Noel Terry-Thimlar grew up in the pool industry. Harmony Pools is a family business with 160-plus years of combined experience among the staff members, most of whom are family members.
As a third-generation family business, Harmony Pools opened their first retail store in May of 2022 in Zionsville - a location that makes sense to the family.
“My husband, Gabe Thimlar, is a Zionsville High School graduate and has lived in the community,” Terry-Thimlar says. “We lived and worked in Zionsville before moving to Lebanon. We love Boone County and have a heart for this community.”
Harmony Pools makes donations to local community charities on a quarterly basis and is always willing to help with community support. It’s important to the business that Boone County and Zionsville residents have opportunities to gain insight and education from Harmony Pools, and to make sure they can “swim in harmony” - ensuring every swimming pool experience is a good one.
With the addition of the store, Harmony
Pools is expanding beyond their current pool maintenance packages (testing water chemistry, inspecting equipment, as well as clearing and cleaning out debris and water) and custom-built swimming pools with retail items you might not expect when you walk into a pool store. The retail store offers bath salts, handcrafted loofah soap, greeting cards, and a signature Handcrafted by Harmony collection of soaps and candles. Online ordering for in-store pickup or delivery is available and right now, and Harmony Pools is offering free delivery on orders over $100 until June 1.
Terry-Thimlar notes that pool owners should always be proactive and not reactive. Customers can schedule services online via the customer portal, where you can request, pay and shop all in one place. Once spring and summer passes, she encourages clients to continue checking on their pool, even if it’s cold out. Harmony Pools offers a winter maintenance program for those who might travel to warmer climates during the winter, and the team suggests stocking up on pool floats, supplies and other items from the retail store during their December super sale.
“We have had a huge outreach from the community for our services, and we’re hiring,” Terry-Thimlar says. “We need more
people to fulfill the demand from the surrounding area. We are working very hard to make sure Zionsville and our communities are well-maintained and taken care of. We feel that we are all family at Harmony Pools and will always help our clients find what they need.”
Although Harmony Pools has been open since last May, there will be a grand opening with the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce on Monday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m.
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3
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT™ Harmony Pools
6 THE THIN LINE SPOTLIGHT Boone County Sheriff Tony Harris
9 FLAVOR FORWARD Verde Flavors of Mexico Opens Zionsville Location
14 HECK OF A RIDE Meet 2022-2023 Indiana High School Rodeo Queen Emilia Lane
16 FULL BLOOM Mount’s Flowers is Still Your One-Stop, Full-Service Florist Since 1946
18
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT™ Nicholson Orthodontics
24 FOUNDATIONAL MISSION Community Foundation of Boone County Releases Annual Report and New Interactive Feature
25
WHEEL MAN Tony Stewart Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
28
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT™ Zionsville Chamber of Commerce
30
TOWNIES’ TOP LOCAL Award Recipient
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
ALLI DONOVAN / JULIE YATES KRYSTAL DAILEY / MATT KEATING / MELISSA GIBSON NATALIE PLATT / TAYLER BICANDI MEDIA
FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT franchising.townepost.com
2023 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Check out the new Zionsville Farmers Market (ZFM) website for info on special events and vendors at zionsvillefarmersmarket.org.
Market dates are Saturdays from May 20 to September 30, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. No market on September 9 due to the Fall Festival parade.
The market’s location on Zionsville’s historic Main Street bricks continues to be a huge success for our vendors and community, and you will find us there again this year, between Pine and Hawthorne streets.
We have many returning vendor favorites and a few exciting new ones, for a total of 42 amazing, local produce and food vendors.
We will host monthly special events (including a giveaway and kids crafts) and a variety of weekly activities at our dedicated event booth space. Follow ZFM on Instagram and Facebook, or check out our events calendar on our website, for weekly event details.
Mark your calendar for these special events:
DATE TBD
Come celebrate our new water fountain at the market with water-themed activities and crafts, as well as a water-bottle giveaway.
JULY 29
Come to the market to get free, freshly grilled sweet corn. Head over to the Palette Art Center patio to do corn-themed crafts.
AUGUST 12
Come help us celebrate National Farmers Market week with farm-themed activities and crafts.
