Center Grove Magazine April 2023

APRIL 2023

MAGAZINE

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IN THIS ISSUE

APRIL 2023

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TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER/CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com 317.496.3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com 317.810.0011 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT JOSH BROWN CREATIVE DIRECTORS TONI EADS VAL AUSTIN COPY EDITORS JON SHOULDERS NATALIE PLATT

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RUN. WALK. CELEBRATE.

Rock the Block Run Returns April 22

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LIFE-CHANGING ART

Learn All About Center Grove High School’s Incredible Art Department

REAL-TIME ANALYTICS Scan the QR code to see this magazine’s real-time reach and distribution numbers.

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THE ‘SECRET SAUCE’ TO LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE AT 50, 60, 70 AND BEYOND

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JOHN WHEELER’S STORIES OF LOVE AND WAR

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CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING / CG SPORTS NETWORK / JULIE YATES JESS CARRASQUILLO / KEVIN CONRAD / MELISSA GIBSON / JEFF OWEN CLEVER DOGS MEDIA / ERIN SMITH / SUSAN MCCARTY

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2022 DIRECTORY DIRECTORY & & 2023 RELOCATION GUIDE RELOCATION GUIDE

CominginAMay pril Coming TARGET YOUR MOST SOUGHT-AFTER LOCAL CONSUMERS TARGET YOUR MOST SOUGHT-AFTER LOCAL CONSUMERS

EXISTING and NEW MOVERS in the Center Grove Community EXISTING and NEW MOVERS in the Geist/Fishers Community Ourby annual Directory & Relocation for Center Grove will feature Back popular demand, our AnnualGuide Directory & Relocation Guide ofFishers categories it asorts handy guide all year forDOZENS Geist and will making feature all of reference local extras to make it long to find local businesses, services In addition a keepsake reference for the entire and year.organizations.

In addition to our regular to our regular distribution in May, we will mail copies throughout year distribution in April, we will be mailing copies throughout thethe year to to the following people: the following people: New movers: purchase a list new movers eacheach month and þþ New movers: WeWe purchase a list of of new homeowners month mail them a complimentary copy viavia First Class USPS. and mail them a complimentary copy First Class USPS.

TARGETEDDISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION TARGETED

Direct mailed Center Groveresidents residents • •Direct mailed to to allall Geist + Fishers Online requests from new movers • •Online requests from new movers New movers Center Grovemailed mailedout out • •New movers toto Geist + Fishers monthly monthly Realtors, relocation companies, and • •Realtors, relocation companies, and realreal estate developers estate developers Home builders and new home communities • •Home builders and new home communities

Relocation requests: Through TownePost.com, people looking þþ Relocation requests: Through TownePost.com, people looking to to relocate Center Grove can can request request aa FREE FREE copy. copy.

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D.R. Horton is an equal opportunity builder. Information subject to change without notice. Pictures, artist renderings, photographs, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Buyer should conduct his or her own investigation of the present and future availability of school districts and school assignments. D.R. Horton has no control or responsibility for any changes to school districts or school assignments should they occur in the future. Please contact a D.R. Horton sales representative for more details.

TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 5

RUN. WALK. CELEBRATE. Rock the Block Run Returns April 22

Writer / Jeff Owen, Clever Dogs Media; Erin Smith, Susan McCarty Photography Provided

Rock the Block Run has profoundly helped improve local health for nearly a decade.

The event is a motivator for many Center Grove area residents to get off the couch following a long winter’s rest.

Last year, more than 900 walkers and runners spent weeks exercising and eating healthier to prepare for the 5K and 10K events at Center Grove High School. It also has become one of spring’s first stops on the central Indiana running and walking event circuit.

The benefits reach beyond good health and exercise, though. The Rock the Block Run has generated grants for dozens of nonprofits and has become a community experience, making it a little different from other traditional running and walking events.

This year, 21 organizations are eligible for proceeds from the Rock the Block Run. “It brings together community and organizations for the greater good,” Katie Findley says, of the nonprofit KIC-IT, which will be participating for the fifth time in this year’s event on Saturday, April 22.

KIC-IT received $5,500 from the 2022 Rock the Block Run and used the funds to help

young people break the cycle of homelessness and achieve sustainable life change.

big event in Center Grove. It helps so many charities,” Underwood says.

“There are so many nonprofits and charities that help youth and families in Johnson County. Rather than select one, we decided to provide an opportunity for many organizations to receive grants and to tell their story,” Erin Smith says, co-organizer of the Rock the Block Run.

The Alex and Ali Foundation received $4,750 from the Rock the Block Run in 2022 to help their mission of empowering and enhancing the lives of young adults with autism.

