Home//Indianapolis Monthly/September 2018/In This Issue
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Suite MemoryDisney’s Contemporary Resort—specifically its iconic A-frame tower—was the first hotel to really capture my imagination. And even though I was 10 and had little to no understanding of architecture or design, I could tell the Contemporary was meant to feel like the gateway to a kaleidoscopic future that stood in contrast to the era’s harvest golds and avocado greens.While we were planning our stay, one of my aunts had shared some of their Disney travel brochures from a past trip when her kids were about my age. On the cover of one was an image of the monorail gliding through the hotel and toward the theme park, which served as a blank screen for me to project the make-believe vacation of my dreams. The hotel, which opened in 1971, was…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Mock the VoteThis fall’s Joe Donnelly–Mike Braun Senate race is looking like a hot one—to the point that President Trump has already coined a schoolyard taunt for Donnelly. “Sleeping Joe” doesn’t quite measure up to “Low-Energy Jeb,” but that’s OK; Hoosier politics offers a long history of better nicknames.Paul Mcnu*tt was an ambitious Democratic governor. But after he squabbled with unions, one organizer started referring to him as “Hoosier Hitler”—a charge historians think slowed his rise in the national party.Charles Fairbanks, a transplant from Ohio, served as VP for Theodore Roosevelt after representing Indiana in the U.S. Senate. Because he seemed calm and distant, he was known as the “Indiana Icicle.”Schuyler Colfax was Ulysses Grant’s VP; thanks to his cheerful personality, colleagues called him “Smiler” Colfax.During his 1876 bid for governor, Benjamin…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018The TicketBest BetsMUSIC8/31–9/16International Violin Competition of IndianapolisThe best young violinists in the world compete in this quadrennial contest at the Schrott Center, Hilbert Circle Theatre, and other venues. Among other prizes, the loan of a 1683 Stradivarius goes to the winner. violin.org9/6Counting CrowsFor those counting the years since this chart-topping band debuted, it’s up to 25 now. They perform at Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center. livenation.com9/13–22Indy Jazz FestActs from around the country swing into town for 10 days of concerts, master classes, and panel discusssions at venues across Indianapolis. indyjazzfest.net9/14Lady AntebellumThe five-time Grammy-winners are joined by Darius Rucker this time around at Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center. livenation.com9/15Alison KraussClowes Hall hosts the queen of bluegrass as she tours in support of last year’s Windy City. butlerartscenter.com9/15Taylor SwiftThe biggest pop star on…4 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Armed and DangerousFor purse junkies already stocked with the It brands, Carousel Bags is spinning out a solution. The online shopping service, based just south of Muncie, is a gateway to hundreds of hard-to-find styles from indie designers around the world—and the brainchild of Hoosier Irene Martz. All the bags retail for $120 or more, but for a subscription of $29 per month, you can have a steady supply of clutches, satchels, and totes, all sophisticated in style and structure. First you add a few to your “rotation,” which acts as a sort of wish list. One selection ships to you right away, with each monthly payment going toward its price. When it’s paid off, you get another bag from the list. To skip the wait, pony up your balance and carry…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018De’Sean Ta-Jae’, Fashion DesignerLOVE THAT … KILT?It’s actually a frayed-hem handkerchief skirt styled in a contemporary layered way. It’s from Love Your Body Boutique.AND ARE THOSE BONES ON YOUR NECKLACE?I made it using mother-of-pearl shell shards, African wood beads, and metal findings.WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?Feminine, slightly edgy, well-tailored.MORNING DRESS ROUTINE?I look for color first. Then I pair that top or bottom with a more neutral palette. Can’t forget a good pair of boots.WHICH DESIGNER WOULD YOU LOVE TO WORK WITH?Alexander McQueen. I would have absorbed everything he did and said.…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018OM SCHOOLINGOLIVIA RONEY HAS been teaching martial arts to preschoolers across Indiana for more than 10 years, and she has noticed that many parents commiserate over the same thing: the shrinking attention spans of kids. Roney calls it “monkey mind,” a Buddhist term for restlessness, swinging from one thought to another. Rather than try to force calm on her students in a time-out, Roney created the concept of “chime out,” using sound meditation techniques she learned in yoga-teacher training to quiet the racing thoughts of distracted children.Your Chime, her illustrated children’s book about monkey mind, comes with a metal chime bowl and wooden striker ($50 for the set; yourchime.org) and has step-by-step instructions for a 14-second sound meditation. Fourteen seconds sounds quick, but Roney and her staff got such great feedback…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Aw, ShucksEven a basic elotes recipe reads like a dangerously delicious flavor bomb. Ears of roasted corn are slathered in crema and mayonnaise under a crumbly cheese coating of tart cotija ignited with the essence of chili and lime. At Festiva, the colorful all-season taqueria now helmed by George Muñoz, the traditional Mexican street food gets an extra ingredient: crushed Takis. The fiery corn chips (like intensely seasoned Doritos) are having a moment right now—the star of both third-grade lunch boxes and YouTube taste-test videos. The chip dust adds crunch and lights up the last of summer’s sweet corn. 1217 E. 16th St., 317-635-4444, festivaindy.com…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018LIKE A VIRGINNext Door Eatery4573 N. College Ave., 317-643-3480, nextdooreatery.comCan’t decide? Try a flight of liquor-free libations at Kimbal Musk’s SoBro spot. The tang of the Next Door Rickey hits your tongue before you realize there are no spirits in this sipper. Orange bitters and lime are mixed with an equally crisp gin replacement: ginger ale.Punch Bowl Social120 S. Meridian St., 317-249-8613, punchbowlsocial.comA complicated concoction poured into a wide-mouth jar, the Chef’s Cup—a