Avon Magazine July 2022

JULY 2022

MAGAZINE

In the Genes

LOCAL ADOPTEES SEARCH FOR THEIR BIRTH PARENTS

SPIRIT OF SERVICE Local Girl Scout Troop Wins Bronze Award for Helping the Community LEARNING FROM LOSS Animal Grief Support Group Helps the Healing Process

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Avon health services We founded American Health Network, part of Optum on the belief that health care is a collaborative effort. It needs to be proactive, not just reactive, meaning we need to help patients stay healthy and avoid sickness in the first place.

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IN THIS ISSUE

JULY 2022

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PUBLISHER DARREN BOSTON darren@townepost.com 317.716.8812

CENTER STAGE

Danny Wimmer Presents Continues to Grow Its Louisville Festival Events

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FOUNDER/CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com 317.496.3599

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PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com 317.810.0011

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PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK

Animal Grief Support Group Helps the Healing Process

LEARNING FROM LOSS

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT JOSH BROWN

22

CREATIVE DIRECTORS TONI EADS VAL AUSTIN COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS

IN THE GENES

Local Adoptees Search for Their Birth Parents

6

28

CROSSWORD

SUMMER FUN GONE WRONG

7 REAL-TIME ANALYTICS Scan the QR code to see this magazine’s real-time reach and distribution numbers.

How To Prevent an Emergency Room Trip

DEALING WITH GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

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FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Avon Instructional Coach and Her Daughters Enjoy International Experiences

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BEAR NECESSITY

SPIRIT OF SERVICE

Local Girl Scout Troop Wins Bronze Award for Helping the Community

Riley Children’s Foundation Helps Elementary Student Stay Connected to Classmates

KEY CONTRIBUTORS AMY PAYNE / CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING CARRIE VITTITOE / GARY WHARTON / KURTISS MCKISSICK

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Crossword

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Solution:

ACROSS 1. Mouth roof 5. Produces (egg) 7. Ocean mammal 8. Hoarse sound 9. Invalid 10. Bake in oven 11. Opponents 13. Part of eye 14. Sloops or ketches 18. Plan 21. Horse’s gait

22. Gold lump 24. Send abroad in disgrace 25. Kitchen professional 26. Loose flesh 27. Not healthy 28. Iridescent gem 29. Fume DOWN 1. Play the part of 2. First Greek letter 3. Washstand jugs 4. Made do

5. High-protein pulses 6. Shouting 12. Set fire to 15. Zeppelin 16. Detestable 17. Meet (requirements) 19. Australian bird 20. Significant 22. Ants’ homes 23. Social blunder

DEALING WITH GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER one generation to the next.

Writer / Gary Wharton Photography Provided

Life can be stressful, and many people find themselves in a daily struggle with worry. Whether worrying about family, health, money, work, school or performance issues, worry is a normal part of life. For some, it is easily pushed aside and perceived as manageable. For others, worry can become burdensome and excessive. They may find themselves worrying about numerous things, even when there is no specific reason. When one worry passes, they face yet another worry and often feel like they will never be able to stop their worry cycle. If this sounds familiar, you may be struggling with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Those with GAD often struggle to control every aspect of their lives because the perceived anxiety is far too intense to face.

Tolerating the uncertainty creates a constant state of fear or dread.

These qualities can be seen in children, adolescents and adults.

Children and adolescents tend to worry about school and sports activities, and world and family catastrophes. Adults often worry about finances, job performance, security, and personal and family health.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with GAD symptoms, it may be time to speak to a health-care provider. There are various treatment options. GAD is generally treated with GAD is identified as excessive anxiety and worry that interferes medication, psychotherapy (also known as “talk therapy”), or a with daily life. It occurs on the majority of days, over a six-month combination of both. GAD may also be managed with lifestyle period. Individuals with GAD find it difficult, if not impossible, modifications such as removing identifiable triggers, improving Now Welcoming New Patients to control worry. It can lead to feelings of restlessness, muscle physical activity, or improving sleep quality and/or quantity. tension, irritability or fatigue. It can be challenging to concentrate, Comprehensive & Speaking to a qualified health-care professional can help determine relax or even sleep. There could be an exaggerated startle response, Personalized which option is right for you. headaches, twitching or trembling. Often any combination of Mental Healthcare these symptoms can cause significant distress and impairment in • ADHD occupational and social function.

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• Anxiety GAD can begin in childhood or early adolescence, and carry over to adult life. The progression of the disorder is often gradual. For • Depression some, GAD starts later in life without a gradual onset. While more common in women, anyone can struggle with GAD. It can be • OCD caused by a traumatic event, a string of nerve-racking events, or a • PTSD – Trauma stressful environment. GAD can also run in families, passing from

Gary Wharton, MSN, PMHNP-BC Gary is the owner of Avon Mental Health. He can be reached at (317) 556-0309.

Gary Wharton

MSN, PMHNP-BC

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Avon Mental Health

PRESTWICK COUNTRY CLUB

Chef Silvano Martinez, Superintendent Nate Littlefield, Business Development Jeff McKinley, Administration Cameron Klein Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

Everyone loves a comeback story, and if you can combine that with great golf, even better. Such is the case for Prestwick Country Club, which was built in 1975 and has served the community for nearly five decades. Much like the rolling hills of a golf course, through the years Prestwick has seen some peaks and valleys. In recent years, not enough time, money and effort was spent on upkeep of the property or customer service. As of May 2021, however, that has all changed as the country club is under new ownership. As such, a lot of exciting changes have come to pass, with more planned for the future.

