not doing my job. It keeps you fresh. I’m 58 years old now, so I can’t do it night after night. Plus, I don’t think that’s what this band needs.”
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org and snzippers.com.
EVENTS CALENDAR
CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! WE WILL CHOIR YOU! AN EPIC QUEEN SING-ALONG
Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
SOMETHING ROTTEN
Oct. 3 - Oct. 18
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit civictheatre.org for more.
RICK BRAUN & MINDI ABAIR
Oct. 4 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
PHIL WICKHAM- AIR1 WORSHIP NOW TOUR
Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
At the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com for more.
IL DIVO BY CANDLELIGHT
Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
TOOTSIE
Oct. 16 - Nov. 23
At the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, visit beefandboards.com for more.
Squirrel Nut Zippers will perform at the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Allied Solutions Center)
Daniel Wilke, left, and Jacob Schilling perform as brothers in Civic Theatre’s production of “Something Rotten.” (Photo courtesy of Joshua Hasty)
DAVID
CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! WE WILL CHOIR
YOU! AN EPIC QUEEN SING-ALONG
THU, OCT 2 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
RICK BRAUN & MINDI ABAIR
SAT, OCT 4 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
IL DIVO BY CANDLELIGHT
THU, OCT 9 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AIDA CUEVAS:
50 YEARS SINGING TO MEXICO
FRI, OCT 10 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MATTHEW MORRISON:
RHYTHMS & REVELATIONS
FRI, OCT 17 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN EVENING WITH TOMMY EMMANUEL, CGP
SAT, OCT 18 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
SUN, OCT 19 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS: JAZZ FROM THE BACK O’ TOWN FRI, OCT 24 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JESSE COOK: LIVE IN CONCERT SUN, OCT 26 AT 7PM | THE TARKINGTON
BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY
SAT, NOV 1 AT 8PM & SUN, NOV 2 AT 2PM PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
HEATHER LAND LIVE
SAT, NOV 1 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
LISA LOEB & JOAN OSBORNE FRI, NOV 7 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
TITO PUENTE JR. AND HIS LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE SAT, NOV 8 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
THE VOICE OF WHITNEY: A SYMPHONIC CELEBRATION
SAT, NOV 8 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BRANDON WOODY’S UPENDO SUN, NOV 9 AT 7PM | THE TARKINGTON
SAMARA JOY
FRI, NOV 14 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PEABO BRYSON
FRI, NOV 21 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
WISH YOU WERE HERE: THE SIGHT AND SOUND OF PINK FLOYD
SAT, NOV 22 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
LES ARTS FLORISSANTS
VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS AT 300 SUN, NOV 23 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
TUE, DEC 2 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SONGBOOK FOUNDATION HOLIDAY SCREENING THU, DEC 4 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JON MCLAUGHLIN & FRIENDS
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS FRI, DEC 5 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND CREOLE CHRISTMAS MON, DEC 8 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SAMANTHA FISH, CEDRIC BURNSIDE, AND JON SPENCER: SHAKE ‘EM ON DOWN TOUR
WED, DEC 10 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS FRI, DEC 12 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
SEASON SPONSOR
CHRIS ISAAK SAT, DEC 13 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
LET’S SING TAYLOR:
AN UNOFFICIAL LIVE TRIBUTE SHOW SAT JAN 17 AT 2PM & 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
NEKO CASE: NEON GREY MIDNIGHT GREEN TOUR THU, JAN 22 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MAC MCANALLY
FRI JAN 23 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA WITH RAY CHEN
FRI, JAN 30 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
CECE TENEAL’S DIVAS OF SOUL SAT, JAN 31 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
WAYNE NEWTON: UP CLOSE & PERSONAL SAT, FEB 14 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO LA NUEVA GENERACIÓN TOUR FRI, FEB 20 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
GREAT AMERICAN CROONERS: A JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS PRODUCTION WED, FEB 25 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PEKING ACROBATS
THU, FEB 26 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE SUN, MAR 1 AT 3PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
CHRIS BOTTI
FRI, MAR 6 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JEROME COLLINS: REWIND A JOURNEY TO MOTOWN AND BEYOND SAT, MAR 7 AT 8PM | THE TARKINGTON
ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA & MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN SAT, MAR 7 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
GOITSE SUN, MAR 8 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JOSHUA HENRY: GET UP STAND UP FRI, MAR 13 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
GREGORIAN: PURE CHANTS WORLD TOUR FEATURING SONGS OF ENIGMA SAT, MAR 14 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
STEP AFRIKA! THE EVOLUTION TOUR SUN, MAR 15 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ONE NIGHT IN MEMPHIS: THE NUMBER ONE TRIBUTE TO PRESLEY, PERKINS, LEWIS AND CASH THU, MAR 19 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET FRI, MAR 20 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
DIRECT FROM ROME: THE THREE ITALIAN TENORS SUN, MAR 29 AT 7PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
ILLUSIONIST RICK THOMAS SAT, APR 4 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
MANDY PATINKIN IN CONCERT: BEING ALIVE THU, APR 9 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
CHRIS THILE FRI, APR 10 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN FRI, APR 17 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
JOSHUA BELL THU, APR 23 AT 7:30PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE SAT, MAY 2 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
AN EVENING WITH JAKE SHIMABUKURO FRI, MAY 8 AT 8PM | PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM
PEABO BRYSON
SAMARA JOY JAKE SHIMABUKURO AIDA CUEVAS
BRANFORD MARSALIS
FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
HAMILTON COUNTY RISE FEST RETURNS
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County RISE Fest, a free music festival where 100 percent of proceeds and donations benefit selected Hamilton County nonprofits, returns to Spencer Farm Winery in Noblesville from noon to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 18.
