Fishers April 2017 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

APRIL 2017

MAGAZINE

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TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FISHERS MAGAZINE

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER

WASSON NURSERY & OUTDOOR LIVING CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN FISHERS Hamilton County residents in need of a nursery, garden center, outdoor living or landscaping supplier, without the big-box store feel, are in luck starting April 21 when family-owned Wasson Nursery & Outdoor Living kicks off the grand opening for its new Fishers location.

Austin Vance

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Alex Segal / Leslie Brooks

EDITORIAL MANAGER Josh Brown

Josh@TownePost.com

APRIL WRITERS

Christy Heitger-Ewing / Jocelyn Vare Jon Shoulders / Josh Brown Matt Keating / Mary Phillips Suzanne Huntzinger

APRIL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alex Holland / Brian Brosmer Demi Lawrence / Jocelyn Vare Palmer Durr

6 Are You the Next Face of Fishers? 8 Fishers 2017 Mom of the Year Finalists

29 College Mentors For Kids Honors Community Leaders At 2017 Inspire Awards

uckiest Hoosier Alive: Leah 10 Connecting Hearts: Jennie Hesher 34 LBlackford Beats Three Brain Tumors 12 Don’t Hesitate, Prepare a Last Will 37 Fishers Resident Runs for LLS Today With Nice Law Firm

13 Wasson Nursery & Outdoor

Living Celebrates Grand Opening in Fishers

17 Moody's Butcher Shop Delivers

Farm Fresh Food and Local Fare

22 Hamilton Heights High School

Indiana’s Only Student-led Food Pantry

24 Colts COO Pete Ward

Man of the Year

45 Amy Massillamany: Leukemia, Lymphoma Society (LLS) Woman of the Year Candidate

47 Fishers Businesses Double As Art Galleries

SHOP LOCAL! Help our local economy by shopping local. Advertising supporters of the Fishers Magazine offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business.. BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS ARE SPONSORED CONTENT

The Fishers Magazine is published by Towne Post Network, Inc. and is written for and by Fishers area residents. Submit story ideas via email to the Publisher. Magazines are distributed via direct mail to more than 16,131 Fishers area homeowners and residents each month.

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50 The Flu: A Guide for Parents 51 Jess West Costumes: Unmasking Success

Reflects On 36-Year Career atFishers.com / APRIL 2017 / FISHERS MAGAZINE / 5

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ARE YOU THE NEXT FACE OF FISHERS? The city of Fishers is offering a unique internship opportunity for graduating high school seniors and college students â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Face of Fishers. The Face of Fishers intern will have the opportunity to attend community events and concerts hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department. The Face of Fishers will lead audience participation, emcee events and run social media for the city, all while getting to enjoy fireworks and rock bands throughout the summer. The intern will also manage a promotions team to help

support each event and amp up audience engagement. The paid internship is perfect for those seeking a career in marketing, promotion, event management or entertainment. Are you the next Face of Fishers? Applications can be sent online at Fishers.in.us by April 8. Candidates who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t selected as the Face of Fishers could be asked to join the Street Team, which is another paid internship by the city that will assist in the same duties as the Face of Fishers.

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FISHERS TOWNE

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MOM OF

THE

YEAR

Go to TownePost.com to vote for our finalists

You’ve sent in your nominations, and now it’s time to decide the Mom of the Year! The following are finalists for 2017 Fishers Mom of the Year. Visit atfishers.com to cast your vote for the winner. The deadline to vote is April 15, and you can vote once daily until then. CINDY HOLLADAY Nominated By: Lauren Frasier, who says: People like Cindy Holladay make the Fishers community awardwinning. She is my nomination, not just because she’s a wonderful mother to three beautiful girls, but because she is a “mom” to the entire community. Cindy is the co-coordinator of a local MOPS group because she understands that moms of preschoolers need fellowship. She volunteers as a wish-granter for Make-a-Wish, leads her church’s Day of Caring, organizes donations to local food groups and overall inspires through her philanthropy efforts. In every interaction, she is brainstorming ideas on how to help others.

JANET ALKIRE Nominated By: Kyleigh Alkire, who says: My mom is the most caring, kind hearted and giving individual I have ever met. Not only does she work a full-time job, she is also a full-time mom and our family’s back bone. She recently lost her sister unexpectedly due to health-related issues and immediately volunteered to be the back bone for our family and friends when we needed comfort and support. It would mean the world to her to know how much her family and friends appreciate and value her tender yet strong heart to maintain a balanced and stress-free life for all of us. She is known for her gorgeous smile, her friendly personality and her open arms. My mom would give anyone the money in her wallet and the clothes off her back to see someone else smile and to make them feel like they are worth it. She is the greatest blessing in my life and truly a gift to everyone she meets!

ROBIN MARTH Nominated By: Alex Segal, who says: My sister has always wanted to be a mother, and her wish was granted nearly four years ago. She has a beautiful little boy, named Clayton. Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with autism, and she has met the challenge head on. Not only does she work full-time to provide for her family, but she also takes Clayton to special developmental classes, doctors appointments, swim lessons and more. She is his greatest advocate, and they're on the journey together. Though Clayton has never said the words, "I love you," you can tell that she is the single most beloved person in his life by the way his eyes light up when he sees her, or how he tucks his head into her shoulder when they hug. No one deserves Mom of the Year more.

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WASSON NURSERY CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN FISHERS Writer / Jon Shoulders . Photographer / Brian Brosmer

amilton County residents in need of a nursery, garden center, outdoor living or landscaping supplier, without the big-box store feel, are in luck starting April 21 when family-owned Wasson Nursery & Outdoor Living kicks off the grand opening for its new Fishers location. Located on East 126th Street, Wasson Nursery will feature bold residential design concepts, state of the art grills, such as the new American Muscle, unique home and outdoor accessories and employ 30 to 40 people in its first year. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, April

21, followed by a two-day grand opening celebration featuring live music, food, local craft beers, wines and giveaways. Wasson Nursery & Outdoor Living is co-owned by Wasson Nursery and Jon Pardieck. Wasson (celebrating its 40th year in business) was founded in 1977 by Dan Wasson in Union City, Wasson Nursery offers a wide range of plants, flowers, trees, shrubbery, outdoor kitchens, patio products, home accessories, as well as a variety of landscaping and grounds keeping services, primarily for residential customers. Wasson’s sons Bob and Dan Jr. grew up helping their dad at the office FISHERS/GEIST MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017

and observing his business grow and they decided to follow in his footsteps when it came time to pursue their own respective professional paths. Jon Pardieck, president of operations at the Fishers location, developed a close friendship with the Wasson family after hiring the company for some landscaping work at he and his wife’s Muncie residence in 2005. A life-time landscaping enthusiast, Pardieck partnered up with the Wasson’s to make a purchase offer on a six-acre Fishers property previously occupied by Wild River Nursery in the fall of 2014, and construction for the new facility commenced one year later.

