NCHC Chamber Magazine, Spring 2018

New Castle | Henry County BBBS Lunch Buddies Program l

New Castle’s new superintendent

l

Quality women’s health care

l

Chamber Magazine Spring 2018

THE

Chamber’s ANNUAL MEETING

inside:

CITIZEN & BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

home’ ‘No place like

COMMUNITY COMES FIRST FOR THE COURIER-TIMES

Lo c al Fo cus National Acclaim Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ for 3 Years in a Row (2015, 2016, 2017)

Healthgrades Named Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Outstanding Patient Experience™ for 3 Years in a Row (2015, 2016, 2017)

“A” Rating in Patient Safety For Fall 2017 From Leapfrog Group One of only 18 Indiana hospitals to receive this rating

5-Star Rating by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid One of only 15 Indiana hospitals to receive this rating in 2017

We’re in the Top 100!

2017

2017

2017

2017 Top 100 Hospitals

2017 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals

100 Great Community Hospitals

Benchmarks for Success Truven Analytics

The National Rural Health Association’s Rural Health Policy Institute

2016 and 2017 Becker’s Hospital Review

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Community pride makes the difference in New Castle

N

ew Castle is the kind of place where everyone knows your name. It’s the place I love to work and live and it’s the place where, as a community, we care about each other.

At the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, I get to witness first-hand the difference pride makes in our community. I see it in the way we nurture our youth and take care of our elders. I see it when I drive down the street and wave hello to people I don’t know. I see it when old members and new members alike work together to make their city even better for the rest of the community.

‘I get to witness firsthand the difference pride makes in our community. I see it in the way we nurture our youth and take care of our elders. I see it when I drive down the street and wave hello Missy Modesitt to people I don’t know.’

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In this edition of Chamber Magazine, you’ll read about the Lunch Buddies program. It’s one way chamber members can impact our community’s youth by taking one lunch hour each week to spend with a young person. Chamber member Cindy Cross shares her experience within the Big Brothers Big Sister’s centered program and how it has influenced her idea of the value of time spent with youth.

You’ll read about one of the prides of our community, our hometown newspaper, The Courier-Times. This newspaper staff works tirelessly to cover what’s most important in our community, from being a watchdog of government to covering the human-interest stories that tug at our heartstrings.

We depend on them to tell us about what’s going on in our community and I, for one, appreciate all that they do. Tina West, a 40-year veteran of the Indiana news industry, is back as publisher in Henry County.

In the spring issue, we always write about our Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year, who are honored at our annual chamber meeting. This was our 96th annual meeting and we featured the New Castle High School Show Choir, the Red Hot Blues. Talk about hometown proud! They had just come off a winning performance at state when they performed for chamber members.

I’m proud to be in New Castle and if you’re reading this, I know you are too. As your Chamber Executive Director, I consider it a privilege to be part of our community’s traditions and the creation of our future. You can take pride in Chamber Magazine, just as you can take pride in your community.

Missy Modesitt is Executive Director of the New CastleHenry County Chamber of Commerce.

4 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018

New Castle | Henry County

Chamber Magazine Volume 8, Issue 1 PUBLISHER Missy Modesitt, Executive Director, New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce info@nchcchamber.com DESIGN AND EDITORIAL DIRECTION The JMetzger Group Juli Metzger | juli@thejmetzgergroup.com John Metzger | john@thejmetzgergroup.com www.thejmetzgergroup.com 765.744.4303 CONTRIBUTORS Writing: Doug Gruse, Michelle Kinsey, Tammy Kingery, Madison Smalstig Photography: Kurt Hostetler, Design: Tammy Kingery To advertise, contact The JMetzger Group: 765.744.4303 | john@thejmetzgergroup.com For subscription information, contact Missy Modesitt at 765.529.5210.

Chamber Magazine: The voice of New Castle-Henry County Chamber businesses. It is a product of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group. These materials are the sole and exclusive property of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group, and may not be used without written consent.

Copyright 2018: The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group.

The JMetzger Group specializes in branded content, custom publishing and social media solutions.

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New Castle | Henry County

Chamber Magazine TABLE OF CONTENTS

10

The CourierTimes

Summer concerts to offer great cultural local experience

T

here is nothing more hometown than sitting in a community park atop a blanket with family and friends, a bucket of chicken or some wine and cheese, listening to music.

It’s why I am grateful for the Henry County Concert Series – celebrating its 16th year this summer. The series is supported by an endowed account at the Henry County Community Foundation and donations from New Castle-Henry County Chamber corporate sponsors.

Each summer, the series delivers four concerts at the Arts Park on 15th Street in New Castle’s Robert Indiana Arts and Culture district.

