Brownsburg Magazine December 2023 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

DECEMBER 2023

MAGAZINE

KEYS TO SUCCESS KEYBOARDIST TROYE KINNETT HAS DISPLAYED HIS TALENTS LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD

HOT ROD SANTA Local Resident and Auto Enthusiast Scotty Stephany Proves Santa Doesn’t Just Drive a Sleigh PAIN RELIEF Should You Use Ice or Heat?

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Auto Repair Shop Owner Ben Lacher Releasing Series of Educational Kids Books

Should You Use Ice or Heat?

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PAIN RELIEF

KEYS TO SUCCESS

HOT ROD SANTA

Local Resident and Auto Enthusiast Scotty Stephany Proves Santa Doesn’t Just Drive a Sleigh

Keyboardist Troye Kinnett Has Displayed His Talents Locally, Nationally and Around the World

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ALL BOOKED UP AUTO REPAIR SHOP OWNER BEN LACHER RELEASING SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL KIDS BOOKS Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Auto Imagery & Sammi Jo Photography

For as long as he can remember, Ben Lacher has had a love for cars and dreamed of owning his own auto shop one day. In college, while obtaining a degree in automotive and diesel technology, he worked as a pit crew mechanic for drag racer Terry McMillen and later John Force Racing. While the career was exciting and allowed him to see the world, Lacher knew his plan would take him down a different path. In 2021 he decided it was time to bring that dream to fruition and opened up his own auto repair shop, Ben’s Garage, in Brownsburg. Things were off to a good start, and shortly after opening his shop, Lacher pursued another passion - writing a book.

Mechanic and children’s author? It seems like an unusual combination, but his passion to share information with youths defies the typical expectation.

“We’ve been talking about this book for a year, and I know it doesn’t make sense,” he says. “Why would this auto repair shop guy write a kids “About a year ago I was watching a cartoon with my 3-year-old daughter book? I really want to see the next generation have the ability to work and it was supposed to be for kids about mechanics,” Lacher says. on their own vehicle if they desire.” The lifelong mechanic wasn’t impressed, and a new idea was launched that leaned into something he loved - inspiring and educating others in the field.

As a Christian, Lacher had a network of other recommended Christian businesses such as illustrators and publishers, and found the perfect match of individuals who understood his vision.

6 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

“I thought we could make this educational and fun,” he says. “I want the book to be intriguing to a younger generation, but also parents who might not know a lot about mechanics. They were super excited. Something like this hasn’t come across their desk before, and ‘Ben’s Garage Kids’ was officially available in September.” The first in the series is titled “Ben Does an Oil Change.” The 24 pages of colorful illustrations take readers through the stepby-step process of changing the oil in a vehicle, labeling parts under the hood of the car, sharing safety tips, and the importance of getting an oil change on a regular basis. It’s just the first in a series of 12 books. Lacher plans to touch on subjects like changing a tire, the lights on the dashboard and the importance of keeping the car clean, in future publications.

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“Young kids don’t care what this light means versus this light, but they can learn the colors and what it means if a light is flashing - simple things like that,” Lacher says. “A lot of people don’t know how much the salt affects the joints and everything else on your vehicle. It’s important information.” Lacher has written the book with children in mind, but he knows a few parents might learn a tip or two in the process. “We see some interesting stuff come through our shop,” Lacher says. “Not too long ago a jeep came in with oil dumped in the windshield fluid. By reading my book, I hope parents pick up on stuff as well.”

many times,” he says. “That’s what creates the knowledge to become successful. Failure shouldn’t be looked at as such a bad thing.”

Ultimately, he wants to inspire.

He’s not failing today, and he also wants people to know he didn’t do it alone.

“There is such a deficit in technicians right now,” Lacher says. “There’s a high demand and many are making six figures a year. I hope to get kids involved and interested, and in 15 years, if someone says they got involved in mechanics because of my book, then I’ve done what I set out to do.”

“Caiti has played such a huge part in this,” he says. “She’s the grounding force in our family, and she’s really instilled family first but supported me every step of the way. My relationship with God and the support of my family made this possible.”

Rest assured that Lacher’s two children with his wife, Caiti, will know their way around a vehicle and how to care for it properly.

Purchase “Ben’s Garage Kids” through Amazon, at authorhouse.com, or at Ben’s Garage at 533 East Main Street in Brownsburg.

They’ll also know the importance of failure and success. “I think the school system is set up as pass or fail, and I’ve failed so

For more information on Ben’s Garage, call 317-942-3944 or visit bensgarageautomotive.com.

