TownePost.com MAGAZINESEPTEMBER 2022 PERSIST AND PREVAIL Sheltering Wings Celebrates 20 Years of Community Assistance MUST-SEE FALL EVENTS IN HENDRICKS COUNTY PRESSING ON COACHING IS IN THE BLOOD FOR MARK BLESS
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IN THIS ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2022 #SPOTLIGHTINGLOCAL FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT franchising.townepost.com TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: 317-810-0011 A TOWNE POST NETWORK PUBLICATION For advertising information, contact: PUBLISHER DARREN BOSTON 317.716.8812darren@townepost.com ANALYTICSREAL-TIME Scan the QR code to see this distributionreal-timemagazine’sreachandnumbers. KEY CONTRIBUTORS TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER/CEO TOM BRITT 317.496.3599tom@townepost.com PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT 317.810.0011jeanne@townepost.com PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT JOSH BROWN CREATIVE DIRECTORS TONI EADS VAL AUSTIN COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS 7 7 PRESSING ON Coaching Is in the Blood for Mark Bless 13 PERSIST AND PREVAIL Sheltering Wings Celebrates 20 Years of Community Assistance 19 MUST-SEE FALL EVENTS IN HENDRICKS COUNTY 24 CHOOSING THE RIGHT PET 26 HIP AND KNEE SURGERY What to Expect From Your Care Team 29 GET OUTTA TOWN Bloomington Packs a Perfect Road-Trip Punch 35 ON THE SAME PAGE Former Indianapolis Colt Gary Brackett Pens New Book on Diversity and Inclusion AMY PAYNE / CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING / DR. MICHAEL GABBARD / RENEE LARR RYAN KENNEDY / TARA MARIE DORSETT / VISIT HENDRICKS COUNTY WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY
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Photographer / Amy Payne
“I grew up loving sports because my dad was a college coach at Indiana Central University [now the University of Indianapolis],” Bless says. “My earliest memories involve being out on the football field watching him coach.”
In high school Bless went on to play football, wrestle, and participate in track and field, throwing the shot put and discus. During his senior year in 1980, the wrestling team won state. At Indiana Central University, Bless was a Division II All-American and Heartland Conference Player of the Year in 1983.
“My brothers and I all played football for my father at Indiana Central,” Bless says. “Ironically, dad was an offensive coach and
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
PRESSING ON COACHING IS IN THE BLOOD FOR MARK BLESS
Nothing molds a young boy like spending quality time with his dad. That’s precisely what Mark Bless did, and the experience shaped him for the better.
YOUNG BOYS GROW INTO YOUNG MEN
Both of Bless’s brothers, Tim and Scott, have been longtime high school head coaches as well.
As early as high school, Bless started realizing that he would like to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a football coach. He followed through with that dream, landing his first coaching job at Terre Haute North Vigo High School as the assistant varsity football coach and head wrestling coach. He later took a job at North Vermillion High School as head football coach and head wrestling coach, from 1990 to 1994. He was at both schools for five years before moving closer to home and taking the position of head football coach at Mooresville High School, where he remained for 15 years from 1995 to 2010. While at Mooresville, Bless got to coach his son Tyler. His dad also coached with Bless for 13 of the 15 years he was there, making it a three-generation family affair.
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OF
“He was a tremendous role model for me, my brothers and my teammates in college,” Bless says. “When I see those guys now, they have all sorts of stories to share about my father. He was a good man and good football coach.”
- MARK BLESS -
“That was enjoyable,” says Bless, who calls his father his favorite coach and mentor.
“WATCHING IS THE MOST GRATIFYING ASPECT MY JOB. YES, IT’S GREAT TO WIN GAMES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT TO SEE FRESHMEN COME IN NEEDING GUIDANCE, AND THEN FOUR YEARS LATER TO SEE THEM GRADUATE AND POSSIBLY MOVE ON AND EARN A COLLEGE DEGREE, IS A WONDERFUL FEELING.”
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“Watching young boys grow into young men is the most gratifying aspect of my job,” he says. “Yes, it’s great to win games and championships, but to see freshmen come in needing guidance, and then four years later to see them graduate and possibly move on and earn a college degree, is a wonderful feeling.”
