Hendricks County ICON reaches a vast segment of our community. For information about reaching our readers, call Amanda Babinec at (317) 451-4088 or email her at amanda@icontimes.com.
Hendricks Humane held its 18th annual Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting event on Friday, November 3, from 7–10pm at the CRG Event Center in Plainfield. Come! Sip! Stay! is an annual interactive and fun-filled evening where Tasting Sponsor Crown Liquors and Presenting Sponsor Nest Realty offered guests a wide variety of curated wines, beers and spirits for sampling.
In addition to wine and spirits tasting, over 250 attendees enjoyed a variety of adult beverages and light appetizers complemented by live entertainment, a wine pull, and silent auction. Using mobile bidding technology, the silent auction offered a diverse array of items to guests in attendance, as well as others with online bidding access.
All funds raised are dedicated toward ending dog and cat overpopulation, and to providing medical expense assistance for owned pets. The largest source of funding for the year, the Come! Sip! Stay! event raises needed funds to attain organizational annual goals in serving the Hendricks County community by:
• Funding 1,000 spay/neuter surgeries of owned pets and community cats
• Funding all pet owner requests for assistance of medical and other care needs of pets
• Funding supplemental pet food for our pantry to serve over 170 dogs and cats monthly
• Funding to implant free or low-cost microchips for over 150 pets.
“Hendricks Humane is grateful to over 140 businesses and individuals who sponsored and/or donated items for the event. Our team of over 20 volunteers can be proud of exceeding our goal for this year’s event, and as a result of their effort, we will continue to serve that many more animals and owners in need in Hendricks County” said Carol Battistini, Event Co-Chair. Presenting Sponsor for the sold-out event was Nest Realty, a community minded and client-focused company that offers a full complement of real estate services, and which is staffed by seasoned professionals who skillfully guide you through the contractual, investment, and emotional decisions involved in the real estate process. In addition, a special welcome cocktail was provided by Tasting Sponsor Tito’s vodka.
Hendricks County Humane Society is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization founded in 1970. Its programs and services –funded by public donations, events and grants – are dedicated to ending pet overpopulation, furthering a people/animal bond, and educating the community about the humane care of animals. The organization follows a mission of being a “Voice for the Animals.” For more information, contact Hendricks Humane Society at 317-745-3338. To donate, please visit hendrickshumane.org.
Have any news tips? Want to submit a calendar event? Have a photograph to share? Call Kate Anderson at (317) 451-4088 or email her at kate@icontimes.com. Remember, our news deadlines are several days prior to print.
Hendricks County ICON is published by Grow Local Media, LLC. Content published alongside this icon is sponsored by one of our valued advertisers. Sponsored content is produced or commissioned by advertisers working in tandem with Grow Local Media, LLC sales representatives. Sponsored content may not reflect the views of The Hendricks County ICON publisher, editorial staff or graphic design team. The Hendricks County ICON is devoted to clearly differentiating between sponsored content and editorial content. Potential advertisers interested in sponsored content should call (317) 451-4088 or email rebecca@icontimes.com.
Attendees enjoy sampling spirits. (Above)
(Submitted photo)
Randy’s Awards &
Creating ourselves
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” - George Bernard Shaw
EDITOR’S
NOTE
By Kate Anderson
When I graduated College, my mother said to me, “Congratulations, now go out there, figure it out and find yourself”. Although she meant well, I always thought that was a thoughtless request. I thought, “How?”. Is there a book I should read? Did I miss that course in college? I had always taken the advice of my school counselors, friends, relatives and professors. I tried to make their wishes and plans for me into my dream, my vision. Heck, I was 22. I was living on ramen and pizza rolls, and although I had graduated with a teaching degree, I knew deep down that wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. I did eventually teach for a while, but my heart wasn’t in it and decided to take other paths. MANY different paths. I thought that by having all these different experiences, I could “find myself”. You know what? I was both right and wrong. Even though I have aged
and have all kinds of adventures and life experiences, I am still working on creating the “me” I want to be. As I aged and I hit certain age milestones I would think, “Ok, this is the year I find myself”. I completely lost myself in the idea of “finding” that I didn’t realize I was already doing the “creating”. After all of these years, I have come to realize that I am an ever-evolving being. I am still working on myself and that’s ok.
How about you? Have you found yourself, but don’t feel like you have created who you truly are? Look at yourself in the mirror and know that you are still a work in progress and that is OK. How are you helping others create themselves? Do you lift them up or ask them to conform to a picture of what they “should” be? I think we all need a little grace, don’t you? Let’s all give ourselves a pat on the back for the progress we’ve made because, let’s face it. Life is hard and we’re all just doing the best we can each day.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
Compiled by Amanda Babinec
Washington Township Board approves 2024 budget
The Washington Township Board met October 5. Meetings can be viewed on the township’s Facebook page or YouTube channel. The board meets monthly at the Washington Township Government Center, 311 Production Drive, Avon. The next scheduled meeting is November 15 at 3p.m.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Washington township board approved the 2024 township budget.
WHAT IT MEANS: The township staff and township board have been working on the 2024 budget for several months led by Deputy Trustee Britt Woodard and with the direction of the township’s financial advisor, Jeff Peterman. With this approval, the budget has been uploaded to the DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance).
WHAT HAPPENED: Resolution 100523-02: Additional Appropriation was approved by the township board.
WHAT IT MEANS: The parks department was awarded some new programs this year, namely the Eli Lilly STEM Camp and Explorer Extended Care, that had not been approved as of the adoption of the 2023 budget. This resolution would appropriate the revenue the department had earned back into the budget.
WHAT HAPPENED: Resolution 100523-04: Reallocation of 2013 General Obligation Bond and 2014 Park Bond Dormant Funds
WHAT IT MEANS: The funds to pay off the bonds were advanced from the General and Rainy Day funds in 2022 and placed in escrow, but the Township still collected the settlement revenue in December 2022. This resolution would renew the cash expended by the Rainy Day fund with the tax revenue. The township board approved the reallocation and placed the funds in the Rainy Day vs township assistance so they can be used for any purpose or need in the future.
WHAT HAPPENED: Township Assistance department report was presented to the township board.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Township Assistance department has been extremely busy. Deputy Trustee Woodard explained that the Energy Assistance Program would not start taking applications until October and reiterated that rent prices are high in Avon which she believes have been driving up the need for township assistance.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Parks & Recreation department report was presented to the township board.
WHAT IT MEANS: Director of Parks & Recreation, Lora Helmick, said the Doggie Dip Day event at Murphy Park on the last day was well received and successful. She planned to have it again in 2024. She noted that the ice rink and Christmas tree had already been set up at Murphy Park. She also said several cabana sponsorships were up for renewal and was pleased to say that many sponsors would be renewing their support. Lastly, she said Trustee Miller had re-signed with Veridus Group for Phase 2 of Murphy Aquatic Park.
HAPPENED: The Fire Department
WHAT IT MEANS: Chief Danny Brock informed the board that he was working with Veridus on cost estimates for new stations and/or station remodels. He also said work to improve the Training Ground was starting. He also stated that runs were on trend to be up over 400 from 2022. When asked if station 142 was being scheduled for remodel or demolition, Chief Brock stated they were looking at all options, including relocating the station.
WHAT
report was presented to the township board.
Danville Town Council approves change of speed limit on Main St., between CR 300 East and CR 400 East
Compiled by Amanda Babinec
The Danville Town Council met November 1. These meetings can be viewed on the town’s YouTube channel. The council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Danville Town Hall, 49 N. Wayne St. The next scheduled meeting was November 15, which will be reported on in the next issue of the ICON
WHAT HAPPENED: O.W. Krohn & Associates presented findings from a rate study for a utilities bond. The last study was done in 2021.
WHAT IT MEANS: There are many waste water projects that need to be completed to support the growth of the Danville community and inflation. In order to do all of the projects that need to be done a 16% rate increase would be required. The town council provided a consensus to the O.W. Krohn to move forward with the project in the entirety of the scope. Bond rates will be presented at the next town council meeting.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Town Manager presented 3 letters of engagement to the town council for approval.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Town Manager requested approval to retain O.W. Krohn & Associates as the financial advisor for this project as well as Taft Law and Bose, McKinney & Evans as bond counsel. A request was also made to retain Robert W. Baird as the underwriter for the wastewater bond. O.W. Krohn & Associates was approved by a unanimous vote. A motion was made to approve Taft Law and Bose, McKinney & Evans as bond counsel and it was voted down 3-2. A new motion was presented to retain Taft Law only since that’s the way it had been done in the past and that motion carried 4-1. Robert W. Baird was voted to be retained as the underwriter by a unanimous vote.
WHAT IT MEANS: This is on budget and was approved unanimously by the town council. WHAT HAPPENED: Public Works came forward to seek approval for the 11th payment for the water treatment facility project in the amount of $1,476,036
ICONIC brief
Avon Tri Kappa’s 13th annual Purse Bingo
Avon Tri Kappa hosted their 13th annual purse bingo on Thursday, Nov. 9. With a record attendance of over 600, this is their largest fundraiser of the year. The event allows Avon Tri Kappa to give back to the community by giving college scholarships to local Washington Township high school seniors as well as grants to local organizations such as food banks, shelters, cultural/art events, outreach, and many other community needs.
WHAT IT MEANS: The 2024 budget was approved unanimously. Town Manager thanked the council as well as the current and previous Clerk Treasurer for their work on the 2024 budget. He stated that this budget will help secure long-term employment of future personnel.
WHAT IT MEANS: Authorizes general obligation bonds for the project, which includes acquisition of vehicles, certain equipment, Town Hall HVAC improvements, and other related items. This was presented at the last board meeting and approved unanimously at the current board meeting.
WHAT IT MEANS: Motion was made to change the speed on Main St. between County Road 300 E. and County Road 400 E. to 40 mph. The motion was approved unanimously. The town is required to post this change for 30 days before the speed can officially be changed.