This year’s event will feature nine bands on two stages:
• Noon: Kam ‘n Jett’s Jammin’ Duet
• 1 p.m.: The Founders
• 2 p.m.: Traci and Jimmy Friends Band
• 3 p.m.: Curt Cannabis & The Highflyers
• 4 p.m.: Broken Reins
• 5 p.m.: Days of My Youth
• 6 p.m.: Rhino Down
• 7:15 p.m.: Naptown Hepcats
• 8:30 p.m.: The Amanda McClaran Experience
Proceeds will benefit Chairs of Honor (Westfield); Children’s Theraplay (Carmel); The Cooper House (Noblesville); and Hamilton County Veterans Corp. (Fishers). Hamilton County RISE Fest Executive Director Andy Binford said this is the fifth year of the event.
“Back in late 2020, during COVID, a lot
of local musicians and bands weren’t able to perform,” Binford said. “We wanted to do an event with lots of bands and stream it and take donations for Hamilton County nonprofits. It took a little bit to get the event organized, and by the time we got it put together it was May of 2021. Things were opening up. So, we picked September of 2021 to do the first event in person.”
Binford said the event continues to grow, with 1,000 people attending last year compared to 500 in the first year.
“Our goal is to be family friendly and dog friendly,” Binford said. “Even though it’s a winery, we promote that it’s for all ages. We have a food truck in addition to wine that the winery sells, and Bier Brewery will have beer. We don’t expect anybody to have to spend $1. They can just come out, bring a blanket and enjoy as much or as little music as they want.”
There also will be a silent auction, with items such as signed sports memorabilia.
“Our big item this year is a custom-made electric guitar that’s called a Stratocaster,” Binford said. “It’s going to be signed by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp.”
For more, visit risefest.net.
Pedcor to support CSO concert
The Carmel Symphony Orchestra announced the support of Pedcor Companies for CSO’s Nordic Nights concert taking place at 7 p.m. March 21, 2026. at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. The symphony will be under the guidance of guest conductor Kelly Kuo. “We have been long-time supporters of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra because we value the cultural opportunities the CSO provides through its classical orchestral music concerts,” stated Bruce Cordingley, president and CEO of Pedcor Companies “The importance of exposure to inspiring masterworks for all ages cannot be understated. Pedcor Companies believe in supporting the arts to continue to make Carmel a place where people can thrive,”.
Attendees enjoy a previous RISE Fest. (Photo courtesy of RISE Fest )
IWS CONCERT OFFERS VARIETY
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Indiana Wind Symphony’s 2025-26 opening concert will include an early John Williams composition, a patriotic march and an appreciation of October weather.
“Our Beautiful World” is set at 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
The concert opens with Leslie Gilreath’s “Fanfare for a Bright New World.”
IWS Music Director Jay Gephart said the composition was written to honor Sue Samuels, Furman University’s director of bands. Gilreath is a high school band director in Summerville, S.C.
“It’s not like some of the traditional flute pieces you would hear. The audience will recognize the style of the composition and I think they will really appreciate Carl’s interpretation of the piece.”
That will be followed by John Philip Sousa’s patriotic march, “From Maine to Oregon,” and Eric Whitacre’s “October.”
