Center Grove Magazine February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

MAGAZINE

Barn at Bay Horse Inn Partners With Ritz Charles to Bring Popular Catering Services to the Southside

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Starcraft is now available at Geist Marina

Come See Us at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show!

Stop by our booth to see the all new 2019 Starcraft Tritoon, Pontoon, Fiberglass, and Deckboat Lines.

February 15-24, 2019 | Indiana State Fairgrounds

Get tickets in advance online:

www.indianapolisboatsportandtravelshow.com

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LOSING THE DEAL: BARN AT BAY HORSE INN PARTNERS C WITH RITZ CHARLES TO BRING POPULAR CATERING SERVICES TO THE SOUTHSIDE

An exclusive opportunity recently emerged for the Barn at Bay Horse Inn. Ritz Charles, a premier event venue in Carmel with catering services, has become the sole operator of food and beverage service at the Barn at Bay Horse Inn, effective January 1, 2019.

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Josh Brown

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FEBRUARY WRITERS Christy Heitger-Ewing / Johnette Cruz Suzanne Huntzinger / Trisha Turner

FEBRUARY PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Wetherholt / Johnette Cruz Amy Counts Photography

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6 Under The Spotlight: Center Grove 18 The Driven Life: Claire René Show Choirs Director, Performers & Parents Give Behind-the-Scenes Perspective

10 Leadership Johnson County Launches Youth Leadership Academy

12 Built For More: Greenwood

Business Owner Is Transforming Historic Mills House Into An Event Center

Williams

22 Closing The Deal: Barn at Bay Horse Inn Partners With Ritz Charles to Bring Popular Catering Services to the Southside

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26 Walnut Grove Elementary

Progressing Smoothly: An Update On Center Grove’s Newest State-ofthe-art Facility

31 Local February Events 5 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

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Under the Spotlight Center Grove Show Choirs Director, Performers & Parents Give Behind-the-Scenes Perspective Writer / Trisha Turner Photography Provided

choir throughout his high school career, with the last two years as a performer in the varsity boys and girls show choir, Sound System.

Before coming to the United States from Nepal as a 12-year-old, Pandit was interested in music.

But he hadn’t considered participating in choir until being drawn to the strength of Center Grove’s program and its students and teachers.

Now Pandit is a company manager for Sound System, a position Dice likens to that of a president. He also is the leader of the choir’s tenor section.

F

or some, it’s the realization of a dream they’ve had since they were small children. For others, it’s the showcasing of a recently discovered talent.

But for all 100 members of Center Grove High School’s varsity show choirs,

rehearsing and performing is an opportunity to hone their musical skills — and learn valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership and the value of working hard.

“We hope we’re developing leaders,” says Jennifer Dice, a Center Grove High School choir director for more than

a decade. “It’s always harder than they think it will be.

They learn a lot of valuable leadership skills.”

Subi Pandit chuckles in agreement when he hears Dice talk about the hard work involved in being part of the show choirs. The Center Grove senior has been in

6 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

Being part of the show choir, Pandit says, “is sometimes tiring. But performing, being in the moment, is the most exciting part.”

Sound System, along with Center Grove’s varsity girls show choir, The Debtones, rehearse both in school as part of a class and outside the school day. During their performance season,

regional performances, pitting Center Grove’s show choirs against some of the best in the area.

“Every competition brings its challenges,” Dice says.

December through March, the show choirs put in about 20 hours a week preparing for performances.

The season culminates with its biggest competition. This year’s finale will be at the Show Choir Nationals in Nashville, Tenn., in March,

during spring break. The Debtones took the top spot in the women’s division the last two times they performed there, with Sound System receiving first runner-up in the mixed division.

Leading up to the national competition will be local and

The theme of Sound System’s performance this season is “the greatest shows on earth,” while The Debtones are highlighting Greek mythology. Each of the choirs’ 15-17-minute shows of singing and dancing is backed by professional musicians. The performances feature the use of high-tech tools that Dice says “make the show spectacular” — devices like a soundboard, an LED screen and a program that allows for replication of sounds.

