Renewed Wellness
SOUTHSIDE CLINIC CELEBRATES THREE YEARS WITH COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE
SPECIAL OFFERS
*Valid at Greenwood location only. Excludes diesels. Up to 5 quarts. Shop supplies & taxes extra. Most cars/light trucks. Cannot combine with any other offer. Present coupon at time of service to receive discount. Expires September 30, 2025.
SAVE ON ANY SERVICE
$ 25 OFF* $ 250+
$ 50 OFF* $ 500+
$ 75 OFF* $ 750+
$ 100 OFF* $ 1000+
*Valid at Greenwood location only. Excludes tires & batteries. Cannot combine with any other offer. Present coupon at time of service to receive discount. Limited time only.
• Check Brake Pads
• Check Rotor Surface
• Check Brake Fluid
• Check Brake Components
*Valid at Greenwood location only. Any additional parts and/or labor extra. Cannot combine with any other offer. Present coupon at time of service to receive discount. Limited time only.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
AUTO
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
FUNCTIONAL & INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
AUTOMOTIVE GREENWOOD (317) 740-1883 cbac.com/greenwood
KOPETSKY AUTO WASH (844) 927-4386 CG (844) 529-2833 GW kwash.com
MY BABY DETAILING (317) 360-9222 mybabydetailing.com
PRISTINE AUTO SPA (463) 300-6377 pristineautospa.com
BANKING
JCBANK (317) 884-8817 jcbank.com
BOATS & WATERCRAFT
REEDER TRAUSCH MARINE INDY (317) 786-9562 rtmindy.com
COUNSELING
SERENITY COUNSELING
COACHING CONSULTING (317) 210-0662 serenitynowllc.com
DENTAL
SAUER DENTISTRY (317) 865-1234 sauerdentistry.com
FITNESS
VICTORY STRENGTH & FITNESS (317) 721-2821 victorystrengthandfitness.net
ELEVATE HEALTH (317) 708-0798 www.elevatehealthcg.com
HEALTH
&
WELLNESS
JOHNSON MEMORIAL HEALTH (317) 736-3300 johnsonmemorial.org
ORTHOINDY (317) 802-2000 orthoindy.com
FRANCISCAN (317) 528-5000 franciscanhealth.org
HOME DESIGN & FURNISHINGS
COOL INTERIORS, LLC
DECORATE • DECLUTTER • UNPACK • ORGANIZE (317) 223-3042 facebook.com/coolinteriorsllc
CLOSETS BY DESIGN (317) 779-3212 closetsbydesign.com
FURNITURE FAIR (800) 966-3040 www.furniturefair.net/pages/ greenwood
HOME SERVICES
DECKS BY WADSWORTH (317) 422-8888 (317) 985-3095 (text) facebook.com/p/Decks-byWadsworth-100062929073722
RAPTOR ROOFING (317) 886-0696 raptorroofing.com
VIP HOME SOLUTIONS & RESTORATION (317) 883-4847 vip-homesolutions.com
WINTERS PLUMBING (317) 696-5844 wintersplumbers.com
INSURANCE
INDIANA FARM BUREAU INSURANCE/ NEER AGENCY (317) 360-7500 x3321 infarmbureau.com/agency/owner/ Bryan-Neer-JohnsonGreenwood-IN
INVESTMENTS
JCBANK (812) 524-7965 jcbank.com
MORTGAGE LENDING
JCBANK (317) 506-7235 jcbank.com
SPA
BAYBERRY SPA (317) 893-5370 bayberryspa.com
SPORTS CG SPORTS NETWORK @cgsportsnetwork
WEDDING SERVICES
JUST THE TWO OF US WEDDING SERVICES LLC (317) 416-7777 justthetwoofus weddingservices.com
Contact Fredda Kovacs at Fredda@TownePost.com for information on how to be included in the Business & Services Directory.
FREDDA KOVACS fredda@townepost.com (317) 402-3051
tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011
CONGRATULATIONS!
My Baby Detailing has earned the honored distinction of being Indy’s only Ceramic Pro Elite Dealer.
My Baby Detailing, now also known as Ceramic Pro Indy, has exclusive access to Ceramic Pro’s best ceramic coatings, paint protection films and window tint films. These industry-leading products are not available anywhere else in the Indianapolis area.
Color-Change Paint Protection Film can completely change the look of your car or truck, and Ceramic Coatings and Window Tinting are available with Lifetime Warranties.
They are proud to be a Ceramic Pro Elite Dealer, bringing cutting-edge quality to every car they touch. Their relentless dedication to delivering stellar customer service and flawless results drives everything they do.
Your baby is truly their baby.
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT
FRANKLIN NATIVE KINLEY SHOEMAKER HEADED TO MISS AMERICA FINALS
For Kinley Shoemaker, the dream of becoming Miss America wasn’t a random spark — it had been growing since childhood.
“If someone asked me when I was little, ‘What do you want to do?’ I’d say I want to be Miss America,” she says.
