Plainfield Magazine July 2018 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

JULY 2018

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WHATEVER IT TAKES PPD CAPTAIN JILL LEES TALKS WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE & PROTECT

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WHATEVER IT TAKES: PPD CAPTAIN JILL LEES TALKS WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE & PROTECT

When Jill Lees was a sophomore in high school, she attended a police camp at Indiana State University to see if she might like to pursue a career in law enforcement. The camp served to seal the deal.

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Christy Heitger-Ewing Stephanie Singh / Melissa Gibson

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SHOP LOCAL!

5 Business Spotlight: Fite Plumbing 28 Stay Hydrated This Summer 6 Whatever It Takes: PPD Captain Jill 31 Paying it Forward: Former Make-a- Lees Talks What It Means To Serve & Protect

10 A True Visionary: Former Town Manager, Rich Carlucci, Left a Lasting Impact On Plainfield

Wish Child Pursuing Nursing Degree So She Can Give Back

36 A Second Chance: Hendricks

15 Man of Many Talents: Former

40 45

County Woman Makes Full Recovery After Medical Scare

Local Events Hendricks County Sheriff, Tom Snapshot: Plainfield Farmers' Underwood, Reflects On His Unique Market Career The Burgess Bunch: Family of A Change of Heart: Kairos Prison Nine Runs Successful Goat’s Milk Ministry Has a Positive Impact On Soap Business Indiana Inmates A Longtime Leader: Plainfield Town Hendricks County Senior Services Council President Robin Brandgard Provides a Place For Seniors to Stay Talks 28 Years of Giving Back Active 4 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com

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FITE PLUMBING, LLC 2908 East Main St. Plainfield, IN 46168 317-271-5400 fiteplumbing.com

THE FITE PLUMBING STANDARD: HOW TO TREAT CUSTOMERS LIKE FAMILY Family is the foundation of Fite Plumbing. Bill Fite has owned and operated the company since 1989. Not only are many employees Fite’s family members, but he employs multiple members of other families, too. However, there is more to the Fite family. For Bill Fite, customers are family, too. For over 25 years Fite has set standards to treat customers like family. The company’s reputation is a result of customers’ statements like, “Bill and his company are dedicated, honest, professional and by far the best in the business!” One way Fite treats customers like family is to ensure access to a technician 24/7, 365 days a year. “We call people back quickly’” Fite said. “In an emergency, they need to know when we’ll be there to help.” Help arrives in the form of experienced, licensed plumbers who have been screened through background checks and drug testing. Fite provides on-going training so technicians are problem-solvers. “We know that plumbing issues are a major inconvenience and a health concern,” Fite said, “Experience and training means that our plumbers can ask the best questions to quickly and efficiently determine the cause and location of the problem. We alleviate concerns by solving the plumbing problem

in an efficient and affordable way.” The affordability of plumbing expertise and materials is a primary concern for customers. That is why Fite maintains an extensive supplier network and deals direct to ensure customers receive the highest quality products at the best prices with the shortest timelines. One customer said that Fite Plumbing offers the best dollar value for any type of plumbing. Not all plumbing needs are emergencies, and Fite Plumbing exceeds customers’ expectations through a variety of services. For the proactive homeowner, they offer a full house inspection. The inspection makes certain everything is working properly, lines are corrosion-free. They also check the water heater and water softener for signs of aging and potential issues. Fite knows a home is a family’s biggest investment, and his goal is to help protect that investment. For those who winter in warmer locales, Fite Plumbing winterizes houses that will be empty as protection against frozen pipes and other mishaps. Fite has procedures for technicians in customers’ homes. Technicians wear booties inside and place rugs in work areas. They are provided coveralls to wear in crawl spaces that are removed before re-entering the PlainfieldMag.com / JULY 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 5

home. Fite standards require them to leave the space as clean, or cleaner, than when they arrived. Another comfort for clients is that plumbers provide a detailed quote up front before any work is done. There are no surprises. It is no surprise, either, that Fite, who is also president of The Greater Indianapolis Plumbing Heating and Cooling Association (PHCC), was named 2014 Contractor of the Year for work with contractors or that Fite Plumbing has achieved the Super Service Award at Angie’s List. “We work to exceed customer expectations by going the extra step,” Fite said. “It’s one of the reasons we have been going strong since we opened over 27 years ago. We intend to continue it well into the future.” Whether you are calling because you hear a drip, see a puddle on the floor or stain on the ceiling, or because you want to investigate a new tankless water heater, to replace a sump pump or to save money with a high efficiency shower system, Fite Plumbing is ready, willing and able to serve. “Wherever you are in Indianapolis or the surrounding counties, if it has to do with plumbing, you don’t have to face the battle alone. You’ve got Fite in your corner!”

WHATEVER IT TAKES PPD CAPTAIN JILL LEES TALKS WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE & PROTECT Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Darren Boston

part-time police officer while earning her degree.

but opted for a fresh start and applied to the Plainfield Police Department (PPD).

When Jill Lees was a sophomore in high school, she attended a police camp at Indiana State University to see if she might like to pursue a career in law enforcement. The camp served to seal the deal.

“Back then [in 1994] campus security was so different,” Lees says. “I got paid $6 an hour, wore no bulletproof vest, and I had to buy my own gun, boots and duty belt.”

Though Lees was to be sworn in on May 8, 1995, due to a hiccup in the medical paperwork, the date was bumped back by a week to May 15, which is National Police Officer Day.

“By its completion, I knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life,” recalls Lees, who attended Indiana University’s cadet officer program where she mostly worked security at football and basketball games. The summer between her junior and senior years, she graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and became a

She says that had she not purchased a pistol, the department would have issued her a revolver. It wasn’t exactly the weapon officers wanted to tote. Lees worked security for concerts and even did a bit of undercover work. As graduation approached, she contemplated moving back to her hometown of Hammond, Indiana 6 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com

“I thought that was the coolest twist of fate to be sworn in on that day,” says Lees, who has witnessed quite an evolution in the profession over the past 23 years, particularly where technology is concerned. “When I first started on the force, I had a ticket book and a little file folder holder,”

