St. Joe Times - December 2013

INSIDE THIS ISSUE ClassiďŹ eds..............................................................................A6 Community Calendar .........................................................A19 Find It In Fort Wayne...............................A10,11,12,13,14 Holiday Page .........................................................................A8 Youth ......................................................................................A0

ad 4XDOLW\ onSeepageourA19 &OHDQHUV Family Owned & Operated

Serving Northeast Fort Wayne & Allen County

INfortwayne.com

December 6, 2013

Hundreds of young patients get free rides to ‘temples of mercy’

School food drives to pick St. Joe Twp. Fire Chief for Day

By Garth Snow

By Garth Snow

Shrine vans follow familiar route gsnow@kpcmedia.com

His half-day round trip from ďŹ elds to freeways marked Gary Soblotne’s 187th visit to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago.

Soblotne picked up the hospital van at Lakeland Glass, near his home in LaGrange. There, he met Mike Hardiek, who drove from his home in southwest Fort Wayne. Hardiek is the 2013 potentate of the 22-county Mizpah Shrine. Soblotne is the assistant rabban — in line to lead Mizpah in 2015.

Both said it was one of the few hospital trips that begin after daybreak.

The van pulled onto a dirt driveway. An Amish woman and her young son stepped into the van and buckled up for the 162-mile journey to Chicago’s far west side.

The Shriners respect

gsnow@kpcmedia.com

Select students at three public schools will become Fire Chief for the Day, thanks to a food drive on behalf of Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana.

Saint Joseph Township Fire Chief David Ringer said Jefferson Middle School and Arlington and Saint Joseph Central elementary schools are participating. The winning student will be selected from the top performing grade in each school. “There will be a drawing and that child will be the ďŹ re chief for the day,â€? said Melissa Meyer, a volunteer who is assisting with publicity. “We look forward to generating excitement within the community and hope to stuff at least one ďŹ re truck,â€? Meyer said in an email. “But, like Chief

PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW

Mizpah Shriners Mike Hardiek, left, and Gary Soblotne prepare for a return trip from Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago. Drivers from Mizpah’s 22 counties make about 700 trips each year to hospitals in Chicago and Cincinnati.

the patients’ privacy and do not ask about their circumstances. Instead, the volunteer drivers work to ensure that doctors can ask those important questions. Those doctors, Hardiek said, are among the best in their ďŹ elds. “It’s the world’s greatest health care money can’t buy,â€? Hardiek would say later. Shriners Hospitals specialists correct cleft palates, treat

orthopaedic deformities and injuries, spinal cord injuries, and a dozen other congenital or acquired conditions.

Mizpah Shrine vans sometimes carry burn patients to Cincinnati.

Usually, though, their route winds past pastures, onto the Indiana Toll Road, high onto the Chicago Skyway and past Windy City skyscrapers.

When they arrived that

morning at 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Hardiek pulled the LaGrange County van near two other vans with the Mizpah emblem, from Allen and Noble counties.

The passengers accepted vouchers for meals in the cafeteria. Hardiek and Soblotne joined a dozen other Shriners for lunch.

Tom Hilton’s day had started much earlier, when See SHRINE, Page A4

Dave says, we have four that we could use.�

Ringer said top-producing students will shadow him for a few hours.

Arlington Elementary ďŹ nished its food drive Nov. 22. Other school food drives will continue through Dec. 13.

The public may contribute through Dec. 13, by bringing canned or other nonperishable food to the ďŹ re station, 6033 Maplecrest Road. North Eastern Group Realty also is accepting donations, at 10808 La Cabreah Lane. The public also is invited to donate personal care items, such as toothbrushes and deodorant.

The ďŹ re department also is accepting monetary gifts to help sponsor families within the township through Shop with a FireďŹ ghter. “Through See FOOD, Page A2

Northrop celebrates honor of No. 1 PTA in America

By Garth Snow gsnow@kpcmedia.com

Steve Shannon

GOING OUT OF

PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW

Northrop senior Sean Risvic and sophomore Krysta Kissinger review their photos of the awards ceremony.

said. “That means you have to keep working and keep doing the great things that you’re doing.�

Charisma, Northrop’s advanced mixed show choir, entertained before the presentation. Thornton said that group exempliďŹ es the “environment of excellenceâ€? at Northrop. He urged the choir to enter the PTA’s national Reections competition. “This is the ďŹ rst school we’re recognizing in

this program,� Thornton said. “We revamped this program early last year.

And the intent was to encourage the partnerships.� “What you do is so important to student success, and we really appreciate it,� Thornton said of Northrop teachers. “And to have a hundred percent of teacher involvement in PTA membership See NORTHROP, Page A2

BUSINESS ENTIRE INVENTORY ON SALE!!

ALL FINE JEWELRY NOW

40

%

70

TO

%

OFF*

*Some exclusions apply

3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Times Community Publications

National PTA President Otha Thornton congratulated Northrop High School as the ďŹ rst recipient of the School of Excellence banner. “Your PTSA, parents, your students, your teachers and your community have made this the No. 1 PTA in the country,â€?

Thornton said at the Nov. 15 unveiling of the award, which had been announced at the national convention in Cincinnati in June.

Staff and students gathered to celebrate the honor just hours before the Northrop PTSA College and Career Night. The school’s application for a grant for such an event had been part of the process that had secured the School of Excellence honor. “We have 809 other PTAS that are looking at you right now,� Thornton

1RUWKEURRN 9LOODJH ‡ $ :HVW 'XSRQW 5RDG )RUW :D\QH ,1 Monday,Wednesday, Friday 9:30 am - 7:00 pm Tuesday,Thursday, Saturday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

A2 • INfortwayne.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

NORTHROP from Page — that is very important for us.”

Renee Jackson, the senior manager of education programs for the National PTA, told this newspaper that Northrop demonstrated the highest standards.

“For example, one of our standards is communicating effectively,” she said. “Northrop PTSA does an excellent job of communicating with parents, helping it to be a two-way communication between the home and school, with their weekly newspapers that they send out by email.”

“I am a member of the Northrop PTSA,” the national officer said, “and I receive those emails weekly in Alexandria, Va., informing parents and the community of what’s going on at the school.

So they’ve done a very good job of that two-way

A1

communication.”

Jackson said the award was renewed to recognize partnerships such as Northrop’s. “We rejuvenated it and we made it more digital,” she said.

Thornton, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, is the senior operations analyst for General Dynamics at Fort Stewart, Ga. The Parent Teacher Associations and Parent Student Teacher Associations that competed for the honor sought to demonstrate school and business community partnerships, Thornton told this newspaper. “They (Northrop) had a very, very strong partnership and met the model that we pushed forward,” he said.

“What we’ve seen in 40 years of research is when you have parents engaged in schools, the students achieve more, the students

are more successful,” he said.

The family-school partnerships pursue measurable progress in education, health and safety, and arts and cultural exploration.

Northrop PTSA Co-President Kathie Green said Barb Ahlersmeyer — an “outstanding principal” — is a big reason for the group’s success.

PTSA Co-President Theresa Distelrath said Northrop has an edge.

“We have an absolutely phenomenal, phenomenal staff. Our teachers our amazing,” she said. “This is truly a partnership, and behalf of all the parents, thank you, thank you for what you do for us and for our children.”

Fort Wayne Community Schools Superintendent Wendy Robinson told the audience that schools have to be strong. “We’re in a competitive environ-

PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW

Charisma, Northrop High School’s advanced mixed show choir, performs for an afternoon ceremony celebrating a national award for the school’s PTSA.

ment. People have lots of other options,” Robinson said. By keeping parents involved, she said, the schools can maintain a competitive edge.

Nelson Peters, representing the Allen County Board of Commissioners, congratulated Principal Ahlersmeyer and PTSA Co-Chairs Distelrath and Green for bringing the honor to Northrop High School and to Allen County.

The School of Excellence Award is for a two-year period, through

2015. Northrop PTSA also received the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Award for 2013. The award honors PTAs that have put strong practices into place to involve parents and families into the lives of their schools.

That award also was announced in June.

Among the media on hand were Northrop senior Sean Risvic and sophomore Krysta Kissinger, photographing the event for the school yearbook, “Bear Tracks.”

“I’m not actually that surprised,” Risvic said of the award. “I know some of the PTA members, and they’re great. The teachers are great.”

“It’s pretty exciting,” Kissinger said. “I, for one, love all of our teachers. I don’t think there’s really a bad teacher here.”

The College and Career Night was free and open to all families — not just Northrop families, according to Krista Stockman, public information officer for Fort Wayne Community Schools.

said Keith Scott, a case manager. He said the winning class will win an ice cream party.

North Eastern Realty also accepted canned goods for admission to a company Christmas party.

“We had been approached by a few people in the community about doing something for the unincorporated area, and we came up with the

idea to stuff a fire truck,” Ringer said. This is the first year for the project “We feel we’re responsible for each other; that’s why people volunteer for the fire department,” Meyer said. “And the need this year has been exponentially greater. So we just want to do our part to ensure that we help as many people as possible.”

FOOD from Page A1 this program, we will take at-risk children from within our community and fulfill their Christmas wishes, along with being a positive role model and mentor for those children,” the fire department said in a news release.

At Arlington Elementary, the winning class brought in 278 items on the final day to bring the class total to 586 items,

UPICK‘EM Pro Football 2013 Contest Play NOW at fwbusiness.com Join KPC Media Group Inc. as we bring chances to win prizes every week by picking winners in one of America’s favorite sports – professional football! There will be local and national winners weekly and a national Grand Prize Winner for a trip for two to Hawaii at the end of the contest.

Week 12 winner: TJ Wagenschutz, wags Sponsored by:

For advertising or sponsorship opportunities call 260-426-2640 x324

Official rules online

Special discounts on all in-stock hot tub models.

Also receive FREE electrical installation (up to $500.00 max) with a hot tub purchase, if delivered by 12/23/2013.

Offer ends 12/23/2013

3204 Illinois Road Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-432-3570 Poolpatioandspas.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

INfortwayne.com • A3

Voices of Unity choir plans to sing in New York City, Latvia Fort Wayne’s Voices of Unity Youth Choir plans to perform in New York City and in Riga, Latvia, in 2014.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry, Unity Performing Arts Foundation, and community leaders announced the Gold for the City campaign to support the youth choir. “We’re encouraged to see so many young people committed to making a meaningful difference in their lives and in the lives of others,� Henry said. “It’s tremendous to see youth develop and enhance skills that will position them for future success. We need to come together as a community and

support the Voices of Unity. They represent what is great about Fort Wayne.�

The Voices of Unity Youth Choir has been invited to participate in the 2014 Choirs of America Music Performance Nationals at Carnegie Hall in New York City, June 19-22.

Voices of Unity also will compete in the 2014 World Choir Games, July 9-19 in Riga, Latvia. The World Choir Games attracts many of the world’s best choirs from more than 80 countries. “How do you combat a negative outlook many youth are developing today? You

Circus ticket sales begin

PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW

Steve Trump, from left, Owen Wade, Rick Stirratt and Jason Fannin audit tickets for the Mizpah Shrine’s annual circus. Eight Shriners gathered at the new circus ticket ofďŹ ce at 1015 Memorial Way, behind Casa’s on Parnell Avenue. Trump, the coordinator, explained that Shriners need to pull tickets for areas that might be reserved for handicapped areas or for circus rigging. The Shrine Circus returns for seven performances, Jan. 23-26, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Tickets went on sale Dec. 2. Visit the ticket ofďŹ ce or get more information at mizpahshrinecircus.com.

create a climate where youth can beneďŹ t from the power of encouragement, hope, positive reinforcement and genuine support,â€? said Marshall White, the CEO and founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation and director and life coach for the youth choir. “That’s what the young people in the Voices of Unity experience each week of their lives,â€? White said in a news release. “We as a community need to fuel and support that climate so that it will spread and reach more young people in our community.â€?

The $385,000 Gold for the City

campaign is seeking corporate, community and individual support to send students to represent Fort Wayne in New York and Latvia. Find more information at upaf.com or call (260) 481-6719.

The youth choral program was founded in 2000 on the IPFW Campus, and more than 625 students have participated Youths ages 7 to 19 from various backgrounds contribute to the choir.

The Voices of Unity earned honors at the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, in July 2010, and competed again in the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati.

IPFW options involve travel IPFW Division of Continuing Studies plans a wide variety of courses, including international studies for summer 2014.

Call (260) 481-6619 or go to learn.ipfw.edu for full details or to register.

Launching Your Own Business: A Sound and Proven Path (13FBUS276G), Wednesday, Dec. 11, 5-6:30 p.m. Fee: $25.

