Smart Living Fort Wayne - February 4, 2021

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Smart L iving yne Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • January 2021

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6 Big Reasons Families Love Fort Wayne Top-Quality Ballet in Fort Wayne 6 Ways Custom Cabinetry Pays Off

NEW

Tips to Ponder When Siding Your Home What Makes a Landscape Design Great?

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Smart Living Weekly

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Six Big Reasons Families Love Fort Wayne Your Community ...............................................11 World-Class Ballet Right Here at Home Your Home .......................................................13 What to Know Before You Buy Home Siding Inspiration & Worship ......................................14 Love Our Enemies?

Your Outdoor Living .........................................19 How to Achieve a Magical Landscape Your Health & Fitness ............................ .......... 23 Club-Quality Fitness Equipment at Home Your Kitchen ......................................................25 How Custom Cabinetry Pays Off Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Pizza King Opens New Location Your Family Fun ....................................... ......... 28

Smart L ivingyne Fort Wa

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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Sara Myers Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Paula Kalivoda Furniss, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Fort Wayne General Manager Sherri Cassedy Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (260) 267-5350, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living.

Copyright 2021 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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Welcome to Smart Living!

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elcome One & All, to the latest edition of Smart Living Fort Wayne Magazine.

There’s so much to cover in the Fort Wayne area, a truly wonderful place in which to live, work and play.

As much as there is to do in Fort Wayne, our purpose extends beyond Fort Wayne and Allen County to the surrounding counties of northeast Indiana and western Ohio. I believe you’ll greatly enjoy reading what we bring to your attention in each and every issue.

One of the biggest reasons for this fresh perspective on our city is, well, me. I am a newer resident here. Newly married, I moved to Fort Wayne in the middle of last year with my brood of five terrific children. We are all thrilled to be here.

Every day we discover more of what the greater Fort Wayne region has to offer. My colleagues and I are eager to share our discoveries with you. We think you’ll find our editorial content a refreshing perspective.

Through our eyes you’ll do more than get a renewed appreciation for where you live.

You see, we’re digging deeper and exploring further than you may have time to do yourself.

Our goal is to enhance the quality of life you and your family enjoy here!

There’s an additional component to our mission in bringing Smart Living to your doorstep, and that has to do with the many fine, locally owned businesses located in greater Fort Wayne. We’re constantly searching for outstanding products and services to bring to your attention because of their potential to add to your quality of life here.

Our many cultural institutions and visitor attractions are the subject of this month’s cover story, “6 Top Reasons We Love Fort Wayne.”

From our vibrant downtown to our many arts organizations, sports venues, restaurants and more, it’s amazing just how much there is to enjoy in our region.

Enjoy the discovery! ❚ Sherri Cassedy General Manager Tell them you saw it in ...

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MEET

AGAIN

EXPLORE

AGAIN

FLY

AGAIN

PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO DO IT ALL AGAIN. So, whether you’re planning your next business trip. Or, booking that long-awaited vacation.

We’ll provide the safe, sanitary, socially-distant terminal.

So, you can fly…again.

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FWAIRPORT.COM Phoenix • Orlando • Tampa • Fort Myers • Las Vegas • Myrtle Beach • Sarasota • Dallas Smart Living Fort Wayne February 2021 • I To Advertise Call 260-267-5350 Chicago • Charlotte • Philadelphia • Atlanta • Detroit • Minneapolis

Our Community

New York-Caliber Ballet in Fort Wayne B y Pe g g y We r n e r

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he Fort Wayne Ballet Company is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year and is building upon its reputation as a big-city company in a mid-sized town.

“A lot goes on here and people are always surprised at the quality we offer,” says Jim Sparrow, executive director. “Most people don’t know we attract professional dancers from all over the world.”

Professional ballet dancers from Australia, Japan, Cuba, Columbia and across the USA have been hired to come to Fort Wayne and work with its ballet.

The company includes 18 professional dancers who perform leading roles and 20 local college-age and older trainees in the corps de ballet.

