MARCH 2015
ASPIRE JOHNSON COUNTY TO HOST “COMMUNITY CONVERSATION” ON MANAGED DEVELOPMENT
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PUBLISHER’S WELCOME Growth May Come, but the Sky Is Not Falling Yes, I’m on the cover of this month's issue, along with Aspire Johnson County’s Dana Monson. As a publisher of a magazine, you try not to make yourself the story so the decision to include me in the cover photo was not an easy one. The decision came down to this publishing a community magazine doesn’t mean you hide the fact that you are involved in the community. I’m there because I am co-captain of the Infrastructure and Corridor Team for Aspire Johnson County. Dana, whose full-time position is Director of Business Development for Johnson County Development Corporation, is there because she wrote the grant application that funds four “Community Conversations” in Johnson County. Each “Community Conversation” will focus on a different topic, such as quality of life and improving our workforce. Without her work, there wouldn’t be any “Community Conversations.” The first meeting deals with infrastructure, roads and growth.
Something I have been learning about for two years as part of Aspire. The meeting, set for April in Center Grove, focuses on “Preparing for Growth.” Growth, both residential and commercial, is going to happen. How we plan for and manage that growth determines the benefits of and the impact on residents. State Road 37 will serve as an example of how to manage growth opportunities. Regardless of the final route of I-69, once completed to Bloomington and Martinsville, traffic on State Road 37 will double: With more traffic comes development. If you are concerned about our communities, I urge you to attend. What do you want to see developed, office parks, a hotel, truck stops, warehouses, medical facilities or retail shopping? We don’t have to settle for whatever happens. You do need to be informed and involved. Without your input, developers and elected public servants will do what they think is best, and you may not like the result. It is time to dream big, step up, get involved and help make our community more than good enough!
Tying The Knot?
www.jljohnsons.com atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 3
Jody Veldkamp, Publisher
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PUBLISHER
Dann Veldkamp
March 2015 / Vol. 4 / No. 3
dann@atCenterGrove.com / 317-345-9510
VP OF SALES
Jody Veldkamp
jody@atCenterGrove.com / 317-507-4334
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Pat Enochs / 317-528-9380
COVER STORY 32
TOWNEPOST PUBLISHER Tom Britt
tom@TownePost.com / 317-288-7101
BUSINESS MANAGER
Cover Photo / Forrest Mellott
STATE ROAD 37 OR INTERSTATE 69 PREPARING FOR GROWTH Writer / Kristen Parker
Jeanne Britt
jeanne@TownePost.com / 317-288-7101
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Toni Folzenlogel
The initial Community Conversation will look at how communities promote and control development along major corridors. The meeting will use the State Road 37 corridor as an example of best practices to use to develop any corridor or area that is poised for growth. Even if I-69 doesn’t follow State Road 37 through the county, we will see a dramatic increase in traffic.
FEATURED COLUMNS 8 14 27
Two Worlds Unite
Searching for March Happiness Quilting Together A Community
6 58 60 61 62
Event Calendar CGHS Front Row Word Search
ADVERTISING DESIGNER Austin Vance
EDITORS
Allie Nash / Katelyn Bausman
MARCH WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Alaina Sullivan / Dann Veldkamp / Frieda Dowler / Julie Yates / Kara Reibel / Kristen Parker / Kristen Sexton / Leigh Lawson / Nancy Craig / Tom Britt
Kate in the Middle
SHOP LOCAL!
Recognized for Special Salsa
atCenterGrove.com
Alyssa Sander
Gardening Nana
11 Fashion Forward 38 25th Annual Greenwood Mayor's Prayer Breakfast 18 Immersed with Scott Jones 40 Methodist Sports Medicine Moves 22 The Venture of a Lifetime to Greenwood 25 Metronet: Faster Internet Coming 41 Campaign Against Cancer to Our Area 49 A Look at the New ISTEP Test 30 Center Grove Mom of the Year Candidates 52 Franklin to Host Google Summi 32 State Road 37 or Interstate 69 55 Salsa Me Krazy Mompreneur Preparing for Growth
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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Post your stories to TownePost.com or email to PR@atCenterGrove.com.
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 36097 / Indianapolis, IN 46236 Phone: 317-288-7101 / Fax: 317-536-3030 The Center Grove Community Newsletter is published by Chilly Panda Media, Center Grove, under license from TownePost Network, and is written for and by local Center Grove residents.
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 5
GARDENING NANA
PLANTING SEEDS FOR “WALTZING FLOWERS” Writer / Nancy Craig
From the book, “Isabella’s Garden” by Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool, “These are the flowers that waltz with the wind, that ruffles the buds, all velvetyskinned, that swelled the shoots, that sought the sun, that kissed the clouds, that cried the rain, that soaked the seeds that slept in the soil, all dark and deep, in Isabella’s garden.” With the wonderful word pictures and cumulative story, you can read about Isabella’s garden from the beginning of planting the seeds to their flowering and back to the seeds again. Last fall we saved several kinds of flower seeds and bulbs from our garden that we will plant this spring. Some of the seeds we will plant right in the garden when the weather warms up, like our Love in a Mist flowers, but others we can start inside. My great nieces, Lindsey and Lauren, will plant our Hyacinth Beans that will grow into a vine with beautiful pink sweet pea like flowers that will definitely “waltz in the wind.” My great-nephews, Max and Eli, like to plant the elephant ear (Colocasia) bulbs for their jungle container gardens that they have on their deck each summer. It might be fun to try some new varieties like the Thailand Giant Elephant Ear Plant that has leaves that are 4 feet by 5 feet and grows to 9 feet tall! Maybe we can talk the boys into trying another tropical plant like the ‘Bengal Tiger’ Canna that has green and yellow striped, maroon-edged leaves and bright-orange flowers and grows to 6 feet tall.
to add some flowers to mound at the base and some to trail over the container. The elephant ears and cannas both have dramatic leaves, but the Cannas have gorgeous red flower spikes that the hummingbirds love. While we wait for the seeds and bulbs to sprout, the boys can play their Minecraft and the twins can play the Hello Kitty’s Garden. “These are the seeds that sleep in the soil, all dark and deep, in Isabella’s garden.” 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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The twins will start a new container garden with the Canna rhizomes that I have saved over the winter. We can start them in pots now and leave them in the garage until it is warm enough to place them outside. Once we set the pots outside, we are going 6 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
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SAYA ambassadors and their administrative hosts.
TWO WORLDS UNITE On February 10, a small delegation of 10 travel-weary students and their teacher arrived at the Indianapolis International Airport. Their arrival marked the beginning of a week of cultural learning and sharing with Center Grove High School. Selected faculty, students and host families of Center Grove eagerly welcomed the 11 guests. These Chinese students were embarking on their student ambassadorships to the United States through the Sino-American Youth Ambassador (SAYA) program, which is a part of the Ameson Foundation. The student ambassadors, selected by SAYA, represent their country and advance cultural understanding. The Ameson Foundation, a non-profit organization, seeks to promote mutual understanding between nations around the world. Originally, Ameson began providing opportunities for college students to be introduced to western universities with the hopes of easier integrations of those students when they enroll. Ameson later developed the SAYA program to introduce high school students to new cultures at an earlier point in their scholastic careers. SAYA, a student exchange program, is available to students from both China and the United States. The short-term visit, occurring during the visiting students’ holiday or vacation schedules, allows normal studies to continue uninterrupted. They spend one week immersed in the high school environment by attending classes at the host school and staying with host families. The delegation then follows the first week with a week of sightseeing before returning home.
SAYA AMBASSADORS VISIT CENTER GROVE Writer / Leigh Lawson . Photographer / Jim Eichelman
THE INVITATION
Wendy Kruger, the director of curriculum for Center Grove Community School Corporation, received an email from the U.S. Department of Education towards the end of December 2014 with an invitation for CGHS to participate in the SAYA program. Kruger and Superintendent Rich Arkanoff had been exploring partnerships with other agencies to bring foreign students from exchange programs to Center Grove to introduce multiculturalism to students. SAYA would further the goal of exposing the Center Grove student body to diverse cultures and broaden global understanding.
THE PREPARATION
After receiving the acceptance notification from SAYA, preparations rapidly started. With slightly less than two months until the arrival of the student ambassadors and their chaperone, the administrative staff and CGHS faculty, led by Sandy Hillman, began to coordinate the details and arrangements. Hillman, along with teachers John Frank and Chris Blackburn, began to organize the week’s events and prepare the staff and students for their visitors. One of the aspects to prepare for the visit was finding families that were willing to be hosts for the week. Many families made the decision to open their homes and welcome a student. The outpouring of interest gave Arkanoff and Kruger hope of exchange student opportunities and community support in the future. Every family went through a background check, which is standard
8 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
for the program. The assignments of Chinese students to families included the consideration of genders of visiting students to the host students. Finally, there was consideration to the families’ schedule so that each family’s availability was flexible for the visit.
THE VISIT
The student ambassadors and their teacher traveled a great distance and had a few delays that shortened the visit, but it did not ruin their purpose or the excitement. The students’ home is the Jiangsu Province where they attend an international school with emphases on science, math and history with school days lasting from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. English is taught as a tool for success, not just a second language. The students select westernized names for use in China and during visits to the United States.
Dr. Arkanoff presents certificate to student ambassador.
Each family planned various activities for their guest. The families took their guests to restaurants to experience a range of cuisines, even including a Chinese restaurant. After a few evenings of dining out, one student wished for a traditional American home cooked dinner. His wish came true with meatloaf and macaroni and cheese. Some of the female students requested trips to the mall. The teenage hosts were happy to introduce them to the American shopping experience. The accompanying teacher of the group stayed with the host family of teacher John Frank, who has traveled Asia extensively. Lui Jia, also known as Julia, prepared an authentic Chinese meal for the Franks and another teacher’s family. They enjoyed an evening discussing the differences and compatibilities of their countries’ school systems. Julia spent her school days learning of the programs and systems that Center Grove utilizes. She is anxious to share what she has gained from her visit with her colleagues in China. She plans to instruct other teachers on their trips with what she has learned here to further the benefits of the program. The Allen family enthusiastically welcomed Xhang Qiyu, known as Elvin. Eric and Joyce Allen and their sons Nate and Ryan were more than willing to be a SAYA host family, having hosted other students on short visits in the past. Elvin accompanied Ryan to class during Ryan’s normal school day. The student ambassadors shadowed their host student and a student from the CG Chinese Club. Elvin is eager to learn about the culture leading into his enrollment to a university in a western country, though he has yet to decide exactly where that will be. He wanted the opportunity to become familiar with the culture through SAYA so that when he does start college, the transition will be less difficult. Elvin and the Allen’s had in-depth conversations on several subjects that are of great interest to Elvin, which ranged from politics to religions. Allen stated, “Being a host family was a great experience for our family to not only learn about another culture and share our own. It was an opportunity to share our family, faith and life with a different part of our world right where we live. With worldwide communication of today, we hope to be able to continue communication with Elvin well past this week and into the future.”
