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Jerky, private bathroom stalls, popcorn: Wally's opening travel center in Whitestown

Wally’s, a super travel center brand offering freshly prepared foods, fuel and charging stations, apparel and other gift items will open in Whitestown.

The 45,000 square feet center will be on 14 acres off Interstate 65 and Albert S. White Drive , roughly 24 miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis.

It will be the third location for Wally's, which brands itself the “Home of the Great American Road Trip,” said Andy Strom, chief experience officer.

Started by a pair of cousins with a Pontiac, Illinois, location in 2020 and then a Fenton, Missouri, stop in 2022, Wally’s features carving stations, beef jerky bars and popcorn stations; large restrooms — with 20 private stalls for women and 10 private stalls and 11 urinals for men — alongside t-shirts and other gift items.

The store also will have more than 80 fueling and EV charging stations.

Wally’s is primarily a car stop, not a semi-truck stop; but campers, buses and RVs are welcome.

The Whitestown travel center is expected to open in late 2024. Strom said the company is already planning its next three Midwest locations but isn't sharing details just yet.

Contact the reporter at 317-444-6264. 

Indiana’s Cool North is calling.

Experience the state’s best kept secret. Come explore our eight eclectic counties filled with all sorts of gems—hidden and otherwise—that you might be surprised to find side by side.

Where else you can visit the Indiana Dunes, ride in a real Amish buggy, hit a Vegas-style casino, and walk the grounds of the University of Notre Dame in the same day? Yeah, it’s eclectic mix—but we’d suggest that’s part of what makes it so cool. Plan your visit to Indiana’s Cool North.

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Places to Explore in the Cool North.

Indiana Dunes

Chesterton, Portage, Valparaiso, Porter, Hebron, Kouts

Rolling sand dunes. A national park. Relaxing beach vibes. Endless aquatic adventures. And that’s just what you’ll find along the shore. Explore a little more in Indiana Dunes and you’ll discover world-class dining, unique shopping experiences, and fantastic accommodations. A mecca for lovers of the great outdoors, you might need to add another day to your stay with all there is to see and do!

Michigan City Laporte

Michigan City, LaPorte, Westville, Wanatah

Looking for a laid-back vacation, or is it time to let loose and live it up? You’ll find the perfect blend of both in Michigan City LaPorte. Roll the dice or shop till you drop. Explore the area’s unique history or carve out your own outdoor adventure. Whatever you decide, one thing is for sure—authentic Midwestern spirit comes standard.

South Bend Mishawaka

Notre Dame, South Bend, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, North Liberty

Big city attractions and small town charm. You’ll find the best of both worlds when you visit this vibrant Northern Indiana county. The iconic campus of the University of Notre Dame is a must-see, and each community holds its own hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Kid-friendly fun? Definitely. Outdoor activities? Absolutely. The ideal getaway to suit your travel style is waiting in South Bend Mishawaka.

Elkhart County

Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Bristol, Wakarusa, Shipshewana

Amish life and culture play a big part in daily life here in Indiana’s Cool North, and Elkhart County is no exception. Whether by car, by bike, or by buggy, tour the Heritage Trail and discover the communities that Northern Indiana is famous for. Winding nature trails, quilt gardens and historic downtowns all add to an experience that is original, authentic, and a little outside of the ordinary.

Warsaw, Syracuse, Winona Lake, North Webster, Pierceton

It doesn’t get any better than life on the lakes. And with over 100 of them, you’re sure to find a unique experience around every turn. Dine on the water’s edge at The Village at Winona, explore eclectic artisan’s shops, or take an old-school ride on a sternwheeler boat. The name might be a little tricky, but there’s definitely nothing complicated about life in Kosciusko County.

Shipshewana LaGrange County

Shipshewana, LaGrange, Topeka

You won’t hear phrases like “daily grind” or “rush hour commute” in these parts. Life in Shipshewana LaGrange County is unhurried, uncomplicated, and definitely unlike anywhere else. Amish culture thrives here, and combined with a focus on the great outdoors, this truly is the place to get away from it all.

