Free-distribution newspaper serving communities in eastern Allen County, Indiana.
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Times Community Publications 3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808 December 11, 2015 Serving New Haven & East Allen County INfortwayne.com Classifieds.......... A9 Community Calendar ..... A10-11 Holiday Events ................. A2 New Haven Lions .................. B6 INSIDE 10310 Coldwater Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260-489-2935 • www.stellhorncustomphoto.com See our ad on page B11 The Times followed a Fort Wayne family through four seasons of planting, picking and change. The Merritts shared their stories, their plans and their hopes. By Garth Snow [email protected]When 2-year-old Bea pulled a beet from the warm soil of an Atom Acres greenhouse, her parents turned the impromptu harvest into a celebration. When 4-year-old Trace plucked a 1-inch plant from the turnip bed, his dad calmly shared a lesson on thinning plants evenly. When 6-year-old Oliver guided a visitor through the cabbage, he shared a lesson on the family’s approach to farming. “We don’t put anything on the plants,” said the home-schooled farmer. Ann and Matt Merritt have raised a little of everything on their 6-acre Bass Road farm over the past three years. They have watched their roadside garden burgeon with tomatoes, squash and more. They have watched their hoop houses produce kale, leeks, chard, fennel, celery and more. They have raised chickens, harbored bees, split firewood and cultured mushrooms. While they count on the income, they have a parallel priority. They are sharing their love of nature with Oliver, Trace, Bea and now 3-month-old Benjamin. “We’re getting rich as a family,” Ann said. “It’s the experience that we’re really getting rich from.” They have met chal- lenges. Passers-by helped themselves to the firewood beneath the roadside honor box. Something carried off every last chicken. Rabbits wiped out a hoop house full of winter greens. The Merritts then stacked their firewood on top of the hill, behind the house. They built a fence so their dog, Lilly, can mark the whole property to discourage predators. They bought a cat that loves rabbits. The white, wooden farmhouse overlooking the southeast corner of Bass and Thomas roads is the family home. The Merritts each moved a few times before they chose that property. Ann’s journey began in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. “It was all just people who chose to live at this ranch for troubled boys,” she said. “Each family had to raise its own support. Eighteen fami- lies all lived collectively together.” She finished school in Florida. “I had a friend from a previous school that had ended up in Hawaii, and she kept telling me that I should come visit,” she said. “I Plants and family prosper on Bass Road hilltop A year at Atom Acres The hoop house known as Big Momma shelters the Merritt family for a Nov. 16 photo at their home at Atom Acres, on Bass Road. Ann holds newborn Benjamin, as 6-year-old Oliver stands between his mother and his father, Matt. Trace, 4, lower left, and Bea, 2, lower right, complete the family. PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW FWCS honors advocate of 2012 facilities outline By Garth Snow [email protected]Family and former co-workers gathered Nov. 16 to remember Steve Parker’s contri- butions as Fort Wayne Community Schools facilities director. A stone marker at the entrance to Snider High School now honors Park- er’s service. A crab apple tree now grows in that same soil. Parker died shortly after the passage of a 2012 referendum that funded improvements throughout the district. School leaders planted the tree as they work to gather support for the next phase of the long- range facilities plan. Mary Ann Parker said she and her daughters are pleased with the remem- brance of her husband. “I think it’s a perfect honor for him and I appreciate the project because my daughters went to school here, and I appreciate all of you,” she said. “We’re certainly very honored that they would remember all the time and dedication and passion that he had for the project and for the students,” she said later. “That really was his Mary Ann Parker thanks school officials for honoring her late husband with a tree and marker near the entrance to Snider High School. She is flanked by School Board member Becky Hill, left, and former Snider Principal Deborah Watson. Steve Parker was the facilities director for Fort Wayne Community Schools. PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW See ATOM, Page A5 See FWCS, Page A9
Transcript
Times Community Publications3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
December 11, 2015Serving New Haven & East Allen County INfortwayne.com
Classifieds ..........A9
CommunityCalendar ..... A10-11
HolidayEvents .................A2
New HavenLions .................. B6
INSI
DE
10310 Coldwater Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46825260-489-2935 • www.stellhorncustomphoto.com
See our ad on page B11
The Times followed a Fort Wayne family through four seasons of planting, picking and change. The Merritts shared their stories, their plans and their hopes.
When 2-year-old Bea pulled a beet from the warm soil of an Atom Acres greenhouse, her parents turned the impromptu harvest into a celebration.
When 4-year-old Trace plucked a 1-inch plant from the turnip bed, his dad calmly shared a lesson on thinning plants evenly.
When 6-year-old Oliver guided a visitor through the cabbage, he shared a lesson on the family’s approach to farming. “We don’t put anything on the plants,”
said the home-schooled farmer.
Ann and Matt Merritt have raised a little of everything on their 6-acre Bass Road farm over the past three years. They have watched their roadside garden burgeon with tomatoes, squash and more. They have watched their hoop houses produce kale, leeks, chard, fennel, celery and more. They have raised chickens, harbored bees, split firewood and cultured mushrooms. While they count on the income, they have a parallel priority. They are sharing their love of nature with Oliver, Trace, Bea and now 3-month-old Benjamin.
“We’re getting rich as a family,” Ann said. “It’s the experience that we’re really getting rich from.”
They have met chal-
lenges. Passers-by helped themselves to the firewood beneath the roadside honor box. Something carried off every last chicken. Rabbits wiped out a hoop house full of winter greens.
The Merritts then stacked their firewood on top of the hill, behind the house. They built a fence so their dog, Lilly, can mark the whole property to discourage predators. They bought a cat that loves rabbits.
The white, wooden farmhouse overlooking the southeast corner of Bass and Thomas roads is the family home. The Merritts each moved a few times before they chose that property.
Ann’s journey began in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. “It was all just people who chose to live at this
ranch for troubled boys,” she said. “Each family had to raise its own support. Eighteen fami-lies all lived collectively
together.”She finished school in
Florida. “I had a friend from a previous school that had ended up in
Hawaii, and she kept telling me that I should come visit,” she said. “I
Plants and family prosper on Bass Road hilltop
A year at Atom Acres
The hoop house known as Big Momma shelters the Merritt family for a Nov. 16 photo at their home at Atom Acres, on Bass Road. Ann holds newborn Benjamin, as 6-year-old Oliver stands between his mother and his father, Matt. Trace, 4, lower left, and Bea, 2, lower right, complete the family.
Family and former co-workers gathered Nov. 16 to remember Steve Parker’s contri-butions as Fort Wayne Community Schools facilities director.
A stone marker at the entrance to Snider High School now honors Park-er’s service. A crab apple tree now grows in that same soil.
Parker died shortly after the passage of a 2012 referendum that funded improvements throughout the district. School leaders planted the tree as they work to gather support for the next phase of the long-range facilities plan.
Mary Ann Parker said she and her daughters are pleased with the remem-brance of her husband. “I think it’s a perfect honor
for him and I appreciate the project because my daughters went to school here, and I appreciate all of you,” she said.
“We’re certainly very honored that they
would remember all the time and dedication and passion that he had for the project and for the students,” she said later. “That really was his
Mary Ann Parker thanks school officials for honoring her late husband with a tree and marker near the entrance to Snider High School. She is flanked by School Board member Becky Hill, left, and former Snider Principal Deborah Watson. Steve Parker was the facilities director for Fort Wayne Community Schools.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
See ATOM, Page A5
See FWCS, Page A9
Gingerbread art on display through Dec. 13Judges have chosen
the top creations of the 30th annual Festival of Gingerbread at The History Center.
Visitors still may cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the conclusion of the festival on Sunday, Dec. 13. This year’s festival attracted 133 gingerbread house entries.
The History Center is at 302 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne. Admission is $6 adults, $4 seniors and youth, and free to chil-dren age 2 and under.
The festival raises money to support programs at the History Center. The Fort Wayne holiday tradition boasts an attendance of more than 12,000 each year. Parkview Health is this year’s title sponsor.
For a closer look at special events, visit the History Center’s Facebook page or fwhis-torycenter.com; or call (260) 426-2882.
Entrants from the lower elementary grades to professional culinary artists vie to win prizes in the multiple levels of entries.
Remaining special events include:
• Saturday, Dec. 12: Gingerbread Pursuit, 8:30 a.m.: For more information or to register, go to veepraces.com.
• Saturday, Dec. 12: Science of Sugary Structures, 1-4 p.m.: Sponsored by PNC Bank and presented by Science Central, $3 plus regular museum admission.
• Sunday, Dec. 13: Cookie Decorating Party,
1-4 p.m.; $1 each plus regular museum admis-sion.
• Sunday, Dec. 13: Festival of Gingerbread Final Day
Stay current on these events by visiting the History Center’s Face-book page or website www.fwhistorycenter.com.
Hours during the remainder of the Festival of Gingerbread are: Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
The History Center released a list of 2015 winners.
Pre-kindergarten to second grade, individual: 1st, Colin Haupert; 2nd, Ian Smith; 3rd, Aidan Kimmel.
Pre-kindergarten to second grade, group: 1st, Saint Joseph Hessen
Cassel second grade; 2nd, Shelden and Anika Klopfenstein; 3rd, Saint
Third-sixth grade group: 1st, Saint Vincent American Heritage Girls - Explorers; 2nd, Ella Johnson, Evette Kolev and Isabel Schenkel; 3rd, Kailey Hansen and Natalie Jones.
Teen individual: 1st, Austin Johnson; 2nd, Nora Rusher; 3rd, Vincent Schroeder.
Teen group: 1st, Career Academy — Alexus, Kelsey, Tyrsen; 2nd, Career Academy — Faith, Jazmin, Shania; 3rd, Abby Smith and Alia Davis.
