Geist Magazine May 2023

MAGAZINE

MAY 2023

GENUINE JOY GEIST RESIDENT NAMED ONE OF USA TODAY’S WOMEN OF THE YEAR

TAPPING IN

Room Service on Wheels Launches SitDown Restaurant and Brewery Concept

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A TOWNE POST NETWORK PUBLICATION

IN THIS ISSUE

MAY 2023

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TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 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

25 10

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CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF FISHERS

HIT THE MARKET

History of Conner Prairie

Gear Up for Another Great Fishers Farmers Market Season

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23 BONJOUR!

TAPPING IN

Room Service on Wheels Launches Sit-Down Restaurant and Brewery Concept

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

18 CARD KING

Le Macaron French Pastries Opens Fishers Location

25 GENUINE JOY

Indy Card Exchange Owner Enjoying Recent Resurgence of Trading Cards

Geist Resident Named One of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year

28 CRAFTY SOLUTIONS

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150 YEARS OF FISHERS HISTORY OF CONNER PRAIRIE Story & Photos Provided

by ThisIsFishers.com

Dairy Barns at Conner Prairie Farms, 1940

K

nown as one of the best living history museums in the country, Conner Prairie is demonstrative of Fishers’ history and Indiana history as a whole. The museum was built around the home of William Conner, a prominent politician and negotiator who was one of the first white men to settle in this area.

William Conner lived an interesting life and played a significant role in the development of the land that would become Fishers.

Born in 1777 near Lichtenau, Ohio, William grew up familiar with Native Americans.

His family lived with Moravians, Protestant missionaries, and the Delaware Indians.

The Conner family followed when the Moravians and the Delaware were forced to move to Michigan. William’s father was a trader and established a trading post where they moved to Michigan. Following their father’s footsteps, William and his brother moved to Indiana in 1800-1801 to become fur traders.

10 / MAY 2023 / TownePost.com

Both of the Conner sons married into the Delaware and settled among the tribe.

William and his wife, Mekinges, built a log cabin and a trading post on the White River. Despite making his family among the Delaware, William still assisted the U.S. government throughout the War of 1812.

He worked as a spy, kept the Delaware loyal to the government, and even identified Chief Tecumseh’s body after the Battle of the Thames.

William became well-known for his

Conner House, 1905

negotiating skills. Having experience with both white settlers and Native Americans allowed him to find compromises between the groups. As the white settlers pushed further out West, William played a prominent role in convincing the native tribes to leave their homeland. His most significant impact came from his participation in the Treaties of St. Mary’s.

This included six treaties with the distinct tribes controlling much of Indiana, all completed in the fall of 1818 in St. Mary’s, Ohio.

Eli Lilly at Prairietown Opening, 1974

In an ironic turn of events, the treaties negotiated by William caused most of the Delaware tribe to be forced out of Indiana, including his wife, Mekinges, and their six children. Shortly after, he remarried with 17-year-old Elizabeth Chapman. Their home, the Conner house, was built in 1823 and quickly became a center for the community. William continued to increase his position and was a prominent landowner and businessman in Hamilton County.

Along with Josiah Polk, William platted the towns of Noblesville, Alexandria and

Strawtown.

From 1829 to 1837, William served in the state legislature for Indiana. He also helped to found the Indiana Historical Society and continued his work as an interpreter/ negotiator. With Elizabeth, William had 10 other children. In 1855, William passed away, and the Conner house was left to his descendants.

After being sold by his descendants in 1871, the Conner house passed through

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Conner Prairie Farms, 1970

multiple hands and was largely neglected before being bought in 1934 by Mr. Eli Lilly.

Lilly was the grandson of Colonel Eli Lilly, the founder of Eli Lilly and Co. Lilly was the then president of the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co. and had a passion for history.

William Conner Portrait

to be used for historical reenactments.

