Avon Magazine May 2023

MAGAZINE MAY 2023

WHEEL MAN Tony Stewart Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

NOT YOUR USUAL SUMMER BUCKET LIST

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STAYING ACTIVE Jessica Ledford Is Pumped for the Future of the YMCA 13

WHEEL MAN Tony Stewart Shows No Signs of Slowing Down 18

DON’T LET HIP OR KNEE PAIN HOLD YOU BACK THIS SUMMER

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“HELLO NEWMAN” Indianapolis PopCon is the Convergence of All Things Pop Culture

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HENDRICKS COUNTY BANK AND TRUST COMPANY NAMED AN IBA FIVE STAR MEMBER

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NOT YOUR USUAL SUMMER BUCKET LIST 31

THE VOICE OF THE HOOSIERS Don Fischer Celebrates 50 Years as Radio Voice of IU

Q&A Ryan Miller, Brownsburg Fire Territory Battalion Chief and Washington Township Trustee

DRIVING CHANGE Meals on Wheels of Hendricks County Turns 50

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

Staying Active

Jessica Ledford Is Pumped for the Future of

be safe and she started volunteering on teen night. I met the director and started working as a sports site supervisor.”

the YMCA

government system,” she says. “We spent the weekend at the state house and really walked through the process.”

Jessica Ledford has been working at the YMCA since she was a teen.

“When I was going into high school, my brother, mother and I moved to a different neighborhood and my brother started playing basketball at the Y,” Ledford says. “Mom wanted her kids to

Even as a teen, Ledford took classes offered at the Y and began developing her leadership skills.

“I took a youth-in-government program that teaches young people about the

She continued working at the YMCA in a variety of departments, from membership to marketing, throughout high school and college.

“In 2011, when the Hendricks Regional

Writer / Melissa Gibson

Photographer / ASH Interactive & Amy Payne

Director, Jessica Ledford

Health (HRH) YMCA was being built in 2011, I became the member involvement director under Mary Beth Carmichael’s leadership for 11 years,” Ledford says. In the winter of 2022, she was named district vice president and executive director of the Avon location.

Just as the Y was there for Ledford’s family, she’s glad to be a part of the community service for others.

“The Y has something for everyone,” she says. “We want to meet people where they are and really provide wrap-around service for the entire family. We want to create a space for interaction and dialogue, and I’m excited about the development in Hendricks County and the community as a whole.”

Having first joined the Avon location in 2011, Ledford has watched the community grow around the facility, from new businesses to housing.

“Development can be challenging, but we see it as an opportunity,” she says. “Our demographics are changing in Hendricks County and I love the idea that someone going to Costco might see us over here and stop by. We’re a place where people can connect.”

The HRH YMCA offers swim lessons, water fitness, lap swimming, a variety of sports programs from leagues to free gym time for basketball and pickleball, and programming for active older adults, to promote senior education and socialization.

Classes range from taekwondo to tumbling, but families with children learn the Y isn’t just for taking gymnastics. It’s so much more.

The Play & Learn/Kids Zone allows adults to drop off their children aged six weeks to 12 years, so they can join a workout or lifestyle class. The Early Learning Center is a licensed earlylearning program for children aged 3 to 5.

In addition, summer day camps are

2022 Gobble Gallop

Jessica presenting 2022 Volunteer of the Year award to Tracy Whetstone

available for children aged 5 to 15, and a preschool camp is available for children aged 3 to 5.

The YMCA also offers educational classes for those with questions or dealing with specific health issues.

In addition to the specialized program for cancer survivors, attendees can learn more about risk factors for diabetes and prediabetes, monitoring blood pressure, and even healthy eating choices.

While there are plenty of opportunities for every age, if Ledford had to choose one to get plugged in, it would be a group exercise class.

“Our group exercise classes have a variety of options, but it’s also an opportunity for small community connections,” Ledford says. “You have an instructor there to welcome you and show you the ropes. It gives you a sense of comfort and connection right away, and it’s a smaller space. As you start your journey, we want to get you plugged in so it’s not overwhelming.”

Exercise classes include cardio, strength, dance and cycling, with the option of engaging with a certified personal trainer or small-group training session.

In her new role, Ledford has plenty of plans for the future.

Coming out of the pandemic, the YMCA team saw a need for reimagining their work, reassessing the needs of individuals in the community and extending their reach.

