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February 2019
A winter wonderland awaits
Hikes and nature programs encourage residents to enjoy the outdoors all winter long
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Food & Drink ....................... A2 Briefs .................................. A12 PHOTOS BY BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Naturalist Emma Altimus (right) leads a group of hikers on a guided hike at Lindenwood Nature Preserve Jan. 12.
“(During winter) people feel like they lose a connection with nature, so they like to get out as much as they can. The hike that we offer gives them an excuse to come out,” she said. The free hikes provide an opportunity to get some exercise, socialize and learn about See WINTER, Page 4
INSIDE: n How to experience
Calendar............................. A14
the Danish concept of “hygge” in Fort Wayne. Page 7
SAVINGS…
Volunteer Dane Nagy points out tracks left by a small animal, likely a mouse, during an educational hike at Eagle Marsh Jan. 12.
CONTRIBUTED
Taking the plunge for Special Olympics individuals and companies from across the region, including Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Steuben, LaGrange, Whitley, Wells and Adams Counties, to raise funds through pledges and donations for the chance to take a plunge into the freezing cold water and prove they are “Freezin’ for a Reason.”
Recreation ........................... A5 Community
A group takes the plunge at last year’s Polar Plunge at Metea Park. This year’s fundraiser will take place on Feb. 9.
Contributed Special Olympics Indiana and Special Olympics Allen County will host their annual Polar Plunge 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 at Metea County Park, 8401 Union Chapel Road, Fort Wayne. Registration for the fundraiser is open at polarplungeIN.org. The event invites
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by bridgett Hernandez Winter is in full swing in northeast Indiana, and the gray skies and freezing temperatures can make many people avoid the outdoors during this time of year. However, the region’s parks, trails and other natural spaces welcome visitors with winter programming throughout the coldest months. Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave., Fort Wayne, offers “Wintry Weather Hikes” two or three times a month on Saturday mornings. The 110-acre nature preserve features four hiking trails. On Jan. 12, naturalist Emma Altimus led a group of about 20 hikers.
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The event helps raise funds for state and local Special Olympics programs and generates awareness of the power of Special Olympics, which allows children and adults with intellectual disabilities to live active lives through socialization, exercise and friendly competition. See OLYMPICS, Page 9
Check out the savings and coupons in this month’s Penny Saver.
Food & Drink
A2 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Dawson’s Dogs, Cabin Fever among city’s newest coney restaurants By Lisa Esquivel Long llong@kpcmedia.com A familiar name in Fort Wayne coney history has returned. Brothers Clint and Chance Davis opened Dawson’s Dogs on Jan. 4 at 3213 St. Joe Center Road in Riviera Plaza. Their parents owned Dawson’s Famous Coney Dogs on Lima Road at Dupont Road for 10 years before they closed it five years ago. The Dawson name holds special meaning among Fort Wayne coney fans who fondly remember the root beer stand that stood at East Rudisill and South Anthony boulevards. Clint Davis said his parents bought the recipe from the Dawson family. “We got it back to the original flavor,” which he describes as full of spices and a bit smoky. They planned to donate the first day’s
receipts of about $881 to the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission as a way of giving back to the community. The first few days were cash-only sales as the Davises waited for credit card-processing equipment to arrive. Clint, a 2011 North Side High School graduate, and Chance, who graduated last year from Northrop, are working with their dad inside the hut in the parking lot. They have a drivethrough and walk-up window where hungry customers can order from the menu board that includes the Awesome Dog, made with coney sauce, barbecue pork and onions; and a Chicago dog made with a Vienna beef dog from Chicago with mustard, relish, onion, celery salt, sport peppers and pickle spear on a poppyseed bun. Come spring they’ll add picnic tables so
Cabin Fever Coneys, 930 Goshen Ave., plans to cater to nearby businesses.
customers can stay and eat and in summer they might add milkshakes to the menu, Clint Davis said. For now they’re open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, but they eventually want to catch the after-bar crowd, so they’ll reopen 1-3:30 a.m. They’ll add sliders and tacos then. Cabin Fever Coneys & Ice Cream Linda Neuhaus regularly stops at a fast-food restaurant on Goshen Avenue and one day she was parked as usual in a vacant lot across the road to eat her food when she noticed the property was for sale.
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PHOTOS BY LISA ESQUIVEL LONG
Cabin Fever Coneys, 930 Goshen Ave., has a very rustic feel, as well as ice cream.
She called her daughter to come look, and a joint venture resulted. Her daughter Kristy Campbell works at nearby Keystone Realty and knows the area well. The women live in the 46808 ZIP code. “She was looking at all the traffic going by,” Campbell said of her mom. Neuhaus asked Campbell what she thought of a coney place there. “I said, ‘OK. Then she points to her and me,” Campbell said. The property was owned by Tim Allen of Big-Eyed Fish, and Neuhaus had worked with his business partner for several years. With the nearby Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and the proximity to downtown, Campbell got on board and they opened Dec. 3. Their Cabin Fever Coneys are served from a little cabin created by C3 Construction Services to give it a “fun, family-oriented” feel, Campbell said. Knot Just Decks created a wagon-wheel fence. In addition to their coneys, the menu includes a coney casserole with chili baked with cheddar cheese and crunch corn chips, which can serve two. Their chili has been a hit, Campbell said. They also have pulled pork and sloppy joe sandwiches. Then, there’s dessert. “What goes better with coneys than ice cream,” Campbell thought as her mother was creating the menu. In response to requests, they’re now operating later hours for the winter: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday. In the summer they’d like to put up a pergola or a deck with picnic tables. Covington Coneys The building next to the parking lot where Covington Coneys was has been demolished, but the trailer has safely
Covington Coneys trailer has been moved from Jefferson Boulevard to Main Street.
Clint Davis serves a customer Jan. 5 at the newly opened Dawson’s Dogs, 3213 St. Joe Center Road, in Riviera Plaza in Fort Wayne. The name comes from the family that had a root beer stand on the south side of town.
The drive-through at Dawson’s Dogs, 3213 St. Joe Center Road, in Riviera Plaza, has a special smiling face.
relocated to West Main and Mechanic streets. The business had been for sale for some time. The property it’s now on has been cleared of
trees and is owned by Mark Nei of the nearby Redwood Inn. What will become of Covington Coneys isn’t clear yet.
INfortwayne.com • A3
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Restaurateur leaves behind legacy of hospitality bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
Family and friends celebrated the life of local restaurateur Nikolaos “Nikos” George Hatzigeorgiou Jan. 12 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. The owner of Friends, Too, 3720 W. Jefferson Blvd., died Jan. 1 at home in Krioneri, Greece. Hatzigeorgiou, 64, had previously been diagnosed with cancer and ALS. His death comes less than two years after the death of his wife, Ana. The couple leaves behind a legacy of hospitality. Hatzigeorgiou immigrated to America in 1981. He originally came to visit his brother, who arrived in the area as a student, according to his brother-in-law Gregory Raptis. He decided to stay after he met Raptis’ sister Ana at a gathering of young Greek Americans. “They fell in love immediately,” Raptis said. The couple had a daughter, Marianthi Hatzigeorgiou and a son, George “Yorgo” Hatzigeorgiou. Before opening their
original Friends restaurant on Dupont Road, Hatzigeorgiou ran a homebuilding business. After the recession, the market took a downturn, and he and Ana decided to go into the restaurant business. The couple was wellknown for their hospitality. Raptis said both Nikos and Ana had a passion for sharing the Greek concept of “philoxenia.” The closest translation in English is “hospitality,” he said, but it goes beyond that; it’s about expressing love, kindness and generosity to strangers. “My parents never referred to our patrons and customers as that. It was just ‘our friends,’” daughter Marianthi said. She and her brother have been touched by the outpouring of support and stories on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “We obviously feel that he greatly impacted our lives, and it’s just been a very touching and humbling testament to who he was to read about how he was able to impact others as well,” she said. Dan Guse, president of the Time Corners Kiwanis
“
My dad was the kind of person who always wanted to make people feel comfortable and welcome, and it sounds like he did just that from the stories that have been pouring in.” —Marianthi Hatzigeorgiou
CONTRIBUTED
Nikolaos “Nikos” George Hatzigeorgiou, who owned Friends, Too restaurant, died Jan. 1, leaving behind a legacy of hospitality.
Club, remembers the warm welcome Hatzigeorgiou would extend to the club, which meets there on Tuesday mornings. “They’re good people,
and they care about their customers,” he said. Hatzigeorgiou’s family members recalled his connection to customers, bringing smiles to their
Chick-fil-A Coliseum opens Savings Staff reports The operator of Fort Wayne’s third Chick-fil-A restaurant planned to open the Coliseum Boulevard restaurant Jan. 17, with a year of free Chick-fil-A meals to the first 100 adults through the doors. The First 100 Campout party was planned to start 6 a.m. Jan. 16 ahead of the opening. Operator Jeff Hoffman is opening the chain’s second Fort Wayne stand-alone restaurant a mile from the home he and his family have lived in for 35 years. Hoffman opened Fort Wayne’s Jefferson Pointe location in 2002, at the time the northern-most freestanding restaurant for the Atlanta-based chain. The Hoffmans’ son, Andrew, and daughter, Liz, each met their future spouses while working in their father’s restaurant. Hoffman’s new 4,000-square-foot restaurant at 182 Coliseum Blvd. W. has a dining room that seats 112 with a vintage-inspired interior, including a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood, light fixtures from recycled Coca-Cola bottles and peach baskets, and an interactive two-story, indoor play area. The two-lane drivethru merges into a single pickup point that can handle upward of 200 cars an hour. Kayley Jones’ Glenbrook Square Chick-fil-A, the franchise’s first Fort Wayne location in 1991, will remain open.
faces and asking after grandchildren. “My dad was the kind of person who always wanted to make people feel comfortable and welcome, and it sounds like he did just that from the stories that have been pouring in,” Marianthi said. She and her brother want to honor their parents’ legacy by continuing to live by those values. “My parents raised both of us to live our lives truthfully and honestly with respect to family and everyone we meet,” she said. They’re thankful for the emphasis their parents placed on education. Hatzigeorgiou’s son, George “Yorgo,”
recently graduated from law school, and daughter, Marianthi, earned her master’s degree from the University of Michigan. Both grown children have careers in the Washington, D.C., area. “It’s very humbling to think of the fact that our father came to the United States in the 1980s and met my mom and created this beautiful community for us through the people that he was able to meet and the lives that he impacted,” Marianthi said. They plan to keep the restaurant in the family, Raptis said. A service for Hatzigeorgiou was held in Krioneri, Greece, and he was laid to rest with his wife, Ana, in their family’s plot.
and
By Bridgett Hernandez
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A4 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
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Savings and
Hikers watch birds during a guided hike at Lindenwood Nature Preserve.