For starters, they have repaved the entire course and parking lot. They bought new mowers to keep their course and greens immaculate. They also have a new, stateof-the-art golf simulator, and purchased all new golf carts with GPS tracking systems.

And we mustn’t forget the food. Open for both lunch and dinner, the Prestwick Bar & Grill has a full-service menu and full-service bar, with indoor and outdoor seating that can accommodate more than 150 guests. Best of all, the kitchen is helmed by a fabulous new chef, Silvano Martinez, who creates delectable meals for all tastebuds, some of which are his own recipes.

right across the street, within walking distance of the clubhouse.

“Even if you don’t play golf, you can play pickleball, and while you’re on a break from playing, you can order from our restaurant and we will deliver your food and drinks to you over there as well,” says Cameron Klein, administrative coordinator.

Prestwick Country Club is easily accessible, and capable of handling large company outings and fundraisers. McKinley not only coordinates golf outings on the property, but other events as well, including weddings, receptions, reunions, open houses and business meetings, which are held in their beautiful reception area. They have a couple of nice overlook areas for “With this new ownership, we have The area that housed the old tennis courts these events, and can accommodate both brought back the prestige that used to is being repurposed into pickleball courts indoor and outdoor occasions for a couple be Prestwick Country Club,” says Jeff - one of the only outdoor pickleball courts hundred people.

McKinley, business development director. in Hendricks County. They are located 8 / AVON MAGAZINE / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

Chef Silvano & his wife Araceli

5197 Fairway Drive Avon, IN

317-745-6448

prestwickgolf.net

Nate Littlefield is Prestwick’s superintendent, in charge of maintenance of the golf course and grasses.

“Prestwick has been in disrepair for the past 10 years,” he says. “With new ownership we are going to be updating and repairing the course to proper playing conditions. First and foremost, we will be addressing the irrigation system as well as bunker renovation. Currently we are installing all new pumps for the irrigation system, and locating and repairing the wiring while also replacing all sprinkler heads.”

The golf course is a challenging 18-hole layout that can play anywhere from 4,800 yards to nearly 7,000 yards for the golfer. Plus, the topography is unique. In fact, Prestwick Country Club is unlike any other course in the state in that none of their holes overlap or sit next to one another.

“That means if you hit your ball way out of the way, you won’t hit it into another hole,” Klein says. “That’s good for outings too, as it keeps up pace of play. Plus, it keeps you private and secluded on each hole.”

Klein first worked at Prestwick as a teenager washing carts and doing odd jobs here and there. After graduating from college, he came back to do the books, and now he is helping to run things at Prestwick.

“Once you’re involved here, it’s hard to leave,” Klein says. “We have longtime employees and members who have been here for many years, who have seen it through the best and worst times. Everyone sticks around because this place has a very special hold on everyone’s heart - something that’s hard to find anywhere else.”

Klein is proud of the staff.

“They are all very excited to come to work each day, and that’s how it should be,” he says.

“Everyone here has a positive attitude,” McKinley adds. “When golfers come in, they’re greeted and welcomed to the club.

It’s those little things that come with being a member that they are happy to see again.

When they step foot on our property, they know they’ll have a good time.”

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CONNECT

Although it’s a country club, it’s not private, and it’s open to the public for tee times. The staff is also accepting memberships.

“Though we’ve been around for awhile, we’re happy to be getting everything back up to par, no pun intended,” McKinley says. “Beyond that, we want to raise the bar. We have a lot of dynamic plans for the future.”

One big goal for the Prestwick team is to be more accommodating to families, and the staff members have attempted to accomplish this by adding outdoor seating overlooking the putting green, and also planning camps and lessons intended for aspiring young golfers.

SPIRIT OF SERVICE LOCAL GIRL SCOUT TROOP WINS BRONZE AWARD FOR HELPING THE COMMUNITY Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

The young ladies who make up Girl Scout Troop 212 understand this sentiment, and live it. Made up of 13 fifth-graders, most of these girls have been a part of Girl Scouts since they were in kindergarten. Candace Monzingo has been the troop’s leader for the past six years. She’s also a full-time nurse who has a passion for volunteering at Meals on Wheels of Hendricks County, a nonprofit that delivers meals to homebound seniors who cannot make their own meals due to illness, disability or age.

Monzingo has introduced her Girl Scout troop to Meals on Wheels, so every other week when the troop meets, they decorate 100 lunch bags for the organization. They even decorated bags in the early days of the pandemic when they weren’t meeting in person as a group (Monzingo dropped the bags at each girl’s house). They didn’t want to take a hiatus from giving, because it’s the lifeblood of what they do.

Last summer Meals on Wheels hosted a car show, and Troop 212 got involved. The girls arranged a kids area with activities like face painting and building cars out of Twinkies.

In total they raised several hundred dollars, and all proceeds benefitted Meals on Wheels.

Troop 212 recently won the Girl Scout Bronze Award, which is one of the highest awards in Girl Scouts. This award is given out to a troop that makes a real difference in its community. For these girls, that’s all they’ve ever known. It’s also what they love.