School Board President Carol Tumey addresses Chinese students and their host families.
Sandy Hillman talks with Chinese teacher Julia (Liu Jia).
Host Ryan Allen and ambassador Xhang Qiyu (Elvin).
Tim, Kim and Maddi Weeks hosted ambassador Jing Chang (Jessie).
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 9
Chris Blackburn welcomed the visit of the Chinese students. He teaches Chinese, which is in its first year of being offered at CGHS. Blackburn had previously studied in China during college and has a passion for the Chinese culture. During a Chinese class, CG students interviewed their guests. They Chinese student performs asked general questions to dance. Photo provided. get to know their guests and use their new language skills in an authentic way. The student ambassadors also gave a cultural presentation to the CGHS faculty with traditional songs, poetry and dance from China. SAYA students, along with their teacher and host families, attended a reception at the school administrative office. In attendance were school administrators and the school board of trustees. The reception gave the administration the opportunity to thank the SAYA guests for coming and the host families for their hospitality. President of the school board, Carol Tumey, expressed the gratitude of the board for everyone’s eagerness to make the visit a successful
experience. Blackburn assisted Arkanoff by announcing the student ambassador’s Chinese name as Arkanoff presented them with a certificate of participation.
THE SUCCESS
The week was eventful with new friendships created and establishing a better understanding of each other’s culture. Arkanoff considered the SAYA visit to be a success. "We are very pleased that this visit went well," Arkanoff stated. "While the students had a rough time getting here, they all say they have thoroughly enjoyed their stay. Just as important is the response we’ve had from our students. They’ve had a great time hosting the SAYA students in their homes and sharing with them their favorite foods, places to go, and other activities, as well as learning about their student’s Chinese culture. One of the goals of our first Strategic Planning Committee was to increase the cultural experiences available to our students. This visit was a great first opportunity of many we are planning for our students.” 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.
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FASHION FORWARD
Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Brian Brosmer
When Dottie Couture Boutique opened in Greenwood five years ago, it was welcomed by fashion conscious yet budget minded southside women who were thrilled to discover a local clothing shop that was stylish but affordable. The word began to get out and northsiders began to take notice. A following developed, and in 2013, owner Brooke Magdzinski opened a second location in Keystone at the Crossing. The buzz continued and now Fishers residents are happy to see that one of the first retail establishments in the new downtown commercial development, The Depot, is a third Dottie Couture Boutique. Magdzinski began her retail career after being in management in the healthcare industry. She didn’t enjoy it so she starting working in a small apparel store. It was such a positive experience that in 2006, she opened B Boutique in Bloomington. After having her first child, she sold the Bloomington store in 2010. She used the knowledge she gained from that first plunge into the fashion merchandising world, rebranded and the same year opened Dottie Couture Boutique in Greenwood.
FISHERS 8594 E. 116th St. 317-578-8201 KEYSTONE 8555 River Road 317-844-5848
GREENWOOD 789 N. US 31 317-888-8242
FOLLOW DOTTIE COUTURE BOUTIQUE dottiecoutureboutique @dottiecouturebtq @dottiecouturebtq shopdottie/dottie-couture-boutique wanelo.com/dottiecouture
The name comes from her grandmother Dorothy. “My grandma’s name is “Dottie” for short,” said Magdzinski. “She is a fashion icon to me, very stylish and proper. I love it when people call and ask for Dottie, it makes me giggle!” The Greenwood location seemed like a logical move since she was living in Center Grove, and she realized that if ladies wanted to shop in a boutique they had to drive to the northside of Indianapolis to do it. She felt that Greenwood would be a perfect spot to open a shop. After moving to Fishers, she saw the need for a Dottie Couture Boutique there. “I really felt like we needed something like Dottie,” Magdzinski said. “I chose 116th Street because it is a high traffic area and close to the places most women frequent.”
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 11
Brooke Magdzinski was featured on our cover as Center Grove's 2013 Mom of the Year.
12 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
Each store carries the same merchandise: stylish clothing for women of all ages, accessories such a jewelry and handbags, and gift items. Magdzinski attends trade shows and markets but also visits her vendors directly. Most of her buying is done in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta. And she has some advice for customers. “Don’t get caught up in sizes, but buy what fits and lays nicely, and if you don’t love it, don’t buy it.” The staff at the boutiques are not on commission and each location wants shoppers to have an enjoyable experience and to genuinely love their purchases.
supply room, then moved to an office building, and now is located in a 6,000 square foot warehouse. Internet customers hail from all over the world and the constant growth is thrilling to Magdzinski. “A year ago I could take our packages to the UPS store myself and now we have a UPS truck with a U-haul attached picking up our daily outgoing packages.”
Besides word of mouth, social media is a large component of what drives business to the retail stores and internet sales. Along with the Dottie Couture website, the business has thousands of followers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Each site features photos of models wearing The brick and mortar stores are just one facet of Dottie Couture Boutiques’ business. the clothes offered as well as beauty and style ideas. The women who showcase the The largest part is online sales from the website, dottiecouture.com. The website was styles and how to wear them on the social media sites are local. “Most of the models launched at the same time the Greenwood also work in the stores or have worked for shop opened. Inventory for the Internet sales was initially housed in the Greenwood me in the past. They are full-time employees
at this point and shoot three to four times a week,” said Magdzinski. Dottie Couture Boutique also has a presence on Wanelo, a virtual shopping mall for online buying. Magdzinski feels that social media has been an important way to reach customers and keep them engaged. It allows window shopping but also encourages feedback. Magdzinski usually buys merchandise every single day to keep up with the demand. “I love what I do. I shop for a living, and who can complain about that?” She admitted that she is always brainstorming for the future, but she could not be more thankful for the present success of Dottie Couture Boutique. 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 are yatesyummies.com and orangesandalmonds.com.
At The Hearth at Stones Crossing we recognize the importance of friendship and know that staying socially active is an important part of healthy aging. So whether you’re sharing a good story in our library, meeting neighbors for dinner or challenging friends in a Think More session - we aim to make it easy for you to meet new friends, kick-back and have fun!
Join us for Social Hour RSVP Today!
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 13
A TROJAN’S QUEST Writer / Kevin Conrad . Photos / Provided
One of Center Grove High School’s most revered student-athletes has finally found what he’s been seeking since his high school graduation in 2011. Jonny Marlin enjoyed a celebrated career, playing four years of varsity basketball under veteran head coach Cliff Hawkins from 2007-2011. Marlin’s accomplishments were many, including a school record for assists, all-state honors his senior year, three Johnson County Tournament titles, the MIC Conference Title in 2010, a 2010 Hall of Fame Classic championship and the 2011 Sectional title. All of that success left Marlin longing to find that perfect team and culture again. Marlin’s search began at Indiana UniversityPurdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) where he was the starting point guard in 2011-12. “After my freshman season, there was a calling for me to go somewhere else,” Marlin said. “I left IPFW not knowing
where I would go. I just trusted that God would provide that answer.” Marlin’s good friend and former AAU teammate, Cody Zeller, invited him to an open gym at Indiana University that summer. IU Head Coach Tom Crean saw him playing and offered him a walk-on spot. “Growing up 45 minutes from Bloomington and playing for IU is what you always dreamed about,” said Marlin with a smile. “It’s pretty cool running out to 17,000 fans at Assembly.” Marlin had to sit out for a year due to NCAA rules. The next season, he played 18 games and was named to the AllBig Ten Academic Team.
the greatest team they would ever be a part of. “My first three years [of college],– I felt like that was true,” said Marlin. “Jonny Marlin is one of the very best players that I ever coached,” recalled Hawkins who was impressed with Marlin’s strengths as both a player and a student. “Jonny is the complete package and what a great testament to what athletics is truly supposed to be about. It just so often doesn’t happen because it is emphasized the wrong way. He’s always kept a great perspective with that.” Hawkins credits Marlin’s perspective and sincerity to good parenting.
“If I could take and try to design somebody that I would want to be my son, I don’t think STILL SEARCHING it could be any different and be any better After two seasons of Division I basketball, than what Jonny is,” boasted Tony Marlin, Marlin was still searching for the chemistry he Jonny’s father. The elder Marlin gives a lot of had on his high school teams. He recalled his credit to Jonny’s mother and the support of high school basketball coach, Hawkins, telling his grandparents. That support helped Jonny the varsity players that high school would be decide to leave IU.
“...SO WE GO TO CENTER COURT. I GET IN THE MIDDLE; THEY STAND AROUND IN A CIRCLE; I STEP BACK AND THEY START PRAYING. I LOVE THAT. FOR ME THAT WAS A NEAT MOMENT. THAT’S SOMETHING I LONGED FOR. THAT WAS A PRETTY COOL SIGN FOR ME TO WITNESS.” - JONNY MARLIN
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 15
“HE STUDIES HOW HE CAN GET BETTER AT TEACHING THE KIDS BECAUSE IF HE’S GOING TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM, HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE IT’S WORTH THEIR TIME.” - TONY MARLIN
“I guess at the end of the day, there are just things that as far as the culture of the [IU] program and me just wanting to play again led me to IWU (Indiana Wesleyan University),” Jonny said. A family friend encouraged him to visit IWU, and he realized right away he’d found the program
and team he’d been searching for. “It’s awesome. My first day there, it’s in the summer for an open gym. I thought we were going to break it down so we go to center court. I get in the middle; they stand around in a circle; I step back and they start praying,” Jonny recalled. “I love that. For me that was a neat moment. That’s something I longed for. That was a pretty cool sign for me to witness.”
