Zionsville Magazine April 2017 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

MAGAZINE

APRIL 2017

MOODYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

BUTCHER SHOP Delivers Farm Fresh Food and Local Fare

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EDITORIAL MANAGER

OODY’S BUTCHER SHOP DELIVERS FARM FRESH FOOD M AND LOCAL FARE

A fifth-generation Indiana farmer from Montgomery County, Adam Moody has been a fixture in the Indianapolis community for years, having farmed for more than five decades and, for the last 14 years, running Moody’s Butcher Shop.

Josh Brown

Josh@TownePost.com

APRIL WRITERS

Christy Heitger-Ewing / Josh Brown Stephanie Duncan / Suzanne Huntzinger

APRIL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alex Holland / Brian Brosmer Palmer Durr / Stephanie Duncan

SHOP LOCAL! Help our local economy by shopping local. Advertising supporters of the Zionsville Magazine offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business. BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS ARE SPONSORED CONTENT

6 Zionsville 2017 Mom of

26 Luckiest Hoosier Alive: Leah

9 Moody’s Butcher Shop Delivers

29 Village Dance Studio

the Year Finalists

Farm Fresh Food and Local Fare

14 Hamilton Heights High School

Indiana’s Only Student-led Food Pantry

16 Colts COO Pete Ward

Reflects On 36-Year Career

Blackford Beats Three Brain Tumors Celebrates 40 Years

33 Mike Cole: Run2Race 37 Pearson Automotive Tennis Club

The Zionsville Magazine is published by Towne Post Network, Inc. and is written for and by local Zionsville area residents. Magazines are distributed via direct mail to more than 10,000 Zionsville area homeowners and businesses each month.

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Celebrates Grand Opening

39 April Crossword Puzzle

21 College Mentors For Kids Honors Community Leaders At 2017 Inspire Awards

atZionsville.com TownePost.com atZionsville.com / APRIL 2017 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 5

ZIONSVILLE TOWNE

POST

2017

NETWORK

MOM OF

THE

YEAR

Go to TownePost.com to vote for our finalists

You’ve sent in your nominations, and now it’s time to decide the Mom of the Year! The following are finalists for 2017 Zionsville Mom of the Year. Visit atzionsville.com to cast your vote for the winner. The deadline to vote is April 15, and you can vote once daily until then.

LORA SNIDER Nominated By: Leigh Ann Akard, who says:

Lora proudly lists her “job” on Facebook as “Mom of Dakota and Samantha (Sammy)” and wife. Her daughter has CP, mitochondrial disease and agenesis of the corpus callosum. She lovingly calls her JANE WINTERS their “lil angel.” And her son is one of the most generous and loving Nominated By: Leigh Ann Akard, who says: preteens ever. Lora lives out her faith by loving her family and always looking for ways to give back to those who have given to her Jane Winters works in her family business and is a founding family. She is one of the most generous loving souls you will ever member of The HAWK Foundation (for special needs families) and meet. She faces every challenge leaning into her faith and with a founding member of ZFD Support Services. Jane is the mother of thankful, loving heart! Kacey (who has Down syndrome) and Clay and proud grandma of two. Clay is an involved contributor to the Zionsville business KIM MILLER community and Kacey volunteers in town and brings a smile Nominated By: Megan ONeill, who says: to everyone (she knows no strangers). Great kids like this are a product of a loving and giving Mother. Jane is the first to give back In the past three years, my mom has managed to lose and keep off to anyone in need whether from her business or personally (and 100 pounds through diet change and becoming an avid runner. Her many times anonymously). journey inspired me to also pick up running after the birth of my second child, and I subsequently lost 70 pounds! Running is now one of our favorite things to do together. Her companionship and her cooking help keep me sane and healthy. Her strength, determination, patience and passion continue to inspire me everyday.

MICHAL MELLENCAMP Nominated By: Paula Kiraly, who says: After raising two daughters, Michal and her husband, Phil, decided to adopt two 2-year old twin boys from Mexico. Their mother was abusive and a friend (from church) called Michal and Phil to see if they would take the boys into their home for a while. Well, that while turned into eight years! The boys are now 10 years old, healthy, happy, doing well in school and are officially adopted! Their birth daughters were out of high school, going to college and Michal and Phil were in their 40’s when they decided to adopt the twin boys! Can you imagine after raising two daughters successfully to adulthood and then taking on the responsibility of two toddlers? I don’t think too many people could do that!

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APRIL, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE? Writer / Carrie Petty

Oh April, I cannot tell you how happy we are to see you. Late March snowfall has stunted our blooming trees a bit, but have no fear, flowers are near!

I also recommend putting down a layer of Preen with fertilizer added underneath the mulch to prevent weeds. If your weeds are a serious issue, use a landscape fabric to keep them at bay. MULCH EARLY! Why? This will prevent weed seeds hidden in the soil from germinating and creating more work for you in the deep summer months.

