Smart Living Fort Wayne - August 10, 2023

Lazy Summer Nights

Happy summer! I’m still clinging to this season, no matter how many back-to-school ads I see on a daily basis.

I wish I could pen a thought-provoking column about “Oppenheimer” or the new Barbie movie… but to be honest, I haven’t seen either yet. Childcare is a scarce resource for the Lukas family right now, and work stuff has to take priority over cinematic escapism.

However, my son is an angelic sleeper who goes to bed at 7:30 p.m. every night on the dot (bless him), which leaves me and my husband a few hours in the evenings to spend some quality time together. I hate to say it, but normally, we use that time to just get stuff done around the house. We fold laundry, contend with dishes, open mail... and before you know it, the night is over.

But this summer, we’ve been trying to intentionally take breaks from “busy parent mode” and use our nights together for true quality time. Oftentimes, it’s hard. There’s laundry staring me in the face constantly. My son’s toys are always scattered across the living room, which makes me feel frazzled. Forcing myself to put off non-urgent tasks and actually relax is a true challenge.

(Or at least, it was challenging for a week. It’s pretty easy to get used to lying on the couch when you’re four months pregnant and your husband insists.)

Lately, chores have taken a spot on the back-burner and instead, our evening routine consists of obsessively watching “The Traitors” on Peacock. It’s so good, and honestly, it’s the only thing I want to talk about these days. We loved season one so much that we subsequently watched the Australia version and now we’re knee-deep in the U.K. version. It’s basically one big game of Mafia in a gorgeous Scottish castle, and I’m here for it.

I know our to-do lists are only going to get longer once fall is here, so these lazy summer nights are precious. Hopefully, you’re able to find pockets of time to relax, too.

Have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

How to Save Up to $465 on Utility Bills

By Peggy Werner

One 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.

The company specializes in personal service and can meet any customer’s needs, he adds.

“I meet every customer face-to-face. I want them to know who I am, and I want to know who they are. I’m a people person, not just a salesman. We are a local family-owned business that is easy to work with, and we don’t pressure people.

“All our windows and doors are custom-made for each home,” Faylor continues. “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,” he says.

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.

“We added Universal Windows because they offer services we didn’t have and their products are the best,” Faylor says.

Faylor Construction handles all stages of homebuilding, including laying a foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, plastering, tile, insulation, drywall and more.

“We can literally do anything and everything when it comes to building or remodeling a home,” Faylor says. “What sets us apart from the competition is our exclusive products and having our own installers.”

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 low-e 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 save up to $465 per year on utility bills by switching to energy-efficient windows.

One of the biggest and most unique projects Faylor’s company worked on was putting in angled windows to match a roof line in a three-story-tall living room, he adds.

Now, after three-and-a-half years of working out of 9116 Lima Road, Faylor just got word their lease is up and won’t be renewed. The business must move in 90 days and is looking to purchase a building nearby that can provide space for offices, a showroom and warehouse all in one location. Currently, their storage is off-site.

The company services customers within a 60-mile radius of Fort Wayne. All windows have a lifetime warranty that transfers from one owner to the next when a home sells.

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. ❚

Energy-efficient windows lead to saving on utility bills, says Marc Faylor, owner of Universal Windows Direct of Fort Wayne. The company offers exclusively patented windows that reduce condensation and provide a clearer view.

How Will You Exit Your Business?

If you own a business, you’ve always got a lot on your mind. But no matter how busy you are today, you need to think about tomorrow. Specifically, you’ll want to create an exit strategy for the day you want to move on from your business to a new phase in your life.

To develop this strategy, you’ll need to address these key questions:

• How much do you need (or want) for your business? Ideally, you’ll want the sale of your business to meet your retirement and estate-planning goals. So, you’ll need to think carefully about these goals and what costs they may entail. And these issues aren’t just financial — for example, when you think about how you may want to spend your time in retirement, you might realize that you don’t really want to exit your business completely. So, you might decide to sell just part of it, or sell it entirely, but stay on to help manage it or possibly do some consulting for the new owners.

• How much is your business worth? You may want to calculate your business’ value three to five years before your planned exit. You could do this on your own, but it’s typically advantageous to use professional valuation services. If you’re gifting or selling your business to family members, selling it to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) or settling an estate, you’ll need to get a more formal qualified appraisal to meet IRS standards.

