Carmel Magazine May 2021

MAGAZINE

MAY 2021

BANNER YEAR CARMEL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM IS STATE CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN FUTURE LEADERS

Girl Scouts Programs Provide Life Skills and Leadership Lessons

SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP

The Indy Mommy Market Offers Something for Everyone

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Mary and Gary Weitzel along with Scott Horvath purchased the franchise rights to the Carmel territory. Welcome to the Towne Post Network family!

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M AY 2021

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Banner Year: Carmel Boys Basketball Team Is State Champions Once Again

10

Future Leaders: Girl Scouts Programs Provide Life Skills and Leadership Lessons

13

FIT4MOM: Fitness Program Promotes Physical and Mental Health for Local Moms

19 21

Shop ’Til You Drop: The Indy Mommy Market Offers Something for Everyone Strong Roots: Roots Enterprises LLC Focuses on Quality and Community

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JON SHO UL D ER S REAL-TIME ANALYTICS K E Y CO N TRI BU TO RS CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING / GILLIAN MALONEY JAMIE HERGOTT / LUKE MILLER MEGAN ARSZMAN / RENEE LARR / SETH JOHNSON

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BANNER YEAR CARMEL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM IS STATE CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN

Writer / Seth Johnson Photography Provided by Luke Miller

For the Carmel High School boys varsity basketball team, winning the 2021 Class 4A state championship was a long-awaited dream come true.

After winning the state championship in 2019, the Greyhounds were well on their way to more success in 2020 following a sectional title over Westfield.

As the coronavirus pandemic began to spread throughout the U.S., however, the Greyhounds had the rest of their season cut short, ultimately teaching Coach Ryan Osborn’s team a meaningful lesson.

“We talk a lot about effort and everything it takes to be successful,” Osborn says. “One

of those things is giving everything you’ve got, but only worrying about what you can control. We got to that point last year where everything happened pretty quickly. Even in that moment, worrying about anything else other than what we could control was counterproductive to our message as a whole. When [the tournament cancellation] happened, I think it was a great opportunity to reinforce us not regretting anything because we left it all out there.”

The unfortunate cancellation of last year’s postseason made the Greyhounds’ win over Lawrence North in the 2021 4A state championship even sweeter, as the Greyhounds defeated the Wildcats in overtime at Bankers Life Fieldhouse by a final score of 51-46. Like much of the 20206 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 / TownePost.com

2021 season, the Greyhounds relied on senior Brian Waddell to make an impact on the game, while juniors Pete Suder and Josh Whack made their presence known as well.

“Brian had a double-double in the state final, which was big for him - great night to put on a good performance,” Osborn says.

“Then, you’ve got a guy like Pete Suder, who may not score as many points as he typically does, but he does all the little things that equate to wins. That’s what he’s done for us for three years.”

In addition to his defensive effort, Whack hit some big free throws when the Greyhounds needed them most, going seven of eight from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter and overtime.

“The one thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is Josh Whack guarding [Shamar Avance], who we felt was their best player all year,” Osborn says. “Josh guarded him all night, and I think he scored three points.

That kid’s a heck of a player, and Josh just made it tough for him. In addition to that, Josh made big free throws down the stretch and in overtime, and sealed the win.”

After playing through a very tough Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference regular-season schedule, the Greyhounds knew what it would take to make their way back to the state finals this year. Prior to facing off with Lawrence North, Carmel took down undefeated Homestead (60-49) in the regional semifinal, before inching out Lafayette Jefferson and Mr. Basketball TownePost.com / MAY 2021 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 7

candidate Brooks Barnhizer (50-49) in the regional final. The Greyhounds then won narrowly (53-50) over an unfamiliar opponent in Gary West Side to advance to the state final.

Throughout the entire season, Osborn made sure his team focused on one game at a time, rather than looking too far into the future.

“If you look at the tournament as a whole and how good some of these teams are, it can be overwhelming,” he says. “We take our experience in the regular season and throughout conference play, and apply it to the postseason.’ ” As is often the case, the Greyhounds looked to their seniors for leadership time and time again throughout the year.

“Brian Waddell, Will Leary, Nick Frische, Bryce Beery and Connor Gioia played a lot together coming up, even in middle school,” Osborn says of his seniors. “Typically with a team, you go as your seniors go. They’re typically the group that really wants to win.

