Darby’s Dancers
Premier Academy Expands
Dance Opportunities For Every Child
Hot Flashes & Belly Laughs
Local Author Proves Laughter is Great Hormone Therapy by Writing a Humor Book About Perimenopause
THRIVING TOGETHER
GREATER AVON CHAMBER CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF BUSINESS GROWTH
7 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
All Terrain Landscape and Snow Management
8 THRIVING TOGETHER
Greater Avon Chamber Celebrates 30 Years Of Business Growth
13 DARBY’S DANCERS
Premier Academy Expands Dance Opportunities For Every Child
18 PASSING THE BATON Avon Band Program Welcomes Its Next Leader
22 HOT FLASHES & BELLY LAUGHS
Local Author Proves Laughter is Great Hormone Therapy by Writing a Humor Book About Perimenopause
PUBLISHER
DARREN BOSTON darren@townepost.com (317) 716-8812
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
MELISSA GIBSON CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING
New Director Leads Avon Education Foundation Forward
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.
FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
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CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
EDITOR JOSH BROWN
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER ERIC NEER
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SKYLAR ANDERTON
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CARE THAT GETS HER HEART
You might not think twice about belly weight or a complicated pregnancy from years ago. But your heart might.
Women’s heart disease risks and symptoms can be different from men. And with cardiovascular disease still being the #1 killer of women, they can’t be overlooked anymore.
Franciscan Health provides specialty women’s heart care focused on the known symptoms and risks women face throughout their lives. With quick access to cardiology appointments, you can show up for your heart right away and get a care plan based on your unique story.
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ALL TERRAIN LANDSCAPE AND SNOW MANAGEMENT
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Craig Thompson got his start mowing grass for neighbors and learning the ropes when it came to lawn care more than 25 years ago. He started a landscaping business while still in high school in 2001, CT Lawn and Landscape, and though the business name and partners have changed over the years, Thompson has always served Avon and surrounding areas.
Today, he owns and operates All Terrain Landscape and Snow Management, offering commercial businesses year-round care for their property.
“We’re a complete landscape maintenance company, which means mowing grass, mulch installation, weed control, turf fertilization, bush trimming and more,” Thompson says. “We also do in-house design work and install landscaping designs, irrigation and services related to the irrigation system. If the customer needs something done, we’ll get it done for them.”
Maintaining a professional appearance and maximizing property value is important for businesses, and All Terrain Landscape can plant flowers, bushes, trees, planters and live walls, to name a few.
With years of experience, they’ll treat the property to mitigate insects that damage trees and shrubs, and they can care for the pond and other aquatic areas on the property too.
On the residential side, All Terrain Landscape offers lawn treatments and irrigation maintenance.
They’ll come out to the home for an early spring application to help the lawn recover from winter stress; late spring fertilization; summer lawn fertilization and grub control; fall fertilization; and winter application to keep residential lawns looking healthy and pristine all year long.
As the warm weather cools down and winter arrives, the company also provides snow removal services to hospitals, medical facilities, industrial and commercial warehouses, and shopping centers.
“We look at it as not just snow removal but risk mitigation as well,” Thompson says.
Innovation is the key to successful snow management, according to Thompson, and the company has been on the forefront of snow and ice management for years.
They offer anti-icing and de-icing, sidewalk treatments and more to reduce the risk presented to commercial properties during the winter months.
Though Thompson is the founder of All Terrain Landscape and Snow Management, he is quick to point to his staff of 50 and a team environment that keeps everyone focused on doing what is best for the customer.
“I stress, ‘All One Team.’ That motto is plastered everywhere and something I’ve instilled in the management team. We all work together,” Thompson says. “Everybody has their daily project to do but at the end of the day, if a team needs help, we all pick up a pitchfork or grab a lawn mower and get the job done.”
They celebrate birthdays and anniversaries together and every so often, staff members are treated to a celebration for a job well done.
“We have a great team with team leads and management here for more than 10 years and we’re always hiring great people,” Thompson says. “I don’t want to take all the credit because I couldn’t do this without them.”
