Center Grove Magazine February 2023

ONE YOU. ONE HEART.

HEART CARE That’s Personal

There’s only one you. And your spouse, sisters, brothers, coworkers, friends, children and neighbors… they all know it. That one heart you’ve got is loved by a lot of people.

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FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY

Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photography Provided

While some may think of Valentine’s Day as a commercial holiday, I see it as a sweet day of celebration. I’ve loved the holiday since I was a kid, decked out in red, heart-shaped jewelry and indulging in plenty of Valentine’s treats. I admit it - I live for a holiday.

Valentine’s Day reminds me that spring and warmer weather isn’t too far away. I get the opportunity to celebrate those who bring joy to my life. It might be my family, friends or even a trusted neighbor. I’ve enjoyed so many kinds of Valentine’s Days over the years - a romantic dinner, an evening out with friends or a night bowling with family. There wasn’t a bad time since I spent it with the people I care about. A beautiful bouquet of flowers and dinner is always a special treat, but celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break your budget. A simple gesture like a thoughtful, handwritten note is always appreciated. Don’t forget the ones you love on this special day. I’ve got a few fun and different ideas for you to celebrate those closest to you. Here are five ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

GIVE SPORTS A SHOT

What’s more fun than cheering on a sports team? I am a fan of attending a basketball game on Valentine’s Day. I enjoy sitting in the stands, screaming with the other fans and discussing the referee calls with my friends. We even do a little trash talk and make a few friendly wagers. Don’t forget the soda, popcorn and other treats from the concession stand. If basketball isn’t your sport, try attending a hockey game. My cousin and her family are devoted hockey fans, and always cheer on their local hockey team and dine at their favorite pizza restaurant after the game.

MAKE A SPECIAL MEAL AT HOME

Whether it’s casual or fancy, a home-cooked meal hits the spot and feeds the soul. I believe food always tastes better when someone else does the cooking. I like to make cheese fondue with all the fixings, like slices of apples, carrots, grapes and pieces of warm French bread. A friend of mine and her kids have a pizza night complete with individual heartshaped pizzas. They also make heart-shaped Rice Krispies treats topped with rainbow sprinkles. My aunt and uncle like to make their day extra special and splurge on Valentine’s Day dinner at home, by enjoying king crab legs dipped in butter with a pair of juicy steaks. A Valentine’s Day meal doesn’t have to be dinner. You can make breakfast for the family. My brother enjoys making heart-shaped banana pancakes for the kids, and bacon cooked in an air fryer. Don’t forget your pets. This year I plan to pick up a cupcake from a dog bakery for my miniature poodle, Louis. I want to make sure everyone in the family feels special, including my dog.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBORPAY IT FORWARD

One of my neighbors always makes sure to check in with other neighbors, especially an elderly neighbor, and even leaves sweet notes and candy in mailboxes every Valentine’s Day for a handful of us neighbors. I plan to do the same for my neighbors this year. I will leave a note thanking them for being great neighbors, with a bag of Valentine’s treats like conversation hearts, cinnamon candy hearts and chocolate. I also plan to include a small gift card from a local coffee shop. I don’t mind treating my favorite neighbors to candy and coffee.

GRAND GAMES

I’m a fan of a game of healthy competition every now and then. I spent previous Valentine’s Days with a group of friends, bowling, playing pool and enjoying a few games of darts. My family and I also like to attend a local trivia game. This year we might visit the golf range, which is open year-round, and work on our swings while we enjoy appetizers and drinks. If you want to play games at home, no worries. I’ve got a great idea for you. My aunt hosts a fun-filled Valentine’s Day game night, and guests feast on my aunt’s famous homemade lasagna and garlic bread while they play games like Bunco, Hearts and Scattergories. If it isn’t too cold outside, guests will venture out in the backyard to play cornhole and horseshoes.

PRACTICALLY PERFECT

I’m a fan of practical gifts and I don’t think there’s anything sweeter than taking care of an otherwise mundane or time-consuming errand for a significant other or spouse. Get an oil change for the car, plus a car wash and detailing. Leave a sweet note in the cupholder and arrange for a meal at home or dinner at your favorite restaurant. My friend’s husband arranges for the house to be cleaned on Valentine’s Day, and a day at a spa for his wife. My friend says getting a massage and manicure at a spa and then coming home to a clean house is the greatest Valentine’s Day gift. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. My neighbor’s husband completes a to-do list. He hangs up pictures, steam cleans the carpets and straightens up the garage. It doesn’t cost much, and the hard work and thoughtfulness doesn’t go unnoticed.

