Life in between the four walls of a corporate office building can be a little daunting on a professional’s productiveness and can also take a toll on their relationships with their coworkers. It may be time to step outside of the cubicle or come out from behind the office door to get to know others and practice effective team building.
Following are five getaways that can provide that perfect setting for a team building weekend or exercise.
Camp Yale
Camp Yale offer corporate retreats, half and full day corporate team building and leadership experiences. Staff members guide groups through a customized program of team building and leadership development activities such as their element low ROPES course, a 50-foot climbing wall, and an exhilarating 450-foot zip line.
2000 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 Winchester, Ind. / (765) 584-ROPE (7673) / Campyale.com.
Hidden Hollows Retreat
Resting on 67 acres of secluded country land 35 miles outside of Fort Wayne is Hidden Hallows Retreat in rural Northern Indiana. The region has large meeting rooms, loft gathering area, and a 1400 sq. ft. concrete barn floor. Patrons are invited to explore trails traveling through 11 acres of prairie grasses and 12 acres of reforesting pines and hardwoods.
1943 N. 650 E. Lagro, Ind. / (260) 782-0434 / Hiddenhollowsretreat.com.
Hills O’ Brown Vacation Rentals
This vacation space offers their Corporate Program to all business. More than 130 vacation homes are available as well as spaces to accommodate both small and large groups. Some packages also include team building activities. Discounted rats are offered during weekdays as well as during the off-season.
4118 State Road 46 E, Nashville, Ind. / (812) 988-6429 / Browncountylogcabins.com.
Inspiration Wood
Inspiration Wood provides a serene and private environment for up to 60 guests. The secluded cottages can sleep from two to eight people and guests can choose from overnight retreats or daily gatherings. Available activities include movie nights, hayrides, and bonfires.
Known as “The quiet place to meet,” New Harmony Inn features 90 guest rooms, 18 fireplaces and four sleeping lofts for lodgers. The center can provide catering by request and accommodate up to 300 for theatre style meetings. The facility also includes outdoor tennis courts, a fitness room and a heated garden pool.
504 North Street. New Harmony, Ind. / 1 (800) 782-8605/ Newharmonyinn.com.
Enter Borel’s Cajun & Creole Cookery and you’ll feel like you’ve crossed into Louisiana. Splashes of purple, green and vibrant gold dominate the interior, trumpets and saxophones blare their funky jazz tunes over the loud speakers, traditional New Orleans delights are on the menu.
The Borel family
The new business launched in Indianapolis in November 2014. The owners, a family of four – husband and wife John and Becky and their daughters Tracy and Theresa, began offering their classic meals on Fat Tuesday hosted in their home.
“For about 10 years, we had Fat Tuesday at our house. We decorated the house just as you see,” said Becky who points out the decorations on the restaurant’s walls. “We wanted to bring New Orleans into our home for those who had never been or tried their food.”
She said once the buffet-style occasion began welcoming 50 people, she turned to her husband and suggested they open a restaurant.
“It was first come, first served,” laughed John. “People would fight for a plate.”
The now three-month-old eatery serves up menu items such as Seafood gumbo, Dirty Rice, Crawfish Ettouffee, Jambalaya, fried fish and a variety of desserts such as Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce.
The couple both has roots in the south, Becky in Georgia and John in New Orleans.
“This has all come from my family,” he said. “Borel is a Creaole name. All of my family is from New Orleans, which includes my great-grandfather, grandfather, my dad and others. They all of the lived on LaSalle Street which is right downtown in New Orleans.”
“I come in sometimes and just pinch myself because we are now a restaurant. The three months we’ve been open has been very positive,” noted Becky.
In fact, the food was in such a high demand on Fat Tuesday 2015, the owners we forced to tell customers they couldn’t accommodate the large volume of people. A lengthy line trailed around the corners of the restaurant and out of the door.
The building located at 2274 W. 86th Street began as an one-room vacant shed with white walls.
The owners wanted to incorporate the community in their design efforts and found teens from local Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School to create a wall mural. The family plans to add awnings to give the appearance of a true patio. Another wall is planned to feature facts about Creole culture and Mardi Gras traditions.
The Borel Family working together has been a worry-free experience.
“We’ve always been a close family,” stated John. “My daughter lives two doors down.”
The owners say their next goal is to expand out the patio during the warmer months. They will also begin menu specials . They say their goal is to stay small, and remain a one-location restaurant.
“We want people to come here and just relax,” said John. “Fortunately we have a beer and wine license so we ask customers to relax with a glass of wine. Some people sit here for four and five hours and that’s what we encourage.”