“It’s more than just a garden center – we have a lot of large displays like outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces and a variety of outdoor living furniture and accessories,” Pardieck says. “It’s really quite an experience destination, and not just a retail brick-and-mortar store or a stopand-shop nursery. We want our customers to feel comfortable, welcomed and have the opportunity to host small events here. We want to make it more of a community destination and shopping experience.” Ten years ago, the Wasson’s opened a second location in Muncie, and Bob says the company’s customer base has steadily

expanded to include the greater Hamilton County area. “Our customer base has grown in Hamilton County organically each year, really from just word of mouth,” says Bob, adding that the company grows many of its own annual plant and flower varieties in greenhouses at each of its locations. “That’s why we wanted to expand our service offerings, and we found that the best way we can do that is to have an awesome destination garden center where people could come and learn about us. It just happened that we looked into an awesome location and the timing was right so we couldn’t pass it up.” FISHERS/GEIST MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017

While no firm plans are in the works for additional locations, Dan Jr. says further expansion is certainly a goal for the future. “The west side of Indianapolis holds potential if the opportunity presents itself, and we’re open to the possibility of expanding more throughout the state,” he says.

For additional information on Wasson Nursery & Outdoor Living, please call 317-770-3321 or visit WassonNursery.com/fishers.

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MOODY’S BUTCHER SHOP Delivers Farm Fresh Food and Local Fare Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Palmer Durr

A fifth-generation Indiana farmer from Montgomery County, Adam Moody has been a fixture in the Indianapolis community for years, having farmed for more than five decades and, for the last 14 years, running Moody’s Butcher Shop.

That’s when he decided to take the farm in a different direction, growing his animals, having them processed and selling them directly to consumers.

Moody and his wife, Lucy, started selling at the farmers market in Zionsville and Lafayette in 1997 — the first vendors to bring meat to the venue. In 2000, Moody and his dad purchased the harvesting facility Moody first got into retail in the late 1990s where they had been processing their when he cashed his hog check at the bank, animals for the farmers market. Moody, then went to the grocery store to buy a ham for eager to learn how to run a retail meat case Easter dinner and found he couldn’t afford it. with perishable products, began schooling himself on business practices. Back then, he “I realized that something’s wrong with this had two employees. Now, 17 years later, he system if the people raising food can’t afford owns stores in Avon, Zionsville and Geist the food they’re raising,” Moody says. and employs 38 people. FISHERS/GEIST MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017

The company raises and harvests the animals. They dry age the meat on the beef side. They make their own sausages, smoke their own bacon and set the fresh meat case daily. “That’s where our uniqueness comes in,” Moody says. “The control we have over the product and the knowledge base that’s there from gate to plate.” Customers appreciate the story behind the product. They like learning about where the food comes from and how it was made because such knowledge is lacking in today’s world. “We’ve had this chasm that’s been driven between ‘agri’ and ‘culture’ in our society,” Moody says. “It’s my passion to bring

There’s a big difference between what something costs and what something is worth.

those two back together so people can reconnect with their food supply again.”

from Batch No. 2, spicy pickles from Indiana Pickle Company and yogurt from Trader’s Point Creamery.

Moody refers to his business as a “simple, old-school system” that isn’t According to the USDA, local food is the fastest growing sector of food, and according to the National Grocers Association, local is layered in depths of distributorship and transfer of lines. The meat is the only growing sector of food. not sitting in warehouses or being hauled across the interstate. “We’re reverse pioneering the food system by [only engaging] the farmer, the processor and the retail store,” says Moody, who references a study that found that 92 percent of the food Hoosiers eat comes from outside the state. “It’s my passion to lower that number.” One way Moody aims to do so is by enticing customers with his state-of-the-art smoking facility where he smokes sides of pork bellies, hams, pork loins and six specialty bacons, including threepepper bacon and sweet bacon. “We also make killer jerky,” Moody says.

“So, this is an exciting and challenging time for local food purveyors,” says Moody, who shares the time a man came into his store, perused the case and asked why the rib-eyes cost so much. Moody replied, “I’ll tell you why they’re worth so much.” Then he proceeded to explain how diligently his small team works to create such savory goods. Ultimately, the customer bought four rib-eyes and told Moody that he wasn’t charging enough. “There’s a big difference between what something costs and what something is worth,” Moody says. “There’s so much more benefit to the community, to the land and to your people with a small, local and regional food system.”

Moody’s Butcher Shop not only sells a selection of beef, pork, chicken and occasionally lamb during holiday seasons, but they also Moody’s Butcher Shop is located in Avon at 235 N. SR 267, in Zionsville at 20 E. Cedar Street, and in Geist at 10106 Brooks market high-quality Indiana products from artisanal growers that School Road. complement their meat offering. These items include condiments

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HAMILTON HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL

INDIANA’S ONLY STUDENT-LED FOOD PANTRY GLEANERS ENCOURAGES OTHER INDIANA SCHOOLS TO JOIN THE FOLD Writer / Josh Brown Photographer / Alex Holland

You’ve heard the narrative before — a student drops out of high school because their family needs extra income to help put food on the table. Unfortunately, it’s a narrative that still happens too often in the U.S. Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is trying to combat that problem in the Hoosier state.

Currently, there are 53 school-based food pantries in Indiana, but the most impressive one might be right in our backyard in Hamilton County. Arcadia, Indiana is a small town of just under 1,700 people, and it is home to Hamilton Heights High School, which contains the only student-led, school-based food pantry in Indiana. That’s right, the food pantry is completely operated by high school student volunteers. INDY METRO / APRIL 2017 / TownePost.com

“I think that giving back is always a great opportunity,” says junior Madelyn Merrell, president of Service With a Goal (SWAG) and the Hamilton Heights food pantry. “What has been exciting for me is seeing how many students want to get involved and give back to our community.” When the Hamilton Heights food pantry started four years ago, they only had roughly four students involved. At their callout meeting this year, about 60

students showed up expressing interest and an eagerness to volunteer. The food pantry has even gotten the attention of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. On Feb. 28, representatives of Gleaners made the journey down State Road 19 to visit the Hamilton Heights food pantry and host a committee meeting there. “These young people are so committed to service and so proud of what they do in their pantry,” says Debbie Dreiband, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “Hamilton Heights is a great model for school, student and community collaborations. “It is really exciting to get that recognition,” Merrell added. “We are a small school, so I don’t think people see us as one that can do big things like this.”

