With just a few weeks left of the busy summer travel season, the coming weeks and Labor Day weekend mark the last-chance getaway for many Americans. Jeanenne Tornatore, travel expert, joined us today with the top Labor Day Weekend destinations, and for travelers that haven’t yet booked their Labor Day weekend getaway, advice on and affordable trips you can still snag late into the summer as the holiday weekend approaches.
For more information visit, Karismahotels.com.
Mixologist Brett Butler of Alcomy LLC concocted two unique drinks today on Indy Style! The first one is a Honeydew Mule mocktail, but alcohol can be added if desired. The second drink is a Drogon’s Wrath margarita inspired by “Game of Thrones!” These two drinks combine exciting flavors with innovative presentation – perfect for end-of-summer parties.
Here are the recipes:

“Honeydew Mule” a refreshing mix of honeydew, kiwi, lemongrass, ginger, basil and mint, and no alcohol
- 3 cups Honeydew, chopped
- 4 whole Kiwi, sliced or chopped
- 1/2 cup Alcomy Honey Ginger Lemongrass Elixir
- 1 cup Aloe H2O
- 1/2 cup Lime Juice, fresh squeezed
- 1/4 cup Basil
- 1/4 cup Mint
Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend for 20 seconds. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth. Add 4 oz. to a Collins or Old Fashioned glass with ice. Top with ginger beer and squeeze of lime. Garnish with fresh honeydew segments and mint. Makes 4-6 servings.
“Drogon’s Wrath,” a fiery, passionate Margarita inspired by “Game of Thrones.”

- 1 oz. Milagro Tequila
- 3/4 oz. Triple Sec
- 3/4 oz. Passoa Passion Fruit Liqueur
- 1 1/2 oz. Fresh sour mix
- 1 oz. Agave Nectar
- 4-5 segs Fresh Dragon fruit
- 2-3 Large Basil leaves
- Pinch Black peppercorn
Muddle Dragonfruit, Basil, Agave and Sour Mix in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and the rest of the ingredients. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Double-strain over ice in a large Collins or Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with fresh Basil and an inverted spent lime wheel. Add 1 oz. Mezcal to the lime wheel and light on fire. Dunk it in the drink to douse the fire and mix the Mezcal into the drink. (Keep fire extinguisher nearby in case passion ignites! : )

