Founded October 24, 2006, at Carmel, IN Vol. XX, No. 20 Copyright 2025 Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved.
525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444
Contact the editor
Have a news tip, calendar item or photo to share? Contact Managing Editor Ann Marie Shambaugh at AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444. You also may submit information at currentincarmel.com. Our print deadline is eight days prior to publication. Submissions for online accepted daily.
New facilities to enhance countywide public safety operations, collaboration
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Hamilton County municipalities are expected to benefit from improved public safety collaboration with the construction of two specialized 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.
Share your thoughts Letters to the editor may be sent for consideration to letters@youarecurrent. com. Letters have a maximum word count of 300 words. Please include your city of residence and a contact phone number for verification. Current Publishing may refuse letters.
Advertise your business
If you’re interested in reaching the Carmel market (35,089 households), you may obtain more information by emailing ads@youarecurrent.com (subject: Carmel advertising) or by calling 317.847.5022.
Join our community facebook.com/youarecurrent x.com/youarecurrent instagram.com/youarecurrent
Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Carmel are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
“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.”
PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CAMPUS
County officials broke ground Nov. 3, 2025, on the $32 million public safety training campus near 160th and River Road in Noblesville. Construction is estimated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027.
A two-story building will have training classrooms, apparatus, training bays, locker rooms, a washing station for gear and break areas, an EMS training room and a storage area. 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.”
Noblesville Police Department Chief Brad Arnold said the training campus will fill a void in Hamilton County for public safety training by providing a centralized space to enhance the skills, knowledge and preparedness of public safety personnel throughout the county.
“The importance of ongoing and
frequent training and professional development for our first responders cannot be overstated,” Arnold said. “It is essential to the overall safety of our communities that police and fire personnel have the appropriate facilities and resources to hone their skills and stay current on the latest developments in effective public safety practices.”
PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER
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 have a three-story, 108,000-square-foot emergency operations center for 911 dispatch and emergency operations, with plans for additional storage for emergency equiptment.
“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 is 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
Altman said. “We’re going to design it and then move incrementally and make sure that’s a business we want to get in.”
COUNTY COLLABORATION
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.”
Rendering of the Hamilton County Public Safety Center. (Image courtesy of Hamilton County) facility,”
City to step up parking violation enforcement
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
The Carmel Police Department is preparing to step up enforcement of parking violations in the coming months.
The move comes in response to business owners and residents — primarily in downtown Carmel — expressing concerns about increasing violations, including unauthorized vehicles parking in marked disability spots and loading zones or remaining in a spot beyond a 3-hour or 15-minute time limit, according to city officials.
ning in the downtown area, according to Morris.
“Your license plate will be your permit,” she said. “For timed spaces, the (license plate reader) will mark a vehicle’s location and start a timer based on the spot the vehicle is parked in. When parking enforcement officers scan a plate that was marked and the time limits for that spot are exceeded, a notification will appear, and the officer can take appropriate enforcement action.”
MARCH E VENTS
Calendar brought to you by
“As Carmel has continued to grow, we have seen an increase in parking complaints, without the proper means in place to assist and enforce,” CPD Public Information Officer Darby Morris said. “Our focus is to ensure we can keep street parking turning over as intended for our local businesses to welcome as many visitors as possible.”
CPD will hire two part-time enforcement officers, who will work on staggered schedules, and use mobile and handheld license plate readers to help address the issue. The city also will begin using a digital parking permit system for residents and merchants, begin-
According to CPD Chief Drake Sterling, the addition of an officer in March 2025 to assist with parking enforcement led to a 58 percent increase in identification of parking violations.
“We are eager to see how the additional attention to this issue improves compliance,” Sterling said. “With enhanced equipment, I am confident that we can make a positive impact for livability in our great city.”
CPD officials encourage Carmel residents and visitors to consider using public parking garages when visiting the downtown area.
The enhanced enforcement efforts will be funded through CPD’s existing budget and from revenue from violation fines.
DISPATCHES
Commission on food access launchest — The City of Carmel has launched the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Food Access, which will bring experts together to determine where residents are struggling to get healthy food and help officials better coordinate with local resources to fill gaps. City Councilor Jeff Worrell will lead the commission. Details regarding commission membership, meeting schedules and opportunities for community involvement will be shared by the city in the coming weeks.
She L.E.A.D.S. conference set — The second She L.E.A.D.S. conference will take place on March 5 at 502 East Event Centre in Carmel, offering a two-part experience focused on leadership development, mentorship and career explo
ration. Presented by Majestic Care and hosted by Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam, the conference is designed to support professional women while introducing middle school girls to future career paths and leadership opportunities. The Women’s Segment runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Middle School Girls’ seg ment runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Register at sheleadscarmel.com.
Brebeuf, Guerin to change conferences — Hoosier Heritage Conference recently announced the addition of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and Guerin Catholic High School. Their full participation in the HHC begins in 2027-28, forming an eightteam conference with Greenfield-Central, Lebanon, Mt. Vernon, New Palestine, Pendleton Heights and Yorktown.
VIRTUAL ART EXHIBIT
March 1 - 31; Daily Midtown Plaza MidtownPlazaCarmel.com
WINTER FARMERS MARKET
Every Saturday until March 28
9 a.m. - Noon
The Six Eleven CarmelFarmersMarket.com
SHE L.E.A.D.S.
March 5; 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
502 East Event Centre SheLeadsCarmel.com
COMMUNITY SENSORY DAY
March 7; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
S.A.F.E. House in Midtown Carmel.IN.gov
WOMEN OF VISION LUNCHEON
March 12; 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ritz Charles
ADAPTIVE MOVIE NIGHT SOCIAL March 13; 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monon Community Center MidtownPlazaCarmel.com
DESIGNER BAG BINGO: THROUGH THE DECADES
March 19; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. 502 East Event Centre
INDIANA AGE GROUP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SWIMMING March 19 - 22 Carmel Swim Club CarmelSwimClub.org
HAMBONE'S TRIVIA NIGHT
March 24 & 31; 7 p.m. Sun King Carmel SunKingBrewing.com
SPEEDO FOUR CORNERS SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP March 26 - 29
Carmel Swim Club CarmelSwimClub.org
This annual virtual exhibit in partnership with the Carmel Arts Council, will be featured on the Midtown screen throughout the month of March showcasing pieces created by people with disabilities of all ages.
Morris Sterling
Carmel business owner running in 5th District
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Carmel resident Steve Avit is among a crowded field of Democrats running in the May 5 primary to represent Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Hamilton County.
Avit, who has lived in Hamilton County for six years, said he owns Cobra Consulting and works as a sales, marketing and strategy consultant, primarily helping health care companies grow, streamline operations and build sustainable systems so they can better serve patients.
“I decided to run for Congress because I’m tired of watching working families fall further behind while Washington keeps taking care of insiders,” he said. “I’m a dad, a health care professional and a small business owner — and I see firsthand how rising costs, housing and health care are squeezing people. Meanwhile, too many politicians are disconnected from real life here at home.”
On his campaign website, Avit stated that he will focus on lowering costs and strengthening paychecks, protecting Social Security and reducing political theater. He also noted the importance of access to affordable health care, maintaining strong schools and accountability for elected officials.
Avit is one of seven District 5 candidates on the Democratic primary ballot. The others are J.D. Ford, Jackson Franklin, Phil Goss, Dylan McKenna, Tara Nelson and Deborah A Pickett. Incumbent Republican Victoria Spartz, who is running for reelection, faces Scott A. King in the Republican primary.
For more, visit steveavit.com.
“I’m tired of watching working families fall further behind while Washington keeps taking care of insiders.”
Avit
COMMUNITY
CRC gives $10K to nonprofit
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
The Carmel Redevelopment Commission voted Feb. 18 to donate $10,000 to the StartedUP Foundation in honor of Craig Harper, the 2025 Carmel Clay Schools Teacher of the Year.
Harper teaches biomedical science to seniors through the Project Lead the Way capstone course. He also is a fellow at the StartedUp Foundation, a nonprofit that empowers students and teachers to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship.