Lees says. “Now we have in-car computers for crash reports, printers and scanners for e-ticketing. Everyone carries a smartphone. We’re equipped with body cameras and tasers.” The PPD has just received their eighth accreditation from CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies), an organization that Lees works for part-time. The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Program is to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a body of standards, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives, establishing and administering an accreditation process and recognizing professional excellence. “Our department received a meritorious award due to our longevity of being an accredited agency,” Lees says. With the work Lees does with CALEA, she visits other police departments in the U.S. to monitor best practices. “Through ride-alongs and interviews, I learn what’s working for them,” she says. “I always like working with anyone who shares my same goal of making a difference in the community.” Lees, Captain of the Support Services Division, is responsible for a number of things since the Support Services Division covers everything outside of actual investigation and road patrol. As a result, Lees does hostage negotiation, grant writing and teaching DARE classes at St. Susanna School & Church. She also provides chaplain services, which means she’s often the one to make death notifications to families. Whether it’s due to a car crash, a suicide, an overdose or a death from natural causes, it’s always a difficult conversation. “Each one of them takes a piece of your heart,” says Lees, who connects grieving families with resources in the community so that they can begin to navigate next steps. Lees is also in charge of hiring and recruiting for the department and is always in search of good, quality applicants who

are in great physical condition, are critical thinkers and can manage stress. “You’ve got to be able to handle the stress of the job, and that’s a difficult thing to gauge when someone applies,” Lees says. Though the PPD currently has more than 50 officers, it’s not enough to accommodate the town’s explosive growth. “The town has made controlled, calculated growth that has benefitted everyone,” Lees says. “We’re trying to play catch-up to that growth by hiring more manpower.” Adding to their team will mean that they can dedicate more officers as School Resource Officers (SRO). In fact, this summer they’re starting an SRO training program with the school and the town. “It’s always a top priority to make sure our kids are safe in school,” Lees says. Without community support, Lees notes that the PPD can’t be successful. That’s why she makes herself accessible to the community by participating in programs like “Coffee with a Cop” where the public is invited to chat openly with law enforcement officers. The PPD also participates in National Night Out, in which Plainfield officers go neighborhood to neighborhood and talk to folks who are sitting outside on their lawn chairs. “We visit them in their environment, giving them safety tips,” Lees says. “These are ways we enhance community involvement and show residents that we’re here for them.” Building and maintaining a good relationship with the community starts with the kids, which is why Lees keeps stickers in her uniform pocket and distributes them to children when she’s out and about. Officers keep a stash of stuffed animals on hand and give them to kids involved in crashes. They also let young ones love on their K9s at public events. Anytime Lees is feeling down and wonders if she’s making a difference in the community, she remembers the story of the starfish where a little boy is on a beach and sees that 8 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com

thousands of starfish have been washed up on shore. One by one, he starts throwing them back into the ocean. A passerby asks what’s the point as there are so many that how could he begin to make a difference? The boy tosses another starfish back into the sea and replies, “It made a difference to that one!” “That’s what I want — to make a difference, one by one,” Lees says. Whether she’s interacting with a student in a class, a patron at the grocery store or a child on the street, she tries to make it a positive experience. Recently she was having breakfast at a local diner when a waitress told Lees that years before her son had battled drug addiction but that Lees helped turn his life around. Another time a woman shared that several years before when her best friend died, Lees was there at the emotional scene. “I wasn’t part of the family, but you were still so kind to me and made sure I was okay,” she said. Lees was touched to know that her presence made a difference.

“It’s moments like these that solidify my purpose in life,” Lees says.

This is precisely why Lees cites empathy and authenticity as the two most important qualities of a police officer.

One of her favorite quotes is by author John Maxwell, who said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

“I tell kids who want to be a cop that this is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle,” Lees says. And it’s one that suits her perfectly.

She also likes Maya Angelou’s sentiment when she said, ‘People will forget what you said and did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.’”

“I love my team. I love my job. I love Plainfield,” Lees adds. “This is where I belong.”

PlainfieldMag.com / JULY 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 9

A TRUE VISIONARY FORMER TOWN MANAGER, RICH CARLUCCI, LEFT A LASTING IMPACT ON PLAINFIELD 10 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com

see and to help them navigate a course to their destination,” a quote from John Maxwell is how Assistant Town Manager, Nate Thorne, describes Rich. Rich saw more than just a unique way for taxpayers to get their money’s worth. He also believed in people.

Writer / Stephanie Singh Photos provided by Town of Plainfield

Behind every great idea is a great mind. That’s exactly how Tim Belcher, the Director of Development Services for the Town of Plainfield, describes his good friend and coworker of 27 years —Richard Carlucci. In fact, that is how everyone who worked with Rich during his tenure with the Town describes him. He is the one who elevated the Town of Plainfield. Carlucci became the Town Manager for the Town of Plainfield in 1988. Under his leadership, the assessed value of the town quadrupled from $500M to $2 billion. The Town of Plainfield’s population grew from 10,000 citizens to nearly 30,000 citizens. We can also accredit Plainfield’s diverse tax base to Rich. Carlucci played a

major role in the Town of Plainfield’s extensive parks and trails systems as well. The Town had 0 miles of trails in 1988 and today we sit just under 30 miles. In 2015, Plainfield’s Recreation and Aquatic Center nestled on Vestal Road was named after the beloved Town Manager. Simply put: Rich was a visionary. “One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot

PlainfieldMag.com / JULY 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 11

“He believed in me,” Thorne says. Thorne began in the Parks Department in 2004 and says Rich saw something in him that he didn’t see in himself. It was that visionary charisma that Rich had. After 12 years, Thorne would work his way up to become the Assistant Town Manager, all thanks to his mentor Richard Carlucci. Bill Kirchoff and Robin Brandgard worked closely with Rich as council members for the Town of Plainfield. Both accrediting

Plainfield’s economic development and taxpayer amenities to his foresight. “He has taken us from a sleepy town to a vibrant, thriving place to live, work and raise a family,” says Kirchoff, who worked with Rich for 16 years. His passion for the Town was evident in his everyday life. Brandgard says Rich would get off of work and walk the trails to make sure everything was to a T in the community. He cared, he cared so much. The general consensus is we are indebted to the work Richard Carlucci did for the Town of Plainfield for most of his adult life.

"NONE OF THE BENEFITS WE HAVE AS RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF PLAINFIELD WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE VISION, GUIDANCE AND STEADY HAND THAT RICH PROVIDED OVER THESE 27 YEARS" -Robin Brandgard

“None of the benefits we have as residents of the Town of Plainfield would have been possible without the vision, guidance and steady hand that Rich provided over these 27 years,” Brandgard says. On Sunday, May 20, 2018, Richard A. Carlucci passed away. His obituary reads, “Richard A. Carlucci passed away with the sun shining on his face, listening to James Taylor while holding the hand of his loving wife.” Rich will be missed by all, and the Town of Plainfield is lucky to have had such a tremendous leader for so long. One thing is for sure — Rich left the world and, more specifically, the Town of Plainfield, better than it was when he came in. Today, we say goodbye. We say goodbye to the one who laid the foundation for this thriving town, the one who created a strong tax base for our residents, the one who believed in parks and trails systems the Town of Plainfield has today and, finally, we say goodbye to the man who had monumental ideas and put them into action. Thank you Rich for everything you did for the Town of Plainfield and for us. You will be missed. 12 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com

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Man of Many Talents Former Hendricks County Sheriff, Tom Underwood, Reflects On His Unique Career Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography provided by Underwood Family

Tom Underwood was 23 years old and a trooper with the Indiana State Police when he was drafted in 1959 into the U.S. Army where he spent two years in Bamberg, Germany, with the 15th Infantry, part of the 3rd Army Division. This was during the Cold War, and Underwood was stationed on the border between West and East Germany. He and his unit did training to keep everyone combat ready. At times they worked border patrol, securing bridges in the event of an attack. They also offered support in demolitions when bridges needed to be blown up.

“Germany was still in reconstruction after World War II. It was interesting to see the reclamation that was taking place,” Underwood says. “The German citizens were thankful for the soldiers’ help in getting them reestablished.”

