Construction starts on county public safety facility
HSE superintendent announces resignation Page 3
Page 4
Page 6 Fishers teen agrees to jail time for fatal crash
Indy, Fishers celebrate 96th Street pedestrian bridge
Page 8
FHS swimmer wins state title
Page 14
About us
Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XVI, No. 8
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County municipalities are expected to benefit from improved public safety collaboration with the addition of two new facilities.
Construction has begun on the Hamilton County Public Safety Training Campus and Public Safety Center. Funded by county bonds, Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman said the facilities fulfill a 15-year vision to provide first responders with shared training and collaboration spaces.
“To be blunt, we have a county council willing to take on the countywide bond to fund the facilities,” Altman said. “We had plans to start the training campus about 12 years ago, and the council turned it down for $3 million. We’ve finally got a county council that understands the importance.”
County officials broke ground Nov. 3, 2025, on the $32 million campus near 160th and River Road in Noblesville. Construction is estimated to be completed in the fourth quarter of next year.
A two-story building will have training classrooms, apparatus, training bays, locker rooms, a washing station for gear and break areas. There also will be a burn tower for firefighters and a 1,000-square-foot recovery building with a classroom and observation area. Emergency Management Services will have a storage and training building, and the county coroner will relocate to a building on-site.
Altman said a signature amenity is outdoor shooting ranges.
“There will be six 50-yard shooting ranges and one 200-yard shooting range,” Altman said. “Central Indiana just doesn’t have enough for training. We’ve been using a range in Tipton.”
County officials broke ground on
the $81 million public safety center off Presley Drive in Noblesville in summer 2025. Altman estimates it will be operational by mid-2027. It will be a three-story, 108,000-square-foot emergency operations center for 911 dispatch and emergency operations, with plans for additional storage for emergency equipment.
“The whole facility should be able to accommodate years in the future for our needs for dispatchers,” Altman said. “We also will have a fully functional (and) probably the biggest emergency operation center in the state. The concept of an emergency operations center is if you have a major or significant issue in the county, you bring in representatives from all areas that can communicate and plan in response to that disaster or emergency. Emergency Management Services also will operate their offices out of there.”
There also will be space for a future child care center.
“We looked at other locations for child care for county employees and other public safety employees and came to the conclusion that we’ll build a new facility,” Altman said. “We’re going to design it and then move incrementally and make sure that’s a business we want to get in.”
With the addition of new public
safety facilities, police officers and firefighters countywide look forward to enhanced training opportunities and capabilities.
“Having access to a dedicated, stateof-the-art facility will allow us greater control over scheduling and training operations, eliminating the need to coordinate around other agencies’ availability or travel outside the county for specialized instruction,” Fishers Police Department Marketing Manager Kelsey Anderson said. “The new facility will support more advanced and complex training scenarios, expanding our capacity to prepare officers for the wide range of situations they may encounter.”
Tim Griffin, a Hamilton County Council member and Carmel firefighter, said he remembers when initial plans were shut down 12 years ago. He said he helped push plans forward.
“Whether it’s agencies like Carmel and Westfield fire, or a police department and fire department, we’ll all be able to work together,” Griffin said. “If there’s something large that happens, whether it is a tornado or mass casualty, we’re all going to be there working together. To get to help facilitate and drive this forward, to me, was a huge win.”
Jim Butts, president of the Hamilton County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4416, said the facilities represent a generational opportunity to enhance community safety.
“Upon completion, we’re looking forward to having a centralized, state-ofthe-art facility where firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement officers can train together in the same environment they’ll operate in on emergency scenes,” Butts said. “This collaborative space will strengthen relationships across agencies, ensuring we respond as one coordinated team when seconds matter most. When we train together, we build trust and rapport (and) that directly translates into better outcomes for the citizens we serve.”
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Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Fishers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
In a March 2 letter to families and staff, Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes announced his resignation, effective April 13, about two years after he was hired.
Mapes wrote that he decided the time was right to step aside.
“HSE has strong leadership in place, and the important work happening in our classrooms will continue,” he wrote. “Throughout my time here, I have been impressed by our students and the support of our families. That shared commitment is what makes HSE strong. I am not yet sure what my next chapter will hold, but I am ready for a different challenge. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this district.”
In the letter, Mapes stated that he and his team accomplished much while working to keep the district financially and structurally sound. He noted that he came out of retirement for the job with the challenge of improving a district that was already academically strong.
“Since then, we’ve stayed focused on teaching and learning,” he wrote. As a result, HSE Schools achieved the highest IREAD-3 scores and graduation rates in district history. We also expanded opportunities for students through Journey of a Student and the rollout of the High School Networks.”
The HSE Board voted in September 2025 to extend Mapes’ contract through 2028 with an annual base salary of $215,000.
A news release from the district stated that the board will announce next steps in the superintendent search process in the coming weeks.
In an emailed statement, HSE Board President Tiffany Pascoe said Mapes’ departure is a significant loss to the district.
“He is a highly sought leader whose expertise and dedication have made a lasting impact on our students and schools,” she stated. “We thank him for his service and wish him well.”
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees Member Latrica Schooley was not allowed to make a comment during the board’s Feb. 25 meeting regarding her concerns about “a serious governance issue” related to district contracts after Board President Tiffany Pascoe said Schooley’s comment did not address an agenda item.
Schooley argued that she was making a “point of personal privilege,” but she was not allowed to continue with her comments. She later provided those comments in an email to Current.
Schooley stated that her ability to serve the community is actively undermined by a culture that “suppresses transparency and normalizes hostility.” She stated that she has experienced a pattern of derision, gaslighting, politics and misrepresentations of truth.
“I have sat in meetings where leadership repeatedly announced that a measure passed ‘4-0,’ deliberately ignoring the fact that we are a seven-member board,” she stated. “The constant, dismissive attitude of ‘we have the majority, so your voice doesn’t matter’ is not just disrespectful to me — it is a deliberate erasure of the thousands of constituents whose voices are supposed to be represented at this table.”
The board often is split on more contentious issues by a 4-3 margin, with Schooley in the minority with Board Members Sarah Parks-Reese and Suzanne Thomas. The other four board members, Pascoe, Dawn Lang, Juanita Albright and Ben Orr — all endorsed by conservative group Fishers One — tend to vote in a block.
Schooley stated that she wants to
be honest with the public about what she has experienced and the lack of response to her requests for more financial oversight.
“My recent requests — asking to review all 2025 contracts over $150,000, ensuring compliance with Policy D08, and asking that all seven members be included in the Budget Task Force — are the baseline fiduciary duties of an elected official,” she stated. “Bypassing open discussion on these matters and deferring our oversight entirely to the administration is an inappropriate delegation of our fiduciary duties.”