StartedUp Foundation founder and CEO Don Wettrick, a former teacher at Noblesville High School, described the organization to the commission as an “innovation accelerator for teachers.” He said it has grown to serve approximately 25,000 students across Indiana this year.
He said the foundation wants to partner with teachers who encourage students to “see problems as opportunities” and develop solutions to solve them. The teachers help students connect with businesses and other organizations to identify opportunities for real-world innovation.
“We have so many students in this pipeline, because we’re utilizing the two most precious commodities we have in the day: Our time and our network,” Wettrick said. “Teachers like Craig provide that time and space, and, ultimately, we want to make sure that he was running his own innovation hub.”
Harper said a former student told him about the StartedUp Foundation and encouraged him to join the teacher fellowship.
“For my teaching, it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done, and for my students, as well,” Harper said.
This year, approximately 120 CHS students are participating in StartedUp Foundation programs. Harper said the number is expected to grow next year.
CRC Director Henry Mestetsky said the foundation’s mission fits with local initiatives, such as Team Bounceback, which aims to attract Carmel graduates back to the city.
“With initiatives like Team Bounceback, Mayor (Sue) Finkam is focused on retaining or bringing back our high school graduates,” Mestetsky told Current. “Supporting the StartedUP Foun-
about his involvement in the StartedUp Foundation’s teacher fellowship. (Photo courtesy of the City of Carmel)
dation, which helps our high school students think entrepreneurially and hopefully start or join Carmel businesses, perfectly aligns with those same goals.”
This marks the second consecutive year the CRC has donated $10,000 to the StartedUp Foundation.
Learn more at startedupfoundation. org.
CRC EXTENDS HOTEL CARMICHAEL LOAN
The Carmel Redevelopment Commission Feb. 18 approved a 90-day extension of the existing loan for Hotel Carmichael.
Developer Pedcor and the CRC partnered to build the $58 million hotel, which opened in 2020. CRC Director Henry Mestetsky said commercial loans typically renew every five years or so, and it didn’t make sense to go through that process at the same time a hotel expansion is in the works.
“That expansion continues to be explored,” Mestetsky said at the meeting. “It’s being explored with the same lender that is the current lender on the hotel, and in the meantime, the current loans need to be extended as this due diligence continues.”
Commissioner Dave Bowers said the loan extension is routine and not tied to any problems at the hotel.
“This is very common in the commercial real estate world to do short term extensions because other things are going on,” he said. “It has nothing to do with a default or other issues.”
Carmel High School teacher Craig Harper, the district’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, speaks at the Feb. 18 Carmel Redevelopment Commission
GO FRAMELESS
Carmel man killed in crash
By Alicia Kelly alicia@youarecurrent.com
A 64-year-old Carmel man was killed Feb. 18 in a three-vehicle crash at a busy Avon intersection, according to the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called around noon to U.S. 36 and C.R. 525 East after reports of a serious collision. Investigators said a Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling east on U.S. 36 when it allegedly entered the intersection against a red light. Witnesses told authorities the truck struck a northbound Chevrolet pickup.
The impact forced the pickup across the grass median, where it collided with a Chrysler Sebring that was stopped in the westbound left-turn lane, police said.
The pickup’s driver, identified as Terry Schultz, 64, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said no other people were taken by ambulance for treatment.
Crash reconstruction specialists remained at the intersection throughout the afternoon, and the area was partially closed as investigators worked to document evidence. Officials said it is not yet known whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
The tractor-trailer’s driver, Sukhdeep Singh, 24, was taken into custody by the Indiana State Police. No charges had been filed as of Feb. 24, but the Sheriff’s Office said it is consulting with the Hendricks County Prosecutor’s Office. Singh is being held in ICE custody.
According to his obituary, Schultz is survived by his wife of 22 years, Jennifer; children Nolan, Riley (Shelby), Alex (Emily), Emily and Victoria; sister, Kathy; and several grandchildren. He was a fan of Chicago Cubs baseball, Chicago Bears football and Purdue University.
“To know Terry was to know steadiness and safety,” the obituary states. “He was the person you could count on in big moments and in small — a constant presence of quiet strength and unwavering faith.”
A visitation for Schultz was held Feb. 28 in Noblesville. Memorial contributions may be made to Guardian Angels Basset Rescue, an organization through which Schultz welcomed two basset hounds into his life.
Coyote sightings more common
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Coyotes are a recurring theme on social media for neighbors throughout Hamilton County — Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, etc. — as well as Zionsville and north Indianapolis, with weekly, and sometimes daily, posts, photos, warnings and extended conversations about the wild canid — a native Indiana species closely related to dogs and wolves.
Wildlife Biologist Geriann Albers is the furbearer and gamebird program leader for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. She said coyotes have a long history in Indiana and for most of that time were found primarily in prairie habitat.
“We would have mostly had coyotes in the northwest part of the state and in the southwest part of the state,” she said. “The populations got pretty low for a while, because there were a lot of programs like bounties and things like that to try to remove coyotes. And then they started rebounding in the 1970s.”
Albers said the population bounced back because of less predation, less competition — there are no longer any wolves in Indiana — and the coyotes’ ability to adapt beyond the prairie.
The DNR doesn’t track coyote populations, but Albers said biologists have a rough estimate for rural areas of one pair for every 3 to 5 square miles — a range determined by how much food is available.
“They can have much smaller home ranges in urban areas, just because there’s so much more food,” she said.
Albers said urban coyotes find shelter in hollowed out trees, old culverts and other spaces where they can hide from
Coyotes are found throughout Indiana, including rural and urban areas. (Photo courtesy of Indiana Department of Natural Resources) people.
“Human-coyote interactions are extremely uncommon,” she said. “In Indiana, we’ve never had a coyote come up and bite a kid or anything like that. The way we want to make sure that continues to be true is that we want to make sure people don’t feed coyotes.”
Attractive food sources for coyotes include fruit trees, unsecured outdoor pet food, compost bins, etc. Albers said coyotes can attack and kill small pets — noting that owls also are known to kill small pets — and while coyotes are less likely to approach a person walking a dog, it’s not unheard of.
Albers suggested carrying pepper spray or an air horn for protection while walking dogs if coyotes are known to be in the neighborhood.
She added that coyotes are an important part of the natural ecosystem.
“They’ll clean up carrion,” she said. “They also are really great for controlling rodent populations.”
For more, visit tinyurl.com/57rz4bax.
DONATE NOMINATE
MAKE YOUR BEST MOVE YET
DISPATCHES
& LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE!
Hassle-free Home Ownership for Active Adults (62+)
Scam targets local veterans — Hamilton County officials are alerting local veterans about a text message scam circulating across the state that falsely claims to be from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Several veterans have reported receiving text messages asking them to “update their information.” The messages include a link to what appears to be a legitimate website, prompting recipients to enter sensitive personal information. Officials say the messages are fraudulent. Veterans with questions or concerns can contact the Hamilton County Veteran Services Office at 317-776-9610 for assistance.
Now is your time to make a change for the better. That’s because hassle-free home ownership is coming for active adults (62+)! Why worry about maintenance and costly repairs when you can be doing things you enjoy instead? Whether you are retired or still working, the Village Cooperative of Westfield i is Coming Soon to the area and offers everything you want including a better lifestyle in a community of peers with the freedom to do as you please.
•Reserve now and choose your home and interior finishes
•Homes are selling quickly Don’t wait!
•Home ownership with no maintenance
•Annual appreciation on your investment
•Get your best price now before construction starts!
Distinguished alumni honored — Mississippi State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences honored Carmel resident Scott H. Hutchins as the 2025 distinguished alumni fellow representing the Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection. A 1983 graduate, Hutchins is undersecretary for research, education and economics and chief scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, providing national leadership for agricultural science and innovation. His accomplishments include more than 140 publications, professional honors from the Entomological Society of America and national recognition for advancing agricultural science strategy.
