January 2016 FREE Allen County Edition Reaching Fort Wayne And Surrounding Counties 24,500 Circulation
Key Positions 2 Sports 6 In GGodod We TrustTrust www.seniorlifenewspapers.comwww.seniorlifenewspapers.com
SERVINGERVING ADULTSDULTS 50 YEARSEARS AND BETTER. Vol.Vol. 28,28, No. 9 Getting high with the CONDUCTOR — Band director John Morse leads a slow- tempo piece as the group performs for an audience (in back- ground) at one of the group’s recitals. (Photo by Barb Sieminski)
By BARB SIEMINSKI Avenue United Methodist adding new members are Feature Writer Church, 1323 Crescent welcome. Ave., and joining does The band has a wide The late great guitarist require a commitment to repertoire, including Jimi Hendrix had it right the practice and concert Sousa marches, big band when he said, “Music is a schedule. One of the more sounds, show tunes, clas- safe kind of high.” interesting things about sical music, and ragtime And a safe kind of high the band is that we take and polka melodies. is just what the New Hori- a break at 10:30 a.m. to Performance venues zons Band members expe- socialize and enjoy snacks include churches, nursing rience each time they jam (donuts, cookies, etc.), homes, schools, neighbor- UP-TEMPO — From left, trumpet players John Reche, or play for concerts – and which are provided by the hood block parties, senior Larry Crozier and Don Schmidt swing into an up-tempo piece their eager, earthbound band members on a rotat- citizens’ complexes and with the rest of the New Horizons Band at a recent concert. audiences are only too ing basis. Not only is this others. (Photo by Barb Sieminski) willing to accompany them enjoyable, but it also al- Schmidt, who retired on their Utopian highs. lows for good conversation in 2010 after 41 years at According to Don and friendship-building. IPFW as a mechanical Schmidt, president of the There are quarterly dues engineering technology Fort Wayne chapter of the of $70 to purchase music professor, also belongs to New Horizons Band (a and to pay our director, the American Legion Band member of the New Hori- John Morse. We rehearse and has his own New zons International Music year round, although some Horizons Polka Band. Association), the group of our members winter in Longtime tuba player began in 2004 with five the southern climes and Eli Arnold said the band’s members and has expand- play with groups in those daytime rehearsals are ed to 35 members. areas till they return back invaluable. The program was origi- to Fort Wayne.” “The morning practices nally targeted to adults 50 Morse, who earned a are ideal because many and over, including those master’s degree in mu- of the members don’t like with no musical experi- sic from the University going out in the dark or in ence, but many bands open of Michigan, was also a bad weather,” said Arnold, their groups to adults of member of one of the top adding the people are very IN CONCERT — Tuba players Eli Arnold, left, and Steve any age. U.S. Navy bands and also friendly in the family-like Wright participate in a recent recital at the Crescent Avenue “We have about 30 the Fort Wayne Philhar- organization. United Methodist Church. Arnold’s tuba is a little dressed up members, and they are all monic Orchestra. A former Potential band mem- for the concert – either that or it’s just keeping warm on a cold over 50 – in fact, over 60!” elementary school teacher bers or those interested in winter’s night. (Photo by Barb Sieminski) said Schmidt, a former city who gives private French having the group play for council member who plays horn lessons, Morse gets a their event are invited to first trumpet in the band. lot out of leading the band. contact Schmidt at (260) “Our practices are Tues- “I miss working with 483-0374 (donjschmidt@ days from 9:30-11:30 a.m. the kids, but it has been comcast.net) or Morse at and Fridays from 9:30- very gratifying to work (419) 263-3210 (jpmorse@ 11:30 a.m. at Crescent with adults,” said Morse, bright.net).
