Waynedale Community News (Fort Wayne, IN)

In my last column of the 2018, I am reviewing two movies that each focus on difficult relationships between women that come to disastrous (in the case of The Favorite) or heartwarming ends (in Dumplin’). The Favorite reminded me of a cross between Mean Girls and Marie Antoinette and centers on two ladies vying for the affection of the queen. Set in the early 1 […]

Usher in 2019 with other outdoor lovers at one of the many First Day Hikes offered Jan. 1 at Indiana’s state parks. First Day Hikes are a healthy way to start 2019 and a chance to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and connect with friends. Information on First Day events in Indiana is at StateParks.IN.gov/2420.htm The guided hikes are organized by Indiana […]

A customer came in last week and was having a little electrical problem. He said that all of the sudden the circuit breaker that was connected to his living room outlets kept tripping. The first thing I asked him was if there was something new he was plugging into an outlet. “Just a little electric heater” was his response. This time of year we get quite a few q […]

Riverfront Fort Wayne Phases II and III are now underway with a focus on planning and design for downtown riverfront development beyond Phase I, which is the design and construction of Promenade Park. Professionals from DAVID RUBIN Land Collective, the landscape architecture and urban design firm contracted to lead Phases II and III of Riverfront Fort Wa […]

FOR SALE 20HP Simplicity Tractor with 50 inch mower deck40 inch Snow Blower with chains and weightsToro Snow Thrower, 24 inch, 7HP Call Bruce 747-6237LOCAL HONEY Our honey is raw, local (from Fort Wayne & Waynedale Hives) and packed with pollen and nutrients from the area. Honey is a great natural sweetener and sugar replacement. It is also said to help w […]

Another Christmas has arrived, and here at Wayne Township we are feeling the glow of having achieved another successful Christmas Bureau Drive (serving more families and children than ever before) and also of holding our 7th Annual Holiday Celebration at the McMillen Park Community Center on Saturday, December 15. As I have shared with you before, this ev […]

As the year winds down, you may want to look ahead to see which areas of your life you can improve in 2019. Perhaps you’ll decide to exercise more, eat healthier foods, reconnect with old friends or volunteer at a school or charitable organization. All these goals are certainly worthwhile – but you also may want to add some New Year’s financial resolutio […]

VINTAGE HAM RADIO AUCTION When: Fri. Jan. 18, 6:30p Where: Good Shepherd Church, 4700 Vance Ave, Fort Wayne Add’l: Over 50 Vintage Ham Radios to be auctioned. More information www.fwrc.info or Facebook Contact: bplummer867@gmail.com KICKBOXING IN THE FORT VI When: Wed. Jan. 26, 7p Where: 12124 Lima Road Fort Wayne In. 46818 Who: Sud N Impact Gym Add&rsquo […]

Chief of Police Steve Reed and Holiday Cab joined me recently to announce the return of the program that provides free cab rides home to impaired drivers during this holiday season. In its 31st year of service, the Holiday Cab program runs from Thursday, December 20th to Tuesday, January 1st from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. each day. I’m appreciative of the commitmen […]

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released statewide totals for statewide building permits issued in October and shows 1,470 single-family permits were pulled. This number is up 15% from September of 2018, when 1,277 permits were pulled. The 1,470 permits pulled in October of 2018 are up 4% from the 1,416 permits pulled in October of 2017. The single family […]

One of my favorite songs is “Toyland.” Even well past the Christmas season, I find myself humming its melody from time to time. Actually, “Toyland” is not really a Christmas carol at all, but it obviously is played throughout the holiday season because of its subject matter. For the record, on January 21, 1903, “The Wizard of Oz,” a musical fanta […]

Poinsettias have been associated with Christmas for a very long time. Franciscan friars in Mexico began incorporating this plant into celebrations in the 17th century. The star-shaped leaf pattern represents the Star of Bethlehem and the red color of the brachts symbolizes the blood of Christ in his crucifixion. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first ambassa […]