Adult group: 1st, Cookie Friends; 2nd, The Eaglesons; 3rd, Sue and Jim Courtney.
Family: 1st, Johnson Family; 2nd. McDonald/DeGaetano Family; 3rd, Gingerbuddies.
Professional: 1st,
A2 • INfortwayne.com
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Danny Chapman gets a close look at an entry in the 30th annual Festival of Gingerbread at The History Center in Fort Wayne. His dad, Steve Chapman, also tours the gingerbread artwork.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
See HOLIDAY, Page A8
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015 INfortwayne.com • A3
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American Legion Post 330’s American Legion Riders and Sons of the American Legion joined together to provide financial support for Shepherd’s House to help with the agency’s ongoing programs. The Riders contributed $958 from proceeds from a fish fry and special dona-tions collected at the event. The Sons added $200 from its previous fundraising. In addition, several turkeys and a quantity of other food items were donated by New Haven Post 330 members for use at Shep-herd’s House.
Shepherd’s House founders Lonnie and Barb Cox accepted the gifts on behalf of the agency.
“We are thankful for financial support from Post 330’s Riders and
Sons as Shepherd’s House relies on contri-butions from individuals and groups to support our programs,” Barb Cox said. She said the contribution will be used toward construction of a handicapped accessible fitness center and chapel at Shepherd’s House.
“The ALR is honored to be able to support an impressive program like Shepherd’s House as it helps veterans with substance abuse prob-lems to remove their addiction and return to active participation in the workplace and commu-nity,” ALR Director Mark Harper said. Harper thanked the New Haven community for supporting the fundraiser, saying “It is only with the support of the community that we are able to give back to those veterans
who gave so much for our freedom.”
Shepherd’s House is a faith-based Christian not-for-profit agency offering a long-term, residential/transitional housing center for veterans who are alcohol and chemically addicted. The facility is located
just north of downtown Fort Wayne. The program offers education and therapy regarding alco-holism and/or chemical dependency and recovery. Participants attend daily recovery sessions and have access to spiritual counselors. Visit shep-herdshouse.org for more
information.The American Legion
Riders consist of veterans, sons of veterans and women from the American Legion Auxil-iary. The ALR utilizes its members’ love of riding as a focal point for raising funds in support of veterans and their families. In addition to Shepherd’s House, the ALR supports the New Haven veterans memo-rial at Schnelker Park, homeless veterans organi-zations and the Veterans Administration hospital.
The Sons of the Amer-ican Legion consists of male descendants of war veterans. The orga-nization’s goals include fostering patriotism and offering support for veterans. In addition to Shepherd’s House, Squadron 330’s fund-raising is used to provide college scholarships for graduates of New Haven High School and to support the Wounded Warriors project. Squadron 330 is the SAL unit integral to American Legion Post 330 in New Haven.
New Haven Legion groups support Shepherd’s HouseA4 • INfortwayne.com East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
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New Haven ALR Chapter 330 Director Mark Harper, left, and SAL Squadron 330 Vice Commander Mark Franke, right, present gifts to Shepherd’s House founders Lonnie and Barb Cox.
COURTESY PHOTO
was in extreme sports and I had done a lot of surfing. So I agreed to come for a while, and find a job.”
Matt was born in Denver, Colo., and lived in the Rocky Mountains of Summit County. The family moved to Fort Wayne because of a job. Matt lived about four blocks south of Bishop Luers High School until he was 18. He served in Americorps for a year, then worked in Chicago for three years, and was introduced to farming in Michigan. “I traveled out West and visited my biological father who was in California and my truck ended up breaking down there,” he said. “It was either Chicago or Hawaii, and I decided Hawaii.”
That’s where Ann met Matt. They set a date.
Ann did not want to change her last name. “I was always really, really close and felt a great affinity for my name. I never wanted to give that up,” she said. So Matt took Ann’s last name.
When they put up a sign at Atom Acres, they realized the symbolism of nature’s tiny building blocks, but chose the name for a different reason. “It’s an acronym for our names — Ann, Trace, Oliver, Matthew,” Ann said. Then Bea and Benjamin arrived.
The Merritts raise vegetables in hoop houses, and sell the produce at farm markets and from a cooler in their shed.
“A huge love of mine is working with plants and being attentive to things. I used to do pruning and mani-curing,” Ann said. She said they balance their love of travel with their responsibility to take charge of their destiny. “You’re growing food, having something that you’ve created, that you’ve made,” she said. “It’s not your safety net, but your way of life. You’re trying to be sustainable and not just rely completely on automated systems that are so simple to use. The way that I grew up there wasn’t a lot of automa-tion, there were no cell phones, we didn’t have TV. So life was about growing things and going on adventures and hiking and going hunting for animals, because that’s what we lived off of and that’s how we had meat for the winter season and the spring season.
“I want that for my kids. I think that’s really important.”
Their choice brought year-round work.
Late last December, Matt and Oliver gave a tour of the hoop houses.
“The really, really small plants are parsley
all throughout here,” Matt said. “We’re going to have a really good spring crop, and when I say spring I’m talking March. Not most people’s spring.”
In the largest hoop house, which they call Big Momma, Dad and son checked the kale and other hardy plants. The second hoop house held greens. The smaller house has a space heater. The larger house is warmed by passive solar heat. “It’s all what the sun gives us,” Matt said.
Oliver bent down near the fennel. “Oh no, don’t pull it, just break it,” Matt said.
Matt and Oliver were not the first to find the fennel plant. “It looks like a rabbit has been eating that,” Matt said. “Last winter after the second or third big snowstorm, when there was no grass, I came out here and looked around and I did ‘Why did Ann harvest like this?’ And I kept walking and I was ‘I didn’t eat this much and I didn’t make this much money.’ And then I saw rabbit poop everywhere. Everything was cleaned out in two days.
“We bought a female cat and let her be free for a while, and now we have six cats. And Momma cat comes back with a mouse at least once a day. She has come back with rabbits; so that’s good.”
Matt was working on raised beds, to lift the plants above the dirt floor of the green-house so he wouldn’t have to bend over to tend the crops, he said. He planned to fill the beds with wood chips or compost. “That’s actually all re-purposed material,” he said. “I didn’t pay a dime for any of that.”
That was the last day of fall. By the last day of spring, the Merritts had seen a return on the raised beds. The wettest month of June in memory left water standing almost every-
where, including on top of the Atom Acres hilltop. Ann sold produce at the Barr Street Market on June 20. “It’s been wet and the raised beds have really saved us because they keep every-thing up out of the soft clay and it helps against the pests and disease,” she said. “We haven’t had to water anything.
“I cross my fingers thinking that it’s going to be another cool year, which is good because we plant hot things inside the houses so we can have tomatoes ripening sooner than if we just had them outside.”
Vegetables and herbs grew throughout the season The family grew, too, with the birth of Benjamin Asher Morgan Merritt on Sept. 23, the first full day of fall.
At the end of their third year on the farm, the Merritts reflected on
their journey and their goals.
“Our goal a year ago was definitely to get the water under control,” Ann said, adding that they have succeeded. Water now runs off the hoop houses and toward the barn, and through a patch of compost.
Matt said after three years, they are still trying to figure out the Fort Wayne market. “It’s been a difficult journey,” he said. “People in theory want local food, but they want Walmart prices or whatever the sale of the week is. And that’s really difficult for us, because it’s two different products.”
Matt operates the farm, works as a painter, and helps to set up conven-tions. He could take on more outside work,
“We’re trying to understand how to keep a balance,” Matt said, explaining that taking a
9-to-5 job off the farm probably would require hiring someone to work at Atom Acres. “We ulti-mately want to be here every day of the week doing this. This is our dream. This is our love,” he said.
Ann and Matt said the Atom Acres lifestyle is the only life their chil-dren know.
“The other day he [Oliver] and I went out and we picked celery and carrots for part of our dinner,” Ann said. “And I was like ‘You don’t realize how fortunate you are to be out here collecting pieces for our dinner. Do you realize how few people in our country go in their back-yard for what they’re having for dinner?’ And
he’s like ‘They don’t?’ And I thought that was great. I thought ‘I’m glad you don’t know how special this is.’ ”
ATOM from Page A1
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015 INfortwayne.com • A5
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Matt Merritt shows Oliver, then 5, how to pick rosemary on the last day of fall, 2014. Matt was busy building raised beds in the greenhouse. He said the higher platform would be easier to tend.
PHOTOS BY GARTH SNOW
Ann Merrit sells Atom Acres vegetables at the Barr Street Market in downtown Fort Wayne on June 20, the last full day of spring, 2015. The raised beds had spared the plants from record rainfall.
Bea Merritt, 2, and her siblings pick vegetables from an Atom Acres greenhouse.
A6 • INfortwayne.com East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
NEW YEAR’S EVE Wednesday, December 31
5:30 p.m. —
Christmas Eve Services
Trinity English Lutheran Church invites you to share in the season’s worship
6:30 p.m. Family Service at the Manger
9:00 p.m. Service
of the Word
11:00 p.m. Service of Holy Communion
450 W. Washington Blvd. / Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2916 Tel: 260.426.3424 / TrinityEnglish.org
Pre-service music — excerpts from “The Christmas Oratorio” by J. S. Bach and “Gloria” by Randol Alan Bass
The Chancel Choir of Trinity English and Orchestra at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Service5:30 p.m.
