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21Country

  • Submit a 21Country Story Idea

21Country

Woodburn WWII Veteran Melvin Ehresman celebrates his 102nd birthday this summer.

21Country: Woodburn WWII Veteran celebrates 102nd birthday

Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 11:13 AM EDT
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By Evan Harris and WPTA Staff
Melvin Ehresman, a Woodburn WWII Veteran, turns 102 this summer.

21Country

Owner Mark Love compares his wooden gun to pictures in an article about John Dillinger's jail...

21Country: Has John Dillinger’s infamous wooden gun been discovered?

Updated: Oct. 13, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“You could pretty much say it’s the most valuable item that has anything to do with Dillinger,” collector and historian Mark Love said, of a fake wooden gun used in the Hoosier Hoodlum's infamous Crown Point jail escape. “No matter where I go throughout the years, I’ve always been asked about the wooden gun. It has become quite an icon in people’s eyes.”

21Country

21Country: Unity with Variety

21Country: Unity with Variety

Updated: Oct. 6, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“Since I’m a recent transplant here, I felt like I wanted to know what cultures were actually living in Fort Wayne — and I was actually able to find so many different ones here,” artist Hilarie Couture told us. “I didn’t know any of these people when I started. I have so many new friends now.”

21Country

21Country: Embroidery starts as a hobby, evolves into art

21Country: Embroidery starts as a hobby, evolves into art

Updated: Sep. 29, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“For some people, it is a hobby. It’s a great way to relax and de-stress — and I think that’s how a lot of people get into it,” Griffith concluded. “For some of us, it takes hold and becomes a passion and you want to be challenged by it, and it’s a creative pursuit you have total control over. And you can’t say that about a lot of pursuits in life.”

21Country

21Country: Duo behind Sol Eye Glass share passion for same medium, while practicing different styles

Updated: Sep. 27, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Sol Eye Glass is a local Fort Wayne business with two artists, creating very different styles of glass art.

21Country

21Country: From potter to painter, Joe Pelka’s an artist always exploring

Updated: Sep. 22, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“I love the fact that I’m 60 years old now,” seasoned ceramicist Joe Pelka shared, “and I finally have the time to paint now, seriously.”

21Country

21Country: 4th generation owner of Brooks BBQ & Chicken carrying family legacy into bright future

Updated: Sep. 20, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“I think barbecue is a staple, because it gives families something to come together,” owner Cameron Brooks shared. “I would say, the secret to good barbecue is definitely patience. You can’t rush it… you gotta love it — if you don’t love it, it’s going to show through your work.”

21Country

21Country: Lowrider club turns passion into purpose

Updated: Sep. 15, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“It’s kind of like therapy for me. I’ll put in some good old music and just jump in the car,” Hop Spot Crew president Marcus Lonsberry told us. “I like the way it rides and feels… it glides. I can’t explain the feeling. I just love it.”

21Country

21Country: Brothers share story behind hidden ‘wood spirits’ in Allen Co. Parks

Updated: Sep. 13, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
With every changing of the season, two brothers hide their carved creations -- wood spirits -- off the trails of Allen Co. Parks in hopes of enchanting those who bask in nature, out in 21Country.

21Country

21Country Update: Historic chime new centerpiece of Manchester University

Updated: Sep. 8, 2022 at 3:57 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
New bell tower for historic chime installed at Manchester University.
Max Radar
Max Radar

21Country

21Country: Rare items from Lincoln collection now on display

Updated: Sep. 1, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research updated its collection to display rare artifacts to the public for the first time.

21Country

21Country: The Fort Wayne Human Library

Updated: Aug. 30, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The majority of “readers” walk away with empathy and perhaps even a deeper understanding of the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”.

21Country

21Country Update: Warsaw competitive show skier begins pro career

Updated: Aug. 30, 2022 at 12:43 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
A local competitive water skier is going professional. Aaron McLaughlin was hired to perform for the Legoland water ski show in Winter Haven, Florida.

21Country

21Country: The Art of Florence

Updated: Aug. 25, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
An exhibit showcasing the artwork of PFW students after a trip abroad in Florence, Italy.

21Country

21Country: Plein air painting with John C. Kelty

Updated: Aug. 23, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Watercolor artist John C. Kelty shares the appeal of plein air painting, and talks about the upcoming 6th annual Kekionga Plein Air event.

21Country

21Country: Ride or Rot? Bringing vintage motorcycles back to life

Updated: Aug. 18, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Kyle Stevenson is a vintage motorcycle enthusiast, who buys and restores motorcycles. He and his wife are behind Fort Wayne's annual festival: Ride or Rot.

