IN|Dupont Valley May 2018

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Sewn with love

By Bridgett Hernandez

bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

A package containing 126 colorful dresses is making a 10,000-mile journey – from a sewing room in Fort Wayne to an orphanage in Uganda.

Over the course of a year, Martha Hatch, a retiree living in Fort Wayne, has spent hours sewing dresses for little girls who she might never meet.

She first learned of the orphanage’s need for clothing about five years ago. Since then, she has been volunteering her time, talent and own money to the charitable cause.

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A helping hand

Last year, Hatch applied for a grant from the Fort Wayne branch of the American Association of University Women to help fund the annual project. She had never applied for a grant before but she thought she’d give it a shot.

Hatch didn’t get the grant because it wasn’t a local project, but the board of trustees still wanted to support her project, said board member Martha Weatherford.

“We liked the idea for her project, but she didn’t fit the guidelines, so we just decided we would support her at our spring brunch in May,”

she said.

Members gathered fabric from their stashes at home and bought fabric and ribbon to help.

The group donated six shopping bags of fabric and sewing supplies and $141 to Hatch for her project.

The dresses are simple – a cotton shift with an adjustable drawstring ribbon neckline – and colorful with bright patterns ranging from flowers to flamingos.

Now the dresses are ready to make the long journey from Hatch’s sewing room in Fort Wayne to missionaries in Texas who will travel with the dresses to the orphanage in Uganda.

A common thread

INSIDE: Remembering the fallen

Weatherford described Hatch as a “sewing dynamo” with a servant’s heart.

“I think her whole life has been one of service,”

PHOTO BY BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ

Martha Hatch, of Fort Wayne, sewed 126 dresses for girls at an orphanage in Uganda. This year, members of the Fort Wayne branch of American Association of University Women donated fabric and money to support Hatch’s annual project.

she said.

Hatch retired from a career in human resources at Dana Incorporated. These days, she’s more active than ever between her gig as a substitute teacher, helping out at

her church, St. John Missionary Baptist, spending time with her family and admittedly more hobbies than she has enough time for.

She also quietly See SEWN, Page A6

nA

tribute to World War I veterans who died while serving.

Page 8-9

Student pride shines at Deer Ridge

Fifth graders present the Lion King

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Fifth graders Trent George, Brady Jones and Noah Trent perform in the Lion King at Deer Ridge Elementary School.

Preparation for two nights of performances in March started after the students came back from

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3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808

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Fifth-grade students at Deer Ridge Elementary School recently transformed their cafeteria into the African savanna for the production of the Lion King.

The fifth-grade spring musical is a tradition at Deer Ridge, and music teacher and director Sue Caudill felt this class was up for a challenge.

“This is a very uniquely talented group of students. That’s why we thought this year was the year to undertake a show such as the Lion King,” she said.

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Dupont Valley • May 2018

5 things

you need to know about:

DESIGN WEEK 1. Enjoy the whole week or choose your own adventure

The third annual Design Week Fort Wayne will take place May 7-11 at the Arts United Center, 300 E. Main St. Organized by Dan Swartz, founder of arts nonprofit Wunderkammer Company, the week-long event attracts creatives and design influencers from around the country.

Design Week will feature guest speakers, workshops, studio and factory tours and networking events designed to connect and inspire local creative industries. The event also aims to bridge the gap between the arts and economic development in the region and bolster the city’s status as a creative hub.

Tickets range from $10 to $200. For more information, visit www.designweekfw.com.

Each day of Design Week highlights a different industry. Monday is societal design; Tuesday is innovation/research and development; Wednesday is architecture/interior design; Thursday is advertising/graphic design; and Friday is style/fashion. General admission tickets for the week-long event are $200. General admission tickets are also available for individual days for $50. Corporate group rates are also available. For more information, contact Dan Swartz at dan@wunderkammercompany.com.

2. Don’t miss the keynote speakers Design Week will feature a lineup of rock stars from the design world. The list of nationally known trendsetters includes Zach Klein, best known for co-founding and designing the video-sharing platform Vimeo. Keynote speakers will take the stage each evening, 6-7 p.m., at the Arts United Center.

3. Design Week is about bringing talent together The goal of the week-long event is to strengthen the local design community by connecting designers, institutions and businesses, Swartz said. Design Week will also highlight Fort Wayne natives who have left to do higher-level design work outside of the community. Swartz hopes to help reestablish working relationships between these creatives and their hometown.

4. Come ready to mingle In addition to general admission, Design Week will offer tickets to its opening party ($25) Saturday, May 5, as well as networking tickets ($10) 7:30-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Tickets for Design Week’s closing party are also for sale. Creatives are invited to bring a stack of business cards and rub elbows with others in the design industry. There will be appetizers and a cash bar.

5. There will be food trucks

You don’t have to be a designer to enjoy Design Week, Swartz said. Although, he added, “If you’re genetically a human, you design things!” Members of the public are welcome to learn about exciting new ideas and network with attendees. Food trucks will be on the plaza all week for anyone who wants to stop by.

To learn more about how Design Week is bridging the gap between the arts and economic development, read “Design Week elevates design work in urban landscapes” by Gwen Clayton in the April 13 edition of Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly, a sister publication of IN|Fort Wayne, or by going to fwbusiness.com.

INfortwayne.com • A3

Dupont Valley • May 2018

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Ruthie Metcalfe, from left, Bridget Quehl and Andrea Ponce perform with the Spartan Belles at an April 17 concert at Homestead High School. The spring concert marked the premier of the 17-member handbell choir, the first high school-associated handbell choir in Fort Wayne. Other members are Sophie Braun, Sierrah Clifford, Faith Fleischman, Emma Gillam, Peyton Green, Caitlyn Klinepeter-Persing, Kayli Maucione, Chloe Morton, Madison Murray, Evie Quehl, Josie Santiago, Emily Van Veld, Nola Win and Ashley Yoakum. Shannon Hardiek directs the Spartan Belles. The Homestead Symphony Orchestra also performed at the first of several Homestead community nights; Bryen Warfield conducted.

Food drive to benefit veterans KPC News Service To alleviate food insecurity for veterans and their families, Humana, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Oak Street Health have partnered to host the Feeding America Drive in conjunction with National Military Appreciation Month.

The drive aims to provide food for struggling veterans as well as raise awareness of the high rate of food insecurity within the veteran community.

“More than one in four veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle to put food on the table. These vets are a large demographic

in the 14 percent of Hoosiers suffering from food insecurity today,” a release from the event stated.

Through May 19, people can drop off food at Oak Street Health, 436 E. Washington Blvd., in Fort Wayne.

For more information, visit feedingamerica.org.

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Dupont Valley • May 2018

Different leader, same mission Francine’s Friends co-founder, board president retires after 13 years

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A new face is leading Francine’s Friends, a local volunteer organization that began busting barriers to breast cancer screenings in northeast Indiana 13 years ago.

After Francine Shubert lost her battle with breast cancer in 2002, several of her friends set out to honor her by providing a lifesaving service to women. In 2005, a mobile mammography unit was established and the coach hit the road for the first time. The program provides mammograms to those who might not have access due to lack

For more than a decade, the organization’s headquarters was her dining room. Francine’s Friends didn’t have a paid staff or brick and mortar office.

A partner like Parkview Health could help sustain the program’s growth, Simmons said.

“It had grown so much, and I really felt like, as volunteers, it was just about as far as we could take the program because we didn’t have a lot of resources, really. What made it so successful was we had the support of the community,” she said.

Parkview Health has long partnered with Francine’s Friends to provide funding

of insurance, funds, transportation or other barriers.

Earlier this year, Sharon Simmons, who has led the program as board president since its inception, announced that she will retire and that the organization’s longtime partner, Parkview Health, hired an executive director to lead the program into the future.

Strong partner

The change will ensure the program’s longevity, Simmons said. When she helped found the organization, she never imagined that it would grow the way it did - thanks to the hard work of volunteers and community support.

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Sharon Simmons (left), who helped found the mobile mammography unit Francine’s Friends, has retired as board president after 13 years. Marita Dwight-Smith has been hired to lead the program as executive director.

for diagnostic testing if required for uninsured and underinsured individuals screened on the coach.

Parkview also provided operational support.

“They love the program as much as we do,” she said.

Parkview chose Marita Dwight-Smith to lead Francine’s Friends. DwightSmith previously served as the director of the Breast Diagnostic Center, which also partners with Francine’s Friends to provide radiologic technologists to staff the coach, the coach drivers, board certified breast imaging mammography radiologists and maintain the equipment.

She also served as a Francine’s Friends board member.

Simmons looks forward to seeing the program’s mission continue with Parkview’s support and Dwight-Smith’s leadership.

“When they named Marita as the executive director, really we couldn’t have picked a better person.

It’s who we would have chosen, so we’re excited about that. We cannot wait to see where Marita takes the program,” she said.

Dwight-Smith said she’s grateful for the strong foundation built by Simmons and other volunteers.

“Sharon and the entire Francine’s Friends board has been an inspiration to me over the years. I’ve learned so much from them,” she said.

While the board has disbanded, Simmons and other volunteers make themselves available in an advisory capacity, she said.

“They are very gracious to still assist and advise for anything that I need. I feel like I have a lot of support,” she said.

Looking back

Simmons said it has been a privilege to serve as the board president of Francine’s Friends. She is a cancer survivor herself and

said she feels obligated to give back.

“That was the reason for my survivorship, that I could be part of a program that could offer hope and help to other women,” she said.

The program has increased access to mammography in northeast Indiana, often making runs six days a week. The demand is such that the coach is booked out almost a year in advance.

Getting a mammogram on the coach is a unique experience, Simmons said.

It’s intimate – you’re the only one on the coach. It’s fast, too – it takes about 15 minutes versus having to take a half day off work to make it to an appointment.

Most employers don’t even require employees to clock out for the screening.

If caught at a very early stage, the five-year survival rate for people with breast cancer is close to 100 percent. However, some women are still hesitant to get screened because they’re worried it will be uncomfortable or it won’t be private.

Simmons will never forget encouraging a woman in her 40s to get her first mammogram. It took some convincing, but the woman agreed to the screening. She later found out that the woman had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It made me cry just because that’s why we do what we do. She had no symptoms, she felt fine.

She was healthy, she was eating healthy. She was doing the right things. And she had breast cancer. She would have never known.

She wouldn’t have gotten a mammogram. We had to talk her into it,” Simmons said.

For more information about Francine’s Friends or to see the coach schedule, visit www.francinesfriends. org.

INfortwayne.com • A5

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Mother’s Day tradition returns in conservatory plant sale

By Megan Knowles

mknowles@kpcmedia.com

A Mother’s Day tradition returns as the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory brings back its annual Mother’s Day plant sale.

The sale returns for its 18th consecutive year after hiatus in the early 2000s, conservatory Manager Chad Shaw said, adding he believed the sale started sometime in the 1980s.

The sale consists of more than 600 types of plants, ranging from annuals and perennials to house plants, hanging baskets and even

bonsai.

New this year, the conservatory will be offering soil for sale as well as more vegetable seeds and an expansion of its Indiana-grown native plant selection, Shaw said.

“There’s a big conversation going on out there about natives, just in regards to their…positive environmental impact so we want to be able to cater to people to basically fill the want,” he said.

Most of the plants sold at the sale are grown in the Lawton Greenhouse, where all of the plants for the displays at the conservatory

as well as the plants seen in the Fort Wayne parks are grown, Shaw said.

The sale takes place at the McMillen Community Center, 3901 Abbott St. “The community center down there, especially since it got renovated, offers a really nice, well-lit, wideopen space to house all the plants that we have and allow people to actually move around in there and not be crammed,” Shaw said.

Prices range from $1.25 for vegetable singles to $39.50 for 14-inch mixed containers and medium-sized bonsai, according

to the conservatory’s website. Shaw said they try to keep the prices “really competitive” and accessible to the public.