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Local Support Group Formed for Dads Grieving the Loss of a Child

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Following the loss of a child, the most common response parents hear is, “I

can’t imagine what you’re going through.” That’s a fair sentiment because there truly is nothing more brutal than enduring the death of a son or daughter. In the wake

of such paralyzing pain, it’s difficult to know what to do, where to go or how to function. David Cook knows this all too well. His daughter, Leslie Christine Cook-Dickerson, was murdered in April 2003 at the age of 25.

Chuck Findley has also walked this excruciating path as his two young sons, Jake (12) and Travis (9), were killed in a SUV/train collision in February 2007. Both men have been part of a support group called “Mornings with Dads,” which originated in 2004 on the northside and 2011 on the southside.

“When you’re in the depths of intense

Seated Clockwise From Left: Marv Habicht, Rick Rhoads, Jim Nathan, Jerry Bennett, David Cook L-R standing: Wilson Adams, Henry Pawlik, Denny’s server, Steve Allen, Tim Shackelford, Don Buxton

and unthinkable grief after losing a child or children, with no will to live, no idea of where to turn or how to get through each brutal day, massive uncertainties and lost hope for a great future, this group completely understands the emotions and pain you’re going through and gives invaluable support, comfort, love and advice that turns into a brotherhood for a lifetime,” Findley says , who joined the group three months after his sons’ deaths. “Doing so was one of the best things I did to help with my grief. I knew immediately as I walked into the first meeting that I was in the right place.”

At Mornings with the Dads, fathers gather weekly with other fathers at a local restaurant to share their stories, sorrow and support. It’s a safe place to express emotions because everyone in the group understands what everyone else is going through.

“I remember the first meeting I attended. I drove to the restaurant and sat in the parking lot, scared to death of what I was going into,” Cook says. When he did finally work up the nerve to step inside, he was met with incredible warmth. That’s not surprising because this group formed so that grieving men had someone to talk to.

“Men tend to try and cover all their emotions up and act like they’re strong and okay, but deep inside they’re hurting and need to get a lot of emotions out,” Findley says. “This is the perfect place for all of that.”

Cook’s biggest piece of advice for newly grieving parents is to not hide from the pain.

“Get it out in the open. Start dealing with it. It’s a brave thing to do,” he says. “Everyone experiences grief in their own way and that’s okay, but allow yourself the process of grieving.”

The meetings are informal and low-key. If a new dad shows up, they go around the table and introduce themselves, briefly sharing their stories and how they are

Travis Findley

Jake Findley

Leslie Cook-Dickerson

Wilson Adams IV

coping with grief. Then they give the new dad the opportunity to speak if they want.

“Sometimes there’s crying. Sometimes

there’s laughter. Sometimes we talk sports,” Cook says. “We try to keep it as warm as possible.”

The southside group meets every

Thursday morning from 7-8:30 a.m. at Denny’s off Main Street in Greenwood by I-65 (the northside group meets on Tuesday mornings). This group of men, which currently consists of between nine

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L-R: Wilson Adams, Tom Lowe, Steve Allen, Jerry Bennett, Rick Rhoads, Jim Updike, Don Buxton, Jim Nathan, Roger Tames, David Cook

and 13 guys, gather outside of the weekly meeting as well—sometimes meeting for lunch, dinner or to see the Pacers play.

In 2009, the group published “Tuesday Mornings with the Dads” in which 14 of the dads penned stories. In 2016, they followed that up with “More Mornings with the Dads” that shares 18 additional stories. Tony Dungy, the former Colts coach who lost his 18-year-old son in 2005, wrote the foreword for both books.

More Mornings with the Dads shares stories of three former Center Grove High School students. Jennifer Longworth, daughter of Don Buxton, was a casualty of the Richmond Hills blast in 2012; Nic Habicht, son of Marv Habicht, perished in a house fire in 2004 while a student at IU Bloomington; and Steve Allen’s daughter, Lindsay, who lost her life in an auto accident.

As dads have moved away, some of them have started other Mornings with the Dads in other locations. For instance, Finley has helped start similar groups in Arizona, California and Missouri. Other dads have launched groups in Texas and Washington.

