Tipton Magazine February 2022

MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2022

Heather’s Floral Expressions Offers Petals With a Purpose INCORPORATING THE RIGHT FLORALS TO ENHANCE YOUR WEDDING DAY

MOUTH WATERING LOCAL LEADERS COLLABORATE FOR INAUGURAL HOOSIER CHOCOLATE FEST HOME HUNTING REALTOR LISA STOKES-BEAR GIVES ADVICE ON HOME BUYING IN A TOUGH MARKET

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MOUTH WATERING

LOCAL LEADERS COLLABORATE FOR INAUGURAL HOOSIER CHOCOLATE FEST director, and then Kegan [Schmicker], who is the executive director of the Tipton County Steve Latour, executive director of the Chamber, and told them I have this idea that Westfield Chamber of Commerce, says the would be fun to do,” he says. “I know that our upcoming inaugural Hoosier Chocolate Fest bakeries and people who do chocolate don’t is the result of a simple idea, yet one that has really have anything special for them here not previously been put into practice locally. that isn’t wrapped into the craft fair, bazaar and farmers market events, so I knew that this “I have been to a couple different chocolate could be unique and special just for them. I festivals in my day,” Latour says. “I had gone asked the other chamber leaders if they wanted to one down in French Lick and thought it to do something together that we could was really cool how they did it down there. promote and work on. We all got together and I did some research up here, and no one met, and hammered out the details.” does anything like that here in this region.

I looked around and made sure no one else The team reserved space at the Bridgewater was doing it.”

Club and decided on February 12 for the inaugural event.

Last fall Latour took the next step and began reaching out to other local leaders to see “The concept is that there will be a VIP if a collaborative effort toward a chocolate night on the Friday night before, and then festival concept would be feasible.

Saturday the 12th we’ll have the actual fest that’s open to the public,” Latour explains, “I recruited Allyson [Gutwein], my friend at adding that the event will feature live music. the Zionsville Chamber who is the executive Writer / Jon Shoulders

“We’ll have an afternoon session and an evening session. You’ll buy your ticket to come in, and the idea is that there will be tables in the middle of the room so you can eat all the chocolate you want. There will be different things to try, and you’ll get some chocolate to go.”

Latour says each of the chamber leaders will invite top-tier members for Friday’s VIP event.

“We might invite some other key partners and sponsors of the program to come for Friday as well,” Latour adds. “Since it takes a little bit of time to get a lot of this set up, we thought we could get set up for a special night on Friday, and then that way we’re ready to go for Saturday.”

There will be additional space in the building devoted to a mixology demonstration, as well as a chocolate-based cooking demonstration.

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“Another fun thing is that we’ll have some of the chocolate vendors around the room, so if you like something you can go get more, or get with them for future events and things you may want to do for yourself,” Latour adds.

Companies based in Zionsville, Westfield, Tipton County and beyond will appear at the event.

“We were very intentional in choosing the name Hoosier Chocolate Fest, and not Westfield Chocolate Fest or something like that, because we’re hoping over the years this will grow, and really become a regional destination event over a couple of days that people can enjoy,” Latour says.

Latour says the two main motivators behind launching the event are the opportunity to promote local businesses, and also to provide the participating chamber organizations with a chance to work together on what they hope will be an

annual event.

“We’re hoping it catches on and that we can make it bigger and bigger in the years to come,” Latour says. “It’s really a chance to highlight some outstanding chocolate companies and bakeries here in this region that a lot of people don’t know about.”

Interest from vendors has been high since the event team began reaching out to local chocolate makers, according to Latour.

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“We’ve heard people say, ‘Whoa, this is great. I’m in,’” he says. “That feels good.

People are pretty excited about it, and we’ve mentioned it to our different boards and they’re excited. With the date that it’s on, we think it will be a fun Valentine’s Day outing for people to go on besides just dinner and a movie. It’s all coming together and it should be fun.”

Additional details including registration and ticket info can be found at hoosierchocolatefest.com.

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Heather’s Floral Expressions Offers Petals With a Purpose INCORPORATING THE RIGHT FLORALS TO ENHANCE YOUR WEDDING DAY Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

4 / TIPTON MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

eather Webster has reinvented herself several times, having worked as a nurse and an overseas missionary before opening Heather’s Floral Expressions seven years ago. She decided to do so after several local girls started asking for her help coordinating their weddings.

H

Webster goes to the venue with the bride to talk through various ideas and flower options. Brides often go into a flower shop and place an order based on a photo they saw in a magazine or on Pinterest. Webster feels those brides are shortchanging themselves as there are so many available options.

“I like to find meaning in everything I do, and helping these brides brings me great joy,” says Webster.

“I like to think outside the box by using things like three-dimensional designs and hanging installations,” Webster says.

“A good floral designer shows you things that complement a certain flower, style or design.”

Though she helps brides with their flowers, she doesn’t consider herself a wedding florist, but rather a floral and event designer.

“A lot of times brides don’t know what they want,” she says. “They show me different types of flowers and ideas, and I help them narrow it down. Then I design something unique, made specifically for them so it’s not cookie cutter.”

Before a meeting, Webster asks the bride to send pictures that show her desired atmosphere, colors, vibe or flow. Once they meet and the bride is presented with limited possibilities, her choices may change. For instance, last year Webster met with a bride who said she wanted a fall wedding. She

sent Webster pictures of pumpkins and sunflowers with lots of oranges and yellows because she thought those components were necessary for a fall barn wedding.

Ultimately, Webster learned that what the bride craved was a bohemian event.

