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Longform Small-team-smile

New series explores efforts to address oral health inequities

A new State of Health series highlights innovative approaches and partnerships tackling systemic barriers to oral health care for underserved populations.

Feature Story Assistant Pro Wyatt Johnson tests out a golf simulation bay at Urban Golf on the second floor at The Fairfield.

125 Years Old, Brand New Fun: The Fairfield brings bowling, golf simulators and more to Fort Wayne

“When we made our way up the stairs and opened the doors to 23-foot ceilings, exposed wood trusses, and red brick we knew that the space would be a beautiful venue."

Feature Story Renee Gabet, founder and owner of Annie Oakley Natural Perfumery

Ligonier perfumery pays homage to Annie Oakley with natural fragrances

“For the last 40 years, I’ve pulled some of the best oils and raw materials together to make perfumes."

Partner Content David Jimenez, owner of Nordmann's Nook, pulls a baked good from the display case for a customer.

Nordmann’s Nook: The big legacy of a small-town destination bakery

“Nordmann’s has a unique atmosphere, kindness, values, and are community-minded individuals; that’s what stands out, truly.”

Feature Story A Brightpoint Health Coverage Navigator helping a client.

How Brightpoint is helping Hoosiers understand health coverage

“Brightpoint aims to ensure that uninsured and underinsured individuals in Northeast Indiana are aware of their eligibility for public health insurance programs and understand how to navigate the enrollment process."

Partner Content Valisha Reber, medical and social services liaison, right talks with Ann Heign, executive director, during a staff meeting at the International House office.

One simple action at a time: International House drives lifelong change for refugees and immigrants

“We’re honored to be able to support IHouse and the people whose lives they’re changing. When we see people like them, who are trusted and really gifted, on a faith-filled mission to serve others, we want to see the community invest in them.”

Feature Story Field Team Supervisor Tom West, left, and Amanda Lapham work together to set up lights.

Millions of lights and miles of electrical cords: Behind the scenes of the Fantasy of Lights

"The route was just one single loop in and out of Sherman Boulevard, and that single loop was about a mile and a half long. Today we’ve grown to three miles long and we have 186 display scenes, so in 10 years, it has grown pretty significantly.”

Feature Story NEIECC hosts meetings where attendees can learn about new initiatives and have discussions around early childhood challenges.

From crisis to collaboration: Tackling Northeast Indiana’s childcare shortage

"I feel really lucky to be in this community that I think really gets it and is working to make a difference. If we want to be a community of choice, if we want that quality of life, we want more economic development, people to come and our community to thrive– this is the linchpin.”

Feature Story Powers Hamburgers on Harrison Street.

Another chapter in the history of Powers Hamburgers

"Our goal was just to really make this a place that Fort Wayne can be proud of. This is a place that is as Fort Wayne as Coney Island or The Embassy or Parkview Field.”

News Mayor Sharon Tucker celebrates the groundbreaking of Packard Park with neighborhood residents and Councilmen Bender and Paddock.

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation breaks ground on Packard Park Redesign

The $1.9 million redesign of Packard Park is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.

Feature Story Friends of the Third World, 611 W Wayne St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802

#PlaceofNEI: Friends of the Third World is bringing a mission to the marketplace

“We have videos of the coffee producers and the tea producers. People can see the actual workers picking the coffee cherries. We’ve learned a lot about how coffee is grown and we get to show people that.”

Feature Story Inside The Urban Hippie's new location at 111 W Columbia St Ste 101, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

One-of-a-kind finds and community connections: Shopping locally provides perks not found online

“I meet somebody new every day. That’s part of why I started the shop. I knew that after retiring I would miss all those connections with all those people.”

Feature Story With the help of Universal Design Works, The Zoo explored ways to strategically integrate universal design principles into the guest experience.

