Zionsville Startup Uses Video Tech to Connect Homeowners with Contractors
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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INDY AIR BEARS
2 – 3 PM
Thorntown Public Library, 124 N. Market St.
The Air Bears are bringing their amazing jump rope routines back to the library! As a special treat, every attendee will receive a FREE jump rope, while supplies last.
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COBBLESTONE LIVE MUSIC: BRETT WISCONS
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Cobblestone Grill, 160 S Main St.
SUGAR CREEK GOURD PATCH
2 – 4 PM
Thorntown Public Library, 124 N. Market St.
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COBBLESTONE LIVE MUSIC: JON SHOULDERS
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Cobblestone Grill, 160 S Main St.
NATIONAL DONUT DAY
9 AM – 12 PM
Titus Bakery and Deli, 820 W. South St.
Free donut holes and a citywide scavenger hunt for kids from 9 am -12 pm in Lebanon and the donut trail in Westfield.
SILLY SAFARIS ANIMAL SHOW
2 – 3 PM
Thorntown Public Library, 124 N. Market St.
This is the BEST animal show in Indiana! Lots of hands-on experiences and information about the animals.
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COBBLESTONE LIVE MUSIC: SCOTT & ANDRA
7 – 10 PM
Cobblestone Grill, 160 S Main St.
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WHITESTOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
6 – 9 PM
Main Street Park, 4286 S Main St.
Join us all summer long for our FREE Friday night concerts at Main Street Park!
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FARMERS MARKET
5 – 8 PM
Main Street Park, 4286 S Main St.
Join us on Thursdays at Main Street Park for the Whitestown Farmers Market. Shop a variety of local products and food! Each market will feature live music and all the park amenities.
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COBBLESTONE LIVE MUSIC: JON ENGLAND
7 – 10 PM
Cobblestone Grill, 160 S Main St.
MUSIC ON THE PLAZA & COURTHOUSE CRUISE-IN WITH BLACKOUT CURTAINS
6 PM
Downtown Lebanon, 101 W Main St.
Music on the Plaza, presented by The Heart of Lebanon in partnership with Milestone, is a FREE community event that brings music and classic cars to the heart of downtown.
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MINGLE ON MAIN
5 PM
Main Street Zionsville, 70 S Main St.
Join Main Street Zionsville for an evening of food, friends, and fun in the heart of The Village!
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CARNIVAL
2 - 3:30 PM
Thorntown Public Library, 124 N. Market St.
One of our most anticipated events! Games, Dave’s Barrel Train rides, glitter tattoo artist, petting zoo, ice cream and prizes
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COBBLESTONE LIVE MUSIC: MATT RECORD
7 – 10 PM
Cobblestone Grill, 160 S Main St.
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COBBLESTONE LIVE MUSIC: KEVIN RAFFERTY
7 – 10 PM
Cobblestone Grill, 160 S Main St.
GARDENS OF ZIONSVILLE TOUR
10 AM – 4 PM
SullivanMunce Cultural Center, 225 W Hawthorne St.
The SullivanMunce Cultural Center presents Gardens of Zionsville. Tour seven private gardens and bid on potted planters donated by local nurseries and gardeners.
ZANE LAMPREY COMEDY TOUR
8 - 9:30 PM
Moontown Brewing Company, 345 S Bowers St.
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FOAM PARTY (IN THE PARK)
2 – 3 PM
Thorntown Public Library, 124 N. Market St.
Must pre-register! 3 time slots: 2:00, 2:30, 3:00. Call or visit the library to sign up. The foam cannon can shoot foam up to five feet high in minutes.
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ZIONSVILLE ART WALK
4 – 9 PM
Main Street Zionsville District, 70 S Main St.
Main Street Zionsville will come alive with creativity and community spirit as it hosts its highly anticipated Summer Art Walk.
View All Local Events or Submit Your Own
jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY
CHEF DAVE LOCKE ELEVATES DINING WITH CUSTOMIZED CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Writer / Ashley Watters
Food is at the center of many of our special moments — get-togethers, celebrations, family gatherings, weddings, you name it. From delectable delicacies to full-course meals, food often sits center stage, pulling us in with a mouth-watering invitation. Chef Dave Locke understands the role food plays in our lives, and his new business aims to bring family and communities together through exceptional food experiences.
chef business, DL Cuisine. As a child growing up in Indianapolis, he loved cooking with his mother and was fascinated by the love and care she put into every meal, from the one-pot wonders she curated to elaborate meals that required fine china.
