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, . . .
In winter months trail usage slows, but interest in using trails in colder months is growing. This year Mayor Henry has asked the City’s Right of Way Department to begin clearing snow on primary and secondary trails. Each time it snows three . . .
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church began in the 1920’s as a Sunday School Mission in what was once considered a “remote” area of Waynedale. Founded and led by Pastor Herman H. Backs, it started as a small sparse wooden building on the muddy streets . . .
Because winter can be a busy time for coyotes, DNR biologists say people can expect to see more of them in the coming months, but not to be alarmed.
“Most young coyotes leave their parents to start looking for new homes during winter. In . . .
The newest installment in the Wizarding World franchise, Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindewald follows magical creatures expert Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) as he tries to get around a ban on international travel, win the heart of Tina Goldstein . . .
The Allen County SPCA set a new #GivingTuesday record with a total of $55,927 donated in 24 hours! The shelter started the day with an anonymous matching gift promising to double donor dollars up to $15,000, but thanks to the generosity of Heritage . . .
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.”
Purchase as close as possible to the time you need them and keep them outside until needed. When you purchase, check for freshness in color and pliability of the branches (not brittle). Cut the stems at an angle and soak deeply before displaying. You can treat with an anti-desiccant spray to help retain moisture, also. Once they are inside, expect them to last approximately 2 weeks on average. Daily misting can help improve their viability. Keep them away from heat drafts and direct sun.
Fresh greenery can be obtained from cuttings of plants on your property or purchasing at your local garden center. Some of the more popular types of greenery available include:
– Holly or winterberry: The bright red berries are always a focal point and variegated leaves of some types also accent your colors.
– White pine: The long needles give a very airy quality to this greenery.
– Boxwood: The dense nature of the small leaves make this a great filler in your creations.
– Eucalyptus: This is another green for fragrance and unique texture with the leaf shape as well as unique colors. Explore seeded eucalyptus if you have not used it before.
– Noble fir: It is sturdy and provides a beautiful bluish-green color.
– Silver fir: It is also sturdy and provides a unique silvery back side.
– Douglas fir: Firs like this provide a feathery, air quality.
– Juniper: The blue berries are a focal point. Juniper does best outdoors.
– Port Orford cedar: This greenery is sturdy, yet soft and makes a great base.
– Incense cedar: As the name implies, it has a fragrance and a flowing nature.
– Blue spruce: Small shrubs of this variety make great outdoor “trees”. The sharp nature of the needles makes them hard to work with in design.
– Magnolia: The deep green and unique shapes make these a focal point of your design work.
– Pepperberry: These soft, delicate berries add lots of color and texture.
Remember to always keep live greenery away from any open flames. Fresh greens are not only beautiful and fragrant, but also sustainable and renewable. When they are spent, simply compost them. Your local garden centers will be happy to help!
This article is sponsored by McNamara at Sand Point, which has 2 acres of production greenhouses, retail florist and gift shop, as well as retail garden center and wholesale plant business. Contact McNamara by calling 260-747-4131 or visit 4322 DeForest Ave, Ft. Wayne, IN 46809.
This exhibition is a celebration and exploration of the development of the Fort Wayne Art School in its century as a cultural entity in the city’s downtown West Central neighborhood. It brings together elements of the school’s history and a collection of works by many of the faculty members who left their mark on the school, its students, and the community. Work from instructors of the Art School such as John Ottis Adams, Clyde Burt, Don Kruse, George McCullough, Noel Dusendschon, Betty Fishman, and Russel Oettel are included in the exhibition, among others, many of which are loaned from private local collections.
Many former students of the Fort Wayne Art School recall the creative energy, excitement, and camaraderie of the Berry Street campus. A sense of community and family existed in the enclave of former homes and out-buildings that was the Art School’s campus for almost 100 years.
The Art School’s merger with Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in the 1970s signaled its inevitable move to a central metropolitan campus. Though the school remained in West Central for another 15 years, the move to the IPFW campus in 1991 was bittersweet. Many lamented the loss of freedom that the West Central campus allowed, but the move provided a sound new building and more space to dedicate to each discipline. The new Department of Fine Arts also gained better access to university life than it had as a separate campus. However, many who remember learning and growing as artists on Berry Street still feel nostalgic about the gritty downtown campus. For them, that was the “real” Art School.