For more information about Borel’s Cajun & Creole Cookery, visit Borelscookery.com.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Colts Training Camp Presented by Verizon will be held at Anderson University in Indiana’s Madison County. Following training camp, the team will return to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center to resume football operations. The Colts will use the time to rebuild after a devastating loss in the 2015 AFC Championship game to the New England Patriots. The game also cost the Colts a trip to Super Bowl XLIX at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The team first conducted summer training at Anderson University from 1984 to 1998 and then returned in 2010. The 2015 training camp will be located at the Kardatzke Wellness Center/Macholtz Stadium complex.
The public can access the camp via University Boulevard and 5th Street, and follow the signs to available parking. Practices are free and open to the public, however, Anderson University will charge a parking fee for campus visitors. For information about the training schedule, visit Anderson.edu.
The International Club at the University of Southern Indiana hosted the annual International Food Expo in Carter Hall, University Center West.
The Food Expo is an opportunity for USI’s international students to share culture, customs and cuisine from their home country with extended USI community and the public. In addition to tasting dishes from different countries, participants listened to music from around the globe, viewed global fashions and watched traditional dances performed by students.
This year’s event represented over 24 countries including: Brazil, China, Ecuador, France, Iran, Japan, Mali, Nepal, Spain, Turkey and Zimbabwe.
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and donated non-perishable food items were donated to the Potters Wheel Food Bank in Evansville.
The Indiana Latino Institute hosted the 2015 Indiana Latino Legislative Breakfast to discuss legislative issues important to Latino communities and empower Latinos to become more civically engaged. Over 400 community leaders, stakeholders, supporters, business leaders and government officials attended the event.
Speaker of the House, Brian Bosma; Minority Leader Representative Scott Pelath; Minority Floor Leader Sen. Tim Lanane; and Majority Caucus Chair Sen. Jim Merritt were invited to discuss policies concerning issues of importance to the Indiana Latino community.
The agenda also included a presentation from Tim Berry, Indiana Republican Party Chairman; and John Zody, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman, who discussed efforts both parties are making to diversify leadership.
Rep. Christina Hale will also present former Reps. Mara Candelaria Reardon and Rebecca Espinoza Kubacki with Awards of Excellence for their service to the State of Indiana.
Gary is also showcasing its love of aviation by welcoming an airshow. The airshow, which is organized by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, was supposed to be held at Fair Oaks Farms in 2014, but it was rained out.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
Now, Gary will bring the popular airshow back to the lakeshore this year, on July 11-12, 2015 in the skies over Marquette Park.
In past years, the airshow has included the precision acrobatics of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and has lured crowds of 600,000 visitors to the Gary area.
Local businesses and restaurants, such as Miller Beach’s Market Place, Indie Indie Bang Bang, the 18th Street Brewery, Miller Bakery Cafe, Miller Pizza Station, Flamingo Pizza, and others are hoping their reputations and
bottom lines will soar along with the stunt planes.
The airshow at Gary will be financed by businesses at the Gary/Chicago International Airport and other private sponsors. The organizing committee will include employees from Gary’s special events team and airport representatives, said airport spokeswoman Chelsea Whittington.
Striking out on a new, adventurous path can prove to be daunting. The thought of playing it cool and recoiling into a more mundane approach may at first seem ideal when faced with the startling realities of uncertainty but as the saying goes, anything worth having is worth fighting for.
These sentiments can be applied to so many different aspects of daily life, they are quite relevant in the area of personal style. For years, women in corporate America had to carefully tailor their fashions to fit within the confines of what is considered appropriate. Does an animal print ensemble belong in the boardroom habitat? Can someone with my body type wear that? Is bold color ok? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding yes!
The Spring 2015 work trends will keep you looking fly and fearless; 70s era silhouettes, bold patterns and color, and chic yet classic separates with unusual modern details.
Angela Cain, Director of Community Affairs, Indianapolis International Airport
Add a little color to your spring wardrobe while still remaining professional by adding a jacket in your favorite color. Try a short blazer or a mid-length jacket for a new look. (Jacket, shirt, pants, K&G Fashions; accessories and shoes by way of Styles By M.E. LLC. personal collection)
Angela Cain and Holli Harrington, Director of Supplier Diversity, Indianapolis International Airport
Right:Be bold and test the waters with a fashionable jumpsuit. This jumpsuit can be worn to the office by wearing a blazer and your favorite jewelry. During cocktail hour, the jacket can be removed for an entire new look. (Jumpsuit, jacket, K&G Fashions; accessories and shoes by way of Styles By M.E. LLC. personal collection) Left: If you’re not into color or are still exploring the color spectrum, feel free to jazz up your solid business suits with a patterned pump, and jewelry in an eye-catching color. (Jacket, blouse, pants, K&G Fashions; accessories and shoes by way of Styles By M.E. LLC. personal collection)
Patterns and pastel colors are a big hit this spring and there is no reason you shouldn’t welcome them into the office. Add playful and bold blouses to solid jackets for a polished look. (Suit, K&G Fashions; accessories and shoes by way of Styles By M.E. LLC. personal collection)
Maria Wiley, Senior Director of Audit and Compliance, Indianapolis International Airport
Simple aspects of a solid garment can certainly make it unique, such as the lace work found on the top of this dress. (Dress, Profyle Boutique; accessories and shoes by way of Styles By M.E. LLC. personal collection)
Karen Caswelch, Former Indianapolis Airport Authority board member, Indianapolis International Airport
Flower patterned clothing never looked better in the spring time and now is the season to show off you best. Pair a solid bottom with a lightweight blouse will keep things cool in the office. (Blouse, pants, Profyle Boutique; accessories and shoes by way of Styles By M.E. LLC. personal collection)Students of Paul Mitchell the School Indianapolis
Enter Borel’s Cajun & Creole Cookery and you’ll feel like you’ve crossed into Louisiana. Splashes of purple, green and vibrant gold dominate the interior, trumpets and saxophones blare their funky jazz tunes over the loud speakers, traditional New Orleans delights are on the menu.