BOARD PRESIDENT

THE PUBLISHER

14

12

Henry Community Health

Meet the superintendent

18

Lunch buddies

Business of the Year

22

16

21

Person of the Year

ON THE The Courier-Times Publisher Tina West COVER: and her team deliver community news 6 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018

David Nantz

‘At the Chamber, we’re more than business. We understand that good business means building a community’s quality of life, nurturing relationships and creating experiences.’

This year’s line up on the third Friday of each month beginning in June and ending in September looks like this: • June 15 | Allen Kaye and the Toones, classic rock • July 20 | Sean Lamb, country • August 17 | Carl Storey, classic rock • Sept. 21 | To be determined You can always count on a great turnout from the community and surrounding areas. Ranging from 100 to 400 people, it’s a great place to meet up with friends. At the Chamber, we’re more than business.

We understand that good business means building a community’s quality of life, nurturing relationships and creating experiences.

Founded by the Danielson Learning Center, an offshoot of Indiana University East Richmond, the music series really got its jumpstart by one of our former employers, Modernfold company. With its headquarters in New Castle, Modernfold, known for making folding doors and moving walls, left an endowed account before they moved. They did so because they loved this community and they saw the value that music and cultural events bring to a town.

I hope you’ll take advantage of these summer concerts and enjoy the great cultural experience.

David Nantz is president of the Board of Directors for the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce.

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CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018 | 7

Fulfilling the Promise to

PREPARE YOU.

Collaboration vital for region’s growth

M

y family’s residence is located in the city of New Castle, Henry Township, Henry County, Indiana and within the geographic service area of the New Castle Community School Corporation. My election choices include: City Council Ward 2, 2 At-Large Seats, Clerk-Treasurer and Mayor; County Council District 2 and three At-Large Seats, three County Commissioners, Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor, Surveyor, Clerk, Recorder and three county level judges; Indiana House District 54, Indiana Senate District 42; U.S. Congressional District 6, two U.S. Senators and the U.S. President. School board members, township trustees and the township advisory board member along with state and appellate judicial retention questions also occasionally appear on my election ballot. The majority of my reasonable property tax bill goes to the school and city (county taxes are included too; the city is in the county). The majority of my income tax withholdings are sent to Uncle Sam.

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‘The effectiveness of the collaboration is largely tied to the quality of regional relationships and the level of trust among the regional actors.’

If you’re still reading, (thank you), you are probably thinking: So, what? The point is so much of our very important civic responsibilities and obligations are location specific with seemingly arbitrary boundaries tied to the 1789 U.S. Constitution and the 1851 Indiana Constitution. Yet, our daily lives are spent in a region.

Much of this regional participation is enabled by transportation and technology (automobile and Internet).

Commuting data compiled by Stats Indiana provides evidence to the reality of regional interdependence. More than 6,000 Henry County residents drive to work outside of the county and more than 1,800 commute into the county for employment. The economic health of our neighboring communities has an impact on Henry County. (This data also reveals there are qualified and employable Henry County residents that might be interested in a reduced commute.)

The mission of the Economic Development Corporation is to foster a strong economic environment which supports businesses and nurtures growth and new investment in the region. This is accomplished, in part, by collaborating and cooperating regionally.

The effectiveness of the collaboration is largely tied to the quality of regional relationships and the level of trust among the regional actors.

An example of regional collaboration is active membership in the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership. Its mission is to market the assets and resources of ten counties within east central Indiana.

The focus is on business attraction and quality of life enhancement.

Learn more at http://www.ecirp.org.

Effective regional collaboration and strong regional leadership (made up of local public and private leaders) reduces risk and lowers barriers for business and personal investment to occur.

Despite the basketball rivalries we must work for good things to occur both here at home and in places like: Muncie, Rushville, Anderson and Richmond.

Corey L. Murphy, CEcD, serves as President of the New Castle Henry County Economic Development Corporation.

8 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018

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CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018 | 9

Good times.

Hard times.

Changing times.

The Courier-Times The Courier-Times newspaper team.

delivers community news for 177 years

T

STORY BY TAMMY PEARSON

|

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER

he article was a find as nostalgic as it was unexpected. Editor Katie Clontz was searching recently in The Courier-Times’ morgue – the newspaper’s archive room – when her hands moved across a long forgotten story written by a local child, about 13 years of age.

It was a fiction piece, she recalls, about teddy bears and authored by her.

Clontz shares the story as almost an afterthought at the end of a long conversation about the history of The Courier-Times, its relationship to the community and the three-generations of women in her family who have been an integral part of the newspaper’s 177year history.