SEPTEMBER 16
Fall is in the air! Come paint a pumpkin and celebrate all things fall.
We are proud to announce that we were the recipient of a Boone County Solid Waste Management District grant. This grant will allow us, in partnership with the Town of Zionsville, to install a water fountain and bottle filling station on Main Street. In celebration of this new water fountain, we plan to give away ZFM-branded water bottles on Green Day.
Check out our market booth for new ZFM swag, including new “punny” shirts, like the community favorite, “GIVE PEAS A CHANCE” and, new this year, “EVERY DAY I’M BRUSSELIN’.” We will also be offering ZFM-branded, reusable tote bags, bags and water bottles.
We will continue our commitment to being environmentally friendly with our Bring Your Bag to Market giveaway. Come by the market booth each weekend to get your raffle ticket, to win a beautiful fresh-flower bouquet for bringing your reusable bag.
The ZFM mascot Cornelius, a lovable little corn stuffy, will be hidden somewhere in the market each weekend for kiddos to seek and find. Sticker prizes for locating Cornelius will be given out at the market booth.
Volunteers are needed. Three volunteers are needed for each of our two shifts every market day. Sign up on our website and invite a friend, neighbor or kiddo (great volunteer credit!). Hours are Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. to noon.
The Zionsville Farmers Market is honored to be presented with the Community Service Award by the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce. We are grateful for our community, and thrilled to continue to invest in one of the many things that make our community so special - our Farmers Market!
Tony Harris, the new sheriff at the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, has an inspiring message in his emails.
It reads, “In God We Trust. Man can live about 40 days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope.”
Harris is a hopeful man, and he has an optimistic view of the future. It’s an upbeat outlook he has had for many years, and one that has helped him in his career in law enforcement.
“I was first hired by [former Boone County Sheriff] Ern Hudson on January 16, 1995,”
Harris says. “I spent my first 15 years on the road in Enforcement Division serving as deputy, and then I was promoted to sergeant under the [former Boone County Sheriff] Dennis Brannon administration.”
For 13 of those 15 years, Harris worked the 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift, and says he absolutely loved it.
“In the afternoons, between 62 to 70% of all the calls we receive are for service in the county,” Harris says. “During this time I also served on the Boone County special response team, which is a multiagency team composed then by the Lebanon Police Department, Zionsville Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office. Since then, they have added Whitestown Police Department.”
Harris spent a total of 19 years on the team, serving as operator, entry team leader, assistant team leader and team commander.
“Under the [Boone County Sheriff Ken]
Campbell administration, I was promoted to captain, which at the time oversaw the Enforcement Division,” Harris says. “Under the [Boone County Sheriff Mike] Nielsen administration, I was promoted to chief deputy and held the ranks of major and then colonel.”
Harris has a positive view of the future.
“We must be proactive,” he says. “If this county becomes reactive, we will have a problem. As soon as I took office we made several changes.”
Harris assigned a deputy to the Drug Task Force to further combat the drugs coming in and out of the county.
“We also reassigned a deputy to the Gun Crime Task Force to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” Harris says. “Both these task forces deal with drugs as well, and the intel we receive from both is invaluable to enforcement and investigations.”
Harris also added another school resource officer to the schools in Boone County, which covers Western Boone and Zionsville.
“This deputy will move between schools constantly or be assigned to a school where there could be a potential problem,” Harris says. “We also have investigators assigned to Internet Crimes Against Children, or ICAC. This team is made up of officers and deputies inside our county, and they track and arrest the predators who are taking advantage of our children on the internet and social media. They were averaging about one warrant a week, and had a week where they served two in the same week. This has become an endless problem in our society and we intend to get ahead of it.”
Harris notes that there is also a population growth in Boone County, which must be addressed.
“We are the second-fastest-growing county in the state, and only just behind Hamilton
County,” he says. “It is my thought process that once Westfield slows from building and growth, we will then become the fastest-growing county in the state. Again, we must continue to be proactive with law enforcement throughout Boone County.”
Harris says there are measures citizens can take to keep their communities safer and help the police.
