Thursday, November 9, 2023

IDS Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

INSIDE, P.8

The history of Baker’s Junction Haunted Train

Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

2023 Bloomington election results:

Voters approve school funding referendum, elect mayor, city council

By Marissa Meador, Olivia Franklin and Ethan Roberts news@idsnews.com

Bloomington voters took to the polls Nov. 7 to vote on a school funding referendum as well as races for mayor, city clerk and city council. Though the referendum and the District 3 city council race were the only contested items on the ballot, 10,441 voters cast their ballots in this election.

Monroe County Community School Corporation referendum Bloomington residents narrowly voted to approve the Monroe County Community School Corporation’s referendum for expanding early childhood education and eliminating costs for families Tuesday. The approval will increase the referendum rate by 8.5 cents to 27 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

There were 5,229 votes to approve and 5,121 votes to reject the referendum.

The tax increase will cover the cost of early childhood education for families on free and reduced lunch, according an Indiana Public Media article. The increase also provides affordable access for other families by covering the costs of tests, fees for instructional materials and student technology. This impacts children from ages 3-years-old through high school seniors.

It will also cover career and technical education tuition and fees.

BRIANA PACE| IDS

The Bloomington City Council meets Oct. 11, 2023, at City Hall. District voters selected Hopi Stosberg as their representative on the Bloomington City Council on Tuesday, in the council’s only contested race this November.

The last referendum, passed in November 2022, was 18.5 cents and went towards boosting teacher and staff wages. However, the revenue from last year's referendum was lower than expected due to the state legislature passing House Bill 1499 in May 2023, which restricts tax collections for school referenda for the first two years of the referendum.

“MCCSC has solidified our important role in the educational community with a clear alignment to our collective vision: working together to do the right thing for our students,” MCCSC Superintendent Jeff Hauswald wrote on the MCCSC website. “A referendum that pays for

some or all of early childhood education and for the many costs incurred by families in the education of their students is a big step toward that vision.”

According to the MCCSC website, the referendum will support the school corporation’s goal of removing barriers in education so all students and families may participate in a high-quality educational experience.

Kerry Thomson elected mayor Democrat Kerry Thomson, executive director of IU’s Center for Rural Engagement and former CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, will assume the role of mayor

of Bloomington in January after winning the general election Tuesday night with 5,317 votes. Thomson received 1,261 undervotes, which counts the number of voters who abstained from voting for a certain candidate. Reasons for undervotes range from unclear markings to purposeful decisions not to vote, sometimes as a protest vote.

Thomson ran unopposed after securing a primary win against fellow Democratic candidates Susan Sandberg, an outgoing city councilmember, and Donald Griffin, the former deputy mayor.

During the municipal primaries last spring, Thomson stressed a need to end a

perceived divisiveness and dysfunction in Bloomington politics, calling the annexation process, which is still in the process of litigation, “botched” and emphasizing transparency and collaboration with citizens when making major decisions.

Her priorities on her website include economic vitality by increasing the city’s tourism value and partnerships with IU, as well as county and state governments. Thomson also emphasized attainable housing throughout her campaign. She plans to audit the city’s current housing ecosystem and implement the city’s 2020 housing study.

SEE ELECTION, PAGE 4

COURTESY PHOTO

Kerry Thomson, former CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County and executive director of IU’s Center for Rural Engagement, is pictured. Thomson won the Bloomington mayoral election as she ran unopposed after securing a primary win against fellow Democratic candidates Susan Sandberg, an outgoing city councilmember, and Donald Griffin, the former deputy mayor.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Indiana scrapes by Florida Gulf Coast 69-63

By Will Foley

wtfoley@iu.edu | @foles24

Indiana men’s basketball tipped off its 2023-24 season with a 69-63 against Florida Gulf Coast thanks to a late second half run by the Hoosiers on Nov. 7.

“Make no mistake, it was our defense coming down the stretch that got us back,” Indiana head coach Mike Woodson said postgame.

“The fans got into it, and that was very helpful getting us on a roll. That was enough just to bring it home for us.”

The Hoosiers controlled the game early but didn’t have the score to show for it.

They made six of their first eight shots while holding FGCU to 4-of-15 to start but only led by 2 points in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Sophomore center Kel’el Ware established his rim protection in the first few minutes of the game with volleyball-esque blocks, smashing the Eagles’ shot attempts into the stands. On the perimeter, Indiana forced four turnovers in the game’s opening but had five of its own.

Ware used his size and physicality offensively as well, putting the Eagles in foul trouble early and frequenting the free throw line.

Indiana reached the double bonus mark less than 13 minutes in. Ware stuffed the stat sheet in the first frame with 8 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

COURTESY PHOTO

Simon Coronel welcomes the audience to his Glitches in Reality magic show in 2018 in Bloomington at the Ted Jones Playhouse.

Coronel has performed in Bloomington in years prior, and he will be returning Nov. 9-18, 2023.

JACOB SPUDICH | IDS

Indiana senior guard Xavier Johnson celebrates a 3-pointer Nov. 7, 2023, in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Indiana won its season opener Tuesday night.

Nonetheless, Florida Gulf Coast continued to lurk throughout the half, never trailing by more than 6 and ultimately trailing by 2 at the half.

The Eagles’ 15 first-half fouls earned Indiana 18 trips to the charity stripe, but the Hoosiers only converted 10 at a poor 55.6% clip. Indiana’s defense performed well on the stat sheet — forcing FGCU to 10-of-32 for a 31.3% rate — but half the Eagles’ made shots were 3-pointers to keep the contest tight.

A primary reason for FGCU’s 3-point success came from Indiana’s defensive breakdowns. Woodson stated an unfamiliarity with rotations in Monday morning’s presser and the Eagles exposed that issue.

"I feel like it’s just miscommunication,” Ware said.

“Once we get the communication down, I feel like we’ll

be well, even when off the ball and getting back to our men.”

Indiana started the second half on fire, making six of its first seven shots. Ware showcased another aspect of his game with three assists to Hoosiers cutting to the basket or spotting up for Indiana’s first three buckets of the frame.

Still, Florida Gulf Coast was unperturbed. The Eagles continued their 3-point barrage to hang around. A wideopen deep ball from junior guard Dallion Johnson gave FGCU a 43-42 lead with 12 minutes and 25 seconds to go, the start of an 8-0 run.

An and-one layup from sophomore forward Malik Reneau at the 10:35 mark woke the Assembly Hall crowd up, kickstarting a 14-0 run during which Hoosier nation became deafening and gained an 8-point ad-

vantage. Woodson employed a three-guard lineup featuring seniors Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway alongside freshman Gabe Cupps which helped spark the run.

“I think it was a good job down the stretch of finding ways to get stops,” Galloway said. “Whatever lineup it is, (it’s about) finding ways to be better and get better.”

The Hoosiers’ spurt was just what they needed at just the right time, and the momentum didn’t cease. Cupps made a significant contribution off the bench down the stretch, hounding the Eagles’ guards and sinking a leaning 3-pointer for his first collegiate field goal to give Indiana an 11-point lead with four minutes remaining. It was Indiana’s first doubledigit lead of the night.

SEE BASKETBALL, PAGE 4

Bloomington's 7 Day Forecast

World Champion of Close-Up Magic tours in Bloomington Nov. 9-19

By Ella Nelson

@nelsoneb@iu.edu | @Ellanelson2112

Simon Coronel’s “Glitches in Reality” is set to hit the stage at the Ted Jones Playhouse starting Nov. 9-18. Constellation Stage and Screen will organize the event.

Coronel spent the last decade honing his magical skills to earn himself the title of World Champion of Close-Up Magic in 2022, according to Constellation Stage and Screen’s website. Additionally, he won the International Federation of Magic Societies Grand Prix in 2022, an event considered as the ”Olympics of Magic,” according

to Constellation Stage and Screen’s website.

“Glitches in Reality” is well-recognized as a show that “blends theater and magic,” Constellation's website said. With a mix of sleight-of-hand magic and close-up trickery, the show is supposed to take the audience through a journey that makes them question their reality.

Chad Rabinovitz, the director of “Glitches in Reality" and artistic director at Constellation Stage and Screen, said he’s worked with Coronel since 2018 to direct this show.

SEE MAGIC, PAGE 4

SOURCE: XANDER LOWRY | XLOWRY@IU.EDU GRAPHICS BY: THE WEATHER CHANNEL

Thursday Nov. 9

Friday Nov. 10

Saturday Nov. 11

Sunday Nov. 12

Monday Nov. 13

Tuesday Nov. 14

Wednesday Nov. 15

58° 51° P: 0%

56° 42° P: 0%

55° 33° P: 0%

56° 34° P: 0%

58° 35° P: 0%

57° 35° P: 0%

59° 40° P: 0%

Indiana Daily Student

2

NEWS

Nov. 9, 2023 idsnews.com

Editors Mia Hilkowitz, Luke Price, Andrew Miller news@idsnews.com

COURTESY PHOTO

Alternative Energy Southeast employee Aaron Basto installs 18 solar panels to the roof of a residence June 7, 2022, in Ellenwood, Georgia.

Solar manufacturing company, Canadian Solar, announced on Oct. 30 they will invest $800 million in a solar cell production facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Canadian Solar to build $800 million solar facility in Southeast Indiana COURTESY PHOTO

IU graduate student Jaekon (Jay) Kim stands in front of his experiment at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories 88” Cyclotron Facility in September 2023. IU announced Oct. 10, 2023, it will invest $111 million over the next several years in the microelectronics industry.

IU partners with NWSC Crane

By Arnaav Anand arnanand@iu.edu

Indiana University announced on Oct. 10 it will invest $111 million over the next several years in the microelectronics and nanotechnology industries.

This move comes as part of their ongoing collaboration with the Crane Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, the world's third-largest naval facility, bolstering their 20-year symbiotic relationship.

Daniel Loveless, IU associate professor of intelligent systems engineering, said the primary focus of the endeavor is to address the growing demand in the microelectronics workforce.

Microelectronics are tiny electronic components and circuits used in devices like smartphones and medical equipment for compact, high-performance functionality.

Loveless said the global share of US semiconductor production has significantly declined over the last few decades.

“Microelectronics technology is unlike anything humanity has ever invented,” Loveless said.

“It is a high-impact area that advances so rapidly, and people take for granted how dependent they are on it.”

Russell Mumper, IU’s vice president of research, said the partnership aligns with IU’s 2030 Strategic Plan. The plan encourages IU to expand

its affiliation with various industries, and Mumper said their investment in the microelectronic industry is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Last year, IU launched Faculty 100, a hiring initiative aiming to recruit 100 new tenure-track faculty to the Bloomington campus. Loveless said 25 of these 100 incoming faculty members will be in pertinent roles in areas such as microelectronics, cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning and nanofabrication.

The NSWC base is situated about 40 minutes away from IU in Crane, Indiana. Mumper said the base has harnessed the academic talent pool at IU. The university’s R1 research institute status, signifying its top-tier research activity and productivity, further cements its position as a critical collaborator.

Mumper said IU students can work with Crane full-time in the future as well, noting Crane’s workforce demand.

“The workforce is capitalizing on the superb students at IU and there are specialized opportunities for them,” Mumper said.

“We envision that hundreds if not thousands of students will benefit from this partnership.”

Mumper said this is an opportunity for the state to harness the potential of having a large naval base as a beacon to attract big businesses and contractors, which can

offer high-paying jobs.

With the ongoing advancements at IU, Loveless said Ph.D students, as well as undergraduates, can gain various research opportunities in microelectronics and related fields. He is teaching a course this semester on microelectronics radiation effects where students study the behavior of electronics in extreme environments. The NSWC grant funded around 10 students to work in the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories Cyclotron facility, hosting one of four particle accelerators in the U.S., to simulate microelectronic behavior in space as part of their capstone project.

IU will also invest $10 million from the $111 million in a brand-new institution called the Center for Reliable and Trusted Electronics, spearheaded

by Loveless. He said the center will concentrate on research initiatives surrounding radiation effects on microelectronics.