“They’re a very active troop who is all about

giving back,” says Michelle Logan, whose daughter is a part of Troop 212. “Serving is just ingrained in them, as evidenced by the fact that their vests are full of patches.

Honestly, though, they were more excited about participating in events than they were about earning the pin or even winning the award. They enjoy volunteering so much.”

10 / AVON MAGAZINE / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

Every year Girl Scout Troop 212 also volunteers to run a s’mores station at the Halloween trick-or-treat event at Washington Township Park, to raise money for the local park system.

“Kids trick-or-treat through the woods and we set up a s’mores booth,” Logan says. “It’s

great because all these little kids see our girls in vests and they’re introduced to Girl Scouts.”

The troop has modeled their volunteer habits after Monzingo, who is such a popular leader that at one point she had 18 girls in her troop.

“You’re only as good as how much effort the parents put into it,” says Logan, who has three daughters in Girl Scouts and a son in Boy Scouts. “We have one mom whose whole job is finding volunteer opportunities. I sew all the patches.”

“Everyone knows what an Eagle Scout is with Boy Scouts,” she adds. “Interestingly, there are probably more Girl Scouts in Avon than there are Boy Scouts.”

Logan says the best part of scouting is witnessing the dedication that these kids have in improving the community.

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A wonderful bonus of this is making excellent friends.

“You know what they say - show me your friends, show me your future,” Logan says. “As a mom, you love to see your kids making friends with like-minded people. These girls are forming positive relationships and this troop keeps them going in the right direction.”

One trait that’s naturally ingrained through participating in Scouts is the notion of doing the right thing.

“Just yesterday my kids and I were taking the dog for a walk when we came across a huge pile of trash on the street,” Logan says. “Without a thought, they said, ‘Let’s go get it.’ Serving comes naturally to them.”

This summer Troop 212 is hoping to volunteer at the Hendricks County RibFest. It’s something the girls are eager to

do, and there’s never any bellyaching about giving up part of their Saturday.

“Avon is a very family-centered community,” Logan says. “There are so many wonderful opportunities to volunteer.”

For the scouts and parents, the best part about winning the Bronze Award is that it may encourage others to get involved in

scouts.

“Troop 212 is inspiring other troops to do better, be bigger, and be the best you can be,” Logan says.

To learn more about Girl Scouts in Hendricks County, email avongirlscouts@gmail.com or wparker@girlscoutsindiana.org.

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CENTER STAGE DANNY WIMMER PRESENTS CONTINUES TO GROW ITS LOUISVILLE FESTIVAL EVENTS and a location that is a stone’s throw from the bourbon capital of the world - Bardstown.

More than 10 years ago, music industry veteran and concert promoter extraordinaire Danny Wimmer discovered for himself what made Louisville special. With his staff at Danny Wimmer Presents, he has spent the years since creating several destination music festivals to help people outside the city’s boundaries explore what makes Louisville so special, and remind locals what the city has to offer guests who visit.

Danny Wimmer Writer / Carrie Vittitoe Photography Provided

Louisville is a city with a lot to offer - a decent cost of living, a vibrant arts community, a reputation as a foodie town,

Life was born in 2014.

Even though music festivals typically last one weekend, they are definitely not an inexpensive endeavor, which is why the Danny Wimmer Presents team took its time in bringing a second festival to fruition.

“When we enter a new market, we go in with one festival and see if that market has the legs to sustain a second, third or fourth festival,” says Chamie McCurry, chief marketing officer at Danny Wimmer Presents. Louder Than Life’s success led to the creation of Bourbon & Beyond Danny Wimmer’s initial visit to Louisville five years ago. “The emphasis of Bourbon wasn’t related to music. He had become enamored with bourbon and was considering & Beyond from day one was always to launching his own brand. “I immediately felt highlight the bourbon as much as the at home everywhere I went in Louisville,” lineup,” McCurry says. he says. “There was a real pride, sense of While Louder Than Life is a very rockcommunity and charm that I just fell in love specific festival, Bourbon & Beyond with. It’s my home away from home.” includes country, classic rock, alt-rock, bluegrass and indie-alt, and is what He decided he wanted to create a music festival that would focus on rock music, but McCurry calls a lifestyle festival. “It has several genres represented,” she says. “It has remain rooted in the local landscape with a little bit of everything for everyone. The bourbon as an integral part. Louder Than JULY 2022

bourbon and culinary aspect is elevated at that festival.”

Both festivals are held at the Kentucky Exposition Center, last four days each, and include an opportunity for attendees to camp on-site. Different pass options give concertgoers the ability to pick and choose which days (or all the days) they want to attend. It is possible for attendees to make an entire vacation out of the festivals, since there is so much to do in Louisville and surrounding areas on the days in between.

“The long-term growth of this is that we want people coming in for two weeks and experiencing Louisville on the days when there isn’t an active festival happening,” McCurry says.

The influx of attendees from all over the country provides a financial boon to the city. According to McCurry, a 2019 independent study calculated the economic impact of both festivals at more than $43 million. Of course, COVID-19 affected

many public events and their financial windfalls for communities. While Louder Than Life took a hiatus in 2020 and came back in 2021, Bourbon & Beyond is only just now returning after a two-year break, which in some ways feels like starting over.

“We’re working to reintroduce that brand to the marketplace,” McCurry says.

Through the years some things have changed with the concerts, which is to be expected.

