Hoosier artist Pam Newell stands by her artwork now hanging in Fishers Town Hall art gallery.

The walls of Fishers Town Hall are now adorned with beautiful oil paintings and pastels as the public building, at One one Municipal drive will now include an art gallery setting to showcase the work of local artists.

Fans braved the first snow of the year to attend the public reception honoring the first artist to be showcased, Pam Newell.

The award-winning artist whose pastels and oil paintings capture many Indiana and regional scenes, was excited about the new opportunity

“This is just great,” says Pam. “This is like a giant refrigerator for me,” she adds with a laugh. “It’s just like when I was a kid and hung my art work all over the place,” she quickly adds with excitement showing.

Pam’s work will be showcased through February 10th. New exhibits will be unveiled on a regular basis, showcasing up to 60 works of visual art by each local artist or group.

The permanent art gallery is free and open to the public.

Art in Town Hall is a collaboration of the Fishers Arts Council and the town of Fishers. The artists must live, work or teach in Fishers.

The art gallery will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and on periodic Saturdays.

You can learn more about Pam Newell at www.pnewellart.com and for more information on the art gallery, visit www.fishersartscouncil.org.

Angie Daniel (front) heads up the nonprofit "Christ is My Big C" in honor of her late sister, Stephenie Jocham. Proceeds from fundraisers and an endowment left by Jocham go to help cancer patients through local churches. (Photo by Brandi Neale Photography)

“Her faith was unbelievable”, says Stephenie’s sister Angie Daniel. “Everybody has bad days, but her good days were 99% of the time. Even during her most difficult treatments she had a huge smile on her face.” Stephenie considered herself lucky in a way that she had created a life for herself that allowed her to be financially solvent during her battle with cancer, which allowed her to focus on her faith and family. She knew that many others were not in similar situations and became determined to help other cancer patients by starting the Christ is My Big C foundation. This organization aims to provide funds to local churches benevolence funds to help relieve the financial burden of cancer patients with their congregations. Says Daniels, who is now the foundation’s executive director, “She kept Christ above cancer in her life and she really wanted to provide that assistance to other cancer patients so they could spend more time with their families.” Stephenie believed so fully in her vision that she made a large donation to Christ is My Big C before her passing, which covered all of the administrative costs of the foundation for the first year, allowing all funds raised to go directly to cancer patients.

The foundation’s first fundraiser was a golf outing at The Hawthorns Golf & Country Club near Geist Reservoir. Over $24,700 was raised through a silent auction, registration fees, and donations. For more information about Stephenie and Christ is My Big C, please visit www.christismybigc.org.

Father Phil Bowers and Pastor Joe Freeman host a weekly social event at the Roost in Fishers for neighbors to share spirited discussions on theology.

A priest, a pastor, and a business owner walk into a restaurant. It sounds like the start of a good joke, right? Well it is no joke, but rather something quite interesting. Three of the most respected men in the greater Fishers community have teamed up to create a weekly event that is turning some heads.

Father Phil Bowers, Pastor Joe Freeman, and local restaurant owner Ed Sahm are hosting an event called “In Good Spirits.” This event allows individuals who have an interest in having a personal life & spiritual dialogue, raise a glass, and even grab a light bite to eat—all while engaging in conversation that they may never have had elsewhere. These three founding fathers have a combined community contribution of over 75 years. They have engaged in countless spirited conversations independent of one another. Their impact on the area is difficult to quantify, but undeniable. This is one more example of they give they have given.

“Our goal is to create a place where anyone can feel comfortable to ask life-size questions in a welcoming and interactive way,” says Pastor Joe. “This event is not about recruitment to some church, it is about honest dialogue.” He will goes on to share enthusiasm for an idea formed over a dinner conversation about bringing people freedom for knowledge within their own comfort zone.

