Diane Watters

The program highlights some amazing stories about Indiana women like Catharine Coffin, suffragist May Wright Sewall, actress Carole Lombard, Portland native Twyla Tharp, and Frances Slocum. Presentation will also include information about  lesser known women like fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, aviator Marvel Crosson, and educator Gertrude Mahorney. 

You’ll also find out how Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph fit into Indiana’s history.

St. Augustine (354—430 C.E.) is a fourth century philosopher whose groundbreaking philosophy infused Christian doctrine with Neoplatonism. St. Augustine is one of the most important early figures in the development of Western Christianity, and was a major figure in bringing Christianity to dominance in the previously pagan Roman Empire. 

More than 100 titled works written by St. Augustine survive, the majority of them devoted to the pursuit of issues in one or another of the ecclesiastical controversies that preoccupied his episcopal years. Among his most important works are The City of God, De doctrina Christiana, and Confessions.

Relevant book on exhibit at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center: Meditations & Soliloquies, Augustine of Hippo, 1480

Almost from the beginning of aviation, women have been superstars — earning the respect and admiration of all people who were fascinated with this new form of transportation. There was little to no discrimination— a good pilot was a good pilot, period.  Mr. Kennison will talk about some of the most famous female fliers of those first exhilarating days of flight: Harriet Quimby, Kate Stinson, and Louise Thaden to name a few.

Norma will provide information about Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) historical markers in Delaware County as well as other marker programs. 

After her retirement from the Muncie Public Library, she has volunteered for the Delaware County Historical Society in various capacities, including editing a journal and a newsletter. She was also the main author of Delaware County, published in 2012, as part of Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series.

During 2016 and 2017, the Center for Middletown Studies completed the Muncie Churches and Civic Engagement Project.  It involved a series of oral history interviews with leaders of local faith communities with the aim of documenting and exploring the changing role of churches in the civic life of Muncie and the surrounding area.  The impetus for the project stemmed from the observation that churches appeared to be among the few voluntary institutions that still attracted substantial, active memberships in the midst of local economic decline.  Connolly’s talk will review the project’s key findings and consider their implication for civic affairs in Muncie.

Session

Wednesday, September 25
2-3 p.m.
Legacy Commons Event Hall, Westminster Village

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

The roots of needlepoint go back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians, who used small slanted stitches to sew up their canvas tents.  Archaeologst Howard Carter, who is known for discovering King Tut's tomb, found some needlepoint in the cave of a pharaoh who had lived around 15,000 BC.  Today, needlepoint offers a wide range of possibilities for self-expression.  In this class, you'll learn the techniques and stitches necessary to finish the project provided in class.  A painted canvas and supplies are provided.

You may register for one or both of these sessions: Pumpkin Project, Fri, Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.

Stitchers will complete a patchwork pumpkin that can be made into a pillow, quilted wall hanging, framed picture, or a placemat for a table.  As many as six different needlepoint stitches will be taught to complete this pumpkin, with the stitcher able to choose how many different stitches will be used.  This project is designed for the beginning needlepointer and comes with additional challenges for the experienced needlepointer. 

Christmas Tree Project, Fri., Oct. 25, 9:30a.m-12:30p.m.

Stitchers will complete a tiered Christmas tree with a variety of needlepoint stitches.  This project will lend itself to be finished as a pillow, quilted wall hanging, or framed picture.  It is designed for the beginning needlepointer and comes with additional challenged for the experienced needlepointer.

The gas boom in Delaware County led to rapid industrial growth, which in turn, attracted railroads. The first railroad line in Delaware County was completed through Muncie in 1852. By 1902, six intercity railroads, a local industrial railroad, and a belt-switching railroad served Muncie. Larry developed an interest in railroads when he was a child. He rode a steam engine to school for the first year and a half before they switched to diesel and stopped using the old roundhouse at 17th  and Gharkey.

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

Ann Johnson will repeat the wonderful workshop she taught in Arizona this past summer in three afternoons.  She'll cover techniques that every painter should know, including tips and tricks for making a beautiful watercolor masterpiece from start to finish.  Her professional experience enables her to teach novices as well as advanced painters in the same setting.  You'll learn something new, no matter your skill level.  A suggested supply list will be provided upon enrollment.

Oct. 3: A Sunset landscape.  Will focus on paper, brushes, washes and skies.

Oct. 10: Loosey Goosey.  How to loosen up your brush strokes while painting trees, plants, and fruit.

Oct. 17: Waterscapes.  Will discuss control, edges, shaddows, and carrot people.

Mr. Schwartz will take guests on a behind-the-scenes look at popular fairy tales, many of which have been altered to fit the psychology of various countries, their traditions, morals, and etc. He will also discuss the effect that Disney has had on these tales.

Session

Monday, October 7
2-3 p.m.
Legacy Commons Event Hall, Westminster Village

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

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 with little or no previous knowledge of geneaology. 

Topics covered each session:

Oct. 30-Genealogy 101: Will focus on general standards (i.e., how genealogist write dates among other htings) and discuss how to get started with your family tree.

Nov. 6-Forms and Documents: Will discuss census records, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, land records, etc., as well as the type of information that can be obtained from these forms.

Nov. 13-Organization: Will examine several different ways to organize all the information that you find.

Nov. 20-Software and Free Websites: Will take a look at these different software programs on the market as well as some of the free websites available to help you do your research.