“There is an old saying that still rings true today,” Harris says. “It goes, ‘If you see something, say something.’ We have had a lot of crimes solved because a citizen has come to us with information that was a must for us to be able to move forward. The people of this county are great. So many times I hear people on the street say things like, ‘We support you,’ or, ‘I have your back.’ This truly keeps us going. Continue to thank those men and women out there serving as first responders. It makes our day.”
Harris adds that his family has always been
a huge help to him. “Without my wife and kids’ support, I could not do this job,” he says. “They are the ones who make the sacrifice as I get to live out my dream.”
Harris is also proud of the officers and staff working for the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
“We must make sure we are taking care of our employees and supporting them,” he says. “If we take care of our employees, they will take care of the rest. I’m not sure everyone is aware that the Sheriff's Office employs over 100 people. Inside the Sheriff’s Office, you have the Enforcement Division, Investigations Division, School Resource Office Division, Corrections Division, Communications Division and the Courthouse Division. Boone County can be proud of their law enforcement throughout the county. We have some truly talented people that love their jobs. I’m just honored that I get to be a part of it all.”
VERDE FLAVORS OF MEXICO OPENS ZIONSVILLE LOCATION
Writer / Julie Yates
Photographer / Krystal Dailey
The recently opened Verde Flavors of Mexico restaurant, located at the southeast corner of 146th Street and North Michigan Road in Zionsville, gets its inspiration from the hometown of Co-owner and Operator Paul Arechiga. Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco, is known for its great food and vibrant art scene. It is also the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila. The Arechiga family left the city in 2003, but loves to share its rich culture through their collective restaurants.
Arechiga Restaurant Group not only includes Verde Flavors of Mexico, but other Midwest restaurants such as El Jefe, Hacienda Real, Los Agaves and Salsa Verde. Each restaurant brand has its own distinct character, ranging from fast casual to seafood. The many members of the Arechiga family all help and support each other in their endeavors.
Paul Arechiga settled in the Indianapolis area in 2009. After working and gaining experience in the restaurant industry, he opened his first restaurant in Fishers. His newest Verde Flavors of Mexico restaurant is situated within the mixed-use development of Appaloosa Crossing, and joins the existing Carmel and Ironworks locations.
“We have had our eye on Zionsville for years,” he says. “We were fortunate to be perceived as a leader in our industry, and the developers of Appaloosa Crossing sought us out and said they would love to have us. When we first looked at it, all we saw was literally just dirt. They showed us drawings and renderings, and we thought it would be the perfect space.”
“It is the farthest location we have from Indianapolis, but we
scouted out the area and could tell there was a big need for a high-end restaurant,” Arechiga continues. “People from the Zionsville area were driving to the Ironworks location. A local place was needed to celebrate special occasions such as anniversaries, graduations or even a special date night.”
The interior of the restaurant has an upscale vibe, but with its two big glass garage doors, the line between inside and outside dining spaces is blurred. The resulting patio sensibility gives patrons the feeling of being on vacation. Plus, the outdoor seating helps to almost double the capacity.
Dishes served are based on traditional Guadalajara recipes, but are elevated beyond what is usually offered in a Mexican restaurant. Even the cocktails are eye-catching as well as refreshing. Since the state of Jalisco borders the coast, seafood is represented on the menu.
“We know that you can get tacos anywhere, so we work with family recipes but give them a modern presentation,” Arechiga says. “We focus on consistency. The food from Guadalajara is already numberone in our opinion, and that’s where we get our inspiration.”
When asked what his personal favorites are, Arechiga doesn’t hesitate in naming the pulpo, or octopus. It is served chargrilled with veggies, rice and asparagus. Another favorite is Ostiones Rock a Verde, which is the restaurant’s version of oysters Rockefeller. Arechiga says the toasted crumbs and cheese make the dish special. However, he enjoys the beef entrées as well.
The Carne Asada is another one of his picks. It is marinated, open-grilled skirt steak served with rice, beans, onions and cactus. Arechiga especially recommends ordering Molcajete for the table, or if someone has a big appetite, for their self. It is a variety of proteins flamboyantly served in a bursting hot lava rock. Included are grilled steak, chicken, shrimp and chorizo. Condiments include ranchera salsa and onion. Cactus, rice and beans are part of the
entrée as well.
