Greenwood Magazine February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020

MAGAZINE

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ADVERTISING DESIGNER Valerie Randall

EDITORIAL MANAGER Josh Brown Josh@TownePost.com

FEBRUARY WRITERS

Christy Heitger-Ewing / Jon Shoulders

FEBRUARY PHOTOGRAPHERS Amy Counts Ellie Sophia Photography

SHOP LOCAL!

MOVING FORWARD: MAYOR MARK MYERS BATTLES PARKINSON’S THROUGH BOXING & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

A couple of years ago, when City of Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers was having issues with nerves in his neck, he underwent surgery to have four titanium implants put in.

For a time, he seemed to improve, but then he began noticing numbness and tingling in his left hand, as well as some involuntary twitching in his left arm.

5 Safe & Secure: Johnson County

16 Moving Forward: Mayor Mark

8 Books & Brews: South Indy

20 Pedals of Joy: Local Mom Starts

12 Sweet Concept: Nothing Bundt

22 Directory

Sheriff Duane Burgess Reflects On First Year In Office Location Offers Wide Range of Food, Drinks & Events Cakes Celebrates Grand Opening In Greenwood

Myers Battles Parkinson’s Through Boxing & Community Support

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J O H N S O N CO U N T Y S H E R I F F D UA N E B U R G E S S R E F L E C T S O N F I R ST Y E A R I N O F F I C E Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Amy Counts

Duane Burgess can still recall his early aspirations of becoming Johnson County Sheriff when he was 18 years old. Burgess, now 50, had started working for the fire department at the time, and the only reason he hadn’t started pursuing law enforcement - his ideal career path - was the simple fact that he wasn’t 21 yet.

River Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and first responder after graduating from Center Grove High School, to acquire some experience in public service for the southside community in which he’d grown up.

During his time with the fire department, Burgess also became a dispatcher for the Johnson County Sheriff ’s Department - a job that would serve as the starting point for a 30-year career in law enforcement “I always wanted to join the police that has included positions as a corrections department, even back in middle school and officer, a security officer for the Johnson even elementary school. My friends from County courthouse, chief of police for back then still tell me now that it was all I Southport and, since January of 2019, talked about,” Burgess says with a laugh.

Johnson County Sheriff.

Since law enforcement had to wait until he was 21, Burgess decided to join the White

“When I got on at the Sheriff ’s Department as a young man, I set a goal for myself that

I would someday become sheriff,” says Burgess, a 1992 grad of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. “I’ve had a lot of leaders before me that I’ve learned from and still converse with some of those and our retirees. I want to make a good mark here and really make a difference during my tenure.”

Since being sworn in as Johnson County Sheriff, Burgess says one of his top priorities has been improving the quality and effectiveness of officer training, as well as ongoing equipment upgrades.

“We’ve broadened the training at the Sheriff ’s Office to be more conducive to what officers do every day, and what they’re handling,” he says. “We see crimes here where I have to use my SWAT guys

atGreenwood.com / FEBRUARY 2020 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 5

and high-profile warrants where people can get hurt, and we have to be ready for those kinds of things. The future’s changing, and we’ve upgraded with new tasers and body cameras, which assist us in our everyday roles.”

The Sheriff ’s Department has taken several steps to prepare for the upcoming county jail expansion including camera and audio system upgrades and new firearms.

“We’re trying to do whatever we can to save the taxpayer some money, and I’ve found money somewhere within my budget during the 2019 season to make a lot of purchases so I wouldn’t have to go to the ( Johnson County) council to ask for additional funds,” Burgess says. “Right now my big focus is the jail. We’ve been crowded there for many years, which makes it difficult to do programs because we don’t have room.”

The Johnson County Board of Commissioners green-lighted a county jail expansion in October of 2019, with an estimated cost of $20 to $25M that will come from local income tax. The expansion will include approximately 74 new cells on two floors, as well as medical rooms.

Burgess says the project is expected to begin in February and take 18 to 24 months.

Safety and security throughout county schools has been and continues to be another key issue for the Sheriff ’s Department.

“As we go into 2020, I’ll continue to be involved closely with the superintendents of the schools in the county to make sure our kids are safe at schools,” he says.

Other developments during Burgess’s first year as sheriff include the integration of unmarked cars into his fleet of vehicles, training of local SWAT members by representatives of the Los Angeles Police Department and an increase in the enforcement of DUI (driving under the influence) laws, among others.