NAIA NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
“We’re pretty excited he’s really enjoying his experience. He’s with guys that really care about him,” said IWU Head Coach Greg Tonagal. “I’ve seen him just become passionate about basketball again and that’s very exciting.”
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This season, Jonny has helped IWU to its seventh straight league title and a season-long national No. 1 ranking. He’s averaging 13 points and eight assists per game. In February, he was named National Player of the Week for NAIA Division II. Jonny has one more season of eligibility next year. After that, he hopes to move to the sidelines. “Ultimately, one day, I want to work with kids, whether that’s in a basketball setting or youth ministry,” said Jonny. He’s spent the past several summers training young talent in Center Grove. “He studies how he can get better at teaching the kids because if he’s going to spend time with them, he wants to make sure it’s worth their time,” said Tony. “I couldn’t be any prouder of him and all of his accomplishments. I think Jonny has done life the right way from day one.”
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Kevin Conrad has been a south side resident since 1980. He currently resides in Center Grove with his wife and three sons. Kevin is a sales account manager for SlyFoxCreative.com in Greenwood. He is also the voice of the Center Grove Sports Network where he webcasts Center Grove High School football and basketball games.
12/22/14 AM 16 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 201511:07 / atCenterGrove.com
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IMMERSED WITH SCOTT JONES
Writer / Kara Reibel . Photograher / Brian Brosmer
S
tudying someone’s process of how they achieve success can only help others. Scott Jones generously shares his methodic approach of how he tackles challenges and projects through immersion. One can only imagine how proud Scott Jones’ parents were to find out that their son was hired on as a research scientist at MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, only to discover that after spending six years at IU, including summers, he had not yet earned a degree. A mere technicality of one economics course and a language requirement was needed for Jones to move to Boston. The econ credit was completed via correspondence. What is interesting is the manner in which Jones studied for his Spanish language fulfillment exam – by locking himself in his grandmother’s attic for 10 days. Oddly, while immersing himself in his Spanish textbooks, Jones listened to German music. During his time at IU, Jones applied to study abroad in Hamburg, Germany. However, Jones was not accepted into the program because he had not done well enough in class. Ironically, while attending MIT, he lived with a family from Hong Kong. There were four generations under one roof speaking Cantonese, which is more challenging to learn than Mandarin. Jones became mildly fluent in Cantonese conversation through this immersive experience. The earliest memory Jones has of his extended focused attention was the time when he completely dismantled his journalist mother’s Selectric typewriter and reassembled it, which took all night. “I think it worked all right after I was done with it,” Jones recalled, smiling, from his reverse engineering experience. This pattern of immersion would continue during the creation of Boston Technology, a voicemail company he co-founded. The hard-working crew barely left their offices, sleeping under their desks, ordering in
carry-out and completely immersing themselves into their voicemail services project. While this did result in a nice liquidity event for Jones, his partner and their investors, the process was not without moments of panic, sometimes expressed by partner, Greg Carr. What concerned Carr was Jones’ constant stream of entrepreneurial ideas. “While perhaps valid ideas, most of these did not pertain to our project at hand,” said Jones. “And Greg was absolutely right, these were distractions for us.” TownePost.com / MARCH 2015 / TOWNEPOST NETWORK
Jones knew that in order to achieve what the team of Boston Technology set out to do, he had to get rid of all unrelated distractions. They vi rtually did not leave the building for two years. His immersion paradigm would prove successful. Jones needed to somehow release all other percolating ventures out of his head. “I realized if I wrote these ideas down in journals, I could clear my head and focus,” shared Jones. By writing down his extemporaneous thoughts, Jones was able to declutter his brain and focus.
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After the Boston Technology liquidity event, Jones explored those notebooks of ideas. He has been able to “play” in a spectrum of playgrounds. A few results of this are: Gracenote music services which are integrated into every iPhone, ChaCha human-powered search, Precise Path Robotics, Galaxia Lighting, Escient Home Automation, Gazelle TechVentures and now Eleven Fifty Academy. With the proven success of Jones’ immersive style, this quintessential entrepreneur — with an innate understanding of technology — has repeated this pattern of immersion in everything he does. His process is not without moments of doubt or fear creeping in. It was a fear of failure that initially delayed him from diving into programming while at IU, but once he immersed himself into coding, he spent most of his time with computers in the basement of the HYPR building. As challenges arise during Jones’ creative process, Jones focuses on the question, such as, “How can I solve this?” before he would sleep, then awake with an answer. If this doesn’t work, he goes outside to walk and contemplate the solution. During the Boston Technology days, Jones hiked around the famous Walden Pond in Concord, contemplating a snag that had arisen and a solution would inevitably surface. Another coping mechanism that Jones employs is to look at all possible outcomes. “I mentally fast forward to what’s going to happen,” shared Jones. “I look for what can
be done to prevent as many of the failed scenarios as possible and move forward.” He has trained himself to take risks. Back in 2005, Jones co-founded Indy Robotics, LLC, which funded a team of 120 researchers to create an unmanned vehicle in a competition sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Of the researchers, about 20 of them spent one month camped out in the Mohave Desert doing nothing but working on their 6,000 pound, autonomous robot vehicle. In truth, there was no other choice. They were in the middle of the Mohave Desert with the closest hotel 45 minutes away.
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“The 20 of us made more progress during that month in the desert than the full team of about 100 managed during the prior 18 months leading up to the race,” said Jones. Jones’ latest collaborative effort, Eleven Fifty Academy, puts immersion into practice. For 12-14 hours a day, for seven days, students are writing code. Food is catered in, the distractions are minimized — the only thing to do is to focus on programming.
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The coding classes are often offered in Jones’ home. A proven forward-thinker, Jones believes it is essential to have the skill of programming. While Jones may have a dozen or more major projects going on all at once, Jones has proved time and again that, while immersion isn’t the only way to learn, he has proven how effective it can be. For more information on coding classes, please visit elevenfifty.com.
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TownePost.com / MARCH 2015 / TOWNEPOST NETWORK
THE VENTURE OF A LIFETIME IU KELLEY SCHOOL PROFESSORS EXTEND THEIR PASSION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Writer & Photograher / Kara Reibel
What do two high-energy individuals who are passionate about their work consider fun? Investing in startups, consulting with business owners, mentoring, holding Board positions, supporting charitable organizations, traveling and training for triathlons. Todd Saxton is an associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship for the IU Kelley School of Business. He is also the 2015 president of the board of directors for the Venture Club of Indiana and Indiana Venture Faculty Fellow. Kim Saxton is a clinical associate professor of marketing at the Kelley school, leads Lean In Circle for women MBA students, and holds a doctorate in statistics. As popular professors, both instruct an unusually high number of classes per year, across a number of Kelley’s leading programs. Not only are Todd and Kim committed to education, they are involved beyond the scope of their jobs and have immersed
themselves in the venture community. For example — 15 years ago — Todd sought opportunities to strengthen the relationship between Kelley and the Indianapolis venture community, so he joined the Venture Club of Indianapolis, of which he is now president. Both Todd and Kim are involved with numerous
other organizations, including being board members for Marlon Jackson’s Fight for Life organization, which facilitates social and emotional learning programs for kids. Entrepreneurs at heart, neither set out to be educators, but eventually tapped into their natural talent in the area, as both have parents that were teachers. The two met as employees of a startup company in D.C., providing competitive analysis and acquisition support for Fortune 500 companies. The appeal of IU’s doctorate and MBA programs brought them to Indianapolis. “We were looking for a program that would work with the needs of our growing family,” said Todd. IU won out over several schools, including a few Ivy League options. Once their girls were older, Todd and Kim made a commitment to each other and set new goals to celebrate turning 50. After years of shorter events, some with their daughters at kids’ triathlons, they decided to train for an Ironman distance event. No small undertaking, this fits right in line with their “all in” modus operandi.
TOWNEPOST NETWORK / MARCH 2015 / TownePost.com
“My parents encouraged me early on to find the activities that I most enjoy and pursue them,” shares daughter Lindsey. “Going to their triathlons has helped foster part of my giving nature. At triathlons, you’re not just cheering on the people you’re there with; you’re supporting every runner that passes you, as well as other spectators.” Everything that Todd and Kim do is done with intensity and tenacity of purpose. An Ironman race is the pinnacle of a personal fitness challenge, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run over the course of one day. Supportive and dedicated, the time spent training only brought Kim and Todd closer. Todd and Kim are people of initiative and action, engaging and energetic. Whether it is triathlons, corporate ventures, the entrepreneurial community, or teaching, the Saxtons are fully engaged. The Saxtons note many parallels between the triathlon and venture communities. Both are made up of supportive, fun, inspiring and very generous people taking on very complex and challenging endeavors; but ones nearly all of us could be successful in undertaking with the right encouragement and training. “There is an entrepreneur inside of all of us. Depending on circumstance and provocativeness, it can come out at any time,” said Todd.
TownePost.com / MARCH 2015 / TOWNEPOST NETWORK
FASTER INTERNET COMING TO OUR AREA MODELED ON LEADING INDUSTRY EXAMPLES
Writer / Alaina Sullivan
The options available for quality Internet, cable and television services are limited. Some communities only have one or two providers, charging essentially the same for service that is less than ideal. A new option, Metronet, Inc., has been working hard to enter that market and offer one more choice for consumers: fiber optics. Headquartered is in Evansville, Metronet services smaller cities and towns in Indiana. The company provides cutting-edge fiber optic communication services, which includes high-speed Fiber Internet, Fiber Phone and Fiber IPTV. According to thier website, “Gigabit Internet will unleash a community’s ability to pursue a limitless number of potential applications, new advancements and incredible innovations in the fields of education, entertainment, health care, industrial development and many more.” Most cable is delivered through copper, which can be a good supply for telephone service and cable television. However, as we consume more and more content, (specifically streamed content through video on demand, transfer larger files, and add more and more users in the household), the Internet speed can slow down significantly.
Only so much content can go through that strand of copper. With fiber optics, the capacity is almost infinite because you can alternate the frequency the light is bouncing off that tiny hair string of fiber. Metronet is modeled closely to another fiber optic project being offered in larger communities, the Google fiber project, which was developed as a way to build fiber out to larger cities. “While we focus on communities that are not so metropolitan, Google is focusing on large cities,” said Leonhardt. “We are wiring up areas with the exact same technology they use.”
