Brownsburg Magazine July 2022 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

MAGAZINE

JULY 2022

5 INEXPENSIVE IDEAS TO CHECK OFF YOUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST IN THE GENES

Local Adoptees Search for Their Birth Parents

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5 INEXPENSIVE IDEAS TO CHECK OFF YOUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST

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Animal Grief Support Group Helps the Healing Process

IN THE GENES

Local Adoptees Search for Their Birth Parents

CENTER STAGE

Danny Wimmer Presents Continues to Grow Its Louisville Festival Events

LEARNING FROM LOSS

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT™ Wellbridge Surgical

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SUMMER SUN SAFETY TIPS

SUMMER FUN GONE WRONG How To Prevent an Emergency Room Trip

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While I like the idea of a summer bucket list, it can feel a bit overwhelming. I prefer to make a short list, so I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can complete the list. Here are 5 inexpensive ideas to add to your summer bucket list. I guarantee you’ll save money and have some fun this summer. Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photography Provided

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM … VISIT AN ICE CREAM SHOP!

It doesn’t seem like summer unless I’m standing in front of an ice cream stand. I have many fond memories of visiting ice cream shops when I traveled with my family. I enjoy standing in line and chatting with other customers about what they plan to order. Long lines don’t matter to me when there’s an ice cream treat waiting at the end. My favorite ice cream splurges are a hot fudge sundae and a cherry soda with vanilla ice cream. Go with a group of family or friends and each choose something different. Ask for recommendations and try some fun flavor combinations. Make it a contest and vote on who ordered the best ice cream treat. Award the winner a gift card from the ice cream shop.

HAPPY HUMMINGBIRDS. SET UP A HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER.

These tiny birds bring me so much joy. A hummingbird feeder is an inexpensive investment. Most feeders run between $10-$20. You will need a pole or a stand to hang the feeder and they are around $20 or less. It’s easy to make the hummingbird nectar. It’s one part sugar to four parts water (1 cup of sugar 4 cups of water) and let boil. Let the solution cool and fill the feeder. Hummingbirds are attracted to red, so be sure you have some red objects near the feeder. You can have red flowers or even a red patio umbrella. Hummingbirds will visit the feeder a handful of times a day. Believe me, they are fun to watch and sometimes I’ll have three or four at the feeder at one time. Delightful! For more information on hummingbirds, visit the National Audubon Society at audubon.org.

VISIT A FARMERS MARKET

Summer is the time to appreciate local produce and other homemade goods. I enjoy stopping at a local farmers market and thinking of different things to cook. It’s a way for me to jump out of my comfort zone. I set a budget for myself before I go the market. A trip to the market doesn’t have to be expensive. A stop at a farmers market can be one-stop shopping for breads, dairy, produce and meat all in one trip. On a recent trip to my local farmers market, I purchased a loaf of country white bread, a couple of spice packets to make a fantastic meal, and some fresh produce. When I’m finished shopping, I sit on a bench and do some people watching and listen to music. It’s also a good time to see if I need to get anything else. I usually decide to make a few more stops at the market before I leave. 6 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

GO FOR A SUNSET WALK

Some of the best sunsets are during the summer. You can’t beat the mix of amber and violet hues. I take my dog, Louis for long sunset walks, and I always bring my phone. It’s a chance to capture a few photos and send to friends and family. I get some ideas by looking at my neighbors’ yards. As an extra bonus, you’ll be getting in a healthy workout while enjoying a gorgeous sky. Perfection!

CHILL AND GRILL

I can sometimes get into a grilling rut. Summer is the perfect time to shake up your grilling game. I like to make kabobs (veggie, chicken, shrimp, steak), which are inexpensive if you buy the ingredients and assemble them yourself. You can save money by using less meat and more vegetables. Don’t forget to season well with salt and pepper or spice mixes. Serve the kabobs with rice and a feta, tomato and cucumber salad and you’ve got a perfect meal. Grill packets are inexpensive and easy to make. Put veggies and potatoes in aluminum foil and season with salt, pepper and olive oil. Seal them up and cook them on the grill. Fajitas are another fan favorite. Choose your veggies, protein and put them on the grill. Any of these meals can be enjoyed outside. Want to save a little more money? Check the grocery store ads and select your grill meal based on what meat and produce is on sale. Make your meal fun by taking photos of your grilled feast. For more information on grilling, visit foodnetwork.com and search for grilling ideas and recipes.

