Serving northwest Allen County INfortwayne.com
An invisible crisis by bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
It’s an invisible crisis but if you look closely, the signs are there: the student nodding off in class, the school bus making a stop at a motel, the waiting lines to get into family shelters. “Family and student homelessness is often not visible (and is) even difficult to identify,” said Wendy Hoering, Families in Transition coordinator for Fort Wayne Community Schools. Hoering serves as the school corporation’s McKinney-Vento liaison. The federal program
provides assistances for students experiencing homelessness. Each year, communities across the country do a headcount of homeless Americans. The “point in time” count takes place during the last week in January, and counts people living in shelters as well as people who are “unsheltered” – living on the street, in parks, under bridges and in their cars. According to the 2017 count, 5,438 Hoosiers were homeless. However, it’s likely that the number of Hoosiers facing housing insecurity
December 2018
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Vincent Village staff and families celebrate the completion of the Learning Center for Homeless Children. Interior design firm One Eleven Design donated its services to create a space for the children. The center, which serves almost 200 youth, will provide daily activities that include tutoring, art, literacy, social skill building and access to technology.
is much higher. That’s because the “point in time” count largely overlooks homeless families. It doesn’t count families who are “doubled up” — living with a relative or a family friend due to an economic hardship — nor does it consider families living in long-term stay hotels and motels.
HOmeLeSS STUDeNTS
In the three years since Hoering entered her role, See HOMELESS, Page 5
CONTRIBUTED
Carroll’s Charger Pride performs at Lucas Oil Stadium during the state marching band finals. Carroll placed eighth in Class A.
Charger Pride takes eighth at state by Louis Wyatt lwyatt@kpcmedia.com
After another long season of marching band, it all came to a close for the Charger Pride Nov. 3. Carroll performed its 2018 show, “In the Glass,” for the final time at the State Marching Band Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium. “When you qualify for state, you know going into it that this is it, so there’s kind of an emotional build up,” Director Doug
Hassell said. “Part of it is just performing at state, but I think the other part is when the kids know it’s their last time together, there’s obviously the emotional payoff of the performance. There’s a really big release because you realize that was it and you’re done. And, to be on that field, it’s such a grand stage for them to finish on.” The Charger Pride has qualified for state five of
the last six years, taking 10th place in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and ninth place last year. This time around, they took eighth in Class A. “We were ecstatic for a number of reasons,” Hassell said. “First of all, it was a great performance, and they knew it was a good performance to cap a great season. I told the performers before the show that I was See BAND, Page 14
“
Family and student homelessness is often not visible (and is) even difficult to identify.” —Wendy Hoering, Families in Transition coordinator for Fort Wayne Community Schools
INSIDE DUPONT Arts & Culture ..................... A6 Briefs .................................... A3 Community Calendar........................A15-16 Pufferbelly Trail .................. A9 Food & Drink ......................A10 Carroll Cheerleading .......... A7
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the local arts scene has to offer this season. Page 6
A2 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Kerley updates council on status of Legacy Fund NACS accepts elementary By Tim Zink
tzink@kpcmedia.com
Kyle Kerley, chair of the Legacy Fund Joint Funding Committee, gave an update Nov. 13 to the Fort Wayne City Council on the current status of the city’s Legacy Fund account. Kerley recapped current and proposed initiatives and gave a projection for future
growth of the fund. In October, city council approved $10 million in funds from the Legacy account for the Electric Works revitalization project at the former General Electric campus site. In February, council also approved $600,000 for improvements to the World Baseball Academy’s facilities.
Two additional requests are pending: $7 million in improvements to the Arts United Campus and $500,000 in additions to Science Central. Available funds after the $10.6 million in future commitments stands at $7,640,712 and after pending commitments at $1,140,712. Kerley projects there
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will be $32,857,712 available in the Legacy Fund by 2034 (excluding gains/losses from market performance) if no further grants are awarded until that year. There will be $16,400,000 in future income from Indiana Michigan Power and $3.5 See FUND, Page 4
school construction bid By Louis Wyatt lwyatt@kpcmedia.com
Northwest Allen County Schools took another step toward opening its eighth elementary school Nov. 5. The Board of School Trustees accepted a construction bid from contractor Mosaic Building Solutions totaling $25,744,660 during its regularly scheduled meeting. “It’s just another part of the process,” NACS Superintendent Chris Himsel said. “I can’t wait to see dirt moving.” The bid was accepted through a 4-0 vote. Board President Kent Somers was absent during the meeting due to an employment conflict, Himsel said. The district’s hope was to break ground on the project in late fall or early winter, but the timeline is weather dependent. The new school will occupy a 98-acre parcel of land on the north side of Hathaway Road just east of Bethel Road within Huntertown, which the school corporation purchased for $1.4 million in August. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2019, which the district hopes to complete by the summer of 2020 in order to open doors that August.
In other news: The school board voted in favor of ratifying its 2018-19 contract with the Northwest Allen County Education Association during the meeting. Jim Walker, one of the teacher union’s chief negotiators, represented NACS educators during the meeting, expressing his gratitude for the district’s cooperation during negotiations, which began Sept. 15. “While the NACEA would like the State of Indiana to allocate more value and financial support toward educating future generations, the NACS administration and the NACEA continue to manage resources in a sustainable manner,” the negotiation team said in a written statement. “The goal of the NACEA negotiations team is to work with the administration to support a contract that retains, values, motivates and fairly compensates the educators of our NACS community.” The 2018-19 contract will increase some teachers’ annual salaries by $1,000 or as much as $1,700, based on evaluations, which rank teachers as effective, highly effective or in need of improvement.
INfortwayne.com • A3
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Coat campaign spreads winter warmth The 2019 Coats for Kids campaign continues through Dec. 2. Sponsored by the Volunteer Center, Coats for Kids provides more than 5,000 warm winter coats to local under-served children. To date, over 60,000 coats have been delivered to approximately 80 area schools and social service agencies. Donations of new or gently used winter coats are being collected at partner locations including Peerless Cleaners, Kroger, Adams Radio Group and Lee’s Famous Recipe. “This is one of the most rewarding programs the Volunteer Center is blessed to be a part of. The Fort Wayne community is very generous, and it is heartwarming to know that neighborhood children will be well prepared to face the winter weather,” Executive Director Ani Etter said in a statement. Cash donations are also appreciated. $25 will provide a new coat, hat, scarf and mittens to a child in need. Secure online donations are accepted at www.volunteerfortwayne.org.
Briefs •
Fort Wayne Firefighters, YMCA team members and community volunteers will deliver the coats to schools and social service agencies during the week of Dec. 17, prior to the holiday break. Old Fort offers new program Historic Fort Wayne, which provides programming at the Old Fort, recently announced a new program: Friday at the Fort. From 3-7 p.m. on most Fridays between now and May 31, several soldiers will be on the grounds drilling, cooking and occupying the Fort as it would have been in 1816. The program is aimed at increasing tour availability and visitor access at the Old Fort. The last tour starts at 6:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to check social media before visiting as Friday at the Fort may occasionally be cancelled due to weather and other unforeseen events. All Historic Fort Wayne events are free and open to the public. Clinic offers emergency veterinary services Aboite Animal Clinic and House Call Practice
has expanded its services to offer after-hours emergency veterinary services. Injuries and illness can happen any time. The clinic’s new emergency service hours aim to reduce stress and improve access to quality medical care. “Having been approached many times over the years and seeing a need for emergency services on the southwest side of town, we felt it was it important to help the community by extending our hours for emergency care,” Dr. Sunil Gupta said. Emergency services hours are MondayFriday 6-10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday noon-10 p.m. The clinic asks that clients give the office a call first at (260) 432-5525 so they may properly advise on what the best course of action is. The new emergency services hours are in addition to the clinic’s regular hours and are open to both new and existing clients. Aboite Animal Clinic and House Call Practice is a two-doctor practice providing care to cats and dogs. For more information, visit https:// aboitevet.com or the clinic’s Facebook page.
