SERVING DELAWARE COUNTY
RADIANT RENEWAL
REVITALIZE MED SPA BLENDS RELAXATION WITH CUTTING-EDGE CARE
Lighting the Way
Holidays at Gresham Shines With Joy & Purpose
T&H Sweeper Has Kept Muncie Clean for 60 Years
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ReVitalize Med Spa Blends Relaxation With Cutting-Edge Care
How Chris Taylor Blends Art, Athletics & Storytelling at Ball State
LIGHTING THE
Holidays at Gresham Shines With Joy & Purpose
RADIANT RENEWAL
REVITALIZE MED SPA BLENDS RELAXATION WITH CUTTING-EDGE CARE
Writer / Heather Collins
/ Chris Carroll
At ReVitalize Med Spa, results aren’t just skin deep. The med spa’s hope is for clients to feel truly revitalized this holiday season.
Surgeon and founder Dr. Michael Paul Thorpe says ReVitalize Med Spa allows people to reveal on the outside what they feel on the inside. Thorpe was the founder of Indiana Vein Institute and is a minimally invasive surgery specialist. Thorpe’s goal is to
enhance the natural beauty of his patients.
“Give the world the gift of seeing you in your true light,” Thorpe says.
ReVitalize Med Spa combines a relaxing spa experience with medical-grade procedures and advanced therapies to reveal, restore and revitalize how clients feel and present to the world.
“Let the inner flower bloom,” Thorpe says. According to Thorpe, ReVitalize Med Spa has
the most advanced treatment modalities in the nation.
Innovative services include luxurious facial treatments, Agnes RF, Botox, BBL Forever Young and the Halo treatment. The med spa provides solutions for a variety of conditions, including cellulite, wrinkles, skin growths, excess fat and sweat, unwanted hair and hair loss. The ReVitalize Med Spa team is composed of skincare specialists and medical professionals.
Photographer
Thorpe says clients present with a brighter complexion and more positive energy.
“We want to help resolve issues that are causing them to be self-conscious, so that they can shine the way they want to,” Thorpe says.
Thorpe says Kenna Bradfield is one of ReVitalize Med Spa’s greatest success stories.
“Her eyes are brighter. She’s just enjoying life more,” Thorpe says.
Bradfield says she feels truly uplifted from the treatments at ReVitalize Med Spa.
“I was one of the very first ladies that went there and I have been really happy with the results,” Bradfield says. “You look like yourself — only better.”
Bradfield, 68, says she felt very selfconscious about acne, spider veins and signs of aging.
“I didn’t even want to be seen,” she says.
Bradfield says the ReVitalize Med Spa treatments have lifted that feeling and lifted her face.
“I don’t want to hide anymore,” she says. “I’m more confident about my appearance. When I look in the mirror, I’m happy with what I see. I’m the best I can be.”
Bradfield was first treated for varicose veins and spider veins. She visits the med spa monthly for facials and has also had Botox, the Agnes RF and Scarlet SRF treatments.
for a more refined silhouette and reduced appearance of cellulite. Due to the treatment’s collagen induction capacity, skin is firmer, tighter and plumper.
Scarlet SRF, a 40-minute treatment, combines microneedling and radiofrequency technology to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. The facial rejuvenation results include improved skin texture and elasticity. Additionally, Scarlet SRF is an option for non-surgical body contouring
Bradfield combined the Scarlet SRF with PRP (platelet-rich plasma), also known as the “vampire treatment.” PRP uses the patient’s own blood to expedite the collagen stimulation process.
Bradfield says she feels confident working with Dr. Thorpe since he is also a surgeon. “He’s just wonderful,” she says. “He wants you to get what you want. He’s a wonderful guy.”
In between treatments, Bradfield purchases high-end skincare products, including cleansers, CBD oil and exfoliation pads, at ReVitalize Med Spa to keep her skin refreshed and glowing.
“You’re you, but a refreshed you, a better you,” she says. “You feel better about yourself inside, as well as outside.”
The BBL Forever Young treatment utilizes state-of-the-art BroadBand Light (BBL) technology to treat signs of aging and skin damage. The advanced skin rejuvenation treatment targets a variety of skin Jordan conditions including wrinkles, age spots, freckles and fine lines. The customizable treatment is non-invasive and requires no downtime. Results include a clearer, smoother and more youthful complexion.
The Halo med spa therapy is regarded
for natural glowing skin and promoting reverse cellular aging.
