Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2022 i Indianapolis Monthly

WE ALWAYS enjoy receiving feedback here at the magazine. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of correspondence. From tweets to emails, voicemails to actual letters, readers pass along all kinds of messages. Sometimes I even hear from former readers—or, more accurately, those who are writing to tell me they are about to become former readers. Take, for example, the woman from Sheridan who turned in her renewal card the other day. A renewal card is that piece of prepaid postage that alerts you when your subscription is about to expire and includes an offer to get you to stay. Sadly, Karen (her real name) amended her renewal card with a note written in pencil that explained she could no longer afford the $12 yearly subscription because voters elected Joe Biden president of…

THIRTY-THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING. The Pacers enter perhaps their most critical offseason in history with something they haven’t had since 1989: a single-digit draft pick. Amazingly, their last such selection was George McCloud, who was taken seventh overall in the 1989 NBA Draft class, ahead of All-Star Shawn Kemp and future Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway. The only other team without a single-digit selection this century is San Antonio, who last drafted in the top nine when they made Tim Duncan the top pick in 1997. A MUST-HIT SCENARIO. “The draft is the Pacers’ best chance to get a franchise-changing talent,” says Scott Agness, Pacers beat writer for Fieldhouse Files. “We’ve become so used to them drafting in the 20s, but at the top of the draft, Indiana must…

MONA ISN’T like other head shops—and that’s exactly how co-owners Jessie Eskew and Mary James envisioned it. On the outskirts of Fountain Square, the minimalistic cannabis-lifestyle store feels like a stylish friend’s living room. Connoisseurs and newbies alike peruse shelves of translucent glass pipes, CBD creams for eczema, and Fluff’s gummies. Shoppers can find out what is or isn’t in any CBD product by scanning a QR code to pull up a third-party lab test report. Not into CBD? Mona stocks Japanese incense sticks, blankets, tarot cards, and CBD-cannabis-free munchies. Eskew, who also owns Onatah General, teamed up with James and fellow Mona co-owners Charlee Black, Rebekah Nolan, and Shaneka Pedersen to create a space free of judgment and open to curiosity, stocked with products from women-and minority-owned businesses, plus…

MELANIE AND TOBY Miles broke the hearts of hardcore Rail enthusiasts when they closed their doors in October 2020 after a nearly seven-year run, but fans still craving a cold-smoked pork chop and gnocchi will be thrilled to hear that the couple is back with a new Rail Cafe and Market in Westfield this summer Although the red barn no longer serves as home base, the new spot offers some more practical perks, like a bigger kitchen. The right side of the building highlights what Toby calls “fast fine” cafe-style breakfast and lunch service, while a gourmet market to the left offers meal prep kits, take-and-bake items, and alcohol. “It’ll be everything people enjoyed before, but evolved,” Toby says. 3300 E. State Rd. 32, Westfield, 317-804-8555…

THE LONG COUNTER and tin ceiling immediately bring to mind an old-timey soda shop. Adding to the charm, this downtown Noblesville favorite serves its frigid treats—crowned with whipped cream and a cherry, if you prefer—in thick, fluted glassware. Milkshakes whip up thick enough to require a spoon. The old-fashioned chocolate sodas, assembled with meticulous care, deliver the perfect, Grandpa-approved fizz. And some say the creamy, Sprite-inflected Sherbet Freeze tastes just like baby-shower punch. 864 Logan St., Noblesville, 317-773-9177, alexandersicecream.com The Scoop Source: Velvet Ice Cream and Blue Bell Ice Cream Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: No Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 36 Dairy-free options…

TUCKED OFF a busy highway, this Avon landmark has been serving up delightful shivers for more than three decades. Be forewarned that the outdoor tables fill up quickly when temperatures soar, populated by families chilling over peanut butter shakes, banana splits, classic Krunch-Kote cones, and generous scoops of triple-chocolate ice cream. The best-selling Frosts blend candy bar bits, chunks of apple pie, cookie dough, and other mix-ins into the soft serve. Deeply rooted in the local community, Frost Bite offers appreciation-day discounts for teachers, police officers, and firefighters, and hosts classic car cruise-ins on Thursday summer nights. 7025 Galen Dr. W., Avon, 317-272-2483 The Scoop Source: N/A Format: Scooped and soft serve Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: No Walk-up window: Yes Flavors: 13 Sugar-free options…

