18 COVER STORY
Justin Hage Leverages Experience In Role
As Deputy Mayor
This month, Zionsville Monthly is happy to feature Zionsville’s Deputy Mayor Justin Hage on the cover. Hage was appointed by Mayor John Stehr in July. He graciously took time to sit down with us to discuss his extensive background in public service, having worked in the administrations of former President George W. Bush and Indiana Governors Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence. Most recently, Hage was the Director of Government Relations at Findhelp, a tech company in the social services sector in Austin, Texas. Hage and his wife, Christina, moved to Zionsville in 2018 with their son, Henry. Hage serves as the Vice President of the Vonterra Homeowners Association and is on the board of Communities in Schools Indiana.
// Janelle Morrison • Cover photo // Carpenter Photo
ZIONSVILLE MONTHLY
PUBLISHER / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803
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DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418
HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison janelle@collectivepub.com / 317-250-7298
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SAFELY NAVIGATING
that because there is no ‘stop sign,’ the public treats a [roundabout] like a yellow light, and that is very dangerous. If you look at the signs that lead up to any given roundabout, they are giving you vital information, including the recommended speed for that roundabout … so you can adjust your vehicle to that speed.”
Randolph emphasized that reducing your speed allows even the most experienced driver to observe the signage before entering a roundabout.
“The roundabout could be empty one second and full the very next,” Randolph said. “I tell people that no two roundabouts are the same, and even one specific roundabout on the same day, at two different times, is never the same. There’s always one more or less car, and different dynamics that change the circumstances. So, slowing your speed allows you to take into consideration what those changes might be.”
R ROUNDABOUTS
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted
Zionsville Monthly spoke with Zionsville Fire Department Public Educator Vincent Randolph about the do’s and don’ts of navigating roundabouts and other essential guidelines for responding correctly on the roads, particularly when encountering emergency vehicles.
andolph emphasized the importance of yielding to emergency responders, understanding how to safely share the road, and being aware of the unique challenges that roundabouts can present in these situations.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO SIGNAGE
“In order for roundabouts to do what they’re meant to do, which is to reduce the occurrences of accidents and crashes and to lower the number of crashes that result in injury or death, you have to slow down,” Randolph stressed. “I think sometimes
Randolph added, “There is other signage telling you how to safely commandeer the roundabout, such as lane guidance telling you which lane you should choose to get to where you want to be. It would be good to know which lane you will need before entering the roundabout and before you commit because once you’re in the roundabout, we ask that you don’t change lanes. Conditions in a roundabout are so fluid, and we want to make sure that you’re not changing lanes in the middle of the roundabout, which increases the chance of a crash because others are not expecting you to change lanes.”
WATCH OUT FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS
Randolph emphasized the importance of keeping an eye out for pedestrians
and bicyclists near roundabouts, particularly when there are crosswalks before the entrance.
“When you’re approaching a roundabout, you need to pause and give a generous amount of time to look one way or the other to see if there is pedestrian or bicycle traffic. What I mean by ‘pause’ is to reduce your speed to a slow crawl, or slow your roll, but don’t stop on a crosswalk. Stop ahead of the crosswalk. [It] is best for you because then you always have your eyes on them. Even though, in Indiana, the car has the right of way, the driver should heed caution in case the pedestrian or cyclist should proceed in front of you anyway. Look at it this way—we have 2,000 pounds of steel around us … they don’t.”
EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND ROUNDABOUTS
Randolph and ZFD Division Chief of Training & Safety Aaron Gibbons emphasized the importance of maintaining awareness of emergency vehicles while driving in or out of roundabouts.
“I spoke with Chief Gibbons about this topic,” Randolph shared. “I asked [him] if you tell the good people of Zionsville what you need from an operations perspective, what would you tell them. He stated, ‘Please move out of the way.’ When it comes to roundabouts, and you see an emergency vehicle coming into a roundabout, we would like for you to stay at the yield sign and not enter the roundabout. Allow the first responders to have total access to any point along that roundabout. If you are in the middle of a roundabout and an emergency vehicle is entering the roundabout, we need you to continue to the nearest exit in the roundabout … even if the [exit] wasn’t your intended exit. Just in case the first responder is, by happenstance, coming in the same direction you are after exiting the roundabout, we need to immediately pull over to the right. Stopping in a roundabout is extremely dangerous because people don’t expect there to be stalled vehicles in roundabouts, and you’re opening yourself up for an injury. So, please don’t ever stop in a roundabout unless it is absolutely unavoidable.”