“The Hendricks County Community Foundation recently released the 2022 Needs Assessment and we’re looking at that and how we fit in,” she says. “We serve a little over 8,000 people right now and I want to see that increase. We have a great facility but I also envision us finding solutions, being a part of the conversation and elevating the voices of the community. I would love for us to find ways to reach out beyond the facility to support and serve those moving in the community outside of this building.”

One way to extend the reach is to make the Y affordable for everyone.

The YMCA is a nonprofit organization and depends on donations and fundraising, to support programming and those who may not be able to access programs without assistance.

“Last year we raised $217,000 and gave almost double that away to the community,” Ledford says. “We never want to turn anyone away and we want to offer subsidized programs like Livestrong YMCA.

This is a 14-week program for cancer survivors as they walk through that journey.”

They offer opportunities throughout the year to join the community and support their mission.

Mark your calendars for the Cycle-aThon on May 19 and 20.

Sign up to cycle on a stationary bike for one hour or more on Friday or Saturday to raise funds for the HRH YMCA. Ledford says each session includes fun themes and a special play list to accompany the cycling. In addition, they will host a first-responder ride, encouraging first responders to get involved at no cost to them, thanks to a special donor.

In addition, the annual Golf Outing is scheduled for October 2 and the

popular Gobble Gallop event will be held on November 23.

Ledford is excited to see what the future holds. Though she expected to use her degree in psychology, she found more

than she planned for at the Y.

“What I wanted to do was help people,” Ledford says. “What I’ve found is the Y gives me those opportunities to do that in a number of ways. There’s just something

about the Y. It’s fulfilled me in a way I had no idea.”

For more information, visit indymca.org/ hendricks-regional-health.

WHEEL MAN

TONY STEWART SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN

Writer / Melissa Gibson

Photographer / SRX/Wayne Riegle, Mark Rebilas, Scott Hunter & Jason Zindroski

He retired from NASCAR in 2016, but Tony Stewart hasn’t slowed down.

What began with racing go-karts 44 years ago led to a record-breaking career, with 12 driving championships including four United States Auto Club wins, a win in the IndyCar Series and three wins in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Stewart is the first and only driver to win championships in stock cars, Indy cars, and open-wheel midget, sprint and Silver Crown cars. His three NASCAR Cup Series wins make him one of 16 drivers who have taken home multiple titles.

“I’m in a unique scenario compared to most because of all the different types of cars I’ve driven,” Stewart says. “Literally, when we’re in town it doesn’t matter who I meet - if they’re talking about motorsports, I know at least a little bit about what they’re talking about.”

When asked about his shining moment, what memory sticks out the most, Stewart struggles with an answer.

“There are go-kart races that meant everything to me to this day, and I’ve ran everything in between,” Stewart says. “It’s almost easier to pick a moment in every type of car I’ve driven. When I think about it though, the trophy’s meant a lot, but the big picture is all the cool people I’ve met along the way.”

In 2000, Stewart formed Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) and moved into a stateof-the-art, 25,000-square-foot facility in Brownsburg. Since its inaugural season, TSR has won 27 owner championships. In 2004, Stewart purchased Eldora Speedway, a half-mile dirt oval, hosting 2013’s first-ever stop by the NASCAR Truck Series.

He’s hands-on every step of the way, and finds himself enjoying Brownsburg in a way many haven’t experienced.

“I’m good friends with Bill Simpson of Simpson Performance Products, and he worked with Brownsburg to get racers off of Gasoline Alley in Speedway and make the move to Brownsburg,” Stewart says. “I

love it out there. On our street, we’ve got six different organizations with [National Hot Rod Association] teams. There’s sports car programs, parts builders and more on one street. A lot of times we can walk a couple of blocks and pick up parts. It’s great for your business and makes it easier to operate. Brownsburg has really embraced our community.”

In 2021, Stewart announced he would tackle the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) world with two full-time entries. The team includes Matt Hagan in Funny Car and Stewart’s wife, Leah Pruett, in Top Fuel.

While Stewart had some experience with the NHRA, it wasn’t until he began dating Pruett that he truly took notice.

“I started going to her events and I enjoyed learning about it,” he says. “I always tell people that all of the other forms of motorsports are related, but NHRA are kind of off on their own island.”

Stewart says the differences are so vast, he found it rejuvenating and exciting. “It was different than what I was used to, and a totally different atmosphere,” he says.

For the man who raced the Indianapolis 500, jumped on a plane, and raced the Charlotte Coca-Cola 600 in the same day (Stewart’s 2001 attempt stands as the best combined result, finishing sixth at Indianapolis and third at Charlotte), watching NHRA drivers go home five minutes into the event was a drastic change.