What started as a small painting class in 1888 is now an accredited institution through Purdue University Fort Wayne that educates hundreds of students annually in design, fine arts, art education, art history, and visual communication. Tenacity, adaptability, and resilience in the face of changing circumstances continue to be defining characteristics of this institution.
#GivingTuesday encourages the whole community to consider how they can give back this holiday season. This could include volunteering time, making donations, and finding other ways to lend a hand to a neighbor or other meaningful cause.
The community is invited to celebrate #GivingTuesday with Turnstone by making a donation or signing up to volunteer for an upcoming event or program. The AWS Foundation has generously committed to match new and increased gifts $1 for $1 up to $10,000 to Turnstone only on #GivingTuesday!
#GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.
“Turnstone is grateful to be able to participate in the worldwide #GivingTuesday movement,” said Mike Mushett, Turnstone Chief Executive Officer. “Support from our donors help Turnstone ensure we are able to provide vital resources and services for children and adults with disabilities when they need it most.”
Those who are interested in celebrating #GivingTuesday with Turnstone can visit www.turnstone.org/givingtuesday or call Rena Burden at (260) 483-2100.
To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit: Website: www.givingtuesday.org
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.”
Each school in the District will offer tours during school hours to allow families to see the work going on in each building prior to the Dec. 14 deadline to submit school choice lottery applications. During Tuesday Tours, families can visit most elementary schools from 9-11 a.m. and noon-2 p.m.; middle schools from 8-10 a.m.; and high schools from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Bunche and Towles will offer tours from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and noon-2 p.m. Families not able to attend during these times are welcome to call their school(s) of interest and arrange an alternative time.
Students are assigned to a school based on where they live, but families can also choose from any of the District’s other schools. FWCS has seven magnet schools, which offer a variety of special programs. Bunche (pre-kindergarten and kindergarten) and Towles (first through sixth grades) offer Montessori instruction; Towles offers New Tech at seventh and eighth grades; fine arts programs are offered at Whitney Young Early Childhood Center (pre-kindergarten and kindergarten), Weisser Park Elementary School (first through fifth grades) and Memorial Park Middle School (sixth through eighth grades); Croninger Elementary School focuses on communications; and Irwin Elementary School specializes in math and science. Magnet schools have no boundaries and draw students from throughout the district.
In addition to the traditional curriculum, each FWCS high school has a Program of Study, which provides students an opportunity to participate in a special program or take career-oriented elective classes. The Programs of Study include: Project Lead the Way-Engineering at Northrop; Early College-Global Studies/World Languages at North Side; Project Lead the Way-Biomedical at Snider; International Baccalaureate at South Side; and New Tech Academy and Early College-Business at Wayne.
Parents wanting to request that their child attend a different school must complete and return a lottery application by Dec. 14. Families can apply online via the myFWCS portal at myfwcs.fortwayneschools.org. Paper applications are available at FWCS school buildings and at the Family and Community Engagement Center, 230 E. Douglas Ave. If there are more applicants than spaces available at any of the schools, a lottery will be held to determine admittance. The lottery will be held at 9 a.m. on Jan. 18, 2019, at the Family and Community Engagement Center. The lottery is open to the public.
With nearly 30,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is one of the largest school districts in Indiana. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 50 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as science and math, communication, fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level. In high school, students can choose from the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way or New Tech Academy as well as other rigorous academic and specialty training programs.
The day is celebrated in various ways: some schools invite a veteran to their class to share their experiences, merchants and restaurants offer veterans deals on merchandise and complimentary meals in thanks for their service.
A friend of mine Al Brothers was recently honored by being awarded a quilt by Freedom Star United out of Hudsonville, Michigan. I often run into Al at the Waynedale Masonic freewill breakfast on the first Saturday of the month and he kindly agreed to share his military background with the Waynedale News readers:
“I received my Air Force Commission in 1964 through AFROTC at Boston University. After commissioning I went directly to pilot training earning my pilot’s wings in 1965. My first aircraft assignment was as a co-pilot flying B-52s stateside and I later upgraded to pilot/aircraft commander and flew one ARCLIGHT in Southeast Asia. I volunteered to return to SE Asia and was assigned as a pilot flying the B-57G out of Ubon, Thailand into Laos. My last flying assignment was flying the FB-111a. I spent 22 years in the Air Force flying aircraft, as a Space Systems Engineer and Branch Chief at the Foreign Technology Division, and as a Commander of an AFROTC detachment. I retired as a Lt. Colonel.