Both festivals began as two-day, two-stage festivals, but their popularity has led to growth. Both festivals now have four stages of music, and Bourbon & Beyond has two additional stages for workshops and presentations. The lineup has expanded as well. Louder Than Life now showcases 90 musicians and bands, while Bourbon & Beyond sees more than 50 musical acts performing.

Putting together music festivals this large takes a massive amount of planning, not only because of the music, but also because

JULY 2022

of the camping option and all the logistics that ensue. “Across the street we have car, tent and RV camping,” McCurry says.

“Fans can arrive on Wednesday, set up their campgrounds and live on-site with us for the festival weekend.”

the parks department, the Kentucky Expo Center, the Louisville Police Department.

We have an entire office and production team that works closely with our local partners in building out the most fanfriendly and safe concert experience.”

The staff members at Danny Wimmer Presents spend all year preparing for these festivals to ensure attendees have the best experience possible. Essentially, McCurry says the company is building a small city.

“We plan all year for it,” she says. “We work very closely with the City of Louisville,

The boots-on-the-ground staff in Louisville frequently checks on little things in the months and weeks before the shows, like how the grass is growing and how rainwater drains, so that any problems can be addressed beforehand.

JULY 2022

Before, during and after the music festivals, Danny Wimmer Presents uses social media to assess attendees’ expectations and experiences. “We’re able to make changes and adapt pretty quickly,” McCurry says.

In 2021, when rain prevented grassy areas from draining at Louder Than Life, staff brought in tons of gravel to alleviate standing water. After the event, surveys are sent to attendees to get their feedback. “We know it is a very competitive marketplace for consumers’ entertainment dollars,” McCurry says. “We want them to feel very satisfied.”

channel, DWPresents, which streams original content from unsigned musicians and bands, some of which have gotten signed and made it to the Louder Than Life stage.

The feel of Bourbon & Beyond is a little different. It’s a little more mellow, and could be considered the slow and steady wind-up to Louder Than Life the following weekend.

Of course this doesn’t mean the musicians who perform at Bourbon & Beyond this year, from September 15 to 18, can’t totally rock it out. Jack White, Pearl Jam, Kings of

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In 2021 Louder Than Life became the biggest rock festival in the country, with 160,000 passes sold. “Now we’re doing everything we can to get 40,000 people a day there,” McCurry says. The headliners for the Louder Than Life festival, which runs from September 22 to 25, include Nine Inch Nails, Kiss, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the festival is also shining a light on up-and-coming bands.

The Danny Wimmer Presents talent team spends a lot of time and energy booking artists that are getting airplay and buzz. In 2021 the company introduced its Twitch

JULY 2022

Leon, and Chris Stapleton are some of the big-name headliners. To be sure, part of the attraction of Bourbon & Beyond is the “beyond” aspect, which includes different bars, workshops and experiences with bourbon experts. Bourbon lovers can get their fill of rare and experimental bourbons at The Silver Dollar Hunter’s Club. And if you don’t like bourbon, don’t worry - there will also be a wine garden and craft beer area.

For more info, visit dannywimmerpresents.com.

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Summer Sun Safety Tips

prevent skin damage.

Story & Photos Provided

Summer break is in full swing, and your children will be spending a lot of time outdoors. Outside play and activities are an important part of keeping children active and healthy.

While it is true that some exposure to the sun contributes to our body’s production of Vitamin D, excessive sun exposure can greatly increase the risk of skin cancer and cause severe and painful burns. You can help protect your children by follow these guidelines.

• Spray sunscreen is not recommended for use with children.

Some of the risks with using spray sunscreen include inhalation of the spray possibly causing lung irritation, not getting full coverage due to spray pattern or windy conditions, and sprays are flammable when not completely dry.

Sun Safety Tips!

• Sunscreen should be re-applied at least every two hours, after sweating, drying off or after swimming.

• For children under 6 months old, the AAP recommends that infants avoid sun exposure when possible. Use lightweight, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, brimmed hats and keep infants in the shade to prevent sunburn. If these interventions are not available, you may apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to exposed areas, taking care around the infant’s eyes.

• Select a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen with a SPF of 15 to 50 to

• Sunscreen should be applied 15 to 30 minutes prior to going outside to give time for proper absorption.

• A pply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin, using caution around the eyes.

• Use a wet cloth to gently wipe eyes if the child rubs sunscreen into their eyes, then wash their hands.

• R emember, UV rays are the strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

JULY 2022

Earlier and later outside play would be best.

• Use sunscreen even on cloudy days. Up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays come through the clouds!

• Encourage your children to wear hats and sunglasses with UV protection.

• Engage in activities in the shade when possible.

• Water and sand reflect the sun’s rays. Use caution when swimming or at the beach, sunburns may occur more quickly.

What can you do if your child does develop a sunburn?

If your child is younger than one, or if it is a severe sunburn involving, pain, fever or blisters, you should contact your Pediatrician right away. Medicated creams should be used only under the advisement of the pediatrician.

Applying a cool compress or cool water to the affected area can be soothing and help lessen the intensity of the burn. If the sunburn is particularly painful, pain medications, such as acetaminophen, may help ease the pain. Take care to avoid sun exposure with your sunburned child until the sunburn is fully healed.