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Hot Rod Santa LOCAL RESIDENT AND AUTO ENTHUSIAST SCOTTY STEPHANY PROVES SANTA DOESN’T JUST DRIVE A SLEIGH Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographers / Adrienne Nicole Photography & Krista Neuenschwander Photography

DECEMBER 2023

e grew up loving cars. But as an adult, racing his 1978 Mustang II coupe down the track at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, with a beard that had started turning white in his 20s, gold, wire-rimmed glasses, and a jolly disposition, Scotty Stephany found a new love later in life.

growing my beard out and I thought, ‘Maybe doing this for the community is something I should pursue,’ ” Stephany says.

“Playing Santa used to be a family thing over the holidays, but about seven years ago I started

“There were about 150 other Santas, Mrs. Clauses or elves,” he says. “You learn a lot of

He didn’t take the job lightly. In fact, Stephany began looking into what becoming Santa entails, and attended a five-day training session at Northern Lights Santa Academy in Atlanta.

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“My greatest happiness is watching people smile. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when Santa is around and it keeps me on my toes too. You know people are watching you. If I can change someone’s day for the better in two minutes at a stop light, I’m game.” - Scotty Stephany

DECEMBER 2023

interesting things, like working with kids who have special needs, dressing differently for different occasions, and improv skills.” That’s right - it makes a difference what Santa wears if he’s attending a Christmas in July event with a Hawaiian Santa shirt on, or the red and white coat we love in Christmas photos. For this particular Santa, it’s not uncommon to see him in his red “Hot Rod Santa” T-shirt and dark sunglasses, which are sure to catch your eye. The improvisation training comes in handy too. According to Stephany, Santa can hear a long list of well-thought-out questions in his short visit with a child, and some of those questions require some seasoned improv practice. At the Santa Academy, attendees learn how to hone their craft, and also find a network of similar-minded people who love giving back to their community. Through the school, the Navy veteran befriended a fellow Coast Guard

mentor. They both became Santas in recent years.

in to share something new. It’s kind of like a car club, but everyone has white beards.”

Back home, Stephany joined the Indiana Santa Claus Society, a nonprofit spreading Christmas cheer all year round, and the Hoosier Santas, a private Facebook group of local Santas who enjoy trading stories, talking about costume updates and more. The two groups serve the community in different ways.

Most importantly, our local Hot Rod Santa just wants to spread joy in his community.

For example, when attending an Indiana Santa Claus Society event, Stephany and other local Santas are traveling to towns within the state that have been ravaged by natural disasters, and delivering a trailer full of toys to children in the area. While giving back is something Stephany loves to do, he also continues to hone his skill to be the best Santa possible. “The Hoosier Santa guys meet about once per month to practice,” he says. “We build off of each other and even have guest Santas come

“My greatest happiness is watching people smile,” Stephany says. “It’s hard to be in a bad mood when Santa is around and it keeps me on my toes too. You know people are watching you. If I can change someone’s day for the better in two minutes at a stop light, I’m game.” Whether sitting in his red Ford pickup with the words “North Pole Edition” on the back at a stoplight, or interacting with families at our favorite holiday events, chances are you have encountered or will encounter Stephany throughout the season. Santa fans will likely see Stephany lighting the tree at Danville’s annual Christmas on the Square event, visiting with guests at the train station during Ellis Park’s Winterland Holiday

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Light Show, and sharing the Christmas spirit at Red Curb Comedy in Avon during their Santa photo sessions. In addition, Stephany offers “neighbor knocks.” “It’s something I started doing during the pandemic,” he says. “If you can get 10 of your neighbors together, I’ll stop by, house by house. It’s $25 per house and you get about 10 minutes with Santa. It’s a fun time. The kids are in their PJs and usually surprised by the visit.” He has to cover expenses, but Stephany is all for giving back too. After all, special situations call for special people, and aside from his work with the Indiana Santa Claus Society, his goal is to donate 30 hours per year for those who need him the most. Stephany visited his uncle as Santa toward the end of his cancer battle late this year, and it’s not uncommon, he says, to receive calls about children in sad circumstances. “I got a call about a young girl who was losing her eyesight,” he says. “They wanted to know if I would go visit her and how much would I charge. That’s not a charge thing. That’s something we do because of who we are as people.” It’s not just Stephany who has embraced the Christmas spirit. His family is hooked too. It’s not uncommon for Santa to arrive with a group of elves, the Grinch or other popular holiday characters, giving back to the

community with that infectious holiday spirit. “The family are full participants,” Stephany says. “I’ve picked up my grandson at high school partially dressed as Santa, and even the grandkids serve as photo props for me. When they get old enough they know I’m Santa, and they love to get involved.” With all the good he’s doing with his family and in the community, Stephany’s never forgotten the guys at the track. His first passion keeps him coming back to racing year after year - only now, the guys are competing against their childhood icon. “I have Hot Rod Santa T-shirts that I wear regularly, and I’ve got a custom-made, red driver’s suit. I’ve also got a helmet that looks like Santa’s hat and beard. Up next, I’ll be wrapping my race car. It’ll look like Santa’s sleigh and my grandkids will be elves hanging on the back.” Patches on that special suit reflect organizations close to his heart, including the Indiana Santa Claus Society, The United States Navy and a fun image of a Santa on the back, driving a hot rod with his sack of toys over his shoulder. Of course, it’s fun and entertaining, but in Stephany’s typical fashion, his new racing gear also shows his support by adding the