Pilot training was a memorable experience with half my class German pilot candidates. One of my closest friends was my former roommate, Dieter Tietz, who retired from the German Air Force and now lives in the US. At our Pilot Training graduation my parents and Dieter Tietz’s father came. Both of our fathers fought in World War II but both shook hands when we introduced them to each other. That was a great experience: two former foes now bound by the friendship of their sons.
Flying the B-52 in the Vietnam War was a true experience. I had a young crew with the oldest crew member being our gunner. The longest combat flights were 12 hour flights from Guam to Vietnam and return. We refueled the B-52 aircraft once flying three bombers against three KC-135 tankers, and then proceeding as a 27ship wave in country. The in country combat time was about 90 minutes. I was honored to be a wave lead, leading 27 aircraft into combat and return.
Flying the B-57G was a tremendous opportunity. It was a modified test aircraft flying in combat going after supply trucks and supply dumps in Laos at night. I earned a Distinguished Flying Cross engaging a convoy and destroying nine trucks while under heavy enemy AAA fire.
Returning from Thailand after flying the B-57s home to the US, I got a dream assignment to the new FB-111A. These aircraft were about three years old and were being formed into new squadrons in SAC at both Pease AFB NH and Plattsburgh AFB NY. These were supersonic aircraft whose mission was just being defined. A test version of this aircraft, the TFX, had made an emergency landing at my Pilot training base Williams AFB AZ in 1965. Dieter and I had gone to the flight line to see it and get a few pictures. I commented to Dieter that I wanted to fly the aircraft. Six years later I received my assignment to fly the aircraft at Pease AFB close to my home in Boston. During my second tour in the FB-111a at Pease AFB, my family had a house near the end of the runway. This was the first time my kids could see their dad taxing the aircraft not too far from the house and then take off on a training mission and return. Now that he is retired Al is a member of the American Legion Post 409 in Leo, Indiana.”
Al’s wife, Sandi, owned A Quilt of Many Colors in Leo for many years where she provided fabrics for several quilt guilds who made quilts for veterans.
Last April Sandy and Al attended the big quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky. Al wore his Vietnam Veteran cap and when he and Sandy visited the quilt vendors Al was approached and asked if he was a Vietnam Veteran and if he had received a quilt for his service. Al related to them he was in the Vietnam Theater twice but had not received a quilt. Al consented to accept a quilt and Deb Granger of Freedom Star United presented him with one as she thanked him for his service stating Veterans were an inspiration to all for their selfless service and personal sacrifice to our country. Al was flabbergasted and honored at this totally unexpected experience. He was truly at a loss for words for he never thought in his wildest dreams that he would receive such an honor. Al’s quilt is a Friendship Star adapted pattern made of 100% cotton patriotic fabrics. Al is thankful and appreciative to the dedicated quilters who infuse each quilt with so much creativity; for Al receiving this special quilt was truly a humbling experience.
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.”
I am a great proponent of teamwork, both at work and in the home, and I’m proud to say that my staff believes in teamwork, too, especially in teaming up with our clients to improve their lives and the lives of everyone in our community.
When people think of a team, they think of a sports or work team. However, some think of their family as a team, with each member working together to provide a stable environment and great home life for all members of the team.
A team is most effective when the members understand their roles and responsibilities within the group, and try hard to achieve them. Some families function in a traditional manner with responsibilities split up such as the male in the family the outside chores, and the female doing the inside housework and cooking. Some families consider who likes to do what, or who does what the best, to decide on each person’s role in the household. Family members must be able to communicate and share ideas, and there needs to be a feeling of respect in place for each team member’s contribution.
Family members can have unnecessary conflicts with one another when some on the team feel like their ideas are not being heard or are not important to others. Members should listen to what others have to say. You may need to practice and work to improve your listening skills. “Win/win” solutions come about when everyone’s contributions can be respected and used. Be positive and give recognition for one another’s ideas and accomplishments. When issues arise, attack the issue not the person. Work at not putting others on the defense.
