Hendricks County Home Magazine, Volume 1 Issue 8

Home HENDRICKS COUNTY

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8

BUSINESS IS SWEET! My Hunny's Honey

PLACES NOT TO MISS THIS FALL IN HENDRICKS COUNTY

HomESCHOOLING IS IT RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY?

Live your best life at home.

AD

AESTHETE DESIGNS

RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS 111 East Main Street, Brownsburg | (317) 286-3521 | www.aesthetedesigns.com

In this issue...

Hendricks County Home

Black Swan Brew Pub pg 5

Homeschooling pg 11

My Hunny's Honey pg 18

Court House Grounds pg 20

Cover photo by Todd Petrie

FROM THE EDITOR

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 3

A Call to Writers and Bloggers!

live better for everyone, then please contact us at editor@ hendrickshome.com so that we can share their work with everyone.

Categories: • Home Improvement - Seeking Hendricks County carpenters, do-it-yourselfers and those that are handy or skilled in home improvement – We would like to hear from you.

• Parenting – Fathers and Grandfathers - If you like to write, have parenting advice or insights to share with the world, then we would like to hear from you.

• Pets – Veterinary professionals, pet lovers, animal advocates – We would like to hear from you as well.

• Food - Foodies, gourmands and kitchen connoisseurs - if you love all things food, then here is your chance to stretch your chops - we want to talk with you.

Follow us!

We encourage everyone to follow us on Facebook/ hendrickscountyhome, on Twitter/ hendrickshome (@hendrickshome) and to visit the website at w w w.hendr ickshome.com.

Support Finally, as you enjoy the content of this magazine and as you wish to continue to receive each issue month after month, please patronize our advertising partners and tell them that you found out about them through Hendricks County Home Magazine.

Our greatest wish is for your peace and prosperity and for the health of you and those you love.

Contact us at editor@ Wiping Egg Off of Our Face h e n d r i c k s h o m e . c o m As with anything new, there are bound to be some gaffes, errors A Call to Homeowners! and hiccups. We are obviously We are seeking owners of unique, no different. The solution is to unusual or historic homes/buildings acknowledge them, correct them here in Hendricks County. We would whenever possible and then like to feature your building in an attempt to improve performance upcoming issue. Please contact continuously. This is our approach. us at editor@hendrickshome.com Due to some formatting issues, a number of articles in last month’s Become an Advertiser! issue were printed incorrectly. Text Join the growing list of advertisers was missing and off the margins. and reach thousands of homes This issue has since been resolved. throughout the county with your message. Please contact Errors & Corrections advertising@hendrickshome.com Our article on Crit Confirm or dial 317-609-0225 and ask for Entertainment last month contained Dave or visit our advertising page for the following spelling errors: details and to complete an easy form. Dave Arneson, Gary Gygax, Story Ideas!

If you or someone you know is working on something that you believe makes the place we

Bubbernaut and Gygaxian

Dave Giltner Editor/Publisher

4

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

CULINARY

Hendricks County Home

Classic 1950's Popcorn Ball Difficulty Level – 4/10: You have to work with hot syrup that can be dangerous.

Seriously… hot sugar will burn the $#!* out of you. That said, moms and kids did this together for a generation.

Tools Large pan Stirring spoon Candy thermometer Parchment Paper – (Though newspaper does the trick) Two large wooden spoons Large Mixing Bowl Ingredients 2 ¼ cups of sugar 1 cup of Karo Syrup™ (light and clear) ½ cup of butter ¼ cup water 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Optional Ingredients ¼ teaspoon kosher/coarse salt Walnuts (or) Pecans (or) almonds (or) peanuts Chocolate chips M&M™ Candies Crushed and pulverized hard candies such as butterscotch or peppermints Time Prep Time: 15 mins. +/- | Cook Time: 15 mins. +- | Cool time: 15 mins. +/-

1. Pop 5 quarts of popcorn.

2. Place popcorn in a large mixing bowl with any optional ingredients.

3. In a large pan, over medium heat, add the sugar, Karo Syrup™, butter and water. Constantly Stirring and monitoring with the candy thermometer, allow mixture to reach “hard-crack” stage or 300 degrees (F). Immediately remove from heat and add in the vanilla. Mix completely and quickly.

4. While stirring popcorn and optional ingredients, pour the hot syrup over the popcorn using all of the syrup 5. Mix the popcorn and optional ingredients well, coating as much of the syrup mixture as possible over the popcorn.

6. Divide into individual servings roughly the size of baseballs and place on parchment to cool.

Word of Caution: When working with hot liquid sugar, be aware that the liquid is extremely hot and will cause severe burns quickly. Please, use extreme caution.

Note: Do not allow the hot syrup to cool for too long as the syrup will begin to harden and become unworkable.

DINING OUT

Hendricks County Home

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 5

More Than Just a Brewery Black Swan Brew Pub

By Susan Young When I stopped by to visit with one of the managers at Black Swan Brewpub, Kelly Levengood, I could sense that she was passionate about craft beer, and about making her customers feel welcome. After hearing more about owner/brew master D.J. McAllister (whom Levengood calls ‘The Willy Wonka of beer’), I knew that this same passion for craft beer and serving the customers well extended to the entire team.

Black Swan Brewpub, which opened in Plainfield in Oct. 2010, serves house-made beer, wine and specialty drinks, as well as a rotating, seasonal lunch and dinner menu.

Moreover, with 16 beer taps that constantly rotate with new varieties, you can sample something completely new each time you visit.

Sampling the Beer During my recent trip to Black Swan, I was able to try a sample set (5 or 10, 3-oz samples) of their latest house beers, which I recommend if you aren’t sure what type of beer to order. The beer ranges from dark and roasty to hoppy, malty and mild. They also have exotic blends such as the cherry and hibiscus American Sour, which was one of the favorites I tried. The servers will be happy to steer you in the right direction if you need more education on which varieties to try.

In fact, Black Swan’s regular customers often return just to see what’s new on the menu.

“In order for people to start

appreciating craft beer, you have to let them explore beer,” said Levengood. “You can come here each time and have a different experience. Pretty soon you’ll start recognizing where the hops came from and what you like,” she said.

Customers can take home a growler of fresh beer from Black Swan for $12.50 (or refill it for $8.50). Growlers have given beer lovers a new way to enjoy local craft beer at home.

History note: the term ‘growler’ h a s been

Don’t overlook the food at Black Swan Brewpub. I discovered that the chefs put a lot of thought into their selections, and most everything is made fresh in-house.

Black Swan designs its rotating seasonal menu to complement its beer selection, and also supports local farmers by ordering fresh produce and other ingredients.

The menu starts with its “short pours” – small bites and appetizers.

said to refer to the gurgling n o i s e that tap beer would make when it was loaded home from the saloon in galvanized pails, popular during the 19th century. (Source: Imbibe Magazine, September/October 2014) . I will definitely consider purchasing a growler the next time I visit, or to give as a gift.

Hours of Operation: On my visit, I Tues, Thurs, Sun: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. sampled the sweet potato tots with Fri., Sat: 11 a.m. - Midnight sriracha aioli and habanero ketchup, w w w.blackswanbrewpub.com which had just the right amount of sweet and spicy flavor. The beer Susan Young is a Brownsburg cheese crock, served with toasted homeowner, wife and mother of baguettes, was big enough to share two young girls, Elaina and Evelyn. and to take home. Finally, I tried the When she's not playing mom or grilled corn cakes with pepper jack chief household officer, she helps cheese, chipotle crema and cilantro small businesses outsource their pesto, which was very flavorful. The marketing, website management, restaurant also offers several salads blogging and social media through and a soup of the day (I sampled her company, AimFire Marketing. their delicious sweet potato soup). She can be reached at (317) 456For the bigger appetites, Black 2494 or by visiting her website.

Swan has sandwiches and

Local Food Selections to Impress

casseroles, entrees, steaks and seasonal selections, including many vegetarian options. On a previous visit, I remember enjoying their Brewpub burger with Black Swan fries, complete with a housemade aioli, as well as their shaved ham sandwich on a pretzel roll.

Despite having a bar area, Black Swan is family-friendly, having a full children’s selection, ample seating inside, and an outdoor dining area for warm nights (where they even welcome four-legged pets).

Some of their popular weekly specials include: • Mon: $10 Burger, Fries & Pint • Tues: $2.50 Pints • Fri: $6.50 Growlers (beer-to-go) Finding Black Swan Brewpub: 2067 East Hadley Rd. (corner of Indiana 267 and Hadley Rd., near the I-70/267 Interchange) Plainfield, Indiana 46168 (317) 838-7444

6

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

HEALTH & FITNESS

Hendricks County Home

If you don't use it, you lose it!

•

•

•

•

•

By Alicia Chrapek It's true, if you don't stretch on a regular basis you will lose your flexibility. Flexibility is the range of motion in a joint or group of joints, or, the ability to move joints effectively. Flexibility is related to muscle strength. If you are experiencing muscle tightness you may not be able to stay in correct form while doing strength training exercises. Although joint flexibility decreases with aging, flexibility can be improved across all age groups.

Following the recommendations set in place by the American College of Sports Medicine will lead you to the path of increased flexibility!

The recommendations for stretching

according to the American College of Sports Medicine are: Adults should do flexibility exercises at least two or three days each week to improve range of motion.

You should hold each stretch for 10-30 seconds to the point of tightness or slight discomfort.

Repeat each stretch two to four times, accumulating 60 seconds per stretch.

Static, dynamic, ballistic and PNF stretches are all beneficial.

Flexibility exercise is most beneficial when the muscle is warm. Try light aerobic activity or a hot bath to warm the muscles before stretching.

Types of stretching: • Static- slowly stretching a muscle/tendon group and

• • • • • •

holding the position for a period of 10-30 seconds. Static stretching can be active or passive Active- holding the stretched position using the strength of the agonist muscle, as is common in many forms of yoga Passive- a position is assumed while holding a limb or other part of the body with or without the assistance of a partner or device (such as elastic bands or a barre) Dynamic- a gradual transition from one body position to another, and a progressive increase in reach and range of motion as the movements are repeated several times Ballistic (bouncing)- use the momentum of the moving body segment to produce the stretch (NOT RECOMMENDED) Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)- has several forms but typically involve an isometric contraction of the selected muscle-tendon group followed by a static stretching of the same group Safety tips for stretching: Always stretch AFTER warming up the muscles and joints. Never stretch cold.