WINTER
260-426-2640
It’s just invigorating. It gets you out and moving in the winter.”
Page 1 the nature preserve. During the snowy hike, Altimus pointed out the preserve’s various flora and fauna. Throughout the winter, visitors can spot nuthatches, cardinals, bluebirds, blue jays and woodpeckers. “For birders, winter can be a great time because all of the greenery is gone,” she said. “You can really see far away and distinguish those colors. A cardinal can be easily spotted in the winter time because that’s the only color that you’re going to see because everything is brown and the snow is white.” Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve, 6802 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, also offers opportunities for visitors to catch a glimpse of wildlife. On Jan. 12, the nature preserve hosted a “Tracks and Scat” hike. Participants learned how to recognize the tracks and scat made by different animals at Eagle Marsh, then set out to spot and identify the tracks and
—Jan Gibson
scat seen. During winter, many of the marsh’s reptile and amphibian inhabitants hibernate. However, many mammals remain active during the colder months. Dane Nagy, the volunteer who led the educational hike, said animals like coyotes and opossums are more active during winter because food is scarce. “There’s less going on in winter, but there’s definitely a lot of life. Everything has to eat. When things don’t hibernate, they have to find food somehow. They are active. Their survival is on the line, so there is a lot happening; it just tends to be harder to see,” he said. At the beginning of the hike, participants used trays of sand to study their own tracks to help them understand how
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PHOTOS BY BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Volunteer Dane Nagy leads a hike at Eagle Marsh Jan. 12.
Hikers participate in a winter hike at Lindenwood Nature Preserve Jan. 12. The preserve hosts two or three guided hikes each month.
animals move through mud or snow. During the hike, Nagy called attention to tracks in the snow left by small animals. In addition to Lindenwood and Eagle Marsh nature preserves, Fox Island County Park, 7324 Yohne Road, Fort Wayne, and Franke Park, 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, are great places to take a winter hike, Nagy said. Jan Gibson, who volunteers with the Little River Wetlands Project, attended both programs at Lindenwood Nature Preserve and Eagle Marsh on Jan. 12. She said she enjoys hiking year round, but there’s something special
about hiking in the cold weather. “I like the quiet,” she said. “I like being able to see the tracks in the snow. It’s just invigorating. It gets you out and moving in the winter.” Gibson’s advice for enjoying the outdoors in winter is to start young. “Get kids out when they’re young because they love the snow,” she said. Little River Wetlands Project hosts special programming for young children called “Short Hikes for Short Legs.” Each educational hike covers a different topic. On Feb. 13, children will learn about salamanders.
Betsy Yankowiak, director of preserves and programs for Little River Wetlands Project, encourages winter hikers to dress appropriately before hitting the trails. “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, so just being prepared before you go out is important,” she said. That means wearing layers, a hat, gloves, two pairs of socks and shoes or boots that will keep feet warm and dry. Hikers should also use caution when walking on snow that could be covering ice as well as wooden surfaces like footbridges that can get slick when icy or wet.
UPCOMING WINTER HIKES Feb. 9: A Wintry Weather Hike, hosted by Lindenwood Nature Preserve, will take place 11 a.m. to noon. Meet at the parking lot. Hikes are free and open to all ages. No pre-registration necessary. Feb. 13: Short Hikes for Short Legs: Salamanders, hosted by Little River Wetlands Project, will take place 9-10 a.m. at Eagle Marsh. Program starts in the barn, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne. The program is geared toward children ages 3-5 to enjoy with a responsible adult.
Weekly hikes: Little River Ramblers meet 9-11 a.m. each Tuesday to explore a different part of Little River Wetlands Project areas. In February, the Ramblers will explore Arrowhead Prairie, 8624 Aboite Road, Roanoke. Hikers are encouraged to wear boots and to dress appropriately for the weather. To learn about hikes and other events taking place on World Wetlands Day, Feb. 2, check out the story on page A5.
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Recreation
INfortwayne.com • A5
Allen County to observe World Wetlands Day Staff reports World Wetlands Day is Saturday, Feb. 2, and partners across Allen County will host events for the public to learn more about why wetlands are important and where they are located in the community. • “Share the trails” hike, presented by ACRES Land Trust, will take place 10 a.m. at the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve, 1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown. For more information, contact Lettie Haver at lhaver@ acreslandtrust.org. • “Wetlands at Work” hike, presented by the City of Fort Wayne, will take place at noon at Camp Scott, 3615 Oxford Street, Fort Wayne. For more information, contact Susan Beck at (260) 427-6213 or susan. beck@cityoffortwayne.org. • Wetland Seed Propagation Class, presented by Little River Wetlands Project and INPAWS, will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Little River Wetlands
DAVID TREMAINE/PROVIDED BY LITTLE RIVER WETLANDS PROJECT
ACRES Land Trust will host a hike at the Robert C. and Rosella C. Johnson Nature Preserve in celebration of World Wetlands Day Feb. 2.
There will be a Wetland Seed Propagation Class at the Little River Wetlands office for World Wetlands Day Feb. 2.
office, 5000 Smith Road, Fort Wayne. Space is limited. Email Betsy Yankowiak at b.yankowiak@lrwp. org to secure your spot or for more information. • Wetland Bird Sit,
7 p.m. at the Environmental Resources Center, Purdue Fort Wayne, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne. To RSVP or learn more, email erc@pfw.edu. Participants who attend
PROVIDED BY ACRES LAND TRUST
presented by Allen County Parks, will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Vera Dulin Wildlife Observation Center, Fox Island County Park, 7324 Yohne Road, Fort Wayne. For more
information, contact Ron Zartman at rzartman@ allencountyparks.org. • Wetland Wildlife – More than Mosquitoes, presented by Dr. Bruce Kingsbury, takes place at
all five events will receive a special prize at the end of the evening. To learn more about World Wetlands Day, visit www.worldwetlandsday. org.
Church park a ‘well-kept secret’ By Louis Wyatt lwyatt@kpcmedia.com
The Huntertown Family Park and elementary school ballpark have become central hubs when it comes to community activity, and while both have enjoyed use through ball games, festivals and other organized events, another town park remains an unintentionally well-kept secret among community members. “We’re not trying to be in competition. My dream would be that eventually there would be a walkway between here and (Huntertown Family Park) so people can go back and forth, but there’s a little bit of a thing in the way called Highway 3,” Barb Limbach, minister of word and service at Resurrection Lutheran Church, said. The park at Resurrection, nestled between the church building, a parcel of farmland and part of what will eventually be the Copper Creek subdivision, isn’t easily noticeable from S.R. 3. And while it belongs to the church, the many activities the park offers are open to the entire community. “This is definitely a project of love and
volunteering,” Limbach said. “We would love for anyone in the community to use it.” Members of Resurrection began work on the park between 2010 and 2011, adding to the space through grants and gifts from community members. The project began just three years after Resurrection moved into its current home at 14318 Lima Road. “We had to start somewhere,” Limbach said. “The main thing was we got the trail around the edge and now we’re just building off of that.” In addition to a walking trail, the park has grown to include horseshoe pits, a kids’ play area with slides and tunnels, a certified butterfly garden, a Little Free Library and a swing set. The walking path around the park includes music and fitness stations along the way, which visitors can use for both “meditation and exercise,” Limbach said. One of the most unique additions to the park, however, came in 2015. Near the southeast corner of the property is one of only two outdoor labyrinths in the Fort Wayne area.
“In the early church, there were people who couldn’t make the pilgrimage to Rome, so they built these labyrinths that were reminiscent of that pilgrimage,” Limbach explained. Labyrinths are utilized across several religious denominations as a form of meditation and to “walk with God and find some peace,” Limbach said. The flat, circular, concrete structure is etched with a walking path that winds its way from the outside of the circle to the very center. While there is no right or wrong way to walk the labyrinth, there is only one way in and one way out. According to the church’s website, the center represents “sacred space and the presence of God.” “When you reach the center, stay a moment or two and focus on the journey you just made,” the instructions explain. “Leave when it seems appropriate. As you return to the entrance, prepare your mind to re-enter the world. You may wish to say a prayer of thanks as you take the last step.” While Limbach said See PARK, Page 8
LOUIS WYATT
Resurrection Lutheran Church’s park is home to one of just two outdoor labyrinths in the Fort Wayne area. Labyrinths have been used by many religions for centuries as a tool for meditation and prayer.
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Dupont Valley News • February 2019
80 years of tobogganing Staff reports LAKE JAMES — Pokagon State Park’s toboggan slide has been around for nearly 83 years, but it has only — only — been a public attraction for 80 years, and Pokagon and Steuben County Tourism Bureau folks are celebrating. A commemorative postcard has been issued by the Steuben County Tourism Bureau that’s available exclusively at Pokagon to those who ride the slide. Starting Friday and running through Jan 1, each toboggan will receive one postcard while supplies last. The postcards aren’t available otherwise. “Right now — and we’re waiting until you’re done riding so you don’t have to carry them while you ride — we’re only giving them when you rent a toboggan, when the toboggan gets returned, while supplies last,” said Tammy Sawvel, Pokagon office manager. The postcard shows the side in four different versions since it was first built, originally in 1935. The track was originally built to run along the contour of the hill where it currently rests, then curved to head to Lake James. It was built, like much of Pokagon, by the Civilian Conservation Corps Co. 556. “Originally the toboggan was just entertainment to the CCC guys,” Sawvel said. The track was opened as an attraction to the public in 1938 by park Superintendent Russell Sprague, the same Sprague for whom Sprague Addition on Snow Lake is named. It was in 1938 that the first tower was built. It was 20-feet high and made of wood. The current 30-foot steel tower was built in 1974. Over the years, the slide — the only one in Indiana and one of about three in the Midwest — has become a big attraction, helping make Pokagon one of
Indiana’s few year-round state parks. The toboggan season opens the day after Thanksgiving and it stays open until the end of February — or the first weekend of March, depending on how the calendar falls. Because the track is refrigerated, it can remain open on days when the mercury reaches into the 50s and 60s, depending on a variety of weather factors. In the early days, winter weather was a must. In fact, there’s lore that ice was cut from Lake James to be placed in the tracks prior to refrigeration. It has come a long way since those early days when it took a lot of labor to keep the track in running condition. “It is a big attraction to Steuben County in the winter. We have about 90,000 riders a year,” Sawvel said. Like many aspects of Pokagon, the toboggan slide is something of a tradition to many. Families will come in with custom toboggan t-shirts and plan reunions around the slide. Boy Scouts come to camp to earn their winter camping badges — and have fun on the slide. Another change that came last year is a sled notification system. Instead of waiting for a person to call out a number to let you know a sled is ready for rent during busy times, there’s a system set up where people can be notified of sled availability via cellphones. So on those busy days, visitors can visit the Inn restaurant or the Nature Center or go on a hike while they wait for their sled. Toboggan rental is $13 a toboggan per hour. One toboggan will hold up to four riders. There is a gate admission fee of $7 for in-state vehicles, $9 for out of state vehicles, or $2 a person on a bus or commercial van. For more information visit tobogganrun.com or call Pokagon at 833-2012.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
This commemorative postcard is being provided free to riders of the Pokagon State Park toboggan slide in recognition of the slide being open to the public for 80 years.
