Brady Fischer and his assistant Isabella sold 118 glasses of lemonade two years ago placing 3rd in the "best business' contest of Lemondade Day of Greater Indianapolis.

The annual and much anticipated Lemonade Day of Greater Indianapolis is scheduled for Saturday, May 19. So if you haven’t already, get signed up, get your Lemonade Day backpack and start building your lemonade stand! For one local youth, Brady Fischer, 8, of Carmel, it was a no-brainer – he’s all signed up and ready to pour!

Two years ago, Brady came in 3rd place for ‘best business’ with a total profit of about $250 (after he paid back his loan and paid for all supplies). “It was a fun experience,” explained his father Brandon. “He figured out all the aspects of running a business, including business expenses, materials and paying his employee, Isabella, to help.” Brandon is an entrepreneur himself; he owns a business called Anacore, a custom software development company. So like father like son, Brady created a job for himself. Selling 118 glasses of lemonade that day kept the kids busy and happy! Brady, being the good business man that he is, split the tips (which were half of the profit) with his assistant, Isabella.

Brady’s dad loaned him around 50 dollars to start the process and buy supplies. He also paid a store owner (a family friend) twenty dollars to ‘rent’ the store front for his lemonade stand. “That first year Brady had to understand how important location was,” said his dad. “Traffic was a big part of our success.” Unfortunately they do not have access to a store front this year. “Our primary goal is to find a creative way to generate traffic and find a good location,” said Brandon.

The core concept of Lemonade Day is for kids to spend some, save some and share some. “Brady donated 100% of his profits to the USO,” said his dad. “He actually picked that charity himself. My son said ‘I’d like to help out the Army’ – well, that translated to the USO. Then half of Brady’s share of the tips went to his savings account and the other half he was able to spend.” This year Brady will donate his profits to Peyton Manning’s Children’s Hospital, once again – this was all Brady’s idea!

Lemonade Day is about creating and running your own business as well as learning daily business operations and fundamental philanthropy. It is open to kids of all ages and it’s FREE to sign up! 2010 was the first year of Lemonade Day of Greater Indianapolis in which over 7,400 kids participated. In 2011, the number rose to over 10,000 participants! This year, they are shooting for 15-20,000 eager entrepreneurs. To find out more about Lemonade Day, visit their website at indianapolis.lemonadeday.org.

Chef Suzanne Rockwell makes the move to Indian Lakes Country Club.

The well-known Geist area cook and caterer, Chef Suzanne, has a new gig in town!

Chef Suzanne Rockwell has taken on another role in her quest to help hungry Hoosiers find delicious healthy cuisine. She is the new chef at Indian Lake Country Club.

“I’m very excited” says Chef Suzanne.” “I’m moving the kitchen around the way I want it, and I have some exciting new dishes to introduce to my new friends.”

The kitchen was a big part of Suzanne’s new deal. Her lease was up for the kitchen at the Sterrett Center in Lawrence where she prepared her catering menu and corporate lunches for several years. At about the same time, the Indian Lake Country Club Chef resigned and they were looking for a new Chef.

After a conversation with her neighbor, an Indian Lake Club member, Chef Suzanne met with club officers and they came up with a recipe for success. Chef Suzanne will take over the kitchen at Indian Lake with her catering team working in the morning for corporate lunches and other parties, then concentrating on lunches and dinners for club members during golf outings.

“It is a win, win for all,” says Club President Todd Bullerdick. “We get the fresh, delicious cuisine of Chef Suzanne while she continues to conduct her catering business from the kitchen. She has a lot of freedom here with the menu and rearranging the kitchen so it works for her.”

So how will the once Executive Chef of the Fox Pub & Grill and former Frazier’s Gourmet Food instructor fit into one of the oldest private clubs in the Indianapolis area at Geist?
Very carefully! Some members wasted no time asking her if she is taking their favorites off the menu.

“There were comfort foods such as fried chicken, meatloaf and a favorite pasta with alfredo sauce,” says Suzanne. “I know they want to keep those items. I will “tweak” them a little just enough to make them a litte healthier.”

Her savory scallop appetizer on a bed of greens has already been a big hit! Does all of the this mean double-duty for the already busy Chef on the go?

“No, I just have to be more organized,” laughs Suzanne. “However, it does make for a great excuse to put my feet up when I get home, and let my husband do the cooking!

You can reach Chef Suzanne for any of your culinary needs at 317-823-5908 or email her at Suzanne@chefsuzanne.com or get more information online at www.ChefSuzanne.com.

Approximately 400' of sidewalk and bridges could be constructed if a grant request is fulfilled by the Indiana Department of Tourism.

Residents living in Admirals Bay, Treasure Pointe, and Cardinal Woods know the dangers of trying to walk, bike, or run along Carroll Road just south of 96th Street. A sidewalk from the Hamptons at Geist dead ends just across from Cardinal Drive, leaving pedestrians to fend for themselves for approximately 400’ of curved, heavily wooded, shoulderless roadway until they reach Treasure Pointe.

Several residents have sent emails or stopped me at Mama Bears to see what can be done about this stretch of road. Putting in a sidewalk couldn’t be that hard. However, after some research, I found out that this small stretch of road is actually in Hancock County and falls under the jurisdiction of the the Town of McCordsville. In addition, the terrain is not flat, has at least a 12’ change in elevation, and will require two and possibly as many as four bridges to span ravines and ditches.