This is the time of year when you want to be outdoors as much as possible. Make sure you get the outdoor chores completed before the weather really breaks. You want to be playing, not working. Fertilizing is important this time of year. I like to use an organic mushroom compost Gardening in April is in full swing. Indiana to amend any new garden beds, turning it sits in Zone 5, which tells us when our last into the soil with my pitchfork. But for the frost date will be. For us, May 15 is ‘go time.’ entire landscape bed general application That is the date when you can safely plant I use 10-10-10 granular fertilizers. I give your annuals in the ground or sow seeds anything that is more acidic a special directly into the soil without the fear of a hard application of fertilizer, specifically for frost. So, think of it this way — April is for Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Boxwoods. prepping and May is for planting. But if you recall, I am a bit of a rebel, and I start much Mowing begins now if you have not already earlier. If a threat presents itself, I just cover made your first round. I like to give my lawn up what I have put down. a low cut the first time around, that way the crowns of the grass tufts show more So, let me tell you what I’m doing outside prevalently to the sun and create a denser right now. lawn. However, when you use this technique you will want to be sure to get your weed You will find me mulching all month long. I preventer application down too. This low order hardwood mulch by the truckload. It cut also exposes weed seeds and young is the cheapest. You want to be checking all weed seedling to the sun. While I know your tools and purchasing any last additions dandelions make good salad greens, I do not to your collection. For mulch, you need a like them in my turf! And for Pete’s sake, good pitchfork, wheelbarrow and a widesharpen your mower blade so you are not mouthed, lightweight shovel for scooping. cutting with a dull tool. 8 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017 / atZionsville.com

Begin purchasing plants as soon as they arrive in your local nursery for best selection. I travel all over the city visiting new garden supply stores. Children love going to the garden nursery too! It is a great way to teach the little ones about gardening! I plant most of my annuals in an array of containers and window boxes, so prepping those now is essential. A good cleaning with one part bleach to 10 parts water will brighten and disinfect anything lingering from the last growing season. Scrub the grill real good now too. Stock up on supplies for entertaining outdoors like candles, Tiki lamp oil, pretty botanical print napkins and all of your charcoal items. I also give the house a good scrub and wash my windows and install the screens. A little pledge on a lint free rag to wipe over the screen is a great way to finish cleaning them after you have sprayed them off and dried them thoroughly. So kids, if you need me, I will be out back in the garden. Get on out there and make sure you are continuing to, “Grow a Beautiful Life!” A lifelong Hoosier girl, Carrie Petty is a TV personality, master gardener, inspirational public speaker and armature naturalist. After a long career in corporate and political positions, her favorite thing to do is teach people with her book, “How to Grow a Beautiful Life!” Visit her website www.carriepetty.com and follow her on Twitter @CarriePetty.

MOODY’S BUTCHER SHOP Delivers Farm Fresh Food and Local Fare Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Palmer Durr

That’s when he decided to take the farm in a different direction, growing his animals, having them processed and selling them directly to consumers.

Moody and his wife, Lucy, started selling at the farmers market in Zionsville and Lafayette in 1997 — the first vendors to bring meat to the venue. In 2000, Moody and his dad purchased the harvesting facility Moody first got into retail in the late 1990s where they had been processing their when he cashed his hog check at the bank, animals for the farmers market. Moody, then went to the grocery store to buy a ham for eager to learn how to run a retail meat case Easter dinner and found he couldn’t afford it. with perishable products, began schooling himself on business practices. Back then, he “I realized that something’s wrong with this had two employees. Now, 17 years later, he system if the people raising food can’t afford owns stores in Avon, Zionsville and Geist the food they’re raising,” Moody says. and employs 38 people. atZionsville.com / APRIL 2017 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 9

The company raises and harvests the animals. They dry age the meat on the beef side. They make their own sausages, smoke their own bacon and set the fresh meat case daily. “That’s where our uniqueness comes in,” Moody says. “The control we have over the product and the knowledge base that’s there from gate to plate.” Customers appreciate the story behind the product. They like learning about where the food comes from and how it was made because such knowledge is lacking in today’s world. “We’ve had this chasm that’s been driven between ‘agri’ and ‘culture’ in our society,” Moody says. “It’s my passion to bring

There’s a big difference between what something costs and what something is worth.

those two back together so people can reconnect with their food supply again.”

from Batch No. 2, spicy pickles from Indiana Pickle Company and yogurt from Trader’s Point Creamery.

Moody refers to his business as a “simple, old-school system” that isn’t According to the USDA, local food is the fastest growing sector of food, and according to the National Grocers Association, local is layered in depths of distributorship and transfer of lines. The meat is the only growing sector of food. not sitting in warehouses or being hauled across the interstate. “We’re reverse pioneering the food system by [only engaging] the farmer, the processor and the retail store,” says Moody, who references a study that found that 92 percent of the food Hoosiers eat comes from outside the state. “It’s my passion to lower that number.” One way Moody aims to do so is by enticing customers with his state-of-the-art smoking facility where he smokes sides of pork bellies, hams, pork loins and six specialty bacons, including threepepper bacon and sweet bacon. “We also make killer jerky,” Moody says.

