Avon Magazine November 2025 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

GOBBLE GALLOP

7 GOBBLE GALLOP

Avon’s Annual Event Brings Community Together for Thanksgiving Tradition 12 NOVEMBER EVENTS 14 ROOTED IN AVON

Four Generations of the Bradley Family Shape Their Hometown’s Story

18 FÜR DAS HUFEISEN (FOR THE HORSESHOE)

The Indianapolis Colts Return to the World Stage This Month

21 CREATIVE CHAOS

Local Artist Brings Color, Joy & Stress Relief to Hendricks County

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Dr. Elizabeth Allspaw

GOBBLE GALLOP

AVON’S ANNUAL EVENT BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR THANKSGIVING TRADITION

Writer / Melissa Gibson

he Hendricks Regional Health YMCA in Avon has hosted its Thanksgiving morning fundraiser, Gobble Gallop, since 2016. This year, organizers introduced a new Wobble to the Gobble training program eight weeks prior to the event on Nov. 27.

They’ll also hold their annual National Anthem competition to find a local performer or choir to sing before the race begins. You may have even spotted Chase the Turkey around Avon in the weeks leading up to the Gobble Gallop. The YMCA releases videos and clues to help residents track him down — all in good fun leading up to the big day.

Most of all, the goal is to bring the community together while raising funds for a good cause.

“Hendricks County is a close-knit community, and the YMCA in Avon is right in the middle of things,” says Roland

Smith, Hendricks Regional Health YMCA executive director. “This event brings everyone together in the heart of the community, and it continues to grow year after year. We invite families to come out and burn some calories before they eat Thanksgiving afternoon and have a great time.”

Avon resident Mandy Evans and her family have made Gobble Gallop a Thanksgiving tradition. Mandy, her husband Patrick, and their two daughters, Olivia and Amelia, are a running family who enjoy staying active and giving back.

“We moved to Avon in February of 2018, and we looked for good schools and a nice gym in the area,” Evans says. “That nice gym happened to be the YMCA, and it was our first stop. We got a gym membership right away, and there has been this overall welcoming feeling from day one. Everyone was so receptive and happy to have us.”

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When the Evans family moved across the country, their Thanksgiving traditions changed. Mandy suddenly found herself in charge of preparing the entire meal rather than going to a grandparent’s house or sharing the work with extended family.

“It made sense to start the day out right and give back to a community that has given so much to us,” she says. “You go for a run, get cleaned up and start cooking the meal. Last year, I thought ahead and made pumpkin pies the night before. Things changed when I was solely responsible for the meal, but it worked out because the race is at 8 a.m. You get that done and move on to what you were going to do.”

Evans has run the Gobble Gallop every year since 2018, and her oldest daughter, Olivia, will participate in her fourth race this November.

Let

As always, Vitamin D & C help too!

“She runs cross-country for her middle school,” Evans says. “The first year she asked to get involved, she was eight years old, and it was the day before the race. So that was a little late, but when she was nine, she ran it and really enjoyed it.”

Many appreciate the Gobble Gallop for its inclusivity. Families can bring strollers and wagons with children in tow, and walking or running the 5K is encouraged. Evans says she even had a friend walk it last year with a boot on her foot.

For Olivia, the event has become a bit more competitive. At 12 years old, she now runs in the 14-and-under category.

“I always tell them that no one can take away the feeling of how well you ran a race,” Evans adds. “Anything can happen, and she’s potentially running with high school teens. But what’s most important is not winning — it’s that we’re doing this for a good cause. We want to give back and have fun. I think she also really wants to win that pie.”

The prize for winners in a variety of age brackets — starting at 6 years old up to 56 and above — is a pie to bring home to the Thanksgiving table, a fun and fitting incentive for those needing a little extra motivation.

According to Evans, the event is a win-win for everyone.

