In front of a sold-out crowd of 6,610 fans at the Fishers Event Center, the Indy Fuel hosted their annual Teddy Bear Toss game, a heartwarming tradition that saw a franchise-record 6,852 stuffed animals collected for charity. Despite the charitable success, the night ended with a narrow 4-3 overtime loss to the Kalamazoo Wings.

The evening kicked off with the K-Wings striking early as Travis Broughman found the back of the net just 2:04 into the game. Despite the early setback, the Fuel dominated possession for much of the opening period, peppering Kalamazoo goaltender Hunter Vorva with 12 shots compared to the K-Wings’ 8.

Kalamazoo doubled their lead late in the first period when Lee Lapid scored at 18:38, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage heading into intermission.

The second period brought a turning point for the Fuel. At 6:41, Ryan Gagnier netted a goal off assists from Colin Bilek and Bryan Lemos, igniting the Teddy Bear Toss. Fans showered the ice with thousands of stuffed animals in support of local charities, creating a pause in play for cleanup.

Shortly after, Jordan Martin added a shorthanded goal at 15:06 to tie the game 2-2, assisted by Darby Llewellyn. The Fuel’s penalty kill unit shone again, keeping Kalamazoo scoreless on the power play and building momentum heading into the third period.

In the final frame, Kalamazoo regained the lead with a goal by Ryan Cox at 2:56. However, the Fuel responded with a game-tying goal from Colin Bilek at 14:26, assisted by Ty Farmer and Thomas Farrell. Regulation ended in a 3-3 deadlock, with Indy holding a slight edge in shots, 26-22.

The overtime period proved decisive. At 2:32, Zach Okabe capitalized on a chance for the K-Wings, scoring on their second shot of the extra frame to secure a 4-3 victory.

Despite the loss, the Fuel’s effort and the community’s generosity marked a memorable evening. Fans can expect an intense rematch as these two teams face off again Sunday night in Kalamazoo.

Game Notes

• Teddy Bear Toss Success: 6,852 stuffed animals collected for charity, a franchise record.
• Indy Shorthanded Success: Jordan Martin’s goal marked the Fuel’s second shorthanded tally this season.
• Looking Ahead: The teams will meet again in Kalamazoo for the second game of the back-to-back series.

The road construction report is getting shorter, but there are the usual updates on ongoing projects.  Looks for sidewalk work in the coming week in the Avalon and Meadow Brook neighborhoods.

Here is the update, for the work week starting Monday, December 9:

============ Continue reading Road construction update for the week ahead →

It took 3 games to get it done, but the Indy Fuel notched their very first win at their new Fishers Event Center home, 6-0 over the visitors, the Americans from Allen, Texas.    The Fuel now have 9 wins on the young ECHL season.

It is not often the shots on goal are this lopsided….the Fuel had 33, the Allen Americans only 6.

The Fuel dominated the contest, but didn’t score until there was 1:53 left in Period 1, Colin Bilek putting the puck in the net.  Andrew Bellant scored early in Period 2 and Bilek picked up his second goal of the game with seconds remaining.

Matus Spodniak and Thomas Farrell each tallied goals in Period 3 to put the win away for the home team.

Joe Vrbetic pitched a shutout in goal Friday night.

The crowd wasn’t quite the size of the first home weekend, but the crowd was good and boisterous as usual.

Their were two fights Friday night, but neither resulted in power play goals.

The Fuel are back in action at the Events Center Saturday night, facing the Wings from Kalamazoo

Planning and Zoning are key component of any city administration.  In Fishers, Ross Hilleary is the Director, and Keven Martin is the Assistant Director, of that department in Fishers.  They both sat down with Larry for a Podcast discussion.

The Fishers Century Club celebrated its December meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Knowledge Services/Club Coworking, selecting the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation (HSEF) as the recipient of this quarter’s pooled charitable funds. The philanthropic group, known for supporting local nonprofits through collective giving, heard presentations from three organizations before awarding the funds to HSEF.

HSEF, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the Hamilton Southeastern School District, enriches student experiences through funding innovative educational projects and addressing pressing community needs. Last year, the organization notably paid off thousands of dollars in student lunch debt for families on free and reduced lunch, ensuring essential meals for all students.

“We had the privilege of hearing from three outstanding charities, and our members selected the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation as this quarter’s recipient,” said Adam Kallick, Founder of the Fishers Century Club. “HSEF’s impact on our schools and community is remarkable, and I’m proud of our club members for making this support possible.”

The event marked continued growth for the Fishers Century Club, with several new attendees joining the philanthropic effort. Members contribute $100 quarterly to create a collective impact for the selected charity.

Justin Hirnisey, Executive Director of HSEF, expressed gratitude for the support. “It was an honor to present at Tuesday’s meeting,” said Hirnisey. “The generosity of the Fishers Century Club will allow HSEF to further invest in our schools, students, and community in meaningful ways.”

The Fishers Century Club invites residents to attend its next meeting, scheduled for March 2025, and encourages the nomination of local 501(c)(3) charities. Those unable to attend but wishing to contribute to HSEF’s crowd-giving campaign can do so through the club’s online Grapevine platform at FCC’s Grapevine site.

For more information about HSEF, visit www.hsefoundation.org. To learn more about the Fishers Century Club and past recipients, visit www.fisherscenturyclub.com.

In 2025, the Fishers Arts Council marks two decades of fostering art and culture with a year packed full of exhibitions, events, and community activities. Founded in 2005 by the Fishers Town Council, the organization has grown into a cultural cornerstone, offering beloved programming like the monthly “Second Friday” gallery receptions.

