10
s nt ve 36 r E ge te Pa in ee W S
Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • Holiday 2023
Santa Claus is Coming to Town! A Roundup of Local Holiday Events
How to Save Money on Utilities This Winter Treating Peripheral Neuropathy Make Better Use of Outdoor Spaces Tips for Choosing the Right Flooring
Quality, Smart Products & Services for Your Home, Family, Health & Entertainment!
Tell them you saw it in ...
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
1
2
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
VAN’S HOME CENTER
Buy Where The Builders Buy.
Trusted By Our Area’s Best
We Carry All Of Today’s Leading Brands, With Over 100 Appliances On Display. Professional Installation & Free Delivery On $699+ Within 70 Miles Of Auburn.
Shop Hundreds Of Flooring, Carpet, & Tile Samples On Display & Online. Free In-Home Flooring Estimates & Professional Installation Available.
Furniture | Appliances | Flooring | Mattresses | Cabinets | Countertops
www.VansHomeCenter.com | 260.927.8267 | 106 Ct.Wayne Auburn,November IN 2023 • II Tell them you saw it in Peckhart ... Smart Living Fort
3
4
Smart Living Fort Wayne
November 2023 • II
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne
November 2023 • II
5
In This Issue
Right in Our Region ......................Cover & p. 20 A Roundup of Local Holiday Events Your Money ...........................................................11 How to Save Money on Utilities This Winter Your Outdoor Living ..........................................13 Give Your Backyard a Makeover for Winter Inspiration & Worship .......................................14 Who Was Martha? Your Health ...........................................................17 Treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy Your Home .............................................................29 Van’s Home Center Celebrates 50 Years Your Home ...........................................................31 A Remodeling Business With Amish Values Your Family Fun .................................................36
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas Managing Editor Jim Taylor Assistant Editor Steven Bonifazi Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Janine Pumilia, Toni Rocha, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Pamela Loebel Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes Distribution Kelly and Larry Fairbairn Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 www.SmartLivingFortWayne.com
Smart Living. Copyright 2023 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.
8
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Changing Traditions
I
s it too early to say “Happy Holidays”? Because cue Mariah Carey, I’m ready to enter holiday-mode. However, this year feels a little different, if I’m being honest. I’ve had the same Thanksgiving traditions my whole 30 years of life, but this year is going to be rife with change. My family and I would traditionally undertake a long drive to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and celebrate Turkey Day at my grandparent’s house. (My Grandma is a WIZARD when it comes to feeding dozens of people in a single day). I’d feast with all of my aunts, uncles and cousins, and afterwards, we’d play card games, watch football, scour catalogs for Black Friday sales, and just generally be together. It’s always been my favorite holiday of the whole year. So, this is a big transition year for me and my family. For the first time ever, my grandparents are simply too old and too tired to organize a whole Thanksgiving hoopla. Those days are officially over. And I, for one, do not like it one bit. I know I’m blessed to still have my grandparents earthside, and I know they deserve to relax every second of the rest of their lives. But reaching the end of this era is sad. I normally welcome change with open arms, but this time it feels depressing. We’re all moving on in our respective lives and respective families. I know others struggle with grief in a much more significant way during the holiday season, so I truly don’t want to complain or sound ungrateful for the years of wonderful memories. I know there’s still joy, if I choose to see it. My husband and I are expanding our family right now, and we are so excited to welcome Baby Girl Lukas in January. We’ll start new traditions with new little munchkins running around. Life is beautiful; time is precious. This I know for sure. I’m choosing to focus on the “good stuff.” Wishing you and yours a great holiday season! ❚ Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor Tell them you saw it in ...
