Carmel Magazine May 2018 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

MAY 2018

MAGAZINE

The most value for those you value most. When you compare the costs of in-home assistance with a retirement community, you may be surprised that our all-inclusive community provides not only top-notch care, amenities, activities, housekeeping and dining; it’s also a better value.

This Feels Like Home.®

Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care

CarmelSeniorLiving.com • (317) 973-4723 13390 North Illinois Street • Carmel, IN 46032 A SPECTRUM RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Learning Time Preschool is a privately owned early learning center that has been a leader in the childcare industry since 1974 providing high-quality childcare and early childhood education in a home-like environment.

NO Wenrolling ENROLLING! Now for Spring 2017 2 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

Carmel Home of the Month 13681 Cheswick Boulevard

Julie & David Morton

Visit Carmel Homes Realty on Facebook to see a short video interview with Julie and David Morton from this featured home.

Carmel Dream Home for Family Living & Entertaining This home represents some of the best in custom home design and updated finishes in its price range. 13681 Cheswick Boulevard is located in the highly desirable Cheswick Place neighborhood. The floor plan is open and flowing with great natural lighting to make it bright and welcoming. The natural focus is centered around the kitchen, breakfast area, and hearth room, but flows easily into the great room, through to the dining room, and on to the entry. This is a great home for entertaining inside and out; perfect for having family close.

If your plans have you moving to Carmel or within Carmel, call us. We hope you will visit this home in person or through our virtual tours. Superior homes like this, and yours, deserve equally impactful marketing. Their owners deserve experienced and committed professionals guiding the entire process to its best conclusion. No one knows Carmel, your neighborhood and possibly your home, better than us. For a better result, hire a team committed to your results. Interview us.

(317) 714-8716 | CarmelHomesRealty.com

Scan to view this listing, photos, 3D tour, and video!

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TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. CARMEL MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER Tom Britt

Tom@TownePost.com / 317-496-3599

PRESIDENT Jeanne Britt

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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Robert Turk

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Austin Vance

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Valerie Randall

EDITORIAL MANAGER Josh Brown

SAHM SUCCESS: SAHM’S ALE HOUSE OPENS IN VILLAGE OF WEST CLAY

Sahm is a familiar name in the Indianapolis restaurant world. Ever since Ed Sahm’s flagship location, Sahm’s Restaurant, opened in 1986 in Fishers, the Sahm family has more than made a name for itself.

Josh@TownePost.com

MAY WRITERS

Carrie Petty / Jane VanOsdol Jon Shoulders / Josh Brown Lynda Hedberg Thies / Nicole Sipe Seth Johnson / Stephanie Weber Suzanne Huntzinger

MAY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Brian Brosmer / Ron Wise Ryan Woodall

SHOP LOCAL!

6 The Pit Master: Grilliant Foods Cooks Up Savory Meats

23 April Showers Really Do Bring May Flowers

10 Business Spotlight: Hermoza Home 26 Sahm Success: Sahm’s Ale House Beautification

12 Running for Water: Local Couple to Host Carmel 6K For Water On May 19

Opens in Village of West Clay

30 Theatre Roots: Amy Stark Takes

Over as Director of Marketing for Actors Theatre of Indiana

15 Trendy in Indy: 5 Style Tips for the 32 Meet Artist Gabriel Lehman: Indy 500

18 Through the Lens: Roberts Camera Celebrates 60 Years In Business

20 Business Spotlight: Service Plus

Help our local economy by shopping local. Advertising supporters of the Carmel Magazine offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business. BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS ARE SPONSORED CONTENT

The Carmel Magazine is published by Towne Post Network, Inc. and is written for and by local Carmel area residents. Magazines are distributed via direct mail to more than 25,000 Carmel area homeowners and businesses each month.

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P.O. Box 36097, Indianapolis, IN 46236 Phone/Fax: 317-810-0011

Local Painter’s Works Featured at CV Art and Frame & Annual Brick Street Market

35 Spreading Out: Family-Owned B.

Happy Peanut Butter Is Becoming A Central Indiana Favorite

atCarmel.com / MAY 2018 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 5

atCarmel.com TownePost.com

THE PIT MASTER GRILLIANT FOODS COOKS UP SAVORY MEATS

Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Ron Wise

Ernie Verbarg is dedicated to barbecue. Not only is he the owner of Grilliant Foods on West 96th Street, but he’s also the sole pit master and spends almost every day smoking up savory pulled pork, ribs, beef brisket and more for the establishment’s restaurant and catering customers. Heck, he even has a bunk bed in the back of the restaurant for the occasional brief respite during lengthy shifts. “I have four smokers on hand, and which ones I use depends on how much I’m smoking and what I’m making,” Verbarg says. “A lot of barbecue places have multiple

people running the pit and with that sometimes you achieve different flavors. Here, I can maintain a consistency and quality of taste. In that way we’re able to get the customer the same level of quality over and over.”

competition and did pretty good,” Verbarg recalls. “Each year I got a little better, and eventually I thought, ‘Why not open a restaurant?’”

