Currently Zionsville — June 2, 2020

June 2, 2020

In This Issue • Graduation 2020 ZCHS Senior Highlights • Get to Know Zionsville Police Department’s Bike Patrol Unit • Zionsville Named a Tree City

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June 2, 2020

CONGRATULATIONS To the Class of 2020 The Town of Zionsville congratulates the Class of 2020! Four years ago, you were welcomed into the doors of Zionsville Community High School, and now we wish you the very best in your next steps. We look forward to hearing about your future achievements.

Go Eagles!

Senior Spotlight: Rosie Inman Rosie Inman will be attending Purdue University to study Visual Communication Design (graphic design).

Why did you choose Purdue University?

It is a large school with a great academic reputation, I have plenty of friends who plan to go there and finally, I am continuing a long chain of family members who also attended Purdue.

What sparked your interest in Visual Communication Design?

I have always been artistically driven and it has influenced my life in such a way that I cannot picture my future without incorporating it into my career. I love drawing and painting and design as well as using creative and cognitive skills, so design checked all the boxes for me.

How has ZCHS prepared you for college?

ZCHS is one of the best places to spend your high school years before college. I always felt challenged but enjoyed most of the content I was learning. The teachers really care about the success of their students. High school is where I grew the most and I thank the teachers I have come to know for this

Senior Spotlight: Ben Weidner

Ben Weidner will be attending DePauw University and studying Economics. He will also be playing basketball and soccer for the university.

What are you most excited about this fall?

I am most excited about the opportunity to meet new friends and learn new things in an entirely new environment and doing this while getting the

opportunity to continue to play the two sports that I love at the college level.

What sparked your interest in Economics?

As the youngest in my family, and someone who is naturally observant, it has become evident to me that most people my age don’t know what they want to be when they grow up. My dad jokes that he is still figuring it out.

I think that is alright because there is plenty of time to figure it out and a place like DePauw will help. I am someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and I am not afraid to step into a leadership role. I hope one day to lead my

own business or organization.

How has Zionsville Community High School prepared you for college?

I am confident that I am ready academically, athletically and socially thanks to my four years at a terrific school with great teachers, coaches and staff. The people at ZCHS make learning and growing up a fun and meaningful experience. My future basketball coach at DePauw, Coach Bill Fenlon, says we are all in the relationship business. I think he is right and I believe ZCHS prepared me well in that regard.

June 2, 2020

Grad Profiles continued Senior Spotlight: Maya Ferzandi Maya Ferzandi will be attending Herron School of Art and Design.

Why did you choose Herron School of Art and Design?

Truthfully, the primary factor was the cost. Although there are other out-of-state schools that I would have loved to attend, the tuition fees for those colleges were simply outlandish. Herron is a great school that’s close to home and I’m excited to go there.

What sparked your interest in studying art?

I have been passionate about art since middle school and my dedication to it has only grown throughout the years. My preferred mediums are drawing with pens and markers and painting with acrylic paint on canvas.

How has Zionsville Community High School prepared you for college?

ZCHS has given me the help and support to develop my academic techniques and skills. An example is the learning center. That place and the people who work there, like Mrs. Simpson, had a big impact on me and provided me with a space to focus on my schoolwork without interruption.

Senior Spotlight: James Lao James Lao is the Zionsville Community High School Valedictorian. He will be attending Columbia University to study Neuroscience and Behavior.

What are you most excited about this fall?

I’m looking forward to living independently and meeting new people in the next chapter of my life.

Why did you choose Columbia University?

I chose Columbia because of the amazing resources the institution has to offer as well as the opportunity to live in New York City for four years. I can’t wait to explore the exoticness of urban life while being able to learn about subjects that I’m passionate about.

What has it been like finishing your senior year amid COVID-19?

Finishing senior year during a global pandemic has had its downsides, like missing the opportunity to make final memories of high school.

Yet, I think these crazy times have really allowed seniors an opportunity to reflect before moving away. With public life slowing down, I’ve gotten to spend much more time with my family, which is sort of a silver lining.

Senior Spotlight: Troy Thomas Troy Thomas got accepted into the prestigious Professional Flight Program at Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute.

What sparked your interest in the flight program?

When I was in the fifth grade, my science teacher brought in his flight simulator and had all the kids try it out. I absolutely loved it and really wanted to become a pilot ever since. When I first moved to Indiana and found out Purdue had a flight program, I was very eager to apply.

How has Zionsville Community High School prepared you for college?

One of the biggest aspects of ZCHS that has prepared me for college is the diverse class choice. There are so many different classes that you can take at ZCHS that you are bound to find one that really helps prepare you for your future. Classes like Personal Finance and Preparing for College and Careers both relieved the stress of college and taught me all I needed to know before graduating.

