Plainfield Magazine January 2019

JANUARY 2019

MAGAZINE

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EDITORIAL MANAGER

DEEP DIVE: PLAINFIELD COMMUNITY AQUATICS BOLSTERS STUDENTS’ SKILLS, CONFIDENCE & FRIENDSHIPS

At some point in all our lives, we learn that there are not enough hours in a day to squeeze in everything we want to do. Scott Johnson learned this truth at age 11 when his parents made him choose between his two big loves: baseball and swimming.

Swimming won, and from then all the way through his college years, Johnson became a dedicated, year-round swimmer, taking part in both school teams and swim clubs.

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DECEMBER WRITERS

Christy Heitger-Ewing / Jamie Hergott

DECEMBER PHOTOGRAPHERS Amy Payne

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5 Deep Dive: Plainfield Community

Aquatics Bolsters Students’ Skills, Confidence & Friendships

21 A Fair Deal: Steve Patterson

Embraces Life as Executive Director of the Hendricks County Fairgrounds

10 Lighten Your Child's Backpack Load 27 Face-Off: Avon Youth Lacrosse 11 Proud to Serve: Hendricks County Seeks to Inspire Players, Community

Sheriff Brett Clark Embraces Every 33 Behind The Scenes: A Day in the

Aspect of the Job

P.O. Box 36097, Indianapolis, IN 46236 Phone/Fax: 317-810-0011

Life of A Plainfield Bus Driver

Kiwanis Club Cares for Kids in Hendricks County & Indianapolis

For Advertising, Contact Darren Boston Darren@PlainfieldMag.com / 317-716-8812

15 League of Miracles: Local Nonprofit 36 Supporting Our Youth: Plainfield

Enables Special Needs Children to Play Organized Sports

4 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2019 / PlainfieldMag.com

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Plainfield Community Aquatics Bolsters Students’ Skills, Confidence & Friendships Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographers / Amy Payne / PCA

PlainfieldMag.com / JANUARY 2019 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 5

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t some point in all our lives, we learn that there are not enough hours in a day to squeeze in everything we want to do. Scott Johnson learned this truth at age 11 when his parents made him choose between his two big loves: baseball and swimming. Swimming won, and from then all the way through his college years, Johnson became a dedicated, year-round swimmer, taking part in both school teams and swim clubs.

to bolster the school’s competitiveness in Plainfield. He absolutely did.

They currently have four full-time USA swim coaches — Johnson and three others.

“I’d wanted to launch a year-round swim program for a while, and this was the perfect time to do it,” says Johnson, who became PHS’s head swimming & diving coach as well as the executive director and head senior coach of the nonprofit swim club called Plainfield Community Aquatics (PCA).

“There’s a pretty stringent USA swimming protocol on getting certified to coach for the USA,” Johnson says. “It involves background checks, safety classes and athlete protection training.”

When Johnson’s collegiate career ended in 2002, he started coaching as an assistant at Plainfield High School (PHS), his alma mater. In 2016, when PHS’s head coach retired after 26 years, Johnson applied for the job. Historically, PHS swim programs had been highly decorated and accomplished, but in recent years there had been a decline in performance. Therefore, during his interview, committee members asked Johnson if he had suggestions for how

“With the athletic director’s support, I got the year-round program up and running,” says Johnson, noting that PCA is open to swimmers from anywhere and everywhere (not just Plainfield), ranging in age from 7 through college. They run practices for several ability groups. The entry-level group of the swim club practices four times a week for 90 minutes. As they progress to the higher-ability groups, high school students are in the water six days a week, twice a day.

On the developmental side, they have 8-12 high school students and 3-4 adult coaches that run those programs. Parents pay a monthly fee based on the training group their child is involved in (how many hours are spent in the pool). The PCA also offers swim lessons to kids as young as age 4, getting them acquainted with water. As they develop skills in the strokes, the club provides more expansive programs.

Unlike a high school swim season that lasts for a handful of months, PCA practices run all calendar year with the exception of a

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two-week break in August and another twoweek break in late March/early April.

The other major difference between school teams and club swimming is that club swimming competition is much more expansive. They tend to last all weekend long and students compete against other students in their own age group whereas with school swimming there are generally 14-18 swimmers all competing for the same prizes. In addition, club competitions are more invitational-based rather than team vs. team. You might have as many as 10, 15 or 20 clubs all in the same meet competing together.

“The Michael Phelpses of the world all came from club swimming, not high school swim teams,” Johnson says. “Swim clubs separate the highly competitive kids because you can’t just be a 4-months-outof-a-year swimmer and expect to earn a

gold medal.”

Swimming is clearly gaining popularity and the reason Johnson suspects that’s so is because athletes are recognizing that their ability to improve is directly proportional to how much effort they put into it.

“You have complete control over your own destiny if you’re willing to put in the work,” Johnson says. “I think kids are really drawn to that.”

According to Johnson, swimmers often enjoy the longevity of the sport simply because it’s not incredibly demanding on joints. Overuse injuries can still occur, of course, though Johnson takes a lot of measures to help his swimmers limit injuries.

Johnson has found that being involved in a swim club is a great way for students PlainfieldMag.com / JANUARY 2019 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 7

to learn time management skills as they are forced to balance school and training, which also includes dry land and weightlifting practice.

