Westfield Magazine April 2023

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KEY CONTRIBUTORS

westfield.in.gov

@CityofWestfield

@CityofWestfield

City of Westfield

HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

18100 Cumberland Road 317-773-1872

hamiltoncounty.in.gov

WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

116 E Main Street 317-804-3030

westfield-chamber.org

@westfieldchamberindy

@westfieldchamberindy

WESTFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT

17535 Dartown Road 317-804-3300

westfield.in.gov/fire

@WestfieldFire

@WestfieldFire

WESTFIELD WASHINGTON SCHOOLS

1143 East 181st Street 317-867-8000 wws.k12.in.us

@westfieldschools

@wwseb

@westfield_washington_schools

WESTFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

17535 Dartown Road 317-804-3200

westfield.in.gov/police

@WestfieldPD

@WestfieldPolice

Westfield Police Department

WESTFIELD WELCOME

westfieldwelcome.com

@WestfieldWelcome

@WstfldWelcome

@WstfldWelcome

WESTFIELD EDUCATION FOUNDATION GIVES OUT ROCK STRONG AWARDS

FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH TEACHERS CREDIT UNION, CELEBRATE 11 DISTRICT STAFF MEMBERS

At the most recent school board meeting, the Westfield Education Foundation, in partnership with Teachers Credit Union, gave out 11 Rock Strong Awards to staff members from Westfield Washington Schools. The quarterly award recognizes one staff member per school as well as the maintenance and before & after care departments who exemplify what it means to be Rock Strong. Nominees were submitted by community members, students, and district parents.

Ashley Knott, executive director of the Westfield Education Foundation, is proud of the foundation’s continued support and appreciation of district staff.

“The foundation is honored to, once again, be able to show our appreciation to district staff for their commitment to students, their colleagues and the local community,’’ Knott said. “The award was started last year and it has taken off like wildfire! The amount of praise that our community has for our staff members makes us extremely proud to be Rocks!”

Cole Mitchell, manager of TCU’s Westfield branch, is excited to recognize staff members.

“We’re proud to have the opportunity to present the Rock Strong Award to staff and be able to recognize them for all they do in our area,” Mitchell said. “TCU believes in being part of our communities to help make them better places to live and work. It’s important for us to support organizations like WestfieldWashington Schools and the positive impact they make in our community.”

Westfield Washington Schools students and staff. Community Partnerships are essential to the work of the Foundation. To learn more about the Westfield Education Foundation, visit www.wwswef.org.

BELOW IS THE LIST OF ROCK STRONG AWARD RECIPIENTS:

• Jen Marcoline (Carey Ridge Elementary School)

• Christie Buonanno (Maple Glen Elementary School)

• Ashley McCreary (Monon Trail Elementary School)

• Kate Walther (Oak Trace Elementary School)

• Lori Tebbe (Shamrock Springs Elementary School)

• Kylie Hollar (Washington Woods Elementary School)

• Emily Ratliff (Westfield Elementary School)

• Laura Arrington (Westfield Middle School) - NOT PICTURED

• Sarah Gibbs (Westfield High School)

• Rachel Gaspard (Virginia F. Wood Early Learning Center)

• Andrew Davidson (Operations)

Business Service Officer of TCU Lindsay Wirtz, TCU Westfield Branch Manager Cole Mitchell, Maintenance Team Member Andrew Davidson

Westfield Education Foundation Secretary Joshua Andrews, Virginia F. Wood Early Learning Center Developmental Preschool Teacher Rachel Gaspard, Westfield Education Foundation Executive Director Ashley Knott

Westfield Education Foundation Secretary Joshua Andrews, Westfield High School Teacher and Director of Student Activities Sarah Gibbs, Westfield Education Foundation Executive Director Ashley Knott

Westfield Intermediate School Teacher Emily Ratliff, Business Service Officer of TCU Lindsay Wirtz, TCU Westfield Branch Manager Cole Mitchell

Washington Woods Elementary School Teacher Kylie Hollar, Business Service Officer of TCU Lindsay Wirtz, TCU Westfield Branch Manager Cole Mitchell

Westfield Education Foundation Secretary Joshua Andrews, Maple Glen Elementary School Teacher Christie Buonanno, Westfield Education Foundation Executive Director Ashley Knott

Monon Trail Elementary School Teacher Ashley McCreary, Business Service Officer of TCU Lindsay Wirtz, TCU Westfield Branch Manager Cole Mitchell

Shamrock Springs Elementary School Librarian Lori Tebbe, Business Service Officer of TCU Lindsay Wirtz, TCU Westfield Branch Manager Cole Mitchell

Westfield Education Foundation Secretary Joshua Andrews, Oak Trace Elementary School Teacher Kate Walther, Westfield Education Foundation Executive Director Ashley Knott

#1

TOP LOCAL

Nominations Now Open!

HOW TO QUALIFY

NOMINATE YOUR TOP LOCAL BUSINESSES

To be considered, your business must be nominated by someone other than the owner(s) of the business. Those with the most nominations will be considered before others, so make sure you get your most loyal local fans to nominate your business. When being considered, Towne Post Network editorial staff will review the following criteria to insure these qualifications are met:

We are looking for your favorite local businesses to feature in our Towne Post Network magazines, website, and social media. Each month, we will acknowledge Townies’ Top Local Award recipients and list them in our monthly print publications. There is no cost to be recognized, we’re just looking for the businesses that locals feel are the best!