Stretch slowly and smoothly only to the point of mild discomfort; avoid bouncing Maintain normal breathing throughout each stretch Focus attention on the muscle being stretched; try to limit movement in other body parts Do not continue further into the stretch if it is causing pain

Joint range of motion is slightly improved after each flexibility exercise, chronically after approximately 3-4 weeks of regular

stretching at a frequency of at least two to three times a week and it may improve in as few as 10 sessions with an intensive program. When combined with resistance exercise stretching can enhance postural stability and balance. A series of exercises targeting the major muscle-tendon units of the shoulder girdle, chest, neck, trunk, lower back, hips, posterior and anterior legs, and ankles are recommended.

For most individuals, this routine can be completed within 10 min.

Just think of how much better your body will feel and better quality of your resistance exercises will be for only 10 minutes a day of your time. Depending on the activity of choice cardiovascular and resistance training should be completed first, then the 10 minute stretching session.

It will be amazing how flexible you can become at any age if you just start incorporating stretching for 10 minutes into your routine 2-3 days per week. You will be posture and balance benefits along with a great flexible feeling body. The 10 minutes of stretching can become a fun family activity or a peaceful stress relieving time for you in a hectic day. Make stretching a weekly goal and you will never stop throughout the rest of your life!

Alicia Chrapek is a Tri-West High School alumna and a native of Pittsboro. She received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition, Fitness and Health with a minor in Psychology from Purdue University.

She's a personal trainer and nutrition counselor at Anytime Fitness of Brownsburg. She can be reached at aliciachrapek@gmail.com

HEALTH & NUTRITION

Hendricks County Home

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 7

Gotta habit?

3 Science Backed Steps to Breaking and Building Habits

By Dr. William Eiler

way whether it benefits us or not.

We all have bad habits we would like to break. This can range from the mundane such as that insatiable sweet tooth, to the more serious such as stopping smoking. Habitual behaviors are very ingrained in our daily lives.

In fact, researchers believe that habits comprise nearly 40% of our daily activities. Regardless of the habit we are trying to break, we all know how hard it can be. We also know that despite our best efforts we are unsuccessful more often than not. However, why are these behaviors so hard to change?

As we go through our daily lives, we often have two minds at work: the aware mind and the habitual one.

The aware mind relies on conscious decisions to guide behavior while the habitual mind operates almost entirely outside the realm of consciousness. So why do these habitual behaviors stick around so well? The main reason is that they are strongly related with cues. The stronger these links become a shift takes place from the aware mind to the habitual one. Think about our example of driving to work, when you first started your job, you paid close attention the route you would take, turn left at the Speedway gas station, right at McDonald’s, etc.

Over time, these signals were linked to the behavior of driving work to the point you no longer needed to think about when to turn. How many times have you felt like you just got in the car, and you are already at work, not remembering the commute in detail?

Habitual behaviors are established through a particular type of memory known as associative learning.

Quite simply, associative learning is accomplished by establishing a connection between a behavior and a stimulus or cue. These connections become patterns of behavior and the more often these associations between behavior and cue occur, the more ingrained the habitual behavior becomes.

It has long been thought that the formation of habits through associative learning frees up the brain to do other things. In fact, habitual behaviors are regulated by a minuscule region of the brain’s prefrontal cortex. Instead of tying up resources to drive to work, a rather complicated process, we can do so on “autopilot”. This recruits only this small area of our brain while the rest of our grey matter is left to deal with bigger and better things.

The problem? Once a habit forms it continues right along its merry

Given that there are two different minds at work, habits must be changed in the way in which they were formed, by associative learning.

Cues must change behavior guided by cues. So how do we do this? How do we use new associative learning to change established behavior?

Here are three principles to follow: 1.

Disrupt the Old Cues Associated with the Old Habit The first step to breaking an old habit is to disrupt the cues that are associated with that behavior. It is necessary to break up the routine

that leads to the habitual behavior.

If you want to break that five dollar a day Starbucks habit, take the route to work that does not take you past a Starbucks (I know, that hard to do). If you are a boredom eater like me, eat with your nondominant hand or replace the super tasty snacks around the house with healthier options or foods you are less fond of. A change of venue can also help. Capitalize on changes in your lifestyle such as moving to a new home, or starting a new job. This removes old cues associated with old habits 2.

Rinse and Repeat The habitual mind is a little slow on the uptake and habits do not form. Repetition and time are key when forming new, more beneficial habits to replace the older less helpful ones. We often don’t think about or even remember how a habit forms because it happens over such a protracted amount of time. Associative learning is a very time-consuming process that requires much repetition. So, the same time and repetition that is required to develop an old habit is needed to establish a new one. How much time do you ask? The current research points to anywhere from 18 to 254 days until a behavior

is automatic and effortless. The time, of course, depends on the complexity of the behavior and the number of repetitions per day. No one said it would be quick and easy.

3.

Cue Up the New Habit As you know by now, habits require cues to form. The more salient, stable, and stronger the cue, the easier it is to develop a new habit.

Let’s say you’ve wanted to get in the habit of reading on a regular basis. Place the book you want to read in your favorite chair. Not only will the book become associated with reading, where you place the book will also become associated as well. Soon, every time you sit in that chair it will become a trigger that leads to the behavior of reading. With repetition, the pattern of sitting and reading will become, you guessed it, habitual.

Put simply, habits are the product of associations between cues and behaviors developed over time. To break old habits, new habits must be forged in the same fires that built the old. That is, new actions must be linked to strong cues and these connections must repeatedly be formed over a fair amount of time.

With this recipe, the new behaviors will soon be a matter of habit.

8

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

FAMILY

Hendricks County Home

Beautiful You A Story of Connection joy.

That is my beautiful sight. To remedy this norm-seeking condition, we must know ourselves I look for these things in my day. They deeply, and be in touch with who we make me happy. Just like the lady are and what we want. This requires that ordered salad for breakfast. (I that we stop, look and listen – just didn’t even know it was an option – like we were taught all those years go to Panera if this appeals to you). ago. Stop. Look around and notice Another beautiful sight was the what brings you joy. Joy doesn’t owner of a custom-home company lie. (List 100 things that bring who pulled up in his Jaguar to you joy – it’s a great exercise and show me a house, only to pop out will reintroduce you to yourself ). of his car in work boots, with his Then listen to how you feel. Make un-fancy jeans tucked inside, and choices that are consistent with a white t-shirt which was actually who you are and that support inside out. I loved the irony, and your highest good. When you more so his comfort in being real. know yourself, and you are true He had me at the inside-out t-shirt. to yourself, you cannot go wrong.

By Michele O'Mara On a recent walk, I rounded the corner in a neighboring hood, and to my surprise I came across the most beautiful sight. Amazing landscaping? No. Gorgeous new house? Nope. A fancy car? Uh-uh.

Don’t worry if that’s where your mind went. Our peers, culture, the media and eventually, our friends and family teach us what is beautiful.

We learn early to find the norm and strive for it so that we can feel a sense of belonging so that we do not feel alone. I call this norm-seeking.

The pressure to fit in starts early.

The beautiful sight I saw was a woman playing basketball. Not just any woman. A woman I would never have imagined. I would guess she was in her forties, maybe older, (I’m horrible with ages).

She also appeared to be in her pajamas. This put a huge smile on my face. And she was alone on a community basketball court. There was nothing remotely athletic looking about her. She was shorter and carried a little extra weight.

From the big smile on her face, to the bounce in her step, to the rather dramatic back kick of her right leg and twist of her whole body when she put her shot up to the basket, the whole experience oooozed joy. There was nothing familiar about what I saw I do not associate pajamas with basketball. In fact, I am guessing that being in a public space while wearing your pajamas is still only socially acceptable at Wal-Mart. Clearly, this was what she wanted to do, how she wanted to do it, and she was hurting no one, yet experiencing enormous

When we are true to who we are, the real us, we are most likeable. Think about the one person you with whom you feel the most comfortable to be yourself. This person adores you, don’t they? Of course, because with them you are truest and most authentic.

You are real.

I think my dad said it best. When I was about 13 and very selfconscious about fitting in, he said to me, “Just be yourself, and if you do that, everyone will love you like I do.” Now I pass his wise words on to you. Be fearless in your quest to be the truest version of yourself possible. The whole world will love you. And should our paths When we seek to meet the norm, we cross, I for one, will be looking for endanger our greatest strength: our that thing that makes you, you. truth and authenticity. What takes us away from our truth so easily? As a Board Certified Sex Therapist Brene Brown, a popular shame and a Certified Imago Relationship researcher, would say it is our fear of Therapist, Dr. O’Mara brings expert disconnection. We all seek love and help to the Hendricks County area approval to feel safe. The powers by providing men and women with of feeling rejected, feeling foolish, supportive relationship care. With a or not ‘fitting in’ are great forces non-traditional style of counseling that work to maintain social norms. that is heavily influenced by the We want to be connected. In fact, field of life-coaching, Dr. O’Mara norm-seekers will trade their truth applies a non-judgmental attitude for acceptance.

Unfortunately, in all of her work, and seeks to there’s no amount of acceptance for understand who you are, who you who you are not, that will provide wish to become, and how you want you with a feeling of connection. your life and relationships to look.

Hendricks County Home

FAMILY

2KU5 Depression The "Fun Age"

By Lynn Clinton When my children were two and four, I remember a friend saying “that’s such a fun age.” I remember it clearly, because I had never felt a stronger homicidal urge than at that moment. Two walking, talking, grabbing, chaotic, diaper pooping children at the same time?

Fun was not the word I used. As a stay home mom, it came down to a numbers game. It was two against one, and I wasn’t prepared.

