April 2026

Fort Wayne lifestyle

A Trip North Fort Wayne lifestyle

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

With spring arriving and the days finally growing a little longer, it feels like the perfect season to get out, take the scenic route, and rediscover the places that make our corner of Indiana so special. This month, we’re shining a light on the communities north of Fort Wayne.

One of the best things about living here is that you do not have to go far to findsomething worth experiencing. Just beyond Fort Wayne, there are towns filled with history, charm, local flavor, and the kind of businesses and destinations that remind us how connected our communities truly are. This issue is a celebration of those places, and of the people who keep them thriving. We are grateful to the business owners, community leaders, and readers who continue to support Fort Wayne Lifestyle and the surrounding areas we are proud to call neighbors. Thank you for being part of what makes this corner of Indiana such a welcoming place.

We hope this issue inspires you to embrace the season, explore somewhere new, and enjoy everything waiting just north of home.

Warmly,

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Billy Moore | publisher@fortwaynelifestyle.com

EDITOR

Breanna Schooley | breanna@fortwaynelifestyle.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

Lena Whitmore

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Breanna Spillers | breanna.fortwaynelifestyle@gmail.com

CIERGE OF HOSPITALITY AND HAPPINESS

Linda Robberts

At Fort Wayne Lifestyle, we are committed to consistently delivering high-quality, engaging content that highlights the vibrant community of Fort Wayne. From parks and local attractions to entertainment venues and family-friendly events, we celebrate everything that makes the Summit City a great place to live, work, and explore. Whether it’s a TinCaps baseball game, a local movie night, or a day at the zoo, our mission is to connect residents and visitors alike with the best experiences Fort Wayne has to offer—because Fort Wayne Lifestyle is all about you.

(Including Greater Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, and Wells counties)

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AROUND TOWN

In 2009, Pizza Hut in Kendallville, Indiana, was cited as the number one Pizza Hut restaurant in the country for volume of sales.

Train #16 served the Kraft Heinz plant for 30 years, handling sugar and syrup shipments, until the line was shut down and abandoned in 1982.

The Sylvan Cellars Event Center in Rome City, Indiana, is a restored barn that was once listed among Indiana’s 10 most endangered historic landmarks.

The Strand Theatre in Kendallville, IN, is one of the nation’s oldest continually operated movie theatres.

Founded in 1911, the KPC Media Group in Kendallville, Indiana, was famously led by Alice Merica, one of the oldest newspaper publishers in the U.S., who served until her death at age 103 in 1969.

Main Street in Kendallville, Indiana, is one of the state’s longest, continuous, and best- preserved historic downtown areas, featuring 17 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

Business Updates

Blue Moon Opens for the Season

Blue Moon in Garrett, Indiana, has officially opened for the season and is once again welcoming customers. A local favorite, Blue Moon’s seasonal return marks the start of warmer days and brings back a go-to spot for treats and casual stops in the community. Its reopening is a familiar sign of spring for Garrett residents and visitors alike, adding fresh energy to the local business scene as the season gets underway.

Liquidation City is Moving to Kendallville

Liquidation City is relocating from its current Auburn location to a new space in Kendallville, located at the warehouse behind Showcase Furniture, 904 W. North St., Kendallville, IN 46755. The business plans to remain open through most of the move, with hopes of leaving the Auburn location by the end of April and opening the new Kendallville store around May 1st. While the new space will be smaller and some offerings may be reduced, Liquidation City plans to continue selling its popular Mystery Boxes, with future plans for online shipping and pallet sales. More details are expected as the move gets closer.

Dutch Bros Arrives in Auburn

Dutch Bros has officially opened its new Auburn, Indiana location and is now serving customers. The popular drive-thru coffee brand brings its energetic atmosphere, signature drinks, and loyal fan following to the Auburn community, giving locals a new stop for coffee, teas, lemonades, and specialty beverages. The opening marks another exciting addition to Auburn’s growing business scene and offers residents even more convenient options for a quick pick-me-up. With doors now open, Dutch Bros is ready to welcome both longtime fans and first-time visitors.

FOOD THOUGHT for

My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe

With its outstanding spice flavor, super moist crumb, and velvety cream cheese frosting, this is truly the best carrot cake. Use brown sugar and toasted pecans for a deeper flavor.

