Gary Harris is the youngest Indiana Mr. Basketball to wear the #1 jersey and the fourth from Hamilton County. (Photos by Steve Risley)

Hamilton Southeastern High School’s Gary Harris, the fourth student-athlete to represent Hamilton County as the recipient of Indiana’s Mr. Basketball award, the state’s highest individual basketball honor, is believed to be the youngest ever to don that No. 1 jersey.

He’s only 17 years old. And he’s already an All-American.

“Yeah, I was really surprised when he told me how young he was. I can’t imagine anyone who was any younger than he is,’’ said Charlie Hall, Game Director for the Indiana All-Stars.

But age aside, wow . . . what a talent. What a force at both ends of the floor. What a warrior.

The 6-foot-5 Harris is younger than 6-7 Zak Irwin, the school’s other basketball superstar who could — and arguably — should be the front-runner for Mr. Basketball in 2013.

Make that 8 days younger than Irwin, a Michigan recruit who averaged 17-plus points this past season. Gary’s birthday is in September. He will turn 18 as he starts his collegiate career at Michigan State in East Lansing.

Gary Harris (left) and teammate Zak Irwin wearing medals after named to the all-tourney team at the Hall of Fame Classic last December.

“Yes, Gary is young for his grade. When he started school, we lived in Nashville, Tenn. The cutoff there was you had to be 5 by the end of September. His birthday is September 14 (1994). So he was 4 years old when he started school,’’ said his mother, Joy (Holmes) Harris, a first-team Kodak All-American when she played basketball at Purdue. “We moved to Fishers when he was going into the 2nd grade. We briefly thought about having him repeat the 1st grade again here in Indiana, but his Tennessee teacher was highly against it because he was doing so well academically.”

Then she said with a chuckle: “Then of course . . . there were thoughts of holding him back (on my part only) just before senior night this year.”

Harris, who is a McDonald’s All-American, and the Indiana Gatorade High School Player of the Year for the 2011-12 season, ranked No. 11 nationally by Scout.com in the 2012 class. He also was a member of the USA Junior Select Team that recently played the World Team in Portland, Oregon.

He ended his high school career as Southeastern’s all-time scoring leader. He scored 612 points (25.4 points per game) this past season, finishing with 1,552 career points. That total puts him No. 7 on the all-time County scoring list.

When reflecting back on Harris, coach Brian Satterfield touched on the age factor . . . “Just imagine if we had him back next year . . .’’

Yeah, one can only imagine how good Southeastern would be if Harris was back in those Royals colors, alongside Irwin.

Harris with his father Gary Sr. and mother, Joy.

The Royals were pretty good this past season, winning a school record 22 games, and they ranked No. 1 in the final Class 4A state polls, before falling to eventual Class 4A state champion Carmel in the sectional final.

Satterfield, who marveled over his star’s unselfishness and his team-first approach, will certainly miss the presence of Gary Harris as the extraordinary athlete he is, and more importantly as the way he undoubtedly developed as a person through his high school years.

So will the younger kids who’ve been seen constantly seeking autographs from their “rock star’’ after basketball games.

There have been many Gary Harris moments throughout his career in both football and basketball.

But some of his best moments stemmed from the way he mingled with the HSE youth and others in the Fishers community.

After one game in particular, the 2011 sectional champion game at The Mill in Noblesville, a youngster asked if he could have Harris’ shoes. Harris just looked down and smiled, as he autographed a score sheet.

After the Fishers game, a fierce rivalry where both teams left it all on the floor, in a game HSE won by 3 points, two young boys waited in line to get Gary’s autograph.

They were wearing “Red” Fishers Tigers shirts.

That says a lot about the impression Gary Harris left on so many kids. So maybe he is a “rock star” — and his music is dribbling basketballs.

Harris was asked by a media member how many autographs he had signed. “Oh, I don’t know, a few, I guess,” he said, smiling while coming across as being a little bashful.

“You’ve been out here signing autographs for quite a while now, don’t you get tired?” he was asked.

“Nah,” he said. “. . . It’s fun. I like talking to the kids . . . I really do. We’re having a good time.”

His mother, for one, isn’t surprised about the way he is with young kids.

