Avon Magazine December 2022

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WONDERS OF WINTER

Writer / Josh Duke Photography Provided

The holidays can mean so many things to so many people, but here at Visit Hendricks County, this season allows us to focus on our locally owned shops and attractions, and ways to support them.

Our organization has already embarked on a milestone holiday season. For the 10th consecutive year, we unveiled our Hendricks County One-of-a-Kind Finds holiday gift guide. This guide has become a passion project, as we encourage locals and visitors alike to support these local small businesses rather than buying everything on Amazon or in those big-box retail stores.

In addition to uncovering our hidden shopping gems, we also love finding and sharing attractions and activities that families and individuals can enjoy this season. As you hopefully know, our organization has become known for our popular events calendar, and providing options for things to do here locally. So, let’s get to all the great places to shop and fun things to do this season:

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Our Holiday Gift Guide highlights the best local, one-of-a-kind gifts we found this year. Please help support the featured businesses. They really need our help now more than ever. You can learn much more about each specific gift and where to find them at visithendrickscounty.com/gift.

We have highlighted some of our favorite food, fashion, local experiences, home

decor and much more. What we truly intend with this Gift Guide is to give you a reason to visit these businesses. We believe getting visitors into their doors is key, because once you walk into these businesses, we know you will be surprised by what you find and the service you will receive.

INDOOR ATTRACTIONS

Here’s just a sampling of indoor activities

in Hendricks County. You can check out all the options at visithendrickscounty. com/winter.

X-GOLF - PLAINFIELD

This new indoor golf facility at The Shops at Perry Crossing allows visitors to play many of the best golf courses in the world without leaving the county. This fun, virtual experience has become a hit and is perfect for a family, group or holiday gathering.

Press Play Gaming Lounge - Brownsburg

This large, indoor fun center provides plenty of room to spread out including family pods, virtual reality stations with numerous games, a foam war area, a threepoint shootout, a BEAM system for young visitors, as well as food, a bar and more.

THE TIE DYE LAB - AVON

Offering a fun, do-it-yourself experience, the Tie Dye Lab helps participants color T-shirts, hats, socks, bandanas and other attire. You choose your design and colors, and the experts there guide you through the process. The tie-dye process is both easy and mess-free, and within an hour you get to leave with your creation.

KIDS PLANETBROWNSBURG

Those with younger children will love this

multistory, indoor play area, which will help release some of their pent-up energy. The play structure includes slides, a foam pit, tunnels, ball shooters and more. A special area allows kids aged 4 and under to play in a separate space.

OUTDOOR WINTER ACTIVITIES

We have so many options to highlight here, but will limit them to just a few of our top recommendations, though you can find more at visithendrickscounty. com/winter.

PENGUIN PARK - AVON

Penguin Park is back this holiday season at a new location - Murphy Aquatic Park, at 753 South County Road 650 East in Avon. Enjoy ice skating (skates provided) on a synthetic rink on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays through February, rent an igloo for a gathering or birthday party, and enjoy concessions.

HOLIDAYS AT BEASLEY’S ORCHARD - DANVILLE

Most people associate Beasley’s Orchard with fall, but this family farm can be equally enjoyable in December when the barn is transformed to ring in the holiday season. Enjoy their award-winning apple cider, peruse their aisles for late-arriving apple varieties, and get your picture taken with Santa on an antique sleigh.

HORSEBACK RIDES AT NATURAL VALLEY RANCHBROWNSBURG

Natural Valley Ranch offers guided horseback rides year-round, weather permitting, but there is just something fun about bundling up and going out in the fresh, crisp air for a horseback ride. You do need to contact the ranch in advance to make a reservation before arriving.

• Eric Hewitt, DO

• Mark Lamb, MD

• Thaddaeus Poe, MD

• Adriana Segatta, MD

• Daniel Storey, MD

• Abbie Tolliver, MD

• Jennifer Pelley, NP

• Mary Schmoll, NP

ATTENTION: We provide free services to help you communicate with us such as letters in other languages or large print. Or, you can ask for an interpreter. To ask for help, please call 888-255-2246. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español (Spanish), hay servicios de asistencia de idiomas, sin cargo, a su disposición. Llame al 888-255-2246.