Funding Options and Financial Literacy for Small Busienss (13FBUS285B), Monday, Dec. 16, 5-6:30 p.m. Fee: $15.

Execution and Control of

Operations (13FBUS404), Dec. 12, 13 and 14, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.. Fee: $529. 2.1 CEUs. Web Design Basics CertiďŹ cate Final Project (13FCMP260), Dec. 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fee: $106.

IPFW ‘s Summer In Italy. Spend six weeks in Italy with IPFW faculty in Advanced Technology, Consumer of Family Sciences, and Fine Art. May 25-July 5, 2014.

Deposit due by Feb. 14, 2014. Study Culinary Traditions of Italy, May 24-June 7; the Art of Italy, June 7-26; and Rome, Italy,

The Secret and the Sacred, June 24-July 5. Take the three trips as a package or take one as an individual trip.

Scotland: Field School in Cultural Anthropology, May 20-June 17. Deposit due by Jan. 4.

Archaeological Field School in Peru, June 25-Aug. 3. Deposit due by Jan. 4.

Human Rights Institute: Strasbourg, France, July 8-26. Deposit due by May 1.

Call Continuing Studies for details, at (260) 481-6619.

Allen 4-H’ers elect Kleine president Allen County 4-H Clubs held their annual meeting. Elected to the board for a three-year term were Lisa Didion, Trent Kleine, Sue Schaefer and Kurt VanHorn.

Dylan Goetterman was elected to a two-year term as a youth director.

Kleine was elected president of the not-for-proďŹ t corporation that supports the 4-H program. Other ofďŹ cers elected for the 2014 year included Shawn Parker as vice president, Kim Smith as secretary, and Lee Bradtmueller as treasurer.

Christmas Specials 260-212-1111 www.gbncautosalesllc.com 6119 IN 930, Fort Wayne, IN 46803 Corner of Maplecrest & 930, just outside New Haven.

(OURS -ON &RI AM PM s 3AT AM PM

Spreading the Holiday Cheer!

Stop in and register for a Walmart Gift Card!

1st PRIZE s nd PRIZE s rd prize $50

NOW OPEN!

ENTRY Y FORM

Full Day * Pamper $100 0UJS\KLZ!

Package ‹ í /V\Y -HJPHS YLN

‹ í /V\Y 4HZZHNL ‹ 7LKPJ\YL ‹ 4HUPJ\YL ‹ )SV^ +Y` HUK :[`SL

$20 Pedicure

for the months of January and February!

Mini Pamper Includes: Package ‹ 4HUPJ\YL YLN

‹ í /V\Y -HJPHS

$45

*

Name: ______________________________ __ ______

s 7E #AN (ELP WITHx _________ __ _ Bankruptcy, Reposessions Phone:______________________________ & First Time Buyers Address: ____________________________ ____________ __ _ s "ANK &INANCING _____________________________ ______ _ ______ s ,OW 0AYMENT /PTIONS 7 ! # # Email: mail:: ______________________________ _ __ s .EWER -ODELS No purchase necessary.

Must register by 12/18/13. s 'REAT )NVENTORY You will be contacted by 12/21/13 if you are a winner.

STJ New Arrivals Everyday! “Helping Good People‌‌Rebuild Good Creditâ€?

Great Holiday Gifts!

Boutique Items and Retail Items Gift Certificates Available

6$/21 63$

260-485-7005 6016 Brandy Chase Cove Fort Wayne, IN 46815

*Must purchase the Full Day and Mini Package by January 1, 2014. No Limit.

A4 • INfortwayne.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

SHRINE

from Page A1 he drove 50 miles to pick up the Zenobia Shrine van and make the fivehour drive from Toledo, Ohio. Normally, Hilton would be busy restoring a 1929 Ford Trimotor airplane. On this day he was sharing a lunch table with drivers from Tebala Shrine in Rockford, Ill. In all, 14 Shrine centers as distant as Saginaw, Mich., and Green Bay, Wis., are affiliated with the Chicago hospital.

Hospital vans have carried patients from South Dakota and Oklahoma, said Robert Gillfillan. When he’s not acting as the congenial host to waiting Shriners, the director of the hospital ushers committee is showing visitors the highlights of the 60-bed hospital. The computerized walking machine

PHOTOS BY GARTH SNOW

Robert W. Gillfillan (right photo) shows entertainer George Gobel’s plaque on a wall honoring donors to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago. Gillfillan is the director of the hospital ushers committee.

cost more than $400,000, he said. A child-friendly underseas mural covers the walls of the radiology room. A child being fitted for a cast may choose from among eight colors for that cast. One parent may stay overnight in one of the hospital’s four motel-like rooms.

“Surgery can last 10 minutes,” he said. “It can last 10, 12 hours.”

Children’s art fills odd

corners of the hallway.

“We do not believe in the green, gray, white color scheme,” Gillfillan said.

He pointed to color-coded markers recognizing contributors whose gifts have supported the hospital over the years. His short list includes candy heiress Helen Brach, the Green Bay Packers and early TV star George Gobel.

The Chicago Black-

hawks and other sports teams are frequent visitors, he said. Recently, the stars of TV’s “Duck Dynasty” visited the children.

The windows facing the nearby Mars Candy Co. reminded Gillfillan of another story. “In the summer, if the wind is in the right direction, we stand outside and drool,” he said.

Gillfillan and all his

Scan your lungs.

It could save your life.

When it comes to lung cancer, early detection is key.

Parkview now offers SmartLung CT – a simple, non-invasive test that can detect lung cancer in its earliest stages. If you are a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years and have smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years, you are eligible for this important screening.

Talk with your physician or call (260) 373-8900 or (877) 225-5747 to schedule an appointment.

parkview.com

© 2013, Parkview Health, PCCC-A-003A

colleagues are volunteers.

“You know it’s very rewarding when you’re standing in the lobby and a little guy will come up and grab you by the leg and say thank you, and you get a hug,” he said.

Back in that lobby, some of the drivers were waiting for their passengers. Some ushers kept them company.

Dick Kessie, the secretary of Mizpah’s affiliated hospital unit, said he has made about 118 hospital trips since 1999. “Some guys drive a lot more than I do,” he said.

Jerry Willman said passengers meet the Fort Wayne van at Bob Thomas Ford. Sometimes the van will pick up patients in Larwill, Pierceton, Etna Green or Plymouth. “I’ve even picked up one in Wanatah,” he said. He estimated he has made 98 trips in about a year and a half with the transportation unit. “I’ve got guys with 300 trips,” he said.

“It’s a 12-hour day no matter how you look at it, four up, four back and you’re gonna be here four hours,” Willman said.

The 12-hour days are minimum, according to Hardiek. “Most of those trips start at 4:30 a.m. and the patient doesn’t get back in the vehicle until 5 p.m.,” he said.

“The patient might have appointments with two or three different doctors. It’s not uncommon for those to turn into 20-hour days.”

So a driver might catch a nap in a recliner in the drivers’ lounge. Drivers will alternate shifts at the steering wheel. Safety comes first, according to Soblotne. “None of our trips are emergencies,” he said.

Though the service is free, some families want to show their appreciation.

Soblotne said an Amish family in southern LaGrange County puts on a dinner for the drivers every year. “You go eat in their barn. They’re just great people,” he said.

“We’ve got Amish families in our community that have done fundraising projects for us,” he continues. “They’ve bought at least five of our vans over the years. They do pizza drives. Basically they make pizzas and then go to the Amish community and sell them for a free-will donation.” Those

efforts can raise thousands of dollars in a single day.

The patient returned to the lobby. Soblotne maneuvered the van beneath the hospital arches. He took the passenger on a brief detour past the nearby Radio Flyer plant on West Grand Avenue. Once again, the boy got to see a little red wagon 27 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 27 feet tall. The group headed back toward the Eisenhower and the Dan Ryan expressways, and on to Indiana. As they had done on the westbound trip, Soblotne and Hardiek handed off the wheel at a Toll Road rest plaza at Portage.

After sunset, the van followed a familiar driveway toward the glow of a single lantern in the kitchen window.

The drivers parted company in LaGrange.

Soblotne headed home, and Hardiek headed south.

A receipt for a hurried breakfast from a fast-food drive-thru was his only souvenir from 446 miles on the road.

About 75 drivers from Mizpah Shrine volunteer to make about 700 hospital trips a year. It costs about $80,000 a year to maintain and operate the fleet of six vans.

Most patients are referred to the Shrine, sometimes by doctors.

Screening clinics are held two or three times a year.

No patient is refused treatment due to inability to pay.

In recent years, the Shrine hospitals have begun accepting thirdparty pay. Such insurance plans might involve co-pays or deductibles.

Shriners accept no money for the transportation. Various local clubs and specialized Shrine units hold fundraisers and make donations toward the transportation fund.

“We’re just trying to make sure that the day goes as smoothly as possible for the patient,” Hardiek said.

The Chicago hospital, built in 1926, served 64,000 children through 2010, recording 1,384 surgeries that year alone.

It is just one of 18 “temples of mercy” in the United States, Hardiek said.

The network includes 22 hospitals in North America.

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

INfortwayne.com • A5

YMCA gets college prep grant Old National Bank Foundation has awarded a $7,500 grant to the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne to support the Team Students of Success program at the Renaissance Pointe YMCA, 2323 Bowser Ave. Team SOS is a free college prep program that encourages teens to act on their beliefs through the foundation of a college education. The program offers student and parent workshops, college visits,

volunteer and internship opportunities and job shadowing opportunities. Team SOS offers activities in five areas: leadership development, character building, life skills, college readiness and job readiness.

“We are very grateful for the Old National Bank Foundation’s support of our initiatives to improve the lives of youth in our community through our college preparation program,” said Nicole

Liddell, the director of mission advancement for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne. “This collaboration will further our efforts to give children in the southeast neighborhoods opportunities and access to resources that will help them thrive and create a stronger community for all.”

For information on how to help, contact Liddell at (260) 918-2144 or nicole_ liddell@fwymca.org.

Kids against Hunger

Letter From Santa Want to see your child’s face light up?

Send him or her a personalized letter from Santa for only $5.00 Child’s First & Last Name _______________________________________ Boy __________ Girl ___________ Mailing Address ______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Special Adult’s Name ___________________________________________ Special P.S. to Child from Santa __________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Contact Name ________________________________________________ Phone (____) _________________________________________________ Check / M.O. Enclosed_________________________________________________________ Make payment to KPC Media Group Inc. Credit Card # _______________________________________________________________ Exp. Date ___________________________________________ CVV: ___________________

Mail to:

NIE c/o KPC Media Group 102 N. Main St. • PO Box 39 • Kendallville, IN 46755

COURTESY PHOTO BY DENNIS EMLEY

Volunteers gather at Trinity English Lutheran Church to pack food to be shipped to the Philippines. About 175 workers helped to package a combination of rice, soy, vegetables and vitamins. Workers prepared and boxed more than 22,000 meals in two hours. Kids Against Hunger gathered more than 270,000 meals from the Fort Wayne area. Super Typhoon Haiyan caused massive damage and loss of life in the Philippines. Trinity, at 405 W. Wayne St., is still accepting cash contributions for hurricane relief. For more information on the Kids Against Hunger, visit kah-fortwayne.org.

Must be received in office by Wednesday, December 11, 2013 *All proceeds benefit the KPC Media Group Newspaper In Education Program

NIE Newspaper In Education

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

A6 • INfortwayne.com

Children’s Zoo Kids4Nature voters favor lions

A Division of KPC Media Group

Direct Mailed to 20,000 Homes & Businesses

In Southwest Allen County & Roanoke

Dupont Valley Times Direct Mailed to 19,500 Homes & Businesses

In North & Northeast Fort Wayne & Allen County

East Allen County Times Direct Mailed & Rack Distribution to 12,000 Homes & Businesses

In New Haven & East Allen County

St. Joe Times Direct Mailed & Rack Distribution to 21,000 Homes & Businesses

In East Fort Wayne & Allen County

The

Direct Mailed & Rack Distribution to 78,500

More than 181,400 zoo guests voted with recycled washers to help direct more than $80,000 to conservation programs as part of the Kids4Nature project at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in 2013.

The votes are in.

Kids4Nature was launched in May 2013 to connect zoo guests to global conservation activities.

On every visit, zoo guests received a recycled metal washer, which was used to “vote” for one of three conservation projects at the Kids4Nature kiosk. Each vote helped to determine the amount of funding received by each project.

Additional votes were made with real quarters, nickels, and dimes, and 100 percent of any added contributions were directed toward the chosen Kids4Nature project.