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Comprehensive & Personalized Mental Healthcare • ADHD • Anxiety • Depression • OCD • PTSD – Trauma Gary Wharton

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Avon Mental Health

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JULY 2022

LEARNING FROM LOSS ANIMAL GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP HELPS THE HEALING PROCESS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

is grieving the death of a pet, and for individuals who work with animals on a regular basis.

“In the case of disenfranchised grief, some people have choked down a story for decades because when they tried to deal with their pain, they got hurtful reactions,” Tishken says. “As a result, they keep choking down that hurt and grief for a long time because they don’t feel there is a soft place to land that story.”

This is precisely why Tishken wanted to offer an animal grief support group.

“This is a grief that is otherwise going unaddressed,” he says. “The goal with this group is to provide a pastoral service to the community that you’re not going to find anywhere else.”

A

nyone who has experienced the agony of grief knows that it’s harsh and unrelenting, especially during those first several weeks and months when you are trying to find steady ground in an upended world. Typically, what gets us through those difficult days is the support we receive from friends, family, colleagues, counselors and support groups.

But what about when we have to say goodbye to a beloved pet? It’s not that society is unfeeling, but sometimes grief is discounted when the loss is “just an animal.”

“Grieving animals is a form of disenfranchised grief, which occurs when your loss goes against cultural norms and therefore isn’t seen as valid, understandable or acceptable,” says Reverend Joel Tishken, a part-time minister at Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Hendricks County (UUCCHC).

In the summer of 2021 Tishken took part in a training through the Association for Veterinary Pastoral Education. In March of 2022 he started a monthly Animal Grief Support Group (sponsored by UUCCHC) to provide a safe space for anyone who JULY 2022

The idea was conceived by animal chaplain Reverend Russell Elleven, who trained a handful of chaplains in this area. The support group follows a small-group model, meaning that each participant takes a turn to speak, saying whatever is on their heart. The rest of the participants do not respond, but rather just provide a listening ear.

“The idea is simply to be a supportive and loving presence to the others,” Tishken says. “It’s for people to be able to speak their heart without any judgment. You don’t have to stifle or qualify what you are saying.”

Tishken notes that when it comes to animal grief, society often mutes or minimizes it.

As a result, the grieving person is hesitant to open up.

“It’s hard to be vulnerable when you know

you’re going to get hurt,” Tishken says. “In this case, people don’t have to have any of those worries because we simply thank them for sharing their heart.”

Following the death of either a human or a pet, many people are prone to offering remarks like, “It’s God’s plan,” or, “They’re at peace now.”

“The problem is that if that isn’t your worldview, it’s not helpful at all,” Tishken says. “In fact, it can be hurtful.”

Anyone who works with animals, such as veterinarians or those at animal shelters or humane societies, are also welcome to attend the support group to help them process their work, which can be emotionally taxing. As Tishken points out, suicide rates among veterinarians and vet technicians are high.

“People often take their anxiety out on veterinarians in a way that they don’t with human doctors,” Tishken says. “People have weird expectations like that they should get a price break on a certain procedure, and if the vet doesn’t agree, they accuse the vet of not loving animals. Plus, vets see humanity at its worst when they see starving or clearly neglected animals.”

Tishken, a huge animal lover himself, owns 14 adopted critters including nine cats, four guinea pigs and a bunny. As a minister and chaplain, he has led his fair share of human support groups during his career.

“Dealing with people when they are hurting - those skills are clearly transferrable to this group,” he says. Support groups can be helpful because being among a group of people, even if they are not sharing your identical situation, is healing because they can empathize in a way that others cannot.

“There is power in speaking your truth,” Tishken says.

Tishken’s Animal Grief Support Group takes place virtually on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, email minister@ uucchc.org.

JULY 2022

In the Genes

LOCAL ADOPTEES SEARCH FOR THEIR BIRTH PARENTS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Kim Baver and her adoptive parents, Trent and Janet Wilheim.

JULY 2022

Lisa Dulcich-Suyeyasu grew up with wonderful parents who were always open with her about the fact that she was adopted.

her that Jim had always expressed that he wished he had a daughter.

When they took her to Jim’s gravesite, she sobbed.

“My dad was into genealogy and had family records going back to the 1800s when some of his family immigrated here,” she says.

“That always fascinated me. My parents always knew someday I’d search for my birth parents.”

“I was shocked by how emotional I got about it,” she says. “I think partly it was because he’s not here anymore, but also finally to have that final piece of the puzzle.”

Two years ago Dulcich-Suyeyasu, executive assistant at the Greater Avon Chamber of Commerce, started a side business that involves helping adoptees with birth-family searches and general genealogy research. To date, she has solved roughly 55 cases.

“When you decide to search, you have to make sure you’re mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for whatever the outcome may be,” she says.

And that she did. Thirty years ago she located her birth mom, Sue, using traditional genealogy methods, as genetic genealogy didn’t exist back then. The two were able to meet, and Sue has since passed away.

In 2015 Dulcich-Suyeyasu did DNA testing on herself because she was battling breast cancer and was unable to fill out the paternal side of the health questionnaire.

Adoptees tend to get excited at the notion of a happy reunion, but that excitement is based on expectation.