A sidewalk in front of the Hampton Cove near the Indianapolis Yacht Club dead ends onto Carroll Road, leaving pedestrians to fend for themselves along a curvy, shoulderless Carroll Road.

Last spring, I attended a Town of McCordsville Public Works Committee meeting to talk about this project. The board was very receptive to the idea of building a sidewalk, unfortunately their budget for such projects was already spoken for. A few weeks later, Mark Witsman and Ron Crider from the committee followed up with an on-site visit to survey the situation. Based on the elevation change and complexity of the terrain, they recommended getting an engineering design study completed. This blueprint would give contractors, and the Town of McCordsville, a better idea of the design and costs to build this sidewalk.

Geist Harbours Property Owners Association (“GHPOA”), the homeowners association that encompasses Treasure Pointe, Admirals Bay, and 11 other neighborhoods around the south end of the reservoir, has wanted to get behind this project for a long time. Their 2,380 homes would all benefit from this sidewalk, creating a trail system that would connect over 95% of the circumference of Geist Reservoir.

Last spring, the GHPOA board earmarked $10,000 to be used on this sidewalk project. Bids were solicited for the engineering design study and the average price tag came in around $20,000. I for one did not want the GHPOA to go into this project alone. The project has been at a stalemate since last spring, until I got a phone call from McCordsville’s Town Manager, Tonya Galbraith.

In fear of being struck by oncoming traffic, pedestrians have cut a path down to Treasure Point Drive. To the right you can see the old guardrail that is inches away from the road.

“We’re looking for a partner organization to apply for a Place Based Investment Fund grant to get that Carroll Road sidewalk built,” she said.

At stake is a matching grant from the Indiana Department of Tourism for up to $50,000 to fund “efforts by Indiana communities to become even greater places to visit, live and work.” The Town of McCordsville and GHPOA will commit $50,000 towards the project, the Indiana Department of Tourism matches that $50,000 to give the project $100,000 for completion.

GHPOA voted to commit their $10,000, the Town of McCordsville committed $40,000, and the application was submitted on April 13. The Indiana Department of Tourism will be making their decisions on April 23, so keep your fingers crossed!

A big “thank you” to Tonya Galbraith who sought this grant out and pulled all the necessary paperwork together to make the application. At the end of the day, all Geist residents around the reservoir will benefit by having a safe sidewalk connecting the Fall Creek Road bridge to the neighborhoods to the south and east.

The family business of the Fort Grille in Fortville, owned by the Dowless family (left to right) Michele, Rachel, James, Cameron and Caleb.

In a small, simple building on the outskirts of Fortville is perhaps one of the finest restaurant destinations in the Geist area. The Fort Grille, the last stop on your left as you leave Fortville headed towards Pendleton, has quickly become a favorite of locals and the word is spreading.

“I grew up working in Baltimore in our family’s 250-seat supper club,” said head chef and owner James Dowless. “I was only 14 when I started as a busboy in the back, learning the kitchen from the ground up. My uncle always wanted me to be a bartender or work the front of the house, but I fell in love with cooking and wanted to stay in the kitchen.”

Fried green tomatoes, a yummy appetizer.

While in college, Dowless met his now wife Michele, a salad station employee at an O’Toole’s restaurant. He continued his culinary career and Michele began working for Eli Lilly & Company as a cancer researcher which landed them in Durham, North Carolina.

Life was going along great in 2004, the Dowlesses were finishing up the bulding of their dream home and Michele had just given birth to their third child, Rachel. Then, a chain of events occurred that brought the Dowlesses to Indianapolis. Within a few weeks of Michele learning that Eli Lilly was closing the Research Triangle Park, James began having severe headaches.

“I could have taken a severance package, but we weren’t sure what was wrong with James,” explained Michele. They soon found out that the headaches were from a brain tumor and would be removed at Duke University Hospital. After the surgery, Michele accepted a transfer to the Eli Lilly campus in downtown Indianapolis and the family moved to the northeast end of Geist Reservoir.

The special of the night: Baked campanelle.

A few years later, another brain tumor surfaced and James again faced a tricky surgery to have it removed. After he recovered, his itch to get back into the kitchen resulted in the purchase of a struggling restaurant called Robbie’s in Fortville which the Dowlesses reopened in May 2011 as the Fort Grille.

“I just decided I’m not going to live in fear,” said James about his recurrent brain tumors. “I want to do what I love to do.”

The Fort Grille is a true family restaurant. While James runs the kitchen in the back, Michele works the front in the evenings and prepares most of the homemade desserts. Occasionally you’ll see one of them leave out the back door to pick up their sons Caleb and Cameron from lacrosse practice or you’ll spot their youngest, Rachel, waiting tables.

Walking into the Fort Grille, I felt like I was walking into a diner along Route 66 somewhere in Missouri. Two waist-high counters with bar stools on the right, a row of newly upholstered booths on the left. In the rear of the restaurant, a large open room with more free-standing tables for seating. The restaurant is decorated very simply with nods to the local railroad history and works by a local artist. Nothing out of the ordinary.