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A4 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Toys for Tots feels loss of Toys ‘R’ Us By Linda Lipp llipp@kpcmedia.com
The demise of the Toys ‘R’ Us retail chain is having a major impact on this year’s U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots collection
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drive. The defunct toy store chain was Toys for Tots largest retail corporate sponsor from 2004 through 2017. Each year, Toys ‘R’ Us stores, including the one that was in Fort Wayne’s Glenbrook Commons, collected cash donations from customers that came to about $5 million nationwide. The funds were distributed to toy drives across the country. The Fort Wayne chapter usually got about $10,000, said Sunny Helstrom, director of the campaign for Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Steuben and Wells counties. “Because we were lucky enough to have a Toys ‘R’ Us store store in our area, not only did we get spending money, they were also a toy collection site for us, and we would receive 300 to 400 toys a year from that location,” Helstrom said. Nationally, Toys ‘R’ Us collection boxes account for about 200,000 toys donated per year. Toys ‘R’ Us ran a national campaign promoting Toys for Tots
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supported, it has a huge impact.” Toys for Tots took another hit this year when Kroger decided to limit its cash donation collection drives to charities that are food related. It still is the area’s largest collector of donated toys, however, with boxes in stores across the region. The local campaign also receives toys and/or donations from a number of area businesses that conduct their own drives. Some are internal, relying on donations from workers or members, and others are open to the public. On Dec. 1, for example, Mike’s Carwash locations will donate a portion of the cost of washes to the campaign and also collect donations. On Dec. 7, Auburn Bowl will host a drive. A list of events and collection sites can be found online at ft-wayne-in.toysfortots.org. Monetary donations may also be made online at the
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Volunteers from Fort Wayne Metals deliver toys to the Toys for Tots warehouse in Fort Wayne.
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each year, using a celebrity spokesperson, that promoted the toy drive and especially the cash donations. “Having that money allowed me at any time in our campaign to go to Toys ‘R’ Us and purchase the exact items I needed for the exact ages — boys or girls,” Helstrom said. The third way in which Toys ‘R’ Us contributed was through its agreement to donate excess inventory left after Christmas to the local Toys for Tots campaign, giving it a jump start on collections for the next year. Although the number of youngsters served by the seven-county northeast Indiana drive varies, it’s usually between 5,000 and 8,000 children. There are 809 Toys for Tots campaigns run across the country, 660 of which are civilian. Each year, the drives collectively distribute about 18 million toys to some 7 million disadvantaged children across the country. “So it was a big hit when Toys ‘R’ Us closed down,” Helstrom said. “Not only does it have a great impact on us locally, but for the agencies or charities they
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Gift collection for the local Toys for Tots campaign continues through Dec. 7. Kroger stores will continue accepting donations through Dec. 10. Distribution of the toys also begins Dec. 10. A list of events and collection sites can be found online at ft-wayne-in.toysfortots. org. Toys for Tots accepts new toys with a value of $10 or more. The campaign is asking for donations of: • Toys for newborn through 2 years old for boys and girls • Toys and other items for 8-14 year old boys and girls • Chapter books for 7-14 year old children
Here are some suggestions: • Sleds • Board games for 10-14 year old children • Footballs, basketballs, soccer balls and other sport balls • Bath & Body Works products • Purses for teens • Baby dolls • Puzzles for all ages • Arts and crafts Not needed are donations of Barbie dolls and stuffed animals. Monetary donations may also be made online at the local campaign website, which lists collection box locations for all seven counties as well. For more information, email the local drive at fortwaynetoysfortots@gmail.com.
local campaign website, which lists collection box locations for all seven counties as well. The toy collection drive ends Dec. 7, except at Kroger stores, which will
accept donations through Dec. 10. Distribution of the toys also begins Dec. 10. For more information, email the local drive at fortwaynetoysfortots@gmail. com.
FUND
projects focusing on talent, economic development, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and quality of life. Legacy funding comes from the Fort Wayne Community Trust and the City Light Lease Settlement between the City of Fort Wayne and Indiana Michigan Power.
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INfortwayne.com • A5
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
HOMELESS FROM
Page 1
the number of students served through the program has increased: Almost 800 students qualified for the program for the 2015-16 school year. For the 2017-18 school year, the program served just fewer than 1,000 homeless students. “I don’t think it’s a new crisis. I think we’re doing a better job of letting families know about the services and supports that are available to them,” she said. To qualify for assistance through the program, students must be living in one of the following situations: doubled up with friends or family, living in a shelter, living in a hotel or motel or living in an unsheltered situation. The majority of students in the program, 61 percent, are doubled up. This does not include families who choose to live together; doubled up is considered homeless when the family is living with family or friends because they have no other choice. The next highest category is students living in shelters, which make up 24 percent. After that is students living in hotels or motels at 15 percent. It’s an expensive living arrangement, but if might be the only option for someone with no credit or bad credit or someone who has an eviction under their name. The smallest group the program serves is students whose living condition is considered unsheltered (less than 1 percent). There’s likely two reasons this is the smallest group, Hoering said. First, parents aren’t likely to live in a car or under a bridge with their child because they would be reported to the Department of Child Services. Second, parents who are in these situations are less likely to reach out for help for fear of getting in trouble. When you combine the number of students who are doubled up and living in hotels and motels, the annual point in time homeless headcount overlooks 76 percent of homeless students: 750 kids in FWCS alone. The Families in Transition Program offers students clothes for school, school supplies and hygiene products. Nurses at FWCS Family & Community Engagement Center offer health screenings to students as well as medical referrals. A key component of the program is transportation to school. If a student has to move away from their school
because of homelessness, the school will provide transportation so that they don’t have to change schools. “When the family is already experiencing crisis and difficulty in their personal life, being able to have consistency and stability in school makes all the difference in the world for a student,” Hoering said.
FAMILIES STRETCHED THIN
Just Neighbors is the only emergency homeless shelter for families in Allen County. The shelter can accommodate 10 families with each family sharing a single room. “What makes us unique is we’re able to keep the family together, so if we’re going to work toward stability in the future, we’re going to have to start that now. From day 1, they’re working with their case managers to get their life together and improve the situation for the family,” executive director Joshua Gale said. Homeless people are often stereotyped as lazy or not wanting to work, Gale said, adding that couldn’t be further from the truth, as many of the parents of homeless families work. “Well, if you look at it, nobody’s here,” he said on the Tuesday morning of the interview, at a time where the shelter was serving 37 people. “The kids are in school and the parents are at their job or looking for a job.” Underemployment and low-wage jobs — not just unemployment — contribute to homelessness, Gale said. According to the United Way ALICE report, 41 percent of households in Fort Wayne were living in poverty or working but struggling to get by. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It includes households that earn more than the federal poverty level but less than the basic cost of living for the county. In Indiana, 65 percent of jobs pay less than $20 per hour, with more than two-thirds of those jobs paying less than $15 per hour. According to the ALICE report, a family in Allen County with two adults, one infant and one preschooler would have to make $53,160 annually to afford basic needs. The budget does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college. Even if a parent is working full time, a low-wage job combined with the cost of transportation, child care and unexpected expenses like medical bills might threaten a family’s ability to afford decent housing.