In 1964, Lilly passed Conner Prairie onto Earlham College but continued to provide financial support. The college decided to expand the museum, and in the early 1970s, museum director Myron Vourax and folklorist Henry Glassie developed a living He worked to restore the house and develop history village. The village, Prairietown, the surrounding area into Conner Prairie opened in 1974 and depicted life in 1836.

Farm. In addition, Lilly added a still house, a loom house and a trading post. He opened In 2005, the museum gained independence the site to the public and allowed the space from Earlham College, and the two

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institutions split the endowment granted by Lilly. Since then, the museum has continued to grow. With the Conner house remaining as a central site, Conner Prairie has become one of the country’s largest and most successful living history museums.

The City of Fishers continues celebrating its Sesquicentennial, marking 150 years of incorporation, through June 2023! Visit ThisIsFishers.com/Fishers150 for blog posts, podcasts, historical information and details on Sesquicentennial programming.

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www.sparkfishers.com TownePost.com / MAY 2023 / 13

Owner Randy DeJohn, and Leslie Halkovich

TAPPING IN

ROOM SERVICE ON WHEELS LAUNCHES SIT-DOWN RESTAURANT AND BREWERY CONCEPT Writer / Taylor Dixon Photographer / Sarah Browning

14 / MAY 2023 / TownePost.com

R

oom Service on Wheels, a company founded on the idea of customerservice-based food delivery, has decided to settle down.

The ghost kitchen will open a restaurant and beer garden at its current walk-up location on Lantern Road, just off the Nickel Plate Trail, this spring.

Randy De John, owner of Room Service on Wheels, is partnering with Michael Finnegan and John Jakob of King Jugg Brewing Company out of Indianapolis.

“We’re just bringing another concept to our business,” De John says. “We were a ghost kitchen and now we’re a full-size restaurant.

We really came out of the gate strong with the delivery part of the business, but we didn’t have any indoor seating. We started having concerts out here because we have this large lawn area, and they were really successful but everybody was bringing in their own beer and wine because we didn’t have that license at the time. So it was just perfect timing.”

TownePost.com / MAY 2023 / 15

“I LOVE OUR LOCATION. WE’LL HAVE THE INDY FUEL [HOCKEY ARENA] COMING ACROSS THE STREET AND THE ANDRETTI FACTORY TWO BLOCKS AWAY THAT’S COMING, NOT TO MENTION I CAN THROW A BASEBALL TO THE TRAIL FROM HERE, SO I THINK IT IS IN A GREAT LOCATION WITH WHAT’S GOING ON WITH ALL THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CITY.”

Currently, Room Service on Wheels prides itself on delivering fast, easily transportable food from its scratch kitchen. With the new seating space, however, De John says he is excited to launch new menu items such as nachos and more. King Jugg Brewing will provide eight to nine home-brewed beers that will be served alongside craft beer and wine.

De John started Room Service on Wheels after spending 36 years in the restaurant business, and as a rule of thumb, he did not cook at home, which resulted in lots of delivery. As he got tired of paying extra for delivery fees, and waiting an absurd amount of time for food that didn’t always travel well, he decided he could step out of the kitchen and into the delivery scene.

As the new concept opens, De John says his company will continue to provide the customer service that Room Service on Wheels is founded on. Now, he is excited to bring that customer service to the sit-down restaurant and brewery concept.

there will be an enclosed patio with about 12 tables inside. The enclosed patio will hold about 50 to 60 people and the lawn will become a beer garden that can house 200 to 250 people. De John says overall, he wants the brewery to have an inviting ambiance.

“The atmosphere is going to be really warm with a lot of open wood everywhere,” he says. “Then you have these beautiful, big garage doors so you can walk right into the bar, right out on the patio, and in the summertime we’ll have live music out there.”

In the summer, De John says he plans to have live music every Thursday and Saturday starting June 4. Currently Andrew Young, an Indianapolis artist, is scheduled to perform every Sunday after June 4.

De John, a 20-year Fishers resident, says the growth of the city and growing popularity around the Nickel Plate Trail has “The whole concept of [Room Service on put his ghost kitchen in a prime location.