“We’re so impressed by his writing that I reached out to Leslie and commissioned him to write a piece for the Indiana Band Masters Association in honor of its 75th anniversary in 2028,” Gephart said. “His writing is really very compelling and I think the audience will really love his piece a lot.”
The concert follows with film composer John Williams’ music from “The Sugarland Express,” his first of many collaborations with director Steven Spielberg. IWS principal flutist Carl Butler is the soloist on the piece.
“It’s a very sultry and sensual flute solo,” Gephart said.
“The piece is meant to depict the different kinds of experiences during the month of October, the leaves changing and falling, the cooler temperatures and the rushing of the wind,” Gephart said.
The final two pieces before intermission are Andrew David Perkins’ “Tuebor Suite” and Harry Alford’s “The World is Waiting for the Sunrise,” which features IWS principal euphonium player Todd McCready.
The second part of the performance features “Symphony No. 5, Elements” by Julie Giroux. The three-movement symphony includes the elements of sun, rain and wind.
The IWS’s chamber orchestra will perform an hourlong concert, “Serenade,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center.
Nicole Keller was recently hired as IWS’ executive director. She brings volunteer and professional administrative experience in nonprofits, arts and mission-driven organizations to the position.
EVENTS CALENDAR
AIDA CUEVAS: 50 YEARS SINGING TO MEXICO
Oct. 10 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
CROWDER, PASSION MUSIC, LOUIE GIGLIO, KARI JOBE
CARNES & CODY CARNES
Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
At the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com for more.
MATTHEW MORRISON: RHYTHMS & REVELATIONS
Oct. 17 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
AN EVENING WITH TOMMY EMMANUEL, CGP
Oct. 18 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS: JAZZ FROM THE BACK O’ TOWN
Oct. 24 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis 25/26 Laureate SerieS
Rosamunde QuaRtet
Tuesday, October 21 | 7:30 PM
Indiana Landmarks Center
In this collaboration with Ensemble Music, the all-star members of the Rosamunde Quartet feature a recital of Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Pulitzer Prize winning composer George Walker.
dances & Romances!
Tuesday, January 27 | 7:30 PM
Indiana History Center
As the first Gold Medalist in IVCI history, Mihaela Martin holds a special place in the organization’s legacy. She joins pianist Chih-Yi Chen in a recital inspired by rhythmic folk traditions and passions.
2022 Gold medalist siRena HuanG
Thursday, February 19 | 7:30 PM
Indiana Landmarks Center
2022 Gold Medalist Sirena Huang and 2017 APA Winner Drew Petersen unite for a thrilling recital in this collaboration with the American Piano Awards.
2018 lauReate sHannon lee
Tuesday, March 24 | 7:30 PM
Indiana History Center
In her highly anticipated Indianapolis recital debut, 2018 Laureate Shannon Lee pairs with acclaimed pianist/composer Arseniy Gusev in a captivating 20th-century program.
an eveninG witH tessa laRk, cHaRles YanG & PeteR duGan
Tuesday, April 14 | 7:30 PM | The Cabaret
Join 2014 Silver Medalist Tessa Lark, violinist Charles Yang (Time for Three) and pianist Peter Dugan (From The Top) at The Cabaret in an evening of classical, jazz and pop fusion. (Note: Reserve early - this concert will sell out!)
Butler
ROUNDABOUT IMPROV SHOWS SET
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Zach Kreinbrink has enjoyed improv comedy since he was a teenager living near Chicago in the mid-1990s.
“But I had severe stage fright and didn’t take my first improv class until 2015 when I was living in San Diego,” he said. “I was hooked immediately. In the ensuing five years, I went through training programs at Finest City Improv in San Diego and UCB Theatre in Los Angeles, while also performing multiple times per week on various teams. I started teaching and coaching soon thereafter and have never looked back.”
viduals and companies interested in improving their confidence and collaborative skills.
“We’ve also hosted several one-off shows featuring local improvisers since then, but Almost Fest feels like a true grand opening,” he said. “It’s less a performance team and more of an initiative I started to share the joy and benefits of improv with Hamilton County (residents) and beyond. Almost Fest is designed to bring the many talented improvisers scattered across central Indiana together to perform with each other in formats and shows they may not get a chance to do on a regular basis.”
Kreinbrink said there are improv shows all over the Indianapolis area, but nothing consistently held in Hamilton County.
A Carmel resident since 2020, Kreinbrink, 42, started a group called Roundabout Improv in January 2023. The organization will present Almost Fest at 7 p.m. Oct. 3-4 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel.