However, Benjamin Robinson, IU associate professor of Germanic Studies, voiced his concern about the proposal.

He said he vehemently opposed the partnership for two main reasons. He said the humanities departments at IU are being increasingly neglected in favor of shifting focus towards advancements in technology and AI, which goes against the fact IU was built upon its commitment to the greater good through the hu-

manities and liberal arts programs.

He said these core values of IU are being further manipulated by external parties and highlighted IU should not be making such a grand investment with a warfare department at a time when wars rage on several fronts across the globe. He advocated for increased attention toward language and cultural education.

He further said IU’s job as the number-one Ph.D granting institution in humanities is to foster a thoughtful citizenry, but the university is now switching its priorities.

He feels IU needs to prioritize investing in society, healthcare and equality, and constraining tech growth. He also insists IU focuses too much on the 2030 Strategic Plan and they’re consequently losing sight of the bigger picture. He primarily stressed that, as IU searches for grants, it must also assess whether the grants serve the public good.

However, Robinson said if the partnership is responsibly realized, then the large sum of investment by IU would be warranted.

“We need to reflect on the opportunity costs when we chase after big money from the defense department,” Robinson said. “This partnership should be more in line with our deeper mission to serve the public good than our strategic calculations.”

By Andrew Miller

ami3@iu.edu | @andrew_mmiller

Solar manufacturing company Canadian Solar announced Oct. 30 it will invest $800 million in a solar cell production facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Construction is expected to start in late 2025.

The facility’s finished solar cells, the part of solar panels that absorb sunlight and turn it into energy, will be shipped to the company’s new solar module assembly plant in Mesquite, Texas for completion. The facility is projected to produce cells for 20,000 high-power solar modules daily, equivalent to five gigawatts of power annually.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s summer 2023 quarterly solar industry update, the U.S. currently produces about 97.2 gigawatts of electricity from solar panels. The five gigawatts produced annually from these plants will produce roughly enough power for 3,750,000 homes.

The company is building the facility within the River Ridge Commerce Center, the site of an ammunition plant that ceased production in 1972 after the Vietnam War. Jerry Acy, the executive director of River Ridge, said the ammunition plant employed around 27,000 people, from its peak between World War 2 and its closing in 1972. In 1998, the U.S. army began transferring ownership of the then-unproductive land to the River Ridge Development Authority to help alleviate the economic loss of the plant.

The authority has since spent $130 million in public funds on redevelopment. Acy said River Ridge now directly employs

around 12,000 people, resulting in 18,000 indirect regional jobs from the site’s economic impact.

The site, he said, currently generates around $2.7 billion in economic output annually.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered $12 million in incentives and grants to the company for the project, which is expected to directly bring 1,200 jobs to the area. Additionally, Acy said River Ridge offered discounts on land prices to the company.

Because of River Ridge’s status as an urban enterprise zone, a special zone created by the state of Indiana to bolster economic activity in distressed urban areas, new companies can obtain a 51% reduction in property taxes for 10 years. For this project, Acy said, River Ridge’s board negotiated a further reduction in those taxes.

After the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and as domestic electric vehicle and green energy production ramps up, Acy said he’s optimistic for the future of American manufacturing. This year, he said, has been River Ridge’s biggest year yet.

“In addition to a transition on the energy side, the COVID and supply chain problems experienced nationwide has really driven American companies to re-shore a lot of their manufacturing,” Acy said.

As for River Ridge’s future, he said he is proud of the progress they’ve made.

“It’s been a huge challenge for us, basically starting with no staff and no money,” he said. “But to have built it to where it is today, we are very pleased, especially with these types of announcements like here with Canadian Solar.”

Bloomington Handmade Market opens Nov. 11-12

By Caroline Geib

cegeib@iu.edu | carolineegeib

The Bloomington Handmade Market, a local artist’s market, will take place from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 and 12 at the Bloomington Convention Center, located at 302 S. College Ave. “We think it’s a really great kickoff to the holiday season, if you want to get in the mood to get your gift on and get your holiday shopping kickstarted,” Bloomington Handmade Market orga-

nizer Talia Halliday said.

Bloomington Handmade Market was founded in the summer of 2009 by three women who saw a need for artists to showcase their products at an affordable price, the Bloomington Handmade Market’s website said.

“It’s really good for people to be inspired and then they can maybe make their own things,” Halliday said.

Makers at the market include Bloomington Chocolate Company,

Granola Girl Skincare and Jilly Jack Designs. A list of all makers can be found here.

According to the Bloomington Handmade Market’s website, the market is a biannual show and artists are selected from a pool of applicants. The website says that artists are chosen who create quality, unusual work that does not often get seen at traditional craft fairs.

“I love these people, they’re like my family,” Halliday said. “Every

show is like a family reunion for us because we see each other only once or twice a year.”

The first 30 people in line for entrance both days will get a free swag bag with goodies from the market’s sponsors and vendors. Santa will also be in the lobby of the Bloomington Convention Center Nov. 12.

Admission and parking for the event is free.

Volunteers can sign up here to volunteer generally at the market or at the craft table.

IDS FILE PHOTO

A shopper browses through rings on display Nov. 13, 2021 at the 2021 Bloomington Handmade Market Holiday Fair. Three women founded the Bloomington Handmade Market in the summer of 2009.

Salomé Cloteaux Editor-in-Chief

@idsnews

Emma Uber and Marissa Meador Managing Editors

Vol. 156, No. 35 © 2023

Lexi Lindenmayer Creative Director

www.idsnews.com

Rahul Suresh Ubale Digital Editor

Newsroom: 812-855-0760 Business Office: 812-855-0763 Fax: 812-855-8009

Haripriya Jalluri Managing Editor of Engagement

The Indiana Daily Student publishes on Thursdays throughout the year while University classes are in session.

Follow

Part of IU Student Media, the IDS is a self-supporting auxiliary University enterprise. Founded on Feb. 22, 1867, the IDS is chartered by the IU Board of Trustees, with the editor-in-chief as final content authority. The IDS welcomes reader feedback, letters to the editor and online comments. Advertising policies are available on the current rate card.

Readers are entitled to single copies. Taking multiple copies may constitute theft of IU property, subject to prosecution.

Paid subscriptions are entered through third-class postage (USPS No. 261960) at Bloomington, IN 47405.

130 Franklin Hall • 601 E. Kirkwood Ave. • Bloomington, IN 47405-1223

3

Nov. 9, 2023 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

MICHAEL CLAYCAMP | IDS

Keith Humphrey, a candidate for IU Police Department chief, speaks Nov. 6, 2023, in the Maple Room of the Indiana Memorial Union. IUPD is looking to fill the postion after former Chief Jill Lees left.

IUPD Chief of Police candidate Keith Humphrey speaks at town hall

By Mia Hilkowitz

mhilkowi@iu.edu | @MiaHilkowiz

Former Little Rock Police Department Chief of Police Keith Humphrey, one of two final candidates for the open Chief of Police position for IUPD, fielded questions from university faculty and staff about his vision for the department, if chosen for the role, during a town hall Monday afternoon in the Indiana Memorial Union Maple Room.

Humphrey is running to replace former IU Chief of Police Jill Lees, who departed from the department in September after serving in the position since 2019.

IUPD did not release any further information on why Lees left the department and previously declined to comment on her departure.

Shortly after Lees’ departure, the Indiana Daily Student reported IU settled a civil rights lawsuit involving the arrest of IU graduate student Moses Baryoh Jr. after he did not pay a $3 parking fee in September 2022.

IU conducted a secondary review in the summer of 2023 and found the involved officers, Austin Magness and Charlotte Watts, violated IUPD policy, which contradicted the former chief’s initial review of the incident from October 2022.

The secondary review also found Lees failed to follow mandatory review protocols following the arrest.

During the town hall, Humphrey spoke to a crowd of 15 IU faculty and staff members in the Indiana Memorial Union Maple Room, in addition to attendees on Zoom. In his opening comments, Humphrey said he has always wanted to work in a leadership role at a college campus police department.

Humphrey said if he were the IUPD Chief of Police, he would emphasize a proactive policing approach, which focuses on helping people and working to learn about campus populations’ different experiences and biases.

“Every one of these students deserve to be protected,” Humphrey said.

“Everybody deserves to be served the same way.”

Humphrey said he would strengthen relationships between IUPD and the general IU community by having officers attend more community events.

He also encouraged faculty in attendance to introduce themselves to an IUPD officer. He said for many students, coming to IU is their first time away from home, which presents officers an opportunity to mentor and bond with students.

Humphrey also said that he would work with municipal, county and campus police to prepare for and address any threats on IU campuses. He emphasized that communication with police, faculty, staff and students is important when handling a situation.

“I’m an open book,” Humphrey said. “I don’t believe in hiding things. Faculty, students and staff need to know.”

Humphrey said that when he was working for municipal police departments near college campuses – such as when he worked as Chief of Police for the City of Norman in Oklahoma, the location of the University of Oklahoma

– he worked with student leaders to hear their concerns. For instance, he invited students to his police department’s daily briefings and shared body camera footage. He even said he marched in protest with students. Before studentled protests, Humphrey said he met with students to ensure the events were safe.

“It hurts my feelings if a student says they are afraid of police,” Humphrey said.

“Because it prevents them from reporting things that happen.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, attendees were encouraged to scan a QR code to fill out a survey about Humphrey.

IU Public Safety Communications Manager Mary Keck said Humphrey and the second final candidate for chief of police, Tamara McCollough, will meet with members of IU Public Safety and IUPD in private forums.

Following these forums, members of the selection committee will choose one candidate. However, Keck said there is not an estimated timeline of when there will be a final decision.

Keith Humphrey’s background According to Humphrey’s Curriculum Vitae, he worked in the City of Arlington in Texas as a patrol, training and internal affairs sergeant, serving in the role from 2000 to 2005. From 2005 to 2007, Humphrey served as the Geographic Patrol Sector Commander for the City of Arlington and later as the criminal support commander from 2007 to 2008.

Humphrey served as the Chief of Police for the City of Lancaster in Texas from 2008 to 2011. He then worked as the Chief of Police for the City of Norman in Oklahoma from 2011 to 2019, before becoming Chief of Police for the City of Little Rock in 2019. He retired from his position at the City of Little Rock in 2022.

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported in May 2022 Humphrey stepped down as Chief of Police after a series of internal conflicts within the police department. According to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Humprey had publicly clashed with members of the police department and leadership from a local police union, the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police.

In January 2022, The Intercept reported on efforts to oust Humphrey from his position in a podcast titled “Little Rock’s Black Police Chief and the Campaign Against Reform.” In their investigation, The Intercept found most of the allegations against Humphrey did not hold up against scrutiny. The Intercept reported that before Humphrey became Chief of Police, Black officers in the Little Rock Police Department had alleged the Fraternal Order of Police, the only recognized bargaining organization for officers and sergeants in the city of Little Rock, primarily represented the interests of white officers.

Several officers interviewed voiced their experiences of repeated racial discrimination within the department.

Humphrey was Chief of Police during the fallout from the fatal shooting of Bradley Blackshire, a

30-year-old Black man who was shot 15 times through the windshield of a car and killed by Little Rock Police Officer Charles Starks in February 2019. Starks did not face any charges in connection to the shooting, which took place before Humphrey was appointed Chief of Police in April 2019.

In May 2019, Humphrey fired the Starks for violating police rules related to Stark’s actions in the shooting. However, a county judge reversed Humphrey’s decision in January 2020 and ordered the city to reinstate Starks. An Arkansas Court of Appeals decision later reversed this county judge’s order in September 2021.

Shortly after terminating Starks, several members of his police department, including two assistant chiefs, sued Humphrey, alleging he retaliated against them due to their testimony during Stark’s appeal of his termination. Humphrey filed a countersuit in September 2020, alleging that those opposing him conspired to force him out of his role after he tried to push for serious department changes.

A federal judge dismissed Humphrey’s lawsuit without prejudice in September 2021.