However, when our teenaged waitress handed us our menu, we realized this was no ordinary diner.

The Fort Grille’s “eclectic” menu features entrees like the Veal Saltimbocca, Chicken Marsala, and a family favorite of Shrimp ‘n Grits. To round out the menu, they also carry a broad range of moderately priced sandwiches, salads, soups, and a $.99 kids menu.

For our visit, Jeanne and I sampled the Fried Green Tomatoes, Broccoli Cheddar soup, and then shared the daily special, Baked Campanelle. Neither of us have ever tried fried green tomatoes and we were both impressed with not only the taste, but the presentation, served on greens with a balsamic vinaigrette, pesto and goat cheese drizzle. The baked campanelle was amazing, made very rich and creamy with gorgonzola cheese. I thought I could eat it all but realized quickly a take home box was in order.

The unassuming Fort Grille appears like any other roadside diner.

Michele wouldn’t let us leave without a dessert, so we tried the mint chocolate cheesecake which featured small bits of York Peppermint Patties on top. Simply amazing.

“We make everything homemade,” says James as he points back to the bustling kitchen. “Even the bread we serve is homemade. We take the crumbs from the bread and use it for breading on our fried green tomatoes. You can taste the difference.”

The Fort Grille closes each night at 9:00 pm and is open for lunch at 11:00 am Monday through Saturday, serving brunch only on Saturday mornings starting at 10:00 am. My recommendation is to pay a visit for dinner so you can have the full experience with appetizers, entree, and a homemade dessert. To see their full menu, visit www.FortGrille.com.

If you are looking for a true family restaurant with gourmet food, take the 10 minute drive east to Fortville and pay the Dowlesses a visit. You’ll quickly become part of their growing fan base of loyal customers.

Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce board members (left to right) Andrew Lee, Jana Karrmann, and Mike Peck have reason to be optimistic. With 30% growth in the last 12 months, a new Executive Director (Jessica Tower), and rave reviews from new members, the value proposition is better than ever.

Since 1984, the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce has grown significantly in size and in its scope of mission. The mission of the Chamber is to be a resource to businesses providing information, connections, advocacy, and opportunities. This non-profit organization provides services for its members not only to help businesses prosper but also to strengthen and support the Lawrence community. Although there have been some stagnant periods along the way, the chamber has taken root and is sprouting new life among the Lawrence business sector.

“We’re in a period of reestablishing and regrowing,” says Andrew Lee, the current President. “The way we’ve approached it is to go back to our roots and figure out who we are what we do and just try to better that and build our growth accordingly.” With the help of new board members, Lee and his team, aim to not only establish progression, but also add significance to what they do amid their mission.

Delineating and Preserving “The Feel” of the Chamber

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting with a few representatives of the Chamber’s board of directors. I found it refreshing to absorb the excitement and motivation in their presence and to grasp their intentions as they volunteer their time to make a positive difference.

Before becoming President of the Chamber, Lee worked in government for six years. He came to the U.S. in 1999 from Bristol, England. After earning his MBA, he started focusing on organizational development of non-profits. Incidentally, besides volunteering his time at the Chamber, Lee is also Executive Director of Art with a Heart—which promotes hands-on creative expression to help educate and inspire Indianapolis children who are at risk. (www.artwithaheart.us)

Lee and his team, reflect back on the rudimentary stages of their plans to improve the chamber. With his crisp British accent, Lee declares, “Every chamber is the same. And every chamber is different…Eighty percent of members in almost all chambers say that they’re for networking. But every chamber has a different feel to it. For us, the idea was to figure out what the members think the feel is…what do we need to do to keep that going? When people tell you that the feel of the chamber is small, that everyone knows everybody and there is a lot of comfort, our job is to focus on how to keep this same sense despite the fact that the chamber is on a growth path.”

Establishing Goals, Enveloping Member Value

“We want to add meaning so that it’s not just another breakfast, or just another lunch, or another networking event, but to make sure that what we’re offering is meaningful for our members,” says Jana Karrmann, First Vice President.

After many conversations about “member value,” the board has focused on making the chamber attractive to new members and increasing retention rates. One major priority has been to make sure the goals of the members align with the goals of the chamber board.

“We’ve created our goals based on the feedback of our members,” says Mike Peck, Marketing Committee Chair. “We conducted a survey and found that the members are finding value in the programming and services we provide. So, we’ve made steps in the right direction and continue to set goals that support what members value. Ultimately, what we want a chamber member to say is, ‘Connecting with community business leaders is an important part of what I do every day because it helps my business.’” The research from the survey also concluded that when members attend events, the chamber environment felt approachable, comfortable and welcoming.

In addition to serving as Vice President, Karrmann also chairs the membership committee, and elaborates, “When the renewal comes twelve months later and they’re looking at the cost, we want members to instinctively take out the checkbook and rewrite the check because there’s no question in their mind that it was money well spent and a good return on their investment.” Collectively, the board plans each event in the hopes that all members will leave with new ideas, connections, resources, concepts, and energy that germinates continuous inspiration.

Active Executive Committees: Engaging Members and Merit

Last March, the board hired a new executive director, Jessica Tower. Lee adds, “Since its relocation to Lawrence, the Monarch Beverage Company has played a pivotal role in the chamber. Their support has helped us land a first class Executive Director.”

