Fishers Magazine February 2023

Joy began selling real estate in 1996 during the off-season of her basketball career. She was an All-American at Purdue University (1991) and then went on to play professionally in Japan -

The American Basketball League (ABL) and the WNBA.

Joy loves helping her clients navigate the real estate process and overcoming the challenges that sometimes arise. “As a RE/ MAX Broker, I’m dedicated to finding my clients the home that’s just right for them.

Whether buying, selling or just curious about the local market, CALL ME as I love to offer my service. I strive to make your experience memorable and enjoyable.”

She has also developed a knack for working with professional athletes and coaches. “Being a former athlete, coach, and mother of a NBA player, I understand the demands they have both on and off the field and court.”

Whether buying your first home, dream home or downsizing, Joy provides a confidential, first class experience. Joy and her husband Gary have lived in Fishers for over 21 years. They have raised three sons: Gary Jr, Cameron and Trey and now have 2 grandsons!

JOY HARRIS

CHRIS SCHULHOF

Larry Lannan

LarryInFishers

LOCAL NEWS IN FISHERS INDIANA

THE LATEST NEWS IN FISHERS TOP FISHERS NEWS STORIES OF 2022

Writer/ Larry Lannan

I have a tradition of listing the top news stories in Fishers for the year in late December. 2022 was no exception. I listed 15 stories in all, but will share the top five here.

NUMBER 5

The kickoff of the Fishers Sesquicentennial celebration.

NUMBER 4

Over $1 billion of new developments announced.

NUMBER 3

Fishers announces a new Arts Center and City Hall complex, demolishes the old City Hall.

NUMBER 2

COVID was still an issue as the year began and less an issue as the year ended.

NUMBER 1

The election results, which elected four new members of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board.

John Weingardt was elected President of the Fishers City Council for 2023. Councilor Weingardt has served as President of both the Town Council and City Council previously.

The City of Fishers announced a partnership with the Geist Half Marathon Board and will stage a 5K and half-marathon Saturday, September 16. The 2023 Geist Half Marathon will feature 13.1-mile and 5-kilometer races.

Television Station WTHR and the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools reached a monetary settlement over disclosure issues surrounding former Fishers High School Varsity Football Coach Rick Wimmer’s suspension in his role as a teacher, roughly six years ago. HSE agrees to pay WTHR $35,000, presumably for legal expenses. The Indiana Supreme Court ruled in favor of WTHR’s demand for a factual basis related to Wimmer’s suspension.

By the time you read this, 141st Street at State Road 37 is scheduled to be a right-in right-out configuration, preventing motorists from using 141st Street to cross State Road 37. The city says bids will be taken to construct a roundabout at that location in August of this year.

Just a few days before Christmas, the National Weather Service warned of snow, ice and very cold temperatures on the way. The cold and some ice did hit the area, but the big snowfall never materialized. Fortunately, after a few days of sub-zero weather, temperatures moderated as 2022 drew to a close.

The Fishers City Council entered into what is legally described as an “interlocal agreement” with Hamilton County to reconstruct Cumberland Road between 106th and 116th streets. The construction is expected to get underway sometime in 2023 and extend into 2024. Residents may notice utility relocation and tree clearing in that area early in 2023.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board honored four outgoing school board members. Michelle Fullhart did not seek reelection after eight years on the board. Three members – Brad Boyer, Julie Chambers and Janett Pritchett, were unsuccessful in their re-election campaigns.

Fishers Fire Department Public Information Officer John Mehling was honored by the Fishers City Council for 30 years of service. John is known for his sense of humor and excellent work as PIO.

I posted a number of podcasts in December, including guests Carrie Lively of the Hamilton County Pursuit Institute, Kaitlin Lange from the news startup State Affairs, Joylynn Foli and Bryan Beasley from the Recovery Café and City Councilor Todd Zimmerman.

Check out my local Fishers news blog, where you can also find links to my podcasts, at LarryInFishers.com.

BRITISH BISTRO

CHEEKY BASTARDS BRINGS ENGLISH CUISINE TO GEIST

Writer / Taylor Dixon Photographer / Amy Payne

Michael Rypel and Rob Carmack have set out to bring English cuisine to the northside of Indianapolis. They opened Cheeky Bastards on January 2 and are already drawing an unexpected crowd.

“We’ve been very surprised at how many British people are in the area that are either going to become citizens or are married to Americans,” Rypel says. “Daily we’re seeing at least 20 British people from the area, and they’re all so excited to have food from their home country like their mom used to make.”

Carmack, an Italian-trained chef, spent the

last year in England learning all there is to know about British food. Upon returning last June, Carmack and Rypel, who travels to England for work a few times per year, realized that Indiana had little to offer in terms of classic British meals.