Auer Academy of Fort Wayne Ballet, for ages 3 through adult, is now in its 10th year and enrolls about 250 students each year. It recently achieved prestigious American Ballet Theater (ABT) certification. This means local students are receiving the same nine-level, goalbased artistic training curriculum as “Love Notes 2021,” a virtual performance featuring famous love duets in dance, will run Feb. 13-21. dancers in New York City, says Sparrow. tions are being planned for spring. For the first time ever, the All Fort Wayne dance instructors took two years to complete season will continue into late spring and summer with three to the training. five outdoor productions held in locations throughout northern “We take our training seriously and this certification gives us Indiana. Dates and times will be announced in late May. a seal of authenticity,” says Sparrow. “What’s beautiful about the Fort Wayne Ballet’s original rendition of “The Nutcracker” curriculum is that it focuses on each dancer’s ability and aspirais listed as one of the Top 5 Must-See Nutcracker performances tions to help them reach the optiby the “Wall Street Journal.” mum level of success, safely.”

“We present the highest quality of varied repertoire from The ballet company hasn’t classical to contemporary, storybook ballets to original and stopped teaching or performing commissioned works including masterpices from the Stierle because of the pandemic. Classes Trust and the Gerald Alpino Foundation,” says Sparrow. were taught online and scheduling The high-caliber ballet company is just one reason people more frequent performances this moving to Fort Wayne are pleasantly surprised by the quality fall kept crowd sizes down. they find in the community. A rapidly growing downtown, riverVirtual and live performances front development, trails, museums, seasonal festivals, a lively are planned for upcoming months, art scene and a world-class zoo all add up to an enriching qualincluding “Love Notes 2021,” ity of life. a virtual performance featuring For more information about performance schedules and some of the most famous love duticket prices, call (260) 484-9646 or stop in at 300 E. Main St., ets in dance, Feb. 13-21.

Fort Wayne. ❚ Other virtual and live producJim Sparrow Tell them you saw it in ...

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Your Home & Garden

What to Know When Siding Your Home

All siding is not created equally. Be sure to understand the quality of materials you’re buying and the reputation of the company installing it.

By Janine Pumilia

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lthough it’s an expensive project, siding your home can quickly boost its value, energy efficiency and curb appeal – and free you from the dreaded scrape-and-paint cycle. Here are things to know.

“You’re mostly paying for the labor in a siding installation,” says Kevin Hunter, co-owner of Windows, Doors & More in Fort Wayne. “To me, it makes sense to choose at least a nice, medium thickness such as .044 thousandths of an inch vinyl siding.

“Darker colors are treated with acrylic to prevent sun bleaching. This really works well, but people should be aware darker colors cost 25 percent more because of that acrylic coating.”

About 75 percent of the siding he sells is vinyl, but some customers choose cement board, which costs about 50 percent more than vinyl.

“Cement board more closely resembles real cedar boards than vinyl,” he explains. “Both the material and labor costs are higher. It’s heavier and requires three people to handle the boards instead of two.

It’s very sturdy and well worth the cost for a quality project. Some people use it only for the front of the home.”

Both vinyl and cement board are woodpecker-proof.

Kevin Hunter

Homeowners also must choose what density of backer board to use.

“Backer board really smoothes out the wall nicely so there’s a flat surface for the siding to go over,” Hunter explains.

A high R value, such as foam-backed 3 R, offers superior insulation and soundproofing, important to homeowners living near a highway or other noise. An R value of 1.5 is sufficient for most people.

Beware home improvement merchants who try to talk you into using the same color for siding, soffit and fascia, or who limit siding color options to a few, Hunter advises.

“Some places push three to five common colors for their own convenience, not yours,” he says. “We offer 75 colors. It’s not a bad idea to distinguish your home from others by choosing a tasteful color combination.”

Shutters are still popular, with panel-style edging out louver-style. They’re taking 12 to 16 weeks to order, so plan ahead.

An average vinyl siding installation takes 7 to 10 days to complete, longer for cement board.

