Word from Me

Hi friends,

You’ll notice the Scoop looks a little different this week...once again. Even as an almost one-man show, I'm quick at adjusting based on what readers actually use and enjoy. The data says quick, local lifestyle content works best here, so I’m keeping the newsletter skimmable and moving longer features (Astro Scoops, Summit Staples, Secret Summit Scoops, Secrets of the Summit City) over to Facebook and Pinterest.

That way you get the highlights fast, and the deep-dives are still waiting if you want them. Thanks for reading and helping shape Summit City Scoop into Fort Wayne’s go-to weekly read!

James

👉 P.S. Stick around to the end, I’ve got a fun new Friday night game announcement you won’t want to miss!

🔍 What’s Up in the Summit City (Sept 25 – Oct 2)

👉 Want your event, game, or meeting featured? Email jamesblane1@msn.com

🎉 Events & Culture

• Father John Misty with Cut Worms at Clyde Theatre (Sept 25) : Smart lyrics and laid-back vibes. A show you’ll brag about later.

• Kaleo: Mixed Emotions Tour at Clyde Theatre (Sept 26) : Big sound, big energy. Feels like a major city show without leaving Fort Wayne.

• Color the Park at Promenade Park (Sept 25, 5–7 PM) : Family-friendly art and fresh air. Let the kids run while you catch up with neighbors.

🏈 Sports & Schools

• Wayne High at North Side: Football (Sept 26, 7 PM) : Rivalry under the lights. This one’s going to be talked about Monday.

• South Side vs Homestead: Volleyball (Sept 29, evening) : Loud gym, fierce plays, and school pride.

🏛 Community & City

• Tippmann Group New Office, NW Fort Wayne : Jobs & growth. Quiet moves like this change our city’s future.

• Cortland Ave & State Blvd Shooting Investigation : Not fun news, but important. Stay alert in that area.

• Board of Public Works – City of Fort Wayne: Tue, Sep 30, 12:00 PM — Citizens Square, Room 035

🎨 Arts & Theater

• The Love Talker at PFW Williams Theatre (Sept 26–27, Oct 2–4) : Local college theater with a spooky edge. A chance to see hidden talent before it goes big.

• Fort Wayne Civic Theatre: Misery : A Stephen King thriller on stage. Perfect for a fall date night.

🚗 Worth the Drive

⭐ James Dean Festival in Fairmount (Sept 26–28): Worth the drive. Classic cars, live music, and small-town charm celebrating Indiana’s own Hollywood legend.

⭐Chaos Cakes & Treats will be at Union 12 Chocolate Fest 2025 until 3pm on Sept. 27!🍫 This sweet festival brings together local chocolatiers, bakers, and vendors for a day of indulgence at Union 12 in Columbia City. Perfect excuse for a short drive and a sugar fix.

This week’s card is Temperance, a reminder to find balance as the seasons shift. That means steady health choices instead of extremes, savoring fall foods in moderation, and making your home cozy without clutter.

✨ Want the full tarot + star reading (including love, money, and career)? Catch it every Monday on our Facebook page.

🛠️ Summit City Health Hacks

Theme: Seasonal Health Reset

1. 🍂 Layer Smart
   Mornings feel chilly, afternoons warm up. Dress in breathable layers so you’re not sweating by lunch.
   Why it helps: Staying at a steady body temperature prevents stress on your immune system.

1. 🤧 Allergy Alert
   Ragweed peaks in September around Fort Wayne. A quick shower after outdoor time keeps pollen from spreading in your home.
   Why it helps: Reducing pollen exposure lowers inflammation and keeps sinuses clear.

1. 💧 Hydrate Beyond Summer
   Cooler weather tricks us into drinking less. Aim for 6–8 cups daily: even mild dehydration can drain energy.
   Why it helps: Proper hydration supports digestion, circulation, and stable energy.

1. 🏃 Keep Moving Outdoors
   Sunlight helps mood and sleep. A 20-minute walk at Foster Park or along the Rivergreenway keeps both body and mind balanced.
   Why it helps: Outdoor movement boosts vitamin D, lowers stress, and helps regulate sleep cycles.

1. 💉 Flu Shot Season
   Most local pharmacies (Kroger, Meijer, Walgreens) have vaccines ready now. If you’re considering protection, this is a good time.
   Why it helps: Flu shots can lower your risk of getting sick and if you do catch it, symptoms are often less severe.