Roundabout Guidelines
APPROACH THE ROUNDABOUT:
• Slow down as you approach the roundabout.
• Observe traffic signs and road markings for guidance.
• Look for pedestrians and cyclists at crosswalks.
YIELD TO TRAFFIC:
• Yield to traffic already in the roundabout, approaching from your left.
• Wait for a safe gap in the traffic before entering.
ENTER THE ROUNDABOUT:
• Enter the roundabout to the right, following the direction of traffic flow.
• Do not stop in the roundabout unless absolutely necessary.
CHOOSE THE CORRECT LANE:
• If there are multiple lanes, choose the appropriate lane for your destination before entering.
• Use the left lane if you plan to exit more than halfway around the roundabout.
• Use the right lane if you plan to exit the roundabout immediately or before the halfway point.
• Drive at a safe and consistent speed while inside the roundabout.
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
EXIT THE ROUNDABOUT:
• Use your right turn signal as you approach your exit.
• Check for pedestrians and cyclists at crosswalks as you exit.
• Proceed with caution and continue on your way.
Discover Feinstein's, where extraordinary live entertainment meets upscale dining & craft cocktails in an unforgettable intimate venue!
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN RETURNS
DAVE HAUSE | Punk-rock, Americana and Pop-Rock Covers
PAUL HUGHES | Tributes to Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin & Nat King Cole
JAZZ BRUNCH | Presented by Blair Clark Featuring Cathy Morris
INDY NIGHTS WITH RYAN AHLWARDT & FRIENDS | Straight No Chaser Alumni
DRAG ME TO BRUNCH: 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW | Hosted by Pat Yo’ Weave
SUMMER NIGHTS: THE MUSIC OF GREASE | Presented by Don Farrell
FRANK SINATRA: THE TRIBUTE | Presented by Don Farrell
ADAM B. SHAPIRO IN HOLLYWOOD OR BUST | Songs From The Silver Screen
AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN | Emmy & Grammy Award Nominee
DECEPTION | An Evening of Magic & Lies with David Ranalli
DUELING PIANOS | Live Jukebox Experience Presented by Brittany Brumfield
Market Magic With a Purpose
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt board and staff are pleased to announce a brand new event for 2024. Wundernacht will take place on November 20 from 6 to 9 p.m., the Wednesday before the market opens.
MISSION DRIVEN AND ECONOMICALLY IMPACTFUL
Hannah Kiefer, VP of Communications, shared, “We’re hoping that Wundernacht will have a similar vibe to Indy Rev or Zoobilation and will be the holiday version of those events. It will also serve as a fundraising event to benefit cultural exchange between Germany and America, taking us back to our mission of German education and culture. From a numbers perspective, in 2023, the total dollars spent at the market was $9.1 million—a 59% increase year over year from last year. This [number] represents what the vendors took home,
the ice skating took home and what the market made as a 501C3.”
Kiefer added, “We’re a nonprofit, so whatever we have goes right back into the cultural, educational mission while we are also supplying this incredible venue for our vendors to make a living. For many of them, having a booth at our market makes or breaks their year.”
Carmel Christkindlmarkt CEO/ President Maria Adele Rosenfeld expressed that she is pleased to be working with Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam and her administration.
“Since taking office, Mayor Finkam has been very supportive while expressing
Carmel Christkindlmarkt to Host Wundernacht:
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of Carmel Christkindlmarkt
the administration’s desire to ensure that the partnership between the market and the city is economically and mutually beneficial,” Rosenfeld said. “The mayor is very supportive of the market’s mission, and continuing to expand international cultural education in the community is a high priority for her.”
A DON’T-MISS EVENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
This ticketed event for adults ages 21+ will be the soiree of the holiday season. With your ticket, you get access to the market before it opens to the public, including complimentary food and drink samples from vendors, special entertainment, signature cocktails from outside partners and more. Rentals and ice skating at Ice at Carter Green are included in the ticket purchase.
Attendees will get a first look at ALL of the merchandise available in the market’s gift huts.
Wundernacht means “night of miracles”—and this won’t only be a night of fun. It’s also a fundraiser to support future cultural exchange between America and Germany, making it a festive evening you can feel good about.
General Admission tickets grant you exclusive access to the market grounds and activities listed above. VIP tickets elevate your experience, including general admission benefits as well as more exclusive food and entertainment inside the Palladium at the Center for Performing Arts.
