In early June, Orangetheory Fitness will open its third studio in the Indianapolis area at 116th and Olio Road in Fishers. This revolutionary fitness concept was launched in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2010 and has rapidly spread across the country.

Currently, there are over 360 Orangetheory Fitness studios in the United States and Canada with hundreds more under development. The brand is also expanding into 10 countries globally, including Australia, England, Colombia, Mexico, Israel and Spain.

Area developers and owners Carolyn and Shaun McDonald relocated to Indianapolis from Florida to develop the Indiana market for Orangetheory Fitness. As is the case with many Orangetheory Fitness franchisees, they started as members and fell in love with the workout.

Their passion for the product led to inquiries into business opportunities. After considering a franchise in Florida, the McDonalds decided to return to Indiana for the opportunity to develop a larger region and be closer to family. Shaun and Carolyn bring an extensive business background to this new venture. The Carmel studio exploded onto the fitness scene in April 2015 and now offers 64 classes per week! The Ironworks studio, which opened a month ago, is on the same path! Fishers-Geist is next!

The physiological theory behind the Orangetheory workout is known as “Excess Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption” or EPOC. The scientific concept behind EPOC is that by maintaining 84 percent or higher of your maximum heart rate for a period of 12-20 minutes within a one hour session, your body produces an afterburn effect or an increased metabolic rate for 24-36 hours post-workout.

Every 60-minute Orangetheory Fitness class delivers a high-energy workout broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training using a variety of equipment including treadmills, water rowers, TRX suspension straps and free weights. Each participant wears a heart rate monitor, and the percentage that a member’s maximum heart rate and training zone is projected, in real time, on large monitors during the session.

This invaluable tool not only motivates members, but also serves as a tool for instructors to gauge levels of intensity. Each session is led by a qualified trainer who ensures you are pushing yourself while safely guiding you through the class in a motivating and fun group environment.

Even though the Fishers studio grand opening is slated for June, you can sign up now as a Founding Member and enjoy a 15-20 percent discount off retail rates. There are no long-term contracts required, and you’ll be invited to attend free preview classes before they open.

If you’re looking for an effective and challenging group environment to get back into shape and get ready for summer, call or stop by the Orangetheory Fitness Fishers pre-sales office and find out why this is the Best 1-Hour Workout in the Country!   

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Former tennis pro Jennifer Magley serves up new fitness concept

Writer  /  Kara Reibel
Photographer  /  Amy Unger; provided

As founder/owner of OPEN GYM Indy, Jennifer Magley partners with over 30 locally owned studios and gyms offering unlimited fitness classes for one flat fee to members.

A Kansas native and former standout student-athlete, Jennifer Magley is a proud IMG Sports Academy alumnus, having trained under Nick Bollettieri with contemporaries Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic. Magley is also a University of Florida graduate.

While at the University of Florida, she was the #1 ranked NCAA Division I singles player in the country, NCAA Team Champion, Four-time All-American, First Team ESPN The Magazine, Finalist for the Honda Award, recipient of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar and SEC Good Works awards. As a member of TEAM USA, Magley represented the United States in over 14 countries. Post graduation, she competed professionally on the WTA Tour before being named Associate Head Coach at Wichita State University.

“My early tennis career was amazing,” says Magley. “My parents moved our entire family to Florida just so I could train with the best.”

At 23, Magley was named the youngest Division I head coach in the nation, taking the helm at Florida Gulf Coast University’s women’s tennis team. During her five years at FGCU, she was appointed to serve on various boards and committees including Gender Equity and Title IX Standing committee member and was named the International Tennis Association Southeast Region Chair.

While at FGCU, her teams received many accolades and recognition for their community work from United Way, USA Today and IMPACT For Kids. She created and co-founded “Spring Bling,” a one night red carpet event for children with life-threatening illnesses which is currently celebrating its sixth year in Southwest Florida.

In early 2015, Magley’s debut novel, “Division I,” was released, spotlighting issues that effect female collegiate athletes. “Division I” was featured on ESPN The Radio, reviewed by “The Kansas City Star” and is recommended reading at various institutions across the country.

Jennifer with Serena Williams & Serena’s dad

Jennifer shares that she was an intense child. For her dance classes, she asked her instructor to record the routine, so she could listen to it and practice in her basement. Jennifer would practice the routine for hours. She was 4 years old.

“To say that Jennifer was an ‘intense child’ is a bit of an understatement,” shares her dad, David. Jennifer’s father is a South Bend LaSalle High School graduate and former Mr. Basketball who went on to play for Kansas where he met his wife, Evelyn. Jennifer is their oldest of four children. “As parents, we wanted our children to ‘try hard,’ and after witnessing Jennifer’s intensity of practicing dance in the basement until her feet bled, we added, ‘Try hard and have fun’ to that rule.”

David played with the Cleveland Cavaliers, having been the 28th overall pick of the NBA draft. “I played there long enough for them to know they made a gross error in judgment by drafting me,” jokes Magley who played for Phil Jackson in Albany, NY, on a CBA team where they won a championship. Magley then played in Belguim and Spain. “When you can say you are a bad player in multiple languages, it’s time to give it up.”

Jennifer took up tennis in addition to dance, and in 1992, she had to choose between playing in a tennis tournament or dancing in Spain for the World’s Fair. She was 8 years old. Essentially, at this young age, she was choosing what to do for the rest of her life.

“I was consciously aware at 8 years old that I wanted to be the best in one thing instead of average in a lot of things,” says Magley.

When it became clear that the next step for Jennifer’s tennis career was moving to Bradenton, Florida, to work with Bollettieri, it was only natural the entire family would uproot. “Evelyn followed me all over the world following my basketball dreams, so it was only logical that we would follow Jennifer’s dreams of tennis,” shares David.

While Jennifer trained daily with Bollettieri and was alongside elite athletes like Derek Jeter on treadmills and playing tennis with Sharapova, she was home schooled to allow for the intense daily hours of physical tennis training. It was Jennifer’s idea for her senior year that she attend Bradenton Christian High School where her dad was the head basketball coach and where her mom taught everything in the music department. Literally, Evelyn taught all things music: orchestra, band, pep band, choir and jazz. She is a very gifted musician who can not only play all instruments, but is highly skilled with instructing them.

“My mom wanted us to use all parts of our brain,” shares Jennifer. “We all played the drums, but I also played the violin. My sister Jessica played the viola, and my brothers played the saxophone.”

Jennifer’s route to playing college tennis is unusual. Being a student at Bollettieri’s IMG Sports Academy, it’s natural to go straight to playing in the professional circuit, skipping college. But Jennifer wanted to go to college and earn a degree first (she majored in English).

