Positivity

Rigel Jackson’s ‘Empowering 40 Women, 40 Years and Over’ Project Showcases Local Women

By Rigel Jackson— MUNCIE, Ind.—Photographing 40 women, 40 years of age and over, is not a new idea in the portrait photography world. However, I wanted to do MY version of it in a way that is meaningful to me and congruent with who I am, and what I believe— that all women are valuable and beautiful, strong and resilient, with so much potential for good and incredible power to change their world. Empowered Portraits was the result. My intention…

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Juneteenth is a Holiday We Should All Recognize

Editor’s Note: Today Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued a proclamation celebrating Juneteenth as an opportunity to reflect, rejoice and plan for a brighter future. By: Paul Brown— Today is Juneteenth—a holiday of which far too many of us are unaware. This celebration of freedom (the name is short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day in 1865 that news of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation reached slaves in Texas. In a couple weeks we’ll celebrate America’s Independence Day, but Juneteenth stands as a…


Duncan McLarty Is Making a Difference During The Pandemic

By: Hannah Dunckel— Muncie, IN—It was the beginning of March, and the world was changing before our eyes. Every hour there was a new update on canceled events, businesses closing, kids going home from school, and most importantly, people who needed help due to the rising concerns of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. People were scared and unsure of where to turn. Through anxiety and fear, we began seeing “the helpers.” Fred Rogers was quoted saying, “When I…


Muncie Theater Costumers Sew For Life-And-Death Drama Now

By: John Carlson— Muncie, IN—Masks such as the classic Muse of Tragedy and Muse of Comedy have had an integral association with theater for centuries. These days, however, theater costumers nationwide – including groups of dedicated ones here in Muncie – are at their sewing machines, busily making masks that have nothing to do with things happening on stage. Instead, they have everything to do with helping rein in the deadly coronavirus, COVID-19. When Laura Williamson, executive artistic director of…


Fred Reese and Charlie Sursa Recognized By Meridian Health Services

By: Meridian Health Services— Muncie, IN—Philanthropic endeavors have leaders who believe in the cause and champion for it!  For a decade, Charlie Sursa and Fred Reese have been particularly instrumental in Meridian’s philanthropic efforts and are being recognized as recipients of Meridian’s 2019 Spirit of Meridian Award. Philanthropy means the love of humanity—it is the pulse of not-for-profit organizations such as Meridian Health Services. Through the passion and dedication of Sursa, Reese and Meridian’s board and staff, Meridian has grown and…


Free Laundry Event Brings Neighbors Together

By: Nancy Carlson— Muncie, IN—Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association (RNC), in partnership with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, held an event called LAUNDRY LOVE this past weekend. With a grant from Thrivent, the partners provided a $10 roll of quarters to the first 25 families who came into the White Spot Coin Laundromat, the only one in the neighborhood. Brian Schrieve, the White Spot’s owner, said “Clean clothes are like a new haircut. They make you feel good about yourself.” Sixty percent…


Less is More: Lent for the Community

By: Paul Ward, Spiritual Life Coordinator, Youth Opportunity Center— Muncie, IN—The signs of Easter are everywhere. Stores are covered in pastel colored designs. Chocolate eggs are on every shelf. Churches are practicing Easter plays. Lilies and daffodils will soon be in bloom. Even though the date of Easter changes, we never seem to miss it. There’s one sign that many of us don’t think about or even know about. Forty-six days before Easter, there will be an unmistakable sign. Many…


Thanksgiving & Letters of Gratitude. What Are You Thankful For?

By: Paul Ward, Spiritual Life Coordinator, Youth Opportunity Center— What are you thankful for? It’s a simple question to ask. The words roll off the tongue like a worn out cliché. Without a doubt many will gather around a dinner table with friends and family this year and ask each other this very same question. People may ask in regular conversation. Countless social media posts with this question will weave in and out of timelines and feeds. There will be…


Former Muncie Woman Seren Fryatt Wins Top Prize in New York

By: Zack Wallens— NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress and Chelsea Football Club (Chelsea FC) on Thursday held the final competition in the US portion of a global campaign to combat widespread racism, anti-semitism and xenophobia in sports. Former Muncie resident Seren Fryatt, was named as the winner, receiving a $10,000 grant from Chelsea FC and the WJC to turn her dream into reality. The Pitch for Hope competition called on young people ages 18-30 in the United States,…


Ball State Athletics, Woof Boom Radio Renew Contract to 2023

By: Shawn Sullivan, Ball State Athletics, Associate Athletic Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement— Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Coaches’ Shows Now on Dedicated Frequencies Muncie, IN. – Ball State University and its athletics multimedia rightsholder, Learfield, announced today a renewed agreement with Woof Boom Radio through the 2022-23 collegiate athletic season. As part of the extended broadcast relationship, the respective Ball State programming carried by Woof Boom stations will be on their own dedicated stations. The new line up begins this…