“These high school kids are in the water before and after school, plus they still have homework,” Johnson says. “A lot of life skills can be learned from the program.”

Johnson, a full-time firefighter in Decatur Township since 2005, is also a loving husband and father. His wife Amanda teaches fourth grade at Van Buren Elementary in Plainfield, and they’ve got two daughters: Lainey (6) and Lillian (4).

Clearly, with so many responsibilities, Johnson has got to make sure he doesn’t spread himself too thin.

“It’s challenging,” he says. “That’s why I rely on having a good staff and people I can trust. “I’m able to be at the fire station,

confident that the program is being instituted athletes. The breaststroke has always been his favorite. Interestingly, they have a lot of and the workouts are being facilitated good breaststroke swimmers at the club. appropriately. That leads to peace of mind when I’m not able to be there.”

“I don’t know if that’s coincidence or if I just love to coach that stroke,” says Johnson, who At the fire station, Johnson works 24-hour shifts, from 7 a.m. to 7. a.m., followed by 48 grew up in Plainfield. Though he moved away to attend college at the University of hours off.

Louisville, he felt a pull to return home.

“In the beginning, that schedule was intimidating, but I don’t know that I’d want “My heart was always here in Plainfield,” he a different schedule now,” he says. “I’m able says. “This community has so much to offer.” to be home with my kids two out of every He cites the awesome trail systems, for three days.” one thing, as he and his wife are both avid When he’s not at home, however, he prefers runners who regularly participate in the Indy Mini Marathon. being poolside. In fact, Johnson calls the pool deck his “happy place.” It’s where he “I love how we can get on a trail system and focuses on being a positive influence on do 15-mile loops and never have to run on a young people’s lives. Because he’s so busy fighting fires in the community and lighting busy street,” Johnson says. fires within his athletes, these days Johnson At the end of their first summer — the rarely gets in the water himself. Instead, he summer of 2016 — 31 students were spends his time planning workouts for his

enrolled in PCA. This year they are on the verge of surpassing 150 registrants. Their growth is a testament to the product they’re delivering. Since the club’s inception, Johnson has received lots of positive feedback from swimmers — mostly about the family atmosphere amongst the athletes.

“These kids have formed such amazing relationships through PCA. They’ve developed lifelong friendships,” Johnson says. That’s due, in large part, to the positive, enthusiastic tone of the coaching staff.

“We always want fun and friendship to be part of our club,” Johnson says. “Honestly, the more fun the kids are having, the more skill they develop and the quicker they improve.”

The Plainfield Community Aquatics Club is based out of Plainfield High School. For more information, visit teamunify.com/ team/inpca/page/home.

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Lighten Your Child’s Backpack Load Are geography, geometry and other heavy textbooks weighing your child down? It’s possible. A new year means a new semester and a chance to re-stock on kids’ school supplies. While making sure your child has the right materials for spring classes, take a look at your child’s backpack. Dr. Rebecca O’Bryan, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Indiana University Health West Hospital’s Spine Center, offers suggestions for protecting your child’s back.

“Choose a backpack that has two wide, padded straps, a padded back and a waist strap,” Dr. O’Bryan says. “Kids should hook backpacks through both arms, not just one.”

Lighter is better. Many experts say backpacks should not weigh more than about 10 percent of a child’s body weight.

So, a 100-pound child shouldn’t tote more than 10 pounds in a backpack.

“Teach children to pack the heaviest books first,” Dr. O’Bryan says. “These items should be closest to the back. Try to limit the amount of time children lug their backpacks and remind them to stash items in their lockers when they can.”

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You may notice the overloaded backpack problem beginning in middle school as your child’s school and homework load increases. And although many schools have •Pack it smart. Put the heaviest items closest transitioned school books and equipment to electronic platforms such as laptops and to the center of your child’s back. tablets, Dr. O’Bryan advises it’s still worth watching so that your child’s back isn’t •Buy a pack with a waist strap and make impacted later in life. sure your children use it for heavy loads.

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Proud to Serve HENDRICKS COUNTY SHERIFF BRETT CLARK EMBRACES EVERY ASPECT OF THE JOB Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

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s a teenager, Hendricks County Sheriff Brett Clark had big plans that involved graduating from Purdue, landing a job as a chemical engineer and purchasing a Porsche 911.

Ultimately, none of that came to fruition.

“My dad was a state trooper for 31 years. I knew about the terrible hours and never had any intention of pursuing the same line of work,” Clark says.

Nevertheless, a couple years into college, life brought him full-circle, back to the very career he thought he wanted to avoid. After joining the Navy but being honorably discharged due to a heart issue, he applied to be an officer at the Hendricks County jail.

“I think God puts you where you’re supposed to be,” says Clark, who took the job on September 18, 1989.

He was hired as a Hendricks County police officer in January 1990 and has never left, having worked his way through a number of positions and appointments. He’s always embraced the freedom the career brings as well as the opportunity to help people in the community.

“In this job, you get to see people at their best and their worst,” he says.

Being named sheriff in 2015 was a real honor for Clark. His responsibilities are multiplied from when he was a deputy. In addition to concerns about crime rates, drug scourge and a rise in mental illnesses, he has to focus on a number of administrative tasks.

