The Times

11/08/2024

11/06/2024

HAMILTON COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS -- 2024 GENERAL ELECTION, NOV. 5, 2024
Here are the unofficial Hamilton County final election results from the Hamilton County Elections Office.
President and Vice President -- Donald Trump/J.D. Vance (R) 102,296, 51.74 percent; Kamala D. Harris/Tim Walz (D) 90,366, 45.70 percent; Chase Oliver/Mike Ter Maat (L) 1,817, .92 percent; Robert F. Kennedy Jr./Nicole Shanahan (WTP) 1,912, .97 percent; write-in, 1,325, .67 percent.
United States Senator -- Jim Banks (R) 99,829, 54.89 percent; Valerie McCray (D) 77,735, 42.74 percent; Andrew Horning (L) 4,221, 2.32 percent; write-in, 84, 0.05 percent.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor -- Mike Braun/Micah Beckwith (R) 100,200, 51.16 percent; Jennifer McCormick/Terry Goodin (D) 89,579, 45.74 percent; Donald Rainwater/Tonya Hudson (L) 6,025, 3.08 percent; write-in, 53, 0.03 percent.
Attorney General -- Todd Rokita (R) 97,414, 53.69 percent; Destiny Wells (D) 84,022, 46.31 percent.
U.S. Representative District 5 -- Victoria Spartz (R) 102,098, 53.42 percent; Deborah A. Pickett (D) 80,254, 41.99 percent; Lauri Shillings (L) 4,612, 2.41 percent; Robby Slaughter (I) 4,110, 2.15 percent; write-in, 55, 0.03 percent.
State Senator District 20 -- Scott A. Baldwin (R) 43,873, 59.90 percent; Joel Levi (D) 29,374, 40.10 percent.
State Representative District 24 -- Hunter Smith (R) 21,523, 55.30 percent; Josh Lowry (D) 17,398, 44.70 percent.
State Representative District 29 -- Alaina Shonkwiler (R) 22,787, 63.37 percent; Christopher Hartig (D) 13,169, 36.63 percent.
State Representative District 32 -- Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D) 15,776, 50.51 percent; Patricia Bratton (R) 15,457, 49.49 percent.
State Representative District 37 -- Todd Huston (R) 24,207, 100 percent,
State Representative District 39 -- Daniel “Danny” Lopez (R) 21,158, 53.73 percent; Matt McNally (D) 18,221, 46.27 percent.
State Representative District 88 -- Chris Jeter (R) 6,601, 57,86 percent; Stephanie Jo Yocum (D) 4,807, 42.14 percent.
Judge of the Circuit Court 24th Judicial -- Andrew R. Bloch (R) 131,788, 100 percent.
Judge of the Superior Court No. 1 -- Michael A. Casati (R) 131,004, 100 percent.
Judge of the Superior Court No. 6 -- Stephenie K. Gookins (R) 131,745, 100 percent.
County Auditor -- Todd Clevenger (R) 127,874, 100 percent.
County Treasurer -- Susan Byer (R) 128,893, 100 percent.
County Surveyor -- Gary Duncan (R) 104,580, 57.21 percent; Thomas William Davis (D) 78,221, 42.79 percent.
County Commissioner District 2 - Steven C. Dillinger (R) 131,754, 99.68 percent; write-in, 423, 0.32 percent.
County Commissioner District 3 -- Mark E. Heirbrandt (R) 132,590, 100 percent.
County Council Member At Large -- Sue Maki (R) 85,893, 26.74 percent; Brandon “Brad” Beaver (R) 85,204, 26.52 percent; Steven R. Nation (R) 77,201, 24.03 percent; Keely J. Gladieux (D) 72,928, 22.70 percent.
