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NOVEMBER 2018
LEGACY MOTORSPORTS BUILDS CUSTOM DREAM CARS IN HENDRICKS COUNTY
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SWEET RIDE: LEGACY MOTORSPORTS BUILDS CUSTOM DREAM CARS IN HENDRICKS COUNTY
Brian Legg was just four years old when he first rode in his father’s prized 1969 Mach1 428 Cobra Jet Mustang. The rides continued and before long, he was a bonafide car buff.
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7 Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General: 30 Take Steps To Stop Smoking Chet Wright 31 Business Spotlight: Frye Electric, 10 Sweet Ride: Legacy Motorsports INC. Builds Custom Dream Cars In 35 Going Pro: Local Couple Launches Hendricks County Indiana Lyons ABA Basketball Team 17 Reaching The End Zone: Former In Hendricks County Colt Jim Sorgi Talks Life After 41 Q & A: Bill Kirchoff, Plainfield Town Football & Living In Hendricks County
23 On Beat: Teachers at Premier
Academy of Performing Arts Create Passionate, Well- Rounded Dancers
28 Local Events
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Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General
Chet Wright Writer / Kara Kavensky . Photographer / Brian Brosmer
6 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com
etired U.S. Army Brigadier General Chet Wright recently celebrated his 100th birthday. He is a 1936 graduate of Ben Davis High School. At the time of Wright’s graduation, the school had 400 students. It is now among the largest high schools in the state. “I’ve witnessed a lot of change to this area in my lifetime,” states Wright, who grew up in Hendricks County and has lived here for nearly a century.
Wright was sent to the South Pacific in 1943 for over three years. He served in combat in New Guinea and the Philippines as well as Luzon. Known as the “Avengers of Bataan,” Wright’s unit supported the infantry in the Battle for the return of Bataan.
The 38th Infantry Division were exposed to 115-118 degree heat and rain with little to no field rations. When Wright left for the South Pacific, he weighed 170 pounds. When he returned home, he weighed 128. “It’s hot, people are shooting at you and it makes you During the Great Depression, his family was hit hard by the economic lose weight,” states Wright, who does not recommend that type of weight loss strategy. circumstances of the time, losing their home. Not able to afford college, Wright got a job after graduation. He worked at the Gibson Wright’s prior employer, the Gibson Company, hired him back. Company, an auto parts manufacturer, earning $12.50 per week. Not long after, Wright received a call requesting his involvement with organizing the Indiana National Guard. Wright was hired Wright worked at the Gibson Company for four years before registering for the draft. “My boss called me in and said I was up for full-time, retiring as a Brigadier General. Earning a red stripe up the side of his pants just as the rest of the men who served in a promotion, but that I was going to be drafted, and they couldn’t invest any more in me until I got my military service out of the way, artillery, Wright made his way up the ranks. so I enlisted for one year,” recalls Wright. His active duty period “I’m a Senior Red Legs,” states Wright, proudly. He’s been a lasted a bit longer than expected. leader of the Senior Red Legs organization, which has over 200 In January of 1941, then Private Chet Wright reported to Camp members. Once a year, there is a Senior Red Legs reunion at Camp Atterbury. Shelby in Mississippi. As a recruit, he earned $21 per month. During his time at Camp Shelby, he participated in the largest “General Chet Wright is the truest example of a Hoosier Soldier and Army training exercise in history. The U.S. Army CHQ Maneuvers Patriot,” says Veteran Events coordinator Jill Fewell. “We all owe a of 1941 lasted three months and extended across Louisiana, debt of gratitude for his many years of service and sacrifice to make Mississippi and Texas. Wright was a member of the 139th Field our Hoosier State safe.” Artillery Battalion, 38th Infantry Division.
“Accept responsibility and do what you’re told."
PlainfieldMag.com / NOVEMBER 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 7
“At night, I take off my glasses, my hearing aides and my partials, and there’s more of me on the nightstand than in the bed!” jokes Wright. Wright and his beautiful wife Velma married on July 4, 1941. They have three sons – all of whom are veterans – as well as six grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 3½ great-great-grand children. Wright and his wife raised their boys in Plainfield. When they moved there, the population was 1,800 in 1947, and now the number has climbed to over 30,000. Velma passed in 2001, missing their 60th wedding anniversary by less than six months. A surprising honor bestowed upon Chet Wright is that his likeness was used by the Town of Avon on their WWII Memorial. Sculptor Bill Wolf created a 6’1” likeness of Chet Wright, forever immortalizing the Brig. General. The World War II Memorial Park is at the northwest corner of the roundabout at Dan Jones Road and County Road 100 South. “One of the town managers called me and said, ‘We understand that you were in WWII’ and asked me to serve on the committee,” says Wright. “I missed one meeting and found out later my likeness would be used for the statue. I never missed another meeting.” When asked for his advice to younger generations, Wright says, “Accept responsibility and do what you’re told.”
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LEGACY MOTORSPORTS BUILDS CUSTOM DREAM CARS IN HENDRICKS COUNTY
14 / AVON MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018 / AvonMagazine.com
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Todd Adkins & Trevor Flora
Brian Legg was just four years old when he first rode in his father’s prized 1969 Mach1 428 Cobra Jet Mustang. The rides continued and before long, he was a bonafide car buff. “It was such a fun car. Dad drove the wheels off it,” Legg says. “It was better than any roller coaster ride at Disney World or King’s Island.” By the time he reached high school, Legg was itching to own a Mustang of his own. When he turned 16, however, his dad encouraged him to buy an old pick-up truck as a fixerupper. It served to be a wonderful father-son bonding project. “That truck ended up being a pretty cool ride,” Legg says. The Mustang, on the other hand, which he finally obtained in college, “turned out to be a hornets’ nest of problems.” Legg earned a business degree from IUPUI, married his beautiful wife Karyn, and in 1998, with his bride’s blessing,
began modifying Mustangs as a hobby and selling them for a small profit. He got the idea from reading about two brothers on the west coast who crafted a DIY Kit car by providing customers with everything they needed except an engine, transmission and rear end. When Legg assembled his first Kit car — a 1967 Shelby Cobra replica — he was over the moon.