21Country

21Country: Indiana’s only competitive water ski show team

Updated: Aug. 16, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The Lake City Skiers are a one-of-a-kind show in Indiana. Athletes of all ages are behind the acrobatic competitive ski show performance at Hidden Lake in Warsaw.

21Country

21Country: 150 years in Geneva, Land of the Limberlost

Updated: Aug. 11, 2022 at 8:00 AM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Geneva has impressive, rich history -- and the community is preparing to celebrate that during the upcoming sesquicentennial milestone.

21Country

21Country: Drece Guy’s abstract art

Updated: Aug. 9, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Drece Guy has been fascinated with art since childhood. But it wasn't until the last decade that he fell in love with painting, and started creating stunning works inside his Fort Wayne home.

21Country

21Country: Former employees, truck enthusiasts celebrate ‘Harvester Homecoming’

Updated: Aug. 4, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The massive Navistar (International Harvester) collection is best seen Aug. 5-6 during the Harvester Homecoming festival, which is now in its fourth year.

21Country

21Country: First Baptist Church of Fort Wayne celebrates bicentennial year

Updated: Aug. 2, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The congregation is preparing a bicentennial celebration, marking the earliest worship service recorded in Fort Wayne history.

21Country

21Country: The Decatur home full of history

Updated: Jul. 28, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
For decades, it was the home, and popular gathering place for friends and family of Charles and Fanny Dugan. Today, its current residents are in the process of restoring the home — reversing damage from 120 years of decay and weather.

21Country

21Country: Peru Amateur Circus a family affair

Updated: Jul. 21, 2022 at 5:45 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The Circus City Festival began in 1960, in hopes of honoring and preserving “the Circus Capital of the World’s” rich history.

21Country

21Country Update: South Scott Union Church restoration continues

Updated: Jul. 20, 2022 at 3:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Now over 135 years old, the historic South Scott Union Church is getting some much needed maintenance to its exterior.

21Country

21Country: “The Oldest Piano Factory in the West”

Updated: Jul. 19, 2022 at 4:47 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Three years earlier than the Fort Wayne Organ Company, the Schaff Bros. advertised themselves as “the oldest piano factory in the West”.

21Country

21Country Update: Fort Wayne MASH Club wins top titles at the 2022 Indiana Brewers’ Cup

Updated: Jul. 9, 2022 at 10:05 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The Fort Wayne MASH club was awarded both Homebrewer Club of the Year and Indiana Amateur Grand Champion of the Year at the 2022 Indiana Brewers' Cup.

21Country

21Country: Amateur home brewers going for gold at statewide competition

Updated: Jul. 7, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“Beer itself, kind of brings people together,” Jed Lengerich, a member of Fort Wayne MASH, said of the hobby. “Home brewing gets like-minded people together, doing the same thing and everybody typically has a great time."

21Country

21Country: 100 years later, Berne swimming hole remains an oasis from summer heat

Updated: Jul. 5, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
From flooding sand quarry, to popular place to cool off -- Pine Lake Water Park has remained a steadfast tradition in the Berne community for 100 years.

21Country

21Country: The Indiana Rail Experience on the historic Nickel Plate Road no. 765

Updated: Jun. 30, 2022 at 5:27 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society began a summer of passenger trips in Angola called: the Indiana Rail Experience. The excursions are the product of a new partnership with the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company.

21Country

21Country: Ossian family bringing new life to forgotten cemetery

Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
After discovering a late relative was buried at a forgotten Ossian cemetery, Larry Heckber began a passion project to restore it back to its former glory.

21Country

21Country: Collection of rare, elaborate hood ornaments on display in Auburn

Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
150 car ornaments are on display -- all American-made between 1911 and 1957. Car mascots served two purposes: as a thermometer to make sure the radiator didn’t overheat, and to convey a brand’s image and/or style.

21Country

21Country: ‘LUSTER’ art exhibit showcases realism, hyperrealism paintings of classic cars and motorcycles

Updated: Jun. 21, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“Cars are one of the most creative and inspired things that we can relate to — we all have a car, we all love cars. They’re approachable.” artist A.D. Cook told ABC21. “There’s a lot of talent and energy that goes into glorifying them, and celebrating them.”

21Country

21Country: The Abbott Magnetic Mineral Well

Updated: Jun. 16, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“A water strike is a poor consolation to a gas strike, but he was an opportunist,” historian Mark Linehan told us, of Abbott Magnetic Mineral Well's founder. A sanitarium built, would soon become a place of healing for those in 21Country.

21Country

21Country: With rich history, restored Craigville Depot now has new purpose

Updated: Jun. 14, 2022 at 5:03 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Over 140 years ago, the Craigville Depot was a stopping point for passengers on Nickel Plate Railroad. After complete renovation from decades of decay, it has a new purpose near Fort Wayne's developing downtown.

