Carmel Magazine December 2017

MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2017

victory march Marching Greyhounds take home Bands of America Grand National Championship

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VICTORY MARCH: MARCHING GREYHOUNDS TAKE HOME BANDS OF AMERICA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The hard work and dedication that each of the 311 student members of the Carmel High School (CHS) marching band put into their 2017 season has paid off – not only in the form of a national championship, but in what band director Chris Kreke says are valuable lessons of teamwork and devotion toward a common goal.

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DECEMBER WRITERS

Allison Yates / Carrie Petty Christy Heitger-Ewing / Jane VanOsdol Jon Shoulders / Lynda Hedberg Thies Matt Roberts

DECEMBER PHOTOGRAPHERS Allison Yates / Amy Payne Sue Eckl / Jamie Sangar

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6 Victory March: Marching

Greyhounds Take Home Bands of America Grand National Championship

29 A Carmel Christmas:

Christkindlmarkt, Ice at Center Green Open in Carmel for the Holidays

10 Prodigy Burger & Bar : New Family- 32 To the Moon and Back: Friendly Restaurant Opens at Clay Terrace

14 Sculpting a Legend: Local Artist Talks About Creating the Peyton Manning Statue

Blu Moon Café is a Carmel Hotspot for Foodies

34 A Mother’s Hope: The O’Connor

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atCarmel.com / DECEMBER 2017 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 5

victory march Marching Greyhounds take home Bands of America Grand National Championship who has worked at Carmel High School for 23 years and served as band director since 2012. “Watching their growth and The hard work and dedication that each of development year after year is really, really the 311 student members of the Carmel special. It’s amazing to watch them develop High School (CHS) marching band put into as people.” their 2017 season has paid off – not only in the form of a national championship, but Kreke says rehearsal time for the Marching in what band director Chris Kreke says are Greyhounds averages about 20 hours a valuable lessons of teamwork and devotion week, including Saturdays, beginning in toward a common goal.

June and resuming through the fall season.

Writer / Jon Shoulders Photos provided by Sue Eckl Photography

“What I enjoy most is absolutely seeing what the kids get out of it,” says Kreke,

Such diligence resulted in first-place honors at the Bands of America Grand National Championships on November 11 – the

6 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2017 / atCarmel.com

fourth national title for the Greyhounds and the third for Kreke as band director.

Carmel also won awards for Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect at the Grand Nationals. One hundred teams from around the country, including seven from Indiana, competed in the threeday event.

“It’s a tight-knit group, and it has to be with the way we have to work together,” says Kreke, who also serves as chair of the

CHS Performing Arts department.

“It’s a pretty unique activity, where there’s not a bench or anybody who doesn’t participate. Everybody’s really dependent on everybody else, and then we spend a lot of time together too, which fosters those relationships between the kids. If you talk to any of them, they’d refer to it as a family atmosphere most of the time.”

In October, the group took first place at both the Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Championship and Southern California Regional Championship. During their downtime on the west coast, the group had the opportunity to hit the beach as well as Universal Studios and Disneyland.

Each December, Kreke and a team of designers begin creating the approximately nine-minute shows that the marching band performs through the fall. In June, the CHS band students begin learning and rehearsing their parts for fall performances, and the competitive season runs from midSeptember through mid-November.

“The team of designers creates alloriginal choreography and original compositions or arrangements of existing pieces for the students,” Kreke says. “We start talking to the kids in May about what that’s going to be, and we start distributing some of the music and drum parts and things like that. Then it’s a lengthy process of creating these nineminute original productions.”

Kreke says the heavy responsibility on each and every Marching Greyhound to flourish in their particular role during performances fosters a sense of solidarity among the group.

“There’s a lot of simultaneous responsibility where they’re having to remember where they’re going on a football field, how they’re getting there, what choreography is taking them there and playing music along with that – and then creating an emotional, passionate performance along with it,” Kreke says.

Carmel Drum Majors Tori Moss, Caroline Heyl, Lio Krieger, Alexis Noirot and Zach Beeler accept the BOA Grand National Championship trophy.

Carmel Band Director Chris Kreke embraces his son, senior baritone member Alex, in warm-ups shortly before performing in the BOA Finals competition on Nov. 11.

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“So, there’s a lot of physical and mental responsibility on them for that nine minutes.”

