Muncie Magazine May 2024

SERVING DELAWARE COUNTY

What a Doll

Talks

Prolific Career - Including a

Barbie Doll Redesign

REBRANDED AND REINVIGORATED

MUNCIE VISITORS BUREAU REBRANDS AS DESTINATION: MUNCIE

Susannah Rosenthal

PUBLISHER

HERN

(317) 796-0912

KEY CONTRIBUTORS JENNIFER CRISS

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599

PRESIDENT

JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

your staffing needs are large or small, leverage the staffing company that is locally owned and locally known by Muncie's workforce. Voted Indiana's top 10 single location staffing companies.

The attorneys at Delk McNally tirelessly pursue effective results. Our clients can expect the highlevel sophistication and expertise typically associated with the largest law firms and the personal service and attention found with a small firm.

LIKE A MACHINE

VERSATILE METAL WORKS CEO JEREMI DOBBS IS DRIVEN TO KEEP HIS COMPANY FLOURISHING

Sitting in the front office of Versatile Metal Works, Jeremi Dobbs reflects on his long and fulfilling career in machine tool trades.

“Culture and mindset are my drivers,” says Dobbs, whose office is decorated precisely with samples of machined metal, a copy of “The Art of War”, and a display of the equipment and uniform that he wore while serving as a sheriff for Delaware County.

“I was infatuated with law enforcement,” he says. “I worked the trades during the day. I really enjoyed the law enforcement world, and what the brotherhood and sisterhood stood for. I don’t know where it came from.”

He was born and raised on the south side

of Muncie, graduated from Southside high School in 1988, and put himself through Ivy Tech studying machine tool technology. Right out of trade school he started work for Midwest Metal Project, spending 20 years there and climbing to a position of responsibility over their operations.

During that time he grew his knowledge of quality, engineering and management, and ended up working to grow their fabrication and machining business for seven years, before deciding to go into business for himself.

He wrote a business plan to start the machine shop that would become Versatile Metal Works, forming a partnership with

The shop itself is set up to allow work to flow seamlessly from one station to the next, from the laser cutter to the final welding stations and powder coating.

“We make decorative wrought iron, porch railing, decorative gates, city park signs, Cardinal Greenway signs, school signs, hand railing - my work is everywhere in the community,” says Dobbs.

One of the larger pieces that can be seen in public is a metal canopy at Heekin Park that sits in the middle of a spiral walkway. The canopy took a year and a half to design and bring to life, and Dobbs worked with

Gordon Cox in 2010.

Writer & Photographer / David Fennig

Jeremi Dobbs

a designer from Indianapolis. The piece is large enough that it had to be made in multiple parts just to fit through the doors of the shop.

Along with his extensive career in metal working, Dobbs also served for 20 years as a reserve police officer in the evening, 10 years for the Muncie Police Department, and then 10 years for the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.

“That led me to start designing and building transportation systems for police cars, canine kennels for police cars, and prisoner transport systems,” he says. “My love for manufacturing and law enforcement cross paths. I have police cars coming to me from all over the state.”

This love of law enforcement and the officers who work in it led him to design a patented approach to storing and displaying

their associated gear. It’s called the Warrior Rack, and is produced entirely by Versatile Metal Works. These items are shipped all over the country and even internationally to Canada and Australia, to police departments and individual police officers. It’s a heavyduty metal stand that holds equipment so officers can quickly and carefully stow their gear at home.

Balancing home life and career has been a priority for Dobbs since day one. He has been happily married since 1994, and raised three children. His youngest son started work at 17 in the family business at Versatile, working with metal like his father. So for Dobbs, his employees really are like family, because some of them are.

“My retention rate is great, and my turnover is zero,” he says. “I have had employees that have been with me for 20 years. Treat people well, pay them well - we just do the

things we are supposed to do.”

Employee welfare is his top priority. “I have 25 employees,” he says. “We have 25 house payments and 25 tables to put groceries on every week. I take that seriously.”

