Climbing the Ladder - May | June 2021 - The Republic
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May | June 2021
Climbing
the Ladder
Chief Andy Lay leads
a firefighting family
Bakeries // Kings’ Modern Farmhouse // Fashion and Decor Trends
Columbus Magazine 1
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contents
may | june 2021
20 May | June 2021
In with the New
HOME & FAMILY
Climbing
the Ladder
Chief Andy Lay leads
King family finds paradise in modern farmhouse
a firefighting family
Bakeries // Kings’ Modern Farmhouse // Fashion and Decor Trends
Columbus Magazine 1
On the cover
Andy Lay
photographed by
Angela Jackson
4 Columbus Magazine
14
MEDLEY
8 editor’s note
8 MEET THE TEAM
10 What do you think?
12 BOOK NOOK
14
TASTE
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Columbus Magazine 5
contents
28
PROFILE
Fire Chief
Andy Lay
36 trends
Spring Trends in
Fashion & Home
28
Decor
IN EVERY ISSUE
42 WeddingS
46 THE BIG PICTURE
6 Columbus Magazine
36
May 19, 2021
JAN BRINKMAN
Publisher
Bud Hunt
AIM Media Indiana
Editorial
Editor and Senior Graphic Designer
Emilee Miller
Special Projects Assistant
Lyndsey Wolfe
Writers
Barney Quick, Shelby Thomas,
Glenda Winders
Photographers
Carla Clark, Angela Jackson,
Jana Jones, Tony Vasquez
Advertising
Advertising Art Director
Amanda Waltz
Advertising Design
Erin Caplinger, Ashley Curry,
Julie Daiker, Jessica Dell,
Kassi Hattabaugh, Josh Meyer,
Tina Ray, Robert Wilson
Advertising Operations Manager
Lara Hunt
Account Executives
Anthony Cannon, Rhonda Day,
Crissy Riley, Joy Woodcock
Century 21 Breeden Realtors
Reader Services #1 Producer 2020
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3011, Columbus, IN 47202
Advertising Inquiries
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(812) 379-5655
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permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Columbus Magazine 7
medley editor’s note
Hello,
While there are many beautiful sights around Colum-
bus, I think our city’s trees and flowers in springtime
are hard to beat. Have you ever walked through the
rows of magnolia trees at North Christian Church
when they are in full bloom? A couple of years ago, a
co-worker and friend couldn’t believe that I had never
walked through the magnolias after living in Colum-
bus my entire life. So she drove me five minutes down
the road on our lunch break to soak it all in. I was
so impressed that I took my kids back that afternoon with milkshakes in hand. I would
definitely recommend making it a spring tradition if you haven’t already.
How about the amazing Bradford pears in full bloom all along downtown Wash-
ington Street? And I’m always in awe of the gorgeous flower planters that are so well
manicured in front of our downtown storefronts. I hope you’ll find a warm sunny spot
or a cool shade tree and enjoy this new issue of Columbus magazine. Soak it in, friends.
We live in such a beautiful city!
Emilee Miller
emiller@aimmediaindiana.com
meet the team
Tony Vasquez is a Colum- Capturing authentic moments
bus native and the owner of is always his goal. In addition to
Vasquez Photography. He his entertainment and com-
earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts mercial work, Vasquez pursues
in photography from Ball State a body of photography titled
University. With over 10 years “Nocturnal Luminosity.” It cele-
of experience in the photo brates the cooperation between
Tony industry, he has worked with contrasting ideas of nature in
numerous clients. He uses his urban environments, light in the
Vasquez comprehensive knowledge to darkness, a swatch of intense
photographer deliver professional content color in a bleak palette.
and to tell their stories. His In his free time, he enjoys
passion for photographing live discovering new music, hiking,
music events can be seen in the sports, viewing films and visiting
wide range of music he covers. art galleries.
8 Columbus Magazine
Cindy Patchett Sunshine Hartwell Jim Petro Sarah Sanders, Chris Braun Robyn Agnew Rick Snyder Jill Raper Candie Clayburn
(812) 390-9963 (812) 701-5259 (812) 390-0165 Alison Wold & Lynne Hyatt (646) 334-3554 (812) 390-0509 (812) 350-4523 (812) 799-6238 (812) 707-7592
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April Hooker Dana Carson Gail Nowels Carrie Abfall Jillian Tran Vicky Gelfius Anuja Chandra Mark Watkins
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@gmail.com @remax.net @msn.com @comcast.net @gmail.com
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301 1st St, Columbus, IN 47201 • (812) 372-2200 • www.homes4columbus.com
IN-35062940
* Each office independently owned & operated *
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:
If you could live in any television show,
which one would it be and why?
“‘Forensic Files’ or ‘I Speak For “‘Outlander.’ It is about going back in “‘Yellowstone.’ It is about a ranch
the Dead.’ I find it so interesting time, and I think it would be so cool to family in the Rocky Mountains, and
how they solve crimes through experience it. It is in Scotland, and it I think the aesthetic value of the
DNA and all of the new scien- starts in 1945 and then goes back even Rocky Mountains is very pleasing.”
tific testing. I so wish I would farther to another era. That is where she — Ben Wilcox
have paid more attention to meets the love of her life, and then she
science in school to become gets thrown back into the future with
a coroner that could solve her child. She tries to get back to him. It
what happened to them and is a really cool story; it is romantic and
bring closure to the family. This interesting.”
would be so interesting.” — Ashton Swegman
— Victoria Craig Griffin
“‘Golden Girls.’ I would live with a
bunch of funny supportive women.
