Painting the Town Jenni Kiesler’S Art Stands out in a Big Way

December 2019

Painting the town Jenni Kiesler’s art stands out in a big way

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02/2019 FPN022519NI1 02/2019 1901 Taylor Road • Columbus, IN 47203 812-372-8481 FranciscanDocs.org 1901www.fourseasonsretirement.com Taylor Road • Columbus, IN 47203 www.fourseasonsretirement.com TR-35026879

812-372-8481 1901 Taylor Road • Columbus, IN 47203 www.fourseasonsretirement.com contentsDECEMBER 2019

Thai Connection

14 December 2019

TASTE

Soup Du Jour Painting the town Jenni Kiesler’s art stands out Stay warm with favorites in a big way

from Washington Street restaurants Hearty Soups // Columbus Symphony Orchestra // Heritage Fund

On the cover Jenni Kiesler photographed by Angela Jackson

4 Columbus Magazine December 18, 2019

Publisher Advertising Reader Services Bud Hunt Advertising Art Director Mailing Address AIM Media Indiana Amanda Waltz P.O. Box 3011 Columbus, IN 47202 Advertising Design Editorial Erin Caplinger, Ashley Curry, Advertising Inquiries Editor and Senior Graphic Designer Julie Daiker, Jessica Dell, (812) 379-5655 Emilee Miller Kassi Hattabaugh, Josh Meyer, Jessicah Powers, Tina Ray, Back Issues Senior Copy Editor Robert Wilson To order back issues of Columbus Katharine Smith magazine, please send $5 per Advertising Operations Manager issue (includes S&H) to the Contributors Lara Hunt mailing address above or call Rebecca Berfanger, Carla Clark, (800) 435-5601. Please include the Bud Herron, Angela Jackson, Advertising Operations Coordinator address to which your copies should Jana Jones, April Knox, Jon Shoulders, Cat Cooper be sent. PDF files are available Glenda Winders, Mike Wolanin for a fee of $20 per page and are Account Executives permitted for personal use only. Rhonda Day, Jon Franz, Taylor Schrink, Joy Woodcock ©2019 by AIM Media Indiana All rights reserved. Reproduction of stories, photographs and advertisements without permission is prohibited.

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Columbus Magazine 5 contents

MEdley

8 What do you think? 10 For What it’s worth 12 BOOK NOOK

taste 14 Warming power of soup

PROFILE 20 Artist Jenni Kiesler 28 COMMUNITY Sweet sounds of Josh Aerie 28 Columbus Symphony Orchestra

GOODWILL 34 Heritage Fund’s philanthropic endeavors

IN EVERY ISSUE

38 Weddings 42 our side of town 46 The Big Picture

6 Columbus Magazine 34 Josh Aerie TR-35004488

Columbus Magazine 7 medley What Do You Think? Compiled By Carla Clark

In each issue of Columbus, we ask people for their opinions on a variety of topics. This month’s question: What’s the best holiday gift you ever received and why was it so special?

A necklace with my son’s birthdate A big set of G.I. Joe toys. I don’t A Purdue hat. I am an IU alumnus, in Roman numerals. The gift was remember exactly how old I was, and with that gift my son was so special because he is our first maybe 4 or 5. I was not in school yet. announcing his intent to go and only child, it was his first My parents bought me a big set of into engineering at Purdue Christmas and the gift was from G.I. Joe toys, a tank, an airplane, all University. — John Baxter my husband. — Chelsea Jarrell kinds of soldiers. What made it the most memorable, the best Christmas present I remember, was they were not in packages. When we got up Christmas morning and ran out into the room, my dad had set it up in this big epic war scene that was so cool. I will never forget that. — Matthew Wilson

A Nintendo 64 for Christmas. I was a little older, middle school or high school age, but we played that, not It was shortly after Christmas when only my brother and I, but we had my I found out I was pregnant with dad play against us. We played Mario Brinkley. I was going through a lot Kart and GoldenEye. We still talk of personal issues and one day I just about it today, 20 years later, about broke down. I was asking God for how we all played it, how we got on help; I need a sign; I need direction; each other’s nerves and picked on My son. My son was born on I don’t know what to do where to each other. We have a lot of good Christmas day at 2 in the morning, go. A few weeks later I found out memories, Mom, Dad, my brother and he weighed 4 pounds I was pregnant. I feel like she was and I playing together and playing and 9 ounces. He was born on sent for a reason. Little Miss Brinkley against other friends and relatives. It the same day as Christ; can’t was the best gift ever. — Omii Weaver went beyond the gift. — Brian Trivett top that. — Amber Duncan with daughter, Brinkley McKinney

8 Columbus Magazine Give the gift of sparkle this season

COLUMBUS GOLD & DIAMOND

2725 24th Street, Columbus, IN 47201 812-372-6530

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Columbus Magazine 9 medley For what it’s worth

One more listless Christmas tradition has ended By Bud Herron

I did not send you a Christmas I married, our card-sending The fact that our combined card this year. Well, actually, heritages also married. Like Christmas card lists now had I haven’t sent you a Christmas mine, her family observed more names than the Chicago card for about 15 years. My the everyone-you-know-and- phone book made no differ- negligence makes me feel a bit several-you-don’t card list ence to Ann. She approached guilty. tradition. However, her family the writing like a Kenyan I grew up in a family added a conviction that Hall- runner approaches the Boston that always sent Christmas mark verses don’t get the job Marathon — confident, ded- greeting cards. We sent them done alone. Frugal Germanic icated and determined. I had to acquaintances, friends, people, they wanted the most no option but to jog along be- »relatives and an assortment of bang for a 5-cent stamp and hind her, sweating and gasping people we didn’t even know therefore insisted a personal for breath. — people we had added to our note had to be written inside To avoid writer’s cramp, “card list” before we forgot each card. I learned to write with very who they were. When these No form letters were per- large script. I also became an people got our card each year, mitted. Ann sneered at form expert at making my notes they probably couldn’t remem- letters the way Rembrandt personal — yet vague enough ber us either but replied with likely would react to paintings to cover myself, in case I had a card of their own to keep of Elvis Presley on velvet. Ev- forgotten the intended recipi- themselves on our list. ery note had to be handwritten ent had died since the previous When my wife, Ann, and and unique to each receiver. Christmas. (I would have been

