Zionsville Magazine February 2022

MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2022

PLAT TERFUL New Local Business Provides a Flavorful Charcuterie Experience

RUGBY PEDIGREE

Meet ZCHS Rugby Coach Jean-Jacques Oelofse

EYE ON THE PRIZE

ZCHS Senior Wins Miss Fall Festival

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7 DATE IDEAS FOR A MEMORABLE VALENTINE’S DAY

10 REAL-TIME ANALYTICS Scan the QR code to see this magazine’s real-time reach and distribution numbers.

WITHAM HEALTH SERVICES ANNOUNCES NEW CARDIOLOGY SUITE

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HELP STOP THE SQUINT

Five Facts About Myopia In Children

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EYE ON THE PRIZE ZCHS Senior Wins Miss Fall Festival

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ALLYSON GUTWEIN SELECTED FOR U.S. CHAMBER FOUNDATION EDUCATION & WORKFORCE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

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PLATTERFUL

New Local Business Provides a Flavorful Charcuterie Experience

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RUGBY PEDIGREE

Meet ZCHS Rugby Coach Jean-Jacques Oelofse KEY CONTRIBUTORS ABIGAIL HAKE / ABIGAIL OGDEN / HEATHER HUNTER JON ELLEGOOD / JUSTIN SICKING / SETH JOHNSON

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7 DATE IDEAS FOR A MEMORABLE VALENTINE’S DAY Writer / Abigail Hake Photography Provided

6 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

V

alentine’s Day is coming up, which means it’s time to start planning the perfect date for you and your special someone. Do you prefer a typical dinner with your loved one or would you rather enjoy a Valentine’s Day that’s a little more memorable? Whatever you like, here are a few ideas that you may or may not have thought of before.

1. GO SKATING

friendly ways to have a picnic. Set up in the living room in front of the fire, crack open a bottle of wine, and enjoy some light snacks and appetizers while getting to know each other a little better - or, if you’ve been together a while, getting to know each other again.

Lots of outdoor ice rinks are still open through the end of February so check out your options. Skating under the stars can be very romantic. If outdoor skating isn’t an option, look into skating times at your local indoor rink or even roller rink.

Gliding around together and holding hands is always a good time. If you aren’t comfortable with skating, grab some hot chocolates and go watch others do it. This Load up the car with some folding chairs, can actually be quite entertaining and cozy blankets and lots of snacks, and head definitely leave you with something to talk to your closest drive-in theater for an (or laugh) about! evening with a throwback feel. Depending on the weather, you could set this up in your backyard, at the park or even in the basement if the weather won’t cooperate.

If you plan to do it at home, string some Whether it’s your first or 15th Valentine’s bistro lights for a little extra magic, and Day together, there’s probably a don’t forget the popcorn. memorable moment between the two of you that stands out. Do your best to recreate that special moment. Go back to where you met or where your first date was, and take a walk down memory lane Getting away is always refreshing for it’s sure to give you all the feels. those involved. Whether it’s an evening at the local boutique hotel or a cabin in the woods a couple hours away, enjoy the While you might not be able to do this uninterrupted time together. You might outside, there are plenty of indooreven seek out a treehouse to rent as those

4. DO A DRIVE-IN DATE

2. RECREATE A FAVORITE MEMORY

5. ENJOY A QUICK GETAWAY

3. PLAN A PICNIC

have a truly magical and romantic feel, which is sure to make for a memorable Valentine’s date.

6. GET ACTIVE TOGETHER

If you don’t regularly work out together, this might be a fun one to try. Set up a personal training session, go for a run together or plan a hike with a special surprise at the top. Getting the endorphins going together could really help get the sparks going. Plus, it’s always fun to cheer each other on when doing hard things.

7. CREATE A BUCKET LIST

Bucket lists are always fun to come up with and even more fun to complete.