Avon Town Council approves rezoning for Habitat for Humanity project
Compiled by Amanda Babinec
The Avon Town Council met October 19. Meetings can be viewed at avonindiana.gov/ livestream. The council will meet at 7p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month for the balance of the year at Avon Town Hall, 6570 E US HWY 36. The next scheduled meeting is November 16.
WHAT HAPPENED: Steve Moore, Public Works Director presented his department report to the Avon Town Council.
WHAT IT MEANS: Mr. Moore updated the council on several projects. Work was completed on the Ronald Reagan project near the Portillo’s entrance and it was re-opened Wed, Oct. 25. Phase 1 of the Dan Jones Road project was running into wet subgrade so they are doing subgrade treatment. They will have Dan Jones open to traffic this year, but won’t have surface and markings as well as landscape done until spring. They have bid out clearing trees for phase 2 of the Dan Jones Road project so they can do utility relocation and complete bidding for the project. The public works dept is also looking at median options for the Raceway roundabout and working on patching potholes.
WHAT HAPPENED: Bill Peoples, City Planner presented his department report to the Avon Town Council.
WHAT IT MEANS: Drew Wilson has settled into his new role as code enforcement inspector and the MS4 inspector. The Board of Zoning Appeals heard one case in October for dumpster enclosures along 900 for the Ace Hardware development. That variance was approved. The BZA has no meeting scheduled for Nov. The planning commission had a busy October with 7 items on the agenda, but only 4 of those items were continued. Sudan Trucking Avon Business Park was approved and the Avon Christian Church subdivision rezoning was forwarded with a favorable recommendation.
WHAT HAPPENED: Chief Sean Stoops presented the Avon Police Department report to the Town Council.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Avon Police Dept. partnered with the Avon/Washington Township Fire Dept. in a joint 3 day training exercise that focused on search & rescue techniques utilizing police officers, fire fighters, drones with thermal imaging, and Project Lifesaver transponders and receivers. This training was meant to help both departments respond faster and more effectively to locate lost individuals. In October, the department responded to 1,433 calls for service which puts them on pace to exceed 16,000 calls for 2023.
WHAT HAPPENED: Jared Wade, Communications Director presented a few updates for the communications department as well as the parks department on behalf of the Parks Director.
WHAT IT MEANS: The town is looking to rename all county roads. They had over 500 submissions for names and Mr. Wade along with Town Manager Ryan Cannon will narrow those down to 7-10 options that will be presented to the council and provided to the public for input. Friday, Oct 20 was the ceremonial first pitch for Avon Youth Sports, which used to be AJAA. November 11 was the town’s first ever Veteran’s Day celebration as well as the first drone show in Hendricks County. The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with the new tree will take place on December 2.
WHAT IT MEANS: Habitat for Humanity will be building an 18 single unit family dwellings on approx. 11 acres that sit on the church property. Town council members had several questions related to the development including what happens if a homeowner sells. If the home is sold while Habitat still owns the mortgage, they have the first right of refusal. They also prohibit the homes from being rented out. A motion was made to approve the request with an additional commitment that one of the entrances off County Road 100 will be closed. The council approved the motion.
WHAT HAPPENED: Final reading for Ordinance 2023-20-ZA 23-04 Rezoning Avon Christian Church for an 18 unit single family residential development The
ICONIC brief
The Willow Center launches new adolescent treatment program in Brownsburg
The Willow Center in Brownsburg announced the official launch of its new Adolescent Treatment Program for young people ages 13-17. The program will utilize “Dialectical Behavioral Therapy” (DBT), an evidence-based form of counseling and therapeutic treatment that has been proven to improve symptoms of both mental health and substance use related struggles. DBT includes group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy. During The Willow Center’s program, participating clients will: increase their mindfulness skills by learning to recognize how their thoughts and feelings effect their behaviors; improve their interpersonal effectiveness, leading to more meaningful relationships with those around them; enhance their distress tolerance by practicing how to manage painful, stressful or tense situations in healthy ways; regulate their emotions by using new strategies to balance their internal feelings and their external responses. The Willow Center accepts most major private insurances, all forms of Medicaid, IN Recovery Works, and is willing to work with both out-of-network and self-pay clients. Individuals interested in this program or other supportive forms of therapy can call The Willow Center at (317) 852-3690.
WHO WE ARE
Scheerer McCulloch Relocation Services is your one-stop solution to the most common challenges of settling an estate, moving and downsizing.
GRANT NAME:
Run of the Mill Request at Brownsburg High SchoolTeam 3176 Robotics Club
Sponsored in part by Swartout Dental
This grant purchased a mill to be used by the BHS Robotics Team 3176 as well as by the Project Lead the Way students who utilize the PLTW lab space during class. A mill shaves away wood, metal, composites and other materials with ease. This machine offers the team the ability to create complex shapes and to cut a variety of materials that they cannot currently do. By creating their own parts, they save a lot of stress and money spent finding a sponsor or business to create parts for them. With their own mill, they have endless creating capabilities during the prototyping phase of robot building. This allows the team to quickly manufacture an item directly from CAD software thus saving them build time that would otherwise be spent waiting for parts to be waterjet cut or shipped after purchase. BHS Robotics will also be able to train students to create certain parts that are always necessary for a functioning robot. Their goal for the first year of mill use is to manufacture 10-20% of the robots’ parts. As for future school impact, BHS Robotics could quickly manufacture parts for other clubs at a fraction of the cost. In the past, they have helped create stage pieces for the BHS plays. They can easily continue to do that and possibly expand to help the theatre department further with the capabilities of the mill.
Having the mill allowed the team to ensure precision when creating parts. Students have enjoyed learning how to use and create on a new manufacturing tool. They are excited for the team to expand mill capabilities so they can machine parts from raw materials. We are very grateful to BEF and its donors for making these opportunities possible for the students!
Just part of the $130,000 that BEF awarded in grants this past year.
Visit our website at www.brownsburgeducationfoundation.org to learn more about the grant projects funded by BEF in the 2023-2024 school year.
From Tragedy to Triumph
Suffering a loss provokes Shelley Clayton to follow her dreams
From the age of 4, Shelley Clayton of Avon knew she wanted to be a plastic surgeon when she grew up. She did an internship with a plastic surgeon while she was in high school, and had always kept her eyes set on that dream. Along the way, she found that it was going to be harder than she thought to realize that dream. After sending in countless applications to different employers, she received nothing more than closed doors. Being a plastic surgeon is a competitive job, and the openings were less than slim.
Meanwhile, she was working as an ER nurse while she continued to try and find a way into the plastic surgery business. Her hopes were dwindling after applying over and over again with no luck. Then, the unthinkable happened. In a tragic accident, she lost her one year old son. All of a sudden, her life was flipped upside down. What now?
It took some time for Clayton to work through and process this tragedy, which will leave a mark on her heart forever. When she did return to the ER, she found that the work was just not the same for her. She didn’t find it as exciting as she once had. Her co-workers tried to protect her from having bad memories come up, but she realized it just wasn’t working. It was time for a change.
That’s when she decided to start her own business. Since she couldn’t find someone to hire her, she would just hire herself.
“At that point, I thought ‘I’ve already been through the craziest thing life has to offer, what do I have to lose?’ If I fail at my business then who cares?” Clayton thought.
Once Clayton made the decision to go out on her own, she has never looked back. It was hard at first, she had to wear all the hats of the business when she first began. She started off in a one room salon loft, just her and her computer. Because of the nature of the business, there was quite a lot that needed to be done to get off the ground. As difficult as it was, Clayton found some sort of peace in her work. Being able to focus on and grow the business kept her mind from dwelling on the difficulties that came with suffering such a loss. Before long, Clayton found herself hitting some real milestones in her business. She started in the salon loft back in 2016, and by 2017 she had moved into a permanent location in Carmel and began her Iconic brand “Ageless Aesthetics.”
“If it’s your passion and you love it, then go for it. Even with all the challenges and difficulties that come with it, the rewards are worth it.”
“One of my first milestones was having extra product in stock and not having to buy the product the day before seeing a client. The products we use in this business are expensive. The next big one was being able to hire staff. When I first started, I booked appointments, answered the phones, did the laundry, and everything else because it was just me,” Clayton explained.
About a year ago, Clayton opened a second location in Greenwood. Already, that location has been named the top medical spa and the top aesthetics on the southside of Indianapolis by the Daily Journal.
Overall, Ageless has become the standard for the industry. Clayton finds herself being stopped and people saying “you’re the ageless lady!” It’s been a complete turnaround in the last six years from being the new person on the block to being a name that others look up to.
“It’s fun to be the trusted leader in this industry. People know they’re going to get a good, quality service when they come to us. We have tons of five star reviews which speak to that. I think we’ve been successful because we love what we do, we educate ourselves as much as we can, and we take it seriously. We not only want to make you look better, but also feel better, because it’s not really about losing that wrinkle, it’s about boosting your self-esteem,” Clayton explained.
All that being said, being a business owner was a learning curve for Clayton. She didn’t have the business training background, so she has had to learn that along the way. Managing people takes just the right mix of firmness and flexibility. With a staff of 13, Clayton has had to really work hard to do that, but she’s proven to be a quick learner. At the end of the day, she wants her staff to feel taken care of and valued. Once that is accomplished, the continued commitment to excellence is sure to follow.
For anyone considering taking a risk like Clayton did for this business, take her advice: “If it’s your passion and you love it, then go for it. Even with all the challenges and difficulties that come with it, the rewards are worth it.”