The menu is extensive, from appetizers to desserts. Salads and soups, including Pozole made with pork, hominy and red chiles, are included. There is an incredible selection of countless brands of tequila, and many specialty margaritas and inventive cocktails to choose from.
Extremely popular is Clase Azul tequila, which is currently having a moment of fame. Its recognizable blue and white porcelain container is hand painted. Known for its balance, body and flavor, it is a favorite with the Arechiga family. When the top of its bottle is sawed off and the rough edges are sanded, it can be upcycled into a margarita glass.
“We want to give customers a wonderful experience,” Arechiga says. “I can’t tell you how excited we are, and motivated by the response we have gotten so far. We have had so many compliments on both the interior of the restaurant and the food on social media. We feel embraced and welcome in Zionsville. We rarely slow down, but every now and then we take a rare look back at what is going on. We are so gratified when we see
our customers truly enjoying our food and the atmosphere of our restaurant.”
Verde Flavors of Mexico is located at 3221 South U.S. Highway 421 in Zionsville. For more info, call 317-344-2030 or visit verdeflavorsofmexico.com. Also visit them on Facebook and Instagram. 1/4
Expansive 10,000+ sq. ft. luxury home in the Waterfront of West Clay’s gated section features a 9-car garage for the enthusiast/ collector. Entertainer’s kitchen large enough for staff or the adventurous chef. Wood coffered ceiling compliments statement pendants and expansive island plus gracious dining room. A glass elevator lifts you to the wood beamed upper-level balcony overlooking the indoor/outdoor basketball court. Stately primary suite and expansive bath featuring standalone tub and separate vanities. Additional living area with separate entry features a full kitchen and bath. Expansive outdoor living at its best. Listed at $3.6 million.
Photography Provided by Tayler Bicandi Media
Meet Emilia Lane.
A Zionsville Community High School senior. A longtime rodeo athlete. And the 2022-2023 Indiana High School Rodeo Queen.
Lane has been in the sport for as long as she can remember. With a father who grew up on a cattle farm, it was a natural fit that she would grow up doing rodeos. She competes in the Indiana High School Rodeo Association (IHSRA) with other athletes across the state.
The IHSRA is a youth organization developed to strengthen the sport of rodeo. Open to grades nine through 12, high schoolers compete across Indiana, as well as Kentucky and Ohio, in events such as team roping, reined cow horse, light rifle, trap shooting, breakaway roping, bareback riding and many more.
Established in 1973, the association’s primary purpose is to keep the Western heritage alive in America and Indiana.
Indiana is a member of the National High School Rodeo Association, and throughout the year athletes will compete in rodeos to work towards the state finals. If participants place in the top four in their events, they’ll move on to nationals, which include rodeo teams from every single state plus areas of Canada, Mexico and even Australia.
Lane has gone to nationals the last three years.
In June of 2022 she won the Indiana High School Rodeo Queen title.
“Being queen of this association is incredibly important,” she says. “It’s being an ambassador. I have the opportunity to show the best example of rodeo-ship and the sportsmanship that comes along with it.”
Lane has many responsibilities as queen this year. In addition to competing at all the rodeos within the season, she must interact with crowds, collect sponsorships, generate funds for the association such as raffle drawings, and lead grand entries. She will then compete in team roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping.
“One of my very favorite parts about being the Indiana High School Rodeo Queen is the opportunity to give back to the sport that has given so much to me,” Lane says. “Being a good example to the future rodeo generation to come has been so fun and important to me.”
Upon graduating and completing her year-long service as queen, Lane will begin college in the fall at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. She will major in advertising communications
and broadcasting. She will also continue to rodeo at the school in the Bobcat rodeo team.
13 and 14 at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds. This rodeo will host both high school athletes and alumni. The event will start at 6:45 p.m. Admission is $5 per
Longstanding Lebanon-business, Mount’s Flowers, has been a staple in the town since the 1940s. John and Mary Mount opened their hometown floral shop in April of 1946. The goal of the store was to be a place ‘where a thought can be delivered.’
The shop was operating for over 30 years before Lana Hale started working in the store post-graduation in 1980. It was in November of 1985 that Hale and her mother purchased the shop from the Mount family and grew it into the store it is today.
