Plainfield Magazine August 2024

Powerful Path Chad Lunsford Authors Successful Book on Embracing True Purpose

Student Successes PLAINFIELD YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MEETS KIDS WHERE THEY ARE

Fair Game The Complete Guide to the Indiana State Fair AUGUST 2024

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PUBLISHER DARREN BOSTON darren@townepost.com (317) 716-8812 KEY CONTRIBUTORS

PETER BICK CAMPFIRE VIDEO SOLUTIONS DEVON DEAN MELISSA GIBSON JAMIE HERGOTT AMY PAYNE JASON VAN CUREN

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POWERFUL PATH

Chad Lunsford Authors Successful Book on Embracing True Purpose

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FULL THROTTLE

Tom Patsis’ Creativity Is Firing on All Cylinders

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FAIR GAME

AUGUST CROSSWORD

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STUDENT SUCCESSES

Plainfield Youth Assistance Program Meets Kids Where They Are

AUGUST 2024

The Complete Guide to the Indiana State Fair

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FULL THROTTLE

TOM PATSIS’ CREATIVITY IS FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Amy Payne

6 | August 2024 | TownePost.com

om Patsis of Brownsburg loves the motorsports industry, and he loves art.

While you might not hear of a lot of motorsport artists, Patsis is doing something unique, and both industries have taken notice.

He worked for Don Schumacher Racing for 11 years in welding and fabrication, learning how to think quickly on his feet and use his creativity to fix things on the road.

Those welding skills led him to create car replicas and other artwork in his spare time, often using scrap auto parts in his pieces. He never advertised, but posted his work on social media. Word got around organically and things seemed to take off.

Cold Hard Art was born, and Patsis hasn’t looked back.

“In the beginning it was a side business,” he said. “I was working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Schumacher and then working on my side business from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. I loved Schumacher’s, the place and the people, and I was absolutely petrified to walk away, but in October of 2015 I started working full time for myself and it was a smart move.”

Patsis creates trophies and award pieces for IndyCar, NASCAR, NHRA, Monster Jam and other events - something he calls an “accidental blessing.”

“I had honestly never thought about doing trophies, but through word of mouth I’ve been asked to create trophy designs and it’s snowballed from there,” Patsis said.

The Mission Foods-sponsored NHRA Challenge winners received a Cold Hard Art trophy, as did the 2024 Monster Jam winners.

The 2023 USAC Championship trophies were Patsis’ work too.

When it comes to creating and building hundreds of trophies, things can get a little daunting at times. There are boundaries there, such as specific colors, brands and marketing requests. However, Patsis said that’s just a different type of challenge.

Stretching his artistic skills, he’s worked with more than just steel. Acrylics allow for some

unique artistic features, and he’s even created glow-in-the-dark trophies.

The goal is to always do better than the project he did before.

“I like restriction because I enjoy pushing the limits,” Patsis said. “I want you to have the best trophy possible. I want to deliver exactly what the client is looking for. It’s also fun that these drivers want to win the trophy I made. It’s fun to see the joy on their face as they hold that trophy over their head.”

It’s led to some amazing requests, and those in the industry know who to call when looking for something unique.

Patsis has had the opportunity to create custom pieces for the likes of Mario Andretti, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Don Schumacher.

Custom pieces typically take 30 to 40 hours to build, but the opportunity is well worth the time and effort.

TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

At least, he knows now it was a smart move, and he’s never lost those connections to the motorsports world.

Anyone can become a welder, according to Patsis. However, it does require skill and expertise. Welding skill on a construction site, for example, matters. It’s the beams holding a large building together. It’s the cage made inside a race car.

Patsis is a tungsten inert gas welder, and that’s where the art comes in. It requires some fine tuning.

“Think of it like a fine-tipped Sharpie and welding very thin metal - no thicker than a credit card,” Patsis said. “I love using race car parts to put together a piece and many people like the junk-art look, but I also work with clean metal.”