BARRIERS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
In Fort Wayne, Vincent Village is helping families work toward long-term housing goals. Families often arrive at Vincent House shelter after being referred from an emergency shelter like Just Neighbors. Executive director Denise Andorfer said in the six years she has been in her role, there have consistently been 30 homeless families on the waiting list for the program. Andorfer cites the lack of affordable housing options as a major reason families end up without a roof over their heads. Even if they qualify for housing assistance, many landlords won’t rent to families using housing vouchers. Families might start out living at the Vincent House Transitional Shelter where they can live while they work toward higher levels of self-sufficiency and prepare to move to their own housing. The next step might be to move into a house in Vincent Village where they can continue to receive supportive services and privately subsidized rent. This phase lasts up to five years, giving families enough time to build their credit scores and reduce their debt in order to become self-sufficient. Vincent Village is nearing the completion of the Bottle Works Lofts development. The project includes historic rehabilitation of the former Coca-Cola building and a total of 62 living units . Bottle Works will provide more affordable housing options for families in the community. The one-three bedroom apartments will be rented to individuals of varying
incomes, earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income. Homelessness among families is more than a housing problem, Andorfer said. Vincent Village requires adults in the transitional housing program to participate in classes on budgeting and connect them with supportive services.
The program can also help parents get skills that make them more employable for higher wage jobs. Each year, adults in the program are awarded scholarships for certifications for jobs in the medical field like a certified nursing assistant. The most effective approach for addressing homelessness is looking
at its underlying causes, she said. “It could be anything from mental health, a health problem, a lack of transportation, a lack of childcare. It could be an undiagnosed intellectual disability. ... There’s a lot of really complicated cases out here that we’re trying to navigate through,” she said.
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Arts & Culture
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Broadway, orchestra, ballet, oh my! It’s sometimes hard to get motivated to leave the house when the mercury drops, but the local arts – theater, concerts, you name it – provide the perfect impetus to enjoy what your hometown has to offer. You get to dress up, enjoy a nice dinner and maybe a cocktail or two and then sit in a comfortable seat in a warm room while music, dancing, acting or all three blow you away. As a singer living in the vibrant city of Fort Wayne, I always look forward both to putting on and attending concerts in the chillier seasons. Here are some of the artistic highlights that the arts scene has in store for you in the coming months: Broadway at the Embassy Fort Wayne is a popular stop for traveling Broadway shows. This January, get your tickets for Kinky Boots, a Tony award-winning musical about a factory owner and drag queen who come together to save a family business. This musical, which debuted in 2012, features music
Fort Wayne Insider Blogger
ELAINA ROBBINS
by Cyndi Lauper and words by Harvey Fiersein. The show comes to the Embassy Theatre Jan. 29. For more information, visit http://fwembassytheatre.org/broadway-at-theembassy-2/. Other Broadway shows at the Embassy offerings this season include: • Christmas Wonderland: Dec 17 • The Wizard of Oz: March 3 • Finding Neverland: March 7 • Something Rotten: March 21 • The King and I: April 16 Fort Wayne Philharmonic In March, Fort Wayne will be visited by Leslie Odom, Jr., who won a Tony for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in the musical
Hamilton. He’ll be singing a concert, including selections from his solo album, with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. The performance comes to the Embassy March 2. For more information, visit https://fwphil. org/. Other offerings from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic this season include: • Holiday Pops: Dec 7, 8, 15 • Messiah by Candlelight: Dec 13 and 14 • Petrouchka: Jan 12 • Bizet’s Carmen: Feb 2 • Beethoven’s 9th: An Ode to Joy: March 16 Fort Wayne Ballet I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve only seen The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky’s famous music, once as a child. I’m definitely overdue for a second visit to this magical holiday treat, where toys, sweets, and mice come to life in a whimsical wonderland. I highly recommend attending a performance featuring live music by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. The ballet will be accompanied by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic at performances on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Other performances
COURTESY PHOTO
The Fort Wayne Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” and “Cinderella” this season.
COURTESY PHOTO
“Hamilton” star, Leslie Odom, Jr. makes his Fort Wayne debut March 2.
accompanied by recorded music are schedules for the following dates: Dec. 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The Fort Wayne Ballet will also present Cinderella this season. Performances are schedules for March 22, 23 and 24. For more information, visit https://www. fortwayneballet.org/. Elaina Robbins is a singer and writer from Ann Arbor, Mich. In 2015, she moved to Fort Wayne to take a job as a full-time vocal artist at Heartland Sings. She now performs opera, jazz, a cappella and pop
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This HOLY SEASON of CHRIST’S BIRTH is upon us. Regardless of your faith, because of Him, we find we live in a softened, more tender world. Through the support of many of you, He has allowed Consigned Designs to fulfill a mission to assist in building a high school, college, and camp program for “throw away” children near New Delhi, India. Again, THANK YOU for helping to make this mission possible. ISAIAH 61:1-3 about 400 years before Christ’s birth, announced the purpose of Christ’s coming: 1. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2. to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3. and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor
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This season, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will present Holiday Pops, Messiah by Candlelight, Petrouchka, Bizet’s Carmen and Beethoven’s 9th: An Ode to Joy. throughout the Midwest. She also writes and edits books.
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INfortwayne.com • A7
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Local home building continues momentum Perry Township replaced Aboite as busiest market By Linda Lipp llipp@kpcmedia.com
The number of new homes permitted in a six-county region of northeast Indiana in the first three-quarters of the year continued to increase steadily, but this year’s growth was largely due to Allen County. The number of new homes permitted in Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Wells and Whitley counties rose from 1,159 in the first nine months of 2017 to 1,216 in the same period of this year, an increase of 5 percent. An increase of 75 permits in Allen and five permits in Whitley was balanced by small decreases in the other four counties, according to data analyzed by the Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne. Within Allen County, Perry Township, on the northwest side, replaced Aboite as the busiest building market in Allen County, with 236 new home permits issued in the first nine months of the year. Aboite Township accounted for 158 new home permits, down from 189 a year ago. The average value of a new home permitted was up in every county except Wells, which does not record all permit values. The Allen County average rose from $247,976 to $258,845, an increase of
4 percent. Allen County average permit values were the highest among the counties analyzed, besting Dekalb County by about $2,500. Builder costs have been climbing much faster than home prices, however. The cost of lumber, driven up in part because of the trade dispute with Canada, has risen significantly, according to data in the HBA’s most recent newsletter. The cost of lumber for a basic ranch home on a slab was up $2,464, an increase of 11 percent, between September 2017 and September of this year. The cost of lumber for a custom, two-story home with walkout basement and screen porch rose $6,808 year-over-year in September, an increase of 10 percent. Nationally, many analysts have expressed concerns about the strength of the housing market. U.S. housing starts fell 5.3 percent in September. That followed a downward revision in the August growth rate to 7.1 percent from an earlier estimate of 9.2 percent. The 30-year mortgage rose above 5 percent in October for the first time since 2011, Bloomberg News also reported. Rising rates have left the housing market “at the end of its affordability rope and prone to further downside,” Deutsch Bank analyst Nishu Sood wrote in a note. This is the first time since World War II that high prices are halting housing momentum at what should be the middle of the cycle.
CONTRIBUTED
Carroll High School’s cheerleading squad placed first in the Varsity Coed Division during state finals Nov. 3 at New Castle High School. The state title was the first in school history.