Metronet is unable to make an official announcement as to when and where its services will be offered. It is a process to build the infrastructure, but Leonhardt says they expect this to be completed within the 2015 calendar year. However, some Center Grove residents have reported seeing seeing specialized equipment installing fiber along Stones Crossing road.
Currently, Metronet is in well over a dozen Indiana communities as far south as Vincennes and as far north as North Manchester. “All of these cities are along fiber runs where they have laid fiber or strung up fiber on utility poles,” said Leonhardt. These cities are places that are literally along fiber routes.
GREENWOOD, A GIGABIT CITY
Greenwood was one of those locations picked by the company as a potential Gigabit City.
“We look for towns that are like Greenwood that fit profiles for where we have gone and done good business in the past,” said Leonhardt. “Our Board has approved for us to go ahead and invest in building out into Greenwood, which is great news. We are very excited. It is a brilliant market for us, very attractive community that we cannot wait to be a part of.”
“Our services are offered over 100 percent fiber optic connection all the way to the home which allows people to have an amazingly fast Internet experience,” said Keith Leonhardt, the vice president of marketing with Metronet. “Where a lot of Internet providers might max out at 50 or 60 megabits per speed, we have 200 megabits per speed.” The comparison on time might be the difference between 10 to 20 minutes to 30 seconds to a minute in downloading a movie, said Fiber optic offers incredible speeds in vast capacity and bandwidth, Leonhardt. said Leonhardt. Users are not limited by the size of files or amount of users online at any given time. “People often get really excited when they understand what the power of actual fiber optic is,” said Leonhardt. “While dad is watching traditional television, and mom is streaming a show from Hulu, sister might be streaming content from Netflix, Metronet is unable to make an official announcement as to when and little brother is on his iPad,” said Leonhardt. and where its services will be offered. atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 25
It is a process to build the infrastructure, but Leonhardt says they expect this to be completed within the 2015 calendar year. However, some Center Grove residents have reported seeing seeing specialized equipment installing fiber along Stones Crossing road. Do not lose heart if service is not initially offered in your area. “Greenwood is the initial area, but like many communities when we build there initially, we potentially will spend years expanding around into areas that are interested,” said Leonhardt. People interested in receiving this service are encouraged to contact the company and express their interest. “When we do officially announce the details of when construction will begin, we will also share a new feature that will be functioning on our website where people will be able to go and enter their address to determine if their area is eligible,” said Leonhardt. The site is metronetinc.com. If your area is not on that list, you can complete a form to let Metronet know you are interested or can call the company directly at 844-786-8626.
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.
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hobby has turned into a labor of love for a group of needle workers at the Baxter YMCA. As many as 11 individuals have spent more than a decade sewing, crocheting and knitting blankets, shawls, beanies and scarves to donate to those who need a little extra warmth in their hearts.
Quilting Together A Community Writer / Leigh Lawson . Photographer / Amanda DeBusk
The Quilting Club meets weekly to work on their projects, share stories and brainstorm their next opportunity to give to the community. Facilitator Mary Kenworthy said that although they have worked on large quilts as a group, they typically spend two hours each Wednesday working on individual projects. “Sewers like sewers,” Kenworthy said. “We make our quilts individually and meet [at the Baxter YMCA] for show and tell.”
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 27
Their ongoing project includes making blankets for the premature babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Franciscan St. Francis Health Hospital. Each year, they donate more than 100 blankets. Placed over the incubators, they muffle the humming of the machines and shade the babies from the harsh overhead lighting in the NICU. When the babies finally go home, the families take the quilts with them. “Their parents have shared that the gift of a baby blanket have brought joy and encouragement to them and helped them to cope with the stresses of having a baby born early or with medical problems,” St. Francis NICU Nurse Manager Paula Stanfill wrote in a letter to the group. They know that “someone was thinking of them” and cared enough to devote a lot of time and talent to make something so unique and special just for their baby. When the group delivered their blankets last summer, the eager and grateful nurses greeted them. They toured the hospital and ate lunch. Club member Dottie Bowman said she understands how important it is to show the babies love.
“If they don’t have enough blankets, the nurses use towels [to cover the incubator],” Bowman said. Kenworthy added, “There are more babies than we can make quilts for.”
NOT JUST FOR BABIES
Still, the group works constantly to provide for the hospital and other worthy organizations. In 2014, they logged 1,994 volunteer hours between their weekly meetings and at home in their own sewing rooms. Although they are an independent, member-run club, the Baxter YMCA logs the group’s volunteer hours to recognize their efforts and to keep a room open for their meetings. Many of the women who now participate in the club serve in other capacities and participate in YMCA programming. “I can’t say enough about this group and what they do for the community,” Baxter YMCA Associate Wellness Director Bobbi Finley said. “I love to watch them interact with each other, working together to help others and sharing their passion for sewing. I think they’re a great representation of what
28 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
the Y stands for. It’s about the relationships you build and the friendships you form while doing something to help those in need.” Other projects that they have worked on since the group’s inception in 2003 include lap robes for veterans and amputees, shawls for cancer patients and their families, scarves for the volunteers working at the 2012 Super Bowl, and cotton beanies for soldiers overseas. They have also made large quilts for YMCA fundraisers and hats for disadvantaged YMCA families at Christmastime. Despite having so much experience as a group, Kenworthy is one of the only club members who had quilting experience before the group came together. In 2002, a tornado tore through the Baxter YMCA. While the center was rebuilding, an employee of the YMCA, Beth McMahon, decided to sell 9-inch fabric squares to decorate and to sew into a quilt. The profits would go to benefit the YMCA Annual Campaign which raises funds that makes YMCA memberships and programs available to community members facing financial hardship. McMahon and Kenworthy connected, and the rest is history. Kenworthy donated her time and taught anyone who was interested how to piece together the quilt. Looking back, she says she is “amazed at how well they turned out with so many people working on them.” The quilts now hang in the building located at 7900 S. Shelby St. The Quilting Club welcomes new members — even those without sewing skills — and they also welcome donations. The club does not receive any money through the YMCA; they bring their own supplies. Their needs are unique, so while they appreciate product donations, they find that it is best if they are able to purchase fabric specific to the project they are working on.
All monetary donations will go to benefit one of their community-based projects. For more information about becoming part of the group or donating, contact Bobbi Finley at 317-865-6464 or bfinley@ indymca.org.
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.
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Nominated by Valerie Haywood
As a mother of five, she rarely gets a break. All of her children are grown. However, she is very involved in her grandchildren’s lives. She has made sure she was available to help watch her grandchildren so her children could put themselves through college and pursue a higher education. My mother sacrifices sleep often to make time for all of her children and grandkids. She never misses a grandparent’s lunch, basketball game, performance, surgery or the birth of each grandchild. My mother lost her husband a few years ago. She always has a smile on her face even when she is hurting inside. She ALWAYS thinks of others. Anyone who knows my mother can attest to her generosity that reaches even beyond her family. She is always putting everyone before herself. Almost every week is full of activities planned with the grandkids and her children. My mother tops all others because she is the most selfless person I have met.
Cheryl Robison
Nominated by Abby McGill
My mom, Cheryl Robison, works full time as a nurse at St. Francis, changing her patients’ lives every day. She helps take care of my Granddad, whose wife of 66 years passed away last June, by taking him groceries and cleaning his house weekly. My mom then cooks, cleans and loves the house where she raised her own four children. Then this past year she and my dad, Jim, signed guardianship and opened their home to two boys with Autism (their mother died of cancer). In September, she took two weeks off work to be with my older brother in Phoenix, Arizona, after he had a major heart surgery. She played a major role in planning my wedding this past summer at the family farm. She works as a volunteer for my younger brother’s show choir at Center Grove. She is constantly serving and loving others, living out her Faith in everything she does, definitely a “Mom of the Year.” 30 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
Melissa Dyer
Nominated by Tony Dyer
Alongside of being a loving mother, Melissa defied the odds against life- threating ailments. Having a strong will in life has allowed my mother, Melissa, to overcome her complex illnesses. Melissa’s unwavering gratitude and personality creates an infectious environment that allows her to share her love and care with others. Melissa serves as a positive role model to my younger sister, Gracie, and all of our friends. She goes above and beyond to help not only her own family, but also those in our community. She is always the mother that can be found volunteering to help make a positive impact on our community!
Jennifer Parker
Nominated by Beth Arkanoff
I am nominating Jennifer Parker for the Center Grove, 2015 mom of the year. Jennifer and her husband Andy are raising a blended family of five uniquely individual children, Andrew, Katie, Alex, Max and Hope. The Parker’s have two children with special needs. Their handsome son Alex, a senior at Center Grove High School, has autism, and their beautiful daughter Hope, who is 8 years old, was born with a congenital heart defect that has required numerous surgeries and ongoing treatment. Hope has faced many life-threatening experiences, one of which was a stroke that took her ability to speak. While the love and support that she has given Hope and Alex alone would qualify her for mom of the year, Jennifer loves each child fervently and has the ability to understand and provide for their individual needs. She’s never afraid to make the hard decisions for her children, even when they are not the popular ones. Jennifer accepts each of life’s challenges with a smile and has the ability to see the good in every situation. She never stresses over the small things or feels pressure to be the “perfect family”. She embraces her “messy life” with a deep faith in God and she pulls it off with an endearing grace and an occasional little cheesy Cheetos handprint on her clothes.
Cindy Crafton
Nominated by Michael Crafton
As a Mother of four as well as a Grandmother of 4, my wife Cindy is a pillar. A flight attendant for 40 years, she has worked relentlessly so her family could have a better life. A member of PSI IOTA XI where volunteer work is constant, she also helps at the CYO, The Symphony Orchestra, The 500 Parade as well as The Greenwood Meadows Rehabilitation Center. A 30+ year Center Grove resident, many hours have been spent behind the scenes at sporting functions, dance programs, plays and fundraisers. She is truly a ray of light and breath of fresh air.
