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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • $1.95 • Sept./Oct. 2026
A Renaissance Roanoke’s Juried Art Event Backyard Living, All Year Long A Jewelry Legacy Shaped by Elvis Presley Inspiration: Servant Leadership Your Family Fun: 13 Upcoming Events
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In This Issue Right in Our Region ......................Cover & p. 16
A Renaissance in Roanoke Welcomes All
Outdoor Living ....................................................11 Backyard Living, All Year Long
Inspiration & Worship .......................................12
Servant Leadership
Your Style...............................................................23 A Jewelry Legacy Shaped by Elvis Presley
Your Family Fun .................................................28
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas Managing Editor Jim Taylor Deputy Editor Steven Bonifazi Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Olivia Costello, Brandi Fier Contributing Writers Janine Pumilia, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Jessica Greer, Brian Reinbold 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 (260) 276-0299, Fax: (815) 316-2301 www.SmartLivingFortWayne.com
Smart Living. Copyright 2026 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
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A Renaissance
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t’s always special to spend a day wandering around, discovering new things with my family. That’s exactly why I’m looking forward to “A Renaissance in Roanoke” this fall. Every year, I feel inspired by the creative geniuses who go -- the artists are all so impressive! “Renaissance in Roanoke” is a juried arts and crafts event, meaning each vendor is carefully vetted. Taking place Oct. 10 in downtown Roanoke, this community event makes me appreciate Northeast Indiana. It feels like a quintessential small-town-Midwestern-fall event. I love it. This year, I’m especially excited to experience it with my family. My husband and I are always looking for fun ways to make memories with our kids, Eli, 4, and Izzy, 2. At their ages, they are naturally curious about everything, and I love watching them discover new things. An event filled with colorful artwork, handmade creations and unique displays seems like the perfect opportunity to let them appreciate art early on in life. Of course, I’m also looking forward to the grown-up part of the day: taking my time to admire the craftsmanship, chatting with artists and perhaps finding something special to bring home. There’s something different about purchasing a handmade piece when you’ve had the chance to meet the person who created it. Events like “A Renaissance in Roanoke” are also a wonderful reminder of the talent that exists in our communities. They give artists a chance to share their work while giving visitors an opportunity to experience something beyond the usual shopping trip. As fall settles in and the calendar fills with the usual seasonal activities, I’m looking forward to setting aside a few hours to slow down, stroll through downtown Roanoke and enjoy a day with my family. And if Eli and Izzy leave with a new favorite handmade treasure, even better. Those little discoveries are often what make family outings memorable. Have a great month! ❚ Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne
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Outdoor Living
Backyard Living, All Year Long By Peggy Werner
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ummer never has to end, if you enjoy the outdoors and like to entertain family and friends. BBQ Store & More, 17007 Doty Road, New Haven calls itself the “backyard headquarters,” because it specializes in everything you need to get the most out of a home’s outdoor living spaces. “We are your one-stop shop for quality products,” says Sam Schmucker, founder and co-owner with his brotherin-law Wilmer Graber. “And you can’t start thinking about next spring and summer too soon. If you can dream it, we can build it. No project is too big or too small.” A 4,000-foot showroom is filled with high-quality charcoal, pellet and gas grills, griddles, pizza ovens, smok- BBQ Store & More, in New Haven, offers everything needed to create a comfortable and inviting outdoor living space. ers and grilling accessories. They carry warranty outdoor furniture and structures. There’s a display of a wide variety of seasonings, sauces and rubs, as well as quick porch and patio products like firepits, swing sets, indoor and outtip sheets on how to use them when grilling different foods. Not door fireplaces, kitchens, and structures such as gazeboes, pavillimited to grills alone, the store also features durable lifetime ions, pergolas, stamped concrete and privacy fencing. A design center is available for customers to visualize a 3-D computer image of the space they want to create, if needed. There’s also a 6,000 square-foot warehouse for storage. Next spring, the store will introduce a new line of outdoor children’s furniture, including tables, chairs, gliders and more. In 2027, the plan is to also offer cooking classes to help people understand the equipment, various cooking methods, types of food to grill and how to season food. Top customer service and quality products are what set BBQ Store & More apart from the competition, Schmucker says. “We go a