Ingredients

2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts (1 cup for cake, 1 cup for garnish)

1 and 1/2 cups packed light or dark brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)

4 large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup smooth unsweetened applesauce

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 cups grated carrots (about 4 large)

Directions:

Toast the nuts: Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Spread pecans or walnuts on the sheet and bake 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway, until fragrant. Cool 10–15 minutes.

Increase oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two or three 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment rounds, and grease again.

Make the cake: In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.

In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Add wet ingredients to dry and fold until just combined. Fold in carrots and 1 cup toasted nuts.

Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean:

20–25 minutes for 3 pans

30–35 minutes for 2 pans

Cool in pans 1 hour, then remove and cool completely before frosting.

Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low 30 seconds, then high 3 minutes until creamy. Adjust with more sugar (thicker), milk (thinner), or salt (less sweet).

Assemble: Level cakes if needed. Place one layer on a plate and spread ¾–1 cup frosting on top. Add the second layer (upside down) and frost. Add the third layer and frost top and sides. Garnish with remaining nuts.

Refrigerate 20 minutes before slicing. If chilled longer than 4 hours, let sit 2 hours before serving.

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

A Short Drive To Wine Country

Located just 12 miles north of Fort Wayne in LaOtto, Country Heritage Winery and Vineyard stands as Indiana’s largest vineyard, rooted in the heart of lush countryside. A modern gem, it blends innovation with agricultural pride. At Country Heritage Winery, every visit is a chance to savor something special, whether it’s a hand-crafted wine, live music, or an intimate dinner under the stars. Their expansive events calendar is always alive, live bands, wine tastings, tours, and daily specials, that let you savor every moment. Of course, the wines themselves shine, each variety reflecting the vineyard’s dedication. And it doesn’t stop there on-site; their distillery crafts small batch spirits that pair perfectly with their vibrant food offerings. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a midweek treat, Country Heritage Winery and Backroads Distilling invites you to discover the charm and flavor that awaits just a short drive north of Fort Wayne. Contact them today to book a tour and experience farm-to-bottle firsthand.

www.countryheritagewinery.com

Sharp since 1954

Wagner Tool Grinding has been keeping Fort Wayne cutting clean since 1952. Today, the shop is owned by Chad Geyer, the third owner in the company’s history. Chad bought the business from his father in 2020, and he’s no newcomer, he has worked in the shop for 31 years and has owned it for six. He has carried the craft forward with the same attention to precision.

Wagner Tool Grinding sharpens and grinds a wide range of tools for home, shop, and jobsite use. Services include cutlery knives, end mills, chainsaw chains, mower blades, planer blades, router bits, slugger bits, carbide-tipped saw blades, reamers, drill bits, taps, dies, and more.

Over time, the customer mix has shifted from primarily machine-shop accounts to more individuals and small operations, while still supporting select businesses with larger-quantity needs and tight deadlines. For the past nine years, Chad has built out knife sharpening for restaurants and individual customers, everything from chef’s knives to prep blades, so edges stay dependable through services, cuts stay clean, and kitchens run safer, faster, and more consistent.

If you or someone you know needs dependable sharpening, from everyday knives to specialty tooling, Wagner Tool Grinding is a trusted stop for maintenance and better performance.

LOCAL EVENTS

April 10th - 11th, 2026

Noble County Home & Garden Show

Noble County Community Fairgrounds - Kendallville | 11:00 AM - 2:00 pm

The Noble County Home & Garden Show is bringing inspiration, local businesses, and fresh ideas together April 10th–11th at the Fairgrounds. FREE ADMISSION TO THE PUBLIC

April 25, 2026

Crafters Market

210 Brians Pl, - Kendallville | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

They’ve got really great craft vendors joining them this month. Baked Goods, Candles, Wax Melts, 3D Printed Items, Crochet Towels, Hats, and Scarves, Aprons, Dish Cloths, Bowl Covers, Beaded Items, Wall Decor, Wood Crafts, Planters, Welcome signs, Crochet Plushies, Ornaments, Jewelry, Home Decor, and more!

May 2, 2026

Crew Annual Banquet

110 W Waits Rd, - Kendallville | 4:00 PM

Fostering youth development through relationship, education, & experience! Join them for an evening of fun, food, and celebrating what God is doing in and through their students!

