Year-Round Support
Sycamore Services Supports Individuals Across Every Life Stage
Hounds for Heroes
Local Nonprofit Pairs Dogs With Military Veterans to Offer Support & Companionship
HISTORIC RUN
PLAINFIELD VOLLEYBALL BUILDS A CHAMPIONSHIP FOUNDATION
NEW TENANT SPECIAL
1 FREE Month on 14’ x 36’ Units
$250 per month regular price
Gated 24 hour Access
DARREN BOSTON darren@townepost.com (317) 716-8812
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER,
TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ERIN TURK CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS EDITOR JOSH BROWN
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER ERIC NEER
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011
HISTORIC RUN
PLAINFIELD VOLLEYBALL BUILDS A CHAMPIONSHIP FOUNDATION
Lori Pax, varsity head coach of the Plainfield High School volleyball team, says last year the young athletes made history.
The 2025–26 team won sectionals for the first time in more than two decades. They went on to win regionals and then semi-state. They also won the Mid-State Conference title and the Hendricks County Showdown against Avon. For the first time in PHS history, the team competed at the state level, facing Carroll High School.
Though they did not bring home a state championship this time, the development and formation of the team is just getting started.
A mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors created the perfect combination.
“We had five seniors, and I think their chemistry and camaraderie really compelled
this team, but we were also fairly young compared to our competition,” Pax says. “A lot of them play club, so this is a year-round sport for them. Several play multiple sports, and I applaud that because it’s important to take breaks, but you also can’t take six months off and come back ready to go.”
Sophomores Audrey Utterback and Charlee Groninger stood out during the season.
“Audrey hit 1,000 kills at the state tournament.
She earned All-State, which is the first time a sophomore at PHS has done that,” Pax says. “She was an ultra-competitor and was willing to work hard and put in the effort in the weight room.”
According to Pax, Groninger was also instrumental, running the offense as a setter.
“They both have been playing volleyball since they could walk and have been playing together the whole time,” Pax says.
Juniors Marley VanWanzeele and Savannah Brock brought years of skill to the team, while senior Taylor Donovan, Pax says, was a staple, providing continuity and consistency.
Volleyball is a game of communication, teamwork and the ability to read fellow players on the court.
Kenzi Arnett, Kinsey Tripop, Gracyn Groninger, Eliana Tucker, Marlie Eickhoff, Macyn Jones, Evie Ellie, Hailey Abaka,
Harper Gentry and Neela Nattam completed the varsity roster.
The junior varsity team included Lucy Hummel, Harper Gentry, Hailey Abaka, Charli Cole, Ella Hannah, Alex Hardin, Emily Epling, Grace Trucker, Kasten Willett, Annabelle Rice, Neela Nattam, Kadence Wyman, Baylynn Edwards and Charli French.
“It was all about chemistry for us,” Pax says. “We had two new players move in, and they were huge assets. We had to figure out where everybody fit and how to make it successful. That was a challenge early on, but we found our stride. It’s complementary volleyball. If passing breaks down, then setting breaks down. We have to control the ball and complement each other.”
Their win against New Castle early in the season marked a turning point.
“I think that’s when they finally started believing,” Pax says. “They had a bit of a
challenge believing in themselves the way we believed in them, and that’s when they began gaining confidence as a team.”
As the season progressed, the focus remained on daily tasks, even as each game carried increasing weight.
“In each game, we watched them come together more and realize they could do this,” Pax says. “We came together as a whole family, and I felt like they just got tighter as the season went on.”
Looking ahead, the 2026–27 season appears just as promising.
“One of the things I’ve been telling our athletes is that at Plainfield, we’re not rebuilding, we’re reloading,” Pax says. “We have several incoming freshmen who look promising, strong players on the JV team, and we’ll have to fill some spots. I believe we’ll be even better
this year than we were last year, and a lot of that is thanks to the seniors for building such a strong foundation.”
There is still room for growth. Pax says last year’s team was relatively quiet, an uncommon trait for a high-ranked volleyball program, but one she hopes will continue to improve.
“Trying to get them to communicate at the level we wanted was a big challenge,” Pax says. “You have to talk to each other, and as coaches, we worked to find ways to bring that communication up a level. But one thing about this team is they were resilient enough to figure it out when they needed to. They continued to push themselves.”
The coaching staff — Pax, Tiffany Koors, Trey Wolverton, Moses Cung Lian Bik and James Dickerson — also played a key role, along with strong support from parents and the school community.
