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Eagles to get company by marsh For the Dupont Valley News

Food, fun aplenty at ’17 county fair

The office of the Little River Wetlands Project has outgrown its Engle Road digs and will move to an expanded space off Smith Road at the end of July, according to Betsy Yankowiak, director of preserves and programs. “We’re more than doubling our current space,” she said. The old location is surrounded by the trees overlooking Eagle Marsh. The new location offers a closer look at the eagles and wetlands for which the enterprise is named. Founded in 1990, the Little River Wetlands Project is a nonprofit land trust devoted to rehabilitating and conserving wetlands in the watershed of the Little River, a headwaters tributary of the Wabash River. LRWP protects almost 1,200 acres, in Eagle Marsh, Arrowhead Marsh and Arrowhead Prairie. Asked if the Engle Road office had begun to get a

The Allen County Fair 2017 continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds on Carroll Road. Each day through July 30, the entry tent is accepting canned or other nonperishable foods for the Community Harvest Food Bank. Thirty-five Indiana counties are supporting the Farmers Care program leading up to the Indiana State Fair. This marks Allen County’s second year in the program, Fair Board President Jerry Hammond said. On Sunday, Allen County Fair patrons who donate food items will receive a $2 discount off the $5 admission price. Guests at the fair’s closing day will find a bargain on the midway, too, when all rides will be just $1. On other nights, fairgoers might choose an all-inclusive rides wristband for $20. Community groups also serve home-style meals. Prices vary.

By Steve Penhollow

Staff reports

PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW

Staff members see the edge of Eagle Marsh at Little River Wetlands Project’s new office at 5000 Smith Road in southwest Fort Wayne. Making the move effective Aug. 3 are (from left): Freya Bernston, volunteer program manager; Kristen Peck, communications and major events coordinator; Betsy Yankowiak, director of preserves and programs; Amy Silva, executive director; Dana Claussen, wetlands education coordinator; and (not shown) Cassandra Ferris, administrative support specialist.

little cramped, Yankowiak responded, “That’s saying it politely.” “We have effectively grown out of our office,” she said. “And we continue to grow.”

The new office will have a large conference room equipped with projector, projection screen and TV monitor, she said. There will also be a secondary meeting room,

Heritage Days highlights history of Huntertown Aug. 10 marks the beginning of Huntertown’s three-day Heritage Days festival. The Huntertown Historical Society will once again be this year’s centerpiece, as its “Remembering the Civil War” theme aims to educate festivalgoers on Huntertown’s connection to the war and the Underground Railroad. Many favorite attractions from years past will return, including the Lions Club fish fry, beer tent, parade and — after last year’s success — the three-day carnival hosted by Huesman Amusement Co. This year’s festival also boasts several chances to win prizes. Participants will get a shot at awards for participating in a pie baking contest, cardboard box contest, talent show,

an American Red Cross blood drive and several other events throughout the week. The Saturday, Aug. 11, Heritage Days parade will begin with the 10th anniversary flyover by Sweet Aviation, featuring an aerobatic plane and helicopter from Smith Field. “There aren’t many parades that start with the audience watching the sky,” festival committee chair Jenny McComb said. “However, Huntertown residents know that after the flyover, it’s ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and then the parade is off and running.” This year’s parade will feature motorcyclists from Auburn’s Godfathers Motorcycle Club, the Post 97 American Legion Riders and the Phoenix Sisterhood. The Carroll High School band and Allen County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard will

also perform. WANE-TV’s Hannah Strong and Rod Hissong will emcee. Our Hope Lutheran Church will honor Ed Myers, previous owner of Myers Service Station and an avid festival supporter, with fireworks in his memory Friday night. Myers’ son, Rod, and his wife, Mimi, are this year’s grand marshals. The couple owns Myers Service Station and the Kitchen Table restaurant in Huntertown. A craft fair will take place Saturday after the parade, and Soarin’ Hawk will give a raptor rehabilitation demonstration later that afternoon. The Historical Society’s display will be in the Huntertown Fire Department from noon-4 p.m. Live music is in no short supply this year. Huntertown United Methodist See DAYS, Page A20

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Yankowiak said, and an enlarged working space for volunteers. “Our volunteers have been working in an office See MARSH, Page A20

Related stories n Meet Miss Allen County Fair Hannah Bullion.

Page A5

n Showing livestock is a family tradition.

Page A7

• Friday, 5 p.m. — fish fry dinner, served by Huntertown Lions Club. • Saturday, 5 p.m. — beef and noodle dinner, served by Huntertown VFW Post 11314. The Cedar Creek Lions Club will serve the Fireman Appreciation Pancake Breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Saturday, which is Family Fun Day. The Masonic Lodge will operate the pull strip food booth each evening and from noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Visit allencountyfairgroundsin.com for the full fair schedule. Regular fair admission is $5, and free for children age 5 and younger. The fair closes with the 4-H awards ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday.

