JUNE 2014
C City Center
A NEW BEGINNING FOR GREENWOOD
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PUBLISHER’S WELCOME Welcome to Volume One, Issue One of the Greenwood Community Newsletter. Our goal is to tell the stories of the people, places, events, and businesses of Greenwood. From time to time, you may also find stories from elsewhere in Johnson County, or even Indianapolis, but our focus is on things the people of Greenwood care about. A little over two years ago, we published the first issue of the Center Grove Community Newsletter. At that time, we hoped to add a Greenwood edition at some point. The Center Grove magazine received a strong reception from readers and advertisers. That positive response allowed us to publish the Greenwood Community Newsletter sooner than expected. Advertisers cover the costs of the magazine, so you receive it free. Who are “we?” My brother Dann and I are the publishers. We are longtime Johnson County residents. Our wives work in Greenwood, we raised our families here, and this is home. Our writers are freelance area residents, many of whom suggest story ideas and then write the story. If you are a writer, or know of a
writer who might be interested in writing for the magazine, please contact us. The magazine is mailed to nearly 11,000 homes in Greenwood. Copies are available for pickup at locations around the city, in case you want to share a copy with a friend, or you miss a month. You can find a list of those locations on page 28. Enjoy the magazine, and we look forward to hearing from you! Please contact us with questions, story ideas, or inquiries about writing for the newsletter: Dann Veldkamp, 317-345-9510, dann@atgreenwood.com. For advertising questions: Jody Veldkamp, 317-507-4334, jody@atgreenwood.com. Jody Veldkamp Publisher
MAYOR'S WELCOME LETTER about it, we are celebrating 150 years of pride and progress. Great things are happening—new opportunities for a bright future that connect our community, and the Greenwood Community Newsletter will be another touch point to tell stories about all of us.
Communities are about connection points. Working together and sharing is what defines us. There are many exciting things going on here such as the opening of the new City Center Building, improvements at the airport, the I-65 exit at Worthsville Road and a roundabout at Main Street and Averitt. As a growing municipality, one of our biggest challenges is getting the word out. We strive to make residents aware of the many great things going on here such as the Freedom Festival on June 28, the new art on the trails, and the Summer Concert Series. Further, Greenwood development announcements are making headlines across the state. Good Sports will begin construction on their facility in the fall and Ulta Beauty is building a major distribution center in Greenwood, bringing more than 500 jobs to our community. Opportunities like these bring us together and improve our quality of life.
I have been Mayor for two and a half years. I meet people every day who care passionately about our city and are exchanging ideas that will help us grow and thrive. There is a movement with Aspire Johnson County to find common ground across the county and to allow us to have a united voice. This publication will help add to our dialogue. We welcome the Greenwood Community Newsletter as a new way to make that happen. Its focus is local. It’s about people and enjoying our successes. Greenwood is in a unique position: this is our Sesquicentennial. As I like to think
Congratulations, Greenwood Community Newsletter! Welcome to the conversation. Mark W. Myers Mayor
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PUBLISHER
June 2014 / Vol. 1 / No. 1
Dann Veldkamp dann@atGreenwood.com / 317-345-9510
VP OF SALES Jody Veldkamp
jody@atGreenwood.com / 317-507-4334
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Pat Enochs / 317-528-9380
TOWNEPOST PUBLISHER Tom Britt
tom@atGeist.com / 317-288-7101
BUSINESS MANAGER Jeanne Britt
jeanne@atGeist.com / 317-288-7101
COVER STORY 18
Writer / Tia Nielsen
Leaving behind the inadequate, 94-year-old building used as City Hall since 1986 at 2 North Madison (along with its colony of bats), city agencies, over a nine-day period in April, moved to its new four-story home. The new digs are filled with plenty of light and more generous workspaces for employees.
FEATURED COLUMNS 15 21 22
Toni Folzenlogel
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alyssa Sander
ADVERTISING DESIGNER
Cover Photo / Jessica Limeberry of Lemongrass Photography
CITY CENTER: A NEW BEGINNING FOR GREENWOOD
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DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
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Lunching in Greenwood Pt. 1 Building a Portal to the Past Freedom Festival
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Career + Education Forum U-FIT Leadership Johnson County
atGreenwood.com
Greenwood Health Kick
Word Search Making Cents
Austin Vance
EDITORS
Heidi Newman / Katelyn Bausman
JUNE WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Alaina Sullivan / Alicia Wettrick / Amanda Ennis / Evan Camp / Frieda Dowler / Julie Yates / Kate Rhoten / Tia Nielsen
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Help our local economy by shopping local. Advertising supporters of the Greenwood Community Newsletter offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business.
STORY SUBMISSIONS
Post your stories to TownePost.com or email to PR@atGreenwood.com.
Eat, Pray, Bike Indiana Payton Raises Thousands for City Center Park & Charities
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 36097 / Indianapolis, IN 46236 Phone: 317-288-7101 / Fax: 317-536-3030 The Greenwood Community Newsletter is published by Chilly Panda Media, Greenwood, under license from TownePost Media Network, and is written for and by local Greenwood residents.
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GREENWOOD HEALTH KICK
GREENWOOD HEALTH KICK LOCAL GREENWOOD PARKS CAN IMPROVE YOUR KIDS' BRAIN?
