Student named to NSHSS – Collin Cooper of Carmel has been selected as a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. The society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment. NSHSS is a lifetime membership.
Registration open for 500 Festival education program – Registration is open for the 2023 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health. The Education Program takes place during the spring months of 2023 and is free and open to all Indiana fourth-grade classrooms. The Education Program equips fourth grade educators with lesson plans and classroom materials that allow students to explore the significant role of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana’s history and culture. The program’s curriculum is based on Indiana academic standards for language arts, health, math, science, social studies, visual arts and physical education. Since the program’s inception in 2004, these lessons have impacted more than 422,000 students in more than 17,000 classrooms throughout Indiana. Learn more at 500Festival.com/Education.
Mini-mini set for Aug. 21 – Registration is open for the 500 Festival’s mini-mini kids run. The event for children age 5 to 12 will take place Aug. 21 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Race distances range from a half mile to 3 miles, based on age and ability. Registration is $20 and may be completed at IndyMini.com/minimini.
Church rummage sale – The Presbyterian Women of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church will host a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28 and 9 a.m. to noon July 29. The event will include a $5 bag sale. Proceeds benefit women’s ministries locally and abroad.
Poet sought to write about Madam C.J. Walker – Indiana Humanities and the Indy Arts Council are looking for an Indiana poet to write an original poem about the life and legacy of Madam C.J. Walker. The poem will accompany a new mural of the nation’s first Black female self-made millionaire to be installed in October on the Martens Building, 315 N. Senate Ave., in downtown Indianapolis. The poem must be completed by Sept. 15. It will be unveiled alongside the mural at a ceremony in October. The selected poet will receive a $1,000 stipend and potential paid opportunities for live or recorded performances and readings of the poem at programs related to the mural. Applications are due on July 24 at 11:59 p.m. The application form is available at indyarts.formstack.com/forms/walker_poem.
Evan R. Hansen Golf Outing – The Evan R. Hansen Legacy Foundation Golf Outing is set for July 30 at Pebblebrook Golf Course in Noblesville. The goal at the fourth annual event is to raise $50,000 to establish a perpetual Evan R. Hansen Legacy Nursing Endowed Scholarship at Marian University. Learn more at erh32.org.
Arts & Culture digital passport – The recently launched Indiana Arts & Culture digital passport encourages visitors to discover new places and enjoy some of Indiana’s creative spaces. Sign up online for the passport and receive custom prizes for visiting multiple destinations across the state. Visitors need to check-in from a smartphone at one of the designated passport locations. Participants earn more by visiting more locations. For more information, visit VisitIndiana.com/arts or follow Visit Indiana on social media at @VisitIndiana on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Photography contest – The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting submissions for its eighth annual photography contest from amateur photographers throughout the county. Youth and adult photographers can submit up to five entries showcasing the contest theme, “Indiana Conservation in Color.” Digital files and entry forms must be submitted by June 24. Photo entries will be showcased at the Hamilton County 4-H Fair. Entry forms are available at hamiltonswcd.org/photo-contest
Roads to Reconciliation exhibition – Indiana artists who identify as Black, Indigenous or Persons of Color are encouraged to submit work for Roads to Reconciliation, a juried exhibition sponsored by St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Carmel. The August exhibition will feature work celebrating progress on the journey to dismantle racism, as well as work acknowledging the importance of continuing to walk this path with intention and determination. There is no entry fee for submitting work. Learn more at stchriscarmel.org/roads-to-reconciliation.html.
Hamilton County Democratic Women meetings— The Hamilton County Democratic Women meet every third Saturday of the month at the Delaware Township Trustee Building 9090 E. 131st, Fishers. Conversations begin at 9:30 a.m., the meeting is from 10 a.m. to 11. All Hamilton County women are welcome.
Blocking Cancer fundraiser – The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a cancer research charity, will hold the second Blocking Cancer dinner, hosted by Indianapolis Colts’ All-Pro offensive lineman Quenton Nelson, with comedian Joey Mulinaro as emcee, on July 21 at Anthony’s Chophouse in Carmel. Nelson established the Blocking Cancer initiative in 2021 to fund cancer research through the V Foundation with the annual dinner as a cornerstone event of the program. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive live and silent auction items. Tickets are open to the public and available at v.org/blockingcancer.
Weed Wrangles clear invasive species – The organizations of the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership are inviting volunteers to help clear local parks of invasive species by participating in Weed Wrangles. During the Weed Wrangle, teams of volunteers, supervised by guides, will locate and uproot unwelcome plants such as bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard, autumn olive, English ivy and winter creeper. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at hcinvasives.org.
River Heritage Park closed – River Heritage Park has closed for planned improvements as part of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation’s Reimagining Parks initiative. Upgrades include wheelchair-accessible playground features, sensory-friendly interpretive signage, ADA-accessible trails and boardwalks with overlooks on the White River and more. The park is anticipated to reopen after construction is completed in the winter of 2022.
Over the Edge participants sought – This summer, adventurous philanthropists will rappel down a 23-story building in downtown Indianapolis – in the name of fundraising for Hoosiers in need. Registration is open for those who want to participate in United Way of Central Indiana’s third “Over the Edge” event, scheduled for Aug. 12 at Keystone Group’s 220 N. Meridian St. Space is limited to the first 80 people over age 13 who register. Participants commit to raising at least $1,000 for United Way’s Basic Needs initiatives, which help provide access to food, housing, transportation and health services. Last year, 73 people rappelled during the event, raising more than $196,000. For more or to sign up, visit uwci.org/ote.
