MOST WINDOW COMPANIES WON’T TELL YOU
Brings ChefCrafted Meals to Carmel’s Market District
ASHLEY DYKTON NANCY HAMMERSTROM ABBIE WILLANS
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ERIN TURK CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
JOSH BROWN
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER ERIC NEER
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
The Center for the Performing Arts, One Center Green.
7 p.m. (1-2, 7-8), 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (3), 2 p.m. (9)
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COFFEE ON THE MONON | MOVE WITH THE MAYOR
365 Monon Blvd
8 a.m.
ROBERT ROLFE FEDDERSEN
37 West Main Street
6:30 p.m.
Join Robert Rolfe Feddersen LIVE at PEACE WATER WINERY-Carmel,IN for a great night of delicious Napa Valley Wines and ALL ORIGINAL FOLK ROCK as only RRF delivers! Fri May 1st. 6:30-9:30pm EDT. All ages and family and dog friendly!
SIT. STAY. CHILL. – HANG OUT WITH A PAWS THERAPY DOG
Carmel Clay Public Library,
425 E Main St.
4:30-5:15 p.m.
Take a break from homework and hang out with a registered therapy dog. Presented in partnership with the Chris Center.
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CARMEL FARMERS MARKET
10 Carter Green
8 a.m.
As we begin our 27th year, we are proud of the market that our volunteers have created for our guests. As you enter Carter Green, you will find over eighty of Indiana’s best vendors, offering you the freshest and finest grown/ produced products from Indiana. Food safety is of utmost importance to us, so you may rest assured that every vendor is carefully researched and evaluated before joining our market. The market is open every Saturday, May through September, from 8-11:30. Come join us to purchase your favorite products, try a new product, enjoy breakfast with your favorite beverage and sit back to enjoy our weekly musical talent. The Carmel Farmers Market is a family and community gathering event that you don’t want to miss. We look forward to seeing you soon! Remember….it’s time to Get Fresh on Saturday!
DERBY DAY ON THE ROOFTOP
201 West Main Street
3 p.m.
Sip Mint Juleps, dress to impress, and celebrate Derby Day in style on the #1 Rooftop in Indiana! Limited tickets—reserve yours now!
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE
One Center Green
8 p.m.
MODERN CUPPING THERAPY HANDSON SEMINAR - SPRING 2026
12188 North Meridian Street #Suite 200
8 a.m.
Comprehensive and Hands-On & In-Person
Cupping Education - Spring 2026
SPRING MIGRATION BIRD HIKES
2000 E 151st Street
8 a.m.
WILLIAMS HOUSE OPEN HOUSE
11677 Towne Rd.
1 p.m.
CARMEL JAPAN SPRING FEST
Japanese Gardens at Carmel City Hall, Civic Sq
12 p.m.
Come celebrate the spring season and all things Japan at the Carmel Japan Spring Fest. Sample tasty Japanese foods, enjoy local Japanese cultural performances, take photos with Cosplayers, and experience Japan through various family-friendly activities. You’ll also get a first look at the updated Carmel Japanese Garden, plus learn all about our sister city in Kawachinagano, Japan! Free to attend.
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MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU SPEED DATING
14490 Clay Terrace Blvd
6 p.m.
Meet up to 12 potential matches. Join the thousands of people that have found LOVE at PRE-DATING events. Will you be our next success story?
5, 12, 19, 26
PAYNE & MENCIAS PALLADIUM PUBLIC TOUR
The Center for the Performing Arts, One Center Green.
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
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TACO + TEQUILA + TEMPO
1 Carmichael Sq
7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style at Hotel Carmichael’s elegant Feinstein’s venue with an unforgettable night of music, dance, and flavor!
6, 13, 20, 27
BINGO!
Northside, 3720 East 82nd St.
7 p.m.
Every Wednesday at 7:00pm. $4 PBR and $5 New Holland Drafts.
7
THE NATURE ACADEMY
Cool Creek Park > Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000-1 E 151st St. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
8
YOGA AT CITY HALL GAZEBO | GET MOVING IN MAY
1 Civic Square
11 a.m.