Since Tower has come into light and sprinkled the seeds, a new full executive board of directors has emerged and begun to till the land of Lawrence into a fertile field of crops. As a result, this fervent team has implemented active committees that meet every month in order to build and enhance the chamber’s mission. These committees are as follows:

• Membership (Jana Karrmann) coordinating and enticing new members into the organization
• Finance (Jason Kieninger) overseeing all financial transactions
• Marketing (Mike Peck) managing marketing and communications
• Ambassadors (Scott Maskel) facilitating businesses to know how to engage their members beyond basic membership
• Young Professionals (Jake Rhodes) connecting with young people in organizations to help them realize the power of networking and value of connecting to the community

Living Our Brand Promise

So far, within the last year, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce must be doing something right. The membership enrollment has climbed steadily and keeps growing. Within a year of having the Executive Director (Jessica Tower) in control, the assets are up 30% for the organization. Lee asserts, “In seeing this increase in just nine months, we’re extremely optimistic about achieving that goal of great member value.”

Furthermore, with respect to the survey, the board learned a very promising detail—over 85% of members who have been active for six years or less said that they were finding value with the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and they were getting the resources they need. Peck, who was instrumental in the conduction of this survey, affirms, “If our members are saying that their participation is of value, then we’re living our brand promise and we’re going to continue to do that.”

Amid the enthusiastic vibes in the air, Karrmann chimes in, “Everybody wants to be a part of something that’s growing…If a company’s doing well, people buy its stock. We may not have stock to offer but we do have many beneficial opportunities.”

The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce hosts many networking events such as the “Breakfast Before Hours” held on the first Thursday of the month and “Business After Hours” held on the third Thursday of each month.

Go to www.lawrencechamberofcommerce.org for more information and to view the calendar of upcoming events.

Jodi Golden is the Executive Director of the Indiana Education Savings Authority.

The journey of life starts when a child is born. Parents welcome their bundles of love into the world with open arms and love in their hearts. First steps of parenting usually concentrate on providing daily emotional and materials needs for the child. As parents, we all can relate to those first hectic years. One thing that is generally put on a list way down the road is the savings path that provides for a child’s college education. They may be young now, but before you know it that little bundle of joy will be ready for college. As parents, the question is: “Will you be ready to pay for their college education?”

In Indiana, we have something all parents and grandparents should be aware of called “CollegeChoice 529 Savings Plans.” They are unique savings plans that can provide your child with a greater opportunity for achieving success. Advice to parents and grandparents: The sooner you get started saving a few dollars each month, the more time your money will have to potentially grow. And, as an incentive, you may be eligible to receive tax benefits to help your money go farther.

What is CollegeChoice 529?

CollegeChoice 529 plans are education savings programs administered by State Treasurer Richard Mourdock and the Indiana Education Savings Authority.

“Indiana has one of the best tax advantages in the country with our 20% state income tax credit up to $1,000 maximum credit for contributions in the CollegeChoice Plans. And, yes, I said tax credit, not deduction. I encourage all Hoosiers to begin planning early and start saving now. Although, it’s never too late to start saving as every dollar counts,” states Mourdock.

Grandparents Can Get in Gear with a Lesson in Saving – Little by Little

Grandparents can also get involved with their grandchildren by giving them a gift of saving for them through their own CollegeChoice Plan. Birthdays, holidays and special family occasions add up year -after-year. So why not help out with a gift that will not be forgotten in a matter of time? The icing on the cake with a designated CollegeChoice529 plan is that it will not only send a powerful message to the child that Grandma and Grandpa have faith in their future dreams, but they too would be eligible for the state income tax credit based upon their contribution. The nature of this plan is that you can take each grandchild along on your savings trip starting as early as you are prepared to do so. College Choice 529 makes it easy to get started with multiple investment options and enrollment can be done online as well. There is also the ability to earn college savings on everyday purchases when you shop online, dine out and much more. It’s a choice that keeps on giving to your grandchild long after the candles on the cake are blown out.

Studies Show…

Parents’ who start talking to their child while they are young and, then take the next step by getting them involved with the process of saving, introduces the child to solid lifetime habits that will remain with them forever. Studies show that youths who have school saving plans are almost 4 times more likely to attend a 4-year-college than youths with no savings plan in place. It’s a habit well worth establishing at an early age and it doesn’t have to wreck your budget.

“We have 3 great programs for Hoosiers to start their college savings in. The CollegeChoice Direct and CollegeChoice Advisor 529 Plans offer a wide range of investment opportunities with low fees and a simple user-friendly website. Both plans offer individual investment options and also an Age-Based program that automatically invests your assets based on the age of your beneficiary. Last year we also began to offer the CollegeChoice CD Plan, which gives participants an opportunity to save through a variety of FDIC insured certificate of deposit products. It is important for Hoosiers to begin saving as early as possible. As college expenses rise yearly, every dollar counts as each dollar you save is one less dollar your loved one will walk off campus in debt with at graduation,” states Jodi Golden, executive director for the Indiana Education Savings Authority, which acts as the administrator for the CollegeChoice 529 plan.

