Lifelong Dream of Restaurant Ownership Realized at Cafe Audrey

Tammy Cunningham (right), owner of Cafe Audrey with her son and kitchen manager, Ty.

My husband and I have always enjoyed a relaxing breakfast out – makes us feel like we’re on vacation, I guess, and if it’s a locally-owned place, it seems all that much better! We were delighted to discover Café Audrey tucked so close to home, just down the street from CVS in the Fort Benjamin Harrison area.

Café Audrey opened in October, 2011, in an early 20th century military blacksmith shop, named after owner Tammy Cunningham’s mother. Exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and repurposed antique sideboards and cabinetry give it a homey feel, but the warm colors and stylish light fixtures are definitely HGTV-inspired. Local artists are featured on some walls and historic photos on others.

Cunningham and her husband of 20 years both worked for the federal government, but she yearned to follow her dream of owning a restaurant. Her mother’s death in 2010 nudged her to quit her job with the tax administration and open Café Audrey. She is now assisted by her grown son, Ty, as kitchen manager. Daughter Jadah is still at Lawrence North; and between her many activities, she also occasionally assists as a server.

We enjoy the Café Audrey breakfasts, often choosing the quiche of the day (mushroom, spinach, and feta…mmmm) or homemade French toast. Huevos Rancheros and breakfast burritos are also featured on the menu, plus biscuits and sausage gravy and a breakfast hash concoction of sausage, fried potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and baby spinach.

The menu is made up of family favorites and other mostly-made-from-scratch items, but doesn’t stop at breakfast. Lunchtime is when owner Tammy gets to stretch her foodie creativity, offering things like Jamaican patties, fish tacos, homemade chicken salad, Hoosier tenderloin, BBQ, plus the usual burgers, grilled sandwiches, soups, and salads.

The old Fort Benjamin Harrison mule barn is now the home of Cafe Audrey in Lawrence.

With the Emmett J. Bean Finance Center a 6-minute walk away, there are hundreds of people seeking an inexpensive lunch option; Café Audrey’s entrees top out around $7.49 for the Reuben or turkey club (coupons often found online). The real advantage, however, is the $1 weekday delivery offered to area businesses and Triton Brewing when orders go over $20. So order with a group of co-workers!

Now that the weather has finally warmed up, outside patio seating is available and dog friendly, so you’ll likely find us there on a Saturday morning with one or more big white dogs! (I haven’t heard if there’s a dog-specific menu!) Also, the ice cream parlor is now open until 8:00 p.m., featuring locally-made Sundaes’ ice creams.

Hours: Tuesday–Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Ice Cream Parlor open ‘til 8:00 p.m.
www.cafeaudreyatthefort.com

Geist Breast Cancer Survivor Offers Hope

Geist breast cancer survivor and florist Julie Hollis looks forward to her June wedding to fiancé Chie Kramer.

Geist resident and breast cancer survivor, Julie Hollis, has a lot to look forward to this Spring! The small business owner (Julie’s Flowers at Geist) who handles custom flower arrangements for weddings, is now – planning a wedding of her own in June!

But for this single mom of two, her future didn’t always look so bright.

About a year ago, Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump during a self exam at the age of 38. “It was horrifying,” says Julie. “One minute you are feeling fine and the next minute, your whole world changes.” Julie’s neighbor, Chie Kramer, — who is now her fiancé — had known Julie for a short time and says the news was a life-changing experience.

“We went from living life, enjoying kids, arguing about normal things – to big changes…something really important arose.” That “important something” was Stage 3 cancer in the breast, and it had spread to other parts of her body. Suddenly, there were biopsies, surgeries, and chemotherapy. She lost her hair and spent days in bed. But Julie decided to stay strong and throw herself into her flower business to keep her mind off things.

Then, the outpouring of support surprised her. “People from all over came to help,” says Julie. “We handled about two dozen weddings during that time, which is just amazing!” says Julie who still gets a tear in her eye just talking about it. “They energized me and my kids. Thirteen-year-old Justin and 15-year-old Heather learned a life lesson of how people pull together in time of need.