In 2010
Bless heard there was an opening for Avon High School’s head football coach. Bless spoke with David Ballou, the school’s head strength and conditioning coach at the time. He also talked to others in the Hendricks County community and loved everything he heard. What sealed the deal was meeting Ballou at a basketball game between Mooresville and “ThingsAvon. were going well when I was at Mooresville,” Bless says. “We were winning games. It’s not like I was looking to leave, but Avon seemed like a great opportunity with more resources. At that basketball game it was like a green light went on for me. I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue and I fell in love with it.” He accepted the position 12 years ago and has never looked back. One of the things he’s most proud of when it comes to being an Orioles coach is the way Avon values education above all else.
“[The focus on academics is] much stronger than any school I’ve ever been at,” Bless says. “That was really gratifying to Whileme.”
A typical day on the job starts with Bless greeting students in the commons area as they enter the building. “I’m not assigned to do that, but I enjoy doing that for all
coaching lights a fire within him, Bless’s favorite part of the job has nothing to do with competition. He’s all about helping his athletes learn, grow and mature in different ways.
students, not just my football players,” says Bless, who teaches four classes in the weight room with the strength coach as well as one physical fitness class. Usually in the fall semester, his last period is his prep period so that he can open up the football building and get ready for practice. During football season, he’s typically at school until 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. “It kind of goes with the territory,” he says. “During the season it’s Notnonstop.”thathe’s complaining. He loves his job and his colleagues. He and his coaching staff of 20 work seven days a week during the season, scheduling Saturday-morning workouts and early Sunday-morning planning sessions. Though the number varies each season, the team usually consists of between 88 and 114 players (sophomores through seniors) with an additional 50 freshmen. Athletes take a weightlifting class as part of their curriculum, so that’s one hour each day that they spend with Bless in addition to practice from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Outside of the season, the coaches still spend a lot of time with their players in order to build relationships and create a tight-knit group.
Through the years Bless has had the opportunity to coach many talented athletes. He says the most fun he’s had coaching was during championship games in the 2015 season.
“We can have two full-contact practices, and others are not full contact,” Bless says. “That has brought a lot more safety to the game because every day we are not running into each other and knocking one another down.”
Even though we fell short, that was so much fun to be a part of.”
Plus, for two months in the summer they are restricted in how often athletes can wear helmets and shoulder pads. The IFCA has enforced restrictions to ensure that football is played safely. If humidity is high and the heat index is oppressive, they may restrict what’s worn at practice and limit drills to those that are minimally taxing.
Safety precautions in football have evolved, particularly in the last 10 to 12 years, as concerns have arisen specifically about concussions. Now, every two years coaches take courses on safe tackling practices, concussion acknowledgement, student cardiac arrest, and heat-illness prevention. In addition, the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) mandates how much physical contact athletes can have during the week.
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“We won a regional championship on our field against Cathedral in overtime, which was pretty electrifying,” he says. “We went to Center Grove and played them extremely well but lost in double overtime.
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“One thing leads you to another until God thumps you on the head, and you’re like, ‘I get it now. This is something you want me to get started on,’” Hoffeditz says. That was the birth of Sheltering Wings, formed in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, to provide emergency housing for survivors escaping domestic abuse. They build stable and independent lives through programs offered in a caring and Christ-centered environment.
Bayless knew someone who needed a place to go but didn’t have one, and that was the impetus for her involvement in Sheltering BlanfordWings. didn’t have much experience in domestic violence, but he was close to a couple of female victims, and that pulled at his heartstrings.
One evening in 1999, Sue Hoffeditz was working at a local food pantry when a mother and her two children came in to “Ishop.was initially so enamored with the little ones that I didn’t pay much attention to the mom, but when I did look up at her, I could tell someone had beaten her,” says Hoffeditz, whose initial instinct was to contact the local shelter. Then she learned that there was no local shelter and she was crestfallen. As she continued to ask around about what could be done, it became clear in her heart and soul that she was the one to make something happen.
Linda Wells, emergency services manager, is grateful for such people, as it made a dream become a reality.
“It doesn’t take much involvement [at Sheltering Wings] for a person to become a fan and realize, ‘This is something I can really get behind,’” he says.