“Laser treatments are a very clean, high-end approach to getting really amazing results,” Jordan says.
as one of the most sought-after facial treatments. The Halo treatment targets concerns like wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sun damage and scars. According to the ReVitalize Med Spa website, Halo combines ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to optimize skin rejuvenation. The innovative treatment reduces downtime in comparison to traditional ablative laser treatments. Jessie Jordan, the contracted marketing coordinator at ReVitalize Med Spa, says laser treatments are the gold standard
A Muncie native, Jordan previously worked in marketing and business development for a major plastic surgeon’s office in Golden, Colo. Her med spa expertise includes platform implementation, lead generation and marketing through her company, Jessie Jordan Design.
Jordan says the ReVitalize Med Spa team works closely with each individual client to find revitalizing treatment options that fit their budget, timeline and ultimate goals.
Jordan says ReVitalize Med Spa is helping clients achieve more than just glowing skin.
“We focus on results that provide confidence,” Jordan says. “Book a consultation. Your transformation starts with one conversation.”
Basic consultations are complimentary.
ReVitalize Med Spa is located at 1714 W. Royale Dr. in Muncie. For more information, call 765-986-0781 or visit revitalize-medspa.com.
HOLIDAY HARMONY
MUNCIE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S HOLIDAY CONCERT RETURNS DECEMBER 6
Writer / Heather Collins
The Muncie Symphony Orchestra presents “In Search of the Perfect Christmas Song” on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Muncie Central High School.
The spirited concert features holiday classics and pop hits, including “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Last Christmas” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
The program showcases the work of multitalented performer Andrew Lipke. Lipke is the show’s conductor, emcee, instrumentalist and vocalist. Throughout the show, Lipke searches for the perfect Christmas song while performing original compositions and playful twists on beloved holiday tunes.
Lipke previously performed in the Led Zeppelin tribute group Get the Led Out.
In 2022, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and Marion Philharmonic Orchestra merged into Orchestra Indiana. Orchestra Indiana offers bold, innovative concert experiences. The nonprofit organization’s vision is to unite the community through the power of music and provide a gateway to fall in love with the symphony experience.
Yaniv Segal is in his first season as the artistic director and principal conductor of Orchestra Indiana. Segal has previously worked with The Beach Boys, Yitzhak Perlman, and conducted orchestras around the world, including in Japan, Italy, Poland, the U.K. and the U.S. Segal is in his fourth season as music director of the Salina Symphony in Kansas and is a director of orchestral training at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings.
In his role, Segal would like to see Orchestra Indiana become part of the fabric of the Muncie community and arts scene. Segal said he wants to keep the art form moving by offering new works and exploring a range of musical genres from classical to pop to rock.
S aturday, December 6, 2025
In Search of the Perfect Christmas Song
featuring Andrew Lipke, Conductor/Piano/Voice
Muncie Central High School
4:00 pm OR 7:30 PM
“I love the power of music because you have a shared common experience that is on one hand, shared, and on the other hand, unique to everyone in the room,” Segal says.
On March 14, 2026, Muncie Symphony Orchestra will present “In Search of the Magic,” featuring music from the “Harry Potter” films at Muncie Central High School. The program includes the spellbinding scores of John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper and Alexandre Desplat.
To conclude the season, Orchestra Indiana will present “In Search of Destiny” on May 9, 2026, at the Euler Science Complex at Taylor University. The program takes audiences on a soul-stirring journey of music that evokes themes of hope, fate and human striving.
Family-friendly atmosphere, all ages welcome!
Adults $20, ALL Students $5
The program features the music of Brahms, Debussy and Segal’s original composition, “... the light that breathes…”
Segal says live music performance provides audiences with inspiration and respite.
“I don’t think we have humanity without art,” Segal says. “In every civilization, there has always been art — some kind of cultural connection made through performance.”
Segal’s commercial recordings include “Beethoven Reimagined” with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Segal previously was assistant conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Naples Philharmonic.
Segal says Muncie Symphony Orchestra,
under the umbrella of Orchestra Indiana, is a rich palette of talented musicians.
“The symphony consists of more than 50 talented musicians all with a common goal of bringing the most incredible works of art and music to life,” Segal says.
Orchestra Indiana is composed of professors, students and professional musicians from East Central Indiana, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Cincinnati, Ohio. Orchestra Indiana musicians are from both the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and Marion Philharmonic Orchestra.
