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.

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.

GUESTS CAN MAKE UNIQUE SIGNS & HOME DECOR AT LOCAL DIY SPACE

Writer

/ Renee Larr Photographer / Sam Zachrich

Jeff and Brandi Willis started making home decor signs in their garage as a fun hobby. They would sell their creations at festivals and markets, and on Facebook. However, Brandi always dreamed of scaling the pursuit a little bigger. She dreamed of hosting workshops in a place where people could enjoy fellowship and creativity.

When the couple noticed a property with a barn for sale down the road from where they lived, they jumped at the chance to curate Brandi’s dream. They created a space in the barn where people can relax and create DIY pieces guided by Brandi, called Handmade Dwelling.

“Guests sign up for workshops in advance through our Facebook or website,” Brandi Willis says. “They pay their invoice 24 hours in advance and then we send them directions from there. With the barn being located on our property, we don’t have hours where people can just show up.”

Participants create 3D signs, stencil signs, planters and ever-popular charcuterie boards. All the items are provided and ready to go when guests arrive at the workshop. Projects range from $30 to $45.

“We’ve been hosting a lot of private events lately along with the workshops,” Willis says. “We also host kids workshops. The community has welcomed us so much. We’re right beside Tuttle Orchards. We’ve gotten to know the family and they’re awesome.”

The property’s uniqueness is what sets Handmade Dwelling apart from other DIY workshops. Willis says the barn is heated and can be used throughout the year comfortably. A central selling point for the Willis family was the view around the property.

The couple often host date-night workshops and a kids workshop. Jeff still works his full-time job, but Brandi has transitioned to making Handmade Dwelling more than just her hobby.

“I’ve turned this into my full-time job along with being a wife and mom,” she says. “In the future I’d love to see this as a place where we can just open up the doors, have projects ready to go, and have people just walk in and get started.”

Brandi says another benefit of attending workshops at Handmade Dwelling, as opposed to DIY-ing at home, is the mess is contained in her barn.

“I think a lot of time the potential mess is what stops a lot of people from creating projects at home, or having to cut the pieces of wood,” Willis says. “We do the hard part for you. All you have to do is show up and paint them and put them together. We just want our guests to show up, socialize and have fun.”

Handmade Dwelling is located at 5987 North 300 West in Greenfield. For more information, visit facebook. com/handmadedwelling.