TAKE

HOLIDAY COOKIE TRADITIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Writer & Photographer / Abigail Hake

What is it about the holidays that just screams cookies? Can you imagine the holidays without thinking about all the different cookies out there at the same time? They go hand in hand. There’s no holiday without them. By the time you have gone to holiday parties, visited family, participated in a cookie swap, or just decided to leave some out for Santa, you’ve made your fair share and have probably eaten quite a few too.

Making holiday cookies each year is a great family tradition for lots of people. Many people put this on their holiday or winter bucket lists. One of the best parts of this tradition is that if you do it as a family, you can watch the kids grow into their roles more and more each year. Traditions don’t have to be complicated. Actually, it’s better if some traditions are simple so they can easily be replicated year after year. There are so many cookies out there to choose from that baking together each year can be exactly the same or completely different.

The good news is that holiday cookies don’t have to be fancy. The best part about baking around the holidays is that the cookies are homemade and baked with love. That said, for the cookies to turn out good enough to share with friends and family without embarrassment, you do need the right supplies and recipes.

Our favorite cookies to make around the holidays are classic, decorated sugar cookies. These are the perfect cookies to make with the kiddos because they are fairly simple and, obviously, sweet. Did you know that sugar cookies have been around since the mid 1700s? They are believed to have been created by German Protestant settlers in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and were originally known as Nazareth cookies.

We also like making chocolate chip cookies (which date back to 1938) and gingerbread cookies (which date back to Queen Elizabeth I during the 16th century), but it’s always fun to add in some new recipes. The holiday baking tradition continues

year as we will be in the kitchen taking on typical cutout sugar

and trying some new ones like Santa’s trash cookies and holiday fudge.

so many easy sugar cookie recipes out there, here’s a different type of cookie recipe to try by yourself or with your loved ones. These Santa’s trash cookies have plenty of flavor to satisfy salty and sweet cravings. Can you really pass up cookies with potato chips in them?

SANTA’S TRASH COOKIES

What you’ll need:

• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda (make sure it’s not expired)

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ⅓ cup crushed potato chips

• ⅓ cup crushed pretzels

• ½ cup mini white chocolate Reese’s Cups

• ½ cup mini chocolate Reese’s Cups

• ⅓ cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips

• ½ cup M&M’s (I used red, green and blue)

• ⅓ cup white chocolate chips

• ¼ cup sprinkles of choice

• Sprinkles of flaky sea salt for tops of cookies

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Next, in a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together until they are combined, then set aside.

With a mixer, cream the butter and sugars together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, usually about one to three minutes. Once the mixture turns pale yellow and has a light fluffy texture, it’s done. Make sure to not over-cream the mixture. Then, beat in an egg until it’s combined.

Next, add in the dry ingredients with the wet until they are combined. It will be very thick. After that’s combined, add in the pretzels, potato chips, M&M’s, Reese’s Cups, chocolate chips and sprinkles, and mix together gently.

Using a cookie scoop, scoop your dough balls onto your sheets with parchment paper and slightly press them down. Before putting into the oven, sprinkle lightly with sea salt. If you’d like, you can add additional pretzels, chips, candies and sprinkles to the tops of the cookies for a little extra pizzazz. If you prefer the cookies to be thicker, don’t press down as much.

Bake until the edges are just starting to get golden, usually about seven to eight minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool two to three minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Happy holidays from our kitchen to yours!

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

Owners, Hal & Michelle Frye

If you’ve lived in Hendricks County for any length of time, you are no doubt familiar with Frye Electric.

Hal Frye started the business back in 1974, running it out of his one-bedroom apartment before he moved it to a garage in Camby. He later moved to a fire station, then to a location on the northwest corner of Rockville and Raceway roads before relocating to the Gatherings shopping center for 15 years.

The Frye Electric team has recently moved to a new location and upgraded its facility, in order to substantially increase warehouse space. The 1952 black Dodge pickup truck that Hal’s grandfather purchased years ago when it was a hay wagon truck still sits in front of the business. Hal’s grandfather passed the vehicle on to his father and it sat for many years before Hal restored it, and emblazoned the Frye Electric logo across it to use as advertising for the business. Sometimes he takes it to car shows.

“Everybody seems to recognize our logos since we’re all over town,” Hal says.

