Fort Wayne's Glo - February 2023

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get — only with what you are expecting to give which is everything.” — Katharine Hepburn

“Let’s Get Healthy”

GLAM + STYLE

Fashion: Seriously Sequined

Wellness & Beauty: The Beat Goes On................................................. 10

COMMUNITY FOCUS

She glows : Chauntiel Smith-Jones 12 He glows : Ian Boyce

FEATURES

Feature Focus: Mental Health in the Black Community

Feature Focus: Galentine’s Day Gift Ideas 18

On Her Nightstand: Kali Bonkoski

Motherhood: The Benefits of Baking with Kids 22

Creative Corner: Cherise Sevier 24

SHOPPING

Shop Local ................................................................................................. 26-27

HOME LIVING

HOME Feature: 2023’s Color of the Year 28

HOME Feature: Home Buying: Advice from Local Experts 29

Company Spotlight: Summit Hearing Solutions

Support Small: NOB Brick & Fireplaces

I Am Home: Kate Virag

ALL ABOUT YOU

To-Do List 34

From the executive editor

Greetings glo readersWelcome to the February issue. This month’s focus is “Let’s Get Healthy.” By the time February rolls around, many of us have abandoned our healthrelated resolutions. Change is hard especially when it comes to our eating and exercise habits. Change is also hard when it comes to self-care and mental health. Here are some things I have committed to (and so far stuck with) in the New Year:

• Get moving for at least 30 mins, 5 days a week. This can be anything: walking outside or on the treadmill, doing an online workout routine, or chasing my kids around the house. Any activity that raises my heart rate for 30 minutes counts. It also builds in 2 days where I can let myself off the hook if work or life demands get too tough.

• Take a moment at the end of each day to write in my One Line a Day Journal. The journal includes 5 years’ worth of one-liners. It takes the pressure off me to keep a full-scale journal. I just need to write one line per day it can be something we did, a thought I had, or a special memory I want to be sure to remember for years to come. It takes less than one minute and does wonders for my mental health.

• Focus on healthful eating. My specific goal is fewer carbs and more fruits and veggies. It’s easy to grab stuff on the go, but usually those types of foods are full of fat, sugar, and carbs. I have committed to always have a wide variety of fruits and veggies on hand so I can make better choices when life gets busy.

• Read 30 books! In previous years, my goal has been to read 26 books and I’ve often fell short. In 2022, I read 37 books, so I know I can push to read 30 this year. Reading is an escape for me, and I like all different types of genres. Getting lost in a book, even for 5 minutes, has a positive impact on my mental health.

• Get a spa treatment every quarter. Whether a massage, facial or pedicure taking this time to pamper myself gives me a little extra mental health boost.

Don’t forget to tune into our newly launched podcast, The Glo-Cast. Our first episode in January featured an extended interview with Stephanie Crandall with the City of Fort Wayne. This month’s podcast features Chauntiel Smith, a local woman who owns a sports talent agency and represents professional female athletes across the country. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts.

What small goals are you sticking to this year? I’d love to hear about them. Email me at ambouthot@the-papers.com,

Xo,

Amber Bouthot ambouthot@the-papers.com

athe Cover

Title of piece: Self Reconnection

Inspiration for this piece:

I created this piece because, over time, we tend to lose or disconnect from ourselves and dreams. Painting this was a reminder to refocus and reconnect with self while enjoying the process.

Where do you draw inspiration from in general for your artwork?

When I go exploring outside, Pinterest, museums, and my old art pieces.

Want

put your art on

glo is a news magazine with emphasis on inspiring women of all ages. glo does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does glo or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication. glo assumes no liability for any claims regarding services or products or claims made by advertisers. No reproduction of glo is allowed without express written permission. Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $45 for 12 issues; $77 for 24 issues. Mail your request, along with your check to glo, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542. Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. Copyright © 2022

cover artist: Batonica Tembo

Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN

How long have you been creating art?

Since I was very young, I would draw practically every day. As I got older, there wasn’t time for it with work, school, and life balance so it was on pause for a while. However, my creations started again in 2018, and I continue to practice my skills. After a while, I notice that my art skills had improved significantly, had developed new techniques, and started working with other mediums, such as resin.

What is your preferred medium? Watercolors, acrylics, and colored pencils.

What advice do you have for other artists just starting out? Believe in yourself and trust the process. Do your best to practice every day, set goals, and have some fun! Do not compare your work to others because everyone has different art styles. There are platforms you can use to enhance your skills such as YouTube, Pinterest, or taking a beginner art class.

Melinda Musselman | mmusselman@the-papers.com Rebecca Boone | rboone@the-papers.com Lynn Blanchard | Lblanchard@the-papers.com business manager

Annette Weaver | aweaver@the-papers.com

Jerry Long | jlong@the-papers.com graphic designer

Mary Lester marketing assistants

Darlene Eichelberger, Taelynne Ousley photographers

Leaha Meinika

contributing writers

Stacie Ball, Ray Balogh, Bethany Beebe, Mary Jane Bogle, Lauren Caggiano, Jennie Renner, Lindsey Sharp, Cathy Shouse, Wendy Stein, Julie Young

Twitter twitter.com/glofortwayne Instagram instagram.com/glofortwayne

| FEBRUARY GLO 2023 | 7

Seriously Sequined

Sequins can add a touch of glamour and fun to any outfit. Whether you’re wearing a simple pair of jeans or a cocktail dress, adding a few sequins can instantly turn your ensemble from drab to fab. However, there are ways to pull off the look more confidently. For one, not all sequin clothes are created equal. Some outfits are more formal than others. If you’re unsure about what to wear, err on the side of caution, and choose a more subdued outfit. And if the dress or top is loud, you might want to balance it out with more subtle jewelry.

If, on the other hand, you want a more dramatic look for everyday wear, try pairing a sequin top with jeans or a denim skirt. To dress it down, go for a tee with some subtle sequin details.

When it comes to a date night or girls’ night, there’s no such thing as too much glam. Go all out with a sequin dress or separates like a shimmering skirt and blouse combo. Add some heels and you’re in business! Of course, no outfit is complete without a purse. But don’t overdo it — it’s best to add sequins as a clutch or wristlet to create the right amount of pizzazz.

