AUGUST 2020
MAGAZINE
HOW A COP AND REFORMED INMATE ARE SPREADING HOPE TOGETHER
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AUGUST WRITERS
A SPECIAL BOND: HOW A COP AND REFORMED INMATE ARE SPREADING HOPE TOGETHER
Don’t let your past define you. Those are words that Rameil Pitamber, 25, lives by. It’s a mantra he has practiced since he was 17 and made a terrible, life-changing decision that could have cost him his entire future. He was a junior in high school in 2013 when he robbed a Little Caesars restaurant at gunpoint and was taken to county jail.
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Christy Heitger-Ewing / Meredith Iacocca Josh Duke / Jamie Hergott Dr. Robert Huff / Claire-Anne Aikman
AUGUST PHOTOGRAPHERS Amy Payne / KP Photography
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6 Healthy Living: The Hydration Equation
9 A Special Bond: How a Cop and
Reformed Inmate Are Spreading Hope Together
14 Visit Hendricks County Launches
New Website For Residents
17 Miracle Man: How Family, Friends &
Faith Helped a Local Man Recover from a Devastating Stroke
22 Navigating Anxiety 24 Skin Cancer: Signs, Risk Factors,
Prevention and Screenings
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HEALTHY LIVING: THE HYDRATION EQUATION Writer / Meredith Iacocca
It’s a warm summer afternoon and you’re outside on the patio enjoying a good book. The sun is glaring down on you and thirst begins to set in. The thought of a refreshing drink makes your mouth tingle. What’s the first drink you’ll reach for? A sugary, sweetened iced tea? A good old PBR? A fizzy soda? What about just a glass of water? So simple and so, well, plain! However, you’re better off sticking to some water compared to the latter options. Odds are, you’re probably under consuming it, too. Water is an essential part of our overall well-being, and a vital aspect to maintaining a functioning body. It makes up 55-60% of our total body mass. It is an important part of nearly everything in our body — flushing out toxins, delivering oxygen to our
cells, transporting nutrients, maintaining a homeostatic blood pressure, regulating body temperature and contributing to our body’s natural healing properties. There are two facts to consider which set the foundation for why consuming water is so important: 1. The body can only produce about 8% of its daily water needs. 2. Water distribution is regulated but cannot be stored within the body for a long period of time. This means our body is almost entirely dependent on us to obtain its daily hydration needs. Talk about responsibility. How much water should you be consuming? The easiest way to calculate an approximation of water consumption is to take your weight in pounds and divide 6 / AVON MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2020 / AvonMagazine.com
by 2. That is the number of ounces at minimum you should be consuming. For example, a 150-pound person should be consuming at least 75 ounces of water. However, there are many factors that effect this equation. Activity levels, age, sweating and overall health. The more water you are releasing from the body, the more you will need to replace, like during a workout. In addition, older people are proven to have decreased thirst signals and can face issues maintaining appropriate water homeostasis with the onset of certain diseases such as dementia, medication side effects or decreased mobility. I would say the most common factor for this water consumption is the addition of diuretics. A diuretic causes urinary excretion as opposed to absorption within the body. This means the body doesn’t use what it’s consuming to filter back through itself for necessary functions. Common diuretics include soda, alcohol, processed
fruit juices, coffee and teas. This also means not every liquid is created equally. If you regularly consume diuretic beverages, a simple equation to use is to take the ounces of diuretic beverage consumed and multiply by 1.5. Then add that number to the number you got by dividing your weight. Here’s what the final equation should look like: (Oz of diuretics x 1.5) + Body weight in Lbs./2) = Minimum daily water intake. The easiest way to remedy low water consumption is to have a water bottle with you at all times. The bigger the bottle, the less times you need to keep track of refills and add up the ounces you’re drinking. If plain water sounds incredibly mundane to you, try adding flavors to it. Mint, lemon, ginger, and blueberries are all naturally flavorful and can jazz up any plain water. This can also be a great way to cut back on sugary, unnecessary beverages that aren’t keeping you hydrated! Water consumption is one of the first things I check with clients when reviewing nutritional and lifestyle habits. It is such a simple thing yet has a profound effect on the body. I challenge you to take this equation and compare it to the amount of water you normally drink. You may be surprised by how little you are really drinking compared to the glasses of coffee, soda and lemonade! References: 2016 Nutritional Therapy Association Inc. Ahmed M. El-Sharkawy, Opinder Sahota, and Dileep N. Lobo “Acute and chronic effects of hydration status on health” Barry M. Popkin, Kristen E. D’Anci, and Irwin H. Rosenberg. “Water, Hydration and Health” PubMed 2011 Aug 1.