Go to atCenterGrove.com to vote for your favorite “Mom of the Year” candidate. You can vote one time per day until April 10. The winner will be announced in the May issue of the Center Grove Community Newsletter. atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 31
ASPIRE JOHNSON COUNTY TO HOST “COMMUNITY CONVERSATION” ON MANAGED DEVELOPMENT Writer / Kristen Parker . Photographer / Forrest Mellott
For years residents of Johnson County have been wondering if and/or when I-69 may be coming through the county. In September 2005, INDOT held a public meeting on Section 6, the final section to complete the interstate from Martinsville to Indianapolis. The tentative route at that time was to follow State Road 37, upgrading it to an interstate highway and connecting to I-465 with a new interchange about a mile west of the current State Road 37 and I-465 interchange.
Impact on Residents” will be held April 23 at Southland Community Church.
A WORD ABOUT ASPIRE
Aspire Johnson County is a countywide initiative with the broad goal of making the county a better place to live, work and play. It is a program of Johnson County Development Corporation, consisting of more than 60 volunteers representing various areas of the community. The group has created four teams focusing on different areas. The Talent team focuses on developing, retaining and attracting a quality workforce. The Quality of Life team works on enhancing amenities, recreational opportunities and other issues that affect the quality of life in the county. The Branding team looks to establish an image for the county and help promote it. The fourth group is the Infrastructure and Corridor Team.
This past October INDOT announced the “resumption of the Section 6 study” and “will identify additional alternatives for completing Section 6.” It doesn’t mean that the 2005 proposed route will be abandoned; it also does not mean that State Road 37 will become I-69. The only sure thing for Bargersville and Center Grove residents is that traffic on State Road 37 will increase dramatically once Section 5 to Martinsville “Aspire Johnson County established is complete. INDOT estimates I-69 will complete to Bloomington this December and our team to look at the issues of roads, completed to Martinsville by the end of 2016. transportation, infrastructure and land use planning. We look at issues countywide, in Aspire Johnson County will hold the first both communities and the unincorporated of four Community Conversations; these areas of the county. Our knowledge of these meetings are designed to give Johnson subjects allows us to serve as a resource to County residents the opportunity to raise awareness of opportunities and issues become involved in the direction and with residents. Providing residents the future of our communities and county. The information they need allows them to get first meeting “Preparing for Growth: State involved,” said Jody Veldkamp, team Road 37: Maximizing Benefits, Minimizing co-captain.
Center Grove resident Eric Vermilion, Co-captain of the Aspire Johnson County Infrastructure & Corridor Team ,listens to a presentation from Hoosier Voices for I-69.
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 33
Mike Crumbo, a SCORE Certified Mentor and a member of the Aspire Johnson County Infrastructure and Corridor Team, listens to a presentation on the progress of I-69 across the country and in Indiana.
Liz Irwin, executive director of Hoosier Voices for I-69, shares information with the Aspire team on how Bloomington's advance planning minimized the impact and improved the benefits of I-69.
A mile for State Road 37 at corner of Stones Crossing Road and Mullinix
Because of Aspire’s work in this area, the initial Community Conversation will look at how communities promote and control development along major corridors. “The meeting will use the State Road 37 corridor as an example of best practices to use to develop any corridor or area that is poised for growth. Even if I-69 doesn’t follow State Road 37 through the county, we will see a dramatic increase in traffic. How we plan for and handle that growth impacts not just Bargersville and Center Grove but our entire county,” Veldkamp said.
INCENTIVE TO ATTEND THE CONVERSATIONS
at good examples of land use planning and development, they involve the opportunity for residents to listen and learn about all options,” said Center Grove area resident Eric Vermilion, co-captain of Aspire’s Infrastructure and Corridor Team.
development for Johnson County Development Corporation, went on to further the point. “Controlled growth and planning is important; it is necessary for everyone to know the facts. There are all sorts of rumors out there about what’s being done, but this meeting is a Center Grove Community Newsletter great opportunity to hear the facts and find out ½ page island 4-Color Ad • 4.75” x 7.125” h she said. Dana Monson, director •of business exactlyw what is happening,”
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Planning for and handling growth is one of the areas covered at the upcoming meeting. Liz Irwin, executive director of Hoosier Voices for I-69, points out this particular project along State Road 37 will have ramifications in Johnson County and throughout the country. Citizens here should be aware of potential effects so the community can appropriately plan for it. “Looking at the big picture, I-69 is a federally designated corridor of the future with national implications for international trade," said Irwin. "Although it is not yet complete in Indiana or in all of the other states along the route, there has been continued progress with each of the states between Mexico and Canada. Currently, the six ports of entry in Texas that connect to I-69 account for 50 percent of all U.S. southern border truck crossings. Port Huron and Detroit at the northern end of I-69 account for 40 percent of all U.S. northern border crossings. Once the interstate is complete in all states, its significance in terms of international trade will be even greater. Understanding this national perspective is important to keep in mind when having community conversations, just to give us context on what this interstate means in broad terms. Locally, communities [ Johnson County] want to examine the benefits, impacts and a variety of other considerations.” Aspire’s goal is for the community to be involved beyond their interest in the State Road 37 area. “When you look
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CONVERSATION FUNDING
“The goal of Aspire is to improve the quality of life for county residents now and in the future. As residents, we need to be involved in the process. This ‘Community Conversation’ is a great way for residents to learn how to be involved in impacting our community,” Vermilion added.
As Aspire considered the work to be done in Johnson County, they knew that community involvement was essential; however, Aspire was also aware that there would be a challenge in making the public aware of the information. Aspire applied to the Indiana Humanities “Community Conversations Program”
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to receive assistance with the task of area involvement. “The Community Conversations program is now in its sixth year and we’ve had a variety of communities apply – big, small, urban, rural, suburban. Each applicant has its own challenges and we’re always eager to meet with the leadership and plan a true community dialogue about those challenges and possible solutions,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of the Indiana Humanities. “Typically, a community chooses to have one conversation – this particular program in Johnson County is different alone just in scope. The Johnson County Community Conversation team is quite ambitious and planned four sessions to be sure to include as many members of the community as possible in the dialogue.” Amstutz went on to explain why Aspire was chosen from among many other applicants. “What made Johnson County stand out was its impressive start and broad based community involvement – the Aspire Johnson County initiative was well thought out and well on its way to making a difference in your community. The structure for the conversations was already there; they just needed a little extra support.”
FUTURE CONVERSATIONS
The April 23 meeting is the first of four Conversations. Subsequent meetings will include discussion on the following: • Talent Retention and Talent Attraction: “Cradle to Career” May 7, 2015, Greenwood High School
Easter Worship Services
• Quality of Life: Round table discussions on several quality of life topics. June 4, 2015, Indiana Armory, Franklin
Sunday, April 5
6:30am Sunrise 9:00am Traditional 10:30am Contemporary
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• “Our Story”: Johnson County’s image. June 23, 2015, Johnson County Museum, Franklin Details on these meeting will be posted on the Aspire Johnson County website, AspireJohnsonCounty.org, as they become available.
36 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
Official future land use plan for area around SR 37 & 144 from town of Bargersville Comprehensive Plan, February 2013
APRIL 23 MEETING AGENDA
A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: PREPARING FOR GROWTH The meeting is open to all Johnson County residents. There will be three presentations, each addressing a different aspect of managing growth. Attendees will be able to submit questions via their smartphone, tablet or in writing during the meeting. Aspire Johnson County will answer all questions on their website. Following the meeting, residents will have an opportunity to view current land use planning maps for the area and interact with local elected officials who have attended the meeting. Presentations:
MANAGING GROWTH
Greg Goodnight – Kokomo Mayor, 2008 to present • How Kokomo is managing new development along major roads • Examples of best practices for development • Infrastructure requirements
Rural Residential Suburban Residential Mixed-Use Highway Commercial Mixed-Use Neighborhood/ Community Commercial
Light Industrial/ Business Park Recreation / Conservation Wooded Land Agricultural Source: Base Mapping - Johnson County GIS data
PAYING FOR GROWTH
Larry DeBoer – Purdue University professor focusing on state and local government public policy and the fiscal impact of economic development • How a community funds development
I-69 INFORMATION
Sarah Rubin – INDOT Section 6 Project Manager • I-69: current status • Options for I-69 Section 6 • How INDOT gathers public comments 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. Southland Community Church 5800 West Smith Valley Road, Greenwood 317-736-4300 AspireJohnsonCounty.org RSVP online (“Community Conversation” link) or by phone
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25TH ANNUAL GREENWOOD MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST Writer / Dann Veldkamp . Photos / Provided
A longstanding tradition continues 8 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at Jonathan Byrd’s cafeteria. For the 25th consecutive year, the Christian Business Men’s Association will host the Greenwood Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. “On behalf of all the men of Greenwood Christian Business Men’s Connection, it has been an honor to host the annual Greenwood Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast to the Greenwood business and community leaders," CBMC member Bruce Richardson said. "We have had 24 previous speakers including Gov. Mike Pence and Elizabeth Dole, with the first speaker being Colonel Nimrod McNair in 1990. We have had four different Mayors starting with Jeanette Surina, Margaret McGovern, Charles Henderson and the current Mayor Mark Myers. Jonathan Byrd’s has been Greenwood Mayor the provider of a great venue with a Mark Meyers great breakfast all 25 years.”
Keynote speaker Lee Truax
Treating our patients as we would like to be treated.
This year’s keynote speaker is Lee Truax in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area and President of CBMC Incorporated. He is a product of the ministry. His father, longtime New England staff member Ernie Truax, is the one who introduced Lee to CBMC. “I remember back in the early 90’s Dad asked if I’d like to join him in a process called Operation Timothy. It didn’t take long before I realized these timeless principles were amazing,” said Lee.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Truax has a long history in the private sector as a Systems Engineer for NetFRAME, Compaq, Hewlett Packard and AMD. He also serves as a stadium technician for the National Football League. From this experience, he understands the domino effect of high unemployment and the erosion of our nation’s foundational beliefs. Truax said, “After 21 years in the marketplace, I am keenly aware of the extraordinary value of applying biblical principles where we work and I felt compelled to make a difference. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God Himself was placing a call on my life.” Over the past 20 years, Lee has dedicated his life to helping others draw closer to Christ through the same resource that ignited his passion for Jesus. Spiritual reproduction is one of the basic components of CBMC and Lee is not shy about his desire to save the lost and to reach out to the believer to encourage each man to deepen his journey of faith.
