Fall
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Best Places to See Autumn Colors in Hendricks County
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KICKING UP CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENCE CLUB MARTIAL ARTS BUILDS SKILLS, STRENGTH & SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES
6 FALL FAVORITES Best Places to See Autumn Colors in Hendricks County
KICKING UP CONFIDENCE Confidence Club Martial Arts Builds Skills, Strength & Support for All Ages
BOSTON darren@townepost.com (317) 716-8812
LIGHTING THE WAY Leadership Hendricks County Expands Programs to Inspire Community Growth & Connection
BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
(317) 810-0011
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HOMEGROWN INSPIRATION Former Avon Students Return to Teach & Lead in the Schools That Shaped Them CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?
two trails that loop through the park.
The half-mile blue trail is perfect for both young and old, as it is shorter and easy to navigate. The red trail is 1.2 miles long and a little more challenging. Visitors can easily walk the red and blue trails for a pleasant 1.7-mile hike under a canopy of
brilliant autumn leaves.
Located on County Road 100 South, just east of Dan Jones Road, you can park behind the Avon Light and Life Free Methodist Church, 8264 E. County Road 100 South in Avon, next to the softball diamond. Once there, walk southeast across the grass toward the
road, and you’ll run right into the entrance to Burnett Woods.
Echo Hollow Nature Park
Echo Hollow — formerly Sodalis Nature Park — sits just south of I-70 in Plainfield and serves as an ecological wonder, largely untouched due to the small creatures that
inhabit it. As such, the variety of trees seems limitless, providing all the autumn hues one could imagine.
Following the completion last November of its first added amenity, the Lake Loop Trail, the park now includes 310 acres with more than five miles of trails of varying lengths, mostly surrounded by beautiful trees. It also boasts a 5.5-acre pond, so the fall colors are doubled as the trees reflect off the water. You can do some catch-and-
release fishing from the ADA-accessible pier or have lunch under the large pavilion in the picnic area.
More Options
Those are my favorite spots in Hendricks County to see fall color, but the list doesn’t end there.
Other public places you should also check out include: Avon Town Hall Park (Avon)
Washington Township Park (Avon)
W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park (Avon)
Arbuckle Acres Park (Brownsburg)
Natural Valley Ranch (Brownsburg)
Williams Park (Brownsburg)
Ellis Park (Danville)
Vandalia Trail (Plainfield, Amo and Coatesville)
Hummel Park (Plainfield)
Beyond Color
While you are out and about searching for beautiful fall color, make sure to visit Beasley’s Orchard in Danville. A true fall destination, the farm boasts tons of family fun, including apple cannons, a corn maze, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, apple u-pick, a Barnyard Bonanza family area and much more.
And don’t leave without touring their Civil War-era barn and trying their award-winning apple cider or cider slushies. They have also introduced a line of hard cider in cans that adults can purchase.
Find More Online
There is so much more to see and do in Hendricks County this fall that I couldn’t cover it all. So, make sure to visit our website at VisitHendricksCounty.com/Fall to find all our fall festivals or to plan a perfect personalized fall getaway.
We’ve put together various two-day fall itineraries and other trip ideas to help you find the autumn adventures that fit your interests.
LIGHTING THE WAY
LEADERSHIP HENDRICKS COUNTY EXPANDS PROGRAMS TO INSPIRE COMMUNITY GROWTH & CONNECTION
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Leadership Hendricks County (LHC) has been giving county residents and employees the leadership tools they need to grow professionally, serve their communities and take on effective leadership roles since 1993.
They’re still going strong and have recently expanded offerings for those interested in planting roots in Hendricks County.
“We kicked off a rejuvenation to the programs in January,” says Jana Morrison, LHC Executive Director. “Our LHC emblem has four corners to it: Ignite, Ember, Spark and Flame. So, we have
our community leaders program (Ignite), our youth leadership program (Spark), recognizing our alumni and the awesome things they are doing (Flame), and our leadership development program (Ember).”
The Ignite Community Leaders Program is gearing up for a new cohort. Applications opened Sept. 1 and will close Nov. 1.
The program shares the inner workings of the county with residents and employees who can use the information to make connections, impact their communities and explore local opportunities.
“Our goal is to help people not assume what is happening in our community but to really know,” Morrison says. “We often hear participants say, ‘I had no idea we had a work release program in our county,’ or many don’t know we have a phenomenal
Ember Leadership 2025
drug court here.”
Curriculum for the 12 program days throughout the year includes an opening retreat, closing retreat, team capstone project day and nine days out in the community. Participants learn about the Hendricks County judicial system, education, county government, infrastructure and resources, business and industry, economic development, agriculture, diverse perspectives and health and human services.