My sarcasm would be right at
home. Cheesecake and forgiving
flowing outfits are a bonus.”
“‘Star Trek.’ It is the most perfect future, wonder- — Jessica Brown
ful foods. I mean synthehol we can do without,
but exploring space and science sounds fun —
bold new worlds.”
“‘Sanford and Son.’ It was a very — Kevin Zeigler
funny show. It would keep you
laughing, keep your humor, just
make you enjoy life more.”
— Ernest Kinchen, with “‘Happy Days.’ I love
Ahmad and Ibrahim all the music and
Azizuddin the clothes from
the ’50s. I could
hang out at Ar-
nold’s Drive-in with
Fonzie and Richie; it
would be fun.” “‘Longmire.’ So I could help get the
— Carola Peach Clark bad guys.”
— Dave Vincent
10 Columbus MagazineMake
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Columbus Magazine 11medley BOOK NOOK
“The Girls Are All “The House in the “Transcendent “A Court of Silver
So Nice Here” Cerulean Sea” Kingdom” Flames”
By Laurie Elizabeth By TJ Klune By Yaa Gyasi By Sarah J. Maas
Flynn Sometimes what we need is a It turns out Gyasi’s brilliant If you’re a fan of “A Court of
Are you looking for a juicy, good, happily-ever-after read. debut novel, “Homegoing,” Thorns and Roses,” it’s time
page-turning thriller to read “The House in the Cerulean was not just beginner’s luck. for you to dive into Sara J.
by the pool this summer? Sea” is that and much more. She has returned with a sec- Maas’ newest release. This
“The Girls Are All So Nice Linus Baker is an ordinary, ond, “transcendent” novel. book follows Nesta Archeron,
Here” is the tale of two “mean by-the-book bureaucrat who It tells the story of Gifty, Feyre’s eldest sister, as she
girls,” Ambrosia and Sloane, is employed by a government an accomplished scientist navigates her new life and
and their reign of nastiness at agency tasked with monitor- who searches among lab her struggle with PTSD and
college. ing orphanages that house mice at Stanford for clues depression.
No one was spared. They children who are “different”: that will unlock the web of I was nervous about read-
left a trail of unwitting victims those with magical abilities. the mysteries of addictive ing this latest edition to the
in their dust, which built up to When he is assigned to behavior while at the same series because of my love
one horrible night when their a facility that counts the time searching for insights to for Feyre and Rhysand, but
escapades met a tragic end. Antichrist among its resi- help her understand the mys- I ended up enjoying how we
Fast forward to their 10- dents, Linus’ world is rocked. teries of her own family, her can see things in a different
year class reunion where they He gradually reassesses his Pentecostal church and even light through someone else’s
are lured by menacing notes. deeply ingrained ideas of her adopted country. eyes.
Having never paid the price what is right and wrong and If you enjoy well-con- We are seeing the char-
for their roles in the games what “normal” means, and he ceived, well-constructed and acters we love through
they played in college, some- then embarks on a journey of well-crafted writing with an someone else’s eyes, and not
one is there who will make self-discovery and hope. engrossing story and mem- everyone is going to act the
sure they know the cost of Klune gives us an imagi- orable characters, this is the same. Don’t let that turn you
their damage. nary world that mirrors our novel for you. off to this book, especially
current one with hard issues if you disliked Nesta in the
— Celia Allman Watts such as exclusion, bigotry — Suzanne Fountaine previous novels.
and systemic bias all pre- Be open to seeing her side
sented with humor, kindness, of things. This book is perfect
whimsy and humanity. for adult readers who want
spice in their fantasy novels.
— Nanne Cutler
— Cassie Kopp
12 Columbus MagazineReviews by the staff of Viewpoint Books
“Where the Grass “Our Woman in “The Jigsaw Man” “Band of Sisters”
is Green and the Moscow” By Nadine Matheson By Lauren Willig
Girls are Pretty” By Beatriz Williams A newcomer to the literary This novel is an exciting story
community, Matheson uses her about a group of Smith Col-
By Lauren Weisberger I love historical fiction, and I
experience as a criminal de- lege graduates who traveled
always recommend Beatriz
With a college admission fense attorney and her abun- to France in 1917 to help
Williams to our customers.
scandal plot, Weisberger dant talent to draw us into the villagers whose lives had been
Her latest novel is one that I
introduces us to national compelling story of Detective overturned by the German
will strongly endorse as soon
news anchor Peyton Marcus Inspector Anjelica Henley and occupation in World War I.
as it is released on June 1.
and her husband, Isaac, who her nemesis, convicted serial The unit, composed of
Set during the Cold War,
is indicted for smoothing the killer Peter Olivier. 17 women, lived in an army
the story is told from the
way for his daughter, Max, to When victims’ reassem- barracks near an abandoned
point of view of twin sisters,
attend Princeton. But is the bled body parts — mimick- chateau in Grecourt, where
Iris and Ruth. Ruth has not
situation exactly as it seems? ing Olivier’s method as the they provided locals with food,
seen or heard from Iris in
Meanwhile, Peyton’s sister, Jigsaw Killer — start appearing medical care and education.
years. Iris disappeared with
Skye, struggles to come throughout southeastern Lon- The story explores relation-
her husband and children,
to terms with her own life don, while Olivier is serving ships: between the villagers
raising questions.
choices, all of which once a life sentence in a maxi- and the women, between the
Did the KGB kill them or
seemed like the culmination mum-security prison, Henley male military and the women,
did they defect to Moscow?
of her dreams. and her team must find the and among the women in the
Who is good and who is evil?