Toboggan slide facts and milestones Here are some facts about the Pokagon State Park toboggan slide 1935 — Toboggan slide built by the boys of the Civilian Conservation Corps as a camp amusement 1938 — Toboggan slide gets its 20-foot tower and opens to the public as an attraction 1941 — Second track is added 1971 — Slide becomes refrigerated 1974 — 30-foot steel tower added; camper store converted to warming hut 1984 — Tracks get rebuilt. Due to design issues, slide doesn’t reopen until 1986 1984 — Current warming center
constructed along with track reconstruction project Thanksgiving, 1986 — Slide reopens, to much fanfare 1998 — Boiler added to better control ice buildup on the tracks 5 cents — Original cost of one ride on the slide 25 cents — Cost of a ride in 1984 $13 an hour — Cost to rent a sled for unlimited riding 42 mph — Top speed recorded on track 90 feet — Vertical drop from top of tower to lowest point in ride Source: Pokagon State Park, staff reports, The Herald Republican archives
INfortwayne.com • A7
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Republican John Crawford files for mayoral race VISIT FORT WAYNE
Cozy up at DeBrand Fine Chocolates for a taste of hygge in Fort Wayne.
The spirit of hygge in Fort Wayne You may have heard of hygge, pronounced “hoo-ga,” around the winter season. But what is hygge? Hygge cannot be defined by one word, but it is rather the feeling you get when you’re comfy and cozy, and enjoying the simple things of life! This Danish and Norwegian word may just be the secret to living well and enjoying time with your most favorite people! Enjoy and spread all of the hygge spirit at these cozy Fort Wayne events and activities! Here are some ways to experience hygge in Fort Wayne: 1. Browse a local boutique The feelings of hygge can’t be bought, but items
like fuzzy socks, cozy sweaters, and soft hats and gloves can help you enjoy hygge more! Pick up some of the coziest items at Fort Wayne boutiques like The Find – they have the softest sweaters, socks and blankets. 2. Check out a local coffee house Coffee shops are the perfect location to experience hygge in Fort Wayne. Especially at places like Fortezza and Firefly whose décor and atmosphere make you feel like you’ve taken a seat at your best friend’s house.
3. Pull up a seat at HT2 Are you looking for a night out? You too can enjoy the spirit of hygge by pulling up a seat at HT2, which features commodious cocktails and a warm fireplace to warm your spirit! Discover three other hygge experiences you can enjoy in Fort Wayne at VisitFortWayne.com/ hygge. For more great content on things to do in Fort Wayne, visit the Fort Wayne Insider Blog at visitfortwayne.com/blog. Visit Fort Wayne also provides Current Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne’s Community Calendar. Fill your weekend with some of Fort Wayne’s current events at CurrentFortWayne.com.
Staff reports Fort Wayne Councilman At-Large John Crawford has officially filed his candidacy to run for Fort Wayne mayor in the Republican primary election Jan. 9. Crawford discussed his platform and answered questions during a news conference at Allen County Republican headquarters, 135 W. Main St Jan. 9. “We will have a positive message to tell people the ways we plan to make citizens’ lives better. We will spend our time giving citizens reasons to vote for us rather than tear down our opponents,” he said at the news conference. Crawford outlined his campaign’s platform, which includes fiscal conservatism, public health, crime reduction and economic development. He said if elected he would draft the first zerobased budget in more than 20 years and reevaluate all city expenditures and programs for their effectiveness and necessity. Crawford works as an oncologist. He moved to
Fort Wayne in 1976 to enter private practice, working with cancer patients utilizing radiation therapy. As a councilman, he spearheaded the city’s anti-smoking ordinance, which took effect in 2007. Crawford said his background Crawford makes him the most qualified candidate to address the opioid crisis. If elected, he would support adding more police officers and new, high-tech surveillance cameras in the city’s high-crime areas. He organized a special “Fifth Tuesday” City Council meeting Jan. 29 devoted to a discussion of crime prevention. On the economic development front, Crawford said he would focus on job creation with minimum taxation and regulation in order to create an environment for businesses to thrive. Citing his vote for Parkview Field, leadership on riverfront development and early
advocacy for the Electric Works project, Crawford said that these large projects have made way for more private investment. Crawford added that he won’t forget about neighborhood improvements such as sidewalks and alleys. In 2017, the City Council approved a local income tax increase for Allen County residents to fund neighborhood sidewalk and alley improvements and riverfront development. During the news conference, Crawford emphasized his desire to unite the local Republican party and run a positive campaign. “Republicans need to stay positive, avoiding negative attacks on each other so we will have the best chance to unify the party after the primary and retake the mayor’s office,” he said. “If I am fortunate enough to win the Republican primary, I will do everything possible to unite our party so we can win as a team.” Democrat Mayor Tom Henry announced in July his intention to seek a fourth four-year term.
Allen County representatives discuss legislative preview By Sharon Dunten news@kpcmedia.com
There are extra monies available at the 2019 General Assembly and several governmental agencies already have their hands out this year. The Indiana teachers want an increase in funding for better salaries; DCS wants more funding for more foster care and caseworkers as more children enter the system due to a parent’s opioid addiction; and Indiana faces ongoing, skyrocketing expense of the state’s opioid crisis. And the question is: who will receive the extra cash, either part of it, or all of it? The Indiana General Assembly starts with a two-year budget worth more than $32 billion but also has to juggle an additional predicted $825 million gathered from the taxpayers for the next two years. Three competing factions include the Department of Child Services, the Indiana Department of Education and the ongoing fight to curtail opioid use in the state by providing more rehabilitation facilities within an hour of an addict’s home. Many other governmental services might be left empty handed of any extra cash during the next two years. Furthermore, does the General Assembly need to take another look at Indiana’s bias crime (hate crime) bill to see if expanding its definition is necessary to secure Indiana’s future economic development? Or will lawmakers continue
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to advocate that additional lifestyle or “gender identity” hate crimes terminology is not necessary for justice against hate crimes for protected individuals and does not directly distract business from moving to Indiana? Speaking along Republican party lines of fiscal conservatism, freshman Senator Justin Busch (Fort Wayne) said the Indiana General Assembly will have a very tight budget this year. “The voters (in northeast Indiana) want a clean operation for the state to live within its means,” he said. Busch replaced District 16’s long-term Senator David Long who served the state senate for 22 years. Long retired in November 2018. The Republican caucus selected Busch, an Allen County Councilman, to complete Long’s remaining two-year term. Busch’s day job is as northeast Indiana director for U.S. Senator Todd Young. As a new arrival to the Indiana State Assembly, Busch said he is “open to listening from all sides in his district,” and has committed to “due diligence” as a new member representing the Greater Fort Wayne area of
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northeast Indiana. Education and teacher salaries The General Assembly’s biggest budget concern is for education, which is more than 50 percent of the state’s annual budget. Busch said he expects some education “budgeting leeway” from the Senate in 2019 when it comes to teacher salaries, but also said the increased insistence on more school safety funds has been taken to the top of the to-do list after two Indiana communities faced school shootings in 2018: one in Noblesville on May 25, and one in Richmond on Dec. 13. Even so, the state’s largest teachers’ union, the Indiana Teachers Association (ISTA) calls for lawmakers to quickly improve teacher salaries for the two-year budget. In September 2018, the association fielded their own poll with 600 registered voters with an over sample (high rate or frequency) of Hoosier parents. According to the polling data, 86 percent of voters support increased public-school funding when it comes with a requirement to spend more of it in the classroom, and 72 percent believe educators
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are underpaid. On the ISTA’s website, President Teresa Meredith states that teacher salaries are last within states surrounding Indiana (Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) and experienced teachers are leaving the state for better opportunities. “We need to pay competitive wages to attract and retain high quality teachers,” Meredith stated in an ISTA press release. Data from a 2015 report from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education backs up Meredith’s assertion about the need to keep teachers in Indiana. In the report, it revealed that enrollment in teaching programs and those graduating with teaching degrees in Indiana declined 37 percent from 2004 through 2014. State Representative Bob Morris for northeast Indiana’s District 84, and Fort Wayne business owner of Healthkicks Nutritional Centers, said he expects “more” for teachers this year in regard to their salaries, but also said Hoosier parents need to be reminded and maybe more clearly informed on how educational
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funds are dispersed. “The local school board corporations are in charge of the teacher salary raises,” Morris said. “Find out who is on your school (corporation) board.” Indiana does not have uniform teacher pay guidelines; therefore, each local school corporation creates its own pay scale along with union negotiations. Neighboring northeast Indiana State Representative Matt Lehman, Berne, said one of the biggest misunderstandings the public often has is that the legislature does not actually set teachers’ pay. “We don’t say, ‘Here’s what teachers get paid,’” Lehman said at a New Haven Chamber of Commerce meeting in December. “We simply provide the funds and say, ‘This is what the standards are. Here, school (corporation), you decide where to spend the money.’” But the memories of last year’s General Assembly still might linger in the minds of many Indiana educators and teacher-unions. Faced with a bill that would have allowed 10 percent of teachers in
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Indiana to be unlicensed and a miscalculation of Indiana student populations for the next two years, teachers from all over the state protested on the steps of the State House. The bill was eventually revised, but teachers might be watching for red flags in this year’s session. Child services With the resignation of Indiana Department of Child Services Director Mary Beth Bonaventura last month, and her scathing letter to Gov. Holcomb on the condition of DCS, lawmakers face the opioid crisis head on into the General Assembly. Bonaventure stated in her resignation letter that DCS children are at-risk without the agency having the ability to help them. “If children can’t be safe, nothing else matters,” she wrote. According to DCS, drug-related foster cases in Indiana have increased five times the rate between 2000 to 2015. “I feel unable to protect children because of the position of your staff to cut funding and services to children in the midst of the See PREVIEW, Page 10
A8 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Planning underway for next phases of riverfront development
Public provides input for project’s future
LEARN MORE Check out the Riverfront Educational Series to learn more about the future of riverfront development. The first of the three-part series takes place 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 11 at Hop River Brewing Company, 1515 N. Harrison St., Fort Wayne. The program is titled “Our Muddy Rivers: Water Quality, Cleanups and More.” All ages are welcome to this free event. For more information, visit riverfrontfw.org.