“We have a group that meets after every program to make sure we’re still meeting relevant topics,” Morrison adds. “For example, we used to have all of our superintendents join us for the education day, but we also wanted to hear from the school board, so we’ve changed the panel up a little bit to hear different perspectives. On our judicial system day, all of our Hendricks County judges come to lunch with us, and we’re able to ask questions
Our Food Services team plays a vital role in helping Avon students succeed.
Children learn best when they are wellnourished, and our cafeterias specialize in providing tasty, healthy meals for hungry learners.
Jana leading a class
and learn a little more about that area of our county.”
The class of 28 to 30 will participate in team-building days and, after learning more about the challenges and needs in the county, will break off into smaller groups to create a capstone project to truly grab hold of the leadership skills needed.
“We aren’t looking for the perfect project,” Morrison says. “Sometimes it’s a learning experience. One group wanted to have more trails in Hendricks County. They did the research and came back and said a one-mile trail is going to cost around $1M. So now they’re looking at how to apply for grants, etc.”
The 2025 class worked on projects such as education and promotion of the Aware Program — a sticker used to alert law enforcement of a person with a disability. Another group created a scavenger hunt for families to learn more about places in the county that aren’t well known.
Successful projects over the years have included the Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition and the VoteHC website, which shares voting and election information for county residents. Ember Leadership Academy is the newest program at LHC and aims to strengthen those in the workforce through one meeting per month for five months.
“We tried to do some one-off events with this, and I think many were not as invested or it was easier to forget about registering,” Morrison says. “We created this program because we believe in not only getting people engaged in the community but having a good culture in your working environment.”
Participants learn more about communication, emotional intelligence, decision-making, vision and strategic thinking, and adaptability and resilience.
“The first program included a phenomenal panel for decision-making,” Morrison adds. “They talked about
Spark YLHC
Ignite Community Leaders 2025
decisions made in the workforce and often not doing what you want to do but what is best for the company overall. Dr. Michelle Fenoughty, president and CEO of Hendricks Regional Health, came in to talk about adaptability and resilience during the pandemic. I think overall, it was very successful.”
Applications for the Ember program open Feb. 1 and close April 1. They accept approximately 30 participants.
Over the years, they’ve extended their programming to youth and alumni, too. The Spark Youth Leadership program includes youth entering grade 10 from across the county to learn more about supporting others, self-management, awareness, excellence and how to motivate others.
They also visit Hendricks County industries and services, meet and network with adult leaders, and learn more about volunteer opportunities in order to make an impact in their community.
Finally, Flame recognizes all the interesting and inspiring things the LHC alumni are doing.
“We have more than 700 alumni after 33 years of the program,” Morrison says. “It’s always interesting to see what people are doing and how they have progressed. We want to know where they are now. It’s great to be able to inspire the passion we see at LHC and that ripple effect, as participants learn about our county and then pass it on to friends, co-workers and neighbors. It makes us a stronger community.”
Dani leading panel of local chamber of commerce directors
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KICKING UP CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENCE CLUB MARTIAL ARTS BUILDS SKILLS, STRENGTH & SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Cameron Smith has been involved in martial arts since he was 5 years old. It set him on a course that would result in a lifelong passion — both for himself and giving back to others.
“When I was a teen, I’d do martial arts with my dad and brother,” Smith says. “It was good bonding time and as a teen in high school, I was just trying to navigate my own life. It kept me busy and out of trouble. I wasn’t a very athletic person and I wasn’t very social. Martial arts forced me to come out of my shell. I would talk to fellow peers and step into small leadership positions like helping other students.”
As a teen, Smith knew he wanted to work in martial arts full time and, furthermore, he wanted to create something of his own. Throughout his 20s, he worked for another instructor, but by the time he was approaching his 30s, Smith made the leap, launching Confidence Club Martial Arts in Avon in 2018.
At Confidence Club, the program is tailored to each individual and what they’re hoping to accomplish.
“I have parents who train with their kids or grandparents who get involved,” Smith says. “I’m never pushing someone past their physical limitations. I have a black belt grandmother who started out taking her grandson, and she saw it as an opportunity to spend time with him. But even when he
began pursuing other sports, she stayed, and it’s her thing now.”
There are different classes for different levels, spanning from beginners to advanced, and students at all levels have the opportunity to participate in competitions if they wish.
Tae kwon do is the only Olympic-recognized martial art, introduced in the 1980s and made official in the early 2000s. It includes fitness and self-defense aspects along with other skills such as technique and selfgrowth.
“Every three months or so, there are promotions,” Smith says. “It’s a tough test, and it should be earned and not given. If you pass each time, it takes about two and a half years to get from the white belt to the black belt. Sometimes people feel like they’ve achieved what they set out to accomplish, and they begin to pursue other things. Others continue up the ladder, but whatever your choice is, you have 100% of my support, and you’re always welcome to come back.”