Smith and Susan McCarty are partners at Spotlight Strategies in Franklin and launched the Rock the Block Run in 2015 after hosting a fundraising golf event for several years. Their business is the title sponsor.

From the first shot of the starting gun, the Rock the Block Run has been a success -- raising $32,500 last year. The hosting organization, Pay It Forward Johnson County, has donated more than $165,000 for local charities and helped 36 organizations make Johnson County a better place to live, work and play. In the past, proceeds have also benefitted the beautification of the roundabout at State Road 144 and Whiteland Road and other trail projects.

Smith says that event also provides one other benefit – connecting families, friends and the community. “Everyone has a great time hanging out before, during and afterwards,” she says.

Jennifer Denny, owner of Elevated Marketing Solutions, learned about Rock the Block Run through a Johnson County business client. She decided to get her whole family involved. Her parents, Bill and Terri Dick, and their other two children will be walking their first 5K and supporting the Central Nine Career Center.

Bill, class of 1974, and Terri, class of 1975, were part of the first classes to graduate from Central Nine in welding and secretarial work.

Participants can designate eligible charities when they register, which helps determine how much each organization receives in grants.

Natalie Underwood, who supports The Alex and Ali Foundation, agrees that Rock the Block Run drives a strong connection between Jaee Likhite is a proud mother of Center Grove community and nonprofits. “This is such a eighth grader, Saachi. “I am participating for 6 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2023 / TownePost.com

the first time to support my daughter, who is on the robotics team,” Likhite says. “We are looking forward to walking with four other friends.” First Team 174 - Red Alert Robotics, a participating charity since Rock the Block Run’s beginning, received $3,000 in 2022.

Before and after the event, participants, families and friends can hang out at Main Street Expo where local businesses will host fun and interactive booths to engage participants and give away prizes.

There’s also a free Kids Run at 10 a.m.

Lou Malnati’s Pizza, Sweet Escape Cake Company and Biggby Coffee will be offering food and drink.

“We’ve had people come here create a new tradition with family and friends. The walk is enjoyable and beautiful. And if you are a competitive runner, our route is an ideal training event for the Indy Mini-Marathon and other spring and summer races,” Smith says.

The Rock the Block Run also has developed a year-round community – connected through a website and social media channels that share information about healthy living and exercising.

ABOUT ROCK THE BLOCK RUN 2023

The 10K (timed) begins at 8:35 a.m. at Center Grove High School, followed by a 5K walk/run (family-friendly) at 9 a.m. A free Kids Run starts at 10 a.m. The event includes scenic courses, food, music, vendors and giveaways. Awards are given to top finishers in various age groups.

1/2 PAGE (ISLAND)

Early registration is available for $25 until midnight April 7. After that date, the cost is $35 until race day. Volunteer opportunities to help with the event also are available.

Businesses and organizations interested in sponsorships can contact Smith at 317.697.1717.

Additional information and registration are available on the event’s website: rocktheblockrun.org.

TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 7

LIFE-CHANGING

ART Learn All About Center Grove High School’s Incredible Art Department Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Center Grove High School (CGHS) is fortunate to employ an art faculty of six talented teachers: Katie Gaff, Nathan Fry, Katie Hartford, Ryan Jones, Heidi Shackleford and Jackie Fowler. Heading up this group of teachers is the department chair, Jackie Fowler, who teaches Introduction to Photography and Advanced Photography.

Now in her 21st year of teaching, Fowler loves her career because every day she grows as an artist and learns from her students and their life experiences.

“We have seen some of our students go through some challenging situations and for them to still come to school with a smile on their faces and be the most vulnerable they can be by creating art—that’s a success,” Fowler says.

Students can choose to take classes in a variety of mediums including fiber, ceramics, visual communications, photography and drawing. Each medium has its own challenges when it comes to teaching and learning.

“In a graphic design class, photoshop is a beast to figure out when

first getting started. In ceramics, it’s tough to get the clay centered on the wheel the first couple of times,” Fowler says. “The key is that we do it together as a class so it’s not so overwhelming.”

In art, it’s not unusual for students to be hesitant to try something for fear it might not work out. The teachers tell them that art is a process and that they’ll make lots of mistakes but will learn from each and every one of them.

“As art teachers, we witness a giant curve of growth. For example, in photography, darkroom skills are new to most of my students,” Fowler says. “If these students never step foot inside a dark room again, they have still learned to problem-solve.

Problem solving is what students can continue to apply in other areas of their lives.”

As a department, teachers enjoy teaching their students things that they have never done before such as working with film and other new media. As the year progresses, teachers relish witnessing their students blossom and create.