Guests could vote to protect Javan gibbons, African lions, or sandhill cranes. The final tally shows: African lions,

In Allen County & Surrounding Area

Publisher thousholder@kpcmedia.com

Garth Snow Editor/Feature Writer gsnow@kpcmedia.com

Lynette Donley Advertising Director ldonley@kpcmedia.com

Maryann Ulmer Multimedia Sales Manager

Sasha Boehme Marketing Consultant

Mark Davis Marketing Consultant

Marta Wysong Marketing Consultant

Kelly Lynch

the Wild Zoo Halloween.

The zoo’s attendance record is 614,666, set in 2009 when the African Journey exhibit opened.

This figure includes regular season and Wild Zoo Halloween attendance.

The zoo opened to the public for the first time in 1965.

“We are thankful for the support of our members, out-of-town guests, and the entire community for another great year,” said Anderson, the zoo director.

“Our staff works hard to provide an excellent experience for our visitors. I’m proud of the work we do to connect our guests with animals every day.”

The zoo is operated by the nonprofit Fort Wayne Zoological Society and receives no tax funding for operations. Ticket sales, membership sales, concessions, other earned revenue, donations, and sponsorships comprise the zoo’s operating budget.

The zoo is the largest

COURTESY PHOTO

Children cast their votes in a nature poll at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Visitors cast recycled washers and even coins to support conservation programs.

tourist attraction in northeast Indiana. About one in five zoo visitors comes from outside of Indiana.

Forty percent of zoo guests are from Allen County.

For more than 90 percent

of out-of-town zoo guests surveyed, the zoo was their main reason for travelling to Fort Wayne.

The zoo is currently closed for the season and will reopen April 26, 2014.

Winter break arts camp unites visual arts, ballet

www.TheTimesClipper.com

Our Staff: Terry Housholder

77,957 votes; Javan gibbons, 61,472 votes; and sandhill cranes, 42,021 votes.

“With just one small action — dropping a washer into the Kids4Nature wishing wells — our guests became part of the fight to save endangered animals,” said Zoo Director Jim Anderson. “Together, our guests are changing the world, one vote at a time.”

In addition to the three featured Kids4Nature projects, the zoo supports more than a dozen local, national, and international projects to save wild animals and wild places.

For details of the zoo’s conservation efforts, visit kidszoo.org/conservation.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo experienced its second-highest yearly attendance ever in 2013 with a total of 545,900 guests. This figure includes 525,744 people who visited during the regular zoo season of April 21-Oct. 13, and 20,156 who visited during

Artlink and Fort Wayne Ballet are teaming up to provide children with an arts camp over winter break.

Children will spend the day exploring creative movement and making visual arts. Children are invited to attend one or all of the days; a different activity will be planned for each day. The art camp is for grades K-6. Tuition is $25 to $35 per day.

Winter Art Camp takes place Monday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 30,

Thursday, Jan. 2, and Friday Jan. 3, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Children will make visual arts with Artlink and explore creative movement with the Fort Wayne Ballet.

They will round out their busy day with movie and snack time while they wait for their significant adult to retrieve them. All classes will be held at the Auer Center for Arts and Culture, 300 E. Main St., Fort Wayne.

Parent’s Day Out takes place Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

“If the parents need to go shopping, the kids can spend the day with us while the parents get ready for the holidays,” said Rebecca Stockert, Artlink education coordinator.

Artlink’s gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

Auer Center is under construction and parking is available free across the street behind the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Parking meters are free

Executive Women elect

after hours and on weekends.

Artlink is a not-for-profit contemporary art gallery whose mission is to showcase artwork of the highest quality by diverse visual artists and to provide educational programming for artists and the community.

Artlink is a funded partner of Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne. To learn more about Artlink, go to artlinkfw.com, which also connects to their Facebook page and Twitter feed. Or call, (260) 424-7195.

The local chapter of Executive Women International elected officers.

Mary Kay Smethers is board president.

Lisa Fabian is vice president and chair of philanthropy. Jennifer Bearman is treasurer, Dr. Monique Levesque-Hartle is programs director and interim secretary; Maggie Hunter is sergeant at arms and director of recruitment; Traci Bohdan is director of fundraising; and Cathleen Huff is director of communications and adviser.

Digital Media Director

Mary Schmitz Creative Supervisor

Beth Welty Graphics

Janeen Pierr Graphics

Claudia Johnson Marketing Manager

Good news for your neighborhood.

GOOD HEALTH

The Next Issue…

Dec. 13, 2013 Copy Due Dec. 4

HEALING

George O. Witwer Publisher Emeritus

Terry Housholder President, Chief Executive Officer

Terry Ward Chief Operating Officer

S. Rick Mitchell

Serving New Haven & East Allen County

Dec. 13, 2013 Copy Due Dec. 4

WELLNESS

Chief Financial Officer

Times Community Publications are publications of KPC Media Group, Inc. ©2013 All rights reserved

Serving Northwest Fort Wayne & Allen County

Spinal Exam & X-Rays

$19.99

Jan. 3, 2014 Copy Due Dec. 24 ($200 Value)

Contact Us At: 3306 Independence Dr. Fort Wayne, In 46808 Phone: (260) 426-2640 Fax: (260) 426-2503

Serving Southwest Fort Wayne, Allen County & Roanoke

Jan. 10, 2014 Copy Due Jan. 2

Includes complete consultation; chiropractic, orthopedic and neurological exam; report of findings; and x-rays. Expires 1/31/14

Call now if you have these warning signs of Spinal Misalignment s 2ECURRING HEADACHES

s 0AIN BETWEEN SHOULDERS

s ,OW BACK OR LEG PAIN

s .UMBNESS IN ARMS HANDS s 3TRESS

s .ECK SHOULDER ARM PAIN s 3PORT INJURIES

s 0AINFUL JOINTS s 3COLIOSIS

INfortwayne.com

Serving Northeast Fort Wayne & Allen County

For Advertising Information Call 426-2640 ext 324

4337 Flagstaff Cove

Dr. Lisa Lombardo, D.C.

37

485-9300

A Division of KPC Media Group Inc.

HWY

Wheelock Rd Stellhorn Rd

Stellhorn Professional Village

Medicare and most insurance accepted

u

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

INfortwayne.com • A7

Zielke is appointed interim chief of Greater Fort Wayne Mike Landram, who was president and CEO of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce when it merged with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance to form Greater Fort Wayne Inc. earlier this year, has left the organization to pursue other career opportunities.

The move was among a handful of leadership

changes Greater Fort Wayne announced.

Landram joined the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce in 2004 as president of workforce development. He became president and CEO of the chamber in 2010.

“After nine years with the chamber, I have valued my time in serving our membership and community,” Landram

said in the announcement.

“Supporting Greater Fort Wayne Inc. through its transition efforts has presented an opportunity for me to explore changes that I’d like to pursue professionally, something that I’ve been considering and haven’t been able to do until now.”

Bill Zielke, formerly president of GTE-North, was appointed interim

chief operating officer of Greater Fort Wayne.

Zielke also has served as vice president and general manager at Frontier Communications Corp. and was vice president of marketing for Do it Best Corp.

In addition, Mick McCollum, who was interim president and CEO of the alliance prior to the merger, was named interim

vice president of economic development at Greater Fort Wayne. Patrick Dooley, who was vice president of airport development for the alliance before the merger, left GFW to work at Travelex, where he will serve as director of business development and key accounts, North America.

Greater Fort Wayne, which recently finished

moving to a more than 12,000-square-foot space on the eighth floor of the 1st Source Center in downtown Fort Wayne, also announced that Leadership Fort Wayne has relocated from its former location, 904 S. Calhoun St., to GFW’s new offices.

The two organizations expect to sign a formal affiliation agreement next year.

Winter Break Camps offer science, mathematics fun Science Central’s Winter Break Camps offer parents a safe place for their children to spend their time off school.

Children enjoy hands-on educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

The camps run Dec. 23, 26, 27 and 30 and Jan. 2 and 3. There are both half-day and full-day camps available for ages 3-5, and full-day camps available for ages 5 to 11.

Half-day camps for ages 3 to 5 run from 9 a.m.noon and 1-4 p.m. daily.

Cost for half-day camps is $25 for nonmembers and $20 for members per session. Activities for the half-day camps are different for the morning and afternoon sessions.

Full- day camps for ages 3-5 run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, and the cost per camp is $35 for nonmembers and $30 for members.

Costs for full-day camps for ages 5 to 11 are $30 for nonmembers, $25 for members per session.

Children ages 3 to 5 will participate in camps such as: Santa’s Toy Shop, where children will build science-themed toys and decorations; or Candy Factory, where children will use scientific skills to make lollipops, jelly beans, and gobstopper art.

Children ages 5 to 11 may enroll in camps such as: Disease Detectives, in which campers into medical detectives as they investigate viruses, bacteria, and everything

germy from every corner of the globe; or In a Galaxy Far, Far Away, in which campers explore to infinity and beyond as they make their own light saber.

For more information on individual camps, or to register online, visit sciencecentral.org, or call (260) 424-2400, ext. 451.

Science Central, a not-for-profit organization, has provided a hands-on fun learning environment for 18 years. Through more than 120 exhibits, school tours, distance learning programs and weekend public events, Science Central brings the excitement of science and technology to more than 130,000 children and adults annually.

SPECIALIZING IN: s Refinishing, Repairs, Re-Gluing s Chair Caning s Upholstery - Fabrics s #USTOM 3EWING s 0ILLOWS s $RAPERIES s Unique Accessories

3676 N. Wells Street

6MM

6MM 0U :[VJR -HIYPJZ

Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Expires 1-3-14

Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Expires 1-3-14

-\YUP[\YL 9LMPUPZOPUN

(with secured upholstery order)

*OLJR V\[ ^^^ YLZ[VYL^P[OKLZPNU JVT MVY H JVTWSL[L SPZ[PUN VM ZLY]PJLZ

Marching Cadets No. 1

SEEING IS BELIEVING Many patients choose Your Home Family Dentistry as their dental home! We welcome everyone with a home-like, warm and cozy atmosphere. Stop by today for a cup of coffee and tour of the office. We look forward to seeing you!

COURTESY PHOTO

Concordia Lutheran High School won the ISSMA State Marching Band Class C title. The 73-member band and color guard performed to the theme “One Mission.” The school congratulated Band Director Dianne Moellering on the school’s first-ever state title, Nov. 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Volleyball team ends run

To see more about our office go to: bunnerdentistry.com THE “HIGH STANDARD OF CARE” EXPERIENCE With our dedicated staff, Your Home Family Dentistry gives the expertise, technology and service needed to provide the best quality dentistry to our patients. From offering sedation dentistry and painless injections with “The Wand”, to creating beautiful smiles with Cerec one-visit crowns, Dr. Bunner and his staff ensure quality care and

COURTESY PHOTO

Tionna Williams led the Concordia Lutheran High School Cadet volleyball team in kills, blocks and total attacks as they completed their regular season with a record of 12-4-1 overall, 4-0 in league play.

After winning sectional and semi-state competitions, the volleyball team lost to Indianapolis Brebeuf Jesuit Prep in the Class 3A title match, Nov. 9 at Worthen Arena at Ball State University in Muncie.

exceptional results to every patient.

Don’t let your 2013 benefits go to waste!

Dr. Thomas Bunner 486-4800 9417 St. Joe Center Rd.

FREE Initial Exam and 10% off any treatment before the end of the year!!

A8 • INfortwayne.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

Church services & music (Churches are invited to submit information about special actitivites. Email gsnow@kpcmedia.com.)

North Park Community Church 7160 Flutter Road LCT Foundation presents the 2013 Living Christmas Tree, “One

First Assembly of God 1400 W. Washington Center Road Annie Moses Band Christmas concert, with the First Assembly of God Praise Choir. Friday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6:45 p.m. Artist Circle seats nearest the stage are $25. General admission is

Silent Night.â€? Dec. 7 and 8, at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. each day. Admission is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Peter Kobe is executive producer. Doors open one hour before each concert. Get tickets at the church ofďŹ ce, or at trinitycommunications.org. Or call (260) 484-1029.

$20 in advance or $20 at the door, $15 per person for groups of 10 or more, $5 for each child age 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are admitted free, except in the Artist Circle. For more information, call (260) 484-1029, or visit anniemosesband.com. For tickets, visit trinitycommu-

nications.org.

Breakfast in Bethlehem. Sunday, Dec. 22, 8 and 9:30 a.m. Breakfast in Bethlehem is a dramatic presentation of the Christmas story, with live animals and actors. The event include a buffet breakfast. The event is intended for all

Happy Holidays Avoid the shopping traffic this season and use your 2013 vision benefits or FSA dollars at Grabill Eye Center before they’re gone!

