Plainfield Magazine July 2021 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

BRIAN CALVERT & DIXIE THE PRAYING DOG STAR ON HIT AMAZON PRIME SHOW

IT’S BACK!

The Hendricks County 4-H Fair Returns July 18-24 A GRAND REUNION

Local Couple Meets the Son They Gave up for Adoption 43 Years Earlier

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“Unless you get a dramatic look, you won’t even know you have lashes,” Brown says.

“I want people to know Deka Lash is an experience,” Brown says. “Our goal is to help every woman understand that they can enhance their look just with their eyes.” Service prices range CONNECT from $79.99 to $220, Every single staff member is a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician, and depending on the look each new customer gets a free consultation before lashes are applied. customers want. The price model is membership-based, so those who know they’ll come regularly Brown, who is also co-owner of the Indiana Lyons basketball team, has can choose one of three different memberships with varying degrees of always wanted her own salon. After spending 30 years of her career in benefits, including credits for services and discounts. insurance, she found herself miserable and bored in her job. She took a two-year break, and re-evaluated and prayed about her next move. In “Our goal is to make it easier for women to get up and go about their her research, she found Deka Lash and loved all that they stood for. day already looking like they’re made up,” says Brown, who also offers “I am in love with the Deka brand,” Brown says. “I love that they’ve taken something that was meant to be for wealthy women and made it available to the average woman to afford. They can have that look of a wealthy woman without going broke, and that’s what I really love.” In the state of Indiana, those who offer lash extensions must be licensed as cosmetologists or estheticians.

microblading at her salon. “In this season of masks, it’s the best way to make yourself up. As a woman, all you see is my eyes so I might as well get my lashes and brows done.” Book appointments online, in person at the studio, or using the company’s smartphone application.

“If you are not licensed, you cannot do lashes in this studio,” Brown says. “Many out there are certified but not licensed. They give you lashes whether your own lashes are healthy enough to have them or not, and then people come to us repair them.” Brown says every person’s lashes are different. The staff will analyze length and volume, and choose the appropriate lashes based on each customer’s desired look. That’s why consultations are necessary. “We call ourselves experts in lashes, and we will turn customers away if their lashes aren’t healthy enough to be lashed,” Brown says.

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IT’S BACK! T H E H E N D R I C KS CO U N T Y 4 - H FA I R R E T U R N S J U LY 1 8 - 24 Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography / Provided

After a year of cancelled plans, it’s awesome to finally be able to jot down some fun events on our calendars. Get out your pens and mark July 18-24 for the return of the Hendricks County 4-H Fair! According to Steve Patterson, Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds executive director, they are calling it a “transition fair” because it won’t be a full fair with all of the activities as it was in 2019 and yet it won’t be like 2020, which was 4-H only. Don’t let the word “transition” scare you, however, because the seven-day event is chock-full of yummy food, thrilling rides, cute animals and fun activities to suit every age. In addition, there will be 4-H projects on display as well as grandstand entertainment and contests of all sorts. “We’re bringing back the talent contest and the cheerleading contest, which are always popular events,” Patterson says. This year they are adding flat track drags to their events, which is drag racing for dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and trucks. And folks will be happy to know that the rodeo is returning. Plus, they are having a garden tractor pull. Ground entertainment for the week will be Rhinestone Roper, who does a horse display. They are also bringing back Wolves of the World, which was a popular demonstration five years ago. In addition, Cow Town is an educational experience that invites guests to learn all about agriculture and teaches how to milk a cow and make soap, butter and ice cream. There will also be a petting corral. A whole different aspect of the fair that a lot of people don’t know about is the Hendricks County Extension Homemakers, which will have open class competitions for things like cooking, baking, sewing, and gardening. Any age resident of Hendricks County is eligible to enter their item for just $1 and win cash money for prizes. First place wins $10, second place $8, third place $5 and overall champion gets an additional $10.

