JUNE 2021
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HONORING 75 YEARS Matthews Mortuary Celebrates 75 Years of Service RIB FEST RETURNS
Rib Fest Moves to Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds
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H on or in g 75 Ye ar s: Matth ews Mor tu ar y Ce le b rate s 75 Ye ar s of S e r vice Rib Fe st Re tu r n s: Rib Fe st Move s to H e ndri cks Cou n ty 4-H Fairg rou n d s Me al Plan : Local Par tn e r sh ip Aid s H e n d ri cks Cou n ty S e n ior s Min d for Ch an g e : For me r Colts Ch amp Ben U te ch t Raise s B rain In ju r y Aware n e ss Diffe re n t Dad s, Diffe re n t G ifts: Fath e r ’s Day G iftin g Doe sn ’ t H ave to B e a Ch alle n g e H ow to G e t B ack on You r Fe e t Afte r a B one Fractu re Le ad e r s in Le ar n in g : New B ook De tails B rown sb u rg ’s S u cce ssfu l S ch ool Distr ict Le ad e r sh ip Tip s for Max imizin g You r G arag e S p ace B u sin e ss S p otlig h t: Ku mon Math & Re ad i ng Ce n te r of B rown sb u rg
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HONORING 75 YEARS Matthews Mortuary Celebrates 75 Years of Service Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne
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D
uring high school, Keith Matthews didn’t earn extra bucks as a soda jerk in the local drugstore. Instead, he worked at a funeral home. After high school, he attended Central Normal College in Danville before going to mortuary school. When World War II broke out at the end of his mortuary schooling, his instructors graduated the class, gave them licenses, and said, “Off to war you go,” according to Keith’s son Steven. Keith came back after four years in the Pacific, and went back to work at the funeral home where he had been working prior to the war. While there, he met Roy Jones of Pittsboro, and the two men decided to open their own mortuary in Brownsburg. In June of 1946, the pair bought the undertaker establishment of Evans & Webb, which operated out of a storefront location on 8 East Main Street. “No funerals were held in that store,” Steven says. “Back then, funerals were in homes or churches.” Roy and Keith, both 24, purchased a twostory house at 402 East Main Street, which at that time was owned by the Brownsburg American Legion. The week Steven was born, Jones and Matthews Mortuary opened, making the pair the youngest funeral directors in the state of Indiana to own their own funeral home. For a short time after opening, Keith and Roy also ran a clothing store in Brownsburg, but it was too difficult to sustain both businesses so they chose to focus on the mortuary. Both men and their families lived above the funeral home. This included Keith and his wife, Steven and his brother, as well as Roy and his wife. When both wives became pregnant there simply wasn’t enough room, so Roy’s family bought a house across the street. “Our family continued to live above the funeral home until I was 10,” says Steven, who always planned to attend mortuary school and help his father with the business.
Life played on repeat when, after graduating from Wabash College, Steven was drafted into the Army and served two years, mostly in Germany. When he got out of the service in 1970, he officially started working with his dad and began mortuary college.
All three men - Keith, Steven and Jason got into the profession because, as Jason says, they have “a respect for the deceased and want to care for the living.” Plus, they enjoy providing a service for those in their community - a community the Matthews family has been part of for decades.
Steven’s son Jason’s journey is a somewhat different story.
“It used to be that we knew every family we served,” says Steven, noting that when his dad started the business 75 years ago, the population of Brownsburg was 1,200. “As a kid, we knew everybody’s license plate numbers.”
“In high school, I was convinced that this was the last thing I was going to do,” says Jason, who had aspirations of becoming a teacher.
He had a change of heart, however, during his Through the years Matthews Mortuary sophomore year at Ball State, when one of his expanded several times. In 1952, Keith high school friends died suddenly. and Roy added a chapel onto the west side, then enclosed the front. Once Steven “That was a turning point for me because returned from military service, they put I came back here to attend services at a garage on the back, bought a house Matthews Mortuary and got to see what next door, tore it down, and added more my dad and granddad did, and what their chapel space on the other side. After three service meant for people,” Jason says. “That major add-ons, they eventually outgrew changed my path.” the building. In 2002, after 56 years at Though he still graduated with a teaching degree and briefly taught elementary school in Brownsburg, he went to mortuary school and got licensed in 1996. He’s been part of the family business ever since, making it a three-generation business. 6 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com
“None of our work is virtual,” Steve says. “It’s all hands-on.” Restrictions on crowd capacity often made funerals impossible for a period of time. In those instances, only immediate family could bury their loved ones. “The pandemic was rough to say the least,” Jason says. “More so for those who were grieving since they were dealing with the pandemic plus the loss of a loved one.”