Violinist Noel Tretick-Gosling is a recording artist, nationally touring performer and in her ninth year as concertmaster for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra. Tretick-Gosling’s musical roots are in Muncie. Her father held the same chair as concertmaster for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra during his tenure as head of the string department at Ball State University from 1952 to 1962. Her mother, Patricia, was a professor of violin at Ball State University.
Tretick-Gosling has toured nationally with legendary pop stars including Luciano
Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Johnny Mathis.
“There’s nothing like live music,” TretickGosling says. “Muncie Symphony is very much alive and well.”
Tretick-Gosling performs regularly with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She has a private teaching studio in Indianapolis and coaches Indianapolis Youth Orchestra students. Mihoko Watanabe is principal flute of Orchestra Indiana. Watanabe has adjudicated at international and national music festivals. A Japan Flute Association and National Flute Association winner, Watanabe has performed in Japan, England, Israel and Germany.
Watanabe is a professor of flute, the chair of the Entrepreneurial Music Certificate Program and Woodwind Area Coordinator at Ball State University.
Lisa Kozenko, principal oboist of Orchestra Indiana, was principal oboist of the New York City Opera National Company and has performed with the New York Philharmonic.
Orchestra Indiana partners include the National Endowment for the Arts, Indiana Arts Commission, Ball Brothers Foundation and The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County.
Orchestra Indiana season tickets are on sale now.
“In Search of the Perfect Christmas Song” is Saturday, Dec. 6, at Muncie Central High School, located at 801 N. Walnut St. Matinee performance at 4 p.m. Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $20. Student and children’s tickets are $5.
Orchestra Indiana is currently seeking an executive director to set the groundwork for widespread community support and philanthropy.
Orchestra Indiana’s office is located at 520 E. Main St., Floor 2M, in Muncie. Tickets and more information are available at orchestraindiana.org or by calling 765-216-0970.
2025-2026 Season Schedule:
IU HEALTH BALL’S ADULT SURGICAL UNIT PRIORITIZES PATIENTS & STAFF
Ask nurses on IU Health Ball’s adult surgical unit what keeps them here and you’ll hear the same themes: a leader who listens, a team that steps up for each other, and a shared focus on compassionate care.
Chanel Venable, MSN, RN, clinical operations manager, sets that tone and protects it.
“I want people to feel heard,” she says. “If a team member brings me an idea or concern, I make sure to follow up. Even if I don’t have the answer right away, they know I’m working on it and that what they share matters.”
That approach has fostered a culture where teamwork comes naturally. Nurses, patient care assistants and support team members step in for each other, ensuring care remains seamless even during busy shifts.
“The team is very close-knit,” Venable says. “Everybody helps each other. It doesn’t matter if it’s your patient or not. If you see a need, you step in. That’s the kind of environment we want to nurture and grow.”
Her leadership style is rooted in her own experience at the bedside. Venable has spent her entire 37-year nursing career at IU Health Ball, including 25 years in leadership. She began on a medical-surgical unit — the same adult surgical unit she now manages — giving her a grounded perspective on the patients her team serves and the support nurses need to thrive.
She remembers what it felt like to be a new nurse and works to provide the support she once needed. That includes mentoring earlycareer nurses, guiding team members through challenges and celebrating wins big and small.
Venable’s goal is for every team member to feel confident and supported in their roles. She
believes that when nurses know their leader is behind them, they can focus fully on what matters most: caring for patients.
“Patients on our unit are in a sensitive stage of healing,” she says. “The team understands that and goes above and beyond to make patients
and families feel safe, informed and cared for.”
Ready to explore a nursing career where teamwork and support are part of every shift? See current opportunities at careers. iuhealth.org.
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A SWEEPING SUCCESS
T&H SWEEPER HAS KEPT MUNCIE CLEAN FOR 60 YEARS
Writer / Amy Leffingwell Photographer / Ethan Snyder
When you walk into T&H Sweeper on Walnut Street, you’re stepping into more than a vacuum store — you’re stepping into a Muncie legacy. For 60 years, the Hickey family has built a business rooted in service, hard work and the belief that community matters.
The company’s story begins in 1965, when founder Bob Hickey opened the first shop at 626 S. Walnut St. Before the sound of vacuums filled the space, it was home to an ice cream store in the front and an auto body shop in the back. The building sat among a row of garagestyle storefronts that once functioned like a miniature strip mall.