AS MUCH an elegant museum as it is an ice cream parlor, Zaharakos has made downtown Columbus a sweeter place since three brothers from Greece opened it in 1900. (Oldtimers might even recall the days when the popular hangout was known colloquially as The Greeks.) Ancient syrup dispensers are on display behind the white-marble counter, and the grand dining room brims with Tiff any-style furnishings. Sip an old-fashioned ice cream soda or a tongue-staining Green River, or work your way through one of the most satisfying banana splits you have ever tasted—one scoop each of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream—while the resident 1908 Welte orchestrion provides the booming soundtrack. 329 Washington St., Columbus, 812-378-1900, zaharakos.com The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: No Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window:…

LIBBY WYATT decided to reduce her retail inventory and add an ice cream counter to her eclectic Fortville gift shop in 2019, after watching customers pine forlornly for the closed parlor across the street. (A seasonal Libby’s walk-up window joined the mix along the Pennsy Trail in Greenfield last summer.) Thanks to her pioneering efforts, locals can once again contemplate a menu of year-round treats, including scoops of Raspberry Rumble and Espresso Chip, ice cream cookie sandwiches, themed milkshakes, and whimsical Cutie Pies—individual-sized waffle shells filled with ice cream and drizzled in hot fudge. 11 S. Main St., Fortville, 317-747-4434 The Scoop Source: Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: No Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 16 Dairy-free options…

CAPPING OFF Westfield’s Restaurant Row, this cheerful turquoise bungalow provides a meal’s sweet, gourmet finale. That might come in the form of Sugar Cream Pie ice cream, lightly spiced with hunks of buttery crust; Lemon Lavender Shortbread, with lemon curd and a subtle herbal zing; or the ultra-creamy Blueberry Buttermilk. Or you might choose a slice of slab pie, such as coconut cream or apple brown butter crumble, best crowned with—you guessed it—a scoop of vanilla. Across the street, lively Grand Junction Plaza provides the people-watching while you dig in. 205 Park St., Westfield, 317-399-7878, conecrumb.com The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 12 Dairy-free options…

MALASHIA PRINGLE Editorial intern Malashia Pringle played laser tag as a kid, and she was surprised to learn the technology was first introduced by the South Bend Toy Company (p. 22). “Growing up, my first love was toys such as Bratz dolls and Build-A-Bears,” she says. “But I could definitely appreciate learning about how a company in Indiana created one of the most popular toys of the era.” DEREK ROBERTSON As freelance writer Derek Robertson can attest, the world has changed quite a bit since the last time Indy Pride held an in-person festival in 2019 (p. 20). “I moved to Indy for my former role as IM’s digital editor right before the pandemic,” he says. “Moving to a new city where everyone is masked and you can’t even tell…

Q: HOW DO OUTDOOR VENUES LIKE RUOFF MUSIC CENTER DECIDE WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD ENOUGH TO PULL THE PLUG ON A CONCERT? A: Instead of, say, listening for thunder or throwing some hay in the air to see which way the wind is blowing, Ruoff and other area venues rely on a private consulting company called BAM WX. For a fee, the firm provides hyperdetailed weather predictions. Their clients are worldwide, but the local lineup includes the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Butler University, and a slew of high schools. BAM’s forecasts are so precise that they can predict the arrival of a storm at a location to within five minutes. They can also recommend what action to take. “In most cases,” says BAM senior meteorologist Matt Griff on, “we tell…