“We work to be encouraging to students who may not recognize their talents or abilities as well as cultivate the students who

come to us with a desire to become better,” Fowler says.

As a sophomore at CGHS, Fowler took a photography course that changed the trajectory of her life. She credits her inspiring teacher, Mr. Roach, for encouraging her as an artist. Some of CGHS’s current students have had a similar experience to Fowler in which an art class has changed their life path. Such is the case for sophomore Regan Dugan, who takes drawing.

“I’ve now decided that I want to pursue art after graduation,” Dugan says.

Others use art as a calming outlet to their stressful academic day. Senior Kaiya Minniear, who is enrolled in Advanced Fiber & Ceramics, enjoys taking a break from the monotony of other classwork to physically create something that exercises her creativity.

“I also feel like I’ve developed more patience for detail,” Minniear says.

By taking ceramics, photography and AP art, senior Genevieve Konijisky has grown in a number of ways.

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“Art no longer feels like an exploration into a foreign medium, but rather an extension of my own creativity,” she says. “It’s something I and only I own.”

This year, the art department moved into a new state-of-the-art renovated space at the school. The old pool was transformed into two floors of art space, including seven classrooms.

“We feel fortunate that our community and our school board invested in us having this space,” says Fowler, who, along with her colleagues, were invited to give their input to the architects during the design process.

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“They trusted us to share what we needed to best facilitate our classes because obviously what ceramics needs is different from what photography needs,” Fowler says. “Therefore, our classes aren’t standard boxes by any means.”

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This year the Young Artists and Writers Alliance awarded 35 art awards and 17 writing awards to CGHS students in the 2023 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. Ten art students earned prestigious Gold Key awards in addition to nine Silver Keys and 16 Honorable Mentions. Art award winners include Jadelyn Redmond, Nasaria Becarra, Ellaina McCullough, Meleah Bolin, Chloe Lutz, Hannah Terry, Marlee McGowin, Cira Mazdai, Alora Johns, Emmalea Turner, Sophia Jones, Cole Hyzer, Hannah Ellinger, Kayli Adamson, Olivia Barnett, Caroline Kendall, Nolan Canfield, Taryn Kennedy, Moritz Wehr, and Keith Brandon.

Entries are judged by a panel of creative professionals based on how well the works exemplify the awards’ core values of originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Gold Key award winners advance to the national competition.

On April 21 and 22, award-winning artwork from Scholastic will be on display in the CGHS west gym. The annual Festival of the Arts will showcase artwork from students throughout the district’s nine schools and include more than 3,000 pieces of art, including painting, ceramics, graphic design, photography, fiber and drawing. This exhibit is free and open to the public. Visitors should enter through Door 3 (west side of the building off of Morgantown Road).

The truth is that art isn’t about the medals or accolades but the way in which it transforms you from the inside out. Senior Olivia Barnett, who has taken drawing, painting, fiber arts, AP art, and ceramics, says that art has made her a more peaceful, kind, loving person.

“Art has also helped me on my journey of recovery from mental illness,” she says.

And that is beauty, goodness and healing in its purest form.

TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 11

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TRILOGY TRAVEL DREAM VACATIONS CONNECT Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

Trilogy Travel provides clients with a stress-free experience during initial planning, throughout the entire vacation and even during the journey home. With experience and knowledge behind them, it is travel advisors that do the busy work so families and individuals can truly enjoy a dream vacation. Its team members are experts in all areas of travel, Walt Disney World being their top destination, followed by all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, and cruises.

Owned by Stephanie Mayes along with her partner Callie Enright, Trilogy Travel is a franchise of the highly respected travel company Dream Vacations. Mayes, who was raised in Center Grove and teaches at North Grove Elementary School, lives in the Greenwood area with her husband, Larry, and

daughters, Lexi and Layla. She was working with Enright at another agency when the opportunity to go out on her own presented itself. The third member of the company, Associate Robin Cox, came on board in December of 2021.

“It was my love for Disney that brought me into the business in June 2018,” Mayes says.

“I was always helping people to plan their vacations. I had known Callie for years and I saw her working as a travel advisor, so I signed up with the agency she was working for. In 2019, I chose to purchase a franchise with Dream Vacations, which has been ranked the number-one travel agency for two consecutive years on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500®.

We met Robin in 2018 through our previous agency, became good friends and remained in constant contact.”