THREE GENERATIONS | Clontz is not the first in her family to hold the title of editor at the newspaper.

Her mother held the role before her and still writes for the newspaper.

Her grandmother was once a news clerk at the newspaper. It was her hands that typed the press releases and lunch menus that the New Castle community read decades ago.

As a child, Clontz remembers watching the press run and photographs being developed in the dark room.

“I always wanted to write, and that’s what I went to school for,” says Clontz, a New Castle native. “It’s nice being in your hometown doing what you want to do.”

Clontz felt such a connection to her hometown that she commuted to Ball

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

NEWSPAPER HISTORY DATES BACK TO 1841 BEGINNINGS

FIRST ISSUE

CAPT. DAVID CHAMBERS

Indiana was 25 years old when grocer John Grubbs purchased a Knightstown newspaper and moved it to New Castle, renaming it the Indiana Courier.

The first issue of the newspaper published on Oct. 14, 1841.

Chambers bought the New Castle Democrat on Aug. 6, 1895 and ownership of the newspaper remained in his family’s hands for the next 90 years.

10 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018

The Courier-Times Editor Katie Clontz

CONSOLIDATION

OWNER CHANGES

THE WEB

On July 1, 1930, New Castle’s two daily newspapers were combined to form The Courier-Times.

The Chambers family sold the newspaper in 1985 to Nixon Newspapers.

Today, it is owned by Paxton Media Group.

In 1997, The Courier-Times published online for the first time.

Publisher Tina West: ‘I love the people.’

If Publisher Tina West’s favorite office possession – family

newspapers. I’m more comfortable with smaller community and smaller groups of employees where I can interact with them,” photos – define her personally, it is an office collage of more West says and then smiles. “I’m not good at delegating. I’m more than 70 old printing blocks merged in the state of Indiana of a hands-on publisher. I like the feel of knowing people, and I and presented in a pristine walnut frame that defines her feel dedicated to them.” professionally.

Being hands-on translates into writing her own column in “That picture in my office symbolizes longevity,” West says ‘her,’ a magazine for women that West founded. of the map, a gift from the Hoosier State Press Association for Dedication manifests into four leadership mottos for West. her service that is displayed at The Courier-Times in New Castle.

One: “I don’t ask anyone to do here what I won’t do myself,” “I could have put quotes on the wall but West says. “I will treat people here the that old copy block stands for longevity in way I want to be treated. I’ve found that if journalism and the newspaper business for I operate by those same rules of conduct me.” that it’s going to be OK.” 2018 marks West’s 40th year in the Two: “Try to help everyone be industry and a career built solely in East successful,” she says.

Central Indiana. Her career, which began “I’ve worked at places where I wasn’t in Anderson in 1978, has progressed to her inspired and motivated so that’s constantly current role as group publisher of the New on my mind. I try to be very visible in the Castle, Shelbyville and Connersville news building, walking through and talking with operations. This marks West’s third return people.” to The Courier-Times in New Castle. To Three: “I learned a long time ago to hear her talk, it’s as though she never left The Courier-Times Publisher Tina West. embrace change,” she says. “It’s changing the newspaper. today, expect it will change tomorrow and “I love the people,” West says of Henry County. “The people next week. Do your best – 110 percent.” are real. I stayed here because I have children, and it was Four: Check yourself. West says: “I have noticed that if I walk important for me for my children to have roots. I’ve been in a in that back door and I’m in a mood, everybody is in a mood. So, euchre club with the same eight ladies for 25 years.

I try at the back door to check myself. If I’m smiling and happy, “You develop relationships that these people would do everyone’s smiling and happy. Attitudes around here are so anything for you. I could get on the phone right now and say, ‘I’m contagious.” stuck at the paper, left my wallet at home and need money for West never loses sight of what is most important in the lunch,’ and I’d have 30 people respond.” building: “The people,” she says. “I’m not what puts this paper The Courier-Times, owned by Paxton Media Group, is a together.” West’s connection to the newspaper and the New strong fit for West who has worked for the company since 1994.

Castle community it serves is strong.

“I’ve had lots of opportunities to go to other states and bigger “This isn’t just a job,” she says. “This is my story.” ■ FROM PAGE 11

State University while in college because she didn’t want to live anywhere else. Hired as a news clerk in 2009, she took a full-time reporting position on the crime and courts beat. After a brief departure to Indianapolis, she returned to her hometown in 2014 and a year later was promoted to the managing editor position.

CHANGING TIMES | The newsroom that Clontz now manages may sound different than the newsrooms her mother and grandmother once worked in.

“There’s not as much noise,” she says.

The clink of typewriters is gone.