Writer & Photographer / Alicia Wettrick MSN, FNP-BC
Does this sound familiar? Summer break is here! I walk into my kitchen and there sit three kids with eyes fixated on their Kindle Fire, iPad or Nintendo DSi. There is an accumulated dust silhouette of each child’s body because they have not moved from the same spot for, say, three hours. It is tempting just to pass by because hey, they are not fighting or making a mess and I would love to get more chores done. But as a health professional who is always promoting the importance of exercise, I place the chores on the back burner and get the kids outside. Yes, they do complain, moan, and groan, but Mom knows best and out they all go. Now we all know exercise can help your child achieve and maintain a healthy weight. It can help with strengthening the heart, lungs, muscles, and bones. However, did you realize that physical activity helps with your child’s cognitive functioning? One of my favorite books, Brain Rules, written by John Medina, discusses how vital exercise is for the brain. Studies have shown that a lifetime of exercise leads to better cognitive functioning than a sedentary lifestyle. People who engage in regular physical activity outperform sedentary people in long-term memory, reasoning, attention, problem-solving and intelligence tasks. This is true for children, as well. When researchers compared groups of children who engaged
in physical activity, such as gym class, in contrast to no physical activity, across the board, physical education helped the children perform better in class and have higher test scores. Why does exercise makes such a difference in the brain’s function? There is a whole complicated molecular explanation for this, but generally exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which stimulates new capillary growth. This allows more brain cells access to nutrients the brain needs. In turn, this stimulates brain growth factors that develop more neuron cells and keeps existing cells young and healthy. Pretty exciting: all this occurs with a simple jog around the block. When you tell your kids that getting exercise will help their brain perform better and smarter, they get excited about their newfound potential. Getting kids to stay active can be just as challenging during the summer break as when they were in school. Going to the pool or being in a summer sport camp or league is a wonderful way to incorporate exercise. Check out the Greenwood Parks & Recreation website, bit.ly/GW_Parks. They offer classes such as Zumba for kids, Taekwondo, dance, tumbling and youth sport leagues at the Greenwood Community Center for a reasonable price. Although, the cost can add up, so a local Greenwood Park is a great quick go-to free fun activity that will get your kids moving.
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Two of my kids’ favorites are Freedom Park and Westside Park. Westside Park is beautiful and beholds many gems. Located off West Main Street is a charming valley-like park with a winding creek and many trees. The amenities they have are a picnic shelter, grills, playground equipment (great for ages three and up), baseball diamond, tennis courts, restrooms and wooded bike/walking nature trail. There is an open space to start a kickball or football game. Many mature trees provide shade for hot summer days. Freedom Park is located off Averitt Road and Stop 18. When you enter this park, you are greeted with a row of young trees leading to several exciting and unique activities. First, there is a towering castle-like playground for children ages five to twelve. My fouryear-old cannot resist, so it is a little unnerving watching him climb so high. Plan to be your younger child’s spotter. The challenging obstacles and height are perfect for my nine- and twelve-year-old girls. It was exhilarating for them to be so high. A much more scaled-down playground for younger children is available, as well. The huge grassy hill (used as a popular sledding hill) is also a good physical challenge for kids and parents to climb in the summer. Try running up and down the hill a couple of times: you will feel the burn! When you’re on top of the hill, you can get a good look at the Frisbee golf course, tennis courts, basketball court, football/soccer field, and paved walking trail. There is even a special obstacle dog park for your furry best friend. Two picnic shelters and bathroom facilities are available. This is a new park with a vast, open feeling. There are many young trees; they will look beautiful when fully grown. This will be an ideal place for Greenwood to host their future water park with proposed construction starting in the summer of 2014.
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Independence Park, off Morgantown Road in White River Township, is the only park on the Southside that is fully equipped for individuals with disabilities, including a ¾-mile asphalt wheelchair trail, a wheelchair basketball court, and a sound and sensory playground for autistic children. The Centers for Disease Control reports that a typical American child or adolescent spends an average 7.5 hours a day engaging in watching TV, movies, computers, video games, and cell phones. The rate of childhood and adolescent obesity is 17 percent in the United States, which has tripled from a generation ago. Instilling the importance of exercise early in your child’s life will lead to multiple, lasting benefits. So, help your child develop good exercising habits and you will see an increase not only in physical health, but an improved sense of well-being, confidence, focus, and brain function. Alicia Wettrick is a Family Nurse Practitioner working in OB/ GYN for Community Hospital Network. She believes that Greenwood is a great place to lead a healthy lifestyle and raise a family. She is married to Don Wettrick and has three kids Ava, Anna and Grant. She has been a southsider since childhood and has lived in the Greenwood area since 1998.
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N I G N I H C N U L {Pt. 1} D O O W GREEN NCH U L S S E N I S BU Writer & Photographer / Julie Yates
This is the first of a three-part series on lunching in Greenwood. Different people have different tastes and needs. This month we start with the “business lunch.” Over the next few months, I will be writing about places that cater to women looking for a longer, more elegant lunch experience. Finally, I will visit locations that don’t cater to the suit-and-tie crowd and can fill your lunch needs at a lower price point. Even though technology lessens the need for face-to-face contact in the world today, recent visits to several area restaurants proved that the business lunch is still thriving in Greenwood. Sitting down with a business associate outside of the office environment and sharing a meal shows that the relationship is a valued one. The more relaxed atmosphere can enhance communication that leads to building trust and ultimately hammering out the details of a deal. The following restaurants all have traits that make them viable places for a working lunch.
FIRESIDE BREWHOUSE
Located at 997 East County Line Road in Greenwood, Fireside Brewhouse has promotions in place that specifically cater to the noonday crowd. A “Lunch Club Card” entitles patrons to a free lunch after six dine-in visits, and the server will double mark the card on “Double Stamp Mondays.” On “Workplace Wednesdays,” co-workers receive 10% off their bill when three or more dine together. Employees at St. Francis Hospital get the 10% reduction every day if they show their ID badge. Keeping in mind that an important aspect of a business lunch is being respectful of a client’s time, server Renee stated, “We are good at getting people in and out.” A private room is also available for larger business meetings.
JOHNNY CARINO’S
Close to an abundance of commerce at 920 US 31 North in Greenwood, Johnny Carino’s has plenty of seating choices that make it easy to follow the protocol of picking an out-of-the-way table with fewer distractions. Another adage of the business lunch is that the initiator picks up the tab. The everyday $7.99 or less “Small Plate Lunch” menu with 25+ choices might make it easier to include additional participants at a lunch meeting.
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General Manager Cynthia Williams explained that many items can be made gluten-free if requested when ordering, and the chefs are especially accommodating to diners with food allergies. Items that are low-fat or spicy are indicated on the menu.
BETWEEN THE BUN
Between the Bun, 102 S. Madison Avenue in Greenwood, makes it easy to break the ice. With its memorabilia-filled atmosphere and trendy menu of over-thetop burgers and hot dogs, small talk before ordering will not be a problem. At a business lunch, it might be wise to use a knife and fork for these sandwiches. Owner Trisha Sims advises, “Don’t be afraid to smash it down and dig in. It tastes even better than it looks.” Bringing a client or associate here could strengthen an existing business relationship, paving the way for a profitable future. Taking the time out to have lunch with potential clients or present colleagues is an enjoyable way to do business. It may be productive, as well, since conversation tends to be more candid and barriers are often lowered. So put the phone down, turn the computer off and have some fun face-to-face interaction. Julie Yates is a former teacher and current food blogger, Yates Yummies. She enjoys sharing quick, easy and healthy recipes with people who love to cook. Visit her blog at yatesyummies.blogspot.com.
