Noblesville Magazine September 2023

STEP

INTO THE

STORY

“PROMISED LAND AS PROVING GROUND” IS CONNER PRAIRIE’S NEWEST PERMANENT EXHIBITION

TASTE THE TRADITION

The Piper Blends Diverse Dining With a Touch of Nostalgia

BE A BIG Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana Impacts and Empowers Local Kids

MORE OPTIONS FOR ELITE BRAIN AND SPINE CARE

With expanded hours and additional expert physicians, Goodman Campbell’s new Noblesville o ce means more opportunities to get elite brain, spine, and nerve care. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Call to schedule today at 317-396-1300.

Todd E. Schmidt, MD Interventional Pain Management

Vincent Alentado, MD Neurosurgeon

John J. DePowell, MD Neurosurgeon

New

14540 Prairie Lakes Blvd. N. Suite 104 Noblesville, IN 46060

Soft Water Solutions, a Noblesville-based company, is making waves in the local water treatment industry, offering water softener sales, service and installation.

Founded by Tom Edens, a lifelong resident of Noblesville, Soft Water Solutions not only focuses on providing water softener solutions, but also on fostering a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards the local communities it serves.

“About a year back, I was talking to a friend of mine that had worked for a local softener company,” Edens says. “That company was sold several years ago and the new owner chose not to keep a physical presence in Noblesville. To me, knowing that Noblesville is such a tight-knit community, that didn’t make sense. I decided to pitch him the idea of starting a company. He would handle the service and installation, and I would oversee the marketing and operations.”

That friend is Don Crowder, lead installation tech for Soft Water Solutions. “Don has 20-plus years of softener experience and I love to be entrepreneurial,” Edens says.

The plan came together quickly. Having opened late in February of this year, Soft Water Solutions has quickly established itself as a trusted and valuable resource for residents of Noblesville, and all of Hamilton County. Edens says by operating very lean, it gives his company an advantage when it comes to competitiveness. “We don’t have excessive overhead and that allows us to be a very economical option for homeowners,” he says.

“We’re not just selling water softeners,” Edens adds. “We’re providing solutions to help families deal with the extremely hard water that is found throughout central Indiana.”

Soft Water Solutions takes a personal approach to every installation,

SOFT WATER SOLUTIONS

service call and maintenance project. With a clear understanding that each home and family is different, Edens and his team take into account factors such as household size and water consumption habits to recommend the best water softening solution.

“We want to talk to our clients,” Edens says. “We want to make an initial trip to their home and learn. That is what will give us the peace of mind that we’re providing the best option.”

If the conversation drifts away from water softeners during that home visit, Edens doesn’t mind. Talking about local sports or what’s happening around the area is just fine. “We’re Noblesville guys and oftentimes we know our clients, their families or their friends,” he says. “We love it when there is time to talk about what’s happening in our community.”

In addition to sales and installation, Soft Water Solutions provides maintenance on existing units and delivers softener salt. Edens is quick to point out that filling the family softener with salt was his least favorite chore as a kid. “My parents would both remember how much I hated lugging those bags down to our basement,” he says.

Lugging those bags is now an important part of his business. “Now I realize and appreciate that carrying a couple of 40-pound bags into the house from the car is a lot easier said than done,” Edens says. “Not everyone has friends or family close by to help out, and some people just don’t want the hassle of it.” Soft Water Solutions delivers salt to clients’ homes and adds it to their softeners if requested.

For Edens, the company’s commitment goes beyond their services. They understand the value of giving back to the place they call home. Whether it is sponsoring local sports teams or donating their time to a local organization, Edens says both he and Crowder love to be out and about. “We’re your neighbors, and supporting local communities throughout the county is a core value of our company,” he says.

Soft Water Solutions provides free estimates, does not charge for service calls, and has no monthly service agreements. “No two jobs are the same, so every call gives us the chance to be out in the community, talking to clients about their needs and what’s happening around Noblesville and Hamilton County,” Edens says. That’s just the way he likes it.

