Avon Magazine August 2023

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INSTALL ALL-STARS

Let’s get real for a second. The primary reason we tend to put off tackling home improvement projects is because we worry about how big of a hassle the experience may turn out to be. Unless you have previously worked with a company, you have no way of knowing if you’ll be pleased with the professionalism of the crew, the craftsmanship they provide or the value of the product. Furthermore, if you’ve had a disappointing experience in the past, you are likely leery about how things will go next time.

Such was the case for Joe Batic, who knew that he needed to replace all of the windows in his home, which was built in 1959. His expectations were low as he began the search for a window company he could trust. Then he found Hometown Window and Door Company, a locally owned and operated, full-service Andersen window dealership, and was pleasantly surprised.

“How refreshing to find a company that keeps their promises and follows through,” says Batic, who was pleased every step of the way, from getting the initial quote to the stellar quality of the installation team. “I met with Dan Reto for a quote, and he was very detailed and knowledgeable about the entire process. I once even called with a question when he was out of the United States on vacation and

he answered. The entire team goes way beyond the call of duty.”

Just to be clear, Hometown Window and Door Company is different than Renewal by Andersen. For consumers looking to order an Andersen product, there’s simply no better option than going through Hometown Window and Door. They carry all of the Andersen product lines that are manufactured by the organization, including all Fibrex windows, 400-series windows, A-series windows and E-series windows. The E-series comes in 50 different exterior colors as well as multiple interior wood species, which the Hometown team will stain for customers.

“That’s another big difference,” says Scott Dorrell, sales manager for Hometown Window and Door Company. “When you buy a product from us, you have the option to use our in-house staining department, whereas other companies will install an unfinished good.”

They also carry big multi-glide and accordion doors, as well as Andersen entry systems. Renewal by Andersen, in contrast, has one product line for windows that they carry.

“We are a hometown company,” Dorrell says. “We were created around the idea of giving people the ability to purchase a

high-quality, nationally recognized brand by Andersen, which is the United States’ oldest window and door company.”

Hometown Window and Door wanted to be able to give their customers that smallbusiness, hometown feel.

“We’ll create an opening in your room,” Dorrell says. “We’ll do header work. We’ll go the extra mile. We’ll walk your dog. We’re doing work with our neighbors. You’re not just customers to us.”

With just one location under this ownership package, Hometown Window and Door Company does roughly 400 jobs annually, whereas Renewal by Andersen, with locations all over including Nashville, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Atlanta, and New York City, takes on thousands of jobs per month.

“That’s not what we want to be,” Dorrell says. “We aren’t the company putting fliers in your mailbox every week. We keep our costs as low as possible so we can pass those savings along to the people who choose to work with us.”

Dorrell notes that they end up doing business with more than 50% of the people that they talk to, and that’s because people value a trusted, professional, knowledgeable and fair team.

Carolyn Stutesman was pleased when Dorrell came out to give a quote for replacing her windows.

“He listened to what we were looking for and gave us options,” Stutesman says. “Scott also took an idea, improved on it and made it a reality.”

This is why Hometown’s Star ratings are superior, averaging 4.9 out of 5. In addition, Hometown is owned and operated by seasoned people who have worked in the industry for decades. They have hand-picked the best design consultants and installation crews to round out their team.

“Everything is top-notch, which enables

us to deliver our products at a price point that’s extremely reasonable for consumers,” Dorrell says. “Our focus is quality, quality, quality, not quantity, quantity, quantity.”

They also like to have fun. Currently they are sponsoring an ugly window contest that runs through the end of August. Homeowners can submit a picture of the ugliest window or door in their home, using a QR code. At the end

of August, the winner will get $10,000 worth of windows and doors installed by Hometown Window and Door Company.

If you are looking to buy Andersen windows for your home, whether it’s a replacement project or new construction, contact Hometown Window and Door Company. Their main showroom is at 240 West Carmel Drive in Carmel. For more information, call 317-688-8100 or visit hometownwindowteam.com.

SOUND LEADER

LONGTIME AHS ASSISTANT BAND DIRECTOR MATT HARLOFF CHOSEN TO LEAD THE MARCHING BLACK AND GOLD

Writer / Kevin Carr Photographer / Avon Bands

Avon Community School Corporation

(ACSC) has hired longtime Assistant Band Director Matt Harloff as the new director of bands at Avon High School (AHS). He has been a fixture at AHS and in the Avon band community since he joined the staff in 1996. His sweeping expertise and active involvement in multiple marching band organizations have garnered Harloff national respect. He is the natural choice to continue the Marching Black and Gold’s tradition of excellence, and to lead them into an exciting future, which includes preparations to march in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“Matt Harloff has been an integral part of the band program’s excellence over the past two decades,” says AHS Principal

our hard-working and dedicated students, talented staff, and supportive families. He brings the expertise, leadership and stability our program needs to continue its future success. I am thrilled to welcome Matt Harloff as our next director of bands and collaborate with him in the years to come.”