One day Karyn said, “You should build another car.” So he did — this time a blue 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe. With only six of these vehicles made, he suspected that supply and demand meant that the market would be hot. He was right. In 2013, the happy buyer came from Asheville, North Carolina. He’s also had customers in Canada and Mexico.
“I couldn’t believe it started,” he says. “I couldn’t believe it moved. I couldn’t believe it turned. I thought, ‘Wow, this must have been how the Wright brothers felt when they built their first airplane.’”
After experiencing so much success, an old high school friend encouraged him to turn his life’s passion into a side business. Legg, who works full-time at Indiana Oxygen, liked the idea and earlier this year opened Legacy Motorsports. He knew that to interest buyers, he would need to create cars with universal appeal in terms of color, interior, tires and stripes.
When he sold it on eBay in 2005, he had 5060 bidders clamoring to get their hands on it. Ultimately, it went to a man in Tokyo. “I assumed some retired guy from Missouri would buy it and I’d have visitation rights to it,” says Legg with a chuckle. After putting his blood, sweat and tears into the automobile, it was tough to say goodbye. He thought he’d build another right away, but life got busy with work and family (he and Karyn have two daughters: Emma and Sarah, now 20 and 18, respectively). Before he knew it, six years had passed.
AvonMagazine.com / NOVEMBER 2018 / AVON MAGAZINE / 15
“Hey, you’re asking someone to spend $70,000-$100,000 so they get to be picky,” says Legg, who knows full well that “if you build it, they won’t always come.” “You’ve got to appeal to the masses because if you go out on a limb creatively, you just narrowed your margin,” says Legg, noting that the really fun part is sitting down with the customers and mapping out their dreams, much like a home builder. Though customers make choices based on their personal preferences, Legg reminds them of the dollars and the sense behind every decision.
“Purple may be your favorite color, but if I paint your car purple and you decide to sell it a few years down the road, you won’t make big money on it,” Legg says. “On the other hand, black ones, blue ones silver ones you might make $5,000.” The process of building a custom car typically takes between 700-900 hours or nine months. It seems appropriate that it takes the same amount of time to grow a baby given that Legg’s customers want to baby their precious vehicles. “This is a recession-proof industry, really, because if guys have two nickels to rub together, they’re going to throw it at their motorcycle or automobile,” Legg says. Some people try their hand at building their own but don’t find the process to be enjoyable the way Legg does. “There’s definitely more to this gig than two guys working out of a garage,” he says, quick to point out that his shop is not an
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auto manufacturer but rather an assembler that also knows how to title and plate the vehicles. “There are guys who have looked at doing this on their own, then find that there’s a lot more paperwork than they realized,” says Legg, who compares the process to assembling IKEA furniture. “You dump 5,000 screws on the living room floor, open the 30-page instruction manual and suddenly erecting a 12-drawer dresser takes you all day,” Legg says. “Some folks realize they’re in over their heads with the car assembly. They’d rather pay us to do it.” Legg is looking to expand into pick-up trucks and Broncos. He’s also currently working on recreating a Shelby track van, which were used primarily to haul things such as milk, mail, dry cleaning and auto parts.
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“These vehicles are shaped like a toaster, and the motor sits behind you,” Legg says. They’re not fast or powerful, but they were the Cushman golf cart of their day.” To Legg’s knowledge, no one else is recreating these Shelby track vans. In June, he attended a car show in London, Ohio, where 200 Cobras were on display. “What do we do when 200-plus Cobra owners come together? We bring a Cobra Van,” says Legg, noting that his goes between 48-52 mph “depending on which way the wind is blowing.” As far as what’s next, he says he’ll take his cues from the market. “It’s a lot like art,” Legg says. “You pay attention to what starts popping up at car shows.” For now, he’s just thrilled to be doing what he loves and, in the process, generating a product his customers adore. “When you create something really beautiful that works and people appreciate it, there’s an immense satisfaction that comes along with that,” Legg adds. To learn more about Legacy Motorsports, visit legacymotorsports.com. Their shop, located at 172 Williams Trace, Suite 198 in Plainfield, is by appointment only. Call 317-709-2002.
