Innehållsförteckning för September 2022 från Indianapolis Monthly

FOR MORE THAN 40 years, my dad worked at a wood office furniture manufacturer founded in 1922 by my mother’s side of the family. The Jasper Office Furniture Company (Jofco) produced high-end case goods and seating that outfitted Mad Men–esque offices at a time when people actually worked in offices. It merged with another company in 2013, but for all intents and purposes, that was the end of a business, which, over the decades, had employed my grandfather, great uncle, uncle, cousins, brothers, and, of course, dad. One of the things that I miss most about the place is its smell, a fragrance with opening notes of toasted sawdust that topped volatile organic compounds from wood stain and the musky 100-year-old factory dust. We called my dad’s company car (a…

Q: IT SEEMS LIKE MORE AIRPLANES ARE TRAVERSING MERIDIAN-KESSLER THESE DAYS. IS THIS TRUE OR MY IMAGINATION? A: It’s hard to say if this is a real thing, because the only entity that could verify it is the Federal Aviation Administration, and they aren’t talking—particularly to sketchy characters like The Hoosierist. We do know that Indianapolis International Airport closed one of its three runways for extensive upgrades that won’t be finished until October. So the usual flight pattern over the city has been scrambled like an omelet. It’s certainly possible that Meridian-Kessler now gets more overflights. But even if that’s true, it doesn’t seem like a big issue. The neighborhood is many miles from the airport, meaning planes pass over at relatively high altitudes. The sound doesn’t exactly rattle one’s…

TAXIDERMY FOX VINTAGE: UNKNOWN Resides at St. Elmo Steak House ST. ELMO STEAK HOUSE is accustomed to its tiny shrimp forks going missing. But losing a taxidermy fox sporting binoculars and a shotgun? That was new. The historic steakhouse acquired the quirky decorative item, which they call “Winston,” a few years ago. But in August 2018, surveillance footage showed two men hoisting the fox right out of the bar. St. Elmo asked for help solving the mystery of Winston’s kidnapping, tweeting an offer of a $250 gift card for information leading to the return of their “beloved friend.” Just hours later, an Uber pulled up to St. Elmo containing an unaccompanied and unharmed Winston. It currently resides next to the fireplace in 1933 Lounge. Bryn Jones, the restaurant’s vice president of…

Party Animals Do you work hard so your dog can have nice things? No shame in that game. Behold: a statement romper for the pup who’s just a little bit extra. A feathery knit confection, the Christian Cowan x Maxbone Jumper isn’t just for diminutive doggos. It comes in sizes up to XXL, so even an Irish Wolfhound can parade around the Circle City looking like she just stepped off the set of Legally Blonde. $95, shown in hot pink and mint, also available in baby blue and lavender; local Petco stores…

BODY WISE HEADACHES. Foggy thinking. Tossing and turning. The symptoms of stress are familiar to most of us these days. If you’re looking to try a new solution, consider meditation. Yes, it can seem daunting to a newbie. But ignore the cliches, stop by one of these local studios—and prepare to leave refreshed and renewed. Urban Meditation is out to give everyone, skeptics included, a glow of contentment. “There’s no way to meditate wrong,” assures chief operations officer Rachel Tookolo. “We’re about meditation made simple.” The center offers 30-minute audio-guided meditation sessions, complete with ambient music, every 45 minutes, all day. “We embrace beginners. All you have to do is let yourself be guided,” Tookolo adds. You’ll be lulled into relaxation on the hot lavarock floor. Many devotees attend…

Don’t Snooze Stick-to-your-ribs breakfast platters were always a mainstay at chef and caterer George Watson’s homey AJ’s Cafe in Sheridan. When he moved to a new location in Fishers this May, hearty midday fare was a no-brainer. Dressing up the strip-mall spot with rustic wood tables and cheery country decor, he named it Farmhouse Brunchery. Sheridan fans soon followed him across the county to join a growing clientele quickly won over with such morning standouts as a lobster-filled Cowboy at Sea omelet and Royal French Toast with sticky-sweet candied pecans and a cream cheese mousse showered with bananas, berries, and powdered sugar. 8664 E. 96th St., 317-288-0884, farmhousebrunchery.com…

FOODIE BLAKE JONES is on a mission to restore the rich legacy of Indiana whiskey. The Bedford native, who in his 20s began cultivating a taste for his father’s favorite Irish whiskeys and American bourbons, left the Hoosier State for a short stint in college as a red-shirt football kicker at Virginia’s William & Mary. But he quickly pined for home and returned to finish his degree at IU and complete an MBA at Butler University. And while he enjoyed a short career in commercial banking, he was quickly spending hours schooling himself on spirit-making, starting with moonshine and working with his Bedford buddies and future business partners David McIntyre and Julian Jones to create a whiskey with a deep corn profile. That whiskey would eventually become Old Hamer, the…