“It is always a wonderful thing when someone you know and respect ends up being the right person at the right time,” says ACSC Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham. “Without a doubt, Matt Harloff has played a large role in the success of our band program for well over two decades. I cannot wait to see how the program continues to flourish under his leadership.”

Harloff takes the baton of one of the most successful high school band programs in the U.S. The Avon Marching Black and

championships, and nearly 20 world and national championships, through the last three decades.

Harloff earned his Master of Arts in Education from the University of Indianapolis, and his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education at Indiana University Bloomington. In addition to his role at AHS, Harloff has extensive leadership experience as an instructor with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, a member of the Winter Guard International Steering Committee, a guest conductor with organizations like Bands of America, and a music arranger for multiple marching bands.

DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE PLAN TO BUY YOUR FIRST HOME

Writer / Claire-Anne Aikman

Photography Provided

Purchasing your first home in today’s economy might seem daunting, but with careful budgeting and smart financial strategies, it can be done. Skeptical? I understand. That’s why I sat down with a couple of friends who purchased their first home when they were 23, and recently upgraded to a larger home at the age of 28. I asked them for insight on what they did that helped them get to where they are now. Here are their top takeaways:

When they first merged finances, they found themselves arguing over how their paychecks were spent. Because of that, they decided they needed to agree on some realistic financial goals, including paying off loans, allowances (so they both felt like they had fun money) and determining the type of home they wanted to buy. From there, they established a savings plan with nine money buckets. NINE. Every pay period, their checks were automatically divided and distributed to each bucket (rent, utilities, groceries, vacations and the house purchase, to name a few).

They then looked for ways to cut back. They decided they could

unused or barely used subscription services. They joke that they have the best thrifted furniture. The big adjustment was cooking at home instead of grabbing dinner out. Each month they checked out four to six cookbooks from the library and planned a menu around things they felt they could cook. When a good friend needed a place to stay, they checked with their landlord and then offered up their second bedroom at a reasonable rate. That money went straight to savings. As a fun bonus, soon all three were committed to cooking at home and packing lunches. They then challenged each other to find free or inexpensive things to do on their days off. They took this time to explore the city more and get focused on where they wanted to buy a home.

When they purchased their first home five years ago, they had minimal requirements for space and location, and focused on price. When the interest rates decreased, they refinanced. During a few heavy tourist weekends downtown, they rented their home out. They also developed a network with neighbors to share tools so there was little need to buy minimally used tools and lawn-care items.

All this is to say that times have changed, and buying a home involves a lot more planning AND saving than it used to. However, with some creative strategies, discipline and a solid plan, I’m confident that you can do it. If you would like to start on a plan, reach out - I’m always happy to help.

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SENSATIONAL SOUNDS

LOUDER THAN LIFE AND BOURBON & BEYOND FESTS ARE BACK

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

Eight big days of music are coming to Louisville this summer. Outdoor festivals Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond are back on the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center this September, showcasing some of today’s top artists from a range of genres.

“We are really excited this year because both of our lineups are spectacular,” says Chamie McCurry, chief marketing officer for Danny Wimmer Presents, the producer of both fests. “They are the biggest lineups we’ve ever had for each festival. It truly is the eight biggest days of music in the United States. You will not find eight bigger days

back to back with this kind of fire power and affordability.”

Known as a “love letter” to Louisville, Bourbon & Beyond is September 14 through 17 and features more than 65 musical acts across rock, pop, folk, blues and country. Each day has different headliners while emphasizing the Kentucky bourbon and culinary scene throughout the festival.

After receiving high praise for her performance last year, Brandi Carlile returns to Bourbon & Beyond on opening day, joining Billy Strings and Train. The Killers, Duran Duran and Hozier take over for the

second day, while the Black Keys, the Black Crowes and the Avett Brothers follow on day three. Fifteen-time Grammy Award winner Bruno Mars will help close out Bourbon & Beyond, along with Blondie, Jon Batiste and Ryan Bingham.

“We are excited to end the weekend with Bruno Mars,” McCurry says. “He’s one of the best live performers of the last 20 years. This is one of the only places outside Las Vegas that fans are able to see him in the United States. We know he will put on an unbelievable show, to put a cap on a magical weekend.”

Living up to its name as the world’s biggest bourbon and music festival, Bourbon & Beyond will host daily workshops and demonstrations at the Team Kentucky Bourbon Stage Presented by Kentucky Proud, and the Kentucky Venue Culinary Stage Presented by GE Appliances. Amanda Freitag, Chris Santos, Ed Lee and Chris Blandford will lead the programming featuring world-renowned master distillers and celebrity chefs, including Blind Bourbon Live with Fred Minnick. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar returns with bluegrass music, line dancing and a menu of the nation’s top whiskey, while fans can stop by a number of other experiences that feature cocktails curated specifically for the event.

“Beyond the music, the festival has so many great experiences,” McCurry says. “There is something for everyone there. We will have some special programming and great partnership activations throughout the event. It’s an amazing festival experience from beginning to end.”

