Boone County Magazine June 2023

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ALWAYS FRESH

Cedar Tree Kitchen Owner Cheri Goodwin Is a One-Woman Baking Show

10 CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT Zionsville Chamber of Commerce

12

TOWNIES’ SPOTLIGHT

Moody’s Butcher Shop

20

THE THIN LINE SPOTLIGHT

Whitestown Police Detective Enjoys Helping Community

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

JULIE YATES / KRYSTAL DAILEY / MATT KEATING / NATALIE PLATT

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ALWAYS FRESH

CEDAR TREE KITCHEN OWNER CHERI GOODWIN IS A ONE-WOMAN BAKING SHOW

Located in the Just Us building in Lebanon, Cedar Tree Kitchen is the perfect place to grab a muffin and a cup of coffee. However, once customers see the scrumptious-looking cupcakes, cookies, brownies and more, they

end up taking home dessert for that night. It’s the ideal job for Owner Cheri Goodwin, whose lifelong love of baking is the force behind the business.

“It’s the dream career I always wanted,”

Goodwin says. “I retired from being involved in the legal profession for years. I was a legal assistant, courtroom bailiff, and worked in private or small firms. It was time for a change. Our long-range plans were to retire to South Carolina, but then my

Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Krystal Dailey

daughter moved to Cincinnati. Since we stayed here, I wanted to do something fun. I’ve always baked. My dad was an on-the-road salesman and when he came home, he unwound by baking. I was by his side and we tried out different things. My enjoyment has continued to be baking for people, especially in times of need like a funeral, new baby or a move.”

The bakery is nestled amongst salons and a boutique. Goodwin took the bakery over from Mindy Spaulding, Just Us building owner, who has an aesthetics business there. The women have known each other for several years. Goodwin coached Spaulding when she was a high school cheerleader. Before acquiring the business, Goodwin was a

contractor and supplied the previous bakery with her delicious baked goods.

“I just love being here,” Goodwin says. “This building sat empty for five years before Mindy. People who come in always say they wondered what was in here.”

Cedar Tree Kitchen is open Wednesday through Saturday. Goodwin does the lion’s share of the baking on Tuesday as a one-woman show. Her two most popular offerings are the blueberry muffins and the rich, fudgy brownies made from her father’s secret recipe. On any given day, customers might find muffins such as chocolate zucchini, lemon, or banana nut with strudel. Cupcakes can include beautifully decorated chocolate Oreo. Goodwin loves to try innovative flavors such as a root beer float cupcake, complete with a cherry on the top, made from local Klooz Brewz root beer.

“I like to use local ingredients,” Goodwin says. “The coffee is from Julian Coffee

Roasters in Zionsville. I grind the beans every morning. During teacher appreciation week, I gave free coffee to any teacher that came in.”

For those who want to order several dozens of cookies, cupcakes and muffins, or even a cake or pie, an email can be sent to the business at cedartreekitchen@gmail.com. Three days’ notice is necessary and a deposit is required. Goodwin does have recipes for gluten-free treats, and they are available by order only.

“I enjoy being a small, independent business,” Goodwin says. “I grew up here and I know my customers, but I like to chat with those I don’t know. I love the smalltown feel.”

Cedar Tree Kitchen is located at 320 East Main Street in Lebanon. For more information and special orders, email cedartreekitchen@gmail.com. Also call 317-440-2077, visit cedartreekitchen.com, and view them on Facebook.

MOODY’s

TOWNIES’ SPOTLIGHT

TOP LOCAL

The easy transition stems from Risman always being a serious foodie. He wants to make Moody’s special and wants to titillate the consumer’s palate with new tastes and flavors. However, his goal since taking over Moody’s is just making it special, and making the customers feel like family.

Moody’s has been under new ownership for almost three years now, with Risman’s decision to acquire the company based on both timing and opportunity.

“People make the difference,” he says. “We’ve hired and developed a good team all around. In Zionsville we have a star - our store manager, Amy. She’s more than the store manager. She’s become my right arm in managing the other stores and training our team members. Customer service is also a key priority and an ongoing effort to provide the best customer service possible. We want the shopping experience to be exceptional.”