“My grandfather used to stand outside and watch the trains go by,” recalls Tamra Hickey-Conatser. “Sometimes he’d see train cars carrying the Barnum and Bailey circus animals.”
Over the decades, T&H Sweeper expanded
its reach and its reputation. In 1992, Bob’s son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Kathy Hickey, took over operations and shepherded in the company’s next era of growth. That same year, they opened a second location at 704 W. McGalliard Road, a move that changed everything. With steady retail traffic and maximum visibility, the store quickly became a hub for new customers seeking reliable equipment and maintenance support.
Today, the business spans four stores: two in Muncie, one in Westfield and another in Anderson. Family and friends remain at the center. Multiple generations have clocked hours across the various locations, including Tamra, her brothers, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many close friends.
As consumer habits change, T&H Sweeper continues adapting.
“Your grandma might have had her refrigerator
or vacuum for 25 or 30 years,” Tamra says. “Now, companies make cheaper versions that might last only three.”
She sees that shift as a call to help customers invest smarter.
The company carries everything from budgetfriendly cleaners to premium brands like Sebo and Riccar — machines built to last.
“We match online prices, and if it breaks, we fix it,” she says. “Even if it’s a $100 vacuum, buy locally. We’re building a long-term relationship, and you can trade up over time.”
That philosophy doesn’t just save money — it keeps machines out of landfills and protects your flooring investment.
In 2024, the business added a new dimension: commercial janitorial supplies. Today, T&H Sweeper delivers everyday essentials —
including janitorial supplies, trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper and cleaning chemicals — directly to local businesses. It’s a natural extension of their mission to keep spaces clean and customers supported.
Still, there’s heart in everything they do. Tamra can often be found with her two young children at her side, absorbing the rhythms of a family enterprise built long before them. Whether they will join the legacy someday remains to be seen.
“I don’t know what the next generation will bring for small business,” she admits. “But we feel blessed. Muncie has always supported us.”
After six decades, T&H Sweeper continues to sweep forward — powered by family, fueled by community and committed to keeping Muncie clean for generations to come.
CHRISTMAS MORNING CINNAMON ROLL CASSEROLE
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tubes (8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• ¼ cup salted butter (melted)
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13″ baking dish with nonstick spray. Pour in melted butter.
2. Remove cinnamon rolls from the package, reserving frosting for later.
3. Cut cinnamon rolls into 3/4″ pieces, about 4 pieces per roll, and place in the prepared baking dish.
4. Whisk together the milk, pure maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined, and pour the mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces in the dish.
5. Bake the casserole for 35-45 minutes until light golden brown and puffed.
6. Let cool for 10–15 minutes, then drizzle the top of the casserole with package frosting and serve.
7. Enjoy & Happy Holidays!
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BALL STATE SPORTS LINK
HOW CHRIS TAYLOR BLENDS ART, ATHLETICS & STORYTELLING AT BALL STATE
Writer / Amy Leffingwell
In a world where sports and art rarely intersect, Chris Taylor stands at the perfect crossroads. As the senior director of sports production at Ball State — better known as Ball State Sports Link — Taylor has built a nationally recognized program that blends storytelling, technology and creativity. But his path to the top of the sports media world started not under stadium lights, but in front of a canvas.
PAINTING THE PATH FORWARD
Long before he was mentoring students, Taylor was a boy with a paintbrush. His grandmother enrolled him in a children’s
art class at Painted Memories in Yorktown, a studio that no longer exists but lives on in his memory. For his first project, he painted a landscape so striking that he was asked to bring it back the next Saturday to meet Bob. That single painting led to a meeting that would shape his life: a chance encounter with Bob Ross.
Ross, known for his soothing voice and iconic “happy little trees,” saw something in the young artist. What began as a meeting became a mentorship and eventually a friendship. Ross encouraged Taylor’s creativity, inspiring him to become a
Certified Bob Ross Instructor, which Ross encouraged him to do at the age of 16.
After high school, Taylor enrolled at Ball State University, majoring in media production. During his time as a student, he split his life between two studios: one where he produced sports content, and another in the same Ball Communications studios where Ross was filming his legendary TV series, The Joy of Painting. Ross often invited Taylor to sit in during recordings. The two painted together and remained friends until Ross’s death in 1995.
Photographer / Chris Carroll
“I got the call on July 4, 1995,” Taylor says quietly. “Losing Bob was like losing family. I didn’t pick up a brush again for years.”