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
9
Your Money
Save Up to 30% With Tips from Brockman By Peggy Werner
W
ith the price of everything going up, homeowners want to control costs when possible and one of the best places to start is with your heating system. “As we head into winter, one of the easiest and quickest ways to keep more money in your pocket has to do with how you heat your home,” says Ben Sherman, co-owner of Brockman Heating and Air Conditioning, in Fort Wayne, with his brother, Jake. “Heating is typically the largest utility bill and also the easiest one to control.” One of the best tips Sherman has for controlling heat costs includes setting the thermostat as low as possible. Each degree lowered can cut the heating costs between one and three percent, he says. A programmable thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature while you are asleep or away from home and can reduce energy consumption by about 25 percent, he adds. It’s also important to have a yearly maintenance check and cleaning on the furnace and change the furnace filter once a month, unless you have one made to last longer. Clean warm air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed and make sure they are Homeowners are noticing the rise of heating costs, but Ben Sherman, co-owner of Brockman Heating and Air not blocked by furniture, carpeting or Conditioning, in Fort Wayne, has some tips for lowering costs this winter. Just call (260) 203-0203. drapes, he suggests. “You’re not alone. The average Fort Wayne home is now Other ways to cut costs in the home include caulking and paying up to 40 percent more in energy bills compared to two weather stripping to keep the warm air in during the winter. years ago. And, unfortunately, utility companies are expected to Minimize the use of exhaust fans, which pull warm air out of raise prices again in the near future,” he says. the home. Add insulation around heat ducts in unheated spaces Brockman’s, 3750 N. Wells St., specializes in the design, like the garage, attic and crawl spaces. Repair holes or separated engineering, and installation of heating systems, air conditioning joints in the ducts. Make sure the damper is closed when not usunits and water heaters. They carry a full line of indoor air qualing the fireplace. Keep draperies and shades on the south side of ity systems, including humidifiers and air cleaners, and service the home open to let sunlight in and close them at night to reduce all major brands of gas, propane, and oil furnaces, air conditionthe chill. Use the reverse setting on ceiling fans to turn the blades ers, heat pumps, boilers, ductless mini-splits and water heatclockwise during the winter months to bring heated air down. ers. The company specializes in American Standard Equipment “For some long-term energy savings, think about updating made in the USA. that old furnace,” Sherman adds. “Switching to a 95 percent efTo schedule a maintenance check on a furnace, get a new ficient furnace can easily save homeowners up to 30 percent in thermostat, or have needed repairs done, call Brockman’s at monthly heating costs.” (260) 203-0203 to ensure your heating system is working propHomeowners are unified in their frustrations with rising erly and most cost-effectively during the winter months. ❚ costs, Sherman has noticed. 11 Smart Living Fort Wayne Holiday 2023 Tell them you saw it in ...
12
Smart Living Fort Wayne
November 2023 • II
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Outdoor Living
Give Your Backyard a Makeover for Winter By Peggy Werner
A
s temperatures dip, people can extend their enjoyment of the outdoors with fire pits that produce heat as well as ambiance. “Depending on the size of the fire pit, heat can radiate from a radius of six to 16 feet, providing a nice, cozy feeling while sitting outside in cooler weather,” says Sam Schmucker, co-owner with his son, Darren, of The BBQ Store and More, 17007 Doty Road, New Haven. Sales of fire pits have greatly increased as people want to expand their home entertaining to include the outdoors, Schmucker says. The store has all things to do with BBQ, including a wide assortment of grills, griddles and smokers. To help customers make the most of cooking outdoors, they also sell patio furniture, playsets, gazebos and pavilions. The goal is to
provide customers with everything they need for a complete backyard makeover. It’s important to Schmucker to sell products that are known for their quality, comfort and durability. For example, BBQ Store and More carries “Breeo” and “Warming Trends” brand fire pits, both quality products with good warranties, Schmucker says. Both brands are also made in America. Breeo invented the first smokeless fire pit in 2011, which can be used to grill food. Available in three sizes and 15 styles, Breeo fire pits can stand alone or be surrounded by a brick or stone outer wall to give a different look and blend with landscaping. The Warming Trends fire pits have a patent-pending technology behind the brass crossfire burner that uses an air-togas ration to produce a taller, brighter,
Tell them you saw it in ...
and fuller flame, resembling a natural wood burning fire. To give customers an advanced visual of their backyard, BBQ Store and More also has design software that can create a 3D rendering of a customer’s project. That way, customers can see their vision before committing to it. “What sets us apart is we know our product and have the best customer service to help people know how to accomplish the look and result they want to achieve,” Schmucker says. For more information, call (260) 632-0620. ❚
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
13
Inspiration & Worship
Who Was Martha?