9
MAY CREATIVE PANEL: MENTAL WELLNESS X CREATIVITY
38 West Main Street
4 p.m.
Join us for an inspiring panel conversation on the second Saturday of the month and connect with other creatives in community!
NERDFEST 2026
425 E Main St,
12 a.m.
Get ready for a festival of nerdy fun
for adults, teens, and kids! Enjoy workshops, creators, demonstrations, arts and crafts, arcade games, board games, trivia, costumes, giveaways, and more.
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MAYOR’S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES
10003 12863 Old Meridian Street 4 p.m.
13
READ-IN AT CCPL WITH WORD ON THE SHELF
Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E Main St.
4:30-6 p.m.
Exactly what it sounds like time to read! This volunteer opportunity is open to all interested teens in grades 6-12.
Carmel, IN to Work Day National Bike to Work Day takes place every year on the third Friday in May. Join others in the community and ride your bike to work
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THE MAGIC OF DAVID RANALLI
Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, 1 Carmichael Sq.
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Prepare to be amazed by David Ranalli, an extraordinary magician whose mind-bending illusions, captivating stage presence, and unique style will leave you spellbound. THE MAGIC OF DAVID RANALLI is not just a performance— it’s a mesmerizing journey into the world of mystery, wonder, and surprise. Each trick is carefully crafted to dazzle and delight, combining elements of sleight of hand, mentalism, and grand illusions that are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. David brings a fresh, innovative twist to classic magic, making each moment feel unpredictable and magical. From intimate close-up tricks to grand illusions that defy logic, David’s show is designed to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This one-of-akind show isn’t just about watching— it’s about participating. David invites his audience into the magic, creating an interactive experience that makes every performance unique. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of magic or seeing it for the first time, THE MAGIC OF DAVID RANALLI will leave you wondering how it was all possible. AGES 10 & OLDER
20
COXHALL MANSION TOURS
Coxhall Gardens, 11677 Towne Rd. 4-5:30 p.m.
26
TAI CHI: CALM & BALANCEA CLASS FOR ADULTS
425 E Main St, 10 a.m.
A gentle, feel-good Tai Chi session focused on relaxation, balance, and easy breathing. Perfect for all skill levels and abilities. Presented with Mindful Taichi Co. Registration is required.
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SUMMER FAMILY CONCERT SERIES AT THE GAZEBO
1 Civic Square
Carmel, IN 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 16 | All ages | Central Park trails | $20
Join us for the Unified 5K +1-Miler, an inclusive event open to participants of all abilities. Run or walk the accessible Central Park trails and choose between a full 5K or a shorter 1-mile option. Proceeds support adaptive programs at Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation.
Fridays, May 8-Jun. 26 | Ages 16+ | Monon Community Center | $185
A fun, social ballroom class for adults of all skill levels. Learn the basics of ballroom and Latin dance styles – from salsa and swing to waltz and foxtrot –while building confidence and getting comfortable on the dance floor. No partner needed!
Wednesdays, May 6-27 | Ages 8-12 | Monon Community Center | $65
Introduce your child to volleyball in this beginner-friendly course. Participants will learn basic skills, rules and teamwork through fun, engaging activities designed to build confidence and coordination.
Sundays, May 3-24 | Ages 3-5 | Monon Community Center | $45
This parent-child Pilates class builds strength, coordination and body awareness through fun, easy-to-follow activities. Spend quality time together while encouraging healthy habits and improving balance and posture.
Wednesdays, May 6-Jun. 3 | Ages 55+ | Monon Community Center | $45
A supportive strength-training program for active and older adults. Build stability, muscle strength and confidence using free weights and functional movements with guidance from a certified personal trainer. No class May 27.
June-July, 2026
Join us for a fun and scenic summer adventure through Carmel’s parks. Each week we explore a different park and trail, perfect for runners, walkers, or anyone who enjoys a good stroll. Discover new spots, enjoy the outdoors, and support your local parks at your own pace.
