Plainfield Magazine December 2023

MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2023

SPIRITED EFFORTS PCMS DANCE TEAM IS FINDING ITS RHYTHM

KEY POINTS Indianapolis Children’s Choir Nurtures Student Achievement Through Music Education PAIN RELIEF Should You Use Ice or Heat?

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Indianapolis Children’s Choir Nurtures Student Achievement Through Music Education

Should You Use Ice or Heat?

KEY POINTS

CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?

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PAIN RELIEF

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SPIRITED EFFORTS

HOT ROD SANTA

Local Resident and Auto Enthusiast Scotty Stephany Proves Santa Doesn’t Just Drive a Sleigh

PCMS Dance Team Is Finding Its Rhythm

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KEY POINTS

INDIANAPOLIS CHILDREN’S CHOIR NURTURES STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH MUSIC EDUCATION

Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography Provided

Since 1986, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC) has been inspiring youth and fostering a love for music throughout the city.

Despite their program name, throughout the past decade the ICC has been growing and expanding to areas beyond Indianapolis, and now leads several programs in Hendricks County.

They offer opportunities starting from 18 months old through seniors in high school. Preparatory choir is for grades first through third, and no one auditions at this level. It’s considered an introduction to choral music and allows youth to explore their interest in singing.

Several auditioned choirs are offered for fourth through seventh grade, including beginning and intermediate levels. Lyric or intermediatelevel choirs are designed for those students advancing in their skills, and include additional performances.

“In Hendricks County we have a Music at Play program for preschoolers in Danville,” says Leeann Starkey, director of the ICC. “We offer a preparatory choir in Avon and Brownsburg, two beginning-level choirs for fourth grade and up at Avon and Brownsburg, and a lyric or intermediate-level choir in Brownsburg for fourth grade and up.”

ICC accepts singers on every level and the process is simple. While auditions are typically conducted in April, students can enroll any time throughout the year. For those who are nervous about the thought of an audition, Starkey says not to be.

“For the beginning level and intermediate levels, the auditions are really more about getting to know the child and putting them in the best choir for them,” Starkey says.

The full season runs from August to May each year, and the time commitment is typically

one evening per week for rehearsals and a few concert events throughout the school year. Rehearsals are held locally but the ICC groups across Indianapolis and surrounding areas join together for a few large concerts every year - a sight to behold for audience members.

When combined, the choir consists of 300 to 400 children of varying ages. They have the opportunity to perform on stages like the Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis, at a recent charity event at the airport, caroling throughout the holidays and much more.

Like many other children’s programs, it’s safe to say that they are getting more out of the experience than improving their vocals. They learn music reading skills, vocal techniques, and are exposed to several unique opportunities, but it may not be the music that participants remember the most.

“We say over and over again that this is so much more than singing,” Starkey says. “We’re a community that strives for musical excellence but we’re also learning teamwork, the benefit of working hard, accomplishing a goal together and even different cultures.”

and school break camps.

Hendricks County resident Owen Smith became aware of the ICC while attending one of their summer day camps in 2021.

“The first time I went to ICC summer camp I really liked it, and I thought I’d like to try it out,” Owen says. “My mom loves music, so I must have gotten that from her because I really love singing.”

Owen’s mom, Annette, says Owen’s enthusiasm and joy for what he had discovered was evident.

“He was begging to keep going and would come home from camp super excited,” Annette says. “They would not only sing, but he had been playing the drums and the xylophones. They make it really fun.”

This year the theme for the ICC choirs is World Showcase, music from around the world. It’s a unique opportunity for Owen and

TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

The ICC gives children a community of others who also love music. They learn responsibility, professionalism and how to share their personal talent, while appreciating others.

Starkey has seen children overcome crippling stage fright, forming a close friendship for the first time, and opening up after years of shyness and lack of confidence.

“Whether you’ve sung in the choir for one year or more, our teachers are so great at bringing in kids and nurturing them through the process,” Starkey says.

“The programs have worked out very well and proven to be an effective way to bring kids together to sing.”

In addition to the school-year program, the ICC also offers a variety of summer

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“We do day tours and trips throughout the year,” Starkey says. “The advanced choirs will travel domestically and internationally. An intermediate choir from Brownsburg will travel to Washington, D.C., this year and some of our most experienced singers will go to Italy.”

his peers to learn about culture, language and music they might not otherwise be familiar with.

