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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • August 2021 • No. II
Big Fun in a Small Town at Blueberry Festival Bringing a Room Up to Date How to Make Remodeling Easier What to Know Before Roofing Your Home Museum Reveals the Splendor of Classic Autos
Quality, Smart Products & Services for Your Home, Family, Health, & Entertainment!
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ...............................Cover & p. 16 Blueberry Festival Time! Your Home ...............................................................11, 23 Bringing a Room up to Date; One-Stop Renovating Your Outdoor Living ...................................................13 What to Know Before Replacing Your Roof Inspiration & Worship ................................................14 In His Image Your Kitchen ...........................................................19, 27 Apple Breakfast Casserole; Smart Appliances’ Your Outing ....................................................................25 The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Auto Museum Your Family Fun ...........................................................28
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writer Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Lisa Brandt, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com
Smart Living. Copyright 2021 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
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People Need People
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enjoyed learning about the annual Blueberry Festival in Marshall County, Ind., the subject of our cover story. I’ve written about many Midwest festivals but this one stands out. First, it’s hard to think of a single activity associated with festivals that this one doesn’t include. The variety is enormous, with all the fun you’d expect plus so much you would not expect in an event hosted by a small town. Organizers give careful thought to every age group and activity level. Second, this event has longevity. It’s in its th 55 year! It’s a sad fact that many traditions like this have gone by the wayside or downsized as it’s become more difficult to make festivals financially viable. Any successful, privately funded festival relies heavily on volunteer labor. The Blueberry Fesitval, which attracts some 400,000 people, has only one paid full-time employee and depends on long hours worked by scores of volunteers. Here and across the Midwest, we see volunteers working side by side on all sorts of good things that make our communities better places to live. Why do they do it? It’s my belief that we hunger for a sense of connection and public service to one another now more than ever. Even before the pandemic heightened our need for each other, we saw attendance at community events grow, from farmers markets to summer concerts in the parks. Our American lifestyle can be very isolating if we allow it to be, with our increasing reliance upon the Internet for entertainment, shopping and even classes and work. Attending a local event or participating in a local non-profit or service club bring us out of isolation. Volunteering helps us get to know our neighbors and feel a part of something greater than ourselves. People need other people. There are lots of great community events to enjoy together before cold weather drives us back indoors. Let’s make the most of them! Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SL Editor Tell them you saw it in ...
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Your Home & Garden
How to Bring Your Room Up to Date By Janine Pumilia
(Taylor King Photo)
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f your living space looks a bit tired, consider giving it a makeover. That may not be as difficult or expensive as you think and can be a real mood lifter. “It’s easy and affordable to achieve a nice update by swapping out some accessories and smaller furniture pieces,” says Christy Howe, a designer at Fairfield Galleries in Fort Wayne. “The best way to get started is to come in and take a few laps around the showroom. Find out which looks draw you in. If you’re not sure how to integrate fresh ideas with your existing furniture, ask one of our designers to help.” Snap some images of your existing room and bring them to the store, Howe suggests. Or, if you’re planning a major revamp, set up an in-home appointment with a designer. “We’re very customer service oriented and happy to help people put together a new look. Sometimes people just lack the confidence to go forward because design is not what they do every day. We can help. We don’t impose our personal tastes on you – we help you to figure out what you like.” Take advantage of the deep product knowledge and personal design expertise store professionals offer, Howe urges. That’s something you can’t get online. “Along with advice about patterns and colors – the fun stuff – we can also answer questions about how a piece of furniture is made, which fabrics are most durable, and how to combine furniture pieces and accessories in ways that are attractive but also functional.” A living room or great room is often the first candidate for an update because it’s heavily used. Fairfield Galleries carries a huge selection of sofas and sectionals that anchor these rooms, plus accessories that complement them. “You’ll mostly find neutral and tonal sofas and sectionals in our showroom because most people think it makes sense to stick to neutrals for the big pieces and occasionally freshen up the look with smaller pieces and accessories,” Howe says. “We’re seeing a lot of vivid colors in artwork right now – deep ocean blues and sea greens, splashes of tangerine and hot pink. There’s also a softer version of this same color palette in more muted tones like soft pinks and sage greens.” Area rugs, artwork, spot tables made of wood or mixed metals, décor pieces, ottomans and “poufs” – soft stools used for child seating, footrests or a surface to set something on – offer opportunities to add color and personality to a room with neutral furnishings. “Just replacing your lamps can really freshen up a room,” says Howe. “We have so many nice choices for lamps that use different materials and colors.” But there’s more to a room than color. “Along with color, give some thought to textures,” says Howe. “Layering in some items with velvet or knotty fabrics or perhaps a jute or sisal rug can make for a nice change.”