“When Gary attended daycare in Nashville, the (NFL) Titans practice facility was directly behind the playground. The Titan players would come up to the fence and give the kids footballs, wrist bands and talk to the kids.” she said. “Gary loved every moment of it. Those football players would make those kids day anytime they came up to that fence. Gary is still a diehard Titans fan to this day. I think he remembers how that made him feel and the impact it had, so that’s why I think it’s so easy for him to embrace the kids and take time out for them.”

Her son is humble, soft-spoken, respects adults, loves his teammates, and obviously relates well to kids.

That’s Gary Harris, a mild-mannered Superman on the football field and on the basketball court, where he was first-team all-state in both sports, and a giant in the hearts of those who know him best. If he doesn’t take Michigan State by storm, it won’t be from lack of trying.

But experiencing his gentle side, and how he conducted himself with the kids was really cool, something special. It was extremely extraordinary for someone so young. He genuinely enjoyed taking time for them all.

But hey, what would you expect? He’s pretty much still just a kid himself.

Mark Morrow owns and operates Hamilton County Sports Daily (www.hcsportsdaily.com), the only all-sports website in Hamilton County.

Brittany Kelly, shown here at her favorite indoor golf practice facility Golf 365, will be playing close to home in the My Marsh Golf Classic May 28-June 3 at the Hawthornes Golf Club in Fishers. Kelly was a former HSE and Ball State University standout golfer.

Give an 8-year old a golf club and a little white ball, and you never know what might happen when she tees it up. In Brittany Kelly’s case, that golf club felt like it belonged in her hands, but before it became an extension of who she is, she juggled multiple balls – from soccer to basketball. But, her relationship with golf has had staying power and is now offering opportunities she could only dream about. As a member of the Symetra Tour player marketing team, she has been chosen as spokeswoman for the My Marsh Golf Classic, a $100,000 purse world-class women’s golf event, scheduled to be held at The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club in Fishers May 28-June 3.

“What an honor to be asked to publicize this local tournament that will take place in my hometown on the same course I played in high school, where I qualified for my first U.S. Girls Junior, and became runner up at the MAC championships while playing for Ball State,” said Brittany. “I couldn’t be more excited to play in my own backyard.”

Sponsored by Marsh Supermarkets, Hamilton County Sports Authority and the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the Road to the LPGA will stop in Hamilton County for the first time in tour history. According to Joe Kelley, chairman, CEO and president of Marsh, “We are delighted to help bring the rising stars of the LPGA to Central Indiana as a way to raise valuable funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and further enable this great organization to achieve its goals.” A full field of 144 golfers from around the world will compete to develop their careers.

A born competitor, Kelly excelled in athletics as a youngster. Upon entering high school, she was forced to toss around her options realizing she had to choose just one sport when freshman soccer conflicted with tryouts for the Hamilton Southeastern girl’s golf team. “I’m very competitive and it was a big decision between soccer and golf. Both sports were in the same season,” said Brittany. “It was a big turning point for me. I was not going to be able to play all the sports I wanted to play. I decided golf was going to take me further and I really wanted to play in college at a Division 1 school with a full ride scholarship, so I had to make some tough decisions.” Ultimately, she was able to play goalie on her high school soccer team her senior year.

Brittany Kelly portrait shoot and practice round prior to the LPGA Futures Tour's Teva Championship at The Golf Center at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio ©2011 Jay LaPrete

Brittany’s grandparents on her mother’s side introduced her to the game of golf. “My sister and I used to ride on the cart and keep score.” Ashley, who is four years older, chose not to pursue a career in golf but supports her baby sister. “My dad never played golf until he met my mom and now he’s my caddie whenever it fits into his schedule.”

It all started with Hamilton County’s 4-hole junior tournaments. Occasional wins as a junior golfer kicked in her drive to tee it up and keep the ball in play. “The first four-hole tournament I won was at Forest Park in Noblesville,” said Brittany. “I thought it was so cool to get a trophy.” And she learned as she grew into the game, it’s not just cool to get a trophy, but it’s seriously hard work to keep that cool going.

Upon graduating from Hamilton Southeastern High School, she realized she needed to keep in the swing of things, participating in 18-hole events almost daily, all summer long prior to her participation on the Ball State women’s golf team, “Sometimes it’s so hard when you are not playing well and you still have to show up for work day after day.”

