Avon Magazine May 2019

MAY 2019

Community Connections The Avon Chamber of Commerce Has Supported Local Business Owners For 22 Years

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TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. AVON MAGAZINE FRANCHISE PUBLISHER Darren Boston

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PUBLISHER Tom Britt

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PRESIDENT Jeanne Britt

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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Robert Turk

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Austin Vance

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Valerie Randall

EDITORIAL MANAGER Josh Brown

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MAY WRITERS

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS :THE AVON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS SUPPORTED LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS FOR 22 YEARS

When the Avon Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1997, Tom Downard was actively involved in real estate development. The Chamber needed a fulltime executive director and so in 2000, he accepted the position. Since its inception, membership has grown from 30 to 250.

6 Community Connections: The

Avon Chamber of Commerce Has Supported Local Business Owners For 22 Years

10 Business Spotlight: Velez Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

12 Crossword Puzzle 15 Parks Foundation of Hendricks

to Pilot No. 39 Driven2SaveLives Clauson-Marshall Racing Chevrolet in the Indy 500

Partnership: Local Partnership Aims to Improve Community’s Health

29 Gentle Stretch Yoga Class Helps

Cancer Patients Heal

34 Headache or Migraine?

39 Behind the Music: Avon Orchestra

County Focuses On Quality Parks & Community Activities

21 Back On Track: Pippa Mann Excited

25 The Hendricks County Health

Director Talks History & Recent Success of the Program

44 Curb Appeal: Does Your Home Have

Christy Heitger-Ewing / Jamie Hergott Connie Sieferman / Claire-Anne

MAY PHOTOGRAPHERS Amy Payne

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Community Connections The Avon Chamber of Commerce Has Supported Local Business Owners For 22 Years Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographers / Amy Payne & Avon Chamber of Commerce

When the Avon Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1997, Tom Downard was actively involved in real estate development. The Chamber needed a fulltime executive director and so in 2000, he accepted the position. Since its inception, membership has grown from 30 to 250.

“We are here to support our members and help them grow their businesses by promoting them as much as possible on a number of different levels,” Downard says.

They do this via various community events, their largest being the annual Rib-Fest, which is always held at the end of June on the Saturday before the Fourth of July. A local tradition since 2005, the day is filled with food, games, inflatable bounce houses, hot air balloon glow, live music, a 5k Rib-Run and ¼ Slab Kids Run. Plus, local restaurants compete for “best ribs” and “best sauce” as hungry patrons tastetest all the yummy flavors. The night culminates with Avon’s annual fireworks display.

The event was originally held in Washington Township Park. Right from the start, it’s done exceptionally well.

“The first year we held it, we expected maybe 400 people to show up,” Downard says. “Instead we had 2,000. We were overwhelmed by the numbers that turned up.”

As the event’s popularity has continued to soar, so have the numbers, making it necessary to find a larger venue to accommodate parking. Several years ago, Rib-Fest moved to Kingsway Christian Church where there is access to parking lots at Kingsway, Sycamore Elementary and Avon Middle School North. According to Downard, even then all three lots fill up because typically between 8,000 to 12,000 people attend Rib-Fest.

6 / AVON MAGAZINE / MAY 2019 / AvonMagazine.com

Tom Downard & Executive Assistant, Lisa Dulcich-Suyeyasu

Tom talking with Chief Stoops & Don Hodson at recent Avon Chamber luncheon.

Throughout the rest of the year, the Avon Chamber holds luncheons on the fourth Tuesday of the month (all except for December and August). The biggest portion of the luncheon, and the part members enjoy the most, is the networking time from 11 a.m. until noon.

Following that, Downard addresses the crowd, lunch is served and the invited guest speaks before a door prize drawing concludes the event at 1 p.m.

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Every meal is catered by a local restaurant such as Texas Roadhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden and Chickfil-A, to name a few.

“Our slogan is ‘live, shop, dine here,’” Downard says. “It’s nice for our members that they’re not always eating the same chicken plated luncheon. We might have steak one time and tacos the next.”

Every year the Chamber has three “traditional” speakers, including the Town Manager, the Washington Town Trustee and the school superintendent.

“All three roles are mainstays because they are a vital part of the community,” Downard adds.

As for the others who round out the speaking engagements, they look for those who tackle subjects that would be beneficial to business owners.

“We do a lot of work with start-up Momn-Pop businesses,” Downard says. “When small businesses are treading those waters for the first time, a little knowledge and information can go a long way.”

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AvonMagazine.com / MAY 2019 / AVON MAGAZINE / 7

consists of six to eight members. Every new member is taken under the wing of an ambassador, who introduces them around at the luncheons and ensures they feel welcome.

Several times throughout the year, the Chamber holds fun outings, such as the holiday cocktail party in December, the golf outing in August and the dinner auction each spring.