Carmel Clay School Board at Large (NP) -- Jon Shapiro 27,765, 30.00 percent; Kristina “Kris” Wheeler, 26,113, 28.22 percent; Robin L. Clark, 20,530, 22.19 percent; and Dina Ferchmin, 18,127, 19.59 percent.
Hamilton Heights School Board, Jackson Township (NP) -- Kevin Cavanaugh, 69.38 percent, 4,196; Elizabeth Fouch, 1,852, 30.62 percent.
Hamilton Heights School Board, White River Township (NP) -- Gretchen S. Pennington, 5,344, 100 percent.
Hamilton Southeastern School Board, Delaware Township (NP) -- Greg Lannan, 21,614, 45.86 percent; Latrica A. Schooley, 25,516, 54.14 percent.
Hamilton Southeastern School Board, Fall Creek Township (NP) -- Suzanne Thomas, 29,411, 60.90 percent; Terry Tolle, 18,880, 39.10 percent.
Hamilton Southeastern School Board, Wayne Township (NP) -- Sarah E. Parks-Reese, 27,965, 58.14 percent; John F. Stewart, 20,132, 41.86 percent.
Noblesville School Board At Large (NP) (Vote for 3) -- Stephanie Lambert, 15,209, 20.32 percent; Christi Crosser, 14,637, 19.56 percent; Bret Richardson, 12,568, 16.79 percent; Alison Hanley, 12,079, 16.14 percent; David L. Dawson, 10,453, 13.97 percent; and Bradley A. Helvey, 9,889, 13.21 percent.
Sheridan School Board Marion Township (NP) (Vote for 2) -- Dan Fleming, 1,617, 41.78 percent; John Hunt, 1,546, 39.95 percent; Eric Nyberg, 707, 18.27 percent.
Westfield Washington School Board, District 1 (NP) -- Carrie Larrison, 20,669, 100 percent.
Westfield Washington School Board, District 3 (NP) -- Carl Mike Steele, 57.47 percent, 12,187; Matthew Hullinger, 9,020, 42.53 percent.
Retain Indiana Supreme Court Judge Rush - Yes, 111,516, 74.30 percent; No, 38,582, 25.70 percent.
Retain Supreme Court Judge Massa -- Yes, 105,918, 71.57 percent; No, 42,072, 28.43 percent.
Retain Supreme Court Judge Molter -- Yes, 107,618, 73.12 percent; No, 39,557, 26.88 percent.
Retain Court of Appeals District 4 Judge Pyle III - Yes, 107,618, 73.12 percent; No, 39,557, 26.88 percent.
Public question, Constitutional Amendment: Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of officeholders who shall discharge the powers and duties of the governor if the office of the governor and lieutenant governor are both vacant? -- Yes, 99,432, 55.73 percent; No, 78,990, 44.27 percent.
Public question, Town of Sheridan: Shall the Town of Sheridan and Adams Township reorganize as a single political subdivision? -- Yes, 1,180, 72.88 percent; No, 439, 27.12 percent.
Public question: Adams Township -- Yes, 780, 61.86 percent; No, 481, 38.14 percent.
In Hamilton County, 81,441 registered voters voted on Election Day; 20,146 voters voted by paper absentee ballot; and 98,092 voters vote by walk-in early voting, totaling 199,679 voters, with a turnout of 70.51 percent, of the 283,202 registered voters, in 220 precincts.
R - Republican; D - Democrat; L - Libertarian; I - Independent; WTP - We the People; NP - Non-Partisan