South Shore

Whiting, Gary, Saint John, Merrillville, Hammond

Discover the City of Whiting, nestled between Chicago and the shores of Lake Michigan, with their World of Mascots at the Mascot Hall of Fame, interactive children’s museum. You won’t want to miss the Hard Rock Casino or Miller Beach in Gary, and the Albanese Candy Factory in Merrillville, Stop at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond to view exhibits, purchase your gifts, or get information about the area.

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Free Notre Dame Home Sporting Events

August 01 - May 31, 2024

The University of Notre Dame home athletic events - not including football, basketball and hockey - that fans can attend free of charge

Theatre Shows & Concerts in Indiana’s Cool North

See individual theatres for schedule of shows and concerts.

Indiana's Cool North has a number of theatres. See the individual theatres for their show and concert schedules.

The Path That Ventures Within: Inspirations Found Along Indiana Dunes Trails

January 13 - May 12, 2024

Color photographs of Herb Barghusen depict a familiar landscape and are paired with poems by Robert Longoni.

South Bend Cubs Baseball

April 9 - September 1

These Cubs are a High-A affiliate of the big league squad., and has been recognized as one of the best ballparks in the Minor League. 

CALUMET VOICES, NATIONAL STORIES

April 19 - October 06, 2024

Developed by the Field Museum, the exhibition series showcases Calumet’s natural environment, industrial might, and cultural richness.

Shipshewana Swap Meets

Swap Meets are held on select Saturdays, daylight to 1pm, Apr-Oct

The Swap Meet is an outdoor, open-air marketplace, selling fowl, poultry, small animals, pets, produce, baked goods, antiques, guns, flowers, trees, shrubs, and food

Hoosier Coho Club Pro/Am Fishing Contest

April 27-28; May 4-5

Hoosier Coho Club’s Pro/Am is a Lake Michigan salmon and trout fishing contest with cash prizes.

Shipshewana Flea Market & Auctions

Flea Market every Tuesday and Wednesday, Apr 30 to Sept 25, 2024

The Shipshewana Flea Market is a do-not-miss Hoosier tradition with an open-air market the size of 30 football fields.

Classic Car Cruise In

Thursday evenings from 4:30pm-8pm, May 2 through September 26

Whether you are a classic car owner or a car enthusiast this event is for you

Shipshewana Mayfest

May 03 - May 04, 2024

Ole’ fashioned hometown fun, bustling with kid’s activities, live entertainment, tournaments, food trucks, benefit breakfast and more!

Munster Car Show

May 04 - May 04, 2024

Enter your car or truck in this spectacular car show or join us for a terrific display of vehicles.

CHESTERTON’S EUROPEAN MARKET

Every Saturday from the beginning of May through the end of October

Our European Market provides a strong tradition of quality shopping, live entertainment, and a festive community experience.

3RD ANNUAL BIRDS OF PREY JAMBOREE

Meet the bird of prey ambassadors of Humane Indiana to learn about different species of hawks, owls, and falcons

Gary SouthShore Railcats

May 10 - Sept 2

The three-time champion RailCats are the South Shore's professional baseball team.

INDIANA DUNES BIRDING FESTIVAL

May 16 - May 19, 2024

The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival is an annual event hosted by the Indiana Audubon Society that showcases the abundance of migratory birds in the Indiana Dunes.

Memorial Day Weekend at Hesston Steam Museum

May 25 - May 27, 2024

The three different railroads will be running,  with exhibits that demonstrate the tremendous power of the steam locomotive.

Michigan City Food Truck Festival

May 25 - May 26, 2024

Michigan City will host an assortment of gourmet food trucks, live music games and delicious drinks off the beach.

Extended Shipshewana Flea Markets

Memorial Day: May 27-29; Independence Day: July 2-4; Labor Day: Sept 2-4, 2024

The Midwest’s Largest Flea Market has extended markets on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail

May 30 - September 15, 2024

This colorful patchwork of quilt inspired gardens and quilt-themed murals is linked by the roads that form the Heritage Trail.