Kreinbrink, a data analyst for a spinal surgical company, said he started Roundabout Improv primarily to offer workshops for indi-
“It’s rare everyone gets together on the same stage over the course of the same weekend,” he said. “It’s a chance for them to get together to collaborate.”
Kreinbrink said more than two dozen experienced improvisers from central Indiana will be on stage during Almost Fest. For more, visit thecat.biz.
Kreinbrink
EVENTS CALENDAR
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
ROSAMUNDE QUARTET
Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
At The Indiana Landmarks Center, visit violin. org for more.
A MODERN GOTHIC VAMPIRE BALLET
Oct. 24-25
At The Tarkington, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org for more.
JESSE COOK: LIVE IN CONCERT
Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY
Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
HEATHER LAND LIVE
Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
SEAN CHEN & ESCHER STRING QUARTET
Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Indiana Landmarks Center, visit pianoawards.org for more.
LISA LOEB & JOAN OSBORNE
Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
TITO PUENTE JR. AND HIS LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
THE VOICE OF WHITNEY: A SYMPHONIC CELEBRATION
Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
WITH HEARTS OF GRATITUDE
Nov. 9 at 4 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium, visit indianawindsymphony.org for more
BRANDON WOODY’S UPENDO
Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
At The Tarkington in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
SAMARA JOY
Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
JOHN LEGEND: GET LIFTED - 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com for more.
PEABO BRYSON
Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
WISH YOU WERE HERE: THE SIGHT AND SOUND OF PINK FLOYD
Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
LES ARTS FLORISSANTS VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS AT 300
Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
A BEEF & BOARDS CHRISTMAS 2025
Nov. 28 - Dec. 31
At the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, visit beefandboards.com for more.
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.org for more.
GREGORY HANCOCK DANCE THEATRE WINTERFEST
Dec. 4 - Dec. 14
At The Florence in Carmel, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org for more.
SONGBOOK FOUNDATION HOLIDAY SCREENING
Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.
At the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel, visit thecenterpresents.com for more.
AMY GRANT, CECE WINANS, & MICHAEL W SMITH: CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.
At the Fishers Event Center, visit fisherseventcenter.com for more.
CENTER CELEBRATION GALA RAISES MORE THAN $700,000
editorial@youarecurrent.com
Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts raised more than $708,000 Sept. 20 to support its arts and educational programming – a new record for the nonprofit organization’s annual gala.
The Center Celebration 2025 presented by Ice Miller began with cocktails and a musical welcome from Artistic Director Michael Feinstein as nearly 400 guests were seated for dinner in the Payne & Mencias Palladium concert hall. The live auction featured nine prize packages including luxury getaways and sports experiences.
A video on activities at Allied Solutions Center highlighted students from the Prism Project, a performing arts day camp for youth with disabilities, as well as Carmel retirees Pat and Rafik Bishara, who attend performances frequently as part of a regimen to slow the progression of Pat’s Alzheimer’s disease. Asked to stand and be recognized at the event, the Bisharas were applauded by all in attendance.
Headliner Richard Marx’s set included audience sing-alongs of his 1980s hits along with tunes he wrote for other artists and even a touch of the Great American Songbook.
Proceeds from the auction, table reservations, sponsorships and direct donations will support the Center’s arts and educational programming, which includes main stage performances by national and international artists, children’s concerts and camps, vocal and instrumental music classes, speaker presentations and reading clubs.
“I have attended every annual gala in the 15-year history of Allied Solutions Center, and it’s always inspiring to see the community come together to support our mission,” President/CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott stated. “This event was a success not just because our guests
donated to us so generously, but also because we were able to shine a spotlight on the many educational offerings provided to our community at little or no cost due to that generosity.”
This year’s Gala Steering Committee was co-chaired by Carmel residents Michael and Caroline Garvey, in their second year, and David and Annette Greene, who will lead next year’s planning. Besides Ice Miller, sponsors included First Merchants Bank; Jet Access; JLBS Construction; Studio M Architecture and Planning; Shiel Sexton; Current Publishing; Jaguar Indianapolis/Land Rover Indianapolis/Tom Wood Volvo Cars; Will and Yasmin Stump; Open Gate Design & Travis at LM Homes; Anheuser-Busch; E&J Gallo Winery; St. Elmo Cocktails; and Oberer’s Flowers. The Center Celebration 2026 presented by Ice Miller is set for Sept. 19 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium. Table reservations are available at this year’s price levels through Oct. 22. More information is available at thecenterpresents.org/gala.