Shelley Clayton poses in front of the board announcing her as the IAOTP Empowered Woman of the Year. (Submitted photo)
ICONIC briefs
IU Health awards 14 grants across Indiana
Indiana University Health has awarded $9.63 million to 14 community partners working to improve the lives of Hoosiers in need. The grants come from the $200 million Community Impact Investment Fund (CIIF), which is administered by the IU Health Foundation to address key social and environmental factors that impact people’s health outcomes. Yearly grants from the foundation come from earnings on the fund’s invested capital. With the newest grants, IU Health has now announced more than $32 million in CIIF grants to dozens of organizations in Indiana since the fund was created in 2018. IU Health Foundation also has secured an additional $3.2 million in donations to support the contributions from IU Health. This year’s grants address a wide range of needs, from affordable housing and employment training to community development and refugee services. Community partners which will receive IU Health CIIF funding for 2023 include: Family Promise of Hendricks County: $400,000 in 2024 to work with partners to develop a childcare center near an affordable 120-unit housing complex and workforce training center in an industrial area of Plainfield. For more information, visit iuhealth.org/in-thecommunity/community-impactinvestment-fund
Danville Girl Scout troop members earn Silver Award
Ainsley Campbell, Brianne Erzar, Jeanie Harris, Lainey Lindenmayer, Pheobee Schmidt, Chloe Schut, and Zoe Tatge of Girl Scout Troop 1433 recently earned their Silver Awards. The Silver Award is the second highest achievement award a Girl Scout can receive. They earned this by completing their Wheelchair Ramp Project for the Danville Girl Scout Little House. Both troop leaders, Lindsay Tatge and Carolyn Harris, expressed a special thank you to the families of each girl for the many ways they supported them through this. This was a more than a two-year project made possible with many generous community donations received and a special thanks to the following sponsors and their support of this project: Hawkeye Storage, Hendricks Power Cooperative, Amy and Kent Comer Elliott, Pools of Fun of Plainfield, Carolyn and Kurt Harris, Samantha and Andrew Campbell, L&N Welding, and Lancaster-Schert Equipment.
A DAY
REQUIREMENTS: You must be available Jan. 24 or Feb. 20 and have reliable transportation to and from the Indiana Statehouse that day. The program is open to high school students. Please confirm with school administrators, but Page Day is considered an excused absence in most instances.
From left, Jeanie Harris, Chloe Schut, Phoebee Schmidt, Ainsley Campbell, Zoe Tatge, and Lainey Lindenmeyer (Submitted photo)
Our ICONic community
We love our Hendricks County communities. If you have something you believe we should know about, please send to editorial@icontimes.com.
Brenda Grigsby makes a difference for many at the Brownsburg McDonald’s
By Kate Anderson
If you’re from Brownsburg, it’s more than likely that you know Brenda Grigsby. She loves serving her community, one cheeseburger at a time. Though she was born and raised in Indianapolis, she has lived in Brownsburg for the past 22 years. Her boundless energy, dedication and drive has led her to a career with McDonald’s that has lasted over 35 years. Grigsby, 67, has built this career based on leadership and hard work. This excellence has earned her “Outstanding Store Manager” not one, but THREE times. There is nothing in her stores that she can’t or won’t do. Like many of us that have worked at fast food restaurants, she started as “the French fryer”, but she very quickly worked her way up to the management level in no time at all. In 1978, when she was in her early 20’s, she was promoted to General Manager at a time where there were very few females in management roles. Though at one point she took a 10-year hiatus to pursue other interests, she missed her job so much that she decided that she had to return to the McDonald’s family. That is the culture that she likes to instill in all the restaurants she has managed. Family. “I love my job. I love the community and the challenge that every day brings,” says Brenda. Her real passion is teaching the younger generation to excel in their role and encouraging them to “reach for the stars”. Many of her “kids” have gone on to serve in the military and work in various prestigious positions around the country, including the infamous Area 51. No matter how far they go, they always come back to visit and thank her for the difference she made in their lives. Her newest promotion led her to be General Manager of the newest McDonald’s in Brownsburg, located in the new industrial park off of Ronald Reagan Parkway, which opened up its doors on November 9th. The honor of managing a brand-new restaurant is a very big deal in the McDonald’s world. “It was a no-brainer to promote her and give her this honor. She has such an inherent ability to successfully lead others,” states John Liapes, the Independent Owner of this and 8 other McDonald’s in Brownsburg and Indianapolis. “When we purchased
the Brownsburg stores, Brenda came along with the purchase,” he says jokingly. The staff and management team really see her as a fixture in their day-to-day work life. When she isn’t tirelessly working, she likes to relax by gardening and generally “just being outdoors”. Her newest passion is hot sauce and it’s said that she makes “wicked-good salsa”, and all of her co-workers are more than happy to be her taste-testers. When asked if she had any plans to retire, the answer was a resounding, “not yet”. “I have been told by John that I can work as long as I want and that I will always have a place in the McDonald’s family,” Brenda says. With her history of dedication, not only will she always have a place to continue her career, she will always have a place in their hearts.
Give Local on #GivingTuesday2023!
This year on Giving Tuesday, November 28, HCCF is focused on Giving Local in Hendricks County! #GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement encouraging people and organizations to give and transform their communities.
HCCF will be promoting local nonprofits through short videos on Facebook to encourage our community to support these organizations and help them meet their year-end fundraising goals.
Search for Hendricks County Community Foundation on Facebook (or scan the QR code) on November 28th and choose your favorite nonprofit to support on this special day of giving back.
Brenda Grigsby has been with McDonald’s for over 35 years.
(Photo by Kate Anderson)
Hendricks Power and CoBank donate to local organizations
Hendricks Power Cooperative announced that CoBank has matched three donations to support local organizations. Hendricks Power and CoBank each donated $1,500 to the Danville Shared Blessings Food Pantry, $1,000 to the Avon Mary Lee Maier Community Pantry, and $2,500 to the Hendricks Co. Fairgrounds for midway lighting upgrades.
Each year, Hendricks Power nominates local organizations for CoBank’s Sharing Success program. The program matches the charitable contributions of CoBank’s customers, up to $10,000. Sharing Success was established in 2012 to celebrate the International Year of the Cooperative. Since the program’s inception, CoBank and its customers have together provided more than $76 million in support to charitable organizations across the nation.
“We are grateful for our relationship with CoBank and thankful that they recognize our community’s needs,” stated Greg Ternet, chief executive officer of Hendricks Power Cooperative. “These organizations provide
an essential resource in our community, and we are grateful to see them receiving the support they deserve.”
“Over many years, we have found that one of the most impactful ways for CoBank to deploy charitable funds is to do so in partnership with customers, employees and other Farm Credit institutions,” said Thomas Halverson, CoBank’s president & chief executive officer. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Hendricks Power Cooperative to support these important efforts.”
If you would like to donate or volunteer at Shared Blessings Food Pantry, please visit them online at danvilleumc.org/shared-blessings/. If you would like to donate or volunteer at Mary Lee Maier Community Pantry in Avon, please visit avon-schools.org/ mary-lee-maier-community-pantry
If you or someone you know need food assistance, please contact the Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition at hendrickscountyfoodpantries.com
Brewing success: coffee blend celebrates the legacy of Kent McPhail
By Josh Duke, Visit Hendricks County
Visit Hendricks County (VHC) in conjunction with Plainfield-based Timber City Coffee announced today a special, limited-time coffee blend to honor the service of a long-time Hendricks County Tourism Commission and VHC Board member.
Kent McPhail will retire from his post on the Tourism Commission at the end of this year after 23 years, the longest serving member ever. To commemorate his years of dedicated service, Executive Director/ CEO of VHC, Jaime Bohler Smith unveiled a limited time Hendricks County Signature Roast: The McPhail Blend, a medium roast coffee boasting a rich, dark flavor. It will be available for purchase in store and online at Timber City Coffee through January 2024.
“This coffee is so great because it really identifies me,” McPhail said just after trying it for the first time today. “I believe God puts people in the right places to contribute, and I’m truly blessed to have been here on
this commission to contribute to tourism in Hendricks County.”
During McPhail’s tenure, the county has realized unprecedented growth in every possible tourism metric including visitation, visitor-supported wages, jobs and spending. Having served multiple times as commission president, he was instrumental in advocating for tourism in community planning, purchasing and rehabilitating the current offices of VHC on the historic courthouse square in Danville and helped secure the county’s only full-service hotel and conference center in Plainfield.
McPhail’s servant leadership goes well beyond his work in tourism. He serves on the Plainfield Town Council and previously worked as the executive director of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce. The logo for his signature blend includes two golf clubs signifying his love of golf, which he hopes to enjoy more during his retirement, he said.
“It’s rare to have such a vested leader after 23 years of service still supporting the mission and vision of an organization,” Smith said. “The Tourism Commission and VHC could not have asked for a more dedicated advocate for creating a quality place to visit and live. Kent truly leads by example.”
Bags of the McPhail Blend are 12 ounces and can be purchased in whole bean or ground if requested. Timber City Coffee is located at 2481 E. Main St., Suite 190 in Plainfield, and online at www.timbercitycoffee.com.
Kent McPhail (Submitted photo)
Kirsti Kerr, Avon Schools, Heather Thompson, Director of Marketing at Hendricks Power, and Melissa Luebbert, Board Member (Submitted photo)
GIFT GUIDE 2023
HOLIDAYS IN THE MAKING
Sharing the gift of crafting and design
By Brenda Lekse, owner, RUE de FLEURS
The holiday season is here! Christmas is a time to craft and create festive holiday memories by designing your own holiday treasures. Those memories could include the peaceful quiet of the first winter snowfall. The cozy blanket that you always have nearby to snuggle in while enjoying the soft glow of your Christmas tree lights. The keepsake ornaments on your tree that have passed through different hands to grace your tree. Over the years, it becomes more important to give the greatest Christmas gift of all, your time. Your presence is the gift. Personal time with
those we love. A time for reflection, renewal and rebirth of spirit. This is my favorite season and I believe in the meaning and magic of Christmas.