In June 2020, several members of the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police approved a no confidence resolution against the police chief. However, the resolution sponsor withdrew the measure after city directors stated they would not support it. In September 2020, three assistant police chiefs and seven captains signed and sent a letter to Little Rock city leaders claiming Humphrey was responsible for a toxic work environment.

The Little Rock Black Police Officers Association defended Humphrey, sending a letter to Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., in May 2022 showing their support for Humphrey. In the letter, the BPOA stated Humphrey addressed systematic racism in the department, eliminated nepotism and was instrumental to efforts to get officers to wear body cameras. BPOA spokesperson JC White told KATV Humphrey developed a good relationship with the community and had “received a bad hand since he arrived.”

In his three years as police chief, Humphrey was able to promote the first African American female in the history of the Little Rock Police Department to assistant chief.

Additionally, though Humphrey was investigated for firing his gun at an armed suspect, who was unharmed, in December 2021, he was not charged because the local prosecuting office’s investigation found he was justified in firing his gun.

According to his CV, Humphrey worked as an adjunct professor focusing on criminal justice and police administration at multiple institutions, including Argosy University, Langston University, Myrtle Beach College and the University of Oklahoma. Humphrey is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Strategies for Building and Leading Diverse Organizations and the Army War College Annual National Security Seminar.

JOANNA NJERI | IDS

Tamara McCollough, the second of two final candidates for the open Chief of Police for IUPD, is pictured at a town hall meeting on Nov. 7, 2023 in the Indiana Memorial Union Maple Room. McCollough discussed her ideas for improving transparency and relationships with the campus community.

IUPD Chief of Police candidate Tamara McCollough shares ideas for department

By Mia Hilkowitz

mhilkowi@iu.edu | @MiaHilkowiz

Tamara McCollough, the second of two final candidates for the open Chief of Police for IUPD, discussed her ideas for improving transparency and relationships with the campus community during a town hall Tuesday afternoon. This meeting was held one day after the other final candidate, Keith Humphrey, spoke at a separate town hall Monday in the Indiana Memorial Union Maple Room.

McCollough and Humphrey are running to replace former IU Chief of Police Jill Lees, who left IUPD in September after serving in the role since 2019. IUPD has not released any further information on why Lees left the department and previously declined to comment on her departure.

In September, shortly after Lee’s departure from IUPD, the Indiana Daily Student reported IU settled a civil rights lawsuit involving the arrest of Moses Baryoh Jr., an IU graduate student, after he did not pay a $3 parking fee in September 2022. When IU conducted a secondary review of the incident, it found IUPD officers Austin Magness and Charlotte Watts had violated IUPD policy during Baryoh Jr.’s arrest. This finding contradicted Lee’s initial review of the incident from October 2022.

IU’s secondary review also found the former police chief did not follow mandatory review protocols following the arrest.

McCollough, a Michigan City native who currently resides in Terre Haute, said one reason IUPD appealed to her was because it was close to her home and family. She also said she thinks IUPD is a department where she can use her talents and skills.

“I am a collaborative leader, but I’m also a servant leader,” McCollough

said. “I wouldn’t ask an officer to do something I wouldn’t do myself.”

If selected as the next IUPD Chief of Police, McCollough said she would support officers through a community-oriented policing approach.

One way she would strengthen partnerships, she said, would be holding weekly or biweekly meetings with student groups, faculty and staff to hear their ideas. She would invite community members to ride-alongs with police officers and possibly establish a Citizens’ Police Academy to address misconceptions about law enforcement. In the Citizens’ Police Academy, community members would be able to see how officers implement different resources and policies on service calls.

Additionally, McCollough said she would create an inclusive campus environment by re-evaluating the IUPD hiring process, such as initiating new recruiting strategies to find more qualified candidates who are representative of the different campus populations.

She said she would also encourage officers to do more patrols outside of their vehicles, which she believes would make them more accessible for students, staff and faculty.

McCollough also said she would emphasize transparency in IUPD operations.

“Transparency is a crucial point when you’re establishing trust in a campus community,” McCollough said. “Being transparent is telling people ‘why’ when you can.”

Tamara McCollough’s background McCollough currently works as a consultant for The Riseling Group, a professional services firm that specializes in campus safety, security and regulatory compliance. According to her curriculum vitae, as a consultant she

leads investigations, deals with high-pressure situations, ensures compliance to safety and coordinates with law enforcement agencies to respond to security incidents.

Additionally, McCollough works as an adjunct lecturer teaching criminal justice, campus security and criminology theory courses at Indiana State University. She also serves on the Indiana Police Accreditation Coalition and works as an International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators accreditation assessor, where she manages review processes for university police and public safety departments pursuing IACLEA accreditation.

Prior to applying to serve as IUPD Chief of Police, McCollough worked in public safety and law enforcement roles at two universities. She served as the Clery Compliance Lieutenant for Indiana State University from 2015 to 2022, coordinating the university’s Clery compliance efforts. During her time at Indiana State Police, she also held the positions of police corporal, accreditation manager and police officer.

She later served as the director of Public Safety for Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a role where she oversaw the day-to-day functions of the institution’s public safety office.

McCollough graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy as a certified law enforcement officer in 2006. She attended Indiana State University to earn her bachelor's in criminology and criminal justice in 2008.

She later received her master's in criminology and criminal justice from Indiana State University in 2016. McCollough is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership and management from Drexel University.

Bloomington man arrested, remanded in connection with murder Nov. 4

By Emma Flynn flynnem@iu.edu

A 34-year-old Bloomington man who was arrested and charged with murder Nov. 4 was remanded into the Monroe County Correctional Center, according to a release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Police are investigating the death of a person

whose body was found with an apparent gunshot wound to the head after officers responded to a call about an unknown disturbance at 1:30 a.m. Nov. 4.

Neighbors of the residence reported that the people living there often fight.

Upon arrival, deputies also found an AR-15-style rifle and a civilian-style stun gun/tazer near the

body.

The suspect, Bryce Leighton, was then transported to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation before being remanded. His trial date has not yet been set.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division and Monroe County Coroner’s Office are still investigating the matter.

4

Nov. 9, 2023 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

» ELECTION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Other major elements of her campaign include sustainability, improving roads, public transportation and expanding bike lanes, although in a way that supports what Thomson calls “smart growth,” and a focus on “quality of place” in each city project and plan.

During the campaign cycle, Thomson received endorsements from three former Bloomington mayors—Tomi Allison, Mark Kruzan and John Fernandez. Other notable local endorsements include former city councilmember and trailblazer Charlotte Zietlow, former IU Provost Lauren Robel and Herbert Caldwell, an investment operations manager at the IU Foundation.

Thomson outraised all other candidates during the primary and received a total of $233,186 in contributions from the beginning of the year to Oct. 13, the date of her latest report of receipts and expenditures, with $45,750 on hand.

Thomson has received multiple contributions from individuals involved with major real estate companies, including $16,800 from Eliot Lewis, owner of E.R. Lewis Real Estate Professionals, $2,000 from Kevin Osburn of REA — an Indianapolis-based company involved with Bloomington projects like the Trades District, Switchyard Park and, most recently, the Bloomington “monolith” — and $1,500 from Eric Stolberg, president of WS Property Group.

Other major contributions include $4,000 from Indianapolis-based DPBG Political Action Committee, $9,500 from Ice Miller PAC, $4,500 from Bloomington civil engineering company Beam, Longest and Neff, $2,500 from law firm Krieg Devault and $2,000 from Indianapolisbased Wessler Engineer-

» BASKETBALL

» MAGIC

“He’s a winner,” Woodson said about Cupps. “He’s capable of hanging in there and making basketball plays.

I thought he was tremendous on both ends.”

As they did all game, the Eagles refused to lay down. They clawed back to cut the deficit to 2 points with 35 seconds remaining, contributed by self-inflicted wounds from the Hoosiers like turnovers and missed free throws.

Senior guard Xavier Johnson made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 30 seconds to put the game just out of reach and Ware sunk one final free throw to seal a 6963 Indiana win.

Galloway paced the Hoosiers’ balanced scoring effort with 16 points, while Reneau added 15, Johnson scored 14 and Ware finished with 13. Ware snagged a total of 12 rebounds to post a double-double.

Indiana shot an efficient 51.1% from the field but disappointed with marks of 30.8% behind the arc and 63.3% at the free throw line.

Defensively, it held FGCU to 38.7% from the field but allowed 13 threes at a 38.2% mark.

“The things I look at from a defensive standpoint, we held them to 63 points, and that’s kind of in the ballpark of where we want to be,” Woodson said. “It was all the miscues on the backside of our defense that we just weren’t executing. I’ve got to get that fixed and cleaned up.”

Next up the Hoosiers will face Army West Point at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The game will be available to watch on Big Ten Network.

The Bloomington Playwrights Project, which has since merged with the Cardinal Stage and Pigasus Institute to create Constellation Stage and Screen, is producing the show, according to Rabinovitz’s website. The company built it from the ground up, and while there were some setbacks due to the pandemic, they are ready to premiere the finalized show in Bloomington.

In the time since the show was first conceptualized, Coronel, who is originally from Australia, has become a regular performer at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, Rabinovitz said.

Coronel is also a part time lecturer of perception and illusion at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Coronel is constantly working on his skills, according to Rabinovitz. He said this upcoming performance will feature three never-before-seen tricks from Coronel.

“This is unlike anything that has been in Bloomington before,” Rabinovitz said.

Rabinovitz said that this is the first time Constellation will produce a magic show. The Bloomington Playwrights Project has produced a few, but none have been like what Coronel and Rabinovitz hope to achieve.

“This show is attempting to make the crossover between theater and magic,” Rabinovitz said. “It’s no longer putting the assistant in the box.”

He said he and Coronel hope to put more emotion and storytelling behind the magic Coronel performs, moving away from traditional magic shows.

“People who are coming to this show are literally seeing the best of the best,” Rabinovitz said. “This is one of my favorite things I’ve ever been a part of.”

Tickets are available for $43 on the Constellation Stage and Screen website.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ing.

While Thomson was the only candidate to appear on the ballot for mayor, independent candidate Joe Davis had tried to run against her but was not allowed on the ballot after some of his signatures were disqualified. His subsequent lawsuit to challenge this decision was rejected by a Monroe County judge in October. He was ultimately 14 signatures short.

Everything you need to know about the newly elected city council Bloomington City Council will be drastically different come January, with only four returning members. Among the five newcomers are several historic candidates, including Sydney Zulich, who is now the youngest person ever elected to city council in Bloomington, and Shruti Rana, who will be the first woman of color to serve on city council.

Here is all you need to know about the incoming city council.

Voters choose Hopi Stosberg in sole contested race.

District 3 voters selected Democrat Hopi Stosberg as their representative on the Bloomington City Council on Tuesday in the council’s only contested race this November. She beat Republican Brett Heinisch with 82.5% of the vote.

Stosberg’s priorities include affordable housing, safety education, childcare and accessibility to city services according to her campaign website. She beat out incumbent city councilmember Ron Smith in the primary election this past May. Historic city council will be dominated by newcomers The remaining districts were uncontested, but after

several upsets in the municipal primary early this year, this edition of the city council will see three new faces, as well as the return of a former city councilmember who was ousted in 2019.

Democrat Shruti Rana, who is new to the council, received 1,603 votes in her race for District 5. She is a lawyer and a professor of law at IU. Her priorities include expansion of access to childcare and healthcare and promoting inclusion.

According to her campaign website, she will be the first woman of color on the city council.

Another newcomer, Democrat Sydney Zulich, received 94 votes in her uncontested race for District 6, a majority student district. She graduated from IU in May 2023.

At 21-years-old, she is the youngest person to be elected to city council in Bloomington. According to her campaign website, her policies include personal safety, community engagement and government availability.

Zulich began her campaign after former District 6 candidate David Wolfe Bender withdrew from the race. This past May, the Monroe County Election board investigated Bender’s residency after the publication of an Indiana Daily Student story which found Bender did not live at the address he wrote on his candidate filing form.

