Smart Living Fort Wayne - November 3, 2022

My Biggest Influence

Growing up, my mom always watched

NBC’s “Today” show. It’s one of the first places where I experienced journalism, and I specifically recall tuning in to watch Katie Couric. There was something about her that captivated me, and now as a fully-formed adult, I know it was her ability to ask com pelling interview questions. She never asked anything that could be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” and she always asked interest ing follow-up questions that explored topics in more depth. She also just had a way of making people feel at ease.

I’m currently reading her memoir, “Go ing There,” and it’s fascinating to me to get a peek behind the curtain of both her career and personal life. Anytime someone has the guts to write a (good) memoir and lay out the inti mate details of their life, I find myself totally engrossed. While I’m just getting started, I can already tell her book is honest — and not nec essarily people-pleasing. I love it already.

Fun fact: Katie Couric was my college commencement speaker. I was part of the class of 2015 at the University of Wisconsin-Mad ison, and on our graduation day, the seating chart of course allowed for journalism-school graduates to sit in the first few rows on the field of Camp Randall Stadium. I got a seat front and center. I was elated to hear from a successful woman journalist who was a ubiquitous part of my morning routine growing up.

To be honest, I don’t remember much about what she said, but I do remember feel ing emboldened to start the next chapter of my life: working my first true job as a professional journalist. Since then, I’ve tried to channel Ka tie Couric as much as possible while I work, particularly when conducting interviews. I like to think she’d give me positive feedback, though of course I have no idea.

I was sad to hear about her recent breast cancer diagnosis, and wherever she is, I hope her treatment is going well. She’s been a big influence on me and my career path.

Hope you have a great week,

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Is Your Home Well-Insulated for Winter?

By Peggy Werner

Asthe temperatures dip and heating costs rise, there’s no better time to make sure your home is well-insulated for energy savings and comfort.

Koala Insulation of Fort Wayne, 5427 Keystone Dr., spe cializes in high-performance insulation to deliver comfort, lower energy bills and reduced noise, in addition to protecting the en vironment by reducing energy waste.

“We cover the entire spectrum of insulation products from batt [rolled fiberglass] to sound deadening, to spray foam and the newest state-of-the-art cellulose products,” says Owner Greg Williams.

Open and closed cell spray foam are both newer technolo gies and are great solutions for air sealing and insulation, but they are more expensive than fiberglass or cellulose, Williams says. Koala is an exclusive Nu-Wood cellulose installer for Northeast Indiana, and one of the benefits of the product is a 10-year utility reduction guarantee.

Heating and cooling account for more than half of a home’s energy costs. As a home ages, insulation deteriorates and so do seals around windows, doors and lights.

Water leaks and rodent feces can ruin fiberglass and cel lulose insulation. If you have had problems with mice, bats, rats or other wild animals, chances are your insulation has been af fected, Williams says.

“We can vacuum out any contaminated insulation and re place it with new product. Signs of deterioration include in creased energy costs, feeling colder in the winter and feeling hotter in the summer. Most insulation settles after time and we simply have to blow in or top off the existing insulation base to increase the “R” value, which is an indicator of how well insula tion is working to keep heat in or out of a home” he says.

Insulation is designed to slow the loss of heating or cooling in a home, but there also needs to be proper airflow to avoid mold, the spreading of pollutants, energy loss and a negative im pact on health.

“Ventilation is important to control the environment in a home,” Williams says. “When properly installed, insulation will not cover or block air flow through soffit vents. Solar attic fans can ensure proper attic ventilation. Keeping the attic temperature lower in the summer months will maximize energy efficiency and comfort.”

Koala Insulation has more than 15 years of experience in construction and home services and does free on-site insulation evaluations to determine which product fits each homeowner’s needs and budget. Most jobs can be completed in one day.

“We will help you in the decision-making process, are de pendable and will leave no mess behind,” Williams says.

For a free consultation, call Koala at (260) 582-2240. ❚

Think Ahead for Kitchen & Bath Updates

By Janine Pumilia

Whenit comes to kitchen and bathroom updates, there are two big things to know right now: “Start early” and “think simple, clean lines,” says Dana Kneuve, designer at Trin ity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting, in New Ha ven, Ind.

“Customers have been very under standing of the supply chain issues,” she says.

If you want to do a remodel, expect cabinets to take at least twice as long as usual to arrive – that means eight weeks in stead of four and possibly longer for some brands.

Working with a kitchen designer to choose materials and plan the details now will assure you have everything in place when the remodeling begins.

For an updated look, “Think light and airy, with simple, clean lines for everything from cabinet door styles to backsplashes to the finish of a countertop edge,” says Kneuve. “This is not only the look people want today, it’s also easier to clean.”