soda-water riff on the Pimm’s Cup—sweetly pulls together the flavors of muddled cucumber and lemon with housemade cardamom syrup and currants that float in the mix.Conner’s Kitchen + Bar350 W. Maryland St., 317-405-6100, connersindy.comFor the slightly sweet, herbaceous Blackberry Thyme Lemonade, the namesake ingredients are muddled with lemon juice and strained into a tall glass. A whiff of the…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Smoked Beet Corzetti1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018BLACKBERRY FARMRATE$795 per nightWE RECOMMENDAn anniversary trip blackberryfarm.comCURLED UP in a rocking chair atop the grassy hill behind Blackberry Farm’s Main House as the sun cracks above the Great Smoky Mountains—making them smolder in the early-morning light—you begin to understand why so many travelers are willing to part with a paycheck to spend the weekend at the heralded East Tennessee resort. The 4,200-acre property’s hospitality and culinary prowess are spoken of in whispered awe among the luxury travel set, bewitched by the elevated take on the simple joys of rural life. Return to your room after dinner to the crackle-and-pop of a wood-burning fire lit for you and a fridge already stocked with your favorite wine.At least half of the guests are here specifically for the food. Blackberry Farm was purchased…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018GO FOR THE ArtIn NatureLocated in northeast Ohio, The Inn at Honey Run ($189/night, innathoneyrun.com) has built its own sculpture park to attract visitors. Huge art installations such as a life-sized cuckoo clock and a 10-foot-tall scrap-metal totem pole fill the forest surrounding the hotel. A trail wanders by several of the works, and becomes one itself with haiku poems on stones along the path.In StudioMilwaukee’s Pfister Hotel ($279/night, thepfisterhotel.com) sponsors an artist-in-residence on the ground floor. This year, fashion designer Stephanie Schultz sketches, cuts, and sews dresses in the studio for all to see. Because the hotel has a world-class Victorian art collection, she’s creating outfits inspired by the era that will debut in a fashion show this winter.…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018ALIYAH TREEHOUSE CABINRATE$197 per nightWE RECOMMENDFall foliage season climbtreeswithearthjoy.comTHERE’S A TREE in the room. As in: a more-than-100-year-old, two-foot-wide trunk right there in the middle, lichen and all, reaching straight through the roof, one of two red oaks that support the cabin. Neighboring limbs hold a second bedroom cabin accessible by a suspended rope-and-plank bridge to a deck. It’s an excellent place to sleep, without light or sounds, except for the nighttime woods.It’s trees as far as the eyes can see. The woods hold different marvels all times of year, so there’s no off-season at EarthJoy Tree Adventures, where the cabin resides. Owners Shelly and Bill Byrne have prepared, as well, installing a generator to power the AC unit. Guests also relax with a hammock below, a stacked-stone fire pit, cafe seating…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018WEST BADEN SPRINGS HOTELRATE$259 per nightWE RECOMMENDSummer and fall frenchlick.com/hotels/westbadenHANG A RIGHT at the sign and drive to the top of the hill, Kyle says, heading to the 11th hole. This group is going to play up a tee box—and that really means up. Find your phone, too, the forecaddie advises.Oh, the phones are out. We have been giving our cameras more of a workout than our wedges, which is saying something because the course is tearing apart our golf games. But we’ll trade birdies for the breathtaking vistas just two hours south of Indy at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick, which one golf magazine ranks among the best non-private golf courses in America.The view from the West Baden Springs Hotel’s interior balcony rooms overlooking the historic atrium are constantly inviting,…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018GO FOR THE MusicLearnSoutheast Ohio’s Fur Peace Ranch ($1,700/weekend, furpeaceranch.com) is more a spectacular guitar lesson that happens to come with a cabin than the other way around. But when legends like Warren Haynes, G.E. Smith, and Guy Clarke are jamming with you and offering pointers for two days, who even wants to sleep?ListenFree monthly music programming at the Freehand Hotel ($216/night, freehandhotels.com/chicago) in its Broken Shaker bar is designed to offer a taste of Chicago’s best local talent. The new improv-jazz series “Time / Space” showcases a different bandleader and trio each month. Past shows have included a Pitchfork-themed event and a Lollapalooza after-party with a performance by Brandy. If turntables are more your thing, follow the cool kids to the top level of the Ace Hotel Chicago ($300/night, acehotel.com/chicago). The Waydown…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018THE MESSY GENIUS OF JONATHAN BROOKSAT BEHOLDER on East 10th Street, one day before the grand opening, cooks are charring perfectly good garden vegetables on a hot grill. It can be said: Cucumbers are burning. Their skins are starting to swell from the heat.Nearby, several new bartenders are in training at the bar in front of three highballs. They note the garnishes and mixes in journals as dim house music plays overhead. On the stove, three pots simmer. Between the bar and the grill station, there’s a four-day-old newspaper and a splay of invoices. The house checkbook stands unmanned for a moment, next to a small truck made out of Legos, amid a forest of wine bottles. An assistant pastry chef paces, looking down at her calculator, then across the pass-through at a workstation populated…13 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018WELCOME TO HOME-A-RAMA 2018!THE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS is thrilled to welcome you to this year’s First Internet Bank Home-A-Rama. This show is nothing short of remarkable, featuring six custom-built, fully decorated and landscaped homes in Westfield’s Chatham Hills neighborhood.These homes, built by members of the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI), showcase all the latest trends in technology, design, outdoor living and landscaping, and much more. You’re sure to leave with plenty of ideas for your new or existing home.The builders will be available to answer questions, give advice, and discuss their uniquely built showcase homes. Many of the