There’s a long-lasting effect once one gets involved in martial arts, according to Smith.
Regular
As always, Vitamin D & C help too!
“The respect you share for one another and the camaraderie really turned me into the person I am today,” he says. “I love seeing the effect it can have on a child, teen or adult as they build self-assurance, self-esteem and confidence. It really changes you.”
He goes out of his way to support that growth.
It doesn’t always come easy. Smith has approximately 150 students weekly, and the process comes with some feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. But like all successes, when students stick with it, there comes a time when everything clicks.
“It’s when a student realizes, ‘I really enjoy this.’ There’s a newfound willingness to learn and train harder when they walk through the door,” Smith says. “Some walk in with that attitude, but many start out timid and struggle, and they kind of have one foot out the door — and then one day, everything turns. Now, those students are helping teach the class with me.”
DR. VICKI CRUM
He also strives to offer options for every age, ability and circumstance. Classes are offered for individuals who are neurodivergent, focusing on each person’s skills and how they learn best.
Additionally, the Purple Belt program brings in individuals affected by domestic violence.
“We started this program in 2020 during the pandemic,” Smith says. “Any child, teen or adult who has been affected by domestic
violence and is in need of a scholarship for free training is welcome. It was prompted by the news stories and articles about people stuck at home in unfortunate and unsafe environments.”
To date, Confidence Club has given more than $10,000 worth of free training under the program. Proceeds from T-shirt sales with Confidence Club’s logo go toward the scholarship. Local businesses occasionally partner with them for a fundraiser, and individuals often donate.
“I donate private lesson fees to the scholarship too — anything we can do to help fund this scholarship and keep people coming who not only want it but need it,” Smith says.
It’s what he knows martial arts can do for each individual that keeps Smith pushing forward.
“We want to be a safe space for everyone,” he says. “Sometimes home isn’t the best. I have young teens that will spend the whole day here, and we form a family of sorts. With the support of friends and parents, we’re all able to become closer and help each other.”
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WILD WEDNESDAYS
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, 10267 US Highway 136. Want to go fast? Want to see how your vehicle compares to others? Wild Wednesdays are open to all makes and models. Just bring your favorite car.
2-5
JIM GAFFIGAN: BARELY ALIVE TOUR
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Avenue
7 p.m. (Oct. 4 show at 5 p.m.)
Jim Gaffigan is a seventime Grammy nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, two-time New York Times best-selling author, three-time Emmy winning top touring performer.
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6TH ANNUAL HENDRICKS COUNTY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Plainfield, Indiana
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Save the Date! The 6th Annual Hendricks County International Festival is happening on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Plainfield, Indiana!
GERMANFEST 2025
Athenaeum Indy, 401 E Michigan St. Noon-6 p.m.
Get ready to raise your steins and join us at the Athenaeum’s 17th annual GermanFest, the best Haus party in Indy!
HARVEST TIME HAYRIDES
Avon Town Hall Park, 6570 E Highway 36 4-8 p.m.
HENDRICKS COUNTY HISTORIC ROAD RALLY
Hendricks County Museum, 170 S. Washington St. 9-11:30 a.m.
The Hendricks County Historical Museum will host a road rally, leading participants through the county to visit spots that early settlers in Hendricks County walked, set up business and farmed.
HENDRICKS COUNTY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
The Shops at Perry Crossing, 2499 Perry Crossing Way 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
INDIANAPOLIS BALLET - SLEEPING BEAUTY
Hendricks Live!, 200 W Main St. 2 p.m.
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS VS LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Avenue. 1 p.m.
Flex Schedule: Please be aware that there are certain games that are subject to flexible scheduling and the date and time of those games may be changed from what is currently reflected.
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NATIONAL
NIGHT
OUT
2025 BROWNSBURG ARBUCKLE PARK 5-7:30 p.m.
Save the date! National Night Out 2025 will be Tuesday, October 7, 2025 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Arbuckle Acres. Meet our Officers & Personnel while enjoying Free Food, Free Entertainment and Fun!
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WITH PPD
Hummel Park, 1500 South Center Street 5-7:30 p.m.
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KANSAS & JEFFERSON
STARSHIP - A FRONTLINE
BENEFIT CONCERT
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.
7:30 p.m.
Before the concert begins, Frontline guests will kick off the evening at the Tactical Tail-Gate, an interactive, family-friendly experience offering behind-thescenes access to the people and tools.
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Avenue
1 p.m.
Flex Schedule: Please be aware that there are certain games that are subject to flexible scheduling and the date and time of those games may be changed from what is currently reflected.
