County hires director – Jeff Schemmer has been hired as executive director of emergency communications for Hamilton County. Schemmer previously worked in Monroe County, where he worked as the communications director for the Monroe County Emergency Dispatch Center in Bloomington. Schemmer is a member of the State 911 Board, as well as the Indiana Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association. His first day on the job was Feb. 25.
Suspect sought – Carmel police are searching for a suspect who allegedly stole a set of red and black Beats Studio3 Wireless Defiant headphones at approximately 6:12 p.m. Feb. 25 from Best Buy at 10025 N. Michigan Rd. The suspect appears to be a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, 160 to 175 pounds, 25 to 30 years old. He may have left in a gold minivan. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Carmel Police Dept. at 317-571-2500 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
Civil War Roundtable – Robert Girardi will speak about the murder of Maj. Gen. William ‘Bull’ Nelson at the March 13 meeting of the Hamilton County Civil War Roundtable. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the event at Carmel City Hall (1 Civic Square), which is free and open to the public.
Conner Prairie volunteers — A new class of youth volunteers has been selected to join Conner Prairie as the staff of the living history museum begin preparations for its 2019 outdoor season, which begins on March 26. From Carmel schools, two volunteers were chosen: Linnea Reagan, 13, Clay Middle School; and Grace Belt, 14, Carmel High School. Out of more than 60 applications received, only 20 were selected. Responsibilities include leading hands-on activities as interpreters and caring for the museum’s heritage animal breeds. To learn more, visit connerprairie.org.
Great Decisions program – The Indiana Council on World Affairs will host Great Decisions, a nonpartisan public education program, at 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings through April at Carmel High School, 520 E. Main St. Upcoming topics include State of the State Department Diplomacy (March 5), India and its Neighbors (March 12), Rise of Populism in Europe (March 26), Refugees and Global Migration (April 9) and U.S. and Mexico: Partnership Tested (April 16). Review payment options and reserve a spot online at ICWA_Org.eventbrite.com.
Storm spotter class – Hamilton County Emergency Management is partnering with the U.S. National Weather Service of Indianapolis to host a storm spotter class from 9 to 11 a.m. March 9 at Noblesville Fire Station 76, 16800 Hazel Dell Rd. in Noblesville. The class is free and open to the public. .
College student wins award – Ball State University theater major Nick Shelton of Carmel won the Don Childs Award for excellence in technology and design at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival regional competition in Madison, Wis. At the festival, Shelton presented his theoretical lighting design for the play “Rhinoceros” by Eugene Ionesco. For winning the award, Shelton will travel to the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas this summer to participate in a one-week master class in a concentration of his choice.
Race to benefit cancer research – This year, the Challenge 5K Walk Run will benefit the Tyler Trent Cancer Researach Endowment. Trent, a Carmel resident, was the first student to serve on the Director’s Advisory Board for the Purdue Center for Cancer Research. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. April 13 at Ross-Ade Stadium, 850 Steven Beering Dr., in West Lafayette. Sign up and learn more at ThePurdueChallenge.com.
Falcon program – Learn about an at-risk bird species at the Indiana Falcon Program set for 7:30 p.m. March 19 in the program room at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 55 4th Ave SE. Allisyn Gillet, Indiana’s state ornithologist, will share information on the state’s peregrine falcon monitoring program and how to help with conservation.
Gathering of Writers – Ross Gay, poet and National Book Award finalist, will be the keynote speaker at the Indiana Writers Center annual event, Gathering of Writers, which is set for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 9 at the Indiana State Library, 315 W. Ohio St. in Indianapolis. Gay will also lead a three-hour poetry workshop. Register online and view cost options at indianawriters.org/pages/2019-gathering-of-writers.
Students serve as pages – Carmel residents Chris Moe, a senior at Carmel High School, and Jack Moe, a seventh-grade student at Carmel Middle School, recently served as pages for State Sen. John Ruckelshaus. Chris has served as a page at the Statehouse for seven years in a row, beginning when he was in sixth grade.
Kindergarten registration – Carmel Clay Schools is accepting kindergarten registration for the 2019-20 school year. The online registration form is at forms.ccs.k12.in.us/ParentPortal/pages/login.aspx. Students must be at least 5 years old by Aug. 1 to start kindergarten in August. Parents are encouraged to have students enrolled by March 8.
IEHA to award scholarships – Indiana Extension Homemakers Association is offering eight $500 scholarships to Indiana homemakers who are 25 years of age or older. These scholarships are to be used to complete education or upgrade vocational skills. One must be admitted or cleared for admission to an academic or vocational school which is state-licensed or accredited. Preference will be given to a person studying at an undergraduate level. Scholarships will be awarded with regard for financial need. The application is due by March 15 and is available at ieha-families.org/programs.php.
Ladies tea – Fellowship in Christ Church, 310 N. Range Line Rd., will host Coffee, Tea, and Thee for ladies from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. This is open to all women in the community and there is no cost to attend.
Tri Kappa scholarships – Tri Kappa will award three $3,000 scholarships this year. Applicants must be female high school seniors and reside in the Carmel Clay or Westfield Washington school districts. Students from public, private or homeschools are eligible. Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need, academic performance, co-curricular activities and community service. Application deadline is March 1. Learn more by emailing [email protected] or speaking with a high school counselor.