designers and suppliers will also be on hand to provide information about their products and services.We would like to encourage you to visit BAGI.com to find a builder, remodeler, or supplier, or…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018BECLEY BUILDING GROUP, INC.TOUR HOME 1 FIRST INTERNET BANK HOME-A-RAMA CHATHAM HILLS • 2018FLOORPLANSmain levelupper levellower levelBECLEY BUILDING GROUP, INC.Jason Deckard and Michael Rocchio4660 Lisborn Dr.Carmel, IN 46033317-816-0789mike@becleybg.combecleybg.comBUILDER PHILOSOPHY: Our goal is to create a style and aesthetic that has a timeless, classic appearance while keeping up to date with current trends and designs. Quality craftsmanship and design take priority over all else. Attention to detail and the needs of the client are paramount to our goals.SHOW HOME APPROACH: With this home, we took some of our favorite features from a variety of styles and blended them together harmoniously. Visitors will see clean lines complementing traditional Indiana building values with a hint of New Orleans influence, adding an element of fun. This is a family home that’s truly functional for everyday living, but…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018SCOTT B. CAMPBELL CUSTOM HOMESTOUR HOME 4 FIRST INTERNET BANK HOME-A-RAMA CHATHAM HILLS • 2018FLOORPLANSmain levelupper levellower levelSCOTT B. CAMPBELL CUSTOM HOMESScott Campbell6302 W. Foster Branch Rd.Pendleton, IN 46064765-778-2738scottcampbellcustomhomes.comBUILDER PHILOSOPHY: Your custom home must be unique unto itself. Scott Campbell works closely with skilled craftsmen to bring a customer’s blank canvas and vision to life. He builds undeniably unique homes in the area’s most spectacular neighborhoods and on Central Indiana’s most inspiring private home sites, including three Indianapolis Monthly Dream Homes. Growing up in the homebuilding business gave Scott a strong foundation while continuing a family tradition for quality, value, and complete customer satisfaction. With a host of experienced architects, interior designers, and master craftsmen, everyone at Scott B. Campbell Custom Homes will embrace your ideas, visions, and imagination. Expressions of the client’s personality…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018ContributorsAbby Gardner• Freelance writer Abby Gardner isn’t embarrassed to be a fan of Taylor Swift and John Green. “I’m a 42-year-old teenager in many ways,” she says. So researching the lovefest between the two (p. 17) was a no-brainer. “If they’re looking for someone to join them for dinner on Mass Ave, I’ll happily clear my schedule.”Tom Chiarella• Sampling the cooking of Jonathan Brooks (p. 84) was a rare treat for freelance writer Tom Chiarella, who lives 40 miles away. But his favorite meal is more pedestrian: fried smelt at the Bainbridge Tap. “A good basket of smelt with a beer is the perfect end to a summer afternoon,” he says.Elizabeth Hutchison• Freelance writer Elizabeth Hutchison recently moved to Nashville, and celebrated with a Tennessee bucket-list trip—Blackberry Farm (p. 70).…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Phoenix TheatreBravo! Free parking in the Illinois Street lot. Eat first. Unlike the longtime Mass Ave location, there are few options in this dining desert. Don’t hold your breath for Annie or Shakespeare. Phoenix doesn’t do revivals. But it does now do concerts and spoken-word shows. Potentially hot (and noncontroversial) ticket: local premiere of Bright Star, the Steve Martin/Edie Brickell musical (September 21–October 7). Check your ticket. Two shows can run at once. The new layout means everyone will see you slink in late. So don’t. No assigned seats. If you’re picky, come early. Avoid bringing up Bryan Fonseca. The cofounder’s June departure is a sore spot for some. This is professional, not amateur, theater. Expect—nay, demand—quality.…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018THE NAKED TRUTHQ: THERE ARE A LOT OF NUDIST RESORTS IN INDIANA. OF ALL PLACES, WHY HERE?A: Indiana does host a respectable number of places where guests can let it all hang out—from the Sunshower Country Club in Centerville to the Ponderosa Sun Club in Roselawn. Though states such as Florida have many more, Indiana’s seven clubs are enough to tie it with New York and Ohio as the nation’s fifth-most nude-friendly state. That’s an odd honor for a place where you can’t go outside in your birthday suit for much of the year. Perhaps Hoosiers dig nudist resorts for the same reason people who live in cold climates buy convertibles: When the warm months roll around, they want to take full advantage. “Some people just want to shed those layers of…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Poster ChildTales of Genji IIIPart of a series by abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler, this print took two years to create, and necessitated learning an ancient form of Japanese woodcutting. “It took a lot of trial and error to invent the method for making this type of print,” Tyler says. “It’s a tribute to years of experimentation.” The final composition used 18 woodblocks and two stencils, and is printed on handmade paper.Nude with Blue HairArtist Roy Lichtenstein referenced comic books in much of his work, but that didn’t mean his compositions were simple. Though it looks like something that was hurriedly printed on pulp stock, this piece is a seven-color relief print on housemade paper. “It couldn’t be more direct, it couldn’t be more simple, but it’s also extremely complex,” Tyler says.