What has it been like finishing your senior year amid COVID-19?

The transition to online school was definitely unexpected and pretty rocky to start off with. But as I got more used to it, I’ve started to adapt. COVID-19 has really made this senior year bittersweet. It was fun to be out of school for a while but there are definitely memories that could’ve been made that never happened due to the virus.

In the Know CR 400 South

North-South Connector

Virtual Live Session

Utility relocation is underway. Following the utility relocation work, beginning on or after July 15, CR 400 South to the west of CR 875 East for approximately .5 miles will be closed to through-traffic. Local access will be maintained. This will be the final phase of the CR 400 South widening, repair and resurfacing project.

Construction activities have begun on the NorthSouth Connector project. Beginning on or after June 22 and continuing through Aug. 21, the intersection of Whitestown Road and CR 875 East will be closed to traffic. This project involves a new roadway segment will connect the intersection of CR 850 East/Cooper Road with CR 875 East to the north. The design includes a roundabout at the intersection of CR 850 East/Cooper Road and Oak Street and a roundabout at the intersection of CR 875 East and Whitestown Road.

Join the community conversation: Mayor Emily Styron and Town Council President Josh Garrett are hosting bi-weekly live sessions on the Town of Zionsville YouTube page. These sessions provide timely updates to residents and businesses and offer an opportunity for the community to ask questions. For dates and more information, visit: www.zionsville-in.gov/calendar.

with Mayor Emily Styron and Town Council President Josh Garrett

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June 2, 2020

Officer Heather Plummer and Officer Nic Ruby

Get to Know Zionsville Police Department’s Bike Patrol Unit Chances are if you have been out and about Zionsville this spring, you have noticed an increased presence of Zionsville police officers on bike patrol.

Under Police Chief Michael Spears, Zionsville Police Department (ZPD) has been making a concerted effort to increase its presence both on foot and bicycle patrols.

they deserve in terms of safety and community engagement,” said Public Information Officer Lieutenant Drake Sterling.

Originating in 1997, the Zionsville Police Bike Patrol Unit was created to aid in patrolling areas difficult to cover with a patrol car and to foster a better relationship with the community. By patrolling on bikes, officers are more readily approachable and personable.

Presently, about 15 officers with ZPD are active on the bike patrol unit and that number is expected to grow. ZPD is currently outfitted with nine patrol bicycles. Five bicycles in the fleet are e-bikes powered by rechargeable batteries. Officers can activate the pedal assistance at variable levels to aid in climbing hills, navigating tough terrain and traveling at higher speeds. The e-bikes have a battery life of 30-60 miles per charge and allow the bikes to travel as fast as 25 miles per hour. In addition to the electronic assistance these bikes provide, the patrol bikes are equipped with traditional red and blue emergency lights and a functioning siren. This allows these officers to perform routine duties including investigating traffic and parking infractions, answering calls for service and patrolling neighborhoods and parks.

“We are lucky to have such a flourishing park and trail system, and we want to make sure our officers are fully capable of giving those areas the attention

“The e-bikes have proven to be an excellent purchase for the department,” said Lieutenant Bryan Sauer, the bike patrol unit supervisor. “Our officers

“My vision of this department is one in which the officers and the community work together to make Zionsville the safest and best place possible to live and work,” said Chief Spears. “The bike patrol is an important part of that vision.”

are already carrying 20-30 pounds of extra weight in their duty gear. By using the pedal assist, it helps the officer’s endurance and ability to respond to needs that may come up.”

Each member of the bike patrol unit is issued a complete uniform consisting of high visibility shirts, bicycle shorts, lightweight nylon duty belts and a helmet. Bike patrol unit officers must attend a yearly eight-hour training course on braking, evasive maneuvers, dismounts, stair riding and other skills.

Outside of their regular duties on the streets, parks and trails, the bike patrol unit often patrols special events including Fall Festival and Zionsville Lions Club Fourth of July Celebration. During these events, officers are able to maneuver through crowded pedestrian traffic with ease.

The impact of the patrol unit is apparent: enhanced community connectedness and safety as well as physical health of the officers. The bike patrol unit is yet another essential program geared toward delivering the best possible service to the community.

June 2, 2020

MEET THE MERCHANT Q&A with Lolly Mahoney

The Saturday Art Shop

Open every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Inside Black Dog Books 115 S. Main Street

What inspired you to open the studio space at 115 S. Main Street?

I opened the art shop and my office so I can continue to share the artwork of my mother, the late Edie Kellar Mahaney. We sell archival prints based on her collection of paintings and we also have notecards and journals. I opened last July and it’s been a great experience to realize how many people still appreciate and love Edie’s joyful paintings.

Describe Edie’s style of painting.