I was all set for the possibility of postpartum depression after the births of my children, but nobody warned me about “two kids under 5” depression, and 2KU5 is brutal. I wasn’t a good mother then. I was so stressed and ragged that Everything we did was fraught (yes, my patience was inappropriately I said fraught) with disaster. One low. My husband would walk in was always zigging while the other after work, and I hated him a little zagged and I was frazzled within five because he spent the last 8 hours minutes. We had to have our dinner with adults being productive, and packed up “to go” at a Mexican I spent the last 8 hours in a feed, restaurant because the meltdown clean, entertain, clean - a constant was so epic; I could have swam naked cycle. I was snappy, short and in a vat of their hottest salsa and moody and when the boys were been less humiliated. There were finally in bed after two drinks of blood, sweat and tears every time water, two stories, two “lay with me we left the house; sometimes from for four more minutes,” I couldn’t just me, sometimes from all three. even have a conversation. I just

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 9

THIS...

tried to ignore the fact that roughly 7 hours later, we would begin again.

Looking back, I know there is little I could have done. I wondered how other mothers did it so effortlessly, and I know now… They didn’t.

We just don’t admit it. The fear of sounding like we aren’t happily fulfilled expert moms outweighs our need to speak out. But, we can be there for the others when we see them overwhelmed. When you’re shopping next to that mom with the gritted teeth hissing, “stop fighting or we are leaving this store right now,” you can simply look her in the eyes and say…”it gets better.” There are times now when my six and eight-year-olds are so independent, I find myself missing the feeling of being needed. Then I remember juggling screaming children and unloading grocery carts and I think… no, this is the fun age.

Lynn Clinton is an Avon woman who traded her career and stilettos for children and sneakers. She almost never looks back. Would you like to read more? Lynn also writes over on her own blog, Love, Laughs and Lice...Stories from my life.

IS LYNN CLINTON'S ARTICLE. SHE'S PRETTY POPULAR. IN FACT, OUR MOST POPULAR ARTICLE LAST ISSUE. MAKING THIS SPACE PRIME ADVERTISING FOR YOUR BUSINESS OH, AND IT'S AT A REASONABLE PRICE.

America's only Hendricks County.

Hendricks County's only home magazine.

(317) 609 - 0225 advertising@hendrickshome.com

10

FAMILY

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

Fall Festival Where: McCloud Nature Park When: Saturday, October 18th 11:00 am -4:00 pm Who: All Ages How: Just show up Cost: Free

Ghosts and Goblins Where: Avon Washington Township Park When: Saturday, October 25th 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Who: All Ages How: Just show up Cost: Free

For more information visit Halloween Happenings Where: Natural Valley Ranch 6310 E 350 N, Brownsburg When: Sun, October 26th, 2:00 - 5:00 pm Who: All Ages How: Just show up Cost: $35/Family (up to 6), $5 each addtl, Group Rate, $5/person For more info: www.naturalvalleyranch.com/familyfun

Hendricks County Home

Kids Fair Where: Avon High School When: Saturday, October 25th 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Who: All ages How: Just show up Cost: Free

hendricks.macaronikid.com

UPaint Halloween Where: UPaint Pottery Studio 1820 E Main St, Plainfield When: Friday, October 24th, 6:00 pm Who: All Ages How: Reservations Req'd 317-406-3072 Cost: $18.00

Halloween Reading of The Headless Horseman Where: Downtown Coatesville When: Friday, October 31st, 6:30 pm Who: All Ages How: Just show up Cost: Free For more info: Contact Nikki 765-386-2959 or Lorri 765386-6662 or kidknapp@ccrtc.com

Recent Tuscon transplant and mother of two girls. Meghan’s family chose Hendricks County partially due to the wide variety of family events offered. She turned her interest in family events into a job, becoming a Publisher Mom and running Macaroni Kid Hendricks.

Meghan and her family have been in the Indy area for a couple of years now. When they moved, she had a hard time finding what to do for families and remembered Macaroni Kid because she was a subscriber in Tucson. So, she started one for Hendricks County. Meghan and her husband's daughters are ages 2 and 4. You will hear her fondly call them Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Macaroni Kid and its family of Publisher Moms are dedicated to delivering the scoop on all the family-friendly events and activities happening in their communities each week. Check out Macaroni Kid's list of communities and sign up to receive your free weekly newsletter.

FEATURE

Hendricks County Home

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 11

Homeschooling Children Is it right for you? How do you decide? What are others in your community deciding?

By Dave Giltner Wade and Jenny Wingler In an effort to gain a broad perspective on the subject, we spoke with Wade and Jenny Wingler of Danville. They are parents of two children not yet old enough to be in school (ages 2 and 3); however, they've been considering what the best path to educating their children might be. They also have a daughter, age 17 who attends Danville Schools. They are currently exploring what their choices might be for their children’s education and we asked them to share some of the points that might be weighing on their minds.

With a child already in public school, we were curious to s e e why they might be considering homeschooling. Jenny said, "A few things. Since becoming a stay at home mom, I think I just understand how important time is with our children. When I think about sending my kiddos off to a school where they are one of 25 or 30 children, a full day away from the home, I start to think about all of the time that I would lose with them. I love the idea of having lots of one-on-one attention, focused attention, helping my kids explore and investigate and do things differently. I feel very strongly about letting kids play and explore and be independent thinkers. I think it makes a difference when you have a lot more focused time

with your kids. I think that having the flexibility of homeschooling is appealing. I love the idea that if Wade has the day off, we, the family can just go do something that would be educational, but is not necessarily in a traditional school setting. I like the idea doing homeschooling in the evening when daddy is home to help out, and the flexibility of the day can be a little different. I want to bring the kids up with a particular world view, and I think in a public school, things like prayer and talking about God and spirituality are frowned

upon.

I definitely want to make sure that my kids have that and are raised in an environment where that is okay."

Discussing her concerns regarding the health of her children, a point that we have heard echoed by others on the topic of homeschooling, Jenny went on to tell us, "Jake [their son], has pretty severe peanut and tree-nut allergies. A lot of people whom homes school have [kids with] some severe allergies - to help avoid any life-threatening events at school. That was something that I really hadn't thought about, but started hearing about recently."

program, the mass-customized learning system that they have been doing at Danville. She was in I think 5th grade or 6th grade when they started a pilot program and its really not worked well - for her. I think it really does [work well] for some kids but I think she's an example of a kid who would have done better in a different kind of learning environment."

Jenny agreed with that point and added that she did not want their

younger children to part of an educational experiment. She elaborated about how she felt that the common core math methods may teach children a number of ways to solve a problem, but she said, "What's wrong with the way that we were taught? I hear a lot of stories of kids that are struggling. If you are not an incredibly bright and intelligent, self-motivated child, you are falling behind in a particular school district.

I don't want my kids to be those kids that don't love learning because they've had a bad experience early on. I want to make sure that I am fostering an environment where they love learning and learning feels a lot like play." she said.

they weighed out the option of homeschooling but didn’t feel as though it was, for them, the primary one. Agreeing with her husband, Jenny remarked, "Your child spends the bulk of their hours at school. If they are away from you in an environment that doesn't foster those beliefs or make them important in what they are learning, then it is not going to be as important to them. While we want to raise our children in a Christ-centered home, I think it is absolutely important for our kids to learn that we should respect everyone's paths and everyone's choices and that there are differences.

If you meet someone that believes something different than you, that doesn't mean that you are better or worse [than they are.] They should understand and respect them."

They said that they felt as though the biggest part of their decisions hinges on their children’s education.

While that is the case, they feel as though they will be able to monitor their children’s spiritual health at the same time without preventing them from having an understanding of what others believe. Jenny noted that while she doesn’t want here children to be “sheltered,” she does want to protect them. When pressed on that point, she said that she didn’t feel like here young children Wade said, "[Our] older daughter Wade said that religious concerns should be subjected to rated “R” has really struggled with the pilot were a motivator for them as movies and those sorts of things.

12

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

FEATURE

Hendricks County Home

Homeschooling Children A local mother whose is relatively new to the program Claire-Anne Aikman Claire-Anne Aikman is a mother of a six year old boy. Her family has made the decision to take the leap into homeschooling. We asked her what the experience was like for here. She said, “It has been a deep learning for me, and it makes me pretty proud when I see him understand something. The biggest challenge was finding ways to teach that would resonate with him. I love to bake...he learned to count by doing 'quality control' with M&Ms (he had to pluck out the chipped ones and count the good ones he got to eat the chipped ones) whenever I made M&M cookies (and for a three week period we made a lot, much to neighbors and co-workers delight). He has learned fractions in a similar manner.”

When asked what the best part of homeschooling is, she answered, “Being able to see my kid grasp a concept. I love that he reads so well, and I reinforce that with weekly library trips to get books on subjects HE is interested in. I have learned more about dinosaurs and superheroes than I ever thought I would but at the end of the day, if it helps him be a better reader, then count me in. He LOVES to work on science experiments with his papa as well. Taking mini family trips to re-enforce the education while still having fun that has been a wonderful added bonus.

Seeing his confidence escalate as he reads directions and learns about correlations...those are amazing things to be a witness to and things I would not have

seen if not for home schooling. lot of sifting. Even now I keep my ears and eyes open to what others have Lately, we have been learning tried and liked, and I investigate, about 'value' and not just how which takes time.” She said. much things cost but what is the value of each item. Many, many We were curious, as a busy and trips to the store have had as we successful professional how she discuss prices on everything from could accomplish all of her daily food to toys. Trying to get him to tasks and still be able to educate grasp that he can purchase his her son considering a that is a tall latest 'want' but to do so means he order that many parents whose cannot have something else that is children attend traditional bricks a huge life lesson.

