Plainfield Magazine January 2024 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

TWO HUNDRED AND COUNTING HENDRICKS COUNTY GEARS UP FOR A MEMORABLE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

JANUARY 2024

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PUBLISHER DARREN BOSTON darren@townepost.com (317) 716-8812 KEY CONTRIBUTORS TARA MARIE DORSETT AMY PAYNE MELISSA GIBSON DR. JESSICA HEALEY

Winter Tips for Keeping Your Pet Occupied and Content

Keyboardist Troye Kinnett Has Displayed His Talents Locally, Nationally and Around the World

HAPPY FUR SURE

TWO HUNDRED AND COUNTING

KEYS TO SUCCESS

Hendricks County Gears FACTS ABOUT THE BABY BOOM Up for a Memorable Bicentennial Celebration GENERATION

JANUARY 2024

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HAPPY FUR SURE

WINTER TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR PET OCCUPIED AND CONTENT Writer / Tara Marie Dorsett Photography Provided

“Are you serious? You really want out?” I glanced from my dog to the window, where I could see small tornadoes of snow swirling through the trees. She wagged her tail expectantly. I sighed. “OK, give me a minute.” On went the snow pants, boots, hat and gloves. “You sure you want out?” The husky swiped her front paw across the doorknob, and I slid into my jacket.

6 | January 2024 | TownePost.com

The frozen air of winter met us as we crunched down the snow-covered steps, crossed the white lawn of our apartment building, slid around the gate that separated the apartments from the park, and pushed through the three-foot mounds of soft snow that covered the ground. I mindlessly followed my excited dog as she explored her winter world. Not all of us are cold-weather fans. Some people and their four-footed companions enjoy the icy air and glittery snow. Others prefer warm temperatures and green grass. I was caught in a relationship in which my dog loved the cold and I could tolerate it in short increments.

For those of you who fall into the second category, I have a few indoor ideas to keep humans and animals sane until spring arrives.

BOXES. Yep, those plain brown cardboard boxes that start piling up around the house this time of year will keep your sanity intact for a few more hours. Instead of throwing the boxes away or folding them into the recycling bin, put them in a spare closet or unused space. Keep every size and shape. Once you have a nice stash, take some, scatter a few toys or treats in them, stack the boxes a few rows high. Show your pet how to push

the boxes over and find the treats or toys. You can also cut the boxes into chunks, toss the cardboard pieces in a pile, and add a few treats or toys under and around the cardboard for your pet to find.

PLASTIC BOTTLES. Even during winter it is important to stay hydrated, and all those empty bottles from trying to drink the recommended amount of fluid per day add up. Before you toss them into a bin, try this. Rinse the bottles and let them dry on the inside. Any plastic bottle size will work. Keep the size of your pet in mind when choosing bottles. A two-liter bottle might not be the best option for a Chihuahua, but they do have big attitudes and might prefer a bottle twice their size. Likewise, a fourounce bottle might be too small for a Great Dane to play with safely. Decide what size your pet is most comfortable handling before tossing a few treats or pieces of dry food - kibble, crackers, cheerios, - into the bottles. Leave the caps off. You probably FPR Now Hiring Shuttle Poster, 1-sided. Trim Size 11 x 17 Colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

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already have your pet’s attention, but in case you don’t, call him and show him the bottle. Shake the bottle, set it on the floor, gently roll it or do all three. Once your pet realizes something good is inside the bottle, she will do everything she can to get those tidbits to tumble out.

LASER LIGHTS. While not everyone is a fan of letting their pets chase an uncatchable red or green shape around the room, I love playing this game with my critters. My ferrets will chase this small light for hours. It’s the perfect way to help them burn energy. You can even toss your pet a treat occasionally to reward his efforts.

8 | January 2024 | TownePost.com

PREPPING FOR SPRING. Teach your pet to walk beside you offleash. Decide what word you are going to use for this command. Common phrases are “heel,” “walk” and “let’s go.” It doesn’t matter what word combination you use, but be consistent. Grab a special treat or toy - something your pet really likes or gets occasionally. You will want to be in a room that has plenty of space for walking in straight lines, making sudden turns, running and stopping.