T
hose familiar with the 1985 dystopian novel “The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood, recall that “Marthas” were a class of women required to cook and clean for ruling families of the repressive theocracy Gilead, which overthrew the United States. Martha is perhaps best known as the woman Jesus scolded for her misplaced priorities during his visit. Time spent learning at his feet was more needful than time devoted to chores, he told her, in a lesson we should all take to heart. What else does scripture tell us about Martha? From Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:144,12:2, we know Martha was a pragmatic disciple who loved Jesus and recognized him as the Messiah. Jesus likewise loved Martha deeply, along with her sister and brother, Mary and Lazarus. Martha and her siblings lived in Bethany, a few miles from Jerusalem, and Jesus sometimes stayed with them. “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is come into the world,” Martha tells Jesus in John 11:27. She says this even when she’s in mourning, deeply disappointed that Jesus didn’t respond when she sent for him to heal Lazarus, who died four days earlier. Jesus is deeply moved. He goes to Bethany despite personal risk. “But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” his disciples ask in John 11:8. Ever-practical Martha worries her brother’s rotting body will stink when Jesus orders his tomb opened. Instead, Lazarus emerges alive and witnesses are in awe. The bond between Jesus and the siblings brings many Jews into the fold. Martha serves a dinner in Jesus’ honor six days before his final Passover. Lazarus reclines at the table with Jesus; Mary washes Jesus’ feet with perfume so expensive that it costs a year’s wages. Jesus knows his execution is near. Surely he draws comfort from these friends who love him so completely. Some scholars think Martha and Mary were among the women who discovered Jesus’ empty tomb. Who was Martha? A true disciple of Jesus Christ. ❚ -- Janine Pumilia 14
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne
November 2023 • II
15
16
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Your Health
Effective Treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy By Toni Rocha
T
he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 20 million Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy (PN), a condition that results from damage to nerve networks in the hands, feet, ankles and other parts of the body. At Health N.O.W., 2146 State Road, Auburn, patients find relief from symptoms that range from mild to disabling, including numbness, tingling, twitching, throbbing and stabbing pain. They also avoid further damage that a lack of feeling can cause, including wounds to the feet that don’t heal, which could eventually lead to amputation. Dr. David M. Gafken, of Health N.O.W., in Auburn, has spent four decades using the latest advancements to diagnose “The symptoms can range and treat neuropathy before the condition becomes a graver concern for patients. from that ‘pins and needles’ feelGafken describes the course as quite effective as compared ing to severe pain,” explains Dr. David M. Gafken, DC. “Diabeto the medications usually prescribed to treat PN. tes is the No. 1 cause of PN.” “The drugs used to treat PN are high-powered and can have Patients come into the center for a thorough assessment, significant side effects,” he explains. which includes family history, existing conditions and testing to Gafken explains that the normal PN score for patients is 74. determine if they are candidates for chiropractic treatment courses. “We had a woman whose PN score was 19 to 20 when she “Patients who fall inside certain ranges undergo testing came to the center,” Gafken says. “When her course of treatment to find where the source of the problem is,” Gafken explains. was complete, her score had improved to 60.” “These can include a full metabolic workup, blood sugar/glucose Along with relief from the discomfort of PN, patients also reading (AIC), an evaluation of genetic components plus cigabenefit from improved sleep patterns, he says. rette and alcohol usage. Based on the results of these tests, we “After treatment, patients can walk better and more safely,” arrive at a score which reflects the severity of the PN they are Gafken says. “This is vital because patients who cannot feel experiencing. Then we determine if they are good candidates for their feet are prone to falls and other situations in which they a treatment course or if the nerve damage has progressed too far can cut or damage the affected tissue. We can save them the loss to treat effectively.” of their toes and feet because the treatment course helps them For patients who fall into the treatable score range, Gafken get more efficient blood flow back into their feet and ankles.” says laser is one of the methods he uses. Laser therapy involves With improved capabilities, patients are better able to rethe use of low-level waves that can be set at one of four depths, sume or initiate exercise programs and enjoy participating in depending on how deep into the muscle and bone tissue the damsports without fear or discomfort, Gafken says. They can also age has occurred. Laser can successfully be used to increase work at their jobs and around the house and yard, a benefit that blood flow and repair nerve damage to the ankles and feet, hands directly improves their quality of life. and fingers, and other areas of the body. “How active they are depends on their overall health and age, “One of the main areas we address is the lower spine, using but we want them to be as active as they can be,” Gafken says. decompression therapy combined with laser treatment to reduce “We have an incredibly positive effect on our patients’ lives.” inflammation, encourage stronger blood flow and to build new Learn more about PN treatment, or make an appointment pathways to healthier nerve networks,” Gafken adds. “The dewith Health N.O.W. by calling (260) 920-8811. Learn more at compression course takes place over a six- to eight-week period, seekhealthnow.com. ❚ teamed with other appropriate soundwave electrical methods.” 17 Smart Living Fort Wayne Holiday 2023 Tell them you saw it in ...