📊 Wellness Snapshot: Two minutes of slow, steady breathing can lower your heart rate by 10 beats per minute.

👉 Got a health tip?  Share it in the Summit City Group FB page, we may feature you next week!

🌾 Local Graph

Caption:
Fort Wayne Pollen Forecast (Ragweed): Moderate–High levels expected this week. Showering after outdoor time and keeping windows closed can help ease symptoms.

Dad Joke Of The Day

Hey there, fabulous newsletter readers! 🎉 It's time for a little humor break with a classic dad joke that's sure to make you chuckle. Presenting your chuckle of the day, inspired by tin caps:

🤔 Why did the tin cap apply for a job?

🥁... Wait for it...

Because it heard there was a "tin"y chance it could "cap"italize on a great opportunity! 😁😂

Stay tuned for more fun laughs and don't forget to share this with someone who appreciates a good dad joke! 🌟

🍎 Summit City Food Challenge

Apple Week: Crunch into Fall

The Challenge: Add apples to 3 meals this week; breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Why It Matters: Most of us don’t get enough fiber, and fiber supports digestion while lowering colon cancer risk. Apples make it easy to boost intake without much effort.

Ways to Win:

• 🍏 Breakfast Boost:  Slice a local Honeycrisp with peanut butter

• 🥗 Salad Swap:  Trade croutons for apple chunks

• 🥪 Grilled Cheese Hack:  Layer cheddar + apple slices

• 🍎 Baked Treat:  Cinnamon + oats over apple slices = easy dessert

• 🥤 Smoothie Spin:  Blend apple with spinach + yogurt

Nutrient Spotlight: 1 medium apple = ~95 calories, 4g fiber, 19g natural sugar, plus vitamin C.

👉 Share your recipe in the Summit City Group FB page

🛠️ Summit City Home Hacks

Theme: Fall Prep & Comfort

🍂 Leaf Bag Shortcut
Skip the rake marathon. Lay a tarp, pile leaves on top, and drag it to your compost or bag spot in one trip.

🧤 Glove Box Reset
Cold mornings are coming. Toss a spare pair of gloves in your car now so you’re not caught off guard.

🕯 Cozy Candle Trick
Place a few candles in front of a mirror to double the glow without buying more décor. Instant autumn mood.

🏡 Draft Snake DIY
Before the chill sets in, roll up an old towel and place it against drafty doors. Warmer rooms, lower bills.

🌽 Harvest Storage Hack
Stocked up at Salomon Farm or Barr Street Market? Freeze corn or apples in flat bags so they stack neatly in your freezer.

👉 Share your photos  Summit City Group FB page 

💵 Summit City Money Moves

“What Skipping 3 Lunches Can Really Do”

Ever wonder what skipping a few lunches could do for your wallet?

1. Lunch Habit Check
   In Fort Wayne, a fast-casual lunch averages about $11.

2. 3-Day Swap
   Pack lunch 3 days per week → saves ~$33 weekly.

3. Yearly Rewind
   That’s about $1,716/year back in your pocket.

4. Put It to Work
   Invest using a local credit union option (e.g. 3Rivers ClearFuture) with ~7% return → that $1,716 could grow to $20,000 in 10 years.

5. Tiny Habit, Big Impact
   Skipping just 1 lunch a week still adds up: over 10 years, it grows to $8,250 (at 7%).

Money Snapshot:

• Skip 1 lunch/week → $8,250 in 10 yrs
• Skip 5 lunches/week → $41,252 in 10 yrs

👉 How are you investing you lunch money? Share your tips in the Scoop FB group 

💡 Imagine what your skipped lunches could add up to.

📅 This is part of your weekly Summit City Money Moves.  Fresh, local finance tips every issue.

👀 Friday Night = I Spy Night

🎲 Friday Night Fun Starts This Week!

We’re kicking off a brand-new weekly game: Google I Spy: Fort Wayne Edition 🕵️

👉 Every Friday night on our Facebook page, we’ll post a mystery Fort Wayne photo.
👀 Guess the spot in the comments.
🎁 One correct guesser wins a $10 gift card.
📰 Answer + winner revealed in next Thursday’s Scoop!

Don’t miss the first drop this Friday!

Enjoying the Scoop? This newsletter stays free thanks to local business support. If you’d like to sponsor a section and reach 700+ engaged readers each week, email jamesblane1@msn.com to learn more.