6 LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN Southside Art League Seeks to Spur Artistic Pursuits
9 SCHOLASTIC PURSUITS
Our Journey Back to Center Grove Schools
12 LEVELING UP YOUR HEALTH GAME
Elevate Health Opens in Center Grove
17 HIGHLY EDUCATIONAL
International Student Exchange Provides Oneof-a-Kind Experiences for Everyone Involved
20 DRINK IT DOWN Mellencamp Whiskey Company Does It for the Farmers, the Fun and the Flavor
24 IGNITING PASSION
Indy Ignite Gearing Up for Inaugural Season
29 CENTER GROVE SPORTS ROUNDUP
PUBLISHER
FREDDA KOVACS fredda@townepost.com (317) 402-3051
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
LAUREN CASEY BEMIS MISTY BROWN
CHRISTINA COCHRAN
KEVIN CONRAD, CG SPORTS NETWORK
MICHAEL DURR RYAN GABBERT
CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING RENÉE LARR
RYAN MCCONNELL
SARAH MULINARO PHOTOGRAPHY
SOPHIA SOUTH EMILY WHITCOMB
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK
CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
MANAGING EDITOR DEVON DEAN
COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011 FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT FRANCHISING.TOWNEPOST.COM
CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?
February EVENTS
The Not-So-Newlywed Game
Feb. 6 | 6PM – 8PM | Franklin College, The Branigan Room
Submit your event to our online calendar for free!
Join Turning Point Domestic Violence Services for the Johnson County Not-So- Newlywed Game. Hosted by Amy Skirvin and Beau Jackson, the game show will host four local couples vying for the Not-SoNewlywed crown. www.turningpointdv.org/jcnsnw
Valentine’s Dance
Feb. 7 | 6:30PM – 8PM | Greenwood Community Center, 100 Surina Way
Grab your little ones and your dancing shoes for an evening of love, fun, and community celebration. Make your own bear! Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Greenwood Community Center or Greenwood Fieldhouse. www.greenwood.in.gov
First Fridays In Franklin
Feb. 7 | 7PM – 9PM | Jefferson St., Downtown Franklin
More than 25 stores and restaurants will be open late for this gun shopping and dining event. Enjoy live music, artists, and other fun. www.facebook.com/DiscoverDowntownFranklin/events
Woven Co. After Hours: Candles & Charcuterie
Feb. 13 | 6:30PM – 11PM | Woven Co. Candle Studio, 200 E. Jefferson St. | Franklin
Indulge in an unforgettable evening where creativity meets flavor. Join us for an exclusive candle making and charcuterie styling event that promises to ignite your senses and tantalize your taste buds. Secure your $75 tickets online. www.wovencocandles.com/products/candles-and-charcuterie
Polar Plunge
Feb. 15 | 9AM – 11:30AM | Dye’s Walk Country Club, 2080 S. SR 135
Take the Plunge to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Indiana. All proceeds directly support training and competition opportunities for the more than 19,000 Special Olympics athletes throughout the state. www.soindiana.org/polar-plunge/
Center Grove Education Foundation Trivia Night
Feb. 21 | 6PM – 9PM | Barn at Bay Horse Inn, 1468 W. Stones Crossing Rd.
An evening of trivia, food, and fun raising funds to support Center Grove students and teachers. Form a team with up to 8 or be grouped with other players. Tickets are $50/person and include dinner from Bonefish Grill. Beverages will be available for purchase from the Barn’s Saloon. Get creative and decorate your table or dress up your team in the theme of your choice. Best themed team wins a small prize and bragging rights! www.centergrovefoundation.org
Final Fridays
Feb. 28 | 5PM – 9PM | Old Town Greenwood, 300 S. Madison Ave.
Every final Friday of the month, Old Town Greenwood stores and restaurants will stay open late and will feature local artisans, entertainers, musicians and other fun throughout the downtown. www.restoreoldtowngreenwood.org/finalfridays
SCSA Eleven Viva Rock Vegas: Casino Royale
Feb. 28 | 6PM – 11PM | Barn at Bay Horse Inn, 1468 W. Stones Crossing Rd.
Support South Central Soccer Academy with a night of games, food and fun. Follow SCSA on social media to get the latest on purchasing tickets, silent auction items, and more. www.facebook.com/SCSAindy
FEBRUARY CROSSWORD PUZZLE
DOWN
1. Chain letters?
2. Sound at the door
3. Hi-fi component
4. Nerdy types
5. Goody two-shoes
6. Snitch
7. Did lunch, say
8. Stone worker
9. Allegro, in music
10. Battery fluid
11. Showroom model
16. Aquarium beauty
20. “That’s disgusting!”