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HOW A COP AND REFORMED INMATE ARE SPREADING HOPE TOGETHER Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne
Don’t let your past define you. Those are words that Rameil Pitamber, 25, lives by. It’s a mantra he has practiced since he was 17 and made a terrible, life-changing decision that could have cost him his entire future. He was a junior in high school in 2013 when he robbed a Little Caesars restaurant at gunpoint and was taken to county jail. “I was depressed, angry and numb,” Pitamber says. “I wanted to fit in and be
tough so I hung out with the wrong crowd.” As Pitamber sat in jail awaiting his fate, he hoped for the best - house arrest. However, that’s not what happened. “When I called my mom, she broke down crying and said, ‘You’re not coming home,’” recalls Pitamber, who was convicted of felony armed robbery and criminal confinement, and ultimately sentenced to 11 years in prison. Hearing his mom’s sobs as she heard his sentence was a sobering moment he’ll never AUGUST 2020
forget. That’s when he vowed never to put her in that position again. “I made the decision in that cell that I would never come back to prison again,” he says. “I would make better choices.” Brian Nugent, deputy chief of investigations with the Avon Police Department, was Pitamber’s arresting officer. Nugent, now in his seventeenth year with the department, was intrigued by law enforcement when he was a little boy growing up in Tell City, Indiana.
“My dad was trying to teach my mom how to drive a stick shift and they got pulled over,” Nugent says. “I remember the officer’s kind engagement. I never felt fear.” Later in life, he became friends with the town’s police chief. Their positive interaction caused Nugent to pursue a career in law enforcement.
“If you don’t own your own choices and experiences, how do you learn your lessons? How do you grow?” - Rameil Pitamber
Pitamber was released early for good behavior, but after living for four years in a segregated prison, he was highly uncomfortable around white people. There was one white man, however, that he felt he could trust, and as fate would have it, he ran into that man at a Goodwill store in 2017, soon after he was released. “Rameil asked if I remembered him, which I definitely did, because to see a teen take responsibility seems to be more of a rare occasion these days,” Nugent says. Pitamber thanked Nugent for how he treated him, then leaned in and gave his arresting officer a hug. “I was overwhelmed with emotion and usually I’m not that emotional,” Nugent says. Soon the two met up for dinner. At that meal, Nugent brought along the booking photo he had taken of Pitamber the night he was arrested. “I asked him, ‘What do you see when you look at that young man?’” Nugent says. “A lost kid,” Pitamber replied. While in prison, Pitamber did a good deal of reading, praying and soul searching. He decided the best way to move forward was to take full responsibility for his actions and make a concerted effort to do better going forward. Nevertheless, postprison life was still a challenge for him. “I was broken and my self-esteem was shot,” Pitamber says. “I was extremely insecure about being an ex-felon and how the world would view me.”
