Brownsburg Magazine February 2023

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PROTECT AND SAVE

HOMES FOR HEROES HELPS THOSE WHO SERVE THE NATION AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Every day we rely on individuals who serve our country and our community in some way. These people include firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), law enforcement officials, health care professionals, teachers and veterans.

Homes for Heroes is a nationwide program, established in 2002, that provides benefits to those who serve our nation and its communities when they are buying and/or selling a home.

Angie Turley, a loan officer, has been working with local heroes for the past 10 years. In that time she has helped several

thousand firefighters, police officers, medical workers, educators and military members save money through Homes for Heroes. Qualifying heroes include paramedics, EMTs, law enforcement officials, first responders, all ranks of active military members, as well as reserves and veterans of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. This also includes nurses, doctors

and health care professionals, as well as prekindergarten, elementary, secondary and post-secondary educators, professors and administrative staff.

In Hendricks County, Turley partners with broker/realtor Keri Arthurton of Harvest Realty Group, who works in Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg and Danville. Harvest Realty Group has partnered with the program as a way to thank these heroes for all they do to protect and serve our community.

“Over the past few years, Harvest Realty Group has had the honor and privilege to give back over $150,000-plus to our local heroes,” Arthurton says. “As a former middle school teacher, I love getting the opportunity to give back to those that make our neighborhoods a better place to live.”

“The client gets a check back for $250 for every $1,000 Keri makes,” Turley adds. “It’s pretty sweet because the average savings for Homes for Heroes is a couple thousand dollars.”

Turley estimates that 30% of her business is “hero business.” In fact, last year her team was the number-three affiliate in the country and number-one in the state.

Kim Kiritschenko, an officer with the Brownsburg Police Department who works in Brownsburg schools, agrees.

“Buying and selling a home can be complicated, even intimidating, but working with Angie and Keri made the

Echinacea

Andrographis

entire process smooth and flawless,” says Kiritschenko, who notes that her family sold their home within days, found the perfect new home and received money back from both sales. “They were always a text or phone call away and ready to show us any home we asked to see. We saved so much by using Homes for Heroes and found that they made the whole experience as easy as possible. We even received money back from each sale and were able to put that towards our new home.

I’m so thankful we used Homes for Heroes.”

Turley and Arthurton regularly mingle with community members because they are passionate about educating the public on this rebate program. Therefore, they attend National Night Out events in the county, and are also heavily involved with the Brownsburg Education Foundation, the Danville Fire Department and others.

“We do a ton of stuff within the community because a lot of people don’t know that they are offered this rebate, so we promote it a ton within the community,” Turley says. “We want to benefit them and give back to them.”

Time and again, clients appreciate the help. Just last year, Turley and Arthurton closed on a home for which the clients needed a deck repainted because it was a Federal Housing Administration requirement.

Astragalus

“It was a down-payment assistance program, so this police officer was able to get the rebate and repaint her deck, because she didn’t have the money to do so,” Turley says. “It was a win-win situation for everyone.”

For more information about the program and how it can provide savings when buying and/ or selling a home, and to register as a hero, visit homesforheroes.com, or call Turley at 317-797-0615 or Arthurton at 317-696-7661.

ONE YOU. ONE HEART.

HEART CARE

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A LIFE-CHANGING MISSION

LOCAL MAN ADVOCATES EASING THE FINANCIAL TRAUMA FOR CANCER PATIENTS

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided by Andy Janning

Nearly four years ago, when Andy Janning’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, the family was forced to walk through the emotional, physical and financial trauma of cancer. Soon after, Janning was given the opportunity by the National Credit Union Foundation to produce a documentary about the financial crisis of cancer in America and how financial institutions, especially credit unions, can do something to ease that financial trauma. The project became a seven-part documentary called “Side Effects.”

“My eyes have been opened,” Janning says, noting that nearly half of all Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Additionally, most people diagnosed with cancer will be financially devastated by the diagnosis. “These cancer patients are already feeling the consequences of cancer every day because the disease is actively killing them. Financial institutions shouldn’t be doing the same thing,” he says.