• How can you close the gap between what you need and what your business is worth? The amount you need from the sale of your business to support your retirement goals may be more than what your business is actually worth. To help close this gap, you could try to boost your business’s profits through the usual means, such as introducing new products, raising prices or cutting costs. But you might also try to lower the amount you need from the sale by working longer, reducing your personal spending and saving more outside the business.

• Who will take over your business? When planning for a successor for your business, you have several choices, including selling to a family member or an outside buyer. Going public or liquidating the business are also options. These are distinct paths, but depending on your circumstances, one might be more appropriate for you than another. To cite just one factor, if you don’t have an obvious choice for a family member to take over the business, you might have to consider other buyers. In any case, you’ll need to explore all the economic and personal factors involved in the choice of successor.

Who can help you with your exit strategy? Exiting a business can be complex. To ensure you’re making the right moves for your overall financial and family situations, you may want to build an exit strategy team, possibly consisting of your financial, legal and tax advisors. You may also need to enlist the services of a commercial banker and a business evaluation expert. Each of these professionals can bring a different area of expertise to your exit decisions, and together they can help address all the issues related to your exit strategy.

Exiting your business will take a lot of planning and decisions — but if it’s done right, it can be worth the effort. ❚

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

Of Human Value

In societies that tolerate slavery, human beings put prices on one another. This evokes a sense of outrage from those who don’t tolerate slavery, as well it should.

And yet in “more civilized” societies, humans still tend to regard some people as more valuable than others. People with great wealth, beauty or talent, for example, are often treated with greater deference than the poor and plain, even in our churches. And how easy it is to simply dismiss some folks as being “beyond help.”

This is the way of man, but it’s not the way of Jesus Christ, who taught his disciples to love people regardless of their social circumstances. “Love your neighbor as your self,” he instructed in Luke 10:27.

Listening to this was an expert in the law “who wanted to justify himself.” He asked: “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite [of priestly Hebrew lineage], when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan [Samaritans were despised by Jewish leaders of that time period], as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37)

And so must we, if we're to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. ❚

– Janine Pumilia

‘The Confession’ Captivates Audiences

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Thissummer, The Blue Gate Performing Arts Center at 175 N. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, welcomes guests to “The Confession,” a brilliant love story and a keep-you-at-the-edgeof-your-seat mystery all wrapped into one entertaining musical.

“It’s a wonderful story that has been infused with great comedy and wonderful music,” says Andy Rohrer, vice president of sales and marketing at Blue Gate. “People who like musicals, and even ones who don’t like musicals, love this one.”

Based on a “New York Times” bestselling book, the script for “The Confession” was adapted for the stage by Martha Bolton, who made her career as the head writer for Bob Hope.

“So, the comedy is truly wonderful,” Rohrer says. “Add in Blue Gate Musical’s amazing Nashville-based musicians, composers and production designers and you have a world-class show.”

Last year, the show was filmed for a live Fathom Movie event and broadcast nationwide. Its wholesome and uplifting plot

resonates with a wide range of audience members.

“While the show deals with difficult situations and relationships, it doesn’t stoop to crude language or try to make audience members uncomfortable – real life is filled with plenty of drama and surprises without coercing it,” Rohrer says.

He hopes audience members leave the show feeling uplifted. Since the first run of “The Confession” in 2012, the show has

Every year, audiences flock to see “The Confession” at The Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, in Shipshewana.

“The Confession” is based on a “New York Times” bestselling book.

consistently elicited countless words of affirmation for its positive story and message.

Beyond this, the topic of adoption is a strong theme, and the show often can help guests on both sides of these relationships understand and process the myriad of emotions, Rohrer adds.

“And, of course, ultimately we hope that everyone is entertained, whether they leave laughing or humming a tune,” he says.

The Blue Gate Performing Arts Center is part of the larger Blue Gate complex, encompassing a hotel, restaurant, and shopping options in addition to its state-of-the-art theatre. Located in the heart of Amish country, guests are oftentimes looking for ways to understand and see the local culture in a “behind the scenes” sort of way, Rohrer adds. And, while “The Confession”

is fictional, many authentic elements in the show can help guests understand the local Amish community.