Underwood deadpanned, “I guess we’re looking in the wrong direction.”

Underwood and his wife, Abby, lived off the military base with a German family until 1961. Before returning home, however, he and his young bride traveled to Paris to sightsee. One day they went to the top of the Eiffel Tower when Abby turned to her husband and asked, “Why can’t we see the Eiffel Tower from here?”

After returning stateside, Underwood resumed his career as a police officer, serving as an Indiana State trooper for 25 years. After retiring from the police force, he became the Chief Deputy of the Hendricks County Sheriff ’s Department for the next seven years before serving one term as the Sheriff of Hendricks County from 19911994.

JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“It was one of those moments I’ll never forget,” he says. “We got a good kick out of that.”

“Being a cop was an interesting career,” says Underwood, noting the difference in duties between the two parallel careers. As an Indiana state trooper, he was doing mostly road patrol, answering calls for service on the highway (remember, this was all pre-cell phone). His role as sheriff required him to transport prisoners, serve warrants and deal with the courts. As Chief Deputy of the Sheriff’s Department, Underwood was in charge of setting up patrol areas for deputies so that they could cover the county. He also was responsible for feeding the prisoners — a task that fell to his wife.

opportunity to attend church if they wished,” Underwood says. “Ministers of all different denominations rotated through each week.” Despite their reasons for being jailed, Underwood had empathy for these men, many of whom were remorseful and desperately wanted to turn their lives around.

Plainfield for 14 years until he stepped down from the position last August. Though he still works in sales, at 82, he felt it was time he slowed down.

“Honestly, I don’t feel that old,” Underwood says. And it’s no wonder as he still keeps active tending to his vegetable garden that’s brimming with tomatoes, cabbage, radishes, “Some of these guys were first-time offenders, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans and and when they got arrested, to them, all hope sweet corn. In addition, although he hadn’t ridden a bicycle for 45 years, he recently took seemed lost,” Underwood says. “I wanted up riding the Vandalia Rail Trail with his them to have the chance to find that hope neighbor. through church and counseling.”

“Abby became the matron of the prison,” After his term as sheriff ended, Underwood Underwood says. “She ordered the food, took decided it was time to once again switch care of the cooks and fed the prisoners.” gears. He got his real estate license in 1994 and has been selling houses ever since. He One thing Underwood implemented during chose this new career because he still wanted his time as sheriff was coordinating a group to serve the public in some capacity. of Hendricks County ministers to volunteer to take turns running Sunday church services “I love that I’m still able to help people find for inmates. security and happiness,” says Underwood, “I wanted my prisoners to have the who managed Carpenter Realtors in

“I told him to stay behind me so he could call 911 should I fall off,” Underwood jokes. “The first couple of trips out, I took up most of the width of the trail just trying to keep my balance, but I haven’t fallen.” Underwood, who grew up in Coatesville, attended Amo High School (now transformed into a grade school).

“If you’ve ever seen the movie Hoosiers, my teammates and I lived that before the film was ever made,” says Underwood, noting that in 1953, during his senior year, there were 13 schools in Hendricks County. That year the Amo High School basketball team won the sectional tournament and advanced to regionals, which was played at the Butler Fieldhouse. “We won the afternoon game, and in the evening, we played Crispus Attucks, which had a well-known basketball team in Indy at the time,” Underwood says. In fact, one of the players on that team was Hallie Bryant, who went on to play professional ball, was a Harlem Globetrotter and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

after 56 years of marriage. “Without her, I would not have made it through life,” Underwood says. “She was so supportive of my career choices and changes.” The pair met at a drive-in root beer stand in Greencastle. After they wed, she worked as a clerk for the state police force in Putnamville. She’s the one who convinced Underwood to apply to become a state trooper.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with myself,” says Underwood, who at the time was employed at a brass factory on the west side of Indianapolis. The couple went on to have a son, Tim, and daughter, “We lost that game, but oh, what a memory,” Kim, both of whom also pursued careers in law enforcement. They both work at the says Underwood, who also has many great Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) memories of time spent with his beautiful in Plainfield. Tim has three daughters: wife, whom he married in 1958 when he was 23 years old. Abby passed away in 2014, Amanda, Kayla and Jenna. A fun fact is that

Underwood’s oldest granddaughter, Amanda, now teaches fourth grade at Amo Elementary (Underwood’s former high school). After Abby died, her Boston Terrier, Bridget, didn’t quite know what to do with herself. Underwood could empathize, as he felt lost, too. Bridget was in the habit of sitting on Abby’s lap every day. For months after Abby’s passing, the dog sat beside Underwood’s chair. Finally, one day she hopped up onto his lap. And together, they began to heal. An active member of the New Winchester Christian Church, located in western Hendricks County, Underwood plans to continue working for as long as he physically can. “As long as I have people who want me to list or sell their property, I’ll do it,” he says. “I like taking care of things. And I truly enjoy people. Each morning I thank the Lord that I get to experience another day.”

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A Change of Heart Kairos Prison Ministry Has a Positive Impact On Indiana Inmates

the testimonies, it’s a front row seat to a miracle,” says Roger Bough, State Chairman. Kairos Prison Ministry, the largest volunteer One form of the organization started organization in the correctional system in in the 70s in Florida, and Kairos has Indiana brings together men and women grown to reside in 37 states and nine from multiple denominations in an effort countries. The scripted course involving to save those who are lost and living in the team activities, singing, prayer and many prison system. speakers have a life-long effect on some of the states most hardened criminals. They offer a three-day program with an “intense introduction” to Jesus Christ They work with 1,200 inmates per year, and Christianity in 20 facilities across the carefully selecting 42 guests within the state. prison to attend each of the two event “We can give the logistics, but if you weekends per facility and after the threecome to a closing ceremony and hear Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography provided by Kairos Prison Ministry

AvonMagazine.com / JULY 2018 / AVON MAGAZINE / 19

day introduction, their involvement doesn’t stop there. “After that weekend, we come back for a one-day instructional reunion, we’re there once a week for a prayer and sharing time and twice a year we have a full day retreat,” Bough says. One weekend requires each volunteer to put in about 100 hours and that doesn’t include the weekly and monthly activities.” Bob Asmus says a year and a half ago he planned to visit one weekend as a

volunteer to see what the ministry was all about. “These guys coming into the room, their eyes were like dark tunnels,” he says. “You can see that many of them are scared and they often say, ‘the only reason I’m here is because I heard there was good food.’ After a day, they start sharing with each other and opening up. We just see heart changes and we’re just there listening and loving on them, but the greatest blessing is watching the lives change and knowing that I’m just the facilitator. I was just there and God did all the work.” Guests of the program are treated to five special meals made by volunteers and receive a handwritten letter from each of the approximately 40 members of the volunteer team. Some of the men and women haven’t received a letter throughout their stay at the prison. “That’s the kind of thing that really has an effect,” says Frank Rowe, Liaison for Plainfield’s Heritage Trail. “I’ve seen some of the hardest of hearts break over getting those letters. Talk about a moment. They can’t believe we take the time away from our families to be with them.”