Carmack’s return happened to line up with a vacancy down from Rypel’s art studio on Fall Creek Road, and the two soon realized they had an opportunity to bring British food to Indiana.

“When he came back, [Rob] said, ‘You’ve got to try this food I tried over there,’ and we started looking from the bottom of the

Chef Rob Carmack and Owner Michael Rypel

state to the top of the state for real British food and we just couldn’t find it,” Rypel says. “It was just perfect timing. This area really is just aching for something. During the day there’s nowhere to eat around here unless you want fast food or a chain restaurant. It’s a perfect opportunity to come here and that’s what most people are saying when they come in. There’s also just people around here that don’t really understand what authentic British food is unless they’re from Britain. There was a hole in that market that needed to be filled. ”

“While I was in England I had a list of British foods I’ve always wanted to try,” Carmack says. “I’ve learned that British food has a reputation of being bland and boring, but it’s a very multicultural nation and there’s a lot of influences in their food. I was blown away by the food and everything got me thinking, ‘Wow, I’d love to bring this back so my friends and family could experience what British food really is.’ We decided we were going to bring the experiences we had in England to the people in Indianapolis.”

The eatery is currently open for breakfast, and they serve a classic English breakfast spread, complete with baked beans and real English sausage. On the breakfast menu they also offer pastries, breakfast sandwiches and sausage rolls. The lunch menu includes shepherd’s pie, traditional fish and chips, scotch eggs and more.

The establishment is also serving coffee with a unique, personalized twist that has

been a hit with the public. Customers pick their coffee, scan a QR code and upload a picture, and it is printed on the top of the coffee foam. The personalized coffee maker comes from Europe, and Cheeky Bastards is currently the only place offering customized coffee in the state, according to Rypel.

“So far people are very excited about [the customized coffee],” Rypel says. “A guy can put his girlfriend on there, grandparents put their grandchild on there, and then they take pictures of it and they send it to their family.”

Since the opening, the community response has been overwhelmingly positive, the coowners say. Aside from the overwhelming population of British customers, the two have been pleasantly surprised by the response of Indiana natives as well.

“The people in general that come in are so excited,” Carmack says. “It’s just a very fulfilling part of the job when people are enjoying your food, and they are genuinely excited to come here and try something different or out of their norm. It’s good to see that there’s so many people that are adventurous eaters.”

Cheeky Bastards is located at 11210 Fall Creek Road in Indianapolis. The restaurant is currently open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will soon be open for dinner starting at 5 p.m. To learn more, visit cheekybastardsrestaurant.com, call 317288-9739 or email thosecheekybastards@ gmail.com.

For Those in Need

CONTRIBUTE TO A WORTHY CAUSE AT DANCING WITH THE ANGELS FUNDRAISER

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Dancing With the Angels, a special fundraiser scheduled for February 11 at VFW Post 7119 in Fort Harrison, will benefit causes championed by the Anthony’s Angels organization.

Anthony’s Angels helps people and animals in need, and honors the late Anthony Dewayne Garcia. His mother, Helen Vaughn, says he would have appreciated Anthony’s Angels. “Commonly known as Anthony Dewayne, he was a victim of a fatal vehicle accident in August 2022, at just 37 years old,” Vaughn says. “He was a gentleman with a contagious smile and a deep compassion for the less fortunate.”

Vaughn notes that Garcia’s ambition was to improve the quality of life for the underprivileged.

“Anthony had a kind soul and a giving heart,” Vaughn says. “He was known for buying the homeless a meal, and offering them a hot shower and a home-cooked dinner. He could also be found volunteering at animal shelters and rescues, purchasing pet food and supplies, or bringing home stray animals. Anthony would often share words of encouragement and stories of his own struggles in hopes of helping others.”

In his memory, Anthony’s Angels was established by his mother in September of 2022. Garcia was her only child.

“The purpose of this organization is to provide random acts of kindness throughout central Indiana for those in need,” Vaughn says. “It is our goal to carry on Anthony’s legacy and continue with his hopes and ambitions.”

Anthony’s Angels has monthly missions to keep Garcia’s vision alive and make a difference.

“In September 2022 you would have found team members in downtown Indianapolis, dispersing freshly made sacked lunches to the homeless,” Vaughn says. “In just a few months we have provided an abundance of new undergarments, blankets, food and hygiene products for the homeless, and also for displaced veterans and their families, donated dog food, and partnered with the Mozel Sanders Foundation and Meals From The Heart in Indianapolis to assist with feeding the hungry on Thanksgiving.”

The organization has supported IndyHumane to help provide shelter, medical care, vaccinations and adoption services for animals.

“Amongst several other missions, we have also given a monetary donation to Kairos Prison Ministry to purchase store-bought cookies for the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility, and donated 400 bottles of water to ASSIST Indiana,” Vaughn says.