Hobart Lakefront Festival

May 30 - June 02, 2024

This four-day event features live entertainment, an arts and crafts area, children’s activities, food vendors and beer garden.

Elkhart County Quilt & Fiber Expo

June 06 - June 08, 2024

Three days of seminars, demonstrations, presentations, and workshops.

Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival

June 07 - June 09, 2024

A professional sand sculpting 3-day competition and exhibition on Michigan City's lakefront

GOSHEN FIRST FRIDAYS – Wheels & Deals

June 07 - June 07, 2024

This event places a special focus on Goshen’s bicycle-friendly outlook.

RHAPSODY ART AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 07 - June 08, 2024

A waterside celebration of summer at Island Park

Shipshewana Weekend Flea Markets

June 14-15 and August 2-3, 2024

The Shipshewana Flea Market will be open for a special weekend flea market!

Elkhart Jazz Festival

June 20 - June 23, 2024

Downtown Elkhart’s Arts & Entertainment district comes alive with a 4 day celebration of jazz, including free concerts.

Cedar Lake Summerfest

July 04 - July 07, 2024

Family fun festival, carnival, bingo, entertainment, food vendors, cardboard boat race, car show and rides along with two nights of fireworks.

FESTIVAL OF THE LAKES

July 17 - July 21, 2024

Five nights of fun on Wolf Lake with rides, live entertainment, Polka Party and fishing derby.

Elkhart County 4-H Fair

July 19-27, 2024

Non-stop action and 9 days of family fun are guaranteed at one of the largest county fairs in the nation.

Pierogi Fest

July 26 - July 28, 2024

Taking place in Whiting, Indiana, Pierogi Fest® celebrates Eastern European food and culture with a wacky familial twist.

City of LaPorte Lakefest

LakeFest boasts three days of music, AquaX racing, artisan market, venetian boat parade, fireworks, food and fun for the whole family on LaPorte’s lakes.

XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix

July 31 - August 04, 2024

Thousands of visitors head to Michigan City’s Washington Park each summer for a spectacle of speed and sound as some of the world’s fastest and most colorful powerboats roar across Lake Michigan

Gary Air Show

August 17 - August 18, 2024

Come see aerial acts perform along the south shore of Lake Michigan at the beautiful Marquette Park, just outside of the Indiana Dunes National Park.

Shipshewana Ship-Chic Craft & Vintage Shows

October 26, & December 7, 2024

A show featuring gifts, vintage items, home decor, crafts, clothing, accessories, jewelry, baked goods, signs and more!

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Planning to leave the country? We have plenty of resources to help you prepare for your trip. Check out the topics on this page and be sure to schedule an appointment at the Student Health Center travel clinic before you go.

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Get travel information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such as what vaccines you’ll need and tips for staying safe and healthy in the countries you visit.

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Read about the differences between permethrin, DEET, and picaridin, along with non-chemical ways to protect yourself.

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If you’re planning to travel to an area where malaria is common, we recommend that you take a medication that decreases your risk of contracting the disease:

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Our physicians will prepare you for travel and protect you from diseases through proper food handling, insect protection and immunizations.

Before you travel to another country, take precautions to stay healthy by learning the potential health risks you will encounter. Prepare yourself by learning how to prevent diseases through proper food handling, insect protection and immunizations with the help of physicians at IU Health.

Your immune system has developed to keep you safe in your normal environment. You probably remain immune to most colds, flus or other illnesses common in your area. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause these diseases differ around the world, leaving you susceptible to possible illnesses.

Depending on where you travel, you may also become exposed to dozens of illnesses not found in your native country, such as malaria, Chagas disease or African sleeping sickness. Vaccinations and immunizations have eradicated some diseases, such as polio, in parts of the world, but these diseases remain present in some countries. In addition, the conditions of different countries allow disease to spread more easily. Poor food handling or lack of water filtration could allow contamination. A high population of insects, such as mosquitoes, also allows disease to spread quickly from person to person.

