Skating at Headwaters Park and Shopping in Downtown Fort Wayne Before Christmas

I'll tell you about a wonderful December day I had. It was Saturday, the last one before this Christmas. Traditionally, that's a big shopping day. It became for us a small business Saturday in the Fort Wayne area.

We had breakfast at Brevin's in Churubusco. A vegetable omelette was the choice for me and oatmeal, eggs and toast for others. It was delicious, and my portion so large I had to box it for home. I told my family about seeing the therapy dogs (pictured above) in the hallway of Walb Union, during finals week at Purdue Fort Wayne. Volunteers bring them to greet students. We all caught up around the table.

Then we drove in to Fort Wayne and visited the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. They had different exhibits - one a series of paintings by artist Elly Tullis - interpretations of Marys or Madonnas. It was soft and colorful, and I liked it very much. We also saw some wonderful prints and woodcuts, the Dia de Los Muertos exhibit with its art and shrines, and a fascinating series of masks from Mexico. The ornate, whimsical, fantastical masks were identified and grouped by different Mexican regions. I think I need to go back and look at those again.

I bought a beautiful hand-cut card in the FWMA museum gift shop. I love that gift shop - toys, wool clothing, gorgeous jewelry, art, sculpture, decor and games. I recommend shopping in museum stores for gifts. So much is unique, high quality, and special.

Then we went to a boutique on West Wayne Street downtown: Creative Women of the World. We discovered this shop is a registered nonprofit organization, and donations are tax deductible. They purchase works to sell from women artisans in 50 countries. There are over 200 artisans working and benefiting. It's a 'handmade, fair trade' shop. We loved the beautiful, creative choices.

One person picked out a homemade journal bound with leather. Another shopper got a luxurious, elegantly shaped cowl-necked sweater. They had all types of jewelry, art and gifts. There's a group of these newer boutique shops in this block, and the Fort Wayne Artists Guild have a Holiday Pop-Up Gallery at the City Exchange Shops at 127 West Wayne. We walked through the pop-up as well, and admired the paintings displayed for sale.

Lastly on this day, we went to the ice skating rink at Headwaters Park. Under the canopy that's also used for Greekfest, Germanfest, etc. in the summer, Fort Wayne sets up its ice rink and offers skate rental. Admission was $5 for adults and less for kids. They also offer concessions- hot chocolate, hot dogs, the usual. You can bring your own skates or rent a pair for $3. This ended up being a lot of fun. Mid-day, the sun was shining, we were gliding along in a big oval - skaters of all levels were doing their thing. It's the range of people and kids hanging on the outside rail pulling themselves along, up to experienced skaters weaving and turning in the center, showing off their skills.

Canned music plays - old pop songs, etc. I don't know if they're streaming Spotify or what, but it's fun to groove to the songs while skating around. It feels relaxing and unplugged. Then, it's "everybody off the ice," and the Zamboni comes out and works its magic. It melts the marred ice and smooths it, and adds cold water to freeze and make the surfaces all even again. Everyone likes to watch the Zamboni, and all rest a little from their exercise.

Farewell to you - happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a happy Festivus for the rest of us! Celebrated annually on December 23, this sectarian, non-commercial holiday includes the Airing of Grievances, Festivus dinner, and is followed by the Feats of Strength. Seinfeld's Frank Costanza would be proud. Also, remember the angel said, 'Fear not'...'I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people"..

And then the multitude said...'on earth - peace, good will to men' or perhaps 'peace to men of good will.' Adios, amigos. Until next time.

Fort Wayne Summer Music Theatre Rocked West Side Story

I had a great experience last summer that I can't neglect mentioning. I was privileged to see high school students from all around the area put on a wonderful production of the musical West Side Story. I'm shortening the name of the theatre group in this article's title to FWSMT. Started by a couple of Fort Wayne high school teachers over 20 years ago, the organization is supported by student actors, educators, dancers, designers and technicians. Over 40,000 people have attended their performances over the last two decades.

The FWSMT helps students to grow by presenting stage productions on a larger scale than their high school ones. Currently, the company uses an eight-week intensive schedule that includes singing, acting, dancing, set construction, and stage combat. Adult mentors help train and educate students in every process so that productions are close to the professional level.

Director Andrew Sherman wrote in his notes that he was able to stress an underlying theme he thought often went unnoticed in this piece. "The idea," he said, "that as young children we are taught many things: to hate, to love, right from wrong, empathy for democratic differences. At what point in our lives do we choose to break that cycle and trust in our own beliefs?"

West Side Story, a gang tale of the Sharks versus the Jets set in early 1960's Manhattan, is a contemporary Romeo and Juliet spinoff. Music and lyrics by Bernstein and Sonheim, the original production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

The summer's production was so diverse - area schools with cast and crew represented included those from area towns of Churubusco, Garrett, DeKalb county, Huntington, Fort Wayne private and public schools, and other Allen County schools. The talent was outstanding.

The first act is great, with a street gang dance and no singing or dialogue- just jazz music and dancing. The streets and bodegas of New York were represented, as were the back streets and chainlinked-fence basketball courts of New York City. The whole Act 1 is staged in what could be common street scenes in any town - back yards, a bridal shop, back alleys, drug stores, and neighborhood streets under the highway. But this is The Big Apple: rooftops, the concrete jungle.

The mix of Latin rhythms and American jazz makes the show special. Stars of the show, Aaron Hawley as Tony and Erica Ashley as Maria, were very well cast. Their voices were golden and their performances brilliant.

I also really enjoyed Evan Snaufer as Snowboy and Noah Pemberton as Gee-Tar. These two were local performers from Leo High School stepping out of a small-town comfort zone, and did really well. All these kids worked really hard.

The cast did a terrific job with the choreographed fight scenes, which were both very dance-inspired and physical. They covered every inch of the stage and tossed themselves off ledges and boxes. I particularly liked how humorous the number "Gee, Officer Krupke" was. The guys let out all the stops and didn't worry about 2019 political correctness. Sophomoric humor was in full adolescent bloom.

The show was supported by lots of hometown benefactors and the "Adopt an Actor" program, which was an outlet to help sell tickets to lots of friends and family of cast and crew. The Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation was new to me, but I was very impressed with its summer 2019 production. I urge you to check out any performance of theirs you can catch in the future. West Side Story and its captivating music was absolutely inspirational. West Side Story is just one of my all-time favorites.