Kreke is quick to add that parental support, both morally and logistically, is crucial to each Marching Greyhounds season, from the beginning rehearsals in June through the season’s final competitions in the fall.

“The logistics of just moving everything to a show is pretty incredible sometimes,” he says. “For us to go to a show, it takes about 60 parents’ efforts along with all of the teaching staff. We’re on nine school buses, and we’ve got a semi trailer and four 26-foot box trucks just to transport all the equipment. We have an incredibly involved parent group who does an amazing amount of volunteer hours for us. We absolutely couldn’t do it without them.”

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“They’re well aware of what students before them have done,” he says. “We rarely talk to the kids about winning trophies and the competition part of it. It’s all about trying to develop a show that’s going to be special for an audience, reaching out and making that connection to the audience. That’s how we define success with the kids.

They’re just as pleased with a great performance as they are with a great performance that wins something.”

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be interested in taking over the vacant space within the popular retail center. Clay Terrace currently features a wide range of Jeremiah Hamman, co-owner of the recently eateries, including Red Robin Gourmet opened Prodigy Burger & Bar in Carmel, Burgers, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Café says his new establishment fills a muchPatachou and Biaggi’s – but no “mid-level” needed culinary niche in the Clay Terrace food choices, as Hamman puts it. shopping center.

Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Amy Payne

After Ted’s Montana Grill closed the doors to its Clay Terrace location, Hamman, who co-owns Prime 47’s Carmel and downtown Indy restaurants, was contacted by a Clay Terrace leasing agent to see if he might

“As I looked around, I thought there was a glaring need for kind of a neighborhood gathering place that offered some entertainment and fun, in a friendly-fast environment,” he says. “So, I designed Prodigy. We like Clay Terrace, and we

atCarmel.com / DECEMBER 2017 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 11

like the communities that surround it up here – Noblesville, Westfield, Carmel and Zionsville. They’ve gone through a significant renaissance in the last couple of years. We’ve had great success at Prime 47.”

The Prodigy menu consists predominantly of craft burgers and sandwiches, made with what Hamman describes as “fresh, neverfrozen ingredients,” as well as a bourbon and wine list and a kids menu. Sixteen of the restaurant’s 22 beer taps are dedicated to local craft brews.

In a world of change, our focus is steadfast.

“The menu is narrowly focused, but with some unique twists on some commonplace items,” says Hamman, who grew up in northwest Indiana and relocated to Indianapolis in 1996.

“It’s mainly burgers and sandwiches, and we have a strong focus on quality.

We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, we’re just trying to provide excellent food with excellent service, and hopefully we’ll be patronized by the locals. You go around the community and every restaurant’s full at dinnertime, and we’re just trying to fill a void at this location.”

All ages are welcome at Prodigy, which officially opened on Nov. 2, and the friendly-fast environment Hamman refers to consists of 24 televisions, a private dining room, a play area for kids, dueling piano entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays and an ample outdoor patio with two garage-style doors and a fire pit.

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“We’re locally owned so we’re nimble,” Hamman adds. “By that I mean we can adapt to what’s needed in the community. I don’t know that we need to be unique or special in any regard other than just serve great food with friendly and efficient service and have a great location at Clay Terrace.”

Prodigy Burger & Bar is located at 14490 Clay Terrace Blvd., Suite 100A, in Carmel. For more information call 317-569-9996.

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Cathedral alum, Ryan Feeney, landed the Super Bowl of sculpting jobs when he was picked as the lead sculptor of the Peyton Manning statue.

SCULPTING A LEGEND LOCAL ARTIST TALKS ABOUT CREATING THE PEYTON MANNING STATUE Writer / Lynda Hedberg Thies Photographer / Jamie Sangar

His attention to detail and work ethic are legendary. He is humble and kind and has a great sense of humor. He is willing to share the credit for his success, and he has left a legacy in the city. Sounds like Peyton Manning?

Meet Ryan Feeney.

Ryan Feeney may have never played a day in a Colts jersey, but he won the Super Bowl of sculpting jobs when he was chosen from a very competitive field of artists from both the East and West Coast to create the larger than life statue of the iconic Peyton Manning.

Feeney fell in love with art when he was just 5 years old and only 7 when he created his first oil painting. While other kids were out playing games in the neighborhood, Feeney was either working on art projects or taking art classes with his mom. His talent was evident, so his parents enrolled him at Shortridge Junior High School for

their Art Magnet program. While he played sports throughout his childhood, nothing really grabbed his attention, but his parents insisted he participate.