Writer / Ashley Dykton
“FoodHaul lets me do what I love, cook great food, and make it everyday accessible to busy, hungry people. It’s my favorite recipes, made the right way, ready when you need them. And honestly, that’s the best part — bringing something
delicious straight to your dinner table,” says Fabio Viviani, chef, board director, culinary adviser and one of the visionaries behind FoodHaul, a unique non-subscriptionbased food service that features some of the world’s most renowned and talented chefs at Carmel’s Market District.
The way people shop and prepare meals is progressing and, in recent years, has included the influx of ondemand delivery services and subscription meal kits, transforming the way people eat and get food.
Bill Stavrou and celebrity chef Fabio Viviani founded FoodHaul as an opportunity to bring five-star, Michelin-crafted meals directly to people’s dinner tables. By partnering with Market District,
FoodHaul is creating luxury, restaurantquality meals with the convenience of being accessible at a local grocer.
“We’re a marketplace of some of the greatest chefs on the planet who give us their recipes that we produce to their exact specifications. These chefs, who are some of the best chefs in the country, whose recipes are behind some of America’s best restaurants, share that intellectual property with us, and we have to follow their standard to perfection. Everything is sourced the exact same way that the chefs source for their restaurants; everything is to that exact standard of the chef,” says FoodHaul owner and CEO Bill Stavrou.
FoodHaul’s chefs are prominent culinary masters, and these chefs have created reputations and brands that represent not only themselves but their craft, and it’s important there are no shortcuts or substitutions in its execution in creating these products. FoodHaul ensures everything is produced and each ingredient is sourced with the same level of quality
and standards of these chefs, and if it’s not perfected with that same level of detail or care, it won’t be offered.
Some of FoodHaul’s prestigious, awardwinning and renowned chefs include Bravo’s Top Chef favorite Fabio Viviani, whose culinary style represents his Italian heritage; Rick Tramonto, a James Beard Award winner who revolutionizes popular American dishes; Christopher Dotson, a
champion on Chopped; Shawn McClain, a James Beard Award winner who focuses mostly on vegan and vegetarian dishes; Kirk Swaby, a chef who focuses on high-protein cuisine; and Danny Espinoza, a James Beard Award semifinalist and Top Chef Mexico contestant who crafts dishes influenced by his Hispanic heritage.
“We keep adding to our lineup of chefs, which only expands our offering to our
consumers,” Stavrou says.
Newest FoodHaul chef Shawn McClain says, “I am excited to be a part of FoodHaul because as a chef, I am always looking for new and creative ways to connect with guests. The food landscape is changing and evolving rapidly, and I believe FoodHaul has positioned itself perfectly to meet the needs of a modern-day consumer. This partnership allows me to scale quality and passion, bringing a true chef-driven taste right into
to a vegetarian or vegan dish. We’re a marketplace that is meant to satisfy any household or any office setting with enough variety to make sure everybody has what they’re looking for,” Stavrou says.
FoodHaul is redefining prepared meal services by being easily accessible online with pickup and delivery options, and by being available in-store at Carmel’s Market District. FoodHaul gives guests the opportunity to enjoy “chef-driven, high-end, fresh, never-frozen quality meals” with the versatility of not being tied to the obligation of a subscription.
your home.”
Customers can expect to see a variety of 12 different selections offered every week, where every Thursday, the menu changes to highlight new chef specialties. It is important that there is enough variety in the menu where all customers feel represented and can have what they are looking for.
“As a consumer, you can go anywhere from a chicken Parmesan to a Wagyu meatloaf
Stavrou says that customers love the quality of the product and the flexibility of being able to have the convenience of a prepared meal without the commitment of a subscription.
Learn more information on how you can turn your dinner table into a world-class dining experience by visiting FoodHaul online at foodhaul.com.
Cut the Cord. Not the Content. Only $69.99 a Month – No Contracts, No Hassles.
Stop overpaying for TV. CUE gives you access to hundreds of live channels, including nationwide local channels, toptier movie channels, sports, news, and a huge library of on-demand content, all with no contracts or hidden fees, and no hassle. Whether you’re a family, a binge-watcher, or just tired of cable, enjoy endless entertainment at a price that makes sense.
