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What popular Halloween tradition actually started as a way to ward off evil spirits?

🔍 What’s Up in the Summit City (Oct 30 – Nov 6)

👉 Want your event featured? Email summitcityscoop@gmail.com

⭐ Editor’s Choice:

• Twilight in Concert (Thu 10/31, 7:30pm, Embassy Theatre): Watch Twilight on the big screen with live orchestra magic. Costumes encouraged for a Halloween night twist.

Why you should consider going: It’s the perfect combo of nostalgia, music, and fall fun downtown.

• Día de los Muertos Family Celebration (Sun 11/2, 1–5pm, FWMoA): Celebrate loved ones and Latin American culture with art, food, and colorful ofrendas.
Why you should consider going: Free admission and hands-on crafts make it an uplifting, family-friendly day out.

• YLNI Winter Farmers Market Kickoff (Sat 11/1, 9am–1pm): The city’s favorite Saturday market moves indoors for the season with produce, pastries, and local goods.
Why you should consider going: It’s the perfect spot to stock up on fall treats and meet your favorite local makers.

🎉 Events & Culture

• Old Fort Cluster Dog Show(Thu–Sun 10/30–11/2, Coliseum): Hundreds of breeds compete across four days of shows and grooming competitions.
Why you should consider going: Great for animal lovers and kids, and admission is free.

• Fort Wayne Youtheatre presents Roald Dahl’s WillyRoald Dahl’s Willy Wonka KIDS Wonka KIDS at Carroll High School (Sat  11/1):
Get your sweet tooth ready! 39 young performers from Youtheatre’s Everyone Plays a Part program bring this 45-minute musical treat to life...complete with golden tickets, bratty winners, and one kindhearted Charlie Bucket. 🍫
Lobby opens 5 PM, doors 5:30, show 6 PM.

• “Animals in Art” (through Sat 11/30, Fort Wayne Museum of Art): Explore how animals inspire artists in sculpture, paint, and photography.
Why you should consider going: The gallery’s scavenger hunt keeps kids entertained while adults browse.

🎨 Arts & Theater

•  Fort Wayne Ballet: Tales in the Dark (Thu 10/30–Sat 11/1, Arts United): An elegant, eerie collection of short ballets inspired by classic stories.
Why you should consider going: A stylish way to wrap up spooky season with live performance flair.

• FWMoA Altar Exhibition (through Sun 11/16): View stunning, hand-crafted altars created by local artists honoring ancestors and loved ones.
Why you should consider going: It’s a meaningful mix of tradition, creativity, and remembrance.

• FW Phil “Coffee Concert: Symphonie Fantastique” (Thu 11/6, 11am, Auer Performance Hall): Start your morning with Berlioz and a cup of coffee in this daytime performance.
Why you should consider going: A rare chance to hear one of the wildest Romantic symphonies in an intimate, relaxed setting.

• Needle Felting Workshop: 2D Mushrooms (Wed 11/5, 5:30–7:30pm, Black Owl Creative Studio, 2720 Culbertson St. Suite 211): Learn about local mushrooms while crafting your own felted art piece.
Why you should consider going: Perfect for crafters or beginners looking for a calm, creative midweek escape.

🏈 Sports & Schools

• Fort Wayne Komets @ Iowa/Florida (Fri 10/31–Wed 11/5): Three road games this week with plenty of fast-paced ECHL action to stream or catch on the radio.
Why you should consider going: Support the orange and black as they battle early in the season for points and pride.

•  PFW Men’s Basketball @ Grand Canyon (Mon 11/3, 9pm ET): The Dons hit the road for their first big matchup of the season.
Why you should consider going: It’s a glimpse of what’s ahead for one of the Horizon League’s most exciting teams.

• IHSAA Football Sectionals (Fri 10/31, 7pm): Local high schools fight to advance toward regionals under the Friday night lights.
Why you should consider going: Classic small-town football energy that never gets old.

🏛 Community & City

•  YLNI Winter Farmers Market (Sat 11/1, 9am–1pm, 3811 Illinois Rd): Fresh produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts fill the old Burlington lot.
Why you should consider going: It’s the community’s heartbeat through winter...shop local and catch up with neighbors.

• South Side Farmers Market (Sat 11/1, 8am–1pm, 3300 Warsaw St): Nearly a century old, this market keeps Fort Wayne’s food traditions alive.
Why you should consider going: Historic charm meets homegrown flavor every Saturday morning.