Writer / Natalie Gargiulo Photography Provided

For advertising information, contact:

PUBLISHER BRANDON BALTZ Brandon@townepost.com 317.514.9522

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

CREATIVE DIRECTORS

TONI EADS

VAL AUSTIN

COPY EDITORS

JON SHOULDERS

NATALIE PLATT

3 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT™ Soft Water Solutions

6

TASTE THE TRADITION The Piper Blends Diverse Dining With a Touch of Nostalgia 10

IU HEALTH SPOTLIGHT Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month: Cervical and Ovarian Cancers

22

BE A BIG Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana Impacts and Empowers Local Kids

26 FROM SCRATCH Aspen Creek Grill Brings Freshness and Flavor to the Table

28

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

14

LOVE FOR LEADING Tami Wanninger Settles in as Executive Director of Prevail, Inc. 18

STEP INTO THE STORY “Promised Land as Proving Ground” Is Conner Prairie’s Newest Permanent Exhibition

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Josiah Smith

30

LINKS LOVER Golf Expert Jeff Sealey Takes a Successful Swing at the Podcast Game

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

Anyone who remembers hanging out at the Sandpiper in Noblesville, grabbing a beer after work or shooting some pool on the weekend, will be excited to learn that The Piper is ready to invite the community in for a similar but new experience.

“I’ve lived here for 50 years and frequented the Sandpiper,” says Co-owner Matt Vaught. “They were around for at least 30 years and

TASTE THE TRADITION

THE PIPER BLENDS DIVERSE DINING WITH A TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA

they were very successful. This location is really in an underserved side of town and we want to start out fresh with new furniture, fixtures, equipment and a new coat of paint. It’s not the Sandpiper 2.0, but the history is there.”

Vaught has been in the hospitality business for 30 years. Like many, he got his start by washing dishes, and worked his way up to bartending and managing high-end

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Walker Photography

establishments.

When the location came up for sale, Vaught and his business partner, Beau Bricker, jumped on the opportunity.

Bricker has a background in business ownership and the golf industry, and the two complement each other, both with their experience and their passion to see what The Piper brings to the community.

“We all had that local bar that you remember,” Bricker says. “It was the place that your parents went, or you hung out there with friends in college. We want to bring it back - a little shiny and new, but memorable.”

In order to create that memorable location, the co-owners are aiming for a neighborhood establishment, with traditional pub fare such as tenderloin, pizza, wings and burgers, but also high

quality, with an experienced line cook and an extensive beer menu.

“We’ll have 12 draft lines and over 50 different varieties of bottled and canned beer, with some wine in there as well,” Vaught says. “We’ll have our house brands and offerings by the bottle. We’ll also have a carry-out license for those that want to bring some cold beer home with them.”

Bricker looks forward to offering some higher-end food too.

“We want to have something for everyone,” Bricker says. “If you want that high-end bourbon or if you want a couple of cheap beers with your friends after work, we have it. How many times have we gone out and ordered a tenderloin and been disappointed? Our menu will be fairly simple, but each item will be the best we can produce.”

The Piper features the original bar, a pool table, televisions for games, and will have live music on select weekends.

While the business partners joke about being “the best bar between the bridges” (they’re the only bar between the bridges), the community has already rallied behind them.

“The attention we’re getting from locals has been amazing to us,” Bricker says. “We have dozens of people stop by a week to see our progress, and hundreds commenting on social media posts, sharing old pictures. People are just as excited as we are, so this is going to be fun.”

The Piper officially opened on July 25 at 5855 East 211th Street in Noblesville. Call 317-870-1114 or visit thepiper211.com for more information, and also follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

The Only Name You Need To Know

13 BRANDS 10 LOCATIONS

All within 1/2 Hour Or Less from Geist!

Proud supporter of Lawrence Township, Hamilton Southeaster n Schools, Indy SurviveOars and the Hamilton County Humane Society

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, which is recognized every year as a chance to raise awareness. Two of these cancers are cervical and ovarian cancer.

CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer is a disease that is usually caused by infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Most precancerous changes and early cervical cancers do not cause symptoms, but they can be detected on routine health screening with Pap smears. Pap smears and HPV tests are performed during some pelvic exams. Guidance about frequency of Pap smears varies based on age and history of prior abnormal testing, so ask your doctor about how often you should have yours done. If the Pap smear results are abnormal, the next step is a colposcopy procedure done in the office. This involves a pelvic exam, looking

GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

CERVICAL AND OVARIAN CANCERS

at the cervix with a magnifying glass and taking several biopsies. More advanced cervical cancers can cause irregular vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain and bleeding after intercourse. When more advanced, these cancers are usually diagnosed through a pelvic exam and biopsy.