Twinkling trinkets or lush wreaths and garlands made with Christmas greens give you the fragrance and richness of color you’re looking for. My favorite Christmas greens are some of the timeless choices. Pines, fir, cedars and spruce are all great for indoor use. When trimming pine or any other traditional Christmas greens from your own backyard, trim the newest growth with the darkest, most rich color. They dry slowly and hold their needles best at the warmer indoor temperatures. Other varieties of trees and bushes will work in your designs well such as boxwood, holly, juniper, cypress, magnolia and arborvitae. Be creative in your greenery choices, as ivy or woody vines like wisteria add creative depth and dimension to mantelpieces and banister decorations. For Christmas wreaths and garlands, all types of Eucalyptus can also be used. My favorites of the Eucalyptus varieties are seeded, willow, and baby, also so referred to as “spiral”. Anyone who has taken my wreath or floral design classes knows I’m slightly obsessed with this marvelous and versatile accent greenery. Juniper is also a stunning choice with its fragrant branches and wintry blue-tinted berries.
I love the DIY approach to all crafting and holiday design projects. Like in life, most aspects of design come down to blend and balance. The Christmas greens I mentioned above will create interest, even if it’s just laying on a coffee or dining room table or in a beautiful crystal vase.
Here are a few ideas to help you create more of your own holiday masterpieces.
Christmas decorating and decor ideas
Buy Christmas and holiday decor to match the color, furnishings and style of your home. Buy quality pieces. Try not to impulse buy as you may have bits and pieces that won’t work together. I love the color platinum and use that shade as much as I can. I love the versatility of the cross between gold and silver.
Making fresh flower centerpieces
Your local craft store will have OASIS brand quarter-inch size clear grid tape. Choose a glass vase and make a tic-tac-toe pattern on the top with the tape. This will help support your flower stems. Purchase your favorite blooms from your local market or grocery store. Make sure to remove any leaves from below the water line and refresh the water often. Add flower preservative and cut your flower stems to fit your vase.
Refreshing your artificial tree
This is one of my favorite ideas. If you’re trying to revive a worn out artificial tree add some real pine clippings to it. Starting with the center of the tree working out with various sizes of pine stems. Depending on the temperature in the house, the stems should last throughout the holidays if you start this project mid-December. This may not be the decorating idea for you if you have cats, puppies, toddlers or maybe a party guest at ground level that won’t leave the Christmas tree alone.
Enroll in your holiday wreath design classes today!
Brenda Lekse, Master Floral Designer 317-370-4376 ruedefleurs.com
Facebook: RUE de Fleurs Instagram: @ruedefleurs
We’re updating our website with our Christmas wreath making and centerpiece classes. Visit our website at ruedefleurs.com Give us a “like” or follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages @RUEdeFLEURS for our class and holiday event schedule.
Brenda Lekse is a Master Florist at RUE de FLEURS/ Lekse Farms in Danville.
PROJECT A.N.G.E.L. OF HENDRICKS COUNTY
Angel Tree and Food Drive
Applications are NOW OPEN for 2023 assistance for the Holidays. Visit www.projectangelofhendrickscounty.com to apply or to learn more about how you can help. Project A.N.G.E.L. has been providing assistance to residents of Hendricks County for more than 30 years and 100% of donations are used to assist local families. 2023 Food Drive is being held November 27thDecember 8th at Avon United Methodist Church in Avon. Donations of non-perishable food items and condiments are welcome and much appreciated. Delivery Day to Families is December 9th at Avon United Methodist Church. Local businesses in Hendricks County will be hosting A.N.G.E.L. Trees.
2023 Angel Tree Locations
AVON
Cabin Coffee
5530 E. US Hwy 36, Ste. 100 Avon, IN 46123
Hendricks County Bank & Trust
963 N. Avon Ave. Avon, IN 46123
Avon United Methodist Church
6850 E. US Hwy 36 Avon, IN 46123
Harmony Baptist Church
5693 Broyles Rd. Avon, IN 46123
BROWNSBURG
Energy Spot
24 E. Northfield Dr. Brownsburg, IN 46112
Hendricks County Bank & Trust
1 E. Main St. Brownsburg, IN 46112
Hendricks County Bank and Trust
11 E. Northfield Dr. Brownsburg, IN 46112
Buffalo Wild Wings
1551 N. Green St. Brownsburg, IN 46112
Brownsburg Beauty Bar
14 E. Main St. Brownsburg, IN 46112
BROWNSBURG
Calvary Christian Church 575 W. Northfield Dr. Brownsburg, IN 46112
Brownsburg Parks & Recreation
14 E. Main St. Brownsburg, IN 46112
DANVILLE
Hendricks County Bank & Trust
23 S. C.R. 200 E Danville, IN 46122
PITTSBORO
Venture Church 7865 N. C.R. 100 E Pittsboro, IN 46167
PLAINFIELD
Outta the Shed
113 Simmons St. Plainfield, IN 46168
Hendricks County Bank & Trust
1649 E. Main St. Plainfield, IN 46168
Revival Hair & Company
1660 E. Main St. Plainfield, IN 46168
Advance America Plainfield
2445 E. Main St. Plainfield, IN
We Offer:
Facials for Women, Men and Teens Hydrafacial with Master Hydrafacialist Lash Extensions
Permanent Makeup Coming Soon! Body Piercing
68 S Jefferson St, Danville, IN 46122 318-717-1881
Facebook: The Good Glow Aesthetics Studio 5530 E. US Hwy 36
At Cabin Coffee we love to help our local organizations succeed. Did you know we have spots available for our new fundraising option? This can be for your school, sports club, church, non-profit, etc. Sell our freshly roasted coffee beans through your organization and make $5 profit per bag to go towards your organization. We can customize and name a blend for your organization! Please email us or call the store to find out how to get started today!
cabincoffeecompany.com
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LIGHT UP THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WITH DANVILLE’S CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE
Downtown Danville Partnership, the Town of Danville and Hawkeye Storage invites the public to bring in the holiday season at the 17th annual Christmas On The Square. This community-favorite celebration begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the East alley beginning at 4 p.m. Then venture around the square to join the festivities on the historic Courthouse Square in Danville. Enjoy a winter wonderland with all the trimmings, including beautifully-decorated shop windows, carriage rides sponsored by Abstract and Title, Dorsey Plumbing train rides, a live nativity, caroling by the Treblemakers, letters to Santa and more. The Christmas season officially kicks off as Santa flips a giant switch and lights the sparkling tree and block-wide canopy of lights at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Downtown Danville Partnership at danvillepartnership@gmail.com.
Notables
Compiled by Rebecca Thie and Kate Anderson
On November 10, 2023, Gibson Southern traveled to Tri-West for the 3A regional championship game. Tri-West quarterback Malachi Walden broke loose up the left sideline for an 83-yard touchdown run to give the Bruins to a 7-0 lead. Senior Sean DeLong, rushed for 120 yards on 25 carries and caught a touchdown pass. Gibson Southern came back from a tough start to end the game with a 38-21 win over Tri-West.
Congratulations to Ava Depinet, Tri-West High School, for representing Hendricks County on the 2023 Indiana All-State Cheer Team.
2023 Soccer ISCA All-State Honors
Haily Hoskins, Senior- Brownsburg ISCA 1st team All-State
Sophia Dawson, Junior- Brownsburg ISCA 2nd team All-State
Ellie Stewart, Junior- Plainfield ISCA 3rd team All-State
Ella Hanson,Sophomore- Brownsburg ISCA All-State Honorable Mention
Josh George, Brownsburg, ISCA Large School State Coach of the Year
Hendricks County ICONIC Athlete
LIVING FOR THE GAME
Izzy Masten loves every moment of her volleyball career.
By Kate Anderson
Picture a sandy beach, the sun shining, a lovely breeze coming off the water and cheers coming from a volleyball court. This is what Izzy Masten loves the most. Masten, a sophomore at Tri-West High School, lives for the game. Her obsession with the game started early. At the young age of 8, she started playing beach volleyball tournaments in Southern California. “I remember her as this tiny little thing, that was barely able to get the ball over the net,” states her mom and coach, Suzanne. At age 9, she realized she loved traveling for the sport so much that she added travel or “Club” volleyball to her roster. Fast forward to the present, Masten has since added High School volleyball to her already jampacked schedule. “I love every minute of it. I love being so busy,” she says. Turns out that the love of the sport is a family affair. Her mom Suzanne started coaching as a career for her older sister Elle’s team in her senior year and for Izzy as a freshman. Her older sister now plays as a Freshman at San Jose State University. “I love all of my other coaches, but it is so awesome that I get to have my mom as a coach as well,” says Masten. Suzanne, along with her other coaches led their team to lots of big wins this season, the biggest of them being winning at regionals for the first time in the school’s history. “We were kind of the underdogs of our conference, but we really worked together, worked hard and got it done,” says Masten. Izzy is a powerhouse for her team. She leads the team with an average of 4 kills per set, had 28 blocks this season and a serve percentage of 92.6%.
It can be said that this girl is clearly an ace in the hole. “She is a special athlete, and she really makes things happen on the court,” states Suzanne. It was clearly a group effort that led to the team’s successes this year. “It comes down to respect. There was no ego from anyone. We inspired each other to be our very best,” Masten commented. Izzy plans to take her passion for the sport with her to college and beyond. “I want her to be anywhere that she can have a great coach and a great career,” says Suzanne. Since she was a little girl, her dream was to take her talents all the way to the Olympics. With her clear drive and determination, I would say that she is well on track to make that happen and more. She has a vision, and it can be said that her future is bright. This girl is going places.
Masten did a Q & A with the ICON:
Q: What do you like to do to relax and have fun?
A: I love to watch TV, mostly crime shows and documentaries, get my nails done and hang out with my friends
Q: I know it’s early, but what colleges are you thinking about?
Q: What are the values that you find most important to take with you on the court?
A: Hard work, determination, perseverance, focus and grittiness. You need to have lots of grittiness to be a volleyball player.
A: LSU or anywhere on a coast would be my preference. I have been encouraged by my mom to “spread my wings and fly.”
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
A: Don’t compare yourself to others. Play your hardest, do your best and make every moment count.