While making the documentary, Janning met amazing people with moving stories. One was a woman named Elizabeth, who was diagnosed with terminal colon

cancer at age 42. When her credit union learned of the financial trauma she had been experiencing because of her terminal diagnosis, the credit union paid off the credit cards and car loan that she had with the organization. That financial relief helped ease her mental and physical strain so that she could hang on long enough to see the birth of her first grandchild before she passed away.

“That act of financial mercy got me thinking, ‘What if this wasn’t just one member and one credit union one time?’” Janning says. “What if this was something that financial institutions did for every member and every

customer with terminal cancer?”

Janning began advocating for terminal cancer patients, trying to convince banks, credit unions, credit card companies and mortgage lenders to cancel the debt they hold for their customers and members with terminal cancer.

COVID-19 provided insight into what can happen when a financial crisis meets a health crisis. During the pandemic, the financial industry moved quickly to provide payment relief, payment pauses and other interventions for people who were devastated by the coronavirus.

“Even though that pandemic has slowed, cancer—the original pandemic—hasn’t,” Janning says. “The stuff the financial institutions did for folks during the pandemic should continue for cancer patients because that pandemic never ends.”

More recently, Janning expanded his mission to encourage financial institutions to pause any loan payments for 12 months for any member or customer who is in active treatment for cancer.

Janning gives many keynote presentations around the country where he shares his message with financial institutions. Their reactions are usually that they like the idea but don’t see its feasibility.

“How do you untangle the legal, regulatory and procedural habits that bind financial institutions to saying, ‘This is the way we’ve always done it?’” Janning says. “But if you’re putting more creativity into defending your regulations and procedures at the expense of the people you say you’re there to serve,

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Elizabeth & Remington

Matt, diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma

then that dissonance has to be called out because it’s costing people their financial, economic and physical livelihood.”

Financial institutions are not known for, nor should they be known for, engaging in risky flights of fancy.

“I can watch CFOs age a decade in front of me when I suggest they pause loan payments or cancel debt for people with terminal cancer,” Janning says. “But I say, let’s dive into the numbers instead of reflexively recoiling from something that threatens your status quo.”

Janning is currently in talks with a financial institution based in a southern state to pilot this concept of cancelling debt for their customers with terminal cancer to determine the financial and procedural cost of doing so.

“I’m trying to show that if one organization does it, everyone else will follow,” Janning says, who likens the process to a middle school dance.

“Everyone’s hanging around the dance floor, but no one wants to go out and break the ice,” he says. “I’m trying to pull the first institution to the middle of the dance floor to show this is something they can afford to do.”

The CEO Janning is working with lost both her husband and her daughter to brain cancer, so she’s seen the disease’s

devastation up close. Others have a harder time getting on board.

People often ask Janning, “Why just cancer? Why can’t you push to financially help people with other diseases?”

The answer is simple, says. “Cancer is arguably the most expensive chronic disease to treat in this country. Just by sheer tonnage, the overall cost to treat cancer exceeds the cost to treat heart disease, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy and arthritis combined.”

“When your house is on fire, you’re not going to wonder if someone should come help you. You send the fire department to extinguish the fire,” Janning says. “A cancer diagnosis is a house fire. We need to have as many people as possible to help put this fire out.”

“Imagine the look on a cancer patient’s face who is going through the worst season of their life when they are told their debts are forgiven—don’t worry about paying us back for a year.” Janning says. “Those words are life changing.”

Lisa, a 55-year-old woman battling terminal ovarian cancer, had her $14,000 auto loan forgiven six weeks before she passed away because of Janning’s lobbying with her bank.

“I would’ve loved to have been able to tell her that they stepped up and made this sacrifice for her,” Janning says. “I see the pain of people going through this. I see their tears. I know how badly this hurts them. I also know the direct correlation between financial stress and physical and emotional health.”

