Dr. Philip Dulberger stands in front of the newly opened IU Health Saxony Hospital just off of Exit 10 at I-69.

Just across the interstate from Hamilton Town Center, IU Health Saxony Hospital is now open for business with a local anesthesiologist at the helm. Dr. Philip Dulberger, or “Dr. Phil” as his friends and colleagues refer to him, shared an idea six years ago that took him from the operating room to the second floor administrative offices at Fishers’ first specialty hospital with services focused on cardiovascular, orthopedic, spine care and emergency services.

In October 2005, Dulberger was in between surgeries when he decided to call IU Health (then called Clarian Health) CEO Dan Evans.

“I have an idea about a different approach to deliver health care,” Dulberger told Evans. “Hospitals traditionally wait for people to get sick and come in. I propose that we should establish a campus that focuses on helping people live a healthier lifestyle and keeping them well, so that when patients do become sick, we have developed that relationship with the patient, and they choose IU Health as their partner.”

Dulberger often times sports his lab coat and makes his rounds to check in on the IU Health Saxony “partners”.

Evans listened, agreed, and discussions continued for about six months with others within IU Health. After Dulberger returned from a spring break vacation in 2006, the decision was made to move forward with the plan. Dulberger traded his lab coat for a hardhat and wound down his anesthesiology practice.

Being a doctor, Dulberger brought a unique perspective to the planning process. He believes that the future of health care will be based on two things: Patient quality outcomes and service experience. Dulberger, with a team of architects and designers, created a hospital centered around the healing forces of nature. Everything from the natural stone and walking paths outside to the 11-by-24 foot mural in the lobby entitled “Hope Around the Bend” creates an atmosphere that feels more like a resort than a hospital.

Upon entering the hospital, what’s most impressive is what you don’t see. Borrowing Disney theme park concepts, patient support and custodial services are all conducted “off stage”, out of view from patients or visitors in the hallways. Patient rooms feel like a deluxe suite at the Conrad, complete with oak cabinetry designed to hide all the hoses, gauges, and monitors that can intimidate anyone.

Dr. Philip Dulberger stands in front of a 24 foot wide mural entitled “Hope Around the Bend” which welcomes visitors and “guests” to IU Health Saxony. Indiana native Forrest Formsma was commissioned to paint this oil on canvas to signify hope for patients and families.

“My goal is to have people walk out of here and say ‘that didn’t feel like a hospital’.”

Dulberger will be the first to admit that form follows function throughout the design, but he adds that the most important element is the staff.

“Doctors are generally trained as individual care givers, not as teams. The only way to a successful facility is not through any one person, but through the team.”

To that end, Dulberger dons his lab coat and makes his rounds like any other doctor, checking in on his staff. Greeting each employee by name with a smile, Dulberger exemplifies the team spirit he feels is so important to patient care. As for the patients he checks in on, he refers to them internally as “guests,” citing “it gives us a different mindset and keeps us in touch with the experience.”

While the doors are now open on the hospital, construction continues. Dulberger still hopes that some day a future expansion will include a fitness facility-medical office building complex to fulfill the original vision of connecting health care and prevention. “Imagine treating a patient with borderline diabetes and high-blood pressure with a weight-loss program jointly developed by physicians and health trainers. Rather than the traditional prescription as a treatment, we would engage patients in a healthier lifestyle.” Dulberger plans to return to his anesthesia practice at least one day per week now that the hospital has opened to “keep you in touch” with his fellow team members.

Now that the stress of opening the facility has passed, Dulberger looks forward to spending more time with his Carmel High School sweetheart and wife, Carolyn, and his two children Lauren and Josh. Active members of the New Hope Presbyterian Church, Dulberger and his wife enjoy a glass of wine and their patio in the summer months at their Hamilton Proper home. You also might spot them at their favorite restaurant across I-69, Stone Creek Dining Company. This summer, they plan to take their family on a train trip out west to San Francisco to see the country as he did when he was a child.

“We did this trip when I was a kid and I’ve always wanted to do this with mine.”

The train trip out west and the experience Dulberger strives to deliver throughout the IU Health Saxony Hospital have a lot in common. While the destination can often times seem far away, the journey and outcomes can have a lasting impression.

The nine-person volunteer Geist Impoundment Board at their first meeting in the Fishers Town Hall to decide how to best spend $2.5 million on local improvements.

