Avon Magazine March 2020

MARCH 2020

MAGAZINE

AJAA’s Avon Softball Club Fosters Friendships & Fierce Competition

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MARCH WRITERS

Abigail Hake / Christy Heitger-Ewing Jamie Hergott / Tracey McInnes Gary Sinclair

MARCH PHOTOGRAPHERS Amy Payne / Tony Gude

SHOP LOCAL!

LAY BALL: AJAA’S AVON SOFTBALL CLUB FOSTERS P FRIENDSHIPS & FIERCE COMPETITION

Last fall at a Halloween costume contest, members of Avon Junior Athletic Association’s (AJAA) Avon Softball Club dressed up as packets of hot sauce while their coaches dressed as taco vendors. Though they didn’t snag first prize, it didn’t matter. The girls were there to goof off and have fun because sometimes that’s the point.

7 Play Ball: AJAA’s Avon Softball

Club Fosters Friendships & Fierce Competition

14 Business Spotlight: Window World Indianapolis

17 Reaching the Summit: Why We

Never Quit Climbing Our Biggest Mountains

23 6 Spring Cleaning Tips to Refresh

Your Home

28 After-Pregnancy Blues: Cause for Concern?

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32 Avon School Board of Trustees

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AJAA’s Avon Softball Club Fosters Friendships & Fierce Competition Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Tony Gude

L

ast fall at a Halloween costume contest, members of Avon Junior Athletic Association’s (AJAA) Avon Softball Club dressed up as packets of hot sauce while their coaches dressed as taco vendors. Though they didn’t snag first prize, it didn’t matter. The girls were there to goof off and have fun because sometimes that’s the point.

“It gave us some positive attention for something other than the sport, which I think is important,” says Jarod Turner, Executive

Director of AJAA. “That’s the struggle in this industry. We give kids so many opportunities to express themselves as an athlete, but sometimes I fear that they don’t have enough time to let their hair down.”

The Avon Softball Club is a revamped new travel program for AJAA that is modeled after Avon Baseball Club, the successful travel baseball program that’s now in its seventh year.

AvonMagazine.com / MARCH 2020 / AVON MAGAZINE / 7

“Our AJAA volunteers developed a program that has been able to translate to all of our travel programs,” Turner says. “It’s really exciting for AJAA to have an opportunity for young ladies to play at a higher level.”

Last year, Turner was approached by a group of coaches and parents in their 8U Rec League to see if there was a way to let their girls continue to play together on the same team since the players and parents got along so well.

“It’s really hard to do in rec sports because we don’t want coaches hand-picking their teams before we’ve had an opportunity to draft kids and balance out a league,” Turner says. “When that happens, it causes unfair competition. But being used to playing with each other and having chemistry is a big part of being on a team.”

Turner believes that players are made in the off season and teams are built during the season. Therefore, he and his colleagues looked at how they could give these ladies an opportunity to compete at an appropriate level and get them to stay together throughout the whole year so that that they could get extra training and build upon team chemistry.

Head coach Brad Hemmelgarn notes that for these girls to make a one-year commitment to the Avon Softball Club really builds character.

Hemmelgarn is married to the AJAA Softball Commissioner, Megan. Their daughter, Autumn, is one of the many players on this team who takes advantage of extra lessons.

“I really enjoy pitching,” Autumn says. “I get excited when I have to go to pitching practice.”

“My wish is that as they continue to grow, these girls truly realize that they can do anything,” he says.

This 11-member, 10U team is comprised primarily of 9-year-olds who played together in several fall tournaments as well as Sunday double-headers. They completed strength and speed training sessions with AJAA’s partners at Unbreakable Athletics Academy in Plainfield. In January and February, they moved to once-aweek indoor practices, and as spring begins to bloom, these young ladies will play in four or five tournaments through the end of June. They’ll also play double-headers in the Sunday Alliance League. In all, they’ll play somewhere between 25-35 games a year.

The tournaments this team participates in are primarily here in Central Indiana. The double-header plays in the Indianapolis area but will go as far as Columbus, Noblesville and Greenfield. Some weekends the team plays in Avon at the AJAA diamonds.

To land a spot in the club, there is an open tryout during the third week of July. At that time, the coaches will look at the players they

had the previous year and determine how these players performed in game situations versus just doing drills to showcase their talents.

“Some of the girls will likely move on with the team while others may lose their spot to someone else,” Turner says. “It’s a competitive process. These girls must have athleticism, a competitive edge and a passion for the game.”

In fact, many of them take private lessons to help them in pitching, catching, strength and agility.