“We had big send-offs, and our parents were phenomenal,” Pax says. “The
excitement was really cool to watch. There were moments of fatigue, of course, but the support helped keep us going.”
Callouts for the 2026–27 team for incoming eighth graders and returning players will take place in March. In April, practices will begin under IHSAA guidelines, typically twice per week. Official practices start in June, and once school begins in late July, the team ramps up quickly.
“Once the season starts, it can be a fiveor six-day grind,” Pax says. “Last year, during the first week, we played four games and a tournament.”
The coaches and athletes are ready.
“We’re fortunate,” Pax says. “The coaching staff gels really well together, and we have a great group of athletes across all our volleyball teams. Communication and chemistry build championships. You have to have that to be successful.”
2026 TOX-AWAY DAYS
Hendricks Co. Fairgrounds
(Enter at Gate 5)
May 2 Brownsburg East Middle School May 30 July 11 Hickory Elementary School,
Aug 2 22
Hendricks Co. Fairgrounds
(Enter at Gate 5) Oct 3 West Side of Hummel Park, Plainfield TOX-AWAY DAYS ARE OPEN FROM 8AM-1PM
Hendricks County households are encouraged to use Tox-Away Days to recycle anddisposeofchemicals,fluorescentbulbs,batteries,medicines,medical sharps,tires,electronics,andappliances. Regulationsprohibitwastesfrom businessesorotherorganizationsfrombeingacceptedatTox-AwayDays. Fees are charged for the recycling of TVs ($20/$25), appliances ($5/$10), andcertaintires.Cashandcheckonly.
Call ( 317 ) 858 - 6070 or visit RecycleHendricksCounty.org for more information.
YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT
SYCAMORE SERVICES SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS
ACROSS EVERY LIFE STAGE
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Since 1987, March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, with the mission to increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities.
However, since the 1960s, the group that eventually created Sycamore Services in Hendricks County has been raising awareness and assisting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities — and they are doing it year-round.
“We provide services across the lifetime of the person and support them and their families throughout their journey,” says Yolanda Kincaid, CEO of Sycamore Services.
Developmental milestones include sitting up,
walking, swallowing, talking or speech. When parents, caregivers or physicians recognize a concern, Sycamore Services can step in with early intervention, providing occupational, physical and speech therapy.
“I can’t underline and bold it enough — early intervention is key,” Kincaid says. “For example, the trajectory for a child who struggles with communication and receives early intervention can be night and day from one who does not receive it.”
As children grow older, Sycamore Services offers an applied behavior analysis facility benefiting children on the autism spectrum. The facility opened approximately three years ago and remains one of Sycamore Services’ best-kept secrets, something Kincaid hopes
will change in the near future.
“We are really working hard to spread awareness about our ABA facility,” Kincaid says. “Some facilities have a one-year or longer waitlist for a diagnosis. It’s nowhere near that at our facility. We want to make connections with pediatricians in the county, with schools in the area and with families to partner with them and offer our services. I think once people are aware of it, our ABA facility will be a niche for Sycamore Services.”
In addition, ABA staff follow the child from the facility to the home and school, helping others who care for the child implement best and individualized practices.
“It’s really a collaborative effort,” Kincaid says.
“The state has put caps on reimbursement rates, and it’s going to require a transition from ABA to school sooner than before. We have a truly amazing team that knows how schools and ABA work together, and that partnership is going to be important.”
Teens and young adults can also receive services.
Youth with disabilities who have 504 plans or individualized education programs in the school system can attend high school until age 22. Sycamore Services’ pre-employment and transition services help students and families prepare for next steps.
“It’s very common after high school for parents to ask, ‘Now what?’ We call it the cliff,” Kincaid says. “You’re used to your loved one attending school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the next step has to be built and planned. We want to do that early on. We look at postsecondary college or university. It may be employment. The intent is to explore and evaluate what’s going to align best for the student.”
From there, Sycamore Services offers adult programs, including residential support, job placement and day services for individuals working on living skills and independence.
They also offer personal assistance care, helping individuals navigate tasks such as banking, grocery shopping and other daily needs, and partner with Hendricks County Senior Services LINK transportation.
The nonprofit also provides counseling services, not limited to disability-related behavioral supports.
In addition to supporting individuals and families, Sycamore Services emphasizes joy and connection.
“We have events and clubs, and you might not even realize something clinical is happening,” Kincaid says. “We’re making mocktails and working on social skills, or exercising while building communication.”
Most recently, the organization opened an art studio at its 201 Sycamore Lane location.