The organization started as an extension of Cornerstone Christian Church as an independent nonprofit, and has garnered a huge amount of support from the entire community including various agencies, individuals and other churches. Though they have stayed true to their core principles and guiding values, the organization and its mission has continued to expand and grow
SEPTEMBER 2022
ANDPERSISTPREVAIL SHELTERING WINGS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided
“We wouldn’t be here today without that group of people having a heart for something they didn’t even know was going to become this big,” says Wells, noting that initially they all envisioned building or buying a small house for women in need of refuge, but it grew to be so much more.
“God had a much bigger plan and he put the right people in place for that plan.”
Bob Leonard, Raylene Bayless, Dave Blanford and others joined Hoffeditz as founding board “Imembers.can’timagine society where a woman is living in an abusive situation and doesn’t know what her options are, and she doesn’t have any,” Leonard says.
For instance, in February of 2020 Sheltering Wings opened a 12-person unit for male victims of domestic abuse. The nonprofit helps roughly 250 women, men and children annually through their residential services. In addition, they provide prevention and education all across the county in churches, schools and workplaces, so they touch a lot of people in various ways. Plus, they have a helpline that operates 24/7, fielding thousands of calls each year that serve a whole spectrum of needs. Sheltering Wings, in numerous ways, helps those who suffer domestic abuse get back on their feet.
Cassie Mecklenburg, Sheltering Wings’ executive director, is grateful to not only the founding board members, but also all of the friends and supporters of Sheltering Wings who have educated themselves and others, and/or volunteered their time and talents through the years. In October, the Sheltering Wings team members will
SEPTEMBER 2022 over time.
celebrate their 20th anniversary.
You can get screened and have peace of mind
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Ascension St. Vincent | © Ascension 2022. All rights reserved.
“[Sheltering Wings] offered me a bright new future that I didn’t think existed,” she says. “This place has really helped me with independence and learning to believe in myself.”
October 6: Dine Out Against Domestic Violence. When you dine at any Cunningham Restaurant Group restaurant in Hendricks County, a portion of your bill will be donated back to Sheltering Wings. The Cunningham Restaurant Group locations in Hendricks County include Boulder Creek Dining Company, Charbonos, BRU Burger Bar Brownsburg, BRU Burger Bar Plainfield, and Stone Creek Dining Company Plainfield.
Start a conversation with a doctor or care team at ascension.org/StVincentScreenings or call 833-478-1261
Talk about health screenings with a doctor or care team who listens Health screenings are important for all of us. Taking care of yourself means being proactive about your health. So talk with a doctor or care team with Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent about the screenings that are right for you, based on your age and family history. They may help detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
October 6: Sixth Annual Men IN Action Breakfast at D-BAT Avon. 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Designed to equip men on the journey to build one another up, hold one another accountable, challenge the status quo and navigate life by being positive role models for youth.
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SEPTEMBER 2022
“That’s 20 years of safety, 20 years of breaking the cycle of abuse, 20 years of life-skills classes, and 20 years of showing Christ’s love to survivors of domestic violence,” Mecklenburg says. “It’s also 20 years of families who have found safety, love and encouragement from our services.”
• October 3: Understanding Domestic Violence. 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sheltering Wings. In this training, participants learn about the causes for domestic violence and how to be a part of the solution.
Because of this nonprofit, survivors get a whole new lease on life. One resident shares that she was stuck in a cycle of abuse, going from one abusive boyfriend to the next since she was 17 years old. She then got married and had two kids with an abusive husband.
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DOMESTIC OCTOBER.EVENTSHOSTSHELTERINGAWARENESSVIOLENCEMONTH.WINGSWILLAVARIETYOFTHROUGHOUT TOSHELTERINGWINGS.ORGVISITLEARNMORE.
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October 20: Celebrate, Create, Connect. 6 p.m. at Sheltering Wings. Celebrate survivors of domestic abuse, create a unique piece of artwork, and connect to continue to prevent abuse. Wear purple to show your support for National Domestic Violence Awareness Day (the color of the domestic violence ribbon).
If you need more care, including more advanced treatment options, you are connected to compassionate care teams right for you.
For anyone interested in helping, Sheltering Wings gladly accepts donations and volunteers.