LASER TAG took the world by storm in the 1980s, but the technology was popularized by a Northern Indiana business that had little experience with electronics. The South Bend Toy Company had been around since 1874, manufacturing games and toy cars. When the first Star Trek film became a hit in the late 1970s, the SBTC decided to take their shot at capitalizing on the hysteria. Using infrared laser technology that had been developed by the military for training, the toy company created Star Trek–themed guns with a transmitter and a sensor. Soon, the market was overwhelmed with competitors. Just a few years later, Milton Bradley—which had purchased the business—decided to close the South Bend plant. Today, that building is home to another thing loved by the town’s children: the…

Vampire Weekend I’ve never seen them in concert. And the most credible music magazine in Ohio, Cleveland Scene, called their 2019 performance there one of the 50 best concerts in the last 50 years.” Bastille “They make really great global pop songs. They remind me of Duran Duran, which was an international act. With Bastille, I think it works in New Zealand, it works in South Africa, and it works in America.” Detention “This is a group of high school kids from Ohio who are fronted by this outrageous 17-year-old girl with green hair. They’re getting airplay on Sirius XM’s Faction Punk station. I think they’re going to blow people in Indianapolis away.”…

YOU ROCK ACCESSORIES! I love beaded, handmade necklaces from Oaxaca, Mexico. The symbolism of flowers is ingrained in Mexican tradition. I often have flowers in my hair to remind me of my culture. WHAT ELSE CONNECTS YOU TO YOUR HERITAGE? Every time I go to Mexico, I buy beautiful skirts. I want to incorporate the fashions of the communities where my parents come from. DO YOU FOLLOW TRENDS? Trends come and go, right? People know you for your style. My daughter says, “You dress so crazy, but everything looks so good.” I say, “This is just me.” YOUR FASHION HEROES? Frida Kahlo, Zendaya, Priyanka Chopra. I admire women who honor their culture and are so stylish at the same time.…

STREET SAVVY SIP AND NOSH Ensconced in a circa-1900 building, Wine Market & Table (1) trots out small plates to pair with an approachable wine list. Try deviled eggs with truffle Parmesan or a dish of rainbow trout, peppered salmon, whitefish, cornichons, and shallot jam. As you leave, shop the wine annex. 1110 Shelby St., 317-493-1010, winemarketindy.com CRAVE New chef Chris Trevino of Thin Glizzy fame put his spin on Thunderbird’s (2) Southern fare. Hits are the fried chicken sandwich and the pimento cheese dip with crispy, salted chicken skins. The $10 classic cocktails, like the Champs Elysees, a concoction of Sacred Bond brandy, Green Chartreuse, lemon, and angostura bitters, are far from basic. Fountain Square denizens lean upon their savory standbys aft er a night of drinking. Just weave…

When Pedro Ulloa opened Le Croissant French Bakery in Greenwood late this past winter, the bakeshop was instantly mobbed, with “Sold Out” signs often going up before noon. Take one look at the cases, and you’ll understand why. Piles of plump, lacquered croissants, fruit-topped Danishes, and brioche rolls will have you pressing your nose against the glass. So be sure to set your alarm, whether your morning fix is a croissant stuff ed with strawberries and Chantilly cream or a savory slice of quiche Lorraine with a puff-pastry crust and silky, just-set custard. 916 E. Main St., Greenwood, 317-360-9263…

RED JALAPEÑO MUSTARD Sheridan’s LocalFolks Foods makes this deliciously pungent spread speckled with seeds and spices. The flavor opens with a huff of apple cider vinegar, followed by a powerful but quick explosion of jalapeño heat. localfolksfoods.com CTHULHU In addition to rubs and sauces, Hoosier pitmaster John Barker makes this potent, full-seed mustard as part of his Skull and Mortar line of flavor bombs. Fittingly, it takes its name from one of H.P. Lovecraft’s fictional beasts. skullandmortar.com PLUM MUSTARD Wildwood Market packages an extra-grainy spread that has a hint of fruitiness. Unusually delicate and well balanced, it belongs on a charcuterie board between the salami and soft cheese. 1015 Virginia Ave., 317-737-2653, wildwoodmarket.com PICKLED MUSTARD SEED Just three ingredients (mustard seeds, sugar, and vinegar) make up this popping pickled garnish…