“It always amazed me what she could do with just a few ingredients, but the thing I remember the most was the love she put into each and every meal,” he says.
He aims to bring that same dedicated care to his clients, channeling his childhood love into a new business offering.
“My calling and passion has been, and always will be, preparing locally sourced food with bold flavors. What inspired me to become a chef is the ability to foster a sense of love, connection and community through the power of great food. Food brings family and friends together,” says Locke.
Locke attended Johnson and Wales University, one of the top Culinary Arts colleges in the United States. After graduating, he worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in Boston, including Coriander Bistro, Aura Restaurant, Franklin Café and Franklin Southie. He also catered some of the most extravagant weddings at the Newport Mansions and prepared meals for corporate events. Now that he has made Indiana his home again, he plans to reflect his East Coast training into the business.
“I meld my classical training by combining East Coast ingredients with Midwest fare — a staple of my roots growing up in Indianapolis. Over time, my cooking has evolved into a more modern approach where I can take bits and pieces from my travels and experiences, including areas such as New England, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Europe. Melding different styles together makes my offerings truly special,” says Locke.
DL Cuisine offers customized culinary experiences for individuals, families and businesses that can be catered for small and large events or provided in an in-home setting. Cooking classes are available for groups up to six people. But this isn’t just your average catering service. Locke is elevating food from a meal to an experience.
DL Cuisine offers themed evenings that take your run-of-the-mill night out for drinks and transform it into an unforgettable experience. Examples include ladies/bros night in, where a small group can enjoy a relaxing night while learning culinary skills suitable for a gathering of friends; a romantic date night for up to three couples with candle-lit plated dinners without facing the restaurant reservation hustle; and a build-your-own-dinner family night, where everyone can jump in to learn some dinner-making skills while getting quality time with those they love.
Locke also encourages clients to call or text him with any special requests. He caters to any and all food preferences and allergies and will captivate whatever audience you have with flavors that entice and skills to delight.
Some of his signature dishes include “slammin’ salmon,” served with fingerling potatoes and garlic-tossed broccoli; hardseared sea scallops topped with beurre monte sauce, fondant potatoes and a warm leek and arugula salad; and pan-seared halibut over herbed couscous with crisp asparagus tips.
To contact DL Cuisine or learn more about Locke’s offerings, visit dlcuisine317.com.
EVAN WALKER
Evan Walker, a junior at Zionsville High School, isn’t waiting until graduation to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship. In addition to running his own curb painting business, Clear Vision Curbs, Walker recently founded Sprint to Success, a monthly pitch competition for local high school students to cultivate creativity, business acumen and community involvement.
Created under the umbrella of the Zionsville High School Entrepreneurship Club, Sprint to Success invites students to form small teams and tackle a unique business prompt revealed the night of the event. They have one hour to brainstorm, develop and pitch a solution to a panel of judges composed of local business owners, educators and past event sponsors. The event has already drawn around 30 participants at each of its first two sessions and awarded more than $800 in prize money.
“I’ve always loved pitch contests,” Walker says. “I’ve participated in the University of Evansville High School Changemaker Challenge and similar competitions, and I wanted to bring that same energy to
Zionsville in a way that’s fun and accessible.”
The event’s casual, fast-paced format appeals to students new to entrepreneurship. Prompts are relevant and timely, like building a business to support prom or reimagining an empty lot in town.
“We try to tie the prompt to something happening locally or something students can relate to,” Walker says.
Despite being organized independently from the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (of which Walker is also a member), the pitch contest has received generous support from the community.
MYAC members like Kate Swanson and generous sponsors — including Walker’s father and representatives from the Evansville Changemaker Challenge — have contributed as judges and donors, making the community an integral part of this initiative.
Walker co-runs the event with Charlie March-Gibson, who is heading to Michigan for the summer. Despite March-Gibson’s
departure, Walker plans to continue hosting events throughout the summer. The next event is set for June 7 at COhatch in Zionsville, which offers a larger venue to welcome more participants.
Walker envisions a bright future for the Sprint to Success competition. He sees potential for it to continue after he graduates, possibly expanding to other schools or even becoming a larger competition with corporate sponsors.