There are also two newly elected city council at-large representatives, both being Democrats.

Isak Asare, co-director of the IU Cybersecurity and Global Policy Program and member of the City of Bloomington Board of Public Safety, received 3,716 votes According to his campaign website, he lives with leukemia and knows firsthand the importance of policy at the local level. His

key policy issues include creating affordable housing, promoting Bloomington’s economic health and putting the city’s climate action plan into action.

Andy Ruff received 3,713 votes. He previously served five terms on the city council, spanning over a decade. He is a former academic advisor at IU and has taught science at the high school and college level. Ruff also worked for the Monroe County Government. In November 2020, Ruff ran for election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Indiana’s 9th Congressional District but lost to current Representative Trey Hollingsworth.

According to his campaign website, he would like to listen to local police, firefighters, unionized workers, as well as Bloomington residents, neighborhoods and businesses. He said he would focus on qualitative growth in the city of Bloomington’s Comprehensive Plan.

Who will be returning to the city council?

The members returning to the council will be Isabel Piedmont-Smith, who received 689 votes in her run for District 1, Kate Rosenbarger, who received 724 votes in her run for District 2, Dave Rollo, who received 1,174 votes in his run for District 4 and at-large representative Matt Flaherty, who received 3,460 votes.

Councilmembers Stephen Volan, Sue Sgambelluri, Ron Smith, Susan Sandberg and Jim Sims will not be returning to the council. Volan, Sgambelluri and Smith each lost their races in the primary last May, while Sandberg chose not to run for re-election so she could run for the Democratic nomination for mayor, which she lost to newly elected Mayor Kerry Thomson. Sims chose not to run for re-election.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the care and services you need to stay healthy at idsnews.com/health Physicians

Eating Disorder

Health Spotlight

Oral/Dental Care

Jan Taylor-Schultz

1124 S. College Mall Rd. 812-336-5525 jcdsmiles.com Jackson Creek Dental is conveniently located on South College Mall Road. Most insurances accepted, including the Indiana University Cigna Insurance plans as well as the IU Fellowship Anthem. Dr. Tschetter and Dr. Hoye offer state of the art dental technology such as Zoom whitening, same day crown appointments, and Invisalign. We also provide restorative, cosmetic and emergency care. We pride ourselves in giving the best care to our patients while offering a pleasant yet professional atmosphere.

Mon. - Thu.: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fri.: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Behavioral/Mentall

I have been an eating disorder specialist since 1995, treating people with Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge eating. I understand the difficulty of dealing with an eating disorder because I have been through the recovery process myself. I see clients with all types of emotional issues, as other issues can underly eating disorder behavior. I work with clients in a safe space that is needed for healing and support, while building on client strengths and solutions. I also work with local physicians and dietitians.

Mon. - Fri.: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

3925 Hagan St., Suite 203 812-334-0001 JanTaylorSchultz.com

Ryan D. Tschetter, DDS Lauren Hoye, DDS

Dr. Josh Chapman

Thomas Jackson, MD Jacob Grow, MD For over 20 years, our practice has provided the full range of aesthetic surgical procedures of the face, breast and body, including Botox and fillers, along with a full-service medical spa and medical weight loss clinic. Now, we are proud to expand our services to the greater Bloomington area! Our dedicated staff will ensure that your experience is tailored to your individual needs, while our highly skilled, boardcertified surgeons provide you with beautiful, natural results.

Chiropractic

Mon. - Thu.: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

4712 East State Road 46 800-495-0892 812-376-8997 IndianaAesthetics.com

Optometry

Bloomington Meadows Hospital provides no-cost assessment and referral services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Friends, family members and referring professionals seeking treatment or information for children, adolescents or adults can call our Assessment and Referral Department at 800-972-4410 for a no cost, confidential assessment.

Dr. Zachary Short, O.D. Dr. Madison Witthoft, O.D. Welcome to Insights Optical, where quality eye care is our number one priority. Our dedicated team is ready to learn all about you and your vision needs while using innovative technology and a comprehensive care approach to take care of your eye health.

Open 24 Hrs.

Mon.: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Wed.: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tue., Thu., Fri.: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

3600 N. Prow Rd. 800-972-4410 bloomingtonmeadows.com

415 S. Clarizz Blvd.

812-333-1911 insightsoptical.com

Check

At Chapman Orthodontics, we know what you look for in an orthodontist: someone who is professional, experienced, outgoing and dedicated to helping you achieve your very best smile! We offer free consultations for children, teens and adults. Let us give you a smile you can be proud of using state of the art technology and cutting edge treatment options.

We offer clear braces and Invisalign.

Chapman Orthodontics is a privately owned orthodontic practice. Dr. Josh Chapman attended IU Bloomington for undergraduate and received his Doctor in Dental Surgery (DDS) and Masters (MSD) in Orthodontics at IU school of Dentistry in Indy.

Go Hoosiers!

Mon. - Thu.: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

3925 E. Hagan St., Suite 201 812-822-2489 bloomingtonbraces.com

Oral/Dental Care Austin C. Starr, D.D.S

Dr. Andrew Pitcher, D.C. Dr. Crystal Gray, D.C.

HOOSIER ORAL SURGEON?

A Way of Wellness Chiropractic specializes in comprehensive spinal care. We offer treatment for many different spinal conditions and problems, while also addressing the body as a whole. We provide effective chiropractic care helping patients reduce stress, improve mobility and spinal health. The quality treatment we provide is always fit to your individual needs and goals. Let us help you achieve and maintain good spinal health. We look forward to meeting you!

Dr. Starr is an Indiana University Football Alum who provides pain-free experiences for all Hoosiers with IV sedation. He performs specialized oral surgery services including Wisdom Teeth Extractions, Dental Implants, Bone Grafting, and Plasma Therapy. Equipped with modern 3-D technology, he has the most up-to-date surgical skills and techniques to accomplish beautiful results with his patients. He looks forward to accomplishing beautiful results with his patients, enhancing confidence and satisfaction for all he serves.

Mon. - Thu.: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

1121 W. Second St. 812-336-2225 bloomingtonchiropractor.com

Ryan D. Tschetter, DDS R Lauren Hoye, DDS Jackson Creek Dental is conveniently located on South College Mall Road.

Most insurances accepted, including the Indiana University Cigna Insurance plans as well as the IU Fellowship Anthem. Dr. Tschetter and Dr. Hoye offer state of the art dental technology such as Zoom whitening, same day crown appointments, and Invisalign. We also provide restorative, cosmetic and emergency care. We pride ourselves in giving the best care to our patients while offering a pleasant yet professional atmosphere.

the IDS every Thursday for your directory of local health care services, or go online anytime at idsnews.com/health

Go Hoosiers!

We look forward to taking care of you!

Mon. - Thu.: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fri.: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Mon. - Thu.: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fri.: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

1124 S. College Mall Rd. 812-336-5525 jcdsmiles.com

473 S. Landmark Ave. 812-318-1023 starroralsurgery.com

For membership in the Indiana Daily Student Health Directory, please contact ads@idsnews.com.

Your deadline for next week’s Health Directory is 5 p.m. Monday.

The Health Directory is your guide to health and wellness in the Bloomington area.

PAID ADVERTISING

Indiana Daily Student

OPINION

Nov. 9, 2023 idsnews.com

Editors Jared Quigg, Danny William opinion@idsnews.com

ISABELLA'S INSIGHTS

5

JACK’S JAMS

ZUZANNA KUKAWSKA | IDS

The Hunters Honey Farm stand is seen Sept. 30, 2023, at the Bloomington Farmers’ Market. The Bloomington Farmers’ Market features local vendors from around the city.

ILLUSTRATION BY AMANDA KING

Ceasing leaf collection will ruin fall for us all Isabella Vesperini (she/her)

is a sophomore majoring in journalism and minoring in Italian.

One of my favorite things to do during the year is walk through the foliage. All the red and orange and yellow leaves are a welcome change after months of hot, humid weather and plain, green leaves. But the fall leaves save us; they encourage us to go out and enjoy being in nature with a different backdrop.

The sad thing is that the leaves don’t stay on the branches that long. Almost as soon as they start changing colors, they fall. Don't get me wrong, it’s a pretty sight. It's so aesthetic and peaceful to watch the leaves fall as you take a walk on campus or at a park. Yet with this act of nature comes the need to perform an annoying chore: raking leaves.

Raking leaves is fun for maybe 10 minutes. It quickly becomes one of the most tedious things to do in the world. You begin to collect leaves in one pile, and then you look around you and another 5,000 leaves have fallen across your lawn. It’s impossible to make any significant progress.

For decades in Bloomington, people would rake up leaves on the side of the road, and at the beginning of November, the city would send out trucks to vacuum up the piles. It was a simple and easy way to clean up the streets and get rid of the endless number of leaves.

But starting this year, the city has decided to end the leaf collection. Why? According to a city press release from this August, ceasing leaf vacuum collec-

tion will save approximately $400,000 annually. Funding from state taxes has been decreasing since 2019. The new plan will also supposedly reduce air emissions from diesel-fueled trucks that are used to collect the leaves. This supports the city’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Not vacuuming the leaves is asking for things to go wrong. First of all, most of the 13,500 households that are affected by this new measure may not want to rake up the endless number of leaves on their own, as well as collect them into paper bags for the city to collect. Most likely, people will either leave them alone and let their yards and street get messy and slippery, or hire another company to collect the leaves for them.

And this might not, in fact, eliminate air emissions. Some companies use electric-powered leaf blowers, but others may use gas-powered ones.

This counteracts reducing greenhouse gas emissions because gas-powered tools are still actively being used to collect leaves. We have to admit that it’s a lot easier and more productive to use one.

Whether people hire companies or collect leaves themselves, the alternatives also have a detrimental impact on the environment.

Studies show leaf blowers emit nearly 300 times more air pollutants than pickup trucks do. Some leaf blowers and mowers have a twostroke engine, which burns oil and fuel into the air. This

releases carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons into the air, which are extremely harmful to the environment. Those looking to collect leaves may not keep in mind these consequences or even be aware of them.

The city does propose other methods to collect leaves: you can mulch and compost them. I'm not sure this is something people will want to do. It's messy, and people naturally want to get rid of their leaves, not leave them there. And many may not want to spend the time or have any time in general to learn about how to mulch and compost or potentially spend the money to do so.

One efficient way to mulch leaves on your own is to mow the leaves with a lawn mower. While this is more efficient, you’d probably have to mow somewhat often to get rid of all the leaves. Using a lawn mower releases gas into the environment, which does not align with the city’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It actually increases the amount of gas sent out into the environment compared to city leaf collection if a lot of people turn to this option as a solution.

If mulching doesn’t work, you may even need to spend money on fertilizer. There are also specific things to keep in mind when mulching: if leaves pile up too thickly, light and air won’t be able to reach the soil. It takes more time to mulch ash and maple leaves; this would require you to spend more time mowing, which releases

more gas into the environment. You also need to be careful not to mow pine needles because they decompose too slowly and are bad for your lawn. It's hard to keep all of these things in mind when we all lead busy lives or even be mindful of them if mulching gets the job done anyway.

Now, while I understand the need to save money, the city wastes its money on meaningless things like building a monolith. In fact, city officials paused construction for the monolith due to backlash from the public. People were upset by the city’s lack of communication with the project, not to mention the nearly $1 million it would cost to build it. $1 million! On a monolith! Even though city officials are reconsidering the monolith’s design, it’s still a needless waste of money that could be used on other things. Why not reallocate the money originally put aside for a project people don’t like to help collect leaves instead?

Ultimately, ceasing leaf collection is a mistake. It's concerning that the city doesn’t see the drawbacks of leaving us on our own to deal with leaves. Their plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may turn out to be counterintuitive, and “saving” $400,000 a year to instead spend money on silly things like a monolith demonstrates the city’s lack of productivity and ability to serve the citizens’ real needs. Fall won’t be as enjoyable if we have to worry about raking up all our leaves. isvesp@iu.edu

Keep your shopping local Jack Davis (he/him)

is a freshman studying journalism.