“Being in charge of the jail, I’m a hotel manager and building manager, which means I have to think about things like the prices of toilets and feminine hygiene products,” Clark says. “Plus, there are dietary needs and health issues that you never have to consider as a police officer.”

In addition, as sheriff, he must be mindful of the budget and be a good steward of taxpayers’ money.

Clark, now in his 29th year in the profession, is on the ballot, running unopposed. After this next term, he’ll have 12 / AVON MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2019 / AvonMagazine.com

to step down as it’s a term-limited position.

Indiana is one of three states that has a twoconsecutive-term limit.

In the past three decades, Hendricks County has experienced phenomenal growth. The Hendricks County Sheriff ’s Department, however, is still operating in the same jail that was built in 1973 (with an addition erected in 1989).

“It’s a constant challenge to limp our old jail along,” Clark says. “But to have endured such growth and still be in the same jail for three decades is due to the outstanding communication, cooperation and collaboration among us, the judges, the prosecutors, the probation department and the work release center.”

“We’re looking at best practice as well as evidence-based criteria on which to make more efficient decisions going forward to better serve our community,” Clark says.

“That could be pre-trial, pre-arrest or any person going through the criminal justice system.”

Collaboration and communication is the only reason that a fast-growing county with 160,000 people living in it can maintain a jail with just 252 beds.

“Unless you’re involved in the system, most people don’t understand what we even do here,” Clark says. “Folks may drive by and assume our operation is like Otis in Mayberry, thinking we have 50 guys when today we have 300 in here.”

All of these entities meet regularly as sort of In the future, the county will have to erect a a justice council thanks to a project called new jail, and when they do it will likely be a EBDM (Evidence-Based Decision Making). podular design that has a central command center with pods around it. Not only does

the design provide a 360-degree visual observation to monitor inmates via closedcircuit screens, but it also allows for future expansion. A jail project is a tremendous undertaking that will involve big-time discussion among taxpayers.

“A jail in a community isn’t something that everyone wants, but it’s a necessary thing and we have a duty to everyone to do it right,” says Clark, noting that it takes funding, approval, votes and location.

Thankfully they already have the location as it will be erected on the old fairgrounds site next door since the county owns the property.

“When the fairgrounds moved a decade ago, that was the thought — to sit on this property for future growth, as needed,” Clark says. “It’s good because oftentimes other jurisdictions around the state have had problems if they’re landlocked on the

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downtown squares.”

The next thing is figuring out how to fund it so it’s equitably shared among the taxpayers.

“You can’t just burden the property owners or the workers,” Clark says. “It needs to be some kind of combination of income tax, public safety tax and property taxes so the burden is shared.”

Clark cares about community members because people are his favorite part of the job. For instance, when he attends the county fair, dozens of kids run up to him looking for a high-five or a hug. He also regularly receives cards from community members thanking him for the kindness shown to them by Hendricks County officers.

“It’s about how you treat people,” says Clark, whose number one focus has always been on public service. “If we come to your house at your worst moment and treat you with kindness, compassion and care, that goes further than anyone can imagine. We have a tremendous group of men and women here who never cease to impress me with their professionalism and concern.”

Whenever Clark interviews potential candidates for deputy sheriff, he always asks them why they were drawn to the profession. Their response is almost always, “I want to help people.”

While that’s admirable, Clark knows that such enthusiasm can wane over time.

Not only that but long-term PTSD in law enforcement tends to wear people down slowly. So, he encourages all newbie cops to read the book “Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families” by Kevin M. Gilmartin.

The book talks about hypervigilance: “the necessary manner of viewing the world from a threat-based perspective, having the mindset to see the events unfolding as potentially hazardous.”

Where most people have normal ups and downs in life — we go to work, come home and engage in normal routines with spouses and children, celebrate birthdays

and anniversaries and attend the occasional funeral — while on duty, police officers have to operate on high alert. For instance, they have to make sure to approach a car in a certain way or enter a room in a certain manner. They are always in a constant state of readiness in order to remain safe.

“The hypervigilance rollercoaster is tough because on the one hand, the job is Dukes of Hazzard exciting,” Clark says. “On the other hand, the body and mind can only JANUARY 2019 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

take so much.”

Clark also encourages his staff to practice wellness through physical activity, faith and spending time with family and friends. As for Clark, he enjoys yoga, motorcycling, watching football and relaxing with his wife Karie. Though he never did get that Porsche 911, he’s not complaining.

“Every day is a new adventure, and I love it,” Clark says. “I can’t think of a better job.”

League of Miracles LOCAL NONPROFIT ENABLES SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN TO PLAY ORGANIZED SPORTS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Indiana, including Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks and Marion Counties.

“We want to make sure that every child has a chance to play,” Kendall says.

Last spring Nicole Kendall, a former local radio personality on WYRZ, was asked if she would become the Executive Director of League of Miracles, a nonprofit organization that provides an accessible complex for children five and up with special needs to participate in organized sports.

The field, located in Camby, just south of 67, draws kids from Avon, Plainfield, Mooresville, Martinsville, Decatur, Monrovia and Indianapolis. Players may participate in the spring and summer league (which runs in June through the end of July), the fall league (which runs in September and early October) or both. The cost for each season is just $50, which gets every player a personalized uniform with their name on the back, a hat, a popsicle after each game and a medallion at the end of the season.

