JUNE 2021
MAGAZINE
All Fun and Games Good Times Await at Toy Buzz & Fizz RIB FEST RETURNS
Rib Fest Moves to Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds
DIFFERENT DADS, DIFFERENT GIFTS
Father’s Day Gifting Doesn’t Have to Be a Challenge
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Writer / Carrie Petty
Momma knew what she was talking about when she told us to eat our veggies! Growing your own vegetables can be equally as beneficial. It is not nearly as hard as we make it, and it is so rewarding come harvest time. Spring rains have given way to flourishing foliage in the summer garden. The crops of early spring are now past their prime.
Veggies like spinach, cilantro, peas, beets and more are all considered ‘cold crops’ and love the coolness of early spring soil. Now we are really cooking with Crisco, because summer, warm-season crops are the bulk of what vegetable gardening is all about. Warm season growers are the primetime players in the vegetable garden. These will be able to thrive in your garden until late September. So let’s get planting. Beans, tomatoes, melon, eggplant and corn, just TownePost.com / JUNE 2021 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 7
Success in the veggie garden comes from two main components — eight hours of sunshine and great organic soil. I grow my veggies in the front yard of our suburban home and use what is called a natural raised bed. This is where you dig the soil from left to right to make a long mounding row of dirt in which you plant your crops into. I have not built a wooden raised bed, but if you do choose to do so make sure you do not use treated wood. I feel this seeps into the soil. Your soil should be healthy and well nourished with compost and have great drainage. I love mushroom compost for my edibles. The vegetables take up what is in the soil and we consume its contents.
This is why the other two most important things, for consumption purposes, to remember are never use soil with any enhancements like ‘moisture control’ or ‘fertilizer pellets’ and always choose organic soil to put in the garden. Also, keep grass fertilizer and herbicides away from the edge of any garden from which you will eat what you grow. Not good. Also, I like to remind folks really stretch before you get out there and work. I had a very serious back injury this spring and could not continue cutting in my new bed or mulching. No room for a big farm garden? No worries. All crops do very well in containers. As long as those patio pots get eight hours of sun you are good to go. Lettuce does great on the deck, so do cherry tomatoes and herbs. Try some container gardens this summer
too and see which method you like best. Every growing season I pick one thing that I have never grown, this helps me ‘grow’ as a gardener. This year’s unknown in my garden is going to be Pumpkin! Yes, I know, you would think when the children were younger we would have already tried this happy little gourd. But I must have been too busy working and mothering. I have always been so intimidated to grow them, so this summer I am facing my fears. Gardening should not be intimidating as a hobby. Start small and grow each year. Mulch your veggies and keep them well watered twice a week. Don’t water the foliage, this creates disease, so water 8 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com
around the base carefully so not to splash soil up onto the foliage. More disease. Keep weeding, this keeps moisture thieves away from the root systems of our veggies. Weeds are notorious criminals when it comes to stealing water. And finally, for those pesky critters, you know I love a product called Shake Away. It is coyote pellets of urine (sorry, gross I know!) but it works so well if applied properly. Read all labels. You don’t want to guess on any type of applications. Get going with your growing. And as always, I hope this has helped contribute to teaching you all, “How to Grow a More Beautiful Life!”
Rib Fest Moves to Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided by the Avon Chamber of Commerce
the opportunity to spread out while enjoying tasty treats and fellowship.