“You can be the first pair of cars and drivers to go out, and in five minutes pack up your stuff and go home,” Stewart says. “In drag racing, you can be out on the first run and your weekend is over. In Daytona or Indy 500, this is going to be a three-and-a-halfhour race.”

With only one NHRA season under his belt, the process has been a whirlwind, but the team is beginning to catch their stride.

“Two years ago, Leah and I got married, we spent two days on a honeymoon, and then headed to Brownsburg to live in a motor home for 58 days at the shop,” Stewart says. “We bought the Funny Car from Don Schumacher and had enough pieces to build

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There were a lot of growing pains that first year, a lot of learning and growing, but we were in the playoffs till the end.” Stewart was impressed by the commitment and dedication from his team.

“With only 58 days to prepare, there were a lot of long hours,” he says. “The team was there from 7 a.m. till after midnight most of those 58 days. The wives and girlfriends were bringing dinner to the guys and the community just rallied.”

Ultimately, Hagan finished in third place and Pruett finished 11th in the 2022 season, and they are gearing up to do it again.

“It’s remarkable how dedicated the fans are,” Stewart says. “They are so dedicated to what we do and they’re following our race teams. There’s been a lot of crossover.

I’ve seen fans that were with me in NASCAR and are now watching NHRA races.”

Leah’s car from scratch.

You may think he’s watching from the sidelines in the NHRA, but don’t count Stewart out of the driver’s seat just yet. He’s continued to compete in the SRX series and has been running sprint cars for the past two years. In addition, Stewart made his debut driving for McPhillips Racing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Las Vegas last October.

He won the first two elimination rounds in his Mobil 1 Top Alcohol Dragster, qualifying as the two seed, ultimately finishing second by two ten-thousandths of a second - just one inch short of the win.

The debut proved to be so exhilarating that Stewart announced in mid-February that he would be joining McPhillips Racing for the entire 2023 NHRA season.

He’s been a lifelong member of the motorsports family and doesn’t expect to leave any time soon.

“I’m proud to be a part of it,” he says. “I’ve been involved in motorsports since I was 8 and I think I’ll be here till the day I die. This community is a huge family and it’s great to work among your peers, with our shops next door to each other. We race hard, but in the end we all get along. I’m proud of our roots in Brownsburg and what the town has done for the motorsports industry.”

In 2003, Stewart formed the Tony Stewart Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, raising funds to support chronically ill and physically disabled children, animals that are endangered or at risk, and drivers injured in the sport of motor racing. To date, they’ve donated over $7 million to organizations serving these missions. Visit tonystewart.com to follow TSR and their entire racing schedule.

DON’T LET HIP OR KNEE PAIN HOLD YOU BACK THIS SUMMER

Writer / Dr. Michael Gabbard, Orthopedic Surgeon at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

By May, most of us are ready to shake off the winter blues and enjoy outdoor activities. Don’t let hip or knee pain slow you down this summer. Here are some common hip and knee conditions, ways to alleviate pain and maintain joint health, as well as signs that you may want to consult your doctor.

COMMON HIP AND KNEE CONDITIONS, AND TREATMENT

Common hip and knee conditions include tendonitis, bursitis and osteoarthritis. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons, the thick bands of tissue that attach bones to muscles. This often results from overuse of a tendon during activities. Bursitis is inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, that cushion and protect muscles and tendons. This can be caused by repetitive activities that overwork or irritate the joint. Osteoarthritis is when cartilage, the smooth lining of the joint, wears down over time from activity and aging.

Each of these conditions can result in pain, swelling and/or stiffness about the joints. These symptoms can cause difficulty with many

activities people enjoy and can even start to cause problems with regular, everyday activities.

Common ways to alleviate the pain from these conditions are rest, ice, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise programs. You can also take over-the-counter arthritis and anti-inflammatory medications, or apply topical pain creams and gels. If these are not working, your doctor may recommend physical therapy or injections as a next step. These treatments, alone or in combination, often provide very good pain relief for many patients.

WHEN YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR DOCTOR

If you are feeling hip or knee pain that is not improving and is interfering with your activity, it is time to consult your doctor for evaluation and to discuss options. They will work with you to identify the condition you are dealing with, and to discuss what additional options might be best for you. Most tendonitis and bursitis can be improved with the above treatments, and rarely require surgery.

In the case of osteoarthritis, if it is severe and symptoms are not improving with nonsurgical treatments, some patients may elect to have a joint replacement surgery. Your doctor will help you decide if this may be the right choice for you.