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38 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
FRANCISCAN PHYSICIAN NETWORK
PEDIATRICIANS WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS The pediatricians practicing with the Franciscan Physician Network are eager to meet you and your child. All practices are welcoming new patients up to age 18.
DR. BOWMAN
DR. GANGADHAR
DR. SMITH
DR. GOETTLER
DR. JOHNSON
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DR. HODSON
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COUNTY LINE PEDIATRICS
GREENWOOD PEDIATRICS
PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF GREENWOOD
747 E. County Line Rd. Greenwood, IN (317) 528-2020
8849 Shelby St., Indianapolis, IN (317) 887-6060
900 Averitt Road, Greenwood, IN (317) 865-3115
SHANNA O. BOWMAN, MD SARAH H. GANGADHAR, MD STACEY L. SMITH, MD
GAIL L. GOETTLER, MD CAROL G. JOHNSON, MD
ERICA R. FLEDDERJOHN, MD MARY ELISE HODSON, MD KATE D. MCINTIRE, MD
Visit FranciscanDocs.org to watch individual videos of each physician. Central Indiana Region
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 39
METHODIST SPORTS MEDICINE MOVES TO GREENWOOD
or onset of pain is part of the expanded operation. Fellowshiptrained physicians who can diagnose and treat orthopedic injuries will provide services to patients. Appointments are required in advance; call 317-208-5110 to request an appointment. The MSM Greenwood Same Day Appointment Clinic is open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
T
Methodist Sports Medicine is now open at their new location in Greenwood. The new facility, at 1401 W. County Line Road, replaces a smaller location they occupied in the IU Health building on South Meridian Street. The expanded facility offers separate suites for MRI, pain management, rehabilitation and chiropractic care.
Th
S
Staffing the new location are 10 orthopedic surgeons, a primary care sports medicine physician, physical and occupational therapists, athletic trainers and radiology technicians. Dr. Tony Origer, an established chiropractic doctor who operated Performance Chiropractic in Greenwood, has also joined the Methodist Sports Medicine team. Additional physicians specializing in total joint care and pain management will join the medical staff in 2015.
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CAMPAIGN AGAINST CANCER Writer / Tom Britt Photographer / Brenda Staples
Luke Andritsch was the official starter of the 2010 St. Vincent Geist Half Marathon & 5K.
I
n early 2010, I received a phone call from a Geist resident telling me about a 5-year-old boy battling leukemia named Luke Andritsch. He was diagnosed on Mother’s Day at the age of 3. Through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, they had formed a Team in Training group called Team Luke and began running various races around town in his honor. They were talking about running the St. Vincent Geist Half Marathon & 5K, and I thought this would make for a good story for our Geist Community Newsletter.
The Andritsch family in their Geist home.
Arriving at their front door, Luke greeted me donning a Spiderman costume complete with padded muscles. He was short, chubby and nearly bald. Vicky, Luke’s mom, gave me and our longtime photographer Brenda Staples a tour of their home ending in Luke’s bedroom upstairs. Luke was anxious to show us his superhero toys, “get well” letters on his walls, and his stuffed animal toys wearing scrubs and surgical masks. Vicky told me that trying to explain leukemia to a child is difficult. “We told him that the cancer was a bunch of bad guys in his blood, and the chemo was the good guys going in there to kill them.” Now the Spiderman suit made more sense. In many ways, the visit and ensuing story was inspiring. In other ways, it was heartbreaking. No child should have to deal with such a horrific disease as leukemia.
Luke framed his Spiderman costume which now hangs in his bedroom. I’m wearing one of the Team Luke capes which gives whoever wears it superpowers.
It was through the Andritsch family that I learned more about the research work being funded and sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In 2011, Luke was named their “Boy of the Year” and participated in a 10-week fundraising campaign called “Man and Woman of the Year.” After the Grand Finale Gala, the Andritsch family had a party of their own for Luke. His chemo port in his chest was removed that summer and the Team Luke TOWNEPOST NETWORK / MARCH 2015 / TownePost.com
followers and friends hosted a “Port Party” in his honor. Luke was cancer-free and done with chemo. Last fall, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society called to inform me that I had been nominated to run for the 2015 “Man of the Year.” After seeing how they had helped the Andritsch family and several other friends and neighbors dealing with blood cancers over the years, I accepted the challenge. Much like a political election, the man and woman who raise the most money during a 10-week campaign (Feb. 26 – May 9) wins the title. My campaign will look and sound much like a political campaign; after all, we are in primary season. You’ll see campaign posters at restaurants around Indy like Mama Bear’s and Lincoln Square Pancake Houses. You’ll hear my “negative campaign” commercials on various radio stations. You might even spot a political yard sign asking you to “vote against cancer.” A campaign against cancer is personal to everyone. Only cancers of the respiratory and digestive systems, including lung and colon cancers, are more deadly. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. One person is diagnosed with blood cancer every three minutes. Every 10 minutes, another person loses the fight.
More than 1.6 million people in the United States are living with or are in remission from a blood cancer. To date, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has funded more cancer research than any other voluntary health agency in the United States or Canada. When they started in 1949, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (which is the type of cancer Luke had) was only three percent. Today, thanks to advances in research, the survival rate is more than 90 percent. For other blood cancers, the survival rate has doubled, tripled and even quadrupled. However, one third will not make it five years post diagnosis. We have a long way to go. On a personal note, I’ve had several friends and family suffer through cancer. My wife and I started a charity event the year we met the Andritsch family called Vines for Life, which raises money for three local cancer charities supporting patients and survivors. While we’ll continue to help those dealing with the fallout of cancer, this is our one opportunity to get out ahead of cancer and fund the cure. My hope is that we’ll have a cancer-free society in my lifetime. I’m asking each of you to donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and support our campaign against cancer. There is a donor envelope in the center of this publication that you can send back with your generous donation. You can also visit my website at TomBritt.com to learn more about the campaign, sign up for emails from the campaign trail, and donate online via a secure link. You can also read about the latest advancements and treatments that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has funded. Every dollar you donate gets us one dollar closer to the cure. As for Luke, he’s a healthy 11-year-old boy that still visits Riley Hospital for Children every month passing out “rhythm pax.” Team Luke is now its own charity that raises funds year round to give other children and families who have been dealt the cancer card some hope. Please join us in our campaign and thank you in advance for any and all support you offer us along the way.
Luke framed the front cover of the Geist Community Newsletter from 2010. Today, he’s a healthy 11-year-old boy.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
There are several ways you can join our negative campaign against cancer:
• Sponsoring • Volunteering • Host a “Meet and Greet” • Emailing Your Friends • Liking my “Tom Britt 2015” page on Facebook To find out more information and to follow the campaign, go to TomBritt.com. TownePost.com / MARCH 2015 / TOWNEPOST NETWORK
DONATE AND VOTE AGAINST BLOOD CANCERS
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A LOOK AT THE NEW ISTEP TEST Writer / Kristen Sexton . Photos / Provided
C
ertainly you have heard the recent rumblings about upcoming changes to tests students have been taking for many, many years. There are major changes to the ISTEP tests, high school End of Course Assessment (ECA) tests and College and Career Readiness (CCR) testing. The ISTEP+, or Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress, will be different in the years to come, starting with this school year’s version. At this time, The Indiana Department of Education, Governor Pence and state legislators are still addressing
changes that may affect the students of Center Grove Schools, along with students elsewhere in Indiana. While this time may be confusing for everyone, the Center Grove Community School Corporation is committed to keeping students, parents and teachers informed. At a very high level, three different groups, none of which has complete control over testing, control statewide assessment testing, the Board of Education, led by Indiana Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Glenda Ritz, the Indiana State Legislature and Indiana’s Gov. Mike Pence. Two years ago, the Legislature developed Indiana-specific standards for testing that focused on CCR, versus the Common Core requirements of the past. Those standards and pilot test were released in April of last year, but the pilot test was pulled back the next month. During the summer of last year, new standards were adopted and set to go into practice during the 2014-2015 school year. These new standards have created a newly formatted ISTEP+ test.
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 49
THE IMPORTANT CHANGES
Important to remember is that the ISTEP+ will be administered in small chunks, over The purpose of the Indiana Statewide multiple days. While the testing time could Testing for Educational Progress is to measure student achievement in the subject total up to 12 hours, students will not be areas of English/language arts, mathematics, required to finish the entire contents of science and social studies. The new test will the test in one sitting. Per Center Grove Community School Corporation’s website, still measure these, but in a different way.
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the following are important ways ISTEP+ is changing: • The test will still be given in two testing windows. The first window (the former Applied Skills portion) will contain writing prompts and other response-type items. Writing prompts will now be based on text readings and students will be asked to respond to a writing prompt that is based on the content of the reading. Students will be expected to provide evidence from the text to support their responses. • Technology-enhanced items will allow students to use computer “tools,” manipulate items on the page, highlight or otherwise use technology to assist with their answers. • The new ISTEP+ will be focused on the higher-level thinking skills that are prompted by the new CCR standards. This will require students to select their own tools without prompts (such as a protractor or ruler), to solve multistep problems, and to provide evidence or discuss how to solve a problem.
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Part one of the ISTEP+ testing will begin in March, and Part two in late April/early May. Much of the reason for the longer format is the addition of practice questions, which will be used to develop the testing that will be administered next year. These questions are meant to be used as instructional, in order for the teacher to guide the student in finding their answer. This data will then be analyzed when creating the format and questions of next school year’s test. These types of questions can be very good for the students, as it allows them to use problem-solving skills to find answers.