Worship Service with Holy Communion
Celebrate Christmas at St. Michael
Lutheran Church
2131 Getz Road, Ft. Wayne, INwww. .org • 260-432-2033
Christmas Day:10:00 AM
Festival Communion Service
Christmas Eve:5:00 PM
Family Service7:00 PM
Candlelight Service11:00 PM
Candlelight Communion Service
St. Michael Lutheran ChurchRejoice in the birth of Jesus!
Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve Services6:00 pm & 8:30 pm
Sunday Service Schedule8:30 am Worship Service
9:30 am Sunday School (all ages)10:30 am Worship Service
5:00 pm Youth Group (6th - 12th grades)
10145 Maysville, Rd.Ft. Wayne, IN 46835
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A state highways spokeswoman said 280 drivers are prepared to keep 140 snowplows at work in 17 northeast Indiana counties around the clock.
“We’re hoping that this is not a very snowy winter, but we are prepared as if we will have snow or ice for 24 hours every single day,” said Nichole Hacha-Thomas, the media relations director for the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Fort Wayne District. “Our drivers are ready to jump in a plow truck at a moment’s notice.”
Hacha-Thomas shared advice and statistics at a press briefing at INDOT’s Hatfield Road complex.
The Fort Wayne District expects to spend $5,500,000 for salt this winter. Last winter, the district spread 60,000 tons of highway salt.
“The use of salt reduces crashes by 88 percent,” Hacha-Thomas said. Injuries are reduced by a similar percentage. “So salt is one of the tools that we use in our toolbox, but is one of the most important and most effective tools,” she said.
The district has 127,000 gallons of brine available to treat shady areas such as overpasses. That product is 23.3 percent salt.
Hacha-Thomas said impassable roads can cost the economy millions of dollars a day, in addition to safety concerns. “So we do the best job that we possibly can to keep every road safe,” she said.
Officials also cautioned motorists to keep a safe distance from plow trucks. The crew set up a demonstration of how cars can follow a truck
too closely, or can be hit by flying salt, or can be near a plow but not be visible in the plow driv-er’s mirror.
Finally, highway employees listed items that drivers should keep in the car’s trunk in case they are stranded in the snow. Those items include cat litter or sand for traction, a snow shovel and ice scraper, jumper cables, a flash-light, blankets, a cell phone charger, warm
clothing, a candle and matches, bottled water and snacks, and medi-cations. Drivers should keep gas tanks at least half-full, Hacha-Thomas said.
She also cautioned to make sure the exte-rior exhaust is clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
The INDOT Fort Wayne District serves an area approximately from the Ohio line west to Elkhart and from the
Michigan line south to Marion. Follow construc-tion updates and other safety alerts at Facebook.com/INDOTNortheast.
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015 INfortwayne.com • A7
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INDOT drivers prepareto plow around the clock
COUNTY CLEARS 24 ZONESThe Allen County Highway Department said crews are pre-pared for snow or ice on the county’s 3,000 lane miles of roads and streets. The department is ready to deploy five graders, 25 tandem-axle dump trucks, seven sin-gle-axle dump trucks, and four one-ton dump trucks. ACHD also uses eight heavy-duty pickups to help clear road intersections and smaller areas.Allen County is divided into north and south districts with 12 zones in each district. Each zone will have at least one truck. Graders are assigned to gravel roads, areas with large drifts of snow, and clearing berms of snow buildups.
An INDOT winter safety demonstration at the Fort Wayne office shows two cars that are blocked from the vision of a snowplow driver.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
Jesse and Vicki Shovek and children Dawson, 7, and Stella, 3, pose for a photo at Christmas in the Country at the Allen County Fairgrounds. The event continues from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Admission is $5; children 5 and under are admitted free. Children may have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, or enjoy face-painting or holiday crafts. Chili will be available for sale. Horse-drawn wagons will carry visitors on tours of the fairgrounds light display; donations are accepted. Nativity animals will stay warm in the Show Arena, where hot cider will be available.
A8 • INfortwayne.com East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
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Other Fort Wayne holiday events• Fantasy of Lights, Franke Park, 3411 Sherman Blvd., through Dec. 31. Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 6-9 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday, 6-10 p.m. Admission: $5 a car; $10 for a 15-passenger vehicle; $15 for a bus. Carriage rides available Thursday-Saturday. Call Steve at Cornelius Car-riages, Columbia City, at (260) 691-3780 for reservations and prices.• “A North Woods Christmas” garden exhibit, Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., through Jan. 3. Imagine the charm of a North Woods cabin during the holidays: nestled into a snow-drifted evergreen and birch forest, the homestead is preparing for Christmas. Take family photos or just stroll through the poinsettia-accented Showcase garden while enjoying the holiday exhibit. Call (260) 427-6440 for more info.• Garden in Lights, Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., through Jan. 3. The Showcase House has been decorated with the cus-tomary poinsettias and elegance. The Tropical and Desert Houses and the outdoor gardens have been decorated, too. Call (260) 427-6440 for more info.• Botanical Conservatory extended holiday hours, through Dec. 18, 1100 S. Calhoun St. The Botanical Conservatory will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday evenings from Thanksgiving through the week before Christmas. Enjoy an evening downtown at the botanical gardens, done up for the holidays. The gift shop is also open until 8 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, the Conservatory will be open 4-8 p.m. Call (260) 427-6440 for more info.• “The Santaland Diaries,” First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne St., remaining dates Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19. This is one man’s account of working as an elf at Macy’s Santaland in New York during the holiday crunch. From a contemporary American humorist, with a satirical style reminiscent of Mark Twain, comes this merrily subversive tale. Kevin Torwelle plays Crumpet, the elf. Call (260) 426-7421 for more info.• “The Nutcracker,” Arts United Center, 300 E. Main St., through Dec. 13. Tchaikovsky’s glorious, gorgeous holiday tale of Good’s triumph over Evil and a spectacular trip to Kingdom of Sweets performed by the Fort Wayne Ballet and with opening performances accompanied by the Philharmonic. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12. Sugar Plum Parties follow 2:30 p.m. performances Dec. 12 and 13. Sugar Plum Party guests will enjoy sweets and treats as they meet Clara and her friends. Attendees may get autographs and take pictures with select members of the cast. Tickets for all nine “Nutcracker” perfor-mances start at $17; Sugar Plum Party tickets are $8, and are available at ArtsTix.org or by calling the ArtsTix Community Box Office, (260) 422-4226. Call (260) 423-4349 for details of the program.• Holidaze: A Survival Guide for the Season, First Presbyterian Theater,
300 W. Wayne St., Dec. 11-20. This musical revue by the Fort Wayne Youtheatre journeys through the pageantry, the shopping, the family gatherings, and all the seasonal madness. Sing along and laugh during the performance. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, 2 p.m..• “The Nutcracker,” University of Saint Francis Performing Arts Center, 431 W. Berry St., Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Enjoy the New American Youth Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker.” General ad-mission $15, special reserve seating $25. Visit nayb.info for tickets.• Gingerbread Pursuit, Downtown Fort Wayne, Saturday, Dec. 12, 8:30 a.m. Start a new holiday season tradition with the Gingerbread Pursuit 4 Mile Run. Register at veepraces.com.• 55+ Holiday Dinner and Light Tour, Community Center, 233 W. Main St., Monday, Dec. 14, 5:30-9 p.m. For ages 55-plus. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and holiday music. Board motor coaches (cour-tesy of Excursion Travel) at 6:30 p.m. and follow a planned route of Fort Wayne’s finest Christmas light displays. Registration deadline is Dec. 1.
Fee: $15. Sponsored by American Senior Communities. Call (260) 427-6460 for more info.• Holiday Light Tour, Community Center, 233 W. Main St., Thursday, Dec. 17, 6-8 p.m. See the beautiful holiday light displays around the city from the comfort of a motor coach. Board buses at 6 p.m. and return to the Community Center at approximately 8 p.m.. This evening is sponsored by Grey Stone and Saber Health. Registration deadline is Dec. 4. Call (260) 427-6460 for more info.• “The Spirit of Christmas,” Allen County Courthouse, 715 S. Cal-houn St., Dec. 19 and 20. Start a new holiday tradition with Heart-land at “The Spirit of Christmas.” Under the rotunda of the historic Allen County Courthouse, the singers of Heartland fill this beaux arts-style venue with resonant, a cappella harmonies. This combina-tion of acoustics and architecture enchants audiences of all ages and reminds the listener of the reason for the season. General admission $20. Call (260) 436-8080 for more information.• Gingerbread Storytime and Craft, Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Monday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. Join us for a storytime with
books about gingerbread. After storytime enjoy the smells of ginger-bread as we decorate gingerbread ornaments together to take home. Call (260) 421-1200 for more info.• Wintertime Fun, Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Dec. 26-31, during regular library hours. Come to the library during winter break from school and enjoy making a fun craft. We’ll have all the sup-plies you need available during all library hours. Call (260) 421-1200 for more info.• Swingin’ Singin’ New Year’s Eve, Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd., Thursday, Dec. 31. Get all dressed up for a night of music, dancing, drinks and celebration in the heart of Downtown Fort Wayne. Heartland’s jazz vocalists and 17-piece jazz orchestra ring in the New Year with big band-style arrangements of jazz standards, classic rock songs, and pop hits. Dance Tonight will offer free lessons for begin-ner and advanced dancers before the show and perform dance features. A cash bar will be available all night. Call (260) 436-8080 for more info.
The Nick Johnson family took first place in the Family Category of the Festival of Gingerbread, with a replica of the Salomon Farm barn. Family members also won several individual awards.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
main focus — a safe and healthy environment for the students to be able to learn.”
The Parkers’ daughter Lauren, of Fort Wayne, attended the dedica-tion. Lauren held the Parkers’ 8-month-old granddaughter, Grace, as Lauren’s husband, Eric Touchet, stood at her side.