By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
The city of Fort Wayne is embarking on the next phase of planning for riverfront development, and residents were formally invited to come along for the ride at a public input meeting Jan. 10. Phase 1 construction of Promenade Park is underway on the south and north banks of the St. Marys River between Harrison Street and the Historic Wells Street Bridge. Costing nearly $20 million, money comes from $10 million in Legacy funds — the $75 million received by the city from the Light Lease Settlement and Fort Wayne Community Trust funds — along with $5.2 million from the Regional Cities initiatives that’s designed to create quality-of-life projects to retain skilled workers, and the rest from private donations. In Mayor Tom Henry’s opening remarks at the public input meeting, he announced that Promenade Park will celebrate its completion June 21. Now, the city is preparing for the next phases of
BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Fort Wayne residents use push pins to mark on a map where they live, work, go to school and hang out.
riverfront development, a project that is expected to stretch along the St. Marys River from the Van Buren Street Bridge to the confluence of the three rivers. Henry emphasized the importance of continuing momentum for the longterm project. “It’s going to take a few years, and it’s going to take a lot of money — we realize that — but if in fact we are truly going to be the beacon of northeast Indiana, then we have to invest in that. We have no other choice because everyone else is looking to us to be in that leadership
position,” he said. The city has contracted with David Rubin Land Collective, the Philadelphia-based landscape architecture and urban design firm, to draft a master plan in the next 12 months. The firm’s work won’t focus on the hydrology aspects of the project. Instead, his team of engineers, architects, planners and economists will spend the next year working on a comprehensive riverfront neighborhood master plan, analysis and recommendations for infrastructure to serve new private development and manage the
floodway, and schematic designs and construction documents for further public improvements along the rivers’ edges. The firm’s principal, David Rubin, addressed a packed house at the public input meeting in the Grand Wayne Center’s Anthony Wayne Ballroom. “Our goal will be to marry the extraordinary assets of public investment that has been made and invite private investment to become partners in that,” he said, emphasizing the importance of drafting a plan that is “responsible to the economics of Fort
Wayne.” Rubin noted several of these assets in his presentation, including the quality of the city’s parks system, the diversity of the community, the low cost of living and the city’s history. He said a successful plan will build upon these assets and create a space that attracts more people and businesses downtown. “We want to build upon the success of existing retail corridors to create robust, resilient economic activity in the riverfront district and to celebrate what is uniquely Fort Wayne — its history, geography, ecology and culture. We are not striving to erase the DNA; we’re building up on the DNA of Fort Wayne — the thing that makes it unique: all of you,” he said. Rubin said public input is key to a successful plan. After his presentation, he invited attendees to provide feedback on what they would like to see the
master plan include at five interactive stations around the room. At one station, participants used push pins to mark on a map where they live, work, go to school and hang out. At another station, participants were asked to write love letters and breakup letters to their hometown. The love letters showed appreciation for the city’s parks, trails, affordability, diversity, sports teams, and arts and culture. Breakup letters called attention to trash and litter, eyesores around the community, lack of public restrooms, public safety, the need for a grocery store downtown, and the need to make the rivers safer for kayaks and canoes. Rubin said he plans to host three additional public input forums in the near future. To watch a video of his entire presentation, visit http://bit.ly/2CqZ9BP. Lisa Esquivel Long contributed to this article.
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Page 5 community members often visit the labyrinth on their own time, the church also uses it during a six-week bible study as a representation of Jesus’ walk to Jerusalem, death and resurrection. The church also hosts a service on the labyrinth during its annual Worship in the Park. “We’ve done a couple night walks. The youth love it. We have some people who are members of our church because of it. They were looking for a place to walk a labyrinth and they found this one and now they’re members. That was something we never expected,” Limbach said. Last spring, church members planted a crop of willow trees along the path leading to the labyrinth’s entrance. Once the trees are tall enough to meet in the middle, they will be tied together at the top to create an archway. Resurrection’s labyrinth is included in the WorldWide Labyrinth Locator at labyrinthlocator.com, and residents in the Fort Wayne area have also found themselves at the church’s park through geocaching, an outdoor activity in which participants use a mobile device to locate
LOUIS WYATT
Barb Limbach, minister of word and service at Resurrection Lutheran Church, demonstrates how to use one of the church park’s music stations.
hidden containers called “geocaches” at specific locations marked on a map. Resurrection happens to be one of the coordinates included in the application. The Resurrection park has been made possible through the dedication of many volunteers over the years. Recently, the church hosted an outdoor workday where 15-20 volunteers lent a hand working around the property, including the park. “We have a lot of very dedicated people here,” Pastor William Smith said. “We like to give the opportunity to people to take ideas and run with them.” Despite adding countless amenities to the park over the years, Limbach said the church’s list of future ideas is always expanding. She hopes to one day
see an amphitheater, sand volleyball court and pavilion added to the list of attractions. “I have also been in contact with (Fort Wayne Trails) about getting connected to the trail system. They took pictures and they’re very interested, so we’re on their radar,” Limbach added. In addition to several memorial trees, the park is home to a community garden. Though it has seen little use recently, Limbach said members of Huntertown’s Burmese community have expressed an interest in revitalizing the space. The park has no set hours for use, but there are no lights on the property, so Limbach suggested people visit between sunup and sundown.
INfortwayne.com • A9
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Electric Works aglow with increase in tenants By Lisa Esquivel Long llong@kpcmedia.com
The developers of Electric Works recently announced three new tenants, including Fort Wayne-based Three Rivers Music Theatre. “We had the final vote (on funding) with the Capital Improvement Board (in November), and since then we’ve seen an increase in the level of interest in the project,” said Jeff Kingsbury, managing principal of Indianapolis-based Greenstreet Ltd., part of the partnership redeveloping the former General Electric complex on Broadway. “...We were expecting this.” Electric Works is a $250 million public-private partnership to redevelop the west side of the former General Electric complex at 1030 Swinney Ave. off Broadway to create more than 1.2 million square feet of space for office, educational, innovation, retail, residential and entertainment uses. Plans call for apartments and retail space that will include a public market/ food hall and innovation space. Fort Wayne Metals announced Jan. 9 that it had signed a letter of intent to lease space at Electric Works for
materials research and development on the project’s West Campus. On Jan. 14, the organization behind the Fort Wayne Adventure Games — Sport Wayne Inc. — said it will build a yearround Kingsbury state-ofthe-art climbing gym and adventure park at Electric Works. Eventually redeveloping both sides of the Broadway complex will cost $440 million. Currently, the focus is on removing lead-based paint and asbestos from the buildings. Kingsbury, a Fort Wayne native who grew up on the southeast side of Fort Wayne in Village Woods, said the public-private partnership was necessary to get the project going because neither side could do it all on their own. Who’s in so far Three Rivers Music Theatre focuses on developing locally cast musical theater performance and education. It will use its Electric Works space for
CONTRIBUTED
A rendering depicts the redeveloped West Campus of Electric Works at dusk.
rehearsal, performance, and education – including its Triple Threat Performance Arts Academy, which provides arts education programs to hundreds of students annually. Sport Wayne’s Rush Rock Gym will include about 30,000 square feet of climbing space, with an Olympic-sized speed climbing wall, an adventure zone for youth, and dedicated space for bouldering, parkour (moving quickly through an area), rappelling and zip lines. Fort Wayne Metals
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Page 1 Currently there are more than 16,000 athletes that participate in at least one sport through Special Olympics in the state. Past Fort Wayne Plunges have had more than 100 Plungers and have raised more than $10,000. However, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Indiana, the bar has been raised significantly. Statewide, the goal is to raise at least one million dollars between all 19 plunges combined. The Fort Wayne Plunge alone is targeting a goal of raising $27,000. To participate, plungers must register online at polarplungeIN.org, raise a minimum of $75 in pledges, and show up at Metea County Park, where they’ll take a quick dip in the lake water. Following the Plunge, participants and spectators are invited to join the free After Splash Bash in the Metea Park Nature Center to socialize and enjoy food and beverages. Lunch is free to plungers and $5 for non-plungers, with proceeds going to Special Olympics Indiana. New this year, the Northern Indiana Beer
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Special Olympics Indiana and Special Olympics Allen County will host the Polar Plunge Feb. 9 at Metea Park. The event’s organizers hope to raise $27,000 through the fundraiser.
Trail will be on hand with representation from a handful of participating breweries. They’ll be hosting a beer garden and making a significant donation to Special Olymipcs Indiana and some of the brewers will be taking the plunge themselves. To help reach their goal, the Fort Wayne Plunge committee is reaching out to local companies for individual $500-$1,000 sponsorship donations. All donors of $500 and above will be recognized with multiple logo placements and mentions leading up to and throughout the event. Special Olympics is encouraging as many
businesses and schools as possible to get involved by putting together teams of Polar Plungers or by nominating one lucky person to serve as their Plunge representative and helping them raise funds. Prizes are awarded for fundraising levels met and door prizes will be drawn at the After Splash Bash. For more information, contact event chair Jake Pickett at (260) 402-9633 or jake.s.pickett@gmail. com or visit polarplungeIN.org. Special Olympics is also seeking door prize donations, silent auction item donations, in-kind sponsors and event volunteers.