The phones ring less, thanks to e-mail.

And the rumble of the press no longer fills the building as printing happens offsite now.

But through the progression of time and technology, there is one constant: “We are their eyes and ears,” Clontz says of The Courier-Times’ 10,000-person, 5-days-a-week print readership and 3,500 household circulation. The newspaper’s social media presence, Clontz says, has grown rapidly with more than 2,000 Twitter and 13,000 Facebook followers. More than 35,000 unique visitors visit the website each month.

“We have some Facebook posts that have reached more than 100,000 people,” Clontz says. The newspaper, she says, has just as much news coming in as it always has, just in a different way.

“They may not come into the newspaper office,” she says, “but they are more than willing to give a tip or story idea through Facebook. We don’t get the information the same way. It’s a different way to connect.”

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS | The Courier-Times is the sixth-oldest newspaper in the state of Indiana. It formed in 1875. It is now Publisher Tina West’s chapter in the newspaper’s long history. She leads with a personal touch and a strong conviction that community connections are everything.

12 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018

“We still try to be really involved,” says West and points to the community’s homeless shelter as an example. “We ask, ‘How can we get people to donate shaving kits?’”

When subscribers have a missed newspaper delivery, West says, “You might see any of us out delivering a newspaper because it’s important our customer gets it.”

That includes West. When her phone occasionally rings with a missed delivery, she has a standard five-word response: “I will bring it now.” That special delivery from the publisher usually comes wrapped with a free item – like a cookbook – around the newspaper as an apology to her valued readers.

“A lot of people will talk about how newspapers are dying,” West says. “We have the same readership, but it’s the format that’s changing in which they’re reading us.

READERS FIRST | “Any business you’ve talked with has changed over the last 30 or 40 years,” West says. “Our readership is still very good.”

Both West and Clontz point to The Courier-Times’ strong local community connection as a key reason.

“In times of tragedy, sometimes we get criticized because we don’t post right away or another paper had it first,” Clontz says.

“The Indy news stations swoop in and then they leave, but we’re the ones who continue to live here and work with people.

“We take their privacy into consideration and make sure we don’t print everything we first hear. We verify it’s true first. The bottom line is we’re going to be here and interact with people after it prints. The people we’re writing about are people, too.”

In New Castle, Clontz says, everybody knows everybody.

“The people who are here want to be here and want to see things grow and thrive,” she says. That includes The CourierTimes team.

“It’s like a Wizard of Oz reference,” she says. “There’s no place like home.” ■

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CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018 | 13

Technology adds new dimension to

WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE STORY BY DOUG GRUSE

|

“I’ve been looking forward to this technology for years, but it has taken a long time for it to be approved and come to the market,” said Dr. Todd Wright, chief radiologist at Henry Community Health. “It’s the latest and greatest way to get a mammogram done.”

The recently acquired 3-D software complements the hospital’s current radiologic equipment. The add-on 3-D imaging takes breast diagnostic capabilities at Henry Community Health to a new level.

Both 2-D and 3-D mammograms use X-ray technology to create images of the breast.

Traditional 2-D mammograms provide a front and side image. In a 3-D mammogram, also known as tomosynthesis, the X-ray provides greater information.

“Tomosynthesis is a technology that creates a three-dimensional image of the breasts by obtaining image data sets from multiple angles. With this 3-D image, radiologists are able to step through the breast in thin slices, which improves clarity and improves detection of cancer and other disease processes,” said Henry Community Health Imaging Director Gary Clarkson.

For patients, the process is very similar to what they have experienced in the past. Both scans require compressing the breast between two plates extending from the machine.

“Unfortunately, compression is still required, but unlike conventional 2-D, the X-ray tube moves in a 50-degree arc acquiring data at multiple intervals,” Clarkson said. “The test time is anticipated to take a couple of minutes longer, and radiation doses will still be minimal.”

The 3-D imaging technology is growing in popularity nationwide. In the last year, the number of facilities offering 3-D mammograms has increased 30 percent.

As of January, around 4,000 certified mammography imaging centers in the United States offered digital breast tomosynthesis, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

“Not every hospital has access to the technology, and many smaller hospitals are just now coming on board,” said Wright, who commends the administration at Henry Community Health for being forward thinking a few years ago when purchasing 2-D equipment that was designed for a 3-D upgrade.

The new technology is good news for women not well served by 2-D exams. “It’s beneficial to women who have especially

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER dense breast tissue,” said Tonya Wilson, a breast health navigator at Henry Community Health.

The slice-by-slice 3-D images give radiologists a more complete picture of the tissue, according to Wilson.

“This technology is pretty amazing.