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Founders of WellBridge Surgical Dr. Eric Inman, local entrepreneur Jeff Williams, and Dr. Ron Piniecki

WELLBRIDGE SURGICAL Writer / Renee Larr Photographer / Amy Payne

6300 Technology Center Dr. Zionsville, IN

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WellBridge Surgical is disrupting the healthcare model for surgery in Indiana. The country’s second-ever cash-pay surgery center offers Hoosiers fixed and transparent pricing for surgery. Local business owner Jeff Williams noticed the cost of health care was rising tremendously for his small business. Williams didn’t want to increase his deductible for his employees, nor did he want to increase his rates by a high margin. Instead, Williams partnered with longtime friends Dr. Ron Piniecki and Dr. Eric Inman, both anesthesiologists, to revolutionize the way patients pay for their surgical care. The fixed payment method means patients know their all-in total cost for surgery prior to the procedure and don’t receive a surprise bill in the mail. Pricing includes the facility charge, surgeon fee and anesthesiologist fee. Patients pay a one-time consultation fee of $150 that is credited to the cost of the surgical procedure.

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Not only is the pricing up-front and transparent, but patients also pay, on average, 30% to 60% less than they would at other facilities in Indianapolis. Williams says WellBridge can offer their patients 8 / 2022 BROWNSBURG / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com DIRECTORYMAGAZINE AND RELOCATION GUIDE / 23

those savings by not adding hidden facility fees. For instance, the WellBridge cost for ear tubes is $2,380, while the Indianapolis average is $6,804. WellBridge Surgical offers general surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, otolaryngology, urology, podiatry, and gastroenterology procedures. Patients contact WellBridge and are paired with a surgeon based on their specific surgical needs. The prices of surgical procedures are listed on the WellBridge Surgical website. The patient will know their total cost immediately. “Dr. Piniecki and Dr. Inman have worked at some of the biggest hospital systems, so they know most of the surgeons in Indianapolis,” Williams says. “We’ve partnered with some of the best surgeons in the city.” “Our first surgical patient was a smallbusiness owner,” Williams says. “He and his wife were so thankful to find us. They have insurance but they never knew what they would pay for care. It made us feel like we were proving our theory right.” Hoosiers pay the fourth-highest surgical costs nationwide according to a 2020 RAND Corporation study. WellBridge aims to make a difference with the uninsured, individuals with high-deductible insurance plans, and those with self-funded plans.

CENTER STAGE DANNY WIMMER PRESENTS CONTINUES TO GROW ITS LOUISVILLE FESTIVAL EVENTS and a location that is a stone’s throw from the bourbon capital of the world - Bardstown. More than 10 years ago, music industry veteran and concert promoter extraordinaire Danny Wimmer discovered for himself what made Louisville special. With his staff at Danny Wimmer Presents, he has spent the years since creating several destination music festivals to help people outside the city’s boundaries explore what makes Louisville so special, and remind locals what the city has to offer guests who visit.

Danny Wimmer Writer / Carrie Vittitoe Photography Provided

Louisville is a city with a lot to offer - a decent cost of living, a vibrant arts community, a reputation as a foodie town,

Life was born in 2014.

Even though music festivals typically last one weekend, they are definitely not an inexpensive endeavor, which is why the Danny Wimmer Presents team took its time in bringing a second festival to fruition. “When we enter a new market, we go in with one festival and see if that market has the legs to sustain a second, third or fourth festival,” says Chamie McCurry, chief marketing officer at Danny Wimmer Presents. Louder Than Life’s success led to the creation of Bourbon & Beyond Danny Wimmer’s initial visit to Louisville five years ago. “The emphasis of Bourbon wasn’t related to music. He had become enamored with bourbon and was considering & Beyond from day one was always to launching his own brand. “I immediately felt highlight the bourbon as much as the at home everywhere I went in Louisville,” lineup,” McCurry says. he says. “There was a real pride, sense of While Louder Than Life is a very rockcommunity and charm that I just fell in love specific festival, Bourbon & Beyond with. It’s my home away from home.” includes country, classic rock, alt-rock, bluegrass and indie-alt, and is what He decided he wanted to create a music festival that would focus on rock music, but McCurry calls a lifestyle festival. “It has several genres represented,” she says. “It has remain rooted in the local landscape with a little bit of everything for everyone. The bourbon as an integral part. Louder Than JULY 2022