The sale is the only fundraiser for the conservatory, he said, adding that the sale has been growing the past several years.

“Last year, we were really happy, we have more than 2,600 people come through,” he said. “It’s very popular and people look forward to it. We have a lot of repeat customers. Then the folks that have never been there before, it’s kind of fun to watch them come in too, going, ‘Oh wow,

you guys have a lot.’”

While the public sale runs May 11-13, a members-only preview sale is set for 4-7 p.m. May 10.

“If folks want to come and be able to get that first peek, we do offer memberships to the conservatory at that time, so you can actually sign up to become a member and shop that night, which of course then you’ll get all the membership benefits to the conservatory also,” Shaw said.

For the general public, the sale runs 4-7 p.m. May 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 12 and noon to 4 p.m. May

13.

Each day will have volunteers helping people navigate the sale, answering questions and helping shoppers take purchases to their car, Shaw said.

“We have somewhere around 80 volunteer slots we fill throughout that week, so it’s a big joint effort between staff here, staff there at the greenhouse and all of our volunteers,” he said.

For a list of plants that will be at the sale as well as a price list, visit botanicalconservatory.org/ events-exhibitions/102mother-s-day-plant-sale.

Fort Wayne Children’s Choir to perform ‘Music in Motion’ May 6

By Meghan Schrader for IN|fort wayne publications

Fort Wayne Children’s Choir is preparing for its annual end-of-season spring concert with the theme of “Music in Motion.”

Growing and expanding for 44 years, the choir now has more than 300 participating children, ranging in from elementary to high school students, who will partake in one of the FWCC’s eight choir ensembles in the concert.

“Students in the choir come from a variety of places and backgrounds.

Each week, these young singers demonstrate the ability for music to over-

FORT WAYNE CHILDREN’S CHOIR SPRING CONCERT

May 6, 4 p.m. at the Auer Performance Hall in IPFW’s Rhinehart Music Center Cost: $8-10 Tickets are available at the IPFW ticket office in the Gates Athletic Center, by calling (260) 481-6555 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. or online at ww.ipfw.edu/tickets. The Rhinehart Music Center ticket office will be open Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m. and at 3 p.m. the day of the concert. come all differences as they work toward a common goal,” Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Busarow said.

During the concert, each ensemble will perform two to three pieces of music while encapsulating the theme through choreography and movement

around the stage. The students will be utilizing light to direct the attention of the audience throughout the large space as they move seamlessly from one choir and piece to the next in a collage format.

“It’s sort of like decoupage for choral music,” Busarow said with

a laugh.

Several all-choir pieces will also be featured.

“It’ll be a really cool way of experiencing music in different spaces,” Busarow said. “It will be, I think, a really good way of encapsulating our year. This is sort of the capstone (to) show off what we can do after a year of working together.”

As the children near the end of the school year, they prepare to demonstrate their talents and passion for singing.

“This is the big, end-ofseason concert so the kids are really anxious to show off all they’ve learned and how much they’ve grown

and the audience will get to enjoy that as well,” Managing Director Amber Bouthot said.

The concert will be 4 p.m. May 6 at the Auer Performance Hall in Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Rhinehart Music Center.

According to Bouthot, the concert usually has 2,500 patrons, selling out the show each year. Tickets are available at the IPFW ticket office in the Gates Athletic Center, by calling (260) 481-6555 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. or online at www.ipfw. edu/tickets. The Rhinehart Music Center ticket office will be open 9-11 a.m.

Saturday and at 3 p.m. the

day of the concert.

Tickets are $8-10, according to the ticketing website.

FWCC auditions are coming up 4:30-6 p.m.

May 21-24 and June 4-7, in 30-minute sessions at the IPFW Rhinehart Music Center. During the auditions, FWCC will assess the child depending on skill and place them in the choir that best fits their needs.

Any child from northeast Indiana as well as Ohio is welcome.

To register, or for more information, please call the FWCC office at (260) 481-0481 or email fwcchoir@fwcchoir.org.

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A6 • INfortwayne.com

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Disabilities Expo offers fun and resources for all ages

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

The ninth annual Disabilities Expo will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Individuals living with disabilities, family members, friends, caregivers and professionals are welcome to enjoy this free event.

Hosted by the AWS Foundation, the expo has expanded each year, said CEO Patti Hays.

This year, the expo will feature more than 110 exhibitors offering a wide variety of services and products for people with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

The expo will also

feature a variety of entertainment and activities for all ages and abilities.

Performances throughout the day will include One Hearts Bells & Voices Choir, Friends in Focus A Capella Singers, Jesters, Musical Buddies, Joyful Songsters, Soul Brothers & Soul Sisters, Whitley County Dazzlers and Fort Wayne Dance Collective.

Turnstone will offer adaptive tennis clinics to demonstrate how individuals with physical disabilities can get involved in the sport.

Participants will have the opportunity to see demonstrations and take mini lessons.

All day activities will include an art exhibit and sale, story tent, sensory calming room and photo

COURTESY PHOTO

The Whitley County Dazzlers, a special needs cheerleading squad, is among the groups slated to perform at the Disabilities Expo May 12.

booth. New this year, the expo will offer a virtual reality activity in which individuals who have a physical disability can experience riding a roller

coaster or being the lead singer of a rock band.

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation will also have a presence at the expo to provide information

about the accessibility of the city’s parks and riverfront development.

“The parks have done a lot for accessible recreation in the community and we’re excited that they’re going to come and profile some of that,” Hays said.

This year, Family Voices Indiana will host a Heart to Heart Conference in conjunction with the expo with sessions on Friday and Saturday.

The organization provides information, training, and support to families of children and youth with special health care needs and the professionals who serve them.

Gathering these families in the same setting can make them feel less alone because they’re

going through similar challenges like navigating waiver services or adapting to changes in their school system’s special education program, Hays said.

“One of the great things that comes out of Family Voices is that networking between families,” she said. “So often, a family of a child with a disability feels isolated, that they’re the only ones going through this.”

For more information on the Heart to Heart Conference, visit fvindiana.org.

Admission to the Disabilities Expo is free and parking is $5. For a complete list of programming, visit http:// disabilitiesexpoindiana. org/.

SEWN from Page A1

laid out on the couch.

Her sewing room, filled with towering stacks of fabric and home to five sewing machines, is where she finds joy. Right now, she’s working on her granddaughter’s prom dress.

She also makes her own clothes. Before she retired, she made an outfit for every day of the month and bought matching shoes so that she didn’t have to repeat any outfits.

Hatch first learned how to sew years ago from a woman at her church. She sees her ability as a gift, and charitable sewing is her way of giving back.

“I think I was given a talent and this is my way of giving back because I was blessed to learn to do it,” she said.

She has already started on a stack of dresses to send to the orphanage next year.

completed a large volume of charitable work: care bags for cancer patients, blankets for children in foster care, bibs and birth cloths for military families, and nightgowns and pajamas for nursing home residents just to name a few.

The accomplished seamstress is modest about her contributions.

She doesn’t seek out the spotlight.

“No one needs to know. If there’s a need, there’s a need. You just do it,” she said.

She doesn’t do it for the attention; she does it because she loves the work.

On her living room walls, counted cross stitch pictures hang beside framed family photographs. Embroidered cloth napkins, a work in progress, are

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Dupont Valley • May 2018

INfortwayne.com • A7

LION from Page A1 participated in the student-led production, both on stage and behind the scenes. Caudill said students formed a theatre company, taking the lion’s share of responsibility for the show’s success. The adults – teachers, parents and other volunteers – took on the role of collaborators.

“It was a powerful experience that provided them with an immersed and engaged and purposeful way of learning problem-solving, cooperation, teamwork and responsibility,” she said.

Student Trent George, who played Mufasa and assisted in directing, said that it was a team effort.

“It wasn’t like, ‘You go here and you go there.’

We all worked together,” he said.

Student Molly Bartel, who played a lioness, was also the rehearsal manager. She was tasked with keeping her fellow students on track throughout the production. “[Molly] also kept me on track as a director,” Caudill said. “She would text and email me and say, ‘Mrs. Caudill, don’t forget today you’re meeting with so-and-so at noon, and by the way don’t forget to bring this with you. And by the way, don’t you think we should rehearse that scene again?’ She could run her own company now!”

A team effort

Students rehearsed before, after and, sometimes, during school in preparation for two nights of performances. Parent, grandparents and other volunteers along with students put in hours on evenings and weekends working on the set, which was designed by Bonnie McCray.

Jill Bontrager, a retired art teacher, designed and created the actors’ masks from poster board.

When asked about

Fifth graders Yousef Hamed, Sydney Potter and Siaam Hussain perform “Hakuna Matata” in the fifth-grade spring musical production of the Lion King.

PHOTOS BY GAIL HERENDEEN

Students perform “Circle of Life” in the fifth-grade spring musical production of the Lion King.

the production’s budget, Caudill and her students laugh.

“That’s a little nebulous,” she said. “The school supported us as much as they could and a lot of donations came in, including people who contributed anonymously.”

The result was a Broadway-worthy performance.

While the show’s quality wowed audiences, the real magic happened in the three months before students took the stage, Caudill said.

It was a bonding experience for students as well as the adults who worked on the show.

“We became a family.

Without each other, we couldn’t have made this possible. We all grew closer together whether we were best friends when we started or barely knew each other’s first name,” said student Zach Prendergast, who played Scar.

Several students said the experience allowed them to explore parts of themselves that they didn’t know they had.

Student athlete Brady Jones said he discovered his dramatic side. He played Zazu and does an uncanny impression of the blue cartoon bird.

The students also developed an apprecia-

Fifth graders Sophie Mowery, Jack Martin and Joseph McGuire play hyenas in the Lion King at Deer Ridge Elementary School.

Fifth grader Elizabeth Carrel, who played Rafiki, sings “The Mourning” from the Lion King musical.

tion for their classmates’ talents. At auditions in January, student Yousef Hamed, who played the older Simba, was surprised to find out so many of his classmates could act.

“I was really proud of our whole fifth grade and everybody who helped us because we were awesome,” he said.

The students said they are grateful for all the adults who provided them with this opportunity and supported them every step of the way. They would like to give a special

thanks to their music teacher and director Mrs. Caudill; fifth-grade teachers Sara Jones, Courtney Wennemar and Kari George; program coordinator Gretchen Carrel and all the parents, grandparents and others who volunteered; Julie Potter, who designed the costumes; and Sam Davis, who volunteered his artistic skills.

Congratulations TERRY & GRACE HOUSHOLDER

HONORED AS

FREELANCE REPORTERS KPC Media Group is seeking freelance reporters to join its team of journalists covering northeast Indiana. KPC Media Group is a growing, successful, family-owned publisher of 18 award-winning daily, weekly and monthly newspapers focused on hyper-local coverage. Freelance reporters may cover local news, sports and/or feature stories.

Send resume, cover letter and at least two writing samples to HR@kpcmedia.com.

2018 CITIZENS OF THE YEAR We are so proud of your leadership and the passion you have for community journalism and the people, places, and history of northeast Indiana.

From all of us at

A8 • INfortwayne.com

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Service & Sacrifice of WWI veterans HAROLD ADAMS

March 4, 1895-Oct. 5, 1918 Private, 29th Balloon Company Died of influenza

photo unavailable

WILLIAM AHRENS

May 17, 1889-Oct. 27, 1918 Private, Battery F, 1st Regiment, Field Artillery Replacement Depot Died of influenza

SPENCER ALDEN

July 4, 1894-March 4, 1918 Ensign, U.S. Navy Killed in airplane accident

photo unavailable

ERNEST ANDERSON

Private Killed in action Oct 20, 1918

CHARLES BARON

1901-July 18, 1918 Private, Company E, 28th Infantry, 1st Division Killed in action

OTTO BOSEKER

Oct. 13, 1891-Oct. 20, 1918 Private, Central Officers Training School Died of influenza

photo unavailable

RUSSELL BARRETT

Private, M.M. Tr. Corps.