“They have money for hobbies and crafts, needlecraft, photography, personal art, all sorts of things,” Patterson says. On July 22, the Hendricks County Extension Homemakers is holding a chocolate contest where they will invite local bakers to enter their best cakes, candies, cookies, pies, quick breads, and more. No packaged mixes are allowed, nor are any ingredients that would require the entry to be refrigerated. “We accept entries from noon until 2 p.m., and judging starts at 2 p.m. so raw milk, sour cream or heavy cream can’t be used,” says Deloris Elza, who is in charge of the chocolate contest. Contestants appreciate the fact that their entries are critiqued as they can take that constructive criticism and improve their product next year. The morning of the chocolate contest will be a presentation called, “Chocolate Really Grows on Trees,” during which the speaker will share where chocolate beans come from and how they are processed. Following that will be a presentation on how to melt and work with chocolate. The Quilt Block contest is also held that day. Plus, they are presenting “I can, you can,” and this year has to do with international fruits and vegetables. “We will have master gardeners working with us,” Elza says. To help with food insecurity in Hendricks County, fair organizers are hosting a food drive for food banks in the community. Anyone

who brings in so many ounces of food gets a free ticket. In 2019, fair organizers had a peanut butter drive for the food banks and collected more than 500 pounds of peanut butter. “With all the groups under the Extension umbrella, we’re hoping we will even surpass that amount for our food banks for the upcoming winter,” Elza says. Kati Sweet, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, says that they will offer several opportunities this summer for their 4-H youth to show off the hard work they have put into their projects during the past year. For instance, they will have their 4-H static project judging, their event contests, and their livestock competitions at the Hendricks County 4-H Fair. The static projects include their indoor projects such as posters, displays and exhibits related to specific 4-H projects. Their event contests, such as public speaking and fashion revue, will happen in the week leading up to the fair and during the fair. In addition, they will hold their livestock competitions for their 4-H members in livestock projects such as dogs, cattle, swine, and more. All their judging, contests and competitions will still have added safety precautions in place to keep 4-H families and the public safe. “Members will have the choice to exhibit in person or virtually depending on their level of comfort and health,” Sweet says. “We’re excited to be growing from where we were last year, but we will not necessarily be where we were in 2019 yet.”

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Though livestock animals will be on display, they will divide up the species so that they can spread out more. Beef and dairy used to be together but now beef will be at one time and dairy another. Goats will also be divided up. They are also bringing back the Ag Experience, an educational area that houses calves, rabbits, and other small animals held in the Cartlidge Barn. “Our 4-Hers and volunteers have been working hard all year despite the many challenges they have faced of virtual meetings, canceled and rescheduled programs, and additional restrictions for events,” Sweet says. “We’re looking forward to celebrating all that our youth have accomplished and hope that our community will congratulate and support them as we move into our busiest time of year.” Fair admission is just $5. Plus, they will have some special days with discounts. “It’s the state fair experience at a county fair price,” Patterson says. Though it will feel and look like a typical fair, staff is making some safety changes that may not even be noticeable to attendees such as spreading out concessions a bit more. Masks, however, will not be required at the fair. They may also reduce capacity in some areas

although they are not capping guests to enter the fair. Patterson is anticipating good numbers this year seeing as how people are experiencing big-time cabin fever. Now that increasing numbers of people are getting vaccinated (many at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds!), the general public is feeling safer about socializing in crowds and tasting a sense of normalcy (along with an elephant ear). Florida fairs have reported record attendance, drawing larger crowds than they have seen in previous years simply because people want to get out and socialize. “We’re looking forward to seeing people in person, and I think people are excited to get out and come back, get their fair food, see the animals, take in the attractions, and not be at home,” Patterson says. “We’re trying to make it as safe an environment as we can because we know folks are craving some normalcy, so we hope that people come out and have a great time.” The Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds are located at 1900 E. Main St., Danville. For more information about the Hendricks County 4-H Fair, call 317-718-6153 or visit www.4hcomplex.org

