Smart Living Fort Wayne - March 24, 2022

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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • March 2022 • No. II

What’s New at the Zoo in 2022?

DUI Law in Indiana Do You Need a Pergola?

Tips for Choosing the Right Flooring

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

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ......................Cover & p. 16 New at the Zoo in 2022 Your Home ......................................................13, 21 Choose the Right Flooring; Fireplace Tips Legal TIps ..............................................................11 All About DUI in Indiana Inspiration & Worship .......................................14 What is Palm Sunday?

Your Health & Fitness .......................................19 Easing Knee Pain Your Kitchen ........................................................23 Plan Now for a Summer Remodel Your Community ................................................25 Unlocking Family Ancestry Puzzles Your Outdoor Living ..........................................27 How a Pergola Can Improve Your Backyard 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 Writer Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Lisa Brandt, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn 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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Hello, Baseball!

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he world offers no shortage of anxiety-inducing news these days. Luckily for us, it’s nearly time for America’s greatest distraction …. baseball!

We were relieved when we learned that Minor League Baseball wouldn’t be affected by the status of the Major League Baseball lockout and even more relieved when that lockout ended.

Our own TinCaps team, an affiliate of the San Diego Padres, will open its 66-game season on April 12, playing the South Bend Cubs at Parkview Field.

The 2022 TinCaps season will be loaded with special promotions, including 25 nights with fireworks and some brandnew promos.

Beginning May 20, every Friday and Saturday night game will be capped by fireworks and there’ll be fireworks after games on Tuesday, June 21; Monday, July 4; and four Thursday games.

April 12 will see the first of 10 Tuesday Family Feast Nights, with $2 concessions. The team will continue another tradition with 11 Thirsty Thursdays, presented by Rudy’s Shop, with $2 domestic draft beers and other drink specials.

All nine Wednesday night games are Paws & Claws Nights, presented by Law's Country Kennel, allowing fans to purchase a “Paw Pass” for their pet, plus discounted White Claw hard seltzers.

Thursday, April 28, will see a brandnew tribute to the Indianapolis 500. On Tuesday, May 17, Parkview Field will be a safe environment for those with severe peanut allergies.

Saturday, May 21 will be marked by a Fort Wayne Daisies Throwback, celebrating the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Find the full lineup of games, promos and ticket info. at milb.com/fort-wayne.

Hello, baseball! ❚ Janine Pumilia SL Editor Tell them you saw it in ...

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VAN’S HOME CENTER

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Legal Tips

How a DUI Conviction Can Impact Your Life

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etting a DUI, known as operating while intoxicated (OWI) under Indiana law, can have many serious consequences.

As such, it’s essential to do everything you can to fight the charges you are facing, says Robert H. Bellinger, principal attorney at Bellinger Law Office, 116 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne.

“While you may know that you can face serious criminal penalties for a drunk driving conviction, you may not realize that a DUI conviction can also impact your life in numerous other ways,” says Bellinger. “First, a DUI can impact your life by requiring you to pay a monetary fine and, in many cases, to serve a jail sentence.”

A first offense can result in a misdemeanor conviction and up to 60 days in jail, or up to one year in jail if you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15% or higher, he says. Fines can range from up to $500 for a first offense with a BAC of .14% or less, or up to $5,000 with a BAC of .15% or higher. Subsequent offenses can result in jail time and additional fines.

For a first offense, your driver’s license will usually be suspended for 180 days (or six months), and subsequent offenses will result in a driver’s license suspension of at least one year.

“When you’re convicted of drunk driving in Indiana, your auto insurance costs can go up, and you’ll need to pay more in order to drive lawfully with valid auto insurance,” Bellinger adds.

You can also be required to drive with an ignition interlock device, even after a first offense conviction. Ignition interlock devices can be required for up to 60 days in some DUI cases, but a DUI involving a BAC of .15% or higher can result in an ignition interlock device being required for up to one year.

“With an ignition interlock device, you will need to blow into the device in order to start your car,” explains Bellinger.

Finally, many jobs require a person to have a valid driver’s license and to have a record free from drunk driving convictions, especially jobs that require driving. Accordingly, if you are in a profession that requires you to drive for your job, you could end up losing your livelihood as a result of a DUI conviction.