May 16, 2026

Fairy, Gnome, and Troll Festival

Historic Downtown - Kendallville | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

This one-day celebration of creativity and community spirit promises fun for all! Activities include craft stations for children to make fairy wings or gnome hats, and storytelling corners featuring local authors sharing magical tales. A marketplace will showcase local artisans, offering unique crafts, treats, and whimsical merchandise, along with food vendors providing delicious options.

May 22, 2026

Mason Dixon Line Band

Sylvan Cellars Event Center & Tasting Room - Rome City | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Join Mason Dixon Line at Sylvan Cellars! Mason Dixon Line (MDL) is the Midwest’s leading country band, formed in 2015 by talented musicians honoring country music's legacy. MDL performs hits from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and current country hits, showcasing Hall of Famers and iconic artists.

LOCAL EVENTS

May 25th, 2026

Kendallville Memorial Day

224 E Mitchell St. - Kendallville | 1:00 PM

We’re coming together to make Memorial Day 2026 meaningful and memorable for everyone! We welcome vendors, bands, activities, parade participants, sponsors, and donations. If you’d like to support our community and help honor those who served, we’d love to have you involved.

June 12th - 14th, 2026

THE 2026 GREAT LAKES WATERCROSS

Bixler Lake - Kendallville | 9:00 AM – 4:00pm

The Great Lakes Watercross event returns to Bixler Lake Campground to kick off the season. This is the perfect spot to find your speed on flat water. Camping: Reserve through the City of Kendallville at (260) 242-6898.

July 18th, 2026

Noble County Demolition Derby Night

Noble County Community Fairgrounds | 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

End the Fair with a BANG at the 2026 TNT Demolition Derby at Noble County Community Fairgrounds. If you have any questions about the rules, CALL FIRST. Do NOT assume anything. Do NOT play the grey areas. The official’s decision is final. Call Todd Sorensen at 231-425-6990 for any building questions.

October 3rd - 4th, 2026

Apple Festival of Kendallville

Noble County Fair Grounds | 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The festival began in 1985 as the vision of four local organizers, Gary and Kay Shepherd, Barb Kelly, and Kathy Baker, who wanted their small town to have a festival. Over the years, the festival continues to grow. It now has a primitive traders village, demonstration buildings, a Civil War encampment, entertainment, children's area with games, activities, crafts, and rides. Bring your family and come be a part of history.

October 26th, 2026

Fright Night

134 S Main St. - Kendallville | 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Welcome to Arkham Oddities 3rd Annual Fright Night Event. This is a Halloween-themed event, so dressing up is definitely encouraged. You can expect vendors, food trucks, a beer tent, a spooky car show, a haunted house, live bands, and so much more! Stop by and take part in their costume contest or their Queen/Princess pageant. There is fun to be had for the entire family!

Chain O’ Lakes: The Beauty Within

Scenic trails, connected lakes, cozy cabins, and a restored schoolhouse shape this Northern Indiana getaway.

At Chain O’ Lakes State Park, each part of the landscape offers a way to slow down and stay awhile. Walking trails wind through woods, wetlands, open fields, and lakeside stretches, giving visitors room to explore the park on foot and take in its glacial scenery. Family cabins, tucked into the park’s setting, make it easy to turn a day trip into an overnight stay close to both the trails and water. Boat rentals, including canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, and rowboats, offer another perspective, inviting visitors onto the park’s connected lakes at an unhurried pace. One of the park’s distinctive features is the Stanley Schoolhouse, a restored one-room brick school built in 1915 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Together, these experiences make Chain O’ Lakes feel less like an attraction and more like a place where recreation, history, and scenery naturally meet.

Kraft’s candy-making legacy proves that a small-town industry can still make a big impression.

www.kraftheinzcompany.com

Located just 25 miles north of Fort Wayne, in the heart of Kendallville, Indiana, sits a hidden gem of the confectionery world: Kraft Foods. Located at 151 West Ohio Street, this factory has been crafting sweetness for generations with pride and care. Although Kraft partnered with Heinz several years ago, bringing us household names like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Jell-O, and Philadelphia cream cheese, the Kendallville loction remains a proud symbol of local craftsmanship and long-standing tradition. Here, they create their iconic Kraft caramels and marshmallows, so beloved that they also supply the marshmallows for Lucky Charms cereal.