“We try to do fun things outside of the 9-to-5 networking,” Downard says.

For instance, in March they rented out the Red Curb Comedy Club so members and their spouses could mingle and enjoy some comedy in a laid-back atmosphere.

Born and raised on the west side of Indy, Downard graduated from Ben Davis High School and Indiana Central College (now UIndy), where he played basketball.

After college, he got involved in the Subway franchise before moving into real estate development and property management. Having lived in this community for 30-plus years, Downard has witnessed significant growth in and around Avon.

“Years ago, there was hardly anything on Rockville Road and the 36 corridor,” Downard says. “Then the west side began to explode.”

It seems that within Hendricks County, each community is known for something.

“Certainly, Avon is known more as the retail sector — especially the eastern part of town,” Downard says.

“People often call us the ‘new Greenwood’ with the car dealerships and restaurants.”

He admits that Avon has been slow to change with regards to sectors other than retail. However, according to Downard, off Ronald Reagan between 200 N and 300 N, a development is in the works called the Landings, which will offer everything from office space to flex space to warehouses.

“That will be a great benefit for the community going forward,” says Downard, the father of two. His son Alex is a junior football player at Manchester University and his daughter Abby is a sophomore basketball player at Marion University.

A self-proclaimed “sports enthusiast,” Downard coaches varsity girls basketball at Cardinal Ritter High School on the west side of Indy and in his free time is often out on 8 / AVON MAGAZINE / MAY 2019 / AvonMagazine.com

the golf course.

Upcoming things to look for in Avon include a retailer called At Home that is taking over the vacant Gander Mountain building as well as buying the ground adjacent to it so they can add 40,000 sq. ft. more retail space. In addition, Denny’s is moving into the old Jack in the Box location. Also coming in 2019, the town itself is continuing to expand and open up new trails to connect communities and parks.

“For those folks who like to get out and walk, jog and ride bikes, there will be more connectivity throughout town, making our community more livable,” Downard says.

Even though Avon has grown a great deal, particularly over the past 15 years, it still remains a “small-town community,” which people appreciate.

“We like going to Big Apple Bagels knowing that Dave is back there making our bagel sandwiches,” Downard says. “We like knowing who manages, owns and works at our local businesses.

And [frequenting these places] is an opportunity for people to get to know one another, mesh and blend our community together.”

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AvonMagazine.com / MAY 2019 / AVON MAGAZINE / 9

VELEZ FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY 5250 E US Hwy 36, Suite 800 Avon 317-745-6355 velezdentistry.com

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

Velez Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is a one-stop shop of sorts as patients can get most all of their dental needs met at the same practice without having to bop around to different specialists.

This includes preventative care, periodontal treatments, pediatric dentistry, sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and emergency dental care. The office is also equipped with digital x-rays, 3-D CT scanning and 3-D printing to provide the most updated technology to patients. Dr. Esteban Velez also performs root canals, oral surgery, laser dentistry, oral cancer screenings, teeth whitening, Invisalign braces® and dental implants, which involves replacing teeth with a manmade root, placing the new root into the jawbone. Many people with dentures seek implants to help keep their dentures in place.

“It’s the closest thing to having your teeth back and provides patients with a much better quality of life,” Velez says.

A few months ago, the practice moved to 5250 E. US Hwy 36, Suite 800.

“The goal with the new facility is to be Hendricks County’s premier dental facility,” says Velez, who prides himself on being highly service oriented. “Every patient has different needs and expectations. We listen and find a treatment that best fits your budget, whether it’s $1,000 or $10,000. We find a solution that will work for you.”

Velez, who offers free consultations, provides patients with various options and talks through their wants, needs and budget.

“Affordability is a big deal as dentistry can be expensive,” says Velez, who has been practicing comprehensive dentistry for four years but regularly enrolls in continuing education classes so that he can stay on top of the latest procedures in the field.

“I’m a dental nerd,” he says with a smile. “I like enhancing my skills so that I may give my patients the best possible care.”

10 / AVON MAGAZINE / MAY 2019 / AvonMagazine.com

Velez recognizes that a lot of people are not a fan of the dentist.

In fact, many of his patients have had bad experiences in the past, which is all the more reason he wants to create a safe, nurturing environment where patients feel comfortable. Gaining a patient’s trust is the first priority.

“It makes me happy when we have changed someone’s opinion of dentistry and they walk in the door with a smile on their face,” Velez says.

Part of the reason for that is because Velez doesn’t “hard sell” his services the way a lot of big dental office chains do.

“I see myself as a consultant,” says Velez, who takes photos of his patients’ mouths that he then shares with them to better explain the process. “When I can show you what I’m seeing, it makes a bigger impact on you. I educate you on the condition of your teeth and then we work together to determine the best treatment.”