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FORMER COLT JIM SORGI TALKS LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL & LIVING IN HENDRICKS COUNTY Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographers / Amy Payne & Indianapolis Colts
AvonMagazine.com / NOVEMBER 2018 / AVON MAGAZINE / 21
hen my children were young and I was trying to teach them proper behavior for play inside the house, my ongoing mantra was, “Don’t hit. Don’t kick. Don’t throw.” Not so for Jim Sorgi, who played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2004 to 2009 as Peyton Manning’s backup quarterback. He spent much of his childhood hitting, kicking and throwing, and it served him well. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Sorgi was the only boy living in a house with four sisters. Now the tables have turned as he’s raising three boys—Jimmy (12), Jackson (10) and Jace (4) — with his wife, Lana. Growing up, Sorgi always had a ball in his hands — usually baseball or basketball, as football wasn’t his favorite initially. “I was a tall third-grader so they asked me to play defense, but I wasn’t big and there was a lot of hitting and physical play,” says Sorgi, who quit, then picked up the sport again in middle school. Though he was still tall and thin, this time around he played wide receiver and running back, which was much more to his liking. In ninth grade, he transitioned to quarterback. Though he was thriving in football, he still played basketball and baseball all through high school. “Football is more of a physical game. Baseball is a game of finesse,” Sorgi says. “Basketball is working in synchronicity. But they all teach something about working as a team.” That’s why Sorgi is a big believer in kids pursuing multiple sports. “Being able to switch gears and execute different game plans in order to achieve a goal translates to every aspect of life,” he says. In his youth, Sorgi didn’t know what his path looked like. He simply knew he had an affinity for sports. “I loved the kind of chess match — the game
within the game, so to speak,” says Sorgi, who played for the University of Wisconsin. After graduation, he got drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL draft. In 2010, he signed with the New York Giants. After injuring his right shoulder, however, he was placed on season-ending injury reserve and the following year was released from his contract. Though he hoped to get signed elsewhere following surgery, it wasn’t meant to be. “Every little boy who plays sports dreams of becoming a professional athlete,” Sorgi says. “I got to live that dream in the NFL. We all wish we could play for 20 years, but seven is good.” As Sorgi settled into the second chapter in
his life, he moved back to Hendricks County (the family had previously lived in Avon when he played for the Colts but now resides in Brownsburg, his wife’s hometown). “This seemed like a good place to live,” Sorgi says. “A lot of my former teammates feel the same way about the Indianapolis area. It’s clean and full of friendly people.” Plus, now he has more time to coach his sons’ sports teams and take his kids hunting and fishing. Sorgi, who used to vacation at his grandparent’s cabin in northern Michigan, was forced to take a sabbatical from hunting when he was playing pro football because the two seasons overlapped. AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018
He still stays plenty busy with multiple work endeavors. Sorgi started doing pre-season television games in 2012 — the first year Andrew Luck was with the Colts. He’s now in his sixth year acting as color commentator for the radio — a job that entails doing pregame and post-game segments, along with a Monday evening radio show where he discusses the previous day’s game. He’s often asked why he doesn’t pursue a job with CBS or the NFL Network. It’s simple, he’s perfectly content with where he is. “I get to call the game of football on the radio while rooting for the team I formerly played for,” Sorgi says. “It’s a blast.”
In college, Sorgi majored in Business Management, a degree he never thought he’d use once he got drafted. He was wrong. In 2013, he launched Sorgi Sports with business partner Joey Vandever, an Avon resident who played in the MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals. The pair provides physical therapy and skills improvement equipment to the general public at an affordable price. “Everyone deserves to get back to good health, back to work, back to life as quickly as possible, whether you’re a professional athlete or not,” Sorgi says. Throughout his career, Sorgi has witnessed guys who have endured concussions and other painful injuries. Some have suffered memory loss and have had to retire early. He’s pleased, however, to see that the league is proactively taking steps to make the game safer by implementing new rules and regulations about hitting. For instance, players can no longer use the crown of their helmet to make a tackle on any part of the body, nor can they drive a player into the ground or hit a defenseless player without reason. “These new rules are all designed to protect the guys so they don’t get injured or sustain concussions that could affect them down the line,” Sorgi says. “The NFL is also eliminating getting a running start on kickoffs and double-team blocks on kick-off returns.” When Sorgi thinks back to his younger years, he recalls many sports idols he’s admired such as Ken Griffey Jr., who played 22 years in Major League Baseball. “He looked like he was always having fun,” Sorgi says. His football fave is Barry Sanders, a running back who played for the Detroit Lions. “I loved when he would score a touchdown and there wasn’t a whole lot of flash,” Sorgi says. “He would just hand the ball to the official and sit down. I respected that.”
Jim Sorgi & Joey Vandever
Sorgi appreciates seeing teammates bond as it inevitably steps up their performance. During Sorgi’s six years with the Colts, he was fortunate to not witness much turnover. “In the NFL, there’s always the distinct possibility that guys you count on are there one day, gone the next,” Sorgi says. “That makes it hard for a team to mesh. Luckily, we kept most of our guys around.” Sorgi’s best memories center around the team’s camaraderie. “It’s the bus rides, the plane rides, the locker room, smoking cigars after a big win, going to the Kentucky Derby after we won the Super Bowl [XLI against the Chicago Bears],” Sorgi says. “Those moments stick with you. They’re the ones that you wish you could go back and relive all over again.”
