Smart Living Fort Wayne - June 9, 2022

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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • June 2022 • No. I

25th Annual RibFest in Fort Wayne!

Family Fun at Putt-Putt What Grill is Right for You? The Benefits of Custom Furniture About Geothermal Heating & Cooling

Quality, Smart Products & Services for Your Home, Family, Health & Entertainment!

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ......................Cover & p. 16 25th Annual RibFest!

Your Outdoor Living ..........................................13 Choosing the Right Grill for You Inspiration & Worship .......................................14 Taming Our Tongues Your Home .............................................................21 Custom Furniture; Geothermal Heat & Cooling Your Health & Fitness .......................................23 Treating Peripheral Neuropathy Your Community ................................................25 Family Fun at Putt-Putt Your Family Fun .................................................28

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Jim Taylor Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes Website www.SmartLivingFortWayne.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living.

Copyright 2022 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Time for Fun!

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reater Fort Wayne is like an ongoing treasure hunt. Just when you think you’ve made the absolute coolest discovery, another gem delights you. And there’s always a healthy mix of old favorites and edgy new surprises, when it comes to festivals, concerts and other special events.

One of the tried-and-true most popular events for nearly 25 years has been the annual RibFest that attracts the best pitmasters from around the country. It’s coming up, so read about it in our cover story and get ready to treat your tastebuds and to enjoy live music.

The Putt-Putt Fun Center has been living up to its name since the 1950s! The concept of providing family fun at a reasonable cost remains relevant to every new generation. Mini golf, go-karts and an arcade are all part of the action. Read about it on our pages.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum is another gem. Who wouldn’t be enchanted by gorgeous vintage autos displayed in a gorgeous vintage building? The building itself is among the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the Midwest.

Other Fort Wayne riches include the vibrant downtown scene, with its farmers markets and loads of cultural treasures.

There’s also easy access to beautiful natural spaces for play in this region, thanks to our many trails, parks and preserves. The outdoor pass offered by Visit Fort Wayne makes it even easier to explore our natural world. Want to know where to rent a kayak and where to put in? Or what options there are for 3-mile trail hikes? Or where the best birdwatching might be? The pass has you covered.

Playing on the water is another favorite pastime in our region, thanks to our many lakes and rivers. If you’ve never viewed the region’s verdant shoreline from a river, consider taking a guided river tour aboard the Sweet Breeze, a replica canal boat operating out of Promenade Park.

Summertime is fleeting. Don’t miss your chance to get out and explore! ❚ Janine Pumilia SL Editor Tell them you saw it in ...

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Your Home & Garden

Custom Furniture: A Growing Trend

By Peggy Werner

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f you’re looking for that perfect piece of furniture to fit into a special place or serve a certain purpose, you might want to have it custom made.

Quality custom-built Amish furniture made by local and area craftsmen is a rapidly growing segment of sales at Fairfield Galleries, 5010 Goshen Road, Fort Wayne.

Fairfield’s Pete Byal has been with the company for more than 40 years and has observed the trend.

“More and more people are looking for something in a particular size, finish, or for a specific function, and yet they can’t find what they are looking for. Almost anything you can think of, we can do. The versatility is endless. Our designers work with customers to find out what they need, and I draw up the plans.”

He has helped people find solutions for a variety of cabinets, wine storage,

bunk beds, tables, chairs, chests, bedroom sets, under-bed storage and more.

Some people want an additional piece to complement or match other furniture they previously bought, he says.

“A lot of times a customer is looking for something and realizes it’s not available. Most of us working here have been in the business a long time and know the manufacturers and what is available.

Sometimes, the only option is to have something custom made.”

And contrary to what most people believe, it costs no more than other quality wood furniture. All of the custom furniture is made in the United States, most of it coming from Amish communities in Indiana and Ohio, he says.

“The Amish don’t cut any corners.

Their products can be made from a variety of solid woods, such as hickory, oak or cherry, and are put together with the finest construction techniques. Many fin-

ishes are available.”

Fairfield Galleries is a third-generation, family owned business operating in Fort Wayne for more than 70 years.

It was founded by Don Polley of Fort Wayne. It offers quality home furnishings from an array of manufacturers from high to mid-grade as well as custom options.

Fairfield offers complete interior design services, which include home visits, floor plans and more. Delivery is free within 50 miles of the gallery.

For a free estimate, call (260) 4895526.