Velez keeps nitrous oxide in every room to help patients relax during treatment. He also offers oral conscious sedation for tooth

extractions, fillings, crowns and other needs. Some people who are really anxious ask for these things even during cleanings.

Velez, who loves chatting with patients, says that he’s low key and certainly not a nagger when it comes to patients’ oral hygiene. So if you’ve been a slacker when it comes to flossing, Velez won’t scold you. If, however, you are looking for a tip on how to get better about remembering to floss, Velez says the key is to floss first, brush second.

“If you’re like me, after two or three minutes of brushing, you’re ready to move on,” Velez says. “Most of my patients who have taken on my helpful advice claim that it makes a world of difference.”

This summer, Velez plans to offer several educational seminars for patients who would like to learn more about dental implants. Call the office to find out details. Velez Dentistry is located at 5250 E US Hwy 36, Suite 800 in Avon. Contact them at 317-745-6355 or visit velezdentistry.com.

AvonMagazine.com / MAY 2019 / AVON MAGAZINE / 11

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Parks Foundation of Hendricks County Focuses On Quality Parks & Community Activities Writer / Connie Sieferman Photography / Parks Foundation of Hendricks County

“Local parks are among the top three amenities that a family looks for when making a move to a new area,” says Meghan Stritar, Marketing and Events Manager for the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County.

“They gravitate toward outdoor events and recreational facilities. We are fortunate to have a rich supply of town, township and county parks here in Hendricks County.”

Building, maintaining and enhancing those spaces is a significant economic task for a community dedicated to providing

quality recreational opportunities. In 2009, Hendricks County Parks and Recreation recognized the need to create a fundraising partner to offset the increasing strain on the county budget. The Parks Foundation was formed that year with the goal of raising private and corporate funds to develop resources and programs for our Hendricks County Parks while at the same time preserving public green space.

“There are misconceptions about what a parks department actually needs, as opposed to merely wants,” Stritar says.

“The public doesn’t always realize that their taxes do not necessarily pay for enhancements to their local parks. Public services are all vying for the same funds.

For instance, a local park system recently MAY 2019

wanted to add a water feature to their dog park. They did their own fundraiser to gather donations toward that project.”

The Parks Foundation is in a state of transition at present. Traditionally, the group has focused on four different outdoor venues: McCloud Nature Park, Sodalis Nature Park, the Vandalia Trail Park and the soon-to-be-constructed W.S. Gibbs Park. The Gibbs project is 140 acres in Washington Township that will include a nature playground, pavilion, restrooms, hiking trails and a bike playground. The nine-member board of the Foundation has just recently voted to upgrade their mission to include all Hendricks County Parks. Their goal is to bring their past successes to other local parks in Hendricks

County. Stritar shares that “we love the idea that we are going to work toward the goal of giving back to these community parks.

The individual departments do so much for so little.”

A popular event coming up before long is the “Summer Fun Run Series.” The Foundation is committed to increasing the recreation and fitness opportunities throughout Hendricks County, so this activity is a natural fit. This summer, the Foundation — along with multiple

partners in the various town park departments and townships — will provide a series of 12 free fun runs in different parks. Every Wednesday, from early June to late August, runners and walkers are invited to complete one of two pre-set courses of different lengths at the designated site. These are non-timed run and walk courses that can be enjoyed by the whole family. There will be a kick-off event at the county fairgrounds to set the pace for the upcoming season. At each run, park staff and volunteers will be present to assist

We’re here to help.

MAY 2019

participants and answer questions. The host parks will be clearly marked with both courses. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the local facilities and get to know the work of the Parks Foundation.

“We see it as a great way to connect with the community and share ways we can partner to enhance the parks for all to enjoy,” Stritar says. “About 6,000 people enjoy the fun runs each year. We want to meet the community in these beautiful spaces and share the mission of the

Foundation and our efforts to preserve our county parks.”

Of particular interest in 2019 is that the new White Lick Creek Trail will be the site of one of the fun runs.

Donations to the Foundation are always welcome. You can make arrangements for monthly donations or a one-time gift.

Many of the most committed supporters choose to become “Friends of the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County.”

These individuals are recognized on the Foundation website and invited to special events. An annual picnic for the “Friends” is held at McCloud Nature Park, and it provides a special opportunity for donors to enjoy McCloud’s six miles of hiking trails. Volunteers are always welcome, too.

Those who have a passion for history, the out-of-doors or working with children can find a variety of different volunteer opportunities waiting for them within the Parks Foundation. If you want to know more about the work of the organization or how you can donate or volunteer, visit them online at pfohc.org.

“The Foundation would like for the local park employees to continue to focus on what they do best, coordinate programs and events, maintain the parks and plan new parks for us all to enjoy,” Stritar adds.