If you’re facing DUI charges in Indiana, it’s critical to seek advice from an experienced Indiana defense attorney who can help you to fight the charges and to avoid a conviction, says Bellinger.

Although you might assume that you can simply pay the fine and accept the other criminal penalties of a DUI or DWI in Indiana, it’s important to remember that there are other consequences of a drunk driving conviction beyond criminal penalties alone that can continue to have an impact on your life long after you’ve served your sentence.

Learn more about The Bellinger Law Office by calling (260) 428-2214. ❚

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If you’ve been dreaming of the perfect hearth for your home, Collier’s Fireplace Shoppe is here to help you turn your dream into a reality. We have 25 years experience transforming blank walls and generic builder’s grade fireplaces into showstoppers. Whether you’re looking for an elegant solution for your living room, a wood stove for a cozy family room, or an outdoor kitchen that will make your neighbors green with envy, make your first call to the experts at Collier’s.

2315 Shelby Drive, Warsaw TrustColliers.com

574.900.2909

Celebrating 25 years!

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Your Home & Garden

Choose the Right Flooring for Your Home

By Janine Pumilia

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hether you’re flooring a high-end home or a modest rental unit, there have never been better products on the market at all price points, says Krista Jones, co-owner of Select Flooring with her husband, Mike Jones.

“The technology now used to manufacture every kind of flooring has come such a long way,” says Jones. “Flooring is more attractive and easier to maintain than it used to be. And the variety of textures, styles and colors is just amazing.”

Hard surface flooring has trended upward for many years and vinyl luxury plank (VLP) is the most in demand.

“It’s very durable, easy to maintain, water-resistant, petfriendly and works with every kind of design,” says Jones. “Vinyl is also warmer and a little softer underfoot – easier on your body if you’re standing on your feet a long time while cooking etc. We’re seeing the owners of beautiful, high-end homes install vinyl plank throughout the whole home, everywhere except in the shower. Then they change out area rugs every four or five years and give rooms a whole new look.”

A sister product to LVP is LVT, luxury vinyl tile, which imitates the look of solid stone flooring. Anyone who’s ever installed or removed a grouted tile or stone floor understands the benefit of getting a stone look without the labor-intensive mess.

Using vinyl flooring throughout a home especially makes sense with today’s open-concept floor plans, where one room seamlessly flows into the next, notes Jones.

At its showroom in Kendallville, Ind., Select Flooring carries a wide variety of area rugs to top off hard-surface flooring.

It also employs a binding specialist who can size, cut, back and bind any kind of carpeting for your home.

“This is a nice alternative to area rugs,” Jones explains.

“New carpeting is beautiful and stain-proof and it can be more affordable to cut carpeting to the size you need instead of buying an area rug.”

Wall-to-wall carpeting is still favored by many people, especially in bedrooms.

“It’s nice to wake up and step onto soft, warm carpeting on cold mornings,” says Jones.

Real wood floors, both solid and engineered, also are in high demand. Each type offers benefits.

“Engineered wood looks exactly like solid hardwood because there’s a veneer of wood on the surface,” says Jones.

“But underneath are criss-crossed layers of a highly compressed core that enables fibers to expand evenly in all directions with changes of humidity. Especially in a climate like Indiana, where we can experience all four seasons within one week, engineered wood is very practical.”

Hardwood is more inclined to develop cupping or gaps between boards with changes in humidity, but some people prefer it because it can be sanded down and refinished more times than engineered wood. The price points of each are comparable.

The beauty and durability of luxury vinyl plank flooring makes it popular.

As with other flooring types, the wide variety of wood products is really exciting, says Jones. “It’s not just the oak hardwood floor anymore. There are all sorts of wood species and stains to choose from.”

Mike Jones has nearly 40 years of experience in the home product industry and he and Krista opened Select Flooring 17 years ago. Krista says this is a wonderful era for designers like herself to be involved with home renovations.

“What’s really exciting to me is that, in the past five to seven years, the home has become more of a fashion statement. People are doing more fun, upbeat things and aren’t afraid to use bold colors or to make their rooms a reflection of who they are. This is easier than ever before to do because of the enormous selection of high-quality products now available.”