In 2014 Verbarg took home Grand Champion honors at the Indiana State A veteran of the food industry, Verbarg Fair barbecue cook-off, and not long served as a meat cutter for O’Malia’s Food after he moved into the space on 96th Market for 25 years, and after receiving Street formerly taken up by Taste of a barbecue smoker from his wife and Europe, an Eastern European grocery, daughter for Father’s Day back in 2010, he deli and restaurant. He opted to keep that found smoking came easily and discovered a establishment’s deli and grocery concepts natural love for the endeavor. to complement his own catering and restaurant services. “My family started asking if I wanted to do competitions and at first I didn’t, but “Early on I was very involved with the by 2013 I had signed up for the State Fair Carmel High School marching band and

Owner Ernie Verbarg took home Grand Champion honors at the Indiana State Fair barbecue cook-off in 2014 before opening Grilliant Foods.

music program through my daughter, and whenever they needed someone to cook and cater for an event there, I was the go-to person,” Verbarg recalls. “I also did some stuff for my church, and I think those things helped get the word out about what I was doing.” Verbarg now works with seven importers based in Chicago to stock specialty candies and grocery items at Grilliant from European countries including Croatia, Poland, Germany and Serbia, and he also carries a variety of locally-sourced coffee, barbecue rubs and more. As for the restaurant, Verbarg says his pulled pork and beef brisket have been consistent best sellers so far, and the ribs aren’t far behind. “The ribs I do are just fall-off-the-bone tender,” he says. “I make all my own sausages too, and I’m always trying to come up with different seasonings. Another big seller right now is my Zesty Hawaiian Brat. It’s got a little cheese and jalapeño in there and pineapple to give it that Hawaiian style.” Hoosier pork tenderloin, buffalo shrimp, and sides like baked beans, cole slaw and smoked mac and cheese fill out the menu, along with a selection of wines and beers from local breweries including Sun King, Flat 12, Upland and 3 Floyds. Verbarg also stocks an extensive selection of sauces, seasonings and barbecue supplies for sale, and Grilliant is capable of catering private events, social functions and corporate gatherings of all sizes. This June marks three years since Verbarg opened his doors to the public, and he feels he’s only just begun in the barbecue game. “I’ve increased the restaurant flow here eight to nine times what the original owner was doing,” he says. “Lunch time here is usually pretty packed. I’m still learning, but I do want to expand eventually. I want to start looking maybe in a year and a half or so for a larger location. We’ve grown a lot, and I anticipate we’ll continue to do so.” Grilliant Foods is located at 4320 West 96th Street in Indianapolis. For more info, including restaurant and catering menus, call 317-s3348797 or visit grilliantfoods.com. 8 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

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HERMOZA HOME BEAUTIFICATION 317-679-2992 hermozahb.com @HermozaHomeBeautification

Writer / Lynda Hedberg Thies

Spring is in full bloom and it is time for those much-needed home improvement projects that we have had to put off due to our unpredictable Indiana weather. So whether it is a splash of color inside or outside of your home, freshening up the driveway or clearing up your deck for a cookout with your friends, if you are looking for a company Hermoza Home Beautification is ready to answer your questions, help you define your goals, and provided excellent customer service to complete your home improvement projects.

their exceptional customer service. The Zamora’s launched their business on the In 2015, Mario and Kathy Zamora started popular social media site, Next Door. This Hermoza Home Beautification because of allowed them to get right to work which, their desire to spend more time together as combined with excellent work, strong a family after years of working long hours communication and customer service, the that kept them apart. Mario, born in Mexico, business has continued to grow steadily. moved with his family to California at the age of 15 until they moved to Indianapolis The Zamora’s started primarily as a custom in 1999. For both Mario and Kathy, home interior and exterior painting company but and family are very important to them and along the way the need existed to expand the idea to create a business around helping their services. They have multiple crews others create a beautiful home environment to provide custom painting, interior and was at the core of their business. exterior painting, color consulting, deck staining, painting and power washing. In less than three years, the Zamora’s have created a dynamic growing business that The Zamora’s, who live in McCordsville, offers a variety of home services based on opened their doors for business through an online social media app that serves Carmel, Fishers, Geist, Zionsville, Noblesville, Westfield, Greenfield, Anderson and McCordsville.

Mario and Kathy Zamora

the entire project from beginning to end. Their follow up process begins at the consultation and extends to two weeks after the completion and again at the one year mark to ensure your satisfaction. Their business was built by referral and you can find many of their satisfied customers recommending their services on their website and to their neighbors. “Our team of house painters are excited to help you rediscover the power of color and professional paint in transforming your home’s appearance. And we will work around your schedule and ensure that you stay informed,” Kathy says. Hermoza Home Beautification will give you the gift of time to enjoy your family, a detailed plan that they will guarantee, and will consult with you to offer the best color for your home environment or project allowing you more time to spend with your family.

“Our community is very important to us and we will work hard to earn and keep your For more information, visit them online business,” Mario says. at hermozahb.com or to schedule your From the initial consultation, the Hermoza consultation, call Hermoza Home Beautification at 317-679-2992. You can team will provide you with experience, also visit them on Facebook at facebook. knowledge and professional service. They com/HermozaHomeBeautification. will offer upfront pricing and manage 10 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

Custom Painting • Interior & Exterior Painting Color Consulting • Deck Staining/Painting • Drywall

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Debbie and Evan McBroom

LOCAL COUPLE TO HOST CARMEL 6K FOR WATER ON MAY 19 Writer / Lynda Hedberg Thies Provided Photography

Chances are pretty good if you are a runner, know a runner or thought about being a runner, the most common finish lines that you would cross or envision crossing are the 5K, 10K, half-marathon and a marathon. Now there is a new race to conquer: the 6K. What is the significance of running a 6K race?

