Do you remember the minor earthquake that rattled Central Indiana a couple of weeks ago? Probably not until we just brought it to your attention again. The epicenter of the 3.8 magnitude quake was located about 50 miles southwest of Lafayette. It didn’t cause any damage or injuries, but it was strong enough to be felt by many and sparked quite the buzz for a few hours.

Although this latest quake is just a faint memory, do you know if your home and assets are protected if a major earthquake were to occur?

“Earthquake coverage is not part of a standard homeowner’s insurance policy, but can be added by endorsement,” said Kurt Watt, owner/agent at Reliable Insurance Solutions in West Lafayette. “If an earthquake endorsement is added to a standard homeowner’s policy, it would cover damage to home/contents caused by an earthquake, subject to the deductible.”

So, how much could a deductible run you?

“Earthquake deductibles are a percentage of the dwelling value, usually 5% or 10%,” Watt said. “So, if your home is insured for $400,000, the deductible would be either $20,000 (5%) or $40,000 (10%).”

Watt said there are certain situations where damage caused by an earthquake may be covered under a standard homeowner’s policy.

“If a homeowner doesn’t have earthquake coverage, but an earthquake causes a gas line break and ensuing fire damage, most likely the fire damage would be covered by standard homeowner’s policy,” said Watt. “Keep in mind not all policies are the same, so folks should read their policies and/or talk with their agent.”

Although rare, earthquakes do impact Central Indiana according to the National Weather Service. Greater Lafayette sits just hundreds of miles away from the New Madrid Fault Seismic Zone, centered near the tripoint of Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee. This fault zone threatens several states with minor to major seismic activity, including Indiana. In fact, between 1811 and 1812, this fault zone was responsible for causing a series of major earthquakes in the region resulting in towns being leveled and widespread damage to property.

When asked if he would advise homeowners to add an earthquake endorsement to their policy, Watt said he leaves it up to the homeowner.

“Probably 85% of our clients don’t carry earthquake coverage. The fault lines are in southwest Indiana, southeast Illinois, and western Kentucky,” Watt said. “Coverage for earthquakes is very inexpensive, which tells folks the risk is low (otherwise insurance companies would charge larger amounts of premium).”

Watt also encourages homeowners to keep in mind that with such a large deductible it would take a very substantial earthquake to cause damage that exceeds the deductible. While Reliable Insurance Solutions does offer earthquake coverage, most clients choose not to carry it.

“Generally, I encourage people to review their policies with us (or their agent) every year to make sure the consumer knows what coverage they have, what coverage they don’t have, and what coverage is available to them,” said Watt. “Nobody likes a surprise, so it’s best to have these conversations before a claim happens.”

Summer is officially here, and many of us are spending a lot of our free time soaking up the sun and enjoying the great outdoors. If you enjoy sitting around the bonfire roasting marshmallows, listening to the crickets (well, cicadas right now depending on where you’re at) sing, and sleeping under the stars, you’re probably raring to get out and do some camping with friends and family.

Whether you’re old fashioned and enjoy pitching a tent, looking to break in your brand-new RV, or prefer to stay in a log cabin, Greater Lafayette has plenty of campgrounds to choose from with amenities bound to satisfy anyone and everyone’s camping desires.

AOK Campground
225 E 300 S, Lafayette
https://aokcampgrounds.com

Whether you’re setting up a tent or bringing your camper, AOK Campground has plenty to offer. The facility offers camping sites with 30- and 50-amp service along with several amenities including a swimming pool, vending machines, convenience store, a playground and a 24-hour laundromat. Reservations can be made on a nightly, weekly, and monthly basis.

Big Fish-N-Campground
5831 S 900 E, Lafayette
https://sites.google.com/view/bigfishcamp/home

One could have guessed that if you’re looking to get in some fishing during your camping trip, Big Fish-N-Campground is the place for you! The campground is home to three stocked fishing ponds where you can catch and release Bass, Bluegill, Carp, Crappie, Kentucky Blue Catfish, and farm raised Channel Catfish. Other family-friendly activities include campfires, swimming, play areas, movie nights, and holiday activities. To learn more about the campground’s additional services and pricing, visit their website.

Prophetstown State Park
5545 Swisher Road, West Lafayette
https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/prophetstown-state-park/

Here’s an interesting fact you may not have known – West Lafayette’s Prophetstown State Park is Indiana’s newest state park where you and your family can enjoy a camping trip. The park includes several picnic areas, shelter houses, playgrounds, and a 110-site modern campground. During your camping trip, you can engage in activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, birding, and wildlife observation.

