Carmel Magazine November 2022

TOWNE

jeanne@townepost.com

201 W. Main St. Carmel, IN 317-740-0900

The culture all starts from the top, according to multiple employees at Anthony’s Chophouse. The upscale steakhouse in the heart of downtown Carmel was first opened in August of 2018. Owner Tony Lazzara credits his restaurant’s successes to his employees, and the value they bring to the table.

Executive General Manager Colin Atterson has been in the restaurant industry for the last two decades, and joined the Anthony’s Chophouse staff a few months after the opening. He says he believes the culture of Anthony’s Chophouse rises above other local establishments because of the ownership.

“I’ve stayed here for so long because this is a company that has an owner that has a like-minded philosophy of taking care of our guests,” he says. “We extend ourselves through engagement and focus on making a positive impact on our customers.”

“We need to make sure the building environment is stimulating, and show respect and incorporate that reciprocity piece to ensure our employees feel they are a part of something bigger,” he says.

Before Friday and Saturday shifts, a team meeting led by Atterson is held to promote workflow practices, and encourage and motivate employees during their shift. He says it’s a time set aside to articulate how they can best improve and motivate staff, and not just talk down to them.

He also holds one-on-one conversations with his staff to ensure everyone’s voices are being heard.

“We want our employees to know they are appreciated, and they aren’t just here to workit’s more than that,” he says. “We take pride in

Writer / Noah Alatza Photography Provided

Atterson says the employee culture starts at the top.

our work and treat everyone with respect, we are understanding, and want to be a resource for the community.”

Atterson says the camaraderie between employees allows guests to receive the best possible service.

“Oftentimes our staff are really busy, and working nights and holidays when they are not with family and loved ones,” he says. “They are with co-workers building that bond.”

Assistant General Manager Julianne Agtang has been with Anthony’s Chophouse since day one and has watched the business grow through the past four years.

“I had never worked for a locally owned company, so it’s nice to be able to be open and grow, put your ideas out there and try ideas out, and make the business better,” she says. “This is a company that lets us grow and have our opinions heard.”

She says what sets Anthony’s Chophouse apart from others is simply the willingness to try new culinary ideas.

“I like the fact that our menu keeps the same things, but we do a different twist on it nearly every week,” she says. “We offer specials on steak and seafood for weekends, so there are always different things coming into the restaurant.”

She says the atmosphere and staff teamwork also help to establish a well-rounded restaurant environment. This is what promotes the family-like atmosphere, according to Agtang.

“There are not a lot of steakhouses with full windows and that ambience we have here,” Agtang says. “The staff has changed a decent amount over the years, but it’s really about being able to engage with employees and deal with the guests on a one-on-one basis, and make things better so we can keep

moving forward.”

The employee morale is positive in the front of the house and in the kitchen. Just ask Executive Sous-Chef Scott Marmaduke, the restaurant’s longest-tenured employee.

“Anthony lets us have nice creative freedom that you don’t normally get from a chain restaurant, and it’s that commitment to excellence that sets us apart,” Marmaduke says. “We are all human and make mistakes, but we try not to make guests see those mistakes. It really boils down to a really good teamwork structure.”

He says you won’t be shocked to see Lazzara behind the bar, running food or even washing some dishes.

“Nobody is afraid to do anything, and that helps motivate the staff to do their best,” he says.

Assistant General Manager Julianne Agtang

Executive General Manager Colin Atterson

Executive Sous-Chef Scott Marmaduke

Owner Tony Lazzara

UNBELIEVABLE

UNBEATABLE PRICES

THE HEROES CLUB

PARTNERS IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

The law enforcement officers and firefighters of the City of Carmel and Clay Township put their lives on the line every day in order to protect residents and their families. They also protect the businesses where citizens work and shop.

When public servants are killed in the line of duty, their dependent family members may require additional assistance. These public safety officials who ensure our safety should

never be without a safety net themselves. The Heroes Club ensures that they never are.

The Heroes Club was founded in September 1996 when a group of Carmel-based business executives and concerned citizens came together in search of a way to support local public safety officials. Today, the Heroes Club provides a community forum for both citizens and businesses to express their appreciation as well as show their support for those who keep the community safe.

info@theheroesclub.org theheroesclub.org

Writer / Ryan Kennedy Photographer / Sarah Browning

Renee Butts, Public Education Officer, CFD & Jen Leeman, Carmel Magazine

Tony Baskerville, Ryan Robinson, Tony Hoover and Jared Schultz (all Carmel Firefighters)

Chief David Haboush, CFD & Jacob Harrison, CPD Esteban Navarrete, CPD

The foundation of this support exists in the form of an accidental death insurance policy, provided to a designated beneficiary of any firefighter, police officer, or public safety employee who falls in the line of duty within Clay Township and the City of Carmel. The policy covers the women and men of the Carmel Fire Department, the Carmel Police Department and members of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police who serve the City of Carmel and Clay Township.