10 THINGS WINDOW COMPANIES DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW AND HOW FACTORY DIRECT IS CHANGING EVERYTHING
There’s a moment every homeowner reaches. Maybe it’s the cold draft that never goes away, the energy bills that keep climbing, or simply the realization that your windows no longer open or close properly. And then comes the decision.
But what most homeowners don’t realize until it’s too late is this: Buying windows can feel worse than buying a timeshare. The long, uncomfortable in-home presentations, the “today-only” pricing, the pressure to commit before you’ve had time to think about it — it’s not an accident. It’s a system designed to close deals, not to help homeowners get the best price or a true return on their investment. And for decades, it worked.
Until Factory Direct decided to do something different.
Most companies start with a product, but
Factory Direct started with a question: What would be the best possible outcome for the homeowner? That single shift changed everything — and it still does. Since 1991, Factory Direct has built a model centered on transparency, flexibility and measurable value, serving homeowners across Carmel, Fishers, Indianapolis and beyond with a level of consistency rarely seen in the industry. They don’t approach projects with a long, drawn-out sales pitch — they approach them with clarity, giving homeowners the information, access and confidence to make the right decision without pressure, often in less than 20 minutes.
What they uncovered — and what most companies hope you never fully understand — are 10 truths that fundamentally change how windows should be purchased:
Behind the scenes, most windows pass through multiple layers — manufacturer, distributor or dealer, and commissioned salesperson — each adding markup. By the time it reaches the homeowner, the price is often inflated by thousands. Factory Direct removes those layers entirely, meaning you are not paying for a system of markups — you are paying only for professional installation.
Those two- to three-hour appointments are intentionally designed to wear homeowners down until a decision is made. Factory Direct replaced that model with something radically simple: Clear, straightforward estimates in about 20 minutes, with no obligation, no sales tactics and no pressure.
If a price disappears tomorrow, what else will you have to deal with later? Factory Direct pricing is structured, consistent and transparent because real value doesn’t require urgency.
Calling manufacturers or verifying sourcing
exposes margins and pricing structures. Factory Direct encourages it, inviting homeowners to research, verify and compare because they have nothing to hide.
Even the most expensive, highestperforming window will fail if installed incorrectly. That is why Factory Direct uses AAMA factory-certified master installers who are actual employees — not subcontractors — ensuring precision, accountability and consistency on every project.
Many companies limit you to one brand or one product line because it benefits them. Factory Direct gives homeowners access to more than 25 manufacturers, including Marvin, Pella, Andersen and ProVia, offering hundreds of configurations so each home can be matched to the right solution.
Terms like U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient are frequently used but rarely explained, and many companies rely on misleading center-of-glass ratings instead of full-unit performance. Factory Direct focuses on NFRC-certified ratings that evaluate the entire window system, ensuring homeowners understand true efficiency — not marketing language.
This is the reality few talk about. Many customers later realize they could have saved thousands had they compared differently. Factory Direct consistently outperforms competitor pricing by 10% to 60%, with many homeowners saving an average of about $700 per window on the exact same make, model and option packages.
Different specifications, terminology and pricing structures are designed to
overwhelm the homeowner, making it nearly impossible to compare options.
Factory Direct simplifies the process into clear, apples-to-apples comparisons so decisions can be made with confidence.
Homeowners don’t want pressure, confusion or inflated pricing — there’s a better, smarter way to approach window replacement.
What most homeowners don’t realize is that the window itself is only one part of the equation. Long-term performance depends on installation quality, professional-grade materials, true full-unit performance ratings and a realistic return on investment. Factory Direct prioritizes high-performance materials — featuring 50-year silicone sealants, precision-applied polyurethane insulation and custom-formed exterior trim systems engineered for long-term durability — backed by a true nonprorated, transferable lifetime warranty with 30 years of manufacturer coverage. When installed correctly with these materials, windows don’t just look better — they perform
better, reduce energy costs and increase overall home value.
In fact, a properly executed window replacement can reach a full return on investment within eight years when factoring in energy savings, comfort and increased property value. Miss any of these components, and even a “premium” window can become a long-term problem.