Visit allterrainlandscape.com for more information.
THRIVING TOGETHER
GREATER AVON CHAMBER
CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF BUSINESS GROWTH
The Greater Avon Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 and, looking back, it’s been a whirlwind of growth and success.
Tom Downard, executive director of the Avon Chamber, can recall the early days when Avon was made up of a gas station on the corner — now the BP at Dan Jones and U.S. Highway 36 — and farmland as far as the eye could see.
He was involved in some of the first commercial developments with retail centers along U.S. 36, and he was there when Realtor Orville Woody began leading the effort to incorporate Avon and create the Greater Avon Chamber of Commerce.
“Orville Woody was a huge contributor and business collaborator in Avon. When the town became a town, he was at the forefront,” Downard said. “At the time, a few business owners were holding some quasi-meetings at various establishments, but we didn’t have a formal chamber organization.”
Woody would later receive the first Key to the Town in recognition of his contributions.
The goal was to get 100 businesses to join, and 114 signed up. The chamber was officially formed.
“At the time, we didn’t have a full-time staff. There was one part-time person to answer the phones and send emails,”
Downard said. “A few years in, they were looking for a full-time executive director, and Woody and others approached me and asked if I’d have any interest in that.” Downard was interested and has served as the executive director ever since, creating stable leadership at the Avon Chamber.
The chamber exists to assess the needs of local business owners and create programs, products and events to deliver strategic solutions for those needs.
Members are constantly thinking of new ways to support businesses and advocate for a strong economy in Avon.
Today, there are just more than 260 members, and Downard said while the chamber continues to think of new ideas and ways to support businesses, they’ve
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Tom & Lisa
found a few steadfast, successful events that continue to work.
This summer, the 21st annual Hendricks County Rib-Fest & BBQ will return June 27.
One of the top events in Hendricks County each year simply started out as a great way to bring the community together in Avon.
“It was held at Washington Township Park and was really put together in quick order. We were just looking for a community event to put on and our expectations were not super high,” Downard said. “I think that first one had 300-500 people attend and we were extremely impressed with the turnout, so we thought we might be on to something here.”
They were right. Every year, the Rib-Fest grows in attendance and entertainment,
would be much
and we kind of
in with both
“Initially, we were happy with our small, Avon-focused community event but, as numbers grew, we knew fairly quickly
and made it a countywide event,” Downard said. “It’s the largest single-day event in the county on an annual basis.”
NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
welcoming approximately 12,000 people to the event.
this
bigger than that,
jumped
feet
Other large events that got their start years ago for the chamber include the golf outing and the dinner auction, and they continue today. However, there are many events and resources offered on a smaller scale throughout the year as well.
“Programs come and go for a variety of reasons. We did community awards for several years, and it was very popular early on in the chamber’s existence. We’ve been pleased with the programming we put on, whether that be educational like a QuickBooks seminar or leadership seminar or our monthly luncheon,” Downard said. “The goal is to offer resource and education benefits to our local businesses.”
Downard said chambers of commerce are known as trusted sources of information. They also field phone calls from visitors and businesses planning a trip to Hendricks County. The chamber serves as a hub to provide businesses and
is
and
■
■
■
■ Drivers (CDL not needed)
■
“ A family oriented workplace Everyone is part of the team”
— Driver, Houston
residents information and promote Avon and the county as a whole.
One of the things Downard is most proud of is the collaboration all four chambers — Avon, Brownsburg, Danville and Plainfield — have formed over the years.
“It’s been about four years now that our four chambers received statewide recognition for our collaboration. That was really cool and we were happy to see that. It’s great to be able to work together and do things as a county together,” Downard said.
He imagines the future will hold even more collaboration for Hendricks County chambers.
“I think in the next 30 years, there’s a chance we’ll see a combined chamber for Hendricks County. They’ve done that in Hamilton County and Johnson County, where three or four communities banded
together,” Downard said. “We dipped our toe in the water a few years ago and it didn’t happen, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it were a possibility in the future.”
The success of local businesses depends on the hard work of business owners, but also a group effort from leaders in the community.