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Teachers at Premier Academy of Performing Arts Create Passionate, Well-Rounded Dancers Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
“Music was always a big part of my life,” recalls Meaghan Molsberry, who grew up in western Montana. “We’d have these big family gatherings where we’d all square dance.” Dancing was in her blood but unfortunately there was no access to dance studios in her rural community. When she was two years old, however, her family relocated to Indiana. No sooner had her mom, Dionne, unpacked the boxes did she have Meaghan enrolled in tap class. Dance lit a fire within her that has only grown over time. By the time she was 18, Meaghan was teaching
several genres of dance, though jazz and musical theatre were her favorites. She majored in theatre dance at Ball State University, expanding her knowledge base as she studied various jazz innovators like Fosse and Luigi. She also had the honor of training under renowned choreographers Mia Michaels and Tyce Diorio. “I grew up in just one studio so in college I soaked up knowledge like a sponge,” says Meaghan, who first started working at Premier Academy of Performing Arts in Avon five years ago. Both she and Dionne are full-time employees at Wayne Township Schools. Dionne, in her 29th year, works AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018
as secretary for administration over testing while Meaghan, in her 12th year, works in the career center. When Premier’s former owner was preparing to move to Florida, she asked Meaghan if she would be interested in buying the place. It was a no-brainer for Meaghan who instantly knew this was what she was born to do. Her first task as owner involved putting her mom at the front desk. “Growing up, mom worked the front desk at the dance studio I attended,” Meaghan says. Dionne was eager to be back in a studio. “I like to pretend I’m a dancer,” says Dionne
WHY STUDENTS LOVE TO TRAIN AT PREMIER “I dance to make new friends, build my confidence, and relax. At Premier they make everyone feel welcome, no matter your skill level or age.” Amanda, age 14 “What I love about Premier is that not only do they help you grow as a dancer with technique, flexibility, style and confidence, but they also welcome you. They make you feel a part of a family bond that is strong and unbreakable.” Mona, age 15 “I dance not because of how good I am at it but because of who it makes me.” Dakota, age 11 “I have a good chance at making new friends, having fun and learning new dances.” Daphne, age 8 “The teachers and students are all very fun and outgoing. Premier is another home to me.” Alaina, age 11 “Premier is a place where I can be myself and have fun. At Premier, I know I’m not only growing as a dancer but as a person, too.” Allison, age 14 “Premier isn’t just a dance team, we are family, and Premier is my second home. They are the reason I love to dance.” Haley, age 16 “Premier isn’t always about making a win, it’s about making a family.” Addison, age 11
with a chuckle. “My favorite thing though is to hug the students and be their biggest cheerleader.” Students at Premier, who range in age from 18 months to 60 years, may take tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical and musical theatre. Premier currently employs 12 teachers with diverse backgrounds and strengths. One was part of a ballet company. Another was a Rockette. One was a gymnast who took up dancing later in her career. Another is a graphic artist who designs the programs for Premier’s recitals. Two are former members of the Avon High School Dance team. One was a former dancer on the WNBA Fever Inferno Hip Hop Dance Team. Meaghan also has several nurses and moms on staff. “It’s good for the girls to have such diverse role models,” says Meaghan, who in her youth didn’t dance competitively but rather did performance dancing for Riley Hospital, autism camps and other community outreaches. “We know the importance of recreational dancing as well as competitive dancing. Both have equal importance in our studio,” says Meaghan, noting that she wants to give her kids a unique perspective on what it is to dance in high school and beyond. While some of her students dream of dancing professionally by becoming an Indiana Pacer’s Pacemate or trying their hand at dancing in music videos or for musical theatre productions, others hope to teach dance. Regardless of where they end up, their time at Premier will have helped them along their career paths. “The structure they get in dance class they can carry into any profession, whether that’s a dentist, a school teacher or a chef,” Meaghan says. “Our goal is to teach our students life skills that they’ll use in the real world. These skills include team building, responsibility, respect, collaboration and discipline.” Most girls are at the studio two to three days a week. Students working on multiple genres may be at the studio up to five days
a week. Meaghan insists, however, that each student meets the GPA requirement or else she’ll reduce their days in the studio. “Life does not revolve around the studio. Life revolves around your growth,” Meaghan says. “I tell them, ‘A house, a car or just about any object can be repossessed but an education is yours forever.’” To expand her students’ horizons in the arts, she takes them to musical theatre or dance shows such as The Nutcracker, Newsies and The Lion King. “We’re doing everything in our power to make sure musical theatre stays alive and well,” says Dionne, noting that last spring they took 90 kids to the production of Wicked. “We may know The Wizard of Oz story inside and out, but when you see the wonder and amazement in a 6-year-old’s
eyes, that’s special,” Meaghan says.
the national championship title.
They also took a group of teen dancers to see choreographer Travis Wall’s dance group.
“I was in tears backstage because the girls had so much emotion, so much energy, and they danced so beautifully as a team,” Meaghan says.
“They talked about it non-stop for a week,” Meaghan says. “They realize these are real people and this could be them if they work hard and have faith.” This past summer a number of Premier’s students competed in a National Dance Competition in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. “Before any national competition, you have to have that talk with your girls where you tell them to go out on stage, do their best and be happy with their performance,” Meaghan says. It’s an important message to relay when a whopping 1,200 acts will be performing. Still, their 43-member group routine won
Despite the adrenaline rush of coming home with a 6-ft. tall trophy, that wasn’t the highlight of the weekend for Meaghan and Dionne. That came when they were stopped on the streets of Gatlinburg by a total stranger who relayed this story: “I have to tell you about something one of your dancers did,” the woman said. “My little girl got nervous while performing and she ran off stage in tears. One of your older girls went up to her and told her it was going to be okay — that they had all been there and that she should just keep dancing.” The woman’s daughter returned to the stage
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AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018
with a bright smile and finished her routine with pure joy and renewed confidence. “It was one of my proudest moments,” Meaghan says. “We have really good kids, and their parents are incredibly supportive as well. We feel so blessed.” When the crew returned to town following nationals, Dionne was at her day job bragging on the dancers and her daughter. One of her coworkers told her that she should take some of the credit. “Oh, no. Meaghan’s got the talent,” Dionne insisted. “But Dionne, your daughter is you,” the colleague said. And it’s true. “The apple didn’t even bother to fall off of the tree when it comes to me and my mom,” says Meaghan with a grin. “So much of Premier’s success is because
my mom helped create this wonderful atmosphere for these girls.”