Along with flooring, Select Flooring carries cabinetry and hardware, countertops, tile, window treatments, accent furniture and lighting. It also has a reputation for designing custom bathroom showers. The store employs its own designers and installers for all products it sells.

“We have our own installers and they make all the difference,” Jones says. “The work they do is impeccable and I’m so proud that we have them on our team.”

A freshly updated home is not exclusively the domain of the well-heeled.

“With everything we carry, we have a variety of price points. For example, sheet vinyl flooring is at a low price point but is really attractive compared to how it once looked and the same holds true with laminate countertops. Good design is about knowing what you like, not just how much you spend,” she says.

As the parents of six children, the Joneses understand that most families have a limited budget for home projects.

“We know the value of a dollar and the work that goes into earning it,” says Jones. “We want our customers to get the most for their money. We have a great team of people working here and once we work with a customer, it’s like they become part of our extended family.”

Learn more by calling (260) 347-5565 or stop in at the showroom, 964 Harlash St., Kendallville, Ind. ❚

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Inspiration & Worship

What’s Palm Sunday?

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n April 10, Christians worldwide will celebrate Palm Sunday. What is it?

It’s the Sunday before Easter and it commemorates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, as recorded in Mark 11:1–11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19.

It marks the start of Holy Week, the days and events immediatly before his death and resurrection.

When Jesus came to Jerusalem, crowds greeted him enthusiastically. They waved palm fronds as he entered the city on a donkey, as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9, NIV: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Many people had heard of the great miracles done by Jesus and dared to believe he was the long-awaited redeemer of Israel.

Little did they know he would soon emerge not only as savior to Jews, but also as savior to everyone who chooses to believe in him.

Why didn’t they know he would offer eternal life to all people? Because Jesus didn’t reveal the full plan during his ministry, not wanting Satan to stop the dark events that had to unfold during Holy Week. Paul explains in I Corinthians 2:8: None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Powerful government and religious rulers, threatened by Jesus’ popularity, chose to humiliate, torture and execute him.

Jesus endured their cruelty, even though he had the power to stop them. “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than 12 legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” (Matt. 26:53-54 NIV) The events of Holy Week were God’s plan and Jesus chose to obey God. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

(Romans 5:19) Palm Sunday celebrates the beginning of the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth – and the start of a season that culminates 50 days after Easter on Pentacost, the day God sent the gift of holy spirit to mankind. ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Right in Our Region

Children’s Zoo Readies for a Busy Season

By Peggy Werner

Two beautiful Sumatran tigers call Fort Wayne home.

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fter a short season in 2020 due to the pandemic, last year was a record-breaking year for attendance, membership and fundraising at Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Now the zoo is gearing up for another busy season when it opens April 30.

“People just wanted to get outside and enjoy being with

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friends and family, and the zoo is the perfect place to do that,” says Communications Director Bonnie Kemp.

The zoo saw 670,000 guests last year through October, about 20,000 more than in any previous year.

Kemp expects another good season, as the zoo works to make its exhibits even more exciting. Most construction and exhibit changes take place offseason, when the zoo is closed. An exception this year will be construction in one of the oldest areas of the zoo, near a ridge that was home to the South American Saki Monkey and Red Rumped Agouti. Those animals have been relocated to a larger space across from the River Otters, where they’ll have more room to show off their unique behaviors, Kemp says. Their relocation will make room for a new Red Panda Ridge exhibit that’s expected to be complete in mid-2023.

The Saki Monkey is small, with a large bushy tail and a naked face surrounded by a hood of dark fur. In the wild, this species lives in the trees of the rainforest, mainly in northern and central South America. The Agouti also is a native of South American rainforests. It’s a member of the rodent

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Right in Our Region

Top left: Goats are so cute! Bottom left: Two Cape Porcupines now live at the zoo. Right: Laughing it up with spotted hyenas.

family and somewhat resembles a large guinea pig.

The zoo is home to one Red Panda, named Anne, but zoo leaders hope to have more pandas by the time the exhibit opens.

The small mammal is native to the East Himalayas and Southwest China. It has dense reddish-brown fur with a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzzle and a ringed tail.

To those unfamiliar with the species, the Red Panda more closely resembles a raccoon than the better known black and white Giant Panda.

Another change at the zoo in 2022 involves private events.