The food pantry isn’t simply a walk-in closet pantry, either. Hamilton Heights’ pantry is located in an old classroom now stocked with a refrigerator for meats, several shelves of canned goods, cereals and even toiletries, including toothbrushes and toothpaste.

helping, and everyone truly cares about it. The students here have seen the impact and how amazing it is to help people. Even watching the freshmen jump in and get involved, it is awesome.”

The school-based pantry is also open in the holidays, with students volunteering to provide food for families that need it most. Hamilton Heights provided turkeys for families in need during Thanksgiving last year.

One of the greatest benefits of school-based pantries is they help keep kids in school. Young adults who feel the pressure to drop out early and help put food on the table for their families can instead turn to the food pantry for those essentials.

Merrell says the impact has been noticeably wide-reaching, and it is all because of the work of the students.

Gleaners hopes that more schools will join the fold in providing food pantries. Merrell says it’s an easy decision.

“There have been a lot of people say that it means so much them,” Merrell says. “Some have said that Hamilton Heights is the nicest food pantry they go to. Most are simply grateful to be able to put food on the table for their families. We are all students

“I would encourage other schools to do this because it changes lives,” Merrell says. “If you want to be fulfilled, helping people out is a great way to do that. I get a ton of joy seeing other people happy, and that is what community service does.”

TownePost.com / APRIL 2017 / INDY METRO

COLTS COO PETE WARD REFLECTS ON 36-YEAR CAREER

ZIONSVILLE RESIDENT TALKS HORSEPOWER, NAPTOWN AND COLTS’ FANS Writer / Suzanne Huntzinger Photographer / Brian Brosmer

through a possible move to Arizona, but the deal fell apart.

No one will ever forget that snowy March morning in 1984 when the former Baltimore Colts rolled into town and changed the city of Indianapolis forever. Few people can say they were a part of the ball club from its Indianapolis beginnings. Chief Operating Officer and Zionsville resident, Pete Ward, was part of that unforgettable experience that brought the Colts to a rebirth in Naptown.

“All hell broke loose,” Ward says. “Fans were furious with us.”

“It was March 28, 1984,” Ward says. “They called me into the office and said, ‘take care of your personal business and be back here at 10 p.m. ready to roll.’” Ward was shocked. At one point, Colts’ staff were sorting

The fire died down, then rumors of a possible move to Memphis started flying, followed by more rumors about Indianapolis. Since it was already late March, staff dismissed it all as a ploy to be used as a bargaining tool. Reality hit fast for Ward, a young bachelor who’d been working for the Colts for just three years. Employed as the organization’s administrative assistant, Ward was hired not long after graduating from the University of Virginia. His degree was in Sports Business, a degree for which Ward designed his own course of study since schools didn’t offer a Sports Management degree at the time. INDY METRO / APRIL 2017 / TownePost.com

As a young boy living in Virginia, the Washington Redskins’ team headquarters was close. So, when Ward wanted a summer job, he asked the team if they needed volunteers. They had no openings, so he went up to Baltimore and knocked on their door. The Colts welcomed Ward and put him to work in any spot that needed a job to be done. When it was time for Ward to go back to school, the team still needed help, so they asked him to stay on. So, he took a semester off of school and learned first-hand as much as he could about the business. Ward returned to school and finished his degree, returning whenever possible to the Colts to do whatever the team asked him to do. Upon graduation, he sent out resumes, but no teams were hiring. Ward returned to the Colts to help as he had in the previous summer. His lucky break came one day

when the team’s administrative assistant resigned. Ward was hired on the spot. Ward’s new title meant that his duties were a “catch-all,” involving any job that needed to be done. Sometimes he was asked to take players to and from the airport, fill in at someone’s desk or work in the ticket office. No task was too great or too small for Ward because as far as he was concerned, he was building his dream career. So, on that fateful March day when Ward was asked to take care of his personal business and be ready to depart for Indianapolis, saying no was impossible. The idea of leaving his family, friends and life behind for a city he’d heard of as “Naptown” gave him pause, but Ward was excited by the idea of a fresh start and the promise of pursuing his dream.

metro Baltimore and the DC area. On my first commute to work I thought it must be a state holiday. One night I drove downtown, and pretty much everything was shut down after dark. I remember thinking this city really is Naptown.” But Ward saw the city transform before his eyes. Union Station was revitalized, and soon the entire downtown area seemed to follow suit. Circle Center Mall arrived and everything else grew up around it. “It was nice to think that the Colts were part of that rejuvenation and change,” Ward says. As things changed around him, Ward became more settled. He found a small starter home in Zionsville village in 1987.

The team rolled out of town on schedule, and the news broke to the public around midnight. “I had mixed emotions about leaving the devoted Baltimore fans,” Ward says. “We were leaving a huge fan legacy behind.” But when the team arrived in Indianapolis, Ward says, “We were treated like royalty. The celebration was a bit like the liberation of Paris.” Ward described the time that followed in those early days as a blur because there was so much to do. “It was the hardest time of my life,” he says. “We had the hours of a college kid working long days and getting very little sleep.” The Colts quickly settled into its first headquarters, occupying the former Fall Creek Elementary School on the northeast side. Ward dove right in, helping grow the organization, figuring it all out as he went along. His hard work paid off and he was quickly promoted to Director of Operations. Though there was little time to stop and consider his first impressions of his new city, Ward says, “I do remember noticing how little traffic Indy had compared to TownePost.com / APRIL 2017 / INDY METRO

“I liked the small-town feel and charm of the area,” Ward says. “Plus, the house was $54,000. He had no idea the area would grow so fast or the location of his first home in the village would later become prime real estate. The small-town charm of Zionsville never lost its appeal to Ward. So, he stayed, eventually marrying and raising his family there. “The community is wonderful,” Ward says. “Everyone knows you, and the people are friendly.” The Colts saw many changes in the years that followed. Moving into their new headquarters on 56th street, coaching

changes and more kept Ward constantly on his toes. “After the challenges of the big move, everything else that came our way seemed like a piece of cake,” Ward says. “But times always change. You can’t be complacent. You’ve got to stay ahead of the curve.” The team definitely stayed ahead. With the arrival of Colts’ legend Peyton Manning