“Rahal Racing would be a dream sponsor,” he says.
Walker’s entrepreneurial spirit is already in motion through Clear Vision Curbs, his business that sandblasts uniform address numbers onto neighborhood curbs for increased visibility and aesthetic cohesion. He pitched the concept at the University of Evansville High School Changemaker Challenge and won a $10,000 scholarship. So, he knows how powerful contests like his can be for young entrepreneurs.
Walker is focusing on scaling his business and the pitch contest. He’s currently seeking sponsors, judges and local business partners to support future events.
“The more money we can raise, the bigger the event, and the more excited students get to participate,” he says.
To learn more or get involved, follow the Zionsville Entrepreneurship Club on Instagram or visit Walker’s business website at clearvisioncurbs.com.
UNLEASHING CREATIVITY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
WHY THE CREATIVE ECONOMY DESERVES A PLACE IN EVERY BUDGET
Writer / Jennifer L. Rubenstein, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Boone EDC
Last October, the Indiana Creative Economy Summit, hosted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Pattern magazine, brought together leaders, artists and entrepreneurs in downtown Indianapolis. The event spotlighted the creative economy’s role in driving innovation, community development and long-term business success.
But what exactly is the creative economy— and why should it matter to Boone County?
WHAT IS THE CREATIVE ECONOMY?
The creative economy spans industries rooted in imagination, talent and skill. It includes sectors like arts, design, media, entertainment and cultural services. More than a defined industry, it’s a mindset that drives innovation and adds value across every business type.
Summit speakers emphasized its impact on quality of life—enhancing public spaces, supporting diversity and sparking local pride. According to the Indiana Creative Economy Study:
• The Indianapolis region, including Boone County, is home to over 10,000 creative establishments.
• Creative occupations have grown 16% statewide since 2010.
• These industries contribute over $5.5 billion in annual compensation to Indiana workers.
• Regions that support creative professionals enjoy higher GDP growth and talent retention.
WHY CREATIVITY MATTERS FOR BUSINESS
Creativity is more than aesthetics; it’s a business advantage. Companies that integrate creativity report increased customer loyalty, improved employee morale and greater resilience.
Here in Boone County, creativity is already making an impact. Local artists are transforming buildings with murals in Advance, Lebanon and Thorntown. Public art projects like the Arc of Greater Boone County’s sensory garden and Whitestown’s artistic shade structure showcase how investment in creativity brings places to life.
Imagine a local business commissioning a mural that turns a blank wall into a
photo-worthy destination, or partnering with a Boone-based designer for product packaging that reflects local culture. These kinds of collaborations deepen community ties and elevate brand identity.
THREE WAYS TO EMBRACE THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
1. Develop a Culture of Innovation: Encourage employees to share ideas. At Boone EDC, staff participate in monthly creative experiences to inspire new thinking and reinforce company culture.
2. Engage Local Creatives:
Work with artists on signage, branding or installations. Boone EDC is helping fund murals and public art throughout the county— real, visible proof of creativity at work.
3. Invest in Skill Development:
Support team growth with workshops in storytelling, design thinking and problem solving. These skills spark innovation at every level.
JOIN THE CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Boone EDC is here to support businesses ready to embrace creativity through connection, collaboration, space and funding.
Scan the QR code to learn more about how we’re strengthening Boone County’s economy through innovation and quality of life—by growing, attracting and retaining talent and investment.
HOME RENOVATIONS SIMPLIFIED
ZIONSVILLE STARTUP USES VIDEO TECH TO CONNECT HOMEOWNERS WITH CONTRACTORS
Writer / Natalie Platt Photographer / Robert Jones
A Zionsville startup is reinventing the way homeowners connect with home improvement pros — encouraging them to start with a short video instead of traditional phone calls or form fills. ProjectStory is a video-based home improvement platform that cuts out the hassle of getting home improvement quotes and helps homeowners get fast, valuable responses from top-rated local contractors.
Homeowners spend hours searching online, making calls and filling out forms, only to get underwhelming responses — or sometimes, no response at all.
“With even the most basic type of projects, homeowners don’t know where to go,”
founder Jeff Wraley says. “Other platforms that connect you to contractors started 10 or 15 years ago. We’re building for the current times, and our goal is to make the process feel easy and enjoyable; we want to give you a relaxing sigh of relief instead of frustration.”
