Columnists
A Life Well Lived: Conner Prairie’s Betty Gerrard, 101, Remembered
Noblesville’s Elizabeth Gerrard was known to her friends as “Betty.” But she will always be “Betsy Birdwhistle” to so many people who knew her from Conner Prairie. Gerrard, who first came to Conner Prairie as a volunteer more than 55 years ago, played many roles during her years as a costumed interpreter there. “I had…
Read MoreHere’s 6 Predictions for 2023 . . . Sort Of
Newspapers attract the oddest people sometimes. I have had people waltz into my office to tell me about the alien spaceship that landed in their field as well as multiple folks who said they had to remain anonymous because they uncovered the JFK conspiracy and their lives were in danger. Still, last week, topped them…
Read MoreUnderdog Theatre’s Play Follows 4 High-Schoolers’ Struggles to Fit In
A recent Noblesville High School graduate has written and is co-directing a play this weekend that will follow four high schoolers from different social cliques as they explain to their school principal why they missed school, revealing their deepest secrets and the choices they have made. Playwright Clay Howard, a 2022 NHS grad, said he…
Read MoreThe ‘Creeking’ Wheels of Father Time Keep On Passing Into the Abyss
Because I run the annual tribute to the Notable Nineties at New Year’s, I’ve never explored the way New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day used to be observed in this county. This year I decided to be different. With both Noblesville and Hamilton County celebrating a bicentennial in 2023, it seemed an appropriate time…
Read MoreA Letter to Krissy
A couple of days ago, a friend of mine posted something written by a friend of his on Facebook. This is what she had to say: “I’ve been contemplating what I really miss in life. Why do I feel this empty space? I have not felt completely full in a very long time. I miss…
Read More2023 Mercedes EQE Electric Sedan is A Car Even Grandma Would Love
Back in 1976, Mercedes-Benz threw its entire engineering book at a new generation “E-Class” that won Motor Trend Car of the Year. Known among Mercedes enthusiasts as the W123, it’s perhaps the best car ever made. My grandmother bought a baby blue one in 1979. She paid an inflation-adjusted $75,000 for a car with AM/FM…
Read MoreDr. Roberts Picks Up Loose Ends of GERD
I left you hanging last week wondering about the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). First, a quick review. Recall that acid from the stomach (gastro) is found in the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach (esophagus) and goes in a backward direction (reflux). When I see someone complaining of GERD symptoms, I…
Read MoreTerry Wariner Will Play Legion’s Last New Year’s Eve at Current Building
The Noblesville American Legion Frank E. Huntzinger Post 45 will ring in the New Year with a big party and live music. It will be a celebration to remember as veterans and all guests are invited to attend the final New Year’s Eve celebration at the Conner Street American Legion before moving to a new…
Read MoreNew Year’s Eve Dance Lessons
There’s a paradox I’ve discovered that few people recognize or understand. Fat guys and Filipinos are great dancers. It’s true. Not that any of you might notice. Being in the company of dancing fat guys and Filipinos is rare, indeed. Nevertheless, opportunities are out there, if you look carefully. It happened to me three years…
Read More2022’s Notable Nineties & Sensational Centenarians
Once again it’s time to honor our Notable Nineties (and a few “graduates” who’ve become Sensational Centenarians!) If you follow this column regularly, you’ll know all this already, but in case you’re a new reader — the Notable Nineties is something Jerry Snyder thought up several years ago when she was writing her column for…
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