“You get out and get your exercise,” she says. “It’s amazing to join more than 1,000 other participants during this busy season, but for us, we’re also giving back to this gym we stepped foot in several years ago when we moved across the country. My first 5K in Avon was at Gobble Gallop, and I hope I’m instilling a tradition in my girls — maybe not to run, but to always give back.”

In 2024, the Hendricks Regional Health YMCA’s largest fundraiser of the year raised more than $400,000 to support financial scholarships for community members who qualify.

These scholarships help children take swimming lessons, join youth sports leagues and attend preschool at discounted rates.

Gobble Gallop takes place from 8-10 a.m. Nov. 27. Participants can register for the 5K at runsignup.com/Race/IN/Avon/ GobbleGallop5k. There is also a virtual 5K and a Leftover 10K virtual option.

Those who register before Nov. 11 will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt with the Gobble Gallop logo, with the option to upgrade to a hoodie or beanie, and a custom finisher or completion medal.

INDIANA PACERS VS. MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. 7 p.m.

4-9 LES MISÉRABLES

Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave.

7 p.m., Nov. 8 - 2 p.m., Nov. 9 - 1 p.m.

11 SWAN LAKE: INTERNATIONAL BALLET

Stars in Indianapolis, IN Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. 7 p.m.

Indianapolis — witness

the most beloved ballet of all time, live on stage! One night only. One unforgettable performance. One chance to be swept away by beauty, grace, and emotion.

12-16

CHRISTMAS GIFT + HOBBY SHOW

Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street.

10 a.m.-7 p.m. (12-13), 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (14-15), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (16)

It’s the most wonderful time of year – the Christmas Gift + Hobby Show!

CALENDAR

CLUE - THE MOVIE

Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave.

7:30 p.m.

A SCREENING TO DIE

FOR Join the original ‘MISS SCARLET’ - LESLEY ANN WARREN - as she hosts a screening of the cult cinema hit CLUE.

15, 22, 28-30

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St. 2 p.m. (15, 29, 30), 5 p.m. (28, 22)

Indy’s holiday tradition Banish your bah humbugs and celebrate the season at the Indiana Repertory Theatre!

ROOTED IN AVON

FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE BRADLEY FAMILY SHAPE THEIR HOMETOWN’S STORY

Writer / Renée Larr

For more than 80 years, the Bradley family has lived, learned and thrived in Avon. What began with a hardworking farmer in the 1940s has evolved into a legacy spanning four generations, deeply rooted in the schools and community that have shaped the town’s story.

The Bradley family’s ties to Avon trace back to Glenn Bradley, who owned farmland at 100 South and Raceway Road in the 1940s. Glenn wasn’t just a farmer — he was a community leader. He served on the Avon School Board in the 1960s and early 1970s, and even drove a school bus. His dedication set the tone for future generations of Bradleys, who would go on to weave their lives into the town’s fabric.

Glenn’s sons, including Geoff Bradley Sr. and Harry Bradley, continued the family’s Avon legacy. Geoff Sr. graduated from Avon High School in 1958, while Harry graduated a few years earlier in 1954. Their Avon experience was one of small-town charm — Geoff Sr.’s graduating class had just 28 students.

By the 1970s, Avon was still a small, rural community, but the Bradley family’s roots remained firmly planted. Geoff Bradley Jr., Glenn’s grandson, graduated in 1978. His sisters, Andrea and Jill, followed close behind in 1979 and 1983, respectively. Geoff Jr.’s cousins, Kathy Bradley Strahm (1974) and Kelly Bradley Siddons (1976), also graduated from Avon High School.

freshman class alone has nearly a thousand.”

That rapid growth is one of the most significant changes the family has experienced over the decades.

Even as the town expanded, the Bradleys stayed connected to their roots. Glenn used portions of his farmland to help Avon grow. He subdivided the lots and sold them to builders, creating neighborhoods where new families could establish roots. To make it personal, he named many of the streets after his grandchildren. Bradley Drive, Andrea Court, Kathy Lane and Kelly Court still stand as a lasting testament to the family’s presence in Avon.