“I think our team is getting into a groove and it’s fun watching the girls working hard and getting better,” Coach Hemmelgarn says.

Parent Rebecca Shoemaker says that the first season was a huge learning curve for the girls, coaches, parents and AJAA, but she credits Megan’s persistence in helping along the process. Their goal for the fall of 2020 will be to expand the program beyond this one team.

“The microcosm that is a travel team means that these families spend a good deal of time together, thereby becoming their own little community,” Turner says. “Even when the team is not competing in a game, oftentimes the players and their parents find

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themselves gathering together.”

Daren and Rebecca Shoemaker say that they love the relationships that have formed among the girls.

“They encourage each other and are a great support to one another,” Rebecca says. “It’s nice to see positive female relationships forming.”

Their daughter, Lydia, certainly agrees.

“This softball team has changed my life,” Lydia says. “I think I will do this career for a long time. The friends that I have made are awesome and funny.”

Turner maintains that the life lessons these students learn, both on and off the field, are invaluable.

“The most important thing in playing youth sports is learning how to cope with situations,” Turner says. “People need to learn at an early age that you’re going to lose more often that you’re going to win.”

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confidence.

“They’re learning how to make a mistake and fail forward,” Turner adds. “All these things are important in the growth of a child.”

Not surprisingly, these young ladies are naturally competitive.

Turner references a word that Darrell Waltrip coined years ago called “coopetition” in which athletes work together to push themselves to succeed.

“If you recognize that someone else is doing something better than you, it gives you something to chase,” Turner says. “On the flip side, if you feel you’re the best one on the team, you’re never going to improve yourself.”

So, even though Turner wants his athletes to be a cohesive team, he knows that if they don’t compete against themselves and within their own team, they risk becoming complacent.

“They are all good friends but still trying to best each other, I would hope,” Turner says. “At this age, they move around from position to position trying to improve themselves.”

In sports, as in life, students model what they see.

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“These children will play to the emotion they observe from their leadership so if you’ve got parents on the sidelines who are losing their minds, yelling at umpires, criticizing kids, and not giving any positive means of encouragement, what ends up happening is that the children start doing the same thing to each other,” Turner says.

Such is not the case with this team.

“Our parents help out in practice by shagging softballs or even running bases,” Coach Hemmelgarn says. They rely, too, on those who referee and umpire. That’s why the head coach must set a precedent that he is the only one to address the umpire.

“We cannot play games without officials and umpires,” says Turner, noting that those who choose to become umpires do not do it for the power or the paycheck. They do it for the love of the game.

“We have umpires and referees who will take the time to make personal connections with the children — to encourage them and explain why a call went a certain way,” says Turner, who encourages parents to check out rec leagues before having their child audition for a travel team as it’s not a good fit for everyone.

“If both parents work and time is really tight or if you’ve got multiple children, adding a commitment of travel sports could be a high-stress situation,” Turner says. “But if you’ve got a kid playing softball who is constantly asking you for extra batting practice, that’s a good indicator that she wants or needs more of the sport.”

For more information about the Avon Softball Club, visit ajaaonline.org or follow them on Facebook.

12 / AVON MAGAZINE / MARCH 2020 / AvonMagazine.com

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WINDOW WORLD INDIANAPOLIS 1229 Country Club Road Indianapolis 317-209-0008 windowworldindianapolis.com

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

Window World is headquartered in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina and is America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 200 locally-owned offices nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding and other exterior products, with a total of 19 million windows sold to date.

In 2000, Jeff Pittenger was living in Louisville doing sub-contracting work, including windows and siding, when one day he saw a man putting up a Window World sign in the area. He asked the fellow if he needed someone to install windows and the next thing he knew he was selling them.

“Once I ventured into that aspect of the business, I never picked up a hammer again,” says Jeff, who recruited his stepfather, Ken Shake, to come out of retirement to join the team. Ken retired from the Naval Surface Warfare Station Louisville as a supervisor over Welding, Fiberglass, Pipe Fitting and Fabrication. He was involved in all types of the development and repair for the navy weapon systems. According to Jeff, Ken “couldn’t sit still” post-retirement so Window World was a great transition.

In 2005, an opportunity arose for them to open a Window World store in Indianapolis.

Jeff didn’t have the resources to purchase the franchise on his own so he asked his stepdad for help. Ken was all in and so he and his wife, Sally, along with Jeff and his wife, Leslie, moved to Indiana.

Window World, which specializes in windows, siding, doors, and more, quickly became a family affair as Jeff’s wife, Leslie, and mom, Sally began managing the office.

installer, then became a salesman and then into management. “We are a close-knit, family-oriented business that’s nationally known but locally owned.”