STATE FAIR EXPERIENCES AT COUNTY FAIR PRICES

Essential Fun July 18TH - 24TH All of these events at the Fleece Performance Grandstand Sunday - ? | Monday Flat Track Drags | Tuesday - ?- Moto X Sunday & Monday - Flat- Track Drags | Wednesday Wednesday ? | Thursday Garden Tractor PullRodeo Thursday - Garden Tractor Pull | Friday - IPRA Friday IPRA Rodeo | Saturday Demolition Derby Saturday - “Night of Destruction” – Demolition Derby

Grounds Acts

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Writer / Shelly Bergman

With the first day of school lingering in the not-so-distant future, you're probably feeling both excited and overwhelmed. From creating healthy sleep habits and establishing a good morning routine to handling back-to-school anxiety and learning how to make communication more manageable, we’ve got 10 back to school tips and tricks for parents to help make this your best year yet! 1. MAKE A COUNTDOWN

to those routines while wanting to get in as much fun as you can, but it will help the transition immensely for you and your kids if you start early. 2. POSITIVE ATTITUDE You know that your child will reap the benefits of going to school. Try to keep any anxiety or stress you may have from showing to your child. 3. VISIT THE SCHOOL

This is a great practice for young kids Using a calendar, paper chain or whiteboard, starting preschool or Kindergarten. It is start a countdown a couple weeks before equally great for children entering a new school. With this countdown ease into school. Map out their classes and let them their school routine with bedtime, setting try out their locker. Park where they will out their clothes for the next day and when park and walk in, making their first day of they'll be waking up. It'll be hard to stick school more familiar. JULYJULY 2021 2021

4. MORNING ROUTINE Routine is the key word here. It may take a few weeks or even months to figure out the perfect routine for your family, but once you've got it, stick with it. Write it out or discuss it with your kids to let them know how you'd like to see the morning go. Have them help you figure out what works best for them. 5. EVENING ROUTINE Although morning routines help with the ease into a new day, setting up an evening routine can make that morning routine breeze by. Again, see what works best for your family. Maybe make a chart or an evening routine clock that shows what things they need to accomplish before lights out. Do as much as you can the night before

so the next morning is simple (set out clothes, make lunches, look at the week ahead etc.) 6. GO SCHOOL SHOPPING Head to the store for their favorite foods in their packed lunch. Purchase the necessary school supplies or even a new First Day outfit. Get haircuts. Having a day with them to prepare for the new year ahead will let your kids know you want to make this as easy and as fun as possible for them. 7. MAKE A DROP ZONE Talk to your child about homework rules and where they should put papers that need to be looked at or signed. Have enough space for each child's backpack, shoes, water bottles or anything else they will be carrying home from school so there is no frustration in the morning to find these items. Make sure they know it's their space and their responsibility to keep their items there. 8. MAKE A CALENDAR Add all of the holidays and school info and hang it where your child can see it. If they join a club or sport, have them write in their games or practice dates and times to let them have a little responsibility over knowing when their time is scheduled. If you have a younger child, use stickers to let them know which days they have games or practices. Starting this habit of letting them schedule their time will help them decide what is too much on their plate.

9. BE PRESENT As tempting as it is to tell our kids they have nothing to worry about as a way to distract them, sometimes the best thing we can do as parents is to simply listen. If your child is finding school stressful, allow him or her to put their feelings into words so you can figure out exactly what is bothering them and (hopefully) find a solution to their worries. Spend 5 to 10 minutes connecting with each child in the morning or evening routine, with your phone put away. Talk about who they're excited to see or what they're going to do at recess. If they are nervous for the week ahead, brainstorm a family activity for the weekend.

JULYJULY 2021 2021

10. OUTSOURCE YOUR TIME Know that it's okay to ask for help. Figure out what is taking up a lot of your time, therefore, keeping you from your family. Is there a way to pay to have it done by someone else? Hire a cleaning service, utilize grocery pick up or delivery, make crock-pot meals, carpool with other parents for practices. There are many ways to simplify if you are able to step back and see what needs to be adjusted.