The Magleys called the head tennis coach at the University of Florida, Roland Thornqvist. They knew Thornqvist when he was an assistant at Kansas. Bringing on Jennifer was one of the best bets Thornqvist ever made. Given Jennifer’s level of play, Thornqvist would practice with her exclusively as no one else could challenge her.

“Roland was an amazing player, and I am so grateful for the time spent training with him,” says Jennifer.

Statistically, women who compete in sports are more likely to make it to the C-Suite, said recent studies by Forbes and Harvard Business Review. “Three out of four of the C-Suite women executives said that candidates’ involvement in sport influences their hiring decisions because they believe people who have played sports make good professionals. These executives attribute participation in athletics to qualities like a commitment to bringing projects to completion and greater abilities in motivating others. These intangible skills are hard to learn in a classroom,” says Beth Brooke-Marciniak, EY’s Global Vice Chair for Public Policy.

The executive women also put a premium on the discipline honed by sports, which they see translating to a person’s determination and work ethic. (Note: Beth Brooke-Marciniak is from Kokomo and was the first female athlete to receive a basketball scholarship to play at Purdue.)

While Jennifer has opted for the entrepreneurial route, clearly her innate sense of determination and tenacity of purpose drives her. After moving to Fishers, Jennifer became inspired to start OPEN GYM. Always having had a trainer, walking into a large gym was intimidating to her, and she wished for more private workout experiences. She took the initiative and created her own concept, resulting in OPEN GYM Indy.

She credits her networking which quickly rooted her to the Indianapolis area. “I attend lots of women’s networking groups like The Startup Ladies and Successful Women Made Here, and I loved the information I gleaned from the Indiana Conference for Women,” shares Magley.

OPEN GYM, the fastest growing fitness concierge in the nation, is based out of Fishers,. For one flat monthly fee, OPEN GYM members have access to unlimited fitness classes at over 30 different studios and gyms across the city and suburbs around Indianapolis. Members are able to choose from over 400 classes offered each week at locally owned boutique gyms while having the freedom to visit different locations. Magley runs OPEN GYM out of Launch Fishers.

“I love OPEN GYM Indy because it lets me keep a good variation in my workouts, and I get to try out beautiful new studios and challenge myself in new ways,” shares member Lisa Mitchell. Class options include hot yoga, yoga, Pilates, Barre, boxing, Muay Thai, Zumba, boot camp, CrossFit and P90X.

Jennifer was inspired to name her fitness concierge business “OPEN GYM” after her father’s talk of going to “open gym” time to play basketball.

“Jennifer is all about helping make others successful. If they are committed to passion, she is going to run them and help them win,” says David who is now the Commissioner of the National Basketball League of Canada. “She has a lot of repeat members, her same core membership that has been there since day one.”

During Jennifer’s time on the court, she kept a devotional book in her bag from age 9 and all through her competitive tennis years. Jennifer would reference this book, not just during breaks between matches, but during the change overs during a match. As she was drinking her water, she would look at one quote in the book: Winners never quit. Quitters never win.

Visit opengymindy.com for more information. The 60 second trailer for Division I can be viewed at
vimeo.com/82971996.

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Mission Focused: Four High School Girls And What Could Only be a God-given Vision

Writer  /  Lisa Mitchell

Driven by their hearts for sharing God’s love, four local HSE High School girls will be embarking on mission trips that will take them far from home and far out of their comfort zones. And they could not be more excited for what lies ahead.

Junior Chloe Green and seniors Lauren Pidgeon, Esmeralda Saldana and Rachel Phillips will each be serving on the mission field in the upcoming year. They have launched a collective fundraising effort, which they’ve named CLERvision16, with the “CLER” standing for Chloe, Lauren, Esmeralda and Rachel.

They will be hosting a fundraising event together on April 22-23 (location TBD) and will be selling items such as crafts, refurbished furniture, clothing and baked goods. There will be live music and a photo booth to add to the fun. The funds raised will be split evenly between the four girls and will go directly towards funding their individual missions trips.

When asked why the four of them decided to raise funds together as opposed to individually, Rachel said, “Raising funds on your own can seem really overwhelming. By doing it collectively, we can reach more people and raise more awareness. We also can hold each other accountable and support each other through the efforts.”

Esmeralda agrees, “By doing it together, we can keep from getting caught up in the stress of just raising money and continue to focus on the real purpose of these trips. The sole purpose is to go where the calling that God has put on our hearts compels us to serve.”

While they are raising funds as a team, they will be venturing to different countries to serve. Chloe and Esmeralda will be heading to Germany as part of a trip through iTown Church in Fishers and organized by European Initiative. They will be leaving May 1 and will be returning May 10.

Their mission focus will be to spread the love of Jesus to the people of Germany, especially those who were impacted by the sex trade industry, as well as visiting a Syrian refugee camp. They will be working through various formats including street art and flash mobs which the German people love and respond to. The goal is get their attention, hear the stories of the German people and tell them about their stories as well as share their testimonies with the people they meet.

Lauren will be setting off on two separate mission trips, the first of which is to the LA Dream Center in California June 6-12. This trip is through iTown Church as well and will be focused on serving people in poverty and crime-stricken areas to help give them a chance to dream again. Through the “Adopt A Block” program, members of the mission team will be caring for the community, one block at a time. They will do so through community clean-up and improvement efforts, working directly to care for residents’ needs, and offering new hope for the future through the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Lauren’s second trip will take her to Guatemala through the group Adventures in Missions. This trip will be taking place in the spring of 2017. The focus of this trip will be very need-specific at the time of the team’s arrival. They will work to help with the most urgent needs of the community and to be highly responsive and Spirit-led. The team will be working to serve children in the community, widows and those impacted by the sex industry.

Lauren’s hope is to continue to go onto the mission field as she is called to do so, and she will be continually raising funds to allow her to respond to those calls where she is led to serve. The efforts of CLERvision16 is key to providing the resources she needs to fulfill that goal.

Rachel will be returning to the mission field after serving on a five-week trip to Nepal to assist with earthquake relief through Reign Ministries in 2015. After showing strong leadership skills on the Nepal trip, she was invited back by the group to serve on this year’s trip, a seven-week long excursion that will include serving communities in Slovakia, Poland and Israel. Rachel will be serving with the group from June 9 through August 5, and her focus will include running a youth baseball camp, working with orphans and the elderly and serving those with the least resources in those communities.

When asked why they chose mission work over all the other things that they could be doing as high school students, they each had compelling personal reasons for dedicating their time and efforts to following the call into missions, but all agree that it is indeed a calling. It’s something that they each strongly feel was placed on their hearts by God, and they are certain that it is absolutely what they are supposed to be doing.