“I think he loved his job and he loved making sure that the schools were safe for the students,” said Lauren, who remem-bered how her father had worked for the project despite his illness.
Lauren’s sister, Stephanie, now lives in Baltimore.
Mary Ann Parker said her husband, a former Ironman triathlete, succumbed to ALS just 22 months after the diag-nosis. He was 54.
Mary Ann Parker now lives in Aboite Township.
She is director of faith formation for Trinity English Lutheran Church, which she has served in three roles for 22 years.
FWCS School Board President Mark GiaQuinta said the 2012 referendum was “a victory for those who believe in a clean, safe school environment for our children.”
“Nobody was more dedicated to that purpose than Steve Parker, and we are so honored that Mary Ann and Lauren are here today to help us commemorate all that Steve meant to the first phase of the project, which laid the ground-work for the completion of this amazing effort,” GiaQuinta said. “Certainly Steve was battling his illness, ALS, which we hear so much about and we’re doing so much to eradicate, but he did not let that stop him, not one bit.
“He would come to
our meetings well past the point when many would have said, ‘Now I’m done, I’m going to concentrate on me, my family and my next journey.’ And [through] Mary Ann — when he was having trouble communicating — he let us know what he thought in any way he could.
And it was one of the most inspirational acts of public service I have ever witnessed. And for that, our district will forever be indebted to him and to his family members who allowed him to give the kind of time and effort he did to our project.”
Former School Board member John Pierce said
the occasion was a fitting tribute to a man who had been an inspiration to other school supporters.
School Board member Becky Hill said Parker even anticipated the chal-lenges that his successor would face. “He was so concerned, and he set things up so that we would be successful,” she said. “And that to me is just a huge indicator of what he wanted for this school district.”
The school district hosted tours of four build-ings that were improved
through the project that was authorized in 2012. After touring Snider on the day of the tribute to Parker, officials opened the doors to Northrop High School, Weisser Park Elementary School and Harrison Hill Elemen-tary School. Each tour was followed by a presen-tation on the proposed 2016 referendum.
District leaders describe the measure as a $130 million tax-neutral bond referendum. It would fund improvements at 42 schools.
FWCS from Page A1
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East Allen Times • December 11, 2015 INfortwayne.com • A9
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Lauren Touchet looks at a marker honoring her father, Steve Parker. Her husband, Eric Touchet, photographs the marker. Lauren holds their daughter, 8-month-old Grace.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
PUBLIC HEARINGThe Fort Wayne Community School Board will hold a
public hearing on a proposed $130 million referendum
to upgrade schools. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 14, at the Grile Administrative Center,
1200 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne. If the board approves
the plan, it will be placed on the May 3 ballot.
NOTICES/ REGISTRATION / MULTIPLE DATESShare your Lenten activities. Ash Wednesday in 2016 falls on Feb. 10, and Easter Sunday falls on March 27. Submit your church’s Lenten and Holy Week activities to Times Community Publications’ Community Calen-dar. Please include the name of the event, the location and address, the time and date, and a phone number to call with any questions. Send the information to [email protected]. Please include “Easter” in the subject line. Please submit Ash Wednesday notices by Jan. 7 to be in-cluded in all four Times publications. Please submit Holy Week notices by Feb. 18.Fort Wayne Farm Show. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 N. Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Free. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 13, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.The Hoosier Salon. Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne. Exhibit continues Dec. 13-Jan. 8 in the Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery, featuring the best by Indiana artists.Bob Leiman Toastmasters Club. Build confidence, and improve your commu-nication and leadership skills. The second and fourth Mondays of the month, 6:30-8 p.m., Pizza Hut at Northcrest Shopping Center. Social hour 5:30-6:30 p.m. Contact Mary Hilger at [email protected] or 489-4440 with questions.Organization seeks tax aide volunteers. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is seek-ing volunteers in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange, Wells and Whitley counties to help taxpayers seeking assistance preparing and filing their 2015 tax returns. Volunteers receive free tax training and help taxpay-ers at libraries, senior centers and other convenient locations. They are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses. A volunteers does not need to be an AARP member or retiree. For more in-formation, visit aarp.org/taxaide or call 1 (888) 687-2277. AARP Foun-dation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.“Art You Can Use.” Crestwoods Studio, 314 N. Main St., Roanoke. Through Jan. 15. Artists include Elizabeth Wamsley, Alan Larkin, Nancy McCros-key, Chris and Sayaka Ganz, Norman Bradley, Austin Cartwright, Justin Johnson and Rebecca Justice-Schaab. All mediums are represented. Visit crestwoodsgallery.com for studio hours.Fort Wayne Farmers Market indoor market. Lincoln Financial Center at Parkview Field, Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month through May.Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Indiana. IPFW Polar Plunge, Saturday, Feb. 13, 10, IPFW Student Housing Clubhouse. Metea County Park Polar Plunge, Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m., Metea Park Nature Center. Get details and registration information at soindiana.org. Volunteers gather pledges to benefit Special Olympics Indiana. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for the team award. Awards also are presented for best costume, largest team, most money raised by an individual and most money raised
by a team. An After Splash Bash with food follows each event. Admis-sion to the bash is free for plungers and volunteers; fans and spectators pay a $5 admittance fee.Girl Scout Cookie Sales. 2016 project kicks off Jan. 16. Follow girlscoutsnorthernindiana-michiana.org for updates on Fort Wayne area projects. Visit girlscouts.org to locate a cookie sales booth in your neigh-borhood.Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin Show. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Jan. 22, noon-9 p.m. Jan. 23, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Jan. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 for active/veteran mili-tary, and free for children 12 or under.Beer & Bacon Fest debuts. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Jan. 22, 6-10 p.m. Tickets will be available at BeerBaconFest.org after Christmas. Admission $25 each for ages 21+ (or $40 a couple), and designated drivers are $15./Get Fix Expo debuts. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Jan. 23, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Jan. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Life-style seminars, interactive activities and health screenings, vendors and more. $10 adults; children 12 & under free.Mizpah Shrine Circus. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Seven public performances: Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m.; Jan 22, 7 p.m.; Jan. 23, 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Jan. 24, 1 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Tickets $14 to $22. Buy tickets at mizpahshrinecircus.com, call (260) 422-7122, or visit the Shrine ticket office at 1015 Memorial Way, behind the Casa on Parnell Avenue.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OBSERVANCES• The Plymouth Music Series presents “A Tribute to Martin Luther King” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17. Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne is at 501 W. Berry St. The concert is free and open to the public; freewill offerings are accepted to offset the cost of programming. The program tells of King’s dream of justice and peace. Bill McGill portrays the civil rights martyr. The Singers of Heartland participate in the service.• The University of Saint Francis plans several special observances, all of which are open to the community. A call to service and Mass will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at the North Campus Au-ditorium, 2702 Spring St., Fort Wayne. A lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the North Campus Auditorium is open to the public. Student, staff, faculty and community volunteers will report to service projects on and off campus from 1-4 p.m. To volunteer, email [email protected]. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 7-8:30 p.m., a panel discussion will address the topic “Why We Can’t Wait: Seeking Nonviolence for Our Beloved Community.”• The MLK Club of Fort Wayne presents Unity Day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-day, Jan. 18, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. Admission is $5. The program includes gospel music performances, a Youth Fest, gospel dancers, health screenings, vendors and cash prizes and more. Lessie James of San Jose, Calif., will be the keynote speaker. The celebration follows Breakfast with the Clergy, from 8-10 a.m. The special fellowship is open to the public. Tickets are $20. RSVP to (260) 493-0980.• Ivy Tech Northeast will have a Martin Luther King Jr. time line display on its three campuses: Coliseum Campus, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd.; Student Life Center on North Campus, 3701 Dean Drive; and the Public Safety Academy: Ivy Tech South Campus, 7602 Patriot Crossing. The time line will start with King’s “I Have A Dream” speech and conclude with the election of President Obama, featuring events that show King’s dream coming true in the country.
SATURDAY, DEC. 12Ride the Santa Train. Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Inc., 15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven. Seating is limited. Visit fortwaynerailroad.org to add your name to a waiting list. The train will add a trip or two today. Rides begin at 9 a.m. Join Santa on 20-minute excursions aboard a vintage caboose pulled by a 1950s diesel locomotive. Trains run con-tinuously and depart three times an hour. Tours of steam locomotive No. 765 and other activities will be available. Tickets are available online. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children. Families and groups of up to 15 people may charter 45-minute rides for $300 from noon-4 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20.The 26th Annual FWCS Career Academy fruit sale. Bill C. Anthis Center, at the Automotive Center on the corner of Lafayette and Lewis streets (enter on Lewis Street), Fort Wayne. 8:30 a.m.-noon, or until all the fruit is sold. Proceeds from the sale support career education programs, including the costs to participate in regional, state and national career skills competi-tions, take field trips and bring in guest speakers. The clementines, Texas Red Rio grapefruit, Sunkist navel oranges and apples are available in a variety of packages. A small basket with an 11-pound assortment is $22. A large basket with a 22-pound assortment is $35.“Holidaze; A Survivor’s Guide to the Season.” First Presbyterian Church The-atre, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for ages 18 and younger and seniors. To buy tickets online or check other performance dates, visit fortwayneyoutheatre.org. Or call (260) 422-4226 for tickets, or buy tickets at the door; some performances are expected to sell out.
