THE WARPED BAND...........................................SEPT 07
ONE MORE TIME: A TRIBUTE TO DAFT PUNK.........SEPT 18
PETE YORN.......................................................SEPT 19
4 AUGUST EVENTS
6 CANDLE CREATING
Penn & Beech Candle Co. Comes to Popular Bottleworks District
PLEASE
8
CROUCHING TIGERS
Founder Olivia Roney Mitchell Empowers Kids through Martial Arts
12 CLASSIC ROCK TO BROAD RIPPLE
The Porchmen Celebrate 11 Years of Porch Performances
18 DENTIST’S CHAIR TO U.S. OPEN Indiana’s Matt Vogt Turns a Lifelong Passion Into Reality
PUBLISHERS
MICHAEL & LINDSAY DURR michael@townepost.com (630) 853-1142
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
STEPHANIE DUNCAN
CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING RYAN GABBERT ASHLEY WATTERS
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.
FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK
CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
MANGING EDITOR DEVON DEAN
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038
Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011
FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT FRANCHISING.TOWNEPOST.COM
CONTACT THE PUBLISHER
Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?
AUGUST
1 ART OF NETWORKING
5 to 6 p.m.
Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
Held every First Friday of the month, this event at the Harrison Gallery encourages creative connection and relationship building.
VOICES FROM THE ARCTIC: CONTEMPORARY INUIT ART
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, 500 W. Washington
St. This exhibition features sculptures, prints and drawings from the 1960s to today.
15
DAVEY AND THE MIDNIGHTS
7 p.m.
Flatwater, 832 E. Westfield Blvd.
Los Angeles-based group blending traditional country, blues and psychedelia.
16, 17
2025 INDIANA STATE FAIR DEMOLITION DERBY
6 p.m.
Hoosier Lottery Grandstand, Indiana State Fairgrounds
Children 5 and under are free. Event runs Saturday and Sunday.
21
BUTLER UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S SOCCER VS. ILLINOIS STATE
5 to 7 p.m.
Butler University
THIRD THURSDAYS IN BROAD RIPPLE VILLAGE
6 to 9 p.m.
Broad Ripple
Live music, creativity and community throughout the village.
22
INDIANA FEVER VS. MINNESOTA LYNX
7:30 p.m.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 N. Pennsylvania St.
24
STRANGER ATTRACTIONS PRESENTS: CONAN (UK) WITH MARES OF THRACE
7 p.m.
Black Circle, 2201 E. 46th St.
Featuring heavy psych rock band CONAN from the U.K. and Mares of Thrace from Canada.
26
BUFFALO BISONS AT INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
6:35 p.m.
Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St.
29
BUTLER UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS. PURDUE FORT WAYNE
7 to 9 p.m.
Butler University
CANDLE CREATING
PENN & BEECH CANDLE CO. COMES TO POPULAR BOTTLEWORKS DISTRICT
Writer / Ashley Watters
Photographer / Stephanie Duncan
When Brianna Doles and her sister-in-law Lacey Doles set out to open a candle company in 2017, it was originally a home-based operation. The word quickly spread, and soon the sisters-in-law were hosting groups in their basement to experience the process for themselves.
The basement operation quickly turned into a thriving retail business. As discussions ramped up for a retail space, the two wanted more than the standard stop-and-shop variety — they wanted to provide the creative experience.
Their first location opened in the downtown Indianapolis area, followed by other locations in Carmel, downtown Fishers and Columbus, Ohio.
Penn & Beech Candle Co. offers a variety of hand-poured candles for purchase in more than 100 unique fragrances, including the popular Bourbon, Beech Villa, Aperol Spritz and Oven Baked Bread. Additionally, Penn & Beech is your go-to for swag, corporate gifts and marketing promotions, or you can book a unique candle-pouring experience for a girls’ night out or baby shower. Penn & Beech Candle Co. wants to be your one-stop shop for all things fragrance.
Formerly located on College Avenue, Penn & Beech Candle Co. is excited to make the move into the popular Bottleworks District, a downtown destination for unique food, drinks, retail and experiences, located at 820
Massachusetts Ave., Suite 1320. So if custom candle fragrances, a glass of wine and good social company is your idea of a good time, then you need to make Penn & Beech Candle Co. at Bottleworks your next destination.
“While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to our first home, we are thrilled to be open in the Phase II expansion of Bottleworks. The shop
is much larger, allowing us to pour with more guests and host larger parties, and also boasts a private event space which we previously did not have downtown. The design of this shop is also unique for us, incorporating much of the art deco design seen throughout the Bottleworks District. It’s fun and playful and really captures the vibe we want from the candle-pouring experience,” Brianna said.
The Doles are hoping that visitors will experience the same clean, modern aesthetic you can find at other locations, with the historic vibrance that has become an iconic part of the Bottleworks District.
The candle-pouring experience is an exceptional opportunity — one that Penn & Beech Candle Co. has leveled up with their fragrance bar. Guests can choose from a variety of vessel styles and sizes, and the fragrance options reach as far and as wide as your imagination. Scent experts are readily available in the expanded space to help guide you toward the candle scent of
your wildest dreams and make the process easy and approachable for everyone.