Schooley said she initially asked for a review of contracts in response to a three-year, $240,000 contract with Apex Benefits that was signed in 2024. She said that contract had been finalized without a competitive bid process.
In an email to Current, Pascoe stated that under Robert’s Rules of Order, Schooley’s point of privilege was out of order and the issue was not on the agenda for discussion.
“No prior request had been submitted to add an item to the agenda — a standard process available to all board members,” she stated. “When offered the opportunity to make a motion to add her item to the agenda, Ms. Schooley declined.”
Pascoe stated that board updates at the next scheduled meeting was the appropriate time for Schooley to share her statement.
“HSE’s students and staff delivered remarkable results that deserved the board’s full attention,” Pascoe wrote. “Characterizing a procedural ruling as ‘silencing’ a board member diminishes those achievements and the hard work behind them. The attention and focus should be on our staff’s wins and student successes.“
FHS Ensemble Showcase set — Fishers High School’s Performing Arts Department will present its sixth annual Ensemble Showcase — featuring more than 200 student musicians from the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Sound and Electrum Choirs — set for 7 p.m. April 29 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium, 1 Carter Green, Carmel. Tickets go on sale March 11 at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts box office, 317-843-3800 or thecenterpresents.org/tickets-events.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A Fishers teenager has agreed to plead guilty to one count of reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, in exchange for dismissal of two misdemeanor charges related to a March 1, 2025, fatal accident.
According to the plea agreement filed in Hamilton County Court Feb. 27, Trey Williams, 18, will receive a six-year sentence with a cap of four years served, although that could be adjusted during sentencing. Williams also agreed to drug and alcohol treatment and 30 hours of community work service per year of probation following time served. His driving privileges will be suspended for up to five years. Williams originally was charged with felony reckless homicide, reckless driving and carrying false identification following the accident. Williams drove one of the vehicles involved in the crash on Florida Road that killed 18-year-old Mason Alexander, a former Hamilton Southeastern High School student-athlete.
Williams and Alexander were friends. Alexander had graduated from HSE early and was a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a cornerback on the football team. He was home for a visit and was the passenger in the defendant’s 2016 BMW.
According to law enforcement, the BMW was traveling south on Florida Road from 113th Street. At the same time, a 2015 Toyota RAV-4 was headed north on Florida Road near Geist Park. The BMW tried to pass a southbound car in front of it by entering the oncoming lane just before a hill crest. The RAV-4 and the BMW both swerved to avoid a collision, and the BMW ended up hitting a tree and catching fire. Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene.
Law enforcement testified in court that the BMW was going a minimum of 56 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.
A sentencing hearing is set for 2 p.m. March 11 at the Hamilton County Courthouse.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees heard a lengthy, data-heavy report Feb. 25 from the district’s Teaching and Learning Department that focused on student performance and how the district plans to maintain its education program.
The data review work session is part of the district’s Innovate 2028 plan, meant to guide HSE Schools on a path to meet its academic, fiscal and communication goals. The plan has several focus areas — enhanced student achievement and wellbeing; fiscal sustainability and transparency; and clear communication and collaboration.
The presentation focused strongly on data, showing that HSE students perform above the state average on standardized tests in almost every grade level. District officials also touted the combined high schools’ 98.8 percent graduation rate, as well as the steady increase of students taking advanced placement classes that qualify them for college credit.
The presentation also noted the kickoff of HSE Networks, a new program to help guide students toward their chosen career or postsecondary education pathway.
In other matters, the board learned that there are 914 spots throughout the district available for students who want to transfer to HSE Schools. That total
includes 384 in various elementary schools, 100 in intermediate schools, 160 in junior high and 270 in the two high schools.
Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley told the board that, unless all the spaces fill up, the district will accept new transfer students through January 2027. That provides a longer timeframe for the district to potentially receive additional state funding. Kegley noted that the vacancies, if filled, would mean more than $6 million in additional revenue. Each student brings about $7,000 in state funding.
The board also approved a one-year contract with Ascension St. Vincent Hospital to provide behavioral health services in the district. HSE Chief Finance Officer Tim Brown told the board that the $672,750 contract will start when the current contract with Community Health expires in June. Community Health is discontinuing its school-based behavioral health programs.
Brown also gave a presentation on the Angel Fund, which pays school lunch debt for students in need. People can donate to the fund through a portal: payments.efundsforschools.com/ fundraising/districts/55481/campaigns/ angelfund.
The next HSE Board of Trustees meeting is set for 6 p.m. March 11 at the district’s central office, 13485 Cumberland Rd.
White River Chamber Orchestra concert set — The White River Chamber Orchestra will present its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at Legacy Bible Church, 13490 Howe Rd., Fishers. The theme of the concert is “An Evening with Bach and Handel.” Featured music will include Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3,” and selected movements from Handel’s “Water Music,” arias from Handel’s “Messiah” — with soloists Mindy Root and Shockley Flick. Tickets are available at FishersMusicWorks.org.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Indianapolis and Fishers representatives gathered on a sunny Friday to celebrate the completion of the 96th Street pedestrian bridge — a link that connects segments of the Nickel Plate Trail in both cities and spans the border of Marion and Hamilton counties.
With busy traffic passing underneath — and many drivers honking a friendly “hello” — a crowd of more than 100 people arrived early to check out the bridge, which was completed a few months before the official Feb. 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
City of Fishers Engineering Director Hatem Mekky said the bridge is a “monumental link” to the Nickel Plate Trail’s 17-mile system connecting Fishers, Noblesville and Indianapolis.
“This is a connection that has been definitely needed,” Mekky said. “As you can see, there’s traffic going back and forth … This project provides a vital and a very safe passage across 96th Street.”
Mekky noted that the Nickel Plate Trail is part of a 40-mile loop that includes the Monon Trail, and connects to other neighboring communities. He thanked project partners, including the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which provided a $4.5 million Next Level Trails grant.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness touted
the cooperation between Fishers and Indianapolis.
“(Indianapolis) Mayor Joe (Hogsett) and I have known each other for a long time and anytime we get an opportunity to work together, I’m excited about it,” Fadness said. “You know, the City of Indianapolis and Fishers have worked tirelessly towards regionalism for many, many years, and I want to thank the mayor’s commitment to that regional perspective and regional viewpoint. And anytime we have the opportunity to connect a community or to connect communities together, we need to do that — we need to double down on that investment.”
Fadness noted the vitality of 96th Street, which marks the border between Indianapolis and Fishers.
“To our south, our friends in Indianapolis, you have Roche (Diagnostics)
Continued from Page 8
— their North American headquarters is just down the street — and to (the north in Fishers) is going to be the new headquarters for Formula One,” he said. “If you think about the dynamic opportunity that 96th Street represents, to not only Fishers, but to Indianapolis, we have a real opportunity here to breathe incredible life and vitality into this corridor and I think this trail is a key component of that.”