According to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, cancer patients are more than twice as likely to file for bankruptcy after they’ve been diagnosed. Some cancer patients create a GoFundMe, but most

crowdfunding fails as people don’t even get a quarter of what they need to pay their medical bills.

“I think it’s criminal that we live in the richest country in the world, yet we have people shaking a digital cup on a digital street corner to beg people to pay to help them stay alive,” Janning says. “That shouldn’t happen.”

Last fall, RockStar Pizza in Brownsburg held a fundraiser where it donated 30% of a day’s profits to Matt and Lindsey, local residents of Brownsburg. Matt had been diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma.

“If a local pizza place is more generous than a financial institution, then we’ve got some real work to do in our country,” Janning says, who notes that 60% of cancer patients must return to work following a cancer diagnosis. They can’t go on disability because of the financial need that cancer causes.

Janning has a small group of organizations who are willing to pilot this to see its potential, but efforts are slow.

“To be fair, I have lots of organizations who have said they’re interested, but there are legal and regulatory hurdles for them to overcome. I get that, but this is a matter of will,” Janning says.

“It’s also a matter of courage to ask, ‘Who are we willing to fight for more?’ I’m trying to advocate inside the industry that holds the keys to transform people’s lives.” If you would like to support Janning in his mission, you can visit andyjanning.com

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY

Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photography Provided

While some may think of Valentine’s Day as a commercial holiday, I see it as a sweet day of celebration. I’ve loved the holiday since I was a kid, decked out in red, heart-shaped jewelry and indulging in plenty of Valentine’s treats. I admit it - I live for a holiday.

Valentine’s Day reminds me that spring and warmer weather isn’t too far away. I get the opportunity to celebrate those who bring joy to my life. It might be my family, friends or even a trusted neighbor. I’ve enjoyed so many kinds of Valentine’s Days over the years - a romantic dinner, an evening out with friends or a night bowling with family. There wasn’t a bad time since I spent it with the people I care about. A beautiful bouquet of flowers and dinner is always a special treat, but celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break your budget. A simple gesture like a thoughtful, handwritten note is always appreciated. Don’t forget the ones you love on this special day. I’ve got a few fun and different ideas for you to celebrate those closest to you. Here are five ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

GIVE SPORTS A SHOT

What’s more fun than cheering on a sports team? I am a fan of attending a basketball game on Valentine’s Day. I enjoy sitting in the stands, screaming with the other fans and discussing the referee calls with my friends. We even do a little trash talk and make a few friendly wagers. Don’t forget the soda, popcorn and other treats from the concession stand. If basketball isn’t your sport, try attending a hockey game. My cousin and her family are devoted hockey fans, and always cheer on their local hockey team and dine at their favorite pizza restaurant after the game.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBORPAY IT FORWARD

One of my neighbors always makes sure to check in with other neighbors, especially an elderly neighbor, and even leaves sweet notes and candy in mailboxes every Valentine’s Day for a handful of us neighbors. I plan to do the same for my neighbors this year. I will leave a note thanking them for being great neighbors, with a bag of Valentine’s treats like

conversation hearts, cinnamon candy hearts and chocolate. I also plan to include a small gift card from a local coffee shop. I don’t mind treating my favorite neighbors to candy and coffee.

GRAND GAMES

I’m a fan of a game of healthy competition every now and then. I spent previous Valentine’s Days with a group of friends, bowling, playing pool and enjoying a few games of darts. My family and I also like to

MAKE A SPECIAL MEAL AT HOME

Whether it’s casual or fancy, a homecooked meal hits the spot and feeds the soul. I believe food always tastes better when someone else does the cooking. I like to make cheese fondue with all the fixings, like slices of apples, carrots, grapes and pieces of warm French bread. A friend of mine and her kids have a pizza night complete with individual heart-shaped pizzas. They also make heart-shaped Rice Krispies treats topped with rainbow sprinkles. My aunt and uncle like to make their day extra special and splurge on Valentine’s Day dinner at home, by enjoying king crab legs dipped in butter with a pair of juicy steaks. A Valentine’s Day meal doesn’t have to be dinner. You can make breakfast for the family. My brother enjoys making heartshaped banana pancakes for the kids, and bacon cooked in an air fryer. Don’t forget your pets. This year I plan to pick up a cupcake from a dog bakery for my miniature poodle, Louis. I want to make sure everyone in the family feels special, including my dog.