Larger neutral pieces can be freshened up with splashes of color, pattern and texture, as shown in this room by Taylor King, one of many furniture brands sold at Fairfield Galleries in Fort Wayne.
In Fort Wayne, Howe sees many customers moving away from strictly traditional styles to a more transitional look with a subtler color scheme. “It depends on the customer, but most people today don’t want blatantly matchy-matchy furniture,” says Howe. “You want to add ribbons of compatible colors, but in a less overtly intentional way.” Mixed metal accents are popular. “Gold accents are back, but in a champagne gold tone that mixes well with bronze or silver. Items like large clocks and mirrors are still trending, but in updated versions. “Everything is oversized and large scale in accessories, from large florals or abstract patterns on pillows to large pieces of artwork on walls.” One of the most functional and versatile furniture pieces today is the low-slung console table used in any room as a TV or lamp stand, as a dining room or kitchen storage sideboard, as an entryway table or as an anchor to focal-point wall art. They come in many styles, often with concealed storage or open shelving. “Not everyone wants to hang their TV on the wall because that tends to lock you into one furniture floor plan,” says Howe. “A console table is more versatile.” When it comes to other rooms of the house, there are easy ways to upgrade a space by replacing your old headboard with a new upholstered one or swapping in new chairs for your older but beloved dining table. “People still like to have large dining tables for gathering the family together,” Howe says. “Dining and bedroom furniture are the pieces we tend to hold onto longest and there are ways to update those rooms without replacing all the furniture.” Freshening up your home is easier than you think – and can be a lot of fun, too. “At the end of the day, we just want people to walk into their homes and feel good about what surrounds them.” Learn more by stopping in at Fairfield Galleries, 5010 US 33 North, Fort Wayne, or call (260) 489-5526. ❚
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Outdoor Living
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Outdoor Living
What to Know Before You Replace a Roof By Janine Pumilia
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new roof is a big investment and there’s much to consider when choosing an installer and materials. First, “A roofing warranty is only as good as the company that installs the materials,” says Kevin Hunter, coowner of Windows, Doors & More in Fort Wayne. “If a problem develops, you have to go back to the company that installed the roof to start a claims process.” If that company no longer exists, you may be out of luck. “It’s a sad fact that a lot of companies don’t have the working capital to withstand a rainy day,” says Hunter. “The average lifespan of roofing and siding companies is about two years.” Be sure your new shingles are of a sufficient weight to withstand Midwest weather. It’s also important to choose materials wisely. Avoid inferior shingles like those sold at big-box Every shingle is nailed six times to the underlayment. Alhome centers. though some building codes allow up to three roof layers, Hunt“You need a certain weight of shingle to withstand our Mider recommends no more than two. west weather,” says Hunter. “The weight of three layers can be hard on the sheeting and Along with sufficient asphalt per shingle, you’ll want shincause it to cup or dip between the rafters,” he says. “This is esgles that are treated to resist streaking and mossing. Hunter uses pecially true now that manufacturers are making better, heavier Certainteed brand premium or premier asphalt shingles treated shingles than they did 20 years ago.” with a 3M Scotchguard product. If your project requires a roofing tear-off, ask what precautions will be taken to prevent damage to landscaping. Windows, Doors & More uses a “roofer’s buggy” to catch debris. Finally, choose your shingle color carefully. “You’ll have to live with that shingle for a lot of years,” notes Hunter. He offers a photo computer program that previews how your home would look with various options. Windows, Doors & More has been in business 37 years and serves homeowners within a 60-mile radius of Fort Wayne. Along with selling and installing home exterior products, Windows, Doors & More is a full-service flooring and lighting center. It also builds room additions/decks and is a one-stop kitchen and bath center with six licensed designers and an architect on staff. Learn more by calling (260) 399-6038 or visit Windows, Doors & More at 1121 W. WashBefore hiring an installer, ask what precautions will be taken to protect landscaping from damage. ington Center Road. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...