11/05/2024

TIMES READERS CAN WIN TICKETS TO GIFT & HOBBY SHOW! The Times readers can submit an entry to win 2 free tickets to the Christmas Gift & Hobby Show Nov. 6-10 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Send name, contact phone number and why they want to attend the show, to Betsy Reason at [email protected]. We ask that recipients of the tickets to do a selfie at the show and send to The Times afterward for publication.

10/18/2024

From Betsy Reason, editor:

Sad news… my longtime friend Buddy Whitacre has passed away.
I am sharing his obituary and graveside services, which will be next Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2024, at Crownland Cemetery in Noblesville.
(Photo credit for two of the photos goes to The Current with permission.)

BUDDY WHITACRE: 1947-2024

Buddy Dean Whitacre, 77, Noblesville, passed away on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Riverwalk Village in Noblesville.
He was born on Saturday, Jan. 4, 1947, at Harrell Hospital in Noblesville, to the late William and Dorothy (Dashiell) Whitacre. He was also raised by a stepfather, Albert Harrold.
He attended Noblesville Schools and had a paper route for several years on the south side of Noblesville passing The Noblesville Ledger and The Indianapolis Star.
Bud was an avid bowler for more than 20 years.
He loved to fish and loved to ride his motorized scooter around town later in life.
He worked in janitorial services for The Noblesville Ledger, Syd’s Bar, and the Silver Dollar Saloon where he was a barback.
He also enjoyed washing golf balls on the weekends for Sid Davis at Noblesville Golf & Batting Center. His favorite place to eat was White Castle.
After leaving The Noblesville Ledger, he worked full time doing janitorial work at Vibromatic, Feb. 7, 1994, to Sept. 30, 2018.
He was a friend and protector to many.
After having kidney failure and having to go on dialysis, Buddy moved in September 2018 to Riverwalk Village where he lived and also enjoyed using his janitorial skills with a broom and dustpan.
He is survived by his brother, Bill Whitacre; sister, Barbara (Whitacre) Moseley; nephew, Andrew Moseley; and several cousins.
Graveside service will be 11 am Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at Crownland Cemetery in Noblesville.
Condolences: www.randallroberts.com

Bill Whitacre Barb Whitacre Moseley

09/19/2024

Laugh, Sing Along With Belfry ‘9 to 5’

Friends Co-direct
Comedy Musical
Based on Dolly
Parton Movie

This Betsy Reason column appears in the Friday, Sept. 20, edition of The Times newspaper in Noblesville….