21Country

21Country: On the 37th Northeast Indiana Honor Flight

Updated: Jun. 10, 2022 at 12:26 AM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Dozens of veterans and guardians made an unusual June trip to Washington DC, taking part in the 37th Northeast Indiana Honor Flight.

21Country

21Country: Black Pine Animal Sanctuary’s “Animal Art”

Updated: Jun. 7, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The non-profit carries a high reputation, often offering a permanent residence to animals surrendered, abused, neglected, and seized. Part of the non-profit’s care plan includes enrichment activities, like ‘animal art’.

21Country

21Country: From farmland to nature preserves, the mission of Little River Wetlands Project

Updated: Jun. 2, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Since 1990, the Little River Wetlands Project has transformed farm acreage in Indiana into wetlands -- serving as a home for robust wildlife and native plants.

21Country

21Country: Nation’s oldest active honor guard member gives proper goodbye to fallen veterans

Updated: May. 30, 2022 at 9:09 AM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
At 102, Jack Garrett is the nation's oldest active honor guard member, and a survivor of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. He makes a priority that fallen fellow veterans receive a proper send-off before being buried at their final resting place.

21Country

21Country: Fort Wayne Flying Circuits

Updated: May. 26, 2022 at 6:03 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“I will warn you — it is very addicting. Before you know it, you’ll start out with one or two planes, or like myself, might end up with about fifty.”

21Country

21Country: Portland Rockets bring community’s longtime tradition of amateur baseball into 63rd season

Updated: May. 24, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Portland shows support for longtime amateur baseball team, which begins 63rd season.

21Country

21Country: Belgian metal detector returns dog tags of late veterans to families in Fort Wayne, New Haven

Updated: May. 19, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
A Belgian man finds lost WWII dog tags, and travels to the U.S. to return them to their late owners' families.

21Country

21Country: The Auburn Community Band celebrates 40 years

Updated: May. 17, 2022 at 6:06 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
40 years later, the Auburn Community Band is still going strong -- in part, through the players who have bonded so closely, over the love of music.

21Country

21Country: Eagle Marsh plants, wildlife emerging after delayed spring

Updated: May. 12, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“17 years ago, this field was corn stubble,” Maraiah Russell said of Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve. “Now, it’s a thriving habitat that supports salamanders, otters, bald eagles, beaver, muskrat — all manner of wildlife. And it’s just incredible to watch that.”

21Country

21Country: See inside this massive antique farming collection

Updated: May. 10, 2022 at 9:05 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
A lifetime fascination of farming led Don Landers to amass one of the biggest collection of antique equipment and tools all showcased in his Corunna home.

21Country

21Country: Other wild edibles to look for as you hunt for morel mushrooms this spring

Updated: May. 5, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
“When people are out in the woods," Indiana Mater Naturalist Carrie Vrabel told us. "I think a lot of people don’t realize, there are a lot more really nice, wild edibles -- including wild mushrooms that you can find while you’re morel hunting."

21Country

21Country: Preparing for a performance at Carnegie Hall

Updated: May. 3, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
Manchester University's music department chair will lead original work, an hour-long piece "A Family Portrait" in a performance at Carnegie Hall May 30. Debra Lynn will have only a couple of practices as several groups of musicians come together the day before — which includes MU’s A Capella choir, alumni, the New England Symphonic Ensemble, and other singers from Indiana, Idaho, and Missouri.

21Country

21Country Update: Huntington man highlighted on World News Tonight

Updated: May. 1, 2022 at 9:57 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
The blind radio host of Z103.com was informed his story, the one we first shared with you earlier this month, would be included in ABC's World News Tonight.

21Country

21Country: Sensory friendly haircuts life-changing for autism community

Updated: Apr. 28, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals and Kayla Stewart
Taylor Talamantes is more than just your average licensed barber -- she also holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology. Before she cut hair, she worked as a registered behavioral technician. Talamantes saw a need to combine both her passions, helping kids in the autism community with an activity that often overstimulates them.

21Country

21Country: Columbia City student representing Indiana in national Poetry Out Loud competition

Updated: Apr. 26, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
During the virtual event in March, Columbia City student Lila Ward took first in the statewide competition, Poetry Out Loud. Now she moves on to represent Indiana in the nationals this weekend.

21Country

21Country: The legacy of Albert Jennings

Updated: Apr. 21, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT
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By Daniel Beals
From a humble YMCA, to the McCulloch Recreation Center, to the Jennings Center -- the building in Fort Wayne's East Central neighborhood has changed, but its purpose in the community has had a significant impact through the decades.
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