Originally, the policy would pay $50,000. After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the need for a safety net became more evident and the coverage was increased to $150,000. Today, the benefit stands at $400,000, funded by the members who support the Heroes Club every year. Annual membership dues cover the cost of the insurance premium, which is paid out each January.

The Heroes Club is a 501(c) (3) organization, meaning that membership fees are tax deductible.

“One important thing about the organization is that it’s 100% volunteer-

based every dollar actually goes to the bottom line,” says Heroes Club president Tom Melangton. “When you become a donor, your entire contribution goes directly to support our public safety officers. It’s one of the largest policies in the world funded by a volunteer based, non-profit organization.”

The Heroes Club also provides grants for training equipment and any other needs the local public safety officials may need.

“It could be portable defibrillators for the police vehicles. It could come in the form of many different things,” Melangton says. “We just want to continue to support them and give them whatever they need to always be on the front end of technology.”

When a member of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office died from COVID-19 last year, the Heroes Club donated money to help cover the memorial service and the luncheon afterwards. The Heroes Club also donated money for the Carmel Police awards banquet as well as for the Carmel Fire Department’s awards banquet.

On Oct. 10, 2022, the Heroes Club held

their flagship event, the 25th Annual Golf4Heroes Golf Outing. The outing provides an opportunity for members of the Heroes Club and the Carmel business community to show their support for local public safety officers. Participants in the outing join firefighters and police officers in a round of golf. Each community player sponsors a public safety official with their golfing fees and hole sponsorships. The community players and public safety officials are paired together for a unique opportunity to interact.

The event was held at the prestigious Woodland Country Club in Carmel and featured prizes, plenty of food, a live band and a challenging round of golf.

“It’s just a great day, a fabulous opportunity to bring everyone together,” Melangton says.

For more information about how to become a member of The Heroes Club and support those who protect and serve the citizens of the City of Carmel and Clay Township, visit theheroesclub.org and download the membership brochure, join online or send an email to info@theheroesclub.org.

Tony Delello, Captain, IN ST Police, Matt Frey, Pete Glogoza, IN ST Police and Rachel Frey

KeyBank, Chairman’s Legacy Partner

Andrew West, Carmel Magazine Owner

Bob Russell, Communications, Tom Melangton, President, Matt Frey, Director, Heroes Club

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Thankful, Grateful & Blessed Challenge

THIS MONTH I’M THANKFUL FOR …

I wanted to take some time in this November issue to share how grateful I am for several instrumental people who have made my first few months as the new Carmel Magazine publisher successful. Without their help and support, this would have been a much more difficult transition into this role.

Below you will see a few of the faces who have played a critical part in helping me navigate this new role. I am so thankful to each and every one of you who has individually supported and believed in me and what I am trying to accomplish with this amazing magazine.

Thank you!

Jen Leeman

A Note from the Publisher

Courtney Boyer, Grey Matters

Tony Lazzara, Anthony’s Chophouse

Andy West, Carmel Magazine Owner

Tammy Wegman, Posh Wedding Planning Events

Crissy Wiseman, Wise Aesthetics

Tom Britt, My Towne Post Sensei

Steve Schneider & Bob Russell, The Heroes Club

Tom Melangton, The Heroes Club

Adrienne Love, The Wedding Studio

Phil Stockton, Stockton Training

Josh Brown, Towne Post

Monique Pearson, Premium Rock

Toni Eads, Designer Towne Post

Gabbie McDougle, The Modern Collective

Writer / Alli Donovan Photography Provided

Merry Christmas, or, “Frohe Weihnachten!” It’s that time of year again. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is opening in the month of November, and the City of Carmel is gearing up for its authentic German Christmas market and festival.

Since its inception in 2016 and launch in 2017, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt has become a beloved tradition and staple in the community. It has won awards and gained

recognition all over the country, and Maria Murphy, CEO and Market Master, is excited for the Market’s fifth appearance in Carmel’s City Center.

Murphy explains that Carmel’s own Mayor James Brainard visited Germany back in 2016 and was truly inspired by German celebrations. He saw that Christkindlmarkt events in Germany not only improved quality of life, but provided opportunity for economic development in the wintertime - typically when fewer tourists come to Carmel.