Companies can also sign on as sponsors and enjoy a private space inside the Palladium to entertain their guests. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, email the Christkindlmarkt team at sponsorships@carmelchristkindlmarkt.com.
REDEFINING DENTAL Excellence
Dr. Villanueva Dr. Soldatelli
Moontown Brewing
Opens in Carmel
Moontown Brewing Company is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new tasting room on August 16. It is located at the intersection of Old Meridian St. and W. Main St. in Carmel, Indiana, in The Signature Carmel building, opposite the new Harmony Steakhouse location—another popular business hailing from Whitestown in Boone County.
ionsville Monthly proudly featured Moontown on its December 2017 cover, highlighting the brewery’s grand opening in the former Whitestown High School gymnasium. This was soon followed by the opening of Moontown’s 1915 Room, a special event space and concert venue within the brewery.
Seven years and many beverages later, we are thrilled to help promote the opening of their taproom and Moontown’s outstanding line of award-winning craft beers.
WHAT BEGAN AS A HOBBY BECAME A BRAND
Moontown Brewing was founded by the Mattingly family and family friends and is operated by Robert “Bobby” Mattingly and head brewer and co-owner Cody Peczkowski. The idea for the brewery started over a decade ago when the Mattinglys pursued home brewing as a hobby. Their passion grew after winning the inaugural Whitestown Brew Fest’s Home Brew Competition, prompting them to establish Moontown Brewing.
Not long after winning the home brew competition, the Mattinglys toured the old Whitestown High School and gymnasium. They unanimously agreed that this location was perfect for brewing their award-winning brews and building community memories.
The 1915 Room’s design pays homage to Hoosier basketball roots, featuring the Moontown Brewing logo at center court, distressed flooring and repurposed wooden bleachers. The exposed brick walls remind guests of the building’s history as a school, now repurposed for community gatherings and memory-making—elements that are being carried over to the Moontown Brewing Carmel taproom.
“There’s going to be similar aesthetics on the inside,” Mattingly shared. “Our Carmel location will have the same faucets, similar tap handles, and we’ll be doing live oak wood tables and bar tops again. We have faux brick on one wall, and we’ll have a lounge area with a little couch, so we are in some ways trying to match the vibe, and it will be like a mini Moontown.”
Moontown Brewing in Carmel will undoubtedly be a smaller-scale space compared to the main brewery in Boone County, and seats 45 craft beer enthusiasts. It will not have a kitchen but will offer snack items from local Indiana vendors available for purchase.
“It’s a cool spot, a small tap room and space to enjoy our beer,” Mattingly explained. “We will allow people to bring in food, order in, or whatever they want. We will have ten taps and four side pull taps. As far as the beer goes, it will be from our world-class, award-winning line of craft beers that are produced at our brewery in Whitestown. Our brewery is capable of supplying more [locations], and we want to max ourselves out and challenge ourselves again. We love what we’ve done so far, and we believe there’s a lot more we can still do.”
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Sean Mollin Creative and submitted
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Barring no delays in the final construction phase, Mattingly is planning for soft openings to begin the week of August 12 before the August 16 grand opening.
“We will be open Monday through Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday.”
Mattingly expressed his excitement for this new location and his appreciation for those who have supported and continue to support the Moontown Brewing brand.
“I was raised in Zionsville and have been around Carmel and the north side pretty much my entire life,” Mattingly said. “We love being part of the growth in Boone County and are also excited to see the opportunities and the love from other parts of the north side of Indy, specifically Carmel, Westfield and the rest of Hamilton County. We think our beer will be well-represented here, and we think people will be happy to have us here. We’re already hearing from people about how excited they are that we’re coming to Carmel. We believe that there’s room in this market for us, and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better spot … we’re really excited!”
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Tony’s of Indianapolis
and CCPL Foundation Define Community Spirit
It’s been several months since the last wine-pairing dinner hosted by Tony’s of Indianapolis to benefit the Carmel Clay Public Library (CCPL) Foundation. On behalf of our fellow organizers, the editorial staff of Carmel Monthly is excited to invite you to the next dinner, which will take place at Tony’s at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
FIRST-CLASS HOSPITALITY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
As many of our readers may recall, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Tony’s Steaks and Seafood of Indianapolis partnered with the Carmel Clay Public Library (CCPL) Foundation to host a series of themed wine-pairing dinners at their beautiful downtown location. These events, held once a quarter, were designed to support the nearly 2,000 free programs offered by CCPL and funded by the CCPL Foundation.