This year, that dream took flight as the Franklin Community High School (FCHS) 2023 graduate was officially crowned Miss Indiana, launching her to the national stage at the Miss America Finals on Sept. 7 in Orlando, Florida.
Spending formative years in Franklin, Shoemaker was immersed in the local
school community, performing in show choir and honing her talents in music and dance. Her upbringing in Franklin shaped much of who she is today, and she will proudly represent her small-town Indiana roots on the pageant stage next month.
Her Miss America aspirations began far earlier — at home, snuggled up with her mom, Amie. Thinking back on the pageants of her childhood, Shoemaker recalls, “I watched them with my mom pretty much every year for a while. We would sit in our pajamas and watch the screen and pick the girls we were rooting for, and I never once thought that I would ever be on that stage. It was my biggest dream.”
It was her mom who encouraged her to try pageants through the Miss Indiana organization’s early Princess Programs (now known as Rising Stars). Shoemaker began competing young, starting with the Fort Wayne organization, and even participated in modeling for Sears, Justice and American Girl, landing the cover of its magazine.
“I was very heavily involved,” she says, remembering her favorite American Girl doll as Kit.
Still, Shoemaker’s path wasn’t without setbacks.
“I got first runner-up twice,” she shares. But she never lost sight of the crown or
Writer / Katie Hosea Photographer / Christina Cochran
her goals. Fueled by her father Ben’s love for sports and healthy competition, she returned again and again. Her dedication eventually paid off as she won Miss Indiana Teen in 2023, followed by her victory at Miss Metropolitan, and ultimately, Miss Indiana 2025.
Now a student at Butler University, Shoemaker is pursuing a communications major with a double minor in journalism and creative media. She’s also proud to be competing for Miss America scholarships that can help further her education.
“The Franklin school system really gave me a strong foundation,” she says, crediting her hometown for preparing her for public speaking, performance and leadership.
When asked about her favorite part of the competition, Shoemaker doesn’t hesitate: “My favorite of all time is activewear. I think it’s the best point because everybody’s wearing the same thing. It’s kind of like a blank canvas that you really shine through. You get to really show your personality.” She also loves the interview portion, saying, “I’m such a yapper!”
Shoemaker is fully ready to do her own hair and makeup for the national stage if needed — something she’s had plenty of practice with from her show choir days at Franklin Community High School.
Behind her crown is a story of resilience and personal growth. At 15, Shoemaker says she went through a tough period mentally. If she could speak to her younger self now, her message would be powerful.
“I would probably tell myself it’s not that deep,” she says. “Life isn’t that deep. But, I mean, life is that deep, but the things that happen every single day, they don’t matter. Everything is a big deal, especially as a teenage girl. It took a toll on my mental health. But I have that mindset now, and I am so happy inside out.”
Shoemaker credits much of her strength to the women in her life, especially her mom. “She’s been the best mentor,” she says. “I’m an only child, so I always had her to look up to.”
Another key influence has been Haley Jordan, a former Miss Indiana and Shoemaker’s pageant director during her Miss Metropolitan run.
“She’s so uplifting,” Shoemaker says. “She is just the greatest mentor and we’re closer in age, so it’s easier to relate and see myself in her position in the next, you know, six to seven years.”
As the countdown to Miss America begins, Shoemaker is preparing with heart, hustle and a gown from Sherri Hill. She’s documenting her journey and encouraging fans to watch the Sept. 7 finals livestream via her Instagram, @missamericain.
From pajama nights in small-town Indiana to walking a national stage in Orlando, Kinley Shoemaker is more than just Miss Indiana — she’s proof that big dreams can come true when passion, purpose and perseverance meet.
THINGS CHANGE.
Experience the Farm
Activities
Sept. 26 - Oct. 26, 2025
Fridays 6-9 PM | Saturdays Noon-9 PM | Sundays Noon-6 PM
Open daily the weeks of Oct. 6 and 13 from Noon-6 PM for Fall Breaks!
General Admission is $14/person and includes ALL activities on the farm!
Excludes food, pumpkins, and gift shop items. (Discounts available for groups of 25 or more. Private group bookings are also available.)
NEW Corn Maze Scavenger Hunt game, Kid’s Corn Maze Story Book, Photo Opps AND New Products in the Store!
Farm Animals • 7-Acre Corn Maze
Pedal Tractor Track • Straw Bale Mountain
Baby Barnyard • Corn Crib Play Area • Hayrides
Hoppy Cows • Funky Pumpkin
Human Moosball-Foosball • Jump Pad the Moo Choo Express • pumpkins!
Enjoy delicious snacks including vanilla & chocolate milkshakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, apple cider slushies, caramel apples, and more!
Shop at our Country Store, featuring Kelsay Farms merchandise, Indiana items, and other local products!
Mark Your Calendars
THE HOLIDAY STROLL
Open weekends Nov. 28 - Dec. 23. Stroll through the farm with larger-than-life decorations, hundreds of lit trees, magical displays, over 60 different photo opportunities, live nativity, campfires and hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, and plenty of Christmas Cheer!