Weisberger walks us copycat. group.
Where do the characters’
through life with these two Compelling you to read on These real American heroes
loyalties lie? Then Ruth gets
sisters struggling to make the in spite of your best instincts dealt with hardship, depriva-
a postcard from her sister in
right choices and shows us for emotional wellbeing or tion and the dangers of the
Moscow asking for her help.
how one small mistake can a sound night’s sleep, “The advancing German army with
Ruth races to Russia, and the
snowball into a mountain of Jigsaw Man” is well worth a courage and compassion.
sisters are forced to make
bad decisions with dire con- little less of both. It ends in a
choices with heartbreaking
sequences. cliffhanger, too, so be watch- — John Stroh
consequences.
If you’re looking for a ing for the next book from
Fans of historical fiction:
beach read, this novel might Matheson.
Pre-order this book or stop
be perfect. Weisberger is a
by Viewpoint on the release
solid storyteller who is bound — Beth Stroh
date to get one of the signed
to entertain you.
first editions.
— Angie Revell
— Kelli Stricklin
Columbus Magazine 13Taste
baked
to
»
Satifsy your sweet tooth at these local bakeries
BY BARNEY QUICK // photography by JANA JONES
When Columbus gets a hankering for baked goods, options abound.
The possibilities range from exquisitely gooey sticky buns to meat-
stuffed pastries to sugar cream pie. The venues in which one finds
these creations are inviting and imbued with flair that reflects the
personalities of the proprietors. Let’s go exploring!
14 Columbus MagazineColumbus Magazine 15
taste
Sugar Bayer’s Cookie Co.
1109 16th St. | 812-343-9698 | sugarbayerscookie.com
Sugar Bayer’s Cookie Co. be- Jenny and her mother, Pam “We try to keep our case
lieves that procuring cookies Bayer, found the space on full of our classics,” says Ley.
is much more than just an 16th Street, which had been Those would include
economic exchange or even a bakery. Ovens were already butterscotch, oatmeal, lemon,
the sharing of culinary cre- in place, and there was lots of brownie, white chocolate
ativity. It’s about people com- room to maneuver. cranberry, snickerdoodle and
ing together and enriching Pam is the main baker. old-fashioned sugar cookies.
each other’s lives. One can tell She began making ele- The chocolate chip is the most
that from the decor. It’s not phant-shaped cookies 10 years popular.
just a store where one stops in ago because Jennie’s son was The women intend to start
to buy things. There are chairs really into elephants at the conducting cookie decorating
and a coffee table that bid one time. classes when the pandemic
to relax a while, converse and They delight in making sufficiently subsides.
have a look around. customized cookies, topping They’ve bonded with clien-
Proprietor Jenny Ley, in ad- them with company logos tele in the near-year they’ve
dition to her immersion in the or specializing them for been at their present location.
baked goods world, has plied baby showers and weddings. “We know when families
the hairstyling trade and feels They’ve started a Cookie have birthdays,” says Ley.
the same way about that. of the Month Club, which “It’s not just about a cookie.
“It’s about more than just features seasonally themed We want to get to know our
coming in for a haircut,” she creations. For March, they customers. We want people to
says. “I have clients that have offered a St. Patrick’s Day leave here happy.”
become like family to me.” cookie, chocolate mint-fla-
She started Sugar Bayer’s vored and shaped like a
in July during a downturn in shamrock.
the hairstyling business. She’d
been filling cookie orders
from home since Easter of that
year and needed more space
to accommodate the increase.Gramz Bakery
409 Washington St. | 812-378-9728 | gramz-105734.square.site
Given that all the seating in the sticky bun as “almost like with the previous owners
this establishment consists of a monkey bread.” resulted in the Cole family
overstuffed chairs that invite The most unique item is taking over.
a relaxed pace to conversation the petit four, a fruit-filled Everything is baked fresh
and even work, it’s no wonder double-layer cake covered in a daily in two commercial
that both those getting stuff ganache. ovens. “I like experimenting,
done and those meeting Cole started her activities trying new combinations,”
friends for casual catching up as a professional purveyor of says Cole.
choose Gramz. food with a booth at the Co- Gramz added several new
“Some people set up camp, lumbus Farmers Market some ordering options when the
open their computers and years ago. pandemic changed life in the
work from here all day,” says “I had a farm then, so we city. They’re now going to
general manager Shelly Cole. had chickens, and I sold eggs be permanent features. They
Gramz offerings constitute along with bread and muf- include curbside pickup, de-
a wide array of baked delec- fins,” she says. livery and table-side ordering.
tables, including scones, muf- In 2013, her father, Jay, “Lots of businesses use
fins, cookies, brownies, bars, wandered into Gramz for a these new options,” says Cole,
cupcakes, cinnamon rolls and cup of coffee and noticed a “but so do people just wanting
sticky buns. Cole describes for-sale sign. Negotiations a treat.”
Columbus Magazine 17taste
Ahlemeyer Farms Bakery
2034 17th St. | 812-372-7437
Brittany Kiel has baking in opening the business in 1989. seed, when ground, behaves
her blood. The proprietor “When I was a little girl, I like an egg.
of Ahlemeyer Farms comes had to stand on milk crates “Our goal has been to make
from a long line of bakers. to roll out pie dough,” she it so customers can’t even tell,”
Her great-grandmother and recalls. she says.
grandmother always made In the past year, some Pies are what Ahlemeyer
holidays special with their changes have been underway Farms is best known for, but it
creations. In fact, Ahlemeyer such that 75 percent of the also offers cookies, brownies,
was her grandmother’s sur- bakery’s offerings are now sweet breads and fruit turn-
name. vegan. In place of lard and overs, which have the same
The family operated a road- butter, Kiel and her staff are fruit fillings as the pies. The
side stand in Kokomo before using oils, beans, nuts and fillings come in frozen, mostly
coming to Columbus and seeds. She points out that flax from Michigan.