“This whole adventure has brought us closer,” Dionne says.
The mother-daughter duo joke that they can’t believe how much time they spend together without getting on each other’s nerves. But the truth of the matter is that their bond grows stronger daily.
Premier Academy of the Performing Arts is located at 8405 East US Hwy 36 behind Avon Barber Shop. For more information, call 317-696-9043 or visit premieracademyofdance.com.
Family owned & operated since 1966
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MAKE AN IMPRESSION, HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBIT In partnership with the Hendricks County Arts Council and the High Schools of Hendricks County, the Library is proud to host this student fine art exhibit. Plainfield Library
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YMCA KIDS NIGHT OUT Parents, enjoy an evening out while we entertain and care for your kids. Evenings will be focused on our monthly theme and will include crafts, games, physical activities, and lots of fun! We will also take children ages 5 and older swimming; if they wish to swim please bring them dressed in their suit by 5:15 pm. Hendricks Regional Health YMCA 301 Satori Pkwy. Avon 5:00pm – 10:00pm
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You know smoking is bad for you and that it can lead to heart disease, stroke or even cancer. But you also know how addictive it is and how hard it is to quit. Dana Toussant, nurse practitioner at IU Health West Hospital’s Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Clinic, answers frequently asked questions about smoking cessation. Why is it so hard to quit? The reason it’s so hard to quit smoking is that the nicotine in cigarettes is an addictive substance. Over time, your body grows dependent on nicotine and will suffer withdrawal if you try to quit. Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, irritability, restlessness and difficulty concentrating. You can use nicotine patches, gum, lozenges or inhalers to ease the symptoms of withdrawal and slowly wean your body off the nicotine. Your doctor may also be able to recommend prescription medication for this purpose. How should I get started? Talk with your doctor about creating a plan
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FRYE ELECTRIC, INC. 8403 E. US Hwy 36 Avon 317-271-1099 fryeelectricinc.com
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography / Amy Payne
Hal Frye was a Thom McAn shoe salesman between 1968 and 1973. He fared pretty well in the occupation, though selling classy loafers was not his passion. During part of that time, he also worked for Farrar Electric on the east side of Indianapolis and that’s where he found his calling. Since he had always been a westside guy, however, he decided to branch out on his own and in 1974, he incorporated Frye Electric.
The early years brought their fair share of trials and tribulations, but he hung in there, enduring 60 to 70-hour work weeks to build his business. Now, 44 years later, he’s relishing success.
Though he started the business by himself, over time he’s hired a number of experienced Indianapolis electricians. Just in the past 15 years, he’s added 25 employees. Frye’s wife, Michelle, has helped run Frye Electric for 24 years, along with longtime “Honestly, I still work that many hours — faithful employees Greg, Mike and Maggie partly because that’s how you stay successful — all of whom have been instrumental in and partly because I still really like the making the business such a success. Most electrical work,” says Frye, who also owns of the employees have been with Frye for the 12-tenant complex off of US Highway five years, and a couple have been there for a 36 that houses Fort Liberty Firearms and dozen or more years. Jump-N-Play. Frye Electric, Inc. is an accredited member AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018
of the Better Business Bureau and has been rated A+ by the BBB based on their ratings system. They offer residential, apartment and commercial electrical services all over the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area. “Everything we do is service-oriented,” says Frye, noting that he has 17 trucks on the road every day, doing service repairs, installation and panel changes. They do a lot of repairs and maintenance for apartments complexes throughout the city and provide electrical services for nursing homes, car dealerships, storage facilities, gas stations, hotels, restaurants and shopping centers. On the residential side, they do everything from wiring a new home to upgrading an existing electrical system, installing new fixtures, outlets and smoke detectors, installing standby generators, surge
protection, security lighting and smoke detectors and adding a dedicated circuit to a workshop or garage.
parking lot lighting repairs and installation and repair to restaurants’ track lighting, outlets and kitchen equipment.
“We also do breaker panels, ceiling fans, can lights and wiring for hot tubs, fountains and swimming pools,” Frye says.
“I’m different from a lot of businesses in that I provide personal service,” says Frye, who is passionate about investing in the community. For instance, Frye Electric participates in the Fairway to Heaven golf outing, Rotary Club of Avon golf outing, and, this year, the Wings of Golf, an outing designed to support Hendricks County Senior Services as well as Sheltering Wings, a 501(c)(3) non-profit domestic violence shelter in Danville, serving Hendricks County and surrounding areas.
Outdoor LED lighting has become hugely popular when hosting home events like weddings, parties and receptions. Frye Electric will sell customers the lights, install them, take them down after the event and store them. Some homeowners prefer to keep the soft lighting up permanently to create a warm, inviting ambiance to their outdoor living space. Frye’s commercial electrician services include holiday lights, outdoor lighting, repairs to restaurant equipment, street and AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018
A 26-year Avon resident, Frye is a big supporter of the Avon YMCA and the Avon Chamber of Commerce, too.