After a four-year fight by the Geist United Opposition, the unincorporated areas on the north half of Geist Reservoir officially became the Town of Fishers’ newest residents on January 1, 2010. A new voting district was formed to give these residents a voice on the seven-person Fishers Town Council and Pete Peterson, the former leader of the anti-annexation movement, won the seat in the November election. Furthering Fishers’ olive branch to the residents, the Fishers Town Council set aside an impoundment fund of $2.5 million for the newly annexed residents to spend on local improvements. A volunteer board of Geist residents will get to work on how to best utilize this fund, and they need input.

The Geist Impoundment Board is comprised of two individuals from each of the three annexed sections, along with three “at large” residents. The nine men and women went through an application process and were selected by the town council after a round of interviews. The Geist Impoundment Board is comprised of the following residents: Mark Jones, Jack Kowal, Jeff Lantz, Rachel Quade, Gary Batesole, Russell Bruce, Roger Kessler, Brad Johnson, and Anthony Najem.

While the council refrained from questioning the individuals’ personal opinions on the Geist annexation, the resulting selections were a mixed bag of pro- and anti-annexation residents. Rachel Quade, a member of the Geist Impoundment Board and former Geist United Opposition board member, commented, “I think it actually says a lot about the [Fishers] Council members in that they put some of the people who were involved in the Geist United Opposition on this board. I think it’s a good sign.” A diversity of opinions about the annexation will certainly be fertile ground for a lot of great ideas for the future.

The Geist Impoundment Fund was endowed through property taxes from the residents in the annexed areas and earmarked for capital improvement projects. “It’s a proxy fund that will be paid over three years. In two more years it should be a total of $2.5 million,” said Scott Faultless, Town Council President.

Their first order of business is to gather the opinions of their Geist constituents and flush out the best ideas. After they have selected the best projects, they will present them to the Fishers Town Council along with a cost analysis. The council will then decide if the project should be carried out or not, limited only by budget.

“The board will be active for the next three years, although residents can expect to see results much sooner than that,” said new Fishers Town Council member Pete Peterson. He insisted the Geist Impoundment Board could turn an idea around in just a few months if it hit all the right notes.

Several projects are already being considered for the next few years, including:

• Fire Station 96 renovations
• New park at 101st and Cyntheane Road
• Roundabout at Brooks School Road and Fall Creek Road (scheduled to begin early this year)
• Roundabout at 106th and Geist Road (scheduled for 2013)
• Widening of 113th Street east of Olio
• Sidewalk along 96th Street from the Indianapolis Yacht Club to the entrance of Cambridge

To zero in on the best projects, the Geist Impoundment Fund Board will be polling their neighbors. The board will study all the different suggestions and consider them based on probability and how broadly they will benefit the community. The board could decide to use all of the money for a big project or spread the budget out across multiple projects.

Of the individuals interviewed, Peterson thought the watershed and water quality of Geist could use some attention. Blue green algae has been a persistent problem on Geist Reservoir. Faultless mused on the many ideas available; from intersection improvements to public reservoir access and pathways. Quade was also interested in walking paths and public parks. The possibilities are endless and citizens should see this as an exciting time to have their voices heard.

“Now that we are formally a part of Fishers, we have a voice, and a place to bring our voices to,” said Peterson.

This board has a large responsibility ahead of them. Their hard work could greatly affect the community and these dedicated citizens are certainly energized by the challenge. But the first step is starting the discussion on exactly what the area needs. Citizens can got to www.TownePost.com to start giving their suggestions and letting their voices be heard. Don’t hesitate to have a hand in shaping Fisher’s future!

Submit your ideas here!

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park owner Jeffrey Mast.

A new Fishers franchise has customers jumping up and down. Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park just off of 121st and Cumberland Road (10080 E. 121st Street, Suite 182) in Fishers just opened a 25,000 ft2 facility boasting 16,000 ft2 of indoor jumping fun.

Founded in 2002 in Las Vegas, Sky Zone was originally designed to facilitate a professional indoor trampoline sport. According to Jeffrey Mast, owner of the local franchise and former senior executive with Stanley Steemer in Ohio, the original concept did not work out but a new business model evolved.

“While they were trying to get their financial backing in place, people lined up to bounce around on the trampolines. The owner literally put a coffee can out and solicited a $2 donation from the public. After the coffee can was filled for weeks on end, he decided to franchise the idea.”

The facility houses two dodge ball courts, an open jump court, a Sky Slam two-lane basketball court, and a three-lane Foam Zone complete with 10,000 foam blocks. Even the walls are trampolines around much of the space.

“Dodge ball leagues have become very popular in other cities, so we expect to keep those to be a big part of our business,” said Mast. “We are also offering several fitness and aerobic classes. They say you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour and not even know it.”