Not only has the business been around for nearly 50 years, but Hal and his wife, Michelle, are also big supporters of the Avon community, including Avon High School choirs, Avon sports programs, activities and fundraisers. They are members of the Avon Chamber of Commerce and participate in the annual Rib-Fest. They also sponsor a number of golf outings each year for nonprofit organizations like the Rotary Club of Avon and the Wounded Heroes Fund. Plus, they sponsor the Gunshow Charity, a local event series that raises money and awareness for suicide prevention.

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“This

Michelle says.

Frye Electric, which Hal incorporated in 1974, started out small but has grown considerably. Through the years Hal has hired a number of experienced Indianapolis technicians. Michelle has helped run Frye Electric for 28 years, along with longtime employees Mike Watson (office director), Greg Wells (general manager), Chris Fisher (field supervisor) and Marley Bergquist (office staff).

Frye Electric does not wire houses, apartments or buildings. Instead, they are 100% service only, for houses, apartments and commercial businesses in Hendricks, Marion and surrounding counties (spanning a 50-mile radius). Doing this type of work means every job and every day is different. That’s just what the technicians like, because it means they’re constantly troubleshooting and are never bored. Every day offers a fresh challenge.

“My guys like the service-oriented work,” Hal says. “We are busy, that’s for sure, and no job is too big or too small for us.”

On the commercial side, in addition

- HAL FRYE -

is our community so we want to support the people who live here as best we can,”

“I’M 74 AND STILL LIKE WHAT I DO, AND THAT’S BECAUSE OF OUR CUSTOMERS. WE APPRECIATE THEM SO MUCH.”

to servicing apartments, they also do parking-lot lighting and sign repair. Some days they may have 35 jobs across their 10 trucks. Even with the 10 electricians on staff, Hal would like to hire 10 more, given their current workload. This is because they serve roughly 500 customers each month. In total, their customer base surpasses a whopping 58,000.

“We’d love to grow our team,” Hal says. It’s a great place to work with a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff. They offer equal pay, equal benefits and, given their loyal client base, the promise of steady work.

“We are good to our employees,” says Hal, noting that as a family-owned business, they care about supporting the professional goals of their employees, so they emphasize teamwork and camaraderie. All of that translates to happy customers, which is why 80% of the work Frye Electric does is repeat business. They also get a lot of referrals. That’s all due to trust that has been built through the years. Same-day appointments and 24/7 emergency service are also appealing to customers.

Hal’s favorite part of working in this business is making his customers happy.

“I’m 74 and still like what I do, and that’s because of our customers,” Hal says. “We appreciate them so much.”

Frye Electric is located at 141 Casco Drive in Avon. For more information, call 317-271-1099 or visit fryeelectricinc.com. To submit your application for employment with Frye Electric, go to fryeelectricinc.com/ about-us/careers.

WINTER FALL PREVENTION:

HOW CAN YOU AVOID FALLING?

Writer / Dr. Ripley Worman, Medical Director of Orthopedic Surgery at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five falls lead to serious injury, and 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling. Slipping and falling is a serious risk that comes with ice and snow. Here are a few tips to avoid falling this winter, and information on when you should see an orthopedic specialist.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO AVOID FALLING THIS WINTER?

There are many ways to avoid slipping and falling in the winter, but the most important thing to do is to be careful and be aware of your surroundings. If you feel like the ground is too slick to walk on, or go up or down an incline, then try and

find an alternate route. Take your time and remember to wear proper footwear with good grip. During snowy or icy weather, stay indoors if you can, but if you need to go out, ensure your driveway and sidewalks are shoveled and clear. You may need to seek help from a family member, friend or neighbor to safely exit your home. When entering a building, remember to wipe your feet to remove excess water and ice that might make you more prone to slipping and falling. Inside your home, keep the ground clear of small items that may pile up in the winter and present a hazard to trip and fall over. Maintaining an active lifestyle and a strong core can also help improve your stability and prevent falling. Talk with your doctor about exercises to improve your core strength.

WHEN SHOULD I GO TO AN ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST?

Unfortunately, slips and falls still do happen. When they do, it can be hard to gauge the severity of any injuries. If you have any concerns, talk with your primarycare doctor or an orthopedic specialist. An orthopedic specialist is someone who specializes in injuries and diseases of the skeletal system, including bones and muscles. As orthopedic specialists, we can confirm the severity of the injury and offer treatment options. According to the CDC, half of people aged 65 and older fall and never tell their doctors, but there should be no shame in seeking guidance from a medical professional. Even if the fall seems minor, it can be valuable to make an appointment, to rule out potential injury and for peace of mind.