Coral Reefer Band’s McAnally to return to Carmel
Following a sold-out show in January, singer-songwriter Mac McAnally will return Jan. 23, 2026, to the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. A longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, McAnally has written dozens of hits for artists including Alabama, Kenny Chesney and Sawyer Brown and has recorded with such names as Toby Keith, Linda Ronstadt, George Strait and Dolly Parton. He has won the Country Music Association’s Musician of the Year title a record-setting 10 times and has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. His solo recording career began with the Top 40 single “It’s a Crazy World” and has grown to 14 album releases. The 8 p.m. performance is part of the Center Presents Season sponsored by Allied Solutions and the Printing Partners Encore Series. Tickets are now on sale at thecenterpresents.org.
Richard Marx was the headliner for Center Celebration in the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.
(Photo by Sara C Imagery)
BLUES TRAVELER, GIN BLOSSOMS EVENT SUPPORTS HSE SCHOOLS
editorial@youarecurrent.com
Two hitmakers from the 1990s are teaming up for a night of hits when Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms perform live Feb. 20, 2026, at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers for the second of a Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation Legacy Celebration. A portion of proceeds will benefit the staff and students at Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
More than 35 years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler — John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill,and the late Bobby Sheehan — gathered in their drummer’s parent’s basement in Princeton, N.J., to jam. From those high school sessions emerged a band that would go on to release 14 studio albums, four of which have gone gold, three platinum and one six-times platinum. The band has sold more than 10 million units worldwide.
Blues Traveler has played more than 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people and, in “Run-Around,” had the lon-
gest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned it a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
The band’s movie credits include “Blues Brothers 2000,” “Kingpin” and “Wildflowers,” among others. The has been featured on “Saturday Night Live,” “Austin City Limits” and VH1’s “Behind the Music,” and have the record for the most appearances of any artist on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Gin Blossoms are an American alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Tempe, Ariz. The band rose to prominence following the 1992 release of its first major-label album, “New Miserable Experience,” and the first single released from that album, “Hey Jealousy,” became a Top 25 hit and went gold.
“New Miserable Experience” eventually went quadruple platinum, and three other charting singles were released from the album, including “Allison Road” and “Until I Fall Away.” The band’s follow-up album, “Congratulations I’m Sorry” (1996), went platinum.
Tickets are on sale at fisherseventcenter.com.
Across
1. Baton Rouge sch.
4. Roam
7. Kings on a Pacers scoreboard
10. Butler frat letter
13. Alley-___
14. IND gate info
15. Numerical prefix
16. Knee injury inits.
17. Like dirty floors
19. Kind of spray
21. IMPD rap sheet letters
22. Dollars, informally
23. Hit the road, a la Mellencamp
26. Lasso
28. Maine-to-Florida rte.
29. Egyptian snake
30. Gearshift letters
32. Zionsville-to-Louisville dir.
33. Indiana Senate voting coalition
35. Geist harbor
36. Mark Battles’ music genre
38. “The Iceman Cometh” playwright
40. Part of BMV
43. Plastic ___ Band
44. Sam’s Ale House, e.g.
45. Small island
47. Bioengineered food
source, for short
50. Reside
52. Albuquerque sch.
53. Congregation Beth Shalom leader
55. Mi Hacienda Mexican
Restaurant sauce
57. Pesky insect
58. Magnified
60. Upland Brewing tank
62. Knickknack holder
63. Kneecap
67. Kind of wit
68. Indy 500 entrant
69. USN rank
70. ___ de cologne
71. Language suffix
72. Recipe amt.
73. Earl Grey, for one
74. Best Friends Pet Hotel occupant Down
1. Singer Reed or Rawls
2. David, to Mel Simon
3. FedEx rival
4. Computer whiz
5. How some bonds are sold
6. Banned insecticide
7. Pollen holder
8. Region
9. ROUNDABOUT
10. Bygone Ed Martin Toyota models
11. Shows disdain
12. “Maybe”
18. Tug of ___
20. Approves, briefly
22. Nimble
23. Bar bill
24. Norse capital
25. “Once ___ a time...”
27. October birthstone
31. Trounce
34. Dave Ricks’ title at Lilly
35. Play a horn
37. IU Art Museum designer: IM ___
39. ROUNDABOUT
40. Pacer foe
41. Athletic conference for EKU and UNF
42. Arm bone
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