Being a parent presents many responsibilities. Not every child will go on to college for various reasons, but for those children that want to take this journey, investing in CollegeChoice 529 makes perfect sense.
For more information on CollegeChoice 529 Savings Direct Plan call: 1-866-485-9415 or go to www.collegechoiceplan.com. You can also email Jodi Golden, executive director of the Indiana Education Savings Authority at jgolden@tos.in.gov.

Dick Wolfsie is a Geist resident and syndicated columnist.

Mary Ellen has signed up for another year of Prevention magazine. This pocket-sized monthly tells you how to prevent most everything except how to stop your wife from wasting another $24.95.  Quite frankly, I think the whole publication is a lot of baloney, although in this guide to healthy living, you hardly ever see a baloney recipe.

The cover of the most recent issue caught my eye: DROP THREE POUNDS A WEEK WITHOUT EXERCISE.  These titles are often misleading. I assumed I’d soon discover that to lose this weight required only giving up three little things—like breakfast, lunch and dinner. But no, it was actually 100 methods to increase what they call your “calorie burn,” or activities that help you shed some excess baggage. Newt Gingrich has purchased a lifetime subscription.

My own svelte physique is a result of my previous adherence to some of these suggestions, even without being aware of what I was doing. For example, No. 23 recommends that you hide your remote so you have to stand up to change TV channels. Well, duh! I’ve been pawing through pillows, dead-lifting the sofa and shoving the easy chair on its side for decades looking for the darn thing.  No. 62 proposes that you get off the bus at the wrong stop so you can walk the rest of the way. Once again, I’m ahead of the curve. I used to do this back in New York when I took the subway.  Sadly, I wasn’t doing it on purpose.

No. 24 advocates that you ask your paperboy to leave the newspaper at the end of your driveway, providing you an opportunity to walk a little extra each day. My delivery guy is on board already. He’s got me searching through the bushes and even climbing up on the roof.  It’s so nice when people care.

The article suggests you shovel your own driveway after a snowstorm, and then graciously offer to do the neighbor’s, as well. This makes sense to me because I read in my doctor’s office that some weight loss usually follows a serious cardiac event. Number 73 urges you to get your Starbucks coffee “to go,” then walk briskly with your friends as you sip. Yes, and then you can walk another six blocks to the dry cleaners.

Friendliness is also an asset in your quest for a healthy lifestyle. Apartment dwellers should get acquainted with a person on another floor and then, using the stairs, of course, visit as often as possible. I tried this back when I first got married. Mary Ellen didn’t like the idea and neither did Collette’s boyfriend.

Here’s a great one: instead of sitting in that regular chair in front of your computer, buy one of those giant  stability exercise balls to balance on while you work. Let me try it right now…I thknk therf may be somf drwbcks to sittinj that way whjle typinh.  Also, why not give your pizza delivery guy a break and pick the pie up yourself? Yes, drive your SUV to the take-out window for a tasty triple cheese, sausage and pepperoni combo. What a great way to get in shape. Why do people even bother working out?

Finally, for pet lovers, play fetch with your dog every day.  Am I missing something here? Shouldn’t you be chasing the ball? Who’s the chubby one, anyway?

Even though the article claims to list 100 examples, there are only 84. The author wants you to get up from the couch, go to the computer and log on to Prevention.com for the other 16. Be careful not to trip over the exercise ball! But if you do, make sure to walk to the emergency room.

Katie Pallone and York enjoy their time together at Big Brothers Big Sisters Summerfest in downtown Indy.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (Big Brothers Big Sisters) has been matching mentors with children for forty years now. Although Big Brothers was first established in the 60’s followed by Big Sisters in the 70’s, both organizations operated separately until combining forces in 2002. Currently, there are over 800 youth already established in mentoring relationships through this program. Big Brothers Big Sisters will create 400 more connections this year. This means this organization will match at least one child to a mentor each day of the year.

“I’ve always been inspired by the stories of parents and caregivers who contact Big Brothers Big Sisters,” says Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. “It takes a lot of love and a lot of courage for parents to ask for help, and it’s an amazing demonstration of how much our parents believe in their kids that they contact Big Brothers Big Sisters to be a part of their family. We consider it an honor to take those calls.”

Many different family situations require the need for a mentor, such as a family that is dealing with some health issue or a single parent. Darcey reminds us, “Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to have positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth who face adversity. We are a research backed, evidence-based program. Our standards are high, and our practices are exemplary. We take our work very seriously and are honored to work with so many amazing families, volunteers, and supporters…There are always more boys ready to be matched with mentors, so we especially need more male mentors and Big Couples.”

Offering Convenience & Flexibility

Ryan Quesenberry: Big Brother to Will

Big Brother, Ryan Quesenberry (far right) with Little Brother, Will, (middle) and former NFL Player, Darrin Smith who proudly displays his rings, 2 of which were from Superbowl when he played for Dallas!

Ryan Quesenberry, of Fishers, has been a Big Brother to Will since June of 2011. Will, 12 years old, is home schooled and lives with both parents. “Will is very respectful and is a very nice kid,” says Quesenberry who works as a medical sales representative for Orthofix.