Wheels] is we bring that customer service Located just off the trail, Room Service on back that you might not see with other Wheels delivery drivers utilize a variety of delivery services,” he says. “Everything’s transportation methods including bicycles, under 30 minutes. Everything’s fresh. mopeds and golf carts. Customers can also Everything’s hot. You meet our own people walk up to the pickup window on weekends with a name tag. They’re going to call you by and enjoy a complimentary chocolate chip name when they come to the door. We just cookie. wanted to give that personal touch. That’s what sets us apart from everybody else.”

Room Service on Wheels is also dog friendly in the courtyard and encourages The new concept will have a bar. Outside patrons to bring their dogs and snap a photo 16 / MAY 2023 / TownePost.com

for their dog wall. Dogs will also receive a dog treat on every visit.

“We’re right in the middle of everything,” De John says. “I love our location. We’ll have the Indy Fuel [hockey arena] coming across the street and the Andretti factory two blocks away that’s coming, not to mention I can throw a baseball to the trail from here, so I think [Room Service on Wheels] is in a great location with what’s going on with all the new developments in the city.”

Room Service on Wheels is located at 11110 Lantern Road in Fishers. For more information or to place an order, call 317578-FAST or visit roomserviceonwheels. com. To learn more about King Jugg Brewing Company, visit kingjuggbrewing.com.

QR CODE TownePost.com / MAY 2023 / 17

CARD KING

INDY CARD EXCHANGE OWNER ENJOYING RECENT RESURGENCE OF TRADING CARDS Writer / Ryan Kennedy Photographer / Walker Photography

Owner Andy Albert fell in love with collecting trading cards when he was just 10 years old.

18 / MAY 2023 / TownePost.com

A

ndy Albert fell in love with collecting trading cards when he was 10 years old. Albert started out as a collector of basketball cards.

As a kid he grew up in northern Indiana watching Michael Jordan dominate the world of professional basketball in the 1990s. This fueled his passion for collecting cards, specifically Michael Jordan cards, through high school, through college, all the way through moving down to Indianapolis in 2001. His passion for cards never left him.

“The first thing I did was look for a local card shop, to be able to be a customer and create a friendship with the owner,” Albert says. “That happened and the friendship developed into the opportunity to buy it when he was ready to kind of consider retirement.”

Albert saw an opportunity for growth. Two years ago he moved Indy Card Exchange to its current location on 96th Street, and more than doubled the size and capacity of the shop. He gutted the place down to the studs, created a brand-new layout, and just like the burgeoning resurgence in demand for trading cards, started fresh.

Albert says that for many collectors, one of their ultimate dreams is to own a hobby Trading cards came back in a big way in shop. He fulfilled that dream when he 2018 and 2019. The market hit new highs purchased Indy Card Exchange 11 years ago. during the pandemic. Albert says he saw a tenfold growth throughout the two years of Indy Card Exchange is a full-service, local the pandemic and that growth is continuing card shop serving central Indiana and the through today.

Midwest. They buy, sell and trade just about anything related to trading cards The move to 96th Street is part of Albert’s including basketball, baseball, football and effort to take advantage of the booming even Pokémon cards. Indy Card Exchange card market. One of the tasks he’s focusing has been in business for more than 30 on is reconnecting with adults who grew years. They also deal in autographed sports up during the golden era of trading cards, memorabilia. getting them back into the hobby, and providing opportunities for them to pass the Trading cards are everything to Albert. He love of trading cards to their children. started collecting in the 1980s and 1990s, which was a golden era for trading cards.