What you didn’t know about vegetables
By Camille Gillespie, RD, LD, CPT
Do you try to eat more vegetables but throw away wilted lettuce every week? You’re not alone. Today I will share some less-known facts about vegetable composition, how to derive nutrition and flavor from veggies, and how to slow ripening to prevent waste!
Most veggies are more than 80% water. The other 20% includes starches and tiny amounts of protein and fat. All vegetables also contain fiber, which is what gives them their characteristic crisp, stringy, or tough texture. Veggies are also a good source of vitamins and minerals. However, once you peel or cut them, they begin to lose their nutrients to the air (or liquid, if being soaked). Fun fact, vitamins are concentrated right under the vegetable’s skin, so it is recommended to peel them thinly, or skip peeling altogether!
As often as you can, it’s best to choose vegetables at the peak of their season. When you do so, you reap several rewards: The price is at its lowest, the selection is at its finest, and the vegetable’s flavor, texture and color are at their very best.
Finally, you can slow down ripening and subsequently reduce waste with ideal storage! Some vegetables, such as potatoes, onions, garlic, and winter squash are best stored at cool temperatures (between 40- and 60 degrees Fahrenheit) in a unique refrigerator just for produce. However, since most of us don’t own one of these, such veggies are best stored at room temperature in a dry area with good ventilation. They should NOT be stored in a conventional refrigerator because doing so converts the starches in these veggies to
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sugar, which changes both their texture and flavor.
Most other vegetables should be kept in the fridge (between 34- and 40 degrees Fahrenheit). A couple of caveats include tomatoes and avocados. Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature. Avocados differ—if you want them to ripen quickly, store them at room temperature. To slow ripening, store them in the fridge.
One final tip: greens and other delicate veggies should be stored AWAY from apples, tomatoes, bananas, and melons because the latter emit high levels of ethylene gas, which is the culprit behind ripening in produce!
IU Health holds nurse hiring event in Avon
Indiana University Health will hold three in-person nursing hiring events this month to fill approximately 130 nursing positions in Fishers, Carmel and Avon. Candidates will have the opportunity to meet IU Health nursing leaders, tour departments and speak with a Talent Acquisition team member. The Avon event will be held Thursday, Nov. 16, from 5 to 7 pm in the Garden Café (located by the fireplace) of IU Health West, 1111 Ronald Reagan Pkwy., Avon. Participants can register here. For more information, email kmartin36@iuhealth.org.
Camille Gillespie is a clinical dietitian for Hendricks Regional Health.
HENDRICKS REGIONAL HEALTH CELEBRATES THE UNSTOPPABLE SPIRIT OF TOMORROW’S LEADERS
A feature in the Hendricks County ICON highlighting leaders of tomorrow.
A future so bright, he needs to wear shades
By Kate Anderson
Everyone knows Mason Munn. Just walking around school with him you hear “Hey Mason!”, “What’s up Mason?”, “How’s it going Mason?” from a mix of teachers, students and administrators. To say that he is wellknown and wellliked would be an understatement. Munn, a senior at Avon High School is a young man of business-minded interests. What started as a casual invitation to a DECA meeting when he was a sophomore, ignited a passion for business, leadership and mentoring. He quickly knew that this was where he was supposed to be. Fast forward to the present and he is a Regional President of DECA and oversees all schools in his region. As an elected officer, he also runs all of the competitions for his district. “I really enjoy all the behindthe-scenes activities that help make the competitions run smoothly,” says Munn. Although he is in a leadership role, he does occasionally get the opportunity to flex his skills and compete as well. He is currently working on a paper regarding entrepreneurship, with a focus on
photography. “When I compete, I like to take a different approach than other students and really assume the role of a business owner or CEO. I want to stand out from the crowd,” states Munn. He will have the opportunity to present his paper to a panel of judges in March of 2024. “DECA is a huge part of my life and my DECA class is my favorite part of the day. It’s my break in the day to do something I really enjoy and gives me time to work on my DECA- related projects,” says Munn. Mason’s DECA advisor Adam Clark has nothing but glowing reviews for him. “Mason Munn is an outstanding young man. His work ethic is as strong as any high schooler I have had the privilege of working with. His is kind, consistent, and a servant leader, often putting the good of the group over his own recognition. He also really values the community he is part of and works to connect various groups of people to improve community partnerships. Avon is lucky to have Mason and we are excited to see where his future takes him.”
Mason is a busy young man. While DECA is very important to him, he also devotes time to being part of Model U.N. and Student Government. As an upperclassman, he is now on the executive board of Student Government and helps oversee other events that are put on by both under and upperclassmen. He loves being involved and has a passion for helping others succeed. When asked what it was like to have other students look up to him, he said, “I am very proud that my actions, my involvement in activities and positive attitude
have led me to be an inspiration and role model to other students. It motivates me to always be the best that I can be.” Mason can ALWAYS find something to do. When he is not devoting his time to school extracurricular activities, he is studying or practicing his photography. “I like to stay busy. I don’t like a lot of down-time,” he states. His time has also been spent prepping for his interview for the Lilly Scholarship, with which is a finalist. “I studied so hard for this. I practiced with an interview coach and other past winners to be prepared for the interview,” he states. He will find out the results of his hard work in mid-December. As the first part of his senior year is coming to an end, he is starting to think more and more about college. “My dream is to attend Butler college, but I have also toured Notre Dame and Indiana University. All of them are great options,” he states. He plans to major in sports media with a minor in either business or marketing. “I might switch that up a bit, but that’s the plan for now,” he says. His dream is to have a photography business. Avon High School Principal, Matthew Shockley states, “Mason Munn represents what I hope for all students graduating from Avon High School. He has not only challenged himself and excelled academically, but he also has taken full advantage of the opportunities offered to grow as a human being, student and leader. Mason is an amazing young man who will make a lasting, positive impact wherever he goes in the future.” I think for Mason Munn, the consensus is that his future’s so bright, he needs to wear shades.
DANIKA BORDEN, MD
Thank You to Our 2023 Corporate Partners
Thank you to our outstanding corporate partners! The support of these community-minded organizations is vital to realizing our vision of Hendricks County as a place where everyone has the opportunity to have a fulfilling life and the tools they need to build a stronger future together. Please consider patronizing these local businesses for all they do for HCCF and our community!
www.electricplus.com
Is your organization looking to expand your customer base? Join this group of community-minded organizations and become a HCCF Corporate Partner! Contact us to learn more.
www.hendrickscountycf.org | 317.268.6240
Gold Partners
Platinum Partners
Silver Partners
Foundation Friends
Elliott Company | Estep Burkey Simmons, LLC | Photography by Sarah Crail
Bronze Partner
EVENTScalendar
NOVEMBER
17–Dec. 24
Winterland Holiday Lights Show
Sunday-Thursday 6 - 9 p.m; FridaySaturday 6.-10 p.m., Ellis Park. Join in Ellis Park for Winterland! There will also be Santa at the train station FridaySunday night. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Price: MondayThursday: $5; Friday-Sunday: $10. danvillechamber.org/ winterland-light-show
18 Saturday
Phi Beta Psi Sorority Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pittsboro United Methodist Church, 227 E Main St., Pittsboro. Shop for holiday gifts for everyone on your list, baked goods available for purchase, and a warm chicken and noodle lunch with mashed potatoes and green beans, eat in or carry out.
18 Saturday
Indianapolis International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., IU Health Neuroscience Center, 355 W. 15th St., Indianapolis. This is a day of education, support, and healing and will include a short AFSP film, a Q&A session of panelists, healing activities, and support groups based on loss (loss of spouse, parent, sibling, child, family member/friend, LGBTQ+). indianapolis-indiana.isosld.afsp.org
18 Saturday
Friendsgiving Cake Decorating Class
2-4 p.m., Sweet Minis, 824 E. Main St., Brownsburg. Grab your friend and come enjoy a time of decorating your cake and eating it too...if you choose! Sweetminisindy.com
18 Saturday
Columbus Wizards at Indiana Lyons
5 - 8 p.m., Bosstick Gymnasium, 49 N. Wayne St., Danville. Your 2022-23 ABA Champion Indiana Lyons host the Columbus Wizards! Tipoff at 5 p.m. ET. Doors open at 4 p.m. ET. Join in the Lyons Den for inexpensive, familyfriendly, high-scoring, fast-paced basketball action! Indianalyons.com
18 Saturday
Danville Train Show
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main St., Danville. The Midwest Region’s Central Indiana Division (CID) hosts train shows, layout tours, Modelers Meets, and Track Talk sessions. Price: adult: $3; 16 and under: free. cidnmra.org/services
18–19 Saturday–Sunday
Persian Temple Potentate Ball
6 - 9 p.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport, 2353 Perry Road, Plainfield. Price: $100. Shriners from all around will gather for the Potentate Ball Weekend at the Embassy Suites. Persiantemple46.net
18 Saturday
Tree Lighting & Parade
5 - 8 p.m., The Shops at Perry Crossing, 2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield. Music, reindeer, and a visit from Santa are just a few experiences coming this holiday season! Perry-crossing.com
18 Saturday Turkey Games
1 - 3 p.m., W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Avon. Did you know that bowling three strikes in a row is called a turkey? Join a naturalist at Gibbs and partake in some turkeythemed games to get warmed up for Thanksgiving! Meet at the central parking lot. facebook.com/HCPandR
19 Sunday
Thanksgiving Worship Service
7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Plainfield, 1012 Stafford Road. The Plainfield Federation of Churches invites the community to a Thanksgiving Worship Service. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the PFC Food Pantry at St. Mark’s in Plainfield.
