Education

Westminster Village

Open to the Public
No Charge – Reservations NOT required

When visiting a cemetery, have you ever wondered about the information on a headstone? The name and dates are obvious, but what about the symbol on the stone? Does a hand with a finger pointed up mean the person went to heaven? If so, what is the meaning of the hand with a finger pointed down? Karen Good will answer this question and explain other symbols in this informative presentation. Program is offered by the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center in association with Westminster Village. 

Presenter: Karen Good, board member and chair of Ancestor Hunters, Delaware County Historical Society; and the Indiana County Genealogist

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

No Charge -- Reservations Required
Please reserve your space at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

The presentation will detail how to do basic business math when building an income statement. You’ll learn the five different categories found in a Profit and Loss Statement (Revenue, Cost of Goods Sold, Gross Profit, Expenses, and Net Income) and what happens when you change each one. You’ll also learn the steps to building financial projections and the difference between markup and margin.

Presenter: James P. Womack, Business Advisor, East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

No Charge -- Reservations Required
Please reserve at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

This professional development session will help participants understand how to take inventory of their current workplace culture and climate and develop skills to improve team member interactions. A basic understanding of belongingness will be discussed and how developing a sense of mattering can foster community.

Presenter: Michael A. Martinez, Associate Director of Training and Development, Office of Inclusive Excellence, Ball State University

Free community event  
Center Building, Heritage Collection Gallery 

Join Karen Vincent, local historian and author behind Ball Stores: East Central Indiana’s Shopping Center, as she leads a discussion through Minnetrista’s Ball Stores exhibition. Take a trip down memory lane to the vibrant era of downtown department store shopping, uncover fascinating tales from Ball Stores, and discover her process of transforming research and writing into a buzz-worthy book that has captivated our region! 

May 16; 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Free community event 

Join us in celebrating the splendor of green spaces by crafting vibrant works of art using natural materials. With simple ingredients like leaves, flower petals, sticks, and watercolors, we will create one-of-a-kind spray paintings that will give your walls the same vibrancy that gardens bring to our world. 

Free community event 

Registration deadline: May 17 

To mark the opening of our newest exhibition, Bird Photographer of the Year, join us on a guided birdwatching tour around campus. During this specific walk, participants will explore the Nature Area, learning about and hopefully catching sight of the diverse bird species that inhabit and hunt in the prairies and woodlands of East Central Indiana! 

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $55         Limited to 12 students
Three consecutive Tuesdays, June 4, June 11 and June 18
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Have you ever wanted to write your memoir, but didn’t know where to start? Do you feel like it’s an overwhelming task even if you have given it a try? Lylanne Musselman, an award-winning poet, playwright, and visual artist, will help you get your memoir jump-started. 

You’ll discover how you can write a memoir using poems, or a combination of both prose and poems. You’ll learn to write from prompts that will “capture your life” and help you get your memories on the page. Engage with fellow participants to exchange ideas, tackle concerns, and celebrate epiphanies. Start piecing together your manuscript, whether it's for publication, a heartfelt family gift, or simply for your own fulfillment.

June 8; 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Free community event 

Celebrate the beauty of birds at Betty’s Cabin by crafting your own pinecone bird feeder. Look through our field guides to learn more about the birds you can see in your backyard and then use our binoculars to spot feathered friends. Following your avian exploration, join us on a family-friendly bird walk through Oakhurst Gardens at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m., where you can discover even more feathered delights! 

June 12; 10–10:45 a.m. & 11–11:45 a.m., June 23; 2–2:45 p.m. & 3–3:45 p.m.
Free community event  
Center Building, Heritage Collection Gallery  

Join Karen Vincent, local historian and author behind Ball Stores: East Central Indiana’s Shopping Center, as she leads a discussion through Minnetrista’s Ball Stores exhibition. Take a trip down memory lane to the vibrant era of downtown department store shopping, uncover fascinating tales from Ball Stores, and discover Karen’s process of transforming research and writing into a buzz-worthy book that has captivated our community! 

Free community event  
Center Building, Heritage Collection Gallery  

Join Karen Vincent, local historian, and author behind Ball Stores: East Central Indiana’s Shopping Center, as she leads a discussion through Minnetrista’s Ball Stores exhibition. Take a trip down memory lane to the vibrant era of downtown department store shopping, uncover fascinating tales from Ball Stores, and discover Karen’s process of transforming research and writing into a buzz-worthy book that has captivated our community! 