JULY 2021

Rick & Amy Mann

RICK’S ROOFING Local Family-Owned Company Turns 35 Writer / Jamie Hergott Photographer / Amy Payne

Rick Mann grew up roofing with his dad. At the age of 14, he finally told his dad he wanted to learn how to roof, and this became the beginning of a lifelong love and career in roofing and contracting.

commercial roofing, siding, windows and carpentry. Rick and his father Allen started the company in 1986, and it has grown to a 15man crew over the years. Rick roofed all the way through high school, then attended trade school. However, before he was halfway finished, he realized roofing was such a good living that he wanted to get back to it.

He now owns Rick’s Roofing, the oldest roofing company in Hendricks County, and he has no plans to stop any time soon. “It took really good care of me, so I decided to stay at it,” Rick says. Rick’s Roofing handles residential and JULY 2021

His company has done some of the most notable roofs in the county, including the Avon-Washington Township Public Library, the Plainfield Police Department and Prestwick condominiums. They’ve also done Westside Church as well as a large number of apartments and nursing homes, and they also complete about 200 residential roofs per year. While it may seem like a new roofing company pops up every day, Rick knows his company has an edge when it comes to equipment and staff. “Our trucks are self-sufficient,” Rick says. “When we come out, we actually have everything we need in those trucks. In fact, one truck has enough material in it at one time to do five homes.” Rick also takes pride in his conveyor truck, which runs shingles up to roofs. He’s the only one in town who has one, and they make work easier for crews. Speaking of his crews, they’re all in-house. His staff is completely self-contained, making scheduling and jobs convenient, and allowing them to go beyond roofing to gutters, siding, windows and other carpentry work. “That’s what makes us different,” Rick says. “Back in the day there were only two or three of us out here. Now, all work is in-house. We’re basically an all-around construction company. We’re able to control our work so much better.” He also doesn’t have a fleet of salesmen. In fact, there are just two - Rick and his wife Amy. They’ve been married almost 16 years, and working together daily has only brought them closer. “She goes everywhere I go,” he says with a smile. “She’s my right-hand lady. She comes out in the field with me. I estimate. She writes them up, and she does the office work and answers the phone.” Having been around Hendricks County for years, Rick has been able to donate work and supplies to fill local needs. When Habitat for Humanity has called in the past, informing the company about homes that were in bad shape, they repaired roofs pro bono. Rick loves living on the west side and supporting his local community. JULY 2021

“We take a lot of pride in our work,” Rick says. “We service about a 100-mile radius around Hendricks County and beyond.” The five-year warranty Rick offers is rare. “We are that confident in the materials and labor we give our customers,” he says. “Most companies just give one year. In fact, over the past 25 years, I’ve had almost 20 customers call me back to put a new roof on. That just doesn’t happen. Most people haven’t even been in business that long.” He often finds himself competing with companies that are only six months old. “They become a roofer overnight with just a truck and a ladder,” Rick says. “Most people don’t know how to put a roof on. They just sell them.” Rick takes his role very seriously, inspecting every job his company performs. There’s

a supervisor on each job site every day for the entire day, and he consistently gets compliments on communication skills, professionalism and honesty. Rick’s Roofing is a member of Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau, with an A rating on each, and the company is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. Beyond that, Rick simply feels the need to take pride in his work and do a good job. “I’m not about a bunch of flash,” Rick says. “I don’t need emblems and certificates. Just go install a roof. Others may have a lot of accomplishments on paper but most of them don’t know how to flash a chimney or roof. That’s what I care about.” Their office and warehouse are located on their own land. They stock all their supplies, buying in bulk from vents to nails to paper, so they can pass the savings on to customers.

Rick’s father passed away in 2008, but his life lessons and work ethic live on in Rick and his company. “He always told me, ‘Do a quality job for a fair price, and treat other people the way you want to be treated,’ ” Rick says. Rick and Amy have three grown boys, of whom they’re extremely proud. While their sons all worked for Rick at one point, they’ve gone in their own directions. That’s fine with Rick, because he works to live and doesn’t sweat the small stuff. He simply enjoys his work and the impact it has on others. “I love looking at a roof job and seeing how much it enhances a home,” Rick says. “It’s so fulfilling to look at a home with a new roof. It enhances a house, and that enhances people’s lives.” For more info on Rick’s Roofing, call 317223-3972 or visit ricksroofingavon.com.