Hogsett also spoke about the cooperative relationship between Indianapolis and Fishers, noting that the ability to work together is beneficial to the entire region.
“I’m not going to overstate that I want development to happen on (the south) side of 96 Street. Scott wants the development to be on the north side of 96th Street, but it is important that both Fishers and Indianapolis take advantage of our trails, of our greenways, of our pedestrian safety related efforts — all of these are incredibly important for the residents, for the quality of life and the quality of place enjoyed by Indianapolis and Fishers and the people who call this area home,” he said. “We gather today to celebrate the completion of the Nickel Plate Trail. Now, Indianapolis has been a little slow in getting here, but we’re finally here, and it’s a great day for both Fishers and Indianapolis as
we cut the ribbon.”
A crowd of more than 100 gathers for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 96th Street pedestrian bridge. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)
Hogsett said that about 100,000 Indianapolis residents live within a mile of the Nickel Plate Trail, providing them the opportunity to experience the natural beauty that city residents sometimes forget about — while also providing safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists.
“I want to be clear —it’s these kinds of investments that are propelling our cities collectively into the national spotlight,” he said. “The Indianapolis metro area is one of the fastest growing metro areas in all of America. If we want to keep our momentum, we not only need to support our thriving economy, we also need to support the residents who power that economy through incredible quality-of-life investments like this one.”
Dale Brier, deputy director with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, said the department was happy to provide grant funding toward a project that epitomizes a core value of making connections.
“This opening reflects years of vision and persistence and it wouldn’t be possible without the passion of all the local governments, the cities, the trail advocates, volunteers, neighborhood leaders — all the people that come together to make this possible,” he said.
The Nickel Plate Trail is a pedestrian and bicycle path that follows the former Nickel Plate Rail line, with completed sections in Hamilton and Marion counties. The Indianapolis portion is the latest to be finished, adding about 10 miles to the trail plus a connection to other trails.
The Indianapolis segment leads from Keystone Avenue and 38th Street near
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the Indiana State Fairgrounds north to 96th Street, where the new bridge connects to the Hamilton County portion of the trail. One small segment is not yet open — part of the I-465 Clear Path construction project.
Additional bridges are planned later to allow pedestrians and cyclists using the trail to safely cross Keystone Avenue and 82nd Street.
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
When volunteer Sharon England unlocks the door of the Barker Cabin at the Westfield Washington Historical Society, her passion for what’s inside the historical building is evident to visitors.
She immediately turns to the artifacts in the cabin and describes their purpose, whom the pieces belonged to in Westfield’s pioneer days, and what the WWHS has done to keep the pieces alive for new generations to learn from.
Teaching also is one of England’s passions. When the WWHS conducts field trips for schools and other guests, England, 78, tells the story of Barker Cabin.
“I just love history, and I love Westfield history, and it was a way for me to learn more about it. I love being with children, and I think, as if you’re well matched as a volunteer, you get more
out of it than you give,” England said. England began volunteering at the WWHS after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I love watching the kids. I like watching them interact,” England said. “The children are never repulsed thinking about 11 people living in a cabin, and no bathroom in the same room. They’re just very curious. And I love that. It’s
Westfield resident
Sharon England is passionate about teaching students and visitors about the Westfield Washington Historical Society’s Barker Cabin. (Photo by Todd Golden)
fun to watch. And I love to see that the teachers have prepared them for what they’re going to see, and they ask good questions. It’s just lovely.”
Volunteers are vital for the WWHS, which does not have dues-paying members.
“For the kids, it’s very important for somebody to be enthused and have an
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understanding of what’s in there and how to explain it and have the patience to do it,” Westfield Washington Historical Society President Jeff Beals said. “She’s very available to help out and do just about anything in terms of volunteer work for the Historical Society. We’re totally dependent on volunteers, so it’s important to have people like Sharon.”
The fulfillment for England in volunteering comes in imparting Westfield’s history to a new generation of Westfield children, but she learns a lot from the experience, too.
“I don’t know nearly as much about Westfield as many people do, but it’s fun to learn about it, and I hope that more people will be interested in how unique the history is here,” England said.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Carmel High School senior swimmer Carter Hadley, perseverance has been essential to his entire season.
Hadley suffered a broken ankle on Nov. 1, 2025, and came back to swim in Junior Nationals in December. He missed a month of training.
“I was learning to walk again then learning to swim again and now winning a state championship,” he said.
Hadley captured his first individual state title by winning the 100-yard backstroke in 48.41 seconds in the IHSAA boys swimming and division state finals Feb. 28 at the Indiana University Natatorium at IU Indianapolis.
“He was resilient after his second place in the 100 free to win the 100 back, and he stayed committed in the last 25 (yards) to win,” Greyhounds coach Chris Plumb said.
Hadley said Plumb told him to keep persevering after finishing second in the 100 freestyle.
“I got it done in the 100 back and it meant the world. It’s everything I’ve
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been working for this season,” he said.
As a junior, Hadley finished third in the 100 freestyle and fourth in the 100 backstroke.
“Carter has been so close for two years,” junior teammate Trent Allen said. “I thought he was going to win the 100 free. He got second again, but then
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Carmel
High School
senior Carter Hadley captured his first individual state title by winning the 100-yard backstroke.
(Photo courtesy of CHS athletics)
to see him punch it again in 100 back was crazy. I was screaming and yelling for him.”
Hadley also was a member of the winning 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.
“It’s just doing everything I can to leave a legacy for myself and passing it on,” said Hadley, who was on two state-winning relays as a junior. “This is probably the closest-knit team and biggest brotherhood I’ve been a part of. It’s just the next man up working to beat each other in practice. That’s where that depth comes from, just wanting to
be the best selves we can be.”
Hadley started swimming in the Carmel Swim Club program when he was 7 years old. His older brother, Griffin, was already in the program.
“I followed in his footsteps my whole career,” he said.
Griffin, a 2021 CHS graduate, swam for the University of Tennessee, graduating in 2025.
“He won state titles on multiple relays, but not individually, so I made it my goal to redeem him,” Carter Hadley said.
Hadley said his younger brother, Blake, who will be a freshman swimmer next season, now can try to top him.
“He’s going a different route. He’s a breaststroke, (specialist) which is abnormal for the family,” he said.
Hadley will continue his swimming career at Southern Methodist University, which is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“The team culture presented by the coaches and unity on the team is somewhere I wanted to go,” said Hadley, who plans to major in business marketing and minor in sports management.
news@currentinfishers.com
Attorney and Lawrence Township resident Jan Keefer, a Republican, has announced her campaign for the Indiana Senate District 31. Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence), who is not seeking reelection, is the incumbent.