They’ve already transported audiences to the South Pacific for a concert featuring songs from India, China and the Pacific Islands.

Belonging to a world-renowned choir might give families the impression that the experience is out of their budget, but Starkey says the ICC doesn’t want money to stop anyone from joining. Scholarships are offered for any student who needs additional funds to participate.

The ICC will celebrate a European holiday with a candlelight performance and holiday classics in December. In March they are presenting “Crossroads of America,” beginning at home in Indiana and traveling through New York City’s Broadway scene, a jazz-filled New Orleans, and the Great Plains to include sounds of Native American music.

In late May, the ICC will perform the music of Africa and the Middle East, exploring the rich, musical traditions and the universal language of music.

In addition, as the children continue into advanced choirs in high school, their world traveling expands.

“We really want to make the programs available to everyone,” Starkey says. “We provide scholarships and monthly payment options.”

Annette agrees.

“I consider ICC very affordable and they do offer financial assistance,” Annette says.

“I think it’s comparable to anything else

Owen has done in the past like sports or other programs. They also allow kids to try it out once and see if it’s something they are interested in, because we know for a lot of kids, you might sign them up, but will they stick with it?”

Owen did stick with it, and has continued his journey with a love for music in school and through the ICC. “I really liked the Unity concert we did last spring because I just loved the songs we sang,” Owen says. “We do a lot of extra concerts too and I’ve made a lot of friends at ICC.” When asked if he would recommend the choir to others, Owen didn’t hesitate.

“I would say yes, give it a try, because there’s never a limit to what you can do,” he says.

To learn more, visit icchoir.org or call 317-940-9640.

8 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

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Hot Rod Santa LOCAL RESIDENT AND AUTO ENTHUSIAST SCOTTY STEPHANY PROVES SANTA DOESN’T JUST DRIVE A SLEIGH Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographers / Adrienne Nicole Photography & Krista Neuenschwander Photography

DECEMBER 2023

e grew up loving cars. But as an adult, racing his 1978 Mustang II coupe down the track at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, with a beard that had started turning white in his 20s, gold, wire-rimmed glasses, and a jolly disposition, Scotty Stephany found a new love later in life.

H

growing my beard out and I thought, ‘Maybe doing this for the community is something I should pursue,’ ” Stephany says.

“Playing Santa used to be a family thing over the holidays, but about seven years ago I started

“There were about 150 other Santas, Mrs. Clauses or elves,” he says. “You learn a lot of

He didn’t take the job lightly. In fact, Stephany began looking into what becoming Santa entails, and attended a five-day training session at Northern Lights Santa Academy in Atlanta.

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“My greatest happiness is watching people smile. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when Santa is around and it keeps me on my toes too.

You know people are watching you. If I can change someone’s day for the better in two minutes at a stop light, I’m game.”

- Scotty Stephany

DECEMBER 2023

interesting things, like working with kids who have special needs, dressing differently for different occasions, and improv skills.”

That’s right - it makes a difference what Santa wears if he’s attending a Christmas in July event with a Hawaiian Santa shirt on, or the red and white coat we love in Christmas photos. For this particular Santa, it’s not uncommon to see him in his red “Hot Rod Santa” T-shirt and dark sunglasses, which are sure to catch your eye.

The improvisation training comes in handy too. According to Stephany, Santa can hear a long list of well-thought-out questions in his short visit with a child, and some of those questions require some seasoned improv practice.

At the Santa Academy, attendees learn how to hone their craft, and also find a network of similar-minded people who love giving back to their community. Through the school, the Navy veteran befriended a fellow Coast Guard

mentor. They both became Santas in recent years.

in to share something new. It’s kind of like a car club, but everyone has white beards.”

Back home, Stephany joined the Indiana Santa Claus Society, a nonprofit spreading Christmas cheer all year round, and the Hoosier Santas, a private Facebook group of local Santas who enjoy trading stories, talking about costume updates and more. The two groups serve the community in different ways.

Most importantly, our local Hot Rod Santa just wants to spread joy in his community.

For example, when attending an Indiana Santa Claus Society event, Stephany and other local Santas are traveling to towns within the state that have been ravaged by natural disasters, and delivering a trailer full of toys to children in the area.

While giving back is something Stephany loves to do, he also continues to hone his skill to be the best Santa possible.

