Smart Living Fort Wayne - June 15, 2023

One Year at SL!

It’s officially been one year since I took over as Smart Living editor from my mentor and friend, Janine Pumilia. I think it’s important to recognize milestones, particularly because they make for great opportunities to reflect.

If I’m being honest, this past year has been a lot of fun! I’ve been able to interview some fascinating people, including Teresa Galley, executive director of the Wabash County Museum, and Mike “The Wizard” Burgess, owner of Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, plus so many other incredible people in between. (And if you missed those stories, you can find them at smartlivingfortwayne.northwestquarterly.com). Our community is full of passionate people who love what they do, and that passion is contagious.

If I’m being honest a second time, I had never heard of Shipshewana until becoming the editor of this magazine. I know — it’s actually embarrassing. But now, I’m obsessed with this quaint Amish town, and I can’t believe I was unaware of their flea market until only this year. Now that I know, I fully encourage everyone to visit!

This year has had its challenges as well. Balancing my editorial duties with being a “stay-at-home” mom to my 1-year-old baby has been tricky to navigate at times. Thank goodness for my mom and mother-in-law, who graciously and eagerly provide child care. I couldn’t balance it all without them. I know how lucky I am.

If I could sum up this past work year in only three words, I would choose “adventurous,” “motivational” and “caffeinated.” I explored, I learned, and I drank a WHOLE bunch of coffee. (For reference, my Keurig is the only thing I keep out permanently on my kitchen counter).

This job is truly a blessing. Cheers to more years of creating interesting, informative content and writing honest front columns. It will always be my mission to deliver you a quality product.

Have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Do You Have Fresh Air in Your Home?

By Peggy Werner

How comfortable and healthy you feel at home has a lot to do with the air you breathe.

“Without conditioned clean air, our world would be very different,” says Ben Sherman, coowner with his brother, Jake, of Brockman Heating & Air Conditioning, 3750 N. Wells St. “We wouldn’t have the quality of life we take for granted.”

Reaching optimum air quality has everything to do with quality equipment, regular maintenance, fresh air, humidity regulation, and well-trained professionals who can make sure all equipment is installed properly and working correctly.

Brockman’s specializes in the design, engineering, and installation of heating and air conditioning systems and water heaters. They also carry a full line of indoor air quality systems, such as humidifiers and air cleaners, and service all major brands of gas, propane, and oil furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, duct-less systems and water heaters.

The Brockman staff is fully licensed and insured. The technicians follow the best practices in terms of safety and professional conduct on every job. The staff has weekly training sessions to stay current on all the latest trends, industry updates, and customer care, Sherman says.

Some problems with heating and air conditioning are obvious to homeowners, especially if the equipment shuts down or utility bills sharply increase. However, other problems having to do with efficient operation are not so obvious.

“A unit can be performing inefficiently or have a dangerous problem and still keep a house comfortable. You’re dealing with products that use high-voltage electricity, explosive gases, and poisonous gases, so the unit has to be installed correctly and regularly checked and maintained,” Sherman says.

The newer smart thermostats can let homeowners know if there is a system problem, but other types of thermostats don’t have that capability.

Sherman recommends an annual cleaning and maintenance checkup for furnaces and air conditioners. Brockman’s can put customers on a plan to keep track of warranties, perform the required maintenance, ensure safe operation, and send maintenance reminders.

Every manufacturer’s warranty requires maintenance, he adds.

“When a Brockman technician comes to a home, that person has been extensively trained and is professionally certified, working with the top manufacturers in the industry to deliver the best equipment and services,” Sherman adds.

Still, homeowners can also be vigilant. One of the best things a homeowner can do is change the furnace filter regularly. Upgrading to a better filtration system is a great place to start improving one’s indoor air quality because it filters out more particles and keeps a home and the furnace cleaner. Some furnaces are built with a small slot for a one-inch filter to keep costs down when purchasing a unit, but it’s inefficient in the long run, Sherman says. Too much or too little humidity can cause problems for people, furniture, and woodwork in a home. In the winter, humidity levels should be around 30 percent, and in the summer, below 50 percent.