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Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

Carroll, other Fort Wayne talent in drum corps tour

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When Drum Corps International caps its whirlwind national tour in Indianapolis, it will mark a homecoming of sorts for a number of performers and instructors from Fort Wayne. This newspaper spoke with several of those participants. • Jacari Banks, a 2015 graduate of Homestead High School, is on the field with the Phanton Regiment, of Rockford, Ill. • Geoff Goelz serves as color guard instructor for the Legends, of Kalamazoo, Mich. Goelz will become the color guard director at Homestead High School this fall, while still contributing to design at Carroll and East Noble high schools. Goelz is a graduate of Heritage High School. • Taylor Healy, a graduate of Wayne High School, is marching for the third year with the Legends. • Jonathan Meader, who is leaving Homestead after several years as color guard director, is a dance and body movement adviser to The Crossmen, of San Antonio, Texas. • Bryen Warfield, the new assistant band director at Homestead High School, is teaching with the Blue-

COURTESY PHOTO

Jacari Banks rehearses with the Phanton Regiment, a Rockford, Ill., unit of Drum Corps International. Banks is a 2015 graduate of Homestead High School.

coats, of Canton, Ohio. The Bluecoats are the defending world champions. DCI shows feature the musicality, pageantry, precision and themes of traditional marching bands, but without woodwind instruments. Unlike the even larger groups that compete in Indy with Bands of America, each drum corps is limited to 150 performers. Open Class units compete Aug. 7 and 8 at Michigan City. Then the attention turns to Indianapolis for a week of activities culminating in the DCI World Championship Finals at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Performers and staff participate in hours of rehearsal each day. Each performer pays a fee for the right to tour, learn and

compete on the national level. “This is my first year in Drum Corps,” said Banks, formerly of Homestead. “It’s a pretty packed day. For the first month of spring training we got up at 7 and had an hour for breakfast and then practiced until 12 or so, and then an hour for lunch, and then we would go back to practicing until 6. Then a lunch break and then we would practice for the remainder of the night, from around 7 to 9 p.m. Lights-out would be around 11.” Banks marched with the Homestead band for four years. He said he has always been a fan of DCI. “Just being around everyone who has the same passion that I do, it’s definitely See DRUM, Page A4

INfortwayne.com • A3

Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

Shrine Fly-In Breakfast to land at new hangar Staff reports Pancake lovers have arrived at a Fort Wayne charity breakfast by plane, car and motorcycle for more than 60 years. The Mizpah Shrine Fly-In Breakfast will be served in a new location this year. Teams of Shriners will ladle batter onto rotating griddles, turn the pancakes and lift them onto plates from 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at Aviation Hangar 2019 on the west side of Fort Wayne International Airport. Rotating grills also will deliver eggs made to order. Sausage, ham, hash brown potatoes, toast, coffee, milk and orange juice will be available. The minimum donation is $6 per person, with children younger than 5 eating free. Net proceeds benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children and Mizpah’s vans that carry children to Chicago and Cincinnati hospitals without charge. Aviation Hangar 2019 is at 11021 W. Perimeter Road, Fort Wayne. From Smith Road south of Airport Expressway, turn onto Aero Center

and follow the loop to Altitude Drive, then east. Free parking will be available, with Shrine vans serving as shuttles. “We’ve been doing this for about 63 years,” said Ellis Ryan, the Fly-In Breakfast coordinator and a former Mizpah potentate. In recent years, breakfast has been served at Aviation Hangar 13 — the former Lincoln hangar — on the northeast corner of the airport on Ferguson Road. That building also was known as the Mercy Hanger, Ryan said. The new location has several advantages, Ryan said. “It’s a brand new hangar, it’s a bigger hangar. It’s modern and it’s extremely clean,” he said. “I think the public will enjoy it.” The new location is farther removed from the Air National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing. “It offers a little more freedom, and it’s easier for the Shriners to come in there and then fly right out,” Ellis said. Planes can approach to within about 500 feet of the hangar, he said. “We have about 150 Shriners involved, and we serve approximately

2,500 people in that six-hour period,” Ryan said. Shriners fly in from Cincinnati, Toledo or other cities, or from just across town at Smith Field, for a morning of food and conversation. The Mizpah Bagpipers perform and the Mizpah Clowns create balloon animals for children. Indoor restrooms will be available at the new location. Additional portable toilets will be located nearby. “I cannot say enough about the Airport Authority,” Ryan said. “They bend over backward for us. They give us the building for free and they let us come in and do our thing and the Airport Authority guys even help us set up.” The Shrine hospital network includes an orthopedic and spinal center in Chicago and a burn center in Cincinnati. No child is denied treatment because of a family’s inability to pay. There is never a charge for transportation. Questions can be directed to the Shrine staff at (260) 426-4543.