In his free time, Will enjoys playing hockey. On his 12th birthday, Ryan took Will to Dave & Buster’s Restaurant. They have also ventured downtown to watch a hockey game. In addition, they have gone ice-skating, played video games and went fishing. One of the most memorable experiences was the day they went to pet the dolphins at the Indianapolis Zoo. Since this exciting day, Will has been talking about going to college to become a veterinarian or an oceanographer. He also hopes to play professional hockey someday.

Quesenberry offers his inspirational message to anyone thinking about becoming a big brother. He says, “This is a very reputable program. If you want to give back and have a positive influence, it feels good to help out.” Also, he likes the flexibility. “It’s not like we have to meet at a certain time and day of the week. We can schedule our activities whenever it works out best for our individual schedules…this program allows you to provide a good aspect in a child’s life that he might not otherwise have.”

Mentoring as a Big Couple: Twice as Nice

Shirley and Rick Altstadt: Big Couple to Allen

Shirley and Rick Altstadt are a Big Couple to Allen, a freshman, who plays football, basketball and runs track. Shirley and Rick attend most of his sporting events.

Shirley and Rick Altstadt, of Carmel, are a ”Big Couple” to 16 year old Allen — meaning that together, they mentor him as a team. Actually, Shirley began mentoring Allen (solely) when he was in third grade as part of the school program. She would have lunch with him weekly. Eventually, this progressed into a “Big Couple relationship” (Shirley and Rick), just before Allen started sixth grade.

“Allen lives with both his parents and his mom used to be a little.” says Rick. “Her experience was so positive that she wanted to extend this opportunity to Allen. Shirley and Rick, whose two daughters are grown, have enjoyed their time with Allen. They have taken him to the Carmel Palladium, and to Chicago (as part of an organized trip and one of many, by Big Brothers Big Sisters.) They have also frequently enjoyed various sports-themed activities such as bowling and attending a Colts game. Allen, a freshman, plays football, basketball and runs track. Shirley and Rick attend most of his sporting events.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are as a mentor,” says Shirley. “Each generation gives a child a different perspective of life.” Let’s face it. Every child can benefit from more adults who believe in them, inspire them, and help them discover their possibilities.

Matching Personalities & Interests Incredibly Well

Matt Cohen: Big Brother to Nathan

Matt Cohen, (Big Brother) takes his Little Brother, Nathan, to Climb Time, as one of their weekly visits.

Matt Cohen is a father of two and lives in Carmel. Before becoming a big brother to Nathan, a few months ago, he cleared it with his children who were open to sharing their dad, so he can help serve the community.

Nathan comes from a middle-class family with two parents who care about him greatly. They are so consumed with the two older siblings who have medical conditions that they guided Nathan to Big Brothers Big Sisters so that he could receive more personal attention and mentorship.

“Nathan has really wowed me with some of his quoted facts and concepts about science and technology,” says Cohen who shares many of the same interests. It’s no wonder that Nathan is in the gifted program at school. Some of their “brotherly” activities so far, have included going bowling, playing arcade games, getting frozen yogurt and assembling a Star Wars puzzle together.

Reflecting back on his personal life, Cohen reveals, “After losing my job in July, I had time to shift my focus from myself to realizing that others have more difficult situations than me. I began to see that it makes perfect sense to offer up my assistance to others in the community.” Cohen has since started a non-profit educational organization called Project Lead the Way, where they provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum in middle/ high schools across the nation.

Cohen marvels at how well Big Brothers Big Sisters has done with connecting him and his little brother, Nathan. “They did such a tremendous job. They did as much research as possible with matching Nathan to my background, interests, job, and activities.”

Mentoring Opportunities Close to Home

Katie Pallone: Big Sister to York

Katie Pallone, Big Sister to York, incorporates activities into their schedule that foster tradition and promotes their creativity.

Katie Pallone, of Carmel, has been a Big Sister to 11 year old York for two years now. “York is very creative,” says Pallone who works as a Financial Advisor at La Salle St. Securities and has served as a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters for three years. “I have taken York to paint pottery, decorate cupcakes, and other places that bring out her creativity.” Pallone has even taught York how to swim. York sings in choir and plays the cello. Someday, she wants to move to California and become a singer.

“I try to instill tradition whenever I can within our activities” says Pallone who has decorated gingerbread houses and carved pumpkins with York. They have even helped out at the Fishers Food Pantry at United Methodist Church and then treated themselves to cupcakes afterwards. Pallone recalls one of her favorite family traditions when her mom would make her homemade cookies on the first day of school. Even in college, her mom would send her cookies to celebrate the new beginning of the school year. Likewise, Pallone has also taken York cookies on the first day of school to carry out this special custom.

Pallone shares her experience when she admits, “There is plenty of need for strong, enduring, mentoring relationships on every side of town. You can volunteer by becoming a big, helping at community events, sponsoring events, or even assisting with college funding. After becoming a big brother or big sister to make a difference in a child’s life, people soon realize how big of an impact that this child has made in their lives.”

Experiencing Indianapolis Through a Young Person’s Eyes

Bob Tollini: Big Brother to Ziah

Bob Tollini and his little brother Ziah enjoy exploring Indianapolis. This photo is from a recent trip to the top of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis during Super Bowl week.