DECEMBER 2023

Indiana Santa Claus Society’s logo to the car and spreading the word every chance he gets. His racing buddies are all in. “Even the guys at the track put ’S. Claus’ at the top of the race ticket,” he says. “How mad can you be when you got beat by Santa Claus over the weekend? I tell everybody, you can laugh at me or with me, but we know your day changed because you stopped to laugh.” Register at Red Curb Comedy this year for professional digital photos, both posed and spontaneous. Select dates are offered through December 21. With registration, families receive a specific time for personalized visits and avoid the long lines at traditional events. For more information, visit redcurbcomedy. com/santa. For more information about Stephany, you can find him on Facebook @ScottyGClaus, or on Instagram @TheHotRodSanta. If interested in a visit or a “neighbor knocks” event, email Stephany at thehotrodsanta@ yahoo.com.

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PAIN RELIEF: SHOULD YOU USE ICE OR HEAT? Writer / Dr. Trevor Call, Orthopedic Surgeon at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

No matter how careful you are, injuries happen. Though orthopedic specialists are always ready to help, slight to moderate pain does not always require a trip to see your doctor. In certain situations, an ice pack or heating pad can help quickly. It is important to know which to use, to prevent further pain or even injury.

WHEN SHOULD YOU USE COLD THERAPY? Cold therapy, such as a cold compress, should typically be used for recent injuries that have occurred within the last 48 hours and cause swelling. Apply the ice pack or frozen item to the injury. Make sure to wrap the frozen item

be used on smaller areas of pain, but for larger in a towel or some kind of cloth. Applying a very cold item directly to your injury can cause areas you can use a larger heating pad, heat wraps or even a heated towel. damage to the skin and tissue. Make sure you use cold therapy as quickly as possible after the injury occurs, but stick to around 10 to 15 WHAT SHOULD YOU minutes at a time to prevent damage to your DO IF THE TREATMENT nerves, tissue and skin. For best results, elevate DOESN’T WORK? the injured area as well. If cold therapy or heat therapy does not work or makes your pain worse, a visit to your WHEN SHOULD YOU physician to discuss other treatment options is USE HEAT THERAPY? appropriate. Heat therapy can be used if you have pain or stiffness in your joints or muscles. Applying If you have severe or persistent issues with heat for 10 to 15 minutes can help relieve your upper body including the shoulder, muscle soreness and minor pain. Moderate to elbow, wrist or hand, or the lower body severe stiffness or tension can be helped with including hips, knees, ankles or feet, an a longer session. For this level of pain, you orthopedic or sports medicine specialist can can apply an appropriate temperature of heat help you decide on a treatment plan. therapy for 30 minutes. Small heat packs can DECEMBER 2023

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KEYS TO SUCCESS KEYBOARDIST TROYE KINNETT HAS DISPLAYED HIS TALENTS LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Amy Payne

TownePost.com / DECEMBER 2023 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 19

attending a high school of 500 students might lead one to believe his options were few. The high school didn’t even have a football team, but Kinnett remembers plenty of opportunity.

What you may not know is that on the stage behind each one of them is local resident and keyboardist Troye Kinnett.

“We performed in the Macy’s Day Parade as a marching band,” he says. “I really found New York City inspiring. By the time I was a teen I was playing keyboard at weddings, and I think all the opportunities that were in front of me kept me in music throughout my life.”

ave you ever attended a concert featuring local Indy musicians Jennie DeVoe or Doug Henthorn? How about The Nauti Yachtys with the winner of season six of NBC’s “The Voice” Josh Kaufman, Grammy winner Sandi Patty, or perhaps one of Indiana’s most famous musicians, John Mellencamp?

with Keith Urban, Stephen Stills and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. With each step, he’s living out the dream of a marching band high school student from a small town in Indiana. Outside of his “regular job” working with recording studios, Kinnett toured with Christian artist Sandi Patty.