“During spring break, I’d go to Florida and practice golf. It was like a kick off to the season. In fact, almost every family vacation was a golf vacation.” But, even though Brittany worked hard at her game and put in numerous hours and effort to reach the top, she was humbled upon arriving at Qualifying School. “It’s really hard when you have had a successful college career and everyone you are competing with is as good or better than you. I learned through my rookie season that I have some things to work on, needed to make changes and focus on what was going to be my one up on everyone else,” said Brittany. “I finally got new clubs and was professionally fitted.”

©2011 Jay LaPrete

Brittany did qualify for the Symetra Tour during Q-school and she gives her caddie high scores for her winning performance. “Dad started caddying for me when I played in the Indiana Women’s Golf events,” said Brittany. “He’s great at helping with yardage, wind and encouraging me think about things I’m not thinking about at the moment, like play the slope, if I’m putting.”

But, on the green her Dad, Ken Kelly, a teacher at Carmel Middle School, normally hangs back and does not read putts. “You know it’s just like coaching. When players are playing well it’s fun and everybody is happy. When Brittany is on her game my job is easy and life is good,” said Kelly, who has coached the Carmel High School girl’s golf team for nearly two decades. “As her caddy, I never really feel nervous until her game gets challenging. I take my job seriously and focus on giving her the facts she needs to make the shot. I try to keep her calm and positive when shots aren’t coming.”

Brittany decided to give up her amateur status and turn pro after graduating from Ball State and she has not experienced much glamour. “It’s lonely on the road, I miss my family and there’s not much money at this stage. I have to make my own schedule, be disciplined to practice and workout and find places to stay when I’m in an unfamiliar town for a tournament. But I love it.”

Now in her second year on the Symetra Tour, Brittany has the chance to be a big shot in her hometown with her Daddy Caddy in tow. Both are no longer rookies and have learned some valuable lessons marching along the fairway, “Last summer, I let a ‘just don’t leave it short’ comment slip on the putting green after we lined up her putt. She ran it by two feet and I got a glare that could kill. Thankfully, she made the putt coming back,” recalled Kelly. “A few weeks later Brittany presented me with CD’s titled “Who’s Your Caddy?” The best advice I got from the stories told were; #1 show-up, #2 keep up and #3 shut-up.

Kelly reflects on how rewarding it has been watching his youngest daughter progress through a life in golf. “From nearly birth she’s been saying ‘Watch me Daddy, watch this’ and I have been watching her. I will keep watching her golf and compete for as long as she is in the game.”

My goal is to place in the top ten in the My Marsh Golf Classic. Both me and my Dad know the Hawthorns course well,” said Brittany. “Dad has helped me win tournaments before. He can help me win this tournament!”

Get your child to the first tee! Learn more about junior golf tournaments:
Indiana Golf Foundation
Hamilton County Junior Golf Association
Indianapolis Junior Golf Foundation
Plantations Junior Golf Tour
American Junior Golf Association

On Feb. 17, Graham along with the other BetterU challengers attended the annual Go Red For Women Luncheon and participated in the fashion show.

Fishers resident, Ruthann Graham, is one of seven women selected to participate in the American Heart Association’s 12-week Go Red BetterU Challenge. As one of the faces of this year’s challenge, she hopes to inspire others by sharing her personal account of sudden cardiac arrest.

On April 1, 2005, the healthy 52-year-old Graham went to work as usual. As the day progressed, she began to feel nauseous. She told the receptionist at her office that she was ill. Moments later, she was unconscious. The receptionist at Graham’s office called 911, but told the dispatcher that Graham had fainted. When the paramedics arrived, Graham had been unconscious for 45 minutes, with no pulse or heartbeat – she was clinically dead.

At the hospital, doctors wrapped Graham in therapeutic hypothermia blankets to reduce her core temperature and placed her in an induced coma for four days. Her doctors prepared her husband and family for the probability that she would be in a vegetative state.

“When I woke up, I didn’t know anyone, not even my husband,” Graham said.

Remarkably, Graham regained her memory and has no lasting physical or mental disabilities.

After she stabilized, her doctor implanted a pacemaker. She left the hospital 12 days later, feeling panicked about what might happen if the pacemaker failed to work. She spent six weeks in both physical and occupational therapy to help regain muscle tone, but gaining confidence in her pacemaker took more than a year. Due to her fears about the limitations of her pacemaker, Graham avoided exercising, which resulted in a 50-pound weight gain.