It’s important to bring fresh air into the home, whether by opening windows or by using an automatic fresh air ventilation system when temperatures are too extreme. A good fresh air system will filter the air of particles and pollutants before bringing air into the home.

“Fresh air is the most overlooked way to create a healthy indoors,” Sherman says. “Newer homes, especially, are often airtight and can create an unhealthy environment.”

For more information or to schedule a service appointment, call (260) 423-4331. ❚

Visit These Places in Amish Country

By Peggy Werner

Shipshewana and the LaGrange County area are home to one of the largest Amish communities in the United States. Known for their simple, plain and rustic lifestyle, visitors are drawn to the area to learn more about the people who believe neighbors and relatives are a blessing from God. Those values are reflected in how they do business, as well as how they live their personal lives.

Russell and Allyse Yoder own and manage Yoder Popcorn, 0920 N. State Road 5, a family-owned business since 1936. They have 10 varieties of popcorn and are best known for their premium white and premium yellow, Tiny Tender Yellow, Tiny Tender White and Lady Finger. Most of the varieties are grown, harvested and processed on two farms they own.

“Anyone can eat Lady Finger because it has no hull,” says Allyse. “The elderly, kids with braces, and those with diverticulitis and other health problems can eat it. What sets us apart is the quality of our popcorn. It’s always fresh, pops up nicely, and has a good taste. People always comment on the good taste.”

Customers can buy popcorn, apparel, bowls and buckets, and gift baskets at the retail store or at yoderpopcorn.com. They ship products all over the world and have a large customer following, she says.

The business has grown, especially since the couple took over as owners in 2018 and moved the store to its current location. Russell is the fourth-generation owner. The couple is not Amish, but values and respects the lifestyles, Allyse says.

Dustin Yoder is a fourth-generation co-owner, along with his father, two aunts, and two brothers-in-law, of Yoder’s Meat & Cheese, 435 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana.

The store specializes in all-natural grass and grain-fed beef, pork, chicken, lamb and buffalo. They also have a full line of in-house smoked meats, cheeses and artisan foods. The business opened in 1960 as a custom processing center and expanded through the years to become a retail business.

“Quality and consistency are everything to us,” Dustin says. “We have an edge over everyone else because we are in control of the whole process from start to finish, from raising the animals to processing the animals to stocking the retail shelf for the customer. We dry age the meat, which releases flavor and tenderizes it. Then, we flash-freeze it, so when a homeowner pulls meat out of their freezer, it’s a much better quality and fresher than you would get at a grocery store.”

The business started out as a custom butchering and processing facility in Goshen. At one time, there were two locations, one in Goshen and one in Shipshewana, for about 18 years. When a

fire broke out at the Goshen plant in 1992, the family moved the entire business to the current location. In 2003, they built the current processing facility and retail store. They own about 450 acres, which includes a second farm purchased in 2012 to keep up with the growing demand for their products.

“Our meat is as natural as it can get,” Dustin says. “We don’t use byproducts in the feed, or antibiotics or hormones, to induce weight gain. We are very particular about how the animals are raised and fed because we can change the flavor and tenderness by how they are handled and what they eat.”

His customer base is about a 200-mile radius of the store, but many people travel farther to purchase their products. Soon, people will be able to place orders at yodersmeatandcheese.com.

The Amish lifestyle is dictated by the “Ordnung,” a German word meaning order, which differs from one community to another. What is acceptable in one community may not be acceptable in another. There are few generalities true for all Amish. Most, though, have no home phones, electricity or computers at home.

The various communities have different rules and regulations, but they all subscribe to some of the basic characteristics of Amish lifestyle, like dressing in plain and neutral-colored clothes, traveling by horse and buggy, farming with horse-drawn equipment, and being family oriented. Non-Amish live among the Amish.