…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018SHOE SHINEHANG OUTThe stylish French tuck isn’t for amateurs. Regular guys can still clean up their shirt game the Hoosier way—with tails made to be worn over the waistband. Call it flab-ouflage if you want (The New Yorker did), but the styles from UNTUCKit are a hit with those tired of long, baggy shirts. Indy’s new store, a first for the state, carries more than 75 butt oned styles for men (and 21 for women). We’ll have one of each. $68 and up. The Fashion Mall, 317-564-0050, untuckit.com…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018FLIGHT OF FANCYJULIE GOOTEE’S bumper sticker could read, “I brake for butterflies.” The artist, who is based in Bloomington, has been pulling over to salvage lifeless swallowtails, monarchs, and red-spotted purples since 2007. “There’s so much beauty scattered along the roadsides,” she says. Gootee collects wings, then sandwiches them between glass sheets. After careful soldering and a few embellishments, each insect’s delicate patterns come alive once more in earrings and pendants. “The process frames each wing in a way,” she says, “so people see something different that they haven’t noticed before.”Whether using just a small section or a full wing, Gootee starts with sketches and paper templates. “I make a copy of the wing so I don’t have to handle it again until it’s ready to be put in the glass,” she…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018A GOOD APPLEIT’S A WARM AFTERNOON in the small cafe at Tuttle Orchards. At the center of it all is Kelly Kimpton, the very picture of calm. She takes an order for a tomato-and-mozzarella sandwich with an apple-cider slushie, rings it up, and delivers the food before anyone realizes she’s also the executive chef at this 90-year-old family farm. The Culinary Institute of America–trained chef once helped run the kitchen at the luxe Miraval spa in Arizona and managed a $12 million budget and 400 food-service employees at IU Health. It turns out her happiest place is down a country road in Greenfield, Indiana, where chicken potpies get served on granny tablecloths. “I felt a connection to them,” Kimpton says of the Tuttle family.Kimpton found her way here after enduring a grind…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Nick Domogalik Handle Bar driverAS THE SUN sets on a warm night in Indy, the HandleBar cruises 7 miles per hour down Capitol Avenue. The 16-person bicycle pub may look clunky, but its passengers are the epitome of cool.Justin Timberlake is singing “SexyBack.” Lena Peters, 23, a native Russian, plays bartender and dances in her red shirt with peekaboo holes, long hair flying. Forget pedaling. Passengers groove in their seats, loud, buzzed, happy to have the breeze wash over them. Passing cars honk their approval, their envy.A white van pulls up at a stoplight. In an act of spontaneous benevolence, a pedaling partier hands over a beer. That’s when HandleBar driver Nick Domogalik, the only one sober, steps in to be the adult.“No, you can’t give him a beer,” he calls back, his voice…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018GO FOR THE DrinksBeerJust days ago, Columbus, Ohio, welcomed the DogHouse (from $162/night, brewdog.com), the first craft beer hotel in the world, and known for its in-room beer taps. In addition to views of the new BrewDog tank room interior and a built-in beer fridge in the shower, each room features a tap that pours your favorite IPAs, porters, and sours.WineHappy hour is even more cheerful thanks to complimentary daily tastings at the wine-and-cheese shop inside Wabash’s extensively restored and surprisingly elegant Charley Creek Inn ($159/night, charleycreekinn.com). The lobby bistro makes up for its small size with a surprisingly large array of vino, craft beer and spirits, and artisan cheese, much of it from Indiana makers.…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 201821C MUSEUM HOTELRATE$299 per nightWE RECOMMENDWinter—it’s cozy 21cmuseumhotels.com/louisvilleYOU WOULDN’T THINK cross-breeding the Big Lebowski’s lived-in Pendleton cardigan with David Crosby’s walrus-y mustache would work as a hotel concept. But throw in a candy-colored ceiling that looks like Grandma’s old quilt ran into the Partridge Family’s bus, and in the words of The Dude, it really ties the room together.“Asleep in the Cyclone”—a functional art installation of an actual hotel room, with a record player, albums, and a look-but-don’t-touch curio cabinet—is all that and more from artists Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe. Louisville’s 21c pioneered the art-hotel concept, and this one-off room (all others in the hotel were done by the famous interiors firm Deborah Berke Partners) goes where no other imitator has yet. Steps from the hotel’s galleries, the room draws arched…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018CLAYSHIRE CASTLERATE$200 per nightWE RECOMMENDThe Medieval Faire, September 29 and 30 clayshirecastle.comAS YOU TURN down another half-rock, half-paved road that seems barely wide enough for two cars, skirting a farm field in west-central Indiana indistinguishable from the one you just passed, doubt may start to creep in: Are you really in the right place? Trust your GPS. It will indeed steer you to a wrought-iron gate featuring two Old English C’s and on to the five-room medieval-themed bed-and-breakfast built in 2012 by Douglas and Mary Jo Smock as a way to fill their time in retirement.Though Lord Douglas and Lady Josephine are Middle Ages enthusiasts and longtime fans of Renaissance faires, they smartly realized no one enjoys authentic features from the 13th century. So Clayshire has running water, electricity, heated tile…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018THE AMERICAN CLUBRATE$377 per nightWE RECOMMENDTreating your parents americanclubresort.comIF HOGWARTS OPENED an Ivy League campus, it might look and feel like The American Club. The Tudor manor in the tiny town of Kohler, about an hour north of Milwaukee, enchants with courtyards and wood-paneled libraries sprinkled within the distinguished brick walls. Just when you think you’ve explored every nook and cranny and come across a very hidden garden and located the cafe in a stained-glass greenhouse, you find yet another passageway. This one is lined with historic photos and leads to a lively pub that you didn’t even know was there. Immediately, layers of history peel away. The space was originally a taproom and bowling alley for the building’s earliest residents. The tables are made from the bowling lanes. You just saw…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018URBAN LEGENDSIsaac Bamgbose has never found a rooftop bar he didn’t like. When the 27-year-old isn’t overseeing the development of downtown’s Bottleworks complex, which will debut one of the first West Elm hotels, he soaks up the scene at stylish properties in Midwest cities that create their own perfect worlds, with every detail minded—plus a buzzy restaurant and bar. Here are four favorites:CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (1)Millennium Park, $369 per nightThe entrance to this renovated historic building is unassuming, sharing an elevator foyer with a Shake Shack. “You’re not 100 percent sure where you are,” Bamgbose says. Then the lifts open onto a second-floor magnificent lobby and library, with leather Chesterfield sofas