Participants in 2011 Spin Off for Autism.
Join us as we help raise funds for the Autism Society of Indiana (ASI) at Lifetime Fitness, 8705 Castle Creek Pkwy., Indianapolis, IN this Saturday, December 8 from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Little Star Board Member Michele Trivedi founded this fundraiser several years ago and says, “My dear friend, Sharon, is a fabulous instructor! If you love riding, or know someone who does, please join us or pass the word along. Thanks so much and we hope to see you there!”
For a minimum donation of $50, participants receive a t-shirt, refreshments, and spinning sessions conducted by professional instructors. For more information, call Sharon Krauter at 317.445.5492 or email at skrauter@lifetimefitness.com. Donations may be made online at www.inautism.org or mailed to ASI, 13295 Illinois Street #213, Carmel, IN 46032.
Learner learns how to shave Parmesan cheese onto the top of his pizza at Arnie’s.
Little Star – Lafayette learners enjoyed a trip to Arnie’s Pizza for lunch and were invited into the kitchen to observe and “help” with the making of their pizzas.
“Going on different community outings helps ensure that the learners are given an opportunity to experience going to a public place such as a restaurant and waiting for food,” said Maggie Moore, BCBA, assistant clinical director.
“It was nice to see how well all of the learners behaved at Arnie’s and willingly sampled new foods. We’ve tried out activities in the community that the learners have not experienced before. This has helped open up new experiences for the whole family to enjoy.”
Little Star – Lafayette learners enjoy the new playground.
Little Star Center – Lafayette is pleased to announce its new playground has been completed! The playground came together thanks to several contributors which include funds raised in April by Immortal Ink, a local tattoo and piercing shop.
“The learners were very excited for the playground to open, said Maggie Moore, Assistant Clinical Director of the Lafayette Center. “The swings and slide are a big hit!”
Mary Rosswurm, executive director, said, “The playground area features super fancy mulch. It’s the kind used in the Whitehouse playground. The mulch is made of recycled scrap tires minus the metal, so it cushions falls and minimizes dangerous playground impacts.”
The mulch — made by Rubbercyle — looks like rubber chunks, nuggets, and shredded rubber. It is designed exclusively to make playgrounds safe, is nontoxic to the environment, conforms to all Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety guidelines, and has earned Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) approval.
“The playground equipment looks great and the learners are really enjoying it,” said Rosswurm. “It came from Recreation Unlimited in Noblesville. Pat Richard and a crew from Inspire Group in Lafayette worked hard to expand the designated area, install a fence, and put the mulch in.”
Little Star Center 10th Anniversary & Expansion Grand Opening Celebration Weekend.
Little Star Center celebrated its 10th anniversary and the grand opening of the expansion of its Carmel center with a VIP celebration on Friday night and a public open house on Saturday. Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard attended the Friday night event, marking the occasion with an official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony.
Special guests included parents of former, current, and future learners; Amy Gudal Groshell, founder of Little Star Center; board members; representatives from the Autism Society of Indiana (ASI) and Answers for Autism Indiana (AAI); staff and significant others; Carmel Chamber of Commerce board members, and members of its Membership Committee and Ambassadors, and City Council members; center office park neighbors; and even Newbury, the Canine Companion for Independence (CCI) belonging to board member Michele Trivedi.
Ritz Charles catered an elegant array of heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts, Oberer’s prepared lovely flowers to complement those provided by Ritz Charles, Valet Parking, Inc. provided outstanding valet parking service in the pouring rain, pianist David Meek tinkled the ivories beautifully, and Bradbury Photography offered great entertainment with a photo booth and props so that guests would leave with a fun memento of the event. Allison Moore, a therapist with Little Star, won the raffle, taking home a 55” RCA Flat Screen LED HDTV!
Saturday dawned sunny and dry. Families enjoyed a castle bounce house; hot dogs and chips; face painting by Hugabug; balloon twisting by Abracadabra; books by Usborne Books, information from AAI and ASI, and the ever-popular photo booth by Bradbury Photography.
“It meant a lot to us that Amy (Gudal Groshell) joined us Friday night,” said Mary Rosswurm, executive director. “It is because of her and Steele that Little Star exists. I was so excited to show her the new center and have her meet the staff and parents. I think she was proudto see all the growth the center has had over the past 10 years. They created a legacy that has impacted countless Indiana families who have been affected by autism.
“It was so nice that Mayor Brainard was able to join us and officiate our ribbon-cutting ceremony. I think our guests really enjoyed themselves both Friday and Saturday. The weekend events went very smoothly thanks to our great staff; the center is a work of love for many of us. Next up, planning a December holiday party for learners and their families, complete with Santa and reindeer!”
Little Star learner investigating tunnel in hay bales at Exploration Acres.
Lafayette learners visited Exploration Acres in Tippecanoe County. What was once a family farm, has now become a favorite fall outing for many in the area. In its fourth season, Exploration Acres has made a name for itself as the home of the area’s largest corn maze, but there are other activities including a test of skills at a pedal car race, firing a three-ear corn cannon salute or diving into a mound of hay.
Learner climbs hay bale stacks at Stoney Creek Farm.
Learners enjoyed a sunny fall day at Stoney Creek Farm. They especially enjoyed rolling down stacked hay bales, checking out pumpkins, and a hayride!
Bone marrow screening mouth swab.
Little Star Center will be hosting a bone marrow screening drive on Tuesday, September 25th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The test is painless, takes just minutes and simply entails a mouth swab and a little paperwork. Thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases depend on the Be The Match Registry® to find a match to save their life.
Patients need donors who are a genetic match. Even with a registry of millions, many patients cannot find a match. Donors with diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds are especially needed. If you are found to be a match, you have the right to change your mind about being a donor at any time. Donating is always voluntary.
We will be grateful for your participation. You must be between the ages of 18 and 61 to participate. The event will be held at 12726 Hamilton Crossing Boulevard, Carmel, IN. For more information, call LouAnn at 317.249.2242, or visit Be The Match Registry.