What ultimately separates Factory Direct is not one feature, but the entire system working together: factory-direct pricing, access to more than 25 manufacturers, AAMA-certified master installers and award-winning service — including multiple Angi Super Service Awards and longstanding BBB recognition. All of it is delivered through a no-pressure, homeowner-first experience.
Homeowners are not left guessing what happens behind the scenes — they can see real installations, understand the process and know exactly what to expect before the project begins. That level of openness is rare — and it is intentional.
After more than 35 years in business,
Factory Direct has proven something most companies never will: When you remove pressure, eliminate unnecessary markup and prioritize the homeowner, the right decision becomes obvious.
Replacing your windows should not feel like a negotiation. It should not feel like a risk. It should feel like what it truly is — an investment in your home, done the right way.
Before you sign anything, before you sit through another presentation, and before you make a decision, ask yourself one question:
Are you making the window mistake — or avoiding it?
MOVE BETTER THIS SEASON
Writer / Abbie Willans
Warm weather and sprouting plants mean that it’s once again time for yard work and spring cleaning. For many Indiana residents, that can also mean back pain. Fortunately for them, Woods Chiropractic is here to provide relief.
Dr. Ron Woods has been practicing medicine since 2000 and is experienced with all kinds of degenerative conditions and injuries to the neck and spine. He is a proponent of considering natural, less invasive treatments before seeking surgery.
While people may not think of chiropractors as having a “busy season,” he explains that spring and summer bring more patients with back pain.
“We stay fairly busy; we’re just getting out of the slow period at this point. January through March is kind of slow, and we pick up as people start getting out in their yards and working, and it stays steady from there on out.”
Woods says that what makes his office
different from others is the number of services that patients can get for their money, such as massage therapy. Most of these services are covered by insurance.
“We’ve got a decompression table, we do acupuncture, we have electric stimulation, ionic foot detox, and an ultrasound machine. Most people end up getting the electric stimulation at the end of their treatment. It helps to work with the muscles, keep them from tightening up, and helps calm the nerves,” he explains.
He also has almost every patient go on an intersegmental traction table prior to anything else “to help loosen them up.” Using palpation, Woods says he can feel what’s going on in the body and what may be causing pain.
“I start at the low back and work my way up. I can feel where you’re jammed, what’s moving and what isn’t, and what’s inflamed. You can really feel that through the spine,” he says.
“The first visit will be about 45 minutes,
“WORKING WITH HEADACHES IS ONE OF THE MOST SATISFYING PARTS OF THE JOB. I’VE GOT A SPECIAL TRICK THAT GENERALLY, I CAN MAKE MOST HEADACHES GO AWAY IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. EVERYBODY LOVES THAT ONE.”
—DR. RON WOODS
and we’ll do a consultation about what’s bothering you, with a possible X-ray. I’ll go over everything with you, form a treatment plan, you’ll go on the roller table, get the adjustments, and do the electric stimulation. Starting out, I usually see people twice a week for four to six weeks. If they get better quickly, we’ll drop them down quicker to fewer sessions,” Woods adds.
“Generally, when I work on people, I do a full-spine adjustment, starting at the shoulder blades and working my way down to the pelvic area. I’ve got special tables for the back-end releases. The flexion and distraction table goes up and down and side to side,” he continues.
Besides the neck and spine, Woods can also
treat patients from head to toe. He can help those with foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, and those with chronic headaches and migraines.
“Working with headaches is one of the most satisfying parts of the job. I’ve got a special trick that generally, I can make most headaches go away in about five minutes. Everybody loves that one,” Woods says.
He advises patients on exercises and stretches to work on at home to help improve their mobility and prevent pain from returning.
Additionally, he gives lifestyle recommendations. For instance, Woods suggests a firm mattress and making time for standing and walking throughout the day, as sitting for most of the day can lead to back pain.
Woods graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis in 1999 and returned to Indianapolis afterward.
“I started out in Broad Ripple, with the chiropractor that got me into it for about two years before I went out on my own. This is my 23rd year in this location,” he says.
