Celebrating 10 Years of Sharing Zionsville’s Best Stories

April 2023

The publishers and staff at Zionville Monthly are immensely proud to celebrate 10 years of publishing the town’s only hyper-local magazine that is family owned and locally managed. Publishers Neil and Lena Lucas began publishing in 2013 what was then titled as a community newsletter and delivered by direct mail to local residents. Over the years, the publication evolved into a sophisticated and purposeful magazine that continues to focus on positive and inspiring stories that highlight life in Zionsville a decade later.

Amid economic recession, a global pandemic and other trials and tribulations that continue to impact the local media outlets nationwide, the Zionsville Monthly team has never faltered from and remains committed to its mission to produce only the highest quality content that can be trusted and enjoyed by a wide demographic of readers — both in print and digital formats.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS AND PREVIOUS COVER STORIES

Covering a wide array of topics from business, sports, arts and entertainment, education, light politics, health and safety — Zionsville Monthly maintains a finger on the pulse of the town and has featured some of Zionsville’s most prominent current and former residents as well as many unsung individuals whose stories have inspired many.

The Lucases featured Brad Stevens on their very first cover in March of 2013. Stevens, a graduate of ZCHS, spoke about growing up in Zionsville. As many know, Stevens went on to coach basketball at Butler University, head coach and now president of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics.

The magazine has featured many celebrated athletic figures either from or residing in the Zionsville community, including former Indiana Pacer Lance Stephenson, Rick and [son] Derek Schmitz, and Graham Rahal on his global headquarters impending move to Zionsville. IMS President Douglas Boles and his wife Beth have each been featured in the magazine along with former Indianapolis Colts Coach Chuck Pagano [former Zionsville resident] upon his retirement in 2018.

Sports reporters and other local media celebrities have been spotlighted on Zionsville Monthly covers, including award-winning journalists and TV personalities Richard Essex, who grew up in Zionsville;
Bill Benner; and Sherman Burdette. Famous artists, such as the late Nancy Noel, have graced the magazine and its covers multiple times. Many may remember the publication’s coverage of Noel’s extravagant masquerade ball that was a fundraiser for the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home in Lebanon, Indiana.

Additionally, the remarkable work of the late Edie Kellar Mahaney beautified the cover in addition to many local resident and student artists and fashion bloggers such as Beth Chappo. Chappo’s popular fashion blog Seersucker and Saddles made for one of magazine’s most-read articles.

One of the greatest honors for the publication was an interview with internationally renowned artist Peter Max, who gifted the magazine with a painting taken from a staff photo of Main Street that became the cover.

As mentioned prior, the town’s educational institutions and organizations are important partners of Zionsville Monthly. The staff have cultivated longstanding relationships with the Zionsville Community Schools administrators, staff and parent volunteer corps. Additionally, Zionsville Monthly continues to support the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, the Zionsville Cultural District and the local performing arts.

Supporting student academic achievements as well as athletic [achievements] continues to be a focus for the publication. Several ZCS coaches, staff and students have been celebrated in the publication — almost too many to list. But some of the local favorite articles include ZCHS Football Head Coach Scott Turnquist, who came on staff in 2019, as well as ZCHS Head Coach of Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving Scott Kubly and ZCHS Soccer Head Coach Rob Jordan for their inductions into their respective sport’s state hall of fames.

Exceptional student athletes such as former CHS swimmer and state champion Kyle Decoursey, ZCHS’ first wrestling state champion Logan Wagner, former ZCHS track and field phenom Katie Eisenberger, current ZCHS basketball phenom Layla Hull and so many more deserving young people representing ZCS’s best have been and will continue to be celebrated on the magazine’s covers.

NOTABLE ZIONSVILLE RESIDENTS

Zionsville Monthly was thrilled to cover the Traders Point Charity Horse Show in its final years. The late Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson was featured on the cover as was the Traders Point Hunt Club.

Inspiring individuals who have shared their courageous fights against disease who wanted to advocate and educate have also been major contributors to the magazine over the years.

Zionsville residents Scott Linter and Abigail Boldt kindly and bravely shared their individual stories on their fight against leukemia, and Lisa Cox shared her personal battle against Parkinson’s. All have given
hope and encouragement to the readers through their words and insights.

While the magazine’s publishing focus is not political, it has maintained relationships with sitting mayors, department heads, town councilors and elected state officials.

The publication has and continues to honor its veterans, and the staff was honored to produce a cover story on an American hero and beloved resident, Carver McGriff, who shared his D-Day memories with the readers.

Dr. Charles “Chuck” Dietzen has been featured for his work while he was Chief Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Riley Hospital for Children. Dietzen’s medical and philanthropic work is known the world over.

Stories of tragedy and triumph contribute to the tapestry of the town’s story. Shari Jenkins has shared her stories of literally rising above the ashes with her restaurant Noah Grant’s and the growing excitement
for the opening of her latest venture: The Tipsy Mermaid on Main Street.

The stories of some of Zionsville’s “O.G.” families, such as Bob Harris’ family and the [Chad and Steve] Pittman family, whose families have and are presently developing in the community, have been published throughout the years in the magazine. And stories such as the Hearst family and their move from the historic building in downtown Indianapolis to Zionsville have contributed to the magazine’s business and real estate collection of articles.

A COMMITMENT TO CONTINUED EXCELLENCE

The publishers and staff would like to thank the magazine’s supporters, advertisers, and readers for their contributions and continued support of the work the publication produces each month. It is because of this support the magazine can continue to produce meaningful content and support local organizations by sponsoring events put on by the Humane Society for Boone County, the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, and support groups such as the Zionsville Show Choirs, ZCHS musicals and a myriad of other local events.

Publisher Neil Lucas said, “I have been amazed at the positive impact our magazine can have on organizations and individuals in the Zionsville community. While we take pride in having celebrities and notable individuals on our covers, it is the many times when we have shared the stories of relatively unknown people who have done extraordinary things that I get the most satisfaction. People have asked many times as to what our editorial philosophy is. I have responded from day one that there is enough vitriol in the world, so we have worked hard to present positive content that will provide a little solace to our readers and also remind them that Zionsville is a wonderful community filled with great people.”

Zionsville Monthly head writer Janelle Morrison added, “For more than a decade, I have been reporting on events and people throughout the community. It continues to be an honor and privilege to meet with locals and to share their inspiring stories that highlight the best of our community. These are the people who continue to give me hope for our future and it’s their stories I am compelled to share so that it may lift people’s spirits, encourage them and drive them to go after their respective dreams and aspirations. I would like to thank all of the readers and my supporters who continue to motivate me to be the best storyteller and truth seeker that I can be.”

Be sure to follow Zionsville Monthly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest stories and upcoming events. Visit zionsvillemonthlymagazine.com for current and past articles as well as for
information on advertising with the town’s premier lifestyle magazine.

Writer:

Janelle Morrison

Photography:

Laura Arick, JJ Kaplan and Staff