“Great stories are great for everyone – it doesn’t matter where you live, how you were raised, or what culture you come from,” Rohrer says. “Locals will be amazed that this show is right down the street, and visitors will be happy they discovered it.”

For those who wish for a full getaway experience, Shipshewana is full of places and activities to enjoy both before and after the show. For starters, there’s dining at the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery, shopping at the downtown shops, or visiting the local Flea Market. If guests have more time, Rohrer recommends visiting the Menno-Hof Amish & Mennonite History Museum and taking a ride on the Pumkinvine bike trail. For those wishing to spend the night, the Blue Gate Garden Inn is conveniently located right next to the Performing Arts Center.

“And, of course, the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center is a wonderful venue to see any show,” Rohrer adds. “The state-of-the-art lights and sound make each performance come alive.”

The cast of “The Confession” comes from all over the country, and one of the top compliments Rohrer hears from guests is how wonderful the cast members are.

“We work hard to find the best talent we can, and our guests notice,” he says.

The show runs almost every day from now until Aug. 18. A full list of dates and times is available at thebluegate.com. Tickets are $38.95 and be reserved online or by calling (260) 768-4725. ❚

Cast members in “The Confession” come from all across the country and are hailed for their high-caliber talent and skills. Shows run almost daily until Aug. 18 and tickets cost $38.95.

Besides being an entertaining musical, “The Confession” helps audiences to understand elements of the local Amish community. It also handles the topic of adoption, which can help viewers to understand that process more authentically.

Clean Air is More Important Than Ever

By Peggy Werner

Air quality is always a concern to those with allergies, asthma, and respiratory conditions, but with smoke from the Canadian wildfires hanging in the air for weeks, everyone is thinking about the air they breathe and how it is impacting their health, says Tony Bear, general manager of Rolf Griffin of Fort Wayne.

“People are afraid of what they are seeing out there and the atmosphere is so eerie, people are getting alarmed. If it was just for a day or two, it would be no big deal, but this has been going on for weeks,” he says.

Customers report having headaches, shortness of breath, and other symptoms because of the smoke, he says.

Conditions outside cannot be controlled by individual homeowners, but they can take several steps to improve the inside air they breathe. Bear has several remedies and recommendations to improve indoor air quality, which is typically unhealthier than outside air because homes today are built so airtight.

Rolf Griffin offers people the highest rated furnace filter available, Bear says.

MERV, otherwise known as Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a measurement scale used to rate the effectiveness of furnace filters at trapping airborne particles. The scale ranges from 1-16, with 16 being most effective, second only to High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air filters. HEPA filters are not MERV rated because they are tested and certified to meet a specific efficiency at a specific particle size, the minimum being 99.97 percent at 0.3 microns.

Bear says the higher-rated filters need to be changed less often, sometimes only once a year if a home in not heavily trafficked and home to many pets. Forgetting to regularly change the furnace filter is one of the biggest problems contributing to poor air quality in the home, he says.

“A dirty air filter reduces the air flow, which causes a lot of problems with cooling and heating because the equipment has to work harder and shortens its life expectancy,” he says.

Bear recommends homeowners schedule a full-service cleaning and maintenance check for their air conditioner every spring, and for their furnace every fall, to increase efficiency and find any problems that might contribute to equipment failure in extreme temperatures.

Bear recalls an increased demand for good furnace filters and air purifiers years ago with the onset of Covid-19. Although air purifiers, when used properly, can reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses, in a home or confined space, it is not enough to protect people from getting sick.

With other pollutants in the air, the concern for how to achieve good air quality in the home continues to be a concern to many, he says.

Portable air cleaners work best if filtering the air with (HEPA) filters because they actually filter the air, rather than emitting ozone, which just covers up odors.

The best air purifiers attach to the inside of the furnace, are maintenance free, and remove fine particles from the air, Bear says. These air purifiers actually break down the smoke that goes through the filter.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (260) 744-2151 or go to rolfgriffin.com. ❚

Homeowners can take steps to improve their indoor air quality, says Tony Bear, general manager of Rolf Griffin of Fort Wayne.

Van’s Home Center Celebrates 50 Years

By Peggy Werner

Van’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 fall. 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.