Piano, voice masterclass set — Young musicians and actors age 5 to 15 are invited to attend masterclasses in piano and voice/acting as part of the Rising Star Competition Community Enrichment Program. The event is from 3 to 4 p.m. March 7 at the Monon Community Center, 1195 Central Park Dr. W. Space is limited. Learn more at nternationaltalentacademy.org.
Election worker portal — Hamilton County has launched an Election Worker Portal to make applying, scheduling and communication easier. The new system helps streamline the application process, keep information secure and up to date, improve communication and training and ensure efficient staffing on election day. For more, visit tinyurl. com/52vzh3sm.
Hutchins
IvyTech enrollment surges
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
Ivy Tech Hamilton County Chancellor Rachel Kartz wants to enhance the college experience.
When she became chancellor three years ago, rapid growth inspired her to become more innovative with programming. Between fall of 2021 and fall of 2025, enrollment grew from about 1,000 students to 9,800 students.
Hamilton County job opportunities, such as programs in the health care, manufacturing and engineering fields.
“These are all industries that are continuing to have job openings,” Kartz said. “We currently have to send students to other Ivy Tech (campuses) because we don’t have those programs yet.”
A recent innovation at the college is an AI chatbot, a live chat feature for 24/7 student support.
“It is a first point of communication the students have that allows our team to individualize attention,” Kartz said. “If a student says (they’re) feeling nervous, our academic support (can) reach out to the student individually. If they mention they’re facing financial trouble or worried about being able to meet needs outside of school, we can connect them to (resources).”
As the campus grows, Kartz wants to bring in more programs that align with
Kartz also is working to implement more elements of traditional college. With the average age range of students being 20 to 30, she wants to implement resources for an older population, like mental health support services.
“Students have said to us time and time again that they come to campus because we’re in their community, and they stay at the campus because of our staff,” Kartz said. “But if it weren’t for those two things, they would go somewhere else because of the unfortunate experiences they have on campus in terms of our facility. Our students are looking for an on-campus environment where they can do more than study or take classes.”
For more, visit ivytech.edu/ locations/hamilton-county.
Kartz
DISPATCHES
Robotics center grand opening –Kids Explore Robotics STEM Center at 1742 E. 116th St. in Carmel will hold a grand opening celebration at 11:30 a.m. March 5. The event will feature hands-on robotics demonstrations, kid-friendly activities and more. Learn more at kidsexplorerobotics.com/ carmel-robotics-stem-learning-center.
ILADD seminar — Independent Living for Adults With Disabilities will present an information seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 5 at Zionsville Town Hall, 1100 W. Oak St. in Zionsville. “Technology as a Supplemental Support” will feature information from experts in the field. Learn more at iladdinc.org.
OBITUARY
Our community has lost a visionary leader. Lorene Burkhart has passed away peacefully and of natural causes, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to service, philanthropy, leadership and education.
Lorene was born on a farm near Vincennes, Indiana, on July 11, 1934. She was the only daughter of Emma Bobe and Clarence J. McCormick.
As a typical farm girl, Lorene joined her local 4-H Club at the age of nine and remained a member for nine years, earning many awards for her leadership, baking, and sewing skills. She graduated from Decker High School as Valedictorian of her class of 12 students in 1952.
Lorene then enrolled at Purdue University where she majored in Home Economics Education. While at Purdue, she was a member of Mortar Board and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. During her time there, she met and married George Shunk, the father of her two sons, Mark and Stewart.
Lorene’s first job was teaching high school Home Economics in Cincinnati, OH as well as training women on welfare in employment skills for the Cincinnati Board of Education.
Upon moving to Indianapolis, IN in 1964, she shifted her focus to applying her home economics background to a wide range of opportunities in public relations, broadcasting, marketing, and as a corporate executive. At age 70, she began writing books, authoring seven titles including “An Accidental Pioneer, a Farm Girl’s Drive to the Finish.”
Lorene married prominent Indianapolis businessman John Burkhart in 1985 and became a dedicated community volunteer. She was a founding board member of Meals on Wheels of Marion County, the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, and the Arts Council of Indianapolis. She also served on the Board of the Indiana 4-H Club Foundation, the national board of Girls, Inc., and was president of the Indiana Home Economics Association.
Lorene’s passion for education included
serving as a Trustee of the University of Indianapolis for 14 years, where she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities. She also served on the Foundation Board of Ivy Tech Community College, where she received an Honorary associate degree, and on the Board of Visitors of Marian University.
For her many lifelong contributions to Purdue University, including her gift to establish the Center for Families and serving as President of the President’s Council, Lorene received numerous awards including the Consumer and Family Sciences Gold Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award, and Honorary Doctor of Letters.
Lorene was a lifelong Methodist. Her abiding yet quiet faith was at the core of her lifelong passion for serving others.
Lorene is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and brothers Jim and Don. She is survived by her brother Ed (Lana), sons Mark (Suzy) and Stewart (Teresa), grandchildren Trevor Shunk, Zach Shunk, Kelsey Smith (Trevor), Caroline Shunk and Jaclyn Shunk, and great-grandchildren Finnegan Smith, Beckham Smith and Hugh Moss.
Lorene’s legacy is one that will live on through the positive impact she had, both directly and indirectly, on the lives of countless individuals and organizations. She made a difference wherever she went and will be deeply missed by all who loved and were inspired by her.
Services for Lorene will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260. Calling hours: 12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. followed by a memorial service at 3:00 P.M. There will be a private family interment in Vincennes.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Center for Families, Purdue University, The Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, and the Indiana 4H Foundation.
LONGTIME VOLUNTEER RECOGNIZED
Hamilton County Commissioners recognized Jim
County Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals
from
who is retiring, at the Feb. 9 commissioners meeting. Galloway volunteered on the plan commission for 36 years and on the board of zoning appeals for many of those years. He has been a part of zoning in Hamilton County since its inception. “I really appreciate everything (Jim has) done for the county,” Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger said. “(He’s been) in a very unappreciative position a lot of times — (he takes) a lot of heat — but I believe (he has) always done the right thing for the right reasons, and I think we’ll sorely miss (him).” Commissioners are, from left, Christine Altman, Mark Heirbrandt and Steve Dillinger. (Photo courtesy of Tammy Sander)
Denise Abshire has been in the banking industry since 1985. Denise has a passion for her clients and has been privileged to provide loans totaling over 100 million dollars in her career.
The
Galloway, second
left, a Hamilton
member
University’s top scorer leaves for CHS
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Alan Henderson figures the Carmel High School basketball program is the best fit for his son Joshua Henderson’s future development.
A 6-foot-6 junior, Joshua — a Carmel resident — averaged 19.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game this season for University High School in Carmel. He made his decision to transfer Feb. 18 and enrolled at CHS the following day.
“Carmel’s track record speaks for itself,” said Alan Henderson, a former Indiana University standout who played 12 seasons in the NBA. “They’ve won state championships. They put players at the next level. (CHS) Coach (Ryan) Osborn has a top-notch program and is pretty known. I’m excited for him to get in there with all the players and coaches and just have a chance to continue to develop and learn.”
IHSAA rules require a player transferring for the first time in high school during the season to sit out 30 days of competition.
Henderson said if his son had waited
until after University’s season ended, he would have to sit those 30 days out at the start of the 2026-27 season.
“He would be missing a third of his season his senior year, and he really wasn’t excited about that,” Henderson said.
The Greyhounds (15-5) would have to reach semistate for Joshua to be eligible this season. Class 4A Carmel has a bye
and will play March 6 in the sectional semifinals.
Henderson said CHS usually plays one of the toughest schedules in the state.
Joshua plays AAU basketball on the New Balance circuit.
“He had a really good season and a lot of growth in his game,” Henderson said. “He’s a really hard worker and he’s just always trying to keep improving.”
Joshua’s sister, Brooke, a freshman who played volleyball and basketball at University, transferred at the same time to CHS. She was the co-MVP of the volleyball team and played about half of the basketball season.
University boys basketball coach Justin Blanding, whose team lost in the 2025 Class 2A state final, declined to comment.