A PIVOT TO PURPOSE
After 16 years in the Ball State Athletics Department, Taylor accepted a corporate communications position in Nashville, Tennessee — his dream city — expecting it to be a perfect fit. It wasn’t.
“I lasted 10 months,” he says, laughing. “A desk job wasn’t me. I missed the creative part, the storytelling, the energy.”
His return to Muncie coincided with a bold new idea from Dr. Joe Misiewicz, professor emeritus and one of the architects behind Ball State’s Department of Telecommunication, now Media. In 2008, Misiewicz envisioned a student-driven program that would give Ball State Athletics the same kind of polished media coverage as professional sports. He called it Sports Link.
“Dr. Joe reached out and said, ‘I need someone to make this happen,’” Taylor recalls. “And I was all in.”
BUILDING A NATIONAL POWERHOUSE
What began as a pilot project quickly became a national model. Sixteen years later, Ball State Sports Link has grown into a powerhouse and is now recognized as the No. 1 sports media program in the country by the Broadcast Education Association.
Its student work undergoes blind juried evaluation by professionals nationwide and consistently earns top honors, including multiple professional Emmy Awards.
Sports Link remains the only four-year production track of its kind in the United States, accepting just 15 students each semester. Applicants must visit campus, submit portfolios and demonstrate both technical skill and creative storytelling ability.
“We’re attracting students from all over the country,” Taylor says. “Many of them graduate with jobs already lined up.”
The quality of their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Ball State was one of the first ESPN production partners, equipped with a cutting-edge studio that rivals those of major networks.
“We’re not just teaching students how to run cameras,” Taylor explains. “We’re teaching them how to tell stories that matter, to capture emotion, not just action.”
Sophomore Jude Kieffer, a producer with the fall 2025 Sports Link team, agrees.
“What makes us different than other programs is that we’re storytellers, not just tech students,” Kieffer says. “We have a great relationship with the Athletics Department, which gives us access on the field, in huddles and even in the locker room. That level of trust lets us show who players really are, not just how they perform.”
FULL CIRCLE
Despite his full schedule, Taylor still loves
to paint. While he enjoys spending time in his studio, most of his painting instruction happens on the road. For Taylor, both art and sports production are built on the same foundation: passion, patience and storytelling.
From happy little trees to big-league dreams, Chris Taylor’s story is a reminder that artistry and athletics aren’t opposites. In the right hands, they’re part of the same masterpiece.
made from stuff that’s been a round f orever.
Located at 1615 W University Ave, Muncie, IN 47303 in the Ball State Village
DECEMBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
1. Act the mendicant
4. Boys, to Burns
8. A bit loopy
12. Questionnaire datum
13. “American ___” 14. Sole 15. Also
Whirling water 17. Desist 18. Dug up 20. Hose hue
21. Particular, for short 23. “Concentration” puzzle 25. Modify 27. Toupee, informally
28. ___ now or never 31. Passage preventer
33. Van Morrison classic
Snoop
Dash
London’s ___ Court
Kathmandu country
Friends and neighbors
Extinct flock 45. Celebrity ribfest
Superior to
Deck
49. Chalet site, perhaps
Club
53. “Take this!” 54. Born in France? 55. Bounds
56. “Paradise Lost” setting 57. Bonus for waiting
DOWN
1. Cavern sight
2. I problem?
3. High school subject
4. Bank loan security
5. Calculator, at times
6. Go unsteadily
7. Full of guile
8. Doctor’s orders
9. Beginning to freeze?
10. Aggressively publicize
11. Blood category
19. Coffee preference
20. Base caller
21. Pouches
22. Leaky faucet sound
24. Software error
26. Wanders
28. Annoyance
29. List
30. Dress-uniform part
32. Frost’s bite?
34. Thousand ___, Calif.
37. Ruined
39. Expected outcomes
40. River through Tours
42. Spoil, with “on”
43. It’s within your range
44. Word with heat or meat
46. Biblical conclusion
48. French beverage
50. Haole’s souvenir
51. Cheerleader’s asset
LIGHTING THE WAY HOLIDAYS AT GRESHAM SHINES WITH JOY & PURPOSE
As winter settles over east central Indiana, a familiar sparkle begins to appear along West White River Boulevard. Twinkling lights stretch across trees, animated displays come alive, and families queue up in cars, windows rolled down just enough to hear carols on the crisp evening air. For many, this can mean only one thing: Meridian Health Services’ Holidays at Gresham has returned.