“I think Sandi is one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever worked with, in terms of what she can do with her voice and how And the opportunities kept coming. she’s able to communicate what she wants,” “I started taking piano lessons as a kid and he says. “She covers a lot of different styles just stuck with it,” he says. “In high school I got into electric keyboard, the xylophone in Kinnett has met and played with musicians and is just incredible. She’s had quite the the high school marching band, and started all over the world. He’s worked for recording career, and for me it was a thrill.” studios, created radio and TV spots for playing in garage bands. At our basketball One of the exciting parts of being a games I’d gather all the amps I could muster, commercials, and performed voiceovers. musician, Kinnett says, is having the chain them all together, and when the team He’s returned to New York City to play ability to do different genres with different on stages like Radio City Music Hall and was coming out I’d do the big siren you musicians, leading to different challenges Carnegie Hall. He’s worked with artists hear on ‘Ridin’ the Storm Out’ by REO over the years. such as Bruce Springsteen, Little Big Town Speedwagon. It was just a lot of fun.” and T Bone Burnett, and performed live His early days in Muncie, Indiana, and

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In 2005, one musician’s call changed his career forever. “Right after Hurricane Katrina, my brother-in-law and I had plans to go down to New Orleans and move the grandparents back up to Indiana,” Kinnett says. “I got a call on Thursday to record with John [Mellencamp] on Monday morning. They were recording for the Stephen King musical ‘Ghost Brothers of Darkland County’ and at the time were working with two guitars, a violin and an accordion.” Though Kinnett knew how to play the accordion, he sat in the back seat of the moving truck and practiced for hours. “Everything went great and six months later I got the call to start touring,” Kinnett says. His road to playing in the band for one of Indiana’s most popular residents is a testament to the hard work Kinnett put forth for years. Like in most professions, band members know each other, play together and often call on each other when someone needs a specific musician.

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“I’ve worked with everyone in John’s band in some way or another,” Kinnett says. “Dane Clark [the drummer for Mellencamp’s band] is who I’d call in for a recording session if we needed a drummer. We’ve done lots of sessions together. In the same way, when they’re looking for a keyboardist, they call me.”

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Compared to Kinnett’s Christian tour with Patty and the instruments used in her softer sound, the six-month Mellencamp tour earlier this year was on the other end of the spectrum - 77 shows between February and June with a plan to resume the tour in March of 2024.

In fact, Clark, Kinnett, bassist John Gunnell and violinist Miriam Sturm all have roots in Indiana.

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Kinnett plays harmonica, organ and keyboards for the band, and it’s safe to say that Mellencamp fans have heard a different sound on the star’s recent albums, giving audiences - and the band members - an eclectic list to choose from. “John’s style has changed over the years,” Kinnett says. “He’s stretched into areas like jazz piano on ‘Strictly a One-Eyed Jack.’ That album has three songs with Bruce Springsteen and, for example, the song ‘Gone So Soon’ has a cool, dark, jazz vibe.” A darker tone is emerging on albums such as “Orpheus Descending” and tracks like “Amen,” which Kinnett says deals with gun violence in America. Still, Kinnett and the band have a blast playing Mellencamp classics like “Jack and Diane” and “Hurts So Good.” It’s the variety that Kinnett enjoys the most. “My dream gig would be to play for ‘The

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Voice,’ ” he says. “Imagine all of those singers from all different genres of music, with all the different styles.” On his journey, the husband and father of one son has had the opportunity to see the world - at least many stages around the world. With Mellencamp alone, Kinnett has traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Canada, not to mention every state in the U.S. with the exception of Alaska. “It sounds very exciting and romantic, but I’ve seen the back of a venue or theater and the inside of a tour bus quite a bit,” Kinnett sats. “You miss a lot of that beautiful scenery but we do try to catch as much as we can while we’re there.” He’s missed birthdays and sporting events, and other times with family. He’s also shared a Thanksgiving meal in Australia with catered food, alongside Mellencamp, Sheryl Crowe and the band members for each musician. “It’s strange at times,” he says. “You are on the other side of the world from your family and you have to work to stay connected and communicate, yet experiences like that allow the band to bond, so you make the best of wherever you are.”

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Despite his travel and mingling with some of the world’s most popular musicians, Kinnett is very much rooted in Indiana and enjoys sharing his skill with others. When not on tour, we can still catch the keyboardist on stage at local events or venues. “We just finished Farm Aid at Ruoff Music Center with John, and I got to see all the sets with Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews and Bob Dylan among many more,” Kinnett says. “That was a great event. This winter I’ll be out locally, with several artists throughout the holidays.”

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Visit troyekinnett.com for an updated schedule and more information. TownePost.com / DECEMBER 2023 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 23

Get convenient access to Indiana’s top cardiologists. If you’ve been told you’re at risk for heart disease, don’t wait to see the highly skilled heart experts at Indiana University Health. From everyday heart care to the most complex procedures, we offer leading-edge medicine that’s personalized for you, so you can take control of your health.

“Besides my love of fishing, I’ve inherited heart disease from my father and grandfather. How do I keep it under control?”

Call 317.962.0500 to book your consult today.