Downard appreciates the partnerships he has with one of the top school districts in the state, Avon Community School Corporation, and the Town of Avon.
“Avon is a little late to the game. There are other communities that have been around a lot longer, but I meet with Scott Wyndham, superintendent of Avon Schools, and we work together. A school district with decreasing population is a community dying,” Downard said. “The Town of Avon is building Easton Gray off U.S. 36, and there’s a potential that we would move to the town center building in the future. To have a prosperous community and growing community is really something to be thankful for.”
Most importantly, the chamber’s mission is to continue watching businesses in Avon grow and thrive for another 30 years.
Downard said 85% of chamber members have a small business with 1-10 employees.
“They have great stories to tell. They’ve launched a business for a myriad of different reasons and being able to help them along the way and promote their dreams is really fun,” Downard said. “To watch our community grow and see new businesses flourish has just been fantastic.”
RibFest 2016
DARBY’S DANCERS
PREMIER ACADEMY EXPANDS DANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY CHILD
Writer / Melissa Gibson
When Meaghan Molsberry launched Avon’s Premier Academy of the Performing Arts in 2014, the mission was simple: to create a space where every child feels seen, supported and inspired in dance and in life.
She’s continuing that mission not only through ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap and other classes for all ages ranging from infants to adults, but Premier Academy has also launched a new program, Darby’s Dancers, aimed at offering inclusive programming for children and young adults with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Molsberry could see the need for inclusive dance classes early on. She previously worked with students with special needs in Wayne Township.
“I saw how the school system put the focus on not making your child fit the mold but helping the mold fit your child, and I watched students go from struggling to succeeding,” Molsberry says. “Year after year, I’d have a dance teacher on staff who also worked as a social worker, and she would talk about this need. Then someone else called and said, ‘You have to do this.’ So, we had talked about it for years and we’ve tried other inclusion
programs, but it wasn’t until we found Darby’s Dancers that it was an instant, ‘This is what we’ve been looking for’ moment.”
Darby’s Dancers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by the parents of Darby Jones of Huntsville, Alabama.
Darby was born with Down syndrome, a heart defect and leukemia, and she loved dancing, music, reading and writing.
Darby was given the opportunity to dance at a local performing arts center and loved every minute of it. After her passing in 2013, her parents formed a nonprofit
charity to share Darby’s passion for dance with others.
Today, there are nearly 50 Darby’s Dancers programs active in studios across the country, and it was important to Molsberry that one was offered in her hometown.
Molsberry is a member of More Than Just Great Dancing (MTJGD), a support organization for thousands of dance studios across the world, and it was at a conference two years ago that she saw the Darby’s Dancers booth and began the process of bringing the program to Avon. In fact, before they left the conference, it was clear that Darby’s Dancers was a path they should pursue.
“I got all of their information and said we’d be calling as soon as we got home. Before we ever left the event, we won a year of Darby’s Dancers programming. God always has a way. This was meant to be,” Molsberry says.
It took a year or so to get all their ducks in a row, but 2026 will officially be their first full year of the Darby’s Dancers program, and it’s just a matter of letting others know about the opportunity.
Parents and loved ones of young people with disabilities often seek programs that help with developmental delays or continue progress, and it doesn’t hurt for the program to be fun along the way.
“Teachers donate their time and every dancer gets a ‘Premier Pal’ — a dancer from another class at the studio to serve as a big brother or sister. We work on mobility, jumping, rolls, the trampoline and we do have routines, but the program is tailored to the kids’ needs and if today isn’t a good day, we switch it up,” Molsberry says. “The goal is to create a judgment-free, no-pressure but fun environment.”
The program is free to families who participate, and teachers donate their time for instruction.
“There is no monthly tuition fee or cost for costumes. Darby’s Dancers doesn’t want any additional strain when parents are typically paying for medical bills and additional care,” Molsberry says. “We do our fundraising in-house. We have a vending machine and all of those proceeds go toward Darby’s Dancers. We also have Pie Day. Teachers sign up to participate and customers vote for the teacher they want to see get a pie in the face. Those proceeds go toward Darby’s Dancers, and it’s always a huge hit.”