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Inspiration & Worship
In His Image G
od is spirit and we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). Spirit has no gender or appearance. Our human bodies are wonderfully made, but temporary. God is far more concerned about the content of our minds and hearts than our physical appearance. Scripture has little to say about physical appearance except when it directly relates to the narrative. For example, Esau was hairy and ruddy, a fact which helped his twin brother, Jacob, to cheat Esau from his birthright; Goliath was “a giant,” which caused David to rely upon his faith when slaying him; and Esther was a beautiful Jewess, which helped her to gain favor with an antisemitic king. The Bible records many instances when people are influenced by physical appearance (i.e. Jacob loved beautiful Rachel more than weak-eyed Leah), but in no place does God favor or disfavor people based upon their appearance. It’s revealing that scripture provides no physical description of Jesus Christ. Every way in which we’re told to emulate him is related to character, not looks. How foolish and evil it must be to God that humans persecute one another on the basis of traits no person can control; the skin color, gender and looks with which we’re born. After Christ came and made the holy spirit of God available to all who choose to believe and receive it, Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28 NIV). In the Old Testament, when God sends Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint a new king of Israel, Samuel wrongly assumes one of Jesse’s older, bigger sons is God’s choice. God tells him, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7 NIV) To be imitators of Jesus Christ, we must do likewise. ❚ –Janine Pumilia 14
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Right in Our Region
Blueberry Festival: Big Fun, Small Town
By Janine Pumilia
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he 55th Blueberry Festival coming up Sept. 2-6, in Marshall County, Ind., isn’t your typical small-town festival. “This is Indiana’s largest five-day festival and was named a Top 100 Event in North America by the American Bus Association three different years,” says Karen Oneal, festival coordinator. And no wonder. The event packs every festive activity you can think of into the extended Labor Day weekend and draws some 400,000 visitors to Plymouth, Ind., a community of 12,000 people. Plymouth is about 80 minutes from Fort Wayne and 2 hours from Chicago and Indianapolis. “It started in 1967 as a community picnic in the park,” says Oneal. “There was a desire to provide no- or low-cost entertainment to families and to help non-profits earn money. It was locals-only, at first – farmers brought their fruits and vegetables to sell. Over time, it evolved.” And how. Today’s Blueberry Festival boasts more than 400 craft vendors from across the U.S. and 100-plus food vendors; three enter16
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tainment stages; a bustling commercial tent where 130 businesses promote their goods and services; a huge parade with floats and bands; one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest; numerous sports tournaments, from arm wrestling to pickleball;
More than 400 craft vendors from across the U.S. will sell their wares during the Blueberry Festival.
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Right in Our Region Board and was named coordinator in 2020, the only paid position. “Board members work full-time jobs but put in a ton of hours to work on the festival all year long,” Oneal explains. “There are so many moving parts, and each member coordinates a major aspect like the carnival rides, the food etc. We’ve been doing it a lot of years now and have a good system in place. It takes 100 volunteers to make the festival a success.” After every festival, board members meet to review what improvements can be made the following year. In 2008, for example, the Marshall County Blueberry Festival began a recycling effort that has since diverted more than 69 tons of recyclables from local landfills. Oneal, who grew up a few miles north of Plymouth in Lakeville, Ind., has fond childhood memories of attending the Blueberry Festival. She knows firsthand how important it is to generations of residents in Marshall County and beyond. “People look forward to it all year long. And for volunteers, it’s a time of meeting people, learning how teamwork pays off, working hard but also having a lot of fun,” she says. “It’s also very important to our county economically. Visitors book motel and campground reservations, buy gas and visit local restaurants and shops here because of this festival.” The event is the sole means of financial support for many non-profits. For example, festival parking is coordinated by local service clubs, which use trams to transport visitors from the Plymouth High School parking lot to the festival grounds at Centennial Park. Profits from parking fees are divided among the school, service