“This is the group that no one ever wants to belong to,” Cook says. “But when something like this happens in your life, you’re lucky to find a group of guys like this who can support you.”

For more information, contact David Cook at 317-319-7895, visit morningswiththedadsinc. com, or find them on Facebook @MorningswiththeDads. knucklesandwichbargersville.

“THIS IS THE GROUP THAT NO ONE EVER WANTS TO BELONG TO. BUT WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE, YOU’RE LUCKY TO FIND A GROUP OF GUYS LIKE THIS WHO CAN SUPPORT YOU.” - DAVID COOK

WHEN 317-261-9000 Member FDIC

FRESH SPOT, FAMILIAR VIBE THE

KNUCKLE SANDWICH REOPENS IN BARGERSVILLE

Interstate 69 forced them to close.

Those who have experienced The Knuckle Sandwich, a 1950s- and 1960s-themed restaurant, eagerly anticipate the eatery’s new Bargersville location opening in February.

Owned by Brent and Linda Plunkett, The Knuckle Sandwich used to be located off of State Road 144 for nearly 10 years, until the expansion project for Interstate 37 and

After two and a half years of searching for the right location, the Plunketts are excited to reopen for customers who have patiently awaited the return of their favorite dining experience.

“When we bought the original building back in 2013, the previous owner told us it would be taken out eventually by the expansion,” Brent Plunkett says. “We didn’t know how long we’d have, but we were open

until August 31, 2020.”

The new location on North State Road 135 is just six miles east of the former restaurant, and it’s ready to hop.

The Knuckle Sandwich will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with fun, 1950s-themed titles.

The menu is pretty much the same,” Brent says. “Our signature items have returned.”

Try the Peggy Sue Western Omelet, Chuck

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography / Provided

Blueberry Pancakes or the Four Tops Biscuits and Gravy for breakfast, or enjoy one of the popular lunch and dinner options that have kept customers coming back for more.

The signature items include the Hub Cab Tenderloin, the Big Bopper BLT, Elvis’ Rockin’ Reuben, the Giant Hound Dog and more.

In addition, the ’57 Chevy Burger Challenge will return. Can you singlehandedly eat two fully dressed, one-pound burgers, plus two pounds of french fries, in just 45 minutes?

If you succeed, you’ll receive your meal for free, plus a fun T-shirt and a trophy. Your photo will be added to the Burger Challenge

While Brent says the restaurant isn’t necessarily the place to go for those watching calories, they do have a chef salad and chicken-salad sandwich.

Linda will prepare a specialty lunch dish Mondays through Thursdays. Tuesdays are meatloaf, Wednesdays feature a variety of Manhattans, and Mondays and Thursdays are reserved for surprise specials. As a baker for the Center Grove school system for a decade, Linda has made calzones, chicken and noodles, or whatever seasonal dish she’s been in the mood to make throughout the week.

The Knuckle Sandwich has a three-way alcohol license and will offer strawberry daiquiris, bloody marys, margaritas and mimosas.

“We want people to be able to come in and have a wine cooler or a beer, but we don’t want to have a full bar,” says Brent. “We’ll offer those upon request. It’s important to us to be a family diner, but we can see it’s an option that people will appreciate.”

In the new building, the Plunketts have added themed decorations for a fun, 1950s and 1960s vibe - more so than what customers have seen in the past.

The previous location was 2,600 square feet and built in 1979. The new location is 3,500 square feet and built in 2022.

“There’s a lot more room in the dining room here and, of course, less maintenance to the building,” Brent says. “We’ll be seating about the same amount of people, but there’s space and a variety of seating

Hall of Fame wall inside the diner.

“WE’VE BEEN IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS SINCE 2010,” SAYS BRENT. “WE’RE EXCITED TO BRING THE KNUCKLE SANDWICH BACK TO OUR CUSTOMERS.” —BRENT PLUNKETT

arrangements like booths, round tables and square tables to suit whatever people are looking for. We really like the layout -- it has good flow. We’re not stuffing people in.”

Brent says there are some changes that he will miss. For example, the old diner had a cooking station in front of the bar. He was able to cook and talk to people at the same time.

“I like talking to the customers, meeting them and hearing their stories,” says Brent. “I’m still doing some of the cooking but it’s all in the back now.”

The couple has also worked diligently to price meals for affordability and is endeavoring to keep prices the same for at least a year.

“The last time we raised prices was in 2018 and we want to keep them low, or at least hold them if we can help it,” Plunkett says.

