DECEMBER 2019
MAGAZINE
Roasted in the Village LOCAL MOM FOLLOWS LONG-TIME DREAM OF OPENING A COFFEE SHOP IN ZIONSVILLE
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PUBLISHER Tom Britt
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DECEMBER WRITERS
Abigail Hake / Jon Shoulders Josh Brown / Julie Yates Seth Johnson
DECEMBER PHOTOGRAPHERS
ROASTED IN THE VILLAGE: LOCAL MOM FOLLOWS LONGTIME DREAM OF OPENING A COFFEE SHOP IN ZIONSVILLE Zionsville coffee lovers are no doubt rejoicing this month as the town has gotten its first truly local coffee shop. Roasted in the Village officially celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 15. The new, family-owned coffee shop is located in the heart of Zionsville at 27 E Pine St., right around the corner from The Friendly Tavern and The Lemon Bar.
7 Hard Reset: Cereset Brings Innovative Brain Balance Technology to Carmel
10 Roasted in the Village: Local
Mom Follows Long-Time Dream of Opening a Coffee Shop In Zionsville
14 Local Artist Completes First Traffic Box Project In Zionsville
16 Watch Us Farm: Local Organization Provides a Place For Adults With Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities to Live, Learn & Work
18 Grab A Paddle: Local Pro Rick
Witsken Is Helping Pickleball Grow In Popularity In Central Indiana
22 8 Reasons Christmas Is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
25 Wild Birds Unlimited: Owner Talks Excitement of Reopened North Michigan Road Store
Brian Brosmer / Christie Turnbull Eli Beaverson / Ellie Sophia Photography Ryan Woodall
SHOP LOCAL! Help our local economy by shopping local. Advertising supporters of the Zionsville Magazine offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business. BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS ARE SPONSORED CONTENT
The Zionsville Magazine is published by the Towne Post Network, Inc. and is written for and by local Zionsville area residents. Magazines are distributed via direct mail to more than 11,000 Zionsville area business owners and residents each month.
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28 Zionsville Performing Arts Center Spreads Cheer With Holiday Season Shows
atZionsville.com TownePost.com atZionsville.com / DECEMBER 2019 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 5
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HARD RESET CERESET BRINGS INNOVATIVE BRAIN BALANCE TECHNOLOGY TO CARMEL Writer / Julie Yates . Photographer / Ellie Sophia Photography
Several years ago, Brenda Hanning and her family were struggling. Her middle school-aged son was dealing with behavior problems, school anxiety and panic attacks. Despite psychiatric treatment and prescribed medication, he was unable to sleep and consequently neither could Hanning. After two difficult years, she learned about Cereset, a noninvasive technology that relaxes stress and trauma patterns in the brain. Both Hanning and her son traveled to Chicago and tried the therapy. The results were so spectacular, she felt compelled to bring it to her community and she became a licensed provider. “A month after his sessions, he was back in the land of the living,” Hanning says. “He was able to go back to school and do the work of learning coping skills through therapy. During those worrisome years with my son’s struggles, my family and friends were very loving and supportive. However, I still felt very stressed and isolated with my heartbreak and worry. “I decided to have sessions,” she adds. “A few weeks afterward, I was sleeping all night, my energy was improving, and I wasn’t carrying a constant feeling of angst. I clearly remember driving during a bright beautiful day and a feeling of bliss came over me. It was a feeling of gratitude that I hadn’t been able to be in touch with for a few years.” Hanning went from being a provider to owning a franchise, which enables her to stay up to date with the newest technology Cereset offers. The wellness company is dedicated to helping people achieve restful and restorative sleep through a patented BrainEcho technology. The name Cereset comes from a combination of the words Cerebrum and reset. Documented research found on the company’s website supports the results Cereset promotes. When asked who could benefit from Cereset, Hanning answers, “It’s hard to imagine there being someone who couldn’t benefit from Cereset to some degree since 75% of Americans say they suffer from some form of stress, and there are an 8 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com
estimated 54% of the population who do not sleep well. More specifically, we work with anyone including military, stressed out moms, high-powered CEOs, athletes experiencing the lingering effects of concussions, and even actresses.” The goal of Cereset is to reset the brain’s natural balance between the left and right hemispheres. During times of stress, a side can get stuck into a fight or flight mode or even frozen into a state of inertness and unable to focus or feel joy. An individual’s natural brain rhythms are recorded and converted into musical tones. The tones are played back so the brain can hear itself in real-time, thus enabling it to relax and reset back into balance.
special for $99 so individuals can see what the experience is like. A Wellness Package is $2,200 and includes five in-house sessions and an at-home headband.