Most of Julie’s cancer was surgically removed from her body, but, there’s no guarantee it won’t come back. Julie remains positive about the future and enjoys working with flowers as well as spending time with her family and pets – especially “Jules” – her fiancé’s golden lab who kept a constant vigil by her side when she was bedridden.

Julie served as the ambassador for the Susan G. Komen walk last month and says she continues talking to groups, encouraging women to watch for changes in their bodies and know their risk factors, because early detection is so important.

Today, Julie’s flower business is steadily growing as is her positive outlook for the future as a breast cancer survivor, one day at a time.

New Breakfast Spot Hatches

Pat Carlini with Kevin Armantrout, president of the Hoosier Hospitality Group, says the Meridian Street location is the first one in central Indiana, with another slated for downtown.

If you are looking for a new breakfast spot in town, a new one hatched at 9435 North Meridian!

“Another Broken Egg Café” is an upscale southern–style café with simple French country décor. The Florida-based chain is known for crawfish omelettes, grits with shrimp, and spicy Bloody Marys to wash it all down. That’s right – Bloody Marys. This breakfast spot has a full bar with seating and a flat sceen TV! Just don’t get too comfortable; they’re only open daily till 2:00 p.m.

On my visit to “Another Broken Egg,” the most popular appetizer to share was the “Biscuit Beignets” ($4.99) – a pan of biscuits dusted in powdered sugar and served with honey marmalade. We sampled a signature omelette called “Hey Lucy” ($10.99) which was stuffed with chorizo and cheese and the lobster and brie omelette ($14.99) which was paired with jimaca slaw and black beans with feta cheese. If all this is making you raise an eyebrow, don’t worry. You have to look, but you can find scrambled eggs with bacon and potatoes.

The franchisees who own the two Ruth Chris Steakhouse locations in Indianapolis brought “Another Broken Egg” to town. Kevin Armantrout, president of the Hoosier Hospitality Group, says the Meridian Street location is the first one in central Indiana, with another slated for downtown. “We are excited to bring Another Broken Egg here,” says Kevin, a Fishers resident. “A lot of people know this chain from vacationing in Florida or throughout the south, and we think they will be excited to see it here at home!”

I enjoyed “Another Broken Egg,” and I was especially impressed with the effort to give this newcomer such a local feel. Black and white photos of Indianapolis adorn one wall, and quotes from Hoosier notables such as James Whitcomb Riley and Booth Tarkington are featured on another wall. They serve locally-brewed Sun King beer, Fuzzy Zoeller vodka, summer blossom honey from Huntington, and pure maple syrup from Greencastle. Even their souvenir coffee mugs sport the checkered flag on the front label. A nice local touch for the new kid in town!

The café got its catchy name from the original owner who opened “The Broken Egg” and one day was simply asked, “Hey, why don’t you open ‘Another’ Broken Egg?”

Indy will most likely be glad they did!

Potholes Populate Geist Roads

Potholes like these along Oaklandon Road are popping up everywhere around Geist. Residents are encouraged to report them to their local Department of Public Works.

Now that the snow has melted (we hope for the final time this season), potholes are popping up everywhere around Geist Reservoir. Areas of Fall Creek Road, Fox Road, Oaklandon Road, and East 96th Street are extremely bad. Indianapolis and the Town of McCordsville plan on fixing these potholes beginning this month, but they need our help.

Indianapolis residents can download an app on their iPhone (search “RequestIndy”) to report potholes, among other things, to the Department of Public Works. You can also go to an online “Pothole Viewer” that allows you to report and check the progress of pothole repairs. Just visit www.maps.indy.gov/IndyPotholeviewer/ and start logging those potholes.

For our Geist residents in Hancock County, namely McCordsville, they have an online action center on their website with a link to “Report a Pothole”. Visit www.mccordsville.org and click on Departments > Public Works > Online Service Requests.