the Main Street location, they bought a two-acre lot at Northfield Drive and 56th Street, and built a 12,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that includes large visitation rooms, a casket selection room, a public lounge, chapels and a flower room. The Main Street location was sold to Mowery Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, before changing hands again. The space is now occupied by the Brownsburg Parks Department. Matthews Mortuary has now been around for 75 years, making it one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Brownsburg. Steven attributes the longevity to a commitment to personal service. They take calls 24/7, because they do not use an answering service. During business hours, the entire mortuary staff answers the phone as needed. After normal hours, Steve, Jason, or Steve’s wife Karen usually answer the phone.
death calls in the middle of dinner. They’ve helped with funerals. My 17-year-old son has done a removal with me of a deceased. It’s truly a family business in that regard.” His 15-year-old daughter has expressed an interest in perhaps continuing the family tradition. “She has commented that she thinks she would enjoy this line of work,” Jason says. “Both my kids have the compassion necessary to do this job well.” For the past 30 years Steven, who has degrees in psychology and biology, has spread his knowledge to other generations as a guest speaker at Brownsburg High School, talking to psychology classes about the grief process. When COVID-19 entered our lives, much of the country went into lockdown and began working from home. Such was not the case for mortuaries, however.
“You have to be involved in the day-to-day operation,” Steven says. “You can’t run your business without being part of it.” At age 75, Steven no longer does many removals at 2 a.m., but he still answers the phone and dispatches the younger on-call funeral directors. The mortuary business typically runs 24/7 with no holidays or weekends off. “The phrase ‘TGIF’ never comes out of our mouths,” Jason says. “My kids hear me take TownePost.com / JUNE 2021 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 7
He recalls a young person who died of a heart attack early on in the pandemic, which was difficult to navigate because there were so many unknowns at that point. “We did our best to provide comfort for the family, but the stress level for everybody involved was exponentially higher than it probably ever has been,” Jason says. Families held small private funerals, and later held memorial services and celebrations of life when more people could come. “The best return we get is when we are out at the grocery store or a sporting event, and somebody comes up and thanks us for the service we did for their loved one,” Steven says. “That’s really special.” Matthews Mortuary is located at 690 East 56th Street in Brownsburg. For more information, call 317-852-4296 or visit matthewsmortuary.com.
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Rib Fest Moves to Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided by the Avon Chamber of Commerce
the opportunity to spread out while enjoying tasty treats and fellowship.
Hendricks County leaders are excited to announce the return of the Hendricks County Rib Fest, a beloved annual community event that celebrates mouthwatering food and fun times with family and friends. This year Rib Fest will be held at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, which will offer attendees
Rib Fest began 16 years ago in Washington Township Park as a lastminute event. According to Tom Downard, executive director of the Avon Chamber of Commerce, the celebration immediately exceeded all expectations. Each year it has continued to grow as people have flocked to enjoy music, JUNE 2021
games, bounce houses, hot-air balloons, fireworks, fun runs, and of course food. By 2014 the event had outgrown the park, so it was moved to Kingsway Christian Church. “Kingsway was nothing but tremendous as far as volunteerism and allowing us to use their facilities,” Downard says. Through the years, Rib Fest has
continued to attract people not only from Avon, but also from all over Hendricks County and central Indiana. “As we saw the numbers steadily growing, we continued to talk about a venue that could not only accommodate a crowd but also additional vendors,” says Downard, noting that in the past, event leaders have had to bring in portable restrooms, portable lighting and portable power. “The Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds is set up perfectly for what we need, or as close to perfect as you can get. They have such nice amenities.” Downard hopes that by moving Rib Fest to a larger venue, event leaders will reach more businesses throughout the county that want to participate through sponsorship or booth rental. According to Downard, the Hendricks County Fair typically attracts roughly 10,000 people throughout the week. JUNE 2021
"We continue to try and make the event better each year. That’s our goal - to create a place for families and people to come have fun.” - Tom Downard
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“Rib Fest gets that or more in a day,” Downard says. “Not many events invite that kind of crowd.” While crowd size has been a concern during the course of the pandemic, this venue is the ideal spot to allow people to congregate safely while they eat, socialize and play, since it’s easy to spread out. Downard is grateful to be able to work with Steve Patterson, executive director of the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Rib Fest committee member. “Steve has a ton of experience and knowledge in events,” Downard says. “We’re lucky to have him.” Patterson is happy to help, and says Fairgrounds leaders are looking forward to partnering with the Avon Chamber to host the 2021 Rib Fest.
