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Chris Reed is the owner of Creed improvements specializing in building decks, pergolas, porches and more for Hamilton County families for over a decade. He enjoys building unique backyard spaces for his clients to create family memories of a lifetime. Chris has lived in Indy for over 30 years.
Each month Chris will be highlighting products and solutions for decks and docks. His major supplier is “Decks and Docks of Indianapolis”. His goal is to inform, educate and inspire renovations for the readers.
Why should the enjoyment of your backyard space end when the sun goes down? With thoughtfully placed outdoor lighting, you can extend your evenings, improve safety, and elevate the overall atmosphere of your deck, dock, or patio. At Creed Improvements, we believe lighting isn’t just an add-on — it’s an essential element of great outdoor living. For years, we’ve been incorporating lighting solutions into our deck and dock projects, creating functional spaces that shine well into the night.
We’re proud to partner with Decks & Docks of Indianapolis, a full-line supplier offering a wide range of lighting options tailored for outdoor use. Whether your project requires standard 110-volt electrical lighting, energy-efficient low-voltage systems, solarpowered fixtures, or even underwater lighting for dramatic dockside effects, we’re here to help you choose the right option that matches both your style and budget.
Today’s lighting features are as beautiful as they are practical. From elegant, illuminated glass railings to subtle undermount lighting and sleek post cap lights, there’s no shortage of creative ways to bring a soft, ambient glow to your space. Add riser lights to stairs or postmount lights along railings to guide foot traffic safely, especially after dark. Planning for dock lighting? Consider classic wharf lights or underwater fixtures that not only look amazing but also improve visibility for late-night boat rides or fishing.
For those who prefer a simpler setup, solar lights offer a hasslefree solution without the need to run electricity. They’re great for highlighting walking paths, stairs, or perimeter features — all while charging during the day and shining at night.
Lighting isn’t just about beauty; it also adds security. A well-lit
outdoor area deters unwanted guests and helps keep your family and visitors safe from accidental trips or falls.
With over a DECKade of experience, Creed Improvements is your trusted partner for custom deck, dock, and patio builds across Central Indiana. Let us help you light up your summer nights with quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. As always, our design consultations and estimates are free.
Scan the QR code below to explore lighting options, view recent projects, and schedule your complimentary consultation today.
Let your outdoor space shine — beautifully, safely, and smartly — with Creed Improvements.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE AND SCHEDULE A DESIGN SESSION AND ESTIMATE.
Taryn Gray Aalbregtse
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Priyana Money Dhonchak
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Reagan Elizabeth Doll
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Rafael Antonio Domenech IV
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Audrey Simone Downs
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Mame Fagueye Fall
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Mona Fekir
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William Trent Fortuna
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Nathaniel James Fox
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Olivia Marie Franklin
Karolina Ann Franssen
Aidan Matthew Frataccia
Ella Francesca Frazier
Jacob Thomas Frey
Tyler Scott Frieden
Jackson Neal Fuller
Marley Layn Galan
Kabir Singh Gandham
Tellia Jo Gansman
Micah Frank Gao
Anahi Garcia-Arellano
Kelliemarie Garcia
Adalynn Leigh Gard
Antwaine Dwayne Gary
Sarah Elizabeth Gastineau
Landon Michael Gates
Gwyneth Dorothy Gebhart
Camden Phillip Gehle
Avrey Renee Gehring
William Gholston
Andrew Curtis Gibson
Graceann Carroll Gilbert
Lindsey Brooke Giles
Juliana Joy Gillmore
Louisamarie Susanne Gillmore
Carter Gibson Glenn
Caleb Joshua Gomez
Amanda Maria Fernandes Goodman
Kyle Goodner
Reva Gooty
Cameron Michael Gorin
Julianna Reagan Goss
Harper McDaniel Grace
Ashlen Rose Graham
Kelsey Elizabeth Graham
Avery Mary Green
Joanna Kathleen Greene
Jackson Cash Griffin
Tyler Clark Grimes
Jolie Angelique Gruszczynski
Evan Richard Haas
Nicholas Richard Haeick
Lucy Bowling Hagan
Sophie Maria Hale
Eric Jackson Hall
Hayley Ann Hall
Michael Isaiah Hamilton
Benjamin William Hancock
Kabir Singh Hans
Evan William Hanson
Jada Nevaeh Hardy
Alaina Rose Harlan
Ava Jacy Harper
Tion Mario Harper
Marshaun Lamont Harris
Katherine Lynn Harris
John Andrew Harrold III
Laci Janelle Hart
Geneiveve Faith Harter
Junaid Mustakim Hasan
Nicholas Baker Haskell
Denzel Xavier Hawkins
Marley Rayanne Hayes
Gabriel Michael Hendricks
Addison Mari Henseleit
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Madeline Claire Howard
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Andre’ James Hurt
Hibah Hussain
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Taylor Kirti Joshi
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Writer / Ashley Watters
If you’re a foodie, thrill seeker or entertainment junkie, you’ll likely be among the crowds headed to the 2025 Indiana State Fair. Running from Aug. 1 through Aug. 17, this year’s fair attractions will feature a variety of new themes, food selections and shows that will keep the whole family enthralled and coming back for more.