Christmas in the Country. Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne. 6-9 p.m. Admission $5. Children 5 and under admitted free. Children may enjoy Christmas crafts and face-painting and have their photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Chili will be available for sale. Horse-drawn wagon rides will tour the holiday light displays around the fairgrounds; donations are accepted. Animals from the Nativity will be in the Show Arena, where hot cider will be available.Santa in New Haven. New Haven and Adams Township Park Center, 1125 Hartzell St. The New Haven Masonic Lodge and the Parks Department are sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast with Santa. Hours are 8-11 a.m. The cost is $5.50 for adults, $3.50 for children 6-14, and free to children 5 and under. The meal includes pancakes, sausage, applesauce, coffee and juice. Tickets will be available at the door.Free Christmas Party. Renaissance Pointe YMCA, 2323 Bowser Ave., Fort Wayne. Noon-2 p.m. For ages 2-12. Hosted by the MLK Club of Fort Wayne. Children will get free treats and gifts, and will have an opportu-nity to meet with Santa and take a trolley ride around the community.“Let There Be Christmas.” Saint Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne, in the church sanctuary. 5:30 p.m. Free. The Saint Joseph Choir will present a cantata by Joseph M. Martin.Church and School Cookie Fair. Emmaus Lutheran Church, 8626 Covington Road, Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-noon. A variety of homemade cookies, includ-ing gluten-free and sugar-free, will be available for $6 per pound.Poinsettia sale. Cornerstone Youth Center, 19819 Monroeville Road, Mon-roeville. Pick up poinsettias from 9-11 a.m. Poinsettia advance orders are due by Dec. 5; email [email protected] for an order form. Or call (260) 384-2973. Potted plants are priced from $8 to $28.Christmas Cookie Walk and Crafts. Agape Church of the Brethren, 11610 Lima Road, Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-noon. Cookies $6.50 per pound. Pro-ceeds will be used for Women’s Fellowship projects and Outreach Min-istries. Many varieties of cookies will be available, including holiday cut-outs, buckeyes, peanut butter blossoms, monster cookies and more. A limited number of homemade chocolate covered caramel apples decorated for the holidays will be available for sale. Holiday and gift items handmade by Agape craftspeople will be available. The sale of the wooden, quilted, knitted, crocheted and and other specialties will benefit the Agape Women’s Fellowship projects.Walk to Bethlehem. First Christian Church, 4800 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Tours begin at about 10-minute intervals. Guides will lead visitors to scenes outside the church, where visitors will be drawn into the story of Jesus’ birth. The walk features live scenes and live animals. After the outside tour, visitors may experience the bustling marketplace of Bethlehem, complete with spice and bread vendors, Roman soldiers, a census taker, a potter, and a spinner of wool and other characters of the time. Activity then moves to the sanctuary for a time of prayer and reflection. This free event is presented wih the help of friends of First Christian Church.Scholarship / placement makeup exam. Bishop Luers High School Library, 333 E. Paulding Road, Fort Wayne. 8-11:30 a.m. No testing fee. No ad-vance registration required. Available to incoming freshmen. $10,000 in total scholarship money available in Henry-Keefer Scholarship money, to be awarded among students scoring in the top ten of the placement test. Students should only bring a few pencils. Any current eighth-grade student who wishes to attend Bishop Luers in the fall of 2017 will be re-quired to take the exam. Contact Jenny Andorfer, director of admissions, at [email protected] or (260) 456-1261, ext. 3139.
SUNDAY, DEC. 13Benefit breakfast. Saint Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne. The pastors will be making eggs during the 10:10 hour. The church youth host an annual breakfast of pancakes and sausages to sup-port camps and missions. The goal is to send 40 high school students and 10 middle school students to camp. The average cost of camp is $450. Supporters are asked to enjoy breakfast and give what they can.Let There Be Christmas.” Saint Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne, in the church sanctuary. 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Free. The Saint Joseph Choir will present a cantata by Joseph M. Martin. The second service will include a 25-piece orchestra and will feature dancers from Faith in Motion, the church’s dance ministry.“Holidaze; A Survivor’s Guide to the Season.” First Presbyterian Church The-atre, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for ages 18 and younger and seniors. To buy tickets online or check other performance dates, visit fortwayneyoutheatre.org. Or call (260) 422-4226 for tickets, or buy tickets at the door; some performances are expected to sell out.Walk to Bethlehem. First Christian Church, 4800 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Tours begin at about 10-minute intervals. Guides will lead visitors to scenes outside the church, where visitors will be drawn into the story of Jesus’ birth. The walk features live scenes and live animals. After the outside tour, visitors may experience the bustling marketplace of Bethlehem, complete with spice and bread vendors, Roman soldiers, a census taker, a potter, and a spinner of wool and other characters of the time. Activity then moves to the sanctuary for a time of prayer and reflection. This free event is presented wih the help of friends of First Christian Church.
A10 • INfortwayne.com East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
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Community CalendarContribute news of your group, tooSubmit items for the Jan. 22 East Allen County Times by Jan. 14. Items will be selected and edited as space allows. Please email [email protected].
Bishop Luers High School holiday fundraiser. Barnes & Noble, Jefferson Pointe. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. In an effort to raise funds to replenish and expand their library collection, Bishop Luers High School is working with Barnes & Noble Booksellers to host a Bookfair for their family, friends and supporters. Barnes & Noble will donate a percentage of every sale made by Bishop Luers supporters with a special voucher throughout the day. Supporters can choose from all varieties of merchandise, or from a “wish list” table of books selected by Bishop Luers Librarian Laura Sturm to donate directly to the school’s library. Luers supporters also can help the school by shopping at Barnes & Noble online at bn.com on Dec. 13. For more information, or to get donation vouchers, visit bishopluers.org or call Laura Sturm at Bishop Luers at (260) 456-1261, ext. 3011.Concordia’s Christmas at the Embassy. Embassy Theatre, 125 E. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 4 p.m. $13 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. No reserved seats. Concordia Lutheran High School will present the 2015 event “Lo, How a Rose: A Prophecy Fulfilled.” The program will showcase the talents of the CLHS Music Department students including those from Central, Holy Cross, Suburban Bethlehem, Lutheran South Unity, Saint John Emmanuel-Decatur, and Saint Peter Lutheran schools. The concert will include both traditional and contemporary Christmas favorites. Tickets are on sale through the Embassy Box Office and through TicketMaster.
TUESDAY, DEC. 15Fort Wayne Area Community Band Holiday Concert. Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW Campus, Fort Wayne. 7:30 p.m. Tickets at door: adults, $8; se-niors, $7; children under 12, $3; IPFW students free with ID. Free park-ing in garage across from music center.Fort Wayne Women’s Midday Connection’s “The Gift of Giving” luncheon. OrchardRidge Country Club, 4531 Lower Huntington Road, Fort Wayne. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $15.50, inclusive of luncheon. All women are invited. Res-ervations are due to Meridith by Dec. 8; call (260) 672-3414. Joni Wolf will tell the story of the Immanuel Quilt. Baby sitting is available. Fort Wayne Women’s Midday Connection is a ministry of Stonecraft Minis-tries.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.” The Embassy Theatre, 123 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 to $50. Get tickets at the box office or at ticketmaster.com.“Gifts of the Magi.” Leo United Methodist Church, 13527 Leo Road, Leo-Cedarville. 5-7:30 p.m. The high school youth will offer a spaghetti dinner for a free-will offering. Pastor the Rev. David Heim will share a Christmas story. Children may buy gifts for 25-cents each. Children also may take part in crafts and cookie decorating. Supporters are encouraged to donate gently-used or new items that children can purchase as gifts for their families, gift bags of various sizes in Christmas themes or in solid colors, or white or colored tissue paper. Items may be placed in the Fellowship Hall.
THURSDAY, DEC. 173RVS Christmas Lights Ride. Lawton Park, 1900 N. Clinton St. at Fourth Street, Fort Wayne. 6 p.m. A shorter ride will tour the sights of the cen-tral city. A longer ride will visit the Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park, with a stop for refreshments on the way back at Summit City Bicycles. Visit 3rvs.com for details.
FRIDAY, DEC. 18“Holidaze; A Survivor’s Guide to the Season.” First Presbyterian Church The-atre, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for ages 18 and younger and seniors. To buy tickets online or check other performance dates, visit fortwayneyoutheatre.org. Or call (260) 422-4226 for tickets, or buy tickets at the door; some performances are expected to sell out.Conference Center to be unveiled. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Ribbon-cutting 4 p.m., open house 4-7 p.m. After more than a year of construction, the project will be com-pleted ahead of schedule.
SATURDAY, DEC. 19Ride the Santa Train. Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Inc., 15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven. Seating is limited. Visit fortwaynerailroad.org to add your name to a waiting list. The train will add a trip or two today. Rides begin at 9 a.m. Join Santa on 20-minute excursions aboard a vintage caboose pulled by a 1950s diesel locomotive. Trains run con-tinuously and depart three times an hour. Tours of steam locomotive No. 765 and other activities will be available. Tickets are available online. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children. Families and groups of up to 15 people may charter 45-minute rides for $300 from noon-4 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20.Teddy Bear Toss at Komets game. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. 7:30 p.m. Single-game tickets range from $12.50 to $26.50. The Fort Wayne Komets hockey team will hold a teddy bear toss at their game against the Bramptom Beast. Fans may bring a teddy bear or other stuffed animal (new or mint-condition) to toss onto the ice when the Komets make their first goal. The Disorderly Bear Den will give the stuffed animals to kids in trauma situations and lonely adults in the Fort Wayne area. Get tickets at the box office or at ticketmaster.com.“Holidaze; A Survivor’s Guide to the Season.” First Presbyterian Church The-atre, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for ages 18 and younger and seniors. To buy tickets online or check
other performance dates, visit fortwayneyoutheatre.org. Or call (260) 422-4226 for tickets, or buy tickets at the door; some performances are expected to sell out.