Erin Booher, a Center Grove Choir Parent Organization board member, says the high quality of the show choirs’

7 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

performances sometimes surprises even the students who present them. The best part of being involved in the choirs, she says, is “seeing your child do things you didn’t think they would ever be able to do at a high school level.”

Booher’s daughter, Halle Booher, is a junior who is the alto section leader in Sound System. Halle, who even as an elementary student aspired to be part of Center Grove’s choir program, is in her second year with the group. She performed with The Debtones her freshman year.

The show choirs’ elaborate performances require the work of students, directors and families alike. Erin Booher says behind-the-scenes work from volunteers who assist with everything from styling hair, to sewing costumes, to moving stage equipment is critical to

the quality of performances.

individuals but as a team.”

“Others think of it as individual,” Pandit, the Sound System company manager, says of involvement in show choir. “But it’s not. We work as

It’s that teamwork experience, along with leadership skills, that director Dice hopes the show choir members will carry into their adult lives — even

for students like Pandit who don’t plan to pursue music professionally. Pandit will study computer science in the fall.

“We want to provide them with the greatest opportunities,”

Dice says.

Visit centergrovechoirs.org for more information about auditions, performances and other events and opportunities to get involved.

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Jean Renk, Duke Energy, Amy Kelsay & Stephanie Wagner, LJC Board President at the check presentation of the Youth Leadership Academy 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Leadership Johnson County Launches Youth Leadership Academy March 15. The selection committee will then meet in April to choose students, chosen students will be notified in May and classes will begin in August.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Leadership Johnson County (LJC) is an adult leadership class that’s coordinated through Franklin College. To celebrate the 25th year of the program, they are launching a youth academy called the Leadership Johnson County Youth Leadership Academy.

“This academy will be great for Franklin College as well as Johnson County,” says Amy Kelsay, LJC’s Program Coordinator.

Though staff is currently working out the logistics regarding curriculum and class size, their goal is to invite 25-30 participants in total — three to five students from each of the six Johnson County public school corporations as well as five to eight students from private and homeschool.

The 4-page application process is fairly simple and does not require an interview of any sort. Students need to only answer a few questions and supply a letter of recommendation. Applications will go out on February 1 and must be submitted by

According to Kelsay, students who are selected to participate in the program can expect to gain more self-awareness and enhance their own leadership skills. They will also become more adept at emotional intelligence, networking, empathy, accountability and inclusion.

the school year. Classes will meet on Tuesdays in September, November, February and April, each with its own theme. September will focus on Communication. November will be History & Governance. February will be Planning & Project Management. April

“We want them to develop a better understanding of the local community,” Kelsay says. “They’ll also practice some project management skills and will work on a group project as an entire class.”

In addition, she notes that participants may have the opportunity to serve their community in other ways outside of class time as well as attend community events.

The program kicks off in August with an all-day opening retreat. After that, classes will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on five different days throughout

10 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

will be Diversity & Inclusion. Students are invited to a graduation celebration at the end of April.

The $400 program is open to juniors and seniors, which means that current sophomore and juniors are eligible to apply.

Scholarships are available.

“At this point, we just want to get the word out about this exciting new program so we’ll be alerting schools, corporations, counselors, principals and teachers so that they may pass it on to students,” says Kelsay, who notes that students will greatly benefit by building a network across the county.

“Many times when they are involved with other schools, it’s with sports and they are competing against one another,” Kelsay says. “This is an opportunity where students can work together and certainly build that network all across Johnson County — not only with students but also with adults as every program day we’ll be bringing in outside sources from Johnson County, including professors and members of civic and nonprofit organizations.”

All classes will be held on the campus of Franklin College. Students will receive one hour of college credit from Franklin College as well as a graduation certificate.

“Johnson County is really diverse and has much to offer,” Kelsay adds. “So often we get tied up into our little circles. This program will help the students branch out and see their community is bigger than Whiteland, Greenwood, Center Grove.”