LEAD YOUR PET TO THE TRAINING AREA. Show your pet the item in your hand. Always keep the treat or toy in the hand

closest to your pet. If your dog is standing on your right side, the toy/treat should be in your right hand. Say your preferred word and take a few steps forward. As your dog/ cat/hamster walks with you, give small pieces of treat or let him/her chew on the toy. Give lots of calm verbal praise. Once your pet understands what to do, change your pace or the direction you are walking. Throw in a few unexpected stops. Don’t rush things. The better your pet is at staying beside you off-leash, the easier it will be for him to master walking with you on a leash when you need to add one to his training. Want some more ideas? Email me at taramarie611@gmail.com.

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TWO HUNDRED AND COUNTING HENDRICKS COUNTY GEARS UP FOR A MEMORABLE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography Provided

This year Hendricks County residents will celebrate the county’s 200th birthday, and not only are plans underway to create a community-wide, memorable experience, but the bicentennial committee is hoping you’ll get involved too.

Baldwin says. “We need to do something. It’s going to take organization. This county started with about 1,000 people, and today we have 174,000. We’ve built industries, services - the changes over time have been huge and we don’t want to dismiss it.”

In early 2023, Pat Baldwin, president of the Hendricks County Historical Museum and co-chair of the bicentennial committee, approached the Hendricks County commissioners to request the bicentennial be recognized and celebrated in 2024. With wholehearted agreement, a team of community leaders got to work.

Visit Hendricks County, the Hendricks County Community Foundation (HCCF), the Hendricks County Historical Museum and many others formed a steering committee to launch the project.

“I didn’t want to miss this opportunity,”

“We want to lend our expertise in helping make this celebration one to remember for our county,” says Josh Duke, senior manager of content and communications

at Visit Hendricks County. “Half of our staff is actively involved in some way, putting extra time and effort into this initiative beyond our normal, day-to-day work. Two hundred years is an amazing milestone. Just consider how many generations have called Hendricks County home and how much change has occurred during that time.” Under the bicentennial steering committee, subcommittees were formed with individuals from Hendricks County libraries, Hendricks Regional Health, Duke Energy, Hendricks Power Cooperative and many others, working on different aspects of the celebration including history, events, TownePost.com | January 2024

budget and more. Their first task was creating a symbol of bicentennial events and programs. Earlier this year the official bicentennial logo contest brought in 36 submitted designs, and the steering committee selected John Johansson’s multicolored image, representing the county’s forests and parks, streams, cornfields, and contribution to the motorsports industry. “It wasn’t unanimous by any means and there were easily five to 10 logos that could have served as our bicentennial logo,” Duke says. “Ultimately John’s logo couldn’t have worked out any better. He’s been an advocate for this celebration since the getgo and everyone has loved it, so we couldn’t be happier.” A video of Johansson describing what went into his design is on the newly created bicentennial website at hendricks200.com. The website was designed by ASH Interactive, a marketing firm in Brownsburg, and it provides a variety of information, from the history of the county to planned events. “It’s still a work in progress but a great place to start,” Baldwin says. “There are and will be photos, a timeline of historical information, event information, and a spot to sign up for the newsletter to keep people informed.” As for the history timeline, visitors to the website can learn about the establishment of Hendricks County, formation of the county seat in Danville, schools, railroads, and other major milestones in the county’s past and present. “I want people to treasure the past, those who came before us and struggled to make what we have now,” says Susie Truax, steering committee and history committee member. “These individuals made Hendricks County what it is today. They tore down the forest and they settled on the land. It’s something that unites us and helps us get back to our roots.” One might often think of history as 50, 100 or 200 years ago, but

January 2024 | TownePost.com

what makes the bicentennial celebration special, according to Eric Hessel, vice president of programs at the HCCF and co-chair of the bicentennial committee, is the fact that history starts today. “If you’ve lived in Hendricks County for a year or come from a family that has been here since the county’s inception, when you moved here, you became a part of our history,” Hessel says. “We hope people will share their history with us in some way, shape or form.” In this spirit, the bicentennial committee encourages every town and every person in the county to get involved in the celebration. The steering committee’s kickoff event will be in March, and there will a closing event in early 2025. Those planning large events for 2024 are already starting to reach out.