He is learning to save for the bigger item that has longer lasting value. A deeper picture is what I call heartfelt value - is there more value in 'stuff' or in a family outing. I would LOVE to say the family outing wins out every time but, he is 6, and it doesn't.” and mortar schools are challenged to accomplish. She said, “I run to Noting that there were positive the office at a super early hour changes in her son, Claire-Anne and crank out all the work possible said, “He has more confidence and for the day. I arrive home around is quicker to have conversation 7:15am. Papa and boy are, usually, with others about all sorts of things in breakfast mode and once Papa and I think he has actually become leaves for work we start some a stronger thinker/processor.” lessons, take a break - usually a walk, sometimes errands, and then Few things in life are 100% positive, pick studies up again. Sometimes we asked what the worst part of he goes to work functions with their decision had been. “Trying to me and when he does he, usually, muddle through ALL the material spends added time reading or out there. It has been super difficult working on math skills (if he has to find one that match how we roll as been super great he gets coveted a family. It is doable but only after a screen time). I work off a balance

of my work, and his work (studies), and we share in it equally. We throw in fun for both of us (really for him to burn off energy) it might be an impromptu stop at Eagle Creek for a picnic lunch and/or hiking, a trip to a playground or Monkey Joe's, or exploring some other area of Indiana. We will also take baking breaks and recently he has started taking more responsibility in helping fix meals. Sometimes I dash out once papa arrives home to complete my work day.” Then, about how many hours a day they work on “traditional” lessons, she added, “All told, roughly two hardcore hours, and then re-enforce learnings the rest of the day.”

We were reminded of Lynn Clinton’s Hendricks County Home Magazine article, Judgment Day, which talks about how parents judge each other. We wanted to know if there were any social pressures she had faced based on her family’s decision. She answered, “I have had a few people crinkle their noses at me when I told them this is how we roll but those instances have been so few and far between. Most people tell me there is no way they are patient enough to do it, and you know what? That is perfectly fine.

I do not know if this is something we will do all through his entire school career but as long as it works for us, and we want do it we will.

My philosophy is very much that each family moves differently, and schedules can be so crazy, do what works for you and don't look back. I truly feel there is no 'right or wrong'”

FEATURE

Hendricks County Home

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 13

Homeschooling Children Two years in, it can still be frustrating and stressful at times Jennifer Haught

and more than the actual ‘work’ of it¬¬––the planning, researching, Mother of three and homeschooler teaching, and activities––I struggle of one, Jennifer Haught of Avon with answering the questions is now moving into the second over and over, ‘What is best for year of teaching her son, aged my children right now? Am I 6. gave us her perspective. She Not all sunshine and rainbows, doing a good enough job?’” These said, “I had never thought about In weighing out the pros and Jennifer said that the experience are feelings that many parents homeschooling before but in cons, Jennifer said that she and had been, “stressful and frustrating we have spoken with echo. searching for solutions to improve her husband felt as though, “… at times.” She said, “When you are his situation, my husband, and I freedom and flexibility, being a parent, you want Her son does not appear to have started to consider it as an option.” able to tailor the education to do what is the reservations that Jennifer according to his needs, best for your and her husband may have had.

Jennifer said that she did a great deal being able to decide the c h i l d r e n , “I believe he has enjoyed it for the of research into homeschooling, pace and take as much so there most part. Having always been at even as a subject for a semester- or little time as needed are times home with me, he was not thrilled long college level research project. with each subject, the I wrestle with the idea of going off to school She said, “I learned a great deal greater level of in the first place. There about it and loved the idea of involvement have been moments of it; however, I did not ultimately and extra frustration for him as well choose to follow that path with my time spent as we tried to figure two older children because I still did w i t h out the best way to do not feel prepared for it, and I was him, things.

Sometimes afraid of making such a [significant] the way I want to change. On top of that, neither of teach a subject does them wanted to leave school. not match up with My oldest son was already in the way he wants to high school at the time, and my learn, so adjustments daughter was in middle school.” have to be made.”

She explained, “When it was time for my youngest child to start school a couple of years later, we returned to the idea. I had checked out the kindergarten curriculum of our school system and knew there was almost nothing in it he did not already know. We started wondering whether or not it was necessary to send our 5-year-old to school for 7 hours a day to learn concepts he already knew. He also has asthma and allergies, and we were not entirely comfortable with him suddenly being away all day, every day. I am a stay-home mom,

and I knew a full day of school would be a huge adjustment for him, and possibly an unnecessary one. After a great deal of talking about and researching the options, we decided to do kindergarten at home.”

and not having to worry about him having a health issue I was not present for or aware of.” But Jennifer went on to say that they felt as though there were some significant drawbacks as well. “we knew he would be missing out on some fun things about school and would not spend the same amount of time with other kids his age. Homeschooling is also very time-consuming, and a lot of work

for the parent and I struggled with feelings and fears of inadequacy about whether or not I could provide as well-rounded an education as he would receive in school.”

with anxiety over whether or not I am doing a good enough job. However, overall it has been fulfilling and satisfying being able to be so involved and to know that his abilities are a direct result of our time and work together. The worst part for me is probably worrying about making sure I am providing a balanced education. It is not easy,

In traditional educational environments, students are expected to maintain a strict schedule. For many homeschoolers, this is not the case. Jennifer said, “We do not have an hour-by-hour schedule that we follow, but we do have an order in which we do things. Instead of assigning 8:00 as the time for Math and 9:30 for Reading, it is more like, “First we’ll do Math, next this,” and so on. We have the freedom of setting our schedule day-to-day, so if he sleeps longer than usual one morning it is

14

FEATURE

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

ONLINE

www.hendrickshome.com

Visit our website for access to all previously published articles.

Connect with your community by checking out press releases from local schools, charities and other civic organizations.

Learn more about our team, the benefits of advertising with us or how you can contribute content to our publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest news and updates from your community, your Hendricks County

/hendrickscountyhome

@hendrickshome

okay. If he takes more or less time on a certain subject than usual, it’s okay. If he needs more breaks than usual, that is okay. If a particular thing about a subject sparks his interest, we can expand on that and spend more time. As one example, we were recently learning about Ancient Mesopotamia, and he became very interested in the fact that they used sun-dried bricks to build their houses. We ended up spending a lot of time on it, talking about it and looking up pictures and details about the process. He ended up coming up with a project idea to make his own sun-dried bricks.”

In conversations in which we’ve taken part, it is rather routine for there to be at least some concern for the children and frequently criticism of parents for homeschooling their children.

We were curious to see if Jennifer

Hendricks County Home

had felt any such stigma. She said, “I have definitely felt that I faced social challenges/stigma as a result of this decision. Homeschooling is not what the majority of people do, and we received quite a few questions and warnings about it from family and friends. It has been my experience so far that many people are of the opinion that it is not good for our child to be outside the school system and that he will turn out to be a socially awkward and sheltered child. I would not say any person’s reaction changed my thinking exactly, but I was definitely inspired to do further research and to take longer in making the initial decision to homeschool. We wanted to feel confident in the decision before going forward, so the criticism and questions are good things. They keep us continually thinking about and discussing what is best for our kids.”

FEATURE

Hendricks County Home

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 15

Homeschooling Children Going the distance can yield impressive results Mary and Dan Schnake Mary Schnake and Dan Schnake have two children in college. One is attending Auburn, and the other is attending Vassar. Their youngest child currently attends high school in Danville. We spoke with Mary about why her family decided homeschooling was the best approach for them.

"I started homeschooling when my oldest child was in second grade, about 2000. I chose to home school because he hated school. He hated pre-school.

He hated kindergarten. He hated 1st grade. However, like all people, he loved to learn.

He was curious and was full of wonder. But he didn't like school. All of the things that he didn't like about school were, in my opinion, very valid. My background was working with kids and working in schools - this is what I had studied. I have a degree in psychology, and then I got a degree in elementary education. I realized that everything that I learned when getting my psychology degree, about how people learned... it was like the schools took all of that stuff and then said, 'Hmmm.... I guess we'll do the exact opposite.' These things were going to extinguish his love of learning. It wasn't just a little kid not wanting to - he was smart. He wasn't struggling. He wasn't getting bullied. No Child Left Behind was

going to be the law, and it was just going to get worse. In Indiana, there was already all of this emphasis on standardized testing. When I would go talk to the principal about what we can do to help him, the answer to me was shrug, 'Look how well we

did on the ISTEP.' I just realized at that moment; it wasn't going to change.

Schools were going to be schools. I pulled him out. My kids always had a choice to go or not." Mary said.

people, and get involved in things - as they want. There's no formal lessons. There's no tests. There's no set curriculum. You just let go of the whole school paradigm and trust that they are going to learn because that is what human beings do. We

joined homeschooling groups. That was the social part for us, trying to find a community of homeschoolers.

We struggled with that a little bit. A lot of homeschoolers here are homeschooled for religious She went on to say, "I settled on reasons. Finding a homeschooling un-schooling. It is kind of a no- community where we felt curriculum. The kids just kind of comfortable was the social aspect." live their lives and learn. When you notice that your kids are interested "I worked with kids ever since I in something, you help them. You got out of school. I taught in a take them places, help them meet Montessori school (which I loved.)

That prompted me to go back and get my teaching degree. Then, when I got into public school, I can remember - I can see myself one day clearly giving a lesson during my student teaching [thinking], "No. I can't do this. I can't teach at a public school.' I just believe that people are born to want to learn. That is what they want to do. They need to do it in their own way, at their own pace and that they will. I don't see the point in making these kids learn, like this lesson - 'Where do you put the commas and the periods in a sentence?'

It was a group of first or second graders in IPS. They didn't care. They didn't want to be there.

None of them were paying attention. I was spending more time getting them to pay attention than delivering the lesson. I just remember thinking, 'You know what? I don't blame them.' They don't care.

Why should they care?

This is boring. At some point in their life, when it becomes important for them to know where to put a comma and a period, they'll figure it out. It is not rocket science. I just feel like schools crush the love of learning. They really harm it because of the nature of it - the nature of something where you are trying to educate masses, and it has to be standardized.

There's too much emphasis on everybody hitting milestones at the same time and the same way."

16

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

FEATURE

Hendricks County Home

Homeschooling Children A public school teacher's perspective on how homeschooled children perform academically Lori Doran Lori Doran is a 7th and 8th-grade math teacher at a public school in Central Indiana. Her and her husband, David raise their family in Brownsburg where they sent their children to public schools.

