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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • Nov. 2021 • No. I
ACRES Land Trust: Protecting Land Today and Forever Meet Stucky’s New Owners Treating Peripheral Neuropathy The Latest in Kitchen and Bath Updates All About Metal Roofing
Quality, Smart Products & Services for Your Home, Family, Health, & Entertainment!
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ...............................Cover & p. 16 ACRES Land Trust: For Today and Forever Your Home ...............................................................11, 27 Stucky’s New Owners; Choosing the Right Flooring Your Outdoor Living ...................................................13 All About Metal Roofing Inspiration & Worship ................................................14 How Thankful? Your Kitchen .................................................................19 The Latest in Kitchen and Bath Trends Your Health & Fitness ................................................23 Treating Peripheral Neuropathy Your Family Fun ...........................................................28
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Jim Taylor 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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What is Thanksgiving?
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often hear people say Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday because it involves togetherness and good food without the frantic commercialism of Christmas. I love both holidays and believe they’re whatever we as individuals make of them. To me, Thanksgiving is about gratitude and Christmas celebrates the arrival of light and hope to a dark world – the Messiah, whose behavior we’re to imitate. Giving thanks for the harvest is an ancient concept in no way exclusive to Judeo-Christian culture. The U.S. holiday, however, is distinctly Judeo-Christian in origin. The 1600s New England Puritans commonly set aside days for thanksgiving and fasting. In 1621, Gov. William Bradford, of Plymouth, Mass., organized a three-day celebration after the colony’s first successful corn harvest, inviting American Indian friends to join. Indeed, those new friends had taught critical survival skills to the colonists, who had arrived just before winter in 1620. Of the 102 Mayflower passengers, 45 died the first winter and many others suffered greatly. Survival was far from guaranteed. Much later, and not necessarily related to Bradford’s event, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of thanksgiving per year. Then in 1789, President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation, asking Americans to thank God for their new country and to ask His blessings upon it. John Adams and James Madison did likewise, but no official date was set. Perhaps the greatest champion of a national U.S. Thanksgiving holiday was author Sarah Josepha Hale (composer of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”) For nearly four decades, she urged politicians to set aside one day each year for Americans to give thanks for their country. Hale’s cause was finally answered by Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, during the Civil War. He chose the final Thursday in November and it remained so until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it up a week to spur retail sales. Critics complained about “Franksgiving” and in 1941 Roosevelt signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November. Thanksgiving is often reduced to food and football, but it began with fasting and prayer. ❚ Janine Pumilia SL Editor
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Your Home & Garden
Stucky’s: New Owners, Same Commitment
By Janine Pumilia hen a homegrown retailer thrives for 107 years and holds its own against big-box competition, you know it’s doing a lot of things right. And when local folks vote it “Best Appliance Store” 14 years in a row, you know its commitment to customer service is exceptional. That’s the view of Bill and Polly Shuee and Brent and Lori Shuee, the new owners of Stucky Furniture & Appliance in Fort Wayne. The brothers purchased the business in July from longtime friend and mentor Jim Benninghoff, whose grandfather Joseph Stucky established it in 1914 – years before electricity had come to Allen County. “The connection between this store and generations of customers in this town runs very deep,” says Bill Shuee. “We have one employee who began working here in high school and just marked her 45th anniversary, for example. The reputation for customer service earned by the Stucky brand is something very special and we only intend to grow it.” The Shuee brothers bring their own expertise to the Fort Wayne store. Since 1987, they’ve managed a Greencastle, Ind., appliance store established in 1970 by their late father, Bob Shuee. They also own a furniture store in Greencastle and furniture & appliance stores in Brazil and Lafayette, Ind. “We started as very young boys growing up in the business, cleaning the toilets and sweeping the floors in the store, and then became involved with delivery to peoples’ homes and then sales positions and finally learning the back-office work,” says Bill Shuee. “This helps us relate to the employees in various positions who make a well-run store succeed.” Bill and Polly live in Fort Wayne. Married 34 years, they became sweethearts in 8th grade and reared two children, one of whom works in the business – a third-generation retailer. Brent and Lori oversee the newly acquired Lafayette store, Beeson’s Appliance; three of their children work in the family business and a fourth is still in college. Because the Shuees decided to add a furniture line to the Fort Wayne store, they changed the name from Stucky Brothers to Stucky’s Furniture & Appliance. Klaussner and Flexsteel are among furniture brands that soon will be available in the 30,000-square-foot store, along with Serta mattresses, electronic products and most brands of appliances. “By adding furniture, both upholstered and case goods, we hope to make it easier for our customers to enjoy a one-stop shopping experience,” says Bill Shuee. “With appliances, we offer reliable, mid-line products to fit any budget, but we also offer super-premium brands like Sub-Zero and Wolf for people who want all the bells and whistles.” The deep product knowledge of the sales staff – Benninghoff called them “service information specialists” – is another feather in the store’s cap. Because the new owners want to safeguard and grow the
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New owner Bill Shuee says maintaining an on-staff customer service department is essential to upholding Stucky’s sterling reputation.