Online Ranking 4.5 Stars or Higher

Listing on TownePost.com

Supports Local Charities

Locally Owned

THE MILL TAVERN

OWNER:

Kristin & Christopher Weiler

ADDRESS:

226 W 161st Street

Westfield IN 46074

WEBSITE:

barwestfield.com

RATING:

Google 4.6 (316 Reviews)

Facebook 4.5 (426 Reviews)

The Mill Tavern has worked hard to serve our neighbors in Westfield by responsibly providing great food and drinks in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. They employ 25 people, some of whom have worked for them for over ten years. They’re locally owned since opening in 2010. The Mill Tavern holds a fundraiser every holiday season, with all funds collected benefiting Open Doors of Washington Township. The Mill also matches funds raised. They participate in various fundraisers for teachers’ groups and local charitable organizations by donating funds or gift cards to be used in silent auctions.

TOP LOCAL

We went on a cold, winter evening. The tavern was decked out for Christmas with wrapping paper and lights. The place was full of locals who know good food. Our server was chatty and friendly I’m a very good way. We all picked di erent menu options and all were good. We will be back!

– Carolyn Willard

SCAN THE CODE TO LEARN MORE AND LEAVE THEM A REVIEW

ELLA COMMUNITY PHARMACY

Ella Community Pharmacy is a locally owned, full-service pharmacy that puts patient care first. Their team strives to provide personalized care, short wait times, cost-saving options, and convenient pickup and delivery.

TOP LOCAL

OWNER: Erik Angelotti

ADDRESS: 103 S. Union St. Westfield IN 46074

WEBSITE: ellapharmacy.com

RATING:

Google 4.7 (296 Reviews)

Facebook 5.0 (124 Reviews)

Get same-day delivery of prescription and overthe-counter items to your Hamilton County home or office and free monthly delivery for medication packaging and synchronized refill customers. Local charity involvement includes supporting the following local charities: Heart & Soul Free Clinic: We are a financial sponsor and provide drug co-pay assistance. Trinity Free Clinic: We provide financial sponsorship. Westfield Education Foundation: We are a community partner for their Rock Stadium Blanket fundraiser. Shepherd’s Center Hamilton County: We sponsor and host Lunch & Learns and provide in-kind sponsorship for community events.

HANDEL’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

OWNER: Greg Glaros

ADDRESS:

2466 E 146th St, Carmel, IN 46033

WEBSITE: handelsicecream.com

RATING:

Google 4.7 (638 Reviews)

In the summer heat of 1945, Alice Handel created the sweetest of legacies in Youngstown, Ohio. Using fresh fruit from her backyard garden and her own personal recipes, Alice lovingly made ice cream that quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Handel’s, and a commitment to quality, was born. To this day, Handel’s upholds the traditions Alice started all those years ago. From making each batch fresh daily to using her original methods and recipes, we’re still sharing our homemade ice cream and serving the communities we love so much one scoop at a time. With over 100 irresistible ice cream flavors, there’s something for everyone. Find one you know you’ll love or start a list of ones you just can’t wait to try. Charity involvement includes all local fundraisers, school activities and local business donation requests. They host Spirit Nights at their stores every week where organizations earn a % of sales to fund local fundraising and organization initiatives.

TOP LOCAL

SCAN

Jason Lottie, a senior at Westfield High School, says he is planning to do his popular Michael Jackson impersonation again at the school’s next American Pie program.

Lottie brought the house down last year during his performance, so he decided to give the crowd what they wanted again. He thoroughly enjoyed doing the performance, and says the audience felt the same way.

JASON LOTTIE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PLANS CAREER IN MUSIC

“My performance involves dancers and a lot of energy,” Lottie says. “My right-hand man in the performance, Billy Cox, will be joining me this year. We also plan on doing an original performance piece to represent us and Indiana.”

Lottie notes that he spends a lot of time getting ready for his American Pie performance, but says the time-consuming hard work pays off.

“The planning that goes into it is very strategic,” Lottie says. “Once I get a general idea of how I want the show to look, I go from there, and I make sure I have every detail down.”

Lottie would like to pursue singing as a career, and says he is willing to work hard to make his dreams come true.

“I plan on attending IU to get my degree in sound engineering,” he says. “I want to be a singer and ultimately a star in general, but

I also want to be behind the scenes where I can have total control over my music.”

At school, Lottie is also co-president of the school’s Black Student Union.

“The work that my Co-President David Young and I do is planning events and getting everyone together to make our plans come to life,” Lottie says. “Our event coordinator, Olivia Bell, and Secretary, Chandler Walker and Vice President Sidney Williams play a big role because they are the ones who help us come up with these things. For example, we hold a tailgate event every year for the first football of the season for people to come enjoy some barbecue and get to know each other. We couldn’t do it without them. It’s really a team effort.”

Lottie was also involved in the Helping Hands program where he mentors elementary school students.