SUNDAY, DEC. 20“Holidaze; A Survivor’s Guide to the Season.” First Presbyterian Church The-atre, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for ages 18 and younger and seniors. To buy tickets online or check other performance dates, visit fortwayneyoutheatre.org. Or call (260) 422-4226 for tickets, or buy tickets at the door; some performances are expected to sell out.
THURSDAY, DEC. 24“King of Glory,” a Christmas cantata. Leo United Methodist Church, 13527 Leo Road, Leo-Cedarville. 11 p.m. A soloist, an orchestra and the SATB chorus of more than 30 will take part in the service, which includes com-munion. Music director Shane Meredith composed the music and lyrics. The church also offers a service of candles and carols at 8 p.m.Christmas Eve candlelight service. Cedar Creek Church of Christ, 12606 Leo Road, Fort Wayne. 6-6:45 p.m. A traditional service, celebrating Jesus as the light of the world.Christmas Eve service. Saint Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne. 5, 7 and 11 p.m. For details visit stmfw.org or call (260) 432-2033.
FRIDAY, DEC. 25Christmas Day service. Saint Michael Lutheran Church, 231 Getz Road, Fort Wayne. 10 a.m. For details visit stmfw.org or call (260) 432-2033.
SUNDAY, DEC. 27“Downton Abbey” sneak preview. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 3 p.m. Free. Fans of the PBS/Masterpiece series “Downton Abbey” will get a sneak preview of the first episode of the final season. The preview is one week before the episode airs on Jan. 3. PBS39 and the Embassy Theatre are teaming up for this project. Doors will open at 2 p.m., with seating beginning at 2:30 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.Christmas concert. Most Precious Blood Church, 1515 Barthold St., Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Free. Presented by Jim Didier, choir director; and Kathy Schall, bell choir director.
FRIDAY, JAN. 1Polar Bear Plunge. Johnny Appleseed Park, Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. An esti-mated 200 people will wade into the St. Joe River River at the boat ramp in this Fort Wayne New Year’s Day tradition. Everyone is reminded to wear some type of footwear. The event is just for fun, with no fee and no registration.Chilly Challenge Bicycle Ride. Psi Ote Lower Pavilion, Bob Arnold Park, Parnell Avenue at East State Boulevard, Fort Wayne. 1 p.m. Free. Follow the mountain bikers out to Franke Park for a rugged off-road adventure or opt for a smoother but challenging ride on city streets and Greenway paths. Route maps will be provided. Then return to the pavilion for a bowl of chili. This program is co-sponsored by the Fort Wayne Velosport Club and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. All partici-pants are required to wear helmets. For more information about the ride, call Tim Claypool at (260) 797-3364 or visit the Velosport Club website at 3rvs.com.
SATURDAY, JAN. 3Harlem Globetrotters World Tour. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Tickets $18 and up, available at harlemglobetrotters.com, ticketmaster.com, the Coliseum box office, or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
TUESDAY, JAN. 5Appleseed Quilters Guild. Classic Cafe, 4832 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m.; the meeting begins at 7 p.m. Local quilt shop owner Sandy Brothers will share her knowledge of quilting and how quilting relates to the Underground Railroad of the Civil War era. Members may learn more about the flying geese pattern at the demon-stration table. For more information, visit appleseedquiltersguild.com or email [email protected].
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents “Romeo & Juliet.” The Embassy Theatre, 123 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. Tickets $25 to $55. Buy tickets at the box office or at ticketmaster.com.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DONATION OPPORTUNITIESDonations can be made during set hours at the Lutheran Hospital Blood Donation Center, 7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, Suite 107. Or donations can be made during set hours at the Fort Wayne Blood Dona-tion Center, 1212 E. California Road. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767. Other donation opportunities in Allen County:• Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m.-noon. Concordia Lutheran Church, 4245 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne.• Monday, Dec. 14, 4:30-6:30 p.m. American Legion Post 409, 14133 Indiana 1, Leo-Cedarville.• Monday, Dec. 14, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Bethesda Lutheran Communities, 3948 New Vision Drive, Fort Wayne.
• Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7-11 a.m. Saint Joseph Hospital, 700 Broadway, Fort Wayne.• Tuesday, Dec. 15, 9-11 a.m. Hylant Group, 6714 Point Inverness Way, Fort Wayne, Suite 1.• Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1-3:30 p.m. Petroleum Traders, 7120 Pointe Inver-ness Way, Fort Wayne.• Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1-3:30 p.m. Agri Stats, 6510 Mutual Drive, Fort Wayne.• Thursday, Dec. 17, 8:30-11 a.m. STAR Financial Bank Fort Wayne, 6230 Bluffton Road.• Friday, Dec. 18, 2-7 p.m. Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 4700 Vance Ave., Fort Wayne.• Monday, Dec. 21, 1-7 p.m. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and School, 10700 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne.• Tuesday, Dec. 29, 8:30-11 a.m. Dupont Hospital, 2520 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne.• Tuesday, Dec. 29, 1-3 p.m. Kohl’s Apple Glen, 1410 Apple Glen Blvd., Fort Wayne.
FRANCINE’S FRIENDS MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHYThe Breast Diagnostic Center performs the screening. For women who have insurance, they will bill the insurance company. If the patient does not have insurance but has the ability to pay, the BDC offers a reduced rate if paid the day of the screening. For women without insurance, a high deductible, or resources to pay, funding is available.Appointments preferably should be scheduled prior to the date. For an appointment, call 483-1847 or (800) 727-8439, ext. 26540. Walk-in openings are available depending on schedule.• Monday, Dec. 14. PPG Family Practice, 1331 Minnich Road, New Haven• Wednesday, Dec. 16. Unfailing Love Clinic at The Bridge, 1403 Winchester Road, Decatur.• Friday, Dec. 18. Maid Perfect, 6055 Stoney Creek Drive, Fort Wayne.• Monday, Dec. 21. Grey Stone Health & Rehabilitation Center, 10445 Dupont Oaks Blvd., Fort Wayne.• Tuesday, Dec. 22. Compass CPA Group, 435 Ann St., New Haven.• Wednesday, Dec. 23. Byron Health Center, 12101 Lima Road, Fort Wayne.• Saturday, Dec. 28. Arlington Park Clubhouse, 4630 W. Arlington Park Blvd., Fort Wayne.• Tuesday, Dec. 29. WalMart, 10105 Lima Road, Fort Wayne.• Wednesday, Dec. 30. Chick Fil-A, 1725 Apple Glen Blvd., Fort Wayne.• Thursday, Dec. 31. Kroger, 10230 Chestnut Plaza Drive, Fort Wayne.• Monday, Jan. 4. PPG Family Practice, 1331 Minnich Road, New Haven.• Tuesday, Jan. 5. Walmart, 7502 Southtown Crossing Blvd., Fort Wayne.• Wednesday, Jan. 6. Kroger, 4120 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne.• Thursday, Jan. 7. Kroger, 1005 W. Seventh St., Auburn.• Monday, Jan. 11. Cedarville Elementary, 12225 Hardisty Road, Fort Wayne.• Thursday, Jan. 14. Genesis HealthCare, New Haven Center, 1201 Daly Drive, New Haven.• Friday, Jan. 15. Paul Harding Jr. High School, 6501 Wayne Trace, Fort Wayne.•Monday, Jan. 18. Empowered Sports Club, 12124 Lima Road, Fort Wayne.• Tuesday, Jan. 19. Peerless Cleaners, 4121 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne.• Wednesday, Jan. 20. Nelson Global Products, 3405 Engle Road, Fort Wayne.
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Birders to lift binoculars in two Christmas countsBy Garth [email protected]
Cynthia and Ed Powers have recorded sightings of hundreds of bird species across North America.
Jim Haw remembers seeing an endangered species bobbing in the Pacific Ocean.
The three birders and dozens of their fellow enthusiasts from the Fort Wayne area will look to add more species to their records in two separate Christmas bird counts. The Powerses are signing up observers for a southwest Allen County count, which was hatched in 2015. Haw is enrolling birders for the Dec. 19 Fort Wayne count, which is in its second century.
Both counts will report their findings to the state and national Audubon societies, to assist research into bird populations and territories.
The Powerses were thrilled to see a hooded crane — an Asian species — mingling with sandhill
cranes migrating through southern Indiana. Cynthia has seen more than 600 bird species; Ed has tallied 703 across North America and north of Mexico. “I would love to see a great gray owl,” Cynthia said.
Ed has seen that species, in Minnesota. “And I’ve been where they were supposed to be, and they weren’t there.”
Haw once saw an endangered short-tailed albatross in the waters
off the California coast. “This is one of the rarest sea birds in the world. It’s quite a thrill,” Haw said. He also saw a California condor aloft, before that threatened species was captured for breeding and
later reintroduced into the wild. Haw, a retired history professor, has been birding since his junior high days in southeast Missouri.
The count that Haw coordinates was begun before World War I. He has participated since about 1974. He said about 12 observers saw about 48 species in December 2014. That was below average, he said.
Cynthia Powers and
other members of the Stockbridge Audubon Society held the first southwest count in January 2015. Seven people watched their home bird feeders and 18 observers took to the field to count 42 species. Powers has petitioned the national Audubon Society to accept the new count as an offi-cial count. “I bet we’ll get official status, but that’s not going to stop us from
Cynthia Powers attaches a suet block to a tree outside the bird observation building at Fox Island County Park. Ed Powers carries a feeder of grain that he will hang outside the the bird counters’ window.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTSFort Wayne bird count.Saturday, Dec. 19. The 15-mile-radius count area extends from approxi-
mately Franke Park to Cedarville Reservoirs, including southern DeKalb
County. To help, call Jim Haw at (260) 485-7802, or email jhawillet@aol.
com. Take part in a field party for the day, or for half a day, morning or af-
ternoon. All-day and morning participants meet inside Hall’s Restaurant,
at the corner of Coliseum Boulevard and Lima Road, by 8 a.m. Some will
arrive earlier, to share breakfast. Birders may call Haw to sign up for a
chili supper at 5:30 p.m. at the Salomon Farm Park Learning Center.