bourbon and culinary aspect is elevated at that festival.” Both festivals are held at the Kentucky Exposition Center, last four days each, and include an opportunity for attendees to camp on-site. Different pass options give concertgoers the ability to pick and choose which days (or all the days) they want to attend. It is possible for attendees to make an entire vacation out of the festivals, since there is so much to do in Louisville and surrounding areas on the days in between. “The long-term growth of this is that we want people coming in for two weeks and experiencing Louisville on the days when there isn’t an active festival happening,” McCurry says. The influx of attendees from all over the country provides a financial boon to the city. According to McCurry, a 2019 independent study calculated the economic impact of both festivals at more than $43 million. Of course, COVID-19 affected

many public events and their financial windfalls for communities. While Louder Than Life took a hiatus in 2020 and came back in 2021, Bourbon & Beyond is only just now returning after a two-year break, which in some ways feels like starting over. “We’re working to reintroduce that brand to the marketplace,” McCurry says. Through the years some things have changed with the concerts, which is to be expected. Both festivals began as two-day, two-stage festivals, but their popularity has led to growth. Both festivals now have four stages of music, and Bourbon & Beyond has two additional stages for workshops and presentations. The lineup has expanded as well. Louder Than Life now showcases 90 musicians and bands, while Bourbon & Beyond sees more than 50 musical acts performing. Putting together music festivals this large takes a massive amount of planning, not only because of the music, but also because

JULY 2022

of the camping option and all the logistics that ensue. “Across the street we have car, tent and RV camping,” McCurry says. “Fans can arrive on Wednesday, set up their campgrounds and live on-site with us for the festival weekend.”

the parks department, the Kentucky Expo Center, the Louisville Police Department. We have an entire office and production team that works closely with our local partners in building out the most fanfriendly and safe concert experience.”

The staff members at Danny Wimmer Presents spend all year preparing for these festivals to ensure attendees have the best experience possible. Essentially, McCurry says the company is building a small city. “We plan all year for it,” she says. “We work very closely with the City of Louisville,

The boots-on-the-ground staff in Louisville frequently checks on little things in the months and weeks before the shows, like how the grass is growing and how rainwater drains, so that any problems can be addressed beforehand.

JULY 2022

Before, during and after the music festivals, Danny Wimmer Presents uses social media to assess attendees’ expectations and experiences. “We’re able to make changes and adapt pretty quickly,” McCurry says. In 2021, when rain prevented grassy areas from draining at Louder Than Life, staff brought in tons of gravel to alleviate standing water. After the event, surveys are sent to attendees to get their feedback. “We know it is a very competitive marketplace for consumers’ entertainment dollars,” McCurry says. “We want them to feel very satisfied.”

channel, DWPresents, which streams original content from unsigned musicians and bands, some of which have gotten signed and made it to the Louder Than Life stage. The feel of Bourbon & Beyond is a little different. It’s a little more mellow, and could be considered the slow and steady wind-up to Louder Than Life the following weekend. Of course this doesn’t mean the musicians who perform at Bourbon & Beyond this year, from September 15 to 18, can’t totally rock it out. Jack White, Pearl Jam, Kings of

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In 2021 Louder Than Life became the biggest rock festival in the country, with 160,000 passes sold. “Now we’re doing everything we can to get 40,000 people a day there,” McCurry says. The headliners for the Louder Than Life festival, which runs from September 22 to 25, include Nine Inch Nails, Kiss, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the festival is also shining a light on up-and-coming bands. The Danny Wimmer Presents talent team spends a lot of time and energy booking artists that are getting airplay and buzz. In 2021 the company introduced its Twitch

JULY 2022

Leon, and Chris Stapleton are some of the big-name headliners. To be sure, part of the attraction of Bourbon & Beyond is the “beyond” aspect, which includes different bars, workshops and experiences with bourbon experts. Bourbon lovers can get their fill of rare and experimental bourbons at The Silver Dollar Hunter’s Club. And if you don’t like bourbon, don’t worry - there will also be a wine garden and craft beer area. For more info, visit dannywimmerpresents.com.