Though this is a relatively low cost, Kendall recognizes that raising a child with special needs can be costly with therapy, equipment and more. So, no player will be turned away should they not have the finances to pay.

League of Miracles operates with a buddy system on the field so they rely heavily on volunteers for children who need extra assistance.

“They needed an ambassador to be out in the community and talk about who they are so that they could hopefully recruit more players, volunteers and sponsors,” says Kendall, who jumped at the chance to advocate for an organization that celebrates these incredible individuals’ abilities instead of focusing on their disabilities. Those children with physical, mental or emotional special needs come from all over Central

JANUARY 2019 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

“Some kids go up to bat, point to the fence to indicate that the ball will go over, and it does,” Kendall says. “For others, it’s a real struggle to play, but their buddies help them swing the bat, round the bases safely and make sure they’re having a great time.”

The league is non-competitive as the whole point is not to win but to play.

“We’re celebrating that they can play and that they can enjoy it like every other kid,” Kendall says.

And just as key: they don’t treat players like a child with special needs but rather like a child, period.

As soon as Kendall was recruited as executive director, she immediately identified her number one job — to fill empty bleachers.

Part of the reason benches are vacant is simply because the general public doesn’t know the league exists. But there’s another component that’s key to share.

“We have children who play that are in social service or group-home situations. As a result, they have little to no family involvement,” Kendall says. “Every child deserves somebody in the stands cheering them on.”

Kendall regularly recruits volunteers to clap, holler and support the players. They’ve had Girl Scout troops, track teams and local school cheerleaders come out to the field to cheer.

“Sometimes when you try something and you’re encouraged when you’re trying it, you keep at it and that’s what we want them to do.

We hope that carries over in other aspects of their lives.”

“Some kids are initially apprehensive about volunteering simply because they don’t know what to expect,” Kendall says. “But once they come, they enjoy it so much that they always return.”

Carla Jo Ream is a community member who regularly comes to the field as a spectator.

The league welcomes such community spirit because when the players see and feel the energy from the bleachers, their eyes light up.

“The kids are absolutely the best. It’s beyond heartwarming to see how much they love this and how much the volunteers put into this organization,” Ream says. “These children are able to do something they would never get to do without this facility.”

“That kind of encouragement can be lifechanging for these kids,” says Kendall, noting that encouragement breeds perseverance.

Kendall is seeking businesses who would like to sponsor a team. She also welcomes calls from churches and other organizations who

JANUARY 2019 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

We’re celebrating that they can play and that they can enjoy it like every other kid

- Nicole Kendall

may be interested in renting the field to host team-building softball or kickball games.

The field is beautiful, thanks to the generous financial support of several area clubs and businesses. For instance, the Kiwanis Club of Mooresville raised $275,000 to go toward the $800,000 facility, which includes a specialized rubber-based field that enables players with walkers or wheelchairs to move around more easily, thus reducing the chance of injuries.

Currently, League of Miracles has about 120 participants who are primarily children and young adults. At some point down the line, they would like to add an all-adult league.

we do,” Kendall says. “Even those who can’t verbalize their emotions show us that they love having the opportunity to just be a kid.”

Another child who has been living with

foster parents introduced his foster mother to one of his teammates by saying, “This is my mom.”

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“We have some players who are technically not children anymore, but they function on a child’s level so we don’t put an age cap on our league,” Kendall says. “Right now we market to kids because most of them are between five and 20, but we have a few who are older.”

The name League of Miracles is appropriate because the transformations that take place on the field are often miraculous.

“The growth in these kids over the course of the season is astounding” Kendall adds.

“Some of them, when they first start the program, you can read it on their face that they’re thinking, ‘No way am I going onto that field!’ It may take a couple of weeks of sitting on the bench before they work up the nerve to play, but once they give it a try, they’re hooked.”

One such example is of a little girl named Desimber who is nonverbal but still finds a way to get across her enthusiasm and appreciation for the league. Her mother told Kendall that Desimber often goes to the refrigerator where the game schedule is posted and signs “thank you” to her mom because she loves playing so much.

“That’s a great reminder of why we do what

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He had never done that before.

“We get to witness relationships growing and so many positive things,” Kendall says.

That’s precisely what lures Ream to the ball field.

holler for them. Little Wesley who uses a walker always waves to the crowd when he makes his run. I just love the whole experience. I look forward to going every chance I get.”

To learn more about the League of Miracles “I love rooting these kids on,” Ream says. or to get updated information on the “You can see the beaming faces when people March 8 spring fundraiser, check out @

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LeagueofMiracles on Facebook, visit them online at leagueofmiracles.org or email them at leagueofmiraclesmorgancounty@gmail. com.

The field is located at 7101 E. Landersdale Rd., Camby, IN. Donations, however, should be sent to P.O. Box 698, Mooresville, IN 46158.