Learn more at fairfieldgalleries.com.❚

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Your Community

It’s All About Family Fun at Putt-Putt

By Peggy Werner

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ven among the Putt-Putt Family Fun Center locations around the world, the one at 4530 Speedway Dr. in Fort Wayne is unique.

“It’s a great place to meet people and is different than anywhere else, with the beautiful landscaping, special features and all the little things we do for special effects,” says John Snyder, manager and co-owner with his father.

Snyder’s father, also named John, was a mechanical engineer living in Ohio who had played in Putt-Putt tournaments for fun. When the mini golf franchise in Indiana came up for sale, he bought it.

After the younger Snyder graduated college with an art degree in 1992, he put his skills to work on the property.

“I love being outside, especially when the weather breaks,” he says. “I don’t take days off. I like making things look nice and seeing people enjoy it. I

feel like I’m on vacation every day.”

He redesigned the entire grounds, adding a full jungle-themed course with several water features for kids and extensive landscaping. In the 1980s, his dad built an arcade building and has twice expanded it. Go-karts were added in 1995.

There are also two other mini golf courses, one classic and one with a volcano theme.

The Putt-Putt arcade is open yearround, with go-karts and mini golf available April through October – more often when weather permits.

Founded in 1954 in Fayetteville, N.C., Putt-Putt courses were the first and only copyrighted and branded miniature golf games. In the later ’50s, the company started franchising its concept. Many of its family entertainment centers offer not only miniature golf, but also go-karts, bumper boats, indoor bumper cars, bat-

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ting cages, laser tag, arcades and cafés.

The mini golf game gave rise to the Professional Putters Association (PPA) that still exists today and has awarded more than $8 million in prize money.

The mission of Putt-Putt franchises is “To provide families with a safe, clean, wholesome entertainment venue where they can have an enjoyable experience for a reasonable cost in their own community.”

Learn more at fortwayneputtputt. com. ❚

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Inspiration & Worship

Taming Our Tongues T

hroughout the Bible we’re told to control our thoughts and control our tongues. Reckless words cut like a knife and can’t be taken back. They can fracture friendships, divide citizens, spark wars, ruin marriages, shrivel a child’s spirit and offend God. As we endure much world stress and uncertainty, it’s a good time to practice self discipline. Being “right” is seldom more important than being kind.

Expressing a contrary opinion is one thing, but demonizing people is unacceptable, says scripture. Each of us is made in God’s image, after all.

Self-control is a very basic qualification of being a good leader, says Timothy.

It takes practice. No one reaches spiritual maturity without it. In I Corinthians, Paul compares spiritual self-discipline to the training needed to win an athletic competition: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

(I Cor. 9:25 NIV) When we don’t control our thoughts and mouths, we sin against one another and therefore against God. From James 3:3-9 (NIV): “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell ...

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

Here's to taming our tongues! ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Right in Our Region

Tasty BBQ & Live Music at 25th RibFest

By Peggy Werner

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he 25th annual BBQ RibFest is four days of food, fun and music, featuring mouth-watering BBQ served up by awardwinning grill teams from across the country.

This year’s event will take place 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Thursday-Sunday, June 16-19, at Headwaters Park in downtown Fort Wayne.

Co-producer Mark Chappuis says the family friendly event is one of Fort Wayne’s most popular summer festivals and people from all over the tri-state area look forward to it each year.

“As many as 40,000 BBQ lovers descend on downtown Fort Wayne to devour more than 25 tons of incredible BBQ,” he says. “RibFest, however, is not just about the ribs. It includes most anything BBQ like scrumptious pulled pork, sausage, slow smoked brisket, chicken, turkey legs, rib sandwiches, barbequed mushrooms and more.”

In addition to BBQ, RibFest offers favorite foods like macaroni and cheese, elephant ears, fried veggies, ice cream, lemonade shakeups and more.

Musical entertainment and a large bar will be located in a covered pavilion in the festival plaza.

“It’s a packed pig-out party with lots of smiles and great smells,” says Chappuis.

“The formula is simple, provide great BBQ and they will come. What we do hasn’t changed much through the years because we put great BBQ on the table and amazing music onstage, all at a very affordable price, and people are happy campers!

People just love getting together. What’s more fun than an outdoor BBQ with family and friends? It really doesn’t get much better than that.”

The event is always held during Father’s Day weekend and Chappuis says th people thank him every year Bring your appetite to the 25 Annual RibFest June 16-19 in Fort Wayne. Pictured clockwise from left: Pulled Pork Meal, Ultimate Nachos and Ultimate Meal Atop Smoked Macaroni, from McHyser BBQ, one of many businesses that will profor having a great way to celvide 25 tons of barbecue at this year’s event. ebrate the day with Dad. In 16

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Right in Our Region honor of fathers, all dads get in free on Sunday.