Feeney’s involvement in athletics changed when the 5-foot-6 freshman came to Cathedral High School. He knew he was too small to play football, so for three years he ran track and cross country. By his senior year, he was well entrenched in his art classes along with his other academics, but his art teacher, Barb Velonis, took him under her wing and mentored Feeney. She also introduced him to 3D drawing, which sealed the deal on his desire to pursue a college degree in design. But he was also craving the opportunity to play a contact sport, and that is when he discovered rugby.

Feeney found a rugby club at Lawrence North but soon realized that the travel time was cutting into his practice time. So, the coaches suggested he start a club at Cathedral. He could have just dropped the idea because he was about to graduate, but that was not Feeney.

INDY METRO / DECEMBER 2017 / TownePost.com

So, in 1992, Feeney’s senior year, he started a Rugby Club at Cathedral.

He found a couple of coaches, and he advertised the program and invited anyone to play so long as they did not have a school program, they could sign up for the Cathedral program. The first season the program finished in the middle of the pack. Today, the club is one of the premier programs in the country. Royal Irish Rugby, a 25-year-old program, has won four National Championships in the past six years and played the championship game both years they didn’t win.

“There is no way to truly measure what rugby has done for this community because it constantly grows. What started as a small club here on the northeast side of Indy has now become a dominant program that has held the number one ranking for most of the last seven years,” says Dave Snyder, Royal Irish Rugby Coach.

Feeney’s legacy with the rugby program has led the club to create a “Ryan Feeney Founders Award,” given to players that need support to keep playing the game.

Feeney went to Miami University of Ohio to study Art and Design but was also able to continue playing rugby while a student there. The focus of his time at Miami was working on his skills. He even received his first commission when he was a senior there, and his professors supported him through the process. He graduated from Miami with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a double major in graphic design and sculpture.

He started his career working in the art and graphic design department for a corporation and soon realized that he did not have as much time to work on doing what he loved, which involved designing statues.

In 1999, Feeney joined the Indianapolis Fire Department because the 24 hours on, 48 hours off gave him the flexibility to spend more time sculpting. By the time he launched his design business, Indy Art Forge, he already had four bronze statues out around the city.

“Most guys at the station had a second job mowing lawns and landscaping, mine just happened to be in a studio,” Feeney says.

By the time the Colts announced that they were going to build a Peyton Manning statue, Feeney already had 15 public statues on his resume.

But this job was the biggest he had ever tackled, and his competition had bigger portfolio’s and even a staff of people to work on the project. Feeney was working as a firefighter and is a married father of two children, but he went for it anyway.

The interview process proved intimidating and the competition’s portfolio’s daunting.

Colts Chief Operating Officer Pete Ward told him he had the weakest portfolio of everyone, and the other sculptors had even submitted a scaled down sculpture of Peyton.

“I don’t have the portfolio as these big-city sculptors that have five other artists working for me to do the work,” he recalls. ‘How could I compete,’ he thought to himself?”

But then he noticed that all the sculptors had left off the helmet. Knowing Peyton

was the ultimate detail person, he promised a statue to them in three days and returned with the replica wearing a helmet and even included the wire strap, which the others had left off. So, he thought he got their attention.

“We will not go to step one or step two without your approval or go from two to three without your approval,” Feeney told Pete Ward. “I said, ‘If you hire me, living local, you can have input and involvement at every stage. I won’t get it right the first time, if I do, I’m lucky, but I always like to have other people look at it and tweak it.’”

Feeney’s reputation, attention to detail and physical location gave the Colts unprecedented access to work closely on the project without the expense of travelling to another state. They also loved that his vendors worked in the city, which meant it would benefit the community. They chose Feeney and arranged for him to fly to Nashville, Tennessee to photograph Manning in a conference room at the hanger to begin the process. His first meeting was a bit intimidating, but he got right to work as the Colts photographer snapped more than 400 photos.

Throughout the process of building the 9-foot-1 Manning figure, he worked with the Colts Equipment Manager, Ward and others to ensure that at every stage everyone was happy with the process and his progress. Like other projects he had worked on, he had a team of people involved, and when he was finished, he was confident Manning would like it but had to wait until the public unveiling of the project before he knew for sure.