“We don’t comment on individual student or family decisions, and we do not confirm or discuss reports about specific students or family members,” University head of school Alicia LaMagdeleine said. “Respecting the privacy of our students and families is a responsibility we take seriously.”
Dr. Susan Leedy Helsel Primary Care
Laurel S. Patient
Joshua Henderson, University High School’s leading scorer and rebounder this season, has transferred to Carmel High School. (Photo courtesy of J. Scott Photography)
Eagles junior develops into two-sport standout
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville Community High School junior Camden Moore is better known for his production on the diamond, but this season, he is making an impact on the basketball court, too.
Moore, who has committed to the University of Notre Dame to play baseball, averaged 13 points per game on 49 percent shooting for the Eagles (13-10) heading into the March 3 Class 4A sectional opener against host Noblesville. The 6-foot-5 forward also averaged 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
“Cam has made a big jump over the last year,” Eagles coach J.R. Howell said. “He has become a more consistent scorer, ball handler and leader. His ability to drive the ball and finish around the basket as well as the ability to step back and knock down a deep three make him hard to guard. Also, with his size, he can be a difficult matchup for other teams because of his ability to play around the perimeter.”
Moore said he’s made the most im-
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
MEET CAMDEN MOORE
Favorite athlete: Jayden Daniels
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite TV show: “Outer Banks”
Favorite musician: Morgan Wallen
provement this season as a scorer.
“The biggest thing for me is my scoring ability,” he said. “I didn’t really expect to be as much of a scorer as I have been so far. My shooting, my finishing (drives) and just kind of hoping to kind of control the offense are my biggest strides since last season.”
Moore started the 2024-25 season on junior varsity but moved into the starting lineup on varsity by the end of the season.
“I would shoot it a little bit, play good defense and help to rebound,” said Moore, who averaged 2.4 ppg last sea-
son. “I didn’t really score too much or have a huge impact on the offense. This year has been completely different.”
Moore has needed to score more as the Eagles graduated many of their top scorers from the 2024-25 season.
“We play well as a team and have definitely surprised some people,” he said.
Moore’s father, Quinn Moore, played baseball and basketball at the University of South Alabama. He then transferred to Indiana University, where he played baseball in 2000-01. Moore is coached in baseball by his father in the Indiana Bulls system. He gave up AAU basketball in 2025.
Although his future is in baseball, Moore said he loves both sports.
“If I had the opportunity to play both sports in college, I would definitely do it, but I don’t think it’s going to happen,” he said.
The right-handed Moore, who pitches and plays third base, didn’t pitch much last season because of arm trouble.
“I plan to pitch a pretty good amount this season,” said Moore, who batted .291 for the Eagles. “My arm feels good right now.”
Zionsville Community High School junior Camden Moore is the team’s leading scorer. (Photo courtesy of Gus Martin Photography)
Co-hosted by Current and Project Civility
Roundtable on Carmel’s Housing Challenges
Talk with your community and take action. Join your Carmel neighbors on March 5 to prove communities can solve problems together.
For ages 18 and up
Thursday, March 5 - 2PM EST and 7PM EST
Help Shape Carmel’s Future: Join the Housing Challenges Roundtable
Join a Roundtable discussion to explore the complex realities of housing in Carmel — specifically the tension between our high quality of life and the housing shortages that threaten it. We will look at the needs of seniors, young graduates, families and service workers alongside resident concerns regarding density, traffic, and community character.
During the Roundtable you’ll be placed in groups of 4-6 residents with different perspectives for a live, guided online conversation to connect and explore this critical topic. Your insights will be used to guide policy solutions, help officials better understand residents’ concerns and needs, and demonstrate that diverse, productive dialogue on this topic is possible in Carmel.
How It Works
• Register online and answer a few quick questions
• Join via a simple web link; no downloads needed
• Watch a brief welcome video and get matched with 4-6 neighbors from diverse perspectives
• Follow a structured conversation guide to share your thoughts and hear fresh perspectives
• After the event, receive a summary of insights from all conversations to see how your community is thinking about this issue
Kitchens - Baths - Countertops - Foyers
Fundraiser still blooming
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Susan Flener quickly became involved with Carmel Elementary School’s Flower Sale when her family moved to Carmel from North Carolina.
Her daughter, Sarah, was in second grade at the school. Her younger daughter, Maggie, was in kindergarten at Mohawk Elementary because CES was overcrowded, but she was able to start first grade at CES.
“I was trying to get involved and they put me on the Geranium Sale committee,” Flener said.
The Geranium Sale started in 1971 and was rebranded the Flower Sale in the 2000s. The 55th Flower Sale begins March 6.
“After years of doing the sale with my daughters, now my grandchildren go there,” Flener said.
Sarah’s three children attended CES, and now Maggie’s three children attend.
Flener said her daughters always had a large group of customers.
“We called them every year, and ev-
ery year they all bought again,” Flener said. “We passed the list on, and the grandkids have called some of these customers their parents had, and they’re still buying flowers.”
The website, carmelflowersale.com, was started in 2010. There are 11 varieties of flowers. More than $40,000 worth are sold each year. Proceeds support annual teacher grants for classroom supplies, grade-level grants for special projects and field trips, and clubs.
Carmel Elementary students participate in a past flower sale. (Photo courtesy of Carmel Clay Schools )
Church to offer free clothing swap
By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com
A decade ago, Harvest Church in Carmel held its first clothing swap, an informal gathering of a handful of women from the church exchanging items from their wardrobes.
Today, “The Swap” has grown into an annual event serving approximately 1,000 participants from the church and surrounding community. Roughly 10,000 articles of clothing are expected to be available for this year’s event, set for 9 a.m. to noon March 14.
The Swap evolved into a more community-oriented event six years ago when Laura White became director of women’s discipleship.
“It’s our heart’s desire for it to be a tangible way to care for the community and to show God’s love to women in our community,” White said. “It takes over a majority of our church space. We have a brand new worship center, and so our lobby is large. We collect clothing for just over one week.”
From there, hundreds of women work to separate, hang, fold and organize the clothing by size and type. Items range from petite to plus size, casual to formal wear. Shoes, purses, scarves and jewelry also will be available.
“Basically, everybody can find something they want,” White said. “From something very casual to businesswear to maternity. When people come in on Saturday, everything is free.”
The event has grown each year.
“We will serve whoever walks in the door, and what is there will be a blessing to whomever until it’s gone,” White said.
At the end of the event, remaining items are donated to Wheeler Mission.
Harvest Church is at 14550 River Rd. Learn more at HarvestIndy.org/swap.
•
•
•
•
•
The growth of DF-2000 Fluid has outpaced all of the alternative technologies offered for drycleaning. This is a result of many factors including health, safety and environmental benefits, excellent cleaning performance, proven equipment technology, commercial practicality, and a reduced regulatory burden.
DF-2000 Fluid provides you with the peace of mind that comes from a well-developed, broadly supported technology with a track record of proven performance.
• Proven Cleaning Performance
When used with properly designed processes, additives and equipment, DF-2000 Fluid provides cleaning performance comparable to perchloroethylene.
• Consistent, Premium Quality
DF-2000 Fluid is manufactured and packaged to high standards of consistency and purity to deliver the same high-quality performance time after time. DF-2000 Fluid remains stable through multiple distillation and reclamation cycles.
• Virtually Odorless
Solvents with a higher level of aromatics contain more solvent odor. DF-2000 Fluid has the lowest aromatic content of any HFHC drycleaning solvent.
• Gentle on Dyes, Safer on Trims
The gentle cleaning action of DF-2000 Fluid is safer for most dyes and trims, so you can rely on it to safely clean a wider range of fancy and fragile articles with less risk of dye bleeding.
• Cost Effective
There are no usage, franchise or royalty fees required. In states where a solvent usage tax has been imposed, DF-2000 Fluid is either exempt or the usage tax per gallon is minimal. When coupled with effective processes and additives, labor and production costs are reasonable.