OVARIAN CANCER

There is no screening test for ovarian cancer yet, and unfortunately the symptoms can be vague and may not occur until the cancer is in an advanced stage. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the better the outcomes. The symptoms can include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, constipation and increased urinary frequency. Usually, a pelvic exam is performed and imaging is done with a pelvic ultrasound or a CT scan. Ovarian cancer can look like small or large masses in the pelvis and abdomen but can also

cause increased fluid inside the abdomen. Typically, the first step is surgery to remove the masses and several lymph nodes to obtain a diagnosis and stage. The next step depends on the type of ovarian cancer, but most are treated with chemotherapy. Most people with ovarian cancer or a close family relative with ovarian cancer should have genetic testing done to determine whether they or their family members are at risk for ovarian and other types of cancers.

Cervical and ovarian cancers are diagnosed and treated very differently. Speak with your doctor to ensure that you are staying up to date on proper screening with pelvic exams, Pap smears and HPV tests. Do not hesitate to report new or different vaginal bleeding, bloating, constipation or pelvic pain to your doctor. For more information or to find a provider near you, visit iuhealth.org and search “cervical cancer” or “ovarian cancer.”

Dr. Erin M. Lips, OB/GYN at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel

WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS? ARE YOU A

SUBMIT YOUR BUSINESS LISTING ONLINE AT TOWNEPOST.COM/WOMAN-OWNED TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR SPECIAL OCTOBER ISSUE

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 8TH

LOVE FOR LEADING

TAMI WANNINGER SETTLES IN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PREVAIL, INC.

Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

Prevail, Inc. recently appointed Tami Wanninger as the new executive director. She comes to the nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for victims of crime and abuse, with more than 29 years of experience in the nonprofit world at Noble, Inc. While there, Wanninger served various roles, most recently as assistant vice president of quality assurance, customer service and compliance.

“I oversaw all of our intake for the organization,” Wanninger says. “I handled all of our accreditation processes nationally and in states. I was the United Way liaison. I also handled the corporate compliance and governance of the organization for our board.”

Wanninger says her years at Noble helped with her transition to executive director of Prevail. She says she spent years co-mingling with other nonprofits and their employees. She also referred individuals to Prevail as needed. She says she is very much aware of Prevail and its mission.

“I’m a longtime resident of Hamilton County and we have an amazing nonprofit system here,” Wanninger says. “When I saw the role with Prevail, I knew my skill set in that nonprofit world would transfer, and it would be a natural fit for me.”

Wanninger says her first goal, and role, has been to learn from listening to and watching others at Prevail. While learning and

listening, she walked away very proud of the organization and its scope of services.

“In my first 90 days here I’ve noticed that, because of our location in Noblesville, people in other areas of our county may not know as much about Prevail and our services,” she says. “I want to get out into other communities, and provide educational awareness on our services and prevention of domestic violence situations.”

Funding is also a significant topic for the future of the organization. Wanninger says Prevail is experiencing substantial funding cuts from the federal government. She says it is critical for the organization to strategically plan for these cuts in the future by determining new areas for funding.

“The last thing any of us want to do is to tell an individual experiencing abuse and trying to leave their abuser that we don’t have the funds or resources to help them,” Wanninger says. “That’s non-negotiable for me. Another non-negotiable item is our 24/7 crisis line. We have to continue that service. There is a need there, and we need to fulfill the need.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wanninger says that month is critical for Prevail to get out into the community to spread the word about their services. She says clients can’t come to them voluntarily if they don’t know how they can help.

On November 9 Hotel Carmichael is hosting Spotlight on Art, benefiting Prevail alongside Children’s TherAplay and the Boys & Girls Club.

market

Uptown Carmel

2271 Pointe Parkway (116th west of Keystone)

Uptown Noblesville

809 Conner Street (On the Courthouse Square)

Uptown Indy 6404 Rucker Road (64th & Binford)

Sunrise Fishers 9767 E 116th Street (116th & Cumberland )

Uptown Market

Enjoy our house-made items at home. Purchase breads, biscuits, muffins, rolls, salads, sauces, dressings, condiments, and more online at: www.uptowncafes.com/shop.

