Zionsville Monthly-November 2022

ZCHS’ Laila Hull: On Leaving the Eagle’s Nest to Play at UNC

ZCHS girls basketball is a remarkable athletic program that produces extraordinary talent under its head coach, Andy Maguire, and coaching staff. This season is no exception, and it is with great pleasure that we are featuring ZCHS senior Laila Hull [forward] on our last cover of 2022. Hull has committed to the University of North Carolina, her “dream school,” and while Hull is working on making her last season as a Lady Eagle the most productive of her high school athletic career, she spoke with us about how her time at ZCHS and the support of family, teammates and community have prepared her for the next chapter and playing for UNC.

// Janelle Morrison • Cover photo // Laura Arick

ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY

PUBLISHER / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803

PUBLISHER / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418

DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418

HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison janelle@collectivepub.com / 317-250-7298

Writer

A Brief Overview of Respiratory Viruses as

We Enter the Winter Season

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of Witham Health Services

It’s that wonderful time of year again for the flu, the common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — and don’t forget my personal favorite: COVID-19. Loaded sarcasm aside, it is important to have a basic understanding of the symptoms of each of these respiratory viruses, as many of the [symptoms] are overlapping, making it sometimes challenging to tell them apart.

Ispoke with Dr. Jane Buroker with Witham Pediatrics of Anson about the specific symptoms, how quickly they present themselves and which symptoms should be monitored more closely to prevent hospi talization, specifically in children. However, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions should also be aware and cautious of their exposure to these respira tory viruses. And of course, as our publi cation is not an expert in health and/or medicine, any questions or concerns should be discussed with your medical providers.

SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS OF RSV

Dr. Buroker gave a brief overview of RSV and identified the most vulnerable population.

“RSV is a virus that has always been around,” Dr. Buroker explained. “It typically causes infections, usually, in the fall and wintertime. That’s when we normally would see the peak of infections. It tends to be a [respiratory] virus of infants and toddlers. I would say [RSV] is most concerning if the child has any underlying medical conditions. RSV can be an especially serious infection in children less than 2 years [of age] and even more so in infants less than 6 months of age.

According to Dr. Buroker, most kids get an RSV infection by age 2, and the most common symptoms of RSV include runny nose, cough and fever.

“The symptoms of RSV have a more gradual onset than influenza [flu], so its symptoms tend to ‘peak’ at day three, four and five,” Dr. Buroker shared. “That’s also

RSV

when [younger kids] or infants can get into trouble [with RSV]. For a lot of kids, it will be a mild illness and similar to the common cold. Those kids don’t end up in the pedia trician’s office, and they don’t end up in an urgent care [facility] or ER. Their symptoms are managed at home. But for some kids, RSV creates more of this ‘RSV bronchiol itis,’ and that’s when the virus causes more inflammation of the lungs and more mucus in the lungs. That will give these kids and infants a raspier kind of productive and harsh cough. Again, those respiratory symptoms are what tend to peak on days three, four and five of the illness.”

Dr. Buroker added, “If the child has enough inflammation in their lungs or enough respiratory distress, that’s when they can get into trouble. There is no specific [outpatient] treatment for RSV other than supportive care at home. If it’s an infant, parents and/or guardians will do a lot of bulb suction to get rid of the nasal congestion and used nasal saline and drops to thin the mucus and then suck it out using bulb suction and similar devices because the child is working harder to breathe. Feeding can also be a challenge for

them, so we typically recommend smaller and more frequent feedings, especially if they’re infants. Also, having a humidifier in their room can be helpful as can taking the babies into a bathroom and allowing them to breathe in warm steam from the shower so that it is easier for them to breathe.”

Currently, there is no available vaccine or specific antiviral medication for RSV outpatients, and Dr. Buroker confirmed that steroids and antibiotics don’t help. She added, “Sometimes, I tell the family that a time machine is all that can help. We need to get to days six and seven. We’d be fine if we just jumped over the next few days.”

Dr. Buroker mentioned that there are specific respiratory supports for children who are hospitalized and that the primary reasons for hospitalization are because the children have too much inflammation in their lungs and are not able to stay oxygen ated purely on room air.

“These kids need oxygenation support, and sometimes they will actually go into respiratory failure and will need additional support — ventilation — to help them breathe as their lungs are recovering,” Dr. Buroker said. “Kids can also get dehy drated because they are working so hard to breathe and they aren’t taking in the liquids they need, so kids [who have been hospitalized] will receive IV fluids.”

THE STATE OF COLD, FLU AND COVID-19 IN OUR COMMUNITY

Dr. Buroker stated, “The common cold isn’t typically a concern, although some kids can get a secondary infection like bacterial pneumonia or a bacterial ear in fection. Currently, COVID-19 has seemed to be milder for both children and adults over the last several months. Rarely, it can cause serious respiratory infections in children, and luckily, I haven’t seen a lot of that recently in my Boone County patient base.”

Acknowledging that there are many variables at play with COVID-19, Dr. Bu roker emphasized that as we go into the holiday season, we should still be mindful of visiting with relatives and friends who are older or have health impairments that put them at a higher risk for more serious COVID-19 infections.