Accessible by design: What it means to design inclusive attractions for all

"I'm meeting people who are impacted by universal design as well. It's really cool how God puts people in my life who understand what I'm trying to accomplish, and they recognize the strategic value that having these types of services adds to their organization.”

Feature Story Kathleen Palm

5 questions with Hoosier horror book author Kathleen Palm

"I like creepy and weird things. I like looking into the darkness and seeing what's there. I think that can help you see the light better."

Feature Story Tori Grieser, founder of Push for Progress

Push for Progress Founder Tori Grieser talks community, fashion and representation

“I always wanted to design for kids. Kids just don't have a lot of stuff that's just theirs. You'll see a lot of brands make a kid’s line– or a kid version of what they sell to adults and it leads to styles that aren't really for kids."

News The Elex, under construction, is scheduled to open in late 2025.

The Elex: Construction on phase two of Electric Works is underway

The Elex is a mixed-use development located on the Electric Works campus.

Partner Content Townhouses owned by Jen and Ben Bailey are under construction in Lagro.

Time, talent, money and love are transforming rural communities in Wabash County

“We want people to see our little community and see that we have something to offer and that it’s a great place to live and to raise a family."

Feature Story YLNI Board President Ian Broad-White

4 questions with YLNI Board President Ian Broad-White about the 200 Acts of Kindness Campaign

“Some people don't necessarily want to be recognized or patted on the back or seek out that attention just because they did something that was a small, kind gesture, but I think more so today than ever we need to shed light on that.”

Feature Story Liz Kelpin, owner of Sunbound Books

Sunbound Books: An independent bookstore joins the lineup of small businesses in the 05

“I kept waiting for someone else to open a bookstore and no one did, so I guess I will.”

Feature Story Manchester University students volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity event in Wabash County.

How higher education institutions are prioritizing community impact in Wabash County

“First of all, the fact that we have a university in Wabash County is a special thing and it's my belief that we need to support the community just like the community supports us."

Feature Story The Harvester Homecoming Festival

Local nonprofit honors the legacy and lasting impact of International Harvester in Allen County

"The Harvester Homecoming Museum is expected to attract IH enthusiasts from around the world. With support from the Redevelopment Commission of New Haven and a request to IEDC for additional funding, we are confident in the project’s success and its pivotal role in celebrating Hoosier manufacturing excellence."

Feature Story Content Creator McKayla Nevers

Through her lens, McKayla Nevers brings a new perspective to Fort Wayne

“I love Fort Wayne. I've been here my whole life and to see Fort Wayne come from what it was to what it is now and to be able to capture that and kind of document that– it just feels really special.”

Feature Story Tony Belton inside The Scoop Hitchen, a trailer that he converted to serve ice cream out of.

A sweet expansion: How Brightpoint's small business loans helped Classic City Creamery grow

“Being a CDFI means more than just being able to loan dollars out. It's also providing up-front technical assistance for the businesses– helping them with their business plan, with their projections, registering with the Secretary of State— anything that will give them a better chance at getting started and being successful.”

Feature Story Owners Chuck and Lyndsey Springer at their shop, Reclaimed Fort Wayne, 1514 St. Joseph Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN.

Reclaimed Fort Wayne: Finding new homes for forgotten treasures

“We have the opportunity to bring beautiful pieces back to life, repurpose, and give new homes to live on. Otherwise, it could’ve ended up in the landfill."

Feature Story A CTN bus.

10 proposed solutions to address transportation barriers in Northeast Indiana

“Understanding transportation gaps in all of Northeast Indiana is crucial. In smaller organizations, we have limited resources. No individual system could have gleaned this kind of information. This report gives us important county- and region-specific data that will help us work together to meet the needs of our communities and our riders.”

Feature Story ARCH's office in downtown Fort Wayne was one of their preservation projects.

ARCH is testing new ways to share the history of Fort Wayne's historic neighborhoods

“One of the things that we thought was important was giving people a connection to their own neighborhood history because those historic northeast neighborhoods are old."

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