The Trilogy Travel team takes advantage of the resources Dream Vacations offers them. Last year all three women went on an adult-only Virgin cruise attended by Owner Richard Branson. In 2019, Enright toured 20 different resorts in Cancun. Mayes has had the opportunity to explore 15 resorts in the Dominican Republic. They have forged relationships with multiple suppliers, including Beaches and Sandals Resorts, AMResorts, Palace Resorts, other all-inclusive properties and cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival and European tours.

There is no cost for using Trilogy Travel’s services. Mayes explains that the commissions paid by cruise lines or resorts to travel advisors are built into the fees charged. Essentially, people are paying for the service whether they use a TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 13

travel advisor or not. Mayes finds out what clients must have and what they don’t want.

She takes into consideration how many people are in the travel party, ages and budget. Some groups want to be on the go all the time while others want downtime. After choices are offered, she helps narrow them down.

“The benefit of using a travel advisor is that it takes away the headache and confusion of planning, especially if a family is going to a place like Disney for the first time,” Mayes says. “We suggest restaurants, activities, and rides that would be the best fit for their group.

We also assist clients with making dining reservations, sending reminders for the dates that these can be made. We guide clients through the Genie+ system, which is a ride reservation app that helps guests avoid long lines at Walt Disney World. All of these factors can be very overwhelming.”

“My work isn’t done until clients return home because even when the client is at the destination, I deal with hiccups,” Mayes adds.

“One family wanted to have a balcony. When they checked into their room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, they discovered their room was without one. I worked with hotel staff and they were able to move to a different room.”

“Travel is back to normal,” she continues.

“People are ready to get out. The fact that we are a small agency allows more personal interaction. We do our best research and networking to accommodate everyone’s wishes on their budget.”

Email Mayes at smayes@dreamvacations.com.

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Crafting Community OWNERS OF TAXMAN BREWING COMPANY OPEN CELLAR’S MARKET BAKERY & BOTTLE SHOP Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Owning and running several successful restaurants and breweries in the area was never the original plan for Nathan and Leah Huelsebusch. When the couple first moved to Johnson County, they immediately recognized Bargersville’s potential for growth.

They loved frequenting breweries, but at the time they had to travel downtown or to the north side of Indy to find one.

“We looked at ourselves and said, ‘We can either complain about this problem or we can do our part to fix it,’” says Nathan, whose background is in finance and accounting.

So they opened a brewery.

“When you see the incredible growth and the number of houses going up, it’s clear that there is a community that’s desperate for this,” Nathan says. “Bargersville has these silos and older buildings, and a very cool downtown that’s ripe for supporting continued expansion.”

The couple opened Taxman Brewing Company on South Baldwin Street in 2014. In November of 2022 they opened Pizza & Libations, demolishing the entire building on North

Baldwin Street and rebuilding it from the ground up. They also purchased the Masonic lodge next door. Passionate about redevelopment preservation and restoration, the pair cored out the lodge, which was built in the early 1900s, keeping all of the structural components from the original building including the exposed rafters. Doing so provided a rustic yet modern feel.

They then installed colorful tiles to incorporate shades of teals and tans. In addition, the custom wine wall adds industrial elegance.

While both Nathan and Leah are born Midwesterners, having grown up in Ohio, they delight in travel. They lived in Belgium for three years. It was a slice of their life that proved to be inspiring.

“It’s eye opening to see the way different communities and different countries operate,” Nathan says. “It’s fascinating how these older countries that were established in a time before you had mass infrastructure and mass transit, and the way the communities thrived around the downtown area and the variety of shops that still exist because of that. It makes such a diverse ecosystem in each of those small towns.”

Leah and Nathan loved the way these ecosystems are reliant on themselves, where every little neighborhood has a little grocery

TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 15

store, bakery, market and cheese shop.

“Seeing how local you can truly be inspired us,” Leah says. “We wanted to bring that local element into our restaurants, producing these little infrastructures that allow people to live, shop and stay in the zip code where they live.”

The couple’s latest venture, Cellar’s Market, as well as an upstairs lounge called Up Cellar, aims to generate additional foot traffic in Bargersville. That’s what Nathan and Leah long to do - craft the sense of community they saw in Belgium.

As a town, Bargersville is doing a lot to improve the trail system, park system, and downtown programming in terms of live music and farmers markets.

the incredible team they have built.

“We’re trying our best to cultivate culture internally where people are pushing themselves to grow, and we are constantly trying to do some form of innovation,” Leah says. “Plus, we’ve come to realize that in order to keep great people, we have to always have something for them to grow into - always a challenge ahead of them so that they never feel like they are at the peak of their career in their current role.”

Every year on the Saturday after the tax filing deadline, the Huelsebusches host an event at Taxman Brewing called “Death & Taxes Day.” It was also inspired from their time in Europe.

