Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Indianapolis Monthly

THIRTY-THREE years ago, when I was a senior in high school, my best friend went into his backyard in the still of a cold spring morning, pointed his stepfather’s service revolver to his heart, and took his life. I was shocked when my girlfriend called that Sunday morning with the awful news, but I wasn’t surprised. Days earlier, my friend had shared with me his intention, which I mistook for a bluff. “Go ahead,” I said. “I won’t go to your funeral.” I would say that reading Mary Milz’s moving account (p. 60) of parents trying to come to terms of the deaths of their adult twin sons—both of whom, sadly and amazingly, died by suicide six years apart—dredged up painful memories, but that would be untrue. Rarely a day…

How does it feel, knowing that this is your last season with the team? I think, in a way, the pandemic helped prepare me for this. I spent a lot of time at home instead of the office, and there wasn’t a [typical] 2019–20 season. So I guess it hasn’t really struck me yet. I imagine it will, however, when we get to the last 10 games or so. Are you doing anything different this year? The Pacers are letting me travel to where I want to go to, so I’m trying to hit every city at least once more. Just to hook up with some of my longtime friends in the press. Being able to see some of the media people I’ve dealt with over the years is nice.…

After five successful years in Greenfield, Francis + Fern owner Kim Pauszek looked to Mass Ave for her second boutique. “It’s a special community,” says Pauszek. “Everyone is encouraged to be exactly who they want to be.” And what she wants to be is the proprietor of a place that brightens your day. The rosy exterior of Francis + Fern befits its boho sweetness. Inside? A “Livin’ My Best Life” neon sign—and more pink. Pauszek thinks the hue sets an uplifting tone. “I wanted it to be feminine, to serve up major girl-power vibes.” The shop carries an array of items, especially jewelry, by women-owned companies. Clothing racks are a mix of versatile basics—Z Supply pocket tees are best-sellers—and pieces with a wow factor that lean toward ’90s trends. “Think…

ROGERIO AND RUBY Tregnago, owners of the food truck–turned–Garage Food Hall vendor Gaucho’s Fire, have cast two of their most popular items in a spinoff. This summer, the couple plans to open Sal & Pimenta, also inside The Garage, devoted to kebabs and fries. “We will have a grill just focused on skewers, and people will be able to order their meat exactly the way that they want it—medium, medium-rare, or well done if that’s what they prefer,” says Ruby. She is originally from Colombia, and her husband from Brazil, which influenced the meat-centric menu at Sal & Pimenta (which translates to “salt and pepper”). Their version of South American grilled-meat pinchos will range from bacon-wrapped chicken to shrimp to that Brazilian steakhouse favorite—succulent, tender picanha, the flavor-dense top sirloin…

FUTURO THIS DOWNTOWN pizza shop is dialed in on perfecting its recipes, all of which can be made vegan without losing any of that saucy, gooey flavor. Co-owner Sarah St. Aubin recommends the Veglord Detroit-style pizza with vegan cheese and additional vegan Italian crumbles sourced from Nashville, Tennessee’s BE-Hive Deli & Market. The locally famous deep-dish pie pairs crispy, cheesy edges with a crust sturdy enough to support a layer of melty plant-based mozzarella and a mountain of toppings. If that’s not enough carbs for you, Futuro’s fat breadsticks can also be made vegan. Stay tuned for an upcoming sister restaurant, Grump’s Slice Stop. 19 Cruse St., 317-360-4725, futuroindy.com 10TH STREET DINER A SIGN ON the red brick building along East 10th Street features a large tomato, the only clue…

MARY MILZ Freelance writer Mary Milz was stunned when she first saw photos of Joe and Will Lawrance’s artwork on Facebook. “The depth, complexity, and diversity of their pieces was just incredible,” she says. Not long after, Milz learned that both young men had died by suicide (p. 60). “It’s an unimaginable loss,” she says, “yet the Lawrance parents see tremendous gifts in what their sons left behind.” SETH JOHNSON Freelance writer Seth Johnson reports on Indiana music for several publications, so he was already quite familiar with the IU Soul Revue, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this month (p. 25). “With alumni like Kevon Edmonds and Durand Jones, the group has played a major role in Indiana’s musical history,” he says. “It’s amazing how big an imprint our state…

Q: I’VE HEARD THAT AS INDIANA’S RURAL POPULATION DECREASES, ANIMALS THAT ONCE LIVED IN THE STATE ARE RETURNING. WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS OF THE HOOSIER STATE ONCE AGAIN HOSTING BEARS, BOBCATS, AND WOLVES? A: According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, many of the fuzzy boys that originally inhabited our state are slowly making their way back. Black bears are infiltrating the southern part of the state from Kentucky, while at the same time, ursine pioneers from Michigan are exploring the state’s northern counties. Bobcats are already here, slowly reclaiming the state’s hilly southern forests. And wolves living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula might, in a few decades, find their way here. As for Indiana’s onceplentiful bison, the only place you’ll see those is at farms and on the state…

Resides in the Who North America museum in Camby DOCTOR WHO? That’s exactly what the rest of the world was saying while Britain went crazy for the TV program when it got its start in the 1960s. Today, Doctor Who is television’s longest-running science fiction show and has legions of American fans, some of whom will be at this month’s Indiana Comic Convention (April 15–17). Just 20 miles southwest of the Convention Center resides one of the world’s largest collections of Doctor Who memorabilia. At Who North America in Camby, owner Keith Bradbury exhibits thousands of objects related to the show, including this life-sized replica of a Dalek. Built by engineer Ben Van De Weghe, the cyborg took more than a year to construct. When Bradbury opened the current location…