“It is still very reasonable and appro priate to do a home COVID-19 test or an in-office COVID-19 test [at your doctor’s office] prior to family gatherings if you’re concerned that you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID,” Dr. Buroker encouraged. “This will minimize transmis sion to someone in your family or friends group who could still get very sick with COVID, even though the [infection] num bers are down and the disease seems to be milder at this point.”

If you suspect you may have COVID-19 or have tested positive at home, it is rec ommended you contact your health care provider for questions and concerns.

When asked if Indiana is seeing more cases of influenza than in previous seasons, Dr. Buroker said, “When you look at the CDC’s map of influenza activity, we’re seeing it [influenza] a little earlier than we

have in other years. Classically, influenza does cause rapid onset of symptoms that almost always include fever, chills, body and muscle aches and then respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, stuffy nose, that kind of stuff. Symptoms of influenza tend to happen pretty quickly as opposed to RSV or the common cold, where those symptoms build up over the course of a couple of days.”

Dr. Buroker added, “Some people are more symptomatic with influenza, and it will hit them harder. We’re definitely seeing what is referred to as this ‘immu nity gap,’ most likely a result from all the precautions we took during the pandemic and people’s immunity may have waned and [they] may be more symptomatic. I’ve definitely had school-aged kids miss a week of school because they were having a fever every day and couldn’t go back to school.”

PREVENTION AND PRECAUTIONS

Dr. Buroker advises her patients to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines and to eat well, get plenty of sleep, consider wearing a mask indoors during “respiratory season,” wash their hands, cover their coughs and stay home when they’re sick.

“I always tell my families to trust their instincts,” Dr. Buroker suggested. “If you’re worried about your child, call your doctor. Your child should be seen for these respiratory illnesses if they’re having signs of respiratory distress or increased work of breathing, meaning they’re breathing really fast, grunting and/or having retractions where they’re doing a lot of belly breathing — and if they’re very lethargic or very irritable. Also, if they’re having signs of dehydra tion. We want kids to urinate at least three times in 24 hours or once about every 8 hours. You don’t necessarily need to go to the ER every time your child has a cough, so, in our practice, we want fam ilies to call us because we can either give you supportive care over the phone or direct [you] to the ER if necessary.”

WITHAM PEDIATRICS OF ANSON

Jane Buroker, M.D. // Janice Kunkel, M.D. 6085 Heartland Drive Suite 208 Zionsville, IN 46077

Phone: (317) 768-2222

CENTER PRESENTS:

MICHAEL

BOLTON:

GREATEST HITS & HOLIDAY FAVORITES

THE PALLADIUM // TUESDAY, DEC 13, 7:30 P.M. ET

From “When a Man Loves a Woman” to “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and more, Michael Bolton’s time, love and tenderness have created the soundtrack of our lives. To date, he has seen nine studio albums rank in the Top 10, with nine No. 1 singles. His most recent release, the Billboard Classical chart-topper “A Symphony of Hits,” is a collection of his favorites recorded with a full symphony orchestra.

Bolton’s songs and performances have been featured in numerous television and film soundtracks, including the Oscar-nominated theme song “Go the Distance” from Walt Disney’s blockbuster animated film Hercules and the recent Russell Crowe film Fathers & Daughters, which has become a favored wedding song and part of several viral videos. He also executive produced the documentary Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America and was Emmy-nominated for writing the title song “Tears of the Angels.” Bolton also produced a feature-length documentary, American Dream: Detroit, which is his love letter to the Motor City.

Catch the Grammy Award winner’s return to the Palladium for an evening of timeless song and a journey through pop, rock, soul, standards and even classical music. Purchase your tickets at thecenterpresents.org.

Janelle Morrison: How impactful was your early foundation, having grown up in a household that supported the arts, to the launch and longevity of your career?

Michael Bolton: The support and encouragement of my parents definitely influenced my interest in pursuing singing at a young age. My parents chipped in to get me my first guitar, which is what started me songwriting. My mother had wanted to be a singer and would play piano in the house. My older brother was always introducing me to new music, from the Stones and the Beatles

to Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. This was the era of Motown and “The Ed Sullivan Show,” so music was very much a part of the culture.

JM: How has the music industry evolved, based on your observations, from when you released your first album, and in what ways is it better or more challenging for established artists?

Bolton: The music industry today is a complete ly different landscape than when I first broke as

Writer // Janelle Morrison

Photography // Courtesy of Andrew Macpherson and The Center

an artist. There was no talent show to make you a global overnight success or online platform where you could be discovered or go viral. Back then, it was all about playing live and getting someone to see you who would believe in you and take a chance to develop your career. A lot of resources were poured into artist development, and of course, launching an album was all about working all the media and especially radio relationships in every city around the world where you wanted to connect. I am fortunate that at the time I finally launched my career I had a lot of support from the label and did all the work around the world to really cast roots where my fanbase has continued to grow and allowed me throughout all these years to continue touring and releasing music.