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Louder Than Life, a hard rock and metal festival, follows with more than 100 acts on five stages, and Louisville’s finest spirits and cuisine, from September 21 through 24. Foo Fighters, Weezer and Rancid open the festival, with Tool, Godsmack and Limp Bizkit headlining the following day. The weekend lineup sees Avenged Sevenfold, Pantera and Falling in Reverse on Saturday, with the final day featuring Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age and Turnstile.

Last year, Louder Than Life set the record as the biggest rock festival in the U.S. with more than 170,000 in attendance over the four-day event. McCurry says this year should be even bigger.

“We’re going to beat that record,” McCurry says. “Everything points to this remaining the biggest rock festival in the United States

and then some. It’s such a great festival experience with so many things to do. It’s a wonderful weekend.”

Tickets for both festivals can be purchased online, including a specially priced Exacta

offer unique experiences.

“They’re very different, genre-wise,” McCurry says. “Both festivals are uniquely curated to that festival’s brand. Bourbon & Beyond is rooted in the bourbon and local Kentucky scene. Louder Than Life has several more stages and is very musically driven with multiple performers playing at the same time. The layout is the same but we customize each within the grounds to be unique for each festival.”

Pass package that includes all eight days. While the layout is similar, McCurry says Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond

They are two of eight music festivals produced by Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) this year. With a history in Louisville dating back to 2014, both festivals have seen rapid growth and continue to attract some of the biggest acts in music. The festivals moved to the Exposition Center in 2019 after initially taking place

in Champions Park.

“We have a great partnership with Kentucky venues,” McCurry says. “They have allowed us to find a long-term home that isn’t quite as vulnerable to weather. That has also given us the ability to grow the festival’s footprint. As these festivals have brought in fans from all over the country, the grounds have allowed us to scale the experience. They have amazing infrastructure that lets us have camping right there. There are a lot of hotels and the site is airport adjacent. Without the great support we have gotten, this would be a much different festival.”

Fans have come to expect Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond on back-to-back weekends. The condensed schedule reduces the costs of putting on the events, resulting in lower ticket prices. Many attendees stay for both, generating an estimated $43 million in economic impact for the city in 2022.

“Ever since Bourbon joined Louder they have been on consecutive weekends,” McCurry says. “What that allows us to do is reduce the very real costs of producing live events. We’re able to keep our tickets affordable for fans. Producing eight days of music in 11 isn’t easy, but with the infrastructure already being there, it makes it much more accommodating.”

Already, DWP is working on finding the right mix of talent for 2024. McCurry says while pausing the festivals during the COVID pandemic was difficult, the group was able to better understand their fans and what they value.

“Our talent team prides itself on putting out the best lineup every year and being better than the year before,” McCurry says. “They have a lot of pride in curating that lineup specifically for the fans. We want to provide something new and something they love so people want to come back and experience it again.”

Fans shouldn’t expect these festivals to leave the local community any time soon. McCurry says DWP sees Louisville as a second home and hopes to continue putting on great events that highlight the city.

“People are discovering Louisville for the first time and falling in love with it, like we did back in 2012 when we first started scouting,” McCurry says. “Louisville has been an amazing host city, which makes it easier for people to come back when they have a good experience. People feel at home there. That’s a true testament to what we love about Louisville, which is the people and the community. That’s what makes us the proudest, when people come from all over the country and see Louisville the way we see it. Our long-term goal is to continue that and showcase the people, and put Louisville on the national spotlight for having great entertainment and festivals.”

For more info, go to dannywimmerpresents.

Film Is Forever

LUKE HELMER TAKES HIS FILMMAKING TALENTS IN A UNIQUE DIRECTION

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography Provided

Luke Helmer has always loved the art of storytelling.

Before YouTube and TikTok were even a thing, Helmer was making videos with his LEGOs in his youth, joining friends in World War II films in the garage, and eventually creating counseling instructional videos for his father’s work at a counseling center.

“I was the one asking the teacher if I could make a movie instead of doing the book report,” Helmer says. “After watching ‘Star Wars’ for the first time, my mind was blown. This is something I can do?”

After graduating from the University of North

Carolina School of the Arts in the early 2000s, Helmer began making movies and working to find his niche in the film industry.

Fairly early on, he experienced some success and interest.

“In 2014 I made a movie, ‘Terrible Love,’” he says. “It won some significant film festivals and it was one of three finalists for a San Francisco Film Society grant. The other two were selected for the grant and one was picked up by Spike Lee, and the other was directed by Ryan Coogler. We were so close.”

Helmer says failure is a necessary part of the

life of any artist. We all hear a lot of “no’s” and have to get knocked down in order to learn how to pick ourselves up again. He was able to find the silver lining in his disappointment, and his story wasn’t over.

“I look at that moment as a person of faith,” he says. “I’ve done this for so many years and I thought God wanted me to do this, and I just came to the conclusion that God says he is good and this must be happening for a good reason.”

Not only did Helmer choose a life in Hendricks County with his wife and four children instead of the Hollywood lifestyle,

but he’s also touching others in a new ventureFilm Is Forever.

