Plainfield Magazine March 2023

V O T E D B E S T N U R S I N G H O M E V O T E D B E S T N U R S I N G H O M E

2 C O N S E C U T I V E Y E A R S !

2 C O N S E C U T I V E Y E A R S !

C a r i n g f o r t h e f a m i l i e s o f H e n d r i c k ’ s C o u n t y a n d s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a s , w e ’ v e d e d i c a t e d o u r l i v e s t o h e l p i n g H o o s i e r s s t a y p h y s i c a l l y s t r o n g , s p i r i t u a l l y r e s i l i e n t , a n d m e n t a l l y h e a l t h y . T h a t ’ s w h y w e ’ v e b e e n t h e l e a d i n g r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , n u r s i n g , a n d m e m o r y c a r e e x p e r t s f o r a l m o s t 3 0 y e a r s n o w . A t P l a i n f i e l d H e a l t h C a r e C e n t e r , h e a l i n g s t a r t s w i t h t h e f i r s t s t e p f o r w a r d .

24 HOUR SKILLED NURSING CARE PHYSICIAN, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, NURSE PRACTITIONER SERVICES.

P H Y S I C A L , O C C U P A T I O N A L ,

A N D S P E E C H T H E R A P Y

R E S P I R A T O R Y T H E R A P Y

F U L L D I E T A R Y S E R V I C E S

H O U S E K E E P I N G &

L A U N D R Y S E R V I C E S

W O U N D C A R E

P S Y C H O L O G I C A L S E R V I C E S

QUALITY OF LIFE MANAGEMENT

STRIDING FOR SUPPORT

Inaugural Back Your Badge

Marathon Kicks off in September

Writer / Greg Williams Photography Provided

The Town of Plainfield will host the inaugural Back Your Badge Marathon on Saturday, September 23, 2023. The Town has partnered with RaceMaker Productions to establish the course as a certified USA Track & Field course. The course will take participants along significant roadways, the Plainfield trail system, critical landmarks and public safety agencies within the town. There is a run/walk option for everyone. There will be full-marathon, half-marathon and 5K options.

Ultimately, the goal is to identify an agency to support. We all have a friend or family member who is a police officer or firefighter, or maybe your favorite neighbor is a 911 dispatcher. In some way, we are all connected to one of these badges. Now it’s time to choose a side and Back Your Badge. Each mile you run or walk will be added to the agency’s running total. The agency with the most miles will earn bragging rights and a traveling trophy.

Police, fire and communications agencies, both locally and nationally, have made huge commitments to the health and wellness of their personnel. The Town of Plainfield has committed to a healthy lifestyle, and this event will showcase that for the residents and visitors of the town.

“Hosting a marathon within the Town of Plainfield has been a personal dream of mine for years,” says Greg Williams, deputy chief of the Plainfield Fire Territory. “I’m learning it is no easy task, but we are fully committed to make this a great event that is beneficial for both a healthy lifestyle and for support of our first responders.”

A marathon is a true community event as it showcases not only the area, but also the

people from local businesses and groups working aid stations and lining the streets to cheer on runners.

The goal is to shine a light on our heroes while bringing our community together to support some local programs. A portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the Plainfield Youth Assistance Program (PYAP). PYAP specifically addresses the developmental needs of local youth, engages family support, minimizes complex situations, and maximizes the potential for healthy development and stabilization. Additional funds will be used to develop a paramedic scholarship program. There is a statewide shortage of paramedics and this fundraiser will help make it a little easier for someone to get into the field.

Race coordinators are still actively seeking sponsorships and volunteer groups to provide course entertainment or work aid stations.

Hendricks Regional Health and the Hendricks Behavioral Hospital have partnered with the Back Your Badge Marathon to be presenting sponsors. We look forward to running alongside you this September!

For more info, visit backyourbadge.org.

THERE’S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

recalls attending Thanksgiving dinner as a kid when his step-grandfather would stop by for a quick meal during his break. “It impressed me how much everyone respected him and loved him,” Sadler says.

“That really stuck with me. Of course I also remember him running out the door, turning on the lights and zooming down the road. That made an impression.”