The team from Darby’s Dancers came to Premier Academy to help Molsberry and her staff set up. Logistically, they made sure they were ADA compliant and had space for the potential needs of their dancers.
Preparation can be very detailed when working through the wide-ranging needs of each individual, but with a successful program like Darby’s Dancers, Molsberry
feels like they’ve finally hit their stride. “Sometimes it’s about sensory issues. Some of our dancers don’t like a ton of kids running about. I’ve seen some people really love tap dancing while, for someone else, they can’t stand the sound,” Molsberry says. “Some can attend a full 45-minute class and others need to have more breaks in between. We do whatever is needed for that day.”
Whatever the abilities or preferences, Molsberry says so much good can come from participating in a similar class.
“We want to provide creativity, mobility, a love for art, coordination, balance, flexibility and perseverance. There’s always challenges and dancers learn dedication and responsibility,” Molsberry says. “We want to offer inclusive opportunities and the right fit for all dancers.”
Students in the traditional classrooms benefit too. They are learning dance along with being open and accepting of everyone, despite their abilities.
“The kids really want to be a Premier Pal or Darby’s Dancers helper, and it makes me feel good about the future. It’s easy to be depressed about where things are going in our world, but these kids truly have a heart for helping others and that in itself is amazing to watch,” Molsberry says.
They’re starting out small with a single class, but Molsberry is hopeful that as more people learn about the program, it will continue to grow.
“It is my true hope that in the future, we’ll have classes available for all dancers of all ages. It’s been so rewarding. I often teach our Darby’s Dancers class and the kids are so much fun to work with. Even on one of their bad days, it’s a great day,” Molsberry says.
Visit premieracademyofdance.com for more information.
Assistants in the program
PASSING THE BATON
AVON BAND PROGRAM WELCOMES ITS NEXT LEADER
Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Carolina Crown & Remley-Cook Photography
This fall, a new director will take the helm of Avon School Corporation’s nationally recognized band program. Matt Abbey assumes leadership upon the retirement of longtime band leader and director Matt Harloff.
But Abbey isn’t new to the Marching Black & Gold and the numerous other music programs at the school. He’s been a member of Avon High School’s (AHS) band team for nearly nine years and has taken leadership roles as
band director at Avon Middle School South and assistant band director at AHS since 2023.
In fact, Abbey and Harloff’s friendship goes even further back. “I grew up in Northern California and marched in my high school band and then drum corps with the Carolina Crown after that,” Abbey says. “I met Matt Harloff there.”
Harloff has been the brass caption head for the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps since the early 2000s.
Back then, the Carolina Crown hosted their first show of the season in Indianapolis and their championships in Indy as well. Abbey says twice per year, he and the drum corps would stay at AHS, sleeping in the fieldhouse and giving him his first glimpse of Avon’s band program.
“I started to understand what Avon was. It was a storied program, way bigger than the campus we had in California,” Abbey says. “When my family relocated to Indianapolis, I went to Butler for music education and I posted on Facebook that I was coming here. Mr. Harloff reached out to me and says we should get you involved at Avon.”
In fact, his family rolled into Indianapolis in May 2018. The moving trucks were a day behind, and Abbey’s first stop was an Avon marching band rehearsal that evening.
“Wherever Matt went is where I ended up going. To have an opportunity to work with that guy has been incredible, and to work at Avon was a tremendous opportunity. Right out of the gate, working with the best band in the country kind of fell into my lap,” Abbey says.
In this new role, Abbey says there isn’t much Avon hasn’t done before. However, at the end of every season, the staff gets together to discuss how they can make the program even better for students’ experiences and staff.
“We don’t want to go through the motions or fall into complacency. I don’t see a lot of huge changes in the future. I know with the students and the team that has been built here, we’re going to be great, but we’ll continue looking at new areas and ways we can get involved,” Abbey says.