Rameil Pitamber AUGUST 2020
At their dinner, Pitamber asked Nugent to mentor him. Nugent was humbled by the request. “Deep down, Rameil has a real endearing perspective,” Nugent says. “I just had to teach him to get out of his own way and let people see how genuine he is.” The two began meeting once every month or two to discuss business struggles or personal development issues. Nugent talked about everything from the importance of matching one’s belt and shoes, to parallel parking tips. Nugent makes it clear, however, that their friendship is not a one-way street. “It isn’t just an outward mentorship where I was helping a young man get back on track,” Nugent says. “Rameil has poured back into my life in many ways.” Though Pitamber is close with his mother, he had a difficult childhood riddled with sexual abuse, alcoholism and drugs, which led to many poor decisions as he internalized negative emotions. He could have easily let the hurt consume him, but instead he chose to forgive the person who molested him. He also chose to take responsibility for his actions, turn his life around and share his message of hope with those who will listen. The two men have participated in a number of public speaking engagements. When people hear Pitamber talk, they are often overcome with emotion, which indicates that they are connecting with his story. “I think people appreciate his courage, because to sit on a stage and talk about what is arguably the worst decision he’s ever made in his entire life, and then to go on to share the trauma he experienced as a young child - that takes guts,” Nugent says. “A lot of us would fear judgment. I admire Rameil’s courage to be a voice for others.”
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AUGUST 2020
In June of 2019, Pitamber was asked to speak in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He talked about how it is possible to move past pain, and go on to live a productive life.
He also said that it’s healthier not to live like a victim, but rather to adopt a sense of ownership. “If you don’t own your own choices and experiences, how do you learn your lessons?” Pitamber says. “How do you grow?”
Deputy Chief of Police, Brian Nugent
Nugent recalls watching Pitamber talk openly and honestly, knowing that others in the room likely lived through similar traumas but didn’t have the comfort or confidence to talk about their own issues. “You grow the most when you’re vulnerable,” Nugent says. “That’s when you’re most open-minded. What better platform to learn from than at your weakest moment? Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength.” Pitamber studied heating, ventilation and air conditioning skills at Ivy Tech Community College, and is now building his own business, Midwest Air Heating & Cooling, LLC. He hopes to expand the business, earn his real estate license and continue to book speaking engagements. “I want to speak to the youth at every school in Indiana to talk about stereotypes and racial relationships,” Pitamber says. He’s also considering running for a City Council seat in Indianapolis. “In the middle of all that, I’d like to find love,” he says with a chuckle. For now, Pitamber’s top priority is helping people. If you ask Nugent, he’s doing a splendid job, and he speaks from personal experience. “Rameil has made me a better man, a better cop, a better person and a better leader,” Nugent says.
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LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE FOR RESIDENTS Writer / Josh Duke Photography Provided
Sometimes it takes a major life event to look at things through a different lens. We’ve all had that opportunity in 2020. For reasons I will get to in a minute, I want to unveil something we at Visit Hendricks County have discussed and been working on since the pandemic began back in March - a new community website, geared specifically for our residents, which we are calling the Hendricks County Locals Guide. You can find it right now online at AllinHendricksCounty.com. Back in March, with everyone staying at home to flatten the curve throughout the country, it became obvious that until visitors began to return we needed to support our locals, highlighting the “good stuff ” in our community through a new initiative we call “All In, Hendricks County”. We anticipated adding this approach to our agency’s role in the county in the near future, but with the coronavirus pandemic as the catalyst, we were able to pivot quickly to provide a resource to our residents to help them during the
early days of the pandemic. All of our messaging, partnerships, promotions, website content, social media channels and attention focused on our locals. We shined the spotlight on local individuals and businesses making a difference in the community when they couldn’t directly serve visitors and residents. We also provided resources for our locals including information on where to find jobs, where to get more information about local health and safety, where to learn what restaurants were offering, where to find ideas for things to do at home and much more. We quickly realized the same information we share with visitors could be repackaged and promoted to residents. They, too, can benefit from our staff ’s 60-plus years of expertise and knowledge about this community.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
For those who have seen and used the “Community” portion of our Visit Hendricks County site in recent months, information on the new site will be similar. We want to stick to what we know and what we’re good at. AUGUST 2020
