February is the month for love, and Valentine’s Day reminds us to celebrate matters of the heart. With the Bicentennial looming, we should all reflect on what tugs at our heartstrings about Indiana – natural beauty, economic opportunity, family roots or Hoosier hospitality. Send us your Indiana love story, and we just might publish it in our next issue!

This month we also celebrate the beauty of diversity as we recognize Black History Month. In this issue we highlight the Leora Brown School and Maxine Brown, who keeps this amazing story alive. Let us celebrate the myriad accomplishments of so many groups that make Indiana what it is today. Check our social media as we highlight all things Hoosier!

Although not Punxutawney Phil, we took bicentennial intern Sam Alderfer outside on February 2 for a weather update. Sadly, he saw no shadow and returned to his desk. We are now preparing for six more weeks of winter. Hurry spring, I am ready for a little hint of green!

Ariana Smith is a native Hoosier, born in Grant County. Smith currently lives in Indianapolis while attending Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Smith joined the Indiana Bicentennial Commission in January as a marketing and communications intern, along with Sam Alderfer.

 “By using my experience in earned and social media I hope to share the important message of the Bicentennial with Hoosiers across the state,” said Smith. “I’m excited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

 Smith serves on IUPUI’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America as the director of communications and creative design. Smith is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations. She has minors in sociology and professional and public writing. Smith has an expected graduation date of May 2015.

Congrats to Curtis Ferrell for winning our #INDIANAWINTER Instagram Contest!

Cornerstone Campground is a great family camp. We were visiting our daughter who was working there while the camp owners were taking some much needed time off with their family.

Henry County is a great place to raise a family! It also hosts the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and the "World's Largest & Finest High School Basketball Fieldhouse in the World."

Fire and Ice really is what came to mind when I was looking at the image colors. There are some incredible sunrises and sunsets all year round, but they are harder to see in the summer when the corn grows eye-high and the roads in Indiana turn to hallways.

You can see more of Curtis' great photos by clicking here !