Building Beyond Business
AMANDA JOHNSON BLENDS VISION, FAMILY & COMMUNITY TO SHAPE CENTER GROVE’S GROWTH
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It’s Time to Take Control of YOUR SPINE HEALTH
Trust the Most Comprehensive Spinal Care Team on the Southside
At Indiana Spine Group, our highly trained specialists work together to determine the best treatment options. We take a patient-centered care approach, providing individualized treatment and attention to your specific needs. Our team has received extensive training in the latest and most effective techniques to diagnose and deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients. We are determined to improve your pain and get you back to the activities you love.
• Treatment of back pain, neck pain, sciatica, shooting leg or arm pain, numbness in extremities and work-related injuries
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• Experienced, Compassionate, Board Certified, Fellowship-trained
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JEFF KONOPKA, MD SPINE SURGEON (317) 428-5043 BRIAN ADAMS, MD
(812) 650-0500
LOCATIONS GREENWOOD | 747 East County Line Road, Suite L, Greenwood, IN 46143 COLUMBUS | 2326 East 18th Street, Suite 130, Columbus, IN 47201 BLOOMINGTON | 541 S. Landmark Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47403
KOVACS fredda@townepost.com (317) 402-3051
TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011 CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ERIN TURK CREATIVE
(317) 810-0011
A Note from the Publisher
As we enter this season of gratitude, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who make this community such a special place to live, work and play.
It is truly my honor to publish each monthly issue that reflects the heart of this community where family, friends, and fellowship are more than just words — they’re a way of life. From cheering on our Trojans in their academic, athletic and extra-curricular pursuits, to supporting our locally-owned businesses, from lending a hand to lifting one another up in prayer — you continually demonstrate what it means to care and contribute. Even through all of the growth and development, the spirit of camaraderie still runs strong.
To the readers: thank you for your continued encouragement and engagement. I love hearing from you.
Whether it’s about a feature in the current issue or an idea for the future, your feedback, thoughts and suggestions are taken to heart. I appreciate you. And I thank you for supporting the businesses that you see on the pages of every issue. Your support is an investment in neighbors, friends and the future of our community.
To the advertisers: thank you! Your partnership not only keeps these pages turning but helps us highlight and celebrate the people and places that make Center Grove one of the finest communities in our great nation. I appreciate you, too.
This month, we also pause to honor and thank our veterans. Your service and sacrifice have protected the freedoms and values we hold dear. We salute you, and we thank you — not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
As Thanksgiving approaches and we reflect on our blessings, please know how grateful I am to be part of this incredible community. It is a joy and a privilege to serve you.
With heartfelt thanks,
Fredda Kovacs Publisher
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PROUD TO SERVE CENTER
GROVE BROTHERS
FOLLOW DISTINCT PATHS TO MILITARY SUCCESS
Writer / Lauren Casey Bemis
A point of great pride — that’s what Lynn Dever, secretary to the associate superintendent of Center Grove Community School Corporation, says she feels when asked about her two sons who serve our country.
“Extremely proud,” Lynn says. “They’re both amazing kids, and they both just did what you told them to do, which was the perfect setting for the military. They both got great educations at Center Grove — obviously, that was enormous.”
The oldest of the brothers, John Dever, a 2014 graduate, remembers his time playing football for the Trojans with Coach Eric Moore, Coach Chad Daniels and Coach Nick Lyon, and how they made a profound impact during an influential point in his life.
“The mentorship and maturity of them setting their expectations and learning how to become a functioning adult and member of society,” John says. “Being a part of the football program definitely develops that maturity pretty early on, and that’s something that helps prepare you for life.”
For John, that journey after high school
The JROTC program focuses on career development, cultivating leadership skills and building confidence through competitive opportunities, challenges and physical fitness. Cadets also gain the following benefits from participating in the program:
Scholarship opportunities
Teamwork and collaboration
Career readiness
Networking opportunities
Résumé building
Learn more by visiting centergrove.k12.in.us/JROTC.
led to an exciting career in service to the country. He applied and was accepted into the Air Force Academy. After four years there, he graduated and moved to Del Rio, Texas, for pilot training. From there, he was assigned to the KC-135 Stratotanker.
His service has taken him around the world — Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Germany, England, Japan, Hawaii, Alaska and Greenland. He has lived in Oklahoma, Washington and now New Jersey with his wife, Katie, and two dogs.