Admission (up to 6 people)
WE TRAIN FOR THIS INDIANA
TASK FORCE ONE RETURNS FROM HEARTBREAKING FLOOD MISSION IN TEXAS
Writer / Devon Dean
The world watched in horror in early July as torrential rain created destructive flooding along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, leaving a trail of heartbreak in its wake.
As that area continues to put the pieces back together and recover, many Hoosier first responders got to see the aftermath up close and personal.
Indiana Task Force One wrapped up a 20day deployment to Central Texas at the end of July. Comprised of first responders from across the state, with many coming from Central Indiana, including the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD), White River Township, and the Bargersville Community Fire Department, to name a few.
“Initially, in any disaster, the first few hours are where the first responders rescue those people who are still alive
and may be trapped under debris,” says IFD Division Chief and Task Force One Program Manager Tom Neal. “While we never want to say it’s a recovery mission, by the time we got there, we were doing wide area searches for those folks who were still reported missing.”
Neal was part of the second wave from Task Force One to deploy to sections of the Guadalupe River, which spans 230 miles across Texas. An initial group of 45 people left July 8, with additional resources putting boots on the ground on July 13 after federal and state emergency management officials determined there was a need for additional personnel.
Eighty members of Indiana Task Force One were deployed in total, including two live find K-9 officers initially. “The K-9 officers are trained to find those people trapped in the debris,” Neal says. The two K-9s and their handlers were eventually
sent home and replaced by FEMA cadaver-sniffing dogs to aid with search and recovery.
“The river was segmented into 12-mile sections, where response teams from across the country were assigned to aid with search and rescue efforts,” Neal says. “Initially, we were in Delta Division, which is southeast of Camp Mystic, then moved to Echo Division, further downriver, and finally at Charlie Division, more than two weeks after the flooding began.”
According to ABC News, at least 27 people were killed when flood waters overwhelmed Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp sitting along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas.
Task Force One members waded through hundreds of miles of mud and water in the stifling Texas heat to try to bring closure
to families waiting for word on the whereabouts of their loved ones.
“We train for this,” says Neal. “Our hope is always to find survivors, but the other part of our job is to bring their loved ones home. We try to do our best in that regard.” Neal says Task Force One was
able to help a grieving family find peace regarding the whereabouts of a loved one, which is never an easy task, but necessary after a natural disaster strikes.
Indiana Task Force One returned home to their families near the end of July. Post-deployment, responders go through
a rigorous post-operation rehabilitation process.
“We’ll double-check all of our equipment to identify anything that needs to be replaced, repaired, or sanitized,” says Neal. “We are always preparing for a return to readiness so we can answer the
next call to help.”
At press time, two people were still unaccounted for from Task Force One’s initial search and rescue mission. “We felt like there was still work to do,” Neal says. “Thankfully, there are still rescue personnel on the ground to recover those remaining souls who need to be returned to their loved ones.”
Former in 1992, Task Force One is one of 28 Urban Search and Rescue teams across the United States. Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Task Force One has become synonymous with answering the call to aid when disasters strike, including the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and the aftermath of 9/11 in 2001. Throughout its history, the team has deployed 65 times
to disasters across the United States and its territories.
Indiana Task Force One does accept donations. Anyone interested can email Chief Neal at thomas.neal@indy.gov for more information. To learn about Indiana Task Force One’s history and how Hoosier first responders can apply, visit indy.gov/ activity/indiana-task-force-1-in-tf1.
NEED A NEW HIP?
JMH offers new, less invasive hip replacement surgery
Say goodbye to hip pain with Anterior Hip Replacement surgery at Johnson Memorial Health
Are you struggling with hip pain that’s preventing you from living your best life? Johnson Memorial Health is proud to offer anterior hip replacement surgery, a cutting-edge procedure designed to get you back on your feet faster and with less post-operative pain.
Here’s why patients choose JMH for anterior hip replacement surgery:
• Minimally Invasive Approach: smaller incision, less muscle disruption, quicker recovery.
• Greater Precision: Dr. St. Germain, fellowship-trained in total join replacement surgery, utilizes OrthoGrid AI-assisted technology.
• Personalized Care: our compassionate team is focused on your unique needs, from consultation to recovery.
• Close to Home: world-class care, conveniently located here in Franklin.
Nicholas St. Germain, MD
GENERATIONS COUNSELING SERVICES
HOPE, HELP & HEALING IN THE HEART OF GREENWOOD
Life can be unpredictable. Whether it’s stress from work, family conflict, a health scare, or the loss of a loved one, most of us face challenges from time to time that take a toll on our mental well-being. While access to mental health care has improved over the years, many people still seek something personal: care that’s grounded in their values and connected to their community.
That’s exactly what Joanna Bloss, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, had in mind in 2018 when she opened Generations Counseling Services in downtown Greenwood.