Research Products Corp., 9609 Ardmore Ave., makes high-quality materials, precision wire, strands and cables, and component assemblies for medical devices and other applications. “As we continue to be innovative leaders of life-saving, high-quality material solutions, we are experiencing a global increase in demand,” said Scott Glaze, president and CEO of Fort Wayne Metals, in a statement. “Our investment in facilities, research and
talent will help build the infrastructure necessary to meet this demand, and we are excited to be able to establish a presence at Electric Works and take advantage of the unique resources and opportunities it offers our team.” Parkview Health will move in as the anchor tenant, bringing with it a health clinic. Medical Informatics Engineering announced in November that it plans to put some of its future northeast Indiana operations there.
Indiana Tech has also signed a letter of intent to have a presence there. It planned to have a meeting this month to talk more about its footprint on the site, said Brian Engelhart, spokesman. Indiana Tech wants to create an out-ofthe-classroom experience in the innovation space and have students work with firms on the site, he said. Fort Wayne Community Schools has also announced that it plans to have a presence at the complex.
A10 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Rotary celebrates Mardi Gras with Big Easy Feast Staff reports The Rotary Club of Fort Wayne invites the community to celebrate Mardi Gras with food and support a community project by attending the Rotary Big Easy Feast March 5 at Parkview Field Lincoln Financial Event Center, 1301 Ewing St. Ticket sales support the club’s signature project, the water jet fountains at Fort Wayne’s riverfront. Attendees will have a selection of Mardi Gras cuisine from chicken and andouille gumbo to chipotle creole roasted potato hash to Grand
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Page 7 opioid crisis,” Bonaventura wrote to the governor. Indiana DCS’s statistics state that Allen County has more than 1,040 children in foster care, the third highest in the state. The numbers go up to more than 1,380 children in northeast Indiana if the counties of Whitley, DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben are included. “The position taken by your staff to cut funding and services to children in the midst of the opioid crisis” was the main reason she decided to resigned, Bonaventura said. Her unexpected resignation follows an intensive assessment of the Indiana DCS ordered by Gov. Holcomb by The Child Welfare Policy & Practice Group in early 2018, and its recommendations came out in June. The private Alabama-based non-profit organization assists child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems to create, design and manage organizational change for better practices for children and family services. The governor-ordered
Rotary members and their guests will celebrate Mardi Gras on March 5 to raise money for the riverfront fountain project.
Marnier crème brûlée. Guests will also enjoy beignets, vegetarian jambalaya and seafood chowder as well as music. The fundraiser on March 5 offers lunch and dinner options. The lunch-time event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dinner event takes place 4-8 p.m. A cash bar will be available throughout the event. Tickets are $30. To order tickets, contact a member of the Rotary Club of Fort Wayne or visit www. fortwaynerotarybigeasy. eventbrite.com. Walk-ins are welcome, but tickets are preferred.
policy group reported that DCS staff felt their salaries were not commensurate with high-level stress, expectation of overtime and unpredictable on-call work. Caseworkers only receive 38 cents per mile for fuel reimbursement, while the national overage is 54.5 cents per mile in 2018. DCS staff also face a $5,000 medical deductible for their medical insurance coverage. In a recent separate report, DCS described the need to hire 180 new caseworkers in order to meet a case minimum set in state law. DCS did give raises to 3,600 staff members (87 percent) in the fall of 2018 as an effort to retain the DCS case workforce. DCS caseworkers earn between $33,000 to $35,000 a year. DCS supervisors receive between $37,000 to $64,000 a year. Allen County Superior Court Judge Charles Pratt for Family Relations Division said in an Associated Press report, “There are extraordinary challenges we are facing as a community.” He serves as co-chair of Cross Systems Youth Task Force for Indiana Commission and has initiated court practices reform for child
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abuse and neglect. Judge Pratt oversees what is called, “CHINS,” or child-in-need-of-services cases, which aids the state in placing a child in foster care. In a written statement to lawmakers in 2016, he wrote that biological parents who often have their children removed from their homes suffer from drug addiction, mental illness or other impairments that trigger unstable homes and threatening behavior that might directly affect their children. Rep. Morris said the opioid crisis “trickles down into the family” as the addict starts to bring problems home. Opioid crisis It’s a plague that has spread throughout the Great Lakes states: the opioid crisis. Its lifeline is the well-known, well-traveled I-69 interstate where Indiana drug addicts get their life-threatening fix from Mexico. The State Department of Health reports that more than 1,500 Hoosiers died due to a drug overdose in 2016, with 785 of those deaths attributable to opioid abuse. Fort Wayne is seeing an
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uptick of meth that is very fine grade, Rep. Morris said, “and we are trying to help as much as possible.” Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne have also taken a proactive course locally, Sen. Busch said. “(Northeast Indiana) is taking a multi-prong approach to opioids … with a part in that ... with the half million dollar Fort Wayne pilot program,” he said. Under the 2018 Indiana Senate Bill 510, the fouryear pilot program in Allen County was implemented for non-violent drug felons in lieu of prison. Indiana provided $1.5 million toward the program that was matched with local funds. The pilot’s goal was to eventually measure recidivism rates of offenders and the cost savings compared to incarceration. Busch said the pilot program helps people feel like they are part of society again. Sen. Busch said he would like to see a large acreage facility developed for individuals addicted to opioids. “I would like to see a 100 percent self-sufficient place that would
maybe even grow their own foods,” he said. “Or something like the Betty Ford Clinic.” The clinic, located in Rancho Mirage, Calfornia, is a 20-acre campus where addictions are recognized as chronic disease and recovery is a new way of living. “The problem is sometimes the addicts do not want to get help,” Rep. Busch said. Rep. Morris said it is important to follow the money and the drugs coming into Indiana as a way to counter the drug trade. “It is no secret that the drugs are coming through the border,” he said. “We need security not only at the southern border but on all borders including both coasts.” Hate crimes Indiana Forward, which includes more than 90 major state employers, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and faith-based and trade organizations, is seeking a “clear, specific and inclusive hate crime bill that allows judges to enhance sentences when a crime is motivated by bias toward a victim’s characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex,
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disability, gender identity and sexual orientation.” Indiana is one of five states in the country without bias-motivated or hate crime law on the books. Other states include Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina and Wyoming. “This is a unifying moment for Indiana’s corporate, nonprofit, advocacy and faith communities around an issue that is foundational to our reputation and prosperity,” Ann Murtlow, president of and CEO of United Way of Central Indiana, said in the Times of Northwest Indiana. Indiana has failed to pass legislation to garner majority support at the Statehouse. In 2015, after the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) was passed with the help of then Gov. Mike Pence, national organizations across the country and many Indiana business and tourism leaders led the charge to ask lawmakers to repair the legislation to eliminate any chance the law would undo local ordinances guaranteeing LGBT protections. RFRA rallied people from both sides. Indiana business leaders including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Eli Lilly and Co. CEO John Lechleiter, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Angie’s List Co-founder and CEO Bill Oesterle spoke out against RFRA and Pence’s decision to support it and collectively said RFRA would hurt the state to retain and recruit top talent in Indiana. “I have never heard personally from any business (in northeast Indiana),” that was deterred from considering Fort Wayne as a place to bring a business because of the lack of passage of a controversial bias (hate crime) bill, Sen. Busch said. Rep. Morris said he has not received any contact from constituents about a change in the existing laws on the books and doesn’t see any businesses that are affected nor lack of interest in Fort Wayne as a place to build a business or relocate to northeast Indiana. “We welcome everyone to Indiana,” he said.
INfortwayne.com • A11
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Local officials participate Lochmueller named principal of new school in inauguration ceremony By Louis Wyatt lwyatt@kpcmedia.com
HUNTERTOWN — The Northwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees welcomed district Assistant Director of Special Education Kim Lochmueller back to a familiar role at its meeting Jan. 14. Lochmueller, who served as principal of Cedar Canyon Elementary School for eight years, will take over as principal of the district’s new elementary school when it opens for the 2020-21 school year. “After some time, I think I realized my heart was really calling me back to working alongside kids,” Lochmueller said. “There’s a lot of beauty to working on behalf of kids and teachers, but my calling is definitely back in the building.” Lochmueller stepped down as Cedar Canyon’s principal in July of last year to transition to her current position. Now in her 22nd year at NACS, she is excited to return to doing what she loves most. “I’ve had the opportunity to work in a lot of different buildings, either as
a teacher or a coordinator, so I’m excited to see how all those buildings will marry together,” she said. “This position will affect probably five buildings directly and two buildings indirectly, so I’m excited to work with a new group of teachers and make new traditions.” This won’t Lochmueller be the first time Lochmueller has worked in a brand-new NACS building. After her first year teaching at Huntertown Elementary School, she moved to Hickory Center the first year it opened. “That’s really exciting to see the whole progression,” she said. “It was fun being out at the groundbreaking and now I’m looking forward to seeing the doors open. When you build a building, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, so I anticipate some challenges, but for the most part just a
lot of exciting, new adventures and getting to meet a lot of new teachers and kids.” Lochmueller will continue in her current role in the district in the meantime. “We’re happy to be able to do this,” NACS Superintendent Chris Himsel said during Monday’s meeting. “She has proven that she is a highly effective principal, and I definitely understand her dilemma with wanting to be with kids, hearing that calling to serve our children.”
IN OTHER NEWS
The school board held its reorganizational meeting Jan. 14, approving the re-election of Kent Somers as board president and Liz Hathaway as vice president. Hathaway nominated board member Kristi Schlatter for 2019 secretary of the board. Schlatter was appointed unanimously by board members. The board approved the purchase of a 78-passenger school bus for a total of $106,259. The new bus will replace a vehicle that was lost to a fire last year.
By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
Raising their right hands, a number of local officials took the oath of office at an inauguration ceremony Dec. 31 in the Allen County Courthouse rotunda. David Long of Fort Wayne, who recently retired as Indiana Senate president pro-tempore, delivered remarks at the ceremony. “This day represents both the changing of the guard and the start of a new era as well. Some truly iconic leaders are stepping down today,” he said. Long remarked on newly elected officials who were being sworn in for the first time, including Commissioner Richard E. Beck Jr., who succeeded Linda Bloom after she did not seek re-election in 2018. “He’s a great guy. I don’t think anybody is better trained for this position than Rich. We couldn’t have picked a better person for the job, and I’m excited for him to take this position,” Long said. Bloom, who became the first woman elected to the commission in 1994
BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Allen County Council members take the oath of office Dec. 31.
and served six consecutive 4-year terms, did not attend the inauguration ceremony due to illness. Long acknowledged Bloom and other officials who were stepping down after decades of service, including retiring Allen Superior Court Judges John F. Surbeck Jr. and Stanley Levine. Surbeck administered oaths of office to Allen County Prosecutor Karen E. Richards; Circuit Court Clerk Christopher M. Nancarrow; County Auditor Nicholas D. Jordan; County Recorder Anita A. Mather; Sheriff David J. Gladieux; County Assessor Stacey J. O’Day; Commissioners Therese M. Brown and Beck; and County Council members Sharon L. Tucker, Thomas A. Harris, Joel M.