“We will have a surcharge on credit or debit purchases because it’ll help us hold our prices down for longer. We hope people understand and don’t take it out on the server because in these days and times, it’s rare to go somewhere for 12 months and find that the prices are the same.”

They’ve purchased four televisions that will play old movies or cartoons in line with the theme.

“We used to have two televisions but we also want to add in news and sports,”

Plunkett says. “It’s fun to keep along with the theme, but if you want to watch the Super Bowl, we understand that too.”

Leading up to the grand opening, the Plunketts posted their plans on social media and received 35,000 comments.

The thousands of positive reviews and the inevitable lines out the door keep the Plunketts going.

“We’ve been in the restaurant business since 2010,” says Brent. “We’re excited to bring The Knuckle Sandwich back to our customers.”

The Knuckle Sandwich is located at 5116 North State Road 135, Suite A in Bargersville, and will open soon. For more information, check out facebook. com/knucklesandwichbargersville.

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Great care starts here.

It’s a beautiful summer day or perhaps a chilly winter evening. Your significant other has dashed you away and astonished you by creating an epic day, ending with a picturesque dinner for two. Next thing you know, you look over and they are down on one knee. OMG! It’s happening!

Assuming you said yes, keep reading.

Fast-forward a day or two. The dust of excitement has settled and you are both struck with the reality of having to plan the biggest day of your life. It might seem daunting and maybe a little stressful, but rest assured that it will all work out in the end.

When planning a wedding, all decisions are big decisions, but there are a few that might stand taller than others. This quick, three-step guide will offer you some advice on making your day as special and as memorable as it can be.

STEP ONE: THE VENUE

There is something every wedding needs - a location. This can be a difficult decision based on where families are located, how many people will be in attendance, the vibe you are going for, etcetera. If you decide you want to have your wedding take place here in the Indianapolis area, there are a lot of amazing locations available to you including The Barn at Bay Horse Inn, Folktale Greenwood, the Indianapolis Art Center, the Conservatory at Evergreen, Tinker House Events, Guggman Haus Brewing Co., the Neidhammer, Liter House, and The Westin, to name just a few. The venue you select should boil down to answering one question. Is it you? All wedding venues near and far have unique offerings, and it should be a place that is special to you and your future partner. The benefit of any wedding venue is the ability for you to put your own decorative spin on it, but most importantly, it should be a location where you can see yourself standing when you share that first kiss.

STEP TWO: THE ENTERTAINMENT

Perhaps one of the most important parts of any wedding is the DJ. Let’s be honest - you are throwing a party, and a DJ is an integral part of the flow of a wedding. Introductions, speeches and music selections can be a delicate game that requires on-the-fly flexibility and talent. Hiring a skilled DJ that not only matches your personality and style, but also has the experience and ability to be the maestro for the evening, is something to consider when you begin your search. Be sure to discuss your requests and be open to feedback.

STEP THREE: THE MEMORIES

Hopefully you will only be getting married once and it is important to preserve the moments of your special day, for not only yourselves, but also for future generations that will one day look back and say, “Is that you?” Finding a photographer and/or videographer is all about style and personality. There are a lot of photographers and videographers out there, and again, it boils down to finding professionals you are confident and comfortable with. Keep in mind that the face you will see, even more than your future partner, will likely be your photographer. They will arrive in the morning and be with you until the end. Perhaps your photographer was referred to you, maybe you have followed their work for years and know you want them documenting your day, or perhaps you have scoured the internet diving into social media accounts and have uncovered the perfect documentarian. No matter how you get there, meet with your photographer and videographer. Talk about your expectations, and if you can, book an engagement session with them, which will offer great insight on what it will be like to have that person by your side for the duration of your wedding day.

Obviously there is much more that goes into planning a wedding, from big decisions to small details. Don’t forget, it is the first day in a long journey. Things may not always go exactly as planned so don’t sweat the little things, and remember that the most important decision was made before all this began - and they will be standing in front of you when you say, “I do.”

Writer / Michael Durr Photography Provided

TOP WEDDING TRENDS

Weddings are as popular as ever, perhaps even more so since the pandemic caused so many nuptials to be postponed. That’s not to say, however, that the way people tie the knot hasn’t changed through the years. We talked to two certified wedding/event planners to ask about current trends as couples say, “I do.”