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worth the hard work,” he said. Banks attends Indiana State University, where he studies aviation. “I do want to keep up with music, because I’ve been playing trumpet for almost 10 years now,” he said. Goelz marks his fourth year with the Legends, his second as color guard supervisor. He marched with the Cavaliers of Rosemont, Ill., in 2008 and 2009. The corps was national bronze medalist in 2008. This past school year, he coached the Carroll High School winter guard to first place in Class A in the Indiana High School Color Guard Association. He served with Carroll for 10 years. During his brief break between high school band years, he’s busy with another brand of band. “Honestly it’s just a lot of the activities and a lot of performing,” he explained. “It’s good experience getting to be with 150 other people who you just met and you get to perform in these huge venues and stadiums. It’s a once in a lifetime kind of thing.” The Legends has 32 in the color guard. “It’s fun because they’re pretty dedicated,” he said. “They’re spending their whole summer doing color guard

and they work really hard. It’s fun to watch them grow as performers throughout the season and see them come back the next year and take on a leadership role. Seeing them mature as individuals is pretty awesome.” “Legends is an Open Class drum corps, so they have their own finals in Michigan City and last year they were the bronze medalists in Open Class,” he said. “And after that the Open Class corps go to compete with the World Class Corps, and the last two years they were semifinalists.” Healy, a 2015 Wayne High School graduate, is in her third year with the Legends color guard. She said a typical rehearsal day contains two or three blocks, each spanning three to four hours, depending on the travel schedule. “First block for color guard is just stretching/dancing and then we go and join the rest of the corps for visual rehearsal. And then second block is usually just dedicated to us cleaning the show, fixing things, etc., and third block usually we have an hour warmup and then we all go to full ensemble with everyone else,” she said. “On show days we wake up early, have one to two blocks depending on the time span we have until performance, then we shower and get ready and

COURTESY PHOTO

Bryen Warfield (center) is the assistant band director at Homestead High School and an instructor for the Bluecoats, an award-winning drum corps based in Canton, Ohio. He is shown with Bluecoats drum major Samuel Crawford and assistant drum major Graham Hopkins.

head to the performance site.” Then it’s warmup, uniform and “go perform out hearts out,” she said. Healy said she had to pass up a high school color guard teaching post this summer to make way for DCI. “I plan on being a part of the color guard community for a while,” she said. “It’s not even a hobby for me anymore, it’s my life. DCI has assisted me a lot. It’s given me so many amazing experiences and it’s definitely taught me a lot about myself and what hard work truly is.” She offered a tip for anyone who wants to march in DCI. “It’s going to be the hardest thing you do,” she said. “You’re going to want to give up within the first couple days, but don’t. Spring training will be very, very tough and you will

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cry and break down. But as soon as tour comes things get a little easier, so just hold on.” She said anyone who wants to audition for DCI should make the effort. “Even if you don’t make it, audition camps are so great. You’re going to learn so much about yourself. And if you get contracted, take it,” she said. “I always have to tell myself that this only comes to certain people and you only get to march for so many years …” Meader directed the Homestead Winter Guard that took first place in Open Class at the Indiana High School Color Guard Association finals in Indianapolis in 2017. He also consulted with the 2017 Carroll indoor percussion squad that took second place in Scholastic A in the Indiana Percussion Association. In addition to his work with the drum line, he does choreography for the musicians of the Crossmen. This is his fourth position with an elite drum corps. “I stay involved in DCI because it helps keep me relevant,” he said. “It’s the most forward of the activities. They’re great kids and they’re paying $3,600 to do it.” He will cut back on his commitments this fall. “I’m just doing some other things,” he said. “I’m teaching yoga and traveling and teaching more stints with the Crossmen.”

Warfield works with the brass staff, primarily the tuba section, of the world-champion Bluecoats. This is his first year on staff. He also marched with the corps from 2007-2009. He aged out of marching in 2010, but spent five summers with the brass staff of DCI’s Santa Clara, Calif., Vanguard. “It’s still music education and so for me it keeps me on my toes as a director because the talent level of the membership is so high, some of the best in the world,” he said. “It’s very quick. It forces me to really think hard and find new ways to say certain things.” Warfield graduated from the University of Louisville, with a degree in tuba performance. He worked with the marching band staff of North Hardin High School in Radcliffe, Ky., for three years before going to The Ohio State University in the fall of 2014 for his master’s in conducting. He graduated in May 2016 and invested one year as assistant band director at Whiteland Community High School before taking the Homestead post. He will be assistant band dirctor and orchestra director. He works among outstanding marchers and instructors, he said. “Some of them are some of the best in the activity, so it’s a chance for me to step back and learn. I keep a note on my phone of catch phrases and exercises and really anything to share it with my students back home.” Drum Corps International held festivals at the University of Saint Francis in the summers of 2015 and 2016, but will not return to Fort Wayne this summer. Tickets for the Open Class preliminaries and finals at Michigan City start at $20. Tickets for the World Class finals at Indianapolis start at $39. See the full schedule and buy tickets at dci.org.

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Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

INfortwayne.com • A5

Carroll graduate named Miss Allen County Staff reports Hannah Bullion and her court are reigning over the Allen County Fair. Bullion, a 2016 graduate of Carroll High School, was crowned at the pageant July 16 at Carroll High School. The court also includes first runner-up Caroline Chastain (Carroll High School, Indiana Wesleyan University), second runner-up Amelia Wellman (Concordia High School, Concordia University Chicago), third runner-up Julia Kuhn (Bishop Luers High School, Purdue University) and fourth runner-up Maranda Malcolm (Garrett High School, Purdue University). Chastain also won Miss Photogenic, while Malcolm took home the award for Miss Congeniality. Bullion follows in the footsteps of her sister, Whitney, who was crowned Miss Allen County in 2015. The new fair queen was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and several other gifts, including a $785 modeling scholarship. The first runner-up received