Benz, Larry L. Brown and Kyle Kerley. A number of township elected officials also participated in the ceremony. Surbeck also swore in appointed successors to the Allen Superior Court including his successor Judge David Zent; Judge Jennifer DeGroote, successor to Levine; and Zent’s successor, Magistrate John Bohdan. “What all these people being sworn in today or retiring from office have in common is they keep the wheels of local government running. They don’t make a lot of money, they certainly don’t get a lot of glory, but collectively, they make a meaningful and important impact on our lives every single day,” Long said.
Neighborhoods receive grants for projects
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry files for office, lays out goals
Staff reports Eleven neighborhood associations have been awarded grants to improve their communities. In 2018, the Community Development Division launched the Neighborhood Improvement Grant program, which is designed to support neighborhood projects that beautify public spaces and strengthen community involvement. “In order for our community to be vibrant, we must continue to invest in our neighborhoods and make them welcoming and attractive places,” Mayor Tom Henry said in a statement announcing the grant recipients. “This program allows our neighborhood leaders to find innovative and creative ways to improve their public spaces and bring residents together.” Grants up to $5,000 were available for registered Fort Wayne neighborhood associations or one of the City’s four area partnerships. The grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Neighborhoods with a majority of households at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income were eligible to apply. Accepted projects needed to provide a capital
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry officially filed to run for a fourth term Jan. 22. Afterward, he held a news conference at Allen County Democratic Party Headquarters, where he reviewed his track record as mayor and outlined his plans for the future. If re-elected, Henry said his administration will focus on public safety, neighborhood improvements, good stewardship of taxpayer money and a continuation of economic prosperity. In 2019, the city plans to hire 25 more police officers and 18 additional firefighters, according to Henry. He also plans to continue working with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health and partner agencies to fight the opioid epidemic through proactive rehabilitation and prevention programs. If re-elected, Henry pledged to commit nearly $30 million a year in neighborhood infrastructure improvement. Since he was first elected mayor, the city has invested nearly $130 million in streets, sidewalks and alleys, he said. Henry noted several downtown redevelopment projects that have broken
FILE PHOTO
Bloomingdale Neighborhood received a grant for $5,000 for the installation of a 30-foot by 80-foot mural at 1434 Wells St. on the side of the former Linda Lou’s furniture store, which is being renovated into apartments and retail space.
improvement that enhances spaces within public view. Routine maintenance, social events or operating expenses were not eligible. Community Development will evaluate the grant program after the projects are completed and will take lessons learned to improve the process in 2019, according to a statement from the city. Bloomingdale Neighborhood received a grant for $5,000 for the installation of a 30-foot by 80-foot mural at 1434 Wells St. on the side of the former Linda Lou’s furniture store, which is being renovated into apartments and retail
space. The mural will depict a wildlife scene in Fort Wayne at sunset and will include images of the confluence of the city’s three rivers and native flowers (representing the neighborhood’s history as a field of flowers). Nebraska Neighborhood received a grant for $3,900 to install a new neighborhood marker that will also welcome visitors to the Historic West Main Street business district. Lafayette Place Improvement Association received a grant for $3,707.78 to install a neighborhood marker at the intersection of See PROJECTS, Page 15
By Bridgett Hernandez
bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry recognizes three other Democrats who have filed to run in May’s primary: Katie Zuber, who plans to run for city clerk; Darryl Esterline, who plans to run for City Council, District 1; and Michelle Chambers, who plans to run for City Council, at-large.
ground during his tenure, including The Landing and Promenade Park on the riverfront, which are scheduled to be completed this summer. Henry said a three-day celebration is scheduled for Promenade Park’s opening June 21. The mayor said he wants to continue the momentum of the city’s revitalized downtown. “If you don’t have a thriving downtown, one that excites people, the probability of you staying in that community or investing in that community is pretty low,” he said. Henry noted that the number of people living downtown has ballooned since he took office – from about 700 to more than 2,000. “Almost every
apartment complex that’s being built downtown is being asked to be rented before the apartments are even started,” he said. He said he hopes to continue building a community that welcomes investment, citing Sweetwater’s recent announcement that the company plans to add 1,000 jobs. “Employers not only want to invest in our community; they want to stay in our community and grow in our community,” he said. At the news conference, Henry recognized three other Democrats who have filed to run: Katie Zuber for city clerk; Darryl Esterline for City Council, 1st District; and Michelle Chambers, City Council, at-large.
A12 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Pop culture convention makes Fort Wayne debut By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
PopCon, a celebration of all things pop culture, made its debut at the Grand Wayne Convention Center Dec. 29-30. The two-day event, billed as “a safe, fun, family-friendly event that is welcoming and supportive of all people, with or without costumes” featured more than 70 vendors, a laser tag room, board game demonstrations and panels on various fan topics. Ronnie Seymour, of Fort Wayne, and his daughter Naomi, 3, wore matching shirts from “The Incredibles” animated movie series to the convention. Seymour said he brought his toddler to PopCon so that he could introduce her to the world of comic books, video games and cosplay. “She’s really into princesses, dinosaurs, unicorns,” he said. According to Kris Keys, one of the convention’s founders, that’s what the event is all about – coming together and celebrating what you enjoy. “How it got started and what it’s built around is (the question): ‘How do we
PHOTOS BY BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Contestants take the stage during PopCon’s cosplay contest Dec. 29 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.
make people feel comfortable being who they want to be in a safe environment and just get to enjoy what they enjoy?’” Keys said. PopCon was founded five years ago in Indianapolis. The decision to expand PopCon to Fort Wayne was based on the exciting things happening here, he said. “There’s a lot of good things going on there. They’ve really done a lot to make the city a lot better,” Keys said in a promotional video to announce the expansion. When people visit a city for a convention, they want things to do outside of the convention space
– restaurants, shopping, etc., he said. On Saturday, Keys said he and the other organizers tried not to have any expectations about how many tickets the event would sell. “We obviously want to do well enough that we can do it again,” he said. On the afternoon of the first day of the event, he said that about 1,500 people had come through the doors. It’s a smaller scale than the 30,000 people that PopCon Indy attracts each year, but Keys said that’s not unusual for an event’s first year. It’s too soon to say if
More than 70 vendors set up shop at PopCon Dec. 29-30 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.
PopCon will return to Fort Wayne next year, he said, but he sees a huge potential for growth. “(With Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Detroit only a few hours away), this has the potential to be a large regional show,” he said. This year, people traveled from as far away as Ontario, Canada, and Washington, D.C., to attend PopCon in Fort Wayne. That said, Keys said he
HOMEMAKER CLUBS OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS
CONTRIBUTED
Allen County Extension Homemakers has 16 clubs in Allen County that are welcoming new members. The clubs meet monthly to learn new techniques, share ideas and work on community projects. In December and January, club members made comfort shawls for the Indiana Donor Network’s Threads of Compassion program, which provides shawls to donor families at the time of their loved one’s donation. Other community projects include The Baby Closet, Community Harvest, Christ Child Society and Heritage Mission. For more information, call the Allen County Extension Office at (260) 481-6826.
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Carroll celebrating class of ‘69 Northwest Allen County Schools will celebrate the first graduating class of Carroll High School, the class of 1969, this year. The school invites all graduates of Arcola, Carroll and Huntertown high schools to enjoy a meal prepared by Carroll’s Blue Flame Culinary Program Feb. 15. The event is sponsored by Carroll High School Student Government. All guests are invited to enjoy some Charger boys basketball action in the Fieldhouse at the conclusion of
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would still like to see more local support. “As of right now, we have more ticket sales outside of Fort Wayne than we do inside of Fort Wayne,” he said. Local business owner Dawn Studebaker participated in PopCon. She and her husband, Scott, own the Game Annex, a store and hangout on Illinois Road in Fort Wayne that sells hobby games and provides a place for
Briefs •
the dinner. The event will be free to graduates of the class of 1969. For all other alumni and guests, the cost is $10 for the dinner and admission into the boys basketball game that evening. Door 13 will open at 5 p.m., and dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Carroll High School cafeteria. The varsity boys basketball game will tip off at approximately 7:15 pm. To RSVP, call Carroll High School at (260) 637-3161 and ask for Dean of Students Austin Harrison. Arcola UMC to host chili cook-off The inaugural Arcola Mid-Winter Chili Cook-Off and Sledding Party will be Feb. 17 at Arcola United Methodist Church. The event will begin at 2 p.m. Community members are invited to bring slow cookers full of their secret-recipe chili for a chance at bragging rights as Arcola’s first “Chief Chili Chef.” Anyone interested in participating should register before Feb. 15 by calling (260) 578-1456. Conservatory visitors invited to explore Hundred Acre Wood The Foellinger-Friemann Botanical Conservatory invites visitors to explore the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends at the Hundred Acre
gamers to play them. “I wanted to make sure that Fort Wayne was taken seriously when it comes to our pop culture because we have a really large nerd fandom,” she said. In the vendor hall, they introduced people to new board games and let them try them out. As a business owner, the highlight of participating in an event like PopCon is showing people what Fort Wayne has to offer, she said.
