Center Grove Community Magazine December 2015

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2015

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS at the Johnson County Museum

STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER

THE

Center Grove High School

2 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

PUBLISHER’S WELCOME

Dann Veldkamp, Publisher

Traditions are an important part of the Christmas season. In Johnson County, the Museum of History in Franklin plays a big role starting on Saturday, December 5 and continuing each Saturday until Christmas. There will be two visits by Santa and a Holiday Open House. You can learn the details in our cover story.

Giving to others and helping others is another holiday tradition.

Each year, Ray Skillman and his employees do their part with the annual Clothe-A-Child program. The White River Township Fire Fighters become “Christmas Angels,” and other organizations reach out to provide assistance where it is needed.

Of course, the celebration does not stop there. Katie Burrell did some digging and came up a rather impressive list of festive activities. Some are rather formal events while others are as simple as getting the family in the car and looking at some impressive light displays. Ideally, these will be enhanced with a nice dusting of snow for the full Christmas effect.

In addition to the holiday stories, there are some issues that we have to discuss as a community. The school system is proposing the addition of a major student activity center, and not everyone agrees it is the best way to put tax dollars to work.

And the county is working hard to provide land use planning for unincorporated White River Township, the most densely populated unincorporated area in the state.

If you are looking for some unique gifts, handmade candles from Middle Davids Artisan Candles in Franklin will fit the bill. We feature them not just for their special gifts but for the unique ways they are involved in the community and help to make Franklin a better place to live.

Finally, Julie Yates does your Christmas Dinner planning for you. She provides you the recipes for a complete old-fashioned Hoosier feast. Enjoy digging into our annual Christmas edition, and we will be back in the New Year!

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PUBLISHER

December 2015 / Vol. 4 / No. 12

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Dann Veldkamp

dann@atCenterGrove.com / 317-345-9510

VP OF SALES

Jody Veldkamp

jody@atCenterGrove.com / 317-507-4334

COVER STORY Cover Photo / Forrest Mellott

28

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Miranda Stockdall

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TOWNEPOST PUBLISHER Tom Britt

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BUSINESS MANAGER Jeanne Britt

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AT THE MUSEUM

jeanne@TownePost.com / 317-288-7101

Writer / Frieda Dowler

David Pfeiffer, Director of the museum, says the Dec-A-Tree event kicks off the season November 24 and runs through December 30. Fifteen nonprofit organizations, such as booster clubs and other less prominent groups, start decorating their trees November 19. Their goal is to bring awareness to their organization as they help create a snowy, enchanting Christmas scene with their decorated tree along a winding path. For a holiday visual sensation, stroll through this second-floor display during the museum’s open hours, Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

FEATURED COLUMNS 12 Center Grove Student Activity Center

22 Shop, Wrap & Deliver 41 Planning for the Future of Center Grove

8 Fire Department Becomes

6 46 51 53 54

Gardening Nana CGHS Front Row Event Calendar Word Search Kate in the Middle

32 Don't Let the Most Wonderful

Christmas Angels

Time of the Year Pass You By

11 Special Help for the Holidays 18 Digital First Impressions 21 Main St. Grille 26 Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular

atCenterGrove.com

34 Candles Light the Way 38 A Sure Sign of the Giving

Season: Salvation Army Bell Ringing

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Toni Folzenlogel

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alyssa Sander

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Austin Vance

EDITOR

Katelyn Bausman

DEC. WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Alaina Sullivan / Frieda Dowler / Jessica Kelly / Joyce Long / Julie Yates / Kate Rhoten / Katie Burrell / Leigh Lawson / Lisa Mitchell / Nancy Craig / Tonja Talley

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Help our local economy by shopping local. Advertising supporters of the Center Grove Community Magazine offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business.

STORY SUBMISSIONS

Post your stories to TownePost.com or email to PR@atCenterGrove.com.

47 Home for a Hoosier Holiday 50 Year-End Charitable Giving Tips

P.O. Box 36097 / Indianapolis, IN 46236 Phone: 317-288-7101 / Fax: 317-536-3030

Business Spotlights are sponsored content.

The Center Grove Community Magazine is published

by Chilly Panda Media, Center Grove, under license from TownePost Network, and is written for and by local Center Grove residents.

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GARDENING NANA

POINSETTIAS: FLORES DE NOCHE BUENA OR THE CHRISTMAS EVE FLOWER Writer / Nancy Craig

At Christmastime, we love to decorate with the beautiful poinsettia flowers. Now they come in many colors and variations, but I love the traditional deep red ones. The tradition of decorating with poinsettias at Christmas was brought to America by the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett. National Poinsettia Day, December 12, was set in his honor.

Last month, we stayed with my great nephews, Max and Eli, and we helped them with their homework. At the time, Max was studying the Aztecs in his sixth grade history book. Some parts of the Aztecs’ history were not pretty, but the Aztecs used the bracts of the poinsettia plant to make a red dye for their clothes.

The poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is a shrub native to Mexico. What we think are the red flowers are really the colored bracts or modified leaves of the plant. See this excellent link for the story of the poinsettia and how to care for it: extension. illinois.edu/poinsettia.

My great-nieces, Lindsey and Lauren, will love the storybook, “The Legend of the Poinsettia” by Tomie dePaola. In the story, a little girl, Lucinda, does not have a gift for the Christ child.

“Then a mysterious old woman appears from the shadows and tells Lucinda, ‘Any gift is beautiful because it is given. Whatever you give, the Baby Jesus will love because it comes from you.’"

Lucinda takes a handful of weeds as a gift, and it becomes a bouquet of beautiful red flowers. It was considered a miracle, and the flowers were renamed as the Flores de Noche Buena or the Christmas Eve flower. We call them poinsettias.

Speaking of Christmas and gifts, this book is on my list, “The Unexpected Houseplant: 220 Extraordinary Choices for Every Spot in Your Home” by Tovah Martin. Next month, we will garden inside by checking out ways to add and care for houseplants like the poinsettia.

Nancy loves flower gardening almost as much as she does her great nephews and nieces. Her interest in gardening intensified while living in Holland and was perfected with Master Gardener courses.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT BECOMES CHRISTMAS ANGELS Writer / Jessica Kelly . Photos Provided

At least once a year, the White River Fire Department (WRTFD) takes on a mission to go beyond preventing or diminishing emergencies. Every December for the past 13 years, the Department has sponsored Christmas for underprivileged children through their Christmas Angels program.

Angels,” Zollars said. “[United Way] gives the schools [a Christmas Angels form], it goes through the schools to the counselors and the counselors send it off to us. Then we white-out everything, and [when] people sponsor a child, they only get the first name, age, sex of the child and then what they want. We spend up to about $100 per kid.”

less specific. The firefighters have trouble discerning what a teen will like or dislike and believe that the best way to support the older kids is to have other high schoolers help out.

“We could use anybody who is interested in high school that would help us shop because that is people shopping for people of their own age group,” Zollars said. “That’s the hardest, junior high and high school.

Everyone wants little kids, so we get a lot of teenagers that we shop for.”

“It is very important for us to do this as a service to the community,” staff officer Craig Zollars said. “We are an entity that has a lot of resources that can do things and make a big production like this. It is important for the Fire Department to give back to the community during this time of year. We want to be involved in our community.”

The Fire Department manages the gifts and money, then takes care of packaging and even some deliveries once everything is collected. However, for the program to work, there is a dire need for volunteers.

The Christmas Angels program is an annual fundraiser for children newborn to 17 who otherwise would not get gifts for Christmas.

Members of the community pick a child, or siblings, and are given a list of items to shop for. The children then receive the items bought for them as Christmas presents.

“We try to get them a Christmas, not just a thing,” Zollars said.

Families, individuals and kids are a vital part of the operation. Last year, the Christmas Angels program was able to The program started just before support around 230 children for Christmas. Thanksgiving and will continue until right before Christmas. Any community member A Callout to High School Students interested in volunteering can sign up at the The hardest kids to shop for are the White River Township Fire Department teenagers. Children will tell you exactly Headquarters at 850 S. Mullinex Rd. or call what they want, but teenagers are often 317-888-8337.

“Everybody signs up at the schools, and they sign up to [receive gifts for] Christmas

Volunteers are needed to shop, donate and even help behind the scenes. Many times, high schoolers and middle schoolers help with wrapping the gifts.

In years past, the Christmas Angels program has been highly successful. Not only are a great quantity of underprivileged children given a gift for Christmas, but each child is given a lot of quality gifts.

8 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

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SPECIAL HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS Writer / Alaina Sullivan

The holiday season is a time for serving the community and helping those in need. Many nonprofits, churches and other organizations sponsor their own projects during the season to do their part.

CHILDREN’S BUREAU “HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS”

Unlike traditional giving programs, the Christmas Store allows individuals to come “shop” for themselves and their families. The need is always there to ensure that items are stocked to make this shopping experience useful. In addition to just donations, parishioners of the church also sign up to work shifts at the Christmas store.