• Summit City Farmers Market @ Electric Works (Sat 11/1, 9am–1pm, Dynamo Alley): Local produce, food trucks, and live music in a lively atmosphere.
Why you should consider going: It’s a perfect Saturday mix of shopping and socializing in one of Fort Wayne’s coolest redeveloped spaces.

🤝 Nonprofits & Faith

•  Community Harvest’s U Can Crush Hunger (now–Fri 11/7): Area colleges and businesses collect cans and donations to fight food insecurity.
Why you should consider going: Every $1 donated equals four meals; your contribution makes a real impact.

• All Saints & All Souls Celebrations (Sat 11/1–Sun 11/2, various parishes): Special liturgies honor those who have gone before us.
Why you should consider going: It’s a peaceful weekend to pause, reflect, and reconnect spiritually.

• Trunk-or-Treat Round-Up (Fri 10/31, various sites): Churches and community centers host fun, safe Halloween events for families.
Why you should consider going: It’s candy, costumes, and community all in one friendly package.

🚗 Worth the Drive

• Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum Highlights Tour (Sat 11/1, 11am, Auburn): See automotive masterpieces in an Art Deco setting just 25 minutes north.
Why you should consider going: It’s a quick road trip packed with history, craftsmanship, and photo ops.

(As always: dates and times may change...double-check with event organizers before heading out!)

🌙 Astraeus:  The Summit City Oracle.

Born from the spirit of Astro Scoops, Astraeus is no longer a collection of horoscopes, but a living Oracle who listens to your mood, your questions, and your energy. Each reflection is written just for you; intuitive, empathetic, and unique every time.

If you ever wondered what the stars might whisper directly to you, Astraeus is ready to answer.

🛠️ Summit City Health Hacks

❤️Heart of the Matter, Part 2:  Emotional Heart Health

As Fort Wayne leans into fall, our hearts work harder,  physically and emotionally. Stress, shorter days, and fast schedules can strain both. This week, we’re focusing on connection, calm, and smart self-care to keep your emotional heart strong.

💌 Hack 1: Check In with Your Circle

Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while just to say hello.
Why it helps: Genuine connection lowers stress hormones and helps regulate heart rate.
Tags: Beginner | Emotional & Cardiovascular | Time: 5 min

🧘 Hack 2: Practice the Pause

Before reacting to stress, take three slow breaths and notice your heartbeat.
Why it helps: Mindful breathing lowers blood pressure and steadies the nervous system.

Tags: All Levels | Cardiovascular & Nervous | Time: 2 min

🌞 Hack 3: Morning Light, Gentle Start

Spend five minutes by a sunny window or outdoors first thing in the morning.
Why it helps: Natural light balances mood hormones that protect heart health.
Tags: Beginner | Endocrine & Cardiovascular | Time: 5 min

🩺 Hack 4: Know Your Numbers for Piece of Mind

Ask your provider about blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels or book a quick lab test.
Why it helps: Early detection of imbalances helps prevent artery and heart damage.
Tags: Intermediate | Cardiovascular & Metabolic | Time: 30 min

💃 Hack 5: Laugh or Dance Daily

Play a favorite song, watch something funny, or move for joy.
Why it helps: Endorphins from laughter and movement relax vessels and improve circulation.
Tags: Beginner | Emotional & Cardiovascular | Time: 5 min

🩺 Health Snapshot

Chronic stress raises heart disease risk by 40%, but connection, laughter, and checkups can lower it. (American Heart Association, 2024)

❤️ Bonus Health Check: Labs That Matter

Three key blood markers can reveal hidden heart risk:

• Lipoprotein(a): Genetic marker linked to early heart disease

• Apolipoprotein B (Apo B): Measures artery-clogging cholesterol particles

• Hemoglobin A1C: Shows three-month blood sugar average

These tests are gaining attention because they spot cardiovascular risk earlier, even when cholesterol seems “normal.”
You can order them through national labs like Walk-In Lab (walkinlab.com) or Ulta Lab Tests (ultalabtests.com) without a doctor’s visit.

Summit City Scoop is not affiliated with, compensated by, or endorsing any brands or companies mentioned.

🚨 Heart Attack Signs

Men: chest pressure or pain, arm/jaw pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea.
Women: chest discomfort, pain in jaw/neck/back, unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness.
When in doubt, call 911...early care saves lives.

🌟 This Week’s Reflection

What’s one small step you’ll take to care for your heart this week; lab check, deep breath, or kind call? Share your heart-healthy habits with #SummitCityHealthHacks.