"I've had students who've enrolled in our school that have previously been homeschooled." Lori told us. She went on to tell us about the how the children interacted once they had been enrolled. "It is almost like any new student that we get in a classroom. Everybody walks in, having a whole entirely different background.... Kids that have been socially acclimated because their parents have put them in different positions where they've had to be social... students who have been completely removed from the social realm in their homeschooling experience. When they are [placed] into the public school setting, they are not at all prepared for that.

Those types of students have a more difficult time getting acclimated to the public school environment. It is not that they cannot, it just takes them a little longer. As for academic performance, it [socialization] had absolutely no impact on them. Once they got involved in extra-curricular activities, then they were much more comfortable. That is something that we stress, as teachers that they really need to get involved... they'll enjoy school a lot more."

We wanted to know what Lori's

that she has been very proud of the public school system that her children have attended.

She said that they did not see the need because of the quality of the instruction that her children are receiving.

homeschooled children, Lori said that she felt it was very positive.

She felt like many parents who had previously homeschooled may have had some reluctance to have their children in a public school setting. There is much stereo-typing of the public school setting where sometimes parents have an idea that it is a terrible place, or bad things happen there. She said it is very important to her to support them and let them know that everything is going to be okay and that she understands that it might be a tough transition for their children at first. She discussed how parents of W h e n formerly homeschooled children are experience was in regard to how i n t e r a c t i n g usually very receptive and involved home schooled children perform with the parents of formerly in their children's education. academically in comparison to children who have spent their entire time being educated in public schools. She said, "I would say that it is like any student that would be new to my school You can get a digital copy of Hendricks County system. They all come in a different Home magazine directly to your email inbox. backgrounds, academically as well.

I have had my superstars that walk in and I am like, 'Oh my goodness!

You are so prepared. Your parents have done such a wonderful job!'...

Perfect for reading on the go!

To the complete opposite, 'Oh my gosh! Did your parents ever teach you?' I would say that it is just like anybody. There is just a very diverse set of standards that they have been taught by - some great and some not so well prepared."

Did you know? ! e t i s b e ur w

Lori said that her and her husband did not decide to home school. She said she would not be able to provide that homeschooling structure because she is a full-time teacher and a full-time student. She said

Sign

o n o up

FEATURE

Hendricks County Home

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 17

Homeschooling Children The flip side, the perspective from an at-home teacher for Indiana Connections Academy Kaitlyn Belcher "I currently am the 6th and 7thgrade math teacher at Indiana Connections Academy and am also the marketing liaison. I am in my fourth year teaching at this online school. [The school] is a public school servicing students in grades k-12 in the State of Indiana.

We follow the same guidelines that any other public school would do, but it is just done at home on the computer instead of an actual school building. We do follow all public and state laws as far as our education standards and state testing." Kaitlyn told us.

We asked why a place such as this is a necessary option for families.

She answered, "Its super important that students have school choice because not everyone can be successful in a brick-and-mortar environment. Current, for example, I have a student who is on a wait list to get a heart transplant, and he spends a lot of time at the hospital.

He's able to do his school work there an not miss out on anything at all. I had a student a couple of years ago that was a freshman, but she was only nine years old. No one really knew that [in class]. She was able to answer questions and ask questions when we met as a group [online]. She was not intimidated by the fact that everyone else was much older. She was able to excel and be challenged on a daily basis."

Kaitlyn said that the school has over 3,500 students and that the school's first year in 2010 was only k-3 and was a pilot program

overseen by the State of Indiana.

This is the 4th year as a k-12 school.

She said that the enrollment increased dramatically when the school was able to add the other grade levels, up 600% from 280 to over 2000 students the following year. This year, she indicated that the enrollment was up again. textbooks, k-5 get a hard-copy [actual textbooks.] They get an Labs had been indicated to be a spot art kit, a science kit, jump-rope for of difficulty in some homeschooling P.E., maybe a yoga DVD. Students environments.

Kaitlyn said, that come to us are required to "Students have the capability to have the internet and a computer.” complete labs at home for science.

They may need equipment such We wanted to know what the benefit as a graduated cylinder or things of this environment might be over like that. We provide that. One of homeschooling. "The benefits are that we are meeting the state standards.

So, we are going by what the state says that a student needs to know to either go out in the workforce or go to college. If a family is homeschooling, they have a bunch more responsibility as far as setting the curriculum and making sure that they are meeting what needs to be the high school chemistry labs met. We take care of all of that. If a [for example] requires cabbage. family is interested in doing a type [The students] would be required of homeschooling but they are very to get that. If they can't, then they intimidated or scared of having to still have the ability to do a virtual set curriculum or the responsibility lab so they can write a report. We of doing the actual instruction, provide everything [including] then this would be a great thing for textbooks. We do not charge a them. As teachers, we do that for textbook rental fee. Sometimes them. Parents are involved because that can be $300-$400+ for kids. they can login and see what their We do not provide computers. The students are required to do, but

they do not have to instruct. They still do those same things if [the child] was going to a traditional school... proofread papers, check over the homework." She said.

According to the FAQ, “The program is free, including all of the books and curriculum.

The only costs are the optional field trips, which are organized by your school's Community Coordinators and staff, and the replenishment of some school supplies, such as printer cartridges.”

What about prom and graduation, we wondered. "We had a prom last year. It was our first year for prom.

It was held in Indianapolis because that is where the largest of our population is. We have a graduation ceremony. We had 120 students walk. We mailed the diplomas for the other students because we know it is far. We had caps and gowns and the speech and walked across the stage." She said.

More information about Indiana Connections Academy can be found by visiting their website at www.connectionsacademy. com, by calling Tollfree:1-800-382-6010, Twitter: t witter.com/connec tionsacad and Facebook: www.facebook. com/ConnectionsAcademy

18

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

LOCAL BUSINESS

Hendricks County Home

My Hunny's Honey Beekeeping is the art of creating and maintaining artificial honeybee hives.

The benefits are many. Beeswax, for example, makes a traditional cheese coating, candles, coated thread, crayons, food preparations, ear-candling, basketry, dying, document sealing, glazing, and hundreds of other. Honey, as we all know, is perhaps the most cherished treat from bees. In fact, evidence exists showing people collecting wild-bee honey up to 13,000 B.C. Honey has also long had a reputation for antibiotic properties and healthfulness. According to a WebMD article, Medical Uses of Honey, “In the laboratory, honey has been shown to hamper the growth of food-borne pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella, and to fight certain bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both of which are common in hospitals and doctors' offices. However, whether it does the same in people has not been proven.”

The same article does goes on to caution parents of children less than 1 year old to avoid providing honey to children because botulism spores may be present in honey and children that young may not have developed

enough immune systems to cope with that organism.

America often prides itself, rightfully so, on being the breadbasket of the world, but many crops would simply fail without bees to pollinate the plants that feed us. No bees? Say goodbye to watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, pumpkin, zucchini, macadamia, cucumbers, turnips, apples, avocados, apricots, cherries, almonds, pears, nectarines, eggplants, cotton, sunflowers, flax… the list goes on and on. Plants and bees have developed over, and untold length of time in a symbiotic relationship and one frequently cannot live without the other. An article from Business Insider, What Our World Would Look Like Without Honeybees, says, “Nearly one-third of the world's crops are dependent on honeybees for pollination, but over the last decade the black-and-yellow insects have been dying at unprecedented rates both in the United States and abroad.

Pesticides, disease, parasites, poor

w e at h e r, and the stress of being trucked from orchard-toorchard to pollinate different crops all play a role in the decline of managed honeybee populations. A lack of bees threatens farmers who depend on these nectarand pollen-eating animals for their pollination services.”

We spoke to some of the hardest working beekeepers in Hendricks County. Brownsburg residents, grandparents and farmer’s marketers, Larry and Shellie Kemerly, invited us to view the goings on at their property.

We asked how they found locations to put the bees. Shellie said, “People always call. People say, ‘Hey, we want you to [bring] your bees to pollinate our gardens or our flowers... We do

not have enough hives to pollinate many of the yards.” Shellie said.

Larry added, “"There's a pollination need, and they need to have bees in the area. It has never been a problem

LOCAL BUSINESS

Hendricks County Home

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 19

some suggest that even 1000 to 1200 hives. They have more than 100 hives that they maintain currently.

We asked how they became involved in beekeeping. Larry said, "It was out of necessity. We needed pollination services. I'd always been interested in bees ever since I was a kid. I got transferred to Illinois. We moved out there and bought a place that had an apple orchard, cherry trees, a peach tree and some pear trees. We needed the pollination services. The first year we were there we had basically nothing, just a handful of pears and a few apples. The 2nd year [with bees present] I literally had to go out and tie up and prop up limbs because the load [of fruit] the trees had on them that following year."

Shellie said that her father had been a beekeeper as well, making them the 2nd generation of beekeepers in their family. Each time that Larry has been transferred, the bees have been transferred with them. They’ve moved from Indiana to Illinois to Iowa and back again. Larry and Shellie have been beekeeping for 18 years. Larry’s goal is at retirement to have more than 1000 hives and be a full time beekeeper.

finding s o m e place to put these hives. We are limited on how many hives we have." Shellie went on to tell us that in order for a single beekeeper to make a full time go of things; they may need to maintain and distribute

over 800 hives.

Various online sources confirm this figure, and

For more information on My Hunny’s Honey, you can find them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/MyHunnysHoney or online at http://myhunnyshoney. com/ or by calling (317) 650-3055.

All photos in the article are courtesy of Eric Thomas of Solar Flare Photography ( eric@solar flarephoto.com)

20

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

LOCAL BUSINESS

By Dave Giltner

- that's nice.' Another day, we were running errands, and I was getting Here is what you are going to want a little tired and he said, 'We have to do. You are going to want to get one more stop.' 'Where are we up nice and early, get ready and going?' [I asked.] 'To put an offer on walk in the door at about 7:05am, this building.' right after the doors open. [ Tracy You are going to want said.] to have a cup of coffee or some phenomenal loose leaf tea, and you are going to want to order breakfast.

W h y ?

Because everything here smells Messrs. Bill Franklin & Tracy Jones like your grandmother’s house and tastes amazing – that is why. In fact, Tracy's grandmother, 'What aged 98, can be found for?!'