Abbey referenced a Walt Disney quote when he was talking about a feature film he had recently wrapped up. He says Disney wanted to “keep plussing with ideas.” He was constantly challenging his Imagineers to see what was possible and then take it a step further, or to “plus it.”
“How do we continue to upgrade? One of the things we’ve never done as an organization is attend the Midwest Clinic. It’s the largest music conference in the country, with professionallevel groups and music educators, held in December each year.
We’ve never applied, but if accepted it would be a huge honor,” Abbey says. “That’s just an example of something we could do as a major challenge. We want to continue to ‘plus’ our program.”
Abbey looks back at the encouragement he received at a young age and wants to pay it forward to current and future students.
“My family always supported me when I decided to join the band. A friend of mine was involved in drum corps and I went out to a show. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. The Blue Devils Drum Corps is the best in history and as we sat there watching, my mom says, ‘You know, you could do this if you wanted to.’ I told her I would never give up my entire summer to do marching band. Two years later, I joined and did six summers of drum corps and have been teaching since 2017,” Abbey says.
He says it’s about the lessons of hard work and learning to be great even when the environment isn’t.
“I made friends in the drum corps 10 years ago who were standing in my wedding last summer. I met my boss in drum corps. It’s those formative experiences years ago that have carried me through and set me up to operate the way I do now,” Abbey says. “Now, I have the opportunity to impact students in the same way.”
Abbey is grateful for the mentoring Harloff has provided as he begins transitioning the role to Abbey this summer, and he’s grateful for the staff and team he’s walking into as director.
“There is so much more to Avon than any one person or band director,” Abbey says. “One of our biggest difference-makers is our parents; we can’t operate without them. The students, staff and parents are what make Avon successful.”
Hendricks County households are encouraged to use Tox-Away Days to recycle and dispose of chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, medicines, medical sharps, tires, electronics, and appliances. Regulations prohibit wastes from businesses or other organizations from being accepted at Tox-Away Days.
Fees are charged for the recycling of TVs ($20/$25), appliances ($5/$10), and certain tires. Cash and check only.
HOT FLASHES & BELLY LAUGHS
LOCAL AUTHOR PROVES LAUGHTER IS GREAT HORMONE THERAPY BY WRITING A HUMOR BOOK ABOUT PERIMENOPAUSE
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
When women reach a certain age (usually 40s), we start having conversations with other females that often begin like this: “So, I’ve been dealing with this weird thing lately…”
That “weird thing” could be anything from itchy ears and dry eyes to a racing mind and unquenchable thirst. It could be facial hair, dizziness, dry skin, acne, excessive clumsiness, inability to focus, sudden fear of driving, or an impending sense of doom.
If you find yourself questioning the cause of these symptoms, I’ll save you some time by letting you know that all this nonsense is due to perimenopause, which is that stretch of time prior to menopause when your body produces less estrogen. I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but this transition period can last up to
“Christy Heitger-Ewing’s book ‘Why Did I Walk into This Room?’ is drop-dead hilarious. She writes about everything we talk about with our BFFs, splaying taboos in her uniquely amusing way. This is a book for every single one of us.”
Wendy Liebman, comedian and semifinalist on “America’s Got Talent”
ten years. If you’re between the ages of 40 and 55 (perhaps even younger) and are experiencing annoying, odd, or surprising physical or mental symptoms, it’s likely perimenopause.
For five years, I grappled with terrible insomnia, thinning hair, intense anxiety, regular headaches, restless legs, dry mouth, painful hip, achy shoulder, throbbing joints, and brutally heavy periods. In addition to being hot, itchy, anxious, and overwhelmed, I felt like I was losing my mind as I struggled to recall certain words. Plus, I’d forget passcodes and people’s names. I’d space where I’d placed my keys, glasses, purse, or phone.
As if all of this wasn’t bad enough, stray hairs began sprouting above my upper lip, and pimples began forming on my chin. WTF? I looked like a cross between my husband and my teenager with facial hair and zits. And every day, regardless of how much rest I got the night before, I was dog tired.
Finally, after talking to other women, I put the puzzle pieces together; I was in perimenopause, and it was kicking my ass.