Now featuring

260.627.1091 www.grabilleye.com

quality rimless eyewear.

Accepting many insurances, affordable cash pay rates.

Gift Certificates Available!

CONSIGNMENT & RE-SALE! For Quality Used Furniture

/…œ“>ĂƒĂ›ÂˆÂ?Â?iĂŠUĂŠ >˜iĂŠUĂŠ iÂ˜Ă€i`ÂœÂ˜ĂŠUĂŠ Ă€iĂ?iÂ?ĂŠUĂŠ ÂœĂ€it

HOLIDAY Drawing

/ ,ĂŠ/"ĂŠ7 t

Visit the

CATALPA TREE SHOPS “Helping You, Help Yourself�

Unique Gifts for Unique People

st

1 prize: Flat Screen TV 2nd prize: $50 In-store Gift Certificate 3rd prize: $15 Vanilla Bean Gift Certificate

260-471-4325

No purchase necessary.

Forms due by 12/21/13.

Drawing on12/21/13.

3432 N. Anthony Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46805

ÂœV>ĂŒi`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ Â˜ĂŒÂ…ÂœÂ˜ĂžĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊ>VĂ€ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ >Â“ÂˆĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ i>ĂŒĂƒ

Â?ÂœĂƒi`ĂŠ œ˜`>ĂžĂƒĂŠUĂŠ/Ă•iĂƒÂ°Â‡ Ă€ÂˆÂ°ĂŠÂŁÂŁ>“‡{“ÊUĂŠ->ĂŒÂ°ĂŠÂŁÂŁ>Â“Â‡Ă“ÂŤÂ“ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠLÞÊ>ÂŤÂŤÂœÂˆÂ˜ĂŒÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒ

Holiday Hours: Closed Dec. 24th -26th, Reopening Dec. 27th

NEW YEARS DAY SALE - STOP IN! Check out our current inventory on Facebook!

Newly Remodeled Interior!

New system for faster & more efficient service!

Most Precious Blood Church 1515 Barthold St. Christmas concert, Sunday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m.

Presented by Jim Didier, choir director, and Kathy Schall, bell choir director.

Admission is free.

Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church 6318 California Road Christmas Eve traditional worship services service 4 p.m., contemporary service 6 p.m., both with communion and candlelight. Christmas Eve midnight service, 11 p.m., with communion and candlelight. Christmas Day worship service, 10 a.m., with communion.

New Year’s Eve worship service, 7 p.m., with communion.

Accepting New Patients!

13813 State Street Grabill, IN 46741

ages. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children 11 and under, and free to preschoolers. Tickets are on sale at the church ofďŹ ce and bookstore. Special Christmas services will be held in the main sanctuary after each presentation.

Books, Music and Gifts featuring Native American, Celtic and Multicultural items Leanin’ Tree products, stones, jewelry and so much more!

An A“Maze�ingly Relaxing Shopping Experience!

Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Closed Sun. 13405 Main St., Grabill, IN 260-627-3012 www.catalpatreeshops.com

Trinity English Lutheran Church 405 W. Wayne St. 71st annual Advent Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols with Santa Lucia Procession.

Sunday, Dec. 8, prelude 4 p.m., worship service 4:30 p.m. Includes the following ensembles of Trinity English: Children’s Choir, Junior Choir, Youth Choir, Chancel Choir, Recorder Consort, Trinity Ringers, and instrumentalists from the congregation.

Pastor the Rev. Gary Erdos will preach the homily, and the service will culminate in the Santa Lucia candlelight procession. A wassail reception sponsored by the Trinity English Women of See CHURCH, Page A9

Welcome the Christ of Christmas

Order your homemade pies for the holidays!

Over 20 flavors available. Sugar free also.

On & Off Premises Catering %UHDNIDVW ‡ /XQFK ‡ 'LQQHU 260-748-0874 In Georgetown Square (next to Bandidos) Sunday - Monday 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tuesday - Saturday 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

4700 Vance Avenue (Across from Snider High School) Christmas Eve Services December 24, 2013 1 p.m. (Children’s Pageant), 7 p.m., 9 p.m. & 11 p.m.

Each service includes Holy Communion

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

INfortwayne.com • A9

Holiday happenings: Lights, Santa and celebrations Santa at Georgetown.

Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Subway sandwich shop, 6501 E. State Blvd., Fort Wayne.

Shop owner Jeff Sebeika will provide minisubs and cookies. “It’s a really neat event,” Sebeika said.

“This is its third year. Last year, we had close to 300 kids and their families come to see Santa. It’s very festive.” Parents are welcome to bring their own cameras to take photos of the kids with Santa near the fireplace.

Children will have time to write letters and hand them directly to Santa.

Christmas cookie walk and crafts. Agape Church of the Brethren, 11610 Lima Road (between Carroll and Dupont roads), Saturday, Dec.14, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon. Featured

cookies include holiday cut-outs, buckeyes, peanut butter blossoms, monster cookies, and more. Homemade, Christmas-decorated chocolate-covered caramel apples will be available in limited supply. Cookies are priced at $6 a pound.

Proceeds will be used for women’s fellowship projects and outreach ministries. Holiday and gift items, handmade by Agape crafts persons, will be sold. A variety of wooden, quilted, knitted, crocheted, and “crafty” specialties are available with proceeds going to the Agape Women’s Fellowship projects. For more information, contact the church office at (260) 489-6908 or email agapefort@frontier.com.

“Christmas Movie Memories.” The Summit

City Singers will be presenting a holiday program throughout the season. The program will feature songs from Christmas movies past and present such as “Elf,” “Lemon Drop Kid,” “The Polar Express,” “Holiday Inn,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Christmas Vacation” and others. The concerts are free and family-friendly. The Summit City Singers is a community choir with approximately 60 members from Fort Wayne and surrounding communities.

The choir sings a variety of SATB music. Remaining concerts are: Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 729 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne.

This is a joint concert with several other area musical groups. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., Town House

Retirement Center, 2209 St. Joe Center Road, Fort Wayne. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m., Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne.

Cookie Walk. Saint Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, at the corner of St. Joe Center Road. Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or until all cookies have been sold. Cookies of various shapes are sold by the pound. Candy also will be available. The church’s unit of the United Methodist Women plan to bake more than 5,000 cookies for the annual fundraiser.

The Santa Train.

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, 15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21. 30-minute rides cost $4. Family groups of 15

to 20 may charter a longer caboose ride, with cookies and refreshments, and allow Santa to help hand out some of the family gifts. The wood- and coal-burning stove, the Christmas lights, and the Bing Crosby-era music lend to the atmosphere. For details, visit fortwaynerailroad.org. A diesel engine will pull two cabooses on the society’s own half-mile of track.

Concordia Christmas at the Embassy. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne.

Sunday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m.

The Concordia Lutheran High School Music Department presents “With the Dawn of Redeeming Grace: Christ the Savior is Born” at the historic Embassy Theatre. The concert features Concordia’s choirs, orchestra and

band and an elementary Festival Choir including many Lutheran elementary school students. The concert will include both traditional and contemporary Christmas favorites.

The concert is described as a grand musical event to celebrate Christ’s birth.

Open-seating tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children and seniors.

Tickets will be available through Dec. 13 at the high school, 1601 St. Joe River Drive, in Fort Wayne.

Senior Christmas Party. Parks & Recreation Center, 1125 Hartzell St., New Haven. Wednesday, Dec. 11. The catered Christmas lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.

Entertainment is included.

After Nov. 6, registration is open to both residents See HOLIDAY, Page A14

CHURCH from Page A8 the ELCA will follow the service.

Christmas Eve worship services. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 6:30 p.m., in the nave, family service at the manger. 8:30 p.m., in the nave, pre-service music before 9 p.m. Festival Service of the World; 10:30 p.m., pre-service music in the nave before 11 p.m. Festival Service of Holy Communion. The Chancel Choir of Trinity English, accompanied by chamber orchestra, will present “A Cycle of Carols” By John Rutter for the pre-service music at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Churubusco United Methodist Church 750 N. Main St. “Hanging of the Greens.” Saturday, Dec. 7, 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. An Advent celebration offers a time of reflection and music.

Childcare is provided. At this annual community event, readers share readings about subjects such as Christmas trees, bows and candles. A Roman Centurion will read the decree that each person should return to the city of their birth to be counted.

A Nativity cast will represent the Christmas story.

Choral music will include nine solos, and a choral group will sing six songs.

The public is welcome.

Saint Michael Lutheran Church 2131 Getz Road Christmas Eve services: 5 p.m. children’s service, 7 p.m. family service, 11 p.m. candlelight service with communion.

Christmas Day: Festival Service with communion, 10 a.m. New Year’s Eve service, 7 p.m., with communion. For details, visit stmichaellcms.org.

Michael J. Mirro, MD, FACC Medical Director Parkview Research Center

Here’s arresting news.

The region’s leader in cardiac research just achieved another first.

When it’s your heart, shouldn’t you choose the hospital that’s first in the region with medical breakthroughs? That hospital is Parkview. Since 1993, we’ve maintained the area’s only hospital-based research facility — offering the newest medications, advanced technologies and life-saving clinical trials to patients who qualify. And now,

Casa Grille Casa Grille Italiano 260-490-4745 260-969-4700 411 East Dupont Road 6340 Stellhorn Road Casa! Ristorante Casa Ristorante Italiano 260-436-2272 260-483-0202 4111 Parnell Avenue 7545 West Jefferson Blvd.

Casa’s Gift Card…

Perfect for family, friends & business associates.

Parkview has made headlines once again. Parkview Heart Institute was the first hospital in Indiana to implant the world’s first subcutaneous implantable defibrillator. It’s a less invasive way to prevent sudden cardiac arrest. And Parkview is the only hospital in the state performing this life-saving procedure.

> To learn more about Parkview’s cardiac research, go to parkview.com.

© 2013, Parkview Health PH-A-130b

A10 • INfortwayne.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

Find it in Fort Wayne

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:18

ASCENSION

I

I

LUTHERAN SCHOOL

An A-rated, accreditated school for preschool through eighth grade where home, church, and school are partners in children’s spiritual and academic growth.

Open House For families of preschool through 8th graders on Sunday, Jan. 26 noon to 3 p.m.

Preschool through 8th grades Daily chapel services and Learn By Heart Bible memory program

Vocal music, handbells, band, strings HUK ÄUL HY[Z PUZ[Y\J[PVU Integrated technology in all classrooms

Up-to-date curriculum, library and facilities

Before and after school care and enrichment program

National Lutheran School and state of Indiana Accreditation

Extracurricular sports for grades 4 through 8

8811 St. Joe Rd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46835 (near I-469 and Maplecrest Rd.) (260) 486-2226 · school@alcsfw.org · www.alcsfw.org

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

Find It In Fort Wayne

Let

and

be your link to a new job!

The Holidays are fast approaching!

Find your career NOW with Peoplelink Staffing Solutions!

We have many great opportunities available here in Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas!

JOB FAIR

Sunday, December 8th from 1 pm to 4 pm at 3405 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46809.

Peoplelink Staffing Solutions is in partnership with Nelson Global Products of Fort Wayne to recruit production operators!

On-site interviews and plant tours!

Requirements: Previous industrial experience GED or Diploma Availability for any shift, primarily hiring on 2nd or 1st MUST be available for overtime as needed

Call us TODAY at 260.496.8283 or register online at www.peoplelinkstaffing.com

SweetAviation

Oncein-a-lifetime Gift...

Discovery Flight for $79

Learn the Fundamentals of Flight t 4JU JO UIF QJMPU T TFBU BOE UBLF UIF DPOUSPMT XJUI B DFSUJÜFE JOTUSVDUPS t &YQFSJFODF UIF UISJMM PG UBLF Pò BOE TPBSJOH UIF TLJFT t -FBSO IPX UP SFBE øJHIU JOTUSVNFOU HBVHFT t -PH BDUVBM øJHIU UJNF UPXBSE QJMPUJOH DFSUJÜDBUJPO

This Gift Is Perfect For t 5IBU TQFDJBM TPNFPOF XIP T MPPLJOH GPS B OFX DIBMMFOHF t 5IF TQPVTF XIP IBT FWFSZUIJOH t 5IF BTQJSJOH QJMPU JO ZPVS MJGF

Call or Go Online Today!

