Facebook Page Shares New and Unique Finds in Town
Writer / Megan Arszman
Photography Provided
Moving to a new town means getting the lowdown on where to eat, where to shop and where to take the kids on a free day. It can be overwhelming for the many Westfield “transplants” to search on social media, until they discover the one page that covers it all.
That’s why Michelle Baxter started her Wandering Westfield page on Facebook in the first place – to enlighten citizens of Westfield on fun places that are new, and even old ones that tend to be forgotten.
“I didn’t start out to be an influencer,” says the mother of two. “I started Wandering Westfield when the pandemic hit in 2020 because I wanted to share what we were doing. Everyone was pretty much stuck at home and a lot of things were closed, so I wanted to share what was open.”
Baxter’s mission was to encourage fans of her page to shop and support local restaurants, boutiques and activities. Each post highlights something special about a location and shares what Baxter and her family enjoyed about their visit to the spot.
“I always want to be positive about anything I share there, so I’m never going to bash a business,” she says.
She also tries to influence fellow citizens to get out and volunteer, and support local nonprofits and the school system. For example, she described how she signed up to be a substitute teacher in the Westfield Washington Schools district.
“I haven’t spent a lot of time doing it, but I will substitute here and there when the school needs it and I’m available,” she says. “It’s another way to help the community.”
While new business openings are always exciting to share, Baxter loves discovering some of Westfield’s best-kept secrets.
“I drive passed Beauchamp Antiques all the time, but I’d never gone in until recently,” Baxter says. “There are some really, really unique, European antiques there and some really cool statues outside the building, but you just don’t see it from the road.”
Baxter discovered a fun fact about Acorn Farm Country Store on Oak Road upon her initial visit – Acorn Farm hosted the nation’s first day camp. Visitors can still see where the mess hall was located.
“After I posted about visiting Acorn Farm, a fan commented that she has lived here in Westfield for 24 years and always wondered what the place was all about,” Baxter says.
Baxter loves experiencing Westfield and surrounding communities with her husband Ben and her children, Kendall, 9, and Braden, 15. While she was born on the southeast side of Indianapolis, her husband was born and raised here.
“I love Westfield because I love the community,” Baxter says. “It’s not too big but it’s not too small either. It’s growing but I think that’s a good thing. I love sharing it with others.”
For more info, visit facebook.com/wanderingwestfield.