Creative Abundance Group, a consulting firm, facilitated a two-week intensive program to reimagine and utilize the space. The goal was to create opportunities for individuals served by Sycamore Services to connect with the broader community through art.
The studio includes space for sewing, crafts, visual art and building.
For those who have not worked with individuals with disabilities or do not have a loved one with special needs, it can feel intimidating or uncomfortable. Those who do often say individuals are underestimated.
“I’m always looking at how we can put a bright, positive light on a population that is bright and beautiful,” Kincaid says. “In this case, we’re using art as a tool to do that.”
She says individuals created posters for the Danville Porch Festival and a local business has expressed interest in commissioning a mural.
“I’d love to do floats for local parades,” Kincaid says. “It’s a beautiful way for people with disabilities to be celebrated —
not for their disability, but for how they contribute to their community.”
Sycamore Services recently participated in a video, All Access with Andy Garcia, scheduled for release in April 2026.
In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, the video highlights the variety of services Sycamore Services provides and includes perspectives from board members, families, therapists and individuals receiving services.
Referrals to Sycamore Services often come from pediatricians concerned about a child’s development, but parents can also reach out directly.
Staff members help families navigate the process and connect with appropriate resources.
“We can walk you through the process, and we’re there as long as we need to be,” Kincaid says.
As funding continues to be cut or capped, Kincaid said it is increasingly important to find donors and supporters, though there are additional ways to help.
The art studio welcomes volunteers, and opportunities exist to serve on boards or committees. Sharing information about Sycamore Services is another meaningful form of support.
“Our message to families is that early intervention is key,” Kincaid says. “Find your tribe, and we’ll support you all along the way.”
3/22/26
6–7
INDIANAPOLIS BALLET & INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Avenue.
7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m.
Enter a world of enchantment with The Sleeping Beauty, presented by Indianapolis Ballet and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
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MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Avenue.
6:30 p.m.
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship showcases the world?s elite off-road motorcycle racers as they clash in high-flying stadium battles packed with speed, skill, and intensity.
12
INDIANA PACERS VS. PHOENIX SUNS
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JOURNEY - FINAL FRONTIER TOUR (AN EVENING WITH)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St. 7:30 p.m.
A Special Evening with JOURNEY Ticket prices may fluctuate, at any time, based on demand.
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Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St. 7 p.m.
Join Brandon Lake with special guests Franni Cash and Pat Barrett for the King of Hearts Tour.
21–22
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MARCH CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Menu word
4. Cavities
8. Full house, e.g.
12. Well-put
13. Rephrase
14. Call from the bridge
15. Anonymous name
16. “Anything ___?”
17. Be judgmental
18. Capacitate
20. Book’s last word
22. Closing document
23. Castle dwellers
27. Pipe type
29. Clearly embarrassed
30. Kind of hour
31. Wasn’t straight
32. Palindromic turkey
33. Feature of some lions
34. Part of T.G.I.F.
35. Japanese bread?
36. Game played standing
37. Gas, to a Brit
39. Mention
40. Shade
41. Tied up
44. Bad driver’s shout
47. Mah-jongg piece
49. Time to look ahead
50. Bump from office
51. Abu Dhabi leader
52. Fall from grace
53. Pluck
54. To-do
55. Snaky
DOWN
1. Chinese gemstone
2. Aware of
3. Least shaky
4. Pie baker’s utensil
5. Went nowhere
6. Poetic contraction
7. Took the tiller
8. Tough
9. “That’s it!”
10. “___ so fast!”
11. Anil or woad
19. Bit of sweat
21. Doze
24. It may be heightened
25. Advanced
26. Understands
27. Radar screen image
28. Liturgy
29. Seek a seat
32. Strikes out
33. Better half
35. “___ rang?”
36. Sidetrack
38. Butler at Tara
39. Cuban singer Cruz
42. Like some grins
43. Disavow
44. Flight delayer, perhaps
45. Jointly owned, maybe
46. Industrial injury
48. Babysitter’s handful
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HOUNDS FOR HEROES
LOCAL NONPROFIT PAIRS DOGS WITH MILITARY VETERANS TO OFFER SUPPORT & COMPANIONSHIP
Jake Skillett, owner of VonBernd K9 Training Center in Brownsburg, says dog training has taken him all over the world. He has trained everything from the average household pet to explosivedetection dogs for private security.
He serves as head trainer for the nonprofit Mission K9 Warrior, providing trained dogs to veterans with PTSD at no
Writer / Melissa Gibson
charge, and he loves helping those in need through the therapeutic animals he trains. However, Skillett saw a gap in the good work many nonprofits provide and felt led to do something about it.
