We’ve prepared a list of articles of the many notable events, organizations and people highlighted in our community throughout 2019. Follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our digital or print newspaper online to receive the most up-to-date news from around the Waynedale area in 2020.
Though it didn’t officially open for another 30 minutes, Umber’s Do-It-Best hardware store’s parking lot was packed beyond capacity at 9:30 a.m. on a recent Sunday morning.
Thanks to an effort with its genesis at Avalon Missionary Church, dozens . . .
This week, The Waynedale Community Picnic committee announced that last year was the 16th and final time they would hold the event at Waynedale Park. However, fans of the Picnic shouldn’t fret! Since the beginning of the year the Waynedale Community . . .
Did you know that Indiana is host to over 430 species of bees? Due to loss of habitat and other factors, their population numbers are rapidly falling. But, one thing residents can do to help is to give them a place to live!
On Saturday, May 11, Southwest . . .
On November 16, 2018, the Waynedale Lions Club teamed up with Maplewood Elementary School, the PTA, and other local organizations to raise funds to assist with the purchase of additional playground equipment at Maplewood Elementary. In the past year, . . .
The popular Trek the Trails community bike rides are coasting into year ten, later this month.
The rides were started as a way for residents to explore parts of the trail that they may not be familiar with and to create social opportunities for families . . .
These days, the entertainment at Fox Island County Park is about more than hiking, swimming and enjoying nature.
You can have some prehistoric fun there, too.
As it has for the past several years, the park is also offering its Fossil Pile, allowing visitors . . .
DONALD “DON” C. GOSS, 87, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Born March 20, 1931, in Fort Wayne, he was a son of the late Wesley and Lois (Bowser) Goss. He taught at Elmhurst High School for 54 years as an Art and Theater . . .
A new club and restaurant is slated to open soon next to the Clyde Theater, bringing a bistro to the refurbished Quimby Village entertainment complex.
Officials with Sweetwater Sound – the local company that provided much of the cash spent on . . .
A positive prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion in middle schools was celebrated at Miami Middle School in Fort Wayne on Thursday, February 28, 2019.
Representatives from Managed Health Services (MHS) hosted an assembly in honor of National . . .
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) recently presented a $100,000 check on behalf of the AEP Foundation empowering Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation Center to begin construction on our new operations facility.
The donation equals approximately one-third . . .
Recently, the city’s Fort Wayne Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a Local Historic Designation of the Prairie Grove Chapel and Cemetery. This comes as a huge first step for the longstanding property that predates the original . . .
Do you remember the locally produced video/ commercial with people having fish flying at them for using single-use straws and cups? If you haven’t seen the video, it might sound strange, but it was viewed over 20,000 times alone from The Allen County . . .
Save Maumee Grassroots Organization has completed planting 2,936 trees along 1.5 miles of streambank and submitting work reports from 2016 through 2018. The group “physically planted 2,936 trees, but trees are fragile life forms that don’t always . . .
Amanda Vance has an inkling about why so many of her library patrons are racking up more reading hours this winter.
It’s the bookmarks.
“People have found the (SPARK) program through our bookmarks more than anything else,” said Vance, the Waynedale . . .
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation and Friends of the Parks of Allen County are coming together to restore Foster Park Pavilion #3.
The historic stone pavilion in the Foster Park Oak Grove will be fully and accurately restored along with landscape improvements, . . .
As we enter 2019, it’s incredible to look around and see what our community has become! In just the past year, Waynedale has continued to grow and improve in ways that many did not think was possible, just a few years ago. For our recently added . . .
It is with regret that I inform you that K9 Officer Gary Griffith’s retired partner K9 Bullet passed away this morning at approximately 08:40.
K9 Bullet was born July 3, 2006. She joined the ranks of the Fort Wayne Police K9 Unit May 4, 2009. She . . .
The Fort Wayne Pet Food Pantry will be open every other Saturday beginning in January 2019 at 2502 Church St. in Waynedale. “We are very excited to be a part of the Waynedale Community and look forward to building local relationships”.
. . .
As manager of the Waynedale Branch of the Allen County Public Library, Amanda Vance always looks forward to this time of year.
That’s because it’s time again for a Waynedale holiday tradition that brings decorative holiday wreaths to her library, . . .
