🎄✨ The Perfect Holiday Date Idea

Looking for a holiday tradition that’ll wow the whole family? Butler Ballet’s The Nutcracker is here to sprinkle some magic on your season! Get ready for jaw-dropping dancing, gorgeous costumes, stunning sets, and even a little pyrotechnic pizzazz. Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, performed by the Butler Ballet Orchestra and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (shoutout to maestro Richard Auldon Clark), will sweep you off your feet. It’s festive, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect way to make holiday memories—don’t miss it!

Get your tickets here.

☀️ This week’s INsights

This week in Indiana History - On this week in 1982, Gary, Indiana’s own Michael Jackson released his album Thriller. Music fans already understand how great this album is but if you don’t, the King of Pop wanted this album to have “every song be a killer,” and guess what… every song was a killer! It set a record at the time when all seven of the album's singles cracked the Top Ten of Billboard’s Top 100. The album ended up selling over 50 million copies, and became the best selling album in the history of the planet.

Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, and from a young age proved himself to be incredibly talented as the lead singer of The Jackson 5, a motown group consisting of Jackson and his four other brothers. The group became a stepping stone (or rather, a launching pad) for Jackson to eventually become the King of Pop in which he is known today.

So, if you read this, and feel so obliged to put on the album and listen to songs such as “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” or my personal favorite, “Human Nature,” just realize that all of those songs were performed by a man whom called the Hoosier state his childhood home. Long live the King of Pop.

⚡ Hoosier Headlines ⚡

Small Business Saturday 2024 - Indiana's towns are rolling out the red carpet for their local shops. It’s your chance to snag unique gifts, support local entrepreneurs, and enjoy the festive vibes all at once. Let’s break it down for some of our cities:

• South Bend: Head to Howard Park for the Holiday Market from 10 AM to 5 PM, grab your Shop Small bag (early bird gets it!), and enjoy free coffee and donuts. Local favorites like Barnaby’s and Fiddler’s Hearth are running specials, and downtown shops are offering unique deals, perfect for holiday shopping​

• Fort Wayne: The Holly Trolley Shopping event showcases local artisans and crafters. It’s a day to explore boutiques, sample treats, and maybe even find a vintage treasure. Keep an eye out for special discounts across local vendors​

• Indianapolis: Broad Ripple Village and Mass Ave are your go-to spots. These districts are buzzing with pop-up events, live music, and holiday sales. Check out the one-of-a-kind finds at local shops while soaking in the city’s holiday atmosphere.

• Bloomington: Small Business Saturday coincides with festive downtown celebrations. Many shops on Kirkwood Avenue and beyond will offer promotions, and there’s plenty of hot cocoa to go around while you browse​

• Evansville: Stroll through Franklin Street and Main Street, where small businesses are ready to impress with sales and goodies. You’ll find handcrafted gifts, local food, and some great deals to kick off your holiday season.

So, go out, sip some coffee, grab those discounts, and find a one-of-a-kind gift while supporting the backbone of your community. It's the perfect blend of holiday cheer and local pride!

Indy’s Circle of Lights Set to Kick Off - Alright, folks, let’s talk about the Circle of Lights in Indianapolis. It’s the big holiday kick-off happening on November 29th at Monument Circle. Picture this: the Soldiers and Sailors Monument transforms into the world’s largest Christmas tree, decked out with nearly 5,000 lights and 52 garland strands.

The event starts at 6 PM and features live performances by local Hoosier talent and even a visit from Santa. And hey, it’s not just a one-night thing—the lights stay on through early January, so there’s plenty of time to soak in the holiday vibes while enjoying downtown Indy’s food and festive pop-ups.

Indiana is Top 5 in… Turkeys?

Indiana’s got turkeys—like a lot of turkeys. We’re talking 20 million a year, making Indiana the fourth-biggest turkey producer in the U.S. That’s three turkeys for every Hoosier. Most of them end up as ground turkey or deli meat, not the Thanksgiving bird, but the industry’s growing strong.

Sure, there are challenges, like bird flu and costs, but Indiana’s got it handled. Plus, state leaders are saying, “Hey, turkey’s not just for Thanksgiving—eat it year-round!” So yeah, Indiana’s not just cornfields—it’s also turkey central. 🦃

🎧 AAA: Serving 400,000 Hoosier Members with Matt Goins 🎧

🎙I sat down with Matt Goins, President and CEO of AAA Hoosier Motor club. 

Off the jump I have to say... I had NO idea the extent of what AAA is involved in. It is so much more than road side assistance. This interview completely changed my perception of AAA. 

During the conversation you are going to learn about: 

• The collective bargaining power of almost 400,000 Hoosier members

• Benefits of AAA outside of roadside assistance

• Matt's personal fitness journey of losing over 100 pounds

Listen on Spotify, Apple, or Youtube 

 💎 Hidden Gems 💎

Octave Grill - Chesterton

It might look a little odd on the outside—like the kind of place your GPS sends you when it’s mad at you—but don’t let that fool you. Inside, it’s all charm and seriously good eats. Their burgers are next-level, made with locally sourced grass-fed beef, and they’ve got funky options like the "Figgy Piggy" burger, which has fig jam and bacon. Oh, and the sweet potato tots? Game-changer.

Plus, their craft cocktails and local beer selection make it clear these folks know how to do food and drinks right. It’s one of those hidden gems that feels like a victory when you walk out stuffed and happy. So, go for the food and stay for the vibe—you’ll thank me later!

Ruthmere Museum - Elkhart

The Ruthmere Museum in Elkhart, Indiana, is a stunning showcase of Beaux-Arts architecture, originally built in 1910 by Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley. Named after their daughter Ruth, the mansion tells the story of Gilded Age elegance, featuring fine art by renowned artists like Auguste Rodin and George Peter Alexander Healy, intricate Louis XV-style furnishings, and even a player piano with a built-in pipe organ.

One particularly cool feature? The underground tunnel adorned with murals of the Italian countryside leading to the greenhouse, which houses over 150 plants, including orchids. The museum also hosts unique programs like "Free Family Sundays" and classical concerts, making it a blend of history and community fun. Whether you’re into art, architecture, or just cool old houses, the Ruthmere is definitely worth a visit!

👏 1 Big wIN 👏

Fort Wayne’s Innovative Microgrid

Fort Wayne just flipped the switch on a brand-new energy setup that’s not just smart—it’s genius. They’ve got this thing called a microgrid, which is like the brain of their power system. It’s pulling energy from three sources: regular natural gas, biogas (which is, essentially, turning waste into power—talk about a glow-up), and a giant floating solar panel array. Oh, and that array? It’s the second biggest in the country! Not too shabby for Fort Wayne, right?

The system decides in real time which energy source to use, depending on what’s cheapest and most efficient. The result? They’re saving millions, cutting down on greenhouse gases, and making sure the city has power even if things go sideways. They’re so ahead of the curve, they’ve already snagged a Green Project of the Year award. Let’s go!

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