CUSTOMERS START counting down the days until the annual spring reopening of this Noblesville walk-up window as soon as it closes for the year in October. Mother-daughter team Tiff any Leppert and Kay Harvey whip up all the silky frozen custard on site daily, based on a recipe cribbed from Tiff any’s favorite childhood haunt, the Sycamore Drive-In in Logansport. Creamy vanilla, chocolate, and butt er pecan are always on tap, rounded out with two rotating additions that include strawberry on Saturdays and mint chip on Sundays. When Peach Truck season rolls around, the team stocks up for their highly anticipated peach cobbler sundaes. 9270 E. 141st St., Noblesville, 317-776-3800 The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: No Walk-up window: Yes Flavors: 5…

MANY OF the flavors are alluringly complex and chunky at this Geist Reservoir–adjacent shop with outdoor tables that overlook the Fall Creek Road boat ramps. Zesty, sweet Lemon Poppyseed and a luxurious Rocky Road veined with chocolate and marshmallow cream are among the breakout hits. The self-serve freezer cases are packed with jumbo embellished cones and ice cream sandwiches made with fresh-baked cookies (in combinations ranging from oatmeal-raisin with butter pecan to white-chocolate macadamia bookending a scoop of Vanilla Cherry Chocolate Chip). You can get a super-premium, housebaked ice cream cake on your birthday, but every day feels like a treat when you can nurse your double-dip from a sunny Adirondack chair, as if you are waterfront royalty. 11691 Fall Creek Rd., 317-288-7791, craveicecreamsocial.com The Scoop Source: Chocolate Shoppe Ice…

WHEN THIS Greenwood walk-up opens for the season in March, customers who have gone all winter without a Blackberry Razzle or Peach Mrs. Sippy join the long queue for some soft serve refreshment. The signature move here is a streak of Flavor Burst—a sweet goo that shoots straight out of the ice cream machine—that Mrs. Curl adds to its twist cones. Whether you enhance your vanilla ice cream with a stripe of green apple or give your chocolate a shot of Banana Ripple, the resulting pin-striped cone is nearly too pretty to eat. 259 S. Meridian St., Greenwood, 317-882-1031, mrscurl.com The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Soft serve Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: No Walk-up window: Yes Flavors: 3…

GO AHEAD and marvel at the range of options, from the familiar butt er pecan and chocolate Oreo to the unexpected guava, tequila, corn, and salty-sweet queso. Once you have absorbed the prism of densely flavored ice creams on display in the freezer cases, consider one of Danny’s specialty concoctions, like a churro ice cream sandwich, an ice cream bouquet, or a Brownie Overload. And find out for yourself why every other customer in line leaves with an icy, fruity mangonada—a brilliant parfait of sorbets, fresh fruit, and chili sauce garnished with a tamarind straw. 7730 E. Hwy. 36, Avon, 317-268-4663, dannysmexicanicecream.com The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: No Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 27 Dairy-free options…

CONNECTING to its Chicago’s Pizza sister operation next door through a subway-style hallway, this frozen treat station brings the El to Greenwood, with a recreated Windy City skyline along one wall and a mini automated train that chugs around a ceiling track. Customers can help themselves to swoops of Tahitian Vanilla, Chocolate Custard, or Sea Salt Caramel Pretzel fro-yo from a line of wall dispensers, then embellish with more than 50 different toppings, from fresh fruit to sprinkles. 5920 E. Stop 11 Rd., 317-881-1717 The Scoop Source: Honey Hill Farms Format: Self-serve Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 10 Dairy-free and sugar-free options…

THE SKY is the limit when it comes to flavors at this Old Northside aviation-themed ice cream spot. The 7700 (pilot code for emergency) is a thick and fudgy triple chocolate. The bright Canary sings with dense chunks of strawberry cheesecake. And Cirrus is a cotton candy–inspired scoop that is no child’s play. Fans of bubble tea will want to try a boba shake, and they won’t go wrong with blended vanilla ice cream resting on a bed of blueberry pearls. Whether you sit outside in an Adirondack chair or belly up to a table inside made to resemble a plane’s wing, you’re in for first-class treatment. 111 E. 16th St., 317-426-2641, liftoffcreamery.com The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 40…

