Smart Living Fort Wayne - April 20, 2023

New!SpringEvents SeePage28

Time to Explore!

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 just happened 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 week on April 22. You can hand-feed giraffes, ride the Sky Safari and pet stingrays in the 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 exploring Fort Wayne, 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 this month and explore. Cheers to warmer weather, and have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

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 McCroy 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.

How to Care for Your Furniture

By Peggy Werner

Buying quality furniture is a big investment, so it only makes sense to properly care for it to keep it looking good for as long as possible.

“Top quality furniture is made to last, but it will show signs of wear and tear unless you take steps to prevent that from happening,” says sales manager and designer Arianna Brock of Fairfield Galleries, US 33 North, Fort Wayne. “People think about how to use furniture, but they don’t give much thought to how to take care of it. Everything in the home needs to be cleaned and maintained to look good and be functional.”

Every piece of furniture and fabric has a different cleaning code that should be read and adhered to, she says. The code tells you how to clean the material and it may also tell you what product to use, whether a solvent-based or water-based cleaner, or no cleaner at all. Some materials require only a wipe with a damp cloth or vacuuming.

Brock has several tips on how to keep that quality furniture looking like it was just delivered.

It’s a good idea to rotate and fluff cushions, since people tend to sit in the same chair or in the same place on a sofa. Most seat cushions are the same on both sides, so they can easily be

flipped. Back cushions are not always removable, but can benefit from a regular fluffing.

Run a damp cloth over wood furniture regularly then dry after to avoid buildup of dust and dirt. For fabric and leather, vacuum regularly with an upholstery brush. Vacuum the frame, too, and take off cushions to clean under them. Brock suggests rotating cushions at least once a week.

Just because wood furniture is long-lasting and solid, and has a great finish, doesn’t mean it doesn’t need protecting.

“Water is wood’s worst enemy,” Brock says. “It’s best to protect the surface of any table by either using a glass table top or placemats and coasters.”

Heat and grease are just as destructive, she says. She has seen instances where people let hot wing trays or pizza boxes sit on a table for a long time without taking any precautions.

“Heat pulls the moisture out of the table and can cause the best finish to be damaged and turn cloudy,” she says.

A little effort can result in better-looking, longer-lasting furniture.

For more information on furniture and interior design, call Brock at (260) 489-5526. ❚

Easter to Pentecost

Theresurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, as we just celebrated on Easter Sunday. But the story doesn’t end there. In fact, the close of the Easter season is a full 50 days after Easter. Why?

“After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3

In the opening of Acts, we read that Jesus has been appearing to various people for 40 days and is now with his 11 apostles. He tells them to stay in Jerusalem, where they will “receive power” from the holy spirit – a promise that’s fulfilled 10 days later, on the day of Pentecost – 50 days after the resurrection. “Pente” means 50.

Before Christ came, Jews celebrated Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, to recognize the way God provided for them –Moses brought the law to the people from Mt. Sinai 50 days after the miraculous exodus from Egypt and slavery.

Just as Israel was freed from Egyptian captivity and given God’s law 50 days later, Christ’s followers were freed from mortality by his resurrection and transformed by holy spirit 50 days later.

Jesus tells the apostles that once they have received power from the holy spirit, they will be witnesses for him not only in Jerusalem, but throughout the entire earth. In an age without modern transportation or communication, it was quite a promise.

“And when he had spoken these things, while they watched, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9

Although we don’t celebrate Pentecost with the same fanfare given to Easter and Christmas, it’s a landmark day in the history of Christianity and is the “birthday” of the church.

This year, Pentecost will be celebrated on May 28. It’s always seven weeks after Easter Sunday. Easter is determined by calculating the first Sunday after (but never on) the first full moon after the spring equinox – the day when hours of light and darkness are about the same.

Jesus Christ, the light of this world, has entrusted his ministry of reconciliation to us ❚

–

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, visitors can play life-sized

Snakes & Ladders (based on the board game 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 invites visitors to “play inside at the museum.”

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.

Make Home Projects a Painless Experience

By Peggy Werner

Van’s Home Center, 106 Peckhart Ct., in Auburn, Ind., just off I-69 and State Road 8, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall. Their focus on providing quality products at affordable prices, along with excellent customer service, has paved the way for the growing business to evolve into a one-stop-shop for everything needed to furnish a home.

“We have people shopping with us who shopped with Van and Mary Lou when the store first opened,” says Brittany Brouer, marketing director. “Many people remember the original store in Angola and share their memories with us. Customer service is at the core of our business and something we are very proud of. We have a lot of repeat customers because they can get everything in one location.”

Through the years, the business has grown to include furniture, appliances, mattresses, flooring, cabinets, countertops, carpeting and tile.

Van’s is unique in that it services everything it sells, has its own delivery and installation teams, and offers customers extended warranties on all products. The staff is professionally trained and knowledgeable about all of the products being sold.

“When it comes to doing business with us, there are no third parties. Everything happens under our own roof,” Brouer adds.

Over the last several years, Van’s has undergone a handful of remodels and expansions, including adding a new mattress gallery, expanding the furniture showroom, adding a flooring and tile showroom, adding a dedicated scratch and dent showroom, and adding a “live” kitchen showroom where all appliances are plugged in and working, so customers can see the various features.