“We hope to take just a little off of their plates by partnering to add new features that will keep the community coming together through our wonderful parks. We would love to see legacy gifts, whereby a loved one is memorialized with a gift of flowers or greenery to a favorite park or recreational space. We are grateful for any and all donations.

What drives me is the commitment of local park employees and what they do with the little they have. Their world is all about doing a lot with a little.”

Thanks to the mission of the Foundation, our local park system will get a boost of financial help to enhance their cultural, recreational and natural resources.

Avon 4.75 x 7.125-MAY-032919.pdf 1 4/1/2019 11:35:26 AM

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Back on Track Pippa Mann Excited to Pilot No. 39 Driven2SaveLives Clauson-Marshall Racing Chevrolet in the Indy 500 Photography Provided

For IndyCar driver, Pippa Mann, racing in the Indianapolis 500 is much more than some glorious endeavor. Every driver races to win, but for Mann, there is a deeper connection to her team and her sponsors.

Clauson-Marshall Racing, the United States Auto Club National sprint car champion team, announced back in February that they are partnering with the Indiana Donor Network and their Driven2SaveLives

campaign to field an entry for the 2019 Indianapolis 500 on May 26. Mann will pilot that No. 39

No. 39 and the Driven2SaveLives campaign on my Chevy entry is an honor that I don't take lightly, and I'm grateful to Tim Clauson and Richard Marshall for believing in me."

Driven2SaveLives Clauson-Marshall Racing Chevrolet com race day.

This is the first year Clauson-Marshall Racing will participate in the Indianapolis "I am so thankful for this opportunity to 500. The team was founded in 2016 in join Clauson-Marshall Racing for their first memory of beloved IndyCar driver and Indianapolis 500,� Mann says. "This is more USAC champion Bryan Clauson by his than just a car entry to me, and the journey father, Tim Clauson, and Richard Marshall. has been an emotional one. Carrying the Bryan died in 2016 in a racing accident and, MAY 2019

as a registered organ and tissue donor, he saved five lives and healed countless others.

“In 2012, it was a privilege to come to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a dad to a driver who was competing in his first Indy 500. Now, we are honored to have an entry in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

We are especially honored to partner with Driven2SaveLives, after organ and tissue donation became an important part of our lives in 2016,” says Tim Clauson, co-owner of Clauson-Marshall Racing. “Merging our dirt programs with the Indy 500 program is very important to our future, and we are fortunate to have Pippa Mann behind the wheel. After watching the way she handled the circumstances of last year with such grace, we were sure that if we could help her return to the speedway, we would.”

It is incredible to be back, I didn’t know after last May if I was going to be able to call myself an IndyCar driver again.

To be back here with Clauson-Marshall Racing is incredibly special to me.

Bryan and I never got to be teammates again, but I hope he would be smiling that his dad is giving me the No. 39 to drive. I’m very excited. - Pippa Mann

The road to this point hasn’t been smooth for Mann. Last year, she just missed qualifying for the Indy 500 and fell victim to Bump Day. According to Mann, to be back in the car for this year means the world to her and isn’t something she is taking for granted.

“It is incredible to be back,” she says. “I didn’t know after last May if I was going to be able to call myself an IndyCar driver again. To be back here with ClausonMarshall Racing is incredibly special to me. Bryan and I never got to be teammates again, but I hope he would be smiling that his dad is giving me the No. 39 to drive. I’m very excited.”

Driven2SaveLives is an Indiana Donor Network campaign to raise awareness around the need for organ, tissue and eye donation and transplantation. Nationwide, more than 114,000 men, women and children are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Tragically, 20 patients die each day because the organ they needed did not become available in time.

One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal up to 75 people through tissue and cornea donation.

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“Over the past four years, Driven2SaveLives has become a beacon of hope for patients waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant," says Kellie Hanner, Indiana Donor Network president and chief executive officer.

"We are excited to partner with ClausonMarshall Racing this year to spread the donation message far and wide."

“We’re pleased to see Indiana Donor Network continue its involvement in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, especially after our successful partnership last year in the inaugural Driven2SaveLives BC39 powered by NOS Energy Drink at the dirt track,” adds IMS President J. Douglas Boles. “It’s even more gratifying to see Indiana Donor Network’s relationship with Clauson-Marshall Racing grow into support that is helping one of USAC’s best race teams climb to the Indy 500 and continue the legacy of Bryan Clauson both on short tracks and at the Speedway.”

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The Hendricks County Health Partnership Local Partnership Aims to Improve Community’s Health Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography Provided

achieve optimal physical, mental and spiritual health.

Being healthy is hard. Staying physically fit, mentally strong and spiritually uplifted can be challenging with all of life’s stresses and responsibilities. Many feel alone in this battle, but they don’t have to.

Regardless of the health issue, whether it’s learning simple nutrition or battling addiction, the Hendricks County Health Partnership exists to help.