“I chose the name ‘Generations’ because we serve people from all stages of life including kids, teens, adults, couples, families and seniors,” Bloss says. “We help clients navigate whatever season they’re in, whether that includes developmental changes, parenting challenges, anxiety and depression symptoms, or major life transitions.”
Since opening its doors, Generations has expanded to include a second location in
Carmel and a team of more than 20 experienced professionals. The practice offers support for a wide range of concerns like stress, grief, trauma and relationship issues with a deeply personal, clientfocused approach.
alongside such dedicated professionals who genuinely care about making a difference in people’s lives.”
A TEAM YOU CAN TRUST
One of the key strengths of Generations is the depth and diversity of its team. Bloss has built a staff of licensed, highly trained clinicians which includes licensed mental health counselors, licensed social workers and student interns. Each clinician brings a unique area of focus and experience, whether it’s working with children, treating trauma, supporting couples, or guiding clients through career or life transitions.
“Our therapists are knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate about the work they do,” Bloss says. “It’s a privilege to work
For Bloss, qualifications are just one part of what makes a great therapist. Just as important is the human side of the work — the warmth, empathy and real connection that clients feel when they walk through the door.
“We’re not just therapists. We’re part of the community,” she says. “Our team lives here in Greenwood, Carmel, and the surrounding areas. Our kids go to school here. We shop at the same grocery stores and attend the same churches. That kind of local connection matters.”
LOCAL CARE, NOT CORPORATE CARE
While online therapy platforms have grown in popularity, Bloss believes there is tremendous value in providing in-person, locally based care.
“There’s something special about sitting down with someone who understands your community,” she says. “We’re not a corporate-owned chain. This is a small business, and we’re proud to serve our neighbors face-to-face.”
This local presence also allows Generations to be more responsive and flexible with scheduling, referrals, coordination of care and client needs. It’s not just about convenience — it’s about building genuine, healing therapeutic relationships.
INVESTED IN THE NEXT GENERATION
Generations doesn’t just serve individual
clients. They also contribute to the well-being of the broader community. One project Bloss is particularly proud of is Generations’ collaboration with the Greenwood Education Foundation and Greenwood High School to offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups for students.
“By meeting students where they are — literally, in their school buildings — we’re making it easier for them to get support,” Bloss says. “It’s a practical, hands-on way to build emotional effectiveness and resilience in young people.”
This kind of community-based care is a natural extension of Generations’ mission to support people through all stages of life.
HEALING HAPPENS IN CONNECTION
While therapy can’t eliminate life’s difficulties, it can help people build the skills and confidence to face them. For Bloss and her team, the reward lies in seeing clients grow
stronger day by day.
“What keeps us motivated are the stories we hear regularly, stories of people who are feeling better and living their lives more effectively because they’ve come to therapy,” Bloss says.
If you or a loved one is looking for thoughtful, local support for your mental health, Generations Counseling Services may be a great place to start. To learn more, visit generationsindy.com or call 317-743-8202.
Custom Closets, Garage Cabinets, Home Offices, Laundries, Pantries, Wall Beds, and more!
Renewed Wellness
SOUTHSIDE CLINIC CELEBRATES THREE YEARS WITH COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE
If you’ve ever struggled with energy levels, digestive issues, chronic pain, or skin issues, Renewed Wellness invites you to take a closer look at the customizable holistic services they offer at their upcoming open house in September.
To celebrate three years of being in business, Renewed Wellness is hosting an open house on September 18 from 6-8 P.M. This event offers an opportunity to learn about their innovative treatments designed to address often-ignored health concerns and connect with members of the community. There will be door prizes and other local businesses featured, all focusing on boosting overall well-being.
ABOUT THE OPEN HOUSE
Curious about what Renewed Wellness has to offer? The upcoming open house is a pressure-free opportunity to explore the latest functional treatments in wellness and aesthetics, and meet the friendly team of experts.
The first 15 attendees will be treated to a welcome bag filled with coupons, supplements and other goodies. Plus, there will be featured local vendors, raffles, drinks and refreshments. Everyone is welcome to join in on the community fun.
ABOUT RENEWED WELLNESS
Renewed Wellness focuses on individualized care, offering a range of treatments that include hormone balance, gut health, diet, hydration, sleep schedule and stress levels. Renewed
Writer / Stephanie Duncan
Photographer / Brey Shirley
Wellness launched new aesthetic services this year, offering microneedling, fillers and radiofrequency treatment with the innovative Morpheus8 machine.
Nurse practitioner, Crystal Stutler, is the resident aesthetics expert and loves helping patients feel their best.
“I’m passionate about regenerative and aesthetic medicine because it allows me to focus on achieving natural beauty and optimal wellness,” Stutler says. “As a middle-aged woman myself, I love helping patients feel confident, empowered and vibrant at every stage of life.”