attend a local trivia game. This year we might visit the golf range, which is open year-round, and work on our swings while we enjoy appetizers and drinks. If you want to play games at home, no worries. I’ve got a great idea for you. My aunt hosts a fun-filled Valentine’s Day game night, and guests feast on my aunt’s famous homemade lasagna and garlic bread while they play games like Bunco, Hearts and Scattergories. If it isn’t too cold outside, guests will venture out in

PRACTICALLY PERFECT

I’m a fan of practical gifts and I don’t think there’s anything sweeter than taking care of an otherwise mundane or time-consuming errand for a significant other or spouse. Get an oil change for the car, plus a car wash and detailing. Leave a sweet note in the cupholder and arrange for a meal at home or dinner at your favorite restaurant. My friend’s husband arranges for the house to be cleaned on Valentine’s Day, and a day at a spa for his wife. My friend says getting a massage and manicure at a spa and then coming home to a clean house is the greatest Valentine’s Day gift. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. My neighbor’s husband completes a to-do list. He hangs up pictures, steam cleans the carpets and straightens up the garage. It doesn’t cost much, and the hard work and thoughtfulness doesn’t go unnoticed.

HEART ATTACKS

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Cardiologist

A heart attack, called acute myocardial infarction, occurs when an area of the heart muscle does not receive enough blood flow and stops functioning. Blood flow stops because plaque, a waxy-like substance of cholesterol deposits, builds up in the artery and then ruptures, causing an occlusion. A heart attack can threaten one’s life and requires immediate medical attention.

SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

Signs of a heart attack can differ. Symptoms tend to be abrupt and last more than a few minutes or may go away, then come back. Most people experience chest pain and/or pain in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw or top of the stomach. Shortness of breath may also be a symptom, with or without chest pain. Other signs may be nausea, dizziness or fatigue. According to the American Heart Association, women most commonly experience symptoms of chest pain, but

are somewhat more likely to experience other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting as well as back or jaw pain.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE SHOWS SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

If you or a loved one is experiencing a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Do not drive to the hospital. Emergency personnel can begin lifesaving care in the back of the ambulance and ensure quicker treatment at the hospital.

TREATMENT FOR A HEART ATTACK

The longer it takes for the heart muscle to receive blood flow, the more that area of heart muscle is at risk of dying, decreasing heart function. Once a heart attack occurs, a physician must clear the plaque causing the attack as quickly as possible to restore blood flow.

Your physician will offer comprehensive heart attack care from treatment through

recovery. There are multiple treatment options that involve medications and procedure-based therapies. Angioplasty is a catheter-based therapy used to reopen the artery to allow blood flow to the heart. Physicians do this by making a small incision in the groin or gain access by using the artery in the wrist or arm, then guiding a deflated balloon through the arteries to the blocked area. Once in place, they will inflate the balloon, allowing blood flow to return to the heart. Stent placement uses a similar technique to deploy a mesh wire tube into the artery to keep it open.

Doctors may sometimes recommend coronary artery bypass surgery for severe blockages when multiple vessels are involved or depending on the location of the narrowed arteries. The surgeon will graft a new vein or artery into your heart vessels to allow blood to divert around the blockage. Following a heart attack, your physician prescribes medications to prevent future heart attacks and improve your heart health.

Writer/ Dr. Omar Batal,

at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PET

Writer / Tara Marie Dorsett Photography Provided

The 3-month-old Burmese mountain dog was adorable, but his size stopped adopters from filling out an application. On his fourth day at the shelter, a young woman wanted to meet him. Some basic questions were asked:

“What type of housing are you in?” She rented a small, second-floor apartment. “Do you enjoy being outside?” She preferred to stay indoors.