A Waynedale veterans group celebrated the recent Veterans’ Day with a powerful memorial to service people lost in the line of duty.
In celebration of Veterans’ Day, the American Legion Post 241 put on display its “Honor the Fallen Wall,” showing hundreds of pictures of the myriad of servicemen and servicewomen lost in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001.
The “wall” consisted of several tall panels placed around the Post’s backroom, on which large photos of those lost were shown. The public – and especially the veterans’ loved ones – were allowed to tour the wall, and place notes on the pictures in remembrance.
The event was open to the public, and any and all veterans, according to past Post Commander, David Miller.
“You don’t have to be a Legion member to come, but, if you’re a veteran, you’re a veteran. And that’s pretty important to us,” Miller said.
When the Post, located at 7605 Bluffton Road, offered the same event last year, more than 1,000 people toured it, according to Miller. This year, the display began on the Thursday before Veterans’ Day, November 8, and continued through the weekend, up to and including the holiday, which occurred on Sunday, November 11. According to Miller, when a “Gold Star Family” (those who’ve lost loved ones in action) came to see the photos, the rest of the crowd was cleared out to allow privacy for their mourning.
On Thursday, November 8, the Post invited more than 80 members of the Wayne High School JROTC to come and tour the wall. “When these young people see these pictures,” Miller said, “it quickly becomes very personal.” While folks toured the wall, patriotic music played softly in the background.
On Saturday November 10, the Post hosted a Paddle-Auction Fundraiser to raise money for the display, and the Post in general. Several local groups and businesses donated items to be auctioned, including Rudy’s Cigars, Red Lobster, Old Smokey’s Whisky in Tennessee, Partners First, All-State Insurance, and Sweetwater Sound, who offered up a guitar and a remote-controlled, rideable cooler with an American Legion logo emblazoned on its side.
Also in town to see the display were two officials from the national Legion organization. Jim and Vickie Koutz. Jim is the Past National Commander of the Legion (from 2012 to 2013), and Vickie is President of the Legion Auxiliary, which is the Legion’s women’s group.
“We’d already seen this display in Indianapolis in April,” Koutz said, “but, of course, we wanted to see it again.”
For Jim Koutz, a U.S. Army veteran, the wall was very personal. A friend whom he had gone through basic training with in 1969, Lonnie Weisheit, was one of those lost, he said.
Miller believes that was, indeed, the entire point of the Legion’s display.
“When you take a look at this,” Miller said, “and the Post-It notes and private messages that the families stick on their loved one’s pictures, his is their father or mother who they never got to have that last conversation with, it is definitely humbling.”
Located at 7039 Elzey Street, the Waynedale Masonic Lodge has been doing their Community Breakfast event on the first Saturday of each month since about 1993, according to Justin Pose, a Masonic Worshipful Master.
Pose said the idea of their event is not just to offer breakfast to hungry folks, but to give a little back to the community while also bringing people together.
“It keeps us connected,” Pose said. “What you’re always reading about is that people feel connected through Facebook or through their phones. This is actually meeting someone face-to-face and shaking hands. With something like this, you get an actual human connection.”
On one recent chilly October morning, about 20 folks crowded into the building’s downstairs area within the first few minutes of the lodge opening its doors at 6 a.m., to munch on their choice of breakfast fare, including eggs (prepared in the style of their choice), toast, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and French toast.
Not long after, however, around 9:30 a.m., the lodge saw its usual rush of patrons, attracting a crowd of about 90 to 100 folks. The breakfast lasts from 6 to 10 a.m.
According to Keith Jacobsen, Junior Warden with the lodge, the breakfast usually brings in about 100 people, roughly 75 community members, and about 25 Masons working the event.
All the food prep and clean-up is done by brothers of the lodge, Jacobsen said. Those brothers often include Bob Beir; Don Feller; Dallas Day (best known as the “pancake man”); and Pat Pedden, known as a “Jack of All Trades.”
Donations usually raise about $100 for the lodge from each breakfast, Pose said.
The Waynedale lodge is comprised of about 370 members said Pose, a 38-year-old teacher who grew up just off Sandpoint Road. Pose said his father also was a Mason, and he also proudly stated the Waynedale lodge recently had been declared the top Masonic Lodge in Indiana, which has more than 350 lodges statewide.
One couple sitting near the rear of the room on a recent Saturday morning said picking their favorite part of the event was easy.