Why not make one just for the two of you? Come up with all the things you can do without the kids, or maybe before you have kids, depending on where you are in the relationship. Make sure to include all kinds of ideas - fun, silly, extreme, romantic, easy and hard. Start by checking one of the items off the list THIS Valentine’s Day.

Remember, just because it’s Valentine’s Day, that doesn’t mean it has to be a two-person event.

No matter where you are on the relationship spectrum, we’ve all had a crazy past couple of years and we all deserve a little treat. If there’s not a significant other in the picture, or maybe you just can’t be with the one you love so dear, spoil yourself and indulge a bit. Grab some chocolates, treat yourself to a nice dinner, or just take some time for yourself - because you deserve it!

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Each person is unique, and it makes sense that the nutrients a person needs is unique as well. Gretchen believes in a non-diet/ all inclusive nutrition approach to eating.

She loves meeting patients where they are and through collaboration, design a plan to help each individual feel either best, do their best, and be their best without guilt and restriction.

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For information and appointments call 317-804-3697 or visit our website at www.thecabin.org TownePost.com / FEBRUARY 2022 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 9

WITHAM HEALTH SERVICES ANNOUNCES NEW CARDIOLOGY SUITE Story & Photography Provided

Witham Health Services announces the opening of the new Cardiology Suite on its main hospital campus located in Lebanon, Indiana. This new State-of-

the-Art Cardiology Suite features both Witham Heart Partners - provider offices and Witham Cardiac and Vascular Testing.

“This has been a long awaited vision that has finally arrived. We are so excited to be able to offer these services to our patients

and community. Our new cardiac suite combines high-tech cardiac testing with convenient access to your cardiologist.

These changes build improved efficiency and trust when you come for your cardiac care.” said Dr. Ed Harlamert, chief cardiologist of Witham Heart Partners and Director of Cardiology at Witham Health Services.

At Witham our mission is to improve the heart and vascular health of patients living in central Indiana. We believe that quality of care and a person’s longevity can be enhanced by a one-on-one relationship with their own local cardiologist. Dr. Ed Harlamert is an experienced interventional cardiologist who has helped an estimated 15,000 patients requiring cardiac and vascular procedures.

Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, co-director of Cardiology and Director of Research here at Witham adds, “Our mission is to provide exceptional cardiac care locally, bringing

10 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

research trials helps bring cutting edge technology.” Dr. Mirza is an experienced interventional cardiologist who has been a high volume operator for coronary, peripheral vascular and structural heart cases. He has over a decade of experience in complex cardiovascular interventional procedures and research. Our care team is currently involved in multiple international research studies aimed at improving the care and treatment of cardiac patients.

Nurse practitioner Alana Hart and the office team work closely with the physicians to provide personalized care in all cardiac aspects and a special focus on heart failure.

Nurse practitioner Christina Cohee assists our physicians with transitioning patients from inpatient care to outpatient care and has a focus in participation in research with the help of multiple members of the Witham Heart Partners staff.

Witham Cardiac and Vascular Testing offers advanced CT scanning in combination with nuclear medicine cardiac imaging called SPECT/CT to better diagnose the entire spectrum of heart disease, from mild to severe levels of disease. The Philips Brilliance 265 slice CT scanner delivers key clinical insights for a wide range of applications in the radiology and cardiology settings. These enhanced images are most

valuable for physicians diagnosing and treating heart disease while also attempting to minimize necessary radiation exposure.

Utilizing this new technology in addition to results from Witham’s popular $49 Heart Scan, allows our cardiology team to make timely decisions with improved accuracy in diagnosing heart disease, even in early stages. For you, this means less travel, faster recovery times and shorter stays…all of which allow you to get back to what matters most: living your life.

If you are age 40 or older with a family history of heart or vascular disease or if you have other risk factors, like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or smoking the Cardiologists and staff at Witham Heart Partners and Witham Cardiac and Vascular Testing are experts in heart care with a goal of assisting you in improving your heart and vascular health.