Six kilometers is the average distance African women and children walk every day for around 40 pounds of contaminated water that makes them sick. Imagine having to walk six kilometers, which is 3.7 miles or around 2 hours just for water that not only makes them sick but will literally prevent most children from reaching the age of five. In the United States, it is unfathomable, but this is not an isolated problem, there are 844 million people around the world who do not have a clean water source they can reach 12 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

in under 30 minutes. When most people think of humanitarian crisis, they assume the only way to have an impact is to either do mission work, move to the country for a year, or donate an inordinate amount of money. That was Evan McBroomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perception. Evan, The President of Fishhook, did not think the modest checks he wrote to help church missions would actually make a difference, though he recognized their importance. Nor did he

realize that his hobby of running could have an impact. Even though he had run 11 halfmarathons in four years, he did not consider himself a runner. And he was absolutely convinced that he would never run a full marathon in his lifetime. That was until he had a conversation with colleagues in Chicago who had participated in the Chicago Marathon with World Vision and they shattered his perceptions of what a marathon runner looked like and he decided to join their team. World Vision, a global humanitarian organization, is the largest supplier of clean water (outside of government) in the world. The organization uses endurance events such as half-marathons and marathons to raise money for clean water. “I figured it would be great to meet new friends, have support and a reason to get out of bed on those cold winter mornings,” Evan says. Evan’s focus on conquering a marathon shifted once he met the 1,500 team members the night before the race. He realized the work he was doing was making a difference. His wife Debbie, dismissed his repeated invitations to join him, confessing that “Running was Evan’s thing and truthfully, I did not enjoy running.” But much like Evan, she was inspired seeing how World Vision was making a difference and seeing so many different ages and levels of fitness from the runners that day that she decided to sign up as well. At the end of their second year, the McBrooms were invited to travel 7,600 miles away with eight other volunteers and staff to a remote village in Ethiopia. They witnessed first-hand why this was not a mission trip, but rather an opportunity to become informed and inspired to continue making a difference back home. The organization offers an Area Development Program that provides a 10-15 year period that involves a two-year assessment with local leaders. They hire people indigenous to the area and pay them rather than Americans because the goal is sustainability. The first priority is to provide a sustainable atCarmel.com / MAY 2018 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 13

BUILDING WEALTH. One personalized portfolio at a time.

clean water program. Once that work is done they create a plan for sanitation, education, nutrition, economic development and healthcare. The difference between the two villages was staggering. “You could see immediately how critical clean water was to their health. One village was thriving and it was painfully obvious to see how sick those without clean water looked,” Debbie says. This is when the McBrooms decided to go all in. They began looking for a way to involve families with younger children but knew that the endurance events would be limiting. So Evan, Debbie along with Beth Sasso, agreed to host the World Vision Global 6K for Water in Carmel on Saturday, May 19 so that all ages can participate. They partnered with Orchard Park Presbyterian Church located at 106th and Rangeline Road for a centrally located start and finish line for its proximity to the Monon Trail to create a fun, family event.

High client satisfaction = over 90% client retention.

317-261-1900 | www.dmdcap.com | Indianapolis Not FDIC Insured – No Bank Guarantee – May Lose Value

14 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

To participate, go to tinyurl.com/ Carmel6K to register. The entry fee for adults is $50 — all it takes to provide clean water for a lifetime for one person. Under 18 years of age the cost is only $25, and once you register for the event, World Vision provides a photo of a real person in need of clean water. You can literally see the face of the person whose life you are impacting. The World Vision Global 6K for Water will be happening simultaneously in hundreds of locations around the world.

Stephanie Weber, Trendy In Indy

5 S T Y L E T I P S F O R T H E I N DY 5 0 0

Writer / Stephanie Weber

The month of May is filled with excitement in Indy. If you live near the Speedway area, you can hear the roar of the Indy cars most of the month while the city prepares for the greatest spectacle in racing. In the early years of the Indianapolis 500 running, men showed up in suits while women wore skirts or dresses to observe one of the most exhilarating sports in the world. Most spectators wore fashionable hats as well.

Since that time, casual trends have taken over, but not every event surrounding the race is so lax. I’ve created five style tips for your month of May wardrobe in Indy. 1. PLAN AHEAD

The local boutiques and Indy shops generally stock tanks and tees with fun race phrases, but, if you miss the launch of these, you might find yourself out of luck. Hoosiers unite over this race and love to sport their race-day gear so grab it early. atCarmel.com / MAY 2018 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 15

2. THINK ABOUT THE WEATHER

I can recall races where I was in jeans, sneakers, and a rain coat. But if it’s a year like the last race, I’d suggest shorts and a tank top. The weather in May in Indianapolis can be a bit tricky, so check it out before heading to any race events. 3. CONSIDER THE EVENT

The 500 Festival supports several events leading up to the race all month long. If you’re heading to the parade, perhaps a checkered

sundress is in the cards for you. Maybe you’re headed to Kids’ Day downtown on a 75-degree, sunny day. I’d say shorts, a lightweight tee, and your most comfortable tennis shoes are a safe bet. Joining in on Breakfast at the Brickyard? Plan to wear something a little dressy such as a chiffon top with black high-waist pants and your favorite earrings. If you’re headed to a backyard BBQ to celebrate the race, a sundress or top and skirt combination is perfect. At the track on race day, you’ll see a variety, but my go-to is a romper or shorts with a breathable tank. Just don’t forget your sunscreen. 4. UTILIZE ACCESSORIES

Utilize accessories. Accessories can go so far for race month. The women in my family enjoy black and white neckerchiefs, checkered flag earrings, and black pendant necklaces. Also, you can never go wrong with a hat. You can find baseball caps with the IMS emblem at the track on race day if needed. Don’t forget that red earrings can also add that pop of color to a black and white outfit. 5. W HEN IN DOUBT, WEAR BLACK AND WHITE

If you aren’t sure what to wear, black and white is a safe bet. This color combo is also hot for spring this year which makes shopping a breeze. If it’s sunny, I’d avoid an all-black look or black tops since that color attracts the sun. If you want to shop local for black and white I recommend: Lesley Jane, Sweet Olive, Magnolia Boutique, or Endeavor Boutique. In 2014, I had the opportunity to serve as a 500 Festival Princess. Growing up as a race fan, this was a huge honor to be able to experience all of the events leading up to the Indy 500 and to act as an ambassador for race month in our city. If you have the opportunity to attend a 500 Festival event or the race itself, I highly recommend it. The Indy 500 brings our community together to celebrate a race known around the globe that we are able to host right here in this city. Just remember, black and white is a wardrobe must if you plan to go to any race celebrations during the month of May in Indy. 16 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

2018

MOM OF THE YEAR

PHO TO C ONT E S T E N T R I E S THANKS MOMS FOR ALL YOU DO!