Marvin Harrison, Coach Tony Dungy and others, the team’s popularity and success skyrocketed. It was around that time when Ward was named Vice President of Administration. Among the many memories Ward has of the Manning era, he has two that are his favorites. The first was in the 2006-2007 season. “I’ll never forget winning the AFC

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championship game over the ‘evilempire’ New England Patriots,” Ward says. “We were down 21-3 and came back to win it in the final minute, earning our first trip to the Super Bowl. It was Hollywood at its finest.” Another favorite memory is a 2009 game, against the Patriots once again. With two minutes left in the game, the undefeated Colts stopped the Pats on an infamous fourth-and-two attempt and came back to win the game in the final seconds. With a broad grin, Ward says, “The drama and adrenaline in this business is unmatched.” Through the team’s ups and downs, Ward has seen far more successes than failures. Winning Super Bowl XLI and helping host Super Bowl XLVI just a few years after opening the beautiful, new Lucas Oil Stadium (a stadium which Ward played a key role in designing) were certainly proud moments for Ward. It was only fitting that Ward was appointed COO just two years after the opening of Lucas Oil Stadium. “Indianapolis has proven over and over that it can compete on the world stage with the big dogs,” he says. “It is extremely fulfilling to see the Colts playing a role in that.” The Colts compete with the big dogs off the field too. Colts ownership, players and coaches bring their A-game by sharing their winning spirit with the team and by staying involved in the community. “We’re aggressive on all fronts,” Ward says. “We try to touch all parts of our state and even Louisville, with fanfests, school shows themed around such topics as bullying or literacy, fitness camps and youth football clinics. We are also fortunate to have the Irsay family so involved with our community.

“I’M PROUD OF THIS CITY AND WHAT IT’S BECOME.” And of course, now we have Andrew Luck, approaching his sixth season with the team, and he’s an incredible ambassador for us.”

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As nice as it is to reflect on the many successes, Ward never stops thinking about what is next.

Dreams a Reality

“I want to see us win the Super Bowl again, and I’d love to see Indy host it again,” Ward says. “I have yet to see anything excite and bond our community more than our Super Bowl run in 2007, and that’s a feeling you cannot get enough of.” The Indianapolis Colts are now in their third generation of fans, making their time here longer than their time in Baltimore. The fan landscape has changed from the early days when fans in Indy were divided in their loyalties to the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers or the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, of course, Indianapolis fans are united behind the Colts. “It’s fulfilling to know the Colts are a pillar in this city and help make it a place where good people want to live and companies want to come and grow,” Ward says. “It’s also terrific to know Indiana is now a football state just as much as we are a basketball state.” No matter what the next play of the game is by the Colts, Ward is here to stay. “I’m proud of this city and what it’s become,” he says. “People are friendly, and they come together for a cause. I’m proud to say I live here.”

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COLLEGE MENTORS FOR KIDS HONORS COMMUNITY LEADERS AT 2017 INSPIRE AWARDS College Mentors For Kids recently hosted its 2017 Inspire Awards at a packed ballroom in the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. The awards ceremony saw seven community leaders named Mentors of the Year in their respective fields. Allison Melangton, Senior Vice President, Hulman Motorsports Corporation, also took home the Lifetime Achievement Award in Mentoring. Melangton, who has given her time and talents for many years to mentor youth and business leaders, delivered a teary-

eyed, thank you speech to the hundreds in attendance. “Allison Melangton is an exceptional leader and mentor in our community,” said Shelley Hunter, Executive Director of College Mentors For Kids. “The impact she has made on young professionals and other business leaders is remarkable. She is an incredible asset to Indianapolis, as a mentor, as a business professional and as a leader of events that bring significant economic impact to the community.” The 2017 Mentors of the Year include:

TownePost.com / APRIL 2017 / INDY METRO

JASON REESE

ACCOUNTING, LEGAL & FINANCE MENTOR OF THE YEAR Jason Reese is a partner at Wagner Reese. As an accomplished lawyer, he encourages other young lawyers in their careers and has also used his expertise to teach legal professionals in Rwanda how to fight corruption and represent the underprivileged in their communities. As an EDGE mentor, Jason regularly meets with six, young men to encourage them as

they grow personally, professionally, and spiritually, inspiring them to pass it on. “Jason is humble in his approach, but he is abundant in what he has to give,” said one mentee. “His actions inspire the people that he gets in touch with, who then pass on that inspiration, positive energy and actiondriven mindset to someone else.”

DON KINSEY,

BUSINESS, RETAIL & SERVICES MENTOR OF THE YEAR Don Kinsey is the Facility Manager at Caterpillar. He is described by many as a “model of integrity” and a “terrific leader of leaders.” Kinsey believes that people are his greatest asset, so he consistently treats them with dignity and respect. Through his commitment to community involvement and service, he has inspired others to make individual commitments to become involved

in the community where they live and work. “Don is a leader who provides opportunity for growth by investing in the people that he leads,” one mentee said. “He has always taken time to help me grow as a person and a leader. Don encouraged me to take challenging roles and get out of my comfort zone.”

JONATHAN BAKER

EDUCATIONS, GOVERNMENT & NONPROFIT MENTOR OF THE YEAR Jonathan Baker is a sergeant with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Baker was introduced to a hopeful but anxious police academy applicant by a friend at church. Without hesitation, Jonathan guided him through the application process, spending hours answering questions and preparing him. His support and encouragement continued once his mentee was accepted to the academy, through training and even now as INDY METRO / APRIL 2017 / TownePost.com

a police officer. “Being a police officer is a unique job that often puts you in stressful and dangerous situations,” Baker’s mentee said. “On several occasions, I have called Jonathan after witnessing a horrific scene or situation. He has helped me process what I’ve experienced in a healthy and helpful way. I know without his discussions with me over the past few years, I would have struggled.”

JIM WIESLER

CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY MENTOR OF THE YEAR Jim Wiesler is an Associate Senior Consultant Engineer at Eli Lilly & Company. Wiesler is the lead recruiter for Purdue Engineering because he has a passion for helping young engineers find their strengths and discover opportunities to thrive in their careers and lives.

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SARA BARNETT HEALTH & HEALTH SCIENCES MENTOR OF THE YEAR

Sara Barnett is a Child Life Manager at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. She cultivates the passions of each team member, incorporating their ideas into her vision for excellent patient care and seamlessly balancing the needs of the hospital with the needs of her employees. “Sara has been a listener, a coach, a confidant, a professional ethics consultant, and a cheerleader,” her nominator said. “She has provided honest feedback including ways to improve in all aspects of professional service. She is responsible for supporting my aspirations and for pointing out potential opportunities to develop all areas of professional and personal expertise.”