“There have been so many rewarding experiences and opportunities where you can kind of step back and look at the big-picture impact of the things you’re affecting and the operations you’re part of,” John says. “Seeing things in the news and saying, yeah, I was a part of that — it’s pretty rewarding.”
For his younger brother, Luke Dever, a 2017 graduate, the journey to serve looked different, as he made the choice to enlist at the start of his senior year at Center Grove.
“There was a delayed entry program that
you can do, and I signed up for that going into my senior year of high school,” Luke says. “So my entire senior year of high school, I knew upon graduation, I was enlisted and planned to go into the Navy.”
He quickly started boot camp after receiving his diploma and traveled to Pensacola, Florida, for his apprentice school, where he learned to be an aircraft mechanic. He eventually checked into his first command, VFA-81 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was there for three years and completed two deployments during that time.
During his second deployment, he learned about an opportunity to apply for the academies and, with his mom’s support, went through the extensive application process to join the Naval Academy.
“I’m a good example of, even if you don’t have your life figured out, graduating
high school and enlisting gives your life somewhat of a direction and purpose,” Luke says. “There are a lot of different avenues if you have an interest.”
Now, Luke is back in Florida in flight school, learning to become a pilot — his dream career.
Lynn, as a proud military mom, is also excited to share newer opportunities for Center Grove students with interests in serving the country through the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), housed inside the new Academic Pavilion at the high school. The program at Center Grove started last school year.
“We’ve got that avenue, which would prepare them to then either enlist or actually go into an ROTC program in college,” Lynn says. “So that’s absolutely amazing.”
ORTHO INDY
Center Grove High School students may enroll in the U.S. Army JROTC program beginning in grades 9 through 12. The program is designed to instill the values of citizenship, service, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment in young students. It’s not intended to recruit for military service but rather to prepare them to be responsible citizens in their communities and for future careers.
In its first year, the Center Grove JROTC program involved 32 students. This school year, it has grown to 91 students.
As Veterans Day approaches, Lynn is proud to share her family’s story and the unique career pathways her sons took into service.
“Everybody would always ask me, ‘Are you nervous?’” Lynn says. “They’re doing what they love, so I never worried about them. They’ve been in some pretty scary places, but they’re just doing what they want to do, and it’s amazing. I’m really proud of them.”
VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES
ACE HANDYMAN SERVICES
Residential & Commercial Services
Bryan Harmon
317-668-0376
acehandymanservices.com/offices/ greenwood
ATM INDY & ATMs FOR VETERANS
Operates an ATM business and gives proceeds to local veteran organizations
Joe Hubbard
317-800-9013
BOLDFlight
Training Indy’s Finest Pilots For Over 20 Years
Jason Newbold
317-745-4422
flyboldflight.com
CLEAN EDGE MOWING
Residential & Commercial Lawn Care Services
Anthony Gates
317-373-6426
facebook.com/cleanedgemowing
HOOSIER REFINISHING
Patio Furniture Restoration & Repair
Experts
Greg Hamilton
317-459-2228
hoosierrefinishing.com
INDIANA REALTY PROS
Licensed REALTOR®
Ron Rose
317-888-5000
indianarealtypros.com
INDIANA SKY PICS
Photography & Video
Ron Smith
317-643-9747
Indianaskypics.com
MACKLIN AUTOMOTIVE
Auto Repair, Maintenance, Lift Kits, Performance Upgrades
Teresa & Ian Kohl 765-766-2257
macklinautos.com
POO SCOOPIN’ TROOPS
Pet Waste Removal
Chad Land 812-503-9377 scoopintroops.com
PING HAULING & HOME SERVICES
Junk Removal & Hauling, Landscaping & Yard Maintenance, Specialized Cleaning Services
Jason Ping 317-438-1870
junkremovalindy.com
SEMPER FI INSPECTIONS
Commercial & Residential Inspections
Jason Brown 317-361-7449
semperfiinspect.com
THE JET VET
Exterior Cleaning and Decorative Lighting
Conner Ogden 317-967-5232
thejetvet.com
TK SELLS INDY REAL ESTATE
Licensed REALTOR®
Teresa Kohl
765-346-0917
facebook.com/tksellsindy
THANKFUL FOR…
SHERIFF DUANE BURGESS
“This year, I’m truly thankful for my wife, my family and my friends who keep me grounded and strong. I’m grateful for the deputies who stand beside me every day and for the trust our community places in us. Good health, strong partnerships and God’s daily guidance remind me how blessed I am to serve Johnson County. Leading with faith, integrity and purpose isn’t just my job — it’s my privilege.”
