Contributing Writers Janine Pumilia, Toni Rocha, Peggy Werner
General Sales Manager Brent Hughes
Sales Manager Brad Hughes
Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of
Hughes
Larry Fairbairn
Ah, Summer!
Summer solstice has come and gone, and while the days are beginning to grow just a little shorter, there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy. The question is: are you making the most of it?
Every summer, I keep a mental checklist of experiences I don’t want to miss before the leaves begin to change. If I can cross off most of them, I never feel like summer slipped away too quickly. Maybe you have a list of your own. Here are a few of my Fort Wayne-area favorites, in no particular order:
• Spend a day at one of our community festivals. Whether it’s the Allen County Fair in early summer or Taste of the Arts Festival in August, these events showcase what makes Fort Wayne special. Great food, live music and time spent with friends and neighbors always beat another day spent staring at a screen.
• Catch an outdoor concert. Summer evenings are made for lawn chairs and live music. From performances at the Foellinger Theatre in Franke Park to the last-ever “Rock the Plaza” concert happening this year (crying), there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy music under the open sky.
• Enjoy the outdoors. Stroll or bike the Rivergreenway trails, rent a kayak and explore the rivers downtown, spend an afternoon at Promenade Park or wander the gardens at Foster Park. Fort Wayne offers countless ways to enjoy nature without venturing far from home.
• Browse a farmers’ market. There’s something special about fresh-picked produce, homemade baked goods and chatting with local makers. The Fort Wayne Farmers Market is a favorite, and seasonal markets across Allen County make it easy to shop local while enjoying the community.
Whatever your favorite way to spend the season, now is the time to do it. Summer always seems to fly by, but the memories have a way of lasting much longer.
Have a wonderful summer! ❚
Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
Golf, Go-Karts and Games at Fun Center
By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor
Sincehe 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 opened that’s a retro arcade, where you can find games like Pac Man from back in the 1980s,” Sny-
der 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.
“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 $10 per person for one course/ride, $15 for two courses/rides, or $20 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 $6 for one course/ride, $9 for two courses/rides, and $12 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 the first or second week in June where we sell Putt Putt golf for half price. We’ve done that deal since 1976,” Snyder says. ❚
Visit fortwayneputtputt.com or call (260) 483-7618 for more information.
Putt Putt Fun Center has a classic miniature-golf course, a volcano course, and a jungle course open year-round, weather permitting.
God Helps Those...
It surprises some people to learn that “God helps those who help themselves” is not an idea found in the Bible. Neither is “Win at all costs,” or “Nice guys finish last,” or “He who has the most toys wins.”
In fact, many of the social norms and even religious ideas we routinely accept stand in sharp contrast to Christ’s teachings. Each Christian makes this choice every day: Do I conform to the world or do I conform to Jesus Christ? Do I love or hate? Do I forgive or exact revenge? Do I put myself below or above others? Do I help the poor or scorn them?
Unlike human tyrants, God doesn’t coerce us to do or think anything; He asks each of us to take time to know Him through scripture and to conform our thoughts to His ideas willingly and cheerfully out of love and gratitiude. Too often we do it backwards; we try to force God to fit into our social norms. It’s not easy, in our moneydriven society, to keep a reasonable balance between serving God and serving our own greed. But we must try. Jesus said: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money].
– Matthew 6:24
Apostle Paul said in Romans 12:2:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
It must be possible, then, to conform our thoughts and behavior to God’s will.
When he was asked what the greatest of all commandments are, Jesus answered in Matthew 22:37:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Every breath, every moment of life, every good thing under the sun comes from God. We owe Him everything.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,” Paul advises us in Colossians 3:2.
“God helps those who help others” has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? ❚ – Janine Pumilia
Regenerative Therapies for Knee Pain
By Toni Rocha
Knee
injuries and long-term damage need not result in surgery.
For alternative treatment methods, patients are looking to Dr. David M. Gafken, D.C., D.A.C.N.B., of Health N.O.W., 2146 State Road, Auburn, Ind., for help in relieving pain.
Patients come to him with undiagnosed knee pain, or because they have seen other medical professionals and are seeking nonsurgical alternatives to bone-on-bone and other knee issues.
“These patients have had X-rays, MRIs and/or have been receiving cortisone shots without achieving any lasting relief,” Gafken adds. “We conduct a thorough exam which may include additional orthopedic testing, X-rays and MRIs if significant time has passed since their last tests.”