Writer / KJ McGlinn Photography Provided

It was more than 10 years ago when PopCon co-owner Carl Doninger and a few close friends had the idea to create not just another convention, but an experience unlike any other. This experience would immerse attendees in familiar pop culture while introducing them to new, exciting experiences.

Doninger had a passion for tabletop gaming while some of his friends loved comic books and another with a passion for the show “My Little Pony.” A few just loved popular TV shows and creators on YouTube. What the group realized was every person in their life had a passion that fell under the pop culture category, but not everyone had a place to gather and celebrate that passion.

Soon, Doninger was joined by co-owner Kris Keys. “I thought it was a cool opportunity to plan an event that was a little different than other conventions out there,” Keys says.

The first PopCon was held in Indianapolis in June of 2014. Nine different pop culture genres were represented from movies and TV, to comics and anime and

INDIANAPOLIS POPCON IS THE CONVERGENCE OF ALL THINGS POP CULTURE

to eSports and tabletop gaming. Now, 10 years later, PopCon is a tradition for friends and family alike in Indianapolis and an annual trip for many people from around the world. Each year, more than 30,000 people attend PopCon.

“Once you fall into our universe, you are welcomed and immediately feel like you are part of something bigger. Friends are made and cultivated. Annual reunions are organized,” Doninger says.

While the term ‘comic con’ is something you’ve most likely heard, PopCon is not a comic convention. You will certainly find comic books and people in cosplay--hat is part of the fun. But, you’ll also find a fully immersive world of pop culture.

“Most importantly, you’ll also find a family,” says Doninger. “I love seeing the previously oblivious parents thrilled to see their kids in their element, and then realize that they love PopCon too.”

As an attendee of PopCon, not only does the event promise a welcoming atmosphere but also the opportunity to try escape rooms, virtual reality, laser tag, tabletop gaming and video gaming.

Celebrities that have already been announced this year include Patrick Warburton (“Rules of Engagement,” ”Seinfeld”), James Marsters (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Torchwood”) and Michelle Gomez (“Doctor Who,” “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”). Voice actors from popular anime shows like “My Hero Academia” and “Attack on Titan” will also be in attendance. The

convention is a favorite among anime fans.

For parents who may not know anything about the anime that their children love, it is a place for them to bond, learn and share the excitement.

“It’s special when that parent that drove more than 12 hours to bring their child to

meet someone at PopCon, realizes there are 100 other parents that did the same thing,” Doninger says.

If you’ve often thought a comic con might not be your thing, the duo invites you to come to their event where they assure you that PopCon will become “your thing.” Walk through the vendor hall full of artists and creators. Sit down

and try a board game or take the young kids to the Lego display that is bigger than a basketball court.

Simply put: If you’re passionate about it, you’ll find it at PopCon.

Tickets for the 10th annual PopCon Indy happening August 25th-August 27th are on sale at popcon.us.

DRIVING CHANGE

MEALS ON WHEELS OF HENDRICKS COUNTY TURNS 50

Writer / Melissa Gibson

Photography Provided

Meals on Wheels of Hendricks County (MOW) will celebrate 50 years in 2023.

Since 1973, the Hendricks County chapter of MOW has been serving nutritious, hot meals to those in the county in need of a little extra assistance.

Chances are, you’ve heard of the organization and you know they deliver food. However, the service provided is so much more.

What began as three routes, delivering meals to 10 residents in the early 1970s, has become a system of 11 routes serving 140 residents at a minimum.

“Our primary mission is to deliver hot and nutritious meals to clients throughout Hendricks County,” says Sabrina Cordon, executive director. “However, many people think of us as serving seniors and don’t realize we also serve clients with disabilities, those who are homebound, and those with chronic illness.”

In addition to hot meals, volunteers also provide wellness checks and human connection.

Tom Stempson is vice president for the MOW board and has volunteered for more than four years.

“After retirement, my wife began volunteering and she got me into it,” he says. “I thought it was just great. I began to pick routes and we’d go together. I liked a couple of things. I really like to drive and the routes would take me to places in the county I didn’t even know existed. Secondly, I’d watch as this person struggled to get to the door to pick up their food. You help them out, find out what their needs are, and it occurs to you that this is probably the only human contact these folks have had all day.”

Cordon has watched as volunteers have formed friendships with their clients, exchanged numbers and checked in with each other.