The legacy film company interviews the elderly to capture their life stories - a gift to their families and the community.

“Both my grandfather and grandmother are in their mid-80s,” Helmer says. “I decided to sit down and interview them with my nice cameras and make a documentary of their life. I was amazed by the experience. It was so neat to hear their stories and know what they have been through.”

He can’t find anyone else in the state who makes legacy videos, but knew others would be impacted by a documentary of their own loved one.

Dave Beck had the opportunity to hire Helmer to interview his father, Floyd Beck, when he was in his early 90s.

Once Helmer began working with him to

create the film, it turned out to be so much more than Beck imagined.

“Dad was a WWII veteran and flew 50 missions over Europe,” Beck says. “What started out as my plan to create a 15-minute video turned out to be an hour-long film.”

Helmer put Beck in touch with a gentleman who specialized in World War II history, providing him with specific questions to ask his father, and as it turns out, it was worth it. “Dad never brought up the war but didn’t mind telling you what he knew either,” Beck says. “If I hadn’t reached out to the man Luke suggested, it would not have been near the quality it is. It was like telling a story.

Luke asked me to get pictures over to him and the film starts with where my father’s parents were born, his siblings and growing up, through getting married, the war and having his own children.”

Beck’s father passed away three years ago at 98 years old, and now, children and grandchildren have a special way to remember him.

“It’s a way to honor my dad and pass his story on to the younger generations,” Beck says. “I’ve seen it encourage others with similar stories too. When strangers see it, it drums up memories for their family. For the grandkids to see and listen to his stories, it’s priceless.”

For the Film Is Forever founder, he’s found a special way to create the portrait of a person.

“What happens is a lot bigger than a video,” Helmer says. “It’s how they fidget in their chair, their laugh, their cry. People are blown away when they see it and it’s really an emotional experience.”

In a world where video capturing on iPhones and filming every mundane

experience is the norm, the films that Helmer creates are set apart.

He uses cutting-edge equipment with the same cameras used to film “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning,” Hollywoodquality microphones, and other top-notch equipment.

Customers receive a digital download in 4K when the project is completed.

“This won’t look like your VHS tapes in 20 years,” Helmer says. “It will look good forever, and the difference between recording on your iPhone and this is that it’s not a movie yet. Recordings are great to

could watch it and enjoy it,” Helmer says. In fact, Helmer’s wife serves as his quality control.

If she can watch a film featuring a complete stranger and be touched, he knows he’s on the right track.

He’s sat down with those who have a love for poetry and can recite it by memory, play an instrument, bake and so much more, with the goal of capturing the tiny details of the individual.

“It’s really humbling - a great honor,” he says. “I think family is the foundation of civilization and we’re losing track of that. It helps put every day into perspective and you’re connected to this huge thing. It makes you feel small in a good way. We can make it through because these people made it through.”

Helmer does two different types of videos, including one for an individual and another for a couple. The couples are interviewed separately and then together.

have and when it comes to loved ones, it’s better than nothing, but I’m looking at what it feels like to be with your grandparents again. Who are they as people?”

The magic, Helmer says, is in the editing room.

He’s able to cut out any distracting or unnecessary portions of the film, music fills the background, and photos pull the stories and information together.

When the credits start rolling, it’s a genealogy list of all those who appear on the loved one’s family tree.

“My goal is to make your loved one’s story so interesting and engaging that a stranger

The individual films are approximately 45 minutes long, while the films featuring couples are much longer.

It’s been a long road with many successes and failures, but Helmer has found the niche that works for him and touches others in the process.

“The work I’m doing now is so good in terms of the world,” Helmer says. “Making movies about people’s parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, it feels genuinely profound. When we lose a loved one, having something like this is important. In a way, you get to be with that person again and I take that very seriously.”

For pricing and more information, visit film-is-forever.com.

Sources & Solutions

CHILD CARE ANSWERS SUPPORTS FAMILIES, EMPLOYERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography Provided

Child care can be a tricky subject. We all have different opinions and needs for our family, but safety, location and finances usually top the list.

When you’re on the search for child care in your area and aren’t sure where to turn, Child Care Answers exists to help families locate resources that fit the need.

There’s a similar program in every Indiana county, but Child Care Answers specifically serves Marion, Hendricks and Hamilton counties.

“Back in the 1980s, a group of people who realized that families needed child care formed a long list via paper of all the child care resources in the area,” says Executive Director Mollie Smith. “Families could call in and ask for information and they’d help locate what the family was looking for.”

Today Child Care Answers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and they hold a state contract through the Family and Social Services Administration to support families with child care, education and best practices in the industry.

The process has become increasingly difficult over the years, as Smith says there are not enough high-quality seats available and so many day cares are experiencing staffing shortages.

“COVID exposed the gaping hole we have,” she says. “We’re not where we were during the pandemic, but we’re not fully recovered either.

Many programs have closed. Many are not operating at full capacity due to staffing issues and it’s a cycle.”