clubs and the Festival fund. While most things will remain consistent, there are a few new aspects to this year’s festival. “The auto show has expanded to include more types of cars and we’ve added pickleball to the sports tournament lineup,” says Oneal. “And every year we find new shows to interest children. This year we’ve booked ‘The Wheels of Agriculture’ game show for kids.” Festival hours are Thursday, Sept. 2 from 5-9 p.m.; Friday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Monday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fireworks show is Sunday night at dusk – set up chairs or spread blankets in the fields east of the carnival at Centennial Park. The Blueberry Festival Parade steps off at 9:30 Monday morning. Find a full schedule of events, entertainment and carnival ticket prices, plus registration for tournaments, This festival began 55 years ago as a way to offer low-cost or no-cost fun to families. at blueberryfestival.org. ❚ a fun run, bicycle cruise and lake swim; carnival rides and games; pony rides; laser tag; a scholarship pageant; historical Americana and demonstrations; a tractor pull, auto show and horse show; a hot air balloon launch and glow; and, of course, lots of treats made with blueberries, from blueberry ice cream and cheesecake to pies and donuts. “People stand in line for hours to get those blueberry donuts,” says Oneal. About 110 non-profit groups work at the festival, which was cancelled last year due to COVID-19. “For many, this is their only source of income, so they’re really looking forward to making up for lost income this year and I think we’ll have a huge turn-out,” says Oneal. One of three entertainment stages is dedicated to gospel music; the others host country, rhythm & blues and rock music groups. Among 2021 headliners on the Gospel Stage will be the Ball Brothers, four young men from Georgia who offer a messagedriven mix of tunes in fourpart harmony. Other Christian performers will include Jacob’s Well, the Blackwood Quartet, Dark Ridge Ramblers, Dave and Daphne, Jim Worthing, Quentin Flagg, Spoken 4 and The Rescue Band. Oneal has been involved with the Blueberry Festival for 27 years, starting as a float judge and information booth worker. She later served many years on the 15-member Blueberry Festival
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Your Kitchen
What ‘Smart’ Appliances Can Do for You
Today we can control our household appliances from the palm of our hands, no matter where we are.
By Peggy Werner
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f that 30-year-old appliance quits working and you need to replace it, and you haven’t done your homework, you’ll be surprised to learn how technological advances allow you to manage your life from your smartphone. That could improve the way you do laundry, prepare dinner, turn on the oven and more. “Everything is ‘smart’ now because we live in a ‘smart’ world where everything is connected and can be controlled from a phone held in the palm of your hand,” says Brittany Brouer, marketing director at Van’s Home Center, Auburn, Ind. For example, one of the most advanced appliances is the Samsung Family Hub refrigerator which is WI-FI enabled and allows you to send notes, sync schedules, see who’s at your front door, search recipes, get meal ideas, play music, stream movies and look inside the refrigerator as you shop, she says. Other Wi-Fi enabled appliances also allow you to start and stop equipment with your smartphone. A washing machine can hold a large amount of laundry detergent and dispense as needed. Large loads of laundry can be finished in 30 minutes and a small load left in the washer overnight will dry. “So, you can start the laundry and pre-heat the oven before you even get home. There’s quite a range of what appliances can do for you today and it’s all about what you want and need and
what you’re willing to pay for,” she says. Most people interested in the smart appliances are between 25 and 40 years old, but many others also love technology and are not afraid of it, she says. “The advances give people lots of choice to make life easier and do more in one day. It’s all about personal preference and the choices are driven by consumers who want to do more with their time than laundry,” Brouer says. Brouer suggests that people who are unsure about such technology should get online information from manufacturers about how to use appliances. YouTube, also, is a great source for learning how to do just about anything. A locally-owned, family business, Van’s Home Center opened in 1973 and has expanded from a 1,500 square-foot store to a 75,000 square-foot “one stop” showroom for the home. Along with appliances, it sells flooring, furniture, mattresses, cabinetry, countertops and more. “We’re large enough to compete with big-box stores and we price competitively.” Learn more by calling (260) 927-8267 or stop in at 106 Peckhart Ct., Auburn, Ind. ❚
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Your Home & Garden
One-Stop Renovating, Indoors & Out By Janine Pumilia