“Many of our volunteers have been driving for years and our clients are so appreciative, and to see someone come to their door with a smile really brightens their day,” Cordon says. “Tom always says, ‘It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when delivering for Meals on Wheels.’” In the midst of the pandemic, MOW saw a huge need and answered the call.

“2022 was a record year for us,” Cordon says. “We served 32,500 meals to just under 300 clients and we have the capacity to accept new clients today.”

The meals are prepared by Hendricks Regional Health, and overseen by the nutrition and dietician department. The cost is minimal, paid for by funding through CICOA, Medicaid, or the client if they don’t qualify.

“We’re not making a profit,” Cordon says. “The meal costs $7.75 and we charge $5.50, covering some of the cost with grants and donations. Like any nonprofit, we’re always looking for new donors and support.”

In addition to funds and delivering food, MOW offers several other ways the community can help.

The nonprofit partners with Misty Eyes Animal Center to provide pet food for clients with four-legged friends. Donations to Misty Eyes furthers that mission.

Birthday bags are assembled to celebrate with each client. They include a handwritten birthday card and a few personalized items. MOW collects small notebooks, chapstick, travel-sized lotions, pens, puzzle books, magnets and more, to add to the birthday gift.

Along with the hot meal that is delivered, clients receive a cold side and beverage packaged in a lunch bag.

“We have school groups and service groups that decorate brown paper lunch sacks for the holidays or a client’s birthday,” Cordon says. “It’s just another nice thing that brightens their day. We also offer opportunities with our pen-pal program and connection calls - simply checking in with clients to see how things are going.”

The checking in provides relationship building between volunteers and clients, but also security for family members who may be working full time or not live locally. It’s a relief to those caring for an elderly loved one or someone in need that MOW is there to assist.

CONFIDENCE TO SOAR

“Before I joined the board, I was told we were looking for people with various backgrounds and experiences to join,” Stempson says. “I changed that and said we want to make a policy that says to be on the board, you have to drive for three months before being considered. You need to understand what this is and what it takes. I don’t want to know where your head is, I want to know where your heart is.”

As more and more of the aging population chooses to live independently longer and stay at home, services like MOW are becoming more prevalent and needed within the community. Stempson says for some, there’s a bit of a stigma or resistance when it comes to asking for help.

“It’s difficult to admit when you need help, but I’m surprised we don’t have more clients because we could do more,” Stempson says. “What I’ve found is once you give it a try, you want to stay.”

It’s also a goal of the organization to remind the community that they are still here and still working hard.

In the past few years, Cordon has worked to increase outreach and fundraising efforts, attending public events in hopes of reaching a neighbor or family friend who may benefit from the service.

Stempson says MOW will set up a farmers market booth and often hear the light bulb go off in someone’s memory.

“They say, ‘Grandma and grandpa were on Meals on Wheels,’” Stempson says. “It’s like everyone knows us, but it’s so common it’s often forgotten.”

To deliver the meals, it takes 55 volunteers each week with a growing need for more.

“There is a brief [volunteer] online application and then I schedule an online orientation that takes about 30 minutes,” Cordon says. “We do background checks on all of the volunteers and we ask that people drive at least one route per month. We have some volunteers driving three times per week, so the more the merrier.”

For the current MOW volunteer family, they’ll celebrate their 50th anniversary on April 26 with an open-house celebration. There will be appetizers, light refreshments, a slide show of historical photos and more.

“I would love to see more drivers and more clients signing up,” Stempson says. “We have our 50th coming up and we’ll be around for another 50 more, I’m sure. As long as I can lift a container, I’m going to continue to do it.”

For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit hcmealsonwheels.org.

HENDRICKS COUNTY BANK AND TRUST COMPANY NAMED AN IBA FIVE STAR MEMBER

Writer / Melissa Yetter Photography Provided

Hendricks County Bank has been honored as a Five Star Member of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA). The award was recently presented by Rod Lasley, IBA chief operating officer, in recognition of the bank’s IBA involvement throughout 2022.

The Five Star Member designation recognizes those IBA-member banks that demonstrate outstanding commitment to the IBA in five areas - political awareness, issues advocacy, lifelong learning, IBA volunteerism, and Preferred Service Provider utilization.

“We very much appreciate the dedication of Hendricks County Bank and Trust Company as a Five Star Member bank,” says Amber Van Til, IBA president and CEO.

“Our association is strong, thanks to our supportive members.”

The IBA supports Indiana banking through issues analysis, professional education, and products and services that enhance member banks’ ability to serve their communities.