“What it boils down to is that it’s not about what you do or don’t do, being Amish is more about what’s in your heart,” Dustin says. ❚

Happy Father’s Day, Everyday

It’s been noted that people who grow up in abusive families often have trouble trusting God. If your own father abandoned you or hurt you physically or emotionally, how can you identify with God’s constant, loving care? And yet time and again, God works to draw even the most defensive people among us into His loving embrace. He offers a fresh start to those who ask for it. While the past is a powerful influence in our lives, God is more powerful.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Strictly speaking, God is a spirit and therefore has no gender. But authors of scripture were inspired to compare Him to a loving father time and time again.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him,” we read in I John 3:1.

During his three-year ministry on earth, Jesus encouraged his followers not only to obey God and scripture, but to think of God as a loving father. He even used the word “Abba,” an Aramaic term that was left in its original language in subsequent Greek and English translations. The term is thought to mean “Daddy,” an intimate term of endearment used by young children. God has granted those who believe on Him – all who believe on Him – to think of themselves as His children.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (I John 1:12-13)

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and stand-in fathers whose children look to them for unrelenting love and support. And Happy Father’s Day, everyday, to the One who gives all life. ■

-Janine Pumilia

The Perfect Getaway That’s Close to Home

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Nowthat it’s vacation season, visitors and locals alike are converging to enjoy all that Steuben County has to offer.

“With 101 lakes, Pokagon State Park, nature preserves, beautiful downtowns, great restaurants, beaches, historic train rides and a buffalo preserve, Steuben County is the perfect getaway that’s close to home,” says Janet Hartsuff, Steuben County Tourism Bureau communications/marketing manager, 430 N. Wayne St., Ste. 1B, Angola. “The lakefront Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park has been a family-favorite for multiple generations. We have an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities as well as unique shopping and festivals.”

The region’s newest attraction is the Indiana Rail Experience, adds June Julien, executive director of the Steuben County Tourism Bureau. Passengers can enjoy themed vintage train rides, such as the Wine and Chocolate ride on July 7 and 8, the Wine and Whiskey experience July 15, and more all summer. Details are at indianarailexperience.org.

Outdoor enthusiasts have ample opportunities to enjoy the 101 natural lakes in the area, the most popular of which are Lake James, Hamilton Lake and Crooked Lake, Julien adds.

“Nearly a million campers visit annually at 918,200 people,” she says. “The largest campgrounds are Jellystone and KOA Angola. Our magnet attraction is Pokagon State Park with 750,000 visitors annually.”

Potawatomi Inn & Cabins, nestled in the 1,260-acre Pokagon State Park, is a historic destination featuring 126 guest rooms and 12 cabins that sit on the shore of Lake James. The inn boasts a spacious banquet and conference center, two onsite restaurants, an indoor pool, a hot tub and sauna, a game room, multiple cozy fireplaces throughout, and family-friendly activities year-round. Reservations can be made at in.gov/dnr/stateparks/inns/potawatomi-inn-at-pokagon-state-park/.

Meanwhile, Pokagon State Park features miles of hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing at a nature center.

In addition to enjoying the natural landscape, visitors can take advantage of the surrounding area for its bountiful restaurants, wineries, breweries and shopping opportunities.

“The restaurants with the most visits annually are Acapulco, on Lake James, and Timbers in Angola,” Julien says. The restaurants offer Mexican fare, and steak and seafood, respectively.

For multiple hours of excellent shopping, The Outlet Shoppes at Fremont, 6245 N. Old 27 Fremont, offer both locally owned shops and popular chain stores all in one location.

“The Outlet Shoppes at Fremont is conveniently located at the intersection of Interstate 80/90 and Interstate 69 near Pokagon State Park,” says Heather Crum, senior property accountant/administrative assistant at The Shoppes at Fremont. “I be-

lieve all employees are very welcoming to shoppers – they inform them of sales and offer support while shopping. The center also offers free WI-FI and free use of strollers and wheelchairs.”