“When we lived in Belgium we filled our calendar with incredible beer festivals,” says Leah, joking that they can order beers in many different languages. “We thought it would be fun to host a laid-back craft beer and music festival in downtown Bargersville.”

The first year they held the event, they invited a dozen breweries to participate. Roughly 500 community members showed up, which they deemed rather successful. Every year since, they have expanded the number of breweries that

Working together as a community, I think we can create a really special place,” Nathan says.

The Cellar’s Market bakery offers a European flare, selling fresh, artisan breads, croissants, baked goods and European pastries.

During breakfast and lunch hours, it operates like a cafe and offers casual, to-go foods that people can grab on their way to work. In the evening, customers can expect gelato, dessert cocktails, wine tastings and more.

“It’s a warm, inviting space that people want to work from, yet it has enough flair that if you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion, the space supports that as well,” Leah says.

Creating a commissary kitchen is something the Huelsebusches have desired since opening their second restaurant. The bakery is already producing fresh pretzels, buns and pasta for all their locations. In the long term, the duo looks forward to continuing to expand their commissary offerings by adding house-made gelato, pastries and more.

The Up Cellar, located upstairs, is an upscale steakhouse and wine bar, that offers a small, curated seasonal menu. The 2,200-square-foot space, which can accommodate 100 people inside in addition to between 30 and 40 on the rooftop deck, can be rented out for private events.

One might wonder how the Huelsebusches are able to run so many successful businesses at once. They say they owe it all to 16 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2023 / TownePost.com

participate. Attendance has also grown, and last year the event attracted a crowd of 2,500. This year they plan to shut down all of Baldwin Street since they have restaurants on both ends of the street. This will expand the festival grounds by 50%. It means they can have stages on either end of the street, which enables them to bring in additional bands.

“We’re expecting upwards of 50 breweries and distilleries as well as local wineries,” Nathan says. “As a result, we expect in the realm of 3,000 to 4,000 people to show up.”

In addition to expanding their businesses, in 2022, the Huelsebusches welcomed their first child, Henry.

While Henry may not know what a beer festival is just yet, at 1 year old he’s already a seasoned traveler, having visited Italy, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Maine, Massachusetts,

Florida and New Hampshire.

It’s great that Henry is such a traveler since the Huelsebusches have friends all over the world.

“Sometimes we see our friends who live abroad more than the friends down the street because we’re really intentional with our meet-ups,” Leah says.

Henry was just three months old when he took his first trip to Italy because Nathan and Leah had a wedding to attend. At first they assumed it would be too much, but then they reconsidered.

“We thought, ‘Hey, we can be sleep deprived anywhere. Might as well be sleep deprived with a great view,’” Leah says.

Cellar’s Market is located at 55 Baldwin Street in Bargersville. For more information, call 317-771-3165.

TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 17

Working together for you.

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Giving you access to the finest medical knowledge, right here at home, at no additional cost. For you, that means peace of mind.

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THE ‘SECRET SAUCE’ TO LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE AT 50, 60, 70 AND BEYOND Writer / Jess Carrasquillo, Easy Street Insurance

A

s we age, we realize that the only constant in life is change.

The best thing we can do is embrace it. Go for the gold and have a blast!

Each one of us is uniquely made and has something to offer our community and the world that no one else has. We each have a ‘story’ that is unique only to us. At this point in life, start sharing your story and blessing other people. You might make a new friend how special they are and what you see that in the process, and you might inspire them makes them unique. Everyone wants to feel to share their story with someone else. valued.

In life, there are three types of folks that you will encounter. The first is older or wiser.

The second is a peer -- equal in age and intellectually similar. The third is the next generation who are younger and have not yet experienced the many things in life that you have. Tell them your story.

Here are 10 areas that may prompt you to try something new, or spark a thought, or open a new door.

Life’s 10 Special Ingredients To Add To Your Secret Sauce FAMILY. It all started here. We were all born into a family that we didn’t necessarily choose. That’s just the way it works.

Cherish the memories -- all the good and bad times because that’s what made you who you are. Tell the younger generation

If something unfortunate happened within a family member, now is a great time to heal that relationship. The first to apologize is the bravest, the first to forgive is the strongest, and the first to forgive is the happiest.

Haven’t spoken with someone in a while?

Call them. Plan a trip or a day together.

If you’re the elder states person in your family, start a journal to pass along to the next generation. Write letters about ‘your story’ that they will cherish for many years.