“Jim is skilled at breaking down complex topics in ways that a beginner can understand,” one mentee said. “He gives positive feedback at even the smallest milestones, providing encouragement to continue learning. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience, which he generously shares with others.”

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BRIAN HAIRSTON

YOUTH MENTORING MENTOR OF THE YEAR Brian Hairston is a 4-H Agent at the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Hairston invests time, understanding, love and kindness in all of the youth who come through the Virginia 4-H program, treating them as members of his own family and empowering young leaders to know they can make a difference in the community.

“Brian has been one of my greatest motivations and mentors throughout my entire life,” one mentee said. “I have never met someone who genuinely cares about those he is mentoring as much as Brian. He has taught me so many skills and helped me turn from a shy, young guy to a confident young man.”

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Sonya Hopkins is the Coordinator of Academic Services for Athletics at Butler University. She is described as selfless and humble. Hopkins makes sure that student athletes have the tools they need to accomplish their goals, and her support has resulted in impressive results of graduation and career success. She also engages the student-athletes in community service, modeling The Butler Way. “Her passion is seeing young people graduate, and she has firmly planted herself in the trenches with the students,” her nominator said. “She offers sound advice and gives unconditional support. Her passion and pride in her job are on display every day, and that is contagious around the department.”

3RD SATURDAY IN MAY EMPOWER TODAY’S YOUTH TO BECOME TOMORROW’S ENTREPRENEURS. It’s fun, easy and FREE! Lemonade Day helps kids of all ages experience entrepreneurship by planning, starting, owning, and operating their own business: a lemonade stand! Plant the seeds for the young entrepreneurs in your life by signing them up for Lemonade Day!

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Leah Blackford with her husband Chris

APRIL'S LUCKIEST ALIVE Leah Blackford

SUBMIT YOUR STORY ONLINE AT TOWNEPOST.COM! If you are chosen, you'll win dinner for two at the Homestretch Steakhouse and $100 each in gambling comps. You must be 21 years of age or older to participate.

LEAH BLACKFORD BEATS THREE BRAIN TUMORS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

In March 2016, Leah Blackford was playing cards with her family and husband, Chris, when suddenly she threw the deck across the table, went stiff as a board and stopped moving. At first Chris thought she was joking around. When she didn’t respond, however, he began to panic. Thirty seconds later, Leah’s eyes popped open, though they were unfocused, and she seemed disoriented.

what happens, remove the tumors through surgery, or take medications to slow tumor growth. Without hesitation, Leah asked when she could schedule surgery.

Named the Luckiest Hoosier Alive winner this month, Leah received a prize package to Hoosier Park Casino, which includes dinner for two at Homestretch Steakhouse as well as $200 in comps for gambling.

The diagnosis provided answers to nagging questions that Leah had prior to the “We are really looking forward to a night seizure, such as why she was struggling to out, I can’t tell Hoosier Park ‘thank you’ understand the tasks she was to perform at enough,” added Leah. the new job she’d started three weeks earlier. Not that Leah needs to roll the dice or “It didn’t make sense that I was having such play the slots because she’s already defied “I don’t remember any of it, but apparently a hard time because I’ve been in accounts the odds. She was supposed to be in the for 30 minutes I was asking a bunch of payable my whole life,” Leah says. “I knew it hospital for seven days — she was out in strange and repetitive questions,” Leah says. wasn’t normal to be having trouble learning four. She was scheduled to be off work for my job.” six to nine weeks, but she was back in less Chris insisted they go to the hospital. than three. She beat not one brain tumor Within four weeks of her seizure, Leah was but three. The ER team wasn’t initially concerned, on the operating table. Chris paced the chalking the bizarre experience up to the hospital floors, waiting anxiously as the “I’m just grateful for how it all turned out,” body’s need to “reset” itself from time to surgery, scheduled for three hours, took a Chris says. “The brain tumor was in the time, the way a boxer does after getting whopping six and a half. The doctor said best place it could be. It was accessible. We knocked out. A CAT scan, however, that in order to reach one of the tumors, he were blessed.” revealed something more ominous. had to remove a small piece of Leah’s brain. Six months post-surgery, Leah was given “When the doctor walked in…” Chris When Leah woke up an hour later, she was the all-clear, enabling her to suspend whispered, his voice cracking with disappointed to find she didn’t have a bald medication and resume driving, flying and emotion, “You never want to see the head. even parasailing. When she and Chris went look that doctor had on his face. I knew to San Diego, she eagerly signed up for the something was very wrong.” “I was kind of looking forward to having exhilarating activity. part of my head shaved,” says Leah with a More tests were done to confirm the chuckle. “You can’t even see my scar!” “I was like, ‘I’m doing this!’” says Leah, diagnosis, but ultimately, an MRI revealed who admits that she now has a new that Leah had not one, but three tumors on What you can see, however, is the appreciation for life. “I’m so thankful for her brain — each the size of a large marble. tremendous support she’s gotten from her everything I have.” The pressure the tumors were putting on husband, mother, coworkers and friends. the outside of her brain was what caused the Leah was listening to WZPL 99.5 FM radio memory loss and seizure. “I consider myself tremendously lucky just and heard the commercial with Towne Post to be married to this great guy, who has been Publisher Tom Britt asking for people to “That’s when your heart drops,” Chris says. with me every step of the way,” Leah says. submit their story for the “Luckiest Hoosier “We’ve been together a long time and have Alive Contest.” She heard the commercial The good news: the tumors were not learned that if you can’t change something or and said, “I’m going to do that!” cancerous. The specialist offered the couple fix it, you learn to live with it. We’ve always three possible options: do nothing and see taken life and rolled with it together.” A true winner, indeed.

The Bourbons of Buffalo Trace A TASTING EVENT TO BENEFIT

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Enjoy learning the history and sampling the distilled spirits of Buffalo Trace. Dinner will be served, compliments of Chef Suzanne catering. Bourbon historian Eric Prime and Elite Beverages owner Ray Cox will host this event at Geist Reservoir’s Indianapolis Sailing Club.