The girls want to stress, however, that going into international missions is not something that everyone should feel required to do, and that people shouldn’t feel bad if they don’t feel the call from God to serve in this way. As Lauren put it, “The body of Christ is made up of many parts, and each serves a specific purpose. Each part is distinct and important, and what one person may feel called to pursue may be totally different than what another person feels their calling is, and that’s OK. That’s exactly how God designed it to be.”

Their biggest advice to anyone considering serving on a missions trip? First, pray about it! Wait for God to speak to your heart to tell you where and how He wants you to serve. Secondly, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. If you think mission trips are easy and fun, they encourage you to think again. You often find yourself in places that are very uncomfortable and with people who are in great need.

It really is an emotionally and physically challenging undertaking, but each girl agrees that what they gain personally in their faith makes all the discomfort totally worth it.

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Writer & Photographer  /  Keeley Miller

For Francesca Wallsmith, going to the spa is more than just a facial. Planet Beach Spray and Spa, her new franchise, is a one stop shop for total beauty, wellness, skincare, weight management, stress relief and sunless tanning services. Conveniently located inside LA Fitness off 116th Street in Fishers, this location is the very first of its kind in the entire state.

Francesca and her husband Scott opened their doors in early March, but she has been in the beauty industry since the age of 13. After working as a model and also at a beauty school and managing multiple spas, Francesca came across Planet Beach and fell in love with the concept.

“When this business was introduced to us last winter, it seemed so interesting and so innovative,” she said. “It is something I had never seen or heard of before. It’s such a new and interesting concept for people to experience.”

Planet Beach sets itself apart from other spas by providing its members with unlimited access to all of its amenities for an affordable monthly fee. But these aren’t your typical spa’s offerings. Planet Beach houses high-tech massage chairs that detect pressure points, dental-grade teeth whitening, innovative red-light therapy and infrared therapy, hot box detox, hydro-dermal fusion treatments and custom spray tanning. These services allow members to feel their best inside and out by providing options to relax, burn calories, rejuvenate or all the above.

Not only does Francesca and the entire Planet Beach staff work toward providing members with top-quality, innovative services, but they also work one-on-one with clients, customizing their visits to their needs. Noticeably going above and beyond, Francesca greeted each client that walked in by name during our interview, asking them about their day and personally making sure their experience was exceptional.

“Our opening has exceeded our expectations. Our members are bringing in their friends, and it has become a community of like-minded people, almost like a family,” said Francesca. “This is a place where you can relax, glow and renew.”

To become a member or simply learn more about Planet Beach, visit planetbeach.com, call 317-288-8985 or simply stop in for a tour and a free service during their opening.

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Writer & Photographer  /  Keeley Miller

With spicy tuna, habanero peppers, Sriracha and ghost pepper sauce, Red Sake’s Godzilla roll is the hottest food challenge in Geist. To earn your spot on the Red Sake Wall of Fame as well as your own Godzilla T-shirt, you will have to finish an entire sushi roll coated with some of the world’s spiciest peppers. The roll must be eaten in five minutes or less without any food or drink. After you consume the last piece, you have to wait another five minutes before you can take a drink!

We had our own challenge night at Red Sake last month with three participants: mom-of-four Sheri Nichols, Albion College student Camila Manrique and Red Sake’s own chef Charles Bragg. Each challenger was faced with an entire roll and a five minute deadline. While Camila and Charles persevered and were able to beat the challenge, Sheri fell short and gave up after completing almost half of the roll.

“Why did I do it? Good question. Mostly because I love a good competition. Why did I quit? I am hanging my head in shame thinking about that moment, but my organs were pretty much calling me an idiot,” said Sheri. “I must have momentarily forgotten I was Irish. I think I am going to stick with mashed potatoes with a little bit of pepper to spice things up a bit. I am hoping the lining in my stomach somehow grows back … if that is even a thing. It was a competition between me and a silly pepper, and I’m now waving the white flag. Just don’t dare me to eat a worm anytime soon because I will probably say ‘bring it on.’”

Winning the competition, Camila completed the entire roll in less than two minutes. Although she said that she normally does not eat spicy food, Camila took home a T-shirt and bragging rights as the Godzilla Challenge Champion.

“The hardest part was the afterburn section, but at that point, I thought that since I had already eaten the roll, I might as well finish the challenge,” said Camila. “My throat definitely hurt for a while, but it was cool knowing I finished the challenge.”

Also finishing, chef Charles Bragg made his way onto Red Sake’s Wall of Fame. Although he has worked at the restaurant for a while, he had never tried the infamous roll.

“I decided to do the challenge to prove my self-worth. I have been working here for almost a year and a half, so I thought it was time,” said Charles. “When I took the initial bite, I thought that it wasn’t bad. At the second bite, I thought it was a bad idea. But I overcame, and I am a champion now. I do not have a losing spirit, so that kept me going.”

If you want to take on the challenge for yourself, stop by Red Sake in Geist, located just off Fall Creek and Brooks School Road near Mama Bear’s.

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Writer / Kara Reibel
Photographer / Brian Brosmer

As the Executive Director of The Arc of Indiana, Kim Dodson has learned how to be innovative and take risks, all for the cause of helping people with special needs lead lives of purpose.

Fate is what brought Dodson to her current position – it was literally an accident while she was a junior at Purdue University that steered her career course. Dodson was involved in a car crash that claimed the life of her fiancé. After recovering from her own injuries, she changed her major from investment banking to pre-law. During the course of an internship for a Congressman, Dodson was introduced to lobbying.

During the 1997-98 Indiana legislative terms, Dodson worked for a law firm as a lobbyist representing amusement parks. It was during that time that Dodson met Emily Hunt, a young woman badly injured in an amusement park accident that claimed the life of Hunt’s grandmother and rendered Hunt a quadriplegic. Hunt was lobbying for increased safety inspections at amusement parks. Dodson was representing the other side. After a hearing on this issue, Dodson returned to the law firm and told her boss that they needed a compromise. The managing partner said no. Dodson quit two months later (the law firm no longer exists).

That summer, the reports of abuse and neglect leaked out about the treatment of patients with special needs at state-run institutions. Without any history of people with disabilities, she felt called to help in this effort as it greatly offended her. Dodson called The Arc of Indiana. Then-Executive Director John Dickerson was looking for a lobbyist. Now 17 years later, Dodson is the Executive Director.

Current legislation that The Arc of Indiana is pursuing includes Senate Bill 11, which is also known as the ABLE Act (Achieving a Better Life) which created a 529-type account for people with special needs. The other is House Bill 1219, which is called the Diploma Bill, as it requires all school corporations to offer the general diploma to all students; many students with special needs are not able to earn the Core 40, and not all schools in Indiana offer the general diploma, leaving many of these students without diplomas.

