Corey McMaken
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coreymcmaken.bsky.social
Corey McMaken
@coreymcmaken.bsky.social
Features and Engagement Editor for The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I write about arts, events, food and history. Opinions my own; no endorsements here.
Plant Medic columnist Ricky Kemery says a Christmas cactus (most likely a Thanksgiving cactus) will bloom throughout holidays for years to come.
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The Plant Medic: Holiday cactus blooms through season with proper care
Plant Medic columnist Ricky Kemery says a Christmas cactus (most likely a Thanksgiving cactus) will bloom throughout holidays for years to come.
www.journalgazette.net
December 16, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Behind the Bites columnist Justin Gilbert shares his recipe for a bite of pecan pie delivered on a cookie crust.
www.journalgazette.net/living/food/...
Behind the Bites: Pecan Pie Treats deliver delicious flavor on cookie crust
Behind the Bites columnist Justin Gilbert shares his recipe for a bite of pecan pie delivered on a cookie crust.
www.journalgazette.net
December 16, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Straight No Chaser vocalist Tyler Trepp talks about the a cappella group's new album and the Christmas tour stopping Friday at Embassy Theatre.

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Straight No Chaser brings 'Holiday Road' to Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne
A cappella group Straight No Chaser is once again bringing their repertoire of Christmas classics to Embassy Theatre, this year with the addition of material from a new album, “Holiday
www.journalgazette.net
December 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
In 1960, Christmas fate smiled on Rudisill School at Spy Run Avenue and Ruth Street and delivered its largest tree: a 21-foot behemoth felled in a community member's yard.

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December 1960: Christmas fortune brings 21-foot tree to Fort Wayne school
In 1960, Christmas fate smiled on Rudisill School at Spy Run Avenue and Ruth Street and delivered its largest tree: a 21-foot behemoth felled in a community member's yard.
www.journalgazette.net
December 11, 2025 at 7:19 PM
James Lucey will create a kinetic light sculpture inspired by the city's rivers. "Flow" is expected to be installed in early summer. Find out more about the piece approved Wednesday by the Public Art Commission, including details you won't find anywhere else.

www.journalgazette.net/living/local...
Fort Wayne Public Art Commission approves artist for alley light installation
The Public Art Commission on Wednesday approved an artist for a $100,000 light sculpture to be installed in a downtown alley.
www.journalgazette.net
December 11, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Fort Wayne Ballet’s 2025 production of “The Nutcracker” returns to Arts United Center where it will take advantage of renovations to the venue as well as bring back elements not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Fort Wayne Ballet's 'Nutcracker' embraces new, classic elements
As Fort Wayne Ballet makes its return to the renovated Arts United Center with “The Nutcracker,” the organization is debuting new elements and bringing back others not seen since before
www.journalgazette.net
December 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Holiday theatre in Fort Wayne includes “A Christmas Story” from Fort Wayne Youtheatre and “Scrooge in Rouge” at Arena Dinner Theatre. Story by Dezaray Clawson.

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'Christmas Story,' 'Scrooge in Rouge' among holiday theater in Fort Wayne
The holiday season has come to the Fort Wayne theater community, with upcoming shows sure to spread cheer.
www.journalgazette.net
December 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Corey McMaken
Don't miss stories like these with a digital subscription to The Journal Gazette for as low as $2.78 a week.

Subscribe today: www.journalgazette.net/subscribe
December 1, 2025 at 8:58 PM
#25SocksOfChristmas - Day 1

It's time for my annual run of new holiday socks every day through Christmas. Starting off with snow because it seemed right with the recent weather here.

Follow along on my sock collection Insta: @socksofcorey
December 1, 2025 at 5:55 PM
My holiday TV calendar for The Journal Gazette has air times for more than 100 holiday movies and specials, about half of which are new for 2025.

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Unwrapping Christmas movies, specials on TV in 2025
A calendar of air times for more than 100 holiday movies and specials, about half of which are new for 2025.
www.journalgazette.net
November 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Ho, ho, ho! Santa visits with kids in this edition of History Journal.

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Eyes all aglow: Children visit with Santa in Fort Wayne through the years
Photos from The Journal Gazette archive of visits with Santa in Fort Wayne through the years.
www.journalgazette.net
November 26, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Our reader-favorite Caption This game is back! Take a look at these two photos from our archive and send me your funny captions. The best will be published in a future edition of @journalgazette.net History Journal.