“The heart of this group is to educate, advocate and to collaborate,” Cotten says.

“That’s how we improve the health of families in our county by whatever means necessary. And everyone has equal access.”

Chase Cotten, a Public Health Education Specialist at the Hendricks County Health Department and the Partnership’s coordinator, is passionate about informing the county that there are people and resources available to help everyone

In 2010, the Hendricks County Health Department invited members of the community to gather and discuss local health issues. A group of about 20 health care professionals met for the first time in what would become the Partnership. They conducted their first project, a community health assessment, to identify what the key issues were in the county. Since then, they MAY 2019

have developed seven local coalitions to tackle all aspects of public health, growing from 20 members to currently more than 250.

Improving the health of the community may sound vague, and many may not think their own issues qualify for seeking out resources from the Partnership. But there’s a wide range of help available for all types of health-related issues. Whether it’s simply finding a nutrition and exercise plan, dealing with an addicted loved one, having suicidal thoughts or needing some tools for Seasonal Affective Disorder, there is a community resource for many issues on the broad spectrum of public mental, physical and spiritual health.

Some examples of resources available are education materials, public forums and events, education in schools and relationships with schools and hospitals to provide community support for health-related topics. One of the best resources available, according to Cotten, is a comprehensive guide on their website, which can be found at hendrickshealthpartnership.org/resources. html. This list is dynamic and active, always changing and growing. It’s an excellent place to start, regardless of what the need is.

The makeup of the group is not only dynamic, but it’s local: all are Hendricks County members.

“We are community members and neighbors,” Cotten says. “That’s the heart and the spirit of the Partnership. I know sometimes there’s a weariness in getting out of our silos and building bridges,

but the moment you open yourself up to someone’s input, explosions happen.”

The range of members allows bridges to be built across disciplines. Doctors, nurses, mental health counselors, therapists, social workers, businesses leaders, teachers, first responders and various other community members take part not only to offer their own expertise but to contribute to the cause of public health as a whole.

Members serve on one of seven local coalitions: Accessing & Utilizing Healthcare, Mental Wellness, Substance Abuse, Tobacco Free Coalition and the Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition. The newest coalitions starting in December are The Minority Health Coalition and the Interfaith Coalition.

While the Partnership meets as a whole four times per year for coalition updates

MAY 2019

and professional development, the local coalitions themselves meet once a month, or every other month, to work on their own projects specifically dealing with their particular health issue.

Jenny Bates, the Wellness Director for Hendricks Regional Health and Vice Chair of the Partnership’s Advisory Board, has been with the Partnership since its inception. She also chairs the Substance Abuse Task Force’s “Projects Committee” and sits on the Mental Wellness Coalition.

“Our main goal is to improve the lives of those around us,” Bates says. “I got involved because this was the first time there was a unified and coordinated effort to invite anyone interested in improving public health from all angles, whether it’s private, nonprofit, or public. I loved the idea of bringing everyone to the table.”

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There are many different types of projects the Partnership works on throughout the year. For example, they help the Health Department spread the word about available training for lay responders and distributes Naloxone kits, as well as administers HIV/STD screenings and handles used sharps in attempts to deal with opioid overdoses.

Some projects don’t revolve around such heavy issues. The Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition produced a map of food pantries, community gardens and farmer’s markets for the public, which is available on the Partnership’s resource guide. These are just a couple examples of the many ways the work groups work locally to tackle health issues and provide specific resources to the Hendricks County community dealing with those issues.

what to bring to the party? what to bring to the party?

Y O U ’ R E L O O K I N ’ AT I T Y O U ’ R E L O O K I N ’ AT I T

Bates emphasizes that it does not matter where you live in the county or what your health issues are. It could be a neighbor next door who struggles from post-partum depression. It could be a mom friend in someone’s aerobics class that has anxiety. It could be a teenager who had a sports injury, and there’s a concern about her recovery and a possible opioids addiction. Or maybe someone wants to finally quit smoking. There are resources for all of it.

“There’s a huge spectrum from big to little,” Bates adds. “There’s something for everyone. You don’t have to be in crisis. So much of it boils down to tiny steps toward better health every day.

It’s really those small decisions every day that add up over a lifetime. If you look at all the different subgroups that are with this county health Partnership, they are all supporting those small good decisions.”

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Gentle Stretch Yoga Class Helps Cancer Patients Heal Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

When Deborah Templin was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, she did what every brave cancer patient does. She took a deep breath, rolled up her sleeves and vowed to battle her aggressor. After getting a lumpectomy, she endured chemotherapy treatments and plugged into the empowering 12-week LIVESTRONG program designed to promote physical activity following a cancer diagnosis. “The LIVESTRONG program was very helpful,� says Templin, a Hendricks County resident.