GLAM

Susan’s Fashions

Susan’s Fashions

Shutterstock.com

By Lauren Caggiano

2023 is the year you’ll shine a little brighter — maybe literally. And with this hottest fashion trend, you can do that relatively effortlessly. We’re talking about sequins. Who knew such a small detail could make such a big impact? A far cry from the days of Disco fashion, sequins are back and better than ever.

On that note, bright patterns and colors can make it appear as if you’re trying too hard. For this reason, only pair sequin tops with bright colors if you think it’s a style risk worth taking. Instead, it’s best to stick with solid, neutral colors for a look that commands the right amount of attention.

Speaking of making an impression, Sue Johnson of Susan’s Fashions is an expert at creating outfits that pull in trends but also make women feel and look sophisticated. Her prediction for 2023? Glitz and glitter will be a winning combination. The best part is you can either dip your toe in the water or go headfirst.

“It can be a few small details, such as at the bottom of jeans, or it can be a whole bomber jacket in solid sequins,” she said. “Regardless, it is not just a dressy or holiday thing, as in the past. It is an updated look to give your wardrobe a new look. You do have to have a positive personality to wear it and to show it off. It can be fun if YOU make it fun! We are seeing lots of glitter on tennis shoes, boots, and other accessories. It is trending especially for the young at heart!”

What sequin style will you be rocking? Share your style with us on social media. Shine on, friend! a

Resource:

Susan’s Fashions, Fort Wayne, 260.459.2828, susansfashions.com

Susan’s Fashions

The Beat Goes On February is National Heart Month

By Julie Young

Ladies, it’s time to have a heart-to-heart talk about cardiovascular disease. As the leading cause of death for women in the United States, we want you to know the facts so that you can take proactive steps to protect your ticker and make sure that your “beat” goes on.

According to Dr. Sabeena Ramrakhiani, MD, FACE, FASE, a cardiologist with Parkview Health, only 56 percent of women understand how real the threat of heart disease is for women. Either they don’t recognize the symptoms when they are having them, downplay their severity, or they are worried they will be ignored by their physician if they do talk about them.

“According to the latest data, 314,186 women die of heart disease each year, which is one in five based on 2020 figures, so it’s important for everyone to have the facts,” she said.

When it comes to heart disease, there are certain risk factors that apply to everyone regardless of gender. Those with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, and people who smoke are all at a higher risk than others, but there are some things that are specific to women, such as those who are post-menopausal or who have had pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia.

“We have also learned that stress and sleep are also risk factors,” Dr. Ramrakhiani said.

The first step in mitigating your risk for heart disease is to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns and to address which factors might be an issue for you. Some simple ways you can improve your overall health (and reduce your risk for heart disease) is to stop smoking, limit your cholesterol intake, maintain your weight, watch your blood pressure, and get plenty of rest and

exercise. For those who already have a fairly healthy lifestyle, there is always more that you can do in terms of nutrition, lifestyle, and stress.

“Stress is a huge issue for women, and it is important that we recognize it,” Dr. Ramrakhiani said. “Luckily, there are a lot of stress relief apps that can help us deal with those feelings like Mindfulness, Calm, Headspace, and more.”

Above all, it is important not to ignore the signs that something isn’t right. While the basic symptoms are general guidelines, not everyone experiences heart trouble in the same way. If you are having a nagging feeling of indigestion, notice a heaviness in your chest, or if your bra feels like it is constricting your chest, make an appointment to see your physician and don’t be afraid to overshare. Dr. Ramrakhiani says this is not a time to be a shrinking violet.

“A lot of women are afraid that they will be blown off or told that they are overreacting, and we need to get away from that. While no one likes to get tests done, they can be reassuring especially when there is nothing wrong,” she said. “You’ll feel better and there will be less stress weighing on you!” a

Resource: Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, www.parkview.com

s he gl o ws

By Stacie Ball | Photo provided

Fort Wayne native Chauntiel Smith-Jones has been playing sports since she was three years old. She didn’t have much growing up, so basketball became her escape in 6th grade, and she was smitten with track and field by 9th grade. She earned honors like holding the Women’s 400 M Dash record (56.8) at South Side, an athletic scholarship for track and field from Indiana Tech, and becoming a three-time National Champion as an athlete and assistant track and field coach while at Indiana Tech. These accomplishments opened doors for her to attend Agent School, Virtual Scouting School, Case Western Reserve University, and Sports Business School. She now attends Arizona State to receive a Masters in Sports Law.

While a junior in college and interning at a small sports agency in Dallas, God revealed to her the need to build a sports agency in her home community. Not knowing how to begin, she ignored the call. She asked, “How could God possibly want me, a young African American woman in a male-dominated industry, to flourish?” Confused and fearful, she heard God say if He called her to do this, she was more than qualified. Asking no more questions, she took a leap of faith and started her agency with the help of her mentor André Cummings. They settled on “Capture Sports Agency” because they wanted to capture their athletes to be more than athletes.

Now a sports agent, Smith-Jones scouts college athletes who aspire to take their athletic careers to the next level professionally. She is certified with the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), FIBA (Federal International Basketball Association), NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), and WKBL (Women’s Korean Basketball League). She does everything from creating brands, merchandise lines and websites to negotiating contracts, and much more.

“It is a blessing to be able to understand where many of these athletes come from,” she explained. “They have big dreams, despite coming from modest means.” Consequently, Smith-Jones helps educate them in different areas of life, teaches them about the industry, and helps them get a head start on their future careers outside of sports.

A huge advocate for women in sports, her desire for Capture Sports is to build a bridge between athletes and their communities. She helps athletes on and off the court by having monthly seminars that teach taxes, starting a business, entrepreneurship, mental health, insurance, having a positive impact in the community, and more. They put together databases for each client to help them build their community and give back to future athletes. Currently in the process of expanding by representing coaches and media personnel, Smith-Jones also plans to create a group to mentor high school and college-aged women in Fort Wayne who wish to become sports agents.

“It’s bigger than their sports and it’s bigger than them,” Smith-Jones described. “We’re helping them create businesses, foundations, and nonprofits to build their legacy and not just rely on a sport.” a

Want to nominate someone for She Glows? Email Amber at ambouthot@the-papers.com.

he glows

By Julie Young | Photo by Leaha Meinika

Hockey may have brought Ian Boyce to Fort Wayne in the early ‘90s, but the former Komet and 1993 Turner Cup champion said it was his wife, his children, and the community that caused him to make his home in the Hoosier Heartland.