18
Smart Living Fort Wayne
November 2023 • II
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne
November 2023 • II
19
Right in Our Region
(Visit Fort Wayne photo)
A Roundup of Local Holiday Events
The “Festival of Trees” takes place from Nov. 22-29 at the Embassy Theatre, in Fort Wayne.
By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor
F
or many of us, the holiday season doesn’t really start until we experience family traditions during the week of Thanksgiving. Some of the most joyous traditions include attending local parades, marveling at spectacular Christmas lights, and watching our children whisper their greatest wishes to the one and only Santa Claus. Many cities throughout our region pull out all the stops to kick off the holiday season with a bang, and this year is no exception. During the next few weeks, the following communities plan to dazzle our spirits with holiday cheer.
Wabash
op, content manager for Visit Wabash County. “It quickly turned into a family favorite and is one of the only tours we have done year after year. Jolly Trolley is an incredible way to showcase Wabash County and the incredible assets we have.” On Friday, Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m., visitors can travel slightly north to downtown North Manchester for the “Light Up the Town Christmas Celebration” with a parade, the arrival of Santa and his reindeer, a tree lighting, an ugly sweater contest, a best beard contest, and more. Finally, the “Lights at Paradise” takes place on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 5-8 p.m., where attendees can don ugly sweaters and bring hot cocoa down to Paradise Spring Historic Park, in Wabash, for a fun-filled holiday stroll. Trolley No. 85 once again runs through downtown to various locations for kids’ activities and crafts, free snacks and more. For additional holiday activities, the Wabash County Museum features festive events including sock skating in an indoor rink, rides down an ice slide, and visits to the “Reindeer Barn.” During the month of December, “Winter Weekend” events include “Santa Saturday” on Dec. 2, “Grinch It Up Saturday” on
Many events beckon visitors to downtown Wabash this holiday season. “Jingle Jubilee” kicks off festivities from 4-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 with the annual lighting of the courthouse, featuring displays of Santa and his reindeer, along with special sales at Wabash shops and boutiques. Kids can enjoy additional winter activities while the festively decorated Trolley No. 85 takes visitors of all ages around downtown. “The Jolly Trolley Tour is our pride and joy,” says Biz Bish20 To Advertise Call 260-212-8968 Smart Living Fort Wayne Holiday 2023
Right in Our Region Dec. 9, and “Build a Snowman Saturday” on Dec. 16. Tickets are available at wabashmuseum.org.
Warsaw
The Village at Winona kicks off the holiday season with its annual “Tree Lighting Ceremony” on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 3:306:30 p.m. The event includes a Toys for Tots collection, kids’ ornament making, train rides for all ages, caroling, and free cookies and hot chocolate with Santa Claus from 5:30-6:15 p.m. The evening culminates in the tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. at 802 Park Ave., Winona Lake. “This is a great community event, and it feels like a Hallmark movie when everyone is gathered around the tree singing Christmas carols,” says Nick Hauck, managing director of The Village at Winona. “This is also the first day all the Christmas decorations will be illuminated throughout the Village, including a dancing LED-lighted tree with synchronized music set to a radio station that you can listen to in your car as you drive through. This is also the opening day for the Miller Sunset Pavilion ice rink. So, there are lots of activities for the entire family to come out and enjoy.” Admission for the event is free, but a donation for Toys for Tots is requested. The full event schedule is at villageatwinona. com/events/tree-lighting-ceremony/.