For the first time, reservations can be made for young children to celebrate birthday parties in the Jungle Lab room of the Indonesian Rain Forest section of the zoo.

take place June 16 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Guests 21 and older can sample food and beverages from more than 50 regional businesses, while enjoying live music and the zoo animals. Proceeds support daily operations, educational programs and care for the more than 1,400 animals.

Corks for Conservation will take place July 21 at 6 p.m. This is a strolling wine-tasting event where guests learn about work being done around the world to save wildlife and habitats.

The local zoo is making a difference every day by breeding critically endangered species, embracing green practices and supporting global conservation projects, Kemps says.

Part of every admission ticket and membership to the zoo goes to about 30 conservation projects in Indiana and around the world. Last year, more than $350,000 was raised, an increase of more than $60,000 over the previous best year.

Events Conservation begins at home, Kemp says.

Upcoming zoo events include a Mother’s Day brunch from 10 “It’s important for children not only to see and learn about a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8, to be held outthe zoo animals, but also to make a wider connection with their side in the covered picnic pavilion in the zoo’s African section. role of being good stewards of the earth and to know why it’s Guests can visit the zoo before or after brunch.

A zoo fundraiser, Zoofari: Bites, Brews, and Beasts, will important to take care of the environment and the world we live in,” Kemp says.

Interpreters and volunteers are located throughout the zoo to help children learn about the animals and answer questions. All interpreters wear a large yellow “Ask Me” button for easy identification and volunteers wear red shirts.

Keeper Chats are scheduled every day of the week for people to learn more about what it takes to care for the zoo animals. A new schedule will be available on the website when the zoo opens April 30. Zookeepers from all areas of the zoo give 20-minute talks on a particular animal and answer questions.

Registration is closed for Spring Break Camps in April, but has begun for Kids for Nature, an eight-week summer camp in June and July for ages 4 to 12.

The zoo is making room to acquire more red pandas like this one.

Learn more about zoo visits and camps at kidszoo.org. ❚ 17 March 2022 • II Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne

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Your Health

Avoiding Knee Surgery with Chiropractic

By Toni Rocha

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nee injuries and long-term damage need not result in surgery. For alternative treatment methods, patients are looking to Dr. David M. Gafken, DC, of Health N.O.W. Chiropractic Center, 2146 State Road 8 in Auburn, Ind., for help in relieving pain.

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

“These patients have had X-rays, MRIs and/or have been receiving cortisone shots without achieving any lasting relief,” Gafken says. “We conduct a thorough exam which may include additional nerve 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 says. 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 chiropractic, Gafken decides on a course of treatment using several highly effective methods to promote joint health: decompression, laser, plus radial pressure, shockwave or acoustic waves.

Gafken says decompression on knee joints is achieved by seating the patient in a chair and hooking the knee up to a machine which pulls the joint open and closed using less than 16 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), a vacuum effect inside the knee joint is created which brings more nutrient-rich fluid to the area. The method also stretches the tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue around the joint, which 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,” Gafken explains. “The course of treatment is given three times weekly for four to five weeks.”

Low-level laser light wave therapy consists of using four levels of intensity to penetrate the appropriate depth in the knee joint, Gafken says. These waves have a healing effect by increasing the production of stem cells and generating venous nitric oxide to increase peripheral blood flow to the afflicted areas around the knee.

“This is called organogenesis,” Gafken says. “It aids in the growth of new blood vessels while flushing out any damaged tissue, alleviating pain.”

Acoustic or shockwave has been in use for more than 10 years, Gafken explains. The method sends pulses through the joint to promote stem cell growth, to encourage the development of new blood vessels and to increase blood flow, all of which induces quicker healing.

“It’s a powerful tool that hasn’t been used as much as it could be because it’s expensive,” Gafken says. “The treatment not only reduces pain but also induces biochemical changes that promote healing.”

A patient is given a course of treatment which employs one or several of the above methods. As a rule, the patient is treated up to three times each week during which all of the selected methods are applied in a stepped order.

“The patient may receive decompression for seven to eight minutes, then move to another room for a five-minute laser treatment, and then to another room for the five-minute electroshockwave session,” Gafken says.

Along with treatment in the office, patients are encouraged to exercise as appropriate, to ice the knee joint to reduce inflammation and swelling, and to use various at-home remedies.