5P IBWF ZPVS HJGU DFSUJĂśDBUF DPOWFOJFOUMZ EFMJWFSFE UP ZPVS IPNF

SweetAviation Flight Training, Aircraft Rental & Maintenance — Smith Field Airport

SweetAviation.com

(260) 267-5505

1JMPU 5SBJOJOH t &YQFSJFODFE *OTUSVDUPST t "JSDSBGU 3FOUBMT .PSF

INfortwayne.com • A11

A12 • INfortwayne.com

3DUN %DUN :DVK *R

Introducing Clean Spot!

Fort Wayne’s only CAR & DOG Wash 7 self-serve bays offer:

Find it in Fort Wayne

'RJ :DVK

&DU :DVK

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

Find It In Fort Wayne

COOL CASH

Self-serve bay offers:

s (OT WATER

s 6ARIETY OF CLEANING AGENTS WAXES s .ATURAL BRISTLE FOAM BRUSHES THAT WON T DAMAGE YOUR CAR

s (IGH PRESSURE WASH

s 3POT FREE RINSE

s #OIN OPERATED

s /PEN s (IGH POWERED SELF SERVE VACUUMS

s 7ELL LIT AND SAFE s 6ENDING MACHINES WITH TOWELS

!RMOR!LLÂŽ AND WINDOW CLEANER

s #ASH AND DEBIT CREDIT CARD OPERATED s AM TO PM DAILY s %LEVATED BASIN REDUCES BACK STRAIN s &LEXIBLE HOSE FOR HARD TO REACH PLACES s .O MESS AT HOME s $ITCH THE HIGH SALON FEES

just in time for the holidays!

TYPICAL #,%!. 30/4 WASHES START AT )

Take advantage of our low rates to cover your upcoming holiday expenses.

s 6ARIETY OF SHAMPOOS CONDITIONERS AND SKUNK ODOR REMOVER s 6ENDING MACHINES COMING SOON

Call or visit your nearest Partners 1st office today!

Northbrook Village 1403 W. Dupont Rd 407.0181

xĂ‡ĂˆnĂŠ-ĂŒÂ°ĂŠ ÂœiĂŠ,`ĂŠUĂŠ VĂ€ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ >ÀŽiĂŒÂŤÂ?>ViĂŠÂœvĂŠ >Â˜ĂŒiĂ€LÕÀÞ Like us on Facebook!

Lutheran Health Plaza Time Corners 1314 Minnich Rd 6210 West Jefferson Blvd 493.6670 459.1443

1330 Directors Row 471.8336

6116 Trier Rd 486.8043

Payment based on a rate of 9.15% as of 11/25/13 with a 24-month term. $15 application fee applies, therefore disclosed APR is 10.63%. Rates subject to change. Rate based on Partnership Level 1 discount of .50%. Actual rate based on credit worthiness and loan term. Normal loan underwriting guidelines apply.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours Both locations, over $2 milllion in inventory!

Stop in & See us Today!

5005 Illinois Road 260-434-0100

Jay Leonard

Rob Goodman

Jarrad Gettys

Owner - Preferred Automotive Group

General Manager Illinois Road Store

Sales Manager

Traves Parker

Brian Gettys

Brett Hoer

Sales Manager

Finance Manager

Finance Manager

"Super" Dave Waldren

Jason Brown

Sam Miller

Internet Sales Manager

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

Mark Rietdorf

Chad Scott

Kirt Brazelton

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

9134 Lima Road 260-489-0489

300 Visa Gift Card with a purchase during Nov. 29 to Dec. 24. $

Oer not good with any other promotions or internet pricing.

Jay Leonard

Mick Billings

Jim Baldwin

Owner - Preferred Automotive Group

General Manager

Sales Manager

James Bowman

Kyle Owens

Ed Reyes

Finance Manager

Internet Sales Manager

Finance Manager

Lonnie Lemons

Carl D'Agostino

George Miller

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

It is not what you buy, but who you buy it from.

Joe Parra

Juan Parra

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

preferredautogroup.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

INfortwayne.com • A13

Find It In Fort Wayne

;OL 5,> /VYPaVU

4LTVY` *YHM[

- since 1987 -

Gourmet Gift Baskets

GRE CHRISTM AT AS BON U

‡ 3HUIHFW IRU WKH +ROLGD\V ‡

Free iPa S! d with pu rchase!

/RFDO 'HOLYHU\ ‡ 6KLSSLQJ 1DWLRQZLGH

SPTP[LK [PT

L VUS`

The Hollows

260.432.1133

: -HIIHUVRQ %OYG )RUW :D\QH ,1

onths 48 m Free st Intere cing* Finan details).

,K^HYKZ :L^PUN *LU[LY 5VY[O *SPU[VU 1\Z[ :V\[O VM :JV[[ÂťZ -VVKZ ^^^ LK^HYKZZL^PUN JVT

for store (*See

For the Month of December‌

all diamond rings, pendants, earrings, engagement rings, loose diamonds

New Haven

Fort Wayne #ARROLL 2D s 637-3011

2YAN 2D s 749-4100

all 25% off

/PEN -ON &RI s 3AT .OON

for the holidays!

10102 Auburn Park Dr. Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260.426.4486

www.freemanjewelers.com

Holiday Dinner & Gift Ideas!

Premium Products Made Right Here!

featuring‌

Annual

Christmas Sale

ONE DAY ONLY! Saturday, December 14 • 9 am to 3 pm 20% OFF* ALL IN STOCK ITEMS * MSRP • Ask about our Free delivery area.

Register to win a free lift chair and other fabulous prizes!

Free Refreshments

Starting at $499

Our Brand Speaks for Itself

s !WARD 7INNING Ham s "ONELESS OR "ONE )N s 3PIRAL 3LICED 'LAZED TOO

s #ANADIAN "ACON s 3MOKED 4URKEYS s +INDS OF 3UMMER 3AUSAGE

FREE

non-invasive healthy leg screening by JOBST

s !LL .ATURAL 4URKEYS s 3TEAK &AMILY 'IFT "OXES s 'IFT #ERTIFICATES s *ERKY 3NACK 3TIX FOR 3TOCKING 3TUFFERS

Good for

$ 00

5 OFF Your next in-store purchase of $50 or more

Our Business is Your Good Health!

Expires 2/28/14.

Comfort - Safety - Mobility 7821 Coldwater Rd. - Just north off exit 312B off I-69

888-848-4077 • 260-423-9571 • jamesmedical.com

Starting at $699

A14 • INfortwayne.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

Find It In Fort Wayne

PICK-UP SPECIAL I

A MIA’S M A M

1 Large 14" Pizza 1 Topping

2 Medium 12" Pizzas with 2 Toppings

F O O R P

P ZZA A

®

Visit us at www.mamamiasfw.com com

6656-A. St. Joe Rd. 1525 525 W W. Dupont upont Rd. R d.

(Corner of St. Joe & Evard Roads) ds) s)

(Corner (Corne (C (Co rnee of Dupont & Lima Roads) R )

485-9777 85-9777 -9 77 490 490-9777 90-9 -977 777 77 7 HOURS M - Th Th:: 10A 110AM 0A - Midnight 0A Mid id i nig n ht h Fri.i & Sat.: at.:: 10AM at.

10AM AM - 1AM 1AM Sunday: Midnight ay: yy: 122 No Noon o - Midn on M i i id idn

OR

HOURS H S M - Th Th:: 10AM 0A - 11PM 0A 11PM Fri. & Sat.: Sat. a 10AM 10AM 0A - Midnight d Sunday: day: 12 Noon - 11PM

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! HO OLIDAYS

Coupons Good for All of the Days of the Week,

BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT!

Each

Plus tax

A MIA’S

M AM

P ZZA

Not valid with any other offer or coupon.

Expires 1/22/14

PICK-UP SPECIAL II

3 Topping Pizzas $7.77 $6.66 $5.55

M AM

A MIA’S

P ZZA

Not valid with any other offer or coupon.

Expires 1/22/14

PICK-UP SPECIAL III

$8.00 /Minimum Order for delivery 3 Mile Limited Delivery Area Ask About Delivery Charge Outside of Area Drivers Carry LESS Than $20.00 Cash Prices may vary and are subject to change without notice

utt Ask Abou W Our NEW Desserts

$5.99 $5.99

1 Large 14" - 1 Topping + 1 Order Bread Sticks with Cheese & 2 liter Bottle Coke

A MIA’S MAM

Not valid with any N other offer or coupon.

P ZZA Expires 1/22/14 Any Pizza, Any Size

$9.99

Each

MAM

A MIA’S

P ZZA

Not valid with any other offer or coupon.

Expires 1/22/14

2 Foot Long Subs or 2 Whole Sausage Rolls or One of Each

$8.99 $10.99 Plus tax

M AM

A MIA’S

P ZZA

Plus tax

Not valid with any other offer or coupon.

Expires 1/22/14

A MIA’S MAM

P ZZA

Not valid with any other offer or coupon.

Expires 1/22/14

START A NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION. SATISFY SATISFY EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY.

1808 WEST DUPONT ROAD 260-490-MOES Drive thru open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

6739 WEST JEFFERSON BLVD. 260-969-MOES

MOES.COM

E T OM O C O L O

E

WE

©2012 MOE’S FRANCHISOR LLC

L

GET $5 IN MOE BUCKS

FOR EVERY $25

YOU SPEND ON GIFT CARDS.

Visit your local Moe’s for holiday catering details. We Deliver!

HOLIDAY from Page

A9

and nonresidents. The cost is $7 for residents, or $8 for nonresidents. Call the parks office at (260) 749-2212.

Pancake Breakfast with Santa. Parks & Recreation Center, 1125 Hartzell St., New Haven.

Saturday, Dec. 14, 8-10 a.m. The Masonic Lodge and the parks department are collaborating to offer this event. Santa will ride in on a fire engine. His guests will enjoy pancakes, sausage, applesauce, coffee and juice. The price is $5 for adults, $3.50 for children 6-14, and free to children age 5 and under.

FPT Christmas Revue. First Presbyterian Theater, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. This review was conceived

by Thomas Hofrichter and Jack Cantey, with original sketches by Jack Cantey. Music direction is by Jim Mergenthal, and choreography by Sara Black. The review features comedy, music and dance to put you in the holiday mood. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 8, 15 and 22. Tickets are $20 in advance or $24 at the door. Seniors 60 or older pay $18 in advance or $22 at the door. Fulltime students pay $10 in advance or at the door.

Call (260) 422-6329 for tickets or information.

Tickets are available online at firstpresbyteriantheater.com. The review stars Rachel Banks, Isaac Becker, Miles Fedders, Andrew Gingrich, Billy Hofman, Nancy Kartholl, Dotty Miller, Duke Roth, Brianna Schauer, Katheryne Schauer, Tom Scribner, Jacob Slone, Terina Wakefield and Miranda Wheeler.

Fireside Christmas.

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St. Through Jan. 5. To re-create the warm and cozy feeling of a traditional Christmas celebration, the Conservatory Showcase will be filled with red poinsettias and elements that spark feelings of nostalgia for the happy family holiday of yesteryear. The comfortable family room vignette with fireplace and Christmas tree, and the atrium with a 12-foot-tall poinsettia tree will provide backdrops for photos, as visitors stroll through the lighted, decorated, indoor and outdoor gardens.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday.

The conservatory is closed Monday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-17, and free to age 2 and under. For photos and details, visit botanicalconservatory.org.

Christmas “At-Home” with the Swinney Sisters.

Swinney Homestead,

1425 W. Jefferson Blvd.

Dec. 6-8, 2 p.m. Available to tables of four for $15 per person. Prepaid reservations required.

Call (260) 489-7115.

Visit the elegantly decorated Historic Swinney Homestead to celebrate the Christmas spirit and take refreshment. Enjoy Hearthstone Ensemble music, syllabub (a traditional English dessert), a light buffet, and Victorian Christmas traditions presented by Linda Huge, and shop for unique items in the upstairs Gift Shop. For information on Settlers Inc. or the historic Swinney Homestead, visit settlersinc.org.

Christmas on the Farm. Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Road. Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-5 p.m. A traditional Christmas celebration on the farm with a live Nativity scene, horsedrawn wagon rides, a general store for giftbuying, live music and entertainment, a visit from Father Christmas, and refreshment sales. The celebration is free, but a donation of $5 per family or group is suggested.

This event is brought to you by Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation, Praise Lutheran Church, DeKalb County Horseman’s Association, MIMETime/ Church of the Good Shepherd and The Dupont Lions Club.

Dancing Holiday Lights. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St. Through Dec. 26. Best viewed Thursday and Friday evenings, 5-8 p.m. Dress for the weather so you can enjoy the synchronized holiday lights set to music outdoors in the Terrace Garden.