In 2016, however, she was dealt another blow when a second

lump formed in the same breast. This time she opted to have a double mastectomy.

“I’d been to so many appointments and had so much help with the LIVESTRONG program that when it was all over, I had this feeling of, ‘Now what do I do?’” Templin says.

Left weak from treatment, she needed to find a way to build herself up so that she could resume her life in the best and healthiest way possible. It wasn’t easy, however, especially when she felt drained physically, emotionally and financially.

“You spend a lot of money fighting cancer,” Templin says.

So when she heard that the Cancer Support Community (CSC) of Indianapolis was offering a free weekly Gentle Stretch Yoga for Cancer class, she considered it a godsend. Offered Monday evenings through Hendricks Regional Health (HRH), the class is for anyone impacted by cancer — those who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, gathering strength, a survivor or someone who supports another individual who is journeying through cancer.

The classes use gentle movements (usually seated on a chair) to assuage symptoms, balance energy, build bone density and stimulate the lymphatic system. Lori Coffey, who teaches the class, utilizes various breathing techniques, restorative postures and guided meditation to reduce stress, improve physical function, manage pain, improve sleep and support the immune system. Coffey remains mindful of the poses she asks the class to engage in to ensure that it’s always a positive, uplifting experience.

“It’s important to keep it basic because those who are going through the cancer process are already so overwhelmed that the last thing you want to do is present them with something that’s going to serve to overwhelm them some more,” Coffey says.

“Those in treatment will be more depleted than those who are done with treatment. Also oftentimes other health issues pop up, too, such as arthritis.”

When Coffey was training to become a yoga instructor, she participated in a research project that focused on cancer patients wherein she researched the population’s needs, wants and limitations, then led a yoga class designed just for them. Around that same time, one of her sisters was diagnosed with breast

cancer. Soon thereafter, another sister was hit with the same diagnosis. Being dealt a one-two family cancer punch only increased Coffey’s passion for helping this particular community.

“This has been something that’s been true to my heart for years,” says Coffey, who appreciates the connection she sees amongst her students, likening the class to a pseudo-support group.

“I remember when some of these gals first started coming to class, they were still wearing hats because their hair hadn’t started growing back following chemo,” Coffey says. “Witnessing that transformation from bald to peach fuzz to a full head of hair is so exciting.”

CSC is a nonprofit that is fully funded by contracts the organization has with hospitals, donors and grants. There is no federal funding.

“The hospital pays us, we provide services free of charge for anyone impacted by cancer, whether that’s a patient, a loved one or friend of a patient,” says Faith Griffaw, program manager for Cancer Support Community of Central Indiana. “You might

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have a friend who lives in California, but if you are caregiving to them by being a listening ear, you, too, are able to come to this class.”

turning, she uses some of the relaxation techniques Coffey teaches in class.

Templin began attending Coffey’s class two years ago and always looks forward to her one hour of bliss each week.

“It gave me a way to work on my health without costing me a cent. I’m so thankful for that,” says Templin, who admits that prior to taking the class she had been skeptical of the practice.

Nevertheless, she stepped outside of her comfort zone and has been transformed by the experience.

“I have another physical issue — a connective tissue disorder that causes me a lot of pain,” she says. “Yoga, with all the stretching and deep breathing exercises, helps me feel better.

Plus, I sleep better now.”

For instance, when her mind is spinning and she’s tossing and

“I focus on counting in my breath, holding it, then releasing it,” Templin says. “It slows my mind down and helps me fall asleep.”

When Gentle Stretch Yoga for Cancer was initially offered at HRH back in February 2016, it was a monthly class, but Griffaw petitioned to transform it into a weekly class because if someone had to miss a session, it was eight weeks between classes. Once the class became weekly, they saw a huge increase in attendance, and it has continued to grow steadily. Though the class started out with just one student, now typically between 8-12 people come on a weekly basis. And if one person is missing, the others ask, “Where is so-and-so?”

“They definitely look out for one another,” Coffey says. “It’s truly an inspiring group.”

For more information on the Cancer Support Community of Central Indiana, visit cancersupportindy.org.

MAY 2019

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Headache or Migraine? remedies, such as ibuprofen. Prevention is essential when it comes to migraines. Reducing stress, getting good sleep, taking certain medicines and adding or eliminating foods and substances in your diet are all examples of preventative measures. Take note of how you feel and what symptoms you have before a migraine occurs to help identify what preventative measures you can implement. To be safe, consult your doctor before making any changes to your normal routine.

It can be difficult to tell if the pressure and pain in your head is stemming from a headache or a migraine, but the important distinction can help you get faster relief or know when to seek medical attention.

Dr. James Fesenmeier, neurologist at Indiana University Health West Hospital, offers the following advice to help you spot the difference between a normal headache and a migraine.

What is a headache?