Making the Move: Mass Transit Stops in Fishers

Executive Director of Central Indiana Transit Task Force, Ron Gifford, recently spoke via a live webcast about the impact of mass transit coming to Fishers, Indiana.

Conversation about embracing state-of-the-art mass transit for central Indiana is nothing new. Arguments for and against significantly upgrading IndyGo, the Indianapolis bus system, and developing an integrated light-rail system to connect adjacent counties have been going on for a couple decades now. The stumbling blocks have always been a combination of finding the money to pay for it; an “it’s not our problem” attitude by xenophobic elected officials; and the lack of political will to make something happen. Meanwhile, peer cities like Austin, Salt Lake City, Nashville, and Charlotte have moved forward with transit systems of varying kinds to transport commuters in their increasingly-congested metropolitan areas. Now, proponents believe it’s time central Indiana punched its transit ticket.

After years of false starts and missed opportunities, a tipping point may have finally been reached. “We now have regional buy-in,” explained Ron Gifford, Executive Director, Central Indiana Transit Task Force, during a recent community conversation about the Central Indiana Transit Plan held in Fishers. “Local elected officials have stepped up because they understand the value of a really good transit system to economic development.” Gifford noted that Mayors Jim Brainard (Carmel), Andy Cook (Westfield), John Ditslear (Noblesville), and Fishers Town Council President John Weingardt all support the measure. “I’m optimistic because we’ve seen a great groundswell of public support. As we’ve pushed the issue throughout the legislature this session, there’s been an outpouring of organic support and the public contacting their legislators and letting them know this is a critical issue and asking for the opportunity for having a vote,” Gifford said.

The proposal calls for phased implementation of the $1.3 billion plan endorsed in 2011 by a cadre of elected officials and civic and business leaders. A combination of upgraded bus services and next-generation rapid transit vehicles would use dedicated transit corridors to move large numbers of commuters quickly and efficiently with both limited express and frequent-stop routes. Proponents offer four primary arguments in favor of the plan. “It gives access to jobs, education, healthcare, and entertainment to those who cannot afford, or are unable to drive, cars,” explained Gifford. “Mass transit also helps attract a young, professional workforce that prefers living in communities with high-quality transit service. It promotes neighborhood and commercial development and would ease traffic congestion and improve air quality by getting car commuters off the roads,” he added.

Phase One is a 10-year plan targeting Marion and Hamilton counties. Gifford said these are the two counties “most willing to do this,” and noted that Hamilton County’s population will likely double in the next 20-30 years. “We can’t build our way out of this with more roads,” he emphasized. Initially, the current bus system would be expanded, eventually tripling the level of services. Five rapid-transit lines have been identified, including what planners call the Green Line (also known as the Nickel Plate Line) – an existing rail bed that snakes its way from Noblesville past the Fishers train station and into downtown Indianapolis. Gifford credited forward-thinking Fishers leaders (The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority) who, some 20 years ago, bought the rail bed and designated it for future transit use. Gifford emphasized that proposed rail service would be nothing like the State Fair Train rumbling in and out of Fishers each August. Instead, planners are eyeing electric-powered transit vehicles to provide a quieter, more environmentally-friendly experience for commuters and the businesses and residences located along transit corridors.

Gifford said mass transit in other cities has had direct economic impact: where commuter stations are located, business has followed. A proposed funding mechanism would be adoption of what planners call EDIT – Economic Development Income Tax. A three-tenths-of-one-percent increase in income taxes would pay for and maintain the proposed system. That calculates to about ten to fifteen dollars a month for a family of four earning $50,000 annually. “One of the bigger challenges we have is talking to people about why this is an investment that makes sense. Why should we increase our local tax to pay for this?” said Gifford. “In the current political environment, that’s a tough conversation for some people. In our view, it’s really important that this go to local referendum – that the public be allowed to weigh in on this. Ultimately, we think a fully-informed public will value the investment and vote in favor of it.”