JM: Again, in your opinion, is the [music] industry more or less focused on promoting the authenticity of an artist, and does the current culture of the “industry” affect how you produce and write your music?

Bolton: I think each artist discovers what is authentic to them through the process of dealing with the industry, the media and the audience. It’s an evolving process, like for anyone as you grow and get to know yourself — just that with an artist that happens in the spotlight. I have always gravitated to strong melodies and messages in music and that is still what I do — the production of music is the vehicle, but it’s the lyric and melody that delivers the opportunity to connect with people on a personal and universal level, and that is what I aim to do.

JM: How important is it for you to continue collaborating with other artists, and what’s the general takeaway you get after you have worked with other artists?

Bolton: I love collaborating with a wide range of artists. It keeps me inspired, and I find that the younger artists are looking to learn about longevity, so we have this reciprocal enthusiasm to create together.

JM: How have you enjoyed exploring other entertainment sectors such as your appearances and production work on several hit TV shows, documentaries and podcasts?

Bolton: I love finding any vehicle to combine music and comedy, two of my favorite things. Many people may have taken my seriousness about my career as me being a serious person. But I’ve always been the wise guy, and being able to have fun with that in TV or commercials is the best. The bottom line is every platform is another opportunity for creative expression and to connect with your fans and hopefully create new ones.

JM: Are you just as comfortable appearing on camera as you are on the stage? Do the differing experiences provide opportunities for you to grow as an artist/entertainer/producer? Specifically, how?

Bolton: The stage just comes so naturally to me. It’s my home. Showing up for a TV show or com mercial is entering someone else’s home, so it takes adjusting and learning, but I’ve been fortunate to work with the best teams out there, so they always make it enjoyable and comfortable for me, and I always learn and grown in the process.

JM: I have read in past interviews that you were influenced by many big band legends, such as Mr. Frank Sinatra and Mr. Nat King Cole. Are there any current or upand-coming artists that you find as inspiring?

Bolton: I love Sam Smith, Bruno Mars, Adele, Sia, Kelly Clarkson — strong, passionate, soulful singers.

JM: In your autobiography, Soul of It All, you say you’re “just teeing off the back nine of your career.” What are some of the milestones you are setting out to achieve in this phase of your life and career? Aside from

continuing to create and share exceptional music!

Bolton: Continuing in comedy — whether TV shows, commercials, voice over, animation or digi tal media — has been a big part of my “back nine,” and of course, continuing to tour, make music and share my voice with as many people as I can.

JM: As an advocate for the arts, it is my job to remind people of the importance and luxury we enjoy, of coming together in community to experience artists such as yourself. During this holiday season, it is even more important to recognize how important the arts are to our everyday lives and to our emotional and spiritual health. What would you like for the audience to know about your upcoming performance at the Palladium, and what are your wishes for your fans this holiday season?

Bolton: During the pandemic, I think we all really realized how much we needed events like concerts, where we come together and replay a soundtrack from our life or just let go of the daily grind for a couple of hours and feel con nected to ourselves and maybe something bigger. This holiday season, we have the opportunity to appreciate great venues that bring us closer to music and to each other

CENTER

PRESENTS:

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMAS TOUR

THE PALLADIUM

//

FRIDAY, DEC 9, 8PM ET

A popular annual tradition at the Center, saxophonist and bandleader Dave Koz’s holiday concerts feature stellar special guests performing fresh, lively arrangements of seasonal favorites in a high-energy show for the entire family.

Dave Koz & Friends released “Christmas Ballads (25th Anniversary Collection)” on September 23. The chart-topping, GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist is joined on the album by pianist David Benoit, trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Peter White — the friends who accompanied him on the road in the earliest years of the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022 and holds the record as the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour. This year’s “friends” also include Keiko Matsui [keyboardist] and Rebecca Jade [vocalist]. Rebecca Jade is the featured vocalist on the album’s gorgeous medley of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over) / Imagine.”

In a career spanning three decades, Koz has earned nine Grammy nominations and sent nine albums to the top of

Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. An entrepreneur and restaurateur, he also hosts two radio programs: the syndicated The Dave Koz Radio Show, on the air for more than 20 years, and The Dave Koz Lounge on SiriusXM.

Opening the evening will be the bass-keyboard duo Bethany Robinson and Sarah Scharbrough McLaughlin. Robinson, Jazz Band Director for No blesville Schools, is a Yamaha perform ing artist, former Indiana Jazz Educator of the Year and 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award Finalist. McLaughlin, a Noblesville resident, is a singer and songwriter who has released six original studio albums and performs regularly across central Indiana.

Purchase your tickets at thecenterpresents.org.

Janelle Morrison: Happy holidays, Dave! It’s become an annual tradition talking with you about coming to Carmel, Indiana. So, we’re looking forward to having you back!

Dave Koz: Happy Thanksgiving! We love coming to the Palladium! It’s certainly a bright spot on our tour because we feel very well taken care of there, and it always ends up being a great show for those of us on the stage.

JM: This is a rather special year for you and your group. It’s been 25 years of time, effort, talent and passion. What’s the secret to the longevity of your Christmas shows?