Since Cereset is not a medical procedure, it is not covered by health insurance. However, most health savings accounts (HSA) have approved wellness modalities and Cereset is “I believe that Cereset is the absolute best an expense that those funds can be used for. thing in the world to help people sleep and, Currently, Cereset is running an introductory by association, assist them in achieving
their highest potential, health and wellness,” Hanning says. Cereset is located at 160 West Carmel Drive in Carmel. Sessions are by appointment only. You can call 317-9227588 or visit them online at cereset.com for more information.
Without adequate sleep, depression, anxiety, irritability and fuzzy thinking can result. The link between sleep and mood is well known. Did you know that people with insomnia are 10 times as likely to experience clinical depression and 17 times as likely to experience clinical anxiety? Cereset® can help. Learn more at cereset.com
Book now in Carmel! 317.922.7588 atZionsville.com / DECEMBER 2019 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 9
LOCAL MOM FOLLOWS LONG-TIME DREAM OF OPENING A COFFEE SHOP IN ZIONSVILLE shop in my local community,” Biggs says. “We wanted to get the kids through college before I stepped away from my corporate job. I’m very excited. This has been a long time coming for me. There were definitely tears of joy on that first day we opened.”
Writer / Josh Brown Photographer / Brian Brosmer
Zionsville coffee lovers are no doubt rejoicing this month as the town has gotten its first truly local coffee shop. Roasted in the Village officially celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 15. The new, family-owned coffee shop is located in the heart of Zionsville at 27 E Pine St., right around the corner from The Friendly Tavern and The Lemon Bar. The coffee shop is a 20-year-long dream in the making for owner Amy Biggs, who is excited to finally see that dream come to life in Zionsville. “About 20 years ago, I decided that when I retired I was going to open up a coffee
Biggs, an avid coffee-drinker herself, was always looking for a place in Zionsville to sit for a cup of coffee, buy a bag of coffee beans or even get together for a short meeting or chat with friends. Having lived in Zionsville for 23 years now, she knew a coffee shop was lacking in the Village and something the community might be looking for as well. It was a no-brainer, she says, to open her dream coffee shop in a place that has been her home for more than two decades. “We love it here,” she says. “The Village is
very pretty, quaint and there is a lot of foot traffic. And there’s never really been a coffee shop here. I wanted to bring that to the Village. I want it to be a destination coffee shop experience for people.” The feel and atmosphere of Roasted in the Village, as you might imagine, is laid back and relaxing. The shop can seat about 35 to 40 people and welcomes guests in with an open floor plan, a big, white shiplap wall behind the main coffee bar, where the menu and drink specials hang, and white brick walls throughout the space. On one of the main, white brick walls in the corner of the shop is a personal tribute to Biggs’s mother— a colorful, painted mural of birds and different flowers adorn the wall. She also offers a special drink in memory of her father.
10 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com
Owner Amy Biggs
“When my parents passed away (my dad in 2011 and my mom in 2015) they each left me a bit of money [we used to] invest into the coffee shop,” Biggs says. “So, to honor them, the mural incorporates Chrysanthemums, which were my mom’s favorite flowers. I also offer a Chemex pourover called the ‘Hey, Doc’ because my dad was a professor of Chemistry at the University of Notre Dame, and his friends at church called him ‘Doc.’” What will set Roasted in the Village apart from other big-box coffee shops, Biggs says, is they will “offer exceptional coffee and tea service.” Biggs has partnered with Nelson’s Teas — an Indianapolis-based loose leaf tea company — to bring a variety of tea options to her coffee shop. On the coffee side, Biggs is using beans from a roaster based in Louisville. She is making sure the options are authentic coffee house drinks that are fresh roasted, fresh ground and fresh brewed every time. The business is 100% a family affair, too. Biggs says her daughter handles social media, her husband built the main bar and her son has also helped out with the shop. “My family is very excited,” she says. “This has become more of a family journey than I would have expected. Every day they’ve helped me out in one way or another.” So far, the community response has been quite positive for Biggs, who says that has certainly given her some validation in making the decision to open the coffee shop in Zionsville. “People have been very complimentary about how the shop has turned out,” she says. “We have had a lot of family and friends come in. But local merchants and those realizing we have a coffee shop now have come in too and been genuinely excited that we are now open. It certainly reinforces that there was a need for a locally-owned coffee shop in the Village.” In the future, Biggs aims to give back to the Zionsville community in a variety of ways. atZionsville.com / DECEMBER 2019 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 11
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“We want to make sure we are very intentional about our community involvement,” she says. “One big focus for us will be on our youth. Those coming in that want to hang signs or flyers in the window, I am prioritizing that it has something to do with the youth of the community. There are already some charitable organizations we are talking with as well and creating some relationships that hopefully allow us to give back.” Roasted in the Village will also be a part of monthly local events in Zionsville. On Dec. 12, the coffee shop will be included in the lineup of vendors for the Christmas in the Village Ladies Night. Guests can always visit their Facebook page to see upcoming events.