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“Jeff Andretti follows my art and he saw an IndyCar I had made,” Patsis said. “In 1991 Jeff, Michael and Mario were in the Daytona 24 Hours race, and they don’t make a die cast of the car so I was able to make that for him. It’s the coolest thing I could be asked to do.”

example of how working in motorsports helps a guy, when challenged, to think quickly, follow protocol and create on the fly.

Over the years Patsis made a 7-foot-tall “No. 88” for Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement celebration, commissioned by NBC, and the NHRA to design and build the Lifetime Achievement award for Schumacher in 2022.

“Before they select the contestants, you do a psych evaluation because they don’t want seven of the same type of people,” Patsis said. “The woman asked me if I was really an artist because I was the only one there with a 50/50 mindset. I guess that’s not the statistic - you primarily use one side or the other, but as a race car guy, you have to build by the rules and then you can be creative.”

He’s made friends with some of his heroes but still has a bucket list to complete.

“I guess as far as people, I want to get a piece of art in Tim Allen’s hands and Jay Leno’s hands,” he said. “I have connections that could get me there, but it’s not about money and it’s not about me giving them something. It’s about them seeing my work and ordering something specifically that will mean something to them.”

It’s a dream job for a guy who loves to weld, create and build things we might never have thought possible.

A few years ago Patsis was even asked to compete in a welding competition.

He was a contestant on Netflix’s “Metal Shop Masters,” a prime

They recognized what set him apart.

If you haven’t seen the series, it’s still available on Netflix and there might be some Brownsburg pride involved.

While Patsis called the experience a “highlight” and can’t wait to share some of the stories with his daughter, he said he’s also had enough of the reality-show business. It’s time to move on.

Though Patsis doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon, he has other goals outside of metal art and welding. He also wants to teach his daughter the ropes.

“I want to be around long enough that my daughter can start helping me,” he said. “She’s only 5 now but I want her to see that you can do what you want to do, and there’s a job for that somewhere. I realize it now - to enjoy the moment. I need to stop and enjoy it right now.”

Look for his trophies at the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout from August 28 through September 2 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, and the Travis Pastrana Nitrocross series this fall and winter at locations across the country.

For more information on Patsis and his work, visit COLD HARD ART on Facebook.

Mario Andretti opening his Christmas gift 8 | August 2024 | TownePost.com

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FAIR GAME

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE INDIANA STATE FAIR Writer / Devon Dean Gird your loins, grab your sunblock, antacid, and a few friends and head to the Indiana State Fair August 2-18. While there’s plenty to explore, the food competition is always a huge attraction.

This year, the “Taste of the Fair” offers a literal smorgasbord of food and drinks to try out. Definitely bring an empty stomach and an open mind. Fairgoers are encouraged to vote for their favorite new food items by visiting any of the information booths around campus or by scanning the QR code that will be available at the concession stands.

The annual competition is for more than just bragging rights.

The winning food stand will receive a $2,500 cash prize, followed by the second place receiving $1,000, and third place receiving $500. In addition, for the first time our partners at the World Food Championships will award the top three winners a Golden Ticket entry to the World Food Championships event taking place in Indianapolis this fall for the first time in history at the State Fairgrounds.

FAIRGOERS CAN HIT UP TO 43 DIFFERENT STOPS ON THEIR TOUR DE EATING. THE EXPANSIVE MENU INCLUDES: •A Bloody Mary topped with a mini corn on the cob, cheeseburger slider, fried mac and cheese, fried pickles, waffle fries, hotdog slider, and a mini apple pie •C innamon Toast Crunch funnel cake • S trawberry cheesecake funnel cake

10 | August 2024 | TownePost.com

• Pickle-flavored pale ale • Deep fried golden Oreos • Amish peanut butter pretzels topped with a peanut butter and marshmallow spread • Dill pickle Dr. Pepper • Dill pickle lemon shake-ups • Peanut butter & jelly chicken wings • Ultimate steak nachos Yes, pickles and fried delights once again are playing a large role in this year’s competition.