Hendricks County leaders are excited to announce the return of the Hendricks County Rib Fest, a beloved annual community event that celebrates mouthwatering food and fun times with family and friends. This year Rib Fest will be held at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, which will offer attendees
Rib Fest began 16 years ago in Washington Township Park as a lastminute event. According to Tom Downard, executive director of the Avon Chamber of Commerce, the celebration immediately exceeded all expectations. Each year it has continued to grow as people have flocked to enjoy music, JUNE 2021
games, bounce houses, hot-air balloons, fireworks, fun runs, and of course food. By 2014 the event had outgrown the park, so it was moved to Kingsway Christian Church. “Kingsway was nothing but tremendous as far as volunteerism and allowing us to use their facilities,” Downard says. Through the years, Rib Fest has
continued to attract people not only from Avon, but also from all over Hendricks County and central Indiana. “As we saw the numbers steadily growing, we continued to talk about a venue that could not only accommodate a crowd but also additional vendors,” says Downard, noting that in the past, event leaders have had to bring in portable restrooms, portable lighting and portable power. “The Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds is set up perfectly for what we need, or as close to perfect as you can get. They have such nice amenities.” Downard hopes that by moving Rib Fest to a larger venue, event leaders will reach more businesses throughout the county that want to participate through sponsorship or booth rental. According to Downard, the Hendricks County Fair typically attracts roughly 10,000 people throughout the week. JUNE 2021
"We continue to try and make the event better each year. That’s our goal - to create a place for families and people to come have fun.” - Tom Downard
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“Rib Fest gets that or more in a day,” Downard says. “Not many events invite that kind of crowd.” While crowd size has been a concern during the course of the pandemic, this venue is the ideal spot to allow people to congregate safely while they eat, socialize and play, since it’s easy to spread out. Downard is grateful to be able to work with Steve Patterson, executive director of the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Rib Fest committee member. “Steve has a ton of experience and knowledge in events,” Downard says. “We’re lucky to have him.” Patterson is happy to help, and says Fairgrounds leaders are looking forward to partnering with the Avon Chamber to host the 2021 Rib Fest.
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“The new location will allow for more activities and additional vendor options for the attendees,” Patterson adds. “We hope to make a good experience.” This year’s event will not feature tethered balloon rides, since even a slight delay due to weather issues can cause all reservation times to shift. Organizers still plan to offer the hot-air balloon glow, and attendees can get their picture taken inside of the balloon. Kids in particular enjoy getting to see giant, colorful balloons up close and personal. Sponsored by IU Health West Hospital, the 6th Annual Rib Run will also take place in the morning. The 1/4 Slab Kids Run kicks off at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Rib Run. For the first time ever, beer will be available for sale.
“That’s a new twist, and we’re eager to see how that plays out,” Downard says.
the fireworks display and the hot-air balloons. We can’t wait to go back.”
In addition, the event will feature a deejay as well as bounce houses geared toward smaller children.
Rib vendors include Barbecue and Bourbon, Delia’s Ribs, RidiQlous BBQ, Wild Boar BBQ, Kickstand, Blowin Smokque BBQ and Bud’s BBQ more. Additional food vendors include Kona Ice, Avon Kiwanis Club, Cabin Coffee Company,American Legion Avon Post 145 and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Avon & Bamber’s Sweet Creations.
“We continue to try and make the event better each year,” Downard adds. “That’s our goal - to create a place for families and people to come have fun.” Locals are eager to return to the fun, after a year that for many included more downtime than usual. Crystal Callahan’s son Patrick always looks forward to the blow-up bounce houses, while Crystal is impressed by the good eats at affordable prices. “In the past, the food has always been so delicious and very reasonable,” Callahan says. “We also really enjoyed watching JUNE 2021
Rib Fest is scheduled for June 26, with a start time of 4 p.m. The night will conclude with fireworks around 10 p.m. Attendees are encouraged bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy watching the night sky light up. For more info, visit avonchamber.org.
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LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AIDS HENDRICKS COUNTY SENIORS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided
Roughly half a million adults over the age of 50 reside in central Indiana. According to a report on the state of aging compiled by the Central Indiana Community Foundation and SAVI, a data hub for central Indiana, the older adult population in central Indiana is increasing at six times the rate of the younger population. Moreover, four in 10 adults live alone.
lack of transportation, lack of income or other factors. There are many reasons why someone might not be able to eat healthy meals regularly.
“If you think about risk factors for hunger and what people need, if they aren’t able to prepare a meal for themselves then living alone is going to be a big risk factor,” says Marina Keers, director of Hendricks County Senior Services (HCSS).
Each day HCSS serves meals to their residents prepared by the staff at Hendricks Regional Health (HRH). HRH also prepares meals for Meals on Wheels (MOW), and those meals are individually packaged and delivered to recipients at their homes. Because Hendricks County is growing at such a rapid rate, however, MOW leaders realized they needed to find a way to expand their operation in order to accommodate every senior who needs food. MOW turned to HCSS, which is currently in the process of refurbishing and expanding their kitchen so meals can be packaged there.