21. It has its ups and downs
22. Still-life piece
23. Add to the pot
24. Buddhist priests
25. A comet, to the superstitious
28. Wired
30. Straddling, maybe
31. Hooded garment
32. Baby bouncer?
35. Dame Marsh of mystery
38. Cloak-and-dagger sort
42. Masterful
44. Stake drivers
45. Delicate, in a way
46. Board game or magazine
47. Bicolor sea predator
48. Beneath contempt
51. Dissenter’s word
52. Big shot
53. Canine command
54. “Malcolm X” director
55. Music to the cook’s ears
ACROSS
1. Buzzkill
5. Buggy for Brits
9. Furbys, once
12. Dog tag info
13. Pro ___
14. Pitching star
15. Chowhounds have big ones
17. Virtual citizen of PC gaming
18. It’s tapped
19. Better or best
21. Bakery supply
24. Marathon
26. Dominate, in sports lingo
27. Printer’s amount
29. Unrespected writer
33. “The best is ___ to come!”
34. Campaign creators
36. Freight weight
37. Metallurgist’s materials
39. Jets or Sharks, e.g.
40. Be outstanding?
41. Is worthwhile
43. Enough, and then some
45. Bridges in Hollywood
48. Itinerary part
49. Cause of inflation?
50. Covetously
56. Ozone hazard, for short
57. Jack and Jill’s burden
58. Stead
59. Congressional vote
60. Pound the keys
61. Check
League of Their Own
SOUTHSIDE ART LEAGUE SEEKS TO SPUR ARTISTIC PURSUITS
Writer / Emily Whitcomb
Sitting behind a string of houses, nestled amongst some trees, are two brick buildings which have housed Southside Art League Inc. (SALI) for the last 30 years. But long before the buildings, the spirit of SALI has been its members.
Before a name or an organization, there was artist Sally Kriner. A member of the Cultural
Committee, Kriner’s spirit of artistic pursuit spurred on the first art class in 1956, held in a vacated storeroom. Eight years later, the Southside Art League organized with 39 members, and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1977. To this day, SALI is completely run by volunteers.
“We’re here to support artists as one of our
main functions - give them a gallery space to show their stuff,” says President Duane King. “We also give them opportunities if they want to teach classes and if they want to take classes from other people. Then doing all that, we’re basically supporting arts of the south side of Indianapolis by making a place where people can come see artwhere people can come make art.”
SALI boasts workshops throughout the year including watercolor, painting composition and kids classes. Any medium or skill level is welcome.
“The easiest way in would be to come to an event,” King says. “Then decide if it’s for them, and then they become a member, and then they can get involved in a committee or a board position.”
In addition to workshops, open studios and guest artists, SALI is the home of a national abstract art show. The show displays abstract paintings from artists all across the country.
Camaraderie and fun are big elements of being a SALI member. And at SALI, education is no barrier to teaching.
“No, you don’t have to have any education to do it,” King says. “It’s basically whether you can get enough students to attend your classes. Usually education helps with that; people trust you. But not always. If you’re a good teacher, you’re a good teacher.”
With plenty of space to learn, open studio time allows artists space to explore their art amongst others of a similar mind. This past year, King was given a grant that allowed him to do several renovations. As important as shared studio time is, King’s next project for SALI is to build artists’ studios on top of the existing classroom building. Artists will be able to rent out a space all their own, which King hopes will bring in the next generations of SALI members.
To this same end, King hopes to connect SALI with other art groups on the south side. King wants to bring in the younger generation so SALI can keep operating, get more grants and better advertise.
SALI is located at 299 East Broadway in Greenwood. They can be contacted at 317-882-5562. For more info, visit southsideartleague.org.
THE WOOF PACK
You knew us first as Dee’s Pet Salon, and now you know us as The Woof Pack. The name and location may have changed but our unwavering commitment to your precious pups has remained the same for over 35 years. We are a family-owned full-service provider for all your pet grooming needs, for all breeds.
understand your pet’s needs and preferences and customize the grooming services accordingly to ensure a comfortable and stress-free experience. We offer convenient advance booking and walk-in for nail trims are always welcome.
Our team of dedicated and skilled groomers provide personalized grooming services that cater to the unique needs of your furry friend. At The Woof Pack, we use natural and organic products. We understand the importance of using non-toxic products on your pet’s sensitive skin and only use the highest quality products that are gentle and safe.
The Woof Pack is not just a grooming salon, but a community of pet lovers who are passionate about our work. We treat every pet as if it were our own and we strive to create a warm and welcoming environment. It has been our pleasure to serve you and look forward to our next 35 years (and counting!).
We invite you to visit us at our new location which offers a larger grooming area. We’d love to meet your pups and you, too, of course.
Our menu of services includes bathing, haircuts, ear cleaning, and nail trimming, and we also offer add-on services such as color-safe hair dye. We take the time to
SCHOLASTIC PURSUITS
OUR JOURNEY BACK TO CENTER GROVE SCHOOLS
Writer / Lauren Casey Bemis
I first stepped inside the double doors on the east end of the old Maple Grove Elementary School building back in August of 1997. Half-day, p.m. Kindergarten was my introduction to the Center Grove Community School Corporation (CGCSC). I started my school career in Miss Settles’ class, with my now-husband, Brooks, getting his start at the same school the year before me.