MOUNT PLEASANT CHRISTIAN CHURCH GIVING TREE

Mount Pleasant Christian Church also offers its own Giving Tree program. Most of the families helped already receive other assistance through the church, but even if they do not already, the church does its best to connect families with other services that can help them after the holidays.

“We don’t just want to hand people Christmas gifts and then be done with it. We want to make a connection and build a relationship,” said Christy Brink from Mount Pleasant.

Children’s Bureau, a nonprofit working on behalf of abused and neglected children, assists children and families in the Johnson County area through its program “Hope for the Holidays.”

Companies and individuals are invited to sponsor a family selected from their site. They are given a list of “wishes” or items that the children and members of the family would like for Christmas and purchase gifts, delivering them to Children’s Bureau.

They also partner to assist families in the child protective services arena and children of incarcerated parents as well as partner with the Stripped Free Ministry, an organization that works with women working in the strip club industry and their families. Brink anticipates them helping 475 children this year.

GIRLS INC. PROVIDES FOR THE COMMUNITY

Girls Inc., a nonprofit focused on providing educational and empowerment services “In 2014, the program served 550 children,” said Andra Martinez, vice president of communications and development with Children’s to Johnson County girls, contributes annually through Bureau. “This program has been helping families for 15 years.” In community service. Every year, addition to Children’s Bureau staff, they also receive help through the girls work together to put on 20 other volunteers. a community service, said Sonya Ware-Meguiar, CEO Girls Inc. of SAINTS FRANCES AND CLARE – ARCHDIOCESE OF Johnson County.

INDIANAPOLIS CHRISTMAS STORE

This year, they are collecting hats, gloves, scarves and travel size toiletry items to give to Turning Point Domestic Violence agency for their clients and families.

Saints Frances and Clare Catholic Church’s Planned Outreach Ministry collects donations on a yearly basis for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’s Christmas store. The store is located downtown Indianapolis in the Xavier Building on 1435 N. Illinois St. and is opened to lower income residents of the Central Indiana area who have been referred from various outreach ministries or agencies of both religious and nonreligious affiliation.

“Turning Point provides programming for our older girls on healthy relationships and safe dating. This is our way of giving back to support their mission,” said Ware-Meguiar. “Both of our agencies are committed to empowering women and building their selfesteem and self-confidence toward self-sufficiency.”

Alaina Sullivan is an attorney in Greenwood, focusing her work on family law and estate planning matters. She is passionate about serving those who are not able to afford normal legal fees and devotes part of her practice to modest means cases. You can reach her by visiting alainasullivanlawoffice.com or email at alaina.sullivan.law@gmail.com.

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 11

12 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

CENTER GROVE STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER Writer / Jessica Kelly . Photographer / Ron Stiemert

facility that will be built onto the south side of Center Grove High School. The features “Back in 2011, we did a facilities assessment, consist of a 200-meter track, four basketball and we found that our weight room was too courts and an expanded weight room. It small and unsafe because of the size and will have multipurpose flooring, meaning the number of kids that are utilizing the that it is available for use by track runners, equipment, so we started to talk about how basketball players, color guard athletes, we could expand the weight room and what weight lifters, Robotics competitors, we might do in that area,” Center Grove marching band performers and many other superintendent Rich Arkanoff said. “The students. high school is limited on footprint space, so it is hard to figure out how to do that and “Taxes will not raise,” supporter Billy Bemis not displace other things.” said. “The space is needed for our growing school system and our current 2,400 high The solution that the Center Grove school students.” administration came up with was a new facility called the Student Activity Center.

The Center does not raise taxes; however, opponents still believe that the cost is too The Student Activity Center is a $10 million much.

“It’s really expensive, and even if Center Grove can obtain that money without a catch, that won’t cover the costs needed to maintain such a facility,” junior cellist and dancer Sofia Copat said. “The construction fund that covers physical upkeep can’t pay the janitors, the coaches and anyone involved in such a facility. That money comes from the school’s General Fund, which is already being used to the max – in fact, it’s overused.”

For the athletes who have to suffer the cold and cramped conditions of practice, though, the Student Activity Center is an exciting and almost necessary addition to the school.

“I just think that, for athletes, we spend a lot of time in the gym,” senior basketball player Lauren Rau said.

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 13

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“After school, we either will be in the West Gym or the Vandy [Gym], depending on if the boys have practice, and if the boys have practice, we usually go to the West Gym. We have three teams, which is 30 girls, and one gym, which gets really crowded.”

Track runners have fewer issues with overcrowding and more issues with injuries.

“The surface [of the new track] will be better. It is going to be a nice new track and so it should be bouncy, and it should not hurt anyone’s shins, whereas where we are practicing now, the ground is like cement underneath with a really thin layer of rubber and that is just not cutting it,” junior track runner Olivia Rassel said. “By far, the most common injury on our team is shin splints.”

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Rau will not be able to use the new Student Activity Center as a student, and it is unlikely that Rassel will either. However, both girls are excited for future generations of CG athletes and their coaches.

“Running on the upstairs gym is really not conducive for running, so this will be a really really great place for us to go,” track coach Wes Dodson said. “Another thing is it is going to have opportunities for us to long jump and throw shot-put, things that there is absolutely no place to do here inside the high school. Sometimes it is negative wind chill, and it is really not safe to be outside.”

“We need more space, so the kids can exercise or maybe practice their sport,”

14 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

weights coach Marty Mills said. “It’ll get used every day, all day long, by all kinds of kids.”

You’re Invited to Hear the

For many members of the Center Grove community, though, these amenities are not enough to cover up the pitfalls.

“This project is a substantially different facility than any already in the school corporation. Such a dramatic proposal should be on the ballot for the taxpayers to have their say. The project is conveniently set one dollar under the limit for it to appear as a public question on the ballot,” opponent Frank Rossa said. “I also oppose this project because I believe it is excessive.

The $10 million price tag is half of what the corporation estimates an entirely new elementary school would cost, and we know another one will need to be built in the coming years. This project is an attempt [to] show off and say we have the biggest and the best.”

For those who support the new Student Activity Center, there is a support website at supportCGstudents.com, and there will be petitions until December 13.

“Festival of Carols”—Sunday, December 13

Presented by Mt. Auburn Music Ministries: 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Eve Services at Mt. Auburn UMC—Thursday, December 24

4 p.m. Children’s; 7 p.m. Candlelight; 11 p.m. Communion & Candlelight

Christmas Eve Service at Trafalgar UMC—Thursday, December 24

9 p.m. Traditional (375 Pleasant Street; Trafalgar)

Breakfast with St. Nick

Saturday, December 12 Seatings at 9 a.m. & 10 a.m.

$5 for adults, $4 for children 3-11, Free for 2 and under Tickets on sale weekdays 9am-3pm in the church office

For those who oppose the new Student Activity Center, there will also be petitions until December 13. Opponents should email cgpetition@gmail.com.

Sunday Worship Services:

Jessica Kelly is the middle daughter of Kip and Julie Kelly. She has lived in the Center Grove area for most of her life and is currently a junior at Center Grove High School. You can find more of her articles at the website she edits centergrovepublications.com.

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DIGITAL FIRST IMPRESSIONS Writer / Lisa Mitchell . Photos Provided

How often do you “meet” someone digitally before you actually meet them in person? If you’re like most people, the answer is “more often than not!” It has become standard procedure now to check out a professional’s LinkedIn profile before deciding to book an appointment, research a candidate’s social media profiles before considering them for a job interview and to “Google” someone before going on a date with them. We like to do our research, and using the Internet is our tool of choice.

What is your digital first impression saying about you?

Chances are, you haven’t put a lot of time or effort into really assessing what type of first impression you are making online, but you should. First impressions, especially those made digitally, are a PAIN: Permanent, Accurate, Immediate and Non-Verbal.

Digital first impressions matter. And in many cases, your digital first impression can mean the difference between getting the job, being accepted into your dream

college program or being asked out by a person who might be perfect for you in real life.

Still not convinced that having a handle of your digital first impression is important? Let me share a story with you. A friend of mine recently had a friend whose daughter had applied to a prestigious university program. She had all the credentials, excelled in every key area and interviewed like a pro. All signs pointed to her being accepted in to the program.

But then she was declined. They were truly baffled. When asked by a friend why the girl wasn’t admitted into the program, one of the members of the admissions board had this to say: “Tell her to get all that sh*t off of her social media.”

Not representing herself appropriately and not caring for her digital first impression to ensure it conveyed her intentions properly was the difference between being accepted and missing out on an amazing opportunity.

Don’t let this be you.

So how do you take control of your

digital first impression and make sure that people who are meeting you for the first time digitally are getting a true, authentic representation of who you are?

The best way is to take a comprehensive digital asset inventory.

A digital asset inventory is a great way for you to take a detailed look at each item that represents you online and to evaluate it for its current strengths and shortcomings, for things that should be changed and for ways it might be enhanced to better represent your intentions and capabilities.