store’s strong reputation for customer service, they’re expanding the on-staff team of delivery, installation and repair service professionals. “Maintaining an on-staff customer service department is very unique these days, but we think it’s essential,” says Shuee. “We have a couple of young folks in training to make sure the skills are being passed along to the next generation. Our people can do the more difficult things, like installing dishwashers or wall ovens – things that require plumbing and electrical expertise. We not only employ six servicemen, but also a manager to oversee and fully integrate delivery, installation and service needs plus two office staff who order parts, handle calls and so forth. When you call us, a human being here in our store – not across the world – answers the phone to help you.” Stucky’s is price-competitive against big-box retailers because it belongs to a huge buying group. “It has thousands of member stores and the clout of $19 billion annually in buying power, so that enables us to compete with the big guys.” The Shuees view their purchase of the Fort Wayne and Lafayette stores as huge steps for their family-owned company. Both markets are much larger than those in Greencastle and Brazil and the family is fully committed to hands-on involvement. “We still help to unload trucks or whatever else is needed at a given moment,” Bill Shuee says. “We’re just very excited to be here in Fort Wayne. Our family goes way back with Jim [Benninghoff] and that’s also true of the previous owners of the Lafayette store. They were great people to work with and learn from and we’re happy to be here.” Learn more about Stucky Furniture & Appliance by stopping in at the store, 5601 Coldwater Road, or by calling (260) 482-8402. ❚
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Outdoor Living
Metal Roofing: A Long-Term Solution By Janine Pumilia
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f you like the idea of never having to think about your roof again, you may want to consider installing a metal roof that will outlive you and your children. “The average grade asphalt roof has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years but with a metal roof, it’s one and done,” says Farbod Salman, marketing director for Shield Exteriors in Garrett, Ind. “This roof is never going to give you issues. And if your home passes down to your children, or you sell it to a new owner, they’ll never have issues either.” The popularity of metal roofing has risen along with its aesthetic beauty and a better understanding of its value proposition, says Salman. “A lot more people are installing metal roofing for its durability, but they also just really like the way it looks.” Unlike the metal roofing of yesterday, most often The new styles of metal roofing are highly attractive as well as durable. associated with rural pole barns, today’s metal roofing comes in many colors and styles. with metal roofing because they understand its durability. A Shield Exteriors metal roof offers high value because it’s It’s also an environmentally responsible choice since metal installed only once. The company offers a double lifetime acciis easily recycled; the average asphalt roof is made with galdent-free warranty, meaning the original owners are covered for lons of crude oil. Some 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are as long as they own the home and the next owners, or descendumped into landfills each year. dants if the home is passed to children, are covered for the duraShield Exteriors employs its own crew of trained, licensed tion of their ownership, too. installers. Once a homeowner decides to install a metal roof, a “There’s no small print in this guarantee and no limit to how home is measured down to the inch and roof panels are custom many times we’ll come to repair the roof if a storm causes a tree cut to fit the home. A metal roof may be installed over a layer of limb to fall on it or it gets damaged,” Salman explains. “This is existing shingles, depending on local building codes. how we’ve built our reputation for impeccable customer service. Metal roofing can be installed on a new construction home We answer the phones seven days a week and never leave a cusif the walls are built, says Salman. Since careful measurement is tomer hanging. If a problem happens, we’re out there immedirequired, it can’t be ordered from a blueprint alone. ately to take care of it.” Metal roofing is lighter in weight than a shingled roof but Many insurance companies offer a discount to homeowners more durable in every kind of weather event, he adds. “The typical customer for a Shield Exteriors metal roof is someone who plans to stay in that home for a long time,” says Salman. “But in the event they do decide to put the home on the market, this kind of roof is definitely a selling point.” Owners of homes at all price points are choosing metal roofing, says Salman. Shield Exteriors installs all types of roofing and serves residential customers in northeast Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. It provides free estimates. “Reliable customer service is the thing we’re very well known for,” says Salman. “That’s how we’ve built our reputation.” Learn more by calling Shield Exteriors at (260) 818 6072 or stop in at 600 North Randolph, Garrett, Ind. ❚ Metal roofing from Shield Exteriors comes with a lifetime guarantee and more. Tell them you saw it in ...