We both enjoyed the benefits of being part of a big school corporation in different ways, with him taking part in team sports over the years, and me taking advantage of dual-credit college classes and helping start the varsity dance team in high school.
As we both continued our education at Franklin College, a much smaller school, we soaked up the one-on-one opportunities with college instructors and embraced the close-knit community experience.
We married shortly after graduating college and bought a house in the Center Grove community with our families nearby. I continued my work as an assistant coach of the Center Grove dance teams for a few years while starting my television career at WRTV, so we attended many football and basketball games, cheering on our Trojans.
Truthfully, we didn’t expect to have to decide where to send our kids to elementary school because we have always been a part of this community. But this time last year, our oldest, Archie, was at a local parochial school for preschool and he had an incredible first-school experience. The option to continue at a private school, participate in a homeschool co-op, or register him at a public school, became a reality, and we were faced with a tough decision.
Brooks Bemis and Lauren Casey 2008
In Indiana, schools are funded by state taxes on a per-student basis, meaning the dollars follow the student. While this change in the funding formula can pose challenges to public schools that may lose students and, therefore, funding, it also provides an opportunity for parents to really pay attention and make decisions for their children.
I spent a lot of time researching the schools on their social media channels and websites. One area that stood out to me, and my background as a journalist, was Center Grove’s school safety plans, and the investment the corporation has made in recent years in security technology, manpower, and their Emergency Operations Center.
After much deliberation as a household, discussions with extended family and friends (many in the same situation), and our own research, we opted to choose Center Grove schools, and so far we have been blown away by Archie’s educational experiences and personal growth.
As a parent, I decided that no matter where I send my child, the most important thing for me is to be actively engaged in his education and school community. I joined the PTO at Archie’s school before he even started kindergarten to meet other parents and the administrators, and got involved by taking on a leadership position. We attended the open house in the spring and confirmed he was excited about this choice.
This year I signed up to be a classroom parent and try to volunteer when I can to help in his class - not always easy to do
as a working parent or as a parent with a younger sibling - but getting involved was a goal I made when I left TV news to pursue a more flexible career. In my short time volunteering, I have loved to see the number of opportunities to get involved in my child’s education and provide feedback to school leaders.
With one semester under our belt, we have been pleased by the progress he has made both socially and academically. Communication with school leaders is frequent, and the faculty and staff have been helpful and kind in answering my many questions. Any questions I had about whether a public school environment was right for our family have been met with reassurances, and my confidence in our school choice continues to grow.
Lauren Casey 2009 CG graduate
FOR FELLOW PARENTS:
• Kindergarten registration for CGCSC opens in February. To register, you need to provide your child’s legal birth certificate, immunization record and proof of residence.
• Parents are encouraged to register their child for kindergarten only if they will be 5 years old by August 1. There are no waivers for early enrollment at CGCSC.
• If you live out of the district but want to register at CGCSC, parents need to complete the New Student Enrollment application and will be notified once current in-district applications are received.
• Center Grove kindergarten is a full-day program and meets daily with no tuition requirements.
• There are kindergarten readiness materials provided by the district for you to review with your child.
• Students will participate in one-on-one summer screenings with kindergarten teachers. The kindergarten screening is locally designed and assesses students’ foundational learning skills as a starting point for classroom instruction.
• All CGCSC elementary schools will host open houses this spring semester for interested families.
For families about to embark on their first school journey, we wish you the best and hope you take the time to discover what Center Grove schools can offer.
Lauren Casey Bemis and children at Maple Grove Elementary
Leveling up Your Health Game
IN CENTER GROVE
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
Photographer / Christina Cochran
Cover photo by Sarah Mulinaro Photography
After 16 years in health care, former emergency-room nurse Jess Shaffer was ready to switch gears from conventional medicine. During her undergraduate studies, she was fascinated by complementary and alternative medicine (aka root cause or functional medicine), and this prompted her journey to integrative medicine five years ago.
While juggling grad school and her ER gig, she joined ER colleague Dr. Dee Bonney and his wife, Megan, owners of Alpha Omega Wellness. They encouraged and inspired her to continue to grow her functional medicine knowledge. She completed a six-month residency then
continued on to help hundreds of patients in the integrative medicine space.
Three years ago Jess and her husband, Jordan, an Indianapolis firefighter and paramedic, began discussing the idea of opening a holistic practice of their own, but they didn’t yet feel ready to make the leap. Then, just a few short months ago when a series of doors opened, Shaffer says they listened to God’s plan for their family and found the perfect spot in Center Grove for a clinic. Elevate Health officially opened its doors on October 1.
Now, in a full-circle moment, Bonney serves as Shaffer’s collaborative physician at Elevate Health, Center Grove’s premier integrative wellness clinic on Indy’s south side.
Elevate Health focuses on hormone optimization, weight management, thyroid, and gut, plus regenerative treatments using shockwave therapy, a noninvasive FDAapproved treatment utilized by orthopedic professionals and professional sports teams. Using acoustic wave technology, it treats injuries by increasing blood flow and growth factors to heal damaged areas. Shockwave therapy treats chronic neck and back pain, rotator cuff injuries, knee issues, tennis and golfer’s elbow, plantar fasciitis, strains and sprains, tight hip flexors, TMJ, and everyday aches and pains. It can even treat cellulite.