He created a bargain-box area where people can sit and rifle though cards, which Albert “You’d find a card shop on every street corner says both kids and adults love. He also like you see a Starbucks now,” he says. “It was established a kids club. The membership that crazy back in the ’80s and ’90s.” allows kids to come in and get a gift from Indy Card Exchange once per month. “We The boom did not last. Card production need to keep this generation growing with outpaced demand until, eventually, prices the hobby because it’s been existing since cratered. “Because of the greed from the the early 1900s,” he says. “It’s an over-100manufacturers, they just completely ruined year-old hobby and it never went away. It’s the hobby, because every card that you had its ups and downs, but it never went would buy that you thought was going away.” to be worth money long-term was so overproduced that it was worthless now,” Indy Card Exchange is located at 7035 Albert says.

East 96th Street in Indianapolis. For more information, call 317-254-8681 or visit Albert never lost faith. The card market indycardexchange.com. began to rebound slowly around 2012 and

TownePost.com / MAY 2023 / 19

HIT THE MARKET

GEAR UP FOR ANOTHER GREAT FISHERS FARMERS MARKET SEASON Writer / Renee Larr Photography Provided

T

he Fishers Farmers Market is triumphantly returning each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, beginning in May and running through September. The market, operated by Fishers Parks and Recreation, is one of the only dog-friendly markets in the northern Indianapolis area. Each week shoppers find a wide variety of homegrown goods, baked items and locally produced wares by more than 70 local farmers and artisans.

“Each year we have mostly returning vendors, but we add new ones into the mix,” says Erica Foreman, experience coordinator.

“We have a new vendor this year called Ice

Cream and Donuts that we’re all excited about. We also have a new vendor selling dip mixes. We’ve added an organic farmer from the Lafayette area too.”

Each week the market kicks off with yoga or a group fitness class provided by local instructors at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Local musicians provide free entertainment celebrating the cultures of the world. Foreman says this year, the market honed in on finding musicians representing the diverse residents of Fishers.

To keep the market fresh, special-events days are added throughout the summer. In 20 / MAY 2023 / TownePost.com

support of the citywide initiative to raise mental health awareness, May 13 is Hope for Happiness Day. Participating vendors will educate market-goers about their mental health services. Foreman says 40% of produce is turned away from grocery stores because it’s not “pretty” enough. On June 17, local producers bring their best “ugly” or misshapen produce to celebrate Imperfect Produce Day. Additional specialty days include Health and Wellness Day on August 26 and Safety Day on September 9.

The Biz Kidz program has grown each year exponentially. This year 10 Biz Kidz are featured weekly, along with a special

dogs and their humans parade around the market in their best costumes. Selected winners will receive trophies for Best Dog and Owner Costume, Most Regal Costume, and Funniest Costume. Beat the heat on July 19 during Ice Cream Sandwich Day. August 9 is Fly a Kite Day, where shoppers are encouraged to participate in the nostalgic activity of flying a kite.

“I think we’ve done a great job over the years of learning what our community wants and needs from the market,” says Marissa Deckert, Fishers Parks director. “We do our due diligence, ensuring all our vendors are high-quality. In addition, we offer so much more in terms of free things to engage residents. Our farmhands program engages over 300 kids each weekend. We provide music celebrating different cultures. We even engage furry family members, allowing dogs to participate in the market.”

For additional information, visit playfishers.com.

Biz Kidz Market on July 8. The market allows 40 to 50 young entrepreneurs to showcase their own handmade, handgrown, handcrafted or hand-produced items.

Last year, Fishers Parks added a second market each Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Saxony (13578 East 131st Street), providing a similar experience to the Saturday market, but with the addition of local vendors selling artwork, woodwork, crafts and home decor.

The Wednesday Saxony market specialty days include Pup Parade on July 5, where TownePost.com / MAY 2023 / 21

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BONJOUR! LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES OPENS FISHERS LOCATION Writer / Taylor Dixon Photographer / Amy Payne

Le Macaron, a nationwide franchise with more than 60 cafes nationwide, held a grand opening in Fishers on January 7 after launching a soft opening on December 14.