A headache is an unpleasant feeling of pressure, dull aching, throbbing or sharp pain in your head. The pain can range from mild to severe and can either slowly develop or come on at once. It may occur on both sides of the head or in one location. Some headaches last for several days and others last just an hour or less.

What is a migraine?

Different from a headache, a migraine can cause intense throbbing and severe pain, most of the time just on one side of the head.

Migraines are normally accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, visual disturbances, lightheadedness, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to sound or light. The pain can be prolonged over hours or days making it difficult to perform daily tasks.

Treatment Most headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain

May is National Stroke Awareness Month: Know the Signs and Symptoms A sudden severe headache with no obvious cause can be a manifestation of a type of stroke associated with bleeding in the brain. These can be called “thunderclap headaches,” and if you’ve never experienced this kind of headache previously, you should be evaluated urgently to rule out bleeding.

However, the more common type of stroke, known as ischemic strokes, is not usually associated with headache. Ischemic strokes are caused by a lack of blood flow to part of the brain.

Unfortunately, because of the lack of pain, patients often delay coming to the hospital, which can prevent them from being able to receive the most effective treatments for stroke.

The acronym F.A.S.T can help identify a stroke – Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 9-1-1. If you think you’re having a stroke, call 9-1-1 and go to an emergency room right away. Do not try to drive yourself or a loved one to the hospital.

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Behind the Music

Avon Orchestra Director Talks History & Recent Success of the Program Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Twelve years ago, Dr. Margaret Hoernemann (current superintendent of Avon Schools) commented that Avon schools had phenomenal band and choir programs but what was missing was orchestra.

“Dr. Hoernemann felt strongly that to be a truly comprehensive corporation, we needed to offer it all,” says Dean Westman, who eagerly accepted the challenge.

So, in the fall of 2007 Westman offered a beginning orchestra class that consisted of 38 sixth-graders. From there, he built the program from the ground up. The second year, those sixth-graders moved onto seventh-grade orchestra class and Westman started a new crop of 70 sixth-grade beginners. The third year there was even more student interest in string instruments as 120 students registered.

“Each year the numbers kept growing and growing,” Westman says.

Finally, they built all the way up to a 6-12 program. For three years, Westman was the only orchestra instructor as he floated between the two intermediate schools and the middle school (at the time Avon only had one middle school). Once his first crop of sixth-graders had transitioned to ninth grade, Westman became the high school director and the corporation hired three additional directors to cover the middle and

Director Dean Westman

AvonMagazine.com / MAY 2019 / AVON MAGAZINE / 39

intermediate schools.

“It’s amazing to think that we started with 38 kids and now, a dozen years later, we serve more than 600 students across five buildings,” Westman says.

When Hoernemann and Westman were asked to present at The Midwest Clinic, the largest music educator convention in the world, they titled their presentation, “It Takes a Village: Building a Program from Scratch.”

“We talked about how it took so many people coming together in the Avon community to raise this program the way a parent raises a child,” Westman says.

Since its inception, select students in Avon’s orchestra program have had the opportunity to perform in Orlando, New York City, and in June 2018 they embarked on a European tour, performing in Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Salzburg, Austria — the birthplace of Mozart, the most famous composer of all time.

The high school has a total of four orchestras that are part of the curricular

experience: Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Intermezzo Orchestra and Concert Orchestra.

“What’s unique about the Symphony Orchestra is that it combines the top players in our award-winning band, so it’s

not just strings but also the woodwinds, percussion and brass,” Westman says. “It’s like the Boston Pops or the New York Philharmonic.”

A lot of schools don’t have a full orchestra, but Westman believes the collaborative

experience is vital to learning. “It gives the orchestra kids an appreciation for what a band does and vice versa,� he says.

Students get placed in one of the four orchestras based on an audition. At the end of each school year, every current eighthgrader, freshman, sophomore and junior who is continuing in orchestra must audition for the following year. To ease student anxiety, Westman gives students music and allows them three weeks to prepare a video audition.

That way they can do it again and again until they get the “take� they like. “In a live audition, you have one shot, but this encourages them to practice,� says Westman, who specifically does this for the incoming freshmen. “It’s already so intimidating to be coming to a high school with 3,000 students,� Westman adds. “I want their first impression of me and

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of orchestra to be one of a safe place.”

He works to create a culture where students feel valued, accepted and loved.

“We want to replace students’ anxiety with the comfort of knowing they have a family right here in this room who will care for them from the second they walk in until the day they graduate,” Westman says. “We use music as a vehicle to make students the best citizens they can be.”

Every year the Avon orchestra competes in the ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association). Usually, around 40 orchestras compete at this live competition in which students and their director are given a piece of music they have never seen. The director then has 10 minutes to teach his students that piece via sight reading as they are not allowed to play a note on their instruments. Then they play it for the first time in front of a

panel of judges.