Another focus of The Arc of Indiana is post-secondary education for the special needs community. In 2011, while lobbying for The Arc of Indiana, Dodson had a frank discussion with the House Ways and Means Committee Chair. The two discussed Medicaid and Medicare.

“He asked me if I thought it really works,” recalls Dodson. “‘No, it doesn’t’ was my answer.”

This precipitated an off-the-record conversation that would impact the innovative approach for The Arc of Indiana for years to come.

The Arc of Indiana has been seen as a different type of human services organization since it’s more innovative and business-minded that others. Dodson was challenged to think about things differently. The legislature consisted of a more conservative group of legislators, and The Arc of Indiana embarked on a campaign to move away from “entitlement” programs and moved to positively change the public view of people with special needs.

“We wanted the families to view support differently,” says Dodson. “One means of doing this is to showcase the talents of people with special needs.”

The Arc of Indiana created their platform, Blueprint For Change. Gathering together 20 of the best minds in the country in the special needs field, The Arc of Indiana listened and learned. “We asked, ‘What’s worked? What’s failed?’” says Dodson. “How can we be more innovative with people with special needs?”

The entire goal is to lessen dependence on government services for those with special needs, yet the statewide unemployment rate was 82% for Indiana’s special needs workforce. Once we allowed them to dream of the possibilities, The Arc of Indiana initiated their Indiana Response Team, consisting of Indiana families, professionals and educators. One member of this team was Jeff Huffman, whose son Nash has Down syndrome. Nash was entering high school at the time, and Huffman dreamed of options for his son after graduation.

Jeff, Jan, & Nash Huffman

Huffman listened to the national panel of experts closely, and later, while driving through his hometown of Muncie, he noticed the abandoned Roberts Hotel. Huffman thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool to teach job skills to people with special needs in the atmosphere in which they’d be used?”

Huffman shared his idea with Dodson. ”He brought up hospitality as a possibility,” says Dodson, who thoughtfully considered this over the next 10 days. At the time, the economy wasn’t strong, but hospitality was growing. She researched success stories of the hospitality and food services sector for people with special needs.

Dodson called Huffman and asked, “What are you thinking?”

Huffman’s reply was, “If this can be done, The Arc of Indiana can do it.”

The business plan was underway, basing it entirely on research of the successes and failures across the country. The Arc of Indiana looked to create a model that worked.

They had a greater chance of success if they acquired a few characteristics: a strong university presence, a supportive business community and a mayor who would embrace the mission. Muncie fit the description perfectly.

Huffman was convinced the Roberts Hotel could be renovated and serve as their training center. During the process, the Roberts property sold. “It was a blessing in disguise,” says Dodson. The City of Muncie was so committed to the idea, it provided land for the project, allowing a new hotel to be built from the ground up.

No other city had the synergy like Muncie to pull this off. Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler had been a champion of Arc of Indiana in the statehouse for their issues. Familiar with the needs of the special needs community, he helped make the Erskine Green Training Institute a reality.

The Arc of Indiana now had everything they were looking for. Architect Wayne Schmidt was selected nearly the moment Dodson met him. “We knew we were doing something very special,” says Dodson. “We wanted shared passion for the project, not just experts in their field. Our architect had never built a hotel but had history with post-secondary education, and Wayne is one of the most big-hearted people I’ve ever met.”

For the hotel restaurant, Dodson knew the downside of a basic hotel restaurant. They needed name recognition and a destination for patrons. Scott Wise of Scotty’s THR3E Wise Men was their target. This would prove to be the easiest influential meeting of Dodson’s career.

Less than two minutes into her pitch, Wise interrupted with, “I’m in.”

Dodson said, “But I haven’t shared everything that is required by your restaurant.”

“I said, ‘I’m in!’ 100%, we will do this,” said Wise. End of meeting. Wise was hand-picked. So was the construction team, and the Marriott hotel chain was the best option of those on the table since Marriott has a strong history of hiring people with special needs.

To give the project wings, the State of Indiana supplied a grant of $5 million to build the hotel and training center. This unprecedented endowment from the State happened in 2013, and all of the credit goes to the Republicans in the House.

Additional donors include Ball Memorial Foundation who put up $3 million. With the carryover in hospitality training into specific healthcare skills, partnering with Ball Memorial Hospital is a foregone conclusion. Ball Bros Foundation, Muncie Community Foundation, the Shafer Foundation and The AWS Foundation all have been generous supporters.

The name, Erskine Green, comes from Carl Erskine, a pioneer championing the rights of people with special needs to barriers and perceived limitations. Erskine’s son, Jimmy, works at the Applebee’s in Anderson where he has a great sense of pride with his work and his ability to earn a paycheck. Steve Green was so inspired by Erskine’s efforts of advocacy that when Green’s daughter Jessica was born with Down syndrome, Green helped in any way he could to ensure all of his children have the same opportunities.

“I stand on the shoulders of those that have come before me,” says Huffman. “Erskine and Green have touched so many lives, many of whom they will never have the pleasure to meet.”

The first class of the Erskine Green Training Center has exceeded expectations. The goal is to educate 80 students per year. “Two years ago, that seemed ambitious,” shares Dodson. “Now with increasing demand, it may not be enough.”

“Our family is truly blessed to be recipients of 60 years worth of love, grit, perseverance and passion from parents, siblings, advocates and legislators who have tirelessly worked on behalf of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” says Kerry Fletcher, President of the Board of Directors for The Arc of Indiana. “Our mission is to change the culture that surrounds those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in school, the workplace and the community.”

The Arc of Indiana is fielding calls from across the country to help institute similar programs replicating theirs. By conservative projections, the hotel will be debt-free by the end of 2019. By January 2017, The Arc of Indiana will have their next business plan for additional training opportunities for people with special needs prepared, sustained by the profits from the hotel. Additional job skills means getting more people to work.

“Through the Training Institute, the legacy of Erskine and Green will continue,” says Dodson.

For more information on the Erskine Green Training Institute and The Arc of Indiana, please visit arcind.org or erskinegreeninstitute.org.

The post Kim Dodson: A Hero for the Special Needs Community appeared first on TownePost Network.

The largest group of artists under one roof in the Midwest will open their studios and present their work to visitors during the Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House April 29 and 30 at the historic Stutz Business and Arts Center. The Open House attracts more than 6,000 people every year to the 400,000 square foot former car factory near downtown Indianapolis.

The Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House not only allows guests an opportunity to see the work of 60+ local artists in one place at one time, but it’s an opportunity to see where and how the artwork is created. Artwork ranges from paintings, drawings and photography to sculpture, jewelry and furniture. This is the perfect time to buy one-of-a-kind gifts with artwork prices ranging from $12 to $10,000.