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DON’T LET THE SUMMER HEAT KNOCK YOU OFF YOUR FEET UNDERSTANDING HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM Writer / Dr. Karen Crevier, Emergency Medicine Physician at IU Health West Hospital

Between high temperatures and the midwest humidity, July tends to be one of the hottest months of the year. It’s important to be aware of heat-related illnesses and how you can prevent them, while still enjoying the summer sun.

H E AT- R E L AT E D I L L N E S S E S

There are four main heat-related illnesses: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature due to excessive heat and humidity. It’s difficult for your body to cool down during a heat stroke because your sweat isn’t evaporating as quickly as usual. Symptoms of heat stroke include nausea, headache, rapid pulse, decreased level of consciousness and even hallucinations. Patients with heat stroke can present with either sweaty or dry skin. Heat exhaustion is a result of your body losing salt and water through excessive sweating. Symptoms include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, headache, nausea, pale skin, quick and shallow breathing and dizziness. Heat stroke and exhaustion are the most serious types of heat-related illness. When we sweat, our muscles also lose salt and water, which can cause heat cramps or muscle pain. Heavy sweating can also irritate the skin, causing a heat rash or small red bumps or blisters on the skin. Heat rash often develops on the chest and neck.

T R E AT M E N T If you or someone you know is experiencing heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. The best way to treat heat stroke is an ice bath to cool down the body. Though this is the most efficient method of cooling, this can be a difficult task to accomplish in the moment. To help the body cool down, spray the body with water and then use fans to help with evaporation. During a heat stroke, individuals are at risk for seizures. Make sure they are lying down and in a safe position. For heat exhaustion and cramps, find a cool spot indoors or shady spot outside to sit, rest and drink water. Cooling down your skin will also help clear a heat rash. If symptoms continue to worsen despite cooling down, contact your primary care physician for an appointment.

P R E V E N T I O N

One of the best ways to prevent heat-related illnesses is to stay hydrated. Set an alarm every 15 minutes as a reminder to drink water when outside in extreme heat and humidity. Along with staying hydrated, it’s important to take breaks in a shaded, cool area and be mindful of your clothing. Choose loose, breathable clothing that won’t stick to your skin.

JULY 2021

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Anne and Ken with their biological son Kevin

A GRAND REUNION LO C A L C O U P L E M E E T S T H E S O N T H E Y G AV E UP FOR ADOPTION 43 YEARS EARLIER Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography / Provided

go looking for son. Therefore, the only way he would ever get to meet his birth mom was if he came looking for her.

and live with her cousin.

“I kind of spiraled a bit after that and probably should have gone to counseling, Anne and Ken continued to date, on and off. but that wasn’t something you did back then,” she says. Although she came to Ultimately, they got married and had three terms with her decision, it wasn’t until she children: Philip, Tiffany and Daniel. accepted Christ into her life that he was “I knew that I was not in a place financially, able to heal her heart and show her ways she “I think the fact that Ken and I had been emotionally or spiritually to be a parent,” could use her experience to be a blessing to friends before we ever started dating is the Anne says. “I felt my baby deserved so others. She began mentoring women who key to having a good relationship,” Anne much more than that so we decided to bless says. “God had given me my soul mate when found themselves in the same situation, another couple who wasn’t able to have speaking candidly about her emotional I wasn’t even ready to have one. Then he children on their own.” journey. allowed everything to happen so that we could stay together and make the wonderful Anne and Ken participated in a private Over the years, she and Ken wondered marriage we have.” The Huebels been adoption, selecting Jean and Tom Corbett, married for 37 years. where their baby boy was and how he was who were unable to conceive after five years. doing. Jean was a nurse; Tom was a teacher. Although teenage pregnancy sounds like the hard part, Anne says life got more difficult “We never knew if he was told that he was Back in the 1970s, there was no such thing after putting her baby up for adoption. After adopted,” says Anne. “The people I chose for as open adoptions. This meant that Anne having her son, her parents divorced. Her his parents were about the same height and had to swear in court that she would never mom remarried and Anne had to move away had the same hair color as Ken and I so he In 1977, when Anne Huebel became pregnant at 17, she and her boyfriend, Ken, had to make the toughest decision of their lives.