The convenient location, affordable prices and wide selection of shops keep the center bustling with visitors, Crum adds. She recommends budgeting about 2-3 hours to explore all the shops.

A few particularly unique locations include Petshion, a pet boutique store that carries eco-friendly toys made in the USA, The Pickle Factory, which offers many varieties of pickles and other items, and Amanda Lee Coffee Shop, with coffee, refreshers, bubble tea, smoothies and a small clothing boutique line.

National stores where you’re likely to find sales include Coach, Under Armour, Carter’s, Bath & Body Works, Levi’s, Maurice’s, American Eagle, Famous Footwear, Jockey and more.

“Petshion has been locally owned and operated since 2012 from Fort Wayne, and last year, we decided to open our second location to share great products for the fur babies in Fremont,” says Kee Kim, owner of Petshion. “We carry plenty of dog chew toys, natural and holistic dog and cat treats, a plethora of fashionable dog clothes and accessories, as well as grooming products to make your dog smell fresh and clean.”

Petshion also operates a Doggie Bakery featuring biscuits dipped in yogurt in fun shapes. Items in the shop accommodate pets of all sizes, from small Yorkies to big Great Danes.

“We also have plenty of cat toys and treats, too, and even harnesses and leashes for those cats who love the outdoors,” Kim adds. “Your dog or cat is very special to us, and we would like to pamper them. All our employees are eager and excited to help assist you to find exactly what you need. We are all extremely informed on our products and do our best to make sure you know exactly what you’re buying.”

Another must-visit Fremont shop is The Pickle Factory, offering many varieties of Sechler’s Pickles and pickled items. You can also find hot sauces, grill/BBQ sauces and seasonings, jams, fruit butters, salsa, mustards, dip mixes, popcorn and seasonings, as well as flavored teas and coffees. In addition to pickles and

The Shoppes at Fremont:

Amanda Lee Coffee

American Eagle Outfitters

Bath & Body Works

Carter’s Babies and Kids | OshKosh B’gosh

Claire’s Coach Outlet

Encore Dance Academy

Famous Footwear Outlet

Jockey

Lake George Surgery Center

Levi’s Outlet Store

Maurices

Petshion

The Pickle Factory

Under Armour

gourmet foods, there’s also lake-themed items, funny signs, and inventive kitchen and grilling accessories.

“We are an over 100-year-old pickle company that has stayed true to its roots of producing pickles and peppers in the traditional way,” says Max Troyer, president of Sechler’s Pickles.

“The Pickle Factory is such a unique store – there are not too many shops that you would find quite like it,” adds Sarah Johnson, store manager. “Many of the products we carry are not readily available at your local grocery store. It’s a store where you can always find something you never knew you needed or wanted. There is something for everyone, even if you’re not a pickle lover. If you are a pickle lover, I bet we have a type or flavor of pickle you haven’t tried.”

Almost all items at The Pickle Factory are made locally in Indiana. The pickles are made in St. Joe, the Essenhaus noodles are from Middlebury, jams and jellies are from Shipshewana, popcorn and seasonings are from Berne, salsa and butters are from Bremen, and canned meats are from Grabill.

“Our employees are always ready to answer any questions a customer may have, or connect them to someone who can,” Johnson says. “We will also help customers locate any item or product they are looking for, as well as try to match an item we carry to something similar they may have gotten elsewhere. Employees will appropriately box or package a customer’s purchase and help carry it to their car if needed.”

The Shoppes at Fremont are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 pm., and Sundays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Visit theshopsatfremont.com for more information.

To learn more about recreation in Steuben County, go to visitsteubencounty.com. ❚

The Shoppes at Fremont house locally owned shops and popular chain stores all in one location.

Cover Photo: Steuben County Tourism Bureau

Family-Friendly Entertainment at Blue Gate

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

With a theater, restaurant, hotel and shopping options, the Blue Gate at 175 N. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, has become a Midwestern household name.