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Inspiration & Worship
How Thankful?
Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. – C.S. Lewis
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ew habits improve our personal happiness more than seeing what’s good and being thankful for it. This is true for all people, but for Christians, it’s central to being an imitator of Jesus Christ. Most of us know that gratitude to God is a good habit. But backing up our gratitude with loving obedience to God is quite another thing. We like the word “thankful” much more than the word “obedient.” Gratitude is an attitude – a very important one. But obedience is action born from that gratitude. It involves changing our way of thinking to God’s way of thinking as we become a “new creature in Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:17) Dozens of scriptures show Jesus living in gratitude. He began and ended his prayers with words of thanks and taught us to do the same (Matthew 6:9-13). But his gratitude ran much deeper than words. No moment of his life better illustrated his loving obedience than his darkest hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he knew that pain and death were imminent. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 42:22 NIV) If we say we’re thankful for the blessings God gives us, yet we selfishly hoard those blessing, are we truly thankful? If we say we love God but allow ourselves to despise other people, are we truly thankful? Do we really believe “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it,” as King David – “a man after God’s own heart” – proclaimed in Psalm 24:1? We all face pain at some point. But even in the darkest moments we can choose to be grateful for our countless blessings. And, we can act on that gratitude by obeying the two greatest commandments identified by Jesus Christ: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37 & 38) ❚ 14
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Right in Our Region
(ACRES Land Trust photo)
ACRES Land Trust: For Today & Forever
This aerial photo shows the Cedar Creek Corridor north of Fort Wayne. This is the only natural space in Allen County where people can see how Indiana looked before European settlement. ACRES Land Trust protects more than 1,000 acres within the corridor and its partners protect an additional 500 acres.
By Janine Pumilia
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efore Indiana was settled by pioneers, about 85 percent of it was forest – some 19.8 million acres. By 1900, just 7 percent was forest – about 2 million acres – and people were growing alarmed. The state began setting aside remnant natural areas, but most land was already cleared and converted into privately owned farms and pastures. By mid-century, Indiana forest had rebounded to 17 percent, but state leaders weren’t buying property for preservation. So, in 1960, a group of citizens founded Allen County Reserves (ACRES) to preserve and restore some natural spaces. They ushered the Nature Preserve Act through the Indiana General Assembly in 1967, making it easier for non-profit private organizations to protect natural spaces in their local communities. ACRES was now able to guarantee private landowners that properties donated or sold to it would never be developed. “We formed at a time when public money wasn’t being spent for land preservation,” explains Jason Kissel, executive director of ACRES Land Trust, a member-supported non-profit that today serves 27 counties in northeast Indiana, northern Ohio 16
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and southern Michigan. “The ACRES founders said, ‘Let’s try to achieve land preservation through the private route,’ and that’s what we’ve been doing ever since,” says Kissel. “No taxpayer money is used to purchase and manage the 100-plus properties we own today.” About 25 percent of those properties were donated to ACRES and another 25 percent were purchased at market value. The remainder were purchased at a discount. Private owners receive tax benefits for donations and discounts offered to ACRES. “Owners love the fact that the land they sell or donate to us will be preserved forever,” says Kissel. “We work with community leaders to identify properties with unique geological formations (like Hanging Rock in Wabash County) or places with rare and endangered species or places with strong social histories that make them iconic in their communities.” Today, ACRES Land Trust employs nine full-time staff who, along with four summer interns and a cadre of volunteers, work to protect and manage 7,269 acres, a number that grows each year. About half of the acres are accessible to the public.