New this year, the Grand Tour of Artisan Autos is an opportunity to see and learn about the 28 vintage and collectible cars owned by Turner Woodard which are on display in this former Stutz Motor Car factory during the event. Visitors will also enjoy special activities such as painting with Wine and Canvas, art demonstrations, live music and food vendors.

For advance tickets and information, visit stutzartists.com or call 317-503-6420. 

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Writer & Photographer  /  Keeley Miller

With a season beginning in August and going through March, the HSE boys hockey team competes almost year-round. Leading the team this year are captains Will Knight and Eric Larson, both seniors at Hamilton Southeastern.

Both Knight and Larson started playing at a young age, encouraged to begin by their family and haven’t stopped since. With over two decades of experience between them, they have spent countless hours on the ice, training and playing against teams around the state and even the nation.

“Hockey is different than just running around on a field. It is a completely different atmosphere,” said Knight. “I like it because the speed of the game is a lot faster. Also, a lot of different components go into the game. In hockey, you have to have athleticism and skill, not only strength.”

“You have to be more of an all-around athlete,” added Larson.

Since the season runs much longer than a typical high school sport, the first game comes more than half a year before the state game. For Larson and Knight, there are pros and cons to the long duration.

“It’s kind of fun, you have something to do more than 15-16 games. We have around 60,” said Larson. “There is always hockey; there is not always basketball or football.”

“But you do get burned out a lot faster,” added Knight. “It can be hard to stay focused in November when State is so far away.”

Beyond the athleticism needed for hockey and the long length of the season, Larson and Knight also led their team as captains. This required an extra level of commitment and determination for the seniors.

“As captain, you are held to a higher expectation,” said Knight. “You can’t have any bad games or any days off. You are always expected to be at your best.”

Although neither Larson or Knight plan to play hockey for a college team, they still hope to play recreationally. For them, hockey is more than just a sport.

“It has taught me how to face adversity, work hard and never give up,” said Knight.

For more information on the HSE hockey team, visit hsehockeyclub.com.

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Rick Wimmer

Writer  /  Mark Morrow

Fishers High School is still relatively young since it was only re-established as a high school in 2006. Still, there have been some milestones, providing many memories for the Tigers Nation to embrace.

One of the most notable ones came in 2010.

First, and I’m proud to say this, I was the lone journalist from Hamilton County there to cover the Tigers’ run to win the Class 5A State Football championship in 2010 — after only five years in the re-established Fishers HS.

Hey, this was a big, big deal! Quite a moment in time!

Fishers coach Rick Wimmer became the Inaugural IFCA Coach of the Year too. Another big deal.

The Tigers went 14-1 that year.

Their only loss? Yep, you might have guessed it: HSE was a 40-17 winner in the regular season. From that point on, including wins over Carmel and the Royals in the sectional, the Tigers were a team of destiny in Class 5A.

They were very talented with great chemistry, led by quarterback/defensive back Koby Orris who went on to enjoy an outstanding career at UIndy; and they were united, oh so united, in their goal.

Looking back though, it was considered an improbable run. No Indiana high school ever accomplished such a major feat in such a short period of time.

To this day, a few of my newspaper and website friends and colleagues will tell you that if they were ever going to build a football program, well, Coach Wimmer — who also won a Class 3A state title at Zionsville in 1987 — would be the man they’d turn to.

That’s quite a tribute to someone who is simply quite a man, quite a football coach, indeed!

He’ll enter the 2016 season with a 77-39 record. Keep in mind that 10 of those losses came in the very first season at Fishers HS.

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Writer  /  Lynda Hedberg Thies

As we reach a certain age, people mistakenly feel that having joint stiffness and pain are a normal part of the aging process, but delaying treatment can actually cause further damage to your joints. Whether you have suffered a traumatic accident, have arthritis or a sports-related injury, you owe it to yourself to find a highly-skilled orthopedic joint specialist. Indiana University Health Saxony Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine offers a Joint Replacement Program that is nationally and internationally recognized for its care, skill, research and positive patient outcomes.

Comprehensive Care, Best Outcomes
Dr. Michael Meneghini, the Director of Orthopedics & Joint Replacement at IU Health Saxony Hospital and also an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery with IU School of Medicine, explains that the focus of their practice is to provide a high level of patient coordination so that patients can focus on their recovery. “We discuss every patient and offer the highest level of coordination of care unlike most places,” he says. That means that from the initial consultation to everyone involved in your care, whether it be the therapist, social worker, internists, surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses participates, in weekly meetings. Patients do not have to repeat their story to every caregiver because they have already discussed it before you even arrive. This not only helps the patient experience but also minimizes errors and assists in assuring positive patient outcomes.

Teaching the Next Generation
Dr. Meneghini says, “Patients from throughout the country come to us for routine first time hip and knee replacements but also for corrective surgeries for procedures that were previously done and have not had a good outcome or their device is not working as it should be.” This customer-focused practice is obviously resonating with patients because their practice attracts patients from throughout the United States with the heaviest concentration from Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky.

With this level of specialty, Dr. Meneghini states that the surgeons have “chosen to be super specialists in hip and knee replacement.” Their commitment is so strong, he states, “If we are not performing those two surgeries, we are doing research, and we are the only fellowship program in the state of Indiana.” The fellowship program is growing with 80 applicants from all over the U.S. vying for only two spots. One applicant from Switzerland has chosen Saxony over Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, solidifying their growing national reputation.

Nationally Recognized Program in Your Backyard
With four surgeons and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, the program is also being recognized nationally and internationally. Saxony is ranked #2 in the United States by the UHC (University Healthsystem Consortium) database–which includes world-renowned hospitals such as Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins–for length of stay. The key outcomes that the government and insurance companies are looking for are length of stay, meaning how long you stay in the hospital, and whether you have to be readmitted. And while it is important to get patients back to their normal schedules as quickly as possible, it must be done safely to ensure that their patients don’t return to the hospital due to complications.

For more information about the IU Health Saxony Hospital Joint Replacement Program or to attend a free monthly information seminar, log on to iuhealth.org/saxony.

IU Health Saxony Hospital
13000 E. 136th St.
Fishers, IN 46037

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Writer  /  Kara Reibel
Photographer  /  Amy Unger

Eleven Fifty Academy has added a Fishers campus, located inside Launch Fishers.

Recently Eleven Fifty Academy President John Qualls was asked how coding impacts his life. He answered the question by listing all the items that surround him in his living room. Qualls listed Wi-Fi, HVAC, lighting, his television, phone, iPad, computer, remote controls, his children’s electronic toys, the processes that created his chair and all of the other furniture in the room along with how the goods were transported from factory to retail to his car. The list went on and on…

Qualls provided an answer that defines how coding impacts our daily lives: it makes the world run.