The store is owned and operated by Geist residents Christi and Aaron Parker, who first heard about the franchise after Christi lost her job in theater due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September of 2021 the Parkers headed for the nearest Le Macaron in Cincinnati, and fell in love with the company’s fresh take on the classic French treat. After that trip, they decided to open Indiana’s first Le Macaron in Fishers. This new take on a

beloved classic has provided a great bonding ranging from mango to birthday cake, experience for families, Christi Parker says. with six rotating seasonal flavors. All of the macarons are made by a French pastry chef, “[Le Macaron] is taking classic French and are about 80 calories with naturally desserts and reintroducing them to younger flavored ingredients. Le Macaron also offers generations,” Parker says. “Kids can come coffee, a variety of pastries, truffles and gelato. in with their parents and a lot of the parents The cafe is located on 116th Street, just down will remember, ‘Oh, I used to have this,’ or grandparents will say, ‘Oh, my parents from First Internet Bank and off the Nickel Plate Trail. Parker says the location, as it used to make this,’ or, ‘We would get continues to grow, is exciting for her business. this and it was such a treat.’ To see them sharing that with their small children and grandkids is really kind of nice that it keeps “We just love the way that [Fishers is] a revitalization of pastries.” developing, and we feel like it’s revitalizing this whole area,” Parker says. “It’s just such a friendly area, and I think there’s just a lot of Le Macaron Fishers offers 22 unique flavors

TownePost.com / MAY 2023 / 23

growth and a lot of excitement in this area.”

Parker says the shop has been welcomed in the community, recalling a person who came in on the first day of the soft opening to try it out after watching construction for months in their apartment across the street.

Parker says one of her favorite aspects of operating the restaurant so far has been the community engagement.

“Everyone has been just so supportive,” Parker says. “We’re starting to get regulars, like people that I see three or four times a week who are coming in for coffee, and that is a very unique experience that you just don’t get everywhere - where people know your name and they know you, and they know your order and they joke around with you.”

Owner Christi Parker

Le Macaron is located at 8701 East 116th Street in Fishers. For more information, email lemacaron.fishers@gmail.com, call 317-537-2105, or go to lemacaron-us.com.

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317.707.4553

GENUINE JOY GEIST RESIDENT NAMED ONE OF USA TODAY’S WOMEN OF THE YEAR Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Brian Brosmer

G

eist resident Tina McIntosh is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, as the honoree for Indiana. McIntosh, who serves as the president and CEO of Joy’s House, not only joins the list of state recipients, but also national honorees such as Michelle Obama, Sandra Day O’Connor and Melinda French Gates. All were recognized for work in their communities to

lead, inspire and be a force for change.

“It has been wonderfully overwhelming,” McIntosh says. “When I got an email from the Indianapolis Star, a partner newspaper with USA TODAY, I thought I was being scammed. Later, when they came out to interview me and take photos, I was surprised at how much time they took.

TownePost.com / MAY 2023 / GEIST MAGAZINE / 25

After it was announced and the local media broadcasted it out, I was flooded with texts and emails.”

“It could not have come at a better time to shed light on Joy’s House,” she continues.

“Some huge programs are being launched this year. Also, I recently published a book, ‘embrace the imbalance: things you need to

“CO-WORKERS COMMENT ON THE IMPACT THEY HAVE ON EACH OTHER, AND CAN REMEMBER A MOMENT THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES. THIS MEANS MORE TO ME THAN ANY PERSONAL AWARD.”