Passing on his knowledge to the next generation also led him to be an adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech, teaching machine tool trades for a couple years. “I always wanted to know what it was like to teach kids,” says Dobbs.

It is important for him to see the work he does make a difference in the community around him. “I was a south side kid, raised on the south side of town, and went to Southside High School,” he says. “By working hard, being passionate and chasing my dreams, it’s possible.”

THE BLIND SIDE

BUDGET BLINDS OF MUNCIE AND NOBLESVILLE IS BEAUTIFYING THE AREA, ONE WINDOW AT A TIME

With a background in mechanical engineering at the University of Missouri, Chris Patterson held executive management positions in a variety of manufacturing industries while traveling the country before returning to the Midwest from West Palm Beach, Florida.

“Having grown up in the Midwest, we felt more comfortable here with genuinely friendly people,” said Patterson, originally from St. Louis, Missouri.

After many years serving in the Army Reserve, managing manufacturing facilities, and earning a Master of Business Administration degree in operations in the process, Patterson wanted to move his career in a different direction. He had done everything else, so why not buy his own business?

Acquiring the Budget Blinds franchise in Muncie - the first one in Indiana - didn’t seem that far-fetched for Patterson and his wife, Beth. After all, they had both dabbled in window coverings. As a teenager he fixed his mother’s roller shades and draperies that he had damaged, and Beth’s sewing skills allowed her to operate a successful drapery business from home while their four children were in school.

Using their life savings, Pattersons assumed ownership of Budget Blinds from the franchise founders, Jeff and Polli Whittern, in November 2021. They’ve continued building the brand in the local area ever since.

They offer a wide variety of colors, sizes, controls and fabrics in many products, including draperies, soft valances, composite and wood shutters, roller shades, honeycomb shades, roman shades and more. “Most of our window treatments can be motorized and connected to home automation,” Patterson said.

Through the Budget Blinds franchise, they have the buying power to offer warranties and a wide range of manufacturers. “We use many top vendors to assure the best prices, choices and quality, to deliver style and service for every budget,” Patterson said. “We are a locally owned and operated business, and unlike big-box stores that offer limited options and leave you to figure it out on your own, we give you personalized attention.”

Writer & Photographer / Alyson Madsen

They have specialized knowledge, patiently explain options, and help you make your choices for your unique situation. “We bring the showroom to the customer with our free, no-obligation in-home consultation,” Patterson said.

They offer one-year free labor after the sales, and a limited lifetime warranty for workmanship and materials. And the biggest perk of all? Most window treatments include a five-year, no-questions-asked replacement warranty.

Besides Chris and Beth, team members include Customer Service Associate Amanda Overbay, Design Consultant Jon Marquardt, and Installer Bill Fadely, who pride themselves on personalized, full service, and helping customers select quality window treatments that reflect their style.

“We strive to beautify our customers’ spaces,” said Patterson, who enjoys interacting with his clients, some of whom come in regularly just to look around.

Local commercial customers and contractors are a significant part of Patterson’s business, servicing local banks, along with area schools, professional office buildings and restaurants. “We’re working to grow the commercial aspect of our business,” Patterson said. It’s promising that Budget Blinds sells more custom window treatments than any other company nationwide.

“Our experience in the window-covering industry sets us apart from the competition, but our passion for customer satisfaction is what keeps our clients coming back,” Patterson said.

Budget Blinds of Muncie and Noblesville serves the Pendleton, Noblesville, Cicero, Hartford, Anderson, Yorktown, Muncie, New Castle, Winchester, and Albany areas. It is located at 827 South Tillotson Avenue in Muncie. Visit budgetblinds.com/muncie_in for window treatment design ideas.

PRESERVING A LEGACY

TOM CHERRY MUFFLERS REPRESENTS DECADES OF DEVOTION TO CUSTOMERS

Tucked away in a south side neighborhood is an unassuming family business owned by lifelong Muncie resident Scott Quirk. Emblazoned on the side of the building is a mural in progress paying homage to the original owner, Tom Cherry. Having started in the bygone era of the 1940s and 1950s, Tom Cherry Mufflers is a testament to honesty and reliable service.