Westminster Village

No charge – Open to the Public – Reservations NOT required

In November 1950, the greatest storm of the twentieth century crippled the eastern US, affecting more than 100 million people. Sometimes referred to as the Great Appalachian or Thanksgiving storm, this was no ordinary weather event. Its giant size and multiple record-setting hazards―including snow, ice, flooding, wind, and cold temperatures―were cataclysmic. This superstorm was the costliest weather-related disaster when it occurred. Only two other storms that affected the US mainland since then, both hurricanes, have exceeded its death toll. 

About the Presenter
Dr. David Call is an Associate Professor of Meteorology and Geography at Ball State University. He teaches classes in meteorology and physical geography and conducts research on how society deals with hazardous winter weather. 

His research has been published in journals such as the “Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society” and “The Professional Geographer.” He is also the author of Superstorm 1950: The Greatest Simultaneous Blizzard, Ice Storm, Windstorm, and Cold Outbreak of the Twentieth Century. His book will be available for purchase for those interested. 

Free community event  
Center Building, Heritage Collection Gallery  

Join Karen Vincent, local historian, and author behind Ball Stores: East Central Indiana’s Shopping Center, as she leads a discussion through Minnetrista’s Ball Stores exhibition. Take a trip down memory lane to the vibrant era of downtown department store shopping, uncover fascinating tales from Ball Stores, and discover Karen’s process of transforming research and writing into a buzz-worthy book that has captivated our community! 

Free community event 

Registration deadline: June 25 

Join us in celebrating our newest exhibition, Bird Photographer of the Year, with a guided birdwatching walk. During this stroll along Minnetrista Boulevard, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about and spot the various bird species inhabiting our waterways. Additionally, we'll explore the significance of river corridors in wildlife conservation efforts. 

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $30      
Limited to 15 students
Reservations Required
Please register online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

You have your manuscript (or even a grouping of poems or a short story) ready to send out, but you're not sure how to take the plunge into publication. Do you need an agent? How do you find one? Can you send it to more places than one? What if I get rejected...am I a failure? Where do you find places that will accept your manuscript? Do I pay big money to get published or do I get paid for my work? How do I get blurbs for my cover? Is self-publishing an option? We will cover these questions, your questions, and so much more in this two-hour workshop on how you can get published - by a big publishing house, smaller presses, or even online journals for a poem or a short story. You will walk away with a lot of ideas, inspiration, and places to get your manuscript or your shorter works published.

Instructor: Lylanne Musselman, award-winning poet, playwright, and visual artist

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

No Charge—Reservations Required
Limited to 16 students
Registration Deadline: July 8
Please register online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Scientists have identified 24 universal character strengths that serve as building blocks of a flourishing life and pathways to PERMA wellbeing. They are a family of positive personality traits reflected in our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Research shows that there are many benefits to exercising our character strengths including greater happiness, less stress and improved coping, and more meaningful work. Begin to explore how you are currently using your character strengths and ways you can apply them in your life. Upon registration, participants will be sent a link to take the VIA character Strength assessment prior to first class meeting. Results will be shared at the session. 

Instructor: Jenni Flanagan, Assistant Director of Engagement, Wellbeing and Culture, Ball State University

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost $25, includes supplies for making five cards/envelopes
Limited to 12 students
Reservations Required
Please reserve at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Join us for this special occasion card-making class featuring different styles of stamps and a variety of supplies. In addition to learning helpful tips and tricks for making your cards stunning, you’ll also receive all the supplies you need to make five, one-of-a-kind cards for your family and friends during class.  

Instructor: Krista Flynn, Program Coordinator, Office of Community Engagement, Ball State University 

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $40         
Limited to 10 students
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Dive into a world of vibrant creativity with this watercolor workshop! You can experience the magic of Yupo paper, a synthetic marvel that transforms your watercolor journey. Unlike traditional paper, Yupo's unique surface prevents water and pigment from absorbing, allowing you to dance with colors until they blend into breathtaking textures.

Led by Ann Johnson, local artist and former owner of F.B. Fogg, this workshop promises an enriching experience for beginners and seasoned painters alike. 

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $30, includes project     
Limited to 15 students
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Gone are the days of your grandmother's needlepointing—today's needlepointing experience is vibrant, dynamic, and entirely customizable. In each class you can create a one-of-a-kind needlepointed piece by selecting your own thread colors. The stitch guide that accompanies the project allows you to even choose the stitches you want to use to complete the project. Open to all skill levels. 

Instructor: Linda Burkhardt, owner, Elegant Needleworks, Inc.

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

No Charge—Reservations Required
Limited to 20 students
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057 

Tracing your roots is a way to document history and family information that you can pass along to future generations. With many resources available online, genealogy is becoming popular and easier to accomplish. Class is for those will little or no previous knowledge of genealogy.  

