Smart Living Fort Wayne - April 6, 2023

Spring is Here!

Happy Spring, Smart Living readers! You never know what you’re going to get in the Midwest, but my fingers are crossed for nicer weather in the next few weeks ahead.

This month, you can expect the return of many fun and family-friendly activities. Opening day for the Fort Wayne TinCaps baseball team is already next week, on April 11, at Parkview Field. Personally, I like to go for the food, but I appreciate all of the baseball fans who actually pay attention to the game (and keep me updated on the score).

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is also re-opening this month on April 22. You can hand-feed giraffes, ride the Sky Safari and pet stingrays in the brand-new Australian Adventure exhibit. With so much to see, it’s easy to spend hours here looking at animals and interacting with them, too.

If you’d like to make yourself a “bucket list” for the month of April, I’d suggest purchasing a Fort Wayne Adventure Pass, which includes six attractions that you can experience now through April 30. The pass includes admission to Science Central, the Botanical Conservatory, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, the Firefighters Museum, the Lincoln Collection and the History Center. Not bad for only $30. You can buy adventure passes at visitfortwayne.com.

Of course, there’s so much to enjoy downtown from the public art to the dozens of restaurants and shops. I really think Fort Wayne is a hidden gem of a destination.

But, just an hour away is another gem of a city in Wabash, Ind. As you’ll discover in our cover story, the Wabash County Historical Museum is a must-visit at any time of year. But there’s also a lot of cuteness across the city as a whole. Any quaint downtown with restaurants, shops, theaters, museums and more all in walking distance of each other is my kind of place.

Hopefully you can get out and explore this month. Cheers to warmer weather, and have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

By Peggy Werner

For more than 65 years, people have relied on Brockman Heating & Air Conditioning for their home comfort and peace of mind.

“The small family business began with a focus on caring for people and the community,” says Ben Sherman, co-owner of the company with his brother, Jake. “Brockman has built a reputation as a business that goes above and beyond for its neighbors.”

Brockman’s, 3750 N. Wells St., Fort Wayne, specializes in the design, engineering and installation of heating systems, air conditioning units and water heaters. They carry a full line of indoor air quality systems, including humidifiers and air cleaners, and service all major brands of gas, propane, and oil furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, ductless mini-splits and water heaters. The company specializes in American Standard Equipment made in the USA.

“Taking pride in our work starts with putting in the best equipment possible,” Sherman says. “However, the best equipment is only as good as the craftsman installing it. We hire good, hard-working people with similar goals and values, especially those always looking to improve themselves.”

The technicians are fully licensed and insured and follow the best practices in terms of safety and professional conduct.

“It’s important to create a pleasant experience for our customers,” Sherman adds. “When a customer has a problem with equipment, they are often scared and stressed because of the un-

known, especially if they are caring for young children or elderly parents in the home, who are more sensitive to temperatures. Our goal is to settle their nerves by letting them know we are there to help them out and take care of any problems. We want to help educate people on their equipment by sharing good information, so people can make the best decisions for themselves.”

Brockman’s is unique in that they have a full-time technician support supervisor in charge of training and 24-hour support of all technicians. All technicians get weekly training on how to care for equipment and care for customers. There is detailed technical training on all manufacturers’ products to understand how equipment is to be installed and operated.

The brothers run the company their grandfather, Vernon, started. Both owners started working at the business as teenagers.

Sherman attended college at Purdue University at Fort Wayne and earned a management degree while working for his family. Growing up in the business, he learned the importance of quality work and caring for customers.

“Working in this business has always felt right to me,” he says. “I enjoyed working with my family and I always felt like it was something that I was meant to do. We are a company that treats you like a person, not a transaction.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Brockman’s at (260) 203-0230 ❚

Brockman Heating & Air Conditioning is a small, family-owned business that dates back to 1957. Current owners Jake and Ben Sherman follow in their grandfather Vernon’s footsteps.

Brunch Favorites for Spring Celebrations

Deck your kitchen, dining room or patio with bright decor and fun, festive springtime frills – brunch season is here.