Witham’s new State-of-the-Art Cardiology Suite is now open. It is located on the main Lebanon campus at 2705 N. Lebanon Street in the North Pavilion. You can use Entrance “A” or Entrance “B” to access the suite which is on the 3rd floor. Witham Heart Partners is in suite 342 and Witham Cardiac and Vascular Testing is in suite 340.

So take the first step toward living your TownePost.com / FEBRUARY 2022 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 11

healthiest life by putting your heart health in the experienced hands of Witham Heart Partners and Witham Cardiac and Vascular Testing here at Witham.

We are now accepting new patients.

Please call 765-485-8740 to schedule your appointment.

HELP STOP THE SQUINT FIVE FACTS ABOUT MYOPIA IN CHILDREN Story & Photography Provided

As a parent, you want the very best for your child and their health. If your child’s eyesight keeps getting worse and they have trouble seeing objects from afar, like the blackboard in class, this is most likely a vision condition called myopia. Here are five facts about this common vision condition that every parent needs to know.

What is myopia?

Myopia is the clinical term for nearsightedness. In 2010, 28% of the world’s population had myopia. By 2050, that number may reach 50%.(1) Nearsighted eyes see nearby objects clearly, while objects far away are blurry without glasses. Just like feet get bigger and children get taller, the nearsighted eye tends to get longer over time. Near-sightedness becomes more common with age and children sometimes need stronger glasses every year as their nearsightedness increases over time.

Why diagnosing myopia is important For children who are at risk for myopia progression, it’s important that you take steps early. All three current myopia management protocols have been shown

to reduce the progression of myopia by as much as 65%. If left untreated or inadequately treated by a vision care professional, this increases the risk of developing vision-threatening diseases like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. And worse, your child may not reach their potential socially, athletically, or academically.

Treatment options for managing myopia There are three proven treatment methods used to manage the progression of myopia, which are all available at Zionsville Eyecare.

Corneal Reshaping Contact Lenses Corneal reshaping contact lenses are worn during sleep and are removed in the morning. They temporarily change the shape of the cornea (the eye’s clear, outer protective layer) so that a person can see clearly all day long without glasses or contact lenses.

Dual Focus Contact Lenses Soft dual-focus contact lenses are worn in the daytime and are routinely used to help people that have difficulty focusing near.

Children may not see quite as clearly with these contact lenses as other types of lenses,

but there are no additional risks compared to routinely prescribed daily contact lenses.

Atropine Atropine is an eye drop that typically makes the light seem bright because it makes the pupil (the black hole in the middle of the eye) bigger; it also blurs near vision because it reduces the eye’s ability to focus while looking at nearby objects.

Are myopia treatments safe?

Children (8-12 years old) and teens (13-17 years old), both of which are age groups that are commonly fitted with contact lenses, are at equally low risk for developing contact lens-related problems or being non-compliant. Children and teens are able to wear their contact lenses for a similar amount of time each day. In addition, both groups feel that contact lenses improved their social acceptance, appearance, ability to play sports, and overall satisfaction with their vision correction.

Low dose atropine is considered to be safe for children and has been shown to work without increasing pupil size or decreasing near vision dramatically.

12 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

How do I know if myopia management is right for my child?

Parents can be proactive about their child’s vision care, beyond the yearly eye exam, and ask about myopia management options with their optometrist. Zionsville Eyecare has highly-trained specialists on staff, who can evaluate your child’s vision and recommend myopia management protocols that will help their vision improve.

About Zionsville Eyecare Zionsville Eyecare is an independent optometry practice that’s been a proud local staple for more than 40 years. Our experienced and caring professionals are dedicated to providing the highest-quality, personalized eye care for the whole family.

We value our patient relationships and strive to improve your quality of life and vision wellness through uncompromised service and the latest, state-of-the-art technology.

Zionsville Eyecare doctors and staff are a close-working team serving the Zionsville and surrounding communities.