“Helping Hands was an amazing experience

Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

SPONSORED BY:

for me,” Lottie says. “It gave me a chance to really mentor these kids and get to know them. I can really see their growth and my impact on them. I really loved it because it gave me a chance to see myself in that mentor light outside of being a big brother to my siblings.”

FIRST ALBUM

Lottie has already released his first album.

“I have a couple of new songs out now on all of the different platforms, and even dropped my first album,” he says. “You can find me everywhere on all platforms at my stage name, JasoNova. I have some more music coming out with my right-hand man/ brother Billy Cox as well. You can find him on all different platforms at his stage name, IceMan Yoshi. I also have some more music coming with my little brother, Taedon Hughes. You can find him everywhere at his stage name, OfficialGMT.”

CAREY RIDGE ELEMENTARY 16231 Carey Road 317-867-6200

MAPLE GLEN ELEMENTARY 17171 Ditch Road 317-896-4700

MONON TRAIL ELEMENTARY 19400 Tomlinson Road 317-867-8611

OAK TRACE ELEMENTARY 16504 Oak Ridge Road 317-867-6400

WESTFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SHAMROCK SPRINGS ELEMENTARY 747 West 161st Street 317-867-7400

WASHINGTON WOODS ELEMENTARY 17950 Grassy Branch Road 317-867-7900

WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL 18250 North Union Street 317-867-6800

WESTFIELD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 326 West Main Street 317-867-6500

WESTFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL 345 West Hoover Street 317-867-6600

WESTFIELD WASHINGTON SCHOOLS 1143 East 181st Street 317-867-8000

STATE OF THE SCHOOLS

WESTFIELD-WASHINGTON SCHOOLS CONTINUES GROWTH AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

past year. Westfield is the fastest-growing city in the state, and one way WWS focuses on academic excellence while maintaining the small-town feel is through an initiative called Destination Westfield.

Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

At the heart of any school system is the students, and that is certainly the case for Westfield-Washington Schools (WWS). The district serves over 9,000 students, and employs over 600 teachers and nearly 240 support staff. WWS currently has an A rating from the Indiana Department of Education, and Westfield High School was recently ranked in the top 3% of all high schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

“That A rating comes down to the hard work of our teachers, what parents do at home and the effort our kids put forward,” says Dr. Paul Kaiser, superintendent. “It’s a billboard for all the great things our community does together to make Westfield the best we can be.”

Enrollment steadily increased over the last 20 years, with an increase of 450 students this

“With all the different activities that go on within this community, it’s important to residents to maintain the small-town feel,” Kaiser says. “It’s a comprehensive approach to get people involved. Everybody has a niche that enhances their life, whether it’s being a member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club or any other type of civic organization. All those things come together so that everyone here has that place they call home.”

The district is moving quickly to accommodate its exponential growth through various construction projects throughout the city. Carey Ridge Elementary is undergoing renovation while construction begins on a new, second middle school at State Road 32 and Centennial Road. In addition, in the next 12 to 18 months, WWS will break ground on a new, seventh elementary school at 171st Street and Towne Road.

“If anyone has great suggestions on what we should call the new elementary school, we want to hear them,” Kaiser says. “We love to

engage with the community.”

Parents are encouraged to apply to be part of the Shamrock Academy. Selected parents participate for one morning monthly to engage in conversations with WWS leadership. They’re also given a firsthand look at the workings of a highly successful, growing school district.

Kaiser knows school safety is of the utmost importance to parents. He says they continue to work on renovations to enhance the safety level of each building in the district. He says part of the long-term plan is to bring on additional school resource officers at each school.

“I want to make sure everyone understands we’re not doing this because our buildings are unsafe,” Kaiser says. “We want additional school resource officers to serve as counselors or role models for our kids. It’s an extra person the kids can speak with about things that are important to them.”

Kaiser says it’s vital to maintain the district’s growth while keeping tax rates as low as possible. He says Westfield is a destination city in Indiana and the Midwest.

For more information, visit wws.k12.in.us.

VIEWABLE AND a r t DOABLE

Experience the arts in Hamilton County. View a wide variety of creative and free public art throughout the county. Immerse your inner artist in art classes, u-paint shops and festivals. Plus, sing along to your favorite songs with live music—from free to famous. With three recognized state cultural districts, no matter where you go in Hamilton County, experience the arts.

ASCENSION ST. VINCENT HOSPITAL

9460 East 146th St. 317-703-1999 healthcare.ascension.org

COMMUNITY HEALTH MEDCHECK

9669 East 146th St. 317-621-3434 ecommunity.com

FORTE SPORTS

MEDICINE

16289 Boden Rd. 317-817-1200 forteortho.com

IU HEALTH NORTH HOSPITAL

11700 N Meridian St. (Carmel) 317-688-2000 iuhealth.org

IU HEALTH SAXONY HOSPITAL

13000 East 136th St. (Fishers) 317-678-2000 iuhealth.org

IU HEALTH URGENT CARE

14645 Hazel Dell Rd., Suite 120 317-922-2090 iuhealth.org

NOBLESVILLE URGENT CARE

509 Sheridan Rd. 317-678-6402 noblesvilleurgetncare.com

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY OF INDIANA

13914 Southeastern Pkwy. #314 317-872-1415

axiawh.com

RIVERVIEW HEALTH EMERGENCY ROOM & URGENT CARE

14585 Hazel Dell Pkwy. (Carmel) 317-214-5030

riverview.org

RIVERVIEW HEALTH HOSPITAL

17600 Shamrock Blvd. 317-214-5555

riverviewhealth.org

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HEALTH SPOTLIGHT

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Publisher: Noblesville Magazine