Carroll cheerleaders earn first state title By Louis Wyatt lwyatt@kpcmedia.com
Every year, the Chargers have climbed a little bit higher up the ladder. On Nov. 3, they finally broke through the ceiling. Carroll’s varsity cheerleading squad made history, bringing home the school’s first-ever state title in the sport. “We were extremely excited and overjoyed,” Carroll coach Kim Fransen said. “Finally, they’re state champions.” The Chargers took first in the Varsity Coed Division with 265 out of a possible 280 points Nov. 3 at New Castle High School. During last year’s state competition, Carroll was the runner-up behind Carmel, scoring 264 points. “There’s not very many sports where you get just one chance,” coach Elizabeth Sturges said. “They start the time and you have two minutes
and 30 seconds to give everything you’ve got and there’s no second chances. It’s a one-and-done kind of sport, so you have to prepare a lot and try to go through every scenario of what could go wrong and make sure you’re preventing that.” The Chargers qualified for state finals by winning the preliminary round with 265.8 points against 12 other teams. During the state finals, Carroll defeated seven other groups in its division. “They start calling down from fifth place to first place, so when they called second place and they didn’t call our name, we knew we were in the top spot, so we were pretty excited,” Sturges said. Not only did the team bring home the title, but the first-place finish at state capped an undefeated season for Carroll’s varsity squad, which
Expires: 1/11/19
Sturges pointed to as all the more reason for people to recognize cheerleaders as athletes as much as those in any other sport. “Sometimes people confuse cheerleading as more of a club versus an athletic sport, and it just kind of depends on what school you’re in,” she said. “Our school really pushes for us to be athletes and puts us under the athletic department. This year we felt like we had a lot of kids that were very athletic and had a lot of stamina and we could push them to do harder things over and over again. The ability to practice until we couldn’t get it wrong is what set us apart.” Fransen said this year’s routine was one of the hardest the staff has put together, due mostly to the amount of tumbling involved. The state routine also included an individual pyramid
stunt by Audrey Lemley and Gavin Scheele, the team’s sole male cheerleader this year, which was one of the more difficult aspects, Fransen added. “We had one little bobble, but overall it was very, very good,” she said. The award-winning performance was the culmination of five months of work, Fransen said, including skill building, camps, practices and cheering at football games. Of course, it all paid off in the end. “We’ve been coaching here for nine years, and we’ve been competing for six out of those nine years. It’s been a long journey. Every year, we’ve consistently gotten better and learned from our mistakes and been able to build on that and reuse that experience for the next group of kids,” Sturges said.
Expires: 12/28/18
A8 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Trump rally makes Coliseum history By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
Thousands of people turned out for President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again campaign rally Nov. 5 on the eve of the midterm election at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Trump’s visit to Fort Wayne was the first by a sitting president since Ronald Reagan came in 1982 amid major flooding in the city. Trump did host a rally at the Coliseum in 2016 when he was a
candidate running for president. Previously, the Coliseum has hosted Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. “The Trump rally was the largest convocation that we’ve hosted in the 66-year history of the building,” said Randy Brown, general manager of the Coliseum. He estimates that more than 14,000 people attended with 11,000 in the arena, 3,000 in the conference center and thousands more outside in the parking lot and at Johnny Appleseed
Park. Crowds began arriving several hours before the doors opened. By the early afternoon, the parking lot was filling quickly. Red hats punctuated the snaking line of people waiting to get in. Alexis Potts, 23, of Warsaw, arrived early to ensure a seat. She attended the president’s rally in Elkhart in May, but seats filled up fast and she wasn’t able to get in. She and others had to listen to the rally over a loudspeaker.
“I wasn’t able to get in, but I was on the outside of it, so that was pretty cool,” she said. Evangeline Stavretis, of Fort Wayne, attended the rally with two of her sons, Niko, 14, and Ilias, 10. “I think it’s really exciting for the kids to see a sitting president in their hometown,” she said. The enthused crowd included Hoosiers from throughout northeast Indiana as well as people who traveled from nearby states to attend the rally. At about 3:30 p.m., the Coliseum issued a statement that the parking lot was at full capacity, more than two hours before
Trump was to take the stage. Brown said it’s rare that the parking lot, which can fit 6,000 cars, reaches full capacity. The Coliseum staff was alerted about President Trump’s visit less than a week before his arrival. At one point, the rally was going to be moved to an airplane hangar. However, the space didn’t have a big enough capacity. Preparations included extensive security sweeps, Brown said. “When you’re working with Secret Service and they’re doing sweeps, every single room, every cabinet, every space gets checked,” he said.
Despite the short notice, the White House staff, rally staff, Secret Service and law enforcement were very complimentary about the facility and staff, Brown said. To say thank you, Brown, the Coliseum’s vice president of operations Bryan Christie, and plant and facilities manager Rich Thoma were invited for a meet and greet with President Trump backstage. “That’s a nice way to say thank you and definitely very much appreciated … It was a very kind gesture on the part of the rally and the Secret Service,” Brown said.
FREELANCE REPORTERS KPC Media Group is seeking freelance reporters to join its team of journalists covering northeast Indiana. KPC Media Group is a growing, successful, family-owned publisher of 18 award-winning daily, weekly and monthly newspapers focused on hyper-local coverage. Freelance reporters may cover local news, sports and/or feature stories. Send resume, cover letter and at least two writing samples to HR@kpcmedia.com.
STEVE GARBACZ
President Donald Trump greets the crowd at his rally at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Nov. 5. Thousands of people packed the arena to hear the president speak and rally voters for the midterm election.
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INfortwayne.com • A9
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
CIB approves funding for Electric Works By Tim Zink
tzink@kpcmedia.com
The Electric Works redevelopment project has cleared its largest public funding hurdle. The Allen County-Fort Wayne Capital Improvement Board, which oversees the county’s food and beverage tax, unanimously approved $45 million in bonds in a Nov. 6 vote for redeveloping the former General Electric campus in downtown Fort Wayne. The redevelopment of the site has passed several funding hurdles over the past few months with lease revenue bonds from the CIB being the largest component of public funding allocated to the project. The CIB vote follows the Sept. 10 approval by the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission of the $65 million public funding plan for the $220plus million public-private west campus development. In addition to the $45 million in bonds, $10 million has been allocated from the city’s Legacy Fund, $3.5 million each
from both city and county income taxes, and $3 million in loans from the CIB and the county for remediation efforts. RTM Ventures, the developer for Electric Works, reacted favorably to the latest CIB vote. “In addition to securing local investment, today’s vote is important for another reason: it strengthens our ability as a development team to meet the thresholds and benchmarks necessary to begin construction,” Josh Parker, partner with RTM Ventures, said in a statement. “By confirming local support for the project, the CIB — along with Mayor Henry, city council and county commissioners — clearly communicates to businesses, institutions, and investors that Fort Wayne is primed and ready for this project. While the CIB voted 7-0 for the project, some board members did share some concerns about the project. “In over 30 years of public involvement,
whether elected or appointed, this is the single most difficult decision I’ve ever been confronted with because of the size and the scope of the project,” Ben Eisbart, board vice president said during the board discussion. Eisbart also cautioned the developers to meet the terms of the agreement. “Meet those deadlines, otherwise we’ll be back at this table and that’s not going to be pleasant,” he said.Other board members recognized there are many unanswered questions with the project. “This is not a perfect project. There are a lot of questions, a lot of things that need to be resolved, but you know you can’t come up with answers until you define the questions,” board member Donald B. Steininger said during the board discussion. “We’ve got to get started before we can know where we’re headed.” Several other board members suggested the project was worth the risk.
Board member Tim Pape emphasized the project’s return on investment potential citing increased property values in neighborhoods near the redevelopment site and costs associated with the site remaining a brownfield in the future. “I don’t think we’ve paid enough attention
that we’re converting brownfield if this doesn’t happen,” Pape said during the board discussion. “The cost of doing anything has been estimated at $20-40 million just to clean the site, just to bring the buildings down.” After the Nov. 6 vote, closing is expected to be on or before June
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The City of Fort Wayne estimates the Pufferbelly Trail below-grade crossing under Dupont Road will be open to the public by mid-December.