Wolfe’s Leisure Time Campground
7414 Old State Road 25 North, Lafayette
https://www.wltc.org

Located just outside the town of Americus between Delphi and Lafayette, Wolfe’s Leisure Time Campground sits along the banks of the Wabash River, making for quite the camping experience! Some of the amenities include a game room/concessions, WiFi, a swimming pool, two playgrounds, river fishing, and hiking/biking trails. If you’re interested in rates and making a reservation, visit their website.

Broadview Acres Campground
4850 S Broadview Road, Colfax (Clinton County)
https://www.broadviewcampground.com

Located between Lebanon and Lafayette, Broadview Acres Campground is a family friendly campground that offers a variety of different amenities and activities for all ages! Some of those activities include fishing, cook offs, pitch ins, and so much more! For a list of campground rates and rules, visit their website.

Caboose Lake Campground
3657 West, US 24, Remington (Jasper County)
https://www.cabooselake.com

Conveniently located off Interstate 65 about 30 minutes north of Lafayette, Caboose Lake Campground is a camper’s haven! One of the highlights at Caboose Lake includes the Summer Beach Family Fun Zone which includes bumper boats, water inflatables, a dunk tank, and a hippo slide! And if you’re not much into pitching a tent and don’t have a camper, the campground offers log cabin, caboose, rustic cabin, and yurt (single story units with a kitchen area, living area & a bedroom) rentals. There’s so much more we could include, but you’ll have to visit Caboose Lake’s website to learn more.

Ken-Do Lake Campground
9230 Heaton Road, Clarks Hill (Tippecanoe County)
https://www.facebook.com/Ken-do-Lake-Campground-118921414810897/?eid=ARBmgFvUOcoPsMduu0cTZRkl2Eckncc-nG_-R6-aZSyYKgYbhn0o9chgsQfIdOMspaY1_MoxC1SAtZHp

This family-owned and operated campground features 60 sites with unlimited overflow, concessions, disposal, electricity, and a stocked fishing pay lake. The lake is stocked weekly, and no fishing license is required.

Lost Acres Camping Resort
3148 N 400 E, Monticello (White County)
https://lostacrescampingresort.com

Are you planning a quick family getaway this summer that includes a trip to Indiana Beach? Lost Acres Camping Resort is conveniently located just minutes away from the amusement park. In addition to Indiana Beach, the campground is within one mile of boating, fishing, and golfing. Some other common activities at Lost Acres includes dancing, live music, pool parties, wagon rides, cornhole games, bingo, crafts, and so much more. Don’t wait to book your spot! Visit Lost Acre’s website to make a reservation today.

Sugar Creek Campground And Canoe Rentals
841 W 83 N, Crawfordsville (Montgomery County)
https://sugarcreekcanoetrips.com

Located south of Lafayette, Sugar Creek Campground is everything an outdoor enthusiast could want and more! The campground offers traditional camping and cabin rentals. And if you love being on the water, you’re in luck! The campground offers a variety of different water excursions including canoeing, kayaking, and tubing.

We all know how important exercise is when it comes to staying in good physical shape and staying healthy, but when you’re diagnosed with a debilitating illness, such as Parkinson’s Disease, it may feel nearly impossible to carry out a normal fitness routine. But a local business owner has made it his mission to offer fitness programs to anyone and everyone who is willing to give it a try, including those facing physical challenges.

TRC spoke with Chad Welch, owner/coach at BoxFit Lafayette, a boxing facility right here in Greater Lafayette. He’s sharing the story behind his business and some of the different programs offered.

What is the history behind BoxFit Lafayette and how did it come to fruition?
During the summer of 2020, while everything was shut down because of COVID, some friends with Parkinson’s contacted me about needing to do something because their symptoms were returning. So, four of us started working out in the park. We outgrew the park and a local church allowed us to use their parking lot. In December 2020, we opened our current location. 

Tell us about some of the programs/classes BoxFit Lafayette has to offer.
We offer our Rock Steady program for people with Parkinson’s, but we also offer a variety of classes for fitness. We do a Box & Burn, which is a combination of HIIT (High intensity interval training) and boxing, a Beat Box class which involves boxing to the beat of different songs, boxing for fitness classes which includes 12 three-minute rounds, and we also have kid’s classes.