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“We’re partnering with the Hendricks County Rib-Fest and barbecue to sponsor the music in 2024,” Hessel says. “This will be the first time music has returned since the pandemic. We’ll also partner with the Hendricks County 4-H Fair to bring different aspects of the bicentennial to those events.” The Hendricks County Historical Museum staff will have a bicentennial theme for its Dancing With the Hendricks County Stars fundraiser. The Celebrating Avon festival organizers will include the theme in their popular event at the Avon-Washington Township Public Library. An educational book featuring the history of the towns and townships in Hendricks County is underway. In addition, the steering committee is creating a Bicentennial Legacy project - something we can establish for future generations. “Our Bicentennial Legacy project will be the 50 Trees Trail - planting 50 native Indiana trees, likely at W.S. Gibbs Park, that will serve as a beautification project and last

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well beyond 2024,” Hessel says. While many of the large community events will likely have a bicentennial theme throughout the year, the committee’s hope is that the county will celebrate in a variety of ways as more local businesses, civic groups and residents learn more. “There are many ways to get involved,” Duke says. “We want everyone to consider creating an event or legacy project to celebrate the bicentennial. We hope that event organizers for all of our annual events will add some kind of bicentennial component so we can make this a yearlong celebration, and we are currently acquiring corporate sponsors for specific activities and events.” Free yard signs have been designed and printed, and they are available for display throughout the county. Sponsorship opportunities are being developed for small businesses, families and individuals, allowing everyone to express their love and appreciation for their county in the coming year. Those creating or hosting an event can go to the bicentennial website and seek an endorsement from the committee. To qualify, the committee is looking for public projects that engage and inspire the community. An endorsement allows for the use of the official logo and published news about the special event. If planning a community celebration isn’t on your radar, joining in on the fun certainly can be. “We also ask all residents to simply go out and support these bicentennial events and projects that will occur throughout the year,” Duke says. “Your support is greatly appreciated and welcomed.” As everyone works together, 2024 will be a year to remember. The bicentennial is meant to celebrate growth and change, and recognize all the county has accomplished in the past 200 years. “In today’s age, where everyone finds something to be mad about, to bicker about or to complain about, this is something we can all get around together,” Hessel says. “Everyone can take part and share in this.” Visit hendricks200.com to learn more, submit photos, apply for event endorsement or sign up for the newsletter. January 2024 | TownePost.com

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LET’S TALK: PERIOD. Writer / Dr. Jessica Healey, OB/GYN at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

Menstruation is a normal and healthy part of life for most women, but as common as it is, it can be difficult to talk about. Dr. Jessica Healey, OB/GYN at IU Health West Hospital and mom of two young daughters, knows it’s important for young girls to be prepared and informed. She answers some key questions below about the menstrual cycle, how to approach conversations surrounding the topic, and how an OB/GYN can help.

WHAT IS THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

When a girl reaches puberty, the brain will start to produce hormones that signal changes in the body, which are meant to prepare her body to be able to become pregnant. Those hormones will thicken an January 2024 | TownePost.com

should probably start having conversations inner layer of tissue inside the uterus called the endometrium so that it can provide blood with their doctor. flow to a potential pregnancy. A menstrual period occurs when the body then recognizes DO YOU HAVE ANY that it’s not pregnant and will shed this TIPS ON HOW TO endometrial lining. Women will often experience cramping as the muscle of the uterus contracts to help push out this old blood and tissue. This is experienced by women as the blood and tissue leave the uterus through its opening called the cervix. It then comes out through the vagina and is seen as blood, or better known as a period.

WHEN DO GIRLS TYPICALLY GET THEIR FIRST PERIOD? The average age for starting the first period is 12 or 13. Some girls can start as young as 8 and others may not start until as late as 15. If they haven’t started by about age 15, they

APPROACH THESE CONVERSATIONS?

I think listening to the curiosity your child has, and being willing and open to discuss those things when they come to you, is important. Being able to just educate yourself on the menstrual cycle and what your child might experience is also key. A lot of adults still don’t really understand what it is or why it’s happening, or the timeline of how things happen. If that’s the case, do your own research, and if you have an OB/GYN, you can ask them those questions. If you feel very uncomfortable, it’s also very reasonable and appropriate to either ask your child’s pediatrician or have your child see an OB/ GYN to have these initial discussions.

KEYS TO SUCCESS KEYBOARDIST TROYE KINNETT HAS DISPLAYED HIS TALENTS LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Amy Payne

TownePost.com | January 2024 | 17

Troye in his home studio

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ave you ever attended a concert featuring local Indy musicians Jennie DeVoe or Doug Henthorn? How about The Nauti Yachtys with the winner of season six of NBC’s “The Voice” Josh Kaufman, Grammy winner Sandi Patty, or perhaps one of Indiana’s most famous musicians, John Mellencamp?