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“We’re not by any means a trails organization, but we do provide parking lots and about 50 miles of public trails,” says Kissel. “We view this as a way for people to connect with nature and the work we do.” The workload is growing along with the land inventory. For the first time in its history, ACRES is conducting a $600,000 capital campaign to erect a barn for equipment storage and to build infrastructure in the Cedar Creek corridor, including a new deck/overlook. ACRES has long worked to connect patches of preserves in the corridor, the only large natural feature left in Allen County. “We don’t want to prevent de- Citizens enjoy the popular biannual Creek Stomp event at Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run near Wabash, Ind. The velopment, but part of develop- gorge at Ross Run has waterfalls, reef fossils, exposed bedrock and vertical cliffs as high as 75 feet. ment should be preserving a little ACRES keeps careful legal records on each property and bit of land in its natural state so people can experience the way has built up an endowment to assure financial sustainability. Indiana used to look,” says Kissel. “To keep an area natural takes “If we didn’t receive another penny, we could pay for one a lot of effort and will. It’s a community effort – it’s not someemployee, our tax liability, insurance and drainage costs,” he thing that can be achieved by individuals alone. When you fly says. “We do everything within our power to make sure the land into Fort Wayne, you see the green space north of the city. This we own is protected forever.” is tangible, preserved land, and something that makes life better While most of Indiana was covered in forest before America for everyone who lives here.” expanded westward, the state’s northwest corner was a starting By state law, land dedicated through the Nature Preserve point for grassland prairies that stretched west to the Rockies. Act can’t be taken by eminent domain. “It’s already deemed to be Much of Allen County was part of the Great Black Swamp, a at its highest and best use,” says Kissel. glacially fed wetland that was drained by settlers. “We restore a couple hundred acres each year,” says Kissel. “We study a property using soil samples and maps and decide what it was originally – wetland, forest etc. – then set about restoring it back to that state.” The ongoing removal of invasive species is a major challenge tackled by staff, four interns and many volunteers. Along with making life better for people and wildlife today, ACRES Land Trust is impacting those yet unborn. “The preserves we enjoy today wouldn’t be here if someone a long time ago hadn’t said, ‘This is important,’” says Kissel. “We’re playing that role for future generations.” ACRES Land Trust has launched a $600,000 capital campaign in part to build a deck/overlook in the Cedar Learn more at acreslandtrust.org. ❚ Creek corridor and to build a barn for equipment. Photo of Cedar Creek by Thomas Sprunger. Tell them you saw it in ...
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(ACRES Land Trust photo)
Right in Our Region
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Your Kitchen
Start Now for Spring Kitchen/Bath Updates By Janine Pumilia
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hen it 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 Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting, in New Haven, Ind. “Customers have been very understanding of the supply chain issues,” she says. “If you want to do a remodel in the spring, it’s a good idea to start the process now. Expect cabinets to take at least twice as long as usual to arrive – that means eight weeks instead of four and possibly longer for other brands.” Working with a kitchen designer to Clean lines bring a kitchen up to date, as in this remodel by Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting. choose materials and plan the details now will assure you have everything in place when the remodeling people still like the look of wall tile, but it can be expensive to begins. install and isn’t functionally necessary outside the shower.” For an updated look, “Think light and airy, with simple, Most bathroom cabinets stand up well to moisture but be clean lines for everything from cabinet door styles to backsplashsure to ask about the materials before you order them, Kneuve es to the finish of a countertop edge,” says Kneuve. “This is not advises. only the look people want today, it’s also easier to clean.” “We offer cabinets made from engineered wood or all-plyIt may be more economical, too. Simpler cabinet door styles wood construction. The biggest difference is the way the sides cost less, as do simpler stone or quartz countertop patterns. Save of the cabinet look, especially if the cabinet is stained, but both bold colors and patterns for details that easily can be changed out will hold up well to moisture and day-to-day life in bathrooms.” later, if you want your update to stand the test of time. Less tile is being used for bathroom floors these days, too, “In a bathroom, mirrors, lighting and hardware can all be due to the advent of luxury vinyl planks or tiles (LVT), which changed out relatively inexpensively in coming years to update imitate a hardwood or tile look without the labor-intensive instalthe look,” she says. “Sticking with more neutral styles for the lation. The LVT stands up well to moisture, is warmer than tile big-ticket items like cabinets and countertops is a good idea.” underfoot, and is easy to clean. Painted and wood-tone cabinetry are equally popular right Some customers are trading their big jacuzzi bathtubs for now and some people like a mix of both. smaller, sleeker stand-alone bathtubs, says Kneuve. “Maybe your cabinets are painted but the range hood and is“Picture the old clawfoot tubs without the claw feet,” she says. land are