Celebrate romance in unusual places
 
By Emma Downs
The Journal Gazette
February 9, 2007
 
Paris. Venice. Hawaii. When it comes to romantic destinations, Fort Wayne might not be on your list of honeymoon hot spots.
Whatever the reason-maybe it has something to do with our slavish devotion to onion-slathered hamburgers- Fort Wayne lacks the passionate reputation of cities such as San Francisco (“I left my he-e-e-eart…”) and New York. And instead of anointing our burg with a romantic-sounding nickname (City of Light, City of Love), we’ve opted for a more low-heeled, high-bodiced moniker.
City of Churches.
Doesn’t do much for the ol’ libido, does it?
Despite its chaste nickname, Foprt Wayne is still capable of making a spark, even in a non-flesh-baring month like February. It just takes a little more effort. Here are a few ways to scour the city’s romantic getaways and passion-building activities and find those rare opportunities where holding a rose between your teeth isn’t frowned upon. (They’re out there. Trust us.)
 
Get Cozy
It’s called a “snug”- a small, enclosed booth where a pub’s customers can flirt, philander and drink their weight in Guinness without accidentally running into their mother-in-laws. Tucked into a corner of The Deer Park Irish Pub, 1530 Leesburg Road, the snug- a wooden room about the size of a closet- was erected a few weeks ago, after owner Tony Henry returned from a trip to Ireland. (Pub snugs are a common site on the Emerald Isle.) With four walls, saloon-style doors and a small window through which drinks are served, it’s the perfect spot for honeymooners looking to avoid that pesky human race, Henry says.
“I had a heck of a time getting people out of there last night-especially these two couples,” Henry says. “When you’re in the snug, you’re off in your little corner, romancing or frolicking or hearing a confession. You just won’t want to leave at the end of the night.”
Henry expects the bar’s snug to be occupied by amorous couples on Valentine’s Day, but usually it’s first come, first served, he says.
“People are already calling asking if the snug is available,” he says. “I may have to make a sign-up sheet for Valentine’s Day.”
 
Partner up
The couple that loves to cause a scene-bashing each other over the head with champagne bottles and hurling phrases like “morbidly obese howler monkey” and “pill-popping ice queen” at each other-should avoid alcohol this Valentine’s Day. Trust us. Put down the champagne just this once and opt for yoga instead. (Your neighbors- the ones who had to call the police, the fire department and animal control last Valentine’s Day-will thank you.)
Yin Thai Yoga, 508 N. Hadley Road, offers a couples yoga class at 10:30 a.m. the second Saturday of every month. (The next class is Saturday. For information, call 312-2242.) The class is popular with friends, but couples can learn a lot from it, too, owner Jill Harman says.
“It enhances skills of observation and verbal and non-verbal communication,” Harman says. “And the qualities of trust and vulnerability, vital to deepening intimacy, are nurtured. What’s more romantic than that?”
And if you’re looking for other relaxing couples activities, here are a few spots offering Thai massage:
Yin Thai Yoga, 508 N. Hadley Road. Cost: $110 a couple. Call 312-2242.
Dupont Resource Center, 2512 E. Dupont Road. From 7 to 8:30p.m. Wednesday. Cost: $30 a couple. (Bring a full-sized blanket, two small pillows and water bottles for each person.) Call 416-3009.
Michael Stepp, 610 Professional Park Drive, New Have. Cost: $45 for an hour, $60 for 11/2 hours. Call 493-6100.
 
Fancy feet
Nothing is more romantic that being whisked around the dance floor by a suave, dark-eyed man. Unfortunately, you’re standing across from your husband, Herb, who was born with two left feet. Literally. (It’s a genetic condition.)
Well, don’t remove the rose from between your teeth just yet. Fort Wayne Dancesport can help. The organization will offer tango lessons at 7 p.m. Saturday in the ballroom inside Walb Student Union on the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne campus. Cost is $10, and singles are welcome.
“This is a fiery dance,” fort Wayne Dancesport publicity chairwoman Jamie Lothamer says. “It’s very romantic. You’ve got to be able to show temperament. When you look into one another’s eyes, you have to show passionate love. You push each other away and come back again. It’s just a great way to reinvigorate your relationship.”
 
Love nest
Rarely does a bed-and-breakfast make you want to don an ostrich feather headdress and practice your hip-shake. But the Gypsy Rose Lee room at the Worthington Mansion Bed & Breakfast, 805 W. Wayne St., is an experiment in titillation. With red silk pillows, a four-poster canopy bed and a painting of the burlesque artist herself above the headboard, the room has the look of a cozy little, well…brothel.
“I like to call it delightfully tacky,” owner Tony Bishop says. “Ostrich feathers over the mirror, boas around the lamps. It’s kitschy.”
And it’s also the kind of place where a couple could spend Valentine’s Day wondering how anyone ends up with a painting of Gypsy rose Lee.
“It’s strange, I know,” Bishop says. “but I’ve been collecting Gypsy Rose Lee memorabilia since I was in second grade. The room has a few film stills, a Victorian bookmark that came from her estate. But, I didn’t want to overdo it.”
The tassel on the bedpost is a nice touch, though.
To book the room, call 424-6564 or 1-866-404-6564.
 
Have a quickie-or 12
And finally, if you’re determined to find a date for Valentine’s Day, Flashbacks On The Landing, 118 Columbia St., will offer local singles an opportunity to date up to 12 people in one evening. (Or at least reject 12 people in one evening.) Called speed-dating, the event will provide introductions to singles ages 29-42, who will spend up to six minutes talking to each other (or less, if the other person happens to be a socialist, a Neil Diamond fan or a relative.)
www.cupid.com/predating.
 
edowns@jg.net