A necessary step in making this happen is changes to Indiana law that would provide funding flexibility at local levels of government and a referendum allowing public voting on the proposal. At the time of this writing, a bill addressing these changes is winding its way through the Indiana General Assembly. Renee Cox, District 3 representative on the Fishers Town Council, is closely watching the legislative developments. “We have seen, for the first time, a (mass transit) bill come out of committee, and that’s encouraging,” she said. “If we’re going to continue to sell business development for Hamilton County, a good transit system is vital to its success. We’re talking about planning for the future.”

Cox thinks the jury is still out on the proposed tax increase. People she has talked with express concern if it would be enough funding for sustainability, fearing future, additional tax hikes. Still, when asked about mass transit, she’s fond of quoting Indiana State Senator Jerry Torr: “We gave the people the Right to Work; now we need to give them a way to get to work.” Her hope is that people will put aside preconceived notions about mass transit – including rumors and misinformation – and come to the conversation with open eyes. “The real beneficiaries are those still to come – people who choose to live, work, and play in Fishers and other central Indiana communities,” emphasized Cox.

Planners have designated 2013 as a year for discussion about the Central Indiana Transit Plan. Detailed information is available at www.indyconnect.org. Future community conversations are planned across the metro area.

Councillor Connection

Lawrence City Councillors Tom Shevlot (R) and Sherron Freeman (D) look to work together to tackle some of the city’s biggest challenges.

One result of last November’s election is new leadership for the Lawrence City Council. The Geist Community Newsletter met recently with newly elected Council President Tom Shevlot, 50, and second term Council Vice-President Sherron Freeman, 57, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the city’s 46,000 residents and its government leaders. The following are their responses to the most pressing issues.

Revenue and Budgeting

Shevlot (R) at-Large Councillor: We need stability from a fiscal perspective in local government. Local government is funded primarily with property taxes, and the past couple of years have been a challenge. Our priority is to get a handle on projecting revenues accurately. Our primary responsibility is budgetary – getting expenses under control and revenue forecasting. You have to adjust the way you run your organization.

Freeman (D) District 3: Because of property tax caps we now have only a set (reduced) amount of money coming into the city. Another drawback is the more than 36,000 property assessment appeals filed. That money is tied up until those appeals run their course. To me, they should have just left property taxes alone. The funds would have been there for us to do other things such as a library. We can’t jack up fees because we want people and businesses to remain in Lawrence.

Shevlot: If we continue thinking we’re going to get incremental revenue increases from property taxes, that’s unlikely because the last couple of years we’ve gotten less. I have ideas about new revenue sources, but the council is limited in what it can do about them. Ultimately, it’s the administration that has to execute them. I believe they are moving that way. I can’t discuss it yet, but there are two new funding options that would not require more taxes, and we’re in conversation about them with the administration.

Public Safety

Shevlot: Public safety is more than 70-percent of the city’s expenses. Bloomington has only 32,000 residents and more police officers than Lawrence. The same is true for Richmond and Columbus. The challenge is that funding has to be appropriated across all of the city’s 300 employees. We have to do a better job of creating alternate sources of revenue. We can’t do local government “as usual” anymore because we now have experience with how cities are being funded with reduced property tax revenue, and it’s not meeting expenses. There comes a time when you can’t cut anymore without getting into public safety, so my hope is we can find new funding sources that are sustainable.

Freeman: We want our police officers to have decent patrol cars, but funding for that sort of thing is a challenge with decreasing revenue streams from the property tax caps. Still, I think the city is doing very well.

Economic Development

Freeman: We need more businesses in Lawrence that are here to stay – not the kind that pick up and go after 30 days. Also, the commercial growth at the former Ft. Benjamin Harrison needs to continue. We need locally-owned small businesses to get in there and get stabilized. The more businesses that come to Lawrence, the less taxes will be necessary.