stained wood,” she says. Lighter-toned stains and finerLarger showers with more spa features, like duo showergrained wood species like maple and walnut are popular. They’re heads – one installed at a lower, adjustable level – are popular often paired with black hardware. And with painted cabinets, and practical. shades of white remain timeless favorites.” In the kitchen, microwaves placed inside drawers or built Customers are choosing quartz over natural stone more ofinto cabinets are trending and “adding a nice range hood above ten for countertops. Many choose a marble-look quartz for baththe stove instantly makes the kitchen look higher end,” she says. room countertops. There are more details than most people realize, in renovaFor those who crave color, painted cabinets in deep shades tion projects. Kneuve has seen plenty of do-it-yourselfers get into of blue or green are making a splash. trouble. “These look very nice with white sinks and hardware that’s “It’s a designer’s job to think of every little thing so you a matte-gold tone,” she says. don’t have to,” she says. “Going to a store with a good reputaWhile gray is still a popular wall color, it’s warming up. tion is the best way to find a qualified designer who will get you Taupes, tans and eggshell are on the rise, Kneuve says. And through a remodeling project with ease.” there’s no functional reason bathroom walls need to be tiled. Learn more about Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting by call“As long as you use a good semi-gloss waterproof paint and ing (260) 493-2574 or stop in at the showroom, 11034 Lincoln have a good exhaust fan in place, you’re fine,” she says. “Some Highway East. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...
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Your Health & Fitness
Effective Treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy B y To n i R o c h a
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he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 20 million Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy (PN), a condition that results from damage to nerve networks in the hands, feet, ankles and other parts of the body. At Health N.O.W., 2146 State Road, Auburn, patients find relief from symptoms ranging from mild to disabling, including numbness, tingling, twitching, throbbing and stabbing pain. They also avoid further damage that a lack of feeling can cause, including wounds to the feet that don’t heal, which could eventually lead to amputation. Dr. David M. Gafken, of Health N.O.W., in Auburn, has spent four decades using the latest advancements to diagnose “The symptoms can range and treat neuropathy before the condition becomes a graver concern for patients. from that ‘pins and needles’ feelGafken describes the course as quite effective as compared ing to severe pain,” explains Dr. David M. Gafken, DC. “Diabeto the medications usually prescribed to treat PN. tes is the No. 1 cause of PN.” “The drugs used to treat PN are high-powered and can have Patients come into the center for a thorough assessment, significant side effects,” he explains. which includes family history, existing conditions and testing to Gafken explains that the normal PN score for patients is 74. determine if they are candidates for chiropractic treatment courses. “We had a woman whose PN score was 19 to 20 when she “Patients who fall inside certain ranges undergo testing came to the center,” Gafken says. “When her course of treatment to find where the source of the problem is,” Gafken explains. was complete, her score had improved to 60.” “These can include a full metabolic workup, blood sugar/glucose Along with relief from the discomfort of PN, patients also reading (AIC), an evaluation of genetic components plus cigabenefit from improved sleep patterns, he says. rette and alcohol usage. Based on the results of these tests, we “After treatment, patients can walk better and more safearrive at a score which reflects the severity of the PN they are ly,” Gafken says. “This is vital because patients who cannot feel experiencing. Then we determine if they are good candidates for their feet are prone to falls and other situations in which they can a treatment course or if the nerve damage has progressed too far cut or damage the affected tissue. We can save them the loss of to treat effectively.” their toes and feet because the treatment course helps them get For patients who fall into the treatable score range, Gafken more efficient blood flow back into their feet and ankles.” says laser is one of the methods he uses. Laser therapy involves With improved capabilities, patients are better able to rethe use of low-level waves that can be set at one of four depths, sume or initiate exercise programs and enjoy participating in depending on how deep into the muscle and bone tissue the damsports without fear or discomfort, Gafken says. They can also age has occurred. Laser can successfully be used to increase work at their jobs and around the house and yard, a benefit that blood flow and repair nerve damage to the ankles and feet, hands directly improves their quality of life. and fingers, and other areas of the body. “How active they are depends on their overall health and age, “One of the main areas we address is the lower spine, using but we want them to be as active as they can be,” Gafken says. decompression therapy combined with laser treatment to reduce “We have an incredibly positive effect on our patients’ lives.” inflammation, encourage stronger blood flow and to build new Learn more about PN treatment, or make an appointment pathways to healthier nerve networks,” Gafken adds. “The dewith Health N.O.W., by calling (260) 920-8811. Learn more at compression course takes place over a six- to eight-week period, seekhealthnow.com. ❚ teamed with other appropriate soundwave electrical methods.” Tell them you saw it in ...