Walk under twinkling arches to enter a space of sound and holiday rhythm, where instrumental and vocal treasures come to visual life as lighted spheres, trees, arches, and scrolls take up the beat.

You might find yourself dancing in the snowy night. The light show walk is included in regular Botanical Conservatory admission.

“Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite.”

Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd. Dec. 7, 4 p.m. The bunny siblings star in Koba Entertainment’s new musical production. Set to the music of Tchaikovsky in addition to original songs, this 90-minute event boasts original choreography to appeal to the whole family. Max and Ruby originated as a book series by Rosemary Wells. The stories have sold more than 3 million books worldwide. Max and Ruby made their television debut in 2002. Tickets are $35, $30, $25 and $20.

See HOLIDAY, Page A17

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

INfortwayne.com • A15

History Center announces Gingerbread fest winners The History Center has announced winners of the 28th annual Festival of Gingerbread competition.

A record 149 gingerbread creations were entered in this year’s event.

Now in its 28th year, the Festival, which raises money to support programs at the History Center, has become a holiday tradition that boasts an attendance of more than 10,000, who come annually to see the fanciful gingerbread creations on display.

Parkview Health is this year’s title sponsor.

The Festival has grown to include more than 100 creations designed and made by entrants from the lower elementary grades to professional culinary artists

who vie to win prizes in the multiple levels of entries.

Special holiday exhibits during the festival include a Wolf and Dessauer display of animatronic characters, an exhibit of “A Christmas Carol” watercolors that once adorned the Patterson Fletcher Department Store, and a display of holiday photos from years past.

For more information and updates, visit the History Center’s Facebook page or website at fwhistorycenter.com, or call (260) 426-2882.

Hours during the Festival of Gingerbread, which opened Nov. 29 and closes Dec. 15, are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Friday, 9

a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, and free to children age 5 and under.

There is an extra charge for special activities or events as indicated.

The History Center is at 302 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne.

In recognition of former History Center Board member and longtime volunteer Jeanette Quilhot, who has coordinated the Festival of Gingerbread judging for more than 20 years, the first-place award in the Family category has been renamed the Jeanette Quilhot Award.

People’s Choice Awards will be announced at the end of the Festival.

Judges’ winners PreK-2nd Grade Individual: Mackenzie Bloom, 1st; Tim Smith, 2nd; Nolan Roehm, 3rd.

PreK-2nd Grade Group: Girl Scout Troop 00208, 1st; Emmaus Kindergarten No. 2, 2nd; Oak Farm Montessori P1, 3rd.

3rd-6th Individual: Austin Johnson, 1st; Ryley Saxe, 2nd; Nora Rusher, 3rd.

3rd-6th Group: Holy Cross Lutheran School, 1st; Girl Scout Troop 27912 No. 7, 2nd; Girl

Scout Troop 20169, 3rd.

Teen Individual: Larissa Johnson, 1st; Susanna Schrenk, 2nd; Victoria Etzler, 3rd.

Teen Group: Nicole and Cheyenne, Anthis Career Center, 1st; Whitko High School Life Skills Class No. 4, 2nd; Whitko High School Life Skills Class No. 1, 3rd.

Adult Individual: Jennifer Spurgeon, 1st; Karen Peters, 2nd; Caren Merz, 3rd

Adult Group: Ferguson Girls, 1st; The Eaglesons, 2nd; Ivy Tech Hospitality Club, 3rd.

Family: Leer Family, 1st; Roehm Family, 2nd; Fritz Family, 3rd.

Professional: Allison Corbrey, 1st; Country Kitchen, 2nd; Becky and Mary Kelty, 3rd.

Historical Student: Larissa Johnson Historical Adult: The Eaglesons

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

You’ll Get the Cleanest Carpet in Allen County Try our Carpet Cleaning Service for FREE! (Limited time only) You’ll love this exclusive deep cleaning process. This system is designed to go WAY beyond what most cleaners do.

Your carpet will be cleaned by experienced, HONEST technicians that excel at pleasing you.

GUARANTEED No Returning Spots Chem-Dry of Fort Wayne offers a 100% money back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied, we will return to you at no charge to address the area. If you are still not satisfied we will honor our money back guarantee.

The Patented Carbonated Cleaning system works to

extract deep down into your carpets without leaving behind soapy, dirt-attracting residues.

In fact, the Carpet & Rug Institute has awarded Chem-Dry’s Patented Carbonated Cleaning system with its Platinum Seal of Approval.

Here is the offer: December 6 through December 20, call 409-1138 and get 100 square feet of your dirtiest carpet cleaned for FREE. ($30 Value) See for yourself how great your carpet looks. Here’s the catch: If you’re happy with what we do, please have at least a few rooms cleaned while we are

out. If you’re not happy, we’ll leave and you owe NOTHING. Sound fair? This is a way for you to see how we go above and beyond other cleaning companies.

BONUS GIFT: FREE 20 ounce World Professional Strength Spot Remover ($15 Value).

of Fort Wayne Drier. Cleaner. Healthier.®

409-1138

Serving Allen County Chem-Dry of Fort Wayne is independently owned and operated.

www.capitalsenior.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

A16 • INfortwayne.com PAID ADVERTISMENT

(ALLEN COUNTY) The nationwide credit crisis may have turned “the American dream” into an extended nightmare for many Indiana home buyers and sellers.

Banks and mortgage lenders (who are not going out of business) have tightened up their lending requirements to the point where many home buyers today can no longer qualify for a mortgage.

Record foreclosures, rising unemployment, losses in the financial markets and the current credit crunch have not only reduced the number of buyers who can buy but have also increased the number of houses that sellers need to sell.

Prices are under pressure as home sellers lower their asking price to attract a buyer, and as lenders resell their foreclosed homes below market value.

And it’s turning into a vicious cycle -- as many buyers need to sell their current home first -- and many sellers (unless they plan to rent) need new financing to get into their next home. As a result, a sea of real estate agents, mortgage brokers and home builders are going out of business. These professionals are in the business of serving buyers and sellers. But that’s hard to do with the credit crisis when the entire real estate industry traditionally relies on mortgage lending to finance buyers and get houses sold.

What can homeowners do to sell their homes? How can buyers get financing if they can’t meet the tougher lending criteria on credit scores, income verification, down payment amounts and debt ratios?

There’s one local real estate professional who has found a way to make things work even with the present banking crisis. Mike MacDonald is the president of Summit City Investments, Inc. Since 1999, his private investment company has been buying houses throughout the Allen County, IN region without ever relying on banks.

MacDonald’s company takes over existing mortgages or brings in private lenders allowing him to pay homeowners all cash for the properties. He then offers his properties for rent or “for sale by owner” using a variety of unique seller financing programs.

By taking a long term approach and never relying on banks, business has never been better for MacDonald and his company.

“Most sellers are unaware of the options we offer.

What they need most is a qualified buyer... and we might just be that buyer.

We can buy houses in as-is condition, pay top dollar and close in just a few days… or whenever they’re ready.”

Mike says it’s normal for people to think

they must be desperate before calling him to buy their house. “It’s a very common misconception. But until I look at a house and do some research, I won’t know my game plan for the property or what I can offer. But after a single visit to the property and meeting with the homeowners I can let them know exactly what I can do. My offer is good for 7 days and it’s only at that point, with my offer on the table, that a seller can decide if I’m going to become their buyer.”

In fact, price is not an issue for MacDonald. As an investor, what’s important to him is the determination of what income the property can produce. “It’s easy to determine. I also do an appraisal and look at the recent comparable sales. Then I do whatever I can to offer a seller up to full price today -- or about what they might net sometime in the future pursuing a more conventional route. What I can pay depends on the condition, location and financing options available for that type of property. It only takes about 10 minutes to prescreen a property over the phone and to set an appointment. We typically buy 1 out of every 4 properties we see. In fact, for about half of those I have purchased, the seller pursued their other options and then came to realize that my offer was the best all along.”

MacDonald believes the three biggest reasons a house doesn’t sell are: 1) it is overpriced, 2) it is poorly marketed, or 3) it is not fixed up to show well. “I can pay a fair price on a home that needs work. I might even plan to increase the value or marketability by adding a bedroom or bath, finishing a basement or installing a new heating system. Brand new carpet and paint will go a long way to attract a qualified buyer. But I understand that many sellers don’t have the time, inclination or money to remodel a house... just to get it sold. We solve that problem for sellers.”

Overpricing a home could be the biggest mistake.

Listing agents sometimes suggest (or a seller might decide) to ask for a higher price than needed. This might be to test the market or leave wiggle room to negotiate.

However, this can backfire if the seller wants (or needs) a quick sale, or when the “days on the market” stacks up causing buyers to wonder what’s wrong with the property.

Another misconception about how Mike MacDonald buys houses is the idea that he’s probably looking for sellers in financial distress. “Look, when a seller is out of time or out of options, then I’m usually their best solution -- if their property is not over-financed. But most people headed for foreclosure are either overleveraged or actually looking to save their house. If I buy the house the seller must move. They really need to get into a more affordable home... but sometimes I can help by swapping properties.”

MacDonald warns about companies and real estate investors who target distressed homeowners. “Recent laws have been passed in Indiana that apply to any business and investor who targets people in foreclosure. Be cautious, do your research and perhaps seek legal advice when anyone wants to charge you an upfront fee for helping to get your loan modified, or... if they’re promising to lease the home back to you. That rarely works out like the borrower expects and can lead to accusations of fraud.

Perhaps rightly so.”

What does a real estate investor like Mike MacDonald do with the houses he

buys each month? What about the hundreds of houses his company has bought throughout Allen County, Indiana over the last 14 years? Simple. He rents them out or resells them. “We’re usually managing 80 to 100 properties at any given time -- making us one of the largest owners of single family homes in the area. Each month we may have 10 to 15 houses for sale. Some we’ve owned for years and others we have recently bought.”

With a reasonable down payment, MacDonald says he can sell you one of his properties using his popular owner financing programs -- even if you have damaged credit or a short job history.

His most popular owner financing “If you can afford a first month’s rent, a last month’s rent and a security deposit, then I can probably sell you one of my houses.”

out some sellers who have found themselves in over their head.”

“We do everything we can to get our buyers permanent bank financing. It’s a win-win because we pay sellers all cash and fund our deals with private lenders. Our lenders are mostly local individuals seeking alternatives to low bank CD rates. They earn 8 to 10% interest on real estate notes well-secured by our properties. When we get our buyer cashed out, we finally make our money and can payoff our investor. These investors usually want to reinvest allowing us to buy even more houses.”

Unfortunately many of the mortgage programs once available are now gone. It’s reported that 75% of the available lending disappeared when FHA changed their rules last October and again early this year. But, if you have money to put down and can prove your income, there are still loans available now. In fact, some rural development loans and VA loans still allow qualified buyers to borrow with no money down.

“We help all of our buyers get a bank loan as quickly as possible... or we finance them ourselves. But we’ve never relied on banks. That keeps us in control and maintains our sanity. But we get those loans done every chance we get. In fact, sometimes a buyer can qualify and doesn’t even know it.

Other times they can qualify but need a flexible seller. We’re one of the most creative and flexible sellers you’ll ever find,” says MacDonald.

Does buying or selling a home have to be difficult? Maybe not!

“President Obama says today's economy is the worst since the Great Depression and it may take many years to recover. Unfortunately I think he’s right and so do many sharp economists.”

Interested in selling your property quickly and easily? Looking to buy a new home without bank qualifying? It may be worth checking in with Mike MacDonald and his staff at Summit City Investments, Inc. Call them at (260) 267-0760 or visit them online at www.SummitCityInvestments.com.

They’re in a unique position to help buyers and sellers overcome the new challenges created by the recent mortgage market meltdown and credit crisis. And if you’re looking for a conservative way to earn 8-10% interest on your idle cash savings or retirement funds, call and ask for info on becoming one of their private lenders.

program includes the opportunity to build “sweat equity.” Before repairing or remodeling a newly acquired house, MacDonald offers it in “as-is” condition to his buyer’s list. This allows his client to do the work (to suit their own preferences) in exchange for all or part of a down payment.

“I have a lot of buyers who check my website each week looking for these ‘fixer upper’ deals. But if the home is not under contract within 10 days or so then I’ll hire my contractors to fix it up completely.”

His next most popular program is a down payment assistance plan. Many buyers turn to MacDonald’s company because they don’t have the down payment required by today’s cautious lenders. Mike helps buyers build up equity or a down payment over time with his rent-to-own (or lease with the option to buy) program. In this program you can rent the property you’ve decided to buy, but have the option to close anytime over the next 1, 2... or even 5 years. A portion of the rent each month is credited toward buying. Additional amounts can be paid monthly for more rapid equity build up plus other promised amounts can be made later... like proceeds from the sale of another property or a pending tax refund.