17-19
SPECIAL EVENT: TOMMY DAVIDSON
Helium Comedy Club, 10 W Georgia St.
7-9:15 p.m. (Oct. 17), 7-9:30 p.m. (Oct. 18), 7 p.m. (Oct. 19)
25
STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT: “THE DUKES OF FUNNYTOWN!”
Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St.
4 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre Doors: 3:00 pm Show: 4:00 pm / Doors: 7:00 pm Show: 8:00 pm
WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Avenue
7:30 p.m.
The current cast members of the Emmy-nominated TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? are proud to present their new improv tour: WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?
HOMEGROWN INSPIRATION
FORMER AVON STUDENTS RETURN TO TEACH & LEAD IN THE SCHOOLS THAT SHAPED THEM
Writer / Renée Larr
Walking the halls of Avon Community Schools, a sense of belonging fills the air. For some students, this feeling of unity runs even deeper. Their teachers once sat in the same classrooms, learning from the same educators and walking the same school grounds. Today, four former Avon students — Kyleigh Baker, Zoe Fossard, Megan Brown and Cordale Hankins — are carrying forward the legacy of those who inspired them, teaching and leading in the district that shaped their own lives.
For Kyleigh Baker, now a seventh grade science teacher at Avon Middle School South, teaching in Avon feels like a fullcircle moment. Baker credits her middle and high school science teachers — including Mrs. Koontz, Angie Miller and Mrs. Belton — for sparking her love of science and guiding her path toward a career in education.
“My experience at Avon is 100% the reason I wanted to pursue a career in education,” she says. “I hope my previous teachers see
how large an impact they’ve had on me. I wouldn’t be here without their support.”
Similarly, Zoe Fossard, a fourth grade teacher at Willow Elementary, traces her passion for teaching back to her Avon roots. Fossard was inspired at a young age by both her mother, who worked in education, and her own Avon teachers.
She often reflects on her third grade teacher, Mrs. DeHart, whose kindness and dedication shaped her own philosophy.
“She made me want to give my future students the same feeling of being seen, cared for and inspired,” Fossard says.
For Megan Brown, assistant principal at Maple Elementary, her journey began outside Indiana. While studying at Tulane University in New Orleans, she volunteered in under-resourced schools and witnessed firsthand how limited resources could impact a child’s future.
The contrast with her own Avon experience was eye-opening.
“Avon is why I believe in public education,” she says. “I grew up in a community that valued student opportunities, both academically and through extracurriculars. Now I get the chance to help shape those same experiences for today’s kids.”
Cordale Hankins, a music teacher at Evergreen Elementary, also credits his Avon education for pointing him toward a career in teaching. Influenced by choir directors Rick Gamble and Leah Trigg, he discovered a passion for music education that he now shares with his students.
“Being part of Avon’s award-winning performing arts programs shaped not only my passion for education, but also my appreciation for the power of creativity and community,” Hankins says.
Returning to Avon as educators has given each of them a new appreciation for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. “As a student, I didn’t realize how many
people across the corporation work so hard to make a smooth school year possible,” Baker says. “There are so many talented people playing large roles behind the scenes.”
Fossard agrees, saying she now sees the importance of teamwork and planning that extend far beyond the classroom.
“As a student, I focused on my own experiences and friendships,” she says. “Now, I see how much dedication it takes from the entire staff to create that environment.”
Brown shaped her perspective through her experience working in urban schools across the country. After witnessing the challenges faced in those environments, she appreciates the intentional, studentcentered choices that Avon makes. “It feels really special to be back in a community that truly prioritizes what matters most — the students,” she says.
Hankins says teaching in Avon highlights the district’s supportive, diverse and uplifting culture, which fosters growth for both students and educators.
Now, as teachers and administrators, they aim to provide their students with the same opportunities for growth and discovery. Baker says she strives to create a classroom where everyone is welcome and encouraged to learn. Fossard says she wants her students and their families to feel connected to school and confident that it’s a place where their children are supported and celebrated.
Brown says she focuses on building strong relationships with staff, students and
families to foster trust and collaboration.
Hankins says he sees music as a way to not only teach skills but also nurture creativity, confidence and collaboration.
For all four educators, returning to Avon means more than just a job. It’s about giving back to the community that has given them so much. Their personal connections to Avon shape the way they teach, lead and build relationships.
“I want families and students to know I value their voices, that I see them and that I’m here to partner with them,” Fossard says.
Brown says her Avon roots help her connect authentically with students and families.
As they inspire the next generation of Orioles, Baker, Fossard, Brown and Hankins remind us all of the power of education, the importance of community and the lasting impact of those who choose to return home and invest in the future.
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