Westfield Magazine January 2023

The Winter Market will take place every Saturday Morning from 9:00 am - Noon. The Winter Market will start on Saturday, January 7, and conclude on Saturday, April 1. Be on the lookout for more information and a list of vendors as we get closer to opening day! West Fork Whiskey has graciously o ered to host the Winter Market in their new event space. With easy parking and space for dozens of vendors, we are excited to partner with them this year.

WESTFIELD CONCRETE COATING

Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Daren Short

Westfield Concrete Coating elevates runof-the-mill surfaces into a look that exceeds the ordinary. Besides making spaces more aesthetically pleasing, the treated areas are safer and more protected from the elements. The five-year-old company is owned by local residents Ryan and Jeannie Warzynski.

They were born and raised in Westfield, Wisconsin. So what could be more appropriate than landing in Westfield, Indiana?

“We joke that we are from Westfield and now raise our family in Westfield, only they happen to be in two different states,” Ryan Warzynski says. “When we were first married, we were stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia, from 2000 to 2004. During that time I served in the Baltic region. After I got out of the Army we moved back to Wisconsin and then working for KAR Auction Services took us to Michigan, Texas, and then we were finally transferred to the Carmel corporate office. We were traveling every week and really wanted to spend more time with our family, so we decided to take a leap and venture out on our own.”

There are two company divisions within Westfield Concrete Coating. The sealant division seals driveways, patios, sidewalks and pool decks. The coating division addresses garages, basements, patios, pool decking and commercial spaces. Products are available in a multitude of colors.

“Our product dries harder than concrete and increases traction, lessening the chance of slippage on spaces because of the better grip it gives,” Warzynski says. “It

penetrates the surface and protects as well as strengthens it all with a lifetime warranty. There are less-expensive products out there, but we use what will last. When people shop around, they tell us that our price is amazing and we’re able to achieve that by keeping our overhead low.”

Along with Westfield Concrete Coating, the couple owns two other companiesTAG Detailing and The Westfield Sprinkler Company. All three companies are under one roof at 1010 Kendall Court in Westfield allowing them to keep prices for all three businesses competitive in the market.

When asked to describe a project that he is especially proud of, Warzynski says he’s proud of all of them. “After every job and project, we put it out on social media,” he says. “People can also go to the video section of our website to see them all and see how we might be able to transform their space.”

Warzynski says some jobs are more involved than others, but the company is always up for a challenge. He adds that each job is unique. Examples of projects can also be found on Westfield Concrete Coating’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Ryan and Jeannie have a heart for the local community. They donate to several charities and organizations each year such as Heart and Soul Free Clinic and Westfield High School Dance Marathon. The company also offers discounts to veterans, police officers, firefighters, teachers, and paramedics.

“We fell in love with Westfield and couldn’t be more proud to have opened our local family of companies here,” Warzynski says. “It is important for us to support the local community. Our business relies on word of

1010 Kendall Court Westfield, IN 317-318-0300 westfieldconcrete.com

mouth and good reviews so we truly focus on making every interaction with every business a great one and ensure that we give back to those customers who support us here locally all year long.”

For more information and to see finished projects, visit westfieldconcrete.com, as well as Facebook and Instagram.

THE SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY TOUR CHECKLIST

It’s a new year, meaning it’s time to consider making some changes. For seniors, finding a new home can be one of the most positively life-changing steps they take.

As people grow older, medical concerns crop up and feelings of isolation emerge. A senior living community can be beneficial in many ways, offering not only the comfort of medical assistance around each corner but the warm, friendly vibe of a neighborhood that offers support without ridding residents of their independence.

With so many senior living options out there, taking the first step can be overwhelming. That’s why CarDon & Associates uses the Roobrik online assessment (cardon.us/roobrik) tool to help you find the right fit for your loved one. In just a few minutes, it will give you an idea of the level of care they need and where you should start looking for their new place.

Once you’re ready to start touring communities, here’s a handy checklist of important things to consider during your visits:

Ask

Is it close to your loved one’s primary care doctor and/or hospital?

What types of care does the community provide?

Rehabilitation Long Term Care

Can the resident move to another area if the need arises?

to accommodate a special diet, if needed?

More

questions? Check out the CarDon Senior Resource Hub, where you will find indepth video roundtable discussions featuring industry experts speaking on a variety of topics, including senior living options, financial aid, memory care and more. Scan here to visit the Resource Hub.