I complained to my primary care doctor about painful sex and was told to try lube. I complained that I woke up drenched in sweat and was told to crank down the AC. I said I was sleeping poorly and was told to drink tea in the evening. Essentially, the resounding response I got was a shoulder shrug and the message, “Eh, this is all part of growing older as a woman.” Screw that!
When I met with a functional wellness doctor who specialized in hormone optimization, I felt seen, heard, and validated as she listened, took notes, drew my blood, and built a plan. She was able to offer evidence-based, practical strategies to get me back to the land of the living. Woo hoo!
Did you know that during perimenopause you may suffer anywhere from 10 to 100 symptoms? You may experience vertigo, rage, nausea, panic, frequent UTIs, heart palpitations, acid reflux, tendonitis, sore breasts, and phantom smells. Sadly, this is not a comprehensive list. However, I found an upside. You get to blame everything on perimenopause! If you forget what you were saying midsentence, that’s perimenopause’s fault. If you put your husband’s underwear in your kid’s drawer or your dog’s food in your cat’s dish, perimenopause is the culprit. If you drop a plate while unloading the dishwasher or trip over your own feet on the way to the bathroom, that’s the work of perimenopause. If you want to claw your spouse’s eyes out for breathing or
chewing loudly—perimenopause. You get the idea.
It’s ridiculous how hormones have rewired my mind and reconstructed my body. When I found myself Googling, “tips for tolerating people,” I knew I must write a humor book about the experience. Why Did I Walk into This Room? Finding the Humor When Perimenopause is Kicking Your Ass is a humor-forward, heart-forward take on perimenopause that helps women who are feeling isolated, stuck, exhausted, and misunderstood in mid-life. This book offers hope for the hopeless, clarity for the confused, enthusiasm for the apathetic, and laughter for the lethargic.
If perimenopause has commandeered your brain, wiped you of energy & motivation, and wreaked havoc on your sleep & sex drive, this book is just what the functional wellness doctor ordered! Christy recently held an author book signing at Barnes & Noble in Plainfield, spoke at Hendricks County Professional Women luncheon, and performed standup comedy at a humor writer’s workshop in Dayton, Ohio. This fall she’ll be a keynote speaker at a women’s conference focused on perimenopause hosted by Franciscan Health. She’ll also attend the Beyond the Books Festival in Knox and the Hoosier Author Fair in Crawfordsville. For more information or to purchase a copy of Why Did I Walk into This Room?, visit christyheitgerewing.com.
“Best perimenopause humor book ever! A great ride for those who are sweaty, tired and out of estrogen. The author has successfully turned a lemon time-of-life into funny lemonade!”
—Jane Condon, comedian & winner of Ladies of Laughter Contest
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS DOWN
1. Nutrient (pill)
4. End of war
7. Nervously restless
8. Wrap for head & shoulders
9. Remained
12. Leaves (sinking ship)
15. Regional speeches
17. Greatly pleased
18. Complete
21. Of the beach
22. Family adage
23. Deserved
1. Disappeared
2. Every time
3. Actor, ... Nolte
4. Settles account
5. Pilot
6. Fragrant type of tea, ... Grey
10. Move to music
11. Make happen
13. Followed secretly
14. Lowest British titled rank
16. Italian sausage
18. To ... it may concern
19. Resound
20. Pacify
AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2026
Submit Your Events!
3
BAT OUT OF HELLTHE MUSICAL Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Avenue.
11:30 p.m.
BAT OUT OF HELL THE MUSICAL, the awardwinning musical, is a thrilling spectacle where the timeless music of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf reigns supreme!
THE MUSICAL CLOWES MEMORIAL HALL OF BUTLER UNIVERSITY, 4602 Sunset Avenue.
7:30 p.m.
BAT OUT OF HELL THE MUSICAL, the awardwinning musical, is a thrilling spectacle where the timeless music of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf reigns supreme!
SUMMER STOCK STAGE: GREASEPREVIEW
Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W 46th St. 7 p.m. Grease returns to the stage with all the electrifying energy, heart, and nostalgia you love brought to life by a dynamic cast of professional performers from across the country.