This year’s pitmasters include Desperado’s BBQ & Ribs of Hinckley, Ohio; BigBoned Barbecue of Charleston, S.C.; Cowboys BBQ & Rib Co. of Fort Worth, Texas; McHyser BBQ of Columbia City, Ind.; Timmy’s BBQ of Garrett, Ind.; Carolina Rib King out of Georgetown, S.C, which is featured on the hit TV show BBQ Pitmasters; and Pigfoot BBQ & Rib Co. from West Salem, Ohio.

The idea for a Fort Wayne RibFest was planted in Chappuis’ mind when he was on a road trip to Toledo, Ohio and stopped at a similar event. He came home, began making calls to award-winning rib teams across the country and the tradition began.

Most pitmasters feature their own distinct flavors and spicy-heat levels that reflect their hometown regions. Some sauces are vinegar- Left to right: Gene Hyser with daughter Gwendolyn and Jeff McCormick with daughter McKenzie at based, others are mustard-based, and still oth- the 2021 RibFest in Fort Wayne. McHyser BBQ was named Grand Champion and People’s Choice ers are laden with molasses or brown sugar. winner for Best Ribs.

All of the rib teams have their own top-secret 14 feet long, weighs 6,000 pounds and can cook up to 130 full blend of spice rubs to flavor their meat.

“BBQ is really growing around the country and each region slabs of ribs at one time, 260 pounds of pork and 40 half chickens. has its own distinct flavor and they’re all delicious. It has become They use a variety of rubs to flavor meats.

McHyser BBQ is best known for its famous pulled pork suna passion for many backyard enthusiasts, as well,” Chappuis says.

Gene Hyser and Jeff McCormick are co-owners of McHyser dae, made with smoked macaroni and cheese and tender pulled BBQ in Columbia City, Ind. They opened their business four pork covered with BBQ sauce and topped with a scoop of cole years ago and are returning to RibFest for the second year as one slaw, served in a cup.

“This is our signature dish. We’ve sold as many as 800 servof two local teams. Last year they won the People’s Choice Award ings in one day,” McCormick says. “We sell a lot wherever we go for ribs. This year they’re hoping to win the Best Brisket award.

The longtime friends built their own woodfire smoker that’s because there are lots of flavors and it’s easy to eat.

“We both have been cooking a lot of years and just decided to give this a try. No matter what we do, we totally throw ourselves into it. It’s been fun. We travel a lot and get to meet a lot of nice people.”

Musical entertainment on the Blackburn Romey Stage includes The Electric Gypsy Experience, a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, at 8:30 p.m. June 16 for 1970s night; Blues Artist Mark May, former guitarist and lead vocalist for Dicky Betts & Great Southern at 6:30 p.m. June 17, followed by Anthony Gomes at 9 p.m.; Set The Hook at 1 p.m., followed by The Ghost Town Blues Band, at 7:15 p.m., and an Eagles tribute band, Epic Eagles, plays all the hits at 8:45 p.m. On Sunday, June 19, two sets from the bluesmen of Black Cat Moan will begin at 1 p.m.

Admission is free until 5:30 p.m., when adult admission is $6. Festival guidebooks are available at most Cap n’ Cork and Lassus Handy Dandy stores. A portion of the proceeds raised each year go to local school Jeff McCormick and Gene Hyser, co-owners of McHyser BBQ, will compete for the programs. About $250,000 has gone to schools to date.

Best Brisket award at the 2022 RibFest in Fort Wayne.

Learn more at bbqRibFest.com. ❚ 17 Smart Living Fort Wayne June 2022 • I Tell them you saw it in ...

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Your Home & Garden

Cooling Your Home the Geothermal Way

By Peggy Werner

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omeowners know they want air conditioning for their comfort and health in summertime, but they’re not always aware of the many choices they have for customizing a cooling system, says Tierney Boggs, marketing coordinator for Collier’s Comfort Services, 215 N. Jefferson St., Ossian, Ind. “For example, geothermal heating and cooling is growing in popularity, especially in rural areas and with new construction,” she says.

Geothermal energy comes from heat within the earth and is a renewable energy source used to generate electricity for heating and cooling buildings. A series of tubes or coils are buried 10-15 feet below the surface of the earth, where the temperature stays constant.