The cycle Smith refers to is most clearly seen in infant care. It costs more to provide care for infants, and families are already

overhead costs can be challenging. Even those who want to open an in-home child care find challenges with HOA rules in their neighborhood and upgrades needed in the home.”

Given the current and ongoing circumstances,

the stress of searching and selecting the right location.

First, plan ahead.

“There won’t be a spot open tomorrow,” Smith says. “This causes a lot of panic when someone starts looking late into their pregnancy or after the baby is born. They are afraid of losing their job if they don’t find care.”

Second, get educated.

Child Care Answers can provide checklists to ask a potential child care provider, based on each family’s priorities.

The checklist includes questions such as: What is the policy if you are sick, or if my child is sick? How do you handle discipline? How often do you check the playground equipment?

“We want to empower families,” Smith says. “Sometimes you’re in such a frazzled state, you can forget to ask the important questions. Depending on the age of the child, those questions may change. People are so desperate for care that they are just looking for anyone, but if the provider is licensed, then you know there are certain requirements they have to meet.”

Smith says when someone calls them, they are often in a crisis situation - not just with child care, but with transportation, immunizations and other family issues that need to be addressed.

“We try to focus on two-generational support,” Smith says. “If a family has other needs, we can find those organizations that will support them. We might not be the resource that handles all of those situations, but we can find out who does.”

The organization even works with businesses to help find solutions for these challenges.

“We do surveys of employees for employers to identify a need,” Smith says. “We can often find out what’s needed in an anonymous survey, rather than a person going directly to

their boss to discuss. If you have more than 5,000 employees, would you consider opening a child care at the workplace? We want to help both the family and the business find a solution.”

Child Care Answers sends out regular newsletters with updated information, and they host a resource fair for child care providers that includes CPR instructors and state partners.

“If you’re looking to further your education as a child care provider, or if you’re not licensed and interested in learning more about that, I’d encourage anyone to call us and look at the options that may be available to you,” Smith says. “These children are our future. Our little ones should have the best start possible and we want to work with you.”

Child Care Answers is located at 1776 North Meridian Street, Suite 101 in Indianapolis. For more information, call 317-636-5727 or visit childcareanswers.org.

FOLLOWING THE THREAD

OWNERS OF LOVE IT SEW ARE SPREADING THEIR PASSION AND SERVING OTHERS IN THE PROCESS

Writer / Jamie Hergott

Photography Provided

Last fall, a passionate mother-daughter duo opened Love it Sew, a unique quilt shop, right in the center of Hendricks County on U.S. Highway 36 in Avon. The shop serves many capacities, including teaching the community to sew, bringing quilters together, and using the gift of quilting to serve others.

Love it Sew is a space designed to help people learn to create quilts by offering classes, tools, fabrics, threads and services to support the creative process. Classes range from beginner

courses to special-project classes on how to use a serger sewing machine.

Darlene Phillips and her daughter, Katie Dynes, have been sewing quilts for years. Phillips’ interest started when her thirdgrade teacher taught her how to sew. She made her very first baby blanket by hand at the tender age of 8 for her new cousin. Through the years she continued to learn, and eventually passed on that passion to her daughter. One of their first joint ventures was attending a quilt show together when Dynes was in college.

“We really are passionate about helping other people learn

how to sew because it is very relaxing once you understand it,” Phillips says.

One aspect Phillips loves about sewing is how it guides people into the creative process.

“Quilts are very artistic,” she says. “You can get a pattern and follow it. You don’t have to do all the creativity yourself.”

Dynes also loves the uniqueness of a handmade quilt.

“It’s not something you can just go grab at a store,” she says. “Every quilt is unique and one of a kind. Everybody can express themselves however they want with each quilt they make.”

One significant way these ladies use Love it Sew to bless the community is by working with local nonprofits that offer blankets to comfort those in need.

One of these nonprofits is Project Linus, a national organization with a two-fold mission. They want to provide love and a sense of security and comfort to ill, traumatized or needy children through handmade quilts lovingly made by volunteer “blanketeers.” The Project Linus team also wants to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for individuals who want to make those blankets. Phillips and Dynes asked their friend, Lisa Ramey, if she’d be interested in heading up the Hendricks County chapter, and it turned out to be the perfect fit.

Love it Sew scheduled their first Project Linus sew day in February of 2023. Many people came to help complete or donate quilts. Since then, Love it Sew has donated 52 quilts to Project Linus.

Phillips will never forget one little boy who received a blanket recently. When his blanket was handed to him, his eyes got very big and he said, “Did somebody make this for me?” The presenter was able to tell him, “Yes, honey, they did.” It was a handmade gift for him that he could keep for his very own, and it made an obvious impact on him.

Love it Sew also donated 10 quilts through Project Linus to Avon High School this past May. The school has a stocked cabinet for students who may be in need. Several of the blankets were quickly given to students in need of a comforting quilt, so that they know people care about them and their future.

Blankets provided by Project Linus are also delivered to local emergency rooms, homeless shelters or any other place where a need exists.