In 1993, a year after graduating from Danville Community High School, Sadler went to Vincennes University to study law enforcement. During his last semester there, he interned with the Vincennes Police Department. He later landed a full-time job there from 1996 to September of 1999, before returning to Hendricks County.

Jack Sadler Is Proud to Serve as Hendricks County Sheriff

on the Anderson farm near Prestwick, where U.S. 36 is today,” Sadler says.

Jack Sadler, the new Hendricks County sheriff, believes that although you never know what the next moment will bring in life, good things will come if you treat people well.

Sadler was born in West Virginia, and his family moved to Indianapolis in the early 1980s. Following his parents’ divorce, his mother, Nikki, remarried in 1982, and in 1984 they moved to Danville.

“I remember as a kid playing in the field

He met his wife, Casey, when the two were in the fifth grade, though they didn’t begin dating until they were high school seniors. Sadler never considered himself a great student academically, but he did fall in love with one class as a senior in high school.

“It was a law class that just clicked for me,” says Sadler, who had previously been exposed to the field of law enforcement by way of his step-grandfather, who was a police officer in West Virginia. Sadler

Through the years Sadler has pretty much done it all, working as a police officer, school resource officer, merit deputy, merit sergeant, field training officer, emergency response team (ERT) member, ERT team leader, D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor, detective, firearm instructor, and, for the past eight years, captain of the enforcement division at the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office. His latest role is Hendricks County sheriff, following in the footsteps of his friend, Sheriff Brett Clark.

Although Sadler had never anticipated becoming a sheriff, faith and family have been his guiding forces when making life decisions.

“God guides you where you need to be,” he says. “When we returned to Hendricks County in 1999, I was hired by the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office and Casey was hired as a speech pathologist by the Plainfield school system within days of each other.”

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

Sadler’s mantra is, “Tell the truth. Be who you are.” When he ran for sheriff, he hoped that message would resonate with the community and it did.

“No matter where you are in Hendricks County, you’re going to run into good people,” he says. He especially appreciates the relationships between law enforcement and community members.

“That doesn’t happen without effort and honesty,” he says. “At the end of the day, my hope is to not only serve this community, but to also work together because you can’t effectively do the job of law enforcement without the support of the community.”

In 2016 Sadler was selected to attend the Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy in Georgia, known as a mini FBI academy. Only one officer per state is picked and Sadler got to represent Indiana.

In 2019 he attended Leadership Hendricks County and now serves on the board. The following year, he went to the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where more than 250 law enforcement leaders from 32 countries gathered for 10 weeks of training.

“It’s the best leadership training I’ve ever been to in my life,” says Sadler, who notes that his attendance there made him realize just how blessed he is to live and work in Hendricks County.

“I’d talk about how our officers interact with Hendricks County residents at the fair or different places, and these people couldn’t believe the relationships our officers have with the community,” Sadler says.

They are relationships that stand the test of time. A few years ago Sadler was at an event where a young lady told him that years before, he had saved her life by arresting her. Through tears she shared that during her arrest, Sadler treated her like a human being, talked to her all the way to jail and gave her some life advice.

“In law enforcement you don’t often get the opportunity to see the positive impacts you have made,” Sadler says.

But make no mistake - a career in law enforcement is dangerous. Police officers have to make split-second decisions that can mean life or death.

“We have to be 100% right, 100% of the time,” Sadler says. “We don’t get a second chance.”

Throughout his career, Sadler has tried to be a good person and surround himself with good people.

“The team we’re building here is great,” he says. “They’re knowledgeable, hardworking and kind. We will be successful because of that.”

The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office currently employs 140 people including 59 police officers and 53 jail deputies. The brand-new county jail facility has a sizable capacity.

“This jail is going to help our community stay safe for many generations,” says Sadler, who plans to continue doing work in areas such as drug addiction and mental health in jails. “Sheriff Clark was a great proponent of that and I want to continue that effort.”

Sadler also cares about his employees’ mental health. “I want our people to be as mentally fit as they are physically fit,” he says.

He was touched.

“The team we’re building here is great. They’re knowledgeable, hardworking and kind. We will be successful because of that.”

- Jack Sadler

In addition, Sadler plans to start a citizen firearms training program, since Indiana’s constitutional carry law went into effect last year.