Founded in 1908, Hendricks County Bank and Trust Company has been locally owned and operated for 115 years. With five locations in the county, Hendricks County Bank provides outstanding customer service along with the latest technology and innovative products. The bank’s employees, from the president and board members to the customer service representatives, live in Hendricks County, and understand the local economy and the areas that are served.

Visit the bank’s website at hendrickscountybank.com for more details.

5-Star Award Presentation

NOT YOUR USUAL SUMMER BUCKET LIST

Writer / Claire-Anne Aikman Photography Provided

Two things that are true about me: I love a good road trip (they help me recharge), but I do not always have the calendar space to allow for time to make a long trip happen.

This made me ponder some fast travel (travel that can be done in a couple of hours) to destinations that I want to visit or revisit. Maybe these fast trips will recharge you as well.

WITH THAT IN MIND, HERE IS 2023’S SUMMER BUCKET LIST OF UNCOMMON STOPS:

• Bluespring Caverns, Bedford

• Nick’s Kitchen (home of the tenderloin), Huntington

• National Auto & Truck Museum, Auburn

• Studebaker National Museum, South Bend

• Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum, Elkhart

• Fort Ouiatenon, West Lafayette

• Rotary Jail Museum, Crawfordsville

• Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections, Carmel

• Indiana Medical History Museum, Indianapolis

• Harmonist Labyrinth, New Harmony

• Seiberling Mansion, Kokomo

• Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, Indianapolis

• Antique Fan Museum, Zionsville

• Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, Indianapolis

• Madam C.J. Walker History and Heritage Museum, Indianapolis

• Levi and Catharine Coffin House, Fountain City

• Oinking Acres, Brownsburg

• Nine Lives Cat Café, Indianapolis

• Root Beer Ranking Ride: Dog n Suds (Lafayette), Triple XXX Family Restaurant (West Lafayette), Mug n Bun (Indy)

• Garfield Park Conservatory, Indianapolis

Maybe we’ll bump into each other while exploring Indiana!

Claire-Anne is a west side realtor helping people make Hendricks County their home. You can reach her at 317-345-6640 or thepointinrealestate@gmail.com

THE VOICE OF THE HOOSIERS

DON FISCHER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AS RADIO VOICE OF IU

Writer / Ryan Kennedy Photography Provided

Legendary radio broadcaster Don Fischer begins his 50th year as the radio voice of Indiana University football and basketball this season, but he almost didn’t make it through his first game.

“To tell you how much of a fool I was the first game that I did for IU, because I was from Illinois and I’d always heard ‘the University of Illinois’ - I wasn’t even thinking about Indiana University, and that would be the only thing you could call it because obviously that’s what Indiana University is,” Fischer says. “They don’t want to be called University of Indiana three times in the first half of the first game that I did for IU. I called them the University of Indiana, and the phones at our radio station lit up like a Christmas tree. It was that bad. I thought, ‘There’s a chance I might get fired

after my first gig here.’”

A native of Rochelle, Illinois, Fischer, by his own admission, wasn’t a great student. It’s not that he wasn’t smart - he just didn’t like school. College was out of the question. After he graduated from high school, Fischer wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. He had several jobs. In the eight months after graduation, Fischer says he worked five different jobs. Finally, he got a job as a ticket clerk for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in Mendota, Illinois. He worked the night shift.

One night, about seven months into working for the railroad, Fischer was flipping through a Sport magazine during a break at the depot when he saw a full-page ad for a home correspondence course from a broadcast school out of Wisconsin. “I looked at that and I went, ‘You know what?

I may not have been a great athlete, but I got to play a lot of sports from the time I was about 8 years old on up, and I think I can become a sportscaster,’” Fischer says. He signed up. Records of the lessons, a workbook and a tape recorder arrived in the mail, and Fischer’s journey to becoming a legendary play-by-play announcer began.

Fischer got his first job in radio at a small station in Butte, Montana. Fischer heard from a friend who’d already gone out there that the station was hiring. Despite being only halfway through his correspondence course, Fischer sent the station one of his tapes. The station called him a week later. “They said, ‘If you can get to Butte, Montana, for an interview, there’s a good chance we can hire you,’” Fischer says. He took a 48-hour train ride to interview for the position. A week later they hired him.

