ARTISTS OPEN THEIR STUDIO DOORS FOR LOCAL ART PARTY
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NOVEMBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE Solutions
ACROSS
1. Performed
7. Clamber
8. Either yes or no
10. Strolling
12. Put at risk
14. Leer
16. Loading wharf
17. Decreed
20. Came (from)
23. Nude
24. Furthest limits
25. Malice
DOWN
1. Respect
2. Flows away
3. Computer symbol
4. Palm fruits
5. Condensing
6. Jamaican music
9. Deserves
11. Perfectionists
13. Misjudge
15. Sanctuary
16. Speech extracts
18. Absent-minded scribble
19. Bee homes
21. Discontinued (project)
22. Moist
STRONG TOGETHER
IU HEALTH & BALL STATE TEAM UP TO KEEP ATHLETES SAFE, HEALTHY & GAME-READY
Writer / Amy Leffingwell
Photographer / Chris Carroll
As the energy of fall sports fills stadiums across east central Indiana, a powerful partnership is working behind the scenes to keep athletes strong, healthy and ready for competition. Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital and Ball State University have expanded their long-standing relationship, uniting medical expertise with athletic excellence in a renewed agreement that designates IU Health as the Official Healthcare and Sports Medicine Provider for Ball State Athletics.
Under the new arrangement, IU Health delivers an all-encompassing suite of services for Ball State’s athletes and coaches. From pre-participation physicals and injuryprevention training to on-site medical direction at athletic events, the health
system’s specialists will be present every step of the way. Their oversight extends to the evaluation and treatment of sports-related injuries, guidance in rehabilitation programs, and coordination with Ball State’s certified athletic trainers to ensure every player receives comprehensive and consistent care.
One of those experts, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Anthony McPherron, has recently joined the IU Health Ball Memorial orthopedic team that supports Ball State Athletics. A board-certified surgeon with more than 25 years of experience, McPherron brings extensive knowledge in sports medicine and joint replacement. His focus on performance enhancement, injury prevention and long-term recovery ensures that student-athletes receive individualized, high-quality care tailored to their needs both on and off the field.
Beyond campus, IU Health Ball Memorial’s outpatient facility at Tillotson and Gilbert serves as a convenient access point for studentathletes and the broader Muncie community. Jeff Hanson, service line administrator for orthopedics, rehab and neurosciences, notes the strong partnerships IU Health maintains with other local providers.
“We serve a large and active population,” Hanson says. “Our collaboration with community health care professionals allows us to deliver seamless care and keep our patients moving.”
This fall, IU Health’s presence extends well beyond university stadiums. Their physicians and athletic trainers are visible fixtures on the sidelines of area high school football fields, ensuring local athletes benefit from the same level of professional attention as their
collegiate counterparts.
With the season underway, the partnership between IU Health and Ball State stands as a model of community collaboration — uniting medical innovation, preventive care and athletic performance to help studentathletes thrive safely and successfully throughout the year.
For more information, visit IU Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine’s home page online.
BUSINESS SHOWCASE WEEK 2025 SET TO TRANSFORM MUNCIE’S ENTREPRENEURIAL LANDSCAPE
Writer / Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.
The entrepreneurial spirit of east central Indiana is about to take center stage as the Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. presents the fourth annual Business Showcase Week. The event will run throughout the first three weeks of November 2025, with the main events scheduled from Nov. 17 to Nov. 22.
Presented in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week, this year’s Showcase Week is bigger, bolder and more impactful than ever before. It features many free events designed to inspire, educate and connect the greater Muncie business community.
Celebrate. Educate. Collaborate.
When “Innovation” is part of an organization’s name, it’s more than a brand — it’s a mission. For more than 20 years, the Muncie Innovation Connector has been solving real problems with creative solutions, empowering businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations throughout the region.
Business Showcase Week 2025 is a powerful extension of this mission, leading to a curated series of workshops, networking sessions, expert panels, pitch competitions and more. The goal? To provide every participant with practical tools, expert insight and meaningful connections that will drive long-term business success.
“Business Showcase Week is more than a series of events,” says Ted Baker, CEO of the Innovation Connector and Founding Dreamer of Showcase Week. “It catalyzes entrepreneurial transformation. Every session, every connection and every idea shared helps strengthen the foundation of our local business community. We’re seeing real momentum, and it’s changing the trajectory of Muncie’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
What’s New in 2025?