“I support lawful gun ownership, but I want folks to learn how to safely manipulate the weapon and to know the laws in Indiana,” Sadler says. “It’s important to have those conversations before something happens and not after. We are all safer when we’re working together.”

He also wants to do everything he can to support the school resource officers in the county to make schools as safe as possible.

“We can’t forget about the tremendous growth we’re experiencing in Hendricks County,” Sadler says. “We must make sure we’re keeping up with serving and protecting what is the third-fastestgrowing county in the state.”

Sadler Family at Swearing-In

Sheriff Sadler being sworn into office

Sadler and his wife have a son, Carson, who is currently studying fire science at Vincennes University. They have a dog named Wookie, and two cats named Jango and Padme.

“Carson is a ‘Star Wars’ fanatic,” Sadler

says with a chuckle. “Our previous pets also had ‘Star Wars’ character names.”

In his free time Sadler likes to work out, play basketball and spend time with family.

“At the end of the day, I want to make my family proud,” he says.

The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office and Jail is located at 189 East Campus Boulevard in Danville. For more information, call 317-745-6269.

Available Programs

24/7 Free Crisis Assessment - A comprehensive mental health or substance use disorder assessment will be provided by a masters leveled clinician

Adult Inpatient Psychiatric and Dual Diagnosis Programs - For adult in crisis and in need of immediate behavioral health stabilization We have two units for adults Renew addresses individuals with suicidal thoughts or attempts, self-harming behavior, anxiety, depression, etc Adults with substance use disorders including the need for medically supervised detox and withdrawal management services are also on this unit Foundations addresses adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, mania, psychosis, etc

Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Program - Thrive serves males and females ages 13 to 17 who are in need of crisis stabilization for issues such as self-harm, suicide attempt or thoughts, depression, anxiety and depression.

Intensive Outpatient Services (IOP) - We offer both adult and adolescent (ages 13-17) programs addressing primary mental health and substance use disorders These programs are offered 5 days per week for 3 hours each session and may be attended in person or virtually

Insurances We Accept - Indiana Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plans (HiP), Medicare, most commercial insurance, Tricare or self-pay

New Sheriff’s Office & Jail

GASTROINTESTINAL AND GENITOURINARY CANCERS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

with knowing the symptoms. Symptoms may include prolonged indigestion that does not improve, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, dark tarry stools and fecal incontinence. Gastrointestinal cancer can also have no symptoms, which is why screening tests, such as colonoscopy for anyone 45 years and older, are so important.

Doctors often recommend testing to diagnose gastrointestinal cancers, including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, lab tests to look for changes in the blood, and imaging studies (CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, and/or PET scan). A biopsy could also be used to sample any abnormalities identified, such as tumors, to check for cancerous cells.

HOW DO YOU DETECT GENITOURINARY CANCER?

Gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers come in many shapes and sizes, and it is important to know what these cancers are, how to detect them and what treatment options are available.

WHAT IS GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER?

Gastrointestinal cancer is cancer that originates from an organ along, or associated with, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is the entire passageway from your mouth to your anus, but GI cancers are considered to start from the esophagus to the rectum. GI cancer is found when abnormal cells in one of the organs of the GI tract become cancerous and grow uncontrollably, usually forming a tumor, which can spread to other organs.

Some common forms of GI cancer are colon and rectal cancer. Other GI tract cancers are less common but may be very aggressive, such as esophageal cancer, gastric (stomach) cancer, pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer and liver cancer.

WHAT IS GENITOURINARY CANCER?

Genitourinary cancer is cancer that originates from the urinary system or the male reproductive system. Female reproductive system cancers are considered to be gynecologic cancers. Common genitourinary cancers include bladder, ureteral, kidney, penile, prostate and testicular cancers.

HOW DO YOU DETECT GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER?

Detecting gastrointestinal cancers starts

Symptoms of genitourinary cancers include blood in the urine, painful urination or ejaculation, difficulty with urination, a mass or heaviness of the testicles or scrotum, a rash on the penis and persistent back pain. There are a variety of ways to detect genitourinary cancers. The most common tests are similar to GI cancers and include imaging tests, lab tests, and may also include cystoscopy. Doctors may recommend a biopsy in some patients to make a definitive diagnosis.

WHAT ARE YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL AND GENITOURINARY CANCERS?