Kairos group preparing to enter prison on a recent Saturday morning.

The importance of the ministry, Rowe says, is 97 percent of individuals incarcerated will eventually get out. “That’s why it’s important to effect change,” Rowe says. The goal is not only to bring inmates to Christ but also to create a new environment among prisoners. “The Department of Corrections (DOC) really like Kairos because the inmates' attitudes change. It changes the dynamic of the prison and what they’ve learned influences those around them,” says Louie Warren, Continuing Ministry Coordinator. Bough adds the benefit is not only for the prisoners and those working there but for the community as well. JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“It’s a calming effect in the facility,” he says. “It lowers stress and curbs violence but also reduces recidivism. These people will be our neighbors, so it’s a good thing for the community too.” Volunteers are needed in many capacities. Not only can men and women apply to work within the facility’s weekend or weekly activities, the group brings in 1,200 dozen cookies each weekend and needs bakers to make the homemade treats. Children in churches and some schools create placemats, financial donations are always needed and above all - prayer. “Prayer is the most important ingredient,” Bough adds. “We ask churches to sign up for half hour time periods to pray for the weekend and the inmates themselves.” Those prayer chains are put together for a visual reminder and hung along the room for guests to see the number of people praying for them. Many that touch the ministry in whatever capacity can remember the feeling they first had with their involvement.

At Conner Prairie, you can go wherever your imagination takes you. With hundreds of acres to explore, including our newly reimagined River Crossing experience area, we’re igniting curiosity and inspiring guests to discover new lessons in the natural world that surrounds us.

“It changed me. Not only does it change the participants, but it changes the volunteers,” Warren says. “Kairos is not for wimps,” Bough adds. “This is serious, mission-driven volunteer work and our volunteers have huge hearts. They are so committed to this.” To volunteer with Kairos Ministry, visit kairosofindiana.org or kairosprisonministry.org. JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

A Place for Families Join us at Kingsway Christian Church this Summer R I B F E ST W E E K E N D

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Hendricks County RibFest Presented by Avon Chamber of Commerce. 4â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9:30pm, free admission, $5 parking Food vendors, live music, games for kids. SUNDAY, JULY 1

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Hendricks County Senior Services Provides a Place For Seniors to Stay Active Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Darren Boston

A new national study called the “Community Assessment of Older Adults” was just released that surveyed seniors aged 60 or older to determine how enamored older adults are with their communities. A whopping 97 percent of survey participants in Hendricks County identified their community as an excellent place to retire.

to a friend as a good place to live.

Health and IU Health West).

“That shows that they love this community enough to want others to join them,” Keers says. “That’s just what we want to hear because our goal is to help our clients live independent, active, creative, fun lives.”

They teach seniors how to prevent falls and build strength because the number one fear of aging adults is that they will be injured in a fall. Staff will go into seniors’ homes and pick up all the rugs and replace burned-out light bulbs. For someone with mobility issues, they might loan out walkers or wheelchairs. All of these things reduce the chance of falling in the home.

HCSS promotes healthy living by providing a number of support services, engaging activities and effective programming designed to keep people “We are definitely celebrating that,” independent for as long as possible. This says Marina Keers, Executive Director includes group exercise classes, such as of Hendricks County Senior Services Chair Yoga that attracts roughly 40 seniors (HCSS). In addition, seniors reported that per week and exercising programming they would recommend Hendricks County (they partner with Hendricks Regional JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“This is a big deal because a broken hip is a huge risk factor to being placed in a nursing home,” Keers says. The HCSS operates a senior center in

Danville that offers a variety of recreational, educational and social opportunities for seniors. “It’s like a community center but for older adults,” Keers says. “People come play cards, enjoy a cup of coffee, maybe partake in an exercise class then head home for the afternoon.” While some seniors may drop by the center just once or twice a month, others show up daily because they relish the social time. “We love to see that because we hate for anyone to feel isolated or alone,” says Keers, noting that this year they have served 5,000 older adults and family caregivers in Hendricks County. According to Becky Maher, Activities Coordinator at HCSS, community members tell her that the senior center

has changed their lives because it gives them a reason to move, get out of the house and meet new friends. “One person told me that the exercise classes have helped reduce her shoulder pain and improve her walking,” Maher says. “She said that Hendricks County Senior Services is a blessing to the community.” Four decades ago, when HCSS opened its doors, the number one request

from community members was for transportation. People need rides to medical appointments, the grocery store or the barber or beauty shop. Ever since 1978, HCSS has provided the LINK program, the Hendricks County Public Transit system. It’s an ADA-compliant senior-friendly transportation service that shuttles seniors for just $3-$4 a trip. “We take the frailest individual who needs to go to dialysis multiple times a week to the very vibrant person who perhaps has

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vision problems that prevent them from driving,” Keers says. The center operates from the generous support of the community and the users of the program who donate money. Though they sometimes have to charge for supplies or equipment, they try to keep things as affordable as possible so that those who need the services can access them. HCSS also employs staff and volunteers who help seniors in their homes with services ranging from light housekeeping to assistance with bathing. In addition, they provide support groups for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, vision loss and diabetes that are well attended by family and community members. They even have several trained volunteers who provide free expert consultation to seniors regarding Medicare. “Many of our seniors have never picked a healthcare plan before because their employer has always done it for them so getting some unbiased advice is very helpful,” Keers says. In addition, this year, with the help of JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

volunteers, the HCSS completed over 1,000 tax returns during the months of January, February and March. “We’re always bringing in new programming that might help meet a need,” Keers adds. The HCSS’s mission is to keep seniors as independent for as long as possible. According to Keers, approximately a quarter of older adults in Hendricks County are at risk of premature placement in a nursing home. “Individuals deserve to live with independence and dignity, and we want to support that,” Keers says. “Plus, from a practical and economic perspective, living independently is the most cost-effective way for society to operate because avoiding nursing home care is saving the support system in our community millions of dollars every year.” Obviously, caregivers are a critical

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component in keeping older adults independent for as long as possible. That’s why the HCSS does everything from aiding in transporting someone to their cancer treatment to providing a meal to helping out with cleaning services. “All of these things help seniors live independently and give caregivers a much-needed break,” Keers says. “One of the biggest risks to premature institutionalization is having a burnt-out caregiver. We want to support that person so they can prolong caregiving.” Prime Time Expo, the annual summer health fair, is hugely popular, as is their fall flu shot clinic. Folks 60 and over (and their spouses) also flock to the weekday lunches provided through Central Indiana Council on Aging — some days the meals draw upwards of 80 people.

“People enjoy being with others while they dine,” Keers says. “They like getting out and having that network of support and friendship.” Such camaraderie is one reason Bingo still reigns supreme. Though Keers wondered if people would tire of this age-old game, she’s actually witnessed the opposite trend. “We’re seeing more and more younger seniors attend Bingo,” she says. “They enjoy the social aspect of it. Plus, who doesn’t like to win?” Keers feels privileged to be able to work with a team of caring, compassionate staff members and volunteers. She also loves, as she says, to “hang out with everybody else’s grandparents.” “The individuals at the senior center are the retired teaches you loved when you were a kid,” Keers says. “They’re the policeman who lived down the street

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from you or the lady who always smiled at you at the grocery store in your youth. Their stories are amazing, and it’s such a privilege that people trust us to help them with such an important part of their life’s journey.” Hendricks County Senior Services is located at 1201 Sycamore Lane in Danville. For more information, call 317-745-4303, e-mail admin@ hendricksseniors.org or visit hcseniors. org/wp.