Cherry opened a modest shop out of his home in 1946, just three blocks from its current location on West 8th Street. He had a successful racing career and traveled all over the United States. What started as a humble endeavor soon burgeoned into a bustling enterprise - a speed shop selling engines and car parts that catered to racing aficionados and everyday motorists alike.

In 1977 Mike Quirk, along with business partners Dave DeHart and William Hannon Sr., acquired the shop from Tom Cherry. They kept the name, however, and continued to build on the trust and respect that the former owner had built.

Mike’s son, Scott, bought the business in 1990, and Mike continued working alongside him. The duo steered the business through changing times and shifting landscapes. Under their stewardship the business flourished, expanding to multiple locations across Indiana.

Tom Cherry Mufflers is more than just a place of commerce - it’s a family affair too. Scott is a proud father of three daughters,

all of whom have worked for him at one time or another. His sister-in-law works in the office. Even some of the non-family employees have been there for decades. The team’s commitment to fostering a sense of community creates a welcoming environment for both employees and customers.

“We have to give our customers, or potential customers, a reason to come here,” Scott Quirk says. “People don’t have to come to this end of town. We have to give them a reason, and that reason is good quality. We stand by our word. We maintain a clean working environment and make it a welcoming place.”

In 2009, when their wholesale business

Writer / Jennifer Criss

Photographer / Dylan Senkus

started to struggle in the age of internet purchasing, they looked to diversify and opened The Barn Lot, located near Meeker Avenue and Highway 67, selling Amishbuilt portable mini barns, storage sheds and outdoor play sets. Initially the elder Quirk wasn’t on board with this move, but as business started to flourish and even expand to multiple locations, his reservations disappeared and he continued to help with both businesses. Sadly, Mike Quirk passed away from COVID-19 in 2020.

The business’s impact extends beyond its walls. In times of need, they have supported the community through charitable donations, assisting local sports teams, and lending helping hands to those affected by natural disasters. For Quirk, philanthropy isn’t just a duty - it’s a guiding principle, an integral part of the shop’s identity.

Having owned the business for 34 years, longer than the shop’s namesake, Quirk’s journey is far from over. Because of his

commitment to quality, integrity and customer satisfaction with both of his businesses, he works around 60 hours per week. Nevertheless, he has no plans to slow down any time soon.

“We are going to continue doing what we’ve always done, which is to sell a good product at a fair price and treat people the way they want to be treated,” he says. “As it turns out, the key to our success is kind of simple.”

Visit Tom Cherry Mufflers at 321 West 8th Street in Muncie, and visit their website at tomcherry.com.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

SIERRA O’DONNELL Writer & Photographer

Going to school takes hard work, and going back to school takes courage - but being a nontraditional student who balances work, family and an educational program after spending years in the working world takes resolve.

Sierra O’Donnell understands that, and can personally speak to the challenges and benefits of going back to school as

an adult. She started taking classes at Ivy Tech in January of 2021, and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting degree in May of 2023. The program is capped off with an eightweek externship that she completed in July, becoming a fully certified medical assistant.

“Personally I had a really good experience with Ivy Tech,” says O’Donnell. “I had been

out of school for a decade when I went back to school, so it was a little nerve racking. They made it very easy to apply on the website.”

Originally she went to school to pursue the sonography program, but quickly realized that the work wasn’t the kind that she would like to do full time. Her desire to work with people, particularly in a way that

/ David Fennig

helped them improve their lives, led her to ultimately choose the Medical Assisting program instead.

“When I first started I was doing two classes per semester because I was still doing three part-time jobs,” says O’Donnell. “I have a husband and two girls who are 9 and 11. It was a little tricky because it was hard to balance being a wife, a mom and a full-time college student. After the first year I quit working and started doing school full time. I was doing four classes per semester.”

Ivy Tech has many of their classes set up to allow nontraditional students like O’Donnell to complete their work remotely, through Zoom calls and online assignments. “As long as you have good discipline and balance your time, it’s very doable to be a college student and also have a work and home life,” says O’Donnell.