They know this is their last go-around, and the sacrifices and commitment they’ve had

throughout the years impacts our daily accountability.”

watching them grow and then being able to grow along with them as a coach.”

Looking back on the Greyhounds 20202021 championship run, Osborn says he’ll particularly cherish the bond he had with this group of players.

While Osborn admits he has a squad of talented players returning next year, he ultimately says he’s most excited about the character of the players he has coming back for the 2021-2022 season.

“As a younger head coach who’s finishing up my fourth year, this is a group that I got to watch grow every day for two years,” Osborn says. “As a coach, you’re learning different personalities and what it’s going to take to coach the group through different challenges and adversity. I was tested in different ways. I don’t know if they realized the opportunities that myself and our staff had to grow. Being able to step back, those are the things that really stand out 8 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 / TownePost.com

“I’m just really excited about where our program is,” Osborn says. “From a character, work ethic and commitment standpoint, we’ve got awesome kids. To see them get excited for each other and celebrate success is a lot of fun, and that’s what I seek most coming back.”

For more info and updates on Carmel High School athletics, visit gocarmelgreyhounds.com.

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FUTURE LEADERS GIRL SCOUTS PROGRAMS PROVIDE LIFE SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP LESSONS

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Writer / Renee Larr Photographer / Gillian Maloney

Many young women navigate their way through the Girl Scouts program. Girls start their journey as Daisies and finish as Ambassadors, while learning leadership skills to use throughout their lives. As adults, former Girl Scouts look back on their time in the program with fondness, but the program they entered is different than the program of today.

“The Girl Scouts have been around since 1912,” says Katie Dawson, communications manager for Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.

“Throughout our history, we’ve prepared girls for a lifetime of leadership. Now we’re focusing on a no-limits approach designed for and by the girls themselves.”

and fun activities like badge earning, attending awesome trips, exploring science, getting outdoors and doing service projects.

These activities set up girls for a lifetime of success.”

While Girl Scouts may be synonymous with Cookie sales do more than just teach girls cookies, the programs focus on more than how to be salespeople. just selling the iconic treats.

“We focus on four areas where girls can gain skills and leadership - STEM, outdoors, life skills and entrepreneurship,” Dawson says.

“It’s a collection of engaging, challenging

“The cookie program teaches amazing entrepreneur skills, but it also teaches money management skills and business ethics,” Dawson says.

TownePost.com / MAY 2021 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 11

Young women are taught life skills, starting in civic engagement.

“Recently, we started badges in democracy,” Dawson says. “Girls can learn about their local, state and federal government, as well

as how they can serve as change-makers in their communities. They learn about how to run for elected office and to explore all sides of an issue in a healthy debate.”

The goal is for girls to learn positive values they can utilize throughout their lives.

“A recent study showed more than one in three women in the U.S. are or were Girl Scouts at some point in their lives,” Dawson says. “It connects them with a huge network of girls and women around the world that helped develop their passions and interests.”

is important to them.”

Girl Scouts groups are always looking for volunteers to support the girls as they develop into young women.

As girls age through the program, they climb the ranks working toward the Gold Award.

“The Girl Scout Gold Award is for our Seniors and Ambassadors, who are girls in high school,” Dawson says. “They’re able to take on issues that matter to them and make a lasting difference in their communities.

They must complete 80 hours of work on a project that will continue to help their

“We’re looking for volunteers to help guide the girls through their leadership experience,” Dawson says. “We need people who are willing to stand up for a better tomorrow for the girls.”

community after it’s completed. We’ve had girls do things like collecting phones for domestic violence survivors. Girls have set up gardens in their community that will last for years. We’ve had girls who have designed Programs are offered in-person and and helped build playgrounds for their local virtually. Those interested can sign up by schools. It’s something the girls can take that visiting girlscouts.org.

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FIT4MOM FITNESS PROGRAM PROMOTES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH FOR LOCAL MOMS Writer / Megan Arszman Photography Provided

FIT4MOM franchise, the first in central Indiana.

The first stage of motherhood is often one of the hardest times in a woman’s life. A new mom can feel a variety of emotions including loneliness and depression. In these moments it’s important for new moms to find a community of other moms for support and guidance.