Alcomy LLC is a mobile mixology and cocktail elixir service, focusing on unique culinary cocktails and elixirs. We infuse the science of liquid gastronomy with the creative passion of art to curate a magical, memorable experience in your home, office or event space. It’s “Farm to Glass, Flaired with Class.”
Brett W. Butler is an entrepreneur, entertainer and mixologist with over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality and entertainment industries. After 10 years in L.A., Brett is back home in Indiana, curating his Alcomy experience throughout the Indy area.
To learn more about Alcomy, visit their website and connect with them on Facebook or Instagram.
We are now officially into the swing of summer! Joining us today was Annessa Chumbley, our friend and lifestyle expert, to share some of her favorites for the season. Find all the information on them here:
Eucerin Hydrating Cleansing Gel
The new Hydrating Cleansing Gel from dermatologist recommended brand Eucerin is formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to help maintain skin’s moisture balance and an APG Cleansing Complex that gently lifts away impurities, without stripping the skin. Free of fragrance, soap, alcohol, and parabens, this facial cleanser is great for all skin types, including sensitive skin!
MSRP: $11.99
Where to buy: Major retailers such as CVS, Walmart and online
Febreze Fade Defy PLUG Starter Kit
- Smells and odors affect your mood. If you smell something bad, you can get into a funk. If you smell something good, it can give you a moment of zen.
- Febreze just launched a new plug that can help keep you in the zen and out of a funk. It eliminates bad odors, and also ensures your home actually smells great.
- It’s called the Febreze Fade Defy PLUG, because the scent is so long-lasting – it does not fade. If you put it on low, this plug is programmed to keep that first-day fresh scent for a full 50 days.
- I love this Linen & Sky scent as it is just so fresh and clean. Gotta love a “set it and forget it” wellness tip, right?
- You can find the Febreze Fade Defy PLUG Linen & Sky starter kit at Target, Walmart, and any other nationwide retailers for $5.49.
Hero Pill Dispenser, Medication Manager and Pill Organizer
A great product to introduce into your own home, or maybe that of a loved one’s is the Hero Pill Dispenser, Medication Manager and Pill Organizer.
Hero’s smart pill dispenser makes it easier to just live – less time worrying if you or a loved one has taken their meds.
Around 50% of medication is not taken as prescribed, which contributes to roughly a quarter of annual hospital visits. Hero offers a complete, all-access pass to life-changing medication management. Hero understands that busy schedules, a complicated regimen, and forgetfulness can get in the way of a healthy medication schedule. Whether for you or a loved one, Hero administers up to 10 medications (prescription or not) on time, and in the correct dose. You even receive alerts to take medication, or if a loved one has missed a dose.
A Hero subscription covers the cost of the Hero device, Hero Mobile app, and 24/7 support.
$29.99 per month + $99 initiation fee Try 30 days free + free shipping
Instagram: @herohealth
Twitter: @herohealth
Facebook: @HeroHealth
Common Ground
This brand’s mission to invest in the circular economy and build communities dedicated to the future of food and society, is excited to introduce its e-commerce platform curated with products from makers and brands that honor Hawaii’s agricultural legacies and impact their communities and environment.
Visitors to the Marketplace@Common Ground will enjoy an array of products that intentionally make a positive impact on the environment, ocean, community, and more. The site currently includes a selection of Hawaii-made products from ingredients representing and reflecting the destination. From locally sourced food products such as Kona coffee beans, Kauai-grown cacao, nut butter to health beauty products, Common Ground has something for the conscious consumer looking for ingredients with a Hawaii connection and unique backstory.
For more information on Common Ground or to shop directly, visit commongroundkauai.com/shop.
Instagram: @kauaicommonground
THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY SPOTLIGHT MEDIA RELATIONS.
If your summer plans include going to the beach or other outdoor activities, there are a few safety factors you’ll want to keep in mind. Firefighter Tim joined us today with tips to help keep you and your kids stay safe and healthy this season. Watch the video above for all the details.
You can keep the little ones playing outdoors all summer long with these ideas from Chris Byrne, the Toy Guy!
For kids, play serves three important, developmental functions:
- It provides new experiences.
- It allows kids to explore the worlds (in reality and the imagination).
- Provides the opportunity for self-expression. Healthy, engaged play is how we discover ourselves and find our place in the world.
Featured Products:
- Crazy Bunch O Balloons (ZURU)
- Ages 3+
- $8.49
- LeapFrog 100 Words About Places I Go (LeapFrog)
- 18 months+
- $19.99
- Summer Bridge Activities and Disney Learning (Carson Dellosa Education)
- Ages 4-13
- $9.99-$12.99
- Hide Inside Collection: Flower Finds/Mixed Emotions (Crazy Aaron’s)
- Ages 3+
- $9.99
- Pickleball
- All ages
- Prices vary
- Akedo (Moose Toys)
- Ages 6+
- $4.99-$29.99
About Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy:
The Toy Guy Chris Byrne has spent virtually his entire career playing for at least some part of every day.
His passion for play comes from the belief that we get to make up our own lives.
Additional info can also be found on Chris’s website: Thetoyguy.com/great-ideas-for-summer-play
If you’re looking to keep your kids busy this summer while getting them out of the house, this is for you! Shannon Williams, Vice President of Community Engagement at The Mind Trust joined us today to fill us in on the Summer Learning Labs happening in Marion County this year.
Enrollment for the Indy Summer Learning Labs is now open to families and students who will entering grades 1-9 in the 2021-22 school year. The Indy Summer Learning Labs are a free, five-week learning acceleration and enrichment program being offered at more than 35 community sites in Central Indiana. The goal of the program is to seize missed learning opportunities that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to enrolling interested families for the program, the Indy Summer Learning Labs are also actively recruiting educators from Central Indiana to serve as teachers, coaches, aides and more. Teachers can earn up to $10K for the five week program plus a week of training.
It’s estimated that students may have lost up to a year of learning because of COVID-19, and intensive programs like the Summer Learning Labs have shown to make tangible gains against academic and social-emotional learning outcomes, especially among students from low-income households.
The Mind Trust is an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit that works to build a system of schools that gives every student in Indianapolis, no exceptions, access to a high-quality education.
More information can be found at themindtrust.org.
United Way invites all members of our community to LIVE UNITED by giving, advocating and volunteering to improve lives in Central Indiana. Visit uwci.org to learn more.
With so many people staying home this year, many of us are taking on do-it-yourself remodeling projects. Chip Wade, one of our favorite TV contractors, joined us today with some DIY inspiration. He’s the original Emmy-winning host of HGTV shows like Elbow Room, Curb Appeal: The Block and several others.
He explains why so many people are taking on projects this year, recommends at least one project you should start, and how you can get technology involved.
More about Chip:
Chip transitioned into media in 2007, lending his carpentry skills to the Atlanta team of HGTV’s Designed to Sell. Since then Chip has appeared on HGTV’s Curb Appeal: The Block, Ellen’s Design Challenge, HGTV’s Showdown, HGTV’s Design Star, HGTV’s Wise Buys, Oprah, and CNN.
As the host, designer and executive producer on his Emmy Award Winning series, Elbow Room, Chip is there from concept through construction to show HGTV and DIY viewers how to customize their spaces and transform houses into homes that perfectly suit their lifestyle. He has become known for his unique ability to utilize cutting edge materials, processes and authentic creativity to craft these large scale, multi-faceted projects Chip is also currently filming a new show for HGTV and DIY.
For more information, visit TipsOnTV.com.
THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS, CARTA FROM PLOTT, ECOBEE AND 3M.
For some, mac and cheese may be a bit heavy for this time of year, but it’s also one of the most Googled side dishes for weekend barbecues. Gina Ferwerda, recipe developer and cookbook author has a recipe with a twist for us as she adds asparagus and bacon for a seasonal touch.
Asparagus & Bacon Mac-N-Cheese Serves 6-8
Macaroni Ingredients:
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
- 6-8 slices bacon, cut into bite size pieces
- 1/2 pound asparagus, cut into bite size piece
- Salt
Cheese sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon House Seasoning (salt, pepper, granulated garlic, onion & smoked paprika)
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided use
- 1 cup freshly shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup melted butter
- Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped scallions
- Chopped tomatoes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
PREPARE PASTA
Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
PREPARE BACON & ASPARAGUS
In a large skillet, add bacon and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Add asparagus and continue to cook for another 3 minutes, then add a pinch of salt. Remove bacon and asparagus with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain.
MAKE CHEESE SAUCE
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together milk, heavy cream, House Seasoning and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and keep warm.
In a large saucepan, add butter and onion, and cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in flour and continue to cook for 2 more minutes. Slowly add cream mixture, whisking continually. Once the mixture thickens, stir in cheeses and remove from heat. Stir in asparagus and bacon. Add to pasta and stir to combine.
MAKE TOPPING
In a small bowl, mix together breadcrumbs and melted butter.
ASSEMBLE
Pour cheesy pasta into a baking dish. Sprinkle topping evenly over pasta and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm.
For more from Gina visit her website, Facebook and Instagram.