It may be more economical, too. Simpler cabinet door styles cost less, as do simpler stone or quartz countertop patterns. Save bold colors and patterns for details that easily can be changed out later, if you want your update to stand the test of time.

“In a bathroom, mirrors, lighting and hardware can all be changed out relatively inexpensively in coming years to update the look,” she says. “Sticking with more neutral styles for the big-ticket items like cabinets and countertops is a good idea.”

Painted and wood-tone cabinetry are equally popular right now and some people like a mix of both.

“Maybe your cabinets are painted but the range hood and is land are stained wood,” she says. Lighter-toned stains and finergrained wood species like maple and walnut are popular. They’re often paired with black hardware. And with painted cabinets, shades of white remain timeless favorites.”

Customers are choosing quartz over natural stone more of ten for countertops. Many choose a marble-look quartz for bath room countertops.

For those who crave color, painted cabinets in deep shades of blue or green are making a splash.

“These look very nice with white sinks and hardware that’s a matte-gold tone,” she says.

While gray is still a popular wall color, it’s warming up. Taupes, tans and eggshell are on the rise, Kneuve says. And there’s no functional reason bathroom walls need to be tiled.

“As long as you use a good semi-gloss waterproof paint and have a good exhaust fan in place, you’re fine,” she says. “Some

people still like the look of wall tile, but it can be expensive to install and isn’t functionally necessary outside the shower.”

Most bathroom cabinets stand up well to moisture but be sure to ask about the materials before you order them, Kneuve advises.

“We offer cabinets made from engineered wood or all-ply wood construction. The biggest difference is the way the sides of the cabinet look, especially if the cabinet is stained, but both will hold up well to moisture and day-to-day life in bathrooms.”

Less tile is being used for bathroom floors these days, too, due to the advent of luxury vinyl planks or tiles (LVT), which imitate a hardwood or tile look without the labor-intensive instal lation. The LVT stands up well to moisture, is warmer than tile underfoot, and is easy to clean.

Some customers are trading their big jacuzzi bathtubs for smaller, sleeker stand-alone bathtubs, says Kneuve.

“Picture the old clawfoot tubs without the claw feet,” she says.

Larger showers with more spa features, like duo shower heads – one installed at a lower, adjustable level – are popular and practical.

In the kitchen, microwaves placed inside drawers or built into cabinets are trending and “adding a nice range hood above the stove instantly makes the kitchen look higher end,” she says.

There are more details than most people realize, in renova tion projects. Kneuve has seen plenty of do-it-yourselfers get into trouble.

“It’s a designer’s job to think of every little thing so you don’t have to,” she says. “Going to a store with a good reputa tion is the best way to find a qualified designer who will get you through a remodeling project with ease.”

Learn more about Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting by call ing (260) 493-2574 or stop in at the showroom, 11034 Lincoln Highway East. ❚

Clean lines bring a kitchen up to date, as in this remodel by Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting.

Who Are We?

“Identity politics” refers to a group of people who view issues through a common lens. Their leaders may say or do anything to expand a group’s size. They may lie, incite fear and anger or even demonize other human beings who are made in the image of God. Is this OK?

Scripture tells us the group God cares about expanding is His family. It’s why Jesus Christ ended his ministry with the “great commission,” commanding disciples to carry his message of love throughout the earth. (Matthew 28:9).

People have been responding to God’s invitation ever since. Only He knows the names and locations of each of His children. In recent decades, Christianity has spread fastest in South America, Africa and Asia (Pew Research.)

To be a child of God is exponentially more important than any other identity we hold, says scripture. We’re to prioritize our identity in Christ above all earthly distinctions that divide us. Further, we’re to be “especially good” to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Neither nationality nor social class negate this. (Galatians 6:10).

“Man looks on the flesh, but God looks on the heart.” (I Sam. 16:7)

It’s a difficult concept, but God asks us to understand that we share more in common with a follower of Jesus Christ in Venezuela, Nigeria or Bejing than with a next-door neighbor who looks like us but rejects God. We are family.

Jesus resisted the politics of his day and spelled out God’s two highest priorities: love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:36-40). Demonizing others is not on the list.

To look through Jesus’ lens requires effort – prayer, study of scripture and the humility to conform our thoughts to his. Riding a noisy bandwagon is easier, but it will never bring us the peace that comes from doing God’s will.

“…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17: 15-21 NIV)

Who are we? We’re family. We are one. ❚

- Janine Pumilia

A Pinball Experience Like No Other

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Whether you want to relive fond memories from your childhood or discover something new, Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, 14613 Lima Road, Fort Wayne, is a “pinball heaven.”