Windows, Doors & More has been in business 37 years and serves homeowners within a 60-mile radius of Fort Wayne.

Along with home exterior products, it sells flooring and lighting.

It also builds room additions/decks and is a one-stop kitchen and bath center with six licensed designers and an architect on staff.

Learn more by calling (260) 399-6037 or stop in at the showroom, 1121 W. Washington Center Road. ❚

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Inspiration & Worship

Love Our Enemies?

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s flawed human beings, we tend to cling to scriptures that agree with our personal view of life and avoid those which challenge us. This kind of cherry picking stunts our spiritual growth and robs us of the blessings that maturity in Christ brings. The more we make up our minds to conform our thinking to God’s thinking, the richer our lives will be in ways that matter most.

We see in the Gospels that Jesus spends a great deal of time addressing two problem areas we humans prefer not to think about: our relationship to money and our relationship to other people, especially those we don’t like or we look down on.

It’s well worth the time to study both subjects by reading all four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – with an eye for what Jesus Christ the Messiah says about them. Human nature has not changed since Jesus confronted these subjects more than 2,020 years ago.

In Luke 6:32-35 (NIV), Jesus tells us, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

Wow, this is scary. Who wants to love his or her enemies? Who are our enemies? How do we act on such a thing?

Finding practical application within our own lives requires study of scripture and prayer. This is an act of faith that brings its own reward.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

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– Janine Pumilia February 2021 • I

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Right in Our Region

(Fort Wayne Zoo photo)

6 Reasons We Love Fort Wayne

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is one of the best zoos of its kind in the nation. With a top-rated baseball stadium downtown and hockey and basketball teams returning to play in February, Fort Wayne is a top-rated market for minor-league sports and other family-friendly fun.

By Chris Linden, executive editor

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ho has one of the happiest cities in the U.S. and one of the hottest real estate markets? Fort Wayne.

And who has one of the best-run cities in America, is ranked among the best cities in which to be a teacher and was called one of the best places to retire rich? You guessed it – Fort Wayne.

But enough bragging. We already know that the quality of life in northeast Indiana abounds, in more ways than one can remember. From a diverse and booming economy to a rich variety of cultural assets and attractions, we live in a place where fun exists at every corner.

Even so, it’s easy to take for granted just how much Allen County and its surrounding neighbors have to offer – especially for a busy family. So, let’s recap just a few of the ways this slice of northeast Indiana is special.

1. There are So Many Sports. For good reason, Livability.com and Sports Business Daily consider Fort Wayne one of America’s top 5 minor-league sports markets. Throughout the year, it’s easy to find high-level athletes at work. From Komets hockey and Mad Ants basketball to Purdue Fort Wayne athletics, TinCaps baseball and the Derby Girls roller derby, it’s hard not Cover photo courtesy Fort Wayne Komets/Visit Fort Wayne

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to find a game to catch with the family, during a regular year!

Catch the Komets back on the ice Feb. 12, and their home opener on Feb. 17. Special protocols are in place this year for arena seating, and that includes special pods for families.

Speaking of which, how about those sports venues? The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is an epicenter of activity, and just to prove the point, this year it hosts the NCAA Division III Men’s basketball national championship in March.

The state-of-the-art field at Parkview Park downtown is a lively place to catch the San Diego Padres’ high-A talent, so it’s little wonder that Stadium Journey called it America’s best minor-league park.

The action doesn’t stop there. With more than 120 miles of recreation trails and numerous public parks, it’s easy to keep an active lifestyle. This time of year, it’s especially rewarding to hike, cross-country ski or birdwatch at Lindenwood Nature Preserve, Allen County Parks, Eagle Marsh or any of our amazing state parks, which are open year-round.

2. It’s Kid-Friendly. Parents don’t have to look very far to find engaging activities for young minds. Promenade Park downtown, the Allen County Library and Science Central are just a few places to start. And don’t forget about Fort Wayne

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(Visit Fort Wayne photo)

Science Central, located in the city’s former power plant, engages young minds in all sorts of scientific pursuits.