Leadership Johnson County is located at 101 Branigin Boulevard in Franklin. You can visit them online at leadershipjohnsoncounty.org for more information. To learn more about the LJC Youth Leadership Academy, contact Amy Kelsay at arkelsay@gmail.com.

Who: Open to high school juniors and seniors What: A brand new program for youth launched by Leadership Johnson County When: Program runs from August 2019 to April 2020 Where: Classes take place on the campus of Franklin College Why: A chance for Johnson County high school students to enhance their leadership skills while developing a better understanding of their local community 11 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

DiscountFilters.com Founder Todd Anthony recently purchased the historic Mills House.

Built For More Greenwood Business Owner Is Transforming Historic Mills House Into An Event Center Writer / Suzanne Huntzinger Photographer / Jason Wetherholt

On Fry Road, on the way to the Greenwood Park Mall, sits a home so magnificent in its design and the way it blends so beautifully with nature’s splendor, yet most of us barely notice it as we breeze along on the way to work. Those who do notice the unique home fondly recall an era defined as much for its post-war prosperity as its unique architecture and statement about idyllic social values. That home is the historic Mills House.

Built in 1955, by late architect Harry Cooler, the mid-century modern marvel was built for Ernie Mills, who owned a cabinet and Formica shop. Mills built the home to showcase his company’s cabinetry and Formica products. After several decades and several owners, the Mills house became vacant and fell into disrepair and finally wound up on the Indiana Landmark’s list of most imperiled buildings.

Mills was a fan and admirer of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, and he was looking for the ideal architect and builder who would carry out his vision flawlessly. As fate would have it, local Architect Harry Cooler was not only a fan of Wright’s work, but he was mentored by him during his college years at the University of Illinois.

Cooler’s larger projects like the Burger Chef design and the original Weir Cook airport administration building would come much later as would numerous accolades like the Sycamore on the Wabash Award. But, in 1955, Cooler was just starting to make a name for himself in the industry, and this home was just Cooler’s second home to build. Still, Mills was convinced of Cooler’s affinity for Wright’s signature Usonian style and convinced that Cooler would execute his vision for the house.

Cooler indeed designed the Mills house in classic Frank Lloyd Wright style. The home has just two bedrooms and two bathrooms and is essentially a ranch home with additional living space and storage on a lower level Wright never believed in having a “basement” per se. Cooler incorporated many elements typical of the Usonian style including a flat roof, cantilevered overhangs and clerestory (floor to ceiling) windows and natural stone trim on the house. Four-and-one half acres of

lush landscaping surrounds the property, and the stone paver deck creates an inviting, peaceful outdoor experience. At the time, the cost of the home was probably five times the cost of an average home — a courageous move for anyone to make.

“They left a lot of things behind, and not all of it usable. But we also found some treasures like the original radiant heat tubing, original rods to open the windows and original screens.”

There at lots more original features and gems still left in the house. Immediately greeting you as you park at the house are the clerestory windows, at all four corners, firmly anchored without a

Through the years, the charming home with breathtaking views caught the eye of one special Greenwood resident. Entrepreneur and founder of DiscountFilters.com, Todd Anthony, noticed the home often when he drove past. Unfortunately, as the home began to deteriorate, he noticed it more and more.

“It was sad to watch,” Anthony says. “I know the property changed owners a few times over the years, but no one ever took the initiative to complete the much-needed maintenance.”

Then one day, this past December, when Anthony drove by he got a pleasant surprise.

“I saw a for sale sign up and it piqued my interest,” he says. He made some inquiries checking in to making the purchase and made the deal in a matter of days. “It happened fast,” he says. “I wasn’t looking for a project, but the more information I found about the house, the more intrigued I became. I really wanted to know the home’s backstory.”

As the owner of a thriving business, Anthony doesn’t have the luxury of taking on home renovations as a full-time job, but he admits it’s his hobby. It’s a hobby that keeps his hands full, since he’s also completing renovations on his own home.