Treatment options for both cancers include chemotherapy drugs and other targeted medical treatments, radiation therapy or surgery to remove the tumors.

If you are experiencing symptoms that could be related to GI or GU cancer, please talk to your primary care physician immediately.

Writer / Dr. Anthony Yang, Surgical Oncologist at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

2023 TOX-AWAY DAYS

April 8 Brownsburg East Middle School

1250 Airport Rd.

1900 E. Main St. (Enter at Gate 5)

Aug

1900 E. Main St. (Enter at Gate 5)

July 15

INVEST IN YOURSELF & YOUR GOALS

Hendricks County households are encouraged to use Tox-Away Days to recycle and dispose of chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, medicines, medical sharps, tires, electronics, and appliances Regulations prohibit wastes from businesses or other organizations from being accepted at Tox-Away Days

Fees are charged for the recycling of TVs ($20/$25), appliances ($5/$10), and certain tires. Cash and check only.

the Y has what you need to help

PATHWAYS TO EMPOWERMENT

BLUE BUTTERFLY HELPS TO CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS AND HOPE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Tyler Hergott

The first lesson people should learn about human trafficking is that it doesn’t simply involve women in chains locked in a basement. They are saddled with psychological chains, and the process starts with grooming by either a family member or someone outside the home. If a child has an unstable home life, they are going to look for love elsewhere. If an older person takes an interest in them and makes them feel like

part of a group, they feed off of that. Before they know it, they’re in too deep.

“If you throw a frog in a pot of boiling water, it’ll jump right back out, but if you put it in lukewarm water and slowly crank up the heat, it’ll be dead before it realizes it needs to get out,” says Jamie Hergott, who began learning about human trafficking more than 15 years ago. “That’s how it feels for these girls. Once they realize what’s happening, it’s too late.”

“To the outside world, these are troubled girls who tend to get written off, but once you spend time with them, you realize that you’d be that way too, if you’d gone through what they did,” Hergott continues. Plus there’s generational trauma, and as a result these girls often don’t know any different. Imagine if someone told you that everything you’ve learned growing up is totally wrong. That would be devastating and disconcerting. Some girls are in love with their trafficker because he’s the only man who’s ever taken care of her.

“Once those bonds are built it’s very difficult to walk away,” Hergott says. “To us it’s obvious what healthy love looks like, but not to them.”

When Hergott became educated about human trafficking, she participated in fundraisers with a friend who was leading a group of people dedicated to supporting nonprofits that worked with survivors. Still, she felt compelled to do more. She got involved with Allies, Inc., a nonprofit that empowers survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation through mentorship and family support.

“We lean into the idea that trauma that happened through relationship must be healed through relationship,” says Hergott, who became a mentor for the program four years ago. Every mentor goes through trauma training to learn what trauma does to the body and the brain. Mentors are trained to walk with females aged 12 to 24 for at least a year, to help them navigate their new life and make positive choices going forward.

“We aren’t their therapist or case manager,” Hergott says. “We show them what real friendship looks like. That may be a walk in the park, roller skating or just doing homework.”

After two years of mentoring, Hergott joined the Allies staff as a mentor coach, where she supports five mentor-mentee matches, checking in on her mentors and helping them when they have questions or concerns.

Allies recently offered a job training program for which they partnered with local businesses to give mentees real-life

job experience. Although businesses mean well, it can be tricky for those who haven’t had trauma training to have the grace and patience for these girls who struggle with triggers, and make sense of different worldviews. For example, a mentee may become agitated if a man is in close proximity to them. Therefore, Hergott decided to create her own business, which

will hopefully one day be staffed with trauma-trained managers and hire survivors as staff members.

In November of 2021, Hergott launched Blue Butterfly, which makes and sells affordable jewelry such as earrings and custom-stamped bracelets and necklaces. Part of the proceeds go toward supporting

local anti-trafficking efforts at Allies, Inc. The female survivors also get a cut of the sales, and periodically have opportunities to work by making jewelry. Hergott sells their merchandise at various farmers markets and festivals. Selling their own jewelry creations has boosted girls’ self-esteem.