Most sales are out of the
store, except in the summer
months, when the area’s
produce stands feature the
bakery’s products.
Kiel has noticed a diver-
sification in the clientele in
the last few years. She says
younger people have devel-
oped an interest in tastes and
smells that hearken back to a
time when tradition was more
prominent in American life.
The store has many regu-
lars.
“If we don’t see them for
a while, we get concerned
about them,” says Kiel. “One
guy comes in on a weekly
basis and has us make him
a surprise pie. He was the
inspiration for our Pie of the
Month Club.”
Sugar cream pie is what
Ahlemeyer Farms is best
known for. Expatriate Hoo-
siers come in and remark
about how much they miss
this heartland favorite.
Kiel says her clientele has
been loyal through what she
acknowledges has been a
“scary year.” “We’ve had so
much support. We’ll keep
refining what we’re doing for
them.”
18 Columbus MagazineCafe do Vava
1702 Pennsylvania St. | 812-552-8828
cafe-do-vava.business.site
What’s going on inside the repurposed little house on the corner of Penn-
sylvania and 17th streets is a too-well-kept secret. There is a community
of fans that regularly frequent it for the Brazilian cuisine and camarade-
rie, but it’s time for the rest of the city to be aware of what’s happening
there.
Along with cakes and breads, there are stuffed pastries that qualify as
main courses and even some memorable soups.
The coxina, a cone-shaped pastry stuffed with chicken, is the most
popular item. The esfihas, flat pastries stuffed with either chicken, sau-
sage, cheese and bacon, or cheese alone, are also memorable.
On Saturdays, the cafe serves feijoada, a black bean, pork, bacon and
sausage stew. It’s served with white rice, pork skin, toasted yucca flour
and kale.
The women responsible for this culinary wizardry, Cleyde Viana and
Eliana Laguila, have husbands, Valdeci and Luiz respectively, who have
known each other for 20 years, going back to their days in Brazil.
When the Vianas moved to Columbus, the Brazilian community
quickly became enthusiasts of Cleyde’s bread. Orders for it reached the
point where she decided to open the cafe.
The name has an interesting backstory.
“The daughter of a friend of mine was just learning to speak,” says
Valdeci. “She couldn’t pronounce my name, and so she called me Vava. It
seemed right to all of us.”
Clientele tends toward the Brazilian community, who usually linger
for hours, socializing and deciding to order yet more fare as the hours
unfold. A Japanese group comes in for Bible study on a regular basis.
It seems quite likely, though, as word gets out more widely, that the
crowd at Cafe do Vava will keep getting more diverse.
Columbus Magazine 19Home & Family 20 Columbus Magazine
Right time,
right place Kings were destined
for their dream home
BY glenda winders // photography by angela jackson
Columbus Magazine 21home & family
w When Rex and Lisa King
bought a 100-year-old fixer-up-
per home on the west side of
town, they thought it would be
a great project for Rex. He had
recently retired as a supervisor
at the Columbus/Bartholomew
County Recycling Center and
wanted something to do. After
a while, however, they grew
weary of the time and expense
they were putting into the
house and started looking for a
different place to live.
Meanwhile, a new house
was going up not far away, and
each time they passed it they
commented how lucky the
people who got to live there
would be. They didn’t realize
then that they would be those
lucky people.
What had happened was
that Fred and Jodie Cusack,
owners of MAC General Con-
tractors, had torn down an old,
dilapidated house on the prop-
erty and then designed and
built a new one. It was a spec
house — not one designed for a
specific client — and when Lisa
saw the “for sale” sign go up
in the yard, she called her real
estate agent immediately.
“I said to her, ‘I must live in
that house!’” she said.
And live in the house she
now does.
22 Columbus MagazineUpdated classic look white dwelling with a black Much of the credit goes to
Jodie, who designs many of roof, garage door, front en- Rex. Since he is retired and
the houses MAC builds, said trance and trim. Nearby is a Lisa is still employed, he has
she had several things in mind storage shed the Cusacks came taken over the household
when she began to draw up back to build for the Kings that chores, doing laundry, clean-
the plans. The lot was narrow, looks just like the residence. ing and bringing coffee to her
so the house couldn’t be huge, Once inside the home office when she needs it.
and she wanted it to be a mod- 2,200-square-foot house, it “She calls me the hausfrau,”
ern farmhouse. seems much larger than it he said, clearly enjoying the
“I went with my gut,” she looks from the road. That’s lifestyle they have created for
said. “I added in details that I partly because of Jodie’s effi- themselves.
would want if I were designing cient design and partly because The entryway opens into a
my own home.” the Kings maintain their home great room where the kitchen
The result was a standout impeccably. and living room comprise one
Columbus Magazine 23home & family
organic whole, while a light-
filled dining nook sits off to the
side. In the kitchen area light-
blue patterned tile forms the
backsplash (with a pot filler)
that runs up to the exhaust
hood behind the range and
complements the deep-blue
cabinets. Small, high shelves
on either side of the range area
hold homey treasures such
as baskets, plants and gourds
and are illuminated by wall-
mounted lamps with deep-blue
shades. Black stainless steel
appliances and easy-care white
quartz countertops finish the
user-friendly space.