Tina McIntosh

know from people i wish you knew,’ which is my biological father needed care after now available, and a portion of the proceeds sustaining life-threatening injuries,” she benefit Joy’s House.” continues. “My siblings helped, but as the oldest child it fell to me to be the primary McIntosh founded nationally awardcaregiver. Later, my mother took me on winning Joy’s House in 1999, as a nonprofit a cruise and I had time to reflect. After adult day-care center. Individuals served are returning, I was driving to work and I called guests. They must be 18 years or older could clearly see what the adult day-care and have a diagnosis such as Alzheimer’s center would look like. I quit my job and disease, Parkinson’s Disease, autism, Down started cleaning houses. I’d change clothes syndrome, multiple sclerosis or a form of in my car before going to meetings to talk dementia. It was named Joy’s House to about the possibility of what could be.” reflect the comfort that comes from visiting with others. Within the first few years of After successfully establishing Joy’s House, opening the initial Broad Ripple site, it programs to support caregivers became was evident that there was a large need, part of the nonprofit’s mission. “Caregiver and a second facility on the south side of Crossing” is a radio show hosted by Indianapolis was added. The importance of McIntosh and Terri Stacy, which airs every supporting primary caregivers also emerged. weekend on WIBC 93.1 FM. Visiting experts give advice on the air, providing “I grew up with the influence of older information and resources. adults in my life,” McIntosh says. “While at Ball State, I volunteered at Alpha Three more recently developed programs Center in Muncie. I had it on my spirit to are making Joy’s House a leader for open something similar for 15 years, but caregiver support. Caregiver Way is a web parenthood, illnesses and life got in the app with short videos and audio vignettes, way. I loved my job as an event planner, but checklists, and articles that create a I had a specific moment when I made the community of learning and encouragement. decision to open an adult day-care center. At Trained end-of-life doulas help individuals the time I was 27 years old and didn’t have with terminal illness navigate living. CARE anything to lose.”

(Consistency, Advocacy, Reassurance, and Education) Kits are organized binders for “One of my best friends died, and then caregivers to keep important information all 26 / GEIST MAGAZINE / MAY 2023 / TownePost.com

in one place.

McIntosh and her family have faced challenges of their own. She is a twotime cancer survivor, and her husband is currently battling the disease for a second time. In her book, and when she speaks publicly, she shares “nuggets” that resonate with listeners. Other speaking topics include Joy’s House, and developing personal values and visions.

“Joy’s House has gone beyond my vision and expectations,” she says. “I pray all the time for God to expand my territory. I didn’t know all the good it would do. On social media, people post about the impact it has made. Co-workers comment on the impact they have on each other, and can remember a moment that changed the course of their lives. This means more to me than any personal award.”

Joy’s House is located at 2028 East Broad Ripple Avenue, and 1615 East Castle Avenue, in Indianapolis. Visit joyshouse.org for more information.

McIntosh’s book is available at embracetheimbalance.com.

For public speaking inquires, email tina@ joyshouse.org or call 317-978-9889.

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CRAFTY SOLUTIONS

CHAIRS OF HONOR HELPS TO PRESERVE THE STORIES AND LEGACIES OF MILITARY MEMBERS Writer / Lynda Hedberg Thies Photographer / Krystal Dailey

Less than 1% of Americans serve in the Armed Forces, which means many people don’t have personal experience with a friend or family member who has served. While most Americans extend appreciation when they learn that someone is serving or has served, few ask questions about that service. As a result, when our military members retire to civilian life, they lose the opportunity to connect with people about their experiences and we lose the opportunity to get a glimpse into military service.

One local retired Army officer has discovered a unique mission to honor those who have served our country, and he hopes it will preserve their stories and bridge the gap with all Americans.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Roy Adams, who served for 20 years including two tours of duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq, was raised by his father, an Army officer, who believed that all Americans should

serve their country. Adams served his country and intended to live this motto out in retirement.

“I was born into a strong military family background that has served generationally,” Adams says. “Both sides of my parents’ family have a family member that has served in every conflict our nation has been involved with, dating back to the Revolutionary War.” Military life is all Adams has ever known, so finding a way to continue his passion for serving the country was crucial to his retirement plans.

The path to finding his calling after active duty would take him through a stint as a private school headmaster where his son attended. Adams knew it was not his calling, but the school needed someone so he put his military training, leadership and management skills to work and served the school for four years.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Roy Adams

28 / GEIST MAGAZINE / MAY 2023 / TownePost.com

Then Adams and his family embarked on an 18-month RV tour to see the country, to give him time to think about what he wanted to do next and where he wanted to live. He discovered that he had an interest in furniture making, and found a six-month, intensive course in the state of Washington. At the conclusion of the course Adams, along with his wife, Amy, and son, decided to settle down in Westfield to start his furniture-making business, Adams Custom Woodworking.