The 2025 Indiana State Fair has been dubbed the “Soundtrack of Summer,” with organizers urging patrons to turn up the volume and turn on the memories, promising a whole playlist of your favorite things this coming August.
“The Soundtrack of Summer theme will bring a vibrant array of music and soundrelated attractions. Visitors can look forward to the Vinyl Revival exhibit, which celebrates the connection between music and visual art, and various live performances that capture the essence of summer. From the roar of the midway rides to the melodies of live bands, the fair will be a symphony of summer sounds,” said LeRoy Lewis III, director of community and media engagement for the Indiana State Fair.
One of the most important items on everyone’s need-to-know list is the food. Every year, patrons show up to discover
which delectable concoctions will be featured. To help whet those appetites, the public is invited to participate in the Taste of the Fair contest, a competition where vendors compete to create what Lewis calls the most “unique, mouthwatering and buzzworthy bites.” This interactive tradition immerses the public in the grand tradition of Indiana’s best fare. And of course, the fan favorites — deep-fried corn on the cob, giant tenderloin and lemon shake-ups — will be available.
Entertainment seekers should check out featured events including the WorldFamous Big Top Circus, The Art of Music
Experience exhibit, Mighty Mike strongman shows, DockDogs and Wolves of the World. Many of these exhibits are free with paid admission.
There will, of course, be bands on the grandstand, enticing crowds with sing-along favorites and dance-worthy beats. Fairgoers are encouraged to check out the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage for the summer concert feature. That lineup will be unveiled closer to opening day.
Families will have plenty of options to choose from, with free displays, interactive activities and mesmerizing demonstrations
for every age. For a full list of things to do with kids under 10, visit indianastatefair. com/events/kids for a full schedule of crafts, encounters, play areas and more.
Those looking to show off their skills or watch the action can catch competitions ranging from livestock to LEGO, including the Supreme Drive, Indiana Brewers’ Cup and Grand Champion Showcase.
“There’s a competition for nearly every passion — from 4-H projects, home and family arts, livestock showmanship, baking and quilting, to street dancing, photography, cheerleading, gardening and more. These
competitions are the heart of the fair, where rural meets urban and excellence is celebrated daily,” Lewis said.
Patrons over 21 looking for their beverage of choice can enjoy award-winning brews and spirits. The Indiana Brewers’ Cup competition, held prior to the fair, determines which brewers will be featured.
“The competition showcases the creativity, skill and innovation of brewers from across the country. With over 100 style categories judged by certified experts, the Brewers’ Cup is a true celebration of the art and science of brewing. Winners are recognized
during the Indiana State Fair, where select brews are also featured for public tasting in the Indiana Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden,” Lewis said.
Wine and spirits lovers will have a variety of options thanks to the Indiana State Wine and Spirits Competition. Top vintners and distillers will showcase their creations in the Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden.
“From bold reds and crisp whites to smallbatch bourbons and botanical gins, the competitions honor excellence in every pour. Award-winning selections are proudly showcased during the fair, offering visitors a chance to sample the state’s finest in a festive, educational setting,” Lewis said.