We plan to provide insider information and inspiration, both within Hendricks County and surrounding areas within an hour’s drive, at AllinHendricksCounty.com. We will focus on things to do, events, and all the latest news, as well as updates, openings and closings involving local attractions such as our restaurants, shops, parks and other amenities. It won’t be the place to go to learn when the latest road project will be completed, what houses are for sale in the area, or what local ordinance governs whether you can add a shed to your backyard. There are places where you can find that information in our county. We plan to have our site direct you there, but just know that will not be what this site is about. Our popular Hendricks County Insider blog will supply the new site with content we think our residents will find useful, such as recent popular stories we’ve already posted
including "Top Parks & Trails Within an Hour of Hendricks County","Top Outdoor Dining Options in Hendricks County", and our “Going Above and Beyond” series highlighting local people and businesses making a difference in our towns. We will also answer frequently asked questions about our community. We plan to have sections of the site geared toward specific towns, and to the different segments of our local population including families, seniors, newcomers and more. With your help, we even hope to show pictures of you and your neighbors enjoying our amenities. But that’s not all. Our organization also specializes in helping to plan weddings, and helping event organizers find the perfect venues in our county for special occasions. So, if you are or ever will be planning a wedding, or need to find the perfect venue for an event such as a reunion, birthday party, corporate retreat or anything else, this new website will be the place to go to find it in your own backyard. We also regularly produce printed pieces like our Wedding Guide and Visitor Guide that you can request through the new site for free, and we will mail them directly to your home so you can learn even more about the hidden gems and resources we have right here in Hendricks County.
WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT
While we try to fulfill what we believe is an unmet need in our community, we realize we don’t have all the answers. We hope you can help us by providing feedback on how we can make this site even better so that it truly feels like the community’s website. We value input and would love for you to peruse the new site, and share with us what is missing or what you would like to see. You can share your thoughts and recommendations for the site through the “Contact Us” form on the website, via email at Info@VisitHendricksCounty.com, or by calling us at 317-718-8750. So, let’s do this together. Are you ready for an online resource dedicated solely to the Hendricks County community? Are you ready to be All In, Hendricks County? Check it out at AllinHendricksCounty.com.
AUGUST 2020
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“I was told Eric would never get out of bed again,” Vicki recalls. “That was a very dark day for our family.” In that instant, life seemed surreal. Her mind was spinning as she asked herself, “How can this be happening?” Five years earlier, Eric had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a disease of the heart characterized by an irregular heartbeat. Though the couple was warned that the condition increased his chance of having a stroke, they never expected to have to brace for such a tragedy. Initially, Vicki told her sons Ryan and Paul little about their dad’s condition - only that he was sick and in the hospital. “A stroke is difficult to explain even to an adult, but after several weeks I knew it was time for the boys to see their dad,” says Vicki, who vividly recalls the poignant reunion. “It was a beautiful moment. I remember the look of love on their faces overjoyed to see their dad, regardless of his condition.”
How Family, Friends & Faith Helped a Local Man Recover from a Devastating Stroke Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided by KP Photography
One’s perspective on life can change in the blink of an eye. That’s precisely what happened to Vicki Arthur seven summers ago when she and her two young sons were at their family’s cottage in Michigan, having celebrated her husband Eric’s 45th birthday just a few days earlier. Eric had returned to their home in Hendricks County, and Vicki and the boys stayed behind to enjoy an extended stay at the lake. On July 18, 2012, Vicki’s biggest concern was the bad haircuts her sons had
received at a barbershop that day. Then the phone rang with news that brought her to her knees. Eric had suffered a devastating stroke and was not expected to live through the night. Thankfully he did make it, but the following morning, Eric’s neurologist told Vicki that the stroke hit his brain stem the worst possible place, since the brain stem controls so many of the body’s vital functions including breathing. Throughout the following 72 hours, Vicki stood by her unconscious husband while doctors painted a bleak future. AUGUST 2020
Eric spent a month at St. Vincent Hospital before being moved to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana (RHI) as an inpatient. When he arrived at RHI, Eric couldn’t move a muscle. He had a feeding tube and underwent a tracheotomy. He could only respond to people by squeezing their hands. He could only stand with the help of two or three therapists and a metal assistance mechanism. This new way of living forced the Arthurs to view the world in hourly increments, as long-term planning was no longer relevant. As a result, Vicki says she put “radical trust in God.” “We had no idea what the future looked like,” she says. Within weeks at RHI Eric took his first steps, and before long he was walking hundred-foot stretches with a walker. He also relearned how to eat and speak. Time and again Eric defied the odds, prompting nurses to refer to him as the Miracle Man.