4, 18
INDIANA FEVER VS. ATLANTA DREAM
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St. 7 p.m. (4), 7:30 p.m. (18)
5-7
INDIANA COMIC CONVENTION 2026
Indianapolis Convention Center, 100 S Capitol Ave. The Indiana Comic Convention is a beloved annual event held in Indianapolis that brings together fans of comics, movies, television, anime, gaming, and pop culture.
6
HARDY & CAMERON WHITCOMB & MCCOY MOORE
Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E 146th St. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.
Big Loud Records/ Big Loud Rock heavy hitter HARDY—crowned “Nashville’s nü-metal king” by the Los Angeles Times—continues to soar with the release of his highly anticipated new album QUIT!!.
LEVI RIGGS
The Rathskeller, 401 East Michigan Street. LEVI RIGGS Live one night only at the world famous Rathskeller Biergarten! Enjoy a fun filled night of food, drinks and 3 hours of high energy county music!
11
INDIANA FEVER VS. CHICAGO SKY
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St. 7 p.m.
12
THE BIG ASS TOUR PART 2
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Avenue.
7:30 p.m.
All ages welcome! All ages must have a ticket for this event, regardless of age. Clear bag policy is enforced.
12-13
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS VS. COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
Victory Field, 501 West Maryland Street. 7:05 p.m.
13
STAND BY ME: THE FILM AND ITS STARS 40 YEARS LATER
Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. 7:30 p.m.
Some stories don?t fade with time - they grow deeper.
16-21
& JULIET (TOURING)
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Avenue.
7 p.m. (16-19), 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (20), 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University Doors: 5:30 PM Show: 7:00 PM Duration: 2hrs, 40 mins with 1 intermission. Recommended ages: 8 years and older.
16
INDIANA FEVER VS. TORONTO TEMPO
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St. 7 p.m.
19
JOE GATTO
Helium Comedy Club, 10 W Georgia St,. 9:15 p.m.-12 a.m.
Joe Gatto is a comedian best known from the hit TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index.” He has toured with the Jokers live comedy show to sold-out crowds across the world.
20
FORREST FRANK: THE JESUS GENERATION TOUR
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St. 7 p.m.
GRAMMY-nominated and GMA
DOVE Award-winning artist FORREST FRANK has announced The Jesus Generation Tour with special guests Tori Kelly, Cory Asbury and The Figs.
21
MICHAEL MCDONALD & THE DOOBIE BROTHERS & SANTANA
Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E 146th St.
7 p.m.-12 a.m.
Parking is sold separately from concert tickets. You will need to purchase a parking pass if you plan to park at the venue. Please Note: There is a new seating layout for 2026!
22
INDIANA FEVER VS. PHOENIX MERCURY
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St. 8 p.m.
23
MYLES SMITH - MY MESS, MY HEART, MY LIFE TOUR
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, National Collegiate Athletic AssociationNcaa, 700 W Washington St. 6:30 p.m.
Everwise Amphitheater has the following clear bag policy: we will allow clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and/or small clutch bags (6” x 9”).
25
RILEY GREEN: COWBOY AS IT GETS TOUR 2026
Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E 146th St.
7 p.m.-12 a.m.
Hailing from Athens, GA, Mackenzie Carpenter is a singer/ songwriter whose soulful Country tone was honed by singing in her local church as a kid.
26-27
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E 146th St.
7:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
Parking is sold separately from concert tickets. You will need to purchase a parking pass if you plan to park at the venue. Please Note: There is a new seating layout for 2026!
27
BILL ENGVALL - “HERE’S YOUR SIGN, IT WASN’T MY TIME”
Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St.. 7:30 p.m.
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre All Ages Doors: 6:30 pm Show: 7:30 pm
INDIANA
FEVER VS. LOS ANGELES SPARKS
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St. 8 p.m.
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS VS. SCRANTON WILKESBARRE RAILRIDERS
Victory Field, 501 West Maryland Street. 7:05 p.m.