FRIENDS. What a gift we have in friends and to be a friend to others. It’s wonderfully fulfilling to celebrate and share experiences with friends. Maybe it’s time to make a new friend or join a new organization or TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 19

pick up a new hobby. Explore with your friends. Talk to others and see what they are doing for fun or how they are meeting new friends. Find organizations that need people to volunteer or pick up part-time work.

Local hospitals, schools, and churches would benefit from your experience and expertise. Older workers are valued for their years of knowledge, reliability, and flexibility. It’s also a great way to connect with others. You are unlike anyone else on this planet. Go share your story and have some newfound fun!

FAITH. For many, this is the most important part of their life. Everyone is at a different place in their spiritual journey.

Sometimes, and in some circumstances, their faith is what carries them through or gives them hope to continue. We are called to love one another, to share each other’s burdens, and to help others.

Faith also teaches us about praying without

ceasing and the fruits of the spirit. If you are seeking a place of worship and fellowship, ask your friends where they attend. You are always welcome to visit any. You’ll know when you feel you’re at the right place.

FOOD. Everybody loves food! Host a party or invite someone to lunch or dinner.

If life finds you living alone, ask friends or family members to help you set up a plan to ensure that you are engaged with other people on a regular basis. Isolation is not good for anyone, so if you know someone in that circumstance, reach out and help them. There are also many programs and organizations that can help such as Johnson County Senior Services, Meals On Wheels, CICOA, and more.

As we age, sometimes our diets and eating habits need to turn in a better direction.

If you are trying to pursue better eating habits, we encourage you to keep going, and do it one day at a time. Our bodies work best with fresh, healthy food. When it comes to food, enjoy it, experience it, and share it with others.

FITNESS. As much as you can, stay active. Remember, a body in motion, stays in motion. The connection between emotional and physical health is well established. Even mild exercise not only builds and maintains physical abilities, but also creates pride, confidence, and an increased sense of independence. Physical exercise also has one of the most positive effects on brain health, even if it’s just getting outside for a walk or scenic hike.

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you can do to improve your physical health.

FINANCE. If managing and controlling your finances is not your gift, we encourage you to seek the help of an expert. Money management is an important part of life, but we don’t always receive financial training as part of our education. If you are finding it hard to make ends meet, there are organizations and programs in Johnson County and throughout the state that may be able to help. Check with family and friends to see what programs they are aware of.

Local senior citizen centers such as the Johnson County Senior Services and The Social of Greenwood are excellent resources. If finances are not an issue for you, count your blessings and share your knowledge and resources with others. Passing along financial wisdom is a valuable legacy to impart.

FUN. This one is self-explanatory! Live

each day to the fullest.

Keep a positive attitude and encourage others.

Share life with family, friends, and others in your community.

Choose happiness, take pictures, and share your fun experiences with others. Take a moment to let your loved ones and others know how special they are by setting up a special outing or time together where you can have a meaningful experience. The bottom line is to have fun with whatever you do, whether it’s volunteering, mentoring, helping people with special needs, starting a new program, or sharing your leadership and vision with others.

FORGIVENESS. We all want forgiveness. Is there someone that can use your kind words of forgiveness? As we

age, we realize that life is too short to hold bitterness and anger. Forgiving does not mean accepting bad treatment. Instead, forgiving frees us from holding on to past hurts and heals broken relationships if they can and should be restored. Now might be the time to heal an old wound, resulting in a refreshed and joyful relationship that you cherish for the rest of your life.

FOREIGN TRAVEL. If you’re fortunate enough to travel to other countries, enjoy

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the experience! Traveling can offer a sense of adventure, relaxation, seeing bucket list locales, and exploring other cultures. If your finances or circumstances don’t allow you to travel abroad, look for other ways to explore and learn about other parts of our state and country. Grab a friend and explore a nearby city for the day.

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JOHN WHEELER’S

STORIES OF LOVE AND WAR

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rom wartime trips across the world to a romance sparked on Sunset Boulevard, Aspen Trace resident John Wheeler’s journey is worthy of the silver screen.

At the age of 102, John has quite a life story to share. It all started in Kenton, Ohio, where he was born and raised. A few years after graduating from Kenton High School, at the height of World War II, he felt a calling to serve his country, specifically as an aviator in the Navy.

Little did John know, he’d be partnered up with a future sports legend in pre-flight school — Boston Red Sox all-star Ted Williams. By the time John met him, Williams had won his first Triple Crown for the team. A particular point of pride for John is his “one-minute boxing match” with Williams. After training, John’s first assignment was on a Navy blimp, where his team searched for Italian submarines off the coast of Brazil and then Japanese subs along the California coast. It was on the shore of the Golden State where John met his bride-to-be, Evelyn. (Aspen Trace’s residential marketing director Myckenzie Horton said their “meet-cute” is one of her favorite stories she’s heard from residents.)