“I was nearing the end of my hockey career, my oldest son had been born, and I didn’t want to be away from home as much,” he said. “I played minor and professional hockey for 10 years both in the US and overseas, and I felt like it was a good time to get serious about life and focus on what really mattered.”

Born in Montreal, Canada, Boyce played hockey for the University of Vermont before being chosen by the Buffalo Sabers in the 1989 NHL Supplemental draft. Boyce was sent to the club’s AAA affiliate in Rochester, NY where he suffered an injury and was subsequently farmed out to Fort Wayne to rehabilitate in hopes of returning in time for the playoffs. There was only one problem he had no idea where Fort Wayne was.

“I thought Indiana might have been in the deep south, that’s how little I knew about US geography,” he said.

After hanging up his skates, Boyce leaned on his minor in economics to transition into banking and ultimately financial planning, founding Dickmeyer Boyce Financial Management in 2002. Dickmeyer Boyce Financial Management is a fee-only financial planning and wealth management firm that does not sell any products and does not receive any commissions on transactions. The focus is strictly helping families plan for their financial future while solving the economic challenges that they face every day.

“I enjoy helping families solve their financial challenges as well as walking through the chapters of life with them such as the birth of their children, planning for college, and transferring their wealth,” he said.

He also believes in giving back to the community. Boyce is the current board chair for Parkview Health and serves on the boards of the University of St. Francis, as well as the Questa Education Foundation, which helps individuals access a post-secondary education, graduate with less debt, and become contributing members of the Northeast Indiana workforce.

“I am really proud of my affiliation with Questa,” he said. “I have always been involved in supporting education, community development, and economic opportunity, and if we can reduce the burdens of those who cannot afford to go to college, it helps everyone.”

Boyce said altruism is something that he learned from his parents as well as those who served as a lighthouse for him throughout his life.

“My parents were always thinking about others or doing things for those less fortunate than them, and I think that was passed on to me,” he said. “I enjoy serving others because I feel it is important to give back when you can, and it’s a way to pay forward some of those people who looked out for me over the years.” a

Want to nominate someone for He Glows? Email Amber at ambouthot@the-papers.com.

How COURAGEOUS HEALING is breaking down barriers to mental health in the black community

By Mary Jane Bogle

glo: What would you say are some of the stigmas surrounding mental health in the Black community?

CH: Throughout history, dismissing mental health and withholding feelings was about survival. If something helps you survive, you teach your loved ones that skill. But when that mindset is no longer necessary, it becomes a problem. While withholding emotions stems primarily from self-preservation and a survivalist mentality, over time, the weight of internalizing emotions to be strong and resilient in all situations is harmful.

In addition, many people in the Black community don’t see therapy as a realistic or viable option. Nor do they consider mental health as something to improve or obtain through professional help. It’s common to see people turning to other avenues that feel safer and more familiar or internalizing their feelings altogether. glo: What would you say is the root of that stigma?

CH: The reluctance of Black communities to seek mental health care can often be attributed to a general distrust of the health care system, in part because traditional mental health systems often overlook the cultural nuances of historically underserved populations.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness. While Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) groups have rates of mental health disorders similar to white groups, these disorders are more likely to go undetected, untreated, last longer, or result in more significant disability for BIPOC groups.

glo: What are the main mental health needs of Black people in our community?

CH: Our clients face many of the typical challenges people often associate with mental health needs. We help clients navigate issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, anger, stress, relationships, and more.

What makes Courageous Healing different is that we also address barriers to positive mental health, particularly for BIPOC populations, including the stigma associated with mental illness, a general distrust of the health care system, underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of mental illness, lack of providers from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, a lack of culturally competent and trauma-informed providers, a lack of insurance or underinsurance, and a lack of accessibility to care.

glo: How is Courageous Healing addressing those needs?

CH: Owners Aaron and Janell Lane have made a conscious decision to align our services with our clients’ needs from day one. We pair our clients with a client relations specialist, who takes time to listen to our clients’ needs and match those clients with the best therapist to help them in the healing journey.

This process is intentional, because we try not to overwhelm people with documentation, which can make them feel too exposed. We use everyday language, and we’ve designed our space to look more like a spa than a healthcare clinic. For our Spanish-speaking clients, we now have the capability to offer registration and therapy services in their own language. We also offer a relaxation room, designed to diminish clients’ stress before or after a session.

glo: What is your approach to care?

CH: Our therapists are trained in some of the most efficient trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches in the country. That includes Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT),

Many people associate the need for mental health care with weakness or shame, and the Black community in Fort Wayne is no exception. Glo recently interviewed Barbara Oliveira-Beckham, brand and client experience manager at Courageous Healing, to discuss how the therapists are breaking down barriers to mental health and offering true and lasting hope to their clients.

Barbara Oliveira-Beckham

Because we work hard to establish trust, people turn to us for their healing journey, which includes four main pillars:

1. Culturally centered care. People seek therapy providers with whom they can connect and feel understood. Finding them should not be an overwhelming task. We created a dedicated space where clients can receive mental health and life support from staff with similar and shared life experiences.

2. Trauma-informed practitioners. Traumatic events can have lasting, compounding effects and, when untreated, be passed on to subsequent generations. The key to delivering trauma-informed care at Courageous Healing lies in realizing the impact of trauma and the potential for recovery, recognizing the symptoms of trauma, responding according to the traumainformed model, and striving to provide an experience that does not contribute to re-traumatization.

3. Accessibility. Our role in contributing to our community being as healthy as possible is to provide therapy on a sliding fee scale for clients who are uninsured, underinsured, and who demonstrate financial need. We also offer clients the option of engaging in teletherapy or a combination of both virtual and in-person sessions when transportation and childcare are barriers to receiving the care they need.

4. Safe spaces. We feel safe when we trust that we are seen and our feelings are valid, respected, and cared for. Understanding that layout and visual cues play a subconscious role in instilling a sense of safety in us, we designed the spaces at Courageous Healing to convey one message: You are safe, valued, and you belong here. When our clients experience safety, their social engagement systems enable them to connect openly and share vulnerably, which makes for a better chance of healing. glo: What response are you getting from the community?

CH: In the past year alone, we delivered 1,475 hours of improving our clients’ quality of life through traditional talk therapy and trauma-based interventions, such as EMDR. We demonstrated positive relationships with clients as shown by a 78% retention rate, which is 13% above the national average! Even better, 95% of our clients reported that their treatment positively impacted their families, and 99% reported a change in the way they view mental health.