In Butte, Fischer worked the night shift as both a radio DJ and the station’s janitor. He worked there for about 15 months. Fischer returned to his home state, where he got his first shot at doing play-by-play, calling games for local high schools in Ottawa, Illinois. From there, he got a job at a radio station in Terre Haute, Indiana. Fischer says he called 175 games per year at every level of sport. “We did football, basketball, baseball, Babe Ruth baseball,” he says. “We did softball games. I was doing play-by-play almost every night of the week.” He was even calling junior football games out of the back of a pickup truck, with a blind color analyst. “It got me rolling as far as my playby-play career was concerned, and I just had a great time with it,” he says.

When Indiana University granted exclusive broadcast rights to WIRE radio station in Indianapolis, Fischer got a call from a friend telling him that the station was looking for someone to call play-by-play for IU football and basketball games. Fischer, along with 270 other hopefuls, sent the station a tape and a resume. A few weeks later he got a call to interview for the job. Soon after, he was named the first official voice of Indiana University football and basketball, a title he still holds five decades later.

Fischer has broadcast more than 2,100

Indiana University games. Included in that number are 12 bowl games, five NCAA basketball Final Fours, four NCAA championship games and two NIT championship games. He’s won Indiana Sportscaster of the Year 27 times by the National Sports Media Association, and four times by the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. He was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2010. Indiana University awarded him the J.W. Bill Orwig Medal, an award given to non-alumni for distinguished service to the university.

When Fischer started calling IU games, they were broadcast over a telephone line. Now, everything sounds like it’s recorded in a studio. “It’s just a totally different business than when I started out, but the truth of the matter is, the games haven’t changed that much,” he says. “Style plays and things like that change a lot over the years, but the game itself is still football. The game itself is still basketball, and from that perspective, that much has not changed. That’s why I love doing what I do, because I’ve been able to do my style of football and basketball broadcasts for the last 50 years.”

Fischer says he developed his style listening to the likes of the Chicago Cubs’ Harry Caray and the St. Louis Blues’ Dan Kelly. Much like an athlete watching tape of a previous game, Fischer listens to his broadcasts, noting what he did well and what needs improving. He pays special attention to make sure he’s not repeating himself. Play-by-play is spontaneous. Fischer doesn’t think about what he’s saying while he’s saying it, but he takes care to avoid using the same terminology for certain types of plays.

Preparation is key. Fischer reads everything he can get his hands on leading up to a game. He learns about storylines and stats,

as well as stars for opposing teams and how they’re playing. He talks to sports information directors to get the correct pronunciations of players’ names. All of this is in the service of providing the audience with an objective, informative and entertaining listening experience. “It boils down to just knowing your product, being prepared to utilize the experience that you have, and you get into a groove with it,” he says. “Once you get into it, it’s not that difficult at all, but it takes a while.”

Fischer’s voice is the soundtrack to some major moments, not just in Indiana University history, but also in the history of college sports. Fischer says he doesn’t have a favorite call, but the 1976 national championship basketball game, when Indiana University won the title to finish the season undefeated, holds a special place in his heart. “It was emotional for me,” he says. “I was 29 years old at the time, getting the job when I was 26 here. I had tears running down my cheeks. It was so emotional in that sense. I don’t think you could tell that I was bubbling up with tears on the radio, but it was just a fun thing to be a part of. It’s always been a vivid memory for me.”

Fischer claims his memory isn’t as good as it used to be, as he breaks down Keith Smart’s famous game-winning jump shot with six seconds to go in the 1987 NCAA national title basketball game, and recalls the wind changing directions in the third quarter of IU football’s win over the University of Michigan that same year. “I’ve had so many opportunities to call some broadcasts that turned out to be kind of historical performances, so I can’t pick out just one,” he says.

Even after 2,100 games, Fischer says he still gets nervous before the season starts. He compares it to the butterflies athletes get before they play in a game. He says he goes into every season optimistic, even if a team is coming off a disappointing year. “That’s certainly the way I feel this year too,” he says. “So my 50th year doesn’t feel a great deal different than it did back in 1973 when I started in Indiana.”

RYAN MILLER, BROWNSBURG FIRE TERRITORY BATTALION

CHIEF AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE

Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography Provided

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE AVON COMMUNITY?

My parents moved our family to the Washington Township/Avon area when I was 3 years old. I grew up, went to school and lived most of my life here. What I like the most is that Avon just feels like home - so much so that my wife, who is a Brownsburg graduate, and I decided that Avon is where we wanted to raise our own family.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL AVON RESTAURANT AND WHY?

We have so many good options here in Avon, but I find that my go-to choices are Yats or Los Rancheros.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

A typical day for me depends on which job I’m working on that day. I’m a fulltime, career firefighter for Brownsburg Fire, where I serve as a battalion chief. We work a schedule that’s 24 hours on and

48 hours off, which allows me the time on my days off to work as the Washington Township trustee.