Find out about security deposits and refund policies. Is financial aid a possibility through such means as Medicaid, long term care insurance or Veterans Affairs?

THE A B C’S… AND D OF MEDICARE

Written by Julie Corcoran

Ask a senior what’s important to them, and somewhere at the top of their list is having reliable and affordable health coverage. They may be facing worsening health issues, visits to specialists and increased medications. This can add up to considerable expenses, and usually at a time when they are on a fixed income or wondering if their retirement savings will last. Most seniors understand that turning 65 equates to eligibility for Medicare, and as their 65th birthday approaches, they experience a constant barrage of Medicare mail, commercials and phone calls that leave them with a sense of urgency, but also with a great deal of confusion on how to make sense of it all.

At its core, Medicare was designed to help seniors access medical care while also helping to control their costs. It covers individuals aged 65 and over, individuals under 65 with certain disabilities, and individuals of all ages with end-stage renal disease. If you are confused about how Medicare works, you are not alone. Figuring out when to enroll in Medicare and which parts to enroll in can be intimidating for even the savviest retirees - but there is help.

First you need to understand the ABCs - and Ds - of Medicare. Think of these as building blocks of Medicare. At the foundation is original Medicare, which consists of Parts A and B.

PART A

HELPS PAY FOR HOSPITAL STAYS AND INPATIENT CARE.

PART B

HELPS PAY FOR DOCTOR VISITS AND OUTPATIENT CARE.

SUPPLEMENT (MEDIGAP): Helps fill in the costs not covered by Parts A and B.

Neither Part A or Part B cover prescription drugs. That’s where Part D comes in.

PART D HELPS COVER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Another option is Part C, commonly known as Medicare Advantage Plans. These plans are offered by private insurers and cover all the services of Medicare Parts A and B, but many also include prescription drugs and some limited dental, vision and hearing services.

PART C

HELPS COVER SERVICES OF MEDICARE PARTS A AND B (YOU MUST STILL BE ENROLLED IN PART A AND PAY FOR PART B). FOR MANY, A PART C OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN RESEMBLES GROUP COVERAGE SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED DURING THEIR WORKING YEARS.

It’s certainly not an easy program to understand, but even in its complexity, Medicare successfully serves the needs of more than 60 million people, and that number is growing. The trick is understanding how to customize the program so that it fits your needs. At the heart of the Medicare challenge is understanding that Medicare is tailored to an individual. What may be the right coverage for your friend or family member may not be the right coverage for you. To help you make that determination, there are a few things to keep in mind.

ASSESS YOUR MEDICAL NEEDS. Think about your medical needs, the number of doctors you see and the medications you take. Are you relatively healthy, or do you have a chronic illness that has you visiting several specialists each year and undergoing multiple tests and procedures on a regular basis? Do you spend several weeks or months in another state? Your answers can help evaluate which Medicare options will service your needs.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE CALENDAR.

Timing of Medicare enrollment is crucial. The enrollment window generally opens three months before the month of your 65th birthday and closes seven months later. There are exceptions to enrolling when you are 65, especially if you plan to keep working and have credible group coverage, but if you don’t understand this exception, missing the enrollment window can be costly. There is also an Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7, when Medicare recipients can make changes to their Medicare coverage that are effective for the coming January. In addition, you may switch Medicare coverage at any time due to special circumstances (such as moving to a different service area, receiving Medicaid assistance or loss of retiree health coverage).

UNDERSTAND THE COSTS. Medicare is not free, and recipients should expect to pay a monthly premium, deductibles and copays depending on the parts of Medicare selected. As mentioned above, even though Part A is free to most, the cost for Part B premiums is tied to taxable income. The higher your modified adjusted gross income, the higher your Part B premium. The same goes for your Part D premium.

BE WARY OF UNSOLICITED PHONE CALLS.

Unsolicited calls may result in your enrollment into a Medicare plan that you did not intend. Be careful when talking with a caller. If you did not ask them to contact you, you should end the call. Just as you would not give out your Social Security number, do not give out your Medicare number.

WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED MEDICARE

AGENT. Working with a trusted and knowledgeable agent can save you time and money. A good agent listens to what is important to you, educates you on your options, and helps you select a plan that fits your needs. They can also help customize your options as your medical needs and financial resources change in the years ahead.

One such local agency is Easy Street Insurance. Specializing in Medicare for more than 25 years, their agents help you customize a Medicare plan that suits your needs. Meeting with their agents comes at no cost or pressure to you. In the process, you will gain an advocate that can partner with you in the years ahead, and help you navigate the ever-changing Medicare system.