When did boxing become a popular trend here in the U.S.?
Just like any cardio session, boxing comes with stress-relieving benefits. However, this workout allows you to bring your anxiety, anger, and frustration and unleash them on a variety of punching bags. 

Would you recommend anybody and everybody of all ages come in and give BoxFit a try?
Everyone who has joined BoxFit had no experience coming in. Now, it is their favorite way to exercise. Your first class is always free because we believe that once you try it, you will want to come back. 

How would you encourage someone to come in and give it a try?
If you don’t come in for the boxing, come for the dog. Then try out the boxing and see what you think!

How do you define wellness?
I think wellness is being physically, mentally, and emotionally strong enough to do the things you want to do. That looks different for different people, but for all of us it’s about getting a little better each day. That’s why our motto is “Stronger Than Yesterday.” You aren’t competing with anyone else, only your past self.

For more information about BoxFit Lafayette, visit www.boxfitlafayette.com.

After a school year like no other, many Greater Lafayette students are officially on summer break, and they’re likely itching to get out of the house more than ever. As we continue to climb out of the pandemic and make a return to normal, you’re likely filling in your family’s schedule and looking for activities to do over the next couple of months.

If that’s the case, we’ve gathered some family friendly suggestions and recommendations bound to keep the entire family entertained and active this summer!

First Off, Keep An Eye Out Upcoming Events
As events continue popping up around Greater Lafayette, some of best resources for keeping tabs on what’s going on are:
– Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette (www.homeofpurdue.com)
– Visit Indiana (www.visitindiana.com)
– Following local entities on social media such as the cities of Lafayette and West Lafayette, Lafayette Parks, West Lafayette Parks, and The Russell Company!

To help kickstart your search, we’ve compiled a list of some of the many FREE family-friendly events taking place around the community in the coming weeks:

• Kids’ Fishing Day (Saturday, June 19th, 9am – 12pm, Munger Park) – This catch and release event is free and open to all children ages 3-14 years old. All bait and equipment are provided as well as lunch. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Lafayette Aviator’s Street Festival (Saturday, June 19th, 2pm-6pm, 24th Street between Wallace and Hines) – Local food vendors, carnival games, team autographs, music, and so much more will take place during this event leading up to the Aviators game!
• Stars And Stripes Celebration (Sunday, July 4th, 7pm-11pm, Downtown Lafayette) – The Lafayette Citizens will perform a concert followed by fireworks at dusk.
• Wabash Riverfest (Saturday, July 10th, 9am-6pm, 100 Tapawingo Drive, West Lafayette) – This year’s event will consist of both virtual and in-person events including a rock wall and 5K.
• Tippecanoe County 4-H Fair (Saturday, July 17th – Saturday, July 24th, 8am-11:45pm, 1010 Teal Road, Lafayette) – It’s everything you could want and more including displays, competitions, carnival rides, and food.

Also, TRC gathers a list of events going on in and around the community every weekend. Give our pages a follow on Facebook and Instagram and keep an eye out for a list of local events posted each Friday!

Consider Taking Part In Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking to teach your children how they can pay it forward right here in their own community? Volunteering is a great way to do so! There are plenty of ways to take it upon yourself to help make a positive impact right here in Greater Lafayette.

• Workreation Program – Hosted by Lafayette Parks and Recreation for children ages 7 to 17, “Workreation” is a program where in exchange for light maintenance and cleaning in the parks for one hour, kids will receive a “Kids Can Pass” which will admit them into any of the three aquatics facilities for the day. The program runs now through Friday, July 31. Registration forms can be found on www.lafayetteparks.org or can be picked up in the Lafayette Parks Administrative office.
• Help Clean Up Your Neighborhood – It’s as simple as that! Grab some trash bags, gloves, and a can-do attitude! You can even take it one step further and organize a neighborhood cleanup day and invite fellow neighbors to chip in.
• Reach Out To Local Non-Profits, Charities, And Other Impactful Entities For Volunteer Opportunities – Greater Lafayette is home to many entities who serve various causes, making it their mission to help better the community we live in. Take it upon yourself to pick up the phone or send a message to see if they could use any help. For a list of some of Greater Lafayette’s impactful entities, visit https://russellteam.com/greater-lafayette-entities-making-a-positive-impact-on-the-community/

Visit A Local Swimming Pool
Who doesn’t love to take a refreshing dip in a swimming pool on a toasty summer day? Lucky for you, Greater Lafayette has several public swimming pools for you to enjoy! For a list of outdoor swimming pools in Greater Lafayette, check out TRC’s blog post at https://russellteam.com/cool-off-in-one-of-these-greater-lafayette-swimming-pools/