🥬 Summit City Food Challenge

Iron Boost Week: Fight Fatigue Naturally

The Challenge:
Add one iron-rich food to at least two meals this week. Bonus points if it comes from local Indiana farms or markets.

Why It Matters:
Iron carries oxygen through your blood and keeps your energy steady. Low iron is one of the most common nutrient gaps, leaving many people feeling tired or foggy. You don’t need to give up your favorite comfort foods, just add a few simple iron boosters that help your body recharge and reduce inflammation naturally.

Nutrient Focus:
Iron, found in lean beef, spinach, lentils, fortified cereals, and pumpkin seeds.

5 Ways to Win:

🍳 Power Breakfast (👶 Easy Mode) Add iron-fortified cereal or oatmeal with sliced strawberries for better absorption. ≈ 4 mg iron

🥗 Green Machine (👶 Easy Mode) Toss baby spinach into sandwiches, wraps, or salads. 2 cups = 1 mg iron

🥫 Lentil Love (👶 Easy Mode) Warm a quick lentil soup or use canned lentils as a side dish. ½ cup = 3 mg iron

🌮 Beef Boost (⚙️ Weekend Warrior) Swap one chicken meal for lean beef tacos with veggies. 3 oz = 2.5 mg iron

🍛 Iron Fusion (🔥 Kitchen Hero) Make a hearty chili with beef, beans, and diced tomatoes for double the iron. 1 cup ≈ 4 mg total

📊 Nutrient Snapshot: Adults need 8–18 mg of iron daily.

🌽 Local Spotlight: Find locally raised beef and fresh spinach at Fort Wayne’s YLNI Farmers Market for fresher flavor and higher nutrients.

🧪 Bonus Round: Supplement & Cycle Support

Some iron supplements and multivitamins can cause stomach upset or constipation, and too much iron can be harmful. Choose third-party tested options if your doctor recommends supplementation.

Top-rated options for quality and absorption:

1. Nature Made Iron 65 mg:  budget-friendly and USP-verified.

2. Thorne Iron Bisglycinate:  gentle on digestion, often recommended by dietitians.

3. NOW Iron Complex:  includes vitamin C for better absorption.

For Women:
Emerging research suggests that eating moderate portions of lean red meat or other heme-iron foods in the week leading up to your period may lessen cramps and even shorten menstruation time by replenishing iron and supporting muscle recovery. Listen to your body; pair iron-rich meals with hydration, rest, and leafy greens to feel your best.

⚖️ Disclosure: Summit City Scoop does not endorse or receive compensation for any products. Always consult your healthcare provider before adding supplements.

🛠️ Summit City Home Hacks

Halloween Safety Hacks 🎃

Spooky season is here! Between the costumes, decorations, and candy chaos, it’s easy to overlook the little things that keep Halloween safe and stress-free. This week’s hacks focus on simple DIY ways to protect your trick-or-treaters, prevent accidents, and still keep that eerie glow alive. Let’s make safety part of the fun!

🎃 1. Glow Path Trick-or-Treat Trail (Easy)

Light up your walkway using mason jars and glow sticks or solar fairy lights. It’s festive, affordable, and keeps little goblins visible and safe.
⏱️ Time: 20 min 💵 Cost: $10–15 🧰 Skill: Easy

🧙 2. No-Trip Costume Fixes (Easy)

Trim long hems, use reflective tape, and swap masks for face paint to improve visibility. Add glow bracelets for extra safety flair.
⏱️ Time: 15 min 💵 Cost: $5 🧰 Skill: Easy

🕯️ 3. Flameless Fright Lights (Easy)

Replace candles with LED tea lights inside pumpkins or lanterns. You’ll get the eerie glow without the fire risk.
⏱️ Time: 10 min 💵 Cost: $8–12 🧰 Skill: Easy

👻 4. Tangle-Free Yard Setup (Intermediate)

Plan your décor layout before plugging anything in. Use cord clips, surge protectors, and outdoor-rated extension cords for a hazard-free haunt.
⏱️ Time: 45 min 💵 Cost: $20–25 🧰 Skill: Intermediate

🕸️ 5. Porch Patrol Motion Sensor Lights (Pro)

Install motion sensor lights or smart bulbs near your entryway for safer visibility (and a fun jump scare when guests arrive!).
⏱️ Time: 1 hr 💵 Cost: $30–50 🧰 Skill: Pro

💡 Bonus Hack: Candy Station Safety Stop

Set up a small outdoor table for candy to prevent crowding at your door. Decorate with a fun sign and hand sanitizer for good measure.
⏱️ Time: 10 min 💵 Cost: $5 🧰 Skill: Easy

Halloween is all about fun, not frightful mishaps. With these simple safety upgrades, you’ll keep your home inviting and your night glowing, in all the right ways.