Begin by making a list of each digital asset that is currently used to represent you online. Digital assets include: social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, etc.), pictures, logos, videos, websites, head shots, brochures, marketing materials and any other item that helps to convey your digital brand.

Next, quickly list the first three words that come to mind to describe your first impression with each of those assets. Are the words that came to mind the same words you would hope to have someone

SMIRK VS. SMILE Vanessa Van Edwards, Chief behavioral investigator and founder of The Science of People human behavior research lab says: “Stop the smirk! One of the most common mistakes I see in profile pictures is the onesided smile, otherwise known as a smirk. The problem with smirking is that it’s the universal facial expression for contempt, which means hatred or disdain. If your profile picture shows a smirk, you’re nonverbally telling people you don’t want them to connect with you! Notice the difference in the photos below.”

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If you have a picture of you with a smirk (or half smile) and are angled away from the camera, the impression you give is that you are addressing them with contempt and are blocking or distancing yourself from them or perhaps being deceptive. Definitely not the vibe that you would want a potential client to pick up from your profile!

And please, leave the “girls night out” or fishing trip pictures for your Facebook timeline. Those pictures don’t belong as your profile picture on a professional site.

You would then work your way through each of your digital assets, evaluating each one in a similar manner. Once you know what specific digital assets aren’t making the first impression you would like it to, you can work through updating each one by removing the components that don’t convey you authentically and adding the photos, videos and content that will more accurately represent you and make a first impression you can be proud of.

If you are interested in learning more about how to evaluate and improve your digital first impression, I’d love to help. I’m a Certified Body Language Trainer and Non-Verbal skills expert, and I love helping people master their first impressions, increase their influence and communicate with confidence. You can reach me at lisa@powerbodylanguage.com or on Twitter @powernonverbals.

“

AS HUMANS, WE LOVE SEEING GENUINE HAPPINESS ON OTHERS, SO THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS OR REFLECT ON A GREAT EXPERIENCE TO BRING OUT REAL HAPPINESS IN YOUR PHOTOS.

“

think of when they meet you online? If not, it’s time to make some changes!

For instance, if you would want a potential client who found your profile on LinkedIn to immediately think of you as credible, trustworthy and professional, you would need to have a professional headshot of you looking straight forward into the camera and would want to make sure you have a genuine smile on your face to show warmth and openness.

FAKE SMILE VS. GENUINE SMILE Van Edwards goes on to say: “Another common issue with profile pictures is the fake smile. A fake smile is when the smile doesn’t fully reach up into the eyes (the sign of genuine happiness). As humans, we love seeing genuine happiness on others, so think happy thoughts or reflect on a great experience to bring out real happiness in your photos.”

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Craig Spencer, owner, checks out the patio furniture

contributes Main Street’s success to his staff.

“They have been extremely supportive in all of the challenges we have been faced with in this last year,” Spencer says.

Craig Spencer raised his family in Center Grove, still resides here and has been in the restaurant business for 30+ years. That didn’t stop him from venturing east when he saw potential in an established restaurant, Greenwood’s Main St. Grille.

of his product to using quality products and recipes. The Grille makes their own dough, sausage and sauce. He purchases quality ingredients and firewood from local sources.

Spencer is a big believer in supporting local fellow businesses in our community.

The family-friendly restaurant on the southwest corner of Main and Emerson had an established customer base but lacked unique features to draw people from around our communities. After purchasing the restaurant, Spencer enhanced the patio.

He made it more spacious, added new, comfortable seats and a large custom awning.

He believes that adding the wood fired pizza to the Main Street Grille’s established menu that consists of a wide variety of unique starters, homemade soups, salads, entrees and sandwiches will give every customer an even better selection. Although it does make the process of selection a bit harder because everything is great – just look at the reviews.

Spencer’s vision prior to his purchase was introducing a high-quality pizza to the menu.

After months of planning and preparation, it has arrived. The wood fired pizza oven gives the pizza a unique flavor that cannot be achieved with other cooking methods.

Spencer also believes in helping and supporting local craft beer makers. Taxman, Sun King and Mashcraft have managed to be a staple on his draft system. He rotates others Spencer would like the Center Grove and such as Scarlet Lane, Hoosier Brewing, surrounding communities to know there is Quaffon and others. another place to get a great dining experience waiting at Emerson and Main. He promises He just lapped his one year of ownership and it’s worth the drive.

Spencer also attributes the fantastic flavors

 REVIEW - TRIP ADVISOR “GREAT FOOD AND SERVICE! WILL COME HERE AGAIN WHEN BACK IN TOWN!! OWNER WAS TALKING TO ALL CUSTOMERS PERSONALLY TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS GOOD.”

Now that they have created their new identity in the market, he believes 2016 will be very rewarding. “We plan to focus on what we do best, delivering a great product with great service in a clean facility in a very warm and welcoming atmosphere,” said Spencer.

Variety extends beyond food and beverages.

If you’re an NFL fan, stop in on a Sunday, enjoy NFL Sunday Ticket and ask for your favorite team to be shown on one of the TVs in the pub. They might even tune it to the Patriots, if you dare.

 REVIEW - YELP “I’VE BEEN TO ITALY A FEW TIMES, AND THIS IS AS CLOSE AS I’VE HAD TO AUTHENTIC ITALIAN THIN CRUST PIZZA WHERE IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FRESHNESS OF THE INGREDIENTS.” - SHARON B

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 21

Shop, Wrap & Deliver

SKILLMAN’S CLOTHE-A-CHILD PROGRAM Writer / Joyce Long . Photographer / Chris Williams

22 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

E

ach year, Santa’s elves invade Greenwood the first week of December. Volunteers, assisted by Ray Skillman Auto Group employees, shop and wrap clothing items for families of 1,100 children throughout Central Indiana. Volunteer Amy Estabrook, a special education teacher at Clark Pleasant Intermediate School, coordinates this annual Clothe-A-Child project and works with school counselors to identify recipients.

A majority of Skillman’s 980 employees donate through automatic payroll deduction, which this year raised $188,000, an amount Ray matches.

Estabrook emphasizes that every penny donated goes to the children. The company pays for expenses, which totals approximately $700, and includes administrative items such as folders, labels, gift wrap, boxes, tape and transportation.

Since it began in the early 1900s, Clothe-A-Child has grown into a massive volunteer effort and event. Ashley Haltom, Skillman’s Internet sales manager explained, “Years ago, we started to help a few families in our community since it had been so good to us. We saw the need was expanding, so the program grew to include families outside of Greenwood.”

1,100 NEEDS MET

This year’s allocation was $160 per child, and volunteer shoppers received a folder for each child detailing sizes for two outfits, a coat, gym shoes and socks. A toy was also included. The Greenwood Kohl’s store, which offered discounts, allocated four cash registers for Skillman shoppers during the 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. buying spree December 1-3.

Significantly discounted coats were purchased from JCPenney.

A majority of the shoppers include Skillman employees, but a few schools send classes and faculty to help. For the past 15 years, Lutheran High School’s senior class spends three days volunteering.

Extended Learning classes from North Grove and Center Grove Elementary Schools also help. Rosa Parks Elementary literally sends Santa’s helpers as their fifth grade and kindergarten class buddies dress up as elves and work in pairs. To protect confidentiality, volunteer students are never given children’s folders from their school.

Children chosen to receive these gifts attend 50 different schools including various Indianapolis Public Schools. atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 23

They also include entire corporations such as Greenwood, Center Grove, Clark Pleasant and Franklin Township. Perry Township’s Southport Middle School, Glenns Valley Elementary and Jeremiah Gray Elementary also participate.

Clothe-A-Child’s outreach extends to Martinsville Schools along with PALS from the Indianapolis Police Department and Community Caring and Sharing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization serving the Mars Hill area in Decatur and Wayne Townships.

ELVES AT WORK

Estabrook’s annual Clothe-A-Child challenge is having enough help for such a massive undertaking. “I always wonder if we will have enough volunteers to do the shopping and wrapping since this is a word-of-mouth project, but every year it works out.”

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She appreciates ongoing help from groups such as Roncalli High School’s softball team that assists each year.

School where his wife Becky taught eighth grade social studies.

From those first 20 students helped to After the gifts are purchased each day, they the current 1,100, local generosity keeps are delivered by 2 p.m. to Ray Skillman’s Greenwood’s elves busy during the first personal car museum located near Skillman’s week of December.

Greenwood Ford Dealership. The afternoon and evening elf shifts take over. Groups such as faculty and administrators from Clark Pleasant Intermediate School often enjoy working together to wrap gifts.

Skillman drivers then deliver bags full of wrapped gifts to the schools where these are given to families of the children. “When the gifts are handed out, there is no note in the bag saying they’re from Ray Skillman Auto Group. We encourage parents to put these gifts under the tree marked from them and/or Santa,” said Estabrook.

In her four years of coordinating Clothe-A-Child, Estabrook, whose husband is employed by Ray Skillman Auto Group as a finance manager, remembers many poignant moments.

One time while in the Greenwood Kohl’s store, a man handed Estabrook $20 to help with Clothe-A-Child.