As Amazon and other large corporations take over, shopping locally becomes less and less common. According to The Zebra, small business creation has dropped 50 percent in the past 30 years. But Bloomington is a town full of amazing local shops, markets and grocery stores. They help make our town unique.

There are many benefits to shopping locally, like helping your town's economy and reducing your impact on the environment. But my favorite reason to shop locally is getting to know the community and the people in it.

From the time I was a baby, my mom and I would regularly go to the Bloomington Farmers’ Market. I would splash in the fountain, and she would drink coffee and catch up with friends. Though our lives got busier, we continued this tradition – with less splashing – by frequenting the Woolery Farmers’ Market south of town. Though we visit the market to buy local food, the connections we made with vendors are what keeps us coming back each week.

For example, every two weeks a great vendor at the Woolery Market sells some of the best seafood you can find in Indiana. In addition to buying and eating this delicious fish, I’ve enjoyed talking with him to learn more about his life and the things we have in common, like how much we both enjoy the niche TV show “Twin Peaks.”

Being a local regular allowed me to create a personal connection and get to know someone in my community.

If that's not enough to convince you to switch the way you shop, let’s explore

some other benefits. According to Fundera, shopping locally earns more money for the community at an average of $68 for every $100 spent. National chains only generate $43 out of every $100 for the local economy. These local dollars pay for employees’ salaries, are invested into the community and build a local tax base.

Small businesses also contribute to charities and fundraisers at a much higher rate than big companies.

Bloomingfoods Co-op Market is a good example of this practice. Every month they have a new charity you can support by rounding up your purchase. Per SCORE, small businesses donate 250 percent more than large companies to local charities and nonprofits.

Another advantage to shopping locally is its positive effect on the climate.

When you choose to shop closer to home you are supporting businesses that frequently source their products from nearby. This reduces the amount of time it takes the food to get to your store. Smaller shops and markets are also more transparent about how their food is sourced. A great example of this in Bloomington is the Farm Stop Collective, which sells products from local and regional farmers and artisans.

Shopping locally can be more expensive, and sometimes towns don’t have access to quality grocery stores or shops. But, in Bloomington we’re lucky to have a plethora of great local food businesses. So, if you have the means to pay a little bit extra, visit a local shop or market to help your community, better the world and gain human connections that could last a lifetime. jjd5@iu.edu

ON THE CLOCK

How I love being a woman Leila Faraday (she/her)

is a sophomore studying policy analysis with minors in geography and urban planning. .

How does that song go again? “...the best thing about being a woman, is the prerogative to be inextricably bound to capitalism and the never ending dissatisfaction with oneself that comes with it!” Or something like that.

To my loyal “On the clock” readers, never fear. I have been scrolling through TikTok for hours on end the entire time this column has been on pause. The latest offenders? Yet another avalanche of advertisements disguised as embodiments of ideal femininity.

I’ve seen a slew of videos using sounds like, “How I love being a woman,” from the show “Anne with an E” and the lyrics from “Man! I feel Like a Woman” to showcase the various material items — without forgetting the link to an Amazon storefront — that characterize femininity, or perhaps, the best parts of being a woman.

I feel little connection to a girl who defines her femininity with owning a Louis Vuitton blanket and pink Porsche or stuffed Sephora bags, but I simultaneously feel an innate understanding of the way we as women are uniquely subject to materialistic pressures.

We have long been the primary spenders compared to men due to various social structures and expectation,

ILLUSTRATION BY AMANDA KING

and advertising continues to aggressively target women for that very reason. I feel discouraged watching video after video displaying massive levels of consumption or restructured advertisements of beauty products, self-care tools and various other items

that promise to incrementally transform us into better women.

When our ability and willingness to consume and flaunt material items is so bound to our identity as women, it feels like there is little wiggle room to define

gender expression beyond the things we own.

Yet, it is not the pressure I feel to achieve constant self improvement and manicure myself to perfection that really makes me a woman. I can be a woman just by existing.

No one, not even TikTok in-

fluencers, can change that. I can cherish my womanhood through experiences that cannot be bought and sold.

I get to bask in the joy of my stomach hurting from laughing with my friends about their interaction with their class crush, or sharing

knowing looks from across the room or otherwise appreciating the little considerate things women do for each other and the natural understanding we have between us.

I have the freedom to appreciate beauty beyond things I can buy. Womanhood has the potential to transcend consumption entirely, but in existing within a capitalist, patriarchal society, it is anything but easy.

Sure, my femininity may never be entirely separate from the plagues of patriarchy and capitalism — passing subconscious harsher judgments to women than men, viewing traditionally feminine displays as weak and less worthy, doubting the validity of my experiences or feeling insufficient without buying a new product.

What I want to define my womanhood as is solidarity with and recognition of my fellow women — whether transgender, Black, queer or otherwise further marginalized. I want to celebrate our power in numbers, our acknowledgement of each other’s struggles and triumphs and what our identity can be outside of consumption.

Who knows, though.

Glazed Donut shave oil might be the best thing about being a woman, or maybe it really is just the prerogative to have a little fun. lfaraday@iu.edu

Indiana Daily Student

6

SPORTS

Nov. 9, 2023 idsnews.com

Editors Will Foley, Dalton James sports@idsnews.com

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Malik Reneau, Kel’el Ware shine in debut

By Matt Press

mtpress@iu.edu | @MattPress23

Malik Reneau threw his hands up and shook his head in frustration when he saw the ball rattle through the hoop.

The Indiana men’s basketball sophomore forward fell victim to a failed defensive rotation. This time, Florida Gulf Coast University junior guard Dallion Johnson sunk a triple from the corner to put the Eagles up 48-42 with just under 11 minutes to go in the Nov. 7 season opener.

Roughly 20 seconds later, Reneau was fouled on his nifty converted layup and completed the and-one opportunity, drawing the Hoosiers within a possession and revitalizing the Assembly Hall crowd. In a stark contrast to the previous sequence, Reneau triumphantly pumped his fists.

“Our biggest thing is we want him on the floor,” junior guard Trey Galloway said of Reneau after the game. “We need him.”

The Hoosiers proceeded to erupt for a 14-0 run which ultimately propelled them to a 69-63 victory. Reneau finished second on the team with 15 points and notched some timely buckets. Still, he shot 3-for-6 from the line and exhibited some of the foul trouble issues that plagued him in his freshman campaign.

“Malik has to be smarter,”

Horoscope Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 6 - Relax privately.

Look for opportunities hiding behind a transition. Take extra care of yourself. Rest and recharge. Love, beauty and nature feed your spirit.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is an 8 - Support team efforts. Discuss shared dreams, possibilities and options. Don’t take things personally. There’s no time for gossip. Keep your sense of humor and win.

head coach Mike Woodson said after the game. “He’s just got to be smart, especially coming down the stretch and not getting silly fouls.”

A highly touted recruit in the class of 2022, Reneau flashed sparingly as a consistent member of the Hoosiers’ rotation last season.

He averaged 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as a freshman and was inserted into this year’s revamped starting lineup.

Alongside Reneau in the frontcourt is sophomore center Kel’el Ware, a former 5-star talent who transferred from the University of Oregon this offseason. Ware posted 13 points as one of four Hoosiers to tally double-digit points.

The 7-foot North Little Rock, Arkansas, native added 12 rebounds, four assists and a trio of ferocious blocks in his first regular season action in Bloomington. Like Reneau, Ware was especially impressive amid the Hoosiers’ 14-0 outburst.

Shortly after Reneau’s and-one sequence, Ware swiped the ball from FGCU senior guard Chase Johnston and immediately pushed the ball up the floor. Ware dished a pass to senior guard Xavier Johnson who bolted to the other end of the court and converted a crafty layup.

“He plugged the hole up for us,” Woodson said.

In the absence of Trayce Jackson-Davis, who was

drafted by the Golden State Warriors following a decorated four-year career, Indiana had to recoup much of its frontcourt production both offensively and defensively.

Jackson-Davis was an adept shot-blocker and post scorer, and Ware has displayed shades of similar capabilities. Factoring in Ware’s passing ability — he notched three assists in consecutive offensive possessions — and his potential to space the floor, Ware offers a level of versatility that perhaps even Jackson-Davis couldn’t provide.

Still, Ware struggled to consistently convert from the free-throw line. He shot 8-for-12 from the stripe, better than the team average of 63%, but still inadequate by Woodson’s standards.

“When he’s around the bucket I expect him to finish and make his damn free throws,” Woodson said.

“That’s what it’s all about.”

Reneau and Ware impressed in their regular season audition as running mates, but their performances didn’t come without hitches. Free-throw shooting was a primary culprit, but Reneau surrendered a couple head-scratching turnovers, and Ware was occasionally beaten on the glass.

“I liked our fight when we got down six late in the second half, because you could easily break there and kind of fall apart,” Galloway said.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is an 8 - Imagine exciting professional possibilities. Don’t take anything for granted.

Amplify and grow the fun and passion in your work. Go for distance, not speed.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is an 8 - Study, listen, and learn. Explore new cultures, flavors and philosophies. Open up to new ideas. Play with someone who sparks your creativity.

Expand perspectives.

BLISS

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 9 - Collaborate to take advantage of a lucrative opportunity. Grow and save resources for the ones you love. Contribute to the family pot. Work together.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 - Listen carefully to what your partner has to say. Don’t worry about the future. Together, you’re more powerful. Prioritize practicalities, here and now.

HARRY BLISS

JACOB SPUDICH | IDS

Sophomore center Kel’el Ware blocks the opposing shot against Florida Gulf Coast University on November 7, 2023, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers defeated the Eagles 69-63.

“We made that run and got back into it with our intensity and defensive energy.”

While Reneau mainly came alive in the second half, Ware was dominant from the outset. He finished the first half with 8 points and eight rebounds to go along with his three highlight-worthy shot-rejections.

His 36 minutes on Nov. 7

were the second highest on the team and the secondmost he’s played in his collegiate career — he tallied 37 minutes with Oregon on Nov. 27 last year. In Reneau and Ware’s increased and almost unprecedented usage, the two shined as Indiana’s frontcourt tandem.

With so many questions surrounding the Hoosiers

heading into the season, the two sparked some optimism in the season opener.

Still, Reneau and Ware were the primary drivers of the Hoosiers’ 30 paint points, which outscored the Eagles’ tally by 12. And the pair’s energy and intensity, which helped spearhead the second half run, were evident.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 9 - Get your body moving and build energy.

Score extra points by adding a natural connection. Enjoy beautiful vistas and fresh air.

Savor something delicious.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 7 — Enjoy a domestic phase. Surround yourself with beauty, comforts and peace. Make a useful, lovely improvement. Clean, sort and declutter. Share homemade treats.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 9 - Take advantage of great conditions to advance your lucrative plans. Focus on what you love. Have faith in your own capabilities and imagination.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is an 8 - Romance is a distinct possibility. Create works of beauty. Express your heart in words and symbolism. Savor art, music and poetry. Share and connect.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is an 8 - You’re especially creative. Write, edit and craft your piece. Talk about what you love.

Put your heart into your expression and it’s especially persuasive.

©2023 Nancy Black. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.

Crossword L.A. Times Daily Crossword

Publish your comic on this page.

The IDS is accepting applications for student comic strips for the fall 2023 semester. Email five samples and a brief description of your idea to adviser@iu.edu. Submissions will be reviewed and selections will be made by the editor-in-chief.

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

su do ku Difficulty Rating:

ACROSS How to play: Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9, without repeating a number in any one row, column or 3x3 grid.

Answer to previous puzzle

© Puzzles by Pappocom

BREWSTER ROCKIT: SPACE GUY!

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 9 - You’re especially attractive and charismatic. Follow your heart to grow. Use your power responsibly. Invent an inspiring possibility to develop into reality.

Create something beautiful.