OTHER STATE FAIR ATTRACTIONS The State Fair is always held during what is traditionally one of the hottest months of the summer. To offer a respite, the MHS Family Fun Park will include an all-new splash pad for folks of all ages to cool off.

The Olympic Games in Paris are happening at the same time as the State Fair. WTHR will host the Olympic Zone to celebrate the Hoosiers competing for Team USA. This experience promises to capture the spirit of the games even from a continent away.

TownePost.com | August 2024 | 11

The Fair is also celebrating a historic moment - 60 years ago, a small group from Liverpool called The Beatles played at Pepsi Coliseum.

Fair officials are celebrating the Fab Four’s legendary stop in the Circle City on August 3 with Beatles-themed entertainment all day, including a performance by tribute band A Hard Day’s Night and a celebration of the music of Paul McCartney.

If you’re on a budget, you’re in luck. Not only is $2 Tuesday back on the schedule, but the $5 value menu offers a variety of options for everyone in the family.

Finally, the concert line-up for the fair is a mix of all genres of music. Gladys Knight, Buddy Guy, Bell Biv Devoe, Lita Ford, and Dogstar are just a few of the artists playing the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage. If you are not familiar, Dogstar’s bassist is best known for his role as John Wick.

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August 2 -18 C L O S E D M O N D AY S

Discounted tickets and the complete schedule are available at IndianaStateFair.com. Don’t forget the fair folk need their rest too and are closed on Mondays.

If you hit up the Indiana State Fair, be sure to share your photos on the Towne Post social media Facebook pages.

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Chad at recent book signing

POWERFUL PATH CHAD LUNSFORD AUTHORS SUCCESSFUL BOOK ON EMBRACING TRUE PURPOSE Writer / Jamie Hergott Photographers / Peter Bick & Jason Van Curen Chad Lunsford’s new book is a call for people to live bigger. But this book doesn’t read like a typical self-help book. It comes from Lunsford’s own life experiences, risks and all. “Made For More” recently hit number one on two Amazon bestseller lists twice.

“This book is really a guidebook to show 14 | August 2024 | TownePost.com

what it looks like to have a purpose, to live a great story, and then what to do when you hit obstacles,” Lunsford said. “I don’t just want to inspire them; I want to guide them through those obstacles.”

Lunsford grew up in Indiana and considers himself a Hoosier. He is a pastor by trade, having planted a church on the west side

of Indianapolis. After living on various coasts of the United States, he noticed a stark difference in the cultures of the east and west coasts versus Indiana. He decided he wanted to inspire people, particularly Hoosiers, to live with more purpose.

“People living in places like L.A. or North Carolina have a sense they were made for

more and for going after their dreams,” Lunsford said. “It seems like Hoosiers have an innate sense that we’re supposed to play it safe and dream small, blend in more and settle for less. What I want to do is change those lies we believe.”

But Lunsford isn’t just sharing inspirational quips in his book. He writes from a place of having made major moves in his own life.

In 2008 he and his family were leading a church in Terre Haute. They developed a vision for something new in their lives, and he decided to take a ministry residency in Los Angeles and attend graduate school at the same time. After two years and completing both endeavors, he and his family moved to North Carolina for a post-graduate opportunity at Duke University. After completing the postgrad work at Duke, Lunsford was invited to lead the largest church in Mississippi. While they loved it there, they then felt called to start a new church in Indy and sold their dream home.

The constant reassessing, changing and moving showed Lunsford that there is so much life and growth that comes from embracing new things.

“It was trust beyond comfort,” Lunsford said. “It helped me asked the question, ‘How far are you willing to trust?’ God gave us such good gifts. We said we’d gladly give it back and run after what he had for our lives.”

Lunsford went on to plant a church on the

west side of Indianapolis that eventually merged with Connection Pointe Christian Church to launch the Avon Campus.