“But this is different,” he says. “It’s a labor of love, and this house needs some tender loving care.”

The tender loving care Anthony is putting into the restoration of the home is obvious. His passion for the architecture and the era sparkle in his eyes as he relates what he’s already uncovered in the short weeks since taking ownership.

“During Christmas break, my brother and I started going through the house to clear debris and other items left by Mills and previous owner, Charles Gantz,” he says.

structural column. The mahogany wood doors, though weathered in appearance, are in excellent shape for their age. The original cabinets and countertops, all manufactured by Mills’s company, still hang in the kitchen and they show no signs of deterioration. The most shocking discovery was about the terrazzo flooring.

“The original terrazzo throughout the home still looks phenomenal,” Anthony says. “Only one spot on one of the stairways is chipped off.

But I got in touch with a manufacturer who found an exact match for the original pattern and make, so we’re going to replace that area and just clean and buff out the rest. It’s going to be gorgeous.”

Unlike most rehab projects, Anthony plans to keep as much of the original features of the home as possible. Instead of discarding and renovating old fixtures, he wants to restore as much as he can and make it true to the décor of the time period.

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“We’re going to keep the original green toilets,” he says. “My brother helped me scrub them up over the holidays, and we cranked up Sinatra while we worked.”

small business meetings and parties. The idea came to him while attending a cocktail party at Frank Sinatra’s former home in Palm Springs, California.

Amongst all that’s salvageable, there are still plenty of areas that have sustained significant structural damage and they will be Anthony’s primary focus of attention in this first phase.

“We were all in this relaxed setting which reminded me of the Sinatra era, when people held cocktail parties and served martinis and music was swinging,” Anthony says. “I realized how this style with its openness can bring us all back to a time that was simpler and idyllic.”

“The roof is probably in the worst shape of all and it needs immediate attention,” he says. “Since it’s flat and can’t drain water, it’s sustained a lot of damage.”

To address the issue, he got in touch with Harry Cooler’s son, Bill, to get his recommendations on how to proceed.

“Bill was incredibly helpful,” Anthony says. “We’re so excited to have the Cooler family involved. It means a lot to us.”

Bill Cooler was equally delighted to become involved. He owns his own architecture and design firm, Cooler Design, following in his father’s footsteps in more ways than one. Like his father, Bill also attended the University of Illinois, and he shares his father’s affinity for the signature style of Frank Lloyd Wright, though a majority of Bill’s projects are commercial buildings like schools and hospitals.

“My father did dozens of homes around Indy, and the Mills house was probably the most special because of its prairie style, its cantilevers and the way the home is at one with nature,” Cooler says. “It’s the closest to Frank Lloyd Wright’s style. I admired the way my dad had such attention to detail and the care he took to get things just the way he wanted it.”

Cooler jumped right in to lend his help. Right away, he connected Anthony with a structural engineer to address the structural issues and other items. During the process, another discovery was made.

When the home is complete, Anthony plans to name the property the Harry Cooler Conference and Event Center. He also plans to turn the former master bedroom into the Frank Lloyd Wright Conference Room while another room will be named the Ernie Mills Training Room.

Anthony isn’t certain of the completion date for the project, but he tentatively hopes to have it finished by late summer or early fall. In the meantime, he’s grateful for all the people in the community who’ve driven by and honked to show their support or stopped by to ask about it. Stay tuned for more updates on the home’s progress. You can also follow the progress by visiting the Historic Mills House Facebook page. Anthony welcomes everyone to share memories they might have of the house.

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“We found the original blueprints for the home in the crawl space,” Anthony says. “The structural engineer looked at them and gave us lots of suggestions to help make the house structurally sound. Now we’ve got a temporary roof on the house and it’s protected.”

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Cooler says he will continue to be involved during the process.

“It makes me proud to help Todd and to be involved in this project,” he says. “I’m excited to do this project for dad, and I know he would be proud of Todd too.”