“I don’t really like to cook,
but I don’t mind in here
because everything is acces-
sible,” Lisa said. “I’ve had a
tiny kitchen and a really big
kitchen, and I didn’t like either
one. I love this one.”
In fact, she loves the whole
house just as much as she
thought she would.
“Eight of the 10 things I had
on my wish list were here,” she
said. “They had even put in a
gas range like I wanted. It’s like
they already knew us.”
Shades of gray
Across the room the same tile
surrounds the fireplace and
wall-mounted flat-screen TV.
On both sides the same blue
cupboards make up the wet
bar and additional storage. A
large, comfortable gray sofa
“I don’t really like to cook, but I don’t mind in here because
everything is accessible. I’ve had a tiny kitchen and a really
big kitchen, and I didn’t like either one. I love this one.”
— Lisa King
24 Columbus Magazinearrangement on a gray-and-
white checked rug provides
seating and creates a visual
divide between this area and
the kitchen, while hardwood
flooring ties it all together.
The dining room, too, is
“just right.” It accommodates
a farmhouse table that Lisa
and her daughter found at a
sale and a small, gray-finished
sideboard. The rug under the
table is identical to the one in
the living area but in a differ-
ent shade of gray so as not to
be too “matchy-matchy,” Lisa
said. The seating is an eclectic
mix of casual woven seagrass
chairs on one side, a bench on
the other and elegant dining
chairs at the ends. Small pieces
of framed artwork in shades of
gray complete the look here.
From the dining room
a door leads to the couple’s
favorite spot in the entire
house — a covered patio with
room for a barbecue grill and
table and chairs, once again
with accents in shades of black
and gray.
The gray color scheme runs
throughout the entire house.
“I like neutrals — browns
Columbus Magazine 25home & family
and grays,” Lisa said. “You can
always add a pop of color with
pieces like pillows.”
Also throughout the home,
window coverings are wo-
ven-wood roll-up shades and
simple but elegant white cur-
tains that are seldom closed.
“I love the windows and the
natural light,” Lisa said, “and I
loved dressing them up.”
They say the master bed-
room is also just the right size
for them. Beneath a tray ceiling
(also found in other parts of
the house) is plenty of room for
their queen-size bed and two
bedside tables. The décor con-
sists of soft gray carpeting, a
white bedspread and pillows in
various shades of darker gray.
“Eight of them,” Rex said,
laughing.
He would know since he’s
the one who makes the bed
each day.
26 Columbus MagazineA bit of luxury piano and is devoted com-
The eye-popper here is the pletely to the couple’s grand-
master bath, which is entered children. Their “his, mine and
through a single white sliding ours” family includes six with
$2,500
4470 Middle Road • Columbus, IN 47203 • 812-418-8180
barn door with black hard- a seventh on the way later this
UP TO
ware. The patterned tile floor year.
in shades of gray is repeated
in an accent strip inside the Second chances
oversized walk-in shower. The Kings both grew up in
Walls are the same faint gray Columbus and dated while
as the bedroom, and cabinets they were students at Colum-
are white with black fixtures.
The commode is behind a
bus North High School. Later
they married other people, and CASH REBATE
space-saving pocket door, and while Rex remained in Co-
beyond that is a more-than- lumbus Lisa lived in Texas and ON
ample walk-in closet. Germany with her then-hus- QUALIFYING
A second bedroom could band who was in the Army.
accommodate guests, and Fifteen years later they ran into
BRYANT®
a bathroom just down the one another at a convenience HVAC
hall has a shower-tub combo store, and four months after SYSTEMS
outfitted with a gray-and-white that they were married. That
pinstripe curtain. The third was 26 years ago.
bedroom serves as Lisa’s office. They call themselves “home-
$500 OFF
She is an outpatient coding bodies,” but they enjoy brows-
auditor for Columbus Regional ing through estate sales, eating
Health whose job allows her out and traveling to a beach at
to work at home. Here she has least once a year. Most of all
space for a desk and multiple they like having cookouts and
computer monitors as well
as a bookshelf that holds the
“hanging out with the kids.”
The Cusacks said the Kings TANKLESS WATER HEATER
science fiction and mystery are among their favorite home-
$59
novels she likes to read. owners and added that they
00
“My office in our previous have been extremely generous
house was in the basement,” in letting them bring potential
she said. “It was dark and clients to see their home.
depressing.” “I can call them and say,
Here she has plenty of light, ‘Hey, somebody wants to come
and the view out her window
is of the patio that the couple
and see your house,’” Jodi said,
“and Lisa will say, ‘Give me 15 READY FOR A/C TUNE-UP
enjoys so much.
A well-designed laundry
minutes to vacuum.’”
She said their company
SUMMER?
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area nearby has lots of room has added several new clients
for sorting and folding. The because of people who have
cabinets here are the same blue seen the Kings’ house, and
as in the great room. Floors are they have a long list of modern
porcelain tiles made to look farmhouses to build this year.
like wood, and a large built- The Kings say the affection
DRAIN EVALUATION
in seat opens to more storage is mutual.
space. “If we were ever to build
The one large bonus room another house, we wouldn’t
upstairs is outfitted with do it without them,” Lisa said, Restrictions may apply. Contact Peterman for all promotion details. 812-418-8180 or visit PetermanHCP.com
recliners, games, a TV set with “but we won’t be doing that.