10 Columbus Magazine embarrassed had grieving who had not sent us a card for on recycled paper stock — of- policy in 1990. The other one relatives opened the card to at least three years. The purg- ten with nasty notes accusing went to a distant cousin who discover I’d forgotten I had ing began with the people we us of destroying the ozone hit the lottery, is said to be in come to the funeral.) didn’t know and then moved layer. Next, we axed those who poor health and may or may One year, the notes I wrote on to the people we assumed had returned our cards that not remember me. to close friends, who knew my were now deceased, incarcer- were printed on recycled paper Once again, forgive me marital situation well, said: ated or had otherwise “gone stock — often with nasty for not sending you a card, “Ann makes me write notes missing.” Finally, we decided notes accusing us of being with or without a personal in all these cards. This is your to remove the names of ev- “tree-huggers.” note. The stress was ruining note.” Unfortunately, some of eryone who sent us “e-cards” Finally, we realized no my Christmas, my Holiday the recipients ratted on me, so online — too cheap to buy a one under 65 was sending us Season, my Hanukkah and my the shortcut only lasted one postage stamp and too lazy to Christmas cards at all — not Kwanzaa. Christmas. write a note. even generic, have-a-good- About 15 years ago, how- Others on our list were day cards. Only two names ever, we ended our 35-year removed as collateral damage remained on our purged, Bud Herron is writing commitment. The end from the “War on Christmas,” dog-eared list on that day in a writer and came with a whimper rather declared to be in full combat 2004 when we mailed our last former editor than a bang. Our card list every year by talk radio and Christmas cards. and publisher gradually had shrunk to about cable TV hosts. Anyone we One card went to an for various the size of the phone book in feared might be offended by insurance agency that every newspapers and Pumpkin Center, Iowa. a card that said “Happy Holi- year since 1987 has sent a card magazines in Indiana and Texas. A native of Hope, he retired in Fewer people were sending days” we removed. with a picture of Santa Claus 2007 as group publisher for Home us cards. So we followed the Then we crossed off the kneeling in prayer in front of News Enterprises, the former time-honored tradition of names of people who had the manger — even though we owner of The Republic. He and his removing those from our list returned our cards not printed had canceled our insurance wife, Ann, live in Columbus.

5220 East Southport Road Indianapolis TR-35026812

Columbus Magazine 11 medley BOOK NOOK

“The Last Collec- “The World That “The Dutch House” “Olive, Again” tion: A Novel of We Knew” By Ann Patchett By Elizabeth Strout Elsa Schiaparelli By Alice Hoffman Reading this book is like What can you say about watching a match slowly burn, “Olive, Again”? Luckily for her and Coco Chanel” This novel is a spell-binding then needing to see what readers, Strout has found lots story of three women whose By Jeanne Mackin happens when you put that to say in a dozen interwoven lives become inextricably This historical fiction novel flame to paper. You won’t stories about Olive Kitteridge, linked during the dark days is set in 1938 Paris as the want to put it out ... I mean the title character in her of World War II. Readers Nazis make their way toward put the book down. This 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winning will learn about history, the France. These two fierce novel is beautifully written, novel. Now an older, more power of love, mystical fashion icons are fighting drawing you so deeply into mellow and much wiser Olive religious traditions and the to be the designer to the the lives of the Conroy family returns to again warm our enormous strength that haute couture world. Polar that they will smolder in hearts. drove ordinary women to opposites in their designs, your thoughts well after the Still outspoken, opinion- valiantly fight behind the upbringing and politics, Schi- story ends. Told over a span ated, often brash and rarely scenes to save their fami- aparelli and Chanel barely of 50 years, younger brother politically correct, Olive has lies, their communities and tolerate one another. Danny explores the impact much to teach us about love their countries in the face of Into this mix arrives Lily “the house” had in shaping and loss, about aging grace- horrific terror. An immediate Sutter, a recently widowed his relationship with his sister fully and not so gracefully, bestseller and contender for American paying a visit to her Maeve, as well as all other and about the often-fraught the 2020 Carnegie Medal, brother who is temporarily relationships both past and ties that bind us. Olive has re- this richly woven tale is a in Paris. Lily befriends both future. The house becomes a mained with me as one of my must-read, can’t-put-it-down women and finds herself in central character, the reason favorite fictional characters book, perfect for settling in the middle of their war. She for so much joy, sadness, pain for these past 11 years, and to read on a snowy evening. sees the lengths some will go and grief. now she is even more dear to to protect themselves from me. I haven’t been so eager — Beth Stroh the changes that are coming — Theresa Wilson to read and to recommend a to France. Even if fashion is book for a long time. not of interest to you, these — Suzanne Fountaine two extraordinary women make for an interesting read.