“I love seeing people shop local,” Hale says. “We want to have different and unique items in our store that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Mount’s Flowers is a full-
beautiful floral arrangements and gifts to the Boone County area. With a large inventory of fresh flowers, the store can provide arrangements for any occasion. Gift items, silk service, fresh wreaths and garland and blooming plants are also on the extensive list of services that Mount’s Flowers provides.
One of the store’s biggest sellers are wedding flowers. As a full-service store, Mount’s Flowers can provide every floral aspect for the wedding as needed. From bridesmaid bouquets to centerpieces and everything in between, Lana and her team are prepared to get the bride exactly what is needed for her big day.
“I tell all our brides – ‘Once you get engaged, choose your date,
and know you want to use us for flowers, get on our calendar.’ We have a save the date calendar that we keep track of all our dates and give the brides the time they deserve,” Hale says.
Once a bride is on the save-the-date calendar at Mount’s Flowers, the fun begins. A meeting will be set up between Hale and the bride to discuss everything the bride envisions. During peak wedding season, Mount’s Flowers typically handles one to two weddings per weekend. As a bride meets with Mount’s Flowers to plan the event, the team tries to get as much information in one or two meetings.
“I know everyone’s time is so valuable, so we try to get as much done and covered in a couple of meetings, so it is one less thing for
Writer / Alli Donovan Photographer / Krystal Daileyweekend arrives, they will then be delivered to the wedding venue or available for pickup, depending on the request.
No matter if it’s wedding season or holiday season or anytime in-between, Mount’s Flowers stays consistently busy. Hale contributes much of the business success to the team that is working. Typically, customers will always see at least two floral designers and a store clerk in the store, plus Hale or her mother.
“Our team is great at what they do. They’re polite, they’re friendly. They take great care of us, and we try to take great care of them,” Hale says.
Mount’s Flowers is located on 226 N. Lebanon Street in Lebanon, Indiana. To place an order, visit mountsflowers.com or call 765-482-1130. To inquire about wedding flowers, reach out to Lana Hale via email at mountsflowers@yahoo.com.
Since 1982, Dr. James Nicholson has been practicing orthodontics.
We might not think of our first trip to the orthodontist as one of our favorite days, but over the years, developments in the industry and in Dr. Nicholson’s personal practice have truly reinvented the experience.
Dr. Nick Brassard joined the team in January 2022. Like Dr. Nicholson, his relationship with patients is what’s most important.
NICHOLSON
MORE THAN 40
“I’ve always enjoyed the social aspect of what we do. We have an opportunity to meaningfully connect with the people we serve and impact the way they feel about themselves and their smiles. My own positive experiences with the dentist and orthodontist growing up were a significant influence,” Dr. Brassard said. “Those experiences helped form the way I practice and a greater desire to be part of this special community.”
Always on the cutting edge, Dr. Nicholson recalls the many changes he’s seen over the
decades to the materials and appliances used in orthodontics. Bonded brackets, for example, were introduced early in his career and were easier to apply, easier to clean, and more comfortable for the patient.
Orthodontics isn’t what it used to be. Remember the process for braces in the 1980’s and 90’s?
“Seven or eight years ago, we gave up impressions for digital scanning. I think that’s the single best thing from a patient perspective. It’s a completely different
experience from the old impressions,” Dr. Nicholson said.
“Most patients want to avoid the unpleasant process of taking an impression. It can be very messy and requires several extra steps before we have a useable stone model,” Dr. Brassard said. “Today, we can simply create a digital rendering of your teeth and bite, and our 3D printer can generate a physical model if needed. There has been a massive evolution in the profession over the last couple decades and Dr. Nicholson stands out with how well he’s adapted to
the technology over that time. It’s a much better experience for the patient.”
In addition, new software allows the orthodontist to discuss options and capabilities with the patient and their family, simulating the movement of certain teeth on the computer and creating a visual treatment plan.
Aside from the technology advances, other changes can be seen at Nicholson Orthodontics.
This year, staff moved into a new Zionsville office, directly behind the original location.