“We have a 90-percent success rate with this course of treatment,” Gafken says.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Health N.O.W. at (260) 920-8811 or visit seekhealthnow.com ❚

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Your Home & Garden

Fireplaces: Still Warming Homes and Hearts

By Janine Pumilia

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here’s a reason the expression “hearth and home” represents our precious family lives. Since ancient times, fireplaces were the heart of the home, keeping people warm and fed. Our affection for them didn’t end once furnace-powered heat replaced them in most American homes during the 20th century.

“We no longer build fireplaces for physical warmth,” observed novelist Edna Ferber. “We build them for the warmth of the soul; we build them to dream by, to hope by, to home by.”

And, many people just want a supplemental heat source, says Chuck Ault, co-owner of Collier’s Heating & Air Conditioning and Collier’s Fireplace Shoppe in Warsaw, Ind. He should know.

For nearly two decades, before he and co-owner Kevin Lehman purchased Collier’s, he worked for the business installing and repairing fireplaces and stoves.

“We install and service gas stoves, gas fireplaces, wood stoves and wood fireplaces,” says Ault. “We can replace old equipment. We do fireplaces in new homes. We can install gas lines. We can handle the whole job, from start to finish, from the design to framing to installation, venting, gas, electrical and masonry.”

Now celebrating its 25th year, Collier’s Fireplace Shoppe displays and sells wood, electric and gas fireplaces, both vented and unvented. It also installs electric fireplaces, wood boilers and pellet stoves and helps customers to understand the benefits of each kind of product.

“Our fireplace experts help you to determine the best fit for your home and your specific needs,” says Ault. “We have a range of cost options to fit almost any budget.”

These days, many customers want to convert a masonry wood fireplace to a gas fireplace.

“That’s a fairly simple process,” Ault explains. “There are a couple of options – you could install a gas log in the existing fireplace or you could install a gas insert, which would be much more efficient.”

A gas insert causes the fireplace to draw air from outdoors rather than drawing furnace-heated air from your home and sending it up the chimney.

“Old wood-burning fireplaces are not very efficient, so the draft can actually start to pull heat out of the house,” Ault explains. “If the fireplace is updated, we can do more efficient inserts that draw air in from outside, so it stops pulling heat out of the house. Most gas inserts are around 80 percent efficient.

These can be a supplemental heat source or a good heat source for emergency situations.”

Collier’s also helps homeowners to update their old, unattractive fireplaces by replacing the doors or adding gas logs.

“A gas insert changes the whole look of the fireplace,” says Ault. “We can do everything, from just a simple update to a complete remodel of an existing fireplace.”

If you live in a home with no fireplace but you’re thinking of

Kevin Lehman and Chuck Ault, co-owners of Collier’s Fireplace Shoppe

installing one, Ault suggests taking some pictures of where you would like the fireplace to be or what you currently have.

“Take measurements,” he says. “Pinterest pictures can help us to get an idea of what your vision and goals are. Then talk to our fireplace experts and we can help you begin the process.”

Residents of apartments and condominiums may want to consider installing an electric fireplace.

“Electric fireplaces have come a long way,” says Ault.

“They require no chimney and provide an amazing array of flame patterns to fit the mood you’re in. We’ve also installed them in restaurants and conference rooms and we carry the best brands in the industry.”

When it comes to fireplace maintenance, Ault recommends having a gas fireplace checked and serviced annually.

“We go through and clean the system, redress the logs and make everything look like new,” he says.

For wood fireplaces, he recommends having the chimney cleaned and inspected annually.

During their decades of hands-on work at Collier’s, Ault and Lehman never imagined they would someday own the company, but they were identified as potential successors and moved into management positions.

“We got the opportunity to buy into the company and we didn’t think we should pass up,” says Ault. “We have a vested interest in the company – it’s been good to our families over the years, and we look at Collier’s as an opportunity to extend our family to the team that we’ve built, to include the households we serve, and the communities where we live and work.”

Another branch of the business, Collier’s Solar, has more than 10 years of experience installing ground-mount and roofmount solar panels. The company has also been in the heating and air-conditioning business for more than 34 years, including geothermal installations, serving the greater Warsaw area.