“One of them told me that [making jewelry

through Blue Butterfly] is the safest place in her life because she feels like she can be herself,” says Hergott, who chose the name Blue Butterfly to honor one of her mentees who loves the color blue and lost her mom when she was 3 years old. Whenever she sees a butterfly, it gives her hope that she can keep going.

“When things don’t go her way, she picks herself up and tries something new,” Hergott says. “She has a lot of grit. I wanted to name it after her because my relationship with her has taught me so much about people.”

Hergott notes that once you learn about trauma, you approach people differently. “You have a lot more compassion, even for those who are mean and rude,” Hergott says. “Instead of asking, ‘Why are you that way?’ you ask, ‘Are you OK?’”

For more information or to shop at Blue Butterfly, visit bluebutterflystore.com.

RIGHT AT HOME

THE HENDRICKS COUNTY EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS WELCOMES ONE & ALL

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

The Hendricks County Extension Homemakers has been in Indiana for more than 100 years. The organization was originally developed in a time when women mostly worked inside the home, raising children, cooking and sewing.

The Homemakers provided them the opportunity to meet with and learn from others who were doing the same things, like canning vegetables and sewing. Over time, it evolved into a community service group in which they would offer lessons to others in the community. Now, they do quarterly lessons on things like managing finances and decluttering the house.

Karla Janning, the Hendricks Civic

Theatre Board President and Sponsorship Coordinator, was first exposed to the Homemakers when she was a little girl because her mom was part of a Home Ec Club. That’s primarily why she chose to get involved as an adult.

“I love the connections made with the Hendricks County Extension Homemakers as well as their commitment to community involvement,” Janning says.

The Extension Homemakers is a big Indiana group. Different counties have their own groups, which then create their own clubs.

For instance, Janning leads the Young Moderns Club. The Hendricks County Extension Homemakers currently has seven clubs, which meet monthly.

As a county, the Homemakers do something called First Books for Head Start in which once a month participants sign up to read to different classrooms in the Head Start building. They then give a copy of the book they read to each student in the class. At the end of the school year, students get a book bag that the Homemakers make. Regardless of whatever clubs you are a part of, you can participate in First Books for Head Start.

The Homemakers also participate in Make a Difference Day. Again, one doesn’t have to be involved in the clubs to participate. On this day, anyone who enjoys sewing or crafting can come together to make tie-fleece blankets, which are donated to the homeless as well as to patients at Riley Children’s Hospital. Monthly they also do Helping Hands in which they prepare materials that will be used on Make a Difference Day.

To help educators in the community, the Homemakers provide $150 teacher grants. Any licensed teacher in the county can go onto the Purdue Extension website to submit an application for classroom supplies.

In addition, each May, the Hendricks County Homemakers bestows two $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in Hendricks County. The recipient doesn’t necessarily have to be someone affiliated with Home Extension. For example, they’ve given scholarships to students who are pursuing a nursing degree, education degree and a number of other interests. To raise money to award these scholarships, the Hendricks County Homemakers hold two big annual fundraisers, both at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds. One is the Holiday Fest and Cookie Walk, a December event that attracts 50+ vendors, most of which are homemade craft makers. For this event, every Extension Homemaker in the county bakes six dozen or more Christmas cookies, which are packaged and sold by the pound. These treats are hot commodities every year.

“Holiday Fest starts at 9 a.m. and often within the first two or three hours, we are sold out of cookies,” Janning says. “I think sometimes people think, ‘Oh, I have a Christmas party to go to and don’t want to make cookies myself’ so they buy them here.”

During Holiday Fest, the Hendricks County Treble Makers, a county choir, sings holiday tunes, as do preschool kids from Bartlett Chapel and kids from Head Start. Mrs. Claus passes out candy canes to shoppers.

Around the holidays, the Homemakers also collect hats, scarves and mittens to donate to different nonprofits like Sheltering Wings (which helps survivors of domestic violence find safety) and Susie’s Place (a child advocacy center).

“We are a community service group who wants to help out in any way,” Janning says.

Their other big fundraiser is held in the summertime during the Hendricks County Fair when the Homemakers run an open class for anyone who is not a 4-H member to enter craft or food items to be judged.

“We give away ribbons and prizes just like in 4-H,” Janning says. They take the baked goods that are left over and sell them on Sunday in an auction with all proceeds

going to the Hendricks County Extension Homemakers.