Koz: It’s funny. When I hear it coming out of somebody’s mouth like yours just now, I’m like, “Wait … wow! How did we get to 25 years?” It’s pretty astonishing because when you look at the fact that I’m Jewish and here we have eight Christmas albums and 25 years of touring at Christmas time, it’s kind of ironic, to say the least. But I love the music, and I’m such a fan of

the musicians that I get a chance to work with every year. We change up our show every season, which keeps it interesting for all of us, and hopefully it’s still interesting for the people that come to see the show. You’re not coming to see the same thing year after year, and I think that’s been the recipe for us getting to 25 years.

JM: This is also a reunion of sorts for you and some of the “friends” who have joined you for this year’s tour, is it not?

Koz: Yeah, Rick [Braun] and Peter [White] were both original cast members of our shows going back to the beginning, as well as David Benoit. And David couldn’t do the tour, sadly, because of some health reasons, but he’ll be joining us for a couple of shows later on in the tour. But these guys are my oldest friends in the business. We’ve been through so much together. And Keiko brings a beautiful presence to the stage and incredible amounts of energy! We also have a young singer, Rebecca Jade, who is one of the real bright spots in the world of contemporary jazz music, bringing a whole new element and new energy to it with her music. So, it’s a really nice group of people with me this year.

JM: I listened to the gorgeous medley of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over) / Imagine” that’s featured on your

latest album. How beautiful, and sadly, relevant those [two] Lennon songs still are.

Koz: I was coming from a place of being a John Lennon fan. When I worked on the record with the wonderful producer and arranger, Philippe Saisse, a Frenchman, to our knowledge, those two songs had never been paired as a medley before. They fit together perfectly, and when you listen to it, it’s not just one song followed by the next, there’s fragments of each song blended throughout the song. So, that’s the genius of that one particular arrangement that really showcases the genius of Philippe. Philippe and I wrote one of the songs on the album, “Wrapped Up in Your Smile,” which we will perform in the show as well.

JM: This latest album is a different “vibe” than your previous Christmas albums.

Koz: When we started to look at the song titles, there seemed to be a mood that was shaping up with this collection of songs. It’s a little bit more meditative, a little more romantic and quieter. We imagined if you have a holiday party at your house, this is the “mood” after your guests have left, you’ve put away the dishes and it’s quiet now. There’s a fire going in your fireplace and maybe a nice glass of wine in your hands, and you’re enjoying a special quiet moment with your special person. This album truly celebrates that moment, and the music really helps complement the mood.

JM: Again, you’ve been touring during the holidays for 25 years. That’s time away from your family and friends, and I’m curious: What keeps you energized and passionate about sharing the bulk of the holiday season with your audiences, year after year?

Koz: My family has become my touring fam ily and also the people that come to the shows every year.

Especially when we get a chance to come back to the same venues. There’s a tradition that happens, and we’ve been going on this tour to some of the same places for 25 years in a row. So, I remember people who have come and brought their kids every year — seeing them in the front and 2nd rows — and those kids grew up right in front of my eyes. And now they’re bringing their kids to the show! So, there’s this nostalgic tradition that has happened over the years, and I feel very grateful to be a part of it. And as long as people want to come and celebrate the holidays with us, we will continue doing it!

Enjoy the Festivities at Feinstein’s This Holiday Season!

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, and Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael has a spectacular lineup of holiday entertainment to add to the long list of local festivities this month! There is a variety of talent coming to this intimate and fabulous venue, but tickets are selling fast, so don’t wait too long to purchase yours at feinsteinshc.com!

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH ATI LIVE!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 AND FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 / DOORS 5:30 P.M., START 7:30 P.M. / FEINSTEIN’S CABARET – CARMEL, IN

Join Judy Fitzgerald, Cindy Collins and special guest, Matt Branic, as Actors Theatre of Indiana celebrates the Holiday Season! Come hear the music we all know and love, plus Carmel High School’s elite acapella group, SELECT SOUND, will join in the fun and, of course, there will be an appearance by Santa!

A $25 food and beverage minimum is required per ticket holder. Both Judy Fitzgerald and Cindy Collins expressed that they enjoy performing at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael and are excited to share the holidays with their fans and friends.

“We’ve performed in so many different venues, but like the Studio Theater [in Carmel], we love the intimacy and warm setting of Feinstein’s,” Fitzgerald shared. “It’s very inviting to the audience, and as performers, we can really communicate with them and see them! People can escape [the hustle] to Feinstein’s, and once you walk into the Hotel Carmichael and then into Feinstein’s [downstairs], you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh!’ You’re instantly transported into this warm and inviting space and love it!” Expect to be entertained and engaged during these two performances! Fitzgerald and Collins shared a few teasers ahead of their two performances at Feinstein’s. “We’re going to do some fun stuff with the audiences this year,” Collins said. “And we’re going to be bringing in some new material to the show like we do every year to keep it fresh and energetic. So, we’ll be doing a variety of songs that the audiences love and have heard before, but there’s always a different variety [of songs], and it’s never the same show every single year!”