Borel’s Cajun & Creole Cookery
The new business launched in Indianapolis in November 2014. The owners, a family of four – husband and wife John and Becky and their daughters Tracy and Theresa, began offering their classic meals on Fat Tuesday hosted in their home.
“For about 10 years, we had Fat Tuesday at our house. We decorated the house just as you see,” said Becky who points out the decorations on the restaurant’s walls. “We wanted to bring New Orleans into our home for those who had never been or tried their food.”
She said once the buffet-style occasion began welcoming 50 people, she turned to her husband and suggested they open a restaurant.
“It was first come, first served,” laughed John. “People would fight for a plate.”
The now three-month-old eatery serves up menu items such as Seafood gumbo, Dirty Rice, Crawfish Ettouffee, Jambalaya, fried fish and a variety of desserts such as Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce.
The couple both has roots in the south, Becky in Georgia and John in New Orleans.
“This has all come from my family,” he said. “Borel is a Creaole name. All of my family is from New Orleans, which includes my great-grandfather, grandfather, my dad and others. They all of the lived on LaSalle Street which is right downtown in New Orleans.”
“I come in sometimes and just pinch myself because we are now a restaurant. The three months we’ve been open has been very positive,” noted Becky.
In fact, the food was in such a high demand on Fat Tuesday 2015, the owners we forced to tell customers they couldn’t accommodate the large volume of people. A lengthy line trailed around the corners of the restaurant and out of the door.
The building located at 2274 W. 86th Street began as an one-room vacant shed with white walls.
The owners wanted to incorporate the community in their design efforts and found teens from local Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School to create a wall mural. The family plans to add awnings to give the appearance of a true patio. Another wall is planned to feature facts about Creole culture and Mardi Gras traditions.
The Borel Family working together has been a worry-free experience.
“We’ve always been a close family,” stated John. “My daughter lives two doors down.”
The owners say their next goal is to expand out the patio during the warmer months. They will also begin menu specials . They say their goal is to stay small, and remain a one-location restaurant.
“We want people to come here and just relax,” said John. “Fortunately we have a beer and wine license so we ask customers to relax with a glass of wine. Some people sit here for four and five hours and that’s what we encourage.”
For more information about Borel’s Cajun & Creole Cookery, visit Borelscookery.com.
Home to about 70,000 residents, Muncie, Ind. is widely known as a small college town home to Ball State University students and the legendary Ball Brothers, who were from a local family famed for the creation of glass Ball jars used in canning food. Famous Ball State alumni include Late Show host David Letterman, Garfield the Cat cartoonist Jim Davis, and Apple Inc. executive Angela Ahrendts. Ball State is classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a high research activity university. It includes seven academic colleges: including the College of Architecture and Planning; the College of Communication, Information, and Media; Miller College of Business; the Teachers College; Burris Laboratory School; the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities; and the Center for Business and Economic Research. Muncie offers tons of local cafes, intimate accommodations and fun filled attractions to keep any family, business person, student or local resident eager to learn more about the historic community.
Attractions
Muncie Gras: Each year the city’s “biggest party,” Muncie Gras, brings in thousands of residents for music and fun. Learn more at: downtownmuncie.org/muncie-gras.
Cardinal Greenway: Enjoy 62 miles of walking, hiking and biking trail from Marion through Muncie to Richmond in East Central Indiana. Cardinal Greenways is a private, not-for-profit organization that hosts the longest running trail in Indiana.
