Center Grove Magazine September 2020

MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2020

A Little Taste of Italy Local Couple Helps Launch Olio Fresia, Bringing Cold-Pressed Olive Oil Straight From Italy

CRITICAL CARE

Johnson Memorial Health Completes Expansion

TIERS OF JOY

Gwendolyn Lee Cakery Specializes in Custom Cakes and Cookies

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Gwendolyn Lee Cakery Specializes in Custom Cakes and Cookies Writer / Megan Stephens Photographer / Amy Payne

atCenterGrove.com / SEPTEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 9

f Liz Thompson were a cake flavor, she would be confetti, because when you cut into it there is a surprise inside.

Thompson has always loved to bake cakes. Her late mother-in-law Gwendolyn Thompson encouraged her to go to pastry school. Since then, she’s dreamed of owning a cakery. On June 16, 2020, that dream finally came true. Gwendolyn Lee Cakery, named after Thompson’s mother-in-law, officially opened in downtown Beech Grove in a space adjacent to the Tea Room of Rustic Root.

Thompson started baking cakes once she had children. Today, she has 12 years of experience in baking and cake decorating, along with a associate’s degree from The Chef ’s Academy pastry program.

When walking into the shop, the first thing customers see are decadent cakes and cupcakes that fill a case and line the walls - everything from a black, four-tiered cake wrapped with colorful flowers, to stunning, white wedding cakes, to delicately decorated birthday cakes. You’ll also see a collection of memorabilia that is important to Thompson and her family. Hanging on the wall are framed recipes for a Texas sheet cake, a red velvet cake, and a busy-day butter cake that was one of Gwendolyn’s signature specialties.

“She would always make the red velvet cake for Christmas,” Thompson says of her mother-in-law. “I’m the one to carry on the tradition now, but my favorite thing she would make was her yeast rolls.”

On a shelf sits black and white photographs of the people in Thompson’s life who have helped and inspired her along the way, including portraits of Gwendolyn, her grandmother, and her dear friend Megan Buskirk, who passed away at age 37. Each person has a special place in Thompson’s life.

“My grandmother would always have us baking,” Thompson says. “As soon as we could walk, she’d have us up at the counter helping her make chocolate chip cookies.

Megan was the one who taught me everything I know about cake decorating, from piping to making flowers to fondant work. She had the patience to teach me. She helped me design my wedding cake, which was the first wedding cake I ever made.”

Thompson owns the shop with her husband Michael, who is retired after more than 29 years of service in the Army. They have three daughters, two of whom are in the Greenwood High School marching band.

Thompson offers custom cakes, cookies and cupcakes for baby showers, birthdays, weddings or spontaneous just-because celebrations. To-go cakes range from $25 to $40, with custom writing available on the spot. Custom cakes vary in price and cake tasting is free of charge, with more flavors than just vanilla and chocolate available - think lemon, red velvet, raspberry cream, confetti and almond. Looking for a gluten-free option? Although the kitchen is not glutenfree, Thompson can make cakes with gluten-free ingredients.

Gwendolyn Lee Cakery is located at 624 Main Street in Beech Grove. For more information, you can give them a call at 317-760-5833 or visit gwendolynleecakery.com.

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317GROW 317-251-GROW 317grow.com Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

In 2015, best friends and ex-spouses Brian and Amanda Thieman decided to start a landscaping company called 317Grow.

They had been divorced for several years but got along beautifully and thought this new venture had promising potential. They were right. Now nearly five years later, Brian runs the maintenance side of the business while Amanda heads up the design and construction side.

“We have this crazy blended family that all works great together,” Amanda says.

“Others are like, ‘What?’ but for us, it’s normal. We support each other and can be totally honest about whatever’s on our mind.”

Because 317Grow offers landscape design, construction, maintenance and seasonal décor, they are not your typical landscaping company.