“Sometimes we’ll sell five cookies for $5. We once had a pie go for $140,” Janning says. “It just depends who is there.”

Currently, the Hendricks County Extension Homemakers consist of about 100 people, but the numbers dwindle each year. A lot of people assume that the Homemakers is

just for women who don’t work outside the home or for women who are retired; neither is true. Anybody of any age or sex can join.

“We need more young people to realize that they can join us,” Janning says.

An annual membership to the Hendricks County Extension Homemakers is just $15. If you’re interested in becoming a member or to learn more, call 317-745-9260 and ask for Lisa or Beth.

PET EXPECTATIONS And How to Enjoy Them!

Writer / Tara Dorsett Photography Provided

I’ll admit I don’t give myself much leeway in my morning routine. I give myself a half-hour to dress, put in contacts, apply make-up and fill the critters’ food and water bowls. While I’m getting ready, my dog is racing around the fenced yard like a lunatic, chasing possum trails, rolling in the grass and hopefully completing her business. She pops into the house as I head out the door. When I agreed to foster a partially blind and deaf pup, my routine changed drastically. As a photographer, I sometimes must leave the house at ungodly hours to reach my destination on time. Adding an extra 30 minutes to my morning routine was not appealing. But, I accepted responsibility for this four-footed addition and made accommodations.

Intellectually, we know our lives will change when we invite an animal to share our home, but the reality doesn’t hit until that feathered, scaled or furred critter arrives. How can we make the transition from a

non-pet or single pet household without losing our minds? Here are some things that helped me:

1. EXPECT LIFE TO CHANGE

What changes when we add a pet to our lives? Pretty much everything.

How we sleep-- my cat graduated from sleeping beside me to taking over my pillow. When we eat--when my dog was a puppy, I fed her before I ate. Now that she is older, I make my food first, then set her food down just before I sit at the table with my meal so we can eat together.

Where we leave things--I can no longer leave my chair near the desk when the ferrets are out because the ferrets will scale it and rearrange everything on my desk. How long we are gone--while the eel doesn’t need to go for walks, he can glare with the best of them when his dinner is late.

2. STICK TO A ROUTINE

Between tripping over critter toys and dodging the cats as they race through the

house, it takes about three minutes to fill bowls for the dog and cats. I spend another 10 minutes with the ferrets-- three minutes to fill the food and water dishes and seven minutes to keep them from launching a tumbling escape when the cage door opens. It takes another two minutes to turn on the aquarium light and sprinkle fish food into the water.

My dog does well completing her business on her own within thirty minutes or less. The cats and ferrets use litter boxes that don’t require immediate attention at 4:30 in the morning. The eel has his own bathroom routine that doesn’t need my help. Exercise and playtime happen later in the day.

My cats love to chase things. I bought a couple of laser light collars that entertain them for hours. The ferrets race through their tunnels or stash small stuffed toys in secret locations. Digging in the sandbox or playing tug of war eats away at my dog’s exercise hours.

3. CREATE PET STATIONS AROUND YOUR HOUSE

I have grab and go stations around the house. A leash, potty bags, paper towels, cleaner, toys and treats are at each station. These help with unexpected messes and impromptu play time.

4. ENJOY YOUR PET

Don’t overlook the reason you brought a pet into your life. Laugh at your ferret’s antics as she dances around like a miniature clown. Giggle as your cat tries for the millionth time to catch that laser dot. Chuckle when your dog play fights with his favorite stuffed animal. Smile at your fish weaving through the plants and hide-outs. Sing with your bird. The biggest change that happens when you own a pet is the joy and companionship they give you.

