Silver Pen Writing Competition – The Stratford is presenting the 11th Annual Senior Living Communities Silver Pen Writing Competition. The senior living community will award cash prizes up to $3,750 to assist three local high school seniors with post-graduate plans. A panel will judge 1,000-word essays exploring the topic of what new subject the author proposes be taught for the rest of the school year. Essays must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2024. For the full rules and to submit an essay, visit Silverpen-SLC.com.

Carmel adds sister city – The City of Carmel has established a new Sister City relationship with Seiffen, Germany, a city often referred to as “Spielzeugstadt” or “toy town.” Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard visited and met with Seiffen Mayor Martin Wittig in Germany earlier this month to sign the official paperwork. Seiffen is in the heart of the Ore Mountains in Saxony near the Czech border. It is most famous for its woodworking industry. Seiffen is Carmel’s seventh Sister City relationship.

Visual artwork proposals sought – Indiana-based visual artists are invited to submit proposals for a $2,500 commission from the Center for the Performing Arts and a one-year display of the resulting work in the main lobby of the Palladium concert hall. The initiative is an extension of the Center’s New Works performing arts commission project, now in its third year. The winning visual arts work will be unveiled June 1, 2024. Proposals will be accepted through Jan. 5, 2024. Learn more at TheCenterPresents.org/NewWorksVisualArts.

ISU Distinguished Alumni – Carmel resident Mary McGuire received the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award Nov. 10 at Indiana State University’s annual President’s Dinner, which celebrates exceptional alumni and philanthropy. The Indiana State Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni who have made significant contributions professionally and in their local and global communities.

Recycle holiday lights – Carmel residents may recycle holiday lights at White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center, 731 S. Range Line Rd. through Jan. 19, 2024. For the first time this year, the shop will offer 10 percent off a purchase of LED holiday lights when an old set is dropped off to be recycled. The program is a partnership between Carmel Clay School’s Green Teams, Carmel Utilities, the City of Carmel, Technology Recyclers and White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center. Learn more by calling Carmel Utilities at 317-571-2673.

Book signing – Author Julianna Newland, an Indianapolis native, will be at Rose and Lois, 7249 E. 146th St. Suite 100 in Carmel, at 9 a.m. Nov. 30 for a reading from her book, “All Up In Your Bizness: Managing Your Business Crap.” Published by Fulton Books, “All Up In Your Bizness” is a collection of humorous stories and experiences designed to help readers navigate the corporate world. It also contains cocktail recipes such as “The Interview” and “The Performance Review.” Learn more about the book at AllUpInYourBizness.com.

Women’s Running Festival Winners – Top finishers in the 2023 Indiana Women’s Running Festival held Oct. 21 in Carmel are:

Indiana Women’s Half Marathon

English Tomlinson, 1:15:58 (Roanoke, Va.)
Noelle Adriaens, 1:18:40 (Brighton, Mich.)
Hannah Stoffel, 1:19:09 (Indianapolis)

Women’s 4-Miler

Tinley Woodruff, 27:26 (Plainfield)
Christine Wright, 28:55 (Indianapolis)
Amy Jay, 29:05 (Indianapolis)

Women’s 5K

Taushah Papke, 19:27.77 (Indianapolis)
Ashley Wright, 19:27.84 (Fishers)
Lori Quick, 20:32 (Indianapolis)

Previously known as the Indy Women’s Half Marathon, 2023 marked the first time the event was held in Carmel. A cash purse of $4,600 in total was awarded to the top finishers. Learn more and view full results at IndyWomensHalfMarathon.com.

Leaf, landscape waste removal – Carmel residents may leave up to 20 bags or bundles of landscape waste, including leaves, for pickup each week through Dec. 15. The bags should be left out on the regular waste pickup day. The service is provided free of charge.

Operation School Bell – The Assistance League of Indianapolis is seeking donations to support its Operation School Bell program, which provides apparel and shoes for thousands of underserved students in Indianapolis. Each student receives a duffel bag that includes a winter jacket, socks, shirts, pants, toothbrush and more. Learn more and donate at alindy.org/operation-school-bell-mailer.html.

Remove invasives, receive free plants – The Hamilton County Invasives Partnership and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District will provide up to three, 3-gallon native trees or shrubs for free to Hamilton County residents who show proof of removal of an invasive species from their property. Learn more at hcinvasives.org.

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 for all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.

Management committee selection – Carmel resident Brian L. Burdick, a partner at Barnes & Thornburg, has been named to the firm’s management committee. Burdick is the office managing partner for the Indianapolis office.

IMCU donates to CHS athletics – Indiana Members Credit Union recently presented a check for $1,500 to Carmel High School athletics as part of an ongoing school spirit debit card program. The partnership allows Carmel fans the opportunity to show their school spirit and support the athletic program by signing up for a Carmel Greyhounds-themed debit card. Every time the card is used as a signature-based transaction, Carmel athletics benefits. Since beginning the program in 2013, CHS athletics has earned $17,331 through this program.

Ferguson to expand in IDC – Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery plans to expand its Indiana Design Center showroom space in 2024. This expansion will allow for the relocation of the Ferguson Appliance Gallery in Indianapolis to the Indiana Design Center in Carmel. Ferguson currently occupies 12,000 square feet on two levels of the center, and this move will add 5,500 square feet of space, for a combined 17,500 square feet of showroom and office space. The Ferguson showroom will remain open during construction.

The Stratford receives honor – The Stratford in Carmel has been certified as a Great Place to Work for the fourth consecutive year. The certification is based on an anonymous survey completed by team members at The Stratford. In addition to being Great Place to Work, The Stratford was named a Fortune’s Best Companies to Work for in Aging Services. As a result of the Great Place to Work certification, The Stratford was eligible for Fortune’s list, which details companies who prioritize employees.

Gourmet Tastings at Regalique – Regalique, 110 W. Main St., Suite 120, in Carmel, is hosting Gourmet Tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. At the free event, guests can sample gourmet products, including chocolates, honey, cheese and more. Learn more at Regalique.com.

Vaccines available – Kroger Health is offering vaccinations for flu, RSV and COVID-19 at Kroger grocery and Little Clinic locations, including in Carmel at 1217 S. Range Line Rd. and 10679 N. Michigan Rd. While customers can choose to walk-in to receive vaccines, they are also welcome to make an appointment. To learn more or to make an appointment, visit kroger.com/vaccinations.

Hospice volunteers needed – Brighton Hospice in Carmel is looking for volunteers to help office staff perform a variety of office duties such as organizing admission paperwork, filing, preparing and sending mail, answering phones, stocking supplies and helping with special projects and events. Hours and days for this volunteer opportunity are flexible and training will be provided. To learn more, contact Katresha Taylor, volunteer coordinator, by calling 317-798-2160 or by email at [email protected].