Lewis also offered some advice to make your visit run smoothly. He suggests arriving early to beat traffic and crowds. Public transportation can ease parking woes, and E-Z Park locations are available around the fairgrounds. Visitors within biking distance can use monitored bike parking for $1 off admission.
To score a deal, fairgoers can take advantage of advance discounts for parking and admission, wristbands and family fourpacks.
“We’ve blended timeless traditions with bold new attractions, so every visit feels like a brand-new adventure. Come hungry, bring your curiosity and leave with memories that smell like popcorn and sound like laughter. This is Indiana’s biggest celebration — and you’ve got a front-row ticket,” Lewis said.
Don’t miss this time-honored tradition. For more information, visit indianastatefair.com.
Headquartered in Noblesville, Indiana, Tartar Shield® has spent nearly 20 years advancing the science of pet oral health. Founded on a belief that daily dental care should be effective, accessible, and grounded in clinical rigor, the company offers a complete line of at-home preventive dental solutions—including its flagship Soft Rawhide Dental Chews, toothpaste, water additives, food toppers, and crunchy treats for both dogs and cats. Every product is developed to meet real-world challenges with formulations backed by research, trusted by veterinarians, and loved by pets.
More than 80 percent of dogs over age 3 and 70 percent of cats over age 2 already show signs of periodontal disease, yet fewer than one in 10 pet parents manage to brush their pet’s teeth every day. The industry has accepted this gap as inevitable;
Tartar Shield® refused to.
PRO CARE Natural Pet
Toothpaste is the first pet toothpaste engineered and clinically proven to meet the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) performance standard, a benchmark of efficacy recognized by veterinary professionals, without a toothbrush.
PRO CARE is applied once daily by smearing a small amount along the pet’s gumline. No toothbrush. No struggle. Just daily care that works. Its highly palatable formula is designed to spread with the pet’s tongue and saliva, drawing solely on proven and trusted chemistry to deliver therapeutic benefit. This intuitive method removes the friction that makes daily brushing unachievable for most pet parents, dramatically expanding real-world adoption of preventive oral care.
In a 28-day randomized, controlled canine study designed according to VOHC standards, PRO CARE demonstrated statistically significant improvements across key indicators of oral health, without the use of brushing or mechanical abrasion. The formulation was well-tolerated by all dogs in the trial and was broadly accepted during administration. These early findings exceed the performance thresholds required by VOHC for plaque and tartar reduction, offering strong evidence that PRO CARE works through chemistry alone. A second confirmatory study is underway, with VOHC submission planned for 2025. If
accepted, PRO CARE is positioned to become the first toothpaste to earn the Seal of Acceptance without reliance on mechanical delivery.
Rooted in Science, Built for Scale
The PRO CARE formulation uses only ingredients that are human-grade, safe to swallow, and selected for antiplaque activity. Its proprietary blend is composed entirely of natural and nature-derived ingredients designed to break down biofilm, suppress plaque-causing bacteria, and reduce odor at the source, without brushing, synthetic foaming agents, or other synthetic additives.
At the 2024 Veterinary Dental Forum, PRO CARE was presented alongside leading pet toothpastes in a Plaque Glycolysis and Regrowth Model (PGRM) pilot study, a laboratory-based assessment used to simulate real-world plaque regrowth and acid production. In the absence of brushing:
• PRO CARE showed 10% plaque regrowth over 4 hours, vs. 175–204% in competitors
• pH remained buffered near neutral, limiting acidogenic activity linked to gingivitis
Most competitor products, across both retail and veterinary channels—including some of the most widely distributed veterinary and retail brands—performed no better than water alone under these specific in vitro no-brushing conditions, suggesting their effects may be more dependent on mechanical action than formulation chemistry. PRO CARE, by contrast, delivers clinical benefit through formulation alone.
The development of PRO CARE was enabled by the company’s roots under Dr. George K. Stookey, a central figure in the early stannous fluoride research that contributed to the development of Crest® toothpaste. He later founded Therametric Technologies (an Indiana-based, leading
independent dental research institute) and served on the founding board of the Veterinary Oral Health Council. His legacy of peer-reviewed research and regulatory foresight continues to shape Tartar Shield’s evidence-first ethos.
