Collegiate Waterskiing Brightens the Gap between Summer and Fall

It's only about a 45-minute drive from anywhere in the Fort Wayne area to little Van Wert, OH. Many people don't know there is a private, tournament-quality water ski lake there, right off of Highway 30. My family has participated in American Water Ski Association (AWSA) tournaments there over the years, and it's a fun site close to home. As a spectator, you can watch, for free, close-up events such as slalom-course skiing, trick skiing and ski jumping.

Owned by the hard-working and kind Jim McClure, Pleasant Shores is known by its water slide (popular with the children in the summertime) and trampoline where many of the trick skiers warm up and become airborne.

Fall is the time the collegiate skiers come out to compete, although there are some warm-up tournaments in the spring as well. This can be challenging and best suited to these young die-hards, because frequently, even though it's mid-September, this collegiate tournament is often plagued by rain, cold weather, and very windy conditions. It takes a college kid to camp in a tent, get up and ski as early as 7 or 8 in the morning in a choppy wind, and love the experience.

We went to watch the Great Lakes Conference Championships on September 21. Parents of college teams set up shade tents and bring food (what college kid isn't starving)? you can also find concession stands, ski stuff for sale, and commemorative t-shirts.

Teams from Purdue (we know folks on this team), Bowling Green OH, and other teams from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana participated in this tournament. Qualifiers at the different collegiate conference championships go on to compete at the collegiate regionals, which are being held in Decatur, Illinois this year.

This kind of water skiing is very exciting. A boat running 34 or 36 miles per hour, towing a girl or boy flying across a wake and turning around a buoy, head and shoulders kicked back inches over the water - exhilarating. You might be more thrilled with the jumping over ramps; youngsters flying 60 feet before landing on two skis. You might be most impressed with students performing timed trick runs, with spins, flips, and toe-in-rope-handle stunts. These kids are good.

Indiana is blessed with many good water skiers, of which lots of folks are unaware. On September 8, 2013, Nate Smith, of McCordsville, Indiana (near Indianapolis) set a new slalom world record at Ski Ranch in Covington, Louisiana, running 2.5 buoys at 43 feet off the tow rope. That length of shortened rope is six feet shorter than the distance of the 75-foot rope to the buoys, meaning the difference is made up by his six-feet two-inch body and arm stretch from the rope handle (not a lot of room to spare there, folks!) The 22-year-old is a world class, professional water skier who is sponsored and travels to compete in water ski tournaments around the globe. All of us Indiana skiers who know Nate and watched him grow up through the ranks love him, partly because he is just genuinely a nice guy and so supportive of all the local kids.

Most of us know water skiing as a past-time on big public lakes, which becomes difficult with waves from boat traffic and jet skiers running about. But, it can be a great family sport, and takes excellent physical conditioning and skill. I'm here to say water skiing isn't just for folks in Florida and warmer climates. There is still a slalom course on the St. Joe River near the bridge between Leo and Grabill, across from Riverside Park!

Assembling Soccer Lunches

In my child's school soccer league, the parents take turns providing 'lunches' or meals on game days. It's not really lunch, since it is served after school: on the bus on the way to the game, or whenever the child wants to eat before arriving home.

It was my turn recently. The kids will beg for boughten lunches, such as Jimmy John's or Subway. But I wanted to do it myself, and save some money. It starts with the shopping. I am getting in the habit of bringing my own shopping bags, to cut down on the number of disposable plastic bags used. We have recycled these for years - still, I shudder to think how many are manufactured and then thrown out everyday. Recently, we were given some reusable, water resistant bags as a promotion from the Vera Bradley company, and I am training myself to bring them along.

Old habits die hard. Often I simply forget to take them with me when I am going shopping. Probably the best fix for this is to fold them (I like the large, nearly suitcase-sized ones) and leave them in my car.

Off I go to Meier, a good grocery chain in the Fort Wayne area. I am going to make 18 sliced turkey and cheese sandwiches. I buy that and sliced, whole grain white bread to try and please as many picky kids as possible. I also find baby carrots, bananas, clementines, Smarties candies and store-baked chocolate chip cookies.

At home, I write a personal note on each of 18 brown paper bags, and set these up in a large cardboard box. I put the fruit and treats inside each (stuff that doesn't have to stay cold). Then I assemble sandwiches on a cutting board, carefully folding meat and stacking each one exactly the same, so kids won't pick through bags. For this purpose it's better if stuff is identical. The sandwiches go into fold-top bags, and then into the refrigerator until right before it's time to put them in the paper bag lunches and then deliver.

Baby carrots I also wrap in plastic three to a person - unfortunately I think a large serving of vegetables could go to waste, so a little fiber and vitamin A here is better than none. A paper napkin is also included. A case of bottled water can just be carried separately, no big deal.

And that's it! Not too much garbage or individual wrappers - and no forbidden grapes, which I have been told become projectiles on the bus. Who knew? My duty is done for this go-around. And the team is having a winning season!

Whatzup tells us what to do

Mid-September, the faithful have continued to water gardens of annual and periennial flowers, and passers-by such as myself can admire the brilliant colors. So too, I can admire Fort Wayne area's 'whatzup', the free newspaper available in gas stations, restaurant lobbies, etc., which publishes features and notices about local events.