WIND INSTRUMENTS — From left, Susan McLemore and Judy Rice on flute; Dorothy Bruick and Norma Hoffman as they participate in one of the many concerts given by the band. (Photo by Barb Sieminski) 2 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ January 2016 www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
Key Positions Leo teacher uses ‘wow’ Factor to make learning fun, exciting By ROD KING entire life. After completing her Feature Writer bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Indiana University When you ask veteran el- Purdue University at Fort Wayne ementary school teacher Dianne she taught a year in her home Riecken if there are days she town, then 12 years at Southwick would rather stay home, her Elementary before going to Leo answer is an emphatic … never! Elementary in 1981. Along the “I’ve loved every day in the class- way, she has taught kindergart- room the past 38 years. Being ners to sixth graders, earned a with children is invigorating and master’s degree in elementary that makes even the tiring days education, raised a son and a a good tired. Besides that,” she daughter and was named East added, “getting to work with car- Allen County Schools Teacher of ing, ingenious, resourceful, hard- the Year in 1984. working people is a real joy.” She admits to being nervous Riecken was born at Lutheran and excited her first day on the Hospital and grew up in the job, but says she had longed to be Hoagland area. She jokes that a classroom teacher so long that she’s been in the East Allen when the opportunity material- County Schools system her ized she was beyond thrilled. “My
MAKING LEARNING EXCITING — Leo Elementary School fourth grade teacher Dianne Riecken uses the ‘WOW’ factor in making learning interesting, fun and exciting. The IPFW graduate has been teaching in the East Allen County Schools system for 38 years. (Photo by Rod King) IPFW teachers did a great job of willing learners. If I can create say they remember how special preparing me to teach, manage a lessons that relate to real life they felt in her classroom. “I classroom and connect positively learning that is lasting, I feel can’t imagine another job where with children. Two teachers in that I’ve succeeded as a teacher. you have the privilege to make particular, Dr. Kenneth Springer, I’m always thinking of strategies a positive difference in another who taught at Heritage High and activities that will add new person’s life. I don’t take that School, and Dr. Lowell Madden skills. Students love activities privilege lightly. I want each of IPFW were instrumental in that encourage creative thinking. child to know that they are supporting and encouraging me “Teaching has always been important, that learning is key to become a teacher. my passion, but I’ve told my to their lives and those relation- “I employ the ‘wow’ factor in fourth graders that if I weren’t ships with each other matter.” learning,” she says. “I like to add a teacher, I’d be a scientist. I Riecken’s daughter, Kelsey, has a little, fun, humor and excite- would love to investigate new followed her into the profession ment in each lesson. It helps ideas and try new things to see if and teaches seventh grade math engage students and creates they work. I’m naturally curious, at Riverview Middle School in and that’s probably why I lean Huntington. toward science as my favorite subject to teach. USF art exhibit “Children,” explains Riecken, “have a natural capacity to make examines the world seem brighter. I totally enjoy their enthusiasm and their confict in society ability to unconditionally care The University of Saint about others. It’s heart-warming Francis School of Creative Arts to watch them experience the presents “CONFLICT: Jared wonder of learning. I can’t imag- Applegate, Eric Carlson and ine why anyone would want to Justin Johnson” Jan. 27-April 3, teach if they didn’t love children. in the Lupke Gallery at USF’s Teaching requires long hours, North Campus, 2702 Spring St. extreme patience and the ability The show will open with a recep- to create productive days for a tion at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4. classroom filled with wide-eyed Each of the three artists will children.” present a new body of work that Students who have long since centers on conflict and how it moved on still contact her to relates to contemporary soci- ety. Applegate, a USF 2-D art instructor, will present chalk %JTDPWFS" drawings on chalkboard; Carlson, 8PSMEPG#FUUFS a USF 3-D art instructor, will present mixed-media ceramic Peace of mind has never come easier. works; and Johnson, the School )FBSJOH of Creative Arts gallery director, Or for less. will present mixed-media ink )FBSJOH drawings. *OTUSVNFOU Lupke Gallery hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. All galler- You can provide your family peace of mind when 4QFDJBMJTUT ies on the USF campus will be closed March 25-27 in obser- they’ll need it most... for a lot less than you think. vance of the Easter weekend. The USF School of Creative Since 2004 we’ve provided affordable quality Arts is accredited by the Nation- al Association of Schools of Art funeral services to the Fort Wayne community. and Design. For more informa- tion about School of Creative Arts events, visit art.sf.edu. 1FUF"MMFT )*4 $IBSMPUUF"MMFT )FBSJOH*OTUSVNFOU4QFDJBMJTU )*4 FUNERALS Do You Have A Spare starting at Bedroom In Your Home And Time On Your Hands? Do You Like Helping Others? $2,140 If So - Contact 0ME5SBJM3E CREMATION At 219-769-8829 Or 877-736-9884 'PSU8BZOF */ We need committed individuals to open up their home to provide care and companionship to an elder- ly adult or an adult with a developmental disability. In $1,295 return, you will receive a competitive daily stipend, access to 24-hour support, skill building opportuni- ties, and the satisfaction of working independently 2403 E. Wallen Road Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825 • 260-490-4060 from your home.
8SCIPP000604 Make a difference in the life of another today! www.seniorlifenewspapers.com January 2016 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 3