“Community means everything to us,” Frye says. “We do a lot of work here so we want to give back.” Frye also launched his own anti-bullying campaign. He even dresses up as SuperFrye Guy (think cartoon character superhero meets community advocate) and distributes rubber yo-yos, frisbees, squeeze balls and footballs to children. He also hands out a special anti-bullying coloring book that walks children through what to do when faced with a bullying situation. Included is a SuperFrye Guy bag stuffed full of crayons, gifts and fake tattoos to support boys and girls who have struggled with being bullied. “SuperFrye Guy is a super advocate for the kids of the community,” Frye says. “Every day children are faced with bullying. With
social media these days, it’s something that new, and we take it to car shows for free just breaks your heart. My mission is to put advertising. Everybody seems to like and an end to it.” recognize our logos since we’re all over town.” Frye Electric is a sponsor at roughly 25 shows a year. These include trade shows, Although he loves what he does for a living convention center shows and car shows, as and is thrilled with his business’ continued well as popular community events such as success, the thing that makes him most Rib Fest and the Heritage Festival. proud is that he’s able to support his crew. “We’re so involved in the community and “I’m proud that we can provide them with a 50-mile surrounding radius,” Frye says. paycheck every week,” Frye says. “Most everyone in Hendricks County knows us. We have lots of repeat customers.” Frye Electric, located at 8403 E. US Hwy 36, offers free estimates and 24hour service. For more information about Out front of his business, Frye has a 1952 Frye Electric, visit fryeelectricinc.com black Dodge with the Frye Electric logo or call 317-271-1099. You may also go emblazoned on it. online to sign up to be a SuperFrye Guy Supersidekick: fryeelectricinc.com/kids“We’ve had that vehicle for many years,” signup. Frye says. “My grandfather bought it
AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018
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Local Couple Launches Indiana Lyons ABA Basketball Team In Hendricks County Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography / Provided
Basketball lovers, it’s time to rejoice as a brand-new team is coming to town— the Indiana Lyons. Older generations may recall the American Basketball Association (ABA), a men’s professional basketball league that existed from 1967 to 1976 until the ABA merged with the National Basketball Association. Legendary players like George McGinnis and Julius Erving (aka Dr. J) ruled the courts back in the day, dribbling the infamous red, white and blue ball.
The ABA, which relaunched in 2000, now has 150 teams across the United States, Mexico, Australia and the Bahamas. Last spring, local business owners Tyrone and Deborah Brown were invited to start a franchise in this area, and the Indiana Lyons was born. The husband-and-wife team hit the ground running, lining up seven straight weeks of try-outs with men ages 18-38 who came from all parts of the state, including Columbus, Bloomington, Whitestown, Plainfield, Speedway, Danville, Ft. Wayne, Brownsburg and Indianapolis. AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018
At tryouts, the Browns sought out men with skill, personality, education and maturity. “We expect a culture of excellence, responsibility and loyalty,” says Tyrone, Owner & Chief Executive Officer of the Indiana Lyons. In addition, community service is a must for the team so they nurture an environment that breeds high character. “These guys work together, serve together and play together,” Tyrone says. “We wanted
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individuals who think about the next player more than they think about themselves.”
Assembling the staff and the team was easier than locating a venue. All ABA games need to take place on the weekend since Tyrone, originally from Chicago, has loved these players have full-time jobs and travel the game of basketball since he was young. from all over the state. Ultimately, the city He played in high school and in Pro-Am of Danville welcomed the team with open leagues, as well as several basketball arms and invited the Indiana Lyons to play tournaments in and around Chicago. He’s at the historic Bosstick Gym, located at 49 also run his own basketball tournaments so N. Wayne Street. The Lyons will play on owning a team seemed like a natural next Saturdays at 5 p.m. step.
“That allows families to enjoy themselves, have dinner and still get the kids to bed at a decent time,” Tyrone says. Bosstick Gym, which holds roughly 1,250 spectators, was erected in 1925 and has been essentially sitting vacant since 1960, so Danville is excited about revitalizing
“My husband would love to still play the game, but since he can’t this is an opportunity to still be involved in the game he loves while also doing something great for the community,” says Deborah, who co-owns with Tyrone several companies, including Second Chance Staffing LLC, which provides opportunities to ex-felons and those looking for a second chance. “This is a judgment-free zone. Our responsibility is to help people get back on their feet,” Tyrone says. The Indiana Lyons is also a second chance organization in that it is building and renewing relationships both on and off the floor. The Browns hope that the team will provide youth with a safe, fun, affordable environment to hang out. Tickets are only $10 for adults while kids under 5 and seniors over 65 get in free. Head coach Wes Messer, who was part of the Indy Naptown All Stars, was eager to join the Indiana Lyons. The Browns were forthright with Messer that this was a new venture and as such, they couldn’t make any financial promises. Messer didn’t bat an eye. He was all-in, coming to practices with his family in tow. “From the start, he’s shown his commitment,” Tyrone says. “He truly loves the game of basketball.” They’ve also hired Pastor Craig A. Thurmon Sr. as Head of Basketball Operations, and Sr. Chaplin. Thurmon has many years of corporate experience, including 25 years as an Information Technology professional.
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not only the gym, which is getting a major facelift by way of flooring, shot clocks and scoreboards, but also bringing a renewed energy to the community. “We’re investing in them [Danville] because they’re investing in us,” Tyrone says. “It’s going to be a good marriage. Plus, we’re excited to hopefully bring some extra traffic to the town’s restaurants and small businesses.” Bringing a pro team to Hendricks County as opposed to Indianapolis enables the community to really embrace the team as their own. “The Indiana Lyons belongs to this county,” Tyrone says. “We want families, youth and parents to be a big part of this league.” They’ll create that synergy by recruiting people to help with team equipment, jersey pick-up, locker room and concession stand. They’ll also ask boys and girls to help participate in ball boy duties. The Browns feel that getting kids in the mix teaches responsibility, obedience and respect. “Children can’t help out if they’re not being obedient to their parents and if they’re not doing well in school,” Tyrone says. “We put the onus back on the children. They can tell their folks, ‘I’ve got my homework done and my Lyons shirt is on. Let’s go to the gym!’” Down the line, the Browns plan to reach out to local high schools to connect with cheerleaders, pep bands, marching bands and color guards, as well as charitable nonprofit organizations like the armed services and first responders. The Browns insist that while basketball and entertainment are great, that’s not the point behind their team. “If our record is 19 and 0, but our community service is below standard, then we’ve missed the mark,” says Tyrone, noting that they will be implementing antibullying and literacy campaigns.