1 Less occupied 6 Taj Mahal builder __ Jahan 10 Balkan native 14 Gave one's word 15 "Citizen __" 16 Urgent request 17 "Almost done!"

20 Homer's neighbor 21 Good place to keep things on ice?

22 Fetch player 23 Command attributed to Captain Kirk 29 3-Down, for one 30 Image on the Connecticut state quarter 31 Goes over one's head?

34 New Haven collegian 35 Enjoys hot tea, say 36 Bit of static buildup 37 Capital of Libya, and a phonetic hint to a feature of this puzzle's four longest answers 41 Rare game show outcome 42 In __ parentis 44 Megan Rapinoe's team: Abbr.

45 Doesn't just want

47 Destructive wave 49 "Ideas worth spreading" offshoot 51 Cat call?

55 Bronze element 56 Mimic 57 Narrow inlet 59 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so on 64 Speak for oneself?

65 Art hub in New Mexico 66 Larger relatives of violas 67 "Othello" plotter 68 "While" prefix 69 Swinton in many Wes Anderson films

DOWN

1 Copyright page ID 2 Nerdy type 3 "Sister Outsider" writer Audre 4 Before, once 5 Farthest back 6 Rogue artificial intelligence system in "The Terminator" 7 17-syllable work 8 __ Arbor, Michigan 9 Attachment at the front of a sloop, e.g.

10 Taps

11 Mischief-maker 12 Soccer official 13 Receiving area 18 Coin with a torch 19 Athletic type 24 Program opened with a tap 25 Sport played on horseback 26 Overused 27 Lukewarm 28 Positive responses 31 Grime 32 Rough, as a translation 33 Bring on 34 Org. concerned with climate change 38 Dwell (on) 39 "That so?"

40 Roundabout 43 "Almost done!"

46 Office contact no.

48 Comparable (to) 49 Keyboard pro 50 __ out a living 52 Food truck fare 53 Sing like a bird 54 Give 58 Home to more than half of the world's population 59 "Criminal Minds" org.

60 Nest egg letters 61 Purse 62 Train unit 63 Camping apparel retailer

Answer to previous puzzle

TIM RICKARD

7

Nov. 9, 2023 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

FOOTBALL

MICHAEL CLAYCAMP | IDS

Senior-plus linebacker Aaron Casey is pictured Nov. 4, 2023, at Memorial Stadium. Indiana beat Wisconsin 20-14.

COLUMN: Indiana’s season, postseason hopes regain life after win vs. Wisconsin

By Daniel Flick

DanFlick@iu.edu | @ByDanielFlick

As Indiana’s football team walked off the field Nov. 4, music blared from the speakers at Memorial Stadium.

“This is the moment / Tonight is the night, we’ll fight ‘til it’s over / So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us,” belted musicians Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in the hit song “Can’t Hold Us.” It wasn’t quite the night, but it was the Hoosiers’ moment to get their first win in six weeks, taking a 20-14 victory over Wisconsin and snapping a Big Ten losing streak that dated back to Nov. 19, 2022.

Seemingly Indiana’s entire roster sang “Indiana, Our Indiana,” in front of an energized Hoosier faithful

that erupted once the clock hit zero. Some players hugged family members.

Others tossed gear into the stands. Nearly all were grinning from ear to ear.

“It felt really good,” junior punter James Evans said. “I’m happy for the whole team and the coaches. It feels really good to be a winner after four losses.”

Indiana (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) staved off bowl elimination by topping the Badgers (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) despite posting only three points and 36 total yards of offense in the second half.

Since their last victory – a 29-27 four-overtime survival against the University of Akron on Sept. 23 – the Hoosiers have fired offensive coordinator Walt Bell for performance, made a change at quarterback, been outscored 160-62 and

lost sixth-year senior captain Noah Pierre for the season due to injury.

But none of that adversity mattered Nov. 4, and Indiana’s postseason eligibility lives to fight for another day.

“It’s great,” sixth-year senior linebacker Aaron Casey said postgame. “Just being able to sing that fight song with the guys in the locker room and having that feeling of just getting the victory, earning it.”

As opposed to last week, when Penn State scored a late touchdown to survive Indiana’s upset bid, Casey and the Hoosiers’ defense rose to the occasion when needed most. While its offense struggled, Indiana held Wisconsin scoreless for the final 25 minutes of game action, forcing two punts, a pair of fumbles

and a turnover on downs.

Time and time again, Indiana’s defense had its back against the wall – and when redshirt senior safety Josh Sanguinetti sealed the victory with a fumble recovery on the game’s final play, it put an exclamation point on a season-saving result.

“It’s a higher sense of urgency,” Casey said of the Hoosiers’ defensive effort.

“We look at these games as playoff games. We know we have to win out to go to the postseason. So, we’ve just been putting everything we have to our work and preparation this week to play in a bowl game.”

The Hoosiers have now played eight consecutive quarters of competitive football dating back to their 33-24 loss at No. 10 Penn State on Oct. 28 after three

straight losses by at least 17 points.

Junior receiver Donaven McCulley, who made a one-handed grab for Indiana’s second touchdown of the game, noted how tight the Hoosiers’ locker room remained when many wrote them off. Afterwards, that same locker room was “turnt,” freshman safety Jordan Shaw said.

If only for the day, Indiana’s persistence and togetherness paid off, resulting in a victory six weeks in the making.

“I feel like getting this win shows how hard we work,” McCulley said. “All the work we put in, it’s just like we never gave up out there. It’s just a testament showing our work.”

The remaining schedule gives the Hoosiers every opportunity to find their

way into bowl contention.

None of the three games left to play – at Illinois, vs.

Michigan State and at Purdue – will come against teams with winning records.

Indiana knows this.

Even with a disappointing October, there’s belief that a fruitful November may be on the horizon – but for now, the focus is on celebrating a hard-fought victory and going one game at a time, with all eyes turned towards Nov. 11 against Illinois.

“It’s earmuffs and blinders every single week,” Allen said. “Come back to work, no matter what happened, good or bad, attack the next day. Easier said than done, no doubt. Definitely hard to do. To see them rewarded for that today is pretty special.”

WOMEN’S SOCCER

MEN’S SOCCER

Indiana advances to Big Ten Tournament semi-finals

By Jovanni Salaza

Jsalaza@iu.edu | @Jio_duz_it

Indiana men’s soccer advanced to the semi-finals of the Big Ten Tournament following a 2-1 win against Wisconsin Nov. 4.

Fresh off of a Big Ten regular season title, Indiana started its conference tournament journey against Wisconsin. The Hoosiers faced the Badgers in the regular season Sept.

15, with the teams settling for a scoreless draw. Friday’s match featured another close battle, with Indiana squeezing out a win.

The Hoosiers won the possesion battle early in the match, but it wasn’t by much as the Badgers had their fair share of possesion as well. Indiana wasn’t able to create many chances as a result of this, with Wisconsin limiting its recently high-flying offense.

“We could have created a little bit more,” head coach Todd Yeagley said after the match.

This left the Hoosiers with little margin for error when in front of the opposing net, but they were able to capitalize on two of their goal-scoring opportunities.

Indiana was awarded a penalty in the 13th minute after freshman forward Collins Oduro was fouled on the left side of Wisconsin’s box. The referee went to VAR to review the play, but ultimately stuck with his original decision and pointed to the spot.

Senior defender Joey Maher stepped up to take the penalty for Indiana and converted it to give the Hoosiers an early lead.

“VAR check was a little longer than I was honestly wanting it to be,” Maher said. “The preparation is the same — just trying to block away all the other noise.”

This was the second consecutive Indiana pen-

BEN FITZSIMONS | IDS

Senior midfielder Sofia Black dribbles the ball Oct. 1, 2023, at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Indiana made the NCAA Tournament.

Indiana’s NCAA Tournament region announced

By PJ Katona

pjkatona@iu.edu | @PJ_Katona

JACOB SPUDICH | IDS

Junior goalie JT Harms celebrates a win against Wisconsin on Nov. 4, 2023, at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semi-finals.

alty Maher has taken, and the senior has scored both of them.

“We’re blessed that we have a lot of (penalty takers),” Maher said.

“My name’s just had to be called for the last couple, but we have multiple guys very capable of doing this.”

A second goal-scoring opportunity for Indiana came just 10 minutes into the second half, with junior forward Sam Sarver weaving his way through multiple defenders before putting in a cross. Senior forward Maoloune Goumballe was able to get a slight touch on the cross, creeping the ball into the back of the net. This

marked Goumballe’s second goal in three matches, as he has slowly begun to hit a goal-scoring stride after a slow start to the season.

“It was good. It really builds confidence, and its good I’m getting them at this point of the season,” Goumballe said. “I’ve been focusing on ending my runs in the frame of the goal.”

Indiana didn’t create many chances outside of its two goals and relied on its defense and junior goalkeeper JT Harms to close out the win. Wisconsin threw numbers forward trying to get a late equalizer after scoring a goal with

15 minutes left to play.

“Biggest thing for us, especially after they got that goal, was just weather the storm,” Maher said.

Indiana was able to hold off Wisconsin’s attacks, with Harms playing a major role in the team not conceding an equalizer. Harms had multiple saves down the stretch after not having much to deal with earlier in the match.

Yeagley also said the improvement in the backline’s communication with Harms was important for them maintaining the lead.

“The really good news with JT is he won’t get rattled,” Yeagley said.

Indiana women’s soccer clinched an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2013, the NCAA Selection Committee announced Nov. 6. The Hoosiers finished the 2023 regular season with a record of 12-3-4.

This is also the first time since 2013 they were able to reach 12 wins in a season.

Indiana was placed in the second region revealed which is highlighted by the No. 1 seed Clemson University. Indiana will travel to face the No. 6 seed St. Louis University, who ranked No. 21 in the final poll of the season. The Billikens have a current record of 15-2-2 and won their sixth consecutive Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament championship this season.

The Hoosiers’ region

also contains fellow Big Ten members No. 2 seed Penn State, who beat the Hoosiers twice this season, No. 5 seed Iowa, who did not play Indiana during the regular season and Rutgers, who lost to Indiana at home this season.

If the Hoosiers can get a win on the road in St. Louis, they would play the winner of Georgetown University and Old Dominion University.

Another notable opponent the Hoosiers could potentially face in the later rounds of the tournament is No. 23 Santa Clara University. Santa Clara finished third in the West Coast Conference and is the only other ranked team in the region besides St. Louis, Penn State and Clemson.

Indiana will travel to St. Louis for the match at 8 p.m.

Nov. 10.

Indiana Daily Student

8

ARTS

Nov. 9, 2023 idsnews.com

Editors Tory Basile, Taylor Satoski arts@idsnews.com

A history of Baker’s Junction Haunted Train

By Abby Turner

abbturne@iu.edu | @abbyyturner

Baker’s Junction Haunted Train sits on Fairfax Road just south of Bloomington, a short drive away from Monroe Lake. A passerby may think they have stumbled upon an 1800s ghost town. Old wooden buildings and rusty trains juxtapose the concrete backdrop of a foreboding castle.

The property is home to John Baker and his family.

John, a sturdy man who gets around by electric wheelchair, loves haunted houses so much that he lives in one. He grew up hearing stories of trains and railroads, and, one day, decided to purchase old train cars and repurpose them into a home — but he didn’t stop there.

It began in 1976, when he

was driving up Rogers Street.

He pulled into the hundredyear-old Monon Railroad Station just to look around and think about what he was going to do with his life.

He was a retired veteran, still possessing both legs and all fingers.

A sign on the door read that the depot was set to be demolished. He said he thought that someone ought to save it, and after the historic society showed no interest, that someone became him.

John lugged five train cars and three cabooses with his truck to his new property on Fairfax Road, all by himself, because the moving company was asking for more than he could afford.

But he had a vision, and he was going to execute it.

He followed his own blueprints to build the

1800s town of his dreams, planning to call it John Baker’s Junction. There would be a playground in the front for his children and future grandchildren, a set of trains in the middle where he could start a museum filled with antiques and a row of buildings down the back for gift shops.