As The Belfry Theatre play co-director Barcia Alejos watched final rehearsals this week of “9 to 5 The Musical,” she said, “I am just so proud of this cast and crew.”
This story of music, dance and acting “is a feast of the senses for our audience to enjoy,” Alejos said. “...It is a beautiful, hilarious and heartwarming story of overcoming adversity.”
Hamilton County Theatre Guild’s “9 to 5 The Musical” is the first show of The Belfry’s 60th anniversary season, and opens tonight and continues through Sept. 29 at Noblesville First United Methodist Church. Reserved tickets are still available. (The musical also offers an ASL interpreted show on Sept. 22, plus special Thursday night pricing and a special $5 off regular adult tickets with promo code in The Times.)
“I think this production may be one of the most ambitious The Belfry has done in some time,” Alejos said. “I think audiences will love it, and we have loved creating it. What better way to start The Belfry’s 60th anniversary?”
Alejos is co-directing the musical with Carla Crandall, who said, “It’s always fun to kick off the season with a big show that appeals to a wide audience. It’s quite an honor for me, starting my 40th season of directing, co-directing with my mentee, Barcia Alejos.”
Crandall and Alejos have been friends for many years with Crandall directing Alejos and vice versa, plus the two acting on stage together in “Arsenic and Old Lace” as the Brewster sisters.
Alejos’ relationship with Crandall dates back “to when she (Crandall) was my first director in my first community theater production in ‘Girls of the Garden Club’ at Mud Creek Players,” Alejos said.
“After doing plays with her for a number of years, she mentored me to direct at The Belfry in that (2016) rendition of ‘Girls of the Garden Club,’ where I was her assistant director,” Alejos added. Then Crandall was Alejos’ assistant director in Alejos’ first play to direct, “Exit the Body” at Mud Creek in 2018. Then Alejos directed Crandall, as a cast member, in Alejos’ first play to direct at The Belfry for “Savannah Sipping Society” in 2019. While each has been directed or assistant directed by one another, “9 to 5 The Musical” is their first opportunity to co-direct, and they are loving it.
The musical tells the story of three women -- Violet, Judy and Doralee -- a dynamic trio determined to improve their workplace by overthrowing their arrogant, egotistical boss, Franklin Hart Jr. Together, the three women concoct a plan to turn the tables on their boss, leading to hilarious and unexpected results in this delightful musical, set in the office cubicles of the late 1970s. Their journey of friendship, revenge and transformation brings a fresh perspective to the workplace, all while showcasing the power of unity and resilience.
The show is written by Patricia Resnick and based on the 1980 comedy movie, “9 to 5” which starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, who wrote the music and lyrics, in her film debut, bringing attention to fair pay and equal treatment in the workplace for women.
Anybody who’s seen the movie will likely know the title song. And even if they don’t know the music coming to the show, “the audience will leave singing,” Crandall said.
Alejos’ favorite song in the musical is “I Just Might,” a song by the three leading actresses telling their individual stories. “I am nearly in tears every time after this performance,” she said.
Another of Alejos’ favorite songs is “One of the Boys,” Violet’s vocal number with the men in the cast. She said, “I think audiences will love it, but the ensemble numbers of ‘Around Here’ and ‘Change It’ along with the titular and most famous song of ‘9 to 5’ are all toe tappers that I find myself humming and singing all day long and can’t get the tunes out of my head.” Alejos said, “This production is packed with songs like this.”
There are, in fact, 16 Dolly Parton-composed original songs in this musical.
It’s the second time that Maureen Akins has choreographed a show for The Belfry. “She is very kind and patient with our singers who are mostly non-dancers,” Crandall said. “She knows how to create routines that make our actors look like pros.”
Earlier this week, Alejos and Crandall, who have split duties, are busy making sure the show is ready, including Alejos helping paint the set.
Crandall said, “What I love about theater is taking on the ‘skin’ of a totally different character and making them jump off the script and become a live person.” She said, “From a directing aspect, I love ‘giving the Doritos an actor’ and giving them little nuances to develop their character to make the character even more believable.”
Actors hailing from in and around Hamilton County attended auditions for this show. “We have beautiful singers in our cast. As I frequently tell them, they each could have handled the lead parts,” Crandall said.
The brightly colored set is fabulous, co-designed by Fishers’ Jay Ganz, visual artist and member of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ Exhibit Design Team and who designed The Belfry’s fabulous sets for “Father of the Bride,” “Savannah Sipping Society,” “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” in addition to shows at other theaters in and around Hamilton County and the Midwest.
Jose Alejos, Barcia Alejos’ husband, co-designed with Ganz and headed up construction of the set. They have “outdone themselves” this time,” Barcia Alejos said. “I have to say, this is the most intense and elaborate set I have ever seen done in community theater.”
Gail Sanders, a Belfry veteran costumer from “Father of the Bride” and Apprentice Players’ “Willy Wonka Jr.” youth production, brings her ability to customize critical costume pieces. Alejos said, “She is amazing.” Belfry newcomer Justice Nielson, who is helping the show’s props mistress Susie Walden, is also helping with costumes.
Alejos’ son, Daniel Alejos, who was in the cast of “Father of the Bride,” is helping with “9 to 5 The Musical” as the show’s producer, light board operator and is on the set-building and set-painting teams.
Barcia Alejos said, “The backstage crew, tech team and set team are just as important a part of this production as any I have been involved with, so we are very grateful to our amazing teams to make this happen.”
-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times editor Betsy Reason at [email protected].

Want TO GO?
What: Hamilton County Theatre Guild’s The Belfry Theatre presents “9 to 5 The Musical,” co-directed by Carla Crandall and Barcia Alejos.
When: Opens tonight and continues through Sept. 29. Show times 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Where: Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville.
How much: $20 for reserved adult tickets, $15 for students, veterans and seniors, $5 off of $20 tickets with this Times newspaper promo code 9TO5TM4. All tickets are $10 for the Thursday performance.
Good to know: There will be an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performance on Sunday, Sept. 22. Show is Rated PG-13. Comedy addresses sexual harassment, smoking and drinking and contains adult language.
Info: www.thebelfrytheatre.com