Many may pass through Kendallville without ever knowing the sweet legacy tucked away here, but Kraft Foods stands as a shining example of innovation, history, and heritage. As Fort Wayne Lifestyle Magazine celebrates businesses just north of the city, we shine a spotlight on Kraft, a sweet secret of Kendallville, waiting to be discovered and appreciated by visitors and locals alike. Go ahead and give them a call and take a tour yourself!

“Tucked just north of Fort Wayne, Kraft’s Kendallville factory stands as a proud reminder that local craftsmanship can shape familiar favorites, blending small-town heritage with sweets recognized across America.”

A Woman Ahead of Her Time

www.indianamuseum.org/historic-sites/gene-stratton-porter-historic-site/

In Rome City, the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site offers a rare chance to experience the world of one of Indiana’s most influential creative figures in the place she shaped for herself. The site centers on Gene Stratton-Porter’s Cabin at Wildflower Woods, the home she designed and completed in 1914 on the shore of Sylvan Lake. Inside, the rooms are arranged to reflect her daily life, and much of her furniture, personal collections, and library remain preserved there. Stratton-Porter was far more than a novelist: she was also a nature writer, photographer, and entrepreneur whose work reached millions of readers. The Indiana State Museum calls her Indiana’s most widely read female author, a distinction that still gives the property unusual weight and presence for modern visitors today.

What makes the site especially memorable is the way the house and landscape still speak to one another. The forests and lake that once fed her writing and photography remain part of the experience, giving visitors a clearer sense of how closely her work was tied to the natural world. Across 148 acres, the grounds unfold in a way that feels inviting rather than overwhelming, with gardens, woods, shoreline, restored wetlands, and prairies connected by more than three miles of trails. The Carriage House Visitor Center deepens that experience with exhibits focused on the plants, animals, and habitats that mattered to her. Together, the cabin, grounds, and exhibits create a visit that feels thoughtful, grounded, and distinctly Indiana.

Travel Back in Time

Each October, the Apple Festival of Kendallville turns the Noble County Community Fairgrounds into one of the region’s biggest fall gatherings. The festival began in 1985, created by four local organizers who wanted Kendallville to have a celebration centered around apples, autumn, and community spirit. Today, that original idea has grown into an event built around a primitive traders village, demonstration buildings, a Civil War encampment, entertainment, children’s activities, crafts, antiques, and food spread across the grounds.

Regional tourism sources describe it as the area’s largest event, drawing more than 80,000 visitors during the first weekend of October. What keeps people coming back, though, is not just the size. It is the feeling: a festival that mixes history, tradition, and hometown energy into something people look forward to each year.

www.kendallvilleapplefestival.com

On the Road Again: Kendallville’s Trusted Tour Expertsin Time

Family-owned S&S Travel continues creating memorable, fully escorted adventures for generations of travelers nationwide.

www.s-stravel.com

For nearly five decades, S&S Travel has been helping travelers discover the joy of the journey. Based in Kendallville, Indiana, this family-owned tour operator has built its reputation on expertly planned, fully escorted one-day and multi-day adventures designed with care, comfort, and connection in mind. Founded in 1980 by Ron and Mary Godby, the company began with a simple motorcoach trip for East Noble Marching Band parents traveling to West Virginia. That first experience sparked something lasting. Since then, S&S Travel has guided passengers through all 50 states, all 10 Canadian provinces, and unforgettable destinations overseas, from Ireland and Iceland to Australia and New Zealand. Their adventures have also stretched to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Panama Canal. Today, second-generation tour planner and escort Sheryl Godby carries that legacy forward, while Ron still helps chart the next memorable route. Though the company is small, its reach is remarkable. From senior group bus tours to private outings for churches, banks, and service clubs, every journey reflects personal service and thoughtful planning. Travelers return year after year for signature experiences like Holland’s tulip season, Branson in November, scenic train excursions, and riverboat cruises. Many passengers have formed lasting friendships along the way. A few even found love on board. At S&S Travel, the favorite trip is always “the next one”, and after 47 years, that spirit still leads the way.