The office was previously owned by another chiropractor, so the space already perfectly suited his needs. Woods says he has no plans to move anywhere else and is happy to be helping Indianapolis residents.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was in junior high. My mom would take me with her to the chiropractor when she would go, and I was an accident-prone kid. I rode dirt bikes and fell out of trees and stuff like that, so I was always hurting myself. That’s what got me into chiropractic. They were the ones who put me back together,” Woods says.
For more information or to make an appointment, visit woodsindychiro.com or call 317-257-3919. Woods Chiropractic is located at 8509 Westfield Blvd., Indianapolis, and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until noon Saturday) and closed Thursday and Sunday.
FEATURING PICNIC SEASON & NEWLY OPENED GRAB & GO OPTIONS!
We preserve the past with food and tradition by making picnics effortless. Easy online ordering, with delivery or pick up. Also, you can choose from our compostable picnic boxes or elegant, reusable insulated baskets— perfect for a charming outing.
Visit our full-service restaurant where we offer breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Or just enjoy coffee or a cocktail.
Stop by our little retail shop, tucked away in the picnic pick up area. We offer many picnic goodies, books, snacks, knick-knacks, and Carmel inspired gifts.
Our signature Chick(HEN) & Waffles is a local favorite along with Gigi’s Bloody Mary with a 5 oz. beer back of Bier Brewery PDG.
Spring is here and Hamilton County is calling you outside. Whether you prefer pedaling paved trails or cruising on rail bikes, two standout experiences make it easy to soak up the season just north of Indy.
The HamCo Hubway is an integrated trail system connecting Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield through four major paved paths: the Monon Trail, Midland Trace Trail, Nickel Plate Trail and The 106. Together, they form a 28.5mile connected loop — plus a network of connector routes — perfect for biking, walking or a family outing.
Each trail brings its own personality. The Monon runs north-south between Carmel and Westfield with a shady tree canopy and easy access to restaurants, shops and attractions like the Arts & Design District and Midtown Plaza. The Midland Trace heads east-west from Westfield to Noblesville, crossing scenic bridges along
the way. The Nickel Plate Trail runs through downtown Fishers with views of the White River and connects to dining and shopping in the Nickel Plate District. And The 106 links Carmel and Fishers via the Bur Oak Bridge over the White River — ideal for racking up miles.
Bike rentals and bike-share programs are available in Carmel, Noblesville and at Strawtown Koteewi Park, so you don’t need your own wheels to get rolling. Download the free HamCo Hubway trail map at VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Hubway to plan your route.
VisitHamiltonCounty.com/Hubway for trail maps and itineraries.
For something a little different, hop aboard a rail bike with the Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville. These specially designed fourseat bikes ride right on the railroad tracks, carrying friends and family on excursions
of up to seven miles round trip through the rural Indiana countryside. Options include the White River Family Cruise, Twilight Rail Ride and the Forest Park Rail Adventure. Riders pedal at their own pace while taking in views of farmland, trees and small-town charm.
The Nickel Plate Express also operates scenic train excursions year-round on 12 miles of track from Noblesville to northern Hamilton County. Themed rides include brunch and dinner trains and seasonal favorites. All excursions board at Forest Park, just minutes from the Historic Noblesville Square — a perfect spot to grab a bite before or after your ride at local favorites like Alexander’s on the Square, Rosie’s Place, Bica Café, Grindstone Public House or Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano.
NickelPlateExpress.com for tickets and schedules.
Greater Indy Trailways Trailmixer Festival
April 25 – May 3, 2026
From trail experiences to pop-up activations and neighborhoods, something will be happening all along the Trailways.
Learn more at TheTrailways.com
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI), in collaboration with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), officially announced a volunteer campaign to recruit “500 Bigs by the Indy 500.”
From March 1 through May 24, the day of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, BBBSCI and IMS will be working together to share the need and urgency for more mentors in the Central Indiana community. With more than 1,000 kids waiting for a mentor in Central Indiana, BBBSCI and IMS are looking for 500 community members to step up and take the first step to become a mentor, alongside more than 80 businesses invited to learn about the power of mentorship.