Southwest Allen County bird count.Saturday, Jan. 2. The 15-mile-radius count area extends from just south of
Illinois Road on the north, south through Eagle Marsh, Fox Island County
Park, the Arrowhead properties of Little River Wetlands Project along
Aboite Road, the Little Wabash River Preserve, and other preserves.
Meet at the LRWP office off Engle Road at 8 a.m. to receive maps and
assignments. Gather again at lunchtime at Fox Island, where chili will
supplement packed lunches. To help, contact Cynthia Powers by Dec. 26.
The 41st Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival will present six services at Plymouth Congregational Church, 501 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne. Services are at 5:30 and 8 p.m. each day, Dec. 28, 29 and 30. Tickets are free, and will be available Dec. 17.
This year’s presen-tation is dedicated to Joan Stanger, one of the founding members of the festival. Stanger, who once taught drama at Canterbury School, died Easter Sunday, April 15. She was the wife of former Plymouth senior pastor Richard Stanger, who now lives in the Indi-anapolis area.
Festival business manager Beth Walker said Stanger’s contributions will be acknowledged at each festival, and the honor will be listed in the program.
Walker said patrons of record as of Dec. 4 are listed in that program. Donors who come forward before the public distribution also will be eligible for tickets. Patronage levels begin at $50, and entitle the patron to a maximum of six
tickets.Tickets will be distrib-
uted to church members on Dec. 6. The church does not underwrite the festival. “But the church supports it in that it takes over their facility for four days,” Walker said.
On Dec. 17, the box office will be open to the public from 4:30- 7 p.m. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each visitor may pick up as many as six tickets per family. The line forms early, and tickets are distributed quickly. The festival
advises potential guests to arrive early. Free-will contributions are welcome.
Patronage-level contrib-utors may call (260) 423-9424 and ask to leave a message on the Boar’s Head line.
The characters of wassailers and beefeaters also accept donations during the festival. “We manage our pennies well. We have increases in costs, too,” Walker said. According to the festival website, each year’s
Laura McCoy directs the children’s music and also plays flute in the orchestra for the Plymouth Church post-Christmas tradition.
FILE PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
See BOARS, Page B8
HolidayEvents .............. B2, 3 & 6 Being helpful .......... B2
INSI
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The Phil, chorus present ‘Messiah by Candlelight’The Fort Wayne Phil-
harmonic and Chorus will present Handel’s oratorio “Messiah” by candlelight at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne St.
Tickets are available at fwphil.org and start at $35. In a statement, The Phil said the public is responding warmly to the announcement. Church seating capacity is 380.
Music director Andrew Constantine will conduct the performance, which features guest vocal
soloists soprano Jose-fien Stoppelenburg, mezzo-soprano Angela Young Smucker, tenor Hoss Brock, and bass David Govertsen. The Fort Wayne Philhar-monic Chorus is led by chorus director Benjamin Rivera.
Written in just 24 days in 1741, “Messiah” was conceived as an oratorio because the staged Italian operas Handel was composing at the time started to wane in popularity with the English music loving public. Based on scrip-
tural texts compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer, “Messiah” was first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742, to a modest reception. It took one year for the work to receive its London premiere, and even more time to gain wide-spread popularity, but now is one of the most frequently performed choral works in all of Western music.
“‘Messiah’ is a
masterpiece of Western civilization. The fact that Handel wrote it at such breakneck speed — in just over three weeks — makes it an even more remarkable work,” Constantine said. “It is full of great tunes and memorable moments. What a thrill it will be to perform the work in such a lovely sacred setting, with marvelous solo-ists and our dedicated chorus, all to the warm glow of candlelight.”
Tickets for “Messiah by Candlelight” also can be purchased at The Phil Box Office, at 4901 Fuller Drive, or by phone at (260) 481-0777. Tickets are also available for purchase one hour prior to the concert at the venue. Full program and series information is available at fwphil.org.
B2 • INfortwayne.com East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
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Cub Scout Troop 3429 at Robinson Chapel United Methodist Church filled 50 Christmas stockings for community service as part of their Helpfulness achievement badge. The stockings were distributed to needy children at the Christmas in Huntertown program that provides Christmas for 300 families in the greater Fort Wayne area.
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Being helpful
Varied media representedin holiday Pop Up galleryThe Art Farm is
featuring the work of 13 local and national artists in its holiday Pop Up Gallery.
The studio, at 17612 N. County Line Road E, Spencerville, is on Google maps. Get details at ArtFarmIn-diana.com or email [email protected]. The studio is open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday through Dec. 27.
Resident artists Lisa Vetter and Paul Siefert open the venue to the
public only during the annual December gallery and for the spring Rural Studio Tour.
Offerings include ceramics, Neo Pop art paintings of dogs, cats and other animals, wearable fiber art, recy-cled clothing, hats and scarves, blown glass, organic body care prod-ucts, and hand-painted ceramic jewelry. Vetter and Siefert will have their found object func-tional art, and Vetter’s jewelry.
at Headwaters Park in Fort Wayne has opened for the season.
Prices are still $3 for children 13 and under and $5 for children 14 and over and adults. There is a $2 charge to rent skates, or patrons can bring their own skates. The Lincoln Finan-cial Group is again the corporate sponsor for the season, which lasts through Sunday, March 6.
The indoor conces-sions stand again is being operated by Mr. G’s at the Rink, offering soup, sandwiches, cold, and hot drinks. Hours of operation
are: 1-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. There will also be extended holiday hours. The rink is closed on Christmas Day.
Free parking is available in the Headwaters Park lot, with access from Clinton and Barr streets. Season skating passes and single skating passes are available by calling Geoff Paddock at (260) 425-5745. The direct line to the rink is (260) 422-7625.
“Thanks to Lincoln, and to the Community Foundation of Greater Fort
Wayne, the Edward D. & Ione Auer Foundation and the PNC Trusts, skating rates have remained the same for 13 seasons,” said Paddock, the executive director of the Headwa-ters Park Alliance. Every Wednesday, will be a free skate day for children 13 and under, thanks to grants from those foundations.
The season opening is two weeks later than usual, because of reconstruc-tion of the concrete base under the Lincoln Finan-cial Pavilion. The 36,000 square feet of concrete, which had served as the floor for many festivals and
ice skaters for 18 years, was replaced this fall. The cost of the project was approximately $465,000, with $200,000 coming from the Fort Wayne Parks Department and $265,000 raised by the Headwaters Park Alliance.
“Each year we have about 20,000 to 25,000 skaters and about as many spectators over our three-month season. Last year’s skaters totaled just over 26,000, which was a record, and there has been a cumulative total of nearly 260,000 since the rink opened in November 2003,” Paddock said.
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015 INfortwayne.com • B3
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Allen County 4-H clubs elect officers, directorsAllen County 4-H
Clubs held their annual meeting on Nov. 6, in conjunction with the 4-H Volunteer Recognition program. Renee McKee, state 4-H Program leader, spoke on “Today’s Indiana 4-H Program.”
Elected to the Allen County 4-H board of directors for a three-year term were: Stephanie Bailey, Roger Clark, Donna Dafforn and
Kim Smith. Rachel Hammond was elected to a two-year term as youth director. Outgoing 4-H board members Chloe Buchanan, Fred Hammond, Shawn Parker and Mike Shirey were recognized for their service on the 4-H board. Shawn Parker served two, three-year terms, most recently as the 4-H Board vice president. Mike Shirey served two
three-year terms. Fred Hammond served one three-year term. Chloe Buchanan was recognized for serving one year as the 4-H Junior Leader representative.
Trent Kleine was elected president of the not-for-profit corporation that supports the local 4-H program efforts. Other officers elected for the 2016 year included Heather Anderson as vice
president, Donna Dafforn as secretary, and Sue Schaefer as treasurer.
In 2015, 223 adult volunteers contributed to the 4-H program in Allen County. Their tenure ranged from one to 51 years of service.
The 4-H program is overseen by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, a joint federal, state and county funded, educational program. Additional information about Allen County 4-H is available at extension.purdue.edu/allen or call (260) 481-6826.
B4 • INfortwayne.com
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The Fort Wayne Komets hockey team will hold a teddy bear toss at their game at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Fans may bring a teddy bear or other stuffed animal (new or mint-condi-tion) to toss onto the ice when the Komets make their first goal. The Disorderly Bear Den will give the stuffed animals to kids in trauma situ-ations and lonely adults in the Fort Wayne area.
COURTESY PHOTO
Bears on the ice
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015 INfortwayne.com • B5
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Philharmonic, Chorus to be ‘Home for the Holidays’The Fort Wayne Phil-
harmonic and Chorus will present Holiday Pops tradi-tional holiday music at the Embassy Theatre on Dec. 11, 12 and 19.
Highlights include the “Hallelujah Chorus,” a Christmas carol singalong, and visitors from the North Pole.
The program features a cast including soprano Kishna Davis, backed by hometown native Billy Dawson and University of Cincinnati College-Conser-vatory of Music graduate Nathaniel Irvin, The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, and The Philharmonic Chorus. The entire produc-tion will be led by assistant conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin.