Wood exhibit Jan. 12-April 21. Visitors will find Eeyore, Rabbit, Piglet and Pooh Bear have made their homes quite comfortably in the Conservatory’s Showcase Garden. Relive or be introduced to the imaginative stories of A.A. Milne from his books Winniethe-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner as the kids play in the Hundred Acre Wood complete with Heffalumps. Hands-on learning stations in the Discovery Gallery help visitors explore how this literature connects to everyday life. Regular admission applies: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17, free for children 2 and younger. Sponsored by Fun 101.7 and Majic 95.1 FM. For more information, call (260) 427-6440 or visit www.botanicalconservatory.org. USF Cougar Express offers free downtown shuttle The University of Saint Francis and Citilink have partnered to offer an express route from the USF main campus on Spring Street into downtown Fort Wayne. The Cougar Express connects to housing, classrooms, and shopping and dining. The service is free and open to the public. The bus route runs every 30 minutes during the school year between USF campus locations with seven express stops and See BRIEFS, Page 13
INfortwayne.com • A13
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Students compete in cooking competition for chance to study abroad By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
Nine hospitality administration students in Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne’s culinary and baking and pastry arts programs competed in the 22nd annual European Competition Jan. 11 for the chance to win a scholarship that would fund a trip to study culinary arts in France this spring. Cheryl Hitzemann, instructor of baking and pastry arts, served as a judge in the kitchen. Baking and pastry arts students were given fourand-a-half hours to prepare items including plated chocolate and fruit desserts, yeast bread and rolls, and a decorated cake. Earlier that week, students drew random cake orders to fill. “To get everything done, they have to have good time management skills,” Hitzemann said. “They can’t stand there and wait for their bread to rise; they have to get started on their desserts. They have to pay attention to the time.” Kitchen judges watched and rated students as they worked, paying attention to technique and ability. Hitzemann said she was watching for sanitation, time management, how neat the contestants were working and how they handle stress. “We’ve had people (walk out) and cry and then come back and they’re good,” she laughed. “They just take a minute and calm down.” The pressure the students feel is understandable, she added. “It’s for a lot.” In addition to the chance to win a scholarship, the competition is also their practical exit exam. The competition mimics what it’s like to work in a real bakery, Hitzemann said. Culinary students prepared a meal with an appetizer; an entrée with a protein, vegetable and starch; and a dessert.
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Page 12 will pick up/drop off at any safe intersection along the route. The service operates 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Riders can use the Route Watch map or RouteShout app to see where their bus is at. See the Citilink website http://www.fwcitilink. com/cougarexpress/index. php or call (260) 432-4546 for route and schedule information. Registration open for Science Central’s spring break camps Registration is open for
At the beginning of the competition, each contestant received a “mystery basket.” In the past, they would each receive different ingredients, but that wasn’t exactly fair, hospitality administration instructor Meshele Wyneken said. Rather than give each student mystery ingredients like kimchi or cotton candy, they get a surprise vegetable. “They have a vegetable that is a mystery. They have no idea what it’s going to be,” she said. Each contestant worked with the same proteins — chicken and dover sole. They had 30 minutes to come up with a menu. Students used a variety of techniques from steaming the fish in parchment paper to braising. Wyneken, who served as a kitchen judge, also judged their knife skills as they processed the chicken and fish. “The opportunity to go to Europe is tremendous,” she said. The trip is an opportunity to learn from international chefs, eat at excellent restaurants and drink fine wine, she added. Tasting judges blind tasted the completed meals. They judged dishes by taste as well as presentation. Judges based their scores on American Culinary Federation criteria, and in order to be considered for the France trip, students must place at bronze standard or higher. The winners who will be traveling to France are Brennan Simpson, Dallas Yurt, Mary Cox, Kayla Wyckoff, Brianna Bertsch, Sandra Brickley and Carl Dalrymple. Based on students’ experience in France, they will create the menu for this year’s A Reason to Taste, Ivy Tech’s largest annual fundraiser. Money raised at A Reason to Taste funds scholarships for the winning students’ European Science Central’s Spring Break STEM Camps. Camps are designed for children ages 5-11. Check in begins at 8:30 a.m. and each program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s camps will cover: • Monday, April 1: Festival of Fools • Tuesday, April 2: Jr. Veterinarian • Wednesday, April 3: Weather Wizards • Thursday, April 4: Space Adventure • Friday, April 5: The LEGO Camp Each camp costs $30 for non-Members and $25 for Deluxe Members. Space is limited in each camp, so register early to secure
CONTRIBUTED
Nine hospitality administration students competed Jan. 11 in Ivy Tech’s European Competition. Seven students won the opportunity to travel to France to study the culinary arts. The remaining students still get a travel opportunity to Vermont. The competing students are (from left) Brennan Simpson (France), Ashley Hizer (Vermont), Samantha Williams (Vermont), Dallas Yurt (France), Mary Cox (France), Kayla Wyckoff (France), Brianna Bertsch (France), Sandra Brickley (France) and Carl Dalrymple (France).
PHOTOS BY BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Culinary arts student Mary Cox made fish tacos for the appetizer round of Ivy Tech’s European Competition Jan. 11.
Culinary arts students Mary Cox and Ashley Hizer compete in Ivy Tech’s European Competition for a chance to study abroad.
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
To advertise, call 877-791-7877 Orland Manor Apartments Pastry arts student Kayla Wyckoff competes in Ivy Tech’s European Competition. Pastry arts students had to prepare items including plated chocolate and fruit desserts, yeast bread and rolls, and a decorated cake.
trips. Students who did not qualify or cannot make the France trip will still receive a travel opportunity: a road trip to Vermont for a farm-to-fork tour in May. On the trip, students will
have experiences including a tour of the Baird Farm, an organic maple syrup farm; a chance to watch cheese-making; learning how to milk a cow; and a visit to King Arthur Flour headquarters.
a spot. Registration must be completed by 10 a.m. one week before each camp. Walk-ins will not be permitted on the day of the camp. For more information, visit http://bit. ly/2FHJFfJ.
It is being developed in partnership with the City of Fort Wayne Community Development Division and Arts United. According to a news release from the city, the plan will provide a comprehensive vision for public art now and in the future and will help define locations and projects appropriate for Fort Wayne and its neighborhoods. The master plan should be complete in fall 2019. Residents will be asked to share their vision for public art at various meetings and through an online survey. For more information, visit www.fwcommunitydevelopment.org/publicart.
City begins work on public art master plan The Fort Wayne Public Art Commission recently selected Columbus, Ohio-based planning firm Designing Local to develop a public arts master plan for the city. The plan is funded by a private gift from the Fort Wayne Chamber Foundation and a contribution from the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission.
Is accepting applicants for our beautiful 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Income restrictions may apply. Water, sewer and trash included. Transitioning to smoke free in 2019. A barrier free and rental subsidy waiting list is available. Call today:
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Park Terrace Heights Apts. in Columbia City, Indiana, is accepting applications for our spacious one, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes. Rent is based on income. Water, sewage and trash is included. A barrier free and rental subsidy waiting list may be available. Call today:
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Is accepting applicants for our beautiful 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Income restrictions may apply. Water, sewer and trash included. Transitioning to smoke free in 2019. A barrier free and rental subsidy waiting list is available. Call today:
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A14 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Community Calendar Include news of your group, too Send news of your group to bhernandez@kpcmedia.com by February 8 for the March issue. Items will be selected February Community Calendar 2019 and edited as space permits.
1. February 1
Tuck Everlasting the musical: Salvation Army, 2901 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne. Fire & Light Productions will present three shows: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1; and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door on the day of the show. For more information, visit fireandlightproductions.com.
2. February 2
Black History Month free breakfast: Allen County Public Library Pontiac Branch in the Meeting Room, 2215 S. Hanna St., Fort Wayne. In January 1969, the Black Panther Party began the Free Breakfast for School Children program in Oakland, Calif., to cook and serve food to the poor inner city youth. The program was such a success that by the end of the year, the Panthers had set up kitchens across the nation, feeding 10,000 children every day before school. The library will feature this program each Saturday in February to celebrate Black History Month. This event is free and open to the public. Register online (https://bit.ly/2M3mUEe), on the ACPL mobile app or by calling (260) 421-1350. Comedy show: Acts feature Charlie Wiener with Von Michael. Fort Wayne Comedy Club, 2104 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. Show times at 7:15 p.m. ($15 for advance tickets, $20 day of show) and 9:45 p.m. ($20 for advance tickets, $25 day of show). Purchase tickets at www.fortwaynecomedyclub.com.
3. February 3
Evensong Service: Trinity Episcopal Church, 611 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne. 5-6 p.m. Trinity choir and guest musician Steven Kandow, trombone, will perform “Evensong: Feast of the Presentation.” Admission is free. For more information, visit trinityfw.org or contact Wayne Peterson at music@trinityfw.org or (260) 423-1693. George R. Mather Lecture Series: The History Center, 302 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Jane Gastineau will present a lecture on Allen County during the Civil War. The presentation is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www. fwhistorycenter.com.
5. February 5
Purdue Fort Wayne Sweetwater/Mynett JazzFest: Auer Performance Hall, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne. This all-day event offers high school jazz bands the opportunity to experience a non-competitive performance and clinic by renowned instrumental instructors from around the United States. Each ensemble will be provided comments on their
work immediately following the stage performance. Admission is free. For more information, contact the School of Music at (260) 481-6714 or visit www.pfw.edu/tickets. Appleseed Quilt Guild Meeting: Classic Café, 4832 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Meeting starts at 7 p.m. The Appleseed Quilt Guild is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the art of quilting and providing an opportunity for sharing ideas and learning new techniques. Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month.
Sports Flicks at the Embassy: Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 3 p.m. In the 1979 “Breaking Away,” Dennis Christopher and Dennis Quad are working class teens in the college town of Bloomington. Their obsession with bicycle racing leads to a spot in the Little 500 race at Indiana University. This is the second movie in a three-part series that celebrates films that made Hollywood fall in love with Indiana and its hometown heroes. Tickets are $10 and available on ticketmaster.com.
7. February 7
11. February 11
8. February 8
14. February 14
Live art at the Pontiac library: Local artist Stephanie Woodson will create a work of art live at the Pontiac Branch of Allen County Public Library, 2215 S. Hanna St., Fort Wayne. This event offers an opportunity to see an artist engaged in the creative process and ask questions of her as she works. The finished piece will be displayed in the branch after its creation. Woodson creates art that reflects positive images of African-American culture, evokes joy and pride in that heritage, tells stories, makes people reminisce and keeps their fondest memories alive in a unique and colorful way. Register online at www.acpl.info/calendar, on the ACPL mobile app or by calling the branch at (260) 421-1350.