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f it involves your home’s interior or exterior, Wright Brothers Renovation & Design can design it, construct it and install it. That’s what Brian Alberding would like you to know about the company he co-owns with business partner David Wright. “Our niche in the market is that we do everything,” says Alberding. “We provide the design work, structural or mechanical engineering work and the full installation, whether removing walls to open up spaces, renovating a kitchen or bath, adding extra rooms, or doing a full home exterior makeover with new roof, windows and siding or stone. That’s what sets us apart.” For homeowners, this means dealing with one contractor from start to finish, with all tradespeople in close communication and working on an agreed-upon schedule. The company’s expertise in both the aesthetic and technical aspects of a renovation allow for a one-stop, simple experience. Wright Brothers also has a deep knowledge of products. “We’ve learned a lot through trial and error. That’s part of what people pay us for – our experience,” he says. “Over the years, I’ve seen plenty of things go wrong with home products – shingles that fail, siding that fades, kitchen cabinets that de-laminate and so on. We stay with brands we know because we stand behind our work. We use professional-grade products from companies we trust and very seldom purchase from a big-box store.” Another advantage of the company’s longevity is its knowledge of the Fort Wayne area. “When a homeowner calls me and tells me their address, I know what the construction of homes in that neighborhood is like, and in what era the home was built. Our experience with past jobs in similar homes helps us to know what works well.” Many people are improving their homes right now, realizing they’ll earn money back when they sell their homes. “We’re seeing a lot of homeowners who want nicer kitchens and bathrooms and also want rooms connected that were previously separated by walls,” says Alberding. “The main things a realtor plays up are a newer kitchen, bathrooms, windows and roof. Some buyers want a fixer-upper, but most want a home that’s ready to live in without having to seek out a contractor.” Home renovation TV shows are fueling ideas. “They inspire people to make over their own homes. Really, the possibilities are endless for making a home more attractive, more functional, and just more enjoyable to live in.” Every homeowner considering a renovation of any kind should get references and learn how a company operates. Sadly, the home improvement market sees its share of unreliable contractors who sometimes take short-cuts, use inferior products or fail to stand behind their work. They hook customers by offering cut-rate prices that may cost more money in the long run. “I get calls every year from people whose projects were left unfinished or installed improperly,” he says. “Their building bud-
Before (right) and after renovation.
get is gone but there’s still a lot of work left to be done.” Wright Brothers offers free on-site consultations to give homeowners a general analysis of what work would be involved in their project and roughly what it would cost. If customers decide to proceed, meetings are set up with staff members who have expertise relevant to the project. For example, Lisa Habben is a kitchen and bath designer with 25 years of experience; Michal Blevins has 20 years of experience in plumbing and HVAC systems; and Mike Walters has spent two decades improving the curb appeal of home exteriors. Next, detailed estimates are provided, the staff works up drawings and a timeline is agreed upon for starting and finishing the project. “Do problems arise that impact the timeline? Yes, they do,” says Alberding, noting that pandemic-related supply chain issues have made this year particularly challenging. “But you have to have a goal for completion.” Alberding has 38 years of experience “doing what I love.” His business skill and David Wright’s talent in field operations are a winning combination. “I enjoy recruiting, developing and training good people and bringing them up to our speed,” says Alberding. “It’s all about maintaining a high level of expertise and providing excellent customer service from the moment a customer makes that first call and is greeted by a real human being on the phone. I love it when one of our consultants designs a gorgeous job and we bring that design to life and our customers are thrilled. They tell their friends and our business just keeps growing.” To learn more, stop by the office at 4227 N. Clinton St., or call (260) 434-0660. ❚
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MEET
AGAIN
EXPLORE
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FLY
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PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO DO IT ALL AGAIN. So, whether you’re planning your next business trip. Or, booking that long-awaited vacation. We’ll provide the safe, sanitary, socially-distant terminal. So, you can fly…again.