“No one could believe that someone with such a horrific brain injury could make such amazing strides so rapidly,” says Vicki, who is eternally thankful to the staff at RHI including Eric’s physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist.. “Truly, every day it was like watching a miracle unfold. The staff at St. Vincent Hospital saved Eric’s life, but the nurses at RHI brought him back to life.” Vicki will never forget the day the speech therapist told her that Eric had a surprise for her. “Eric said the words, ‘I love you,’” Vicki says. “They were the first words he had spoken in two months.” On Ryan’s 10th birthday, he and Paul played a game of cornhole with their dad in the RHI lobby. Considering the circumstances, the moment was monumental, memorable - even magical. Eric prior to his stroke with son, Paul
“It was the most beautiful thing,” Vicki says. When Eric finally returned home, adjusting to the family’s new normal was not easy. “Eric was completely dependent on others and couldn’t be left alone for any period of time,” Vicki says. “He didn’t have any sense of danger, and so he would get up and if we weren’t watching him he could fall.” With so much going on at the time including Paul starting kindergarten, Eric’s parents were instrumental in helping to keep the family’s wheels moving. Friends, neighbors, church members and the school community also stepped up by providing meals, rides to school and countless prayers. “There’s no way we could have gotten through this experience without all those people,” Vicki says. Back at home, Esther Stien, Eric’s AUGUST 2020
personal fitness trainer, began working out with Eric at least twice a week at her gym, Notch 8 Athletics. She has continued to do so for the past six years. “When we started, his hand was tucked under my arm the whole time, and we were navigating and orienting ourselves together,” Stien says. “Now he picks the moves that he likes, cleans up his stuff, and navigates 100% independently.”
Eric's recovery training at Notch 8 Athletics in Avon.
Prior to his stroke, Eric enjoyed coaching his children in soccer. In fact, it was one of his greatest passions. Three years ago, after Vicki had noticed significant improvement in her husband, she wondered if there might be a way to lead him back to his passion. She reached out to Dave Romie, founder of the Hendricks Community Soccer STAR program, to see if he might be interested in having Eric coach, especially since the program is for children with special needs. Romie loved the idea
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and welcomed Eric with open arms. “It felt good to be back on the field,” Eric says. Vicki and Eric have been married for 21 years, and Vicki says an experience like theirs truly tests one’s wedding vows. “Couples stand at the alter and promise ‘for better or worse, in sickness and in health’ without really thinking about what that actually means,” Vicki says. “No one ever thinks that a catastrophic medical event is going to occur in what should be their prime of life.” But Vicki adhered to those vows, as well as the vow that pledges to love, honor and cherish, because following Eric’s stroke, she cherished life on a whole other level. “The fact that Eric is still here is a miracle - I relish every second with him,” says Vicki, who no longer sweats the small stuff. Now she appreciates the little things, like a good cup of coffee, a phone call with a friend, dinner out with her boys, and her favorite watching her sons play with their dad. Ryan, 17, and Paul, 13, both of whom Vicki calls Eric’s number-one fans, have grown a great deal throughout the past seven years as a result of their father’s experience. “There are always silver linings in any situation, and I do believe the boys are more sensitive to other people’s feelings,” Vicki says. “They’ve witnessed and experienced things that a lot of kids their age have not.” Though he has made significant strides in recovery since the stroke, Eric still struggles with speech, balance and vision issues. Despite having four surgeries for his eye muscles, he still suffers from double vision, which prohibits him from driving a car or riding a bike. Nevertheless, no one in the Arthur family is complaining. Instead, they are celebrating their good fortune. “Life is different now,” Vicki says. “But it’s still good, and we feel so very blessed.”