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JANUARY 2019 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

A Fair Deal Steve Patterson Embraces Life as Executive Director of the Hendricks County Fairgrounds

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Everyone has their own definition of what it is to be in hog heaven. For Steve Patterson, hog heaven is where the hogs are, and the horses, and the bunnies and the elephant ears. Because Patterson is happiest when he’s at the fairgrounds. In fact, he’s built his life around the fair, having been involved in 4-H since he was 10 years old. A lifelong resident of Hendricks County, Patterson was elected onto the fair board in 1992 where he served until 2014 when he was hired as the Executive Director of the Hendricks County 4-H and Agricultural Fair Association.

Through the years, Patterson has served on

the board in every capacity — as treasurer, secretary, vice president, president and was part of the planning committee for the new facilities that opened in 2006. Once doors opened, Patterson served on the operations committee. Why the intense involvement?

“I have a passion for fairs — always have,” says Patterson, who also worked at the state fair from 1983 until 1996. After taking a bit of time off, he returned in 2001. In 2007, Patterson was appointed by Governor Daniel’s office to serve on the state fair board, where he stayed for nine years.

“I got to experience the behind-thescenes aspect of the 17-day state fair,” says Patterson, who last year worked in the Gateway counting money.

JANUARY 2019 / AVON/PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE

As Executive Director of the HC Fairgrounds, Patterson is responsible for managing the 150-acre facility, booking events and, of course, putting on the annual weeklong county fair.

The state-of-the-art facility is outfitted with audio-visual equipment in all of the meeting spaces as well as Wi-fi technology throughout the campus, thanks to Endeavor Communications and Hendricks Power Cooperative.

The complex has a main conference building, which houses a 2,010 sq. ft. conference room that can be broken up into two separate meeting spaces. The room’s kitchenette makes it ideal for

family reunions, business conferences and seminars. About 70 people can comfortably fit in that space. Then there are three classrooms with a total square footage of 2,325. Those rooms, ideal for educational purposes, can each hold up to 150 people theatre-style or 75 people classroom-style. In addition, there is a north/south hall, with 1,170 sq. ft. in the main room that includes a stage. Popular for wedding receptions, it can hold up to 450.

The Hendricks County Expo Hall is a pole barn with a 16,830 sq. ft. pavilion, great for huge blowouts as it can hold between 600700 people. Though the actual structure is not fancy, Patterson’s staff uses pipe and drape to soften the space.

“It’s great for large weddings or for events where people want to have room to move around a lot,” Patterson says.

“Sometimes couples divide it up and have their ceremony in one section and their reception in another so everything stays on site.”

The old fairgrounds were sitting on just 25 acres and didn’t see much activity.

“We booked a wedding here or there,” Patterson says.

hold training seminars, continuing ed classes and trade shows during the winter months when they can’t work outside.

Two weekends in February, they hold the Champion’s Cup Gymnastics Invitational, set up in the Expo Hall.

Oh, how times have changed!

“I’m looking at our calendar for the upcoming year and there’s literally not a single day that we don’t have something going on here,” he says.

The HC Fairgrounds hosts everything from craft shows, antique shows and gun & knife shows to huge consignment sales like “Here We Grow Again,” a bi-annual children’s consignment sale that attracts young families in need of gently used clothes at a reasonable price.

Other annual events held at the fairgrounds include Relay for Life and the Hendricks County Solid Waste Management District Tox-Away Day where the community is invited to recycle household appliances, chemicals, paints and hazardous household waste.

The fairgrounds are booked year-round as construction and utility companies often

“We have a lot of recurring events where groups want to come the same weekend each year,” says Patterson, noting that they’re currently booking into 2021.

They host the National Pow Wow, a native Indian dance program that assembles every three years to celebrate the group’s heritage through tribal dancing. In addition, the HC Fairgrounds hosts the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), an international living history group that studies and recreates Medieval European cultures.

“They celebrated their 50th anniversary for 10 days at our facility in July 2016,” Patterson says. “They came from all over the world to Hendricks County.”

Though the staff does a great job of booking events, every now and then they encounter a planning hiccup. For instance, a couple of years ago, they held “Dancing with the Stars of Hendricks County” on the same night as a local prom, which presented a parking challenge. This is never a problem for the annual county fair, however, since there is lots of green space on the north of the property.

The outer grounds, which is in operation from early April until early November, also has rentable event space. There is the rustic tin-frame Cartlidge Barn, which was moved in 2013 from the YMCA property in Avon after a group banded together to preserve the structure for historical purposes. In 2015, a 40x60 shelter was added on to the back of it, making it a popular venue for wedding receptions, family reunions, graduations and other parties.

Activities also occur in their pavilions and

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covered horse arena that’s 250 ft. long and has 1,000 seats. Though it’s geared toward equine events, it can be used for cattle shows and other events. It’s connected to a horse barn that has 150 stalls.

These spaces are utilized during the sevenday county fair that regularly draws an impressive crowd. This year’s fair will run from July 14-20 and showcase entertainment, livestock, tasty food and competitions.

“We pride ourselves on providing a state fair experience at county fair pricing,” says Patterson, noting the free grounds entertainment such as the Dynamo Dog show, the High-Diving Pirates of the Caribbean show, and the beloved Swifty Swine pig racing.

“We hosted that for several years, stopped for a year and had a lot of people ask to bring it back,” Patterson says. “It’s basically pigs running around the track racing for an Oreo cookie.”

Another successful program they plan to bring back this year is “Hendricks County’s Got Talent.”

always understand the agricultural aspect of how things are raised, produced and processed.