SITUATED IN a darling Fountain Square storefront with black-and white awnings, Square Scoop does a brisk business from foot and bike traffic off of the nearby Cultural Trail. But friendly counter staff are here for it. They offer samples without an eye roll—they get the weightiness of this decision—and dish out perfect orbs of frozen goodness at a clip. Though every flavor in the case tempts, consider a waffle cone topped with decadent, fresh-from-the-batter-bowl Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie, or refreshing Peach Pie, spun with peaches and tender chunks of pie crust. Then grab a seat at a window-facing three-top, peruse shelves stocked with nostalgic sweets (think Tootsie Rolls and Charleston Chews), or head to the trail for a lazy stroll and what we can only assume is great advertising for…

THE GARAGE Food Hall is the obvious location for Lick, a gourmet ice cream stall tinkering with flavors like they’re reinventing the wheel: Rosemary Olive Oil, Cedar and Whiskey, and Gorgonzola Candied Pecan are just a few tuneups from pedestrian flavors. The line runs long on weekends, but flavors like the bright and subtly floral Lavender Lemon Poppyseed (or Munchies—a custardy vanilla ice cream folded around chocolate-chip cookie dough and pretzel pieces) are worth the wait. The Garage Food Hall, 317-979-0237 The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 12 Dairy-free options…

Take me back to the moment when the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. What were you feeling as the owner of a music venue and a concert promoter? Everything came apart like a house of cards. We had spent the past three or four months booking into the spring. I was already done with the Holler on the Hill lineup, and that was going to be our best group of bands at that festival ever. On March 12, I drove to The Vogue, where the Drive-By Truckers were on stage sound-checking. By that time in the afternoon, we knew we had to pull that show. I came back to the HI-FI and had to cancel the J. Roddy show here. Once we got all that stuff cleared for that…

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…

A COLLEGE PROFESSOR recently told me the world would end in a blazing inferno in 50 years because of global warming. He kept mentioning he was a college professor, as if that made his prediction more authoritative. Except he taught sports administration, so I didn’t take his fears as seriously as I might if he had taught, oh, say, climate science. I know climate change is real, but in 50 years, I’ll be 111, which is to say dead. So it’s hard to get worked up about it. Plus, I remember when I was a kid and was told an explosion in population would cause hundreds of millions of people to starve to death in the 1970s, except it didn’t, mostly because educational opportunities for women expanded and birth control…

Excellent article. You had me at “We’re on our way to a nudist Christmas party in Vevay, but first, my tour guide wants to show me the Amish discount store and check out the grave of the town’s beloved mascot, a dead goat named Fred.” CATHIE MALACHVia Facebook Great piece about an unusual Southern Indiana town and the people drawn there. Imagine yourself parked on a bench overlooking the beautiful Ohio River as you read this. Nobody does it like Lili Wright. JOHN STRAUSSVia Facebook Great article. I would never get tattooed by Kat Von D, though. ALICIA SUAREZVia Facebook Must have been a blast to report. Vevay reminds me a little of Lily Dale in New York. SAM FERRANTEVia Facebook This is wonderful. The writing, the stories, all of…

Add a paid parking spot to your concert ticket. Otherwise, you’ll have to fight for a free space in The Orchard School lot up the street. If you plan on tailgating, do so discreetly—alcohol is forbidden outside the venue. Be prepared to deal with young children. It’s a park, and the concerts are family-friendly. The shows go on, rain or shine. Pack accordingly. Bringing your own camping chairs is encouraged. Sneaking in food is not. Upgrade to a VIP ticket, which includes an open bar and snacks. The pod seating is gone this year, so get ready to mingle with other concertgoers! (They may not be vaccinated—at press time, no COVID rules applied.) THE STATE STAT 45 Total miles of Indiana shoreline Indiana is decidedly lacking in waterfront property, especially…