Geothermal systems are more expensive to install and require a certain

amount of space, but they greatly reduce month-to-month costs in the long run.

Owner Todd Zeplin says about 40 percent of his customers are using geothermal energy. He began providing it long before it became trendy.

Especially people living in rural areas have found geothermal energy to be less expensive, more efficient and more environmentally sound, when compared to propane. Like other fans of geothermal, they’re attracted to the monthly utility bill savings.

Other types of air conditioning include central air, ductless and zone-controlled systems.

Collier’s Comfort has more than two decades of experience in repairing and replacing air conditioners and can help homeowners get the best cooling system to meet their needs.

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Zeplin opened the doors of Collier’s Heating and Air Conditioning in 1996.

The growing business added a second location until one of the business partners retired in 2017. That’s when the two branches, in Ossian and Warsaw, became separately owned. The Ossian branch was renamed Collier’s Comfort Services and continues to be owned by Zeplin.

To schedule service or receive an estimate, call Collier’s at (260) 622-6622. ❚

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Your Outings

Lots of Extra Fun this TinCaps Season

By Peggy Werner

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ocal baseball is back and it’s better than ever, with new promotions, theme nights and special dates.

“After no season in 2020 and an abbreviated season last year, with no time to plan because of the pandemic, we’re coming back stronger and better than ever in 2022,” says Michael Limmer, vice president for marketing and promotions at Fort Wayne TinCaps. “We all know COVID is not a thing of the past, but people are making choices based on what they are most comfortable doing. We’re family entertainment and have something for everyone and we take our responsibility to make each The 2022 TinCaps season is loaded with home game special features including 25 nights of post-game fireworks and promotions like “Star Wars” Night, pet-friendly Paws & Claws Wednesday nights and appearances fan feel welcome very seriously.” by guests including ZOOperstars!, Marvel Defenders and actor Leslie David Baker from “The Office.”

The TinCaps’ 66-game home schedule began in April and includes The weekend of Aug. 5-7 will feature the highly anticipated 25 fireworks nights and some brand-new promotions. debut of the TinCaps playing as an alternate identity, “Manzanas Wednesday nights are dedicated to Paws and Claws (July Luchadoras,” Spanish for “Fighting Apples,” as part of Minor afternoon games not included). Fans are welcome to bring their League Baseball’s series to embrace the culture and values of the dogs and cats to the game, where special ticket options are availlocal Hispanic/Latino community. able for pet owners.

Finally, to the delight of many fans, the team’s annual “Star Thirsty Thursdays features discounted domestic draft beers Wars” Night will be Friday, Aug. 19. and other drink specials. Postgame fireworks are on Fridays and As the season continues, part-time staff is needed to help Saturdays. In addition, there will be fireworks after games on with all aspects of game night, especially in the areas of conJune 21, July 4 and four Thursday night games. cession stands, ballpark carts and housekeeping. Pay begins at Parkview Field will be a safe environment for those with se$12.75 an hour and workers can earn additional money through vere peanut allergies on Tuesday, June 21, and Tuesday, Aug. 16. tips.

On Friday, July 15, The TinCaps will host Marvel DefendParkview Field’s concourse is open during the day for walkers of the Diamond Night with a character appearance, while the ers, runners or guests visiting the ballpark and contains the Robteam’s second Scout Night is set for Friday, June 10, which is ert E. Meyers Park, where splash pads will be in operation this also Wands and Wizards Night. summer. The field’s administrative offices and the Orchard Team Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act will be featured on SaturStore have returned to regular hours. day, July 16. For the first time ever, the game park will welcome With versatile spaces both indoors and outdoors, the field is Dueling Pianos on June 25. once again hosting special events at full capacity, such as wedOn Sunday, June 26, the TinCaps will host their annual Milidings, receptions, fundraiser dinners, charity walks and more. tary Appreciation Day presented by OmniSource, Steel DyamLearn details at ParkviewField.com. nics and the San Diego Padres, with complimentary tickets for Fans can follow TinCaps action on television, radio and military personnel and their families (TinCapsMilitary.com). online. All home games will be broadcast live on Comcast netWith actor Leslie David Baker (Stanley from “The Office”) work channel 81, streamed on MiLB.tv, and all 132 games can scheduled to be in attendance, the TinCaps will have fun with be heard on 1380 The Fan and 100.9 FM. TV Sitcoms Night on Thursday, July 7.