MEGAN SCHMIDT
“I’m thankful for my family — both the one I came from and the one my husband and I have built together. I’m thankful for the friends who’ve become part of our story and for the people who still believe in hard work, kindness and doing what’s right — even when no one’s watching.
J STOUT
“I am thankful to be in such a tightly-knit family, where we all are very comfortable and close with each other. I am also very thankful to be a part of a school district that offers so many prestigious opportunities.”
NADIA CUNNINGHAM
I’m thankful for the little things that make life sweet: morning coffee before the day begins, a sunset that slows it back down and the laughter that fills the space in between. Most of all, I’m thankful to live in a country where faith, family and freedom make all of this possible.”
“The Detour. Fifteen years ago, I crashed my husband’s high school reunion — and accidentally rekindled my 7th grade crush. That unexpected twist brought me to Indiana, where I became a bonus mom to two remarkable young adults, Lauren and Davis. My 88-year-old mom keeps us laughing and on our toes, my wonderful friends keep me grounded, and my career keeps me inspired. Life’s detours? I’m thankful for every single one.”
HANIAH BARNETT
“I’m thankful that I can see
AMANDA CHRISWELL
“I am so incredibly thankful and blessed, first and foremost
Building Beyond Business
AMANDA JOHNSON BLENDS VISION, FAMILY & COMMUNITY TO SHAPE CENTER GROVE’S GROWTH
Writer / Renée Larr
For Amanda Johnson, entrepreneurship has always been more than just a career — it’s a way of life. It’s been a calling.
From her first days working alongside her mother in real estate to developing one of Johnson County’s most recognized event venues, Johnson has spent the past two decades shaping spaces, supporting her family and giving back to her community. Her story is one of vision, persistence and a steadfast commitment to leaving each endeavor better than she found it.
Johnson’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1999, fresh out of college, when she joined her mother, Debbie Cottingham, at Cottingham Realty/ Appraisal. This early exposure
to the real estate industry, where she was licensed as both an appraiser and broker, provided her with a solid understanding of property value, development and the complexities of land use. She started from the ground up, learning the ropes of the industry and gaining valuable experience that would shape her future ventures.
That knowledge served her well.
A decade later, she envisioned transforming a parcel of her own property into something extraordinary. In 2016, Johnson opened The Barn at Bay Horse Inn, a rustic yet modern event venue
Photography / Amy Counts Photography; Yellow Line Productions
unlike anything else in the area at the time. What began as an ambitious idea — one requiring zoning changes, countless approvals and overcoming various obstacles — quickly became a soughtafter destination for weddings, fundraisers and community events.
“The Barn was really about creating something special with the property I had,” Johnson says. “I knew if I could get it approved, it would bring people together in a meaningful way.”
If The Barn highlighted Johnson’s entrepreneurial creativity, The Stables of Bay Horse Inn showcased her ability to blend business with family passion. Two years ago, she purchased and transformed the stables after years of being immersed in the equestrian world through her daughter, Emma.
Emma, now 19, has been riding since she was 4 years old. Her talent earned her a scholarship to show for the D1 NCEA team at the University of Georgia in the SEC, where she helped her team capture a national championship.
“It’s a direct reflection of her journey.”
In 2021, she launched her next major project: Shiloh’s Corner, a mixed-use development named after her beloved horse, Shiloh. Located on six and a half acres, the site now features Stone Creek Dining Company, Bru Burger Bar, Hoover Dental and Total Body Wellness, with more coming soon.
The project was a collaboration with Cunningham Restaurant Group and stemmed from Johnson’s vision of creating a gathering space for the growing Center Grove community.
“I always had a vision for that area,” she says. “I knew it could become something people would want to be part of.”
Johnson’s entrepreneurial story doesn’t stop with event venues and development projects. Through her marriage to Dallas Johnson, she became co-owner of Johnson’s Hauling & Excavating, a company initially founded by Dallas’s father. Together, Amanda and Dallas continue to operate the family business, blending tradition with modern operations.