step beyond in everything we do,” he says. “We meet with our customers, ask them what they want, answer questions and take the time to explain things, with no pressure. Home improvement is not a quick decision.” The business specializes in top brands such as Bromic Tungsten, Platinum and Eclipse series patio heaters that can be mounted on walls and ceilings or stand alone. Also available are gas fireplaces and fire pits, which can be custom built. Breeo woodburning fire pits are 95 percent smokeless to take the chill out of fall evenings. Schmucker’s family background is in construction, where he worked for 30 years before going into the retail business 25 years ago. Today, it’s a true family business with seven sons and one daughter all involved to some extent. His son, Darren, is a full-time store manager. For some jobs, they hire subcontractors. The showroom features a wide selection of grills, smokers, pizza ovens and other outdoor cooking products. “And we treat our customers as family,” Schmucker adds. ❚ 11 Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne Sept./Oct. 2026
Inspiration & Worship
Servant Leadership
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e know from scripture that God despises arrogance and exalts the humble. For the most part, our culture does just the opposite ... exalts the noisy self-promoters and ignores the humble. Most worldly leaders measure themselves by the money and power they wield, not the well-being of their people. This is nothing new and came as no surprise to Jesus in his day, either. When a few of his disciples began quibbling over their pecking order, Jesus quickly set them straight. Mark 10:42-45 (ESV): “And Jesus called them [the 12 disciples] to him and said, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” In Luke 14:11 (ESV) Jesus said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And in Philippians 2:3 Paul instructs, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” If anyone had the right to promote himself in large fashion, it was Jesus Christ. He chose instead to model the behavior he wishes us to follow. We are in the world but not of it. We follow the will of God. Our humility lies in knowing that everything we are and all that we have and every breath we take belongs to God. Our only greatness is the presence of God working through us. John 14:21-24: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." ❚ – Janine Pumilia
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Right in Our Region
A Renaissance in Roanoke Welcomes All
“A Renaissance in Roanoke” returns to downtown Roanoke Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The juried event features photography, drawings, paintings, woodworking, ceramics, pottery and jewelry.
By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor
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owntown Roanoke comes alive with art, music, creativity “Poetry on the Spot,” children’s activities, live plein air painting, and community spirit during the 19th annual “A Renaislive life-drawing by local artists and a variety of food trucks. sance in Roanoke,” set for Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Approximately 50 to 60 artists and makers are expected to The juried arts and crafts event brings together artists and participate this year. Because the event is juried, new vendors makers working in a variety of mediums, offering visitors an opmust submit photographs of their work in advance. portunity to browse, shop and experience creativity throughout “Juried means new vendors must submit photos of their downtown. The event also includes family activities, live demwork for review by our committee to make sure they’re a good onstrations, food and entertainment, making it a celebration for fit and appropriate for what we’re known for,” Smith says. “For more than just art enthusiasts. example, jewelry has to be handmade, not ‘put together’ from “This is a juried arts and crafts event,” says Curtis Smith, components bought from a manufacturer or crafts retailer.” event chair. “We feature photography, drawing, painting — landThe event’s evolution over the past 19 years has largely scape, wildlife and abstract — woodworking, ceramics and potcome through the artists themselves. tery, and fine and/or creative handmade jewelry.” “There’s always something new, but we have many artists Smith emphasizes that despite its name, “A Renaissance in whose attendance is anticipated by the people who come each Roanoke” is not a Renaissance-period festival. year,” Smith says. “We are not an event where people dress in costumes from That combination of quality vendors and community supold Europe,” he says. port has helped “A Renaissance in Roanoke” remain a favorite Instead, visitors can expect a vibrant craft marketplace feaannual tradition. turing handmade creations, along with a small farmers’ market, One of the event’s most unique features is the plein air com16 Smart Living Fort Wayne Sept./Oct. 2026 To Advertise Call 260-276-0299