Monthly beekeepers meeting – The North Central Beekeepers Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st St. in Westfield. Meetings are free to attend by all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.
United Way looking for volunteers – United Way of Central Indiana is looking for volunteers and projects for Go All IN Day, an organized day of volunteering and community service across the region. This year’s event will take place June 24 across United Way’s service area of Hamilton, Boone, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties. Opportunities – including indoor, outdoor and virtual options – will be available for individual volunteers, families and groups. Those interested in volunteering can learn more and sign up at uwci.org/go-all-in-day.
Military Veterans Hall of Fame — The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for the Class of 2022 through Aug. 1. To be eligible, the nominee must have been born in Indiana, entered military service from Indiana, lived in Indiana for a minimum of five years and have no felony convictions. A nomination form can be found at imvhof.com/nominate. To learn more about the organization or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit imvhof.com.
Centier Bank hire – Nick Jefferis has joined Centier Bank as a mortgage loan officer at 244 E. Carmel Dr. Jefferis joined Centier in June after working in various financial guidance roles in the banking industry. Jefferis is certified in IBA Consumer Lending and is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor. He resides in Fishers with his wife, Amanda, and their daughters.
Bank acquisition – Fidelity Federal Bancorp and subsidiary United Fidelity Bank have entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire all outstanding stock of Rockhold Bancorp and will merge its subsidiary bank, Bank of Kirksville, into United. Immediately following closing of this transaction, along with the pending transaction with Cowden Bancorp, Inc., Cowden, Ill., the combined entity will have approximately $4.6 billion in total assets and will serve its customers through 31 banking offices.
Home sales strong in June – Carmel’s residential real estate market remained strong in June. According to F.C. Tucker Company, homes sold in as little as eight days. The average home sale prices for Carmel homes increased 20.6 percent to $635,831, and the average price per square foot also increased to $220, a 15.4 percent increase compared to June 2021.
Real estate consultant joins Compass division – Carrie Holle, a real estate consultant focusing on luxury properties in Carmel, has been invited to join Compass Sports and Entertainment Division. This honor follows several exclusive listings with Holle, including Hidden Hollow Ranch in Columbus, owned by racing legend Tony Stewart. The property is the most expensive property ever to list in Indiana. Compass Sports and Entertainment Division is known for handling properties similar to Hidden Hollow Ranch. Learn more at compass.com/se.
Jail to present re-entry job fair – The Hamilton County Jail and the Transitioning Opportunities for Work, Education and Reality Mentoring Program will present the Re-Entry Resource and Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12. For any questions about the event or to register a business representative to participate, contact Kelly Gunn at [email protected] or 239-989-2732. RSVP by Aug 1.
Eggs & Issues – OneZone Chamber of Commerce announces Eggs & Issues as their new monthly advocacy event. Starting in December, OneZone member attendees will hear about a variety of topics. From January to April attendees will hear from state legislators, what they are working on at the Statehouse, and how to get involved. Registration for the first Eggs & Issues will open in August.
Bend, Breathe & Brew – Bend, Breathe & Brew, a free event featuring a yoga class and vendors, is set for July 23 at Midtown Plaza in Carmel. Vendors will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a yoga class set for 11 a.m. to noon. The event is a fundraiser for the National Eating Disorders Association. Register at mmperformancewellness.com.
Priority Physicians relocates – Priority Physicians, a concierge medical practice, opened its new and expanded office June 27 at 12174 N. Meridian St., Suite #300, in Carmel. The new office relocates the original location from Naab Road in Indianapolis, which is now permanently closed. Priority Physicians of Fishers remains open. Nearly 50 percent larger than the previous location, the new facility encompasses 14,000 square feet with exam suites with private bathrooms, beverage service, free wifi, an on-site pharmacy and additional hospitality appointments. Learn more at priorityphysicianspc.com.
CFO appointment – Carmel resident Jill Meschke has been named chief financial officer for the Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center. She most recently was the CFO and interim CEO for North Central Health Care in Wausau, Wisc.
Blood donors needed – Versiti Blood Center of Indiana has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, as it has seen a drastic drop in scheduled appointments. The blood center anticipates the available inventory of blood to be at less than a one-day supply within the coming days. Versiti strives for at least a three-day supply of blood, so it can be ready to serve all patients, even during unexpected events. Versiti is seeking donors for more than 2,500 open appointments available at community blood drives and donation centers throughout the state. Donors can schedule an appointment to donate blood by calling 916-5150 or online at versiti.org/indiana.
500 Mile Challenge – Registration is open for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge, an online fitness program that encourages participants to complete 500 miles of physical activity, the same mileage drivers complete during the Indianapolis 500. Participants also have the option to complete 250 miles of physical activity in the Gasoline Alley 250 Mile Challenge. The challenges, which benefit the 500 Festival, kicked off June 13 and run through Oct. 31. Registration is $65 and includes a shirt, finisher medal, hat and more. Register for either challenge at IndyMini.com/500Miles.
Hospice volunteers needed – Anew Hospice is seeking volunteers to spend time with hospice patients throughout the Indianapolis area. Volunteers visit hospice patients to provide companionship through music, reading, doing puzzles, life review or just being a hand to hold. To learn more, call 317-300-2292 or email [email protected].