(1) HAIM June 1 These three sisters open the June slate at the TCU Amphitheater, where they’ll play songs from their Grammy-nominated Women in Music Pt. III. livenation.com 2) Colin Jost June 4 The Saturday Night Live star (and former dorm roommate of Pete Buttigieg at Harvard) performs at Clowes Hall for this Laughing Matters fundraiser. butlerartscenter.org 3) Chris Rock June 14 Apparently recovered from being slapped by Will Smith at the Oscars, Rock makes a stop at the Murat Theatre. livenation.com 4) Houndmouth June 18 The Nickel Plate District Amp in Fishers hosts this New Albany rock band that has earned national acclaim. npdamp.com 5) The Chicks June 19 Having dropped “Dixie” from their name, these country superstars visit Ruoff Music Center on their first tour since 2017. livenation.com…

Hello, sunshine! Capture a lush, tropical vibe for your abode with home goods from Laura Dro Designs. The painter and Fishers resident creates artwork, tea towels, wallpaper, and totes. But our faves are Dro’s limited-edition Signature Series pillow covers, which feature hand-embroidered, intricately sequined and beaded replicas of her best-selling paintings, down to her autograph in the corner. The florals, palm trees, orange blossoms, and pineapples are a nod to her sun-drenched days growing up near the coastal waterways of Florida. Botanical Landscape, $250; Peony Pops, $150; Coastal Garden lumbar, $250; lauradrodesigns.com…

ALL THAT FUN IN THE SUN IS HARD ON HAIR. TIPS? Every other time you’d normally shampoo, just rinse and condition instead. And super important: Before getting in a pool, wet your hair with tap water and slick through a small dollop of leave-in conditioner. Your strands are like sponges. If they’re already full, they can’t absorb as much chlorine. —Korie Lance, owner, The Mae in Meridian-Kessler HOW DO WE MELT-PROOF OUR MAKEUP? Lightly layer powders on top of creams or liquids. For example, put a little powder blush on top of a cheek stain, set concealer with finishing powder, or tap eyeshadow atop eyeliner. —Jessica Inhofe, makeup artist, Painted by Jessica in University Heights HOW DO WE FINALLY BEAT SUMMER FRIZZ? Combat frizzy hair by getting regular cuts to…

NICOLE OESCH and her husband, Ryan, launched Kismetic Beer Company in the Twin Aire 201 Studios building last month, combining the words “kismet” (meant to be) and “kinetic” (energy that a body possesses by virtue of being in motion) to form its name. That equation is an accurate description of how Indy’s newest microbrewery came into being. “We felt like once we made the decision to start the brewery, we were actively moving towards our fate,” Nicole says. The owners foster an inclusive taproom vibe that jibes well with the location, which Kismetic shares with more than 30 resident artists and makers. With pops of Art Deco color and plenty of deep upholstered chairs, the space feels more like an artsy cocktail lounge than a traditional beer hall, especially with…

FOODIE THOUGH SHE grew up in the cool climate of London, Ontario, Maxine Henderson spent many summers with her parents in their native Kerala, in South India, where the heat could be brutal. To cool off, the family would sip on cups of nimbu pani, a citrus-based drink made with cane sugar, spices, and black salt, which they bought from little carts at public markets. But Henderson never dreamed she would one day have her own line of canned beverages. Raised in a traditional Indian home where her mother spoiled her with tasty curries and biryani, Henderson went on to complete her degree in engineering at the University of Western Ontario, later getting a job off er from Motorola in Atlanta. There, she met and married Atlanta Hawks forward and…

Since the invention of the blender at the turn of the 20th century, milkshakes have been wholesome, straightforward combinations of ice cream and milk. With the age of social media and the bigger-equals-better mentality that came with it, milkshakes—like these three stunners—have evolved into Insta-worthy concoctions dressed from top to bottom with bells and whistles that challenge the laws of gravity. The Cannonball Big Hoff a’s Freezery starts with an already-decadent peanut butter–chocolate milkshake, and then tucks Nutty Bars and a chocolate-covered ice cream bar into mounds of whipped topping. Reese’s Cups, Reese’s Pieces, and malted milk balls join the party, along with sprinkles and chocolate syrup. 800 E. Main St., Westfield, 317-867-0077, bbqindianapolis.com Cookie Dough Freakshake Cookie Dough ice cream forms the base of this monster of a shake…