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY:

SUSAN KNIGHT, FISHERS

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY:

JENNY HOMAN, PLAINFIELD

TownePost.com / MAY 2018 / INDY METRO

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY:

EMILY BROSIUS, FISHERS

Marketing and Human Resources Director Meredith Reinker, and owner Bruce Pallman.

THROUGH THE LENS ROBERTS CAMERA CELEBRATES 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Brian Brosmer

Roberts Camera’s ability to thrive in the photography, lighting and electronics retail business for 60 years has involved much more than just keeping up with industry technology that seems to evolve almost daily. Meredith Reinker, marketing and human resources director, says the Indianapolisbased, family-owned company’s willingness to adapt its business model to customer habits and shopping methods has been just as important to its success as keeping up with the camera and lighting industry’s ongoing technological advancements.

“The jewelry wasn’t doing great at the time so they started to pick up additional lines – service merchandise catalogs were how people shopped back then so they basically became a catalog showroom,” Reinker says. “One of my grandfather’s employees at the time was a high schooler who was taking a photography class and told my grandfather he could sell cameras. It was good timing in the sense that film was really evolving at that point and film cameras were getting popular, and then, of course, eventually digital took us into the next era.” Since its founding, Roberts Camera has continually found effective ways to reach beyond its Indy customer base, from a thriving mail-order business through the 1970s and 1980s to a successful sales presence through its official website, which was launched back in 1997. In 2012 the Roberts staff began a buy, sell and trade sister company called UsedPhotoPro, which deals exclusively in used camera equipment primarily online.

The company, which offers a full range of new and used photography, audio, video and lighting gear and currently operates two brick-and-mortar locations in Carmel and downtown Indianapolis, was founded by Reinker’s grandfather Robert Pallman as a modest jewelry business on South Capitol Avenue in August of 1957. Almost Reinker says her father Bruce, who has immediately, Pallman began adjusting his run the company for the past 45 years, business concept to meet customer demand. has brought an open-minded approach to INDY METRO / MAY 2018 / TownePost.com

sales and customer service that has helped Roberts Camera stay in business in a time where many camera shops have closed their doors due to dwindling sales. “Over the past 10 years, the evolution has been going fast with how people shop,” Reinker says. “Retail has changed so much as it’s gone from people having to walk into a retail store to shopping online – our sales now are about 60 percent online and 40 percent retail. So again, it’s that combination of staying with the technology and then how people actually approach retail.” To commemorate 60 years of service in Indianapolis, Reinker and her 64 full-time and part-time Roberts co-employees – many of whom have been with the company for 20-plus years – held an in-store celebration in August with special deals and promotions as well as free photography classes and camera cleanings. “Twice a year we also do a spring and fall photo expo where we bring in our manufacturer representatives, and tech reps from Nikon, Canon, Panasonic and all those types of brands,” Reinker adds.

“We offer free classes all day long, which helps to promote the classes that we offer regularly. We usually have anywhere from 10 to 12 classes a month for every level of photographer from fundamentals of photography up to specialty lighting and that kind of stuff.” Reinker adds that the explosion in iPhone camera use has had a twopronged effect on her industry, phasing out less expensive, pointand-shoot cameras while at the same time increasing interest in higher-end equipment and accessories. “The iPhone has gotten a lot of people interested in photography that otherwise might not have been, especially with social media where everybody is a photographer now,” she says. “So, we have people coming in now that have been using their iPhone for a long time but want to take that next step and get better images with better equipment.” Reinker believes the company is primed for another 60 years of success as long as it remains adaptive and flexible in the face of an ever-changing marketplace. “As Indianapolis has grown we’ve received a ton of support. Indianapolis has a very strong and vibrant community of photographers,” Reinker says. “In a time where photography has changed drastically, I think our customer base and the support we get from Indiana as a whole is awesome. Indy is a great place to be.”

organic approach

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Visit our website for additional information

For more information on Roberts Camera including details on equipment rental and photography classes, visit robertscamera.com. Roberts Camera’s downtown store is located at 220 E St Clair St or you can call them at 317-636-5544. The Carmel store is located at 12761 Old Meridian St, or you can call them at 317-818-9800.

ces the amount u d re h ac ro p p A ic Our Organ t into the environmen g n oi g s al ic em ch of

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SERVICE PLUS HEATING, COOLING, & PLUMBING 7520 E 88th Place Indianapolis, IN 46256 317-218-7929 ServicePlusNow.com

Writer / Seth Johnson Photographer / Ron Wise

Chris and Emily Cunningham truly value quality customer service. In fact, it’s why they started their own customer-service focused heating, cooling and plumbing company, Service Plus, in the first place. “Before we started Service Plus, we were a couple of kids, fresh out of college and at our first real jobs,” Emily says. “We owned our first home and needed to have some repairs done, and I was appalled at how incredibly hard it was for me to find a company to do the repairs, show up when they said they would, and get the work done properly. I said to Chris, ‘Honey, don't you know how to do a lot of this stuff? I think we could really make a difference in the home repairs industry.’”