Instructor: Karen Good, board member and chair of Ancestor Hunters, Delaware County Historical Society; and the Indiana County Genealogist

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $95         
Limited to 24 students
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Instruction in finger spelling and basic conversation based on American Sign Language and signed English. 

Certificate of Completion provided to those who attend all six sessions in their entirety.  

Instructor: Laura Shadoin, retired teacher, Muncie Community Schools

Beech Grove Cemetery

Held at Beech Grove Cemetery
No Charge—Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

The Sultana was a wooden steamboat that exploded on the Mississippi just outside of Memphis on April 27, 1865. It was considered one of the deadliest maritime disasters in US history. The boat, built to carry 376 passengers, was vastly overloaded with paroled Civil War prisoners of war. On board were an estimated 2,300 people, 1,700 of whom lost their lives, including 55 from Delaware County. A monument in the Beech Grove Cemetery honors the 55 Delaware County members who died in the disaster. Despite the magnitude of the tragedy, the Sultana disaster received very little coverage as it was overshadowed by the end of the war and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln just days prior. 

Presenter: Jennifer Lewis Sparks, historical and genealogical researcher, lecturer, and cemetery enthusiast

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $25
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at 
https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057         
Limited to 24 students

Grant writing is a crucial activity for nonprofits and educators to fund projects and support their mission. In this introductory class, you will learn the basics of grant writing including:

• How to find funding opportunities
• The basic elements of a grant proposal
• Developing a project budget
• The “do’s and don’ts” of writing a proposal

About the Instructor
Class is taught by Jackie Davis, director, Pre Award, Strategy, and Outreach, Sponsored Projects Administration, Ball State University. Working as a grant professional for over 20 years, Jackie has experience as a program officer, grant writer, grant program manager, and grant proposal manager. She is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA), who has spent her career assisting others in the pursuit of grant funding. 

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $30, includes project   
Limited to 15 students
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Gone are the days of your grandmother's needlepointing—today's needlepointing experience is vibrant, dynamic, and entirely customizable. In each class you can create a one-of-a-kind needlepointed piece by selecting your own thread colors. The stitch guide that accompanies the project allows you to even choose the stitches you want to use to complete the project. Open to all skill levels. 

Instructor: Linda Burkhardt, owner, Elegant Needleworks, Inc.

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $40 
Limited to 10 students        
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Unleash your creativity to create a beautiful autumn landscape scene. Ann Johnson will teach you the techniques of integrating collage elements into your watercolor masterpieces. You’ll discover the art of experimentation as you cultivate a unique and personal style. From exploring the fundamental principles of texture, layering, contrast, and color to witnessing how these elements harmonize in finished paintings, this workshop offers a comprehensive exploration of mixed media techniques. Open to all skills levels.

Instructor: Ann Johnson, local artist and former owner of F.B. Fogg

Ball State Alumni Center

No Charge - Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

This panel presentation features historic photographs, maps, newspaper articles, and ghost stories of Muncie and Delaware County’s past.  Program hosted by the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center in collaboration with Delaware County Historical Society, Muncie Public Library, and the University Libraries Archives and Special Collections. Refreshments served after the program.

Panelists:

• Melissa Gentry, Supervisor, Map Collection, Ball State University Libraries
• Sara McKinley, Local History and Genealogy Supervisor, Muncie Public Library

Karen Vincent, Delaware County Historian 

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $40 
Limited to 10 students
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at 
https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057    

Embrace the beauty of the season as you learn to capture the essence of snow-covered landscapes in breathtaking painted scenes. This workshop offers an opportunity to explore the art of winter watercolors. Whether you're just starting your artistic journey or seeking to refine your skills, this workshop promises an unforgettable experience filled with inspiration and creativity. 

Class is taught by Ann Johnson, local artist and former owner of F.B. Fogg. Open to all skills levels. 

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $25, includes supplies for making 5 cards 
Limited to 12 students
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Join us for a holiday card making class featuring different styles of stamps and a variety of supplies. In addition to learning helpful tips and tricks for making your cards stunning, you’ll also receive all the supplies you need to make five one-of-a-kind cards for your family and friends during class.   

Instructor: Krista Flynn, Program Coordinator, Office of Community Engagement, Ball State University

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $10
Limited to 40 participants
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at   
https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057       

Listen to three short talks before enjoying an afternoon tea in the Ball Family mansion. Guests will have an opportunity to see three floors of holiday decor and view all the beautiful needlepointed pieces featured in the living room.