Patients can now get the best views they can receive,” she said. The 3-D mammography gives Wilson, a Registered Nurse with a background in critical care, another tool she can make available to her patients as she helps them move through the continuum of care.

“These ladies have become my heart and soul. There’s nothing else I would do,” Wilson said about her job. “I get to help patients every day, and they love it — it’s like they have their own concierge.”

As a breast health navigator, Wilson does everything from helping schedule appointments to being present during consultation and biopsies at a patient’s request.

She is optimistic about what the new 3-D mammography equipment will mean for women in the region.

“The 3-D technology will help us catch things earlier at a lesser stage,” she said.

To prepare for the new technology, the hospital’s radiologic technologists received required training provided by the manufacturer.

The staff radiologists also underwent additional training for the interpretation of 3-D images.

Although the technology is a major investment for a small facility, Clarkson views the expenditure as a logical purchase for the hospital and its mission.

“The introduction of this new technology will allow Henry Community Health to provide our patients the highest quality currently available in the field of 3-D mammography, with the same compassionate, caring team of technologists, breast care navigators and radiologists they are familiar with,” he said.

Although the 3-D mammograms are somewhat more expensive and not currently approved by all insurance carriers, Wright is confident that the newer technology will become the standard in the future.

“More insurance companies are recognizing that if you detect breast cancer earlier, patients get better treatment at less cost.

They may save thousands of dollars per patient,” he said. ■

New 3-D mammography at Henry Community Health uses the latest tech in the fight against breast cancer.

14 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018

From left: Dr. Todd Wright, chief radiologist, Mammographer Cheryl Riggs, RT(R)(M)(CT) and Tonya Wilson, RN, a breast health navigator.

CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018 | 15

New Castle Community Schools Superintendent Matt Shoemaker is honored to wear the green and white.

‘Great people, great traditions’ STORY BY MICHELLE KINSEY

|

New Castle Community Schools Superintendent glad to be back home again in Indiana

M

att Shoemaker didn’t hesitate when asked to describe New Castle Community Schools.

“Exceptional,” he said, sitting behind the large desk in his modestly decorated district office, dressed in a dark suit, crisp white shirt and a green tie – one of many, he would note later.

For him, it was an easy decision last fall to come lead the district as its superintendent.

“It’s a perfect fit,” he added. “Really, it’s kind of a dream come true.”

Shoemaker was well aware of the school district, growing up nearby in Portland. “As a kid, I grew up rooting against New Castle,” he said with a laugh. “Now I am really honored to be wearing the green and white.”

Still, when he was narrowing the options on a new career opportunity, he went to his dad for advice. Sam Shoemaker, you see, was involved with public education in Jay County for more than 40 years.

16 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER “When I mentioned New Castle, he got really excited for me,” Shoemaker recalled. “Then he got kind of teary eyed. I asked him why and he said, ‘Great people, great traditions.’”

“He said it with such feeling that I knew that this was the place I wanted to go. I applied and the rest is…well, here I am.”

And let’s just say he’s impressed with “here.”

“What stands out the most to me is the level of community support and a ‘can do’ spirit here,” he said. “Community members pull together and work closely to support common goals, events, and generate solutions; whether it is to attend strategic planning meetings, support performing arts programs, or to show up in huge numbers to cheer on a favorite team, the New Castle community ‘can do’ spirit and pride make it a very special place to be.”

His first day on the job was Sept. 27, 2017, right in the middle of Homecoming festivities. And Shoemaker’s aforementioned perfect fit feeling? That feeling was mutual.

“I couldn’t be happier to tell you how wonderful Matt Shoemaker is,” said New Castle Community Schools board member Liz Whitmer. “The school board hit a home run when we hired Matt. And I have heard this from many, many people in the community.”

Shoemaker, she said, was chosen from more than 25 applicants for the position.

“Matt listens deeply, asks good questions, and brings out the best in people,” Whitmer said. “He is easy to talk to and is not easily ruffled. He sees ‘problems’ as opportunities. He is very caring and compassionate and is a master at seeing potential and cultivating that in people. As one of his references stated, ‘the man has a good soul.’ Indeed he does.”

A soul destined for education.

“My mom was a teacher,” he said. “My dad was a teacher.”

And Shoemaker quickly realized that he enjoyed teaching as well.

“I was the oldest of three boys and it just started off with the fact that I loved playing golf when I was a kid,” he said. “And I would teach my younger brothers what I knew and I would try to learn more so I could teach them. And I liked that process.

I liked learning so I could teach.”

He paused.

“Of course, they both could beat me now in golf,” he said with a laugh. “I guess I taught them too well.”