As we know, it all starts with the dress! While white still reigns supreme, some brides choose to buck tradition and purchase an ivory, blush or pink gown.

“Last week a bride who hired us to officiate her wedding said, ‘Just to let you know, my wedding dress is black,’” Bretta Thompson says, owner of Just the Two of Us Wedding Services. She’s seeing much less matchy-match when it comes to bridesmaid dresses as brides allow the girls to select the style of dress that best suits them. So, for instance, one bridesmaid may wear a burgundy oneshoulder while another may wear a lighter burgundy

While some couples still want to hold a giant 250-person bash, Thompson has seen more and more brides and grooms choosing to throw a smaller, more intimate affair. A guest list of 60 or 80 enables them to interact with every guest and not feel rushed or overwhelmed. Plus, with a scaled-down ceremony, they can put the money they save towards a down payment on a house or the honeymoon.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Speaking of honeymoons, that is the thing couples want to fund above all else.

“A lot of couples wonder if it’s tacky to ask guests to contribute to their honeymoon fund rather than an air fryer from Target,” Thompson says, who is also an officiant. “I say most people would rather drop some money in a honeymoon box than to go to the store, pull up a registry, see what’s already been purchased, buy something, wrap it and ship it. People like convenience and simplicity.”

This is why Bailey Dodson, venue coordinator with the Barn at Bay Horse Inn, makes chalkboard signage with the bride and groom’s Venmo so that guests who forget a gift can Venmo money right then and there.

Dodson has noticed that more couples are

incorporating some sort of unity element into the wedding ceremony, whether that involves lighting a unity candle, pouring unity sand or a tying a unity knot.

ADVICE WHEN PLANNING A WEDDING

• Do your research when selecting vendors. Check out their websites. Review their portfolios. Find out how long they’ve been in the industry.

• Always have a contract with every vendor.

• Purchase wedding day insurance.

“I’ve even seen the bride and groom do a puzzle with their children to symbolize the family coming together as one,” Dodson says.

Thompson says that the most common trend she’s seeing is interest in streamlining the reception events.

“For instance, following the bridal party introductions, the bride and groom enter the room, the lights are dimmed, and—boom— they roll into their first dance,” Thompson says. Some couples may even cut the cake before dinner, and that’s if there’s cake at all. She and Dodson have both witnessed a downward trend in couples getting big multi-tiered cakes. Instead,

CERTIFIED WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNER WITH A TEAM OF 10 PROVIDING OFFICIANT SERVICES AS WELL AS PLANNING, WEDDING DAY COORDINATION, CUSTOM SCRIPT CREATION, ELOPEMENTS. 11 YEARS IN BUSINESS. WE TRAVEL ALL OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN INDIANA AND WE WELCOME EVERYONE.

- Bailey Dodson

many newlyweds are opting to go with one small cake, which they cut for pictures, and then they have a dessert table, a doughnut wall, a mini pie station or a cupcake stand with different flavored cupcakes. Cake pops (cake in a ball form served on a stick) are also very popular.

“You can eat a cake pop in one or two bites and it doesn’t require silverware or plates,” Dodson says.

Dodson feels that brides and grooms are getting more creative with their wedding favors, choosing something that’s more useful to their guest rather than handing out something they will stick in a drawer.

“One couple chose playing cards because they loved playing games,” Dodson says. “My favorite

TRADITIONS THAT ARE NO LONGER POPULAR

• The garter toss

• Formal plated dinners (instead couples are choosing BBQ buffets and build-your-own taco bars)

• Taking all pictures after the ceremony (instead couples like doing private first looks where they can get a lot of pictures out of the way pre-ceremony, thereby leaving more “party time”)

was the bride who baked homemade cookies for her guests to eat while they were waiting for dinner to be served.”

As far as music goes, couples don’t so much make a list of songs they want played as they do the songs or genres they do not want played, and they let their DJ know whether they are allowed to take song requests.

“Hey, you never know when a guest who is five beers and three shots in may ask the deejay to play “I Like Big Butts,”” Thompson says.

To learn more about the Barn at Bay Horse Inn, visit barnatbayhorse.com. To learn more about Just the Two of Us Wedding Services, visit Indianapolisofficiants.com.

Celebrate at The Barn

at Bay Horse Inn

Life’s special moments deserve to be celebrated! This charming property has become a local favorite for hosting private events such as weddings, parties, corporate events, and fundraisers. The Barn at Bay Horse Inn is a beautiful venue that has much to offer as the perfect place for your next celebration!