Once the buyer has enough “skin” in the deal, MacDonald can close with owner financing at the predetermined, mutually agreed upon price and terms. Or the buyer SUMMIT CITY INVESTMENTS, INC. is can close with a new bank loan. According located at 2200 Lake Avenue, Suite 123 in to MacDonald, “There are so many reasons Fort Wayne, IN, holds a Certificate of my buyers like some time before qualifying Good Standing from the Indiana Secretary for a mortgage. They may need to sell their of State, and is a BBB Accredited business house, work on their credit, establish more with the Indiana Better Business Bureau time on a job or establish two years of with an A+ rating, provable income on tax returns when self-employed. All our buyers are put in Mike MacDonald is the President of touch with a sharp mortgage broker who Summit City Investments, Inc. He is a creates a plan for them. We can recommend an affordable credit repair company that can 37-year resident in the local community, do unbelievable things given even a short 6 to and has been a long term partner in his 12 months to work on a file. This also helps family’s independent insurance agency and tax & accounting firm (G. A. MacDonald Associates, Inc.) For more information or to view a list of properties for sale, just visit www.SummitCityInvestments.com 2200 Lake Avenue, Suite 123 Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Phone (260) 267-0760 -----------------

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

INfortwayne.com • A17

HOLIDAY from Page A14 Tickets are available at the Embassy Theatre Box Office, (260) 424-5665, at Ticketmaster outlets and at ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit fwembassytheatre.org.

Santa & the Reindeer.

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St. Saturdays before Christmas, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, noon-4 p.m. Santa and two of his reindeer will greet the children while Mom and Dad take pictures to capture the moment. Explore the Conservatory in its holiday glory; this year’s theme is “A Fireside Christmas.”

Regular admission fees apply. Sponsored by PBS 39 and WAJI Majic 95.1.

The Phil Pops Series: Holiday Pops. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd. Dec. 13-Dec. 21.

Dec. 13 and 20 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Each year, The Phil is proud to present one of Fort Wayne’s greatest winter traditions, Holiday Pops.

The Phil’s assistant conductor, Sameer Patel, leads the orchestra through favorite Christmastime standards, with a few surprises along the way — featuring The Phil Chorus, Fort Wayne Children’s Choir and vocalists Christine Cornish Smith, Kelsey Crimson, Nathaniel Irvin and Blaine Krauss. For details, visit fwphil.org.

Breakfast with St. Nicholas. University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring St. Saturday, Dec. 7. A morning of food and fun activities to enjoy while learning about Saint Nicholas, the patron saint whose life forms the basis for Santa Claus. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child, age 12 and under.

Reservations are limited to the first 150. Call (260) 399-8037 with questions.

Buy tickets at stnicholas. eventbrite.com.

Star of Bethlehem 2013. The Schouweiler Planetarium, Achatz Hall of Science, University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring St. Dec. 7, 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 8, 12:30 and 3 p.m.; Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 14, 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, 5 p.m.; Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21, 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 22, 5 p.m. This 90-minute program explores the path of the Wise Men as they follow the star under the Mideastern sky of 3 B.C. During the live portion of the show, planetarium staff will call attention to the wonders of this winter’s Fort Wayne night sky.

Parking is available off Leesburg Road. Admission is $4 for adults and senior citizens, $3 for under age 18, with $14 maximum per family.

Holiday concert.

John & Ruth Rhinehart Music Center on the

IPFW Campus, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.

The Fort Wayne Area Community Band will present its annual holiday concert. Conductor Scott Humphries and assistant conductor David Blackwell have chosen an evening of traditional seasonal music that includes “The Night Before Christmas” read by a narrator, “A Fireside Christmas” medley, “A Christmas Festival,” “March of the Toys,” “Sleigh Ride” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” from the “Messiah” and more. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $2 for children 4 to 12. IPFW students are admitted free with student ID. Christ Child Festival.

University of Saint Francis Performing Arts Center, 431 W. Berry St. 6-9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. The Christ Child Festival is an opportunity for parents and their families to go back in time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Parking and admission are free.

The top 10 photos in the “Witnessing the Glory of God” photo contest will be displayed. A separate People’s Choice award will be determined by Facebook vote. The winner will receive two tickets to the Annie Moses Band perfor-

MIKE SLAUBAUGH, FORT WAYNE

I AM THREE RIVERS RUNNING COMPANY “Training with others and witnessing their accomplishments motivates and inspires me. I have recommended 3RRC to runners of all abilities. The employees are not only experts but are friendly and patient in making sure that all customers are matched with the best products for their running objectives.”

That’s Mike’s story. What’s yours? Share it on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #IAm3RRC

$10 OFF

ANY REGULAR PRICED FOOTWEAR

MUST PRESENT COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE NO OTHER DISCOUNTS APPLY EXPIRES 1/31/13.

TIMES GROUP

4039 NORTH CLINTON STREET FORT WAYNE, INDIANA 46805 260.496.8000 3RIVERSRUNNING.COM

mance of Christmas music at First Assembly of God Church on Dec. 20.

Christmas in the Castle. The University of Saint Francis will once more open wide the doors of historic Brookside, the former Bass family mansion. Tours can be taken from noon-5 p.m.

Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15.

Senior Day in the Castle is Wednesday, Dec. 11, from noon-4 p.m., and

provides a discount for senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased in the North Campus lobby, 2702 Spring St., on the day of the tours. Admission is $5 per person, with a family charge of $20 for up to six family members.

The senior citizen rate is $3, and is in effect only on Dec. 11. For more information, call (260) 399-8140 or visit sf.edu/ christmas. Brookside, built

as a summer home by Fort Wayne industrialist John Bass, lies at the center of the USF campus at 2701 Spring St. Every year, local florists and decorators decorate the mansion for Christmas, bringing splendid decorations to enhance the beauty of the authentically restored and award-winning 1902 See HOLIDAY, Page A18

A18 • INfortwayne.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

HOLIDAY from Page A17 mansion. This year, a number of new decorators will be featured along with the many favorites.

Visitors can tour every room on all three floors of the limestone home that features a winding staircase made by the Packard Piano Co., and more than a dozen marble fireplaces from all corners of the world.

Free parking is available, and the building is fully accessible for people with disabilities.

German Christmas show. Fort Wayne Sport Club, 3102 Ardmore Ave. Friday, Dec. 13. Dinner at 5:30, show at 7 p.m. $35 per person in advance, or $40 at the door. Seating is limited, so inquire at rhodywolf1@embarqmail. com. The menu includes beef roulade and apple almond chicken breast. For dinner and entertainment details, visit fortwaynesportclub.com.

Wonderland of Lights.

Ouabache State Park, 4930 E. Indiana 201, Bluffton.

Local organizations and businesses are lighting up the park in November and December. Visitors can drive through the park’s campground and view light displays. Wonderland of Lights opened Nov. 28 and will run from 5:30-9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 15. From Dec. 20-29, the park will offer Wonderland of Lights every evening.

The hours are 5:30-9 p.m.

A $5 entrance fee will be charged at the gate.

An Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk. The town of Grabill in northeast Allen County is sponsoring an old-fashioned Christmas Walk on Saturday, Dec. 7. Activities include Breakfast with Santa in the Fudergong Building and Christmas Storytime at the Library.

The town is also sponsoring a “Stuff a Buggy” campaign for donations to the Grabill Food Bank.

You may donate canned foods or make a cash donation. Several of the retail shops will also be offering Christmas specials on that day. This is an opportunity for a family-friendly Christmas activity and to enjoy an old-fashioned walk through Christmas past. Breakfast with Santa will be from 8-11 a.m. at the Fudergong Building, 13720 First St. Visit with Santa and Rudolph, and enjoy juice and doughnuts. A face painter and a balloon artist will entertain inside, while children enjoy a ride on a miniature, trackless train outside. The event is free, but visitors need a ticket.

Pick up tickets in advance at Grabill Hardware or the General Store in Grabill.

Holiday Jazz Swing Concert. Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. The Auer Performance Hall, Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW Campus, 2103 E. Coli-

seum Blvd. Swing into the holidays with music from the Big Band era.

The concert will feature holiday jazz compositions and arrangement, both old and new. IPFW students are admitted free with student ID. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors 60 and older, $4 for other students, and free to children 10 or younger.

Buy tickets online at ipfw. edu/tickets. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 12:30-6:30 p.m.

The Rhinehart Box Office opens one hour prior to the start of events at the Rhinehart Music Center. Call (260) 481-6555.

Fantasy of Lights.

Franke Park, 3411 Sherman Blvd. Through Dec. 31. 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission $5 for a car, $10 for a van, $25 for larger vehicles such as a bus, trolley or wagon. Drive through the park and see displays ranging from a Nativity scene to an animated rocking horse. Last year, more than 14,000 vehicles took the 1.5-mile drive through the park adjacent to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. The tour will feature 61 individual displays, including four that have been added since 2012. Carriage rides can be reserved; call (260) 691-3780. Proceeds benefit the AWS Foundation.

i>ÕÌ vÕ Ê ` ÀÃÊ> `Ê"ÕÌ

F /1, ÊTHEÊ 7 L , Ê , ",Ê"1/ "",Ê 6 /-!

UÊ7i`` }Ê,iVi«Ì à UÊ7i`` }Ê iÀi ià UÊ «> ÞÊ"ÕÌ }Ã

L THE

,

CONFERENCE & RECEPTION CENTRE

ÞÊ > ]Ê-> iÃÊ > >}iÀÊUÊ> ÞJÌ i > ` >À Vi ÌÀi°V ÈÓÓÓÊ Ã Ê, >`ÊUÊ260.432.4500

www.thelandmarkcentre.com

COURTESY PHOTO

A marketplace is one of the stops on Walk to Bethlehem at First Christian Church.

Neighbors help restore Walk to Bethlehem

By Garth Snow gsnow@kpcmedia.com

A Fort Wayne church’s re-enactment of the return to Bethlehem will return in 2013.

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 4800 S. Calhoun St., will present Walk to Bethlehem from 5:307:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15.

The church and volunteers from the surrounding community invite the greater Fort Wayne area to tour the Advent scenes.

Admission is free.

Every 10 minutes, guides will lead visitors to scenes that include Roman soldiers, a census taker, a potter, a spinner of wool, a carpenter, and a Bethlehem marketplace with spice and bread vendors.

The tour leads inside to the sanctuary for a time of prayer.

Visitors have to dress for the weather, coordinator Judy Church said.

Re-enactors especially need to brace for two hours in the December chill.

First Christian first presented the Walk to Bethlehem in 1995, and continued the tradition through 2009.

Church said she was a guide from the first year of the festival. “Oh, my grandchildren have been involved and are looking forward to being involved in it again,” she said. “My granddaughter was Mary in at least three different scenes, and my grandson was a shepherd when he was younger and he was also a blacksmith a couple years.”

Support for the festival was rekindled about a year ago and planning has gained momentum all year, Church said.

Church said a member of another local church started the conversation.

Jeanie Ringswald, in turn, gave that credit to her niece and great-nephew.

Amber Martin asked her son which popular attractions he would like to visit

COURTESY PHOTO

Walk to Bethlehem at First Christian Church re-creates the Gospel story of the nativity of Christ.

one Christmas season, Ringswald said. Cody, who was about 10 at the time, asked to see Walk to Bethlehem again.

“In my younger years, I always took my kids to Walk to Bethlehem, and he had come with us one year,” Ringswald said.

Some of the volunteers had moved away, and the festival had been put on hold, she said. “It was just really heavy on my heart,” Ringswald said.

She called FCC, and spoke with Church, who promised to mention the inquiry to the church board. “And now there’s so much enthusiasm about it, and at the last meeting there were 20 people who were excited about it and getting it all together,” Ringswald said. “And it’s not just their church. It’s people in the neighborhood who aren’t part of the church.”

“I would say it’s a great experience for adults, kids, whatever,” Ringswald said, “because it’s so active. You’re not just sitting back. They’re all dressed up in character, and they’ll say you are part of the tribe of Benjamin, and you’re walking as part of that tribe. You’re going to see live animals. Joseph and Mary will narrate — very short, very simple. There are lots of surprises and very interesting things that happen.”

The costumes are very authentic, Ringswald said.

Church said the donkey that had been in the pageant has died. The

spinner of wool will not have sheep, but goats that resemble sheep. “They’re beautiful, and we’ll pretend they’re sheep,” she said. Wooden profiles of animals will help fill the scenes. Animal owners are invited to lend their animals. “We haven’t given up,” Church said.