Van’s currently maintains three warehouses, with a fourth one soon to start construction. Employees can help customers at any budget, whether they just need a new sofa or want to undertake a remodel or start new construction. Van’s also works directly with dozens of area home builders, providing clients with everything from appliances to furniture and flooring.

Through the years, Brouer has observed how customers have changed by not wanting to waste time.

“Most customers today don’t want the hassle of shopping around,” she says. “They want their home projects to be as easy

and painless as possible. Because of the internet, they have done their research and have a better understanding of what they want, and they want to save time.”

At the same time, they expect to be listened to, cared for, and valued.

“We have given our community the option of shopping at a locally owned family business with a great selection and competitive prices, that values customers enough to want to maintain a relationship with them for a lifetime,” Brouer adds. “Our customers get a personalized shopping experience with us. Hopefully, when they need something for their home, they think of Van’s. Today, everything is so automated, people enjoy the personal touch of a local business. They like knowing they are a valued customer and not just another transaction.”

And for those who don’t have time to shop in person, everything can be bought online at vanshomecenter.com.

“Looking toward the future, we just want to make sure we are fulfilling customers’ needs, as we always have done. Everything we do is the result of giving customers a trusted, local destination for everything for the home,” Brouer says. “We are grateful to be able to maintain a business for 50 years, and that’s only because people trust us.” ❚

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.

Time for Financial ‘Spring Cleaning’

It’s almost Earth Day, when people around the world focus on ways of protecting and preserving the environment. And the lessons from this occasion can be applied to other areas of life — such as investing.

Here are some themes to consider:

• Sustainability – From an environmental perspective, sustainability encompasses a range of issues, such as using natural resources wisely. As an investor, you, too, need to protect your resources. So, for example, to sustain a long-term investment strategy, you won’t want to dip into your retirement accounts, such as your IRA and 401(k), to pay for major home or car repairs or other unexpected, costly bills before retirement. You can help prevent this by building an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. And once you’re retired, you need to sustain your portfolio so it can help provide income for many years. For that to happen, you’ll need to maintain a withdrawal rate that doesn’t deplete your investments too soon.

• Growth potential – Many people plant trees to celebrate Earth Day, with the hope that, as the trees grow, they’ll contribute to cleaner air. When you invest, you also need growth potential if you’re going to achieve your goals, including a comfortable retirement. So, your portfolio will need a reasonable percentage of growth-oriented vehicles, such as stocks and stock-based mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Yet, you do need to be aware that these investments can lose value, especially during downturns in the financial markets. You can help reduce the impact of market turbulence on your holdings by also owning other types of investments, such as bonds, government securities and certificates of deposit (CDs). While these investments can also lose value, they are typically less volatile than stocks and stockbased mutual funds and ETFs. The appropriate percentage of growth and fixed-income investments in your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon and long-term objectives.

• Avoidance of “toxins” – At some Earth Day events, you can learn about positive behaviors such as disposing of toxic items safely. And in the investment world, you’ll also want to avoid toxic activities, such as chasing “hot” stocks that aren’t appropriate for your needs, or trading investments so frequently that you run up commissions and taxes or jumping out of the markets altogether when there’s a temporary decline.

• Consolidation – Getting rid of clutter and unnecessary possessions is another lesson some people take away from Earth Day. All of us, when we look around our homes, could probably

find many duplicate items — do we really need two blenders or three brooms or five staplers? When you invest, it’s also surprisingly easy to pick up “clutter” in the form of multiple accounts. You might have an IRA with one financial company and brokerage accounts with two or three others. If you were to consolidate these accounts with one provider, you might reduce correspondence — even if it is online — and possibly even lower the fees you pay. But perhaps more important, by consolidating these accounts at one place, possibly with the guidance of a financial professional who knows your needs and goals, you may find it easier to follow a single, unified investment strategy.

Earth Day only happens once a year — but it may provide lessons for investors that can last a lifetime. ❚

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington D.C. through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C., Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C., and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309.

Pamela S. Covington, CFP® RICP® AAMS® Financial Advisor

6525 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, IN, 46804 (260) 478-8038

edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/ pam-covington

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.

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. Lots of exciting baseball action along with special events and spectacles including fireworks on select nights, bring-yourpet 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.

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 Sa-

fari, 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. This chart-topping band performs 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 sam-

pling, music, games, VIP activities, and more at Headwaters Park Pavilions, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, michianawinefestival.com.

‘And Then There Were None’

April 28-29, May 5-7, 12-13. Ten strangers are summoned to a remote island. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they’re unwilling to reveal and a secret that will seal their fate, for each has been marked for murder. Dinner takes place before the show. Arena Dinner Theatre, 719 Rockhill St., Fort Wayne, arenadinnertheatre.org.

Fort Wayne Ballet: ‘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.

‘Into the Woods’

May 6-7 & 12-14. 7 p.m. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together in a timeless, yet relevant piece of musical theatre. Presented by Fort Wayne Civic Theatre at the Arts United Center, 303 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, fwcivic.org/intothewoods.

Kenny Chesney with Kelsea Ballerini

May 18, 7:30 p.m. These country music artists perform at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, kennychesney.com/tour. ❚

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 play all summer at Parkview Field, in Fort Wayne.