Her best friend, Anne Ward, knew that Graham was struggling to regain control of her health. After seeing a news segment about how to become a participant in the BetterU Challenge, she immediately called Graham and urged her to submit an essay about her experience with sudden cardiac arrest.

“I was thrilled to be chosen, because I needed the chance to change my lifestyle with the support of the other challengers and the tools that the program provides,” said Graham.

In addition to the invaluable tools that the online program provides to all women who register, as a featured challenger, Graham received additional health opportunities. She met with a weight management counselor and dietician from St. Vincent Health and received a three-month membership to the Y in Fishers to work with a personal trainer on a fitness regimen.

Graham learned a great deal about nutrition from her weight management counselor and feels better about making educated choices about food. “I don’t count calories, I now focus on limiting sugars,” said Graham. “I’m unlearning bad behaviors and relearning good ones!”

On Feb. 17, Graham along with the other BetterU challengers attended the annual Go Red For Women Luncheon and participated in the fashion show.

Larry Crane - former lead guitarist for John Mellencamps band--poses with new shirts to kick off his guitar clinics across the state.

John Mellencamp’s long time lead guitartist, Larry Crane, is back home again and sharing his talents with fans in a series of guitar clinics. Crane, who has resided in Florida for the past few years, is back in Indiana and made his first guitar clinic appearance in Castleton at Sam Ash Music Center located at 8284 Center Run Drive. Close to 300 fans turned out to listen as Crane shared the ins and outs of Authority Song and Play guitar, two hits from Mellencamp’s 1983 album Uh-Huh.

His appearance at the music store was filmed for future commercial releases. Crane plans additional clinics focusing on popular hit songs such as Pink Houses, Paper and Fire, and Lonely Ol’ Night.

Crane played lead guitar for Mellencamp’s band from 1975 to 1991. The two natives of Seymour, Indiana also collaborated on the 1992 film Falling From Grace, which was their final project together.

Crane has also worked with Steve Earle, John Prine and John Fogerty.

The Hoosier artist released two of his own albums, Tropical Depression and Wire and Wood.

Crane’s Manager says fans will hear and see a lot more of Larry Crane in this New Year. We all look forward to this.

For more information, visit www.larrycrane.com.

David Lindner, former president of Lindner's Ice Cream stores in Central Indiana, is still scooping up life lessons.

Do you remember your favorite Lindner’s ice cream flavor? Was it the perfect peach, or maybe butter pecan or rocky road? Or possibly a catchy name like Raspberry Salad or Purple Fink calls back childhood memories of warm summer nights. The man behind the fondly remembered ice cream is David Lindner, an Indianapolis business visionary and, a man who continues to live an incomparably full life.

Lindner spent his childhood in the Irvington area of Indianapolis. His father and uncle started an ice cream plant and store, Lindner’s Brothers Ice Cream stores, Inc. in 1929, known for offering the finest quality ice cream for a reasonable price. He attended grade school at George Washington Julian, School #57, where he encountered a love of learning and met his future wife, Elizabeth. After graduating from Arsenal Technical high school in 1941, he attended Purdue for one year.

In 1942, his college career was cut short when he volunteered to serve in World War II. With a background in flying and an interest in taking it further, he became an aviator. He flew a CG-4A overseas as a glider pilot and those war experiences shaped his life.

LIndner with writer Beth Taylor at his Morse Reservoir home.

With sharp detail, he recalls packing displaced Parisians into a plane to transport them out of the Buchenwald concentration camp. To squeeze more people onto the cramped plane, he asked everyone to leave behind all possessions. He watched a man toss his pair of shoes to the ground. “After seeing that, I decided never to have a bad day in my life.”

When the war ended, Lindner returned home to the family ice cream business. He spent time re-acclimating to post-war life by diving in and learning every manual job at the company, including packing ice cream cans and scrubbing floors. With limited automation, work nights followed long workdays — especially in the summer.

“We had to go back to the plant every night to fill the stoker and set the ice cream machine,” he said, recalling the days before the factory had an oil-fired boiler.

Lindner quickly assumed a leadership role as the director of the company, working with his mother, Hannah Lindner, who served as president of the growing business following his father’s death in 1940.

After contributing to years of measured growth, Lindner became president in 1961. By 1986, there were 40 locations, and Lindner’s ice cream regularly earned top billing at national ice cream conventions.