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FISHERS RESIDENT RUNS FOR LLS MAN OF THE YEAR Writer / Matt Keating . Photographer / Demi Lawrence

Jason Llewellyn is looking for a few good donors, and he needs your help. Llewellyn, a Fishers resident, is running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Man of the Year program, hoping to raise more than $100,000 for LLS cancer research. Each year, in communities across the country, dedicated candidates engage in an exciting competition to earn the LLS “Man & Woman of the Year” titles. Llewellyn, a CPA, said one of his first clients, Jim Ficher, was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago. “Jim has become a very good friend over the years,” Llewellyn said. “He was the ideal picture of a healthy person in retirement. He played softball, tennis and traveled quite a bit. It was hard to believe such an active person would become sick.”

Llewellyn was approached to join the Man of the Year program by Jill Petuzzi, a member of the LLS board of directors. “Jill asked me to think about it, and I said there was nothing to think about,” Llewellyn said. “I immediately said I would love to do it. I jumped at the invitation to run for Man of the Year.” Every dollar raised during the campaign counts as one vote and the titles of Man and Woman of the Year are awarded to the two candidates with the most votes at the end of 10 weeks. Candidates form their own teams can use their own contacts and creativity to raise funds. “Things for the campaign are already starting to take off,” Llewellan said. “I'm establishing a team of people and starting to secure corporate sponsorships. The program has grown a lot. There were 14 candidates last year and over a million dollars was raised.”

FISHERS/GEIST MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

We are hosting Coach Bob Knight for a private event on April 20th for a night of stories, laughs, and memories all in an effort to raise funds for LLS. Tickets are $400 per person which includes food and drinks. The event will be capped at 50 people Wine tasting at CMG Worldwide on April 27th, provided by Tasteful Times in Fishers, with food from various restaurants around the area. Silent auction that evening as well. Tickets are $50 and that includes all the wine and food during the night.

In a world of change, our focus is steadfast.

The 2017 campaign runs from March 10 to May 13 and includes recruiting corporate sponsorships. A gala with a live and silent auction will be held on May 13 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. Through programs like Man & Woman of the Year, LLS has invested more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies. Almost half of the new anti-cancer drugs approved by the U.S. FDA from 2000 through 2013 were originally designed to treat blood cancers, and LLS helped advance most of them. “The amount of work they do is amazing,” Llewellyn added. Although someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer every three minutes, there is great hope for the future, according to the LLS. Through funds raised by generous supports, there are more research, patient aid, education and advocacy programs made available. “Every dollar raised really does make a difference,” Llewellyn said.

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If you are interested in donating money to Llewellyn’s campaign, or getting involved, contact him at jason@holisticfinancialpartners. com. To get involved in the 2017 LLS Indianapolis Man & Woman of the Year Campaign, please contact Elissa Evernham at elissa.evernham@lls.org for additional information.

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THE CHRIS SCHULHOF HOME SELLING TEAM FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO REALTY SUPERSTARS

Writer / Josh Brown

RE/MAX Realty Services in Indianapolis and The Chris Schulhof Home Selling Team. Schulhof ’s team has been the number two RE/MAX team in Indiana for 10 of the last 15 years he has been selling real estate.

Chris Schulhof moved to the Geist area 33 years ago, but it was humble beginnings for the owner of one of the most successful RE/MAX franchises in all of Indiana. When Schulhof moved to Geist in 1984 it was “all cornfields and woods.” He quickly found work at “We are a unique, boutique RE/MAX franchise,” Schulhof says. the Geist Marina — pumping gas for boaters as they pulled in. “We don’t have 20 different agents. It is a small group, but our group is a powerhouse in the Fishers and Geist area. When you approach “It was a lot of fun,” Schulhof says. “Today, a lot of those people I a typical agent to list your house, the challenge is that agent maybe was pumping gas for, I’m now selling their homes.” has one administrative person. We have a whole team of resources that are constantly helping our clients.” After graduating from Purdue, Schulhof began his career at Dow Chemical but quickly grew tired of constant travel. He then found The Schulhof team consists of experienced realty professionals his passion in realty. Today, he is the lead broker and owner of including Jamie Boer a listing, buyer and staging and re-designed FISHERS/GEIST MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017

“ANY GOOD ORGANIZATION IS MADE UP OF GREAT TEAM MEMBERS, AND THAT IS WHAT I’VE GOT” - CHRIS SCHULHOF

certified specialist, listing and buyer agents Martin Russel, Joy Harris and Cathy Wheeler and client care managers Sandy MacLean, Tracey Kemp and Mark Chase. Both Russel and Boer have been with Schulhof for 11 years, while MacLean has been on board for six years.

We help you make the most return on your investment - your home. ”

Schulhof says it’s the hard work of his team that has made RE/MAX Realty Services in Indianapolis what it is today, and they have the tremendous power of the RE/MAX Brand behind them.

“Having sold more than 1,500 homes in this area, we’ve been there, done that many, many times,” Schulhof says. “We are rarely surprised anymore. Most of the challenges we’ve been confronted with would be huge obstacles for other agents, but we have the experience and know how to handle those tricky and challenging situations.”

Another unique offering of his team is the Trade Program. He will buy someone’s home so they can trade-up to a client’s home he has for sale. It takes the fear of buying before selling and, in many cases, the hassle of selling a home out of the equation. “Any good organization is made up of great team members, and that is what I’ve got,” Schulhof says. “I’ve got a dynamic set of strong individuals in our group and we are here to support our clients seven days a week.” Schulhof has stayed ahead of the game by not only advertising in print mediums such as Geist and Fishers Magazine and Executive Portfolio but also in online mediums like Zillow, Realtor.com, Facebook and the Towne Post Network. He also has FAA certification to fly their drones for aerial photography — a much safer alternative to the cherry picker he previously used for aerial shots! The goal for Schulhof with clients who are selling is to get their home as much exposure as possible. He says his team has the resources to get that needed exposure compared to what the competition can offer.

Whether you are buying or selling, challenges are bound to occur along the way. Schulhof ’s team is prepared, and their track record speaks for itself. Very seldom is the Schulhof Team thrown off guard.

More than anything, Schulhof says the goal is to always go to bat for their clients. Judging by strong Zillow reviews and a continuous flow of client referrals, The Schulhof Home Selling Team is doing just that. “We really make sure we are doing the absolute best we can for each client,” Schulhof says. “You never want to underestimate the experience we bring to the table when you are buying or selling a home.” Contact Schulhof and his team today at 317-842-4747 or visit them online at IndyPlace.com.