“We just love all the food,” said Paul Hirschman and his wife, Barb, Fort Wayne residents who’ve been coming to the event for about a year. “It’s all made-to-order, and so, so good.”
Pose said it’s not just about eggs and pancakes, but really is about community.
“A lot of people will tell us that this is the best-kept secret in Waynedale. We’re proud of being here,” Pose said, “My whole goal is to get more involved in the community. Waynedale is still kind of a town within a town, and we want to be a big part of that.”
Incorporated on January 24th, 1962 and comprised of 385 homes, Lake Shores Community Association, is one of the larger neighborhoods in Waynedale. Airport Expressway divides the lots into an East side with 179 homes and the West side made up of 206 homes. The houses were all built between 1962 and 2017.
The monthly Lake Shores community newsletter shares current news of the neighborhood. This summer, the” Yard of the Month” contest was judged in June, July, August and September. Proud winners, one from each side, earned well-deserved bragging rights and sported a congratulatory sign in their yard until the next winner was announced.
For the past six years, a Christmas Decorating Contest has been offered. East and West Sides both boast three winners. First place is $100; second place is $50 and third is $25. And the best part, in keeping with the Christmas spirit, the money that is awarded goes to each winner’s charity of choice. That is a deal that even Scrooge could appreciate.
President Walt Halley and Treasurer Tony Landon are heavily involved in the smooth running of the Association. Both officers of the board have been residents of Lake Shores for a long time.
Walt and his wife Vicki have raised three children in the 25 years they’ve lived there. Walt has been on the board for 10 years, serving six years as President of the Association. He states “Our goal is to have Lake Shores Community appreciate the feeling of the old days, when neighbors knew each other and watched out for one another. “Very humble about his volunteer efforts which include the St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, the Franciscan Center and the election polls, Walt spends his little free time hunting and fishing.
Originally a Buckeye, Tony and his wife Patty have resided in Lake Shores for 24 years and have two children. A graduate of Wayne High School and retired from Verizon, Tony maintains the financial documents for the Association and also has the challenging job of upholding the member listing. This is his second stint on the board, serving as Vice President before taking over the treasury in 2015.
The board is comprised of 11 positions including officers. There are additional committee opportunities including publication of the newsletter, a Welcome committee, Signage, and Advertising for their many events. As with many neighborhoods, Lake Shores Community Association always encourages folks to serve a term on the board or volunteer on a committee. Tony elaborates “If you aren’t involved, the strength of YOUR community is left to chance. Get on board: serve, contribute, share ideas, expand your knowledge, network; help create a better, more desirable community.”
Two general meetings are held each year, typically at Avalon Missionary Church West Campus. They feature a guest speaker, refreshments and a drawing for gift cards from Waynedale businesses. Board meetings are held quarterly at the Waynedale library. Both Walt and Tony try to attend SWAP (Southwest Area Partnership) monthly meetings. Additionally, a quarterly meeting among all Fort Wayne neighborhood presidents is also held at Citizens Square.
An Association garage sale is arranged each spring and fall. Tony orchestrates coordinating the dates and Lake Shores hosts it in conjunction with Winterset, Avalon and Lakewood Park neighborhoods, making it quite a large prospect for finding treasures.
As an association, Lake Shores provides opportunities for neighbors to mingle. Outings to the TinCaps, Komets and Christmas at the Castle are just a few examples of past meet and greet occasions. The Great American Clean Up each year offers residents a chance to give back to the community by picking up debris along Airport Expressway. Lake Shores likes to support the Waynedale community when possible. In May, they give each of their residents whose dues have been paid, a $10 gift certificate to use at Broadview Florist.
Another generous opportunity the Association treasury offers is to help offset costs to residents who wish to participate in Fort Wayne City sponsored programs such as the Tree Program and Sidewalk Program, with the caveat that the homeowner’s dues payments are current. The board is also very diligent in applying for improvements to Lake Shores through the City’s Infrastructure Improvement Program.
People often wonder about Stone Lake which some homes in Lake Shores are fortunate to call their back yard. It is privately owned by Stone Lake Development, Inc. so no access to the public is allowed.
With perhaps the most longevity in the association, residents Gary and Betty Markley have spent 41 years in Lake Shores. Gary says “This has always been a clean, quiet community. We enjoy great neighbors and the association is well managed.”