Visit A Local Attraction
It shouldn’t be too difficult to find an attraction right here in Greater Lafayette that the entire family can enjoy. Whether it’s a day at Columbian Park Zoo or a trip to Prophetstown State Park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! For a list of some of the many Greater Lafayette attractions, visit https://www.homeofpurdue.com/things-to-do/

Take A Day Trip
Of course, there’s plenty of fun things to do right here in Greater Lafayette, but who doesn’t enjoy exploring new places? Whether you’re heading down to Indianapolis for the day or just the next county over, there’s so much to do and explore.

For a list of day trip ideas within an hour of Greater Lafayette, check out the following TRC blogs:

Planning A Day Trip To Indianapolis: https://russellteam.com/planning-a-day-trip-to-indianapolis-check-out-some-of-these-family-friendly-attractions-and-places-to-grab-a-bite/

Fun Places To Explore Within 50 Miles Of Greater Lafayette (Part 1): https://russellteam.com/fun-places-to-explore-within-50-miles-of-greater-lafayette-part-1/

Fun Places To Explore Within 50 Miles Of Greater Lafayette (Part 2): https://russellteam.com/fun-places-to-explore-within-50-miles-of-greater-lafayette-part-2/

Visit A Local Park
Can’t get enough of the great outdoors? Greater Lafayette doesn’t skimp when it comes to local parks that all offer their very own amenities. For a list of some of Greater Lafayette parks, check out the following links:

TRC’s Guide To Lafayette Parks: https://russellteam.com/trcs-guide-to-lafayette-parks/

TRC’s Guide To West Lafayette Parks: https://russellteam.com/trcs-guide-to-west-lafayette-parks/

Enjoy Some Ice Cream!
Have a craving for a sweet treat? Check out one of Greater Lafayette’s ice cream establishments! Whether you try a new place each week throughout the summer or come to love one establishment, indulge yourself! For a list of some of the best ice cream places around Greater Lafayette, visit, https://russellteam.com/best-places-to-get-ice-cream-around-greater-lafayette/

Who doesn’t love a sweet, creamy, delicious treat during the hot summer months? If you’re looking to get the scoop on some of the best places to get ice cream around Greater Lafayette, look no further! 

Original Frozen Custard

2319 Wallace Ave, Lafayette

Monday – Saturday, 11am – 9pm

Sunday, 12pm – 9pm

Igloo Frozen Custard 

1817 Troxel Dr, Lafayette 

Monday – Friday, 11am – 9pm 

Saturday – Sunday, 11am – 8pm

4909 Tazer Dr, Lafayette

Sunday – Saturday, 11am – 8pm

Silver Dipper Ice Cream

201 East State St, West Lafayette

Sunday – Saturday, 1pm – 11pm

307 Sagamore Pkwy W C, West Lafayette

Sunday – Thursday, 12pm – 9:30pm

Friday – Saturday, 12pm – 10pm

The Pink Walrus

3575 Promenade Pkwy, Lafayette

Wednesday – Sunday, 2pm – 8:30pm

Monday – Tuesday, CLOSED

Budges Drive In

1102 N 14^th St, Lafayette

Monday – Saturday, 11am – 9pm

Sunday, 2pm – 9pm

Miss Sugar

107 N Chauncey Ave, West Lafayette

Sunday – Saturday, 11am – 10pm

Milky Way

750 Washington Ave, Frankfort

Sunday – Saturday, 11am – 9pm

Sycamore Drive In

923 W Washington St, Monticello

Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 9pm

Monday, CLOSED

Skipper’s

919 N Main St, Monticello

Sunday – Saturday, 1pm – 10pm

An Udder Sensation

138 S Main St, Monticello

Monday – Saturday, 10:30am – 9pm

Sunday, 1pm – 9pm

The Blue Moose

102 W Main St, Delphi

Monday – Tuesday/Thursday – Saturday, 12pm – 9pm

Sunday, 12pm – 8pm

Wednesday, CLOSED

The Chocolate Shop

103 E 4^th St, Fowler

Wednesday – Monday, 11am – 9pm

Tuesday, CLOSED

Dari-Licious

1114 E Main St, Crawfordsville

Sunday – Saturday, 10:30am – 9pm

Big Dipper  

902 Mill St, Crawfordsville

Sunday – Saturday, 10:30am – 9pm