Impress your loved one with these Mini Banana Rice Pancakes for two, a healthy and satisfying meal made with Minute Brown Rice & Quinoa Cups. This recipe allows for more moments together at the table because the whole-grain combination is ready in just 1 minute and prep time is minimal.

If you need a dish that feeds a crowd, put this Hearty Bacon and Egg Breakfast on the menu. Ready in 35 minutes, it can satisfy brunch cravings for a group of up to 12 as a main course that easily pairs with other morning favorites.

As an ideal complement to the eggs, bacon and cheese, Minute Rice & Quinoa can make this family-style recipe a breeze. In just 10 minutes, the tasty blend of brown rice, red rice, wild rice and quinoa cooks up light and fluffy for a slightly chewy, nutty flavor. It’s also a dependable replacement for oatmeal in other breakfast dishes so you can complete your mission to make meals quick and enjoyable. Not to mention, the bag is BPA-free and recyclable via store drop-off in most communities, while the carton is recyclable curbside.

Find more brunch inspiration for spring celebrations at MinuteRice.com.

Mini Banana Rice Pancakes

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 2

1 cup Minute Brown Rice & Quinoa

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 bananas, divided

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup pure maple syrup, divided

4 teaspoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Heat rice and quinoa according to package directions. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In

Mash 1/2 banana. Transfer to milk mixture. Add egg and 1 bined; do not overmix. Fold in rice and quinoa. Let batter rest

Preheat large nonstick skillet over medium heat; brush with 1 teaspoon oil. Once skillet is hot, reduce heat to medium-low. In batches, adding oil as necessary, scoop 1 tablespoon batter per pancake into skillet and cook 3-4 minutes, or until bubbles start to form. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes until golden on bottom. Slice remaining half and full bananas. Serve pancakes with remaining maple syrup, banana slices and cinnamon.

Hearty Bacon and Egg Breakfast

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: 12

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/2 bags Minute Rice & Quinoa

9 eggs, lightly beaten

5 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 325 F. Coat 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare rice and quinoa according to package directions. In medium bowl, combine rice and quinoa, eggs, bacon, cheese, salt and pepper, to taste. Divide batter between prepared cups and bake 18-20 minutes, or until eggs are just set. ❚

Source: Family Features

A Power Shift

As Christians, we know that ALL people who believe in Jesus Christ are saved from eternal death. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28, NIV.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10: 9, NIV.

We take this for granted today, but in Jesus’ time universal inclusion was a revolutionary idea, especially for Jews, who had waited centuries for their Messiah. God had made a special covenant with them.

“The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy 7:6)

The Old Testament unfolds Jesus’ mostly Jewish ancestral story. Jesus was a devout Jew who taught from the Torah and chose 12 Jewish apostles to assist him. Yet during Jesus’ ministry and before, there were hints that God would offer salvation to all people. Jesus showed compassion to a Samaritan woman, for example, and four non-Jewish women played key roles in his ancestry.

Even so, God’s plan was far more inclusive than anyone anticipated – including Satan. Why did God keep a lid on His plan? To prevent Satan from sabotaging it.

“None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” – I Corinthians 2:8, NIV.

If he’d understood the power the resurrection would unleash, Satan wouldn’t have worked in people to crucify Jesus. The risen Christ ended our separation from God caused by Adam’s disobedience.

“Because one person [Adam] disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person [Jesus] obeyed God, many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:19, NLT.

The resurrection forever shifted the balance of power between good and evil. Satan remains strong in this life, but so do we. And death is conquered in the long run. Eternity belongs to Jesus Christ and ALL those who love him.

He is risen! ❚

-Janine Pumilia

A Day Trip to the Wabash County Museum

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Downtown Wabash is brimming with activities that make for a fun visit. A four-block section of Market Street includes public art, several shops and restaurants, the Honeywell Center, the Eagles Theatre, and of course, the mustvisit Wabash County Museum at 36 E. Market Street.

“We are a great day-trip opportunity from Fort Wayne/Allen County,” says Teresa Galley, executive director of the Wabash County Museum. “The drive is just about an hour or less, and the amazing Charley Creek Inn is right downtown to make a weekend of it.”