6 am – 2 pm daily • uptowncafes.com

STEP INTO THE STORY

“PROMISED LAND AS PROVING GROUND” IS CONNER PRAIRIE’S NEWEST PERMANENT EXHIBITION

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

Photographer / Sarah Browning

Several years ago, staff members at Conner Prairie began doing some research around black settlements and storytelling. In doing so, they decided that they wanted to introduce an exhibition that would tell a wholistic experience of the African American story - one that was not just a program that you could buy a ticket to, but rather a chance for it to be integrated throughout the grounds. They started the project with funding through a Lilly Endowment grant and began to look at the role religion played in African American history. It then began to develop further as they dove deeper. That’s how “Promised Land as Proving Ground,” Conner Prairie’s newest permanent exhibition, came to be.

“This story, viewed mostly through the lens of religion, begins in precolonial Africa and spans all the way to the 21st Century,” says Jesse Kramer, director of exhibits.

Kramer and Dr. Rich Cooper, Conner Prairie’s vice president and chief programs officer, worked with Board Member Dr. Clarence Newsome, a religion historian, and Dr. Charlene Fletcher, the curator of the experience.

“Dr. Fletcher took what was a largely Christian story that Dr. Newsome had put together and expanded out to all different types of religion, including Christianity, Islam, Ifa-Orisha, and Judaism,” Cooper says.

“Every material, every color, every moment of this exhibit is intentional,” Kramer says.

The exhibit, which has many symbolic “Easter eggs,” showcases how African Americans expressed spirituality through music, dance, activities and food.

“Africans who were being kidnapped into slavery would often braid seeds into their hair so that they would have the crops they needed to grow,” Kramer says. “We have okra, watermelon and black-eyed peas in the United States as a result.”

Conner Prairie is constructing a new, climate-controlled building to showcase artifacts and objects that otherwise couldn’t be shown on Conner Prairie’s grounds. Within that space, they’ve made a secondary space to house an artist-in-residence. Visual artist Israel Solomon was selected to be the first artist-in-residence. Solomon, who uses the human figure in the majority of his pieces, creates representational paintings that are geometric in nature, and selects colors that are vibrant and rhythmic. During his yearlong residency, Solomon will produce a body of work that coincides with “Promised Land as Proving Ground.”

“I’m taking the stories that come from the exhibit and creating a reflection of that story through my art,” Solomon says. “I’m thinking of the history in terms of growth, beauty and resiliency. Black people have had a trying and troublesome history here in the U.S. so I want to ask how we can make things better for our children.”

History can be dark, uncomfortable and difficult to digest, but Solomon’s artwork helps bridge a conversation.

“As an artist I’m sometimes able to create imagery that will pull at an individual and spark conversation,” Solomon says.

Cooper maintains that we are in a unique time period right now.

“We believe we have an important role to help bring people to the table so they can

“I’M THINKING OF THE HISTORY IN TERMS OF GROWTH, BEAUTY AND RESILIENCY. BLACK PEOPLE HAVE HAD A TRYING AND TROUBLESOME HISTORY HERE IN THE U.S. SO I WANT TO ASK HOW WE CAN MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR OUR CHILDREN.”

— ISRAEL SOLOMON

have conversations,” Cooper says. “Our goal is to bring back civic dialogue.”

The artist-in-residence building will be a flexible space that’s constantly evolving.

“It’s the 20th and 21st century part of the story,” Kramer says. “If we’re talking precolonial Africa to present day, that’s an umbrella approach to a very complex, nuanced and important history, so this changing gallery space will enable us to showcase an artist-in-residence, while we work on other exhibits where we can do deep dives into certain facets of the story.”

Cooper notes that this allows for people to step into the story at their pace. “People may not see their individualized story, but they can create connections to what they have experienced,” Cooper says.

Even though the exhibit’s grand opening isn’t until March 2024, the public is already buzzing with excitement.

“People want to see how the story is going to be told,” says Cooper, who notes that a recent study by the American Alliance of Museums shows that many people trust museums more than libraries or universities.

“As we move forward to combat historic erasure of things that have happened in the past, ceding the microphone and ceding your voice to the communities whose stories are being told is incredibly important because these stories have often been hidden or buried, pushed away, and not been viewed as worthy of telling,” Kramer says. “As the field moves forward, a lot of these stories are finally coming to the surface.”

This new exhibit tackles some of the large stories that have shaped the human experience here in the U.S. and in the Midwest, making it an exciting time at Conner Prairie.

Perhaps this is why museums from all across

the country have been calling Cooper to ask how they are approaching the subject matter.