• Proven Equipment Technology
Equipment makers have more experience with
• Proven Additive Technologies
Volunteers set up The Swap before women start shopping. (Photo courtesy of LiaAnn Ellis)
COZY SPACES
Designer, entrepreneur helps residents in Carmel and beyond feel at home
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com m
Wendy Langston’s New England roots provide much of the inspiration for the many rooms she’s designed in Carmel and beyond.
The Connecticut native owns Everything Home Designs, a Carmel firm she founded in 2014 to complement two homebuilding companies she helped launch: Old Town Design Group and Heartwood Custom Homes.
Old Town, which she co-founded in 2009 with her husband, Jeff Langston, and Justin Moffitt, has been a key player in the redevelopment of central Carmel. As the company continued to grow, the Langstons shuttered Heartwood, an award-winning firm they co-founded in 1999, to focus on Old Town.
It’s not a career journey Langston expected when she graduated from the University of Richmond in Virginia, with degrees in pre-med biology and business.
“It was never a recipe or something very prescriptive,” she said. “It was just a passion to continue, and then as we earned the trust of the marketplace, the marketplace invited us to the table, and we just continued along that thread. We were serving a need, and we became a trusted partner.”
‘WE HAD TO REINVENT OURSELVES’
Langston worked in sales for Roche Pharmaceuticals in Baltimore after graduating from college. During that time, she met and married her husband, who had grown up in Carmel. The young family moved to Jeff’s hometown in 1999.
“We were both ready to explore self-employment and jump off the corporate wagon,” Langston said. “It was a hamster wheel for us between (having two young) children and being in a city without any family support.”
Together, they launched Heartwood, with Jeff focusing on construction and finance and Wendy handling sales and
marketing. The business grew steadily until the burst of the U.S. housing bubble, triggering the Great Recession in 2007 and creating havoc for homebuilders.
“We had to reinvent ourselves again, and we had obviously significant investments in the business,” Wendy Langston said. “One option was to leave the business entirely, and the other was to double down and create another business. And we did that. We started Old Town Design Group.”
Since then, Old Town has built more than 700 custom homes and 1,000 apartments in Central Indiana. It partnered in developing Midtown, North End,
Magnolia and Sunrise on the Monon in Carmel; Federal Hill in Noblesville; Wild Air in Zionsville; and Provenance at Discovery Park in West Lafayette.
“We have a critical mass now,” Langston said. “(Clients) would say, ‘Am I going to trust this to a national brand that has no connection to my community, or am I going to trust it to the local people who I grocery shop with and go to a soccer game with?’ That can’t be understated.”
Jeff Langston, a 1986 Carmel High School graduate, said Old Town has been successful because of its team, culture and commitment to the area.
“By not trying to overscale, it still keeps the experience a little more intimate, where it doesn’t just become a big machine, driven by numbers only,” he said. “We’re still so heavily relationship based. Some of my trades have been with me for 20 years. Those are the types of things that are more rewarding for me than to just try to get as big as possible.”
‘YOU NEED THAT LOCAL SPIRIT’
When Langston launched Everything Home Designs in 2014, initially her plan was to continue offering services to Old Town clients beyond home construction.
At first, those clients accounted for the bulk of the new firm’s work, but over time they have become a minority,
Langston said.
“Now, we focus on driving that remodeling turnkey in house, from concept to completion,” she said. “We don’t have to third-party anything, which really helps to streamline communication, design intent and quality.”
Looking ahead, Langston said she anticipates growing Everything Home Designs’ capacity to construct building additions. But as the business grows, she doesn’t plan to lose sight of what led to its success.
“The opportunities are so robust here, that it’s hard for us to take our eye off of this marketplace. It’s really remarkable and unique,” Langston said. “To replicate what we’ve done, you need that local spirit. You can’t just drop in in North Carolina and be like, ‘Hey, we want to redo this.’ You really need the local heart, the local vision, the local soul.”
Everything Home Designs is at 200 S. Range Line Rd., Suite 107, in the Indiana Design Center. Learn more at EverythingHomeDesigns.com.
NEW ENGLAND STYLE
Growing up in New England, Wendy Langston often worked alongside her mother to update the rooms in their homes in Connecticut and Vermont.
“We were always redoing and refreshing,” Langston said. “It must have been woven into my DNA that way.”
Today, her work often reflects a “coastal vibe” inspired by her childhood. She describes her style as warm, inviting, comfortable and family centric.
“I really love the sanctuary of my home and having little spaces to cozy up,” Langston said. “That’s reflected in my design: soft landing places, quiet spaces, beautiful textures, beautiful tactile things and personalizing them, making sure that if there are pieces that remind you of auntie or grandma, we figure those into the design.”
Langston
ON THE COVER: Wendy Langston outside the entrance to Everything Home Designs, a firm she founded in 2014. (Photo by Greg Steele)
Everything Home Designs is in the Indiana Design Center at 200 S. Range Line Rd., Suite 107. (Photos by Greg Steele)
Wendy Langston’s dog, Pippa, is frequently on-site at Everything Home Designs.
HEALTH
Menopause event set
By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com
Christine Craig and Kim Slimak believe more women need to be talking about perimenopause.
The multiyear transition to menopause is marked by shifting hormones and often includes irregular periods, hot flashes and mood changes. But the friends were baffled by the lack of resources on the topic or discussions to help women prepare.
“One of the things that I was so shocked about is no one talks about it,” Craig said. “I asked my mom about it, I said, ‘Is this completely taboo?’ And she said, ‘Oh, we weren’t allowed to speak about it.’ My mom’s in her 80s.”
Craig, a Carmel resident, and Slimak, who lives in Fishers, decided to do something about it. So, they created a nonprofit, Women in the Pause, to shed light on what to expect and how to handle perimenopause and menopause. The organization offers educational
resources, support and community for women experiencing the changes.
“I want to encourage women to talk to not just their best friends, but experts, science-backed information and provide a venue to do that in a fun way,” Craig said.
The nonprofit’s first event, “How to Prepare for Perimenopause,” is set for 6:30 p.m. March 5 at The Club Coworking | Crosspoint Center, 9800 Crosspoint Blvd. in Indianapolis. It will feature keynote speakers Dr. Staci Blume, a chiropractor and wellness expert, and Elizabeth Mitchko, a certified nurse practitioner. They will share how to prepare for perimenopause with confidence and ease.
In addition to in-person events, Women in the Pause is working to create a portal with medical information about perimenopause and menopause.
To reserve a spot for “How to Prepare for Menopause,” visit tinyurl.com/ y5v46tf3. Learn more at womeninthepause.org.
County acquires manikin
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton County Health Department has acquired a TOMManikin-GSW manikin, also known as “Tommy,” to help public safety agencies prepare for critical emergencies.
Tommy has a steel frame and interchangeable body parts that replicate catastrophic wounds, such as amputations and burns, allowing instructors to stage authentic trauma situations in diverse settings.
By mimicking a reactive patient, Tommy enables law enforcement and fire departments to practice Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, or TECC, under realistic conditions. Walker said TECC is designed to minimize preventable deaths during situations where the responder may be providing care while the threat is still ongoing.
“Tommy provides a realistic ‘patient’ for responders to work on without the potential for injuring a living patient,” Walker said. “He has multiple gunshot wounds and other injuries which call
for wound packing, tourniquet application and other treatments while allowing a proctor to monitor the training and provide a dynamic scenario or record teachable moments for later use.”
Purchased with grant funding at the request of local fire departments, Tommy will be accessible to all Hamilton County public safety agencies for high-severity injury training. Read the full story at youarecurrent. com.
The TOMManikin-GSW has interchangeable body parts that replicate catastrophic wounds. (Photo courtesy of Tammy Sander)
Craig Slimak
WINTER WAS TOUGH
Nippers closing bittersweet
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
For Steve and Amy Ward, the timing was right.
The couple decided to close Nippers Grill & Tap, 1772 E. 116th St., in Carmel’s Woodland Shoppes Feb. 28, the final day of their lease.
“My wife and I are 61, and we’re going to slow down and call it quits,” Steve said.
peace of
about 25 years ago.”