New Pufferbelly sections opening soon Staff reports Two new sections of the Pufferbelly Trail in Fort Wayne are estimated to open by the end of the year. The section of trail from Ludwig Road to Washington Center Road is almost complete and work is in progress, according to a Nov. 1 news release from Fort Wayne Trails. It was scheduled to open to the public Nov. 16, according to the City of Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne Trails assisted the City of Fort Wayne in receiving $1.7 million from the Regional Development Authority/ Regional Cities to help fund the construction of the trail. Construction continues
on the Pufferbelly Trail below-grade crossing at Dupont Road, which will connect Salomon Farm Park to the existing trail north of Dupont via an underpass. The contractor and the City of Fort Wayne estimate that section will be open to the public by mid-December, along with a new trail and sidewalk on Dupont Road from Lima to Coldwater roads. Once those sections of the Pufferbelly Trail are both completed, trail users will be able to travel uninterrupted from Life Bridge Church off of Corbin Road south 4.8 miles to Washington Center Road near the new Cookie Cottage location.
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A10 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Food & Drink
Refugees’ experiences shape restaurants’ flavors By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
The first Burmese refugees arrived in Fort Wayne more than 25 years ago following the 1988 national uprising in Myanmar (also known as Burma). In the last decade, several Burmese restaurants and groceries have popped up in the city to serve this growing population as well as welcome customers of all backgrounds. Today, the city’s Burmese population is estimated at more than 6,000. In addition to the refugees who have made their homes here, Fort Wayne has also been a destination for “secondary immigration,” as many Burmese immigrants have moved here from other parts of the United States where they were first settled. Showcasing diversity The Burmese restaurants in Fort Wayne reflect the diversity of the local Burmese population. Myanmar, which shares a border with India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and
Thailand, is home to more than 100 ethnic groups with more than 60 languages spoken. In addition, many immigrants lived in refugee camps in Malaysia and Thailand for years before arriving in the United States. These experiences have shaped the flavors found here. Several of these restaurants and groceries have opened for business on the southeast side of Fort Wayne where many of the city’s Burmese population have made their home. Mahnin Asian Restaurant, located on South Calhoun Street, offers a wide variety of southeast Asian menu items from pad thai, a Thai food staple, to Burmesestyle coconut noodle soup. Lo mein noodles are served in a coconut milk broth with chickpeas, onions and soft boiled eggs. The dish is topped with crunchy fried soybeans. Nawarat, located on South Anthony Boulevard, offers Burmese, Thai and Indian dishes with menu items like beef with basil, samosas and Burmese-style
fried noodles. There is also a growing community of Burmese families in northwest Allen County. Family Power, located at 5205 Decatur Road, offers a Burmese and Asian fusion menu. (Family Power and Nawarat also offer halal options.) Fort Wayne’s newest Burmese restaurant, Nine House, has opened up just south of Huntertown, where, in a local subdivision, about a dozen Burmese families have moved onto the same street with more families expected to follow. The restaurant has been getting rave reviews from its regular customers since it opened. Its menu offers both daily specials and regular items. There are eggrolls, chicken dumplings, Thai noodle dishes and Burmese curries. Nine House has table and chairs for dining in, but most of its business is catering and carryout orders. A gathering place Earlier this summer,
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BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Nine House offers Thai and Burmese dishes, including beef and basil with rice, egg rolls and dumplings.
Ezra Kokonaing opened the restaurant and catering business with her husband, Gabriel. Ezra’s father came to Fort Wayne as a refugee. She followed when she was 17 years old and graduated from South Side High School. “I was born in Burma, raised in Thailand and grew up in America,” she said. “(Kokonaing is pronounced) like coconut, but ‘nine’ instead of ‘nut,’” said ZZ Kokonaing, a junior at Carroll High School, who helps his parents out at the restaurant by taking carryout orders and working the register. His sister, KK, a freshman at Carroll, helps in the kitchen. Ezra does all the cooking in the tidy open kitchen. She uses mise en place to throw together complex dishes that use several ingredients in just minutes. She admits that the food she serves is not exactly the same as what you might eat in Burma or Thailand. She’s had to adapt to the ingredients that she can find here. It’s a concept that she learned from her father and
that she’s teaching her own children. “That’s one thing I learned from my dad. When you cook something, don’t wait for stuff from the outside. Use something close to you,” she said. As a cook, it’s not just important that the food she cooks is delicious. She wants to be transparent about what’s in the dishes and how they are made. For her, using local ingredients is also a matter of health. She wants her customers to know that she uses ingredients that are made in the U.S.A. and approved by the FDA. Many dishes are organic. “It’s so hard to find some things and there are a lot of (packaged foods) from different countries and we don’t know what they’re made of. The ingredients are sometimes not even listed on the bag,” she said. In addition to providing a healthy and delicious option, the Kokonaing family wants to share Burmese culture and food with the community. In fact, before Nine House was a restaurant, it was a gathering place for the local Burmese
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Nawarat 5527 South Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne (260) 387-7735 Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat. and Mon.; Closed Sunday and Tuesday Menu: Burmese, Thai, Indian Nine House 14617 Lima Road, Fort Wayne (260) 633-8414 Hours: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tue.-Sat. Menu: Burmese, Thai Family Power 5205 Decatur Road, Fort Wayne (260) 744-2720 Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue.-Sun.; Closed Monday Menu: Burmese, Asian fusion community, Ezra said. Most of the children can speak English fluently, but their parents sometime struggle. The space provided a place where students could get help with their homework. “We’re here to serve others,” Ezra said. This story originally appeared in Summit City Eats, a guide to eating locally in Allen County. To read more stories like this, pick up a free copy at your local newsstand or visit http://bit.ly/ SummitCityEats.
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INfortwayne.com • A11
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
App aims to reduce food waste By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
A new tool is providing a platform to help reduce food waste and address hunger in the community. The Allen County Department of Environmental Management recently announced a partnership with Food Rescue US, the Connecticut-based food rescue organization,
waste locally are not new, she said. It’s about getting the existing network plugged in to the app. “We were connecting the dots ourselves; we were trying to find a charity that needed food and trying to find someone who has some time to run some food and trying to get people that have
“
Throwing good food away should just not happen, especially when so many would appreciate receiving it.”
—Jodi Leamon, business technical coordinator for the Allen County Department of Environmental Management
to rescue and deliver meals to those in need and prevent food waste in Allen County. Food Rescue US is an app that connects restaurants, grocery stores or other food providers to charitable organizations that provide meals for the hungry. Users can sign up to donate, deliver and distribute excess food. According to a report from Feeding America, one in seven Hoosiers are struggling with hunger, including nearly 300,000 children.
excess food to get in touch when they have it instead of just throwing it away,” she said. The app makes building these relationships more streamline. Restaurants, grocery stores and other food providers can list surplus food that they want to donate. Residents with a vehicle can check the app for a schedule of food rescues in their area and choose deliveries that work for them. Agencies in need of food can post their needs and find food to match them.
How it works The idea driving Food Rescue US is that food insecurity is caused by lack of logistics, not a shortage of food. About 40 percent of food produced ends up in landfills, according to a 2012 report by the Natural Resource Defense Council. “Throwing good food away should just not happen, especially when so many would appreciate receiving it,” said Jodi Leamon, business technical coordinator for ACDEM. “With the holidays coming up, many people are hosting events which will produce excess food and I think people are also looking for ways to help the community and those in need. This is an opportunity to put the two together in a very simple way that can make a big difference,” she said. The Food Rescue US app aims to interrupt this pipeline and enlists volunteers to transport excess food where it is needed. According to the organization’s website, the app has connected users to help rescue more than 26 million meals since 2011.