They kicked the pumpkins to the curb and created a beautiful, romantic boho affair.

Webster loves using amnesia roses, chocolate Queen Anne’s lace, brownie tulips and brown lisianthus, all of which give a muted, antique feel, and blend beautifully with many other colors like champagne, dusty rose, mauve and neutrals. Pampas grass has also been popular in boho weddings.

In addition to guiding her brides in their floral selections, Webster mentors her brides and their families.

“I was seeing a lot of these girls spending all this time preparing for a wedding day but not a marriage,” Webster says.

Having been through a divorce and now happily remarried, she felt a calling to help mentor couples in understanding what marriage really is. She offers an objective ear and encourages brides to find ways to

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include the groom’s mother in the wedding planning, because she feels it’s important to foster those relationships going forward.

made an investment in your life. This is your opportunity to bless them and thank them for that.”

“When you get married you’re blending families, so you should look for impactful ways to do that,” says Webster, who reminds her brides that contrary to popular belief, the wedding day is not all about them. “The people you invite to your wedding have

Webster feels mentorship is the heart of her business. When she meets with her brides they discuss flowers and design, but they also talk about real issues.

“I ask, ‘How are you and your fiancé doing?

How is it with the families?’” Webster says. “There are so many interpersonal relationships within the families and little conflicts going on leading up to the wedding that a lot of these girls aren’t prepared for. I help them overcome those challenges in a healthy way.”

Couples often thank her profusely for her services, letting her know that they enjoyed their wedding process so much more because of her mentorship.

“I think couples are really looking for that [guidance] and may not even know it,” she says.

Webster believes that one upside to COVID-19 is the fact that perspectives have changed. As a result, there is less focus on perfection.

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“Brides and grooms have become more flexible and adaptable, and that’s a great thing because sometimes you may end up with something you love even more,” says Webster, who is open and honest with her brides, letting them know that they are the ones who set the tone for the wedding. “If the bride has a bad attitude, nobody is going to enjoy themselves. If, however, she is grateful and kind, she’ll have the best memories of the day and so will everyone else.”

Heather’s Floral Expressions is located at 1068 South 725 West in Goldsmith. For more information, call 765-810-5723 or visit facebook.com/ heathersfloralexpressions.

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HOME HUNTING

REALTOR LISA STOKES-BEAR GIVES ADVICE ON HOME BUYING IN A TOUGH MARKET Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Lisa Stokes-Bear, a realtor with Century 21 Scheetz for more than 22 years, says firsttime homebuyers should have all of their finances in order before pursuing a house.

“In today’s market homes are going very quickly once they are listed,” she says. “It is important to be ready when a home comes on the market that you want to see.”

Sellers will often require a pre-approval well as owner and chief executive officer letter from a lender with an offer on a house. of Main Street Mortgage in Cicero, helps first-time homebuyers with any questions “Time is of the essence,” Stokes-Bear says. they have. He has 20 years of experience “It is important to speak with a mortgage of helping clients navigate through the lender to see what type of loan you qualify mortgage process. for. This will also help your agent negotiate on your behalf when you are ready to make She also enjoys giving buying advice for your offer. Contacting a mortgage lender or first-time homebuyers and newlyweds. She your bank is the first step in buying a home.” wants to help people avoid getting in over their heads financially. For instance, new Her husband, Brian Bear, a loan officer as homeowners might be getting the house they

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“I always tell my first-time buyers to be patient. Look at several homes to get a feel for the market and what to expect.”

—Lisa Stokes-Bear want, but they need to make sure they have enough money left over for other expenses.

“This is called ‘house poor’ in real-estate terms,” she says. “The market is strong, but it is currently a sellers’ market. I always tell my first-time buyers to be patient. Look at several homes to get a feel for the market and what to expect. For example, if your pre-approval is for $200,000, I would suggest looking around the $180,000 to $190,000 price range. This gives you some wiggle room in this tough market, in case you would need to go over list price. Do not look at homes over your pre-approval. Stay within your budget.”

She adds that first-time homebuyers can avoid having a stressful and frustrating time looking for a home if they plan ahead.

this market.”

Sometimes there are advantages to building a house rather than buying an existing home. It depends on what homeowners are looking for.

“When I’m helping a buyer decide, most times this comes down to timing,” StokesBear says. “To build a home in this market, new homes are taking eight to 10 months on average to be built. If a buyer needs something quickly, they will go with an existing house.”

The benefits of buying an existing home include not having to spend time waiting for construction, and having options in developed areas of a house.

“When you buy an existing home, you get mature landscaping, and it’s usually cheaper depending on the areas,” Stokes-Bear says.

“I always tell my new buyers, again, to be patient,” she says. “I always tell them we may not always win the first bid we make. Buyers She says the pros of building a new house include being able to pick a floor plan and should always ask their agent questions having more control of any upgrades. about the process. Your agent can help you navigate this market. Keep an open mind in

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“You also have less ongoing maintenance and more energy-efficient options,” she says.

In 2020 the median sale price of a new single-family home was $336,900, compared to $300,200 for existing singlefamily homes, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

In 2019 the average cost of construction for a single-family home was $296,652 according to the NAHB. On top of that, the homeowner needs to pay for the land.

Stokes-Bear says in-laws are welcome to check out homes her buyers are interested in.

“This is a very important decision and also an exciting time,” she says. “It is very normal for family members to come along, but that will be up to the client. In some cases the buyers wants it to be private and share the news after they close. This will be up to the buyer and their family relationships.”

For more info, contact Stokes-Bear at 317-513-4086.