Right in Our Region petition. The French expression “plein air” means “in the open air,” and in art, it refers to creating work outdoors while capturing natural light, colors and real-time shadows. Participating artists check in that morning to have their blank canvas time stamped. They then have until 3 p.m. to complete their paintings and return them for judging. Cash prizes of $350, $250 and $150 are awarded for first, second and third place, respectively. The finished paintings will be available for purchase by the public or local businesses. Entertainment begins at 10 a.m. with Three Rivers Dance Academy performing a 45-minute The event provides artists with a well-known venue to showcase and sell their work. variety of dance numbers at the intersection of Second and Main Streets. Joe Justice then provides ing new and returning visitors who support local businesses and live music throughout the rest of the day. restaurants, Smith adds. “Joe is both a long-time fan and personal favorite for the Funds raised through vendor fees and sponsorships are used variety and style of his music,” Smith says. “He is the soundtrack by the Roanoke Beautification Foundation to help keep the comfor our event.” munity beautiful and clean. Projects include supporting new trees Families can also head to Zent Commons on First Street and on Main Street, hanging flowers and flags, weeding and mainMain Street for children’s activities, where kids and their parents taining public spaces and addressing other beautification needs can create something fun together. throughout town. The event’s impact extends beyond the one-day celebraFor Smith, the event has personal significance. He attended tion, Smith says. “A Renaissance in Roanoke” provides artists “A Renaissance in Roanoke” for the first time after moving to the and crafters with a well-known venue to showcase and sell their community and quickly became captivated by what it offered. work, while also supporting the broader community. Roanoke El“Honestly, I’m excited every year to see what new artists ementary students participate each year, with students in grades and crafters bring, or the new work that returning ones bring,” he three, four and five spending a day in September drawing and says. “It’s such a fun day with the artists, the crowds, the familiar coloring locations around town. Their work is judged before the faces and the great food options. It was the first event we attended event and displayed at Zent Commons during the day. when we moved here, and when the opportunity came open to be The event is also the second-largest event in Roanoke, bring- a part of it, I jumped at it.” Ultimately, Smith hopes visitors leave with the same feeling he had when he first experienced the event. “I hope people think ‘What a fun event and a great town to host it,’” he says. “We were captivated by Roanoke when we visited before we moved, but fell in love with it because of events like ‘A Renaissance.’” For artists and crafters who have not yet participated, Smith encourages them to consider joining future events. “We’re always looking for new and up-and-coming artists we can support and provide a wonderful venue for them to show and sell their work,” he says. “We also keep an eye out for other fun and creative activities and/or additions.” From art and music to children’s activities and community pride, “A Renaissance in Roanoke” offers a full day of creativity, and another reason to celebrate the town itself. ❚ Event Chair Curtis Smith encourages new artists to participate. For more information, visit renaissanceinroanoke.org. 17 Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne Sept./Oct. 2026
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Your Style
A Jewelry Legacy Shaped by Elvis Presley By Peggy Werner
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arbaugh Jewelers owner Mike Littlejohn has some interesting connections. His life was forever changed by Elvis Presley — but not because of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll’s music. Instead, it was through the man who helped create some of Presley’s most memorable jewelry. Littlejohn credits his friend, teacher and mentor, John Randall “Randy” Lowrey of Memphis, Tenn., as one of two people most responsible for his success as a jeweler and business owner. The other was his former boss, Robert Carbaugh. Littlejohn met Lowrey at a jewelry trade show in Indianapolis, where Lowrey was a featured speaker and recognized as one of the country’s leading jewelers. Lowrey designed and crafted several pieces for Elvis Presley, including two of the singer’s rings and the first images of the iconic “TCB” (Taking Care of Business) lightning bolt logo. Lowrey died Sept. 1, 2005, at age 60. At the time Littlejohn met him, Lowrey worked at Trenton Jewelry School in Memphis, specializing in custom-made jewelry. Littlejohn graduated from the school with honors in 1990 as a certified bench jeweler and stone setter. The school has since closed, but admission was selective. It accepted only experienced jewelers, and few applicants made the cut. Littlejohn’s admission was helped along by input from his boss, Robert Carbaugh. Littlejohn completed the two-week intensive course to earn his certification, then stayed a couple of extra days to work oneon-one with Lowrey in his shop. Lowrey showed Littlejohn how to make a bowl from a flat piece of pewter. That same bowl now sits on Littlejohn’s 125-year-old workbench, where it holds gemstones he needs while creating jewelry. “Meeting and working with Randy was a great opportunity, and it solidified in my mind that I wanted a career as a jeweler,” Littlejohn says. Lowrey occasionally talked about his work with Elvis, giving Littlejohn a glimpse into what it was like to create jewelry for one of the world’s most famous entertainers. “Elvis loved rings and bracelets, and Randy knew it took a lot of skill to produce a piece up to Elvis’ standards,” Littlejohn says. “Randy described Elvis as a very genuine and personable individual and was very easy to work with, but he knew what he liked and what he didn’t like. He wanted what he wanted, and his jewelers had to figure out how to do it. He never spoke in