“I’VE
“This is four years in the making. I worked with a designer, Joyce Matlack. She’s designed well over 600 orthodontic offices and was instrumental in the final product. Once we had our design, the experience and quality of contractor Paul Kite and Strongbox ultimately made this dream a reality,” Dr. Nicholson said.
WE DO. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEANINGFULLY CONNECT WITH THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND IMPACT THE WAY THEY FEEL ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR SMILES."
— DR. NICK BRASSARDThe new office has many great features including open space in the waiting room, a separate consultation area, and glass dividers in the clinic to give patients a bit more privacy. It also has a premium HVAC system that maximizes clean air throughout the facility.
The new space is perfect and a reflection of Dr. Nicholson’s 10-year-old sketches and dreams, but most of all, it’s the connection to the patients that makes all the difference.
This spring, Nicholson Orthodontics welcomed their first, fourth-generation patient.
“I’ve seen three generations with daughter, mother and grandmother usually goes last. Now we have a great-granddaughter,” Dr. Nicholson said. “You form a bond with these families. It’s very humbling and a satisfying part of what we do every day. I
ALWAYS ENJOYED THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF WHAT
love that I’ve had the opportunity to serve in this way.”
However, it’s not just the young teens you’ll find in the orthodontist chair anymore.
“I think more and more, we’re seeing adult patients in the orthodontic practice,” Dr. Brassard said. “Sometimes it’s a parent who is finally getting their turn, or maybe they had treatment in the past and have had some shifting they want taken care of.”
Adults are more inclined to look into orthodontic treatment as ceramic brackets, clear aligners, which make treatment easier, and other aesthetically pleasing variations have come on to the market.
Dr. Nicholson’s staff has been an integral part of the success as well.
“We have a great staff to work with. My office manager has been with me for 42 years. I believe in empowering your staff and we need everyone,” Nicholson said. “They feel the partnership in the practice and they have influence and control and input. We work together as a team.”
Speaking of partnerships, Dr. Nicholson said Dr. Brassard’s involvement was a
surprise, but fits perfectly.
“My office was the busiest it’s ever been and for the first time, it needed more of me than I wanted to give. God knew I needed help before I knew it so when I met Dr. Brassard, let’s just say it was perfect timing. I like him more and more every day,” Dr. Nicholson said. “He’s great with people, great with the staff and is a critical thinker. I’ve had to allow new ways and he’s adapted to some of my ways. We have a mutual respect – always growing and developing.”
The partnering doctors plan to rebrand their practice in the near future but will continue
providing the same quality of care and focus on relationships.
As Dr. Nicholson begins to look back, he has four children who all graduated from Zionsville High School, seven grandchildren and has become a part of the community he always wanted.
Dr. Brassard and his wife live in Zionsville with their two young children and are excited to continue the same tradition that’s been established.
“We all work hard to do our best and contribute to the community. It’s a
wonderful feeling to run into patients at the grocery store, hardware store or local restaurant,” Dr. Nicholson said. “A lot of people don’t have the opportunity to say 40 years ago I wanted to do that and it turns out, that’s exactly what I did.”
Nicholson Orthodontics has two locations. The new building is at 95 E. Oak St. Suite B in Zionsville or visit 1911 N. Lebanon St. in Lebanon. The Zionsville location is home of “The Brace Bus.” The service can take your child to and from Zionsville Schools for their appointments. For more information, visit https://www.drnicholson.com/.
"WE ALL WORK HARD TO DO OUR BEST AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY. IT’S A WONDERFUL FEELING TO RUN INTO PATIENTS AT THE GROCERY STORE, HARDWARE STORE OR LOCAL RESTAURANT."
— DR. JAMES NICHOLSON
The Community Foundation of Boone County recently debuted their 2022 Annual Report, which is now interactive. The mission with the new feature is to connect local donors with local philanthropy. The tool also allows the foundation to appeal to a larger footprint while engaging new and old donors alike.
“This project was part of a three-year vision we laid out to not only boost brand amplification, but grow our digital platform,” says Jodi Gietl, president and CEO of the foundation. “When I came on board three years ago, we began with a goal of increasing awareness of the community foundation and the amazing work they do for Boone County.”
That initiative included print media, social media and a strong digital presence. Julie Reagan, vice president of advancement, listened closely and made the plan come to life.