This time of year you hear discussion about football teams and the teamwork involved in ensuring a winning season. I like these quotes by Vince Lombardi: “People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society” and “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
When it comes to our work here at Wayne Township, we function as a team with all the members working to provide prompt, necessary relief to eligible citizens and residents of our community. Our Intake Department welcomes the clients, gathers information about their needs, and sets appointments for assistance. Our Investigations Department gathers additional information from the clients and works to provide the needed assistance for the clients. Our Workfare Department assists the clients in performing volunteer work at nonprofit agencies, to improve their work habits and interpersonal skills. Our Employment Department provides training and job leads for the clients, with the hopes of eliminating employment obstacles. We continually study our statutes and then work within the eligibility guidelines to provide assistance and guidance to the clients. Our employees team with one another, our clients, and other community resources to accomplish goals and to enrich the lives of all the citizens of our township.
Guests were served all they could eat “hog and fixin’s” prepared from scratch including the feature of the event, a 200-poundheritage breed Berkshire hog which was roasted in a newly built smoker on-site at Wood Farm. They were also treated to a cash bar by Hop River Brewing Company & Junk Ditch Brewing Company.
Bravas, which began as a hot-dog cart, has been renown as a champion of the Fort Wayne food truck scene, however the newer physical restaurant (3412 Fairfield Ave) has been slowly adding butcher to their list of services. According to Bravas, their butcher focus going forward will be pasture raised, hand cut, responsibly raised products.
Chinese lantern:
The flower of this plant looks very ‘pumpkin’ like as it matures and takes on the orange color in September. It makes a great dried flower. You can start from seed, but choose an area that you can dedicate to this plant as it is a vigorous grower. Be aware that it is a member of the night shade family and so has these toxic characteristics as well. Be careful with pets and children.
Witch hazel:
This is a shrubby tree that prefers some shade (about 4 hours of sun) and grows 15-30 feet tall and wide. The native variety produces a yellow, broom-like flower in the fall. It is hardy to our area.
Monstera split-leaf philodendron:
This is a beautiful tropical plant with the natural holes in the leaves as they mature. It is a very vigorous grower, however, so make sure you have the space to accommodate its sprawling nature and very bright, indirect light.
Spider plant: The house plant variety (Chlorphytum comosum) is commonly known and people enjoy the relatively easy care it requires. The prolific ‘baby’ spiders produced in good growing conditions are a fun conversation piece and can be used to start new plants to share with your friends!
Cockscomb:
This variety of celosia is commonly used in the fall due to its vibrant color choices and long-lasting blooms. The flower reminds people of a brain. Supply it with sun and maintain moisture and it will be a happy annual for the season.
Eyeball plant (spilanthes): This annual blooms from June through September or longer in full sun to part shade. The unique flower looks like the pattern of an eyeball.
Ghost fern (athyrium):
This beautiful fern with the silver sheen is hardy to our area and brightens those shade areas you have.
Venus flytrap:
This and other carnivorous plants are always intriguing with their ability to trap live insects and digest them. They are all bog plants that require consistently moist conditions. These moist soils in nature don’t provide all the nutrients they need, so they evolved the ability to capture insects to gain that needed protein. Be aware that while very fun to observe, they can be hard to maintain long-term in our home conditions.
This article is sponsored by McNamara at Sand Point, which has 2 acres of production greenhouses, retail florist and gift shop, as well as retail garden center and wholesale plant business. Contact McNamara by calling 260-747-4131 or visit 4322 DeForest Ave, Ft. Wayne, IN 46809.
“Both of my boys have spent time working here,” Workman said proudly. “And I’ve been volunteering here for about 20 years.”
On a recent chilly October Friday night, hundreds of visitors came to experience the fruit of the Workman family’s labors, filling St. Vincent’s church parking lot, then lining up dozens deep to make their way into the popular Halloween attractions.
Located at 8965 Auburn Road, the cost to go through the attractions are: $10 for the Haunted Castle; $10 for the Black Forest; and $16 to walk through both.
In operation since 1980, the attraction is maintained and operated by youngsters and adults associated with the St. Vincent’s Boy Scouts, Troop 2, Varsity Team 6402, and Venture Crew 2802.
Volunteer help also is given by local Cub Scout groups, as well as by other local Boy Scouts, the American Heritage Girls and other individual volunteers.
More than 100 volunteers give their time to staff the attractions, Workman said, including doing all the creepy makeup it takes to put a fright into all the folks who tour the Castle and Forest.
In 2010, the Haunted Castle moved to its current location, a new two-story building next to St. Vincent Scout Lodge.