The couple, former longtime Carmel residents, live in Westfield. They are Carmel High School graduates.
The Wards have owned and managed Nippers since 2012. They worked there for a couple of years before purchasing it.
“The new landlord who took over is going to redevelop the property,” Steve said. “The reality is they were transparent with what they were looking for, and so were we. The discussions were amicable, and we realized we just weren’t going to be able to move forward with what we both needed, and that’s OK. It’s not the end of the world. They didn’t try to pull the rug out from under us or anything like that.”
Garg Group and Lotus Commons purchased Woodland Shoppes in January. Steve said Woodland Shoppes opened in 1972.
“There has pretty much always been a bar in the back corner of the center,” Steve said. “It was renamed Nippers
Nippers had nine full-time employees and seven or eight part-time employees, Steve said.
“We have been exactly what we set out to become. When we first took over, it was kind of a dive, a term that neither my wife or I were really excited about,” Steve said. “We wanted it to become a nice neighborhood restaurant — kind of like a ‘Cheers’ (referring to the 1980s TV show).”
Like “Cheers,” Nippers was frequently full of regular customers.
Steve said since word of the closing, there has been an outpouring of kindness to the couple and the staff.
“In some ways, it makes it even harder to shut it down,” he said.
Nippers used to have a family section but became a 21-and-over only establishment to allow smoking when the law changed in the state in 2012.
There will be a live auction through Midwest Auction Co. of the bar equipment at 10:30 a.m. March 17 at Nippers. The auction preview begins at 9 a.m. For more, auctionzip.com/Listings/4117813.html.
DISPATCHES
Merchants Capital financing Fishers project — Carmel-based financial services provider Merchants Capital announced more than $56 million in total financing for the acquisition and substantial rehabilitation of Cumberland Crossing, a 232-unit affordable housing development in Fishers developed by Birge & Held. The resyndication of tax credits will extend Cumberland Crossing’s affordability period for an additional 30 years, with rent restrictions for half of the units at 50 percent of area median income and the other half of the units at 60 percent.
Veracity appointment — Carmel-based Veracity IIR has appointed Kevin A. Mahan as director of business development, adding to the firm’s leadership bench as it continues to expand its advisory and investigative services across health care, education, corporate and public sector markets. Mahan has
decades of executive experience spanning law enforcement, state government, healthcare security and legislative policy. At Veracity IIR, Mahan will lead strategic growth initiatives, institutional partnerships and client development efforts.
PMG named a top agency — Pence Media Group has been named to PR Daily’s Top Agencies List for 2025, which honors innovative, impactful and inspiring public relations and communications agencies. Public relations has been a cornerstone of Pence Media Group since its earliest days. In addition to receiving recognition as a Top Agency of the year, Pence Media Group was also recognized as a finalist in PR Daily’s Nonprofit Communications Awards for work with He Knows Your Name ministry, whose mission is to ensure that every life is remembered with dignity and honor.
Amy and Steve Ward
Commentary by Larry Greene
A custom basement wine room addition
This basement transformation in Carmel turned previously open and underutilized space into a stunning custom wine room designed for both storage and experience. The new addition blends architectural detail with functional design, creating a refined destination within the home.
THE BLUEPRINT
• The enclosed wine room converts underutilized square footage into a dedicated space for collecting and entertaining.
• Custom wood racking provides organized bottle storage while creating a balanced design.
• A barrel-vault wood ceiling adds warmth and craftsmanship, enhancing the classic cellar look.
• An arched glass door offers a striking focal point while keeping the room visually connected to the basement.
• Updated lighting and finishes elevate the surrounding area, turning a once plain basement into a sophisticated retreat.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
Puppet comes to life in ‘Scarlet Letter’
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Civic Theatre is taking a unique approach to its production of “The Scarlet Letter.”
Instead of using a child performer, Noblesville resident Emily Bohannon uses a puppet to play Pearl, a 4-yearold child. The play runs March 13 through March 28 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“The Scarlet Letter” is based on the historical novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 17th-century Boston. Hester Prynne is publicly shamed for adultery by being forced to wear a Scarlet “A.” Pearl is Prynne’s child from the affair.
“Pearl and I are kind of one and the same,” Bohannon said. “I’m moving her around, but I will not be hidden for the production. I will be saying her lines and she is an extension of me. The goal is to have all the other actors not look at me and just focus their energy and their attention on the puppet.”
Bohannon said she has performed some puppet improv but nothing with a whole-body puppet.
“I’m on my knees most of the time,” said Bohannon, who has already gone through several knee pads during rehearsals. “It’s very physical. I’m coming up with creative ways to move her around in the most realistic way I can.”
Bohannon said she has settled on a light and airy voice for Pearl.
“It’s kind of childlike and innocent, but with a direct tone of voice,” Bohannon said. “I think it feels very real.” Pearl is on stage nearly 75 percent of the time.
“Emily has made my life very (easy),” said Emily Tzucker, the play’s director. “She is so creative with coming up with great solutions and acting choices for the puppet.”
Tzucker, who is directing “The Scarlet Letter” for the first time, said the puppet is a Japanese-style Bunraku puppet.
“I’ve directed quite a few produc-
tions of books that have been adapted into plays or what we call classic theater when you think of Shakespeare or that sort of thing,” she said. “So, I feel like I’m still at home directing this kind of piece.”
Tzucker said the cast of six is a perfect fit for the Studio Theater. Civic Theatre typically presents one show a year in the smaller Studio Theater, and the rest are in The Tarkington.
“Since it’s a brand-new adaptation that’s very modern, it’s only 90 minutes,” she said. “It’s very fast-paced and a lot more conversational. It almost feels like a thriller and romance in a way.”
The cast wears period costumes in Kate Hamill’s adaptation. Prynne is played by Indianapolis resident Brittany Magee.
Indianapolis resident Evangeline
Puppeteer Emily Bohannon, left, and Brittany Magee examine Pearl, a puppet. Magee plays the role of her Pearl’s mother, Hester Prynne in “The Scarlet Letter.”
(Photo courtesy of Civic Theatre)
Bouw performed in Civic Theatre’s “The Great Gatsby” in February while making the puppet. The puppet is made from vinyl, plywood, upholstery and insulation foam made from elastic and wooden balls. Bouw said it took approximately 60 to 70 hours to create.
“I’ve done a lot of different kinds of puppets, but this is the first style of this type of puppet I’ve done,” she said. “My background is in theater and sculpture. I love 3D art, so anytime I can get to do this sort of work, I love it. It’s such a blessing and wonderful.”
Bouw said the puppet has a handle on the head, torso and arms.
“That creates a juggling act for (Bohannon) to create when and where those handles are grabbed,” Bouw said. “She is making the inanimate object come alive.”
For more, visit civictheatre.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Feinstein’s cabaret presents “All the Way Frank: A Sinatra Tribute” March 5, followed by Dueling Pianos March 6 and singer/songwriter Andie Case March 7 at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘THE SPITFIRE GRILL’
Carmel Community Players’ production of “The Spitfire Grill” runs through March 8 at Switch Theatre at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy in Fishers. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
‘VANITIES’
The Belfry Theatre presents “Vanities” March 6 through March 15 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
CHRIS BOTTI
Trumpeter Chris Botti will perform at 8 p.m. March 6 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
JEROME COLLINS
Jerome Collins will perform his “Journey to Motown and Beyond” show at 8 p.m. March 7 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘CHANSON FRANCAISE’
Indiana Wind Symphony’s “Chanson Francaise” concert is set for 7 p.m. March 7 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
MIXED REP
Central Indiana Dance Ensemble presents “Mixed Rep” at 4 p.m. March 8 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit cidedance.org.
Mixed Rep showcases range of local dancers
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
University High School senior Sophia Cahn is ready for her final Mixed Rep with Central Indiana Dance Ensemble.
CIDE will present Mixed Rep at 4 p.m. March 8 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“I am most looking forward to spending my last Mixed Rep with the people I love so much and embracing our time on stage,” the Carmel resident said. “I love that the repertoire this year is so diverse while still maintaining classical elements. It spans from neoclassical ballet to ‘Swan Lake.’”