MEET THE CAST
Violet Newstead, Amanda Falcone; Doralee Rhodes, Claire Donnelly; Judy Bernly, Kristin Hilger; Franklin Hart Jr., Darrin Gowan; Roz Keith, Stephani Gable; Joe, Jared Gaddis; Dwayne, Noah Wilson; Josh, Ben Ohning; Missy, Ashley Sherman; Maria, Breanna Helms; Dick, Mac Williams; Kathy, Megan Raymont; Margaret, Kiersten Clifford; Bob Enright, Allen McCaskill; Tinsworthy,Robert Fimreite; Detective, Allen McCaskill; Policeman, Alex Arnold; Doctor, Jessica Dickson; Candy Striper, Essie Wallace; New Employee, Brittany Achard; Mindi, Claire Whitcomb; Ensemble, Breanna Helms, Megan Raymont, Jessica Dickson, Essie Wallace, Kiersten Clifford, Claire Whitcomb, Brittany Achard, Claudia MacRae, Ashley Sherman, Alex Arnold, Allen McCaskill, Robert Fimreite and Noah Wilson

MEET THE CREW
Co-directors, Carla Crandall and Barcia Alejos; assistant director and stage manager, Gideon Roark; producer, Daniel Alejos; stage crew, Ron Richards; choreographer, Maureen Akins; choreography apprentice, Claire Whitcomb; music director, Debbie Farmer Smith; choral director, Betsy Bullis; choral and vocal coach, Amanda Lindorf; rehearsal pianists, Linda Williams and Nancy Matt; light designer, Angie Baker; lightboard, Daniel Alejos; sound designer and soundboard, Marshall Long; props, Susie Walden and Justice Nielsen; costumes, Gail Sanders and Justice Nielsen; makeup and hair, Jillian Fleck; set design, Jay Ganz and Jose Alejos; set painting lead, Claudia MacRae; set painting team, Jose Alejos, Chris Solverson, Tom Falcone, Daniel Alejos, Gideon Roark, Brittany Achard, Megan Raymont, Kiersten Clifford, Claudia MacRae, Darrin Gowan, Noah Wilson, Ashley Sherman, Mac Williams, Allen McCaskill, Robert Fimreite, Breanna Helms, Kathy Rosemary, Barcia Alejos and Carla Crandall; set construction lead, Jose Alejos; set building team, Jose Alejos, Chris Solverson, Tom Falcone, Daniel Alejos, Gideon Roark, Brittany Achard, Megan Raymont, Kiersten Clifford, Claudia MacRae, Darrin Gowan, Noah Wilson, Ashley Sherman, Mac Williams, Allen McCaskill and Robert Fimreite; ASL Interpreters, Jenna Albers and Patricia Matthews

Barcia Miller Alejos Carla Lintner Crandall Eric Matters Daniel Alejos Jan Buschur Borcherding Darrin Gowan Claudia MacRae Gideon Roark Susie Walden Noblesville First UMC Jay Ganz

09/19/2024

Cool Evenings Perfect for This Year’s
NCAC Shakespeare in the Park - onstage SeptBetsy Reasonlished in the Betsy Reason column in the Monday, Sept. 16, edition of The Times….