“They have this expectation that everything’s going to be rainbows and unicorns, and that’s not always the case,” she says, adding that she warns her clients that not all cases end happily. Sometimes a match can’t be found. Other times the truth can be dark and Because genetic testing in the genealogy world was just becoming sad. She’s found that sometimes birth parents, particularly birth more popular, it took a while for results to mean anything. Once moms, are in denial if they carry a lot of shame in their decision. more people started testing, she was able to locate her birth father, Back in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, that shame kept them from Jim, who died in 2007, never having known that she existed. Still, she is grateful to have met her cousins on her paternal line, who told talking about it.

“When you’re going through cancer you have freak-out moments,” she says. “I was extremely upset because I didn’t know anything.”

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“Some birth moms didn’t even tell their own families they were pregnant,” she says. “Now all of a sudden, because of genetic genealogy, adoptees are finding their birth parents and some of these birth families don’t want to be found.”

however, she felt compelled to share her story.

One day in 2020, Kim Baver stopped in at the Avon Chamber and began chatting with Dulcich-Suyeyasu. At the time Baver worked with Hendricks County Senior Services, and Dulcich-Suyeyasu asked if she would be interested in working with seniors on genealogy research projects. Baver’s ears perked up out of personal interest, as she was adopted when she was 6 weeks old.

“When I hit my teen years I wanted to know about my birth family, so I did a bit of exploring and got some info from the adoption agency,” Baver says. She couldn’t, however, obtain the birth records.

She left for college, pressing pause on the pursuit, though it was always in the back of her head. When she met Dulcich-Suyeyasu,

“She asked if I’d considered searching for my parents,” Baver says. “When I told her, ‘Yes, but I’ve never gotten very far,’ her response stuck with me. She said, ‘Remember, you’re not getting any younger, which means your birth parents aren’t getting any younger.’ ” Baver decided it was time to try again.

“People who aren’t adopted don’t always understand why it’s important for us adoptees to find that missing puzzle piece of who we are,” says Baver, now a mortgage officer for Citizens Bank in Plainfield.

Dulcich-Suyeyasu suggested that she test with both the Ancestry Lisa showing Kim her genealogy reports.

JULY 2022

and 23andMe services to widen the search net.

Six weeks after doing both DNA testing kits, Baver received results that she had direct matches to her birth father, his daughter and his granddaughters.

With 23andMe and Ancestry, users get what’s called DNA matches, so within their system it allows the user to message the matched person if they have that ability activated. In December of 2020, Baver’s half-sister Colleen did just that. Though Baver was happy to hear from her, she had not yet touched base with her father Gary, so she held off on responding to the message.

The following day, she sent a message through the site to her birth father to let him know about her, and the fact that Colleen had recached out to her. Baver got a response from him that day.

“He didn’t know about me,” Baver says. “I was the surprise of his life. It was like, ‘Congratulations, it’s a girl - 52 years later!”

Dulcich-Suyeyasu had to dig to find Baver’s birth mother Mary. Once Baver had her birth mom’s phone number in hand, however, she had to work up the nerve to dial it. When the two finally connected, her mom said, “I’ve been waiting for your call for 52 years.”

“She said she remembered me every year on my birthday,” Baver says. “We talked about the challenging decision she made 52 years ago and she shared her story. Then we went through all of the family stuff.”

Meeting birth mother, Mary Adams, in Sept 2021

FIND YOUR STRENGTH

Baver reassured her birth mom that her adoptive parents were the best in the world.

“I told her that she put me in good hands,” Baver says. After that initial call, they sent text messages back and forth and made plans to meet in person in September of 2021. Then last Christmas, Mary met Baver’s adopted parents, Trent and Janet Wilhelm.

“My dad wanted to thank her for giving them the opportunity to raise me,” Baver says, tearing up at the thought.

In February of 2022 Baver and her husband Carl met up with

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Gary, his wife Pat, his son-in-law Joe and Colleen.

“At that meeting I experienced every emotion,” Baver says. “I was excited and so nervous, but they were fantastically wonderful.”

She was happy to get some health history information as she had never had that in her life, but they swapped fun info too. She learned that she and Gary attended the same university.

The first time Baver saw her birth father and half sister’s faces, her mouth dropped open.

“It’s weird,” Baver says. “You look in the mirror for so long and nobody looks like you, so to see that validation is pretty cool.”

Birth Father, Gary Watson

Meeting her half sister, Colleen

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SUMMER FUN GONE WRONG HOW TO PREVENT AN EMERGENCY ROOM TRIP Writer / Kurtiss McKissick, EMT, EMS Liaison at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

Summer is the time for fireworks, barbecues and water fun. However, these can also be potentially dangerous activities that could lead to a trip to the emergency room. Before families start planning summer fun, it is important to know simple safety steps that can prevent accidents before they happen.

FIREWORKS CAN BE DANGEROUS.

fireworks in your hands and never point them at another person. It may also be wise to keep a bucket of water or hose nearby to fully extinguish any accidental fires. If there is a burn injury, seek medical attention or call 911.

SIMPLE GRILLING TIPS CAN PREVENT BURN INJURIES.

When warm weather hits, many people begin cooking on their grills. According to the National Fire Protection Association, The best-case scenario is to let professionals between 2014 and 2018, fire departments handle the fireworks shows this summer. responded to an annual average of 8,900 However, many individuals and families home fires involving grills, hibachis and take matters into their own hands, especially barbecues. Simple grilling tips can help around Independence Day. Mishandling prevent fires and burn injuries. Keep the fireworks can lead to serious burn injuries. It grill at least 3’ from any structures, kids and is important to keep fireworks and sparklers pets. Open your gas grill before lighting. away from young children, and to make sure Keep an eye on your grill, fire pit or patio older children are closely supervised by torches. Do not leave them unattended if adults. Never use fireworks if impaired by they are already lit. Additionally, be sure drugs or alcohol. Wear protective eyewear to to clean your grill after each use to remove avoid eye injuries from sparks. Do not hold grease that can start a fire.