Lindner knew that a key component of business success is understanding what pleases the consumer. “On the East coast, vanilla bean was popular, but here that didn’t work. Our customers liked a good, smooth vanilla ice cream at that time,” he said.

Always one to think from a broader viewpoint, Lindner brought convenience stores and drive-thru windows to his stores in Central Indiana. Appealing advertising with coupons attracted new customers.

A newspaper ad from 1982 showing Lindner advertising his "award-winning" ice cream.

For all of his successes, he admits to having failed many times, but garnered valuable lessons from each failure. “Failure makes you get smart and refine your approach,” he said.

During his 40 years with the company, he relied on this knowledge as he found success in other business ventures, such as real estate. After selling the ice cream business, rather than retiring, he began a new phase of his career as an international consultant for several companies, including Chiquita.

Business success lead to far-reaching philanthropic accomplishments. Lindner served as a board member for numerous organizations including Community Hospital, United Way, Franklin College, and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to name a few.

In addition to helming a thriving, beloved Indiana business, Lindner excelled at fatherhood. He guided his two daughters and later his five grandchildren, to survive any issue by facing it with grace and gratitude,” said his daughter, Karen Lindner Moriarty, executive director and owner of Lindner Learning Center. Moriarty continues to enjoy the benefits of his business acumen. He is the senior executive advisor at the private, family-owned tutoring center.

Working with his daughter at the tutoring center has special meaning to Lindner who discovered that he has dyslexia later in life. Although a poor student, he credits his love of learning for his success. “The philosophy of learning has allowed me to tackle enormous obstacles in my life and reap rich rewards.” Each year of his adult life, no matter how busy, he has taken a formal course or a class. Most recently, he completed his Stephen Ministry training, so that he can serve as a lay caregiver to people in need.

“Our large, entrepreneurial family greatly benefits from this active coaching in areas of business and finance,” said Moriarty. To help pass on business lessons he’s learned, he and Elizabeth have created and funded investment seminars for their grandchildren. They also established an annual family vacation to keep the members connected.

Lindner greets each day with a positive mindset and decides how to divide a 24-hour day with intention. He begins each day with calisthenics. “You’ve got to take care of your body; it’s the only one you’ve got.”

As Lindner approaches his 90th year, he feels blessed by the richness of a life well lived. He gladly shares his secret to an active, long life: expect change and embrace it.

Mother-daughter team Sherri Meyer and Nicole Newkirk in their Watercolors model home near 96th and Olio Road.

When Sherri Meyer, president of Property Group One, LTD, chose the name Watercolors, she envisioned a European Country French community with a colorful ambience. Sherri and her building partner and daughter, Nicole Newkirk, are building their custom condo homes community just north of 96th Street on Olio Road. The name Watercolors is a good fit, as this lovely community has 3 large bodies of water with ever-spraying crystal clear water fountains that come alive at night with rich colors.

In the home building industry, it’s rare when a mother and daughter share the same professional career path as custom builders.

So how did it all begin?

Sherri was a realtor in the 80s and worked with lots of builders. One day, while browsing in a builders’ magazine, she read about a new company, Epcon Communities, that had just begun building custom lifestyle condo homes with a design plan that was far different from other condominium builders anywhere. By the end of the story, this experienced real estate agent was eager to learn more about a builder who was paying attention to shifting homeowner lifestyle trends, creating well-appointed common spaces, plus supplying the advantage of minimal homeowner maintenance, which granted residents the one thing they needed most: Time spent enjoying life.

Her research would lead to the formation of her own company, Property Group One, LTD, and immediately, she signed on with Epcon Communities as a franchise owner. Epcon is the number one builder of ranch condos in the country.

Flash forward a few years

Sherri’s daughter, Nicole Newkirk, was studying marketing at the New York Fashion Institute, but decided that she really was more drawn to the world of real estate. Nicole went with her heart, switching from fashion to selling properties. A good student, she achieved her realtor’s license and then plunged feet first into the fast and furious New York real estate market.

In 2004, Nicole decided to move home and join her mother’s business. Shortly thereafter, they learned that her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer just as she was developing the plans to build Watercolors, a new concept with 4-homes attached in a pinwheel design. Nicole formed a partnership with her mother as director of sales and marketing within Property Group One, LTD.

Abbey model home at Watercolors.

“Nicole brings a youthful approach to our company through the sales end, as well as her ability to develop all the many aspects of our Watercolors website content. She created and manages our successful website seminars (called webinars),” said Sherri.