“Johnson County has such a great community and it’s unique in that everybody here is so proactive instead of

reactive,” adds Burgess, who graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy in 2016. “That makes our job in the Sheriff ’s Department easier, because if there’s something going on, people will call and let us know and help us solve problems.”

Burgess sees his current position as the satisfying culmination of a career in law enforcement spanning more than three decades.

“It’s been a lot of fun, and it’s been a learning experience,” he says. “The Sheriff ’s Department’s been my life almost since I graduated, and I’ve enjoyed waking up every day and coming to work for the past 30 years. I really grew up here and I love my job.”

For more information on the Johnson County Sheriff ’s Office, including recent programs and a citizen resources page, explore johnsoncountysheriff.com.

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Owner & Partner Keith Fechtman

Books & Brews

South Indy Location Offers Wide Range of Food, Drinks & Events Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Ellie Sophia Photography

with a white tablecloth setting and do reservations, which we don’t usually do.”

It’s a bit tough to fully describe the concept behind Books & Brews, a locally-owned, family-friendly business with nine locations in Indiana and Ohio. And Keith Fechtman, co-owner of the company’s South Indy location near the University of Indianapolis, is fine with that.

Prior to his involvement with Books & Brews, Fechtman spent six years in the restaurant business at Arby’s as a regional supervisor for eight stores.

“During the time with Arby’s I just enjoyed the people and the employees, teaching them and knowing that it was a lot of those kids’ first jobs,” Fechtman says. “It was great to be able to mentor them and influence their lives.”

“The great thing is that Books & Brews isn’t any one thing,” he says.

“You can do so much here - play a board game, have a drink and a meal and just socialize. We’ve had so many different events like a magic show, appearances from princesses from famous movies, A couple of years ago, Fechtman visited the Books & Brews Broad music, karaoke, bingo, trivia nights, sports nights - anything you can Ripple location with his daughter Paisley and was immediately think of. For Valentine’s Day, we have a Harpist playing Love songs struck by the store’s concept and surroundings.

8 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2020 / atGreenwood.com

“We had the time of our lives,” he recalls. “It was a Friday night and I got to drink a local beer, we ate some food, and we played Chutes and Ladders and another game. There was live music too, and my daughter wanted to dance so we danced for a little bit. It was a unique and memorable experience.”

Fechtman subsequently struck up a conversation with Books & Brews founder Jason Wuerfel about the ins and outs of opening a franchise. At the time, Fechtman felt that such an endeavor might involve more time and money than he was willing to put in, but timing would ultimately play a crucial hand in his Books & Brews journey.

Last summer, Fechtman asked a friend named Dave Christy, with whom he currently co-owns Books & Brews in South Indy, if he’d ever considered owning a restaurant. When Fechtman mentioned the name Books & Brews, Christy was intrigued.

“It turns out Dave’s son and his girlfriend were going there once a week and loved the place,” Fechtman says. “At that point, I think we were both ready to pursue a franchise.”

Christy and Fechtman, both Center Grove residents, explored the possibility of purchasing the Broad Ripple location, but heard the South Indy spot near the University of Indianapolis had become available around August of 2019. As a graduate of the university, Fechtman felt it would be fun and only right to buy a Books & Brews franchise so close to the school, and he and Christy officially became owners on September 1 of last year.

“Two of Dave’s granddaughters go to the university as well, and it made sense to take the location over,” Fechtman says.

“We did some research for a couple months and felt it was a great opportunity.”

The food menu at the South Indy location consists of items common to all nine Books & Brews stores - you’ll find apps like the Frankenstein charcuterie plate and the Oliver Twist pretzel with beer cheese, as well as sandwiches like the Hemingway (ham, capocollo, provolone, spicy mustard and pickles) and the Return of the King (grilled cheese with smoked gouda, cheddar and provolone).

“We also do some special menu things that are unique to us, like a chili we did recently,” Fechtman adds. “We’ll be doing some new desserts coming up. We’re always looking for ways to keep things fresh and different. People don’t just want to go out and eat anymore - they want to have an experience.”

The drink menu typically consists of five to 10 rotating local atGreenwood.com / FEBRUARY 2020 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 9

beers in addition to in-house selections like the Stout of Monte Cristo (an oatmeal stout), the Winnie (a honey brown ale) and the Three Hopsketeers (an India pale ale).