Fort Wayne ChocolateFest: Orchid Event Center, 11508 Lincoln Highway East, New Haven. 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $40. All proceeds benefit Riley Hospital and other local youth charities and projects. Hosted by the John Chapman Kiwanis Foundation, this fundraiser features three chocolate dipping stations and other desserts, dinner, cash bar, live band and silent auction. To purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/2Fyo3TN. For more information, call (260) 749-4901. All-you-can-eat fish fry and pork tenderloins: Park Edelweiss, 3355 Elmhurst Drive, Fort Wayne. 4:30-7 p.m. $9 for adults, $5 for children. Meal includes all-you-can-eat fish and pork tenderloin with scalloped potatoes, coleslaw, dessert and coffee. Full service bar available with German and domestic beer, wine and other beverages and soft drinks. Enjoy dinner accompanied by live, German music. Sponsored by Fort Wayne Mannerchor/Damenchor. For more information, contact Patti Knox at (260) 444-3634.
9. February 9
Comedy show: Acts feature Warren B Hall with Christine Little and Stetson Banks. Fort Wayne Comedy Club, 2104 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. Show times at 7:15 p.m. ($15 for advance tickets, $20 day of show) and 9:45 p.m. ($20 for advance tickets, $25 day of show). Purchase tickets at www. fortwaynecomedyclub.com.
10. February 10
Big Apple Jazz Club Series: Wunderkammer Company, 3402 Fairfield Ave., Fort Wayne. 5-8:30 p.m. This concert, entitled “We are the Ancient Way” celebrates Black History Month with Afrikan and diasporic musical references. Early bird tickets are $15 and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/2TUruHN. Eleganza Baroque Ensemble Concert: Trinity Episcopal Church, 611 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne. 5-6 p.m. The performance will feature early music played on period instruments. Admission is free. For more information, visit trinityfw.org or contact Wayne Peterson at music@trinityfw.org or (260) 423-1693.
Riverfront Educational Series: Hop River Brewing Company, 1515 N. Harrison St., Fort Wayne. 6:30-8 p.m. This presentation, entitled “Our Muddy Rivers: Water Quality, Cleanups and More,” is the first in a three-part series that offers the public opportunities to meet the team involved with riverfront development and learn more about plans for the future. All ages are welcome to this free event. For more information, visit riverfrontfw.org. Civil War Round Table of Northeast Indiana: Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, in Conference Room C. 6:30 p.m. The Towpath Players will present a lecture on Civil War music. For more information, contact Dick Tagtmeyer at (260) 745-1081, email CWRTNEI@aol.com.
Disorderly Bear Den: The Community Center, 233 W. Main St., Fort Wayne. 6:30 p.m. Members and visitors are welcome. For more information, contact Donna Gordon-Hearn at (260) 409-9886 or tdbear7@comcast.net. The Disorderly Bear Den of Good Bears of the World collects “gently loved teddy bears” and other stuffed animals to give to children in trauma situations and lonely adults in the Fort Wayne area.
15. February 15
Alumni dinner: Carroll High School will host an alumni dinner at 5:30 p.m. The 50th era dinner will recognize Carroll’s graduating class of 1969, but all Huntertown High School, Arcola High School and Carroll High School alumni are invited to attend. A boys basketball game will follow the dinner. For more information about the event, contact Carroll High School’s dean of students at austin.harrison@nacs.k12.in.us.
16. February 16
Weather the Fort: Barrett McNagny parking lot, 215 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne. 4 p.m. Presented by Three Rivers Federal Credit Union, this free, 21+ event is a fun-filled winter experience in downtown Fort Wayne, featuring live music, dance performances, warm food, sweet treats and plenty to drink. Local bands Casual Friday, Hubie Ashcraft and Will Certain will take the main stage. Enjoy food from Shigs & Pit and Hetty Arts Pastry. Adult beverages will be served, including a specialty keg from Rhinegeist Brewery. Pedal City will host fun outdoor games throughout the event. For more information, visit weatherthefort.com. Civic Theatre presents “The Wedding Gift”: Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, 303 E. Main St., Fort Wayne. In the more innocent era of the early 1950s, Arthur and Cynthia Ferguson and their daughter, Flossie, are scam artists who move briefly from city to city targeting wealthy bachelors. It’s a happy heist that takes them into the best homes and elegant country clubs. When their current scam runs amok it results in surprises, laughs and a very unusual wedding gift. Catch a performance Feb. 16-24. To
See CALENDAR, Page 15
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Dupont Valley News • February 2019
Gritzmaker named new Habitat CEO By Staff reports Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne announced Jan. 10 that Andrew Gritzmaker will be the organization’s new CEO effective Feb. 4. Gritzmaker has served as the executive director for the Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House (MACHH) since 2013. The nonprofit hospitality house provides shelter, meals, laundry facilities and a peaceful refuge for families with children who are critically ill or injured. “While at MACHH, I witnessed the transformational impact of safe, secure short-term housing during medical crisis. I look forward to working with Habitat in an effort to
provide permanent housing solutions that will impact families as well as our community for generations to come,” Gritzmaker said in the emailed statement. Gritzmaker is a Fort Gritzmaker Wayne native and a graduate of North Side High School and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in public affairs and a Master of Arts in public management. “We are extremely excited for Andrew to join
our team. His enthusiasm is infectious. We believe his skills and experience will be a huge asset for the affiliate. We can’t wait for Andrew to lead the future of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne,” David Faust, chairman of the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity, said in a prepared statement. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne is a nonprofit, non-denominational Christian housing ministry that works with volunteers and local investors to provide qualified families the opportunity of affordable homeownership in Allen, Huntington and Wells counties. MACHH’s executive team has begun their search
for qualified candidates to assume the role of ED and will announce their selection soon, according to an emailed statement from the organization. “On behalf of the Hope House board, we want to thank Andrew for all of his hard work, dedication, and support of the families we are privileged to help in their time of need. We want to wish Andrew the best in his future endeavors and future successes. The Board looks forward to the opportunity to find a new executive director to continue and grow the foundation that has been built at the Hope House,” Chris Dubes, MACHH board president said in the statement.
PROJECTS
Alliance) received a grant for $1,526 for the fabrication and installation of a historical marker that recognizes the former Packard Piano and Organ Company. The marker will be located along Fairfield Avenue in Packard Park where the piano company factory once stood. The Oxford Community Association received a grant for $5,000 to purchase and install a heating and air system for the Oxford Community Center. The building is currently undergoing extensive remodeling in order
to better meet the needs of residents in Oxford. The Historic Fairmont Neighborhood received a grant for $5,000 to install a mural on the side of Tasty Pizza on the corner of Fairfield Avenue and Maxine Drive. The Pettit-Rudisill Neighborhood received a grant for $492.12 to replace an existing sign in a neighborhood-owned pocket park at the southeast corner of Rudisill Boulevard and Robinwood Drive. The Historic South Wayne Neighborhood received a grant for $1,184
for the fabrication and installation of seven polemounted signs to celebrate and help identify the neighborhood. Williams Woodland Park Neighborhood received a grant for $5,000 to collaborate with Simpson United Methodist Church to transform an underutilized parking lot into a recreational greenspace called Peace Park. Mount Vernon Park Neighborhood received a grant for $4,800 for the fabrication and installation of two neighborhood markers.
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Page 11 Petit Avenue and Calhoun Street. In addition to the sign, the neighborhood will add landscaping to the once blighted vacant lot. West Central Neighborhood received a grant for $5,000 for the fabrication and installation of more than a dozen pole-mounted signs to help identify and celebrate the neighborhood. Southwest Area Partnership (working with the Packard Area Planning
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purchase tickets, visit www.fwcivic.org.
17. February 17
Sports Flicks at the Embassy: Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 3 p.m. In the 1986 “Hoosiers”, Gene Hackman is the new coach that leads a small town high school basketball team to the state championship. This movie concludes the Embassy’s three-part series that celebrates films that made Hollywood fall in love with Indiana and its hometown heroes. Tickets are $10 and available on ticketmaster.com.
23. February 23
Cancer Services Comedy Night: Sweetwater, 5501 U.S. 30, Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. This night of laughs and fundraising
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will feature plenty of delicious food, cash bar, “Jokester of the Year” competition, raffle of valuable prizes and performance by comedian Ryan Conner. General admission is $50 per person. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/2Hiypcm. For more information, call Keiara Carr at (260) 484-9560 or email kcarr@cancer-services.org. Concordia Lutheran High School presents “Newsies”: Concordia Lutheran High School, 1601 St. Joe River Drive, Fort Wayne. Two days of performances: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for high school students or younger and may be purchased at the door. Winter Garrison: Old Fort, 1201 Spy Run Ave., Fort Wayne. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit reenactors at the Old Fort and learn what it was like to live in a frontier fort during the winter. Admission is free. A freewill donation will be collected. Parking is available at Headwaters and Lawton parks. For more information, visit www.oldfortwayne.org or call (260) 437-2836.
24. February 24
Film Noir at the Embassy: Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson
LISA ESQUIVEL LONG
David Love looks over the cookie selections from Girl Scout Troop 20623 of Arlington Park on Jan. 12 at Kroger, 1125 W. State Blvd.
Girl Scouts offer new gluten-free cookie Staff reports The Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana council’s annual cookie sale, which kicked off in January, continues through March 3. The sale teaches girls entrepreneurial and leadership skills that will help them succeed throughout life. A new gluten-free cookie, the Caramel Chocolate Chip, will make its debut this year. Customers will also be able to choose from eight classic varieties – S’mores, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwiches,
Shortbreads, Caramel deLites, Lemonades and Thanks-A-Lots. The cost per box is $4, and the new gluten-free cookie is $5 a box. All cookie proceeds stay local and help power new experiences for local Girl Scouts. To buy cookies, contact any Girl Scout or stop by a cookie booth. Customers can find locations near them by using the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at www.gsnim.org or by downloading the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app on iOS or Android mobile device and pressing “Find Cookies Now.”
Blvd., Fort Wayne. 3 p.m. In the 1950 Sunset Boulevard, William Holden and Gloria Swanson star in a Hollywood comeback story unlike any other. Tickets are $10 and available on ticketmaster.com.
28. February 28
Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Four day event Feb. 28-March 3. Admission for adults $10 and seniors $6. Admission is free for children age 15 years and younger. The event will feature the latest in contemporary home and garden products and services. From seminars by knowledgeable home and garden experts, to beautiful constructed and unique landscapers by our exhibitors, attendees will find all the inspiration and help they need to start their next home project. The family fun area will feature interactive and educational displays for the whole family with a petting zoo, adoptable pets, martial arts demonstrations and balloon and face-painting artists. For more information, visit Home-GardenShow.com.
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Dupont Valley News • February 2019