Building relationships Several local businesses have already signed up to donate excess food, including Trubble Brewing. The restaurant has recently been in conversations with Serving Simply, a ministry that provides meals, clothing and supplies to those in need at Freimann Square on Saturday evenings. In the future, the two plan to partner through the Rescue Food US app to make sure excess food doesn’t go to waste. Trubble co-owner Keli Hankee said the restaurant already has a goal to have zero food waste in its daily operations in order to reduce the cost of food and keep menu prices low. However, the local business has sometimes found itself with a surplus after catered events. After participating in the Mac & Cheese Fest this fall, a fundraiser for Community Harvest Food Bank, the Trubble Brewing had a surplus of leftovers. “We had more mac and cheese than people could eat, more than even my employees could eat, so we ended up throwing a lot of it out,” Hankee said. “An organization like Serving Simply would have taken all of that.” In addition to facilitating these relationships, Leamon’s role includes answering any questions
Connecting the dots Leamon is spearheading the effort to connect local businesses, charitable organizations and volunteers through the app. Efforts to reduce food
that donors, recipient agencies and volunteers might have. The app addresses potential participants’ concerns about liability and food donation safety. Good Samaritan laws protect donors from civil and criminal liability when donating food in good faith to a nonprofit
organization. However, food that has been served cannot be donated. To this end, Leamon encourages caterers to refrain from piling chafing dishes high with food simply to create a bountiful look. “Once it crosses that threshold, it cannot be donated,” she said.
Through ACDEM’s partnership with Food Rescue US, Leamon hopes to build a robust force of food rescuers. She encourages people to sign up and check the app for opportunities that might work with their schedule. “Check that schedule before you go out or
while you’re out and about to see if there’s a food run that you can make that would be convenient for you,” she said. The Food Rescue US app is free to download on the iTunes App Store or on Google Play. For more information, visit foodrescue.us.
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A12 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Make less waste this holiday season Staff reports
The most wonderful time of the year is also the most wasteful time of the year. Americans throw away 25 percent more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year, according to Stanford University. Between holiday cards, wrapping paper and product packaging, the extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage, or about 1 million extra tons per week. Here are some ideas for reducing waste this giftgiving season. A bad wrap Many wrapping papers can’t be accepted for recycling because they are dyed, laminated or contain non-paper additives like gold and silver colored shapes, glitter or plastics. Instead of purchasing rolls of wrapping paper, try
some of these thrifty and creative ideas: • Simply reduce the amount of wrapping paper and other supplies you buy. If every American family wrapped just three presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields, according to use-less-stuff. com. • Save gift bags, boxes and tissue paper throughout the year to reuse during the holidays. • Instead of buying wrapping paper, repurpose items like newspaper comics, colorful magazine pages, old maps, sheet music or paper bags to make your own wrapping paper. • Present gifts in reusable containers like cloth bags, glass jars, baskets, decorative tins, etc. • Instead of buying ribbons, bows and other trimmings, personalize gifts with old brooches, costume
MEGAN KNOWLES
Using magazines can be a fun, personal and eco-friendly way to wrap gifts.
jewelry, game board pieces or small toys. • Furoshiki is the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in cloth. A scarf, tablecloth or throw blanket could double as gift wrap. Find a how-to PDF here: http://bit. ly/2QtzsGB.
Making a list and checking it twice Gift giving is half the fun of the holiday season, but picking out the perfect gift for everybody on your list can be expensive, stressful and even wasteful. Gifts like brand new toys and electronics come with a pile of packaging that often ends up in the landfill. Here are some thoughtful gift ideas for reducing waste and saving time and money. • Choose sustainable gifts like items made with recycled materials and gifts that don’t require batteries such as wooden toys and board games. • Pick a DIY project and create a homemade gift. Some ideas are baked goods, artwork or a
collection of family recipes. Pinterest and YouTube are great sources for ideas. • Offer your expertise or a helping hand. Are you a talented photographer? Give a photo session as a gift. Can you spare a weekend? Offer to pet sit while your loved one takes a trip or babysit the kids while the parents have a date night. If your loved one has expressed an interest in your talent — gardening, playing a musical instrument, etc. — offer lessons. • Make it an experience. Concert tickets, movie tickets and restaurant gift certificates all make great gifts and create little waste. Memberships to attractions like zoos, museums and
MEGAN KNOWLES
The Japanese technique of furoshiki uses cloth to wrap presents.
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Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Area facing shingles vaccine shortage By Lisa M. Esquivel Long For IN|fort wayne publications
Nearly three years ago Doris Klug went to the hospital emergency room with a bothersome rash over her right eye and a feeling of malaise. “It took them 2 seconds to tell it was shingles,” said Klug, 91, who lived in Pine Valley at the time. After staying awake at night from the burning sensation near her eye and facing the possibility of blindness, she’s recovered, but has recurring symptoms from the viral infection. “I still have residual pain,” she said, reaching for her eye, which appeared red and swollen. Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, varicella-zoster. Because almost all American adults have had chickenpox, they’re at risk of shingles. The virus can activate as the immune system’s effectiveness declines with age. Shingles causes a painful red rash and blisters. For most sufferers, the rash is gone within a month. However, others like Klug experience postherpetic neuralgia, with
LISA M. ESQUIVEL LONG
Fort Wayne resident Ken Long receives the first dose of Shingrix vaccine at Walgreens, 330 W. State Blvd.
the pain lasting for years. And because it can’t be cured, Klug said she can only “ride it out” and find some relief with an over-the-counter cream. After seeing Klug’s experience, she said her daughter was “right in line” to get Shingrix, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended shingles vaccine approved by the FDA in October 2017. The vaccine has proved so popular that its maker can’t keep up with demand. Klug put her name on the waiting list at Kroger to get Shingrix, which
has an up to 90 percent efficacy rate for lifetime protection. That high percentage point is one reason that Shingrix has proved so popular. Another vaccine, Zostavax, a single dose that uses the weakened chickenpox virus, is most effective, at 64 percent, with ages 60-69. Its effectiveness is 51 percent for those 50-59 and declines at age 70. Shingrix requires patients to get two doses, two to six months apart. That has some people nationwide worried about getting their second dose in time. However, the CDC, commenting
in September on the vaccine shortage, doesn’t recommend restarting the series. It says patients should get the second dose as soon as possible. GlaxoSmithKline has ramped up supply of Shingrix to the U.S in response to the demand. “We have been shipping large volumes of vaccine every two to three weeks,” Sean Clements, a spokesman for GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccines, texted Nov. 9. “…We distributed a large shipment last week.” The company plans to move to a twice-monthly shipping schedule starting in December.
COURTESY PHOTO
This 88-year-old Fort Wayne woman, whose family asked not to identify her, has shingles on her back. Shingles can cause a red rash, blisters and pain. The maker of the shingles vaccine Shingrix is experiencing high demand that has some retail pharmacies putting customers on waiting lists.
GSK sends the vaccine to wholesalers and retailers, who in turn get it to retail pharmacies, Clements said. A single dose of the vaccine costs $140 in the private sector, according to the CDC website. Many insurance plans cover the cost of the vaccine. Walgreens, 330 W. State Blvd., called customers in early November to tell them Shingrix was available again. However, the Allen County Department of Health’s clinic is still
waiting for its July order of Shingrix, Susie Cisney, director of clinical services, said. The department started with 10 doses on its monthly orders, but Shingrix went quickly. The clinic holds onto the second dose for patients, Cisney said. “The representative said they had no idea is was going to be so popular,” Cisney said. Those seeking Shingrix should call ahead to a clinic or retail pharmacy to make sure the vaccine is in stock, retailers suggest.
A14 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
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incredibly proud of them because I knew they were going to be great, and then to have a performance that was that strong and to have the judging put us at the highest finish we’ve had in Class A, we were very happy.” Six Allen County schools competed during the state finals, with 10 teams placing in each class. Homestead was fourth in Class A, while Carmel took the crown.