Died of pneumonia fall of 1918 (exact date unknown)

LANSING BEHRMAN

June 26, 1895-Oct. 30, 1918 Private, Company B, 334th Infantry, 84th Division Died of pneumonia

AUGUST BERGHOFF

Private, Marines Reporting missing in action Sept.

15 (year unknown)

JOHN BERRY

June 26, 1897-Feb. 5, 1920 Sergeant, 42nd (Rainbow) Division Died from wounds sustained in action

photo unavailable

EDWARD BETHNER

Private Died in France (date and cause unknown)

WALTER BETZ

Dec. 2, 1892-Dec. 6, 1917 Private, Baker’s Company, No. 312 Died of pneumonia

March 18, 1899-July 18, 1918 Private, Company A, 9th U.S. Infantry, Second Division Killed in action

photo unavailable

SAMUEL BIBO

Private, Company E, 7th Engineers Killed in action Oct. 14, 1918

LEO BOAEUF

Feb. 14, 1891-Oct. 18, 1918 Private, Company C, 113th Field Signal Battalion, 38th Division Died of influenza

ALBERT BOARD

May 14, 1888-Feb. 8, 1919 Private, 15th Ambulance Company, Medical Detachment Died of pneumonia

ALFRED BOERGER

Sept. 25, 1894-Oct. 14, 1918 Private, Company F, 112th Supply Train Killed in action

photo unavailable

CLIFFORD BOLEAU

Private Died at Camp Grant, Ill., date unknown

Jan. 15, 1895-Nov. 3, 1918 Private, Company L, 320th Infantry Died from accidental causes

March 3, 1893-Nov. 4, 1918 Private, Company G, 83rd Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces Died from wounds received in action

ROY GRUBER

April 7, 1897-Aug. 15, 1918 Apprentice seaman, U.S. Navy Died of influenza

ALFRED ELION

March 14, 1982-March 13, 1920 Private, Company D, 22nd Engineers Gassed and wounded from shell shock, died at the Irene Byron Hospital

PATRICIA BYRON

Oct. 10, 1882-March 25, 1918 Army nurse Died of tuberculosis

HARRY GUTH

Feb. 7, 1891-April 30, 1919 Sergeant, Headquarters Company, 341st Labor Battalion Died of meningitis

CLARENCE ENGLISH

Feb. 18, 1899-Sept. 12, 1918 Private, Heavy Artillery, 1st Trench Mortar Battery Killed in action

ANTINO CONFRANCESCO

photo unavailable

FRED COOK

photo unavailable

photo unavailable

photo unavailable

DELPHUS CRALL

Jan. 20, 1897-July 18, 1918 Corporal, Company D, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Division Killed in action

CHARLES GREIM

EDWIN ECHELMEIER

Jan. 25, 1898-Nov. 29, 1917 Private, 42nd (Rainbow) Division Died of pneumonia

GEORGE CUNION

Private, aviation service Wounded while training, died June 14, 1918

Aug. 17, 1899-April 28, 1919 Private, Battery D, 54th Coast Artillery Corps.

Died of tuberculosis

RUSSELL BYRD

Nov. 22, 1889-March 5, 1918 Sergeant, 2nd Motor Mechanic Regiment, 2nd Battalion Died of pneumonia

BENEDICT GOODMAN JR.

EVERETT ECENBARGER

April 30, 1896-Oct. 7, 1918 Private, Company B, 26th Infantry, 1st Division Killed in action

EDWARD CRANSTON

Aug. 30, 1891-June 30, 1917 Private, Company B, 35th Infantry Died of disease

July 14, 1898-Oct. 9, 1918 Corporal, 42nd (Rainbow) Division Killed in action

HENRY BUUCK

March 9, 1888-Sept. 15, 1918 Sergeant, Quartermaster’s Corps, 319th Auxiliary Remount Depot Died from heart trouble

JOSEPH GIRARD

JAMES EBY

Dec. 8, 1895-Oct. 8, 1918 Red Cross nurse Died of pneumonia

Nov. 29, 1898-Feb. 23, 1919 Corporal, Battery C, 66th Coast Artillery Corps.

Died of pneumonia

Nov. 1, 1900-Oct. 7, 1918 Private, Company G, 16th Infantry, 1st Division Died from wounds sustained in action

Oct. 28, 1877-Oct. 30, 1918 Sergeant, Company G, 9th Infantry, First Expeditionary Forces Died from injuries sustained in action

April 21, 1899-Aug. 10, 1918 Private, 42nd (Rainbow) Division Killed by shell explosion

HAROLD COX

WILLIAM GILLESPIE

FRANK DULLAGHAN

ALBERT BRINTZENHOFE

Private Died of influenza, date unknown June 24, 1890-March 4, 1918 Private, Company B, 113th Regiment Engineers, 38th Division Wounded while helping to fell a tree, died at Camp Shelby

May 8, 1894-Feb. 10, 1919 Sergeant, 12th Field Artillery, 2nd Division Died of pneumonia

Jan. 18, 1889-Oct. 7, 1918 Private, Battery A, 2nd Training Battalion, 1st Regiment, Field Artillery Replacement Depot Died of influenza

ROBERT GABIEL CLYDE GEORGE

WILLIAM DOWLING

EHRHART BRADTMILLER

May 1892-Nov. 21, 1917 Private, 494th Aero Squadron, Signal Corps.

Killed by accidental discharge of a revolver

photo unavailable

Sept. 14, 1897-Oct. 19, 1918 Private, 7th Company, 2nd Training Battalion Died of pneumonia

ROBERT BOWSER

Aug. 30, 1899-Oct. 18, 1918 Private, Divisional Headquarters, 84th Division Died of pneumonia

Died from wounds, July 1918

DAVIS DIFFENDERFER

GRACE BUELL photo unavailable

ROBERT DICKSON

photo unavailable

WILLIAM HARBER

Sept. 18, 1891-April 27, 1918 Private, 12th Provisional Training Battalion Died of pneumonia

LEON ENGRAM

Private, Company A, 804th Pioneer Infantry Died from wounds sustained in action Oct. 26, 1918

WALTER HIBBINS

Oct. 18, 1896-Feb. 15, 1918 Private, 1224th Casual Detachment, Motor Mechanic, Signal Corps Died of influenza

GEORGE EWING

Lieutenant Died while flying on the western front, date unknown

WILLIAM HILGEMAN

GARLAND FARLEY

June 24, 1892-Sept. 29, 1918 Fireman, U.S. Navy Died at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois

Private, Pioneer Infantry Died of influenza in August 1918

JOHN FARRELL

May 16, 1888-Oct. 31, 1918 Private, Company F, 336th Infantry Killed in action

EDWARD HILL

Jan. 1, 1899-Aug. 9, 1918 Private, 50th Gordon Highlanders, Canadian Army Killed in action

JAMES FISHER

Private Died of disease, date unknown

JOHN HOLLEHAN

Oct. 5, 1893-Nov. 1, 1918 Corporal, 116th Infantry, 29th Division Died of influenza

WALTER FEUSNER

Jan. 25, 1897-Dec. 23, 1918 Private, 3rd Company, 1st Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade Died of influenza

WALTER GABET

June 1890-July 6, 1918 Sergeant, Battery A, 137th Field Artillery Died of influenza

photo unavailable

CHARLES HUGUENARD

July 15, 1896-Jan. 17, 1919 Private, Company D, Training Detachment Accidentally killed in Fort Wayne, Mich.

Information courtesy of Warrior Breed MC.

INfortwayne.com • A9

Dupont Valley • May 2018

JOHN HURON

April 10, 1892-Oct. 7, 1918 Private, Machine Gun Company, 10th Infantry Died of influenza

SAMUEL HURWITZ

March 6, 1895-Oct. 13, 1918 Private, 6th Company, 2nd Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade Died of influenza

GERALD MCKINNIE

LOREN REIDINGER

ALLEN MCQUOID

HOWARD ROOT

Dec. 24, 1890-Oct. 11, 1918 Private, U.S. Tank Corps, 337th Battalion Died from influenza

photo unavailable

Nov. 26, 1897-Sept. 24, 1918 Cook, U.S. Navy Died of pneumonia

Private, Canadian Expedition Forces Killed in action April 9, 1917

Feb. 5, 1887-Oct. 5, 1918 Captain, Company B, 113th Field Signal Battalion Died of influenza

MANFORD MELCHI

Oct. 15, 1892-May 10, 1918 Private, Company D, 18th Infantry, 1st Division Killed in action

GEORGE JACKSON

Jan. 28, 1895-July 22, 1918 Private, Company K, Machine Gun Battalion, 38th Infantry, 3rd Division Killed in action

May 27, 1900-Oct. 14, 1918 Apprentice seaman, U.S. Navy Died of influenza

WILLIAM RYAN

CARL MESSERSCHMIDT Sept. 18, 1892-Oct. 22, 1918 Corporal, Battery C, 6th Field Infantry Died of influenza

OSCAR JUNGE

Feb. 15, 1889-Oct. 6, 1918 Private, Battery D, 67th Field Artillery Died of influenza

Feb. 14, 1895-July 30, 1919 Private, Battery D, 150th Field Artillery Gassed and wounded in battle, died at Walter Reed Hospital

Oct. 9, 1899-Nov. 23, 1917 Private, 42nd (Rainbow) Division Died of measles and pneumonia

Sept. 9, 1891-Oct. 18, 1918 Private, Company C, 113th Field Signal Battalion Died of influenza

Oct. 22, 1891-Oct. 11, 1918 Private, Battery B, 3rd Training Battalion Died of influenza

May 4, 1887-July 2, 1918 Corporal, Company K, 15th Infantry; Company K, 4th Infantry Killed in action

JOHN LAUER

April 6, 1891-Sept. 29, 1918 Private, 3rd Battalion, Coast Artillery Killed in action

JOHN SHEARS

Aug. 7, 1894-Sept. 9, 1918 Private, Company L, 336th Infantry Died of influenza-pneumonia

WILLIAM ORMSBY

May 22, 1882-March 10, 1920 Sergeant, Company D, 59th Infantry, 4th Division Died of pneumonia

JOHN PITZEN

ARTHUR LONG

May 25, 1896-Oct. 8, 1918 Private, Battery B, 15th Field Artillery Killed in action

ELMER POND

LLOYD LONG

Private Killed in action May 30, 1918

LEROY MANN

Dec. 24, 1886-Feb. 12, 1919 Private, Company G, 12th Development Battalion Died of empyema

photo unavailable

ROY MASON

Sergeant, 116th Infantry, 29th Division Died from effects of being wounded and gas, summer of 1918 (exact date unknown)

RALPH MCCORMICK

March 15, 1896-Oct. 9, 1918 Private, Company A, 32nd Battalion, U.S. Guards Died of influenza

GEORGE MCGILL

Feb. 21, 1895-Aug. 9-1918 Private, 12th Detachment Replacement Troops Killed in action

photo unavailable

WILBERT POPE

IVAN SMITH

Nov. 2, 1893-Oct. 11, 1918 Private, Battery A, 3rd Training Battalion, Field Artillery Replacement Draft Died of influenza-pneumonia

DONALD RANK

May 5, 1897-March 8, 1920 Sergeant, 56th Infantry, 9th Division; Regular Army Died of pneumonia

Nov. 22, 1900-June 12, 1918 Private, Company F, 16th Infantry, 1st Division Died from wounds sustained in action

EDWARD WELLING

May 8, 1892-May 17, 1918 Private, Remount Depot, 325th Veterinary Corps.