• For veterinarians: Finally, a home-care option clients can follow with greater ease, reducing disease progression and the frequency of anesthetic dental procedures
• For pet parents: A guilt-free path to daily care that requires 30 seconds, no tools, and can be enjoyed like a treat
• For pets: Measurable reductions in pain, tooth loss, and systemic inflammatory burden linked to oral pathogens
PRO CARE is fully commercialready, supported by scalable domestic manufacturing and robust inventory planning. Co-branded education, in-clinic training, and digital awareness campaigns are in development to support launch through veterinary and specialty retail channels. As part of this effort, Tartar Shield is proud to welcome Dr. Emily King, founder of All-Star Veterinary Clinic and host of The Veterinary Roundtable, as its inaugural Veterinary Ambassador.
Consumers increasingly demand natural, transparent formulations. PRO CARE contains no artificial colors, foaming agents, animal by-products, peroxide, or synthetic enzymes, and is manufactured in an SQFcertified, FDA-inspected U.S. facility.
If awarded the VOHC Seal of Acceptance, PRO CARE will redefine expectations for home-care protocols. Brushing will remain ideal, but no longer the only evidence-based path. By aligning efficacy with behavioral reality, this innovation can shift preventive dentistry from a recommendation few follow to a routine many can embrace.
For nearly two decades, Tartar Shield has remained steadfast in its commitment to science-driven oral health innovation. As Dr. George K. Stookey’s foundational research continues to influence every product—from Soft Rawhide Dental Chews to PRO CARE—our mission remains clear: to deliver safe, effective, and easy-to-use dental solutions rooted in rigorous clinical validation.
Today, pet owners and veterinarians trust Tartar Shield not merely on the basis of claims but because our products are backed by peer-reviewed studies, undergoing VOHC recognition, and tied to authentic scientific and regulatory heritage. Still proudly 2nd- and 3rd-generation familyowned and operated, the company continues to build on Dr. Stookey’s legacy with a long-term commitment to evidencefirst innovation.
Our dental care line is available online through tartarshield.com and widely stocked at central Indiana veterinary clinics, ensuring convenient access whether you’re shopping from home or visiting your local vet.
We believe every pet deserves a clean, healthy smile. Tartar Shield is proud to make that vision an everyday reality—one bite and one brush-free solution at a time. That is innovation with teeth.
• American Veterinary Dental College. Periodontal Disease. Accessed June 2025. avdc.org/periodontaldisease
• Logan, E.I. “Periodontal Disease: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. 2002;19(1):7–13. PMID: 11885288
• Innes, J.F., et al. “Owner Compliance and Clinical Outcomes in a Home-Care Regimen for Canine Periodontal Disease.” Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2014;113(4):584–591. PMID: 24485742
• American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet Dental Care. Accessed June 2025. avma.org/resources-tools/ pet-owners/petcare/pet-dental-care
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Writer / Kelsey Musick
The Indiana Canine Assistant Network has been “unleashing abilities” since 2002. In that time, the organization has proudly placed close to 300 dogs with Indiana adults, children and veterans living with disabilities.
“We’re a small-but-mighty organization,” said Samantha Thompson, ICAN’s communications manager since 2023 and member since 2016. “We have 10 fulltime people right now, and almost all of us started as volunteers.”
ICAN boasts two locations: one in Zionsville and another in Fort Wayne. At its Fort Wayne site, the organization partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of Allen County.
“Our psychiatric service dogs are trained to support military veterans living with some sort of service-related trauma,” Thompson said. “Because of [our] partnership [with Allen County’s VA], we can provide those service dogs to veterans free of cost. That’s our way of saying thank you to them for the service they provided our country.”
According to Thompson, the cost to train one service dog is about $32,000, which includes two years of training and a lifetime partnership with ICAN.
“Once the dog is paired with the client, we are with them for the lifetime of the partnership,” Thompson said. “Until that dog passes away, the client has access to ICAN— our trainers and resources—to make sure they are successful throughout that entire partnership.”
ICAN hopes to eventually expand psychiatric service dog placement to veterans statewide, but Thompson said increased funding is essential to making that goal a reality.
“ICAN offers a few different types of service dogs, and the other one [in addition to psychiatric service dogs] that we see a lot of veterans in need of is a mobility assistance dog,” she said. “This is a public access dog that has the legal rights to go anywhere with you in public. These dogs are great for veterans who may be struggling to walk or live a more independent life.”