Pack a picnic and grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head for Federal Hill Commons for Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park in its 32nd year.
Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission presents William Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” beginning Wednesday and continuing nightly through Saturday at the downtown park. Show time is 7:30 p.m. As always, admission is free, although donations are welcome.
Shakespeare fans who regularly attend this outdoor theatrical production -- the second-oldest Shakespeare in the Park program in Indiana and the oldest in Central Indiana -- will find these early fall performances more “cool and comfortable” for sitting on the lawn.
While this week’s weather forecast calls for mid to upper 80s, “warmer than we would like, but mostly dry,” in the afternoons, the evenings are expected to be a little cooler.
While Shakespeare moved from July to September in 2023, mostly for scheduling reasons with the Noblesville Parks Department but also “because Climate Change has made the temperatures unreliable and potentially unbearable,” the show’s director Jen Otterman of Noblesville said. The show’s weather in September is more pleasant for patrons and actors who are clothed in Elizabethan costumes.
“The actors are delighted because wearing traditional heavy Shakespearean costumes is much more tolerable in cooler temperatures,” she said.
“And Rob (Heighway, the assistant director) and his assistants have to move a great deal of scenery which is also much more comfortable in more temperate weather.”
Otterman recalled having a crew member, back when performances were in July, be taken to the local emergency room for heat exhaustion. “The kinds of heat we now have in the summer can be quite dangerous, and we wanted to keep our company, and the patrons, safe.”
During many years in the past, rehearsals were outdoors at Seminary Park, where productions took place until Federal Hill opened in 2017, on the 25th anniversary of Noblesville’s Shakespeare in the Park.
She’s in her fifth season directing Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park, which in 2023 moved its start time up to 7:30 p.m., to accommodate the earlier sunset.
Otterman talked about her love for directing Shakespeare in the Park.
“I enjoy the process,” she said. “Directing is much like sculpting. When one begins, there is just a non descriptive lump of clay. Gradually, it gets molded and shaped into a piece of art, something that reflects the intent of the playwright and has grit and depth and layers of nuance. In the beginning, it is messy and unclear and chaotic, but the end process, hopefully, is something to be proud of.”
Otterman said, “I especially like working with the actors and with Rob (Heighway) who have returned year after year. We have a comforting and familiar camaraderie.”
There are several familiar faces returning from previous years. There are also some new faces. One of the new and “very talented” actors, Charles Weimer, who plays the role of Kent, is married to one of her former students. “Small world indeed,” said the retired teacher and director of productions at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers and who has directed shows at The Belfry Theatre in Noblesville and Basile Westfield Playhouse.
The Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park director chooses the show each year, selecting a comedy every other year. Being that Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” comedy was last year, this year would be a tragedy.
The play’s synopsis: Aging, conceited King Lear seeks to retire from his kingly duties and plans to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. But in turbulent political and personal times, is anyone safe?
While Otterman has never directed or acted before in this particular play, she said, “I have always loved ‘King Lear’ and it is very relevant to today’s world … political power struggles, family dysfunction and how to handle it, jealousy, betrayals, coping with aging, dealing with evil (and) understanding relationships.”
Otterman said, “In all these hundreds of years since this play was written, it is astounding that there has been no change in human nature. I love plays that hold these issues up to us so that we might examine them, see ourselves in them and try to do better.”
While the play is not a comedy, Otterman said, “Rob (Heighway) and I have tried to add as much humor as we can. There is a scene between Matt Hartzburg (as Glouchester) and Nathaniel Taff (as Edgar) that offers a laugh or two.”
She loves working with Heighway, who is not only her assistant director but also a backstage crew member with talent skills and knowledge. He is a master carpenter and can build any piece of scenery needed, Otterman has said. She knows Heighway “from many years ago” where they worked together as actors at The Red Barn Summer Theatre.
This year, Heighway had to construct a bed that could be easily maneuvered and a facade that would look like a lowly hovel. In 2023, he constructed five 10-foot trees, which will be used again for this show.
Would Otterman offer any hints of the best scenes for this year’s show?
“There are several sword and dagger fights during this show,” she said. “Those are always favorites of audiences.”
The play’s run time is very important to the director and assistant director.
Being that Shakespeare plays are quite lengthy, Heighway edits the play each year to less than two hours for our Noblesville audiences.
“He is a genius to be able to edit as he does without disturbing the story and its movement,” Otterman said.
“Because the park restricts our time, we have to keep the script to less than two hours,” she said.
David Heighway of Noblesville, who has been involved with Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park for 30 years and who is Rob Heighway’s brother, said while the original play could run perhaps three hours, “this cut version is supposed to run around 90 to 105 minutes.”
He said, “This requires a lot of cutting for a Shakespeare play. At the same time, they want to respect the original text and not change the characters or plot. It’s a balancing act, and I think that Rob does a great job with it.”.
David Heighway also said since the NCAC has started alternating comedies and tragedies, “it’s gotten more intense for the actors.” He described “King Lear” as a “dark and complex play. The actors have to ask themselves a lot of questions to get into their characters.”
While David Heighway stepped away from Shakespeare in the Park this year to focus on his history work, he will still attend the production and is still helping with the NCAC Vintage Film Series.,
Otterman’s cast and crew have been rehearsing indoors in a “wonderful rehearsal space” until moving in at Federal Hill on Sunday, which was also tech day. Dress rehearsals are tonight and Tuesday night before opening night on Wednesday at Federal Hill.
Otterman, during Federal Hill dress rehearsals, is usually found sitting in her lawn chair watching close to the stage.
While the audience sitting on the lawn sees the fabulous end product of the show, those who are involved in the show know how much hard work goes into making all of this possible.
Weeks of rehearsals have gone on since auditions in August. Sets have been made. Props and costumes have been found or created. Lighting and sound have been “designed.” Mics have been added. Every day this week, crew members set up and break down the entire set, a “quite a daunting task,” Otterman said.
And then it’s finally show time.
Every year, Otterman describes her cast and crew as a “tight, friendly family” and the experience “refreshing.” She said, “the entire rehearsal process has been delightful. I hope to work with all of them again some day.”
-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times Editor Betsy Reason at [email protected].