Died after being kicked by a mule Sept. 10, 1888-July 15, 1918 Sergeant, Company I, 4th Infantry, 3rd Division Killed in action

Feb. 27, 1896-Sept. 7, 1917 Sergeant, Company K, 23rd Infantry Died from wounds sustained in action

RUSSELL WOOD

photo unavailable

EDWARD PROVER

VIRGIL WEAVER

FORESTER SLUSHER

Private, Company D, 4th Infantry Killed in action Oct. 4, 1918

Oct. 1, 1897-Aug. 7, 1918 Private, Battery B, 150th Field Artillery Died of disease photo unavailable

HARRY WARFIELD

Private Died of influenza, December 1918

CARL WINKELMEYER

GROVER POOR

January 1893-Sept. 14, 1918 Sergeant, Company I, 6th Infantry, First Division Killed in action

May 9, 1895-April 29, 1918 Private, Battery E, 5th Field Artillery Killed in action

DANIEL SLENTZ

photo unavailable

FOREST POWERS

CLINTON WALDA

JAMES WILLIAMS

Aug. 24, 1893-Oct. 2, 1918 Private, 19th Observation Battery, Central Officer’s Training School Died of pneumonia

1899-Sept. 4, 1919 Seaman, U.S. Navy Died of pneumonia

May 12, 1900-Oct. 18, 1918 Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 5th Regiment, 1st Division Died from wounds sustained in combat

LYNN SHOUB

Dec. 3, 1898-Oct. 9, 1918 Sergeant, 42nd (Rainbow) Division Died from wounds sustained in action

April 23, 1899-Oct. 31, 1918 Private, 151st Coast Artillery, U.S. Regulars Killed in action

July 26, 1892-July 13, 1919 Private, 145th Company, Motor Transport Corps.

Stricken with meningitis onboard ship, died in Hoboken, N.J.

FRANK WILKINSON

Jan. 12, 1891-Oct. 25, 1918 2nd Lieutenant, Company E, 151st Infantry Died of influenza

Sept. 1, 1893-Oct. 17, 1918 Private, Company G, 362nd Infantry, 91st Division Died from wounds sustained in action

March 23, 1897-Nov. 4, 1918 Private, Company B, Motor Mechanics Died of influenza

CHARLES SHEPARD

June 14, 1899-May 27, 1918 Private, Company E, 28th Regiment, 1st Division Killed in action

LOUIS LAUER

March 1888-July 20, 1918 Private, Signal Corps, 3rd Regiment Killed by a cave-in while working in a gravel pit

HARRY WAGNER

May 30, 1894-Nov. 1, 1917 Seaman, U.S. Navy Drowned when launch capsized

Oct. 31, 1895-March 6, 1919 Sergeant, Company L, 13th Casualty Replacement Detachment, 146th Infantry Died of pneumonia

July 2, 1892-Oct. 9, 1918 Apprentice seaman, U.S Navy Died of influenza

RUFUS SARTAIN

JOSEPH SCHULTZ

LEWIS NEWMAN

HERBERT KRAMER

CLIFFORD UETRECHT

April 1881-Nov. 4, 1918 Private, Battery D, 322nd Field Artillery, 83rd Division Died from wounds sustained in action

Sept. 29, 1891-Oct. 12, 1918 Private, Battery C, 326th Field Artillery Died of influenza

Private Killed in action, date unknown

LEE SANDERS

FRANK SAVOY

ROSS MURCHLAND

JOHN KOEHN

April 5, 1889-May 22, 1918 Private, Battery C, 340th Field Artillery Died of influenza

ARTHUR TROSIN

July 1892-March 7, 1919 Private, Auxiliary Remount Depot, 319th Quartermaster Corps Died of pneumonia

RALPH MOSES

WALTER KNECHT

March 5, 1892-March 4, 1918 Fireman, U.S.N. Died of diphtheria

1889-March 11, 1920 Private, U.S. Marine Corps Accidentally killed while waiting for discharge

May 3, 1897-May 14, 1919 Corporal, Company B, Motor Transport Corps Died after being thrown from his truck

ARTHUR MOONEY

LESLIE KAYSER

ERNEST STAHLHUT

JAMES TOUTLOFF

Oct. 4, 1891-Oct. 4, 1918 Private, Company C, 7th Infantry, 3rd Division Killed in action

June 11, 1893-March 25, 1918 Private, Company D, 138th Infantry Died from an operation for mastoids

Nov. 3, 1886-Aug. 10, 1918 Private, Rifle Section, 9th Platoon, 44th Battalion, Canadian Army Killed in action

ERNEST THIEME NORBERT RYAN

FRED MERKLEIN

KURT JAENICKE

CHARLES SPIVEY

GEORGE SOMERFELDT

Private Died at Ft. Sheridan, Ill., date unknown

ARNOLD SPECK

March 22, 1899-Sept. 27, 1918 Private, 72nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces Killed in action

GEORGE SPECK

Aug. 19, 1897-Oct. 21, 1916 Private, 77th Battalion, Canadian Overseas Forces Killed in action

March 31, 1896-March 30, 1918 Private, Company D, 6th Engineers Killed in action

Aug. 22, 1896-Jan. 18, 1919 Corporal, Battery D, 150th Field Artillery Died from wounds sustained in action

CLEO WOODS

Dec. 15, 1894-Jan. 7, 1918 Private, Medical Corps, 28th Ambulance Company Died of pneumonia

EDWARD WOODWORTH

Seaman, 2nd Class Drowned July 18, 1918 while trying to save an officer from drowning

EDWARD WRIGHT

May 27, 1900-Dec. 17, 1918 Private, 2nd Company, Coast Artillery Corps, Anti-air Craft Division Died of influenza

JOHN WYSS

Jan. 16, 1895-Oct. 7, 1918 Sergeant, 612th Aero Squadron Died of influenza

A10 • INfortwayne.com

Dupont Valley • May 2018

2018 high school commencements in Allen County

DANCE TEAMS WRAP UP A DAZZLING SEASON

May 19

May 27

June 3

• Harlan Christian School, 2 p.m. in the

• Concordia Lutheran High School, 1 p.m. at the

• Blackhawk Christian School, 4 p.m. on campus

May 25

May 31

• Bishop Luers High School, 4 p.m. at the

• New Haven High School, 7 p.m. at the Allen

school gymnasium, 17108 State Road 37, Harlan

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The Homestead Varsity Dance Team were silver medalists and state runners up in the AAA hip hop category and bronze medalists in the AAA jazz category at the state competition at New Castle High School March 20. To see more photos and results from the state dance competition, visit infortwayne.com.

University of Saint Francis Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center, 431 E. Main St., Fort Wayne • Bishop Dwenger High School, 6 p.m. at the

Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne

Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne

County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne

June 1 • Leo Jr./Sr. High School, 7 p.m. at the Allen

County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne

June 2 • Woodland Jr./Sr. High School, 10 a.m. in the

June 8 • Wayne High School, 6 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne • Canterbury High School, 7:15 p.m. outdoor

on the high school lawn, 3210 Smith Road, Fort Wayne • North Side High School, 7:30 p.m. at the

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave.

school gymnasium, 17215 Woodburn Road, Woodburn

June 9

• Homestead High School, 11 a.m. at the

• Homestead High School, 10 a.m. at the

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne

• Smith Academy for Excellence, 11 a.m. at the

• South Side High School, noon at the Allen

Classic Cafe Event Center, 4832 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne • Heritage Jr./Sr. High School, 2 p.m. in the

school gymnasium, 13608 Monroeville Road, Monroeville • East Allen University, 6 p.m. at the Rhinehart Music Center, 2101 Coliseum Blvd. E., Fort Wayne

64 Bobbi mj 4c pdf

at the Blackhawk Ministries Worship Center, 7400 E. State Blvd., Fort Wayne

County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne

• Snider High School,

1:30 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne

June 10 • Carroll High School, 2 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne

LOVE WHAT YOU DO

JOIN OUR TEAM

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INfortwayne.com • A11

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Allen County candidates for primary election The 2018 Indiana Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 8. To find a polling location or for information about early voting, visit www.allencountyvoters.info or call the Allen County Election Board at (260) 449-7329.

Here’s a list of candidates who have filed to run for office in your area: U.S. Senator

State Representative District 83

Allen County Council District 4

State Representative District 84

Aboite Township Trustee

Christopher N. Judy R

Bob Morris R Curtis Nash D

State Representative District 85

Dave Heine R Christopher J. Rex D

Allen County Circuit Court Clerk

Mike Braun R Luke Messer R Todd Rokita R Joe Donnelly D

Christopher Nancarrow R Danielle N. Andersen D Dave Burgess D Gina M. Burgess D David Christopher Roach D

U.S. Representative District 3

Jim Banks R John F. Roberson D Tommy A. Schrader D Courtney Tritch D

Allen County Prosecuting Attorney

Karen Richards R

State Senate District 14

Allen County Auditor

State Senate District 15

Allen County Recorder

Dennis K. Kruse R

Elizabeth Brown R Kathy Zoucha D

David J. Gladieux R Philip R. Davis D

Daniel J. Leonard R Jorge Fernandez D

Allen County Assessor

Stacey O’Day R

State Representative District 52

Allen County Commissioner District 2

Ben Smaltz R William Carlin R Martha Lemert D

Therese M. Brown R

Allen County Commissioner District 3

Matthew S. Lehman R

State Representative District 80

Phil GiaQuinta D Linda Brooks D

State Representative District 81

Martin Carbaugh R Kyle R. Miller D

State Representative District 82

David H. Abbott R Mike Wilber D

Anita A. Mather R

Allen County Sheriff

State Representative District 50

State Representative District 79

Nicholas D. Jordan R

Richard Beck R Chris A. Spurr R Grant Walmer D

Allen County Council District 1

Kimberly R. Doster R Sharon Tucker D

Allen County Council District 2

Thomas A. Harris R Brian Motley R Ben Schoch D

Allen County Council Member District 3

Dave Augenstein R Joel M. Benz R Frank J. Talarico III R

Larry Brown R

Michael Meyers R

Aboite Township Board Member

William Browne R Bruce E. Keller Sr. R Barbara J. Krisher R Doug Schenkel R Robert W. Behr D Alan R. Gilbert D

Cedar Creek Township Trustee

Steven P. Herman R

Cedar Creek Township Board Member

James Berger R Nadean Kruckeberg R Christopher G. Wolf R

Eel River Township Trustee

St. Joseph Township Trustee

Jeremy Bush R Sarah Gnagy R David Ringer R Carol Griffin D

St. Joseph Township Board Member

Libby Adamson R Joshua L. Burt R Joel V. Flaningan R Mark Hagar R Jason A. Hollinger R Jason Mann R John S. McKay R Nicholas Albert Metel R Douglas Mulinix R John Price R Gretchen Spires R Jean Uhrick R Timothy Barr D Lori Black D Jessica Hannie D Rebecca S. Miller D Sean M. Miller D

Washington Township Trustee

Grabill Town Council Member

Washington Township Board Member

Huntertown Town Clerk‐ Treasurer

Robert E. Arnold R

Claude Schrock R

Daniel Andorfer R Ryan Day R Brenda L. Heisler R Dennis A Jackson R Denny Burden D

Ryan Schwab R

Huntertown Town Council Member

Wayne Township Assessor

Beverly Zuber D

Wayne Township Trustee

Tom Cook D Richard A. Stevenson Sr. D

Wayne Township Board Member

Michael J. Aker R Patricia M. Freck R Gary Grant R Bradley A. Hite R Tony Ramey R Brandon Seifert R Michael Stamets R John C. Widmann R

Leo-Cedarville Town Council Member

Anthony Henry D Roosevelt Johnson III D Bruce Norman Stier D Patricia Turner D

Christopher Adams R Scott A. Connally R Gregory V. Peck R Dirk A. Schmidt R R. Paul Steffens R Richard Thoma R

Selma Hough R

Eel River Township Board Member

Roger Jones R

Lake Township Trustee

Erik S. Linnemeier R Steven Neal R

Lake Township Board Member

John R. Banet R Steven W. Dillman R Lowell D. Stahlhut R John T. Yarnelle R Austin Barron D

Perry Township Trustee

James E. McIntosh II R Eric Tippmann R Melissa Rinehart D

Perry Township Board Member

Jonathan DeWitt R Roger L. Gump R Michael J. Messmann R Abbie Fuelling D Justin Preston Heflin D Stephani Schultz D Jamie Teller D

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A12 • INfortwayne.com

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Mother’s Day Downtown returns

KPC News Service

The Downtown Improvement District announced that Mother’s Day Downtown will return 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

May 13.