On Oct. 9, around 25,000 people gathered in Indianapolis to participate in the unveiling. The unveiling ceremony included A-list dignitaries, including David Letterman, former Governor Mitch Daniels, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Colts owner Jim Irsay, former coach Tony Dungy and General Manager Bill Polian along with former players such as Jeff Saturday.

Feeney was beyond thrilled. He felt confident

that Peyton would like the statue because he had so many people that participated in the project along the way.

Peyton came to the podium, looked over at Feeney and said, “Good job” before delivering his speech.

Immediately after the ceremony, Manning, who had been all business at the meeting in Nashville, greeted him warmly and thanked him for his effort. He then asked if he could introduce him to his mom, Olivia Manning. She greeted Feeney warmly and said, “The profile is perfect from where I stand, if he didn’t have the number or name on the jersey, even if it was a silhouette in the middle of the night, just in that stance alone, I would know it was Peyton.”

Feeney knew that no one knows Peyton better than his mom, so to have her approval meant a lot.

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The day concluded with a private reception.

“It was so cool, I felt like an A- lister,” Feeney says.

Before any of the accolades could go to his head, he knew his fire station pals would make sure to bring his feet back to earth. Still, Feeney has taken time to reflect on his success.

“Enjoy what you do because then it won’t feel like work,” he says. “Money is money until you work at a job you hate. I have two jobs, I’m not rich, but I love what I do.”

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TownePost.com / DECEMBER 2017 / INDY METRO

SANTA LOVES A GARDENER Writer / Carrie Petty

Gift giving can be hard. Don’t you think? But for the gardener or nature lover on your list, it is pretty simple. Make no mistake!

Gardeners are always thinking about growing. Give a gardener a new shovel, and she’s happy. I promise.

Christmas gifts for a gardener are always about quality and durability. Spend your money on the best tools, not a plastic handled, thin metal cheep-o. Your gardener will appreciate the quality of Felco Pruners or English made, wooden handled Haws Stainless Steel Garden Fork or Trowel. Gift sets are easy to find in the Gardening Centers around Indianapolis. Some items are already wrapped too. I love Allisonville Nursery, Altum Gardens and Habig, just to name a few.

These are great gifts and show your gardener that you get it. After all, gift giving is about understanding your recipient fully and showing your love through the well, thought-out gift that you have selected just for them.

When the clock strikes midnight on New Years 2018, a gardener will be dreaming of digging.

Planning tools and guides are some of the very best gifts for the gardening mindset. We are always looking for better ways to organize our seeds, sketch out our thoughts or study what grows best in the shade or full sun. Sketchbooks and quality drawing tools are a must. As well as reference books and growing guides A subscription to the Indiana Gardening Magazine is a gift that is, “Hyper Local” in the words of editor Michelle Walsh. It is a bi-monthly magazine, full of incredible local gardening content.

CREATE YOUR OWN GIFT BASKETS

You can use a great terra cotta pot and fill it to the brim with seeds, tools, a journal and some good gardening gloves. And don’t forget the sunscreen and hat in your gift basket. Keeping your loved one protected.

Gardening gloves with a packet of seeds tied up in ribbon make excellent hostess gifts for a gardening friend, (hint, hint!) Or they can make a great stocking stuffer too. Books and antiques for the garden are another great way to show your friends you understand their love for the green stuff. Make sure you sign the inside of any book. I have several that bring a smile to my face just remembering a friend’s gift. All a part of helping you, “Grow a Beautiful Life.”

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Writer / Matt Roberts . Photography provided by IU Athletic Department

n Tom Crean’s final season as head basketball coach at Indiana University, almost 40 percent of the shots were taken by three players now on NBA rosters. On IU Basketball Media Day, reporters asked new head coach Archie Miller an obvious question: Where will the Hoosiers’ scoring come from in the 2017-2018 season?

“I think De'Ron Davis is a very gifted offensive player,” Miller says. “He has terrific footwork, amazing hands and great touch. I think he can score the ball for us. Robert Johnson is a proven scorer and will continue to do that, too.

“Juwan (Morgan) has to become more of an offensive-minded player from a production standpoint,” Miller adds.

“He's got great skills. I look at Devonte (Green) as a guy that can get his own shot, a guy that create for himself off of ball screens, and get to the basket and get to the free throw line. As I look at the shooting on our team, guys like Curtis (Jones), guys like Collin (Hartman), those guys have made shots.”