In a news release, Keefer stated that she has spent her career helping Indiana families find solutions and wants to continue that mission in the Statehouse.
Keefer lived in Marion as a teenager and later attended Indiana University.
Following a career in sales with AT&T, she earned a law degree from Indiana University’s McKinney School of Law and began work in family law. She has been active with the Lawrence Township School Foundation, Fishers Art Council and Community Health Network Foundation.
coach. During his coaching career, she traveled with him throughout Indiana.
Keefer’s husband, Jack, is a former Lawrence North High School basketball
“Through these experiences, she connected with Hoosiers from all walks of life and grew to appreciate the often-overlooked communities that built Indiana’s manufacturing strength, as well as the shared values that knit them together — faith, family, freedom and the dignity of hard work,” the news release stated. “(Keefer) is determined to safeguard
these values for future generations of Hoosiers.”
Her campaign focuses on fiscal responsibility, investing in infrastructure, economic development, prioritizing education and supporting educators, defending pro-adoption policies, securing the border and supporting law enforcement.
Keefer is one of four Republicans on the May 5 primary ballot. She joins Fishers residents Juanita Albright, Tiffanie Ditlevson and Travis Hankins.
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The Daughters of the American Revolution Horseshoe Prairie Chapter recently recognized seven high school DAR Good Citizen winners. From left are Shea Vohs of Westfield High School, Audrey Kixmiller of Fishers High School, Meredith Knupp of Sheridan High School and Natalie Donnelly of Hamilton Southeastern High School. Donnelly was chosen as the chapter winner and will move on to the state competition. She received a scholarship and a flag flown in her honor over the U.S. Capitol. Other school-level winners were Riley Alderman of Carmel High School, Addison Mann of Hamilton Heights High School and Avery McDonough of Tipton High School. (Photo courtesy of DAR Horseshoe Prairie Chapter)
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
There were no injuries resulting from a March 2 residential fire on 116th Street in Fishers, according to the Fishers Fire Department.
A social media post from the Fishers Fire Department also reported that the family had safely evacuated the home.
“Upon arrival, crews found the residence fully involved and worked to establish a water supply over a long hose lay, ultimately extinguishing the fire,” FFD reported. “The Fishers Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau will investigate the cause of the fire.”
The house fire at east 116th Street between Hoosier Road and Cumberland Road was first reported by Fishers Police Department at around 7:30 a.m., warning morning commuters that they should detour around the stretch of road.
FPD reported at about noon that 116th Street had reopened to traffic in both directions.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The Fishers City Council recently recognized Hamilton Southeastern High School’s We The People team, which won the state championship in December and will be going to the national competition, set for April 17-19 in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Scott Fadness thanked the We the People sponsor, teacher Janet Chandler, who has announced her plans to retire.
“This will likely be the last We The People competition that Miss Chandler will lead us on, and she’s been just an extraordinary, frankly, an institution at HSE Schools,” Fadness said. “She will be sorely missed and I can’t thank her enough for her efforts. If any of you have ever had the opportunity to guest judge, which I know many of you have, (and) seen these young people articulate in such an intelligent and mature way, the issues of today in our country — it really inspires us (that), hopefully, the next generation will get civic discourse correct.”
The council also marked milestone anniversaries for longtime employees, honoring 11 people in the fire, police, IT and human resources departments who have served 20, 25 or 35 years.
The longest-serving employees were Jim Alderman, Anthony Holland, Greg Scheele and Stephen White, each marking 35 years with the city. Michael Zajdel was behind them at 25 years; and at 20 years each were Thomas Brooks, Melissa Crowe. Michael Hamilton, Robert Hackett and Jeffrey Stephenson.
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By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Fishers High School junior Alex Koo’s determination paid off.
Koo won the 100-yard butterfly in 48.15 seconds and was second in the 50 freestyle in 20.21 seconds in the IHSAA boys swimming and diving state finals Feb. 28 at the Indiana University Natatorium at IU Indianapolis.
“Alex did great. He’s worked really hard all season,” said Fishers coach Joe Keller, whose team placed fifth. “Nothing he did surprised us. The most impressive component is how he managed himself. That says a lot about that young man. He’s a man of few words but lets his swimming do his talking.”
Koo was sixth in both the 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle at last year’s state finals.
“It felt great,” Koo said of winning the 100 free. “I was really close in the 50 free. I was still happy about the 50 but I wanted to win that, so it feels nice to win this one.”
Fishers senior Mason Lawson finished second with 539.75 points in 1-meter diving and senior teammate Kirby Danglade was third with 518.80. Warsaw senior Ian Parrott, who later won the Mental Attitude Award for swimming and diving, won with 556.50. Lawson criticized the judges’ scoring. “I don’t think first place really got first place,” said Lawson, who will dive for North Carolina State next season. “Every year we battle the judges. They always go higher for Ian. Last year, I beat Ian by 200 points at U.S. Diving (meet). It’s pretty disgusting when I
come here and there are biased judges. I think the IHSAA should probably fix that because it’s getting pretty annoying, and it’s going to ruin the sport of diving.”
Danglade, who will dive for IU Indianapolis next season, said he agreed with his teammate.
“It’s very unfair,” he said. “Divers would do the same and one would get a significantly higher score than the other. We know what the real results should have been.”
Keller said he isn’t speaking about the judges’ scoring.
“There are a lot of things that go into that,” he said. “When you are in a sport that has subjectivity to it, sometimes there is a lot out of your control that you can’t manage. The boys have worked hard and done a great job. Being second and third in this state meet there is no shame in that whatsoever.”
Tigers junior Caden Askren was fifth in the 500 freestyle. The Tigers also placed fourth in the 200 freestyle relay and fifth in the 200 medley relay.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Miami (Ohio) University freshman Justin Kirby was in the midst of a redshirt season when duty called.
When junior point guard Evan Ipsaro suffered a season-ending knee injury in late December, RedHawks coach Travis Steele said he told the 2025 Fishers High School graduate that there was an opportunity for him to play and make an impact.
“With zero hesitation, he said, ‘I’m all in, coach. I want to help the team,’” Steele said. “Oh, man, to see the progress he’s made in just a few months, it’s really fun to watch. He’s got such a high ceiling. He has no idea how good he’s going to be and he’s doing good things for us now. He’s been a huge piece to the puzzle for us in conference play.”
Kirby has played in 17 games, starting one, for 19th-ranked Miami (30-0). With one regular season game left before the Mid-American Conference Tournament, Kirby was averaging 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game. The MAC Tournament winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. However, the RedHawks should have a solid case for an at-large bid if they don’t win the MAC tourney.
Kirby has a 54.1 shooting percentage with 41.9 percent from 3-point range. He also had made a team-best 83.9 percent of his free throws.