The Bradley legacy continued into the

2000s. Scott Strahm, the son of Geoff Jr.’s cousin, graduated from Avon High School in 2002, marking the third generation to walk its halls. Today, the fourth generation carries on the tradition — one of Geoff Jr.’s grandchildren is a freshman at Avon High School, while another is a seventh grader at Avon South Middle School.

The connection to the schools is more than symbolic — it’s a family identity. From the one-building high school of the 1950s to today’s sprawling campus and eight elementary schools, the Bradleys have witnessed every stage of Avon’s educational transformation.

Despite all the changes, the Bradleys have remained steadfast in their commitment to Avon. For Geoff Jr., the decision to stay is a simple one.

“The schools have managed to keep pace with the town’s growth, and the

to do here now, but it still feels like home.”

From farm fields to subdivisions, from graduating classes of 28 to nearly 1,000,

growth while contributing to its progress. Their story is one of continuity and hometown pride — and a reminder that the roots of a community run deepest when families stay to nurture them.

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With the NFL’s continued commitment to expanding its global footprint, several teams will once again play overseas this season— including the Indianapolis Colts. On Nov. 9, the Colts will host the Atlanta Falcons at the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.

For offensive tackle Bernard Raimann, the trip will be something of a homecoming. Born in Steinbrunn, a small town just outside Vienna, Austria, Raimann is only a short flight or train ride from Berlin. “About 20 members of my family will be at the game,” he says. “Half are taking the 4- to 5-hour train ride, and the rest are flying— it’s only about 90 minutes.”

FÜR DAS HUFEISEN

(FOR THE HORSESHOE)

THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS RETURN TO THE WORLD STAGE THIS MONTH

Writer / Devon Dean

This won’t be Raimann’s first time playing abroad. He was also part of the Colts’ roster in 2023 when they played the New England Patriots in Frankfurt. “I’m over-the-moon excited to go back,” he says.

Raimann grew up playing soccer but switched to American football at age 14, drawn to the physicality of the game. “What I love about American football is how much we have to rely on one another as teammates,” he says. “You have to be able to trust the person next to you.”

He went on to play college football at Central Michigan and was drafted by the Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 77th overall pick.

The Colts take careful steps to help players manage jet lag on international trips. Berlin is six hours ahead of Indianapolis, and anyone who has flown across several time zones knows how disorienting it can be. “The staff forces us to sleep on the flight to help,” Raimann says. “It makes a big difference.”

While Raimann and his teammates are excited for the trip, it will be all business once they land. “We’ll practice on Thursday, then fly overnight to Germany on Friday,” he says. “Once we arrive, we’ll check into the hotel and head straight to the walkthrough.”

Raimann hopes to squeeze in time for

dinner with his family—and to introduce them to his infant daughter, who will be taking her first-ever flight.

“We’re going to experience the whole ‘flying with a baby’ thing,” he jokes.

One thing he’s certain about? Enjoying some comfort food from home. “I’m looking forward to goulash, bread dumplings, and sausage,” he says. “All of the offensive line loved the food last time around.”

Berlin’s Olympiastadion has previously hosted NFL exhibition games from 1990 to 1994. Built for the 1936 Summer Olympics, the stadium is best known for American track star Jesse Owens’ legendary performance, making it a fitting venue for another historic sporting event.

This will be the third international matchup for the Colts. They previously played the Patriots in Frankfurt in 2023 and faced

Colts-Falcons game will be the firstever regular-season NFL game played at Olympiastadion.

Notably, the Berlin game marks the first time the Colts will serve as the designated “home” team abroad.

The 2024 NFL International Series will feature up to eight regular-season games, with matchups in São Paulo, Dublin, London, Madrid—and now Berlin. The

And one final note: the Colts beat the Patriots the last time they played in Germany.

Kickoff for Colts vs. Falcons is set for 9:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday, Nov. 9.