Sometimes moments are even more dramatic. Last year, the night before Thanksgiving, the Estabrooks — Amy, her husband BobbyLee and daughter Ashlynn — were shopping for children’s coats in Greenwood. Usually, there are plenty, but the sizes needed weren’t there. At 8:45 p.m., they walked into the Plainfield JCPenney and voila! Coats were found, and a new liaison was formed.

Much has changed since Clothe-AChild began over 20 years ago when a few managers from the Ray Skillman Auto Group decided employees should purchase basic needs for area children in lieu of an in-house employee gift exchange. Retired sales representative Wayne Ramsey remembers enlisting the help of consumer science teacher Karen Begley of Greenwood Middle

Joyce Long has called Center Grove home since 1987. She has taught language arts at Greenwood Middle School and coordinated marketing for Mount Pleasant Christian Church and communications for Center for Global Impact. Currently Joyce enjoys freelance writing and co-leading Heartland Christian Writers.

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SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE SPECTACULAR A STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS

Writer / Tonja Talley . Photos Provided

“A feast for the eyes and ears. ‘Spectacular’ is unquestionably the best word to describe the program,” said Melody Milstead. “I stop short of saying last year’s performance reminded me of a Broadway theater production. The show embraced the elements of the room and talent using high-level sound, lighting and theatrics that were exceptional.”

A must-see for the whole family, few celebrations during this festive time warm the heart and prepare the soul for Christmas more than Grace Assembly of God’s “Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular.”

From the well-loved lines of the Christmas story recorded in Luke’s gospel to a real live upbeat Christmas parade, this year’s Spectacular promises to be like a storybook Christmas in music.

THE LIVING TREE

Amongst the parade and pageantry of the Spectacular stands the centerpiece of the extravaganza, a living Christmas tree. The adult choir sings the music from the eight tiers that make up the 25-foot tree. Built by the men of Grace Assembly, the specifications allow the tree’s structure to support 75 singers, accompanied by their worship band. Wooden platforms mounted to a steel structure supports the singers through each of the three performances.

Once built, the root structure receives its “branches.” A committee

of women attach greenery to sections of chicken wire. Turned perpendicular, these segments attach to the front of each tier. The 3-D structure now gives the appearance of an evergreen Christmas tree, while the singers resemble the tree’s ornaments. The final decorative touches include lights, ribbon swags, poinsettias and the star.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

“We couldn’t do the Spectacular without the many volunteers and staff that are excellent in their crafts,” said media director David Jones. “The production and media teams consists of 20 people, working on audio, lighting, video, stage, photographers, graphic design and social media.”

Planning for the production takes hundreds of hours in prep time.

The media crew has to be thoughtful about the programming of lights and video to coincide with the choir and live band, which brings a new element to the stage for 2015. By October, the finalized plans pass to the video team who work on creating the video elements for the 20’ x 60’ video wall.

Starting Monday of the show, the teams rely on their planning specs to simplify the programming process as they have under 72 hours to get it correct. Those details include hanging and programming all 50+ intelligent light fixtures and snow machines with the confetti cannons, haze, video wall and all of the audio programming. “Once

26 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

we put the whole puzzle together with all the lights, the videos on the 20’ x 60’ video wall, the main choir, the kid’s choir and the audience’s reaction…it is so worth it,” said David.

THE PROGRAM

Selecting the production’s musical arrangements, choir director Traci Murray desires fun, joyful and upbeat songs, which tell a story, lift the spirits or give hope to the heart. The 2015 song list highlights a wide array of traditional and contemporary Christmas tunes. One such fun and upbeat melody sure to delight the audience comes from the beloved 1954 Christmas movie “White Christmas,” entitled “Snow.” Another dramatic number shows the choirs, a string quartet and music director Steve Sherwood accompanied on the piano to their rendition of Leonard Cohan’s “Hallelujah.”

“We are always adding new ideas to the program, all along keeping with our traditions,” said Traci.

choir, children’s choir and instrumentalists. Fill the senses with the wonder of that star-studded night in Bethlehem during the live nativity pageant, and for the finale, tap your toes to the march of the Christmas parade with Olaf, Gingerbread, Woody, Santa Claus and more.

Assembly recommends arriving when the doors open. Before the performance, join the cast in the hub area. Warm refreshments and Christmas treats will be served for a minimal cost. No seat reservations accepted.

DEC. 11-13 6 p.m.: doors open; 7 p.m.: performance Grace Assembly of God 6822 N. US 31 (Pushville Road), New Whiteland 317-535-5640 graceassembly.org

For 14 years, it has been the pleasure of Grace Assembly to bring something to everyone in the family through the Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular. They invite you and your family or friends to experience this iconic event. Admission is free. Childcare is also available at no charge, infant through 5 years of age.

Come and be entertained by the singing Christmas tree adult

Tonja Talley has called Center Grove home since 1993. An 11-year bi-lateral lung transplant survivor, Tonja enjoys speaking on behalf of the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization. She also volunteers for the CF Foundation, byTavi and her church.

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Museum Director David Pfeiffer and Genealogy Librarian Linda Talley

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS at the Johnson County Museum

28 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

Writer / Frieda Dowler Photographer / Forrest Mellott

The holiday season is here with plenty of fun-filled activities, and choosing where you can experience favorite traditions is important for making the most of your holidays.

The Johnson County Museum might be a place where you can experience some of those traditions as you step inside a magical winter wonderland at this unexpected and uncrowded close to home destination.

The beautifully decorated museum will host the Dec-A-Tree event November 24 through December 30, Santa December 5 and 12, and a Holiday Open House with a Christmas choral concert December 19.

For 20 years, the museum has presented interactive programs for county residents, keeping the history of Christmas a part of the present.

These free events are filled with trees, lights, decorations, benevolence, Santa Claus, music and food. Give your family the gift of renewing Christmas memories or making new memories by bringing them to the museum during this holiday season at 135 N. Main St., Franklin.

FOOD FOR DECORATING

The decorating theme at the museum this year is gingerbread. The making of gingerbread dates back to the Middle Ages when monks developed a recipe based on fabulous spices and ingredients imported from the exotic Far East. When looking into the tradition of gingerbread, one can only imagine what might be waiting.

Gingerbread was reserved for special occasions and celebrations in its beginning.

At that time, only professional gingerbread bakers were permitted to make gingerbread except at Christmas and Easter when anyone was allowed to make it, popularizing it during these times. Gingerbread can be of a soft variety like cake or pudding or of a hard variety like that used for gingerbread men or gingerbread houses. With all of the imaginative ways to decorate gingerbread, the decorations are sure to bring back a childhood memory.

DEC-A-TREE

David Pfeiffer, Director of the museum, says the Dec-A-Tree event kicks off the season November 24 and runs through December 30. Fifteen nonprofit organizations, such as booster clubs and other less prominent groups, start

decorating their trees November 19.

Their goal is to bring awareness to their organization as they help create a snowy, enchanting Christmas scene with their decorated tree along a winding path.

For a holiday visual sensation, stroll

through this second-floor display during the museum’s open hours, Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Come participate in voting for your favorite tree. Another goal of these organizations is to be a recipient of the museum’s benevolence.

BENEVOLENCE

P

r i v a t e

B

Charitable giving is a big part of the season, and the Johnson County Museum wants you to be a part of deciding who receives their benevolence. The museum is responsible for the distribution of the Williams Endowment for exhibits and programs from the late Elmon Williams, Greenwood attorney and his wife Lucile.

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After walking along the tree-lined path of the Dec-A-Tree display, visitors are asked to vote for the most captivating tree. To vote, drop your ticket into the ballot box marked with the tree number. The organization whose tree accumulates the most votes will be awarded $200 with the second highest number of votes awarded $100. A third prize, judge’s choice, will also receive $100.

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SANTA

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A true-to-life Santa will be present at the museum December 5 from 1:304:30 p.m. and December 12 from 12-3 p.m. He will be waiting to hear children’s requests for Christmas gifts at the end of the winding, tree-lined path of the Dec-A-Tree display on the second floor. The children will receive a peppermint candy cane from Santa, which holds its own lore from Christendom and Saint Nicolas Day. Both origins include appeasing children which continues today. A photographer will be available to take photos, one free per family, for those willing to wait 15 minutes for the photo to be processed.

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Santa, a portly, joyous, white-bearded man dressed in a red and white suit became a part of the Christmas celebration in America due to popular

30 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

literature and music that reinvented European folklore. Urban legend even suggests that the Coca-Cola Co. invented the red and white suit to coincide with their colors during a 1930s advertising campaign. Whatever your beliefs may be, Santa is undeniably a part of Christmas and welcomed by the museum as keepers of history.

On December 5, Santa will leave the museum to ride in the Holiday Parade and Lighting Ceremony hosted by Franklin Parks and Recreation as a part of the town’s celebration beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Winter Market that day at First Presbyterian Church with crafters, artists and other vendors will also add motive to join the festivities.