“Definitely the biggest adjustment has been the pace of play, (which is) a lot faster with the shot clock and everything,” he said. “But you have to play slow and let the game come to you. I’m not the most athletic guy out there anymore and I’m not the biggest. I have to be able to shoot the ball better and read the defenders, not just depend on being athletic.”
Kirby said the RedHawks practice different scenarios.
“But it’s not like it’s going to be with a rep in the game,” he said. “So, that is definitely something I learned being in close games, like Kent State, Buffalo and UMass.”
Kirby said he worked on getting his shot off quicker while redshirting.
“I wouldn’t say my shot was slow, but I just had to fix the process, get my feet better,” he said. “
Steele said Kirby rebounds, defends and can make shots.
“He doesn’t need the ball to be effective,” Steele said. “A lot of great players have that ability, and Justin has it.”
Steele said Kirby’s development has helped senior guard Peter Suder, a 2022 Carmel High School graduate who leads the RedHawks in scoring at 14.8 ppg, and guard Luke Skaljac, who averages 10.4 ppg.
“When we recruited both Pete and Justin, we knew they were winners,” Steele said.
Suder transferred to Miami after playing two seasons for Bellarmine University.
Kirby played on the IHSAA Class 4A state championship team as a junior and 4A state runner-up team as a senior.
“I had that experience of playing in big games before and the experience of coming off the bench,” he said. “As a senior, I came off the bench in some games and I started. You never know when you are needed.”
Kirby, who averaged 13.1 ppg as a Fishers senior and made the Indiana All-Star team, said his personal goal is to make the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman team.
However, his main goal is to keep winning. Kirby said the atmosphere has been special on the Oxford, Ohio, campus.
“Just being in this position is a gift,” he said. “Everyone around campus is supportive. It’s been a fun experience. I would be upset if I continued to redshirt. So, I’m happy I trusted my instincts, my coaches and God.”
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By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
It’s an understatement to say Ann Craig-Cinnamon and John Cinnamon love to travel. The Fishers residents have visited more than 120 countries in their 30 years of marriage, operate a travel business and recently released a travel memoir, “Travel Is No Vacation: A Love Story,” which shares some of the challenges they’ve faced while traveling, in addition to the rewards.
Ann said she has traveled all her life, starting at a young age with her parents, who took her to 49 of the 50 states, followed by an international trip in her teens.
“A couple years later, when I was 19, I married my first husband and moved to Tehran, Iran,” she said. “I lived in Iran for a year and a half. I wrote a book about that several years ago, and then John and I have been married now 30 years, and we started traveling together.”
John had never been outside of the United States until he met Ann. Since then, he said, his desire to travel has grown “exponentially.” For Ann, the travel bug may not have grown, but it certainly hasn’t waned.
“I do call myself sort of a travel addict,” Ann said. “And it’s kind of hard to get your fix after you’ve been so many places … and pretty soon it becomes, ‘Well, we’ve been all these places and all over Europe, and, you know — let’s do more adventure-type travel.’”
With that in mind, the pair — both former print and broadcast media professionals — have experienced Octoberfest in Germany, Carnival in Brazil, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and the Running of the Bulls in Spain. They’ve hiked Kilimanjaro in Africa and the Himalayas in Asia; went gorilla trekking in Rwanda; and rode the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Beijing — an adventure that led to a documentary aired on PBS stations nationwide.
Throughout that time, John kept a journal that helped a little when they eventually decided to pen their new book.
“It was more like keeping a kind of a little travel diary over the years,” he said. “I would periodically — not every time we traveled, but on the bigger ones — I would take contemporaneous notes just to have a little travel diary, and that was just for my own benefit, with no expectation of writing a book.”
Ann said it took a couple of years to talk John into writing the book, in part because the project seemed so daunting — there was too much material and choosing what to include or what to leave out was overwhelming.
“What we wound up doing was sort of an intro and
how we got started in the travel thing, and then it becomes a whole chapter on what John calls my theory of travel, which is, ‘While we’re in the neighborhood,” she said.
John explained that “while we’re in the neighborhood” means, for example, adding a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru while they were visiting Brazil.
“Well, that distance is like going cross country in the United States,” he said. “A normal person would think that’s not really the neighborhood. But for us, the neighborhood has expanded over the years.”
That kicked off the process that led to their new book, which they agreed is “voluminous.” In addition to the travel stories, it includes a section about giving back — especially when visiting areas with significant poverty. For example, they’ve collected supplies for
people in Kenya and helped fund wells for people in Cambodia.
Ann said one of the best parts of traveling is meeting new people and realizing that everyone is the same all over the world.
“People are people … and we all have the same kinds of desires and hopes and all of that,” she said. “I think when you travel, you realize that, and it means if we can get to understand each other a little bit better, maybe we can get along better.”
“Travel Is No Vacation: A Love Story” is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
“Travel Is No Vacation: A Love Story” includes a roundthe-world trip, a chapter about traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how Ann Craig-Cinnamon and John Cinnamon got into — and out of — trouble. Like the time John was detained for several hours at an airport in Russia.
“They took my passport, looked at it and said, ‘Can you step aside for a second?’” he said. “They eventually took me to a basement office in the airport and questioned me. ‘Why are you here? What are you going to be doing? What kind of documents do you have? Are you going to be talking to politicians?’”
In the meantime, Ann had made it through customs and had no idea where her husband was. He eventually
made it out and they were able to continue their journey.
The two also have been pulled over in Spain and in the Czech Republic, got lost numerous times and once had a multiday hospital stay after a pulmonary embolism.
With all that travel, it must be difficult to choose a favorite spot, right? No. Both Ann and John immediately picked Italy as their No. 1 travel destination.
They also have a favorite travel day — New Year’s Day 2006.
“We were on Easter Island, the most remote inhabited place in the world,” John said. “We had rented a scooter that day to just ride it around the island on our own, looking at the big, giant stone heads, the Moai, and it was like we were the last people on Earth.”
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
More than 60 members of the newly formed OneZone Fishers Small Busi ness Network gathered for the first time Feb. 24 at the Fishers Municipal Center theater for a conversation with Mayor Scott Fadness about how the city could help the community’s existing small business to thrive as develop ment blossoms around them.
Fadness kicked off the event with a recap of the significant commercial expansion and development the city has experienced in recent years, in cluding Launch Fishers — a co-working and startup incubator; CityView — a downtown mixed-use development; the Formula One headquarters — which Fadness called a blend of racing and Disney; the life science corridor — which includes pharmaceutical manufacturing; and the ongoing devel opment of Fishers District — where the Fishers Event Center and many culi nary options are located.
He also highlighted community amenities that encourage companies and people to relocate to Fishers, such as the new Fishers Community Center and White River Park.
Fadness then opened the floor for questions, and several small business owners wanted to know how they could become part of all the new projects coming into Fishers. One person suggested a small business fair that would introduce big developers to what’s available locally.