“The Hoosier Santa guys meet about once per month to practice,” he says. “We build off of each other and even have guest Santas come

“My greatest happiness is watching people smile,” Stephany says. “It’s hard to be in a bad mood when Santa is around and it keeps me on my toes too. You know people are watching you. If I can change someone’s day for the better in two minutes at a stop light, I’m game.”

Whether sitting in his red Ford pickup with the words “North Pole Edition” on the back at a stoplight, or interacting with families at our favorite holiday events, chances are you have encountered or will encounter Stephany throughout the season.

Santa fans will likely see Stephany lighting the tree at Danville’s annual Christmas on the Square event, visiting with guests at the train station during Ellis Park’s Winterland Holiday

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Light Show, and sharing the Christmas spirit at Red Curb Comedy in Avon during their Santa photo sessions.

In addition, Stephany offers “neighbor knocks.”

“It’s something I started doing during the pandemic,” he says. “If you can get 10 of your neighbors together, I’ll stop by, house by house. It’s $25 per house and you get about 10 minutes with Santa. It’s a fun time. The kids are in their PJs and usually surprised by the visit.”

He has to cover expenses, but Stephany is all for giving back too. After all, special situations call for special people, and aside from his work with the Indiana Santa Claus Society, his goal is to donate 30 hours per year for those who need him the most.

Stephany visited his uncle as Santa toward the end of his cancer battle late this year, and it’s not uncommon, he says, to receive calls about children in sad circumstances.

“I got a call about a young girl who was losing her eyesight,” he says. “They wanted to know if I would go visit her and how much would I charge. That’s not a charge thing. That’s something we do because of who we are as people.”

It’s not just Stephany who has embraced the Christmas spirit. His family is hooked too. It’s not uncommon for Santa to arrive with a group of elves, the Grinch or other popular holiday characters, giving back to the

community with that infectious holiday spirit.

“The family are full participants,” Stephany says. “I’ve picked up my grandson at high school partially dressed as Santa, and even the grandkids serve as photo props for me. When they get old enough they know I’m Santa, and they love to get involved.”

With all the good he’s doing with his family and in the community, Stephany’s never forgotten the guys at the track. His first passion keeps him coming back to racing year after year - only now, the guys are competing against their childhood icon.

“I have Hot Rod Santa T-shirts that I wear regularly, and I’ve got a custom-made, red driver’s suit. I’ve also got a helmet that looks like Santa’s hat and beard. Up next, I’ll be wrapping my race car. It’ll look like Santa’s sleigh and my grandkids will be elves hanging on the back.”

Patches on that special suit reflect organizations close to his heart, including the Indiana Santa Claus Society, The United States Navy and a fun image of a Santa on the back, driving a hot rod with his sack of toys over his shoulder.

Of course, it’s fun and entertaining, but in Stephany’s typical fashion, his new racing gear also shows his support by adding the

DECEMBER 2023

Indiana Santa Claus Society’s logo to the car and spreading the word every chance he gets.

His racing buddies are all in.

“Even the guys at the track put ’S. Claus’ at the top of the race ticket,” he says. “How mad can you be when you got beat by Santa Claus over the weekend? I tell everybody, you can laugh at me or with me, but we know your day changed because you stopped to laugh.”

Register at Red Curb Comedy this year for professional digital photos, both posed and spontaneous. Select dates are offered through December 21. With registration, families receive a specific time for personalized visits and avoid the long lines at traditional events.

For more information, visit redcurbcomedy. com/santa.

For more information about Stephany, you can find him on Facebook @ScottyGClaus, or on Instagram @TheHotRodSanta. If interested in a visit or a “neighbor knocks” event, email Stephany at thehotrodsanta@ yahoo.com.

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PAIN RELIEF: SHOULD YOU USE ICE OR HEAT? Writer / Dr. Trevor Call, Orthopedic Surgeon at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

No matter how careful you are, injuries happen. Though orthopedic specialists are always ready to help, slight to moderate pain does not always require a trip to see your doctor. In certain situations, an ice pack or heating pad can help quickly. It is important to know which to use, to prevent further pain or even injury.

WHEN SHOULD YOU USE COLD THERAPY? Cold therapy, such as a cold compress, should typically be used for recent injuries that have occurred within the last 48 hours and cause swelling. Apply the ice pack or frozen item to the injury. Make sure to wrap the frozen item

be used on smaller areas of pain, but for larger in a towel or some kind of cloth. Applying a very cold item directly to your injury can cause areas you can use a larger heating pad, heat wraps or even a heated towel. damage to the skin and tissue. Make sure you use cold therapy as quickly as possible after the injury occurs, but stick to around 10 to 15 WHAT SHOULD YOU minutes at a time to prevent damage to your DO IF THE TREATMENT nerves, tissue and skin. For best results, elevate DOESN’T WORK? the injured area as well.