Wraley is a civil engineer, and his wife is an interior designer. When they bought a 1970s ranch in Zionsville and went through the renovation process, they experienced the exact problem Wraley is trying to solve.
“We can buy cars online, have doctor’s appointments virtually, go to school via Zoom — why is the home renovation process so inefficient and frustrating?”
Wraley says. “Having valuable conversations before everyone spends an hour and a half driving to and from meetings is something we can do.”
ProjectStory is a sister company to Groundwork (also founded by Wraley), which is a tool that contractors can use to collect better information — videos, measurements, etc. — from their leads so that they can streamline their sales process. Wraley’s friends, neighbors and family members were always asking the Groundwork team where to submit their project videos. And their pros were always asking them for help getting more leads. After years of contemplating the idea, Wraley and his team created ProjectStory as the best way
to get a quote on your next project.
So, Wraley and his team flipped the process. By using short video content, they’re able to match projects with a contractor of appropriate scale, eliminating wasted time on the contractor or client end and removing the missed calls and necessary back-and-forth.
“Meeting with contractors in person is a barrier that freezes everyone,” he says. “It’s taking up your time, their time — and a lot of potential clients worry their project may not be substantial enough for a contractor to take on and feel like they wasted someone’s time if an on-site initial consultation is planned.”
THE PROCESS
Share your problem or project vision in a short video. Talk through the project just like we were there with you. Don’t worry, ProjectStory provides some coaching along the way.
Once you submit your video on the ProjectStory website (no need to download an app!), you’ll get matched with vetted and highly rated contractors in your area. No spam calls. No phone tag. Just valuable interactions with pros who already know your project.
ProjectStory wants to bring a world-class customer experience to home improvement. Launching in Zionsville, Carmel, Westfield and other northside suburbs with local pros ready to conveniently respond to common spring projects, reach out to get started on your next hassle-free project with services including:
• Tree care and landscaping
• Concrete leveling and patios
• Exterior painting and pressure washing
• Fencing, decks and more
You can get started by visiting their website at myprojectstory.com.
REBUILDING THE DREAM
A ZIONSVILLE WOMAN TURNS TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH VIA YOUTUBE
For Sara Martini, a charming 1950s home in the heart of Zionsville wasn’t just a house— it was a long-term dream come true. “We bought it in our twenties,” she says. “We just knew this was where we wanted to raise our kids and grow our family.” But what began as a quiet renovation project took a sharp and unexpected turn—one that ultimately sparked a creative passion project that’s capturing the hearts of thousands online.
In April 2024, Martini and her husband began fully renovating their midcentury home. By November, they were just a week from completing the project when a freak accident caused a fire that damaged the entire house, requiring them to take the
kitchen and family rooms down to the studs.
“The flooring crew accidentally turned a knob on the stove before heading out for lunch,” Martini says. “There were things on the stove, and they returned to smoke and alarms going off.”
The damage forced the couple to start the whole renovation process over. At the time, they were living in the home’s basement, having already shuffled between an Airbnb and Martini’s parents’ house during earlier phases of the renovation.
Initially, Martini had planned to document the renovation journey on YouTube, filming a house tour and early demolition days. But, like many renovations, emotions ran high, and complications mounted. “It just got extremely emotional,” she says. “I didn’t expect it to affect me like it did, so I stopped filming.” The fire had a profound emotional
impact on her, halting her initial plans.
But after the fire, something shifted. “I felt powerless,” Martini says. “YouTube became a great outlet and something that brought a little bit of joy during a challenging time.”
With the renovation temporarily stalled by insurance delays, Martini pivoted her content. She had built a small but growing subscriber base and wanted to keep sharing something meaningful. That’s when inspiration struck. What if she started filming tours of other historic homes in Zionsville?
She called up a friend who happened to work in the film industry and asked if she could tour her home. “She didn’t even know I had a YouTube channel,” Martini says. “But two days later, we filmed. It was super casual and so much fun.”
That first home tour set the tone. Martini
Writer / Renée Larr Photographer / Robert Jones
now has four episodes live and nine more lined up, all featuring historic homes in the Village of Zionsville. The homes, some dating back to the 1880s, reflect the town’s deep commitment to architectural integrity and small-town charm.