They also later opened stores in Muncie, Columbus, Terre Haute and Lafayette. Today their daughter, Stephanie, runs the Lafayette location, Jeff’s son, Brandon, runs the Terre Haute store, and Jeff’s aunt and uncle, Tom & Lilian Fawbush, are co-owners of the Columbus store. As for the Indy location, a husband-and-wife team, Scott and Andi Holloway, manage the install department.

They pride themselves on supplying homeowners with the best windows, siding and doors at the best price.

“Scott has been with us since 2005,” says Leslie, noting that he started out as an MARCH 2020

“We offer free consultations with no pressure and transparent pricing,” Jeff says.

“No ‘buy one, get one free’ tricks or ‘you have to sign today’ fake discounts. Our mission is to offer only the finest quality products with distinction and integrity and to do so at the lowest possible price. Quite simply, we offer

the best for less.”

Window World is an environmentally friendly company. By reducing one’s carbon footprint, less power is used, thereby saving the customer money.

“We like to say we are a green company that saves you green,” Jeff says.

Through the years, the company has evolved immensely.

“Everything is different now, starting with advertising,” Jeff says. “Back in the day, we did nothing but newspaper ads. I remember we used to laugh and say that we’d never do radio, television and billboard ads. Now we

do all of that, and about 40% of our jobs are referrals and repeat customers.”

wounded and their families for medical and other purposes.

They have also embraced the joy of giving back to the community they love and the nonprofits they believe in such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which treats children with cancer and researches cures for young patients with life-threatening diseases. Since 2008, the Window World company has raised and donated more than $11M to St. Jude and was named corporate partner of the year for 2010.

“We’re big into racing so for the past nine years we have sponsored John Andretti and his son, Jarett, in the Daytona 500, Indy 500 and Sprint Car & GT-4 Racing,” Leslie says. In addition, Window World sponsors John’s Race for Riley Annual Progressive Dinner, which is a night of fundraising that includes a silent and live auction.

They also support Riley Hospital for Children and the Veterans Airlift Command, which provides free air transportation to post 9/11 combat

“The first year John Andretti started the Race for Riley, roughly $3,000 was raised.

Last year, it was around $360,000 so it’s come a long way,” Jeff says. “You can’t explain how different it is for kids who go to a hospital with people who are so beautifully trained to care for a sick child. Our grandson was first in a hospital in Terre Haute before getting transferred to Riley and it was a night-andday difference in the care he received.”

Customers constantly tell Jeff and Leslie how much they appreciate the care and professionalism they exhibit regularly. Check them out on the Better Business Bureau website.

“So many companies refuse to even come out and talk to you or give a quote unless both decision-makers are home, but we don’t operate like that,” Leslie says. “If only the husband or wife is there, we will still go out and provide a free estimate. We’re not high-pressure because we give good pricing upfront.”

They also offer the industry’s strongest limited lifetime warranty and all of their products are energy-star approved.

“If you break a window, we’ll replace it at no charge as long as the original purchaser still lives there,” Leslie says.

Window World and its products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal for 11 consecutive years.

“We are one of only two window companies to earn this award,” Leslie says.

MARCH 2020

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Window World received the J.D. Power Award for ranking highest in the 2019 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction Study.

“We have ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction among window and patio door companies for five out of the past seven years,” Leslie says.

In addition, Window World received the best rating for the price customers paid for windows and installation.

“I remember going to meetings at our corporate office and seeing the banner on the wall that said, ‘60,000 windows sold nationally’ and those were big numbers,” Jeff says. “Hard to believe we’re at 19 million.”

The whole family loves their careers at Window World, but they also are thrilled to keep the business in the family and someday pass the torch on to the next generation.

Family members are already used to being

“Our grandkids are in a lot of television commercials and billboard ads in Terre Haute and people are always saying, ‘Those kids are so cute!’” Leslie says.

Window World’s mission is to give its customers a quality product at a reasonable price, with excellent service in a timely manner. Their goals are to provide their employees with a safe working environment to meet their professional career goals and help achieve Window World’s objectives.

Window World is located at 1229 Country Club Road, Indianapolis, IN 46234.

For more information about Window World, call 317-209-0008, email jeffp@ windowworldindianapolis.com or visit them online at windowworldindianapolis.com.

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Why We Never Quit Climbing Our Biggest Mountains Writer / Gary Sinclair Photography Provided

My wife Jackie and I live in Avon, Indiana.