In these ways, Courageous Healing is meeting needs for diverse populations, breaking down barriers to mental health and increasing opportunities for hope and healing in the Fort Wayne community. a

Resource:

Courageous Healing Inc., Fort Wayne, 260.255.3514, courageoushealing.org

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Addiction Peer Recovery (CAPRC II), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), QPR Suicide Prevention, and more.

DAY GIFT IDEAS

By Amber Bouthot | Photos provided

For many, Valentine’s Day means romantic dates, fancy gifts, and flower deliveries from our true love. And while all of this may be welcome, there’s an arguably even better holiday to celebrate the day before: Galentine’s Day a day dedicated to honoring friendships.

Where did it come from? It wasn’t created by a card company or internet marketplace trying to take all your money. Instead, Galentine’s Day was founded by Leslie Knope, a fictional character from the sitcom Parks and Recreation (season 2, episode 16, which aired in 2010).

While it’s not an official holiday you won’t see it taking over the aisles of local stores it can be just as important because it gives you an excuse to honor the people who are always there for you: your girlfriends.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite local Galentine’s Day gift ideas.

Kristi Jo Beber Stoneware Pottery Hearts

Available at Orchard Gallery in Fort Wayne | facebook.com/KJBpottery

As part of The Orchard Gallery’s Valentine’s Exhibition, Kristy has created an assortment of whimsical and adorable ceramic hearts. Local art is always a good gift but these holiday-themed pieces take it to another level.

Cayman & Company Candles and Soap

Generous Earth Botanicals Beauty Box

Available at online at generousearthbotanicals.com

We could all use a little self-care. Gift your friends some organic skincare and allow them to take some me time in the comfort of their own home. Boxes contain various products protect skin, hydrate hair, and provide cleansing calm.

Available at Visit Fort Wayne’s Gift Shop and YLNI Farmers Market | caymanandcompany.com

Based in Fort Wayne, Cayman and Company is all about simple, natural ingredients all 100% cruelty free, as well as paraben and phthalate-free. They use funky packaging for fun-loving folks. Your friends will love the soothing scents of the candles and the luxurious experience of their all-natural bar soap.

Lyndy Bazile Mural Cards

Crumbl Cookie gift box

Available at Crumbl Cookie at Orchard Crossing | crumblcookies.com

The newest cookie maker to hit town is Crumbl Cookie. Known for their oversized and extra gooey fresh made rotating menu of cookies, any friend with a sweet tooth will appreciate this gift. The best part, they come in cute pink boxes that make the experience feel extra special.

Available at the Visit Fort Wayne Gift Shop

Local artist Lyndy Bazile has painted a few murals in and around downtown Fort Wayne, and those works of art have been captured on notecards. They are the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for friend.

Stakes and other

Available at Fancy & Staple | tuffgirlgang.faire.com

Have a plant lover on your list or maybe someone who just likes quirky finds? These clever plant stakes from Tuff Girl Gang will make your green-thumbed friend smile. Show her you understand her love language!

Fresco Spice Blends

Available at the YLNI Farmers Market | frescospiceblends.com

For your foodie friend, spices from Fresco Spice Blends make a thoughtful and useful gift. All blends are created in Fort Wayne and are artfully created, taste tested and hand packed. Every spice is 100% natural. They also offer gift cards.

On Her Nightstand

By Wendy Stein

What are you currently reading?

The book I’m most actively reading is #5 in Robert Jordan’s “The Wheel of Time” series, “The Fires of Heaven.” The fantasy series follows five young men and women in a world ruled by The Wheel of Time, which spins out the lives of men through a repeating pattern driven by the True Source (the magic of the land). There are many plots, subplots, and twists as the main characters travel to and fro across their world, fulfilling their destinies, while battling evil. In many ways it’s the classic good vs. evil story, but Jordan gives it his own enjoyable twists.

My husband read the books as a teen, and after watching the Amazon Prime TV series, we decided to read them together. It’s been fun to chat about the different plots and characters. Each novel is pretty thick, and there are eleven, but that’s one of the things I like. Often when reading fiction, I become attached to the characters, and at the end, I am forced to reckon with the fact that these people do not actually exist. With a long, drawnout series, the inevitable sadness is delayed.

I’m also reading “Raising Good Humans” by Hunter Clarke-Fields and “How to do the Work” by Dr. Nicole LePera. I’ve been working on them for a while. Both are the type of book that you can set down while you digest the content and then come back to it later.

What’s a classic you started but never finished? “1984” by George Orwell. I briefly picked it up in high school and have never convinced myself to return to it.

Kali Bonkoski

Kali Bonkoski is a stay-at-home mom. You’re likely to find her cooking for her family, hanging out with other moms at the zoo, or playing with her baby boy. She used to enjoy gardening and sewing, but, ya know, parenthood. Her son Benjamin already loves books. His current favorite is a pop-up book called “Giraffe is Lost” by Roger Priddy.

What was your favorite book as a child?

I read a lot as a child. Some books that come to mind are The American Girl books, The Babysister’s Club, Sweet Valley Twins, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, “A Gown of Spanish Lace” by Janette Oke and her “Love Comes Softly” series. Now that I’m thinking of it, I apparently have always preferred book series.

What’s a book you like to give as a gift?

“The Joy of Cooking.” I’m not a huge cookbook person (Google is my go-to cookbook), but this was given to us for our wedding, and we’ve found it to be very well rounded.

I can see why it’s a classic. What’s your favorite genre?

I’m not sure I have one. I do really enjoy fantasy novels. But I also really enjoy nonfiction. I don’t think there is a problem that can’t be solved with a research trip to the library. a

Benefits

The of Baking with Kids

By Amber Bouthot

Baking is fun! It can even be fun to bake with your kids if you can let yourself experience the moment and not worry about the mess this last part is a struggle for me. But beyond being a fun activity for kids and parents to do together, there are many other benefits to baking together.

Motor skills

Baking offers many opportunities for children to work on their motor skills. Pouring liquids requires careful hand and eye coordination, and kneading dough strengthens muscles. Whipping, creaming, and rubbing in all use different movements and muscle groups. A baking session makes an excellent work out! The development of a child’s motor skills is best done through repeating natural actions — and baking is a great activity for this.