Both Freeman and Shevlot agree that local governance is less about ideology and party affiliation. “The public doesn’t care about a ‘D’ or a ‘R’ – they just want to know what you’re going to do positive for the city. What are you going to do to push us forward,” said Freeman. Shevlot said he is optimistic, but also pragmatic about Lawrence’s future. Freeman agreed, adding that she and the council president are, for the most part, on the same page. “So much is thrown at us, and the way we complement each other seems to be working.”

Catch of the Day

Some local Fishers residents were featured on the Bass2BillFish TV show.

This is a fishing story, but it’s not about the one that got away. About a year ago, Tom Frank, 32, cast a metaphorical net for the chance to appear on a TV fishing show. The Fishers resident submitted a video audition tape for himself and brothers Michael, 34, and Sam, 37, to appear as guest fishermen on the nationally-televised Bass2Billfish program airing on NBC Sports Outdoor network. “On the video, I included pictures of us fishing and what we’d caught,” Tom said. “I figured that would be the end of it.” However, a second audition tape was requested, and it showed host Peter Miller just what he was looking for. “I’ve never had three brothers on the show. It made for a great dynamic: competition, camaraderie – all dedicated to their dad, who had passed away recently,” said Miller.

While some fact-challenged fishermen are famously prone to exaggerate (“You should have seen the size of it!”), that’s hardly the case when the Franks talk about their amazing experience. Consider: the trio stayed four nights at a luxury hotel in the Florida Keys; dined on meals fit for a king; received about $500 each in clothing and other gifts; fished two days using state-of-the-art tackle and boating equipment – and didn’t spend a dime. “They took care of everything possible,” Tom explained. “All they said was ’It’s going to be nice weather so bring appropriate clothes and sunscreen.’”

A year elapsed before the show was taped, but Michael Frank, who lives in Indianapolis, says the wait was worth it. “That’s the great thing about Bass2Billfish. They take regular people and show them the world-class fishing available in Florida. They call it a fishing, travel, reality show. He was happy to show these Midwest kids the great fishing in Florida.”

The episode was shot in the Keys off the coast of Islamorada, Florida, with the intention of landing sailfish. On Day One they saw a few, but none were caught. “Sometimes you get skunked. It happens,” said Tom, who did hook a rather substantial consolation prize – a 500-pound Hammerhead shark. Like most TV fishing shows, Bass2Billfish practices “catch and release,” and after lifting the shark for a measurement and photos, the crew freed the Hammerhead. “We watched it dive back to the bottom of the ocean. That was cool,” Tom said.

Day Two started equally slowly with only tuna and barracuda hitting the dead squid being used as bait. “You have a local guide, a TV host, a cameraman, a second chase boat – they’re just staring at you,” said Michael. “There’s a lot of time, effort, and money. We started to feel a little pressure.” But that changed when Sam Frank, a Grand Rapids, Michigan, resident, hooked a 350-pound Dusky shark which, shall we say, wasn’t too pleased. “He was flipping hard, and seeing the business end of a shark up close certainly got our attention,” remembered Tom. Michael eventually landed the target – a massive, beautiful sailfish. “I would rate their fishing skills at a high level – a strong nine,” offered Miller, now in his fourth season hosting the show that reaches 78 million households.

Lessons learned? For Tom, “How three competitive brothers tossed their egos aside and were humbled by such an incredible opportunity.” And for Michael, “It pays to get out of your comfort zone” and take a risk. Consider it the catch of the day.

The Frank brothers’ Bass2Billfish episodes air Saturday, January 26, and Saturday, February 2. Additional information is available at www.bass2billfish.com.

Tis the Season: Greater Geist Community Rallies to Support Fortville Police Officer

Date: July 27, 2012, Time: 11:30 p.m.

Fortville police officer Matt Fox is very thankful to be alive this holiday season and wishes to thank the greater Geist community for their support.