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MEET
AGAIN
EXPLORE
AGAIN
FLY
AGAIN
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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FWAIRPORT.COM Phoenix • Orlando • Tampa • Fort Myers • Las Vegas • Myrtle Beach • Sarasota • Dallas Call 260-212-8968 Smart Living Fort Wayne Chicago October • III To Advertise • 2021 Charlotte • Philadelphia • Atlanta • Detroit • Minneapolis
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Your Home & Garden
Flooring Options Have Never Been Better By Janine Pumilia
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hether you’re flooring a high-end home or a modest rental unit, there have never been better products on the market at all price points, says Krista Jones, co-owner of Select Flooring with her husband, Mike Jones. “The technology now used to manufacture every kind of flooring has come such a long way,” says Jones. “Flooring is more attractive and easier to maintain than it used to be. And the variety of textures, styles and colors is just amazing.” Hard surface flooring has trended upward for many years and vinyl luxury plank (VLP) is the most in demand. “It’s very durable, easy to maintain, water-resistant, petfriendly and works with every kind of design,” says Jones. “Vinyl is also warmer and a little softer underfoot – easier on your body if you’re standing on your feet a long time while cooking etc. We’re seeing the owners of beautiful, high-end homes install vinyl plank throughout the whole home, everywhere except in the shower. Then they change out area rugs every four or five years and give rooms a whole new look.” A sister product to LVP is LVT, luxury vinyl tile, which imitates the look of solid stone flooring. Anyone who’s ever installed or removed a grouted tile or stone floor understands the benefit of getting a stone look without the labor-intensive mess. Using vinyl flooring throughout a home especially makes sense with today’s open-concept floor plans, where one room seamlessly flows into the next, notes Jones. At its showroom in Kendallville, Ind., Select Flooring carries a wide variety of area rugs to top off hard-surface flooring. It also employs a binding specialist who can size, cut, back and bind any kind of carpeting for your home. “This is a nice alternative to area rugs,” Jones explains. “New carpeting is beautiful and stain-proof and it can be more affordable to cut carpeting to the size you need instead of buying an area rug.” Wall-to-wall carpeting is still favored by many people, especially in bedrooms. “It’s nice to wake up and step onto soft, warm carpeting on cold mornings,” says Jones. Real wood floors, both solid and engineered, also are in high demand. Each type offers benefits. “Engineered wood looks exactly like solid hardwood because there’s a veneer of wood on the surface,” says Jones. “But underneath are criss-crossed layers of a highly compressed core that enables fibers to expand evenly in all directions with changes of humidity. Especially in a climate like Indiana, where we can experience all four seasons within one week, engineered wood is very practical.” Hardwood is more inclined to develop cupping or gaps between boards with changes in humidity, but some people prefer it because it can be sanded down and refinished more times than engineered wood. The price points of each are comparable.
The beauty and durability of luxury vinyl plank flooring makes it popular.
