☀️ This week’s INsights

This week in Indiana History - Centennial Highway Day Celebration 🛣️

Alright, let’s go back to 1916 in Indiana - a time when the Hoosiers were really throwing down for the State’s Centennial celebration. And guess who showed up for the party? None other than President Woodrow Wilson himself, rolling into town for "Centennial Highway Day" on October 12th. This was like the Super Bowl of road parties, folks. 🎉

Now, here’s the best part: the Hoosier State Automobile Association was out there touring the state in a donated Cole motor car - probably the slickest ride around -getting people fired up about this event. It worked like a charm!

On the big day, over 10,000 people flocked to Indianapolis to hear President Wilson give a rousing speech about... roads! But hey, back then, better roads were a game-changer. And to top it all off, they had an automobile parade - basically the granddaddy of all car shows. It was a huge moment of pride and progress for Indiana, and it’s safe to say they made history in style!

⚡ Hoosier Headlines ⚡

👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️ Indiana Startup Aiming to Save Lives - Over 1,000 Hoosiers are currently waiting for organ transplants, but a Purdue startup, 34 Lives, is working to change that. Founded by Chris Jaynes and Kathleen St. Jean, the company’s mission is to rescue kidneys that have been rejected by every transplant hospital. Their breakthrough is a pump that warms the kidneys to body temperature, giving them an extra 24 hours, so they can find a match and save a life.

So far, 21 people, mostly Hoosiers, have received life-saving kidneys through 34 Lives, including Sylvia Miles, who had been waiting for five years. She’s now feeling incredible and full of energy, thanks to her new kidney.

With a recent $44 million grant, 34 Lives is expanding their work, and their technology may even help save other organs in the future. They’re offering real hope to people who need it most - and they’re just getting started!

Learn more about this awesome startup HERE.

🏘️ Stunning Student Housing Opens in South Bend - So, The 87 just opened up near Notre Dame, Holy Cross, and St. Mary’s, and let me tell you, this is not your typical student housing. They dropped $91 million on it, took two years to build, and it’s way fancier than anything I lived in during college. I mean, I had a mini-fridge and a leaky ceiling - these students are living the dream.

They’ve got 810 beds, from studios to four-bedroom apartments, plus townhomes. And the amenities? They’ve got tech-enabled study lounges, a coffee bar, a content creation studio - because who doesn’t need that in college -and a golf simulator. Yes, you can hit the books and your golf swing at the same time.

Toll Brothers wanted to make sure students succeed academically and have a good time socially. It’s their first campus living project in Indiana, and they’re definitely raising the bar for what student living looks like.

🎧 Listen to Our Latest Podcast 🎧

🎙 We dive into the artistic journey of Justin Vining, a prominent artist known for his landscapes and cityscapes.

Justin shares his unique transition from being an art teacher to a full-time artist, detailing his decisive steps, including a stint in law school before committing wholly to his art career.

Listeners will also enjoy Justin's reflections on Indiana’s art history, his camaraderie with interior designer MJ Coyle, and a thrilling lightning-round discussion on the state's cultural treasures.

Listen on Spotify or Apple

😃 Hoosier Hype 😃

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 💎 Hidden Gem 💎

Ninth Street Bistro Alright, so let me tell you about 9th Street Bistro in Noblesville. Now, after eating there, you might not tell anyone about it. Not because it’s bad, but because it’s so good that you want to keep it a secret - like the Holy Grail of restaurants. You don’t want your friends taking up all the reservations!

This place has some serious charm. You walk in, and the historic brick walls and warm, glowing lights just hug you. It’s got about a dozen tables, so it’s cozy -perfect for when you want to feel like you’re dining in someone’s living room, but, you know, with amazing food.

And speaking of food, their menu? It’s locally sourced, always changing, and delicious. I mean, they’ve got a “Fried Thing of the Day.” It doesn’t even matter what it is - you’re ordering it! Their mocktails? So good, you forget they’re not the real thing. Everything feels personal, and that’s because the co-owners, Rachel and Chef Samir Mohammad, have built this place with heart.

Now, Chef Samir, he’s got this international flair, mixing up cuisines from all over the world. One day it’s lobster grits, the next day it’s something totally new, like a carbonara ramen - yep, ramen inspired by Italian pasta. It’s unpredictable, but in the best way.

If you want a meal that feels like a warm hug but also blows your mind, make a reservation at 9th Street Bistro. You won’t regret it - and hey, maybe keep it our little secret.

👏 1 Big wIN 👏

🦖🦕 Indiana Dinosaur Museum off to a Hot Start

Alright, here’s the scoop: the Indiana Dinosaur Museum in South Bend is off to a roaring start. In just 12 weeks, it’s pulled in over 26,000 visitors and is on track to hit 100,000 in it’s first year. Not bad for a museum that combines dinosaurs and chocolate - two things everyone loves, right? 🍫

Mark Tarner, the guy behind South Bend Chocolate Co., decided to turn his dinosaur fossil collection into a full-blown attraction. He’s got a museum, a chocolate factory tour, a restaurant, even bison roaming around. And people are loving it. The city’s pumped, tourism is booming, and they’re already talking about expanding with more fun ideas, maybe even a wine-tasting room.

So yeah, if you’re into dinosaurs, chocolate, or random bison sightings, this is the place to be!

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