For more on Easy Street Insurance, cal 317-882-9602 or visit easystreetins.com.

FOUR NEW JOINTS, ONE NEW PERSPECTIVE

Norman Mindrebo, MD

I’ve always been an active individual –always trying to set a good example for my patients. I’ve lifted weights for years, and I enjoy horseback riding and cycling with my wife, Peggy.

But in 2020, I started to slow down and noticed I couldn’t walk more than a quarter of a mile on our daily walks.

Through the years, I’ve often heard my orthopedic patients call what they are experiencing “discomfort” rather than “pain.” We learn to live with it, and even ignore it. And that was what happened in my situation.

One day my daughter watched as I walked our property and put items away in our barn. I couldn’t even carry a piece of lawn furniture without holding onto something.

She looked at me and said, “Dad, when did you get old?”

I knew I had to do something. The following Monday, I scheduled an X-ray to see what was going on with my joints.

The X-ray showed I had bone-on-bone arthritis in my knees and hips. How could I have let this go on for so long? As an orthopedic surgeon, shouldn’t I have known better?

It’s amazing how even doctors can overlook our health deterioration while simultaneously treating others for the same problems.

Soon I was scheduled for a double hip replacement. A few months later, I underwent total knee replacement surgery on both of my knees.

After my surgeries, I wanted to push myself to be the best I could be. If the doctors,

nurses and therapists were going to invest in me, it was my job to set a good example for myself and my own patients.

I worked hard in therapy and recovered quickly. And it was worth it—the difference between my life before and after my replacements is like night and day.

Before my surgery, I didn’t fully appreciate what it meant to walk down a hill or stairs pain-free. Riding in a car for more than a couple hours left me in intense pain, and getting on a horse was a huge challenge.

Now I can walk down the stairs like everyone else. I can ride in the car for hours without any discomfort. And to make things even better, I feel like John Wayne getting on a horse again!

I’m so grateful for this experience and how it has changed me as a surgeon. It has instilled a deeper level of empathy for my patients and what they are going through. It has also made me appreciate how, even though our joints may be hurting, exercise is so important to help slow the damage and aid in the healing process.

If you’re on the fence about getting a joint replacement and you’re in pain, the best advice I have is to do it. It may seem scary, but it will change your life infinitely for the better.

For more information, visit riverview.org.

Writer / Norman Mindrebo, MD, orthopedic surgeon, Riverview Health Physicians Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

TOURISM SPOTLIGHT

THE GREAT DINE OUT

Back by popular demand, Hamilton County Tourism, in partnership with locally-owned restaurants, will launch The Great Dine Out restaurant promotion Jan. 2 – 31, 2023. Take a break from meal prep and treat yourself, while supporting local restaurants during the tough winter season when business is typically slower.

Starting Jan. 2, more than 50 participating Hamilton County restaurants are offering deals and discounts for both dine-in and carryout meals. Specials range from complimentary dessert to free appetizer to $5 off your meal.

This is a mobile-exclusive program. Customers must have a smartphone in order to redeem the offers at participating restaurants. Visit DineOutHamiltonCounty.com and enter your name and email address and a link to the mobile passport will be texted to you. Save it to your smartphone home screen or bookmark the link for easy access. When visiting a participating business, simply present your phone to a staff member to redeem the available discount.

After five check-ins, participants will be automatically eligible to receive a $25 gift card to a local restaurant, while supplies last.

Customers are also encouraged to take a photo of their meal or takeout place setting and share it on social media, tagging @VisitHamiltonCo or using #VisitHC.

For more information, visit DineOutHamiltonCounty.com.

Medicare Insurance 1. You Contact one of our licensed agents at: 317.343.3215 or scan here.

You are uncertain what plans will suit your health and prescription needs.

or your spouse are nearing 65. OR you or your spouse are over 65 and will soon be retiring. You are concerned with timing for enrollment to avoid a penalty or gap in coverage.

are concerned about the price of your prescription drugs.

HEALTH SPOTLIGHT

Did you know that over 14,000 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year? Cervical cancer is a gynecologic cancer of the female reproductive tract, specifically the cervix. Here are some tips on how to prevent it and information on screenings.

WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Typically, cervical cancer occurs most often in women over age 30. Long lasting infections of human papillomavirus (HPV) will cause cervical cancer. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few of them will get cervical cancer.

CERVICAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER?

The first thing you can do to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to get the HPV vaccine. You can get the vaccine starting as early as age nine, but it is recommended for preteens ages 11 and 12. The HPV vaccine is also recommended for adults through age 26 if they are not vaccinated. It is also not recommended for everyone older than 26. Some other tips to prevent getting cervical cancer is to use a condom during sex so you do not contract HPV and limit your number of sexual partners.

WHO SHOULD BE SCREENED FOR CERVICAL CANCER?

There are two different types of screening for cervical cancer. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes

on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes. Both of these tests can be done in a doctor’s office or a clinic. You should begin getting tested for cervical cancer at age 21. If your pap test is normal your doctor will tell you to come back in three years. You can continue testing that often until you are 29, but from ages 30 to 65, you can do a Pap test only, an HPV test only, or you can do both Pap and HPV tests. If you do only a Pap test, you can wait another three years until your next screening. If you do an HPV test, you can wait another five years until your next screening. If you do both Pap and HPV, you can wait another 5 years until your next screening. Getting test results can take as long as three weeks.

If you have any questions or if you or a loved one might have cervical cancer, please talk to a doctor immediately. Learn more at iuhealth.org/cancer.

Writer / Jayde Wall, gynecologic oncology nurse practitioner at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel

Jayde Wall

FACTS ABOUT THE BABY BOOM GENERATION (BORN

1946-1964)

the Davy Crockett show drove sales through the roof.

beginnings as a game of tic-tac-toe to be played with your feet.

1

Dairy Queen was one of the first food chains to start franchising in 1955 and had everyone screaming for ice cream with their Dilly Bars and Mr. Misty. 2

Eating in front of the TV got a lot better when TV dinners were introduced. There were only originally four main courses sold by Swanson: meatloaf, fried chicken, turkey and Salisbury steak. 3

Impressionable Boomers started ‘smoking’ bubble gum cigarettes that would puff out powdered sugar as smoke. 4

One of the most popular side dishes in the 60s was Rice-a-Roni, known as “The San Francisco Treat.” Its commercials all started with the distinct cable car bell ringing. 5

Hopalong Cassidy, a TV Western hero, was the first image ever put onto a lunch box. It was a runaway hit, selling more than 600,000 at $2.39 each in its first year.

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

7

Think it was just the famous Beatles on the front of the Abbey Road cover? Astute Boomers also noticed that a VW Beetle was in the photo on this record that featured the lead single “Something/”Come Together”. 8

“Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake Shake, Shake Shake Your Booty” holds the record for being the only number-one song title with a word repeated more than three times in it. 9

Ricky Nelson was second only to Elvis as the most popular rock ‘n’ roll artist from 1957 to 1962. 10

Elizabeth may have been 25 when she became a queen in 1953, but Freddie Mercury was a young 24 when he started fronting the British rock group Queen in 1970. 11

“Sweet Georgia Brown” was whistled as the theme song at the Harlem Globetrotters games. 12

The game Twister, which once got Johnny Carson and Eva Gabor in tangles on The Tonight Show, got its

13

The reason yo-yos became so iconic? The launch of the Butterfly yoyo by Duncan in the ‘50s made it easier for Boomers to do tricks and stunts with their yo-yos, which helped fuel the craze.

14

“Barbie was the ultimate doll— but Baby Boomers experienced everything from Betsy Wetsy who had problems “holding it” to Growing Up Skipper who got taller if you turned the knob.

15

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

16

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

17

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

The first show to ever be broadcast in color on ABC-TV was The Jetsons, which debuted in 1962 and had

18

Provided by Parade.com

Boomers dreaming of walking their dog on a treadmill in space just like George walked Astro.

19

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

when she was 21 and Elizabeth Taylor marrying Nicky Hilton when she was only 18 years old. 23

Every day, baby boomers recited the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of their school day. 24 During Vietnam over five million Americans wore bracelets with a

POW’s name, rank and loss date in support of our troops.

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

20

Definitely not suitable for today’s roads but in 1969’s Easy Rider, Peter Fonda sported a “Captain America” red, white, and blue helmet, while Jack Nicholson donned a gold American football helmet. Another baby boomer fact: This cult classic was one of the first to use pre-recorded music for a soundtrack. 21

Alfred Hitchcock Presents is well known for its opening credits with a camera fade in on a linedrawing caricature of Hitchcock’s profile, the theme music of “Funeral March of a Marionette” and Hitchcock’s walk to the center of the screen and his trademark “Good evening.” 22 Young love bloomed with the movie star set in the 50s and 60s, with Mia Farrow marrying Frank Sinatra

DINE OUT!