For many, this standing Tuesday evening option from 8-9:30 PM at the Roost may fit into schedules better than traditional offerings. Ironically, there is no required affiliation, sign up sheets, or offering taken; it is a complete give back. Even the snacks are modestly priced and plentiful. It is simply a means for those with some spiritual curiosity to meet with other Fishers/Geist residence in a way that works well for them and allow them to ask the things they have always quietly pondered. Father Phil states, “If everybody is created in the Image of God, we all learn so much just looking around.”

For many who attended the inaugural event from across the community, the dialogue was a pleasant surprise. The staff kept busy as the kick off was well attended with over 70 people enjoying the evening. Not a seat in the place went empty, yet it was still conducive to this type of conversation. Discussion ranged from the personal to philosophical. There were no sports conflicts, no cell phones, or agendas; just a beer, soda, or snack and some good company that will no doubt grow “In Good Spirits” weekly.

The Royals Baseball program hosted a camp for boys in grades 9-12 last week. This camp was designed to not only allow the opportunity to meet the Royals’ new coach, but also to allow Coach Johnson to implement some of the physical and mental demands of the game that will be expected by the Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshmen teams next spring.

“Now guys, we need to shave 75 more seconds off the time it takes to remove the tarps and prep our field. Every second counts. This may not seem like a lot of time to you, but it is to me,” says Johnson, who comes from Angola, Ind. (northeast corner of the state).

Johnson coached at Angola High School for 14 years, 13 of which were Varsity. He brings a record of 227 and 146. He won three consecutive championships, three sectionals and one regional during his tenure.

Johnson’s coaching style appears to be layered. Like a hard shell on the outside, Johnson resembles a drill sergeant taking total command of his troops. But on the inside, there’s a resilient mixture including the science of teaching baseball, the art of building confidence and the craft of getting the kids to truly want to listen to him.

“My main goal for the future of Southeastern Baseball is to make sure we play the game the right way. This means doing the ‘little things’ correctly, from wearing the hat properly to hustling on and off the field to showing respect for the game, our team family and the opponents,” says Johnson, who will teach freshmen English at HSE. Johnson strives to set a good example for his students and players. His Christian beliefs influence the way he teaches and coaches. “Without my Lord’s guidance, I wouldn’t have made the move to HSE. Now I’m excited about the possibilities!”

His emotion is contagious. Next spring, the excitement will hover once again over HSE High School as three teams (Varsity, JV and Freshmen) show up in uniform with respect and a genuine work ethic, bringing their batting bags and an eagerness to listen, learn, hustle, and oh yes, “play ball.”

Women of any age can become victims of breast cancer. However, pregnant women, or those with nursing babies or small children have special considerations that the medical and research communities must pay extra attention to. That’s why the Young Survival Coaltion and Hamilton County MIBOR have organized their 3rd annual golf outing – to help raise money that will fund programs for increasing awareness of the critical issues facing young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

This event is an all-day golf outing, and will include lunch, cool refreshments & snacks, a buffet dinner, silent auction and prizes. Expect to have an awesome time! If your spouse can’t make it out to play golf, bring him or her to the dinner and auction for only $25.

Don’t miss this fabulous event and the chance to serve a worthy cause!

For more information, call the Young Survival Coalition at 776-1766 or visit their website at www.youngsurvival.org/indianapolis

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Please click on the URL below, or paste it in the address line of your Internet browser.  This will give you access to our brief survey.

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This year’s children’s parade will be on Sunday, June 29th at Holland Park (1 Park Drive). The participant line-up and judging will be held from 9 A.M. – 9:30 A.M. and the parade beginning promptly at 10:00 A.M. The parade route will travel Ellipse Parkway a majority of the way around and conclude on the east side of the park.

The parade will be organized into three categories beginning with bicycles, next will be tricycles/Big Wheels, and ending with strollers and wagons. Motorized cycles or scooters are not permitted in the parade.

Trophies for first and second place will be awarded for the “best decorated” in each of the three parade categories. The winners will receive their trophies at the conclusion of the parade. Each child will receive a goodie bag at the finish line for their participation in the parade.

Approximately 350 children participated in last year’s parade while hundreds of family and friends cheered them on. Parents are welcome to participate with their child in the parade to promote fun for the entire family.