[I here weekly. Tracy told us that on said.] ... In my mind, Thursdays, his grandmother comes there was no way that it was going helps with cooking and baking. to happen. I remember him literally Now in business since Christmas pulling over and reading me the riot Eve, 1998, Court House Grounds is act. 'It has always been your dream to approaching its 16th anniversary. have the coffee shop. Besides, they When answering how the idea for don't have to accept our offer.'' But the shop came into being, Bill said, after some negotiating and some "I was working for National City luck, the bank did take the offer.

Bank. I'd been there about eight They said that building had years. I started out as a teller and previously been a restaurant but then I ended up in the training had been in bankruptcy. When the department. I've always liked one got the place, they had an auction of a kind, individual, unique coffee because they did not want just to shops. I often had, off and on make do with what was there. They spouted about having one myself got rid of everything including someday." Bill said that his job was the equipment that was already less and less about interacting with present. Still working full-time jobs, students and more about watching at the end of the day, they would them work on computers. "I was come in and work some more - only getting burned out. Tracy saw that this time on their own business. the building was for sale, and he The duo detailed their surprise at showed it to me. I thought 'Okay how some people only think that

Court House Grounds

they serve coffee. This myth should be dispelled immediately when one walks through the door at the site of the fully functioning open kitchen. "We will be out in the world catering a graduation or a wedding and [someone who might come into the shop regularly]... they will come to that as a guest and eat our food at the buffet and s a y ,

'Hey! T h i s is great!

I didn't know you guys could cook.'" Tracy said.

"Then, there's people who only eat here and there are women in town who will only use us to cater their event because they love our food."

"The thing like are the two stories.

We often get someone coming in because it is their birthday.

Somebody's treating them to lunch. They'll say, 'Today's my birthday. Of all the places, I wanted to come here to lunch today.' A lot of times, we'll have had customers

Hendricks County Home

who are pregnant or at the hospital and their husbands are coming in, 'My wife just had a baby and she's dying for your chicken salad sandwich.'" Bill told us.

"The reason we are still open today is that we are

b e s t friends. If we weren't friends, business partners alone wouldn't have stuck through no paychecks and the amount of work.

I always work harder than he does.

I'm sure he feels as though he works harder than I do. You always have to give 110% - not 50%. That is the only reason why we are still around.

We are friends first." Tracy said.

After September 11th, Bill had been

Hendricks County Home

LOCAL BUSINESS

New Customer Special

Call us today and you’ll receive: • FREE* Tank Set • FREE* Safety Gas Check • FREE* Installation

* Offer good for 250 gallon tank size or larger. FREE installation up to 25’ of line.

Restrictions apply. Call store for details.

Mention Promo Code 1206

called up to active duty and family She still sells us cakes and pies. We had pitched in, bake all of our own bread but if we are low on bread, I'll go buy her bread because she bakes her own bread. For the longest time, we only used her bread. I was running over there to buy bread and a customer a regular customer of ours was walking out of [The Breadbasket] with her lunch to go back to her office. She hid her bag and made a funny face like, 'Ooh. You caught me!' because she was eating someplace else. I thought, 'No! I love that you volunteering their time. have choices!... that you patronize Unfortunately, during all of the local businesses. It is not that time, discretionary like that. If I want to make more spending took a real dip money. I don't want to fight with and people were not going Judy (The Breadbasket) over that out, and the business was one lady if she's going to eat here suffering. Single highhandedly, today or there today. I want to get the very best advice on any word out [to the rest of the county] business matter that we have that we are here. There are 8,000 ever heard... in fact on virtually people in Danville. How many are any subject from marriage, family, in Hendricks County that have friendship, business, anything of never heard of us. I don't want to real value was given by Tracy when fight with other merchants over he said, "When [things] were at that one meal. I want the brand their worst. Foreclosure notices, bill new person having never been to collectors, everything. We didn't either of our stores and come in know what to do know what else to and say, 'What a charming place. do but just keep showing up. Just How long have you been here?'" keep working. My answer to any We strongly encourage you to visit sort of problem in life is to work. It this amazing small business. Court is therapeutic. That is the only thing House Grounds can be found on the that really saved us was to just keep square in Danville at 65 S Washington plugging at it. Just keep doing it." St – On Facebook at www.

"I want to find brand new customers facebook.com/courthousegrounds that know nothing about us. I - On their website www. remember The Breadbasket opened courthousegrounds.com – On - our "competition." I was running Twitter @CHGBistro – By Calling over there to buy stuff to sell here. (317) 989-1600. Ask to see the menu!

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 21

FIRST FILL SPECIAL Call today for our special offer!

Hurry, this offer ends soon.

(317) 852-8916 Restrictions apply. Call store for details. Coupon must me mentioned when ordering. Limited time offer.

ProPane, Inc. off ers quality propane service you & your family can depend on. Your safety is our priority, that’s why our professionally trained staff is available 24/7 for emergency service.

Own yo propan ur e tank?

Ask us about our COT Sp ecial!

Ask for: Customer Service

...when you call today to find out how you can be part of the ProPane, Inc. family.

(317) 852-8916

375 West Main Street | Brownsburg, IN 46112

Sign up with ProPane, Inc. today and enter for your chance to win 100 FREE Gallons of Propane**

22

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

INTEREST

Hendricks County Home

With Great Power, Comes Great Social Responsibility

By AJ Schneider

on Google+, or pull the iPhone out how much time and effort we spend of my pocket and drop a scathing dealing with unreasonable online In the mid 1990s, I constantly review of my plumbing contractor. reviews (it would blow your mind). traveled for my job and bad Here are some of my conclusions: customer service was par for the Where’s the balance? At what point course. One night, just outside the are we no longer keeping up our end Consumerism takes time Philadelphia airport, the last straw of the bargain as good consumers? I get frustrated WAY too quickly. was a lousy meal at an all-night At what point are we actually Recently, my wife and I went to H.H. diner. The young waitress, who hurting ourselves by not allowing Gregg in Avon to look at a washer had botched my order (seriously, b u s i n e s s e s and dryer we had researched how do you get eggs and bacon to improve wrong?), then managed to mess up because we my bill. She closed out my American don’t provide Express card before I could any feedback? leave my tip, and I had no cash. Or, by forgiving hard “How bout if I charge you for a 39- working and cent piece of cheese and you add well meaning the tip on top of that?” she asked. entrepreneurs an occasional “Fine,” I said, thinking things bad day by couldn’t get stranger. not making a federal case on “Great,” she said. “What kind their Facebook of cheese do you want?” p a g e ?

As bad as the experience was that night – at the diner, the hotel and on the airplane to get there – I never said a word to anyone.

Shame on me.

I rarely fill out surveys. How can the manager improve if he or she doesn’t know there’s something wrong?

By the same token, in the early 1990s, there wasn’t any Web site to leave a bad review – Yelp wasn’t founded until 2004. Since then I’ve had more than my share of bad customer service, but never once have I been compelled to fire up the laptop to destroy my waitress

As consumers, I think we’ve lost touch with the reality of what it means to buy, or sell, goods and services. I’d encourage you to examine your behavior as a consumer. Ask yourself whether you’re really participating in a way that allows the market to regulate itself. (Good products rise to the top because they’re good products, bad services fall by the wayside because they’re truly bad, somewhere in the middle the market understands nobody’s perfect).

online. I was immediately turned off and started grumbling when the salesperson didn’t know the answers to my questions right away and had to go look some things up. I don’t want to sound like a parent trying to get his kids to eat vegetables, but….seriously?

People in developing countries walk miles to scrub their clothes in dirty water. I think I can wait a few extra minutes to find out if the washing machine I’m looking for comes in gray or white. In the I recently had occasion to examine end, the folks at HH Gregg in Avon my own consumer behavior (I’m a did a tremendous job of getting big jerk). At the same time, I looked at me the information I needed and

finding the best price. The fact that it took a few extra minutes had no negative effect on my life.

Accuracy may take your participation How many times have fast food orders been incorrect – and you didn’t know your kid’s meal was wrong until you got home?

Check your order every time even though you shouldn’t have to. If that doesn’t work – STOP GOING TO THAT restaurant. I’ve made the mistake of yelling at the manager in front of my family. It doesn’t work, and I just looked silly (or worse). When it comes to fast food, I recommend Chik-Fil-A in Plainfield. The rarely make a mistake and the kids who work there are well trained and polite.

Fill out surveys for the products and services that you often use You could spend your life filling out survey requests. But if you don’t participate, you’re adding to your own problem (it’s a little like democracy but you can vote 365 days a year). Legitimate businesses rely on your feedback to make improvements. If you had great service, it’s equally as important.

Social media and online reviews were never designed to exact retribution Before you go nuts with a terrible review on social media – think about whether you would have said the same thing to the business owner

Hendricks County Home

on the telephone or in-person.

Have you ever left a positive review – or just negative? It’s pretty clear that many reviewers (particularly negative ones) hide behind the distance of a computer rather than have a conversation with the business owner. I think I can speak for all businesses when I say we all make the occasional doozy of a mistake.

Here’s the problem: That negative review will stick with the business long after your anger has died down, and you’ve had time to reflect on whether your experience was as egregious as you described on Yelp. Here’s my suggestion. Before you write the review make sure that you can’t resolve the issue with a phone call or a visit. Ask yourself if your experience could have been an isolated incident. Ask yourself if it’s even your responsibility to inform the general public about the mistake (i.e. “Yes” if it’s a

INTEREST medical product that could hurt times and each time you waited someone, “No” if you believe your 30 minutes or more for your food hamburger was too well done). to arrive? (And…after the second trip to that restaurant, why did you After you’ve taken a deep breath, go back a third time? Just sayin.) evaluated the experience further, and if you still believe it’s necessary In the end, there’s no excuse for a to write that review – have at it. bad customer experience, but it’s going to happen occasionally. At Write your reviews critically and my company, we pride ourselves constructively on customer focus and we take The ability to say things without customer satisfaction very, very fear of confrontation or conflict seriously. I believe most decent promotes embellishment. companies want your feedback Remember – real people work for in order to improve and want to the company you’re reviewing, and do the right thing if they make a they need their jobs as much as mistake. Give them that chance by you need yours. Stick to the facts, providing feedback and reaching don’t embellish and be specific. out, or send a message by taking Generalizations like, “their service your business elsewhere. In the sucked,” isn’t helpful. Why did it end, online reviews are part of the suck? Did you wait an extra minute new business paradigm and we for your water (…much of the world embrace them no matter what. doesn’t have clean water to drink… are you going to make it?) Or have Looking back on that night in you been to the restaurant four Philadelphia, I should have asked

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 23

for the manager. I would have told him or her that while the waitress was having a bit of a rough night, but, she came up with a creative solution to my problem – and she made me laugh. And, by the way, the answer was provolone.