(Ray Steup/Parks Department photo)

Children’s Zoo, which Parents Magazine called one of the best zoos in the nation.

The wide variety of child-friendly attractions in Fort Wayne is only one reason SmartAsset.com called this community the best place to raise a family last year. High-quality schools, lower costs of living and low crime rates play a big role, too. For many of those reasons, Money Magazine lists us among the nation’s top 100 places to live.

3. Economic Strength. Pandemic aside, Fort Wayne’s economy remains robust. While manufacturing is still a major strength, education, health care and logistics remain powerful forces in what’s become a diverse economy.

Over the past year, Fort Wayne has been ranked among hot job markets, most livable cities, best places for new business startups … and the list goes on. But what really stands out is the city’s incredible affordability. In just the past year, we’ve been named a top place to retire rich (GoBankingRates.com), a top choice for early retirement (AARP.org), top 5 city for first-time homebuyers (SmartAsset.com), most affordable cities for millennials to buy a home (CreditKarma.com), best cities for Gen Zers on a budget (GoBankingRates.com), and the lowest cost of living in the United States (niche.com).

4. History Comes Alive. Our city is almost as old as the U.S. Constitution, having started in 1794 as a military fort on the edge of the frontier. You can still get a sense of those pioneer times at Historic Old Fort, where costumed re-enactors bring the past to life during special events.

Our city is also the final resting place of Jonathan Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. He’s the namesake of

Right in Our Region

Promenade Park in downtown Fort Wayne is a favorite new spot for enjoying the scenery and other activities along the riverfront.

the Johnny Appleseed festival in September (and the park where it’s hosted), and the inspiration for our TinCaps baseball team (so named for the “tin hat” he dons in many a folktale.)

Long before early American settlers, this was Miami country, a settlement and regional capital known as Kekionga. This heritage has been faithfully honored in places like the Chief Richardville House, once home to Indiana’s wealthiest man – a descendant of French fur traders and Miami Indians.

The History Center and firefighters’ museum downtown take a deeper dive into our fascinating past.

5. It’s Easy to Get Away. For everything there is to do right here in Fort Wayne, there’s an awful lot to see nearby, as well. It’s all so close you can do it in a day and still be home by bedtime. Head to Grabill and get to know our area’s Amish neighbors. DeKalb County has four auto museums that specialize in cars and trucks, Duesenbergs and other machinery on the move. Live music and fine dining are major attractions at Warsaw’s Honeywell Center, but the charming downtown is full of surprises, too.

If it’s a big-city escape you crave, Fort Wayne is within a 3-hour drive of Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

Don’t forget about the lakes. Noble, Kosciusko and Steuben counties each boast more than 100 lakes, including Indiana’s third-largest body of water and the impressive Chain O’Lakes, which comprises 13 interconnected waterways.

6. There’s Always Something to Do. Even in the midst of a pandemic, there are a surprising number of ways to have fun in Fort Wayne and beyond – and it doesn’t take much digging to find them. Browse art at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art or send the youngsters to a dance class at Fort Wayne Ballet. Tune into a virtual event hosted by the Embassy Theatre. Find unique cuisine (and lots of to-go options) at local restaurants and breweries.

Shop at Jefferson Pointe, in the city’s southwest side, or go off the map and find unique antique stores, Hyde Brothers Booksellers and any number of other small businesses scattered throughout the city’s urban core. Boutiques abound downtown and in many nearby neighborhoods.

Is it any wonder that Expedia.com says we’re a perfect city to tour like a local? With so much worth celebrating around here, why not be a tourist for a day and find something new? ❚

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Outdoor Living

Tips for Achieving a Beautiful Landscape

It’s no easy task to make sure your landscape offers lovely color and texture in any given week of the year, but professional landscape designers know how to conjure the magic. They also know how to create spaces in which you can best enjoy it.

By Janine Pumilia f you’ve always wanted a beautiful landscape but don’t know how to start, Jim Brubaker has some advice.