MORE ABOUT THE MORPHEUS8
The Morpheus8 is a minimally invasive bipolar radiofrequency (RF) tissue treatment. This tool targets deeper layers of the skin on the face and body, helping to
stimulate collagen and reveal a more radiant, youthful appearance.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Every new patient starts with a comprehensive consult, where the focus is on customized care. They walk through current health concerns, hormone levels, gut health, diet, hydration, sleep habits, and stress levels to come up with an individualized care plan.
“You’re looking at the whole body, and how everything interacts,” says owner Amber Fair.
But they also focus on the mental and spiritual concerns of their patients. As you enter, there is a wall for prayer requests.
“It’s a whole body approach, but we are still very faith-based. So it’s not uncommon for me to pray with patients if they request it,”Fair adds.
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED
Renewed Wellness offers a wealth of functional medical options, including:
• Massage therapy
• Hormone replacement therapy
• IV/nutrition infusions
• Peptide therapy
• Ozone/UBI therapy
• Vaginal Rejuvenation
• Morpheus8 face and body therapy
• Medically supervised weight loss programs
• On-site blood draws
REFLECTING ON THREE YEARS OF RENEWED WELLNESS
Fair was inspired to start Renewed Wellness after seeing patients whose needs were not being met with traditional medicine.
“I’d get women in their late 30s and early 40s who kept saying, I don’t feel good,” she says. “And I thought, there has to be something different we can offer them.”
Fair has worked in health care for more than 20 years, starting in emergency rooms and primary clinics. She uses her robust 10 years of experience as a nurse practitioner and combines it with a functional medicine approach. Functional Medicine is a systemsbased approach to medical care and treats the whole person, addressing the physical and mental needs of each patient.
“We go beyond symptoms to find real solutions and create personalized plans that support true healing,” says fellow nurse practitioner, Lynn Adams. “There is a real sense of connection — with both our team and our patients. Seeing someone regain their energy and confidence is why I do this work.”
After three successful years, Renewed Wellness has ambitious plans for continued growth, and Fair has plans to expand its services to meet all their patients’ unique needs, including eventually adding counseling services and chiropractic care. With the recent addition of a third nurse practitioner, the team has grown to a well-rounded group of experts who respect and support each other.
“The volume of patients has increased more than we thought,” Fair says. “I go to sleep at night, and I’m grateful for what we get to do.”
Fair’s sister, Ashley Miller, is the resident massage therapist who specializes in therapeutic massage with a focus on treatments that go beyond temporary relief. Some of the treatments include myofascial release, bamboo massage, Graston Technique, medicupping, and deep tissue therapy.
With such a vast array of treatment options, Fair is offering different care options for patients on the Southside of Indianapolis. The upcoming open house is the perfect way to learn about their services, meet the team and connect with other businesses in the community. Renewed Wellness is located at 107 N State Rd 135 Ste 202 in Greenwood. For more information visit them online at renewedwellnesscg.com. Scan the QR code to RSVP for the free open house on Eventbrite.
Scan the QR code below to RSVP
BEHIND THE BADGE
NEW CGPD OFFICER BRINGS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
Writer / Lauren Casey Bemis
As students and families adjust to the start of the school year, a new police officer is poised to protect and serve the Center Grove community after a tenured career in law enforcement.
Center Grove Police Department’s (CGPD) newest officer is Matt Maciak, who comes to the Center Grove community after 20 years as a New York State Trooper. Maciak is a husband and father of two, and his wife’s family roots in Johnson County are what brought them to the area.
“I was looking to get my wife closer to her family here in Johnson County, so I took the opportunity to retire in New York when I could,”
Maciak says. “We moved out here and took a year off to decompress from the job. Then this position opened up and here I am.”
Maciak’s career kicked off in an unexpected way. The Grand Canyon University sports medicine student was tasked with doing a ride-along with police, fire or EMS as part of his graduation requirement. He chose to head out with a Phoenix officer on a Friday night shift with a full moon — and says the rest is history.
“I absolutely fell in love with it,” he says. “I ended up taking the New York State Police entrance exam, passed, got hired by them and worked 20 years for New York State Police as a trooper. As for my troop, we had the Baseball Hall of Fame. I was assigned to the back of the stage where all of the Hall of Famers and new inductees come off the buses they brought in.”
Maciak recalls one of the most memorable moments in his career was getting to know Ozzie Smith and serving as a dignitary protection officer for the Dalai Lama. He also worked on Bourbon Street after Hurricane Katrina alongside the Louisiana State Police for several weeks.
Now his sights are set on the halls of Center Grove’s nine school buildings, where he looks forward to spending time with students each day as a positive role model and mentor.
Officer Matt Maciak (fourth from left) and the Center Grove Police Department
“I’m still a kid, you know. I just turned 50 back in June and I’ve always enjoyed being around kids,” says Maciak, whose nieces and nephews lovingly refer to him as “Uncle Mattress” — a spin on his Uncle Matt name and a nod to his role as the baby whisperer of the family.
That’s the kind of kid-friendly person who fits this CGPD role, according to Center Grove Police Chief Ray Jackson, who leads a police force of 10 personnel — three School Security Officers (SSOs) and seven School Resource Officers (SROs).