Again this year, local restaurants and retailers will offer Mother’s Day specials, and there will be several Mother’s Day activities downtown.

Also returning are the trolleys, with the Arts United Center being the main hub, according to a release from the DID. Also new this year, Lutheran Health Network will be operating two LHN Mother’s Day Shuttles, 1-4 p.m., “for even more transportation capacity and convenience,” according to the

release from DID. For more information, visit http:// downtownfortwayne.com/ mothers-day-downtown/.

Participating locations and activities include (all times are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted): • Arts United Center,

303 E. Main St.: Main trolley hub, activities throughout the day

• Paradigm Gallery at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 311 E. Main St.,

noon-5 p.m.: Museum open, 10 percent off purchases at Paradigm Gallery

• Fort Wayne Ballet, at the Arts United Center,

303 E. Main St.: Pictures with mom, show moves

by a ballerina

mothers

• Fort Wayne Youtheatre, in the Auer Black

• Third World Fair Trade Shoppe, 611 W.

Box Theatre, 300 E. Main St., 2-3 p.m.: Performance of “A Grimm Mothers’ Tale.” Tickets are $5.

Wayne St.: 10 percent off all in-stock handcrafted and gourmet coffees, teams and chocolates

• Park Place on Main,

• Outer Grace Boutique, 511 W. Wayne

200 E. Main St.: Special Mother’s Day brunch and dinner menus. Reservations recommended.

• Pembroke Bakery & Café, inside the Auer

Center at 300 E. Main St.: Free vegan/glutenfree chocolate truffle for moms with purchase (while supplies last).

• Sharon’s Victorian House, 634 W. Berry

St.: Cookies and fruit punch for all visitors, hand-painted cards for all

St.: 10 percent discount storewide, refreshments while shopping

• Smiley’s Joy, 503 W. Wayne St.: 10 percent off all purchases and a special gift for mom (while supplies last) • The Real McCoy Vintage & Restorations:

515 W. Wayne St. (rear of Carriage House): 10 percent off everything a gift for mom (while supplies last)

• Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W.

Washington Blvd., noon-5 p.m.: Enjoy the Cloister Garden, where volunteers will be happy to take a picture of moms and their families • Idlehour Boutique,

526 W. Jefferson Blvd.: Entire store is buy one item, get one item 50 percent off; special bracelets for the first 20 visitors • House of Furniture,

537 W. Jefferson Blvd.: Each mom will receive a special gift (while supplies last)

• Redmaster Fusion,

537 W. Jefferson Blvd., 2nd floor (inside House of Furniture): A special gift for mom (while supplies last) • Rudy’s, 409 W. Brackenridge St., 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Free samples of Indiana wine and DeBrand chocolate • Northern Indiana Passenger Rail Association, Baker Street Train

Station, 221 W. Baker St.: Family-friendly Passenger Rail Expo celebrating rail transportation. There will be games, activities, crafts, music, food and speakers. Enter to win a Chicago-themed travel just for mom.

• Courtyard Fort Wayne, 1150 S. Harrison

St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Annual Mother’s Day Brunch. Mothers will receive a flower, fresh mimosas or Bellini and shrimp cocktail. RSVP preferred, some seating available.

• The Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson

Blvd.: Club Soda will be offering a buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the two-level ballroom.

Reservations required. At 2:30 p.m. there will be a screening of “Frozen.”

Guests may sing along and dress as their favorite characters. Before the movie, musical selections will be played on the Grande Page pipe organ.

• Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory,

1100 S. Calhoun St., noon-4 p.m.: Moms get in free and receive a gift plant (while supplies last) • Features at the Hilton, 1020 S. Calhoun

St., 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.: Breakfast buffet from 7 a.m. to noon. 25 percent gift vouchers will be available on the trolleys (while supplies last)

• Starbucks at the Hilton, 1020 S. Calhoun

St., 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.: $2 Grande beverage vouchers to those in attendance of Mother’s Day Downtown

• Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 224 W. Wayne St.

(street level of Skyline Tower): Moms receive a dessert treat (while supplies last)

• Allen County Public Library, 900 Library

Plaza: marble magnets in the teens department between 1-4 p.m., homemade Mother’s Day card in the children’s department from noon-5 p.m., Mother’s Day gift making from 2-3:30 p.m.

• Visit Fort Wayne, 929 S. Harrison St.: Reusable shopping tote with a $15 purchase

• The Find, 133 W. Wayne St., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: 10 percent off everything in the store • DeBrand Fine Chocolates, 878 Harrison

St. (inside Ash Skyline Plaza), 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Free tasting bar of your choice with any $20 purchase • The City Exchange Shops, 127 W. Wayne St.:

Individual shops will be running their own unique promotions and deals • Kamylle’s Spa Bar,

122 W. Wayne St., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Free chair massage, enter to win a spa package valued at $250, save 10 percent off all pre-purchased services for this day, free gift with purchase • Caliente Cuban Café,

120 W. Wayne St., 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Moms eat 20 percent off, 50 percent off if accompanied by son or daughter • City View Café, 101 E. Washington Blvd.

(13th floor of the Indiana Michigan Power Center), 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Brunch buffet. Reservations required.

• Abigail’s Confections, 236 E. Wayne St., 9

a.m. to 5 p.m.: Free sugar cookie with any purchase of $5 or more. Free samples and drinks will be available.

• Cinema Center, 437 E. Berry St.: Special treats and beverages to celebrate mom. Film “Mermaids” will begin at noon.

• Don Hall’s Gas House, 305 E. Superior

St., noon-9 p.m.: Complimentary mimosas for all moms. Reservations recommended.

• Takaoka, 305 E. Superior St., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Complimentary mimosas for all moms.

Reservations recommended.

INfortwayne.com • A13

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Page-turners for the palate

By Bridgett Hernandez bhernandez@kpcmedia.com

Food and drink are usually banned from the library, but a recent event celebrated a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

A zucchini nut bread represented the young adult book “Holes” and a veggie and hummus spread took on “The Tale of Benjamin Yummy” are just a few examples of how participants offered culinary creations inspired by literary ones.

The 2018 Edible Book Festival at Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne invited participants to create a dish based on a book, book title or pun of a book title. The edible books were exhibited and then enjoyed by festival attendees on April 2.

The Edible Book Festival is an annual, worldwide celebration that takes place around April 1. This is the 12th year the Ivy Tech Community College Northeast Library has hosted the event as an opportunity to promote literacy, creativity and community engagement.

Held in the Student Life Center Gymnasium, the event was free and open to the public.

Librarian Ellie Puckett said the event gets bigger every year.

“We literally started it in the library, between the shelves, with maybe 10 tables,” she said.

This year, the festival had 22 entries from local businesses, food artists, Ivy Tech students and staff and former employees.

The event is an opportunity for individuals to promote their business or raise awareness about an issue they feel strongly about, Puckett said. For example, this year, Ivy Tech employee Julie Fisher Schaadt

PHOTOS BY BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ

Sophie Isch, a baking and pastry arts student at Ivy Tech, won third place for her chocolate cake inspired by “The Secret Garden.” She also won an award for best tasting entry.

raised awareness with an anatomical cake based on a book about multiple chemical sensitivity disorder.

“What I like is that people can promote different agendas. Whatever they want – they can promote their business or something that’s close to their heart,” Puckett said.

She also enjoys hearing participants’ stories from the inspiration behind a dish to things that did and didn’t go as planned in the kitchen.

“The stories that you hear here are amazing,” she said.

Terri Keith entered a sprinkle-covered assortment of treats based on a scene in “How to Babysit a Grandma.”

“I was talking to the librarian, and I was telling her about how I just became a Grandma and I wanted to do a theme around ‘grandma,’” she said.

Keith’s granddaughter was born March 16.

Her dish is inspired See PALATE, Page A16

FORT WAYNE AREA COMMUNITY BAND

Aly Hess cuts a slice of the rainbow layer cake entered

by Half Price Books and inspired by “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”

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Cake decorating artist Melinda Allen won second place for for her spread of rainbow-colored sweets based on “The Wonder of Unicorns.”

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A14 • INfortwayne.com

Watching our waterways

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Local organizations test, advocate for water quality

By Megan Knowles

mknowles@kpcmedia.com

As residents become more interested in enjoying local waterways, they are also becoming more interested and invested in the quality of those water systems.

Fortunately, local organizations are monitoring the quality of local ditches, rivers and lakes and educating the public on what it can do to help improve the state of our water.

Testing

The Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy has been testing the waters surrounding and including Clear Lake consistently since 2008, Executive Director Bridget Harrison said.

Volunteers test for indicators like temperature, pH level and more.

The results are then recorded and uploaded to Hoosier Riverwatch, a program whose mission is to increase public awareness of water quality issues and concerns.

“You can look at your overall water quality data and see if a stream

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LITTLE RIVER WETLANDS PROJECT

Eagle Marsh in Fort Wayne is shown. Wetlands act as the “kidneys of the environment” and play an important role in water quality.

is in excellent condition, good condition, medium and then, if it is bad or very bad you can take a deeper look at some of those parameters you test for and try to figure out what’s going on,” Harrison said.

Some of the parameters the conservancy tests for includes temperature and dissolved oxygen, the right balance of which are essential for

animal life.

“Fish and aquatic insects…survive better in cold water, so if the water gets too hot it can impact their overall health and then they’ll be susceptible to disease and illness,” Harrison said.

Findings

Higher levels of phosphorus can be found where fertilizers have

run into streams, and can cause problems not only locally but further downstream, Little River Wetlands Project Director of Preserves and Programs Betsy Yankowiak said.

“What we do on our lawns and what farmers do in their fields and what companies do in their lawns as well, what we do really affects Toledo and downstream,” Yankowiak said.

The conservancy also tests for orthophosphate levels, which can contribute to algae blooms.

Orthophosphates in Allen County has been consistently higher than the state average since 2014. In LaGrange and Noble counties it has been below the state average, while in Steuben County the numbers have been

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP LAND CONSERVANCY

A volunteer with the Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy performs water quality tests.

around the state average, according to data obtained from Hoosier Riverwatch. Ideal conditions are less than 0.3 milligrams per liter, according to information on the LaGrange County Lakes Council’s website.

Water quality testers also look at turbidity, which is suspended matter in the water and affects its clarity.

Allen County has made strides in water turbidity since 2012,

seeing testing results below state averages.

Steuben and LaGrange counties have seen results higher than the state average, while Noble County showed similar results to the state average in 2017 after a gap in reporting since 2010.

Despite some areas being better than the state averages, Yankowiak said water quality See WATER, Page A15

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Dupont Valley • May 2018

WATER from Page A14 generally is “poor in a number of areas.”

This can affect property values around lakes, LaGrange County Lakes Council President Bob Hedges said.

Runoff, which contributes to water quality problems, Yankowiak said, can also factor into flooding as well.

“The farmers that were in the valley, what they’re experiencing is, with all the impervious surfaces – parking lots, streets, roofs – instead of that water infiltrating into the groundwater system it’s hitting sewers, streams, ditches and getting to the valley a lot faster. So what they’re experiencing is areas that used to be productive are now not as productive as they once were,” she said.

This, however, is where wetlands can play an important role.