AUGUST 2020
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Writer / Jamie Hergott
W
e all have routines and rhythms that work well for us. Maybe yours is morning coffee before the family gets up. Maybe it’s a long walk in the evenings. One of my own routines is to rest on Sunday from my workouts and runs. I try to walk, do yoga and, in general, relax and let my body recover from a week of tough workouts and parenting full time. However, I have struggled with anxiety for many years, and in recent weeks it has been a bigger struggle than normal. What does that mean for me? It means my guilt over every little thing I spend time on, or don’t have time for, is in overdrive. It means I struggle to make simple decisions, let alone big ones. It means I stress over that thing I said or did weeks ago that I shouldn’t have said or done. It means constantly feeling like my chest is heavy
and forcing myself to take deep breaths. Usually I can stay on top of this anxiety, but lately it’s been tough. I sense I’m not alone in this. We could blame the oppressive summer heat or the full moon, but in reality it’s clear that heightened political awareness, a global pandemic, as well as impossible decisions like whether we should send our kids back to school, are looming and cannot be avoided. If I had a dollar for every time my husband and I wondered, “Can we just ignore everything going on?” we’d be packing for Belize. Recently, I spent a Sunday during which I simply could not rest. The jittery anxiety was at a fever pitch, and I needed to ditch it somewhere. Walking, yoga and relaxing were just not options, so I laced up my shoes for a run, even in the heat of the Indiana sun. It was a long, hard, sweaty six-mile run. My music was blaring, my feet were pounding, and for the first time in a while, I felt like I could
AUGUST 2020
leave my cares at home, even if it was just for an hour. While the rhythm of rest works for me, so does the rhythm of movement. When you see people post their workouts, a run they completed or a project they accomplished, remember that many of them are doing it for their mental health. Many are doing it because it’s the one thing they can control. Many are doing it because the roads or the gym are their safe place, where they can just be themselves. Many are doing it for the release of stress and for the endorphins that keep them afloat. Many have a tough time taking a day off because it feels like skipping their anti-anxiety meds. Many are doing it for bigger reasons than you might think. We post our workouts for the same reasons any of us post anything - we feel proud. We want to inspire others. We want to share a big moment. We want to put a stone down in the sand to remind ourselves that we can do this, one day at a time. So can you. We are all in this together. We have tools - movement, sunshine, gratitude, community, service to others, and even a simple cup of coffee. Use them, and reach out for help if you need it.
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Signs of Skin Cancer
Signs, Risk Factors, Prevention and Screenings Writer / Dr. Robert Huff, Dermatologist at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided
Oftentimes skin cancer develops on areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, chest, arms and legs. However, skin cancer can also develop in areas that rarely see the sun, such as the palms. Remember the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry (one half of the mole doesn’t match the other), Border irregularity, Color that is not uniform, Diameter greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), and Evolving size, shape or color.
Along with the warm weather, summertime brings shorts, swimwear and more time spent outside under the sun. While the sun feels nice on our skin, every time we are in the sun, our skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, damaging our skin cells. Dr. Robert Huff, dermatologist at IU Health West Hospital, shares signs and risks of skin cancer, and tips for prevention.
Some skin cancers are more common than others. Basal cell carcinoma is recognizable by a waxy bump, or a bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns. Squamous cell carcinoma is often noticed as a scaly or crusty red patch, and a firm red nodule. Melanoma, which is often the most serious, is recognizable by changes in size or color of a mole, or large brown spots with dark specks and an unusual border.