Their personal life mirrors the blended nature of their business.
Amanda and Dallas are raising four children — Emma and Eli from Amanda’s side, and Dallas and Ellie from his. The family is actively involved in local schools and 4-H programs, with both daughters showing livestock and participating in agricultural clubs.
While Johnson has proven herself a sharp businesswoman with an eye for opportunity, she is equally known for her generosity. Her venues frequently host fundraisers and community events, and she actively sponsors school athletics, FFA banquets and local sports teams.
Her dedication to community causes is a testament to her values. She actively supports initiatives like KIC-IT, a
Johnson County program for homeless teens, and Blessings in a Backpack, which provides food to children in need over the weekends. Her partnership with local groups such as The Social of Greenwood, where she regularly donates event space for their popular bingo fundraisers, further demonstrates her unwavering commitment to community support.
“For me, it’s about using what I’ve built to support others,” Johnson says. “I feel a responsibility to give back to the community that has supported me.”
When asked about her driving force, she attributes it to a potent blend of vision and determination. From her early 20s, she began acquiring land — often with nothing more than faith in her long-term vision for development. Despite the area’s growth being slower than she anticipated, Johnson remained steadfast. She held on,
knowing that at some point, development would flourish. She had a clear vision of what it could become and wasn’t ready to let it go.
“I always just hung in there,” she says. “I knew at some point the area would take off. I had a vision for what it could become, and I wasn’t willing to let it go.”
Even as she celebrates the success of her current ventures, Johnson’s eyes remain on the horizon. She still owns undeveloped land near Shiloh’s Corner and plans to continue shaping the area with projects
that serve both residents and businesses. Her story is not just about building a business empire, but about cultivating community. Whether it’s hosting a wedding at The Barn, teaching a child to ride at The Stables or supporting a local fundraiser, Johnson has woven her entrepreneurial spirit into the fabric of Center Grove’s life.
“Business is about more than just profits,” she says. “It’s about people, family and community. That’s what drives me every day.”
HOOVER DENTAL
Writer / Devon Dean
Photographer / Hera Ashraf
Following your dream and starting your own business can be daunting. When Dr. Alyssa Hoover decided to start her own dental practice as a first-time business owner, she decided to do it close to home. Although Hoover Dental has only been open at its Greenwood location for a few months, the patient response has been beyond enthusiastic, with the community welcoming her with open arms and big smiles.
A Greenwood High School graduate, Dr. Hoover says she loves the sense of community that Greenwood brings.
“I just love the feel of the south side,” she says. “I know it’s growing, but it still feels like the tight-knit community I grew up loving, and I still know so many people here.”
She says many of her patients are friends from
growing up in the Greenwood area which allows her to meet their families.
“Being from Greenwood, and growing up very close to here, this location was always my goal from the start,” she says of the Shiloh’s Corner space. “I have a great team by my side and I love being able to help people in my hometown. My parents, Kevin and Terri Hoover, have had a big impact on the community and I have always wanted to follow in their footsteps and serve my community in the same way.”
Spending the past year growing her business from the ground up has been both rewarding and challenging.
“As a dentist, your sole focus is the patients, so you don’t have a true sense of the behindthe-scenes operations until you own your own office,” she says. Not only has Dr. Hoover excelled in her patient care, but she’s had many people in her corner to help guide her through
her vision of opening the best practice that exceeds in patient care.
Hoover Dental offers a wide range of highquality dental and cosmetic services designed to help patients feel confident in their smiles. This includes general dentistry — including exams, cleanings and digital X-rays — along with gentle pediatric care for children of all ages.
Dr. Hoover is also committed to comfort, especially for patients who may be nervous about going to see a dentist.
“We believe in transforming dental visits into soothing experiences and specializing in comfortable care,” she says. “Our commitment to caring, calming, modern dentistry ensures each patient receives personalized care in a relaxing environment.”
For those wanting to brighten their smiles, cosmetic dentistry options include whitening and aesthetic restorations. Botox is also available to ease TMJ discomfort and rejuvenate facial appearance. While most
people associate Botox with aesthetics, Dr. Hoover explains that it has valuable dental implications.
“We use it for TMJ issues or jaw clenching,” she says. “Three small injections can relax the muscles, easing tension and preventing grinding. Patients love it — it’s a simple, effective treatment that can even have a slimming effect on the face.”