The 'whatzup' is an institution of those 'in the know' in the arts. It's a calendar of upcoming events: musical performances, artist showings, karaoke, dance, theatre, and plain old 'things to do'. But it also has features, sometimes written by regular staff, sometimes by freelance writers. The latest issue had three artist features: one about a wood sculptor, a second about a local author, and a third about a band originating in Fort Wayne.

The paper is tabloid or magazine size and is attractive, with color photos printed on recyclable newsprint. It has an edgy, indie feel about it. In addition to the upcoming attractions, I enjoy reading Catherine Lee's movie reviews - she was until recently director of the Cinema Center and has a really good eye for movies. Plus, her writing is zesty and entertaining. If she recommends a flick, it's probably worth viewing.

If you're looking for local festivals, fairs, or events; they are listed. If you want to read about upcoming lectures, readings, or workshops; it's posted. As a parent, I appreciate the 'Kid Stuff' column - it's a quick way to find something going on that will educate or keep children entertained.

You can find out about music, yoga, gardening, or hula hoop classes. You can learn about spectator sports or volunteering. Tours and group trips out-of-town are listed. And auditions for upcoming productions are posted, in case you want to try out for a play or musical theatre.

There are reviews about books, CD music releases, artist exhibits, and dance performances. You can see what bands are playing in which bars and other venues, listed night by night. There really is something for everybody in the 'whatzup'. Even the advertising is useful and tasteful, and that's saying something.

If you can't easily get your hands on a paper copy (or don't care to), find the publication on-line at www.whatzup.com. It's published weekly and distributed on Wednesday or Thursday to racks. I grab one whenever I can. Fall is the time to start coming back in from all the outdoor fun, and re-discovering classy, local cultural events - even if it's just hearing a band at a bar (no offense intended to all you bar flies)!

A Rainbow in the Lawn Sprinkler

The crickets are so loud, they sound like distant sleigh bells, or far off cheering in a sports stadium.

The doves fly together, curving and diving in formation like aerial military bombers. Air whistles through their wings as if Harpo Marx was flying along too.

There is a rainbow in the lawn sprinkler. The misty water squirts up in a V for victory.

An Amish woman ties her horse's reins to a dogwood tree. I know the manure will come - yes, there it is. I find a shovel and a trash bag, and hand these to her.

Cars line up on the bridge. Waiting on a four-way stop, the exit traffic from the fair backs up. Snips and bits of conversations carry in the breeze over the water, above the shimmery heat and hum of engine noises. Cars honk horns at a lone ski boat pausing near the bridge. Temptation always brings a huge desire to say 'hi' in this way to those below on stage in the river.

It is small town fair weekend. The ground bees attack trash cans and dumpsters. Aggressively they claim their prizes from the fair. The bees won't be deterred from what nature tells them is theirs.

By Sunday, all are gone. Silence comes welcome. No more elephant ears, apple dumplings or lemon shake-ups. In another year, maybe I will want to go.

Olde Towne Diner

There is a big opportunity in Leo, Indiana (just North of Fort Wayne) for a nice restaurant. Residents say it all the time; it comes up in surveys and town planning meetings. The few restaurants that exist are pizza chains, a Subway and a couple of 'mom & pops'.

The food at the Olde Towne Diner, 14515 Leo Road (State Route 1) is decent. Sometimes it's pretty good. Maybe that's good enough - it promotes itself as a 'diner', and a diner it is. Retro diner decor, pictures of Elvis and James Dean - you know the drill. It opened in 2007, and the booths in the front window are becoming a bit 'sprung out.'

I like the people who work there - friendly service goes a long way in any setting. The view across the street is interesting - I've taken a photo (shown above) of the Scherer & Maxfield tractor dealership, featuring quite a few antique tractors parked out front.

The soups are a good feature. Cream of Broccoli is on the menu, and the last time I was there clam chowder was the soup of the day. I've heard good things about a lasagna soup - I haven't had a chance to try it, but it sounds interesting. My kids like the grilled cheese sandwich they serve.

I personally am fond of their fried fish. I know that isn't the healthiest thing for me, but it's something I don't make at home, so I don't have it very often. I was told theirs is Alaskan pollock. It's light and the batter is usually not overly fried. It comes with slaw and fries. I'm not crazy about their French fries, so I was given the choice of their chips instead. It would be nice if they would offer another vegetable as an alternative. The chips (called seasoned chips) are good though - kind of thick, fried on site. Tasty they are, and an indulgence.

They do offer some salads, but otherwise it's mostly classic diner sandwiches and burgers. You know what I mean - BLT, breaded pork tenderloin, hot ham and cheese, grilled or breaded chicken, coney dogs, hot dogs. There are cute little diner knick-knacks for sale by the cash register near the door. So why am I expecting more? I guess because I see the opportunity. Leo tends to stick to its old formula, and doesn't always keep up with the times and current tastes and trends. It might be a philosophical argument - is this simply sticking to the classics, or is it a lack of forethought or worse (excuse me) laziness? I dislike being critical, but those are my thoughts.

On a sweeter note, they do make handmade milkshakes, and offer a variety of homemade pies. I also like the fact they have a drive up window - more than once I've called in a phone order and then driven to the drive up window to pick up the food. They could use a little updating, some help branding perhaps. But that's just my opinion. It's Leo, so they'll probably just stay stuck in the time warp and do it the way they want. With their location close to the downtown businesses and high school, they probably have enough clientele just as it is.