Cahn said her favorite piece is “No. 4 Saint James Place.”
“I love this piece for the beautiful piano music, and most importantly, the connection I feel with my friends while dancing it,” she said. “This piece can be challenging because of its length and the stamina needed for the end section.”
Cahn is the choreographer for “Flite.”
“I have always wanted to choreograph, and when the opportunity arose to do an emerging piece, I was very excited,” she said. “One challenge that I faced was my fear of failure. This was my first time choreographing and so there was a lot of room for mistakes. But with that (came) growth. I am overall very happy with my piece.”
Park Tudor School junior Katie Fuhrmann, a Carmel resident, said her favorite role is as Odette in the excerpt from
“Swan Lake.”
“This role is extremely challenging as it requires a lot of control, strength, stamina and gracefulness,” Fuhrmann said. “But being able to perform it on stage is truly a dream come true. So many preprofessional dancers never get the variety and range of performance opportunities that CIDE gives us, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Fuhrmann said she is eager for the countless hours of rehearsals to pay off on stage.
Carmel Latin School senior Natalie Keyser, a Noblesville resident, said her favorite piece is “Big Swans Variation” from the “Swan Lake” excerpt.
“I love the waltz music and the classical, elegant quality of the choreography,” she said. “The biggest challenges for me in this piece are matching my partner, Sophia Cahn, with the correct timing and positions, as well as building enough stamina to perform well.”
Keyser choreographed “Life and Death” for Mixed Rep.
“I have always wanted to choreograph my own piece and I was really inspired by the music that I chose,” she said. “The biggest challenge for me was being able to actually create choreography based on the steps that I envisioned with the music.”
Keyser looks forward to performing in her last Mixed Rep as a “Big Swan.”
“Especially since (the seniors) performed this same excerpt in my first year of Mixed Rep (in 2019),” she said. For more, visit cidedance.org.
SPRING SESSION
This spring, we are offering themed 6-week sessions for students grades 1-8. Each session will focus on developing creative skills while using songs and other materials related to the theme.
DR. SEUSS
Grades 1-3 | Tuesdays
ROALD DAHL
Grades 4-5 | Thursdays L. FRANK BAUM Grades 6-8 | Saturdays
Cahn Keyser
Actress heads backstage
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Shelley Young will experience an entirely different side of theater.
The Brownsburg resident, who is accustomed to being on stage, will be a crew member for the first time on the production of “Funny Girl” March 6-22 at Footlite Musicals at Hedback Theatre in Indianapolis.
“I believe I have been in approximately 24 musical productions within California, Utah and Indiana — seven of them at Footlite,” Young said. “I know how integral the crew is to the success and flow of a great production and Footlite is a wonderful community. My role on the crew for ‘Funny Girl’ will initially be learning about the behind-the-scenes running of the curtain, scene changes, stage setup and assisting cast members with quick changes.”
“I’m very excited to assist and support in this way,”
Katie van den Heuvel, who lives on the north side of Indianapolis, is the choreographer and an ensemble performer for the production, which is loosely based on the life of comedian-singer Fanny Brice.
“It has definitely been a learning experience for me to choreograph this amount of ensemble,” said van den Heuvel, who grew up in Noblesville and was homeschooled. “It has especially been fun and satisfying to see the tap number come together since several of the ensemble had little to no tap history before.”
Beth Swayze, a north Indianapolis resident, is the producer. She typically produces one or two shows per year for Footlite Musicals. This is her first time being involved with “Funny Girl.”
Young will assist the stage manager.
“I do love the show, especially the music, but I really enjoy the opportuni-
Young
ENTERTAINMENT
Trent foundation plans concert
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
It took Tony Trent’s one visit to Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tenn., to realize he wanted to mirror that experience for a fundraiser.
“The owner of the Bluebird Cafe invited me down there to experience it,” Trent said. “We learned how it’s done and the owner helped us to get two songwriters to come.”
Trent
Award-winning songwriters Wendell Mobley and Lee Thomas Miller will perform March 14 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.
The “Stories Behind the Songs” concert will benefit the Tyler Trent Foundation. The dinner is set for 6:30 p.m. with the concert set at 7:30 p.m. Tyler, a Purdue University sports superfan from Carmel, drew national attention for his support of Purdue and courage while battling a rare bone cancer. He died Jan. 1, 2019, at age 20.
The Tyler Trent Foundation is dedicated to continuing Tyler’s mission to support cancer research and improve the lives of others.
Mobley has written No. 1 songs for Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts. His work is credited with shaping the modern country sound blending storytelling with popular radio melodies. Miller has written No. 1 songs for Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and Trace Adkins. His songs are widely recognized for vivid imagery, authenticity and lasting emotional impact.
“They sit in the middle of the stage and tell the stories of how they came up with these amazing songs and talk about their lives and the people they’ve entertained with,” Trent said.
In addition, the event will be the debut of a song Tony Trent wrote about his son’s impact.
“There is a gentleman from my church who is coming to sing it for me,” Trent said. “I’ve been working and thinking for a long time. When Tyler was sick, I had the idea for creating a song called ‘A Son and a Savior.’ So, I’m going to tell my story of how I came up with the song.”
For more, visit tylertrentfoundation. com.
DISPATCHES
Cross to perform at Palladium — Known for timeless hits like “Sailing” and “Ride Like the Wind,” singer-songwriter-guitarist Christopher Cross will make his debut at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in June. The performance is set for 7:30 p.m. June 21 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased at thecenterpresents.org, by phone at 317-843-3800 or in person at the Payne & Mencias Palladium’s Fifth Third Bank Box Office. The concert is part of the “Printing Partners Encore Series” and the 2025-26 Center Presents Season sponsored by Allied Solutions. In 1980, Cross released his self-titled debut album, which featured the No. 2 single “Ride Like the Wind,” and won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist as well as Record of the Year and Song of the Year for the No. 1 single “Sailing.” He co-wrote “Arthur’s Theme” for the movie “Arthur,” another No. 1 hit that won the Academy Award for Best Song.
IWS concert set for March 7 — The Indiana Wind Symphony’s “Chanson Française” concert is set for 7 p.m. March 7 at Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The first movement begins with a slow introduction followed by an allegretto in sonata form. The second movement highlights the addition of a solo flute. The scherzo that follows is based on a hunting theme and leads into a lively finale in the fourth movement to close the symphony. Charles Gounod composed “Little Symphony for Winds” in 1885. Commissioned by his friend Paul Taffanel — flute professor at the Paris Conservatoire — Gounod wrote the piece for a wind octet plus an added flute part in honor of Taffanel. The work draws inspiration from Mozart’s wind serenades and stands as a hallmark of French Romantic wind repertoire. The concert also will feature chamber ensembles performing additional works by French composers and music from the same period. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Department: Board of Public Works and Safety
One Civic Square City of Carmel, Indiana 46032
Project: City of Carmel Police Vehicles 2026
IFB-2026-005
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Public Works and Safety for the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana, will receive sealed bids for the above-described “City of Carmel Police Vehicles 2026” via the City’s e-Procurement Portal, https://procurement.opengov.com /portal/carmelin, until 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 and commencing as soon as practicable thereafter on the same date such bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Council Chambers of City Hall. No late bids will be accepted.
The Project consists of, but is not necessarily limited to, the following: City of Carmel Police Vehicles 2026
The specifications are attached and set forth in detailed documents on file via the City of Carmel's e-Procurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/carmelin.
Questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted to the portal prior to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026. All responses will be publicly posted to the portal. Please call Carmel Police Department (317) 571-2549 to confirm whether any such written questions and/or responses exist.
No bidder may withdraw any bid or proposal within a period of thirty (30) days following the date set for receiving bids or proposals. The City of Carmel reserves the right to hold any or all bids or proposals for a period of not more than thirty (30) days and said bids or proposal shall remain in full force and effect during said period.