Lunsford feels his book stands out among self-help books for a few reasons, one being its accessibility.

“The book comes out of the reality of my own challenges,” Lunsford said.

“I grew up in the Midwest, farmlands all around me and the biggest city being Terre Haute. Everything around me screamed play it safe, risk less and dream smaller. But as I followed God, everything in me was saying I was made for a purpose.”

The book is also highly story driven.

Lunsford truly feels he has walked the walk that he is asking others to do, and he wants people to know they aren’t alone.

“My hope is that people find themselves in the story,” Lunsford said. “I want them to think, ‘Yes, I’ve had those feelings, thoughts, experiences, and I get it.’ ” This book isn’t just for people of faith; it’s for all people. Lunsford himself did not grow up in the church, so he understands why some may be hesitant to pick the book up.

“If you feel defeated, like you don’t belong and don’t fit in, welcome to the club,” Lunsford said. “For years I assumed that I

couldn’t relate to people in the Bible. Then I realized I was missing the point. They were imperfect just like me, and God still met them where they were and wrote a great story with their lives. God does the same with each of us.”

One takeaway Lunsford drives home is to step out of the comparison game. Every single person is different, with unique gifts and dreams. Everyone’s story will take different twists and turns.

“I’m not writing this as someone who has arrived,” Lunsford said. “I’m just a fellow runner, running alongside you. Your purpose isn’t some mystical thing out in the future. If you live your life rightly today, you’re living your purpose. The only way God can build your character is through challenges. If you keep running away from those, you’ll never become who God wants you to be.”

For more information, visit Lunsford’s website at madeformore.life.

TownePost.com | August 2024 | 15

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Staci with husband, Rob, Lead Pastor at Mercy Base Church

Student Successes PLAINFIELD YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MEETS KIDS WHERE THEY ARE Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographers / Amy Payne & Campfire Video Solutions

everal years ago, the Plainfield Community School Corporation began looking at different ways to help students experiencing difficulties. At the time, when a student caused a problem at school the options were suspension, expulsion or probation, but the administration wanted to find alternatives.

So often, when a parent is ill at home or the teen gets involved with the wrong crowd, it becomes obvious through behavioral issues. The child begins getting into trouble; sometimes it manifests through plummeting grades or testing the waters with drug and

alcohol use.

leaders in the community.

Regardless of how the issue presents itself, concerned adults wanted to make sure these students don’t become statistics.

“They brought it to [retired] Judge Karen Love and when she saw it, she was all in,” said Staci Hovermale, director of PYAP. “She wanted to pilot the program in Plainfield. She wrote the statute, and as a court employee program, both the county and the Town of Plainfield signed a five-year contract.”

The Plainfield school board researched what Hamilton County was doing and found the success they had experienced with their youth assistance program. It’s been operating for nearly two decades and is designed to catch those students prior to entering the legal system.

The Plainfield Youth Assistance Program (PYAP) was created with the help of several

Things slowed down during the pandemic, but organizers continued to work to get policies and procedures in place. They applied for nonprofit status and prepared for the opportunity to begin early intervention, which students would need more than ever TownePost.com | August 2024 | 19

after a tumultuous year or two.

YAP Staff & Volunteers

FROM DESIGN TO BUILD

WE’VE GOT YOUR REMODEL COVERED

In the meantime, Hovermale was working at a residential facility in downtown Indianapolis as director of education for students with behavioral needs. She’s a graduate from Ball State with a special education degree in severe and profound disabilities, and though she was making progress, Hovermale felt her skills might be better suited elsewhere.

“We heard about the PYAP program at a Kiwanis meeting and after lots of prayer and much discussion, I decided to apply,” she said. “I eventually interviewed with the Plainfield school board and then Judge Love. I’m not experienced in nonprofits and I don’t like to public speak, but ultimately, I’ve lived in Plainfield for 20 years, and if I can help kids get to the point of not entering that residential facility, I want to take that leap of faith.”