Risks of Skin Cancer
■ Avoid indoor tanning. Tanning beds expose your body to 12 times more UV radiation. ■ Use sunscreen and reapply. Even on cloudy days, UV rays still penetrate the clouds. Always use a water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater. ■ Wear a hat and sunglasses. This will keep the sun off your face and help prevent sun damage to your eyes. ■ Schedule a skin cancer screening. Visiting your primary care doctor or dermatologist once per year not only helps to prevent skin cancer, but also allows for early detection and treatment. It’s also beneficial to screen yourself at home and keep an eye on freckles or moles that are unusual.
Skin cancer can happen to anyone, but certain characteristics may put a person at a greater risk, such as if your skin easily burns, if you have freckles, if you have blonde or red hair, or if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer.
Prevention Your risk for skin cancer lowers if you’re proactive about prevention: ■ Limit sun exposure, especially during the peak hours of 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
AUGUST 2020
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It’s no surprise that local brunch spot Hotcakes Emporium is known for its pancakes. Gus Dagres, the restaurant’s owner, says there’s no secret. It’s just quality ingredients, whole eggs, and his flair for delicious food. “The pancakes are unbelievable,” he says. “We have the best pancakes. We always make them fresh.” Dagres, owner of four Hotcake Emporium locations in the Indy area as well as OPA! in Avon, calls himself a very good, but very picky, eater. He credits his cooking knowledge and his dynamic tastes to his mother. He recalls being with his mom constantly as a young boy growing up in Greece.
Crepes, waffles and French toast with various toppings make dessert for breakfast completely acceptable. Omelets, skillets, burgers, sandwiches, soups, melts and gyros are also served throughout the day. Dagres prides himself on fresh, quality food, all prepared in-house. “I pay a little more for everything to keep a good quality,” he says. “Food has to be healthy. Nothing is prepackaged or frozen. We don’t use garlic powder. We don’t use onion powder. We use the real stuff. Nothing is pre-made. I’m a picky eater, and I trust my quality of food.”
Dagres feels it’s important to know where food comes from and what’s in it. He uses Black Angus beef for any beef dishes, cooking it with fresh herbs and draining all the “We did not have babysitters so I was next fat. He knows and trusts his to her, whatever she was doing,” Dagres says. sausage and bacon supplier. “She had a good palate, and she was always telling me in the kitchen, ‘Bring me that, Dagres values family and bring me that, bring me that.’ I got into the relationships. When asked if cooking thing because of her. I found out he would expand Hotcakes that I like the good stuff.” Emporium or OPA!, he Brunch and breakfast food are no exception. Hotcakes Emporium is known for its pancakes, made with fresh ingredients and whole, cracked eggs. Dagres emphasizes that he never uses liquid eggs in any dishes at any of his restaurants. The pancakes come in various flavors and types. The menu also features cheesecake pancakes, for which customers can choose strawberry, chocolate, cherry, Oreo and Black Forest.
answers cautiously, noting that the coronavirus crisis has made expanding business tricky. He also wants to keep a close eye on the restaurants he currently runs. “Many people want me to come to their area,” Dagres says. “We don’t want to jump too far and then not be able to manage anything. This is a family thing.”