For more information on individual tickets, season tickets The world-famous ZOOperstars! will have fans laughing on and group outings, call (260) 482-6400.

Saturday, July 9, while their friend BirdZerk! will be in town the Find a complete listing of 2022 promotions and events at final weekend of the season on Saturday, Sept. 3.

TinCaps.com. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...

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Your Health

Regenerative Therapies for Knee Pain

Regenerative therapies, like those offer by Health N.O.W., can reduce knee pain and induce healing.

By Toni Rocha nee injuries and long-term damage need not result in surgery.

For alternative treatment methods, patients are looking to Dr. David M. Gafken, D.C., D.A.C.N.B., of Health N.O.W., 2146 State Road, Auburn, Ind., for help in relieving pain.

Dr. Gafken says patients come to him either with undiagnosed knee pain, or because they have seen other medical professionals and are seeking nonsurgical alternatives to bone-on-bone and other knee issues.

“These patients have had X-rays, MRIs and/or have been receiving cortisone shots without achieving any lasting relief,” Dr, Gafken adds. “We conduct a thorough exam which may include additional orthopedic testing, X-rays and MRIs if significant time has passed since their last tests.”

Knee injuries or age-related damage rarely heal by themselves, he continues. It’s better to seek alternative methods of treating knee issues than to tough it out alone.

Once the examination is complete and the patient is approved as a candidate for treatment, Dr. Gafken says he decides on a course of treatment using several highly effective methods to promote pain relief and joint regeneration, such as knee decompression, high intensity laser, acoustic wave therapy and Hakomed Horizontal therapy.

Dr. Gafken says decompression on the knees is achieved by hooking the knee up to a specialized machine which gently pulls the joint open and closed using less than 20 pounds of force. By gently separating the joint space between the bottom of the femur (thigh bone) and the top of the tibia (shin bone), Dr. Gafken adds this creates a vacuum effect inside the knee joint which brings in

K

nutrient rich fluid to the area. The method also gently mobilizes the tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue around the joint. Together, this helps re-establish some of the natural joint space and cushioning in the knee.

“We gently work the knee for about seven to eight minutes,” Dr. Gafken adds. “The course of treatment is given multiple times per week initially.”

High intensity laser therapy consists of using four different wave lengths of laser light to stimulate the appropriate tissues in the knee joint, Dr. Gafken comments. The laser has a healing effect, it increases the production of stem cells and ATP and it generates venous nitric oxide to increase peripheral blood flow to the afflicted areas in and around the knee.

“This is called photobiomodulation,” Dr. Gafken adds. “It also aids in the growth of new blood vessels called Angiogenisis all this leads to Regeneration of the knee.”

Acoustic Wave Therapy has been in use for more than 10 years, Dr. Gafken explains. The procedure sends acoustic sound waves through the joint to promote stem cell growth, encourages the development of new blood vessels to increased blood flow, all of which induces quicker healing.

Post examination the patient is given a course of treatment which employs the above methods. As a rule, the patient is treated up to three times each week during which the highly effective regenerative methods are applied. “We have a very high success rate with this course of treatment,” Dr. Gafken concludes.

For more information visit our website seekhealthnow.com. To schedule an appointment call Health N.O.W. at (260) 920-8811. ❚ 23 Smart Living Fort Wayne June 2022 • I Tell them you saw it in ...

ColliersComfort.com

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Make sure the HVAC company you work with can stand the test of time. With quality expertise, we specialize in custom-built homes.

Choose a custom system for your home.

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Outdoor Living

What to Know About Backyard Grills

By Janine Pumilia

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hat do you expect from your grill? How often do you use it and for how many people do you cook? Do you want to expand your outdoor cooking repertoire or keep things simple?

You’ll likely be asked these questions at BBQStore&More, 17007 Doty Road in New Haven, Ind., because making a good match between grill and griller is important, says Tyler Schafer, sales and service manager. Just as important is using top-notch products made in America.

“We’re not out to compete with a big-box store on price,” says Schafer. “We sell only higher-end equipment from companies that stand behind their lifetime warranties. And nearly everything in our showroom is manufactured in the United States.

You sure won’t find that at a big-box store.”

Visit the the store to take a look at the hand-picked brands of gas, charcoal and pellet grills, pizza ovens and other outdoor cooking equipment, including all seven models of Big Green Egg ceramic grills. Brands on display include Alfresco, Alfa Ovens, Blaze Grills, Delta Heat, Meadowcreek BBQ, Memphis Grills, Phoenix Grills, Pizza-Porta, Smokin Brothers, The Meat Stick and Twin Eagles Grills.