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Offense has not been a problem at Indiana in recent years, but there were times when Indiana fans cringed on every defensive possession. Last season, the Hoosiers led the Big Ten in points scored but managed a conference record of only 7-11. Miller recognizes the need to improve defensively but avoided setting any expectations for a quick fix.

“We're building,” he says. “We're not as sophisticated as we're going to be, but I think from a base perspective, our team is learning what we're about, especially in the half-court.

“I think we'll be a team that hopefully can continue to really improve.

Sometimes it's going to take games.

These guys are going to have to experience it in a game, see it on film in a game, and that's kind of what's happened throughout my coaching career. You develop defensively as a team just as well as you do offensively.

This is probably as challenging of a schedule as anyone has ever faced. It's going to put a real tax on the bodies.

But our early schedule is going to provide a lot of information on what we're going to need to do to be successful through the course of the regular season in Big Ten play. You're playing against major teams who have really good players and great coaches.

I don't expect on day one we're going to be the steel curtain, so to speak, but I think we're going to be a team that prides ourselves on that. Our guys know that and individual defenders will improve just like they do on offense.

“But we're sticking to the script,” Miller adds. “I think from our practice perspective right now, we're going to try to be great on both, but we're spending an abnormal amount of time on it.”

With early season games scheduled against perennial powers like Duke, Louisville, Notre Dame and Michigan over a two-week stretch, Miller figures to learn quickly about how Indiana has to improve to compete in the Big Ten. “This is probably as challenging of a schedule as anyone has ever faced,” Miller says. “It's going to put a real tax on the bodies. But our early schedule is going to provide a lot of information on what we're going to need to do to be successful through the course of the regular season in Big Ten play. You're playing against major teams who have really good players and great coaches.

“We're going to figure out how we respond to those things,” Miller adds.

“I think it's going to teach us what we're going to need to be this year.”

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The Hoosiers play Notre Dame on December 16 as part of the Crossroads Classic at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.

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DECEMBER'S LUCKIEST ALIVE David Mroz SUBMIT YOUR STORY ONLINE AT TOWNEPOST.COM! If you are chosen, you'll win dinner for two at the Homestretch Steakhouse and $100 each in gambling comps.

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MR. INVINCIBLE Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

The track-and-field students he coaches at Center Grove High School call him “The Tank,” and for good reason. Over the past several years, David Mroz has plowed through countless medical hurdles, one after another. Despite them all, he maintains an optimistic outlook and gratitude for life.

His indominable spirit was groomed in high school. Besides participating in track, football and basketball, Mroz also meticulously studied his dad’s “Muscle & Fitness” magazines.

“I thought it would be great to have massive muscles like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno,” says Mroz, who later competed in Strong Man competitions.

A week after the shoulder surgery, he developed an abscess, which had to be surgically removed. Then came more TIAs, this time leaving him blind in the left eye and numb in the right arm. He couldn’t catch the proverbial break. A month later, Mroz got a call from his doctor letting him know that he needed to see a vascular surgeon immediately.

focused on his wife Pam, children Lauren, Luke and Andrew, and grandson Aden. He also felt great pride as a coach. In 2015 and 2016, one of his students won state in disc, winning the school record, too.

“I had a track meet to coach the following day, so I figured I’d see the surgeon the day after, but my doctor said, ‘Nope. Now,’” recalls Mroz, 45 at the time but with a 99 percent blockage in both carotid arteries.

“I knew it was a heart attack,” Mroz says.

“You’re a walking time bomb,” the doctor told him.

After having both carotid arteries cleaned out in May, he described himself as Frankenstein.

In 2016, just before heading to his son’s football game, Mroz turned ghost grey and began sweating profusely.

He was right — 100 percent blockage required another stint. Like a page out of a horror movie, a week later while watching TV, his face started drooping and his right arm went numb. A brain scan revealed that he had suffered a series of seven strokes due to a blood clot.

Though Mroz missed his son’s destination wedding in Jamaica, he was relieved to He joined the Indiana University track team survive yet another health scare without as a walk-on. While at IU, he studied health, “My neck was cut all the way down with metal suffering any debilitating consequences. nutrition and business finance. Post-college, staples binding it,” Mroz says. “Not pretty.”