Thomas Hutchings of Fort Wayne, a Vietnam veteran, was matched with Billy, a service dog trained in both psychiatric and mobility assistance.
“I felt invisible before Billy. No one would talk to me. No one knew I was there. Now that I have Billy, some people want to start talking to me. Mostly asking questions about Billy,” Hutchings said. “Pre-Billy, life was sucky. Post-Billy, not so sucky. He’s changed my life. He’s afforded me the opportunity to get out and do things. I get a lot more socialization with Billy.”
Hutchings said the matching process was smooth and uplifting.
“There were a couple of back-and-forth emails after I contacted the ICAN office, and then I went through some interviews, both over the phone and in person,” Hutchings said. “One day, ICAN brought Billy up to see me, and to see if we would get along: an introverted Vietnam veteran and a little bouncy two-year-old dog. They determined we were a good match. The
process was very painless. And it was soulsearching. I had to bear some of my soul [to those at ICAN].”
Since their pairing, Hutchings and Billy have rarely been apart for more than eight hours.
“Billy provides me with comfort and camaraderie. He can read my moods,” Hutchings said. “If I’m feeling down, Billy will get up, look at me, rest his chin on my knee and start nudging me. I think he senses the stress and the changing mood inside of me. He lifts my spirits. Sometimes he will put his front paws and upper body on my lap, kind of like deep pressure therapy or a hug. He’s very attentive to me, especially when I’m feeling low or depressed. He provides the measure of comfort that I need.”
Hutchings said Billy has helped him feel more confident navigating the community.
“I used to feel like a hermit or recluse, but Billy has drawn me out of that shell,” he said. “He helps with my socialization.”
In addition to serving in Vietnam, Hutchings is a retired California law enforcement officer.
“I had a lot of violent confrontations,” he said. “With trauma-induced arthritis in my back, arms, knees and shoulders, my mobility has been minimized.”
Billy has helped compensate for that.
“He picks up things I might drop, like my keys, glasses or even my cane. He even pushes doors open for me. He kind of just watches out for me all the time.”
ICAN will host its “Salute to Service: 5K and Family Walk” on Nov. 2 in Fort Wayne, beginning at 2 p.m. All proceeds will support ICAN’s military clients. A virtual option is also available.
For more information, visit their website at icandog.org.
NONPROFIT PROVIDES SERVICE DOGS TO VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
Whalen’s Heroes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed to provide money to veterans and first responders with the goal of helping them get service dogs.
right,” Whalen said.
“We wanted to give back to those who give so much to us,” said founder Dawn Whalen.
To raise the needed funds, Whalen’s Heroes has several monthly donors, corporate sponsors who donate a set amount each year and several fundraisers they host throughout the year.
“We have our third annual car show coming up in August at the New Palestine Lions Club,” Whalen said. “We’ll have a food truck, a DJ, some vendors and, of course, a lot of really cool cars.”
The entry fee is $20 per car, collected on the day of the show. Whalen’s Heroes will also be reaching out to other veteran organizations and offering them a free spot at the event so they can promote their causes.
“Our first time ever hosting the car show, we had a gentleman drive up from Jefferson, Indiana,” Whalen said. “He was a really strong supporter of veterans — drove up, showed his car and donated $2,000 to our cause.”
In addition to the annual car show, Whalen’s Heroes has hosted an annual bowling event for the last two years. At their 2024 bowling event, the organization gave away two service dogs.
“Being able to do that, seeing the joy on their faces and hearing the happiness from
Before founding Whalen’s Heroes, Whalen worked solely as a realtor.
“My realtor job is what paid the bills,” she said. “But in my time as a realtor, I worked with a lot of veterans and active-duty persons. It seemed to be the majority of my clientele. I quickly noticed that a lot of veterans were getting rejected because they were trying to use a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan.”
This upset Whalen. She quickly enrolled in a continuing education class to learn more about VA home loans.
“[VA loans] were never a bad thing, in my opinion,” she said. “Veterans signed a blank check with their lives to help [civilians]. At the CE class I attended, a service dog was given away to a veteran. I started crying after hearing what our veterans go through when they come home. So, I created this whole long list of things I wanted to do to help. I determined what would make the biggest impact, and that was the service dog — not just for the veteran, but for that family in general.”