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Columbus Magazine 27Profile 28 Columbus Magazine
LIFELONG
CALLING
Fire Chief Andy Lay
is fired up about
his work
BY photoGRAPHY
GLENDA BY
WINDERS ANGELA
JACKSON
Columbus Magazine 29profile 30 Columbus Magazine
T There was never a time when
Columbus Fire Chief Andy
Lay didn’t want to be a fire-
fighter. His father was a fire-
fighter for the Shelbyville Fire
Department, and Lay says he
spent much of his childhood
hanging around the firehouse.
“I’d ride my bike up to
visit,” he said. “It was just
like a big family. We spent
birthdays and Christmases
at the firehouse when he was
on duty. I admired him, and I
admired the profession, so it
was a passion of mine since I
can remember.”
The path to achieving his
dream was not a straight one,
however. His plan had been to
learn the skills he needed by
joining the Navy right after
graduating from Shelbyville
High School in 1988. But he
had been a football player, and
an injury that left him with a
screw in his wrist nixed that
idea.
He hadn’t prepared himself
for college because he had
already made a career choice
that didn’t require a degree,
but now that seemed like
the best way to get where he
wanted to go. He enrolled at
Indiana State University and
spent two years working on
the major that seemed closest
to firefighting — criminal
justice.
“I joined Tau Kappa
Epsilon and made a lot of
good friends,” he said, “but
law enforcement was not my
career path, so I dropped out
and tried to pursue getting on
at a fire department.”
New plan
Finding the field to be com-
petitive, he enrolled at IUPUI
in the paramedic program
while he continued to apply to
fire departments. When the
Shelbyville Fire Department
offered him a job, he once
again left school.
“I had the brass ring I had
Top: Andy with his father, Paul Edward Lay, and firefighter been looking for,” he said. “I
Kenneth Lucas, on the left. Bottom: From left, Paul Edward was in the fire department and
Lay, Andy and Mayor Fred Armstrong at Andy’s swear-
ing-in ceremony when he was hired with the Columbus Fire
I was happy, but I was working
Department in 1997. in my hometown in the same
Columbus Magazine 31profile
From left, Jackson, Carli, Andy, Diana and Alli Lay
department with my dad, and pleted his paramedic training, tail off trying to make our fire
I wanted to make my own so for the first five years he department the best of its size
way.” worked on an ambulance, in Indiana.”
That opportunity came making an average of 13 calls The two worked together
when the department sent per day during a 24-hour at Station 4 on 25th Street for
him to Columbus to finish his shift. From there he worked nine years; then when Comp-
paramedic training at Colum- up through the ranks, holding ton became fire chief he tagged
bus Regional Health. nearly every position before he Lay as his deputy chief of
“As I was going through arrived at the job he has today. operations for the three and a
school, I realized what a won- His predecessor, Mike half years until his retirement.
derful place Columbus was,” Compton, believed firefighters
he said. “I put in my appli- should have degrees, so back Dedicated leader
cation at the Columbus Fire to college Lay went — this “I consider Andy a friend and
Department and got a job offer time online — graduating fire service brother,” Compton
a year later. It was one of the with a degree in fire science said. “He is a tremendous fam-
best things that ever happened from Columbia Southern ily man and a dedicated public
to me. This community was so University. Compton says servant who works tirelessly
welcoming, and I was serving he is proud of what Lay has serving the citizens of the
on a fire department that I was achieved. city of Columbus and Bar-
in awe about.” “Andy is a class-A individ- tholomew County. He excels
By that time he had com- ual,” he said. “He works his in leadership as he mentors
32 Columbus Magazinefellow firefighters and leads
them by example each day. He
has shouldered the responsi-
bilities in each of the ranks he
has held through his decades
of service with skill, honesty
and consistency.”
Lay would say that he learns
as much from his colleagues as
they learn from him.
“I’ve picked up different
things from every person I
worked with and found good
traits in every one of those
people, which helped me grow
as a person,” Lay said. “You
live with these individuals for
24 hours 10 days a month — a
third of your life. So they’re
like family. They give you a
lot of help and support. I’m
a quiet person who is happy
to be No. 2 — the doer who
doesn’t get much attention
— but I’ve been promoted
through the ranks because I
was pushed by people who saw
value in me.”
One of those people has
been his wife, Diana. He met
her when he was a security
officer at Community East
Hospital in Indianapolis, and
she was the liaison at the front All in this together “Moving to Columbus
desk. Talking led to dating and “I wouldn’t call it sacrifice,” made it a lot easier,” she said.
then marriage in 2000. Today she said. “I was doing what “There’s a real community
Diana, a nurse, is manager was best for the family at the feeling here. We got to know
of clinical operations for IU time. Growing up in Colum- the fire families and had a lot
Health Riley Hospital for bus and going to St. Barthol- of support. People would come
Children, and the couple are omew School benefited our over and help with the baby,
the parents of Jackson, 20, an children a lot.” and it was a family feeling. In
Indiana University student, When Jackson was born she the evenings and on weekends
and twin girls Carli and Alli, had to adjust to her husband’s we could go to the station and
who will head to IU in the fall. schedule, which left her at visit for a little bit. The chil-
Lay calls Diana his rock home alone with an infant for dren were excited to see their
and says she has made a lot of 24 hours at a time. Eventually, dad in action.”
sacrifices for his career, such as though, that situation became Now, thanks to promotions
living in Columbus because of a benefit. The parent at home at work, they are finally on the
his job while she commutes to cared for the children, and same schedule.