Service Plus owners Chris and Emily Cunningham

they even have their 9-year-old daughter and so well that our customers become raving 12-year-old son help around the business fans,” Emily says. when possible. As for providing fulfilling careers for their “Our family is totally involved in this employees, Service Plus ensures that all its business — we love it,” Emily says. workers are adequately prepared to do their Ultimately, anyone who interacts with job with confidence. Service Plus becomes a part of the company’s family too. “We want to have the best trained and Through this realization, Service Plus was qualified employees, so our strategy is to born. Although running the company “We love the customers we serve,” Emily consistently offer technical training and was certainly a learning experience in adds. “We love the team we work with, customer service training to make sure the beginning, Chris and Emily quickly and that's what it all boils down to — the repairs are done properly the first time and picked up on the ins and outs of the home people.” that the excellent customer experience maintenance world, all the while keeping carries through from beginning to the end customer service at the heart of everything. At the heart of Service Plus are two core of your repair,” Emily says. values: Providing excellent service from “Once we were both working for Service the best trained and qualified technicians Having recently moved to a new location Plus full time, which was within four and staff members, and providing fulfilling just south of 96th Street on I-69, Service months of when we took our first service careers that employees joyfully embrace. Plus will now be able to serve both its call, we were 100 percent committed and customers and employees even better. we knew it was sink or swim,” Chris says. To inquire about heating, cooling and “We were determined to make it work and When it comes to excellent service, the company has a standard they’ve set for plumbing needs, be sure to give them a be the best at what we do, and we still feel themselves. call at 317-434-2627, or visit them online that way today.” at ServicePlusNow.com. The Service Plus “We define ‘excellent service’ pretty simply: team would love to help with any heating, Now 15 years and three kids later, Service cooling and plumbing needs you may have. Plus is still proudly a family business. In fact, we do what we say we will, and we do it INDY METRO / MAY 2018 / TownePost.com

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INDY METRO / MAY 2018 / TownePost.com

APRIL SHOWERS REALLY DO BRING MAY FLOWERS Writer / Carrie Petty

Oh May, your glorious month. Time to get busy! If April is the time when the garden is emerging from sleep, then May is the time in the garden when she has had two full cups of coffee and ready for high gear, time to bloom! Where to begin. Let’s talk lawns first. Make sure that mower blade is sharp people, and do not ever mow when it is wet. This is the first step to preventing diseased lawns. Also, to prevent moles set out multiple traps along the moles trail. An old American Indian trick — it is said that the moles move to the surface on a warm, sunny day at high noon. You can get them with a garden spade if you have the constitution to do so. I call the hubby for that trick.

Saturday worth of mulching and gardening chores, make sure you give the old body a good stretch and warm up a bit. Your back will thank me in the morning. At the age of 54, I have settled for one of those seat thingies that you can flip over and kneel on too. It has saved my gardeners back from strain. Visit all your local gardening centers and pick up something new. I suggest every year adding a new tree or bush to the landscape and at least a couple of new perennials to the flower garden. Always, always, try new veritable varieties. So many cool ones come out each year. If you have not tried Purple Kohlrabi, then you need to.

When planting any newly purchased pot grown specimen, a good tip is to scrape off the top half inch of soil out of the pot If you did not get your crab grass and toss it in the trash, not the compost preventative down in April, do it as soon as bin! This is where the weed seeds reside. possible. And make sure you cut your lawn Taking that soil off the top of the pot will to the highest setting on the mower, this way help prevent the introduction of new weeds you are shading out weed seeds in the soil in your garden. Particularly, the hard to and will have a much healthier lawn. The eradicate Thistle-It is a monster. taller the blade, the deeper the root! Many Indiana landscapes now have Hostas Now, when it comes to general gardening peeking up through the soil, their tall green chores for the month of May, first things spikes curled into a cone format, this is the first, stretch. Before you head out for a full perfect time to divide them and make more TownePost.com / MAY 2018 / INDY METRO

plants. Place your spade two inches away from the growth and dig down deep, tip your spade back to unearth the root ball to loosen. Do this all the way around the plant base and pull the entire thing out of the ground. Then divide each green spire into a new plant, making sure you capture a good rootstock as you go. This is the easiest and cheapest way to increase the size of one’s garden. This is the very act of ‘gardening’ itself! If you do this, I give you permission to call yourself a gardener. Bravo! Dividing Daffodil bulbs is a great chore to do now, and your garden will reemerge in the spring with a fresh facelift of yellow blooms. Just dig up a clump of foliage left behind after the blooms fade, and pull apart the bulbs with your hands. Again, be sure to capture a good rootstock with each bulb if you can. If not, they will survive. Replant one-by-one in a new hole elsewhere about six inches deep. This is also a great time to use a granulated fertilizer on your Tulips and bulbs to strengthen their roots for next year’s bloom. Gardening is always about looking forward. It is the most optimistic duty. So get going my friends. And as always, I hope I have helped you “Grow a More Beautiful Life!” Cheers.

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it was an opportunity he and his father couldn’t pass up.

“We originated on the north side, so we are familiar with it,” Sahm says. “People know the kind of food we are making and service standards we have. We wanted to replicate that and bring it to Carmel, so people wouldn’t have to drive all the way to Fishers. The spot is kind of an underserved area of Carmel right now, and we are excited to be a part of it. It is a beautiful spot and everyone there is so welcoming. It is great to be a part of the community.”

That success has now traveled to its newest location — Sahm’s Ale House in Carmel. The new Village of West Clay restaurant officially opened in mid-February. The spot is Sahm’s first-ever Carmel restaurant, and Eddie Sahm, Vice President, says

26 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

The new Sahm’s Ale House has stayed busy since its opening. The first Ale House opened in Nora less than a year ago. Being in the beer business, Sahm says the idea for an Ale House made sense for the company. “It is a natural fit for us,” Sahm says. “Craft beer is hitting the mark here in Indianapolis right now. We don’t do the most trendy thing, but we do something that is nice to come back to each week or month. We are kid friendly, which is a big deal for the Carmel area. We take our food and freshness seriously, too. We try to have a balanced lineup beer wise.”

