The Allen County Public Library held a grand opening for a StoryScape on March 20 at their Woodburn branch.
Popular at the downtown library, Woodburn is the first branch to have a StoryScape: a custom-designed space that uses hands-on learning tools and library materials to encourage young children to read, sing, write, talk, and play. StoryScape focuses on promoting early literacy with children ages 7 and younger.
“StoryScape marries a child’s natural love of play with early, consistent, and abundant access to books — and we all know early literacy is a critical indicator of a child’s success,” said Jacki Fulwood, ACPL Youth Services manager.
Plans are to expand StoryScape to the entire ACPL system as part of its 2024-28 strategic plan “Allen County’s Window to Lifelong Learning and Discovery.” The Pontiac branch will open a StoryScape in late April.
“I am so pleased to see a community like Woodburn among the first to open a branch version of StoryScape,” said ACPL Foundation Board Chair Rich Beck. “All children in Allen County deserve access to the wonder and learning that happens in an engaging early literacy space like StoryScape.”
Arts United names award recipients
Outstanding people, organizations, and projects who are making significant contributions to communities in northeast Indiana through arts and culture were recognized with 2024 Arts United Awards on March 20 at Arts United Center.
Recipients were Taylor Morris and Suzanne Rheze has Distinguished Artists of the Year; Tyler Bennett as Emerging Artist of the Year; and Ben Wedler as Volunteer of the Year.
Beth McLeish and Christopher J. Murphy were named Margaret Ann Keegan Award for Arts Education winners and the art exhibit Jewish History and Art Illustrated: 175 Years of Congregation Achduth Vesholom was recognized as Outstanding Artistic Endeavor.
Nonprofits set to ‘duke it out’
Blue Jacket, Embassy Theatre, and Humane Fort Wayne have teamed up for The Mighty Match Up on Wednesday, April 10.
CEOs of the three organizations will “duke it out” to find out which team will raise the most funds. The winning team will deploy their employees to volunteer at the other two organizations, so everyone wins.
On April 10, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. supporters of each organization will follow social media prompts to donate to their favorite cause. Follow all three organizations on Facebook and Instagram before April 10 to see pre-match bouts and learn how to donate.
During the 12-hour event, donations can be matched by generous sponsors. Track progress and matching challenges blow-by-blow at mightymatchup.org.
Audience Unlimited performer retires
Guy Zimmerman, longtime Audiences Unlimited performer and local music legend, is set to retire from the nonprofit at the end of March after 27 years with the agency.
Long before Zimmerman began performing for seniors throughout northeast Indiana with Audiences Unlimited, he was a music icon in his own right, first as a young performer and then as the owner of the Guy Zimmerman Music Store on South Calhoun Street in Fort Wayne.
Zimmerman’s music career started early and included a trip to Chicago to perform on television during his high school years, followed by the chance to audition for Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, a CBS radio and television show airing in the late 1940s through the mid-1950s.
Animal Care & Control fundraiser rescheduled
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control’s fundraiser, Barks and Mews Gala, has been rescheduled from May 18 to Feb. 22 at Kruse Plaza in Auburn.
The Barks and Mews Gala raises funds for Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control’s Angel Fund, which provides life-saving medical care to shelter animals and is utilized daily to help animals that have no other place to go.
For more details on this event, go to fwacc.org. If anyone is interested in being a sponsor for the event, email nicole.king@cityoffortwayne.org.
Hunt for Easter eggs at Union Street Market
Union Street Market at Electric Works will host a free Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30, from 1:30-5 p.m.
The event is limited to the first 150 kids ages 10 and under. Ages 5 and under will check in at 1:30 p.m. and the hunt will begin at 2 p.m. Ages 6-10 check in at 3:30 p.m., and the hunt starts at 4 p.m.
In addition to the egg hunt, the market will host a variety of games and activities, and Buyamba Sandwich Co. will host an Easter-themed photo booth.
To register, go to Eventbrite.com and search “egg hunt union street market.”
Komets host Princess Night on March 30
Kids receive a free Komets ticket with the purchase of a regular-priced adult ticket for Saturday, March 30, game against the Kalamazoo Wings, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Go to the Memorial Coliseum ticket office to take advantage of this offer. Come early for a Princess Meet & Greet, courtesy of TAG Art Company, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:15.
Free carnations are available to the first 1,000 fans, courtesy of Cottage Flowers.
Organizations seek assistance
- Buskerfest is seeking vendors, performers, volunteers for the 13th annual event on Saturday, May 18, in downtown Fort Wayne. To apply to participate, go to downtownfortwayne.com/buskerfest.
- Applications are being accepted for the 2024 Art This Way Art Crawl on Friday, Sept. 20. To submit an application to be a displaying artist or performing band, go to artthiswayfw.com/art-crawl.
- USA Today is holding their annual Top 10 polls, and Fort Wayne is in the running for Best Riverwalk of 2024. To vote, go to 10best.usatoday.com and search “Riverwalk.”
News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