“The generosity from team Anthony has been phenomenal, but we now find the organization in a position to replenish our funds and supplies.”

“There will be a DJ spinning your favorite tunes, a photo booth, games and a chance to win some fantastic prizes,” Vaughn adds. “All proceeds will go towards Anthony’s Angels’ efforts to continue to provide for those in need. People may purchase tickets in advance, for general admission and/or items available for a chance to win, at myevent. com/anthonysangels. You do not have to be present to win, but we sure welcome your attendance.”

Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the evening of the event. The cost for admission is $7 per individual and $10 per couple/family, plus the purchase of tickets ($10 value) for a chance to win gifts.

“Where else can you go for an evening of fun at $20 or less and also support a good cause?” Vaughn says. Stephanie Sanders, chief operating officer for the Mozel Sanders Foundation, has helped guide Vaughn through the formation of the fundraiser, and says this is an “angelic” deal.

VFW Post 7119 is located at 6525 Lee Road in Indianapolis, and the Dancing With the Angels event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on February 11. For more information on Anthony’s Angels, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/anthonysangels, or visit anthonysangels.net.

Anthony’s Angels helps people and animals in need, and honors the late Anthony Dewayne Garcia.

General Manager Kevin Groover

An independent craft beer company known for making flavorforward beers will continue their expansion in central Indiana.

2Toms Brewing Company was originally founded in Fort Wayne in 2017, and has since expanded operations to a second Indianapolis-area location on the 96th Street corridor in Fishers.

Owner Tom Carpenter had been scouting multiple locations in the central Indiana market since early 2021, with sites in Westfield, Fishers and Lawrence under consideration. Ultimately, the space on 96th Street won over the other prospective locations due to the location and amenities, including the size and layout of the kitchen.

The former Redemption Alewerks bar was previously

located in the space. Major renovations in early to mid 2022 reworked the former brewhouse for storage and a draft system that is better designed for ease of use. The iconic, horseshoe-shaped bar remains.

The Fishers location officially opened on July 1.

“We picked Fishers because it wasn’t as established and it’s an up-and-coming area,” says 2Toms Brewing Fishers General Manager Kevin Groover. “There weren’t too many other options here, so it was a perfect spot.”

Groover says the nearly 4,000-square-foot space, located on East 96th Street, features a new taproom in a family-friendly environment.

“We are known for incorporating balanced and clean beers,” Groover says. “[Owner Tom Carpenter] had a great following at his brewery in Fort Wayne, and

every time we went to beer festivals, we had a lot of folks from the Indy area asking when we would open something in the area.”

Groover says they decided to open 2Toms Brewing north of Indianapolis in Fishers because the market was already established with breweries and taprooms in the capital city. He says the overall community support has been phenomenal so far, despite some early setbacks.

“We had some hurdles at first because we didn’t get an official sign out in front, because of a backorder due to COVID,” Groover says. “We are doing a bit of marketing here and there, but not too much out of the gate, because we kind of want it to build up so we won’t be too overwhelmed.”

Groover says they currently operate with a small, close-knit staff, but that will likely change in the future. He says October was a big month for business because they launched their Cereal Killer beer series, which is based on 12 different breakfast cereal flavors. He says the beer selection changes on a monthly basis, meaning

there’s always something new for guests to try during a visit.

“We don’t have core beers on our taps,” Groover says. “We keep inventing new beers and recipes, and have styles from lagers to stouts just to keep it interesting. What sets us apart is we treat our beers like a chef in the kitchen. Owner Tom Carpenter focuses on these culinary beers, which include well-balanced ingredients for a clean, fresh and delicious experience that hits the mark.”

Groover says their experiments with different beer flavors can sometimes take them back to the drawing board. He says this allows them to figure out what works and what does not.

2Toms Brewing also sells cans and bottles for carry-out, and their selection is constantly changing.

As for food, the brewery currently partners with Rusted Silo Southern BBQ & Brew House in Lizton for their award-winning barbecue, including beef brisket, smoked chicken and pulled pork, plus loaded macand-cheese bowls and sides like collard

greens, ranch beans and coleslaw.

“We are looking to expand our food menu, but it won’t be too big because we want to focus on the beer and a good customer experience,” Groover says.

The current space does include room for a traditional brewery, and brewing is currently done at their production space in Fort Wayne. Company officials say they would consider specialty batches in Indianapolis down the road.

The 2Toms Brewing Fishers team is also looking to host events in their parking lot in the future.

“We are extremely excited about this opportunity and hope to replicate the unique customer experience found at our current Fort Wayne location,” Carpenter said in a press release. “The plan is to include many of the open-concept features and decor, but also create an identity unique to Indianapolis.”

2Toms Brewing is located at 7035 East 96th Street in Indianapolis. To learn more, visit 2tomsbrewing.com.