Greenwood was first in Class B, Edgewood won Class C and Forest Park won Class D. “All of the groups there are just incredible, and it’s very humbling to be a part of it,” Hassell said. “And, to come out a little higher than we have in the past, that’s the icing on the cake. It was really a great end to a fantastic season.” The Charger pride comprised more than 190 members this year. “We challenged them in ways we’ve never challenged another group before,” Hassell said.
“The great thing about working with high school kids is they will meet the challenge if you present it, and they’ve done that. We stretched them in terms of what we tried to do musically and physically — things that were very, very difficult — and when you first start, those things are pretty tough. … Over the course of time they just kept getting better at it, and pretty soon you’re not trying, you’re executing and then you start performing. When they really perform, that’s when the magic happens.”
Charger Pride performs in the State Marching Band Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium Nov. 3. The band took eighth place in Class A.
PHOTOS BY CASEY MURRAY, SNAP TREE PHOTOGRAPHY
A member of Carroll High School’s color guard performs in the state finals performance.
Carroll’s Charger Pride marching band performs at Lucas Oil Stadium Nov. 3.
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Members of Carroll High School’s marching band perform its 2018 show, “In the Glass,” at the state finals competition.
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Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Community Calendar Include news of your group, too Send news of your group to bhernandez@kpcmedia.com by December 8 for the January issue. Items December will be selected and Community Calendar 2018 edited as space permits.
30. November 30
Pop-up art exhibit reception: City Exchange Shops, 127 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 5-8 p.m. The Fort Wayne Artists Guild presents a pop-up art exhibit. The exhibit can be viewed 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec. 29. The opening reception will feature a live painting demo and door prize. For more information, visit fortwayneartistsguild.org. Le Chic Holiday Market: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Two-day event: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 30 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1. The market will feature more than 100 vendors offering one-of-a-kind holiday shopping for everyone on your list. Tickets are $5. Age 12 and under are free. Tickets are available on ticketmaster.com or at the box office the day of. Christmas at the Castle: Christmas at the University of Saint Francis will begin Nov. 30 with tours of the historic Brook side mansion, which has been specially decorated for Christmas by local florists and designers. Tours will be offered from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 30, noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 1 and 2; 4-6 p.m. Dec. 3 and noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 4. Admission is $7 per person, $3 for children 10 and under; no strollers, please. Tickets must be purchased in the north campus lobby at 2702 Spring St. (directly across from Brookside) on event days. Free parking and shuttles for those with mobility issues are available at the north campus.
1. December 1
Craft bazaar: Bethel United Methodist Church, 8405 Lima Road, Fort Wayne. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy shopping craft vendors, local goods, bake sale and a small silent auction. Donuts for purchase in the morning and walking tacos ($4-6) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Soda and bottled water will also be available for $1. For more information, call (260) 489-3651. Craft bazaar and bake sale: Lifeway Wesleyan Church, 7722 Moeller Road, Fort Wayne. 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop all homemade crafts and support local talent. Breakfast and lunch available. Call Jen Langley at (260) 580-8238 or the church at (260) 749-9758 for booth reservations. Christmas Craft Fair: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 10700 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The craft fair will feature homemade décor, wreaths, gifts, crafts, artisan jewelry and rosaries, raffles and treats. The event is a fundraiser for Mary Our Mother group at the church. Holiday Fantasies Bazaar: New Haven United Methodist Church, 630 Lincoln Highway East, New Haven. 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. The event will feature more than 60 tables of professional arts and crafts, cookies by the pound, free kids face painting, baked goods and an ala carte luncheon 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tables are available for $30. Registration forms can be found at the church office. Proceeds benefit New Haven United Methodist Church Women’s Mission work in New Haven and around the world. Christmas on the Farm: Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road, Fort Wayne. 1-5 p.m. Crafters and artisans will fill the barn offering homemade gifts and goodies. For more information or vendor application, contact Eden Lamb at (260) 427-6008 or eden.lamb@cityoffortwayne.org. Comedian Ken Davis: Rhinehart Music Center at Purdue Fort Wayne, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne. 1-7 p.m. Tickets range from $7 to $25. For more information, visit www.TrinityCommunications.org. Jingle Bell Jazz: Allen County Public Library Main Library Theater, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne. Performances on two days: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2 p.m. Dec. 2. Heartland Sings will present Jingle Bell Jazz. Hear holiday pop and vocal jazz favorites, accompanied by an instrumental combo. The showcase of principal vocal artists includes a dazzling production of holiday classics, new favorites and even a few Heartland Sings originals. Tickets are $20 in advance at HeartlandSings.org/Tickets or call (260) 436-8080. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas: Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 7:30 p.m. The show features Mannheim Steamroller classics, along with dazzling multimedia effects in an intimate setting. Tickets are available at fwembassytheatre.org.
2. December 2
Woodburn Lighted Christmas Parade: The parade begins at 6 p.m. at the Woodburn Community Center, 22735 Main St., Woodburn. The parade route will travel down Main Street, turn left on Carl Street and end in the parking lot on Carl Street behind Woodburn Liquors. Businesses, organizations and residents participate in this holiday tradition by decorating floats, cars, horses and even themselves with Christmas lights. Festivities will center around the Clock Tower, located on the corner of Bull Rapids Road and Main Street. Enjoy hot cocoa donated by Bob’s Restaurant and homemade cookies donated by Heckley and Szajna families. The event will also include lighting the city tree, a living nativity scene by Scheumann Farm & Petting Zoo and area youth music and sound by Dallich Entertainment. Children can also enjoy a visit with Santa. Guests are invited to bring a canned or packaged food item for the Woodburn Food Bank. Parade entry forms can be found at Woodburn City Hall. To volunteer or for more information, contact Beth at (260) 466-5976 or beth@indianawild.org.
4. December 4
Crafty corner: Seminary United Methodist Church, 285 N. Seminary St., Roanoke. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants are invited to work on their own craft and/or sewing projects with ideas and encouragement. Lunch provided with short devotional. The program is free. For more information, call (260) 672-3167. Appleseed Quilters Guild Meeting: Classic Café, 4832 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Meeting starts at 7 p.m. The Appleseed Quilt Guild is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the art of quilting and providing an opportunity for sharing ideas and learning new
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techniques. New members and guests welcome. Meetings conclude with show and tell.
7. December 7
City of Churches Tour: 6-10 p.m. The tour aims to showcase the great number and variety of churches by allowing visitors to experience these building’s unique beauty. By making people aware of theses buildings, there is hope that there will be a desire to preserve them for future generations. For more information, including a list of participating churches, visit www.facebook.com/ citychurches. Christmas at Historic Swinney Homestead: 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. A two-day event: 2-4 p.m. Dec. 7 and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Settlers will have the Historic Swinney Homestead decorated in Victorian Christmas grandeur. Guests are invited to celebrate the Christmas spirit and enjoy a cup of syllabub, tasty savories, sweets and tea. The Hearthstone Ensemble will provide music of the season. The second floor Gift Shoppe will be laden with unique gifts. To make a reservation, call (260) 747-1229 and (260) 747-1501. Admission is $25 per person. Tables seat four. This event is a fundraiser to help support maintenance and restoration of the Homestead. For more information, visit www.settlersinc. org.