This impact is being felt in every industry, creating opportunities for workers to enhance their skills and marketability in a dynamic world where most of the jobs of the future have yet to be created. Entrepreneur Scott Jones identified this demand early on, creating Eleven Fifty Academy.

The demand for coding continues to increase exponentially, giving coding schools like Eleven Fifty Academy the opportunity to help individuals skill up, pivot or simply expand their skill set to better understand the tech world in which we live.

“The culture of entrepreneurship at Launch Fishers supports the ideal location for our expansion,” says Qualls.

Recently, Eleven Fifty Academy and Ivy Tech announced a partnership that grants 12 credit hours to Ivy Tech students for courses offered by Eleven Fifty Academy. The courses include Java, iOS, .Net, JavaScript and Android. “While these seem like foreign languages, they are definitely the language of the future, and that future starts now,” says Jenn Aikins, Director of Learning for Eleven Fifty Academy.

Eleven Fifty Academy began over a year ago with one-week intensive courses, providing an immersive experience for coder education. “After one year, they went back to the drawing board and looked at the pros and cons of the experience they had been offering. Based on feedback, Eleven Fifty Academy created some dynamic changes to the program and how it could be structured to better serve our students,” says Tiffany Trusty, Eleven Fifty Academy Instructor. “I am excited about the changes, and the students will definitely experience a complete coding experience.”

“We reflected on what we did really well, which is the skill up and skill enhancement classes. The soft skills were something that students were cobbling together to complete a learning path for themselves,” says Aikins. “The nine weeks supports a blended curriculum of the immersive coding experience with job readiness skills, so that students are ready to implement their knowledge.”

The course, as it is now organized, meets the demand for graduating well-rounded coders. Hoosiers, by nature, have a reputation for being humble, hard workers. Employers weighed in with their needs, and Eleven Fifty Academy has stepped up to fill in the gaps.

“Every day I speak with someone at a company who is looking to hire people with coding skills,” says Aikins. “It is exciting to know that we can help them. These companies can hire our graduates.”

“We are excited to welcome Eleven Fifty Academy into the Launch Fishers ecosystem. We see their mission as additive to our long-term vision of building a smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial city,” shares Launch Fishers Founder John Wechsler.

The impact of coding is everywhere. Courses are open to coders of all ages.

To learn more, please visit elevenfifty.org. Go Code!

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Writer  /  Janet C. Striebel
Photographer  /  Brian Brosmer

Jeff Freeman, a Fishers resident in Windermere, serves as a passionate leader at Heritage Christian School (HCS). He left the corporate world to become the CEO of HCS where he continues to offer his business expertise while perpetuating the pursuit of academic excellence within a Christian framework.

As a CPA with former experience at Ernst & Young, he humbly refers to himself as a “recovering accountant.” He worked as an insurance executive at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance for over 20 years with multiple roles, including Controller, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of mergers/acquisitions and strategic planning and lastly, Chief Operation Officer of Countryway Insurance Company, one of IFBI’s acquisitions.

“It’s amazing that God can use ordinary people for His purposes when you’re called and obedient. I was approaching 50 when I felt like God wanted to use me in some form of ministry,” says Freeman who has been on staff with HCS for six years.

In actuality, he’s been familiar with the culture of HCS for many more years, considering his three children have all graduated from HCS and his wife Kim Freeman (fourth grade teacher) has taught there for 25 years.

In summer of 2010, he became the athletic director, merging his management ability and athletic experience from when he played basketball at Anderson University.

Two years later, the head of school position opened, and he became the CEO, using his skillset of leadership experience.

“Jeff has played an instrumental role in leading Heritage through difficult economic times,” says Brenda Klingerman, HCS Elementary School Principal and Academic Director. “He has worked hard to build trust within the community and leads with integrity and an intentional focus on the mission of the school. There is no doubt that God has directed Jeff’s path to lead our school for just this time in our history. God’s hand is all over it!”

The value proposition of Heritage is made up of three benefits: college prep academics, Christian discipleship and robust extracurricular activities.

“We integrate the Bible into everything we do, even outside of the classroom with sports, fine arts and clubs such as robotics,” says Freeman.

Recently, HCS participated in the Purdue University STEM go-karting race at the International Motor Speedway. Coincidentally, senior Christian Daly, who drove the go-kart, is a brother to Conor Daly, the driver of the #18 car in the Indy 500 race.

HCS is celebrating its 50th anniversary as it graduated its 50th class in May. The senior class, made up of 110 students, progressed from the largest K-12 Christian school in the state.

“Heritage is unique in how it offers a big-school approach and opportunities in a small-school environment,” says Freeman who is excited about raising the bar by pursuing excellence in every area.

This small-school culture allows students to be involved in multiple activities simultaneously. For instance, a student may meet the demands of playing basketball and yet star in the high school play. Furthermore, students receive personalized attention infused with a biblical worldview that’s graciously instilled in them from all faculty, coaches and administration.

Freeman has a knack of making valuable connections. He not only unites his business sense with the academic and discipleship domains but also works hard to relate to everyone he encounters.

“Heritage Christian is blessed to have Jeff Freeman as our CEO. He leads with great competence, character and humility,” says Doug Waltz, HCS Chairman of the Board of Directors. “That combination is powerful in any setting but especially so in the educational arena. He does an incredible job of connecting with the Board, our faculty and staff, parents, alumni and students. His willingness to invest in those relationships and remain true to our mission has been a key enabler of our success in delivering excellence in Christian education.”

HCS educates students from Prep K-12 and is now offering pre-school for 3-year-olds. Visit the Open House June 7 at 4 p.m. or June 23 at 5:30 p.m.

To learn more, go to heritagechristian.net or call 317-849-3441.

Freeman closes on this doctrine, “At HCS, we’re preparing the path for the next 50 years, cultivating the next generation of leaders to impact the world for Christ.”

The post Jeff Freeman: CEO of Heritage Christian Honors His Calling appeared first in %%category%% Community Magazine.

Writer  /  Kara Reibel
Photographer  /  Amy Unger

Just over a year and a half ago, Jesse and Gizelle Webber bought a pool table for their finished basement. With the cold weather, all three of their boys enjoyed the pool table, but it was their middle son, Matthew, who took to trick shooting after watching a video his dad, Jesse, showed him from YouTube.

“The video was of trick shot world champion Florian ‘Venom’ Kohler,” shares Matthew who became obsessed with performing trick shots. His older brother, Steven, helped him post his own videos to YouTube.

Last July, Florian “Venom” Kohler shared one of Matthew’s YouTube posts on his Facebook page, resulting in a viral video which has received over 96 million views. Yes, that is correct: 96 million views. To date, Webber’s videos have accumulated in excess of 200 million views.