IT’S NO SECRET THAT CENTRAL INDIANA’S private schools are always challenging their enrollees to be their best. With smaller class sizes, individualized attention, exceptional faculty, and the opportunity for students to pursue their passions, these institutions strive to develop well-rounded learners. No matter if they are excelling in the classroom, showcasing their talents in competition, or giving back to their communities through service, one thing is certain: Student achievement means stronger schools. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE While Park Tudor has long been recognized as one of the top schools in the state, its strength is best expressed through the individual successes of its students. In the 81-member class of 2022, there were eight National Merit Scholarship Finalists, two Presidential Scholar Candidates, multiple athletic scholarship recipients, and—perhaps most impressive—the National Youth Poet Laureate. Several…

AROUND THIS TIME every summer, during my teenage years, my father would take me canoeing on Sugar Creek in Parke County. He would invariably upset the canoe, usually in the deepest, darkest pools where tangled clumps of snakes were mating. I was a poor swimmer and would thrash around, ingesting large amounts of water while my father busied himself saving the cooler. It was always just me and my father, and when both of us would return home, I’d sense a palpable air of disappointment. In my absence, my chest of drawers had been cleaned out, my bicycle sold, my bedroom taken over by my brother Glenn. There was something afoot, some darkness I couldn’t quite name. As you might imagine, this soured me on canoeing, though every now and…

(BUZZWORTHY) In Her Bag Amanda Kingsbury’s July story about a Stephen Sprouse exhibit at Newfields generated some colorful responses. Love it. I can’t wait for the Stephen Sprouse party. DEBORAH KATZ DORMAN Via Facebook Thanks for the excellent article on the Stephen Sprouse exhibit at Newfields. It made me want to pour some Tang, strap on my ’70s moon boots, and watch MTV music videos. JENNIFER YOUNG DZWONAR Via email Wish I had held on to my Sprouse clothing! KELLY MICHELLE OSWALT Via Facebook One late night before I left New York in 2001, I was walking around Washington Square Park. I saw Sprouse sitting on a step smoking a cigarette. I gestured to him, but didn’t want to be one of those people, so I continued on. His life…

Come hungry. Operating out of shipping containers, the food vendors range from barbecue to plantbased. And there are a lot of them. The colorful pallet furniture may be creative, but it’s not particularly comfortable. If you plan on sitting for a while, bring a cushion. Bring the kids, too. They’ll love the cornhole and Jenga. The live music lineup changes nightly. If you care whether you’re getting a reggae band or EDM, check the website. If you want to get loose, grab a drink from the bar or even some Delta 8 from vendor 3Chi Cannabis. Keep your eye on this place. Future plans include sand volleyball courts, outdoor firepits, and a dog park.…

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SHOP TALK A LIVING SPACE that reflects our personal tastes and imparts a sense of serenity, as well as pride, tops many a list of #lifegoals. And Home & Willow is waiting to tailor such a living space for you and your family. Founder Stacy Stater came up with the concept of her new design studio in the Fishers Hub & Spoke development after becoming frustrated with the dearth of sources for home accessories that are both “unique and high quality.” Consider that dry spell over. Walking in, the first thing you notice is a shimmering golden chandelier, a Hubbardton Forge. The second is a growing feeling of contentment mingled with curiosity. The ambience of the showroom is airy and elegant, with curated treasures thoughtfully interspersed throughout. Stater and her…

THE FRAMED black-and-white photos of rural Brown County might seem like random decor on the walls of The Ferguson House in Nashville. But those richly detailed hill-country prints (many by Indiana photographer and newspaper columnist Frank Hohenberger, who famously chronicled the region during the early to middle 1900s) have special meaning inside this landmark. It began life in 1873 as a boardinghouse that often hosted artists such as Hohenberger himself. The quaint twostory has housed an antiques shop, a retail store, apartments, and now a family-run bistro and bar. Andi and Lance Bartels took over the property in 2019, and the restaurant debuted last October, eventually fortifying its small, seasonal menu with vegan goodies such as stuffed oven-roasted zucchini, spring pea soup, jackfruit tacos, and mango cake. “A lot of…