She currently works in an OBGYN office at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis and feels like the work is ideal for her. She prefers the focused nature of the work, working with women and their needs before and after pregnancy. “Depending on where you are medical assisting, you will definitely do different things,” she says. “The baseline of it is that you learn to do vitals like taking temperatures, taking blood pressures, weighing people correctly, things of that nature.”

The job is not just about these technical skills, however. Medical assistants are often the very first people patients interact with when they go to a doctor’s office, and their attitude can have a very dramatic effect on the overall experience of the patient.

“A lot of people have white-coat syndrome, where simply going to the doctor is really nerve racking,” O’Donnell says. “I feel like we kind of set the tone. I have had patients be really anxious, but after they talk with me, they say that they feel instant relief and like they will be treated correctly.”

Thursday,

May 16 • 5 - 8 p.m.

77th Anniversary Celebration! 77th Anniversary Celebration!

Join us as we celebrate 77 years of service to the Muncie community! The Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce will perform a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our center, and after we’ll have live music, delicious food, a variety of local business vendors and tours of our beautiful facility! Don’t miss this exciting event!

Live music by:

• John Allen

• Shelby Crouse

• Eric Rutherford

• …and friends!

WLBC will be conducting a live radio broadcast at the event. Call (765) 289-3451 for more information!

3820 W. Jackson St. Muncie, IN 47304

TheWoodlandsIN.com

REBRANDED AND REINVIGORATED

MUNCIE VISITORS BUREAU REBRANDS AS DESTINATION: MUNCIE

Some say timing is everything. That’s especially true with Destination: Muncie, formerly known as the Muncie Visitors Bureau.

In September 2023, the bureau members began brainstorming ways to rejuvenate its appeal. Embracing the mission of promoting the beauty and vibrancy of Muncie and Delaware County, it ultimately emerged as Destination: Muncie on February 29, leap day, with a launch party.

The unveiling of the new identity seemed perfectly aligned with the buzz surrounding April’s cosmic spectacle - a total solar eclipse. Positioned directly in the eclipse’s path of totality on April 8, Muncie was set to become a magnet for thousands of people from all over the world.

Part of Destination: Muncie’s mission is to reimagine the community to be everything it can be, and the team has been crafting that message. “You can ignore tourism advertising, but you can’t ignore an eclipse,” said Director of Marketing Trenton Bush. “The eclipse forces visibility, so we were

Writer & Photographer / Amy Leffingwell

able to get our brand launched with a feel of how the eclipse was being launched.”

The team at Destination: Muncie is particularly proud of the updated website. With seamless navigation and nonintrusive messaging, the site is dedicated to promoting Muncie’s attractions. It includes the new experience guide (also available in print), showcasing the variety of experiences Muncie has to offer. “We didn’t want a website, we wanted a wow site,” said Bush. “The landscape of tourism is changing. We still want to be your resource for maps, brochures and local buzz, but we’re so much more than that.”

“There’s nothing to do in Muncie” is a phrase that Destination: Muncie is proud to challenge. Partnering with local organizations and nonprofits leads to community collaboration. It provides scholarships and grants to better Muncie as a whole. One example of this collaboration is its partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. “I’ve been proud of our partnership

with Destination: Muncie,” said Jason Newman, Boys & Girls Club executive director. “They help us collect supplies to feed our kids through our snack drives, and help our kids express themselves through our art supply drives.”

To enhance the allure of local water-based leisure activities, Destination: Muncie has joined forces with the Ball Brothers Foundation. This collaboration aims to enlarge the beach area at Prairie Creek and construct charming beach bungalows. Thanks to this partnership, access to the beach will now be complimentary. Furthermore, efforts to elevate the condition of the White River, a crucial natural resource for Muncie, will ensure it becomes more accessible, including the installation of new launch points for kayaking enthusiasts.