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Dagres appreciates the loyalty and support of the community, often handing out discount cards or free desserts. “I feel my customers are my family,” he says. “I feel like Avon is my little village in Greece. Everywhere I go, people talk to me. I always am so thankful for their support.” Dagres’ entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to various skills, from construction to Greek music, have served him well through the years. He moved to Chicago from Greece when he was 17 years old, and by 21 he had already opened his first dine-in and carry-out sandwich shop. The shop was so popular that he opened
nine more concepts in the Chicago area, including a large night club featuring three bars and the capacity to host 800 people. He loved what he was doing at the time, but the long hours were beginning to wear on him. In 2006 he moved to Avon to be closer to his four children. He ran restaurants for a few friends before opening Hotcakes Emporium in Avon that same year. He went on to open several new locations in the Indy area - one on the north side, one on the south side, and one on the far east side. He chose a brunch theme so that he could finish work early. “I like breakfast because at 3 p.m., you’re done,” Dagres says.
says. “I love working with him. He’s my best friend. We cooked a lot growing up, and we are all good cooks in our family.” Dimos and his dad both enjoy watching customers sit down and eat, enjoying their food and the company of their loved ones. It’s a quiet pleasure and satisfaction that
Nevertheless, the extra time left Dagres itching to grow and expand. As he was working on the strip where OPA! is currently housed, he decided he couldn’t pass up a deal to open another establishment. Soon OPA! was born, giving him a place to hang out in the evening hours. Dagres enjoys having two businesses in Avon, describing it as a quiet community to live in with easy access to other parts of the city. He also loves working with his son Dimos, who helps him oversee his restaurants as well as cook in the kitchens. “He’s right on top of the food like I am,” Dagres says. “We’re both very picky.” Dimos, who has three sisters, says his earliest memories are of cooking with his dad. “Everything I know, I learned from him,” he AvonMagazine.com / AUGUST 2020 / AVON MAGAZINE / 27
keeps them both going each day. “I want people to feel like they went somewhere,” Dagres says. “They come here, everything in their mind leaves, and they eat well. I want them to feel good when they come here.”
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Setting Up an Effective Home Office Writer / Claire-Anne Aikman Photography Provided
Where do you work? This question used to mean ‘Who is your employer?’, but with more and more people working from home, and more of those people looking for ideas on how to manage a home office environment successfully, the question raises issues about what is effective and what isn’t when working from home. The transition from, “This is temporary and the spot on the couch will suffice” to, “I wonder if my boss will let me work from home permanently” has been a journey for many households - mine included. Initially, dining room tables were commonly transformed into home office spaces. It was the natural spot to accommodate laptops and work piles. Many people learned quickly - my husband included - that working at the dining room table for eight hours is, well, unpleasant. We ended up transforming a room of our home to suit our needs, and I see many people doing the same. Where you put your desk is up to you and depends on your space. Formal dining rooms can be easy to convert, as many people seldom use such space regularly, and replacing a big table and chairs with a sleek desk can make sense. However, there are other options as well.
work mode, you cannot be disturbed. You can alert everyone that work mode is in effect by turning on a desk lamp or hanging a colored cloth to be seen by all - anything works as long as everyone recognizes it as the symbol for quiet. It is also a good idea to plan break times. At an office you would likely not be sitting at your desk for an entire eight hours of work. You would take a break and visit or get a snack - and you should do that at home too. Make the kitchen fridge the new water cooler. Have a set time each day when the family can meet, grab a snack, visit, and maybe even play a quick board game or go for a walk. Anything to break the monotony of the day helps and, just like at work, it will be a point in the day that everyone looks forward to.
A friend of mine has converted a closet by building a desk inside, and lining the back wall with shelves. Another friend used a corner With a little planning, your office space and home office routine can of their upstairs loft. Yet another is working on converting their “she mesh smoothly in a home setting. shed” to a cute office space (they are still working on the heating and cooling aspect). Regardless of location, it is important to have as much lighting as possible, and position the work space away from Claire-Anne is a West Side high-traffic areas to help minimize disturbances. It is also important Realtor helping people make to make sure you have items placed properly, to minimize back ache and neck strain by the end of the day. Hendricks County their Once you figure out location, you need to have the structure of the day in place as well. Have a conversation with the family to set boundaries, and help them recognize that when you are in 30 / AVON MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2020 / AvonMagazine.com
home. You can reach her at 317-345-6640 or caikman@callcarpenter.com.
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