The Haunted Castle consists of several haunt scenes, including creepy fortune tellers, ghouls popping out of dusty coffins, and bloody-faced vampires lurking in dark corners, waiting for guests to cross their paths, so they can jump out and scare them. Blood-curdling screams and ghostly moans waft in the air throughout both attractions, piercing the silence one experiences when first entering.
The castle also features two slides that let guests quickly move from the top floor to the ground floor. The Black Forest, meanwhile, is an outdoor haunt that leads visitors through a winding gravel trail along Beckett’s Run Creek.
It takes about 30 minutes to stroll through each attraction.
The Castle and Black Forest also feature autumn-themed concessions, with hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks and hot chocolate for sale at reasonable prices.
Money raised from admissions and concession sales all go to support the Boy Scouts, Workman said. “This helps to pay for the Boy Scout program all year long and take care of the property,” Workman said.
Workman, whose sons Tommy and Billy both were Boy Scouts who’ve benefited from the funds brought in by the Castle and Forest, said the attractions are about more than just a fun Halloween scare.
“It’s something to do with your family; it’s fun; and it’s a reasonable price,” he said. “And we wouldn’t have been doing this for 30-plus years if people didn’t enjoy it.”
The Haunted Castle and Black Forest are open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays up to (and including) Halloween night. Thursday and Sunday hours run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday hours are from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In addition, guests will receive $1 off their admissions if they bring a canned good to donate. The Black Forest also is hosting a Trunk or Treat for children on October 28, in which volunteers welcome trick-or-treaters to their cars – as if they were homes – and pass out candy and goodies to the children.
For more information on both attractions, visit www.hauntedcastle.com
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.
Kids and adults love to watch kitchen discards grow into new plants. According to KidsGardening.org, a national nonprofit, these types of activities improve nutritional knowledge, enhance social emotional learning, and environmental stewardship. Here are just a few projects to get you started:
Sweet Potatoes
Convert sprouted sweet potatoes into beautiful indoor houseplants. Set in a container of well-drained potting mix, so the growing point is just below the soil surface. Grow your new plant in a sunny window and water thoroughly as needed. Watch as the heart-shaped leaves appear, and the plant grows into a vine.
To see what goes on below ground, try growing your sweet potato in water. Insert three or four toothpicks around the middle of the sweet potato. Set the toothpicks on the lip of a water-filled glass. Keep the water covering the bottom half of the sweet potato. Place it in a bright location, out of direct sun, and watch the roots and stems appear.
Pineapples
Grow dinner scraps headed to the compost pile into houseplants. Start a new plant from the top of a fresh pineapple. Use a sharp knife to separate the leafy top from the fruit. Just leave the stem intact and scrape off any remaining fleshy fruit.
Remove a few of the lower leaves for easier rooting. Set the base of the stem in a container filled with a well-drained potting mix and water thoroughly.
Place it in a bright location, out of direct sunlight, and keep the soil moist. In a couple weeks, the plant should have formed roots and can be moved into a bright, sunny window for you to enjoy.
Avocados
Start your own avocado tree from the seed. Hard seeds like these need a little help sprouting. Nick the seed or soak it overnight to soften the hard covering, seed coat, so it can absorb water and start growing.
Sprout your avocado seed in water by inserting three toothpicks into the seed about halfway down. Set the toothpicks on the lip of a glass with the pointed end of the seed facing up. Keep the bottom, the rounded portion, submerged in water to encourage rooting.
Or plant the seed in a container of well-drained potting mix with the top inch of the pointed end above the soil. Water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil moist. Then watch your seed sprout and grow into a wonderful tree.
Visit KidsGardening.org for more fun and educational activities. Adults and children will enjoy learning more about plants, gardening and nature through a variety of age appropriate activities. If your children are involved with gardening at their school, the national nonprofit offers a variety of grants and practical how-to information.
Delirium features Topher Grace as Tom, a man released from a mental institution to spend the last 30 days of his sentence under house arrest in his late father’s mansion. Quickly, Tom starts to suspect that the house is haunted, but when the officer assigned to his case (Patricia Clarkson) takes off with his meds, he cannot trust himself to differentiate between what is real and what is hallucination as he tries to get to the bottom of his family’s suspicious past. Delirium meanders through its plot and has some pretty corny moments, but the mystery at its center is intriguing and confusing enough to keep the audience hooked.