What to Expect

You should make an appointment with an infectious diseases physician at IU Health at least eight weeks before you travel abroad in order to ensure you have time to get any immunizations you may need.

IU Health specialists prepare world travelers for their journeys by providing vaccinations and education on staying well. Through focused education and extensive training, your physicians have expertise in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases around the globe. Your physicians stay up-to-date with the latest vaccine and travel health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) so you receive all the vaccinations you need. From sanitizing water, to cooking safely, to preventing insect bites, your physicians will work with you to protect your health so you can travel safely.

IU Health Infectious Diseases physicians offer a range of services to prepare travelers:

• Infectious diseases appointments. You should schedule an appointment with an infectious diseases physician eight weeks before you travel and bring your medical history, immunization records and trip itinerary with you. Your itinerary allows your physicians to make specific, personalized recommendations based on the countries you plan to visit.
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During your visit, you can receive the suggested immunizations, prescriptions for medications to help prevent malaria and diarrhea, and documentation of all immunizations you receive. Your physicians continue to support you as you travel and are available by secure email to offer advice.

When you return from your travels, your physicians offer post-travel consultations. Their specialized training allows them to diagnose and treat uncommon diseases you might contract while travelling. Some of these conditions may rarely occur in the United States.

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Make TA Seymour in Seymour, IN on I-65 & S.R. 50, Exit 50 a part of your route. We’re ready to fuel your trip with BP gas or diesel 24/7. Refresh after a long day on the road in our sparkling clean restrooms or use our laundry and shower facilities. Satisfy your cravings with our wide range of food, snack, and drink options! Professional truck drivers can park with us overnight in one of our 184 truck parking spaces and take advantage of our numerous amenities. Don’t forget to stock up on one of our food, snack, and drink options at our travel store or restaurant before returning to the road.

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Medical Students Prepare for Summer of Learning in Kenya

Debbie Ungar Apr 30, 2024

IU School of Medicine students Madeline Cory, Om Dalal, Bethlehem Daniel and Ryan McArdle will travel to Eldoret, Kenya, to learn about every facet of the AMPATH partnership and complete a project with an IU faculty mentor.

A summer of personal and professional growth awaits four Indiana University School of Medicine students selected as Slemenda Scholars by the IU Center for Global Health Equity . Rising second-year students Madeline Cory, Om Dalal, Bethlehem Daniel and Ryan McArdle will travel to Eldoret, Kenya, to learn about every facet of the AMPATH partnership and complete a project with an IU faculty mentor.

AMPATH, the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, is a partnership between academic health centers to deliver health care, train the next generation of health care providers and conduct research to improve lives around the world. IU School of Medicine physicians began the partnership with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and Moi University School of Medicine in 1988. IU leads the AMPATH consortium of 15 universities around the world and has had full-time faculty in Kenya for more than 30 years. The partnership now also includes sites in Ghana, Mexico and Nepal.

“These students have this tremendous opportunity early in their education to see the model of equitable global health partnership that IU helps to lead,” said Debra Litzelman, MA, MD, MACP , director of education for the IU Center for Global Health Equity which coordinates the Slemenda Scholars program. “This experience will lay the foundation for a future medical career that prioritizes care for people in underserved communities both around the world and in Indiana,” she continued.

Each of the selected students was led to the experience through a personal history or interest in tackling existing healthcare inequities.

Cory volunteers at Beacon Community Center, an organization that supports individuals who are unhoused in the Bloomington community. “I recognized how those who are unhoused experience numerous limitations to receiving proper health care. I am interested in gaining more experience with vulnerable populations to better understand how to increase availability, accessibility and acceptability to health care. I have been able apply my public health background to working with resource-limited populations within the United States, I am eager to expand my global health knowledge by working with populations in different countries,” said Cory, a Valparaiso native who received her undergraduate degrees in biology and neuroscience from IU Bloomington and now attends medical school on the same campus.

“I appreciate that AMPATH focuses on creating healthcare programs based on the needs of the community by working alongside patients and healthcare providers within the community. I believe that successful healthcare programs result from collaboration in the form of sharing knowledge, new ideas and empowering one another,” she continued.