Prohibition was this country’s attempt to address the severe problems of alcoholism. In the ultimate example of unintended consequences, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong, during the 18th amendment's 13-year history. Murder, organized crime and a wide-scale disregard for the law by common citizens ensued.

Poorly crafted, the law had an amazing number of loopholes. Liquor taxes which were badly needed in the depression went to Al Capone and other criminals. The drama of prohibition is a most interesting story. 

Session

Wednesday, November 6
2-3 p.m.
Legacy Commons Event Hall, Westminster Village

In 1945-46, Ball State University’s first mobile home court was constructed on the corner of Tillotson and Gilbert, along with three barracks-style buildings which the college converted into two-bedroom and one-bedroom apartments. These units were part of Ball State’s first accommodations for married students.  

In addition to providing housing for married students, these apartments also provided housing for some faculty members and their families. The duo will share information and photographs for this gone-but-not-forgotten housing.

Presenter: Ms. Jessica Jenkins, curator, Minnetrista

As the holidays approach, join Minnetrista curator, Jessica Jenkins, to explore some of the ways the Ball family and Ball Brothers Company celebrated the holiday season.  In addition to their own family gatherings, in 1925, the Ball Brothers went out of their way to pass on a little holiday cheer to their employees.  Hoping to make each feel like part of the company family, a special edition of Charles Dickens' famous work, A Christmas Carol, was designed and given to each employee.  Come bask in the holiday spirit and hear the story of how this one of a kind gift came to be

Presenter: Mr. Bruce Goldfarb, author of “18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics”   

Mr. Goldfarb will outline a story of a woman whose ambition and accomplishments far exceeded the expectations of her time. His recent book follows the transformation of a young, wealthy socialite into the mother of modern forensics.

Frances Glessner Lee was best known for creating the “Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death,” a series of dollhouses that appear charming―until you notice the macabre little details: an overturned chair, or a blood-spattered comforter. And then, of course, there are the bodies―splayed out on the floor, draped over chairs―clothed in garments that Lee lovingly knit with sewing pins. Lee developed a system that used the Nutshells dioramas to train law enforcement officers to investigate violent crimes, and her methods are still used today.

This documentary by Ted Green, Mika Brown, and WFYI, tells a story of an Auschwitz survivor’s fight to heal the world. As a 10-year-old "Mengele Twin," Eva Mozes Kor suffered the worst of the Holocaust. At 50, she helped launch the biggest manhunt in history. Into her 80s, after decades of pain and anger, she traveled the world to promote what her life journey taught: hope, healing, and humanity.  This special screening is sponsored by Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

Presenter: Mr. Ted Shideler, volunteer, Delaware County Historical Society.

It’s been more than forty years since Marhoefer Packing Company ceased its Muncie operation, leaving behind a 45-acre site on North Elm Street. Mr. Shideler will chart the company’s course from its humble roots as the Kuhner Packing Company through its expansion to one of the twelve largest meat packing companies in the nation and beyond. 

Course meets five Tuesdays: Mar. 10, Mar. 17, Apr. 7, Apr. 21, May 5, and one Monday: Mar. 30.

Facilitator: Dr. Jan Kornilow, EMS medical director, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital

This DVD series, produced by The Great Courses, gives you the chance to experience first-hand the drama, scientific detective work, and medical insights in an everyday emergency department. Presented by board-certified physician and educator Dr. Roy Benaroch of Emory University’s School of Medicine, the lectures are a introduction to emergency medicine and the emergency department educational experiences of medical students around the world.

The sessions allow you to “shadow” Dr. Benaroch on his shifts, and sometimes even venture off-site, you’ll encounter patients coming in with a variety of symptoms and complaints—some of which are easily diagnosed and treated, and some of which are more life-threatening than they first appear. By the end of this program, you’ll have a stronger knowledge of, and greater respect for, emergency medicine and the brave doctors who practice it. You may attend Part 2 without having attended Part 1.

Course meets six Wednesdays, March 11 - April 15. 

Instructor: Mr. Mario Tellez-Garcia, experienced translator, interpreter, and language instructor for both corporate clients and not-for-profit organizations

For adults with no previous instruction in Spanish or for those who wish to brush up on their skills in conversational Spanish at a beginning level.

Presenter: Mrs. Shelly Gage, human resources & accounting specialist, Muncie Public Library; and long-time Magna cum Murder Crime Writing Festival volunteer

In addition to sharing a short history about the “Baker Street Irregulars,” Shelly will discuss “The Adventure of the Copper Beeches,” one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, providing the various analyses that Sherlockians have made of the story through the years. Attendees are strongly encouraged to read the story (or watch the Granada version with Jeremy Brett) prior to the session.

This program will feature maps, historic photographs, newspaper articles, and even diary entries related to some of the interesting locations that helped shape the history of women in Muncie and east central Indiana, including churches, opera houses, bars, and specific residences of impact.  You’ll hear stories from the following panelists:

· Sara McKinley, local history and genealogy supervisor, Muncie Public Library

· Sarah Allison, head of archives user engagement, Ball State University Libraries

· Emily Johnson, assistant professor, Department of History, Ball State University

· Courtney Jarrett, professor, Women’s and Gender Studies, Ball State University

· Rachael Smith, assistant lecturer, Women’s and Gender Studies, Ball State University

· Melissa Gentry, supervisor, GIS Research and Map Collection, Ball State University Libraries