Bill took his mom, Dee, to visit the property, and she too says she’s proud of Todd.

Call Janna Long for information

Janna Long, Real Estate Broker, ISRP janna@smytherealestate.com 317-509-1605 www.smytherealestate.com

Beyond being proud of the work, Anthony wants the project to come full circle and that means having a plan for the house when it’s complete. He decided to turn it into an event venue for 15 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

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Beauty blogger Claire René Williams 18 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

The blogger and influencer world has completely changed the trajectory of how brands promote their businesses in today’s society and this girl is taking this industry by storm. Meet 22-year-old Claire René Williams. A Greenwood native who now resides in Center Grove. Claire did all of her schooling at Greenwood Christian Academy and, in 2015, went into her first semester at Indiana Wesleyan University on a music scholarship, but quickly decided college was not on the agenda for her. She immersed herself into her artistry as a makeup artist, got certified and now runs being an #MUA like a boss by doing weddings, special events, YouTube tutorials and social media influencer marketing. Claire loves to help and make people feel beautiful, and it shows. Read below on what makes her so driven.

“I love how freeing it is to be in control of what I do, what I create and who I work with.”

You are a beauty blogger but also have other businesses, tell us about them.

“I have always loved makeup and this love of mine only grew over time, just as the Youtube makeup tutorial industry did and the constant influx of brand launches. I was hooked. I would spend my days after school watching tutorial after tutorial, taking in as much knowledge about the art as I could. It was a warm May day, and I liked my outfit, so I snapped a picture, posted in on Instagram and decided to write a little blurb about it on a free Wordpress website I created. The rest is history.

From there I have grown my Instagram to more than 18,000 where I am a Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Content Creator.

My YouTube has about 2,000 subscribers where I film makeup tutorials, product reviews, fashion lookbooks, vlogs and more. I have developed my blog: claireifyingbeauty.com, where I write about all of these things. Brands like JCPenney, Sephora, Target and more, now pay me to test out their products, write reviews, film videos, post makeup looks, outfit photos and more.

I met my now fiancé, Camden Johnson, in high school, and he was (and still is) a videographer and an editor for a video production house. Together we now own Sea Jay Films, a Wedding Filmmaking Business. We create cinematic-styled wedding

films for free-spirited, adventurous couples.”

What is your greatest joy from owning your own businesses?

“I love being my own boss but also working with my fiancé. I love how freeing it is to be in control of what I do, what I create and who I work with. I have the ability to decide my workload, which is amazing.”

What has been challenging?

“The most challenging part is staying motivated when I don’t want to create or do anything. Also, not getting down on myself when I see other accounts with larger brands that I wish I could be working with.”

Do you give back to the community? If so how?

“I do! I pack boxes for Pack Away Hunger and sponsored a child of a family this year through Megan’s Fund with a few other Indy blogger gals. I also volunteer at my church. I am a singer, so I get

19 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

b facebook.com/

ClaireifyingBeauty/

v @claire_rene f youtube.com/clairerene

k claireifyingbeauty.com & seajayfilms.com

to use the gifts God has blessed me with to bless others at Emmanuel Church as one of our Worship Leaders.”

Ministries, or SMI Haiti, after going on a trip to Haiti and falling in love with the country and the people.

Your family started an amazing ministry. Tell us about it.

I will never forget my very first trip.

I remember the sadness I felt as we rode our bus along the dirt roads passing all the make-shift huts that were homes, seeing all the little children on the side of the road in hardly any clothing,

“My dad Frank Williams is a missionary in Haiti, and he has been for 23 years.

He began his own ministry Sundouloi

and I remember thinking that there was literally nothing there. My heart broke for the people of Haiti.

I instantly fell in love with the Haitian people and made so many friendships that I still have to this day. We go every year and in January 2018, that’s where my now fiancé proposed. Haiti holds such a special place in mine and my family’s hearts, and I wanted my Haitian family to be there. My most recent trip in January was about my 13th trip to Haiti.”

Where do you get your inspiration from?