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Your Outings
For Auto Lovers: Cord Duesenberg Museum By Peggy Werner
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lassic cars have a cherished history that’s kept fresh and alive by people who love them. People who appreciate history, art, and design are often passionate about them, says Walter Fisher, marketing and communications manager at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, 1600 S. Wayne St., Auburn, Ind. “People like classic cars because they grew up with them. They remember Dad or Grandpa had one and the memories generate a lot of nostalgia not only for their own history, but for the unique style and craftsmanship of the cars,” Fisher says. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum has more than 120 cars on display in nine themed galleries on three levels in a building that’s historically significant in itself. The galleries feature classic cars (as defined by the Classic Car Club of America), racing cars and Indiana-built cars. The oldest car is an 1894 Black Prototype and the most modern car is a 2002 Ford Thunderbird Roadster. The museum’s collections are contained in three main areas: the automobile collection, the archives collection and the small artifact collection. Each has a bull’s-eye design, with artifacts closest to the center of the bull’s-eye being the most significant. The museum building itself is the museum’s largest artifact. It was constructed for the Auburn Automobile Company in 1929 and is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the Midwest. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was named a National Historic Landmark in 2005. The original building housed the car company’s showroom, offices and design studio until it closed in 1937. The museum hosts many community events each year that have resumed since the lifting of pandemic restrictions. The free, family-friendly Classic Car Concert Series continues with Big Caddy Daddy performing Aug. 26 and Whoa! Man (a celebration of women in rock music) on Sept. 23 at the museum plaza. Food vendor tents open at 5:30 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to display their favorite vehicles in the parking lot and bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the event. Cars and Coffee is from 9 to 11 a.m. every third Saturday of the month through September at the museum. The event is an opportunity for classic car owners to meet, while enjoying free coffee, donuts and music provided by the museum. Also every third Saturday, an outdoor movie is shown. Several years ago, the museum started to digitize its archival collection to make it available to the public. It’s available online at automobilemuseum.org. Also on the website are self-guided tour videos featuring some of the best classic automobiles in the country and the stories of the cars told by people who know them best. “The Auburns were hand-built, high-end, custom-ordered
More than 120 cars are displayed in the 1929 Art Deco-style museum. View the cars online at automobilemuseum.org.
cars and some of the features that were innovations at the time are now standard features in cars today, mainly front wheel drive and hydraulic brakes,” says Fisher. The Auburn Automobile Company was founded in 1900 and grew out of the Eckhart Carriage Company, founded in Auburn in 1874 by Charles Eckhart. His sons, automobile enthusiasts Frank and Morris, entered the business, bought out other local carmakers and moved into a larger building in 1909, until shortages caused by WWI forced the business to close in 1919. The Auburn Automobile Company was sold to a group of Chicago investors, including William Wrigley, Jr. In 1926, Errett Lobban Cord, a race car driver, mechanic and car salesman, became president and owner. Duesenberg Motors Company was an American manufacturer of racing cars and luxury vehicles (nicknamed “Duesy”). Founded in 1913 in Saint Paul, Minn., the company moved to New Jersey and then to Indianapolis, establishing the Duesenberg Automobile and Motors Company and debuting its first passenger car, the Duesenberg Model A. In late 1926, Cord acquired Duesenberg and continued the production of racing and luxury cars, including the 1928 Duesenberg Model J, designed to compete with the most powerful cars in the world. The Cord L-29 was the first successful mass-produced front-wheel-drive car in America. Cars built by Cord became famous for their advanced engineering and striking appearance. Auburn’s administration building was completed and opened in 1930, followed by the best sales year ever with 34,000 cars sold. Bad times for Cord and the Great Depression forced the company’s closure in 1937. The company and its remaining parts inventory were purchased by Detroit entrepreneur Dallas Winslow for $85,000 plus $25,000 for the Auburn administration building. The new company was named the Auburn-Cord Duesenberg Company, selling stock parts and offering service work to owners of the classic cars, before it opened the museum. ❚
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Your Kitchen
Apple-Cinnamon French Toast Casserole W
aking up, no matter how late, can be such a drag. You’re snug under your blankets and moving slowly. But your stomach is growling, which means you are going to have to face the day. When you do stumble out of bed, it’s nice to start your day with a delicious casserole on your plate – a warm, freshly baked Overnight Apple Cinnamon Fresh Toast Casserole. Prepared the day before and chilled overnight, this casserole is ready to throw in the oven once you’re up. It’s gooey on the inside and baked to a perfect crisp on the outside, plus it’s filled with mouthwatering apples and ground cinnamon, not to mention a sweet glaze drizzled on top. It’s perfect for any breakfast or brunch occasion and the little ones will enjoy the sweet crunch, as well. To start, place cubed French bread in a glass baking dish. Top it with apple pie filling and smooth it out over the entire dish. Then add more cubed French bread on top. In a mixing bowl, whisk nine eggs, half-and-half and cinnamon. Pour the egg mixture over the ingredients in the baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and chill overnight. Remove the foil and bake for about an hour. Let cool. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to form a sweet glaze. Drizzle the glaze over your warm casserole and enjoy. Whether you’re waking up on an early Monday morning or lounging around in your pajamas for an hour (or two) over the weekend, this breakfast casserole is worth the wait.