Want TO GO?
What: Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission’s 32nd annual Noblesville Shakespeare in the Park presents William Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” directed by Noblesville’s Jen Otterman.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Where: Lawn of Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan St., Noblesville.
How much: Free. Donations are welcome.
Info: noblesvillearts.org.

MEET THE CAST
King Lear, Glenn Dobbs, Mooresville; Kent, J. Charles Weimer, Fishers; Gloucester, Matt Hartzburg, Indianapolis; Edmund, Nathan Haston, Carmel; Goneril, Alyssa Lay, Indianapolis; Regan, Amalia Howard, Indianapolis; Cordelia, Rachel Kelso, Indianapolis; Albany, Aaron Ploof, Noblesville; Cornwall, Adrian Blackwell, Noblesville; Edgar and King of France, Nathanial Taff, Noblesville; Oswald, Kelli Conkin of Noblesville; Fool, Ka’Lena Cuevas, Fishers; Player 2, Caroline Frawley, Carmel; and Player 3, Guy Grubbs, Indianapolis.

MEET THE CREW
Director and properties, Jen Otterman, Noblesville; assistant director, master carpenter and script editor, Rob Heighway, Indianapolis; producers, Joni Corbett of Noblesville and Ka’Lena Cuevas of Fishers; sound operator, Geoff Lynch, Noblesville; light design, Eric Matters, New Palestine; light board operator and sound design, Lori Raffel, Carmel; fight choreographer, Kevin Robertson, Carmel; Costumes, Linda Findlay Grow, McCordsville.

06/12/2024

Take-Apart Model T
Comes to Father’s Day
Car Show Sunday at Forest Park

Read the Betsy Reason column below to preview this Sunday’s Father’s Day Car Show.