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BUILDING A PORTAL TO THE PAST Writer / Evan Camp . Photographer / Forrest Mellott
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D
r. Goethe Link and his wife enjoyed a unique honeymoon. The newlyweds went looking for a prototype for, what is in essence, a time machine. Seventyfive years later, the machine still sits atop Thrasher Hill near Martinsville, Indiana.
When the button is pressed, a blade of light cuts across the room and two giant doors, weighing over 2,000 pounds each, grind and clink away. Your chest rattles. Your stomach shakes. As the ceiling unpeels from the largest wooden dome in the country, every squeaking inch hints that you are about to see something spectacular. Any child growing up in the ‘80s might recall the magic in Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal when the doors open to Aughra’s observatory for the first time, revealing the giant mechanical orrery, with all the spinning cogs and whirring orbs of the celestial sky, and the effect here is quite similar. In seeing the 200-inch telescope, made of two and a half tons of glass and metal and stretching nearly 25 feet high, you are in awe. The planks of the 34-ton dome—steamed by professional shipbuilders—seemingly defy logic as they wrap around you in curves of hardwood. It’s scary to imagine that before the telescope was reconfigured to be viewed from the floor, when placed at its highest point, astronomers had to ride the viewing seat to near the top of the dome, nearly 30 feet up. atGreenwood.com / JUNE 2014 / GREENWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 11
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Photographer / Miranda McGovern
It’s easy to forget that a telescope is a time machine. The moon we see is a second old; the sun’s light takes more than eight minutes to arrive; and some stars we see may have already blown up in a supernova, spilling their elemental guts—much like the star that birthed our planet billions of years ago, and thus, birthed the very blood pumping in our veins. Dr. Link wanted to uncover our cosmic origins in the night sky, so he built this scope into the past. SEARCHING FOR A PROTOTYPE As a Renaissance man, Dr. Link was a true expert in nearly everything. He cycled in the 1906 Olympics in Athens; he participated in the first state fair balloon race (where he was shot at, but not hit, by moonshiners in Tennessee who thought he was a revenuer spotting their stills); and he practiced as a goiter surgeon in Indianapolis until the age of 88. However, his passion was astronomy. Therefore, on their honeymoon, Dr. Link and his wife drove the California countryside in search of an observatory to model back in Indiana. He found his prototype nearly 5,000 feet up the twists and turns of San Diego County’s Mt. Palomar. This is the place Edwin Hubble made famous by discovering that “gaseous nebula” were actually “island universes” unto themselves, demonstrating that the universe is far larger than anyone had comprehended. Later, he used this telescope to provide evidence that the universe is expanding. Link’s vision was sparked. With a budget of nearly $15,000 at his disposal (which is equivalent to about a quarter of a million
dollars today), in 1937 Dr. Link returned to the highest peak in the Martinsville vicinity to construct a 1/6-size version of the steel-plated muse he found in California. All the wood for the observatory was felled and milled on site, and within two years, he had built the eighth largest telescope in the United States. There were, however, a couple of problems. For one, the hills of Martinsville were notorious copperhead snake territory, and Dr. Link now had a son. Fearing snakebites, Dr. Link became a sort of herpetologist, a zoologist who specializes in reptiles and snakes, so he could identify the antidotes and treatments for copperhead venom. His research has since become standard procedure. And then there was the problem of the eponymous birds of Thrasher Hill. To be certain that this genus would be preserved, especially with all the comings and goings of astronomers and students, Dr. Link became an ornithologist, as well. DETECTING COSMIC THREATS After finishing his passion project, Dr. Link offered the observatory to all of the local universities. Only Indiana University took up his offer, and in 1948, he gave the observatory to IU. Once World War II broke out, tracking asteroids close enough to Earth to pose imminent danger (a special project at the site) was bumped to the back seat nationwide. IU picked up the reins during the ‘50s and ‘60s. The Link Observatory pinpointed more than 1,900 asteroids, comprising 90 percent of all asteroids discovered at this time. Many planets outside our solar system have also been discovered and named under the wooden dome.
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The shop on the site still contains a catalog of some of the tools used to construct the site. (Photographer / Miranda McGovern)
This specialized telescope was used to identify near Earth objects until the start of WWII. (Photographer / Miranda McGovern)
Over the years, as nearby towns swelled to cities, sky glow began melding into the telescope’s vision, hindering what could be seen. So in 1988, the observatory was decommissioned by IU, their opting for a more remote location in the state forest to the south. Until that point, 88 PhDs had earned their degrees through the Link Observatory. THE FUTURE OF LOOKING INTO THE PAST Today the observatory is still owned by IU, but it is rarely used for teaching. It’s maintained by the Indiana Astronomical Society (IAS) and is primarily frequented by hobbyists. But that is changing. John Shepherd, the Chief Astronomer at the observatory and professor of astronomy at IU-Columbus, is working with a couple of other members of the IAS on a program designed to nurture the next generation of astronomers. This program networks high school students with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL). It’s called the Link Observatory Space Science Center. After learning the basics of astronomy at the observatory, local students can eventually collect data via the Internet from the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in the Mojave Desert. This radio telescope relays each asteroid strike in the dark areas of the moon. The students’ research may eventually contribute to papers written by both NASA and JPL. Future goals for students also involve work with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and the JUNO project, which measures the amount of
radio energy being received by NASA’s JUNO probe now heading toward the planet Jupiter. The vision of the center continues to grow in ways that keep the observatory useful and relevant in science education. Dr. Goethe Link died at the age of 101 in 1980. He had built a place that continues to show us the past, not just of space, but astronomy itself. Peeking into the observatory auditorium, large enough for 150 astronomers, you can almost see a professor explaining his great discovery. The chalkboards haven’t changed. The vintage paneling most assuredly smells the way it did 70 years ago, and the bike Dr. Link rode in the 1906 Athens Olympics still sits in the corner. Pictures of swirling galaxies and racing asteroids line the walls, and it’s like you can recall a memory that wasn’t your own… back when the Milky Way was the universe and astronomy was still in its infancy, back to a time when Dr. Link brought the stars, and thus our celestial past, to Indiana. Viewings can be arranged if Professor Shepherd is contacted for an appointment through the center’s website: LinkObservatory.org.