— Michelle Malina

12 Columbus Magazine Reviews by the staff of Viewpoint Books

“Country Music: “The Summer “The Bear and the “Planet Earth Is An Illustrated Country” Nightingale” Blue” History” By Lauren Willig By Katherine Arden By Nicole Panteleakos By Dayton Duncan and I am a fan of historical fiction, This is a beautiful book so Do you remember where you Ken Burns and this is one of the best atmospheric that you will were the day of the Challenger Light the fireplace, pull up I have read in recent years. want to have a blanket and launch? I was in high school your favorite chair, grab a Set in Barbados, the story hot drink close by as you watching it live in the class- comfy blanket, put on some alternates between 1812 and can almost feel the winter room. “Planet Earth Is Blue” Hank Williams and prepare to 1854. Emily Dawson receives air while you read. Follow uses the events leading up to be enthralled for hours. This an unexpected inheritance Vasya through life, loss, magic, this tragic time in our history is the companion book to the from her grandfather: a sugar religion and rebellion as she to tell the story of Nova, a PBS Ken Burns documentary plantation in Barbados. grows up listening to fairy nonverbal girl with autism of country music in the United She arrives to find that the tales and seeing creatures who loves outer space. States. It is gorgeous and just plantation has been burned others cannot. Nova and her sister, Bridget, as important, fun and enter- to the ground and left in ruins. Set in medieval Russia, have been raised in and out taining as the film. Burns is a Why would her grandfather Vasya wants to keep her of foster care. Space travel master storyteller and does leave her a property that is family and home safe from and astronomy are the bond not disappoint with his current in total disrepair? The answer the dangers that lurk outside. that allows them to escape project. lies in the past. It is a story of However, her stepmother the situations they are dealt. I thought I did not love greed, lies and betrayal. forbids her from doing so, This sweet story is a wonderful country music. After read- causing defenses to weaken. insight into what goes on in ing this book, I came to the — Kelli Stricklin Enter into this dark and cap- the mind of someone with this realization that I, a sixth-gen- tivating book to meet some disability. It is a story of hope eration Southerner, did not interesting characters like the and love, basic needs we all understand or appreciate the frost-demon and upyr. This is share. genre. “Country Music” tells book one of three; go “mara- the saga of working-class thon them” if you are willing — Celia Allman-Watts Americans through back to brave the Russian wilder- stories, songs and lyrics mixed ness and a dark fairy tale. with historical information and little-known (often juicy) — Cassie Kopp details. I am now a country music convert.

— Nanne Cutler

Columbus Magazine 13 Taste

By JON SHOULDERS // Photography by jana jones

Vegetarian tomato bisque at Tre Bicchieri

14 Columbus Magazine As winter chill sets in and we’re all thinking of the best ways to stay warm and com- fortable, it’s easy to forget one simple solution — a steamy, savory, satisfying serving of soup. Whether it’s a basic bowl like tomato or chicken noodle, or a heartier stew or chowder, there are plenty of options around town that will warm you to the bone By JON SHOULDERS // Photography by jana jones in short order.

Columbus Magazine 15 taste

Thai Connection

527 Washington St., 812-657-3790 thaiconnection.biz

For something refreshing and healthy yet substantial and comforting, Thai Connection manager Om Shanyapuk recommends »her Tom Yum soup, a spicy lemongrass soup chock-full of herbs, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes. “The Tom Yum is popular, and it can be served vegetarian or with chicken or shrimp,” says Shan- yapuk, adding that her Tom Ka, a coconut milk soup with veggies and herbs, is another constant customer favorite. “The Tom Yum is medium spicy, so it’s OK for someone if they don’t like too much spice. It has the right balance.”

16 Columbus Magazine Fresh Take Kitchen more comforting than a bowl make it at home for myself of soup?” because I like it so much.” 424 Washington St., 812-799-1097 Vaughn drew on a bit of Vaughn also sells about freshtakekitchen.com family background for inspi- two gallons per day of his ration in formulating one of pumpkin soup with Italian Fresh Take Kitchen’s current sausage, for which he starts bestsellers, a hearty vegetable with a vegetable broth and barley soup. pumpkin puree base and adds “Everyone’s always looking “My mom used to make sweet Italian sausage, cheddar for a home-cooked meal, but a vegetable soup with ham- cheese, mushrooms, celery, everyone’s always so busy, burger that I grew up eating,” carrots and onions. and I think in the winter for he explains. “We cater a lot “Our white chicken chili, some people, they just want to vegetarians and vegans, so which is loaded with white »something to warm them up we made our vegetable barley cheddar and cream cheese, quickly,” says Joshua Vaughn, vegan. It’s tomato-based and green chiles, corn and chef and general manager at loaded with vegetables, and chicken, is another favorite,” Fresh Take Kitchen on Wash- instead of beef we use barley. he adds. “It’s really hearty and ington Street. “And what’s It seems to satisfy. I actually almost like a stew.”

Columbus Magazine 17 taste

Henry Social Club

423 Washington St., 812-799-1371, henrysocialclub.com

Amy Holmes of Henry Social “We try to keep that in mind. a need with its New England- Club on Washington Street Every soup we have has some- style clam chowder, which says her cream of cremini thing you can chew and a she says is the most requested mushroom soup is a big hit good consistency for the base, soup. It starts with a bacon-fat with patrons, topped with sau- and then we almost always base and includes vegetables, »téed shiitake mushrooms, olive have something crunchy, like clams and clam juice, and oil and croutons. our homemade croutons on heavy cream. “One of the most important top.” “It’s not a diet dish, but it things with soup is the textural On those particularly frigid hits the spot when it starts element, which can make it feel winter days, sometimes only getting really cold,” Holmes like a more substantial meal an extra rich and creamy soup says. “It’s a nice balance with rather than just a water-based will do. She says Henry Social the saline from the clams and side dish,” Holmes explains. Club has you covered for such the creaminess.”

18 Columbus Magazine Tre Bicchieri 425 Washington St., 812-372-1962, trebicchieri-columbus.com

Let’s face it, can you beat a steaming bowl of tomato soup in the chilly months? Jeff Luzius, executive chef at Tre Bicchieri, offers a vegetarian tomato bisque that includes fresh »Roma tomatoes, fresh herbs, orange juice, carrots, bell peppers, celery and onion. “Since we’re an Italian restaurant, we try to stay with the Italian style as much as we can, so our tomato bisque has a great herb mix and all the fresh vegetables to add a great flavor,” he says. While you’re at it, try Tre Bicch- ieri’s pepper steak soup, which is made with a beef stock, bell peppers, mushrooms and tomato paste. “We use New York strip and beef tender- loin at the restaurant, so we use the good beef tip scraps off of that for the soup, and then sour cream is a secret ingredient that helps the base,” Luzius adds.

Looking to perfect a few soups at home for the family this season? Check out the following tips to liven up what you ladle out.