The largest pinball arcade in Indiana, Wizard’s World has grown to also become one of the largest in the world. Owner Mike “The Wizard” Burgess is a pinball enthusiast become operator, sharing his collection of machines with anyone who wants to play.

“I’ve been playing pinball since the early ‘70s when we only had EM (electromagnetic) machines to play,” he recalls. “Being the only employee at the original Wizard’s World in 1980 from the day it opened until the day it closed has always been special to me and definitely established our vision for today. Thinking back, I recall purchasing my first machine in 1986 and the rest is history in the making.”

Burgess re-opened Wizard’s World in 2017 after realizing he wanted to share his home arcade with the public. Most of his seven children were grown, so he and his wife, Trish “Mrs. Wizard” Burgess were ready for a new adventure.

Today, Wizard’s World has 144 ready-to-play pinball machines and Burgess owns 340 machines in total.

“They’re like my children – I love them all the same,” he says. He tries to rotate machines in and out of the store frequently to keep players interested.

“We try to stay out front when it comes to new offerings,” he says. “For example, we just ordered all four of the new James Bond 007 machines from Stern. Rotation is very important to enhancing the variety of play options and maintaining a fresh appearance to our players. Technically speaking, rotation is based on maintenance or refurbishment requirements and customer play count. For example, if play drops on a title, we will reposition or rotate that machine out and replace it with a fresh one.”

Anyone can walk into Wizard’s World and play on the machines, and Burgess hopes visitors have “a pinball experience like no other.” He additionally runs four major tournaments a year for those who want to play more competitively.

Major tournaments include the $500 Silverball Spring Training in March; $12,000 in cash and prizes Wizard’s World War tournament in June; WOW (Women of Wizard’s World) tournament in August (where this year, Burgess hopes to give away a brand-new Stern pinball machine); and the Wizard’s World Championship in December.

“Not only is Wizard’s World among the largest arcades in the world, but we’re also home to several of the top 1,000 players worldwide,” Burgess says. “We’ve been blessed to provide a world-class facility that is constantly evolving into a more challenging and enjoyable destination location for family, friends, school groups and yes, very high-level competition on a regular basis.”

In addition to major tournaments, Wizard’s World hosts weekly tournaments on a smaller scale. The weekly 4-strike tournament takes place every Monday at 7 p.m. (52 times a year), and the Stern Army Boot Camp, where only modern Stern Pinball machines are used, takes place on the third Sunday of every month (12 times a year). The Women’s 4-strike tournament takes place the second and fourth Fridays of the month (24 times per year), and starting in 2023, it will take place every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Finally, the Wiz Kids 3-strike youth tournament takes place the second and fourth Fridays of the month (24 times a year) and will also take place Saturdays at 10 a.m. starting in 2023.

All tournaments are registered on the IFPA Pinball website and details are posted at facebook.com/fwapinball.

Wizard’s World also hosts parties, charity events and special requests.

“We are honored to partner with our community and provide a great resource to help raise funds in a very unique way by orchestrating, running and promoting charity pinball tournaments for various groups,” Burgess says. “One event we were particularly excited to help with last year was when a local middle school’s science class built pinball machines as a project. To support the effort, we were able to provide technical guidance and prizes for the top vote-getters, plus a souvenir for each student.”

Reviews of Wizard’s Pinball on their website tout the arcade as “a great place to take the family.” Machines are consistently praised for their pristine condition and affordable price to play. Other “pinheads” have referred to the arcade as a great place to go on a date or to do something different with friends or family. The staff is also praised for how they treat customers like family.

Burgress himself is praised as a “nonpareil example, without equal, of people who are so devoted to the community that they will do anything. They’ll open their hearts, open their doors and open their wallet to support and uplift and honor the people who make their arcade not only a game room, but an actual community meeting room.”

Wizard’s World opens at noon seven days a week. On Mondays, the arcade is open until 11 p.m. – or whenever the weekly tourney is over – while Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are open until 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m.; and Sunday until 8 p.m. Each machine is cash only and cost ranges from a single quarter to $1 per game. Machines vary from antique mechanical to new, hightech, state-of-the art games.

“Our team is presently working toward expanding the collection to well over 200 pinball machines before our big Wizard’s World War tournament in June,” Burgress adds. “In 2021, we were excited to host 108 players and gave away a brand-new Stern Pinball machine, along with loads of cash prizes. We set out to build a world-class championship pinball venue that hosted tournaments and was also open to the public year-round. We’re back on track and certainly looking forward to another capstone tournament this summer.”

