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- Sun, Sand, Freedom — IN Beaches to Visit this Weekend! 🏖
Sun, Sand, Freedom — IN Beaches to Visit this Weekend! 🏖
Plus - Learn about Fourth of July festivities statewide!
Get IN, Austin Sellers & Nate Spangle
July 03, 2025
Thursday, July 3rd
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!
📜 This Week in Indiana History 📜
McCormick’s Creek is Dedicated (1916)
This week in Indiana History we celebrate McCormick’s Creek, which was dedicated as the first Indiana state park in 1916. It was named after John McCormick, the area’s first settler who settled along the canyon near the waterfalls.
The biggest attraction at the state park is McCormick’s Creek Falls. The park also has many hiking trails and activities within the park. If you decide to go, you can stay onsite at the Canyon Inn. The Canyon Inn is a former sanitarium that was later converted to a hotel. It now features an Olympic-size swimming pool.
If you’re into hiking and like scenery, make a trip to Owen County to Indiana’s first state park.
⚡ Hoosier Headlines ⚡
Still finalizing plans for the Fourth of July weekend? How about a day trip or weekend retreat to one of the many Indiana beaches on Lake Michigan? That’s right, you don’t need to head to the gulf or coasts to dip your toes in the sand.
If you're going to hit one Indiana beach this summer, you can’t go wrong with Indiana Dunes National Park, featuring three miles of pristine shoreline and some of the most iconic sand dunes in the Midwest. You can hike throughout the park and see the Chicago skyline from afar if the visibility is right.
There are a few more Indiana beach towns worth visiting, too, and they may be less crowded than the more commonly known Indiana Dunes. Check ‘em out here!
Quick trivia question — which county is the northeastern-most county in Indiana? The answer is buried below.
Another ask before the answer — are you one of the more than 1.7 million Hoosiers driving 50+ miles this weekend? If you aren’t and want to raise that number even higher, head to Steuben County (there’s your answer) to experience one of its 101 lakes, including beaches on Clear Lake and Crooked Lake, and explore everything Pokagon State Park has to offer.
Our first two Hoosier Headlines highlighted happenings up north, whether it’s for this holiday weekend or just any summer weekend in general. This headline leads us in the opposite direction, where winding roads lead you to some of Indiana’s most natural beauty.
Daviess County is home to the Gasthof Amish Village. You can start your day at the Gasthof Bakery, where fresh cinnamon rolls, warm bread and baked goods await. Be sure to save room for the Gasthof Restaurant & Buffet to enjoy traditional Amish recipes. How good is the buffet? Reader’s Digest rated it as the best in Indiana last year! After your dining experience, burn off the cals and shop till you drop.
In addition to the Gasthof Amish Village, take in the rolling farmland, drive past horse-drawn buggies, shop the fresh produce stands, and visit the Daviess County Museum and Champion Lanes in Washington, and Zax Coffee and Creamery in Montgomery.
📍 Serving Hoosiers Statewide
From Evansville to South Bend, Keller & Keller has been protecting Hoosiers since 1936. They know Indiana, they know the law, and they know how to win. If you’ve been injured, don’t wait—call 1-800-2-KELLER for a free consultation. They mean business!
Looking for a riverside retreat this weekend or later this summer? Look no further than Rising Sun Campground in Winamac.
This hidden gem is located along the Tippecanoe River and offers lazy river floats and good ole fashioned camping. Its themed weekends are a hit for families, too, with beach luau parties, Fourth of July, touch-a-truck, camp-o-ween, and BBQ and chili cookoffs filling the calendar.
Happy Fourth of July Eve to all who celebrate! Whether you’re staying at home this weekend or hitting the road, we’re here to help you add some sparkle and sweetness to your Independence Day with festive Fourth of July desserts and decorations from local businesses across the entire state — north, south, east, west — that’ll have you covered.
There are too many hidden gem businesses and farmers markets (there is no such thing as too many hidden gems, actually) to count in this breakdown, which also includes Fourth of July events guides for northern, central and southern Indiana.
Have a safe, fun, and patriotic weekend.
What’s your Hidden Gem? Submit here to have it featured!
👏 1 Big wIN 👏
Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development has been awarded a $6.25 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand registered apprenticeships statewide. The funding, part of an $84 million national initiative, includes $1.28 million to strengthen existing programs and $4.9 million to launch new apprenticeship models and reduce barriers for employers.
Governor Mike Braun emphasized that the investment supports workforce innovation and careers in key sectors like agriculture, construction, and health sciences. With over 25,250 active apprentices in fiscal year 2025, Indiana ranks among the nation's leaders. The funds will deepen partnerships with businesses, community colleges, and training providers, ensuring Hoosiers gain skills demanded by employers.
🎙 In today’s episode I was joined by Gemi Ozdemir, the founder of Ozwell Fitness, a unique wellness studio in Carmel.
Gemi shares the inspiring story behind his innovative gym, which features a retractable dome inspired by his father's invention, dating back to the 1980s.
We delve into the challenges and triumphs Gemi faced, from managing financial hurdles to dealing with a tornado that significantly impacted the gym.
We conclude with fun anecdotes and insights into future plans for Ozwell Fitness, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in wellness, entrepreneurship, and community building in Indiana.
You are going to learn about:
- The Design, Features and Sense of Community at Ozwell Fitness
- Gemi’s Experiences with Business Development
- Gemi’s Previous Ventures in Real Estate and Acting
Want more from us?
🎙 Hear our founder interview Indiana CEOs on Spotify!
📣 Partner with us to get your product/service in front of our audience.
💎 Know any hidden gems we should cover? Submit yours here!