a $500 scholarship and gifts, and the second, third and fourth runners-up each received a $250 scholarship and gifts. Bullion will go on to compete in the Indiana State Fair Queen contest in January. Other contestants included Kaitlyn Bestul (Woodlan Jr./Sr. High School), Megan Brelage (Bishop Dwenger High School, Purdue University), Alexis Trumbower (East Allen University, Purdue University), Beth Schaefer (Carroll High School, Manchester University), Shelby Smith (Leo Jr./Sr. High School), Lex Chaffee (Carroll High School, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne), Taryn Van Horn (Heritage High School, Saint Mary’s College), Rachel Skurner (East Noble High School, IPFW), Bella Wiseman (Bishop Dwenger High School, Saint Mary’s College), Erin Ryan (Bishop Dwenger High School, Purdue University), Amber Hoppengardner (Carroll High School) and Maddison Smith (Bishop Luers High School, IPFW).

Entering her sophomore year at Purdue University in the fall, Bullion is pursuing a degree in family consumer science education. After graduation, she plans to live out her love of sewing, children and cooking by teaching family and consumer sciences classes at the high school level. Bullion said she hopes to teach at Carroll High School in the future, by taking a focus on fashion and textiles. Bullion received her tiara from last year’s queen, Sophi Schultz, who also won Miss Photogenic in 2016, as well as being named Miss Congeniality at the county and state levels. “Growing up in Allen County my whole life, it definitely gives you a different view,” Schultz said of her experience as fair queen. “Even just interacting on a different side of 4-H and always growing up going to the fair, spending a week there riding around on a golf cart, welcoming people in, it definitely has been a memory I will never forget … I have a whole new appreciation for the county.”

PHOTO BY LOUIS WYATT

Hannah Bullion, a 2016 Carroll High School graduate, was named Miss Allen County at the pageant at Carroll High School.

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Gone fishin’ By Megan Knowles

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Though 14-year-old Jaxton Orr of Fort Wayne just got his feet wet in competitive kayak fishing in October, he is already making a splash. Jaxton has been fishing since he was 5 years old, his father, Jim Orr, said. Late last year, Jaxton took an interest in pursuing the sport more competitively. “I wanted to get into tournament fishing from the beginning,” he said. “At first I wanted a bass boat, but those were a little expensive,” so he looked into kayak fishing. He bought a fishing

kayak from Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot, which is now his sponsor. “I tried it out on the river and I loved it ever since that day,” he said. Jaxton started kayak fishing in local ponds and rivers, Jim Orr said, and caught the state record for a spotted gar about a year ago. So far Jaxton has been in four kayak fishing events, earning first place in the 2017 Hobie Bass Open youth division on Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Ky., on June 10-11. Over the two-day tournament, Jaxton recorded 102.25 total inches of fish. For kayak fishing,

Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

14-year-old has dreams of becoming a professional kayak angler

anglers catch fish, then take photos on a “hawg trough” that measures their total length from nose to the end of their tail fin. The photo is sent to an app where the fish is measured and recorded. “You can only submit three fish [per day] but if you catch a bigger fish then you can cull a fish and put the bigger fish in,” Jaxton explained. Jaxton’s biggest catch of the tournament was an 18.75-inch bass that he caught with about 20 minutes left in the tournament, he said. In the Hobie tournament Jaxton was required to participate as a youth due to his age, but Jim said he

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Jaxton Orr of southwest Fort Wayne poses with one of the fish he caught during the Hobie Bass Open on Kentucky Lake, June 10-11. Orr finished first in that tournament in the youth division.

would have come in 13th overall had he been in the adult division. Jaxton also participates in Indiana Kayak Anglers events alongside adults as well as online tournaments, where participants have so much time to catch fish in their state and send their photos to an app to be recorded. On July 16 he competed in the IKA Sun Valley Sports Tournament Series on Palestine Lake in Mentone, and finished second with a total of 88.75 inches. For Jaxton, becoming a professional kayak angler is the ultimate prize. To do this, he needs to continue to place well in tournaments and network with other professional anglers. Fortunately, he has had many opportunities to do just that, Jim said.

Jaxton’s kayak isn’t like the ones you would find in your typical outdoor store. It is equipped with an adjustable seat, various storage areas, rod holders and a set of pedals so he can paddle and fish at the same time. On a typical eight- to 11-hour tournament day, Jaxton may paddle 8 to 12 miles, Jim Orr said. Fortunately, Dad isn’t far behind with a supply of food. “Jaxton’s dream is to be a member of the Hobie Fishing Team. I’m just trying to support him and help him realize that dream,” Jim Orr said in an email. While an angler can’t go as far in a kayak as they could in a motorized boat, the smaller vessel has its benefits, Jaxton said.

“Kayak fishing you can get into areas where bass boats can’t get in and sometimes that can be an advantage,” he said, adding bass often like to swim in brushy or shady areas. Jim Orr also points out the kayak is easier to get in and out of the water and is something Jaxton, at only 14, can drive alone, as he would need a driver’s license for a bass boat. The Orrs live off Scott Road in southwest Fort Wayne. Jaxton has shared his love of kayak fishing with others, speaking to children at a Fort Wayne Parks Department youth fishing event, and encourages others to try the sport out. “If you get a kayak, trust me, you’ll really like it,” he said with a smile.