Reflecting on my time in public office, I find myself proud of what we have achieved, optimistic for the future of our state, and thankful for the opportunity to serve.
I am so proud to be able to point to numerous accomplishments that have occurred for our state since I became the Senate leader, and while I would never be foolish enough to claim credit for them, I do feel that I played a key role in helping to shape them and shepherd them over the finish line.
On the list of major accomplishments I include the property tax caps, which allow Indiana to have some of the most affordable housing in the nation; reducing and eliminating a number of taxes and the creation of one of the best tax climates in America; the creation of the Healthy Indiana Plan; school choice for all of our parents and children; and a 20-year transportation plan that is fully funded.
Here in Indiana we have a government that lives within its means while taking care of its obligations, including maintaining a balanced budget year after year while directing a higher percentage of that budget — more than almost any other state — to the education of our citizens.
For all of these reasons and more, I am optimistic. Indiana’s economy is humming like never before, and we continue to receive national recognition for our achievements. We have a governor and lawmakers who are dedicated to making Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family, and I have no doubt they will continue to make strides that advance the Hoosier state.
Finally, I am thankful. I am thankful to the people of Senate District 16 for placing their trust and faith in me for the last 22 years. I have done the very best I could to earn that trust, and their support has meant the world to both me and my family. I am also thankful to my family for their support through my service to the state – public service is a sacrifice, and I would not have been able to do this job without their unwavering support.
I’m truly going to miss all of my friends and colleagues in the Statehouse – it’s never easy to leave a job that you love and that you feel you were born to do, but it is time for the next generation of lawmakers to take the reins.
Serving the people of Northeast Indiana has truly been the highest honor of my life. Thank you, Indiana, for allowing me to serve.
Demolition on the venerable old building was completed about the middle of October, according to officials from Sweetwater Sound, the company that owns the Quimby Village property.
“The building was so dilapidated,” said Jeff Osterman, Vice President of Performance Improvement with Sweetwater Sound. “We just felt it would be an improvement to the image of the entire plaza.”
The Village Bowl had been a part of the historic Fort Wayne shopping plaza since it was first built in the 1950s. But the last pin fell inside the old alley in 2011, and the edifice has sat vacant and decaying ever since.
Osterman said the razing of the building, located at 1710 Bluffton Road, started about two weeks ago, and crews experienced no major problems in bringing it down. “And there were no hazardous materials inside,” he said.
In fact, so much of the building’s old interior already had been stripped away – some sold for scrap – that not much work was required on the inside. None of the bowling alleys or old ball machines were even left behind, Osterman said.
“The inside mechanical had already been stripped away, we just pretty much had to knock down the brick and cement exterior, and the roof,” he said.
Although Osterman didn’t have exact figures for the demolition’s cost, he said the entire bill was covered by Sweetwater.
The company plans to convert the now-empty space into additional parking and new landscaping for the renovated plaza, Osterman said.
“We’ll be adding about 100 new parking spots, as well as some new trees, shrubs, and additional landscaping to improve Quimby’s appearance,” he said.
Osterman said the additional parking will be beneficial to the Clyde Theatre, because its performances have been so popular.
“We’ve been having so much success with the shows at the Clyde (theater),” Osterman said, “that venue really will benefit from the extra parking.”
It won’t be long before no trace is left of the old bowling alley.
“The rest of the building will be down in a week or so,” Osterman said. “And we hope to have the new parking lot done before the snow flies.”
In August, Mayor Henry formed the Mayor’s Working Group on Garbage and Recycling to look at issues and develop positive solutions to improve the collection process.
“As we looked for ways to improve, it was important to include neighborhood leaders. They are there every day and know the frustrations some residents have experienced with missed collections,” said Mayor Henry. “I’m appreciative of the proactive efforts of the working group to determine the best next steps that we believe will lead to better garbage and recycling collection services.”
The Working Group consisted of leaders from nine neighborhoods representing all quadrants of the City, Fort Wayne City Council members Tom Didier and Jason Arp, members of the Solid Waste Department and representatives from Red River Waste Solutions Inc. Group members looked at a variety of issues including missed pick-ups, driver shortages, 311 wait times, improving neighborhood service, and collection route inefficiencies.