Stock in trade as you’re building your soup, citrus flavor from dominating Amy Holmes of Henry Social taste as you go and adjust the overall taste. Beef pops Club says vegetable or chicken flavors as needed based off really well with a little lemon stock will typically give you of trying to balance flavors zest on top. a richer, more condensed out,” says chef Jeff Luzius of soup than broth. “That’s an Tre Bicchieri. “The flavor you Cheese please important distinction if you’re start with isn’t necessarily the If you’re often grating hard looking to punch up your flavor that you end with.” cheeses and are left with soups at home, so save the rinds that would normally be tops of vegetables and chicken Citrus solutions discarded, save them in your bones for good homemade Citrus can be a helpful secret freezer in a plastic bag for stocks,” she says. ingredient to make sweet and your soup base. “It can add a savory dishes come alive, nice richness to your stock, Go off-script and soups are no exception. especially in a minestrone or Try to use a balance of in- Try grating some orange or something like that,” Holmes gredients based on taste, not experiment with a little lemon says. “Rinds won’t melt all necessarily on a recipe. or lime juice as you stir in the way, so you might want “Use the main ingredients ingredients, and sample as to take them out before you from your recipe, but then you go in order to prevent the serve.”

Columbus Magazine 19 Profile

Photo by Nowelle Ledebuhr, Studio 1492 Photography

20 Columbus Magazine

ON THE WALL

Jenni Kiesler has a letter-perfect approach to her art and career

By glenda winders PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA JACKSON & SUBMITTED

Columbus Magazine 21 profile

22 Columbus Magazine Photo by Ryan Furr Creative

For as long as she can re- consin, the little girl with the one day in the dollar aisle at member, Jenni Kiesler’s love busy pen grew up and majored Target she spotted some small of letters and words has been in English at the University chalkboard easels, and that’s matched only by her love of of Wisconsin. Then she took when her business, Keywords drawing them. She recalls a a job in Indianapolis, met her Co., was born. She decorated long flight to California at future husband, Derek, on a them with spaces for the age 12 when she wrote and blind date and 12 years ago baby’s changing age, weight, rewrote the letter R, putting moved to Columbus because length and milestones. She put it into words and drawing the of his job as an engineer at them on Instagram, and they other letters to fit a new font Cummins Inc. took off. she had just discovered. In The couple started a family, the eighth grade her friends and Kiesler enjoyed being a In the beginning thought her doodles were so stay-at-home mom, but she “It was right before Christ- good that they encouraged soon found a way to put her mas,” she said, “so I bought her to enter a competition to creativity to work without some ornaments to person- design the next year’s student taking time away from her alize and ended up getting sev- planner. children. She had noticed that eral orders. Then a couple of “I didn’t win,” she said, “but lots of people were putting friends asked if I could make I remember that I enjoyed pictures of their babies on Christmas gifts, so I made a fitting words into an art form social media next to signs few that year. Now if someone within a constrained space.” that recorded their ages or calls and asks, ‘Can you write A native of Madison, Wis- skills they had mastered. Then on this?’ I say ‘Probably.’”

Columbus Magazine 23 profile

Photo by Chandler Photo by Nowelle Ledebuhr, Rose Photography Studio 1492 Photography

Kiesler said moving to “She is honestly one of the Columbus after growing up most talented, creative, genu- in Wisconsin was a little bit ine and professional business daunting, and she credits the owners around. She has been friends she’s made at Terrace a blessing to our business, and Lake Church for making this I know many other businesses feel like home. would say the same.” “We really feel that group Kiesler laughs when she has provided family here,” she remembers Hodge first asking said. “People encourage me her to submit concepts for a when I’m feeling down, and menu and sidewalk chalk- they have really championed board. my art and hired me to do “Like any entrepreneur, things. They’re just a good I said yes and figured it out solid base of encouragement, later,” she said. and everyone needs that.” One of those friends is Growing fame Alissa Hodge, owner of Lucabe That commission led to others Coffee Co. as customers tagged her in “Jenni and I have been photos of the coffee shop they friends for years, and when posted on social media. Her Lucabe was being built out we next client was Jarrod Hoye, knew we wanted a personal managing partner of Texas touch of hand-chalking as a Roadhouse, who asked her to part of our brand,” she said. tell the restaurant’s story on a Photo by Nowelle Ledebuhr, Studio 1492 Photography

24 Columbus Magazine “She is honestly one of the most talented, creative, genuine and professional business owners around. She has been a blessing to our business, and I know many other businesses

would say the same.” — Alissa Hodge

4-by-8-foot chalkboard. Once “I’m really grateful that my again she agreed and then husband has woodworking figured out how she would skills because he does all of approach the task. When the the cutting and framing for restaurant moved, she created the projects we do,” she said. and installed an outdoor ”We have a garage with all the mural in its new waiting area, power tools to make signs and and since the piece she had do the painting. It’s a good made for the old location was setup.” no longer being used, she in- She has also added digital stalled that design at the Texas designs to her repertoire. Last Roadhouse in Richmond. year when she was working

“Jenni is an absolute dream out at a fitness studio in South TR-35026814 to work with,” Hoye said. “Her Carolina, she told the owner artistic vision and talent are about her work and landed second to none, and the work a commission to do a wall she has done at both our old mural there. Back at home store and the current one helps she made the design on her set us apart. The only thing computer and emailed it to better than her work is the the client, who then took it friendship we have created.” to a local print shop, where it Today Kiesler is doing a was enlarged and printed to be variety of jobs she once could applied to the wall. not have imagined and using “That’s a good option for all kinds of materials — from someone who wants the art chalk, paint pens and markers but also wants to keep costs Think Home. to latex house paint. She has down since she didn’t have to done a 16-by-18-foot mural pay for me to come out there,” Think Window of the architect’s rendering Kiesler said. “I do prefer Exterior Home Solutions of the build-out plan for the painting — that’s where my World. third floor at kidscommons, a niche is — but digital is pretty www.windowworldscindiana.com wall mural for the Pure Barre cool, too.” exercise facility and another It’s an option she used when outside the new Ramen Alley a local Boy Scout troop asked restaurant. her to paint graffiti on its She still does most of the trailer. Instead of using spray Exterior Home Solutions work at her westside home, paint she created the design 1636 State St., but as projects got bigger she and sent it to the Tony London Suite G • Columbus rented space downtown for Co., where it was made into a 812-372-0008 • 1-800-Next-Window meetings and enlisted Derek’s large sticker. Siding, Guttering, Doors & More! help. Kiesler’s work shows up TR-35026753