First-time visitors are required to sign a waiver prior to hitting the trampoline surface. Mast recommends reading and signing the waiver online at www.SkyZoneSports.com as well as scheduling your preferred bounce time. Once the paperwork is completed, visitors are loaned special high top bounce shoes and given a briefing on safety. “Have fun, be safe” is the culture Mast insists on cultivating.

Cost is $13 per hour and includes shoe rental. Group and nonprofit rates are also available.

“The most popular jump times are :60 minutes. Some younger kids can go longer than that, but in most cases an hour is enough to wear you out,” Mast said with a smile.

With so much space, music, concessions, and private party rooms, Sky Zone is already a hit with youth groups, schools, corporate groups, and boy/girl scout troops. Dodge ball leagues, exercise classes, and teen-centric open jump nights are available for all ages.

For more information, visit www.SkyZoneSports.com or call (317) 572-2999. They are visible from I-69 just north of the 116th Street exit on the south side of the highway (10080 E. 121st Street, Suite 182, Fishers).

Dianne Bayley (seated) and Traci Runge share their stories and passion to find the cure for breast cancer.

“You have cancer.”

When Traci Runge heard those paralyzing words, they sounded like a death sentence. Having no family history of cancer, it didn’t make sense. She was a healthy wife and mother to three daughters, training for a triathlon and getting ready to run Race for the Cure when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2010.

“My heart ached because I knew in my gut that it was bad. I cried for me but more importantly I cried for my three girls,” said Traci. “All I wanted to be was a mother and I was afraid I was going to die.”

In the midst of her pain and fear of the unknown, Traci made an unprecedented contribution that could aid in the scientific advancement of breast cancer research. In 2007, after a friend died of breast cancer, Traci was moved to donate a healthy breast tissue sample to the Indianapolis-based, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at IU Simon Cancer Center.

Three years later, as she stood in line to pick up her packet for Race for the Cure, newly diagnosed and fearing for her own life, she realized she may be able to save lives – by donating her cancerous breast tissue before starting chemotherapy and other treatments for the disease.

Race for the Cure team.

“As I laid on the operating table undergoing the collection procedure, Dr. Susan Clare asked me if I had any idea what I had done today,” said Traci. “She told me I was the first person in the world to donate both healthy and cancerous tissue. It was too much for me to comprehend. At this point I am scared to death thinking cancer may take my life. All I wanted to do was save my daughters. If I was going to die, then I wanted to make sure that I did everything in my power to protect my girls, and other women so that they would not have to endure what I was about to.”

According www.komen.org breast cancer is one of the most common female cancers. This year, Nearly 200,000 women, in the United States, will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and the disease will kill nearly 40,000 women. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states cancer overall is the second leading cause of death in the United States.

“Due to progress in research, medical technology, and advances in care, cancer is becoming more about surviving than about death,” said Sue Anne Gilroy, vice president of development and executive director of the St. Vincent Foundation. “Cancer is a very upsetting diagnosis but miracles happen every day, and the journey becomes one of hope.”

Hope, strength, courage and support are keys to navigating successfully through complex cancer treatments, while contributions to pay for pivotal care services and ground-breaking research projects are vital to unlocking the mystery of cancer.

Chris and Trent Bennett and their boys, Blake and Kyle are on the left. Chris is an identical twin with Kim Fisher (on the right). She passed away May 2009 after battling cancer for 7 years.

Dianne and L.H. Bayley, longtime supporters of the St.Vincent Foundation, were instrumental in raising millions of dollars to build St. Vincent Cancer Center and Hospice. “For nearly 15 years we ran fundraising campaigns never thinking we might one day need the same facilities we worked to build,” said Dianne. “But nine years ago when our daughter Chris was diagnosed with cancer, this center became even more significant in our lives.”

Chris, who has an identical twin sister, passed away in May of 2009 after a seven-year battle with thymoma, a rare malignant tumor. But, her memory lives on through her family, her husband and two boys, and her parents who continue their fight against cancer by chairing Key to the Cure. For the fifth year, Saks Fifth Avenue has partnered with the St. Vincent Foundation hosting a gala to support St. Vincent Cancer Care programs, research and technology.

Dianne (mom left) with her daughter, Chris Bennett (who died of cancer in May 2009) They swam together several times a week at the Carmel High School natatorium.

“I’m not bitter about losing my daughter, but I miss her and I think the best therapy is to do something for someone else,” said Dianne. Chris introduced her mom to swimming, gently coaxing her out of her panic and into the pool three times a week. At at the age of 69, Dianne competed in the National Senior Olympic Games. “I felt such a sense of accomplishment, but I haven’t been back in the pool since Chris passed away,” said Dianne. “I’m afraid I’d keep looking for her in the lane next to me.”