“Museums have always been the holders of knowledge,” Cooper says. “While we have been in a transition here, this is a community story, not a Conner Prairie story.”

And it goes beyond that.

“Museums have a responsibility to tell the full truth of history,” Kramer says. “If we aren’t doing that, then what are we?”

Conner Prairie is located at 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers. For more information, call 317-776-6000 or visit connerprairie.org. For more information about Israel Solomon, visit israelsolomonart.com or find him on Instagram @israelsoloart.

BE A BIG

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL INDIANA IMPACTS AND EMPOWERS LOCAL KIDS

More than 1,000 local children are waiting for mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBS), and over 80% of the waitlist is boys. In order to meet the need for adult volunteers, BBBS recently partnered with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

“From March to May, we partnered with the IMS to recruit 500 bigs by the Indy 500,” says Jackie Lai, senior director of community engagement and justice, equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. “With a huge waitlist, we needed to get the word out about our program. We needed a massive goal, and recruiting 500 people to hear about what we do is a big goal.”

At the end of May, Lai says the organization recruited 586 potential bigs, as they’re called. She says not all of those people will become a big brother or big sister, but sees it as a foot in the door for potential mentors. She says the waitlist used to be even longer before

partnerships like the current one with the IMS.

“We used to actually be closer to around 1,400 kids waiting for a mentor,” Lai says. “It goes down when we match mentors with kids, but we also have kids waiting so long that they age out of the program. Most of our kids are in Marion County but we also have kids waiting in Hamilton and Johnson counties.”

Lai says a common misconception is the time commitment for bigs. She says they only need to spend two to four hours per month for 12 months with their littles. She says the need for male bigs is more significant than ever. Potential bigs fill out a short inquiry form on the website to start the process of mentoring local children.

“We go through the application process and do background checks to ensure the safety of

Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

the children,” Lai says. “We take the information we gathered from the application process from the bigs and try to find commonalities between the applications of the littles. Our priority in matching is geographic location, and then we try to find the best match based on their likes.”

Lai was a mentor to a little for six years. She says their favorite shared activity was picking a recipe for dinner. She says she helped with homework or talked about life’s ups and downs. BBBS assists volunteers in finding exciting activities.

“We have an app our mentors can use to find ideas for their time with the kids,” Lai says. “We also host different events they can come to with their littles. We offer fun activities like game nights.”

There are additional options to get involved, for adults in romantic partnerships and adults in platonic friendships.

To become a big brother or big sister, visit bebigforkids.org.

Beach

If you are interested in hosting your next event at Harbour Trees, please contact Kay Bray at (317) 877-3612 or events@harbourtrees.com

Club Pool Golf Tennis Events

TOP LOCAL Nominations Now Open!

HOW TO QUALIFY

NOMINATE YOUR TOP LOCAL BUSINESSES

To be considered, your business must be nominated by someone other than the owner(s) of the business. Those with the most nominations will be considered before others, so make sure you get your most loyal local fans to nominate your business. When being considered, Towne Post Network editorial staff will review the following criteria to insure these qualifications are met:

We are looking for your favorite local businesses to feature in our Towne Post Network magazines, website, and social media. Each month, we will acknowledge Townies’ Top Local Award recipients and list them in our monthly print publications. There is no cost to be recognized, we’re just looking for the businesses that locals feel are the best!

Online Ranking 4.5 Stars or Higher

Listing on TownePost.com

Supports Local Charities

Locally Owned

ASPEN CREEK

OWNER:

MIKE BENNETT

ADDRESS:

13489 TEGLER DRIVE

NOBLESVILLE, IN 46060

WEBSITE:

ASPENCREEKGRILL.COM

PHONE: 317-559-3300

RATING:

GOOGLE 4.7 (3,925)

FACEBOOK 4.3 (2,409)

Restaurants feature scratch made, comfort fresh food prepared daily with a variety of choices, including premium Black Angus hand-cut steaks, freshly chopped salads, house-smoked ribs, creamy pastas and hand-crafted burgers. We also offer a full bar and daily beverage specials, featuring freshly squeezed lime margaritas, specialty drinks and craft pints on tap.