“When I was in Seattle, I was a stay-at-home mom of our two boys, and that was a very difficult stage for me,” Sexton says. “I felt like I had a loss of identity and the days felt so slow.”

A lifelong gymnast, Sexton understood the importance of fitness and she knew that Debra Sexton knows all about that exercising helped her feel more human. A search for a village of her own. She and friend had suggested she try teaching classes her husband Ryan moved all around the on the side, but Sexton didn’t really take that country until they settled in Carmel in 2019. advice to heart until she and her husband She has been raising her three kids, Parker, were looking at moving to Carmel.

Wesley and Blakely, without immediate family nearby. She was always looking for a “We were looking for a more affordable, community of mothers, and she decided to family-friendly location to raise our family,” create her own when she purchased her own Sexton says. “I literally Googled ‘Where to TownePost.com / MAY 2021 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 13

do interactive workouts and sing along with their children.

During the pandemic-related business shutdowns last year, Sexton felt it was important to keep the classes and camaraderie going for her moms. She and her three instructors set about performing virtual classes and finding places outdoors to work out while social distancing.

“I have a passion for fitness and community, raise a family’ and ‘Low cost of living,’ and Carmel was popping up. We visited, loved it, and I feel like we try to connect on a deeper level than just looking to get our sweat on,” and moved here.”

Sexton says. “We’re looking for a sense of Just two months after moving to Carmel, community. That’s why we say we’re a village.”

Sexton purchased FIT4MOM, then hosted The main aspect that sets FIT4MOM apart a grand opening in September of 2019. from other fitness businesses is that kids are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

“I always wanted to be a business owner,” Sexton says that as long as a child can fit in a Sexton says. “As a kid, my sisters and I would talk about what we wanted to do, and stroller, or is old enough to understand they need to stay put in one place throughout the it always had something to do with owning classes, they are welcome to attend. some type of business. I feel like I’m living out my dream. I’m able to do all of this “I am pretty strict with the stroller safety and be a stay-at-home mom - the perfect guidelines because I don’t want any kids to situation for my life right now.” be running around and somehow be hurt,” Sexton says.

Sexton sees a lot of herself in the mothers who attend her classes weekly - bleary-eyed, She points out that even the fussiest babies tired, and longing for adult interaction and tend to enjoy the classes, especially Stroller friendship.

Strides, where participants can use ribbons, 14 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 / TownePost.com

“I had to think about how everyone has their own comfort level, not how I felt about it,” Sexton says. “I was very transparent with everyone to show them I was trying my best to work with them. We had one instructor who wanted to teach virtual, while I wanted to teach in person, so it worked. I don’t know how I got so lucky in this situation, but the moms in this village are so awesome.”

The variety of classes and locations will continue to build, as Sexton trains new instructors to offer more virtual and in-person options in 2021. A FIT4MOM Virtual Run Club begins in March and culminates with a Mother’s Day Fun Run, a nationwide event held in conjunction with other FIT4MOM chapters across the country. Other fun events include a monthly Mom’s Day/Night Out, where members can sign up for bonding events such as virtual do-it-yourself classes or pamper sessions at the Indianapolis Salt Cave. Also, moms can participate in a monthly Secret Sisters event, which works much like a Secret Santa concept.

“We’re a village that’s focused on our health and each other’s happiness,” Sexton says.

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“Moms have a mental and emotional support system with us.”

The FIT4MOM program features a variety of classes for mothers of all levels, including moms with newborns or three year olds, those who are new to physical activity, and veteran fitness buffs. Current class offerings include:

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Monday: Strides 360, hosted at the Jungle in Westfield, with a fast-paced and fun focus on cardio and agility.

Tuesday: Body Ignite, a virtual class using a 12-pound bar, focused on core strength with slower movements.

Thursday: Stroller Barre, a virtual class focused on improving posture, stability and mobility via cardio and strength intervals.

Also available is Fit4Baby, a class designed specifically for moms-to-be, to prepare their bodies for changes during pregnancy and labor.

To learn more about FIT4MOM, visit carmel.fit4mom.com.

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area at Pennington Park Church in Fishers.

“Even though the crowds are bigger, it doesn’t feel like it because there’s so much room to spread out,” Fleetwood says.

SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP

THE INDY MOMMY MARKET OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

When Rebekah Fleetwood’s oldest daughter was a baby, she felt inspired to start her own Etsy shop. She sold her creations at local craft fairs and markets where she befriended lots of different shop owners.

“We created this little community, and one day I got this idea in my head to start my own craft fair, but I wanted it to be geared towards kid and baby stuff,” says Fleetwood, a Westfield native who knows how much residents like to shop local.

In the spring of 2016, a month after giving birth to baby number two, Fleetwood put on her first Indy Mommy Market.

“I figured I’d start small and just include 10 or 15 shops,” Fleetwood says.

When she began accepting vendor applications, more than 100 people applied.

“I was blown away,” she says.

Ultimately, she whittled it down to 30 trendy shops and held the event in a church gymnasium. Once again, she underestimated the popularity of her idea when she anticipated 100 to 200 shoppers, and 600 showed. Community interest was evident, so she decided to do it again the following year.

“I wanted it to get bigger and better,” says Fleetwood, who asked her sister-in-law, Katie, and good friend, Brin, to work with her.

Now the three women put on the market twice a year, in the fall and spring. One September when all three ladies were due to give birth, they thought it best not to hold the market. Last spring, COVID-19 forced them to cancel, but they are looking forward to holding a socially distanced market on May 22 in the parking lot and large grassy TownePost.com / MAY 2021 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / 19

Ironically, the pandemic has made their vendor list grow instead of shrink. While in the past they have averaged roughly 50 vendors, this year Fleetwood invited 75 stores to join.

“So many local businesses have suffered this year due to COVID-19, so I wanted to give these shops an opportunity to sell their merchandise,” Fleetwood says.

Therefore, this year the Indy Mommy Market will feature both their typical fare, which includes children’s clothing, decor, toys and sign makers, as well as women’s boutiques, jewelry, candles and more. In addition, they will have sweet and savory food trucks and coffee vendors on hand.

“We’ll have custom cookies, kettle corn and other goodies,” Fleetwood says.

In addition, they always partner with three local photographers in order to showcase their work and sign new clients.

“That’s a big hit since family photography is so big right now,” says Fleetwood, who has three children with her husband Jon - Lilia, 6, Graham, 4, and Hazel, 2.

What makes the market so special is the driving motivation to serve local shops. This is why they have so many repeat vendors and shoppers.

“Our main goal is not to bring in as many shoppers as we can, but rather to create a place for these shops to set up and let their items be seen,” Fleetwood says. “I want my shoppers and my shops to be happy.”

Fleetwood knows firsthand just how supportive Hamilton County moms are when it comes to shopping.

“They leave with bags and bags full of merchandise,” Fleetwood says. “They can’t carry anymore in their hands. It makes me so happy to know they are supporting local shops.”

we’ll be selling all these other items. Our motto has always been, ‘This is a market for your littles.’ Now it’s a market for the littles of all ages - from newborn to 100.”

The Indy Mommy Market will take place on May 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pennington Park Church, located at 13222 East 126th Street in Fishers. For more information, visit indymommymarket.com.

In fact, she’s been told numerous times by shoppers that they’ve been contacted by their credit card companies after making a flurry of purchases at the market.

Fleetwood always receives rave reviews about how organized and well-run the market is. Fleetwood, a former kindergarten teacher, feels her former profession has served her well in preparing for this job.

“You really have to be organized with a bunch of crazy 5-year-olds running around,” she says with a chuckle. “I like to have all my ducks in a row.”

After the difficult year we have all endured, community members are thrilled to once again come spend their dollars at the Indy Mommy Market.

“People are telling us that they are so happy to finally have something to put on the calendar,” Fleetwood says.

Though this expanded version of the Indy Mommy Market arose out of a desire to help local vendors recover from a challenging year, Fleetwood is not opposed to keeping it this way if the response is positive.

“In the past, people have told me that they felt like they couldn’t come because they didn’t have kids,” says Fleetwood, who encourages everyone to bring their grandkids, aunts, friends and neighbors.

“Now they have a reason to come since 20 / CARMEL MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 / TownePost.com

bringing his clientele with him.