The Fort Wayne Dance Collective (FWDC) is celebrating its 40th birthday with a special event taking place on January 23rd, 2019, from 6-9PM at the FWDC offices: 437 E. Berry St. Suite 203, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. This free event will celebrate FWDC’s 40-year history of promoting diversity, innovation and inclusion through music and rhythm. The event will b […]

Saint Elizabeth Ann Senton Catholic school hosted the Indianapolis Colt’s official mascot, an anthropomorphic jersey wearing blue horse, Blue. When Middle School students entered the gym, they walked into a music playing, exciting atmosphere. The only information that had been shared with them was that they were going to hear a talk about the importa […]

Shirley D. Morken, 76, passed away November 15, 2018 in Fort Wayne surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born in Arkansas to the late Clarence and Jewell Bryan. She worked at several high-end restaurants in Fort Wayne including Carriage Inn and Café Johnell. She also worked at Lutheran Hospital for many years. Shirley will be remembered for the kind […]

One wintry morning a few days ago, a day when the sky was gray and snowy, blown by a strong cold wind, I went driving on a country road, hoping to see some wildlife activity, an uncommon bird, or maybe a mammal that should have been holed up for the winter. I didn’t expect to see much wildlife, but I wanted to get out, to leave my computer and the TV for a time.Soon aft […]

PEACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHwww.PeaceLutheranfw.org 4900 Fairfield Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46807 (260) 744-3869 Worship Times: Sun. 9a Bible Class Sun. 10:30a Midweek Service: Wed. 6:30p . . . CHRISTMAS SERVICES Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: 12/24 – 6:30p.m. Christmas Day Service: 12/25 – 10:00a.m. New Year’s Eve Service: 12/ […]

The holiday season is a special time of year in which many feel the need to give back and remember the less fortunate. This year leading up to the holidays, the Waynedale Community Improvement Team and the Southeast Waynedale Neighborhood Association partnered together to raise funds and collect gift certificates from local businesses to bring Christmas […]

The Fort Wayne Pet Food Pantry will be open every other Saturday beginning in January 2019 at 2502 Church St. in Waynedale. “We are very excited to be a part of the Waynedale Community and look forward to building local relationships”. Pet food distributions start on January 12 and are every other Saturday thereafter from 11am-12pm. For assistance a […]

Allen County has been recognized by the National Weather Service as a StormReady Community. National Weather Service officials from Syracuse, Indiana, made the formal presentation recognizing the designation during the Allen County Commissioners legislative session today.The StormReady program gives communities the skills and education needed […]

A heavy frost covered the ground this morning, sparkling in the approaching sunlight that is beginning to bathe our hills. I am reminded of Mom’s remarking on a frost such as this, “It looks like a young snow!” Our days have been unusually mild for the month of December, and it makes a person wonder if we will have a white Christmas. I don’t trust these un […]

As manager of the Waynedale Branch of the Allen County Public Library, Amanda Vance always looks forward to this time of year. That’s because it’s time again for a Waynedale holiday tradition that brings decorative holiday wreaths to her library, and much-needed funds to a good Waynedale cause. The annual Wreath Auction & Sale is already underway […]

Community Partner & Advocate recognized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast IndianaBig Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana awarded the Charles D. Smith Award to the K21 Health Foundation during the 5th Annual BIG Celebration on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at the Winona Heritage Room. Established in 2015 and named in honor of its inaugural r […]

Joan Retha (Snyder) Klenke, 88, of Fort Wayne was called home by her Savior on Saturday December 1st. She was the eldest daughter of James and Alma (Vanhorn) Snyder. She graduated with the class of 1948 from Central High School. She worked for Fort Wayne Paint and Wallpaper Company, then Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. In 1991 she retired from the of […]

Photo by local photographer G. Dewey PowellA river runs through my home town, and there was a bridge across the river when I was a boy, just a block and a half from my home. I often walked to that bridge, after Mom and Dad decided I was old enough to roam alone, then walked up river.The land on one side of the river was hilly, a land of steep bluffs and mature trees. On t […]