The role of wetlands

In terms of flooding, wetlands can work as a holding tank and sponge to catch and absorb excess water, Yankowiak said.

“So when water is able to pool into Eagle Marsh it slows it down, so you reduce the velocity so you can help reduce the erosion capabilities of a certain rain event,” she said. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife (Service) estimate that one acre of wetlands can hold 1.5 million gallons. So for Eagle Marsh that’s over a billion gallons of water during a flood event.”

In addition, wetlands act as “the kidneys of the environment” to filter out substances from the water. Sediment, nutrients and pollution suspended in the water has a chance to settle to the bottom. The result is cleaner, clearer water, Yankowiak said.

Improving water quality

Advocating for wetlands is an important part of improving water quality, said both Harrison and Yankowiak.

“In Indiana over 85 percent of our wetlands are gone and Indiana rates some of the lowest in water quality,” Yankowiak said.

Farmers who are interested in converting their land back into wetland can do so through a federal program, the Wetland Reserve Program through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Yankowiak said.

The program is completely voluntary, she said, and land has to meet certain criteria, including having hydric

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP LAND CONSERVANCY

Volunteers with the Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy stop for a picture while testing for water quality. Volunteers test ditches surrounding Clear Lake about four times a year.

soil – “areas that are or were wetlands will have the right soil type,” she said – and being farmed recently, among other requirements.

More information on this program can be found at https:// www.nrcs.usda.gov/ wps/portal/nrcs/main/ national/programs/easements/wetlands/.

Farmers, and those who fertilize their lawns, can also be mindful not to spray fertilizer close to waterways, Harrison said.

“There’s just a high risk of that running straight into the water source,” she said.

Furthermore, Harrison encouraged landowners to test their soil first to see if they need nitrogen or other chemicals to

begin with.

Fertilizers are also available that do not include phosphorus, Hedges said.

Homeowners can help improve water quality in other ways as well.

She encouraged anyone living near a lake who has a septic system to make sure that system is working properly.

“Septic inputs into water quality can really negatively impact some of those (water quality) parameters,” she said.

In addition, she encouraged homeowners to wash their cars at a car wash or on the grass so the water can soak into the ground rather than run off into the water.

Likewise, Yankowiak said homeowners

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positively and negatively impact the lake and the water quality and I think that people are trying to make wise choices and be educated,” she said.

“The water we have is all we have, no more is created, this is it,” Harrison added. “I think if we don’t make the effort to protect the resources we have now, there’s no guaranteed we’ll have those in the future.”

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Can you add plants that grow a little deeper?” she asked. “It doesn’t have to be monumental.

If everybody did a little bit, it would be a lot.”

Harrison believes people are starting to understand the importance of water quality.

“People love Clear Lake, they love it so much that 26 years ago they created a group to help protect it, so I think people are getting more aware of how they

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can create their own wetlands by putting in a rain garden, which traps water for up to 48 hours so it can filter into the soil rather than run off to waterways. Rain barrels can also help reduce water runoff, she said.

Other gardening tips include planting trees and other plants with deep roots to help bring surface water into the ground, Yankowiak said.

“Can you grow your garden a little wider?

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A16 • INfortwayne.com

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Motorcyclists receive blessing

By Louis Wyatt

lwyatt@kpcmedia.com

Each year, motorcyclists from near and far flock to Saint Patrick Catholic Church of Arcola to receive a blessing, but the celebration goes far beyond the church grounds.

While Saint Pat’s Blessing of the Bikes sees riders receive a holy water blessing in succession so as to get through the more than one thousand attendees in a timely manner, riders make a whole day of the event.

Some riders started their day at local motorcycle shops, restaurants or bars, while some showed up to the church as early as three hours before the 29th annual blessing Saturday. For those that live in Arcola and areas of Columbia City and Fort Wayne, it’s expected that bikes will

PALATE from Page A13 by a scene in the book where the grandmother and granddaughter are enjoying lunch together.

Even though her granddaughter is just a baby now, she looks forward to sharing moments like that with her someday.

rule the town from sunup to sundown.

“It’s always been a big thing here,” said Katie Martin, Arcola Inn & Ale Bar manager.

The local watering hole less than half a mile from the church has hosted a Blessing of the Bikes after party since the event began in 1989, and Saturday’s high of 37 degrees couldn’t keep the tradition from living on another year.

“We get a lot of our regulars that ride out here, but we also get people from all over,” Martin said. “Two years ago, it was snowing during the Blessing of the Bikes, and that was pretty crazy. I couldn’t believe how many bikes were here regardless of the snow.”

Harley-Davidson of Fort Wayne also hosted an all-day event with heaters and fire pits to Festival attendees voted for their favorite edible books. First place went to Daniela Arrington for her “Ten Little Ladybugs” cake.

Second place went to Melinda Allen for her spread of rainbow-colored sweets based on “The Wonder of

Tuesday, May 8th

2018

ELECTION COVERAGE

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PHOTO BY LOUIS WYATT

Father Thadeus “Tad” Balinda blessed each motorcycle present at the Blessing of the Bikes with holy water April 7.

keep visitors warm while enjoying food, drinks and live music. Many riders took part in both after parties, as well as the annual celebration at Beamers Sports Grill in Unicorns.” Third place went to Sophie Isch for her chocolate cake inspired by “The Secret Garden.” TRIO Student Support Services got an honorable mention for their cake based on a book about a threelegged cat named Trio.

New this year was the award for best tasting entry. Isch also took this honor. A baking and pastry arts student, she blended two colors of fondant together to create the wooden door on her Secret Garden cake.

Ivy Tech student Angela Shephard enjoyed the festival with her young daughter, Misty, who had a plate full of samples for taste testing. The mother and daughter said they were

Columbia City, which has been in full swing since the first blessing 29 years ago.

Dan McCoy, who has owned Beamers for the past two years, said the

bar usually blocks off its entire parking lot with snow fencing, bringing in a full house rain or shine.

“Even last year, it was a high of 53-54 degrees, and there was prob-

ably a thousand people through here at some point or another,” he said. “… There’s people from all over the place, even people that come from other states and throughout Indiana.”

The outdoor party technically starts right after the 1 p.m. blessing, with live music throughout the day, but McCoy said riders start showing up long before opening.

“It’s pretty much all day,” he said. “Bikes will start showing up usually at 11 o’clock even an hour before we open.

They’ll start lining up here and they’ll hang out and maybe have a cup of coffee or a Bloody Mary or something, go get their bike blessed and then come back here.”

An estimated 1,000 riders had their bikes blessed by Saint Pat’s Father Thadeus “Tad” Balinda April 7.

PHOTO BY BRIDGETT HERNANDEZ

Ann Spinney serves her edible book “The Tale of Benjamin Yummy,” a spread that included hummus and veggies.

inspired by the creativity of the edible books.

“Next year, me and mommy might pick a

book to make a cake,” Misty said.

Community Calendar

INfortwayne.com • A17

Dupont Valley • May 2018

Include news of your group, too Send news of your group to bhernandez@kpcmedia.com by May 8 for the June issue. Items will be selected and edited as space permits.

May

Community Calendar 2018

MAY

1

2 3

TUESDAY, MAY 1

Empty Bowls fundraiser. First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Individuals donate $20 and receive a handcrafted bowl along with a complimentary soup lunch including a drink and dessert. The project, sponsored by the IPFW Department of Fine Arts, works to raise money for the IPFW Food Bank and the Student Ceramics Club.

Food for the event is donated by Cosmos Restaurants and Panera Bread.

Appleseed Quilters Guild trunk show. Classic Cafe, 4831 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m., the meeting at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

The trunk show features quilts made by the executive board. For more information about the group and upcoming speakers, visit www.appleseedquiltersguild.com or appleseedquilters@yahoo.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2

Athenian Cruise Night. Athenian Family Restaurant, 1020 W. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne. 5-8 p.m.

Spectators welcome. For details, call (260) 485-5886.

For information on cruise-ins from Orland, Ind., to Bryan, Ohio, visit libertycruisers.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 3

Yahweh Sisterhood Book Club. The Chapel, 2505 W. Hamilton Road, Fort Wayne. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

Enter through Door 2. Tonight’s book is “The Widow Wore Pink” by Robyn Dykstra.

Church-wide garage and bake sale. Christ’s Community Church, 10616 Liberty Mills Rd., Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. This indoor sale will take place rain or

4

shine. Proceeds benefit local charities. For more information, visit www.cccfortwayne.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 4

Church-wide garage and bake sale. Christ’s Community Church, 10616 Liberty Mills Rd., Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This indoor sale will take place rain or shine. Proceeds benefit local charities. For more information, visit www.cccfortwayne.org.

“Hamilton” star in Fort Wayne gala. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. Cocktails at 5, dinner at 6, concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $250, available at STAR Bank box office at the Embassy or at (260) 424-5665. Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez headlines.

May Friendship Day. Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 5515 Hanna St., Fort Wayne. 1 p.m. Reservations are $3 and may be obtained by calling (260) 745-2715 or (260) 637-1842. Church Women United will observe the theme “In Gratitude for God’s Presence.” Jessica Willman from Broadway Christian Church will present the Bible study.

Settlers Inc. plant sale and open house. Historic Swinney Homestead, 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Settlers Inc. will host the annual herb and perennial plant sale and Swinney Homestead free open house. Park by the tennis courts. Early Americana music and spinning before noon. Refreshments, bake sale and hand arts all day. Herbs will be in the basement and perennial “diggings” on the back lawn.

Proceeds support the Swinney Homestead. Visit www.settlersinc.org for details.

Fridays in May concert. Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne.

12:10-12:40 p.m. Program varies each week in May. Watch trinityenglish.org for updates. A light sandwich lunch will be provided after each concert, for $2.

Fish and tenderloin fry. Southwest Conservation Club, 5703 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. 5-7 p.m. $9.

All-you-can-eat fish and tenderloin fries are served the first and third Fridays of each month. The meal includes green beans, corn, french fries, coleslaw, dinner rolls and pudding or Jell-O. Coffee and cash bar available. The club has been safeguarding local wildlife and habitat since 1938.

5

“Discord,” by Scott Carter. First Presbyterian Theater, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 or less; visit firstpresbyteriantheater.com or call the box office at (260) 426-7421, ext. 121. The full title of tonight’s play is “The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord.”

“Anything Goes.” Homestead High School, 4310 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Admission: To be announced. Curtis Shaw directs this spring musical.

SATURDAY, MAY 5

Settlers Inc. plant sale. Historic Swinney Homestead, 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-noon.

Parking by the tennis courts.

“Anything Goes.” Homestead High School, 4310 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Admission: To be announced. Curtis Shaw directs this spring musical.

“Discord,” by Scott Carter. First Presbyterian Theater, 300 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 or less; visit firstpresbyteriantheater.com or call the box office at (260) 426-7421, ext. 121.

Rummage sale and bake sale. American Legion Post 330, 330 Entrance Drive, New Haven. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, soda and water will be available at a small charge.

Obedience and rally trials. Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. No admission fee; free parking. The Fort Wayne Obedience Training Club Inc. presents its annual all-breed obedience and rally trials. Visitors will watch dogs perform fun exercises on the rally courses as handler guide the dogs through this timed event. Dogs will perform precision obedience exercises, jumping, retrieving and scent discrimination. Only dogs that are entered in the shows are permitted at the fairgrounds for this event.

Miami Indian Heritage Days. Chief Richardville House, 5705 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. 1-4 p.m. $6 for ages 18-64, $4 for ages 3-17 and 65 or older; free for age 2 or younger. Presented the first Saturday of each month, May-October. The May 5 program is Medi-

See CALENDAR, Page A18

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DISCOVERING HISTORIC AUBURN A DAY TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

FUN FOR THE FAMILY

Shop, Sip, Taste, and Tour your way around town!