Working Group sessions were pointed, with residents asking specific questions about neighborhoods, 311, driver working conditions, and the entire collection process. Some of the neighborhood group leaders even rode with drivers in their trucks and spent time talking to the many Fort Wayne residents employed by Red River.
The Working Group’s number one priority was to significantly decrease the number of misses occurring each week.
The Group’s findings led them to the realization that the current day schedule is inefficient, requiring trucks to crisscross the City multiple times a day and that these route inefficiencies are a significant contributing factor to the number of misses occurring each week. Consolidating into geographic routes would allow for better training of Fort Wayne workers new to the industry during a time when we are seeing a national, state and local driver shortage. Additionally, all supervisors would be located in a geographic area to improve quality control for neighborhoods.
As a solution, group members agreed to streamline the collection process geographically; a move they believe will have the single most significant impact on collection improvement and make things better for residents. Their discoveries are leading to schedule adjustments with a goal of having garbage and recycling collected on the appointed day.
Beginning Monday, November 5, 2018, a new collection schedule will be in place. This new plan means a different day for garbage and recycling collection for about 47 percent of the City.
Within the next two weeks, residents will receive a “It’s a New Day” postcard in their mailbox. The card will have the specific information for their pick-up day along with a recycling map inset to verify their recycling collection. All residents will receive a postcard, even if their day is not changing.
“The changes in the routes make a lot of sense and should greatly enhance productivity and improve the service to our constituents,” said Councilman Jason Arp, District 4. There will no doubt be challenges related to changing collection days, but I’m optimistic that we will adapt quickly and see service improve. Our neighborhood representatives in the working group did a tremendous job. Their dedication is commendable.”
Other items to be implemented as a result of the working group:
– Beginning October 13, the City will add half-day Saturday service in the 311 call center.
– Red River is actively recruiting drivers at job fair events and hired a recruiting firm to assist in the hiring process.
– A new driver training program is in place that will train drivers locally on the actual trucks they will use on the job, which will ensure new hires are properly trained and on the job quicker.
– Residents will receive a “It’s A New Day” postcard in the mail during the next two weeks.
– Residents will also be able to visit the website MyNewTrashDay.com to access information about their schedule that will begin the week of November 5. The page has an interactive search map and other maps showing specific geographic areas.
Formerly the home of Putt Putt Miniature Golf course, Rich’s Auto Center on Sandpoint Road was built in 2002. Cindy enjoyed all the rigors of a ground up project from working with the realtor, bankers, attorneys, the city and the contractors to pull it all together, moving in over Thanksgiving weekend.
The primary focus of Rich’s Auto Center is repairing and maintaining personal vehicles. Oil changes, brakes, electrical systems, tune ups, heating and air, engines, transmissions and diagnostics, Rich’s does it all.
Rich Elzey gives kudos to his mentor Greg McConiga, a National ASE Technician of the Year in 1986 whom Rich worked with at 20th Century Automotive following school. Rich said he was fortunate, working with “top equipment, top training and that everyone there was Master Certified, including the office staff.” That is quite a formidable goal to repeat at your own business.
But Rich is up to the task. He graduated at the top of his class from ITT Automotive Division. He admits he has seen a lot of changes in the industry. Vehicles manufactured in the early 2000’s may have had three or four computers controlling the cars systems. Nowadays, vehicles can have 20+ computers keeping all systems go. That is why Rich’s Auto Center state-of-the-art diagnostics program and their Automotive Service Excellence Certified (ASE) technicians are so important. They don’t just throw parts on your car and hope it fixes the problem. Their goal is to fix it right the first time.
Rich’s Auto Center is the only Fort Wayne certified ASE Blue Seal shop. They are also a member of the Automotive Service Association, the Better Business Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce and are a NAPA Auto Care Center and AC Delco Total Service Support Shop. Additionally, they are part of the NAPA Business Development Group.
Rich and Cindy, along with their staff, believe that living the golden rule is what keeps their customers coming back. Treating others, the way you want to be treated. Cindy shares “Our customers are like an extended family. It is wonderful that many of our current customers came in as youth with their parents, and now they are adults with repair needs of their own.”
Rich graduated from Northrop, class of ’75 and Cindy from New Haven High School in 1970. Their first home was on Elzey Street, their current home is in Lake Shores. They are a blended family; Rich with one son Derek and Cindy has two children, a son Ben and a daughter Casee. They are proud grandparents of two students, Reilly at IU Bloomington and Boyce at Carroll High School.