MUSIC AND FOOD

The sounds of Christmas will fill the air throughout the museum December 19 from 1-3 p.m. with a choral concert performed by The Voices, a community choir. The first floor will play host to this 55-member choir, directed by John Richardson, owner of Mallow Run Winery, and Anne Sanders, former choir director at Perry Meridian High School.

Jackie McNeelan will be the piano David Pfeiffer expects 1,500 visitors during accompaniment for this group which began the month of December. Hosting these practicing right after Labor Day. events takes a big effort for the two fulltime and four part-time staff members and a host of volunteers who believe in the Music evokes emotions as it helps importance of preserving history. recall memories, touching our souls in unforgettable ways. If you doubt that, hum a verse of “White Christmas” in July and Purchasing a membership at the Johnson you will shiver, or “Santa Claus is Comin’ to County Historical Society or an item from Town” and you will behave. Listening to a the museum gift shop might be a great gift choir of 55 well-practiced volunteers is sure idea for someone this Christmas. With a to stir memories of Christmases past, make membership ($10 for students, $20 for memories of Christmas present and create individuals, $35 per family), you will also joyous anticipation for Christmas future. receive a quarterly newsletter and a discount at the gift shop.

The museum will also provide cookies and their almost famous Holiday Punch fondly An important part of preserving history named Museum Champagne, a secret at the Johnson County Museum is so the nonalcoholic recipe, based on white grape public can experience these interactive juice during the break between the two sets events, not only for education but also for that the choir will perform. nostalgia as we fondly remember the way things used to be.

KEEPERS OF HISTORY AND TRADITION

The mission of the nonprofit Johnson County museum, an educational institution, is to collect, preserve, interpret and promote the material culture and history of this region. Museum director

Frieda Dowler is co-owner of The Color Café with husband Bruce.

She is a longtime Johnson County resident, freelance writer and author.

Her third book, “Heaven Bound in a Hollywood World,” was published earlier this year. Friedadowlerbooks.com

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 31

Don't Let the

pass you by Holiday happenings in Central Indiana will keep your December full of cheer!

Writer / Katie Burrell . Photos Provided

If you’re looking for some holiday fun, this list will get you started. Start a Christmas tradition, dress up and get out of the house, or give the family some fun without tapping into the gift fund.

If you love Christmas carols & classic holiday entertainment Yuletide Celebration

IPL Yuletide Celebration returns to the Hilbert Circle Theatre stage once again with beloved host Sandi Patty as she joins Jack Everly, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and a cast of Broadway’s best singers and dancers to celebrate 30 years of being Indiana’s greatest holiday tradition.

You’ll hear a little “Let it Go,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “All I Want for Christmas is You” and more! Tickets begin at $36 for adults and $20 for children. For more information and to reserve your tickets, visit indianapolissymphony.org.

5th Annual Brown County Christmas Sing-Along December 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Brown County Inn located at 51 State Road 46 East This hometown original will take you and your family through your favorite holiday classics, led by Kara, Chuck and Cari. Enjoy songs, laughter, prizes and silly fun! Cost

to attend is $18. For more information, call 812-988-2291.

If you're looking for lights

Get in the holiday spirit with the whole family. Greenwood and the Southside area hosts plenty of impressive light displays listed below (based on 2014 light displays). * 4743 Ferguson Rd., Indianapolis (southeast) – enchanted forest 015 Blackwood Ct., Indianapolis * 4(southeast) – synchronized light display 7301 S. Franklin Rd., Indianapolis * (southeast) – synchronized light display 154 Fendler Dr., Indianapolis * 8(southeast) – synchronized light display 8152 Lynn Dr., Indianapolis (southeast) * The Historic Artcraft Theater shows – Music and light display classic holiday movies for all ages 405 Tulip Dr., Indianapolis, (south) – * 2watch Franklin’s Historic Artcraft Theater is a Santa and his sleigh fly over the roof novelty in itself, but when you can find 3118 McIntosh Dr., Bargersville – music * and lights Cousin Eddie’s trailer parked outside the Franklin landmark, you know it’s Christmas.

Easton Point Dr., Greenwood * 1223 Purchase tickets in advance to be sure you’ll 51 S. Middle St., Greenwood – if you * visit one light display this year, make attend a showing of “Christmas Vacation,” “White Christmas” or “A Christmas Story.” this it! Santa visits, so be sure to watch Cost is $5 for adults; $4 for military, for details. college students and seniors (55+); and oodside Children’s Center located * W $3 for children 12 and under. Holiday at 3366 Fairview Rd., Greenwood – movies sell out quickly, so be sure to synchronized light display purchase your tickets in advance by visiting 010 Royal Oaks Ct., Greenwood – The * 1Grinch historicartcrafttheatre.org.

House 485 Grey Oak Ln., Greenwood – just * one of the show-stoppers in the Oak Meadows neighborhood 993 Darlene Dr., Greenwood – * 5synchronized display with songs from “Frozen” And, if you’re looking for a display that’s worth the drive… eynolds Farm Supply located at 12501 * R Reynolds Dr., Fishers

continued on page 44

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Owners Tauria and David Catlin. Tauria acts as the curator of art, David fills the role of production coordinator.

CANDLES LIGHT THE WAY MIDDLE DAVIDS ARTISAN CANDLES HOBBY TURNS HELPFUL

work and living life. They pastor a small house The business was born from a hobby 40 years church in Franklin, so as the need for income Writer / Frieda Dowler . Photographer / Chris Williams grew, so did their business of candle making. ago in Arthur’s basement in the Chicago In 2009, they opened Middle Davids Artisan area as he filled a need with his candle Middle Davids Artisan Candles shop might Candles marked by a red and white striped making abilities. He helped kids from his have been named David and Son Artisan church go on a mission trip with a fundraiser awning in the Wigwam Building at 152 E. Candles, but it wouldn’t sound as unique, and using the candles. He believed these trips Jefferson St., Franklin. a shop so interesting deserves a catchy name. for kids would be a life changer, but their CANDLE MAKING involvement with generating the funds Owner Dan Catlin’s middle name is David, From the beginning, the goal was to create would add value to the trip’s experience. same as his father Arthur’s middle name, a quality candle product from a renewable hence the name Middle Davids. Both have resource. The wax is from soy, a local and Dan and his wife Tauria met at the Naval become middlemen providing fundraising sustainable crop, and the wicks are cotton, Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, not opportunities with their candles for kids also from a sustainable resource. They use realizing they were only 50 miles apart while desiring to go on school or church trips but growing up in the Chicago area. After their premium fragrances and essential oils from who can’t afford the cost. Arthur is a retired stint with the Navy in Rhode Island and an Indiana fragrance company and a highpastor and son Dan is an active pastor. You quality glass, also reusable so they give a corporate jobs in Chicago and Indianapolis, could also say both are middlemen for they ventured into entrepreneurship in 2007, store credit for returning the jar that the helping people get to know God. desiring to pursue their ideals of intermingling candles come in.

34 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

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They make each candle by hand, not a machine. Jars are lined up on a large wooden surface; a wooden stay holds wicks upright across the top of the jar, and scented hot wax is poured carefully into each jar.

“We’re all about doing the right thing, not necessarily the easy thing,” says Dan as the production coordinator.

“Our fundraisers make more money per item for the student than other fundraisers, and we deliver a quality product that people will use,” Dan says. He states the popularity of candles but points to the uniqueness of theirs. “They are 100 percent made in the USA, have a custom label and are priced the same or less than the big name candle companies.” Their most popular candle this season is Autumn Harvest.

During two weeks in September, they made 4,000 candles for fundraisers including church mission trips, school bands and

A gift box is always included. choirs and Washington, D.C., trips for middle schoolers. Not every season is this busy which caused them to consider carrying Tauria, a weaver, skillfully turns bamboo yarn into beautiful scarves. During slower art as an additional stream of income. times in the shop, you can find her in the THE ADDED VALUE OF QUALITY ART front of the store working on her loom.

Moving into their storefront in 2009 When Dan and Tauria opened their allowed them to have a retail center. They sought independent artists to represent with storefront in Franklin, they desired to become a part of a community where they one-of-a-kind items that you won’t find in could safely raise their three daughters, bike big box stores. to work and know people in the area. They aspire to live in a way that makes getting As curator of the art, Tauria seeks variety from the artists. In their tiny shop, they up each day worth it and to know they are represent 30 artists with a variety of art: contributing to others in a positive way. pottery, jewelry, paintings, fabric, wood, paper and glass to name a few. All the “For centuries, candles have been a source artists are from the U.S. with 61 percent of light, and our goal is not only to share the from Indiana and 30 percent of those from candles that we create but also to add a little Johnson County. You’ll always find a unique light to our community,” Dan says. gift item for someone special, and if you can’t find exactly what you want, most of the You can learn more about their products at artists are willing to customize something. middledavids.com.

36 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

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A SURE SIGN OF THE GIVING SEASON: SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING Like twinkling lights and joyful carols, it simply wouldn’t be Christmas without the familiar ringing of The Salvation Army bells. For six weeks each fall, The Salvation Army asks the public to remember their neighbors in need by dropping spare dimes and dollars in its iconic red kettles.