Minnetrista
Minnetrista: Once the home site of F.C. Ball, a member of the Ball family, Minnetrista has devoted more than 10,000 square feet to the preservation of the artifacts and archival material which document the history of East Central Indiana. The center holds various activities throughout the year including its Black history month program, nature walks, and indoor farmer’s market and Family Adventure Day. For more information, see: minnetrista.net/
Muncie Children’s Museum: The Muncie Children’s Museum provides more than 37,000 square feet of entertainment for children. Little ones are invited to hop aboard The Big Rig, an indoor semi-truck, to see what it’s like in the big seat. The Five Senses outdoor garden, Make Believe Theater, Book Nook, Water Works and Marsh Mini Market are all attractions children are sure to enjoy. For more, visit the museum’s website at: munciemuseum.com.
David Owsley Museum of Art: Located in the Fine Arts building at Ball State University, this state-of-the-art museum displays a collection of art from not only the United States but Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. The museum hosts a variety of events throughout the year including free art tours, family days, Meditation at the Museum, and Art High at Noon Tours. For more information, cms.bsu.edu/web/museumofart
Muncie Civic Theatre: This not-for-profit organization, which began in 1931, provides diverse theatrical dedicated to artistic growth and community enrichment. This year productions such as Peter Pan, The Color Purple and The Wizard of Oz will entertain audiences throughout the community. For more, see munciecivic.org
Accommodations
While the city of Muncie offers more than a dozen hotel chains to choose from when enjoying an overnight stay, three bed and breakfasts have recently stolen the spotlight.
Grandview River House: Resting just 20 minutes outside of Muncie, Grandview River House rests on 50 acres of grounds and rolling farmland. The location includes a two-acre fishing lake and grand view of the White River. This bed and breakfast is also equipped with a large banquet room, wood-burning fireplace, a jetted tub and commercial gas grill. 13000 E. Stanley Rd., Selma, Ind. (765) 468-6099.
McDowell-Nearing Bed & Breakfast: The self-proclaimed “premiere bed and breakfast inn” is conveniently located close to Ball State University and Downtown Muncie. The location’s four guest rooms are designed with private in suite bathrooms, quality furnishings and linens, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. Single travelers, military veterans, senior citizens and Ball State and Taylor University parents receive discounts when making a reservation. 2005 N. Tillotson, Muncie, Ind. / (765) 282-7912.
River Gardens Bed & Breakfast
River Gardens Bed & Breakfast: River Gardens B&B is located along the White River on three landscaped acres that feature perennial and herb gardens, a prairie, an orchard, and raised beds for vegetable gardens. Breakfast is served each morning and can include, but not limited to eggs, turkey bacon or sausage, toast, pancakes; an assortment of fruit; cold cereals or oatmeal and an assortment of beverages. This accommodation includes a variety of shared spaces, a gazebo, flower garden, sunroom, laundry facility and two bedrooms to choose from. 4610 S Burlington Dr., Muncie, Ind. / (765) 284-2964.
Dining
New Corner Brewing Company: As the city’s local brewing company, this business handcrafts locally-brewed beer offered in 64 and 32 oz. Customers can arrange a brewery tour or attend special tasting events. 1900 W Mt Pleasant Blvd, Muncie, Ind. / (765) 730-4376.
12th Street Café: This small town café serves a variety of coffees and warm beverages as well as breakfast around the clock. From biscuits, sausage and gravy to buttermilk pancakes, steak-n-eggs to home fried potatoes, 12th Street Café has a wide selection of dishes to choose from. 1900 S. Mock Ave., Muncie / (765) 286-1901.
Amazing Joe’s Grill: Enjoy music from the 70s, 80s and 90s while enjoying hand-tossed sautés at Amazing Joe’s Grill. The 160-seat eatery offers an $8.99 menu Monday through Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. The traditional menu includes items such as The Onion Tower, Italian Chicken Nachos, Joe’s “Famous Fillet” Kabob, Country Fried Chicken and the Philly Cheese Burger. 909 N. Wheeling Ave., Downtown Muncie, Ind. / (765) 288-9470.
Berry Winkle Frozen Yogurt: Make-Your-Own Choose from more than 50 toppings to pile on 15 different flavors of frozen yogurt at Berry Winkle. Customers with a loyalty card who purchase more than nine cups of dessert priced at $3 or more, receive their 10th one for free. 115 S. Tillotson Ave., Muncie, Ind. / (765) 282-1699.
Concannon’s Bakery, Café & Coffee Bar
Concannon’s Bakery, Café & Coffee Bar: Not only does this bakery have traditional fresh baked goods, it has also become a popular spot to enjoy grab a soup, salad or sandwich. Choose from seven different wraps, seven different salads and a menu just for the kids. 4801 W. Baker Ln., Muncie, Ind. / (765) 288-9820.
Damask Café: Damask is the rich, elegant cloth used in clothing, tapestries and upholstery and as creative as the colors are, the food served at Damask Café reflects an “artful mixture of flavors.” The menu includes a combination of lean meats, vegetables, wraps and salads. 3201 W Bethel Ave, Muncie, Ind. (765) 273-7338.