As I make my way around the township this holiday season it appears that lots of folks are out shopping—the traffic is heavy and the parking lots full. That says to me that people are working and have money to spend. This is always good for our office, as it means that fewer people are in need of assistance. We are still busy with our work however, as folks need ext […]

As we prepare for family gatherings and big holiday meals, we should also think about how we get rid of extra grease. Whether cooking a turkey or ham in the oven or with a fryer, an additional amount of grease is always produced with our holiday meal.Grease should not go down the drain. Pouring a gallon or two of grease down a kitchen sink or toilet may see it disa […]

Fort Wayne Trails Board Members and staff joined Mayor Tom Henry on the morning of November 28, 2018 for the Pufferbelly Ribbon Cutting and presented a check to The City of Fort Wayne for future trail development.In winter months trail usage slows, but interest in using trails in colder months is growing. This year Mayor Henry has asked the City’s R […]

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church began in the 1920’s as a Sunday School Mission in what was once considered a “remote” area of Waynedale. Founded and led by Pastor Herman H. Backs, it started as a small sparse wooden building on the muddy streets of Lower Huntington Road, now the site of Walgreens. The “Mission” Sunday school was an extension of Emmau […]

Councilman Geoff Paddock, Mayor Tom Henry, Fort Wayne, IN and Mayor David Berger, Lima, OH at the December 19, 2016 News Conference announcing the next steps in returning passenger rail from Chicago to Fort Wayne and on to Lima, Ohio.The Northern Indiana Passenger Rail Association (NIPRA) received special recognition by being named the “Sustainable C […]

Because winter can be a busy time for coyotes, DNR biologists say people can expect to see more of them in the coming months, but not to be alarmed. “Most young coyotes leave their parents to start looking for new homes during winter. In addition, coyote breeding season starts in January, and coyotes may be more mobile during that time as well,” said Megan D […]

Elizabeth “Betty” Jane (Reinoehl) King, 101, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2018. She was born June 20, 1917 in Galion, Ohio, but lived most of her life in Fort Wayne. She graduated Northside High School and attended Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. She and her husband, Robert “Bob” were avid golfers, members of Orchard Ridge Country C […]

The Allen County Department of Environmental Management has announced their partnership with Food Rescue US, the Connecticut-based food rescue organization, to rescue and deliver meals to those in need and prevent food waste in Allen County.One in seven Hoosiers faces food insecurity, including 300,000 children, according to a report from Feeding Am […]

The newest installment in the Wizarding World franchise, Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindewald follows magical creatures expert Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) as he tries to get around a ban on international travel, win the heart of Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterstone), and help Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) track down his love, Queenie (Alison Sudo […]

ELMHURST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 2908 Kelmar Dr. Fort Wayne, IN 46809 (260) 747-6412 Regular Worship Times: Sunday School 9:30a Sunday Morning Worship 10:30a Sunday Evening Service 6p “Hour of Power” Wednesday 7p Sunday School For All Ages Pre-School Through Adults . . . CHRISTMAS CONCERT/ DINNER When: Sunday, December 9, 5p Where: Elmhurst Church of […]

Nora Doyle Mihlbauer is reunited with the restored Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt that belonged to her mother Catharine O’Brien Doyle. It was the first weekend of December 2010 that I met Therese “Terry” Mihlbauer at the Unitarian Universalist Church Craft Show. Terry walked up to my booth and upon learning I restore quilts told me about a spec […]

Winter is here again – which may make you wish you were somewhere else. You might be thinking how pleasant it would be to become a snowbird and move to a warmer climate for the season. Of course, your stage of life will help determine if you are prepared to be a snowbird now or if you’re just hoping to be one in the future. But in either case, you’ll need to be fin […]