Rustic Meets Elegance

The Barn at Bay Horse Inn is the perfect combination of rustic charm and timeless elegance. Custom farm tables and whiskey barrels offer a vintage touch while crystal chandeliers, a grand stone fireplace, and our outdoor pergola create a timelessly elegant aesthetic. Clients frequently utilize our cake cart, customizable signage, and whiskey barrel tops when decorating for their special occasions to tie together the rustic and elegant look. The balance of rustic and modern in our venue’s decorum and structure creates a luxurious yet charming space that is perfect for any kind of event.

Writer / Alli Donovan Photographer / Sarah Browning

There are many factors that go into choosing a wedding dress. Most of it is a feeling - the feeling a woman gets when she is in the gown, and she can see that it represents the beginning of the rest of her life, marrying the person she loves the most, living out her dream wedding day and beginning a whole new chapter of her life.

Adrienne Love and her team at The Wedding Studio (TWS) take picking out a wedding dress to a whole new level.

The Wedding Studio is a bridal boutique that focuses on the memory-making experience. Located in Greenwood, Carmel and Louisville, The Wedding Studio provides a very intimate experience for the bride.

“We get to be a part of this very special and very intimate moment of a girl’s life,” Love says. “We try to make it as unique, one of a kind, and memorable as possible.”

The goal is inclusion. Love and her team ensure that every single bride who walks through their doors feels like they belong there.

“We are making a change in how people should be treated, and how they should be loved in any space that they walk into,” Love says.

Every single member of Love’s team is trained and experienced in guiding the bride through the process of finding the perfect dress. What sets TWS apart? The

questions are asked regarding budget, venue, sizing, setting up a Pinterest board and more, to give the bridal team amazing options that brides love before they arrive for their first appointment. This creates a fulfilling 90-minute session full of dresses that match exactly what the bride is looking for.

VIP options are available for an even more immersive experience. TWS has a beautiful speakeasy room for brides and their closest family members and friends, to spend a couple of hours drinking champagne, snacking and picking out the perfect dress.

“It gives the bride a little more confidence when she gets there,” Love says. “The sales associate is educated on everything we have in the store, and she now has all the bride’s information so she is ready to find the perfect dress for her. It makes it a much more fun experience for the bride.”

After purchasing the Carmel location from two women who became very close friends, Love was loved and guided by them toward the position she is in today. As a boss, Love praises and admires the associates who work at TWS. “I have girls on my team who love the way that I do,” she says. The bridal team at TWS puts their hearts and souls into every single bride, to make her the priority while she is in the dressing rooms. Nothing else matters but their bride.

In addition to an amazing team, Love also gives credit to research. Data research,

experience are all factors in what makes TWS a premiere shop for all brides. As a result of the information gathered, Love has compiled a selection of gowns so the bride doesn’t have to shop anywhere else.

The ease of the process, the knowledge of the staff, and the vast number of dresses to choose from allow brides to find everything they could ever want at TWS. Shopping with TWS only requires two appointments - one to find the dress and one to pick up the dress four to six months later

Depending on the location, TWS could

have up to 36 brides shopping in the store in a single day. Appointments are booked months in advance. After dreaming about this for years, the numbers are surreal to Love. “It’s so fun,” she says. “We want to touch the lives of as many brides as we can, to give them that feeling of, ‘You belong here.’”

So why should you include them in your wedding plans? Love and her teams in Carmel, Greenwood and Louisville are providing a place of belonging, a place of healing, and a place that gives women a feeling of self-worth and self-love.

Ultimately the team credits all the success of the business to two simple words - be nice. The respect, love and kindness that the team members show each of their brides, and the lives they are able to touch, drives their passion for this work.

Visit Love and her team at The Wedding Studio in any of their three locations. The Wedding Loft is their sample bridal boutique located in Greenwood. To schedule an appointment, visit theweddingstudios.net. For beautiful gown inspiration and a peek into TWS, follow them on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

GRAPPLING WITH GREATNESS

TRIO OF 2022 CGHS WRESTLING STATE CHAMPS TALK PAST AND PRESENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Writer / Kevin Conrad Photography Provided

The 2022 Center Grove High School (CGHS) wrestling program had not one, not two, but a trio of state champions. Anna Krejsa, Hayden Watson and Drake Buchanan put in countless hours of hard work to achieve their high school dreams of being state champions. These student-athletes also excelled in the classroom. Their wrestling and academic successes at CGHS helped catapult them into the next chapter of their lives.