“Julie not only increased our print and social media campaigns tenfold, but takes on the arduous task of getting an annual report into the hands of our donors, stakeholders and difference makers the first quarter of each year,” Gietl says.
Gietl also notes that Reagan tackled a complete overhaul of the foundation website by partnering with Circle City Digital.
“The third and final piece of the initiative puzzle was to combine the two items - our annual report and our new website - into an interactive annual report that captures the minds and hearts of Boone County,” Gietl
says. “It allows us to thank our donors and our community for all that they do in linking arms with us to make a difference right here at home.”
Gietl says being able to digitally and visually showcase the impact the foundation has made with the funds entrusted to them was important, and helps paint the picture of the growing unmet needs in Boone County. She asks community members to hop on board to help them solve local needs with local resources.
“Telling our story to both a print and digital audience allows us to captivate an audience from 15 years old to 95 years old and everyone in between,” she says. “Boone County is a beautiful cacophony of upscale urban areas, surrounded by a rich agricultural heritage and economy. Our dream is to capture this diversity and help connect our entire county through philanthropy. Digitally reaching a wide range of donors exposes them to the even wider range of needs right here at home.”
The Community Foundation of Boone County has a rich history of keeping all four corners involved in the philanthropic landscape of the county.
“With a diverse representation of all six municipalities, women and men, young and old, our board of directors spans a wide range of professional disciplines from accounting, agriculture, education, engineering, finance, fundraising, human resources, legal, marketing, medical, public service, science and
technology,” Gietl says.
2023 brings five new members to the board of directors including Angie Leary, Chad Perdue, Sarah Prince, Jess Stokely and David Yaraschefski. Gietl notes that blending their disciplines with the already talented board allows the foundation to address unmet local needs including funding for mental health, those living with disabilities and the growing elderly population.
“In the last year, I am most proud of our teamwork and collaboration across our entire county,” Gietl says. “In the roller coaster economy of 2022, the Community Foundation of Boone County remained resolute in awarding over $1.2 million in grants to help our more than 175 nonprofits achieve their purpose and fulfill their mission of addressing local needs. From homelessness to food insecurity, domestic violence to illiteracy, economic disparity to mental health education, and animals to art, we do our work for the 76,000 residents of Boone County, from our smallest town of Advance in the west to our largest town of Zionsville in the east, and every square mile of farmland and neighborhood in between - all four corners of this great county. We do it each and every day, for our most vulnerable youth all the way to our beloved seniors citizens, right here at home.”
You can find out more about the Community Foundation of Boone County online at communityfoundationbc.org.
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 Leah’s car from scratch.
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.”
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.
The 38th Annual Brick Street Market is Saturday, May 6th, 2023 from 10 am to 4 pm. Visitors can stroll through arts, crafts and food booths set up on Zionsville’s historic brick Main Street, while browsing unique Village shops and restaurants. We carefully select
vendors offering only handcrafted and handmade items for this show, so that you are certain your finds are one of a kind! Tickets are not required for this event.
To be considered, your business must be nominated by someone other than the owner(s) of the business. Those with the most nominations will be considered before others, so make sure you get your most loyal local fans to nominate your business. When being considered, Towne Post Network editorial staff will review the following criteria to insure these qualifications are met:
We are looking for your favorite local businesses to feature in our Towne Post Network magazines, website, and social media. Each month, we will acknowledge Townies’ Top Local Award recipients and list them in our monthly print publications. There is no cost to be recognized, we’re just looking for the businesses that locals feel are the best!
Online Ranking 4.5 Stars or Higher
Listing on TownePost.com
Supports Local Charities
Locally Owned
OWNER: Partnership
ADDRESS: 20 East Cedar Street
Zionsville IN 46077
WEBSITE:
MoodysButcherShop.com
RATING:
Google 4.7 (130) / Facebook 4.5 (66)
Walk through Moody’s doors and you have entered a secret world of meaty delights. At Moody’s Butcher Shops we’re just as enthusiastic about food as you are. We are committed to quality; we source only the best-quality fresh meat and poultry that’s available to the market. And we labor to make sure that everything we cut, smoke, and create is top-quality — the kind of quality that you can really taste.
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