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At the end of the day, Biggs hopes her coffee shop will be a place that locals and their families enjoy visiting. She encourages those who haven’t stopped by yet to pop in and visit.
So call Cathy Gregory at 317-261-1608 today. And partner with an experienced banking professional dedicated to providing the one-on-one attention you deserve.
“We’d love for anyone to come in and visit us,” she says. “Come experience spending some time at Roasted in the Village and give us your feedback. We hope everyone enjoys it.”
Cathy Gregory Vice President, Private Banker NMLS #636095 ©2019 The National Bank of Indianapolis
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12 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com Client/Filename:
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Roasted in the Village is located at 27 E Pine St in Zionsville. The coffee shop is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, give them a call at 317344-2181 or visit them online at roastedinthevillage.com.
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Cynthia Young, Artist & Executive Director of the SullivanMunce Cultural Center
LOCAL ARTIST COMPLETES FIRST TRAFFIC BOX PROJECT IN ZIONSVILLE “ZCD requested that the one at 106th Street and Zionsville Road be related to the dahlia since we used to be known as the Dahlia Bursting with brightly colored dahlias, City and it is close to the street, just east of Zionsville’s painted traffic box at the corner the box, that bears the dahlia name,” Young of 106th Street and Zionsville Road pays says. “I selected yellow dahlias because there homage to the town’s past. The cheerful was once a lemon-colored award-winning piece of urban art is the work of Cynthia dahlia from Zionsville called ‘Zions’s Pride’.” Young, who is not only the executive director of SullivanMunce Cultural Center Bringing public art to Zionsville is but an artist as well. It was initiated by a goal of the ZCD and the Town of the Zionsville Cultural District (ZCD) Zionsville. Possible Artists were identified as part of its Public Arts Initiative and is and invited to submit designs that the one in a series of planned painted traffic Public Arts Committee reviewed. Young boxes. ZCD requested that the first box pay was selected and her design was approved tribute to dahlias. by the committee. Writer / Julie Yates Photography provided
“I have always admired botanicals and chinoiserie and used them quite often in the interiors I designed whether in fabrics, wallpaper or art,” Young says. “I like the combination of line drawings of plants and flowers combined with rendered ones. I thought the combination would be a beautiful way to handle the dahlia box and give it interest.” Young has been involved with the local arts in Zionsville for several years. She and her husband, Monty, have lived in Zionsville since 2000 and their son Alex graduated from Zionsville High School before earning a degree in music from Indiana University
14 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com
I THINK EVERYONE IS CREATIVE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I HOPE IT MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY AND PUTS A SMILE ON THEIR FACE. in 2011. Her first public art mission for Zionsville was heading up a mural project in the Pleasant View Elementary School cafeteria when her son was a student there. For the last 12 years, she has been involved with SullivanMunce Cultural Center and became executive director in 2013. Recently, she also painted the Walking Man sculpture at Town Hall. “I have always been involved in art one way or another. I feel like it is a part of life,” Young says. “Although lately I have been involved in a number of public art projects, I normally work in ink, acrylic, drawing media, gouache, and pastel, on paper, canvas, and board. My subject is usually the human form, but I also work with other subjects including nature, animals, and abstracts. I rekindled my love of the human form after taking a portrait and figure drawing class at the SullivanMunce Cultural Center in 2013.”
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Young simply hopes people enjoy her artwork. “I hope people are inspired when they view my work,” she says. “I think everyone is creative in one way or another. I hope it makes people happy and puts a smile on their face. Creating reduces stress and is a form of meditation. Art makes people happier whether they are creating or viewing it. Simply, I hope people enjoy it!”