“Even if you can’t afford to implement it all at once, it’s a good idea to work with a professional to draw up a comprehensive landscape design plan that can be completed in stages,” he says.

“That way it will be cohesive when you’re done, not scattershot.”

Brubaker owns Jim Brubaker Designs, Inc., in Fort Wayne.

There’s more to know about landscaping than meets the eye.

Landscape designers know which plants thrive under various conditions, if and when they bloom, and which plants work well together. They know how to amend soil properly and how to make sure something offers color every week from early spring to late fall – no easy feat. They know which plants best accommodate children, pets and wildlife. They also know how to boost your property’s curb appeal and set your home apart from others.

A good designer learns about you – your tastes and lifestyle – and can suggest options you may have never thought about.

Maybe this means installing a stone wall or walkway, a pergola for shade, a trellis to support vertical beauty, a water feature, outdoor fireplace or something else.

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“Aside from improper planning, the biggest mistake we see people make is placing plants in spaces that will be too small for the plant at maturity or that are too close to a sidewalk or structure,” says Brubaker. “You don’t want to prune plants to fit a space – you want plants to take their natural shape and complement your home, not hide it.”

Brubaker’s goal as a landscape designer is to increase the enjoyment people experience outdoors.

“In the end, it’s their garden, not mine,” he says. “I love working with people, I love plants and I love being outdoors. I enjoy watching a vision come to life, surrounding people with beauty and making them happy.”

Brubaker has worked with plants and people all of his adult life, first as a florist and later as the co-owner/president of a landscape design company. He opened Jim Brubaker Design with his late wife, Vicki, in 2008. It includes a gift shop, JBD Home, specializing in unique indoor and outdoor home décor, from furniture and lamps to fountains and planters.

Learn more by calling (260) 436-3639 or stop in at 909 Lawrence Dr. ❚

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America’s Winter Photography by David C. Olson 20

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Any room, Every home.

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Beautiful spaces at affordable prices start here. Browse our large selection of quality products to find the perfect style for your home, at the perfect price, today.

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Van’s Home Center Family owned since 1973.

106 Peckhart Ct. Auburn, IN 46706 260.927.8267 www.VansHomeCenter.com

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Your Health & Fitness

Enjoy Club Fitness Equipment at Home B y Pe g g y We r n e r

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f you’ve ever chosen a hotel based on the high-quality fitness equipment it offers, chances are good the equipment came from Hotel Fitness, a Brigadoon Fitness company located at 1818 Research Drive in Fort Wayne. And if you’ve always wished you could bring that equipment home, you’re in luck.

Brigadoon has begun offering its commercial equipment to residential customers so they can enjoy club-quality equipment in their homes, says Brigadoon Vice President of Sales and Marketing Don Osika.

“If you don’t enjoy using your exercise equipment, it may end up collecting dust,” he says. “Quality commercial equipment motivates people to work out because it just feels better. From the ergonomics to the materials to the comfort, the difference is night and day, versus typical residential equipment. Beyond the benefits of physical health, exercise is also great for stress management and cognitive function.”

High-quality fitness equipment, like that sold by Brigadoon, in Fort Wayne, is gaining For inspiration, Don points to the company’s owner popularity as more people choose to work out at home rather than at the gym. and CEO, Bruce Dye, who lives a fit life. you need. Whether it’s just one treadmill and a set of dumbbells “Not only does Bruce work out every day, but he also meticor a full cardio/strength arsenal, your space and equipment will ulously documents his fitness regime,” says Osika. “From miles be a major part of your inspiration and motivation.” walked, to the weight lifted and number of reps on a bench press Other considerations, when setting up a home fitness area, or with dumbbells, he has his handwritten records dating back include having an adequate power source and good Wi-Fi covermore than 20 years. In his 60s, he’s one of the oldest yet fittest age. You’ll also want to have the room climate controlled so you people at Brigadoon, both physically and cognitively. He’s a true can enjoy your space all year. testament to the quality of life someone can achieve by being fit.”