If you are concerned about falling this winter, please consult your doctor about precautions you can take.

PROTECT AND SAVE

HOMES FOR HEROES HELPS THOSE WHO SERVE THE NATION AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Every day we rely on individuals who serve our country and our community in some way. These people include firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), law enforcement officials, health care professionals, teachers and veterans.

Homes for Heroes is a nationwide program, established in 2002, that provides benefits to those who serve our nation and its communities when they are buying and/or selling a home.

Angie Turley, a loan officer, has been working with local heroes for the past 10 years. In that time she has helped several thousand firefighters, police officers, medical workers, educators and military members save money through Homes for Heroes. Qualifying heroes include paramedics, EMTs, law enforcement

officials, first responders, all ranks of active military members, as well as reserves and veterans of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. This also includes nurses, doctors and health care professionals, as well as prekindergarten, elementary, secondary and post-secondary educators, professors and administrative staff.

In Hendricks County, Turley partners with broker/realtor Keri Arthurton of Harvest Realty Group, who works in Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg and Danville. Harvest Realty Group has partnered with the program as a way to thank these heroes for all they do to protect and serve our community.

“Over the past few years, Harvest Realty Group has had the honor and privilege to give back over $150,000-plus to our local heroes,” Arthurton says. “As a former middle school teacher, I love getting the

opportunity to give back to those that make our neighborhoods a better place to live.”

“The client gets a check back for $250 for every $1,000 Keri makes,” Turley adds.

“It’s pretty sweet because the average savings for Homes for Heroes is a couple thousand dollars.”

Turley estimates that 30% of her business is “hero business.” In fact, last year her team was the number-three affiliate in the country and number-one in the state.

Kim Kiritschenko, an officer with the Brownsburg Police Department who works in Brownsburg schools, agrees.

“Buying and selling a home can be complicated, even intimidating, but working with Angie and Keri made the entire process smooth and flawless,” says Kiritschenko, who notes that her family

sold their home within days, found the perfect new home and received money back from both sales. “They were always a text or phone call away and ready to show us any home we asked to see. We saved so much by using Homes for Heroes and found that they made the whole experience as easy as possible. We even received money back from each sale and were able to put that towards our new home.

I’m so thankful we used Homes for Heroes.”

Turley and Arthurton regularly mingle with community members because they are passionate about educating the public on this rebate program. Therefore, they attend National Night Out events in the county, and are also heavily involved with the Brownsburg Education Foundation, the Danville Fire Department and others.

“We do a ton of stuff within the community because a lot of people don’t know that they are offered this rebate, so we promote it a ton within the community,” Turley says. “We want to benefit them and give back to them.”

Time and again, clients appreciate the help. Just last year, Turley and Arthurton closed on a home for which the clients

needed a deck repainted because it was a Federal Housing Administration requirement.

“It was a down-payment assistance program, so this police officer was able to get the rebate and repaint her deck, because she didn’t have the money to do so,” Turley says.

“It was a win-win situation for everyone.”

For more information about the program and how it can provide savings when buying and/or selling a home, and to register as a hero, visit homesforheroes.com, or call Turley at 317-797-0615 or Arthurton at 317-696-7661.

SEA CHANGE

U.S. NAVAL SEA CADETS LEARN LIFE SKILLS AND DISCIPLINE

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

When Sergio Fojo was 18 years old, he was invited by a friend to join him at a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps training. Fojo thought, “Why not?” Not only did he like the program enough to stick with it and later join a branch of the military, but he’s also now a junior commanding officer with the program, recruiting and training new cadets.

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps is for boys and girls aged 10 to 17. Anyone is welcome to join (high schoolers, middle schoolers and home schoolers). The only three

requirements are a C+ average minimum, U.S. citizen status, and staying away from gangs, drugs and alcohol.

Because the program is Navy-based, students learn the Sailor’s Creed as well as the 11 general orders of a sentry, just as a U.S. sailor would. Cadets also have to pass a physical readiness class just like they do in the Navy, which includes running, pushups and a plank.