THE CELEBRITY CRUSH OSTERIA BY FABIO VIVIANI A GROCERY STORE lunch spot with celebrity backing isn’t exactly a formula for authenticity. Yet everything about the tastefully appointed osteria that Top Chef darling Fabio Viviani quietly installed in the former Table by Market District space in Carmel late last fall shows the chef’s personality and precision, from by-the-book Neapolitan pies to rarely seen pastas, such as squid-ink lumache lavished with the fruits of the sea. Even the ubiquitous Caesar salad takes on new character with oven-dried tomatoes and wafer-thin rye crisps in place of croutons. Entrees such as chicken-thigh marsala and a steakhouseworthy bavette slathered in chimichurri that rolled out in July make this place not just a Hollywood novelty, but a “yes it’s that good” recommendation to anyone who has…

BISHOP CHATARD HIGH SCHOOL 5885 Crittenden Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-251-1451 // bishopchatard.org DATE & TIME Bishop Chatard’s Trojan Tour Open House will be held Thursday, November 3, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tours will be available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Take a virtual tour any time at bishopchatard.org/tour. Visit bishop chatard.org/prospective-students to learn more or to schedule a Wednesday Walk-Thru for parents or a Shadow Day for students. DETAILS While visiting the Bishop Chatard campus, guests will have the opportunity to talk with students, faculty, and administrators to learn about the academic and extracurricular programs offered. View the school’s Enrollment & Course Guide at bishopchatard.org/enroll ment/events for more detailed information. QUESTIONS? For more information, contact Karen Aruta, enrollment manager, at 317-251-1451, ext. 2234, or karuta@bishopchatard.org. Details are also…

STOP THINKING ABOUT LAND O’LAKES. BUTTER is a fine art fair that celebrates Black artists and promotes equity in the arts. It launched in 2021 and featured 22 artists. This year, organizers have churned up an even bigger event. The four-day art fair will feature work from more than 50 artists, including April Bey, Kiah Celeste, and Julian Jamaal Jones. BUTTER 2 will also include a dance party, food, drinks, and musical performances from Dorian Phelps and local hip-hop supergroup 81355. AS WITH SO MANY THINGS IN INDY THESE DAYS, GANGGANG IS BEHIND IT. The cultural development firm founded by Mali Jeffers and Alan Bacon has made this their signature event, and it comes with a broad set of goals: Elevate Black artists, fuel the creative economy, maximize artists’ earnings, and…

We’re in a time of change for many major theaters across the country with artistic directors turning over the keys. Why do you think that is? A bunch of us are about the same age. We’ve all known we were getting ready to step away. It happens cyclically. What sparked this decision for you? It was not an abrupt decision by any means. I think the last three board chairs have known an approximate date. We needed the board chair to have plenty of notice. Suzanne Sweeney [IRT’s managing director] and I have spent a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to create a sustainable institution. Transition can be a huge blow to that. We wanted to minimize that as much as we could. Were you ever tempted to leave…

THE TICKET ON JULY 2, 1988, concert promoters Dave Lucas and Steve Sybesma landed one of their biggest shows to date when they brought John Mellencamp to the infield of the Indiana State Fairgrounds for 50,000 screaming fans. Thirty-four years later, the former Sunshine Promotions partners are looking to do something huge at the Fairgrounds again with a new, multiday music festival in the city where they both got their start. Slated to take place September 3–4, the inaugural All IN Music & Arts Festival features a lineup of both old and new acts, pairing rock ‘n’ roll legends like Hall & Oates and John Fogerty with more contemporary stars like Cage the Elephant. Taking place across three stages, including the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand and the Indiana Farmers Coliseum, the shows…

THE THREAD Hold onto summer just a little bit longer with a FISHERS FLOWER FARM subscription. You can have a bouquet of seasonal fresh flowers, sustainably grown by the farm’s motherdaughter owners, delivered to your doorstep each week in September. (If you’re not home, your posies will be carefully placed in the shade.) For $130, you’ll get four mixed arrangements in vessels. Order online at fishersflowerfarm.com.…

DOWNTOWN INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square Aroma INDIAN Familiar tandoori and tikka masala staples mingle with heartier, more elevated offerings at this elegant pan-Indian spot that opened in the former Rook location in early 2021. Lunchtime lamb and chicken rolls in crispy flatbread wrappers stand out, as do hearty chaat dishes dressed up with yellow peas, yogurt, and chutneys. An impressive lamb shank is the highlight of the chef’s specialties and easily feeds two or more. A full bar and an artful array of desserts help round out a special-occasion meal. Opt for the orange pudding, a creamy, lightly sweet rice pudding served in an orange shell with a chocolate tuille. 501 Virginia Ave., 317-602-7117, aromaindy.com Ash & Elm Cider Co. Restaurant and Cider Bar GASTROPUB…