This year, he’s had a third stint put in as well Mroz owned a Gold’s Gym, where he as a knee replacement. trained clients. He’s also worked as a roofer, The following month he learned he had and in 2010 began coaching track at Center an enlarged gall bladder. Determined to Mroz is not sure why he’s been plagued Grove Middle School and three years later whip himself back into shape following that with so many health issues, but doctors at the high school. credit his lifelong exercise habits for having surgery, Mroz made a bet with his son that by the end of basketball season, he’d be able bounced back from so many crises. His In 2013, he had a shoulder replacement — a to dunk again. He was making great strides attitude, no doubt, is a huge factor, too. chronic injury that had bothered him ever when suddenly his left bicep detached. since falling off a roof in 2000. On his way “I enjoy what I’m doing. I love coaching and to the surgery center, Mroz’s right arm went “I looked like Popeye with a unicep rather watching the kids have that ‘a-ha’ moment,” completely numb. says Mroz, whose perspective is predicated than a bicep,” says Mroz with a chuckle. on genuine gratitude. “While we’re on this “I didn’t think much of it because it went earth, we should do our best to impact He continued to keep his positive spirit away after a few moments,” says Mroz, who despite another infection followed by more the people around us. If we can change later learned that he’d suffered a TIA or somebody’s world in a positive way while chest pains and the discovery of another mini stroke. we’re here, that’s what life’s all about.”

90 percent blockage. Through it all, Mroz

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CHRISTKINDLMARKT, ICE AT CENTER GREEN OPEN IN CARMEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS Writer / Jane VanOsdol Photographer / Amy Payne

The old world charm of a German Christmas is brought to life in Hamilton County with the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, which celebrated its grand opening Nov. 1819. In conjunction with the opening of the public ice rink, Ice at Center Green, it will be a holiday celebration not to be missed.

Christmas markets are popular traditions in Europe, dating back to the Middle Ages.

The connection to Carmel started years ago when Mayor Jim Brainard saw them firsthand and thought they would be a perfect fit in Indiana. Maria Murphy, CEO & market master, says Brainard wanted “to create a new, memorable experience for people to share with their families during the holiday season that’s close to home.”

ICE AT CENTER GREEN With the Ice at Center Green already scheduled for a November opening, the atCarmel.com / DECEMBER 2017 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 29

timing worked out to dovetail the two. Both venues are located in the space occupied by the Farmers Market. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt will run through Dec. 24, and the ice rink will operate through March 11, weather permitting. The space will then be prepared for the spring and summer season of the Farmers Market.

The ice rink is open to the public for skating enjoyment Wednesday through Sunday (ice hockey is not allowed). Skaters can purchase wristbands that will be color

coded to their specific time on the ice, and they may rent skates or bring their own.

Mondays and Tuesdays the rink is available for family and corporate rentals.

RESEARCHING THE MARKET “The goal has always been a high-end, authentic Germanic market,” Murphy says. They specifically did not want massproduced products but products that are still handmade in time-honored traditions.

This past spring, Murphy traveled to Germany to locate enough products and vendors to fill 38 huts. Prior research directed her to the geographic region of Erzgebirge in the Ore Mountains, specifically three towns: Marienberg, Obernau and Seiffen, Germany. Here she met the artisans and found the products to fill the market. Ten food huts are under contract by local Indiana vendors, and they will be serving German-style food.

TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS Some of the products include steins, ornaments, nutcrackers, wooden figurines, Meissen porcelain, Cologne cards, handmade candles and candle arches, nativities and much more. Look for Glühwein, a traditional German holiday drink, to be served in limited-edition Carmel “boot” mugs.

VOLUNTEERING Interested in volunteering? Hundreds of volunteers are needed. Schedules are flexible and every volunteer who works four hours or longer receives a gift. Visit carmelchristkindlmarkt.com and click the “Volunteer” button in the top-right corner for more information.

The grand opening for the Christkindlmarkt and the Ice at Center Green was a day full of festivities, including a ribbon cutting with Mayor Brainard, a visit with Santa for the kids, stage performances with caroler groups, accordion music and more. Be sure to add the Christkindlmarkt and the Ice at Center Green to your must-do holiday list and experience an Old World Christmas that you won’t soon forget.

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To the Moon and Back BLU MOON CAFÉ IS A CARMEL HOTSPOT FOR FOODIES Writer & Photographer / Allison Yates

Under a picture of Blu Moon Café’s Facebook post of Homemade Parmesan Bacon Bagel with pork belly, an admirer wrote, “Now this is worth driving through four states to get one.”