Commercial equipment is also on display, for sale and rental, such as pig and chicken roasters and smokers used by caterers.

“The only brands we carry that aren’t entirely made in America are Alpha pizza grills from Italy and Memphis pellet grills, which are assembled in the U.S.,” says Schafer. “The ceramic for Big Green Egg is cast in Mexico because that’s where the clay is found.”

Big Green Egg is the second-largest grill company in the world (after Weber) and BBQStore&More is its largest showroom in the Midwest, says Schafer. “We stock every size grill and every part for every grill.”

Nearly every product in the huge showroom of The BBQStore&More is made in America, from grills and swing sets to patio furniture and gazebos.

Fans of Big Green Egg like the quality and flavor of the food it produces, since it’s highly insulated, thereby preventing moisture from being drawn out of the food. It uses compressed hardwood charcoal with no lighter fluid or other chemical additives.

The BBQStore&More staff offers grilling advice to customers upon request and even fields off-hours calls.

“If you’re our customer and you’re grilling an expensive piece of meat at 7 p.m. and you have a question, you can bet we’ll answer the phone. That’s how we do things here.”

More than Grills

The store stocks a deep inventory of products, and parts for servicing those products, in its huge on-site warehouse. This was especially handy during supply chain problems in recent years.

The pandemic fueled an explosion of interest in backyard improvements, and BBQStore&More was able to meet needs not only with grills, but with nearly everything related to backyards.

The business does landscape design and installation, construction of outdoor kitchens and firepits, structures like gazebos and sheds, swing sets and other large toys and poly patio furniture by companies including Lloyd Flanders, Luxcraft Outdoors and Star Swing Sets.

BBQStore&More originated as a wooden swing set store 20 years ago. It built its big new showroom and warehouse four years ago. Along with affiliated businesses such as its construction division, the business stretches across 80 acres “smack in the middle of Amish country,” but is only about 5 minutes from Fort Wayne.

“We’re where rural meets city,” says Schafer.

The store is open Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more at thebbqst.com. ❚

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Your Fun

Entertainment & Events

Smooth Tuesdays Every Tuesday, 6-9 p.m., enjoy the best in soft rock and classic hits with rotating artists. Clyde Theater, 1806 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. 1806 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. clydeclubroom.com.

TinCaps Baseball Home games thru Sept. 4. Lots of exciting baseball action along with special add-ons including fireworks after each Friday and Saturday home game. Find the whole schedule at milb.com/fortwayne. Parkview Field, 1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne.

Sperry’s illustrious rock poster career. 311 E. Main St., Fort Wayne. fwmoa.org Germanfest Now to June 12. A week-long celebration of German heritage and “essen, trinken, und gemülichkeit” (eating, drinking, and having a really good time). germanfest.org.

25th Annual BBQ RibFest June 16-19. Tasty BBQ from nationwide pitmasters and live blues music served up rain or shine at one of the best ribfests in the nation. Headwaters Park, Fort Wayne. bbqribfest.com. See our cover story.

Emergence: Live Butterfly Exhibit Now thru June 26, daily. Live butterflies return to the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. 1100 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. botanicalconservatory.org.

Middle Waves Music Festival June 17 & 18. Presented by Sweetwater Sound, Middle Waves is a destination music festival with three stages, one of which is free to attend. Food & drink, interactive art installations, fun and games for people of all ages, backgrounds and music preferences.

Foellinger Theatre Campus, 3411 Sherman Blvd. middlewaves.com.

Color X Color: Chuck Sperry Archive Now thru July 24, Tues.-Sun. Fort Wayne Museum of Art presents 150 selections from

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo June 19, 7 p.m. Since 1979, this fearless duo has blazed a distinctive trail with a thunder-

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See live butterflies now through June 26 at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.

ing soundscape that kicked off MTV and took over radios, TVs and jukeboxes around the world. Sweetwater Performance Pavilion, sweetwaterpavilion.com.

Jackson Browne June 21, 7:30 p.m. Browne has written and performed some of the most literate songs in popular music. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2007. Foellinger Outdoor Theatre, fortwayneparks.org. ❚

Live Large Shop Small 99 blocks to eat, shop, and play in Downtown Fort Wayne.

Our one-of-a-kind eateries and boutiques are open and ready— all year long!

DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

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Smart Living Fort Wayne

June 2022 • I

To Advertise Call 260-212-8968