A couple weeks after the first viral video, a former neighbor of the Webber’s called Gizelle and told her that Matthew was on ESPN’s feature, “Highly Questionable.” The hosts of “Highly Questionable” could not come up with anything negative to say. “We are a rather private family,” says Gizelle who was surprised to discover the ESPN coverage.

The start to Matthew’s freshman year at Fishers High School was unique. Matthew spent the second week of school in Germany. He and his parents were flown over for Matthew to appear on a German TV show called “Super Kids.”

“It was fun. They had three pool tables set up on a stage, and I went table to table, performing tricks. I had headphones on, and there was an awkward delay in the interview due to the language translation,” says Matthew.

Matthew has experienced quite the media blitz with interviews by MTV, Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine, IndyStar and WISHTV. His picture has appeared on GQ. He was also invited to the “Steve Harvey Show” and last November was flown to Hollywood to be featured on “Little Big Shots” which aired May 1, 2016, on NBC and set a record as the most viewed series premiere.

In March, Matthew won two out of four competitions in Chicago. There are no age brackets within the trick shot circuit, and the matches he’s competed in thus far have been against adults. There are some competitions held in bars where minors are not allowed, but for most of the main competitions, Matthew, who is 15 years old, has been welcomed into the fray.

A trick shot competition begins with a lag, which is when both competitors hit the ball closest to the opposite rail. The winner sets up the first trick, and each person has three tries to successfully execute the trick.

Matthew’s nickname, “The Stinger”, was a name suggested by his trick shot peers. Gizelle believes it was World-Ranked Champion Will “The Gentleman” Deyonker who was the one who first suggested it.

Recently, Matthew held an exhibition at a new Boys and Girls Club in Indianapolis. He’s hoping to book more exhibitions this summer. Currently, his next one is July 9 in Bloomington.

When asked what he wants to do when he grows up, Matthew replies, “I’d love to perform trick shots and travel all over the world shooting pool.”

Matthew’s sponsors include Jacoby Custom Cues, Grind’n Clothing Company, the World Artistic Pool Players Association, Marty Carey JumpQ, Sneaky Pete Mafia, Orner Billiards and Cyborg Tips. You can follow Matthew on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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Writer and Photographer / Demi Lawrence

The Geist Harbours Property Owners Association has recently been made aware by the pastors of Geist Chapel on Old Stone Rd of repairs needed to be made to the tennis courts at the Chapel. With no current funds to make the necessary restorations, the Chapel will be forced to close the courts within the next two years due to liability reasons, unless some money is raised to keep these amenities available to GHPOA residents.

Based on estimates, the cost to repair the four courts and the entry area to the courts is $35,763. If these repairs are made, it would bring many positives to those living in the GHPOA area, including a higher quality of life, help attracting people to the area and possibly could increase the property values of the houses in the neighborhoods.

If these repairs are made, Geist Chapel would continue to oversee and insure the courts. The details of this plan would be outlined in a contract with the Chapel should the GHPOA decide to move forward with this process. The GHPOA Board suggests a disbursement from their reserve account of $36,000 to make the necessary repairs needed to make these tennis courts beautiful once again.

Before moving forward with this plan, the Association is requiring unanimous support defined as having greater than 50% of all residents in favor of this project. If you live in the GHPOA area, you can take the anonymous survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FHJ9SL7 to show your support or disapproval of this plan to restore the tennis courts on the Geist Chapel campus.

The post GHPOA Board Puts Survey to Repair Geist Chapel Tennis Courts appeared first in %%category%% Community Magazine.

Writer  /  Kara Reibel  .  Photography provided

The 4th Annual Trent Van Hoosen Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing will take place at River Glen Golf Course on Thursday, June 23.

To date, the Annual Trent Van Hoosen Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing has given out $10,000 in scholarships to their recipients. They have also donated $10,000 to the Fishers HS Fitness Center which benefits all athletes and students. The scholarship recipients receive $4,000 ($1,000 per year for four years) as long as they stay in school.

“It’s not just a football fundraiser,” says Susan Van Hoosen, Trent’s widow and this year’s event organizer/committee chair. “This is really a Fishers community event in honor of Trent where his boys played on the football team and where he served as a volunteer coach at HSE Youth Sports for many years and at FHS the year before he passed. To help save on event management costs and step up the golf outing, this year we formed a volunteer committee to manage and market the golf outing, so that all money raised can be used for scholarship giving and FHS athletic initiatives.”

The golf outing is all about fun. Highlights include an Ugly Pants competition, a football toss, closest to the pin, longest drive (men and women), Donate to Drive where a Fishers High School golf player hits the participant’s ball off the tee and great prizes for the highest and lowest team scores.

Hole sponsorships are affordable, and all money raised goes to the scholarship fund as well as benefiting all athletes at Fishers High School. And an exciting part of this year’s outing is the “Hole In One” prize which is a Maserati donated by the Maserati of Indianapolis (MaseratiOfIndianapolis.com).

The first recipient of the scholarship was Matt Van Hoosen who is a junior at Ball State University. Trent’s son Joe played for FHS his freshman and sophomore year. He graduates this year from Fishers High School and will attend Ball State in the fall.

“Trent was very important to our football program,” says Head Coach Rick Wimmer. “Trent volunteered his time to be a part of the freshman coaching staff and was a wonderful role model to our players. He stepped away as a dad once his boys were getting older, but everyone knew him. His loss was quite a shock, and this scholarship is a way to honor him, and to have it be renewable each year is amazing. Trent exemplified the leadership we love to see on the team and this is a wonderful way to continue his legacy.”

Sponsors include Flanner and Buchanan, Harden Jackson Law, Barnes & Thornburg, Scarlet Lane Brewery in Fortville, Simeri’s Italian Food Truck, Inspired By Fitness and many more.

Please visit fhstigerchallenge.com for more information and learn how you can get involved to make a difference.

Matt receiving game ball on the day his dad died

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Writer / Demi Lawrence

Check out these awesome destinations when planning your next Indiana adventure! All distances measured from Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

Fair Oaks Dairy Farm
Distance from Circle: 109 mi.

Fair Oaks Farms is an escape to the country with acres of great outdoor fun, food and learning where you can explore family farms and reconnect with nature, animals and the planet. You can experience The Dairy Adventure at Fair Oaks, in which you will tour the farm and even see a live baby cow be born. A fun adventure for the whole family, Fair Oaks Farms is sure to offer a day full of experiences you cannot find anywhere else.

Indianapolis Museum
of Art: 100 Acres
Distance from Circle: 5 mi.

Located on 100 acres adjacent to the Museum’s main campus, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres includes woodlands, wetlands, meadows and a 35-acre lake. The Park is one of the largest museum art parks in the country and one of only a few to feature ongoing commissions of temporary, site-responsive artworks. Public tours are held Saturdays at noon, April through October, free of charge.