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Summer Sun Safety Tips

prevent skin damage.

Story & Photos Provided

Summer break is in full swing, and your children will be spending a lot of time outdoors. Outside play and activities are an important part of keeping children active and healthy. While it is true that some exposure to the sun contributes to our body’s production of Vitamin D, excessive sun exposure can greatly increase the risk of skin cancer and cause severe and painful burns. You can help protect your children by follow these guidelines.

• Spray sunscreen is not recommended for use with children. Some of the risks with using spray sunscreen include inhalation of the spray possibly causing lung irritation, not getting full coverage due to spray pattern or windy conditions, and sprays are flammable when not completely dry.

Sun Safety Tips!

• Sunscreen should be re-applied at least every two hours, after sweating, drying off or after swimming.

• For children under 6 months old, the AAP recommends that infants avoid sun exposure when possible. Use lightweight, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, brimmed hats and keep infants in the shade to prevent sunburn. If these interventions are not available, you may apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to exposed areas, taking care around the infant’s eyes. • Select a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen with a SPF of 15 to 50 to

• Sunscreen should be applied 15 to 30 minutes prior to going outside to give time for proper absorption.

• A pply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin, using caution around the eyes. • Use a wet cloth to gently wipe eyes if the child rubs sunscreen into their eyes, then wash their hands. • R emember, UV rays are the strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

JULY 2022

Earlier and later outside play would be best. • Use sunscreen even on cloudy days. Up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays come through the clouds! • Encourage your children to wear hats and sunglasses with UV protection. • Engage in activities in the shade when possible. • Water and sand reflect the sun’s rays. Use caution when swimming or at the beach, sunburns may occur more quickly.

What can you do if your child does develop a sunburn? If your child is younger than one, or if it is a severe sunburn involving, pain, fever or blisters, you should contact your Pediatrician right away. Medicated creams should be used only under the advisement of the pediatrician. Applying a cool compress or cool water to the affected area can be soothing and help lessen the intensity of the burn. If the sunburn is particularly painful, pain medications, such as acetaminophen, may help ease the pain. Take care to avoid sun exposure with your sunburned child until the sunburn is fully healed.

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LEARNING FROM LOSS ANIMAL GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP HELPS THE HEALING PROCESS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

is grieving the death of a pet, and for individuals who work with animals on a regular basis. “In the case of disenfranchised grief, some people have choked down a story for decades because when they tried to deal with their pain, they got hurtful reactions,” Tishken says. “As a result, they keep choking down that hurt and grief for a long time because they don’t feel there is a soft place to land that story.” This is precisely why Tishken wanted to offer an animal grief support group. “This is a grief that is otherwise going unaddressed,” he says. “The goal with this group is to provide a pastoral service to the community that you’re not going to find anywhere else.”

nyone who has experienced the agony of grief knows that it’s harsh and unrelenting, especially during those first several weeks and months when you are trying to find steady ground in an upended world. Typically, what gets us through those difficult days is the support we receive from friends, family, colleagues, counselors and support groups. But what about when we have to say goodbye to a beloved pet? It’s not that society is unfeeling, but sometimes grief is discounted when the loss is “just an animal.”

“Grieving animals is a form of disenfranchised grief, which occurs when your loss goes against cultural norms and therefore isn’t seen as valid, understandable or acceptable,” says Reverend Joel Tishken, a part-time minister at Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Hendricks County (UUCCHC). In the summer of 2021 Tishken took part in a training through the Association for Veterinary Pastoral Education. In March of 2022 he started a monthly Animal Grief Support Group (sponsored by UUCCHC) to provide a safe space for anyone who JULY 2022