Columbus Magazine 25 profile

Scotty, Derek, Monroe, Jenni and Beckett Kiesler

frequently at weddings, where her signage can welcome guests, provide a seating chart, number the tables or what- ever else the bride and groom decide. She said it is an honor to be part of such significant moments. “Being able to do that for a couple is really rewarding,” she said. “It’s fun to help brand their event using the inspi- ration from their invitation all the way through to the reception.” She often gets orders for painting the lyrics to a couple’s special song for anniversaries and gifts, and she does all this while still being able to spend

26 Columbus Magazine lots of time with her children meetings now with Monroe, as but in a way that makes it art — Beckett, 8, Scotty, 6, and she did with both boys. and makes it engaging.” Monroe, 3. For fun she likes playing She said the most difficult with her children and the fam- part of her job, however, is Family deadline ily dog, a 1-year-old chocolate facing rejection when she “I have a hard cutoff time at Lab named Zip, as well as proposes a project that isn’t 2 o’clock when I pick up my attending the children’s soccer picked up. daughter at day care three games. She enjoys gardening, “Hearing ‘no’ can feel very days a week and we get home exploring Brown County, din- personally defeating because in time for the school bus,” she ing out with her husband and art is so personal,” she said. said. “That’s important for our “drinking a bold glass of red “And I’m putting myself out family right now. I’m really wine or a good cup of coffee.” there, asking people, ‘Do you lucky that I have that option She said one of her greatest like this, would you need this, because I know not everyone pleasures is working out at will you pay me for it?’” does.” Pure Barre or having coffee But she said dealing with Kiesler teaches chalk-letter- at Lucabe and supporting the that has helped her grow. ing classes as well as kinder- local businesses that feature “I’m grateful to my friends garten and first-grade Sunday her work. and my husband and kids who school, belongs to a book “It’s a lot of fun to do all have taught me that my value group and is a new Chamber these things,” she said, “which doesn’t come from what I can of Commerce member. She is a nice thing since it is also create and that I have value and Derek lead a church com- my career. The challenge is to just for being me. If I stopped munity group, and she goes communicate the message in doing art tomorrow, I’d be to Mothers of Preschoolers a way that the words are there fine.”

Celebrate with us!

Now Booking! The Commons 300 Washington Street Columbus, IN 47201 (812) 376-2681 thecommonscolumbus.com TR-35009896

Columbus Magazine 27 Community

Hitting all the right notes

Josh Aerie

28 Columbus Magazine Columbus Symphony Orchestra continues to evolve while not losing sight of its almost 100-year-old history

By REBECCA BERFANGER // Photography by JANA JONES

The Columbus Symphony Or- season of five public perfor- chestra is the oldest volunteer mances at The Commons that orchestra in the state, founded typically include about 60 to in 1922. The organization’s 70 volunteer musicians, with current music director contin- a few professionals sprinkled ues to embrace traditions, as into the mix. well as showcase new music to So far in the 2019-2020 challenge volunteer musicians season, they performed their and their audience. opener in October and a holi- TJosh Aerie, who has been day show in November, “Win- music director since 2015, ter is Coming,” featuring the is a conductor, cellist, music music of “Game of Thrones.” educator and arts advocate This season audiences can still who has built his career as a catch three more shows: Feb. musician. He also is a found- 23, April 19 and June 3. All of ing member of the Sylvan Trio the shows take place at 3:30 and the Gichigami Piano Trio, p.m.; each is about 90 minutes and guest conducts around without intermission, and the Midwest. tickets are $10 for adults, and He’s been commuting from $5 for children and seniors. South Bend to direct the The 2020-21 season will start weekly rehearsals of the musi- next fall, including a holiday cians, as well as program each show in late 2020.

Josh Aerie

Columbus Magazine 29 community

Since joining the orchestra, “I’m looking to create a “Hometown Talent,” will Aerie has been programming program that captivates and highlight people from Colum- shows that include music that holds people’s interest from bus, as well as the winner of embraces what audiences the opening piece, through the high school concerto com- already expect, the familiar perhaps a middle concerto petition. Performances will works most classical music or other slightly longer piece, include the Andrews Strings fans can easily recognize, and then finding a real show- Studio; Laura Andrews and while also introducing them case piece to end the concert. Phil Palermo performing to something they’ve proba- To do that all within less than Bach’s Double Concerto; Pro- bly never heard before. That an hour and a half of music, kofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” could be a piece by a living and have the audience — and featuring a local celebrity composer or a lesser-known musicians as well — be able narrating the piece; and the composition by one of the to sit and enjoy and feel like winner of the fourth annual masters. they’ve been through an ad- CSO Youth Concerto Compe- “I’m always thinking about venture, a journey as it were, tition. it and collecting ideas,” Aerie during the concert program.” The application dead- said, adding that he keeps his line for the Youth Concerto ideas in a notebook for future Local stars Competition is Jan. 3. Later in seasons. For instance, the next show, January, those selected from