Begun as a fitness supplier to hotels in 1994, Brigadoon FitOne of the many things people have realized since the panness today is known for its products in health clubs, corporate demic is that quality home exercise equipment can complement a fitness centers, apartments, police and fire departments, schools gym membership. People are drawn to gyms for the classes, soand universities. A portion of its 70,000 square-foot warehouse cialization and variety of equipment they offer, but more people is dedicated to residential sales. are choosing to work out at home, also.

The company takes pride in its experienced staff and large “It’s a nice escape to be able to exercise at your convenience inventory of equipment and accessories. Its approach to busiin the comfort, privacy and safety of your own home,” says Osika. ness allows Brigadoon Fitness and its divisions, Hotel Fitness “Setting up your own gym allows you to create the type of space and Orange Italia Outdoor Furniture (residential expansion you want and allows you to pick the specific types of equipment coming Spring 2021), to provide products and services more efficiently and for a great value, says Osika.

Company leaders believe that, to excel in business, they must also invest in their community. The company does this by supporting local nonprofits and sponsoring community events.

Brigadoon specializes in treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines and a variety of styles of bicycles and other cardio equipment made by TRUE Fitness. Its product offerings include seated ellipticals by Octane Fitness that are used to strengthen leg muscles while being especially good for individuals with back or balance problems. The company also sells free weights and multi-use machines for strength training.

Learn more at Brigadoonfitness.com, stop in at 1818 Research Drive, Fort Wayne, or call (800) 269-7130. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...

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Your Kitchen

6 Reasons to Choose Custom Cabinetry

By Janine Pumilia

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ustom cabinets made by hand from scratch. Sounds expensive, right?

And yet many homeowners are surprised by the value proposition of custom work, says Designer Randall Snyder, J. Miller Cabinet Co., Columbia City, Ind. “Every inch of space is well used when you build custom cabinets,” he says. “Stock cabinets and even ‘semicustom’ cabinets are often ordered in 3-inch increments, which means if you don’t have exactly the right space, fillers are used and space is wasted. We don’t fill the space, we fit the space.”

Second, custom cabinets are made to fit the customer – literally.

“We can build any height, depth and width that makes sense for you,” says Snyder.

Third, custom work allows for “any door style in any wood with any finish,” unlike stock cabinets. “Maybe you like

this door style but you can’t get it in that color. We can do any style in any color on the color wheel.”

Fourth, custom work allows your new kitchen to stand out from the ordinary, which can improve home resale value. Kitchens are the most important room of the home for prospective buyers.

“Custom work can give your kitchen personality,” says Snyder. “As long as things are symmetrical, proportional and functionally efficient, your kitchen doesn’t have to look like every other kitchen in the world.”

Fifth, there’s no shipping hassle. J. Miller typically delivers a kitchen within three weeks of placing an order, although this year is extra busy and turn-arounds are longer.

Perhaps the top reason to choose custom cabinetry over stock cabinets is quality. J. Miller customers deal with accessi-

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ble local folks, not far-away corporations.

“We use only hardwood for doors and frames, and plywood with veneer – never particle board, which absorbs moisture – for shelving and side pieces,” Snyder notes. “We tell people, ‘If you can dream it up, we can build it.’”

J. Miller also sells quartz, granite, laminate and marble countertops.

Learn more by calling (260) 6912032 or stop into the shop, 5874 North 350 East, Columbia City, at the east end of Round Lake. ❚

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WeDineLocal

Pizza King Opens New Location

B y Pe g g y We r n e r or more than 60 years, Pizza King has prided itself on providing attentive customer service and premium ingredients in pizzerias across northeast Indiana. It continues that tradition with the opening of a fourth location in Fort Wayne at 9805 Illinois Road.

“This new location is one of the most modern and unique store designs in our entire company,” says Austin Prather, Pizza King director of marketing. “We wanted to give the community a dining room as beautiful as the community itself. The store features a brick wall facade, exposed ductwork and black ceilings.