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“The new location will allow for more activities and additional vendor options for the attendees,” Patterson adds. “We hope to make a good experience.” This year’s event will not feature tethered balloon rides, since even a slight delay due to weather issues can cause all reservation times to shift. Organizers still plan to offer the hot-air balloon glow, and attendees can get their picture taken inside of the balloon. Kids in particular enjoy getting to see giant, colorful balloons up close and personal. Sponsored by IU Health West Hospital, the 6th Annual Rib Run will also take place in the morning. The 1/4 Slab Kids Run kicks off at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Rib Run. For the first time ever, beer will be available for sale.
“That’s a new twist, and we’re eager to see how that plays out,” Downard says.
the fireworks display and the hot-air balloons. We can’t wait to go back.”
In addition, the event will feature a deejay as well as bounce houses geared toward smaller children.
Rib vendors include Barbecue and Bourbon, Delia’s Ribs, RidiQlous BBQ, Wild Boar BBQ, Kickstand, Blowin Smokque BBQ and Bud’s BBQ more. Additional food vendors include Kona Ice, Avon Kiwanis Club, Cabin Coffee Company,American Legion Avon Post 145 and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Avon & Bamber’s Sweet Creations.
“We continue to try and make the event better each year,” Downard adds. “That’s our goal - to create a place for families and people to come have fun.” Locals are eager to return to the fun, after a year that for many included more downtime than usual. Crystal Callahan’s son Patrick always looks forward to the blow-up bounce houses, while Crystal is impressed by the good eats at affordable prices. “In the past, the food has always been so delicious and very reasonable,” Callahan says. “We also really enjoyed watching JUNE 2021
Rib Fest is scheduled for June 26, with a start time of 4 p.m. The night will conclude with fireworks around 10 p.m. Attendees are encouraged bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy watching the night sky light up. For more info, visit avonchamber.org.
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HONORING 75 YEARS Matthews Mortuary Celebrates 75 Years of Service
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LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AIDS HENDRICKS COUNTY SENIORS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided
Roughly half a million adults over the age of 50 reside in central Indiana. According to a report on the state of aging compiled by the Central Indiana Community Foundation and SAVI, a data hub for central Indiana, the older adult population in central Indiana is increasing at six times the rate of the younger population. Moreover, four in 10 adults live alone.
lack of transportation, lack of income or other factors. There are many reasons why someone might not be able to eat healthy meals regularly.
“If you think about risk factors for hunger and what people need, if they aren’t able to prepare a meal for themselves then living alone is going to be a big risk factor,” says Marina Keers, director of Hendricks County Senior Services (HCSS).
Each day HCSS serves meals to their residents prepared by the staff at Hendricks Regional Health (HRH). HRH also prepares meals for Meals on Wheels (MOW), and those meals are individually packaged and delivered to recipients at their homes. Because Hendricks County is growing at such a rapid rate, however, MOW leaders realized they needed to find a way to expand their operation in order to accommodate every senior who needs food. MOW turned to HCSS, which is currently in the process of refurbishing and expanding their kitchen so meals can be packaged there.