Now, she and L.H., like Traci, are driven to do whatever they can to help others navigate their journey with cancer, a disease that shoves lives drastically off course every day. Unselfish and determined, they commit to helping others, longing to see those afflicted wind their way through multiple treatments toward survivorship, and praying, that through their efforts, living with and beyond cancer might be a little easier.

“My illness has been the hardest thing to go through, but it has been full of blessings. Friends, neighbors, and my daughters’ classmates’ parents have made meals, cleaned my home, taken my daughters to practices and games, and prayed for my family. We are very fortunate to live in such a caring community,” said Traci. “Now it’s my turn to give to others!!! And, she’s spreading her spirit of giving to other family members.

The last weekend in September, Traci’s mother, sister, cousin and great aunt all donated specimens during a tissue collection drive. “Since I had no family history of breast cancer, it was important for my family to help,” said Traci. “By donating their tissue, researchers can now compare my relatives’ samples to mine, and have a better understanding as to why I got cancer and what changed in my tissue.”

Traci's family joined her to donate breast tissue on 9/24/2011.

Cancer does not discriminate, affecting all types of people and the somber diagnosis involves the entire family. Celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary this month, Traci appreciates her husband Dan Runge. “He was very supportive throughout it all and continues to be with my role in the Super Cure.” As the inspiration behind the partnership between the Super Bowl Host Committee and Komen Tissue Bank, Traci is the spokeswoman promoting the goal to use the Super Bowl’s global stage to raise money to boost the tissue bank’s capacity and increase the number of donors from diverse populations to better balance the inventory of tissue samples for researchers.

“I am enjoying the things that I once thought were hectic. Cheer practice, tumbling practice, gymnastics, ball games and the comings and goings of three very active girls are now blessings, and I will never take it for granted because I know how close I came to losing it all.”

Traci, who had a double mastectomy, openly shares her story and with a slight victory smile announces she is in remission. Soon, she will be undergoing reconstructive surgery. On November 5th, the tissue bank will hold a collection drive at Indiana University where her daughter is a freshman. “When my oldest daughter Hannah donates her tissue in November, they will have 4 generations. What a gift to science!”

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank
1001 W. 10th Street, Room OPE 334
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

General Information:317-274-2366
Toll-free: 866-763-0047

Breast Tissue Donation Event:
Saturday, November 5, 2011, IU Bloomington, IN

DONATION GUIDELINES
To donate tissue individuals must:

• Be female 18 years or older
• Have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign an informed consent
• Be willing to give a few hours of their time to complete a questionnaire and a breast biopsy
• Not be allergic to local anesthetics (numbing medicine)
• Not be receiving a therapeutic blood thinner (not including aspirin.)
• Not have breast implants or have had a breast reduction

At the Tissue Bank our most valuable specimens are healthy breast tissue. This tissue is obtained with a breast biopsy. A biopsy (sample of tissue) is taken from one breast. This is done with a needle and local anesthesia (medicine to numb the skin of breast where the biopsy sample is taken) is given. The amount of tissue taken during the biopsy is about one gram, the size of 2 peas.

Event Chairpersons: L.H. and Dianne Bayley
 & Dr. Richard and Kelly Freeman
WHEN: Saturday, October 15, 2011
WHERE: Saks Fifth Avenue, Keystone at the Crossing
TIME: 6:30-11:30 pm
Cocktails, Seated Dinner, Fashion Show, Live Auction and Dancing!
ATTIRE: Black-tie
PRICE: $250 individual tickets (max. purchase of 4); $5,000 table for 10 guests.

To learn more about St.Vincent Cancer Care: www.ourfightagainstcancer.org.

Ann Marie Noll, MS, Director of Outpatient Therapy Services for TOTS in Fishers gives parents some tips on how to tell if your child(ren) may be autistic.

There’s a reason why one of the most recognized symbols for autism is a ribbon made of puzzle pieces. Autism is perhaps one of the most mystifying disorders that a family can deal with. Why? Because no one really knows what causes it, and there is no way to stop or reverse it.

The term autism is used to generally describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders knows as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). It is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. And according to government statistics, diagnosed cases of autism are increasing every year by 10 to17 percent, with the vast majority of those cases being idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown.