“Our designs are unique. Some are really modern,” says Amanda, who listens to her clients and creates something special and unique for each one. “I’m not just putting in a paver patio. I try to connect with them personally because I think there’s a sense of

Owners Brian & Amanda Thieman

humanity that’s lacking in this industry.”

This year it’s been especially fun to craft special spaces for clients as they appreciate it all the more since they are spending so much extra time at home. The pair take great pride in the fact that they are involved and invested in their customers.

Though they’re co-owners, rarely will you find either of them sitting behind a desk.

“Today Brian is out mowing with the crew, and later I’m going to go set out plants because I’m particular in my design,” Amanda says. “We are very hands-on.”

They also care a great deal about their 25 employees, which is why they don’t work their staff 80 hours a week the way some companies do.

“Quality of life is huge for us,” Amanda adds. “Brian and I both have kids, and all our guys have kids. Family is everything.”

Another big component of their business is maintenance as they maintain most all of the sites they design. Not only do they do mowing and lawn applications but they also offer snow removal and salting in the winter.

As the name suggests, they serve all of Central Indiana, though they do take jobs outside of the 317 area code. For instance, they did a huge project west of Greencastle, which they still maintain. They were also commissioned to do landscaping work at a lake house in Michigan. So, they do occasionally travel.

Though the coronavirus threw them a curveball, as it did all companies around the U.S., they have remained plenty busy.

“Job sites have just been different with so many of our clients working from home during the day,” Amanda says. But she and her crew are used to going with the flow as that’s the nature of the business.

“Every year brings something different to this industry,” she says. “Usually it’s the weather. This year it’s COVID-19, which has affected vendors, shipping and labor shortages. We’re just thrilled to be working because we love what we do.”

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CRITICAL

CARE

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Five years ago, the leadership team at Johnson Memorial Health ( JMH) hired a consultancy to study their campus and take a deep dive into the population growth in Johnson County. The company found that the JMH emergency department was not large enough to keep up with the growing county. Therefore, JMH leaders chose to undertake a $47 million expansion project for the campus.

Construction commenced just over two years ago. The first part of the project included the west side of campus, which houses orthopedic physicians, physical therapy and interventional pain management facilities. The main part of the expansion is the $34 million Emergency Department and outpatient services building on the east end of campus.

JOHNSON MEMORIAL HEALTH COMPLETES EXPANSION

opening just after the first of the year, but the opening was pushed back due to construction delays.

As it turns out, the change in timeline was fortuitous - when the coronavirus began to spread through the U.S. in March, the hospital leaders were able to quickly convert the expanded wing into a COVID-19 unit.

“By putting all our resources into making it a COVID-19 unit, that gave us the opportunity to treat more than 20 COVID patients at one time if needed,” Dunkle says.

Thankfully, the hospital never reached that number. In fact, the most COVID-positive patients the staff treated at once was seven.

But in a time of such uncertainty, the staff liked feeling prepared.

“Better to be safe than sorry,” Dunkle says.

“It’s really exciting,” says Dr. David Dunkle, president of JMH, adding that the new In May and June, as the coronavirus Emergency Department was slated for

atCenterGrove.com / SEPTEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 15

numbers in Johnson County began to decline, JMH leaders returned to their original plans and prepared to open the new Emergency Department.

Dunkle credits state-level leadership for responding to the pandemic quickly and appropriately.

“We saw COVID coming and hospitals did a great job of increasing the number of ICU beds and ventilators available,” Dunkle says.

Now, JMH has created a COVID unit that includes six isolation rooms.

The expansion added more than 50,000 square feet of space. The Emergency Department consists of 17,400 square feet, and the outpatient services area, which includes a Laboratory, a Medical Imaging facility and a Breast Care Center, is 33,000 square feet.

The Emergency Department grew from 15 to 26 rooms. In addition, the hospital now has overhead lifts in the trauma rooms, making it easier to move patients who can’t

move on their own. The decontamination area was also expanded.

“You always worry about chemical spills and that type of thing, so we went from being able to only decontaminate one person at a time to now having four decontamination spaces,” Dunkle says.