30 Columbus Magazine " May the Magic and the applications will audition and classical art music, it’s Wonder of the Season Fill your for the opportunity to play a important to find brand new concerto and for one of two music,” Aerie said. Heart and Home. available scholarships. Infor- Happy Holidays!" mation, including eligibility Modern sounds requirements, is available at “With an orchestra like the https://csoindiana.org/youth- CSO it is sometimes a little bit concerto/. of a challenge to find music The April 19 show, “Trag- by living composers,” he JAN BRINKMAN edy and Triumph,” will fea- added. “Part of that has to CENTURY 21 ture Brahms’ Symphony No. do with cost, part of that has #1 Broker in Indiana 2018 4, plus music by 20th-century to do with availability and composers Gerald Raphael some other factors. We’re also Finzi and Alan Hovhaness. finding works that are lesser [email protected] Rachel Wilken, CSO known in repertoire, even if Board of Directors president they are a couple hundred 812.371.3215 and clarinetist, referred to years old, or a 20th-century Call or Text the June 3 performance as a work that is worthy to be pops concert “with a twist.” heard, but is not frequently www.JANBRINKMAN.COM The orchestra will perform performed, especially by an 19th-century Czech com- ensemble like ours. So in poser Bedrich Smetana’s “The short, I’m always looking for Moldau,” in addition to works ways to include new music, at by 19th- and 20th-century least music that is new and ad- composers Gustav Holst and venturesome to our musicians TR-35026751 Eric Coates, and 19th-century and audience.” composer, Johann Strauss. In addition to the audience In June, the orchestra will experience, including how the also perform a new piece by CSO fits into the rich cultural the winner of the CSO’s first landscape of Columbus, the When composition contest. Details orchestra also offers an op- for that contest will be avail- portunity for musicians in the Quality able on the CSO’s website. The community to connect with contest is open to applicants each other as performers. Matters! who are at least 18 years old. For instance, while the There will be a cash prize and high school competition can the opportunity for the CSO provide a once-in-a-lifetime to bring the piece to life. opportunity to perform a The competition is yet concerto for a large audi- another way to introduce ence, students like those audiences and musicians to who compete in the Youth new music. Concerto Competition are “Quite frankly, classical welcome to join the orchestra music is a living and breath- as volunteer members, said ing thing. There are so many tuba player Christopher Clerc. wonderful music makers and He first played with the CSO composers out there today when he was in high school that deserve to be heard. So and returned to the CSO after in that sense, and looking out he moved back to the area in and seeing how can we foster 2013. Only local body shop in the area that is I-car gold! the art of Western art music Wilken added the musi- www.voelzbodyshop.com 3471 Market Street, Columbus IN 47201 812-376-8868 TR-35020354

Columbus Magazine 31 community

cians can range from high school through age 90 and have a variety of skill and experience levels. “Starting to play with us is really simple,” Clerc said, noting practices take place at the same time and place every week. “Anyone interested in playing with us can come, and we’ll figure out where they can play. One of the most exciting things is every year we get new people. It keeps the orchestra healthy.” Wilken had a similar experience when she joined a couple of years ago. She studied music in college and was looking for a place to play when she moved to Columbus from Cincinnati. After she learned about the CSO, she called to find out if it needed clarinetists. Shortly after, she attended her first rehearsal.

32 Columbus Magazine All musicians welcome joining the board of directors. “The orchestra is always She also would encourage recruiting musicians; we don’t others — even if they’re not require auditions,” she said, musicians — to volunteer or suggesting prospective mem- consider joining the board or bers reach out on the CSO’s a committee. Facebook page, via email “I find my experience with or contacting Aerie, whose the CSO is similar to expe- The Republic Bridal Show information is on the website. riences in other ensembles,” “We can prepare music for Wilken said. “There is a cama- [new members] if we know far raderie within an instrument January 26, 2020 enough in advance or might group, including among other The Commons, Columbus IN have them share music.” winds and clarinetists. There “It goes section by section,” are not a ton of people in added Clerc of how new per- winds, and many of us go out formers are acclimated to the to dinner after every rehearsal group. “In the string section, and have become friends.” everyone has a stand partner, She added there are even so that’s the closest person. In initiatives within the orga- the winds section, like a typi- nization to have more of a For vendor information email: cal orchestra, every wind part sense of community outside of [email protected] to sign up for a booth. is separate, but you still have rehearsals. the section where the parts are “The Columbus Symphony TR-35028081 usually similar so musicians is the community’s orchestra,” will help each other. Last year Aerie said. “We are both there we had a newer player, a high for the community and part of school student, and he fit right the cultural enhancement and in. We all band together and enrichment for community We Build Enduring Landscapes! help each other.” members, in general, but also He added the orchestra is as an opportunity for com- Garden Center | Design/Build Landscaping not as competitive as other munity members to play and Computer Design | Outdoor Rooms | Water Features musical groups. “It’s who’s engage in music, and to learn Retaining Walls | Paver and Stone Patios available and who’s interested. about music, and experience If a second tuba player showed music, and certainly a lot of up, we’d figure out how to that happens with the per- split up the parts. I think formers and musicians in the everybody has as much right orchestra. to be there and to play and get “But through the compe- the same thing out of it,” said titions and through our pro- Clerc. gramming and some of our

Wilken said she immedi- other opportunities we have 7183 E. Co. Rd. 400 N. Greensburg, IN ately was welcomed from the throughout the season, we’re 888-596-9221 time she called to ask if they very much focused on being a www.JacksonsNursery.com could accept a new clarinetist, part of the community, being [email protected] to her first rehearsal where an asset and being engaged in several of her fellow musi- the community as a culturally cians invited her to dinner, to enriching orchestra.” TR-35026746