Title: Here’s what you need to know about head and neck cancers

Author: Dr. Michael W. Sim, surgeon specializing in Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel

April is Oral, Head and Neck Cancer

Month, a time to bring awareness to these conditions. Head and neck cancers occur twice as often in men as they do in women, but overall are relatively uncommon. As with all cancers, the earlier that physicians can diagnose head and neck cancers, the better the outlook for recovery and return to a normal lifestyle.

UNDERSTANDING HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Head and neck cancers are as they sound, any cancers that occur within the head and the neck. Many types of cancer fall under this category. This includes those on the skin of the head and neck, inside the nose

and sinuses, mouth and throat, salivary glands, thyroid gland and at the base of the skull.

SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS OF HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Several symptoms are associated with this kind of cancer, including skin bumps or sores that don’t heal, mouth or throat ulcers, trouble swallowing, ear pain, difficulty breathing, double vision, change or hoarseness in the voice, blocked sinuses and any unexplained lumps in the cheek or neck. There are several known risk factors for head and neck cancer. This includes common lifestyle choices, such as tobacco use and alcohol use, which play a major role in head and neck cancers. Poor oral hygiene, ultraviolet exposure (skin cancer), and some occupational exposures to wood, metal, formaldehyde and other substances are also considered risk factors. Human papilloma virus (HPV) has come to play a major role in the growing incidence of throat cancers located in the oropharynx, which includes the tonsils, base of tongue and soft palate.

In fact, most oropharynx throat cancers we treat now are caused by HPV, not from smoking and drinking.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Many head and neck cancers develop in delicate locations that require great skill and experience for a successful outcome. One treatment option is transoral robotic surgery, which is a minimally invasive surgery that removes tumors through the mouth to treat the throat or voice box, while preserving swallowing and speech. Transoral laser microsurgery is also another option for small voice box tumors, which utilizes a microscope. Your physicians may also use radiation and chemotherapy to control your cancer. Additionally, reconstructive surgery is sometimes needed to restore function in your mouth or throat along with speech and swallowing therapy.

Learn more about IU Health’s head and neck cancer program at iuhealth.org/findmedical-services/head-neck-cancer.

Dr. Michael W. Sim

PURSUIT INSTITUTE

HELPING STUDENTS FIND THE RIGHT PATH

learning programs. In addition, students had to deal with transportation and time spent in leaving their home school campuses.

Pursuit Institute is an independent Career and Technical Education (CTE) district with the goal of helping all students find their passion. A collaboration of the six Hamilton County school systems, it expands post-secondary options beyond what has been traditionally possible. As partnerships with various industries are being developed, its goal is for all students to have an opportunity to experience meaningful jobs whether they plan to enter the workforce upon graduation or earn an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Pursuit Institute was launched in July of 2021. Before it came into existence, Hamilton County high school students had to leave their districts and travel to J. Everett Light Center in Indianapolis for CTE options. With only a limited number of spots, not everyone was afforded the opportunity to participate in work-based

The Hamilton County Council saw the need for a local CTE and provided the funding to begin what would become Pursuit Institute. The school systems of Carmel Clay, Hamilton Heights, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville, Sheridan Community and Westfield Washington now work together to forge partnerships with local businesses and industries. By pooling resources and dropping rivalries, students from each school system have expanded choices for on-the-job learning within a career field.

“CTE used to be called vocational education, but a stigma became associated with it that students were not college bound,” Carrie Lively says. Lively is the executive director of Pursuit Institute. “Every student should have the chance to work before graduate. It gives an avenue to

explore what pathway to take and the ability to make better post-secondary choices plus continue to network whatever way they chose. These are not fast-food jobs; essentially work base learning is a new term for on-the-job training to get aligned with a career path.”

“Health care was one of the fields our research showed needed workers. Employers need people with credentials. Our Health Services students earn a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certification, and by senior year also become a certified phlebotomy technician and are hired by Riverview Hospital. All the while they are learning bedside manner, how to deal with people and start to think more broadly when they see what a lab or x-ray technician does. Maybe they will continue the same job after graduation or maybe they will decide to pursue a nursing degree,” Lively says.

Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

Carrie Lively

Students who choose to participate in CTE have at least 15 programs they can access, each developed because of labor demand. These areas of study include Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Business, Construction, Information Technology, Law and Transportation among others. Lively shares that the businesses and industries are no longer just consumers of what comes out of the educational system but are now producers as well as students become connected to the community through their on-the-job training. Talent will be developed that doesn’t leave.

“Traditionally educators don’t push career education, but it’s for everyone. It gets students ready for the next step, whether

it’s further education or employment. Students experience learning in an authentic environment,” Lively says.