On July 1, JMH started an agreement with Boone County Emergency Medicine (BCEM), a group of board-certified, emergency-room physicians that also staffs Witham Health Services in Lebanon and Major Health Partners in Shelbyville.

JMH is part of the Suburban Health Organization, of which both Witham and Major are a part. When Dunkle spoke to the CEOs of both organizations about their relationship with Boone County, they spoke highly of BCEM. The founder of BCEM, Dr. Tom Heniff, will be the director of the JMH Emergency Department for the first year.

“For me, it was a decision based on providing the best care for patients in

For me, it was a decision based on providing the best care for patients in a time-efficient manner.

- Dr. David Dunkle-

a time-efficient manner,” Dunkle says.

“Because what do people complain about the most when they go to the ER? The wait. I look at the emergency department as the front door to my organization. For a lot of people, that’s the first opportunity they have to interact with JMH and I want that interaction to be as good as possible.”

According to Dunkle, community response to the expansion has been fantastic.

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A Little Taste of Italy Local Couple Helps Launch Olio Fresia, Bringing ColdPressed Olive Oil Straight From Italy Writer / Julie Yates Photographer /Amy Payne

When Nadia Parker-Cunningham and her husband Wade returned home after a trip to sunny Italy, they brought back more than photos and memories. Spurred by eight cases of olive oil they had shipped, plus a developing friendship with an Italian family, the Center Grove residents became the first and only United States distributors of Olio Fresia Olive Oil. Launched this past May, the online company now makes it possible for people to enjoy this authentic Italian product.

The Cunninghams grew up in the same town in the Florida panhandle. After becoming adults, their lives took different paths. A Navy veteran, Wade settled in

Owners Wade and Nadia Cunningham

Center Grove 30 years ago. Nadia lived on the East Coast where she had a 19-year career in radio. Almost 10 years ago, the couple reconnected at a class reunion and Nadia moved to Center Grove.

The couple’s blended family includes their daughter Lauren, who currently lives in New York City, and Davis, who is a senior at Indiana State University. After graduating from Roncalli High School, Lauren had the desire to live abroad. After researching, she discovered that being an au pair - providing child care for room and board - would give her the opportunity to live in a foreign country.

“Lauren found a website that connects au pairs with families in Europe,” Nadia says. “Through the search and interview

process, Lauren connected with the Fresia family and accepted the position. She flew to Imperia, Italy in the spring of 2019 and became part of the Fresia family. Marcella Roggero had been an au pair in America when she was Lauren’s age and loved her experience in the U.S. She and her husband Fabri, wanted their two daughters, Nina and Nora, to speak English and to learn from an American.

“When we visited Lauren, we had the opportunity to spend time with the Fresia family. We immediately hit it off and that’s when we tasted Olio Fresia Olive Oil for the first time. We couldn’t believe how fabulous this oil was. Fabri and Marcella always wanted to bring Olio Fresia to the US and had attempted it before, but it didn’t get off the ground. When they met

atCenterGrove.com / SEPTEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 19

us, they felt as if we were the right partners to make it happen.”

The Fresia Family has been making olive oil for more than 100 years. In 1918, Fabrizio (Fabri) Fresia’s enterprising great-grandfather, Nino, not only started producing and bottling the oil, but was also the delivery man. His hard work paid off when word of mouth spread the knowledge of his high-quality product.

Today the tradition is carried on by Fabri and his brother.

“What makes this oil unique is that it’s made from the Taggiasca variety of olives found in Imperia,” Nadia says.

“This cold-pressed oil is unlike any other that most people have had the chance to taste. Currently we sell two varieties: Rosabianca Extra Virgin Olive Oil and II Gagliardo, our spicy extra virgin olive oil.

“The Taggiasca olive tree has ancient origins that started in pre-Roman times.

It took Benedictine Monks to perfect and teach farmers the way to cultivate the olives. The climate on the western coast of Italy was the perfect home for these trees and now 75% of the Taggiasca olives

are produced in Imperia. The Taggiasca olives are the key to the unique taste of our Rosabianca Olive Oil. It is a perfect addition for a healthy diet.”