Nestled within Destination: Muncie, The Cat’s Pajamas gift shop has also changed. Paying homage to Jim Davis’ iconic “Garfield,” The Cat’s Pajamas has expanded its offerings beyond the usual T-shirts and plush toys. The store now showcases a selection of goods from local creators, including Debbie’s Handmade Soap and the Muncie Map Company, and is eagerly seeking new local artists to spotlight.

With a new message and Hoosier hospitality, Destination: Muncie is ready to welcome the curious and the adventurous. “We have it all,” Bush said. “Our task is to get the word out to the world.”

For more information, visit destinationmuncie.org.

DELAWARE COUNTY TO WELCOME THREE ITALIAN COMPANIES

Story & Photography Provided

After a trip to Northern Italy, Delaware County officials are happy to announce new investment and business opportunities coming to the community. Commissioner President Shannon Henry and Commissioner Vice President James King announced the success of their latest economic development efforts. Henry and King spent the week visiting with 25 firms with interest in establishing operations in the United States. In addition, the duo made a case for doing business in east-central Indiana to CEOs representing firms in various advanced technology industries. The new and soon-to-be developing investments add to the number of Italian firms growing in Delaware County.

The first firm signing a memorandum of understanding to locate their investment in Delaware County was Gamma Meccanica - a well-established family firm that manufacturers machinery that recycles plastics. Currently housed in a facility of over 200,000 square feet in Bibbiano, Italy, and employing over 200 people, the company is a leader in designing, engineering and manufacturing large plastic recycling equipment. Recognizing the increased volume of plastics going to waste in North America, the company plans to initially invest in a facility to house machinery that will be used as demonstration and prototyping for purposes of securing future orders.

The company is currently producing and shipping plastic recycling and other heavy machine equipment all over the world including the American market. Until now the company has had no facility or operational presence in the United States. “We were fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit Delaware County earlier this year,” Company CEO Andrea Burini said in 2023. “The work and support that County Economic Development Director Brad Bookout put into helping us made the difference in our decision. We are delighted to now set our roots to be a part of the Muncie-Delaware County community, and we look forward to working with more residents and local companies as we advance

our plans.”

The second firm, Trebi Srl, is a robotics firm that currently has an established sales office in Delaware County (the result of a previous economic development trip), and now intends to advance that operation to a warehouse location. The firm committed to ensuring that Delaware County remains their North American headquarters, and they further intend to ship their advanced cutting and deburring robotic machinery to the community for distribution throughout the Americas.

“Delaware County is a terrific location for our U.S. operations,” said Trebi’s Chief Engineer Piercarlo Bonomi. “Being centrally located in the Midwest, there is an incredible customer potential for us in all of the surrounding states, cities and towns. Our growth potential is incredible. We were happy to have welcomed the Delaware County commissioners to our facility during this important time in our company’s growth. We are intent to grow, invest and expand in Delaware County, Indiana.”

Currently located in Brescia, Italy, Trebi is recognized throughout Europe as a leader in the manufacturing of robotic equipment that performs work that is otherwise considered dangerous, dirty and low-skilled.

The third company committing to develop operations in Delaware County is Vi-

James King, Andrea Burini, Shannon Henry

Top: Martina Bonomi, Piercarlo Bonomi. Bottom: Shannon Henry, Nadia Bianchi, James King

Technik Srl. Based in the northeastern city of San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy, Vi-Technik serves as a supplier to major automotive OEMs, TIER 1 and other Fortune 100 companies.

Recognized as an industry leader, Vi-Technik products can be found in many vehicle brands worldwide. Among other things, ViTechnik manufacturers advanced plastic technology for ADAS systems on autonomous driving camera apparatus for various vehicles, both currently in mass production and those scheduled for future production.

“DELAWARE COUNTY IS A TERRIFIC LOCATION FOR OUR U.S. OPERATIONS. BEING CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE MIDWEST, THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE CUSTOMER POTENTIAL FOR US IN ALL OF THE SURROUNDING STATES, CITIES AND TOWNS.