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What you may not know is that on the stage behind each one of them is local resident and keyboardist Troye Kinnett. “I started taking piano lessons as a kid and just stuck with it,” he says. “In high school I got into electric keyboard, the xylophone in the high school marching band, and started playing in garage bands. At our basketball games I’d gather all the amps I could muster, chain them all together, and when the team was coming out I’d do the big siren you hear on ‘Ridin’ the Storm Out’ by REO Speedwagon. It was just a lot of fun.” His early days in Muncie, Indiana, and attending a high school of 500 students might lead one to believe his options were few. The high school didn’t even have a football team, but Kinnett remembers plenty of opportunity.

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“We performed in the Macy’s Day Parade as a marching band,” he says. “I really found New York City inspiring. By the time I was a teen I was playing keyboard at weddings, and I think all the opportunities that were in front of me kept me in music throughout my life.”

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And the opportunities kept coming. Kinnett has met and played with musicians all over the world. He’s worked for recording studios, created radio and TV spots for commercials, and performed voiceovers. He’s returned to New York City to play on stages like Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall. He’s worked with artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Little Big Town and T Bone Burnett, and performed live with Keith Urban, Stephen Stills and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. With each step, he’s living out the dream of a marching band high school student from a small town in Indiana. Outside of his “regular job” working with recording studios, Kinnett toured with Christian artist Sandi Patty. “I think Sandi is one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever worked with, in terms of what she can do with her voice and how she’s able to communicate what she wants,” he says. “She covers a lot of different styles and is just incredible. She’s had quite the career, and for me it was a thrill.” One of the exciting parts of being a musician, Kinnett says, is having the ability to do different genres with different musicians, leading to different challenges bster er over the Weyears. Webst ue

Fighting Cold & Flu

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“Everything went great and six months later I got the call to start touring,” Kinnett says. His road to playing in the band for one of Indiana’s most popular residents is a testament to the hard work Kinnett put forth for years. Like in most professions, band members know each other, play together and often call on each other when someone needs a specific musician. “I’ve worked with everyone in John’s band in some way or another,” Kinnett says. “Dane Clark [the drummer for Mellencamp’s band] is who I’d call in for a recording session if we needed a drummer. We’ve done lots of sessions together. In the same way, when they’re looking for a keyboardist, they call me.” In fact, Clark, Kinnett, bassist John Gunnell and violinist Miriam Sturm all have roots in Indiana. Compared to Kinnett’s Christian tour with Patty and the instruments used in her softer sound, the six-month Mellencamp tour earlier this year was on the other end of the spectrum - 77 shows between February and June with a plan to resume the tour in March of 2024. Kinnett plays harmonica, organ and keyboards for the band, and it’s safe to say that Mellencamp fans have heard a different sound on the star’s recent albums, giving audiences - and the band members - an eclectic list to choose from. “John’s style has changed over the years,” Kinnett says. “He’s stretched into areas like jazz piano on ‘Strictly a One-Eyed Jack.’ That album has three songs with Bruce Springsteen and, for example, the song ‘Gone So Soon’ has a cool, dark, jazz vibe.” A darker tone is emerging on albums such as “Orpheus Descending” and tracks like “Amen,” which Kinnett says deals with gun violence in America. Still, Kinnett and the band have a blast playing Mellencamp classics like “Jack and 20 | January 2024 | TownePost.com

Diane” and “Hurts So Good.” It’s the variety that Kinnett enjoys the most. “My dream gig would be to play for ‘The Voice,’” he says. “Imagine all of those singers from all different genres of music, with all the different styles.” On his journey, the husband and father of one son has had the opportunity to see the world at least many stages around the world. With Mellencamp alone, Kinnett has traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Canada, not to mention every state in the U.S. with the exception of Alaska. “It sounds very exciting and romantic, but I’ve seen the back of a venue or theater and the inside of a tour bus quite a bit,” Kinnett sats. “You miss a lot of that beautiful scenery but we do try to catch as much as we can while we’re there.”

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He’s missed birthdays and sporting events, and other times with family. He’s also shared a Thanksgiving meal in Australia with catered food, alongside Mellencamp, Sheryl Crowe and the band members for each musician. “It’s strange at times,” he says. “You are on the other side of the world from your family and you have to work to stay connected and communicate, yet experiences like that allow the band to bond, so you make the best of wherever you are.” Despite his travel and mingling with some of the world’s most popular musicians, Kinnett is very much rooted in Indiana and enjoys sharing his skill with others. When not on tour, we can still catch the keyboardist on stage at local events or venues. “We just finished Farm Aid at Ruoff Music Center with John, and I got to see all the sets with Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews and Bob Dylan among many more,” Kinnett says. “That was a great event. This winter I’ll be out locally, with several artists throughout the holidays.” Visit troyekinnett.com for an updated schedule and more information.