Fortville police officer Matt Fox and his canine partner, Lannie, were working overtime. When you’re a policeman, working overtime and second and third jobs are no strangers. Lannie the patrol dog was content, peering out the back window of the patrol car. For officer Fox, it was just another evening checking for signs of aggressive or impaired drivers on his evening patrol in Hancock County. The scorching heat of the day still lingered in the evening air as he drove through the normally quiet area.

Little did Fox think that in a matter of minutes he would be involved with a convicted felon who had been released from prison just a little under a year ago. James “Skip” Lockhart, III, clearly was not intent on straightening out his life. If he had, the weed in his car and 12 guns would not have been in his possession.

As Officer Fox settled in behind Lockhart’s white Volvo at 79th and Carroll Road, he noticed a taillight was missing. It was his duty to make sure the driver knew the light was out and to serve him with a ticket. One motion of turning on his red lights usually resulted with a driver pulling over. But that was not the case with Lockhart as he initially stopped but suddenly fled, leading the officer on a short pursuit into the Bradford Creek subdivision. The chase pursued ending at High View Drive and Clearview Lane.

“It all happened so fast. I had just reached to disconnect my seatbelt when Lockhart was at my side window. I saw the barrel of the gun aimed at me. The sound of the bullets hitting me was deafening. It’s a sound I will never forget,” Fox said. “I’ve been asked a dozen times if I passed out as a flurry of bullets were fired, nine of which hit me: One in my left forearm, one in the hand, and one in the forehead pretty much shattering my sinus cavity. The rest of the other bullets lodged in my bullet proof vest. The pain of those bullets hit first. I didn’t lose consciousness, but the blood from the forehead wound pretty much blurred my vision. I do remember communicating a description of the car and the driver. I knew Lannie was there and worried that he might have been hit as well (he wasn’t), but I couldn’t get to him in the condition I was in,” Fox added with a tone that clearly spoke to the memories of this horrible night.

Officer Fox has been on a desk assignment during his rehabilitation. He looks forward to returning to active duty in January, 2013.

A short while later, an Indianapolis Police Officer traveling on Fox Road a couple miles from the incident spotted what he believed to be the shooter’s car which Fox had described. Lockhart pulled in The Grand Reserve at Geist apartment complex where his assault on society ended in a short gun battle that he initiated.

Today, Officer Fox is back at work and anxious to get on with life and into a normal routine. When asked if he had thoughts of walking away from this dangerous job, he answered, “I wouldn’t do anything different. I don’t work this kind of job for the money. You want to help protect people, to keep them safe. That’s what I was doing on July 27. And that’s what I will continue to do.” There was no bitterness or fear in his voice. These words came from his heart and his love of being a police officer.

The Hancock County community and fellow police officers have indeed pitched in to help Fox and his family (Alissa Miller and their 3-year-old daughter, Megan) with local fund raisers. These funds defray some of the financial setbacks that take a toll when a family experiences what Fox went through. The shooting aftermath hit Alissa hard. She was given time off without pay to help her regain her own footing while caring for her partner. But life goes on, as do the household bills.

We do have a caring community, and the Lincoln Square Pancake Houses are all hosting a full day of remembering Officer Fox by donating 50% of their proceeds on December 19 to his cause. (click here)

“I am so thankful for all the nice things that my community has done for me and my family. When something like this happens, the injuries are one thing, but the things you can’t prepare for – like loss of income – can knock the socks right off you. We will get back on our feet, and we will never forget the support it took to help us get there,” Fox said.

And we, the citizens, should never forget what a few good men and women do to let us sleep peacefully at night while they are always in harm’s way!

If you wish to make a contribution, donations can be sent to: Fortville Police, 714 East Broadway Street, Fortville, IN 46040 – Attention Office Matt Fox Fund. And, if you want to send a message directly to Matt, email him at msf7302@aolcom.

Home Suite Home at Geist Marina

Paul Mitford of Mitford Homes has converted over 4,500 square feet above Eddy’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill and Geist Fitness into office suites.