The channel has grown far faster than Martini expected. What began as a personal project has blossomed into a communitywide celebration of Zionsville’s past, with more than 3,500 subscribers tuning in to
see how residents blend historic charm with modern comfort. Her work recently attracted sponsorship from local Realtor Vikki Duke of Schuster & Duke with F.C. Tucker, an endorsement that reflects the project’s resonance with locals. The unexpected success of her channel has been a pleasant surprise for Martini.
“I love how much pride people take in these older homes,” she says. “They’re all unique, and they each tell a story. I think
it’s important to show that history can be preserved while still making room for modern living.”
For more information, visit youtube.com/ @RebuildandRevive.
A house is always more than just a house. It’s where people raise their kids, where they eat, where they gather to socialize with friends and neighbors, and where they live so much of life. Peace of mind for the state of a home is always desired, but so often the required repairs are unable to be made, and that little extra piece of peace gets lost.
Chelsea and Peter Kopelman were able to get some of that peace with Hometown Window. From the purchase of their home in Carmel seven years ago, the Kopelmans knew the 28 original wood windows would eventually have to be replaced. This was easier said than done. In addition to affordability, the Kopelmans took into account that the back of their house faces a golf course and is very visible. They wanted black, no-seam windows inside and out, which made the search even more difficult. For two to three years, they vetted companies that would be able to provide everything they needed.
A neighbor’s referral to Hometown Window was the game changer. The Kopelmans got the look and the quote they were looking for. From the beginning, Chelsea Kopelman says, the Hometown team was doing their jobs well.
“We live a busy schedule with three kids. I run my own business. My husband works
full-time. So we don’t have a ton of time to sit down with window salespeople for two hours to do the whole heat lamp test, and all the things,” Kopelman says. “We communicated that with the Hometown crew before they came over for the estimate, and they were really efficient with our time and respectful of our time, which was a nice surprise.”
“THEY WERE REALLY EFFICIENT WITH OUR TIME AND RESPECTFUL OF OUR TIME, WHICH WAS A NICE SURPRISE.”
—PETER KOPELMAN
Kopelman was impressed by the respectful conduct and interaction with the Hometown crew, especially when the Kopelmans’ recently refinished deck was scratched by a ladder.
“We brought [the damage] up to them, and they completely fixed the issue, no charge to us. A lot of contractors would just say, you know what, you gotta find somebody else to fix that, that’s not in our scope,” Kopelman
says. “[But Hometown] just completely took care of it, which was fantastic.”
The quality of service throughout the entire project has encouraged Kopelman and her husband to pick Hometown for their future project of replacing their front windows.
“I’m getting so many compliments anytime anybody sees them. We’ve just been getting a lot of compliments, people saying that it looks like a brand-new house.”
In addition to replacing and selling windows, Hometown also replaces and sells doors. Though Hometown offers the national brand Andersen Windows & Doors, the team is made up of entirely Indianapolis-area employees. Any project is customizable. They have a certified white-glove installation team, whose years of experience guarantee a good installation process and end result.
For more information on Hometown Windows, visit hometownwindowteam.com or give them a call at (317) 659-6293 for a free quote today.
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317-659-6293
hometownwindowteam.com
Writer / Emily Whitcomb
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
LOCAL FIRM BRINGS PASSION TO OUTDOOR DESIGN
Writer / Natalie Platt
For Kyle and Courtney Louks, coming home to Zionsville and starting a business is a dream come true. The couple who own Wellspring Land Design went on to Wabash College and Butler University after graduating from Zionsville High School and feel lucky to call Zionsville home again. While Courtney is a full-time attorney, she supports Kyle and the Wellspring team through marketing and operations efforts.
Kyle, who said he’s always been a landscape enthusiast, founded Wellspring Land Design in 2021.
“We want your outdoor spaces to be functional, practical and beautiful — it should act as an oasis and an extension of your home,” Louks says. “Our team at Wellspring wants to help you achieve that, and we do this by using only the best products from industry-leading equipment providers. We have such a passion for the outdoors and will bring our knowledge and experience to every job we take on for our clients.”
Wellspring Land Design offers a broad range of services to the greater Zionsville, Carmel and Westfield area, including landscape design and installation, hardscaping, landscape lighting and drainage solutions.