Erik Risman, chief executive officer and managing partner of Moody’s Butcher Shop, jokes that he has retired four times…and flunked retirement each time.

“It’s true,” Risman says. “I’ve been in the retail and consumer products business for more than 40 years, and have run businesses from start-up to large divisions of NYSE companies. Moody’s, however, is my first foray into perishable products, but it has been an easy transition.”

“The business needed upgrading and a cash infusion,” he says. “Its customers were loyal, but there simply were not enough of them. I had been working with Adam Moody for a couple of years and we simply structured a deal. My partners were familiar with the business and, collectively, we saw the opportunity to grow the business.

Prior to the acquisition, Risman saw many areas that could be expanded upon, from general cosmetic upgrades to better product assortment. Some of the larger and noteworthy improvements Risman has made to Moody’s in the last three years include hiring a good team, improving product quality and establishing impeccable customer service.

Visually, the Moody’s team has upgraded and updated all store locations and added one new store in Nora. Both the customer service and the store environment combine to help make an exceptional shopping experience.

“Perhaps the most noteworthy improvement is in the overall branding of the business,” Risman says. “We’ve spent a lot of time and effort in advancing the Moody’s brand, both for the stores and individual private-label products, many of which will be in the stores shortly.”

Another significant development is Moody’s foray into prepared foods. They built a production room and test kitchen in the Zionsville store and are beginning to offer a variety of prepackaged foods. These include

Writer / Natalie Platt

Photographer / Krystal Dailey

20 East Cedar Street Zionsville IN

marinated beef, pork and chicken meals that the customer can put on the grill or in the oven for an easy dinner. The goal is to make weekday dinners easy for all customers.

For Risman himself, known as the Moody’s Foodie, dinners are cooked many times in a castiron skillet. His favorite is the bavette steak, which was introduced to Moody’s customers recently. You can even find a recipe on the butcher shop’s website. Other standout recipes under the Cook’s Corner tab on the official Moody’s website include Mediterranean Baked Filet of Soled, BaconWrapped Chicken Breast with Honey-Dijon Glaze, Grilled Swordfish, and Herb Roasted Barramundi With Butter and Lemons.

Risman tries to taste everything, but admits it can be overwhelming. Anything from their production room and test kitchen goes through a rigorous tasting and sampling process that he is always a part of. He adds that product quality is essential, and is a driving force in making Moody’s the ultimate place to shop for quality meats.

Ultimately, Risman wants customers, and especially first-time customers, to know that when they walk through the door at Moody’s, they have entered a secret world of meaty delights. The experienced butchers at Moody’s break down and hand-cut the steaks, chops and more, resulting in only the most tender and flavorful beef, pork and poultry.

“We’re a full-service butcher shop and we’re here to satisfy the customer’s needs,” he says.

Find info on Moody’s Butcher Shop locations, and shop for products online like curated meat packages, at moodysbutchershop.com.

SECOND ANNUAL STORIES IN THE PARK EVENT SCHEDULED

Writer / Matt Keating

Ruth Kelly, with the Zionsville Lions Club, says the second annual Stories in the Park event will take place on Friday, June 9, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Zionsville Lions Club Park, 11053 Sycamore Street.

Kelly says the event will be fun for the whole family.

“I am the chairperson for the Zionsville Lions Club Reading Action Committee,” Kelly says. “This was a dormant committee for our club that was reactivated last year with a new mission to help people of all ages find the joys and rewards of reading. The focus this year is on young people.”

Many people enjoyed the event last year, according to Kelly.

“Last year, about 85 children attended, and the feedback was fantastic,” Kelly says. “We hope many more come this year as there will be something to delight every child. Our goal is to foster a lifelong love of reading.”

Kelly notes that there has already been excitement about the next event.

“One of our projects this year is to continue and build on the Stories in the Park event that was a big success when it was first held last year by our committee,” Kelly says. “Sue Bowron-White, a Lion, is the coordinator for this upcoming event. The idea is to have fun reading

activities for children in preschool through grade four.”

One of the events for that age group this is “If Words Could Talk.”