“Our players will be out in the schools reading to the students,” Tyrone says. As for the anti-bullying campaign, the Browns hope that by bringing these young men together, young spectators will see that there’s something bigger than themselves that is available to them. “They can reach out to others and step to that next level,” Deborah says. “That’s why we call this a second chance opportunity. This is how they’re going to move the needle in terms of community.” The season, which runs from November 3 to March 23, includes 23 games, both at AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018
home and away. They’ll compete against teams in the North Central Region, including the South Bend Monarch, Kentucky Enforcers, Illinois Bulldogs and St. Louis Spirit. The 2018-2019 season kicks off on November 3 against the Chicago Steam. “My vision is to see this gymnasium filled to the rafters,” Tyrone says. For information about community programs, sponsorship, special nights, alumni games, internships and game-day opportunities, contact Tyrone Brown at tyronebrown@indianalyons.com. To learn more about the Indiana Lyons, visit indianalyons.com.
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BILL KIRCHOFF, PLAINFIELD TOWN COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT Writer / Jamie Hergott
What’s your work history? I have been retired for 15 years. I spent 33 years at PSI Energy, which became Cinergy, which became Duke. I headed up the customer service department. I took care of all the customer programs, complaints, meter readings, energy thefts, bill collections — basically, all the
customer interactions. I have used that customer interface and focus being on the council.
Geist. She has three boys. My youngest son lives in Plainfield and has three kids. We have six grandsons in a row. Then we have three granddaughters in a row.
Tell us about your family.
What do you like about being a grandfather?
I have three kids. My oldest son a CPA living in Michigan. He’s a partner with his company. He has three kids. My daughter is an occupational therapist and lives near
I just love watching them become their own people. They’re all different. To see them grow and become their own people really
PlainfieldMag.com / NOVEMBER 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 41
Even though we have more than 30,000 citizens, we still have a small-town feel. The community works together. out, so I won by four votes. I am living proof that every vote counts. I’ve had competition each time but had no close calls since then.
tugs at my heart. As a grandparent, you just want to help them find their niche in life. Do you have any marriage advice? We have been married for 55 years. My advice is to have a short memory. I also think each of you needs to have a life in common, but you also need to have things you do on your own. Six years ago, we built a new place, and we gave my wife 450 square feet of loft space. She quilts, so all her stuff is up there. That’s her space. We each have our own things we enjoy doing.
I’ve been on the Plainfield Council for 19 years, 15 years as Vice-President. My liaison is roads and streets. I decided to run on my own. When I did, I ran against an incumbent born and raised in Plainfield. We tied. I had been told there were problems with absentee ballots, so I chose to ask for a recount. They threw five of her ballots out and one of mine
I try to stay active so I play golf and pickleball. I work out a few times a week. I try to be involved and give back. After I retired, I was very active with Habitat for Humanity. I go twice a year to Appalachia to do mission work. I am Past President of the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home. I was President of the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chathum, IL. I do Kairos Prison Ministry at the Plainfield Correctional Facility. I’ve done four trips for Katrina relief. I have nine grandkids so I try and support them in all they do. I’m busy, but I’d rather wear out than rust out.
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever What do you like most about being on been on? the council? The best trip we took was when we celebrated Really, it’s an opportunity to serve for me. our 50th wedding anniversary. All our kids and all grandkids went to a huge beach house on Service, hospitality and administration Myrtle Beach. All 17 of us walked out the back are all strengths of mine, and they all door and onto the beach. I got to play golf with fit into this. I hate politics, and I’m not my sons and grandkids. That was to celebrate a politician. I don’t enjoy campaigns or 50 years. My wife is an angel for putting up raising money. But I truly enjoy serving. with me for all those years. What do you like most about the Plainfield community?
How long have you been on the council and what is your role?
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Even though we have more than 30,000 citizens, we still have a small-town feel. The community works together. We have a great relationship with the school corporation. We have good churches and good service clubs. We have a lot of good youth programs, trail systems, parks and recreation and more. It is just a good place to raise your kids.
What do you want people to know about what’s coming up for Plainfield? The downtown redevelopment is the biggest thing. We just bought around 1,500 to 1,800 acres of land south of I70, and we are working with the Fish and Wildlife Department to turn that into a nature preserve. We have big dreams for this. We plan for it to be as big as McCormick’s Creek. We’d like an educational center, an inn and all kinds of things there. Sodalis Park is part of that area now. It’s all only in the conceptual stage now, but it’s going to be wonderful.
42 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com
Plainfield Friends Meeting A Church For the Community Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
Bill Clendineng, pastor of Plainfield Friends Meeting since 2005, says that there’s a story that’s been passed down through the generations as to how the church originated. Sugar Grove Friends Meeting was on the south side of town.
Friends Yearly Meeting (a Quaker Church) was built in 1858. In 1913, the Yearly Meeting building was gutted by a fire caused by the coal furnace. There was a speech contest going on next door when spectators spotted smoke. Bystanders jumped into action and helped haul all the furnishings out to the front lawn, thus sparing the pews and the pulpit. When the church was rebuilt, they included a basement, and in 1950 Plainfield Friends added classroom space onto the west end of the building. In 2000, they also added a new entrance.