You’ll find more than 5,000 used books all $3 each and 10% supports Indy Reads a local Non-Profit and more than 100 board games to choose from at the South Indy location as well.

Fechtman hopes to continue the wide-range of special events and theme nights at his and Christy’s establishment.

“It’s just been a blast because we do such a variety of things here,” he says. “We had a variety show that the University of Indy theater department put on, and we do sports stuff like NCAA selection nights. We see all ages play Battleship and Checkers in here. It’s great to have a place for kids to hang out have food, drinks, and a memorable experience too .”

Books & Brews is located at 3808 Shelby Street, Suite 1 in Indianapolis. Hours of operation are Mon. Through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri. And Sat. 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday 12 pm. to 8 p.m.

For more information including a menu, daily specials and updates on special events, call 317-438-5151, follow on Facebook facebook. com/bnbsouthindy/ go to booksnbrews.com/south-indy.

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Owners LeAnn & Charlie Brown

Nothing Bundt Cakes Celebrates Grand Opening In Greenwood Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Counts

became so popular that the founders chose to share their vision nationwide. That vision resonated deeply with Brown.

Last fall, LeAnn Brown and her husband were visiting her brother in North Carolina when he ran an idea past her. As a seasoned franchise owner, he invited her to check out a unique bakery called Nothing Bundt Cakes.

“In this day and age there’s so much stress,” Brown says. “The thought of having a business where I could create this perfect environment, both for my employees and my customers, made me happy.”

“I walked inside and immediately was struck by how adorable it was,” says Brown, who appreciated the store’s mom-and-pop-like aesthetic.

Opening a Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery is a rigorous process, and while more than 5,000 franchise applications are received annually, only 40 are approved. Of the 300-plus bakeries across the country, more than 90% are female-owned.

Her brother mentioned that it was a franchise and that he could help her open one in Greenwood. After some research, Brown was even more intrigued. Originally founded in Las Vegas in 1997 by best friends Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz, the business

“I feel blessed to have the opportunity to bring Nothing Bundt Cakes to Greenwood,” says Brown, who has worked both as a nurse and financial advisor.

12 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2020 / atGreenwood.com

Though it was a little scary for Brown to take a leap of faith into franchise ownership, she sensed the time was right.

“I believe that God puts you in the right place for the right reason at the right time,” she says.

Just as her parents have owned Kacey’s restaurant in Whiteland for more than 40 years, Brown longs to leave a legacy with her bakery. Her 21-year-old daughter also chose to switch industry gears and now works with her mom.

“I have so much passion for individuals who love and serve others,” Brown says. “The brand allows me to pursue that passion.”

Brown loves to form relationships with members of the local community, which is one reason her new career is a perfect fit.

“It’s an honor and blessing to have the opportunity to spread joy throughout the community,” says Brown, noting that her Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery offers a free eClub program in which guests receive a free Bundtlet

atGreenwood.com / FEBRUARY 2020 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 13

on their birthday every year. “Our mission is for everyone from Greenwood to Franklin receive a free birthday Bundtlet.”

to take with him. Brown happily replied and offered to meet the guest’s needs.

In fact, Brown and her employees started their eClub program even before their doors were officially open. Brown received a unique email request a couple of days before her soft opening. A guest explained that he was flying to Florida to surprise his mom on her birthday and wanted to know if he could get a Bundt Cake

“The word ‘no’ is not in our vocabulary,” Brown says. “We try to meet everybody’s needs inside and outside the bakery.”

Nothing Bundt Cakes offers Bundt Cakes in 10 delicious flavors and four sizes - (8 and 10’’ Bundt cakes), miniature Bundtlets and bite-sized Bundtinis.

“The cakes speak for themselves,” Brown says. “As soon as you try them you’re hooked.”

Nothing Bundt Cakes offers free samples daily and uses proprietary mixes and flavors, which include Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Classic Vanilla, Red Velvet, White Chocolate Raspberry, Confetti, Carrot, Lemon, Marble, and Pecan Praline. There’s also a seasonal featured flavor that rotates throughout the year, such as Snickerdoodle, Pumpkin Spice, Strawberries and Cream, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl.

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cream cheese frosting, available in either signature petals or drizzle. Guests can request light or extra frosting. Nothing Bundt Cakes also offers a gluten-free flavor.