We love it here and gladly make it our home most of the year. Our neighbors are wonderful, the amenities plentiful and everything we need is right at our fingertips. Best of all, our daughter Amy, her husband David, and their four boys live six minutes away. Our son Tim (the voice of the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse) and his two boys are less than two hours away.

But another Avon beckons to us, some 1,100 miles to the west. It’s teeming with adventure opportunities, local traditions, snow in winter, gorgeous scenery - and oh, did I mention mountains? Located in central Colorado at the base of the Beaver Creek ski area, Avon has been our temporary home for a week or two during many of the last twenty summers.

This alpine town and its mountains were also the settings of the first chapter of a story that altered and enhanced our lives forever. My love for mountains began when I was in elementary school, and my parents made vacations to the west a high priority. We didn’t have a lot of money, but mom and dad saved up every year and helped grow their kids’ love of the high country in places like Yosemite, Banff, Wyoming, Glacier and of course Colorado.

Jackie & Gary Sinclair

Providing High Quality Remodeling Services As a result, when we had children I was determined to give them the same opportunity to be drawn to the big peaks.

As they grew older, I initially committed to conquer at least three summits with Tim. Our first was Long’s Peak, the highest visible mountain to the northwest of Denver. I tried that climb with my mom and dad when I was 11, but dad and I got sick at 13,000 feet and had to go back down.

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What a thrill it was to stand on top of Long’s Peak with my son some 30 years later after a challenging eight-mile climb.

We went on to do three more summits over the next few years. My daughter Amy and I also topped out on several 14,000feet climbs after that.

During those climbs, we learned that mountains have much to teach us about determination, perseverance and appreciation of the beauty all around us, but I never dreamed of the tougher lessons that were still to come.

In 2003, Jackie and I returned to our beloved Avon, Colorado. The kids were grown and ready to start their own families, traditions and vacations, so we were on our own for this trip. One day I mentioned to Jackie that I wanted to tackle another 14,000-foot climb and she said she would like to try one too. She was already an avid hiker but hadn’t bagged a summit.

We picked Grey’s Peak in central Colorado.

A fourteener is never easy, especially for those of us who live near sea level, but this one seemed doable so we went for it. Thankfully, after some six hours of steep hiking, Jackie and I celebrated on the summit as July snow flurries landed in our hair and a storm rumbled in the distance. We headed down quickly, eating a progressive lunch along the way.

We couldn’t have been happier or more proud of our success - until about three months later.

Jackie went to her doctor with symptoms that appeared related to past problems. Her general practitioner said nothing looked serious but suggested she see a specialist to confirm his diagnosis and give extra peace of mind. Within a couple of weeks she and Amy, who was preparing for her upcoming wedding, decided to go to the appointment, have some mother-daughter time over lunch and then look at wedding dresses.

However, after a couple of hours, Jackie called me and said the surgeon was sure she had stage-three colorectal cancer.

While Jackie had undergone a colonoscopy and other exams during prior months, a tumor had not shown up. A tumor had been hidden and the cancer had spread into the surrounding area of her body. The initial prognosis included two bouts each of radiation and chemo, two surgeries and extensive recuperation.

And it was possible that she would die.

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Just three months before, we had climbed Grey’s Peak and were celebrating. Now, we felt like we faced Mount Everest and were devastated. Our first thoughts were that we

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must take our new mountain on all at once, and yet that was overwhelming.

Only after some time absorbing the initial shock and facing our mountain head-on were we able to think like climbers again, and bring experience to Jackie’s cancer. We were reminded that there are basic principles that all climbers know will give them greater chances of success. We knew they could apply to any mountain - even a personal, major one like ours.

Some people face mountains of debt, poor relationships, grief and loss, unknown futures, children who are struggling, or addictions, just to name a few. And while everyone’s climb is unique, it’s essential to include the basics.

Here are a few: Climb one part of your trail at a time.

Never climb any mountain looking at the summit. It’s just too big and you’ll become paralyzed and discouraged by trying to scale your mountain all at once. On real mountains, we take candy bars

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and eat one after we’ve reached our first goal. The same works on our personal mountain. Only focus on the next task, the next switchback!

If you owe money, worry about the next payment. If you have an addiction, your next step might be making an appointment, attending a meeting or changing a small lifestyle habit. If you’re grieving, the next goal might be getting through the following day or an upcoming holiday.

Never climb alone.

We quickly learned how much we needed other people to help us, whether it was bringing food, encouraging us when we were down or taking Jackie to appointments when I could not. It’s not the time to be tough, suck it up and do it all yourself. Get a few of the right people around you - have some fellow travelers you know and trust, and who will motivate you.

Be honest about your mountain.