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©2019 Diamond Capital Management
WATCH US FARM LOCAL ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A PLACE FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL & INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES TO LIVE, LEARN & WORK Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Ryan Woodall
For Janice Agarwal, a longtime dream became a reality. With support from the Town of Zionsville, Watch Us Farm began initial operations this past summer. The goal of the farm is to provide adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to learn both job and social skills while contributing to the local community. Recently, participants have been visible around the Village doing things such as painting curbs and cutting weeds.
throughout the world. David Agarwal is the treasurer for Special Olympics of Boone County and is a medical doctor specializing in diagnostic radiology. One of their two sons is an individual with special needs. “Farms like this are all over the world,” Agarwal says. “In the United States, there is one in Montana and Texas but nothing like it in Indiana. We bought this property six years ago with the idea in mind.
“The farm’s mission is to reach high school graduates or those who age out of public school that society has left out. These are individuals, who, at first, don’t seem Agarwal, who is executive director and different but will always need supervision. co-founded Watch Us Farm with her They can be trained to do three or fourhusband David, conceived the idea of the step tasks and will be successful as long as farm through professional and personal they have a safety net. They can do jobs experience. Agarwal is a physical therapist other people don’t want such as planting, with a certification in neurodevelopmental weeding, picking vegetables, maintenance treatment whose work has taken her or even folding clothes.”
Agarwal’s long-term goal for the farm is to create a self-service, self-sustaining community. This summer served as a trial run to see how the farm could function. Manuals were written for people who instruct individuals as well as for those who come to volunteer. “People who volunteer tell me the experience has been life-changing and they didn’t realize they would get so much out of it or how much it would affect them,” Agarwal adds. “They didn’t realize how fun these individuals can be and how they can be integrated into life.” Agarwal is grateful for the community support she has received. She has met with Zionsville Mayor Tim Haak and the Town Council. She has also reached out to both Zionsville Community High School and Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in order to facilitate some possible future vocational training exchanges and opportunities for
16 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com
student service hours. However, for Watch Us Farm to continue and flourish, a larger location and some kind of corporate sponsorship are needed. “When you have community involved it becomes a relationship,” Agarwal says. “This is the way life should be. Mayor Haak is eager to help us and he gets what we are doing, but the town doesn’t have the funds. When we bought our land, we were hoping that eventually we could buy neighbors’ farms, but instead developers purchased the properties. In Germany, I saw a farm like ours that was funded by Audi. “My dream would be to develop it into a working farm, restaurant, shop, vocational center and even residential housing,” she adds. “It all depends on the community. Whatever we do, we want the town to be proud of it.” For more information visit WatchUsFarm.com.
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LOCAL PRO RICK WITSKEN IS HELPING PICKLEBALL GROW IN POPULARITY IN CENTRAL INDIANA Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Ryan Woodall
You might recently have heard the term pickleball. The sport has been picking up steam nationally in recent years and has gotten traction right here in Central Indiana, both as a fun casual pastime and as a structured athletic endeavor. Well, local tennis and pickleball instructor Rick Witsken has been far ahead of the curve when it comes to the growth of this unique sport in the Hoosier state.
Back in 2013, Witsken first noticed a steady rise in the popularity of pickleball, which combines aspects of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, and for which players use paddles and a perforated ball somewhat similar to a Wiffle ball. Already a successful tennis instructor since 2001, he immediately understood the attraction to the sport and figured he should get on board as both a player and coach. “I grew up playing ping-pong with my brothers, and after watching some higher-
level pro pickleball players, I thought to myself, ‘Hey, I can do that,’” Witsken says. “The idea of playing a sport that’s on the rise professionally, and that rivals tennis and ping-pong, excited me.” Witsken went on to play in several tournaments and studied the game extensively, and as the sport’s attraction has continued to increase, his own Indybased coaching business, Team Witsken Tennis, now offers private and semi-private pickleball instruction and clinics for all ages.