To schedule an appointment, call (317) 873-3000 or visit zeyecare.com.

World Health Organization. The High Impact of Myopia and High Myopia. WHO; 2017.

Accessed Nov. 14, 2019.

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There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for the health and well being of our fellow Hoosiers.

But sadly, COVID-19 has tested the limits of what health systems can accomplish on their own. And now, almost two years into the pandemic — desire, expertise and modern medicine are simply not enough.

We need help. Your help.

The situation is dire. We have more patients in our hospitals than we have beds.

We’re converting available units into critical care wards, just to make room. And as you know, the entire healthcare industry is operating on a short staff, which means our caregivers are running out of steam. It’s a daily challenge to treat incoming COVID-19 patients, as well as those who suffer from strokes, heart attacks, car accidents, cancer and appendicitis.

We need action. Right now. Here’s what you can do:

Get vaccinated. Get boosted. Get tested. Get masked.

And please remember, if you have a mild case of COVID-19, call your doctor or go to a MedCheck/Urgent Care facility. Do not go to an emergency room, as we’d strongly prefer to save those beds for the very sickest and most in need of immediate attention.

Our strength is in our ability to come together. And it is together, that we will finally see our way out of this.

14 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

RUGBY PEDIGREE MEET ZCHS RUGBY COACH JEAN-JACQUES OELOFSE Writer / Seth Johnson Photographer / Jon Ellegood

TownePost.com / FEBRUARY 2022 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 15

Jean-Jacques Oelofse has lived a life full of rugby.

Born in South Africa, Oelofse grew up with the sport as a major part of his life.

“In South Africa rugby is basically our main sport, so I started playing rugby at a young age,” he says. “I went to one of the top schools in South Africa for rugby, an allboys school.”

From high school, Oelofse went on to play rugby professionally in the United Kingdom for the Leicester Tigers club. As a forward for the squad, Oelofse won the Heineken Champions Cup twice in five seasons before returning to the continent of Africa, where he was granted an opportunity to coach the Zambia national rugby team.

“Following my time in England, I moved back to South Africa and then moved out to Zambia to start doing some sawmilling and farming,” Oelofse says. “While I was there 16 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

I did some coaching for a local rugby club, which saw great success. That then got me promoted to being the coach of the national team for Zambia.”

While he was only able to coach the Zambia national team for six months before moving back to South Africa, Oelofse says his time heading up the squad was special.

“The nice thing about rugby is that anyone can play the sport. It doesn’t matter your height or your size. There’s a position for every person of different skills and different abilities.”

Looking ahead, Oelofse also hopes he can help his players find collegiate opportunities to play rugby if they’re interested.

“It was a fantastic experience,” Oelofse says.

“It was a privilege to be asked to do it. We got to play against some of the senior teams in Africa to try and qualify for the World Cup. I got to manage the team, coach the team and build the team.”

Having worked for Wood-Mizer for several years, Oelofse eventually moved to central Indiana, where the sawmilling company was first started four decades ago. Married with two daughters, he and his family now call Stonegate in Zionsville home.

“We feel very blessed to live in Zionsville,” Oelofse says. “We think it’s a great community and a great place to bring kids up. We’ve made great friends here. It’s really a special community.”

Upon moving to Zionsville, Oelofse wanted to get more involved with the community. With his long-standing love for rugby, he decided he’d get involved with the Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS) rugby team.

“I’d wanted to be involved in the community since I arrived here,” Oelofse says.

“Obviously, with a passion for rugby I had my eyes peeled to see what opportunities there were. Then I heard about the Zionsville Community High School rugby team, and I approached the club to see if I could come and help them last season.”

Now the head coach of ZCHS rugby heading into 2022, Oelofse is looking to improve on the team’s successes from last season, while also recruiting more players to the squad.

“We obviously want more numbers at the club, so we’re trying aggressively to recruit as many players as possible,” Oelofse says.