Whether you yearn for the roar and scent of a wood-burning fireplace or want the convenience and tidiness of a gas or electric fireplace, there have never been more options to suit your individual situation.

Learn more by calling (574) 203-5882 or visit the showroom at 2315 North Shelby Dr., Warsaw, Ind. ❚ 21 March 2022 • II Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne

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Your Kitchen

Start Now for Summer Kitchen/Bath Updates

By Janine Pumilia

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hen it comes to kitchen and bathroom updates, there are two big things to know right now: “Start early” and “think simple, clean lines,” says Dana Kneuve, designer at Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting, in New Haven, Ind. “Customers have been very understanding of the supply chain issues,” she says. “It’s a good idea to start the remodel process early. Expect cabinets to take at least twice as long as usual to arrive – that means eight weeks instead of four and possibly longer for other brands.”

Working with a kitchen designer to choose materials and plan the details now Clean lines bring a kitchen up to date, as in this remodel by Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting. will assure you have everything in place when the project begins. install and isn’t functionally necessary outside the shower.”

For an updated look, “Think light and airy, with simple, clean Most bathroom cabinets stand up well to moisture but be lines for everything from cabinet door styles to backsplashes to sure to ask about the materials before you order them, Kneuve the finish of a countertop edge,” says Kneuve. “This is not only advises. the look people want today, it’s also easier to clean.”

“We offer cabinets made from engineered wood or all-plyIt may be more economical, too. Simpler cabinet door styles wood construction. The biggest difference is the way the sides cost less, as do simpler stone or quartz countertop patterns. Save of the cabinet look, especially if the cabinet is stained, but both bold colors and patterns for details that easily can be changed out will hold up well to moisture and day-to-day life in bathrooms.” later, if you want your update to stand the test of time.

Less tile is being used for bathroom floors these days, too, “In a bathroom, mirrors, lighting and hardware can all be due to the advent of luxury vinyl planks or tiles (LVT), which changed out relatively inexpensively in coming years to update imitate a hardwood or tile look without the labor-intensive instalthe look,” she says. “Sticking with more neutral styles for the lation. The LVT stands up well to moisture, is warmer than tile big-ticket items like cabinets and countertops is a good idea.” underfoot, and is easy to clean.

Painted and wood-tone cabinetry are equally popular right Some customers are trading their big jacuzzi bathtubs for now and some people like a mix of both. smaller, sleeker stand-alone bathtubs, says Kneuve.

“Maybe your cabinets are painted but the range hood and is“Picture the old clawfoot tubs without the claw feet,” she says. land are stained wood,” she says. Lighter-toned stains and finerLarger showers with more spa features, like duo showergrained wood species like maple and walnut are popular. They’re heads – one installed at a lower, adjustable level – are popular often paired with black hardware. And with painted cabinets, and practical. shades of white remain timeless favorites.”

In the kitchen, microwaves placed inside drawers or built Customers are choosing quartz over natural stone more ofinto cabinets are trending. And, “Adding a nice range hood above ten for countertops. Many choose a marble-look quartz for baththe stove instantly makes the kitchen look higher end,” she says. room countertops.

There are more details than most people realize, in renovaFor those who crave color, painted cabinets in deep shades tion projects. Kneuve has seen plenty of do-it-yourselfers get into of blue or green are making a splash. trouble.

“These look very nice with white sinks and hardware that’s “It’s a designer’s job to think of every little thing so you a matte-gold tone,” she says. don’t have to,” she says. “Going to a store with a good reputaWhile gray is still a popular wall color, it’s warming up. tion is the best way to find a qualified designer who will get you Taupes, tans and eggshell are on the rise, Kneuve says. And through a remodeling project with ease.” there’s no functional reason bathroom walls need to be tiled.

“As long as you use a good semi-gloss waterproof paint and Learn more about Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting by callhave a good exhaust fan in place, you’re fine,” she says. “Some ing (260) 493-2574 or stop in at the showroom, 11034 Lincoln people still like the look of wall tile, but it can be expensive to Highway East. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...

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The Thoughtfulness of Orchids

Photography by Brad Nordlof

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Your Community

Solving Family Puzzles in Fort Wayne

By Janine Pumilia

“W

ear comfortable shoes.”