“The Blue Gate was founded in the early ‘80s when the Shipshewana Flea Market was gaining popularity across the Midwest,” says Andy Rohrer, vice president of sales and marketing. “As the town’s shopping district and tourism offerings have grown, the Blue Gate has become a cornerstone of the Shipshewana experience.”

This year, the Blue Gate Theatre is featuring more than 100 performers in over 300 shows, including four musicals.

“We have a little of everything,” Rohrer says. “That said, we’re thrilled to add some new outstanding performers to our list of ‘can’t believe they’re performing in little Shipshewana’ artists.”

Such artists include the Steve Miller Band, Trace Adkins, Styx, the Gaither Vocal Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Crowder, Marie Osmond and more.

“First and foremost, we love music, and there’s nothing better than seeing a favorite performer live or hearing a song you’ve heard a thousand times on the radio played in the same room, often with a fun story to go along with it,” Rohrer says. “But we also love the experience of welcoming the guests that attend. When people come and leave happy, there’s nothing better than knowing our team helped them have a great time.”

Tickets prices always depend on the artist performing, but guests can attend certain tribute shows for as little as $24.95. Prices extend up to $120-140 for front-row seats for some of the biggest names who are performing, Rohrer adds.

“The best place to buy is always TheBlueGate.com,” he says. “People have to be careful these days, as third-party scalpers are everywhere and can charge two to three times the ticket price sometimes.”

As an Amish town, Shipshewana is known for its hospital-

ity. The Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery offers Amish homestyle comfort foods and a true taste of the local culture, Rohrer says.

“Guests especially love our pressure-fried chicken and more than 20 varieties of made-from-scratch pies,” he says. “We also serve guests in three different ‘styles,’ including regular menu dining, family-style, and our all-you-can-eat buffet. The in-house bakery provides the breads, pies and pastries that you can get in the restaurant, or you can take a slice of Shipshewana home.”

The Blue Gate Garden Inn is a convenient option for anyone attending a concert, as the performing arts center is located just a short walk from guests’ hotel rooms.

“The Blue Gate Garden Inn is the newest hotel in town, and we work hard to make it the best hotel as well,” Rohrer says. “One of our guests’ favorite amenities is our all-you-can-eat hot breakfast buffet, featuring all your favorites, made-to-order omelets, waffle bar and more. It’ll be one of the best breakfasts you’ve ever had and it’s included with your room.”

In addition to the noteworthy breakfast and convenient location, The Blue Gate offers amenities such as an in-hotel ice cream and pizza parlor, a large patio with a firepit, an arcade, a large sitting area to congregate with family and friends, a basketball court, shuffleboard, a friendly staff, and “one of the biggest hotel pools you’ll find these days,” Rohrer adds.

“The Shipshewana Community as a whole does an amazing job extending hospitality to our guests,” he says. “If there is anything that is added specifically by the Blue Gate, I think over the years it’s been the ability of the Riegsecker family and the Blue Gate team to create new experiences like the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center or the Christmas Parade or even overthe-top photo opportunities with flowers, pumpkins or Christmas lights. We’re always looking for new ways to improve and make the time our guests spend with us just a little better and more meaningful.”

See the full concert schedule, book a hotel room, or learn more at thebluegate.com. ❚

The Blue Gate Garden Inn is located just a short walk from the performing arts center, making it a convenient option for out-of-town concert-goers.

Located in Shipshewana, The Blue Gate is known for its superior hospitality.

Special Needs Trust Eases Families’ Stress

If you have a family member with special needs, you might face emotional and physical issues, but you also may be concerned about maximizing the financial support your loved one requires. Consequently, you may want to consider establishing a special needs trust.

This type of trust can help maintain the financial security and lifestyle of an individual with special needs. Furthermore, a special needs trust can allow the trust’s beneficiary to receive financial support for supplemental needs without losing public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

Here’s how it works: You, as the trust’s grantor, establish the trust and name a trustee who is responsible for managing the trust. You can fund the trust with gifts throughout your lifetime or from other sources, such as inheritances or court settlements. But another popular funding mechanism is life insurance, which the trust can purchase on the life of one or both parents of a special-needs child. And as long as the trust is also named the beneficiary of the policy, government benefits will be protected.