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Hard work pays off at the Allen County Fair By Megan Knowles

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Like many youth who compete at the Allen County Fair, 4-H runs in the family for the Malcolms. Eighteen-year-old Maranda Malcolm is wrapping up her 10th year in 4-H while her brother, Micah, 17, is in his 9th year. The rest of their siblings — Madilyn, 14; Makenna, 11; Malachi, 10; and Merek, 8 — are either members of the local Eel River Club as well or likely will be someday. Both of their parents were 10-year 4-H members, showing either goats or lambs. The Malcolms live on a pig farm and their grandfather raises rabbits, so they’ve got a menagerie of animals to care for come fair time. Having so many projects and members of the family means everyone helps everyone out, Maranda said. And there’s a lot of work to go around. Not only do those in 4-H take four animal projects and other indoor projects, the Malcolms also compete in the showmanship categories, which is less about

the animal and more about the kids themselves. “The judge is looking specifically at you and what you do and that you show off the animal the best that you can,” Maranda explained. The Allen County Fair has nine different species that compete in showmanship categories, and each is shown differently — cattle are shown with a halter, goats with a collar, pigs walks around guided by a stick called a whip and sheep are shown with only one’s hands, Maranda explained. But animals don’t show their best automatically, and the showmanship contests demonstrate which kids have put in the extra work to train them. Pigs, for example, have to be trained to walk straight and smoothly with their head up, Maranda said. “We have to practice with them, we have to walk them laps, work with them on keeping their head up,” she said. “Sheep we have to work on bracing them, that’s where we kind of get their feet parallel and make them flex their back so their muscles are nice and hard.” Working with one’s animal can take hours a day, Maranda said, as

well as a lot of determination, Micah added. “If you really want to do it and you want to compete and win you’ve got to put in the time and work,” he said. “You can’t just come out one day, pet your animal, give it a little feed and water and go back inside and watch TV.” Micah should know — he won senior showman last year in the sheep category. “Getting that animal [to show] right took the correct feeding, working hours among hours, coming out, bracing, walking, halter, we walk them everywhere around here,” he said of the work involved. After each species declares a showman champion, each species winner competes in what Allen County calls the Showman of Showmen, where everyone shows all nine species and a top winner is chosen. “With the Showman of Showmen, they’re looking for how do you show the animal at a basic level and then certain judges will do things to see who knows more about showing this animal,” Maranda said. At this level many youth are showing

animals they are unfamiliar with, but practice is still key, Maranda said. “We will actually communicate with some of our friends and our friends’ friends, and they love doing it, helping out and teaching us how to [show these different animals],” she said. “It’s kind of funny for them because we don’t know what it’s like so we’ll mess up or stumble and they’re like, it’s OK, it’s OK, because they remember those days

as well when that was them.” Because in the end, the judge will look to see who shows all the animals the best. “The judge looks for who falls first and that one is out. He’s looking for the kid who can last the longest,” Micah said. Again, he should know — he also won the Showman of Showmen last year. “The judge … came right to me and shook my hand and told me that I’m

going to win this deal,” he said. “It’s just a great feeling because all the hard work that was put into it from my sisters and I working the animals until now, it was just a great feeling to win it.” For anyone interested in any of the events at the 4-H fair, learning from others is key, Maranda and Micah said. “It’s a life lesson because if you want to go out and work hard it’s going to pay off,” Micah said.

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Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

Church musician accepts statewide choral duties By Rod King

For the Dupont Valley News

To say that Mitch Rorick’s life is consumed with music is a huge

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Director of Music Bob Hobby alternate playing the organ for church services and conducting the adult choir. Directing the children’s choir (third- through sixthgraders) falls under his scope of responsibility. He directs two handbell choirs at his church. He also conducts the Boys Choir of the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, is faculty adviser/director of the IPFW Singing Dons male chorus and sings baritone with Heartland Sings. On top of all that, Rorick has been named president-elect of the Indiana Choral Directors Association. His first job with the Association is to start figuring out the logistics for the organization’s 2018 Summer Conference to be held at the University of Indianapolis. He’s charged

PHOTO BY ROD KING

Newly named president-elect of the Indiana Choral Directors Association, Mitch Rorick is associate director of music at Trinity English Lutheran Church.

with finding housing for 100 choral directors from throughout Hoosierland and providing them with food. Rorick is already searching out clinicians (choral music experts)

from outside the state to lead seminars. The All-State Jazz Honor Choir made up of high school students from across the state will perform.