Auburn
This year, downtown Auburn’s annual Christmas parade takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. “The parade dates all the way back to the 1940s,” says Mike Littlejohn, president of the Downtown Auburn Business Association. “Originally, the parade took place the day after Thanksgiving, and back in those days, Santa’s ‘home’ was in the courthouse rotunda. Later in the 1970s, he got his own ‘house’ on the square and would meet with kids the day after Thanksgiving. In 2003, it changed into a nighttime parade on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so that it wouldn’t interfere with Fort Wayne’s events.” After the parade, prizes are awarded for the best float, best walking group, best decorated vehicle and more. The event culminates in a countdown to the lighting of Frosty the Snowman on the James Foundation building, 112 S. Cedar St. Parade participants can line up at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds by 6:15 p.m. to prepare for the 7 p.m. start time. The parade travels down Main Street and ends at Courtyard Park on the corner of Cedar and Seventh Streets. “This has become a spectacular event that gives everyone a reason to kick off their holiday season,” Littlejohn says. “The pride I feel because of what this has turned into – it’s just what I envisioned it to be. People just can’t wait to be part of the parade. The kids look forward to it – it’s just become a big, big deal.”
Lights,” which kicks off “HolidayFest.” “For decades, Fort Wayne has celebrated the holiday season with classic larger-than-life displays with the ‘Merry Christmas Wreath’ and Santa and his reindeer displays,” says Jessa Campbell, marketing and communications manager of Visit Fort Wayne. “These displays were used first by Wolf & Dessauer Department Store in 1937 and are Jingle Jubilee, in Wabash lit for the holiday season on the eve of Thanksgiving. ‘Night of Lights’ also kicks off Fort Wayne’s classic holiday celebrations like the ‘Festival of Trees’ (since 1984), ‘Festival of Gingerbread’ (since 1985), and performances by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and the Fort Wayne Ballet – Indiana’s longest-standing professional ballet company.” The “Night of Lights” begins at 5:45 p.m., as downtown businesses and organizations host a variety of family-friendly lightings paired with indoor and outdoor holiday activities. The evening wraps up with the “Parkview Field Holiday Fireworks Show” starting at 8 p.m. “HolidayFest” continues for weeks and includes the “Festival of Trees” from Nov. 22-29, the “Festival of Gingerbread” from Nov. 24 to Dec. 17, “Holly Shopping” on Nov. 25, and many other events. More information is available at currentFortWayne.com/events.
Angola
Every year, “Santa Comes to Town” in downtown Angola. This year, he’ll arrive in style on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. to celebrate the holidays and take pictures with children. “Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive downtown on his sleigh to light the Christmas tree with their magic dust,” describes Mackenzie Bird, community coordinator at Steuben County Tourism Bureau. “After the tree is lit, they will make their way into Sutton’s Deli where they listen to all the children’s wishes. While families wait to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, there will be carolers from Angola Middle and High School, hot chocolate and cookies, and a calliope set up in front of City Hall. Santa plans to stay until 9 p.m. downtown, as he has to get back to tend to his reindeer.” As a bonus, families can also experience horse-drawn wagon rides through downtown Angola on Dec. 2 from 5-8 p.m. “I’m immensely proud and honored to host ‘Santa Comes to Town’ for our community,” Bird adds. “Witnessing families gather downtown to experience the enchantment of Christmas is Fort Wayne a joy like no other. This cherished holiday tradition has been a Families can experience Christmas magic in downtown Fort cornerstone of Angola for more than 15 years, marking the ofWayne starting on Wednesday, Nov. 22 during the “Night of ficial start of the festive season.” ❚ 21 Smart Living Fort Wayne Holiday 2023 Tell them you saw it in ...