In addition, the report states that one in 10 older adults are food insecure. This could be because of lack of access to a grocery store,
For years MOW and HCSS have partnered. It’s a natural partnership because both organizations have similar missions
JUNE 2021
helping seniors remain independent and healthy in their homes. When talk of expansion began, the partnership grew. “We’re happy to partner with an organization that’s serving the same group of people we are serving,” says Renee Harlor, program coordinator for Meals on Wheels. “Working together is key in working within the community.” Keers says seniors have extensive needs in the local community. “We must be responsive to those needs, and in this case alter our programing to meet those needs,” Keers says. With this partnership, some things will change while others will remain the same. The HRH staff will continue to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. Instead of picking up the food at the hospital, however, volunteers will take the meals to HCSS in bulk to be packaged for individual distribution to the community. This expansion means both organizations will need additional funding to build out the kitchen, as well as additional volunteers to work in the kitchen. Volunteers are needed in other capacities as well. “MOW, from what it was six months ago to what it is today, has really changed, so the need for volunteers has grown
tremendously,” Harlor says. Until recently, MOW primarily utilized volunteers as drivers. However, since COVID-19 took hold in the U.S., they have ramped up the social components that are so vital to senior health and wellbeing. Since more than half of their clients live alone, MOW has added connection calls and pen-pal programs into the mix. “Social isolation has terrible impacts on health and well-being,” Harlor says. “We can bring them all the food in the world, but we have to make sure we’re providing other things that are needed as well.” Harlor stresses that volunteers, who are trained, don’t need a
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specific skill set - just a desire to help. Currently, MOW feeds between 110 and 125 people per day. Once the expansion is complete, their goal is to double the number of meals that go out the door for senior residents in Hendricks County. “We’re excited to help Meals on Wheels expand the number of seniors who can receive a hot meal in Hendricks County,” Keers says. Thanks to a partnership with Misty Eyes Animal Center, they are also providing free pet food for their clients, since many people experiencing food insecurity share their meals with their pets. “Pets improve happiness and connection, so we want to take care of them too,” Harlor says. “Serving the food is our main goal, but again, helping people with their pets benefits them too.” If you’re interested in volunteering or making a monetary donation, visit hcmealsonwheels.org or hcseniors.org. Meals on Wheels is located at 1000 East Main Street in Danville. For more information, call 317-745-3469. Hendricks County Senior Services is located at 201 Sycamore Lane in Danville. For more information, call 317-745-4303.
JUNE 2021
MI N D F OR CH A N G E FORMER COLTS CHAMP BEN UTECHT RAISES BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided
Ben Utecht grew up in an athletic family. In fact, he calls himself a three-sport athlete, having participated in football, hockey and baseball. “Team sports in general were a significant part of my upbringing,” says Utecht, a fouryear starter for the University of Minnesota as a tight end.
JUNE 2021
He had quite the memorable start to his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts when he caught a pass from Peyton Manning during the third quarter and dodged Deion Sanders for a touchdown. “That was a pretty overwhelming and special experience,” says Utecht, who was part of the Colts 2006 Super Bowl championship team. Though it’s a great memory, Utecht went through a phase of memory loss as a direct result of playing the sport he loved. Though he had accepted that contact sports have the potential to create injury, at the time there wasn’t more education around concussions than there was around orthopedic injuries. “You just kind of put them all into the same category,” Utecht says. “If anything, you probably thought an ACL tear was more serious than a concussion, so you didn’t really worry about it.”
Over the course of Utecht’s career, however, he sustained five documented concussions as well as countless undocumented concussions. As a tall guy, standing 6’6”, he took a lot of hits. “I remember times when I was definitely concussed and kept playing,” he says. He did so not because he felt pressured, but because he wanted to be there for his coaches, teammates and family, since it was his job - not to mention he adored the game. “There are a lot of factors for why an athlete chooses to stay on the field,” he says. After his fourth documented concussion against the Denver Broncos, he was diagnosed with amnesia. The next day, when he watched the play that caused the injury, he didn’t remember any of it. “To watch a play unfold that shows you becoming unconscious and regaining consciousness, high-fiving teammates, running off to the sidelines, talking to coaches and staff, and in your own mind that whole experience didn’t exist because you can’t remember any of it - that’s a strange experience,” Utecht says. Following that concussion, Utecht and his wife Karyn began to recognize challenges in his cognitive ability that didn’t exist previously, regarding working memory one’s ability to receive and give information efficiently. “I felt in a fog and was much more forgetful,” Utecht says. “I became a post-it note person, needing to write down everything to help me remember.” While memory loss is different for everyone, it was episodic for Utecht. There would be significant memories, like being in a close friend’s wedding, that he simply couldn’t retrieve. Not even looking at photos served to jog his memory. “Moments like that made my wife and I really begin to consider whether I should retire,” says Utecht, who did so in 2009. “Retiring was very emotional. All of a
Utecht Family JUNE 2021
sudden my identity as an athlete was over, but I wanted to do what I could to protect my brain going forward. It was a good move.” He participated in cognitive training at LearningRx, a brain training center that helps clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as well as those who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and other difficulties. “They test your cognitive abilities through a sound neurological evaluation, then build a program around how you can focus on your weaknesses and improve them,” Utecht says. Before starting the program, his short- and long-term memory were in the 12th and 17th percentile, which was shockingly low. At the same time, the evaluation gave him peace. “It showed I wasn’t making this stuff up,” he says.