Knee injuries or age-related damage rarely heal by themselves. It’s better to seek alternative methods of treating knee issues than to tough it out alone, Gafken adds.
Once the examination is complete and the patient is approved as a candidate for treatment, Gafken decides on a course of treatment using several highly effective methods to promote pain relief and joint regeneration, such as knee decompression, use of a high-intensity laser, acoustic wave therapy and Hakomed Horizontal therapy.
Decompression on the knees is achieved by hooking up the knee to a specialized machine that gently pulls the joint open and closed using less than 20 pounds of force, Gafken explains. By gently separating the joint space between the bottom of the femur (thigh bone) and the top of the tibia (shin bone), this creates a vacuum effect inside the knee joint which brings in nutrient-rich fluid to
the area. The method also gently mobilizes the tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue around the joint. This helps reestablish some of the natural joint space and cushioning in the knee.
“We gently work the knee for about seven to eight minutes,” Gafken adds. “The course of treatment is given multiple times per week initially.”
High-intensity laser therapy consists of using four wavelengths of laser light to stimulate the appropriate tissues in the knee joint. The laser has a healing effect, it increases the production of stem cells and ATP, and it generates venous nitric oxide to increase peripheral blood flow to the afflicted areas in and around the knee.
“This is called photobiomodulation,” Gafken adds. “It also aids in the growth of new blood vessels, called angiogenisis. All of this leads to regeneration of the knee.”
Acoustic Wave Therapy has been in use for more than 10 years, Gafken says. The procedure sends acoustic sound waves through the joint to promote stem cell growth and encourages the development of new blood vessels to increase blood flow, all of which induces quicker healing.
Post examination, the patient is given a course of treatment that employs the above methods. As a rule, the patient is treated up to three times each week during which the highly effective regenerative methods are applied.
“We have a very high success rate with this course of treatment,” Gafken says. ❚
For more information, visit seekhealthnow.com. To schedule an appointment call Health N.O.W. at (260) 920-8811.
Regenerative therapies, like those offered by Health N.O.W., can reduce knee pain and induce healing.
A Berry Sweet Labor Day Tradition
By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor
Forfour days each Labor Day weekend, Plymouth transforms into one of Indiana’s most vibrant festival destinations as the Marshall County Blueberry Festival welcomes thousands of visitors for a celebration packed with hometown tradition, live entertainment and, of course, plenty of blueberries.
Set for Sept. 4-7 in Centennial Park, the festival has grown into one of the region’s signature events, drawing families from across Indiana and neighboring states. What began as a community celebration has blossomed into an event featuring hundreds of vendors, nonstop entertainment and activities for every age.
While blueberries may be the star of the show, visitors quickly discover there’s much more to experience than sweet treats alone.
The festival grounds come alive with three entertainment stages featuring free performances throughout the weekend. From local musicians and dance groups to regional bands and family-friendly acts, there’s always something happening. The popular Beer Garden offers another venue for live music, making it easy for adults to relax while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
Shopping is another major draw. Stroll through rows of ar-
tisan booths, handcrafted goods, home decor, specialty foods, clothing, jewelry and unique gifts. Whether you’re searching for something handcrafted or simply browsing, the marketplace offers hours of exploration.
Naturally, blueberries find their way into nearly every cor-
Festivalgoers can expect three stages of entertainment featuring free performances throughout the weekend.
Families gather each Labor Day weekend in Plymouth for the Marshall County Blueberry Festival, where live entertainment, delicious blueberry treats, shopping, carnival rides and community traditions create one of Indiana’s favorite end-of-summer celebrations.
ner of the festival. Vendors serve everything from fresh berries and pies to muffins, ice cream, lemonade and other creative blueberryinspired specialties. Traditional fair favorites also abound, ensuring everyone in the family finds something to satisfy their appetite.
Children have no shortage of activities, either. Carnival rides, games and interactive attractions provide plenty of excitement throughout the weekend, while families can enjoy the welcoming atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the festival.
One of the weekend’s biggest highlights arrives Monday morning with the Blueberry Festival Parade. More than 100 entries, including marching bands, floats, antique tractors, emergency vehicles and community organizations, travel through Plymouth as thousands of spectators line the streets. The parade has become a Labor Day tradition in its own right, showcasing the pride and spirit of Marshall County.