Darran Mosley Lead vocalist of The Dynamics “There was a singer way back in the day named Jackie Wilson, and his nickname was Mr. Excitement. If there’s anybody who fits that bill in our band, it’s Darran Mosley.” Iris Rosa Former director of IU’s African American Dance Company “She developed that dance group into what it is now. Her impact was shaping the lives of so many students over 43 years.” Vernon Williams Community engagement strategist at IUPUI “I always call him Melvin Franklin, who was a bass singer for The Temptations. I listen to his voice and I hear that deep bass, which was always a rarity.”…

WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT FABULOUS HAT? I hate to admit this, but I found it on Amazon. Not all fashion has to be expensive. YOUR INSTAGRAM FEED IS FULL OF COLORFUL FASHIONS. Music and fashion go hand in hand. When you look at a band, there should be a certain aesthetic. WHICH MUSICIANS INFLUENCE YOUR FASHION STYLE? Måneskin, Interpol, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Tyler, the Creator. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE INDY MUSIC SCENE? I would say it’s a burgeoning scene. People in Indiana will be surprised to find there’s a lot of good music in their backyard.…

A Columbus couple converted this famous modernist bank into an indie coffeehouse. YOU CAN’T SAFELY send a honey-ginger latte through a pneumatic banking tube, it turns out. But don’t think Tyler and Alissa Hodge, owners of Lucabe Coffee Co. in Columbus, didn’t give it their best shot. When the couple purchased the iconic 1960s Irwin Union and Trust bank building last year with the goal of repurposing it as their second coffeehouse in town, they took great pains to preserve (and in some cases restore) the striking glazed-brick structure’s architectural integrity. That was especially true of its 50-foothigh towers, four glazed-brick “legs” that gave this MCM landmark designed by noted Chicago-based architect Harry Weese its nickname: the Dead Horse. “We decided to go back to the original design and serve…

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

( BUZZWORTHY ) Foundational Beliefs Adam Wren’s January story on the Liberty Fund encouraged a lot of free speech about the organization. Terrific reporting by Adam Wren on an organization very important to political scholars. As a poor grad student, I really welcomed their inexpensive editions of the works of Adam Smith, David Hume, and Michael Oakeshott. MICHAEL RUSHTON Via Twitter Wow. This is some amazing reporting. I think I’m going to send it to my Senate-confirmed attorney friend. JAIMIE CAIRNS Via Twitter Great work. Gripping and sad. ED WENCK Via Twitter Truly excellent reporting from one of the best in the business. He uncovers stories that matter in places not everyone will look, and has the courage to dig in when others won’t. STEVE ROGERS Via Twitter This, on…

Stay a few feet back from the battling reenactors—those swords are real. Buy a drinking horn from one of the vendors so you can fill it with ale and wash down that giant turkey leg. If you have kids, bring enough cash for a Viking shield. They’re going to want one. Stretch before you volunteer for the keg toss, or risk having your injury attended to by a guy in chainmail. Embrace the bagpipes. They’re everywhere. Leave your dog at home. The wolves and falcons on site do not mix well with pets. Try to ignore the enormous fulfillment centers surrounding the festival. Otherwise, it kind of kills the mood.…

Take a seat, metal folding chairs. Polywood’s eco-friendly Adirondack chair comes in a dozen styles and a rainbow of 14 colors, ranging from calming Pacific Blue to eye-catching Tangerine and rich Mahogany. Even better, each piece from the Syracuse, Indiana, manufacturer is made from recycled high-density polyethylene plastic, keeping milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles out of landfills. Check out a chair in person at Kittle’s Furniture showroom in Castleton or RG Decor on West 96th Street. Modern Adirondack Chair in Aruba, $329, polywood.com…

317 Charcuterie opened last year at Carmel City Center, dealing in the kind of photo-ready inventory of salami rivers and meat roses currently splashed across everyone’s social media. Founder Emily Hauser composes a variety of to-go and dine-in boards that feed up to 10, as well as catered “graze tables” and individual boxes containing darling combinations of rich manchego, cheddar, and goat cheeses; nibbles of cured meats; fresh seasonal fruit; and chocolate peanut butter cups that will make the perfect addition to your office party or Instagram grid. Carmel City Center, 317-564-0034, 317charcuterie.com…

DEAN SAMPLE grew up in the small town of Paragon, Indiana. His grandparents farmed corn and soybeans. His dad owned a machine shop. Sample—a bit of a black sheep who played guitar in a death metal band—chose culinary school over the family’s rural business trajectory, dreaming of one day opening a country-style restaurant that served the kind of food he grew up eating. Somewhere along the way, the gourmet life pulled him in the direction of fine dining. He landed a series of covetable jobs at Oakleys Bistro, Meridian Restaurant, and Northside Social, though he usually gravitated toward the more casual end of those restaurant menus. “I’ve always wanted to do something that my family could come to,” he says. Sample regards his next project, Big Bear Biscuits, as the…

WHEN BETTY WEESNER, the longtime owner of Danville’s town newspaper, The Republican, died in the winter of 2016, we held her funeral at Weaver & Randolph Funeral Home, where I sat in a daze, worrying Rupert Murdoch would buy the paper and turn it into a scurrilous rag. Instead, Jerry Vornholt, a local real estate investor, purchased the newspaper building only to discover The Republican came with it. By that thread of connection, he became the owner of the oldest continuous business in Hendricks County and the boss of its no-nonsense editor, Betty Bartley. I’m using the word “boss” in the technical sense, since Jerry is a smart man and does whatever Betty tells him to do. The paper is Republican in name only, its title a leftover from the…