“So, this is an exciting and challenging time for local food purveyors,” says Moody, who shares the time a man came into his store, perused the case and asked why the rib-eyes cost so much. Moody replied, “I’ll tell you why they’re worth so much.” Then he proceeded to explain how diligently his small team works to create such savory goods. Ultimately, the customer bought four rib-eyes and told Moody that he wasn’t charging enough. “There’s a big difference between what something costs and what something is worth,” Moody says. “There’s so much more benefit to the community, to the land and to your people with a small, local and regional food system.”

Moody’s Butcher Shop not only sells a selection of beef, pork, chicken and occasionally lamb during holiday seasons, but they also Moody’s Butcher Shop is located in Avon at 235 N. SR 267, in Zionsville at 20 E. Cedar Street, and in Geist at 10106 Brooks market high-quality Indiana products from artisanal growers that School Road. complement their meat offering. These items include condiments

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HAMILTON HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL

INDIANA’S ONLY STUDENT-LED FOOD PANTRY GLEANERS ENCOURAGES OTHER INDIANA SCHOOLS TO JOIN THE FOLD Writer / Josh Brown Photographer / Alex Holland

You’ve heard the narrative before — a student drops out of high school because their family needs extra income to help put food on the table. Unfortunately, it’s a narrative that still happens too often in the U.S. Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is trying to combat that problem in the Hoosier state.

Currently, there are 53 school-based food pantries in Indiana, but the most impressive one might be right in our backyard in Hamilton County. Arcadia, Indiana is a small town of just under 1,700 people, and it is home to Hamilton Heights High School, which contains the only student-led, school-based food pantry in Indiana. That’s right, the food pantry is completely operated by high school student volunteers. INDY METRO / APRIL 2017 / TownePost.com

“I think that giving back is always a great opportunity,” says junior Madelyn Merrell, president of Service With a Goal (SWAG) and the Hamilton Heights food pantry. “What has been exciting for me is seeing how many students want to get involved and give back to our community.” When the Hamilton Heights food pantry started four years ago, they only had roughly four students involved. At their callout meeting this year, about 60

students showed up expressing interest and an eagerness to volunteer. The food pantry has even gotten the attention of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. On Feb. 28, representatives of Gleaners made the journey down State Road 19 to visit the Hamilton Heights food pantry and host a committee meeting there. “These young people are so committed to service and so proud of what they do in their pantry,” says Debbie Dreiband, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “Hamilton Heights is a great model for school, student and community collaborations. “It is really exciting to get that recognition,” Merrell added. “We are a small school, so I don’t think people see us as one that can do big things like this.”

The food pantry isn’t simply a walk-in closet pantry, either. Hamilton Heights’ pantry is located in an old classroom now stocked with a refrigerator for meats, several shelves of canned goods, cereals and even toiletries, including toothbrushes and toothpaste.

helping, and everyone truly cares about it. The students here have seen the impact and how amazing it is to help people. Even watching the freshmen jump in and get involved, it is awesome.”

The school-based pantry is also open in the holidays, with students volunteering to provide food for families that need it most. Hamilton Heights provided turkeys for families in need during Thanksgiving last year.

One of the greatest benefits of school-based pantries is they help keep kids in school. Young adults who feel the pressure to drop out early and help put food on the table for their families can instead turn to the food pantry for those essentials.

Merrell says the impact has been noticeably wide-reaching, and it is all because of the work of the students.

Gleaners hopes that more schools will join the fold in providing food pantries. Merrell says it’s an easy decision.

“There have been a lot of people say that it means so much them,” Merrell says. “Some have said that Hamilton Heights is the nicest food pantry they go to. Most are simply grateful to be able to put food on the table for their families. We are all students

“I would encourage other schools to do this because it changes lives,” Merrell says. “If you want to be fulfilled, helping people out is a great way to do that. I get a ton of joy seeing other people happy, and that is what community service does.”

TownePost.com / APRIL 2017 / INDY METRO

COLTS COO PETE WARD REFLECTS ON 36-YEAR CAREER

ZIONSVILLE RESIDENT TALKS HORSEPOWER, NAPTOWN AND COLTS’ FANS Writer / Suzanne Huntzinger Photographer / Brian Brosmer

through a possible move to Arizona, but the deal fell apart.

No one will ever forget that snowy March morning in 1984 when the former Baltimore Colts rolled into town and changed the city of Indianapolis forever. Few people can say they were a part of the ball club from its Indianapolis beginnings. Chief Operating Officer and Zionsville resident, Pete Ward, was part of that unforgettable experience that brought the Colts to a rebirth in Naptown.

“All hell broke loose,” Ward says. “Fans were furious with us.”