The Wabash County Museum is a state-of-the-art facility that has seen many additions and improvements throughout the nearly 20 years since the building’s grand opening in 2005. The facility is 20,000 square feet of exhibit space with an additional 10,000 square feet of research and conservation space. It houses more than 90 educational and interactive exhibits, a theater, two children’s educational play spaces, The Den for ages 0 to 8, and the Dr. Brush Imagination Emporium for ages 2 to adult.

“Many families travel from the surrounding counties, including Fort Wayne and north Indianapolis, to explore and ‘play inside at the museum,’” Galley says. “Our collection includes about 200,000 artifacts, though not all are on display, of course.”

Exhibits include “Light It Up,” an interactive exhibit celebrating Wabash being the first electrically lighted city in the world. This exhibit allows guests to explore inside the courthouse tower and pull the lever that lights up the town.

The “Modoc” exhibit tells the story of the elephant who es-

caped from the circus in 1942 and spent five days on an adventure in Wabash County.

“The local coffee shop, Modoc’s Market, is named after her, and we have a fun 14-minute video about her that we show in our theater,” Galley says.

The Museum recently renovated and relocated its extensive military exhibit to allow for growth, Galley adds.

“Our armory collection was restored in 2020 and is on display with our guest curator for special occasions,” she says.

“We also have an electric train exhibit with up to five Ogauge trains running each day,” she continues. “Fun fact – this exhibit was designed by John W. Corso, a Wabash native who made his career in Hollywood as the artistic director for ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter,’ ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,’ and many other John Hughes movies. He was nominated for three Emmy’s and won one.”

With more than 90 exhibits in total, it’s hard for Galley to pick her favorite.

“However, I will say the most interesting exhibit deals with a beautiful piece of art created during the Victorian era and made completely from the artist’s friends’ hair,” Galley says. “The Hair Harp is very popular.”

There are also two kiosks that allow guests to look up topics and browse pictures from the vast archives.

As far as programming goes, the Museum offers many fun, family-friendly activities throughout the year. For example, during Wabash County’s spring break happening April 4-8, visitors

can play life-sized Snakes & Ladders (Chutes & Ladders) at the museum.

“Last year, we created a life-size Candy Land game and more than 1,000 people visited the Museum during spring break to play,” Galley says. “A ticket to play the game also includes admission to the full museum.”

On First Fridays, which run February through December in downtown Wabash, the Museum features an exhibit, an activity and a local surprise vendor.

During the summer, there’s a Museum Explorers program that allows young guests to complete a scavenger hunt of the Museum’s exhibits and win a prize. Multiple scavenger hunts are offered so youth can participate more than once.

“It’s a fun way to connect families to the Museum and it provides a great experience for kids looking for something to do during summer break,” Galley says.

The Museum is the producer of Wabash County Founders Fest in mid-September each year. This year, on Saturday, Sept. 16, downtown Wabash comes alive with vendors, food trucks, an adult kickball tournament, parade and more.

“For the full month of October, we pop up our regulation 9-hole golf course through the Museum. Yes, we do own a regulation 9-hole golf course,” Galley says. “Area businesses sponsor the holes and have the chance to decorate them. The theme is ‘Haunted Mini Golf.’ Anytime we are open in October, guests can pay to play a round which also includes full admission to the Museum.”

In November and December, the Museum offers indoor sock skating for kids and the specialty Winter Weekends programming that includes visits from Santa, a real reindeer, the Grinch and Olaf from “Frozen.”

“We just purchased the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Reindeer Barn exhibit, so it will be joining our other holiday activities in 2023,” Galley says.

She values giving visitors the opportunity to connect the present to the past.

“People often think that history is static and that a museum’s exhibits reflect that,” she says. “But our collections and archive are constantly growing, which means exhibits are being updated and changed as we learn more. People think of science as a field that is evolving, but that history doesn’t change. The truth is, we ‘unearth’ more of the stories every day. It is exciting to research and put the pieces together. The Museum showcases our stories that need to be passed down to the next generation. It celebrates our accomplishments and shows how they impact the larger world. It also gives a glimpse of how things that happened in the past are tied directly to things that are happening today.”