Upon his return from Germany, Brainard quickly wanted to implement a German Christmas event in Carmel. Murphy, a banker at the time, heard of opportunities to become involved with the new event and quickly jumped in to help.

“My family here in the U.S. did not celebrate Christmas,” Murphy says. “I graduated high school early and I went to Germany in what would have been my senior year of high school as a foreign exchange student. My first Christmas was a German Christmas.”

Upon attending her first Christkindlmarkt meeting, Murphy fell in love with the mayor’s ideas for Carmel’s own authentic German Christmas market and festival. She volunteered, went to committee meetings, spoke with the mayor directly, and ultimately landed her dream job of spearheading what would soon become a massively popular holiday market.

As the Market season quickly approaches, there are new events in store for the 2022 Christkindlmarkt. Murphy says 2023 planning is already in the works as well.

A new feature coming to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt is a “Werkstatt”German for “workshop.” German artisans are flying in from Germany to provide demonstrations of their crafts inside one of the Market huts, and attendees can visit. Although the details are not on the website yet, it will be included on the event map and schedule.

Additionally, Murphy is excited for many of the vendors and partners - both local and international - to put their talents on display, and celebrate their many months

of planning. One of the new huts for the 2022 Christkindlmarkt will provide guests with imported candles and beautifully decorated Christmas stars.

“All of vendors have been working yearround to perfect recipes, menu items, product lines and more, to make this Market really special,” Murphy says. “It’s very exciting.”

There are many reasons why Carmel’s holiday market is successful. Murphy gives special credit to three factorsBrainard as the inspiration for the event, the city’s endless amount of support, and a clear mission and goal of being the most authentic Christkindlmarkt in the country.

“Anything we need, I have resources and support from the city,” Murphy says. “It really makes a difference and is the determining factor that makes Carmel stand out from all the rest.”

The authentic holiday festival has attracted more than one million visitors in its six years since opening. USA Today 10BEST named the Carmel Christkindlmarkt the 2019 and 2021 Readers’ Choice Award winner for Best Holiday Market. Additionally, Taste of Home magazine named it a top Christmas market in Indiana in 2017, and Fox News named it a top holiday market in 2021.

The 2022 Carmel Christkindlmarkt begins on November 19 and ends on December 30. Admission is free to the public, and fees are charged at vendor huts for any food or gifts purchased. There is also a fee for ice skating. More information on the open-air holiday market is on the official website.

If you are hoping to get involved with the Christkindlmarkt, opportunities are still available. The team is looking for volunteers, sponsors and entertainers, and is also hiring. Check out the website for more information at carmelchristkindlmarkt.com.

PROVEN

MATTER FOR THOUGHT

GREY MATTERS OF CARMEL TAKES A UNIQUE APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH

movements, necessary to form words. It doesn’t mean your child can’t understand or comprehend what they hear. They simply don’t have the motor skills to respond appropriately. Boyer was told that Grey would never be able to speak, read, or write. So at age 5, when he was still nonverbal, she tried neurofeedback.

Writer / Ryan Kennedy Photographer / Sarah Browning

Courtney Boyer, RN, CHN, founder of Grey Matters of Carmel, was first introduced to neurofeedback therapy when her son Grey (and company namesake) was treated for a rare disorder called apraxia. Children with apraxia have difficulty with motor skills when it comes to forming sounds, as well as mouth, jaw, and tongue

“After the very first session my son had eye contact with me for the first time, which, in and of itself, was wonderful,” she says. “Then, within weeks, the years of speech therapy that he had been going through started to come out because the pathways in his brain were being regulated.” Today, he is 9 years old and speaks just as well as his peers – and he reads, writes, and has the fine and gross motor skills of children much older.

Boyer was so impressed with how well neurofeedback therapy worked on her son that she decided to use it on herself, to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to childhood trauma, as well as other issues. She says it completely changed her personal and professional life.

Around that same time, Boyer’s daughter was about to turn 12 and was suffering from a number of issues. She showed signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder and intense fear of germs, as well as argumentative behavior and self-image issues. Boyer discovered that her daughter was suffering from post-concussion syndrome. Through the use of neurofeedback therapy, Boyer says they were able to wipe out 100% of the detrimental behaviors that she was showcasing that, no doubt, would have eventually led to medication.

“I saw neurofeedback work in three very different ways with three really different populations,” Boyer says. “Even though it was myself and my children, it was still very, very different, so I started studying and volunteering my time at another clinic to learn more.”