Wade says.

explains the history of the company. They are also planning to expand to offer more products, pesto and olives. Olio Fresia US also maintains a Facebook and Instagram page.

When asked the best ways to use the oil, Nadia replies, “Sprinkle it with a little sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. Then dip chunks of warm, crusty Italian bread in it.

It’s so good! It makes a fantastic vinaigrette for salads. Lauren’s favorite is to drizzle it over avocado toast. I also use it to make a caprese salad of sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. Chef Fabio, a chef in Imperia, created recipes just for Olio Fresia which can be found on our website.”

“Initially, I created a quick post on Facebook and six cases sold in 15 minutes,” Nadia says. “That’s when we thought we had an opportunity to start a business. It’s a very rare and limited olive oil. We are really excited about bringing it to the States. We would also like to partner with local shops and restaurants and hope to one day even have our own store.”

Currently, the unique olive oil is available for purchase online. The company’s website showcases the two varieties and

For more information, visit OlioFresiaUS. com, @OlioFresiaUS on Instagram or view Olio Fresia US on Facebook.

20 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

What makes this oil unique is that it’s made from the Taggiasca variety of olives found in Imperia. This coldpressed oil is unlike any other that most people have had the chance to taste.

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CENTER GROVE MAN PARTICIPATES IN FOURTH GREAT CYCLE CHALLENGE USA Eric May will ride 300 miles during September in support of Children’s Cancer Research Fund

Story & Photography Provided

Eric May, a Center Grove resident, is planning to ride 300 miles and raise $1,000 during the month of September for Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) in support of its 6th annual Great Cycle Challenge USA. Founded in 2015, Great Cycle Challenge USA has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in the country. More than 230,000 riders from all 50 states have ridden 18.8 million miles, raising more than $24.6M for research and the development of better treatments and cures for childhood cancer.

This year, CCRF hopes more than 80,000 riders will help it raise $8M. “Over 15,000 American children are diagnosed with cancer every year and, sadly, 38 children die every week,” says John Hallberg, Chief Executive Officer at Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

“Thanks to riders like Eric, we’re fueling groundbreaking research to save lives and give kids the brighter future they deserve.” atCenterGrove.com / SEPTEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 23

YEAR, I AIM TO RAISE $1,000 “ THIS AND RIDE 300 MILES. - ERIC MAY -

“This is the fourth time I have participated in Great Cycle Challenge,” says Eric May. “During those years, I rode 649 miles and raised $2,682.63. This year, I aim to raise $1,000 and ride 300 miles.

Funds go to support research at leading pediatric cancer centers across America.

“I may or may not ever meet anyone that this ride has helped or I may have and not known it,” May adds. “Just knowing I can help someone, especially a child who is fighting to live to see another day really means so much. My heart, my soul does not win the day unless I can do something, no matter the size, to help someone.

To try to make their day better, even without a reward from them, because the more I can do for others is the most I can do for me.”

To learn more about Eric’s Great Cycle Challenge USA and to make a donation, please visit greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/EricMay. To participate in Great Cycle Challenge USA, visit greatcyclechallenge.com.

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TROJAN DYNASTIES

COMMEMORATING TWO STATE CHAMPIONS

in his rookie season. The freshmen on that second-place team worked hard to finish with a 33-1 record and as state champs in It’s been 25 years since Hall of Fame Coach their senior season.

Russ Milligan won the first of his five state high school softball titles at Center Grove. CG has won a state-best seven softball The Trojans beat Northview in the single state titles. Milligan credits the players on class system state championship game in his teams from 1992-1995 for laying the 1995, 10-3. CG had planned to honor the groundwork for the success of the Trojan silver anniversary state championship team softball program. in April during a home softball game but it was put on hold due to the Covid-19 “Without those girls in the first years, Pandemic. accepting the fact that, by God, we’re going Writer / Kevin Conrad Photography Provided

Milligan began his illustrious CG coaching career in 1992, finishing as state runner-up

to do this and we’re going to do it right and passing that on to the younger kids,” he says.