24
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Your Money
Do Your Investments Match Your Goals?
A
s you go through life, you’ll have various financial goals — and to achieve them, you’ll need to invest. But just recognizing the need to invest is not as useful as matching specific types of accounts or investments with specific goals. How can you make these connections? Let’s look at some common goals and how they could possibly be met with appropriate accounts and investments: • Saving for a down payment on a house – When you’re saving for a down payment, you want a certain amount of money available at a certain time — so, for this goal, you won’t want to take too much risk. Consequently, you might consider investing in certificates of deposit (CDs), which will pay you regular interest payments and return your principal when the CDs mature. CDs are issued in a range of maturities, from one month to 10 years. Other vehicles you might consider are money market accounts or other cash equivalents. • Saving for a child’s education – If you have children, and you’d like to help them pay for some form of higher education, you may want to consider a 529 education savings plan. Any earnings growth in a 529 plan is federally tax free, provided the withdrawals are used for qualified education expenses, and you may also receive state tax benefits. A 529 plan can be used for college, approved trade school programs, student loan repayments and some K-12 costs. And if the child you’ve named as a beneficiary chooses not to continue their education, and doesn’t need the money in a 529 plan, you can generally switch beneficiaries to another immediate family member. • Saving for retirement – This is the one goal that will remain consistent throughout your working years — after all, you could spend two or even three decades in retirement, so you’ll need to accumulate as many financial resources as you can to pay for those years. Fortunately, you likely have access to several good retirement-savings vehicles. If you work for a business, you might have a 401(k) plan, which offers you the chance to put away money on a tax-deferred basis. (If you have a Roth option in your 401(k), your withdrawals can be tax free, although, unlike a traditional 401(k), your contributions won’t lower your taxable income.) If you work for a public school or a nonprofit organization, you may be able to participate in a 403(b) plan,
which is quite similar to a 401(k), and the same is true if you work for a state or local government, where you might have a 457(b) plan. And even if you invest in any of these plans, you can probably also contribute to an IRA, which gives you another chance to invest on a tax-deferred basis (or tax-free basis, if you’re eligible for a Roth IRA). Try to take full advantage of whatever retirement plans are available to you. Here’s one final point to keep in mind: While some investments and accounts are appropriate for certain goals, they may not necessarily be suitable for your individual situation — so keep all your options in mind and take the steps that are right for you. ❚ 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.
Tell them you saw it in ...
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 Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
25
26
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Tell them you saw it in ...
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
27
EXPERIENCE ALL OF SHIPSHEWANA’S SMALL-TOWN CHARM THIS CHRISTMAS!
LIGHTS OF JOY
A pleasant surprise in the country!
DINE
STAY
PLAY
Amish-Style Restaurant • Bakery • Village Shops • Inn
240 U.S. 20 Middlebury, IN • 800-455-9471 • www.essenhaus.com
EATS & TREATS
SHOPPING
WWW.VISITSHIPSHEWANA.ORG
CONCERTS & MUSICALS
Your Home & Garden
Van’s Home Center Celebrates 50 Years By Peggy Werner
V
an’s Home Center, just off of I-69 and State Road 8 at 106 Peckhart Ct., in Auburn, Ind. is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The company’s 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-stopshop 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, Brouer says. The staff is professionally trained and knowledgeable about the products. “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. The staff can help customers who have a variety of needs, desires and/or budgets, whether they just want a new sofa or are undertaking a remodel or starting 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 – they want their home projects to be as easy and as painless as possible,” she says. “Because of the internet, they have done their research, and they have a better understanding of what they want.” 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,” Brouer adds. “Our customers get a personalized shopping experience with us. Hopefully, when they need something for the 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 purchased online at vanshomecenter.com. “Looking toward the future, we just want to make sure we are fulfilling customers’ needs as we always have done,” Brouer says. “Everything we do is the result of giving customers a trusted local destination for everything for the home. Van’s Home Center, in Auburn, is celebrating 50 years of serving customers “We are grateful to be able to maintain a business for 50 this year. Over the years, the business has become a one-stop shop for everything needed to furnish a home. years, and that’s only because people trust us,” Brouer adds. ❚ 29 Smart Living Fort Wayne Holiday 2023 Tell them you saw it in ...