He was still able to function, but his cognitive decline frustrated him. That frustration, in turn, let to impatience and a shorter fuse. Before starting the brain training program, Utecht had moments where he lost his patience much sooner than normal - sometimes at home with Karyn and their four daughters. The
training, however, involved working in a chaotic environment where the brain has to force itself to focus and put up a shield around one’s own space. “That helped me at home, because when you do three months of brain training in a room full of seven or eight other adults and
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children doing their program at the same time, then come home to four kids wanting to climb on you - well, it was an awesome healing experience,” he says. After completing the 100-hour intensive program, Utecht’s short- and long-term memory numbers jumped to the 78th and 98th percentile - a remarkable improvement. “Over the course of those 100 hours, my wife would tell you she got her husband back,” remarks Utecht, who at this same time was in the process of writing his memoir, titled “Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away.” “The fact that all of my cognitive abilities came back was a miraculous ending to my autobiography,” says Utecht, who has always maintained a “pro-brain, pro-game” message. Though he knows he made the right call in retiring, he misses being part of a team especially a Super Bowl team.
“There’s something so special about it,” Utecht says. “It’s hard to express how fulfilling that was.” After retirement, Utecht began working with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). For several years, he even became the AAN’s national spokesperson on concussions. He transitioned to the American Brain Foundation (ABF) and joined their board for the last seven years. Now he’s working with Dr. Jeff Kutcher, a leading sports neurologist. Utecht received the 2014 Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the AAN and ABF. He’s received other awards for his awareness work in TBI. Though awards are nice, at the end of the day Utecht wants his legacy to be rooted in faith and family. “I want to be known as a man who loved God, loved his family and cared for his neighbor,” Utecht says. “The materialistic things are meaningless. Everything comes down to relationships.”
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He thinks back to his youth and wishes he could tell that younger version of himself not to care so much about what people think of him. “I was a pretty sensitive kid growing up, and I feel like it probably made me make some of my more regretful decisions as a young man because of that peer pressure,” Utecht says. “I wish I could go back and tell that kid to focus on what you know to be true about who you are and who you are created to be, and surround yourself with people who will support that rather than challenge it.” He harbors no bitterness or regret for choosing to play football and make it a career. “The life lessons, and the people I had a chance to learn from and play with, have been priceless, so I would definitely play football again,” he says. “I’d just probably play it a little differently.”
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DIFFERENT DADS, DIFFERENT GIFTS FATHER’S DAY GIFTING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A CHALLENGE Writer / Abigail Hake Photography Provided
That’s right, Father’s Day is right around the corner. Are you ready? Men can be so hard to buy for — is there anything he hasn’t gotten for himself already? And it’s hard to find something that will make him feel loved, appreciated, and surprised on his special day. But because those dads and grandpas out there do so much for us, we must try to nail it! So, here’s a few ideas of ways to spoil all those different dudes in your life!
THE GOLF LOVER DAD
Whether this is the man who can’t leave the golf course himself, or the one who always has the golf channel on the TV, it’s time to tee up a perfect Father’s Day for him. If you want to spend time playing golf with him, surprise him with a Father’s Day tee time at your favorite golf course or at a place like TopGolf. You might also consider getting him some fun golf socks and/or personalized golf balls.