Have questions about how to adjust to your new roommate? Contact me at taramarie611@gmail.com

ACROSS

1. Mac alternatives

4. Clinches

8. From the same tree? 12. “You’ve Got Mail” company 13. It may come to light 14. ___ fide 15. NY engineering sch. 16. Infuriating

37. Bug-eyed, perhaps 39. Envisions 41. Far from original 43. Certain hardwood 44. Promgoer’s woe 46. Salon supply

To one’s liking 55. Test the patience of

Social slight

Cub raiser

58. Business apparel

59. Big sport in Japan?

60. Abates, as a tide

61. Plant

DOWN

1. Actor’s goal

2. Get along

3. Common cowboy nickname

4. Mirror

5. Opposing

6. List letters

7. Hangar, e.g.

8. Rappel

9. Ornamental carp

10. What a keeper may keep

11. Ride, and then some

17. Brazil, e.g.

19. Favorite project

22. Narcissist’s obsession

23. Grain disease

25. Record holder

26. Priceless?

27. Doesn’t hold up well

28. Healing sign

29. Robe for Caesar

30. “Once ___ a time”

31. Arab’s father

35. Picks up

38. Park structure

40. Make tracks?

42. Blip on a polygraph

45. Saga

47. Lousy deposits?

48. Many a jazz combo

49. Bias

50. Pack animal 51. African grazer 52. Buccaneer’s drink 53. It’s served with lobster 54. High ball

Brian Pelkey attended high school in the mid-1970s, when he was a distance runner and a huge fan of the legendary runner Steve Prefontaine, who influenced both his training program and his facial stylings.

“I still have the mustache,” Pelkey says with a chuckle.

Like Prefontaine, Pelkey appreciated oldfashioned hard work in order to improve his craft. He also loved the camaraderie of the sport.

“On the easy runs I loved running with my teammates and bouncing things off each other,” Pelkey says. It’s been a few years since he graduated from high school, but now, as the track coach at Plainfield High School (PHS), Pelkey says coaching and teaching teenagers keeps him young.

This year marks Pelkey’s 42nd year of teaching and coaching in the Plainfield Community School Corporation, including nine at the old PHS JuniorSenior High School, 13 at Plainfield Community Middle School and 20 at PHS. Pelkey, who teaches senior government and current events, has also coached girls track for the past 11 years.

“What’s nice about track is that everything is measurable,” he says. “It’s not like you’re deciding who’s going to be your starting point guard or your quarterback. You just look at your times and your heights for your top two.”

Additionally, everyone on the team can experience success throughout the season. “Athletes can see, without a doubt, that they’re improving,” Pelkey says. In 2021 the boys team finished seventh in the state, so at the start of last season, Pelkey created a goal for the team - to finish in the top five in the state.

During last year’s indoor season, they had two relay teams that kept getting better and better. They finished second at the indoor state meet - the highest the school had ever finished.

When they got to the outdoor season, they were running and jumping well. They got beat by Brownsburg in a triangular meet in April. Although Brownsburg beat Plainfield, PHS went on to win the Lawrence Central invitational meet as well as the Pike invitational. PHS won the boys Mid-State conference meet.

Then they got to sectionals and got beat by Brownsburg by 49 points. PHS came in second.

“After sectionals we were ranked fifth in the state and Brownsburg beat us by one point in the regional, so they were ranked first in the state and we were ranked second going into the state finals,” says Pelkey, who knew that this was their chance, this was their season and this was their moment to shine.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

“We needed to run really well in the trials and we did that.”

Connor Maple made it in the 100 meters. He also made it in the 200 meters, as did Nayyir Newash-Campbell. Harrison Hrbek not only made it in the hurdles, but also won his heat. Newash-Campbell won his heat in the 200 meters and set a school record. Pelkey knew at that point that they would be first or second.

“In other sports you can create your own luck by being a great defensive team, but in track it comes down to how other people do,” Pelkey says.

Although Brownsburg was ahead coming out of the 400 meters, Newash-Campbell won the 400, and then PHS placed seventh in the hurdles while Brownsburg placed first in both hurdles races, making it a tight race going into the 200 meters. Pelkey thought they might win that race, but instead their athletes came in third and eighth. Although they didn’t rank as well as anticipated, they still scored nine points and were ahead by six points going into the 4x400-meter relay.

“We knew we had to beat Brownsburg in that relay, but their kids were running really well,” Pelkey says. “As our kid passed the Brownsburg kid, the baton came flying out of the Brownsburg kid’s hand. I was like, ‘OMG!’”

Track is full of ups and downs, and OMG moments. Plainfield won by 14 points.

“The meet was so much closer than what those 14 points show,” Pelkey says.