Both enjoy nature and boating. Rich is an avid golfer, member of a summer league. When the season changes, he picks up his bowling ball and rejoins a weekly league. Cindy loves anything outdoor related including fishing and paddle boating. You will also often find her and Charlie, their seven-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback dog, socializing at Pawster Park. She laughs “That is how we have met most of our neighbors.”
The Elzey’s are truly community minded. They call Mount Calvary their church home. Both are involved with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. Cindy is a lunch buddy at Waynedale Elementary School. The business is a member of the Waynedale Business Chamber and supports Waynedale events such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Trunk or Treat, the annual Waynedale Community Picnic and EMBARK. Rich’s Auto Center was the recent host of a first time Waynedale Business Chamber event, the 5 O’Clock Mingle.
Working with children is a passion both Rich and Cindy share. They frequently teach youth auto classes at the shop on behalf of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Boy Scouts. They support Pink Leaf, holding auto classes for children coming out of foster care. The classes they sponsor range from a few hours up to two days as they educate students of all ages about car ownership and routine maintenance including checking fluids and changing a flat tire.
A great example of integrity is when Rich accidentally took out a telephone pole near the shop one snowy day. He ponied up and paid the $7,000 that it cost to repair it rather than letting taxpayers cover it.
Rich and Cindy feel extremely blessed. They always have plenty of work plus technicians that are dependable and long-term employees. And a successful business. Both are firm believers of “if you are giving back, it will circle back to you.” May that circle remain unbroken.
David Siples shepherded his two puppies around the moist grass, as they ran, scratched and sniffed everything in sight.
On a recent cool and breezy autumn afternoon, the Waynedale man brought his two dogs to Pawster Park to let them run, play and socialize with other local canines and their owners.
Quietly tucked off Winchester Road, and cleverly named Pawster Park, the roughly one-acre local dog park offers two sides, one, a large, grassy area with ramps and other objects for canines to play on, and another side with benches and shelters for owners to sit and watch.
“It’s really just an off-leash area for dogs and their owners to socialize,” said Jason Smith, Manager of Athletics and Aquatics for Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation.
Siples, an economics and U.S. History teacher at South Side High School, has been bringing his two dogs, a brother and sister named Scout and Abbey, to the park since they were puppies, he said.
His dogs, who are both a mix of Australian Shepherd and Husky, came to the park almost every day when they were puppies – about 8 years ago – back when they had much more energy, he said. Now, they probably come to the park about five times a week.
“When they were babies,” he said, “we had to find a way to burn all that energy off.”
The park was built about the year 2000, Smith said, after a group of local dog enthusiasts came to the Parks Department, asking them to construct something they and their pups could enjoy together.
The group offered to do their own fund-raising to pay the construction costs, so all the Parks Department did was donate the land needed to create it.
“They got the money, and the rest is history,” Smith said.
Using land that was once two softball diamonds – which, according to Smith were rarely used – the Department crafted a new area for dogs and the owners to enjoy the outdoors.
But, use of the park isn’t free or unregulated.
Users must go to the Parks Department office – located at 7705 E. State Blvd. – to pay the $40 per year fee to become members. They also must provide the department with proof that their dogs have been vaccinated for rabies, distemper and parvo, Smith said.
“This is so we know that the dogs that are in there are vaccinated to the standards we know are safe,” Smith said. “Our first goal is to keep all dogs and owners safe. And they have to have proof that these shots were given by a vet.”
Once all that is done, owners are given a pass key that opens the gate lock to get into the park.
Smith said Waynedale is lucky to have such a convenient place for owners and their puppies. The only other dog park in the Fort Wayne Parks system is Camp Canine, located at Johnny Appleseed Park, 1500 E. Coliseum Blvd.
Other dog parks exist around the city, he said, but none other operated by the city Parks Department. Pawster was, in fact, one of the first dedicated dog parks to be built in the state outside of Indianapolis.
In fact, Smith said, his department still gets calls from around the state from other cities interested in building their own dog parks, asking questions like how much space is needed, how expensive is the annual upkeep, what’s the department’s liability for the park, and other such queries.
“In fact,” he said, “I just got a call today, because they want to build one in South Whitley (county),” he said.