Edie was an abstract expressionist painter. She painted things that were in her surroundings – gardens at home, bouquets that were sent to her, images based on her travels with dad. She had a very recognizable style of joyful exuberance in her painting. And it really resonates with the viewer to see that color and joy.

Zionsville has come to know and love Edie Kellar Mahaney. What is her background in Zionsville?

Edie was the founding director of The Munce Art Center, which opened in 1981. She was given a small grant and ran with it, developing community classes, exhibit space and hired my brother, Jackson Mahaney to develop a pottery lab. It was her vision to have community art exhibits and she organized “First Come, First Hung,” which remains at the SullivanMunce Cultural Center today. She really made an impact.

How is the SullivanMunce Cultural Center still recognizing Mahaney today?

Next year, the SullivanMunce will host the exhibit “Flowers in the Family” and feature paintings by Edie and the floral photography of my brother, Jackson Mahaney. This exhibit will coincide with the annual Gardens of Zionsville Tour, cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

You have truly made it a family affair.

Jackson’s floral prints, both framed and unframed, are available in the studio, along with a line of floral notecards. Jackson and his partner have a flower farm and most everything Jackson photographs, he grows. He spends so much time in the garden and he doesn’t do a lot of manipulation. It’s a very real connection that he has to his flowers and nature.

What is your vision moving forward?

My hope is that I continue to honor Edie’s legacy and share her artwork and be able to share Jackson’s artwork and the tradition of artists in the family. Zionsville is our home and our roots are deep.

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June 2, 2020

HOOSIERS HELPING HOOSIERS Zionsville Resident Making Intubation Boxes to Protect Healthcare Workers A Zionsville resident is using his skills to create equipment that protects healthcare workers from COVID-19.

Johnny Cartwright, Associate Director of Simulation with Indiana University School of Medicine’s Department of Anesthesia, is building intubation boxes. The box, a transparent cube made of acrylic or polycarbonate that covers a COVID-19 patient’s head, acts as a protective shield between the patient and medical staff.

“The primary purpose is to shield healthcare providers from Coronavirus particles that become aerosolized while placing a breathing tube in a patient,” Cartwright said. “Since providers have limited access to proper supply of personal protective equipment, use of this box decreases risk of exposure to aerosolized virus particles during airway management. It is meant to be an extra layer of protection in addition to N95 masks, full body gowns and eye protection.”

The design came from Dr. Hsien Yung Lai in Taiwan.

When Dr. Tanna Boyer and Dr. Matt Hamilton, two pediatric anesthesiologists at Riley Hospital for Children, learned of the design, they wanted the Riley Anesthesia team to build boxes immediately. Knowing Cartwright is both skilled and passionate about building things, he was asked to help with the project.

Within a few days of learning about the project, Cartwright built the first prototype in his garage with some added modifications to meet the specifications of the anesthesiologists and anesthetists who would be using the boxes. His prototype box went into action at Riley Hospital for Children and that same weekend, Cartwright was contacted by Eli Lilly engineers. The team at Eli Lilly helped Cartwright tremendously: they helped laser cut and acquire acrylic sheets at no cost and they assembled some of the boxes to assist in keeping up with demand.

With help from Eli Lilly, Cartwright has built approximately 44 boxes to date (34 are currently in use across IU Health facilities and the remaining are in use at St. Vincent Hospital). Cartwright and Eli Lilly plan to build 20 additional boxes.

June 2, 2020

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT The Zionsville Chamber of Commerce Over the past few months, the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce, like many local organizations, has adapted to the changes resulting from COVID-19. The Chamber has worked diligently to follow social distancing guidelines while at the same time serving members and the community. From a new e-gift card program to virtual shopping events, the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce has been responsive and creative in the face of COVID-19.

Adapting to COVID-19

By Allyson Gutwein, Zionsville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

“Keep the Lights On” Campaign

As part of the “Keep the Lights On” campaign, every day at 2 p.m. you can tune into Facebook Live on the Zionsville Chamber page to find the Chamber staff at a different store selling items. Viewers virtually see and experience stores that they may have never been to and shop by calling, emailing or messaging on Facebook. We have reached over 15,000 people through these events.

E-Gift Card Program

We have moved our gift card program online.

On a recent national webinar, our program was highlighted as new programs that were going well and growing quickly. We have a bonus program going on thanks to three very generous donors (Harris FLP, Price Baker Enterprises, LLC and CK Price Properties, LLC). For every $30 someone spends on a gift card, they get a $10 bonus. Our donors are committed to paying for 1,000 of these $10 bonus cards.

Reinventing Events

Rachel Vining, our Events Manager, has been working hard to reinvent our 2020 events. We are looking for ways to engage members, have fun and be safe and responsible. Our annual Brick Street Market has been rescheduled for August 29 and we hope to keep Street Dance on August 1. We are doing all we can to keep these events downtown and within the requirements the state has provided, and August looks the most promising.