Love it Sew also works with Quilts of Valor, a national nonprofit organization that strives to provide comfort and healing to deserving service members and veterans touched by the war. Phillips says the woman who started Quilts of Valor had a son

Presenting quilts to Avon High School Assistant Principal, Emily Garrett

in the service, and had a dream about a soldier coming back from the war distraught. In the dream, someone wrapped a quilt around the soldier to give him comfort. Phillips herself works with many former veterans at her day job at Rolls-Royce.

“They’ve experienced so much, and knowing the product we put out helps men and women in the armed services is our way to somehow give back,” Phillips says. “I am very proud of the quality products provided to military men and women to help them protect our country and the freedoms we enjoy. Many of my coworkers have served in the military. They personally know and understand the pride as well as the struggles that come along with service life. It is in their honor, as well as the members of my family that served our country, that I feel so strongly about providing comfort to active as well as retired service members through the Quilts of Valor Foundation.”

Phillips loves that sewing is a stress reliever that also benefits the community. It’s another reason she loves teaching her passion to others.

“When I’ve had a stressful day, running the fabric under that needle helps me not think about anything,” Phillips says. “When you have someone there to guide you and give you tips, it’s so much easier to get the hang of it. We love teaching people how to make their own quilts.”

One of their most popular classes is a homeschool sewing class for students. Many home-economics subjects have been taken out of public school curriculums, so the need is great.

“Quilts are a special thing,” Phillips says. “They are pretty and works of art, but they also provide comfort. It’s a way to tell someone, ‘I made this for you.’ I want to help people learn how to sew, and create and develop their passion for it.”

Love it Sew is a drop-off point for both Project Linus and Quilts of Valor. Fabrics donated should be high-quality, 100% quiltweight cotton fabric that is new or like new. It should be free of odors and stains, and unused.

There are several free patterns available for individuals to complete quilts. Patterns are available for single blocks that can be made, collected at the shop and then assembled to make a complete quilt.

Love it Sew schedules workdays for Project Linus and Quilts of Valor throughout the year. To participate in the sew days, sewing skills are not required. Activities include cutting, sewing and ironing. Check loveitsewshop.com for upcoming sew days. The shop is located at 7270 East U.S. Highway 36, Suite 104 in Avon. Also call 463-202-6750 for additional info.

SHOULDER ISSUES |

Writer / Dr. Ripley Worman, Orthopedic Surgeon at IU Health West Hospital

Photography Provided

People tend to be more active during the summer months. If you enjoy outdoor activities or play sports, have fallen, or tend to overuse your shoulder, you may suffer from shoulder pain or even a new shoulder injury. Shoulder pain can affect people of all ages. It’s important to know what to expect when you see your orthopedic care team.

SHOULDER INSTABILITY

You can have shoulder instability from an injury or due to weak structures around the shoulder. A resulting dislocation may tear or weaken ligaments, tendons or muscles, and make the shoulder vulnerable to repeated instability events.

Nonsurgical treatments for shoulder instability (such as activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy) can take several months to show results. In cases where physical

therapy doesn’t show sufficient results, or in more severe cases of shoulder instability, minimally invasive surgery can repair torn or stretched structures. Following surgery, physical therapy can help you return to normal activity as quickly as possible.

ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES

The rotator cuff consists of a group of four tendons that work together to stabilize the shoulder. These tendons attach muscles to the bones of the shoulder. When you injure or overuse the tendons or muscles of the rotator cuff, the cuff can be strained, inflamed or torn, causing pain and dysfunction in the shoulder.

Treatment of rotator cuff pain may simply require modifying your activities to reduce strain on it. In addition, physical therapy or steroid injections may be recommended. If severe, your physician may suggest surgery. As with other surgical interventions, your physicians will order physical therapy after surgery to speed your healing so you can return to normal activity.

CAUSES AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

ARTHRITIS

Shoulder arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage in the shoulder that can lead to significant pain and loss of motion of the shoulder. Physical therapy and steroid injections along with anti-inflammatory medication may provide pain relief and improved shoulder function. With intolerable pain, your expert surgeons may offer joint replacement surgery. Shoulder joint replacement alleviates pain and improves the function of your shoulder.

TREATMENT

On your visit, you can expect a full evaluation and explanation of your diagnosis. You will also receive your physician’s treatment recommendations. Your team will work with you to design a treatment plan that fits your individual needs. Treatments may include nonoperative management including antiinflammatory medication, injections and physical therapy as well as possible surgical intervention.

HENDRICKS COUNTY BICENTENNIAL LOGO CHOSEN

Filled with plenty of color, a prominent “200” with a torch and three hills representing the waterways, fields and roadways of Hendricks County, John Johansson’s clean design was selected as the symbol of next year’s bicentennial celebration.

Johansson, who lives in Danville with his wife, Anne, and two daughters, is no stranger to logo designs, having previously created graphics for The Children’s Ballet, Downtown Danville Partnership and Main Street Plainfield. His logo was among 38 designs submitted to the 12-member Hendricks County Bicentennial Steering Committee.