18 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com
“Pickleball really is fun, and it’s one of those sports that can be a lifelong thing like golf and tennis,” he says. “Since it’s played on a somewhat shorter court it has that intimate feel, and it’s also something you can do with your family. With the right instruction, you can be playing in an hour. It’s hard to get good at, but it’s easy to get decent at.” Witsken now travels around the county running pickleball camps and coaches as much pickleball as he does tennis here in Central Indiana. He recently collaborated with Sue Gregerson, business director with the Special Projects Division at Zionsville Community Schools, to have pickleball lines painted on the tennis courts at Zionsville Middle School and Zionsville West Middle School. “Pickleball is now happening at those schools in the evenings on Wednesdays and Sundays, and that’s so exciting to me,” says Witsken, who also coaches the Zionsville Middle School girls tennis team. “The sport is just exploding, and kids are creating their own pickleball courts in their garages and driveways. I think in our lifetime we’ll see it as an official sport in schools around the country.” Witsken, an Indy native and Carmel High School grad, has had a racquet or paddle in his hand off and on for most of his life. He started playing tennis at age eight, and by the time high school rolled around, he’d developed his game extensively and won state singles titles in 1988 and 89. His successes earned him a full ride to the University of Alabama, where he became a two-time All-American. In the mid-1990s Witsken’s brother Todd, who played tennis professionally and ranked as high as 43rd in singles and 4th in doubles, offered him a job at the nowclosed Indianapolis Tennis Center. Rick had begun his own pro career but decided to join Todd and become an instructor, and the two began talking about having their own tennis instruction organization. Tragedy struck two years later when Todd, who had developed a brain tumor, passed away in 1998 at the age of 34.
“I was glad that I got to spend that time with Todd, and we had started developing a business of tennis instruction together before he passed away,” Witsken explains. “He was my role model. I’ve basically been doing instruction and tennis programs for 20 years.” Team Witsken Tennis was officially founded by Witsken in 2001 to carry on the coaching legacy he and Todd envisaged. He and his staff, including legendary Indy coach P.A. Nilhagen, hold most of their classes and clinics at The Retreat Northwest near 96th Street in Indy, in addition to Finch Creek Fieldhouse in Noblesville and Cyntheanne Park in Fishers. “We also teach pickleball to some of the retired folks at the Overlook - we love being out in the community, and we’re not limited to having programs at The Retreat,” says Witsken, adding that he sees around 50 pickleball players daily including students and players who rent his indoor courts for their own use. “We get students from all over now, and I’m shocked every day to see how many people are trying it out.” Witsken also serves on the board of United Pickleball Management and is currently working to bring a pro tournament to Indianapolis, which is tentatively slated for summer 2020. Visit unitedpickleballmanagement.com for updates. For more information on Team Witsken tennis and pickleball programs, visit teamwitsken.com. 20 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com
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8 REASONS CHRISTMAS IS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR there. Taking time out during the holidays to unplug and reconnect makes for the most enjoyable gatherings! While this can be a The holidays are the perfect time to give. Growing up, there were certain things you People tend to channel their inner Saint Nick stressful time of the year, it doesn’t have to looked forward to right after Thanksgiving. and give more generously around this time of be. Put that phone down and enjoy the time The radio started playing Christmas songs, the year. Sock donations are always welcomed you have with your loved ones, unless you are lights quickly went up around town, and and a great way to give to local shelters. There snapping photos of course! Anytime a large the hustle and bustle of life started to run at (or small) group gets together, it’s a good are plenty of kids who might not have a very a quicker pace because everyone knew the time. It’s always fun to see that cousin who’s magical holiday without donations, so look season was here and the holiday was coming, in from California or your great grandmother for local children’s centers and groups where and fast! But while we all love the holiday surrounded by all her grand and greatyou can adopt a child for the holidays by season, there are a few things that really help grandchildren. Holiday get-togethers tend to fulfilling their wish list anonymously. Giving make Christmastime the most wonderful. make for some of the best memories! doesn’t have to be done in monstrous ways, you can just grab an item off the donation tree 1. THE LIGHTS at work, buy a preloaded bag of groceries at 4. CHRISTMAS PARTIES the store or even buy the coffee for the person There’s something about driving around on Speaking of get-togethers with friends and behind you in line at your favorite coffee streets lined with lighted trees that transports family, everyone is throwing a party during shop! Often times, it’s the littlest things that most to a happy and carefree place! There’s make the biggest difference. Not only do you this