Additionally, visitors to Bottleworks will have the added advantage of close proximity to other distinctive local retailers, making a quick visit to the popular Garage or a stroll down Mass Ave. the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
“Pour with us and enjoy a beverage while creating, then head to a local restaurant to grab a bite to eat, grab a drink and play a round of duck bowling at Pins, or just take a walk down Mass Ave. Your candles will then be ready to take home and enjoy, or you can pick them up anytime in the following two weeks,” Brianna said.
As part of their grand opening on July 19, Penn & Beech Candle Co. gave a free candle-pouring experience to the first 50 visitors, provided welcome mimosas and
welcomed all with good vibes — which they plan to keep rolling for all visitors. Anyone interested in a candle-pouring event can book via Yelp and follow Penn & Beech Candle Co. on Instagram for more community events and information.
Due to high demand, Penn & Beech Candle Co. also offers expanded wholesale offerings and products for purchase, such as reed diffusers, soy tarts, gift sets and more.
For more information, visit pennandbeech.com.
Crouching Tigers
FOUNDER OLIVIA RONEY MITCHELL EMPOWERS KIDS THROUGH MARTIAL ARTS
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Michael Durr
The first time Olivia Roney Mitchell took a martial arts class at 11 years old, she fell in love with the sport. She went to the library and checked out books about Japan and karate, eager to learn all she could. When her cousin started taking classes, Roney Mitchell desperately wanted to join, but she was raised by a single mom with six kids, and the family was strapped for cash. Determined to find a way, Roney Mitchell struck a deal with the owner of the karate studio, offering to scrub mats, wipe mirrors, and clean bathrooms in exchange for free lessons. After several years of taking lessons, she began teaching younger kids. That’s when she found her true passion.
“I was like, ‘This is what I want to do with my life!’” said Roney Mitchell, who took over running the kids’ program at that studio when she was 14.
“We come out of the womb punching, kicking, and screaming. It all comes so naturally,” she said. “When you capture kids’ attention with physical activity, you’re able to teach more than martial arts.”
Roney Mitchell founded Crouching Tigers in 2007 when she was just 20 years old. The idea came to her when she was studying at IUPUI and began offering her mobile services to various childcare centers and after-school programs, holding classes on-site. She was eager to not only teach children aged 2-7 martial arts but also life and safety skills. Teaching safety in a non-threatening way was important to her because when she was growing up, her mom used fear tactics to keep Roney Mitchell and her siblings safe.
“She’d always tell me that someday I was going to get kidnapped,” Roney Mitchell said. “We all stayed safe, but I grew up with so much fear.”
When she founded Crouching Tigers, she wanted to teach important safety lessons to children in a way that didn’t create anxiety. Therefore, she incorporates storytelling into every class.
Crouching Tigers operates as a mobile service, where certified instructors (senseis) go on-site to childcare centers and elementary schools to teach lessons in the Indy, Chicago and Cincinnati areas.
Olivia Roney Mitchell / Owner
Across all locations, they see about 3,000 students each week. The mobile option is convenient for working families who struggle to drive their children to classes. In addition, last October they opened a studio on Winthrop Avenue where they hold classes every Wednesday.
In years past, Roney Mitchell and other senseis found that they could drill a technique or concept for two or three minutes before students lost focus. However, a few years ago, they noticed attention spans had dropped to less than 30 seconds, making instruction difficult. To address this, Roney Mitchell enrolled in a 200hour yoga teacher training, where she learned about sound meditation and singing bowls. She found that incorporating a calming sound at the start of class allowed students to clear their minds. This “tiger chime” rings for 14 seconds while students close their eyes.
is the one thing they truly love, just as it was for Roney Mitchell when she first tried it.
“It gets rid of monkey mind and enables them to get tiger-focused,” Roney Mitchell said. “I think throughout the day kids are super overstimulated and don’t have the ability to close their eyes, breathe, and focus on just one thing. This is the one time in their day when they can do just that.”
It’s always exciting when parents tell Roney Mitchell that their kids have found their spark through Crouching Tigers. They may have previously tried other sports and activities, but for many, martial arts
“I’ve had many parents tell me that their kid refuses to take off their Crouching Tigers belts, so they sleep in them,” Roney Mitchell said.
Three times a year, they host promotion ceremonies where parents are invited to watch their child break a board and earn a new rank.
“It’s an exciting time for families, and the kids are on Cloud Nine,” Roney Mitchell said. “At this age, they’ve not been involved in school plays or other productions, so this is often their first performance where they stand up and perform in front of a crowd.”
Roney Mitchell hears a lot of success stories from families who return years later to share how their son or daughter continued their karate studies and earned their black belt.
“We like being that introductory program that exposes kids to the art,” Roney Mitchell said. “We encourage them to look into other martial arts schools after completing our program.”