“When I hire an officer, I want somebody who wants to be here, and a majority of our officers, say 95% of them, have already worked at other places,” Jackson says. “They’ve already kicked down doors and chased bad guys, and now they feel like this is where I want to be.”
CGPD is headquartered in the Center Grove Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a collaborative venture between Center Grove Schools, White River Township Fire Department, Bargersville Community Fire Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department — a unique setup for a school corporation and its community partners.
“I think we’re one of one or two schools in the country that have a place like this where we share space with multiple entities,” Jackson says.
“When we’re going on a call, the fire department knows and vice versa. We have their CAD (computer-aided dispatch) system, they have ours. So most of the time, when we respond to our schools, our response times are cut down.”
Maciak says he has been impressed from day one with the collaboration among these community partners and the level of technology implemented by the district to help keep students and staff safe.
“Number one, the resources that we have here at the EOC, like the camera system, is beyond my wildest dreams. To have that resource is huge. It makes our job easier,” Maciak says. “I wish every school in the country could have something like what we have here.”
Jackson says technology investments have been a critical part of their safety plan, especially in the last decade, but having the right people for
the job is just as important.
“We’re always trying to think outside the box and be creative to try to get the next best thing to keep our students safe,” he says. “As of now, all our buildings are locked down. We have signage up, we’ve got surveillance cameras, we’ve got AI software. But sometimes you can have all of those things in place, and the best thing you can have is actual feet on the ground. So we have School Resource Officers in and out of the buildings constantly throughout the day.”
For Maciak, the Trojan community has been nothing but welcoming in his short time in his new role, something he appreciates after a long career on the streets of New York.
“The teachers and the staff, from Superintendent Dr. Bill Long all the way down, have all been really personable, easily approachable and extremely encouraging,” Maciak says, adding that the firefighters who work in the EOC have been equally welcoming and collaborative. But most of all, Officer Maciak is eager to get to know the students and families of Center Grove.
“Ultimately, I’d like to let them know that we’re approachable, to utilize us,” he says. “If they see one of us, feel free to flag us down. Let them know that they can talk to us — we’re here for them. We want to make sure your kid is as safe as possible.”
Officer Matt Maciak
SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
1. “Space Oddity” major
4. Radiate
8. Bank offering
12. “___ momento!”
13. Double agent
14. Disco do
15. Dog holder?
16. Kid’s transport
17. Burgoo, e.g.
18. Covert comments
20. Babysitter’s charge
22. Causing a pucker
23. Latched, in a way
27. Rob Roy, et al.
29. Whistle-blower
30. Ecol. watchdog
31. Anecdotal history
32. Assist the waiter
33. All hands on deck?
34. Fossey subject
35. Fee follower
36. Queens, for example
37. Retired, with “down”
39. For Pete’s ___!
40. Cookbook direction
41. Rich, as foods
44. Naval base?
47. Panache
49. Mad Hatter’s drink
50. Colorful mineral
51. Cheese off
52. Be fallible
53. Glimpse from afar
54. Broke a limit
55. Hibernation spot
DOWN
1. Marching-band burden
2. Difficult duty
3. Recorded (progress)
4. Fading memories
5. Like a good cake
6. Sort
7. Cuts canines
8. Doesn’t fall apart
9. Frequent, to Keats
10. A word with you?
11. When, for an eager beaver
19. Time line inclusion
21. Big galoot
24. Pervaded
25. Tool for a duel
26. Vampire’s curfew
27. Bacon buy
28. Get along
29. French way
32. Sotheby’s patrons
33. Popular pop
35. Bureau member
36. On notice
38. Loiter
39. Cartographer’s concern
42. Scarcely enough
43. Kitten’s plaything
44. Break new ground?
45. Boom periods
46. A place of luxury?
48. Some disrespect
GOING FOR GOLD
FOUR CENTER GROVE ATHLETES HEADED TO 2026 USA GAMES
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Special Olympics Indiana was founded in 1969. It’s a global nonprofit using sports, health, education and leadership programs to empower people with intellectual disabilities. More than 19,000 athletes and 10,000 coaches and volunteers come together throughout the year to participate in more than a dozen sports, ranging from basketball to cornhole.
They practice, compete and attend the statelevel Summer, Fall and Winter Games in Indiana.
This year, four Center Grove athletes have been selected to attend the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota. It’s the Olympics for Special Olympics athletes, held every four years in a
different location across the country.
For the past 14 years, Liam Price has been involved in swimming, flag football, basketball, ballroom dancing, track and field, and more.
In 2025, however, he led the way for a new sport in Johnson County’s Special Olympics program — powerlifting.
“I’ve been lifting for the past eight years outside of Special Olympics,” he says. “I gained confidence, built strength, and it helps with anxiety too. It can calm you when you’re feeling anxious. This year, I’ve been leading the way to get powerlifting going in this county.”