The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $6 for ages 12 and older and $4 for ages 2-11. Veterans and activeduty military receive free admission, and seniors can receive a discount.

“Our membership program is an incredible deal,” Galley adds.

For $70, parents and their children in their household can visit the Museum for free for a year. They also receive a 10% discount in the gift shop, early notification for events, as well as lower admission fees for events. Membership also includes two free family guest passes so the member household can bring another family with them for free a few times per year.

“We also offer a grandparent membership for $60 per year,” Galley says. “This allows grandparents to bring any of their grandchildren ages 18 or under with them to the Museum for free with the same perks. We also offer individual and student memberships.”

For more information, visit wabashmuseum.org or call (260) 563-9070. ❚

The Wabash County Museum has a popular electric train exhibit.

Kids and adults alike can explore more than 90 interactive and educational exhibits at the Wabash County Museum.

Now’s the Time to Think About Your Lawn

By Peggy Werner

Abeautiful lawn makes any house look better, but like any other living thing, it needs to be monitored, fed, enriched, nurtured and loved.

Troy Lewis of Friend Irrigation, 258 Frontage Road, Columbia City, says people have many reasons why they choose to have an irrigation system installed in their yard.

“It keeps your yard in pristine condition and keeps your plants and shrubs watered, too,” he says. “Most homeowners know you have to water the lawn to keep it looking good, but many of those people don’t have the time to do it themselves. For some, the yard is too large.”

Lewis says it takes about an inch of precipitation a week to keep a yard looking nice. His irrigation systems can be programmed to go on and off at different times of the day and week. The systems have a sensor to turn off the water when it rains, he adds.

“Too little or too much rain is not good for a lawn. Grass needs just the right amount of moisture to maintain a healthy appearance. Because rainfall is unpredictable, we can go through periods of dryness and drought,” he says.

In addition to water, lawns need regular maintenance to monitor and prevent weeds, disease and harmful insects that can quickly destroy the look and health of a yard.

Ryan Meinika, owner of Spring Green of Northeastern Indiana, says late spring is when the thick, unsightly stalks of crabgrass are germinating and getting ready to take hold in yards.

“If people want to think of beautifying their yard, now is the time to get signed up and get their lawn care plan started,” he says.

Spring Green of Northeastern Indiana has its main office at 1115 S. Williams Dr., in Columbia City. A satellite office is at 5719 Dupont Road in Fort Wayne.

Their most popular program is the “Preferred Lawn Care,” which includes high-quality fertilizer, targeted weed control, free lawn and landscape evaluation, lawn care and maintenance tips, free service calls and the Spring Green guarantee. There are other programs for those on a limited budget and other services for specific needs.

In addition to lawn care, Spring Green also specializes in outdoor and indoor pest control, tree care, and more.

The lawn care program typically calls for a total of seven fertilizer applications, one every four to six weeks, Meinika says. All fertilizer applications include the right blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for the time of year.

“The first application is a quick-release fertilizer to wake up the grass out of dormancy, green it up and encourage growth. The second application is a pre-emergent to prevent crabgrass germination throughout the late spring and summer months. This is also when we begin to target broadleaf weeks like dandelions and clover,” he says.

This type of fertilizer releases a good dose of nitrogen into the soil when it is needed most. It is water soluble, so homeowners can often see quick results in the growth and greening of a lawn. Once warmer weather has set in and regular mowing takes place, Spring Green switches to a slow-release fertilizer to avoid too much growth too fast.

Meinika says what sets his business apart from the competition is the personalized service and the training technicians must go through. His employees have been with the company a long time, know about the products and services offered, and will respond quickly to customer calls.

Prior to working at Spring Green, applicants must pass a test to be a registered technician. They worked along veteran technicians until fully trained and then can work up to having their own team of workers in a designated area.

“Our training is extremely thorough and sets us apart,” Meinika says. “Each team has their own territories to care for, so they get to know the customers and their lawns, and are able to spot problems early. We’re all about service.”