The Great Dine Out in Hamilton County January 2–31, 2023

It’s great to dine out—enjoy the company of others, participate in local culture, and support local restaurants all while earning special deals on food. Simply check in at participating Hamilton County restaurants with the Great Dine Out digital passport. If you check in five times, you’ll get a $25 local restaurant gift card—while supplies last.

DELICIOUS NEW DIGS

RAIL RESTAURANT RETURNS IN NEW LOCATION

Writer / Alli Donovan Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Westfield restaurant Rail is back and better than ever. After closing its doors due to COVID-19 restrictions, the breakfast and lunch spot reopened in October of 2022. Owners Melanie and Toby Miles couldn’t be more excited to revive the restaurant in the Westfield community.

Both have more than a decade of experience in the restaurant industry, and between the two, they have performed about every function in the industry. They saw an opportunity when opening Rail at its first location in 2014.

“When we opened Rail, we wanted to have a place that served local food - locally grown food,” Melanie Miles says.

The couple incorporated farm-to-table foods for a breakfast and lunch restaurant on Park Street. This restaurant was in the bottom floor of an old barn. They quickly discovered that they would need to expand into the top floor and serve lunch and dinner due to the demand of their customers. The couple even opened an ice cream shop, Cone + Crumb, next door to the barn in 2019.

However, 2020 hit the restaurant hard. Miles knew she and Toby would ultimately

have to close one of their businesses, and the choice was Rail.

Through 2021, they reassessed their businesses and goals. The two realigned what they wanted to achieve through their businesses. Ultimately, the decision was to reopen Rail.

“Especially after the pandemic, take-andbake and grab-and-go became much more popular,” Miles says. “We knew we wanted to bring back Rail.”

The search for a new space began. The couple found their new location and felt it was a perfect match. The new location off

of State Road 32 has allowed them to expand within the restaurant itself and provide more accessibility, being located just off one of the main roads in Westfield.

With a fresh start comes many changes, new dreams and new goals for the owners. They are excited to have a dedicated and experienced team serving new and existing customers. The reach and accessibility of the new location is a huge opportunity for the restaurant to gain more customers. Another big goal for the owners is to allow more local products in the store. With almost double the square footage in the new location, Miles is excited to partner with more local food makers and growers, to sell their products in Rail.

Another large change involves focusing on counter service and bartending, rather than exclusively being a fullservice restaurant. This meets what many customers need post-pandemic, and allows the Rail owners to achieve their goals while providing a market and place to go for breakfast, lunch, drinks or snacks.

Existing customers will see many of the same faces at the new location. “We were lucky to have almost our entire staff follow us to this new location,” Miles says. “We love being able to have people working for us who can connect with our customers.”

One feature has remained the same at Rail, and that is the delicious selection of food. With a variety of options on the menu, the list spans from biscuits and gravy to a crab-roll sandwich to whipped feta.

The menu includes breakfast foods, pastries, bakery items, salads, sandwiches, soups, a chef’s menu, and an array of beers, wines and cocktails.

Rail’s fan favorite is the pork chop, listed on the menu as The Chop. The coldsmoked pork chop is grilled perfectly, resulting in a taste similar to a delicious ham. They are smaller than they were at

Owners Melanie and Toby Miles

Owners Melanie and Toby Miles

the previous location, as they are now intended as shareables, Miles says.

Order The Chop and other top-rated menu items, such as the chocolate cake and the chicken salad, to make it a perfect trip at Rail.

The owners dedicate much of their success not only to each other and their staff, but also to the entire Westfield community.

“I feel like the people of Westfield are just really good about supporting local,” Miles says. “They are just so loyal and really want to make sure we are doing well. I have never seen this amount of support anywhere else.”

Rail’s new location is at 3400 Nancy Street, Suite C in Westfield. Follow their Facebook and Instagram pages for more information and mouth-watering pictures of menu options.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

CAREY RIDGE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FEATURED ON “NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT: KIDS EDITION”

Two students at Carey Ridge Elementary, Mya and Malachi Edwards, were recently recognized for their noble and selfless efforts to help other people.

The Carey Ridge Elementary fourth grader students helped promote a fun dance marathon hosted by Westfield High School. The dance was held to raise money for a Fort Myers, Florida school hit by Hurricane Ian.