LEADING WITH PURPOSE
NEW DIRECTOR LEADS AVON EDUCATION FOUNDATION FORWARD
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Kris Holland has worked in the nonprofit world since 2008, managing fundraising opportunities and planning large signature events. Holland knows the importance of connecting individuals to available resources to help move them forward.
In February, Holland accepted the position of executive director for the Avon Education Foundation (AEF) and hit the ground running.
“When the opportunity came up, I realized this was a place I want to be,” Holland said. “I applied and went through the interview process, and I’ve been more than excited to take this role. I’ve
had a wonderful time learning about the schools here in Avon, and it allows me to be a part of my local community, something I’ve always valued.”
In just the first few months, Holland has been meeting with businesses throughout Avon to share how AEF is impacting students and educators in the school system. They are arranging phone calls and meetings with current sponsors and have joined local groups such as Hendricks County Professional Women and Hendricks County Women Connect.
“Each time, I walk away having had the opportunity to share more about AEF with them, and I’ve met a potential
sponsor,” Holland said. “I consider myself a storyteller. I’ve been pretty good at grant writing, and I enjoy turning the data into a story that people can connect with.”
AEF exists to support creativity, innovation and excellence in the Avon Community School Corporation through the support of corporate and private partnerships.
Over the past two decades, AEF has given away approximately $900,000 in Helping Hands grants and school supplies through the Supply Our School Store, operated by Work Study students at the high school.
The Helping Hands grant applications
sent in by teachers routinely shine a light on the imagination and creativity of educators across the district. They have sent teachers on professional development journeys, classrooms on special field trips and poured new and unique educational materials into the classroom year after year.
“They have come up with some really interesting things ranging from baby duck eggs at an elementary school to suture kits for a high school science class,” Holland said. “It’s always exciting to see those ideas.”
Likewise, the Supply Our School Store has made a significant impact.
“The Supply Our School Store provides supplies to teachers and satisfied at least 300 orders last year. I’m so grateful for the Work Study students because we are getting several orders per week, and it’s a big undertaking,” Holland said.
AEF is known for several signature events, ranging from Monte Carlo Night in the
RESEARCH HAS SHOWN ACUPUNCTURE HELPS WITH:
Allergies
Sciatica
Tennis Elbow
BEll’s Palsy
Dr. Vicki Crum
Kris & Dr. Wyndham
AEF Board with 2025-26 Helping Hands grant recipients
spring to the summer Supply It Forward event.
“I think Supply It Forward is what I spend the most time talking about with people. I’m really excited to get to be there for these students in a unique way, and I think what often surprises people is the numbers. They know we give away school supplies and grants to teachers, but it’s a surprise to many just how many students and educators benefit,” Holland said.
For example, nearly half of the students attending Avon Community School Corporation qualify for free and reduced lunch, and with prices continuing to increase, Holland expects to see several thousand students engage in the Supply It Forward program as the 2026-27 school year approaches.
Holland said they’ve met all administrators across the district, but
the work being done through special fundraising events, the Supply Our School Store and Helping Hands grants is slowly introducing them to the teachers as well.
And when in doubt, the AEF board is there to help guide Holland through questions and planning the large fundraising events.
“The AEF board is one of the most actively involved boards I’ve been fortunate enough to work with,” Holland said. “They are out there every day doing the work. They’re picking up items for the next event or helping shop for bulk school supplies. I’m still learning and don’t know where one would even go to get bulk school supplies, so they’ve been tremendously helpful. It’s been great, and we have a few new folks joining this spring, so I’m excited to see what they bring as well.”
Holland hopes to launch a few new fundraising initiatives later this year to further increase the outreach and give the community more ways to be involved. However, there are plenty of ways the community can help now.
“There’s a donation link on our webpage, and it also shares information about all of our programs, but outside of financial donations, we need volunteers too. We need people willing to hand out school supplies this summer or someone to check in the kids at our summer camps,” Holland said. “I’d love to expand that volunteer aspect of AEF and get the community more involved in what we are doing.”
Visit avoneducationfoundation.org for more information.