Evan Camp is an eighth grade science teacher at Greenwood Middle School. He spoke on science education at the 2013 Electric Universe Conference in Albuquerque, NM, and has seen the movie Contact five times. He also lives across the street from an astronomy professor.
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Manufacturing no longer means smokestacks and dirty working conditions. Advanced manufacturing offers good salaries and great career opportunities. “Many students, parents, and educators are unaware of the exciting career opportunities that exist here,” said Brandyn Ferguson, VP of Human Resources at Endress+Hauser USA. Community Career + Education Forum for Students is an effort to address the issues of talent attraction and retention. The initiative is targeted to middle school students, their parents, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) educators in nine area school districts.
CAREER + EDUCATION FORUM Greenwood Community Newsletter Half Page :4.95 ” w x 7.75”h • June 2014 issue
4.95"
THE TRAILS AT WOODFIELD Center Grove Schools
The forum, on Thursday, June 26, will feature a variety of career and education information booths, manufacturing facility tours, live demonstrations, a complimentary pizza dinner, tons of giveaways, door prizes and more. Local manufacturers participating in the forum include Endress+Hauser, Caterpillar Remanufacturing, Nachi America, NSK Precision America, Electro-Spec, and American Industrial Corporation.
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Career Center, will host the forum in conjunction with the Johnson County Development Corporation ( JCDC), Ivy Tech Community College (Franklin Campus) and the Purdue University College of Technology. The forum reflects initiatives launched by Aspire Johnson County. The groups’ goals are to make Johnson County a great place to work, live, and do business. Aspire Johnson County is led by The Johnson County Development Corporation, the Johnson County Community Foundation and a group of community stakeholders.
JUNE 26
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Community Career + Education Forum 5-8:30 p.m. Open event (come anytime) Endress+Hauser 2355 Endress Place, Greenwood
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REPS: Jody Veldkamp - jody@atcentergrove.com and Pat Enochs - pat@atgreenwood.com
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GREENWOOD FREEDOM FESTIVAL 2014 PARADE, STREET FAIR, NEW CHILDREN’S AREA, VENDORS GALORE, AND FIREWORKS CELEBRATE OUR NATIONAL GRATITUDE Writer / Tia Nielsen . Photographer / Saucerman family & City of Greenwood (submitted)
Happy Anniversary, Greenwood Freedom Festival! You are 30 years old this summer. Who knew from your grassroots beginning in 1985 that you would become a regionwide event that draws more than 50,000 avid fans from multiple counties?
SIMPLE BEGINNINGS
Originally begun by then-Mayor Jeanette Surina to be a time to gather the fastgrowing Greenwood community to honor our nation’s birthday, and to acquaint longtime residents with newly arrived neighbors, the festival has taken on a life of its own. In the early years, the hometown parade started the festivities in the morning followed by the street fair until midday. A few hours later, crowds would gather in Craig Park, lawn chairs and picnic baskets in tow to wait for the patriotic program followed by brilliant fireworks. Ed Ferguson, Director of Planning for Greenwood since 1980, remembers the early days when it was exciting to have 6,000 16 / GREENWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / JUNE 2014 / atGreenwood.com
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people come together in Craig Park for the evening. The year the attendance hit 10,000 was a celebrated milestone. About 6:00 p.m. the fire department always brought a bucket truck to entertain those hardy citizens who wanted a free ride up to that lofty height. Food vendor booths (simple tables, then) opened prior to the patriotic concert and fireworks. Ferguson coached his oldest son’s AAU basketball team in the eighties, and the team parents had a food booth with a selection of cookies, cake slices and fresh fruit cobbler that was wildly popular. Ferguson’s wife Barb would bake from scratch black raspberry cobbler in commercial-size pans. Memories of that delectable treat topped with creamy vanilla ice cream slowly slipping off the side still cause those who tasted of the fruits of her labor to salivate. “The first two years we were the only one doing a dessert booth,” remembers Ferguson. “Others had hot dogs and BBQ, but the top spots for the crowd were the fire department’s corn on the cob with the butter dripping off of it and the AAU dessert table.”
ANNUAL PARADE OPENS THE DAY The day-opening parade traditionally began on Meridian Street by the Greenwood Public Library. This year it marches from Madison Avenue by Greenwood Middle School through downtown into near neighborhoods along Broadway and then circles south along Meridian Street to the back of the middle school. Every street is lined with people, many bringing chairs as they wait for the show to pass by. Kids eagerly hope that candy will be thrown to them from passing floats. Hopes fulfilled, they swarm the street briefly like bees retrieving nectar.
2014 PARADE MARSHAL
And never forget the parade marshal. This year welcomes Sophia Saucerman, who won first place for her age group in the annual NFL Pass, Punt and Kick competition. The national finals were held in Denver this year; Sophia was up against
the other three top finalists for her 12-13 age group. All finalists are culled from the state competitions held in each of the 32 NFL cities, with only the top four finalists in each of the five age groups for girls and for boys. A soccer player since age five and now a goalie for the elite FC Pride (fcpride.org), Sophia won the sectionals in Greenwood before tackling the state competition at the Colts training facility last winter. Ironically, Sophia won fourth place nationally last year in Atlanta but did not qualify for the nationals this year. She came in fifth at state. But in early January, the NFL called her father, Gus, and said there was an opening. Would Sophia like to compete? Her shocked reply was, “Duh, Dad!” Of course! The whole family, including mother Pam and younger sister Sierra traveled to Denver on the NFL’s dime. Thus, a seventh grader, exemplifying the Greenwood civic willingness to take on challenge, is the 2014 Freedom Festival parade marshal. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m.
Sophia, the 2014 Parade Marshall
NEW FESTIVAL HAPPENINGS The Festival is launching new Festival features this year. A children’s entertainment stage has been added for the morning in Craig Park near the gazebo across from the Little League fields.