Brown has recently been out in the community giving away boxes of Bundt Cakes to various businesses.

“I’m excited to create a positive environment for the staff because when they feel loved and appreciated, it’s contagious throughout the bakery,” Brown says. “I love people. I’m so grateful to have found a way to treat them every day, regardless of the circumstances.”

Brown knows how a small gesture of kindness can lift a person’s day.

“It’s incredible how something as small as a miniature Bundt Cake can make such a difference,” she says.

Nothing Bundt Cakes is located at 3113 West Smith Valley Road in Greenwood. For more information, visit nothingbundtcakes.com.

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Mayor Mark Myers Battles Parkinson’s Through Boxing & Community Support Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

A couple of years ago, when City of Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers was having issues with nerves in his neck, he underwent surgery to have four titanium implants put in. For a time, he seemed to improve, but then he began noticing numbness and tingling in his left hand, as well as some involuntary twitching in his left arm.

“We thought it was related to the surgery so we didn’t think much of it,” Myers says.

In October 2019, on his chiropractor’s

recommendation, Myers saw a neurologist on and keep going.” who specializes in involuntary tremors.

After two long hours of testing, Myers was Myers immediately began charting a course towards better health. He had diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. heard about Rock Steady Boxing (RSB), an Indianapolis-based nonprofit gym “Initially, it was a pretty big shock,” says Myers, who admits that he had a nagging with a mission to empower people with Parkinson’s disease. According to fear looming in the back of his mind that Parkinson’s might be the culprit. But right Juli Krizan, certified RSB coach, the from the get-go, he chose to respond to Parkinson’s Disease Foundation estimates that 1 million people in the United States his situation with optimism. suffer from Parkinson’s disease, and more than 60,000 people are diagnosed “I’m not one to take anything lying annually. Research has found, however, down,” Myers says. “I look at this as a bump in life. I’m going to attack it headthat forced, intense exercise slows the

16 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2020 / atGreenwood.com

progression of Parkinson’s. Therefore, a non-contact boxing-based fitness curriculum improves a patient’s quality of life.

Myers’ best friend of 35 years offered to regularly work out with him so the two decided to join 9Round Fitness, which incorporates interval, cardiovascular, and circuit training regimens into an intense 30-minute workout in which every three minutes, members move from round to round, participating in activities such as jump rope, weights, moving bag, strength and resistance training, speed bag and core work.

“At the end of 30 minutes, you’re dead,” says Myers, who has been going for three months and has been pleasantly surprised by how much he’s enjoyed it since he’s never been a big fan of exercise.

“The last time I worked out was March 1, 1986, when I graduated from the Police Academy,” Myers says with a chuckle. In just three short months, he’s dropped 15 pounds, has built strength and stamina and has relished improved sleep habits.

atGreenwood.com / FEBRUARY 2020 / GREENWOOD MAGAZINE / 17

“I did karate when I was young, but this is the first time I’ve boxed,” he says. “And the nice thing about this is that you’re just beating up a bag. Nobody is hitting you back.”

Though boxing has been beneficial in numerous ways, the tremors remain — at least for now. Studies show that it typically takes participating in the activity for 4-6 months before noticing a

reduction in tremors.

Soon after getting the diagnosis, Myers and his wife Stacie (whom he calls his “rock”), chose to share the news publicly.

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He’s been blown away by the outpouring of support he has received from friends, colleagues and total strangers.

“I’ve received hundreds, if not thousands, of notes, e-mails, cards and letters,” Myers says. “People I’ve never met from all over the state have sent me letters of encouragement and are letting me know that they are praying for me. It’s been really humbling.”

Myers notes that his diagnosis has caused him to appreciate life and people more, especially as it relates to relationship building.

“These days when I run into people, there’s a whole lot more, ‘How are you doing?’ and they sincerely want to know,” he says. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Myers is hoping that his authenticity will give those who are struggling hope. And

confidence to get checked out to those who are exhibiting symptoms such as trembling or numbness in the hands and fingers.

Krizan notes that Parkinson’s presents itself differently in everyone. Some struggle with speech difficulties while others battle physical issues such as tremors, shuffling gait or balance difficulties.

“I have a friend who is sharp as a tack and can talk with no difficulty, but his movements are very slow,” says Myers, who urges everyone to go to the doctor for annual check-ups.