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FACTS ABOUT THE BABY BOOM GENERATION (BORN 1946-1964) Provided by Parade.com

Dairy Queen was one of the first food chains to start franchising in 1955 and had everyone screaming for ice cream with their Dilly Bars and Mr. Misty.

Eating in front of the TV got a lot better when TV dinners were introduced. There were only originally four main courses sold by Swanson: meatloaf, fried chicken, turkey and Salisbury steak.

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Impressionable Boomers started ‘smoking’ bubble gum cigarettes that would puff out powdered sugar as smoke.

One of the most popular side dishes in the 60s was Rice-a-Roni, known as “The San Francisco Treat.” Its commercials all started with the distinct cable car bell ringing.

At the height of its 1950s fad, more than 5000 Davy Crockett coonskin hats sold each day, showing the power of television on commerce—the popularity of the Davy Crockett show drove sales through the roof.

Think it was just the famous Beatles on the front of the Abbey Road cover? Astute Boomers also noticed that a VW Hopalong Cassidy, a TV Western hero, Beetle was in the photo on this record that was the first image ever put onto a featured the lead single “Something/”Come lunch box. It was a runaway hit, selling more Together”. than 600,000 at $2.39 each in its first year.

“Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake Shake, Shake Shake Your Booty” holds the record for being the only number-one song title with a word repeated more than three times in it.

Jetsons, which debuted in 1962 and had Boomers dreaming of walking their dog on a treadmill in space just like George walked Astro.

Ricky Nelson was second only to Elvis as the most popular rock ‘n’ roll artist from 1957 to 1962. Elizabeth may have been 25 when she became a queen in 1953, but Freddie Mercury was a young 24 when he started fronting the British rock group Queen in 1970.

Bob Keeshan was a Boomer favorite in three different decades as Captain Kangaroo. He was also the original Clarabell the clown on The Howdy Doody Show in the 1950s.

and Hitchcock’s walk to the center of the screen and his trademark “Good evening.”

Young love bloomed with the movie star set in the 50s and 60s, with Mia Farrow marrying Frank Sinatra when she was 21 and Elizabeth Taylor marrying Nicky Hilton when she was only 18 years old.

Every day, baby boomers recited the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of their school day.

“Sweet Georgia Brown” was whistled as the theme song at the Harlem Globetrotters games.

Definitely not suitable for today’s roads but in 1969’s Easy Rider, Peter Fonda sported a “Captain America” red, white, and blue helmet, while Jack Nicholson donned a gold American football helmet. Another baby boomer fact: This cult classic was one of the first to use prerecorded music for a soundtrack.

TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

The game Twister, which once got Johnny Carson and Eva Gabor in tangles on The Tonight Show, got its beginnings as a game of tic-tac-toe to be played with your feet. The reason yo-yos became so iconic? The launch of the Butterfly yoyo by Duncan in the ‘50s made it easier for Boomers to do tricks and stunts with their yo-yos, which helped fuel the craze. “Barbie was the ultimate doll— but Baby Boomers experienced everything from Betsy Wetsy who had problems “holding it” to Growing Up Skipper who got taller if you turned the knob.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents is well known for its opening credits with a camera fade in on a line-drawing caricature of Hitchcock’s profile, the theme music of “Funeral March of a Marionette”

During Vietnam over five million Americans wore bracelets with a POW’s name, rank and loss date in support of our troops.

A number of iconic Baby Boomer celebrities wound up going into politics including Love Boat’s Fred Grandy (Congress) Sonny Bono (Palm Springs Mayor and Congressman,) and Clint Eastwood (Mayor of Carmel, CA).

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One of the most iconic toys from the Baby Boomer era? Stretch Armstrong—a musclebound action figure that had the physical ability to be stretched almost five feet.

It’s all so EGG-citing! Two products from the Boom Era came packaged in plastic eggs–Silly Putty and L’eggs Pantyhose.

The price of the average movie ticket in 1975 was $2.

The first show to ever be broadcast in color on ABC-TV was The

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