JULY 2021

wouldn’t have known unless he was told.” Anne’s best friend, who was adopted herself, always told her that one day she was sure Anne would be reunited with her firstborn. “My friend never lost hope, but I had to really guard my heart because although I desperately wanted to meet him, I wouldn’t let myself get excited because I didn’t want to be disappointed,” says Anne. On the morning of December 4, 2020, she awoke to a message from her cousin, who had been contacted by a man named Kevin Corbett. He was looking for his birth mother and found Anne’s cousin through a genealogy site. Anne went to work and spent the day processing this news before telling her husband about it. She was stunned and a bit flustered but mostly excited. That evening, she reached out to her cousin and said, “Yes, yes, yes! Please give him my info!” In the meantime, Anne and Ken did some sleuthing of their own, looking up Corbett on LinkedIn. “As soon as Ken clicked on the page and saw this man’s face, he goes, ‘Yup, that’s our family!’” Anne says. It turns out, Corbett, a resident of Buffalo, New York, had been searching for his mom for 10 years but didn’t have a name until Governor Cuomo signed legislation to allow children who were placed in a closed adoption the ability to receive their birth

certificate. Fewer than 24 hours after getting that piece of paper, mother and son were speaking on the phone.

She dropped a bombshell on her son when she told him, “Your dad is sitting right next to me.”

“The first thing he said to me was, ‘Thank you for picking my parents,’” Anne says.

There was dead silence on the phone as Kevin had assumed it would take another

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10 years to locate his father. He never imagined that his birth parents were still together. Because Anne and Ken went on to have two sons and a daughter, Kevin learned that his family had grown even more as he had brothers and sisters, as well as nieces and nephews. Corbett had always known he was adopted. His parents, the Corbetts, told him years ago. His mother died when he was 27; a few years later, his dad passed away. Without them in his life, he felt like an orphan. As Corbett visited with his birth parents, he learned a bunch of interesting coincidences. For example, Kevin and Ken both went to the same technical school. Kevin and Tiffany both have culinary degrees. Kevin’s favorite dog when he was a kid was named Malachi, which is the same name of the Huebel’s grandson. Plus, the Huebels found they have two grandsons named Ethan because both Kevin and Philip chose the same name. “You could call these goosebumps, but I call them God bumps because only God could have orchestrated all of that,” says Anne, who was in a dark place in December 2020 after what she describes as a “year of yuck.” After suffering many heartbreaks, she wasn’t looking forward to the holidays. Her reconnection with Kevin, however, was the bright spot she needed to start smiling again. The day after Christmas, Anne and Ken drove to Buffalo to meet Kevin and his family. The moment they stepped inside Kevin’s house, mother and son embraced.

and his three children.

Corbett felt the same. There had always been a hole in his heart, and it was filled in finding his folks.

“Sentimental guys are usually few and far between, but Kevin is all heart,” says Anne. The family celebrated Kevin’s December 5 birthday a few weeks earlier via Zoom. The Huebel’s daughter made cupcakes, their grandson lit the candle, and the family sang happy birthday to Kevin for the first time.

“He’s a very much a family guy,” says Anne, noting that for Christmas Kevin had sent his parents a photo album that contained pictures of him from birth on up. He also gave them a Stride Rite box; inside was his first pair of baby shoes, and inside of the shoes was a flash drive with pictures of him

“I think he was blown away at how accepting we all were,” says Anne. “He had played every scenario out in his head and the one where we were as excited to meet him as he was to meet us was way low down on that list because he didn’t want to get his hopes up.”

“There was no awkwardness,” says Anne. “It was instant comfort.”