“It’s a great question,” Fadness responded. “You know, we get a lot of the ‘real estate developers’ early on, but then once the deal is signed, they kind of go out and execute (contracts) in their own right. There may be an opportunity for us to interject somewhere in there and say, ‘Hey, well, before you get going, will you sit down with some of our local businesses and at least have a conversation?’ I think there is some merit to that.”
Another audience member asked whether the city was examining how to better manage traffic around the Fishers Event Center when the center is hosting an event. Fadness said he and Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren have “a little bit of an obsession” about that
range. So, we’re getting better. We have some issues in the parking configurations in the parking lots around the arena that we’ve got to clean up. And then we’re looking at some new road networks.”
For example, he said, the city plans to widen some of the one-lane roads leading to the event center, making them two-lane roads to reduce traffic backups during events.
An audience member asked about programs the city has in place to support existing businesses. Fadness noted that the economic development department has training grants for businesses that want to expand their employee base, along with potential tax incentives or abatements.
Fadness also invited participants to give feedback at any time about policies that could be implemented or changed to help small business owners. He suggested that a future meeting between the city and OneZone Fishers Small Business Network could include a panel of city department heads, who would be able to answer specific questions.
The next Fishers Small Business Network meeting is set for 8 a.m. April 14 at Fishers Municipal Center. For more, visit onezonechamber.com.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9 AT 2PM
By Dave Gil de Rubio edtitorial@yourecurrent.com
In 1975, Watergate came to an end with the sentencing of John Mitchell, H.R. Halderman and John Ehrlichman, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft and a little show called “Saturday Night Live” debuted on NBC. And in September of that year, Heart’s debut album “Dreamboat Annie” was released.
Fast forward a half century, and Heart is still around, hitting the road again for their Royal Flush Tour, which will stop at 7:30 p.m. March 15 at Fishers Event Center. The string of dates was originally set to be performed last year until lead singer Ann Wilson was diagnosed with cancer. According to sister Nancy Wilson, her sibling underwent treatment and the band is back on the road.
“She’s actually really doing 100 percent great — looking good, sounding good, feeling good,” Nancy said. “She really did all the homework and got herself really well. Now, it’s back to the loud office, back to the rock job. We’re really happy to get out and finish what we started last year. We were really just getting our million thrills on stage every night, and then it was like (sad trombone music). We were getting into our groove big-time until we had to go home and twiddle our thumbs for a few months.”
Over the course of the tour, Heart has brought out several different opening acts, including Lucinda Williams — who opens at the Fishers Event Center concert — and Squeeze, Starship and Cheap Trick, and has played some shows without an opening act. In either setting, the depth of Heart’s catalog allows for a lot of latitude in choosing the songs to perform.
“We’re going to have a real flexible set,” Nancy said. “You could do the rocked-out, big hits at the beginning and then do more acoustic, less rock in the second half or something in-between. It’s nice to have all these cool songs to look at, pick from.”
Although both sisters readily admit that The Beatles’ appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” were a major inspiration for them to become professional musicians, theirs was a household where myriad forms of music filled the air from the big bands of the 1940s to folk and pop of the day.
“Growing up, the culture was kind of in a late ‘50s/jazzy cornball turn for music,” Nancy said. “(Frank) Sinatra was awesome. We grew up on Ray Charles, Judy Garland, Patti Page and all those late ‘50s guys like that. Harry Belafonte’s ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’ was a favorite and we knew all those show tunes from musicals like ‘West Side Story.’ We were deeply steeped in every style of music from blues and jazz to classical and then The Beatles happened. I was maybe eight or nine years old and it was a message from above.”
That cosmic sign set the Wilson sisters on a path that led to 16 studio albums, 20 Top 40 singles and 35 million albums sold worldwide, in addition to being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Although it hasn’t been easy, Nancy doesn’t complain and attributes Heart’s longevity to a combination of discipline and being able to laugh at themselves.
“We have a sense of humor around all the insanity, stress, drama and static that comes with the position we
have as leaders of the band,” she said. “Leadership is not an easy position to be in, and you don’t want to be the leader if you don’t have to, but we are anyway. I think the other thing is just military, dogged, stick-to-it-iveness. Call it a dogged work ethic. Getting there, showing up on time, not being a flakey musician. Being a consummate, reliable and capable musician.”
As for the future, creativity continues to be the fuel that drives Heart forward. Not unlike their heroes in Led Zeppelin, the Wilson sisters love the idea of juxtaposing heavy and light dynamics in their music.
“There is some new material,” Nancy said. “Ann has got a new song we might try from her writing with her Tripsitter (solo band) guys. I have a new song that I want to try maybe with Heart. I’ve tried to push the agenda on the band. Everybody was up for it — an acoustic Heart album being our next idea. That’s one thing as a rock band like Led Zeppelin — we can rock with the best of them — but having the ability to do both of those things, the acoustic part as well as the heavy rock stuff, kind of sets us apart. And people have always asked when we’re going to do an acoustic album. It might be a cool, fun thing to put together.”
For more, visit fisherseventcenter. com.
“Pretty Woman” runs through April 4 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.
Feinstein’s cabaret presents the Dave Matthews Tribute Band March 12, followed by “The Wizard and I: The Music of Stephen Schwartz” March 13 at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc. com.
The Belfry Theatre presents “Vanities” through March 15 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat. biz.
Civic Theatre presents “The Scarlet Letter” March 13 through 28 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
“Joshua Henry: Get Up, Stand Up” is set for 8 p.m. March 13 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
“Gregorian: Pure Chants featuring the Songs of Enigma” is set for 8 p.m. March 14 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
“The Music & Legacy of The Eagles” tribute act set for 7:30 p.m. March 15 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Magic Thread Cabaret founders Dustin Klein and Tom Alvarez feel fortunate to have Ann Hampton Callaway headline a concert.
“She’s a friend of ours and she graciously offered to do a benefit for us and, of course, we are paying her,” said Klein, a music teacher at West Clay Elementary School in Carmel.
Callaway will present the world premiere of “I Get A Kick Out of Cole” at 7:30 p.m. March 20 at The Cabaret in downtown Indianapolis.
“I am excited to hear Ann, one of the most renowned interpreters of music from the Great American Songbook, sing in a premiere of a program consisting entirely of that music of composer-songwriter Cole Porter,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez said it’s fitting the premiere of her Porter show is in Indiana.
“Where better to pay tribute to his work than in the capitol of the state in which this Peru, Indiana, native was born and raised,” he said.
Klein said The Cabaret is a special venue.
“It feels like you are in Old Hollywood; it’s like a glamor venue from the 1930s,” he said. “It’s stellar, and they bring in a lot of big names, Broadway performers.”