“Shockwave therapy is nice in a world of a pill for an ill,” Shaffer says. “So many ortho issues are treated with steroids, and the patient comes back in three months because the root problem wasn’t fixed.” ELEVATE HEALTH OPENS
In addition, they offer joint injections using advanced growth factors to help with injuries. They also offer weight-loss modalities using peptides and the InBody scan, a noninvasive body composition machine.
“It helps us make sure you’re losing the right kind of weight, not just muscle or bone mass,” says Shaffer, who notes that regarding weight loss, it’s key to look at thyroid, hormones, cortisol, gut health, and any physical ailments that are limiting exercise.
While Elevate Health is not a med spa, they do offer wrinkle relaxers, microneedling and Sculptra, a therapy that helps the body stimulate lost collagen in the face or body.
Their most cutting-edge aesthetic therapy is a product called Rejuran, which uses salmon DNA topically after microneedling to heal, tighten and improve skin texture.
The majority of Shaffer’s patients come in with perimenopausal symptoms such as fatigue, lack of energy, low libido and body composition changes. Shaffer says many report “not feeling sick, but not feeling well.”
Twenty years ago hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was a taboo subject, but no more. Take lack of progesterone in women, for instance, which can increase anxiety, promote fat retention, tank the libido, affect sleep, and cause irritability, brain fog and night sweats.
“Progesterone is usually the first place I start with women, and it’s affordable,” Shaffer says. “You can get 90 capsules shipped to your house for $15. If I can get my patients sleeping through the night and waking with more energy, reduced anxiety, and no longer snapping at their kids and husband, it can be a total game changer.”
According to Shaffer, hormones can make or break the aging process. When you don’t keep your hormones intact, you wind up with bone and muscle-mass loss. Next thing you know, you’ve broken a hip and landed in the hospital with pneumonia.
“I saw that in the ER all the time,” says Shaffer, who also saw ladies who suffered with chronic urinary tract infections because they had no estrogen.
“If you want quality of life, HRT is where it’s at,” Shaffer says.
Gabby (last name withheld) began working with Shaffer in late 2022 when she couldn’t lose baby weight. “I never felt good,” she says. “I began to not even recognize myself.” Shaffer ran intensive blood tests and provided a plan to follow. Gabby has since lost 83 pounds and feels like a new woman.
Kylei (last name withheld) also experienced a life-changing transition by coming to Elevate Health. “I cannot express what Jess has done for me mentally, physically and emotionally,” Kylei says. “I went to her with a multitude of midlife complaints. She ran a blood screen on me and gave me the most intense, thorough review. Within three months I felt like a different person. Without her structured plan, I’d still be miserable.”
The average patient will spend about seven minutes bedside with their primary care provider, making any complaint difficult to assess. When Shaffer reported gut issues to her provider years ago, he responded, “Increase your fiber and drink more water.”
Being in the health care field herself, she understood that physicians had limited time to spend with their patients, but this response didn’t sit well with her.
“I thought, ‘Why is this health care?’” Shaffer says. “I wanted to be the change to help other people feel heard and feel better.”
At Elevate Health, insurance is not accepted. While this may frustrate some, it removes the barrier of allowing nonclinical individuals to dictate medicine to patients. It also allows the freedom of 30- to 60-minute appointments with patients. The first two appointments are one hour each, allowing a deeper intake and understanding of goals, as well as ample time to formulate a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan after reviewing labs.
“I give them enough information so they can make an educated decision on what to start first, but I’m also mindful that the appointment can overwhelm patients with the sheer amount of information I give,” says Shaffer. “I make recommendations, but they have to decide what’s best for them. They’re the driver. I just provide the map.”
Located at 313 Western Boulevard, Suite F in Greenwood, Elevate Health offers police, fire and military members a 15% discount on their annual membership fee.
For more information, call 317-708-0798 or visit elevatehealthcg.com. Visit them on Instagram @ elevatehealthcg, and on Facebook.
“ I wanted to be the change to help other people feel heard and feel better.
- Jess Shaffer ”
RESEARCH STUDY SEEKING
Women 50 or Older
Purdue University, College of Pharmacy is seeking healthy volunteers who are at least 50 years old (women) to participate in a study to determine if a hormone called progesterone can reduce the risk of a heart rhythm abnormality.
If you qualify for the study:
• You will complete one 2-hour visit and two 10- hour visits at the Indiana Clinical Research Center (ICRC) located on the IUPUI campus in downtown Indianapolis
• Prior to the 2nd and 3rd visit, you will apply progesterone or a placebo for 3 days and during the 2nd and 3rd visits, you will receive a medication called Ibutilide (Covert) by IV, have your blood taken and ECGs performed throughout the day.
• You will receive up to $500 after completing all study visits. Parking and meals during the study are included.