Elvis Presley in 1956
great detail about Elvis, yet he had only positive things to say about him.” Littlejohn remembers Lowrey as an eccentric, worldly man who had an ability to teach. “He totally thought things through, and if he couldn’t find the right tool to do a job, he’d make a tool,” Littlejohn says. For Littlejohn, the lessons he learned from Lowrey went far beyond jewelry making. One lesson has stayed with him ever since. “Randy took jewelry making to the next level,” he says. “He always advised me to do my best for customers. He said it’s not about ‘getting by.’ You have to do everything the right way no matter what it takes.” Those words have stayed with Littlejohn throughout his career. “I think about him every day because he took such an interest in me and showed me what it takes to be the best,” he says. “We work with jewelry and stones passed down through the generations. There’s no room for a mistake. Randy always said you have one opportunity to not make a mistake.” ❚ Visit Carbaugh Jewelers at 108 E. Seventh St., Auburn, and learn more at carbaughjewelers.com. 23 Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne Sept./Oct. 2026
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Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
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. Kuehnert Dairy Fall Festival Thru Oct. 25, recurring weekly on Friday-Sunday. The festival showcases more than 30 attractions for all ages, including a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkins, baby calves and more. Kuehnert Dairy Farm, 6532 W. Cook Road, Fort Wayne, kuehnertdairy.com. YLNI 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. Zoolooween at the Fort Wayne Zoo Oct. 2-31, Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Trick-ortreaters of all ages can discover amazing animals, meet their favorite characters, dance the day away, enjoy magical shows and so much more. Costumes are welcome. Fort Wayne Zoo, 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, fwzoo.com. Art This Way Fest Oct. 2-3, Fri. 5-11:30 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. The inaugural two-day festival celebrates 10 years of “Art This Way” with an art fair, live art demonstrations, local and national music, buskers, food trucks, kid-friendly activities and mural dedications. Broadway Arts District, 1126 Broadway, Fort Wayne, artthiswayfw.com. Bullpen Plaza Party Oct. 3, 4-6:30 p.m. The event features live music from the Rylie Lynn Band, professional bull rider appearances and autographs, a mechanical bull,
Kuehnert Dairy Fall Festival returns through Oct. 25 on Fridays through Sundays. Enjoy a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkins, baby calves and more.
food and drinks, family activities and more. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, memorialcoliseum.com. Fall Bonsai Show Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore a display of bonsai trees and learn more about the art and tradition of bonsai. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne, botanicalconservatory.org. Fall Bridal Spectacular Oct. 4, noon-4 p.m. Explore vendors featuring photography, florals, venues, hotels and more. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, fortwaynebrides.com. West Side Story Suite: Joe Policastro Jazz Trio Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m. Experience Bernstein’s
legendary West Side Story score reimagined by the Joe Policastro Jazz Trio, bringing the iconic music to life through a jazz-inspired performance. The Philharmonic Center, 826 Ewing St., Fort Wayne, fwphil.org. ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder Tour Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. “Weird Al” Yankovic brings his full-production multimedia comedy rock show to Fort Wayne, featuring iconic hits and never-performed-live fan favorites. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, memorialcoliseum.com. Gems Rock the Fort Oct. 16-18, Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Discover a dazzling selection of gems, minerals, fossils and jewelry, with vendors offering unique finds. Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne, threeriversgemandmineral.com. Jurassic Quest Oct. 16-18, Fri. 1-6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Get up close with life-size dinosaurs at this family-friendly experience featuring realistic animatronic dinosaurs, interactive activities, dinosaur rides, fossil digs and more. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, jurassicquest.com.
Jurassic Quests brings life-size animatronic dinosaurs to Fort Wayne from Oct. 16-18.
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Little Shop of Horrors Oct. 16-Nov. 1, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m. Follow meek floral shop worker Seymour as his discovery of a mysterious, maneating plant brings fame, fortune and plenty of chaos in this sci-fi musical comedy. Three Rivers Music Theatre, 416 W. Fourth Street, Fort Wayne, threeriversmusictheatre.com. ❚
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