He hoped to leave something behind when he died. He had dreamt of spending his old age painting with his wife and chatting with visitors from far and wide.

It was the perfect plan. He worked tirelessly for months.

Not long after he finished construction on the museum, the Monroe County property zoners were at his door with concerns about the look of his lot. John says his home didn’t fit their vision of a new and improved Monroe

ABBY TURNER | IDS

Skeletons and other toys are displayed on the walls inside Baker’s Junction Haunted Train on Sept. 28, 2023.

These items were inside the “kiddie” train for the kids who are too afraid to go into the real haunted house.

County, with its strange buildings and old trains. He fought for his property in court for three years.

Eventually, the Bakers won the case. But they were bankrupt.

“Yes, we won,” said John.

“If you call losing everything winning.”

SEE TRAIN, PAGE 4

Connect with members of many diverse faiths at idsnews.com/religious Paid Advertising

Jubilee

Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food, honest discussion, worship, and hanging out. Small groups, service projects, events (bonfires, game nights, book clubs, etc.), outreach retreats, and leadership opportunities all play a significant role in our rhythm of doing life together.

219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org facebook.com/jubileebloomington Instagram: @jubileebloomington

Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship 11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner Markus Dickinson - jubilee@fumcb.org

Lutheran - Missouri Synod

Episcopal (Anglican)

Society of Friends (Quaker)

Bahá'í Faith

University Lutheran Chuch and LCMS U Student Center

Canterbury Mission

Bloomington Friends Meeting

Bahá'í Association of IU

719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org facebook.com/ECMatIU Instagram & Twitter: @ECMatIU

3820 E. Moores Pike 812-336-4581 bloomingtonfriendsmeeting.org Facebook: Bloomington Friends Meeting

424 S. College Mall Rd. 812-331-1863 bloomingtoninbahais.org facebook.com/Baháí-Community-ofBloomington-Indiana-146343332130574 Instagram: @bloomingtonbahai

607 E. Seventh St 812-336-5387 indianalutheran.com facebook.com/ULutheranIU instagram.com/uluindiana Sunday: 9:15 a.m.: Sunday Bible Class 10:30 a.m.: Sunday Worship Wednesday: 6 p.m.: Free Student Meal 7 p.m.: Wednesday Evening Service 7:45 p.m.: College Bible Study Student Center open daily: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

We are the home of the LCMS campus ministry at Indiana. Our mission is to serve all college students with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Located on Campus, we offer Christ-centered worship, Bible study and a community of friends gathered around God’s gifts of life, salvation and the forgiveness of sins through our Senior Jesus Christ.

Modern Buddhism KMC Bloomington 234 N. Morton St. 812-318-1236 meditationinbloomington.org Instagram, Facebook, MeetUp @kadampameditationcenterbloomington Weekly Meditation Classes: Mon., Wed., Fri.: 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.

Tuesday: 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

All classes In-person, Sunday and Tuesday also offer live-stream.

Retreats two Saturdays per month: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

See website for specifics.

Amidst school pressures, financial struggles and tense relationship dynamics, we need to focus our attention in a beneficial way through meditation.

KMC Bloomington’s meditation classes give practical, ancient advice so you can learn to connect daily life experiences with wisdom perspectives and maintain mental peace.

Sunday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Mon., Wed., Thu.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Fri., Sat.: By Appointment Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world.

Ed Bird - Chaplain/Priest

Buddhist Gaden KhachoeShing Monastery 2150 E. Dolan Rd. 812-334-3456 ganden.org facebook.com/ganden.org Dedicated to preserving the Buddha’s teachings as transmitted through the Gelukpa lineage of Tibet, for the benefit of all beings. The lineage was founded by the great Master Je Tsonghkapa in the 15th century in Tibet.

Christian Science First Church of Christ, Scientist 2425 E. Third St. 812-332-0536 csmonitor.com bloomingtonchristianscience.com Sunday: 10 a.m.

Wednesday: 7 p.m.

A free public reading room in the east wing of our church is open weekdays from noon until 2 p.m. Here you may read the award-winning Christian Science Monitor and other church literature. An attendant is glad to answer questions.

Sunday (in person and by Zoom) : 9:45 a.m., Hymn singing 10:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship 10:45 a.m., Sunday School (Children join in worship from 10:30-10:45) 11:30 a.m., Light Refreshments and Fellowship 12:45 p.m., Often there is a second hour activity (see website) Wednesday (Via Zoom) : 9 a.m., Midweek Meeting for worship 9:30 a.m., Fellowship We practice traditional Quaker worship, gathering in silence with occasional Spirit-led vocal ministry by fellow worshipers. We are an inclusive community with a rich variety of beliefs and no prescribed creed. We are actively involved in peace action, social justice causes, and environmental concerns.

Peter Burkholder - Clerk burkhold@indiana.edu

United Methodist Jubilee 219 E. Fourth St. 812-332-6396 jubileebloomington.org facebook.com/jubileebloomington Instagram: @jubileebloomington Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Classic Worship 11:45 a.m., Contemporary Worship Wednesday: 7:30 p.m., College & Young Adult Dinner Jubilee is a Christ-centered community open and affirming to all. We gather on Wednesdays at First United Methodist (219 E. 4th St.) for free food, honest discussion, worship, and hanging out. Small groups, service projects, events (bonfires, game nights, book clubs, etc.), outreach retreats, and leadership opportunities all play a significant role in our rhythm of doing life together.

Markus Dickinson - jubilee@fumcb.org

Sunday: 10:40 a.m., Regular Services, Devotional Meetings.

Please call or contact through our website for other meetings/activities The Bahá'í Association of IU works to share the Teachings and Principles of the Founder, Bahá'u'lláh, that promote the "Oneness of Mankind" and the Peace and Harmony of the Planet through advancing the "security, prosperity, wealth and tranquility of all peoples."

Karen Pollock Dan Enslow

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Rose House LuMin & St. Thomas Lutheran Church 3800 E. Third St. 812-332-5252 Stlconline.org lcmiu.net Instagram: @hoosierlumin facebook.com/LCMIU facebook.com/StThomasBloomington Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. @ St. Thomas Lutheran Church 3800 E. Third St. Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Devotions @ Rose House LuMin 314 S. Rose Ave. Rose House LuMin and St. Thomas Lutheran Church invite you to experience life together with us. We are an inclusive Christian community who values the faith, gifts, and ministry of all God’s people. We seek justice, serve our neighbors, and love boldly.

Rev. Adrianne Meier Rev. Lecia Beck Rev. Amanda Ghaffarian - Campus Pastor

9

Nov. 9, 2023 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

» TRAIN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The family took out a first and second mortgage and had an auction for most of his beloved antiques. He lost his stone business, and he was working on the property so much the bone infection he had years prior came back. He lost his hip and leg.

Penniless and defeated, John brainstormed ways to get his money back. He slowly came up with a plan.

The Baker's Junction Haunted Train was born.

It has become a beloved attraction that echoes in terrified screams and nervous laughter.

The metal sign at the entrance reads, "Friendly People Welcome, Commie Planning & Zoning Pinheads Keep Out." The haunted train spans four out of the five train cars and all three cabooses.

The family lives in wooden cabins toward the back of the property.

The rest of the trains are filled with the antiques and attractions he was able to keep, jumbled so closely that everywhere you look

Check

something catches your eye.

John remembers the stories of thousands of items on the train. His second favorite artifact, a grand piano from the 1870s, sold to Broadway for $1,500 — but no one came to pick it up.

The “kiddie” train, right next to the ticket booth, showcases a glow-in-thedark display of planets and shelves full of plasma balls.

John says this room is for the kids and adults who are too afraid to go into the “real” trains.

His favorite object of all is his severed thumb that he had preserved and hung out of reach from visitors.

After he lost it in a chainsaw incident, he thought what a perfect opportunity it could be to scare some people.

"It’s a shame I couldn’t put my leg in a McDonald’s cup like I could with a finger,” he said.

It would be easy to want to move slowly through the trains and admire the construction, but this is hard to do when masked clowns and bloody butchers are following close behind. They will not touch you, but John says they will probably target

ABBY TURNER | IDS

Various old newspapers about John Baker’s Junction hang on display in the trains on Sept. 28, 2023. John has kept all articles written about him, and they date back almost 50 years.

the most scared person in your group.

John and his family work all year to prepare for October. There is always something to be done.

Annabelle, John’s 9-year-old granddaughter, shares his passion for the unnerving. She plays with

the spiders that make webs in her playground, and she says she just bought a scary new mask that she cannot wait to show customers who come by the train.

She says her favorite holiday is Halloween because she gets to dress up all month and chase

strangers through the maze of chain-link fences and tarps, lit by candles she makes. Annabelle loves to play in the playground by day, and the trains by night.

She spends much of her time making friends with the skeletons set to motion detectors inside the trains.

The trains are filled with booby-traps like the skeletons. It takes customers anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to complete the attraction, depending on how fast they run. Usually, they are sprinting to escape the sound of chainsaws, guillotines and the people that jump out at them from behind cracked doors.

John likes to keep his guests surprised: this year, a family friend is learning to walk in stilts.

After surviving the haunted train, customers are rewarded with the smell of hot dogs, chili and apple dumplings at the concession stand, a big hit every year.

At the front of the property, next to the concessions and the playground, sits “The Time Castle.” Its exterior is made with brick and concrete.

The Time Castle is not available for public use.

It is sacred to the family, and according to John, it is impossible to tear down.

He and his family built it themselves.

Inside, the ceiling is lined with geodes from here, there and everywhere, Annabelle said. Etched on the walls are the names of all of John’s family members.

“We have all decided that this is where we want to be when we die,” said John. “My wife Cheryl is already here.”

He pointed to a gravestone made of marble.

Underneath, a bouquet of dead flowers gathers dust.

Cheryl died in June of 2022. Her gravestone reads, “The Train Lady.”

John knows that his years left on Earth are limited. He is proud of everything he has accomplished, despite his setbacks and lost limbs.

He still created a home for his family and is able to chat with visitors, even though it isn’t what he had in mind when he began.

When he passes, he said, his gravestone will sit next to Cheryl’s. It will say, “The Train Man.”

the IDS every Thursday for your directory of local religious services, or go online anytime at idsnews.com/religious For membership in the Indiana Daily Student Religious Directory, please contact ads@idsnews.com.

Your deadline for next week’s Religious Directory is 5 p.m. Monday.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. 812-332-4459 fccbloomington.org Sunday: 10 a.m.

We are an inclusive community of people who are diverse in thought and unified in spirit. We are an LGBTQIA+ welcoming and affirming congregation known for our excellent music and commitment to justice. Our worship services will not only lift your spirit, but also engage your mind. You are welcome!

Pastor Kyrmen Rea - Senior Pastor Pastor Sarah Lynne Gershon Student Associate Pastor Jan Harrington - Director of Music

Baptist Emmanuel Church 1503 W. That Rd. 812-824-2768 Emmanuelbloom.com Instagram & Facebook: @EmmanuelBloomington Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Fellowship Sunday: 10 a.m., Worship Groups: Various times Emmanuel is a multigenerational church of all types of people. Whether you are questioning faith or have followed Jesus for years, we exist to help fuel a passion for following Jesus as we gather together, grow in community, and go make disciples.

John Winders - Lead Pastor

Second Baptist Church 321 N Rogers St 812-327-1467 sbcbloomington.org facebook.com/2ndbaptistbloomington youtube.com/@secondbaptist churchbloomington Sunday Service: 10 a.m., In house and on Facebook/YouTube Sunday School: 8:45 - 9:45 a.m.

Bible Study: Available In House and on Zoom Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Thursdays, Noon Please come and worship with us. We are in training for reigning with Christ! Need a ride? Call our Church bus at 812-3271467 before 8 a.m. on Sunday Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Rose - Pastor Tallie Schroeder - Secretary

Evangel Presbytery Trinity Reformed Church 2401 S. Endwright Rd. 812-825-2684 trinityreformed.org facebook.com/trinitychurchbloom Email: lucas@trinityreformed.org Sunday: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m., Services Bible Study: 7 p.m. at the IMU We are a Protestant Reformed church on the west side of Bloomington with lively worship on Sunday mornings and regular lunches for students after church. We love the Bible, and we aim to love like Jesus. Please get in touch if you’d like a ride!