Neurofeedback has been around since the 1950s. Today, it is used by professional athletes to increase their peak performance. NFL quarterbacks use it to improve spatial perception, and race-car drivers and swimmers use it to increase speed and

Courtney, Kristin, Devin, Sunny, Charley and KP

improve reaction times.

Today neurofeedback is used by families just like yours and mine to treat and mitigate many common behavior disorders, as well as anxiety, depression, PTSD, migraines, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Boyer, a Registered Nurse and Certified Holistic Nutritionist, decided to open her own neurofeedback therapy clinic in Carmel. In January of 2021 she opened the doors to Grey Matters, with two treatment chairs. Today it includes six treatment chairs, with patients seen daily.

Neurofeedback therapy is a noninvasive, drug-free way to rewire the brain’s reward system. It’s sometimes called sound wave therapy. The Grey Matters treatment programs start with a quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG), through which the Grey Matters staff members carefully and comfortably capture electrical signals within the brain.

This qEEG data is translated into a brainmap report. This provides a clear picture of a client’s individual brain functions relating to their symptoms. Grey Matters evaluates each brain area including the executive system in the frontal lobes, which regulate decision making, impulse control and judgment. They also evaluate the parts of the brain that regulate attention, memory, planning, language ability, focus, spatial processing and attachment.

Neurofeedback therapy is a simple and painless learning technique that involves teaching brainwaves to become more functional and effective. With gentle but persuasive training, the brain can be guided to discover new pathways of response that were previously unreachable.

Using the latest technology, Grey Matters technicians place a sensor cap comfortably on the client’s head. The cap is hooked up to a computer that reads activity in different regions of the brain, and then sends a reward back to the brain in the form of a

sound played through headphones. The brain then uses that data to adjust itself in the same way that a person might adjust an out-of-place hair in the mirror. The process could be compared to teaching a dog to sit by pushing its posterior down, and giving it a cookie, 100 times. Eventually the dog learns to sit with even the shake of the cookie box.

This is similar to what’s being done with the brain’s electrical discharges, with a reward for modifying brain waves.

“We are learning this pattern the same way we would learn the words to a song,” Boyer says. “Very few people sit down and are like, ‘I’m going to write all these words down. I’m going to memorize the song.’ It doesn’t typically happen, but we hear it. It has a jingle to it. It has a pattern, so we pick that up. Unbeknownst to us, the exact same thing is happening in neurofeedback.”

Grey Matters is not a medical clinic – even though it is run by healthcare and mental

health professionals. Think of it as a training facility for the brain run by experts in the human mind and body. This pairing gives you the best of both worlds with the best outcomes. Devin Reimmuth, RN, BSN moved to Carmel from the University of San Diego - California earlier in 2022 bringing with her more than 10 years of management experience and patient care.

She oversees the brain training programs with the neurofeedback technicians who were all members of the traditional health world. Together, they hope to bring holistic health to everyone with brain injuries, mood and behavior challenges, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Sessions are done two to three times per week. For 30 minutes, the client sits comfortably in a chair with a optional blanket, neck pillow, and eye mask. The technician sits with the client and monitors the training session, making adjustments as needed to keep the client as comfortable as possible. Grey Matters frequently checks progress, optimizing to the training program as needed.

The number of sessions needed varies from person to person. Almost everyone notices changes within the first 10 sessions. Most people will require 3050 sessions for optimal results. Some diagnoses may require more. This is discussed with the client during the brainmap review. Boyer says she’s seen a 100% success rate in mitigating the symptoms of clients for various conditions.

Like riding a bike, it can take some time for the brain to rewire itself, but once learned, it’s not forgotten. That said, getting back on a bike after 10 years away can be a wobbly endeavor, which is why Boyer recommends neurofeedback maintenance 1x a month after the initial program.

“I’m a mother with challenging kids just like everybody else,” Boyer says. “My title is literally “Grey’s Mom” -- Grey is my son and he matters...and so do YOU.” Boyer says people are shocked when

they find out that they don’t have to suffer with conditions like generalized anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADD/ADHD, or migraines and that it takes just a handful of months to accomplish.

“I want that message to be relayed very clearly to other parents, particularly those that are being told their children have attentional disorders,” she says. Let’s look

at the brain and let’s look at the gut – it is the second brain after all -- and let’s work together to free ourselves and our children from our suffering unnecessarily.

Grey Matters of Carmel is located at 13250 Hazel Dell Parkway, Suite 102. For more info, call 317-215-7208 or visit greymattersofcarmel.com.