THE OUTDOORSY DAD
This is the dad who loves being outside doing things like camping, fishing, hiking, etc. He probably has just about everything he needs but consider a gift card to his favorite shop like Cabella’s or a new cooler filled with his favorite brew. If gifting isn’t your thing, maybe go on a hike with your dad and spend some quality time doing what he likes. It could be spending an entire day fishing, but whatever it is, just make sure you have an agenda of which he approves.
JUNE 2021
THE GRILL MASTER DAD
This dad loves to be outside by the grill with a beer in his hand and tongs or a spatula in the other. If you want to get him something special, consider personalized grill tools, an apron, and an order of some good steaks. The grill master dad probably has a lot of grill tools already, but ask a few questions: Does he need a new grill? Or maybe some new accessories? Or does he want to try something new? Feel him out a few weeks before Father’s Day and you’ll find something that’ll make him smile. And then enjoy a backyard cookout celebrating him with your family and friends!
THE ‘HAS IT ALL DAD’
This is the dad who has it all. If he wants something, he buys it. They are the hardest to shop for and they are difficult to surprise. For this dad, you might need coordination amongst family members to keep him from buying things or to know what the latest must-have is that’s on his list. There are three routes to go with this guy. You can try tried and true treats you know he loves that are edible like candy, dinners, etc. You can try to buy something that is completely different but unique like a cool bottle opener, a personalized etched growler, or maybe customized art. Or in the end, these guys always like gift cards for their next impromptu purchase.
THE ‘ALL WORK/NO PLAY DAD’
It might sound silly, but these hard-working dads need some “me” time just like moms do. Check with him first, but he might appreciate a spa day! There’s nothing wrong with a day spent relaxing and enjoying a little bit of pampering on top of it. Or, if he’s not into those things, consider a nice beverage — maybe a topnotch whiskey and you can even get whiskey glasses and whiskey balls to go with it! It’s another way to relax that he’ll appreciate. Here’s to all the dads out there who help change the diapers, tie the shoes, drive the kids to school, make dinners, play in the backyard, and so much more. There are so many great things you can do with your dad and it’s not always about the gifting. Spending good quality time with them is even more special. Whether it’s fishing all afternoon, having a movie marathon, or spending an afternoon on the porch catching up, your father will love the memories made and the bonding time.
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CONGRATS CLASS OF 2021 ALAINA LIVELY
AVON HIGH SCHOOL We could not be prouder! The next chapter you write with our blessing. Congratulations, graduate! Love, Lucy, Lola, Jake, Mom, and Dad
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY Cadet Gunnar Larson, son of Todd and Daphne Larson of Avon, IN, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday, May 22. While at West Point, he concentrated his studies in Environmental Engineering and Grand Strategy. Larson also was a member of the Army Wrestling Team, earning his letter. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army within the Engineering Branch and will report to Fort Polk, Louisiana for his first assignment.
SADIE SEQUIN
AVON HIGH SCHOOL Congratulations Sadie! We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and what your future holds for you! We love you! Mom and Dad
JUNE 2021
HOW TO GET BACK ON YOUR FEET AFTER A BONE FRACTURE Writer / Dr. Ryan Kozlowski, Orthopedic Surgeon at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided
Broken bones can happen to anyone of any age. The difference, however, is that it’s much easier to heal and bounce back from a broken bone when you’re 6 years old versus 60. Recovering from a bone fracture later in life requires time and patience. Here are three ways to help the healing process and get back on your feet.
USE REST, ICE, COMPRESSION AND ELEVATION (RICE).
Following the RICE treatment after a fracture will help reduce the pain and swelling, and promote healing. During each stage, ensure that you do not overdo it or overstress your body. Your main goal should be to decrease pain and increase comfort.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.
After a fracture, it’s normal to want to get back to the activities you were doing prior to your injury. However, if you jump into those activities too soon and without guidance, you could end up injuring
yourself even more. Just like our muscles, exercise makes our bones stronger. Talk with your doctor about what types of physical activity are appropriate for your injury. Your doctor may recommend some at-home exercises or physical therapy. Incorporating regular, lowimpact movement into your daily routine will help increase blood flow to the injury.
bone is by breaking your smoking habit. Not only is smoking bad for your overall health, but it also increases your risk of bone fractures and slows down the healing process. Your bones need a healthy supply of blood in order to heal. Smoking restricts blood flow to your bones and prevents bones from receiving what they need to heal, including calcium and oxygen.