“It was an easy decision to get involved in this unique project and, to be there in person to support my mom through her cancer journey,” Nicole added. Today, Sherri Meyer is cancer free and this creative partnership, along with Betsy Bly, sales consultant, and Jeff Fraker, director of construction, is excited to announce the expansion of Watercolors with 18 new free-standing condo homes that include full condominium services and maintenance. This is indeed a new concept in building free-standing condo homes.

“Our designers work closely with buyers to create a living space that fits their needs. And, all homes will be ENERGY STAR certified,” said Sherri.

“We are ahead of the curve with the highest of energy standards for our homes,” adds Nicole. “We don’t have to build this way. We just do.”

These new models, ranging from 1500 to 2000 square feet, offer the possibility of expanding to nearly 3,000 square feet. They include private outdoor living courtyards with window views that allow an abundance of wonderful natural lighting from every view. The interior of these new models are designed for openness with attention to detail that is sure to put the expression WOW back into your vocabulary.

The well-cared-for Clubhouse includes a heated swimming pool, private entry, and a fully equipped exercise area. Homeowners can relax with family or friends in a beautifully decorated common area that serves as an extension to all Watercolor homeowners. Equipped with a full kitchen, it can be reserved by any owner for private parties as well.

Besides their already busy schedules, Sherri, Nicole and Betsy also share a hobby. They are involved with international and national dog show competitions. Their show dogs include Afghan Hounds, Italian Greyhounds and Border and Norwich Terriers. If you want to hear some very interesting stories, just ask them about their travels and their dog showing experiences. Needless to say, at Watercolors pets are most welcome!

To learn more about Watercolors call: (317) 336-6634. Visit the website at: www.condosinfishers.com
Reservations are now open for securing your lot and your model preference.

What does it take to achieve an ENERGY STAR CERTIFICATION?

Not all new homes are energy efficient. To earn an ENERGY STAR certification, a home must be inspected and tested to be at least 30% more energy efficient than standard construction, which will save homeowners thousands of dollars. Less than 12% of homes in the U.S. are ENERGY STAR qualified.

What does maintenance-free living include?

• Professionally landscaped common areas
• Lawn service
• Snow removal to your FRONT door
• Sewer
• Trash removal
• Fire, hazard, liability and building insurance (except personal possessions)
• Common area lighting
• Exterior building maintenance
• Street and driveway maintenance and repair
• Operation of swimming pool and community center
• Reserves and future replacement funds (limited)
• Professional management services

Dick Wolfsie

My family has been attending a new place of worship on Sunday mornings, and we think we have found the perfect spot. The Unitarian minister is engaging. The congregation is warm and welcoming. Even the coffee is good after the service. In fact, I wouldn’t fix a thing.

More to the point, I can’t fix a thing, yet that’s exactly what they asked me to do. Last week, there was a sign-up sheet posted for some terrific social networking opportunities, like movie nights and a pitch-in-dinner. My wife and I wanted to be involved in several of these activities, but while jotting down our names on a sheet, I noticed a man in a beige sweater motioning me over to his table. He was inquiring about who had certain skills to assist in some projects to spiff up the church grounds.

“Say, Dick, can you help us replace some broken windows?”

“Sorry, I don’t have a clue how to do that.”

“Any experience with electricity?”

“Bulbs. I can change bulbs.”

“How about plumbing? Can you assist with that?”

“I don’t have a prayer.”

I had to be careful. I used to belong to a temple back in New York. Jewish people have a blessing for everything and I didn’t want to find out that I did have a prayer for plumbing.

“How about just cleaning?” he asked.

My wife was on my side with this one. “He doesn’t even know how to do that at home,” she volunteered. Mary Ellen loves to volunteer. What a trouper.

I know that the Lord works in mysterious ways. But why did he have to make repairing things such a mystery to me? Growing up, everyone in my family was more adept at this kind of stuff. My father, for example, could fix anything. He’d go downstairs to his workshop with the broken cuckoo clock or an electric can opener on the fritz and an hour later emerge from the basement to flaunt his success. How about some credit for me? Where would Dad have gotten his glory if I hadn’t busted this stuff to begin with?