Smith said Pawster really is about just making dogs happy, which, in turn, makes for a happier populace.
“More than anything,” Smith said, “this gives people with dogs the chance to exercise them without a leash. It really makes for a happier dog and thus, a happier family.”
Siples was just happy to have a place to let his two dogs exercise, and perhaps meet other like-minded dog owners.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, Scout and Abbey cavorted with about 10 other dogs and their owners, enjoying the cool fall weather and all the amenities the dog park had to offer.
“There’s companionship, camaraderie, meeting other dogs, letting them stretch their legs,” Siples said, “It’s just a nice, open space; a nice community; it’s really a nice facility; a great combination of public and private.”
The four-year-old little girl was remarkably calm amidst the swirl of activity all around her as the annual Monarch Festival was held at Eagle Marsh on September 9.
Hosted by the Little River Wetlands Project (LRWP), and held inside the cavernous, red barn at Eagle Marsh – thanks to the day’s rainy, cloudy skies and cool temperatures — this year’s event attracted hundreds of folks hoping to find out a little bit more about the iconic butterfly, and perhaps even see some fluttering examples of its kind.
LRWP Chair, Betsy Yankowiak, said the fair typically attracts 1,000 to 1,500 people. On this cool, cloudy day, however, she was just hoping for more than 500 people to attend.
Dozens of tables were set up for visitors, each staffed by a different group presenting their information or selling their wares during the festival.
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo table offered a simulation of what pollen looks like when it sticks to a butterfly’s legs. Using pipe cleaners and corn meal and flour, kids could recreate the way pollen grips onto a butterfly’s extremities as it flits from flower to flower.
The Purdue Master Gardeners table offered free milkweed seed and milkweed seed bombs to help people grow the monarch’s favorite plant. “All we need to do is plant milkweed,” Yankowiak stressed. “If we do that; the monarchs WILL find it.”
At the honey table, the beekeeper was selling varying sizes of their honey in jars and smaller amounts in plastic straws filled with its sweet nectar.
The Little River Wetlands Project table was offering booklets and brochures, as well as hats, shirts and stuffed animals emblazoned with the LRWP logo.
One station even offered homemade guacamole, salsa and hot sauces for the hungry crowd to sample, as well.
Several glass aquariums held dozens of monarch caterpillars and eggs, happily munching away on milkweed leaves.
And, of course, several other tables featured mesh cages filled with the beautiful adult orange and black-winged butterflies.
Unique in nature, monarchs are the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration, as most birds do. When the weather begins to turn cooler in the northern hemisphere, the butterflies begin to head south, with most eventually wintering in the mountains of Mexico. And because, according to Yankowiak, most monarchs don’t weigh much more than a dead leaf, the insects must use a combination of air currents and thermal drafts to make their journey.
Some travel all the way from Canada to Mexico, then back in the summer, a total of more than 3,000 miles.
Unfortunately, development has erased much of the land and the plants the monarchs need to survive, thrive, reproduce, and migrate.
“Since 1990, the monarch population has declined by 90%. The U.S. landscape has changed so drastically,” Yankowiak said. “A lot of the natural milkweed has been removed; and the little places that used to have the milkweed have disappeared.”
Yaro Carpenter, Koko’s mother who was keeping a close eye as her daughter got her hand painted by Camille Krouse near the barn’s rear entrance, said while it was she and her daughter’s first time at the annual event, they were happy they came.
“Every table has some kind of a great activity or something we wanted to buy,” Carpenter said. “It’s really been a lot of fun.”
For the past 15 years, the skies had been relatively clear for the annual Waynedale Community Picnic, but this year, the organizers and volunteers faced huge downpours until around noon. For the organizers of the Picnic, event cancelation is just not a viable option because of the huge number of people who are involved, as well as the huge expenses of one day rentals of equipment and tents. As they say, ‘The show must go on,’ and after this year’s event, the dedicated volunteers of the Picnic know all too well how challenging that statement can be.
“The rain made it especially challenging to set up the event, typically we are setting up the day before and as soon as the sun comes up the day of. However, this year, because of the storms, we were only able to set up between heavy rainstorms. It was like a big huddle underneath the pavilion and as soon as heavy rain and lightning let off to lighter rain, volunteers rushed out to set up chairs, tables and the food tent. Needless to say, our dedicated volunteers were soaked before the event even started.” Megan Ryan, Event Chair commented.