Flat Fork Creek Park
Distance from Circle: 24 mi.

Flat Fork Creek Park is a new nature park in Fishers with walking trails, bike trails and a colossal sledding hill for the winter. Beginning its first summer being open, Flat Fork Creek offers beautiful scenery and promotes exercise and wellness to the community. There are wooden lookout towers placed around the park, giving the public a great canopy view. Whether it be walking, biking or nature, Flat Fork Creek can offer great accommodations free of charge.

Turkey Run State Park
Distance from Circle: 24 mi.

Turkey Run State Park has something for everyone to enjoy with hiking trails, bridle trails, camp sites, historic sites, a nature center and conference center. Deep canyons nestled in the shadows of sandstone cliffs and peaceful hemlock groves are some of the most ruggedly beautiful hiking trails in the state as well as miles of bridle trails. You’ll enjoy exploring the area on foot or by horseback riding.

Spencer Farms
Distance from Circle: 27 mi.

Located in Noblesville, Spencer Farms is a farm that offers beautiful berries and fresh produce year round as well as pick-your-own-berries during the summer. With strawberries ripened by the end of May, black raspberries ready by June and blueberries available through July, this farm ensures that you get the freshest produce possible. Along with the berries, Spencer has a small gift shop that sells ice cream, pies, homemade fudge and other cooking needs such as cookbooks.

Eiteljorg Museum
Distance from Circle: .7 mi.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art was founded by Indianapolis businessman and philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg. Its mission is to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America. The Eiteljorg collects and preserves high-quality Western art and Native American art and cultural objects. The institution’s contemporary Native art collection has been ranked among the world’s best.

Holiday World &  Splashin’ Safari
Distance from Circle: 179 mi.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is a theme park located in the infamous Santa Claus, Indiana. Most known for their water rides, Holiday World also offers free soft drinks and sunscreen, has been voted cleanest amusement park for several years in a row and features an all new roller coaster called Thunderbird. With fun shows and affordable lodging, Holiday World is a thrilling park that can make for a great weekend trip for the whole family.

Indiana Dunes
Distance from Circle: 166 mi.

Located along the southern tip of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes attracts millions of visitors each year. While best known for its world-class beaches, Indiana Dunes and its surrounding areas offer so much more. World class cuisine, breathtaking scenery, eclectic nightlife and exhilarating biking and hiking await you on your next trip to the Dunes.

The post Circling Indiana This Summer appeared first in %%category%% Community Magazine.

Within a few hours’ drive, a heartwarming getaway awaits in Fort Wayne, Indiana!

Fort Wayne offers the big city attractions and activities that you’re looking for in a friendly, affordable city that will warm your heart. From catch-them-before-they’re-gone experiences to tried and true favorites, Fort Wayne has a great family getaway in store for you this summer!

Start your getaway at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, consistently named “One of the Top 10 Zoos in the Nation.” Families are encouraged to “tickle their tress in the treetops” on the Sky Safari, travel through the Australian Outback on a river log ride, feed a giraffe, pet a stingray and more!

Next, take in some baseball with Fort Wayne’s very own minor league team, the Fort Wayne TinCaps! The TinCaps play in an awesome downtown stadium where BIG FUN is priority #1! The park-like setting offers a kids area complete with rock wall, splash pad and more. Tickets start at just $5!

You’ll also love Science on a Sphere, which is changing the shape of learning at Science Central. And be sure to take time to enjoy the changing and fun-filled exhibits at the Botanical Conservatory (an oasis in the heart of the city), the Museum of Art and The History Center.

Headwaters Park is downtown Fort Wayne’s festival park, and it comes alive with music, food and drinks every weekend all summer long. Enjoy brats at Germanfest, ribs and blues at BBQ Ribfest, baklava at Greekfest and more.

After all this fun, we know you’ll want to relax. Fort Wayne offers over 50 great places to refresh and recharge. Choose a hotel with a pool, free hot breakfast or extra room for the kids.

Fort Wayne’s hotel packages and affordable admission rates make it easy for your family to get away without breaking the budget. Fort Wayne is an easy one-tank trip from most Midwestern destinations.

Fort Wayne is accessible, comfortable, warm and welcoming – overflowing with Hoosier Hospitality!

Find itinerary suggestions, hotel packages, coupons, contests and more by contacting Visit Fort Wayne at 1-800-767-7752 or visiting VisitFortWayne.com.

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The Talbot Street Art Fair is the longest running outdoor art fair in central Indiana. Since its beginning in 1956, organizers have strived to make each year better than before.

Celebrating this year its 61st year, the fair features over 250 artists both locally and from across the United States. The artists converge on Talbot Street between 16th and 20th Streets to present their work in many mediums. These include sculpture, glass, painting, jewelry, photography, ceramics, wood, printmaking, mixed media and fiber.

The host neighborhood, Herron-Morton Place, invites several food venues to the site, so refreshments can be purchased while viewing the art. This is a family-friendly event, and as always, the admission is free!

The fair will be held, rain or shine. Since most artists travel with solid tent protection, this allows the event to master the weather. Many good conversations have been held in artists’ tents during a rain shower.

This year’s fair will be held June 11-12. Hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours on Sunday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Talbot Street Art Fair provides scholarship programs to various educational institutions in the fine art disciplines.

For more information about the fair, please visit talbotstreet.org.

The post Join Us For The Country’s Finest Juried Art Fair appeared first in %%category%% Community Magazine.

Writer / Demi Lawrence

The Fishers Police Department will be putting on their 15th annual Teen Academy on June 20-24 in line with the Fishers YMCA. Held at Riverside Intermediate, this academy offers week long law enforcement training in order to allow teens to better understand how law enforcement works, as well as allow teens to interact with special officers through several activities.

The academy will begin each morning at 9am, starting with a physical exercise. Afterwards, students of will go to classroom training sessions, followed by hands on skills to reinforce the lesson of the day that is assigned to the students. To end the day, special officers and students will engage in social activities, and parents can pick up their teen at 3:30pm.

The sole goal of the academy is to enable teens to better understand their local law enforcement officers as well as to strengthen the relationship between the FPD and the community. Officers will show the teens a variety of skills used in the field such as making traffic stops, meet with the K-9 units and learn how they work with the police, learn about the Fishers Dive Team, meet the Crime Scene Investigators, learn about Internet Safety and much more.

The academy is open to students ages 13 and up, and the students must attend a junior high or a high school in the Fishers area. Walk-ins will not be accepted, as each applicant is subject to a screening process. With only 40 spots available for this years’ academy, please contact Officer Cory Robinson at robinsonc@fishers.in.us to sign up and begin the screening process.

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