Following the outstanding success of
last year’s Showcase Week, which drew participants to 19 events, the Innovation Connector is aiming even higher for 2025:
Up to 80+ high-impact events planned, including events for nonprofit organizations and K-8 tech workshops.
Events scheduled in Anderson, Dunkirk and Marion, plus workshops in Muncie and Delaware County middle and high schools. More than 2,000 participants expected throughout the three weeks.
Expanded programming across three weeks. Free admission to all events.
Food and beverages served throughout Showcase Week.
Note: While every event is free to attend, registration is highly recommended due to limited space at many venues. Secure your spot at ShowcaseWeek.com.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a week of events. It’s a transformative initiative aimed at building stronger, more connected and resilient local and regional economies. Business Showcase Week provides value for every type of organization — from startups and nonprofits to established corporations and community groups.
“The Innovation Connector’s mission has always been to empower entrepreneurs and foster economic vitality in our region,” says Innovation Connector Board Chair Ron Fauquher. “Business Showcase Week aligns seamlessly with our vision — creating a wide range of forward-thinking opportunities that drive sustainable impact. As a board, we are proud to support this initiative as a living embodiment of our core values: innovation, collaboration and community stewardship.”
Proudly Partnered for Impact
Thanks to the commitment of many local organizations, Business Showcase Week 2025 will offer unparalleled programming
and support. With 34 community businesses and organizations serving as financial and in-kind partners, Showcase Week will impact more attendees than ever with events catering to a variety of business sectors.
Once again, First Merchants Bank is the title partner. The Innovation Connector appreciates its commitment not only to the organization but to the local small-business ecosystem.
Business Impact Partners include Arrowhead Plastics, Spotted Monkey Marketing, R&R Engineering Co., PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union, the Indiana Michigan Power Foundation and the City of Muncie, represented by Mayor Dan Ridenour.
Thank you to these partners — and all others — who exemplify the spirit of collaboration and help build a stronger foundation for economic development in Muncie and beyond.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re looking to grow your business, launch a new venture, meet collaborators or explore the local business scene, Business Showcase Week 2025 is your invitation to get involved and get inspired.
Register now: ShowcaseWeek.com
Cost: Free (registration recommended — space is limited)
Enjoy: Great food and beverages served at many events.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a movement changing the face of entrepreneurship in Muncie — and making national waves along the way.
To learn more, view the full event schedule or inquire about partnership opportunities, visit ShowcaseWeek.com or contact the Innovation Connector at info@ innovationconnector.com.
AN EVENING AT THE MURRAY
ARTISTS OPEN THEIR STUDIO DOORS FOR LOCAL ART PARTY
Writer
/ Heather Collins
Photographer / Ethan Snyder
On Friday, Nov. 21, local artists will open their studios to present An Evening at the Murray from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The art party includes a holiday art sale featuring works from the professional artists housed inside the historic Murray Building in downtown Muncie.
ART at the Murray, located above The Caffeinery, is a collective of artists with studio space inside the Murray Building. First Thursday ArtsWalk attendee Rebekah Hanna encourages visitors of ART at the Murray to walk up the 1960s green linoleum steps at the entryway to experience the art and the artists.
“I love the ART at the Murray. One of my favorite things about this building is the beautiful steps,” Hanna says. “You have to pay attention to the steps when you come up.”
Throughout the year, ART at the Murray artists open their studio doors and connect with the community for special engagements, including First Thursday ArtsWalk and the upcoming An Evening at the Murray.
ART at the Murray events offer visitors a rare opportunity to be immersed in the artistic process. Unlike an art gallery, visitors can see “working galleries” filled with paintbrushes, easels, completed works and pieces in progress.
Carrie Wright Silk Gifts and Gallery, owned by silk artist Carrie Wright, is the only art studio in the ART at the Murray suites open for regular business hours. Wright explores her artistic freedom by combining ancient and innovative silk painting techniques.
Wright says walking into spaces like ART at the Murray draws a deeper appreciation for the artist and demystifies what it means
to be one.
“When a community has a space like this operating in it, the community becomes beautified,” Wright says.
Cassie Dunmyer’s art celebrates the natural world while promoting preservation practices. Influenced by nature’s beauty and the way societal norms affect it, Dunmyer’s studio is located inside ART at the Murray in Suite 308.
Dunmyer primarily uses layered acrylic and colored pencil but also incorporates other media such as ink, collaged materials, gesso and beeswax.