BLAIR CLARK PRESENTS: HOLIDAY CABARET SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 / DOORS 5:30

P.M.,

START 7:30 P.M. / FEINSTEIN’S CABARET – CARMEL, IN

Take a little pop, throw in some R&B, mix it with some soul and add a touch of jazz, and the result is the electrifying sounds of Blair Clark. Clark has had the privilege of working with Grammy award-winner/producer Narada Michael Walden, BMI® award-winner Preston Glass and New Orleans jazz legend Henry Butler, to name a few. He’s enjoyed collaborating and recording with Evelyn “Champagne” King and Ron Tyson of The Temp tations. Clark shared his thoughts on why he enjoys the local venue and what he hopes his audience will take away from his performance later this month. “The layout [of Fein stein’s] is perfect for the way that I perform,” Clark said. “It is very cabaret, and it allows an entertainer to reach the audience on a very close level. I can literally walk up to them and sing and dance with them. It’s a very intimate setting with class that goes all the way from the entertainment to the food and the service.” Clark added, “We will have a nice full band [accompanying] these arrangements, and that will really make these songs resonate with the audience. The audience is going to hear these songs in a different energy, and they’ll walk away feeling that warm feeling that goes with this holiday. We want them to walk out feeling that it was a great experience! It’s not just a show — we collaborate with the audience, and we put on a party!”

FRANC D’AMBROSIO’S CHRISTMAS IN CARMEL

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 / DOORS 6:00 P.M., START 7:30 P.M. / FEINSTEIN’S CABARET – CARMEL, IN Join Franc D’Ambrosio on a nostalgic stroll through one of his favorite cities as he joyously celebrates the music and magic of the holidays. You will immediately get into the spirit of the season with classics like “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” You’ll enjoy hearing Broadway standards, such as Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. Franc will close the night with songs that made him famous from The Phantom of the Opera, and The Godfather Part III. A $25 Food and Beverage minimum is required of all patrons. Fans of this internationally renowned vocalist and actor will be thrilled beyond measure to see D’Ambrosio perform again at Feinstein’s. D’Ambrosio has performed many times at Feinstein’s at the Nik ko in San Francisco. When asked what about Feinstein’s in Carmel he enjoys so much that it keeps prompting him to return, he replied, “The room at Feinstein’s and the staff is first rate. So, whenever I have the chance to play at Feinstein’s and to have people that close to me, it’s so nice and so intimate. For me, if feels like I’m playing in my living room, and I have the opportunity to see the faces of every single person in the entire room, and that’s what makes it wonderful for me.” As D’Ambrosio takes his audience on an imaginary tour of Christmas in New York City and into his vault of beloved holiday childhood memories, the evocation of nostalgia and wonderment will leave the audience feeling emotionally fulfilled. “The show is called ‘Christmas in New York,’” D’Ambrosio shared. “It’s basically a musical walk around New York City at Christmas time. I tell the story of when I was a kid on Christmas Eve in the Bronx. We would always go into Manhattan to see the sights and sounds of Christmas. And the first stop was always Macy’s. I will perform ‘Ave Maria’ and some songs from Phantom of the Opera at the end. It’s a really nice feelgood show, and it’s light and fun. It’s one of my favorite shows to perform.”

TO READ THE FULL CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS, GO TO CARMELMONTHLYMAGAZINE.COM.

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Dull’s Tree Farm is a Boone County Treasure

Experience the magic of the holidays at Dull’s Tree Farm this season. After the Dulls received an outpouring of support from the Boone County community and beyond when a fire destroyed 60 percent of the Dull’s new low ropes course, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight this remarkable family and what makes their tree farm a treasure within our county.

MEET THE DULL FAMILY

Tom and Kerry Dull’s fascinating story began in the Netherlands where the two met as cultural exchange students while in college. Tom graduated from Purdue University and Kerry from the University of Nebraska. Tom shared that the “spark” that developed in the Netherlands grew into a marriage in 1982.

The Dull’s journey led them to purchasing their historic 1800s Boone County farmstead, and their passion for the tradition of picking out a live Christmas tree compelled them to try growing Christmas trees on their property in 1985. They planted 200 Scotch pines and sold their first trees in 1993.

“We soon discovered the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association

and joined that group,” Tom Dull shared. “We started learning from them and now, we’re the ‘old pros’ and are sharing information with the newcomers. When we sold our first trees, we thought if we sold 100 [Christmas trees], we’d consider it a success. When we sold 200 trees, we thought, ‘Maybe we’re on to something here.’ So, we planted 200 trees that first year, 500 [trees] the year after, 1,000 the year after that and continued to grow our business. We just kept planting and used up all the ground that we had. Now, we have 60 acres in just Christmas trees and plant between 8,500 to 9,000 trees every spring.”

The Dulls plant their Christmas trees as bare root seedlings and grow them for another 7 to 8 years, so by the time one of their trees is displayed

in your living room, it is actually 10 to 11 years old.