After graduating from Jay County High School – where he met his wife, Lisa – they attended Ball State University in Muncie. He pursued a degree in education – of course – and she focused on nursing.

Degrees in hand, they were married. And while in Florida for their honeymoon, Shoemaker was offered a teaching job. He accepted and went on to get his master’s from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and then his doctorate from Lynn University in Boca Raton. He has been a principal in five different schools – three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Before coming to New Castle, he was an Area Superintendent and Director of Extended Learning for the School District of Palm Beach County in Florida.

“That was a great experience because I had elementary, middle and high schools, as well as alternative schools,” he said. “There were a lot of experiences that I could gain there by working with that many people at that many schools.”

It was no small task. Shoemaker said he was responsible for as many as 37,000 students in 38 schools in his area.

“He is used to thinking on a much larger scale, so perhaps he will have ideas for growing our corporation,” said Missy Modesitt, executive director of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce. “He has many years of experience at various levels in education and I think that is important. I believe he will be able to relate to the teachers, the administrators, and the parents very well.” ■

New Castle Superintendent Matt Shoemaker.

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CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2018 | 17

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Henry County matches volunteers with students in a new mentoring program. Cindy Cross is shown here with her “Little.”

‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ STORY BY MADISON SMALSTIG

Lunch Buddies program mentors children

Lunch Buddies mentoring program connects community volunteers with Parker Elementary School students.

18 | CHAMBER MAGAZINE, Spring 2017

|

PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER

E

very Thursday at 11 a.m., Cindy Cross walks into Parker Elementary School, passes the administration offices and makes her way into an empty classroom where she meets her “little.”

The second-grader’s face lights up every single time and it’s what keeps Cross coming back.

Cross is part of Lunch Buddies, a new program between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Henry County and Parker Elementary School working with the New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce to bring more adults into schools to connect with more children.

“Bigs” are carefully screened, caring, adult mentors who agree to spend their lunch break – generally 30 minutes, one day a week – to talk with students who have been selected for the program. At PES, the mentor – the “big” – meets with their student – the “little” – every week for the duration of the school year. The program started in January.

Cross says every minute counts in regards to the children this program is serving. “When you really think about it, 30 minutes isn’t that much time,” Cross said, “but to [my little] it means the world.” Cross says even though she’s just started with the program, she already feels a connection with her “little.”

At first, Cross was nervous for her meeting with her mentee. typical Big Brothers Big Sisters protocols, this structure is unique But the 8-year-old immediately greeted her with a hug and a because the child gets to make a connection with the volunteer smile, signaling to Cross that she was in the right place at the adult at the same place, same time each week. “It makes you right time. realize just how much a short period of time can make such an Meetings happen over the lunch hour and Cross spends time impact,” Cross said. Typically, BBBS requires the “big” to make talking, complimenting, arrangements directly and playing games with with their “little,” and set her student. At first her up outings on their own. “little” was hesitant to Huffman says the open up. By the second program’s success at visit, she was comfortable their satellite office in and even leading the Rush County is what conversation. “The last persuaded her to bring it few times she has talked to her chapter’s location. non-stop,” Cross said. “She Since the program makes it easy because she began in Rush County, does most of the talking.” the students’ grades are Cross, who, along with better, their attitudes are her husband, Jeff, owns better and, in general, Equipment & Contents they are happier, she said.

Specialists Inc., said the In addition, many of the lunchtime program works lunch-buddy “bigs” have well with her schedule. maintained relationships In fact, part of the reason with their students, and that Lunch Buddies was so return every so often to appealing was because it check in and say hello. allowed more adults who Parker Elementary are too busy for the timePrincipal Lora Wilson Lunch Buddies meetings happen across the lunch hour. commitment a normal says she sees benefits “big” has. already. “I think it will build some self-confidence,” Wilson said.

“The time commitment is minimal and you are still providing “When kids feel like they are being heard, they walk with their that impact on mentoring a child,” said Ashley Huffman, chins a little higher and feel good about themselves.” executive director of BBBS in Henry County. “And you are eating Wilson said she is grateful to volunteers and to BBBS. “We lunch. You know, you gotta eat!” just really appreciate the program and appreciate them reaching Another reason the program was so appealing to Cross is out to us to offer this to our kids,” she said. “We feel very the one-on-one interaction with students. In addition to the fortunate that they made the connection.” ■

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BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Henry Community Health awarded Chamber’s top honor

D

rive through New Castle and it’s immediately evident.

operating at a lower cost than their peers.

Nothing is changing faster on the American landscape than health care and Henry Community Health works as an agent for change.