23 Thursday
Gobble Gallop 5K
8 - 10 a.m., Hendricks Regional Health YMCA, 301 Satori Parkway, Avon. Give back one gallop at a time this Thanksgiving! When you run the Gobble Gallop 5K, you support our Annual Campaign, which ensures that all ages can experience the benefits of a Y membership, including health, fitness, and education. indymca.org/ events/gobble-gallop
24 Friday
Christmas on the Square
5 - 7 p.m., Downtown Danville, 49 N. Wayne St., Danville. Join Santa Claus on the historic Courthouse Square in Danville for a winter wonderland with all the trimmings, including beautifully-decorated shop windows, activities for kids, a live nativity, and caroling. The Christmas season officially kicks off as Santa flips a giant switch and lights the sparkling tree and block-wide canopy of lights at 6 p.m. discoverdowntowndanville.org/ christmas-on-the-square/
25 Saturday
Brownsburg Lions Club Holiday Bazaar
9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main St., Danville. The Brownsburg Lions Club in partnership with the Hendricks County 4-H Complex, presents A
Holiday Bazaar. Several different types of businesses will be on hand to handle holiday decor, sweet treats, clothes, gifts, jewelry and more! Free admission. facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064910761038
25 Saturday
The Polar Express Experience
3 - 7 p.m., Murphy Aquatic Park, 753 County Road 625 E., Avon. Taking place at Penguin Park, pajamas are encouraged for this event that includes skating, train rides, hot cocoa and crafts. $8/person. wtp.recdesk.com
25 Saturday
Trees of Plainfield
6:30 - 9 p.m., Al & Jan Barker Sports Complex, 451 Vestal Rd, Plainfield. Brought to you by the town of Plainfield. Get ready for the most magical holiday experience in Plainfield! Join for a Holiday Extravaganza featuring an enchanting trail of trees, delicious cookies with Mrs. Claus, selfies with The Grinch, epic family snowball fights, s’mores by the fire and so much more! Tickets are $8 per person and Kids 11 and Under are free. townofplainfield.com
28 Tuesday
Design Your Own Advent Calendar
5 - 7 p.m., Pecar Nature Center, 5203 E. County Road 150 N., Avon. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or just looking to add a personal touch to your festive decor, our Design Your Own Advent Calendar is the perfect canvas for your holiday imagination. $25/ person. wtp.recdesk.com
29 - Dec. 2 Wednesday - Saturday
4th Annual Festival of Trees at Ash & Oak
Parking will be at the Bread of Life Church: 7510 E. County Rd. 100 N. Avon. 4th Annual Festival of Trees at Ash & Oak supports local Hendricks County nonprofits. All children 2 and under are free - no ticket needed for them. General Admissions includes one ornament to paint, one s’more, and admission to see Santa. ashandoak. thundertix.com/events/ 219868?only_one=true
30 Thursday
CCSI-SARE Continuing Soil Health Education
9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main Street, Danville. Economics of soil health systems is regularly identified as information critical to farmers and those who work with farmers. This training is designed to not only explore annual return on investments of soil health practices, but the longer term ramifications on economic resiliency and potential economic opportunities. ccsin.org
DECEMBER
1 Friday
Holiday Fest
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hendricks County
4-H Fairgrounds Exposition Hall, 1900 E. Main St., Danville. Sponsored by the Hendrick County Extension Homemakers & Hendricks Power, this event includes a cookie walk,
craft booths and entertainment. Free admission. facebook.com/profile. php?id=100067460824155
1–2 Friday and Saturday
2023 Hendricks County Hoopfest
6 p.m., Danville High School, 100 Warrior Way, Danville. The Hendricks County Hoopfest (HCH) is an event to highlight the basketball teams in Hendricks County. The HCH provides scholarship opportunities for senior student-athletes who demonstrate leadership on and off the court. Also, the HCH is an opportunity for the community to come together in raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis through the Dream 2 Discover You foundation. $10 per day. eeullc.com
2 Saturday
Gingerbread Christmas
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plainfield High School, enter doors 1, 7 or 21. Presented by Plainfield Tri-Kappa. Come shop with us: ceramics, leather journals,signs, ornaments, mosaics, Christmas decor and spiders, felted mittens, soaps, candles, cozies, runners, aprons, cookies, licorice, candies, cups and more. facebook.com/ GingerbreadChristmas
2 Saturday
Beasley’s Winter Wonderland
9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Beasley’s Orchard, 2304 E. Main St., Danville. Price: $20. Join as we transform the Civil-War-Era Barn Market into a winter wonderland and welcome Santa to the orchard! Take professional photos with Santa sitting in his one-horse sleigh by the stone fireplace and decorated Christmas Tree. This event is open to pre-purchased time slots only! beasleys-orchard.com
2 Saturday
Homegrown Handmade Holiday Expo
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Guilford Township Community Center in Hummel Park, 1500 S.Center St,Plainfield. Hosted by
Meals On Wheels of Hendricks County. Silent auction and lunch for purchase to benefit MOW. Free admission. facebook.com/MOWHendricksCounty
2 Saturday
1 - 2 p.m., McCloud Nature Center, 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem. Make holiday memories while creating a wreath to adorn your home or to give as a gift. We will start with wild grapevine and fresh evergreens to assemble the wreath, and then decorate with ribbon and ornaments that we supply (or bring your own). This program is a favorite for individuals and families, so register early! $15/wreath. hcparks.recdesk.com
2 Saturday
Avon Tree Lighting
4 - 6 p.m., Avon Town Hall, 6570 E. U.S. Highway 36, Avon. The Avon Tree Lighting event features Model Trains, Caroling with the Avon High School Choir, Live Reindeer, arts and crafts for kids, food trucks, visits with Santa, and of course the lighting of the tree at 6 p.m. avonindiana.gov/ Calendar.aspx?EID=970
2 Saturday
Christmas Under The Stars
6 - 9 p.m., 61 N. Green St., Brownsburg. Join for Christmas under the stars! The parade will begin at 6 p.m. The parade begins on Main St. at Eastern Ave. Intersection then travels to S. Green St., turn on S. Green St. to end the parade at Enderly Ave. brownsburgparks. com/520/Christmas-Under-The-Stars
3 Sunday
Billy Dean Christmas Benefit Concert
7 p.m., 59 S. Washington St., Danville. Billy Dean Christmas Benefit Concert with Special Guest Levi Riggs. All proceeds benefit the Shared Blessing Community Food Pantry & The Danville Metropolitan Police Department. This is a limited ticket event. $75. eventbrite.com
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Simple knit holiday crafts at A-WTPL
On Monday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 7 p.m., the Avon-Washington Township Public Library (A-WTPL) will hold a program called Simple Knit Holiday Crafts. Learn how to knit an icord and how to use that icord to make a number of different holiday decorations. An icord is a tube of knitted fabric that is created by working a small number of stitches on double-pointed needles or a short, circular needle. Program attendees will need to provide their own yarn and a set of appropriately sized double-pointed needles. Email jlauck@avonlibrary. net with any questions ahead of time regarding yarn and needle sizing. Prior knowledge regarding basic cast on and knit stitches is highly recommended. This will be an inaugural and introductory meeting to what library staff hopes will become a regular Knit Night at the Avon Washington Township Public Library starting in 2024; details to be forthcoming soon. Do you have extra yarn or knitting notions lying around? A-WTPL is now accepting donations of clean yarn, knitting needles, and crochet hooks. Drop off a donation at the Circulation Desk and let a staff member know it is for Jo in the Reference Department.
How to avoid the family Thanksgiving apocalypse
By Curtis Honeycutt
As the aroma of roasted turkey fills the air and the anticipation of Thanksgiving festivities builds, so does the looming dread of potential political and cultural hot topics at the family table. These conversations, often fueled by strong opinions, wine and a generous helping of tryptophan, can quickly transform a joyous gathering into a heated debate.
To help you navigate this minefield of conflicting viewpoints and maintain harmony during this special occasion, here are some pre-approved, politically and grammatically correct Thanksgiving talking points to keep you from coming to blows with Uncle Rick.
“I’m thankful for my family, my friends and my stretchy pants.” In this list of gravy-induced gratitude, your loved ones will smile, smirk and perhaps even chortle at the thought of approaching the table with the intent to eat. Take this sentence as a jumpingoff point to recalling the days of yore when grandpa
would undo his belt so he could eat one more piece of grandma’s pecan pie.
“Pass the potatoes, pilgrim.” Using your best John Wayne impression, have Cousin Amanda hand you Aunt Helen’s heavenly mashed potatoes. Instead of discussing climate change, you can heap gravy onto your potatoes to form a delicious volcano.
“Who wants to see the Snoopy balloon?” Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will bring the family an inflated sense of nostalgia. Tune into this program and forget football rivalries. Flip over to the National Dog Show and pick the ugliest dog to root for as a family.
“I’ll fight you for the wishbone.” The only family competition that needs to happen at the table is the battle for the wishbone. Battle your nephew for the largest side of the bone, and ignore the conversation about Cousin Nina’s newfound embrace of free-range fruitarianism.
“That cranberry sauce is my jam.” While everyone appreciates the effort of homemade cranberry sauce,
we all know the good stuff comes out of the can. If my cranberry sauce isn’t in the shape of a disc, I don’t want it. Although I’m mostly joking here, the real lesson is the importance of complimenting each family member who contributed to the meal. Whether it’s your wife’s green bean casserole or your brother’s store-bought soda, compliments make everyone feel good.
This Thanksgiving, I’ll argue that kind words are more important than perfect prose. Feel free to end your sentences with prepositions as long as you offer to add a healthy dollop of whipped cream on your sister’s pumpkin pie. Regardless of any differing worldviews or levels of language lexicon, kindness and great food will bring you all closer together.
Curtis Honeycutt is a wildly popular syndicated humor columnist. He is the author of Good Grammar is the Life of the Party: Tips for a Wildly Successful Life Find more at curtishoneycutt.com
and Hill, initially
Cathedral HS athletes,
By Dick Wolfsie
I got an email the other day that was pretty special and I’d like to share it with you.
Dear Dick,
Thank you so very much for your sensitivity, generosity and kindness. You will never know what a difference you made in my life.