Beyond the scheduled entertainment, the festival serves as an annual reunion for many families and friends. Former residents return home, classmates reconnect and multiple generations gather to celebrate together. It’s the kind of event where memories are made just as often as traditions are continued.
Visitors traveling from outside the area can also appreciate Plymouth’s convenient location and small-town hospitality. Local restaurants, shops and attractions welcome the influx of guests, making the festival an ideal excuse for a long weekend getaway in northern Indiana.
Planning ahead can help make the experience even more enjoyable. Official festival parking is available at Plymouth High School, where visitors can take advantage of accessible parking and complimentary round-trip tram service to the festival grounds. Festival organizers also recommend arriving early during peak hours, particularly for popular events like the parade.
The festival runs Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with Monday hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some vendors also open Thursday evening, giving eager visitors an early opportunity to start exploring before the full festivities begin.
In an era when many community festivals have become increasingly commercialized, the Marshall County Blueberry Festival continues to balance growth with its hometown roots. Volunteers, local organizations and community partners play an essential role in bringing the event to life each year, helping preserve the welcoming atmosphere that keeps visitors returning.
Whether you’re coming for the food, the music, the shopping or simply a chance to spend quality time with family and friends, the Blueberry Festival offers an opportunity to make lasting memories. It’s a celebration where simple pleasures: a slice of blueberry pie, a parade marching down tree-lined streets, or an evening concert under late-summer skies, come together to create lasting memories.
As summer gives way to fall, there’s perhaps no sweeter way to celebrate the season than with a trip to Plymouth for one of Indiana’s favorite Labor Day traditions. ❚
For a full schedule of events, entertainment and visitor information, visit blueberryfestival. org.
This year’s festival ends summer with a bang Sept. 4-7.
The festival serves as an annual reunion for many families and friends.
125 Years: Carbaugh Jewelers Still Sparkling
By Peggy Werner
Locals and others from all over the country are drawn to Carbaugh Jewelers, the oldest business in downtown Auburn, Ind., with plans underway to celebrate the 125th anniversary this fall.
“The history of the store sells itself,” says Mike Littlejohn, the store’s fourth owner. “People find comfort and safety in knowing we have been around for so long. Our customer base is constantly growing because not many stores have been in business this long, in the same place, and using some of the same tools.
“People who shop here say it is like a museum because we have old pictures and other memorabilia on the walls, including ledgers from 1908, and articles about us,” Littlejohn continues. “We have old tools that were used until we put them in a display case. People are amazed at the work we could do with those tools.”
Today, a high-tech precision laser machine stands next to a 125-year-old bench with hand tools. Littlejohn says the modern equipment is great, but they still do many things the old-fashioned way because “you can’t rely on a machine for everything.”
“We work on personal items that belong to family members who want to preserve and pass down the pieces to future generations,” he says. “Every piece of jewelry has a story and there is no room for making mistakes.”
As longtime employees have retired, new hires have brought with them new technology and marketing ideas to help keep the business current and more productive. A single cash register has been replaced with two checkout stations with software that keeps track of inventory and what individual customers are buying and having repaired.
“This technology keeps us informed about our customers and helps us to take care of them like never before,” Littlejohn says, adding that décor and lighting have also been improved and updated over the years. He’s “amazed” at the number of people who connect with the business through social media, who know all work is done in-house. The store is known for its custom pieces and major repairs, which are booked out through September. Minor repairs may take several weeks, he adds.
“The life of this store has endured a lot over the years, and we have greatly struggled at times, but we have stayed in business because of the repairs and custom work we do,” Littlejohn says.
The full-service store specializes in retail sales, custom work and repairs on all types of jewelry, including ring sizing, stone setting, fabrication and restyling, engraving and watch repair. The store offers the newest styles and designs, specializing in diamonds and colored stones from makers like Rego, Bentelli, Aiden, Color Merchants and Bertke Brothers, as well as having a large selection of watches and clocks made by Seiko.
Edward O. Little was the first owner in 1901. In 1915, Charles Carbaugh, a high school student, started working for him. The two men eventually formed a partnership and ran the business together, until Little passed away in 1955. Carbaugh became the sole owner and changed the name of the store from Little’s to Carbaugh Jewelers in 1960. His son and daughter-inlaw, Robert and Betty, took over the business when he died in 1962. The couple retired in 1997, at which time they sold the business to Littlejohn.