If you are interested in participating, please call or text 317-847-2094 or email: hwroblew@iu.edu
Leading the way in Patient Safety
Johnson Memorial Health has earned the nation’s top distinction for patient safety with an “A” from the Leapfrog Group. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is an elite designation from a national, independent watchdog that sets the highest standards for patient safety in the U.S.
This honor belongs to every one of the providers and associates at JMH who work each day to provide exceptional health care for our patients.
Dr. Nicholas St. Germain specializes in minimally-invasive hip replacements and robotic-assisted knee replacements
Nicholas St. Germain, MD, is a fellowship-trained physician who specializes in orthopedic surgery, adult reconstruction and total joint replacement. He is one of the few area surgeons who performs the anterior hip replacement procedure, which allows patients to experience less pain and faster recovery.
Dr. St. Germain uses OrthoGrid AI technology, an application that provides valuable, real-time image analysis during hip replacement surgery. He also uses the state-of-the-art ROSA robotic system when performing knee replacement surgery. Both of these technologies provide greater alignment accuracy, resulting in more natural-feeling joints.
HIGHLY EDUCATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROVIDES ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCES FOR EVERYONE
INVOLVED
Writer / Ryan Gabbert
Traveling the world and experiencing new cultures provides one of the best forms of education a person can receive. While many people take a vacation for a week or so every year, few get to stay in one place for an extended period and really immerse themselves in a new culture.
Working closely with International Student Exchange (ISE), Center Grove High School has hosted 57 students going as far back as
2008. This program is a great example of what is possible when people are open to new experiences.
Founded in 1982, ISE allows students from all over the world to get a taste of everything the United States has to offer. They are required to take a typical course load of classes, with English and U.S. history classes required. In addition to this, they are encouraged to play sports, join clubs,
engage in community service, and try any extracurricular activities that get them active in the community.
Each student’s stay in the U.S. can vary based on their home country’s school schedule, but most stay for an entire academic year. Each student is paired with a host family in the area who will help them adapt to life away from home, most likely for the first time.
The Plunkett Family with ISE student, Umberto Neto
For these host families, welcoming someone from another country into their home is a life-changing experience, and many continue to do it for years after.
One such group of participants is Melissa Plunkett’s family. They have been hosting students for 15 years and will host their 22nd student this fall. Treating every new experience like an opportunity to grow, the family has thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this program.
For Plunkett, each hosting experience is unique and a chance to form a lifelong bond with someone.
“We have learned as much from every student as they have learned from us,” Plunkett says.
After years of hosting, Plunkett began working for ISE, where she has a direct impact on the experiences of many different students.
“The best part for me is making those connections,” Plunkett says. “I know I have family all over the world. The students, not just the ones I’ve hosted but also the ones I’ve supervised, all know that they have a home in the United States. If they come back, I’d immediately say, ‘I’ve got a room for you.’”
One such student is Umberto Bezerra Cruz Neto, who is originally from Brazil. He was an exchange student during the 2011-2012 school year and was a guest of the Plunkett family. At the time, Neto was 16 years old and was excited for the opportunity to attend an American school and take in as much of the culture as he could.
While he was attending Center Grove, Neto had the opportunity to make new friends, travel, and make memories that will last a lifetime. He could not believe the size of the school and the variety of subjects available to study.
What stood out the most, however, is how he felt right at home with his host family.
“It’s very hard to put into words what the exchange experience meant to me, because to this day I consider it the best experience of my life,” Neto says. “I truly felt like I gained a new family because the connection was immediate. I felt incredibly welcomed and a deep sense of belonging with them. To this day I hold the greatest affection for them and have even returned a couple
of times to spend Christmas with them. They were undoubtedly the best part of my exchange program.”
Reflecting on the impact that the program had on his life after his year in the United States, Neto said “you will become a different person after your exchange. A clear example of this is that today I work with education and youth in the Brazilian government. And do you know who worked in this field? My host mom. At the time she was a teacher at a Montessori school, and I vividly remember when she showed me a book about Maria Montessori, renowned worldwide for the educational method she developed. Through her I discovered what it means to work with purpose, and that inspired me so much that it has shaped my professional career ever since. “
Neto is still regularly in touch with the Plunketts as well as many of the other friends he made during his time at Center Grove. His advice for prospective exchange students is that while being away from home for the first time might be scary, you have to make the most of it and try to
appreciate the little things.
Looking toward the future, the program will seek to expand its offerings and take in even larger numbers of exchange students.
“We are always looking for host familiesfor people willing to open their homes and their hearts,” Plunkett says.
Exchange programs like ISE allow many students around the world the ability to expand their education and cultural awareness while making a positive change to their lives. Promoting cultural understanding and friendship is just one small way people can make the world a better place.
If you would like more information about ISE or becoming a host family, visit their website at: iseusa.org/host-a-student/ meet-upcoming-students.
DRINK IT DOWN
MELLENCAMP WHISKEY COMPANY DOES IT FOR THE FARMERS, THE FUN AND THE FLAVOR
Writer / Ryan McConnell
ith a name that is synonymous with Indiana, Mellencamp Whiskey Company has hit the ground running.