The idea was conceived by animal chaplain Reverend Russell Elleven, who trained a handful of chaplains in this area. The support group follows a small-group model, meaning that each participant takes a turn to speak, saying whatever is on their heart. The rest of the participants do not respond, but rather just provide a listening ear. “The idea is simply to be a supportive and loving presence to the others,” Tishken says. “It’s for people to be able to speak their heart without any judgment. You don’t have to stifle or qualify what you are saying.” Tishken notes that when it comes to animal grief, society often mutes or minimizes it. As a result, the grieving person is hesitant to open up. “It’s hard to be vulnerable when you know

you’re going to get hurt,” Tishken says. “In this case, people don’t have to have any of those worries because we simply thank them for sharing their heart.” Following the death of either a human or a pet, many people are prone to offering remarks like, “It’s God’s plan,” or, “They’re at peace now.” “The problem is that if that isn’t your worldview, it’s not helpful at all,” Tishken says. “In fact, it can be hurtful.” Anyone who works with animals, such as veterinarians or those at animal shelters or humane societies, are also welcome to attend the support group to help them process their work, which can be emotionally taxing. As Tishken points out, suicide rates among veterinarians and vet technicians are high. “People often take their anxiety out on veterinarians in a way that they don’t with human doctors,” Tishken says. “People have weird expectations like that they should get a price break on a certain procedure, and if the vet doesn’t agree, they accuse the vet of not loving animals. Plus, vets see humanity at its worst when they see starving or clearly neglected animals.” Tishken, a huge animal lover himself, owns 14 adopted critters including nine cats, four guinea pigs and a bunny. As a minister and chaplain, he has led his fair share of human support groups during his career. “Dealing with people when they are hurting - those skills are clearly transferrable to this group,” he says. Support groups can be helpful because being among a group of people, even if they are not sharing your identical situation, is healing because they can empathize in a way that others cannot. “There is power in speaking your truth,” Tishken says. Tishken’s Animal Grief Support Group takes place virtually on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, email minister@ uucchc.org. JULY 2022

In the Genes

LOCAL ADOPTEES SEARCH FOR THEIR BIRTH PARENTS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Kim Baver and her adoptive parents, Trent and Janet Wilheim.

JULY 2022

Lisa Dulcich-Suyeyasu grew up with wonderful parents who were always open with her about the fact that she was adopted.

her that Jim had always expressed that he wished he had a daughter. When they took her to Jim’s gravesite, she sobbed.

“My dad was into genealogy and had family records going back to the 1800s when some of his family immigrated here,” she says. “That always fascinated me. My parents always knew someday I’d search for my birth parents.”

“I was shocked by how emotional I got about it,” she says. “I think partly it was because he’s not here anymore, but also finally to have that final piece of the puzzle.” Two years ago Dulcich-Suyeyasu, executive assistant at the Greater Avon Chamber of Commerce, started a side business that involves helping adoptees with birth-family searches and general genealogy research. To date, she has solved roughly 55 cases. “When you decide to search, you have to make sure you’re mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for whatever the outcome may be,” she says.

And that she did. Thirty years ago she located her birth mom, Sue, using traditional genealogy methods, as genetic genealogy didn’t exist back then. The two were able to meet, and Sue has since passed away. In 2015 Dulcich-Suyeyasu did DNA testing on herself because she was battling breast cancer and was unable to fill out the paternal side of the health questionnaire.

Adoptees tend to get excited at the notion of a happy reunion, but that excitement is based on expectation.

“They have this expectation that everything’s going to be rainbows and unicorns, and that’s not always the case,” she says, adding that she warns her clients that not all cases end happily. Sometimes a match can’t be found. Other times the truth can be dark and Because genetic testing in the genealogy world was just becoming sad. She’s found that sometimes birth parents, particularly birth more popular, it took a while for results to mean anything. Once moms, are in denial if they carry a lot of shame in their decision. more people started testing, she was able to locate her birth father, Back in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, that shame kept them from Jim, who died in 2007, never having known that she existed. Still, she is grateful to have met her cousins on her paternal line, who told talking about it. “When you’re going through cancer you have freak-out moments,” she says. “I was extremely upset because I didn’t know anything.”

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“Some birth moms didn’t even tell their own families they were pregnant,” she says. “Now all of a sudden, because of genetic genealogy, adoptees are finding their birth parents and some of these birth families don’t want to be found.”

however, she felt compelled to share her story.