JULY 2021

Now he’s starting to develop relationships with his siblings, and the Huebels are getting to know Kevin’s wife Karen and their kids Brianna, Ethan, Lily, and Jordan. They’re even considering moving to Hendricks County to be closer to the Huebels. Anne is in awe of how quickly she fell in love with her firstborn son. “My friends are like, ‘You’ve loved him ever since he was born. You’ve just not been able to show it,’” says Anne. “Now to be able to do that has been amazing.”

LIFE’S NOT SO RUFF BRIAN CALVERT & DIXIE THE PRAYING DOG STAR ON HIT AMAZON PRIME SHOW

Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography / Amy Payne

rian Calvert and his blue tick coonhound Dixie the Praying Dog are not only local celebrities, but they also recently starred on Amazon Prime’s hit show, “The Pack,” an adventure reality show for dogs and their humans. As Calvert and Dixie drive around Hendricks County in his Jeep, they bring joy and smiles everywhere they go, regularly receiving waves and requests for photos.

But no one could have guessed the beginning of their story began with heartbreak. In 2012, Calvert was at work driving his semi when he got a call from his neighbor that something was wrong at his house. There was a burn mark on the side of his home, and they could smell smoke. Calvert drove straight home from his route in northern Indiana, telling his TownePost.com / JULY 2021 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 25

neighbor to bust down the fence and get his three dogs out of the home. But when he finally arrived, Calvert’s best friend stopped him, saying his beloved dogs didn’t make it. Ruger, a German short-haired pointer, Bristol, a coonhound German Shepherd mix, and Merle, a runaway dog he had rescued just a couple days before, all passed from smoke inhalation.

“Merle had two days of a great life,” Calvert says. Many reached out to help, but Calvert was receiving more than he needed and was getting his home rebuilt with insurance. He encouraged people instead to donate to Operation Happy Tails, a non-profit that helps people and pets in need. That’s just who Calvert is: always thinking of ways to help others. Six months later, once his house was rebuilt, Calvert threw a party, inviting friends and family over. He even brought the cremated remains of his dogs back home in cherry boxes, putting them in a safe place. It didn’t take long for life to take another dramatic turn. On October 8, 2013, Calvert was deer hunting in Stilesville. He went deep into the woods to cut a limb down that was near his tree stand when the branch under his foot broke and he fell headfirst to the forest floor. “I broke my clavicle, every rib on my right side, and two vertebrae and got a collapsed lung on the right side,” Calvert says. “I couldn’t breathe, and my insides were burning. Something told me if I stayed there, I was dying.” He mustered his strength, and through the pain, dragged himself back to his four-wheeler and drove himself to the half mile to the road. The County Highway Department happened to be there, and immediately called 911. Calvert was in the intensive care unit for six days with a chest tube draining his blood. After two weeks in the hospital, he came home to recover. But he was alone. “The neighborhood women took turns bringing me dinner and checking on me,” Calvert says. “But one friend from church finally told me, ‘It’s time.’ I had too many close calls. It was time to get baptized.”

kids, and his dream was to train a dog to help him do that. It was time to find his next companion, and he knew he needed a dog that could be certified as a therapy dog and work well with people.

decided to find one like her: a dog that could also double as a tracking dog for his hunting trips. He finally decided on a pup from Blue Tick One Kennels in North Carolina.

It was also time to find his purpose. Calvert’s passion is helping veterans and

Remembering how his last coonhound Bristol was such a good dog, Calvert

Calvert had a trainer help him with Dixie from day one in his home, training and

26 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

getting her used to all kinds of situations. Calvert took her out whenever he could: to Lowe’s, Menard’s, outdoor expos, etc. “I knew my game plan was to help veterans and maybe make her a therapy dog,” Calvert says. I wanted to teach her a cool pose so we could take pictures with veterans and kids, so I started working with her on her praying pose.” Dixie’s claim to fame is to pose in downward dog for a prayer for photos and during prayers for veterans at events. Her signature howl and charming goggles made her recognizable everywhere she goes. “I say, ‘Dixie, pray,’” and she drops down, we pray, and I say ‘Amen and salute the veterans,’ then she barks it out,” Calvert says. Calvert and Dixie partner with Indy Honor Flights, escorting veterans onto the plane, praying for them, and then getting off