“Do you have time to train and exercise the dog?” Her job kept her busy, often requiring her to work late.

She was told that a large puppy might not be the best fit for her, but she said the dog was perfect and took him home.

The next morning she returned, sheepishly admitting she may have bitten off more than she could chew.

For many of us, life feels empty without a pet, but we don’t always take time to figure out exactly which one works for us before

we jump into pet ownership. So how do you choose a furry, feathered or scaled friend that is practical for your home and life? Start by asking yourself a few questions.

Why do you want this type of pet? What draws you to that animal?

Do you have room for your pet’s cage, kennel or aquarium? Do you have space for them to run, jump and explore?

How much money can you spend per month on a pet? Do you have time to train, exercise and play with a pet?

Now do some research on the species you want. Dogs typically need three or more hours of outdoor, high-energy playtime. They need to go out at least two times per day to use the

bathroom. Average food consumption is one-half to three cups per meal.

Cats can comfortably live inside. Average meal size is one-third to one-half cups per day. Toys are easy to find. Cats sleep several hours per day and can usually be left unattended for long periods of time.

Birds enjoy human company and benefit from out-of-cage time. The amount of food needed for the day varies from bird to bird, but averages from one-half to one pound of food per day. Toys are expensive with few options.

Small animals do well in medium to large enclosures. A bag of food lasts about three to four weeks. Toys need to be replaced

often. Some small animals such as rabbits, chinchillas and ferrets require more human interaction, and their diets have special requirements.

Fish need very little care beyond food, places to hide and clean water. A container of food, dry or frozen, can last a month. Ideally they need one gallon of water per inch of body length.

Reptiles vary in size. Their enclosure should be large enough and secure enough to

keep them safe. Initial setup can cost up to $1,000. Food cost and type vary with species. A snake may only need to be fed twice per week, while a lizard or frog may need to eat more often.

Now that you have considered the basics of pet ownership, have fun choosing your new family member.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, the Burmese mountain puppy found an amazing home later that afternoon.

Owner of Mandy’s Ice Cream Has a Taste for the Treat Biz

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

The scent of a sweet, sugary treat can evoke a beautiful, blissful memory.

Such is the case for Mandy Johnson. She would take her children to an ice cream shop when they were little. “It reminded me of spending time with my grandparents, when they would take us out for ice cream when I was a child,” Johnson says. “There was a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in going out for ice cream.”

One day in 2014, while the family was indulging in their favorite dessert at Wyliepalooza Ice Cream Emporium in Brownsburg, the management of the shop offered Johnson a part-time job. After working there for one and a half years, the owner suggested that Johnson buy the store, which she did. Four years ago Mandy and her husband, Brent, moved the shop from 1022 East Main Street to 1042 East Main.

“I don’t make big changes in my life, so 87 steps seemed far enough,” Johnson says with a chuckle. Truthfully, they had outgrown the original shop and were seeking more seating as well as space to hold birthday parties. When they relocated, they opted to change the name to Mandy’s Ice Cream, which seemed appropriate given that customers frequently told her that whenever they

wanted to grab ice cream, they’d holler, “Let’s go to Mandy’s!” In June of 2022, Mandy and Brent opened a second location in Pittsboro.

Not only does Johnson see many grandparents and grandchildren come into her ice cream shop, but she also gets to witness countless celebrations - everything from losing a first tooth to securing a driver’s license to finishing up chemo treatments. People come in to reward themselves after getting a flu shot or being discharged from a hospital. Some even come straight from a hospital, with plastic bands still looped around their wrists.

“It’s almost like a box of chocolates in terms of never knowing what the day will bring, who I’m going to meet and how they will work into my life,” Johnson says.

Some customers come in to celebrate kids having great weeks at school - not just academically, but also behaviorally. Other times, parents are celebrating a pottytraining milestone with their child.

After seven years of owning the ice cream shop, it’s safe to say that Johnson is familiar with her clientele.