Don’t dress it up and make it look better than it is. If you owe $50,000 then admit it all. If you have an illness, talk about how serious it is. If a relationship is tenuous then spill the whole story to someone.

Personal, challenging mountains are part of life and we can bless them or curse them. But the best response is to embrace them.

Each challenge prepares us for something down the road and makes us stronger in the process.

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Thankfully, Jackie is healthy and free of cancer. We’ve been able to share our journey in businesses, schools, workshops, podcasts, blogs and faith groups. In fact, our whole story and other lessons can be found in my new book available at Amazon. com called “Never Quit Climbing: Overcoming Life’s Seemingly Insurmountable Mountains.”

Gary is an author, motivational speaker, coach and consultant for businesses, schools and churches. He has also been an educator, counselor, chaplain and pastor. Learn more at neverquitclimbing.com.

MARCH 2020

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MARCH 2020

6 Spring Cleaning Tips to Refresh Your Home Writer / Abigail Hake Photography Provided

Spring has finally sprung. It’s that time of year when you want to feel refreshed and clean, and declutter your house while you’re at it. With the weather starting to warm up, you’ll want to start heading outside to enjoy the sun and fresh air.

Nevertheless, we all have a need to clean this time of year - so what is the best way to tackle this year’s spring cleaning to-do list? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and it can even be fun. Getting the house in working order again feels good, and you can do it. Here are a few tips that will help you along to a very successful spring cleaning campaign.

Take it One Room at a Time Houses can be overwhelming when it comes to cleaning, so be sure to break your cleaning down into smaller, manageable projects. One easy way to do this is to think in terms of one room at a time. Use a room checklist as a place to start, and also as a way to prevent forgetting about items you might not always clean. If you’ve already cleaned some items in certain rooms then feel free to skip, but you are sure to find something that’s taken a back seat all

winter and needs a deep clean. Start with rooms that get the most traffic so that if your plans get derailed, you’ll still have a sense of accomplishment.

Clear the Clutter One of the biggest and best parts of spring cleaning is the purging of anything and everything you don’t need anymore. The feeling of letting go is a major way to refresh your soul this spring. Think about this in four categories - trash or recycle, sell, donate, and, finally, put away. There are always things we want to keep, and some we can do without. Make piles for each. If you choose to sell, list items on Facebook Marketplace as you are setting those items aside.

With regard to donations, see if you can fill a bag to donate every day for a month. You can also plan a garage sale - cleaning is so

AvonMagazine.com / MARCH MARCH 2020 2020/ AVON MAGAZINE / 23

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Don’t Ignore Seasonal Chores We all know there are chores that should be done seasonally, and we typically ignore them. Now that the weather is getting nicer, tackle chores like cleaning grills, patios and windows. Doing these chores even once or twice a year will keep your house running smoothly and looking great.

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Use the Right Tools and Supplies There are many cleaning supplies and tools out there that companies want you to think that you need, but it’s better to refrain from buying everything. Having dozens and dozens of cleaning products on hand at all times just clutters up the cabinets. Along with your mop, broom and vacuum, make sure you have a good all-purpose cleaner on hand for most projects. Other basics include an all-purpose powder or liquid cleaner for larger washable surfaces, an abrasive cleaner for small, heavily soiled areas, a nonabrasive cleaner for gentle cleaning on surfaces that scratch easily, chlorine bleach, glass cleaner, a furniture duster, and a toilet-bowl cleaner.

These items should get you started quite nicely.

Call in the Pros If your budget allows, there might be a few things you could take off of your list and

bring in a professional to clean. Window, carpet and upholstery cleaning are much easier tasks for pros who do it all the time.

Not only will this save you time, but it also might save you money as certain tasks often require tools you probably don’t have on hand.

Hopefully these tips will help to get your spring cleaning off to a great start this year.

If you want more help, there are plenty of spring cleaning checklists out there with specific tasks to keep you on track. There’s no need to scour the web for hours and hours - search “Spring Cleaning Checklist” online and plenty of lists will pop up. Pick your favorite and go down the list until you are done (or exhausted, whichever comes first). Good luck!

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After-Pregnancy Blues: Cause for Concern?

Writer / Tracey McInnes

It’s normal for moms to feel sad, anxious, overwhelmed or just plain tired after giving birth. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, up to 80 percent of mothers will experience the “baby blues.”

“Most women get the baby blues within a few days of giving birth,” explains Tracey McInnes, perinatal mood and anxiety disorder program coordinator at IU Health.

“These feelings usually disappear three to five days after they start.