Hoover Dental’s restorative and implant dentistry services can repair functionality and build confidence through crowns, bridges, dentures and dental implants. They also specialize in clear aligners for teeth straightening, root canal therapy and various kinds of cosmetic dental work.
For urgent needs, emergency dental care is available to alleviate pain quickly. Hoover Dental offers an in-house discount plan and flexible financing options to make exceptional care accessible to everyone.
Always looking ahead, Dr. Hoover keeps building her skills in order to expand the services she offers to patients.
“I’m always learning and doing continuing education,” she says. “Continuing education is a passion of mine, especially as the industry changes and patient needs are always evolving.”
Hoover Dental is located at 1458 W. Stones Crossing Rd., Suite 106, in Shiloh’s Corner and is currently accepting new patients. They can be reached at 317-215-5589 or by visiting them online at hoover-dental.com.
MYSTERY IN THE MEADOWS
LOCAL AUTHOR EXPLORES FAITH, SECRETS & SMALL-TOWN KENTUCKY IN DEBUT NOVEL
Writer / Devon Dean Photographer / Megan Jordan
Book Cover Photographer / Richard Ljoenes Design, LLC
Nestled in the hills of central Kentucky, the small town of Bardstown contains multitudes. Known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” it’s also one of the first places Catholicism began to flourish in the early 1800s in the United States. While those two distinctions may seem at odds, they blend together beautifully as the setting for “The Great Meadows.”
Written by Center Grove resident and Indianapolis Catholic Archdiocese Chancellor Christopher Walsh, the book explores the mysteries hidden within the hills themselves. A former singersongwriter and teacher, Walsh began his journey to the printing press during the 2020 pandemic when, like many others, he had plenty of downtime.
“My wife and I moved to Indianapolis in October 2020,” Walsh says. “I had this idea for a long time. I just decided to start and see how the story develops and where this takes me. I had no experience with it at all. I’ve never written anything like a novel. My writing had always been either academic or songwriting or poetry up to that point.”
To hone his craft, Walsh spent months doing homework — reading books on creative writing, watching hours of YouTube tutorials and listening to podcasts from best-selling authors. It was during this time that he began to develop his own style and approach to the creative process.
He found inspiration in authors like Cormac McCarthy, whom he calls
“one of the most brilliant writers we’ve had.” McCarthy is the author of the critically acclaimed “All the Pretty Horses” and “No Country for Old Men.”
Walsh would spend hours at the keyboard.
“It really does require a bit of an obsessive approach,” Walsh says. “I would get home from work and usually write for about two or three hours until about 9 p.m. every night, and then on the weekends. Generally speaking, I’d spend at least three to four hours on the weekends writing as well. The words began to pile up — 30,000, 40,000, 50,000 words — suddenly, you’re in the middle of a story and you just have to keep hammering away at it.”
The plot of “The Great Meadows” centers around a chance encounter along a rural Kentucky highway, where “aimless rambler” Levi meets Moussa, who is on his way to a nearby monastery. Levi gives Moussa a ride.
“Moussa is on a spiritual pilgrimage and wants to figure out what God wants him to do with his life, and so these two men meeting is the central event in the story,” Walsh says.
Without giving away too many spoilers, Walsh says Moussa ends up dead three days after Levi drops him at the monastery.
“Levi, the protagonist, ends up taking on the investigation of what
happened to Moussa,” he says. “It’s a mystery that unfolds, and the confrontation that Levi has with a powerful family is not only about what happened to Moussa, but also about resolving the conflict of his own troubled past.”
Backdrop: Bardstown
The small central Kentucky town’s Catholic roots helped shape the story. According to Wikipedia, “the Diocese of Bardstown was established in 1808, alongside dioceses in several major U.S. cities — Boston, New York, and Philadelphia — which comprised the former territory of the Diocese of Baltimore west of the Appalachian Mountains.”
The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, a Trappist (Cistercian) monastery outside Bardstown, plays a central role in the plot.
Walsh also wove Bardstown’s “Bourbon Capital” identity into the narrative.
“Kentucky is a state that is largely dry,” he says. “The people are very kind, but I would say that area also has a thread of rebellion woven through it, as there was plenty of bootlegging throughout the history of central Kentucky.”
Like many great fiction writers, his characters are rooted in his childhood and people he has known through the years. Walsh strived to create a story where Bardstown becomes more than a
location — the town itself becomes a character central to the plot.