With the fire department, my job is to oversee and help manage emergency incidents. My primary role would be to act as the incident commander of any larger-scale emergencies. Aside from that, I also help manage my shift with staffing and payroll, and act as a liaison between my shift and our administration.

As Washington Township trustee, my job is to help manage and oversee all things related to township business, which includes our parks department, fire department, township public assistance, and cemetery care and maintenance.

WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE THING TO DO TOGETHER?

My boys and I enjoy going over to Parabellum. Sport shooting is a shared interest of ours and we like having a safe and local place to practice.

My wife and I like to cook at home together. Nearly every night that I’m home, we both find ourselves in the kitchen working on dinner together. We struggle, like any other family, to decide what to have each week, but we’re both pretty good cooks so once we figure out what we’re having, we normally eat pretty well.

We all enjoy traveling together. We’ve taken many good vacations together, and whether it’s a short or a long trip, we always take advantage of those opportunities to try new foods and activities.

WHAT MOTTO DO YOU TRY AND LIVE YOUR LIFE BY, AND WHY?

I’ve always tried to live my life by the motto, “Don’t do anything that you wouldn’t want to have to explain to grandma.”

I have a great deal of love, respect and admiration for my entire family, and I would never want to put myself in a situation where I’ve let any of them down.

What’s your favorite book and why?

I’m not much for reading books. My wife, on the other hand, reads a crazy amount of them. I frequently joke with her that

What are your real estate needs?

Life happens, home needs change. We understand. Real Estate For Real Life, that’s the Point

Claire-Anne and her team have skillfully helped hundreds of local families make their home dreams a reality and they would be honored to help you too, call them today!

Deputy Trustee, Britt Woodard, Ryan Miller & Fire Chief, Danny Brock

if the book is good enough, then they’ll make a TV show or movie about it.

WHAT IS A FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

My grandparents weren’t always local, and growing up I would spend nearly my entire summer breaks with them. For much of my childhood they lived in Northwest Arkansas near Beaver Lake, and we spent countless hours out on that lake fishing, swimming and skiing. Whether it was just us, or if we had other family or friends out there with us, we always enjoyed our time out on the water together.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

A hobby of mine is 3D printing. It can be incredibly frustrating at times, but it’s that challenge that I like so much. There are so many things that can affect the quality of a print, so this gives me the opportunity to tinker on something in an attempt to achieve the perfect print.

WHAT’S THE BEST VACATION YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON?

I’ve had many great vacations over the years, both growing up and as an adult. To describe the single best of those vacations would be tough, but I think I can narrow it down to two different ones.

The first was when my wife and I were able to take our young boys to Disney. To see them experience the magic of Disney for the first time was really cool. To top it off, my family has always been big “Star Wars” fans and, unbeknownst to us, we happened to be there on a “Star Wars” weekend. Our boys really enjoyed the opportunity to meet and get pictures with many of the different characters that we have watched on TV.

The other vacation that stands out for me would be our latest vacation, which was a cruise down in the Caribbean. Since our boys are older now, they had more freedom to wander the ship and meet new friends. Between the activities available on board as well as in port, we all enjoyed our time together doing the different activities.

This was the second cruise that we’ve taken with our boys, and we continued our new tradition of trying some sort of food that we’ve never had before. Each night at dinner on the ship, we would search the menu and try and find something that we’d never had before, just to see what it was like. Most of it was good, but not everyone cared for everything that we tried. Fortunately there’s not a shortage of food options on board the ship, so finding something else to have was never a concern and helped encourage our little culinary adventures.

WHAT’S A UNIQUE SKILL OR TALENT YOU HAVE?

I have played the drums for over 30 years. In school I was a part of the Avon Marching Black and Gold and the Avon Drumline. I still play the snare drum to this day, now

as a member and a drum sergeant for the Indianapolis Public Safety Pipes and Drums bagpipe band. We are the host band for the FDIC International conference, and we participate every year in the Indianapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the day’s associated festivities. We play a variety of other events throughout the year as well, which gives me plenty of opportunity to use the skill that I developed while I was here in school.

Solution:

DOWN

1.

2.

3.

4. Injured

5. Rich (soil)

6. Luxuriate

12. Sprite

15. Blowing from sea

16. Encroachments

17. Gaping

19. Creeping plant

20. Dawn to dusk

22. Is inclined (to)