For more traditional haunted house stories, you might try I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, also on Netflix, or The Others on Hulu. Told from the perspective of a ghost, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House is the story of Lily (Ruth Wilson), a hospice nurse sent to take care of author Iris Blum (Paula Prentiss) in a haunted house. The film is quiet and reflective, but also very tense and frightening. It is a scary story that manages to also be beautiful, and creates a lot of dread without much violence. Ruth Wilson is fantastic and much of the narrative relies on her skills, since her character spends the majority of the film alone. The Others is reminiscent of the Henry James classic The Turn of the Screw and stars Nicole Kidman as a mother in an isolated mansion, trying to protect her sickly children from her increasing suspicion that either the caretakers of the home are driving her insane or something from the other side is creating trouble. The film has some great twists and plenty of jump scares to keep things fun.
If you’re in the mood for horror-comedy, Netflix has Little Evil and Life After Beth to offer. Little Evil stars Adam Scott as Gary, a real estate agent and newlywed trying to bond with his wife, Samantha’s (Evangeline Lilly), young son, Lucas (Owen Atlas), who he suspects might be the antichrist. Little Evil is not an especially good movie, but it has some decent laughs thanks to Gary’s friends and step-dad support group. The fun of the movie really comes from the little ways it pays homage to horror classics such as The Omen, Poltergeist, and The Shining.
In Life After Beth, Zach (Dane DeHaan) barely has time to grieve his girlfriend, Beth’s (Aubrey Plaza), death before she comes back to life. Beth’s return raises conflict between Zach and her parents, Maury (John C. Reilly) and Geenie (Molly Shannon), then a near-zombie apocalypse. If Little Evil is a family comedy crossed with a horror movie, then Life After Beth is a romantic comedy crossed with a zombie movie. The film is a showcase for the weirdly hilarious talents of Aubrey Plaza, but also stars a very funny ensemble as the central couple’s parents. Watching Plaza gradually transform into a zombie demonstrates her acting chops and provides some offbeat and humorous moments.
If you would rather binge watch a series, Hulu has one of my favorites: Dead Like Me. This short-lived series is the story of an 18 year-old girl, George (Ellen Muth), who is killed suddenly by a toilet seat falling from space. Before she can move on, however, she has to serve her term as a grim reaper, under the supervision of Rube (Mandy Patinkin) and his team of reapers (Callum Blue, Jasmine Guy, Laura Harris, and Rebecca Gayheart). Dead Like Me is at once morbid, quirky, hilarious, and thoughtful as George tries to grow up and grieve her own death while also dealing with the indignities of temp work.
On the very day of its birthday – October 8 – the center, located at 3320 N. Clinton Street, held the annual Community Health & Information Fair from 8 a.m. to noon.
Welcoming the public into the building for everything from blood pressure, vision and bone density screenings to blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar; to flu shots and other immunizations; to breast cancer screenings from Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography inside its mobile testing truck, the fair drew dozens of eager folks looking to find out more about local agencies and, perhaps, check out their health at a reduced cost.
Sponsored by organized labor and the local United Way, the event was open to those 18 and older, and was free to attend, although some of the health tests did cost a nominal fee.
“This facility has a lot offer,” said Mike Bynum, Director of Labor and Community Services for the local United Way. “And one of the main reasons we put this event on is – as a community – we have a responsibility to help each other, to make Fort Wayne a good place to live and retire. This is really about helping people be exposed to services they might not otherwise know about.”
Several groups set up tables inside Turnstone’s cavernous gymnasium area, including the local Boys & Girls Club; the American Red Cross; Familia Dental; Ivy Tech; the Community Transportation Network; the Allen County ASPCA; Visiting Nurse, and Citilink.
In fact, guests could receive a “Bingo” card showing all the logos for the agencies in attendance, and get them marked for each group they visited. Once their card was marked by all the groups they had seen, they could enter their card into a sweepstakes to win a $25 Kroger gift card, Bynum said.
“The vendors are just great,” Bynum said, “and they’re very supportive of our guests here today.”
The fair also garnered the help of about 20 volunteers who helped work the event. Most were retirees who had been active members of organized labor, Bynum said.