My mother was also skillful at repairing things. After all, she fixed dinner every night for 30 years. I had a sleazy uncle who coached football and bet on his own games. He fixed most of them. My brother was always in some kind of a fix. And my sister? Well, she spent most of her free time fixing up her unattractive friends. Even our dogs were fixed. Fixing is in the Wolfsie blood. The problem is I don’t have the patience to address repair issues and then I get very down on myself. My blood must be Type A… and negative.

I used to have a great handyman. He installed our ceiling fan, rescreened the porch and patched up the leak in our roof. He charged $50.00 an hour “…unless you help me,” he’d say, “then it’s $65.00.” Now that he’s gone, my wife’s favorite expression is, “You need to call somebody.” So I call the plumber, the electrician, the roofer, the computer repairman. I can’t fix anything. That’s why I’m broke.

(Photo by Janet Striebel) Marianne Rhinesmith (left) and her friend, Sharon Strecker, volunteer their efforts by planting day lilies at various cemeteries and the common grounds in order to spruce up the appearance and give back to the community.

The word, “Geist” is German for spirit or ghost. Appropriately so, the graveyards within the Geist area have been here for hundreds of years enduring many obstacles, ranging from weather, erosion, falling trees, construction work, vandalism, fire and time. A handful of them have been destroyed. Yet, all of them deserve some recognition.

At Halloween, we typically think of cemeteries as normal backdrops for that perfect scene in a scary flick with fog hovering over the tombstones covered in cobwebs and the possibility of seeing a ghost. We tend to associate evil spirits hanging out in the graveyards. But some people in Geist believe quite the opposite.

“I am not afraid of the cemetery in the least bit,” says Mandy Valentine, resident of the Chesapeake neighborhood whose backyard juts up to Todd Cemetery. “In fact, it gives character to my home … I have a lot respect for these deceased people who probably lived here and farmed this area. Hopefully, others would have the same respect for me as I have for these people.” Incidentally, most of the names of the cemeteries stem from the family surname that owned the land.

Valentine grew up surrounded by death. She was raised by her grandparents. Since many of their family members and friends had passed away in her presence, she attended very many funerals at various cemeteries. In fact, she recalls going with her grandfather to put flowers on the graves of her great grandparents at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Later, her grandfather passed away and ironically, was buried on Halloween Day.

Another Geist resident who feels completely comfortable living next to the graveyard is Myron Reynolds, who says, “I enjoy having people come down my driveway (which leads right into Bills Cemetery) and visit. This doesn’t bother me a cotton-pickin’ bit.”

(Photo by Janet Striebel) “I am not afraid of the cemetery in the least bit,” says Mandy Valentine, resident of the Chesapeake neighborhood whose backyard juts up to Todd Cemetery.

Reynolds could tell you hours’ worth of interesting observations about Bills Cemetery such as how it is the highest cemetery off the ground in the area, since the ground needed to be dry and protected when burying bodies that were typically covered in shrouds and laid in wooden boxes. He would tell you that this burial ground is believed to be the oldest in the area, contemporaneous with Conner Prairie, since a man named Michael Mock, was born as early as 1775 as stated on his original epitaph. Reynolds describes how he has witnessed boy scouts rubbing the stones (taking imprints,) resetting the stones, and helping to maintain the property.” He would proudly delineate those who have partaken in geocaching, a worldwide outdoor sporting activity, where participants use a GPS mobile device to locate the hidden cache or waterproof containers and communicate online about their experience, which is usually educational, offering historical significance of a particular site.

As we approach Veteran’s Day, which will be celebrated this year on 11-11-11, we should recognize several cemeteries housing the souls of the honorable, noteworthy and brave men who died during the Civil War. For example, Mt. Zion, a churchyard cemetery located south of Geist and east of Brooks and McKay Cemeteries off Olio Road, contains eleven soldiers. The Lowery (Klepfer) cemetery off of 136th and Promise Road, east of New Britton has ten graves of soldiers. The Bethlehem, off Olio and 136th, near SR 238, also known as Johnson intersection, has seven Civil War soldiers. The Arnett Cemetery, north of the iron bridge that crosses Fall Creek at the east end of Geist Reservoir has five graves of soldiers. The Bills Cemetery has at least one soldier.