Social Media and Digital Outreach

On social media, we have been doing our best to give our members the information needed to

Happening Around Town Spring Tox Drop Collection Every year, the Boone County Solid Waste Management District (BCSWMD) typically hosts two toxaway collection events for the recycling and proper disposal of household hazardous waste and electronics.The spring Tox Drop Collection is taking place Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Boone County Highway Department (1955 Indianapolis Avenue, Lebanon).

This collection is an opportunity for Boone County residents to safely dispose of hazardous waste.

Examples of acceptable items include, but are not limited to: vehicle fluids, small propane tanks, cleaners, insecticides, adhesives, fire extinguishers, light bulbs, oil based paint, aerosols, pool chemicals, mercury containing items (thermometers, automobile batteries, rechargeable batteries) and more. Tires are also accepted at the spring Tox Drop Collection, with limitations.

For more information, visit the BCSWMD website at www.boonecountysolidwaste.com.

effectively run their businesses in the changing environment while also providing visibility and acting as a business advocate. We accelerated our blog timeline and released our new “Chamber Chat” blog in April. In just one month, 1,000 people found our blog (including people from Alaska and Ireland).

Since we closed our offices on March 11, we have gained 22 new members (with more to come we are certain!). We are thankful and overwhelmingly appreciative that our members find value in our service, even during these tough times. We continue to #workforourmembers. This is a total team effort and we are getting things done!

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June 2, 2020

Zionsville Designated Tree City 19 Years and Running Known for our tree-lined streets and 400+ acres of parks, Zionsville has been named a 2019 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. This is the 19th consecutive year Zionsville has achieved this distinction, which honors the Town’s commitment to effective urban forest management.

In achieving the Tree City USA recognition, the Town of Zionsville met the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department (People for the Aesthetics of Zionsville – PZAZ), a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day proclamation.

In the past three years, Zionsville has invested more than $360,000 in trees to plant 339 trees and prune another 335. Investing in trees results in cleaner air, improved storm water management, increased property values, commercial activity and energy savings.

Urban trees and green spaces also provide opportunities for recreation, relaxation and social engagement, supporting physical and mental health as well as community building.

“Encouraging grassroots efforts that promote biodiverse neighborhood green spaces taps into our grow-

ing community appreciation for the many benefits of nearby nature,” said Zionsville Parks Naturalist Mindy Murdock.

As part of the Tree City recognition, the Town of Zionsville encourages residents to participate in our own grassroots effort to promote and protect trees: get outside and plant a tree this summer. Last month, the Zionsville Parks & Recreation Department planted a tree on Town Hall property. The Department has put together a list of recommended trees for Zionsville, which residents are encouraged to take with them when tree planting. Find the full list of trees here: www.zionsville-in.gov/treelist. Happy planting!

Parks Department staff Jeff Bennington (left) and Bryce Newcomer (right) plant a tree at Zionsville Town Hall.

Data as Part of the Tree City Application: Year 2017 2018 2019

Trees Planted by the Town of Zionsville 75 117 147

Trees Removed by the Town of Zionsville (*Many are invasive species) 106 82 198

Major Trees Pruned 21 116 198

Annual Investment $122,219 $121,040 $118,394

Tree Planting Tips from the Zionsville Parks & Recreation Department 3. Place the tree at the proper height, keeping the trunk flair visible after planting. When placing the tree in the hole, lift it by the root ball, not the trunk.

Preparation Before Planting

Determining where to plant a tree is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Many factors should be considered prior to planting:

4. Straighten the tree in the hole. Before backfilling, have someone view the tree from several directions to confirm it is straight.

1. Ideally, trees should be planted during the dormant season.

2. Call 811 before you dig to locate utilities.

3. Determine sunlight and moisture conditions for your site. Small and medium sized trees are recommended near streets or structures.

5. Fill the hole gently but firmly. Pack soil around the base of the root ball to stabilize it and eliminate air pockets that may dry out roots.

Avoid fertilization at the time of planting.

4. The Zionsville Tree List is a great start for determining what tree to plant.

6. Stake the tree if necessary. Remove support staking and ties after the first year of growth.

7. Mulch the base of the tree (2 – 4 inches) leaving a mulch-free area 1 – 2 inches wide at the base of the tree to prevent decay.

Tree Planting Steps

1. Dig a shallow, broad planting hole. Holes should be 2 – 3 times wider than the root ball but only as deep as the root ball.

2. Remove the container or cut away the wire

basket. Remove any fabric, plastic or string.

Inspect for circling roots. Straighten, cut or remove them.

8. Provide follow-up care. Water trees at least once a week and more frequently during hot, windy weather.