— TREBI’S CHIEF ENGINEER PIERCARLO BONOMI

The company signed a memorandum of understanding to establish their operations in Delaware County. Vi-Technik will start by leasing a 15,000-square-foot facility in the Muncie Industria Centre, bring in excess of $1.8 million in new technically advanced

robotic equipment, and, over time, hire up to 40 skilled technician associates.

A special thank-you for the international relationship development of Vi-Technik goes to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the help of Italian manager Sabrina Riccardi on this important project. “Having the opportunity to foster the

development of this strategic partnership for new investment in the state of Indiana, and now having the company sign a commitment to proceed, has been a real honor,” Riccardi said. “I look forward to seeing the future success of this world-class company in Indiana.”

“We looked at many locations in the Midwest before choosing to visit Indiana at the encouragement of Sabrina Riccardi,” said Vi-Technik President and CEO Fabrizio Vito. “Once in Indiana, the reception and relationship we developed with Brad Bookout in Delaware County to help us advance our plans was second to none. In addition, we are happy to be in an area with a strong presence of other Italian firms.” Vi-Technik plans to begin equipping their facility early spring of 2024, with production goals targeted for summer. “We are very happy with the success of

James King, Fabrizio Vito, Giacomo Calabria, Shannon Henry

the trip and wish to welcome these great new firms to our business community,” said County Commissioner James King, recognizing the need to diversify our local economy. “When our community was heavily invested in two or three industries, we had all our eggs in one basket. When the auto industry went down, our whole community went down. Our new approach is diversification of business in various advanced technical sectors by promoting relationships with both existing and new companies.”

“The diversification of our local business community means that other industries can participate in the multipliers of business that come from the new investments,” said County Commissioner Shannon Henry. “These new businesses also bring a host of higher-skilled employment opportunities, giving residents a variety of industry sectors to choose from and possibly bringing new business sectors by which to advance their careers. Bringing higher-skilled technical positions to our community is important to me. We are happy to welcome the new investments from Gamma Meccanica, Trebi and Vi-Technik.”

Having a long presence of Italian firms, Delaware County continues to promote new and expanding investment of companies throughout the community. Already having four Italy-based firms operating in the

county, the new commitments bring the total to seven. Those Italy based firms with established Delaware County ties include:

• Muncie Power Products, (a subsidiary of Interpump Group of Reggio Emilia, Italy) with headquarters in downtown Muncie and now in full production in a 112,000-square-foot, advanced manufacturing facility on Priority Way in Park One, Delaware County.

• IMA INOX Market America, based in Padua, Italy, is a stainless-steel slitting and cutting company, who in 2021 constructed a state-of-the-art, new 140,000-square-foot facility in the Muncie Industria Centre on

South Cowan Road.

• Filtrec North America, based in Bergamo, Italy, is a recognized leader in advanced machinery filtration. The company now occupies an 18,000-squarefoot light manufacturing and warehouse facility on County Road 400 South in Delaware County.

• FT Casting (Fonderia Taroni), based in Alfonsine, Italy, has established its corporation in Indiana, and occupies a North American sales presence at the Innovation Connector on White River Boulevard in Muncie.

Accompanying the commissioners during the overseas visits were Brad and Lisa Bookout of Augusta Consulting LLC, serving as the county’s director of economic affairs, and Bill Walters, representing the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District. Previous and current investment trips from the County have resulted in tens of millions in new capital investment within the county, and the creation of hundreds of new employment opportunities.

The Delaware County commissioners wish to thank the new businesses for selecting Delaware County, Indiana. Recognizing that they have many choices, the county pledges to continue to support and assist with their investments.