Price is currently lifting 465 pounds in deadlift, 385 pounds in squat and 230 pounds in bench press. It’s served him well for conditioning when participating in other sports too.
“I’m excited about USA Games because a lot of my friends in Johnson County will be going there too,” Price says. “There are a lot of new opportunities, and as they arise, I’ll take advantage of them. It helps me grow as a person and also in strength.”
In addition to his athletic endeavors, Price, a University of Indianapolis graduate with a degree in communications, created the Unifying Sports Network. Price, along with co-host and coach Jason Hite from the Special
Liam Price
Olympics Johnson County swim team, interviews professional and Special Olympics athletes from around the country.
The mission of the Unifying Sports Network is to motivate, inspire and encourage Special Olympics athletes by spreading the word of inclusion through sports. You can view these interviews on Price’s YouTube channel, @ LiamPrice-y2r.
Swimmer Josh McRoberts is coached by Mark Madden for Team Indiana and agrees with Price when it comes to the benefits of Special Olympics.
“I enjoy swimming a lot. It’s interactive and social, and I’ve made some great friends,” McRoberts says. “Swimming also keeps me healthy and fit.”
Many of the athletes have participated in their sport for years but never imagined they’d make it to the USA Games.
For McRoberts, it’s a dream come true. “It feels like a new chapter in my life,” he says. “I’m proud because I’ve moved on to a national level. I never got that far in high school, and I feel like I’m ready for this.” For Chelsea Davis, the longest-participating athlete of the four, she’ll be attending USA Games in a special role — coach.
She was introduced to Special Olympics through a friend and tried basketball, softball, swimming, volleyball and bowling.
“I started bowling when I was a little girl and had been part of a league, but after participating for years, I started helping some of the other athletes with techniques and form so they don’t hit the gutter,” Davis says.
She’ll be coaching Team Indiana Bowling, athletes from across the state competing at the national level.
“I love coaching,” she says. “I get to know the athletes and interact with them, and it’s different when you’re an athlete versus a coach. I still go out there and practice with them and help them, but I like watching the team interact and have fun together.”
Eli Hightshue
Josh McRoberts
Liam Price and Chelsea Davis
Eli Hightshue is the fourth Special Olympics athlete attending USA Games from Center Grove. He has participated in swimming, basketball and his favorite — golf.
“I think it’s relaxing and I really enjoy it,” Hightshue says. “I am on a unified team with my dad, but I’ll be playing individual for USA Games. I also work at a golf course and would go play every day if I could.”
Hightshue is participating in the Special Olympics Leadership University program, learning skills to become a coach or to serve in a public speaking role advocating and raising awareness for Special Olympics.
Looking forward, Hightshue says he’s pausing his work in swimming and basketball to practice and prepare for the big event next year.
“We were in Texas when we got the call that I was going to USA Games, and I was shocked,” he says. “This is something I have wanted to do for a long time because I think golfing is fun.”
Hightshue’s mother, Rachel, shared some ways the community can get involved, whether through financial donations or volunteering time.
Orthopedic Urgent Care directly from the specialistsit doesn’t get better than that. And because life happens after hours, we accept walk-ins with no appointment necessary and provide extended hours for evenings and weekends.
“One special thing about Special Olympics is they never charge their athletes,” Rachel says. “We have to fundraise to get our athletes to the USA Games, and they rely on donations and volunteering to run the program. All of the coaches are volunteers, and there are lots of ways to get involved. Special Olympics is an amazing organization. Until you experience it, I’m not sure you’d understand. There’s this unbelievable, amazing atmosphere where these athletes exude joy and encourage one another. I can’t say enough about what it’s meant to our entire family.”
To support these four athletes on their journey to USA Games in 2026, visit secure. e2rm.com/p2p/event/390915/en-CA and specify your donation is going toward Johnson County.
Josh McRoberts and Coach Mark Madden
CENTER GROVE UNIFIED TRACK & FIELD MAKES HISTORY IN 2025
Last spring was a historic season for Center Grove High School’s athletics program. The unified track and field team captured its firstever sectional championship and went on to qualify for the state meet.
“Our coaches, athletes and partners did such a great job as this was the furthest this team has gone in the history of our program,” says Center Grove High School Athletic Director Joe Bronkella. “Across the board, all of our spring sports advanced deep into postseason play, with five teams reaching the state finals and the remaining two finishing among the top eight in the state.”
Unified Track and Field Coach Tia Coleman was thrilled with the team’s milestone year. “Proud is an understatement,” Coleman says. “It is extremely hard to describe the amount of pride I have for my 2025 unified track and field team in words other than the
feeling that bubbles up inside and pours out to the students. Each season is an amazing experience, but the 2025 season hit it out of the park.”
Johnson County has built a strong community for Special Olympics and Unified Sports teams, and competition is fierce whenever county teams meet. Coleman beamed over the team’s accomplishments, especially winning the 2025 Johnson County Unified Track and Field meet, doubling their roster from the previous year and, most significantly, earning their first sectional championship and advancing beyond regionals to the state finals.