“It was March 28, 1984,” Ward says. “They called me into the office and said, ‘take care of your personal business and be back here at 10 p.m. ready to roll.’” Ward was shocked. At one point, Colts’ staff were sorting

The fire died down, then rumors of a possible move to Memphis started flying, followed by more rumors about Indianapolis. Since it was already late March, staff dismissed it all as a ploy to be used as a bargaining tool. Reality hit fast for Ward, a young bachelor who’d been working for the Colts for just three years. Employed as the organization’s administrative assistant, Ward was hired not long after graduating from the University of Virginia. His degree was in Sports Business, a degree for which Ward designed his own course of study since schools didn’t offer a Sports Management degree at the time. INDY METRO / APRIL 2017 / TownePost.com

As a young boy living in Virginia, the Washington Redskins’ team headquarters was close. So, when Ward wanted a summer job, he asked the team if they needed volunteers. They had no openings, so he went up to Baltimore and knocked on their door. The Colts welcomed Ward and put him to work in any spot that needed a job to be done. When it was time for Ward to go back to school, the team still needed help, so they asked him to stay on. So, he took a semester off of school and learned first-hand as much as he could about the business. Ward returned to school and finished his degree, returning whenever possible to the Colts to do whatever the team asked him to do. Upon graduation, he sent out resumes, but no teams were hiring. Ward returned to the Colts to help as he had in the previous summer. His lucky break came one day

when the team’s administrative assistant resigned. Ward was hired on the spot. Ward’s new title meant that his duties were a “catch-all,” involving any job that needed to be done. Sometimes he was asked to take players to and from the airport, fill in at someone’s desk or work in the ticket office. No task was too great or too small for Ward because as far as he was concerned, he was building his dream career. So, on that fateful March day when Ward was asked to take care of his personal business and be ready to depart for Indianapolis, saying no was impossible. The idea of leaving his family, friends and life behind for a city he’d heard of as “Naptown” gave him pause, but Ward was excited by the idea of a fresh start and the promise of pursuing his dream.

metro Baltimore and the DC area. On my first commute to work I thought it must be a state holiday. One night I drove downtown, and pretty much everything was shut down after dark. I remember thinking this city really is Naptown.” But Ward saw the city transform before his eyes. Union Station was revitalized, and soon the entire downtown area seemed to follow suit. Circle Center Mall arrived and everything else grew up around it. “It was nice to think that the Colts were part of that rejuvenation and change,” Ward says. As things changed around him, Ward became more settled. He found a small starter home in Zionsville village in 1987.

The team rolled out of town on schedule, and the news broke to the public around midnight. “I had mixed emotions about leaving the devoted Baltimore fans,” Ward says. “We were leaving a huge fan legacy behind.” But when the team arrived in Indianapolis, Ward says, “We were treated like royalty. The celebration was a bit like the liberation of Paris.” Ward described the time that followed in those early days as a blur because there was so much to do. “It was the hardest time of my life,” he says. “We had the hours of a college kid working long days and getting very little sleep.” The Colts quickly settled into its first headquarters, occupying the former Fall Creek Elementary School on the northeast side. Ward dove right in, helping grow the organization, figuring it all out as he went along. His hard work paid off and he was quickly promoted to Director of Operations. Though there was little time to stop and consider his first impressions of his new city, Ward says, “I do remember noticing how little traffic Indy had compared to TownePost.com / APRIL 2017 / INDY METRO

“I liked the small-town feel and charm of the area,” Ward says. “Plus, the house was $54,000. He had no idea the area would grow so fast or the location of his first home in the village would later become prime real estate. The small-town charm of Zionsville never lost its appeal to Ward. So, he stayed, eventually marrying and raising his family there. “The community is wonderful,” Ward says. “Everyone knows you, and the people are friendly.” The Colts saw many changes in the years that followed. Moving into their new headquarters on 56th street, coaching

changes and more kept Ward constantly on his toes. “After the challenges of the big move, everything else that came our way seemed like a piece of cake,” Ward says. “But times always change. You can’t be complacent. You’ve got to stay ahead of the curve.” The team definitely stayed ahead. With the arrival of Colts’ legend Peyton Manning

Marvin Harrison, Coach Tony Dungy and others, the team’s popularity and success skyrocketed. It was around that time when Ward was named Vice President of Administration. Among the many memories Ward has of the Manning era, he has two that are his favorites. The first was in the 2006-2007 season. “I’ll never forget winning the AFC

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INDY METRO / APRIL 2017 / TownePost.com

championship game over the ‘evilempire’ New England Patriots,” Ward says. “We were down 21-3 and came back to win it in the final minute, earning our first trip to the Super Bowl. It was Hollywood at its finest.” Another favorite memory is a 2009 game, against the Patriots once again. With two minutes left in the game, the undefeated Colts stopped the Pats on an infamous fourth-and-two attempt and came back to win the game in the final seconds. With a broad grin, Ward says, “The drama and adrenaline in this business is unmatched.” Through the team’s ups and downs, Ward has seen far more successes than failures. Winning Super Bowl XLI and helping host Super Bowl XLVI just a few years after opening the beautiful, new Lucas Oil Stadium (a stadium which Ward played a key role in designing) were certainly proud moments for Ward. It was only fitting that Ward was appointed COO just two years after the opening of Lucas Oil Stadium. “Indianapolis has proven over and over that it can compete on the world stage with the big dogs,” he says. “It is extremely fulfilling to see the Colts playing a role in that.” The Colts compete with the big dogs off the field too. Colts ownership, players and coaches bring their A-game by sharing their winning spirit with the team and by staying involved in the community. “We’re aggressive on all fronts,” Ward says. “We try to touch all parts of our state and even Louisville, with fanfests, school shows themed around such topics as bullying or literacy, fitness camps and youth football clinics. We are also fortunate to have the Irsay family so involved with our community.