That friendly piece of advice, posted on the website of the Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library in downtown Fort Wayne, is a clue to what’s in store for visitors: A collection so vast that it inhabits a space equal in size to a football field.

Only the famed LDS genealogical library in Salt Lake City is larger.

“I believe in each of us there is a longing to know our stories,” says Curt Witcher, the nationally recognized genealogist who’s managed this Fort Wayne gem for 34 years. “Our primary task – and we don’t really view it as a task because we love doing it so much – is to help people succeed in discovering their family stories.”

To that end, his team of seven professional genealogists help novices and seasoned researchers alike to navigate the sprawling facility that welcomes 100,000 visitors each year from across the U.S. and beyond. The caliber of staff, the quality and breadth of both physical and digital collections, and unwavering community support that began long before genealogy exploded in popularity, add up to the Center’s national reputation for excellence.

At the heart of the Genealogy Center is Witcher’s team of super-sleuth genealogist librarians.

“Each member of our team not only has broad and deep expertise in the field of genealogical research, but also specialty areas such as ‘Irish and British lineage’ or ‘people of color in North America,’” he says. “One person is an expert on how to use DNA results in your search. And what’s really exciting to me is that, if we don’t know something, we can find out who does know it because we’re so well connected with other specialists in the field across the country.”

Among items in the massive physical collection are city directories, passenger lists, maps, periodicals, U.S. Census lists, military records and much more.

The digital database collection includes free use of several commercial sites like Ancestry.com and FindMyPast.com. A visit to the library is an ideal way to “test drive” brands before committing money to a personal subscription.

Some people ask why a Genealogy Center is needed in this digital age. Can’t we just find everything we need online from home?

“The resources available publicly online are like the very tip-top of an iceberg,” Witcher explains.

“There’s a whole world of resources below the surface that aren’t yet Curt Witcher

digitized and won’t be within our lifetimes. It’s just too large.

And many important databases that are digitized are accessible only through libraries like ours that have special licensing agreements.”

“Almost without fail, every person who comes through our door learns something about their family that they didn’t know before,” says Witcher. “It’s so exciting for us to watch them as the lightbulb goes off and they have that ‘aha!’ moment and learn how to put pieces of information together. We librarians just love that. Connecting people with meaningful information is the heart of what we do.”

Novices and seasoned researchers alike can feel at home in the Genealogy Center, says Witcher; beginners need not be intimidated by the mammoth collection. And all visitors use the collections and services, including consultations by appointment with genealogists on staff, at no charge.

“There are no barriers to using our resources, whether you live here or across the world,” says Witcher. “The only cost is dimes for making copies on a machine.”

Sometimes people are curious about their ancestry but don’t know how to begin learning about it.

“It all begins with one question,” Witcher says. “What is it you’re trying to learn?”

Some people worry they’ll discover something shameful in their family histories. Others may be adopted and wonder if genealogy has any value for them.

“Your family history doesn’t have to be your bloodline, it can be your heartline,” says Witcher. “It’s perfectly fine, exciting and informative to research the ancestry of the family in your heart – the family that raised you, or to research only Mom’s line if Dad is not in your life. Every family story has twists and turns in it. One thing we know for sure: There’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ family.”

Learn more, sign up for a newsletter and find a list of upcoming virtual presentations at genealogycenter.org. ❚ 25 March 2022 • II Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne

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Outdoor Living

Pergolas Add to Enjoyment All Year Long

By Peggy Werner

P

eople have spent more time at home in recent years and some have concluded that their outdoor spaces could use some improvement.

Many have decided that adding a pergola makes a lot of sense.

Pergolas add style, beauty, and definition to an outdoor space while also providing privacy, shade and added value to a home, says Ryan Lemon, chief operating officer at W.A. Zimmer, 1700 N. Broadway, Huntington, Ind. “A lot of people are still spending more time at home and yet they don’t want to feel cooped up. Pergolas make it possible for people to work outdoors without sun glare on the computer screen, and some Now is a good time to figure out how to improve your outdoor spaces. Need ideas? Consult experts who know what people use the space just for products are available and can explain the latest innovations. relaxing or entertaining by adding an outdoor kitchen,” he says. area and extend the time you can spend outdoors all year. The A pergola is an outdoor structure consisting of columns that unique structure combines the functionality of a patio cover with support an open roof of beams and rafters. Free-standing or atthe look of a pergola. Insulated center panels help to protect a tached to your house, a pergola can cover a patio, deck or any space from rain, snow and sun and yet this pergola has the openoutdoor area and comes in a variety of styles and sizes. There are beam look of a traditional pergola. options like retractable side screens.