scattered around fireplaces and thick mahogany columns, like you’re in Bruce Wayne’s mansion. A bar and the expansive Game Room…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018GO FOR THE ViewsFrom LandFor those who long for the romance of staying in a lighthouse without all the work of actually maintaining one, Point Betsie ($345/night, pointbetsie.org) near Frankfort, Michigan, will leave the light on. With views of Lake Michigan that border on absurd, the Keeper’s Quarters sleeps up to six. Other lighthouses offer the same program with some work duties, like manning the visitor center.From SeaLake Michigan rocks you to sleep aboard the Manitou windjammer docked in Traverse City, Michigan. Book the Traverse Tall Ship Company’s three- or four-night sails through September (from $635/person, tallshipsailing.com) to sleep in a gleaming wood cabin with two sturdy bunks—or snooze under the stars on the deck (BYO sleeping bag). You can also pitch in as crew. The wind has a lot to do with…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Believe It or notMy Baptist father married my Catholic mother in 1955. Ecumenism hadn’t been invented yet, so both families were horrified, each certain the other family would roast in hell. Over his parents’ objections, my father signed a document promising to raise my siblings and me in the Catholic Church. I was baptized before my father could change his mind. Water was sprinkled on me, words were said over me, and I was saved, just like that, a member of the One True Church, destined for heaven, along with my family, except my father, which is why I cried when the priest sprinkled me with water, sensing even then my dad was screwed.The nuns urged me to pray for my father, in the hope he would see the error of his ways,…16 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018WELCOME TO WESTFIELD!WE ARE HONORED TO BE ABLE TO HOST YET another Home-A-Rama in our community. In Westfield, we strive to make our city a place families want to be. Events like Home-A-Rama help us achieve this goal by showcasing some of our beautiful communities, such as The Lakes at Grassy Branch last year and Chatham Hills this year.While you’re in Westfield, I hope you take the time to enjoy all that our community has to offer. Our downtown features what has been called a “foodie paradise” with local restaurants and pubs that will make your experience one of a kind. Don’t forget to also visit our parks and trails system while you’re here and see why they are award winning.We hope you take time to visit Grand Park, our 400-acre sports…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018WILLIAMS CUSTOM ART BUILDERSTOUR HOME 2 FIRST INTERNET BANK HOME-A-RAMA CHATHAM HILLS • 2018FLOORPLANSlower levelmain levelWILLIAMS CUSTOM ART BUILDERSMark, Steve, and Bill Williams15157 Long Cove Blvd.Carmel, IN 46033317-577-9904stevew@williamscustomartbuilders.comwilliamscustomartbuilders.comBUILDER PHILOSOPHY: Williams Custom Art Builders has been family owned and operated since 1973. We believe there is an art to designing and building your home, and that it’s the little things that make it a true home. We use today’s building technologies while keeping pace with changes in the market and maintaining the essence of the individual home. The client’s vision is our objective, and we implement that through our dedication to detail, honesty, and providing an outstanding product.SHOW HOME APPROACH: By creating tranquil, inviting spaces to enjoy the intricately designed 13th hole of Pete Dye’s Chatham Hills golf course, the timeless architecture developed with…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018OLD TOWN DESIGN GROUPTOUR HOME 5 FIRST INTERNET BANK HOME-A-RAMA CHATHAM HILLS • 2018FLOORPLANSmain levelupper levellower levelOLD TOWN DESIGN GROUPJeff Langston and Matt Huffman1132 S. Rangeline Rd.Carmel, IN 46032317-816-3151jeff@oldtowndesigngroup.comoldtowndesigngroup.comBUILDER PHILOSOPHY: We believe in developing long-term relationships with our clients through a transparent and enjoyable homebuilding process. As the largest in-house design and construction field staff of any custom builder in Central Indiana, we provide a team that listens to your needs and focuses on delivering a personalized experience. Our process is so successful, 95 percent of our clients say they would recommend building with us to a friend or family member.SHOW HOME APPROACH: With the success of our process, it’s no surprise Old Town Design Group is the only homebuilder to showcase client homes in three out of the last five Home-ARama tours.…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018STORIED LANDCHATHAM HILLS CONSISTS OF CUSTOM HOMES, A NEW GOLF course from the most legendary name in the business, and a state-of-the-art community gathering space. But it’s the foundation—the land itself—that takes center stage in the 2018 Home-A-Rama neighborhood.The partners at Henke Development Group knew they had a lot to work with when they purchased the land, which featured unspoiled beauty in its trees, hills, and waterways. And they knew they wanted to preserve it.“It’s so unique for Central Indiana, and certainly Hamilton County, to find rolling terrain with peaks and valleys, so it’s a huge compliment when people say they feel like they are somewhere else when the see how it climbs and falls,” says Betsy Henke Garfield of Henke Development Group.With nearly 75 feet of elevation change throughout, the…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018BUZZWORTHY“We’re good enough for behind-the-scenes work but not to represent? Reminds me of the boys who would admit they liked me but wouldn’t be seen in public with me.”—SARAH BRAMBLETTE, via Twitter“Really good article. MWW has done a lot for me. As time went on, this got more and more perplexing and infuriating.”—BIBI ROSE, via Twitter“The leadership doesn’t seem to fully grasp the damage to Hollowell.”—ERIN ALTMAN, via Twitter“Every organization I know, especially nonprofits, have fat girls running the show, doing all the work. I have been that girl. So I really don’t get what the MWW is doing.”