Tony Ricci and his compassionate staff continue to assist their Hoosier neighbors and nonprofit organizations such as the CCPL Foundation via fundraising events similar to these impactful pairing dinners.
The previous dinners of this quarterly series were sellouts and an astounding success for the CCPL Foundation. Ricci donates the costs, including food, wine and venue, so the foundation retains all the proceeds from these dinners.
Michael Morgan, quality assurance manager for Tony Ricci’s restaurants,
including the Indianapolis location, has hosted all of the wine-tasting events benefiting CCPL Foundation. He is eager to greet the guests with an enticing new menu and a reconfigured bar menu, and with the same level of exceptional hospitality and humble service that repeat attendees have come to appreciate and value.
“We’ve been working on a fun mocktail and non-alcoholic beverage list, and we’ve just put new menus out in Cincinnati and Lexington, and we’re
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Staff and submitted
Roasted Chicken entre
getting ready to reveal our new menu in Indianapolis,” Morgan shared. “We have some really cool items that Chef Ryan [Montgomery] has come up with. We’re not changing our [signature] steaks, of course, but we have some new appetizers, seafood and pasta dishes, and some other fun stuff.”
EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF DINING OUT AGAIN
Since the pandemic, dining out has become less enjoyable for many due
to a decline in service quality and an increase in toxic behavior from both customers and staff. The hospitality industry, already struggling with staff shortages and changing regulations, faces additional stress and uncertainty. This has often led to slower service, mistakes and a general sense of chaos in some establishments. Additionally, impatience and rudeness from customers have become more common, making the dining experience uncomfortable. What was once a relaxing outing has, for some, turned into a stressful ordeal.
Morgan and his staff want to remind everyone that Tony’s is not just a place for first-class culinary excellence and exceptional service; it’s also a place where memories are made and friendships are cultivated. Whether you’re celebrating a special event, enjoying a romantic evening or spending time with family and friends,
Tony’s provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere. You can also enjoy a more casual meal at the bar before a game or after an event, relaxing with an excellent cocktail or a pour from their impressive wine locker. On Friday and Saturday evenings, live jazz by Jaden Street Jazz sets the mood from 7 to 10 p.m. At Tony’s, the staff—all the way up to the owner—go out of their way to make you feel more than just a guest. They make you feel like a cherished friend.
“Let us spoil you for two hours,” Morgan expressed. “Enjoy the convenience of our valet parking service, our new appetizers and menu, or go to the bar and enjoy our more casual fare featuring our delicious stuffed cheeseburger. Relax and unwind to the live music on Friday and Saturday nights. There’s a saying written on the hostess stand, ‘Privileged to be here. Honored to serve you. Let’s become friends.’ That is something Tony always says when he leaves a table and shakes somebody’s hand, so I’m inviting you to come experience Tony’s of Indianapolis, and let’s become friends!”
So, whether you’re joining us at Tony’s to support the CCPL Foundation, celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a night out, we encourage you to support our fellow community partner. By dining with Tony’s, you contribute to the Carmel community and help sustain our library.
To request more information and/or to reserve your seats for the next Tasting at Tony’s of Indianapolis Benefiting the Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, please email Elizabeth Hamilton at ehamilton@carmel.lib.in.us.
For more information about Tony’s of Indianapolis or to make reservations, visit tonysofindianapolis.com
New Zealand Rack of Lamb entre
CHS Legend Is New Voice for the Boilermakers
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick and submitted
This month, Carmel Monthly is honored to feature former Carmel Greyhound, Purdue Hall of Famer and NFL Colts quarterback Mark Herrmann on the latest cover.
Purdue University recently announced that Herrmann will join the Boilermaker Sports Network as the new analyst for Purdue football broadcasts, succeeding Purdue football alum Pete Quinn, who retired after 32 seasons. This season, Herrmann will pair up with the Voice of the Boilermakers, Tim Newton.
We sat down with Herrmann, who discussed his formative years as a Carmel High School Football Greyhound, where he was All-State Quarterback 1975 and 1976 and played on Carmel’s 1977 state championship basketball team, winning the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award. He also shared his experiences as a collegiate athlete at Purdue, where he broke passing records and earned unanimous First Team All-American and Big Ten MVP in 1980, along with his 11 seasons in the NFL, where he finished his career
with the Indianapolis Colts with 1,334 passing attempts and 561 completions—a 59.5% completion percentage for a total of 4,015 yards completed and 16 touchdowns.