“One of the hardest parts for families is the identification process,” says Ann Marie Noll, MS, Director of Outpatient Therapy Services for TOTS, Fishers (totsindy.com). “Our therapists are often in the position to see those first signals that a diagnosis might be in order, but parents aren’t always ready to hear that.”

Noll says that since autism is a spectrum disorder, every child shows different characteristics, which makes it that much more difficult for parents and physicians. “The process that parents go through is tough,” she says.

“They experience a variety of emotions before they are ready to accept that their child’s delay may be more complex,” Noll explains. “Once families are ready, referrals are made so that they can get the appropriate help.”

So what are initial signs to look for that a child might have autism? According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, you should visit a physician if your child:

• Does not babble or coo by 12 months of age
• Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp, etc.) by 12 months of age
• Does not say single words by 16 months of age
• Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone says to him or her) by 24 months of age
• Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.

Stephanie and David Meier, Carmel parents of three, know about the struggles that families face when a child has autism. Both of their sons, Johnathan, 9, and Will, 8, were diagnosed with autism before reaching the age of two. Their daughter, Paige, 10, is a typical child.

Stephanie and David Meier enjoy a family vacation with their children Paige, Johnathan and Will. Both sons have been diagnosed with autism.

When the couple first learned that Johnathan had autism, they were numb. “We were scared and totally unprepared,” Stephanie says. “We wondered, ‘How did this happen?’, ‘What did we do wrong?’, and ‘How can we fix it?’”

Once their second son, Will, was diagnosed, Stephanie says they weren’t surprised, but they still experienced the same raw and painful emotions as before.

“Every day we have our struggles, just like any other family,” Stephanie says. “Our struggles are just different. We must always try to anticipate what is going to happen next, and be one step ahead of the children. Routines are extremely important, and transitions are always difficult.”

Although Stephanie says that dealing with autism has actually brought her family closer together, she has seen other families torn apart. With that in mind, she offers advice for families who are struggling with an autism diagnosis.

“Don’t be in denial, and get help immediately,” Stephanie says. “There are many resources out there. You just have to ask for help and don’t give up.”

“Also, take time out for yourself and try to spend time with all of your children, not just those with special needs,” Stephanie adds. “But most of all … don’t lose hope.”
You’re Not Alone
Visit these websites for additional information and resources for autism.

ASK aboutspecialkids.org
Autism Society autism-society.org
Answers for Autism aaiwalk.org
First Steps infirststeps.com
Hands In Autism handsinautism.org
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community iidc.indiana.edu
National Autism Association nationalautismassociation.org

From left to right: Linda Moor is holding up her Patriotic Specialty Pie, Owner, Corrie Case, is displaying her Grasshopper Gourmet Cupcakes; Ariel Hashley is presenting the Cookies-n-Cream, and Liana Hansen is showing off the delicious Carrot Cake.

The Sweet Life recently celebrated its grand opening this past May. This new café, located at 110th Street and Allisonville Road in the Village Square of Fishers, offers a clean, stately, stylish, yet casual, atmosphere for hanging out with friends or business clients. You can enjoy a cup of Italian ice cream, a slice of homemade strawberry pie, and a cup of fresh roasted coffee while lounging on the comfortable seating and enjoying the WiFi capabilities.

The Sweet Life of Fishers offers five fabulous sweets for you:

1. Homemade pies (fruit or cream) by Linda Moor; come get Moor pies!
2. Variety of gourmet cupcakes made fresh each morning
3. Gelato De Vinci Italian ice cream and sorbet (12 flavors)
4. Over 25 varieties of South Bend Upscale Chocolates
5. Delicious caramel corn made in store daily

“I have always dreamed of having my own place to sell sweets,” says Corrie Case, owner of The Sweet Life. Her dream started when she was a little girl. An elderly couple within her hometown had a candy kitchen in their basement. “When you walked down the steps you could see and smell all the wonderful candies and fresh caramels,” says Case, a graduate of the IU Kelley School of Business.

“There are a lot of bakeries and ice cream places around but not many where you can actually dine in, sit down and relax and choose from an assortment of treats.” Case makes all of the gourmet cupcakes each morning. The most popular flavors are the cookies-n-cream, Snickers, and grasshopper, where she starts with a German chocolate batter containing mini chocolate chips and ends with a crème de menthe icing and chocolate shavings. Case has been baking cakes and cupcakes for friends and family since she was about 10 years old. “People would always tell me, “You really should open up your own place someday.”

Now that her dream has finally come true, she remains supportive to local suppliers within Indiana. For instance, the coffee within her shop comes from Harvest Café Coffee Roasters in the Castleton area. Also, her gourmet chocolates come from South Bend Chocolate Company. Lastly, her Gelato de Vinci Italian ice cream comes from Carmel. “I like to try and support the local vendors like myself. Plus, I feel I am actually getting fresher products.”