Communication and social skills

Baking offers many opportunities for communication. In addition to general chatter, opportunities can be found to use positional language, such as in, on, and over. Children may also use mathematical language: more, less, heavy, and light. And there are plenty of chances to use descriptive language. Baking with family and friends, sharing recipes, and spending time working together is a great way to get to know each other and improve social skills.

Sense of achievement

Baking gives children a real sense of achievement. Working on a task that produces a product that they can enjoy and share with others gives them a confidence boost.

Teaches them to follow directions

Nothing teaches you to follow directions quite like a recipe. If you don’t follow a recipe exactly, you may end up with something that must be thrown away. When you bake with your child, they will begin to learn how important following directions is.

Helps with math skills

Baking involves a lot of numbers. When you work in the kitchen with your child, you can help them boost their math skills. Have them count the eggs, help with different measurements, and put the right amount on the timer. All the numbers involved with baking can help them better understand numbers.

Improves reading skills

Since most recipes involve directions, baking can help your child with their reading skills. They can read the ingredients and the directions with you, which will help them develop their reading in general. But this can also help with reading comprehension because they then understand that an action correlates with those directions.

Boosts language development

Baking can help boost your child’s language development by teaching them new words and what actions go with those words. Recipes explain each step of the process, which describes what your child will be doing; this can help improve their language development, as well.

Special bond

Perhaps most importantly, baking together can help create a special bond between you and your child. This fun activity allows you to spend time together and stay entertained. They will remember it for years, and it can easily become a weekly tradition.

Happy baking! a

Mission: Motherhood is proud to offer infant massage classes starting in early 2023.

Infant massage is an ancient therapeutic technique used around the world. For infants who experience painful procedures, are exposed to the stressful NICU environment, and are separated from their parents, infant massage has been paromoted as a method to reduce stress and promote bonding.

Join our variety of classes with a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) through the World Institute for Nurturing Communication (WINC) to learn fundamental infant massage.

This program is for ALL prenatal/postpartum mothers, parents and caregivers who are looking for encouraging and educational support in boding with their infant.

Creativeorner

Title of the piece:

“Imaginative Izzy goes International”, and it is one poem in a series of several about my daughters Izzy and Charley.

What inspired this piece:

The main inspiration for this piece came from the special and unique relationship that Izzy has with my parents, as well as the deep and impactful memories I have of time spent with my own grandparents.

What is your preferred style of writing?

My preferred style of writing is creative; it’s my passion and my emotional outlet. No matter the feeling when spoken words fail, for me, written always prevail.

How long have you been writing?

I suppose you can say I’ve been a storyteller since I started talking and a writer shortly after I figured out how the alphabet worked; however, it wasn’t until 5 years ago that I really believed in myself enough. By that I mean I had a mentor absolutely pushing and

Imaginative Izzy goes International

By Cherise Sevier

Name: Cherise Sevier

Hometown: Auburn, Indiana

Current town: Fort Wayne, Indiana

cheering me on, to submit my writing for a nursing journal. It was absolutely amazing and cathartic to see my words printed and shared nationally with other nursing professionals, so I decided to contribute another article about a research project I had been helping conduct. Now, I’m taking the next step in my writing journey and submitting my first creative piece.

What advice do you have for other writers?

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I am feeling rather exposed. That being said, the advice I’d share for other writers starting out, and this includes me too, is that there is an audience for everyone’s voice. You don’t have to be on a best-sellers list to make a difference or to be successful; write because you have a story that needs to be told, and somewhere, someone needs to hear it.

Where can we find your work?

You can find my work in past issues of AHNA Beginnings Magazine and the AORN Journal a

Once there was a little girl, with bright blue eyes and golden curls. She lived in an enchanted world; imagined in her head.

Her name simply, was Izabel, and of her journeys she would tell, stories that seemed to cast a spell, on all who stopped to listen.

And though Izabel was her given name, a name like that was much too tame, for the little girl whose favorite game,

So, everyone called her Izzy, In fact, anyone else would go dizzy, if they tried keeping up with her.

Today, Izzy would keep her her usual pace; however, it would take her all over the place. Around the world, and maybe even through space,

First, she flew across the sea, to join some royal company, and lift her pinkie while sipping tea, with Queen Grandmother Rene.

Who was known, by all, as the nicest queen, sweet, loving, kind, and never meanwith more vigor than a jumping bean, they would laugh and play together.

Following tea, Izzy had planned, a camel ride across the sand, of a barren deserted land, which really was the sandbox.

After a quick ride filled with bumps, on the back of the dog with two pills for humps, Izzy decided to take a brief jump, into a wetter scene.

Now she was searching for sunken gold, diamonds, rubies, and riches untold. Holding her nose she dove into the cold, crashing waves of the bathtub.

Soon came a pirate trying to plunder, the treasure that Izzy had found down under. With a loud booming laugh that sounded like thunder, it was Captain Graybeard Grandpa.

Who was known, by all, as the fiercest pirate, he loaded his cannon and aimed to fire it, then instead said, “please”, the best way to acquire it; so they shared the treasure together.

Then Graybeard asked Izzy to be his first mate, she shook her head, “no” it was getting too late, but then swore to return at a later date, to help rule the seas once more.

With the days adventure coming to an end, Izzy bid farewell to her scurvy and royal friends Who absolutely loved her, no need to pretend, Family is forever.

LIVING

Seeing red or thinking pink VIVA MAGENTA

is 2023’s color of the year

By Julie Young

Somewhere between red and blue on the color wheel is a shade with a lust for life. Rooted in nature and vibrating with vim and vigor, Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year is ready to welcome everyone to the “magentaverse.” Viva Magenta 18-1750 will be everywhere this year so let’s get to know it a little and find out what makes it a great option for everyone!

A hybrid color

Not as tired as millennial salmon and not as synthetic as Barbiecore, Viva Magenta is an animated and surprisingly versatile color that is both powerful and empowering,

“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real viva Magenta descends from the red family and is inspired from cochineal, one of the most precious dyes the world has ever known,” said Leatrice Eisman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Pantone has not chosen a shade of red since 2015’s Marsala – a robust and earthy wine red – and while its critics argue that Viva Magenta is more pink than red, it is a hybrid and transitional color that complements both warm and cool tones. You can create a bold look by paring it with emerald green and navy blue or soften it with a sandy beige or cinnamon brown. Viva Magenta can offer your living space (or outfit) a much-needed pop of color or add some warmth where you need it the most. It provides a touch of femininity to an otherwise neutral look, and it is a perfect choice for those who are looking for a more grown-up shade of pink that will look great this winter, spring, and on into the summer.