“People love the county fair because it’s inexpensive, family-friendly fun,” Patterson says. “Folks come for the food, the animals, the entertainment and the education.”

Patterson’s three kids — Taylor (25), Mikayla (22) and Robbie (19) — are all indoctrinated into the 4-H program. In fact, Robbie, a firefighter at North Salem, works at the HC fairgrounds, and Taylor works at the Indiana State Fair in the accounting department.

This past year, they started a new program called the “Ag Experience,” which teaches fair-goers all about where food products come from — from the farm to the refrigerator. For instance, how does milk get to the store? In today’s world, people don’t

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“She says that fairs are in our blood, and she’s right,” Patterson says.

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AVON YOUTH LACROSSE SEEKS TO INSPIRE PLAYERS, COMMUNITY Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography Provided by Melissa Fry & Trina Burton

Avon Youth Lacrosse (AYL) recently finished another great fall season and is gearing up for a record-breaking spring season. There has been an explosion in participation from its inception two years ago. In 2016, nine kids came out to play for the first season in Avon. Because of the significant growth AYL has experienced, they expect to have numbers approaching 500 this spring.

The club was founded by Craig Suhaka and Jerry Nierzwicki, current President of the AYL board. Nierzwicki attributes the club’s

success to the versatility and freshness of the the Midwest, it’s actually the oldest sport in sport. the nation and is currently a significant part of the sports landscape on the East Coast.

“There is a place on the lacrosse field for North American Indians used to play it as anyone,” Nierzwicki says. “Any level of body a way to bring tribes together, encourage type and athleticism has a spot, whether negotiation and celebrate religious you’re smaller and quicker or bigger with traditions. Lacrosse played an important more endurance. There’s a place for every role in the community and the religious level of ability.” life of those tribes for many years. Players not only learn this history but sometimes Lacrosse is a combination of basketball, incorporate past traditions into their hockey, soccer and football. A ball is thrown, practices and games. caught and carried using a long-handled stick that has a curved frame with a piece of Avon Youth Lacrosse was born out of the netting strung inside.

Brownsburg Youth Lacrosse Club, formed

by Jason Koles. When Nierzwicki heard While lacrosse is a lesser-known sport in rumors of lacrosse starting in Hendricks

County, he got in touch with Koles and helped him grow the Brownsburg club. As the club grew, many kids were coming from Avon to play, so Nierzwicki decided to help start an Avon club, along with Suhaka, so more players could be involved.

The club is more than just lacrosse to Nierzwicki and the club’s board. Nierzwicki went into the military right after high school, serving in the Army Reserves and attending school at the same time. He served eight years in the military, between active duty and the reserves, served a tour of duty in Bosnia in 1995 and remains a proud and changed man because of his experiences. He aims to pass on the values he learned in the military to participants in the lacrosse club.

“We use those same principles to teach kids discipline and respect,” Nierzwicki says. “We aren’t just teaching them a sport but life lessons as well. We want them to be good people, live by the golden rule, respect others and respect yourself. We take a lot of pride in that piece of it.”

The club is run by eight board members and 20 coaches, all who completely volunteer their time and see their role as a type of mentorship for the community.

The board of directors is responsible for strategic planning, training, the selection of coaches and referees and ensuring safety is further enhanced by qualified professionals. Every single one of the coaches in the AYL is U.S. Lacrosse certified.

“We are passionate about kids being taught right by professionals,” Nierzwicki says. “We treat this as a group effort. We all do it because we love the sport, and we want to provide something better for these kids. We seek only the best so we can leverage the lacrosse program and our knowledge and experiences to develop the leaders of tomorrow on and off the field.”

The coaching philosophy of AYL is to teach the kids what they’re doing and why they’re doing it so they can understand the game, accomplish their goals and encourage creativity as they play. One

phrase they believe in as a team, coined by Nierzwicki, is, “Focus on doing the little things right, and big things will happen.”

It has become a response chant with coaches after practices and at games.

The club is also growing because parents are searching for safer sports than soccer and football. With youth concussions being a recent hot topic, many parents like that lacrosse is safer. The girls’ teams wear less gear, only goggles and a protective mouthpiece, yet are allowed no contact during play. The boys more protective gear, such as a helmet, shoulder pads, gloves and elbow pads since they are allowed contact during play.

The club provides a fall season for kids to simply practice and get to know the game. This includes free fall introduction to lacrosse clinics. Nierzwicki says this is a great time for kids and parents alike to warm up to the sport. The week consists of simple practices and scrimmages, and the main goal is to have fun. The spring season, which takes off in late February, brings a more serious season, where students take part in more conditioning and technical playing. They compete in games, which may involve some traveling for the 12U and older kids. Competing towns include Fort Wayne, South Bend and even Louisville, KY. Another reason parents are clamoring to get their kids signed up for lacrosse: scholarships. While the sport is huge on the East Coast, it’s still very fresh in the Midwest. Many Big Ten schools in the Midwest looking to start lacrosse programs are wanting to recruit from the Midwest because athletes new to the sport are easier to train.

“It’s new and a lot of colleges are looking to adopt it and make it a priority,” Nierzwicki says. “When we talk to these colleges and ask them what they’re looking for, they are recruiting from the Midwest.”