SEPTEMBER 2022 DID YOU KNOW CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM? WHAT A GREAT REASON TO START CARE AT ANY AGE! Chiropracticfor all ages CHIROPRACTIC CAN HELP WITH COLIC, REFLUX, NURSING/LATCHING ISSUES, CONSTIPATION, SLEEPING CONCERNS EAR INFECTIONS, BED WETTING, ASTHMA, GROWING PAINS, SCOLIOSIS, HELP WITH INJURIES FROM SPORTS, AND MORE. NEWBORN:TOTODDLERSTEENS: THE ONLY FEMALE CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE IN HENDRICKS CO. 7651 E. US HWY 36 • AVON, IN 46123 |COMMUNITYCHIROAVON.COM | (317) 272-7988 DR. VICKI CRUM Thanks to continual advocacy and support, more than 4,500 men, women and children have left domestic abuse behind for safe, bright futures. As Mecklenburg reflects on all of the names and faces of individuals who have entered their doors through the years, she smiles at the outcomes. “I celebrate with them the jobs that they have secured, degrees completed, first-time homeowners, and most importantly the newfound safety and freedom they are experiencing,” she says. “I’m beyond thankful for [the community’s] support over the past 20 years. God has been so faithful. His hand can be seen in everything here at the shelter.”
“Our work is only possible through the support of the community,” says Jenna Harris, communication and annual giving officer with Sheltering Wings. “Monetary donations provide for our clients in an extremely meaningful way, and there’s always a need for donated items and Marilynvolunteers.”Bradford started volunteering at Sheltering Wings in early 2019. “Abuse is so much more prevalent than what people think, and I want to be a part of the solution,” Bradford says. “It’s such a rewarding experience and I know I’m making a difference. I encourage everyone to volunteer at least once.”
“Community support makes it possible for survivors to find safety.”
Sheltering Wings also offers workshops, trainings and policy help, to educate and equip workplaces, churches, schools and “Aindividuals.greatway to get involved is to bring us in to do a workshop, or to come to the shelter for a workshop on-site,” Harris says.
If your church or workplace would like to receive resource cards, trainings, or help creating a domestic abuse policy, all free of charge, contact Harris. Mailing address: Sheltering Wings, P.O. Box 92, Danville, IN 46122. To call the 24-hour helpline, call 317-745-1496. For more information, call 317-718-5460 or visit shelteringwings.org.
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SEPTEMBER 2022 Introducing Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership committed to eliminating cancer in the state of Indiana, and beyond. As one of only a few select partners nationwide, Community MD Anderson provides those diagnosed with cancer better access, greater options, and a more robust connection to one of the nation’s top cancer centers. Now, more than ever, we want you to remember that when you’re part of a community, you’re never alone. Let’s start the journey together at eCommunity.com/cancer Your circle of support just got stronger.
Must-See Fall Events in Hendricks County
This must-see autumn institution in Danville hosts our county’s largest fall event, the annual Heartland Apple Festival. Always held the first two weekends in October – Oct. 1-2 and 8-9 this year
Story & Photos Provided by Visit Hendricks County Can you believe it? The fall season has officially arrived, and it is time to look ahead to local events and activities you can enjoy right here in Hendricks County. We’ve created an online tool exclusive to our website at VisitHendricksCounty.com to help you find your perfect personalized fall itinerary. By answering four simple questions, the system will search for and display your perfect fall adventure. Narrowing down all the festivals, activities and other fall attractions in Hendricks County can prove to be a daunting task because of the sheer number of fun things to see and do. So, we are here to help both through that quiz and with my summary that follows.
BEASLEY’S ORCHARD & HEARTLAND APPLE FESTIVAL
--Indianapolis Monthly magazine featured this festival as one of “50 Things Every Hoosier Must Do!” Visitors can tour the orchard, take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, pick apples from the U-pick area, enjoy live entertainment, buy fresh produce and other goods in a Civil War-era barn turned rustic market or wind their way through a huge corn maze. Your children will love hay mountain, the apple cannons and Barnyard Bonanza, which features ball throws, a spider web, a huge jumping pillow and more.
SEPTEMBER 2022 10-31-22EXPIRES
But you don’t have to visit Beasley’s during those two weekends to enjoy the fun as the orchard remains open every day during the fall season with many of the above activities available.