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Write fun captions for these photos from The Journal Gazette archive
It’s time for another round of “Caption This,” where readers suggest captions for pictures from The Journal Gazette’s archives.
www.journalgazette.net
November 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Corey McMaken
Korean Fried Chicken and Coney Dog Café are coming to Waynedale. Also in The Dish: Ya Halaa Café has opened on State Boulevard, Nothing Bundt Cakes rolls out winter flavors and more area food news.

www.journalgazette.net/living/food/...
Korean Fried Chicken, Coney Dog Café headed to Waynedale
Korean Fried Chicken and Coney Dog Café are coming to Waynedale. Also in The Dish: Ya Halaa Café has opened on State Boulevard, Nothing Bundt Cakes rolls out winter flavors
www.journalgazette.net
November 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Corey McMaken
Christmas magic returns to downtown Fort Wayne with Wolf & Dessauer elves.

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Christmas magic returns to downtown Fort Wayne with Wolf & Dessauer elves
Christmas magic returns to downtown Fort Wayne in the form of Santa's elves, once featured in Wolf & Dessauer displays, working busily in his workshop.
www.journalgazette.net
November 25, 2025 at 9:27 PM
How will you use your Thanksgiving leftovers? Here's one idea I tested: Dressing Dumplings.

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Dressing Dumplings help make soup with Thanksgiving leftovers
Soup with Dressing Dumplings will use up a variety of Thanksgiving leftovers to create a light meal after a heavy feast.
www.journalgazette.net
November 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Assuming that people getting sick at your holiday party is a deal breaker, I talked with a local food safety expert about best practices for Thanksgiving and beyond.
November 25, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I've designed some mazes, puzzles and other activities for the holidays. Plus, @journalgazette.net is giving kids a chance to design an ornament for possible publication.

Available in print Saturday and online now for downloading.

www.journalgazette.net/living/distr...
November 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Today in @journalgazette.net Weekender, I've got a holiday events guide with dozens of things to do and see in northeast Indiana and neighboring Ohio counties. Ho, ho, ho!

Read more: www.journalgazette.net/living/enter...
November 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Corey McMaken
Last week, for the first time since the season started, the Komets got to skate at Memorial Coliseum.
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Komets finally return to Coliseum for home opener
The Komets will finally open their home schedule at 7:35 p.m. tonight against the Bloomington Bison, the start of a three game homestand.
www.journalgazette.net
November 21, 2025 at 4:50 AM
The Plant Medic columnist Ricky Kemery says evergreen foliage, pinecones, herbs and fruit are among items to decorate a holiday table. Stay clear of berries and anything else that might make a mess.

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The Plant Medic: Foliage, pinecones, fruit among natural tablescape ideas
The Plant Medic columnist Ricky Kemery says evergreen foliage, pinecones, herbs and fruit are among items to decorate a holiday table. Stay clear of berries and anything else that might
www.journalgazette.net
November 17, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Travel writer David Placher sandboards, hikes, tours museums and witnesses a bit of history in the making during a trip to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

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Touring nature's beauty, Bolivian history in Santa Cruz
Travel writer David Placher sandboards, hikes, tours museums and witnesses a bit of history in the making during a trip to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
www.journalgazette.net
November 17, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Relationships and reflection are at the core of "Company," which Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation opens this weekend.

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Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation explores relatable relationships in 'Company'
Relationships and reflection are at the core of a classic Stephen Sondheim musical that Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation opens this weekend.
www.journalgazette.net
November 14, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Today in @journalgazette.net Weekender, I have a two-page collection of stories about Civic Theatre's production of "Frozen" and how performing arts organizations are able to harness new technology in the modernized Arts United Center.

See the stories here: www.journalgazette.net/living/local...
November 7, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Megan Schwartz remembers watching Disney's "Frozen" from an early age. Now the Blackhawk Christian junior is stepping into the role of Anna as Fort Wayne Civic Theatre opens Disney's "Frozen."

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Fort Wayne Civic Theatre brings magic to Arts United Center with 'Frozen'
Megan Schwartz remembers watching Disney's "Frozen" from an early age. Now the Blackhawk Christian junior is stepping into the role of Anna as Fort Wayne Civic Theatre opens Disney's "Frozen."
www.journalgazette.net
November 6, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Projectors, LED fixtures, automated rigging and more technology upgrades will help bring magical worlds to life as full-scale productions return to the renovated Arts United Center starting this weekend with "Frozen."

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Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, Ballet to take advantage of Arts United Center technology upgrades
Projectors, LED fixtures, automated rigging and more technology upgrades will help bring magical worlds to life as full-scale productions return to the renovated Arts United Center.
www.journalgazette.net
November 6, 2025 at 9:44 PM