Free admission to area Museum!

Explore Local Vendors and booths!

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MAY 20 11 AM-4PM

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A18 • INfortwayne.com

6

cine Woman Singers presenting traditional Miami music. Presented by The History Center, whose members are admitted free.

AIDS Walk. Parkview Field, 1301 Ewing St., 10 a.m.noon. Come early for the pre-walk celebration with costume contest, Johnny TinCap, superheroes, food trucks, cash raffle, prizes, balloon artists and more.

For more information, visit positiveresourceconnection.org.

Free airplane ride for kids. Kids can take a free airplane ride with Experimental Aircraft Association members. DeKalb County Airport Gate 7, 2710 County Road 60, Auburn. 9 a.m.-noon. Parent/ guardian must be present to complete registration.

For more information, visit www.VAA37.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 6

Health care public forum. Allen County Public Library Main Branch Conference Room A, 900 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne. 1:30-4 p.m. Nonprofit Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan will hold a public forum on America’s health care system. Free parking with valid library card.

May Music Festival. Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne. Eight ensembles of Trinity English will be joined by orchestra to offer music at the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.

George R. Mather Lecture. The History Center, 302 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Free admission. Jim Pickett will discuss “1790 Old Northwest and the Battle of Kekionga.” The Mather lectures are free to the public and made possible through the support of the Dunsire Family Foundation.

Fort Wayne Flute Ensemble concert. Grace Episcopal Church, 10010 Aurora Place, Fort Wayne.

4 p.m. Directed by Ann Donner, the concert will feature hymns, classical works and familiar arrangements. The public is welcome to enjoy this free concert. Donations are welcome. For more information, please call the church at (260) 432-9221 or visit gracechurchfwi.org.

Bach Collegium season finale. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1126 S. Barr St., Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $5 for students, free to ages 12 or younger.

The program’s theme is “The Reformation’s Unique Musical Heritage.” Works will include Johann Sebastian Bach’s “A Mighty Fortress.” Read the Bach Collegium’s story, find program details or get tickets at bachcollegium.org.

“Anything Goes.” Homestead High School, 4310

8

9

Homestead Road, Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Admission: To be announced. Curtis Shaw directs this spring musical.

Fort Wayne Children’s Choir Spring Concert. Auer Performance Hall, Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW Campus, Fort Wayne. 4 p.m. Tickets $8-$10. Get tickets at ipfw.edu/tickets. All ensembles present their last formal concert of the year.

Obedience and rally trials. Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Road, Fort Wayne. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. No admission fee; free parking. The Fort Wayne Obedience Training Club Inc. presents its annual all-breed obedience and rally trials. Visitors will watch dogs perform fun exercises on the rally courses as handler guide the dogs through this timed event. Dogs will perform precision obedience exercises, jumping, retrieving and scent discrimination. Only dogs that are entered in the shows are permitted at the fairgrounds for this event.

“1790 Old Northwest and the Battle of Kekionga.” The History Center, 302 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne. 2 p.m. Free admission. Jim Pickett presents this program.

TUESDAY, MAY 8

Special interest lesson: Healthy homemade teas. Allen County Extension Office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

7-9 p.m. Homemaker Nadine Scholz and Master Gardener Kathy Lee explore the health benefits of herbal teas, what plants to grow and how to preserve them. Handouts and recipes will be provided. Get details at extension.purdue.edu/Allen.

Positive Parenting Tips: From Toddlers to Teens. Crosswinds Corporate Office, 4150 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne.

6-8 p.m. $15. Presented by Alicia DiGiulio, therapist. “This seminar will help you learn how to encourage and discipline your children without breaking their spirit,” the agency said in a statement.

Get details and RSVP through link at crosswinds. org.

Fort Wayne Area Community Band Spring Concert. Auer Performance Hall of the Rhinehart Music Center, IPFW Campus, Fort Wayne. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $4-$8. Get tickets at ipfw.edu/tickets.

Healing prayer service. First Christian Church, 4800 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. All are welcome.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9

Rummage Sale. New Haven United Methodist Church,

630 Lincoln Highway East, New Haven. Early bird shopping noon to 3 p.m. Free 3-8 p.m.

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Dupont Valley • May 2018

Breakfast on the Marsh. Indiana Wesleyan University Education and Conference Center, Room 102/104, 8211 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. 8:30-9:45 a.m.

Well-seasoned nature lovers (50+) are invited to enjoy a light breakfast and nature presentation presented

by Little River Wetlands Project, the governing body of Eagle Marsh. Today’s topic is “A Tour of the Galaxy.” The spring and summer skies offer a variety of celestial objects that are visible in binoculars and small-to-moderate size telescopes. Jon Thomas, a member of the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society, will lead a journey along the Milky Way, highlighting some of the more easily identifiable constellation patterns and the locations of unique objects within them. Register with Dana Claussen at (260) 478-2515 or d.claussen@lrwp.org to help ensure that enough food is provided.

Rummage and bake sale. Trinity Lutheran Church, 7819 Decatur Road, Fort Wayne. 4-7 p.m.

Rummage Sale. New Haven United Methodist Church, 630 Lincoln Highway East, New Haven. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. $2 bag sale 3-6 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Spring concert. Auer Hall on IPFW campus. 7 p.m.

Concordia Lutheran High School Jazz, Concert and Symphonic Bands, and Orchestra will present a final concert to recognize and say farewell to senior members.

Fridays in May concert. Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne.

12:10-12:40 p.m. Program varies each week in May. Watch trinityenglish.org for updates. A light sandwich lunch will be provided after each concert, for $2.

All-you-can-eat fish fry and pork tenderloins. Park Edelweiss, 3355 Elmhurst Drive, Fort Wayne. 4:30-7 p.m. $9 for adults, $5 for children. German beer and wine and soft drinks available. Enjoy dinner accompanied by live, German music. Sponsored by Fort Wayne Mannerchor/Damenchor.

Rummage and bake sale. Trinity Lutheran Church, 7819 Decatur Road, Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 12

Rummage and bake sale. Trinity Lutheran Church, 7819 Decatur Road, Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-noon. Bag sale, $2 each or three for $5.

Run With the Knights. Foster Park, 3900 Old Mill Road at Rudisill Boulevard, Fort Wayne. 9 a.m. $20. The Bishop Luers High School Alumni Department presents this 10K/5K Run/Walk fundraiser. Sign up at bishopluers.org by clicking on “Run With the Knights” in the “Alumni” tab. Register by May 2 to be guaranteed a T-shirt. For more information, contact Tess Steffen at (260) 456-1261, ext. 3039.

Free airplane rides for kids. Smith Field Airport, 426 W. Ludwig Road, Fort Wayne. 9 a.m.-noon. A parent or guardian must be present to complete the Young Eagles registration form. All flights are weather-permitting. The group’s goal is to spark an interest in aviation in the kids who attend. For more information, visit www.EAA2.org.

Show choir clinic and performance. Third through eighth grade students invited to attend a show choir clinic at Homestead High School beginning 8:30 a.m. A $25 registration fee includes choreography and vocal instruction, hair and make-up, and a T-shirt. The free performance at 2 p.m. will include songs performed by clinic attendees as well as performances by Homestead Show Choirs and Back Up Band, Class Royale, Elite and Anonymous Blue. Please register

by May 4. For more information, visit www.homesteadshowchoirs.com.

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SUNDAY, MAY 13

Singles dance. American Legion Post 47, 601 Reed Road, Fort Wayne. 6-9:30 p.m. $7 cover charge. DJ, cash bar, potluck carry-in. For more information, call Doug at (260) 704-3669.

MONDAY, MAY 14

Civil War Round Table of North East Indiana. Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne; in Conference Room B. 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

Mike Murphy will present “The Kimberlins Go to War.” For more information, contact Dick Tagtmeyer at (260) 745-1081 or email CWRTNEI@aol.com or visit civilwarroundtableofNEI.wordpress.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 15

Summit City Singers. Hamilton Place, 2116 Butler Road, Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Free and open to the public; freewill donations will be accepted. This choir of more than 50 voices will “Celebrate the Year” by featuring a song related to a holiday in each month. Judy King directs the Summit City Singers.

Auditions for comedy. First Missionary Church, 701 W. Rudisill Blvd., Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Auditions for “World Premiere of Bentley,” a new comedy by Michael Wilhelm. For more information, visit www.allforonefw. org/current-auditions.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

Rummage, plant and bake sale. Leo United Methodist Church, 13527 Leo Road, Leo-Cedarville. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sponsored by the Leo United Methodist Women.

Miami Valley Coin and Relic Hunters Club. Aboite Township Trustee’s Office, 11321 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. The club invites anyone who has an interest in the metal-detecting hobby and who is interested in learning more about the club.

Athenian Cruise Night. Athenian Family Restaurant, 1020 W. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne. 5-8 p.m. Spectators welcome. For details, call (260) 485-5886. For information on cruise-ins from Orland, Ind., to Bryan, Ohio, visit libertycruisers.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 17

Rummage, plant and bake sale. Leo United Methodist Church, 13527 Leo Road, Leo-Cedarville. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sponsored by the Leo United Methodist Women.

FRIDAY, MAY 18

Fridays in May concert. Trinity English Lutheran Church,

450 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne. 12:10-12:40 p.m.

Program varies each week in May. Watch trinityenglish. org for updates. A light sandwich lunch will be provided after each concert, for $2.

Fish and tenderloin fry. Southwest Conservation Club, 5703 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. 5-7 p.m. $9. All-you-can-eat fish and tenderloin fries are served the first and third Fridays of each month. The meal includes green beans, corn, french fries, coleslaw, dinner rolls and pudding or Jell-O. Coffee and cash bar available. The club has been safeguarding local wildlife and habitat since 1938.

SATURDAY, MAY 19

“Spring Flyers on the Marsh.” Eagle Marsh barn, 6801 Engle

Road, Fort Wayne. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Join in a hike to discover the many types of birds that either live at Eagle Marsh, or visit the marsh in the springtime. Program led

by Freye Berntson, preserves and programs assistant.

Sponsored by Little River Wetlands Project. Contact info@lrwp.org or (260) 478-2515 for more information.

Sports card and collectibles show. Ramada Plaza Hotel, 305 E. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Free admission. Dealers from three states will buy, sell or trade sports cards and other cards and collectibles.

The public may bring items to be appraised. For more information, contact Brian Mayne at (260) 824-4867 or mcscards@icloud.com.

Recognizing volunteer ombudsman of the year. CASA, 6340 Stellhorn Road, Fort Wayne. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch is

20

free, but space is limited; RSVP to Aisha at (260) 469-3161. The Ombudsman Long-Term Care Program of Northeast Indiana advocates on behalf of those living in nursing homes in nine counties. Learn more at doingthegood-ombudsman.org Urban Turtle Festival and 5K Walk. Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve, West Engle Road, Fort Wayne. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $20 for adults, $10 for ages 17 and younger. This Urban Turtle Festival and noncompetitive 5K walk will be on the Continental Divide Trail. Participants will see turtles that live at Eagle Marsh, learn more about these reptiles, and support turtle conservation efforts. This fundraising event starts with the 5K walk at 10 a.m., with the festival at the barn from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A shorter hike is available and is about a mile loop that will feature education stations for youth and adults. Each participant will receive a T-shirt and goody bag. To register, visit eventbrite.com.

Plant sale. Purdue Extension Service, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne. Noon-2:30 p.m. The Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions as visitors enjoy the display gardens.

A.J. Arnett 5K Honor Run/Walk. Concordia Lutheran High School. 8:30 a.m. Registration is $28. Kindergarten-eighth grade students run free. Proceeds will benefit Honor Flights and Shepherd’s House Fort Wayne. To register, visit www.ajarnetthonorrun.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 20

Auditions for A Christmas Carol. First Missionary Church, 701 W. Rudisill Blvd., Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Auditions for Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Doris Baizley. For more information, visit www.allforonefw. org/current-auditions.