6 FALL EVENTS
While Beasley’s and the Heartland Apple Festival may be the autumn headliner, it merely scratches the surface of fall events you can enjoy with your family. Six other favorites in October Harvestinclude: Moon Festival (Oct. 1) – This new event hosted by Washington Township Park in Avon kicks off the fall season in style this year with pumpkin carving, wagon rides, a petting zoo,
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Fall Colors Festival (Oct. 22) – Enjoy the best public place to see fall foliage in Hendricks County -- McCloud Nature Park in North Salem. This event boasts lots of fun activities including archery, tree-climbing, exploring their fish-themed prairie maze, throwing an atlatl, hayrides and more.
I briefly mentioned Who North America in the events above. Did you know that it is the only retail store and museum dedicated to the TV show Doctor Who in North America? If you love the show, venturing to this attraction in Camby should be on your bucket list.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Doctoberfest (Oct. 22) – This is a must for any fan of the TV show Doctor Who as it features a costume competition, custom action figure contest, games, merchandise and much more at Who North America in Camby. More on this attraction in a moment.
In addition to all the events, a couple of fall attractions in Brownsburg that I highly recommend include Hogan Farms and Natural Valley Ranch. Hogan Farms has become a popular autumn spot with activities during the month of October that include a huge corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo and hayrides. I took my son a few years ago, and he loved it.
popular corn maze over to the dogs with a weekend dedicated to our four-legged friends.
Other Fall Attractions
If you’re into horseback riding, there truly is no better season to experience a ride through the scenic woods at Natural Valley Ranch than in the fall. The Brownsburg ranch spans 70 scenic acres, and offers 30, 60 and 90-minute guided trail rides along the banks of White Lick Creek.
For more information about any of these attractions or events or other things to do in Hendricks County or to take our fall quiz, go online to VisitHendricksCounty.com.
SEPTEMBER 2022 GOLF OUTING 24TH ANNUAL HENDRICKS REGIONAL HEALTH YMCA OCTOBER 3 SHOTGUN START 12 PM Country Club of Indianapolis 2801 Country Club Rd Indianapolis, IN 46234 RSVP To Kim Vu atorkvu@indymca.org317.204.1905 Celebrate, Create, Connect! Join us on October 20 at Sheltering Wings as our community celebrates survivors of domestic abuse, creates a unique piece of artwork, and connects you to ways to prevent abuse! Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention Month You can prevent domestic violence. But do you know how? Find more ways to get involved by visiting ShelteringWings org/DVAP O C T O B E R I S N A T I O N A L Together, we can prevent abuse and end domestic violence. U P I C K A P P L E S S TA R T I N G I N S E P T E M B E R Apple Cannons · Hay Rides to the Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze · Barnyard Bonanza · Food Vendors ORDER YOUR TICKETS FOR FALL FESTIVALS ONLINE TO START HARVESTING MEMORIES WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS FARM MARKET HOURS: MONDAY SATURDAY: 9 AM 6 PM | SUNDAY: 12 PM 6 PM | 2304 E. MAIN ST. DANVILLE, IN 46122 | 317 745 4876 @BEASLEYSORCHARD @BEASLEYS.ORCHARDBEASLEYS ORCHARD.COM
playtime. They need to go out at least two times per day to use the bathroom. Average food consumption is one-half to three cups per meal. Cats can comfortably live inside. Average meal size is one-third to one-half cups per day. Toys are easy to find. Cats sleep
Now do some research on the species you Dogswant. typically need three or more hours of outdoor, high-energy
RIGHT
SEPTEMBER 2022
“Do you have time to train and exercise the dog?” Her job kept her busy, often requiring her to work late. She was told that a large puppy might not be the best fit for her, but she said the dog was perfect and took him home.
The 3-month-old Burmese mountain dog was adorable, but his size stopped adopters from filling out an application. On his fourth day at the shelter, a young woman wanted to meet him. Some basic questions were “Whatasked:type of housing are you in?” She rented a small, second-floor apartment.
CHOOSING THE PET
The next morning she returned, sheepishly admitting she may have bitten off more than she could chew. For many of us, life feels empty without a pet, but we don’t always take time to figure out exactly which one works for us before we jump into pet ownership. So how do you choose a furry, feathered or scaled friend that is practical for your home and life? Start by asking yourself a few Whyquestions.doyouwant this type of pet? What draws you to that Doanimal?you have room for your pet’s cage, kennel or aquarium? Do you have space for them to run, jump and explore? How much money can you spend per month on a pet? Do you have time to train, exercise and play with a pet?