If cold therapy or heat therapy does not work or makes your pain worse, a visit to your WHEN SHOULD YOU physician to discuss other treatment options is USE HEAT THERAPY? appropriate.

Heat therapy can be used if you have pain or stiffness in your joints or muscles. Applying If you have severe or persistent issues with heat for 10 to 15 minutes can help relieve your upper body including the shoulder, muscle soreness and minor pain. Moderate to elbow, wrist or hand, or the lower body severe stiffness or tension can be helped with including hips, knees, ankles or feet, an a longer session. For this level of pain, you orthopedic or sports medicine specialist can can apply an appropriate temperature of heat help you decide on a treatment plan. therapy for 30 minutes. Small heat packs can DECEMBER 2023

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SPIRITED EFFORTS PCMS DANCE TEAM IS FINDING ITS RHYTHM Writer / Melissa Gibson Photography Provided

J

eri Amos was a dancer for 11 years and enjoyed taking classes in jazz, ballet and tap. When she entered high school, Amos participated in cheerleading and color guard. She knows the hard work and fun atmosphere of the dancing community, and when it came time for her daughter, Kate, to enter middle school, Amos saw an opportunity for young students in Plainfield.

“I work at Plainfield Community Middle

School in special education and I knew about the Plainfield High School dance program,” Amos says. “When my daughter, a dancer of 12 years, entered middle school, I really wanted to create a good feeder program into the high school.”

In 2017 they started as a club. Anyone could join, and they performed at basketball and football games and held one performance for friends and family.

They were having fun, but in Indiana dance is not recognized as a sport, as it is in other states. However, under the Indiana High School Dance Team Association (IHSDTA), the team falls under classifications like other sport classifications based on the size of the school.

In addition, Plainfield Community School Corporation is able to establish a club as a sport if interest and data is there to support

18 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

the program.

Three years later, as the club continued to develop, the dance club became a dance competition team, giving students the option of trying out for competition or performing at games recreationally.

“The year we started competitive dance was the year of the pandemic,” Amos says. “The data was there, the interest was there and we were ready to present to the school board, making the club an official sport at PCMS. COVID put everything on hold for a year, but by the fall of 2021 we were official.”

What’s the difference between cheerleading and dance?

what Y O U to ’ R bring E L Oto O Kthe I Nparty? ’ AT I T what Y O U to ’ R bring E L Oto O Kthe I Nparty? ’ AT I T

Y O U ’ R E L O O K I N ’ AT I T Y O U ’ R E L O O K I N ’ AT I T

Amos says technical competition involves arm and leg placement, the accuracy of turns, advanced choreography and more. They do use poms in some performances, but the focus is more on dance than cheer gymnastics techniques.

“Competitive dance is a pretty big commitment,” Amos says. “We practice two days per week and sometimes on Saturday. Once we hit December it can be two full days over the weekend, every other weekend through early March.”

Optional practices begin in the summer.

They don’t work on permanent routines for the season at that point. Amos wants to give the ladies time to bond, keep their skills at competitive level and experience some challenging opportunities.

That bonding time is important for young women in their tween years.

“It’s a big change moving from elementary to middle school,” Amos says. “Some of the girls struggle with expectations like making sure you 86 have everything for practice. You have St. to keep up on the information sent to -eld ain-eldyour email, or details about what we’re wearing at the upcoming performance.”

d

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1st Place win in Feb 2023 at Regionals for Pom routine

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TownePost.com / DECEMBER 2023 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 19

As with most sports and programs offered at school, the dance team instills responsibility, time management and teamwork.

Those appointed as captains have additional responsibilities as role models and mentors to the younger dancers, giving the eighth-graders a chance at leadership and serving as an example for others.

Some participants find a passion they may not have noticed before.

“Several girls have found their love for dance,” Amos says. “They might have taken a dance class when they were younger, but have now joined a studio for lessons.”

Competitions consist of both solo and ensemble dance routines.

FROM DESIGN TO BUILD

WE’VE GOT YOUR REMODEL COVERED

In 2022, one PCMS dancer won state at the IHSDTA competition for the juniorhigh solo event. The pom team took home second place at regionals and third place at state.