Find more breakfast and brunch recipes at Culineary.net. If you made this recipe at home, use #MyCulinaryConnection on your favorite social network to share your work.
Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole Servings: 12
Nonstick cooking spray 1 package (20 oz.) French bread, cubed, divided 1 can (20 oz.) apple pie filling 9 eggs 1 cup half-and-half 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 cup powdered sugar, plus additional (optional) 2 TB milk, plus additional (optional)
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Spray 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In baking dish, add 10 ounces cubed French bread in bottom of dish. Pour apple filling over bread. Top with remaining cubed French bread. Set aside. In medium bowl, whisk eggs, halfand-half and cinnamon. Pour evenly over bread. Cover with aluminum foil and chill overnight. Heat oven to 325 F. Remove foil and bake 50-60 minutes. Let cool 10-15 minutes. In small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and milk. Add additional, if needed, until pourable glaze is reached. Drizzle over casserole before serving. Enjoy! ❚
Smart Living Fort Wayne
August 2021 • II
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Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Sept. 1, 7-10 p.m. This blues rocker has been nominated for a Grammy five times. Sweetwater Performance Pavilion, 5501 Hwy 30 W., Fort Wayne. Sweetwater.com Blueberry Fesitval in Marshall County, Ind. Sept. 2-6. See our cover story. Luscious blueberry treats, 15K run, crafts, parade, fireworks, free entertainment, classic car show, hot air balloons, carnival and family fun. Centennial Park, 1660 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, visitmarshallcounty.org. Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau Thru Sept. 26 Tues.-Sat. Learn about the Czech painter and graphic artist. Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 311 E. Main St., fwmoa.org, (260) 422-6467. Fort Wayne Ballet: Diversions 21 Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 7 p.m. A fun mix of standalone pieces, both classical and contemporary, for all ages. Subscriptions for the new 2021-2022 season are now available and single ticket sales begin Sept. 8. Learn the details at fortwayneballet.org or call (260) 484-9646.
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Smart Living Fort Wayne
Panoramic Riverfront Tours Weekends. Ride the Sweet Breeze, an 1840 canal boat replica, for a 90- or 45-minute guided tour. Learn how Fort Wayne’s history ties to the Erie shipping canal. Promenade Park, 202 W. Superior, fortwayneparks.org. Storytime on the Riverfront Mondays thru Aug. 30, 10-11 a.m. & 11 a.m.noon. Fresh air and children’s literature from Allen Co. Public Library System in Promenade Park, Fort Wayne, (260) 427-6000. Nashville Thursdays 7-10 p.m. every Thursday. Free live music, country, bluegrass, Americana. Club Room, Clyde Theater, 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. (260) 747-0989, clydetheatre.com. Protests & Promises Unfulfilled Through Sept. 12. A reflection on the local struggle for Civil Rights then and now. Allen County Library, Krull Gallery, 900 Library Plaza. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through August. 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne.
August 2021 • II
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Fort Wayne Ballet will present ‘Diversions 21.’
Trek the Trails Tuesday evening bicycle rides, 6-7:30 p.m., on various trails. fwtrails.org. Open Acoustic Jam Each second Tuesday, 5-8 p.m. at Sweetwater, 5501 US Hwy 30 West, Fort Wayne. All skill levels welcome. sweetwater.com. ❚
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Smart Living Fort Wayne
August 2021 • II
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Any room, Every home.
Voted #1 Furniture, Appliance, & Mattress Retailer 3 Years In A Row By The Readers’ Choice Awards!
Finally, everything for your home, all in one place. Shop our large selection of quality products to find the perfect style for your home, at the perfect price, today.
Come See Why!
Furniture | Appliances | Flooring Mattresses | Cabinets | Countertops
Van’s Home Center Family owned since 1973.
106 Peckhart Ct. Auburn, IN 46706 260.927.8267 www.VansHomeCenter.com
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Smart Living Fort Wayne
August 2021 • II
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
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Smart Living Fort Wayne
August 2021 • II
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Smart Living Fort Wayne
August 2021 • II
To Advertise Call 260-212-8968