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Rorick, who will become president of ICDA in 2019, is approaching his position as one of being an advocate for choral music and to provide resources to the organization’s members. The association has extensive lists of all kinds of music which he will utilize to help directors choose music. A choral director’s life is a busy one. Rorick, Hobby and 17 students and chaperones in the church’s youth choir (grades seven through 12) went to Mackinac Island last month as a treat for their hard work throughout the year rehearsing and singing at church services. “It included singing at a church in Holland, Michigan, community and spiritual enrichment and a lot of fun,” said Rorick. He also took his grade school choir to Cincinnati where they sang at a church, gobbled up Skyline Chili and visited the Newport, Ky., aquarium. Last month he also worked with students attending the church’s Shining Lights Summer Fine Arts program which concluded with him serving as musical director for a Christian musical production. The Columbus, Ohio, native began his music career as an alto saxophonist in the Grove City High School marching band. At Wheaton College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance on the pipe organ, he began broadening his tastes to include choral music. His master’s degree from Indiana University is in organ and church music and he has a second master’s degree in choral conducting from Florida State University. Rorick married Laura Dallman five years ago and moved to Fort Wayne to assume his present position at Trinity English Lutheran Church. At that time the couple made an ironclad agreement that when she completed her doctorate in musicology from Indiana University they would go to Europe. They’re presently touring France, Germany and Italy. He readily admits that music is a big part of his life. “I like choral music because it encompasses a wide variety of styles and is something I can do for the rest of my life. I welcome others to participate in this great choral art,” he said. Rorick is a member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Choristers Guild and Toastmasters. He’s also an avid Ohio State University football fan.

INfortwayne.com • A9

Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

TVC places volunteers in important service roles By Rod King

For the Dupont Valley News

“Volunteerism has changed greatly in the last couple decades,” said Jean Joley, executive director of The Volunteer Center on Lake Avenue. People prefer sporadic opportunities that match their passions, instead of regularly scheduled activities such as pushing wheelchairs or picking up trash in a park. They also want training so they can successfully carry out their volunteer responsibilities. “Volunteering is more than cleaning up along a highway,” Joley said. “The Volunteer Center provides a corps of volunteers to fill important community roles by offering meaningful opportunities relevant to their skills, abilities and interests. Persons wishing to work with veterans, serve food at the Rescue Mission, assist at Community Harvest Food Bank or learn to work with the homeless can find what they’re looking for at TVC. “Though seven of 10 who volunteer are seniors and have more time, we’re seeing more younger people getting involved. High school students want to be able to put on their college applications that they are involved in the community, and millenniums want it on their resumes.” TVC, which was founded in 1971, provides volunteers to 93 local not-for-profit, civic and faith-based agencies throughout the county. Their long list of agencies, to name a few, ranges from Allen County SPCA, Hispanic Development Center, Little River Wetlands Project and Science Central to Camp Red Cedar, Dare to Dream Youth Ranch, The Salvation Army, The Franciscan Center and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation. The agency’s volunteer guide book lists them all. More information can be obtained on the TVC web site at www.volunteerfortwayne.org. “Several signature programs define the work of TVC,” Joley said. “We’re probably best known for our Coats for Kids program which last year distributed more than 4,000 new and gently used coats to children in local schools, shelters and social service agencies. Since 2000 we’ve handed out over 50,000 coats.” Most people don’t realize that TVC offers free federal and state income tax preparation to low-income families and military families.

Last year, nearly 3,000 taxpayers received assistance from TVC’s IRS Certified Tax Volunteers and returned $3 million to county families. The agency provides training to volunteers, who must pass an IRS test to become certified. Sixteen attorneys volunteer their time providing free legal assistance to individuals who have an old felony on their record and because of that are unable to obtain employment, housing, educational grants, driver’s licenses or food stamps. The Second Chance Expungement Initiative that helps them obtain a letter clearing their status was the idea of Director Joley’s son, David, in 2015. At the present it’s the only program of its kind in the state. Last year they helped more than 1,200 individuals seeking expungement. “Our volunteers have provided exceptional assistance to not-forprofit agencies, churches and other organizations. The Benefits Enrollment Team provides trained and certified volunteers to agencies to assist clients obtain Indiana Assistance Benefits such as Indiana unemployment, food stamps and medicaid benefits. The program was expanded recently to include help in enrolling individuals in the Health Marketplace and Health Initiative Program 2.0 enrollment under the Affordable Care Act,” Joley said. TVC also supported more than 400 military families facing deployment. “We’re sort of a clearing house for volunteers,” Joley said. “A month ago we got a

request from Community Harvest Food Bank for help on a specific Saturday. We sent out a Facebook appeal asking for volunteers and 50 showed up. E-mail blasts are sent out once a week listing the various volunteer opportunities available. We receive requests from corporations asking for volunteer projects that their employees can get involved in. “Unfortunately we lose a lot of good volunteers because they get hired by the agencies they were sent to help. I guess I should feel good about that because it fortifies the fact that they were carefully screened, well trained and chosen by our staff for specific long-term, short-term or sporadic event tasks. Last year our 1,218 volunteers served a total of 121,000 hours in the Allen County community.” Like many of the agencies they serve, TVC relies on volunteers to support its four paid staff members. Joley’s

PHOTO BY ROD KING

Jean Joley, center, executive director of The Volunteer Center on Lake Avenue, is flanked by staff members Anna Etter and Gretchen Neuhaus. The agency’s 1,218 volunteers served a total of 121,000 hours in the Allen County community last year.

staff includes program manager Anna Etter, site and training coordinator Gretchen Neuhaus and receptionist/clerk Liz Merkle. Joley, a native of the Detroit area, came to Fort Wayne in 1972 on the nursing staff of St. Joseph Hospital. She taught nursing for 20 years and was director of nursing at St. Joe for six years. When

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Corey Adams leads the way for B.J. Underwood as Matthew Premer cheers from the sidelines in the Allen County Lions’ victory over the Tri-County Raiders.

want to better myself.” “Semipro” describes the competition level more accurately than it describes the compensation. In fact, players pay for the right to wear the Allen County Lions blue jerseys. Come to the games, Smith said. Admission is free. “It’s just for the love of football,” Smith said.