Evelyn and I met on May 2, 1945, in the Skylark cocktail lounge of the Sunset Supper Club on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood,” John said. “I noticed she needed her cigarette lit, so I took out my trusty Zippo and obliged. Four dates and seven weeks later, we were married at St. Ambrose Catholic Church a few blocks down the street from where we met.

They lived in California for a while, and John went on to serve in the Korean War. They then moved to John’s old stomping grounds of Kenton and lived there until 1961, when he accepted a job in Indianapolis.

John long dreamed of living to age 100 and celebrating 75 years of marriage with Evelyn. They made it to 76 years before she passed away in the spring of 2021.

In an online tribute to her, John wrote: “When she got her laptop, Evelyn chose Skylark26 (the name of the bar where we met and her birth year) as her ID. After 76 years with my girl it has come to an end, our life together was wonderful, filled with love and respect for each other.”

Last year, John published “Memoirs of a 101-Year-Old Snippeteer”, which includes “snippets” of his life — 30 stories of roughly 30 lines each.

With his energy and zest for life, John surely has plenty more stories left to tell.

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HOT CHAMPIONS OF CGHS TROJANS WINTER SPORTS Writer / Kevin Conrad, CG Sports Network Photography Provided

The Athletic Hall of Fame in Center Grove High School (CGHS) will grow by several faces this spring thanks to a successful winter sports season. Joining the hallowed hall will be two individual state champions, a team state runner-up and numerous state finalists.

SWIMMING AND DIVING

CGHS junior Mia Prusiecki won her second state championship in the 2023 IHSAA diving state finals at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis. She also holds the 2022 state title and 2021 runner-up.

This season she broke her 11-dive school record, and also defended her county, sectional and regional titles.

“I was so excited to know I could bring home another state title,” Prusiecki says.

“I was proud of myself to end the season how I did. It’s a great feeling knowing I accomplished my goal of winning again.

All of the hard work I put in this year and it paying off was a relief.”

While she makes it look effortless, she had to overcome physical adversity to earn her place on the podium this year.

“I think with every sport, there’s no such thing as feeling 100%,” Prusiecki says.

“This year I have been dealing with a pretty bad hip, but have been going to physical therapy two times a week to get the pain level down. I always try to block

out the pain. With diving, you are only competing for six or 11 dives. I think of it as, ‘Just get through the dives the best you can and then you can ice and rest.’

In my freshman year I had a wrist injury that required surgery a week after state, and that built up my mental and physical toughness when it came to competing with an injury.”

Brad Smith, first-year CGHS boys and girls swim and dive head coach, was proud of Prusiecki.

“Mia did not let the obstacles of battling an injury and the pressures of winning the title again stand in her way,” Smith says.

“She fought through the entire day and stepped up her performance in the finals.

It shows the fortitude that she has. Mia is a true champion.”

The Ohio State commit is proud of her mental and physical improvements over the last two seasons.

“In my freshman year I was not the best at managing everything when it came to school, club diving, high school diving and maintaining a social life,” Prusiecki says.

“Throughout the last three years I have become so much better at finding a balance between focusing and having fun.

My diving has become so much more consistent compared to freshman year. I think this all falls back on being mentally TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 27

more mature and staying focused with one dive at a time, and not trying to jump ahead and worry about the end result.”

Smith’s inaugural season with CGHS also saw two sectional and Johnson County team championships. The Trojan girls and boys swim and dive teams captured their second-straight sectional and county titles. It was the girls’ 28th sectional in school history and the boys’ 29th.

The girls team placed ninth in the state finals at the Indiana University Natatorium and the following swimmers earned all-state honors: • 200 Individual Medley: Lara Phipps placed eighth • 100 Butterfly: Lara Phipps placed seventh • 200 Freestyle Relay: Lexi Stuart, Grace Clarkston, Lara Phipps and Tenley Wilkins placed sixth • 400 Freestyle Relay: Lexi Stuart, Clara

Brandon, Tenley Wilkins and Lara Phipps placed eighth “It was great to get the team back in the top 10,” Smith says.

“Throughout the tournament we wanted the girls to just focus on the race in front of them and not worry about everything else. This group did just that. Each step of the way, we were able to make small adjustments that resulted in time drops through each stage.

With the high caliber of swimming in this state, we are excited to be on the podium. We hope to take this excitement and build upon it for next year, as all of those that earned top spots will be back.”