In addition, the report states that one in 10 older adults are food insecure. This could be because of lack of access to a grocery store,
For years MOW and HCSS have partnered. It’s a natural partnership because both organizations have similar missions
JUNE 2021
helping seniors remain independent and healthy in their homes. When talk of expansion began, the partnership grew. “We’re happy to partner with an organization that’s serving the same group of people we are serving,” says Renee Harlor, program coordinator for Meals on Wheels. “Working together is key in working within the community.” Keers says seniors have extensive needs in the local community. “We must be responsive to those needs, and in this case alter our programing to meet those needs,” Keers says. With this partnership, some things will change while others will remain the same. The HRH staff will continue to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. Instead of picking up the food at the hospital, however, volunteers will take the meals to HCSS in bulk to be packaged for individual distribution to the community. This expansion means both organizations will need additional funding to build out the kitchen, as well as additional volunteers to work in the kitchen. Volunteers are needed in other capacities as well. “MOW, from what it was six months ago to what it is today, has really changed, so the need for volunteers has grown
tremendously,” Harlor says. Until recently, MOW primarily utilized volunteers as drivers. However, since COVID-19 took hold in the U.S., they have ramped up the social components that are so vital to senior health and wellbeing. Since more than half of their clients live alone, MOW has added connection calls and pen-pal programs into the mix. “Social isolation has terrible impacts on health and well-being,” Harlor says. “We can bring them all the food in the world, but we have to make sure we’re providing other things that are needed as well.” Harlor stresses that volunteers, who are trained, don’t need a
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specific skill set - just a desire to help. Currently, MOW feeds between 110 and 125 people per day. Once the expansion is complete, their goal is to double the number of meals that go out the door for senior residents in Hendricks County. “We’re excited to help Meals on Wheels expand the number of seniors who can receive a hot meal in Hendricks County,” Keers says. Thanks to a partnership with Misty Eyes Animal Center, they are also providing free pet food for their clients, since many people experiencing food insecurity share their meals with their pets. “Pets improve happiness and connection, so we want to take care of them too,” Harlor says. “Serving the food is our main goal, but again, helping people with their pets benefits them too.” If you’re interested in volunteering or making a monetary donation, visit hcmealsonwheels.org or hcseniors.org. Meals on Wheels is located at 1000 East Main Street in Danville. For more information, call 317-745-3469. Hendricks County Senior Services is located at 201 Sycamore Lane in Danville. For more information, call 317-745-4303.
JUNE 2021
MI N D F OR CH A N G E FORMER COLTS CHAMP BEN UTECHT RAISES BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided
Ben Utecht grew up in an athletic family. In fact, he calls himself a three-sport athlete, having participated in football, hockey and baseball. “Team sports in general were a significant part of my upbringing,” says Utecht, a fouryear starter for the University of Minnesota as a tight end.
JUNE 2021
He had quite the memorable start to his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts when he caught a pass from Peyton Manning during the third quarter and dodged Deion Sanders for a touchdown. “That was a pretty overwhelming and special experience,” says Utecht, who was part of the Colts 2006 Super Bowl championship team. Though it’s a great memory, Utecht went through a phase of memory loss as a direct result of playing the sport he loved. Though he had accepted that contact sports have the potential to create injury, at the time there wasn’t more education around concussions than there was around orthopedic injuries. “You just kind of put them all into the same category,” Utecht says. “If anything, you probably thought an ACL tear was more serious than a concussion, so you didn’t really worry about it.”
Over the course of Utecht’s career, however, he sustained five documented concussions as well as countless undocumented concussions. As a tall guy, standing 6’6”, he took a lot of hits. “I remember times when I was definitely concussed and kept playing,” he says. He did so not because he felt pressured, but because he wanted to be there for his coaches, teammates and family, since it was his job - not to mention he adored the game. “There are a lot of factors for why an athlete chooses to stay on the field,” he says. After his fourth documented concussion against the Denver Broncos, he was diagnosed with amnesia. The next day, when he watched the play that caused the injury, he didn’t remember any of it. “To watch a play unfold that shows you becoming unconscious and regaining consciousness, high-fiving teammates, running off to the sidelines, talking to coaches and staff, and in your own mind that whole experience didn’t exist because you can’t remember any of it - that’s a strange experience,” Utecht says. Following that concussion, Utecht and his wife Karyn began to recognize challenges in his cognitive ability that didn’t exist previously, regarding working memory one’s ability to receive and give information efficiently. “I felt in a fog and was much more forgetful,” Utecht says. “I became a post-it note person, needing to write down everything to help me remember.” While memory loss is different for everyone, it was episodic for Utecht. There would be significant memories, like being in a close friend’s wedding, that he simply couldn’t retrieve. Not even looking at photos served to jog his memory. “Moments like that made my wife and I really begin to consider whether I should retire,” says Utecht, who did so in 2009. “Retiring was very emotional. All of a
Utecht Family JUNE 2021
sudden my identity as an athlete was over, but I wanted to do what I could to protect my brain going forward. It was a good move.” He participated in cognitive training at LearningRx, a brain training center that helps clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as well as those who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and other difficulties. “They test your cognitive abilities through a sound neurological evaluation, then build a program around how you can focus on your weaknesses and improve them,” Utecht says. Before starting the program, his short- and long-term memory were in the 12th and 17th percentile, which was shockingly low. At the same time, the evaluation gave him peace. “It showed I wasn’t making this stuff up,” he says.