Located in Carmel’s Indiana Design Center, Blu Moon Café is the irresistible eatery that Carmel residents, and even people living four states away, can’t get enough of.

With its chic décor of local art, black and white tables and innovative light fixtures, Blu Moon Café speaks to both the familiar spirit and daring creativity of Carmel.

Customers are made to feel like family.

It’s the kind of place where customers can expect fast and efficient service if they’re in a hurry or get the dedicated attention of an upscale restaurant if they wish to stay for a long meal. Longtime staff know regulars’ names, and there’s a degree of care that comes with eating here, like the way the 32 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2017 / atCarmel.com

staff bring food to the table and box up leftovers neatly.

“The food is always fresh and always good, and their service is always good, too — [they’re] always friendly,” says Carmel resident and regular Jaime Goff. “Their food really is delicious.”

Owners Brian and Shelley Jordan have culinary backgrounds and more than 30 years of combined experience in hospitality.

Armed with a wealth of experience, dedication to customer service and commitment to sourcing from local producers, the Jordans opened the café seven years ago and aren’t planning on stopping their success anytime soon.

Their salads, soups, sandwiches and seasonal specials are made homemade daily using mostly local ingredients sourced from nearby Field Farms.

There’s a core menu — customers swoon over the chicken curry or the BBT (that’s bacon, blue cheese and tomato) salads — and a handful of daily specials advertised on social media. Mouthwatering photos of Snickerdoodle Cheesecake, Unicorn Vanilla Buttercream and Maple Bacon Cupcakes line their feed, making it impossible not to want to pop in and grab a piece of your own.

But even among the countless desserts, one of Shelley Jordan’s favorite menu items remains her homemade Ding Dongs. She started making them at their first eatery in Noblesville, assuming they’d be popular with the kids. Instead, adults were the fondest of them, and they were so popular she continued to offer them at Blu Moon.

Shelley is proud of many things, especially their customer service (sometimes staff are trained up to three weeks when they’re hired), but something she considers the café’s greatest success to be their ability to provide both local and consistent food.

That’s a hard-won, tricky balance that doesn’t always happen, despite an eatery’s best intentions. With Shelley’s leadership and attention to detail, they’ve made it a reality and customers have noticed.

Blu Moon has never advertised. All their traffic has come from word of mouth, proving their mission resonates with customers. The café is open during the day Monday through Saturday, but in the future, they have plans to open for dinner hours and Sunday brunch.

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317-222-1313 atCarmel.com / DECEMBER 2017 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 33

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

Originally conceived by Colleen Dulac and Kris Bussick, The O’Connor House was started in 2005 to provide a Christian home to help single, pregnant homeless women improve life for themselves and their children.

Because the organization helps to reduce homelessness, in 2010 they received a $500,000 grant, which enabled them to construct a multi-family living space. Since its grand opening in December 2011, The O’Connor House has helped more than 350 women and children.

“Moms often tell us that they expected this place would feel like a shelter but instead it feels like a home,” says Nancy Imhoff, Development Director for The O’Connor House. “That’s our intent.”

In addition, the organization recently launched a mentoring program where mentors help the women set personal and career goals and develop specific steps to achieve those goals.

The house can accommodate up to eight women at a time, and they are one of the few maternity homes in the country that also take a pregnant mother’s toddler. Most of the moms who come to The O’Connor House are between 19 and 26. They’re allowed to stay for up to 18 months.

During their stay, they’re supplied with food, clothing and transportation. They also receive educational support, life skills training and healing through counseling.

“We also focus on developing positive parenting skills and healthy lifestyle habits,” says Kristi Lammers, who helps with Community Engagement.

34 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2017 / atCarmel.com

Research shows that 80 percent of single moms live in poverty.

“We’re not a band aid. We invest deeply in each of these young moms to get them on a path out of poverty,” Imhoff says. “That

Susan Barrett, O’Connor House Director

takes a lot of resources and wraparound support.”

Education is key (many moms are working toward a high school diploma). So is learning how to set a regular schedule to achieve productivity.

“When these women start becoming productive, their self-esteem increases,” Imhoff says. “They’re also met with greater freedom and opportunity.”

Located between Carmel and Westfield, The O’Connor House utilizes more than 80 volunteers a week who provide transportation for the moms, do yard work and daily chores, perform maintenance duties and teach moms how to cook.