“I liken it to John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, where Savannah (Georgia) is such a central character in the story,” he says.
He has already begun thinking about a sequel.
“I’m not going to give too much away,” he jokes. “But it does set up just perfectly for what happens next.”
Walsh hosted a book release party at the end of September, and “The Great Meadows” is available on Amazon as an e-book, hardback, and paperback. He hopes to host at least one book signing down the road as he works on the sequel with his marketing manager and biggest fan — his wife, Sallie.
“I am so thankful for her support in giving me time to write — it’s a huge commitment and sacrifice,” he says.
He also hopes to hear “The Great Meadows” come to life as an audiobook one day.
Copies can be purchased at amazon.com by search “The Great Meadows Christopher Walsh.”
As seen on
SENIOR RESOURCE HUB Support for Seniors and Families
For CarDon & Associates, “senior living support” involves much more than finding a new home. It’s also about serving as an informational resource for anyone navigating the path of aging. That’s why CarDon created the Senior Resource Hub — a virtual space uniting seniors and their families with industry experts on topics like Medicare, elder fraud, nutrition, rehabilitation and memory loss, to name a few.
That space continues to expand, and it now includes local TV airwaves. CarDon partnered with WTHR to broadcast weekly segments devoted to advice for seniors and their loved ones. CarDon Vice President and Chief Growth Officer Kendra Edwards presents a new tip each week, which viewers can watch on the station’s streaming app. The information in these segments comes from an ongoing series of video interviews housed on CarDon’s website, within the Senior Resource Hub page.
In addition to CarDon representatives from the company’s 20 communities across Indiana, the videos feature outside experts such as elder law attorneys, registered dietitians, dialysis providers, veteran benefit providers and more. They gently guide viewers through tough questions, such as how to talk to loved ones about moving into senior living, what signs of memory loss to keep an eye on, where to look for respite care, etc.
The Senior Resource Hub maintains the compassionate, family-like feeling of CarDon’s senior living communities. Watching the videos is like chatting over a cup of coffee with a staff member. They’re designed to welcome and engage viewers of all ages and backgrounds.
As Edwards said, “We thought, ‘Let’s bring all our resources together and have casual, open video conversations that we can share with anyone, even those who don’t live in our communities or have loved ones who are residents.’”
Best of all, the Senior Resource Hub allows people to approach these sensitive topics from the privacy and comfort of their homes. Viewers and those interested in learning more can send questions for future videos to InfoCD@cardon.us. You can also find videos at cardon. us/senior-resource-hub, or tune in to WTHR on Monday mornings from 6-7 a.m. for a new tip each week.
“We’re thrilled to be able to extend our reach through WTHR,” Edwards said. “We want people across Indiana to view us as more than a company — we’re a community resource. We have been through tough decisions and conversations with our own families, and we know how difficult this phase of life can be to navigate. We’re here to listen and offer advice to anyone facing the milestones and challenges of aging. Whether it’s on TV, our website or another future outlet, the Senior Resource Hub will be around for your questions and needs.”
AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2025
NOVEMBER
1
CENTER GROVE CRAFT FAIR
Center Grove High School, 2717 S. Morgantown Rd.
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The area’s favorite annual craft fair features holiday items, jewelry, bath & body items, and many other handmade items from more than 250 vendors. Admission is $5 cash at the door. Food trucks on site.
ARTCRAFT COOKING SCHOOL
The Historic Artcraft Theatre, 57 N. Main St., Franklin
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Guest chefs Brian Mendenhall (Central Nine) and Kathy Jones (Iozzo’s on Jefferson) will be on stage dishing out tasty tips and new ideas sure to add flavor to your dining room table. In honor of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, this event will feature Austen-themed cuisine. The first 200 attendees will receive a bag filled with great local goodies.
7 - 9
DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Downtown Franklin
10 a.m. - to 4 p.m.
Downtown Franklin businesses invite you to their annual Holiday Open House. More than 40 downtown retailers, restaurants, and businesses will be rolling out the holiday red carpet. Special prices, super prizes, and plenty of holiday cheer await you as you stroll from location to location.