Preserving and sharing the story of wind power from its earliest origins through the present day.

https://www.midamericawindmillmuseum.org/

In Kendallville, the Mid-America Windmill Museum keeps the story of rural innovation turning. Established in 1992, it welcomes visitors into a landscape of more than 50 historic windmills, interactive exhibits, and a scenic outdoor path honoring American wind power. Along the way, guests discover every Flint and Walling model, a powerful link to Kendallville’s manufacturing roots. Open seasonally from April through November, the museum offers guided and self-guided tours, family events, and an inviting glimpse into the engineering, craftsmanship, and community spirit that once helped power daily life across the Midwest, and continues inspiring visitors today.

Acres of Outdoor Adventure

Hidden Diamonds Park in Albion offers one of best reasons to get outside. Spread across 89 acres of rolling hills just off Weber Road, the park offers more than a quick stop. It has ball diamonds, soccer fields, trails, disc golf, playground space, pavilions, and a splash pad that makes warm-weather visits even better. What sets it apart is the mix of activity and scenery; one moment you are watching a game, the next you are walking past wooded paths and wetland views. For families, walkers, and anyone looking to explore a little longer, Hidden Diamonds feels less like a simple park and more like a destination.

For more information: www.albionparks.com/parks/hidden-diamonds

In Auburn, Indiana, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum preserves one of the city’s proudest chapters inside the former headquarters of the Auburn Automobile Company. Opened to the public on July 6, 1974, the museum displays more than 120 automobiles across three floors of the historic building. Its collection helps tell the story of how this small Indiana city became linked to some of America’s most admired automotive brands. The museum stands in a striking Art Deco building, so the history feels connected to the place where it happened. People return not just for the well-known classic cars, but for the depth of the collection, rotating exhibits, public tours, and museum programs that make each visit feel a little different. One trip may draw attention to design, another to engineering, and another to Auburn’s role in automotive history. For car enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and curious travelers alike, the museum offers more than a look at polished vehicles, it offers a clear, memorable view of the craftsmanship, ambition, and hometown history that define Auburn’s legacy. Stop by today and journey into the automotive past with their exciting and engaging exhibits!

How One Museum Keeps the Past Alive

Indiana Summers Start at

Bixler

Lake

A historic lake park blending beaches, trails, wildlife, and recreation in the heart of Kendallville.

Bixler Lake is more than a pretty stretch of water on Kendallville’s east side; it is one of the city’s oldest gathering places. City information notes the lake was already known as the town’s “swimmin’ hole” by 1854, and in 1866 the Flying Dutchman steamboat carried visitors across it to the east shore.

Today, Bixler Lake Park surrounds the 117-acre lake within more than 530 acres of parkland, where a trail of more than three miles loops past wetlands, woodlands, observation platforms, and two beaches.

Fishing, boating, swiming, caming, playgrounds, and open-air pavilions keep the park active, while deer, fox, and waterfowl remind visitors that this is still a living natural space. That blend of history, recreation, and quiet beauty is exactly why Bixler Lake keeps drawing people back, season after season, year after year.

Where History

In Albion, the Old Jail Museum turns local history into something visitors can feel, not just read. Set one block west of the courthouse, the former Noble County jail was built in 1875-1876, cost $25,000, and served as a jail for 92 years before becoming a museum. Inside, the museum brings Noble County’s past into sharp focus, with stories of justice, crime, and the people who once lived behind its walls. That edge is exactly what makes the museum memorable. It is not a staged attraction; it is the real place where county justice once played out. Open Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend through the third weekend in September, it gives visitors a rare chance to step straight into Noble Cou ty’s rougher and stranger past.

Compassion in Action

Albion Sanctuary gives exotic animals safety, dignity, and lifelong care.

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in Albion offers something rarer than a zoo visit: a second chance. Established in 2000 as Professional Animal Retirement Center, Inc., the sanctuary gives lifelong refuge to displaced, captive-raised exotic animals and teaches visitors about responsible animal care and conservation. It does not buy, sell, breed, trade, or use animals for commercial purposes, a distinction that matters. In 2019, Black Pine became accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, confirming its status as a true sanctuary. Today, more than 80 residents live there, including former pets, endangered species, and animals rescued from neglect, illegal possession, or other unsafe situations. Guests can explore at their own pace while learning the stories behind the animals and the larger problems tied to the exotic pet trade. What lingers after a visit is not spectacle, but respect: for the animals, for the staff and volunteers, and for a mission built on refuge rather than display or easy entertainment alone.