When Roney Mitchell first started the company, a set of parents brought their kindergarten son to classes because he was being bullied at school. He was a shy, meek kid, and his parents begged for help. The program helped him, but not in the way one might expect. The boy didn’t need self-defense; he needed a boost in confidence. By progressing through the ranks, breaking boards, and memorizing and reciting things, he started to feel more accomplished. That new sense of confidence was what stopped him from being bullied.
“Anytime a child finds their spark and sees their progress, they carry themselves with a new level of confidence,” Roney Mitchell said. “It’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
Crouching Tigers Headquarters Studio is located at 5255 Winthrop Ave., Suite 7, Indianapolis, IN 46220. For more information, call 88-761-5151 or visit crouchingtigers.com.
Crouching Tigers 5255 Winthrop Ave Suite 7, Indianapolis
Life Skills & Safety Lessons Through Martial Arts
At Crouching Tigers, we believe that LifeSkills and SafetyLessons are more than just beneficial - they’re a necessity for every child. In our child-centric martial arts program, our Senseis make learning about safety engaging and fun, teaching vital lessons that help kids confidently navigate the world from playgrounds to public spaces. We’re taking the scary out of safety and making it fun.
Enroll before September 15th and receive $20 off when you use promocode: NORTHINDY.
Visit us at our Headquarters studio at 5255 Winthrop Ave (right next to Half Liter)!
THE PORCHMEN CELEBRATE 11 YEARS OF PORCH PERFORMANCES
Writer and Photographer / Stephanie Duncan
There’s always something entertaining to find in Broad Ripple on a summer night. For the past 11 years, a local band called the Porchmen has been livening up porches and outdoor venues with live music and a relaxing atmosphere, becoming a beloved part of the Broad Ripple music scene.
The Porchmen are Brian Moldt, Brian Wheat and Rob de las Alas, a trio of friends who play a range of classic rock covers. Over the years, they have gained a consistent audience by playing on the back porch of Hotel Broad Ripple in the summer. The shows
are always free, and people arrive early to set up lawn chairs and reserve their spot.
Hotel Broad Ripple is a boutique hotel in the heart of Broad Ripple Village, overlooking the Monon Trail and the White River. Moldt enjoys seeing familiar faces every time they play. “It’s so relaxed. I’ll talk to people walking across the Monon during the set. People show up like an hour early to set up chairs, and bring blankets and coolers of food,” he said. The venue also offers beer, wine, nonalcoholic refreshments and snacks.
The Porchmen Live at Hotel Broad Ripple
Their set list features an eclectic range of classic rock songs from the 1960s and ’70s, including hits by the Eagles, the Beatles, Rod Stewart and more. The Porchmen’s unique twist on these songs and their ability to adapt them to their acoustic sound make their performances a must-see for any classic rock fan.
The band’s camaraderie and longtime friendship create an inviting and fun atmosphere. During their July 5 show, children played in front of the crowd, attendees sang along and Monon Trail patrons stopped to enjoy the music. The band played a high-energy three-hour set, complete with banter and dancing. “I really enjoy playing with these guys. They’re uniquely talented in what they do,” de las Alas said.
De las Alas comes from a musical family and plays about eight instruments. The Porchmen highlight his talents, including mandolin and violin. Adding mandolin to classic rock isn’t expected—but that’s what makes their covers unique.
Moldt handles guitar and lead vocals, while Wheat adds depth by playing bass guitar and percussion simultaneously. “[Wheat’s] got these two foot pedals to keep the groove. I don’t know how he does it, but he does it really well,” Moldt said.
Eleven years is a long time to play together, and it all began
with a jam session during a thunderstorm. “I have this annual birthday bash on my porch, and I invited all my musician friends,” Wheat said. “We crammed like 15 people on my porch. A raging thunderstorm came through, but we kept playing.”
Moldt immediately noticed de las Alas. “There was a guy on my left who, when I got there, had a guitar in his hand. Two songs later, he’s playing harmonica, then mandolin. Three songs later,
he’s playing violin,” Moldt said. No one remembers who first suggested starting a band, but the trio knew they had something special. After playing more on Wheat’s porch, they started looking for other venues.
Their first gig was at a bar formerly known as 1001. Moldt convinced the owners to let them play for free—but they needed a name. “As I’m walking out, the bartender asks, ‘Hey,
what’s the name of your band?’” Moldt said. “We didn’t have a name, so I said, ‘We’re the porch band.’ My daughter asked, ‘Did you say the Porchmen?’ I said, ‘No, but that’s it!’” The name stuck.
Soon after, Wheat’s neighbors helped connect the band with Hotel Broad Ripple, and the relationship has flourished. “We have all these musical backgrounds and kept with it. There’s no big ego. We have a lot of fun,” Moldt said. “We’re just three guys who have careers and jobs. Playing together scratches the itch and keeps the dream alive.”
The Porchmen have more performances scheduled this summer. For dates, visit hotelbroadripple.com or check the band’s Facebook page.
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DENTIST’S CHAIR TO U.S. OPEN
INDIANA’S MATT VOGT TURNS A LIFELONG PASSION INTO REALITY
Writer / Ryan Gabbert
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.