30
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Your Home & Garden
A Remodeling Business With Amish Values
A
By Peggy Werner member of the Amish Community, Aaron Lengacher has merged his lifelong passion, natural skills and faith to start a new business. A-1 Remodeling and More of Auburn, Ind., specializes in decks, room additions, garages, windows and doors, blinds and shades, and more. “What’s important to me is that I am serving people,” Lengacher says. “My focus has always been on helping people.” Since he was 15 years old, he worked alongside his uncle, who was a carpenter and home builder. He also worked for building and remodeling companies before launching off on his own. So far, the most requested projects are for an additional garage or deck, and the wait time for a job to begin is about one week, once a bid is accepted, he says. He charges by the day, saying his prices are reasonable and he will work within
any budget. He has a large inventory of pictures, showing work he has done for people in the area. Going into business for himself is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. “It’s been a Godsend,” he says. “I’m staying busy. Every couple of days, I’ll get a phone call. Just today, I got three calls and will go out to bid on those jobs,” he says. Being Amish, he doesn’t depend on a website and doesn’t have an email address. Most of his referrals are by word of mouth, and having faith the word will travel. “We depend on God to lead us through each day. He has never failed me,” Lengacher says. He adheres to the core Amish values, aiming for the goal of leading a simple life of faith. The Amish believe their religious faith and the way they choose to
Tell them you saw it in ...
Amish values power A-1 Remodeling.
live are interdependent. Their core beliefs have to do with faith, family, community and simplicity. Married and the father of three children, Lengacher hopes to have a fatherand-son business one day. Currently, he is working on getting licensed as a general contractor. For most projects, he works alone, but he subcontracts workers for bigger jobs. “I plan on growing and doing more and bigger projects,” he says. For a free consultation and estimate, call (260) 433-5254. ❚
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
31
32
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Your Home & Garden
How to Save Up to $465 on Utility Bills By Peggy Werner
O
ne of the best ways to improve home comfort and save utility costs is with energy-efficient windows. Universal Windows Direct of Fort Wayne has an exclusive product with a lifetime guarantee and warranty, which means you won’t ever have to replace windows again, says Marc Faylor, owner. “All our windows and doors are custom-made for each home,” he adds. “We measure, design and install, so the customer can have any style, color, and any other particulars they want. We are different because if a homeowner wants to take out a window and put a door in the space, we can do that. The customer has total freedom.” Universal Windows Direct of Fort Wayne has been in business for more than 10 years, having joined with Faylor
Construction, Inc., general contractors, founded in 1986. The parent company, Universal Windows, is headquartered in Bedford, Ohio. It has been in business more than 35 years and offers everything from affordable windows to vinyl siding replacement, asphalt roof shingles, entry doors, sliding glass doors and more. The UniShield® window made by Universal Windows is exclusively patented for the company and is available in Classic, Plus, Premium, and Supreme. Depending on the package of your choice, replacement windows consist of two or three panes of glass, argon or krypton gas between panes, and a double coat of lowe glazing. Old-fashioned metal window spacers have been replaced with foam spacing, which dramatically reduces condensation and gives a much clearer view. The company claims homeowners can
Tell them you saw it in ...
Energy-efficient windows can lead to saving on utility bills.