TownePost.com / FEBRUARY 2022 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 17

“We have a number of kids with interest in colleges that are offering a rugby program, so we want to try and help develop them so that they can further their rugby careers at college,” Oelofse says. “Louisville is one of the colleges that has expressed an interest in some of our players.”

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

ALEXIS HIPSKY

EYE ON THE PRIZE ZCHS SENIOR WINS MISS FALL FESTIVAL Writer / Abigail Ogden Photography Provided

December 12, 2022, will mark the historic 100-year anniversary of the Miss America pageant. Before the 51 national finalists gather in the award-winning, 10,000seat Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, they will first have to triumph at preliminary local and state events.

The Cabin Counseling and Resource Center. Hipsky, who attended sessions at The Cabin for nutritional therapy, aims to coordinate social media efforts to promote the facility’s resources to the community.

“As a young woman who has struggled with an eating disorder and body image for

nine years, I know what it feels like to be unseen and unheard with no resources,” she says. “I want to be an advocate for young women everywhere to help them feel seen and heard, and to help connect them to resources for recovery.”

The next title Hipsky will compete for is

Alexis Hipsky, an 18-year-old senior at Zionsville Community High School, completed the first leg of her journey towards Miss America by placing first at her local Miss Fall Festival Scholarship Program. The Miss Fall Festival winner receives scholarship funds along with other prizes from local sponsors, but for these ambitious young women, there is a higher prize. With each victory, each competitor increases her platform for advocating for the social issues most pressing to them.

“The Miss America circuit is no longer a beauty pageant,” says Nichole Smith, director of the 2022 Miss Fall Festival. “This is a competition for our next leaders, our next CEOs, to spread their messages. That’s the mission of Miss America, to prepare great women for the world and prepare the world for great women.”

Hipsky is excited to have a platform through which she can champion for a cause of great importance to her - the prevalence of eating disorders and body-image struggles in young men and women. She aspired to work closely with Zionsville community partner, 18 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

Miss Indiana, with events occurring from June 13 through 18 at Zionsville Performing Arts Center. The week of the competition will include a variety of community events including a Miss Indiana parade and the Miss Indiana Princess Camp, a program for girls ages 5 to 13 to improve their skills, build their confidence, and receive mentorship from women competing for the

Miss Indiana and Miss Indiana Outstanding Teen titles.

“Going into the local circuit, I was proud of myself for trying because the first time I competed, I was so hard on myself,” Hipsky says. “I worked really hard and had a goal of placing in the top three for Miss Fall Festival. Winning made me feel like the

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judges believe in my ability to change our community and our state, possibly even the nation, regarding eating disorders and body image. I have my eyes on the prize.”

Young women interested in becoming candidates, or people interested in Miss Indiana events, can visit missindiana.org for more information.

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PRESTIGIOUS PROGRAM ALLYSON GUTWEIN SELECTED FOR U.S. CHAMBER FOUNDATION EDUCATION & WORKFORCE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Story & Photos Provided

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently announced Allyson Gutwein, Executive Director of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce was selected to participate in the sixth cohort of its premiere business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and trade associations with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.

“This is the preeminent program in the United States designed to help Chamber of Commerce leaders address workforce

development challenges,” Gutwein says. “I am honored to have been selected to learn from the U.S. Chamber and bring these tools back to Central Indiana to help our community.”

“We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners,” says Cheryl Oldham, Senior Vice President of the Center for Education and Workforce.

“They, better than anyone, see the critical link between education and economic development, and we are glad to be able to support them as they take on this critical leadership role in their community.”

Following a competitive application and selection process, Executive Director

Gutwein was one of 34 selected from across the U.S., including other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders to participate in the sixth class of this program. The yearlong virtual program, which concludes with an in-person meeting, will cover the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, postsecondary education, and workforce development.

Upon completion, Business Leads Fellows will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of more than 200 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives.