Littlejohn started working part time for Robert and Betty Carbaugh in 1980 while in high school. He learned on the job while in college but didn’t finish school because he toured the country for three years as a bass player with a 10-piece musical group called Sunshine Express. After touring, he graduated from Trenton Jewelry School in Memphis and became a certified bench jeweler before returning to Carbaugh’s to make the business his career.
“When I am able to make something that makes people happy, it’s not a job,” he says. “The reward is what people feel and say about their experience with me. It tells me I made the right career choice.” ❚
Visit carbaughjewelers.com or call (260) 925-3113.
Customers trust Carbaugh Jewelers with custom work and repairs. The business has been around for 125 years.
I Love Saturdays at Club Room at The Clyde
Enjoy the best in pop, soul, R&B and funk every Saturday from 8-11 p.m. at the Club Room at the Clyde, 1806 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. Visit clydeclubroom.com/live to see the complete lineup of performers.
Summer Nights at the Embassy
Thru Aug. 26, Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Spend your summer evenings with live music, featured cocktails and local food vendors. Enjoy performances in the multi-tiered ballroom overlooking downtown, or relax on the rooftop patio while taking in views of the city skyline and listening to the evening’s live entertainment. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, fwembassytheatre.org.
Fort Wayne TinCaps
Thru September. Lots of exciting baseball action along with special events and spectacles including fireworks on select nights, discounted food nights and more. Find the whole schedule at milb.com/fort-wayne. Parkview Field, 1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne.
YLNI Summer Farmers’ Market
Thru Oct. 31, Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, local artwork and more. Corner of Wayne and Barr Streets, Fort Wayne, visitfortwayne.com.
Rock & Roar at the Fort Wayne Zoo
July 24, Aug. 7 & 21, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Spend your summer nights enjoying live music, drinks, rides and after-hours access to select areas of the Zoo. Fort Wayne Zoo, 3411 Sherman Blvd. Fort Wayne, fwzoo.com.
Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races
July 31 & Aug. 1, Fri. 5-10 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dragon Boat Racing originated in China
Entertainment & Events
and features 21-person teams paddling down the St. Mary’s river to a rhythmic drumbeat. The fun begins with the Dragon Boat Opening Ceremony, featuring live music, local food, traditional dancing and floating fire pits. The competition begins Saturday morning. Promenade Park, 202 W. Superior St., Fort Wayne, cityoffortwayne. in.gov/1286/Dragon-Boat-Races.
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Thru Aug. 2, Fridays & Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 6 p.m. This powerful, contemporary musical tells the story of Evan, a socially anxious high school student who longs to be seen and understood. When a misunderstanding spirals into something far bigger than Evan ever intended, he finds himself caught between truth and connection, forcing him to confront who he really is and what it means to belong. Three Rivers Music
Theatre, 416 W. Fourth Street, Fort Wayne, threeriversmusictheatre.com.
‘Grease’
Thru Aug. 2, Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m. Get ready for a time-traveling, hip-shaking, heart-pounding extravaganza with “Grease,” where the ’50s come alive with unforgettable songs, electrifying dance numbers and a whole lot of attitude. Arts United Center, 303 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, fwcivic.org/grease.
Tattoo Fest Fort Wayne
Aug.14-16, Fri. 1-10 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 11-7 p.m. Fort Wayne Tattoo Festival offers a selection of more than 200 of the best artists from all over the world for three days of tattooing, art making, merch selling and more. Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, fortwaynetattoo.com.
The Debutants
Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m. Fort Wayne’s own Debutants bring their high-energy brand of Indiana newgrass home for a late-summer evening. Fort Wayne Philharmonic Center, 826 Ewing St., Fort Wayne, fwphil.org/event/the-debutants/.
Myaamia Cultural Fest
Aug. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This inaugural Myaamia Cultural Fest celebrates the heritage and culture of Fort Wayne’s Indigenous people, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. Play traditional Myaamia (Miami) games, learn about the Tribe’s history, and shop handmade Myaamia artwork. Visitors can explore art forms such as beadwork, basketry and finger weaving. Downtown Fort Wayne, corner of Berry & Barr Streets, Fort Wayne, myaamiaheritagefoundation.org. ❚
Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races take place July 31 and Aug. 1. The fun begins with an opening ceremony featuring live music, local food, traditional dancing and floating fire pits.
Tattoo Fest Fort Wayne takes place Aug. 14-16 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.