Bob Tollini, of Geist, has served as a big brother to three boys over the last twenty-three years. He is now mentoring his fourth little brother, 11 year old Ziah, who loves History. Tollini can tell you everything you’d ever want to know about the sites to see right here in Indy. He has taken his little brothers to experience culture and so much more. Some places they have seen are The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the Indiana State Museum with IMAX theatre and Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. They have also visited the NCAA Hall of Champions and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. In addition, they have played basketball and baseball — both sports that Ziah loves to play. Plus, they’ve attended many games of different sports.

“I’ve been doing this for twenty-three years now and it is fun,” says Tollini who was awarded “The Unsung Heroes Award” in mid-December by the Indianapolis Rotary Club for his dedicated commitment to helping others in the community. He continues, “Being a mentor isn’t work. You enjoy it. You get to see much of what Indianapolis has to offer through a young person’s eyes. It reminds you of when you were a kid. You can see how different the kids are from you as they’re living in a different culture and environment.”

Changing Lives for the Better

Here is what some are saying about how Big Brothers Big Sisters has changed their lives for the better:

“My experience as a Big has been rewarding, fun and educational! I get to not only play a positive role in a child’s life, but have a lot of fun doing it. Everyone involved in the entire process, has been nothing but great. I can see myself being a part of this program for a long time!”(Ryan Quesenberry, Big Brother)

“Ryan has changed my life in lots of ways. He encourages healthier habits and I have become more outgoing since hanging out with him. I love just hanging out and playing video games with Ryan.” (Will, Little Brother)

“It has changed my life adding another dimension where I feel I am giving to the community, helping to shape a person and getting back a lot from him. I love being around this young person and I like how he shares information with us.” (Shirley Altstadt, Big Couple)

“Without the involvement of Allen, my association with young kids would be limited. I’m learning about what kids are doing today, their culture, and how he deals with everything.” (Rick Altstadt, Big Couple)

“Rick and Shirley have introduced me to new things. I didn’t even know I liked classical music before Shirley and Rick took me to the Palladium in Carmel. We have gone to different restaurants and tried new foods together. They offer me academic advice. I was struggling in Biology and with Shirley and Rick’s help, I was able to raise my grade by an entire letter! They are both very dependable and I know I can ask them anything or call on them if I need to.” (Allen, Little Brother)

“Becoming a Big Brother has been a personal life-enhancing episode. It has allowed me to begin sharing my life experiences with a bright young individual and forged a relationship I know will last for a very long time.” (Matt Cohen, Big Brother)

“We have not been together very long, but so far we have done lots of fun things such as bowling and putting together puzzles. I always come home from our outings very happy.” (Nathan, Little Brother)

“One quote that truly sums up my experience thus far with York and Big Brothers Big Sisters is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, ‘It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.’” (Katie Pallone, Big Sister)

“Katie is someone I can talk to and call on if I need advice. We have made several pieces of pottery and we really enjoy baking cupcakes together. I struggle with math so she helps me out with my school work which has made a big difference.” (York, Little Sister)

“Being a mentor is not a one-way street. You don’t just give to the community but you get something out of it as well.” (Bob Tollini, Big Brother)

“Bob encourages me to behave and do well in school by teaching me manners and helping me with school work. We also enjoy going to Colts games, playing golf and doing other sporting activities. I really like having him as a Big Brother. He is a role model to me.” (Ziah, Little Brother)

“I didn’t have children of my own and was new to Indianapolis; I met eight sweet girls (Littles) during my 19 yrs. as a Big Sister. I felt I helped them gain confidence, see the need to study/finish school, and served as a trustworthy adult friend whom they knew cared for them unconditionally. I’m proud to know three of these young women today and they’ve done well. It’s been wonderful! (Jenien Beach, Big Sister)

If you would like to make a difference in the community and lend your mentorship to someone in need, consider becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister. This may be the perfect way to fill a void in your life. Perhaps you never had the opportunity to have children or you have always wanted to help guide a young child to realizing his/her full potential. Whether you mentor someone as a “Big Couple,” or you go solo, either way, you can help discover new meaning in someone’s life—including your own.

Go to www.bebigforkids.org to volunteer or to support Big Brothers Big Sisters. If you are unable to mentor, then you can give a gift that helps connect a mentor with a child.

Bubbaz Bar and Grill owner Mark Gore reviews his schedule for the day. He recommends the Tater Tot Nacho for an appetizer.

A new restaurant has just opened in Geist. The new Bubbaz Bar and Grill is located at 104th and Olio Road (formerly Bertee’s). This family friendly eatery is smoke-free and offers a mathematical equation we all can relate to — good food + great prices = Bubbaz Bar and Grill.

“I thought this location would be a good spot for families, sitting so close to neighborhoods,” says Mark Gore, owner of Bubbaz Bar and Grill. “There’s way too many families around here not to allow children,” he adds. Families are welcome to dine in every day from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00p.m.

“I like to buy, build, and sell restaurants and bars,” says Gore who claims that this particular Bubbaz Bar and Grill marks the 39th location that he has opened throughout Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. “The main drawing card here is that we offer good food with reasonable prices. You can get a cheeseburger for just $4 bucks and it includes the fries.” Furthermore, he is excited about making this precise establishment, a smoke-free environment, especially after learning that 95% of the clientele in the area prefers a non-smoking atmosphere.