Brad Bookout, James King, Fabrizio Vito, Shannon Henry, Bill Walters

THROUGH MAY 5

34TH ANNUAL MINNETRISTA JURIED SHOW

Experience the vibrant tapestry of Indiana’s artistic talent at Minnetrista’s 34th Annual Juried Art Show. Minnetrista Museum and Gardens. minnetrista.net

THROUGH MAY 12

STORYLAND: A TRIP THROUGH CHILDHOOD FAVORITES

Step into the worlds of your favorite storybooks at this immersive exhibition that will spark the imagination and boost literacy skills. Minnetrista Museum and Gardens. minnetrista.net

THROUGH MAY 19

“BEYOND THE MEDICI”: THE HAUKOHL FAMILY COLLECTION

The “Beyond the Medici” exhibition presents a selection of artworks from the Haukohl Family Collection, the largest private collection of Florentine Baroque art of the late 16th to the early 18th centuries outside of Italy. David Owsley Museum of Art, Ball State University. bsu.edu.doma

MAY 2

FIRST THURSDAY

Head downtown the first Thursday of every month for a night of gallery walks and more. Watch and learn from local artists as they perform their crafts. Support community artisans and shops as you explore the DWNTWN community. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. downtownmuncie.org

MAY 4

CUSTOM WOODEN SIGN

Transform a blank piece of wood into a beautiful, handmade painted wooden sign. Madjax Maker Force. Registration required. madjax.org

MAY 5 STITCH N’ BITCH

Muncie Stitch n’ Bitch meets every Sunday afternoon. Everyone is welcome with any kind of making! Creativity and caffeine, that’s our thing! 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Cup, 1606 W. University Ave.

MAY 7

FEELING CRABBY

Learn to combine watercolors with images, printed material and other objects to create a unique work of art. Ann Johnson will teach you simplified techniques and inspire you to explore your creative side as you design your masterpiece. Open to all skill levels. Limited to 10 students. Reservations required. E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center. bsu.edu/ebball

AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2024

MAY

MAY 15

CREATING A CULTURE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGING

This professional development session will help participants understand how to take inventory of their current workplace culture and climate, and develop skills to improve teammember interactions. A basic understanding of belongingness will be discussed and how developing a sense of mattering can foster community. Presenter will be Michael A. Martinez, associate director of training and development, Office of Inclusive Excellence, Ball State University. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. E.B. and Bertha Ball Center. bsu.edu/ebball

MAY 16

“FOURTH OF JULY”: A BOOK TRILOGY WITH LOCAL TIES

Meet Noblesville author Kevin Yaney, learn more about the research behind his trilogy of historical fiction books set during the Civil War, and discover what ties his books to Delaware

County and Beech Grove Cemetery! 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Beech Grove Cemetery. Free. Reservations required. bsu.edu/ebball

AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2024

MAY

MAY 16-18

“PETER PAN” THE BALLET

This ballet is complete with Captain Hook and his pirates, mermaids, the lost boys, Tinker Bell and, of course, the ticking clock crocodile. “Peter Pan” is timeless, fanciful and enchanting. Doors open 30 minutes before show time. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $10. muncieballet.org

MAY 18-19

ART IN BLOOM

Art in Bloom is an annual celebration of the David Owsley Museum of Art through innovative floral interpretations created by regional designers. This exhibition of floral arrangements will be on view for the public May 18 and 19 with no admission fee, and

START YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY HERE!!

extended hours on both days. Saturday, May 18 will include a celebratory reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. David Owsley Museum of Art, Ball State University. bsu.edu/doma

CALENDAR PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY, AND DESTINATION: MUNCIE.

MAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Susannah Rosenthal

SUSANNAH ROSENTHAL TALKS PROLIFIC CAREERINCLUDING A BARBIE DOLL REDESIGN

Writer

On the first day of spring amidst the backdrop of PAWS, Inc. headquarters, I met with the woman who redesigned Barbie.

Ten years ago Susannah Rosenthal returned to this area from the west coast, hoping to develop property in Muncie. Four years ago she discovered and purchased the headquarters for PAWS, Inc., the sprawling complex previously owned by “Garfield” creator Jim Davis.

Following graduation from Anderson High School, Rosenthal’s interest in art and architecture lured her to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where after a 1.5-year stint she dropped out to find a job.