What is the story about the brand that has partnered with Hard Truth Distilling Co. in Brown County, Indiana, to release a series of limited-edition bottles of whiskey?
Founders Levi Collison and Hud Mellencamp are longtime childhood friends and neighbors. Collison explains that the seed was planted on an evening in 2020 while sitting around the campfire. “Hud and I are both getting a little bit older, and as a young man ages, you begin to think about your future,” he says. “We both thought it would be a very cool thing to go into business with each other in pursuit of an endeavor that we are interested in and both love.”
As the evening wore on, they began to discuss some common interests, which led to Mellencamp bringing up the idea for establishing a whiskey company. Collison describes that idea as one that came together “very serendipitously.” Mellencamp began the work by scouring the internet to learn about the industry and brainstorm names before approaching his dad, John Mellencamp, and eventually Lights Out Bourbon Owner Chris Lytle, for input. Mellencamp recalls wanting a catchy name like Lytle’s company, “but within the realm of Mellencamp world, as he describes it.
“After rolling around other ideas in Mellencamp lore, it eventually led to a few ideas,” Mellencamp says. “John said we could use any of the song names and any of the
paintings we could find on his website.” From there, the two began work on the project for several weeks weeks before returning to John. Collison recalls filing for the LLC at 12:37 a.m. on a Tuesday morning and smiles, saying “once we decided we were ready to do it, we were ready to do it. It has evolved from there and it’s a labor of love for both of us.”
From the beginning, Mellencamp focused on maintaining strong local Indiana ties. “We talked to couple of people in the Indiana area,” he says. “We wanted to make sure it was local, and Indiana was a big part of it because that’s kind of our footprint. We were born and raised in Indiana, and we like to be part of the community as much as possible.”
It was not until their last meeting when things seemed to come together. That meeting was with Hard Truth Distilling Co. “Hard Truth had never done a collaboration before, so it was new ground for both of us to come into this meeting,” Mellencamp says. “It turned out that we had a lot of things in the same mindset. They wanted to do something for the farmers; we wanted to do something for the farmers. They wanted to keep it local; we wanted to keep it local. The master distiller lived a quarter mile away from both Levi and I our whole lives, and we didn’t even know it. So a lot of random things came together that day and we found out we could all work together well.”
“Bryan Smith, head distiller, shares a lot of the same interests with us, whiskey obviously being one of them, but Bryan is a big fisherman like me,” Collison adds. “He also has a love for some good bands that both Hud and I are into. So when we get together, about 50% of the talk is about whiskey and 50% is talking about what we enjoy doing, and that is why it works so well. It’s not only a business partnership, but Mellencamp Whiskey is a friend of Hard Truth and Hard Truth is a friend of Mellencamp Whiskey. We are working toward a common goal together.”
Both companies entered the project to produce four limited edition bottles that would have their own distinct flavor. With two bottles already released, the third is scheduled for release in late September. Collison states that the releases are always during the spring
and fall. “This whole project centers around the farmers, the grains they produce and giving back to farmers - keeping it farmcentric,” he says.
“We give a portion of revenue from each bottle to Farm Aid through Hard Truth’s Grounded in Truth initiative,” Mellencamps says. Both emphasize the release dates are a tip of the hat to planting and harvest season for farmers.
Both founders approach their business with passion and a goal to make this their fulltime career. Currently, both work full-time, daily jobs while juggling the demands of being business owners. From the beginning they have taken zero outside investment from anyone for this project, and any expenses incurred are covered by the two of them. Collison works as a manager in the communications industry, and says “this is the American dream, and what a labor of love is. We work eight hours for someone else, and then come home and willingly put in those overtime hours working on Mellencamp Whiskey Company. We are both excited and happy to build something for ourselves and Indiana.”
Mellencamp tours as a manager for his dad, and can promote the brand while John is onstage and during time off while on the road. Although his dad is not involved as an owner, Mellencamp says “he is incredibly supportive, especially for something that he does not participate with [drinking], but he opened his mind to what the industry can do besides the drinking aspect. He will help us from the artistic side for the bottle labels, and assisted with the company logo.”
The recent release does have the elder Mellencamp giving additional advice. He
assisted with giving feedback on the aroma. This recent release is his favorite, which is a harvest rye whiskey finished in French oak. John’s influence can also be recognized in other areas. Not only are the ingredients sourced from Indiana farmers, but last fall, things came full-circle with Mellencamp as the company was able to have their whiskey showcased at Farm Aid.
When asked about the whiskey, the two describe their product as “bold.” Prior to beginning their endeavor, they described their whiskey preference to each other to find middle ground. Fortunately, with four bottles they can provide their personal flavor profile and experiment with others. Collison is a self-described “rye guy,” and enjoys a high proof with more bite, whereas Mellencamp likes a sweeter bourbon style. Mellencamp points out that “even with the higher-proof liquid, with the sweet mash process, it can be a higher proof and not be as overwhelming as other products on the market.”