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before the plane leaves. “I’ve just always loved veterans,” Calvert says. “I have always loved this country, I love being an American, and this is the perfect way for us to thank them for their service.” They also participate in the Miracle Ride for Riley, visit nursing homes, partner with the Humane Society, attend cancer benefits, go to Police National Night Out, and have even participated in drive through birthdays for kids and veterans. “We help anyone and everyone who asks,” Calvert says. “Nothing is out of the ordinary for us to be asked to do.” And out of the ordinary was exactly what happened at the end of 2019. Calvert

noticed a casting call for a new show on Amazon Prime asking for people and their adventurous pets. Calvert knew Dixie was special, so he decided to send an email to the contact. A few online zoom meetings later, Calvert found himself and Dixie on a flight to LA that October for three days to meet the casting company and producers. It was top secret, and he was not allowed to travel or explore at all as he was ushered around by security guards with walkietalkies, leading him from hotel room to meetings and back to his hotel room. “The producers just loved us,” Calvert says. “They loved her story, what we do, why we do it. We had them laughing, and I was just being myself in my camo cutoff shirt and my hat.” 28 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JULY 2021 / TownePost.com

The next few months involved many meetings, interviews, and tests. He finally got a call just after Christmas from one of the producers and asked if Calvert wanted to be on a show. The second week of January, he and Dixie flew to Los Angeles for the start of their adventures. “It was wild,” Calvert says. “I kept a journal; there was just so much stuff that would blow people’s minds.” Before the show even started, he and the other contestants who were chosen practiced many things, such as zip lining with their dogs and riding trucks and helicopters. He got to meet superstars such as Lorraine Lewis, Dennis Rodman, Jeanie Buss (owner of the L.A. Lakers), and of course the host of the show, former

American World Cup alpine ski racer and first American woman to win the gold medal in downhill skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics, Lindsay Vonn. The show kicked off by shutting down an entire freeway in Los Angeles to film the opener. Following that, Calvert ziplined out of the clock tower from the classic movie Back to the Future with Dixie attached to his hip. Calvert didn’t even learn about the cash prize for winners until he began filming. The prize was $500,000 plus $250,000 donated to a favorite dog-related charity of the winner. For Calvert, that was easy: Central Indiana K9 Association. Calvert filmed the show for four months, and he traveled to multiple countries:

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was always “on,” comforting those who needed it and bringing joy to others. During shooting, one of the dog trainers on set, Nicole, learned her father had passed away.

Mexico, Costa Rica, Ireland, New York, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. World events took place during filming, including the onset of the pandemic. Although it affected travel somewhat, they were able to continue filming.

“I took Dixie off her leash, and she went right up to Nicole and did her thing,” Calvert says. “Nicole sent me a message just the other day that Dixie comforting her was one of the most impactful moments of her time there.”

Tasks included searching cities for clues, completing challenges, and working as a team to be the first pack finished with each task. To find out how far Calvert and Dixie made it, viewers can tune in to all 10 episodes of “The Pack” on Amazon Prime.

The pandemic kept the show from having a typical red-carpet event, so Calvert did his own at a friend’s bar in Camby. He invited family and friends, raised money for charity, and decorated it with a red carpet, red velvet ropes, and lights just like a real Hollywood party.

“It was unbelievable,” Calvert says. “I hardly get out of my own state that much, and not only did I get to go around the world, I got to take my best friend with me.” Even on the whirlwind adventure, Dixie

“The bar was packed, we kept it at the safe cutoff number for Covid, had a

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police escort and a military Jeep,” Calvert says. “We raised $1,500 in one night.” Truth be told, Dixie is no stranger to the red carpet. She starred in the upcoming movie Mayberry Man, which was partly filmed in Danville, Indiana. Keep up with Calvert and Dixie via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. They even have a Cameo account where users can get a personalized video from Calvert and Dixie. When asked why he does what he does with Dixie, Calvert’s answer is short and to the point. “We want to help,” Calvert says. “I may not have a bunch of money to donate, but I’ve got a dog, and that’s almost better than money.”

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