Co-owner Ed Sahm

If you are looking for variety, Sahm’s Ale House fits the bill. The restaurant offers much more than wings, burgers, sandwiches and the typical bar food. Its tacos and burrito bowls have become a popular choice, including the Gobi Manchurian tacos and bowls — a great vegetarian option with breaded cauliflower tossed in Manchurian sauce, roasted garbanzos, scallions, cilantro and an Asian slaw. Sahm’s Ale House wood-fired pizzas are also made in-house daily. With signature plates like steaks and pork chops, Wood Roasted Salmon, Fish & Chips and Meatloaf, guests won’t lack in options for a delicious meal.

“Our pizzas are excellent,” Sahm says. “The loaded potato (Potato Bacon Pie) pizza is a great one. Ranch is the Hoosier condiment and that pizza has plenty of it. My personal favorite would probably be the Wood Roasted Salmon. That dish is incredible and we always have fresh vegetables every day. I get that with a baked potato. It sounds simple, but it is roasted in a wood fire oven. I believe dishes like that really set us apart based on the freshness and preparation.” From top to bottom, the business remains truly family-owned and operated. Ed atCarmel.com / MAY 2018 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 27

Sahm and Eddie co-own the business, Hoss Canteen Inc. Eddie serves as Vice President, Director of Operations and “the wanderer” — as he bounces from one location to another to manage, train and make sure operations are running smoothly. Eddie’s sister Adrienne handles the Beverage Operations and logistics side of the business, while his sister Molly is the main bartender in their downtown location and also trains other new bartenders. Eddie says his father’s leadership has played a major role in the company’s success over the years.

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Charitable giving is also a major aspect of Sahm’s restaurants. The group has been involved with organizations like Second Helpings and the Megan Ott Foundation over the years and plans to find ways to stay active in the Carmel community with events and charities as well. Overall, Sahm restaurants continue to grow more than 30 years later, and there is no evidence of Ed or Eddie slowing down the growth anytime soon. More ventures are sure to be on the horizon, but Sahm’s overall focus remains the same — providing topnotch service to their customers. “In this business success is a day old,” Eddie says. “We have a balance of humility and not being afraid to speak our minds. We work really hard and understand that what we do is a service. This is for other people, it isn’t for us. If we ever lose sight of that, then we are in the wrong business. I don’t think we have a recipe that is this hidden secret or design element that makes us superior. We work really hard and care about people.”

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“Ed’s leadership style is so unique,” Eddie says. “He would never tell you to do something he wouldn’t do himself. No part of the business is too low for him. He has always been willing to do it all and that has always inspired our employees. The loyalty is off the charts. I’ve always been inspired to learn that and replicate that. The human element of it is what has made him so close with people around Fishers, Indianapolis, Carmel and all over — you know Ed. He reaches out and he is truly a giving person. It is fun to be a part of a legacy that is more personal than financial.”

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Theatre Roots Amy Stark Takes Ov er as Director of Marketing for Actors Theatre of Indiana Writer / Jane VanOsdol Photos Provided by Actors Theatre of Indiana

Returning to her roots in theatre, digital marketing expert Amy Stark recently accepted a position in Carmel as the director of marketing for the Actors Theatre of Indiana. Years ago as a recent college graduate with a bachelor’s in philosophy, Stark did what many philosophy grads do — she went to work in a different field. In this case, her brother Doug Stark, who owns Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, hired her as director of public relations. While there she developed multiple skills, simply because of the nature of theatre work. “When you work in a theatre, if you see something that needs to be done, you do it,” she says. “Because at the end of the day, the show must go on.” Years later, Stark earned a master’s in philanthropic studies and opened her own business to train non-profits and businesses

in the art of using social media. She’ll be putting her social media expertise to good use in her job with ATI. One of her main goals is to entice more people to experience live theatre.

to become part of the Actors’ Equity Association to earn their Equity card. One way actors can gain membership to this union is by completing 25 weeks of work at an Equity theatre, such as ATI.

“Our main competition is getting people out Once membership has been earned, actors can receive benefits, just as people do in of the house and away from Netflix,” unions from other professions. According she says. to the Equity website, the union “advances the careers of its members by negotiating Actors Equity Theatre wages, working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health ATI was co-founded in 2005 by Judy and pension plans.” In an occupation where Fitzgerald, Cynthia Collins and Don Farrell. most people aren’t working every week It’s a professional, not-for-profit theatre because of a lack of jobs, the union makes organization, one of only four Actors’ acting a more sustainable vocation. Equity Association’s theatre companies Investing in the Future in central Indiana. It’s also the resident professional theatre company of The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing ATI is invested in helping the younger Arts in Carmel. generation, and as such, they are unveiling a new component of their educational An Equity theatre is a professional theatre outreach called Immersion. Students aged as opposed to a civic or community 14-18 who are interested in pursuing theatre theatre and is a path for professional actors as a profession are encouraged to apply for 30 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

the program. Thus far, four five-week Immersions are scheduled for the first half of 2018, and 12 students will be chosen for each Immersion. During the program, students will learn the entire process of how to put on a professional theatre production. There is a charge for the program, but a limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Visit atistage.org/frequently-askedquestions/ for more information.