“We were both stunned and thrilled by the number and quality of the entries,” says Pat Baldwin, co-chair of the steering committee. “This was not an easy decision. There were several submissions that could have served as our bicentennial logo.”

Johansson says he wanted to come up with a bright, aspirational design that would represent the whole county and its history, without focusing on a specific town or landmark. Here’s how he described the logo on his submission form:

“The rolling green bands represent Hendricks County’s forests and parks; the blue, our streams; the yellow, our fields; the black, our county’s contributions to transportation and racing; the red outer circle, the tribes who first hunted and fished this land. The torch embodies our community spirit, and our role in Indiana’s history. The gold ribbon celebrates our county’s most valuable asset: its peopledetermined, compassionate, united.”

The logo will be used on all documentation, events and projects representing the bicentennial. Johansson will receive a $500 cash prize and recognition as the creator of the milestone emblem.

The logo is the first of many announcements coming as the committee plans the county’s 200th anniversary celebration in 2024. The committee is currently collecting public suggestions on events and projects to help celebrate the occasion and leave a mark for future generations, as well as gathering names and contact information for those who want to volunteer.

To learn more, submit ideas or volunteer to help, visit the Hendricks County Bicentennial website at hendricks200.com. Residents can also register to receive email updates about all bicentennial efforts on the website.

Writer / Josh Duke Photography Provided

Reasons To Get Excited For Football Season

Writer / Abigail Hake Photography Provided

Football season is right around the corner and while you may or may not be a diehard fan, lots of people are ready for the season to get started, not only because of the game but because of all that goes along with it! Many Americans would suggest that football is the best sport in the world. Here are seven reasons why fans and non-fans alike are ready for the season to start again.

1 Togetherness: No matter what you think, football brings us together. At all levels of the game, people come together to cheer or boo. You bond with those sitting next to you in the bleachers or standing next to you on the field. You root for your team and hope for a win together with all the rest of the fans around you. You watch together with your family and friends in the comfort of your own home. It’s a common bond between you and those on your favorite team.

2. Rivalries

Don’t say you like all teams because that’s not true, and you know it. We all know there are teams that just don’t get along and don’t like each other. Like the Packers and Bears, the Cowboys and Eagles, and obviously the Colts and the

Patriots. Rivalries bring out the best in athletes and encourage competition, but the most intense rivalries are amongst the National Football League teams. And a good rivalry is not only exciting, but great for ratings!

3. Food

Football food is just the best. Dips, pretzels, burgers, nachos, beer. What more could you ask for? The best part of watching a game is lingering around the kitchen island or visiting the concessions during halftime at the stadium. And did you know that more food is consumed on Super Bowl Sunday than at Thanksgiving?

4 Tailgating

When you go to a game, high school, college, or NFL, you don’t show up right at gametime. Like any good fan, you arrive a little early and with a cooler! Hanging outside the venue with friends for hours before the big game is a must-have experience and can be extra special if you are visiting somewhere like Lambeau Field or Notre Dame Stadium. No matter the weather, tailgating is all about having fun and indulging in unhealthy food, drinks and games. Oh, and you might even make friends with those on the other side!

5 Traditions

Football is a tradition most enjoyed on Friday nights while growing up and Sundays with family. If you love the NFL, it’s very likely that you grew up watching with relatives who followed a favorite team or just the sport in general. I mean, what do you think of when Thanksgiving comes around? That’s right, food and football. Families across the country go out to play America’s favorite sport on the front lawns and when they are done, everyone heads back inside to watch the game. It’s almost religious.

6 Fantasy Football

The return of the NFL also means that fantasy football is upon us. Not only is it a hobby for many, it’s a multi-million dollar industry that paved the way for all other fantasy sports. People can compete with friends by picking and following their favorite players to create their fantasy team. It requires a little savvy and strategy, but is fun to follow and also to try to one-up your friends!

7 The Super Bowl

Even those who don’t like football love the Super Bowl. Considered a national holiday by many, this is a spectacle enjoyed by all. The rivalries are fierce, the stadiums are packed, the half-time shows are unreal, and obviously the commercials are amazing. The Super Bowl is the culmination of the entire season and watchers everywhere stay up late and call in sick the next day just to enjoy the entire show.

In the end, when fall rolls around, we are totally ready for Fridays to be spent at the local game, Saturdays to be taken over by the best college games, and Sundays to be taken over by pre-game shows and commentators. We all feel better when football is back in action and we can enjoy the season for all the right reasons, with family, friends and even those who are cheering for the other side.

Pride in the Program

AHS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH ROB GIBSON IS ALL IN

Writer / Melissa Gibson

Photographer / Amy Payne

Robert Gibson

Rob Gibson has played and coached football for most of his life.

He was a two-time all-state selection and set South Putnam’s all-time rushing record in high school.

As a student at Marion University, the athlete ran for 2,163 career yards and 25 touchdowns.