TIDY ROWS of jewel-toned popsicles and pans brimming with voluminous folds of gelato and ice cream (several of them vegan) beckon from the display cases at this colorful Fountain Square shop. Employees outfitted in crisp white jackets are eager to chat about their housemade lineup of unexpected flavors, such as Cookie Butter, Carrot Cake, and Whisky Cream. Try the Tiramisu, a cocoa-dusted marriage of mascarpone gelato, espresso ice cream, and whole, espresso-soaked ladyfingers. Or the Mint Oreo, aromatic and swirled with cookie chunks. Take a seat on the front deck under a turquoise umbrella and plan your return trip for an iced coffee or horchata, a crepe, or another scoop (or two). 1325 Shelby St., 317-384-1093 The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window:…

ICE CREAM meets anime at this perpetually popular haunt on the busiest strip in Irvington. Ownership changed hands late last year, but the shop maintains its whimsical vibe with a colorful mural along the main wall and vibrant turquoise and hot-pink seating. Flavors range from refreshingly fruity (Lemon Poppyseed and no-sugar-added Pomegranate Swirl) to more indulgent, chocolatey concoctions. This $&@! Just Got Serious, for example, features a base of salted-caramel ice cream studded with sea-salt fudge and cashews. The parlor also serves traditional milkshakes, boba shakes, sundaes, banana splits, ice cream nachos, mochi, and Japanese snack foods. 5535 E. Washington St., 317-351-0275, wyliepalooza.com The Scoop Source: Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: No Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 18 Dairy-free options…

NEVER MIND the decadent sprinkle-and candy-topped doughnuts tempting you from the display case. Focus, please. You’re here for ice cream, remember? The cold treats are equally indulgent. Consider the dense, fudge-like Chocolate Peanut Butter with a ribbon of nutty spread snaking through, and Cake Batter, a spot-on interpretation of licking the spoon in the midst of baking. If you must, go ahead and squish your scoop between two doughnut halves, or opt for a doughnut sundae. Soft serve enthusiasts come for towers of fruity, creamy Dole Whip by the cone or cup. 11640 Brooks School Rd., Fishers, 317-288-0922, ohanaindy.com The Scoop Source: Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream Format: Scooped and soft serve Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up window: No Flavors: 22 Dairy-free options…

YOU CAN’T GET any closer to a farm-to-table experience than this Zionsville dairy farm that supplies the organic, 100-percent grass-fed ice cream for its onsite restaurant, The Loft. Pre-game your frozen treats with a tour of the bucolic property to meet the resident herd, then belly up to the Dairy Bar (staffed year-round) to sample the hand-dipped wares. Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice creams are mainstays, augmented by Salted Caramel, Coffee Chocolate Chip, and other rotating seasonal flavors available by the cup, waffle cone, sundae, root beer float, or extra-thick milkshake. During the summer months, the dairy opens a walk-up window on its front patio for al fresco ice cream enjoyment. 9101 Moore Rd., Zionsville, 317-733-1700, traderspointcreamery.com The Scoop Source: Housemade Format: Scooped Outdoor seating: Yes Indoor seating: Yes Walk-up…

I could barely imagine it when I was approached about the job. EVEN AS I WAS SIGNING the contract to become the editor, I was still having a hard time envisioning it. Not because I can’t imagine all the possibilities for outreach at Poetry magazine and at the Poetry Foundation, because I think that’s one of the reasons they were interested in my editorship. It was just hard for me to imagine that I would have ever gotten to a place where people would value my perspective on this art enough to trust me with something as austere as Poetry. I felt that way when I got hired at Indiana University. I felt that way when I got my first job at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It just seems impossible…