As with other flooring types, the wide variety of wood products is really exciting, says Jones. “It’s not just the oak hardwood floor anymore. There are all sorts of wood species and stains to choose from.” Mike Jones has nearly 40 years of experience in the home product industry and he and Krista opened Select Flooring 17 years ago. Krista says this is a wonderful era for designers like herself to be involved with home renovations. “What’s really exciting to me is that, in the past five to seven years, the home has become more of a fashion statement. People are doing more fun, upbeat things and aren’t afraid to use bold colors or to make their rooms a reflection of who they are. This is easier than ever before to do because of the enormous selection of high-quality products now available.” Along with flooring, Select Flooring carries cabinetry and hardware, countertops, tile, window treatments, accent furniture and lighting. It also has a reputation for designing custom bathroom showers. The store employs its own designers and installers for all products it sells. “We have our own installers and they make all the difference,” Jones says. “The work they do is impeccable and I’m so proud that we have them on our team.” A freshly updated home is not exclusively the domain of the well-heeled. “With everything we carry, we have a variety of price points. For example, sheet vinyl flooring is at a low price point but is really attractive compared to how it once looked and the same holds true with laminate countertops. Good design is about knowing what you like, not just how much you spend,” she says. As the parents of six children, the Joneses understand that most families have a limited budget for home projects. “We know the value of a dollar and the work that goes into earning it,” says Jones. “We want our customers to get the most for their money. We have a great team of people working here and once we work with a customer, it’s like they become part of our extended family.” Learn more about Select Flooring by calling (260) 347-5565 or stop in at the showroom, 964 Harlash St., Kendallville, Ind. ❚
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Your Fun
Entertainment & Events
‘All Together Now’ Nov. 12 & 13; Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 13 at 2 and 8 p.m. Summit City Music Theatre and Embassy Theatre join thousands of theater groups around the globe to celebrate local theater. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson, (260) 424-6287, fwembassytheatre.org. ‘Home Alone’ with Philharmonic Nov 13, 7:30 p.m. The classic comedy film’s score by John Williams will be performed live to picture by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Embassy Theatre, (260) 424-6287, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., fwembassytheatre.org. TobyMac Nov. 14, 7 p.m. The American Christian hip hop rapper and singer has charted 20 solo singles on Billboard’s Christian Songs list. Embassy Theatre, (260) 424-6287, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., fwembassytheatre.org. ‘Elf on the Shelf – The Musical’ Nov. 17, 6 p.m. A spectacle of music and dance transports audiences to the North Pole. Embassy Theatre, (260) 424-6287, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, fwembassytheatre.org.
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‘Rent’ Nov. 20, 8 p.m. This Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon follows a year in the lives of a diverse group of artists and friends. Embassy Theatre, (260) 424-6287, 125 W. Jefferson, fwembassytheatre.org. Festival of Gingerbread Nov. 26-Dec. 19. One of Fort Wayne’s most cherished holiday traditions. Gingerbread creations by local artists are set up in the historic Shields Room. Fort Wayne History Center, 302 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne. fwhistorycenter.org Christmas Through the Ages Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Welcome the holidays at the Old Fort. Learn how Christmas was celebrate during the 1700s and 1800s. 1201 Spy Run Ave., Fort Wayne. Oldfortwayne.org. ‘A Motown Christmas’ Dec. 7, 8 p.m. World-class vocals from past and present members of Motown’s legendary groups, The Temptations, The Miracles and The Contours. Embassy Theatre, (260) 424-6287 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., fwembassytheatre.org.
November 2021 • I To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
Learn how Christmas was celebrated in the 1700s and 1800s during ‘Christmas Through the Ages’ at Old Fort Wayne.
Holiday Pops - Fort Wayne Philharmonic Dec. 10 & 11, 18 & 19. Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 11 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 18 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Revel in the traditional music and popular culture of Christmas. Andrew Constantine, conductor and Lisa Vroman, vocalist. Embassy Theatre, fwembassytheatre.org. Straight No Chaser Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. A mix of new arrangements and fan favorites. The group has clocked in two RIAA-certified Gold records with more than 1 billion streams sold. Embassy Theatre, fwembassytheatre.org. ❚
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October 2021 • III
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VAN’S HOME CENTER
The Store For Your Floor.
$100 OFF your flooring purchase of $999+*
FREE INSTALLATION
with your carpet purchase of $999+*
We Make Shopping For New Floors Easy And Affordable!
Whether you’re starting new construction or remodeling, our team of professoinals will help you find the perfect floor for your home. Browse hundreds of flooring, carpet, and tile samples on display in our Flooring Showroom. Or visit our website to use our new room visualizer from your mobile device.
Professional Installation
Free In-Home Estimate
FURNITURE | APPLIANCES | FLOORING MATTRESSES | CABINETS | COUNTERTOPS 20 Minutes From Fort Wayne! Just Off I-69 & State Road 8 In Auburn! www.VansHomeCenter.com 106 Peckhart Ct. Auburn, IN | 260.927.8267 *Discount applies to flooring product only, and is not a discount on labor and materials. Offer good for free basic carpet installation. 30 Exclusions Advertise Call 260-212-8968 apply. Redeem in-store only. Full be present. Cannot be combined with other offers. See store for full details. Smart Living Fort Wayne October 2021 • IIIadTomust
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Smart Living Fort Wayne
November 2021 • I To Advertise Call 260-212-8968