CUSTOMER REVIEW

This place was really nice. The service was great. The food was really good. They actually have a large variety of different things that you can get on the menu. Prices are extremely reasonable and affordable. I would recommend this place to anybody who’s trying to have a good meal. – Joey K

LOCAL

From Scratch

ASPEN CREEK GRILL BRINGS FRESHNESS AND FLAVOR TO THE TABLE

Aspen Creek Grill has been serving up enticing appetizers, American favorites, and comfort food that’s fresh and made from scratch, for almost nine years. It offers exceptional value while using high-quality ingredients. Great food and drinks, good ambience and stellar service make it a popular northside destination.

“We are known for our steaks,” says Mike Bennett, managing partner. “They are hand cut in-house. We source from Iowa premium beef, just like high-end steak houses. Yet at the same time, we are super affordable and a great place to go to eat with family and friends.”

Several menu items can’t be found anywhere else. One unique dish is the Aspen Blue Sirloin. The steak is topped with a blue-cheese crust and then seared with a crème brûlée torch. Another is the Spicy Chicken Salad. It’s dressed with both a raspberry chipotle and a salsa ranch, making a truly out-of-the-ordinary salad.

Aspen Greek Grill has an expansive bar. Besides its daily drink specials and trademark cocktails, it carries an impressive variety of spirits, wines, draft beer, seltzers and ciders. The list includes several Hoosier-produced specialty ales, but also includes a cabernet sauvignon from one of California’s oldest wineries, the legendary Buena Vista.

“Our selections of bourbon have really grown,” Bennett says. “We have a special blend of Woodford Reserve bourbon that can only be found at our place. We make the trip to the distillery in Kentucky and decide between three or four samples. We then select our own barrel.”

Currently, a two-ounce pour of the Aspen Partner Select bourbon is available for $11. It is described as smooth and soft, with notes of oak, mild chocolate, pecans and a light hint of vanilla. Its serves as the base of the $12 Partner Select Old Fashioned.

Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Walker Photography

There are several other signature drinks, with the famous house margarita being one of the most popular. It’s always made with fresh squeezed lime, not from a mix. Bennett says patrons love that there is no strange aftertaste. It is one of the Monday drink specials.

Weeknight dinner specials make it easy to take the whole family to dinner. On Mondays, a hand-cut, eight-ounce sirloin steak and two sides are offered for $10.99. Tuesday is “10 under $10” night, and diners can pick from 10 entrées, each priced at $9.99. Wednesday brings half-price select bottles of wine. In addition, popular appetizer Pow Wow Shrimp can be had for $6.99. Finally, Thursday is big-steak night. For $24.99, the 16-ounce rib eye comes with two sides.

Patrons are excited that seating is expanding. By November, an all-seasons room with phantom shades will bring the outside in when the weather allows. In the warm season the walls can be opened, and in cooler months the area will be heated.

Aspen Creek Grill is proud to be part of the Noblesville community and often gives back. They have a history of donating to the police, firefighters, high school bands and cheerleading teams. Without being asked, the business has been known to throw spur-of-the-moment fundraisers for needs such as school supplies.

The restaurant does not take reservations but does offer callahead seating. People can call up to an hour ahead and have their name put on the waitlist. Yelp waitlist can be used as well.

“We give unmatched service and our menus are value minded,” Bennett says. “Our staff is upbeat and friendly. People love eating here. This area has grown so much. It is the great opportunity we thought it would be.”

Aspen Creek Grill is located at 13489 Tegler Drive in Noblesville. Call 317-559-3300 or visit aspencreekgrill.com for more info. Also view them on Facebook and Instagram.

Mike Bennett

JOSIAH SMITH STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Writer / Matt Keating

Photography Provided

Josiah Smith, a senior at Noblesville High School, has taken his love for both learning and socializing, and found a way to excel in both areas.

His mother, Lakeesha Smith, says she is proud that Josiah has applied himself and worked hard to achieve all of his goals.

“Josiah has excelled not just academically, but also socially,” Lakeesha Smith says. “Not only does he have an outstanding GPA, but he has also managed to maintain this GPA while being involved in several school activities where he holds a leadership position. I couldn’t be prouder of him. He’s involved in a lot, and always makes sure he does a good job at whatever he’s doing.”

Smith notes that Josiah has been a Thespian Troupe 8118 officer for two consecutive years. “This year Josiah, along with a partner, were awarded state champions for their duet acting performance,” she says.

Josiah also goes out of his way to assist other people as much as he can. He has been an inspiration to other students.

“Josiah loves to help people,” Smith says. “He is a strong advocate for all people to be treated fairly, regardless of their ethnicity or sexual orientation.”