“‘Second Friday’ has become synonymous with our gallery receptions,” said Ross Hilleary, Fishers Arts Council President. “We’re thrilled to expand with gallery hops and partnerships with the city. It’s a perfect night out for art lovers or anyone looking for a fun community experience.”

The reopening of Fishers City Hall brings the arts council’s gallery “back home” while maintaining the FAC Hub Gallery at the Hamilton County Community Foundation. “Running two gallery spaces allows us to support more artists and reach more community members,” said Les Reinhardt, Executive Director.

Upcoming Exhibits and Events

The Art Gallery at City Hall will host 12 monthly exhibits, featuring artists and themes such as:

• January: Free Associations – The Art of Jerry Mannell
• February: The Golden Age – Artists 50 & Better
• March: Disability Awareness Month
• June: The Calligraphy Guild of Indiana Member Show

Meanwhile, the FAC Hub Gallery will present quarterly exhibits like My Art is My Movement – The Art of Johnson Simon and Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

Artists and musicians can apply to participate in exhibits, Second Friday events, and the new “Gallery Hop” series, launching February 14. The Gallery Hop invites the public to explore multiple venues, enjoy performances, and even earn a free dessert at Four Day Ray by completing the hop.

Other signature events include the Car & Art Show in June, Harvest Fest in September, and Winter Art Markets at Sun King.

Details for artist and musician applications will be available on December 23 at fishersartscouncil.org.

Building on Two Decades of Impact

With expanded partnerships and innovative programming, the Fishers Arts Council continues to enrich the community through visual, musical, and cultural arts. Residents are invited to celebrate this milestone year and make 2025 a year of artistic exploration and connection.

After a long construction period and local speculation over whether this location would ever open,  Fishers foodies may now rejoice! Cafe Patachou, the beloved Indianapolis-based eatery known for its fresh and innovative brunch offerings, is set to open its newest location in Fishers on Tuesday, December 17, at 7 a.m.

Located at 8654 E 116th St., the Nickel Plate location will bring the signature charm and flavors of Cafe Patachou to a prime spot overlooking the scenic Nickel Plate Trail. The café will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

The space is designed with both style and comfort in mind. Guests will enjoy the cozy ambiance of a four-sided upholstered banquette at the heart of the dining room, as well as the signature countertop seating Patachou fans know and love. A private dining room offers a space for more intimate gatherings, while two outdoor patios provide al fresco dining options, with the west patio offering picturesque views of the trail.

The interior design pays homage to Cafe Patachou’s Stutz and Zionsville locations, featuring a serene palette of green-blue hues and a whimsical floral wall covering.

Founded by Martha Hoover, this marks the eighth Cafe Patachou location, further cementing the brand’s reputation.

So mark your calendars and stop by for a sneak peek or to enjoy the full reveal on opening day.

As the festive season fills homes with joy and togetherness, the Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) is making a heartfelt plea for its 12 most deserving pets, still waiting for a family to call their own.

“These sweet souls haven’t been overlooked because of who they are,” said Lily Darling, HSHC’s Community Engagement Manager. “They’ve been overlooked because the right person hasn’t come along yet. This holiday season, we ask the community to open their hearts and homes to these 12 amazing pets. They’re not just waiting—they’re hoping for a miracle, and they need you now more than ever.”

To help these animals find their forever homes, HSHC has waived adoption fees for its “Featured 12” as part of its Home for the Holidays Adoption Special. As an added bonus, each adoption includes gifts tailored to support pet owners:

• Dogs come with a free training package from Paws & Play Dog Resort & Training Center.
• Cats enjoy five complimentary nights of boarding at PetSuites Fishers.

All adopted pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and come with a starter bag of food and a free wellness exam at a participating veterinary clinic.

Darling emphasized the urgency of the campaign: “The shelter should never be where these animals spend the holidays. They deserve to wake up in a home, safe, loved, and surrounded by people who will cherish them for the rest of their lives. This is not just a plea for adoption—it’s a lifeline.”

To adopt, prospective pet parents should bring:

• A completed application (available at hshcadoptions.com).
• All household members.
• Dogs for meet-and-greets (if applicable).
• Proof of their landlord’s pet policy, if renting.
• A government-issued ID.

As the holiday season brings hope and warmth, HSHC urges the community to make room for one more member at the table—and in their hearts.

HSE Schools presented Sarah Donsbach with a Crystal Wednesday night in honor of her 4 years of service as a board member.  She chose not to seek another term.

“The last 4 years have been an honor to represent our community, and our staff, and, most importantly, our students,” said Donsbach.  “It has definitely been a labor of love.”

She expressed the joy of dealing with so many people that she would not likely have known had she not served as a board member.  Donsbach thanked the HSE teaching staff, “who show up every single day for our kids.”

“We appreciate your time and efforts,” said HSE Superintendent Patrick Mapes.

With the new high school diploma system unanimously approved by the Indiana State Board of Education Wednesday morning, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted for changes in high school courses for students preparing to enter grade 10 in August of 2025.

Administrator Jason Urban detailed those academic course changes in a presentation to the board.  You can review his presentation at this link.

Urban then went into greater detail about the state’s changes in high school graduation diplomas.  He spent time explaining the “network model,” which is recommended to contain 8 different “networks” for students to pursue in their high school studies.

Urban plans to provide a more detailed look at all this in a planned board work session in January.   He did not ask for a board vote on this issue Wednesday night, but you can read more about the diploma changes at this link.