In addition to these sumptuous sweets, you can enjoy browsing the beautifully decorated gift boxes and tins and fill them with your choice of treats for that special surprise. The Sweet Life has customized decorative towers to make your gifts even more memorable. These gifts are great ideas not only in the workplace such as for boss’/secretary’s day and employee farewells, but also for graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and so much more.

Go to www.sweetlifefishers.com for more information and coupons. 11009 Allisonville Road, (317) 579-3387 or (317) 5 SWEETS

Ever since Gil was in middle school, he knew he wanted to adopt. Even after he and his wife, Fran, had three biological daughters, he still felt a longing to adopt, especially after having a profound dream one night. He recalls, “I knew it was the Lord when I could hear a little girl calling from a mountaintop but I couldn’t see her. She was yelling, ‘Daddy, come and get me.’”

The book serves as a platform to raise awareness of adoption and the Christian obligation of orphan care. The purpose of Gil’s outreach, I’m Available for Orphan Care (www.IAOutfitters.com), is to provide instruction and connections between those wanting to care for orphans and Orphan Care Advocates who can assist.

On August 20, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Gil will be hosting a book signing event at the Mudsock Books & Curiosity Shoppe at 11850 Allisonville Road. For more information, visit www.DaddyComeAndGetMe.com.

Brad Baumgartner, with his daughter, Katy, who plays pitcher and outfield on the 14U HSE Cats. (Photo by Janet C. Striebel)

On July 25, the 2011 National Softball Association (NSA) “B” World Series is coming to Fishers. This softball tournament will attract girls softball teams (ages ranging from 8-16) from around the Midwest.

“This will be one of the largest tournaments hosted in Hamilton County,” says William Knox, director of the Hamilton County Sports Authority. “If we can get 300 teams to sign up for this event we will have about 12,000-15,000 people coming to our community.” This will be the first time ever that the National World Series will be held here in Hamilton County.

The facility locations where the games will be played throughout the tournament include Fishers High School, HSE High School, Olio Fields, Cicero, Noblesville High School, Oaklandon Softball Complex, and Cherry Tree Softball Complex.

Knox explains that the whole idea of hosting the World Series within our community was actually driven by the HSE Girls Softball League. He has since partnered with Brad Baumgartner, president of the organization, for staging the tournament within a worthy host community. Baumgartner states, “We have had a wonderful partnership with the NSA for years and being awarded the World Series is testament to how well we work with one another. It is our intention to provide the type of event that players enjoy and remember for a lifetime.”

“It’s exciting to host the tournament because it’s our home fields and something that doesn’t happen very often,” says Katy Baumgartner (Brad’s daughter), who plays pitcher and outfield for the 14U HSE Cats.

On Monday, July 25, the World Series will begin with a “Skills Competition” at 11:00 a.m. This event will be held at the Olio Park Softball Fields, off of 126th Street and Olio Road. Then at 7:00 p.m., the opening ceremonies will begin with a parade through Olio Park, announcing each team involved. In addition, a live concert band will perform on stage, followed by an awesome display of fireworks to complete the celebration.

Incidentally, Hamilton County is the fifth largest sports market in the state as measured by the events hosted and by visitor spending. (Source: Certec Inc. and IU Kelly School of Business) This exciting softball tournament will help support many businesses within our community such as hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, malls, and other entertainment venues.

Knox summarizes the justification of traveling to another city and spending lots of money to accomplish the obligations of playing a competitive sport. He says, “A lot of people now, due to the economic conditions of our times, see this tournament as a two-sided event. Not only is it a competition satisfying the demands of a sport, but it also serves as a means to fulfilling a family vacation.”

Please visit www.hamiltoncountysports.com/nsa to learn more about this tournament.

Firefighters at Station 94, located on Cumberland Rd., include (from left): Tim Bruner, Travis Calvert, Anthony (Tony) Zentz, and Captain Jeff Lawson.

It’s hard not to think of the children’s classic storybook, “The Little Engine That Could,” when considering Fishers Fire Department Station 94, located at 10701 Cumberland Road. After all, it’s home to the namesake Fire Engine 94, which has been dubbed “The busiest fire truck in Fishers.”

In fact, this particular fire station, which is home to 12 firefighters who are divided up into three equal shifts, continuously receives the most calls out of all the fire stations in the Geist area. Responding to approximately 1,200 runs in 2010 alone, Station 94 is the second busiest station in all of Hamilton County.