Now in its thirteenth year, Holidays at Gresham has grown into one of Muncie’s most beloved traditions — a dazzling drive-thru light extravaganza that combines the magic of the season with the heart of community giving. Hosted at Meridian’s Suzanne Gresham Center, the event runs Friday through Sunday evenings in December from 6 to 9 p.m., welcoming thousands of visitors each year.
A Tradition That Glows Brighter Every Year
With more than one million lights, whimsical themed displays, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Holidays at Gresham is a glowing winter wonderland. Families can expect a joyful journey through scenes of toy soldiers, Candy Land, and dancing snowflakes from the comfort of their car.
“It’s one of those rare events that feels both grand and personal,” says Beth Clark, Meridian’s vice president of marketing and development. “You see kids’ faces pressed against the windows, their eyes wide with excitement. But behind the lights is a deeper purpose. It’s about shining hope into the lives of children who need it most that receive services at our Suzanne Gresham Center.”
For families, that balance of celebration and service is what makes the event so meaningful.
“Driving through the lights with our kids has become our way of saying, ‘The holidays are here,’” says local dad Joey O’Connor. “It’s beautiful, and you know you’re supporting something that truly matters.”
THE LIGHT BEHIND THE LIGHTS
While the glowing displays create an unforgettable holiday experience, Holidays at Gresham also serves as a fundraiser for Meridian’s Children’s Services programs and the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), located at the Suzanne Gresham Center. The CAC provides trauma-informed care to children who have experienced abuse or neglect and offers a safe space for healing and recovery.
“Every light out there represents a child’s story,” says Carrie Schad, director of the Suzanne Gresham Center. “When people visit,
donate, or volunteer, they’re helping us bring light to children during the darkest moments of their lives.”
This year’s event aims to raise funds for a new therapeutic walking path to be installed at the Suzanne Gresham Center — a restorative space designed to support children receiving mental health services. The asphalt path will offer an environment where therapists can integrate movement and outdoor interaction directly into treatment plans.
For many children, traditional therapy settings can feel intimidating or confining. A walking path provides an alternative, encouraging conversation through motion, reducing anxiety, and helping kids open up. Walking side-by-side rather than sitting face-to-face often helps children process emotions, build trust, and regulate their energy.
Blending the benefits of movement and mental health care, the therapeutic walking path will be a valuable addition to Meridian’s holistic approach, nurturing both mind and body while giving children space to breathe, reflect, and heal.
A COMMUNITY EFFORT
Behind every strand of lights is a story of partnership. Each year, local businesses, civic groups, and volunteers come together to make the event possible.
Longtime partner Indiana Michigan Power provides both lift trucks and volunteers to help install the lights.
“It takes a village to create something this special, and the generosity of our community is what keeps this event going year after year,” says Kaitlyn Davis, Meridian’s director of development, fundraising and events.
That sense of collaboration extends beyond setup. Sponsors and volunteers know their time and resources help do more than create holiday cheer — they’re building a stronger, more compassionate community.
“When we come together to celebrate, we also come together to care for community,” Davis says. “That’s what the holidays, and Meridian, are all about.”
EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC
The official “First Look” event kicks off on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m., giving visitors an early glimpse at the display and a chance to make their first holiday donation.
Throughout the season, guests can drive through for free, though donations are encouraged. Donors each weekend will be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card. A winner will be selected after each event weekend in December.
The event runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December, and every night during the week of Dec. 22-28, at the Suzanne Gresham Center, 3620 W. White River Blvd., Muncie, Indiana.
For those who have made it part of their holiday routine, the event’s charm never fades.
“No matter how many times you go through the lights, it still feels magical and serves as a reminder of the good that’s happening right here in our community,” Schad says. “We may light up the Gresham Center for a few weeks each year, but the impact of this event lasts far longer.”
Every light is a promise that no child faces darkness alone.
Event Dates (6-9 p.m.): Tuesday, Dec. 2 Fri–Sun, Dec. 5-7; 12-14; 19-21
Nightly Dec. 22-28
To learn more or make a donation, visit Holidays.MeridianHS.org.
AROUND THE COMMUNITY,
DECEMBER
Submit Your Events!
1-31
DEEP ROOTS: EXPLORING
THE BALL FAMILY TREE
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, 600 West
Minnetrista Boulevard
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Step into the captivating narrative of the Ball family and their legacy in this original exhibition exploring Muncie’s most famous family.