A Solid Foundation to Grow On
“Coach Dick Dullaghan was my football coach … one of the all-time greats in high school football history,” Herrmann shared.
“He was a great and enthusiastic leader. He had a big impact on my [early] career, and I was very thankful to be able to play for him. My family moved to Carmel when I was in sixth grade and went to [what was then] Carmel Junior High School. I had a lot of support and wonderful teammates and coaches. I am very pleased to have played in Carmel.”
Growing up in central Indiana as a young Catholic football player, Herrmann aspired to play for Notre Dame University, but as he began planning for his future
post-graduation from CHS, Herrmann decided to traverse a different path … one that would eventually come full circle.
“I narrowed it down to Purdue or Notre Dame,” Herrmann said. “Notre Dame recruited me very hard, but I had a gut feeling that Purdue was the right choice for me and I’d have a sooner opportunity to play. Purdue had just hired Coach Jim Young from Arizona, and I had a lot of trust in him and his vision for the [football] program for me as a quarterback. I wanted to be part of that, and I felt like we could start to build something special up there.”
Herrmann, a Krannert School of Management graduate, shared how he sought to experience everything he could as a college student-athlete and learned to balance athletics and academics while figuring out what his next steps would be.
“I tried to maximize my experiences, my
interactions and my relationships,” Herrmann said. “I had a pretty good freshman year. I made a lot of mistakes and learned a lot, and it was kind of like on-the-job training. I just focused on getting better in the offseason and getting ready to really put together three good years. We had three great years [on the field] after my freshman year, and I felt that by the end of those four years [at Purdue], I had really grown and developed. I feel like I had really accomplished something during those years, and they are some of the fondest memories of my entire life.”
When asked what he feels has evolved the most since his days as a Boilermaker and student-athlete, Herrmann replied, “We certainly didn’t have pressures from social media —we were barely on TV. We weren’t worried about how many followers we had, so it was a simpler time for sure. Student-athletes are getting pulled in a lot of different directions with NIL [name, image, likeness], and they’re trying to see what kind of deals they can muster up. Additionally, nobody transferred [schools] back then. If you weren’t playing, you had to get better and find an opportunity. Now, it seems that if you’re not playing, you can go somewhere else, and the next day, you can be on another campus.”
Herrmann added, “The transient nature of college sports, big TV contracts, etc., is so amplified now, and it’s big business. Back then, it was about playing for and representing your school. It was definitely a much simpler time.”
Going Pro and Retiring as a Colt
Spanning 11 years in the NFL, Herrmann began his pro football career with the Denver Broncos, with whom he was selected in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He played with the San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Rams and the Indianapolis Colts.
“Certainly, you never know what’s going to happen and what’s going to transpire,” Herrmann stated. “I was picked by Denver, and [on] one side, it was frustrating that I had slipped back to the fourth [round], but on the other side, it was very gratifying that I was selected in the draft. I went to Denver, which is a great city, with a good attitude and went to work trying to be
the best pro that I could be. I ended [up] in Baltimore [with the Colts] for the John Elway trade, and I spent one year in Baltimore—certainly not a great year. I broke my collarbone in the last pre-season game, so I had to sit on the sidelines. There was rumbling that the team was going to pick up and leave [Baltimore]. That was a dark cloud hovering over that year. I headed back to Denver, and all of [a] sudden, like everybody else, I saw the Mayflower trucks heading into Indy [March of 1984]. Mayor [William] Hudnut and Robert Irsay were hand in hand, and there was great enthusiasm about the franchise.”
Herrmann played with the Colts first at Baltimore, then at Indianapolis from 1983 to 1984.
“It was a great homecoming,” Herrmann said. “It was fun playing in the [newly
constructed] Hoosier Dome and to come back home.”
Herrmann would leave the franchise to play for the Chargers and Rams before returning to Indianapolis in 1990, where he would finish his career in 1992.
“There were a lot of different things happening with the franchise, and they were still trying to find their way,” Herrmann reflected. “I had one good game before I was released the next day, so I can’t say it was a great finish, but it was nearing the end of my [pro] career, and it made sense that I finished in Indianapolis. Even though my time with the Colts was over, I felt like good things were happening for the city and for the franchise.”
Life After the NFL
Herrmann shared that he and his wife Susie were raising their three kids, Brady, Whitney and Tory—who all graduated from Purdue—in the Geist area. Herrmann was content staying in Hamilton County, so he went on to work in a few different industries before coming back to his alma mater to fundraise for Krannert—now the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business at Purdue University.