But its hard working fire engine isn’t the only thing that the station is well known for. This particular facility is the only area fire station in which all personnel have earned certification for Project Lifesaver (PLS), a worldwide program that provides timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, and other related conditions or disorders.

Captain Jeff Lawson, a firefighter for 22 years, has seen the implementation and growth of the program, and believes it’s a significant benefit for the community. “We are very proud to be a part of this effort,” he says. “The services are free for those that live in the county, and we currently have about 35 participants enrolled. The program has a one hundred percent success rate in finding those that are lost.”

Deputy Fire Marshall Ron Lipps, Fishers Fire Department, says the Project Lifesaver program is the result of continuous community-wide efforts.

Deputy Fire Marshall Ron Lipps says that the PLS program requires community effort and cooperation between the local police and fire departments, as well as support from volunteers and monetary donations. “I’ve seen the program in action,” Lipps says. “It fulfills a public driven need, and our Sheriff’s Department really took the lead on getting it implemented. It gives the participating families a genuine peace of mind, knowing that if something happens to their loved one, they can be found quickly and successfully.”

The training required for PLS includes the completion of a 16-hour class, plus refresher courses and continuous training in techniques and equipment. Additional PLS tracking devices are deployed around Hamilton County, including one with a staff officer at the Fishers Fire Department headquarters, along with two others in Noblesville. “This allows for extra availability should Engine 94 already be on a call,” says Lipps. “It provides for some ‘triangulation’ when looking for a lost person.”

So how does this process work? Once participants complete the required registration process, wristbands fitted with transmitters are worn by those individuals at risk. If someone wanders away from their caregiver, the responders are able to track down that person’s specific frequency by driving around in the community and picking up signals on special receivers.

“The last PLS call we received was about two months ago,” says Lawson. “An elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer’s was reported missing, and we found her within twenty minutes. She was sitting safely in a coffee shop off of Allisonville Road.”

Lawson says that a typical PLS call usually takes only 10 minutes to resolve. “We hope this program continues to gain support within the community,” he says. “In our school system alone we have about 1,500 special needs kids, so the potential is great.”

“Being involved with PLS, along with being at the busiest station in the area, keeps us active and always challenged,” says Travis Calvert, firefighter and paramedic. “There is never a dull moment, that’s for sure.”

“We also enjoy being involved with the local residents, whether it’s by giving tours at the station, or by judging neighborhood chili cook-offs and other area events,” Calvert says. “We appreciate meeting the residents one-on-one and feeling like we’re a part of the community.”

If you’d like to know more about Station 94 or the Fishers Fire Department, visit www.fishers.in.us and click on the “Government” tab.

Fire Station 92

Station 92 fire fighters gather after completing training drills last month outside a vacant area residence. Shift C members include (from left): Rob Demlow, Chad Hiner, John Shanks, James Taylor and Neil Sullivan.

It’s no accident that the local red bricked Fishers Fire Station 92, perched on the corner of 116th Street and Brooks School Road, resembles an old-fashioned schoolhouse. Not only does it serve as home away from home for its resident firefighters, but when it was built in 1992, its exterior features were specifically designed to blend in with the adjoining Fall Creek Township Offices, which are all built around a preserved one-room schoolhouse that once welcomed young students through its doors as far back as the late 1800s.

And while rich in history (there are even rumors of a resident ghost named Joe), the station is the hub for three crews of firefighters who spend their days training for and responding to emergency situations not only in the Geist area, but wherever duty calls.

Just as doctors or lawyers are known for their particular areas of expertise, so are fire stations. Station 92 is known as a water rescue house, which is vital for a community with such a large reservoir as one of its main attractions, not to mention all the retention ponds that dot the landscape.

The exterior of Fishers Fire Department Station 92, also known as "The Rock," at 116th St. and Brooks School Rd., was designed to compliment the preserved one-room school house (directly on the corner), which is part of the Fall Creek Township Offices.

Three separate shifts (A, B and C), consisting of six “spots” each, make up the dedicated and highly-trained companies that rotate in and out of the facility, each working 24-hour shifts every third day. Each shift is typically made up of a chauffeur (the driver of the fire engine), an officer and two back steps (firefighters that ride backwards in the engine). The other two spots are filled with an EMT and a paramedic. At least two on each shift are certified divers, ensuring that no matter when an emergency situation occurs, if it involves water in any way, the station is prepared to handle it.