These donations help fund programs and services long after the Christmas trees come down and the last of the snow has melted. From after school programs and summer camp to food pantries and utility assistance, The Salvation Army serves tens of thousands of men, women and children in central Indiana.

One of these individuals was Phyllis, who is rebuilding her life at the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center, located on The Salvation Army campus in the heart of downtown Indianapolis dubbed the “Block of Hope.”

Phyllis has no illusions about how dire her situation had gotten. “If I’d sat out there another day, I’d be gone,” she shares, shaking her head at the memory of her last days on the street. Phyllis had been homeless and living at a local bus station, suffering from hyperglycemia because she didn’t have access to medications to treat her diabetes. She weighed only 86 pounds and had stopped eating when she

walked through the doors of the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center.

Phyllis was immediately admitted, given food and looked over by a doctor. It wasn’t long before she was back on her medication and sharing her harrowing tale with the shelter staff, which included the sudden death of her husband from brain cancer and the loss of her house. She’d always been taken care of as a wife and didn’t know how to seek employment, handle personal finances or get the psychological care she needed to deal with the loss of her husband.

“This is a place where you can get help,” Phyllis smiles as she gestures at the walls of her new home at the Women and Children’s Center. “They’re helping me through things. I’ve never been homeless before, and it’s really hard. They have a lot of options here. I’m grateful for it because it’s getting me on my feet.”

Phyllis is now tackling a list of goals, both large and small. From getting her body healthy again to finding employment and saving money for her own apartment, she works every day to get closer to independence. That work includes weekly meetings with her case manager and social worker, sessions with a psychiatrist, money management classes and a new job at a

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After just two months, Phyllis already looks like a different woman. She proudly tells anyone she meets that she’s up to 120 pounds and has her diabetes under control.

While Phyllis will sheepishly admit that she still isn’t “street smart,” she’s learning how to make smart decisions for her future.

“They set you up for success – that’s what they do,” Phyllis explains. “I give thanks to The Salvation Army. I thank God every morning that I’m here.”

So when you drop a quarter in a red kettle this month or search out the clear ringing of a bell in a crowded shopping mall, remember the thousands of Hoosiers like Phyllis who know The Salvation Army is more than a red kettle at Christmas. It’s hope for tomorrow.

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Director of Johnson County Department of Planning & Zoning (right) and planner Desiree Calderella (left)

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF CENTER GROVE Writer / Alaina Sullivan Photographer / Forrest Mellott

The growth of a successful community is more than just physical expansion. It takes work, thought and effort, as well as planning for the future. That plan needs to give the community direction to keep it growing and thriving. Most cities and towns have extensive plans to ensure just that.

Unincorporated areas, however, present a whole other challenge.

Center Grove is an area that presents one of those challenges. According to David Hittle, Director of Johnson County Department of Planning and Zoning, Center Grove is the most highly populated area in Indiana without a special land use overlay.

Approximately 25,000 residents live in Center Grove, but the majority of this land is unincorporated.

This is not to say that Center Grove is not quickly growing. These areas have been developed largely by the market and developers, Hittle said, and the looselywritten plan that is in place gives precious little guidance on what to put there.

Needless to say, a plan is long overdue.

IT’S NOT ABOUT BECOMING A TOWN The goal of this project is not to advocate for Center Grove as a town but rather to grow the unincorporated community of Johnson County and see it thrive. “It’s really rare for an unincorporated area [this heavily populated] to never become incorporated,” said Hittle.

The first step, said Hittle, is to identify the critical areas. Critical areas are those corridors, tracts, intersections or other definable places that present challenges or opportunities for development and land use, today or in the future.

The Department of Zoning and Planning intends to start through the voice of the community. Approval was given for a steering committee to be created to discuss critical areas and possible plans for the future. The steering committee is composed of representatives from area neighborhoods, businesses, schools, developers and a general representative cross-section of people in Center Grove.

This initial step will be a fluid process and not necessarily a lengthy one, Hittle said.

They do not anticipate walking away with a full course comprehensive plan. That will come later.

“We are just fixing the future landuse map and establishing these critical areas,” said Hittle. “I am also expecting people to take these issues back to their families and coworkers and will want to introduce other ideas.”

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 41

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INITIAL IDEAS

One of these ideas involves a trails plan for Johnson County. The committee considers trails to be a great amenity to improve people’s quality of life. One task will be to look for gaps in the existing sidewalk networks to fill in order to enhance the length of a trail. The steering committee will look closely at where these trails would best fit.

The steering committee will meet monthly for right now as Hittle anticipates the group dividing into specific sub-committees.

Hittle walked away from this first meeting encouraged and excited to move ahead.

“I think there is a thirst among people for community,” said Hittle. “I think if we get a critical mass of people out, they will see that they have a direct impact on the decisions that will be made in the next 2530 years.”

“Priority routes will be established as there are opportunities to look for federal money. We will have already established the best bang for your buck to build trails,” said Hittle.

One obvious critical area involves the region of State Road 37 where construction of Interstate 69 is still an option being discussed by another group. Discussions are whether that area should be zoned for commercial development or left as farmland.

However, the goal is not to make any decisions just yet. That is not the only critical point being examined.

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“It is not really about us deciding what a place should be,” said Hittle.

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The initial steering committee meeting was held October 20 where the entire committee was divided into four groups, given maps of the unincorporated areas of Johnson County and asked to identify critical areas in the township where there are planning issues, the good and the bad.

“It went very well. I think we put out maybe 17 invitations, and we had about 20 people in total come,” said Hittle. “It was a good crosssection of people that live in White River Township. The feedback from everybody was very positive. They were very engaged and excited by the process.”

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continued from page 32 - Don't Let the most wonderful time of the year pass you by into bigger-than-life scenes. On weekends, you can visit Santa Claus in the clubhouse cabin, purchase cookies and hot chocolate to benefit the local schools and snap a photo with the man himself. Think of it as a quick trip to the North Pole. Hours are 6-9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Santa visits on weekends only. Cost is $8 per car.

If you want to have breakfast with Santa!

Saturday, December 12 You have plenty of options to eat breakfast with Santa Saturday, December 12. Make it a breakfast tour or choose one:

Make it a night on the town!

Visit Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. Grab a cup of hot cocoa from South Bend Chocolate Company and let your kids mail their letters to Santa in the mailbox located on the circle. He/she will even get a letter back! Just be sure to include your return address.

If you love that small town, traditional feeling Cookie Stroll and Winter Market in Downtown Martinsville

December 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entertainment and activities for all ages throughout the historic downtown district, live music, carolers and more. Cookie Passports ($10) are required to collect home baked cookies at each stop. FREE admission. Info: 765-346-5611.

from 3-5 p.m. Don’t worry, he’s bringing Mrs. Claus and his reindeer too! This is a FREE event. Craft and food vendors and games will be available from 1-5 p.m. For more information, contact Lynne Hess at lhess@ townofbargersville.org or 317-422-3126.

Greenwood Community Center

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100 Surina Way, Greenwood Santa Claus is coming to town to have breakfast with you and your child. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit, juice, milk and coffee from Bob Evans. Visit with You'll see Santa. You'll see lights. It's Santa and take your own photo or have Proworth the drive to Danville!'

Tek Photography take a professional photo 600 East Main St., 46122 for $3 (two for $5). Space is limited. Please Since its inception in 1996, the Winterland purchase tickets in advance online or at the Light Show in Danville has become a community center. Cost is $4 for members, showstopper for Hendricks County. If you’re $5 for residents and $6 for nonresidents. willing to make the drive, you’ll be able to Information: 317-881-4545. drive through an impressive display of more continued on page 52 than one million lights twisted and molded

Victorian Christmas in Mooresville December 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stroll down the street of downtown Mooresville for its annual Victorian Christmas. You’ll see Scrooge and Santa and have the chance to ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Enjoy live entertainment, delicious food and craft booths!

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CGHS FRONT ROW

BEST BUDDIES BRING A BETTER CGHS Writer / Leigh Lawson . Photographer / Ierlynn Carroll

Many interests and areas of focus for the students of Center Grove High School create small communities within the greater school community. Students may rally behind school teams during the season, but it rarely evolves the culture. With the introduction of the club Best Buddies in 2006, an acceptance of differences and embracing commonalities began to grow in the halls of CGHS. Anthony Shriver founded Best Buddies International in 1989, which has grown globally to approximately 1,900 chapters. The chapters promote friendships and mentorships in middle and high schools, colleges and workplaces between those that face Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and caring volunteers. Best Buddies experience lifelong friendships, develop tangible life skills and become extraordinary examples of leadership and acceptance.

In the inaugural year, the CGHS club started with 20 pairs that consist of one student with IDD challenges and a peer student from the general education population. It has grown to 32 pairs for the current school year with additional associate peers or unpaired peers, bringing the club involvement to 120 students.