Herrmann added, “I jumped on that opportunity and have been there for the last ten years. It went full circle back to where I started, which is pretty special.”
Purdue alum Pete Quinn played with Herrmann as his center during their college years, and when Quinn announced his retirement from broadcasting with Purdue, he suggested that Herrmann fill the vacant spot.
“I had a broadcasting background and did some work for ESPN doing the Mid-American Conference games for about seven years,” Herrmann said. “I thought I’ll give this a try and plug in what I know with my insights and observations and all those things. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun having a chance to cover Purdue on a weekly basis. It will be intriguing and interesting. I also think it will be gratifying to talk about football from my alma mater, and bring some excitement and enthusiasm. Having the chance to work with Tim Newton, Rob Blackman and all those guys is going to be great!”
NATE DOHM SIGNS WITH NEW YORK METS
Having witnessed Dohm’s career as a ZCHS Eagle, it brings this journalist great joy to share this exceptional news that Dohm has succeeded in his dream of playing “America’s Pastime” professionally. Dohm recorded a 0.98 ERA in his senior season at ZCHS with 90 strikeouts in 42.0 innings before beginning his collegiate journey at Ball State University with the Cardinals and transferring one year later to Mississippi State to play with the Bulldogs.
I spoke with Dohm while he was at the Mets’ spring training camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida. We discussed his humble yet impressive beginnings in Zionsville
and what it means to be signed on as a New York Met.
DESTINED TO GO PRO
“My first word was ‘ball,’ so I think [the passion] started from there,” Dohm shared. “I go back and look at these scrapbooks that my mom keeps, and under ‘Future Job,’ I said ‘professional baseball player,’ and I started playing [baseball] when I was three. It’s been a part of my life ever since.”
Dohm’s family moved to Zionsville when he was in middle school, and he immediately began playing for the local teams.
“We had such a talented group in my age group. Most of us went all the way to our senior year, so it was really cool to see the development from everybody. I always improved under the leadership we had year after year. I had great coaches and a great program [in high school], especially under Jered Moore [ZCHS Head Baseball Coach].”
Dohm continued, “I went from the freshmen baseball team straight to varsity. I felt like our coaches put so much of their time and care into us. It was a blessing to be around such a great group of people.”
Making the 2021 Indiana All-State team helped set the trajectory for Dohm’s athletic career.
“That was an amazing experience,” Dohm said. “I had my [high school] ad party that weekend too. So, I went down to Evansville for the opening ceremonies, then came back home to have my grad party, and then back down to Evansville for a couple of days. It felt good to represent Zionsville … it was a really cool experience.”
LEVELING UP
“I went to Ball State after graduating high school … that was the main school I was looking at out of high school,” Dohm shared. “I learned a lot about myself and about the game. Playing at the college level is very different than high school. In high school, you’re playing maybe one or two Division One guys on each team, and then you get to the next level and every single guy is at that level. That forced me to make adjustments and to be better.”
Dohm spoke about how he struggled during his first collegiate season.
“I ended up having an ‘okay’ year,” Dohm said. “Then, when Mississippi State reached out and I went down on a visit, I was really blown away [by] the facilities. The stadium is unbelievable, and it felt like they really wanted me there. They like what they saw in me and what they could do with me going forward. I made the decision to go down there [MSU], and it was cool to go down south and play some baseball, for sure.”
Dohm has experienced a terrific junior season playing with the Bulldogs. Playing against some of the best amateur bats in the third round of the 2024 MLB Amateur Draft.
“I was on the middle school teams in seventh and eighth grade,” Dohm said.
in the Southeastern Conference [SEC], Dohm posted a 1.23 ERA over 29.1 innings pitched and helped his team get to the NCAA Regional.
“I always wanted to play Division One baseball, and that’s what my mind had been fully focused on,” Dohm said. “For me, it’s just about taking one step at a time and not looking too far into the future. I’ve always wanted to be a professional baseball player and have always carried myself in that way, but I understood that it’s a process, and you have to focus on that process.”
Prior to moving to Zionsville, Dohm grew up in both the north and south sides of Chicago and was a Cubs and White Sox fan as a kid.
Dohm added, “I became more of a Cubs fan towards my time in high school, but now, I’m obviously a big Mets fan!”
The day of the MLB Draft was an emotional red-letter day for the Dohm family.