One day in 2020, Kim Baver stopped in at the Avon Chamber and began chatting with Dulcich-Suyeyasu. At the time Baver worked with Hendricks County Senior Services, and Dulcich-Suyeyasu asked if she would be interested in working with seniors on genealogy research projects. Baver’s ears perked up out of personal interest, as she was adopted when she was 6 weeks old. “When I hit my teen years I wanted to know about my birth family, so I did a bit of exploring and got some info from the adoption agency,” Baver says. She couldn’t, however, obtain the birth records. She left for college, pressing pause on the pursuit, though it was always in the back of her head. When she met Dulcich-Suyeyasu,

“She asked if I’d considered searching for my parents,” Baver says. “When I told her, ‘Yes, but I’ve never gotten very far,’ her response stuck with me. She said, ‘Remember, you’re not getting any younger, which means your birth parents aren’t getting any younger.’ ” Baver decided it was time to try again. “People who aren’t adopted don’t always understand why it’s important for us adoptees to find that missing puzzle piece of who we are,” says Baver, now a mortgage officer for Citizens Bank in Plainfield. Dulcich-Suyeyasu suggested that she test with both the Ancestry Lisa showing Kim her genealogy reports.

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and 23andMe services to widen the search net. Six weeks after doing both DNA testing kits, Baver received results that she had direct matches to her birth father, his daughter and his granddaughters. With 23andMe and Ancestry, users get what’s called DNA matches, so within their system it allows the user to message the matched person if they have that ability activated. In December of 2020, Baver’s half-sister Colleen did just that. Though Baver was happy to hear from her, she had not yet touched base with her father Gary, so she held off on responding to the message. The following day, she sent a message through the site to her birth father to let him know about her, and the fact that Colleen had recached out to her. Baver got a response from him that day. “He didn’t know about me,” Baver says. “I was the surprise of his life. It was like, ‘Congratulations, it’s a girl - 52 years later!” Dulcich-Suyeyasu had to dig to find Baver’s birth mother Mary. Once Baver had her birth mom’s phone number in hand, however, she had to work up the nerve to dial it. When the two finally connected, her mom said, “I’ve been waiting for your call for 52 years.” “She said she remembered me every year on my birthday,” Baver says. “We talked about the challenging decision she made 52 years ago and she shared her story. Then we went through all of the family stuff.”

Meeting birth mother, Mary Adams, in Sept 2021

FIND YOUR STRENGTH

Baver reassured her birth mom that her adoptive parents were the best in the world. “I told her that she put me in good hands,” Baver says. After that initial call, they sent text messages back and forth and made plans to meet in person in September of 2021. Then last Christmas, Mary met Baver’s adopted parents, Trent and Janet Wilhelm. “My dad wanted to thank her for giving them the opportunity to raise me,” Baver says, tearing up at the thought. In February of 2022 Baver and her husband Carl met up with

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Gary, his wife Pat, his son-in-law Joe and Colleen. “At that meeting I experienced every emotion,” Baver says. “I was excited and so nervous, but they were fantastically wonderful.” She was happy to get some health history information as she had never had that in her life, but they swapped fun info too. She learned that she and Gary attended the same university. The first time Baver saw her birth father and half sister’s faces, her mouth dropped open. “It’s weird,” Baver says. “You look in the mirror for so long and nobody looks like you, so to see that validation is pretty cool.”

Birth Father, Gary Watson

Meeting her half sister, Colleen

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STATE FAIR EXPERIENCES AT COUNTY FAIR PRICES

Essential Fun July 18TH - 24TH

All of these events at the Fleece Performance Grandstand Monday –&Tuff Challenge || Wednesday Tuesday X Sunday - ? | Truck Monday Flat Track Drags | Tuesday–- ?-Moto Sunday Monday - Flat- Track Drags Moto X Wednesday – -ITPA Pull | |Friday IPRA Rodeo Wednesday - ?Truck | Thursday - Garden Tractor PullRodeo Thursday Garden Tractor Pull Friday -–IPRA Saturday – Demolition Derby Friday IPRA Rodeo | Saturday Demolition Derby Saturday - “Night of Destruction” – Demolition Derby *Admission Charges Apply