Dalal is part of the Rural Health Track at the IU School of Medicine campus in Terre Haute and was president of the Timmy Global Health organization for two years while an undergraduate at Indiana State University earning a degree in biology. “My interest in global health stems from my background as an immigrant as well as my experiences working with the Timmy Global Health organization. I come from a family of farmers in rural India and every time I visit my extended family, I am taken aback by the disparity in healthcare between what they have access to and what I have access to in the United States. As such, my initial motivation to pursue medicine at the global level began with the goal of reducing the gap in healthcare disparities,” said Dalal.

“The barriers that patients face in rural America are not so different from those seen in other underserved areas around the world,” he continued. “The Slemenda Scholars program would serve as an optimal intersection between my interest in global health and my passion for working in underserved areas like rural America.”

The Slemenda Scholars program began in 1998 and honors late IU faculty member Charles Slemenda, DrPH, who had a passion for international medical education. Dr. Slemenda spent three years in Lesotho working as a public health worker after completing his MPH in health services administration. The award in his name helps pay for travel, room and board and a small stipend for the students to participate in the partnership. The Dr. Talmage Bosin International Study Fund, the Brater Family Scholarship and the IU School of Medicine-Terre Haute join the IU Center for Global Health Equity this year in providing funds to support this unique learning experience. 

“My worldview, from a very young age, has been greatly influenced by my identity as the daughter of Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrants. As an aspiring physician with interdisciplinary interests in global health, research, and science communication, I am confident that the opportunities afforded to me by this experience will facilitate my growth,” said Daniel, an IU School of Medicine Indianapolis student from Carmel, Indiana. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, where she triple majored in neuroscience, medicine, health, and society, and communication of science and technology, Daniel also engaged in both local and international service as a co-president of her school’s Timmy Global Health chapter. At IU, she serves as the community service chair for the Student National Medical Association.

“Growing up, I would go to school and be immersed in American culture, and come home to traditional foods and talks about ongoing events back home. This dichotomy made me naturally curious about the world around me. As I got older and became more cognizant of the inequities that existed throughout the world, I vowed to serve as an advocate for change,” recalls Daniel. “The prospect of learning directly from healthcare workers and community members in Eldoret is of great interest to me. As I continually grow as a student of global and public health, learning more about the lived experiences of Kenyans will be a defining experience, and hopefully an opportunity for me to connect with them as well.”

McArdle, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame who is a student on the IU School of Medicine’s Indianapolis campus, has worked with people from underserved communities during a research experience in Bangladesh as well as a patient navigator at the IU Student Outreach Clinic. “I am committed to a career spent working to improve the health of the most vulnerable globally,” said McArdle. “I very strongly believe that the opportunity to work with AMPATH-one of the few truly special success stories in the oftentimes flawed and messy field of global health-would not only expose me to global oncology research but also show me how to forge meaningful, lasting, and mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues in Kenya. In short, I hope to learn how to do global health the right way.”

“As a young white man who had spent most of his life in rural Indiana, my experience in Bangladesh was, quite frankly, challenging,” he recalls. “I was by myself, traveling abroad for the first time, living in a city of 20 million people who spoke a different language, scrambling to piece together a new project after our original plan had crumbled due to forces beyond our control. However, that experience did not scare me away from the field of global health. I met some incredible people and forged some great and lasting friendships, and I hope to carry the lessons I learned—what I did well, and what I could have done better—into my time in Kenya.”

Over the past 30 years, more than 1,100 Indiana University medical trainees have visited the AMPATH partnership in Kenya and more than 400 Kenyan trainees have learned alongside their peers in North America. An educational endowment to fund exchange opportunities for Kenyan and IU medical students has been established to honor the years of service and global impact of Bob and Lea Anne Einterz.

Other unique global health opportunities at IU include a Global Health Residency Pathway available to medical residents in a variety of disciplines, quarterly Global Health Research Speaker Series and Global Health Scholars Day .

Debbie Ungar

Assistant Director of Communications

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