“We had a nice little draft party with family and friends over,” Dohm said. “There was so much uncertainty with this process. You don’t really know anything. You just have to let your agent handle it. So, we were sitting on our back patio, the draft broadcast was on the TV, and three minutes after the draft started for day two, I got a call. I don’t even know how to describe the feeling. It didn’t really set in until my name got called on the screen. To see how much it meant to everyone around me and to have that weight lifted off my shoulders … it was a very emotional moment for sure, and it felt like everything that I had worked hard for was paying off. Hearing your name called
in the MLB Draft is just an unforgettable experience.”
When asked what happens next, Dohm explained, “I’m down in Port St. Lucie at the complex, and they have all the new draft guys working out together and integrating us. For me, it’s about ramping my throwing program up again and getting back to where I’m hopefully throwing live. From there, it depends on where I’m at with my program and what [the Mets] want me to do going forward and into the offseason.”
Dohm shared what he’s enjoying about the Mets and professional baseball culture. “They put a big emphasis on making it to the highest level of baseball, that it’s a big achievement so don’t waste it,” Dohm expressed. “They are very big on being really good at the things that are really boring … these are the things that get you to the next level. You have to attack everything you have to do with 100% intensity and with an insanely good focus on the little things because those little things end up separating you from everybody else.”
JUSTIN HAGE Leverages Experience in Role as Deputy Mayor
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick and submitted
This month, Zionsville Monthly is happy to feature Zionsville’s Deputy Mayor Justin Hage on the cover. Hage was appointed by Mayor John Stehr in July. He graciously took time to sit down with us to discuss his extensive background in public service, having worked in the administrations of former President George W. Bush and Indiana governors Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence.
Most recently, Hage was the Director of Government Relations at Findhelp, a tech company in the social services sector in Austin, Texas. Hage and his wife, Christina, moved to Zionsville in 2018 with their son, Henry. Hage serves as the vice president of the Vonterra Homeowners Association and is on the board of Communities in Schools Indiana.
BUILDING UPON EXPERIENCE
Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, Hage earned a bachelor’s degree in government and psychology from the College of William and Mary in 2006. He served as a political appointee at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative under the George W. Bush Administration and worked for the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means.
After moving to Indiana in 2011, Hage attended Indiana University’s McKinney School of Law and worked at the Office of Management and Budget under Governor Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation under Governor Mike Pence. After being admitted to the Indiana Bar in 2017, he worked at Dentons Bingham Greenebaum and as regulatory counsel at CenterPoint Energy before
growth and evolution, and Hage is excited to be a part of it. He is eager to share his knowledge and experiences to help guide the town in a forward direction that focuses on the future while preserving its rich past. Hage’s involvement aims to help balance new developments under Mayor Stehr’s leadership with the town’s historic charm, ensuring that Zionsville continues to thrive as a vibrant and welcoming community to all.
joining Findhelp. He has also served as president of the Pathways Committee and vice president of the Redevelopment Commission for Zionsville.
“I think it’s important to give back to your community and to be a part of solutions, and part of creating a sense of community in terms of being the voice of individuals and helping constituents be a part of a larger conversation,” Hage stated. “When I moved to Indiana, I first worked at the Office of Management and Budget. It was a terrific experience working in the administration of former Governor Mitch Daniels. It was a great opportunity to be exposed to the state government in general and the various agencies within [state] government.”
Hage added, “The two key focuses I’ve carried throughout my career in public service are being a good steward of the taxpayers’ dollars and providing the most efficient and effective services for citizens. I think my time working with CenterPoint
Energy helped build my understanding of how providing gas and electric service to growing businesses and a growing state is important as is making sure that the provision of utilities to communities, particularly communities experiencing growth, is done in a coordinated fashion while ensuring that the taxpayer is protected. There is a balance between the interests of shareholders, the utility companies and the interests of the ratepayers.”
HELPING SHAPE AN EVOLVING COMMUNITY
Zionsville is experiencing an era of
“I look forward to building upon my experience and working alongside the mayor to diversify our tax base,” Hage said. “I think that starts with the Creekside Corporate Park, where there’s been lots of progress in terms of bringing in more corporate [citizens], but there is a need for Zionsville to be more competitive relative to other central Indiana communities. We want to make sure we preserve what makes Zionsville unique: our charm, our downtown business district and our village. I think my experience in economic development and my legal experience will help us in terms of bringing additional investments to our town that will bring a type of tax base that is not solely reliant on residential taxes.”