“If you love football and just want to come out and have a good time, that’s the place to be. “We want the community to back us up because once we bring home the [champion]ship it’s on from there. We’re going to make something happen and bring football back to the city of Fort Wayne.”

A half-hour into practice, and it’s time for a quick break. Two fans have retreated to the shade or to the A.C., leaving a semipro veteran alone in the stands. It’s time to put on jerseys and pads. “What all of us have in common is everybody wants the opportunity to play football again,

no matter what level,” said Eaton, the defensive captain. “Everybody just dreams of playing football. They want that opportunity, whether it’s NFL, college, whatever. Everybody just wants the opportunity.” For Raber, who started sweating 45 minutes before his teammates arrived, practice is a reward in itself. He burns off the anxieties of life by smashing into his teammates; they return the impact in kind. Everyone understands. “Every time we leave practice I feel better,” he said. “I feel good. I’m more calm. I’m just ready to enjoy a nice relaxing night. “And I’m trying to be a better person. This will teach me about leadership and teamwork. And hopefully, there are more seasons to come after this one. “I’m doing this because I love the game.”

A14 • INfortwayne.com

Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

Habitat for Humanity celebrates 200th home By Megan Knowles

we wanted to make it a big event for the whole community to be able to come out and see it,” she said, adding people don’t always get to see the work being done at Fuller’s Landing, where current Habitat homes in Fort Wayne are built. “We were really looking for a place where we could show the entire

mknowles@kpcmedia.com

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne began building its 200th home and wanted to celebrate the occasion, Director of Communications Megan Hubartt said. “Habitat of Greater Fort Wayne decided

community how a build happens,” Hubartt added. “We thought it was a great way to get people working downtown or around downtown a chance to see what we were doing.” Around 120 volunteers worked one-hour shifts throughout the day, including Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer and PHOTOS BY RAY STEUP

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Volunteers assemble Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne’s 200th home at I&M Plaza in downtown Fort Wayne.

Police Chief Steve Reed. Once the work being done on the first floor was finished for the day, Home Lumber helped Habitat take down the walls, move them to Fuller’s Landing and put them back up at the future site of Mia Stevenson’s future home. For her and her family, it has been a long time coming. Families have to first qualify for Habitat homes by meeting certain income guidelines to ensure they’ll be able to pay their mortgage, Hubartt said. They must then invest up to 400 hours in “sweat equity,” building not only their home but those of other Habitat families, she added. There is also up to 20 hours of sustainable home ownership classes and financial literacy classes. The process took about a year and a half from start to the time the first wall was built, Stevenson said, adding the wait has been worth it. “It’s a really exciting process, obviously it takes a little time but it’s exciting from the beginning to the end,” she said. Being there for other Habitat families was also

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Rob Wright and his Dodge truck, All Attitude, make the winning 8,000-pound Pro Stock Diesel 4x4 Truck pull of 331.225 feet on July 8 at the Arcola National Truck & Tractor Pull. The three-day event is a fundraiser for the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department.

INfortwayne.com • A15

Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

Local instrument maker offers quick ukulele intro By Garth Snow

gsnow@kpcmedia.com

Richard Ash can’t transform a ukulele novice into an independent artist instantly. But give him 2.5 hours and he will have the student playing the basics. “We learn a handful of chords, and strum those chords and hum along and we do a number of songs from ‘Clementine’ to ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight,’ and two hours into the class they’re changing chords pretty easily,” Ash said. The owner of Woodcraft Instruments usually teaches audiences from the Midwest and beyond at his Woodburn shop. Or he follows the folk music circuit across the South and beyond. But from 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 5, he will share more than a quarter-century of ukulele

know-how at the Fort Wayne Community Center, 233 W. Main St. Sign up at fortwayneparks.org. Aspiring uke players will pay $65 for the lesson and their own ukulele. You read that correctly. “They will take the ukulele with them,” he said. The beginners’ model won’t have the same luster as those that fill the walls in Woodburn, but the instruments will suffice for the introduction and the shortterm. “It’s a one-time thing for most of the people,” Ash said. “They’re doing this for entertainment and they can work on this from home.” Ash has taught a ukulele class through the Fort Wayne Parks Department for about five years. “I’ve also done harmonica and tinwhistle. I’ve done a variety of programs with

the Parks Department, and it’s very well organized,” he said. Some of Ash’s students have gone on to join local dulcimer clubs or the Three Rivers Ukes performers. “It’s good to help local clubs,” he said. Beginners do not have to know how to read music. “They just need to be able to sit up in a chair and hold an instrument in their hands and I’ll take it from there. I’ll show them how to read tablature,” he said. That system illustrates finger placement on fretted instruments. Ash loves teaching, and he loves “hanging out with fine performers” on his travels. “Life is always a learning experience,” he said. “I’m oftentimes taking classes when I go to these festivals. I go to a festival in Florida every winter, and

each time I teach I will sit in on classes and either pick up teaching techniques or pick new ideas and think, ‘Oh, I didn’t know how that works.’ I add it to my own repertoire and skill set.” Ash moved to Indiana in 1988, after teaching at the college level for three years in Montana. He taught at Eastside High School in Butler for two years, and later at three parochial schools. In 1990, he opened a music store in Woodburn. He eventually bought Folkcraft Instruments and moved it from Winsted, Conn. Today, Folkcraft has three main product lines. Folkcraft Instruments builds mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers, psalteries and kanteles. Druid Moon builds ukuleles. FolkRoots creates dulcimers. Most recently, Ash has been busy building