Luckily she met RitaSue Siegel, a Pratt grad who ran its placement service. Siegel interviewed Rosenthal, who announced that she only typed 11 words per minute, with mistakes. However, seeing her portfolio of illustrations for children’s books earned her a position at the Fifth Avenue Hallmark gallery, designing pop-culture exhibitions and collectible product lines for Hallmark stores.

Rosenthal’s small design team created exhibitions such as “The China Show” starring Pearl Buck, “The Christmas Show,” for which she designed nude gingerbread and sugar cookies for Cosmopolitan editor Helen Gurley Brown’s tree, and the “Express Yourself” show, for which she served as lead designer. Her idea to create short sandboxes for children and tall stand-up sandboxes for adults was a hit of the show.

“I loved seeing Fifth Avenue businessmen

drop their briefcases to play in the sand,” said Rosenthal.

At Pratt, Rosenthal had met her lifelong friend and artist, Tina Collen. They were the only girls in a class of 30 boys, all industrialdesign students. Rosenthal enjoyed working with male designers, where she said “cooperation was out in the open.” She once joked with her boss, “I’ll arm-wrestle you for your job.” Two years later she secured the job.

“I feel as though my entire life has been guided in some way,” said Rosenthal. One specific example occurred when she accompanied her mom to a spiritual camp in Anderson, where a psychic asked her if she was sewing.

“Yes,” she answered.

“Something blue?” was the next question.

“No,” she responded. And with that, he predicted she would be relocating to a new job near the ocean.

Back at Hallmark, Rosenthal picked up some blue material and created a blue stuffed dog wearing a T-shirt. The rest of the assignment quickly fell into place. She had finished 15 new lines when she she saw an ad for “Design Job Relocation,” posted by Siegel in the New York Times. Remembering the psychic’s prediction, Rosenthal called immediately. With photos of her Hallmark designs, she was flown out for an interview with Mattel in El Segundo, California. They offered her a job on the spot.

Barbie was one of Mattel’s biggest sellers. Three years after she was hired, Rosenthal asked her boss if she could redesign the iconic doll, which then sported pursed lips, a static pose and straight arms ever since its 1959 debut. What transpired was her redesigned Superstar Barbie, complete with big smile, streaked hair, hot-pink dress and bent arms, allowing her to take action and glamour poses.

“You have just saved Barbie,” exclaimed one of Mattel’s senior vice presidents. For her venture she was awarded the 1976 President’s Award for the redesign of Barbie.

Starting as a designer and later as a designer with model makers, Rosenthal was promoted to vice president of new business concepts. In this role she learned more than she ever dreamed possible. “I was surrounded by designers with amazing talent and skills, generating ideas and

& Photographer / Alyson Madsen

engineering products that made millions of dollars,” she said. “I had the best job in the world. The job was better than school.”

Eventually becoming head of the Blue Sky department at Mattel, which Rosenthal said was a “highly coveted job,” she hired many talented designers and tech experts. Two of those, Caleb Chung and Dave Hampton, later invented the toy sensation Furby. Chung’s TED Talk about designing can be found at images.app.goo.gl/ FVzvXDtxtVvDHnvB7.

Rosenthal also found the time to start a summer program where preteens could obtain jobs designing toys alongside professionals. She is hoping to create a similar program in Muncie.

Leaving Mattel in 1991, Rosenthal pursued her other life passions, which paid off handsomely. She worked with top architects, building three awardwinning beach homes in Manhattan Beach, California.

“I have been very lucky,” she said. “I have had the best design jobs in the world and was able to work with renowned architects Antoine Predock and Dean Nota.”

Today Rosenthal is still creating dolls, of a different sort. Currently at work on animated avatars, she’s adding artificial intelligence into her lines of expertise, creating what she calls an “animated academy,” bringing education alive for both teachers and students. The prospective owner of PAWS may figure prominently into her plans.

“My new venture is called CoPlay,” Rosenthal said. “It’s a concept analogous to co-workers, whereby many of the biggest innovations evolve while playing and playing together - or co-playing.”

For more information and details on Rosenthal’s future projects, contact suxanadu2@gmail.com.

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