The history of the event actually goes back about 25 years, according to Sally Zuber, a retiree from the United Way, who has worked the fair since its inception in 1993. That first year, she said, it was only held for United Auto Worker retirees, and was done at the UAW Local No. 57 Rec Hall, located off U.S. Highway 27. “The CEO of Parkview was on our board at the United Way,” Zuber said, “And he helped come up with the idea of a health fair for retirees.”
In 1996, the fair moved to Turnstone, and was opened to all retirees, not just those from the UAW, she said. Later still, the United Way opened the event to the general public.
She said the event really has evolved into a way to get out information and help those who may not have the money to get tests done at their family physician.
“We’re really just trying to reach those who may not be able to afford to go to the doctor,” Zuber said.
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 ceremony was held at the airfield’s Hangar 2, which Wearley hopes some day to have transformed into a national air mail museum. He is currently working with Congressman Jim Banks and Senators Joe Donnelly and Todd Young to obtain funding for a feasibility study.
“Bob is a community advocate who has worked tirelessly to keep Smith Field open,” Commissioner Nelson Peters said in his introduction of Wearley. “He has also assisted in strengthening the Allen County Jail ministry and continues to fight for those who have succumbed to drug addiction.”
Wearley, an Allen County native, retired from the Air Force after 17 years as a lieutenant colonel. His aviation career included a nine-year stint as chief pilot for Howard Hughes and he has piloted 747’s for two different airlines. Wearley also served on the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority’s board of directors and spent five years as marketing director for Fort Wayne International Airport. In addition, Wearley serves as president of the Allen County Jail Chaplaincy and is a board member of Faith Based Mentoring Ministries.
Wearley received a personal plaque and his name was included on a permanent plaque that is kept in the commissioners’ office. He also received a $250 check from Fire-Police City-County Federal Credit Union which is handling a special account established by an anonymous donor for recipients of the award. Wearley said he will donate the money to the jail chaplaincy program and the national air mail museum project.
The commissioners announced establishment of the award in 2016 to be presented annually to an individual or individuals who reside in Allen County and have lived a life of service to our community outside of their regular profession in the example and tradition set by the Vandeveers.
Layla Wigmore is an 8-year-old third grader with a big smile and a big heart for helping others. In March 2018, she was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a rare condition where her body attacks her blood and prevents her from making more. She received a stem cell transplant two months later from her brother Cooper. Layla has received more than 200 blood transfusions so far and may need more as treatment continues.
“Layla was in desperate need of blood due to her illness,” said Tina Wigmore, Layla’s mother. “She would like to give others a chance to receive lifesaving transfusions, whoever may need it. Layla made it a goal to inspire others while at the hospital and encourages others by bringing joy to their lives.”
The blood drive is part of a larger event at Sweetwater in Layla’s honor, featuring a bike run, classic car show, live bands, food trucks, raffles and more. Follow Layla’s journey and information about this event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LovingLayla-1072894236185482/
The Wigmore family anticipates collecting 35 lifesaving donations at this blood drive. The community is invited to join them in support of patients like Layla by giving blood.
“Hosting this blood drive in her name is a wonderful way to honor Layla and potentially help others in need of transfusions,” said Erica Hines, donor recruitment manager for the Red Cross.
This blood drive comes as parts of the Southeast U.S. are being affected by Hurricane Florence, with more than 170 blood drives being cancelled, resulting in over 4,600 uncollected blood and platelet donations. The Red Cross encourages blood and platelet donations in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. Platelet and type O positive blood donations are critically needed right now.
Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide, including 80 hospitals in Indiana.
Those who come to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross Sept. 1-30 will receive a coupon for a free haircut via email several days after their donation. The coupon is valid through Nov. 11, 2018, at participating Sport Clips locations. Donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the coupon.
Bruce Keller, a graduate of the Class of 1966, was the recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Knight Award. Keller spent many years working for a city government in Illinois helping improve the community for people he served.
When he returned to Fort Wayne, he immediately began volunteering at Bishop Luers to give back to the high school that strengthened him as a young man. He is a strong supporter of Bishop Luers by giving his time, talent and treasure. He often attends alumni functions and can be counted on to be a lector at alumni Masses.
He is active in the community as an instructor of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University program. For the last five years, this active retiree has also served the American Red Cross as a liaison to alleviate suffering caused by natural and man-made disasters in 11 counties in northern Indiana. Keller volunteers at his parish, St. Joseph, Roanoke, as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and a money counter.