He was still able to function, but his cognitive decline frustrated him. That frustration, in turn, let to impatience and a shorter fuse. Before starting the brain training program, Utecht had moments where he lost his patience much sooner than normal - sometimes at home with Karyn and their four daughters. The
training, however, involved working in a chaotic environment where the brain has to force itself to focus and put up a shield around one’s own space. “That helped me at home, because when you do three months of brain training in a room full of seven or eight other adults and
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children doing their program at the same time, then come home to four kids wanting to climb on you - well, it was an awesome healing experience,” he says. After completing the 100-hour intensive program, Utecht’s short- and long-term memory numbers jumped to the 78th and 98th percentile - a remarkable improvement. “Over the course of those 100 hours, my wife would tell you she got her husband back,” remarks Utecht, who at this same time was in the process of writing his memoir, titled “Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away.” “The fact that all of my cognitive abilities came back was a miraculous ending to my autobiography,” says Utecht, who has always maintained a “pro-brain, pro-game” message. Though he knows he made the right call in retiring, he misses being part of a team especially a Super Bowl team.
“There’s something so special about it,” Utecht says. “It’s hard to express how fulfilling that was.” After retirement, Utecht began working with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). For several years, he even became the AAN’s national spokesperson on concussions. He transitioned to the American Brain Foundation (ABF) and joined their board for the last seven years. Now he’s working with Dr. Jeff Kutcher, a leading sports neurologist. Utecht received the 2014 Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the AAN and ABF. He’s received other awards for his awareness work in TBI. Though awards are nice, at the end of the day Utecht wants his legacy to be rooted in faith and family. “I want to be known as a man who loved God, loved his family and cared for his neighbor,” Utecht says. “The materialistic things are meaningless. Everything comes down to relationships.”
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He thinks back to his youth and wishes he could tell that younger version of himself not to care so much about what people think of him. “I was a pretty sensitive kid growing up, and I feel like it probably made me make some of my more regretful decisions as a young man because of that peer pressure,” Utecht says. “I wish I could go back and tell that kid to focus on what you know to be true about who you are and who you are created to be, and surround yourself with people who will support that rather than challenge it.” He harbors no bitterness or regret for choosing to play football and make it a career. “The life lessons, and the people I had a chance to learn from and play with, have been priceless, so I would definitely play football again,” he says. “I’d just probably play it a little differently.”
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DIFFERENT DADS, DIFFERENT GIFTS FATHER’S DAY GIFTING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A CHALLENGE Writer / Abigail Hake Photography Provided
That’s right, Father’s Day is right around the corner. Are you ready? Men can be so hard to buy for — is there anything he hasn’t gotten for himself already? And it’s hard to find something that will make him feel loved, appreciated, and surprised on his special day. But because those dads and grandpas out there do so much for us, we must try to nail it! So, here’s a few ideas of ways to spoil all those different dudes in your life!
THE GOLF LOVER DAD
Whether this is the man who can’t leave the golf course himself, or the one who always has the golf channel on the TV, it’s time to tee up a perfect Father’s Day for him. If you want to spend time playing golf with him, surprise him with a Father’s Day tee time at your favorite golf course or at a place like TopGolf. You might also consider getting him some fun golf socks and/or personalized golf balls.
THE OUTDOORSY DAD
This is the dad who loves being outside doing things like camping, fishing, hiking, etc. He probably has just about everything he needs but consider a gift card to his favorite shop like Cabella’s or a new cooler filled with his favorite brew. If gifting isn’t your thing, maybe go on a hike with your dad and spend some quality time doing what he likes. It could be spending an entire day fishing, but whatever it is, just make sure you have an agenda of which he approves.