Conner Maple on the podium - 4th 100m Dash

“That day, the Brownsburg throwers were fantastic and scored way more points than what we thought they would. They had a kid in the 800 meters who was in the top three. Their hurdler won. It was a real battle. That’s one of the things that we’re most proud of - to have beaten a really great Brownsburg team that had beaten us three times before the state meet.”

For anyone who thinks track lacks excitement, Pelkey has some tales to tell. In last year’s regional meet, Plainfield’s 4x100-meter relay team ran their fastest time of the year, running one hundredth of a second off of their school record. Still, they came in second to Brownsburg, who ran the fourth-fastest time ever in state history at the regionals.

At the state meet, roughly 75 meters into the 4x100-meter relay, the lead-off runner pulled a hamstring. Instead of collapsing,

he got the handoff to runner number two, who made up distance, as did their last two runners. Ultimately, they finished the race second to Brownsburg.

Later in that same meet, as Maple was walking to the start of the 200 meters, he severely cramped up.

“I was thinking, ‘We’ll walk it in and at least score one point,’” Pelkey says.

Then another kid got hurt too, which meant that two athletes were in a walking race.

“As they’re coming down the stretch, we’re cheering on Connor to walk just a little bit faster than the other kid, knowing that the difference between one and two points could make the difference overall,” Pelkey says. “It was a crazy set of events.”

This is the third state championship for PHS, in addition boys basketball and girls softball titles.

“There is no class in track, so you’re competing against every school in the state,” Pelkey says.

While senior Newash-Campbell is thrilled to be a personal state champion, he’s most proud of winning as a team.

“The bond I’ve created with my teammates, especially my 4x4 relay team, has taken the focus away from just winning and has brought joy to even the most difficult times,” he says. “The feeling of winning as a team alongside the men and coaches who have put their blood, sweat and tears into the sport is a dreamlike type of moment.”

Senior Hrbek, who has participated in track since seventh grade, agrees.

“Seeing all of my teammates’ and Plainfield supporters’ faces light up when they gave us the trophy, and sharing that moment, was the highlight of my high school career,” Hrbek says. “Over the past six years I’ve hit a hurdle, fallen down and/or gotten injured countless times, but I’ve never quit. If you want to be great at something, never give up.”

Nayyir Newash-Campbell on the Podium as State Champ 400m Dash

THE CHILDREN’S BALLET GROWS WITH SECOND STUDIO IN PLAINFIELD

After 35 years of cultivating classical ballet in Danville, The Children’s Ballet is adding a second classroom and studio space in Plainfield in February 2023. The additional location will more than double the amount of educational studio space and accelerate the school’s plans to stage future productions at the new Plainfield Performing Arts Center.

The Children’s Ballet is a non-profit school that was founded in Danville in 1987 and currently draws over 125 students, ages three to 18, from around Hendricks County. The school’s new Plainfield studio is at 211 W. Main Street, in the heart of downtown Plainfield.

Anne Johansson, Executive Director of The Children’s Ballet, said the second studio space is an important step forward for the school. “It makes so much sense for us to add these classes in Plainfield,” Johansson says. “We already have many students who live in Plainfield, but this second studio will give more families the opportunity to enjoy classical ballet. Of course, we are thrilled to be right across the street from our future performing home at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center.”

The school is offering classes at its Plainfield location during two sessions in Spring 2023:

February 13-March 22 (Session I), and April 3-May 10 (Session II). These classes will focus on instruction for younger ballet dancers, dancers who are new to ballet and adults who want to learn more about ballet. Regular classes will continue at the Danville studio.

One of the hallmarks of The Children’s Ballet is its commitment to community performances. The school’s annual performance, in May, involves every student in the school performing on stage to tell an original story through dance. The school also presents a family-favorite production of “The Nutcracker” every December.

As Hendricks County’s only non-profit ballet school, The Children’s Ballet provides high-quality dance instruction while teaching students self-discipline, dedication, positive self-esteem and an appreciation for the art of dance. The school’s staff is committed to educating, enriching and inspiring each student’s unique gifts of talent and creativity in a safe studio environment.

The Children’s Ballet recently received a Hendricks County ARPA grant, as well as grant awards from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

More information about the second studio and classes can be found at thechildrensballet.com/plainfield.

Writer / John Johansson Photographers / Andy Janning & Sarah Crail

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