While lacrosse can be a more expensive sport considering the gear needed, AYL aims to keep costs down. The board

actively seeks sponsorships in the community and does fundraising so that cost does not prohibit any student from playing.

Jonathon Fry, Vice President of the board, is passionate about lacrosse for many reasons but the biggest being that it encompasses so many levels of athleticism and leadership. All players on the field are useful.

“It includes the strength of football, the motion of hockey and the finesse of basketball,” Fry says. “You don’t have one person the whole team relies on, like a quarterback. In this sport, every single player matters.”

Fry believes deeply in the value lacrosse brings to the community because it keeps kids active.

“They’re running the entire practice,” Fry says. “They don’t even know it because they’re having so much fun.”

Fry encourages families to come out and try the sport and get as involved as they want. His own son tried lacrosse after being involved in many sports, including football and basketball.

“We just put it in front of him because we want him to try new and different things,” Fry says. “We thought it would be fun and he is really enjoying playing. Many new kids end up absolutely loving this sport.”

Right now, the club practices on Kingsway Christian Church’s soccer fields, but at the rate the club is growing, the board is on the lookout for more club sponsors and a more permanent space.

“We want to affiliate with companies and organizations that share the same values we do,” Nierzwicki says.

“The love of today’s youth, providing opportunities for them outside the classroom, and providing life lessons on the field, it’s the right thing to do.”

Lacrosse is available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Registration is open, and indoor practices start in February. The spring season

includes two practices a week with an optional conditioning on Saturdays. Once the season actually begins, there will be games on top of the weekly practices.

To stay up to date on the club’s registration and schedule, you can find them on Facebook at facebook.com/AYLLacrosse or online at avonlacrosse.club.

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A Day in the Life of A Plainfield Bus Driver Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

small activity buses.

Linette Legg met her husband on her school bus route when she was a freshman in high school. Not only did Legg find love on a bus, but she also discovered a love for bus driving — as did her hubby. Both are school bus drivers for the Plainfield Community School Corporation.

“For the past five years, we have been able to handle growth by purchasing larger buses,” says Steve Dayhuff, Director of Transportation for Plainfield Community Schools. “Today, we have 38 full-time bus drivers, 11 substitute drivers, and we transport approximately 4,000 students daily.”

“We’ve been married for 51 years now,” says Legg, who has been driving buses for the Plainfield Community School Corporation for 42 years. Over time, the number of buses and bus drivers has grown as the town has expanded. Currently, the corporation has 49 school buses and two

Though bus drivers are a great service to the community, in many ways it’s an unheralded job. Every morning bus drivers report to work prior to departure for their pre-trip inspection where they check that lights, breaks, turn signals, stop arms,

emergency doors and other safety features are working properly. During the winter, they also have to leave time to scrape snow and ice off of windshields.

For the most part, a driver is assigned the same morning and afternoon routes so that students can get to know their drivers and vice versa. This is key as building solid relationships is crucial in life. “[I appreciate] the special friendships that I form both with other bus drivers and with some of my students,” Legg says. “Several of my former students still contact me with cards, phone calls and Facebook messages on a regular basis. Relationships are

PlainfieldMag.com / JANUARY 2019 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 33

On a school bus, the driver has the same authority as a teacher in a classroom. The difference between a school bus and a classroom is that you have twice the students and they’re all behind you.

year their buses traveled approximately 400,000 miles.

“This is a combined total of routes and extra-curricular trips,” Dayhuff says.

- Mikey Rawlinson definitely the best things in life.”

If you were to dissect most any school corporation’s transportation department, you would find that when it comes to smooth operation, precision is vital. The morning dispatcher gets to the office, bright and early, to juggle next steps when drivers call in sick.

“We have 85 routes, which equates to the buses making 170 runs a day,” Dayhuff says.

Plus, the department is always looking to create not only the most efficient routes but also the safest ones. For instance, they always try picking up students on the door side of the bus so that children aren’t crossing county roads. And boy, are those roads traveled. According to Dayhuff, last

Trying to organize all of that is no easy task, especially since it’s not unusual for things to get assigned in the eleventh hour. When it comes to a school bus driver’s greatest challenge, however, roundabouts likely top the list. That’s partly because many people don’t know that it’s both dangerous and illegal to pass a bus in a roundabout. Then there are the impatient drivers who try to get around a bus when the stop arm is extended.

Video footage abounds on the internet that shows some of the dangerous ways aggressive drivers behave when they get antsy behind a bus. Some people try passing a bus on the right. Some jump the curb and go through a yard. In addition, buses

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have been hit by distracted drivers who are looking down at their phones rather than paying attention to the road in front of them.

It’s wise for the public to be cognizant of the fact that a school bus is 40 feet long. There’s eight feet to the bus behind the rear axle so when that turns, the part of that bus that’s behind the axle swings into the adjacent lane.

Bottom line: exercise patience and give buses space.

Think about how difficult it is to concentrate in your own car with just a handful of passengers. What if you had 78 kids in your backseat? To navigate a large vehicle, pay attention to the road, be a defensive driver and still act as an authority figure to your students is multitasking at its best. Not to mention there are twice as many students on a bus as in a classroom and they’re all sitting behind you.