Performances and Auditions ATI’s season runs from September through June, and they usually put on about eight shows per year. ATI’s next show is “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” which begins April 27-May13. Be sure to check out their complete schedule at atistage.org/2017-18-season/. If you’re interested in connecting with ATI, you have two options. As an Equity theatre, ATI must meet certain requirements: a certain percentage of the cast for each production must be professional actors or Equity performers. With that said, a small number of performers can be nonEquity performers as well. If you are interested in auditions, like their Facebook page and watch for announcements of tryouts. Secondly, as a 501-c3, ATI is interested in building a community of volunteers. Contact them through their email (listed below) for more information.

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Overall, Stark is passionate about her job and the effect that theatre has on culture. “It’s had a huge impact on helping us to evolve and become a better species,” she says. “It’s really putting a mirror in front of humanity’s face.” The Studio Theater is located at 4 Center Green, Carmel, Indiana, 46032. The Actors Theatre of Indiana is located at 510 3rd Avenue SW. Suite D Carmel, IN 46032 or you can give them a call at 317669-7983. For more information, email info@atistage.org.

317-222-1313 atCarmel.com / MAY 2018 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 31

LOCAL PAINTER’S WORKS FEATURED AT CV ART AND FRAME & ANNUAL BRICK STREET MARKET Writer / Suzanne Huntzinger Photography Provided by CV Art and Frame

Some art fulfills its purpose on a wall for its matching colors or the scenery matching a theme. Some art hangs on the wall making a statement about the owner’s affinity for the artist. But, once-in-a while, an artist and his works come along and deliver a painting which delivers on all of that. Artist Gabriel Lehman’s works are a touchstone for all the reasons art appeals to fans, and his paintings are available at Zionsville’s CV Art and Frame. Lehman’s works will be featured at the Annual Brick Street Market, May 12, a one-day event for all the vendors in the village to feature the works of select artisans outside in their store fronts.

“It’s always exciting to meet and promote a fabulous artist,” Owner of CV Art and Frame, Barbara Jennings says. “We want to expose people to Gabriel’s works, and we want them to know they can get it here.” CV Art and Frame has been carrying Lehman’s works for just about a year, but the artist has been painting for almost a decade. In that short time, he’s already accomplished more than many, having been named an Indiana Artisan, an elite group of Hoosier artisans exemplifying excellence in their craft of art, food and wine. The distinction was a great honor to Lehman in 2016, considering he was the first artist accepted in five years. He says he got started just doing it for fun for himself, and he landed on cartoons, eventually landing his first show in 2010. Lehman’s style is whimsical, 32 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

joyous, sunny and even biblical. “I’m a huge fan of the bible, biblical truth and surrealism,” he says. “I want the action to look fairly real, but I add just enough exaggeration and hidden light sources to make it surreal.” Lehman’s paintings are set in a world that doesn’t include modern technology, but all of them have a story behind it to which the modern-day world can relate. “I want folks who see my paintings to have a jovial experience. I see light everywhere and I want people to feel that,” he says. “Some will laugh, some will cry, but, I don’t plan that when I start the painting. I give my paintings fun and introspective titles to evoke emotion, and the connection it makes

is different for everyone.” The bible connection in Lehman’s paintings is obvious to some, and not so obvious to others. In “Climbing Towards the Sun,” all the characters are climbing branches to see the sun like the way Zacchaeus the tax collector wanted to see Jesus. “Blessings of Jacob” is straight from the bible and makes a clear statement about blessings and giving of yourself. Most of Lehman’s work has been for art galleries but he’s been commissioned for specific works. Dr. Chuck Dietzen, founder of Timmy Global Health, commissioned Lehman to paint a scene for his annual fundraising event, the Timmy Takedown. The event brings together more than a dozen kids with physical disabilities ranging from Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, to amputation to get in the ring and wrestle (safely of course) and prove what they can do despite their physical limitations. Dietzen, a rehabilitative medicine specialist and former pro wrestler for five years, keeps the event authentic by giving the kids pro wrestler names and crazy costumes. A true humanitarian, it’s important to Lehman to touch the lives of children through his paintings, so it’s not surprising that he wants to do even more to help children. “It’s always been a dream of mine to paint a mural for children to see and lift them up during times when they need it most,” he says. “I’m hoping to do one for a children’s hospital.” Serious talks are in the works to make that dream a reality. Lehman will be bringing about 20 to 30 of his new works to display at the Brick Street Market. Among them will be an eight feet tall original painting of “A World Within a World,” a painting about imagination and the transformation that happens. Lehman will have a good selection of original paintings and prints available for sale. See Gabriel’s works at CV Art and Frame, 110 S Main Street in Zionsville. You can also browse Gabriel’s paintings online at gabriellehman.com.

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Jon Weed and his wife Kathy, along with their children Julia, Jackson and Sawyer, officially started B. Happy Peanut Butter in 2013.

SPREADING OUT FAMILY-OWNED B. HAPPY PEANUT BUTTER IS BECOMING A CENTRAL INDIANA FAVORITE

Writer / Nicole Sipe Photographer / Ryan Woodall

There is a jar of B. Happy’s Go Lucky sitting on one of the uppermost shelves in my kitchen. I put it up there so it would be out of sight, and hopefully, out of mind. Otherwise, I would not be able to stop myself from devouring spoonful after spoonful of the smooth yet crunchy peanut butter studded with bits of milk chocolate, toffee and rice crispies. Yeah, it’s that good. Apparently, lots of other people agree, because the popularity of B. Happy has exploded since Jon Weed and his family (wife Kathy, and children Julia, Jackson and Sawyer) officially started their peanut butter business in 2013. Now, you can find jars of B. Happy in shops big and small around Central Indiana (everywhere from Goose the Market in Fall Creek, to Target in Avon, to Fresh Thyme in Broad Ripple), as well as Market District grocery stores throughout the Midwest.