“We will set up tents in Zionsville Lions Park on Friday, June 9, and from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., we will have 15 different activities for the children to enjoy,” Kelly says. “There will be a puppet show, and an activity where kids can read to Clover the Dog who digs books. There will also be two different crafts and activities involving our Lion's Diabetes, Environmental and Senior Services committees. We will also have short plays and books read aloud.”

There is also Reading with your Hands, which will allow the participants to spell some simple words in Braille; and The Brick Street Poetry will also have a fun event planned.

“Creekstompers and Zionsville Parks and Recreation will also have a touch table,” Kelly says.

Kelly added that the popular HMMPL Bookmobile will be on site to allow library members to check out books, and the Indy Book Project will provide each participant with a free book to take home with them.

“There is truly something for every child,” Kelly says. “In the event

of rain, we will move the event to Tuesday, June 13 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. We have expanded the number of activities this year by popular request. Our hope is to give many more children the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of reading. We hope that parents and grandparents will bring their little ones to this free event. The Zionsville Lions Club, Inc is proud to be a part of our community effort to inspire our children to create their own life stories by reading about experiences that others have shared through books.”

For more information, contact Ruth Kelly at ruthkelly1949@gmail.com.

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Detective Dio Hernandez with the Whitestown Police Department strives to make his community a safer place to live. Even though he has had to face some tough cases, he still maintains a positive attitude.

“I am attached to the Boone County Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation Task Force,” Hernandez says. “Our primary focus is the investigation of crimes against children.”

Hernandez has had some investigations he won't forget.

“One case involved a young woman that was sexually assaulted by an unknown service provider,” he says. “My partner and I stayed up for over 48 hours, and we were able to

THE THIN LINE SPOTLIGHT

WHITESTOWN POLICE DETECTIVE ENJOYS HELPING COMMUNITY

bring the perpetrator to justice as well as provide support services for the victim.”

Another case involved the theft of over 40 vehicles from a rental company.

“Even though we were able to identify a possible suspect, we were not successful in proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the person actually committed the crimes,” Hernandez says. “However, we were successful in recovering over 30 of the stolen vehicles.”

PUBLIC SERVICE CAREER

Hernandez started his public service career in 1995 as an EMT in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“I continued with my EMS career after relocating to Northeastern Indiana,” Hernandez says. “In 2001, I started my law

enforcement career as a Reserve Deputy for the Adams County Sheriff Department. I eventually became a full-time deputy. I have also served as Town Marshall for the Town of Monroe, Indiana, a Detective Sergeant for the Indianapolis Airport Police, and a Scholl Resource Officer for the Brownsburg Community Schools.”

BEING SAFER

Hernandez says there are steps people in the Whitestown community can take to be safer and look out for their neighbors. He has some suggestions on how people can help in crime prevention and be safe.

“Trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings,” he says. “If it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t. Also, call the police, you are not bothering us. We are here for

Writer / Matt Keating

you and are literally waiting for your call. If we don’t know about it, we cannot help.”

Hernandez also suggests getting to know your neighbors.

“Also, lock your doors, because criminals are often looking for the easy score,” he says. “You should also remove items of value from your vehicles. If you are going on vacation, you should take advantage of your local police department’s vacation watch program. It also helps to become educated about phone and internet scams.

FAMILY MAN

When he isn’t working, Hernandez loves to spend time with his family.

“I want to recognize my family; without their support I could not be an effective Public Servant,” he says. “My wife of 26 years, Ruth, is an Operations Manager at the Indianapolis International Airport and

together with our two daughters, Brittany and Bethany, she has been my biggest cheerleader and influence. If you don’t see us out and about in the community or at the early service at Traders Point Church, it’s because we are at Disney World, or at a nearby state park camping.”

POSITIVE COMMUNITY

Hernandez says it’s truly a pleasure to work for the Whitestown community.

“A successful and effective police department cannot exist without the assistance and guidance from the community, and a safe community requires involvement from its citizens,” Hernandez says. “We need you to continue to be our eyes and ears, as you are in a better position to identify the things that may be wrong. Let us know how we can be of service, and do not hesitate to say hello when you see us out and about.”