Indianapolis, but she says that they never had to go to day “At the same time we both
isn’t the case. care. became 9-to-5, five-day-a-
Columbus Magazine 33profile
week people,” she said. “It has ations. On the fire side you overseeing the many projects
been nice. Now we can have get instant gratification when going on at any given time.
dinner together and for the you help others and then you Currently they are installing
first time in our marriage have get prepared for the next call. a new station alert system,
a normal life.” On the administrative side so he’s meeting with outside
Lay said that becoming fire you’re planning out long term vendors and project manag-
chief was like having a whole and trying to make every- ers, making sure everyone is
new job. Now he oversees 95 thing a little bit better than it on task and on budget. The
sworn firefighters, an admin- was. I miss firefighting, but department recently received
istrative assistant and a data it is a young person’s career. a grant that will enable it to
analyst, all of whom he calls It’s stressful and demanding bring in a retired fire chief
“a tremendous, very talented and something you can’t do from Sacramento, California,
staff.” forever.” to give a course on ground
“It’s a big change from operations, so he’s organiz-
living with people and taking Shared vision ing that event to take place
calls,” he said. “The higher The job he has had for a year in June. He must stay on top
up you go, the more you get and a half involves creating a of technology changes and
away from firefighting oper- vision for the department and update operational guidelines.
As the head of the depart-
ment he goes to meetings and
community events. He is also
the human resource officer,
which now involves more than
hiring, firing and promoting.
“Everybody knows fire-
fighting is a stressful job but
never to what extent,” he said.
“The mental and physical
health of the firefighters is a
big thing. We’re trying to get
better — putting Employee
Assistance Program services
in place and giving firefighters
guidance about where they
can get counseling. COVID
has made it worse. There are a
lot of people with issues.”
As Compton put it: “We’ve
moved away from the old
iron-man, smoke-eating image
of the firefighter who can take
anything, see anything and
not retain it,” he said. “Now-
From left, Nick Tuttle, Andy Lay, Jeffrey Cain and Jared Lucas adays you need a place to be
able to vent. You can have a
terrible, terrible run and 30
“I’m honored, blessed and humbled to have this opportunity. minutes later have another
I’m thankful to work for a great city administration. I couldn’t terrible, terrible run.”
Sometimes Lay responds to
ask for a better support system. They are all so helpful. It’s an
those runs. He lives in close
honor to work for them.” proximity to fire stations
and keeps his phone on and
— Andy Lay close to him all night. If the
call is, say, someone having
trouble breathing, he leaves it
34 Columbus MagazineCall for a FREE Estimate!
to the paramedics, but if an most of every day,” he said.
apartment complex is burning He credits his family with
Think Home.
he gets up and heads to that instilling his work ethic early Think Window
location. Then, even if he is on. His mother worked at his World.
up all night, he turns up at his grandparents’ interior design
office in Fire Station No. 1 at 7 business, and his grandfather
the next morning. taught him to lay carpet,
which he did during summer
Unforgettable calls vacations. Later on, like many
He has seen many of those firefighters who take second
“terrible, terrible runs” jobs to supplement their
Compton mentioned. One of incomes, he worked several
the most memorable was the construction jobs. The expe-
United Way fire on Christmas rience served him well when
Eve in 2009. he became a homeowner and
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Eve,” he said, “but you can’t and electrical work.
call in on Christmas. You just In his spare time he enjoys
don’t do that. It was a big fire, cooking and listening to
and we were there for a couple music. He has a boat at Geist
of days. After the fire I looked Reservoir in Indianapolis,
back on it and realized how and he and his family enjoy
valuable some of my training spending time there with his Exterior Home Solutions
had been because it could have sister and brother-in-law, Lori
turned out very differently.” and David Law. He is part of
812.372.0008
Such experiences often lead the Firemen’s Cheer Fund,
Visit our Columbus Showroom at 1636 State Street
to more training. which collects toys for chil- windowworldscindiana.com
“I’m pretty passionate about dren during the holidays, and
that,” he said. “We want every- he participates in activities
one to come home safely.”
Perhaps his most exciting
to support Alzheimer’s and
breast cancer research. When
mission was coordinating with
the Secret Service for one of
Lay calls himself a happy
man. He says his main goal Quality
former Vice President Mike in life is for his children to be
Pence’s visits to Columbus.
The fire chief is appointed
“happy, healthy and success-
ful in whatever they choose
Matters!
by the mayor, so Lay’s job to do,” and they seem to be
could end after the next may- headed in that direction. He
oral election in 2024. Barring has a great marriage and is
that, he said he’ll keep the doing the job of his dreams.
job for as long as he’s “getting “I’m honored, blessed and
things accomplished and humbled to have this opportu-
making positive changes.” If nity,” he said. “I’m thankful to
he does ever have to change work for a great city admin-
jobs, he will try to stay in the istration. I couldn’t ask for a
field of fire safety, perhaps at a better support system. They
hotel or airport. are all so helpful. It’s an honor
When he finally retires, he to work for them.”
and Diana hope to travel the But there is one thing
world, with Greece No. 1 on missing from a life that seems
their list. His father died at otherwise complete. He wishes
age 70 of Alzheimer’s and his his father could have lived to Only local body shop in the area that is I-car gold!
mother at 72 of breast cancer. see him sworn in as fire chief. www.voelzbodyshop.com
“I learned from their pass- “He would be so proud,” 3471 Market Street, Columbus IN 47201
IN-35062792
ing that you have to make the Lay said. 812-376-8868
Columbus Magazine 35Trends 36 Columbus Magazine
Tulips are in bloom. Birds are sing-
ing their morning songs. Spring has
sprung in Columbus, and with it
comes a place where you can finally
into style
wear that floral dress you ordered
for last year’s spring that never was.