Pergolas account for the vast majority of sales today at W.A. A standard pergola allows for partial shade. The open beams Zimmer and the structures can be installed year-round. As long let in natural light and provide a perfect setting for stringing outas temperatures stay above freezing, homeowners can adjust loudoor lights. A pergola can support climbing vines to enhance vres, says Lemon. your home’s landscaping. An operable pergola has remote-conAll structures from W.A. Zimmer are custom built and are trolled motorized louvres to give partial or complete shade with made from high quality and durable extruded aluminum, requirthe push of a button. ing no maintenance because the material doesn’t fade, rust, warp, A dry cool pergola is the newest way to cover an outdoor mold or need painting or staining. Colors available are white, sandstone (light beige), and bronze, which is a rich dark brown.

The family-owned company has been in business for more than 40 years and is owned by Bill and Marcia Zimmer. Their staff designs and builds maintenance-free and high-quality sunrooms, pergolas, patio covers and retractable awnings and screens. They take responsibility for the whole project, from start to finish, including getting permits to do the job. The company services only the products they build.

W.A. Zimmer plans to open second location in Elkhart, Ind., this spring. It also maintains a display at Ginger Valley Garden Center in Granger, Ind., near South Bend.

Learn more by calling (260) 356-1621 or visit the showroom at 1700 N. Broadway St., Huntington, Ind. ❚ A new pergola can be installed any time of year, weather permitting.

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Your Fun

Entertainment & Events

Under the Big Top Through April 17, daily. Attempt great feats of derring-do including acrobatics and tightrope walking at Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., (260) 4276440, botanicalconservatory.org.

Soarin’ Hawk at Promenade Park April 2, 2-4:30 p.m., pre-registration required.

Soarin’ Hawk raptor rehab center brings gorgeous birds of prey to Promenade Park, 202 W. Superior St. Call (260) 427-6000 or go to fortwayneparks.org. (Code #290103-S1) ‘Waitress’ April 5 & 6, 7:30 p.m. Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage in this Tony Award​-nominated hit musical.

Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson St., Fort Wayne, FWEmbassyTheatre.org Fort Wayne Philharmonic - Tchaikovsky’s 5th April 9, 7:30 p.m. Masterworks 6: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op.64. Andrew Constantine, music director; Maximiano Valdés conductor; Andre Gaskins cello. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson St., Fort Wayne, FWEmbassyTheatre.org

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Chicago April 10, 7 p.m. The legendary rock and roll band with horns has two Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards and hit songs like “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday In The Park,” “You’re The Inspiration” and more. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson St., Fort Wayne, FWEmbassyTheatre.org Sunday Heritage Concert Series April 10 & 24, May 8 & 22, 2-3 p.m. Local musicians perform free at the Park Foundation Pavilion at Promenade Park, 202 W. Superior St. Find the season schedule at RiverfrontFW. org/Calendar.

Bunny in the Garden April 15 & 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Easter Bunny hosts cute Easter animals, activities and spring blooms. Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun, Fort Wayne, ‘Jersey Boys’ April 21, 7:30 p.m. Get the inside story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with Top Ten hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and more. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson St., FWEmbassyTheatre.org

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See beautiful raptors at Promenade Park on April 2.

‘Baby Shark Live’ May 7, 2 p.m. Young fans will be dancing in the aisles as Baby Shark, Pinkfong and others go on fun adventures to meet new friends.

Songs include “Baby Shark,” “Five Little Monkeys,” “Wheels On The Bus.” Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson St., Fort Wayne, FWEmbassyTheatre.org Fiber Arts Free Community Festival May 13, 10 a.m-3 p.m. and May 14, 10 a.m.5 p.m. Sponsored by the Flax and Fleecers Spinning Guild of Fort Wayne. Animals, crafts, vendors, hands-on activities, demonstrations.

Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Road. ❚

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