AFC South rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2016.

Abigail

CREATIVE CHAOS

LOCAL ARTIST BRINGS COLOR, JOY & STRESS RELIEF TO HENDRICKS COUNTY

Writer / Melissa Gibson

Photographer / Jess Stewart

More than a decade ago, Melissa Cain of Avon was told by doctors to find a hobby to help relieve stress. She had developed epilepsy as an adult, and stress triggered and increased her seizures.

She leaned into her artistic strengths, looking back to her grade school days when she enjoyed drawing, crafting and creating. Even as an adult, Cain loved doing art projects with her children — and “making a mess” was never off the table. That same year, Cain’s daughter turned seven and requested a painting party, which became the perfect segue into exploring her love for art.

“We had a painting party for her, and it was a hit,” Cain says. “I started out just asking the kids what they wanted to paint. I’d sketch it out, and they would fill in the lines. Friends started asking me to schedule a party for their children, and then adults started suggesting a paint and sip night.”

She hosted parties and other events from her home until opening a retail space in Danville 13 years ago. The Danville location eventually closed, but the hiatus didn’t last long — Cain is back with her new studio, Cain’s Creative Chaos, on the east side of the

county. The space hosts birthday parties, workshops, paint and sip nights and more.

Visitors can schedule private events or stop in several days a week for the activity of the day.

“My workshops include all different mediums,” Cain says. “We paint on canvas, glass, pottery, woodwork, epoxy resin and UV resin projects. There’s a wide variety to choose from, and I offer one at least once per week. Sometimes I do an à la carte workshop where guests can do any of those, but it’s always something they can bring home with them.”

Cain’s Creative Chaos also offers fundraising opportunities. Hosts can organize a painting or craft fundraiser and receive 40% of the sales toward their organization’s cause.

She also offers at-home kits for those who live farther away or simply want a creative family night at home. Customers can order a variety of kits, pick them up or have them shipped. Each kit includes everything needed to complete the project, plus a step-bystep video to guide participants to the finished product. Perhaps most popular, however, is the Chaos Room.

“Think of it like a rage room, but instead of breaking things, you’re throwing paint on a canvas,” Cain says. “It’s really fun with a group or on a date night. You wear a hazmat suit, we close the door, and you’re just flinging paint. We actually have people come from far away to do it, and what’s funny is, they’re often surprised that they can take the canvas home with them. They’d be happy to just throw the paint around the room and call it a day.”

With her love for art, Cain also supports other artists and their pursuits.

The building she’s in features around 25 local artists’ works for sale in her gift shop — from paintings to sculpture, mixed media to photography. The featured artists also offer their own workshops at Cain’s Creative Chaos on a regular basis.

She does everything she can to invite people in to enjoy the arts while supporting those who spend their days creating and honing their skills.

“We do pop-up markets in front of the store,” Cain adds. “During the warmer months, we have First Fridays with food trucks, live music and vendors with a variety of handmade goods and artwork.”

For the ultimate relaxing art venture, Cain offers art retreats several times a year in spots across the country. She may participate in an art show while there, but she also plans art-related field trips and daily

creative projects for the group.

Each five- to seven-day trip includes time to visit destinations like Panama City Beach, Colorado Springs or Southern California, depending on the season.

In the future, Cain hopes to move to a location that would allow her to bring in permanent vendor booths and studio space for fellow artists. Until then, she continues sharing her passion with others who can relate.

It’s a dream come true for Cain. From being a little girl making crafts to creating with her own children, she’s always cherished the gift of art and the joy of sharing it.

“I would have never thought I’d teach others how to paint. If it wasn’t for my children asking for painting parties, I don’t know if I would have given it a shot,” she says. “I think it was easier to start with young people and grow from there as my confidence grew. That opportunity, plus my experience in graphic design and marketing, has made this business a success.”

For more information or to reserve your spot at a workshop or in the Chaos Room, visit cainscreativechaos.com.