Children need to be dropped off at Sunblest Boulevard on the east side of Holland Park at Ellipse Parkway. They must walk to the starting point at Holland Drive and Ellipse Parkway. Please do not drop your children off at Ellipse Parkway Holland Drive. Children can be picked up on the grassy area just south of the intersection. Please do not block the intersection with your vehicles for you and your child’s safety.

The mission of the Fishers Freedom Festival is to encourage fellowship through civic partnerships and citizen involvement by creating a safe environment, developing needed community services, promoting family integrity and striving to improve the quality of life for every resident by investing in human potential.

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, this year’s theme is “20 Years Are Great in 2008.” The Fishers Freedom Festival is always in need of volunteers at different levels of participation. For more information on volunteering or about the festival, please visit www.FishersFreedomFestival.org, email freedomfestival@sbcglobal.net, visit 8601 East 116th Street in Fishers or call 317-595-3195.

This yearʼs court will be:

• Queen: Sarah Hamby of Lantern Road Elementary, age 6
• King: Quinn Heiking of Cumberland Road Elementary, age 7

Princesses:

• Savannah Kennedy of Fishres Elementary, age 7
• Kavaree Mason of Cumberland Road Elementary, age 7
• Olivia Porter of Sandcreek Elementary, age 7
• Megan Pitts of Lantern Road Elementary, age 6

Princes:

• Alec Field of Fall Creek Elementary, age 7
• Jeremy Roesner of Sandcreek Elementary, age 6
• Nathan Shatkowski of Geist Elementary, age 7
• Connor Stidham of Harrison Parkway Elementary, age 6

Royal Court entry forms were sent to all Hamilton Southeastern school children who would be six to seven years old by June 1, 2008. Over 500 entry forms were received by March 10th and were placed in a box according to gender. At a Fishers Town Council meeting, the winning names were randomly drawn.

Back in 1989, the founders of the Fishers Parade and Festival decided to have a community gathering to celebrate Independence Day. With the help of volunteers, the event originated as a one-day community picnic, parade, and a few games for the children. Due to the overwhelming participation by the public, this event grew to a two-day event.

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, this year’s theme is “20 Years Are Great in 2008.” The Fishers Freedom Festival is always in need of volunteers at different levels of participation. For more information on volunteering or about the festival, please visit www.FishersFreedomFestival.org, email freedomfestival@sbcglobal.net, visit 8601 East 116th Street in Fishers or call 317-595-3195.

Caption: Front row from left to right: Kavaree Mason, Sarah Hamby (Queen), Olivia Porter and Megan Pitts. 

Back row from left to right:  Alec Field, Connor Stidham, Quinn Heiking (King) and Jeremy Roesner.

Pictured below: Savannah Kennedy & Nathan Shatkowski.

A spokesperson for the blood drive, Cindy Kiger, is hoping to visit the police and fire stations to promote the event. Her father, Detective Jack R. Ohrberg, was killed early in the morning on Thursday, December 11, 1980 as he tried to serve a high risk arrest warrant in Indianapolis.

The blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, June 12th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The blood mobile will be parked at the police department from 10:00 am to Noon and at the fire department from Noon to 2:00 pm.

To make an appointment, please email or call Stephanie Bradshaw at the police department – bradshaws@fishers.in.us or 595-3300. Walk-ins are also appreciated! Donors may also visit the Indiana Blood Center at 116th and Allisonville to participate in this blood drive.

“The children in our community are very important to us and with the success of Teen Academy, we are excited to work with the kids again this year.” said Chief George Kehl.

The purpose of the academy is to allow teens to better understand police officers and to strengthen the relationship between the police department and the community.  Officers will teach blocks of instruction on various topics such as emergency vehicle operations, building searches, drug investigations and domestic violence.  Students will have classroom instruction as well as practical “role play” training each day.

For more information or to enroll in the Teen Academy, contact Sergeant Ed Gebhart at the Fishers Police Department at 317-595-3372.