Though it’s military-based, students don’t have to have plans to ultimately join the military in order to become part of this program - it’s not a high school ROTC

program. Sanctioned by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, there are 400 units throughout the United States. All officers are volunteers. Fojo works with three other officers in Avon including Administrative Officer Ensign Allison Fojo, Finance Officer INST Alexa Gardner and Career Counselor INST Douglass Bitner.

Since they are sanctioned by the Navy, cadets wear the same uniforms as activeduty sailors. The only difference is that they wear patches to signify that they are Sea Cadets.

During the first 90 days of the program, cadets must accomplish enlisted coursework. Completion of this and active participation in every drill during those 90 days shows a commitment to the program. Whether students enroll or their parents sign them up, Fojo sits down with each cadet to ask what they like and don’t like

about the drills.

“Though this is a great program for any type of student, the kids who tend to thrive are the ones who want to use it to do better in life,” Fojo says. “They are the ones who often have a plan.”

Other students check out Sea Cadets because their parents were in the military, they hear about some of the trainings or they are simply curious.

Once students are in their home units for 90 days, they are sent off to recruit training (RT), during which they learn structure from their drill instructors. RT is like basic training but lasts just two weeks, and generally takes place at a military base.

“Students come back way more respectful

and obedient towards their parents and elders,” Fojo says. “That’s something a lot of

about the program.”

Once RT is completed, students are invited to pursue their areas of interest. That may be scuba diving, radio communications or other areas. For example, if they are interested in public safety, they can perhaps learn how to become a military cop.

“They get to engage in training in which they bust into buildings, rescue hostages, pull people over and read them their Miranda rights,” Fojo says.

Kids who are musically talented can audition for the chance to travel to Washington, D.C., and perform for the president with other cadets from all over the nation.

Former Cadet Jack Croiser says joining the Sea Cadets changed the trajectory of his life by giving him insight into career options in the Navy.

“Now I’m a Master-At-Arms with the Navy and I’m doing things I never thought I would’ve been able to do,” Croiser says. “I owe it all to the Sea Cadets. Without that, I probably wouldn’t have enlisted in the Navy.”

Fojo’s unit holds their drills at the Avon American Legion. They meet on the second weekend of each month for eighthour drills on Saturday and Sunday. At these drills, students are taught how to march and salute, along with a variety of other lessons and tasks. For instance, at a recent drill Fojo trained his cadets on car

maintenance, including how to change oil, change a tire and check brakes. Fojo’s wife, a recruiting and supply officer with the program, taught the cadets how to sew, write a check and create a resume.

“We taught them a number of life skills that schools don’t teach anymore,” says Fojo, who has taken his unit to military museums so they can see what aircraft and tanks look like. In January the cadets have a uniform inspection to ensure their uniforms are pristine and their shoes shined, as is expected in the military.

Students and parents are allowed to visit the unit for two drills to check it out. It gives parents a chance to ask questions of the commanding officers, and lets students chat with the cadets.

Though no one who joins the Naval Sea Cadet Corps is obligated to enlist in the military, those who do find the transition much smoother because they have already learned so much. For students who want to attend college or pursue some other career path, they are eligible for scholarships and grants through the program.

Fojo regularly sees a huge shift in maturity level as cadets make their way through the training. Some kids come in with immature attitudes, displaying disrespectful behavior. Over time, however, they not only learn to always address officers as “sir” or “ma’am,” but they also maintain a positive attitude.

Former Cadet Scott Williamson says the Sea Cadets program enabled him to try out several different pathways that the military has to offer, which ultimately helped him contemplate future career options.

“It’s given me some exciting opportunities that are related to my current career field as a pilot,” he says.

For more information, email Fojo at fojo. swinscc@gmail.com or visit seacadets.org.

Three reasons why a mammogram is an important part of your preventive health

1

A mammogram can save your life. Early detection of breast cancer can increase a woman’s ve-year survival rate to 97%.

2

It doesn’t take much time. Mammograms are a quick procedure, only taking about 20 minutes.

3

Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you age. The older you get, the more you are at risk of developing breast cancer. That’s why mammograms aren’t a one-and-done test.

Mammograms are vital to your health and longevity as a woman. Indiana University Health recommends routine screening mammography to improve the likelihood of detecting breast cancer early. If you have speci c questions about your level of risk for breast cancer, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. Schedule your mammogram today. Call 317.217.3272.

iuhealth.org/mammo