“Being young and cocky, there wasn’t any doubt we were going to win that year,” says senior center fielder Jennifer (Garnett) Mahaffey. (Garnett) Mahaffey is married, has a 15-year old daughter and resides just south of Birmingham, Alabama. She works at the University of Alabama-Birmingham as a research administrator in the department of neurology the past 20 years.

She says Center Grove softball was more than just a sport.

“I learned so much more than how to lay out for a ball or how to read a pitch,” she says. “Softball teaches you discipline,

atCenterGrove.com / SEPTEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 27

loyalty and love for something bigger than yourself. I figured out what kind of person I wanted to be and what kind of mom I wanted to be to my daughter. My daughter plays softball and I give her the same advice before every game.”

Another senior on that team was first baseman, Erin (Gandolf) Johnson.

She still resides in the Center Grove community with her husband and three children. Winning a state championship has resonated with her seventh grade son.

“My son just said to me a couple of weeks ago: ‘My number one goal is to win a state championship when I’m in high school with the football team. Mom did it 25 years ago on a softball team and she still talks about it to this day, so it must be pretty amazing.’ It caught me off guard and teared me up,” says (Gandolf) Johnson. “It really is one of the most

prominent, amazing moments of my life. I told him the work to earn that title will be something you will treasure for the rest of your life.”

Sophomore second baseman Venus (Harmeyer) Thorne also lives locally with her husband and two young daughters.

“I always tell them (my daughters) about the bonds and the relationships you build,” says (Harmeyer) Thorne. “It’s a memory you can share together and never forget.

Once you win a state championship it’s always fun to get back together with those people to remember that time.”

Volleyball 2000 State Champs Another milestone in Center Grove High School Athletics is the 20th anniversary of the Trojans’ first and only girls volleyball state title in 2000. Top-ranked Center

Grove knocked off three-time defending Class 4A state champion Muncie Central 17-19, 15-12, 16-14 to claim the title.

“We went in ranked number one, but it was our first time being there so we felt like an underdog,” says senior Jennifer (Gandolph) Hawk. “The whole match was amazing. In that last set, we were down 14-7, and they literally needed one point to win and we ended up winning 16-14.

They never scored again. It was the most incredible series of points put together. It was the ultimate team effort. Everybody contributed in some way whether it was an ace, a kill, a block.”

(Gandolph) Hawk is now the head volleyball coach at Perry Meridian High School. She led CG with 22 kills in the state title game and recalled the moment the Trojans scored the ninth straight point to beat mighty Muncie Central.

28 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2020 / atCenterGrove.com

“I remember going to down to my knees first and then I just laid back on the ground. I just really couldn’t believe we just did it in that way, being down 14-7,” she says. “Finally getting there and doing it was awesome. All of us seniors had worked really hard. After the match was over, we had an escort back to school to the old gym (West Gym) for a pep rally.

The fans came back and we got to talk on the microphone about the night. What it meant. How it felt. It was really neat to see how many people followed us back home celebrating with us. It was an unreal experience.”

Deb McClurg coached the CG volleyball program from 1994-2012. McClurg says the seven seniors on the 2000 team were successful because they started playing volleyball together at a young age, were multi-sport athletes, bought into the program and liked each other.

Center Grove has won a state-best seven softball state titles. Russ Milligan credits the players on his teams from 1992-1995 for laying the groundwork for the success of the Trojan softball program.

“It was that special bond those kids had and a special group of kids,” McClurg says.

“They’ve gone on to coach on the side.

We’ve got doctors, we’ve got teachers, we have nurses. I’m sitting here smiling at how proud I am of who these women have become. They have families. I know they’re coaching their daughters in sports. It’s a really special group.”

atCenterGrove.com / SEPTEMBER 2020 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 29

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