20 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

PLATTERFUL NEW LOCAL BUSINESS PROVIDES A FLAVORFUL CHARCUTERIE EXPERIENCE Writer / Heather Hunter Photographer / Justin Sicking

overwhelming for people creating their own boards at home.

When it comes to appetizers, a charcuterie board is a safe crowd pleaser. With meats, cheeses, crackers and other delicious add-ons, it’s likely to have something for everyone. However, finding the perfect layouts and flavor combinations can be

Thanks to Platterful, a new small business shipping all-in-one charcuterie kits directly to your home, gourmet party boards become accessible to anyone. Its dynamic team of co-owners, Lowell Bieber, Ryan TownePost.com / FEBRUARY 2022 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 21

Culver, and Caroline Elston, hand-pack boxes full of carefully sourced ingredients to send to doorsteps nationwide.

“People walk into a store and see a great cheese but have no idea what to pair it with,” Elston says. “With Platterful, we handpick products that go well together and

Caroline Elston and Lowell Bieber

give you the guidance you need to make a professional board.”

Platterful began as the brainchild of Culver and Bieber. The two longtime co-workers started the business after launching, successfully running, and selling Hemp Crate Co. Already familiar with the pitfalls and processes of a subscription box, they chose charcuterie as their next challenge.

“We ordered a few charcuterie boxes to see what people were doing,” Culver says. “It was really underwhelming, just products you could get from the grocery store. We wanted to create a unique, high-quality experience for a date night, bachelor party, baby shower, or any other event someone could host from their home or office.”

Elston was the missing piece that took Platterful from a box to a fully formed kit.

A charcuterie expert who went viral locally via her Instagram page, Elston ran a small business creating gourmet boards for parties and events. Her knack for pairing flavors and eye for design make her charcuterie both delicious and jaw-dropping.

Bieber and Culver set up a meeting with Elston after seeing a photo of her work via Bieber’s girlfriend.

“At first we thought Caroline could be a consultant for us,” Bieber says.

After meeting in person for the first time, the three of them knew they’d work best as a team.

“We get the best of both worlds,” Culver says. “Lowell and I are very operational and analytical. Caroline has the charcuterie experience and a lot of digital marketing experience. Plus, we all just clicked, even at that first meeting.”

Thanks to Elston, Platterful provides step-by-step assembly instructions with each subscription box. A QR code on the printed instructions leads viewers to a video tutorial. She also helps Platterful provide grazing boards and charcuterie how-to classes for groups.

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Platterful partners with small artisans nationwide to source its products, but buys from local makers when possible.

“It’s important to us to support small vendors like ourselves,” Culver says. “That way we can grow with each other.”

a grazing spread assembled by Platterful.

The table gives attendees a chance to sample products like the ones they’d find in subscription boxes.

“Getting out and connecting with local businesses is going to be very nice,” Elston says. “We can’t wait to make more The team also prefers to partner with brands connections with other people who are that support a cause like Endangered Species Chocolate.

Platterful also benefits a cause of its own.

Every box sold, from subscription boxes to bulk orders, provides 10 meals through No Kid Hungry. Using Platterful to give back was something all three co-owners agreed they wanted to do.

“Since we’re feeding people, we wanted to partner with a cause that also focused on food,” Bieber says. “So far Platterful has given over 5,300 meals to kids in need.”

Culver, Bieber and Elston look forward to offering alternative options such as vegan and gluten-free kits as the business grows. They also look forward to exploring themed boxes as they move into Platterful’s first calendar year.

Eager residents will be able to meet Platterful’s co-owners in person at OneZone’s upcoming Taste of the Chamber event. The event will take place at the Ritz Charles on Thursday, February 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Visit Carmel Magazine’s table to find

doing similar things in the community.”

To meet Platterful’s owners, sample the grazing table and get to know more small businesses in the area, buy your tickets for Taste of the Chamber 2022 via OneZone’s website. For more information about Platterful’s products, events and subscriptions, visit tryplatterful.com.

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