Keller served three years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
He puts Christ in the center of all he does and credits his servant’s heart to his Catholic upbringing.
Robert Heiny is the 2018 Honorary Distinguished Knight Award recipient. Heiny, 96, remembers when Bishop Luers High School opened its doors in 1958 and welcomed the very first class of students.
Heiny was the very first basketball coach at Bishop Luers High School for its freshmen team from 1958-1959. He also coached the boys’ varsity basketball team at St. John the Baptist, Fort Wayne, from 1959-1973.
For the past 65 years, Heiny has been active in the community as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an usher and extraordinary minister of the Eucharist for 42 years and volunteered 29 years on the early morning shift with the Tuesday, Thursday crew at St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen.
Heiny served in the Army during World War II, where he showed bravery during battle in Germany. For serving his country, he was awarded two Bronze Stars along with an honorable discharge at the war’s end.
He is a devout Catholic widower and the father of three daughters, Ann, Linda and Marie, who all graduated from Bishop Luers High School. Together with his beloved wife Marge, of 60 years, he has seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
In May of 2018 the University of Saint Francis’ Board of Trustees and its President Sister Elise Kriss awarded Heiny with an honorary doctor of humane letters at commencement for his lifetime accomplishments and service to God and his community.
5 O’Clock Mingle will be held at Rich’s Auto Center (2135 Sand Point Rd) on Thursday, October 4 from 5pm to 6:30pm. The WBC invites all business owners, managers and commercial property owners from throughout the Waynedale area to attend the event. There will be appetizers and drinks served as well as an opportunity to tour the facilities of Rich’s Auto Center. Tickets do not need to be reserved in advance, however a $5 entrance fee will be collected to fund a portion of the event’s cost.
Cindy Elzey of Rich’s Auto Commented, “One of the inspirations for this event in Waynedale was my participation at other chambers’ networking events in the past. As an organizer of the Chamber’s 5 O’Clock Mingle, we offered the space at Rich’s Auto as an easy segue to host this first event and hopefully give a start to events like this happening at other locations in the future. The event gives us the opportunity to showcase our facility as well as to give back to the community.”
According to organizers, the intent of the event is to bring the business members together to network with each other and discuss future projects that could be completed by the WBC in the future. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the completed and ongoing projects that the Chamber has initiated.
“It was evident that our members wanted more businesses represented in Waynedale. The idea for a “casual mixer” came out of one of our meetings. The main emphasis is to bring Waynedale business owners and managers together. There are a lot of fantastic business owners in Waynedale but they may not know each other.” Dave Umber, President of the Waynedale Business Chamber continued, “I think every business owner feels like great progress is being made for improvements in Waynedale. We want people to meet and discuss the next big things that should happen in the community. Plus, it is all going to happen at a unique location with some cold drinks and tasty treats.”
The Waynedale Business Chamber boasts free membership to any business leader who would like to belong. Differing than most traditional chambers and networking groups, the WBC operates more like a service group that offers its members the ability to network through working on community enhancing projects. The Chamber connects with area non-profits, government entities, companies and private individuals to fundraise for projects as it does not hold a bank account. More information about the Waynedale Business Chamber can be found on Waynedale.com/business
Waynedale Worthy Matron Marylou Blinn says the tradition started five years ago as a fundraiser for the philanthropic organization that is affiliated with Freemasons. Chapter members do all the work in the commercial kitchen of Waynedale Masonic Lodge, 7039 Elzey Ave.
After all the peeling and rolling, the fist-sized dumplings are placed in cartons along with a bag of sugar-cinnamon for syrup, and instructions for baking. You can buy them fresh if you’re lucky enough to see a sign posted outside the Lodge on a dumpling-making day. Most are frozen before being sold.
“Many people buy them to save for Thanksgiving dinner,” Blinn explains. “Just take them out of the freezer, add water to the syrup mix, pour that over the frozen dumplings, and bake them until the smell brings everyone to the kitchen!”
Dumplings will be available for sale at the next monthly, public breakfast at Waynedale Lodge on Saturday, October 6, from 6:00 to 10:00 AM. You can also make arrangements to pick up a dumpling order by calling Sara at 749-2276, or Bessie at 749-2358.
The price of a package of 4 dumplings is $8.00. Single dumpling packages are available for $2.00 – while they last!
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.”