Upcoming Events July 11: Prime Time Expo Summer Health Fair, 9-noon, at the HC Fairgrounds August 14: Concert by local musicians at the Royal Theater in Danville. Time TBA.

The kids are on summer break and summer is in full swing, and as you might guess, temperatures in Indiana tend to climb the highest during the month of July. As you’re planning for the next family outing or kids’ sporting event, make sure you’re staying hydrated. While the human body can tolerate dehydration for short periods of time (a few hours), ongoing dehydration will affect your overall health. In addition to feeling thirsty, signs of dehydration include dry mouth, dizziness and fatigue. “Sometimes dehydration can occur simply from not drinking enough water,” says Dr. Mohamed Homsi, cardiac electrophysiologist at Indiana University Health West Hospital. “Other times it can be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, high fever or increased urination.”

Excessive sweating can also lead to dehydration. “You lose water when you sweat, so that’s why it’s important to replace fluids in your body,” Dr. Homsi says. “During the summer months, as we’re spending more time outside, it’s even more important to intentionally hydrate our bodies.” The amount of water you should drink each day is dependent on many factors, including your health and lifestyle. A good rule of thumb is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, but some people may need more and others less. Talk with your doctor to find a good baseline for you. Can sports drinks help with hydration? According to experts, there’s a time and place for sports drinks if you exercise regularly.

JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“When used as intended – to replenish fluids after true physical exertion- sports drinks can be a good option,” Dr. Homsi says. “Sports drinks can re-supply the body with fluid, electrolytes and carbohydrate calories that are lost during a workout.” If you don’t need a sports drink, try to stick with water. Add flavoring to your water with lemon, lime mint or cucumber. Drinking lots of water is a healthy habit that is often learned from parents. Teach kids to drink enough water so that their urine is almost clear. And yes, this means they’ll probably be going to the bathroom more often throughout the day. Dehydration is a common problem, but the solution is an easy one. Drinking lots of water is part of a healthy lifestyle that can help avoid health problems and medical interventions later.

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All Pre-Schools Aren’t the Same Did you know that research tells us that 90% of brain architecture is formed by age five? Did you know that character development and spiritual formation is nearly complete by the age of 8? This puts a whole new emphasis on the early years. The first five years matter more than ever! At Kingsway, we are proud to offer preschool programs that nurture, delight and guide children. Kingsway Christian School recognizes that parents have a big job when they select a school partner for their family. We also know parents have lots of questions and sometimes even worries about choosing the right place for their child to start school. How do we know? We listen to them. Kingsway Christian School preschool programs are built around what parents want most. Parents tell us they want their child to be nurtured and loved. They want a safe environment; free from threat. They want their child to discover how the world works and enjoy learning without being hurried. They want their child to develop character and compassion for others. Most parents also want their children to understand that there is a Big God, Who made the universe, and Who still delights in the child’s heart. At KCS, we understand this and believe wholeheartedly in the power and importance of partnering with families to shepherd and nurture the hearts and minds of our smallest people. We do this by employing a caring, professional team of degreed, certified teachers. They create engaging environments, involve families and communicate with them regularly. With a 1 to 10 teacher/student ratio, we believe that growth happens best when a student is known. Growth inevitably takes place with a balance of play, small and large group learning, and lots of opportunity to build, construct, create, move, sing, imagine, read, draw, listen, and share. So don’t wait! Full day and part day programs are available for 3 year-olds, 4 year-olds and nearly 5 year-olds who might be just short of kindergarten cut off dates. Please contact Shelley Notter snotter@kingswayschool.org, or Renee Fishburn rfishburn@kingswayschool.org if you have questions about the program or want to arrange a visit. You can also check us out at www.kingswayschool.org. KCS is a tremendous opportunity in the heart of the Avon community that will set your child on the right path and give them every chance to reach their God given potential.

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Former Make-a-Wish Child Pursuing Nursing Degree So She Can Give Back Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Kiefer Family

Karyn Kiefer was just 15 years old when sharp, stabbing back pain began to incapacitate her. “I missed more school than I can count,” says Karyn, who recalls sitting on the kitchen floor sobbing. Her mom, Kim, desperate for answers, took Karyn to multiple doctors, each one chalking up the discomfort to growing pains or sore muscles from competitive swimming. Cortisone shots proved to be futile as did every other treatment offered.

Finally, after two years of excruciating pain, Karyn, a senior at the time, was told by a Riley physician: “The good news is that I know what’s causing your pain. The bad news is that you’re going to have to go out of state to fix it.” Ultimately, she had a mass on her spine. To shrink it would require proton therapy (a controlled form of radiation). Since only a handful of doctors provide the service, Karyn was given the option of traveling to either Illinois, Tennessee or Texas. They chose Chicago for a month-long series of treatments. To add to the stress, during Karyn’s first JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

session, the family got word that her dad, Kerry, had lost his job. Thankfully, insurance came through her mom’s work, though proton therapy is extremely expensive, so despite insurance approving 18 treatments, even now, two years later, the family is still paying off their medical bills. Towards the end of Karyn’s treatments, a woman walked up to her and asked, “What do you want your Make-a-Wish trip to be?” Make-a-Wish Foundation is an organization that grants vacation wishes to children diagnosed with critical illnesses. Karyn was eligible since she had received lifethreatening radiation treatments that exposed her other organs.

Following high school graduation in June 2016, a pink limousine pulled up to Karyn’s house to whisk Karyn, her parents, and sister Katelynn to the airport. They were headed to Disney World! “When we landed in Orlando, there were two good looking firefighters waiting to greet me,” says Karyn, who was 18 at the time. “My sister was bright red, but I loved it.” The family stayed at the Polynesian Resort where each morning they dined on waffles shaped like Mickey Mouse ears. Their first stop was the Magic Kingdom where the family rode every ride in record time since they got to cut to the front of the Fast Pass lines. While there, Karyn learned that there was a restaurant called The Crystal Palace where Winnie the Pooh characters mingle with diners as they eat. Karyn desperately wanted to see her favorite character, Eeyore, but didn’t have a reservation to the popular dining hot spot. Crew members pulled some strings, however, and got the family a table, allowing Karyn to hug her precious donkey. While in Orlando, the family also visited Animal Kingdom, Sea World and Universal Studios. Plus, they squeezed in parasailing and indoor skydiving. When they returned home, Karyn had to do her due diligence where her health was concerned, initially going in for an MRI every month. With each “all clear” that she received, however, the check-ups extended a bit — first to three months, then six months. This past spring, she was told she didn’t have to return again for a year. Thankfully, the mass, which Karyn playfully named “Fred,” continues to shrink. And she hasn’t been in pain since just before her Make-a-Wish trip. Prior to her health crisis, Karyn had always aspired to be a teacher, but when she was sick, she had a nurse who served to alter the course of her dreams. Though Karyn didn’t spend a great deal of time with her doctor, the same couldn’t be said for Brooke, the nurse who was assigned to her case. JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“Brooke made me feel comfortable and safe throughout that whole ordeal, making sure that not only I was okay but that my family was okay, too,” Karyn says. “A nurse is kind of like a second mother when you’re stuck in a hospital. I was grateful to have such an awesome one.” Karyn felt that pediatric nursing would be the perfect way to blend her old passion with her new one — caring for little boys and girls, helping to make them feel safe and secure. Karyn, currently a nursing student at IUPUI, works as a nurse’s aide at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville, picking up several 12-hour shifts a week. She takes patients’ vital signs, helps keep them clean and works on their circulation by getting them up and moving. Now that she’s the caregiver, she’s the one who gets to comfort patients and their families. “I’ve bonded with a lot of my patients,” Karyn says. “Some of them send me sweet