A FAMILY ENDEAVOR

Dull’s Tree Farm has expanded its offerings over the years and is owned and operated by members of the Dull family. In the fall of 2013, the Dulls’ son, Lucas, left a job as an engineer to pursue his passion for agritourism. Lucas and his wife, Dana, have joined the farming operation full-time and have grown the family business by adding Dull’s Pump kin Harvest that boasts u-pick pump kins, a corn maze and several other family-friendly entertainment compo nents for folks to enjoy throughout the month of October.

“We have a daughter, Erin, who is 2 years older than Lucas, and she went to

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Allie Nicole Photography and Images by Amber

school and graduated with a physical therapy degree,” Dull proudly shared. “She is here on the farm part-time and is our events manager. So, it is truly a family affair, and we also bring in a lot of retirees who want a part-time job and who really like being here.”

Dull shared that during their pumpkin and Christmas tree seasons, the farm employs upwards of 120 people.

A PLACE FOR RESPITE AND RETREATS

During our conversation, Dull shared that he’s had a fascination with log cabins since childhood and as a result, he has salvaged two genuine log cabins from other properties and reconstructed them on his property. Upon procuring the second cabin, Dull fashioned both [cabins] into one spectacular structure.

The Dulls rent their cabin out as a bed and breakfast as well as a meeting space for people looking for respite or to rent for special retreats. It’s not too far of a drive but is removed from the hustle

support after the fire on their property and how they were able to rebuild their low ropes feature so that kids and guests could enjoy it this fall. Dull also thanked the Thorntown/Sugar Creek [volunteer] Fire Department and the Lebanon Fire Department for responding to their property in 13 minutes once the 911 call was placed.

“The support from the community was overwhelming,” Dull expressed. “We had all kinds of emails and phone messages and things from people who

said they wanted to help. So, one Sunday afternoon, after the insurance company had released [the structure], we put it out there that this was going to be the day that we were going to tear down, and we had people — volunteer laborers — from the community show up with equipment, and we cleaned it up and got it ready for the rebuild.”

For a complete list of hours and events at Dull’s Tree Farm, visit dullstreefarm.com, and be sure to follow them on social media via Facebook and Instagram.

// LET’S TALK ABOUT GARAGE STORAGE

ZCHS’

Laila Hull: H

On Leaving the Eagle’s Nest to Play at UNC

Zionsville Community High School girls basketball is a remarkable athletic program that produces extraordinary talent under its head coach, Andy Maguire, and coaching staff. This season is no exception, and it is with great pleasure that we are featuring ZCHS senior Laila Hull [forward] on our last cover of 2022.

ull has committed to the University of North Carolina, her “dream school,” and while Hull is working on making her last season as a Lady Eagle the most productive of her high school athletic career, she spoke with Zionsville Monthly about how her time at ZCHS and the support of family, teammates and community have prepared her for the next chapter and playing for UNC.

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE SIDELINES

Coach Maguire has observed Hull’s growth over the past 4 years, and he shared his thoughts on her evolution and contributions to the Lady Eagles basketball program.

“Laila’s athleticism has been some thing that stands out,” Maguire said. “And she’s really committed herself the last 2 years on her skill development. Some of that our program’s helped her with, but a lot of it she’s done on her own. She’s listened to what the college coaches were telling her that she needed to get better at, and she went out and really worked on those skills. Laila’s a really good all-around player, and she’s got a really nice jump shot now and a great three-point shot. Her ball han dling improved immensely between her junior and senior years. Not that she was a poor [ball] handler before, she’s just very confident with the ball in her hands and more decisive now.”

Maguire added, “I really saw that growth and [confidence] this summer, and that’s definitely carried over to the

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick and submitted

Laila Hull

court so far this year. As far as a leader, she’s become more confident in speaking up and leading her teammates in a positive way. We have a lot of really good athletes and good teammates that have surrounded Laila and have helped her to be successful. We’ve got a good support cast [current teammates] for Laila, and they’re all capable of moving on to that next level as well.”

THE “DREAM SCHOOL”

Attending UNC has been a dream of Hull’s since she was younger, and she shared that she may have been somewhat influenced by her father’s appreciation of the university’s athletic programs and adoration of one of UNC’s most revered alumni — Michael Jordan.

“I’m super excited,” Hull expressed. “It’s a really good feeling to have it off my shoulders going into my senior season and being able to play, not worrying about recruiting and wondering where I’m going. It’s a really good fit for me too.”

When asked what about UNC’s women’s basketball program attracted Hull the most, she replied, “It just really seemed like a family and more authentically than the other places I visited. They’re very inclusive, and I could see myself playing with them. And there’s nothing really to dislike about the school in general. UNC has great academics and great sports. It’s a really good atmosphere to just be around, and the coaching staff has been amazing throughout this whole process.”

Hull shared that she intends to study psychology but acknowledged that is not yet set in stone, as “many people change their major at least once.”

GROWTH AMID CHALLENGES

Like so many young people whose high school careers were interrupted by the pandemic, Hull had to push through the challenges that it brought on and off the court.