time of the year and there’s definitely something about the twinkling lights backed something for all! It’s amazing the different feel good doing it, you know you are making by the darkness that makes you feel like you types of parties you can have these days – gift someone else’s day too. are in a magical wonderland. And if there’s exchanges, crafting, cookie decorating or end snow, the lights take on an even more magical of year work parties are sure to fill out your 3. FRIENDS & FAMILY effect. So, please light up all the things! holiday calendar. And honestly, who doesn’t All lamps, fences, homes, anything and get a good laugh when the ugly Christmas One of the best parts of the holidays, for everything! And don’t feel rushed to take most, is seeing our friends and family at times sweaters come out to play! Just make sure to them down either. drink responsibly and have fun. when we aren’t rushed to get from here to Writer / Abigail Hake Photography Provided
2. GIVING BACK
22 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com
So there you have it. Some of the best reasons that Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. And while it can be the Holiday food is all about comfort and we can Some of the most loved movies out there most magical and fun-filled time of the all use a little bit of comfort food now and are those that revolve around a holiday. year for most, please know that it can again. It is funny how you might look forward Who goes through Thanksgiving without to your grandmother’s pecan pie or your watching “A Christmas Story” or the entire be extra hard for others. So, this holiday season, make it a goal to remember mom’s green bean casserole, but there’s also month of December without watching everyone has a story you might not see, to something about the sweets that come along “Elf ”? And let’s be honest “Home Alone” spread love and kindness and remember with the holidays that really call you to the is a kid’s favorite year-round. Holiday the reason for the season. table. Pumpkin Pies, Christmas Cakes and movies can really get you in the spirit! all the cookies you can imagine tend to fill You might be missing out if you haven’t dessert tables to the edges and also make you watched “The Family Stone,” “It’s a wish you wore your best yoga pants to dinner. Wonderful Life,” or “While You Were Sleeping.” Make a list this year and see how many you can check off! 6. PRETTY PRESENTS Gift wrapping has become an art form. 8. FAMILY TRADITIONS Beautifully wrapped packages are extra enticing sitting under the tree. Sometimes Traditions are an awesome way to make the best are brown paper packages tied up memories year after year. It could be with string, but other times the winners volunteering together with friends and are ones with sprigs of fresh greenery and family, making ornaments with your kids beautiful handmade bows. While you can or decorating gingerbread houses with outsource gift wrapping to the kids running friends. Whatever you decide to do, make fundraisers at the mall or the shop you it a tradition. You may already have some purchased at, it is fun to get creative with like wearing matching pajamas or going your wrapping. You can also create your ice skating outdoors but there’s definitely own wrapping paper from drawings and nothing wrong with making sure you pictures which is great if you want to go do something every year around the for a more personalized look. Either way, same time! It takes that normal everyday if you do it yourself or ask someone for outing and turns it into something special help, pretty packages are something to look everyone looks forward to. forward to each holiday season!
5. DELICIOUS FOOD
7. HOLIDAY MOVIES
atZionsville.com / DECEMBER 2019 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 23
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Owner Charity Rausch
OW N E R TA L K S E XC I T E M E N T O F R E O P E N E D N O RT H M I C H I G A N R O A D STO R E Writer / Seth Johnson Photographer / Eli Beaverson
Growing up, Charity Rausch had her eyes set on running a business of her own. “I went to IU and was going to be in retail,” Rausch says. “I apparently told everybody I was going to own my own business. I don’t really recall saying that, but that’s what everyone tells me I said.”
“But I was really excited to purchase this store where we live because it’s in the community where we can give back and be part of it, even more than we already are by living here with our children.”
“The birds came into the picture about 10 years ago, and the business didn’t come from the passion for birds,” she says with a laugh. “The business came first, and then the passion for birds came after.”
Originally founded in 1981 by John Carpenter, the first-ever Wild Birds Unlimited store was located in Broad Ripple. Since those humble beginnings, however, the backyard bird feeding and nature specialty store has grown to be the largest of its kind, with more than 330 locations throughout the United States and Canada.
The Path to Birds
Now, Rausch and her husband Adam are franchise storeowners of two Wild Birds Unlimited locations in Carmel-Zionsville and Noblesville. With roots in the Zionsville area, the Rausch family is especially thrilled With these Indiana roots, Wild Birds to have reopened the store in their neck of Unlimited has its franchise office located the woods this past July. in Carmel. It’s here where Charity first got involved with the company after many “The Noblesville store is my baby, so I years of pursuing other retail-related love the Noblesville store,” Charity says. endeavors.