To reflect current philosophies, Henry Community Health recently changed its name from Henry Community Health, serving the area since Henry County Hospital. HCH has been serving this 1930, doesn’t appear to be slowing. In fact, it is community since 1930 and the doors are open 24 more nimble than ever and that’s one of the traits hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. that made it a natural to be the 2017 New CastleIn the past year, the hospital has shown Henry County Chamber of Commerce Business of sustained growth. The surgical area of the hospital the Year. recently completed an extensive renovation as well “Henry Community Health puts New Castle on as a new addition at the main campus to continue the national stage when receiving awards for the to offer quality care for surgical patients and their good work they do,” wrote Ricci Atchison, marketing families. director for the hospital, in her nomination of HCH. Last year, HCH completed a multi-million-dollar For three years in a row, HCH has been recognized project – a new primary care campus at Northfield in the top five percent of the nation by Healthgrades Park. for outstanding patient experience.

The new campus allows for growth within President and CEO Paul Janssen accepted the primary care in the award at the Chamber’s practices of New Castle annual meeting in March.

Pediatrics, New Castle “On behalf of all of us Immediate Care & at Henry Community Family Health and the Health, it is an honor and second location of New a privilege to be a part of Castle Family & Internal and have the opportunity Medicine. to serve this community,” “This is the kind Janssen said. “We’ve of organization that received a lot of national grounds a community,” recognition but receiving said Missy Modesitt, this tonight from those of executive director for you who know us best, is the New Castle-Henry a great honor.”

County Chamber of In 2017, Henry Henry Community Health President and Commerce. “We are Community Health was CEO Paul Janssen (right) accepts the award, grateful to have them.” recognized nationally by: presented by Shannon Thom, President and Henry Community • Benchmarks for CEO of Henry County REMC, the 2016 winner.

Health is actively Success by Truven recruiting to fill the new Analytics: Top 100 office and look for this new space to help set them Hospitals apart from so many other communities searching • The National Rural Health Association’s for physicians in a national market with a physician Rural Health Policy Institute: Top 100 Rural and shortage.

Community hospitals It is the area’s largest employer and Henry • Chartis Center for Rural Health and Becker’s Community Health takes that responsibility Hospital Review: 100 Great Community Hospitals. seriously by fostering a sense of pride and Since the annual meeting, Henry Community ownership throughout its employees and Health has continued to excel, recognized in encourages them to participate in the community.

2018 for two distinctions in quality excellence “HCH has partnered with Second Harvest Food

by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for Bank and Wilbur Wright Elementary with a food comprehensive information about physicians and giveaway program as part of that community spirit,” hospitals. wrote Atchison.

HCH was awarded its 2018 Patient Safety Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly sent along a letter of Excellence award and the 2018 Outstanding Patient praise and support for Henry Community Health.

Experience Award.

“Thank you for your contributions to Henry County Only 65 out of just over 4,500 hospitals and please accept this letter of appreciation,” said evaluated for patient safety and patient experience Donnelly staffer Jordan Isaacs, as he presented the excellence achieved both distinctions. This places honor.

Henry Community Health within the top 2 percent Henry Community Health is the Chamber’s only of eligible hospitals in the nation to receive both platinum sponsor year after year, and employees awards. live by the motto – caring, compassion, community, HCH also was given a Fall 2017 “A” award for commitment and continuity. “Few companies patient safety by The Leapfrog Group. Many of these and organizations give so much, so often and so awards recognize HCH for being a top performer in willingly,” Modesitt said. “They are great chamber managing risk, achieving higher quality, securing better outcomes, increasing patient satisfaction and partners and extraordinary corporate citizens.” ■

GALLERY | For an expanded photo gallery from the Annual Dinner, please visit our website: nchcchamber.com

PERSON OF THE YEAR

‘Maurie has been the catalyst’

M

aurie Goodwin, one of New Castle’s towering figures, literally and figuratively, has at least one more reason to walk tall these days.

as president for the last several years and again in 2018. Goodwin and his colleagues have been working to ensure the airport meets FAA standards including having runways that can accommodate all types of personal aircraft that corporations use to prospect.

“Maurie has been the catalyst that has kept this goal moving forward,” wrote Carol.

He was named the 2017 New Castle-Henry “Economic growth is vital to our health in every County Chamber of Commerce Person of way and he is playing an important part of that the Year at the Chamber’s annual meeting in equation.”

March.

Goodwin is completing his sixth year on the Goodwin, retired owner of Goodwin Bros.

Economic Development Corp. board, where he Auto on Main Street, is a tireless community is treasurer. He is active on the Henry County member, always Redevelopment Corp. looking for ways to board and serves on improve the place the Enterprise Loan he lives.