A.J. Schneider is the executive vice president of Indianapolis-based Wheaton Van Lines (the parent company of Wheaton World Wide Moving, Bekins Van Lines and Clark & Reid) one of the largest household goods moving companies in the United States. Schneider brings more than 20 years of experience in communications, marketing, sales and customer service to the moving and storage industry to ensure customers get where they’re going.

The father of two young girls, he and his wife live in Avon. Schneider can be reached at 317.558.0746 or at: aj_schneider@wvlcorp.com

24

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

COMMUNITY

Hendricks County Home

Connecting Caring People with Causes that Matter Hendricks County Community Foundation "You ask people what the Hendricks County Community Foundation does. They're going to say 'scholarships.'" Ericka Bethel who is in charge of the foundation's communications and events told us.

"They know that we do Eli Lilly grant scholarships. This past year, we gave tree full rides to any school in the state. We've really done that since the inception of the community foundation. We also handle most of the scholarships in the community.

That is something that is worthwhile in our community... but that is pretty much the smallest thing that we do."

help groups like that, that give back and make it easy for them to [do so.] We do all of that leg work and we service that umbrella 501(c)3 for them. When they need checks cut, we do that for them. We do all of the financial side for them. We can do online fundraising for groups, being an aid to people who want to give back to their community. A lot of these groups are one or two people, and they have a full-time job. They don't have a background

Ericka told us that Lilly established all of the community foundations around the state. She said that Indiana had more community foundations than anyone else in the country and that it was because of the Eli Lilly Foundation. Every so many years, Lilly gives a sizable gift to all of the foundations and The Hendricks County Community Foundation is eligible for up to $1.5 million. She noted that the board of directors is working in fundraising. That is the really to maximize the opportunities exciting thing that we do that people and is working to get matching don't understand or know about.” funds from various sources.

The foundation’s good work Ericka said, “We have over 200 funds is immeasurable.

According that we manage. A group of people to their website, funds at the have an idea... a way they want to Hendricks County Community give back. Many times, for groups Foundation Include: to give individuals or corporations, Hendricks County Arts Council Fund will want [an organization] to be This non-permanent fund was a 501(c)3. That is very expensive established in 2005 by the and very time intensive. That is Hendricks County Arts Council. The one of the main purposes of the purpose of this fund is to provide foundation. That is why we say, financial means to promote and 'Connecting Caring People with encourage arts in Hendricks County.

Causes that Matter.' We want to

9/11 Memorial at Williams Park This fund was created to provide support to the World Trade Center Memorial Project by the Brownsburg Fire Territory and Local 4406. The Brownsburg Fire Territory and Local 4406 purchased a piece of steel from the 9/11 disaster to make a memorial display.

This will be the only memorial of this type in the State of Indiana.

for the maintenance of the One Room School located in Pittsboro.

TheyreOurKids.org Fund This non-permanent fund was established in 2007 to support the theyreourkids.org website.

This project was initiated by the Leadership Hendricks County 2006 educational project. This website is free to all parents of Hendricks County. It provides links Hendricks County Alliance for to helpful information for parents Diversity Fund including scholarship information This non- and parenting resources. permanent fund was established in Farmers and Hunters Feeding the 2003 by Hendricks Hungry County Alliance This fund was established in 2011 for Diversity. The by Farmers and Hunters Feeding the purpose of this Hungry to stock Hendricks County fund is to help food pantries with meat provided support activities by local farmers and hunters. that promote u n d e r s t a n d i n g Hendricks County Food Pantry and appreciation Coalition Fund of differences This fund was created by a group within the of Hendricks County volunteers Hendricks County interested in creating a countyc o m m u n i t y . wide fund to provide gap-funding at various local food pantries. The Leadership Hendricks County fund would also be used to provide Fund assistance for financial needs such This endowed fund was established as rent, utilities and basic needs in 2005 by Leadership Hendricks and could be a resource for local County to honor Suzanne Whicker's churches that do not currently 10 years of service.The purpose of this have benevolence funds setup. fund is to help support programs of Leadership Hendricks County.

Jordan's Place Fund HCGives.org Jordan's Place Fund is a nonpermanent fund for Jordan's One Room School Fund Place to provide necessary This endowed fund was established resources for those families in 1999 by North West Hendricks who have foster children.

School Corporation. The purpose of this fund is to provide support Sheltering Wings Center for

Hendricks County Home

COMMUNITY

Women Fund This endowed fund was established in 2005 by Dori Brauman. The purpose of this fund is to provide support toSheltering Wings Center for Women to carry out its mission.

their God-given potential. This nondenominational program and event allow women within Hendricks County to be transparent and real with the teens in our county as they come alongside them.

Sycamore Services/Hendricks County ARC Fund This endowed fund was established in 1999 by the Sycamore Services Board of Directors. The purpose of this fund is to provide support to Sycamore Services.

The Hendricks County Community Foundation is located at 6319 East U.S. Highway 36, Suite #211, Avon, IN 46123. Their phone is 317-268-6240. To set up a fund at the community foundation, email: info@hendrickscountycf.org

Get REAL inC Fund This fund was created by Tim and Katie Wolfe to provide support for mentoring programs that help teenagers deal with real-life issues and adjustments. The main focus of this fund will be an annual event for teenage girls--Get REAL inC is a life changing "Girls Only" ministry that encourages girls to maximize

If you would like to keep up with what is going on at the foundation, we encourage you to subscribe to their newsletter at: www. hendrickscountycf.org/signup/

Jeremy Eglen (317) 451-9124 Attorney at Law

BUSINESS & CONTRACTS

LICENSING & TECHNOLOGY

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 25

If your advertisement was here... it could've already been seen by

33,000

consumers in your community.

ESTATE & FIREARM TRUSTS America's only Hendricks County.

Hendricks County's only home magazine.

6781 E US Hwy 36, Ste 220, Avon

jeremy@eglenlaw.com

www.eglenlaw.com

(317) 609 - 0225 advertising@hendrickshome.com

26

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

LAWN & GARDEN

Hendricks County Home

Apple, Pumpkins, Cornfields and....Llamas?

Places not to miss in Hendricks County this fall

By April Westcott One of the best times to enjoy Hendricks County, Indiana is autumn. The vibrant colors, the smells and sounds and the leaves dancing as they fall from trees never disappoint. Most of the local farmer’s markets end their seasons at the end of September. However, the orchards and festivals are a great place to find local produce and fun events. There are many places to see and visit with the family locally that make the traditions of the fall season lifelong memories. Hogan Farms is Beasley’s Orchard 2304 E, Main St. Danville, IN www.beasleys-orchard.com Beasley’s Orchard has been a familyowned farm business in Hendricks County for 68 years. The orchard doesn’t just boast 6 varieties apples. Beasley’s grows and sells tomatoes, corn, green beans cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, squash, cantaloupe, watermelon and pumpkins and more.

The barn built after the Civil war serves as a year-round market and cider mill. Inside the market is the Cider Bar, where they serve awardwinning cider that is pressed daily.

They also sell novelty pantry goods and treats made mostly from local vendors. Fresh honey and preserves fill the market as well as vast varieties of sauces and old-fashioned candies. You can get lost in the book section of homemade recipes.

The line for purchasing apples extends through the market during September and October.

But the festivals are worth bringing

the family to see. The Heartland Apple Festival is open the first two weekends in October with food, the Kids Zone, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, facepainting and live entertainment.

This year’s cornfield maze is entitled “The City of Cornopolis” and was professionally designed and challenges the maze-goers through a series of passport questions. It opens Sept 19th and runs weekends t h r o u g h October 31st.

Dog

hidden away in the country roads of Brownsburg. You know you are there when you see the sheep and llamas. The 100-year-old Hogan Farms is a seasonal business with a large pumpkin patch, cornfield and an animal farm. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch are quintessential and to the young animal lovers, the farm animal experience offers an educational opportunity for kids to meet Bob the pig and many of the llamas, sheep, cattle and pigs.

You are able to feed and touch and learn about the roles each animal plays on a farm.

The pumpkin patch and hayride are famous to Hogan Farm experience.

This year, the cornfield maze has been added celebrating the theme of “Down on the Farm.” The Daze twists and turns exit at the at the pumpkin patch. Be Maze is October sure to watch the website for the 25-26th for limited hours which “haunted” maze dates and times. encourages pet owners to bring along their pets through Cornopolis. McCloud Nature Park Prairie Beasley’s proceeds for this event Maze Nature Center supports local animal rescue groups. 8518 N. Hughes Road Be sure to check out Beasley’s North Salem, IN website for times and schedules. Through October 31st http://www.hendrickscountyparks.org/

Hogan Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze 9110 E County Road 100 N Brownsburg, IN http://www.brownsburgcornmaze.com/

All of the County Parks of Hendricks County brag a multitude of fall colors and trails to visit. McCloud Nature Park takes advantage of its beautiful setting to host so many

LAWN & GARDEN

Hendricks County Home

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 27

excellent family fall activities.

Besides hiking through the incredible 232-acre park, you can now test your skills at a 40-acre cornfield maze beginning at the Nature Center.