“And be honest with them. If you notice something, say something,” Myers adds.

“If you chalk symptoms up to being no big deal and don’t say anything, it could be too late.”

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Myers is a big proponent of honesty.

Being candid with his community about his health was important to Myers, a Greenwood native, because he wants everyone to know that he’s not slowing down — and neither is the city. He promises that work in Greenwood will continue moving forward. That work includes the downtown redevelopment, the new middle school site, and the purchase of properties on Main Street where they will tear down blighted buildings.

“I want to see my vision come to fruition here in Greenwood,” Myers says. “I want to see downtown flourish more than it already is.”

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Pedals of Joy

Local Mom Starts Non-Profit to Provide Bicycles for Children & Teens Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Last year a friend of Janna Phillips’ daughter would stop by her house to visit on his way home from school. It was usually around 5 p.m. and Phillips noticed that every time the seventh-grader arrived, he still had his backpack with him. One afternoon she asked why he didn’t drop his heavy bag at home after school. The student explained that he was on the football team, and walked home from practice every day because his mom worked and couldn’t pick him up.

“That’s five miles - why don’t you ride your bike?” Phillips asked.

Turns out, he didn’t have one.

“It kind of took me by surprise,” says Phillips, who realized how much time the boy would save by pedaling to and from school rather than hoofing it. That evening she and her husband purchased a bike for their daughter’s friend. Though it felt good to pay it forward, Phillips couldn’t help thinking of all the other students in the area who may face similar circumstances.

“I knew there must be other parents who are doing their best to make ends meet, but a bicycle simply isn’t on their radar of things to buy,”

says Phillips, who began brainstorming for ways she could get bikes into the hands of those who needed them.

Phillips’ husband, who works for the City of Greenwood, mentioned that the City typically has quite a few unclaimed bicycles that end up in a scrapyard or are sold via auction. Phillips approached the chief of police with a proposal called Pedals of Joy. Phillips told the chief she’d refurbish the bikes, then hold a community event and give them to people who could use them. The chief liked the idea and happily donated the bikes to Phillips. The Shelbyville police department followed suit and donated some too.

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to repair and restore them is another, and has turned out to be the trickier piece of this endeavor or Phillips.

“I have a few gentlemen who pick up three bikes at a time and return them a month later, then pick up three more,” Phillips says.

“Finding volunteers to help with repairs has definitely been the biggest challenge.”

Most repairs are minor, including replacing seat cushions and hand grips. The chains, tires and tubes are also checked on every bike.

“I don’t keep anything I can’t personally repair myself,” says Phillips, who estimates that she spends roughly three hours a day working on some aspect of Pedals of Joy - either doing bike repairs herself or reaching out to potential volunteers. In doing so, she has met cycling advocates who have offered to collect needed parts. She also met a Whiteland resident who donated one of her barns to Phillips for storage space. In addition, Johnson County REMC, an electric power utility company in Franklin, gave Pedals of Joy $1,000 to help pay for helmets.

Currently, Phillips has about 90 bikes. She hopes to have 200 by May, split evenly between children and teen sizes. On May 16 from 9 a.m. until noon, Pedals of Joy leaders will invite community members to come to the Greenwood Amphitheater to pick up a bike.

“People will sign a waiver to take ownership of the bike,” Phillips explains. “Then the children get to pick out their bicycle, which will be sorted by size. They’ll also get fitted for a helmet and receive safety instructions from first responders.”

Phillips feels it is important to involve firefighters and police officers in the event.

“I want kids to know that these men and women really care about

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Phillips notes that if Pedals of Joy finishes the event with extra bicycles, she will invite parents without transportation to take a bike.

“Some people have said to me, ‘I can’t believe you came up with this idea. It’ll take you forever to get it all done,’” Phillips says. “Yes I’ve taken this leap, but if you have a passion for helping to change a child’s life, it’s worth it.”

Now Phillips’ children get to see what it means to give back, to have a passion and to follow through on it.

“My oldest sometimes chuckles and asks, ‘Mom, what did you get yourself into?’” Phillips says. “But I’m just hoping this can be a positive thing for our community.”

For more info on Pedals of Joy, visit facebook.com/pedalsofjoy.

If you are interested in volunteering or wish to donate a bicycle, helmets, reflectors, bells or other accessories, contact Janna Phillips at Jannaphillips36@yahoo.com.

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