Here are some other cemeteries we discovered in the Geist area:

• Faucett – in Canal Place
• McKay – south of Canal Place
• Brooks – across from Canal Place
• Welchel – (destroyed) at corner of 116th and Olio Road (near Geist Pavilion Center by Cardinal Fitness)
• Helms and Kinnaman – Both off of Florida Road near Greenfield Avenue
• Burke – (destroyed) north side of 69, 2miles west of Madison County line
• Fort – near intersections of SR 238/Atlantic Ave. /Connecticut Ave
• Mushrush – Cyntheanne Road and 146th St
• Ervin (Whisman) – off 146th and SR 238 near Verizon Wireless
• Wyant – (destroyed) – Marilyn Road and 146th
• Highland (Beaver) – near Heron Pass/Redwing Ct./Bluebird/Hoosier Rd., near rear section of Hamilton Proper subdivision
• Flanagan – off of Cumberland Rd in between 96th and 106th
• Klepher – off of Fox Rd. in Feather Cove. Eighteen graves are unmarked.
• Salem – off Fall Creek Rd, in front of Hamptons at Geist
• Silvey – Off of Sargent Rd
• Stoops – off of Fall Creek Rd. Also known as Negley Cemetery

Some graveyards have had to be worked around because of their location playing a factor in how the roads and neighborhoods are laid out. For example, Olio Road is in the process of being widened from a two lane to a five lane, which has an impact on McKay and Brooks Cemeteries.

“We try to stay away from cemeteries,” says Joel Thurman, Project Manager of the Hamilton County Highway Dept. “The Brooks Cemetery sits closest to Olio Road … As a result, the alignment of the center will get shifted to the east.” Also, Rob Bussell of The Marina Limited Partnership has had a few encounters over the years with developing communities around cemeteries. He says, “We always try to respect the existing cemetery by blending it into the development of the community.”

Taking care of cemeteries has not always been a priority. Take for instance, Valentine (mentioned earlier) who once had trees draping over her property onto her home from the disheveled Todd Cemetery, and squirrels invading her attic. After attending the neighborhood association meeting one day, she met a woman who would make all the difference in a graveyard: Marianne Rhinesmith. Rhinesmith was the President of the Chesapeake Neighborhood Association and had tried for years to get the Lawrence Township Trustees to help support her in maintaining the Geist cemeteries, which for a long time have looked abandoned. Rhinesmith and Valentine attended many meetings together. Finally, after Russell Brown, Lawrence Township Trustee was appointed and then elected in 2010, they were able to persuade him to take action.

“I think they got so sick of seeing me and Mandy (Valentine) sitting in the front row of these meetings that they knew they had to do something,” says Rhinesmith with a laugh. “In 2004, the Lawrence Board and Lawrence Trustee started with $18,000 in the budget and by 2008, I was able to convince them to set aside $50,000 for cemetery upkeep, renovation, and maintenance.” So far, Lawrence Township has fixed up three cemeteries in 2010 and three more this past year. Some of these renovations have included recording surveys/boundaries, leveling out land, putting up white fences, and displaying signs.

Rhinesmith added, “Our elected officials have taxpayer money in their budgets to take care of these lands that are often left neglected. Elected officials must be forced to listen to taxpayers because these deceased and long-forgotten taxpayers cannot speak for themselves, so someone must step up and speak for them.”

“Since I’ve been Trustee, one of the areas of emphasis has been paying special attention to the public cemeteries,” says Lawrence Township Trustee, Russell Brown. “These cemeteries contain so much history and we owe it to these pioneers to be respectful of their contributions to the foundations of our culture. I’m happy that we have those in our community who are so vigilant about seeing these gems properly maintained and cared for.”

Rhinesmith and her friend, Sharon Strecker, volunteer their efforts by planting day lilies at various cemeteries and the common grounds in order to spruce up the appearance and give back to the community. Rhinesmith declares, “These cemeteries are a part of our heritage that must be protected and respected by everyone. Our present generation may well be defined by how well it has respected and valued our far-reaching and influential forefathers.”

Many perceive cemeteries as haunted plots of land where ghosts are lurking behind every stone. Others try and demoralize and vandalize these sacred pieces of land as almost a way of “bullying the ghosts.” Yet, some remain proud and eager to continue protecting, honoring, and respecting these hallowed compartments of historical significance.

Links to Learn More:

Information about the Early Settlers in Lawrence Township

Sport of Geocaching

Hamilton County Cemetery Commission and map of cemetery plots

Lawrence Township Trustee Office

Bills Cemetery is mapped on Google

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