The street and food vendors will all be at Craig Park. Daytime food vendors will be at the amphitheater area behind the Community Center. A separated microbrew and wine garden will be there. Late afternoon through the fireworks, food vendors will be in Craig Park near the patriotic program stage. The crafts and wares vendors will line the roadway areas in between. And bands will be performing in both Craig Park and at the amphitheater. Local radio station KORN Country will broadcast live all day and will emcee the flag ceremony preceding the 10:00 p.m. fireworks celebration. Full details are at greenwood.in.gov. Bring your lawn chairs and come build your own 21st Century Freedom Festival memories.
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City Center
A NEW BEGINNING FOR GREENWOOD
four-story home. The new digs are filled with plenty of light and more generous workspaces for employees.
Writer / Tia Nielsen Photographer / Rachel Davey
V
ision for a brighter future has always been the bedrock of Greenwood. Strategically placed structures that enhance business and education are a Greenwood civic habit.
The month of April saw the city on the move. Literally.
Offices previously housed in the old City Hall and in rental spaces in Greenwood now fit in the tallest building in downtown Greenwood, 300 South Madison Avenue—the newly remodeled City Center.
Under the direction of first-term Mayor Mark Myers, Greenwood was able to buy the foreclosed Presnell building, valued at $3.5 million, for about half price. The 1963 brick and steel structure encased in glass windows was gutted and reconfigured to meet current energy standards. The walls were insulated, and updated heating and air conditioning were installed. The exterior was reskinned with Thermopane, argon-filled laminate windows to make the entire building energy efficient. The expected savings in rent and utilities at current rates should be $80,000 per year.
WHAT YOU GET
WHY MOVE?
“It will be great for residents,” says Molly Laut, city spokesperson. Residents will be spared the inconvenience of bouncing between City Hall and the Emerson Avenue site to secure needed legal, planning, code, or engineering services. Leaving behind the inadequate, 94-year-old building used as City Hall since 1986 at 2 North Madison (along with its colony of bats), city agencies, over a nine-day period in April, moved to its new
Some of the architectural elements were kept, Laut points out. National Bank of Greenwood was the original owner. Its bank vault on the ground floor was turned into a small conference room, available to the public. Laut’s eyes twinkle as she turns the airlock handle in that vault-turned-room, playfully suggesting the air could be sealed out if the meetings go awry. But have no fears, the hefty steel door is welded open to an anchor beside one of the freshly painted, original brick walls.
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The lobby retained the stunning green granite floors, and the glistening black tile square at the base of the stairwell was enhanced. The wider and longer Council Chamber can seat 100 residents. More seating can be quickly added when a moveable wall along the back of the chamber is slid open. The Utilities and Billing Department has more space and is now a light-filled area with windows on two sides. A modest area upstairs is set aside for Franciscan St. Francis Health to provide an on-site physician for routine care for city staff and their families. “It speaks about the mayor,” says Laut. “He wants the best morale in city employees. He wants to give them the best tools to do a job in an environment they can be proud of.”
In 1986, after a remodel to preserve its civic value, the city turned the old building into City Hall. Although the remodel was hotly debated among city leaders, then-Mayor Jeanette Surina held course and worked to keep city government near the heart of downtown. That decision added stability to the earliest Greenwood neighborhoods nearby. It was Mayor Myers’ vision to keep city offices in the heart of Greenwood with City Center. He worked with council members and the Redevelopment Commission to purchase and remodel a building three blocks south of old City Hall/Polk House to anchor what is the south end of the downtown core.
BATS?
PUBLIC ART SPACES
Set-aside areas in the building will host public art and economic development exhibits. The city is partnering with The Southside Art League (SALI) to provide exhibits for the longest lobby wall and two walls on the fourth floor. The wide, back lobby wall and hallway wall upstairs by a glass conference room are reserved for details about economic development happenings. “We kicked off economic development,” Laut says. “Come, Greenwood! Come paint on our canvas.” “This building will scream economic development,” says Laut. “It is uncluttered, has functionality, and is streamlined and cost efficient. And it’s also gorgeous!”
DID YOU KNOW?
practice golf and watch plays or “picture shows” in the 500seat theater. The gymnasium floor opened and closed over the swimming pool in the basement. Thus, as Laut notes, the building “was never designed to be offices.”
The growth of Greenwood led to reuse of two historic buildings. One is now the City Center. The other was the old City Hall. Originally named the James T. and Laura Polk Community House, it was built as a gift to the citizens of Greenwood. The 1920s Community House offered space for people to swim, play basketball (the first site for Greenwood High School games),
A word about bats in the former City Hall. Tall windows that had been part of the 1920s theater had been boarded over during a building remodel. Over time, the wood warped. Bats moved in. “We couldn’t get rid of them,” says Laut. The bats were so numerous that she kept her office ceiling air vent closed. She did not like bats greeting her every morning. Maintenance workers cleared the building daily prior to opening to the public. In full disclosure, Laut has made sure the bats are not news to any potential developers.
PIONEERS AND VISIONARIES
Greenwood began humbly, which was intentional. Two brothers, John B. and Isaac Smock, moved their families to this area from Kentucky in the early 1820s to build life from lands blanketed in forests, wild animals, and streams teeming with fish. As they succeeded in taming their plots of land, more family and friends followed. Today a plaque stands on Madison Avenue by the Greenwood Park Mall where the Smocks first built cabins.
Offices in the old facility were cramped and cluttered . The exterior of the former city office building. The building has a long history in Greenwood . The lobby of the former city office held little appeal atGreenwood.com / JUNE 2014 / GREENWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 19
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The mayor’s office overlooks Old Town Greenwood . The new city council chambers has room for more citizens and improved audio/visual capabilities . Molly Laut points out the airlock handle for the “vault” conference room
Visionary citizens in June 1864, three battle-weary years into the Civil War, gathered at the juncture of what is now Main Street and Madison Avenue to hold a vote on whether to incorporate the burg of Greenwood, population 300, into a legal town. The citizens agreed and laid out a grid where houses, businesses and a school (where Isom Elementary is now located) would be established. Ninety-six years later, with Greenwood’s population nearly 7,200, leaders once again saw the need to manage development intentionally by incorporating as a city. Greenwood’s first mayor, Walter Burkhart, was elected in 1960.
“It speaks about the mayor… He wants the best morale in city employees. He wants to give them the best tools to do a job in an environment they can be proud of.”