9
HANDMADE + HEARTFELT FESTIVAL
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Sycamore at Mallow Run, 7070 W. Whiteland Rd., Bargersville
Celebrate local artists, makers, and creators while shopping one-of-a-kind goods and gifts. Enjoy delicious bites from food trucks and sip on festive fall drinks from the bar while you browse and shop.
18 – Dec. 23
THE HOLIDAY STROLL
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays Kelsay Farms, 6848 N. 250 East, Whiteland Stroll through Kelsay Farms for a magical holiday experience. Bring your cameras for larger-than-life decorations. Relax amongst the lights and the trees while sipping your hot cocoa by a warm campfire. Enjoy the live Nativity.
21 - 22
OLD TOWN GREENWOOD
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Old Town Greenwood, Main St. & Madison Ave.
10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Old Town Greenwood is kicking off the holiday season with their annual Holiday Open House. Shop, sip and create with many local businesses. Enjoy carriage rides (Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.), lighted parade, tree lighting at Folktale Greenwood 6:30p on Saturday) and a drone light show. Pick up a punch card to collect stamps as you shop for the chance to earn prizes.
27
BAILEY & WOOD TURKEY BURN
THANKSGIVING RUN/WALK
Freedom Park, 850 W. Stop 18 Rd., Greenwood
8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Gather your friends, family and archrivals for this fun 5K and Kids Run to celebrate community and family. The Kids Run/Walk starts at 8:30 a.m. and kids will get to run with a celebrity turkey. All proceeds raised will be donated to The Refuge.
27
THANKSGIVING
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
AUTO
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
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With the NFL’s continued commitment to expanding its global footprint, several teams will once again play overseas this season— including the Indianapolis Colts. On Nov. 9, the Colts will host the Atlanta Falcons at the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.
For offensive tackle Bernard Raimann, the trip will be something of a homecoming. Born in Steinbrunn, a small town just outside Vienna, Austria, Raimann is only a short flight or train ride from Berlin. “About 20 members of my family will be at the game,” he says. “Half are taking the 4- to 5-hour train ride, and the rest are flying— it’s only about 90 minutes.”
FÜR DAS HUFEISEN
(FOR THE HORSESHOE)
THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS RETURN TO THE WORLD STAGE THIS MONTH
Writer / Devon Dean
This won’t be Raimann’s first time playing abroad. He was also part of the Colts’ roster in 2023 when they played the New England Patriots in Frankfurt. “I’m over-the-moon excited to go back,” he says.
Raimann grew up playing soccer but switched to American football at age 14, drawn to the physicality of the game. “What I love about American football is how much we have to rely on one another as teammates,” he says. “You have to be able to trust the person next to you.”
He went on to play college football at Central Michigan and was drafted by the Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 77th overall pick.
The Colts take careful steps to help players manage jet lag on international trips. Berlin is six hours ahead of Indianapolis, and anyone who has flown across several time zones knows how disorienting it can be. “The staff forces us to sleep on the flight to help,” Raimann says. “It makes a big difference.”
While Raimann and his teammates are excited for the trip, it will be all business once they land. “We’ll practice on Thursday, then fly overnight to Germany on Friday,” he says. “Once we arrive, we’ll check into the hotel and head straight to the walkthrough.”
Raimann hopes to squeeze in time for
dinner with his family—and to introduce them to his infant daughter, who will be taking her first-ever flight.
“We’re going to experience the whole ‘flying with a baby’ thing,” he jokes.
One thing he’s certain about? Enjoying some comfort food from home. “I’m looking forward to goulash, bread dumplings, and sausage,” he says. “All of the offensive line loved the food last time around.”
Berlin’s Olympiastadion has previously hosted NFL exhibition games from 1990 to 1994. Built for the 1936 Summer Olympics, the stadium is best known for American track star Jesse Owens’ legendary performance, making it a fitting venue for another historic sporting event.
This will be the third international matchup for the Colts. They previously played the Patriots in Frankfurt in 2023 and faced
Colts-Falcons game will be the firstever regular-season NFL game played at Olympiastadion.
Notably, the Berlin game marks the first time the Colts will serve as the designated “home” team abroad.
The 2024 NFL International Series will feature up to eight regular-season games, with matchups in São Paulo, Dublin, London, Madrid—and now Berlin. The
And one final note: the Colts beat the Patriots the last time they played in Germany.
Kickoff for Colts vs. Falcons is set for 9:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, Nov. 9.
AFC South rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2016.