JULY 2022

WATER FUN CAN LEAD TO AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISIT.

The National Safety Council reports that on average, emergency departments across the country treat about 6,400 pool- and spa-related injuries in children younger than 15 every year. The younger the child, the greater the risk. Parents should never leave their child alone, and should consider finding age-appropriate swim lessons.

Don’t let children play around drains and suction fittings. Never consume alcohol when operating a boat. For those planning on being in the water this summer, consider training in CPR and keeping a first-aid kit handy.

While summer activities can be fun and lead to lasting memories, they can quickly go wrong without the proper preparation.

If a serious injury does occur, call 911 or go to your local emergency department immediately.

AVON INSTRUCTIONAL COACH AND HER DAUGHTERS ENJOY INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

It began with Abraham Lincoln and grew from there. Catherine Lewis, a self-described “Lincoln buff,” shared her passion for history and travel with her two daughters.

“The joke was that any home that Abraham Lincoln lived in for any length of time, I took them to,” says Lewis, an instructional coach with Avon High School. But their travels weren’t limited to Lincoln’s heritage.

The family, which includes her husband, Thomas, and daughters, Claire, 22, and Sophia, 20, adores international travel.

Much of that passion was cultivated thanks to the Avon school system. Early on, one of Claire’s Spanish teachers encouraged her to check out the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Languages (IUHPFL).

“It was a game-changer for her,” Lewis says.

“She came back fluent.”

In the IUHPFL, students live with a host family, but the experience encourages them to spread their wings. As a result, their confidence grows exponentially.

During college, Claire went on several goodwill trips to various Hispanic communities. She also studied abroad in Mérida, Mexico. In June of 2022 she graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, and because she received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award, she’ll teach at Universidad Camilo José Cela in Madrid, Spain, from September of 2022

until June of 2023.

When it came time for Sophia to select a foreign language at Avon, she purposefully chose something different than her older sibling.

“Teachers would say to her, ‘Oh, you’re Claire’s sister?’ and Sophia would respond, ‘No, I don’t know Claire,’” Lewis says. She wanted to carve out her own identity, so she studied French and Russian, choosing both a romance language and a critical language.

Sophia, a double French/Russian major at Indiana University, is in the Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP), which is supported by American Councils Study Abroad. It’s designed to maximize linguistic and cultural immersion into Russian society. Sophia received two TownePost.com / JULY 2022 / AVON MAGAZINE / 29

scholarships - the Gilman Scholarship Program, and Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarship. These scholarships enable Sophia to study in Kazakhstan this summer. First she went to Paris, and lived in youth hostels before spending two months with a host family.

Lewis received the Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship, which enables her to spend four and a half weeks in France this summer. This likely never would have happened if not for COVID-19. During quarantine Lewis taught herself French via Duolingo, an American language-learning website and mobile application that enables users to practice vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. She listened to podcasts on Duolingo and followed along with a transcript, which she recommends to anyone learning a foreign language.

“You’ll find yourself getting better,” she says.

“It’s amazing when you hear a podcast and realize you’re understanding what they’re saying.”

After listening to a podcast called “Le Paris Noir,” she thought, “That’s what I want to do. I want to go see that side of Paris.”

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Like her girls, once she sets her mind to something, Lewis is committed to doing it. It took her two years to get through Duolingo, but she made steady progress. In her grant, she explains how she could read fairly well, and that listening to podcasts had greatly improved her listening skills.

Speaking the language, however, was a different story.

“You learn by being thrown into conversation,” she says.

When she got word that she was the recipient of the Lilly grant, it felt like a dream come true. “Learning French got me through the pandemic, so to study French culture in France offered a sort of closure to this two-year time period,” she says.

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Thomas also loves to travel. He studies abroad through IUPUI in Greece every summer. This past May he went to Norway to visit his daughter Amalia, who graduated from a university in Trondheim.

Next on Lewis’s travel bucket list is Madagascar, where the official language is French. “Now it’s accessible to me because I speak French,” Lewis says.

She loves to learn, not only to expand her horizons, but also to better understand Avon’s students.

Lewis credits Avon schools for preparing young scholars to spread their wings in this way.

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According to Lewis, the most rewarding aspect of international travel is changing one’s worldview.

“Your world gets bigger, but ultimately the big world gets smaller,” she says.

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“You work hard in these programs, and with hard work comes self-efficacy,” Lewis says.

“I think that’s what my girls got from Avon a confidence where they felt, ‘I can do this. I can learn this language. I can travel.’ ”

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BEAR NECESSITY RILEY CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION HELPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT STAY CONNECTED TO CLASSMATES

Charleigh with mom, dad & little sister, Avery.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

For nine years Kayleen Jones has served as a social worker at Riley Hospital for Children.

She has seen kids who have endured terrible diagnoses, cancers and terminal illnesses.

When her own daughter Charleigh started having a series of health issues that required a battery of tests, Jones was grateful to have the experts at Riley looking out for her.