Greenwood’s centennial population in 1964 was estimated at 8,300. Now 50 years later, for our sesquicentennial, the population estimate is 53,000. Mayor Myers grew up in Greenwood in a public-service– oriented family. His parents owned Myers Ambulance Service located behind Polk Community House. His father Larry was the fifth mayor of Greenwood. Fluent in Spanish as an adult, Mark Myers spent five years in missions in Paraguay. His work years have included time as a member of both Greenwood Police and Fire Departments, and as the Johnson County Chief Deputy Coroner. Besides being mayor, he currently is a Johnson County Reserve Deputy Sheriff. “I’ve come full circle,” says Mayor Myers. “I started out four blocks from here [City Center], circled the globe, spent time in South and Central America, and now I’m right back where I started.” Thus, a short walk from where Greenwood was planted, Myers is the latest leader to intentionally set a course, this time using City Center to launch that vision. Tia Nielsen is a freelance writer living in Greenwood who specializes in feature profiles and loves music, history and her grandchildren. You can reach her at Tia@tiaconnects.com.
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300 Commerce Pkwy W. Drive Greenwood, IN 46143 317-886-8133 UFITINDY.COM /UFITLLC Writer / Amanda Ennis
Tired of feeling defeated about your weight? Would you like to improve your current fitness level? Do you want to make a longterm lifestyle change, but you’re unsure how to get started? If so, U-FIT may be your perfect option. Located at 300 Commerce Parkway West Drive in Greenwood, U-FIT has differentiated itself from other fitness facilities by partnering with individuals on a personal basis.
them—their schedule, how they eat, how much they sleep. We help them balance it all. We give them nutritional guidelines to follow and provide a workout plan for the days they aren’t in our facility. This sets us apart from other fitness facilities because all of this is provided at no extra charge.”
U-FIT clients can purchase 1-on-1 sessions with a U-FIT personal trainer at a cost starting at $25 per half-hour session. Group sessions are available at a lower cost. U-FIT also offers kickboxing (Muay Thai) and boot camp. Workout sessions are focused on functional movement, so get ready to do lots of squats, lunges, planks and pullups, to name a few. “We don’t do single movement machines here. Everything we “We present a customized plan to do is functional. This is best because you prospective clients including weight training, burn more calories, lose more body fat, and cardio workouts, and dietary changes,” typically gain more muscle. We incorporate says Co-owner Michael Budensiek. “We’re as many joints as possible to help you interested in coaching a lifestyle change. function better in your everyday life,” shares We’re not just focused on what our clients Budensiek. do while they’re here, but we get to know U-FIT specializes in personal training. Anyone interested in working with U-FIT Indy meets with a U-FIT personal trainer and undergoes a fitness evaluation. Prospective clients share their weight and fitness goals. An assessment evaluates the strength of the heart, muscles, core, balance, coordination, weight, and body fat.
RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE FOUNDATION
What distinguishes U-FIT from most other workout facilities is the relationship built between trainers and clients. Because all sessions are appointment-based, clients always meet with the same trainer. This is true whether they’re working out, or doing a weekly weigh-in or a monthly reassessment. “This helps build trust. Clients respond better to their trainer’s coaching when there is a trusted relationship,” says Budensiek. The average client works out in the facility at least twice a week and meets their fitness goals in 8-12 months. “We show what your
minimum and maximum results can be based on how often you come in. Then, we help build it into your schedule and budget,” says Budensiek. U-FIT opened at their current location, east of I-65, six months ago, primarily to meet the needs of Greenwood and Franklin Township. “Our clients range from five to seventy-five years old. We coach clients of all ages, weight and fitness levels,” adds Coowner Paul Elmore. “We know many people make drastic dietary changes that aren’t feasible to keep in the long run. We help clients make a realistic, healthy lifestyle change that can easily be maintained long-term once their goals are reached,” shares Budensiek. U-FIT encourages you to give them a try. U-FIT offers a one-week (two sessions) free trial. Interested individuals should call 317-886-8133 to set an appointment. U-FIT also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. After working with them, if you’ve followed their training and tips but still aren’t completely satisfied with the results, they’ll issue a 100% refund. We are happy to welcome a local business committed to partnering alongside Greenwood residents who desire a healthier life.
• Personalized Training for Any Level • Muay Thai • Boot Camp • Injury Recovery
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LEADERSHIP JOHNSON COUNTY BUILDING THE LEADERS OF TODAY Writer / Alaina Sullivan . Photographer / Jessica Limeberry
Leadership comes in many forms and encompasses many character traits. It is also vital to the future growth and strength of a community. For Tandy Shuck, Executive Director of Leadership Johnson County (LJC), that mission drives the staff, volunteers, and students in the LJC program. PSI/Cinergy (now Duke Energy) conducted a community survey in 1992 after discovering that a major concern of Johnson County residents was future leadership. Following the survey, company representatives came to Franklin College and suggested the school pursue a community leadership program. The mission of LJC was to cultivate and develop informed and involved citizens working to make our community better. The first program started in 1994 and the initiative has been going strong since then.
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LJC is recognized as a model leadership program in Indiana. “We are one of the premier programs in the state because of the strong education piece provided by Franklin College,” said Shuck. “LJC is different from other community leadership programs because of the dedication and engagement of our graduates. With over 525 graduates of the program, the lessons they learn are multiplied as they apply them to their work and home lives. It is our hope that the dissemination of information helps to mold our community into a place that is inclusive and works together to formulate and implement creative ideas to overcome community issues.” LJC participants go through a nine-month process starting with a two-day retreat in September, and attending monthly classes October through May. Classes range from 25 to 35 members in size, with 31 members in the 2014 class. They meet leaders in the community, volunteer through local organizations, and take on learning opportunities. “Leadership Johnson County attracts people from various occupations and backgrounds. We like to see a cross-section of the community in each class,” said Shuck. “You will find representatives from financial institutions, government officials, non-profit organization staff members, CEOs, retired individuals, and stay-at-home parents all at the same learning table because that is what keeps our community vibrant.”