The City of Carmel reserves the right to reject and/or cancel any and all bids, solicitations and/or offers in whole or in part as specified in the solicitations when it is not in the best interests of the governmental body as determined by the purchasing agency in accordance with IC 5-22-18-2. Any contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Jacob Quinn, City Clerk
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
Docket No. PZ-2026-00022 V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer meeting on the 23rd day of March, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application for UDO Section 5.09(B): Maximum 42-inch fence allowed in front yard with at least 25% visibility; 48-in (4-ft), requested. With the property being known as 3241 Annally Drive Carmel, IN 46032
The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2026-00022 V
The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: Acreage .54 Section 8, Township 17, Range 3 ANNALLY DOWNS Section 1 Lot 11. Parcel Number: 17-1308-01-05-006.000
The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public DocumentsLaserfiche.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
Jack & Katelyn Adams PETITIONERS
This story’s for the birds
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
When we returned from our vacation in Costa Rica, the travel company asked us to rate our guide who accompanied us during the weeklong tour. My wife Mary Ellen and I agreed he was “for the birds.” Guillermo knew everything about birds. He knew each bird’s phylum, order, genus and species, and he could explain these details in four languages. As we walked through rainforests or cloud forests, he would point out a bird in a tree and give us full details about its lifestyle, diet and mating habits. He was truly a birdbrain, although he’d probably prefer to be called an avian biologist. I never had that choice.
Another notable quality of Guillermo was that, given the United
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Docket No.: PZ-2026-00016 SE
Petitioner: Gene & Brooke Padilla
The Petitioners seek Special Exception approval pursuant to the Carmel Unified Development Ordinance to operate a Short-Term Residential Rental within a detached garage carriage house located on the same parcel as the primary residence.
The 0.74-acre property is located at 14595 Stonegate Court (Westchase Subdivision, Lot 13), Carmel, Indiana, and is zoned S-1/Residential.
The public hearing will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM at Carmel City Hall, 2nd Floor Council Chambers Room, 1 Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana 46032. Interested persons may appear and be heard at that time.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION Docket No. PZ-2025-00287
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Plan Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana, 46032 will hold a Public Hearing upon a Minor Subdivision Plat application.
The applicant seeks minor subdivision plat approval to split one 3.85-acre parcel into 5 residential lots, 2 of which will not be buildable lots and will be combined with an adjacent lot. The site is located at 1414 E 116th St. and is zoned R-1/Residential. Filed by Andrew Baxter with Forefront Surveying and Engineering on behalf of the owner.
The property address is: 1414 E 116th Street Carmel, IN 46032. The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2025-00287. The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: Tax ID parcel number: 16-09-36-04-01-011.000.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above mentioned time and place.
Petitioner Name: Andrew Baxter - Forefront Surveying and Engineering
States’ partisan climate, he was careful to avoid any references to controversial issues. When he discussed certain birds making their yearly trip to a new climate, he always used the phrase “making their annual sojourn.” The word migration was avoided. But with birds, anyway, he was definitely an advocate. We also took a catamaran into crocodile-infested waters. There was one sighting where we were within 6 feet of a 1,600-pound croc the locals called Captain Hook, a clear reference to J.M. Barrie’s story Peter Pan, where the crocodile bites off Captain Hook’s hand and develops a taste for him. The creature is named The Tick-Tock Croc because it also swallowed a ticking clock that warns Hook of its presence. Could the monster we faced swallow a clock? Yes, even a grandfather clock. Although this giant did not actually swallow a clock, we knew exactly what time it was when he moved closer to us and opened his jaws. Time to get out of there.
On our last day, Guillermo accompanied us to the airport. I asked
him how far we were from the U.S. coast. He said about 1,500 miles, “as the crow flies.” Then he added, “Also 1,500 miles for the keel-billed toucan, the collared aracari, the scarlet macaw, the red-lored parrot, the crimson-fronted parakeet, the violet sabrewing, the golden-hooded tanager, the three-wattled bellbird, the emerald toucanet, the slaty-throated redstart, the ruddy triune …
Guillermo never ran out of birds, but we ran out of time because we had a plane to catch.
We headed for the airport. I’m sure Guillermo watched us take off. He seldom misses anything in flight.
Thanks, Guillermo. You were the best guides we’ve ever had.
I can’t wait to tweet about it.
Shift in communication
Commentary by Terry Anker
A central figure of 19th-century American literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne is a known descendent of a judge in the Salem Witch Trials of the late 1600s, when 200 were accused, many imprisoned and more than 25 executed for “witchcraft.” Formed by that legacy, Hawthrone carried a shame that led him to alter the spelling of his name and, more important, to write often with themes of sin, guilt and moral ambiguity. His mastery of language afforded him the skill to enlighten the dark corners of our own righteous failure. In his 1857 notebook, he commented, “Words — so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary — how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.”
As we mature, the potency of language becomes clearer. In fact, language development is one of the few areas of intellect in humans that seems to build throughout our lifetimes, peaking later than almost all
others. It is up to us to show restraint and command over those words, but certainly, we know what they mean and how they can affect others. Alas, like so many levers of power, there are some who hope to possess them to their own ends. If words are bereft of meaning, or that meaning is intentionally blurred, how do we hope to communicate? Are we held captive from making our point?
To the Roman Army, “decimate” was to kill 1 in 10. Today, it is to destroy all. In early dictionaries, “awful” was inspiring, even majestic. Now, it is terrible. Trauma, gay, justice, amoral, great, literally and phobia are a few more that have shifted, to some degree, in definition. Is there hope that we can communicate when we are speaking the same language in entirely different ways?
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
Rose-Hulman Institute
16. Blown away
17. Pal
18. Clarifying words
19. Chris Wright winter weather prediction
20. Indiana town and county separated by 145 miles ($10)
22. Legendary sharpshooter Annie
24. Amend a Current
25. IU Health workers
26. Corporate shake-up, for short
29. Peanut butter choice
33. Rock back and forth
36. Yours and mine
38. “Enough already!”
39. Bucks, on a Pacers scoreboard
40. Lacking a time stamp
42. Colts QB mistake
43. Unwritten tests
45. Oklahoma city
46. Fastener
47. Mensa material
49. “In God we ___”
51. Snooze
52. Hen pen
54. New Year’s eave decoration?
57. Johnson County city ($100)
61. Doofus
62. White River wader
64. “Piece of cake!”
65. Stellantis car brand
66. Old witch
67. Religious ceremony
68. Connery, who played Indiana Jones’ father
69. ___ in on (neared)
70. Spoiled kid DOWN
1. Ind. neighbor
2. Workplace safety org.
3. Decorative feather
4. Like some Easley wines
5. Tobacco chewer’s target
6. Carmel HS prom rental
7. Yemen’s capital
8. Indiana State Fair barn sound
9. Church councils
10. Seymour’s county ($20)
11. Delinquent GI
12. PC key
13. Whirlpool
21. Falsehood
23. Combat-ready
27. Ill-mannered
28. Marion’s county ($50)
30. Norse god
31. Actress Fey
32. URL starter
33. Urban haze
34. Telegram
35. Country singer
Jackson
37. Cookbook direction
40. Customary
41. Like Purdue graduates
44. State park in Spencer County ($5)
46. Fire tenders, in a way
48. Indiana House floor address
50. Stephen, to Herb Simon
53. Unadorned
54. Wedding exchange
55. Manage
56. Mental flash
57. Gift tag word
58. Artist Magritte
59. Ratio words
60. Putin’s refusal
63. Miracle-___ ANSWERS ON PAGE 27
WE DO INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING ESTIMATES
126,990 Households One Guide.
Infinite Opportunities.
This March 31, we’re delivering the premier home project resource to mailboxes in Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks and Northern Marion counties.
• The Reach: Coverage in Brownsburg, Carmel, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, North Indy, Westfield and Zionsville.
• The Delivery: Direct to 126,990 homes via U.S. Mail.
• The Result: Your business in front of homeowners ready to start their next project.
Claim your spot today and help our audience bring their visions to life.