A shade that will grow on you

On the fence about the color of the year? You’re not alone, but for those who aren’t ready to commit to Viva Magenta, there are ways you can add it to your space to see if it grows on you. Purchase a small canvas frame and paint it magenta then hang it on the wall to see if you like it. Essie Cheveron makes a 70s inspired magenta nail polish that will give your fingers some pizazz while Bobbi Brown Bare Raspberry Extra Lip Tint is a perfect nod to the color of the year. Purchase some small accessories to see if magenta works with your wardrobe and infuse it into your garden with magenta impatiens and azaleas to be on trend without making a big investment.

Whether you are seeing red or think it’s pink, Viva Magenta is a great color for women of all ages and stages of life!

Looking for some complementary colors? Check out the other shades in the Magentaverse:

Home Buying:

Advice from Local Experts

By Bethany Beebe

There’s no place like home, the cliché says, and if you are considering a new place to call that place, you know options abound. Two local experts on the matter, Heidi Haiflich of North Eastern Group Realty and Kristi Abel of Century 21 Bradley Realty, weigh in to sweeten the process for those seeking a new home.

Use your senses.

“My best advice is to use your senses before deciding if the home is worth placing an offer on,” Haiflich said.

Potential home buyers should carefully consider roof, electrical, windows, basement walls, historical utility prices, HVAC, fences, foundation, means of accessing water and sewage-removal utilities, and any other physical asset of the property, Abel said.

Haiflich also said reading the Seller’s Residential Disclosure, while not required if part of an estate in Indiana, will give insight on problems as reported by the seller. Whether or not this disclosure statement is available, she said, “ I always suggest getting a professional, licensed home inspector to go through the home. They will spend hours … inspecting and taking photos of problem areas and share their findings with you.”

Take the inspection seriously.

Take advantage of the inspection, asking for checks of everything from properly working chimney to cracked rafters, Abel said.

“As a buyer,” she said “you can only see so much during the showing. This is where your inspector comes into play once an offer is accepted.”

Haiflich said that depending on the size of the home, a buyer might look for a bill from $350-$1000.

Look for a good fit.

Make sure that you fit your potential new neighborhood and that your potential new abode fits you. Abel said annual maintenance is a key consideration, reminding home shoppers that wooded lots take more work than their counterparts with fewer trees, a wooden exterior is more work to keep up than vinyl siding, and ponds are labor-makers. Yards in general, simply need work.

“If you are not someone who truly enjoys yard work,” she said, “don’t buy a home with high-maintenance landscaping.” She also said that smells in some areas can be an issue.

Know about what comes with the territory.

Day-to-day living may happen inside the four walls of your dream home, but those four walls do not exist in a vacuum. Research property taxes, look at the past utility expenses, and consider what you might be sharing with your neighbors. For example, a condominium might have a shared wall, or a driveway might serve your home and the one next door, too. You need to know how these are addressed legally and socially. Understanding expectations of a homeowner’s association, or HOA, is critical.

“You need to know what your intended use of the property is and make sure it matches what the HOA allows,” Abel said.

Allowing your senses to assess a home you love and trusting the inspector can lead to a positive home buying experience. Considering the context of that new home and what goes along with the brick and mortar can have just the same positive effect on your daily life for years to come. a

Resources:

Kristi Abel, Century 21 Bradley Realty, Fort Wayne, homesforsale.century21.com

Heidi Haiflich, North Eastern Group Realty, Fort Wayne, northeasterngroup.com

Shutterstock.com

Summit Hearing Solutions

By: Lindsey Sharp | Photos provided

Summit Hearing Solutions is a local hearing healthcare office that loves sharing the joy of hearing in a family-friendly atmosphere. The joy of hearing the voices of loved ones and friends, the calls of nature and the sounds of music all impact the quality of life and overall health of those who are experiencing hearing loss.

Since opening their doors in May 2011, Summit Hearing Solutions has been committed to patient care and offering the best hearing aid technology possible. Founder and CEO, Ted Blanford, wanted to give back to his community after a long military career. Both of his parents experienced hearing loss and he saw how that loss affected the entire family.

“When patients come to us, a lot of time they think we’re just fixing ears. While we start with the ears, we’re really working with the brain getting signals to the brain is how we get clarity and understand,” Blanford said. “We’ll test the patient’s hearing to see if part of the brain is going dark because it’s not receiving the signals it should, and then we’ll get a hearing device to ensure the proper signals are getting to the brain so they can hear and understand the world around them.”

What sets Summit Hearing Solutions apart from the rest? Ted Blanford is a certified Tinnitus Care Provider with the International Hearing Society and shares that wisdom with the others on the Summit Hearing Solutions team so they can provide a competent service that addresses more phases of hearing health.

How does that difference impact you? While there is no cure for tinnitus, Summit Hearing Solutions believes tinnitus is manageable. As with hearing loss, they believe the more you understand tinnitus, the better you plan for it and the better you will manage it. Hearing aids are a key to that tinnitus management with their masking techniques and therapies.

“Hearing is our first sense we have in the womb, and last sense we

have before we go home it’s the sense that allows us to connect with those around us and the world,” Blanford said. “We have to take care of that sense to be functional in the world that we have today.”

“Hearing aids aren’t what our grandfathers had before,” Blanford said. “The hearing aids of the future are here now. They are smarter, they are stronger, and they are smaller. Hearing aids now provide whole body tracking, connectivity through streaming, smart adjustments, and the convenience of rechargeability.”

Summit Hearing Solutions offers full comprehensive hearing evaluation and tinnitus testing, at no charge, and a full range of hearing instruments for every hearing loss and budget.

“My favorite part of my career is not just being able to change someone’s life for the better when it comes to hearing, but also being able to see the long-term effect on our patients: to see how hearing has been beneficial to them and their families throughout their lives,” Blanford said.

Summit Hearing Solutions currently operates four locations: two in Fort Wayne (north and southwest), one in Bluffton and one in Columbia City. a

For more information, visit summithearingsolutions.com.

NOB Brick & Fireplaces

By Cathy Shouse | Photo provided

If longevity is important when choosing a small business to work with, NOB Brick & Fireplaces is a stand-out. The company started in 1956, and owner Bob Benhower has been there nearly the entire time.