—EVELYN FIELDING LOPEZ, via TwitterCAN FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACTUALLY BE A FORCE FOR GOOD IN SITUATIONS LIKE THE MWW CONTROVERSY?VOTE ON OUR NEXT POLL AT INDIANAPOLISMONTHLY.COM/POLLSIM#ICYMIOur online stories you might have missed.FORGET…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Running ClubIT’S TOO EARLY to tell whether November’s midterm elections will send a blue wave of Democrats into Congress. But in Indiana, we’re certain to see a pink one: A record number of Hoosier women are their party’s nominee this year. Seven of the 18 candidates for the U.S. House in Indiana are women. (The previous record came during the 2016 cycle, when five female major-party nominees populated the ballot.) And a slew of down-ballot candidates are running for seats in the Indiana Statehouse. On the Democratic side of the aisle, five women are vying for spots in Congress, and 45 are running in Statehouse races. On the Republican side, two are running for Congress, while 16 are up for Statehouse seats.Of the Republican candidates for local and state office, half…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018OLD TECH’S NEW FANS EST. 2016TODAY’S COLLEGE KIDS spent their formative years with any information they could possibly want just a few smartphone taps away. They text rather than talk, Google instead of going to the library. Their fingers do the walking, to use an old slogan for an item they’ve probably never used: the Yellow Pages.And yet, instead of turning to Instagram or Snapchat to send a message in a matter of seconds, some prefer to painstakingly toil over ancient technology to get their message across. The University of Indianapolis is one of several Indiana colleges that have unveiled old-fashioned printing studios in the last two years. At its Hullabaloo Press, students piece together posters mixing type and engraved illustrations on wooden blocks. Once a design is finished—so, anywhere from 30 minutes to several…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Andrew BirdYOU BEGAN YOUR CAREER PLAYING CLASSICAL, AND YOU’RE RETURNING TO THOSE ROOTS WITH A TOUR OF ORCHESTRA COLLABORATIONS. WHY NOW? I’ve been considering this for a long time. I’m classically trained, but I haven’t really looked back at that world since I left music school 22 years ago. It’s complicated, my relationship with classical (laughs). But I’m very attuned to tone and texture, and the orchestra is the ultimate instrument.ARE THERE SONGS THAT NATURALLY MAKE SENSE FOR A SET LIST IN A SHOW LIKE THIS? Certain time signatures lend themselves better to the orchestra. I do “Weather Systems” every night, and it has a lot of Debussy and Ravel in it. The groovier, backbeat kind of songs—you’re never going to be totally happy with how those sound in that setting.…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Leather ReportCHRISTIAN RESIAK doesn’t have personal ties to leather. Though handmade fashion runs in his family—his great-grandfather made felt hats—he got started in leather goods out of annoyance. “I saw a poorly made bag that was way too expensive, and I thought, I could make that.” So he did, in his basem*nt, using old leather jackets and a box cutter. And he was pretty good at it. Resiak now peddles his bespoke bags, belts, wallets, and tobacco pouches at his newest iteration of Howl + Hide, located just east of downtown in a 1900s building. He has turned his studio into a buffed-up retail experience with a belt bar, vintage clothing, Fallen Sky western wear, and a small team of leather workers tooling away in full view. The overwhelming saddle-barn scent…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Shelby StreetFERMENTNew Day Craft (1) was once all about honey wine, a nod to owner Tia Agnew’s passion for beekeeping. Today, the Fountain Square tasting room hustles to keep up with demand for that mead and, now, hard cider. It also hosts monthly art shows and offers an intimate space for sipping on a Johnny Chapman cider or a Breakfast Magpie (espresso-infused raspberry mead). 1102 Prospect St., 888-632-3379, newdaycraft.comDANCEThe recent closing of the kitchen at Pioneer (2) broke a few hearts. Happily, its entertainment scene is still going strong. Check out Low Pone, a queer dance party and drag show, the first Saturday of every month. Highlights of the intriguing co*cktail list: the Double Paloma (tequila, mezcal, housemade salted falernum, and grapefruit-acid syrup) and the Movin’ Out (a Negroni variation with…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Appreciating AvrielTUCKED JUST OFF Emerson and 56th (if you blink, you’ll miss it), Ladywood Estates is a quiet midcentury delight. For many, the Avriel Shull–designed condos need no introduction. Yet for those who’ve just discovered it, it feels like stumbling upon one of Indy’s best-kept secrets. Ladywood has a nomination in the works for the National Register of Historic Places, and home values are surging in the community of 55 condo units.Over the past two years, the median selling price has climbed from $105,000 to $165,000, thanks in part to a new HOA board that is committed to maintaining the distinctive atmosphere and making improvements. An advocate for the neighborhood—and Ladywood resident of 10 years—Fred Mills is passionate about preserving the unique history of the home he shares with husband Matthew…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Latin LoveDiscoveryPeer into the kitchen of Tu Casa and you’ll see a quartet of smiling women working away on the day’s specials. At this pan–Latin American spot, where the dishes derive from the seemingly dissimilar traditions of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, count on rib-sticking staples like slow-roasted chicken, sautéed steak and peppers, and bacalao—all served with generous sides of beans, rice, and potato salad. Rich, well-stuffed Venezuelan arepas and beef and cheese empanadas make great light meals. Weekends bring slightly later hours and more elaborate fare, including delectable shredded beef with plantains and beans, plus more daring items such as tripe, goat, and pigeon with coconut. Don’t quibble with the printed menu. Just stop in and see what’s hot, fresh, and delicious. 