JUNE 2021
THE GRILL MASTER DAD
This dad loves to be outside by the grill with a beer in his hand and tongs or a spatula in the other. If you want to get him something special, consider personalized grill tools, an apron, and an order of some good steaks. The grill master dad probably has a lot of grill tools already, but ask a few questions: Does he need a new grill? Or maybe some new accessories? Or does he want to try something new? Feel him out a few weeks before Father’s Day and you’ll find something that’ll make him smile. And then enjoy a backyard cookout celebrating him with your family and friends!
THE ‘HAS IT ALL DAD’
This is the dad who has it all. If he wants something, he buys it. They are the hardest to shop for and they are difficult to surprise. For this dad, you might need coordination amongst family members to keep him from buying things or to know what the latest must-have is that’s on his list. There are three routes to go with this guy. You can try tried and true treats you know he loves that are edible like candy, dinners, etc. You can try to buy something that is completely different but unique like a cool bottle opener, a personalized etched growler, or maybe customized art. Or in the end, these guys always like gift cards for their next impromptu purchase.
THE ‘ALL WORK/NO PLAY DAD’
It might sound silly, but these hard-working dads need some “me” time just like moms do. Check with him first, but he might appreciate a spa day! There’s nothing wrong with a day spent relaxing and enjoying a little bit of pampering on top of it. Or, if he’s not into those things, consider a nice beverage — maybe a topnotch whiskey and you can even get whiskey glasses and whiskey balls to go with it! It’s another way to relax that he’ll appreciate. Here’s to all the dads out there who help change the diapers, tie the shoes, drive the kids to school, make dinners, play in the backyard, and so much more. There are so many great things you can do with your dad and it’s not always about the gifting. Spending good quality time with them is even more special. Whether it’s fishing all afternoon, having a movie marathon, or spending an afternoon on the porch catching up, your father will love the memories made and the bonding time.
GUNNAR LARSON
CONGRATS CLASS OF 2021 ALAINA LIVELY
AVON HIGH SCHOOL We could not be prouder! The next chapter you write with our blessing. Congratulations, graduate! Love, Lucy, Lola, Jake, Mom, and Dad
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY Cadet Gunnar Larson, son of Todd and Daphne Larson of Avon, IN, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday, May 22. While at West Point, he concentrated his studies in Environmental Engineering and Grand Strategy. Larson also was a member of the Army Wrestling Team, earning his letter. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army within the Engineering Branch and will report to Fort Polk, Louisiana for his first assignment.
SADIE SEQUIN
AVON HIGH SCHOOL Congratulations Sadie! We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and what your future holds for you! We love you! Mom and Dad
JUNE 2021
HOW TO GET BACK ON YOUR FEET AFTER A BONE FRACTURE Writer / Dr. Ryan Kozlowski, Orthopedic Surgeon at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided
Broken bones can happen to anyone of any age. The difference, however, is that it’s much easier to heal and bounce back from a broken bone when you’re 6 years old versus 60. Recovering from a bone fracture later in life requires time and patience. Here are three ways to help the healing process and get back on your feet.
USE REST, ICE, COMPRESSION AND ELEVATION (RICE).
Following the RICE treatment after a fracture will help reduce the pain and swelling, and promote healing. During each stage, ensure that you do not overdo it or overstress your body. Your main goal should be to decrease pain and increase comfort.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.
After a fracture, it’s normal to want to get back to the activities you were doing prior to your injury. However, if you jump into those activities too soon and without guidance, you could end up injuring
yourself even more. Just like our muscles, exercise makes our bones stronger. Talk with your doctor about what types of physical activity are appropriate for your injury. Your doctor may recommend some at-home exercises or physical therapy. Incorporating regular, lowimpact movement into your daily routine will help increase blood flow to the injury.
bone is by breaking your smoking habit. Not only is smoking bad for your overall health, but it also increases your risk of bone fractures and slows down the healing process. Your bones need a healthy supply of blood in order to heal. Smoking restricts blood flow to your bones and prevents bones from receiving what they need to heal, including calcium and oxygen.