“Hamilton County is a great place to be a student. CTE reinvents what education looks like and it’s an ongoing revolution. We are happy to share our model with other communities. We can’t ignore that a successful economy today is different than it was twenty years ago. All students should have access to this pathway,” Lively says.

You can learn more about The Pursuit Institute at thepursuitinstitute.org or by emailing for more information at info@ pursuitinstitute.net. Their phone number is 317-210-3195.

AN OUTDOOR OASIS

If you live in the Midwest, you have probably enjoyed a warm sunny day followed by a cold, rainy one the next. Your outdoor entertainment dreams don’t need to rely on the weather when you can rely on BPI Outdoor Living.

Outdoor living spaces have become an extension of the home and interior spaces.

“As homeowners realize how important it is to connect both with nature and each other, the outdoor space is a cost-effective way to add living space to an existing home,” says

J.D. Durst, President and Owner of BPI Outdoor Living. “Homeowners are now aware of their options and looking to create a cohesive connection between inside/ outside living.”

Homeowners these days dream of much more than a simple patio, deck or porch. They want high-end finishes and features that bring the comforts of indoors to stunning outdoor spaces. Cooking areas take the form of an outdoor kitchen. Heating sources include gas and woodburning fire pits, fireplaces and electric overhead heaters.

Cover is now achieved in many forms, from

pergolas and shade sails to detached and attached roofs. The outdoor living room is completed with outdoor audio and video, allowing homeowners to gather and watch their favorite show or sporting event while also enjoying the outdoors. These offerings provide the comfort needed outdoors that allows homeowners to brave the elements year-round.

“As modern homeowners focus on spending more time with friends and family, the desire to have a great outdoor kitchen and lounge area to congregate is equally as important as it is inside the home,” Durst adds.

The BPI team designs dream outdoor spaces tailored to individual homeowners’ aspirations. They have been honing their craft for more than 24 years in the business. With a core focus on designing and building luxury outdoor living spaces, the team focuses on asking the right questions to help clients maximize their spaces and budgets. With skilled artisans who focus on timeless building techniques and materials, they ensure clients have spaces that they can enjoy year-round and for years to come.

Story Provided by BPI

Photography Provided by The Home Aesthetic

BPI OUTDOOR LIVING CAN CREATE THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD

STICK TO THE PLAN

When it comes to creating an outdoor oasis it’s best to think it through and develop a comprehensive plan. A well thought out design solution yields not just a better result, but a better overall experience.

“I’ve seen it time and again,” Durst says. “When people don’t use a comprehensive master plan, the finished project often doesn’t look cohesive. Spending time on the front end not only gets you a better result but could potentially save you a lot of money and heartache down the road.”

The team at BPI Outdoor Living consider themselves landscape architects first and skilled artisans second. With multiple landscape architects and designers on staff, the team believes that design is paramount. They pride themselves on creating an immersive experience for their clients, and they do that with their unique approach.

In most cases, a landscape company will come out to your house, walk the property, then sit down with you at your kitchen table and go through a stack of pictures. At BPI’s initial meeting, however, the design team utilize a customer questionnaire.

“It’s really more of an interview process so that potential clients can determine if we are a good fit for them and their type of project,” Durst adds.

By the end of that first meeting, which typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, BPI has provided the client with a broad idea of what their space could include and approximately how much it could cost. Next steps involve talking about if the project will be done all at once or in phases.

Clients are then invited to BPI’s design studio where they are walked through a design discovery process that honors their goals, ambitions, and needs. Durst and his team discuss opportunities and constraints for the process and advise clients throughout that process, in terms of solutions, investment and return on that investment.

At the design studio, they utilize physical

materials and vignettes as well as CAD 3D modeling software, fly-thru videos, and programs like SketchUp to show their clients exactly what a project will look like and how it’s going to feel in that space before they ever put a shovel in the ground.

TRUST THE PROCESS

The process when working with clients is simple. It’s all about having conversations and asking questions because through dialogue comes education and understanding.

According to Kyla Scheuermann, design associate at BPI, with every project they tackle, BPI Outdoor living is focused on building timeless experiences both for now and into the future.

“By honing all of our talent as a team, which includes build artisans and landscape designers, we come together to make a home’s outdoor living spaces more usable, more memorable, and more intentional,”

she says. “And we want those spaces and elements to last.”

The BPI team follows a three-step design process that considers creativity, aesthetics and investment. During the first step, they consult with the client on the conceptual design.

“This phase sets us apart because the first thing people may ask about is not necessarily the key issue, which is why we prescribe a design process that addresses the client’s root needs and desires, Scheuermann says. “We also determine what we can and cannot address as far as build and site conditions.”

To efficiently facilitate step one, the team presents the client with a series of questions to better understand the purpose and intention for the space. They then get into more detail in the second step where they present a 3D model of the outdoor living space to help clients more clearly visualize the design solution and overall plans.

Step three involves discussing material choices. At this point, they have honed in on the final design package as well as the client’s investment level.

Throughout the entire process the BPI team continually makes necessary revisions to stay within the client’s desired investment level. The team talks through feasible options and identifies ways to achieve certain styles that check all the boxes without breaking the bank.