She came on board in the fall of 2021 and has been working to assist those students in need ever since.

Hovermale is quick to point out that these students are not “bad” kids. In fact, just like adults, youths go through ups and downs and things happen in life that change their trajectory. The team at PYAP wants to guide them back to the right path.

“We’ve all been through these seasons of life,” Hovermale said. “These students are at risk when you look at their grades and their behavior in school, but they’re often referred due to the loss of a loved one, they were vaping, they’re experimenting with drugs, or there has been a housing displacement.”

Life is messy and things can get overwhelming.

CONTACT OUR TEAM TO LEARN MORE

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Referrals can come from anywhere; school officials, coaches, neighbors and parents can fill out the referral paperwork when they notice a young person who could use some guidance. It’s a volunteer program, requiring parents or guardians and the student to be involved and interested in finding new alternatives.

Perhaps what makes the program so successful is the individualized approach interventional advocates take toward every situation.

“It’s not cut-and-paste, because everyone has a different need and a different goal,” Hovermale said. “We are student focused, but we might have a mentoring component for the entire family. We also partner with amazing organizations in our community already set up for their needs, like Strides to Success, Art on Main, the Optimist Club and others. We are getting the kids plugged in and active in the school and their community.”

PYAP Board at June Fundraising Event

great food + great service

They are constantly tweaking the program, and finding new ways to involve families and the community in meeting the students’ WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU SOON needs.

Though Hovermale said the program isn’t meant for lifelong assistance, even the amount of time per case can fluctuate. A family displaced due to a fire might be with them for six months. A family dealing with significant medical issues might be with them for two years.

great food + great service WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU SOON

All students receive follow-up attention too. PYAP touches base with teachers and guidance counselors at the school to make sure they are seeing the same progress, and families share nine-week report cards to show improvement.

“Four years ago these kids would have gotten lost in the system, but now there’s an option for those that show signs of needing guidance,” Hovermale said.

What matters the most is the program is working, and if it’s anything like the Hamilton County program, they’ll soon see juvenile cases plummet and student success continue to rise. It brings excitement and hope to the community.

Avon Plainfield “It’s sitting and listening and building Avon Avon Plainneld (317) 271-7760Plainfield (317) 839-4886 relationships, and helping people find (317) 271-7760 (317) 839-4886 10791E.E.US USHwy Hwy 2687 E. the resources that may work for them,” (317) 271-7760 10791 (317) 3636 839-4886 2687 E.Main MainSt. St. Hovermale said. “It’s pretty emotional when Chick-fil-A.com/Avon Chick-fil-A.com/Plainfield Chick--l-A.com/Avon Chick--l-A.com/Plain-eld 10791 E. US Hwy 36 2687 E. Main St. we watch the success. Everyone wants to see the numbers but we get to seeChick-fil-A.com/Avon the personal Chick-fil-A.com/Plainfield impact. For some it might be making the TownePost.com | August 2024 | 21

honor roll, when six months ago they were failing their classes. We get to see their confidence build and it’s amazing.”

So far PYAP has only served Plainfield schools. That first year they assisted 55 students, and in 2023 they assisted 222 students, but Hovermale hopes those numbers and the area reached will expand soon.

“Plainfield is the pilot and we want to show progress and growth, but we really are a Hendricks County youth assistance program,” Hovermale said. “We’re talking with Avon Community School Corporation and Danville Community School Corporation. Our goal is to begin serving other communities.”

to Plainfield,” Hovermale said. “We’re in a position to grow now and it’s not just the PYAP staff. It’s going to take the businesses, schools, individuals and everyone wrapping around these kids. The program wouldn’t exist without all of the financial support and volunteers we’ve seen over the years.

We get to witness it on a daily basis. We are watching their entire journey and it’s just remarkable.”

For more information, visit plainfieldyouthassistance.org.

They are already utilizing partners and programs across the county, and while the youth assistance programs might look slightly different from town to town, the end goal is to help every student possible.

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