WENDY PREILIS
Wendy Preilis works as the Adult Learning Center Coordinator for the Johnson County Public Library. Her department offers services to adults for basic education and learning English as a Second Language. Preilis was born and raised in Franklin, Indiana, and lives in Franklin with her husband, Jerry Preilis, their two children and two dogs. After living in Johnson County for more than 37 years, Preilis still felt inspired to learn more about her community and invest in ways to grow and give back. “I believe that being a leader here in Johnson County means…knowing
Wendy Preilis
your goals, knowing those who can help you achieve the goals, and knowing how to work together with a very diverse community.” Preilis leads by example through her involvement as a volunteer with the United Way, as a board member for Girls Inc., and as an active participant in the Whiteland Elementary PTO. “I like to think that I lead by example—I have definitely been exposed to other styles over the last nine months throughout the class and while working in my project group,” says Preilis. “I try to surround myself with people who have similar goals and are passionate about the cause or project.” Preilis enjoyed her time in the program, admitting that it has been a long year with a lot of hard work. “I really feel better informed. I can now answer questions about Johnson County pretty confidently or at least know where to go and find the answers,” says Preilis. “I have also learned a lot about myself, my leadership styles, and how I respond to others—professionally and personally.
CAROLYN GOERNER
Carolyn Goerner is a relative newcomer to Johnson County, residing for only a few years in the area. She works as a professor of Management and Entrepreneurship in the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University-Bloomington. She lives in
Carolyn Goerner
Greenwood with her husband, Peter, and their dog, Charlotte. Goerner volunteers at the Artcraft Theatre in Franklin and serves on the Economic Development Committee for Discover Downtown Franklin. Goerner’s husband was a 2000 graduate of LJC and inspired his wife to pursue the program. “It has always been important to me to be an informed citizen of wherever I live. I want to know the people, the challenges, and the things to be proud of—and I knew that LJC would be the best way to immerse myself in Johnson County.” She attributes her growth from the leadership of LJC academic director Bonnie Pribush, who gave her a new perspective on leadership. “Leading means seeing beyond your own sometimes narrow agenda and desires. It means thinking about what will benefit the most people. Perhaps most important, it means building partnerships and coalitions,” said Goerner. “Leadership is about empowering a group of people to reach an outcome of which they are proud.”
LT. COL. CATHY VAN BREE
Lt. Col. Cathy Van Bree chose to participate in LJC after being a Johnson County resident for more than 10 years. Inspired by a co-worker who described the program, Van Bree felt compelled to sign up for
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by giving me a better understanding of how the community works and interacts,” she said. “This knowledge has allowed me to better expand our community support reach through my work. I look forward to digging in and becoming more involved on a personal level in the near future.”
Lt. Col. Cathy Van Bree
Alaina Sullivan is an attorney and freelance writer in Indiana. She focuses her legal work on providing free legal services to those who cannot afford an attorney and is passionate in writing about legal issues and news in the non-profit industry.
herself, encouraged to learn more about the community and history of Johnson County. Van Bree is a Lieutenant Colonel in active duty in the Indiana National Guard. She holds two roles, one as the Public Affairs Officer for Headquarters and another as Commander of the 113th Brigade Support Battalion in Muncie, Indiana. Van Bree is married to Bill Van Bree, with two stepdaughters and one daughter together. Van Bree wanted to learn more about the businesses and organizations in the community and connect with other leaders in Johnson County. “Leaders in the community need to hear what residents want and need,” said Van Bree. “Leaders need to assess what benefits our community and what draws people and business in to Johnson County. Community leaders need to ensure our community functions in a fiscally responsible manner, while at the same time providing a high quality of life for residents.” For Van Bree, that means leading with investment of time and talent, empowering those who contribute to the process. “LJC has given me the knowledge and opportunity to become more involved in Johnson County, atGreenwood.com / JUNE 2014 / GREENWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / 25
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Payton (L) and mother Kathy Dillon by special swing at City Center Park
PAYTON RAISES THOUSANDS FOR CITY CENTER PARK & CHARITIES Writer & Photographer / Tia Nielsen
Greenwood is privileged to have a special citizen in 11-year-old Payton Dillon. It is uncommon to see determination and compassion so thoroughly entwined in a fifth grader. When Payton learned the city was planning City Center Park on the former site of the Greenwood swimming pool, she wanted to make sure the city included playground equipment that was handicapped accessible. Payton has a friend with cerebral palsy who needs stiff support of her torso to enjoy the simple joy of swinging. “She’s very sensitive to the needs of others like that,” explains Payton’s mother. Payton asked her family, “How much would it cost to buy swings for the new park— ones like we have at school?” Payton’s father, Joe, contacted the city to
find out. He spoke with Marketing Director Molly Laut. Laut invited the Dillon family to the park groundbreaking. Payton began asking for donations for the special equipment that day. She even gave a pitch to the mayor. By the time City Center Park and Splash Pad opened in August 2013, Payton had raised $6,500. This fair-haired girl is a force to be reckoned with. Being extra sensitive to the vulnerabilities of others likely stemmed from Payton’s own journey. At age five, doctors discovered a brain cyst the size of an apple. Her motor skills regressed to a toddler’s level. Surgery relieved the pressure in her brain, but years of therapy followed, focusing on balance and motor skills. Learning to walk again was part of kindergarten through third grade. To develop her fine motor skills, Payton makes brightly colored ribbon bracelets. She painstakingly hand paints the tabs of
pop cans. Then she weaves colored ribbons in and out of them. She sells the lovely creations at swim meets and at a newly opened business on South US 31 called Trading Interiors. Half of whatever Payton earns goes to charity; Trading Interiors matches her $5 price. Funds have gone to Riley Hospital, a family who suffered through the Richmond Hill explosion, a teacher’s mission trip and a man going through cancer treatment without insurance. “Payton has no fear and is very comfortable with adults and younger children,” her mother says. Be warned. If a smiling girl with gentle eyes and long, fair hair approaches you at the Freedom Festival, pull out your wallet. Your heart will not let you say anything but “Yes.” After all, it will be for a worthy cause. Just ask Payton.