Gabe Fleck is a Navy veteran who met his service dog, Alice, through Whalen’s Heroes. He is a husband and father of four.
When returning to civilian life, Fleck recalls facing ongoing physical pain from previous injuries, along with depression and anxiety.
didn’t quite understand my struggles with pain and the PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] surrounding it,” Fleck said. “Most of my anxiety was knowing that I would never be the same physically after my surgeries.”
Alice was introduced to Gabe in February 2024 to determine if they would be a good fit.
“I fell in love from the first pet,” Fleck said. “[Alice] took to my family and was a huge hit. I then started training with her in July 2024. It took about a week for her to get used to a new handler. She’s now been with us for 10 months and fits well with the rest of the family — especially our other two dogs and children.”
Alice is trained to recognize Gabe’s emotions. When he feels an anxiety attack or PTSD episode coming on, Alice can detect the change in the inflection of Gabe’s voice. If he gets upset, she nudges him, placing her snout on his knee to alert him.
“So many veterans, especially men, think that their mental health is not that important or are too proud to have it addressed,” Fleck said. “I was one of those veterans at one point, but [Alice’s] benefit far outweighs her challenges. I would encourage any veteran considering a service dog to talk to their doctor to see if it could benefit them.”
Whalen’s Heroes will host a veterans appreciation event Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at the 524 Events Center in Beech Grove from noon to 2 p.m.
Golf is one of the most beloved sports worldwide. From city courses to countryside greens, people everywhere wait for the perfect day to tee off. Many dream of sinking the winning putt at the Masters or competing against golf’s best players, but for most, it remains just that: a dream.
For one Hoosier, that dream is real. Matt Vogt, a full-time dentist and passionate golfer, is living it. Out of 10,000 hopefuls vying for a place in the U.S. Open, Vogt rose to the occasion and secured one of just 156 spots. His incredible and inspiring journey is capturing attention across the country.
Originally from the Pittsburgh area,
professional golf was never Vogt’s mission in life. He began golfing in high school when he started working as a caddie at Oakmont Country Club near his home.
He then went on to attend Butler University as an undergraduate, where he also played on the golf team. Vogt stepped away from the team after three semesters to focus on school and his future career in dentistry.
After graduating from college, Vogt established his dental practice in 2018. Around the same time, he married his wife, Hilary, and today they have a 15-month-old daughter. It was also then that he started playing golf again, finding a way to balance his career, family life and renewed passion
for the game.
“I started my dental practice from scratch back in 2018, and it’s been a lot of work, truly an insane amount of work,” Vogt says. “One thing I want to say clearly is how much I appreciate my team at the office. They’ve been incredibly supportive through all of this. Over time, the practice has grown. Our patients have been amazing; they refer their friends and family, and I’ve been lucky enough to reach a point where I can dedicate time to pursuits outside of the office. I’m really grateful for that.”
Since returning to the game, his passion has been reignited and his focus more precise than ever. The discipline he developed in other areas of his life has translated into newfound success on the course.
“In golf, and honestly, in life, you often fail more than you succeed,” Vogt says. “That’s just the reality. So I think it really comes down to having the right mindset. Every time you step onto the golf course, or anytime you go after something that goes against the grain or isn’t considered ‘normal,’ there’s a good chance you’re going to fail or face resistance. But that’s where resilience comes in, especially in golf. It’s something you build over time.”
This year, Vogt achieved a bucket-list moment, qualifying for the U.S. Open as an amateur. Against a fiercely competitive field, he secured a coveted spot in the tournament. Fittingly, it was held at
Oakmont, the very place where his golf journey began, bringing his story full circle. He was even given the honor of hitting the tournament’s opening tee shot.
Vogt’s run came to an end on Friday, June 13, after posting rounds of 82 and 81, finishing 23 over par. While he didn’t make the cut for the weekend, the experience was no less extraordinary.
As for going pro? Vogt is content remaining an amateur, valuing the balance between his passion for golf and his career as a dentist.