Proceeds from the concert benefit Magic Thread Cabaret’s operational expenses and production costs associated with “Cabaret Latino, Songs of the Americas,” which celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. That concert is set for
Oct. 3 at Hendricks Live! in Plainfield.
“Our mission is to spotlight central Indiana talent because we feel there is so much talent here that doesn’t get the spotlight,” Klein said of Magic Thread Cabaret, which was founded in 2016.
“We’re kind of an incubator. I coach them musically, vocally, and I serve as the music director and piano accompanist. Tom co-writes the shows and he’s good at marketing. It’s not about us. It’s about trying to help an income stream for performers to keep them in Indianapolis and help coach these young people to pursue their passion. We’ve worked with probably 100 artists, performers, musicians, costume designers and tech people. We have paid them all since we started, but we have to rely on donors and sponsors. Ticket sales only cover, like, 40 percent.
“We also want to inspire. We’re all about diversity and inclusiveness.”
For more, visit magicthreadcabaret. com.
BY KATE HAMILL
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Heartland Film Festival Artistic Director Greg Sorvig has a personal favorite contender at the upcoming Academy Awards.
“I’m rooting for ‘The Singers’ to win Best Live Action Short as it would be the first short film to take home an Oscar that qualified directly through the (2025) Indy Shorts Film Festival,” he said.
The Academy Awards are set for March 15 and will be telecast by WRTV-6.
“This is another year that a major event title at the Heartland Film Festival is nominated for Best Picture and additional categories. ‘Train Dreams’ was our centerpiece film nominated for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography and Original Song,” said Sorvig, a Carmel resident.
Sorvig said he was surprised that Joel Edgerton was not nominated for Best Actor in “Train Dreams.”
“I was also surprised that the 2025
Indy Shorts Grand Prize and Oscar-qualifying short film, ‘Éiru,’ was not nominated for Best Animated Short Film,” he said. “I was hoping Brendan Fraser might get another lead nod for his acting in the 2025 Heartland Film Festival Opening Night film, ‘Rental Family.’ This won the Narrative Special Presentation Audience Award.”
Sorvig said he hoped for nominations for the Heartland Film Festival’s 2025 Closing Night film, “Nuremberg.”
“Our audience also really loved this film as it won the Overall Audience Choice Narrative Award,” he said. “I was surprised the film didn’t receive nominations in the best supporting actor categories, especially for Russell Crowe.”
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
David Taylor Little started out with a radio play on Indiana Public Radio in Muncie in 2003.
“(The station) does a radio drama every year at the holidays, and this was the second time I had written for that,” said Little, a Ball State University associate teaching professor of theater.
“Then I kind of set myself the challenge of not writing a musical but writing a piece that has original music in it, and that’s what this play has become. There are five original songs in it, and some are fairly brief.”
Sorvig said Heartland Film Festival, which is held each October in Indianapolis, showcased four of the five Best International Film Feature nominees, including the forecasted favorite “Sentimental Value” as its International Closing Night film. show,” Taylor said.
The premise is Dorothy Sullivan, a major Broadway star, who returns to her hometown of Argyle, Ind., in 1947 to save the local radio station and its annual Christmas broadcast. The radio station owner is her childhood friend Jack Edwards.
A performance of the one-act play was staged at Muncie Civic Theatre in December 2025.
Now, Actors Theatre of Indiana will present “All Out for Christmas: A Showbiz Radio Fable” as part of its Lab Series at 2 p.m. March 14 at Carmel Clay Public Library. Tickets are free with registration at atistage.org.
“I have continued to work on it, so this is the third public draft of the
Jim Rhinehart wrote the music for the songs, and Little wrote the lyrics.
ATI Associate Artistic Director Darrin Murrell, who will take part in the reading, said ATI was attracted to the story because of its sweet nostalgic depiction of Indiana in the mid-20th century as well as the setting of a small-town radio station with a Broadway connection.
“It felt like a classic comedy film from the era of Katherine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, Frank Capra and George Cukor,” Murrell said. “It is a wholesome and comforting look back at a simpler time filled with colorful and endearing personalities and a familiar setting.”
Cynthia Collins, one of ATI’s co-founders, portrays Sullivan.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Indianapolis Opera General Director David Starkey, partnering with the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana was a natural fit.
“Libiamo!, A Renaissance of Taste and Tempo” is set for March 21 at the Basile Opera Center. 4011 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. A VIP reception for the fundraiser is set for 4:30 p.m., followed by cocktail hour at 5:15 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Libiamo translates to “let’s drink” but can mean “let’s toast.” The event will include several opera singers, including Indianapolis opera star Angela Brown.
“We have been excited about expanding relationships with a lot of cultural institutions,” Starkey said. “The Italian Heritage Society is connected to some of the most significant influences of the history of Indianapolis and immigration of all kinds of different cultures that have come to our region.”
A Geist-area resident, Starkey said the Italian Heritage Society was looking to expand its artistic footprint.
“You have the inspiration of the Olympics in Italy and inspiration of the significant Italian operas we are highlighting this season,” Starkey said. “On top of that, the Italians are really big into fashion, food and auto sports in our city, and opera is the connection.”
Dallara manufactures the chassis for IndyCar. Founder Giampaolo Dallara, is a passionate opera fan, Starkey said
“I’ve met him and got to introduce him to a lot of my opera friends,” Starkey said. “Then there is the Ferrari Club of Indiana, (which) is going to be part of the event. They are big into opera with Ferrari. You have Graham Rahal Performance expansion into Ducati motorcycles.”
Starkey said five top Italian restaurants in Indianapolis and the area will be part of the event. There are Italian fashion designers for female performers’ gowns and male singers’ attire.
“We’ve just found an amazing new signature event celebrating opera’s international cultural influence and tying into all these other elements of culture,”
he said.
Starkey expects the event to return.
“It’s brought in a completely new excitement and crowd,” he said. “I think next year is going to be ‘Libiamo 2.0’ or something like that.”
Indianapolis resident Carol Faenzi, president of the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana, said the fundraiser is a natural collaboration.
“We both are nonprofit organizations who have many activities that are geared toward scholarship, student education and vocal camps for the opera,” Faenzi said. “In the Italian Heritage Society’s case, we provide a lot of community activities such as lectures on Italian subjects and the celebrations we have to preserve the culture and heritage of Italy. So, the benefits from the fundraising on Libiamo will be to support those kind of activities in both organizations.”
Indy Opera will present “The Marriage of Figaro” May 1-3 at The Toby Theater at Newfields in Indianapolis.
For more, visit indyopera.org.
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Editor,
Reliable health coverage becomes critical as my husband and I age. We have both been beneficiaries of Medicare Advantage since 2023. While the benefits and coverage of the program work best for our needs, other seniors may choose a different plan for their specific needs. That is why it’s so important that we have choices in our health care.