“My dad, my fiancé, other creatives and the people of Haiti inspire me.”

What would you tell your younger self today?

“To stop worrying, stop caring what others think about you, and don’t be afraid to be different and stand out.”

What Drives you?

“Helping people! I love knowing that what I’m doing, what I’m creating, what I’m making, will hopefully positively impact just one person’s life in some way.”

20 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

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Bill Nicholls, President and Co-Owner, The Ritz Charles & Amanda Cottingham, owner of the Barn at Bay Horse Inn.

Barn at Bay Horse Inn Partners With Ritz Charles to Bring Popular Catering Services to the Southside Writer / Suzanne Huntzinger Photography Provided by Amy Counts Photography

Since its opening in August 2016, the Barn at Bay Horse has shattered sales expectations for owner Amanda Cottingham. For a third consecutive year, the event center already has 75 weddings and events scheduled, putting the venue on track to become one of the busiest event centers in Central Indiana.

Just when it would seem things couldn’t possibly get better, an exclusive opportunity emerged. Ritz Charles, a premier event venue in Carmel with catering services, has become the sole operator of food and beverage service at the Barn at Bay Horse Inn, effective January 1, 2019.

The partnership was forged partially by chance, and partially by design. In 2018, Cottingham happened to meet Ritz Charles owners Bill Nicholls and Mark Safranek.

The Ritz owners were looking to expand the presence of their catering company to Indy’s southside, specifically to Greenwood.

Making the southside ties even stronger, the company’s executive chef, Warren Myklos, lives in the Center Grove area. As the Greenwood community and Center Grove area have grown, it’s become a prime area for Ritz Charles to expand. Nicholls says the partnership was facilitated by the caterer’s goal to become a part of the Greenwood community and their desire to join forces with an event center that has The Barn at Bay Horse’s first-class reputation.

In the short time since opening, Cottingham has built and maintained the venue’s reputation on being the go-to venue for all occasions, and the number of events held at the venue has surpassed what she and her staff ever imagined.

“But the reason for that is not a surprise to me and my staff,” she says. “As we have become busier and busier over the last two years, we’ve only worked harder for our guests. We wanted to be the premier location for weddings and events on the southside of Indianapolis, and that’s what we work towards every single day. The success is a result of the dedicated work we put into this place.”

Cottingham says building the venue’s

22 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

reputation starts with the first moment of contact with a customer.

“People remember everything from the way we answer the phone the first time they call with questions about our facility, to the time we provide during a tour, all the way to the attention to detail and service we provide on the day of a wedding or an event.”

The Ritz Charles has built its reputation the same way. Opening in the 1980s in a beautiful 15,000 square feet facility off Meridian Street in Carmel, the caterer quickly became a premier event venue for weddings, fundraisers and corporate gatherings. But the Ritz didn’t limit is services to its four walls. They offered catering services to venues across the city even going into private homes for personal parties.

Although the Ritz and the Barn at Bay Horse Inn are already successful independently, the partnership made perfect sense. Cottingham says that since her venue is relatively new, they’re always considering proposals or strategizing new ideas to make their guest’s experiences memorable.

“I hear a lot of suggestions or ideas, some of which we have entertained and discussed how that would look for the Barn at Bay Horse Inn,” she says. “When we sat down with The Ritz and had that serious discussion, The Ritz was that difference, to me and my staff. This partnership is about all the things The Ritz Charles could provide. The quality of service, the reputation, the experience of the staff and the brand itself is something we couldn’t ignore.”

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The timing was right too.

“We’re at a point where we feel comfortable in the number of events and weddings we host that allowing a household name like the Ritz Charles to come in and handle food and beverage operations was needed,”

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Cottingham adds. “Rather than continuing to offer a list of preferred caterers, we felt it was time to have an exclusive provider. This is the next step in our growth, and we are very lucky that the Ritz just so happened to be interested in developing a presence on the southside of Indianapolis. We’re also very fortunate that the Ritz didn’t want to come in and change things about our operations, reshape the wheel and step on toes. They want to become part of the fabric of this community.”