A balanced diet will not only help your fracture heal, but also help prevent future fractures. Yogurt, fish, nuts, beans, eggs and vegetables are good sources of protein and calcium that can help speed up recovery.
To make sure your fracture is healing properly, schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to check on your recovery process. A follow-up appointment will also allow your physician to adjust your recovery plan and suggest additional treatment tips based on the progress you’ve made.
BREAK UP WITH SMOKING.
One of the best ways to help your broken JUNE 2021
Owner Bob Taylor
All Fun and Games Good Times Await at Toy Buzz & Fizz Writer / Jamie Hergott Photographer / Amy Payne
ob Taylor has a background in athletic training and medical sales. He doesn’t particularly enjoy collecting things, and he isn’t necessarily motivated by money. It may be a surprise to learn that he owns and runs Toy Buzz & Fizz in Plainfield, and he absolutely loves it.
seeking toys and collections to buy.
“I’ve never had a more stressful job, but I’m always learning and always growing,” Taylor says. “That’s what I really enjoy about this place.”
Once the collections were gone, they began to poke around at local garage sales and Goodwill stores. They happened upon a bin of vintage “Star Wars” figures, selling at low prices. His friend suggested they buy the entire bin and sell them.
Toy Buzz & Fizz is the place to go for toys, action figures, pop-culture items, and retro-bottled soda. Collectors can find anything from Hot Wheels to Disney items to LEGOs. Taylor is always actively
While Taylor himself isn’t a collector, he has a good friend who is. In 2012 that friend wanted to start selling his collections, and since Taylor had some experience with eBay, he offered to help in his spare time and split the cost.
“That really started the ball rolling in our minds,” Taylor says. “We thought, ‘If we can just find this stuff at Goodwill, we TownePost.com / JUNE 2021 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 25
might be onto something. We could buy a 1984 Voltron figure for $5 and sell it for $100.’ It spawned from there.” It wasn’t long before their inventory became overwhelming. Taylor’s garage was filled with nothing but toys and before he knew it, they were running the operation almost like a full-time job - in addition to his actual full-time job. Taylor’s natural entrepreneurial spirit took over, and he began to consider quitting his job to sell toys full time. He was never miserable in sales, and always wanted to be on his own. He was never driven by the rat race of sales goals and pressure.
“I don’t care about keeping up with the Joneses,” Taylor says. “I want to pay my bills, go on vacation, make my own decisions, and have a nice life.” His friend wasn’t quite ready to make the jump, so they parted ways amicably, and Taylor quit his job to solely sell toys online. He hunted regionally, from Ohio to Illinois to Michigan, found decentsized collections, and sold them on
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eBay. His garage was so full, he realized a storefront was likely required to continue the business. Many items were just sitting in his garage, waiting to be organized and sold.
a bigger space built out for his toys at Gizmo’s, where he could run his business but also sell items when he couldn’t be there. This worked for four years, until he finally outgrew that space as well.
Taylor started small by renting a booth at Gizmo’s in Brownsburg, selling online for a year. While he was ready for more, renting a whole space by himself seemed like too big of a jump. He eventually had
It was time to make the jump. Taylor felt there were several factors at play that made him confident that he could make a toy store work. Culture was on his side, focusing on nostalgia, Marvel and “Star
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Wars.” Additionally, the closure of Toys “R” Us stores and the lack of toy stores on the west side offered him a niche.
people from other parts of the region,” Taylor says. “This could be the perfect place for a toy store.”