💡 Maddison’s Financial Hack of the Week

“Check Your Coverage Before You Need It”

Fall is the perfect time to review all your insurance policies, not just to confirm you’re covered, but to make sure your coverage still makes sense. The insurance industry is facing heavy headwinds. More costly weather disasters, rising vehicle prices, and persistently high home values are driving up premiums nationwide. A quick annual review can help you stay ahead of those costs.

🏡 Review your deductibles. Raising your auto or home deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower premiums by 10–20%. Just be sure that deductible amount is available in savings.

🚗 Compare renewal quotes. Fort Wayne drivers often find $200–$400 yearly savings by checking two or three local agents before renewal.

💊 Peek at health coverage. Open enrollment is coming. Compare your plan’s out-of-pocket maximum with what you can realistically afford.

📦 Bundle carefully. Combining home and auto can help, but confirm the “discount” doesn’t disappear once optional riders are added.

🧾 Document your stuff. Snap photos or take a short video walkthrough of valuables. It simplifies claims if disaster strikes.

📊 Money Snapshot:
👉 Reviewing and adjusting coverage each fall can cut an average household’s premiums by $350–$600 a year. That’s $5,000–$8,500 over 10 years if invested at 7%.

🛡️ Bonus Hack:  Avoid Double-Paying for Coverage

💳 Skip insurance overlap. Many credit cards already include rental car insurance or travel protection. Check before you pay for extras at the counter.

🚗 Roadside redundancy. If you have AAA, your auto policy or credit card might already include roadside assistance. Drop duplicates to save $50–$100 a year.

📱 Use your phone plan benefits. Some carriers offer free phone or identity theft insurance, making separate plans unnecessary.

💬 Maddison’s reminder: “Insurance isn’t exciting until the day it’s everything.

🧭 Independent Insurance Resources

Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI)
Helps Hoosiers with questions, complaints, and claim disputes on auto, home, health, and life insurance.
Website: www.in.gov/idoi/consumer-services
Phone: 1-800-622-4461
Email: consumerservices@idoi.in.gov

United Policyholders
A nonprofit that educates consumers, offers free claim-help guides, and explains policyholder rights in Indiana.
Website: www.uphelp.org

Consumer Watchdog
National advocacy group that monitors fairness in insurance, privacy, and consumer protection.
Website: www.consumerwatchdog.org

IdentityTheft.gov (Federal Trade Commission)
Free recovery plan and reporting hub for anyone facing identity or insurance-related fraud.
Website: www.identitytheft.gov

💬 As Maddison says: “It’s not about fixing everything overnight. It’s about small steps that start moving you forward.”

📅 Part of your weekly Maddison’s Financial Hack of the Week: small actions, big results.

Dad Joke Of The Day

🎃 Spooky Laugh of the Week:

👻 Why did Fort Wayne ban ghosts from the Old Fort?
Because every time one showed up… they kept boo-ing the soldiers! 😂

📜 Fun Fact: The Old Fort on Spy Run Avenue is a faithful reconstruction of the 1815 fort once commanded by Major John Whistler. Today, it’s home to living history events, reenactments, and even a few ghostly legends that still whisper through the walls.

🕯️ Visit for a tour in 2026, if you’re brave enough.

💛 Summit City Scoop,  keeping history fun, one bad dad joke at a time!

🎨 6 with the Scoop: Meet Amanda Black of Black Owl Creative

Fort Wayne artist Amanda Black has a gift for helping people slow down, reconnect with nature, and rediscover their creativity. Through her Curious Creative Workshops, Amanda guides others to paint, stitch, and explore the enchanting world of needle felting:  a surprisingly calming and creative craft where wool and imagination come to life.

Her students describe her classes as fun, relaxing, and inspiring.  The kind that leaves you feeling lighter and more confident than when you arrived.

🌿 Read the full feature to see how Amanda is helping Fort Wayne find joy, connection, and creativity through art.

The original Jack-o’-lanterns! In Ireland and Scotland, people carved scary faces into turnips or potatoes to frighten away “Stingy Jack” and wandering spirits. When Irish immigrants came to America, they found pumpkins — bigger and easier to carve!

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