save up to $465 per year on utility bills by switching to energy-efficient windows. The company services customers within a 60-mile radius of Fort Wayne. Faylor credits his staff and dozens of subcontractors for the good reputation the company has maintained through the years. “I couldn’t do it by myself. Our great team of people and exclusive products makes all the difference,” he says. ❚
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
33
34
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Your Home & Garden
Flooring That Will Last You a Lifetime
A
By Peggy Werner strong and durable floor coating commonly used in commercial buildings is now a popular choice for enhancing the beauty of homes, increasing their resale value, helping people with allergies by cutting down on the accumulation of dust and dirt, and lasting for a lifetime. Doug Wagoner, owner of Wagoner’s Epoxy Floor Systems & Polished Concrete, 5431 Planeview Dr., Fort Wayne, says his business specializes only in floor coatings, and the demand for the latest and most advanced product is steadily growing as people discover all the benefits of polyaspartic flooring. The local, family-owned company has been in business for more than 30 years. “Anyone looking to enhance a space by making it more aesthetically pleasing and clean will love our product, which has an endless selection of looks and is
the best quality product we can buy,” he says. Polyaspartic flooring has been used in commercial buildings for decades and is now becoming more popular with homeowners. It’s known for its durability and its resistance to scratches, abrasions and impact, including in high traffic areas, especially places where heavy objects could fall or drop. In addition to being durable, the coatings are also highly resistant to UV radiation, so they won’t yellow or fade over time, even in direct sunlight. They’re also impervious to stains, chemicals and moisture. The coatings are made from a combination of polyurea and polyaspartic ester resins, which create a tough and flexible finish. What sets the company apart is its outstanding customer service, says Wagoner. This includes removing and replacing all contents of a room, garage or base-
Tell them you saw it in ...
Wagoner’s Epoxy Floor Systems has specialized in floor coatings for more than 30 years.
ment and keeping them stored in a trailer while the work is being completed. Most jobs take only a day, and the floor coatings are available in a wide variety of colors, borders, textures, looks and finishes. The bulk of Wagoner’s business is coating basements and garages, but the company can also do patios and other outside areas, and any or all rooms in a house. For a free home visit, call (260) 7504079. The business is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. ❚
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
35
Your Fun Fort Wayne Komets Join the Jungle and cheer on the Fort Wayne Komets as they make another run for a championship. Games are at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Visit komets.com to see the complete 2023-2024 schedule. “Shrek The Musical” Thru Nov. 19, Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. This adventure brings all the beloved characters from the film to life on stage. Arts United Center, 303 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, fwcivic.org/shrekthemusical. Nashville Thursdays Thursdays through Dec. 28, 7-10 p.m. Enjoy country, bluegrass and other free live music at the Clyde Theater Club Room, 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, clydeclubroom.com. Ghost Tour Thru Dec. 30, Saturdays 4-6 p.m. Explore a gorgeous building in a 2-hour guided tour listening to ghost stories all along the way. The Bell Mansion, 420 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, (260) 417-1794, thebellmansion.com. Wiz Kidz Pinball Tournament Thru Dec. 30, Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon. A
36
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
Entertainment & Events 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. YLNI Winter Farmers Market Thru April 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays. Shop for fresh produce, a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, local artwork and more. 1501 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne, facebook.com/ YLNIFarmersMarket/. Turkey Trot 5K Nov. 18, 10 a.m. The race terrain consists of gravel paths, road, grass and trails. The event also features a 15,000-centimeter race for Turkey Toddlers 10 & under at 9:45 a.m. 4310 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, runsignup. com/Race/IN/FortWayne/FortWayneRunningClubTurkeyTrot. Headwaters Park Ice Skating Nov. 18-Feb. 25, Tues.-Fri. 4-9 p.m., Sat.-Sun. noon-9 p.m., closed Mondays. The skating rink is open for the winter season at Headwaters Park, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, fortwayneparks.org.
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Fort Wayne’s Turkey Trot 5K race takes place Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. The event also features a race for “Turkey Toddlers” at 9:45 a.m.
HolidayFest Featuring the Night of Lights Nov. 22, 5:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Come together to kick off the holiday season with the iconic lighting of Santa and His Reindeer, the Merry Christmas Wreath, and many more. Downtown Fort Wayne, downtownfortwayne.com/ holidayfest/. “The Nutcracker” Dec. 1-3 & 7-10, Thu. & Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Presented by Fort Wayne Ballet at the Arts United Center, 303 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, (260) 484-9646, fortwayneballet.org. ❚
Tell them you saw it in ...
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
37
38
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Tell them you saw it in ...
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
41
40
Smart Living Fort Wayne
Holiday 2023
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968