In a special needs trust, the role of trustee is important. A trustee must manage the funds within the trust and ensure those funds are used only to supplement SSI and Medicaid, the government programs that typically pay for food, housing and medicine. Instead, a special needs trust can be used for most other expenses, including transportation and travel, education, entertainment, professional services and personal items.

You could serve as trustee yourself or choose a relative or a trusted friend. Ideally, you want someone who’s familiar with your wishes and the needs of your family member with disabilities and who is also competent at managing finances and staying current on SSI and Medicaid regulations.

As an alternative, you could hire a professional trust company to manage your special needs trust. This type of company has expertise in asset management and government regulations and can provide you with strict recordkeeping of all the financial transactions associated with your trust. If you go this route, you’ll want to compare different trust companies’ costs and services. For such a personal matter as administering a trust for your special-needs family member, you’ll want to be sure you’re comfortable with whatever company you select.

Also, you’ll want to be familiar with some of the possible areas of concern regarding special needs trusts. For one thing, because the trustee totally controls when and how funds are

distributed, beneficiaries can get frustrated if their requests for money are denied. Additionally, while third-party special needs trusts are funded by someone other than the beneficiary, firstparty special needs trusts are funded by the beneficiary’s own assets — and for these first-party special needs trusts, the trust must typically pay back Medicaid for money it has spent on the beneficiary’s behalf after the death of the beneficiary. This repayment could deplete the trust, depriving secondary beneficiaries of any assets they might otherwise receive. Third-party special needs trusts do not require Medicaid repayment. Consult with a legal professional before establishing a special needs trust to ensure this arrangement is appropriate for your family’s situation. But if it is, and if it’s managed properly, it can relieve you of some of the stress you may feel over the future of your loved one with special needs. ❚

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

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

Pamela S. Covington, CFP® RICP®

AAMS®

Financial Advisor

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

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

Enjoy 3 Activities at Putt Putt Fun Center

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Since he was 9 years old, John Snyder has worked at Putt Putt Fun Center, 4530 Speedway Dr., Fort Wayne.

“My first job was picking up cigarette butts for a penny a piece. Everyone smoked back then, so I made some good money,” Snyder laughs.

Now, as general manager, he’s proud to offer the public a number of fun activities at an exemplary financial value.

“We have people who come from all over for our good prices,” he says. “The original golf course was built in 1970 and my father [John Snyder Sr.] bought it in 1976. We’ve been here ever since, and we’ve done a lot. All the customization, all the landscaping – we’ve done everything ourselves. We’re really proud of what’s here.”

Putt Putt Fun Center offers three 18-hole golf courses, gokarting and arcade games. Each of the three golf courses are beautifully landscaped according to their theme, Snyder says.

“There’s a volcano course that has a volcano that you get to play through, and it also shoots fire on a timer at night,” he says. “That course is themed like Atlantis, so it has pillars and all of that kind of scenery.

“Then, there’s the jungle course, which has all of these big fountains, vines, trees and shade,” he adds. “You get to play around water, and there’s buttons that kids can press for water to shoot up, and different effects like that.

“And then, of course, there’s the classic course, which is the most traditional putt putt course.”

The golf courses are open year-round, weather permitting.

The arcade is also open year-round, with the price of 80 tokens for $10. That equals out to 8 tokens for $1, or 12.5 cents a token.

“We have a room that we just opened that’s a retro arcade, where you can find games like Pac Man from back in the 1980s,” Snyder says. “Then, the rest of the arcade is redemption games, where people can win tickets for prizes. We have the best prizes, hands down.”

Prizes span in price from $.05 to $700 and include everything from stuffed animals to PlayStation 5s. The top prize is an X-Box, which can be redeemed for 70,000 tickets.