A balanced diet will not only help your fracture heal, but also help prevent future fractures. Yogurt, fish, nuts, beans, eggs and vegetables are good sources of protein and calcium that can help speed up recovery.
To make sure your fracture is healing properly, schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to check on your recovery process. A follow-up appointment will also allow your physician to adjust your recovery plan and suggest additional treatment tips based on the progress you’ve made.
BREAK UP WITH SMOKING.
One of the best ways to help your broken JUNE 2021
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LEADERS IN LEARNING NEW BOOK DETAILS BROWNSBURG’S SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERSHIP
26 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com
Carrie Rosebrock, a Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC) professional learning specialist, and Sarah Henry, secondary science administrator for Brownsburg Community School Corporation (BCSC), released their debut book, titled “Arrows: A Systems-Based Approach to School Leadership.” It’s a personal story of a decade’s worth of growth and alignment within the BCSC. Unlike other educational leadership books, “Arrows” is the story of what happens when not one school, but an entire district, simplifies its vision, clarifies its goals and truly aligns its arrows. “Arrows” is a study in action - the story of what can happen when leadership alignment creates a sustainable system of support, clarity, love and belonging. “For years, teachers and leaders have
wondered what the secrets behind the success of the highest-performing public school district in the state of Indiana are,” says Tina Seymour, founder and executive director of Strategic Learning Solutions. “‘Arrows’ outlines the district’s focus on a narrow and common vision that consistently yields high levels of student achievement and virtually eliminates all achievement gaps. This book is a testament to what a school district can accomplish when all its arrows are pointing in a consistent direction that is focused on equity and high levels of learning for all.” Henry and Rosebrock unpack their district’s experience of creating and maintaining a culture dedicated to student and teacher learning. It’s an educational good-to-great story resulting in higher achievement, together. The book is an invitation for school leaders and district teams to align their arrows, simplify their vision, and ultimately empower their teachers to be true experts of learning.
“I continually celebrate the ongoing collaboration of our professional learning community in our building, and the larger grade-level professional learning community between buildings,” says Seth Vaught, a teacher in Brownsburg. “It is so helpful to have an established pacing guide, benchmark questions already written, and common labs and activities fine-tuned. With the heavy lifting done, I can better focus on student relationships and differentiating instruction.” The book is out now and available to purchase on Amazon. Visit mimitoddpress.com/arrows to learn more. About the Authors: Carrie Rosebrock is a professional learning specialist for the CIESC in Indianapolis. She teaches and presents at schools and centers across the state. Before joining the CIESC team, she served as the secondary English administrator for Brownsburg Community School Corporation. She works with schools to improve their professional
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learning community processes, instructional leadership, curriculum and assessment development, and teacher leadership. She is a co-chair of the curriculum and assessment team for Keep Indiana Learning. Visit Carrierosebrock. com to learn more. Sarah Henry is the secondary science administrator for Brownsburg Community School Corporation, where she works with secondary science teachers to improve curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning community processes. She has presented workshops at the local, state and national level, and consulted for districts around the state. She has taught aspiring educational leaders as an adjunct professor, in the area of assessing for learning, for several years. Henry is also a member of Keep Indiana Learning’s curriculum and assessment team. Visit Sarahdhenry.com to learn more.
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TIPS FOR MAXIMIZING YOUR GARAGE SPACE
Writer / Claire-Anne Aikman Photography Provided
There hasn’t been a day in the last two years during which I have not answered this question: What in the world is happening in the housing market? While the local news does mirror the national news - homes can be a challenge to get for first-time buyers, it is indeed a great time to sell, and homes are going for a premium it is important to know that home improvements are still going strong, and people are getting creative with their spaces. In a recent article I covered how home offices are being crafted out of everything from dining rooms to closets, and the transformations are making people love their homes even more. This month, let’s see if I can help you gain some space and fall in love with that often-overlooked, catch-all space known as the garage.
and shovels. I was crafty with an old pallet and, while the idea had merit, it just did not suit the space and I ended up with a clip system for part of our garage wall. • Your parents were onto something with pegboard, so don’t knock it until you try it. It is an effective method for organizing tools, hoses and anything that can hang from a peg. For those with a small number of tools, magnetic strips easily wrangle screwdrivers and wrenches. • Don’t forget to utilize the storage space from above. There are brackets you can buy and even make that will cradle your ladders, and shelf systems that hang from the ceiling to hold all your camping gear and holiday decorations. Some racks even allow for bicycles to hang from them. • Bins for sports balls can be easily fastened out of bungee cords and a few pieces of wood. • Hanging shoe organizers make great storage options for everything from spray paint to bubble wands and sidewalk chalk.