“A local Indiana liquor store is going to place Mellencamp Whiskey throughout Indiana, and we plan to do in person events,” Mellencamp says when asked about recent favorite company moments. Also, while in Nashville, Tennessee, he was looking for a bottle. Ducking into one store, he was told
that not only did they carry it, but it was sold out with preorders for the recent release.
Collison’s favorite moment was being at Farm Aid and attending the Mellencamp Whiskey tasting. “Having 250 people hold up a glass of Mellencamp Whiskey with great music in the background was a moment when things felt like it came full-circle,” he says. “That was the moment I realized we did something we could be proud of, and had accomplished something real.”
Both are excited about how the company will evolve. “We are creating Mellencamp Whiskey to continue the legacy that John really created with Farm Aid, but at the same time doing it in Hud’s own way and making it Hud’s own thing,” Collison says. “We want to continue that legacy for farmers into the future. We plan to pick up that mantle and the continuation of the Mellencamp name and the association with Farm Aid into the future. Levi hopes that in 20 years, when people hear the name Mellencamp, they will not think about ‘Pink Houses’, but about ‘Pink Houses’ and Mellencamp Whiskey!”
For info on upcoming in-person events, apparel, drink recipes and announcements, visit mellencampwhiskey.com. Also follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
IGNITING PASSION
INDY IGNITE GEARING UP FOR INAUGURAL SEASON
Writer / Renée Larr
Photographer / Michael Durr
The growth of women’s sports worldwide is not just a cultural milestone. It’s big business.
According to FIFA, the 2023 Women’s World Cup final attracted 13.21 million viewers in the United Kingdom alone. Stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have propelled the popularity of women’s basketball. In a historic moment for U.S. women’s sports, Nebraska’s Division I women’s volleyball team shattered the world attendance record when 92,003 fans filled Memorial Stadium.
Closer to home, Munciana Volleyball, based in Yorktown, stands as one of the most successful clubs in the country. Known for producing multiple national champions and elite athletes, the club boasts a track record of players and coaches at collegiate and professional levels. One of those standout players is Yorktown native Kylie Murr. A four-season star at Ohio State, Murr became the all-time digs leader with 1,935 before transferring to Minnesota for her final collegiate season. Her journey culminated with a professional draft to the Vegas Thrill, part of the emerging Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF).
The PVF, which launched its inaugural season in 2024, began with seven teams featuring 14 players each. The league adopted a major-league format, playing games in prominent arenas across the U.S. Among its recent expansions is the Indy Ignite, based in Fishers at the newly opened Fishers Event Center.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Indy Ignite to our brandnew Fishers Event Center and contribute to the growth and momentum of women’s sports in our region,” Fadness says. “Having a professional sports team call Fishers home is a testament to how far we’ve come as a vibrant destination for sports, dining and
entertainment in the region. I’m proud that we can provide a venue to showcase the incredible talent and determination of these women, and help to pave the way to inspire the next generation of female athletes.”
Murr returns to her Hoosier roots as a libero for Indy Ignite. Liberos, often called the defensive anchors of volleyball, specialize in back-row play, particularly in receiving and digging the opponent’s attacks. At 5 feet, 6 inches, Murr’s stature might be smaller than some on the court, but her grit, fearlessness and agility make her a standout athlete.
Murr shares her perspective on the transition from college to professional volleyball. She notes that the physicality of the sport is a significant difference. “The girls who jump really high and hit the ball really hard are what people love to see when they’re watching volleyball,” Murr says. “I think the biggest difference between college and professional volleyball is just how physical all these women are on the team.”
Murr says she’s excited to be part of such a special team of female athletes. The team is a group of passionate, strong and independent women who hope to be role models to other young female athletes who love the sport of volleyball. Murr says Indy Ignite, with its unique blend of passion, strength and independence, has the advantage of being a newly formed team in the league, setting it apart from the rest.
“As an add-on team, we get to build this thing from the ground up and show everyone what Indiana volleyball is all about,” Murr says. “Everyone on the team has the same competitive mindset. We’re super focused and hard-working but also very lighthearted, making important connections with each other.”
Founders Day Scrimmage at Fishers Event Center
Sydney Hilley Setter
For Murr, playing professional volleyball in her home state feels like a dream come full circle. Raised on Indiana’s high school volleyball culture, she says it’s humbling to compete at a professional level close to family and friends. She’s happy for the team to be based in a suburb of Indianapolis, because in Fishers they can stand out from other professional sports.
“I’m so excited to be back home where I have friends and family support,” Murr says. “I think it’s so impressive to have professional volleyball in Indiana. I think it’s important to consider your location when determining where to place a professional team. Here in Indiana, there is such a young crowd that loves and is dedicated to volleyball.
I think it’s going to be cool to see these younger girls come out and watch us play.”
Murr says if you love volleyball and want to get better at it, you should come check out a live Indy Ignite game. She says experiencing the game firsthand is very different from seeing it on TV.