2989 W. 71st St., 317-295-2644…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Going DeutschIT TAKES SOME linguistic flair to maneuver the schnitzels and spaetzles on the menu at SoBro’s German-accented Liter House. People who can confidently request the frikadellen hamburger or inquire about the blutwurst with an enviable Teutonic twang have an advantage over the unschooled (or someone who short-sightedly chose French as her high school foreign language and can therefore barely order un Orangina). But once correctly pronounced—and delivered on heavy white plates in an equally unfancy dining room of painted concrete-block walls—this far-fetched food seems right at home. In Indiana, of all places.That shouldn’t surprise anyone. “Our state food is basically a breaded pork tenderloin,” says Liter House co-owner Eddie Sahm. And you don’t have to be Albert Einstein or Heidi Klum to detect the German influence—that the breaded pork tenderloin…5 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018Logging OffONE RECENT morning, I walked down the hallway to my office, sat at my computer, and tried to open my email, without success. A notice from AT&T popped up telling me our broadband service was not available and to try again in 15 minutes, which I did, but it still didn’t work. So I phoned AT&T and spoke to a pleasant man in India who promised to send someone to our house in three days to repair the cable leading to our home. I panicked, wondering how I would get by without the internet that long; then I remembered I could receive email, watch YouTube clips, irritate people on Facebook, and read about motorcycles on my smartphone. Nevertheless, I made it a point to tell everyone the internet service at…6 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018URBAN COWBOYRATE$195 per nightWE RECOMMENDA reunion with old friends urbancowboy.com/nashvilleTHE FRONT DESK is a five-seat wooden bar—pull up a stool. The attendant passes you a metal key on an old tin tag and a couple fingers of Belle Meade bourbon, the modern-day resurrection of a Nashville spirit from the 1800s. That, in a glass tumbler, is what this place is all about.Brooklynites Lyon Porter and Jersey Banks converted this Queen Anne mansion in the heart of East Nashville, which Vogue dubbed the city’s coolest neighborhood. Appropriately, the Urban Cowboy’s vibe is a mix of southwestern and Art Deco, with patterned wallpaper, Persian-style rugs on the hardwoods, and watusi heads and cattle skulls looking down everywhere you turn. Downstairs, guests pick out some tunes in the music room stocked with instruments including…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018MEADOW HOUSERATE$195 per nightWE RECOMMENDAsking about a cancellation—it’s booked solid through 2019 candlewoodcabins.comTHEY SAY people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. If you get the opportunity to kick back in digs this idyllic, why would you want to? The two-level Meadow House, one of three glass-walled structures to rent at Candlewood Cabins, evokes the feeling of wilderness camping without a hint of roughing it. Quite the opposite, in fact. Dramatic staggered stairs and a wraparound deck establish curb appeal from the get-go, and the stunning Prairie-style design blurs the line between indoors and out with unobstructed panoramic views of the wooded grounds through floor-to-ceiling windows on all four sides. Down a set of stairs constructed from reclaimed barn wood, modern creature comforts include an airy kitchenette and an oversized shower in…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018THE INN AT IRWIN GARDENSRATE$250 per nightWE RECOMMENDLate spring, to see the garden in full glory irwingardens.comIN THE MODERNIST architecture mecca of Columbus, this traditional estate in the heart of downtown magnificently counterbalances the city’s contemporary landscape. Past the wrought-iron gate and up the limestone steps, guests are welcomed into the stately foyer, lined in dark woods and ornate embellishments. It was originally built in 1864 as a modest Victorian manor and later renovated into a Edwardian estate of distinguished splendor. Today, the inn remains in nearly the same condition as it was 100 years ago.The first order of business is a necessary tour that meanders through ceremonial sitting rooms and lavishly decorated dining areas, all expertly described by the passionately knowledgeable caretaker. After historic tidbits and design details are rattled off at a…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018GO FOR THE TechRobotsGetting a toothbrush or extra towels delivered at 5 a.m. can be a tall order at some hotels. Not at Hotel EMC2 ($189/night, hotelemc2.com) in downtown Chicago, where a pair of 3-foot-tall robots named Cleo and Leo roam the halls at all hours fulfilling guest requests. Loosely inspired by R2D2, the duo also sometimes greets guests in the lobby.GadgetsThe Boyne Highlands Resort ($89/night, boyne.com) in northern Michigan offers Segway rides, ziplines, and horses, but the newest way to get around is the Golfboard on its 18-hole courses. A surprisingly fast and agile alternative to the golf cart, it’s a motorized scooter that’s as fun as it is practical for people who don’t want to climb in and out of a cart.…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018VROOM SERVICETESLA MODEL SHutton Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee Free transportation within 3 miles.JAGUAR XJ AND 1965 PINK LONDON TAXI (ABOVE)The Langham, Chicago Free drop-off service within 2 miles. For special occasions, such as weddings, they tend to make exceptions.MERCEDES-BENZ SEDANWaldorf Astoria Chicago Free drop-off service within 2 miles.MINI COOPER CLUBMAN AND BMW Z50IThe Peninsula Chicago Free chauffeured service for three hours in the Clubman for suite guests. The BMW is available for all guests for drop-off service within 2 miles.TESLA MODEL SMagnolia St. Louis Free drop-off and pick-up service within 2 miles.LEXUS VEHICLESBlackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee All guests can use the complimentary car service—for an entire day, even—to explore the Smokies.All car services based on availability.…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018GRAND HOTELRATE$329 per person per night, meals includedWE RECOMMENDSummer with grandkids grandhotel.comGLOSSY MAROON carriages—almost all of them over 100 years old—led by magnificent Percherons and Hackneys and steered by a liveried coachman await guests at the ferry dock. Once you glide up the hill to Mackinac Island’s postcard landmark, footmen help you alight in front of the longest porch in the world. It’s an unforgettable introduction to the historic luxury at the Grand Hotel, a rare survivor of the late 1800s. Once, there were more than a thousand wood-framed hotels like this, a place for the elite escaping the summer heat of Midwestern cities. Now, the 332,500-square-foot Grand is one of only 11 remaining.Thank goodness it made it. Otherwise we’d never be escorted into the Main Dining Room by impeccable waiters…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018BEYOND THE ABCSPRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE LONG BEEN LAUDED for their ability to provide students at all levels with enhanced, accelerated, and personalized academic learning experiences. While academics are undeniably important, other factors, values, and life skills also play key roles in student development.