Josiah also comes to the aid of people who are struggling with depression and other problems.

“He is also a huge supporter of mental health support, and has served as a member, and is also the current president, of Bring Change to Mind, Noblesville High School’s club that supports mental health,” Smith says.

Bring Change to Mind’s mission is to end stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.

Josiah doesn’t limit himself to those school programs.

“Currently Josiah is also the boys dance captain for Singers, the show choir at Noblesville High School,” Smith says. “While serving as the president of Thespian Troupe 8118, he is also one of two students from Noblesville High School who serves as a state thespian officer for the state of Indiana. He really loves the theater and working with other people.”

Smith says Josiah loves performing.

“He has also participated in several musicals such as ‘Bring it On,’ and ‘Mean Girls,’ just to name a few,” Smith says. “He loved being in both shows.”

Josiah, whose favorite subjects are science and English, also finds time to have fun when he isn’t doing schoolwork or participating in

“JOSIAH HAS EXCELLED NOT JUST ACADEMICALLY, BUT ALSO SOCIALLY. NOT ONLY DOES HE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING GPA, BUT HE HAS ALSO MANAGED TO MAINTAIN THIS GPA WHILE BEING INVOLVED IN SEVERAL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES WHERE HE HOLDS A LEADERSHIP POSITION.”

— LAKEESHA SMITH, JOSIAH’S MOTHER

school activities.

“He loves hanging out with friends and shopping at the Goodwill bins,” Smith says.

Josiah also loves living in Noblesville.

“He loves the sense of community and warmness that is felt from many in our town,” Smith says. “Josiah is a wonderful human being. He is caring, funny and wicked smart. I am honored to be his mom and look forward to seeing him excel in the future.”

LINKS LOVER

GOLF EXPERT JEFF SEALEY TAKES A SUCCESSFUL SWING AT THE PODCAST GAME

Golf lovers who also enjoy placing bets on golfers are getting valuable advice from expert Jeff Sealey of Harbour Trees Golf Club in Noblesville.

Sealey’s golf podcast has been growing in popularity, and has earned Sealey a solid reputation as the guy to listen to when wagering on a golfer.

“My podcast is called the ‘Cut Maker Podcast,’” Sealey says. “We focus on PGA Tour bets and Daily Fantasy golf content. Each week we discuss the tournament of the week on the PGA Tour, and highlight some players we like to bet on, and who might be good plays in DraftKings Daily Fantasy golf.”

He has also been able to garner some top-notch podcast guests. “I have been able to get former PGA Tour players and current PGA Tour radio hosts Carl and Dennis Paulson,” Sealey says, adding that

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

the two are unrelated.

Sealey was also able to get one of the top caddies on the PGA Tour, Paul Tesori.

“Tesori is the current caddie for Cameron Young, one of the top young players on the PGA Tour,” Sealey says.

Sealey says he has also been able to get some great athletes from other sports.

“I was able to get former NFL players and golf enthusiasts Clint Boling and Drew Butler,” Sealey says.

Sealey has also been able to get other golf betting experts on his podcast.

“I had Las Vegas sportsbook golf oddsmakers Jeff Sherman and Jeff Davis,” he says.

Other golf experts have also appeared on the podcast. “We have had numerous golf

handicappers from around the globe,” Sealey says.

Sealey has had a great time talking to all of his guests. “My favorite guest has probably been current PGA Tour professional and Marion, Indiana, native, Erik Barnes,” he says.

Sealey appreciates all of the many great fans who listen to his popular podcast. “Fans of the podcast like it because we give out winning golf picks in an entertaining format,” he says.

Sealey also enjoys working on something he already loves.

“I like the podcast because it gives me a chance to interact with people across the

“We’re working on adding NFL content this fall, since we have some relationships with NFL players, to go with the PGA Tour’s swing season, from October to February,” Sealey says.

Memberships are also available for fans of the podcast.

“In conjunction with the podcast, we have set up a subscription-based membership service,” Sealey says. “For the price of a pizza each week, people can get access to every bet that we make over the course of a golf tournament from Wednesday through Sunday. We also have a podcast telegram channel where we send out texts for live updates, etcetera.”

Cubs fans can catch Jeff on TV every Wednesday at 8 AM during the golf season on Marquee network on the show “Follow The Money”. For more information, check out cutmakerpod.com.