If a new mother’s blues persist longer than two weeks after she delivers, or if the feelings become more extreme and impact a mother’s ability to care for herself or her baby, she may have a more serious condition called postpartum depression (PPD). PPD can develop during pregnancy or up to a year after childbirth.”

The following signs may indicate PPD: • Crying more often than usual (or for no apparent reason) • Losing interest or pleasure in activities that are usually enjoyable • Eating too little or too much • Feeling moody, irritable, restless or angry • Having no energy or motivation • Oversleeping, or being unable to fall asleep or stay asleep

• Having a lack of interest in the baby • Constantly doubting ability to care for the baby • Having trouble concentrating or making decisions • Feeling worthless, hopeless or guilty • Thinking about hurting oneself or the baby “PPD can make it hard for women to get through the day, and undermine the confidence they need to care for their baby,” McInnes says. “Untreated PPD could even interfere with the baby’s brain development. That’s why it’s important to talk with your health care provider if you believe you might be experiencing PPD." PPD can be easy to overlook. After all, tiredness and other symptoms may result from sleep loss. A health care provider can determine whether symptoms are springing from another medical condition. Anemia, for example, can make you feel tired and irritable. Thyroid disorders can also cause symptoms similar to PPD. PPD can be treated effectively with talk therapy and/or medications. Your provider can help you choose the right treatment. If you suffer from PPD, consider finding a trusted friend or family member to talk with, in addition to talking with your doctor. Seek help with childcare and household chores if possible, and try to take time each day to do something special for yourself, resting as much as you can.

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AVON VETERINARY CLINIC 7253 East U.S. Highway 36 Avon 317-272-8706 animalcaregroupllc.com

Writer / Jamie Hergott

A bustling little office, Avon Veterinary Clinic is quiet but busy. A patient in the form of a droopy bloodhound puppy is being held behind the counter by assistants while another patient checks out.

Dr. Brian Mehringer is busy with patients in exam rooms while his wife Lorie works as his operations assistant, doing everything from managerial duties and running errands to stringing up Christmas lights.

The two met in high school and have been married for 21 years. They live in Avon and have two kids, Riley, 15, and Devin, 17. A graduate of Indiana University, Brian went on to earn his DVM from Purdue University and has been in practice since 2002, but being a veterinarian wasn’t always in his sights.

His original plan was to become a medical doctor. A professor he had in college change his mind and, in turn, changed his life.

One of Brian’s professors in college was one of only four people in the world who studied chimpanzees in the wild at the time. He would go to Uganda to study them and invited Brian along. While Brian turned down the invitation, the question piqued his interest in primatology, a sub-field of anthropology. Anthropology happened to be Brian’s minor.

After an externship working at the Indianapolis Zoo for six weeks, Brian quickly learned that zoo vets actually have one of the lowest paying jobs available, and one of the hardest jobs to secure. He had to consider other options.

While he interviewed at multiple places around Indianapolis and was offered a job at three locations, Brian had his eye on eventually owning a practice. He purchased Avon Veterinary Clinic in 2008, and two years later purchased Decatur Veterinary Clinic. He also owns All American Grooming in Avon.

“We are a full-service clinic,” Brian says. “We do surgery, medicine, and basically everything you need on a daily basis for your pet. We consult on medical cases, medical diagnoses, most surgeries, a little oncology, and radiology.”

While the clinic doesn’t do most emergencies, they can refer pet owners to other locations for situations that require immediate attention.

Brian is excited about the new technological additions to his office, one of which is a companion therapy laser. While lasers cut and make incisions, this laser is a non-cutting, therapeutic laser. It’s used to treat inflammation for conditions such as arthritic joints and inflamed ears. Light penetrates into the joint or tissue, and speeds up the healing process without making an incision. Whether an animal has been arthritic for years or is newly diagnosed, most patients face years of medications or even surgery to help.

The therapeutic laser reduces inflammation and creates a more conducive environment for healing. “(Therapy laser treatment) is a very good option,” Brian says. “It increases the length and the quality of life for the patient. It goes a long way in improving some of these cases. They’re so much easier to treat.”

The clinic also has a brand-new ultrasound machine. Typically, Brian’s traveling radiologist will see patients, do ultrasounds, and then read them. While Brian is not a radiologist, he is committed to getting better at using his new equipment, which is equivalent to

30 / AVON MAGAZINE / MARCH 2020 / AvonMagazine.com

what his radiologist normally uses.

many options for treatment as he can.

Another new technology Brian has been using is SediVue, which is akin to facial recognition technology but for cells.

A machine takes a picture of cells from a urine sample, for example, and recognizes what types of cells they are.