“We really specialize in coming in, doing a complete tear-out of old landscaping and providing you with a new plan and design that we install all at once — we are more project-based than maintenance-focused,” Louks says.
CONSULTATION
Your journey with Wellspring Land Design starts with your vision. During your consultation, Wellspring will discuss all the details — from what you want and envision to professional advice from the team and their recommendations.
DESIGN
After your consultation, the designers will plug away to create a detailed design within the next few days. This includes a complete itemization and exact specifications of the project to allow you to understand the complete installation process.
INSTALLATION
As your installation approaches, you’ll hear from Wellspring via text and email. During your installation date, your designer will be there to oversee the entire process. This way, no details will be lost in translation.
Looking forward, Louks said growing Wellspring at the right speed — so the team doesn’t sacrifice quality — is the most important part of their business strategy.
“Keeping the quality really high, doing good work and keeping our team a tight-knit group is what matters to us,” he said. “We just love this community and are excited to keep giving back.”
Louks and his team have high standards for themselves outside of their day-to-day business — Wellspring Land Design is a member of the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce and helps sponsor the Zionsville Fall Festival as well as the Shalom Garden Tour. Louks is also a youth mentor through the Boone County Mentoring Partnership.
When you’re ready for a quality team to help tackle your landscaping dream, there’s no project too big or too small — the team at Wellspring is here to help make it all happen. You can design your dream yard by emailing designteam@wellspringld. com or by calling 765-894-5263. You can also submit your request through a form at wellspringld.com/contact-us.
A CROWNING CELEBRATION
20 YEARS OF MISS INDIANA IN ZIONSVILLE
This summer marks a special milestone in Boone County with the 20th year of the Miss Indiana Scholarship Competition in Zionsville. Every June, Zionsville comes alive with excitement as contestants from across the state gather for a week of competition and celebration. At the heart of it all is a strong partnership between the Miss Indiana Organization and the Zionsville Lions Club, whose members help coordinate the annual Miss Indiana Parade down Main Street and a cherished Lions Club dinner.
“We are so involved as a pageant community for the Miss Indiana Scholarship Program with Zionsville at large” 2024 Miss Indiana winner Kalyn Melham says, “We have learned so much about the community. We’ve befriended so many community members.”
The week-long competition is powered by volunteers and local organizations many of whom provide the very scholarships awarded to the candidates. “All of the scholarships throughout the week are donated and provided by volunteers, and a
lot of the scholarships that are given to the Miss Indiana candidates are from the Lions Club here in Zionsville,” Melham added.
One of the most anticipated events of the week is the Miss Indiana Parade, which draws families, fans, and visitors to downtown Zionsville. This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, June 21 at 12:00 p.m. along Main Street. The 2025 competitions will take place June 18–21 at the STAR Bank Performing Arts Center in Zionsville with tickets available now at www.missindiana.org.
SAVOR THE SOUNDS AND FLAVORS OF SUMMER IN BOONE COUNTY
Long summer days in Boone County offer more than just sunshine. They’re filled with music, fresh flavors, and small-town charm that draw both locals and visitors out to explore!
Boone County’s markets are a summertime tradition, filling the air with the scent of fresh produce, baked goods, and a lively atmosphere. Saturday mornings come alive
with the Zionsville Farmers Market and the Thorntown Farmers Artisan Market. The Jamestown Farmers Market will be open on the first and third Saturday of the month. Lebanon’s City Market on Tuesday evenings and Whitestown’s Farmers Market on Thursday evenings round out the week with plenty of reasons to get out and support local vendors.
As the sun sets, the music begins! Lions Park in Zionsville comes to life with live music during the Lions Club Sunday Concerts and the Zionsville Cultural District Summer Concert Series. Music on the Plaza in downtown Lebanon and the Whitestown Summer Concert Series at Main Street Park will be sure to get you moving the music!
For those who like to pair a summer evening with a great meal, Bite into Boone offers the perfect excuse to dine outside at great Boone County eateries. This seasonal campaign highlights local restaurants with inviting outdoor seating, dog-friendly patios, and fresh summer menus.
Learn more about Bite into Boone participating locations, farmers markets, summer concerts, and more at www.discoverboonecounty.com.