He began posting on social media about his new woodworking business, and customers were not the only ones to take notice. “My retired commander called one evening and told me that he had noticed what I was up to, and he asked me if I would make him a custom rocker like the ones we sat in every evening after combat at our living quarters in Iraq,” Adams says.

veterans, which in turn will help more Americans get to know the veterans living in their communities. While it is a charitable organization, Adams intends to run it like a business. He formed an advisory board and quickly mobilized.

His first chair was naturally for his commander, who inspired this mission. He delivered the chair personally and recorded

his story, returning with a clear sense of purpose.

“I have learned a lot about the making of these custom chairs,” Adams says. “The craftsmanship and attention to detail is fitting of military duty, which relies on careful attention to detail. Knowing that we are preserving the craft of chair making, which dates back to the 17th century, is also very

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“Each night, despite the long, stressful days of operations, the battalion leadership team would gather outside our [container housing units] to process the events of the day,” he continues. “They found great comfort in the handcrafted rocking chairs made by local contractors.

Despite the chaotic circumstances they often endured, the chairs served as a comforting way to decompress and talk about the day. Eventually we would end up talking about our lives and loved ones.

These were good memories.”

That is when he had a profound realization, and wondered what would happen to their stories after they are gone. That was the moment Adams knew he had found a way to continue serving the country. The power of those stories shared while sitting in chairs brought it full-circle.“I could honor veterans through preserving handcrafted, heirloom-quality chairs that would be uniquely tied to their stories for generations to come,” he says.

Adams got right to work and established Chairs of Honor, which became a 501(c) (3) charitable organization in January of 2022. Adams has two veterans making chairs now, in Kentucky and Colorado.

His intention is to establish a network of makers in every state to impact more

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anywhere from 60 to 80 hours to complete and each chair is self-funded, so the need for donations is great.”

The Chairs of Honor process matches a furniture maker to a veteran, to create a unique chair and provide a storytelling experience to preserve that veteran’s individual story of service and sacrifice.

Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy | Speech Therapy | Call: 317.841.7005

Adams says the challenge is for veterans to accept that being nominated through Chairs Our philosophy is to inspire Laugh. hope and nurture the well-being of the whole person, focusing on physical Play.

Move. of Honor is meant as a way for veterans to and social needs to deliver the highest quality therapy services to our families. TOTS Physical, Occupational, Our philosophy is to inspire hope and nurture the well-being of the whole person, focusing on physical and speech therapists provided one-on-one therapy and custom-designed home programs to enable preserve their stories, which he hopes will andyour social needs to deliver the highest quality therapy services our needed families.to TOTS Physical, Occupational, child to improve functional independence and gain thoseto skills live life confidently. bridge the gap in the public’s perception of and speech therapists provided one-on-one therapy and custom-designed home programs to enable Our philosophy is toindependence inspire hope and nurture the well-being military service and inspire more Americans yourOur child to improve functional and gain those skills needed to live life confidently. philosophy is to inspire hope and nurture the well-being of the whole to serve their country. Adams believes that of the whole person, focusing on physical and social needs to person, focusing on physical and social needs to deliver the highest quality Contact us today to meet with one of our Therapists. if we can encourage more men and women deliver theRoad highest quality therapy services to our families. TOTS 9957 Allisonville • Fishers | totsindy.com therapy services to our families. TOTS Physical, Occupational, and Speech to listen to veterans about their service, Contact us todayOccupational, to meet with one and of ourspeech Therapists.

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To learn how you can support Chairs of Honor, go to chairsofhonor.com, and follow Chairs of Honor on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, where Adams will document the entire process of the next nominated veteran.

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