Angie Mercer

Matthew Kubal Matthew Mundy

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Thousands of children have sat on Santa’s lap since Richard Zeiss built the first Santa House on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square in 1963.

#hamcoturns200.com

hen the owners and staff at West Fork Whiskey Co. held their grand opening to welcome the community to their new establishment, they were blown away by the reception they received.

“It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces and hear so many compliments from customers,” says Megan Ray, program manager at West Fork Whiskey Co. “It’s been some time since we have been able to go to an opening, so I think we all enjoyed it even more.”

No doubt, the pandemic has led to a newfound appreciation for socializing, smiling and celebrating. Many are currently

in search of places to host wedding receptions, showers, parties and other events. West Fork Whiskey Co.’s event center is a wonderful choice, as it can accommodate all kinds of occasions. Not only does it have a private patio that spans 35 by 90 square feet, but it also has three massive glass garage doors that can open up to invite the outside in.

You know what they say - location, location, location. West Fork Whiskey Co., conveniently located across the street from Grand Park, is not only one of the biggest event spaces in Westfield, but it also offers a stunning backdrop.

“The fields of Westfield are so beautiful,” Ray says. “Our event center is positioned on the west side of our building with large

garage doors so every evening we get a gorgeous painted sky.”

The event center officially opened and began booking events on October 1. For weeks prior, however, staff members had been fielding inquiries from community members interested in booking site tours, wedding receptions and other events.

“I came from an events background, and I’ve definitely gotten that feeling of, ‘Wow, we’re going to need a bigger boat,’” Ray says with a chuckle.

Actually, their boat is fairly big - the 4,333-square-foot event center can seat 230 people when using a traditional dance floor, and for standing-room events it can hold up to 400.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Brian Brosmer

People may also choose to rent out other spots within the building for private tastings, company retreats or holiday parties. The mezzanine level of The Mash House restaurant can be rented, as can Stave Cocktail Lounge.

The event center will be home to West Fork Whiskey’s wide variety of programming. They will kick off the holiday season with a barrel-tree lighting out front, and offer family-focused Christmas party programming in the event center.

“We’re looking into including some local vendors and maybe a pop-up shop,” Ray says.

They also hope to have a beautiful live Christmas tree in the lobby that includes fun decorations and special retail products.

Plus, both the cocktail and entrée menu items at The Mash House and Stave Cocktail Lounge will feature special seasonal items. This is true in the fall as well, when they’ll highlight, for instance, apple whiskey.

“Westfield is a family-focused environment so a lot of our programming will cater towards families,” Ray says. “Still, we’ll also have some really cool stuff for adults too.”

Often when people first set foot inside West Fork Whiskey Co., they are amazed at how much is there - a restaurant, a cocktail lounge, a classroom, a retail bottle bar, and an event center. At its heart, West Fork Whiskey is a whiskey distillery, with full distillation operations coming online to Westfield in early 2023, until then, staff members are focused on each unique piece of the West Fork experience.

“If you decide to host an event here, we’d love to educate you about what we do,” Ray says.

If you host a wedding or corporate Christmas party for your company, the staff at West Fork Whiskey will make it experience based. For example, if a bride and groom want to, they can get their names and wedding date engraved on a whiskey bottle.

“We want to make everyone feel special,” Ray says. “It’s more than just renting a room. We want the experience to be thoughtfully curated.”

The team at West Fork Whiskey is Hoosier focused, meaning they work primarily with local businesses. For instance, they source locally for chickens as well as the corn for the whiskey.

“We celebrate being here in Indiana and being around Hoosiers who share the same pride,” Ray says.

Last May the team held a brainstorming session that included all of their employees, from servers to bartenders to warehouse workers. All were asked to share their input on the types of programs they would like to see at West Fork Whiskey Co.

“It was super collaborative, which speaks to the company,” Ray says. “That was one of the first meetings I’d had with the whole team. Everyone is respected and valued here. That was so refreshing. Everyone is excited to share this space with the community and they are heavily invested in making this a communal space.”

Possibilities for 2023 include hosting a wedding expo, celebrating whiskey days, offering yoga classes, and booking local musicians and other entertainment such as the Colts cheerleaders for autograph signings.

“Who knows what 2023 will hold?” Ray says. “The entire team has pitched some fantastic community programming.”

They recently hosted a volunteer appreciation dinner for the Colts training camp.

“The dinner was super celebratory,” Ray says. “That’s what I want for this space, because at the end of the day we’re making whiskey and creating great times.”

West Fork Whiskey Co. is located at 10 East 191st Street in Westfield. For more info or to access the event inquiry form, visit westforkwhiskey.com.

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