“To get to Sugar Grove Meeting, folks had to cross White Lick Creek, which was a pain to do,” Clendineng says. “When the water was high, you couldn’t ford the creek but rather had to cross on the toll bridge. Some of the friends got tired of paying the toll, so they Ever since its inception, Plainfield Friends started meeting in town in 1851. That’s where Meeting has been a place for people to meet Plainfield Friends began.” Jesus, find peace and share hope. It’s also been community-focused. In fact, it’s the For seven years, meetings took place upstairs Friends Church that puts on the Quaker in a store in downtown Plainfield until
Festival each year, a tradition that started in the early 1970s with a rummage sale in the church basement (called a “mouse sale”). Due to its success, they chose to expand it into a craft sale out on the lawn. “People of the church served meals. It was a good way to raise money,” Clendineng says. In the early 1980s, they added a parade, which local resident Don Robey organized. The church was in charge of the parade until 2010 when Plainfield’s Chamber of Commerce and Plainfield Kiwanis Club took it over (now it’s just the Chamber of Commerce). “They’ve done a great job of helping it grow and expand and become much more than it was,” Clendineng says. In addition, four years
PlainfieldMag.com / NOVEMBER 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 43
Friends Church 1858
ago a car show was added to the festival. “It’s unique because it’s held beneath the trees instead of out in a parking lot. It makes for a very nice car show,” says Clendineng, noting that any community member can participate. “It’s a fun opportunity to invite people to have fun out on the lawn. The Plainfield Friends Meeting also hosts the seasonal Farmer’s Market on their lawn every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. throughout the summer. “I’ve started calling our front lawn a place where people can gather because that’s what it is,” says Clendineng, noting that the church has a long history of being involved in community events. For instance, the food pantry and the support center that operates today out of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church began with the vision of several members at Plainfield Friends Meeting. “It started kind of small but 15 years ago began to really grow,” Clendineng says. “St. Mark’s provided a place for it, and we’re thankful we had a hand in it.” Friends Church started doing the National Road Yard Sale as a fundraiser to support missions work both locally and globally. For instance, Friends Church supports a school in Belize City.
After fire in 1913.
“We have an educational system in place where if a student fails the entrance exam they don’t get to go to high school,” Clendineng says. “Young people in Belize get shut out of education, which is a terrible thing for the country. The primary purpose of this school is to help these students pass the exam.” Clendineng also mentions a woman at Friends Church who decades ago was instrumental in getting Meals on Wheels underway in the area. “Now the Meals on Wheels operates out of a senior center in Danville, but it had its beginnings here because someone in this community saw a need for it,” says Clendineng, noting that this church and the Plainfield Federation of Churches has
1915 after restoration from fire in 1913. 44 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2018 / PlainfieldMag.com
Pastor Bill Clendineng
been involved in meeting the needs of the community. “Once or twice a year, a woman in our church runs a 10-week course called “Survivor Skills for Women,” which teaches basic life skills to those who are struggling,” Clendineng says. “She teaches things like managing a budget, filling out employment applications, organizing the home and improving selfesteem. Forging relationships is key to human health — physically, psychologically and emotionally. Clendineng maintains that one of the things that’s really hurting our culture these days is the fact that there’s a lack of connection with other people. “We have access to this technology that, in theory, connects us with the whole world, but it’s not the kind of connection we need,” Clendineng says. “We need a back-andforth with other people to get support and encouragement. Sociologists are telling us that humans are growing increasingly lonely these days, and technology is a big part of the problem.” As a church, Plainfield Friends Meeting works to provide opportunities to gather folks together to build those meaningful, soul-stirring connections. “We’re looking for ways to get outside of ourselves so we can meet those needs because when we don’t, pain and hurt ensue,” Clendineng says. “That’s why we’re seeing increasing numbers of suicides. Churches need to do their part to address those needs, but it’s a challenge.” If you’re wondering if you need to be a Quaker in order to attend Plainfield Friends Meeting, the answer is no. Everyone is welcome. “We are a Christian church, though it operates in the Quaker tradition so our worship reflects Friends values and practices,” Clendineng says. The church, which on a typical Sunday draws about 40-50 attendees, has a beautiful meeting room where people gather for worship and fellowship. “It’s a place of peace, which is one of our values,” PlainfieldMag.com / NOVEMBER 2018 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 45
Clendineng says. Other values include simplicity and integrity. “We don’t do anything fancy. We keep worship simple and direct,” Clendineng adds. As for integrity, which involves being open, honest and direct with people, Clendineng shares the story of Quaker Oats. “It actually has nothing to do with Quakers,” Clendineng says. “An expert marketer with the Quaker Oats company was looking for a way to communicate honesty and integrity so he called them Quaker Oats so that consumers would know they’re getting an honest pound in their Quaker Oats. Food aside, Plainfield Friend Meeting has been a community staple for decades, and we are so grateful.’ Plainfield Friends is located at East Street at Highway 40 in the Town Center of Plainfield. For more information, call 317839-6490 or visit plainfieldfriends.com.
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Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
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Not only do they offer their sellers the comfort of a guarantee — they’ll sell the home or buy it themselves — but they also embrace a unique team concept that collectively advertises all of their listings to allow for the most exposure in the market. This hybrid concept gives clients 55 fulltime agents who work to sell their home versus one single independent agent.
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