“I’M PROUD OF THIS CITY AND WHAT IT’S BECOME.” And of course, now we have Andrew Luck, approaching his sixth season with the team, and he’s an incredible ambassador for us.”

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As nice as it is to reflect on the many successes, Ward never stops thinking about what is next.

Dreams a Reality

“I want to see us win the Super Bowl again, and I’d love to see Indy host it again,” Ward says. “I have yet to see anything excite and bond our community more than our Super Bowl run in 2007, and that’s a feeling you cannot get enough of.” The Indianapolis Colts are now in their third generation of fans, making their time here longer than their time in Baltimore. The fan landscape has changed from the early days when fans in Indy were divided in their loyalties to the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers or the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, of course, Indianapolis fans are united behind the Colts. “It’s fulfilling to know the Colts are a pillar in this city and help make it a place where good people want to live and companies want to come and grow,” Ward says. “It’s also terrific to know Indiana is now a football state just as much as we are a basketball state.” No matter what the next play of the game is by the Colts, Ward is here to stay. “I’m proud of this city and what it’s become,” he says. “People are friendly, and they come together for a cause. I’m proud to say I live here.”

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COLLEGE MENTORS FOR KIDS HONORS COMMUNITY LEADERS AT 2017 INSPIRE AWARDS College Mentors For Kids recently hosted its 2017 Inspire Awards at a packed ballroom in the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. The awards ceremony saw seven community leaders named Mentors of the Year in their respective fields. Allison Melangton, Senior Vice President, Hulman Motorsports Corporation, also took home the Lifetime Achievement Award in Mentoring. Melangton, who has given her time and talents for many years to mentor youth and business leaders, delivered a teary-

eyed, thank you speech to the hundreds in attendance. “Allison Melangton is an exceptional leader and mentor in our community,” said Shelley Hunter, Executive Director of College Mentors For Kids. “The impact she has made on young professionals and other business leaders is remarkable. She is an incredible asset to Indianapolis, as a mentor, as a business professional and as a leader of events that bring significant economic impact to the community.” The 2017 Mentors of the Year include:

TownePost.com / APRIL 2017 / INDY METRO

JASON REESE

ACCOUNTING, LEGAL & FINANCE MENTOR OF THE YEAR Jason Reese is a partner at Wagner Reese. As an accomplished lawyer, he encourages other young lawyers in their careers and has also used his expertise to teach legal professionals in Rwanda how to fight corruption and represent the underprivileged in their communities. As an EDGE mentor, Jason regularly meets with six, young men to encourage them as

they grow personally, professionally, and spiritually, inspiring them to pass it on. “Jason is humble in his approach, but he is abundant in what he has to give,” said one mentee. “His actions inspire the people that he gets in touch with, who then pass on that inspiration, positive energy and actiondriven mindset to someone else.”

DON KINSEY,

BUSINESS, RETAIL & SERVICES MENTOR OF THE YEAR Don Kinsey is the Facility Manager at Caterpillar. He is described by many as a “model of integrity” and a “terrific leader of leaders.” Kinsey believes that people are his greatest asset, so he consistently treats them with dignity and respect. Through his commitment to community involvement and service, he has inspired others to make individual commitments to become involved

in the community where they live and work. “Don is a leader who provides opportunity for growth by investing in the people that he leads,” one mentee said. “He has always taken time to help me grow as a person and a leader. Don encouraged me to take challenging roles and get out of my comfort zone.”

JONATHAN BAKER

EDUCATIONS, GOVERNMENT & NONPROFIT MENTOR OF THE YEAR Jonathan Baker is a sergeant with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Baker was introduced to a hopeful but anxious police academy applicant by a friend at church. Without hesitation, Jonathan guided him through the application process, spending hours answering questions and preparing him. His support and encouragement continued once his mentee was accepted to the academy, through training and even now as INDY METRO / APRIL 2017 / TownePost.com

a police officer. “Being a police officer is a unique job that often puts you in stressful and dangerous situations,” Baker’s mentee said. “On several occasions, I have called Jonathan after witnessing a horrific scene or situation. He has helped me process what I’ve experienced in a healthy and helpful way. I know without his discussions with me over the past few years, I would have struggled.”

JIM WIESLER

CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY MENTOR OF THE YEAR Jim Wiesler is an Associate Senior Consultant Engineer at Eli Lilly & Company. Wiesler is the lead recruiter for Purdue Engineering because he has a passion for helping young engineers find their strengths and discover opportunities to thrive in their careers and lives.

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SARA BARNETT HEALTH & HEALTH SCIENCES MENTOR OF THE YEAR

Sara Barnett is a Child Life Manager at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. She cultivates the passions of each team member, incorporating their ideas into her vision for excellent patient care and seamlessly balancing the needs of the hospital with the needs of her employees. “Sara has been a listener, a coach, a confidant, a professional ethics consultant, and a cheerleader,” her nominator said. “She has provided honest feedback including ways to improve in all aspects of professional service. She is responsible for supporting my aspirations and for pointing out potential opportunities to develop all areas of professional and personal expertise.”