The goal is to erect timeless projects that are accurate, buildable, and achievable. BPI puts in a lot of background work (i.e., construction plans, framing plans, permits) to make this happen.

If you are ready to begin designing and building your ideal outdoor living space, learn more and request a consultation at bpioutdoorliving.com.

TOURISM SPOTLIGHT

NEW & COMING SOON… TO HAMILTON COUNTY

It’s no secret that Hamilton County is growing, and there always seems to be something new. We have compiled a list new attractions and experiences for 2023 in Carmel, Cicero, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield.

GEIST WATERFRONT PARK

Spend a day at the beach at the new Geist Waterfront Park in Fishers opening Memorial Day Weekend. The park includes a playground, walking trails and will offer kayak and paddleboard rentals.

PROMISED LAND AS PROVING GROUND

Conner Prairie’s newest exhibit covers centuries of African American history in Indiana from pre-colonial Africa to the present day. The exhibit explores the development of African American faith ways and their true expression through food, music, dance and activism from traditional African religion to the African American church. Opening summer 2023.

NEW RESTAURANTS

Hamilton County boasts an elevated and diverse dining scene with new restaurants opening regularly. Recent openings include:

• Bober Tea & Mochi Dough, Carmel

• Bien Mexicana, Cicero

• Debbie’s Daughters, Noblesville

• Garden Table, Carmel

• Green District, Fishers

• Le Macaron, Carmel and Fishers

• JINYA Ramen Bar, Fishers

• Petos Authentic Greek Cuisine, Carmel

• Rail Café & Market, Westfield

• Slapfish, Fishers

• Smitten Kitten Cat Cafe, Fishers

• Sweetgreen, Fishers

• West Fork Whiskey, Westfield

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA SAVE-THE-DATE FOR THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024

Experience one of the greatest natural phenomena that can occur in our skies, a total solar eclipse, on Monday, April 8, 2024 at approximately 3:06 PM EDT. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. It has been 819 years since Hamilton County has had a total solar eclipse.  VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Eclipse

IF YOU EXPLORE ALL THAT IS NEW IN HAMILTON COUNTY, BE SURE TO POST YOUR PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TAG @VISITHAMILTONCO OR USE #VISITHC. FOR EVENTS, THINGS TO DO AND LOCAL DINING, GO TO VISITHAMILTONCOUNTY.COM.

FRIENDS ABOUND

WOMEN BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS IN WESTFIELD CONTINUES TO GROW

Brandenburg moved with her family from New Jersey to Indiana in August of 2020. Though they didn’t know a single person in Westfield, they found ways to make connections despite it being the height of the pandemic.

A few months later, Brandenburg noticed a post on Facebook from another mom desperate to connect with other women. She says she felt God’s prompting to start a Facebook group.

“But it’s not about me,” she says. “I could be hosting an event every day, but if people don’t show up then there’s no group.”

Regular gatherings include game nights, book clubs, exercise and more. Any member can plan an event. In fact, the first event Liz Duvall attended was a dinner swap she planned herself.

And lest you think all these women must be social butterflies, Tammy Castrellon even hosted an introvert meetup.

Writer / Amy Adams

Photography Provided

In January 2021, when Lisa Brandenburg started Women Building Friendships in Westfield, she had no idea that two years later the group would be approaching 3,000 members.

“A lot of people think I started this group for me, but I didn’t” Brandenburg says. “I started this group for all the women I saw who were in the same place I was months earlier. I thought in the beginning it would be a handful of women getting together.”

While Brandenburg put a lot of work into planning and organizing events early on, she says the group pretty much runs itself now, although she still checks in at least once a day, hosts events and attends other events as she can.

Cheryl Browning, who moved to Westfield from Illinois in November of 2020, first attended a crafting event in the spring of 2021. From there, she met a woman who invited her to join a bi-weekly walking group.

“One of the main things I love is that everything evolves when you’re in this group,” Browning says.

Ellicia Holland discovered the group after asking for advice on another Facebook page.

WBFW group participating in Singo at Urban Vines, Westfield. All have given verbal consent. From top left to right: Lisa Hottell

Kaylene Ormond Beth Marshall Kelly Walker Next row left to right: Shelly Cull Mayra Guerra Rema Hodge Paige Squier Rhonda

Lisa Brandenburg

“I’ve made some really close friends,” Holland says. “Ladies who will watch my daughter for me, people I can call to go over and sit down and talk with. But I know there are ladies out there who need to make friends, so I still try to go to at least one or two events a month just to meet them.”

“There are women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and up,” Browning says. “I’m in my 70s. At no time does anyone make me feel like, ‘What’s that old lady doing here?’ Everyone is so inclusive. This is the first time I have felt at home since we moved from our hometown in 1995. I wish they could bottle it and put it everywhere so that all women could be a part of a group like this.”

You can join Women Building Friendships in Westfield and view upcoming events on Facebook. You can also find Lisa Brandenburg’s weekly encouragement podcast on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@ LifeIsSoAmazingOrLISA.