Through her art, Dunmyer highlights the beauty of nature while
addressing modern issues including pollution, overdevelopment and the fragility of our food systems. Her work sparks reflection and meaningful conversation about our connection to nature, consumerism, climate change, wildlife decline and sustainability.
Raised in a log home, Dunmyer says she developed an early appreciation for the beauty of untouched nature.
“Untouched landscapes and sustainable living are central to my work,” Dunmyer says.
An aspiring homesteader, Dunmyer and her husband are raising their children with gardens, orchards, chickens and bees.
“We continuously try to live more sustainably,” Dunmyer says. “This journey informs my artistic practice, inspiring both the materials I use and the themes I explore.”
A Ball State University graduate with a BFA in drawing, Dunmyer has exhibited her work in juried shows including The Indianapolis Zoo’s Naturally Inspired Paint Out Exhibition at the Eiteljorg Museum and Art from the Heartland at the Indianapolis Art Center.
Her piece “The Last Little House on the Prairie” highlights suburbia’s obsession with manicured lawns and disconnection from the natural world. The work depicts a neighborhood with identical, trimmed lawns — except for one sustainable backyard garden.
“My work is definitely going down the path of promoting principles of permaculture and holistic environmental management,” Dunmyer says.
She encourages art supporters to explore ART at the Murray.
“There’s something new every time we’re open,” Dunmyer says. “You can see something completely different from one door to the next.”
Josh Dunckel and his wife, Hannah, own Dunckel Haus Photography located in Suite 305. The husband and wife photography duo specialize in wedding, family, portrait and lifestyle photography. Avid thrifters, Dunkel Haus Photography utilizes vintage and non-traditional optics to create different styles of photography paired with retro background settings, including a 1970s green floral print couch and record player.
Dunckel Haus Photography will debut their 1990s-styled holiday setting during An Evening at the Murray.
Photographer Mark Sawrie hosts his exhibition space inside ART at the Murray. His gallery features a new show every month, ranging from adult-themed digital compositions to
captivating scenes from Muncie and his travels.
“Come to visit. You don’t have to talk to me. You can just stare at the work,” Sawrie says. “That’s kind of what it’s about — staring at things.”
Additional ART at the Murray artists include Hue House featuring Dr. Robin Phelps-Ward’s Viola Lou Studio and Dr. Kat Stephens-Peace’s Kat Peace Art, Kerry Shaw, and Dunckel Haus Photography by Josh and Hannah Dunckel.
The studios are filled with fine art in all media, including
watercolor, oil, acrylic, photography and silk painting. “It’s fun to see art being made. It’s fun to meet an artist,” Wright says.
During An Evening at the Murray on Nov. 21, cartoonist Dan Wright will perform live music on the third floor. Light canapés and mocktails will be served.
For more information on An Evening at the Murray, follow ART at the Murray on Facebook. For more information on Carrie Wright Silk Gifts & Gallery, visit carriewrightsilk.com. To view Cassie Dunmyer’s work, visit cassiedunmyercreative.com.
A MATCH MADE IN SMALL BUSINESS HEAVEN
CAN THE RISE OF YOUNGER ENTREPRENEURS STEM THE TIDE OF BUSINESS CLOSURES?
Writer / Ralana Abraham
On a recent Monday morning at Dunkin’ Donuts on Tillotson Avenue, I sat across from Bruce Wolowski, owner of Crystal Glass on Kilgore Avenue. The lonely little “Business for Sale” sign outside his family business attests to an all-too-common occurrence these days. After 50 years and two generations of Wolowskis providing exemplary service and employment to the community, Bruce has reached the point of retirement and faces a decision — sell to a buyer with a vision to carry the business forward or close his doors.
I asked him what advice he would give other business owners approaching retirement. “They should start their research early and find out how to prepare their business for sale. I wish I had done that earlier,” he says.
Most business owners like Bruce find that running their business takes time and focus away from planning for a future exit. Before they know it, it’s decision time.
In recent years, my industry — the business brokerage and M&A industry — has been gearing up for what’s been called the Silver Tsunami. Roughly 12 million
small to mid-sized businesses are owned by baby boomers in the U.S., according to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy. Of those, approximately 41% report that their children are ready to take over. The remaining 59% will either sell and transition to new ownership or close as the baby boomer owners retire or are forced to quit working for health reasons — as is too often the case.