EXTRA

Taproom, located at Allisonville Road and 116th Street.

Sahm’s opened in 1986 when Allisonville Road was gravel. Now, decades later, a staple of the Fishers culinary landscape is looking to highlight their operations, as the family-owned business plans additional investments in their Fishers restaurants.

The Sahm’s Hospitality Group family of establishments features 13 restaurants including Rockstone Pizza and Big Lug

Chief Operating Officer and Creative Director Eddie Sahm says Rockstone and Big Lug both opened in early 2013, and as they approach the 10th anniversary, the staff members wanted to do something to celebrate the milestone.

“We are part of the community for the long run, and we are coming out of the intensity

of COVID where there was not really a lot of dining in,” he says. “As a pizza place, 95% of our business is carry-out, which makes sense, but we want people to know we are open and come in and celebrate in-house. We pride ourselves on having a clean, fun and easy-to-dine experience.”

Sahm says renovations are complete, and the establishment now incorporates a new spirits and cocktail program made by their in-house mixologist, Steve Simon.

Writer / Noah Alatza Photographer / Travis Hinkle

“We have extended the bar and added 40 seats so we can fit larger parties,” Sahm says. “We have also added more TVs so our guests can watch sports, and with Indy hosting so many events, we wanted to give it more of a stay-and-hang-out vibe.”

Other upgrades include new artwork, murals, and a fresh coat of paint. The bar has been renovated to include on-tap cocktails. The new additions will allow for fresh drinks and different types of spirits, including on-tap sangria cocktails among others.

“We are going to collaborate with Big Lug Brewing Company and have a taproom of our beer at good sizes,” Sahm says. “There are all types of options and we will have 20 Big Lug taps available. This partnership is an extension of our brewing and really a new destination for Fishers. We wanted this to be like someone’s bar as it takes on new life. This is a new element to the community and another place to see what’s going on, so this is really setting the bar for us as we move forward with a new look and vibe,

with the same great food.”

Sahm says the community has always supported the restaurant, and the staff feels like they owe it to people to provide fresh food in a fun and safe atmosphere.

“We have had so much equity built up by doing initiatives through churches, athletic programs and even city officials, to see the vision of Fishers’ growth and how we can contribute to that,” Sahm says. “We have always put the city and its people first, and for us that means supporting the community in any way we can.”

Sahm says the restaurant lives by the following motto: “Feeding the community.”

“We want to give back to all these places that have supported us, and we want to show them that we are still here and that we are going to invest in ourselves and the community, now and in the future,” he says.

The restaurant empire was originally founded by Sahm’s father, Ed Sahm.

“This is really a testament to my father’s goal of feeding people and bringing them together,” Sahm says. “We are totally family owned and operated, and family owned means we care more. There is that assurance of quality that if you don’t like it, there’s a family that will answer that, and we are here and accountable.”

explore sahms.com.

Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy | Speech Therapy | Call: 317.841.7005

Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy | Speech Therapy | Call: 317.841.7005

Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy | Speech Therapy | Call: 317.841.7005

Play. Move. Laugh.

Play. Move. Laugh.

Our philosophy is to inspire hope and nurture the well-being of the whole person, focusing on physical and social needs to deliver the highest quality therapy services to our families. TOTS Physical, Occupational, and speech therapists provided one-on-one therapy and custom-designed home programs to enable your child to improve functional independence and gain those skills needed to live life confidently.

Play. Move. Laugh.

Our philosophy is to inspire hope and nurture the well-being of the whole person, focusing on physical and social needs to deliver the highest quality therapy services to our families. TOTS Physical, Occupational, and speech therapists provided one-on-one therapy and custom-designed home programs to enable your child to improve functional independence and gain those skills needed to live life confidently.

Play. Move. Laugh.

Contact us today to meet with one of our Therapists. 9957 Allisonville Road • Fishers | totsindy.com

Our philosophy is to inspire hope and nurture the well-being of the whole person, focusing on physical and social needs to deliver the highest quality therapy services to our families. TOTS Physical, Occupational, and speech therapists provided one-onone therapy and custom-designed home programs to enable your child to improve functional independence and gain those skills needed to live life confidently.

Our philosophy is to inspire hope and nurture the well-being of the whole person, focusing on physical and social needs to deliver the highest quality therapy services to our families. TOTS Physical, Occupational, and speech therapists provided one-on-one therapy and custom-designed home programs to enable your child to improve functional independence and gain those skills needed to live life confidently.

Our philosophy is to inspire hope and nurture the well-being of the whole person, focusing on physical and social needs to deliver the highest quality therapy services to our families. TOTS Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapists provide one-on-one therapy and custom-designed home programs to enable your child to improve functional independence and gain those skills needed to live life confidently.

Contact us today to meet with one of our Therapists.

9957 Allisonville Road • Fishers | totsindy.com