“IMS is excited to work with BBBSCI for another year to encourage more connection throughout our community,” says Jimmie McMillian, Penske Entertainment Senior Corporate Counsel. “Just like how we bring together more than 350,000 people for the Indy 500, we hope to bring together hundreds of kids and community members in Central Indiana through this campaign.”
“It’s clearly a busy time of year for IMS and the Indy 500, so it says a lot about their commitment to our community’s future — our amazing kids — that they collaborate with Big Brothers Big Sisters on this push to find more mentors,” says Darcey PalmerShultz, CEO of BBBSCI. “Volunteering as a mentor is about showing up for a young
person you may have otherwise never met because you believe it matters to be part of a community where all kids have encouragement and opportunity. And the team at Big Brothers Big Sisters guides and supports you every step of the way.”
BBBS has been a leader in mentorship for 120 years, and BBBSCI has served this community for more than 50 years. The organization uses evidence-based mentoring experiences that show mentorship provides the opportunity to tackle challenges around mental and emotional well-being, academic achievement, economic mobility, and positive behaviors and development for young people.
The Need: According to the CDC, 40% of youth report feeling persistently sad or hopeless.
The Proven Opportunity: Mentored youth saw a 16% growth in emotional regulation and a 20% reduction in depressive symptoms compared to non-mentored youth.
The Need: Districts report that roughly 22% of students missed 10% or more of school days in the 2024-2025 school year.
The Proven Opportunity: Mentored students are proven to attend school more regularly, perform better academically, and exhibit fewer behavioral problems than their non-mentored peers.
The Need: More than 75% of youth are concerned about having necessary employment skills, and 74% of young
adults lack access to a mentor.
The Proven Opportunity: Mentored youth earn an average of $200,000 more in lifetime earnings and are 20% more likely to enroll in college than their non-mentored peers.
The Need: Young people who lack positive adult guidance face a significantly higher risk of entering the justice system — a pathway with cascading consequences for their futures, their families and their communities.
The Proven Opportunity: Mentored youth are 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs,
27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 54% less likely to be arrested, and 52% less likely to skip school than non-mentored youth.
Being a mentor, or “Big,” through BBBSCI requires a one-year commitment to be matched with a mentee, or “Little.” Bigs and Littles meet 4-6 hours per month, and together they enjoy activities provided by BBBSCI and its partners or find activities within their community.
To learn more about becoming a Big, visit bebigforkids.org/volunteer.
To learn more about BBBSCI and how to get involved with the 500 Bigs by the Indy 500 campaign, visit bebigforkids. org/500by500.
Writer / Nancy Hammerstrom
When Nadine Dyer flew to South Africa on a missions trip to support women overwhelmed with the financial and physical stress of caring for orphans, her intent was to help give them strength, comfort and love. She never expected to learn that many American women like her needed the most help.
“I realized that the women in Africa actually were a lot healthier and happier emotionally and mentally, at least, than maybe even
I was and some of my friends here in America, and I really struggled because here I am flying halfway across the world to pour into women spiritually and mentally and emotionally when really I should be learning from them because they seem happier and they were in community and they helped each other and they raised their kids together, and I was like, ‘I think we’re the ones missing something,’” she says.
Dyer, a new mother with little family near
Carmel, felt troubled upon her return, facing sleepless nights and a sense of emptiness. She began studying the prevalence of depression, anxiety and suicide in America.
“How are we in this country that has resources and finances at our fingertips and yet we are struggling, if not the most, one of the most in every area?” she asks.
Dyer understood that women often facing mental stress and burnout from juggling
a career, raising children and household responsibilities needed a purpose through supporting one another.
“If we can get them off of themselves and onto purpose, if we can help them heal and help them grow and help them find their inspiration and empower them to go out and do it, maybe that could change the world,” she says.
Dyer launched Purposeful Living Inc., a faith-based nonprofit in Carmel, with the help of five women. Each of them invited other women to attend a grand opening, with a goal of serving at least 50 women the first year.
“We ended up serving 307 our first year through word of mouth,” Dyer says, who began offering one-on-one free coaching to women.