Columbus Magazine 33 Goodwill

the foundation of a community

The Heritage Fund turns philanthropy into action

By GLENDA WINDERS // Photography by april knox

34 Columbus Magazine Attend just about any community function or take part in a civic program in Colum- bus and chances are good that the Heritage Fund – the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County will turn up on its list of supporters. AThe organization seems to be everyone’s fairy godmother, and it does make dreams come true, but a lot more goes into what it is able to accomplish than just magic. “What we do is so simple but so complex,” said Tracy Souza, president and CEO of the Heritage Fund. “We are fiscal managers of philanthropic assets, catalysts for positive community change, and we promote community leadership. We don’t make things —

we make things better.” Staff of the Heritage Fund: Top to bottom from left, Kyle Hendricks, Celeste Yonushonis, The group is a community Lorraine Low, Amy Laker, Tracy Souza, Tobi Herron, Kelly Geckler and Kristin Munn foundation, one of 94 that serve every county in Indiana. The idea was born a century nial Corp. were finished with ating with a small staff (six ago, when bank trust depart- their work and decided to use full-time, one part-time) and ments needed a vehicle for leftover funds to start a foun- a large board (28), it manages getting funds their clients had dation. Over the next three some 300 funds. It invests bequeathed for scholarships years they raised $3 million, the contributed money under and civic projects into the and by the end of 2018 they the guidance of professional communities where they were had more than $68 million financial advisers, then uses needed. Despite being part of a in their coffers – a testament, the income it generates to fund bigger network, each founda- Souza said, to the generosity of programs in perpetuity. The Heritage Fund turns philanthropy into action tion reflects the personality of individuals and organizations For starters, the Heritage its area. within Columbus. Fund oversees more than 80 The Columbus group came scholarships. Eli Lilly and Co., By GLENDA WINDERS // Photography by april knox into being in 1976, when the 300 and counting which partners with commu- leaders of the Columbus/Bar- So what does it do with all that nity foundations to help meet tholomew County Bicenten- money? A whole lot. Oper- each city’s needs, provides two

Columbus Magazine 35 goodwill full scholarships for local stu- some contributors, such as the through their children’s second dents to attend any college or Browns, have specified a use birthdays. At first organizers university in Indiana. Two oth- for their funds, others donate wondered if mothers would ers were established by Robert “unrestricted” money to be take advantage of the program, N. Brown, former publisher of used for grants to nonprofit but within a few months of The Republic and chairman of organizations, such as Turning startup the local nurse had all Home News Enterprises. The Point and the Columbus Indi- the cases she could handle. Anna Newell Brown Award for ana Philharmonic. Another re- “Healthy Communities has Vocal Excellence honors his cipient is the Council for Youth worked to bring the program musical mother, and the Betty Development, which seeks to to Bartholomew County for a F. Brown Award for Instru- align the available services for number of years, but finding mental Excellence honors his young people to counteract the funding to pay for the pro- wife. such issues as youth obesity gram was the main obstacle,” “It’s really critical to a and teen pregnancy. said Beth Morris, director of community that you have an community health partner- organization like the Heritage Helping mothers ships at Columbus Regional Fund to do this kind of thing,” A project of which Souza says Health. “Heritage Fund has said Jeffrey Brown, owner of she is “uber proud” is the provided over 70% of the Travel Indiana magazine and Nurse-Family Partnership, necessary funding for Good- son of Robert Brown. A board which the Heritage Fund will Industries of Central and member like his father before began assisting two years ago Southern Indiana to be able to him, he has continued to work in conjunction with Columbus expand their program to our with the scholarships since Regional Health Foundation. community.” his father’s death. “They’re the This is part of a 30-year-old Souza said the statistics behind-the-scenes organiza- national project that partners coming out of the program are tion that pushes these things to first-time Medicaid-eligible “pretty remarkable” in terms get done.” mothers with nurses who of the mother’s health, the Souza explained that while serve as their life coaches baby’s health and the child’s development. The Heritage Fund “What we do is so simple but so complex. We are fiscal managers has renewed its of philanthropic assets, catalysts for positive community change, initial three-year commitment. and we promote community leadership. We don’t make things — Morris hopes soon to be able to hire a we make things better.” — Tracy Souza second nurse.

Open to all In addition to managing funds and raising money on its own to in- vest and contrib- ute to community projects, the foundation spearheads initiatives such as “Welcoming Community” to capitalize on the city’s diverse pop- ulation. A study in 2004 indicated that some people who lived here felt that they didn’t fit in because of

36 Columbus Magazine their race, religion, language of the participants or even just being born outside agree on how a the area, so the group pro- project should be vided money for educational done. It provides programs and opportunities money for opioid for people to get together who prevention and might not have before. Co- abuse programs. lumbus Downtown provides The list goes on. It a place to go and events that recently launched involve everyone. Envision a “Love Where You Columbus and Neighborhood Live” campaign Columbus also have roots in with a goal of that effort. raising $100,000 to “We embrace diversity put into even more now,” she said. “It has started local projects. to become part of our DNA, And the group our character, how we describe continues to look ourselves in Bartholomew for new ways to County.” make Columbus The Heritage Fund is the better. When Souza parent group of Landmark recently asked Columbus, the force behind in a newsletter Exhibit Columbus and efforts that goes to 3,700 to maintain the city’s architec- subscribers what tural heritage. One example they would like to was assisting First Christian do to improve the Church when it needed to city if money and repair leaking skylights and resources were no didn’t have the money. The issue, one of the solution might have been to responses gave her board them over, but that pause: “If you don’t would have ruined the lighting focus on climate effect Eliel Saarinen envisioned change, none of with his original design. the rest of the stuff you do is going to Preserving the past matter.” She invited “We have this wonderful that person in to collection of modern architec- discuss the issue, ture,” Souza said, “but if we and now the Heri- Tracy Souza is president and fix it in a way that harms the tage Fund is in the CEO of the Heritage Fund. original design, then eventu- process of learning ally we just have a collection who needs to be worked at Cummins Inc. for 32 of modern buildings that were involved and what needs to be years, 12 of those as president restored in a haphazard, bud- done to get such a campaign of the Cummins Foundation. get-conscious way.” started. “This job is really fun And all of this still just “We’ve got environmental because you don’t know what’s scratches the surface of what groups that are doing great going to happen from day to the powerhouse group on things and probably some I day,” she said. “I like teaching Franklin Street gets done. don’t even know about,” Souza people about philanthropy Another function is bringing said, “but it doesn’t strike me and impacting young people together the people and groups that we have an overarching because I think the idea of needed to complete a partic- way to impact the environ- giving back to the community ular project. The foundation ment. We’re asking, ‘Can tiny is so important. But the most provides neutral ground and little Bartholomew County compelling piece is the purity mediation for discussing op- make an impact, and how can of the Heritage Fund’s mission: posing views and finding con- we go about doing that?’” It really is about supporting structive solutions when not all Previously Souza had the community – period.”