1-31
NESTLED CABINS AT BOB
ROSS EXPERIENCE
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, 620 West
Minnetrista Boulevard
9 - 10 a.m.
Step into the tranquil world of Bob Ross with this unique exhibition highlighting a collection of his beloved cabin paintings.
2
HOLIDAYS AT GRESHAM
FIRST LOOK
Meridian Health Services Suzanne Gresham Center, 3620 W White River Blvd.
6 - 9 p.m.
SPECIAL FIRST LOOK! Kick off the holiday season with a FIRST LOOK of Holidays at Gresham, Meridian’s FREE drive-thru light exhibit, on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2nd from 6-9 pm.
3
BALL STATE CARDINALS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. OAKLAND CITY
MIGHTY OAKS
Worthen Arena, 2000 W. University Ave. 6:30 p.m.
3-6, 10-
27, 31
BALL STORES
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, 1200 North Minnetrista Parkway
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Step back in time at the Ball Stores exhibition, a captivating journey through the history of this beloved shopping destination.
3-28
BOB ROSS EXPERIENCE
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, 1200 North Minnetrista Parkway
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Explore the life, philosophy, and art of this iconic American painter and arts educator inside the historic home where The Joy of Painting was filmed.
4
FIRST THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET!
Adams & Walnut in Downtown 5 - 8 p.m.
FIRST THURSDAYS! Join our local Growers and Makers of the Muncie Makers Market for a really fun community experience EVERY MONTH for First Thursdays in Downtown Muncie! ALL OUTDOORS!
5-6, 12-13
THE CHRISTMAS STAR
Ball State University, 2000 W University Ave.
5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Fridays: Dec. 5, 12 at 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturdays: Dec. 6, 13 at 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
5-6
ENCHANTED LUMINARIA WALK
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, 1200 North Minnetrista Parkway
5 - 9 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at Minnetrista.
5-7, 12-14, 18-21
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
Muncie Civic Theatre, 216 Main St.
7:30 p.m.
Muncie Civic Theatre presents MIRACLE ON 34th STREET on the MAIN STAGE Nov 28 - Dec 21. Capture the spirit of the holidays with this musical adaptation of the beloved classic film.
6
VETERANS COFFEE CLUB AND SPOUSE
AUXILIARY
Muncie Delaware County Senior Center, Auditorium, 2517 W 8th St.
9 - 11 a.m.
Meets First Saturday at the Muncie/Delaware County Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to share information about benefits, share experiences, outreach for PTSD, etc.
6-7 THE NUTCRACKER
Emens Auditorium, 1800 W. Riverside Ave. / Muncie Central High School, 801 N. Walnut St.
1 p.m. / 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. (Evening Performance) / 4 - 6 p.m. (Matinee Performance)
Join multi-talented artist Andrew Lipke who performs as conductor, emcee, instrumentalist, and vocalist in a festive, fun-filled evening of holiday favorites and delights.
9
BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL VS SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Worthen Arena, 2000 W. University Ave.
7 p.m.
18
THIRD THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET AT
MADJAX!
Madjax MakerForce, 515 E Main Street
5 - 8 p.m.
THIRD THURSDAYS! Join our local Growers and Makers of the Muncie Makers Market for a really fun “night market” vibe EVERY MONTH for Third Thursdays at MadJax MakerForce! ALL INDOORS!
20 FARMERS MARKET AT MINNETRISTA: INDOOR MARKET
Minnetrista, 1200 N Minnetrista Pkwy.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
First & Third Saturdays through April 9 a.m.-Noon. Free Community Event. Discover the best of local finds at the Farmers Market at Minnetrista!
BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. MIAMI (OH)
John E Worthen Arena, Bethel Ave. & McKinnley Ave.
2 p.m.
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY CARDINALS WOMENS BASKETBALL vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Women’s Basketball
John E Worthen Arena, Bethel Ave. & McKinnley Ave.
2 p.m.
29
BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL VS EARLHAM
John E Worthen Arena, Bethel Ave. & McKinnley Ave.
7 p.m.
• Needs help with their activities of daily living such as medications or dressing?
• Does not have access to transportation?
• Would benefit from social, recreational and wellness programs?
Why Choose Silver Birch?
Average Length of Stay ?
5 months longer than industry average
Hospital Readmissions
16% lower than industry average
Falls with Injury
22% lower than industry average