The nonprofit drew so much interest that a support group for marriages and a mothers support group were added, followed by selfhelp workshops.
“After the second workshop, one woman who was in her 70s said, ‘I’ve gotten more out of these two workshops I’ve attended than I have all my years of therapy,’” Dyer recalls. “I think it was just the safe space that was created and women were authentically sharing and having breakthroughs in that safe community, women realizing they weren’t alone.”
Dyer and her family were financially supporting the organization; however, as Purposeful Living grew, she needed extra funding, and with the help of generous
donors serving on the board and additional money raised from a fundraising breakfast, she could offer additional services and hire staff.
Susan Barnes, administrative and outreach director for Purposeful Living, started working with the organization at the beginning of COVID.
“When I came into Purposeful Living, I came in with hurts from my past that I thought were just going to stay part of my past and buried,” she says. “A lot of times women just don’t show the pain that they are working through, but through Purposeful Living, specifically through coaching and through growth groups, I personally have experienced an amazing amount of transformation and healing. It’s truly the loving, safe, authentic community that you are able to share and the people, the coaches, the growth groups that you’re in. You are loved and supported without this stigma, without this judgment and condemnation.”
After leading the organization for several years, Dyer experienced a crisis in her life. The same women she coached were there to serve and embrace her.
“I didn’t know I was going to need the Purposeful Living community to carry me, and that’s exactly what happened,” she says. “These women came alongside me, they coached me, they sent me meals, they sent me gifts, they sent me care packages, they loved me right where I was at and I don’t know how I would have gotten through that
season without them and honestly the fruit of that was my child was blessed; he had a healthier mom because I was supported. I’ve grown in my faith. Purposeful Living has taught me to hold space for people and that’s made me a better mom and a better wife and a better daughter and a better friend.”
Purposeful Living offers four core programs: care, coaching, growth groups and events.
The care program helps women in need of encouragement and helps connect them to free resources such as food pantries, medical or transportation needs. Others may have a friend or relative with cancer, for example, and a team of volunteers will write cards and assemble and deliver care boxes to the woman to let her know she’s not alone and that others are thinking of her and praying for her.
Free coaching is one-on-one for women who may feel overwhelmed with life and need to process their feelings and ask for guidance.
Growth groups, a combination of a support group and a life group, are designed to offer a confidential, safe space for women to grow and heal from their wounds.
Events include networking, a night of worship, spiritual discovery, a virtual widows support group and a widows creative gathering.
Purposeful Living’s podcast, Linking Arms,
is designed to empower women with themes including wellness, spirituality, selfdevelopment and more. Linking Arms can be found on the organization’s website at purposefullivinginc.org.
Next year, the organization will be celebrating its 10th year of serving other women. To date, Purposeful Living has aided 4,207 women. These women all have a story, from those who suffer from abuse or addictions to those who just experienced a family loss. Others may need a place where they can form their own identity outside of being a caregiver, employee or spouse.
“I can speak to the woman who’s just lost herself as mom and has literally forgotten who she is,” Dyer says. “Forgot what fun looks like, forgot who she is outside of her home and can be reminded and can find friendships and can go out and have a place to connect and meet women and make friends that are hers.”
On Aug. 18, Purposeful Living invites women to connect, share their stories and learn more about the organization at the 10th Annual Breakfast with a Purpose: eventbrite.com/e/breakfast-with-apurpose-2026-tickets-1986370507660
For more information about Purposeful Living, including sponsorship opportunities, go to purposefullivinginc. org, Instagram: @purposefullivinginc, or visit facebook.com/PurposefulLivinginC.
Proffered
Remarkable events
Refreshments booths
Pursued stealthily
Bewildered
Sponged
1. Appreciation
2. Brushes (off)
3. Cavorts
4. Straight
5. Wild African canine
6. Eventuated
10. Was obliged to pay
11. Ship’s spine
12. Lump of turf
13. Water
14. Door handle
15. Muslim temple
16. Dance nightclubs
17. Painters’ tripods
18. Stick (to)
19. Loved excessively, ... on
20. Prejudiced person
Swiftest
Open mouth wide
Poultry products
Calming drug
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