Maloney and Kilpatrick graduated from high school together, but life took them in different directions. Kilpatrick’s family moved to Florida, and he took an opportunity to play soccer in Europe.

Maloney went to college at Taylor University. The friends kept in touch regularly through FaceTime.

Last September, Kilpatrick was Maloney’s best man in his wedding, and Maloney will do the same for Kilpatrick in his wedding later this year.

“His family is like a second family to me,” Maloney says. “Nothing stopped us from staying in touch and being good friends over the years.”

Their childhoods spent outside and their deep friendship provide essential elements for Roots Enterprises. A homegrown business, Roots may offer landscaping like many other businesses, but their focus and foundation are community involvement, customer experience and company culture.

“We really want to help the younger generation,” Kilpatrick says. “Kids these days don’t play outside, and they don’t work.”

They want to teach their employees who are in high school and college to work and save their money for the future.

Mike Maloney & Nathan Kilpatrick

STRONG ROOTS ROOTS ENTERPRISES LLC FOCUSES ON QUALITY AND COMMUNITY

Both men started doing local landscaping projects at the age of 12 during their summers to earn extra cash, so even before Mike Maloney and Nathan Kilpatrick met 2020 they had loyal clients. Kilpatrick when they were 5 years old. They spent their started Roots Enterprises LLC on January childhood days playing outside and riding 1, 2020, offering residential landscaping to each other’s houses on their bikes. Today, services such as mowing, spring and fall they’ve co-founded a business for which cleanup, mulching, trimming, shrub and they’re still essentially playing outside small-tree removal, hardscapes, irrigation, together daily. planting, and bed design. Not long after, Maloney joined him in his business venture, Writer / Jamie Hergott Photographer / Gillian Maloney

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“Yes, we are for profit, but we don’t want to just take from our community,” Kilpatrick says.

Maloney and Kilpatrick grew up playing soccer together, and they still play together in an adult league, so they know how essential a team culture is to productivity and quality.

“We want to be a place where people want to work,” Maloney says. “We want our employees to be intentional with their work and do a great job, and we want to pay them back for that high-quality work in more ways than just monetarily.”

Their goal for the future of Roots is to offer company events, bonuses, health insurance,

life insurance, 401(k) plans and profit shares.

Both men already have full-time careers in addition to Roots. Maloney is an engineer, and runs a nonprofit organization called 516 Candles, which sells candles made from scratch and donates the proceeds.

He partners with Horizon House in Indianapolis, and for every candle sold, he donates articles such as gloves, underwear, T-shirts and school supplies. Kilpatrick is a financial advisor and coaches soccer.

They each have a strong entrepreneurial side

that motivates and excites them to continue growing Roots.

“Obviously, Nate and I love to see people’s yards transformed, but we love even more seeing our employees learning new skills, and becoming better and stronger people,” Maloney says. “We aren’t just teaching hard skills. We’re teaching people to become more loving and more genuine people.”

They also feel their company size provides a personal touch.

“We want to be approachable and reachable,” Kilpatrick says. “You won’t wait hours online with customer service. You can come directly to us, and we’ll handle anything correctly.”

Their company slogan, “Growing the roots of the community,” has a two-pronged meaning according to Kilpatrick.

“We aren’t just physically growing roots, but we’re actually giving back to the community we grew up in,” he says.

Empowering clients to communicate confidently

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317-795-1295

PET OF THE MONTH Pet's Name: Olive Age: 3 year old Type: English Bulldog Owner's Name: Devin How/why did you acquire pet?

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Olive was rescued after she was found by the Greenwood police in an abandoned van on the side of the road.When Devin and Olive first met, it was love at first sight!

Best thing about your pet?

Her tongue is perpetually out!

What is the pet's favorite thing to do?

Olive’s favorite things to do are to chew on her bones, eat dinner, and enjoy the sunshine on the patio with her family.

Why did you choose Pet Wellness Clinics?

Dr. Ealing takes such good care of Olive.

We feel like they take an interest in our family personally.

Best thing about them? Would you refer to a friend?

We have recommended them to all of our friends!

CARMEL

LOCATION 13080 Grand Blvd.

Carmel, IN 46032 317-795-1295

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6/18/20 11:37 AM

Family Owned and Operated

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12345 Old Meridian Street Carmel, IN 46032

(317) 846-2535

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