Columbus Magazine 37 weddings

Karen Force & Joshua Spurgeon

Ceremony at First United Methodist; reception at Harrison Lake Country Club Sept. 21, 2019

Karen Force was born and raised in Columbus, where much of her family still resides. She and Joshua Spurgeon met on an online dating site. They dated for three years before he proposed. “We really enjoy traveling and exploring together,” Karen said. “We decided to arrange a trip in June of this year to Iceland. On our second night, we camped in an area of Vatnajökull National Park called Skaftafell, at the base of two glaciers. “There is a hike that takes you to a waterfall called Svartifoss, but it’s often very crowded during the day. One of our guidebooks sug- gested hiking it at midnight, because in June it doesn’t get dark and everyone else is asleep. That made for a much more enjoyable and peaceful hike to the falls. Just before midnight, Josh proposed at the base of Svartifoss,” she said. They married about three months later. The wedding was traditional with a bit of “outdoors and lake” thrown in, Karen said. They had a small, private ceremony at her parents’ home before heading to the church. “With minimal notice, we had guests travel to Columbus from 17 states to join us. So many people worked so hard to get it all together, and we had so much fun. Harrison Lake Country Club did an amazing job, the food was delicious, the atmosphere perfect and The Bigger is Better Band was fantastic.” “I felt like the luckiest person on the planet on my wedding day. I have the most amazing, supportive and loving parents who went many extra miles to help make my wedding day so very special,” she said. Her six bridesmaids traveled from six different states to support her. “My sister, my brother and my sister-in- law were all there helping with anything and everything. And then there was the man at the end of the aisle. I couldn’t be more fortunate to have him be the one there, waiting for me.” The couple traveled to Greece for their honeymoon, spending time in Athens and Santorini.

38 Columbus Magazine photos by Parker Portraits by Todd Voelz

Columbus Magazine 39 weddings

Melissa Bartlett & Thomas Atack

Ceremony and reception at the Inn at Irwin Gardens Sept. 21, 2019

Melissa Bartlett and Thomas Atack met in July 2015 while she was on an externship for veterinary school. Her parents had moved to Columbus while she was in college. “I was staying with my parents in Columbus and commuting to Bloomington and Indianapolis for various externships. I knew no one in the area and met Thomas via Tinder. At the time, he was working on his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at IU,” she said. Melissa moved to Tampa, Florida, to start a job as an associate veterinarian. The couple continued their relationship long distance for two years, with Melissa flying to Indiana twice a month. Thomas proposed during a trip to Miami for a family celebration. “We had been out with his family, and he completely surprised me when we got back to the Airbnb. He told me he meant to wait until our planned trip to Hawaii in a few months, but he decided he couldn’t wait,” Melissa said. They kept the wedding small, with about 80 guests. “We did not want a big ceremony and probably would have been happy eloping while we were in Hawaii shortly after he proposed. But we knew that our families would appreciate a ceremony, and in hindsight, it was completely worth it,” she said. The ceremony included lanterns, mason jar centerpieces, floating candles, a string trio and flowers in their colors of dusty blue, dusty pink, navy and gold. “Of course I also loved the look on (Thomas’) face when I walked down the aisle,” she said. “I’m certain every bride says that, but it was one of my favorite moments. I wanted that to be the first time he saw me. Thomas said that was his favorite part too but that he had to try very hard not to cry.” On a lighter note, she said, “We both completely failed at throwing the garter and the bouquet. They were completely undershot. I think they both fell in the fountain and someone had to get them out,” she said. The couple took a honeymoon to California.

40 Columbus Magazine photos by ANGELA JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Columbus Magazine 41 our side of town

1 Mill Race Marathon and After Party Downtown Columbus Sept. 28

1. Constanza Lopez Caullieres, Avril Lopez Caullieres, Arturo Lopez Caullieres and Arturo Lopez 2. Branch Schrader, Eric Stevens and Julie Quesenbery 3. Chelsey Stillabower, Arika 2 3 Rudicel, Makenzy Claunch and Kensi Dorrough 4. Mike Roell, Anissa Edwards, Travis Edwards, Tova Edwards, and Alison Edwards 5. Brent and Brandon Roll 6. Nicole and Josh Bontrager 7. Mary Sparks, Lucy Wilson and Kristen Shipley 8. Sheila and Cole Burgess 9. Stacy Huffman, Mike Ketron and Morgan Ketron 10. The crowd at the Finish on 4th After Party 4 11. Doug Rose and Tom Corda 12. Rebecca Davis, Isaiah Halsted, Marie Miller, Alexa Halsted, Cameron Fathauer, Chelsea Fathauer, Cameron Halsted, Patrick Barger

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARLA CLARK AND SUBMITTED

42 Columbus Magazine 5 6 7

11 12

Columbus Magazine 43 our side of town

1 The Speakeasy Columbus Municipal Airport Nov. 2

1. Guests gamble during The Speakeasy, a fundraiser for Family Service Inc. 2. Chad and Nichole Phillips 3. Chad Heimlich and Julie Aton 4. Mandy Miller, Candace 2 3 Clayburn, Patty Hannash, Cari Roberts and Amanda Meza 5. Brock Biehl, Jeanine Scheidler, Jim Scheidler and Rob Gaskill 6. Robin Gill, Lyndsay Burton, Curtis Burton, Julie Miller and Amy Stoughton 7. Jonathan Wohlford and Brie Newton 8. Paul and Suzanne Meredith 9. Tracey Buzzard and Al Furlani 10. Cory Bohall, dealer, with Grace Snider, Peggy Storkman and Tina Snider 11. Kathy Ostergaard and Jessica 4 Ostergaard

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARLA CLARK

44 Columbus Magazine 5 6

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Columbus Magazine 45 The Big Picture

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48 Columbus Magazine