For more information, visit fortwaynepinball.com. ❚

Wizard’s World hosts four major tournaments every year, in addition to several weekly tournaments.

Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, in Fort Wayne, is a “pinball heaven” with 144 machines. The arcade is open daily and machines cost between a quarter to $1 per game.

Avoid Becoming a ‘Burden’ on Your Family

Here’s

an interesting statistic: Some 72% of retirees say one of their biggest fears is becoming a burden on their families, according to a 2021 survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones. Both before and during retirement, what steps can you take to avoid burdening your loved ones in the future?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Build your retirement savings. The greater your financial re sources, the less likely it becomes that you’d ever have to count on your grown children for financial support. You may have access to a 401(k) or similar retirement plan at work, so take advantage of it. Even with an employer-sponsored plan, you also may be eligible to contribute to an IRA. In addition to offering a variety of investment options, a 401(k) and IRA provide potential tax advantages. And once you do retire, be careful about how much you withdraw each year from your retirement plans and other investments.

• Plan for health care costs. Once you are retired, health care costs will be a significant expense. You may have Medi care, but you’ll also want to consider your need for supplemental health insurance to cover traditional medical costs. And you’ll want to consider another potential health-related expense: longterm care. You may never need the services of a home health aide or a stay in a nursing home, but no one can predict the future.

Medicare does not cover most costs for long-term care, which can be quite high. In 2021, the annual national median cost for a private room in a nursing home was over $108,000, while the median cost for a full-time home health aide was near ly $62,000, according to a survey by Genworth, an insurance company. You may want to consult with a financial professional on strategies for protecting yourself from these costs.

• Create necessary legal documents. If something were to happen to you, and you didn’t have the appropriate legal docu ments in place, your loved ones could be placed in a bind, both financially and emotionally. That’s why it’s a good idea to create documents such as a durable financial power of attorney, which lets you name someone to manage your finances if you became incapacitated, and a durable power of attorney for health care, which allows someone to make medical decisions on your be half if you can’t make them yourself. You’ll want to work with a legal professional to develop the documents appropriate for your needs.

• Evaluate your housing needs. As you enter retirement, you may want to evaluate your living situation. Could you down size to a smaller home, or perhaps a condominium or apartment? Not only might you save money with such a move, but you could also end up relieving your grown children of the responsibili ties and hassles involved in clearing out and selling your home should you become unable to do so yourself during the later years of your retirement.

By taking these measures, along with others, you can go a long way toward maintaining your independence and putting yourself in a place where you won’t burden your grown children. And that’s a good place to be. ❚

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C., Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C., and Edward Jones In surance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309.

Pamela Covington, CFP, RICP, AAMS Financial Advisor

6525 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, IN, 46804 (260) 478-8038

edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/ pam-covington

Fireplaces: Still Warming Homes and Hearts

By Janine Pumilia

a reason the expression “hearth and home” rep resents our precious family lives. Since ancient times, fireplaces were the heart of the home, keeping people warm and fed. Our affection for them didn’t end once furnacepowered heat replaced them in most American homes during the 20th century.

There’s

“We no longer build fireplaces for physical warmth,” ob served novelist Edna Ferber. “We build them for the warmth of the soul; we build them to dream by, to hope by, to home by.”

And, many people just want a supplemental heat source, says Chuck Ault, co-owner of Collier’s Heating & Air Conditioning and Collier’s Fireplace Shoppe in Warsaw, Ind. He should know. For nearly two decades, before he and co-owner Kevin Lehman purchased Collier’s, he worked for the business installing and repairing fireplaces and stoves.

“We install and service gas stoves, gas fireplaces, wood stoves and wood fireplaces,” says Ault. “We can replace old equipment. We do fireplaces in new homes. We can install gas lines. We can handle the whole job, from start to finish, from the design to framing to installation, venting, gas, electrical and masonry.”

Now celebrating its 25th year, Collier’s Fireplace Shoppe displays and sells wood, electric and gas fireplaces, both vented and unvented. It also installs electric fireplaces, wood boilers and pellet stoves and helps customers to understand the benefits of each kind of product.

“Our fireplace experts help you to determine the best fit for your home and your specific needs,” says Ault. “We have a range of cost options to fit almost any budget.”

These days, many customers want to convert a masonry wood fireplace to a gas fireplace.

“That’s a fairly simple process,” Ault explains. “There are a couple of options – you could install a gas log in the existing fireplace or you could install a gas insert, which would be much more efficient.”

A gas insert causes the fireplace to draw air from outdoors rather than drawing furnace-heated air from your home and sending it up the chimney.