For more information on caring for your lawn this spring, call Friend Irrigation at (260) 212-0460 or call Spring Green's Fort Wayne location at (260) 691-0200 or visit their website at spring-green.com. ❚

Ryan Meinika

Now is the time to think about beautifying your yard. Experts at Friend Irrigation and Spring Green can help make sure your lawn is prepared for the months ahead.

Shop Three Floors of Furniture & Flooring

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

When purchasing new furniture or flooring, you obviously want to love what you buy. And as you go through the process of shopping, making a selection, waiting for delivery, and overseeing installation, you’d hope for quality, dependable customer service at every step.

That’s what the staff aims to provide at Ruhl Furniture & Flooring, 511 Broadway St., New Haven.

“We are proud to be a locally owned family business offering quality value and service,” says John Pape, owner and president.

The store offers a one-stop shop for furniture and flooring. Top furniture brands in stock include La-Z-Boy, made-in-America England furniture, Superior Furniture and BarcaLounger. Shoppers can also find Restonic mattresses, as well as flooring options by Engineered Floors, Shaw, Mannington, Congoleum and Tarkett USA.

“You’re sure to get your exercise while shopping our three floors of new furniture and flooring, and collectibles and antiques, too,” Pape says. “We’ve been servicing the New Haven, Fort Wayne and Allen County area since 1956.”

Pape’s goal is to provide quality products that are customized

to the homeowner’s specifications. “You can select furniture from hundreds of styles and fabrics, and we will have it made especially for you,” he says.

Even better, the customized furniture can be delivered in as few as six weeks. There’s also free in-home measuring and estimates, as well as complimentary in-home design consultations.

“Our sales staff will guide you every step of the way,” Pape says. “Selecting the right furniture and flooring for your home is our No. 1 goal. When you step into our showroom, you will be delighted by our wide selection.”

Ruhl Furniture & Flooring also provides one of the most extensive floor covering showrooms in the Allen County area.

“Once you choose the perfect flooring for your home, professional installation will be arranged to coordinate with your schedule so you can begin to enjoy the home of your dreams,” Pape says.

“We are reputable, knowledgeable and family owned. It’s our job to help make your experience a positive one.”

Contact Ruhl Furniture & Flooring by calling (260) 7494717, faxing (260) 749-9435, or by emailing ruhlfurniture@ gmail.com. ❚

Unique Merchandise at This & That

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Afew years ago, the McCroy family had a dream to open a store filled with interesting merchandise. Together, Greg, Sonja, Kari and Cynthia McCrory made it happen.

“Sonja and I were on a vacation to Cedar Point, taking the scenic route, stopping at out-of-the-way shops,” Greg says. “We were talking about family and what our futures could be, and the legacy we would leave for our children and grandchildren. We thought it would be fun to open a shop. Then, we said we could absolutely do this.”

The four McCroys officially opened This & That in February 2018 in a small retail space on North Coliseum Boulevard. The shop quickly outgrew its initial location, so the family moved their livelihood to its current space at 3209 N. Anthony Blvd. A, Fort Wayne, in December 2018.

“Shoppers can find a little of this and a lot of that,” Greg says. “We work hard as a family to bring current and older merchandise to keep our store updated and interesting. We offer midrange furniture, kitchen items, small appliances, vintage items, home decor, books, games, curtains, rugs, collectibles and so much more. We are proud to also feature books from local authors and have ‘meet the author’ events and book signings.”

Inventory is constantly changing at This & That, with new items in the shop daily. The owners find new and used items from many sources, including online auctions, garage sales, other thrift shops, estate sales, store clearance aisles, store closeouts and sales from individuals.

It’s important to the owners to pay close attention to customer service. In 2022, they received the “Best of 2022 Home Goods Store” award and strive to live up to that honor.

“We are a local, family-owned business that values our community,” Greg says. “We go the extra mile and put together the flat pack furniture, so the customer does not have to. We offer below-retail prices on our products. We offer a wide variety of product to choose from. We run our store as a family and hope that carries over to our customers. We always have a little of this and a lot of that.”