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messages through Facebook, telling how much I meant to them. Those kinds of notes reinforce that I’ve picked the right career.” Karyn also recently launched Heavenly Handmade, a scrapbooking, card, stationery business that helps supplement her income while also feeding her creative genius. She came up with the name as a result of her health scare. “God got me through every bad thing I faced,” she says. “Everything is heavenly homemade from Him.” When she was really sick, however, and struggling to find a diagnosis, she wrestled with her faith for a time. “I wondered why God wasn’t doing anything for me,” she says. “I was frustrated because no doctor was able to figure me out. After awhile, I questioned if God was even real.” Ultimately, she felt God’s love working through her mom, who never left her side. “She cried with me and rubbed my back when I was in agony. She never gave up,” says Karyn, who ultimately found her way back to Christ and now attends Plainfield Christian Church. As Karyn returned to her faith roots, it was her creative projects that kept her going. “It was healing to make stuff so I like sharing that gift with others,” says Karyn, who makes custom cards for weddings, birthdays, baby showers and special events. She has also fashioned ornate home decorations out of mason jars, created a wine glass holder and is working on a family tree project. After Karyn obtains her nursing degree, she hopes to get a job at Riley Hospital as a pediatric nurse. In addition, someday Karyn wants to volunteer as a Make-a-Wish coordinator so that she can help others’ dreams come true. “That’s definitely in my future,” she says. To check out Karyn’s creations, visit facebook.com/heavenly.hmade/.

JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

Bethesda Christian School has been invited to the 2018 Indiana Advanced Placement® (AP) Recognition Ceremony. This event recognizes schools where at least 25% of the graduating class cohort earned a score of 3 or higher on at least one AP exam. BCS was one of only 71 schools recognized at this event.

BCS welcomes Mitch Hammersley as our new elementary principal and director of preschool. Mitch comes to us from Cumberland Road Elementary in the Hamilton Southeastern Schools where he has been serving as assistant principal. Mitch has a natural passion for teaching and a humble servant led leadership. He is the result of many prayers here at Bethesda Christian Schools. Mitch and his family live in Brownsburg and have been members at Connection Point Church for the past few years. Mitch has an extensive resumé, but in his words “I can’t wait to start serving our Lord alongside you! Keep praying for our school community, and keep dreaming of all that we will accomplish together to make Jesus known.”

Ethan Ferguson, a 2018 BCS graduate completed his first appearance on the IU Cheer Squad in the 500 Festival Parade. Ethan will be attending IU in the fall to become a math teacher. Ethan

Discover what being a part of the BCS family really means. CONTACT US TODAY: 7950 N CR 650 E • Brownsburg, IN 46112 • (317) 858-2820

HENDRICKS COUNTY WOMAN MAKES FULL RECOVERY AFTER MEDICAL SCARE Writer / Heather Chastain Photography provided by Guingrich Family

A Hendricks County woman nearly died after an artery in her heart ruptured 10 days after giving birth to a healthy baby boy. Stephanie Guingrich, 40, is a mother of three. She has a 12-year-old step-daughter, a 4-year-old daughter and a baby boy named Ryan born November 9, 2017. With no known health issues, learning she

has suffered a coronary artery dissection, the result of spontaneous tearing in the coronary artery wall of the heart, less than two weeks after giving birth was a shock.

Her husband, Adam, filled in most of the details because Stephanie’s memory is still fuzzy about the incident several months later.

“I’ve always been healthy, no medical conditions. I’d never been the E.R. before,” Stephanie says. “I had an easy pregnancy and a successful c-section, but shortly after I came home, I started to feel chest pain.”

“The problem started 3-4 days after she got home from the hospital,” Adam says. “One day I had this pain in my chest and I called the doctor. When the nurse called back, she said the doctor said to go to the emergency room,” she says.

JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

Certain it was just anxiety over her new baby, she ignored the pain. Then Sunday morning November 19, 2017, she realized she was in trouble. “Stephanie was downstairs with the kids, nursing Ryan. She told me she had leaned over a little to adjust the baby and heard a pop in her back and then began feeling horrible chest pain,” Adam says.

minutes to save her. I knew I needed to get her oxygen and to get her heart going again to preserve her brain function.” Adam raced to the Avon-Washington Township Fire Department and started banging on the garage doors until he got someone’s attention. It took 5 guys to pull her out of the passenger seat, onto a stretcher and into the ambulance.

“The fire fighters said I couldn’t ride with them because they needed ‘to work on her.’ That’s what they said. They were vague. I knew that meant they were going to have to shock her,” he says. At IU West, a firefighter told Adam, ‘we brought her back [to life],” he recalled. “And all the doctors would tell me is ‘she’s really sick. That’s when I realized this was not

Her 4-year-old daughter started yelling upstairs, “Daddy! Daddy! Mommy needs you,” Adam says. “Then I hear Stephanie yell, ‘Adam, I need you!’ I could tell her in her voice something was really wrong.” When Adam came downstairs he said she was white and sweating profusely. He thought she was having an anxiety attack. He says Stephanie is always concerned about nursing and making sure their son was getting enough milk. The baby had lost some weight after they brought him home from the hospital, so milk production and his consumption had made her anxious for several days. “I got her a washcloth and some water and told her to calm down and take some deep breaths and then she said, ‘I think you need to call 911.’” Adam called his parents, who live down the street, to come stay with the kids. During the drive to the hospital, Adam continued to talk to Stephanie and ask her what was wrong and what she was feeling. “I just kept saying ‘Hang on hon, I’ll get you there,” he says. Then a moment later, Stephanie said, ‘I think I’m going to pass out.’” Adam says she stopped breathing, her eyes rolled back in her head, arms went stiff and he heard her make a gurgling sound. “In 1997, I witnessed by younger brother pass away from cancer. He made that same gurgling sound right before he passed,” Adam says. Then he said she turned an unusual color of yellow gray. “Instantly I knew she was dead, and I had less than 5

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good at all. I started to realize Stephanie may not make it back home with me.” Still unsure exactly what had happened, doctors told Adam they thought she either had a brain aneurism, a heart attack or a clogged artery. At this point Stephanie is on life support in a medically induced coma, tied to the bed as they typically do in these cases. Doctors told Adam she would remain this way for several days while the heart healed. Her ejection fraction, or EF, was at 24. A normal heart is at 60. Doctors said she needed to get hers to at least 50 or she would have to have a pace maker or a defibrillator. “I was so sad. So emotional. I was a mess. I started having flashbacks to when my brother was fighting cancer. With that

many tubes coming out of her, I just knew she wasn’t going to make it,” Adam says. “All I could think about was how I was going to tell the kids their mom wasn’t coming home and how I was going to raise three kids alone. It was horrible. I was feeling the highest of highs just days before. I had a son and I was able to pay tribute to my brother by naming the baby after him. Now I was at the lowest of lows.”

had dozed off and awoke to nurses frantic around Stephanie.