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Because the new CCR standards are very similar to Common Core standards, the work that teachers have been doing with students in Center Grove schools will prepare them
50 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
for the new standards as well. According to Center Grove Community School Corporation’s website, “teachers have had ongoing workshops, coaching support and information during the year to help them prepare.” In addition, “students have been given the state Acuity tests, which are more reflective of the types of questions our students may see.” Wendy Kruger, director of curriculum, says it is important for students and parents to, “take a deep breath. If your student has done well in the past, they will do well now,” even under the new standards. She also points out that “we do not have control over this at a local level.” Local school systems will just need to wait to see what The Board of Education, the Indiana State Legislature and governor decides is best for Indiana students. In her opinion, now too much focus is being put on the politics involved, instead of the teachers and students that will ultimately be affected. The most important thing she feels is that students feel “comfortable and confident” in their ability to take, and pass, the new test. While the ISTEP+ will be different, Center Grove schools are doing everything they can to make the transition an easy one for teachers, parents and students. They have developed a website with information about how the ISTEP+ is changing, how students and teachers are preparing, and what parents can do. The information can be found on the Center Grove Community School Corporation’s website, at centergrove.k12.in.us\INtesting101. Once again, it should be stressed that students have all the tools necessary to successfully pass the ISTEP+. According to Kruger, Center Grove students currently in Third grade have been preparing for this type of test since kindergarten. The curriculum their teachers have followed has been in line with Common Core Requirements, and therefore will not be much different from the testing under the new CCR standards. While the test’s new formatting has created some controversy, it should be pointed out that even next year, while the content could be the same,
...IT IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO, “TAKE A DEEP BREATH. IF YOUR STUDENT HAS DONE WELL IN THE PAST, THEY WILL DO WELL NOW, EVEN UNDER THE NEW STANDARDS. WE DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS AT A LOCAL LEVEL.” - WENDY KRUGER the format will most likely change. In the end, those of us at a local level must trust The State Board of Education, the state Superintendent of Education, the Indiana State Legislature and Indiana’s governor to make the right decisions for the education of our students.
Kristen Sexton has been a Greenwood resident most of her life; graduating from Center Grove High School in 1999 and Franklin College with a Broadcast Journalism degree in 2004. Her free time is dedicated to small writing and photography projects, as well as with her tight-knit family and friends.
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 51
Franklin to Host Summit Writer / Frieda Dowler . Photographer / Jim Eichelman
Google chose Franklin, Indiana, as one of 53 global sites for their Google Apps for Education summit. On April 11 and 12, Franklin Community High School will welcome the Ed Tech Team and up to 800 attendees for a weekend learning experience. Google Corporation holds these events for educators to learn how to include Google apps in the classroom experience. Who knew the perceptions of an energetic, self-proclaimed geek would lead to the city of Franklin hosting an international summit? The phrase, “A prophet is not accepted in his hometown,” describes the insightfulness of a common person. It may be true of Matt Sprout, director of technology for Franklin Community School Corporation. Franklin seemed an unlikely choice, but Matt’s declaration was, “Why not Franklin?”
application questionnaire form and submitted in paragraph style, describing the benefits of having a summit in an area that includes a lot of variety. Apparently that made Franklin stand out to a corporation who leads in thinking outside the box.
THE INSPIRATION
Franklin Redevelopment Corporation purchased Google Chromebooks for every high school student to use beginning in the 2014 school year. The learning devices chosen had to be durable, priced right, look good and have an attached keyboard. However, the key decision-making factor was whether there would be additional costs to the school corporation. Google’s policy to not charge the school for the use of their apps or allow advertising to students made the decision easy.
This positioned FCHS students for success with the millennial shift in the way we gather, process and share information. Nevertheless, Matt convinced Google that Franklin Community High School’s the teachers needed to know how to implement the latest technology. (FCHS) facility and surrounding areas of Indianapolis, Greenwood, Matt and other colleagues attended Chicago’s summit last year to and Brown County offered plenty. He says they were chosen learn these methods. The enthusiasm from the Google team was because of “out of the box thinking.” He disregarded the traditional contagious and the school year began using this technology. 52 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
Students now have access to a sea of knowledge and information through the internet. Some is not so good. A part of using this type of technology in the classroom includes filters. Access to certain information is not available to students with their Chromebooks. The idea is to use technology to assist students in learning.
Matt Sprout, director of technology for Franklin Community School Corporation
NEW METHODS
The teachers needed a paradigm shift to keep up with this new style of learning. They moved from “Did I teach the material?” to “Did the students learn?” Access to students via the devices allows teachers to know whether students are “getting it.” For example, one of the courses taught at FCHS is American Sign Language. Assigning homework to assess progress was difficult because it’s visual rather than verbal or written. With new technology, the instructor assigns a simple book for the students to sign at home. They video themselves, upload to YouTube (a Google app), submit as homework, allowing the teacher to download and know whether they are learning – the subject as well as the technology. The students carry their Chromebooks wherever they go and can access classroom notes, group projects, or contribute and send homework to teachers anywhere there is wireless internet service. If service is not available to students, they can save and send when they get to school where wireless internet is available. Devices also break down. Matt set up a program for repairing the devices with students who express an interest in learning this side of technology. Known as the Chromebook Care Center, the students who operate it can earn a valuable certification upon graduation.
You can learn more about the summits goals and all the global locations at Gafesummit.com.
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CHANGING TIMES
It seems like change has come overnight, but in reality, satellites and communication technologies began in the middle of the last century. Commercialization of the web and the dot com boom expanded rapidly in the early 2000s. Not many pioneers of this era remain. Google survived their humble beginnings in a dorm room and garage. Now with 70 locations in 40 countries, the Googleplex in Mountain View, California, is headquarters. We have experienced a revolution in the way information is gathered, processed, stored and communicated. As these fields expand, it leads to changes in education as students prepare for future jobs. Google’s Ed Tech Teams want to improve the world’s education systems using the best learning principles and technology. The summit in Franklin makes this a great opportunity for educators in this area.
Frieda Dowler is co-owner of The Color Café with husband Bruce. She is a long time Johnson County resident, freelance writer and author. Her third book, “Heaven Bound in a Hollywood World” is due to be released May 2015. Friedadowlerbooks.com atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 53
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Garrett Fiorenza, DDS
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SALSA ME KRAZY MOMPRENEUR RECOGNIZED FOR SPECIAL SALSA
Writer & Photographer / Julie Yates
Brenda Gay had been canning and sharing salsa for 10 years when stories of how much people enjoyed it began to surface. Tales included teens hiding it in their room or individuals refusing to share. The actions were often justified with the explanation, “But it’s just so crazy good!” When friends and neighbors began to appear at her door with bags of tomatoes and empty jars begging for more salsa, the Center Grove mother of two realized she had something special.
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 55
2015 SCOVIE AWARD WINNER
The positive feedback led to the November 2012 launch of Gay’s company, Salsa Me Krazy, which produces her family’s recipe for salsa in three varieties according to heat. At the 2015 Scovie Awards, scovieawards.com, in January, Salsa Me Krazy medium salsa won second place and her mild salsa captured third place. This extremely competitive contest is named after the Scoville scale, which is an index of spicy heat resulting from chili peppers. Entries are judged on taste, consistency, aroma and freshness during blind tasting sessions. Recognition from this international event is highly coveted in the food industry and Gay was thrilled to receive the awards from a field of 790 salsa products. “I sent in my samples and tried not to get my hopes up, especially since this was the first time I entered the competition," she said. "I was so excited when we placed because this helps tell the world we do have something special.”
counseling for startup and new businesses. The product made its debut at craft shows such as the Center Grove Craft Fair and the Junior League Holiday Mart. When people came back the next year asking for the Salsa Me Krazy booth, Gay knew she had a winner. It is available at Hampton’s Market, 4800 W. Smith Valley Road, and Marsh locations. Recognition received has been gratifying to the Gay family which knew all along that “Grandma’s salsa” was something special.
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GRANDMA’S RECIPE
The salsa recipe was developed by Gay’s mother, Rita, who came to the United States after meeting her American husband during the Vietnam War. Cooking and sharing food is part of the Vietnamese culture, so having a large garden, canning produce, and giving it to relatives and friends is a family tradition. Over time, the recipe came about and Gay says, “My mother is tickled that people like it.” Described as slightly sweet yet savory, it has no dehydrated or powdered ingredients but fresh garlic and peppers and is noted for its fresh aroma. Testing required for labeling purposes revealed that besides being all natural, it has only 90 milligrams of sodium which is less than any other salsas sold in stores. Besides enjoying it with chips, the salsa can be used in cooking as well. Recipes ranging from Thyme Lime Chicken to Penne Pasta can be found on the company’s website, salsamekrazy.com/recipes.
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RECOGNITION GRATIFYING
It took Gay a full year of research and planning before Salsa Me Krazy was ready to be marketed. She found resources at the downtown Indianapolis Public Library and reached out to Indianapolis SCORE, a nonprofit organization that offers free
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56 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
WOULD YOU DRIVE 3 MORE MILES TO
Save Over $1,800 For a Funeral?
Wilson t. Pierre C A R I N G S I N C E 18 9 7
Funeral Service & Crematory
Greenwood Chapel
481 West Main Street & Highway 31 Greenwood, IN 46142
(317) 881-2514 wilsonstpierre.com
Compare us to other funeral homes. Funeral prices at two of the Center Grove area funeral homes are the highest in Johnson County. They offer high prices, and then discount them later to hook you in. We offer you low prices ALL the time, preneed OR at-need. As Greenwood’s oldest family-owned funeral home we live here and are proud to call Greenwood ‘home’. The St. Pierre family and staff of licensed Funeral Directors are available 24-7 to answer any question. Thank you for allowing us to serve you faithfully since 1897. “The best doesn’t have to cost you more; in fact it may cost you less. “
Conveniently located at US 31 & Main Street
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 57
MARCH LOCAL EVENTS We invite you to submit events for the Center Grove Community Newsletter. There is some information we need to make your listing meaningful. Please include the date, the name of the event with a short description, the time and place and any cost for the event. If you have them, we also appreciate phone numbers, websites, emails and ideally a picture or graphic. You should email the information to dann@atcentergrove.com. You can also post your event online on our website, atcentergrove.com. Select Events/Submit Your Event.
8 / SOUTHSIDE ART LEAGUE OPEN HOUSE
“The open house features the combined talents of artists Linda Long and Joan Ferguson. Linda has been painting since she retired. She has been interested in art since she was a little girl. Her favorite subjects are garden scenes, flowers and children. Her favorite medium is watercolor. Linda’s works have won several awards.Joan Ferguson is an Ohio native now residing on the southside of Indianapolis. Her painting of a lioness won the Brown County art gallery best of show 2014. Her favorite subjects are animals, still life and landscape. " 2 – 4 p.m. Free Southside Art League 299 E. Broadway, Greenwood 317-882-5562 southsideartleague.org
14 / INDY POLE DANCE AND FITNESS CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY!