“We pride ourselves on what we can offer the people of this area,” says Lt. Jay Manship, Shift B. “We have a diverse group of firefighters at our station with amazing talent. For example, some of our divers are also swift water instructed, which means they’re capable of river rescues, and dealing with flooding, particularly with heavy flows.”

Station 92 firefighters are equipped with scuba and dive gear that are transported in the Tactical 92 Dive/Rescue Support Truck, above. Shown here are members of Shift B, including (from left): Bobby Schlageter, Jay Manship, Patrick Keith, and 18-year-old Explorer Chris Sheridan.

Divers receive extensive training through the Fishers Fire Department, as well as through training programs like the Indiana River Rescue School in South Bend, Indiana, where they obtain additional certification and go through rigorous training from the banks of the St. Joseph River. The Geist Reservoir itself also serves as the perfect training location during the warmer months, where divers can practice techniques and hone water rescue skills.

“We probably receive about a half-dozen emergency dive calls a year,” says diver Neil Sullivan, Shift C, who is also trained as a paramedic. “In order to stay certified, we make at least eight dives per year, plus we perform regular specialty dives, like deep dives, dives to a submerged vehicle, or through ice.”

Fellow shift diver Chad Hiner has also added additional skills to his personal resume, and not only serves as a medic for the Tactical Rescue Team, but also for the Fishers Police Department SWAT team. Hiner is qualified to administer a multitude of functions, including advanced life support and medications while responding to emergency situations. And although he doesn’t respond to SWAT Team calls while on duty as a firefighter, he does participate with the specialized unit during his days off.

A vacant residence serves as prime training ground for area fire fighters. Additional drills and training exercises will eventually serve to level the current structure to the ground.

“The local police and fire departments have a great relationship in Fishers,” Hiner says. “I enjoy being a part of both departments, and I really appreciate how they both are so great with community involvement and public education.”

From a firefighter’s perspective, another defining feature of the Geist area is its residential diversity, with a significant increase over the past several years in the amount of senior living communities, as well as in townhome and apartment developments. But perhaps one of the most well known distinctions of the reservoir area is the massive homes that line its shores. This in itself presents unique challenges when it comes to fighting fires.

While an average home in another neighborhood might be a one- or two-story structure with three bedrooms, the Geist homes that directly surround the reservoir area are custom, multiple-level designs, often covering 6,000 square feet or more. This type of home calls for a different firefighting approach.

“When we get a call on such a large home, we treat it like a commercial building versus a residence,” says Manship. “With a smaller home, we can usually determine just by looking at the windows and the layout of the building where the bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas are,” he explains. But with larger homes, it’s difficult to anticipate where inhabitants might be located.

“You’re also looking at massive individual rooms, with some closet spaces measuring even larger than a standard bedroom,” Manship says. This means that when a crew is initially sent in to “do a sweep,” which means to thoroughly search rooms for victims, more firefighters and time are needed in order to make sure the rooms are clear. There are also usually more challenging areas to reach, like higher attic spaces, which can present ideal conditions for fire.

“We definitely have to approach larger homes a little differently,” says Manship. “But that’s one of the things that makes our job unique. It’s never boring.”

So what’s it like to be a firefighter at Station 92? To echo Manship’s words, it’s never boring. In fact, playing pranks on each other and ribbing fellow shift members is an everyday occurrence. Not to mention the occasional reference to Joe, the resident ghost. Although no current shift members would go on record as being “believers,” former shift members report unexplained lights being turned on and off, or doors opening and closing for no apparent reason. It all adds to the uniqueness and mystique of the station and its history.

“This station definitely represents a home away from home,” says Manship. “Sometimes it’s hard because when you’re away from your own home and immediate family for hours at a time, you miss special events and celebrations,” he says. “But when you spend so much time with the guys on your shift, you also get to know each other very well, and you learn to rely on them and trust them … it makes it easier to deal with.”

“As far as the residents in our community, I think we are definitely acknowledged here a little more than in other towns,” says Rob Demlow, Shift C diver. “We have lots of parents and family members that come to the firehouse to visit. We definitely feel respected and appreciated here.”

Demlow says that the crew members particularly enjoy the visits from families during the annual Fire Prevention Week. “Parents usually end up learning just as much as the kids do, and they definitely have a good time,” he says.

“The people in this area have been wonderful,” adds Hiner. “When kids come up to give us high-fives, or when the people that we’ve helped come up to say thank you, we love it. Our station gets so many deliveries of cookies and goodies, or cards and letters of appreciation … it feels like family here.”

If you’d like to know more about Station 92, including its engines and capabilities, visit www.fishers.in.us. Click on the Government tab, and then the Fire Department link.