But B. Happy has humble beginnings. The idea started when Weed couldn’t buy one of the brands of peanut butter his family liked anymore. So, he decided to make peanut butter himself. “Through a lot of trial and error, and some really bad attempts, I finally came up with some flavors that worked well,” Weed says. He didn’t have a culinary background, but he did have a computer. “I had to look on the Internet just to see how this whole peanutbutter-making thing worked,” he says. At first, Weed made peanut butter for himself and his family and would occasionally give jars to friends. “Our friends really liked it, and so when a friend offered to let us use their commercial kitchen, we decided it would be a fun family project to sell it at the Zionsville Farmers Market that summer,” Weed says. “Really, that was about all we committed to - every other week at the farmers market. We didn’t have some grand atCarmel.com / MAY 2018 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 35

plan for the business that evolved.” Even though he didn’t have a business plan for the company, in the beginning, Weed knew from the start that he wanted to involve his family in the business. To Weed, B. Happy was a way to teach his children about all aspects of small-business owners and the nitty-gritty details that come with it. “[B. Happy] was and is a true family business,” Weed says. “Our kids helped from the start. I do quarterly and annual financial meetings with the whole family, so the kids have learned a lot about business through these meetings. They are still involved in making and jarring, but we now have employees that help since we have grown so much.” B. Happy has grown significantly in these past few years. What was once a hobby has now grown into a full-fledged company that employs people outside the family. “B. Happy has grown into a semi-full-time job for Kathy and a few of our friends who

are now employees,” Weed says. “For the first nine months of the year, most of the work can be done in three or four days a week.” During this time of the year, they usually produce about 1,000 jars per week. Once the holidays hit it’s all hands on deck though as that number triples to about 3,000 jars per week. “Come the holiday season, it is a five- to six-day-a-week job for most of us,” Weed says. The secret to B. Happy’s popularity can be attributed, in part, by the quality of ingredients used to make their nine signature flavors. “We start with really high-quality, honey-roasted peanuts that we get by the ton and grind ourselves,” Weed says. “We then mix in the various ingredients.” Those ingredients can be anything from white chocolate and pretzel pieces in the Dream Big flavor, or dark chocolate, coconut and almonds in Don’t Worry. Each flavor is made in small batches to ensure that every jar is of superior quality. “When we say, ‘made in small batches,’ we are not kidding,” Weed says. “The peanut butter is made in ridiculously small batches, but that is needed to give each jar the unique texture of B. Happy.” Weed says he likes all of B. Happy’s flavors, but if he had to pick, his favorite is Count Your Blessings, which includes dried cherries and milk chocolate. “Kathy loves Dream Big with white chocolate with pretzels, Sawyer and Jackson like Go Lucky with chocolate and toffee, and Julia is a fan of Pay It Forward with apple and cinnamon,” Weed says. “Our best seller is the Dream Big white chocolate with pretzels. There is something about the combo that people are addicted to and the pretzels stay super crunchy.” Although you can eat B. Happy on a sandwich, Weed says that it’s not really made to just go on a sandwich. The B. Happy website suggests to try using it as a dip with apple slices or pretzels, stirred into yogurt or slathered on pancakes. But really, the best way to eat B. Happy is straight from the jar with a big spoon. Weed credits B. Happy’s success to the legion of family and friends who have given their time and effort to the company. “Our employees are good friends who have invested a lot of time and pride into the business, which makes them awesome to work with,” Weed says. “We literally couldn’t do it all without them. We didn’t know that five years ago we would become ‘The Peanut Butter Family’ but it has been a great experience, and we feel lucky and blessed that it has become much more than we ever expected.” Visit the B. Happy website to find retail locations or to order online: bhappy-peanut-butter.myshopify.com.

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CARMEL Events 1-13

ACTORS THEATRE OF INDIANA PRESENTS THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

The ATI 13th Season closes with the rip-snorting rendition of Rupert Holmes’ THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel of the same name. Single tickets available starting at $25.00! The Center For Performing Arts

10-12

BIKE TO WORK DAY

Save the Date for our 2018 Bike to Work Day event! Monon Community Center 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

DENNIS MILLER AT THE PALLADIUM

CHS PRESENTS THE LITTLE MERMAID

Carmel High School Performing Arts Department invites all to the spring musical, The Little Mermaid! Tickets are on sale at tickettracker.com. Dale E. Graham Auditorium 7:00 p.m. - May 10 2:00 p.m. - May 12

Maybe you’ve seen him on cable news, or perhaps you recall his days as anchor of the “Weekend Update” segment on Saturday Night Live. Dennis Miller is also an awardwinning comedian, talk-show host, sports commentator, actor, author, and television personality. Check him out live at the Palladium May 18! The Center For Performing Arts 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Join us each Second Saturday for the IU Health North Hospital Second Saturday Gallery Walk from 5 - 9 p.m. Each month we will showcase special shows and exhibits at local art galleries, a fun interactive element for you and your family and a free scavenger hunt with prizes! Carmel Arts & Design District 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Join us on Friday, May 25 on Main Street for a special late night street party!

LATE NIGHT ON MAIN

SECOND SATURDAY GALLERY WALK

Come early for dinner to meet up with friends and you may end up dancing in the street! Live music begins on Main Street at 9 p.m. and entertainment continues until midnight throughout the District. Many shops, galleries and restaurants will be open late. Carmel Arts & Design District 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

MOMMY & MEAD MOTHERS DAY SPECIAL

Mom deserves an afternoon out & a drink! What better way to treat your Wonder Woman than with a painting class at Books & Brews. sign up you and Mom and get a $10 gift card for Books and Brews on studio B. First drink is on us! 16x20 painting; supplies included $25 per painter when registered online $30 at door and subject to availability Books & Brews - Carmel 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

38 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / atCarmel.com

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