They also o f f e r several educational events. Bats of Indiana and Bat House Building is a free event where each family can build a bat house before walking the trails at dusk in search of the native bats. The Nature Center hosts a spider ID class and Moonlight Owl Prowl as well. cider and The park Do not miss their Fall Festival on stories on October 18th for scarecrow building who want contests, painting pumpkins, make the park

Check out these local Events as well:

• • a n d • take apple a variety of events. • also hosts campfire October 25th for kids • to dress up and visit • and mazes as well.

• •

BFE Farms Swap Meet and Farmers Market 11388 N. County Road 900 E, North Salem 2nd and 4th Saturdays in September and October Scarecrow Festival Hendrick’s County Courthouse, Danville, IN Through October 31st. http://www.visitdowntowndanville.com/scarecrow-festival/ Hendricks County Artisan Marketplace The Palms 2353 E. Perry Road, Plainfield, IN Saturday November 15th. http://hendrickscountyarts.org/?page_id=331 For an extensive list of fall activities, be sure to visit the Visit Hendricks County website. http://www.visithendrickscounty.com

•

BE PREPARED TO VISIT A CORNFIELD MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH • Before you leave, verify the dates, times, locations and fees for all of your events. Some are cash only or may have special hours for haunted events and additional activity information and maps.

• Make a plan with younger children before visiting about rules and what to do if you are separated.

Lookahead and watch for daytime or night time temperatures.

Dress for the weather. Long pants and sweatshirts are ideal.

Dress kids in bright identifiable colors. Glow necklaces are fun and ideal for keeping your group together in cornfield mazes.

Hayrides mean straw in your pockets and clothing. Wear clothing that doesn’t have the magnetic affect of connecting to every natural element.

Disposable ponchos are nice to have if the weather looks iffy.

Your shoes will get dirty.

Wear shoes that cover your toes and can get muddy.

Bring a flashlight with your name on it to evening events.

Be sure that you have space in your vehicle for the number of pumpkins you gather.

Bring plastic bags and towels for your vehicle for the return trip in case of dirt and mud.

Photography in this article courtesy of Lisa Blythe (catchingfires@gmail.com)

28

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Hendricks County Home

Musical Theater is for Everyone The Biz Academy Craig Whitcombe (Director/Music Director/Co-Owner)

Jeff Van Paris

(Director /Choreographer / Co-Owner)

Jan Van Paris

(Business Manager/Producer/ Co-Owner)

personal lives and our other full-time jobs." Craig is referring to the fact that not only are the three coowners dedicated to their small business of teaching musical theater and

Now w i t h two years under their belts, The Biz Academy in Avon is producing an excellent show after excellent show.

You may recall the organization f r o m cultivating our previous a r t i c l e , talent here in Hendricks “Oustanding!� which discussed County, but the fact that they all their production of Les Miserables. work full-time jobs as well. Both Jan and Jeff are teachers. Jeff (now in "We have been doing this our his 27th year) teaches in Plainfield whole lives," Jeff Told us. "We Schools and Jan in Danville. Craig worked with Hendricks Civic works at the Children's Museum.

Theater for 16+ years. Our kids both "I had left a prestigious position in took theater growing up. It became the arts to start a family with my our family 'thing,' our love, our wife who is from here. I worked passion. We did shows together." for the Walt Disney Entertainment Company for about ten years - first Craig said, "I predominantly teach as a performer and then as a show voice lessons, do all of the music director for Disney Cruise Lines. directing, and we rotate directing shows. [Our roles] change from "We do not just do shows. We show to show depending on our improve techniques - give the

children goals. Not just for our shows but we encourage them to go and audition at Footlite, at Hendricks Civic Theater, up in Carmel. We hope that we are able to improve and grow their talent to show with everybody." Craig said.

Discussing in part as to what lead to the decision to open up a school, Jan said, "There is really not a musical theater school (so to speak) that just concentrates on teaching musical theater anywhere [near.]" Craig added, "We believe that theater is for everybody.

That is why we offer special needs camp. Theater is a place where everybody is accepted. If you are not a sporting person, if you are not in band - there is an alternative."

Jeff said, "Our theater offers opportunities for anybody who wants to be a performer." Jan added, "A loving, accepting and welcoming place for everyone."

The Biz offers not just dance classes, but voice, stage school (mini-musicals) and acting. Jan, Jeff and Craig are not the only three instructors. They have additional staff which include, Brooke Jackson (Ballet), Sarah Henriquez (Dance), Catherine Trinkle (Stage), Jeff Stockberger (Acting) and Alexandria Van Paris (Dance).

people coming to see our shows."

"It is about growing. Sometimes it is hard because you do not always want the leads to be the same people. We have a plethora of good kids. We promote with the kids that it is just as fun and sometimes more fun to be in the chorus than it is to have a lead [role.] We talk about how, yes, you want to be in that lead part but there is more pressure, more lines, more songs to learn, the responsibility is greater. If you are a lead, sometimes you are not in those group numbers where everyone is dancing a routine and having fun. So, you miss out on some things as a lead that you might do as a chorus member. It is hard to explain musical theater.

It is different from athletics. Yes, there is competition on the front end but in the final production, it is about that community. In that community - everybody has a part in it. No one is benched." Jeff said.

Upcoming shows not to be missed: Jane Eyre, Oct. 1-12, 2014 Shrek, Nov. 21-23, 28-29, 2014 Winnie the Pooh, for kids 11 and under, March 2015 Legally Blonde Jr., May 2015 A Midsummer Night's Dream, August 2015 13 the Musical, Oct. 2015 The Lion King or Little Mermaid, Nov. 2015 "We knew that we had a base of All shows at this point in time kids (when we first opened two will be at Harmony Baptist years ago) that had done shows Church and begin at 7:00 with us or had known through teaching and working in schools," Special Note: Congratulations Jeff said about how people to Craig and family. We offer our found out about The Biz. "It has best wishes as they are expecting been word of mouth. It has been an addition to their family.

Hendricks County Home

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8 29

Popular Duet “The Half Step Sisters” to Appear in Danville Nationally Recognized Group to Perform at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Hendricks County If you're a Prairie Home Companion listener, you may have heard them when they placed 3rd out of more than 1,000 contestants in the radio show's annual duet contest.

And on October 18th you'll have the chance to hear them again in person right here in Danville. The next Keys, Strings & Other Things show features The Half Step Sisters.

The show will be held on October 18 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Danville. (While the show is held in a church building, it is in no way intended to promote any particular religious point of view.)

musicians Johnandrew Bellner and D. Mark Conway. But the highlight of their shows, and what undoubtedly captured the attention of Prairie Home Companion staff, are their beautiful vocal harmonies. Since their NPR performance, The Half Step Sisters have been performing throughout central Indiana, and recently released their first CD, “Been A Long Time”.

Julia is a classically trained

Katie Burk

through high school, and studied painting in college. Katie is currently exploring various fiddle styles and enjoys studying contemporary interpretations of older roots music.

The church is located at 95 N. Jefferson St. one block north of the county courthouse and just behind the Mayberry Cafe. Admission for adults is $10, with children 16 and under admitted for $5. To hear a sample of The Half Step Sisters’ music and learn more about them, visit their web page: http://www.reverbnation.com/thehalfstepsisters If you have questions about the show, contact Sam Carman at 317-892-4239 or email scarman@tds.net.

and Julia

vocalist and has

performed Conway professionally perform since age eight.

Americana, She studied piano country and and trumpet in school, acoustic roots music and currently plays the with Katie on fiddle, Julia on upright ukulele, mandolin, and upright bass, and accompanied by fellow bass. Katie studied piano and violin

30

hendrickshome.com | Volume 1, Issue 8

INTERIOR DESIGN

Hendricks County Home

Go to Sleep!

How Kid's Bedroom Design Can Help Parents at Bedtime

By J.D. Nesbitt

way when they are older they will the rhythm, allowing take it upon themselves to read on sleep to come more easily.

It’s been a long day. You’re boss their own before bed. This will help moved up the due date of your calm them down report by two weeks, you got a and get flat on the way home and them you forgot to pick up the into dry cleaning. After hastily throwing together dinner and running your kid through the bath, you’re ready to kick back with a glass of wine and spend a few, quiet hours with your spouse before bed. The only problem is, your kid won’t stay in Make Tomorrow Exciting bed. Let us show you how Some children’s issues with going to your kid’s bedroom designs sleep at night stem from anxiety. can help you out at bedtime.

That anxiety can come from the idea that they will miss Quiet Time out on fun activities Experts suggest allowing your after they go to bed. child to wind down in the To help ease this last thirty minutes before anxiety, make all bedtime. Parents and their tomorrow’s any other children in the seem exciting. house should all be at a You can tie this in more relaxed space. Save to the idea that high energy activities for the sooner they the next day and spend go to bed and a relaxing time with each fall asleep, the other. You can accomplish sooner the next this easily by having your day’s excitement child retire to their room. will begin. In order Provide them with a reading to help reinforce nook with soft lighting, a this concept, create a selection of books and comfy chalkboard or other chart seating, like beanbags chairs. If your form where you can list all of child is younger, read to them – this the exciting things the child can

look forward to the next day. Having these reminders in their room will make the concept of sleeping to get to the next round of excitement easier.

Get them involved in creating the list for the next day. This also gets them in the routine of planning their days, creating a more organized child.

Alarm Clock Responsibility Make it a habit to have your child, when they’re old enough, set their own alarm clock. Have them help you select a fun alarm clock that will not only wake them, but will do so in a fun way that they will look forward to each morning.

Teach your child how to set and turn off the alarm. This is also a great opportunity to teach them about time, if you haven’t already.

Lighting Just like any room in your home, your child’s lighting should be made up of several layers. For play time and any other activities that require lots of light, use typical overhead lighting.

Allow for various other levels of lighting by placing dimmable table lamps next to beds and in reading areas and nightlights for overnight lighting (if your child requires it).

Trying out some of these tips, as well as setting and maintaining a routine with your child should help ease the struggle of putting your child to bed.

Find your truth Truth can be found through many religions...find yours here

Come join us!

Credo Discussion 9:00 am | Sunday Service 10:00 am | Coffee & Conversation 11:15 am

Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Hendricks County 95 North Jefferson Street Danville, IN 46122 (317) 745-9978

WWW.UUCCHC.ORG