“Our season ended right before all this stuff happened my freshman year,” Hull recalled. “My sophomore year was definitely very interesting because of COVID with all the game cancellations, trying to figure out how to practice, to be a team, wearing masks and all that stuff. But we pushed through it very well. Just being able to grow as a team and getting closer with my teammates was the main thing, I think. We have many highlights, and we’ve continued to grow. My junior season was better than my sophomore and freshman seasons, and I’m hoping that my senior season will have been even better as well.”

When asked where Hull feels she has most improved, she replied, “I think my [basketball] IQ, in general, and being able to do multiple things on the floor — being able to score but I can also defend, rebound, handle the ball and do a lot of things that my team really needs me to do. I feel like I’m more well-rounded. I spent most of this summer and last year work ing on my outside shot and ball handling.”

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Acknowledging that she didn’t get to this point in her high school athletic career and commitment to UNC without the support of her family, teammates, coaches and hometown community, Hull shared her advice for the younger classmen and even younger aspiring athletes.

“I think it’s really a mindset,” Hull stated. “If you don’t think you’re going to succeed, then you’re not going to.

I’ve had many points in my life where I didn’t know if this what I wanted to do anymore, and I’ve been in major slumps where I didn’t feel like I was improving. Obviously, I kept at it and kept going, and it has brought me to the place where I’m at today. I don’t take anything for granted. I’m always in the gym or with the team or always doing something basketball relat ed. It really takes dedication and knowing what you need to improve on, what you’re good at and getting better about what you’re not good at. Practice is key.”

Hull concluded, “I know people say you have to believe in yourself, which is very true. But if you don’t have the belief from other people, it could be very hard to get to where you want to be or be motivated enough to get there. I was very lucky to have family and team mates who knew of my capabilities even when I wasn’t doing so great. They still put their faith and trust in me, and I took that to heart. I knew that I needed to get the job done, to do what I needed to help them and to help myself.”

What Impacted Homeowners Should Know about the

Sewer Extension Project

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

If you are a property owner in the town of Zionsville on a septic system and are specifically located in any of the six areas that are impacted by the town’s Sewer Extension Project, you may be interested in what local resident and business owner Danny Gerald Jr. had to share regarding the systems that are being installed as well as more about what property owners can anticipate in terms of upgrading from septic and tying into the town’s sewer line.

SOME IMPORTANT TALKING POINTS

According to the Town of Zionsville’s website [noted below], Phase I con struction that was expected to begin on or around October 1, 2022, is expect ed to be completed with all sewers operational and available for connec tion by the end of January 2023. No full road closures are expected. There are six general areas included in this project [see list below], and work will jump between these areas based on material availability.

The town’s website also covers some general questions in its Q&A section of the Sewer Extension Project

page listed under Public Works/Waste water Division, including the following information:

• Although state law does allow for the Town to require connection of properties located within 300 feet of a sewer main, the Town is currently developing these sewer exten sions with the intent to allow connection by adjacent properties to be optional.

• Property owners will be responsible for hiring a plumbing contractor to install a grinder pump unit to serve their home as well as the pipes from the home to the grinder unit and from the grinder unit to the main in the street—also to decommission the existing septic tank.

• Additionally, a $4,000 sewer availability and $25 permit fee will need to be paid to the Town at the time of connection.

• The Town will be responsible for maintaining the sewer main along the street. Property owners will be responsible for owning and maintaining the grinder pump unit and piping up to the point of connection to the main sewer.

LET’S ASK AN EXPERT

Although the Town of Zionsville is not endorsing any contractors so as not to endorse any providers over others, Zionsville Monthly reached out to Zions ville resident and business owner Danny Gerald Jr., owner at 317 Plumber / Indy Water Heater and Softener LLC, an A+ BBB accredited business. Gerald has been a licensed plumber for more than 25 years, and his company regularly receives stellar reviews generated by social media such as the local Z’ville Moms and Nextdoor groups. Gerald’s personal property is one of the impacted properties in Zionsville, and he shared his expertise with us as well as reasons that homeowners would want to “tie-in” to the town’s sewer system, sooner than later contractor, regardless of whether they choose to hire him and his team of experts or some other contractor.

“I live in one of the neighborhoods that is going to be affected,” Gerald said. “We’re going to be tied into the same sewer line that the neighbors are going to be on. As more and more neighbors reached out to us, I came to the realiza

tion that I would rather my neighbors be taken care of by us and that we will give them a quote, right at the begin ning, and that will be adhered to. I’m doing this [work] because it’s my neigh borhood and because it’s Zionsville.”

When asked what property owners can expect with regards to the process and price of tying into the town’s sewer system, Gerald provided many specifics and suggestions.

“We will come out and assess each property to see what it’s going to require in order to get away from septic and to tie into the sewer line,” Gerald said. “In that process, we’re going to look and see where the septic tank is currently sitting and whether the home is on a crawl, basement or a slab [foundation]. We will tie into the piping before the septic tank and divert [the waste] into a different pit. Inside of the pit, there’ll be a pump that pushes it to the town’s sewer [line].”