“They were only selling the concrete brick that they produced when I started here in April 1960,” Benhower said. “Now we are installing about 70 fireplaces every month, selling many faux stone types, stocking about 200 different blends of brick, and offering many landscape items. We offer outdoor living material for patios, retaining walls, and driveways. In fall, we have many people interested in improving their existing fireplaces. Over the years since then, we have expanded greatly as we purchased land and buildings that surrounded us and now own about four and-a-half acres of property from Ley Rd., South on Nob Road, to Don Ayres Auto.”

The staff is experienced, with many of them having worked there 25 or even 35 years. Ongoing changes are made to upgrade the customer experience.

“Faux stone is still selling well, and we have just finished remodeling two of our stone showrooms to give our customers larger displays to see,” Benhower said. “We have another room dedicated to real stone, cut thin, so it can be applied like the faux stone. We have about 25 of our most popular fireplaces burning in our various showrooms that vary from very large units to compact ones. We have many more to offer from catalogs.”

NOB is prepared to help with existing fireplaces, too.

“Many people are putting ‘inserts’ into their inefficient wood burning fireplaces, which makes them sealed behind glass, efficient, and convenient to use, as most of them are remote controlled and have thermostats included,” he said. “ Many styles of gas logs are on display also.”

Benhower’s enthusiasm indicates a person who enjoys coming to work.

“When I started, we were only making concrete brick ourselves and supplying material for masonry fireplaces to masons and builders,” he said. “Today we are bringing in brick from all over the USA. We have over one million brick and 200 different styles in stock.”

He minimizes the inconvenience of any supply shortages and pricing changes for his customers.

“We have beefed up our inventory,” he said. “Most of our clientele are doing a good job of planning for possible shortages by shopping early, and they understand where costs are going.”

When he isn’t talking fireplaces, Benhower is chatting up his favorite I.U. team, as evidenced by memorabilia in his office “shrine.” There’s more, but he’s run out of wall space.

He and Doris, his wife of more than 55 years, enjoy their children, grandchildren, and nine great grands, too. He knows he’s fortunate to have meaningful work, as well.

“I’ve seen a lot of things come and go,” he said. “We are proud to say, ‘We are Fort Wayne’s only locally owned, true brick & mortar store,’ and I am happy to have spent 82 years in Fort Wayne, the city that I respect the most.” a

NOB Brick & Fireplaces, Fort Wayne, 260.483.2126, nobbrick.com

HOME I am Kate Virag

By Jennie Renner | Photo provided

Kate Virag is part of a military family who moved around a lot when she was younger. Both of her parents are from this area, so even though she wasn’t born here, she considers northeast Indiana her home.

On the other hand, Virag’s husband, Dustin, is a Canadian transplant who settled here after playing hockey for the Fort Wayne Komets. They met while she was home from college at Indiana University in Bloomington. Virag was working a summer job at Chestnut Hills Golf Club where Dustin happened to be playing a round of golf one day.

Virag earned a degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations and minors in business and psychology. After getting her education, she could have gone to Chicago or Indianapolis or any number of places to live but decided to settle in northeast Indiana.

“I was always happy with the idea of coming back to Fort Wayne,” she said. “I’ve seen so many people who’ve had successful careers and great lives here.”

Virag doesn’t regret her decision. Currently she is the director of earned media for Ferguson Advertising. She oversees public relations and media relations, as well as social media for the agency. “There’s so much opportunity here and you can really grow in a career in the Fort Wayne area,” she said.

Virag and her husband lived in Fort Wayne for nearly 18 years before settling on some acreage with a pond in Huntertown two years ago. They live there with their two children, 12-year-old Claire and 8-year-old Wes.

Virag said she loves where they live now because she gets to work in downtown Fort Wayne during the day (Ferguson Advertising recently moved their offices to the Electric Works campus) and come home to her quiet country life in the evening.

“I really live out in the country,” she said. “But we also are just so close to Fort Wayne and all the amenities It feels like the best of all worlds.”

Although Virag likes the beach and the mountains and knows that warmer climates can lure people away from Midwestern cities, she and her family embrace all the seasons and try to find fun things to do that are unique to the different times of the year.

“I think anything that we think we’re missing or want to explore we actually really love the mountains for example we can do that on vacation, and we do, and we enjoy that,” she said.

Virag likes that where she lives feels like a close-knit community, but there’s still the amenities and the opportunities of a bigger city. “It really has been the perfect size for us, ‘’ she said. “I just don’t have any complaints. We just try to embrace it and make the most out of it.”

Kate Virag’s Top Five Things To Do in the Fort Wayne Area:

1. Electric Works The energy, the amenities, and the history make Electric Works a place unlike any other!

2. Promenade Park and The Landing These attractions rival those of major cities and are fun for all ages; truly something for everyone.

3. Professional sports We are a hockey family and love cheering on the Komets, and it’s also a ton of fun to attend Mad Ants and TinCaps games!

4. Bicentennial Woods All of the ACRES Land Trust hikes are awesome, and Bicentennial Woods is very close to our home.

5. Zip Timber Lake and Golfo di Napoli We love doing active outdoor activities as a family, and we recommend the ziplining at Zip Timber Lake in Huntington County, followed by a short drive to Golfo di Napoli in Warren to eat some of the most delicious Italian cheeses and meats (followed by a glass of wine for the adults). a

“It might sound like a commercial, but I believe it. I think this is a really special place.”

to-do list

. . .

Would you like to submit an event to be considered for glo’s To-Do List? Our deadline is the 6th of the month prior to publication. E-mail us your event 40 words or less to: rbalogh@the-papers.com. Please type ‘To-Do List’ in the subject line. Or you may mail info to glo, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542.

By Ray Balogh

3, 10, 17, 24 |Fridays |

Friday Night Vibes at the Club Room

Friday Night Vibes hosts the best of local and regional music at The Club Room at The Clyde! Every Friday from 8-11 p.m. clydeclubroom. com/events/

4, 11, 18, 25 |Saturday |

YLNI Winter Farmer Market

Fresh, local produce, plants, meats, baked goods & homemade crafts in a cultural setting. 9 a.m. -1:00 p.m. The Olde East End Building, 1501 E Berry St. ylni.org/ylni-farmers-market

5 | Sunday |

Decatur Coin Show and Marketplace

Nearly 100 indoor vendors, hot food available. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (yearround), Riverside Center, 231 E. Monroe St. (Highway 224 East), Decatur. Contact Carla at 260.517.8182, decaturfleamarket.com.