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Amy Massillamany

Leukemia, Lymphoma Society (LLS) Woman of the Year Candidate

Writer / Suzanne Huntzinger . Photographer / Brian Brosmer

Setting out to become the 2017 Indiana Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year while planning a summer wedding and a cameo on Dancing with Our Stars Meals on Wheels edition in September was not originally on Amy Massillamany’s to-do list. Massillamany, Fishers resident and mother of two young boys, Jackson, 8, and Sully, 6, already juggles serving on the Hamilton County Council, where she’s represented Fishers for the past six years, and is the Regional Sales Director for Compass Group North America. “It was by accident,” Amy says. “My friend, Ale Luna, invited me to the LLS Man and Woman of the Year Gala last year and I knew then I had to help. My father and mentor, Rick Fuson, always told me we’re behind the scenes people. It’s about having an attitude of public service and I’ve never forgotten that.” With that attitude of public service, Massillamany welcomed the opportunity to raise funds and awareness with the hope that a cure is found and parents in the future will never fear hearing the words Leukemia or Lymphoma again. “There are so many people in my life that have been affected by

cancer,” Massillamany says. “The list continues to grow and that gave me the idea to run on the platform of community. I lost my stepfather, JR Craw, to brain cancer. Everyone in my life from Henley Romine to Nancy Broock, and Rachel Eusey who lost their fight, Robin Mills, Bonnie Fuson-Smith and Chuck Baldwin who fought and won. “Finally, to those like Courtney Ramstack and my stepmother’s parents, Gary and Pat Ferguson who are currently fighting cancer. They all made this campaign much more important,” she adds. This campaign stands out because LLS shares their research and maintains low administrative overhead. Roughly, 80 percent of funds raised are used towards the fight against Leukemia and Lymphoma. “I’ve assembled an incredible team,” Massillamany says. “And it continues to grow daily. I’ve had complete strangers offer to donate, join my social media outreach team, purchase a ticket to the gala or my concert fundraiser at the Rathskellar on April 30, provide a silent auction item or simply pass on a story of triumph that I can share during my campaign. It’s been deeply humbling.” The campaign becomes even more humbling as each year the LLS recognizes and honors two pediatric blood cancer patients. This

atFishers.com / APRIL 2017 / FISHERS MAGAZINE / 45

year, Megan Broviak and Drake Williams are the honorees. Broviak, is 10 years old and in the fifth grade at Stoney Creek Elementary in Noblesville. She was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia, in 2015. After a year and a half of chemotherapy, Broviak is currently in remission. Williams is 5 years old and was diagnosed with VHR Leukemia in 2015. He now attends St. Richard’s Episcopal School and will continue treatments through July 2018. The Indiana LLS Man and Woman of the Year campaign is in its ninth year running, raising an average of $1 million among the 10 candidates each year. This year’s campaign officially kicks off March 2 and concludes May 13 with a black-tie gala at the Marriott Downtown Indianapolis. The campaign road will be long, but rewarding, Massillamany says. “The connection I felt when I attended the gala on a whim grew in to something far greater,” she says. “I hope that resonates with people and maybe inspires them to run next year.” Along the way, Massillamany hopes to inspire two other special people in her life. “I want my sons to grow up seeing how to make a difference in life and give someone else the chance to have what they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Massillamany says. “At the end of the day, I hope I’ll be remembered for the legacy I leave.” Massillamany will be campaigning tirelessly for your donations. You can go to www.MWOY.org/pages/IN/Indy17/AFusonMass to donate, purchase tickets, table sponsorships and program advertisements. For more information on joining Massillamany’s team, please contact Laken Sisko at Laken@TheSiskoGroup.com. 46 / FISHERS MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017 / atFishers.com

Fishers Businesses Double as Art Galleries

Writer & Photographer / Jocelyn Vare

vibrant paintings of Noblesville native H. Ward Miles are on display and visitors are welcome to enjoy this art exhibit during regular business hours. Each new Meyer Najem art exhibit is unveiled at a free, opento-the-public reception with the artist.

It’s true, there are no traditional art galleries in Fishers. But that doesn’t limit local artists from exhibiting their work in our community. Several Fishers businesses within the half-mile downtown hub of the Nickel Plate District also New Fishers companies are also embracing double as free art galleries. art as a way to make a splash and enhance the community. These companies have energized Fishers with color and creativity, while inviting Located at North Street and Lantern Road, visitors to enjoy art downtown. Four Day Ray is Fishers’ newest craft brewery and restaurant. The west exterior of the FDR A leader in this arts initiative is Meyer building features a 22-foot mural that depicts Najem, a construction management firm a train traversing the mountains. Inspired by located at the corner of Lantern Road vintage National Parks posters, the mural is and Commercial Drive. Last fall, Meyer a reflection of the 1940’s railroad era and the Najem unveiled one of the city’s first Four Day Ray brand. commissioned sculptures. Impossible to miss from the bustling corner, “Siege the FDR President and owner Brian Graham Day” is an intriguing 13-foot metal shape. didn’t have to go far to find an artist. Just The sculpture was created by local artist, down the street, Vardagen is a Nickel Plate Kevin Huff, and is a statement about the District apparel shop known for its custompast meeting the present. It exemplifies designed artwork. Vardagen’s main artist, CEO Anthony Najem’s vision to connect Daniel Jewett, was invited by Graham to his company to the Fishers community by create the custom-designed railroad mural showcasing artwork. for FDR. Today, the mural is a unique interpretation of the Nickel Plate District’s Inside Najem’s office building, art greets train theme and a special start to the Four visitors at every turn. In the lobby, a Day Ray story in Fishers. whimsical installation by artist Ancizar Marin evokes a smile. Sculptured climbers Sharp Printing was founded in Fishers are depicted ascending the two-story more than 30 years ago and is the newest lobby wall. The open space upstairs offers Nickel Plate District business to present a rotating art gallery featuring a new public art displays. The printer’s large artist every three months. Currently, the windows overlooking 116th Street are a

48 / FISHERS MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017 / atFishers.com

canvas for one-dimensional artwork. Sharp Printing first reached out to local artists and photographers to participate in a Facebook contest this winter. The winning artists had their work produced in large format by Sharp and displayed in the windows for several months. A new art contest has recently kicked off and social media will help select which local artwork will be featured in the windows this spring. Another art-centered business in the neighborhood is Gallery 116, a favorite of Nickel Plate District shoppers for 15 years. Inside, the work of more than 50 local artisans, makers and fine artists are available for purchase. Outside Gallery 116’s homey storefront, a jazzy trio greets each passerby. The sculpture was created with repurposed materials by artist Jeff Mack and adds a flair to the shop’s 116th Street view. Fans of local art seem to share these sentiments of owner Tracy Gritter, “The arts make Fishers unique and draw people to stroll through the Nickel Plate District, eating, sipping and shopping along the way!” Pure Eatery is a restaurant in the Nickel Plate District that embraces local art like no other. Every few months, new artwork appears, reflecting Pure Eatery’s always fresh vibe.