Like many retirees, we live on a fixed income and predictability matters. Our Advantage plan gives us that and a coordinated plan that covers hospital visits, doctor appointments and prescriptions in addition to benefits like vision, dental coverage and wellness services. Those extras help us stay healthy and independent.
That’s why the recent Advance Notice released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding Medicare Advantage payment rate for 2027 is particularly alarming. These rates may sound technical, but they have real consequences for seniors across the country. When payment growth does not keep pace with rising health care plans, plans may be forced to reduce benefits or increase out-ofpocket costs.
Medicare Advantage is built around choice and competition. Plans compete to offer better coverage and more value, which ultimately benefits seniors. That kind of free market-based approach works because it encourages innovation and accountability while protecting taxpayers.
Hopefully, Sens. Todd Young and Jim Banks can speak to the Trump administration and push for a stronger final rate. Protecting the program for us is not about growing government, it’s about preserving a program that works for seniors, delivers valuable and affordable care, and ensures we have a choice.
Angeline Keopuhiwa, Lawrence
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
My doctor’s office is not very up to date with magazines. Recently, I had the opportunity to read the last print edition of Newsweek from 2012. Last year, I breezed through Life magazine right before my EKG.
One piece of reading matter that caught my attention was Family Handyman. Here were the cover stories:
• Measure once/ panic twice
• My drill keeps screwing around
• I built a gate and, yes, I nailed it
is a Do-It-Yourselfer. Another entry was titled, “How to Make a Hidden Cutting Board.” I can never find ours when we need it, so I decided to skip that kitchen improvement project.
“The lead story was, “Five Great Sawhorse Designs.” I couldn’t wait to read it, because off the top of my head, I could only think of four.”
– DICK WOLFSIE
• Why my door and I are both off our hinges
The lead story was, “Five Great Sawhorse Designs.” I couldn’t wait to read it, because off the top of my head, I could only think of four. Also, on the cover was, “How to Make a Screw Organizer from a Leftover Piece of PVC Pipe.” I didn’t want to read too much exciting stuff like this since it can temporarily raise your blood pressure before they slap the cuff on you.
I turned to a feature story about what to do if your Gorilla Glue gets hard in the tube, and also one on how to dig post holes in sandy soil. I read both of those carefully. After 46 years, my wife Mary Ellen and I are always looking for something new to talk about. There was a three-page spread on “How to Cure a Sick Ceiling Fan.” What would the fan be complaining of? Periodic dizziness?
One piece was called “Best Advice for DIYers.” I thought it was about how to successfully drink beer and drill at the same time. Then I learned that a DIYer
“Maintaining Your Chimney” begins with a list of what you’ll need to do the job, items found around most houses. You need brushable crown sealer, chimney water repellent and a stainless-steel chimney cap. I had all of that in the garage except for the brushable crown sealer, the chimney water repellent and a stainless-steel chimney cap. Another article started, “Trying to run fish tape through an insulated stud bay can be a nightmare.” You have to have a pretty dull imagination if this is what you have bad dreams about.
The regular monthly column was “How to Make Your Own Tools.” The author showed how to take a long flexible piece of tubing and attach a flashlight at the end for working in dark, hard-to-reach places, as in a do-ityourself plumbing project. It was really a neat gizmo, but I ripped the page out and tossed it in the trash. My next colonoscopy is coming up later this year, and with all the cost-cutting in medicine, the fewer doctors who know about this, the better.
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
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Commentary by Terry Anker
For thousands of years, we humans have imagined, developed and followed rituals. Some of them are as simple as the daily steps involved in brushing our teeth in the morning. Perhaps it begins with floss. Perhaps not. Maybe we take the top off, apply the paste to the brush and return the lid to the tube and carefully replace the tube to the location and position where we found it. Or maybe we simply drop it to the vanity, lid rolling to the floor and paste oozing out onto the counter. Either way, it is our ritual, repeated each day and coming from years of habit.
Other rites, routines and practices are more complicated. Certainly, religious and governmental ceremonies are studied — efforts of pomp and circumstance. The most recent U.S. presidential inauguration registered at more than $200 million; and many higher education institutions have a full-time staff, often led by the chief marshal, whose sole responsibilities are to keep and propagate these
rituals. Weddings, driving in roundabouts, city council meetings and Thanksgiving dinners all carry some combination of expectation and obligation to all who would participate. Those more free-spirited among us might imagine ourselves to be devoid of the obligation to the past or to our own absent-minded adherence to these habits. But can anyone really escape our natural proclivity for the familiar? If we started each day with absolutely no plan for dental care, would we be able to get the job done? Could it be that we simply accept that ritual is a necessary and inseparable component of human existence? If so, could we also accept that even as we dismantle one ritual it is summarily replaced with another -and an imperfect tradition may not be improved by substitution?
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.
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16. Creme-filled cookie
17. Hawaiian island
18. ___-friendly
19. Between half and all
20. Annual basketball event
23. Observe
24. Another Broken ___ Cafe
25. Battleship letters
28. Banned pesticide
30. US 31 road goo
31. Air fryer sound
34. URL starter
36. Equipment
38. Vote in
40. Annual local basketball event
43. Not illuminated
44. Fine spray
45. Bit of hair
46. “___ Haw”
47. “Help!” at sea
49. Business card no.
51. Prefix with lead or read
52. LBJ successor
53. “You’ve Got Mail” co.
55. Annual basketball event
61. Desire
63. Wedding words
64. Like many bathroom floors
66. Dan Patch Stakes pace
67. Lincoln ___ (classic building toy)
68. Orange Muppet
69. Weigh by lifting
70. North Carolina university
71. Ball State VIPs DOWN
1. Actor Mineo
2. Pack tightly
3. “Frozen” princess
4. Hamilton County Court perjurers
5. Cleared a frosty windshield
6. Buddy
7. Space org.
8. Wasn’t colorfast
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10. Chinese menu phrase
11. God of love
12. Marks out
13. Toddler
21. Natural fence
22. White River wader
25. “You bet!”
26. Gem
27. Shoulder wrap
29. Purdue semesters
30. Romantic rendezvous
31. Syringe contents, perhaps
32. Bookstore section
33. Colts figs.
35. Butler frat letter
37. Tuna type
39. Allow
41. “Who’s there?” response
42. Pilfer
48. Recorded and stored
50. Sent skyward
52. “Gone With the Wind” name
54. France’s longest river
55. End-of-workweek cry
56. Fan favorite
57. Aborted, at 7-Down
58. Part of NBA (Abbr.)
59. Forearm bone
60. Bridle strap
61. “Gross!”
62. “Norma ___”
65. ___ Moines?
ANSWERS ON PAGE 27
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