POOLWERX EXPANDS TO WESTFIELD
NEW LOCATION OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE POOL SERVICES
Writer / Natalie Platt
Poolwerx, the globally recognized pool service and retail franchise, has recently expanded its footprint to Westfield, marking a significant milestone in its strategic growth beyond traditional Sun Belt markets. The largest pool service franchise in the world, with a vast network of franchise partners and mobile techs, has now added a retail location at 222 W. 161st Street in Westfield.
The newest Midwest location offers a comprehensive suite of services, including in-store water testing, weekly maintenance, equipment repair and replacement, liner installations, leak detection and hot tub services. The move into Westfield addresses a growing need for reliable pool maintenance solutions in the Midwest, as the original Poolwerx store in the greater Indianapolis area was started in Noblesville by a local native.
Jessica Thomas, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and Indiana native, leads the new Westfield franchise, along with the Noblesville franchise that opened in 2024. Born and raised here, Thomas moved back to the area
over a decade ago after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard.
“I have wanted to own a business for years,” Thomas says. “I just did not know what I was good at that was worth turning into a business. I initially looked into opening a franchise coffee shop, but when those plans fell through, I was connected with a franchise consultant who helped me find Poolwerx.”
Thomas was immediately impressed by the Poolwerx brand, its proven track record and the promise of support. Within a week of visiting the support center in Dallas, she was already reviewing the agreement to start the Noblesville location. Now, as the franchise partner and owner of Poolwerx Noblesville and Poolwerx Westfield, Thomas finds fulfillment in providing a positive experience for all her clients.
For residents in Westfield and surrounding areas, Poolwerx offers a trusted solution for maintaining healthy, sparkling pools and spas. As the brand continues to grow,
its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction remains at the forefront of its operations. Known for their friendly customer service, Thomas emphasizes employee training with a focus on customer satisfaction.
“We really try our best to focus on customer satisfaction and have been able to hire some great people with good communication skills who understand the importance of customer service,” Thomas says. “Those are things you can’t train—I can teach you how to clean a pool, I’m proof of that. But the other things, you just can’t—and we really want our customer service to shine.”
Poolwerx goes beyond servicing pools or selling chemicals; the team is available to offer advice and support to ensure customers have a healthy pool to enjoy. After all, a pool is an investment and deserves the utmost attention. Poolwerx clients don’t just value clean water, they value clean, healthy water.
“Caring for your pool is our passion,”
Thomas says. “You can trust the team at Poolwerx for quality service and products, so you can experience the healthy pool lifestyle you love with family and friends all year long.”
“It has been rewarding to open a business in the town where I grew up, and a town I didn’t know had so many pools,” she says. “It is fun to feel like we are making a difference where we live. My parents both live close and help out, as well as my kids. My fiancé, Jason, is my business partner and my biggest supporter in and out of work.”
The Poolwerx Westfield grand opening party last month had close to 100 friends
and family members in attendance, a testament to Thomas’ hard work and the Poolwerx brand.
“Coffee and my family keep me going day in and day out,” Thomas says. “I really want to build a business here that has a great reputation and serves the residents of Noblesville and Westfield well.”
The newest Poolwerx is located in Spring Mill Commons at 222 W. 161st St., Westfield, IN 46074. You can learn more at poolwerx.com/locations/indiana/ poolwerx-westfield or by calling the store at (317) 376-3428.
$1.00 Book Sale
Saturday, June 7th 2025 9 am – 2 pm RAIN or SHINE
• CASH ONLY
$1.00 Book Sale
• CASH ONLY
Saturday, June 7th 2025
• No children under 12 will be permitted (for safety requirements, no exceptions will be made)
• No children under 12 will be permitted (for safety requirements, no exceptions will be made)
9 am – 2 pm RAIN or SHINE
• CASH
• No chhildren under 12 will be permitted (for safety requirements, no exceptions will be made)
• No carts or wagons permitted (we provide a large & small holding area for your full boxes while you continue to shop) • Product marked as overstock and
• No carts or wagons permitted (we provide a large & small holding area for your full boxes while you continue to shop)
• No caarts or wagons permitted (we provide a large & small holding area for your full boxes while you continue to shop) d as overstock and NOT to be resold as new
• Product marked as overstock and NOT to be resold as new
CarDon
Cares Homes Heart with
When Dr. Randy Schroeder arrived at CarDon & Associates’ senior living community in Pendleton, Rawlins House, he was in a rough patch. Severely weak from fighting the lifethreatening condition of bacterial meningitis, he needed maximum assistance with basic movements and daily tasks.