Join us on Saturday, March 14 from 1 – 5 p.m. for Customer Appreciation Day! We will have FREE mini sessions of different classes that we offer (Zumba, Back It Up hip hop, belly dancing, yoga, pole fitness, and MORE), door prizes, discounts on our classes, and LOTS of shopping from different vendors with discounted rates just for YOU! Oh yeah, and open pole time for those that currently are fellow polers! 1 – 5 p.m. Free Indy Pole Dance and Fitness 324 W Main St., Suite 201 Greenwood 317-439-4945 indypoledanceandfitness@gmail.com indypole.com
16 / SPRING LAWN CARE CLASS Dick Huber, master gardener, provides instructions on proper mowing techniques, when to fertilize and not to fertilize, when to apply crabgrass pre-emergent and benefits of aerating. 6 – 7:30 p.m. Free Greenwood Public Library 310 S. Meridian St., Greenwood 317-885-5036 greenwoodlibrary.us
18 / JCDC ANNUAL MEETING
The keynote speaker at the Johnson County Development Corpratation annual meeting is Joe Kelsay. Mr. Kelsay is the biotech affairs and external engagement leader at Dow AgroSciences, LLC. He and his family have farmed Kelsay Farms in Whiteland for more than six generations.
Pet Related Vendors • Training Tips & Demonstrations • Center Grove’s “K-9 Officer” Duxo • Food & Music • Silent Auction
Waggin’ on Main Street
An Afternoon of Fun for You and Your Pets
Saturday, March 21 • Downtown Bargersville • Noon to 5 pm
5K Dog Walk Entry fee $10
1 Mile Dog Walk Entry Fee $5
Registration begins at 11 am • Walks start at noon Registration form available at TownOfBargersville.org
Donations, Entry Fees and Proceeds Benefit the Humane Society of Johnson County Bring your donations of gift cards to local retail or pet related stores, pet food, office supplies and pet carrying crates.
58 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
SPONSORED BY MALCOLM T. RAMSEY AGENCY Submit your events online: atCenterGrove.com & click “Events”
21 / COMEDIAN JEFF MCDONALD PERFORMING AT GREENWOOD VFW
5 – 7 p.m. Free, RSVP by March 11 Hillview Country Club 1800 East King St., Franklin 317-736-4300 dmonson@jcdc.org jcdc.org
19 / MY CHILD HAS AUTISM. WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
The Johnson County Autism Support Group invites you to our next parent share meeting. Our guest speaker, Amy Moore Gaffney, an Autism consultant and speechlanguage pathologist, will discuss therapy and educational options, activities to do at home, resources for families, and looking toward the future. Franklin College exercise science students will be on hand to get the kids up and active. Visit our website for more info. and to RSVP for childcare. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Free Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church 3100 Stones Crossing, Greenwood 317-887-0502 jcasg.com
McDonald’s awards and achievements include being named “Rising Star” at the 15th Annual Midwest Jestival. In addition, he was twice named Indiana’s Top Comedy Writer. He has appeared with such stars as Drew Carey and Jerry Seinfeld. The USO, located at Camp Atterbury, is partnering with Greenwood VFW and both will share the net proceeds of the event. 7:30 – 9 p.m. $15 Greenwood VFW Post 5864 333 S. Washington St., Greenwood 317-525-7291 steve.milbourn@aol.com
21 / HOSA/LLS 5K FUN RUN/ WALK
Central Nine Career Center HOSA students will be hosting their Inaugural event at Central Nine Career Center. The two organizations that will benefit from the profits are Central Nine HOSA Members and the Indiana Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Prices vary; see website. 9 a.m. Central Nine Career Center HOSA
1999 S. U.S. 31, Greenwood 317-888-4401 ext 232 bit.ly/hosa5k
THROUGH MARCH 28 / TIME TO LEVEL UP Explore modern history through video games. Tues. – Fri.: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sat.: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free Johnson County Museum of History 135 N. Main St. Franklin 317-346-4500 co.johnson.in.us/jcmuseum
APRIL 11 / THIRD ANNUAL COMMUNITY ANGELS BLACK AND WHITE BALL Community Angels is a not for profit organization that assists patients and their families during treatment for illness or debilitating diseases. $70 to $85. The earlier you register, the lower the price of admission. Grand Kellersaal Ballroom of the Rathskeller, downtown Indianapolis Beth Harriman, beb0321@yahoo.com bit.ly/ca_bw_ball
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 59
CGHS FRONT ROW
GOTTA DANCE! Writer / Leigh Lawson . Photos / Provided
The Center Grove High School has a new addition to their competitive teams. The dance team, while being new, has already developed into a force to be reckoned with. They have state titles to their credit to prove this. Sherry Kennell formed the team eight years ago, which has been competing for the past five years. Kennell, along with Hannah Mueller and Brianna Amspaugh, are the team’s varsity coaches. Like all CGHS teams, the dance team strives for excellence through strong coaching and determined hard work for those on the team. The team competes in the Indiana High School Dance Team Association. The CGHS dance team participates in invitational competitions that lead to the regional competition, held this year on February 28. The dancers that qualify at the regional competition advance to the state competition. The team is looking strong heading into this year’s state championship, which will be held on March 13-14. It is immensely promising for the team with several top ranked qualifiers leading the team. As with all high school teams, parental support and involvement are essential to a successful dance team season. Coach Mueller sums up the reality of the parental role. “Parent involvement is vital to a student’s success in their activity. So much time and money is spent on essentials, transportation and training these days. Most activities demand extra commitments outside of school that parents must be willing to support so much more than just attending meets, competitions and games.” Clara Spenny, whose daughter is senior Chloe Spenny, explains how the dance parents take great pride in showing their support and enthusiasm during competitions. The parents have unique and entertaining ways to support their team. “We have noise makers that turn heads,” Spenny said. “When our team comes on the floor, you know we are supporting them. Last year we made Fatheads of each of the members, we saved them until their last dance was over
at regionals. We all stood and waved our fatheads when they were done. They died laughing as they ran off the floor.” The dance team becomes a close family. Spenny states that they aren’t the typical dance moms. They are a core group of close friends. These friends want to make their dancers have a memorable high school experience. Currently they are in deep contemplation on how to top last year’s display of team spirit with the Fathead display. They are confident that they will succeed in displaying their pride in a bold way. Senior parent, Julie Kelly, reiterates the family atmosphere. Kelly, whose daughter Joannah joined the team her junior year, immediately felt welcomed. She found the other parents and coaches not only very welcoming but also helpful and supportive. Kelly enjoys watching her daughter represent Center Grove by doing something that she loves. Coach Mueller captures the parental experience that is the absolute truth for all parents whose children are involved in any extracurricular activities. “When students enter middle school, parents must be willing to set their own goals aside. Students need to learn how to problem solve and push themselves on their own. Coaches should be trusted to lead their teams. When parents let these things happen, teamwork steps in, and students are able to reap the benefits.” It is a sacrifice of love that the parents of Center Grove know well. It is also an extraordinary experience of growth for the students that they love. 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.
60 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
U.S. Inventors
WORD SEARCH 1. BELL (TELEPHONE)
Creator / Lucy Stravers
2. BERLINER (MICROPHONE)
Hidden in the puzzle are the last names of U.S. inventors. Their names may appear in any direction in a straight line.
3. BIRDSEYE (FROZEN FOOD) 4. BISSEL (CARPET SWEEPER)
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Lucy Stravers lives in Pella, Iowa, and is the mother-in-law of Dann Veldkamp.
Echoes for Athletes Free Cardiac Screening for Center Grove Athletes
March 16th
Center Grove High School
5:00-8:00 pm
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
To Register: Contact Doug Meyer of Giving Hearts a Hand - (317)502-5652 or email givingheartsahand@gmail.com The screening process consists of two non-invasive tests: Electrocardiogram(EKG) & Echocardiogram(ECHO) conducted by IU Health Funded by Giving Hearts a Hand, local non-profit organization GivingHeartsAHand.org
atCenterGrove.com / MARCH 2015 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 61
KATE IN THE MIDDLE
MAKING CENTS - MAKING CHANGE Writer / Kate Rhoten
Change. It’s inevitable. Sometimes we long for it, other times we wish it wasn’t happening. Without change, life can become rather dull. I am not an expert about change, but I certainly have had my fair share of it in my life. I have been writing for the Center Grove Community Newsletter since its inception. I was truly humbled and honored when I was asked to write for the publication when it was in its infancy. At the time, I was preparing for a transition from working full time in financial services to beginning my own journey in self-employment. I wanted to help others by being a financial coach. The writing was a component of that. I also worked part-time at a high school for supplemental income. This worked well and was good for a while. I had coached a few folks and helped them get going in the right direction. However, it is not easy charging for services when folks are having a hard time stretching income to cover expenses. Last spring, the winds of change began presenting themselves to me. I was looking for opportunity for full-time employment within the school system that would still provide me the time off during the holiday breaks and some of the summer. At the same time, I was approached about working full time for a company downtown. I accepted the job downtown. Little did I know at the time that this path would take a turn into an area that I have found challenging as well as enjoyable. As I was getting settled into this new career, I found my interest in the financial coaching and writing waning. After multiple discussions with a variety of folks, I have embraced the change in my life that has taken me further away from just focusing on the financial topic. My interests are varied and my voice may be similar to others that read this, maybe not.
My new direction is more of life in the middle… in the middle of raising my boys to be on their own in the not too distant future, in the middle of my natural life (I’m not 29 by any means), in the middle of America. This will be about my journey in life and the observations that I glean from being a part of it. I hope you have enjoyed the nearly three years of writing under the header of Making Cents. Won’t you come back next month to see what the new column will be and start anew with me?
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.
With a cup of coffee in hand at a local coffee shop, I met with Dann, the publisher of this wonderful publication, to get his feedback on where I am in this journey and how it may affect my writing.
Sizemore
Dann was open to the idea of changing the Making Cents column to something more varied in its subject matter. My interests have evolved and the column is evolving as well.
A Professional Insurance Agent offering you choices based on your needs for the best price
As we move forward in this evolution, I may continue to have a sprinkling of financial advice or information within a column, but that will not be the sole focus going into the fourth year of the Center Grove Community Newsletter.
Insurance Agency
Brent Corey
( 317 ) 888-9100
www.sizemoreinsurance.com
62 / CENTER GROVE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / MARCH 2015 / atCenterGrove.com
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