Despite their hard work and consistent path toward success, sometimes things don’t go as planned. In 2023, the middle school dance team took home first place at regionals for a pom performance, but when they went to the state competition, things didn’t go as planned.

“We went out to eat before our performance and there was some type of food poisoning,” Amos says. “They were literally backstage doubled over.

We weren’t sure we’d make it, but in the end every dancer got out there and did their best. We ended up in seventh place and the difference between fourth and seventh was half of a point.”

Toughing it out is just one example of how the young ladies learn to work as a team. One or two missing members can make an entire routine less effective, and knowing this, they each chose to fight through the urge to give up.

1/2 PAGE (ISLAND)

As the team has developed into an official sport, other changes have been made over the years.

Amos has Aubrey Miles, Plainfield graduate and experienced dancer, teaching choreography, and her daughter is volunteering as an assistant coach, teaching routines to the team.

They’ve also been able to purchase new uniforms. “For the first couple of years we used hand-me-downs from the high school, but last year we were able to pick out our own new uniforms, which was really special for us,” Amos says.

CONTACT OUR TEAM TO LEARN MORE

Will they all go on to join the dance team at Plainfield High School? Maybe not, but Amos believes the foundation she’s building with the middle schoolers will take them far.

“It’s more about finding out what they

20 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

want to do,” she says. “I don’t think they’ll all be dancing through high school, but maybe they’ll find show choir as a good match or something will click with color guard. It’s about encouraging them to find their niche and what they enjoy doing.”

This December, the PCMS dance team will perform a showcase or parent preview night prior to launching a season of competitions and traveling.

Coach Amos Watching at State Team at State in March 2023

It serves as a dress rehearsal, particularly because half of the team is nearly always incoming sixth-graders, and they haven’t participated in a performance in the past.

They’ll also raise funds for travel and competition costs through a Spirit Night Car Wash and popcorn fundraisers.

“The school helps with the cost, but for the solo competitions and traveling we have to raise funds,” Amos says. “I don’t ever want to turn anyone away, and in the past we’ve always been able to work it out. They know they have to work for it and it’ll all be worth it in the end.”

In addition, every person on the team is important to the overall success and they know it.

“If we’re missing someone at the last minute, it’s like we’ve worked so hard and it all falls apart because everyone’s part matters,” Amos says.

As each season comes to an end, Amos is struck by how successful the dance team has become and how they’ve grown.

“This is a great group of girls and I always cry at the end of every year,” Amos says.

“I’m so impressed to see how far we’ve come and it’s all about them having fun, knowing they did their best, and even though there were challenges throughout, maybe they’ll remember this for the rest of their lives.”

Visit Plainfield Community Middle School on Facebook @QuakersMiddle for weekly updates.

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A Hint of Holiday Help UNIQUE GIFTS FOR OLDER LOVED ONES

Story & Photography Provided

Even loved ones can be a mystery when it comes to figuring out what gifts you’re getting for everyone over the holidays. Older loved ones can be especially hard to shop for, as they seem to have it all - lifetimes of knickknacks and keepsakes.

To fulfill its mission of being local, helpful and personal, CarDon & Associates, an Indianabased, senior-living management company, compiled this list of gift ideas for seniors that stand out from your typical stocking stuffers and even embrace Hoosier history.

STORYWORTH: These days, most

of us document our lives digitally. But many people of older generations still appreciate the feeling of flipping through the paper pages of a book or running their fingers across glossy photos. Storyworth allows subscribers to create a physical memoir that ages as gracefully as the other books on their shelves. With the subscription, they are emailed a question each week, and at the end of a year, Storyworth will bind their life stories into a beautiful hardcover book. This gift is a great way to connect with loved ones across distances, engage a parent or grandparent’s memory, and preserve family stories for generations to come. Go to storyworth.com to start a book for your loved one.

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22 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

DECEMBER CROSSWORD 7

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11. Hit the slopes 45. What’s more 19. Like hen’s teeth 46. It may get flipped 21. “___ takers?”

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ASSISTED LIVING • REHABILITATION • LONG TERM CARE • MEMORY SUPPORT

and the world smiles with you.

PUZZLED ABOUT SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS? WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO ASSIST, CALL TODAY!

We have Rehabilitation availability!

CumberlandTrace.us 317-838-7070

TownePost.com / DECEMBER 2023 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 23

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24 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2023 / TownePost.com

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