EVEN UTILITY BOXES HAVE BECOME ART IN THE NICKEL PLATE DISTRICT. Artist: Marc Anderson 116th Street and Holland Drive 116th Street and Lantern Road

Artist: William Denton Ray Lantern Road and Commercial Drive 116th Street at Sunblest Apartments

Diners will be treated to a photography exhibit by Jeff Jeffries and John Crow this spring. Mike Graves, Pure Eatery’s curator, finds new artists by visiting art shows and getting tips from Pure customers. At Pure Eatery, customers ask about the latest specials on the menu and the newest artist’s work on display. Even government offices have dedicated space to public art. The Fishers City Hall at One Municipal Drive has hosted an on-going art exhibit since 2012. Visitors are welcome during business hours to view the artwork and most pieces are available for sale. “Art in City Hall” is a collaborative initiative from the City of Fishers, Fishers Arts Council and Nickel Plate Arts. In the spring, the annual HSE Schools’ Senior Art Exhibit is held at City Hall. Art teachers from HSE and Fishers High School select artwork created by graduating seniors for the exhibit. Considered one of the favorite exhibits each year, the students relish their first opportunity to display and prepare their work to sell. Traditional art galleries are not required for art to flourish in Fishers. Opportunities abound for artists and residents to connect. As artwork continues to fill the Fishers Nickel Plate District, even more talented local artists will be discovered. Thanks to local business leaders, arts advocates and creative thinkers, art can be found all around. Now it is up to Fishers residents to enjoy it, share it and purchase it. Only then will art thrive here. atFishers.com / APRIL 2017 / FISHERS MAGAZINE / 49

Artist: Jacque Hammonds Commercial Drive by Target 116th Street and Municipal Drive

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JESS WEST COSTUMES Unmasking Success

Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Brian Brosmer

Jess West, a popular Indianapolis costume designer, has turned a childhood hobby into a successful business. West gets a good deal of business from the Geist Reservoir area, where she is designing costumes to promote Pro Fly Boarding at Geist this summer. She works with Michael Guajardo, owner and operator of Pro Fly Boards. The flyboarding is often seen from Bella Vita. “I’ve started making costumes with LED lights for their Pro Fly Boarding at night, and I'm very excited about that,” West said in her home, where she designs the costumes. West also designs matching outfits for several Geist residents. “I make matching outfits for little girls and their dolls,” she said. “I make spring outfits that are bunnies and chicks for the kids. I have been a big hit with Geist area moms. I’ve made a spring flower costume and a bunny costume so far for Easter this

coming year. I hope this can become a trend for little girls and their matching doll clothing and costumes.”

Anderson, and she has designed costumes for Irvington Halloween and Christmas events and charities.

West has two employees. She also designs for Christmas, New Year’s, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Gen Con, Indy’s gaming convention and Pop Con. Her Chewbacca costume is extremely popular with Star Wars fans at Gen Con. It comes complete with a sound system that roars. She has also designed Gizmo from the movie “Gremlins,” “The Grinch”, and several of the Batman villains that appear on one mask as a mashup costume.

“I've been lucky to get a lot of recommended business,” West said. “I get a lot of requests for what I like to call ‘festival ready’ wear, which is clothes for music festivals.”

“When you have an audience of 60,000 people at Gen Con, it’s a great place to promote your costumes,” West said. “I loved the looks on people’s faces at Gen Con when I went as a 7-foot, four-inch Chewbacca. I had five orders for Pop Con, Comic Con and Gen Con six months out. I have been receiving orders from people from Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Broad Ripple and Greenwood areas. I also get costume orders from all over Indiana, and across the U.S.” West has orders for ball gowns for a charity ball in the fall at The Paramount Theater in 52 / FISHERS MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017 / atFishers.com

She has also made vintage costumes for Burning Man. “I do primarily gain business based on word of mouth and various articles that have been written to showcase my work,” West said. “The Festival Ready Jess West is actually a costume clothing line that I started. I have a website that sells clothes to music festival goers and vintage costumes for places such as Burning Man.” She will also be an on-site seamstress for a ballet production company. “I am going to be revamping vintage costumes to sell to festival goers such as those who attend Burning Man,” West said. “The costumes are from a range of time periods dating back to the 1940s and require a little TLC, jewels, mirrors, added

fabrics and maybe a few LED lights.” Burning Man is the most adventurous of festivals as it showcases artwork, unique costumes and eccentric groups of people who come to dress as wildly as they can, according to West. “The sky is the limit and I hope to create some of the most vibrant, psychedelic, eye-catching pieces that any Burners have ever seen,” West said. “I hope to bring their imaginations to life and display their creative minds and expressions through my costumes.” West, a 2002 Martinsville High School graduate, can make any kind of scary, sexy or funny costume her customers ask for. “I have made a lot of costumes that start off scary on the exterior, but reveal themselves to be beautiful on the inside,” West said. “I once created a mummy costume I wore that ripped off into an Egyptian Princess.” She also created a gigantic werewolf costume with rotating legs, chicken wire and PVC pipe. “I was at an Alt. 103 Radio Halloween event, and people only recognized me as a 14-foot werewolf for a few hours,” West said. “I finally got out of the costume as Red Riding Hood underneath and people loved it. I enjoy making mash-up and transition costumes that turn from one thing into another.” She also made 30 costumes for servers for a Maxim Magazine event at the 100th running of The Indianapolis 500. “That was huge,” West said. “I had a lot of fun doing that.” West has also done a couple of commercials as Chewbacca for the Nissan Shadeland dealership and is currently creating a costume for a horror short film being shot in Texas. “I have been able to maintain a good rapport with my customers, and I get a lot of repeat business,” West said. “I also know how to stick within a budget and create a costume that is exactly what people want.” When people Google “costume-maker Indianapolis,” her name comes up as number one in the search. “I can make anything, and I'm busy all the time,” West said. “I think if you work hard at something you love, you will be a success and have a lot of joy in what you do.” For more info and to see samples of West’s work, visit Jesswestcostumes.com. atFishers.com / APRIL 2017 / FISHERS MAGAZINE / 53

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