9 | Thursday |

Historic Hand Arts Class: “Paper

Fancies for Valentine’s

Memorial Coliseum

• Thursday, Feb. 2, Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, 7 p.m., $15 general admission

• Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 2-5, Fort Wayne RV & Camping Show, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, call for ticket information

• Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 9-12, Fort Wayne Boat Show, 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, call for ticket information

• Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 23-26, Disney on Ice presents “Into the Magic,” shows at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m., 5 p.m. Sunday, $15.50 and up

• Saturday, Feb. 25, WMEE Baby Fair & Family Expo, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., free admission

Parking $8 main lot, $12 preferred lot. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. 260.482.9502, memorialcoliseum.com.

Fort Wayne Museum of Art

Exhibitions:

• Indiana Waterways: The Art of Conservation (through March 19)

• Garden Party: Outdoor Sculptures by Dorothy Gillespie (through June 4)

• Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Classic Toys and Americana (ongoing)

• The Glass Wing of FWMoA (ongoing)

• Kaiyodo: Mini Artworks for the Modern Age (ongoing)

Adults $8, students (pre-K through college) $6, seniors (65 and older) $6, families $20, free admission for veterans and veterans’ families, free general admission 5 p.m.-8 p.m. every Thursday. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday (closed Mondays), 311 E. Main St., Fort Wayne. 260.422.6467, fwmoa.org.

Honeywell Center

• Thursday, Feb. 2, Dragons & Mythical Beasts, 6:30 p.m., HC, $15/$25/$35

• Friday, Feb. 3, The Ultimate Doors, 7:30 p.m., ET, $25/$45

• Saturday, Feb. 4, Marshall Charloff & Purple Xperience, 7:30 p.m., HC, $29/$39/$75

• Friday, Feb. 10, Valentine’s Dinner, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., HC, $75/couple

• Thursday, Feb. 16, Jon Reep, 7:30 p.m., ET, $25

Day”

History, instruction, and materials for the age-old hand art of paper cutting of a Valentine mobile. $20. 9 a.m. refreshments, 9:30-11:30 a.m. program, Settlers Inc., 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. Reservations at 260.637.6692. settlersinc.org.

18 | Saturday |

1812 Winter Garrison

Witness life in a frontier fort during the winter months. Includes demonstrations of wood chopping, meal preparation, military drills, guard duty. Free admission, donations appreciated. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Old Fort, 1201 Spy Run Ave., Fort Wayne. 260.437.2836, oldfortwayne.org.

25 | Saturday |

Revolutionary War Garrison

Witness life in a frontier fort during the winter months. Includes demonstrations of continental soldiers and militia performing daily duties, work details, military drills and training; civilian refugees and local inhabitants plying trades, cooking, sewing, mending. Free admission, donations appreciated. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Old Fort, 1201 Spy Run Ave., Fort Wayne. 260.437.2836, oldfortwayne.org.

Embassy Theatre

• Saturday, Feb. 4, Pops 3 Ann Hampton Callaway “The Streisand Songbook,” 7:30 p.m., $27 to $86

• Sunday, Feb. 5, Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy, 7 p.m., $32.75/$42.75/$52.75

• Thursday, Feb. 9, William Shatner with screening of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” 7:30 p.m., $29.75 to $69.75

• Saturday, Feb. 18, Masterworks 4 Conductor’s Choice: Elgar and Beethoven, 7:30 p.m., $23 to $81

• Thursday, Feb. 23, Buddy Guy: Damn Right Farewell Tour, 7:30 p.m., $49/$59/$69

• Saturday, Feb. 25, Down the Line 17 Celebrates Woodstock ’69, 7 p.m., $20 general admission

NOTE: Ticket prices are subject to fluctuation based on demand.

125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 800.745.3000, fwembassytheatre.org.

• Wednesday, Feb. 22, All-You-Can-Eat Prime Rib Dinner, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., ET, $26.95/ adult, $13.95/youth 5-12, free/4 and under

• Friday, Feb. 24, Orchestra Indiana, 7:30 p.m., HC, $20/adult, $15/age 65+, $10/student, free/12 and under Honeywell Center/Ford Theater (HC), 275 W. Market St., Wabash. Eagles Theatre/Ballroom (ET), 106 W. Market St., Wabash. Honeywell House (HH), 720 N. Wabash St., Wabash. 13-24 Drive-In (Drive-In), 890 IN 13. Dr. Ford Home (Ford), 177 W. Hill St., Wabash. 260.563.1102, honeywellarts.org.

Shipshewana Blue Gate Theatre

• Friday, Feb. 3, Southern Fried Chicks, 8 p.m., PAC, $14.95 to $44.95

• Saturday, Feb. 4, Mania: the ABBA Tribute, 8 p.m., PAC, $19.95 to $64.95

• Friday, Feb. 10, Valentines with Ryan and Friends, 7 p.m., MH, $24.95 to $59.99, Valentine’s package $119.98/couple

• Saturday, Feb. 11, Valentines with David Pendleton, 7 p.m., MH, $24.95 to $59.99, Valentine’s package $119.98/couple

• Saturday, Feb. 11, Josh Turner featuring JD Clayton, 8 p.m., PAC, $29.95 to $99.95

• Tuesday, Feb. 14, Valentines with John Branyan, 7 p.m., MH, $24.95 to $59.99, Valentine’s package $119.98/couple

• Saturday, Feb. 18, Mark Farner’s American Band, 7 p.m., PAC, $29.95 to $79.95

• Thursday-Friday, Feb. 23-24, John Crist, 8 p.m. both days, PAC, $24.95 to $75.95

• Saturday, Feb. 25, Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., PAC, $29.95 to $59.95

All shows add $18 for dinner theater. Performing Arts Center (PAC), 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Music Hall (MH), 195 N. Van Buren, Shipshewana. 888.447.4725, thebluegate.com.

Botanical Conservatory

• Now through Feb. 26, Sweetheart Orchid Display, public hours, regular admission

• Now through April 16, “California Dreamin’” showcase exhibit, public hours, regular admission

• Saturday, Feb. 4, Orchid Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with live potting demonstrations at noon and 2:30 p.m., public hours, regular admission

Adults $7, children (3-17) $5, children (2 and under) free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; noon-4 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday.

1100 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. 260.427.6440, botanicalconservatory.org.