Geist Magazine November 2023 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS SPECIAL EDITION

NOVEMBER 2023

MAGAZINE

GOOD TO BE KING KING JUGG BREWING COMPANY IS FORMING A FOLLOWING FIT FOR ROYALTY LADIES BIKE NIGHT

Annual Event Brings Local Women Together for Fun, Food and Physical Activity

HONORING OUR VETERANS A Heartfelt Appreciation

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A TOWNE POST NETWORK PUBLICATION

IN THIS ISSUE

NOVEMBER 2023

For advertising information, contact:

PUBLISHER JUSTIN 'JD' BIEHL justin@townepost.com 317.294.7211

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER/CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com 317.496.3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com 317.810.0011 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK

Named 2023 ‘Coach of the Week’ for Week 9

Luke Himes

LAWRENCE CENTRAL’S WILL PATTERSON

STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL FOUNDATION SELECTS King Jugg Brewing Company Is Forming MISTY WICK JOHNSTON AS PRESIDENT & CEO a Following Fit for Royalty GOOD TO BE KING

LADIES BIKE NIGHT

SHE’S EVERY WOMAN

CREATIVE DIRECTORS TONI EADS VAL AUSTIN

Annual Event Brings Local Women Together for Fun, Food and Physical Activity

Kyleigh Lynette Is Raising Funds and Awareness for the Military as Mrs. Indiana Contestant

COPY EDITORS JON SHOULDERS NATALIE PLATT

A Heartfelt Appreciation

Local Resident Alex Murphy Pens New Book

HONORING OUR VETERANS

CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?

FLAIR FOR FICTION

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

LAKE LEADER

Geist Reservoir Conservancy District Hires New Director

HIS BEST SHOT

HSE Grad’s Documentary Chronicles Unique Journey

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KEY CONTRIBUTORS AMIE DRUDGE / JULIE YATES MATT KEATING / RENEE LARR

LAWRENCE CENTRAL’S WILL PATTERSON

NAMED 2023 ‘COACH OF THE WEEK’ FOR WEEK 9 Will Patterson of Lawrence Central High School was recently named the Colts/ NFL Coach of the Week, presented by Corteva Agriscience, headquartered in Indianapolis. The Class 6A unranked Bears (4-5) defeated 6A-No.10 Carmel (5-4) at home 21-17. The Bears win over Carmel was their first over the Greyhounds since 1974. This season marks the 24th year the Colts are recognizing outstanding high school

football coaches throughout Indiana. Each week following a high school football weekend, one coach will be announced as the honoree. All high school head coaches in the state are eligible regardless of their school size, league or division. Coaches are evaluated on various factors including the coach’s impact on the team, school and community, as well as the team’s performance. The honorees are selected by a panel of football media, former athletic

6 / GEIST MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

directors and other football representatives from across the state. At the conclusion of the high school season, each winning coach will receive a $1,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, as well as a commemorative plaque. What’s more, Corteva Agriscience will contribute an additional $1,000 to the school’s athletic fund. For more info, visit Colts.com/ HighSchoolFootball.

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GOOD TO BE KING KING JUGG BREWING COMPANY IS FORMING A FOLLOWING FIT FOR ROYALTY Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

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SCAN FOR INFORMATION ON CHRISTMAS PARTIES, CATERING AND GIFT CARDS

ipping a cold draft beer and sharing a plate of great food with friends while listening to excellent live music is often one of life’s simplest pleasures. Randy De John, a 35-year restaurant industry veteran, opened Room Service on Wheels (RSOW) as a ghost-kitchen food delivery service in the summer of 2022.

“We were doing live music in the grassy area outside of our building,” De John says. “At the time, RSOW was still a delivery service only and didn’t serve alcohol. So guests coming to the concerts had to bring their own beer and wine. At that time they even had to bring their own chairs to sit in." By chance, De John met John Jakob and Mike “Finny” Finnegan at one of the summer concerts. De John says the three shared a love of beer and the desire to open a beer garden/brewery. Shortly after that, King Jugg Brewing Company was born. King Jugg’s is situated next to RSOW off of Lantern Road near Pullman Pointe Apartments. DeJohn serves as managing partner alongside co-owners Mike Finnegan, Aaron Pearlman, Leslie Halkovich and head brewmaster John Jakob. De John says the King Jugg team is currently brewing and serving three of its own brews, including The Earl of Simcoe IPA, Landowner Wheat and Catapult! Raspberry hard seltzer. He says more beers are coming soon, including more IPAs, a strawberry blonde and German beers. De John notes King Jugg is also working on acquiring a three-way liquor license in the near future. “Our motto is ‘Good beer for all,’ and our mission is to brew extremely drinkable beer,” De John says. “We wanted to create beers people would want to sit around and drink for an entire afternoon or evening.”