“Our holiday concerts have always been lively and fun. I very much look forward to directing the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Chorus, and guests in these revered performances,” Lin said. “We’ll focus on beloved holiday classics, but add sparkle and visual excitement while cele-brating the season with friends, performers and our
loyal audiences.”A balance between
traditional and popular, the program will include “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “The First Noel,” “Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Winter Wonderland.” In addition, everyone will be invited to stand to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah,” as well as participate in a Christmas carol sing-along. Theatrical direction of the program is by longtime collaborator Christopher Murphy.
“The first act is more traditional with Christmas carols and other selections which will match perfectly with Kishna Davis’ operatic talents. The second half will be more secular, in line with previous Holiday Pops
shows, featuring popular tunes along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. I encourage anyone who hasn’t seen the Holiday Pops in a few years to check it out,” Murphy said.
Davis has won wide critical acclaim throughout the United States and Europe. She made her New York City Opera debut singing the role of Bess in “Porgy and Bess,” a role she repeated many times including performances with the Opera Company of Philadelphia and India-napolis Opera, as well as European performances in Rome, St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Berlin and Siena. A graduate of Morgan State University and the Juilliard Opera Center, Davis is a voice faculty member at Kent State University.
B6 • INfortwayne.com East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
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MUSIC OF THE SEASONSweetwater Pops Series, “Holiday Pops: Home for the Holidays.”Presented by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Chorus.The Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne.Friday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 12, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.Tickets start at $29 and are available at fwphil.org; at The Phil Box Office located at 4901 Fuller Drive; or at (260) 481-0777.
New Haven Lions Club members, from left, Gene Caryer, James Rorick, Dennis Stoll, Tom Clements and Don Cooper sell oranges and ruby red grapefruit in front of Ken’s Meat Market, 846 Lincoln Highway E. The fundraiser continues from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 12 and 19. The Lions will donate the profit to statewide Lions programs, including service dogs for the blind, cancer control, and speech and hearing programs. Lions also will accept donations of used eyeglasses to be fitted for those with vision challenges worldwide.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
Fruit sale for charity
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015 INfortwayne.com • B7
presentation costs about $20,000.
Costume coordinator Katherine Caldwell said costumes are replaced as needed.
“This year we’ve been working on what we’ve been calling the Three Kings costumes, their three pages and six torch-bearers,” she said. “I have my fingers crosssed that we get those done in time for the performance this
year. If not, they’ll be rolled out next year.”
Caldwell was involved in the first year of the festival, at age 8, as a caroler. She and her family have served the festival in several ways over the years.
Walker, the busi-ness manager, has been involved in the festival in come capacity for about 25 years. She began by working in makeup. Then her youngest daughter was Baby Jesus in the festival.
Walker then returned to makeup and then became
the business manager.Over 300 cast, crew,
choir and orchestra members participate each year. The audience since 1975 totals 129,160.
Jim Schmidt and Kara Jaurique serve as festival artistic directors. Robert
Nance is festival music director. Kay Porter is ticket chairwoman.
For details, visit plym-outhfw.org and find the Music/Arts tab.
BOARS from Page B1
The Boar’s Head festival is taken from a story of an Oxford professor who shoved his book into a wild boar’s mouth, killing it. The feast celebrates the victory of good over evil.
B8 • INfortwayne.com East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
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The seculary portion of the festival features a jester, madrigals, wassailers, beefeaters and noblemen.
FILE PHOTOS BY GARTH SNOW
doing it, because we do it just for fun,” she said.
Observers from both local counts said the data is useful for mapping where birds winter in the south, their migration route, and where they go north to breed. Those ranges change. “And I suppose the climate changes as the birds adapt to different conditions,” Cynthia Powers said.
“This is an international activity that takes place in about a 2-week period around Christmas,” Haw said. “And you compile just a mass of information about how many birds are out there, which can be useful to a variety of scientific researchers.”
“The point is to save habitat, and save them before they are an endan-gered species,” Cynthia Powers said. “Because everything is connected, if you think about it.”
Six Christmas bird counts will be held across northern Indiana.
Both Haw and Cynthia Powers said habitat has changed locally since they began observing birds.
“The current circle was drawn in 1960,” Haw said of the Fort Wayne count. “And naturally Fort Wayne has been expanding north like crazy, and a lot of our circle has been urban-ized. There are generally fewer places to go that are productive.”
Cynthia Powers, too, said the northern count area has grown more urbanized. “We’ve helped with that watch for a long, long time,” she said. “But we’ve got Fox Island, we’ve got Eagle Marsh.”
Those two properties, separated only by a rail-road track, have more than 1,400 acres. That’s bigger than Pokagon State Park, Ed Powers said.
“And some of us thought we ought to
[count} southwest Allen County,” Cynthia Powers said.
Some observers will watch their home feeders, some will drive country roads, some will trek the marsh, and others will watch from the shelter of the bird observatory at Fox Island County Park. That’s where Ed and Cynthia feed, observe and count birds each Monday. Other volunteers watch the feeders on other days from November to April, as part of Project Feeder Watch.
Before they take their stations, the Powerses fill mesh tubes with layers of cracked corn and black oil sunflowers seeds. “Those have more oil and the birds need calories to keep warm in the wintertime,” Ed said. Other feeders are filled with thistle seed. Blocks of suet — beef or mutton fat — are pressed into holders attached to trees.
And then they wait, and count. Red and gray squirrels and chipmunks waste no time in sharing the grain. A whitetail deer sporting fall antlers wandered about 100 feet from the feeders on a recent Monday. The Powerses noticed the deer, but didn’t record it in their count. They were watching for the usual flying visitors and perhaps something special.
“Sometime something rare comes up,” Cynthia said. “There is a pair of pileated woodpeckers here at Fox Island, and they have come straight to that suet. They’re pretty rare, those big Woody Wood-ecker hairdos.”
“It’s big, big as a crow,” said Ed, quickly locating a photo on his cell phone.
“In the middle of winter, sometimes we get what they call a winter finch invasion year,” Cynthia said. “We will get purple finches and pine siskins, and these are things that kind of belong up north.”
“We saw a Carolina wren when we walked up. They say ‘teakettle, teakettle, teakettle,’ ” Cynthia said.
She added that Fox Island is on the edge of the Carolina chickadees that live as far south as the Florida Keys, and the black-capped chickadees that flourish as far north as Alaska. “They can
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015 INfortwayne.com • B9
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BIRDS from Page B1
Feeders filled with cracked corn, sunflower seed and thistle seed lure birds to within a few feet of observers at Fox Island County Park.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
A LOST SPECIESCynthia Powers, a mem-
ber of a local Audubon
Society, advocates on
behalf of bird habitat and
related public policy.
Read her 2014 paper on
the extinction of the
passenger pigeon at
foxislandalliance.org.
See BIRDS, Page B11
Novel ‘Revenge for Hire’is local author’s secondHarperCollins released
the second novel by local author Natalie Eggeman, writing as Natalie S. Ellis.
“Revenge for Hire” is a romantic suspense set in Fort Wayne.
“This book is filled with the same twists and turns as ‘Fear for Hire,’ with a sassy news photographer as the heroine,” Ellis said. “I really had fun creating
my own riverfront devel-opment next to the Clyde Theatre, complete with a lazy river.”
“Revenge for Hire” is available for purchase at Amazon.com, BN.com, play.google.com, and other online retailers.
For book excerpts and more information about the author, visit nataliesellis.com.
31st Festival of Trees sets attendance recordThe 31st Festival of
Trees at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne set an attendance record of more than 20,000, surpassing the 2014 total by almost 1,000 people.
The 2015 festival featured 59 trees sponsored by area businesses with themes such as “Purple Passion,” “The Good Old Days…Years of Old” and “The Night Before
Christmas.” Besides the trees, the event featured Breakfast with Santa, a Family Photo Night and a Community Singalong with the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir. The festival was also the first opportunity for the general public to see one of the newly renovated spaces at the Embassy, as Santa Land was housed in the new mezzanine lounge, formerly administrative
offices.Thousands of festival
attendees voted for their favorite tree and the People’s Choice winner was “Cinderella’s Midnight Wish” spon-sored by Moake Park Group and designed by Scott Hermance. Second place was “The Christmas Bride,” sponsored by Marry Me in Fort Wayne and designed by Christine
Leto. Third place was “The Real Super Heroes,” spon-sored by 21 Alive & NBC 33 and decorated by Erin Fritz.
Festival of Trees is the Embassy’s signature fundraising event and dollars raised benefit the nonprofit’s operations and programming. The 32nd annual Festival of Trees will take place Nov. 23-30, 2016.
B10 • INfortwayne.com
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East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
hybridize and learn each other’s songs,” she said.
Cynthia Powers said the Christmas bird count began about 1900, as a protest against hunters who shot hawks for sport on Christmas Day.
Last year’s northern Fort Wayne observers saw a
bald eagle. Haw said that species is present in the area, but observers saw it in a surprising location.
“They’ll drive down country roads or they’ll come here and document every species and the numbers the best they can,” Cynthia Powers said. “And I suppose the ultimate would be if you found a snowy oil, you
would really be famous for 15 minutes. Some years they come down and other years they don’t. Last year there were quite a few.”
The first southwest Allen County count, held in January 2015, might have had more observers except for an ice storm. “I’m planning good weather this time,” Cynthia Powers said.
BIRDS from Page B9
INfortwayne.com • B11
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Ed Powers lifts a feeder filled with grain onto a hanger at Fox Island County Park. Powers has counted more than 700 bird species in North America.
PHOTO BY GARTH SNOW
East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
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B12 • INfortwayne.com East Allen Times • December 11, 2015