Grounds Acts Ground Acts Wolves of the World | Cowtown Museum

Swifty Swine Pig Races | TinoRoper Wallenda & the Flying Wallendas Rhinestone Roper Rhinestone | ??????? Wheels of Agriculture

For details, to purchase tickets & schedule Forof details, to purchase tickets & schedule of events visit: events visit: www.4hcomplex.org www.4hcomplex.org *Additional Charges Apply

BUY 1 GET 1

FREE ADMISSION Buy 1 admission at the gate for $5 & receive a 2nd person admission for free. *Only good for 1 free admission per vehicle Expires7-23-22 7-24-21 Expires JULY 2022

$1 OFF Any purchase at the Co-Alliance 4-H Café Expires7-23-22 7-24-21 Expires

SUMMER FUN GONE WRONG HOW TO PREVENT AN EMERGENCY ROOM TRIP Writer / Kurtiss McKissick, EMT, EMS Liaison at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

Summer is the time for fireworks, barbecues and water fun. However, these can also be potentially dangerous activities that could lead to a trip to the emergency room. Before families start planning summer fun, it is important to know simple safety steps that can prevent accidents before they happen.

FIREWORKS CAN BE DANGEROUS.

fireworks in your hands and never point them at another person. It may also be wise to keep a bucket of water or hose nearby to fully extinguish any accidental fires. If there is a burn injury, seek medical attention or call 911.

SIMPLE GRILLING TIPS CAN PREVENT BURN INJURIES.

When warm weather hits, many people begin cooking on their grills. According to   the National Fire Protection Association, The best-case scenario is to let professionals between 2014 and 2018, fire departments handle the fireworks shows this summer. responded to an annual average of 8,900 However, many individuals and families home fires involving grills, hibachis and take matters into their own hands, especially barbecues. Simple grilling tips can help around Independence Day. Mishandling prevent fires and burn injuries. Keep the fireworks can lead to serious burn injuries. It grill at least 3’ from any structures, kids and is important to keep fireworks and sparklers pets. Open your gas grill before lighting. away from young children, and to make sure Keep an eye on your grill, fire pit or patio older children are closely supervised by torches. Do not leave them unattended if adults. Never use fireworks if impaired by they are already lit. Additionally, be sure drugs or alcohol. Wear protective eyewear to to clean your grill after each use to remove avoid eye injuries from sparks. Do not hold grease that can start a fire.   JULY 2022

WATER FUN CAN LEAD TO AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISIT.

The National Safety Council reports that on average, emergency departments across the country treat about 6,400 pool- and spa-related injuries in children younger than 15 every year. The younger the child, the greater the risk. Parents should never leave their child alone, and should consider finding age-appropriate swim lessons. Don’t let children play around drains and suction fittings. Never consume alcohol when operating a boat. For those planning on being in the water this summer, consider training in CPR and keeping a first-aid kit handy.      While summer activities can be fun and lead to lasting memories, they can quickly go wrong without the proper preparation. If a serious injury does occur, call 911 or go to your local emergency department immediately.

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Cruz continues the family legacy.

Chip off the Engine Block THREE GENERATIONS OF STANFILLS HAVE A PASSION FOR RACING

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographers / Amy Payne, Brandon Dawson, Tanner Watkins, NHRA & Reitz Motorsports