We also wanted Austin Prather to commemorate

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how we’ve grown through the years, by displaying custom artwork about our history and brand throughout the store.”

The family-owned brand has supply agreements with 50 independently owned stores in eastern Indiana. It delivers freshly made dough and other premium core ingredients to the stores daily.

Community members are excited about the newest pizzeria’s interior, with its classic red phones for dine-in orders and a striking wall mural filled with phrases and menu items unique to the brand, says Prather.

“We’ve had numerous residents leave us messages about how they got hooked on Pizza King during their time at Ball State University in Muncie. Many of these graduates have moved to this area now and are ecstatic to have a pizza brand they love within such close proximity.”

The menu will feature iconic Pizza

February 2021 • I

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King “Feast” specialty pizzas as well as submarine sandwiches, pastas, wrap-ups and salads. Dill-butter-brushed breadsticks are also a favorite item.

Traditional pizzas come with a thin, crispy crust, but there’s also a thicker, pan crust option. The Royal Feast Pizza, the brand’s most popular menu item for decades, features a special blend of pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions and red and green peppers.

The Pizza King brand has focused on one goal over the decades, says Prather.

“We just want to serve the highestquality products and give fast, friendly service.”

Call the new Illinois Road location at (260) 800-3821. ❚

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Your Fun

Entertainment & Events

Larry Burrows: Life in Vietnam Thru Feb. 28, Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu. to 8 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. Photojournalist Burrows was famous for images captured during the Vietnam War. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 311 E. Main St., (260) 422-6467.

YLNI Winter Farmers Market Indoors thru April 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Former Aunt Millie’s Bakery, 350 Pearl St., Fort Wayne, ylni.org.

Headwaters Ice Skating Ongoing, Mon.-Thu. 1-8 p.m., Fri. noon-10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m.

Clinton and Superior streets, Fort Wayne, (260) 422-7625, forwayneparks.org.

ABC Exercise Ongoing. Tue. & Thu. 9:30-10:15 a.m. Dropin class. Designed for those 50 and older with arthritis or joint problems after hip/ knee replacement or stroke. Community Center, 233 W. Main St., (260) 427-6460, fortwayneparks.org.

Art on Call Feb. 23 & 4th Tue. monthly, 2-2:30 p.m.

Students grades K-12 experience art from the comfort of their homes or classroom. RSVP on website. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, (260) 422-6467, fwmoa.org.

Valentine’s Party Feb. 12, 10-10:45 a.m. Children ages 2-5 and an adult create crafts, decorate Valentine’s Day cupcakes and play games. Community Center, (260) 427-6460, fortwayneparks.org.

Birding Hike Feb. 13, 9:30-11 a.m. Learn tips and techniques to count birds in your own backyard during the Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 12-15. Eagle Marsh, 5000 Smith Road, Fort Wayne, (260) 478-2515, lrwp.org.

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Smart Living Fort Wayne

February 2021 • I

To Advertise Call 260-267-5350

Preschool Jungle Hour Feb. 16, 10-11 a.m. Children ages 3-5 and an adult explore the indoor garden and its jungle-like habitat. Reg. online. Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne, (260) 427-6460, fortwayneparks.org.

Print Room Talk-Virtual Feb. 17, 2 p.m. Highlighting a few of the many works by African-American artists in the permanent collection. Offered on the museum’s Facebook page via livestream. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, (260) 422-6467, fwmoa.org.

Tiki Sessions Feb. 18-20 & March 25-27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Explore Polynesian culture through activities, crafts and demonstrations including basket weaving and bark papermaking. Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Parks, (260) 427-6460, fortwayneparks.org.

Art & Writing Club Feb. 25, & 4th Thu. monthly, 5-6:30 p.m.

Teens 13 & up show individual voices through artwork and writing prompts. Lincoln Auditorium, Fort Wayne Museum of Art. ❚

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Smart Living Fort Wayne

February 2021 • I

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Smart Living Fort Wayne

February 2021 • I

To Advertise Call 260-267-5350

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Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1