Finally, seven hours later, doctors allowed Adam to see her. “She looked terrible. Machines were breathing for her and they warned me she would be ice cold. Doctors also warned me if she comes out of this coma, she would have amnesia,” he says.

Just as the doctors had warned, Stephanie had amnesia.

“She had managed to lean up while restrained and pulled the breathing tube out of her mouth and was breathing completely on her own. She was expected to stay in the coma for days and less than 12 hours later she was alert and breathing,” Adam recalls.

“She remembered me and the kids, but she thought she was still in the hospital because she had just had the baby. She didn’t know the date or other facts. She just kept asking for the baby. She said she Adam sat by her bedside in a state of constant prayer. Early the next morning, he wanted the baby and she wanted to nurse JULY 2018 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

him,” Adam says. “I remember saying, ‘I can’t stay here, I’ve got to go,’” Stephanie says. After a five- day stay in the hospital, Stephanie came come home with a life alert vest and still no diagnosis about what happened to her. This vest was designed to monitor her heard function and shock her if necessary. Fortunately, she never had to be shocked. It took a couple of weeks to get her memory back. Short term memory was still a problem. One month after coming home from the hospital, she went to Methodist Hospital for an MRI. It was then doctors finally diagnosed her with a coronary artery dissection, the result of spontaneous tearing in the coronary artery wall of the heart. Doctors said the stress of the pregnancy on a then 39-year-old woman was the cause.

happened. Once I came home, I really didn’t feel that bad,” Stephanie says.

“I was still in denial about what

“I was so happy and the doctors were

Fortunately, her EF went up to 59 and she didn’t need a pace maker or defibrillator. It needed to be above 50.

Firepits & Fireplaces

shocked because most people don’t have a complete recovery,” she says. “She’s a fighter,” Adam’s mom said with a grateful smile on her face. She’s still under a doctor’s care, but Stephanie continues to remain healthy and happy with her family.

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The Avon Farmers Market brings fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted items to Avon residents. South Parking Lot of the Avon HRH Building 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

No registration required 8U and 14U age groups Washington Township Basketball Court 10:00am – 11:00am Free

The Plainfield Farmers Market brings fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted items to Plainfield residents. Lawn of the Plainfield Friends Meeting at US 40 & SR 267 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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SCAVENGER HUNT

Team up with friends to solve clues throughout the library! This scavenger hunt will provide opportunities to discover our many library services and databases, and there will be prizes provided for those who finish. Plainfield Library 1:00pm – 3:00pm

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Come play for school supplies for the upcoming school year. Registration requested. Ages: Kindergarten+ Washington Township Park Pavilion 6:00pm – 8:00pm Free event

Hey kids! Did you complete Summer Reading? Join us for a puppet show presented by Madcap Puppets with cotton candy from the Frigid Frog! This program is for children newborn to 5th grade that completed Summer Reading. No ticket required, just wear your Summer Reading t-shirt for admission! Kids up through 5th Grade Plainfield Library 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Dizzy Izzy’s Food truck and drink vendor on site. Registration is not required Outdoor Amphitheater at the Washington Township Park 7:00pm – 9:00pm

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‘Play’nfield in the Park Performing Arts Festival is celebrating their 3rd year featuring games, booths, performing arts and more fun for everyone. Free Hummel Park Performing Arts Center 4:00pm – 9:00pm

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THE BURGESS BUNCH Family of Nine Runs Successful Goat’s Milk Soap Business

brothers since he had nothing but sisters up to that point,” Kevin says. “I remember when we told him the good news, he did a Fourteen years ago, the Burgesses were a somersault in the living room.” happy family of five. Living on nine acres of woodland in Hendricks County, Karen Prior to the adoptions, Kevin had changed homeschooled their three young children careers and was now running his own while Kevin worked as a senior data analyst real estate company, Values Driven at Galyan’s Corporate in Plainfield. Though Realty. Karen, too, was delving into a new their lives were already plenty fulfilling, they professional venture that started when a both felt a desire to expand their brood. friend gifted her with a bar of goat’s milk soap. They began the process of adoption and in 2010, they adopted a daughter from China. “I was amazed at how much better it felt on Almost immediately they knew they wanted my skin than normal soap,” Karen says. to adopt again — a sibling group, if possible, since they had the room in their home and A few weeks later when Kevin was out of in their hearts for additional children. Three town, that same neighbor presented Karen years later, they brought home four boys with a larger gift — the goat that helped and a girl from Colombia, making them an make the soap. The neighbor was moving official family of 11. and had to find her goat a new home. Immediately, the wheels started turning “My oldest son was thrilled to get four Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photos provided by Burgess Family

48 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com

in Karen’s mind. Knowing how quickly adoption costs add up, she wondered if perhaps she could learn how to make and sell goat’s milk soap to help defray the adoption expenses. “We already had chickens, rabbits and cats, so why not add a goat?” Karen says. Plus, it would provide additional chores and responsibilities for the youngsters. Soon the whole family was learning how to milk goats, and Kevin was the first to encourage his wife’s passion — especially after hearing the positive customer feedback. “We’d go to farmer’s markets where people would repeatedly tell us how the goat’s milk soap had improved their skin,” Kevin says. “Folks with cancer, psoriasis and eczema were telling us that this product was

changing their lives by helping their dry skin.” Using a software program, Karen played around with homemade soap recipes, choosing ingredients and essential oils based on whether she was looking to craft a bubbly or creamy lather, a conditioning or drying bar. Then she created trial sizes to test it. Karen has found that the most popular selling scents of her all-natural soaps are Shea Supreme, French Lavender and Indian Lemongrass. Once it became clear that Karen could transition her short-term money making endeavor into a full-fledged, profitable career, she decided to go for it and in July 2013, Global Soaps was born. Selling soaps, lotions, lip balm, laundry detergents and stain remover bars, the name of the company reflects the Burgess’ diverse, global family. Growing the business, while taxing, was nothing compared to the energy it took to grow their family. “Adopting five children all at once and adjusting to the many changes that brings is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Karen says. “Learning how to be friends and siblings and love one another takes time. Even now, after nearly four years of all living as a family, the pieces are still coming together.” It’s a lot to tackle on a daily basis — homeschooling nine children, running a business and still fitting in time to do everything else it takes to run a household. That’s why Karen maintains a flexible schedule that more easily adapts to illnesses, appointments and work responsibilities. Last spring, the Burgess’ eldest daughter, Carissa, graduated high school and is now helping her parents to cultivate both the soap and real estate businesses. In fact, all of the children have a hand in the company’s success. The older ones milk the goats and help make and sell the soap while the