Writer / Tara Marie Dorsett Photography Provided
“Do you enjoy being outside?” She preferred to stay indoors.
several hours per day and can usually be left unattended for long periods of time.
Reptiles vary in size. Their enclosure should be large enough and secure enough to keep them safe. Initial setup can cost up to $1,000. Food cost and type vary with species. A snake may only need to be fed twice per week, while a lizard or frog may need to eat more often.
Birds enjoy human company and benefit from out-of-cage time. The amount of food needed for the day varies from bird to bird, but averages from one-half to one pound of food per day. Toys are expensive with few options. Small animals do well in medium to large enclosures. A bag of food lasts about three to four weeks. Toys need to be replaced often. Some small animals such as rabbits, chinchillas and ferrets require more human interaction, and their diets have special requirements.
Now that you have considered the basics of pet ownership, have fun choosing your new family member. Oh, and in case you are wondering, the Burmese mountain puppy found an amazing home later that afternoon.
Fish need very little care beyond food, places to hide and clean water. A container of food, dry or frozen, can last a month. Ideally they need one gallon of water per inch of body length.
What could be sweeter than indulging in a decadent dessert made by your favorite local bakery? Enjoying that tasty treat while also empowering women to become substancefree, self-sufficient and healthy. Dove House is opening new doors for women in recovery, and you will want to be part of this exciting event.
SEPTEMBER 2022
The Dove Recovery House for Women Celebration Luncheon & Dessert Auction will take place Wednesday, September 21st from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, IN. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available at doverecoveryhouse.org/luncheon. Contact Dove House CEO Wendy Noe (wnoe@doverecoveryhouse.org) to learn more about how you can get involved. Scan the QR code to purchase tickets or become a sponsor.
A SWEET EVENT TO SUPPORT WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
SEPTEMBER 2022 DANVILLE | 1900 East Main St. 317-718-6153 | www.4HComplex.org Rental of $150 or more With coupon only. Must present coupon at time of order. Expires 3-31-23. The 33,000 sq. ft. Hendricks County 4-H Conference Center offers great flexibility and versitility for your next meeting, seminar, banquet, or wedding reception SPECIAL FEATURES • Nine conference classrooms and boardrooms • Complete commercial kitchen • Demonstation kitchen • 12,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose auditorium • 24’ x 36’ stage • Easy load-in areas with overhead door • High ceilings • Epoxy covered flooring • ADA accessibility For 2022 & 2023
Writer / Renee Larr
Bloomington draws people in with its cultural diversity, and is home to more than 350 different restaurants including more than 80 international restaurants. Foodies will love dining on 4th Street, which is lovingly referred to as
Photography
Bloomington is home to Indiana University so IU football is always a great idea when visiting the city,” says Erin White, director of leisure marketing and media for Visit Bloomington. “We also have the 4th Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts, the 10th Annual Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Festival, and many other festivals all fall long.”
Provided With the cost of air travel rising and the risk of contracting COVID-19, many people are trying to find alternatives to flying. Long weekend road trips are becoming a more cost-effective way to get away. Bloomington offers scenic views, outdoor adventures, and dynamic arts and “Obviously,food.
BLOOMINGTON PACKS A PERFECT ROAD-TRIP PUNCH
“Monroe Lake is a fantastic place for folks to spend time,” White says. “We have three boat rental companies on the water that provide all sorts of personal watercraft including jet skis, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, pontoon boats, deck boats, and double-decker boats complete with a slide. For those leaf peepers and folks who want to take in the
30 / AVON MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2022 / TownePost.com international restaurant row.
“You’ll find more than a dozen houses that have been converted into international restaurants,” White says. “You can find Tibetan, Turkish, Indian, Afghan, Korean and much more in IfBloomington.”youwantoutdoor adventure, look no further than Monroe Lake. It’s Indiana’s largest land-bound body of water with more than 11,000 surface acres. Nature lovers will find more than just water activities at the lake.
The city offers traditional lodging like hotels and motels, along with boutique inns and quaint bed and breakfasts.