Although Charleigh’s problems are less severe than some Jones has seen during her

career, for a 7-year-old, it has still been a lot.

“Her health issues have really impacted her life,” Jones says.

Those issues started when Charleigh was just a baby and struggled to gain weight.

Following that, she began regularly experiencing respiratory problems. She was also battling digestive issues, and yet despite undergoing tests, doctors couldn’t ascertain what was causing her problems and how they were related. When Charleigh TownePost.com / JULY 2022 / AVON MAGAZINE / 35

was 3, allergy testing concluded that she was allergic to dogs and that’s what was causing all of her troubles. The family had two canines, which they re-homed to a friend.

Still, despite the dogs’ absence, Charleigh’s health issues didn’t improve. More testing followed. Ultimately, doctors diagnosed her respiratory ailments as asthma even though they didn’t present as typical asthma. They also determined that she had some immune deficiencies that made her susceptible to illnesses. On top of all that, they found she had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

“It was three separate things, not all interrelated as had originally been suspected,” Jones says.

Then in April, she had to be hospitalized because they couldn’t get her IBS under control using medication. Therefore, doctors had to make a tunnel in her colon and put a tube in it. Now, every night Jones and her husband Devon must put medications through the tube that goes directly to the area that needs the most help.

Though they expect surgery to help, it’s not a quick fix. Charleigh will have to go to the clinic every three months. She will have the tube for at least the next three years. At that point, doctors will re-evaluate to see how things are going.

Right now doctors are still trying to figure out the right medicinal protocol.

As a result, she misses school a lot.

These extended school absences are how

Holly Clark’s first-grade class at Cedar Elementary was introduced to Riley Children’s Foundation’s Bear in the Chair program. This program was designed to help a student who must miss school for an extended period of time feel connected to his or her classmates. To qualify for the program, a student must miss at least two weeks of school consecutively for an illness or surgery. Such was the case for Charleigh.

Therefore, the team at Riley supplied a giant stuffed bear to her classroom, explaining that the bear would sit in Charleigh’s seat while she was absent. The students took the bear with them to “specials” - classes like music and art - as well as the cafeteria and recess, to help them feel connected with their friend.

“This program has been a lifesaver for Charleigh’s emotional and mental health,” Jones says.

Several weeks after her surgery, Jones told her daughter that she had to go back to the

36 / AVON MAGAZINE / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

doctor for a test that would cause her to miss half the school day.

“At first she was so sad, but I reminded her that her bear would keep her chair warm and that her friends could take the bear to specials with them,” Jones says. “That quickly turned her mood around.”

Charleigh’s bear, which her classmates named Harley, was delivered to her classroom on April 28. Students were excited not only to meet their new fuzzy classmate, but also to see Charleigh on a Zoom call during the time when it was delivered.

“The class does this thing called GoNoodle, which is a YouTube link that gets kids dancing and moving in the middle of the day when they need a brain break,” Jones says. “Mrs. Clark showed me a video of a student holding Harley doing the GoNoodle.”

Avon students in grades kindergarten through 8 participate in a field day every May, just before the close of the school year.

All students receive a free field-day T-shirt, and Cedar Elementary made sure to get one for Harley.

“Yes, Harley participated in field day,” Jones says.

When the school year ended, Harley came home to live with Charleigh. Though he takes up some space, Charleigh’s parents are happy to accommodate for their little girl, whom Jones describes as happy, outgoing and friendly.

“She loves life so much and has the biggest heart,” Jones says. “She’s the sweetest little thing. Charleigh is the strongest, most resilient little girl I’ve ever known. It doesn’t matter what she’s going through, she always has a smile on her face.”

She participates in ballet, cheerleading and gymnastics. She also loves to dress up in fancy costumes, especially Disney princess dresses.

TownePost.com / JULY 2022 / AVON MAGAZINE / 37

“She’s as girly as they come,” Jones says.

Her two favorite subjects are math and art. “She’s really good at math and loves to go around telling people equations,” Jones says.

“She also is a little artist, and is always drawing, painting or doing some type of craft.”

Not surprisingly, with a personality like this, Charleigh does not lack friends.

“She loves everyone in her class,” Jones says. “In fact, if you ask her who her best friend is, she’ll literally name every one of her classmates.”

“They have a limited number of bears, and I wish they had more because there are so many more kids who could benefit from them,” Jones says.

If you’ve ever been at the checkout counter at a Speedway or surrounding business, the staff member there may have asked you if you’d like to donate to Riley. Now you know why.

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“Sometimes people are reluctant to donate because they don’t know the impact of their donation,” Jones says. “Trust me. It’s a great cause that makes a huge difference in these kids’ lives.”

For more info on Riley Children’s Foundation, go to rileykids.org.

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9045 Crawfordsville Rd • (317) 757-2620 Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm • Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm • Sun 11am-10pm TownePost.com / JULY 2022 / AVON MAGAZINE / 39

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Real Estate for Real Life. ™

That’s the Point Claire-Anne and her team have skillfully helped hundreds of local families right size their homes and they would be honored to help you, too–call them today!

Claire-Anne Aikman REALTOR, SRES, CRS

The Point Real Estate for Real Life™

Contact us at 317.345.6640 THE POINT IN REAL ESTATE LLC

40 / AVON MAGAZINE / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com