“We’re educating these kids for a future that is unknown,” says Diane Borgmann, head of school for Sycamore School. “The most important thing we can do for kids at every level is teach them how to learn and to love to learn.”Sycamore is a school for academically gifted children (preschool through eighth grade) and emphasizes skills such as self confidence and self advocacy. Sycamore also focuses on teaching students to know themselves, to be comfortable in their own skin, and to respect their gifts and talents as well as those…8 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018ArtifactGrammy AwardVINTAGE 1967Resides in an Indiana State Museum storage facilityAT THE INDY JAZZ FEST this month (see p. 26), it’s a safe bet that Wes Montgomery will show up on a few set lists. The Indianapolis native ranks among the greatest jazz guitarists of all time, but until 1966, he was just another talented player on Indiana Avenue. That was the year he released “Goin’ Out of My Head,” which AM radio stations played to exhaustion. The recording won this Grammy for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance several months later, securing a place in history for Montgomery and his innovative thumb-playing style (most guitarists at the time used a pick). Tragically, he died of a heart attack the next year at the age of 45 in his home near Butler University.…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018TOUR DETAILSSHOW DATESSeptember 20–23, September 27–30, and October 4–7HOURSNoon–8 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 7 p.m. to give visitors enough time to experience the homes.ADMISSIONTickets are $15 in advance from bagi.com or $18 at the door. Free admission for kids younger than 12.TOUR AND PARKING MAPTOUR ORDER1 Becley Building Group, Inc.2 Williams Custom Art Builders3 Kent Shaffer Homes with Randy Shaffer Custom Homes4 Scott B. Campbell Custom Homes5 Old Town Design Group6 Arthur Rutenberg Homes (by Christopher Scott)DIRECTIONS AND PARKINGFrom Indianapolis, take I-465 north, exiting at U.S. 31. Travel north approximately 9.5 miles, and take the exit for E. 191st St. At the roundabout, take the third exit and go west. At Tomlinson Rd., turn right and go north. Go past the entrance to Chatham Hills, then turn left onto Cox…1 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018KENT SHAFFER HOMES WITH RANDY SHAFFER CUSTOM HOMESTOUR HOME 3 FIRST INTERNET BANK HOME-A-RAMA CHATHAM HILLS • 2018FLOORPLANSmain levelupper levellower levelKENT SHAFFER HOMES WITH RANDY SHAFFER CUSTOM HOMESRandy Shaffer, Kristen Hale, and Kent Shaffer8649 E. 250 South Zionsville, IN 46077317-409-4750kentshafferbuilders@tds.netkentshafferhomes.comrandyshaffer.netBUILDER PHILOSOPHY: Kent and Randy Shaffer have successfully made dream homes a reality for clients in Central Indiana for more than 30 years. The brothers comprise the second generation of builders in their family, and Kent’s daughter, Kristen, is the third generation. Quality building techniques, attention to detail, and integrity are just a few of the traits inherited over multiple generations in the industry. Blending time-tested skills with modern technology, innovative designs, and premium products results in an unparalleled experience for the client. With the client’s vision in mind, the Shaffers’ onsite approach to building and attention to…3 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018ARTHUR RUTENBERG HOMES (BY CHRISTOPHER SCOTT)TOUR HOME 6 FIRST INTERNET BANK HOME-A-RAMA CHATHAM HILLS • 2018FLOORPLANSmain levelupper levellower levelARTHUR RUTENBERG HOMES (BY CHRISTOPHER SCOTT)Dan Hayes, Melissa Siri, Chris Carnell, Michelle Miller, and Scott Bates20531 Chatham Hills Blvd.Westfield, IN 46074317-430-2642arhindy.comBUILDER PHILOSOPHY: Introducing the new way to build a custom home. Say goodbye to the lengthy and expensive custom-home design process that entails spending months planning a home and not knowing the price and specifications until the design is complete. Our home designs are all priced and ready to build with your customizations. We have an extensive collection of award-winning home designs, from 3,000 to 7,000 square feet, all featuring authentic architectural detailing and styling from cottage to modern to French country. Come visit us at our furnished model in Chatham Hills, open seven days a week…2 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018THREE WAYS TO WESTFIELDJUST NORTH OF CARMEL, THIS SMALL TOWN HAS quickly blossomed into a booming destination for visitors and residents, with exciting new additions continuing to pop up. From breweries and wineries to miles and miles of paved trail systems to chic boutiques, Westfield has places to dine, play, and shop for gals, guys, and families alike.FOR FAMILIESWestfield’s many parks and nearly 86 miles of trails are begging to host your family for a day of hiking, biking, and picnicking. Grand Park, a hub for youth sports, is also home to more than 10 miles of pedestrian foot and bike trails, including a portion of the Monon Trail. The abundant green space, concession stands, and covered shelters make it easy to go on a planned or impromptu picnic.If you’re looking for a…4 min
Indianapolis Monthly|September 2018HOME BASEYOUR MORTGAGE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT investments you will make in your lifetime. It is a long-term commitment that can last up to 30 years, requires a great deal of paperwork, and involves numerous details that can keep you awake at night, wondering if you are doing the right thing. Thankfully, First Internet Bank is ready to help prospective homeowners navigate the loan process.Whether you want to familiarize yourself with the latest real-estate buzzwords, evaluate your budget, calculate your payment, or learn about various financing options, First Internet Bank is available morning, noon, or night. First Internet Bank not only has a library of information available on its website, but also enables prospective homebuyers to apply for loans online, upload necessary documents to a borrower portal, check the…2 min