Reserve skating times online – The City of Carmel has unveiled a new online ticketing service to make it easier to reserve time and ice skates for the upcoming holiday and winter seasons of skating at the Ice at Center Green. The new website utilizes a program called Ticket Spice and is an online ticket purchasing portal that will enable visitors to guarantee their spot on the ice by purchasing tickets and reserving skates in advance. Find the online ticketing portal at TheIceAtCenterGreen.com.
Engineering opportunities for students – INDOT is offering civil engineering students scholarships and paid employment during summer breaks and upon graduation. Students must be accepted or enrolled full time in one of Indiana’s certified civil engineering schools and apply using the form at INDOTScholarship.IN.gov. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 31.
Dodgeball fundraiser – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Shop for Kids Dodge, Duck and Dip Dodgeball Challenge is set for April 27 at Hamilton Heights High School, 25802 State Rte 19 in Arcadia. The double-elimination tournament will serve as a fundraiser for the Shop for Kids program, which provides $200 shopping trips during the holidays for less-fortunate children in Hamilton County. The entry fee is $100 for a team of six. For more, email [email protected].
Youth Leadership program open – United Way of Central Indiana is accepting applications for the 2019 Youth Leadership United Program. This program teaches high school students about the nonprofit sector and how to serve on a nonprofit board. High school freshmen, sophomores and juniors who live in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion or Morgan counties may apply. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31. Apply online at uwci.org/ylu.
Creative writers meetings – Carmel Creative Writers wants to give writers of all levels and genres the opportunity to network, learn and share. Join us for our meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Hoosier Salon, 22 N. Range Line Rd. Guest speakers, a yearly anthology, and input on your writing samples are all part of our meetings. For more, email [email protected].
Newcomers Club – Newcomers Club of Carmel, a nonprofit social club, connects its members with friends, engages in fun activities and explores the community. Monthly activities include a welcome coffee, a luncheon event and 32 interest group meetings. Membership represents Carmel, Westfield, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville and Indianapolis. For more, visit carmelnewcomers.com or call 317-564-8349
Scholarships offered – Tru Direction, Inc. will award scholarships of $500 to $2,500 per qualified applicant (maximum $10,000 per calendar year) as determined by the scholarship committee. Scholarships may be used for any related expenses for college, university, trade school or technical school. Applicants must be attending school a minimum of 9 hours, or the equivalent, per semester, however, preference is given to those attending at least 12 hours. Applications are due by March 31. Learn more at trudirection.org.
Local chapter launches – A local chapter of the American Association of Dental Managers recently launched. More than 80 people attended the inaugural meeting on Jan. 24 in Carmel. The next meeting is set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 25 at Woodland Terrace in Carmel. The organization has 15,000 members and 65 chapters nationwide and provides networking and education for managers and front desk dental teams. Learn more by emailing Kathy Rupenthal at [email protected] or by following the organization’s Facebook page.
MomentPath to expand – Carmel-based MomentPath, a software company that provides a platform to help child care providers connect with loved ones and deliver insight into the care they provide, will scale up its operations in Hamilton County, hiring up to 50 new employees by 2022. The company plans to invest more than $800,000 in its operations over the next four years. MomentPath currently occupies approximately 13,000 square feet at 23 E. Main Street in Carmel and plans to upgrade and move into a new, 20,000-square-foot office within six months.
New hire – Jordan Dillon has been named account executive at THE PLAID AGENCY, a Carmel-based, full-service ad agency. Her primary responsibilities will include overseeing projects, managing teams and working directly with clients to ensure measurable results and superior service. Dillon comes to PLAID with more than 10 years of marketing and event experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication arts and science from DePauw University.
Merchants announces promotion – Carmel-based Merchants Capital has formally announced the promotion of Brian Sullivan to executive vice president and chief operating officer of Merchants Capital. Since stepping into this role in August 2018, Sullivan continues to lead capital markets activities, while overseeing the execution of strategic initiatives, notably the implementation of a custom loan origination and servicing software. For more information about Merchants Capital, visit merchantscapital.com.
Allstate gives back – Four local Allstate representatives recently earned $1,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grants for area nonprofits. They include Carmel Allstate agency owner Ranj Puthran, who will support the Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation; Carmel Allstate financial specialist Roy Lederman, who will support the Jefferson Awards for Public Service; and Patrick Terry, Sr., who will support Eagle Creek Little League.
Carmel attorney appointed – Carmel resident and Riley Bennett Egloff partner Kathleen Hart has been appointed to the board of directors of the Indiana Federal Community Defenders for a three-year term. IFCD’s mission is to provide high-quality, client-centered representation to indigent defendants charged with a federal crime and provide resources and training to Federal Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys.
Round Room announces promotions –Carmel-based Round Room LLC, the largest Verizon authorized retailer in the U.S., recently announced that Chad Jensen has been named president of the company’s wireless division and Katie Wiley has been promoted to chief strategy officer. Round Room leads and invests in companies serving the wireless industry and operates 1,160 TCC and Wireless Zone stores across 41 states. For more information on Round Room and its portfolio of companies, visit RoundRoom.com.
Counties ranked by generosity – SmartAsset, a financial technology company, recently conducted a study on which Indiana counties donate the most money. The study measured how much people donate as a percentage of their net income and the number of people giving charitable donations in the county. Hamilton County ranked first. Boone County was second.