“We are grateful to be able to maintain a business for 50 years, and that’s only because people trust us,” Brouer adds. ❚

Van’s Home Center, in Auburn, is celebrating 50 years of serving customers this fall. Over the years, the business has become a one-stop shop for everything needed to furnish a home.

Taking Care of Your Concrete Floors

By Peggy Werner

Duration Concrete Coatings, by Duralast of Fort Wayne, can transform the look of your basement floor, garage floor and other outdoor concrete spaces while making them stronger, more durable and more resistant to the effects of weather, salt and sun. The business specializes in garage floor coverings, commercial concrete coatings, residential concrete coatings and chip color customization.

Dan Diven, residential manager, says homeowners use concrete coatings to repair old concrete or prevent damage to new concrete. The coatings are resistant to chemicals, UV exposure and heavy traffic. They are also maintenance free, easy to clean and protected by a lifetime warranty.

“Most people want to improve the look of their home, especially if they have made other improvements,” he says. “The concrete coating gives a nice, finished look that complements the home.”

“Our product is thicker and tougher and more durable than epoxy paint,” Diven continues. “Our product won’t be damaged by oil and grease, extreme temperatures, salt, heavy equipment and tools dropped on the floor.”

Epoxy paint has been commonly used in homes within the past 10 years, and was many people’s only option to cover concrete, Diven says. Though epoxy is still used today, it’s an outdated method, he adds.

Epoxy is water based, making it a thinner solution, and can turn color with exposure to sunlight. It’s pitted, and peels and cracks with repeated exposure to salt. However, Duration Concrete Coatings uses polyurea and acrylic coatings that are oil-based, thicker, and five times stronger than other products, Diven says.

The polyurea and acrylic coatings are applied in three steps.

First, pitting and other damage to existing concrete is smoothed out with a grinder. Then, a polyurea base coat is applied before topping that off with an acrylic paint in different colors (chips) and textures. A polyurea topcoat finishes the job.

With an extensive range of chip colors, homeowners can choose a shade that perfectly complements their interior design or outdoor space, whether they prefer a more natural look or want to make a bold statement, Diven adds.

Chip colors are not just about looking good – they can also help improve the functionality of the floor by providing texture to prevent slipping, mask dirt, add durability, and resist UV damage. Sand can be mixed into the topcoat to give even more texture and grip to surfaces when wet.

About 60 percent of the company’s business is garage floors, while the other 40 percent of homeowners want coatings on porches, patios, sidewalks, basements and pool areas.

For a free estimate, call (260) 231-0523. ❚

Duration Concrete Coatings uses advanced materials for concrete floors that improve both the look and the functionality of a space.

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.

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 present-

ed by one of the world’s largest pinball arcades. Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, 14613 Lima Road, Fort Wayne, (260) 760-6314, fortwaynepinball.com.

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo: Rock and Roar

Aug. 10, 6-9 p.m. An adult-only summer music series. Grab a craft beverage and stroll portions of the zoo. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, 260427-6800, kidszoo.org.

Marshall County Blueberry Festival

Aug. 31-Sept. 4, check website for times. Attractions include a carnival, parade, fireworks, live entertainment, and vendors selling food, crafts and more. Centennial Park, 1660 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, (574) 9365020, blueberryfestival.org.

ACD Festival Downtown Cruise-In

Sept. 1, 10 a.m. Hot rods, muscle cars, imports, and everything in between descend upon downtown Auburn at 100 Main St., (260) 925-3600, acdfestival.org.

Grabill County Fair

Sept. 7-9, check website for times. This country-style fair highlights the area’s Amish heritage. The streets are lined with tents and canopies that shelter 130 craft booths. 13756 State Street, Grabill, (260) 627-5227, grabillcountyfair.org.

DeKalb County Fair

Sept. 25-30, check website for times. Attractions include a carnival, 4-H activities, parade and more. DeKalb County Fairgrounds, 708 S. Union St., Auburn, (260) 925-1834, dekalbcountyfair.org. ❚

The DeKalb County Fair returns Sept. 25-30. Attractions include a carnival, live entertainment, 4-H activities and more.

The Marshall County Blueberry Festival takes place Aug. 31-Sept. 4 at Centennial Park, in Plymouth.