Dan Conder of Cicero is part of a four-person team who can take apart a Model T Ford and put it back together in less than three minutes.
The team -- members of the North Central Chapter of Model T Ford Club of America -- use what he calls a “Take Apart Model T,” which will be driven in and disassembled and then reassembled and driven out during Central Indiana Vintage Vehicles’ 34th annual Father’s Day Car Show on Sunday at Forest Park in Noblesville.
The Take Apart Model T Ford that the team is using has a rich history dating back to the 1950s. “It has been demonstrated, used as an educational tool and assembled in competition,” Conder said. “The Pioneer Auto Club of Kokomo once set an assembly record in Indianapolis at 1 minute, 57 seconds.”
His team is within a minute of that record.
“Our current record for complete assembly and running with a four-man crew is 2 minutes, 50 seconds,” said Conder, 73, whose team is skilled at the disassembly and reassembly process.
The Take Apart Model T was loaned to Kokomo HIgh School Auto Shop for a period of time and sat unattended for a few years before coming into ownership by Conder’s North Central Chapter Model T club, which is both a Model T and a Model A Ford Club.
The team performs at various car shows around Central Indiana and including each evening of the Howard County 4-H Fair in Greentown.
“It’s fascinating for about two to three minutes and then it’s over,” said Conder.
Besides Conder, the team is made up of Terry Bell of Russiaville, Rocky Price of Peru and Rick Williams of Greentown, who all belong to the North Central Model T chapter formed in 2017.
“We were building a Model T in a garage in Howard County Fairgrounds and decided we needed to form a club,” Conder recalled.
He said, “The team may change depending on who is available. We may pull someone from the audience to participate.”
The Take Apart Model T is believed to have been created by a Wabash man by modifying a 1926 chassis and fabricating a removable body in the 1950s for use and demonstration by the Pioneer Auto Club in Kokomo, Conder said. The club used the Take Apart Model T for many years for demonstrating the simplicity of the Model T design and competing for quickest assembly time against other clubs around the country with similar ‘take apart Ts.’”
Conder said several different crews assembled the car in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, sporting matching overalls, which Conder’s club also does today. “Two of the men from that crew are still with us and in their early 80s,” he said. “They showed us how everything works when we acquired the piece.”
The car looked a bit different in those days, red with yellow wheels, permanent side boards, a dummy gas tank behind the single boomer-style seat they tossed on to drive it, Conder said. There was no hood radiator shell or step plated back then. During the time that Kokomo High School auto shop was loaned the car, they created “challenge teams” and timed themselves assembling the car, which was not in running condition at the time but still holds fond memories for many former students, Conder said.
After a few years stored in a barn in disrepair, the car was sold to a local man who got the car running again and had hopes of driving the car on the road. “During his one and only joy ride down a quiet road, a rear wheel came off and put him in the ditch,” Conder said. The Model T was put up for sale and spotted by Lois Bell, who with her husband Terry Bell, are members of Conder’s Model T Club, who knew of the car and some of its local history. “The call was made, the deal was struck and work began to create the version we see today,” Conder said.
The club members’ first try took 15 minutes to assemble the Model T after taking it apart.
“It then became a challenge to better our time,” Conder said.
The club attends many events to demonstrate the Model T’s simplicity while introducing the antique Ford hobby to anyone who is interested. “We never practice,” said Conder, who tries to do two performances with his team at each show, “the first to warm up and the second for time.” They do one or two shows each month during the summer.
On Sunday,, the Model T demonstration will be at 1:30 p.m. during the CIVV Father’s Day Car Show which features 250 antique and special interests cars, about 10,000 spectators and food service from Noblesville Lions Club. The car show is open to cars built prior to 2000 and/or customized/altered. Registration is 9 a.m. to noon for $10 per vehicle with awards For Best of Show, Best Interior, Best Engine and Best Paint, plus 10 additional awards at 2:30 p.m. Proceeds go to the Elysian Foundation to benefit the residents of Normal Life of Sheridan, a home-based program for severely brain injured. The car show, rain or shine, will also feature music from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
Conder, who grew up in Pendleton and graduated high school in 1968, has lived in Cicero for 43 years. He owns six Model Ts, including a 1927 Model T truck that his grandpa bought new. “I always say it is a curse” that his grandpa left him with one Model T. “You can’t own just one,” said Conder. He retired in 2008 from his own advertising agency in Indianapolis and served on the national Model T Ford Club of America (based in Richmond, Ind.) board of directors for nine years, 2007-2016, and was president for two years.
Conder likes to join national and regional tours around the country. “We trailer out west, for example, and then drive 1,000 miles in five days. I have one Model T that has been in 38 states,” he said. “Sometimes my wife (Pam) goes,” unless she has grandkids’ soccer games to attend.
They have two sons and three granddaughters, ages 14, 13 and 11.
“The granddaughters’ favorite trip is to jump in a T and drive up to Wilson Farm Market (in Arcadia) for candy,” he said.
“We like seeing the back roads of this country at 30 mph.”
-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times Editor Betsy Reason at [email protected].

Want TO GO?
What: Central Indiana Vintage Vehicles’ 34th annual Father’s Day Car Show.
When: Registration 9 a.m. to noon with show until 2:30 p.m. awards on Sunday. Take Apart Model T disassembly and reassembly at 1:30 p.m. by North Central Chapter of Model T Ford Club of America
Where: Forest Park, 701 Cicero Road, Noblesville.
How much: Free admission. Vehicle entry is $10.
Good to know: Awards For Best of Show, Best Interior, Best Engine and Best Paint, plus 10 additional awards
Proceeds: Elysian Foundation to benefit the residents of Normal Life of Sheridan, a home-based program for severely brain injured.
Info: www.civv.freeservers.com

David Shank. Larry E. Grabb