21Country

The congregation is preparing a bicentennial celebration, marking the earliest worship service recorded in Fort Wayne history.

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.

The Circus City Festival began in 1960, in hopes of honoring and preserving “the Circus Capital of the World’s” rich history.

Now over 135 years old, the historic South Scott Union Church is getting some much needed maintenance to its exterior.

Three years earlier than the Fort Wayne Organ Company, the Schaff Bros. advertised themselves as “the oldest piano factory in the West”.

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.

“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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

“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.

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.

Dozens of veterans and guardians made an unusual June trip to Washington DC, taking part in the 37th Northeast Indiana Honor Flight.

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’.

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.

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.

“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.”

Portland shows support for longtime amateur baseball team, which begins 63rd season.

A Belgian man finds lost WWII dog tags, and travels to the U.S. to return them to their late owners' families.

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.

“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.”

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.

“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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.