“Old wood-burning fireplaces are not very efficient, so the draft can actually start to pull heat out of the house,” Ault ex plains. “If the fireplace is updated, we can do more efficient in serts that draw air in from outside, so it stops pulling heat out of the house. Most gas inserts are around 80 percent efficient. These can be a supplemental heat source or a good heat source for emergency situations.”

Collier’s also helps homeowners to update their old, unat tractive fireplaces by replacing the doors or adding gas logs.

“A gas insert changes the whole look of the fireplace,” says Ault. “We can do everything, from just a simple update to a com plete remodel of an existing fireplace.”

If you live in a home with no fireplace but you’re thinking of installing one, Ault suggests taking some pictures of where you would like the fireplace to be or what you currently have.

“Take measurements,” he says. “Pinterest pictures can help us to get an idea of what your vision and goals are. Then talk to our fireplace experts and we can help you begin the process.”

Residents of apartments and condominiums may want to consider installing an electric fireplace.

“Electric fireplaces have come a long way,” says Ault. “They require no chimney and provide an amazing array of flame patterns to fit the mood you’re in. We’ve also installed them in restaurants and conference rooms and we carry the best brands in the industry.”

When it comes to fireplace maintenance, Ault recommends having a gas fireplace checked and serviced annually.

“We go through and clean the system, redress the logs and make everything look like new,” he says.

For wood fireplaces, he recommends having the chimney cleaned and inspected annually.

During their decades of hands-on work at Collier’s, Ault and Lehman never imagined they would someday own the company, but they were identified as potential successors and moved into management positions.

“We got the opportunity to buy into the company and we didn’t think we should pass up,” says Ault. “We have a vested interest in the company – it’s been good to our families over the years, and we look at Collier’s as an opportunity to extend our family to the team that we’ve built, to include the households we serve, and the communities where we live and work.”

Another branch of the business, Collier’s Solar, has more than 10 years of experience installing ground-mount and roofmount solar panels. The company has also been in the heating and air-conditioning business for more than 34 years, including geothermal installations, serving the greater Warsaw area.

Whether you yearn for the roar and scent of a wood-burning fireplace or want the convenience and tidiness of a gas or electric fireplace, there have never been more options to suit your indi vidual situation. Learn more by calling (574) 203-5882 or visit the showroom at 2315 North Shelby Dr., Warsaw, Ind. ❚

Kevin Lehman and Chuck Ault, co-owners of Collier’s Fireplace Shoppe

Smooth Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, 6-9 p.m., enjoy the best in soft rock and classic hits with rotating art ists. Clyde Theater, 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, (574) 344-0566, clydetheatre.com.

Nashville Thursdays

Weekly country, bluegrass and other free live music 7-10 p.m. in the Clyde Theater Club Room. Food and drink specials. 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, clydeclubroom.com.

Nature’s Palette

Thru Nov. 26, Wed. noon-5 p.m., Th.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The show “Nature’s Palette” showcases visual interpretations of autumn, featuring contemporary impressionism, plein air and abstract artwork from acclaimed local and national artists. Castle Gallery, 1202 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, facebook.com/castle galleryfineart.

Fort Wayne Komets

Join the Jungle and cheer on the Fort Wayne Komets as they make another run for a cham pionship. Games are at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Visit komets.com to see the complete 2022-2023 schedule.

David Sedaris

Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. Spend the evening with Da vid Sedaris, one of America’s pre-eminent hu morists and satirical writers beloved for his es says and short stories. Sedaris will read from unpublished work, followed by an audience Q&A for 20-30 minutes. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, fwembas sytheatre.org/events/david-sedaris/.

Jonathan Butler

Nov. 4, 8 p.m. Grammy award-winning South African singer-songwriter and guitarist Jona than Butler is bringing his musicianship to The Clyde Theatre, 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, clydetheatre.com.

YLNI Winter Farmers Market

Nov. 5- April 29, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, lo cal artwork and more at the former Wayne Candy Factory building. The Olde East End Building, 1501 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne, facebook.com/YLNIFarmersMarket/.

George R. Mather Lecture Series

Nov. 6, 2 p.m. Kristie Erickson presents “First

Cheer on the Fort Wayne Komets this season at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

in Their Field: The All-American Girls Profes sional Baseball League.” This year’s lecture series will be offered in-person and virtually. The History Center, 302 East Berry St., Fort Wayne, 302 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, fwhistorycenter.org.

HolidayFest Featuring the Night of Lights Nov. 23, 5:45-8 p.m. Kick off the holiday sea son with the iconic lighting of Santa and his reindeer, the Merry Christmas Wreath, and so many more. Downtown Fort Wayne, (260) 420-3266, downtownfortwayne.com/events/ holidayfest/. ❚