and drive a car,” Bryan says. “He liked it, and Circus City Speedway in Peru, and the new Circle City Raceway on the southside of a week later we had cars for him.” Indy. Once Cruz took an interest in racing, Bryan found he had an itch to scratch and got back Thankfully, Cruz has never been injured into the game. Today father and son both while racing. Bryan has sustained a few race. Bryan typically runs with the United concussions from crashes, and in one wreck States Auto Club (USAC) and the World he broke his shoulder, banged his head and of Outlaws, which will have a new midget broke a bunch of ribs. series this year. Cruz, now 10 years old and going into fifth grade, is running a 600 Micro “That put me out for a few months, but other Sprint. Bryan races roughly 30 times per than that, nothing much,” says Bryan, now year, and Cruz about 20. Cruz began racing 44. “As I get older, I’m a little smarter. Bones quarter midgets when he was 5 years old, don’t heal quite as quickly anymore.” In 2003 Bryan moved to Indianapolis to before moving up into junior sprint cars. Cruz is learning life lessons early on, like the race full time. He slowed down from the logistics of choosing where to race based on racing scene between 2010 and 2012. Bryan’s son Cruz’s first taste of the race “He started even earlier than I did,” Bryan the rising price of gas. happened when he was 4 years old. Father says. For that, there is one simple reason. and son were at a “Ride-n-Drive” at Mini “I like going fast,” says Cruz, who participates “You have to calculate everything to a tee, so as we figure out diesel prices, he learns Indy Speedway. in local races at Lincoln Park Speedway in his math there,” Bryan says. “He gets to Putnamville, Indianapolis Raceway Park, understand why we’re racing here but not “A friend of mine was racing there with his the Bloomington Speedway, the Kokomo there.” kids, and I asked Cruz if he wanted to go out Speedway, US 24 Speedway in Logansport, raig Stanfill started drag racing in 1965 in Southern California, racing everything from street cars to frontengine and rear-engine dragsters. Once he had children, his son Bryan caught the racing bug too. In 1992, around the time Craig retired from the sport, 12-year-old Bryan took it up. Through the past three decades Bryan has raced open wheels, sprint cars, midgets, Silver Crown cars and stock cars. He even tested an IndyCar vehicle once.

26 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

seen much of any given town beyond its racetrack. This is partly because they often drive at night. They get to the track by 3 or 4 p.m. and leave the track between 10 and 11 p.m. If they’re racing the next day, they find an all-night car wash at 1 a.m. “Then it’s the hotel or motor home for sleep for a few hours, then on to the next one,” Bryan says. This schedule, however, is something he’s working to change. “I’ve been everywhere two or three times and have never seen anything,” Bryan says. “Now, when we go places I make sure we do something, see something.” For instance, when they were in Oklahoma, they explored local caverns. One of the perks of racing is all of the traveling that comes along with it. Cruz typically races in Oklahoma, Illinois,

Missouri and Indiana. This year, however, they plan to spread out more. Despite their extensive traveling, they haven’t necessarily

There was a time when racing season used to pause in the winter. Now, however, it goes year-round because there are indoor races in the winter. In February, Bryan and Cruz

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went to Tulsa so Bryan could participate in the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which is the biggest midget race in the world with nearly 400 entries. “It attracts IndyCar racers, NASCAR racers, any kind of racing you can think of,” Bryan says. At this race there is a flag ceremony, and

drivers from every country are represented by carrying their state or country flag. Cruz was invited to carry the Indiana flag in front of more than 20,000 people, live on TV. Despite being retired, Bryan’s dad is still very involved in his family’s racing. “He’s 72 but he acts like he’s 40,” Bryan says.

The three generations of Stanfills spend a lot of time in the shop working on their cars. “Because we race on the dirt, the cars take a bit of a beating,” Bryan says. There’s motor maintenance, plus they are constantly building spare parts, checking tires and keeping the trailer organized.

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Bryan & Cruz with Kasey Coler, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park GM

28 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

“There’s just a lot to do,” Bryan says. “It’s never-ending. I think a lot of people don’t understand how much work goes into racing. We may work 50 hours a week in the shop to race one night, but it teaches you a good work ethic.”

Now ting Accep its! Depos

Cruz has a total of eight junior sprint class wins, six of which he secured last year. “I’ve lost track of how many he has in the quarter midget,” Bryan says. “He’s got seven wins that are nationally ranked.”

“There are people like A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti on that list, so it was really cool to be in that kind of company,” Bryan says. In July of 2021, the father-son racing duo experienced a highlight in their careers when they raced on the same night. Bryan ran the midget and Cruz ran the junior sprint.

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Bryan, the 1998 USAC Rookie of the Year, won the USAC championship in 2020, was a regional championship winner, and has 35 midget wins and five sprint car wins. In February of 2022, the USAC announced that Bryan is one of only 14 drivers who have won a USAC-sanctioned race in four different decades.

“We both won that night,” Bryan says. “That’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Cruz’s future aspirations include running in NASCAR or IndyCar someday. The Stanfills are just happy to ride the wave for as long as they can. “Racing - there’s nothing better,” Bryan says.

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