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / GEIST MAGAZINE / 9

Guests can nosh on RSOW food items such as pizza, wings, pasta, sandwiches, burgers and wraps. De John says some of his favorite items include the pulled-pork sliders, vodka pasta, and wings with RSOW’s award-winning sauce. He says a new menu is in the works to offer highly requested gluten-free fare. “I think one reason we’ve seen so much success since opening is our great staff,” De John says. “I think each one of them understands the importance we place on putting the customer first. We call it the ‘Plus one,’ and it’s asking ourselves what we can do one step above and beyond for the customer. Plus, our staff has fun at work and I think that shows in each customer’s experience.” King Jugg has space inside and around the bar, and a heated, enclosed patio. It’s adorned with 12 75-inch televisions so

guests can watch any sporting event they want. De John says they have every channel imaginable so guests can watch all their favorite teams. The family- and dog-friendly brewery has a large grassy-knoll area with games for kids, or adults who are kids at heart. De John says they just added a large concrete area for outdoor concerts. Fan-favorite bands like The Why Store and Dave & Rae are already big hits with King Jugg regulars. He says they also host family-friendly events like pumpkin carving contests near Halloween. “We love having live music and plan to continue to do so even as the weather gets colder,” De John. “Our concerts are really what sparked the beer garden idea, so we want to add to those. In the future we’ll be adding blues and reggae bands too.” De John says in the short time they’ve been

10 / GEIST MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

open, King Jugg has amassed a faithful group of regulars. He says word of mouth has been instrumental in their success. He tries to speak with guests at every table he can when working, and asks how they heard about King Jugg. Overwhelmingly, the answer has been through friends and neighbors. “Word-of-mouth recommendations are the greatest form of advertising, and we’ve been so blessed to have so many great locals supporting us,” De John says. “We are starting to see the same faces repeatedly, which is a great feeling. Our location is great because we’re located near Pullman Pointe Apartments. Many of those residents also walk over to enjoy our atmosphere.” Street parking is available near the building. Parking is also available at the Nickel Plate Trail parking lot after 5 p.m., about a block away. King Jugg Brewing Company is located at 11110 Lantern Road in Fishers. For more information, visit kingjuggbrewing.com. For additional details on Room Service on Wheels, visit roomserviceonwheels.com.

WORKING TOGETHER WITH MAYO CLINIC FOR YOU.

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12 / GEIST MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

LADIES BIKE NIGHT ANNUAL EVENT BRINGS LOCAL WOMEN TOGETHER FOR FUN, FOOD AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Each year the number of women participants has grown. Friends of friends are welcome. The group has branched Fishers is a tapestry of neighborhoods. out to include ladies from the Gray Eagle Some sprawl, while others are small enclaves neighborhood. The expansion naturally with just a few homes. Each one has their happened, since children in the two own unique flavor and activities. A few seem subdivisions go to the same school and to melt into each other due to proximity to many of the moms are connected to each shared amenities. As residents connect with other through the Gray Eagle swim team. each other, a sense of community develops. “The destination of the ride is the same The Tanglewood neighborhood, located just location, but now it’s called Saxony north of 126th Street and close to Hamilton Pizzeria,” Poske says. “They have such Southeastern (HSE) High School, started a a lovely outdoor seating area and they tradition in June of 2020 that brings moms welcome us with open arms. We let the together for an evening of fun. Ladies Bike restaurant know we are coming about a Night began as an opportunity socialize week in advance. We typically meet at my outside during COVID, and is now an house around 4:30 p.m. for hors d'oeuvres annual event that includes individuals from and maybe a cocktail. We sit on the back nearby Gray Eagle. deck, catch up, meet new friends and listen to music. It’s mom time away from the “The first Ladies Bike Night started with 10 kiddos, and a chance to relax and smile. of us all from Tanglewood,” says participant Kristen Poske. “We needed a girls night out, At 6 p.m. they take to their bikes. so we did something outside. We rode on bikes to what was then the Rails Craft Brew "The dads take photos and videos,” Poske & Eatery on 131st Street in Saxony. It was says. “We are lucky our husbands are so so much fun, we decided to make it a yearly supportive. They think it’s as funny as we event. This past summer was our fourth do. They have built relationships too. They year and 34 women participated. The bike foster our fun and create their own.” rides have been held on a Wednesday in June towards the end of the month, after the In the summer it gets dark later, so the ladies Mudsock Youth Softball tournament is over. don’t have to rush. They stay together for a A lot of the ladies have kids on the Gray Eagle leisurely ride through Tanglewood and cut swim team, which has meets on Tuesdays through Saxony to avoid major roads. They and Thursdays, so a Wednesday is best.” usually stay at the restaurant for close to two Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / 13