Once the basics of simply cleaning it out and getting rid of things With a little time and a little effort, your garage space can be (sell it, donate it, throw it away) have been taken care of, it becomes regained and used for hobbies, a play space on a rainy day, or simply a matter of organizing the items you want to keep so you can put the a place to park your car. space to maximum use. The following tips are easy to implement, and can be done inexpensively as well. Claire-Ann is a West Side Realtor helping people make Hendricks County • Shelf storage is great for vertical spaces and, for me, this is their home. You can reach her at 317-345-6640 or preferred over adding cabinets because everything remains in caikman@encoresothebysrealty.com sight, allowing you to see your paint and car supplies easily. • Yard tool towers or tool clips are fantastic for wrangling rakes 28 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com
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2 Communities in Brownsburg Schools! The Villas at Wynne Farms & Sonora in Brownsburg Call 317-532-5313 or email salesindy@mihomes.com mihomes.com/Indy 30 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com
KUMON MATH & READING CENTER OF BROWNSBURG 1430 North Green Street Bay F Brownsburg, IN 317-350-6070 kumon.com/brownsburg
Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography Provided
ownership of study as students build a history of success and grow in knowledge.
The Kumon Math & Reading Center of Brownsburg is finishing up its sixth year of offering students appropriately challenging material and has recently completed an expansion that doubled its physical space.
Crockett describes the curriculum as a mastery-based program. This means students master a skill before moving on to new material. Scores on daily assignments, average completion time and tests are tools for making plans to further mastery of a topic or skill. In Kumon, how a student completes work is just as important as the work itself. If there are mistakes, Crockett helps them revise. If students show the work is too easy, she moves them toward a different challenge.
Kelley Crocket, owner and Chief Instructor at this location, is passionate about what she does. She’s a career teacher who, 10 years ago, decided she needed a change and some additional challenges. Starting a Kumon franchise turned out to be the perfect fit, as it combined the challenges of owning a business with the satisfaction of helping students learn in new ways. “Owning a business has new challenges every single day,” Crockett says. “There are always new headaches, new joys and new things to learn.”
“When we get into topics, we dive in deeply to improve knowledge and understanding so a student can master the concepts,” Crockett says. “With each success, students gain knowledge, confidence and motivation. They need to have a history of success so they know they can be successful in the future.”
Crockett feels strongly about setting the record straight regarding how Kumon serves its students and families. Kumon is both a math and reading program that helps students develop the skills necessary to become self-learners. It’s designed to support students across a wide spectrum of abilities.
Students attend sessions twice a week where they receive coaching on new and current material, spending approximately 25 minutes on each subject. Each assignment is given with a purpose in mind. Crockett recommends parents give Kumon a year to see overall benefits. She finds instructing Kumon to be incredibly rewarding and loves coaching students into success.
“One of our biggest goals is to help students work at a level that helps them build character traits such as independence, risk-taking and resilience,” Crockett adds. “We want them to learn to make connections between what they know and new material so they can enjoy learning through self-discovery. We want them to know that being brave is more important than being perfect because making mistakes is an important part of the learning process.”
“My favorite thing is when a student discovers that they’re smarter than they ever thought they could be,” Crockett says. “Then, and only then, when you believe you can succeed wholeheartedly, are you motivated to try something new. Real growth and learning begin when students are motivated risk-takers, willing to delve into new concepts.”
Whether students are struggling in school or studying at an advanced level, Kumon challenges them in ways that meet them right where they are.
For more information or a free placement test, visit them online at kumon.com/brownsburg.
Kumon is an international program and uses essentially the same curriculum no matter where in the world it’s being taught. The key to Kumon is consistency, daily practice and building confidence through small victories. That’s accomplished by building a habit of daily study, even on weekends, learning organization and taking TownePost.com / JUNE 2021 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 31
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