“If I don’t know them by name, I know them by flavor,” she says. “Being able to be a part of all of this is 100% why I’m not an absent

owner and why I’m so glad that I ended up being here. I joke that I need to figure out what I’m supposed to do with the rest of my life, but honestly, this is what I’m supposed to do with my life.”

At Mandy’s, people come in as customers and leave as friends. Not only does Johnson appreciate the relationships she has developed with customers through the years, but she has also enjoyed seeing memories being made and traditions continued. For instance, there is a group of girls that has always come in for ice cream on their last day of school since they were little.

“Their moms have always brought them, and this last spring I looked over and started crying because I realized that their moms weren’t there,” Johnson says. “The students were old enough to drive themselves. I’ve watched these kids grow up.”

Johnson has been invited to weddings, birthday parties, graduation open houses, and funerals.

“To be thought of in that way surprises me but makes me feel blessed,” she says. “When I say it’s been my pleasure to serve

this community, I mean it. I love my friends who come in and they love me back. I can feel it.”

As for her employees, she refers to them not as staff, but rather as her scoopers or her kids. For many of them, it is their first job, and she loves to see them mature over time.

“One of my girls broke out in hives during her interview because she was so nervous,” Johnson says. “Not anymore. A parent of one of my scoopers told me that his daughter became much more social once she began working here because she’s no longer afraid to talk to people.”

Johnson says these kids form bonds like brothers and sisters. When one of them had a major surgery, the other kids were calling to check on him and take him gifts.

“They become their own little family,” Johnson says.

Speaking of family, Johnson wants to make sure that family, as well as faith and school, take precedence over work.

“If you want to go to small-group [bible study], I’ll cover your shift,” Johnson says. “If you have a test and need to study, I’ll cover your shift. If you need to take care of your mom or babysit your brother, I’ll

Johnson loves not just her scoopers and her own kids (Miranda, Andrew, Nicklaus and Lexi), but also all the kids in the community. Last summer, Suzanne Rietdorf, an art teacher at Delaware Trail Elementary School, asked Johnson if she would be willing to display some of her students’ artwork on the walls of the ice cream shop as part of a visual-arts scavenger hunt. Johnson was happy to oblige. She now has between 30 and 40 pieces of original artwork hanging on the walls from Brownsburg fourth- and fifth-graders. The plan is to rotate in new artwork as it is created.

“When you’re little, seeing your stuff on the wall is so exciting,” Johnson says. “My shop is basically a giant refrigerator.”

Then there are the handwritten letters Johnson gets from Delaware Trail students, who are practicing crafting

formal letters.

“They are some of the cutest things I’ve ever seen,” says Johnson, citing the following example from a student: “I must say this is one of the best ice cream shops I’ve ever been to in my little tiny life.”

Another note ran as follows: “The workers are kind and caring, funny and generous. They take time in everything they do, and I love how they make a joke. Mandy’s is the best.”

Last fall a local student asked Johnson if she would be willing to speak at a business clinic at the high school. Though Johnson was not a fan of public speaking, the student insisted that she would do great. She agreed, then asked who else would be participating. The student read off the list, which included the president of Circle City Wealth, the vice president of marketing for IndyCar, and Antron Brown, an American drag racer. Johnson’s

eyes widened, and she wondered why she was picked along with the other speakers.

It’s safe to say that Johnson doesn’t give herself enough credit. Clearly she’s a rock star, and everyone in the community knows it. Just ask the kindergarteners to whom Johnson spoke at an elementary school community-day event.

“I was terrified to talk to these 5-yearolds, but they asked great questions and we had a lovely time,” Johnson says. “Afterwards, the teachers told me that this was the most behaved they had ever seen their students.”

Mandy’s Ice Cream is located at 1042 East Main Street in Brownsburg, and is open daily from noon to 9 p.m. For more information, call 317-350-2467. The Pittsboro store is located at 91 North Maple Street.

Brownsburg 4th & 5th Graders Art Wall

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