The festival coordinator said Ringswald’s outreach was the spark that the festival needed. “With that offer of help, when she and I talked and she told me what the Walk to Bethlehem meant to her family, it touched me that there is still this interest,” Church said. “But Jeanie was offering concrete help, and I got that feeling that now is the time.”

Ringswald, in turn, said enthusiasm built quickly after the topic was raised.

Neighbors talked contributing in many ways, she said. “I was talking with this gal and I thought she belonged to the church, and she said, ‘No, I just live in the neighborhood,’ ” Ringswald said.

“It just has made my Christmas,” Church said.

“This is what it’s all about. This is the true meaning of Christmas — just really positive things about the spirit of Christmas becoming real for people. They don’t all use religious language, but they feel very good about what they’ve experienced and what they’ve seen, and how it makes them feel.”

For details or to offer support, call (260) 744-3239.

Community Calendar

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

INfortwayne.com • A19

FRIDAY, DEC. 6

SUNDAY, DEC. 8

“Our Town� by Thornton Wilder. Studio Theatre, Kettler Hall, IPFW, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. 8 p.m. Dan Butler directs and plays the featured role of Stage Manager. This beloved, Pulitzer Prize-winning play about life in one New England town will be intimately staged in the Studio Theatre.

Butler will direct the large cast of student and community actors in an involving and emotionally unforgettable look at the everyday lives of the people who make up Grover’s Corners. Special pricing applies to this production. Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors, faculty, staff and alumni; $16 each for groups of 10 or more; $5 for students 18 and under; $5 for IPFW students with ID; $10 for other college students with ID. Children under 6 will not be admitted. Guests are urged to arrive early; late-comers will be seated at the discretion of management or at intermission. Performances continue Dec. 7, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. The Dec. 15 performance is also a sign-language performance. The high school matinee performance will be Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. The IPFW Box OfďŹ ce in the Athletic Center Room 126 is open Monday-Friday, 12:30-6:30 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to call in advance to reserve their tickets: (260) 481-6555.

Art Farm Holiday Pop Up Gallery. The Art Farm, 17612 N. County Line Road E, Spencerville. Opening reception from 5-10 p.m. tonight. Gallery hours continue through Dec. 29. This year’s Pop Up features 10 artists, both local and national. For details, visit ArtFarmIndiana.com. Show hours are noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, through Dec. 29.

Summit City Toastmasters meeting. Better Business Bureau, 4011 Parnell Ave. 7:30 a.m. For information, visit summitcitytm.org or call Kristal Hefey, 918-2065.

Farmers’ market. Lutheran Hospital, 7950 W. Jefferson Blvd. 11 a.m.

YLNI sponsors a farmer’s market at Lutheran Hospital in the lobby of Medical Building 2. Offerings include produce, baked goods, jewelry, dog treats, and more. Live music will be provided.

Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.� Concordia Lutheran High School, 1601 St. Joe River Drive. 2 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for students in high school or younger. In a magical kingdom fathoms below, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her father, Kind Triton. Chris Murphy directs this Toybox musical, based on the Disney movie.

Fort Wayne Derby Brats home opener. Bell’s Skating Rink, 7009 Indiana 930, New Haven. 5 p.m. Currently ranked among the best junior roller derby teams in the nation, the Fort Wayne Derby Brats open their sixth season with a pair of intramural bouts.

SATURDAY, DEC. 7 Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.� Concordia Lutheran High School, 1601 St. Joe River Drive. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for students in high school or younger. In a magical kingdom fathoms below, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her father, Kind Triton. Chris Murphy directs this Toybox musical, based on the Disney movie.

Fort Wayne Farmers’ Market. Lincoln Financial Event Center, 1301 Ewing St. Enter from Douglas Street, near Harrison Street. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free admission. Today, Santa pays a special visit. For details, visit www. ftwaynesfarmersmarket.com Mensa qualifying exam. University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring St. John Paul II Building, Room 113. Registration at 9:30 a.m., testing begins at 10 a.m. $40. Photo ID required. Must be age 14 or older.

Pearl Harbor Day ceremony. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave. In Memorial Hall. 11 a.m. Free admission. The Allen County Council of Veterans and the Memorial Coliseum offer this remembrance ceremony. The public is welcome to attend and honor the men and women who were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Guests attending the ceremony can enter the parking lot from Parnell Avenue near Memorial Hall and park close to the building and enter at the Memorial Hall entrance by the anchor.

HONORABLE

HOME REPAIRS INC. P.O. Box 9179, Fort Wayne, IN 46899

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11 Free community dinner. Parkwood Church of God, 3320 Trier Road. 5:45 p.m. Free community dinner each Wednesday, except holiday weekends.

Call 483-4662.

THURSDAY, DEC. 12 The Art Hop. Covington Plaza, West Jefferson Boulevard. 5-8 p.m. Visit an ever-expanding circle of shops that offer refreshments, entertain artists and present specials the second Thursday evening of each month.

FRIDAY, DEC. 13 Summit City Toastmasters meeting. Better Business Bureau, 4011 Parnell Ave. 7:30 a.m. For information, visit summitcitytm.org or call Kristal Hefey, 918-2065.

SATURDAY, DEC. 14 Gingerbread Pursuit Run and Walk. East Wayne Street near Clay Street, downtown Fort Wayne. 8 a.m. Last year, more than 400 participants completed the race, noshed on gingerbread cupcakes and cookies and met the Gingerbread man in the art deco Tower Bank lobby. Register online at VeepRaces.com. Hit the “register online� button under the Gingerbread Pursuit logo. Or, unload a printable application by going to “Full Race Details� under the logo. Or, pick up an application at Three Rivers Running Company on North Clinton Street or Fleet Feet Sports in the Village of Coventry. Veep races make a donation to The History Center in support of youth education programs. “Christmas Movie Memories.� Allen County Public Library Theater, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne. Free. The Summit City Singers present family-friendly songs from movies such as “Elf,� “Lemon Drop Kid,� “The Polar Express,� “White Christmas,� “Holiday Inn,� “It’s a Wonderful Life� and “Christmas Vacation.� The Summit City Singers is a community choir with approximately 60 members from Fort Wayne and surrounding communities. The choir sings a variety of SATB music. Judy King directs the Summit City Singers.

Summit City Youth Prep Development Basketball League registration. Parkwood Church of God, 3320 Trier Road. Enter at the rear of the church. Registration is 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9-11 a.m.

Saturdays, from Dec. 9 till Jan. 7. Registration is $100, which includes 10 games, a tournament, an all-star game, a T-shirt and awards. Open to ages 14-18. The league is designed to help youths develop basketball skills by learning teamwork and sportsmanship. The ďŹ rst practice is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 13. For details, contact coach Steve Emerson at 418-7009.

Visit InFortWayne.com We round up the best of the best each weekend, so you can spend less time planning, and more time doing.

Publicize your event through InFortWayne.com and Times Community Publications. Submit your calendar entries online, or email gsnow@kpcmedia.com, or call (260) 426-2640, ext. 321. Please submit your items by Jan. 2 to ensure publication in the Jan. 10 edition of the St. Joe Times.

MONDAY, DEC. 16 Autism Spectrum Support Group. Easter Seals Arc, 4919 Projects Drive. 7 p.m. Parents, grandparents, teachers, professionals and others wanting to learn more about autism are welcome. Topics vary monthly. For more information, contact Susan Crowell at eeeautismspectrum@yahoo.com or call 637-4409.

TUESDAY, DEC. 17 Fort Wayne Women’s Midday Connection: “Joyous Sounds of the Season.� Orchard Ridge Country Club, 4531 Lower Huntington Road. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The cost is $15.50, inclusive of the luncheon and program. Reservations are due by Dec. 10 to Meridith, 672-3414. The program is Elvis Presley impersonator James Geiger. Child-care is provided. Sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries.

Little River Ramblers Class. Eagle Marsh Barn, 6801 Engle Road. 9-11 a.m.

Meet at the Eagle Marsh barn to hike and explore the preserve’s plants and wildlife. Make sure to dress for the weather. For more information, contact info@lrwp.org or call (260) 478-2515.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18 Free community dinner. Parkwood Church of God, 3320 Trier Road. 5:45 p.m. Free dinner each Wednesday, except holiday weekends.

Adult book group. Aboite Branch Library, 5630 Coventry Lane. 2 p.m. Stop by to enjoy a lively book discussion and refreshments. This month’s selection is “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn� by Betty Smith.

Straight No Chaser. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd. 7:30 p.m.

This professional a capella group was formed in 1996 at Indiana University. Tickets range from $28 to $45. Tickets on sale now at the Embassy box ofďŹ ce, all other Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com.

THURSDAY, DEC. 19 Art Squared mid-show holiday reception. Artworks the Galleria of Fine Art, Jefferson Pointe Shopping Center. 6-8 p.m. The exhibition and sale features hundreds of pieces of artwork by local artists. The exhibition continues through Jan. 4. For hours, visit ArtworksTheGalleria.com. Or call 387-6943.

Member of BBB Licensed & Insured 32 yrs. Experience

s We specialize in small jobs!

Carpentry/Painting/Drywall/Flooring/Windows Doors/Siding/Roofing/Masonry/Powerwashing Lawn Mowing/Snow Plowing/Kitchen Remodel Bath Remodel/Decks/Patios/Mobile Home Repairs Gutter Cleaning

10% OFF FOR SENIORS 65 OR OLDER

Call today for a FREE estimate!

NORTHERN INSURANCE, LLC GOFF AGENCY 7113 W Jefferson Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46804 (260) 969-5613 www.goffinsuranceagency.com bev@goffinsuranceagency.com

We accept:

Visit us: www.honorablehomerepairs.com Like us on Facebook Find us on Angie’s list

inment Value Enterta eat Gr

Fort Wayne Area Community Band

Tuesday, December 17th 7:30 pm In concert aT John & Ruth Rhinehart Music Center IPFW Campus

ar

kin

g In

Ga r a ge

A c r oss fro

mm

3 Locations To Serve You! 6218 Lima Rd. (across from Meijer)

416-0444 6445 W. Jefferson Blvd.

(The Village at Time Corners)

Family Owned & Operated

Business Shirts

only

cc u si

en

5712 Maplecrest Rd. (Corner of St. Joe Center & Maplecrest Rds.)

485-0298

1

$ 85

Must pre-pay.

4XDOLW\ at drop-off. &OHDQHUV Must present coupon Expires 12/20/13.

Any Garment NO LIMIT s SKIRTS s PANTS s POLOS s DRESSES s JACKETS s COATS s SWEATERS

459-3339 ter

F RE

EP

Adults $7 Seniors $6 Children under 12 $2 IPFW Students free with ID

ne’s Fort Way nd a T S IR F ONLY, e One-Pricers! n Dry Clea

4XDOLW\ &OHDQHUV

4XDOLW\ &OHDQHUV

4

$ 00

*Pre-Payment Required *silk, linen, and extra care items $1.00 more. Excludes leather, suedes & wedding dresses.

Must pre-pay.

Must present coupon at drop-off.

Expires 12/20/13.

/PEN -ON &RI s 3AT

A20 • INfortwayne.com

St. Joe Times • December 6, 2013

Get Fit This Holiday Season!

Donate a Toy to

First Month

FREE

and we’ll

per month

WAIVE

your

When You Join

Joining Fee

Donation bin on-site

First time Members only. 12 month term.

See Club for details. Must present coupon at time of signing. Expires 12/31/13.

Expires 12/09/13.

Give The Gift of Fitness

GIFT CARDS

$25 Gift Card

$50 Gift Card

$100 Gift Card

only

only

only

$5

$10 $20

Friendly. Clean. Affordable. Non-intimidating.

New members and guests only. Cannot be applied to existing memberships. Must present coupon. Expires 12/31/13.

Dupont / Lima Rd.

Maplecrest / I-469

Illinois / Scott Rd.

*-*. P =nihgm KhZ]

0+-. FZie^\k^lm KhZ]

22*- Beebghbl KhZ]

(260)755-2216

(260) 969-0575

(260)755-6761

C HECK OUT OUR NEWLY R E N O VAT E D F A C I L I T I E S

TANNING

†

TRY OUR CLASSES FREE!

Class schedules now available online

Cardio Cinema Room Group Exercise Classes Remodeled Locker Rooms New Tanning Beds Functional Training Turf Area

www.maxfitnessftw.com

Amenities vary by membership type. Amenities are available during staffed hours. Hours subject to change. See club for details. † 24/7 Access is for the gym only.