Store hours recently changed. This & That is now open Monday-Thursday from noon-4 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays.

Customers can also visit This & That’s online store.

“Just go to our Facebook page and hit the link that’s there,” Greg says. “We are always striving to improve and expand upon our service and products. We’ve done this by adding online shopping and customer service by answering questions online whenever we can.”

If there’s one thing Greg is thankful for, it’s the people who have made This & That a reality.

“We want to thank our family and friends for all the hard work, effort, love and support they give us,” he says. “Without them, it would not be possible for us to continue. Also, a big thank you to our customers, who without them, This & That would still be a discussion on our way to Cedar Point.” ❚

Shoppers can find furniture, kitchen items, small appliances, vintage items, home decor, books, games, collectibles and more at This & That.

Raccoon Baby

Photography by David C. Olson

Entertainment & Events

Smooth Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, 6-9 p.m., enjoy the best in soft rock and classic hits with rotating artists. Clyde Theater, 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, (574) 344-0566, clydetheatre.com.

Nashville Thursdays

Weekly country, bluegrass and other free live music 7-10 p.m. in the Clyde Theater Club Room. Food and drink specials. 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, clydeclubroom.com.

Fort Wayne Komets

Thru April 15. Join the Jungle and cheer on the Fort Wayne Komets as they make another run for the championship. Games are at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Visit komets.com to see the complete 2023 schedule.

YLNI Winter Farmers Market

Thru April 29, Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, local artwork and more at the former Wayne Candy Factory building, 1501 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne, facebook.com/YLNIFarmersMarket/.

Fort Wayne TinCaps

Thru Sept. 3, opening day is April 11. Lots of exciting baseball action along with special events and spectacles including fireworks on select nights, bring-your-pet games and discounted food nights. Find the whole schedule at milb.com/fortwayne. Parkview Field, 1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne.

Wiz Kidz Pinball Tournament

Thru Dec. 30, Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon. A

4-strike pinball tournament for kids presented by one of the world’s largest pinball arcades. Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, 14613 Lima Road, Fort Wayne, (260) 760-6314, fortwaynepinball.com.

Water Lantern Festival

April 15, 5:30-9:30 p.m. This floating lantern event includes food, games, activities, vendors, music and the beauty of thousands of lanterns adorned with letters of love, hope and dreams reflected upon the water. Ivan Lebamoff Reservoir Park, 2300 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, waterlanternfestival.com/fortwayne.php.

Yoga on the Riverfront

April 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Bring your own yoga mat or borrow one at the door for a free, all levels 1-hour flow. 202 W. Superior St., Fort Wayne, riverfrontfw.org.

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo: Opening Day April 22, 9-5 p.m. See lions, hyenas and monkeys, hand-feed the giraffes, ride the Sky Safari, trek through the Indonesian Rain Forest, and pet the stingrays in the brand-new Australian Adventure. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, 260-4276800, kidszoo.org.

Shinedown with Three Days Grace and From Ashes to New

April 27, 7 p.m. These chart-topping bands perform at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, memorialcoliseum.com.

Michiana Wine Festival

April 28-29, Fri. & Sat. 1-5 p.m. Wine sampling, music, games, VIP activities, and more at Headwaters Park Pavilions, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, michianawinefestival.com.

Fort Wayne Ballet Presents: “Carnival of the Animals”

April 29, 10 a.m. and noon. They romp, they roar, they swim, they soar. Most of all, they dance their way across the stage and into our hearts. This friendly troupe of critters is a parade of fun for all ages to enjoy. Featuring Fort Wayne Ballet’s Auer Academy trainees and pre-professionals. Auer Center, 300 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, (260) 484-9646, fortwayneballet.org. ❚

Opening day at Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is April 22 from 9-5 p.m. See lions, hyenas and monkeys, feed the giraffes, ride the Sky Safari, trek through the Indonesian Rain Forest, pet stingrays and more.

The Fort Wayne TinCaps opening night is April 11 at Parkview Field, in Fort Wayne.