and a half hours. “Then we ride back here for more hors d'oeuvres and maybe more cocktails,” Poske says. “We do nothing but laugh and we have stories from other years’ rides. Once a mom got dropped off at the restaurant and realized she didn’t have a bike to ride home. Another mom happened to have a child’s seat on the back of her bike. The mom hopped into the child’s seat and rode home in it! We were laughing for days.” Poske, who is originally from Fishers and attended HSE High School, shares that Ladies Bike Night, along with other events happening in the neighborhood, have helped her reconnect with friends she had in the past. Activities include spring and fall pickleball, a blind wine tasting attended by over 20 women, and a smaller bike ride to El Camino Real. Another shared experience was charcuterie board making, where partners produced boards, with themes such as Bloody Mary or brunch. “Fishers can seem big, but there is always something to do in a smaller vicinity to create a sense of community,” Poske says. “It develops a sense of belonging. Women shouldn’t be afraid to have fun. As the mom of three who works outside the home, connecting with other women helps me be a better mom. Women deserve to have outlets too. Don’t be afraid to laugh and smile.”

HONORING OUR VETERANS A Heartfelt Appreciation

for the greater good. They leave behind their families, friends and comforts to defend In every nation's history, veterans have our nation's ideals. This act of selflessness, played a crucial role in safeguarding the regardless of personal consequences, is a freedoms and liberties we hold dear. These testament to their devotion. The sacrifices brave men and women have willingly made are not limited to the battlefield. They placed their lives on the line, demonstrating extend into the lives of other veterans and unwavering commitment and sacrifice in the their families, often affecting them for years face of adversity. To express our gratitude, to come. we must recognize the immeasurable contributions of veterans, not just on PRESERVING FREEDOM Veterans Day, but every day. The freedoms and liberties we enjoy today are thanks, in large part, to the sacrifices of THE LEGACY OF SACRIFICE veterans. They have been at the forefront Veterans both young and old share a of conflicts, ensuring that the principles common bond - their willingness to sacrifice upon which our nations were founded are Story and Photography Provided

14 / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

upheld. The freedoms of speech, religion and assembly, among others, are defended by these valiant individuals. Their service allows us to live in a world where democracy and human rights are cherished.

SUPPORT FOR VETERANS While we express our gratitude, it is imperative that we go beyond words and provide tangible support for our veterans. We must ensure that they have access to quality health care, educational opportunities and employment options. Veterans often face unique challenges upon returning to civilian life, and it is our duty to help them transition smoothly. Support

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networks and organizations dedicated to veterans' well-being are invaluable in this regard. The Healing Power of Appreciation Expressing gratitude to veterans holds a special significance. It not only acknowledges their sacrifices, but also aids in their emotional and psychological healing. Many veterans carry the scars of war, both seen and unseen, and knowing that their service is appreciated can provide a profound sense of validation. Acts of appreciation, whether through a simple thank-you or involvement in community initiatives, can make a world of difference.

A DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN Honoring veterans is not just the responsibility of governments or organizations. It is the duty of every citizen. We must recognize that these heroes are our neighbors, our friends and our family members. Their stories are a part of our collective history, and their sacrifices are woven into the fabric of our society. Let us commit ourselves to showing our appreciation through our actions, by supporting veterans and their families in every way possible. Our veterans have selflessly dedicated their lives to protecting the freedoms we cherish. TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / 15

Their courage, resilience and sacrifices, as well as their families’ sacrifices, must be acknowledged and celebrated with unwavering gratitude. Beyond expressing our thanks in words, we must work together as a community to ensure that veterans receive the support and recognition they so rightfully deserve. In honoring veterans, we preserve their legacy and the values for which they fought - a gift to our future generations that should never be taken for granted. So, let us stand together, united in our appreciation for the brave men and women who have served, and continue to serve, our nations.

SUPPORTING NONPROFIT “A KID AGAIN”

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Holiday Gift Guide

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YMCA OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS

Fishers YMCA & Benjamin Harrison YMCA 317-266-YMCA (9622) INDYMCA.org Give an experience this holiday season: Give the gift of the Y! Gift cards in any amount can be used for membership, swim lessons, personal or small group training, youth sports, camp, and more. Visit any of our 12 YMCA locations to purchase yours today!

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NINJA SkILLS LOADING... Ultimate Ninjas, where the action never stops and dreams of becoming a true ninja come to life! Our ninja classes are designed to ignite the spirit of adventure in every child, as they learn to leap, climb, and conquer obstacles like real warriors. 3 Gift Options available: Spend $100 get $125, Class Pass Punch Card and Open Gym Pass Email - indy@ultimateninjas.com 9625 E. 150th St. Noblesville, IN 46060

HIS BEST SHOT

HSE GRAD’S DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLES UNIQUE JOURNEY Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

Gorgeous vistas and breathtaking views are abundant in the documentary “Skoolie,” a full-length feature film by Kyle Thacker and his company Red Dot Video. Viewers experience the highest highs and lowest lows, while vicariously experiencing the trip of a lifetime. Thacker, a 2010 graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School, and his wife, Naomi, left their conventional lives for nearly eleven months to travel across the United States in a converted school bus.

was a tiny house outside of Asheville. It was a blue bus parked in the woods. It had hanging lights and furniture. I loved the romance of it. A converted bus is way cooler than a regular RV. There are tens of thousands of people who have skoolies, converted school buses. They range from people just out of college to retirees, and converge together at meetups. I started to go down a rabbit hole thinking about it.”

“Skoolie,” which premiered in September at Noblesville’s Emagine theater, has been well-received. It recounts the couple’s rationale behind the decision to uproot their life, converting a 2001 Thomas international school bus, and the reason for the abrupt ending to their journey. It all began when the Thackers took their first vacation together.

“I found a bus on Facebook that a couple from Vicksburg, Mississippi, was selling,” Thacker continues. “It had a raised roof, and that was important because I’m 6 feet and 5 inches. Sawing a bus in half, raising a roof and welding it back together was something I didn’t want to have to do. We tore every seat out except for the driver’s and one for Naomi to sit on while I drove. With the small deck on the back, it is 39 feet long.”

“When we were dating, we took a trip to North Carolina,” Thacker says. “One of the places we stayed

The filming took place from November 2021 to September 2022, often by way of a tripod-mounted

18 / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

camera and a drone while Thacker drove the bus. It was important to him to tell their story honestly and portray exactly what the lifestyle entails. The film shows the good times, but also moments of exhaustion.

milestone celebrations, so the shift to videography was natural. Although he has done shorter documentaries, “Skoolie” is his first full-length film.

“As a child I was obsessed with movies,” he says. "I loved the storytelling. Documentaries are like long-format stories but there is no rubric, syllabus or rule book. The ending hasn’t happened yet and you don’t know exactly where it’s going to go. I love shooting the scenery and adding the musical transitions. I put it up on YouTube and not a subscription streaming service because I want people to be able to watch it for free. It wasn’t about making money out of the gate, although it might lead to more work. We have entered it into several film festivals. By day Thacker is a corporate filmmaker who works with The experience has given me confidence and I’m looking traditional businesses. Although he likes to be innovative for the next story.” and portray clients’ products in fresh ways, his own company, Red Dot Video, allows his creative and artistic For more info on Thacker’s videography and side to shine. Since he was a teenager, Thacker has been photography services, visit kylethackerphotography.com photographing high school senior portraits, families, and or email kyle@reddotvideo.com. “There were a couple of things that surprised me during the experience,” Thacker says. “One was how hard it was to convert the bus into a home. We made a promise to see it through and I’m so glad we didn’t give up. The second thing was how hard it was to drive the bus. It’s like driving a house through winding roads and down mountains. I worried constantly that it would break down or fall apart.”