“Jim is skilled at breaking down complex topics in ways that a beginner can understand,” one mentee said. “He gives positive feedback at even the smallest milestones, providing encouragement to continue learning. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience, which he generously shares with others.”

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BRIAN HAIRSTON

YOUTH MENTORING MENTOR OF THE YEAR Brian Hairston is a 4-H Agent at the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Hairston invests time, understanding, love and kindness in all of the youth who come through the Virginia 4-H program, treating them as members of his own family and empowering young leaders to know they can make a difference in the community.

“Brian has been one of my greatest motivations and mentors throughout my entire life,” one mentee said. “I have never met someone who genuinely cares about those he is mentoring as much as Brian. He has taught me so many skills and helped me turn from a shy, young guy to a confident young man.”

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Sonya Hopkins is the Coordinator of Academic Services for Athletics at Butler University. She is described as selfless and humble. Hopkins makes sure that student athletes have the tools they need to accomplish their goals, and her support has resulted in impressive results of graduation and career success. She also engages the student-athletes in community service, modeling The Butler Way. “Her passion is seeing young people graduate, and she has firmly planted herself in the trenches with the students,” her nominator said. “She offers sound advice and gives unconditional support. Her passion and pride in her job are on display every day, and that is contagious around the department.”

3RD SATURDAY IN MAY EMPOWER TODAY’S YOUTH TO BECOME TOMORROW’S ENTREPRENEURS. It’s fun, easy and FREE! Lemonade Day helps kids of all ages experience entrepreneurship by planning, starting, owning, and operating their own business: a lemonade stand! Plant the seeds for the young entrepreneurs in your life by signing them up for Lemonade Day!

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TownePost.com / APRIL 2017 / INDY METRO

Leah Blackford with her husband Chris

APRIL'S LUCKIEST ALIVE Leah Blackford

SUBMIT YOUR STORY ONLINE AT TOWNEPOST.COM! If you are chosen, you'll win dinner for two at the Homestretch Steakhouse and $100 each in gambling comps. You must be 21 years of age or older to participate.

LEAH BLACKFORD BEATS THREE BRAIN TUMORS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

In March 2016, Leah Blackford was playing cards with her family and husband, Chris, when suddenly she threw the deck across the table, went stiff as a board and stopped moving. At first Chris thought she was joking around. When she didn’t respond, however, he began to panic. Thirty seconds later, Leah’s eyes popped open, though they were unfocused, and she seemed disoriented.

what happens, remove the tumors through surgery, or take medications to slow tumor growth. Without hesitation, Leah asked when she could schedule surgery.

Named the Luckiest Hoosier Alive winner this month, Leah received a prize package to Hoosier Park Casino, which includes dinner for two at Homestretch Steakhouse as well as $200 in comps for gambling.

The diagnosis provided answers to nagging questions that Leah had prior to the “We are really looking forward to a night seizure, such as why she was struggling to out, I can’t tell Hoosier Park ‘thank you’ understand the tasks she was to perform at enough,” added Leah. the new job she’d started three weeks earlier. Not that Leah needs to roll the dice or “It didn’t make sense that I was having such play the slots because she’s already defied “I don’t remember any of it, but apparently a hard time because I’ve been in accounts the odds. She was supposed to be in the for 30 minutes I was asking a bunch of payable my whole life,” Leah says. “I knew it hospital for seven days — she was out in strange and repetitive questions,” Leah says. wasn’t normal to be having trouble learning four. She was scheduled to be off work for my job.” six to nine weeks, but she was back in less Chris insisted they go to the hospital. than three. She beat not one brain tumor Within four weeks of her seizure, Leah was but three. The ER team wasn’t initially concerned, on the operating table. Chris paced the chalking the bizarre experience up to the hospital floors, waiting anxiously as the “I’m just grateful for how it all turned out,” body’s need to “reset” itself from time to surgery, scheduled for three hours, took a Chris says. “The brain tumor was in the time, the way a boxer does after getting whopping six and a half. The doctor said best place it could be. It was accessible. We knocked out. A CAT scan, however, that in order to reach one of the tumors, he were blessed.” revealed something more ominous. had to remove a small piece of Leah’s brain. Six months post-surgery, Leah was given “When the doctor walked in…” Chris When Leah woke up an hour later, she was the all-clear, enabling her to suspend whispered, his voice cracking with disappointed to find she didn’t have a bald medication and resume driving, flying and emotion, “You never want to see the head. even parasailing. When she and Chris went look that doctor had on his face. I knew to San Diego, she eagerly signed up for the something was very wrong.” “I was kind of looking forward to having exhilarating activity. part of my head shaved,” says Leah with a More tests were done to confirm the chuckle. “You can’t even see my scar!” “I was like, ‘I’m doing this!’” says Leah, diagnosis, but ultimately, an MRI revealed who admits that she now has a new that Leah had not one, but three tumors on What you can see, however, is the appreciation for life. “I’m so thankful for her brain — each the size of a large marble. tremendous support she’s gotten from her everything I have.” The pressure the tumors were putting on husband, mother, coworkers and friends. the outside of her brain was what caused the Leah was listening to WZPL 99.5 FM radio memory loss and seizure. “I consider myself tremendously lucky just and heard the commercial with Towne Post to be married to this great guy, who has been Publisher Tom Britt asking for people to “That’s when your heart drops,” Chris says. with me every step of the way,” Leah says. submit their story for the “Luckiest Hoosier “We’ve been together a long time and have Alive Contest.” She heard the commercial The good news: the tumors were not learned that if you can’t change something or and said, “I’m going to do that!” cancerous. The specialist offered the couple fix it, you learn to live with it. We’ve always three possible options: do nothing and see taken life and rolled with it together.” A true winner, indeed.