8. December 8
Walk to Bethlehem: First Christian Church, 4800 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. Two-day event: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9. The guided tour celebrates the story of Jesus’ birth. Tours are scheduled approximately every 10 minutes. Guides will lead visitors to scenes outside the church with scenes featuring live animals. In the marketplace there will be spice and bread vendors, Roman soldiers, a census taker, craftsmen and other characters from the time of Jesus. Afterwards, visitors are invited into the sanctuary for a time of prayer and reflection. Communion will also be offered. This event is free. Sports card and collectibles show: Ramada Plaza Hotel, 305 E. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. Dealers from three states will buy, sell or trade sports cards and other cards and collectibles. The public may bring items to be appraised. For more information contact Brian Mayne at (260) 824-4867 or mcscards@ icloud.com.
9. December 9
Seasonal Lessons & Carols: Trinity Episcopal Church, 611 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne. 5 p.m. This program will be performed by Trinity Choir and Canterbury High School Chamber Singers. Admission is free. Form more information, visit trinityfw.org or contact Wayne Peterson at music@ trinityfw.org or (260) 423-1693.
10. December 10
Smooth Edge 2 holiday concert: First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Smooth Edge 2 is a Fort Wayne based a cappella vocal jazz group. Their
See CALENDAR, Page 16
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A16 • INfortwayne.com
Dupont Valley News • December 2018
Not forgotten: Ceremony honors WWI sacrifice By Bridgett Hernandez
bhernandez@kpcmedia.com
A crowd of people gathered in the chilly sunshine at Memorial Park Nov. 11 for the 100-year rededication of the World War I Memorial Grove. This year, Veterans Day marked the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the 1918 armistice that ended WWI. The city of Fort Wayne first dedicated Memorial Park just days after the armistice was signed. To honor the memory of the 125 Allen County residents who died while serving in the U.S. military during the war, 125 trees were planted in Memorial Grove. The rededication ceremony was marked by emotion as local officials and other speakers took the podium to share their thoughts on the park’s significance and the sacrifice of all veterans. Throughout the day, an honor guard was stationed in the park for 11 hours and 11 minutes. Fort Wayne resident Austin Whaley, outfitted in an authentic WWI uniform, read the poem “In Flanders Fields” as a tribute to the local men and women who died in the war. Mayor Tom Henry also commemorated the day by proclaiming the day WWI Memorial Grove 100th Year Rededication Day. The ceremony included the unveiling of a new memorial – a plaque listing the names of each of the 125 local soldiers, sailors and nurses who gave their lives in WWI. The plaque also recognizes the community’s recent revival efforts and includes the inscription, “Pick up the torch.” The words serve as a reminder
that if not for the intervention of concerned citizens, the park might look very different today. Memorial Park had seen a downturn over the last hundred years. By 2017, most of the original 125 trees in Memorial Grove had died, and the park faced problems with crime before generally being underutilized. Last spring, Indiana Tech proposed constructing a track and field facility at the park – a proposal that was ultimately withdrawn after members of the public expressed concerns. President of the Fort Wayne Board of Park Commissioners Rick Samek recalled the public forum on the park’s future – the pavilion was filled to capacity, mostly by local veterans. “This park took a new direction that night,” he said. It was from this dialogue that a plan for the park’s future took seed: Operation MP-125. Led by Warrior Breed Motorcycle Club, whose members are honorably discharged U.S. military veterans, and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, Operation MP-125 is an initiative to restore Memorial Grove. Warrior Breed asked the city if they could fund the replacement of the 71 trees that needed to be replaced (about 54 were surviving or had been replanted in 2002). Once they got the green light, the club set to work raising $40,000 to benefit the park. Local industries and union groups stepped up, helping Warrior Breed to reach its goal. Last fall, Warrior Breed and
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repertoire consists of jazz arrangements of current popular music as well as American classics. Chelsea Vaught will perform jazz piano selections before the concert. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
11. December 11
A Jazzy Big Band Christmas: Fort Wayne Area Community Band will present its holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. at the John & Ruth Rhinehart Music Center on the Purdue Fort Wayne campus. Free parking is available in the garage across from the music center. The 80-piece concert band will perform Winter Flurry, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, The Christmas Song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and more. Featured soloists will be Tom Didier and Amy Elkins Studebaker. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and children under 18 are admitted free. For more information, visit http://www.fwacb.org/.
12. December 12
Miami Valley Coin and Relic Hunters Club: Aboite Township Trustee’s Office, 11321 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. The club invites anyone who has an interest in the metal-detecting hobby and who is interested in learning more about the club.
BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
Gary Perkey, president of the Warrior Breed Motorcycle Club, addresses a crowd gathered at Memorial Park for the rededication of the World War I Memorial Grove. The grove includes 125 trees that honor the 125 Allen County residents who died in WWI. Warrior Breed raised $40,000 to benefit the grove’s restoration.
other motorcycle clubs escorted the trees – tulip, white oak, hackberry and elm trees – into the park. “We almost lost Memorial Park a couple years ago,” said Gary Perkey, president of the Warrior Breed. “Citizens and veterans came out and supported the park and the park was saved. Had we not done that, I might be standing on the start/finish line of a track and field facility, but I’m not.” While the ceremony recognized a renewed effort to restore the park, there’s still a lot of work to be done. This includes the restoration of the park’s memorials, some of which are in poor condition, including statues that are missing heads. Last summer, the Fort Wayne Board of Park Commissioners charged the Memorial Park Task Force with developing
BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ
A crowd gathers around a new plaque that was unveiled at the 100-year rededication of the World War I Memorial Grove. The memorial lists the names of each of the 125 local soldiers, sailors and nurses who gave their lives in WWI.
recommendations to preserve the monuments in Memorial Park and determine priorities for making improvements in the park. The task force spent a
year looking at current conditions in the park, researching the Memorial Park Cultural Landscape Report and understanding operations and recreation opportunities in the park.
The task force’s recommendation report can be viewed online at http:// www.fortwayneparks. org/images/PDF/Memorial_Task_Force_Report. pdf.
13. December 13
15. December 15
14. December 14
18. December 18
Messiah by Candlelight: First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. Two performances: 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14. Presented by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, enjoy Handel’s most recognizable and revered masterpiece performed to the warm glow of candlelight in the most luminous of settings. This holiday tradition sells out fast. Tickets are available at fwphil.org.
Parents’ Night Out: Seminary United Methodist Church, 285 N. Seminary St., Roanoke. 6-9:30 p.m. Child care is provided so that parents can enjoy a night out or do Christmas shopping. The program is a youth group fundraiser with adult supervision. The cost is $3 per child. For more information, call (260) 672-3167. The Spirit of Christmas: Allen County Courthouse, 715 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. Performances on three days: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14; 2 p.m. Dec. 15; and 2 p.m. Dec. 16. The Spirit of Christmas is a concert where vocal music and stunning architecture combine to create lasting memories. The Heartland Sings Vocal Artists directed by Maestro Robert Nance, present music of the season under the beautiful Beaux Arts style rotunda. Tickets are $30 in advance at HeartlandSings.org/Tickets or call (260) 436-8080.
Cookie Walk/Craft Sale: Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 8010 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fundraiser will feature dozens of homemade cookies, candies and snacks. There will also be homemade pet snacks. The event will also feature craft booths offering a selection of handmade products to purchase as well. All funds raised will support Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Reading Camp, which helps young school-age children who struggle with reading skills.
Crafty corner: Seminary United Methodist Church, 285 N. Seminary St., Roanoke. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants are invited to work on their own craft and/or sewing projects with ideas and encouragement. Lunch provided with short devotional. The program is free. For more information, call (260) 672-3167.
28. December 28
Munch and Movie series: Life Care Center of Fort Wayne, 1649 Spy Run Ave., Fort Wayne. The monthly series offers a fun, family-friendly experience. This month, celebrate Christmas, family and hope in the holiday season with a festive, Christmas class. To RSVP, call (260) 422-8520. For more information, visit LifeCareCenterOfFortWayneIN.com.