Though it’s a Christian organization, they accept women from anywhere in the U.S. and from any faith. Women do, however, need to be over 18, pregnant and homeless to stay.

“The O’Connor House transforms lives and impacts generations,” says Imhoff, who shares the story of a woman who had been “We have local mothers and grandmothers in the prison system for a number of years. who come in to hold babies, so the moms Once released, she became pregnant and can take time to focus on an online class was living on a park bench before finding or work on another goal,” Lammers says.

The O’Connor House.

“When she got here, it was the first time she felt unconditional love,” says Imhoff, who notes that through the support and healing she received from the house and the community, this woman went on to earn her college degree and now lives in an apartment with her son.

“Her son’s choices, his life, his impact, his opportunities are completely different than his mom’s, and that’s all because she got this second chance,” Imhoff says.

Fresh starts and second chances is what it’s all about.

“These moms come from different circumstances, but in many ways, they’re just like any other mom with the same challenges,” Lammers says. “We’re all created in God’s image.”

For more information, visit theoconnorhouse.org.

Please visit our website to learn more: www.theoconnorhouse.org 36 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2017 / atCarmel.com

MAX & ERMA’S HAS BEEN SERVING JUICY BURGERS IN CARMEL FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS Writer / Allison Yates Photographer / Jamie Sangar

Max & Erma’s, located at 12195 North Meridian Street in Carmel, has proudly been serving the community since 2000.

The all-American chain restaurant, located in 10 states, started in 1972 in Columbus, Ohio. Although the restaurant is a chain, each location has a different theme, drawing inspiration and nostalgia from the community. Those who have visited the Carmel location know this well. There are high school banners on the walls, and guests can sit at a table underneath an upsidedown racecar hanging from the ceiling.

“The kids are just fascinated by it,” says Beth Williams, General Manager.

Williams, who has nearly 10 years of

experience with Max & Erma’s, became the manager of this location two and half years ago. She got her start in the company in Columbus, Managing the location in Carmel, she says, is different than in Columbus. There, you have a strong community backing. Nearly everyone not only recognizes the restaurant, but eats there frequently and has a lifetime of memories made there. Here, there’s more explaining to do.

“A lot of people in this area are like, ‘Max & Erma’s, what’s that?’” Williams says. But from her years of working in Columbus, Williams has a wealth of nostalgic stories she can share with newcomers.

Regardless if customers are regular Max & Erma’s patrons or first timers, once people get a taste of the delicious food and joyful atmosphere, they’re hooked. atCarmel.com / DECEMBER 2017 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 37

Their extensive menu features classic appetizers like wings, nachos, pretzel sticks and spinach dip, flatbreads, soups, salads and sandwiches. Customer favorites include the Santa Fe salad, grilled chicken and crunchy tortilla strips on a bed of lettuce, and the TMC sandwich, tomato, mozzarella cheese and chicken breast with fresh basil and sun-dried tomato.

There’s dozens of tempting options on the menu, but Max & Erma’s might be best known for their award-winning, juicy hamburgers. These fresh, never frozen burgers even took home the 2015 Best Cheeseburger award at the National Hamburger Festival in Akron, Ohio.

Williams admits they’re all delicious, but an all-time favorite is the Garbage Burger.

It has bacon, cheese, mushrooms, guacamole and marinara.

“There used to be a saying with it: everything but the kitchen sink,” Williams says.

Max & Erma’s gives more than just great food and a good experience in Carmel. Following the Max & Erma’s tradition, the restaurant tries to get out in the community and form partnerships with other businesses, nonprofits and school groups.

“That’s what we’re all about, being out in the community as much as we can,” Williams says.

Max & Erma’s has participated in things like the Taste of Carmel and business expos in Fishers, giving samples to share their food and mission.

The Max & Erma’s staff, which totals nearly 40 employees, love to raise funds for people who need it. Anyone from preschools to Carmel High School hold ‘dine and donate’ fundraisers there, where 20 percent of all profits are given back to their organization.

Besides those special fundraising nights, each September the restaurant fundraises for the Boys and Girls Club of Zionsville. Last year they raised $3,500 and this year their goal is $4,000.

Although Carmel has recently experienced a lot of construction making it a challenge to get there, the Max & Erma’s enthusiastic staff is wellversed in giving directions from any part of the city. They hope to see you there soon, eating everything but the kitchen sink.

38 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2017 / atCarmel.com

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