“That ship sailed a long time ago. I never seriously considered going pro,” Vogt says. “I’m definitely a late bloomer when it comes to pursuing golf. No matter how the weekend at the Open goes, I’ll be back seeing patients right after. That’s just the reality.”
No matter what the future holds, Vogt hopes people remember that it’s never too late to pursue what you love.
“I want people to know that it’s never too late to chase your dreams,” Vogt says. “It’s never too late to try something new, pick up a hobby or spend time doing something that brings you joy. You can have a great career, a great family, you can take care of people, like I do in my practice, and still pursue something you’re passionate about on the side.
“It takes intentionality and sacrifice, like we talked about. But if sharing my journey inspires even one person to go after something meaningful to them, then that means everything to me.”
Discipline, sacrifice and hard work are often seen as the foundation of success, and Vogt exemplifies them all. His golf journey has been filled with highs and lows, but he continues to push forward. He stands as a powerful reminder that with daily dedication and a relentless drive to improve, anything is possible.
For more information about Matt Vogt, visit his practice’s website at thedentistsatgc. com/about/dr-vogt.
1. Nearby
Tremble
7. Predicament
8. Ups & ...
9. Expressions of pain 12. Beseeched 15. Small grains 17. Nastier
18. Duck’s call 21. Envision
22. Stage of development 23. Fruit tree grove
1. Reclining casually
2. Zoo inmate
3. Tropical root vegetables
4. Rectangular courtyard
5. Uncomfortable (situation)
6. Scrapes by, ... out a living
10. Stupid
11. Twitch
13. Undressed
14. Mosquito-borne fever
16. Middle-age spread
18. Wisecrack
19. Flying toy
20. Ballroom dance, ... doble
AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2025
1
FREE TUESDAYS AT NICKEL PLATE DISTRICT AMPHITHEATER
Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Dr.
Enjoy free concerts at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. No tickets or pre-registration required.
TUESDAY TRIVIA
7-9 p.m.
The District Tap 3720 E. 82nd St.
Join us every Tuesday at Northside for trivia.
4
MUSIC BINGO AT PINHEADS
7-9 p.m.
Pinheads & Alley’s Alehouse 13825 Britton Park Rd.
SLI Audio adds a musical twist to the classic game of Bingo. Four chances to win! Free to play.
SUMMER ACADEMY 2025, TOPGOLF FISHERS | 5 DAYS (MON-FRI)
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Topgolf Fishers 9200 E. 116th St.
5 FISHERS FARMERS MARKET
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Nickel Plate District Amphitheater
6 Municipal Dr.
Rated one of the top farmers markets in the region, the Fishers Farmers Market returns to the NPD AMP, featuring vendors from Central Indiana offering fresh produce.
9
WATER COOLER WEDNESDAY
7:45-8:30 a.m.
LCS Heating & Cooling 11929 E. 65th St.
These monthly coffee sessions are designed to bring members and nonmembers together to network. Feel free to bring coworkers or guests.
10
JAI BAKER 3
8:30-11:30 p.m.
The District Tap 3720 E. 82nd St.
11
FRIDAYS AT THE FORT FT. BLACKBERRY JAM
6:30-9 p.m.
Fort Ben Cultural Campus 8920 Otis Ave.
Free summer concerts for all ages at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus.
11
TEEN VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT
2-4 p.m.
Teen Zone
Compete against other teens in various Fortnite challenges for a chance to win a Victory Royale.
14 MJ FOUNDATION THIRD ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club 12255 Club Point Dr.
Help us be an intentional, active force for good, one swing at a time!
19 FORTVILLE SUMMERFEST 2025
10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fortville, IN 46040
20 MCCORDSVILLE CARS & COFFEE
9-11 a.m.
McCord Square
5811 Main St.
Join us at McCord Square to meet other car enthusiasts for our second year.
25 FISHERS FREIGHT VS. IOWA BARNSTORMERS
7 p.m.
Fishers Event Center 11000 Stockdale St.
Children 2 and under are free with an accompanying adult but must sit on a lap.
31 CORN TO COCKTAIL
7-8:30 p.m.
Conner Prairie
13400 Allisonville Rd.
In this hands-on class, guests learn about the versatility of Indiana’s top crop – corn – and its influence on history and spirits.