In college, Gibson would practice with his team, take his helmet and shoulder pads off, and head to the Cardinal Ritter team on the nearby field to coach in his football pants.

Gibson helped lead Cardinal Ritter to their 2016 state championship.

Over the years he’s coached for high schools both private and public, across central Indiana and beyond.

In fact, his two-year coaching position at Owen Valley High School in Spencer, Indiana, was perhaps his biggest challenge yet.

“They had won four games in five years,” Gibson says. “When I started coaching, there were 117 people in the stands, and on our last game two years later, there were 6,000 people there. The local stores shut down with signs in the window that said, ‘Gone to the Game.’”

After two years, Owen Valley had a 22-3 record and their first sectional title in 29 years.

Today he’s the new head coach of Avon High School’s football team and plans to do it again.

“Without going into detail, the plan is working so far,” Gibson says. “There is a system in place for every individual part of our program, all the way down to how we get a break after practice.”

Avon has had a less than stellar record over the past couple of years, winning three games in two years.

However, Gibson likes a challenge and looks for programs that need an extra boost.

He wants to have the answers for a program looking to improve, has high expectations and aspirations, and the school corporation is excited to see the changes on the horizon.

“While we interviewed several candidates, Rob distinguished himself from the start of the process,” says Avon Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham. “His record on the field and on the sidelines speaks for itself.”

While Gibson knows it takes time to make the necessary changes and improve the program overall, he’s in it for the long haul.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I think you’re going to see a ton of energy, accountability and excitement,” he says. “You’re going to see an immediate impact on our program.”

With 20 coaches, 15 of whom are new to Avon High School and five returning to different positions, nearly everything will change with the upcoming season, but Gibson is counting on it.

A new strength coach and a new speed coach have joined the team. Both are experienced and have worked with Gibson in the past. “I really love our staff,” Gibson says. “We have a ton of previous college coaches, head

coaches and coordinators. This level of experience is really beneficial to the kids.”

He’s also appreciative of the excitement and support of families, including the coach’s own, surrounding the program.

“Our wives are the best assistant coaches we have,” Gibson says. “They are constantly sacrificing, supporting and volunteering.” There are more than 150 football athletes on the roster so far. While they all practice together, there is a freshman team, junior varsity team and varsity team, giving athletes something to strive for and a team that continues to improve every day.

Chances are, things will look quite different to those athletes returning for the 2023 season.

“The biggest difference you’ll see at an Avon practice is we don’t have any athletes just standing around,” Gibson says. “There are multiple drills, multiple locations on our field where guys are constantly putting in the work. We don’t do offense and defense drills with 105 guys standing there watching.”

With every player on the field during practice, it allows each one to continue to improve, and Gibson says the guys are already working hard this summer to get those starting positions.

Though it’s evident that Gibson, the coaches and the athletes love the game, the plan is much bigger than what happens on the field.

Perhaps most importantly, athletes are always held responsible and accountable for their actions and behavior - an important aspect to developing a team.

“Contrary to what most believe, kids still want to be held accountable, and they want to work hard and be a part of something special,” Gibson says. “If I had to choose one word, I’d say accountability is what turns programs around.”

He wants the athletes to be accountable in all areas of life, not just the football field. At Owen Valley, Gibson led his athletes to set 29 school records on the field, but also dramatic academic improvements in the classroom, with 17 Wabash Valley All-Stars and 22 Wabash Valley Academic All-Stars.

“I’m most impressed by his character and his dedication to developing student athletes who are successful in all areas of life,” says Avon High School Principal Matt Shockley.

“He possesses the personality and experience required to be successful as our head coach.”

When players are held to a high standard, it

can prompt the teens to achieve more as individuals on a variety of levels, including the field. They work hard to reach those new levels of expectation.

The team comes together at least five days per week and sometimes twice per day, whether it be on the field or in the weight room, but it’s not all just drills and workouts.

“We’re not always practicing and lifting,” Gibson says. “They don’t know it yet, but at some point they’ll do team-building games. We’re not running them to death. The more they are with us and together, the more they’re building relationships and the better off they’ll be outside of football.”

Gibson knows the importance of building those relationships and what they can mean years down the road.

“My high school football coaches came to my college football games,” he says. “They came to my wedding. We have a great relationship and that starts when you’re a player, and that’s what I want for our players and myself in the coaching role. Later on down the road, we still need each other. It’s one of the coolest fraternities ever.”

The father of two says - at the risk of sounding clichéd - that he hopes the message sent is how Avon football is impacting athletes in a positive way.

“I couldn’t be more sincere when I say making a difference in the lives of kids is why we coach,” Gibson says. “It’s really very little about the wins and losses, and more about the relationships you build. The wins and losses take care of themselves if you’re doing everything else right.”

For more information about Avon High School football, visit ahs.avon-schools.org.

“I’M MOST IMPRESSED BY HIS CHARACTER AND HIS DEDICATION TO DEVELOPING STUDENT ATHLETES WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE.”

- MATT SHOCKLEY -