“Proud of our guys,” says Maurice Swain, CGHS wrestling head coach. “It’s been a long season. It’s been a lot of highs and you don’t want the season to end. With that being said, you want those guys who didn’t get what they wanted this year to have another shot next year. We’re excited about next year for those guys who didn’t reach their goal to get another chance to do that. You also want to sit back and enjoy this a little bit.”

The boys team just missed the top 10, placing 11th in the state finals, and the following swimmers had all-state performances:

One young man that reached the ultimate goal was CGHS junior wrestler Charlie LaRocca, winning the state title in the 113-pound weight class Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

LaRocca recalls his emotions the moment he won the state championship.

• 50 Freestyle: Evan Hernandez placed sixth • 100 Butterfly: Sam Smith placed fifth • 500 Freestyle: Sam Smith placed seventh • 200 Freestyle Relay: Henry Lyness, Jonah Brandon, Isaac Lewis and Sam Smith placed eighth

“I vividly remember being super lightheaded once the final whistle blew,” he says. “It was a rush. Wow, I’m a state champion. I had a couple of tears in my eyes. I think even my coaches did a little bit. It was just awesome. I pointed to my mom and dad because I owe it all to them.”

“We swam amazingly during the state preliminary session, dropping time and moving up places,” Smith says. “We just hit a roadblock during the finals when our medley relay was disqualified, and then Evan Hernandez suffered an injury that affected his 100 free and the 200 freestyle relay. I was proud of our guys for being able to rally together to push through the meet and continue to swim well. Even though we didn’t have the team results we wanted, the accomplishments of these boys keep our heads held high.”

Swain says LaRocca won the state title the old-fashioned way through hard work.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR RIDE!

WRESTLING

The CGHS wrestling team had a season unlike any other. The Trojans took home the championship hardware at the county, sectional, regional and semi-state tournaments, and were the state finals runner-up for the first time in school history and ranked 34th in the nation.

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“He does everything we ask him to do,” Swain says. “He doesn’t miss workouts.

He listens. He’s coachable. He doesn’t take a rep, practice or match off. He does everything right. He has a 4.7 GPA. He’s one of the guys you can always depend on being at practice during the off-season and in season. He’s one of the toughest guys in the room. He always shows up with his ability when he competes.”

LaRocca shares his state title with those who helped him to get there.

“I have the best parents anyone could ever ask for,” LaRocca says. “They support me every step of the way - hard weight cut, school. They push me in every aspect of life. They have been confident in me since day one. I just love them. We have the best coaching staff in the state, no doubt. Coach Swain and Coach Curry have turned me into the wrestler that I am. My teammate and

practice partner, Eddie Goss, we go hard every day. We push each other, even when we get mad at each other.

That’s part of it. I love him like a brother. I owe it all to my parents, coaches and teammates. It’s just not me who won the state title. It’s them too.”

The Trojans set a state record with 12 of 14 wrestlers qualifying for the state finals.

Of the 12, eight were podium finishers and five advanced to the state championship round. Besides LaRocca winning state, the following CGHS wrestlers were state runners-up: Wyatt Krejsa, Reese Courtney, Hyatt Yeager and Kaden McConnell. CGHS loses two senior starters from this

TownePost.com / APRIL 2023 / CENTER GROVE MAGAZINE / 29

year’s squad. Swain has high expectations for next season.

“We think we have a good team coming back,” Swain says. “We think we can push again to be in the top two or three teams in the state and hopefully be the state champion. We think we have a good team returning, and hopefully put ourselves in a position to win a state title.”

BASKETBALL

The CGHS girls basketball team had a great season with a 22-5 record, won sectional and regional titles, and was two wins away from playing in the 4A state championship game. Trojan senior Savanna Bischoff was named first-team all-state, and junior Audrey Annee was named underclassman honorable-mention all-state and firstteam all-county.

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The CGHS boys basketball team concluded the season at 22-3, the secondmost wins and third-best overall record in school history, and was runner-up in the sectional. Trojan seniors Marcus Ankney, Ethan McComb and Micah Robertson earned academic all-state honorablemention honors.

“What an amazing winter season for our athletic teams and individuals,” says CGHS Principal Jeff Henderson. “We are incredibly proud of these student-athletes and coaches. We thank them for their hard work and dedication during another successful winter season.”

“We just picked up where the fall left off,” adds CGHS Athletic Director Joe Bronkella. “We had so many studentathletes excel and represent CG well Charlie and Mia have made us proud, the whole wrestling team as state runner-up with a record number of state qualifiers, girls basketball making it to semi-state, boys basketball having a great regular season, and boys and girls swimming having many representatives at the state finals. With this type of start for twothirds of the school year, I cannot wait to see what spring brings.”

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