Having an exclusive caterer will bring about some welcome changes in operations at the Barn at Bay Horse. For the staff, it means streamlining the ordering process so they can focus on booking events. For guests, they’ll see more options in The Ritz’s menu which offers a wide selection.

“The Ritz offers far more than the typical wedding dinner of chicken or beef,” Cottingham says. “This partnership with The Ritz also allows us to offer options from their subsidiary, Simply Served, which also has a wide menu selection. This service is a costeffective option ensuring that we continue to be a venue where guests at all budget levels can celebrate their special day. So, no matter which option our guests choose, they’re still getting the Ritz Charles experience. All guests who visit our venue, no matter the occasion, will continue to receive consistent, quality hospitality.”

In addition to The Ritz Charles menu, Barn at Bay Horse will also continue to offer options from local caterer Smokehouse BBQ. “Smokehouse BBQ is pretty popular,” Cottingham says. “So, we’re very thrilled that the Ritz will allow that option to remain on the menu.”

While weddings are a big part of the fabric at The Barn at Bay Horse Inn, the venue is host to a variety of events.

24 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

“A lot of people are still learning about the Barn at Bay Horse outside of the scope of a wedding and event center on a grand scale,” Cottingham says. “We pride ourselves on those large events and weddings, but we also have a variety of small gatherings.”

Barn at Bay Horse also hosts many nonprofit events through local organizations and clubs. Cottingham encourages all Greenwood residents to come out to some of their smaller events.

Call The Barn at Bay Horse Inn at 317760-8778 to plan your wedding or next big event. Visit them online at barnatbayhorse. com for more information. The Barn at Bay Horse Inn is located at 1468 West Stones Crossing Road in Greenwood.

FEB. 14 - MARCH 9

25 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

Walnut Grove Elementary Progressing Smoothly An Update On Center Grove’s Newest State-of-the-art Facility

Writer / Suzanne Huntzinger Photography Provided

Construction on Walnut Grove Elementary School, Center Grove’s sixth elementary, is coming right along. The school was recently enclosed, and with about three-fourths of the construction complete, they’re moving closer towards their opening date.

The school system broke ground on the school in October of 2017, and it’s a welcome addition to the district which has been experiencing phenomenal growth over the last three years. With an influx of families moving into the area, the district projects the enrollment for elementary schools to reach 4,000. Schools have maxed their capacities, and 22 temporary classrooms have been set up to bridge the gap.

When the school opens, teachers and students alike will be anxious for the extra space, plus they can’t wait to make use of the school’s exciting features. First up is that the school will be a two-story structure, making the elementary the first of its kind in the district. The two-story 110,000-square foot building will

26 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

host about 800 students in the K-5 grade levels in three different sections, each with distinct colors and walnut tree themes.

Leading off on the first floor are Kindergarten and First Grades.

Their hallway will be green, signifying the seeds of spring.

The second and third-grade corridor will be red for the roots of summer. Upstairs, the fourth and fifth grades will be yellow to represent the fall. In keeping with the nature theme, the shared learning spaces and media center will be blue for the sky, water and winter.

The nature theme is no accident. Since the property at Morgantown and SR 144 was previously a farm field, planners wanted to build the school with the least amount of disruption possible to the property’s natural habitat. The landscape around the school will look and feel of prairie grounds.

“We got a grant from Pheasants Forever which allowed us to buy seeds for certain plants to grow,” says Dr. Bill Long, Assistant Superintendent of Operations.

Thanks to the generous grant, the school will be growing beautiful gardens of pollinator flowers, native grasses and wildflowers to attract native wildlife.

Walnut Grove will not only be nature-friendly but eco-friendly.

“Solar panels will be installed,” says Stacy Conrad, Executive Director of Communications for Center Grove, “The school will be powered partially by that solar energy, making it more energy efficient.”

Geothermal wells will be installed for another energy-efficient element in the building.