“I’m as practical of a practitioner as you’ll get,” Brian says. “Overall, I love it when clients come back and they tell me their animals are improving. That’s the best part. And the puppies and kittens are great too.”

“Two months ago I’d walk into a room and say, ‘I suspect this,’” Brian says. “Now I can go in there and confidently say, ‘There are white blood cells in your pet’s urine.’ This makes it easier to diagnose animals.”

The Avon Vet Clinic is a three-doctor practice, but Brian does it all himself.

“I work six days a week and rarely take off,” he says. “In fact, I’d love to find a vet to hire. Those jobs are hard to fill.”

However, Brian doesn’t see it as a burden. It’s his life’s passion and work, and he loves the quality and practicality he can offer as his clinic’s sole doctor and owner. He handles payroll, ordering, and accounting on top of seeing patients, while Lorie steps in for managerial duties, helping to improve the flow of the office. Brian also makes sure he visits his Decatur office once per week.

“It’s simple really,” Brian says. “I like to see a patient and know I can help improve the patient’s life, and their family’s life.”

One pet per visit. Avon Magazine. Expires 4/30/20

Brian’s office, which serves three of the four canine departments in Hendricks County, is currently being remodeled and will be complete within the year.

Brian’s mantra is practicality. While he knows he won’t be the most expensive vet in town, he’s extremely practical in diagnosing, and will always give clients estimates and offer as AvonMagazine.com / MARCH 2020 / AVON MAGAZINE / 31

Chief Chase Lyday

Avon School Board of Trustees Appoints Chief of Police The Avon School Board of Trustees voted to appoint Chase Lyday as the school corporation’s first Chief of Police. He will be instrumental in the formation and staffing of the new ACSC Police Department.

Chief Lyday joins ACSC from MSD of Decatur Township where he served as SRO (school resource officer) and School Safety Coordinator. He was involved in starting that district’s police department and was also a former deputy sheriff for Marion County. Chief Lyday currently serves as the President of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association and on the Board of Directors for the National Association of School Resource Officers.

“Chase Lyday stood out among the many applicants for several reasons,” stated ACSC Superintendent Maggie Hoernemann.

“He has excellent experience as an SRO, is viewed as a leader at the state and national levels in the field of school safety, is known for fostering positive relationships with kids and is a champion of school safety. We are confident that Chief Lyday will help us build a strong foundation for an effective police department that will serve our students and staff.”

In October 2019, the ACSC Board and administrators, Avon Police Chief Sean Stoops and Assistant Chief Brian Nugent jointly presented options to the 32 / AVON MAGAZINE / MARCH 2020 / AvonMagazine.com

community for the future of ACSC’s School Resource Officer program which included the option of implementing a school police department. The Board voted on this measure in November 2019.

Chief Lyday began his new position in February.

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Trevor & Stephanie Bernhardt

Hometown Couple Purchases Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Store Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

haircut she didn’t like much.

If you polled the general population, many folks would likely admit they’ve experienced love at first lick when it comes to devouring ice cream or frozen yogurt. Trevor Bernhardt, however, only had eyes for his wife Stephanie when she stepped inside of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt back in 2013.

“I was feeling really down about how I looked, and Trevor left me this sweet Post-it note to cheer me up,” Stephanie says. “I thought, ‘Maybe this boy does like me.’”

Trevor and Stephanie grew up in Avon and attended Avon schools.

They didn’t know each other well because Trevor played Avon Junior Athletic Association (AJAA) sports while Stephanie spent most of her free time rehearsing for musical productions. Trevor started working at Orange Leaf as a sophomore. When Stephanie came into the store the following year to apply for a job, a smitten Trevor was quick to encourage his boss to hire her.

“My first day working there, my mom whispered to me, ‘That tall Trevor boy is sweet on you,” Stephanie recalls. “I was like, ‘Whatever, mom.’”

The pair started hanging out and soon became best friends, even sharing a favorite treat - pistachio gelato.

“It was kind of a cool transition going from best friends to dating,” Stephanie says, adding that the couple even took their prom picture at Orange Leaf.

After graduating from Avon High School, Trevor began a job at a local car dealership. Stephanie attended IUPUI, working at Orange Leaf throughout her college years while studying event management. She majored in tourism, which focused heavily on the hospitality and restaurant management industries.

But moms know.

Last June the couple got married and served Orange Leaf at their wedding reception.

One day Stephanie arrived for a shift, dejected after receiving a

Three months prior to the wedding, Stephanie and Trevor purchased

AvonMagazine.com / MARCH 2020 / AVON MAGAZINE / 37

the Avon Orange Leaf business from their former boss. It was a dream come true for Stephanie, who had heard the manager at the Evansville Orange Leaf bought the store from her boss.