The unified program pairs athletes with peer “buddies” who compete alongside and support them. In 2025, the team consisted of 11 athletes and 12 peers, more than double the number in 2024. Many buddies participate in the Best Buddies program throughout the
school year, and their sponsors often attend meets to cheer on both athletes and buddies.
“My overall goal each season is for each individual to try their best at each meet and have fun,” Coleman says. “I want every athlete to feel they belong and can achieve their personal best.”
Parents, faculty and the wider Center Grove community rallied behind the team. Parents brought snacks and water, set up canopies and filled the stands with encouragement. Coleman credited Athletic Department members Bronkella, Katie Fisher and Joanny Tolle, as well as the Transportation Department, for ensuring smooth logistics.
The community showed its pride during the state finals send-off in June, though Coleman says there’s always room for even greater attendance at home meets.
Writer / Kevin Conrad, CG Sports Network
Coleman recalls the charged atmosphere of the sectional meet.
“We walked in knowing we had the chance to make it to regionals,” Coleman says. “Some of our athletes ran the hardest and threw the farthest they had the entire season that day.”
The team quietly sat atop the leaderboard most of the meet, but Coleman kept the rankings from them until the final moments. When Plainfield announced Center Grove as champions, the team erupted in cheers, hugs and pure joy.
“We walked onto the track that day knowing we had a chance, but my team absolutely squashed my expectations when we walked out as the champions,” Coleman says. Regionals brought intense emotions and uncertainty. With scores fluctuating and a topfour placement required to advance, the team
was on edge. When the final announcement revealed a tie with Avon for fourth place, the IHSAA allowed both teams to move on.
“All of those emotions happened in approximately 30 seconds,” Coleman says.
“There were definitely tears of joy, screaming, yelling and lots of hugging.”
Assistant Principal Tricia Ferguson sees the unified track and field team as a symbol of Center Grove’s culture.
“The unified team is a great reflection of Center Grove High School in general,” Ferguson says. “Our school is a welcome and nurturing place where students of all abilities and exceptionalities are not only welcomed, but also a part of exceptional opportunities. Teenagers are teenagers, and regardless of a label, they want to be a part of
something that is great.”
She also praised the team’s dedication and the bonds between buddies and athletes.
“I am so proud of how hard they work and the enthusiasm that they bring to each practice and meet,” she says. “Our coaches have the biggest hearts and are devoted to our students. Our buddy students are excellent mentors and, more importantly, friends to our athletes.”
For Coleman, Ferguson and everyone connected to the unified track and field program, the 2025 season was about far more than medals or championships. It was about belonging, effort and joy. The memories of the season, the friendships formed and the pride felt will help fuel the program for years to come.
SEPTEMBER
1
LABOR DAY
6
ABERDEEN HEALTH & WELLNESS
FAIR AND FUN WALK
The Barn at Aberdeen Farms
10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Enjoy a trail walk, free health screenings, wine samples, healthy food and beverage samples and local health and wellness booths.
11
BAMWX & TUNNELS TO TOWERS CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC
Hickory Stick Golf Club, 4422 Thompson Blvd.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This 1st Annual golf classic supports the Tunnels To Towers foundation which honors our nation’s first responders and military heroes. Registration opens at 9 a.m.
12
SADDLES FOR HOPE RODEO
Hoosier Horse Park, 7105 S. Kern St., Edinburgh
4-8 p.m.
Enjoy a rodeo and support the work of Mission 22, a non-profit that helps veterans. Practice and camping are available starting Friday, Sept. 12. Events begin Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 a.m. and continue through Sunday, Sept. 14.
BARGERSVILLE CULTURAL SOUNDSCAPES
Umbarger Plaza, 118 Baldwin St
6-9 p.m.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a free live music performance by Tege Holt at Umbarger Plaza.
13
20TH ANNUAL SHERIFF’S
CHARITY RIDE
Begins at Emmanuel Church – Stones Crossing Campus
Ends at Greenwood Memorial VFW Post 5864
8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Presented by Sheriff Duane Burgess, this ride will benefit local Johnson County charities based on needs within the community.
20
BARGERSVILLE FALL FESTIVAL
24 N. Main St. 12-9 p.m.
The annual Bargersville Fall Festival is an all day event full of entertainment for the whole family. Free admission. This year’s event features a car cruise-in and craft vendors from noon to 4 p.m., food trucks from noon to 9 p.m., and live music from 1 to 9 p.m.
24 ALL ABOARD VOLUNTEER & BOARD FAIR
Whiteland Community High School Auxiliary Gym
4:30-6:30 p.m.
This event connects area nonprofit agencies with community members of all ages seeking volunteer opportunities.
26
SAINTS FRANCIS & CLARE FALL FESTIVAL
Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Church 12-10 p.m.
Celebrate fall with entertainment, rides, food and fun. Also enjoy festival favorites like the Friday night fish fry, petting zoo, raffles, silent auction, cake wheel, kids tent, Monte Carlo tent, and more.