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Hotels situated downtown are within walking distance to the restaurant and bar scene. Many of the bed and breakfasts are still close to downtown but are a little closer to Bloomingtoncampus.offers tons of familyfriendly activities for the kids and kids“We’reat-heart.home to lots of unique, familyfriendly attractions and experiences,” White says. “WonderLab Museum is a great hands-on children’s science center located in the heart of downtown Bloomington. It’s a great place to spend a few hours with the family. Hoosier Heights is an indoor climbing facility, so if your kids are really rambunctious and need to expend some energy, spending a couple of hours at Hoosier Heights is a
ScantoScheduleaTour scenery of the Hoosier National Forest, the lake is a great way to check out the fall foliage, and see bald eagles and other natural wildlife that exists in the area.”
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ON SAMETHEPAGE FORMER INDIANAPOLIS COLT GARY BRACKETT PENS NEW BOOK ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Writer / Ryan Kennedy Photographer / Walker Photography
“30 Days to Diversity” is the culmination of two years of research by Brackett. The book is aimed at the business community,
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Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett made 707 tackles during his nine-year NFL career. Now a professional speaker and business coach, Brackett is tackling the complex conversations surrounding diversity and inclusion in his new book, “30 Days to Diversity.”
In May of 2020, Brackett drove downtown to get a haircut and witnessed firsthand what he’d already seen on social media. The protests in response to the murder of George Floyd had started peacefully, but had eventually taken a violent turn. Windows were broken, businesses were damaged, cars were set ablaze. Brackett says he knew something needed to be done. He knew someone needed to work towards educating and unifying the community, so he got to work on his book.
A
—GARY BRACKETT
The book is 30 chapters divided into Brackett’s CHAMP framework, looking at the current situation and root causes of issues, honing in on desired outcomes, applying principles to eliminate and delegate things that no longer serve a purpose, taking massive action to achieve desired outcomes, and pursuing a championship transformation and chasing the best version of ourselves.
“I wanted to address some of these loaded topics in a way where I can humanize them by sharing some of my stories,” Brackett says in the book. “The whole notion of ‘I’m colorblind and blame it on my innocence,’ I think that’s no longer viable. I think we have to open our eyes to color and see people where they are in regards to their color, in regards to their ethnicity, in regards to their religions and in regards to their gender. I think all these things are important if we’re going to truly be inclusive.”
As Brackett points out in the “30 Days to Diversity” introduction, this is not a book for the faint of heart. It bluntly discusses issues that make some people uncomfortable and that some decry as divisive topics. Issues such as critical race theory, the Black Lives Matter movement, defunding the police, and privilege, have their own chapter in the book. Rather than preaching or lecturing, Brackett calmly breaks down these topics and provides crucial history and context behind them. Many of these topics, he says, aren’t all that controversial or divisive once one understands their origins and what they’re actually about.
TownePost.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 / AVON MAGAZINE / 37 but can be helpful to anyone looking to create a more diverse and inclusive environment.
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“I TO SOME THESE LOADED TOPICS IN WAY WHERE I CAN HUMANIZE THEM BY SHARING SOME OF MY STORIES.”
“30 Days to Diversity” is a companion piece to the “30 Days to Diversity” workbook, as well as the workshop Brackett developed to help businesses handle issues of diversity and inclusion.
“30 Days to Diversity” is all about the “how.” Brackett isn’t interested in simply highlighting problems - he’s interested in finding solutions. The book is full of daily activities and actionable items to help businesses and people be more diverse and inclusive. Brackett acknowledges that he’s not going to solve centuries of racism and prejudice in 30 days, but he says “30 Days to Diversity” is an important step in the right direction.
“I think we got to try,” he says. “We got to make an attempt. I think a lot of people won’t change, and will still feel how they feel and think how they think, but a lot of people will. I think there are more of the people that will than that won’t.”
Brackett believes that most people want to do the right thing, but he says the media and bad-faith actors are contributing to the divisive atmosphere in our communities. “I think the bad guys are winning in terms of like the trash that we see online, the media, and just some of their triggering comments and things that they do,” he says. “They want us to not get along. They want us to argue and bicker over these things. Being in a community, like I am seeing these companies inside of them, they want to do well. They want to have unity and they want to know how.”
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Throughout the book, Brackett discusses how his experiences in NFL locker rooms and managing businesses taught him the value of interacting with people of different backgrounds and walks of life. He highlights the value of not just listening to others, but also actually making the effort to hear what they have to say and understand where they are coming form.
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