In the span of a few short months, the couple bought a business, graduated from college and got married.

Owning a business has proved to be both exciting and exhausting for the couple.

“There’s no one holding your hand and walking you down the path of success, and suggesting what the right process is,” Trevor says.

“Instead, any process you set in place, you have to determine if it’s the best one.”

The pair balance each other’s strengths, which has helped the business thrive.

“We are strong in different areas,” says Trevor, who works at a car dealership as a sales manager while Stephanie runs the day-to-day operation of the Orange Leaf business.

Best of all, they adore what they do.

“I love being in the store and talking to customers,” Stephanie says. “I also love getting out into the community and mingling at events.”

Growing up in Avon, both Trevor and Stephanie made a number of connections through school, work and the AJAA. In fact, Orange Leaf is a platinum sponsor for AJAA. “We are definitely big community-oriented people,” Trevor says.

“You don’t get that everywhere. We have regulars who have been coming in ever since we first started working here. I’ve cultivated relationships with customers, and made friends and mentors through this job.”

Stephanie has seen babies grow into toddlers and beyond.

“It’s a privilege to be in someone’s life in that way,” she says. “We are all about making people feel special and helping them have a good time.”

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt is about to hit its 10-year mark, so the Bernhardts have begun to freshen up the store with new paint, furniture and digital menu boards. They will continue to introduce new flavors, and expand their product line with smoothies, shakes, acai bowls, to-go pints, and froyo cakes. In addition to expanding their own frozen product line, they recently brought in a baking company, Bamber’s Sweet Creations, to offer various baked goods.

“(Bamber’s is) able to do custom, decorated cake creations, and private orders for birthdays, weddings, graduations and more,” Stephanie says. “Our items pair really well together.”

One of the best parts about owning Orange Leaf for the couple is getting to be part of customer festivities and milestones.

“People come here to relax and celebrate with their families and friends,” Stephanie says. “Parents bring their kids here after getting a flu shot because this is their reward. We’re giving out free samples and playing music. Creating that memorable experience to make someone’s life sweeter is really special.”

Starting this year, the Avon location is a test store for new flavors.

The goal is to try out five different flavors per quarter in addition to seasonal flavors. For instance, as the weather warms, the company brings out refreshing fruit flavors such as lemon bar and pink lemonade. In the fall there’s always a pumpkin flavor such as pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake or pumpkin spice latte.

Orange Leaf also offers dairy-free options. In fact, topping the list of fan favorites is dairy-free pineapple and dairy-free orange. The couple has both of those flavors year-round, along with brownie batter, and rotates between wedding cake and birthday cake.

“We are always trying to come up with new flavors, especially in the dairy-free realm, as those options are very popular with our customers,” Stephanie says.

The other big attraction? The famous orange spoons.

38 / AVON MAGAZINE / MARCH 2020 / AvonMagazine.com

“They are shaped like little shovels and people love them,” Trevor says.

Running a frozen treat store, the couple has to think about what other offerings they can bring to customers in the winter when frozen yogurt sales may slow. Therefore, they offer office party and holiday catering, as well as birthday parties, weddings, graduation parties, sporting events and concession stands.

“We do it all including mobile delivery - things like DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats, Postmates and EzCater,” Stephanie says. “A lot of people don’t realize that we can bring the product to you in the comfort of your own home.”

You may wonder how frozen products could transport well, but they do.

“When we do sporting events for AJAA we’re out there for four to five hours, but our catering cups are prepackaged and we deep freeze them, then store them in a cooler,” Stephanie says. “We try to be as creative as possible to combat those slow times, but it’s a fun challenge asking ourselves, ‘How can we make that sale that we didn’t have last year?’”

The Bernhardts love Avon, calling it a decent-sized town with a small-town feel.

“Hendricks County is definitely growing as more people move to, and visit, this area,” Stephanie says. “As a result, Hendricks County is starting to offer a lot more, and that’s exciting to be in on the county when it’s just about to really take off.”

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt is located at 7565 East US Highway 36 in Avon. For more info, call 317-272-5323 or visit orangeleafyogurt.com.

50% OFF

SHAKE OR SMOOTHIE Valid at Avon, IN location only.

Not valid with any other offer.

Expires 4-30-20

$2 OFF ACAI BOWL Valid at Avon, IN location only.

Not valid with any other offer.

Expires 4-30-20

7565 E US HWY 36 • (317) 272-5323 AvonMagazine.com / MARCH 2020 / AVON MAGAZINE / 39

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