“Many organizations only serve combat veterans, and several apply each year who are first responders, victims of sexual assault and more,” Skillett says. “I wanted
to help even more folks, so we created Hounds for Heroes.”
The first official year of the nonprofit was 2025. The process can be lengthy, but already, Skillett says he can see the impact they are making.
Far too often, organizations that provide service dogs simply train them, drop them
off with the recipient and walk away. Skillett wanted to improve that process.
“I test the dog to see if it has what it takes. I do temperament testing, some socialization and basic skills like seeing how they do on a staircase or teaching them to sit or walk on a leash, but they are not done at that point,” Skillett says.
From there, the dog owner or handler comes in for training with Skillett once per week, and both the handler and the dog work on bonding, skills and, eventually, certification.
“The problem we find is the person has zero confidence in handling the dog,” Skillett says. “They don’t want to ask for help, and things get out of control when the dog becomes more of a hindrance than a help. In this program, they are fully involved with the training, have access to me at any time, and it doesn’t cost them anything.”
Perhaps more importantly, each dog is trained specifically for its handler. For example, if a person suffers from PTSD and begins going into an episode,
they might tap their foot, crack their knuckles or have another tell. The dog can be trained to recognize those symptoms and will automatically jump up and start licking their handler’s face to distract and redirect.
However, Hounds for Heroes almost did not happen.
“We can teach the dog to get really in tune with that person, and before the foot tapping even begins, a lot of times the dog senses it,” Skillett says. “Every person is different and every dog is different. Every story is different; every trauma is different. It’s never one size fits all.”
Depending on the dog’s age, training can take four to eight months. Skillett and his nonprofit board certify the handler, and each year they return for recertification.
Outside of food and veterinary care, the recipient does not pay a penny. Even lifetime training for the dog and annual recertification are covered by the nonprofit.
As of January 2026, Hounds for Heroes has placed two dogs with their handlers, and watching the two come together, Skillett says, is special.
“I’ve been blessed to be in all sorts of experiences and places, but this is one of the most powerful moments you can be a part of,” Skillett says. “You can see hope — an excuse to get out of bed in the morning. Wives tell me, ‘He smiles now,’ and daughters talk about getting their daddy back. Sometimes they don’t even realize the extent to which a veteran or first responder is suffering until they get connected with their dog.”
Approximately 57 veterans and first responders die by suicide each day in the United States, nearly 21,000 per year, a number that does not include the ripple effect of the many lives impacted by each loss.
Programs like Hounds for Heroes reduce suicide rates to less than 1 percent, reinforcing Skillett’s belief that he is doing the right thing.
“It can get really expensive. Service dogs run around $20,000 and can go all the way up to $90,000,” Skillett says. “When we met our first recipient, there were only a few hundred dollars in our bank account. My wife made a reel of the veteran being introduced to his German shorthaired pointer, and the next day there was a check in the mail for $5,000.”
Other friends and acquaintances who had expressed interest in supporting the cause began calling and donating thousands of dollars.
Within three weeks, Hounds for Heroes went from a few hundred dollars to $90,000.
“I feel like it’s a calling from God. We’re going to keep our faith and the money will come,” Skillett says. “We still have more applicants than money, but it will come.”
One of Skillett’s favorite stories comes from a Mission K9 Warrior benefit event, where he spoke to a room of 300 people about the new nonprofit and its goals for the future.
He and the board also announced and awarded their first certification to the organization’s first veteran recipient that evening.
“He came up on stage with his dog, and we presented the certification to him,” Skillett says. “A line formed of people who just wanted to shake his hand. They thanked him for his service and says, ‘Welcome home.’ I asked him if he ever thought he’d see something like this, and he says, ‘Never in my wildest dreams. This has been the best year of my life since receiving my dog.’”
Hounds for Heroes is always in need of financial support, but Skillett says simply spreading the word is also valuable.
“We want people to know that we care about and are thankful for their service and that there is hope,” Skillett says. “I’m interested in speaking at any event and sharing some of the inspirational stories I’ve seen so far. Follow us on social media, share our posts and keep talking about it.”
Skillett has heard many sad stories, too, but watches with anticipation each time a handler meets a new best friend.
“Dogs don’t judge. They take you exactly as you are,” Skillett says. “If you feed them, love them and treat them right, they don’t care about the rest.”
For more information, visit houndsforheroes.net.