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Eat, P
ana di
Bike I , y n ra
Northwest Indiana
Tippecanoe Restaurant
Writer & Photographer / Frieda Dowler
Eat, Pray, Bike, Indiana showcases budget-friendly weekend adventures within this state, offering balance in body, soul, and spirit. Our excursions include riding bicycle trails to energize our body, eating good food to satisfy our soul, and finding sanctuaries of God and nature to quiet our spirit. Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, from 2006, chronicles her search across the globe to find such peace, but I believe we can find it closer to home. In early spring we traveled 3 ½ hours to northwest Indiana with clothes, bikes, and the little bank card. Heading north on I-65 with a cup of Panera’s dark roast, we stopped after a couple of hours to fuel our bodies with an early lunch at Fair Oaks Farms, enjoying grilled cheese Italian-style, with pesto, tomato and mozzarella on Panini. Then we headed slightly east to find the Prairie-Duneland Trail, 11 miles of wooded back yards on wide asphalt from Chesterton to Portage. Trails are abundant in the region, but this
one is flat and smooth. The Chesterton Bicycle Station, where you can rent or buy bicycles, has maps available. Continuing northward while taking commands from the vehicle navigation system, voice texting, sipping water, attempting to glimpse amazing scenery and taking in the aroma of spring, kept all five senses successively stimulated. However, we found solace in the cloud-covered afternoon along the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The rhythm of aquamarine water lapping on the golden shoreline refreshed our spirits. Lingering a while, we met avid cyclists, boasting of 30- to 50-mile rides, who made us feel like duffers. But we reminded ourselves, we were seeking balance! After a restful night in La Porte, we began the day with an early bike ride in Soldier’s Memorial Park around Stone Lake. We went from paved trail to wooded dirt trail, then shared-road trail. The sound of Sunday morning traffic was minimal, allowing the choir of waterfowl to serenade our ride.
Places to visit on your tour of Indiana
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
fofarms.com chestertonbicycle.com traillink.com indianadunes.com tippe.com greenoakantiques.com indianatrails.com
Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes
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Green Oak Antiques
Studebaker Mansion
Prairie Duneland Trail
Working up an appetite, we drove a short distance to South Bend for brunch at The Tippecanoe Restaurant, at home in the elegant 19th century Studebaker Mansion. We indulged in scrumptious assortments from the buffet. We were transported to a golden age when Americans were gaining riches and building homes in keeping with their newfound positions. The history of the family, from wealth to bankruptcy, hangs in photos on the walls and visitors are welcomed, whether dining or not. Notre Dame is famous for football, but the campus also has a spiritual reputation. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a magnificent church with 44 beautifully crafted stained glass windows and murals by famous Vatican painter Luigi Gregori. However, quiet reverence surrounds Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes where these spiritual pilgrims lit candles and prayed. Feeling satisfied, we headed home, but the Green Oak Antiques in Rochester attracted us. At this fun stop, we found lots of everything from garden iron to repurposed junk. Indiana – you amazed me again!
Frieda Dowler is a local author, currently working on her third book, Heaven Bound in a Hollywood World. She and her husband co-own Color Cafe’ Salon on Olive Branch Parke Lane in Greenwood.
Presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 MTIShows.com
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Kinds of Dogs
WORD SEARCH
Presenter / Gettum Associates, Inc. . Creator / Lucy Stravers
This puzzle hides the names of 34 dog breeds. Names may appear in any direction in a straight line. The solution to the puzzle is available on atCenterGrove.com.
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34. WELSH CORGI
Lucy Stravers lives in Pella, Iowa, and is the mother-in-law of Dann Veldkamp. Need a large print version? Find it on atCenterGrove.com.
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$ MAKING CENTS
INTRODUCING MAKING CENTS I enjoy helping people work their way out of debt and started a coaching company to help people that need one-on-one assistance. In addition to coaching individuals, I teach Financial Peace Welcome to Making Cents. I am Kate. I have lived in the area for University (FPU) classes at my church where I help individuals and over 14 years and have come to call this home. I am a westerner families learn biblical principles related to money. FPU is offered having grown up in Colorado and Arizona. I met my Hoosier husband in Phoenix and after we were married, we ended up leaving at many area churches for a nominal cost. I am a graduate of Dave Ramsey’s Counselor Training. Feel free to check out my blog on the the southwest for the northeast coast of Florida. web, 4wallsmoneycoach.com. There you can learn about managing After we had our first son, we found ourselves in a precarious position. your money, how I can help you personally and submit your ideas The company where my husband worked was shutting down the plant. or questions for future articles. They offered to help employees find work within the company (mainly in Pennsylvania) or other companies in the local area. Be Financially Savvy, Become Financially Free. Writer / Kate Rhoten
As it turned out, a company in Indiana that had previously tried to get us to relocate extended an offer. Considering the timing, we couldn’t refuse. That’s how we ended up in Indiana. All of this was a little unsettling for us. We had a home to sell, next to nothing saved for emergencies and didn’t know how that chapter of our lives was going to end. Thankfully, it worked out. Indiana is now home; we have been married for nearly 19 years and have two kids. That doesn’t mean life is always easy. Stuff happens, whether intentional or not, and we find ourselves in situations that makes us feel like we are stuck with few options. We’ve learned some lessons along the way of what to do and not do with money. The purpose of this column is to give insight into family and finances. It will cover a variety of topics from being in debt to being debt free and building wealth. I will share some of the experiences we have had and give guidance on financial services or ideas for saving money that are available to consumers.
Kate is a financial expert of what to do and not do with money as well as owner of 4 Walls Financial, A Coaching Focused Company. She has attended and completed Dave Ramsey’s Counselor Training. Follow Kate on Twitter @katerhoten, reach out to her via email at kate.4walls@gmail.com or visit 4wallsmoneycoach.com. Feel free to share ideas or questions for future articles.
COME SEE THE STYLISH SOLUTIONS WE CAN OFFER YOU. A Verse to Honor all Fathers: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”
For over seven years, I worked in the financial services area. My experiences as a banker and then as a financial advisor has given me additional insight into what consumers are offered and what is good for one is not good for all.
Psalms 103:13
Personal finance is personal. I learned that I don’t like having debt and we paid off $65,000 in 22 months to be debt free, except for our house. You’ll learn more about our journey to becoming debt free and the myths we have busted while living life on our terms. We even paid cash for a trip to Europe in the summer of 2012. Personal finance should use common sense; it doesn’t need to be complex. My philosophy is to be as savvy as possible with our hard-earned income but even we get a little distracted at times. That’s when we regroup. I hope to encourage folks to look at money differently and find the same peace of mind I have.
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