Take a look inside Minash Bou-
tique’s storefront window and you’ll
find delicate pastels, bold tie-dye
and blooming floral patterns.
Spring cleaning? Want to give
your living room a refreshed look?
Enter Ames Mercantile, and you’re
greeted by a little bit of old and
a whole lot of new. Natural light
shines through the front windows,
giving way to a simple aesthetic.
Fresh greenery just inside the front
door paves a path to the rustic
shelves hoisting soft throws, dec-
orative pillows, artsy prints and
knickknacks that complete any
room.
As brick and mortar retail
bounces back, breathing new life
into the retail industry, Columbus
boutiques are gearing up for the
spring and summer seasons.
Whether you’re searching for
A look at the latest trends in
the perfect spring dress to wear
fashion and home decor
to brunch at Lucabe, or you want
to freshen up your at-home Zoom
BY shelby thomas // photography by JANA JONES
background, Columbus’ downtown
business district might just have
what you’re looking for.
Columbus Magazine 37trends
Catered to the
customer
Mother-daughter duo Mindy off what Setser describes as a message that they built their
Setser and Ashton Swegman unique year, Minash is cater- business on when Minash was
have spent the last few months ing its selection to what the born in Setser’s home office
scouring all the fashion mag- customers want. in 2013.
azines and blogs to prepare “I think we’ll see a lot of “What makes Minash
Minash Boutique for the latest dresses and skirts as people special is we genuinely care
trends of the season. Coming are tired of walking around about how our customers feel
in their leggings and sweat- in the items they buy from
pants,” Setser said. “I look for us. It’s the best feeling to have
a trend that people will want someone come in and find
to dress up more.” something they feel amazing
But as many people con- in; it brings us just as much
tinue to work from home, joy as it does them. And that
loungewear is still in. will always be our number
“So is animal print. Shoul- one priority.”
der pads are making a come-
back, and white boots are on Shopping local
trend for spring and summer,” To Katelyn Richey, owner
Setser said. “We also love all of Ames Mercantile, what’s
the jean trends right now. We trendy this spring is a little
always have a distressed, wide different than in previous
leg jean in stock right now. years. While boho chic and
And don’t forget to accesso- farmhouse looks dominate the
rize with a mask.” sales floor of her Washington
No matter the trend, Setser Street store, shopping local is
and Swegman encourage their trendier than any style.
customers to stick to what When Richey opened the
works for them and their body doors of her home decor bou-
type. It’s this foundational tique in December, holiday
shopping was in full swing,
many people avoiding the box
stores and flocking to their
local downtowns.
38 Columbus MagazineAbout Minash Boutique
Location: 426 Washington St.
Website: minashboutique.com Mindy Setser, left, and
Ashton Swegman
• Founded by Mindy Setser and Ashton Swegman in 2013 What’s trending at
• Specializes in contemporary women’s clothing, shoes
Minash Boutique?
and accessories
• Tie-dye
• Mindy’s current favorites: Chinese laundry wedges paired
with any flowy dress
• Pastels
• Ashton’s current favorites: The super distressed Free • Floral
People jeans paired with a variety of tops • Animal print
• Denim
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Columbus Magazine 39trends
About Ames Mercantile
Location: 425 Washington St. Website: amesmerc.com
• Founded by Katelyn and Jared Richey in 2020
• Specializes in local goods, home decor and children’s products
• Opening an event space on the second level later this year
• At the completion of the event space, Ames will announce a
schedule of workshops, vendor fairs and other events hosted
by the store.
• The space will also be available for rent for private parties and
special occasions.
Katelyn Richey
What’s trending at
Ames Mercantile?
• Boho chic — Think
relaxed, bold, eclectic.
This look incorporates
a variety of patterns,
textures and colors to
create a one-of-a-kind,
unique environment.
• Farmhouse chic — Rustic
and chic. Contempo-
rary and country. Black-
and-white accents.
• Plants — Green is in.
Pair your new plants
with a one-of-a-kind
decorative pot de-
signed to match any
room.
• Decorative pillows —
Make a statement with
a bold pillow.
40 Columbus MagazineDespite the slow win- tomers are into anything
ter months partnered with fringe – throws,
with a pandemic, Richey pillows, macrame – and
says, she was surprised farmhouse decor –
by the volume of cus- woven baskets, antique
tomers in just her first candlesticks, wood
few weeks of business. elements.
“People love to sup- Most of her items
port local businesses,” come from Hoosier
she said. “The pandemic makers, antique stores
really made people want and wholesale market-
to focus on that and places. Ames Mercantile
know that that’s impor- also sells children’s
tant.” clothing and accessories,
Shopping at Ames along with gifts that are
Mercantile doesn’t mean perfect for anyone.
you’re shopping locally Reflecting on her
once; you’re shopping locally out to local vendors and local first four months in business,
in many different ways when makers is just because I feel Richey said the city has been
you buy from one of Ames’ like it’s so important to shop supportive and welcoming of
dozen local vendors. local. So I feel like when you’re her venture.
“Because we have so many shopping with us, you’re do- “I’ve always loved a good
unique items, there’s stuff ing that in a lot of ways.” downtown and have wanted
we have that you can’t get When she thinks about to be a part of a good down-
anywhere else,” Richey said. the latest trends in interior town,” she said. “It feels really
“The reason I started reaching design, Richey says her cus- special – almost surreal.”
Cruisers - Sports Bikes - AT Vs
Spyders - S x S
432 S Cherry Street - Columbus, Indiana
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