“As a pro volleyball player, we’re very open to connecting with the community’s crowd,” Murr says. “Seeing the girls in action and even meeting them changes your perception of the game. There are a lot of great athletes and role models, regardless of whether you like volleyball or not. Families can bring their kids and show them firsthand examples of what their future could look like.”
As the PVF and teams like Indy Ignite continue to expand, players like Murr are leading the way for women’s sports to reach unprecedented heights. Their success is a testament to the community’s vital role in supporting and nurturing the growth of women’s sports, proving that the future is bright globally and locally. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a significant movement in the world of sports.
On February 22, the inaugural PVF AllStar Match is coming to the Fishers Event Center. It’s the latest all-star event announced for the Indianapolis area, which served as home to the NBA All-Star Game in February 2024 and will host the WNBA All-Star Game in July 2025. It comes as the Indy Ignite begins its first season, which runs through May.
To secure your spot for the entire season or delve deeper into the team’s journey, visit provolleyball.com/teams/indy-ignite.
Pepper
Indy Ignite
Mascot
Google
CENTER GROVE SPORTS ROUNDUP
The Trojans also swept Carmel on CGHS senior night 75-0.
BOYS WRESTLING
WINS COUNTY TITLE
Center Grove High School (CGHS) boys wrestling continued its supremacy in the county, dominating the 2024 Johnson County Tournament at Indian Creek. The Trojans shut out Whiteland and Indian Creek 74-0 and 72-0 respectively, and topped Greenwood 76-6 and Franklin 64-7. CGHS had 12 individual county champions out of 14 wrestlers.
The number-three state-ranked Trojans were runner-up in the prestigious Team State Duals Championships hosted by Brownsburg. CGHS defeated Avon in the quarterfinals, knocked off number-two state-ranked and 28th nationally ranked Crown Point in the semifinals, and lost to number-one state-ranked and 12th nationally ranked Brownsburg in the finals.
CGHS will compete for a state title beginning with the sectional at Mooresville in early February. The Trojans are the threetime defending sectional champions and have finished runner-up in the state finals the past two years.
GIRLS WRESTLING MAKES HISTORY
The 2024-2025 season marked a historic milestone for girls wrestling in Indiana. It was the first year the Indiana High School Athletic Association sanctioned the sport. In CGHS’s inaugural home dual meet, the Trojans had their most significant win, defeating their north-side rival the Carmel Greyhounds 42-30. The girls wrestling team also had a strong start to the season, defeating Lawrence Central in its opening dual meet 48-18. The Trojans placed second in the first-ever Johnson County Tournament and finished eighth in the inaugural sectional hosted by Perry
Meridian. Junior Aaliyah Brown placed third, qualifying her for the regional, although she could not compete due to an injury.
Writer / Kevin Conrad, CG Sports Network
Photos / Misty Brown; Sophia South
CG senior wrestler Julian Weems with the match victory at the Team State Duals Championships
CG junior wrestler Aaliyah Brown places third in the Perry Meridian Sectional
BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING WINS COUNTY; GIRLS TAKE SECOND
The CGHS boys swimming and diving team captured another Johnson County title, topping county rival Franklin 554-429. The CGHS girls placed second behind Franklin.
The boys team took first place in the CGHS Holiday Invitational out of seven teams, and won a close dual meet over Zionsville 99-84. The girls also won the CGHS Holiday Invitational out of six teams.
The girls will host the sectional on February 8. The threetime defending champions look to win their 30th overall title. The boys will compete in the sectional at Franklin on February 22. The Trojans will also be vying for their 30th sectional title.
CG swimming and diving head coach Brad Smith and the CG assistant coaches are presented with the 2024-25 Johnson County Boys Tournament Championship trophy
BOYS BASKETBALL BUILDING FOR STATE TOURNAMENT
A young and inexperienced CGHS boys basketball team continues to make positive strides after starting the season with two losses, winning six of its next nine games. The Trojans will compete in the state tournament beginning with the sectional in early March. Other teams to filter into this sectional are Southport, Franklin Central, Perry Meridian, Mooresville, and the host school Decatur Central. CGHS has won five sectional titles under Head Coach Zach Hahn, including the 2024 sectional championship.
GRANT SETS SCHOOL SCORING RECORD
Center Grove senior sharpshooter Ava Grant set the girls basketball school record for the most points in a game with 35 against Martinsville. Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Lisha Robertson set the previous record with 34 points during the 1977-1978 season. Grant netted six three-pointers on eight attempts, was seven of 12 on two-point field goals, and made three free throws in the record-setting performance.
The Trojans are having another great season. They started the year with 10 straight wins, posting a 6-0 record in November and a 6-1 record in December. The 2024 Johnson County champions were runner-ups in the 2025 Carol Tumey Holiday Tournament. Grant and junior Gracyn Gilliard made the all-tournament team. The Trojans begin state tournament play in early February in the sectional, hosted by Franklin Central. CGHS won the sectional the past two seasons and advanced to the final four last year.
CG junior Gracyn Gilliard and senior Ava Grant were named to the Carol Tumey Holiday All-Tournament Team
CG junior guard Gabe Baxter drives the baseline against Bloomington North