Jody Killingsworth - Senior Pastor Lucas Weeks - College Pastor

Independent Baptist

Unitarian Universalist

Non-Denominational

Lifeway Baptist Church

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington

Christ Community Church

7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service 5 p.m., Evening Service *Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church.

Barnabas College Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information.

2120 N. Fee Ln. 812-332-3695 uubloomington.org facebook.com/uubloomington

503 S. High St. 812-332-0502 cccbloomington.org facebook.com/christcommunitybtown Instagram: @christcommunitybtown

Sunday: 10:15 a.m.

Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour 10:30 a.m., Worship Service

With open hearts and minds, we celebrate diverse beliefs and engage in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We are passionate about social justice and lifelong learning. We are an LGBTQA+ Welcoming Congregation.

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we welcome you!

We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town.

Rev. Constance Grant - Lead Minister Anabel Watson - Connections Coordinator

Bob Whitaker - Senior Pastor Adam deWeber - Worship Pastor Dan Waugh - Adult Ministry Pastor

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Unity Worldwide

Christian Student Fellowship

United Presbyterian Church

Unity of Bloomington

1701 E. Second St. 812-332-1850 upcbloomington.org

4001 S. Rogers St. 812-333-2484 unityofbloomington.org facebook@UnityofBloomington

1968 N. David Baker 812-332-8972 csfindiana.org Instagram & Facebook: @csfindiana

Steven VonBokern - Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade - IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com

Sunday worship service: 10 a.m.

Tuesday Bible Study: 6 p.m., in-person and via Zoom A diverse and inclusive people of God determined and committed to reflect an authentic presentation of the church universal. We cherish the authority of Scripture and the elemental Presbyterian confession that that God alone is Lord of the conscience.”

Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual’s right to choose a spiritual path.

Our God is Love, Our Race is Human, Our Faith is Oneness.

Cheryl Montgomery - Reverend Benjamin Watkins, PhD - Music Director Allen Pease - Event Coordinator & Secretary

Doris Brinegar - Administrator Phyllis Wickliff - Music Director

Inter-Denominational

Mennonite Fellowship of Bloomington

Redeemer Community Church 111 S. Kimble Dr. 812-269-8975 redeemerbloomington.org facebook.com/RedeemerBtown Instagram & Twitter: @RedeemerBtown Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

Redeemer is a gospel-centered community on mission. Our vision is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform everything: our lives, our church, our city, and our world. We want to be instruments of gospel change in Bloomington and beyond.

Chris Jones - Lead Pastor

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bloomington Young Single Adult Branch 2411 E. Second St. To Contact: Send message from website maps.churchofjesuschrist.org/ wards/237973 Sunday: 12:30 p.m.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints has four congregations in Bloomington—Three family wards and our young single adult branch for college students. This info is for the YSA Branch.

Weekday religious classes at 333 S Highland Ave, Bloomington IN 47401, next to campus.

More info at churchofjesuschrist.org.

Mennonite

2420 E. Third St. 812-646-2441 bloomingtonmenno.org facebook.com/Mennonite-Fellowship-ofBloomington-131518650277524 Sunday: 5 p.m.

A welcoming, inclusive congregation providing a place of healing and hope as we journey together in the Spirit of Christ. Gathering for worship Sundays 5 p.m. in the Roger Williams room, First United Church. As people of God's peace, we seek to embody the Kingdom of God. John Sauder - mfbjohn@gmail.com

United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches-USA

First United Church 2420 E. Third St. 812-332-4439 firstuc.org facebook.com/firstuc Sunday: 10:30 a.m., Worship Monday: 10 a.m. via Zoom, Bible Study We are an Open, Welcoming, and Affirming community of love and acceptance dedicated to welcoming the diversity of God’s beloved. We exist to empower, challenge, and encourage one another to live out Jesus’ ways (compassion, truth, and justice) authentically as human beings in community to create a better world.

Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai Senior Minister

Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Office Thursday: 8 p.m., Worship Service Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) is a ministry built on Jesus Christ. We exist to help students pursue authentic faith and build intentional communities while in college. Come check out our campus house and/or any of our other various ministry opportunities.

Ben Geiger - Lead campus minister Joe Durnil - Associate campus minister Stephanie Michael - Associate campus minister Hailee Fox - Office manager

Church of Christ 825 W. Second St. 812-332-0501 facebook.com/w2coc Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Bible Study 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m., Worship Wednesday: 7 p.m., Bible Study We use no book, but the Bible. We have no creed but His Word within its sacred pages. God is love and as such we wish to share this joy with you. The comprehensive teaching of God's Word can change you forever.

John Myers - Preacher

City Church For All Nations 1200 N. Russell Rd. 812-336-5958 citychurchbloomington.org facebook.com/citychurchbtown Instagram: @citychurchbtown Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

Always check website for possible changes to service times.

City Church is a non-denominational multicultural, multigenerational church on Bloomington's east side. The Loft, our college ministry meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

10

Nov. 9, 2023 | Indiana Daily Student | idsnews.com

IDS talks opera with ‘Romeo et Juliette’ director

By Gino Diminich

gdiminic@iu.edu | @gino.diminich2

The Jacobs School of Music Opera and Ballet Theater department will present its final opera of the fall season, “Romeo et Juliette,” at 7:30 p.m. with two different casts Nov. 10 and 11 at the Musical Arts Center.

Student tickets are available for $10 at the Jacobs School of Music website.

“Romeo et Juliette” is a French opera composed

by Charles Gounod. The production is directed by Katherine M. Carter, known for her strong collaborationbased approach to productions, according to the Jacobs School of Music website.

On the fourth floor of the MAC, in a meeting room filled with aging Puccini vinyls, Carter had a relaxed and welcoming energy about her before the interview on Oct 31. She laughed about vintage shopping, voluminous hair and living in New York City. The Indiana Daily Student discussed Carter’s approach to her work.

IDS: How did you get involved with Jacobs?

Carter: My maestro, Louis Lohraseb, has been here many times. We worked together last winter at Sarasota Opera on a piece called “Thérèse” by Massenet, a rarely done French opera.

We got along very well and wanted to work together more. I brought Louis onto a project I was working on at Chicago Lyric Opera, he brought me into the voices program in Tel Aviv with a bunch of awesome IU people, so it was like someone who knew someone who knew someone who knew someone.

IDS: What was your initial reaction to the production value here at the MAC? Carter: It’s a wonderful place to work. It’s wellresourced and it’s always great to be at a place that values the arts. It has the infrastructure to support an opera of this size so that was really exciting to see. Any place I walk into — regardless

of size — is magical, it’s like you’re walking into the house you’re going to decorate and there’s all these ideas and you’ve talked about it with pictures, but nothing beats walking out on that stage.

IDS: Where does your process start with new productions?

Carter: With opera, my process starts with music. I like to listen to a few different recordings and get a feeling of what the show is. When I’m listening to an opera for the first time, I’m really feeling the emotional journey — musically only. It allows me to think about what the music is bringing out in me, what thoughts, what feelings are coming into play. It’s nice because it’s really a blank canvas of a moment.

I’ll just write down little thoughts and feelings about the characters and who they are. Usually images come to mind, and I really take note of those. The easy thing about being a director of opera who comes from a theatre background is that when I’m called to direct an opera, nine times out of 10 it’s the first time I’ve ever interacted with that piece. I’m able to come to everything completely fresh, I have no preconceived notions and there are things that I bring with a fresh eye that have either long been forgotten about or no one’s noticed before.

IDS: What about “Romeo and Juliet,” it’s so well known outside of being an opera.

Carter: I know the play extremely well; I grew up as an actor, studied Shakespeare and directed it often so I’m very close to Shakespeare.

With the opera I thought, “Oh great, Romeo and Juliet the opera, I know this one.”

But I didn’t. Gounod’s taken the play and done a lot of different cuts. Yes, they still die at the end but it’s different than the play — I won’t say how, you should come and see it — but there are all these different catches I found.

IDS: What are some of those initial responses you felt when hearing the music?

Carter: I remember being very moved by the time we got to Act Five, the tomb

scene. What’s interesting is that, I know what’s going to happen, but the way that the music ebbs and flows in the tomb scene gives us a very clear emotional journey of how Romeo and Juliet are feeling in the moment. There were a lot of smiles with the little moments of joy that Gounod inserts in these scenes. It’s grand French opera so it sounds gorgeous, it’s sweeping, it’s spectacular, you go on this complete wave of emotion, and I went there.

IDS: You mentioned images come to mind, what kind of imagery do you envision?

Carter: I had the opportunity to direct “Romeo et Juliette” this summer with some IU students in Tel Aviv. It was a bare bones production. I always joked that I wanted my IU production to look expensive.

Lydia, the costume designer, asked what I was looking for, I said, “I want it to be expensive” and we were talking about what that meant — what does lavish look like? What we’ve ended up creating is this late ‘90s early 2000s homage to fairy tale romance. It’s Brandy (in) “Cinderella,” it is Drew Barrymore in “Ever After,” it is “Princess Bride,” it’s a little bit of “Labyrinth.” We are very much in this fairy tale time period that is all fairy tale(s).

You’re going to see various cuts of dresses and doublets and various kinds of jackets.

It’s going to be this allencompassing Verona that spans in color, texture and class. We have this variety of a community that is nice to see on stage.

IDS: So there’s a trend of visual timelessness, does that speak to the timeless quality of the source material?

Carter: It’s completely timeless. The reason it’s so timeless is that no matter how many times you read it, there’s a little part of you that wants the ending to be different. This little part inside of you says, “Maybe this time she’ll wake up.”

As you get older and as you allow love to come into your life in different ways, the love hits you in different ways.

GINO DIMINICH | IDS

Katherine M. Carter directs a rehearsal for “Romeo et Juliette” on Oct. 31, 2023, in Studio 301 in the Musical Arts Center. Performances will be Nov. 10 and 11, 2023.

When you fall in love for a second, third or fourth time, all of a sudden you go back to wanting to be Juliet or Romeo no matter what age you are.

You can come to this and be a character. Everyone in this show is doing the best they can for the people they love with the information they have, and I think that’s the beauty of human emotions.

IDS: You really work with the chorus to create little stories that the audience might catch in the background, why is that important for you?

Carter: There is a chorus who comments on the story as we go, they are the voice of Verona. If we don’t set up the why –– the community that won’t allow Romeo and Juliet to be together –– then we don’t have Romeo and Juliet.

Having individual reactions

to something makes it more fun to watch, it makes it feel more rounded and it’s also more fun to perform. If a chorus isn’t vibrant on stage, then the show will tank.

IDS: In today’s world, what place is there for opera?

Why do we come back to it?

Carter: Why do we still go to musicals? Why is “Wicked” running on Broadway for 20 years? Why do we still do “Our Town?” You could ask this for any art form, and as a director who does plays, musicals and opera, I think opera gets a bad rep. Yes, it is considered an elitist art form because that’s how it was started, there wasn’t a cheap section in early opera houses like there were at the Globe (Theatre), so already you have this different structure.

But when we’re talking about storytelling and the

craft of the voice, I think they belong in the canon just as much as the last revival of “Oklahoma.” (Operas) are a part of our arts makeup.

IDS: Does the future of the arts have more appreciation for operas then?

Carter: I think the future of the arts is unknown.

I think the future of the arts asks everyone to look within and ask some hard questions about the stories they’re telling, who they’re telling them for, who’s at their table and are they doing everything they can to build a bigger table and advocate for those who don’t have advocates. Through those questions we will find the future of the arts. I don’t know where the arts will go but I’m proud to be on this journey with so many other artists.

What’s What’s Happening Happening in Town? in B B--Town?

Find & submit events at idsnews.com/events