The Bourbons of Buffalo Trace A TASTING EVENT TO BENEFIT

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Village Dance Studio Celebrates 40 Years

MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO CONTINUE TEACHING TOMORROW’S DANCERS Writer & Photographer / Stephanie Duncan

The Village Dance Studio has been offering dance education and classes for the past 39 years, and there are no signs of stopping. Founder, Annette Pettigrew is passing over the directing reigns to her daughter Traci Broman, so she can keep doing what she does best — teaching students to dance.

there was not hip-hop in my dream,” she says laughing. The Village Dance studio started when Annette and her husband opened a small studio on the 2nd floor of the Old Town Hall and originally only offered ballet, by Annette. It has added more instructors along the way and has gone through a few locations before settling at its current location at South 700 East, Whitestown, IN.

Annette always dreamed about opening a dance studio ever since she was a small girl. She started dancing at the age of 4. This year, to celebrate 40 years of the Village Dance Studio, Annette and her “I could visualize it,” Pettigrew says. “But daughter Traci are hosting a reunion

30 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017 / atZionsville.com

after their biannual recital. The Alumni and Staff Reunion will be on Saturday, May 20th, and the Village Dance Studio Family Celebration will include former and current dancers, families and staff that will honor Annette and her 39 years of dedication to the Zionsville Community. With 40 years, and more than 200 students taught a year, Annette is excited to see familiar faces. “I’m now teaching some grandchildren of students I taught,” Annette says. She expressed how the studio has become a family. “People appreciate the values we

teach, and we help each other.” Traci Broman, like her mother, has also been dancing since the age of 4. Growing up with the growth of the Village Dance Studio, she’s excited to take on the director role and continue to share the love of dance to the Zionsville community. Traci has a degree in Arts Management from IU with a concentration in dance. “We’ve been sharing roles for a little while, so I’m not worried,” says Traci when asked if she was nervous to take on the director role.

In a world of change, our focus is steadfast.

The Village Dance Studio truly is a family effort, and you can see how this mother and daughter support each other. The Village Dance Studio offers many classes in a variety of dance styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and more. Unlike other competitive studios, Annette stresses the importance of teaching dance without the pressure of competition. “We teach the students how to dance, rather than teach a student a dance,” Annette says. She explained that the students are learning the proper techniques, they then have the skills to take dance to the next level, if they wish to. To find out more information about The Village Dance Studio, check out VillageDanceStudio.com for classes and recital information.

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Mike Cole: Run2Race

LOCAL RUNNER CREATES RACING OPPORTUNITIES TO FOSTER LOVE OF RUNNING Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Brian Brosmer

Years ago, when Mike Cole was playing little league baseball, his parents noticed that he was lightning fast when he circled the bases. “I think we’ve got a runner on our hands,” they said. They were right. He tried track and crosscountry in middle school, then became a serious runner in high school and at Ball State University. “After college, most runners give up competition, but I was still hungry,” says Cole, who continued training in various

capacities. He raced at the Duathlon World Championships (placing fourth in the world in his age group), the Japan Ekiden Championships and in the St. Louis Marathon where he placed third overall in 2008.

for clients and adjusting their workouts based on weekly feedback, Cole provides guidance for these self-motivated athletes.

Now, at 41, Cole was a 2016 USA Track Field Indiana Men’s Master Runner of the Year.

Cole also stays busy with race planning. Two years ago, in an effort to promote the Zionsville running community, he and his wife, Julie, started Run2Race.

Though he’s still racing, for the past 16 years he’s also coached students of various ages. Currently, he is assistant coach to the Zionsville boys’ cross-country team. He also provides private coaching for adult runners who are looking for that extra boost in training prior to competing in half and full marathons. Writing personal workout plans 34 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017 / atZionsville.com

“Runners have to have their own selfdiscipline to be successful,” Cole says.