Krejsa is attending Life University in Marietta, Georgia, arguably the best women’s college wrestling program in the nation. Watson is at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, and Buchanan is at the U.S. Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado.

Krejsa is the first and only female from CGHS to win a state title in wrestling. Is all the hard work and sacrifice worth it? Krejsa says it is.

“Winning state my senior year for Center Grove, for a program that appreciated me being there and wanted me to do well, meant everything to me,” Krejsa says. “I will never forget the night I won my state title, seeing everyone’s reactions and how proud everyone was. The practices are hard, the extra workouts are hard, and managing weight is super hard,

but it’s 100% worth it. I will never, ever forget it.”

Krejsa hopes her legacy will encourage other girls to compete in wrestling.

“Hopefully it continues to grow,” Krejsa says. “I’m seeing more and more schools hosting tournaments. It’s just so much bigger since I competed in the state. I hope someday it’s sanctioned and Center Grove has a women’s team as well.”

Watson placed third in the state finals in his sophomore year and was runner-up in his junior season. Being so close motivated Watson to work even harder.

“Doing extra workouts and doing one-on-ones - it benefitted me a lot knowing I was so close,” Watson says. “I just had to push through in the last year to get to it.”

His extra work paid off in his senior season, going out as a state champion.

“That rush of feelings you get when you get your hand raised, knowing you just won the state finals match, seeing everyone in the crowd that’s been there from day one supporting you, your team that’s been there the past four years - being in that position is amazing,” Watson says.

After nearly winning state during his junior year, Buchanan says winning state in his senior year was the greatest moment of his wrestling career.

“It’s all the work and hours I put in all my life to have this [state championship] ring,” Buchanan says. “To be a part of a winning culture - it’s been emotional to think about the journey of what this ring means. It’s a culmination of all the hours put in, all this time and all the sacrifice, to be able to wear it. It’s that moment when you have your hand raised at the state finals and have all the people who supported you, your teammates, everyone in the state, everyone who knows how much effort you put in and see it pay off.”

These three state champions are all in agreement - CGHS has prepared them for the rigors of college academics and wrestling.

“Center Grove has prepared me a lot,” Watson says. “When I’m sitting in class and they are teaching us something, I already know the material and the other students don’t know it. I see that a lot in my classes.”

“Center Grove teachers want you to succeed,” Buchanan says. “If you ask for help, they’ll give you help. Taking stressful AP classes and asking for help prepares you for college, to ask professors for help and talk to upperclassmen

Hayden Watson Drake Buchanan

Anna Krejsa

for help, asking them how they were successful in the core classes. The level of academics at Center Grove is really good. Classes are hard because they are teaching you the correct concepts and correct material to prepare you for college.”

The CGHS wrestling and weightlifting programs also prepared them for college athletics.

“High school wrestling prepared me to be aggressive,” Buchanan says. “Coach [Maurice] Swain really puts an emphasis on being on the attack rather than being on defense. In college, if you want to be successful you have to be using your offense. The more you’re on offense, the more likely you are going to win matches. You have to listen to everything your coach tells you. Having [Marty] Mills as a weightlifting coach, he knows what he’s talking about. He’s so knowledgeable. It also develops a foundation of trust between you and your weightlifting coach, and your coaches in general.”

Buchanan says the sport of wrestling has helped him in many ways.

“You become so mentally tough,” he says. “It’s all willpower. No one is going to stop you from missing weight. The only person who is going to stop you is you. The only person stopping you from getting a workout in is you. The only person stopping you from finishing an assignment is you. Wrestling teaches you that. I really think that has helped me be really successful at the academy.”

Krejsa, Watson and Buchanan have helped build a foundation within the CGHS wrestling program. This year’s CGHS wrestling team is ranked third in the state, and ranked nationally. They take great pride in seeing the program continue to grow and prosper.

“It’s really nice to see the success,” Buchanan says. “This is going to be the golden years for Center Grove wrestling. I’m excited to see what they do with it. This is the best all-around team Center Grove has had - a lot of depth for all the weight classes. No one wants to be on a team that wins one tournament out of 50. They want to be on a team that’s nationally ranked, winning titles. That’s exciting and fun, and people on the team can go far and do big things. You want to be a part of that.”