🏁 Start Your Engines at Victory Field: 500 Night with the Indians

Racing and baseball—two Indiana traditions, one unforgettable night. Join the Indianapolis Indians on Saturday, April 19, for 500 Night at Victory Field, where the spirit of the Indy 500 meets the excitement of a ballgame.

The Tribe will be rocking custom racing jerseys that’ll be auctioned off during the game to benefit Indianapolis Indians Charities, and fans can enjoy racing-themed fun all night long, including a pregame autograph session with 2016 500 winner Alexander Rossi. Whether you’re a die-hard race fan, a baseball lover, or just here for the vibes, this is your chance to gear up for the race in classic Indy style.

🎟️ Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now at Indy Indians 500 Night

📜 This Week in Indiana History 📜

Ernie Pyle Dies in Pacific Theatre During World War II (1945)

A good journalist can turn a boring news story into a good one. A great journalist can turn a great news story into one of the greatest pieces of war journalism ever. This was the case with one particular Hoosier, Ernie Pyle.

This week in Indiana History, we honor Pyle, who died in the Pacific Theatre in 1945 toward the end of the war. He was covering the Battle of Okinawa, where he was killed by a Japanese bullet while traveling with a group of soldiers in a jeep. He was known for writing stories from the perspective of the soldiers… not focusing on the movement of the men, or the bigger picture, but rather the fact these individuals were young men who were sacrificing everything to fight for the United States.

In terms of his legacy, I will say this… after he died, the soldiers buried him in his helmet. This is an honor that is normally reserved for soldiers, which Pyle was not. However, the soldiers he was covering felt it was appropriate enough to bury their friend amongst those who sacrificed. They also put up a memorial (one that is still standing today) in Lejima, Japan to honor him as well.

⚡ Hoosier Headlines ⚡

Boom Goes the Dynamite

Out with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, in with the Noblesville Boom. Yesterday, Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced the name of the Indiana Pacers’ G League team, the Noblesville Boom. The name ties former Pacers coach and announcer Bobby “Slick” Leonard’s “Boom Baby!” call with the booming economy of Noblesville. The Boom will begin play at The Arena at Innovation Mile in the fall after its expected completion this summer. 🏀

Snake Pit Super Bowl Star

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski is set to attend his first Indianapolis 500 in May, and he’s been given the keys as grand marshal of the Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit. Music, sports and a rowdy atmosphere? Seems right up Gronk’s alley. 🏎🤘

What Do Madison, La Porte and Vevay Have in Common?

While Nashville was crowned as the inaugural Small Town Showdown Bracket Challenge winner, three Indiana small towns received honors in the next best thing as top 10 small towns in the Midwest according to USA Today’s 10Best readers’ votes. Shoutout to Madison, which overcame an Elite 8 defeat to Nashville in our bracket challenge and won the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice for best Midwest small town a second straight year. 👏

Hoosier Candlemakers Who Put the Big Brands to Shame!

Why settle for generic drugstore candles when Warm Glow in Centerville creates scented masterpieces? Their unique scents will have friends asking "What smells so amazing?" the minute they walk in.

Each candle is hand-poured with care you can actually see - those gorgeous textured exteriors are their signature touch! They'll burn evenly for 100+ hours.

Spotted their iconic giant candle off the highway? That's just the beginning of their charm. Browse their full collection and support real Indiana artisans.

Order at warmglow.com and discover why Hoosiers keep their homes stocked with these gems!

 💎 Hidden Gems 💎

Roots Eatery and Pub

Located just 1 hour and 20 minutes northwest of Indianapolis off I-65 is the small town of Wolcott, and within Wolcott lies a farm-to-table gem of a restaurant you have to experience. Roots Eatery and Pub’s menu is inspired by home-cooked meals the owners were raised on, many crafted with meat and veggies straight from the family farm in nearby Reynolds, Indiana. Locals and travelers can’t get enough of Roots’ juicy burgers and tender smoked meats, and the rustic charm inside adds to an overall pleasant dining experience. 🥩🍔

Chillz Delights

North Manchester, Indiana is home to a hidden gem that combines premium ice cream and freshly made mini donuts for a one-of-a-kind shop. In fact, it was the donut side of the operation that saved Chillz Delights altogether, which owner Janzin Cripe shared when he recently joined the Get IN podcast. On top of ice cream and donuts, Chillz offers milkshakes, the “Donut Delight” and “Toasty” sandwiches. You’ve gotta check ‘em out. 🍦🍩

What’s your Hidden Gem? Reply to this email to get it featured!

👏 1 Big wIN 👏

For a second consecutive year, the Indiana Pacers meet the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference postseason. Last year, the sixth-seeded Pacers eliminated the third-seeded Bucks in six games, and it’s Indiana with home-court advantage this time around. Tyrese Haliburton and Co. have an NBA championship on their minds, as they look to build off a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Game 1 tips off Saturday at 1 p.m. and Game 2 is set for next Tuesday at 7 p.m. Yes ‘Cers. 🏀

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🎧 Revealing Untold Indiana Stories with Sampson Levingston 🎧

🎙 I got the chance to sit down with Sampson Levingston, the passionate Indiana native and creator of 'Through Two Eyes.'

Sampson shares his infectious enthusiasm for Hoosier history, recounting how his interest blossomed and detailing some of Indiana's lesser-known historical treasures.

Our conversation spans a ton of topics, from the detailed history beneath Indiana's streets to vibrant tales of forgotten black settlements and historical landmarks.

You are going to learn about:

• Indiana's significant history and influence

• Interesting stories about local places

• Impact of preserving history and culture

Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube

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