There are peer interviews to evaluate the level of interest and commitment and to best pair Best Buddies. The interviews include the Life Skills teacher/advisors and the club’s student officers. Applicants must be willing to commit

to contacting their Buddy at least once a week during the school day and make arrangements for two activities outside of school for the pair.

Senior Jordan Etchison is the current club president. Etchison originally joined the club in search for a place to fit in but soon discovered her passion. She plans to continue participating in Best Buddies after graduation through a college chapter and sees her current friendship as a lifelong friendship. Etchison, along with club officers, meet weekly to plan monthly club events, which become highly anticipated by all involved.

Cathy Ramsey can testify to the rewards of Best Buddies because of witnessing the impact on her daughter Mary. She knows her daughter’s a sweetheart, and through the club, others are now witnessing it. The club has given Mary the opportunity to socialize and become outgoing and genuinely happy. IDD students often feel isolated. Best Buddies gives them an application to the life skills taught during school, such as communication and social skills. Ramsey tells of many students coming out of their shells and finding joy through friendships. Her dedication extends to being the CGHS parent liaison to Best Buddies of Indiana.

The club’s purpose of understanding differences and embracing what is common has spread throughout CGHS. The general education population receives an introduction to IDD students through the peers, while IDD

students gain confidence. Life Skills teachers have noticed how all of the students have become more accepting of each other with the help of the club.

The interactions of her students with the other students sometimes surprises Life Skills teacher Sue Larmore. The general education students witness the friendships forged in the club and the passion of the peers for the club.

In turn, inclusiveness for all and unifying of the student body is occurring through the celebration of everyone’s unique gifts.

Everyone in CGHS Best Buddies invests emotionally because they know the great difference it makes in the lives of those directly and indirectly involved. They witness a withdrawn student blossom into an outgoing student full of joy. It is a club ministering to a need through social interaction.

While fundraising is limited, there is a need to help host the monthly activities. The club accepts donations, made through the school by inquiring from the Life Skills faculty. The donations support club activities and assist in cultural change of acceptance and unity.

Leigh and her husband, Mike, have called Center Grove their home for 14 years. They chose Center Grove as the ideal place to raise their two children, Eric and Julia. She is an active member of Mount Pleasant Christian Church where she writes an online Bible study.

46 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

Home for a Hoosier Holiday Writer & Photographer / Julie Yates

The Christmas season is a time when hearts and houses are filled to the brim with love and memories.

Family members, whether they are college students home for semester break or others living miles away, are welcomed home to celebrate. A special meal with dishes that are not served at any other time of the year adds to the nostalgia. Traditional Hoosier fare is sure to bring back reminiscences for anyone who grew up in Indiana as well as start new ones for those who have recently moved to the Midwest. Enjoy these Christmas recipes with those you love!

At one time, Indiana was a leading producer of sorghum before honey and sugar became the sweetener of choice. It is found on the ingredient list of many a passed down Hoosier recipe and plays off nicely against the saltiness of a locally raised Christmas ham.

SORGHUM MUSTARD GLAZED HAM ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

INGREDIENTS A cured ham that is large enough to yield ½ pound serving per person, 1 cup sorghum (or maple syrup), 1 cup Dijon mustard, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary and ¼ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes.

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350. Roast 15 minutes per pound. Pour glaze on during the last hour of cooking.

SUGAR CREAM PIE ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

INGREDIENTS Prebaked single crust pastry shell, 1 cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, 2 cups 2% milk, ½ cup butter cubed, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 375. In a pan, mix sugar with cornstarch, then add milk and stir until smooth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook 2 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into pie crust and sprinkle top with cinnamon. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until browned.

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 47

Every family seems to have their favorite recipe for these two Midwestern holiday side dishes. This green bean casserole recipe is the 1955 version developed by the Campbell Soup Company.

The sweet potato dish also has its roots in the 1950s when mini marshmallows became available and trendy. Both can be made ahead of time and popped into the oven a half-hour before serving.

When there was a huge crowd to feed, Grandma brought out canned apple butter and corn relish to complement her traditional Indiana fried biscuits. However, these recipes have a modern twist. The apple butter is made with a crockpot, and the corn relish is prepared using a microwave. Either one makes a great hostess gift when spooned into a jar and tied with a ribbon.

Because these dishes are not processed, keep them refrigerated and use within a week.

FRIED BISCUITS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

INGREDIENTS (for 12 servings) 4 cups cooked green beans, 1 can condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, ½ cup milk, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, dash pepper and 1 1/3 cups canned fried onions INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350. Mix 2/3 cup of the onions and other ingredients together in 9 x 13 pan. Bake 30 minutes. Top with remaining onions and bake 5 additional minutes.

INGREDIENTS (for 24 biscuits) 1 ½ cups vegetable oil, 2 ½ cups flour, 1 rounded tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 ½ cups milk and 3 tablespoons vinegar INSTRUCTIONS Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Combine wet ingredients and stir in. Roll out on floured surface to ½ inch thickness. Cut into biscuit rounds, then cut each in half. Heat oil to 325. Fry a batch at a time in a covered skillet, three minutes per side.

APPLE BUTTER

SWEET POTATOES

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

INGREDIENTS (8 servings) 4 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes, ¼ cup butter, ¼ cup orange juice, ½ cup miniature marshmallows and dash salt.

INGREDIENTS (5 cups of apple butter) 46 oz. unsweetened applesauce, 2 ½ cups light brown sugar, 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cloves and 1/8 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350. Combine ¼ cup of the marshmallows with the other ingredients. Place in 9 x 13 pan and bake 30 minutes.

Top with remaining marshmallows and bake 5 additional minutes.

INSTRUCTIONS Place all ingredients into crockpot and mix well. Cook covered on high setting for 1 hour. Then set the lid ajar. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 hours until mixture is thickened.

48 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

A traditional homemade Christmas dinner is a special gift that family and friends share together. Regardless of the size of the gathering or the span of the ages, it is an occasion to celebrate the season and our heritage. The opportunity to slow down and linger around the table while sharing family lore and stories cements memories and creates new ones.

Save room for dessert! Nothing says Hoosier tradition more than persimmon pudding and the official Indiana state pie. Frozen pulp from the orange skinned persimmon fruit can be purchased in local specialty grocery stores. A garnish of whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon complements the moist, rich pudding as well as the legendary custard in the sugar cream pie.

PERSIMMON PUDDING ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

INGREDIENTS 1-pint persimmon pulp, 2 cups sugar, 2 beaten eggs, 1 ¾ cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 cup half and a half, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/3 cup melted butter and a dash of cinnamon.

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 325. Combine persimmon, sugar and eggs.

Alternate adding the flour and baking powder with the half-andhalf, buttermilk and baking soda. Stir in butter and cinnamon.

Pour in greased 9 x 13 pan and bake 1 hour.

CORN RELISH ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

INGREDIENTS (3 cups of Corn Relish) 1 (15 oz.) drained can whole kernel corn, ¼ cup vinegar, 1 cup pickle relish, ¼ cup minced onion, ¼ cup diced pimientos, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1½ teaspoons celery salt.

INSTRUCTIONS Mix all ingredients together in a glass casserole dish, cover with wax paper and microwave on high for 10 minutes.

Julie Yates is a former teacher and current food blogger. She enjoys sharing quick, easy, and healthy recipes with people who love to cook. Visit her blogs at yatesyummies.com and orangesandalmonds.com.

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 49

YEAR-END CHARITABLE GIVING TIPS of debt and funds its current programs. Look at the trends in the organization’s finances across several years. CharityWatch.

Many people wait until the end of the year to make special org says not to be swayed by seeing a negative number on one donations to their favorite charitable organization of their choosing. year’s financial statements. Examine the organization’s financial It could be the holiday spirit inspiring a little giving or the desire to statements over several years. take advantage of the tax benefits that come along with writing off a charitable donation. No matter what your motivation may be, be Financial statements can be intimidating. Luckily, sites do exist for sure you donate wisely with the following tips. the sole purpose of determining the financial stability of various nonprofit organizations. Look online for an “Independent Auditor’s RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION Report” (IAR) to see the rating of a specific charity, CharityWatch Be sure that the organization is organized under state law. “A recommends. charitable organization must be both charitable and ‘organized’ under state law,” said Joey Asbury, CPA with Shaub CPA Group.

ALWAYS KEEP A RECORD AND BE CAREFUL WITH “Thus, your donation is only tax-deductible if the group receiving YOUR INFORMATION the donation is organized under state law as a corporation, trust, You cannot claim a charitable deduction if you do not have proof foundation, etc. Donations to individuals or ‘unorganized’ groups of your donation. CharityWatch strongly recommends donors are not tax-deductible.” never give cash donations, and be sure a paper trail and proof of the donation exists. Maintain your security by not freely giving your Asbury said the donation must be to a “qualified done credit card number, and be sure a website is secure before entering organization," a tax code category that includes charitable your credit card number to make a donation. organizations, governmental bodies, war veterans’ organizations, domestic fraternal lodges and cemetery organizations.