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STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

High School: Heritage Christian School Sport: Track and Field

LUKE HIMES Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

of the close of the season is the number-two throw in the United States.”

Luke Himes, a senior at Heritage Christian School, exemplifies a student-athlete who excels at track and field events.

Stacy adds that Luke also threw the discus 173 feet, 11 inches in the outdoor season.

“Luke was also the MileSplit First Team His father, Stacy M. Himes, says Luke loves Outdoor American,” Stacy says. “He was track and field, where he has had many wins the National Christian School Athletic in shot put and discus. Association Athlete of the Year, and Luke was the New Balance Nationals Indoor All“I could say a lot, but Luke had a lot of American.” highlights in 2023,” Stacy says. “He was the IHSAA state champion in shot put, and Luke also enjoys school. he was the IHSAA fifth-place winner for discus. He was also the IHSAA sectional “He likes math,” Stacy says. “He has taken and regional champion shot-put and discus AP calculus through BC calculus, and he is winner, for the meet record sectional shot presently taking AP statistics. Luke is also put. He was the Indianapolis city meet in the school band and jazz band. He plays champion shot-put and discus winner, for the trombone.” the meet record in shot put.” Luke already has some plans for the future. Stacy notes that Luke also was a Circle City Conference champion shot-put and discus “Luke will pursue engineering and winner, and had meet records in both shot participate in NCAA Division I track and put and discus. field,” Stacy says. “Luke was also an indoor state meet smallschool state champion for shot put,” Stacy says. “He was the New Balance Nationals Indoor runner-up in shot put. Luke threw the shot 67 feet, 10 inches in the outdoor season. This was the third-farthest throw in Indiana history. It was also the nationalleading throw at the time it occurred, and as 22 / GEIST MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

Stacy says he is very proud of everything Luke has accomplished. “I have been his coach since the sixth grade,” Stacy says. “Luke has strong character. He works hard, he's honest and he keeps his cool in difficult situations. He also can handle adversity quite well.”

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LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL FOUNDATION SELECTS MISTY WICK JOHNSTON AS PRESIDENT & CEO Advancement Advisory Committee. She and her husband enjoy spoiling their two cats, Finn and Scarlett.

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After an extensive search, the Lawrence Township School Foundation (LTSF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Misty Wick Johnston has accepted the position of President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2023. Misty comes to the Lawrence Township School Foundation (LTSF) with a tremendous energy because LTSF’s mission of connecting resources in the community to the MSD of Lawrence Township (LT Schools) students, empowering them to excel, aligns perfectly with her personal and professional values. Johnston’s twenty-one years of experience in philanthropy, most recently as Director of Development & Marketing for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, showcases her steadfast commitment to furthering positive change within LT Schools by leveraging her skills and experiences. Misty shared, “The chance to lead a team of dedicated professionals, collaborate with community leaders, and engage with students, teachers, and families to shape the future of LT Schools is a privilege. The passion and dedication of the LT Schools community is abundantly clear. This shared sense of purpose resonated with me deeply as I believe the most impactful work is accomplished when a team is united by a common mission.”

“Misty brings extraordinary talents and experiences that will propel transformative growth. Under Misty’s leadership, I foresee innovative ways to engage the community and harness support for the benefit of Lawrence Township students. We are delighted to welcome her to LTSF and the LT School community,” stated Board President Craig Willey.