There are a lot of home-based business owners around Geist that could use a working sanctuary close to home. So when a local home builder invited me up to check out their new Mitford Office Suites at the Geist Marina, he not only made news in the Geist Community Newsletter, he also gained a new tenant: atGeist.com.

Over 4,500 square feet of office space spanning the second floor above Eddy’s and Geist Fitness is being converted into private offices and cubicles, answering the call for many entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for work space close to home with a view of the Geist Marina to boot.

Behind this venture is Paul Mitford, a 25-year custom home builder and Fox Hollow resident who has found a way to not just survive but thrive in an otherwise suppressed home builder market.

“We can build a custom home for the price of what other track home builders charge,” said Mitford. Price aside, Mitford leverages his long-time contractor relationships and old-fashioned customer service to build about 25 homes per year. Over simplifying his success, he credits “just keeping people happy.”

An open office floor plan with private offices and cubicles starting at $295/month.

Mitford has been running his construction business out of his home for years and finally negotiated an agreement with Marina Limited to rent the second-story office space at the Geist Marina for his own staff. Thinking that other business owners might be looking to move out on their own, the idea of short-term office suites was born to fill the space.

Prices start at $295 per month for one of eight cubicles and go up to $695 for a large 16? × 15? office with a private entrance. Lease terms are flexible, either six or 12 months in length. Amenities include wifi, shared conference room, individual mailboxes with separate addresses, shared break room, plenty of parking, and all utilities. For more information or for a tour, call 317-900-1956 or visit www.MitfordOfficeSuites.com.

As for atGeist.com, we’ll be in Suite 202 just over the entrance to Eddy’s. Feel free to stop by and say “hello.” Office-warming presents are always welcomed.

Geist Resident Steps It Up for Walk of Hope

“Gilroy’s Gang” (left to right) Laura Slocum, Melissa Barnes, Erin Goolsby, Janet Adams, and Sue Anne Gilroy stepped it up for this year’s Walk of Hope.

“I’m 64, and I made it!” laughs Sue Anne Gilroy as she talks about completing this year’s Walk of Hope (October 6) to benefit the patients of St. Vincent Cancer Care. “I didn’t know how far I would get; but I had so much fun enjoying the Zionsville scenery along the way and talking with other walkers, that I ended up walking the whole walk.”

Gilroy, a Geist resident, is the executve director and vice president of development at the St. Vincent Foundation, and you might say she really steps it up for the Walk of Hope.

Gilroy forms her own team – “Gilroy’s Gang” – and together with a band of walkers has raised tens of thousands in the last two years. “This event is unique in that all the proceeds from the Walk of Hope stay in Central Indiana for cancer patients,” says Gilroy.” We don’t have to share with a national headquarters somewhere.”

More than 400 walkers participated in the second annual Walk this year and raised $365,000 for cancer care. Participants form teams and raise money throughout the year leading up to the event. There are 15-mile, 3-mile, and 1-mile walks to choose from – the 15-mile walkers are the Women (or Men) of Hope and raise a minimum of $1000 to benefit the cause.

Gilroy says it’s the participants that help you make it to the finish line – cancer survivors, those walking in memory of loved ones lost, and those who just want to help a great cause. “I even saw Tony Bennett (state superintendent of public instruction) push his wife in a wheelchair the entire walk because she suffers from plantar faciitis and couldn’t be on her feet!” says Gilroy. “Its just a great group of people.”

Gilroy, by the way, is no stranger to successful campaigns and hard work. This Geist resident was the first female secretary of state from 1994 to 2003. After that, she took a hiatus from public service and started her own business consulting for nonprofit groups.

Today, she enjoys her role with the St.Vincent Foundation. She sees the patients facing the challenges of cancer every day and she knows the annual Walk of Hope will help make a difference by raising money ,and hope, in the fight against all cancers…one step at a time.