Fund committee.

“Thank you for Missy Modesitt, all the kind things executive director of you’ve said about the New Castle Henry me,” Goodwin said County Chamber of upon accepting the Commerce, praised honor. “It’s strictly Goodwin for being because of my a hero among his upbringing in such peers. “He is an a fine community indelible part of the as New Castle and fabric of the New Henry County. My Castle community,” parents and in-laws Modesitt said. “He is were extremely a doer. He gets things good role models done.” to me. I have Goodwin sees always enjoyed the things others might opportunity to give not. While his list back.” of involvements Maurie Goodwin, top left, with his family.

Two of Goodwin joins is impressive, it is those shown are past Citizen of the Year winners: a long list of family his compassion for Maurie’s wife, Carol Goodwin (2007), standing, members who also community that far right; and Maurie’s mother-in-law, Rilla have received the stands out most of Denton (1972), seated, front left. honor. all. “What that list “Maurie has won’t show you is that always been a community activist,” wrote he is the type of guy who looked out his office his nominator, his wife, Carol, who was window one day and saw that the American flag the Chamber’s Person of the Year in 2007. waving on the pole at Our Park across the way Goodwin’s late father-in-law, George Denton was tattered,” Carol wrote. received the award in 1969 and his mother-inGoodwin went on to write a letter and a law, Rilla Denton, received the award in 1972. check to spur the city to start a campaign to The Chamber also honored Goodwin Bros. replace the flag. “He tries to leave everything he Auto was the Chamber’s Business of the Year in touches in better shape than when he found it,” 2002. she wrote.

The 2016 Person of the Year, Dennis Goodwin has financially supported 36 Hamilton, presented Goodwin with the honor. nonprofits and countless causes. He’s also “This person is homegrown, who, while been a board member and volunteer on local leaving Henry County for college and a brief job nonprofits, business boards and church boards. opportunity, came early and stayed,” Hamilton “This 2017 Citizen of the Year works so he can said in his introduction at the Chamber dinner. give,” Hamilton said.

“He delivered energy, capital, vision and work Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly sent along a letter ethic and built a company and a career to allow of praise and support for Goodwin. “Thank you this citizen to share blessings beyond self.” for your contributions to Henry County and Goodwin has been instrumental in the please accept this letter of appreciation,” said progress at the Henry County airport, serving Donnelly staffer Jordan Isaacs. ■ on the Board of Aviation Commission, including CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING & PHOTO GALLERY | It was a full house, as usual, at the Chamber’s 96th annual meeting, held March 20th at the New Castle Armory. Henry Community Health, the area’s largest employer and one of its most philanthropic, was named the 2017 Chamber Business of the Year. Maurie Goodwin, retired owner of Goodwin Bros.

Auto, was named the 2017 Citizen of the Year. Both were honored with a letter of recognition from Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly. The featured entertainment was the New Castle High School show choir, The Red Hot Blues. For an expanded photo gallery, visit nchcchamber.com

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W11hyunexpected Join Tperks he Chamber? of membership

1 5

Community Involvement Volunteering for Chamber committees gives businesspeople the opportunity to study community needs in-depth and find solutions to concerns of the Henry County business community.

Business Referrals When asked to supply names of businesses in the region, Chamber staff give referrals on businesses and organizations that are members of the Chamber.

Additionally, all Chamber business is conducted with Chamber members whenever possible.

9

Inexpensive Postage

The Chamber’s bulk rate postal permit is available to members for mailings of 200-plus pieces. This offers a considerable savings with reduced postage rates and eliminates the $175 annual permit fee.

2 3 4 6 78 10 11 Business Contacts

Make new contacts and create opportunities to expand your business by meeting new potential customers through Chamber events, committee involvement, ribbon cuttings, publications and mailings.

Tax Deduction An investment in the Chamber may be deductible as a necessary business expense. (Please check with your accountant.)

Chamber Magazine

Twice yearly publication focuses on members, and tells the “good news” stories in the community.

Non-members charged a premium to advertise, and editorial features only Chamber members.

Web Presence

The Chamber’s robust website can serve as your business’ only online presence.

Insurance

Several Chamber member insurance companies offer general and health insurance packages to members only, often at reduced rates.

Directory

Listings in the annual Member Directory publication is a vital part of the membership package.

Each year, thousands of directories are distributed to potential customers and community members.

Meeting Space

Chamber members receive complimentary use of the Chamber’s conference room.

Networking

Chamber members are invited to participate in a number of events, including Biz Connect, Golf Outing, Cash Bonanza, Annual Meeting, Memorial Day Parade, Christmas Walk and Chamber Lunches.

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