Gerald also mentioned that an electrical panel will need to be installed, and that panel will notify the property owner if there is ever an issue inside of the pit. For property owners choosing to work with 317 Plumber, the electrical work that will be required will be coordinated inhouse by Gerald’s team, and all internal inspections related to the project will also be handled by Gerald’s crew. Additionally, Gerald and his team will work with the town’s inspectors who will ask to see certain things before they cover the new work with soil.

As per the town’s requirements, regard less of contractor, any “abandoned” septic tank must be “collapsed” by rock or sand and filled up completely to avoid the tank rusting and creating a crater in one’s yard.

When asked what Gerald’s company’s lead time is at present, he replied, “As of right now, we’re about 45 days from being able to tie on the first property.”

THE BENEFITS OF TYING IN NOW VERSUS LATER

The upfront costs of “tying” into the town’s sewer system is a hard pill to swallow, but the convenience and value it adds to the property in terms of resale value is well worth the investment. And posted on the Town of Zionsville’s website: “Per the Boone County Health

Department, the construction or full re placement of a septic system will not be permitted once sanitary sewer service is available. The approval of minor repairs to existing systems will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.”

Although there is no deadline for homeowners and connections can oc cur whenever the homeowner decides in the future, Gerald stated reasons why impacted property owners should consider addressing the inevitable now rather than later.

“The benefits [of tying into the town’s sewer line] are that you’re not going to have sewage leaking into your yard, and it’s a very efficient way of deposing sewage,” Gerald added. “I am 100 percent confident that the town is not going to issue any further permits for any kind of replacement septic systems for residents within the sewer extension project areas. So, the choice for the prop erty owners is going to be do it now or wait until your system fails and then it becomes an emergency.”

Gerald continued, “Now is really the time to do it. We’re trying to bore the sewer lines in the yards so that we don’t have to excavate the entire yard and so it doesn’t look like a war zone. There are going to be excavation points in some places, but the majority of the work is going to be bored. If people wait until all this [boring] machinery is gone from the street and it’s been relocated to another area, the cost of the project will go up. We do have financing options and have identified KeyBank as a financing partner.

Chris Larkin, the Branch Manager, of the Zionsville location is aware of our project and ready to answer financing questions. He can be reached at 317-733-4030.

KeyBank has unsecured debt that they’re willing to do for the homeowners as long as they quality. And they can finance the $4,000 [connection fee] along with the entire system that needs to be put into place. We’re looking at every cost-cutting measure we can think of to make this as affordable as possible, but this is not a cheap system. But is a turnkey solution for the customers that choose our company’s services. This includes everything I’ve discussed —

plumbing and electrical — and restoration of the yard including the earthwork, seed and straw.”

Jim Weingart, field manager at 317 Plumber, explained that there are two pumps that the town of Zionsville has approved for installation regardless of who is installing them. Weingart shared why he and Gerald prefer installing one over the other.

“The town is specifying either an E/ One [pump] or Zoeller [pump],” Weingart said. “The E/One is the more prevalent and top-of-the-line pump. It’s a ‘plumber-preferred’ pump. The lifetime of the E/One has been known to last 20 years. The average time before an [E/One] needs servicing is approximately 10 years, depending on the variables and whether the [property owners] follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.”

Weingart continued, “The E/One [pump] is far superior and more cost effective than Zoeller from the time of installation and throughout [the pumps] life cycle. Zo eller [pumps] aren’t able to pump as much lifting force. An E/One [pump] can pump 2 miles straight up into the air, where a Zoeller [pump] can only pump a couple hundred feet in the air. The E/One comes with stainless steel components versus the Zoeller system that comes with stan dard steel if it’s not upgraded. The waste eats away at the [standard] steel much faster than stainless steel.”

Once the work has commenced, Gerald said it takes his crew an average of 2 days to complete the work. For more information on 317Plumber and/or more details on the available sewer pump systems and financing, call 317-PLUMBER.

For more information on the Sewer Extension Project, visit zionsville-in.gov/651/Sewer-Extension-Project.

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“I had a busted valve over my water heater and water spraying across my laundry room yesterday afternoon (Friday). I called my home war ranty company and was told no one could come out until Tuesday. My mom got Danny’s information from a neighbor and a few minutes later he was at my house fixing the issue. Because of him I didn’t have to wait all weekend with water leaking everywhere. He was knowledgeable and fixed the issue quickly with very reasonable pricing. Will recommend him to everyone!”

- Jamie W. Indianapolis

“I used to work at Angie’s List and am fairly picky about hiring service providers. Indy Water Heater and Softener exceeded my expectations. So much so, that I hired them back for a second project at my house. I live in an older home, which always has unique challenges when it comes to plumbing repairs. Danny and his team faced these challenges with humor when others have become frustrated, and Danny and his team fixed everything the right way instead of just “making it work.” They are professional, courteous and punctual — and honest. They don’t try to hard sell you things you don’t need, and their prices are VERY fair. Danny takes the time to explain what he is doing and why and even gives you tips to extend the life of your plumbing. I highly recommend this company.” - Darci V. Carmel, IN