Month: September 2017

Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana Hosts Tribute Dinner

The 13th-annual Cancer Services Tribute Dinner started at 6 p.m. in the Mirro Center for Research and Innovation at Parkview Sept. 6.

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Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana is a non-profit organization established in 1944. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing resources, information and assistance.

Robin Hixson, a client at Cancer Services, said she attended the event with her family because she wanted to bring them all to celebrate with her.

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Robin Hixson and Family at Cancer Services’ Tribute Dinner

“I was diagnosed in December of last year, right before the holidays, and I probably made my first trip there in February when I started chemo,” Hixson said. “When I started losing my hair, that’s when I made my first trip to Cancer Services.”

Hixson said she went to Cancer Services seeking as recommended by a friend, but she was nervous to go and didn’t know what to expect.

She said getting diagnosed with cancer is a roller coaster ride full of mixed emotions. Yet, through Cancer Services, she made many new friends going through the same things and found support to get her through.

Ed Souers, chairman of Cancer Services, said the concept of this event is to get people together to pay tribute to those affected by cancer. This includes not only cancer survivors, but also their families and doctors who have treated them.Screen Shot 2017-09-14 at 11.11.32 AM

Souers said his organization is completely supported by the community. They have about 600 volunteers, and do not charge their patients a dime.

Souers calls what they do “the softer side” of cancer. They provide things like emotional support, practical resources, wigs, transportation, information, and much more. He said this allows patients and their families to help deal with what they are going through.

Part of the show they put on for the night included keynote speaker Mayor Suzanne Handshoe.

Handshoe is a retired marine corps veteran, the first female mayor of Kendalville, and a cancer survivor.

To end the night, Handshoe spoke for approximately 23 minutes in a powerful speech discussing her life and her battle with cancer.

“I was notified a few years ago that in 1979 at my first duty station of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, I drank contaminated water for over 14 months, and multiple myeloma is one of the presumed diseases from contamination,” Handshoe said. “I never dreamed the career that I loved so much serving this great country would make me so ill. However, I have absolutely no regrets.”

 

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Mayor Handshoe and Family

Mayor Handshoe was recommended to Cancer Services by Dr. Chitneni of Parkview. Like Robin Hixson, Mayor Handshoe said the organization made her experience with cancer a little easier.

Hixson said she respects everything Cancer Services does because they have a really big heart.

“I just want to applaud everybody involved in Cancer Services. This is my first event here and I will be back for many more,” Hixson said. “They put on a great show and I am very happy to be a part of it.”

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West Central Neighborhood Holds 35th Tour and ArtsFest

The West Central Neighborhood Association presented its 35th Home and Garden Tour and ArtsFest on Sept. 9 and 10 in downtown Fort Wayne, where people could visit historical homes while consuming music, art and food.

Event Chairwoman Charlotte Weybright said the tour consists of 10 stops to architecturally significant homes and buildings in West Central, the city’s oldest historic neighborhood.

“I think the history is critical,” said Weybright, who also owns a home in the neighborhood.DSC_0158

According to the WCNA website, West Central was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and was later recognized as a local historic district.

Through such action, Weybright said the neighborhood is protected from deterioration and subject to guidelines, but residents become devoted to the history and architecture.

Suzy Giant, a 29-year West Central resident and artist, said she appreciates old things because of their craftsmanship.

Her husband, Kevin Giant, said he moved into his West Central home 38 years ago and still finds himself appreciating the close community and eclectic atmosphere today.

Since moving in with Kevin, Suzy said she decorates their house with antiques and projects that match her bohemian style.

She also painted it pink.

“You got to be secure in your manhood to live in a pink house,” Kevin said.

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So, Suzy said they travel the Midwest to find pretty collectibles and furniture for their home through Craigslist.

“I just like old things that are made right,” Suzy said. “I don’t see that a lot.”

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Both Kevin and Suzy said they love going to the home and garden tour each year to experience how people are changing and fixing their homes’ exteriors to remain historic.

From the event, Weybright said the proceeds fund WCNA projects, such as their tree program, or with financial support and expert knowledge to help West Central residents restore their homes. Other programs assistance may be added as the WNCA sees fit.

All three West Central residents said they are excited for the change in their neighborhood because it continues to be unique.

“An old house has character,” Suzy said “and we’re characters.”

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Fourth Annual North Anthony Corridor Block Party

Dozens of community members gathered in the streets for the fourth annual  North Anthony Corridor Block Party on Sept. 10.

The free, family friendly block party was held in the North Anthony Corridor, the triangle formed by North Anthony Boulevard, Crescent Avenue, and Coliseum Boulevard East.

The party ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and had activities like miniature golf, photo booths, and face-painting.

Community Member Erin Brady, who lives near the North Anthony Corridor, attended the block party for the first time this year to see the live local music.

nickel“The development of this neighborhood over the last two years has really started,” Erin said. “The nice sm

all, little local shops that we have here gives people a chance to come and really see what’s in the neighborhood.”

Long-time local record store, the Wooden Nickel, hosted three bands in front of their North Anthony location from 2 to 6 p.m.

The Windows, a group of teens with one member as young as 13, began their set at 3 p.m., and played a variety of covers, including songs from The Velvet Underground and original songs.

All of the members of the band are in high school, and one is still in middle school. Dylan Record, singer and rhythm-guitarist, said they play post-punk and new-wave, and are currently working on new original music.

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Bob Roets

Bob Roets, owner of the Wooden Nickel, has hosted different bands at the block party all four years.

Bob said they pick teenage and college-age bands for the block party, to draw in more families.

Bob said there were about 200 people in attendance at one point this year, and sales were way up from last year. He plans to continue hosting the bands.

“I’m really happy with where it’s going,” Bob said. “It gets bigger and better every year.”

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MGMT Headlines Middle Waves Music Festival

Fort Wayne’s Middle Waves Music Festival brought hundreds to Headwaters Park over the weekend.

The two-day festival had three stages packed with a blend of both local and international artists. This year, award-winning band MGMT closed out the festival Saturday night at the St. Mary’s Stage.

The band played some of their most popular hits, including “Kids,” “Time to Pretend,” and ended with “Electric Feel.”

 

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