Their impressive efforts to help the school damaged by hurricane Ian led them to be recently featured on “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids Edition.” It was a positive experience they will never forget.

Mya and Malachi’s mother, Destyni Edwards, says it was all part of elementary’s Carey Ridge Cares program that helps people. She says there are wonderful people in the program who are dedicated to helping others.

Mya says it has been a fun way to help others who need a lot of assistance.

“The Carey Ridge Elementary student council decided to start Carey Ridge Cares because we’re very fortunate,” Mya says. “Some people aren’t, so we wanted to help by donating to charities. Carey Ridge Cares is a program that raises money for charities every month.”

Malachi and Mya are the founding members of Carey Ridge Cares and work tirelessly to make the program a success. They also encourage other people to get involved and help, which led to them being featured in a story on “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids Edition.”

“We were pretty excited about it because we didn’t think the school would respond to us, but then our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) members mentioned what we were doing in their meeting,” Mya says. “They got us connected with a family that knew someone who lived in Fort Myers. After that, everything started to happen.”

Mya and Malachi were excited about the dance marathon and had a great time with their school friends at the fun event in late November.

“The dance marathon also gave us the chance to have a mini-dance marathon for our school that everybody from kindergarten through fourth grade can participate in,” Malachi says. “We danced, played games, ate snacks and colored. The high schoolers hosted, but we helped promote it.”

Destyni Edwards says Mya and Malachi are also involved in other fun school activities that keep them busy.

“Some of the school activities they are involved in include the Spelling Bowl,” Destyni says. “Malachi is involved in the

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

SPONSORED BY:

S.T.E.M. Leadership Club, and Mya is involved in choir.”

Mya notes that she has been inspired by the dedicated efforts of leaders at her school.

“Malachi and I would like to say that the Carey Ridge Elementary student council really cares,” Mya says.

Their mother says Mya and Malachi are already working on other future projects to help other people.

“One of the upcoming projects will be a Spirit Day for a student that passed away,” Destyni says.

BOX IT UP

A love of gift giving and celebration of life’s milestone events brought sisters Erynn and Elyse Petruzzi, and their best friend Allison Pirtle, together to create a unique, custom-curated gift-box business called Something Splendid. The three women say they were on a mission to make it easy to spread cheer.

“We were all spending time together one night discussing how much we love gift giving and celebrating each other,” Erynn says. “We thought it would be so cool if we could create a company based on the things we love, so we decided to curate unique gift boxes.”

The co-owners carefully select products from companies they believe in. The includes well-known national brands, Indianafavorite retailers and handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces. Shoppers can choose pre-made boxes or create their own.

“We pride ourselves in finding companies with certain values,” Elyse says. “We love to support women-owned businesses, small-

business retailers, minority-owned and unique companies you can’t find on large retail sites like Amazon. We want to partner with organizations that have some value attached to them.”

Giving back is also a mission of the group. The trio designed a program called Gift and Give Back. Each month they choose an organization close to their hearts, and a portion of their sales goes to that organization. They say Gift and Give Back is inspired by all of our loved ones fighting a battle, as well as the needs of our community.

“Breast cancer is something our family is personally affected by, so we have partnered with local cancer organizations,” Erynn says. “We try to align with celebratory months like Pride Month. We also try to stay local with these partnerships.”

In 2019 the business began as an e-commerce site, with the friends working out of Elyse’s spare bedroom. They experienced so much quick success that they recently opened their first retail space in Westfield. Customers can peruse the store and not only buy the concierge-style gift boxes, but also single items.

Writer / Renee Larr Photographer / Ash Wittmer

“It’s humbling to think back to having crinkle paper all over my spare bedroom to now having a retail space and a warehouse,” Elyse says. “This started as a side gig for all of us, and now we all work full time for Something Splendid. We always dreamed of this day but honestly cannot believe we’re here.”

Pirtle says the three worked incredibly hard to support other businesses during the darker days of the COVID-19 shutdowns. They say they take an all-hands-on-deck approach regarding working in the store, fulfilling online orders, creating content and marketing the brand.

“The reason we opened the store is that we have loved getting to know our customers and their wants or needs,” Erynn says. “We’ve loved getting to know people nationwide via email and phone calls on our site. Now we’re excited and looking forward to building a community here, meeting people face to face and helping curate custom gifts.”

Something Splendid is located at 217 Mill Street in Westfield. For more information, visit somethingsplendidco.com.