Heartland Sings season finale. Plymouth Congregational Church, 501 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne. 4 p.m. Heartland Sings features two choral masterworks, Maurice Duruflé’s “Requiem” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms.” Ticket prices are $20 in advance, $25 at the door or $10 for Heartland Sings Passport holders and are available at heartlandsings.org/tickets or by calling (260) 436-8080. This concert is funded in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.

Liberty Cruisers Cruise-In. Liberty Diner, Goshen Road at Coliseum Boulevard, Fort Wayne. 5-7 p.m. This car club brings its classic rides for the public to admire. Watch for details at libertycruisers.com.

Singles dance. American Legion Post 47, 601 Reed Road, Fort Wayne. 6-9:30 p.m. $7 cover charge. DJ, cash bar, potluck carry-in. For more information, call Doug at (260) 704-3669.

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FRIDAY, MAY 25

Fridays in May concert. Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne. 12:10-12:40 p.m.

Program varies each week in May. Watch trinityenglish. org for updates. A light sandwich lunch will be provided after each concert, for $2.

MONDAY, MAY 28

Memorial Day Parade. Starts near the intersection of E. State Blvd. and Parnell Ave. at 11 a.m. The parade follows Parnell Ave. to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, where there will be a ceremony outside Memorial Hall.

TUESDAY, MAY 29

Summit City Singers. Golden Years Homestead, 8300 Maysville Road, Fort Wayne. 7 p.m. Free and open to the public; free-will donations will be accepted. This choir of more than 50 voices will “Celebrate the Year” by featuring a song related to a holiday in each month.

Judy King directs the Summit City Singers.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2

Flea market and bazaar. American Legion #241 Auxiliary, 7905 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Proceeds benefit local charities and veterans.

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Short Hikes for Short Legs: Baby Birds and Building Nests. Eagle Marsh barn, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne. 9-10 a.m.

Free. Little River Wetlands Project sponsors this part hike, part interactive educational activity with a curriculum and trail length appropriate for kids ages 3-5. Visit www.lrwp.org for more information.

“Living with Anxiety and Depression.” Crosswinds Corporate Office, 4150 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne. $15. Presented

by Sarah Armstrong, therapist. “Depression and anxiety touches all of us differently. This seminar will give you more knowledge and tools on how to find peace,” the agency said in a statement. Get details and RSVP through link at crosswinds.org.

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Summit City Singers. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2417 Getz Road, Fort Wayne. 3 p.m. Free and open to the public; free-will donations will be accepted. This choir of more than 50 voices will “Celebrate the Year” by featuring a song related to a holiday in each month.

Judy King directs the Summit City Singers.

Plant sale. Purdue Extension Service, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne. Noon-2:30 p.m. The Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions as visitors enjoy the display gardens.

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Dupont Valley • May 2018

PAID PAIDADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISMENT

(ALLEN COUNTY) The nationwide credit

crisis may have turned “the American dream” into an extended nightmare for many Indiana home buyers and sellers.

Banks and mortgage lenders (who are not going out of business) have tightened up their lending requirements to the point where many home buyers today can no longer qualify for a mortgage.

Record foreclosures, rising unemployment, losses in the financial markets and the current credit crunch have not only reduced the number of buyers who can buy but have also increased the number of houses that sellers need to sell.

Prices are under pressure as home sellers lower their asking price to attract a buyer, and as lenders resell their foreclosed homes below market value.

And it’s turning into a vicious cycle -- as many buyers need to sell their current home first -- and many sellers (unless they plan to rent) need new financing to get into their next home. As a result, a sea of real estate agents, mortgage brokers and home builders are going out of business. These professionals are in the business of serving buyers and sellers. But that’s hard to do with the credit crisis when the entire real estate industry traditionally relies on mortgage lending to finance buyers and get houses sold.

What can homeowners do to sell their homes? How can buyers get financing if they can’t meet the tougher lending criteria on credit scores, income verification, down payment amounts and debt ratios?

There’s one local real estate professional who has found a way to make things work even with the present banking crisis. Mike MacDonald is the president of Summit City Investments, Inc. Since 1999, his private investment company has been buying houses throughout the Allen County, IN region without ever relying on banks.

MacDonald’s company takes over existing mortgages or brings in private lenders allowing him to pay homeowners all cash for the properties. He then offers his properties for rent or “for sale by owner” using a variety of unique seller financing programs.

By taking a long term approach and never relying on banks, business has never been better for MacDonald and his company.

“Most sellers are unaware of the options we offer.

What they need most is a qualified buyer... and we might just be that buyer.

We can buy houses in as-is condition, pay top dollar and close in just a few days… or whenever they’re ready.”

Mike says it’s normal for people to think

they must be desperate before calling him to buy their house. “It’s a very common misconception. But until I look at a house and do some research, I won’t know my game plan for the property or what I can offer. But after a single visit to the property and meeting with the homeowners I can let them know exactly what I can do. My offer is good for 7 days and it’s only at that point, with my offer on the table, that a seller can decide if I’m going to become their buyer.”

In fact, price is not an issue for MacDonald. As an investor, what’s important to him is the determination of what income the property can produce. “It’s easy to determine. I also do an appraisal and look at the recent comparable sales. Then I do whatever I can to offer a seller up to full price today -- or about what they might net sometime in the future pursuing a more conventional route. What I can pay depends on the condition, location and financing options available for that type of property. It only takes about 10 minutes to prescreen a property over the phone and to set an appointment. We typically buy 1 out of every 4 properties we see. In fact, for about half of those I have purchased, the seller pursued their other options and then came to realize that my offer was the best all along.”

MacDonald believes the three biggest reasons a house doesn’t sell are: 1) it is overpriced, 2) it is poorly marketed, or 3) it is not fixed up to show well. “I can pay a fair price on a home that needs work. I might even plan to increase the value or marketability by adding a bedroom or bath, finishing a basement or installing a new heating system. Brand new carpet and paint will go a long way to attract a qualified buyer. But I understand that many sellers don’t have the time, inclination or money to remodel a house... just to get it sold. We solve that problem for sellers.”

Overpricing a home could be the biggest mistake.

Listing agents sometimes suggest (or a seller might decide) to ask for a higher price than needed. This might be to test the market or leave wiggle room to negotiate.

However, this can backfire if the seller wants (or needs) a quick sale, or when the “days on the market” stacks up causing buyers to wonder what’s wrong with the property.

Another misconception about how Mike MacDonald buys houses is the idea that he’s probably looking for sellers in financial distress. “Look, when a seller is out of time or out of options, then I’m usually their best solution -- if their property is not over-financed. But most people headed for foreclosure are either overleveraged or actually looking to save their house. If I buy the house the seller must move. They really need to get into a more affordable home... but sometimes I can help by swapping properties.”

MacDonald warns about companies and real estate investors who target distressed homeowners. “Recent laws have been passed in Indiana that apply to any business and investor who targets people in foreclosure. Be cautious, do your research and perhaps seek legal advice when anyone wants to charge you an upfront fee for helping to get your loan modified, or... if they’re promising to lease the home back to you. That rarely works out like the borrower expects and can lead to accusations of fraud.

Perhaps rightly so.”

What does a real estate investor like Mike MacDonald do with the houses he

buys each month? What about the hundreds of houses his company has bought throughout Allen County, Indiana over the last 14 years? Simple. He rents them out or resells them. “We’re usually managing 80 to 100 properties at any given time -- making us one of the largest owners of single family homes in the area. Each month we may have 10 to 15 houses for sale. Some we’ve owned for years and others we have recently bought.”

With a reasonable down payment, MacDonald says he can sell you one of his properties using his popular owner financing programs -- even if you have damaged credit or a short job history.

His most popular owner financing “If you can afford a first month’s rent, a last month’s rent and a security deposit, then I can probably sell you one of my houses.”

out some sellers who have found themselves in over their head.”

“We do everything we can to get our buyers permanent bank financing. It’s a win-win because we pay sellers all cash and fund our deals with private lenders. Our lenders are mostly local individuals seeking alternatives to low bank CD rates. They earn 8 to 10% interest on real estate notes well-secured by our properties. When we get our buyer cashed out, we finally make our money and can payoff our investor. These investors usually want to reinvest allowing us to buy even more houses.”

Unfortunately many of the mortgage programs once available are now gone. It’s reported that 75% of the available lending disappeared when FHA changed their rules last October and again early this year. But, if you have money to put down and can prove your income, there are still loans available now. In fact, some rural development loans and VA loans still allow qualified buyers to borrow with no money down.

“We help all of our buyers get a bank loan as quickly as possible... or we finance them ourselves. But we’ve never relied on banks. That keeps us in control and maintains our sanity. But we get those loans done every chance we get. In fact, sometimes a buyer can qualify and doesn’t even know it.

Other times they can qualify but need a flexible seller. We’re one of the most creative and flexible sellers you’ll ever find,” says MacDonald.

Does buying or selling a home have to be difficult? Maybe not!

“President Obama says today's economy is the worst since the Great Depression and it may take many years to recover. Unfortunately I think he’s right and so do many sharp economists.”

Interested in selling your property quickly and easily? Looking to buy a new home without bank qualifying? It may be worth checking in with Mike MacDonald and his staff at Summit City Investments, Inc. Call them at (260) 267-0760 485-9437 or visit them online at www.SummitCityInvestments.com.

They’re in a unique position to help buyers and sellers overcome the new challenges created by the recent mortgage market meltdown and credit crisis. And if you’re looking for a conservative way to earn 8-10% interest on your idle cash savings or retirement funds, call and ask for info on becoming one of their private lenders.

program includes the opportunity to build “sweat equity.” Before repairing or remodeling a newly acquired house, MacDonald offers it in “as-is” condition to his buyer’s list. This allows his client to do the work (to suit their own preferences) in exchange for all or part of a down payment.

“I have a lot of buyers who check my website each week looking for these ‘fixer upper’ deals. But if the home is not under contract within 10 days or so then I’ll hire my contractors to fix it up completely.”

His next most popular program is a down payment assistance plan. Many buyers turn to MacDonald’s company because they don’t have the down payment required by today’s cautious lenders. Mike helps buyers build up equity or a down payment over time with his rent-to-own (or lease with the option to buy) program. In this program you can rent the property you’ve decided to buy, but have the option to close anytime over the next 1, 2... or even 5 years. A portion of the rent each month is credited toward buying. Additional amounts can be paid monthly for more rapid equity build up plus other promised amounts can be made later... like proceeds from the sale of another property or a pending tax refund.

Once the buyer has enough “skin” in the deal, MacDonald can close with owner financing at the predetermined, mutually agreed upon price and terms. Or the buyer SUMMIT CITY INVESTMENTS, INC. is can close with a new bank loan. According located at 2200 Lake Avenue, Suite 123 in to MacDonald, “There are so many reasons Fort Wayne, IN, holds a Certificate of my buyers like some time before qualifying Good Standing from the Indiana Secretary for a mortgage. They may need to sell their of State, and is a BBB Accredited business house, work on their credit, establish more with the Indiana Better Business Bureau time on a job or establish two years of with an A+ rating, provable income on tax returns when self-employed. All our buyers are put in Mike MacDonald is the President of touch with a sharp mortgage broker who Summit City Investments, Inc. He is a creates a plan for them. We can recommend an affordable credit repair company that can 37-year resident in the local community, do unbelievable things given even a short 6 to and has been a long term partner in his 12 months to work on a file. This also helps family’s independent insurance agency and tax & accounting firm (G. A. MacDonald Associates, Inc.)

260-344-4663

For more information or to view a list of properties for sale, just visit www.SummitCityInvestments.com 2200 Lake Avenue, Suite 123 Fort Wayne, IN 46805 (260) 485-9437 Phone (260) 267-0760 -----------------