The Allen County SPCA set a new #GivingTuesday record with a total of $55,927 donated in 24 hours! The shelter started the day with an anonymous matching gift promising to double donor dollars up to $15,000, but thanks to the generosity of Heritage Food Service, an additional $5,500 in matching funds were also provided to the shelter.“We are sincerely hum […]

NIPSCO is giving “Hope for the Holidays” throughout the holiday season, thanks to a generous $15,000 gift to Community Harvest Food Bank. Through this initiative, more than 600 families will receive a turkey, side dishes, and other food items distributed through the Community Cupboard pantry at the food bank.In addition, more than 25 NIPSCO volunt […]

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory holiday decorations.I hope you take advantage of some of the Parks & Recreation Department’s holiday offerings this year. The Botanical Conservatory’s beautiful gardens are adorned with lights, greenery and holiday cheer. Stop by through January 6 to enjoy the “Victorian Holiday” exhibit, […]

SETTLERS’ CHRISTMAS ‘AT HOME’ When: Dec. 7, 2-4p; & Dec. 8, 10:30a-12:30p & 2-4p The Settlers will have Fort Wayne’s Historic Swinney Homestead, Where: 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd. Add’l: Guests are invited to celebrate the Christmas spirit and enjoy a cup of syllabub, tasty savories, sweets and tea. The Hearthstone Ensemble will provide […]

Donald Eugene Durnell, 91, formerly of Fort Wayne, passed away on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at his Ossian residence. He was born March 20, 1927 in Fort Wayne to the late Harry and Ethel (Mallo) Durnell. He worked as a construction supervisor for Worthman Homes and then retired from Master Piece Construction in 1993. He was an active, long time member of Nin […]

It was the day after Thanksgiving. As a police officer, Samuel was preparing to go on patrol, but he had to fill out the required reports first. Paperwork was the thing he hated most. He much preferred to be out on the streets. He finished his reports and looked at his assignment. He was going to be working in a poor section of the city.If there was one place Samuel […]

RN TOENAIL TRIMMING Save yourself or your family from the worries and risks of trimming your toenails. – Thick or overgrown nails often require the use of specialized instruments. Call 705-2921 for an appointment.BBB Accredited Christmas Gift Certificates are available! Ken Sorg, RN Sorg Senior Foot Care LLC 5800 Fairfield Avenue Suite 117 Fort W […]

Greater Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers, a community program geared toward public involvement in the fight against crime, recently celebrated their 35th anniversary. During their 35 years of service, Crime Stoppers has facilitated the arrest of more than 11,400 criminals using anonymous tips. The non-profit organization offers cash rewards up to $1,000 fo […]

The Fort Wayne Fire Department is reminding you to keep safety in mind as holiday meals are being prepared. It can be easy to get wrapped up in entertaining guests, but it is important to monitor meal preparation closely. Home cooking fires are three times more likely to occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. With most cooking fires starting b […]

I spent some time last weekend waffling over going to see The Nutcracker and The Four Realms. In the end, I decided that if I was going to watch the feature-length equivalent of a perfume ad, I’d rather spend that time on terrible made-for-TV Christmas movies. Traditionally, Hallmark has cornered this market, but in the last few years, Netflix has been gett […]

Senator-elect Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne) took the oath of office today, officially becoming the State Senator representing District 16. Busch was one of five senators sworn in by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush. Busch will serve portions of Allen and Whitley counties. He fills the Senate seat previously held by President Pro Tem David L […]

With the Friday after Thanksgiving—yes Black Friday—we all start thinking about the people on our holiday shopping lists. Here at the Wayne Township Trustee Office we have been busy too, amassing prizes and gifts for the children who will be joining us for our Holiday Celebration. Our seventh annual event will be held, once again, at the McMillen Park C […]

The Milk Bank and Lutheran Children’s Hospital are hosting a breast milk donor drive Nov. 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. Mothers who have extra milk are invited to visit the third floor conference room at Lutheran Children’s Hospital, 7950 W. Jefferson Blvd., to drop off their supply, fill out a medical history form and have their blood drawn for testing. Anyone int […]