PlainfieldMag.com / JULY 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 49

younger ones gather leaves for the animals and decorate the bags the soap is sold in. All of the children pitch in to clean the stalls and care for the health of the goats — of which there are now 16. The entire process has served to be a tremendous bonding experience, and Karen couldn’t be happier with the astounding change she has witnessed in her children as they have acclimated to a new culture, a new language and a new life in Indiana. The youngest adoptee, for instance, initially bristled when his parents tried to hold or touch him. Like many young children, he also experienced emotional outbursts and physical fits. Now, however, he runs to his parents for tender hugs, he seeks their loving approval and he’s eager to demonstrate any new things he’s learned. The Burgesses advice to other families who are looking to adopt a large number of children is to pray regularly, garner support from those who have been through the process and take the transition one day at a time. “It’s quite a roller coaster, but it’s so worth it,” Kevin says. “So, give yourself grace and just keep going. That’s what we’re doing, and we are immensely enjoying the ride.” For more information about the Burgess family and their business, visit globalsoaps. com. Their products are also available in Hendricks County at Frazee Gardens (Brownsburg), The Bee Hive (Danville) and at the Plainfield and Brownsburg Farmers Markets.

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Plainfield Town Council President Robin Brandgard Talks 28 Years of Giving Back Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided by Town of Plainfield

The year was 1979, and Robin Brandgard mentioned, off the cuff, to a member of the Plainfield town council that he might like to someday get involved. The council member immediately pounced on the statement and the next thing he knew, Brandgard was part of the five-member team. Now, 39 years later, he’s still going strong. In fact, he’s been the town council president for 28 years. “Every year we collectively elect the officers, but back in 1990 they decided we needed to have continuity so they kept electing me

president,” says Brandgard with a smile. He’s moved to Plainfield in 1955 and graduated quick to point out that although he runs the from Plainfield High School (PHS) in 1961. meetings, he’s always in consult with others. He went to work for Allison Transmission as a machine operator and worked his way up to supervisor. When he retired 45 years “I get to deal with everything, but I am later, he was Manager of Strategic Planning sure to gather plenty of input,” he says. The & Military Operations and Supervisor of Council meets on the second and fourth the Government Property Group. Monday of the month to discuss a wide variety of topics, including personnel, public works, the fire department and the “My title made for a lot of words on a business card,” he says with a chuckle. police department. They also are in charge of the Hendricks County Communications Center, which is 911 dispatch and Once he retired, he could devote more time transportation for the county. to the town council, which he was happy to do. Years ago, a running joke developed Born in 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio, Brandgard when Brandgard told someone that should 52 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com

anyone call his house between the hours of 7 and 9 a.m., his wife Ginny would tell the caller that they could find him at his “office.” By that he meant the Starbucks in Plainfield. The notion caught on and soon community members began showing up at the coffee house to chat with Brandgard about whatever issues were on their minds. Call them “office hours,” if you will. Not only does he extend an open-door policy for anyone who wants to chat, but he is adamant about collaborating with members of the community. Say, for example, that someone approaches Brandgard with the notion of building a garage in their

backyard, an idea that doesn’t fit within current regulations. Brandgard won’t just tell them no and send them off. Instead, he’ll sit them down and talk it out to see if they can find a way to make it work.

The town also helped fund the Ivy Tech logistics program. Now Brandgard and his team are working with PHS to fund a new building that will support the educational needs of both young and adult learners.

“This gives everyone a good feeling because it becomes more of a partnership than a ‘me vs. you’ mentality,” says Brandgard, who has never liked the word “I.” Not surprisingly, he much prefers “we.” And for good reason. During his time with the council, he’s noticed that everyone involved is intent on doing what’s best for the town. They don’t have their own personal agendas but rather are focused on making Plainfield a better place. And it really has improved in a number of ways.

“There’s a need for educating folks who don’t want to go to college so that they can learn a skill that they can use beyond high school,” Brandgard says. “Planning for this program is still in the infancy stage as we’re talking to various schools to assess their needs so that we can work on providing a building.”

“In 1988, Plainfield was about three square miles. Now we’re seven times that size at 21 square miles,” Brandgard says. The population has soared to accompany that growth, having grown from 8,000 to over 30,000. A big reason for that is the erection of the industrial park, which has made the town’s value grow to over $2 billion dollars. Plainfield is home to Walmart, two giant Amazon facilities, and a state-of-the-art Kohls center.

PlainfieldMag.com / JULY 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 53

Since they conceived of this idea, representatives from both Ivy Tech and Vincennes University have joined the discussion. “It’s grown bigger than we had envisioned, which means it was sorely needed,” says Brandgard, who also takes great pride in the fact that the town has kept taxes and utility rates low while providing more services than most other communities. He cites trash pick-up, street lights, police, fire and parks. Then there’s the road system. “When it snows, you can move around Plainfield because we are out there with our

equipment,” Brandgard says. “You might not get out of town, but you can move around in town.” Though in the past, the town has been adept at doing a lot with few employees, Brandgard and his team have realized the need to increase administrative employees in order to keep up with the growth. Two years ago, they brought on board a new town manager and asked him to assess how they do business and come up with a plan that will take the town into the next quarter century. “The community is going to grow whether you want it to or not,” Brandgard says. “Therefore, we try and guide it in a direction that’s good for the community.” For instance, the downtown area will be going through a redevelopment and revitalization plan that’s going to be developer-driven. They have plans to expand Town Hall, which is bursting at the seams and hope to include a performing arts center. Through it all, they want to hear from Plainfield residents. “We want the community to have a say in what’s going to happen,” Brandgard says.

Working with the Town Council has been enjoyable. If it wasn’t, I’d have left long ago, every time I mention leaving, somebody talks me out of it. But hey, it keeps me young. It gives me a purpose. -Robin Brandgard The Town Council recently launched a new Plainfield app that enables residents to search all that’s going on around town. “There’s a town calendar on there and a calendar for the Rec Center built into it,” says Brandgard, noting that residents will also be able to pay their water bill online.

as part of a family reunion in Denmark and to Australia to satiate his grandson’s desire to see the kangaroos. Two years ago, they jetted off to Maui with their whole family to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. This year they’re headed to Alaska.

“We’re always discussing ways to make life better and easier for our residents,” Brandgard adds.

How long Brandgard will remain in this position is anyone’s guess. He definitely wants to keep traveling with his family, but those “office hours” at Starbucks have also become part of the fabric of his life.

When he’s not at Starbucks, Brandgard likes to read, tinker with his 1964 Coupe Corvette and travel with his wife of 53 years. The couple frequently vacation in Mexico during the winter to relax for a couple weeks on the beach. They’ve also been to Europe

“Working with the Town Council has been enjoyable. If it wasn’t, I’d have left long ago,” Brandgard says. “Every time I mention leaving, somebody talks me out of it. But hey, it keeps me young. It gives me a purpose.”

54 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com

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