Our mission is to transform lives

READY TO RUN

RETIRED MARINE COLONEL SCOTT WILLIS HOPES TO BECOME WESTFIELD’S NEXT MAYOR

Ever since Scott Willis was a little boy, he had dreams of becoming a military jet pilot to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who during WWII was killed in action when he was shot down during a bombing run over Japan.

“Growing up, I really honored and respected

my grandfather for that sacrifice he made for his country, so I wanted to be the next family member to fly,” Willis says. That door unfortunately closed when he learned in high school that he didn’t have 20/20 vision.

“I thought, ‘If I can’t fly, I don’t want to join,’” he says.

Willis went on to study Civil Engineering

at Purdue University. Halfway through his junior year, Operation Desert Storm caused his dream to be resurrected. Following college graduation, he entered the Marine Corps and served four years of active duty.

“I felt called to serve as my father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served,” Willis says.

In 2004, after coming off of active duty,

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Whitney Moore

Willis and his wife, Stacey, settled in Hamilton County where Willis got into corporate America. An entrepreneur at heart, he started two businesses. One is an executive search firm and the other is a company that invests in commercial and multifamily real estate. Once Willis started building companies, he went back into the Marine Corps Reserve, where he rose to the rank of colonel.

“I led groups as large as 1,500 Marines,” he says. “I managed operating budgets north of $100 million. During my time in the Marine Corps, I led and managed organizations larger in size than the City of Westfield.”

While serving, he was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He was involved in combat operations on the Syrian border. Once they had cleared al-Qaeda

out of cities, his job became a civil-affairs mission where he and his Marines helped build schools, repair infrastructure, and run the country’s constitutional referendum and national elections.

“We were there at a transition period for Iraq,” Willis says.

Back home, Willis has been ingrained in the Westfield community for many years,

having coached a variety of WYSI teams for his children. He’s also served on the board of directors for Student Impact and the Westfield Washington Public Library, and was on the steering committee for the

Westfield YMCA. Plus, he has served on the Redevelopment Authority managing the bonds for Grand Park, Planning Commission where he was involved in zoning, and now City Council. When Willis was nearing retirement with the military, he knew he would have extra time on his hands, so he began to think of ways he could get more involved in his community and started to explore running for mayor.

“I’d dipped my toes into the functioning of our city and started seeing some of the challenges we’re facing around growth, infrastructure and luring in businesses,” he says. With his military leadership experience and business background, he knew he could bring real value to such a role.

Willis also loves spending time with his wife and three children, Sophia, 20, Brenna, 18, and Graden, 14. When Willis first returned from Iraq, his oldest daughter jumped into his arms for a giant hug. However, Brenna, just over 1 year old at the time, was leery of her dad.

“She had no idea who I was,” Willis says. “It

took a good year or two for us to bond. You don’t appreciate how important those first 12 months of a child’s development are until you’re not there for it.”

No doubt about it - military life takes its toll on the entire family. Willis took a huge pay cut when he got mobilized, and additionally, the unknowns were anxiety-inducing.

“Stacey and I had good communication during the war, but whenever combat operations would start up, they’d shut down all the communications, and for 10 or 12 days Stacey wouldn’t hear from me,” Willis says. “She knew that once we went dark, I was in danger. Mentally and emotionally, it took its toll. Watching it play out in the news messes with your mind. She dealt with that stress on a daily basis.”

On April 1, 2022, Willis retired from the military after 30 years of service. Three years ago he sold his executive search firm to a client. He’s stayed on as vice president, running a new division of the company, and will finish that job at the end of the year.

“The stars have aligned because if I win the election, I’d take over as mayor on January 1, making it the perfect time to go down this path,” says Willis, who would love nothing more than to be elected Westfield’s next mayor. “I’ve traveled the world and I can tell you that nothing compares to Hamilton County and in particular, Westfield.”

Westfield is no longer a small town. The current population is just over 50,000, and the city has in its pipeline enough housing to grow to 70,000. With this rapid growth, Westfield is facing unique and complex infrastructure challenges including public safety. Currently, 90% of the city’s tax revenue is coming from residential homes and apartment complexes.

“Keeping up with this growth while keeping taxes low will be extremely challenging moving forward,” Willis says. “Experience matters. Westfield needs a mayor with the right background and leadership experience to get the job done. I believe with my

experience in corporate America building two small companies, coupled with my experience in the Marine Corps leading a battalion of more than 1,500 Marines with an operating budget of more than $100M, I have the tools to hit the ground running on day one.

“We also need to think about what we want Westfield to look like 10, 20, 30 years from now,” he adds. “I would like to create a city not just for us to enjoy now, but one our children will want to come back to after college — one for our grandchildren and great grandchildren. I believe this includes capitalizing on and building amenities around Grand Park and also creating a vibrant downtown with shops, restaurants and places to gather. We need to keep our dollars and the dollars of tourists here in Westfield. We can take ideas from our neighbor cities and still keep Westfield the unique place we’ve all come to love. We are at a pivotal moment in Westfield’s future and we have one chance to get this right.”

Daisy chain IED found near Ubaydi during Op Steel Curtain

Meet STACY SNIVELY

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTOR NAMED TOP 50 INDIANA REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

and instantly fell in love with Zionsville.