Typically, there is a line of guests waiting to register when the “doors open” at 10am, but this year, rain poncho-ed attendees seemed to slowly but steadily file in, until the radar began to indicate the worst of the storms were over around noon, which is when the attendance began to really pick up for the event.
“We had some really tough choices to make early in the day about features of the event, not knowing if or when the rain would stop. We were in constant contact with many vendors who needed generators, Circle City Audio who sets up the sound equipment for the band, and the National Guard who brings the inflatable obstacle course; all of which generally takes over an hour to set up and couldn’t risk ruining expensive equipment with a sudden downpour.” Ryan expressed the challenges from the day.
However challenging it was for the scenario that had never happened before, heavy rain, there were many successes of the event. Over 50 volunteers came to help throughout the day, an estimated 500 guests came to enjoy the event, about 20 vendors weathered the storms to set up and offer their activities and prizes to guests, and lunch was served on time.
“Even with the rain and mud, I heard more positive, appreciative comments than events in previous years from guests and vendors. I think they understood, although we had many challenges this year, our volunteers did they best they could to make it a great day.” Ryan commented.
One of the traditions of the event is for The Waynedale News to award a member of the community the “Community Star” award. This year, Jordan Cornwell received the award, not on the stage but on the platform of the historic water fountain, which was one of the original installments when Waynedale Park was first dedicated. Cornwell, who works for The Waynedale News, has been a very active volunteer in the community as well as serving as the founding President of the Waynedale Business Chamber for 3 years. Under Cornwell’s leadership, the Chamber tackled such large projects as fundraising and working with area municipalities to install the Waynedale Emergency Weather Siren. The WBC also received approval from the Fort Wayne City Council for its Comprehensive Improvement Plan for the Bluffton/Lower Huntington Corridor, which is an ongoing project that seeks to address accessibility, the preservation of current businesses, the promotion of positive business growth, community branding, beautification and overall unification of the community. He also has volunteered his time to help organize and lend a hand at various local events.
Overcoming adversity, the community really came together to make the day the best it could be. “Every year, it takes every single volunteer, sponsor and vendor to make the event possible. I was asked by many people, “aren’t you sad about the rain ruining the event after many months of planning?” And I always responded by saying, “I don’t think the rain ruined the event, look at how much fun people are having!” Sure, it’s not exactly how we planned it, but that’s OK. We made it the best event we could with the given circumstances. That day, it definitely took everyone involved to make the community celebration a-go. I would like to thank the many dedicated volunteers and sponsors who contribute to the Picnic.” Ryan commented
September 2nd also marks the 9th year as Publisher for Alex Cornwell, who was just 22 years old when he took over the newspaper. Cornwell has been instrumental in the newspaper’s success not only in publishing the newspaper, but also using the organization to connect the community to accomplish positive goals, initiatives and projects. Cornwell has been a community advocate for just about every major community event and improvement project since 2009. He was a founder and active member of the Waynedale Community Improvement Team, the Waynedale Business Chamber and the Waynedale Sidewalks & Trails Initiative, which continue to complete improvements to better the quality of life for residents in the area.
In the midst of negative and “fake news,” The Waynedale News had long ago chosen to highlight only the positive local news happening in the area. Cornwell believes that, “Our beacon of positive news contributes to a positive image of the community for residents inside and those outside of the Waynedale area. We feel it may have also lead to more volunteers becoming involved in community initiatives and many projects being done. Unlike other news sources, we don’t have ‘gotcha’ headlines or controversial stories meant solely to attract angry readers. In contrast, we feel the best news is ‘good news’ that make people feel good about their community and do good works in it, as well as to make others want to live here.”
Since, it’s a free newspaper, it’s truly the support from the community that keeps it alive. Cornwell says that if you appreciate The Waynedale News and the work it does for the community, and want to make sure it keeps printing in the future that you can help by supporting it’s advertisers and sponsors. Another easy way Cornwell says you can help is to follow, like and share Waynedalenews.com articles on social media to spread the word about positive works in Waynedale. If you’re not currently receiving the newspaper and would like to via mail, please see more about subscriptions here.
Cornwell and the staff of The Waynedale News would like to thank all of its readers, advertisers and sponsors for their continued support!