However, if you insist on donating via cash donation, Asbury said to ensure you have the proof. “For less than $250, a canceled check Know where your money is going. If the cause of Type 1 diabetes will suffice. For a donation over $250, you must have a letter or research is close to your heart, be sure that the money you are giving receipt from the organization.” to an organization claiming to benefit this type of research actually goes toward that cause. Read up on the charity and research its ratings If you choose to donate in-kind goods to a charitable organization, from sites such as CharityWatch or CharityNavigator. Charities have be sure to keep all of your receipts. ”Don’t forget to keep all of your an obligation to provide information when requested from donors, Goodwill and Salvation Army receipts,” said Asbury. “Non-cash and this information can include where your money is going. Are you contributions are also tax-deductible, but you must have a receipt, paying for general administration or funding a unique program? and you must use a reasonable fair market value for the donation.”

Writer / Alaina Sullivan

CHOOSE AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS FINANCIALLY STABLE Seek out a charity that is financially stable, continually stays out

The moral is do your homework. Charitable donations are rewarding as well as beneficial to your tax return. Just make sure you go about it the right way.

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50 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

DECEMBE

TS R LO C A L E V E N

4 / SANTA TRAIN

Visit the Indiana Rail Road Santa Train in downtown Bargersville.

Train arrives at 3 p.m. Line closes at 5 p.m.

Free Downtown Bargersville bit.ly/bv_santa_train

12-JANUARY / VISIT WITH SANTA

Come get your picture with the man himself! Pictures are free of charge and limited to one per family.

12-3 p.m.

Free Johnson County Museum of History 135 N. Main St., Franklin 317-346-4500 kroush@co.johnson.in.us JohnsonCountyMuseum.org

12 / GREATER GREENWOOD COMMUNITY BAND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The program will showcase some newer arrangements of well-known holiday standards. Then the Band will be

SPONSORED

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joined by a full choir, and the audience will be able to sing along with their holiday favorites. There will also be an appearance by the man in red himself – Santa Claus!

Please join us as we ring in this joyous season.

7 p.m.

Admission is free. A donation of canned goods for Greenwood’s Salvation Army food bank is requested.

Greenwood HS Auditorium 615 W. Smith Valley Rd. 317-363-6747 vhamant@sbcglobal.net greenwoodband.com

Merry Christmas

19 / HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Join us for a Holiday Open House at the museum. The Voices will perform on the first floor, and cookies and punch will also be served. This event is free and open to the public.

1-3 p.m.

Free Johnson County Museum of History 135 N. Main St., Franklin 317-346-4500 kroush@co.johnson.in.us JohnsonCountyMuseum.org

圀䄀刀䴀 圀䤀匀䠀䔀匀 ☀ 䜀伀伀䐀 䌀䠀䔀䔀刀

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 51

from the

CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE!

Dann, Jody, Miranda, Austin & Alyssa Be sure to SUPPORT Local BUSINESSES this holiday season by SHOPPING Local!

continued from page 44 - Don't Let the most wonderful time of the year pass you by Johnson County Public Library website at pageafterpage.org and the Greenwood Public Library website at greenwoodlibrary. us. Registration is required for a number of events.

If you're looking for the true meaning of Christmas

Christmas at Mount Pleasant Christian Church 381 N. Bluff Rd., Greenwood Special Weekend Christmas Services Friday, December 11 at 7 p.m.

Saturday December 12 at 3:45 and 6 p.m.

Sunday December 13 at 9 and 10:45 a.m.

10:45 a.m. service available in Worship Center, Video Venue across the street and live online at live.mpcc.info More details at mpcc.info

Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular Grace Assembly of God 6822 N. US Highway 31, New Whiteland December 11, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.

Franklin Cultural Arts Center 9-11 a.m.

396 Branigin Blvd., Franklin SANTA IS COMING! Starting at 9 a.m., breakfast will be served: pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit, donuts, juice, milk and coffee, and every child gets a picture with Santa!

Must pre-register. Limited space available!

Call 317-346-1192.

photo. Cost for members is $15/family (2 adult max), $5/for 10 and up, $3 for 3-9 years, and 2 and under are FREE. Nonmembers are $6/person and 2 and under are FREE.

If you looking to save a dollar

Local libraries are making the holidays something to remember! Programs for all Baxter YMCA ages are happening at the Johnson County 8-11 a.m.

Public Libraries and Greenwood Public 7900 S. Shelby St., 46217 Library including Silly Safari Reindeer Join Santa for a pancake breakfast sponsored Reserve, Ornament Making, Cocoa

by McDonald’s. Snap a photo with your own and Canvas, Holiday Science activities, personal camera or purchase a professional Christmas story times and more! Visit the

Katie Burrell has been a southsider most of her life. She enjoys being part of a small community in a big city full of life and culture. She is a runner, writer and nature-lover. There is nothing she loves more than a nice, quiet afternoon at home with her husband and two beautiful, energetic sons.

52 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

Winter Words

WORD SEARCH

Creator / Lucy Stravers

Hidden in the puzzle are words that are associated with the winter season. Words may appear in a straight line in any direction.

1. ACCIDENTS

K

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4. BLIZZARD

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5. BOOTS

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8. CHAINS

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9. CHILI SOUP

G

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10. DRIFTING

P

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15. HOT COCOA

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K

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16. ICE SKATING

L

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19. OVERTURN

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20. OUTAGES

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2. ADVISORY 3. BELOW ZERO

6. CABIN FEVER 7. CANCELLATIONS

11. EXTRA BLANKETS 12. FLURRIES 13. FOG 14. FORECAST

17. ICICLES 18. MITTENS

22. PRECIPITATION 23. SCARVES 24. SCHOOL CLOSINGS 25. SHOVELS 26. SLICK ROADS 27. SLOW DOWN 28. SNOWBANKS

29. SNOWFALL

32. SWEATSHIRT

35. TOW TRUCK

38. WARNINGS

30. SNOWMAN

33. TEMPERATURE

36. TRAVEL SAFETY

39. WHITEOUTS

31. SUNSHINE

34. TEN INCHES

37. VISIBILITY

40. WIND CHILL

Lucy Stravers lives in Pella, Iowa, and is the mother-in-law of Dann Veldkamp.

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Give the Gift of Comfort and Joy

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Shelly Long, R.N., Director of Admissions

atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 53

 KATE IN THE MIDDLE

THE RHOTEN CHRISTMAS Writer / Kate Rhoten

Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) has come and gone. In addition, so has the craziness known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These have become traditions for some but not for my family or me. The only reason I shopped on Cyber Monday 2014 was for tickets to the Foo Fighters concert in August 2015.

Traditions sometimes are passed down from generation to generation, or in our case, evolve from something that was done once and then again with the members of the family wanting it to occur each holiday in the future. We have two versions of the Rhoten Christmas tradition celebration. One is the home game; the other is the away game. Both have their positives, neither can be the one favorite.

Everyone chips in, and it runs rather smoothly. There is plenty of space for the kids to play games and hang out while the meal is cooking. After the meal, it is a group effort to clean up. Noah and Zane (Margaret’s oldest son) are on dishwasher duty. After the kitchen is clean, they help Richard load the smoker with meat. Each time we go, Noah looks forward to it.

These are two ways we spend our Christmas. Each is special. We enjoy them both. As you prepare for your Christmas celebration, take a minute to remember your traditions, new or old. Share with your family how they started and why they are important to you. Traditions make your own celebration personal and special. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kate’s nearing mid-life in the middle of America raising her boys with her hubby building their dream one day at a time while feeling like she’s always in the middle of something.

The years we don’t travel to visit my family in Oklahoma, we hunker down as a family of four on Christmas Eve and hang out. We do dinner together and watch the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Many years ago, I made the unfortunate mistake of making homemade enchiladas with chile verde sauce. It is now part of our tradition.

The next morning, we get up, open our gifts and have cinnamon rolls, coffee and juice. It’s a very relaxing start to the day. Later that morning, we travel to my sister-in-law’s home for a family gift exchange and dinner. Each of us brings a dish to share and then eventually find our way to the table to play cards. Later in the evening, we head back home.

The years we travel for Christmas are a different story altogether.

When we visit my aunt, uncle and cousins with their kids, it’s chaotic but in a good way. I have three cousins that are close to my age, Richard, Margaret and John. We haven’t always been in touch on a regular basis, but we did spend many holidays together as young kids.

Now that we are older and have our own families, it’s really cool to hang out. We arrive before Christmas and hang out for a couple of days. Christmas isn’t structured very much. We take care of last minute shopping, play games with the kids and sometimes find our way to a Christmas Eve service.

The experience of Christmas dinner is totally opposite of our at home routine. Richard is part owner of a local chain of BBQ restaurants in Oklahoma City. Once we factor in the number of friends that will join us, the number gets quite large. So holiday dinners are made and enjoyed in one of Richard’s restaurants since it is closed for the day.

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“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

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54 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2015 / atCenterGrove.com

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atCenterGrove.com / DECEMBER 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE / 55

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