ABOUT THE LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL FOUNDATION:

“Throughout the interview process, it was obvious that Misty is a perfect fit for leading LTSF. She demonstrated not only her commitment to our mission, but also how to translate that commitment to tangible results,” confirmed Pam Dechert, LTSF Search Committee Chair. Misty is a native Hoosier but has lived across the U.S. and overseas. She graduated with a B.A. from Hanover College and received her M.S. from Boston University. She has served on numerous boards and is currently serving on the Hanover College 24 / GEIST MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

Founded in 1983, the Lawrence Township School Foundation (LTSF) is the philanthropic arm serving the students and staff in the MSD of Lawrence Township. The LTSF partners with the school district to identify significant and impactful programs to fund. Over the past forty years, the Foundation has raised and contributed millions of dollars to fund student achievement and student support programs. It takes the COMMUNITY, a diverse group of committed individuals, business partners, and service organizations who work together toward one common goal: to create impact by connecting resources for all Lawrence Township students to excel. To learn more, please visit www.msdltf.org.

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STRONG SCHOOLS. STRONG COMMUNITY.

Learn more about Lawrence Township Schools at LTschools.org/academics TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / GEIST MAGAZINE / 25

SHE’S EVERY WOMAN

KYLEIGH LYNETTE IS RAISING FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR THE MILITARY AS MRS. INDIANA CONTESTANT Writer / Amie Drudge Photography Provided

Being in a pageant has never been a dream of Kyleigh Lynette’s. Her friends and family would describe her as a bit of an introvert. So how does a quiet mom of two little girls go about signing up to compete in the Mrs. Indiana pageant? Two years ago, Lynette received the call that her cousin, Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Pritt, passed away while serving our country in Japan. He was just 25 years old. The entire family has strong ties to the military, with Lynette’s grandfather having served in the Air Force (as well as two of her cousins), and her father in the Navy. After this tragedy, she could no longer look away from the suffering of those fighting for our freedoms. She wanted to do something and make a difference, so she stepped outside of her comfort zone and signed up for the Mrs. Indiana pageant. This gave her a platform to talk about mental health as it relates to our military, and also allows her to raise funds for Mission 22, an organization supporting veterans and their families after their tour is over.

26 / GEIST MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

“I had a few things I wanted to do before the age of 30,” she says. “One was to make a difference in the lives of my children, and also I wanted to help a family.” And she has done just that. Lynette is taking the stage in April to represent our Geist community as a Mrs. Indiana contestant, to honor her cousin and the rest of our military. Her selflessness goes beyond her passion for our veterans and active military. Two years ago Lynette donated her eggs to be harvested for other women struggling with infertility. “My family is the most important thing to me,” she says. “My hope is that I gave others the opportunity to experience a family of their own.” She lives in the Geist area with her husband, Garrett, her daughters, Kensington and Leighton, and their two adopted dogs. All donations will go to Mission 22 in honor of Ryan Pritt. To donate, visit gofund.me/ cb4bb86a. To read more about Mission 22 and the work they are doing for our military, go to mission22.com.

TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / GEIST MAGAZINE / 27

FLAIR FOR FICTION LOCAL RESIDENT ALEX MURPHY PENS NEW BOOK Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

Baseball has long been referred to as America’s pastime, often playing a large part in American history. Baseball is one of the few games anyone from any background can play, adding to its longevity in American culture. Local author Alex Murphy took his love for the game and authored “The Lost Innings: A Baseball Redemption.” The retired teacher and lawyer taught English at Indianapolis Public Schools for four years before law school. The U.S. Army

Judge Advocate General's Corps recruited Murphy during his time as a private attorney to serve. He served in Panama, Korea, Germany and Iraq, and survived the Army Air Assault School at Fort Campbell. He says many of the stories he accumulated along the way became ideas for books. “I was an English major and I have a love of reading,” Murphy says. “I think reading turns into writing. I always enjoyed being around other people in writing classes because they always had stories to tell. When I got out of the military and was closer to retiring, I had more time to sit down and write.” 28 / GEIST MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

Murphy says “The Lost Innings” is a human drama centering around the protagonist, Jack Ridley, and the issues he has to resolve. Murphy says it's called a baseball redemption because he has to help himself by helping someone else. “I always ask people if they have seen the movie ‘Hoosiers’ and what the story is about,” Murphy says. “People often say the movie is about a basketball team, but at its core, it’s about the relationship between the players and the coach. It’s a human-interest story based in basketball. ‘The Lost Innings’ is a human-interest story based in baseball and second chances.”

book,” Murphy says. “I just needed to convert some of the concepts. There needs to be something wrong to have drama. I needed to flesh a few things out with the protagonist. In the original screenplay it was an injury, but I thought an injury was just too predictable.” Murphy is a man of many talents. In

addition to writing, he spends time woodworking, playing piano and guitar, recording music, and volunteering legal services for veterans. He’s also currently working on two additional novels. For more information about Murphy and to purchase “The Lost Innings: A Baseball Redemption,” visit alexmurphyauthor.com.