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Richard Ash assembles a dulcimer at Folkcraft Instruments in Woodburn, where he makes an assortment of stringed instruments. Ash will teach an introduction to ukulele class Aug. 5 at the Fort Wayne Community Center.

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Jonathan Busarow directs the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir in a program ending the 2016 ChoralFest day camp. This year’s concert will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Foellinger Outdoor Theatre in Franke Park. FWCC Alumni will join the current singers on stage during the final song of the evening. The performance is part of the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation music series and is free and open to the public. This year’s camp theme is “The Wild, Wild West.”

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Dupont Valley • July 28, 2017

News briefs: Schedules, results, sign-up notes

Foundation board adds 2

The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne elected two new members to its board of directors and installed officers for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The new board members are: Doug Wood, Sweetwater Sound; and Heather Schoegler, Augustus Advisors Inc. The 2017-2018 officers of the board are: president, Shannon Hardiek, COO and financial adviser, Phillips Financial; vice president, Jonathan Hancock, Canterbury School, retired; secretary, Bob Francis, vice president and CIO, Steel Dynamics; and treasurer, Bruce Menshy, community leader. Returning members of the board include: Michael Barranda, Mike Cahill,

Trois Hart, Son Huynh, Todd Jacobs, Greg Johnson, Kathy Kolb, Ben Miles, Rob Patrick, Chris Rupp, Don Steininger; Nick Talarico and Irene Walters. The board offered a special thank you to exiting board members Tom Trent and Dr. Deborah McMahan.

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Keyboard artists ‘dueling’ Aug. 25

Ryan Krueckeberg is the new president of Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana. The 2-year term began July 1. Krueckeberg is president of Lincoln Financial Group. Vice President Savannah Robinson is with Barnes & Thornburg LLP. Secretary Sarah Verpooten is with Strahm Building Solutions. Treasurer David Curry is with Lake City Bank. Other board members are Patrick Florea, Abigail Zimmer, Kourtney Teegardin, Pone Vongphachanh, John Felts, Kelly Rentschler, Chris Reeves, Vinod Vijayan, Tim Zink, Rena Burden and John Foxworthy. The mission of the 2,500plus person YLNI network is to attract, develop and retain emerging leaders through community, professional and social engagement. For details, visit ylni.org.

The show “Dueling Keyboard Boys” featuring Paul New Stewart and Brian Frushour will introduce the fall season at Cottage Event Center, Roanoke. The show is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at the entertainment venue at 9524 U.S. 24 North at Locust Street. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at cottageeventcenter.com. The concert will offer an assortment of musical

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Grant supports health initiative

Extension – Allen County – offers incentives to encourage practices in home gardens and landscapes. With the assistance of Master Gardener volunteers and other experts, the Extension Service has developed a program through which citizens and neighborhood associations can earn certification and special recognition with a special sign to post on their property, discounts on plants, milkweed seeds, and a grab bag of gifts. Anyone interested in making the environment better for future generations, and in being recognized for the effort, may contact Horticulture educator Ricky Kemery at (260) 481- 6435 or email him at kemeryr@purdue. edu.

Brightpoint has received a $16,000 grant from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation to support the Covering Kids and Families program. The grant was awarded to expand access to healthcare to the Burmese community through community-based outreach and enrollment in state and federally-sponsored health coverage programs. The program strives to serve all uninsured and underinsured Allen County residents. The grant money received from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation will allow CKF to break down the language barriers that arise when serving the Burmese community, Brightpoint said.

Teams register for Buddy Walk

Heartland takes jazz on the road

Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana will hold the annual Buddy Walk at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne. The walk covers approximately 1.2 miles. Teams have begun registering. Team captain packets will be available soon. Visit dsani.org/buddywalk/ to register. “This acceptance and advocacy walk is also an inspirational and educational event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome,” the organization said on the website.

The Heartland Sings Vocal Artists are on the road this summer bringing a jazz-inspired program to venues in northeast Indiana. A jazz combo accompanies the singers in a mix of jazz standards and new arrangements. Shows are planned: Thursday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m. Honeywell Center presents Jazz on the Lawn, 275 W. Market St., Wabash. Friday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Creative Arts Council of Wells County presents Jazz on the Patio, 211 Water St., Bluffton. Monday, Aug. 21, 6:15 p.m., just before the TinCaps game. Parkview Field Amphitheater, 1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne.

PAL football begins sign-up

The Police Athletic League 2017 tackle football program has begun registration. PAL registration can

Extension offers plant incentives

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