As he poked around Hendricks County, he began to realize Plainfield’s long-term plan for the town center would make the perfect backdrop for a toy store. “If the downtown really becomes what they are trying to make it, an area to live, work, eat, shop and play, it will draw
He began renting his current Plainfield space in June of 2019. He moved in all his collections, and added a living area with a TV, couches and even tables to play cards. The space next to him was vacant at the time, and when customers began asking if they could come and use the space to play
Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon and video games, Taylor was happy to oblige. “The more people asked, the more I realized that Plainfield didn’t really have a place for people to come, hang out and play games,” Taylor says. Taylor’s vision for how his business concept fits into the scheme of downtown Plainfield gets him excited to come to
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work each day. He sees an area where families can use the trails, come downtown for drinks or ice cream, and pop in his store to enjoy a vintage soda or browse his collections. Even though he’s been there for a year and a half, Taylor still gets one or two people every day who say they never knew he was there. He’s sure that if he can survive the town’s construction, he’ll be a permanent part of the downtown culture, offering a space for families to come, for teens to play their favorite games, and for locals to sell their beloved collections. Taylor acknowledges the stresses of owning a small business. “This is by far the most stressful thing I’ve done at certain times, but I’ve never woken up and thought, ‘I don’t want to go to work,’” he says. “I never even get the Sunday blues. It has taken away some of my evenings and weekends, but I don’t hate it at all. I love it.” The most enjoyable aspect for him is learning the ins and outs of being a general business owner. He considers himself successful every time he can pay the month’s bills and move on to the next month. He has two employees, and he finds the entire process satisfying. His daughter even comes in and works sometimes. “I didn’t go to business school, but I’m learning about inventory management, I’m learning about employee 28 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com
management, and I’m learning simply what makes a good businessperson,” Taylor says. “The process of sourcing, buying, selling, turning and flipping is awesome in the world of toys.” When he finds what works, he has happy customers. He values getting to know his customers and building relationships with them. He finds satisfaction in offering something new to the community. Before COVID, he even ventured into the realm of hosting birthday parties, and his most popular was a paint party, where everyone had paint kits and learned to paint together. The event was such a success that he dabbled in the idea of hosting more parties, until the pandemic hit. “Every single kid that comes in here has a smile on their face,” Taylor says. “Even adults. I get a lot of adult collectors who come in, or people just looking around and remembering things. You can’t come in here and not have a smile on your face.” Because of that, Taylor’s vision has expanded beyond just toys. He hopes to continue building a community, creating relationships, and offering a space of fun and joy. “It’s really cool that I’m providing something like this,” Taylor says. “It’s a cool little place people can come and shop. Come on in, hang out, put a video game in, change Netflix if you want, and stay awhile.” Toy Buzz & Fizz is located at 119 North Vine Street in Plainfield. For more info, call 317-742-7730 or visit facebook.com/ toybuzzfizz.
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Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography Provided
Dr. Justin Mohr, owner and clinic director of Mohr Chiropractic in Avon, can safely say he’s walked in his patients’ shoes. He has undergone two spinal surgeries, and has also endured many other injuries as a result of playing hard and working hard. However, Mohr isn’t complaining. If anything, he’s thankful for the trials because they’ve helped him help his patients. “It has helped me be a better physician for others,” Mohr says. “I’ve been through a lot on my own and can relate to people in pain. That’s what makes me good at what I do. I’ve been the patient for years.” Mohr is a second-generation chiropractor, inspired by watching his dad help people in the same field. Mohr joined Anderson Chiropractic in 2008, working closely with Dr. JC Anderson until Anderson retired in 2017. Mohr bought the practice and hired his associates, Dr. Jonathan Rall and Dr. Traci Bell, in 2019. Mohr is also owner and clinic director of Mohr Chiropractic Clinic in Greencastle, taking over the location upon his dad’s retirement. He plans to purchase or launch additional offices in the future. Mohr’s focus in his practice is on structure and function. This means he takes into consideration how the spine, nervous system and muscles all work together to achieve good health for his patients. New patients have an initial consultation, a health history review and an examination. Most patients receive X-rays to help the staff
visualize the spine and aid in diagnosing a patient’s condition. Patients then typically schedule a follow-up appointment after their initial visit. Exam findings and imaging are discussed, along with a specific plan to get the patient well.
Family is very important for Mohr, and is one of the many reasons he followed in his father’s footsteps. “He showed me how to balance family life and professional life,” Mohr says. “I loved that he was always around. Owning his own business and having a great team of doctors and staff allows him to be present in the lives of his loved ones.”
“Our care plans focus on pain relief, stabilization and prevention,” Mohr says. Mohr has no problem admitting if he can’t help someone. He prides himself in his great The Mohr Chiropractic mission statement, working relationships with doctors all over adopted from Mohr’s years of working with Hendricks County. Dr. Anderson, revolves around faith and serving others: “Love God by loving others, “It really just comes down to loving and serve God by serving others, help sick and caring for people,” Mohr says. “We love hurting people get well and stay well by getting to know our patients and their allowing the power that made the body to families. We’re here to do what’s best for heal the body.” them in order to see them get well and stay well.” 30 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JUNE 2021 / TownePost.com
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