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In the book, Ridley finds a chance at redemption in the form of a rookie player whose talents are about to be wasted. Ridley teaches the younger player the finer points of Major League Baseball while healing from his own past trauma. At the urging of a friend who had written a book himself, Murphy took an old screenplay he had written and turned it into the book. He says the book took about six months to write, and he liked to utilize the colder months as his creative time when he was stuck inside. “In the beginning I had a great outline and a great path to pursue writing the

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TownePost.com / NOVEMBER 2023 / GEIST MAGAZINE / 29

LAKE LEADER

GEIST RESERVOIR CONSERVANCY DISTRICT HIRES NEW DIRECTOR Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Joni Forestal, the program director for Geist Reservoir Conservancy District (GRCD) as of August 1, is excited about her new job and improving the reservoir. “I wholeheartedly believe that we are here to use our lives to make the world a better place,” Forestal says. “By joining the Geist Reservoir Conservancy District team, I am now a part of this positive environment where everyone is working toward the same goal: the restoration, preservation and protection of the reservoir.”

treatments, accounting, and co-sponsoring the Geist fireworks. My knowledge Forestal says she grew up having a lake house of property values, and the personal relationships I have formed in the Geist area on Heritage Lake in Coatesville, Indiana. while serving as a local realtor, will also be “Boating, fishing and swimming have always quite beneficial within my new role.” been a huge part of my life,” Forestal says. Forestal and the GRCD staff have a clear “Being able to make these same memories initiative in mind. with my own family on Geist is a gift.” to the preservation of Geist Reservoir.”

Before she joined GRCD, Forestal worked as a teacher and realtor.

“I taught within the archdiocese of Forestal notes that the GRCD team has a lot Indianapolis at St. Joan of Arc, St. Luke, of positive plans for the future. and St. Simon the Apostle for the last 18 years,” she says. “I have also been a realtor “The GRCD is pulling together and for the last 17 years, and currently am a harnessing our own personal areas of licensed realtor/broker with the F.C. Tucker Fishers/Geist office. My time-management, expertise so we can achieve great things problem-solving, and organizational skills for the reservoir for many years to come,” gained from teaching will no doubt help Forestal says. “My new role as program me as I navigate through my day-to-day director is highly rewarding, as I take great pride in knowing my efforts will contribute responsibilities such as scheduling lake 30 / GEIST MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

“Our initiative is very focused on getting a GRCD petition filed,” Forestal says. “We are collecting the final signatures needed and hope to still get the petition submitted in 2023. Along with that, we continue to manage the annual treatment program to control algae, and raise funds and cosponsor the July 4 fireworks.” Forestal says community members are wondering how Citizens Energy Group helps Geist residents during periods of drought. Citizens Energy Group has recently moved 140 million gallons of water

into Geist Reservoir in response to the recent drought. Citizens Energy Group built the Citizens Reservoir to store and capture excess water from Geist Reservoir. “Citizens Energy Group has the ability to pump water from Citizens Reservoir into Geist Reservoir during periods of drought,” Forestal says. “Citizens Reservoir creates a more resilient water supply for Citizens Energy Group’s customers by ensuring sufficient water supplies during periods of drought. This also has a secondary benefit of helping to maintain water levels in Geist Reservoir.” Forestal adds that people with boats have to adjust their lifts to be prepared for additional steps as the drought continues. “When water levels drop, there is not a lot that some homeowners can do as their lifts are not in very deep water to start, and when the water level goes down, their lift may hit bottom before the boat can float off,” she says. “In this case, homeowners may consider winterizing and storing their boat on the lift over winter, and/or waiting for water levels to recover.” When Forestal isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family. “My husband, Erik, and I have five children, Harrison, Hadley, Hilary, Hudson and Hayes,” she says. “We boat, swim and ski on Geist as often as we can. When we are not out on the water, we attend our children’s many sporting events.” For more info, go to geistconservancy.com.

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