The very first year Avon made finals was in 2014 when Westman’s original crop of sixth-graders performed as seniors.

“It was a storybook ending for those 38 kids who had the courage to start something new as sixth-graders and follow it through to their senior year where they placed third in the state,” Westman says.

“That was the most meaningful experience of my life.”

Westman, now in his 25th year in education, was 37 when he launched Avon’s orchestra program. He maintains that had he been early in his teaching career at the time, he wouldn’t have been able to appreciate how amazing it was to spend seven years of a journey with the same 38 students.

“Most teachers only get a student for a

year, or if you’re the high school choir director, perhaps you have them for four years,” Westman says. “I had kids from age 11 to 18, and that was such a profound human experience to watch kids grow over a period of seven years. I think you could argue that next to their moms and dads, they didn’t spend as much time with another human than me.”

The Avon Symphony Orchestra finished third in 2014, 2015 and 2016. They were the state runner-up in 2017 and the 2018 Indiana State School Music Association Orchestra State Champions. When they won state, Westman delivered an impromptu speech to the students about his thoughts on taking home the big prize.

“Of course I felt proud, but I told them that my trophy always happens in the music, in the moment, on the stage, in the performance,” Westman says. “The trophy

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is awesome and exciting, but the message to the kids is, ‘Don’t ever forget how you felt when that audience sprung to their feet and gave you a standing ovation. That’s why we’re musicians.’”

Westman maintains that nobody goes into professional music to win competitions. They do it because of the way it stirs the mind, body and soul.

Come Dance With Us More than just a dance studio, we’re a dance family

Westman’s students excel, year after year, because many of them play in their free time as well, taking private lessons, participating in solo and ensemble contests and joining orchestras like the New World Youth Orchestras in Indianapolis and the Hendricks Symphony Orchestra in Avon.

“A huge part of our success is due to the fact that we’re not chasing trophies,” Westman says.

And while becoming state champs is wonderful, that’s not what motivates them.

“Winning feels special,” Westman adds. “But it pales in comparison to the feeling we all have when we’re making music in that moment at that level.”

Visit Us Online for More Information (317) 696-9043 8405 E US Hwy 36 — Avon premieracademyofdance.com

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317-345-6640 www.ClaireAnneAikman.com caikman@callcarpenter.com AvonMagazine.com / MAY 2019 / AVON MAGAZINE / 43

Curb Appeal Does Your Home Have It? Writer / Claire-Anne Aikman

easy and generally inexpensive to do!

Curb appeal is when your home looks so good from the street that people want to pull over to the curb to admire it (and, admire your home as well). Maybe the lawn is perfectly manicured, the perennials are in full bloom or the porch just pops with plants and a porch swing. Whatever it is, it makes people pause to admire and leaves them with a good feeling about your home.

Walk around the outside of your home and honestly assess what you see. Are the sides covered in a mystery green grunge? If yes, power-wash them. Look at your gutters for any that are hanging low and repair as needed. Wash your windows and shutters. Assess your landscaping and determine what plants need to be trimmed.

Consider placing mulch around the plants to complete the look.

Now, look at your porch. Sweep it, clear off the spider webs, paint the front door (if you have an HOA make sure they will allow you to do so.) Colors that do not blend well with your home are not advised, think warm and inviting, not bold and shocking. If you are not permitted to paint the front door, consider adding hanging

If you look at your home from the street and smile at what you see, chances are great your home has curb appeal. If, however, you sigh and feel overwhelmed at the sight, chances are you are lacking in curb appeal. If this is you, do not despair — creating curb appeal is

44 / AVON MAGAZINE / MAY 2019 / AvonMagazine.com

baskets of plants or plant some flowers in a flower bed alongside the porch. Finally, easily spruce up the mailbox area by freshening the paint on the mailbox post, cleaning the mailbox, changing the style of the numbers on the box (not the numbers themselves, that wouldn’t be a good idea) and plant a few flowers or ornamental grass near it.

Do you really need curb appeal? The short answer is yes. Even if you are not planning on selling your home, keeping up on the maintenance of your investment is a smart idea. Neglecting this and trying to catch up later can be overwhelming.

If you take care of your home, your neighbors might follow suit.

If they follow suit, your neighborhood looks more appealing to anyone that is looking to buy, which motivates buyers to want to get into the area and that leads to increased prices and value, which is always a good thing.

Claire-Anne is a West Side Realtor helping people make Hendricks County their home.

You can reach her at 317-345-6640 or caikman@callcarpenter.com.

Right at Home

Whether you need to right-size your home or your yard, call Claire-Anne to help you make Hendricks County your home.

317-345-6640 www.ClaireAnneAikman.com caikman@callcarpenter.com AvonMagazine.com / MAY 2019 / AVON MAGAZINE / 45

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