“Zionsville is such a great place to run with the trails, parks and the rail trail that passes through the center of town,” Cole says. Run2Race puts on four annual races: a 10-mile and a 5K in November and a half-

marathon and 5K in June. In the future, he’s considering adding a trail race. Cole wanted to bring some longer races to the community in order to showcase the town, including Lions Park, Starkey Nature Park and area neighborhoods. Organizing races means charting the course, obtaining ordinance approvals, lining up sponsors and volunteers, setting up registration details, procuring refreshments and awards for race day and marketing the event. “Inevitably, after a race, my wife will say, ‘That was awesome, but here are 14 things we need to do differently next year,’” Cole says. Last year, 402 runners signed up for the half marathon. Cole hopes this year that number grows to 500 and, ultimately, 1,000. The 5K is popular for younger runners, too. “It’s great seeing the elementary and middle school kids out there running rather than being sedentary,” says Cole, whose three sons (14, 11 and 9) run as well. Through the years, Cole has faced his fair share of setbacks due to sickness and injuries. But like all dedicated runners, he hasn’t let obstacles soften his drive. “A runner’s head is hard to figure out sometimes,” Cole says. “But we all have special running moments that motivate us to keep going.” To register for the June 11 races in Zionsville, or to learn more about Run2Race, visit run2race.com. atZionsville.com / APRIL 2017 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 35

Rick Witsken is a co-founder and coach at the Pearson Automotive Tennis club, Zionsvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new state-of-the-art tennis facility.

PEARSON AUTOMOTIVE TENNIS CLUB CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING

ZIONSVILLE NOW BOASTS A STATE-OF-THE-ART TENNIS FACILITY courts, professional lighting and an upper mezzanine where people can see all courts Four years ago, four men who had a shared from above, the Pearson Automotive Tennis passion for tennis had an idea. The Zionsville Club is one of the best indoor tennis facilities residents realized that their town lacked an in the state of Indiana. The club offers private indoor tennis facility. So, Rick Witsken, Dave and group classes, leagues and tournaments. Hunt, Mike Marine and Derek Mandel set out to make this idea and dream a reality. The Pearson Automotive Tennis Club is also a nonprofit, offering people interested The Pearson Automotive Tennis Club is in the new facility to come check it out a state-of-the-art tennis facility located in and play for free the first time, while also Zionsville that recently celebrated its grand allowing school teams to practice a few opening. times throughout the week. Writer & Photographer / Stephanie Duncan

With eight indoor temperature-controlled

Derek Mandel, co-founder of the club, also atZionsville.com / APRIL 2017 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 37

praised fellow co-founder Dave Hunt on steering this vision in the right direction. “Dave steered the ship, put in the most hours and really was the driving force in keeping this project moving,” Mandel says. “We realized if we were going to do this, we needed help.” When Pearson Automotive wanted to help out with the project, the guys were able to get the ball rolling. Rick Witsken, co-founder and coach, is thankful for the team aspect that has developed in opening the club.

“The board we recruited that has volunteered their time, are very good people, and they love the game of tennis,” Witsken says.

“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America,” Witsken says.

have experienced in the past. With lack of indoor space to coach and for people to play, he’s excited how this space will serve as an option for growth.

Pickleball is a tennis-inspired sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, An advantage of this facility is the amount and table tennis, paired with a modified net To understand Pearson Automotive Tennis Club you have to go out and see it of talent they have on board as coaches. and racquets. in person. With a friendly, knowledgeable “We have so much experience on this staff,” Witsken, who is a former pro tennis player staff and supportive coaches, this club Witsken says. “We all have trained with each and longtime instructor, is excited for this wants to share its passion for tennis. other to execute the same techniques and new facility because it has the opportunity The Pearson Automotive Tennis Club is located at 4560 South County Road strategies and feel very connected as a staff.” to serve so many people. His company, 875 east, adjacent to the Zionsville High Team Witsken Tennis, has already been School Athletic Complex. To find out The club also now offers free clinics to teach located in Zionsville for 17 years, and more information or to reserve a court, pickleball. Witsken says this new facility removes visit PearsonTennis.com. some of the limitations he and others

38 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2017 / atZionsville.com

APRIL CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 1. Local Race for the Cure (for breast cancer) - 3 words 9. N. College is one in Carmel 10. Easter bunnies 11. Fishing equipment 12. Made a bird home 15. Market produce sales areas 16. Colorful blooms that come out in spring 20. Curry side 22. Add color to an egg, say 23. Lamb’s dad 24. Traditional Easter items 29. April 22- a long Indiana race, goes with 5 down 30. Sheep meat 32. They always take holidays to celebrate Easter 33. First-rate

Down 1. T ime when the flowers start to come out 2. Stand in 3. T here’s lots of it at the Indy 500 (sounds) 4. Chocolate bite 5. See 29 across 6. Time just before an event 7. Sewing equipment 8. E aster celebrates his resurrection 13. Treater picks it up 14. Pair 17. Cold spell 18. America’s uncle 19. W hat kids do when on the “Hunt” 21. W eight measure, for short 22. Mallards, e.g. 25. ___ and go! 26. Make melody, like a lark 27. Brand for young builders 28. Traditional Easter search 31. High marks in exams

For the answers, visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/atZionsville

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Puzzle created by Myles Mellor, one of the top crossword writers in the world. Published in over 600 magazines, newspapers and web outlets. Over 12,000 crosswords published worldwide. Subscribe to Myles’ crosswords at www.ilovecrosswords.com.

@atGeist @atZionsville @a tB R i p atZionsville.com / APRIL 2017 / ZIONSVILLE MAGAZINE / 39

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