Your friend forever, Jerry
I just had one question. Who the heck is Jerry?
Mary Ellen thought I was making this up.
“How can you not know who Jerry is? You changed his life.”
“I know, I know, but the name doesn’t ring a bell.”
“Fine, but doesn’t the changing of his life part ring a bell?”
This was very frustrating for me because I’m not really that wonderful a guy and I usually don’t do a great deal of life changing. In fact, I’d say I change someone’s
Life-changing experience
life only about once in a lifetime, at the very most, so you’d think I’d remember a guy named Jerry. Nope. Not a clue.
I went back through my appointment book to see if I had made any appointments that had life-altering possibilities. It was actually kind of depressing because I saw no potential in the last six months for any such accomplishment. In fact, I didn’t have much evidence in my appointment calendar for any displays of sensitivity or generosity. Truth is, if I had gotten a letter from someone saying:
Dear Dick:
You insensitive, ungenerous lout. You are not a very nice person. Thanks for messing up my life.
…well, a letter like that I could understand. That could have been from anybody.
So, who the heck is Jerry?
Wait, I had an idea. I went to my computer and typed in “Jerry.” Now we were getting somewhere. There were two million Websites with the name Jerry—the first 200 had something to do with gourmet ice cream, the next 300 were fan clubs for Leave It to Beaver and 250 more were for Jerry Springer. I don’t like Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. When I eat it, my head freezes up and I get a terrible headache, but I don’t think that’s the kind of sensitivity Jerry meant.
I started to wonder if I had ever affected Jerry Mathers’ life. I interviewed him once on my TV show and told him how much I loved the show where he got caught in the gigantic coffee cup on the billboard. I also told him that Eddie Haskell was a jerk and a slime, so I don’t think I earned the sensitivity label. Nah. Not Jerry Mathers.
And Jerry Springer? Wow, I’ve met him also. But I don’t think he even knows the words “kind” and “sensitive.” Oh, and Jerry recently passed. So it wasn’t him.
I tried to narrow the search on the computer: Jerry/Dick/Generous/Sensitive. Nothing. Not one example came up. Well, there was my answer. Jerry may have thought I changed his life, but I didn’t. That’s why I couldn’t remember. It was some random act of kindness that I bestowed on someone—someone whose name I n ever got.
I started feeling better about myself. I had helped someone and asked for nothing in return. Not even the person’s name. I am a kind and generous guy. I have changed a life and I had no motive other than the knowledge that I made a difference. I was content.
But who the heck is Jerry?
—Bill Keane QUOTE
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
Dick Wolfsie lives in Indianapolis with his wife of 43 years. Dick is usually in the basement trying to think up something funny to write. He can be reached at: wolfsie@aol.com.
By Amanda Babinec
Making waves for our local parks
Lora Helmick was born and raised in Avon, Indiana. She graduated from Avon High School in 2007 and went on to Indiana State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation and Sports Management. She was later hired on by the Indiana Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) as an Office Manager. Lora later accepted a position with Brownsburg Parks as Recreation Coordinator and was then promoted to Community Outreach Manager. In 2015 Lora accepted a position with Washington Township Parks
in Avon, Indiana as Director of Parks and Recreation. Since working for the department 8 years ago Lora has been able to open 5 parks for the Washington Township/Avon community. Lora’s accomplishments include 2020 Exceptional Park Design award for Pecar Park, 2020 IPRA Young Professional of the year, 2022 Washington Township Employee of the Year, 2023 Exceptional Park Design award for Murphy Park, 2023 IPRA Professional of the Year. Lora and her husband are happily married and enjoy raising their three rowdy boys. Her hobbies include fishing, gardening, crocheting and being with her family.
What do you consider your greatest virtue? Passionate to a fault
What do you most deplore in others? Negativity. Positivity is a choice, not a feeling.
What do you like most about working in Hendricks County?
Like being able to give back to the community I was raised in.
If you had to live anywhere else, where would it be?
Bluffton, IN
If you could begin life over, what would you change?
I wish I would have known what I wanted to be sooner.
If money weren’t an issue, where would you spend it?
I would start my own tortoise rescue.
What makes you happiest?
My kids and a flight of coffee from Best Friends Coffee.
What is your favorite vacation spot? A family vacation to the Indiana State Dunes.
What do you do with your idle time? I like to crochet and I like to fish.
What is it that makes you angry? When people say they’re going to do something then don’t do it.
What do you do to escape from reality? Watch reality TV
What is the quality you most like in a person? I really like quirky people. People that do interesting things, they do stuff that’s out of the ordinary, and not like others.
What is your greatest extravagance? Bougie coffee
What is your favorite restaurant? The Ugly Crab
Who is the person most influential in your life? My mother. I strive to be just like her. She’s so sweet, compassionate and sees the best in others.
What are your fears/phobias? Needles
Which talent would you most like to possess? wish I could carry a tune at all
What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty
What is your greatest regret? I don’t really have any. I love my life.
What tenet do you live by?
Inclusion is very important to me. I always want others to feel included.
What is your favorite question?
If you had to build a house out of any edible item, what would it be and why? (and there is a wrong answer)
FORtheRECORD - HC OBITUARIES
AVON
Earl Roy “Rusty” Silvis
U.S. Veteran Earl Roy “Rusty” Silvis, 79, Avon, passed away November 8, 2023. He was born November 15, 1943. Rusty served our country in the US Navy. Visitation was on November 13th at Conkle Funeral Home, Avon Chapel. The funeral service was held on November 14th. Burial followed at Floral Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. shared at conklefuneralhome.com
Earl Martin “Marty” Zearbaugh
Earl Martin “Marty” Zearbaugh, 67, Avon, passed away November 6, 2023. He was born October 22, 1956. Visitation was on November 11th, at Conkle Funeral Home, Avon Chapel with the funeral service following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sara Frigge Nursing Scholarship at https://give.myiu.org/iupui/ P370016360.html.
William Joseph (Joe) Young
William Joseph (Joe) Young, 86, passed away on November 7,2023. He was born September 10, 1937. Friends and family are invited to visit on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. at the Light & Life Free Methodist Church, 8264 E. CR 100 S., Avon, IN 46123. The Celebration of Life will follow immediately at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Light & Life Free Methodist Food Pantry. Final arrangements and cremation are entrusted to Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville.
BROWNSBURG
Jane Ellen Farrand
Jane Ellen Farrand, 72, passed away on November 7, 2023. She was born December 21, 1950. Services were held on November 13th, at Connection Pointe Church in Brownsburg.
Tommy Ballard
US Navy veteran Tommy Ballard, 92, Elkhart, formerly from Brownsburg, passed away on Jan. 23, 2023. Graveside services with Military Honors were held on November 8th at Lizton K of P Cemetery.
Don (Dick) R. Wentz
US Navy Veteran Don (Dick) R. Wentz, 83, Brownsburg, passed away on November 2, 2023. Services were held on November 10th at Matthews Mortuary in Brownsburg.
Stephen Firm McBride
Stephen Firm McBride, 78, Brownsburg, passed away November 4th, 2023. He was born December 14, 1944. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Family Mortuary in Mooresville. Thomas Strickland obituary:
Thomas Dean Strickland
Thomas Dean Strickland, of Brownsburg, passed away surrounded by his loving family on November 2, 2023. Tom was born on February 23, 1949, in Wichita, Kansas to Jean (Finney) Strickland and Billy Dean Strickland. Tom met his wife, Joetta (Brooks), in 1963 in Terre Haute, Indiana, where they were high school sweethearts at Honey Creek High. Tom and Joetta married on August 23, 1969. Together they had three children and six grandchildren: Ben Strickland (Uma) of Indianapolis, Amy Peck (Scott) of Brownsburg, Jennifer Padgett (Jerry) also of Brownsburg, and grandchildren Matthew, Evan, Nathan & Noah Peck and Luke & Kara Padgett.
Tom received his degree in accounting from Indiana State University in 1971. He worked his way up the corporate ladder to become President of Insley Manufacturing and later Mid America Extrusions, before retiring in 2009. Tom was a wonderful husband, father, and Papa. He loved nothing more than spending time with his entire family. A private celebration of Tom’s life will be held in his honor. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to IU Health Foundation in Tom’s memory
CLAYTON:
Juanita Louise Smith
Juanita Louise Smith, 84, Clayton, passed away November 6, 2023. She was born October 6, 1939. Services were held on November 10th at Calvary Chapel in Danville. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Juanita’s name to Calvary Chapel of Danville.
Linda B. Bryant
Linda B. Bryant, 79, Clayton, passed away November 3, 2023. Services were held on November 9th at Faith Baptist Church in Danville.
Charles L. Fisher
Charles L. Fisher, age 81, Clayton, passed away on November 3, 2023. He was born March 13, 1942. Funeral services we held on November 7th at Hall-Baker Funeral Home in Plainfield. Memorial contributions can be made to the Clayton First Baptist Church 4797 Iowa Street Clayton, Indiana 46118.
DANVILLE
William Wayne Giles
William Wayne Giles, 69, Danville, passed away on November 09, 2023. He was born April 29, 1954. Services were held on November 14th at Baker Funeral Home in Danville.
Kathleen Rose Wernsing
Kathleen Rose Wernsing, 75, Danville, passed away on November 07, 2023. She was born August 27, 1948. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday,
November 18, 2023 in the Danville United Methodist Church with Dr. P. T. Wilson officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until the service time in the church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Shared Blessings Food Pantry 820 W Mill St Danville, IN 46122. Baker Funeral Home, Danville, is handling the arrangements.
PITTSBORO
Phyllis A. Stamm Gibbs
Phyllis A. Stamm Gibbs, 88, Pittsboro, Indiana, peacefully passed away in her home with her loved ones by her side. She was born September 8, 1935. Services were held on November 4th at Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home in Pittsboro.
PLAINFIELD
Peggy L. Williamson
Peggy L. Williamson, 72, Plainfield, passed away on November 1, 2023. She was born March 31, 1951. HallBaker Funeral Home is handling her arrangements. No services will be observed at this time.