Originally born in Roachdale, Ind., Charity studied at Indiana University before quickly entering the corporate retail sector. “I have worked in retail since I was in college, and that’s mostly been corporate retail,” she says. “I decided it was time to start a family, and corporate retail required a lot of traveling. It just didn’t feel like a balance with what I was looking for.” After planting roots in Zionsville, Charity accepted a job at Indiana University as a lecturer in the retail studies program.
atZionsville.com / DECEMBER 2019 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 25
“I did that for about four years, commuting from Zionsville to IU and teaching down there,” she says. “I absolutely adored that job. If my family hadn’t been a priority, I probably would still be doing that. But my family became the priority, and commuting from Zionsville to Bloomington was a bit of a challenge.”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. This led to her job at the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise office, working as a coach to franchise storewith owners. Makebusiness it even sweeter
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opportunity in 2014, purchasing a store in Westfield that eventually became the current Noblesville store. “I was their business coach,” Charity says of the former Westfield owners. “They called and said, ‘Hey. Can you help us pull some information together for a potential buyer?’ And I said, ‘Actually, my husband and I are interested in buying your store.’ So that’s how we bought the first store.” Embracing the Community With a second store now located in her own Carmel-Zionsville community, Rausch looks forward to sharing her passion for nature with neighbors. “Since I don’t live in Noblesville, it’s harder to stay connected and know what’s going on over there,” Charity says. “Whereas with the Zionsville community, I am already here. I know what’s going on and how we can get more involved in the community in regards to education on the birds and nature-related things.” In the future, Charity would especially like to educate more youths in the area on the wildlife in their backyard. “I’m usually always geared toward youth with programs,” she says. “I feel like today’s youth is on technology a bit too much, especially since I have a teenager. So this is just a way to get kids connected and get them outside.” All in all, Charity looks forward to owning a Wild Birds Unlimited store in her own backyard. “I’m just excited to be involved in the community a little bit more with the business,” she says. The Carmel-Zionsville Wild Birds Unlimited store is located at 9830A N. Michigan Rd. You can also call them at 317-334-1883 or visit them online at Carmel.WBU.com.
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ZIONSVILLE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SPREADS CHEER WITH HOLIDAY SEASON SHOWS Writer / Seth Johnson Photography Provided by Christie Turnbull
In keeping with tradition, the Zionsville Performing Arts Center will be overflowing with cheer this holiday season. Take a break from Christmas shopping this December and enjoy a performance or two at the community-centric venue, located at 1000 Mulberry St. in Zionsville. On Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, Zionsville Community High School will present its annual holiday concert, featuring all of the school’s
performing arts groups. And from Dec. 13-15, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble (CIDE) will present their annual rendition of “The Nutcracker,” with various evening and matinee performances. Originally built in 2003, the Zionsville Performing Arts Center (also known as the STAR Bank Performing Arts Center) started out as being a Zionsville Community High School venue, before eventually pivoting to its current role as a space that’s used by the entire Zionsville community.
“When the Performing Arts Center first opened, it was functioning primarily as a school venue,” says Zionsville Performing Arts Center director Isaac Spillman. “There were a few rental events, but not a ton. Now, I’d say we’re at the point where we’re not only a school resource, but we’re also a community resource. When we’re not in use for school events, we’re bringing in dance studios from the community, dance competitions, conferences, speakers, and all sorts of things to really help get the community in through our doors.”
28 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2019 / atZionsville.com
The Center’s pair of holiday shows serve as a prime example of its yearly programming, with one being a Zionsville Community High School show and the other a community function. As previously mentioned, the Zionsville Community High School Holiday Concert features contributions from all of the school’s performing arts groups, including band, choir and orchestra. “The holiday concert is great because every student, freshman through senior, will be on stage at some point during the concert,” Spillman says. “We will either have an ensemble by itself or a combination of two ensembles, and the bulk of the program is composed of that. Then for the finale, every student who’s in the performing arts performs one giant group number.” As a 2015 graduate of Zionsville Community High School, Spillman can personally vouch for just how important the school’s performing arts programs are. “They had a huge impact on me throughout high school,” Spillman says. “I was involved in band. I was involved in the theater department. I worked on the technical crew.” As for the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s rendition of The Nutcracker, Spillman says the show has become “a fixture” of the Zionsville Performing Arts Center’s annual programming. “They have been hosting “The Nutcracker” at our space for over 10 years,” Spillman says. “They have dancers from all over the Indianapolis area who are involved in the ensemble. There are usually some ZCHS students that are in the dance ensemble as well because it’s one of the larger ensembles in the area.” The Zionsville Performing Arts Center is located at 1000 Mulberry Street. You can call them at 317-733-4833 or visit their website at ZionsvillePAC.org.
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