Columnists
Memorial Day Ceremony ‘An Honor, Privilege And Duty’
U.S. Army Vietnam veteran James Martin always calls it his “duty” to emcee the Noblesville Memorial Day Ceremony at the Hamilton County War Memorial in downtown Noblesville. He welcomed the crowd — this year a larger crowd than even before COVID — to Monday morning’s ceremony. Martin was pleased “to see this many people,” he…
Read MoreWhile Argument Rages, Innocents Die
I have written several times about school shootings in the past. If there is a more heinous crime in today’s world, I do not know what it is – and that’s saying something. What I fail to understand is the outcry every time for more gun control laws. STOP! Before you take me behind the…
Read MoreThe Horse (and Mule) Whisperer
You may have noticed I’ve used this column in the past to fill in some of the local minority history (African American, Jewish and Chinese) that’s missing from the county history books. I would have liked to have covered some Hispanic or Latino history as well, but the truth is, Hispanics and Latinos haven’t had…
Read MoreNeil Simon’s ‘Rumors’ Opens in Westfield
Comedic timing isn’t easy. The key is for actors to play the action as reality. “The moment actors start playing comedy, they ruin it,” said Jen Otterman director for Basile Westfield Playhouse’s next play, Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” opening Thursday. “This show has a great deal of glib delivery that has to be authentic,” she said.…
Read MoreChicken Added to Lions’ Pork Chops, Pancakes for Race Weekend on Square
This weekend, a tradition returns as a big tent goes up on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square, and the Noblesville Lions set up tables and chairs for the Club’s annual Pork Chop Dinner. Friday morning, the Lions will be up early putting pork chops on the grill for lunch, which will be served from 11…
Read MorePondering Weighty Matters
His warning shattered the predawn tranquility. I couldn’t see him, but his cry blasted through the fading fog like the air horn on an 18-wheeler, traveling too fast to stop in time for a red light. “Wait!” he said. “Don’t pull that handle!” Too late. I had already squeezed the trigger at the end of…
Read MoreOur American Atrocity Dilemma
Merriam-Webster defines “atrocity” as a “a shockingly bad or atrocious act, object, or situation.” In a different era, the word “atrocity” was used mostly in wartime situations, be it Babyn Yar in Kyiv, the Katyn Forest massacre in Poland, the Andersonville Prison during the American Civil War, or My Lai in Vietnam. But since 1999…
Read MoreBunion Season
It’s that time of year again. No, I am not talking about bikini season. I’m talking about bunion season. I did not even know I had a bunion until fairly recently and now, every time I start wearing sandals again, I am reminded that I do. I imagine it was growing on the sly for…
Read More2022 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss Gets Plastic Surgery, Heart Transplant
This isn’t the first time I’ve reviewed the 2022 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss. Like the last one, though, this one is off-road ready version with a 2-inch lift, monotube shocks to absorb rough trails, and 18” black alloy wheels with Goodyear Wrangler off-road tires to claw over them. Its long crew cab is still ideal…
Read MoreFood Poisoning and How to Avoid It
Barbecue season is in full swing and it’s a good time to review food safety. Foodborne illness, commonly referred to as “food poisoning,” is something that almost all of us have experienced at some point in our lives. Foodborne illness is defined as more than two people having a similar illness with evidence of food…
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