“All of these features will enhance the learning experience,” Conrad adds. “Teachers will have a built-in opportunity to use all

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of these nature and science teaching points in the curriculum.”

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For even more teaching points, Walnut Grove will have a STEM lab in one of the common areas. Planners put extra thought into carrying out the vision of shared learning spaces in the common areas. The shared learning spaces will be areas where students in the same grade level can come together for shared projects and lessons.

One of those shared learning spaces is the learning staircase which will accommodate large group instruction and access to the second floor.

In its plans for Walnut Grove, administration worked hard to plan a facility that incorporated similar elements to the other elementary schools. In the end, there was a small surprise for the other elementary schools.

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“The bids for Walnut Grove came in well under budget,” Long says. “That gives us enough left over to update some things at the other elementary schools, like the playgrounds and some furniture. We’re proud that this project will allow us to make those updates elsewhere.”

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Walnut Grove is expected to open at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

To follow the progress of the construction, visit centergrove.k12.in.us/wges. Walnut Grove Elementary School is located at 4079 Morgantown Rd, in Bargersville.

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“Some families are excited, and others are nervous about changing to a new school,” Long says. “Ultimately, we have to plan the district to maintain our system of three elementary schools feeding into one middle school.”

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As expected, with building a new school, the need for redistricting arises. The redistricting committee comprised of parents, students, community members and administration has put together a redistricting proposal. The committee will present their final recommendations at the February board meeting and the plan will be put to a vote.

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29 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

• Decks and Porches

Franklin’s Premier 55 Young’s Creek and Older Community Luxury Apartments Compass Park is excited to announce our new, elegant, 55 and older luxury apartments that will lay along the banks of Young’s Creek, overlooking the beautiful countryside of our campus.

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30 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2019 / atCenterGrove.com

8

14-17, 21-24, 28 23

Put on your dancing shoes and grab the little ones for an evening of love, fun and community celebration! February 8 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Cost per person is $2.50. Children 1 and younger are free. Children of all ages are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. Event takes place at the Greenwood Community Center. For more information, call 317-881-4545.

Greenwood Community Center

An unforgettable tribute to the music of the legendary Supremes, Pointer Sisters and Donna Summer! The music and cast of three dynamic female vocalists is nothing less than a knock-out!

Show opens on Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14th with showings throughout February and March!

For more information and to get your tickets, visit stagetoscreenstudios.com.

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Valentine’s Dance

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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Valentine’s Dinner at The Sycamore

Enjoy a multi-course dinner with a special Mallow Run wine pairing for each course and wonderful entertainment during dinner from Castlewood Singers. Then stick around after dinner for fun and dancing with the Big Band sounds of Cool City Band!

For full event and menu details and to purchase tickets, visit mallowrun.com/valentines-dinner/.

The Sycamore at Mallow Run 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Stage to Screen Studios 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

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Valentine’s Day Couples Class

We have the perfect night out for you and your Valentine! Join us for a Couples Class Friday February 15, 6:30-9:30pm! Each registration covers two seats and two projects. Enjoy complimentary wine and dessert.

Board & Brush Greenwood 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2018

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Taxman Brewing Company Public Tour & Tasting

Get a behind the scenes tour of our brewery from a Taxman team member. Learn about the history of Taxman, get a glimpse into our process and enjoy samples of some of our tasty brews! The tour will begin promptly at 12 p.m. and is limited to 15 guests. One full pour of Taxman beer is included with purchase of this tour. All guests must be 21+ years of age. Closed-toed shoes are required. Get your tickets at taxmanbrewing.com Taxman Brewing Company 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

23

Monte Carlo Night

Enjoy a night out in “Vegas” at Monte Carlo Night at the Sycamore at Mallow Run. The event is hosted by and benefits the Greenwood Education Foundation.

Sycamore at Mallow Run 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

MAILED MONTHLY TO MORE THAN 17,000 CENTER GROVE HOMES! ADVERTISING INFORMATION:

/ atCenterGrove.com 1 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2018

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