“All of the retro games are just 1 token to play, while redemption games vary,” Snyder says.

Go-karting is open from the beginning of April until the end of October. Most people ride in 1-seater karts, but 2-seater karts are available to accommodate kids who are too short to drive on their own. Each ride lasts about 5 minutes, with 10 to 15 cars typically out at once.

“It’s a very cool track where you go around a figure 8 loop and up and over a bridge,” Snyder says.

Drivers must be at least 56 inches tall to drive alone, and 58 inches tall to drive a passenger. Passengers can ride for free and must be at least 3 years old and 36 inches tall.

Miniature golf and go-karting both cost $9 per person for one course/ride, $14 for two courses/rides, or $18 for three courses/rides. Kids ages 3 and under can enter free, while kids ages 4-7 can enter for $3 for the whole day. Seniors ages 55 and older and military members receive discounts of $5 for one course/ride, $8 for two courses/rides, and $10 for three courses/ rides. A punch card system allows customers to split between golf and go-karting as they wish.

“We also have an anniversary special in June where we sell Putt Putt golf for half price. We’ve done that deal since 1976,” Snyder says.

Putt Putt Fun Center is officially in its summer hours. Gokarting is open from noon to 11 p.m. on Sundays; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

The arcade and golf courses are open from 10 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Visit fortwayneputtputt.com for more information.

The arcade is open year-round and has both retro and redemption games.

Putt Putt Fun Center offers three 18-hole golf courses, go-karting and arcade games. Summer hours have officially started.

Entertainment & Events

Smooth Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, 6-9 p.m., enjoy the best in soft rock and classic hits with rotating artists. Clyde Theater, 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, (574) 344-0566, clydetheatre.com.

Nashville Thursdays

Weekly country, bluegrass and other free live music 7-10 p.m. in the Clyde Theater Club Room. Food and drink specials. 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, clydeclubroom.com.

Color in Motion: Butterfly Exhibit

Thru June 25, daily except Mondays. Live butterflies are at the Botanical Conservatory bringing with them an array of natural beauty. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne, (260) 427-6440, botanicalconservatory.org.

Downtown Live!

Thru Sept. 1, Fridays 6-8 p.m. Experience live music from talented local performers, and dine or shop at the many surrounding local businesses. Street parking is free after 5:00 p.m. 800 block of Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, downtownfortwayne.com/events/dtfw-live/.

Fort Wayne TinCaps

Thru Sept. 3. Lots of exciting baseball action along with special events and spectacles including fireworks on select nights, bring-yourpet games and discounted food nights. Find the whole schedule at milb.com/fortwayne. Parkview Field, 1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne.

Shipshewana Flea Market

Thru Sept. 27, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Browse more than 700 booths,

a farmers market, a plant and garden section and numerous food options. Shipshewana Flea Market Grounds, 345 S. Van Buren St. Shipshewana, visitshipshewana.org.

YLNI Summer Farmers Market

Thru Oct. 28, Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, local artwork and more at the former Wayne Candy Factory building, 1501 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne, facebook.com/YLNIFarmersMarket/.

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 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.

BBQ Ribfest

June 15-18. Four days of mouth-watering BBQ served up just the way you love it by National Award Winning BBQ teams from across the country. Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, rib sandwiches, bbq chicken, and so much more. Headwaters Park Pavilions, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, bbqribfest.com.

Allen County Fair

June 20-25. In addition to 4-H festivities, the fair offers a full food court, carnival rides, and lengthy list of family-fun events, including a free ice cream social, hot air balloon flight/ glow, 4X4 truck pull, demo derby, live music, peddle car races and more. Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne, allencountyfairgroundsin.com.

Greek Fest

June 22-25, Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy a variety of Greek cuisine and entertainment including live music, dancing and other activities each day. Headwaters Park Pavilions, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, fortwaynegreekfestival.org.

Shop for fresh produce, organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, local artwork and more at the Summer Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Allen County Fair offers carnival rides, games, food and other family-friendly activities June 20-25.