Good Food + Great Prices = Bubbaz Bar and Grill

Whether you’re looking to grab a sandwich and a beer at the bar, or you want to dine in with your family, Bubbaz is sure to have something for everyone. Here are some of the features that Bubbaz Bar and Grill has to offer:

• Over 60 items that are less than $6.00 each
• 10 different flavors of beer on tap in addition to bottled imports
• Thin crust pizza made in the back kitchen
• Delicious wraps such as Buffalo Chicken
• A wide assortment of sandwiches including the patty melt
• Many tasty appetizers like the Tator Tot nachos
• 2 homemade soups every day: chicken noodle and chili
• Smoke-free environment
• Live D.J. every Friday and Saturday night starting at 9:00 p.m.
• Showing of UFC events with no cover charge
• Many TV’s to watch sports including 7 projector TV’s and 23, 50inch flat screens
• Daily drink specials
• Pool tables and video games

Gore invites you to come visit the all new Bubbaz Bar and Grill. After taking care of repairs and maintenance, he’s ready to start serving the Geist area when he says, “We’re ready to start pumping up the volume and get business started.”

Bubbaz Bar and Grill is open every day (Monday through Sunday) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Founding partners Lanae M. Harden and Michele L. Jackson specialize in family law. adoption and surrogacy matters.

Lanae Harden and Michele Jackson have invested years in the practice of law. Their reputations as experienced lawyers are soundly respected locally, nationally and internationally. To have achieved such a status takes extensive knowledge of the court system and the huge body of laws that apply in their respective areas of representation. When you read stories on attorneys, you don’t often think of them as compassionate and empathetic, however, Lanae and Michele will change your mind.

“Families depend on us to provide a professional, yet personal level of service during a difficult and emotionally draining period in their lives. It is our role to support them with compassionate insight and sound legal advice based on our experience to deliver successful resolutions for their situation.” says Harden.

Jackson adds, “No two client circumstances are alike when it comes to the cases we handle. We know that we must deliver positive solutions for their life transitions. We employ an empathetic approach to our clients’ cases. This is the passion that drives our practice.”

Needless to say, the founding partners of Harden Jackson, LLC have more than earned their national and international reputations as two of Indiana’s top attorneys, as well as being influential advocates for families and those who can’t speak for themselves. You will find their deep footprints of accomplishments documented in a wide array of awards and publications.

To say they are active in the community would be an understatement. Together their legal interests are diverse, and yet, they mesh seamlessly in their very successful legal practice. The firm’s practice areas include: divorce, custody and other areas of family law (including collaborative law and mediation), adoption, reproductive law, and appeals.

About the Founding Partners

Lanae M. Harden chairs the firm’s Family Law Practice Group. She is known nationally as a skilled family law litigator with extensive trial experience who has successfully represented a diverse clientele from stay-at-home mothers to professional athletes. Harden’s professional career includes 9 years at one of Indianapolis’ larger law firms where she was the only attorney who practiced exclusively in the area of family law. Harden is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, and the Hamilton County Bar Association. She has also been selected a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine two years in a row (2010-2011), an honor that results from nominations by her peers.

Michele L. Jackson concentrates her law practice in Adoption and Surrogacy matters, serving as chair of the firm’s Adoption and Reproductive Law Practice Group. Ms. Jackson is regarded as one of the foremost legal authorities in Indiana on international adoptions and international family law issues. She is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In 2010 and 2011, Michele was also named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine, an honor recognizing outstanding young attorneys under 40.

The obvious question would be to ask these two amazing and passionate women if they knew they would one day end in the in the practice of law? Harden laughs as she reflects on the question. “The answer is no. I was good at tennis and extremely competitive (she was a member of the University of Texas at Austin tennis team and a four-time Indiana State Tennis Champion), but I finally came to terms with the fact that tennis wasn’t in my professional future. I thought about studying medicine, but didn’t like blood. Law and my competitive nature seemed to be the right choice for me,” she added. The right choice indeed as Harden received her Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Indiana University School of Law, finishing in the top 5% of her class.

Jackson responded, “I always knew I would be involved in a career that somehow focused on children, especially those without parents. Doing the work I do today evolved from my love of kids.” Today, she represents clients interested in domestic or international adoption or those who are seeking alternative reproductive options for building their families (including gestational surrogacy). Jackson has indeed dedicated herself to the care and adoption of orphans worldwide, while assisting couples and individuals to realize their dreams of becoming parents. She is also the founder and director of MLJ Adoptions, a licensed child placing agency in Indiana, which is also Hague-approved.

This firm has recruited two other seasoned attorneys, Clarissa A. Finnell and Laura M. Taylor and is supported by a knowledgeable team of paralegals and administrative staff, who are integral to the firm’s mission to provide clients with responsive, personal attention.

If you have questions concerning family law, divorce, custody, mediation, appeals, adoption (domestic or international based), reproductive laws and surrogacy issues or collaborative law, this is the firm you need to be on your side.

The law practice of Harden Jackson,LLC is located in Carmel. For more information on this Super Team of nationally recognized attorneys, please call (317) 569-0770 or visit their interactive website www.hardenjacksonlaw.com for an in-depth explanation of areas of practice.