Thanks to the community’s dedicated team of rehab therapists, Randy can now walk up to 200 feet with supervision, climb stairs with minimal help, and manage daily activities on his own. Upon graduating from rehab, he called the community “a gift from God,” praising the staff across all departments.
While Rawlins House helped Randy return home, other CarDon communities have become home to seniors because of the skilled, compassionate care they provide.
STRENGTH & COMFORT IN CARE
Like many seniors, Donald Wilson was initially hesitant to enter senior living and accept assistance. Now, he’s been living at CarDon’s Altenheim community for more than six months and feeling right at home.
“My dad is an old-fashioned, do-it-himself kind of man, so he sometimes has a hard time asking for help or embracing it,” Robert said. “But the nurses here make him feel comfortable with that. I trust that he’s in good hands when I’m not here, and that’s the best feeling for a family member to have.”
As with the majority of CarDon’s communities, Altenheim provides independent and assisted living as well as rehab, memory support, on-site dialysis and 24/7 long-term care that not only fulfills residents’ daily needs with dignity but keeps them active and engaged. For example, Donald loves building puzzles and attending the community’s music therapy classes, which CarDon offers on the basis that music is scientifically proven to improve memory and overall cognition in seniors. During these classes, the instructor encourages residents to sing and dance to favorite tunes from their past.
Of course, CarDon’s rehab programs keep residents spry as well. With state-of-the-art gyms and highly trained physical, occupational and speech therapists equipped to guide residents through recovery, CarDon’s communities see daily success stories.
Delivering rehab therapy and long term care is more than a job for CarDon team members — it’s their passion.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PLACE
Mary Delaney also spoke of the relief she felt knowing that staff would always be around to assist her mother at CarDon’s Carmel Health & Living.
From the nurses safely positioning her mother’s wheelchair to a cafeteria employee always being ready to serve her decaf coffee, Mary said every member of the community’s staff made a positive impact every day.
From the moment Mary stepped into Carmel Health & Living, she was welcomed with open arms, which she didn’t expect when she spontaneously decided to schedule a tour of the community on a Sunday afternoon. From that first moment, she knew her mother would be in good hands.
Mary elaborated: “Other senior communities are appealing on a surface level. They have the gourmet meals, the nice tile, the flowers on the tables. But they don’t have the level of care that CarDon has.”
The people here make all the difference.
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AALIYAH CARLISLE
ABDUL-RAHMAN ENNIN
ABIGAIL GUILLIAMS
ADANYA DEVELVIS
ALI ALMOLHEM
ANDREW QIN
ANNE NOONING
ANNIKA BAUMAN
AUDREY BUTLER
AUDREY MAST
AYDAN MCCORMICK
BRANDON POTTER
BREANNA STRATTON
CAMILLE TWITCHELL
CAROLINE SAMPSON
CAROLYN WILLIAMS
CARSON FU
CARSON SAUNDERS
CARTER MILLER
CATHERINE SCHREPFERMAN
CHARLI WESTERFIELD
CHARLOTTE DECOURSEY
ELIJAH MITCHELL
ELIZA MYERS
ELIZABETH BENNEYWORTH
EMMA KALLEMBACH
ETHAN BARNETT
GRACE TIEFEL
GRACEANNE NEWMAN
HANNA BOWMAN
HANNAH MCKINNEY
JACKSON FERRELL
JILLIAN BRUBAKER
JOHN BAILEY
JOJO COONS
JOSEPH SUSONG
KARLEE ROBERTS
KATHERINE BOWEN
KIRA KING
LAUREN ARGOTTE
LEILA RICHARDS
LEVI KOUNS
LUCY HOFFMAN
LUKE ADKINS
LUKE CLYNE
MADELYN O’BRIEN
MARCUS FORTNER
MEREDITH JOHNSON
MORGAN MANTEL
NATALIE LAKE
NOLAN WHITE
OWEN BIGLER
PARKER FRITTS
REBECCA KEYES
ROSE ROGERS
SAPNA SRINIVASAN
SULLIVAN FRAZIER
TAYLOR O’BRIEN
THEMBA MKWANANZI
TOBIAS DOLLENS
WILLIAM FORTNER
