Columnists
NCAC Presents‘Hamlet’ at 30th Shakespeare in Park
Strolling downtown Noblesville in the area of Federal Hill Commons the past few evenings, you might have heard actors rehearsing for Shakespeare in the Park. Noblesville’s Jennie Otterman sits in her lawn chair on the lawn in front of the First Merchants Pavilion stage, listening closely to every line and watching her actors become their…
Read MoreWilly Wonka,’ Beatles Tribute, Stella Luna, Movies, Symphony, More
Stone Soup Children’s Musical Theater production of “Willy Wonka Jr.,” Symphony on the Prairie with John Williams’ blockbusters, Stella Luna and The Satellites at Cool Creek Park, “Encanto” and “Parent Trap” movies, and a Beatles tribute band are all on the schedule for this weekend. Here, we offer our Times readers 20 things to do…
Read MoreArrowood Talks Back to School Planning
School is right around the corner with a full slate of activities the week leading up to the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Freshman Orientation is set for Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 10-2 p.m. HHMS Connect Day is Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 12-6 p.m., MacBook Pick Up for Returning Students (grades 10-12)…
Read More600 Words To The Wise!
MONDAY: People sometimes ask me if I can finish a column in one sitting (like I do with Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast) or if I dabble with it, like my wife’s spinach soufflé. I’ve used both methods, but the pressure of completing a story in one day has taken its toll. I’m not as young…
Read MoreThe Unlikely Story of Parke H. Davis and the 1931 Boilermakers Football Team
Until reading “Perfect Warriors,” the story of the 1943 undefeated Purdue football team, I didn’t know Parke H. Davis from Fenway Park. Between 1869 and 1936, when The Associated Press poll was launched, there seldom was such a thing as a consensus national champion. Davis, a former player at Princeton in the early 1890s, took…
Read MoreStone Soup Holds The Golden Ticket
If you want a lead role in Joey Murello’s Stone Soup summer youth musical, you have to show the director that you can handle it. Once she sees and hears firsthand the talents of those participating in the Stone Soup Children’s Musical Theater summer program, she chooses a show that highlights their talents. “I always…
Read MoreThree Little Piggies
With time on my hands and no summer trips planned, I’ve been reading a book of fairy tales. I’ve found many versions of the Three Pigs classic. Here’s a condensed story. An old sow supports three grown sons. She tires of feeding them, and tells the boys to go “seek your fortune.” This means, “Get…
Read MoreContinuing Discussion on Morals
I’ve been writing newspaper columns since my junior year in high school, almost 50 years ago. A couple of them produced death threats that the law enforcement folks deemed credible enough to have a chat with me about watching my back for a few days. Not sure I’ve written any that generated as much response…
Read MoreGracie Fisher is Supreme Showman in 50th Annual 4-H Fair Competition
Tears flowed on Monday night as Gracie Fisher hugged her family and friends and clutched to her large wooden award plaque after being named the 2022 Hamilton County Supreme Showmanship Grand Champion. For county 4-H’ers who show livestock, Supreme Showmanship is the be-all and end-all in 4-H. The 50th annual contest took place at the…
Read MoreThe From Time to Thyme Virtual Circus
This week I’m introducing yet another column spinoff — the “From Time to Thyme Virtual Circus.” Grab some peanuts and popcorn, and follow me into the virtual big top to see the Carnivorous Mouse, Killer Turtle, Daredevil Dog and Fiddling Bear! Cue the circus music! (You know the tune I mean.) Our first act appeared…
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