When asked how Hage feels about community engagement and input as they pertain to new developments, he replied,” I think continuous engagement with the residents and business owners is vital. As is making sure that a proposed investment is complementary to our village and the brick street that we all love, as it supports and strengthens those for many years to come.”
Hage added, “I think the role of deputy mayor in Zionsville is very important in terms of supporting the mayor, his vision and all that he’s doing to help our town in terms of moving forward, while [the role] is also being a connective tissue between the various departments within our town, our town council—a very important partner—and its entities like the school corporation, chamber of commerce and lots of different constituencies that all want to see our town move forward in a responsible manner. I think we all want to move forward in the right direction. The key to that is communication, collaboration and cooperation.”
ZCS Superintendent
Dr. Rebecca Coffman Shares Key Information
As the 2024-25 school year begins, ZCS Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Coffman wants to share important details and clarifications on a couple of hot topics generating buzz throughout the district and state.
REDESIGNING STATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Indiana’s Department of Education is overhauling how Hoosier students earn high school diplomas. Most of the state diplomas, such as the Core 40, will be replaced with new graduation requirements as part of a plan to upend the traditional approach by encouraging students to pursue “work-based learning.”
Purdue University was among the first Indiana colleges and universities to state that the proposed changes to high school diplomas do not meet the school’s admission standards in math, social studies and world languages.
In a letter sent to top state education leaders last week, President Mung Chiang stated, “Not all students will attend college. However, all students should clearly understand college admission
requirements and be offered the coursework needed to be admitted to and succeed in college.”
As IDOE works through the process of revising its plan for graduation requirements, Coffman stated, “The thing that families across the state need to be tuned into more than anything is the high school redesign and graduation changes. We’ve been providing comments and engaging with different personnel from
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick and staff
IDOE. Our new ZCHS principal Karen McDaniel has been part of an advisory council for [Indiana Secretary of Education] Dr. Katie Jenner throughout this process.”
Coffman added, “Now that the first comment period is over on the proposed changes, there will be a State Board of Education meeting on August 14, and it is my belief that there will be an unveiling, if you will, of some of the adjustments that have been made in response to public feedback. This is a story everyone needs to be engaged in, from our business leaders [to our] higher education leaders, parents and educators. I want to ensure that our students have many options and opportunities made available to them.”
By law, the IDOE has until December 2024 to develop and submit the new graduation requirements. The class of 2029 will be the first class to be impacted by these new requirements.
Coffman concluded, “There will be another opportunity for the public to provide opinions and ask questions. We
will communicate those opportunities as they become available.”
This is a developing story that Zionsville Monthly will continue to update as more information becomes available.
SENATE ENROLLED ACT 185
SEA 185: Student use of wireless communication device
SEA 185 was authored by Sen. Jeff Raatz and Sen. Stacey Donato. The bill, as it was passed and signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb, requires each school corporation and charter school to (1) adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that governs student use of a wireless communication device, and (2) publish the policy on the school corporation’s or charter school’s website.
What does this mean for ZCS students? Coffman offered some clarifications about how SEA 185 impacted ZCS’ existing policies on the use of wireless communication devices in the classroom.
While some lawmakers have expressed
concerns about how wireless communication devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, gaming devices and any device providing communication between two parties, are impacting student engagement, behavior and mental health, parents have reciprocally voiced their concerns about their children’s needs for such devices for emergencies, medical monitoring or Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan.
“We’ve had a longstanding policy that was adopted in 2012 when we saw an increase in wireless communication devices,” Coffman said. “There was a policy that our school board established at that time about the use and responsibility and expectations of what is allowable use and what are some of the restrictions. When the legislators were in session and approved SEA 185, there were specific language requirements for boards to adopt in policy regarding cell phone and other wireless communications use.”
Coffman continued, “SEA 185 requires school corporations to post to their respective websites the policy about using wireless communication devices during instructional time where cell phones, etc., are not permitted during instructional time unless they have express permission.
“Express permissions include if a teacher allows them for educational purposes, to manage a student’s health care needs, in the event of an emergency, or if the device is included in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan.
“That’s not a change for us. Our board took a close look at our language in the student handbooks and made sure that it made slight adjustments with specific wording this past summer. We had our first reading in May and a second reading in June so that the language would be approved for the coming school year. We were similar with many other area districts [in] that we had a policy in place that needed a few tweaks to align with the language in SB 185, but it is not a large, sweeping change in our schools.”
Coffman emphasized that ZCS will not be using “phone lockers” or other similar devices to “lock up” cell phones, etc., during instructional time.