Photography Provided

Stacy Snively is taking the Zionsville real estate market by storm. With a booming market, an abundance of buyers and so many desirable areas in the Indianapolis area – Stacy has perfectly mastered helping her clients navigate through the real estate process.

Her mantra? She lives, works, and plays in Zionsville. She focuses only on buying and selling in the Zionsville area which has made her an expert in the market.

Snively is a graduate of Purdue University’s Krannert School of Business. After graduating, Stacy worked for Eli Lilly and then eventually worked for a commercial development company in Chicago. As time progressed and their family grew, Stacy and her husband, Scott, moved back to Indiana

Being raised in the small town of Wabash, IN, Snively and her family love that Zionsville had the perfect combination of a small-town feel with the convenience and amenities of a big city.

Stacy’s journey into residential real estate began eight years ago. She is currently an agent through Keller Williams Realty and was recently named as a top 50 Indiana Real Estate Agent on social media by PropertySpark for the second year in a row. In addition to realty, Stacy has been involved with Habitat with Humanity since arriving in Zionsville and has recently joined the Habitat for Humanity Boone County Board of Directors as secretary in January of 2018.

Recognizing that buying a house is one of the largest and most significant decisions a person can make, and Stacy and her team

are dedicated to providing the best service possible in every step of this process.

“My team and I are driven for customer service,” Snively says. “We stage our homes to make them look amazing, we always do professional photography and we always go above and beyond on the marketing for a home.”

Social media and word-of-mouth have been big components on recruiting clients for their home-buying or selling journey. Within the past two years, Stacy has also had the most out-of-state buyers that she’s ever worked with.

“I decided to niche myself to Zionsville a couple of years ago,” Snively says. “I live here, I work here, my family is here and I can testify to this area.”

After the decision to stay focused on buying

Writer / Alli Donovan

and selling in Zionsville, Stacy developed Zionsville Homes. This is her website and resource that hosts all the information on the homes that her clients are currently selling, contact information if you’re interested in buying and her real estate process. Last but not least, it has all the information on her Airbnb properties.

Stacy has three rental properties that are listed on Airbnb, her Zionsville Homes website and directly on All Good Nights, the name of her property website. Stacy had a dream with furthering her entrepreneur experience. She had a vision for some further investment opportunities and kicked off that dream by purchasing a property in Westfield near the Grand Park Sports Complex.

“Because I had so many people reaching out to me about renting the properties, we decided to create All Good Nights as a direct link to the properties instead of going through AirBnb and incurring extra costs,” she says.

“The Time Out” and “Overtime” are properties both located less than a mile away from Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield. The third property is called Liv on Oak, a two-bed, two-bath property located in the heart of Zionsville.

To check out the short-term rental properties in Zionsville and Westfield, visit allgoodnights.com for information, availability and pricing.

Stacy Snively is a realtor through Keller Williams Realty. To contact her about buying a new home or selling your current home, visit her website, Zionsville Homes, at zvillehomes.com or call her at 317-9372577. You can also follow her on Instagram at @yourzvillehome to see new listings, testimonials, and how her and her team stage their houses.

Habitat for Humanity is a cause that Stacy is very passionate about. To get involved, you can receive more information on volunteer opportunities at boonehabitat. org/get-involved. To donate to Habitat for Humanity Boone County, visit boonehabitat.org/waystogive.

MAY 29

GRAND RUN

7:00 AM

Grand Park Sports Campus

Presented by STAR Financial

2023 EVENTS WESTFIELDWELCOME.COM

JUN 2, 9 | JUL 14, 21 | AUG 25 | SEP 1, 8 JAMS AT THE JUNCTION

7:00 PM - 9:00 AM

Grand Junction Plaza

JUNE 23

TOUCH A TRUCK

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Grand Park Sports Campus

Presented by Riverview Health

WEDNESDAYS JUN 7 - AUG 30

WORKOUT WEDNESDAYS

9:00 AM

Grand Junction Plaza

JULY 4

WESTFIELD ROCKS THE 4TH

3:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Grand Park Sports Campus

Presented by Citizens Energy Group

THURSDAYS JUN 8 - AUG 3

CREEK STOMP

10:00 AM

Grand Junction Plaza

Presented by Williams Creek Management

JUNE 20, 27 & JULY 11, 18, 25

KIDS CONCERT SERIES

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Grand Junction Plaza

Presented by Wittler Orthodontics

SEP 15, 29 | OCT 27 | DEC 1

MOVIES IN THE PLAZA

Film Begins at Dusk

Grand Junction Plaza

Presented by Community First Bank

SEPTEMBER 16

CUSINE. CONNECT. CULTURE.

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Grand Junction Plaza

Presented by Centier Bank

Three reasons why a mammogram is an important part of your preventive health

1 A mammogram can save your life. Early detection of breast cancer can increase a woman’s ve-year survival rate to 97%.

2 It doesn’t take much time. Mammograms are a quick procedure, only taking about 20 minutes.

3 Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you age. The older you get, the more you are at risk of developing breast cancer. That’s why mammograms aren’t a one-and-done test.