Emily Sue Austin
Emily Sue Austin, 80, Plainfield, passed away on November 5, 2023. She was born on January 4, 1943. Funeral services were held on November 10th at Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home.
George E. Chance
George E. Chance, 58, Plainfield, passed away on November 02, 2023. He was born December 13, 1964. Private services will be held. Hall-Baker Funeral Home, Plainfield, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society 5635 W 96th St., Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46278.
Leo Lafayette
US Air Force veteran Leo Lafayette “Jack” Abbott, 95, Plainfield, passed away on November 1, 2023. He was born February 27, 1928. Services were held on November 8th at Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory in Mooresville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, online at www.alz.org/ indiana?form=alz_donate or by mail, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601. Contributions can also be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, online at www. stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=headerbtn-donate-now or by mail, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Linda Lee Lewis
Linda Lee Lewis, 76, Plainfield, passed away on November 2, 2023. She was born October 6, 1947. Final arrangements and cremation are entrusted to Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at a later date.
Love God, Love others: The heart of effective faith
By Pastor Barry Smith
In today’s fast-paced world, organized religion often faces skepticism and criticism. Many individuals have turned away from churches, disillusioned by hypocrisy and superficiality. The root of this issue lies in the failure to grasp the essence of faith and community. Let’s explore the fundamental principles that can transform our perspective.
Part 1: The Great Commandment
At the core of genuine faith lies the Great Commandment, as articulated by Jesus in Matthew 22:34-40. He emphasized the importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. These words provide the foundation for authentic, impactful faith.
Love from the Depths of Your Being Loving God and others isn’t a compartmentalized aspect of life—it’s the very essence of our existence. It’s not limited to mere emotions; it permeates our thoughts, decisions, and actions. Our faith should be like a pie, with God as the plate holding every aspect or segment of our lives together. When we prioritize God in this way, our love for Him and others becomes genuine and transformative.
Living Out Love in Action
Effective faith is active and tangible. It
involves living with integrity, doing what we promise, and following through on our commitments. Loving others means putting their needs before ours, valuing their feelings, and helping them succeed. By living out this love, we inspire others and create a ripple effect of positivity and faithfulness.
Becoming the Church
Organized religion isn’t confined to church buildings or specific hours on Sundays. It resides within each believer, within you and me. When we embrace the Great Commandment wholeheartedly, we become the church in its truest form. By living out our faith, we create a genuine, vibrant community that impacts the world.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The power to revive organized religion lies within us. As individuals, we must internalize the Great Commandment and actively apply it in our lives. Maybe you could reflect on one way you can love God or others more effectively, and share your commitment with someone you trust. By holding ourselves accountable and encouraging one another, we can bring about a positive change. Let’s live out the Great Commandment, and usher in a new era of genuine faith and community, making a difference by loving God, loving others, and becoming disciples who make disciples.
ATTENTION APPLICATIONS FOR THE OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL NO. 841 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE BEGINNING Monday, January 2nd THROUGH Tuesday, January 31ST, 2023. Applications and supporting documents may be obtained between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday at the following locations: (1) International Union of Operating Engineers Local 841, 6801 South U.S. Highway 41, Terre Haute, IN 47802; (2) International Union of Operating Engineers Local 841, 1602 Main Street, Vincennes, IN 47591; & (3) International Union of Operating Engineers Local 841, 616 South Oakwood Street, Oakwood, IL 61858 (Central Standard Time); or (4) between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm (Eastern Standard Time) at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 841 Apprenticeship & Training Center, 2034 West 1800 South, Clinton, IN 47842. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON. To be eligible for Apprenticeship, the following basic requirements must be met: a. At least eighteen (18) years of age by June 1st to apply. b. Physically able to perform the work of the trade. c. Have the reading, understanding, writing and communication ability as would enable the applicant to perform the tasks of an Apprentice in a safe manner and comprehend the subject matter taught in related instructions. d. High School Diploma or G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate. e. Possess a current driver’s license. f. Eligible to work in the United States. g. Take Aptitude Tests and receive a qualified score. h. Submit application and all necessary supporting documents to the JATC’s office. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PLEDGE The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 841 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) will not discriminate against Apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person forty (40) years old or older. The Operating Engineers Local 841 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 30.
ICONIC brief
Franklin College selects students for Pulliam Fellowships
Franklin College has selected three students to serve as Pulliam Fellows for the 2023-24 academic year. The Pulliam Fellowship is an experiential learning experience. Created in 1982-83 through the college’s Pulliam School of Journalism, it provides an opportunity for students to gain professional development experience in public relations, marketing, sports information and photography while working side by side with college staff professionals in those fields. The following student from Hendricks County has been selected into the fellowship: Magdalene “Maggie” McGuire, a senior ecology and conservation biology major with minors in math, chemistry and multimedia journalism, is from Plainfield. She recently served as a Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Manatee Photo-Identification intern and a Central Indiana Land Trust Stewardship intern. McGuire is completing her fellowship in both feature website writing and photography for the Office of Marketing.
SYCAMORE
• Business Cards
• L etterhead
• Envelopes
• Brochures
• Newsletters
• Large Format
• Invitations
• Graphic Design
• Content Writing
• Mailing Ser vices
• Promotional Items
• Binder y • Carbonless Forms
Great ser vice and quality printing, with added experiences for individuals with disabilities. 934 Sycamore L ane • Danville, Indiana 46122 317-271-7700 / 317-745-5456
When we built our house in rural Hendricks County way back in the 80s, we started with a blank slate of just under four acres, with few trees and lots of tall weeds. Having a tight budget, we checked with the Department of Forestry division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources which provides small trees and shrubs at bargain prices for reforestation purposes. We ordered bundles of 12-18” Norway Spruce, River Birch, Bald Cypress, and White Pine. These little seedlings are now large trees of over 60’.
We also received a bundle of seedings of a new shrub being promoted for wildlife and erosion control, the Asian Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), aka “Amur Honeysuckle. Unfortunately, this was back in the day before awareness of the dangers of introducing non-native plants. Consequently, Amur Honeysuckle has become one of the most common invasive shrubs in Indiana, now covering thousands of acres across the state. Within a few years, we had to hire a back-hoe operator to tear out the privacy hedge of bush honeysuckle, but to this day, decades later, we fight to eliminate seedlings as they appear.
Amur Honeysuckle grow as upright shrubs with arching branches, up to 15 tall and wide. They are very obvious in the understory of forests as they are the last to lose leaves in the fall and the first to green up in spring. The white flowers are
followed by red berries. Sadly, the abundant red berries have little nutritional value for birds, and they pass them up if other food is present, but the ones they do eat result in wide seed dispersal.
Amur Honeysuckle forms a dense shrub layer that chokes out native understory shrubs, native tree seedlings, and wildflowers, decreasing species richness and reducing canopy tree growth. It provides excellent habitat for ticks, increasing tickrelated illnesses.
Control is relatively easy, but persistence is necessary. The only non-chemical control is to physically remove the shrubs, roots and all. Otherwise, one must resort to herbicides. Small shrubs can be sprayed with brush killers, and large shrubs (stems can get as thick as a man’s thigh) can be cut off near the base, and herbicide immediately painted on the stubs. This can be done at any time of the year, but Amur Honeysuckle is most easily identified in fall or spring.
Happy Gardening!
John Chapin is a retired school teacher and sole proprietor of Chapin Landscaping in Danville. He has over 30 years’ experience in the landscaping business. Contact him at jchapinlandscaping@gmail.com
Amur Honeysuckle chokes out native understory shrubs,
Cruise lines seeing enormous growth
By Amy Maharas
Have you seen the TV commercials advertising new cruise ships? Cruise Lines are responding to epic interest from travelers wanting a vacation that meets the needs of everyone in their group from grandma down to infants. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, global cruise capacity is expected to grow 19% from 2022 to 2028! Let’s take a look at a few new options.
Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Treasure will begin sailing in December 2024. Some magical features onboard include Coco and Marvel-themed interactive restaurants, Moana and Beauty & the Beast Broadwaystyle shows, a Haunted Mansion-themed lounge, an onboard water coaster, and kids’ clubs including Marvel Super-Hero Academy, Star Wars: Cargo Bay, and Fairytale Hall.
Royal Caribbean will launch Icon of the Seas in January 2024. This mega ship will have the largest water park and largest pool at sea, over 20 unique dining options,
a Wizard of Oz Broadway-style show, aqua and ice-skating shows, amazing kids’ clubs, and so much more! Utopia of the Seas will launch in summer 2024 and Star of the Seas in summer 2025.
The industry’s newest cruise line, Virgin Voyages, will launch its fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, sometime in 2024 or 2025. This award-winning adults-only (18+) cruise line’s ships are all very similar, with small dining venues serving outstanding food, unique entertainment, and included tips, Wifi, fitness classes, and more.
Whether you want to travel with your significant other, family, friends, or solo, you have lots of options in the cruise industry! Contact a local travel planner to discuss the needs and wishes of your group.
Amy Maharas is an Avon resident and travel planner with Hi Ho Vacations. Contact her at Amy@HiHoVacations.com
The 33,000 sq. ft. Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex is designed to meet any of your social meeting needs: banquets, meetings, seminars or wedding events - we can do it all! Our friendly and knowledgable staff are ready to make your event worry-free and memorable!
$50 OFF Rental of $150 or more
Must present coupon at time of order. Expires 12-31-23.
• Nine conference classrooms and boardrooms
• Complete commercial kitchen
• Demonstration kitchen
• 12,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose auditorium
• 24’ x 36’ stage
• Easy load-in areas with overhead door
• High ceilings
• Epoxy covered flooring
• ADA accessibility
Royal Caribbean’s, Icon of the Seas, will launch in January 2024 (submitted photo)
Westside United Soccer Club
Way to represent your schools and Hendricks County!