Though bus drivers don’t have eyes in the backs of their heads, every bus is equipped with cameras, which help minimize behavior issues, including roughhousing and bullying.

The buses have been equipped with VHS tapes for years, but today’s digital videos are crystal clear. Some equipment is so high-tech that corporations can zoom in and see the text in a book a student is reading.

Bus drivers remind students that they’re being recorded because it’s a great deterrent in reducing discipline problems like throwing bottles or hurling things out a window. Cameras also come in handy when the department gets a call from a parent, relaying a story of something that their child told them happened on the bus.

The department reviews footage to determine the story’s accuracy.

These cameras offer protection for the parent, the student and the driver because cameras tell the truth every time. And that’s what it’s all about — taking care of precious cargo.

“I don’t think folks understand the enormous responsibility we have as bus drivers,” Legg says. “We are responsible for the safety and well-being of their precious children and grandchildren. We don’t take that for granted.”

PlainfieldMag.com / JANUARY 2019 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 35

Plainfield Kiwanis Club Cares for Kids in Hendricks County & Indianapolis Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography provided

meeting I went to.”

When Lori Hiatt joined the Plainfield Kiwanis Club two years ago there were only seven members. She decided to take on the challenge of growing the group by making it more accessible to the community. Her passion for sharing the mission paid off.

The club now boasts nearly 40 members between the ages of 18 and 86 and is still growing.

Kiwanis is a national nonprofit organization that empowers and enables members to reach out to serve the needs of children in their community and around the world.

There is also a high school chapter, called the Key Club, and an elementary school chapter called the K Club. Plainfield Kiwanis is currently working on several projects, all benefiting children in Plainfield and Indianapolis. At each meeting, they continue to drum up new ways to support local children.

In fact, at the Kiwanis Indiana District Convention in August, the Plainfield Kiwanis Club won an award for membership, having the most increased membership of any group.

“All the other clubs are taking notes,” Hiatt says. “They’re sending people to our meetings. We’ve quadrupled since that first

Hiatt loves the involvement of students in the club. The Key Club and K Club groups not only help get students involved in the community, but they provide an opportunity for students to come up with their own ideas.

Hiatt recently arranged for the Plainfield Key Club to visit with residents at Cumberland Trace Senior Living Center.

The students play bingo and euchre with residents, but they also came up with their own idea: hosting a tech night to help residents navigate their electronics.

“The students came up with that themselves,” Hiatt says. “It’s really wonderful. The residents are so lonely over there.”

The Kiwanis Club raises funds in a variety of ways. Currently, they sell local honey at the Plainfield Farmer’s Market, operating solely on volunteers. Over the years, one of their most popular fundraisers has been pictures with Santa Claus at Plainfield Plaza each Christmas season.

The club also reaches out to individuals and

36 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2019 / PlainfieldMag.com

businesses in the county to collect tangible donations, such as items for Riley care carts to support parents of patients at Riley Hospital.

The Plainfield Kiwanis Club gives out two $1,000 scholarships each year to high school students. They’ve recently donated money to Family Promise of Hendricks County and regularly donate to other local non-profits.

Kiwanis Club Members get to vote on where funds are donated each month.

They also support Riley Hospital in several aspects, one being the autism program. The Kiwanis club recently hosted an autism panel for Riley Hospital at the Plainfield Rec Center.

“Quite a few of us have autistic children or grandchildren,” Hiatt says. “It really hit home for a lot of us.”

The club recently held a meeting and had

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lunch at the new Imagination Lab in Plainfield, where members will soon have a chance to volunteer.

The Plainfield Kiwanis Club has been in existence in Plainfield since 1974. Frank E. Davis, a Plainfield resident, has been a member of Kiwanis for 44 years, which makes him the longest running member.

He still has his original member card.

“I just wanted to find a service club,” Davis says. “I have four children so I am very much in favor of helping all children.”

Of all the projects the Plainfield Kiwanis Club has taken part in over the years, Davis’ favorite is pictures with Santa Claus the club hosts with the support of Ace Hardware. Kiwanis asks for a $7

donation, and all funds raised are given to Riley Hospital for Children.

“It goes back more than 35 years,” Davis says. “We have people coming back now who came as children. It goes back at least two generations, very likely even three.”

The club is always looking for more members and meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays at Chicago’s Pizza in Plainfield. The meeting consists of many warm handshakes, introductions and a pizza lunch buffet. Members network, go over current volunteer projects, discuss potential projects and sometimes hear a local speaker. In August, Plainfield Town Manager Andrew Klinger spoke, giving a detailed update on the town’s projects and developments. He shared some ways

the Kiwanis members can help, such as volunteering with a Youth Assistance Project or helping raise funds for a new performing arts space.

“If you’re in Kiwanis, you’re going to be active,” Davis says. “So if you join, just accept the fact you’ll be helping us with our projects. If people are happy in the community or want to make it a better community, just come to our meetings.”

The Kiwanis recently held its chili cook-off hosted in conjunction with the Plainfield Fire Territory on November 3. The funds raised provide scholarships for local high school students to go to college while also supporting local Key Club members.

You can stay up to date on the Plainfield Kiwanis Club by visiting their Facebook page facebook.com/PlainfieldKiwanis.

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