Business closures have been accelerated by a lack of retirement and succession planning, a shortage of local buyers, and economic shifts such as COVID-19, inflation and labor shortages. Closures are especially severe in rural areas, where younger generations are leaving and small businesses can’t compete with big-box retailers.
So what happens when a business can’t find a buyer, as Bruce hopes to do? What are their options? I’ve had many conversations recently with business owners and noticed a growing trend — a desire among older business owners to mentor younger entrepreneurs and pass on their knowledge and skills to a new generation.
That means there’s hope on the horizon. The M&A and business brokerage
industry is seeing an increase in younger, entrepreneurially minded individuals choosing to acquire businesses rather than start from scratch. According to an article in BizBuySell, “this trend is fueled by the growing popularity of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) programs at business schools across the country.” These programs teach students to raise capital from investors, search for a viable business to purchase, then buy and operate it.
There has also been a cultural shift — many young professionals now seek more control over their careers, gravitating toward trades, creative ventures and service industries. These trends continue to grow.
I recently spoke with Ted Baker, CEO of the Innovation Connector, a successful entrepreneur, business owner and business seller. He’s seen many businesses close because they “did not have a plan in place.” When preparing to sell his businesses, Baker developed strong internal processes and management systems so they could run without him — making them more attractive to buyers.
I asked Baker what opportunities he sees in the Silver Tsunami for younger
entrepreneurs. He pointed out that for baby boomers and Gen Xers, corporate jobs once offered security and good benefits. But that’s no longer the case. More young people now look for independent opportunities in stable or creative industries, where they see more control and financial potential.
Advances in technology, artificial intelligence and social media have also empowered this generation to manage operations, marketing and customer acquisition more efficiently — allowing them to grow quickly. The Silver Tsunami offers them another path to ownership: stepping into an existing business with established operations, customers and revenue, then using tech to accelerate growth.
So why isn’t this creating an overwhelming wave of new business ownership?
The challenge is awareness — connecting retiring sellers with younger buyers, and helping both groups understand the process of planning, funding and transitioning.
Fortunately, there are more resources than ever before. Locally, organizations such as the Innovation Connector and the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. Websites like BizBuySell. com and BizQuest.com offer listings and guidance for both buyers and sellers. Social platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok are also becoming hubs for business sale opportunities and advice.
To the younger entrepreneur, I’d say: find a mentor (the Innovation Connector is a great place to start), pick an industry, secure funding and go after your opportunity.
Too many Main Street businesses have closed in recent years — we all see the empty storefronts. But the next decade can look different if more resources and awareness reach both retiring owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. There’s tremendous opportunity for aging business owners to mentor younger ones, passing on their knowledge while
a new generation brings innovation and technology.
I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of the American Dream looks like as this generational shift unfolds.
About the Author:
Ralana Abraham is a certified business broker and the owner and founder of MBB, LLC dba Muncie Business Brokers.
A 20-year veteran of the small- to midsized business acquisitions industry, she has overseen the strategy for thousands of central Indiana businesses brought to market. A Ball State graduate who grew up in a family business, Abraham learned early the value of hard work and the entrepreneurial spirit. She is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), Midwest Business Brokers Institute (MBBI) and Community Business Connections (CBC) in Muncie. She also owns Orchard & Opal Occasions, a central Indiana wedding and event coordination business.
1, 15
FARMERS MARKET AT
MINNETRISTA: INDOOR MARKET
MINNETRISTA, 1200 N MINNETRISTA PKWY.
9 A.M.-NOON
Free Community Event Step inside to explore a wonderful selection of handcrafted goods, fresh meats, artisanal treats, and more! First & Third Saturdays through April.
1-2
GOOD NIGHT FOREST
Minnetrista, 1200 N Minnetrista Pkwy.
9 a.m.-noon, 12-5 p.m.
Visitors will feel like they are stepping into a beloved children’s storybook as they encounter whimsical scenes and engaging sensory activities in this nature-inspired experience.
1
MUNCIE CARS & COFFEE
Corner of Walnut & Charles Streets, Old National Bank Parking Lot (116 W Charles St.)
9 a.m.-noon
Open to all years, makes and models. Come out, check out the vehicles and talk Cars with other gear heads and car enthusiasts. Hosted by the Muncie Volkswagen Club.
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.
3 BALL STATE CARDINALS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS.
ARKANSAS STATE
RED WOLVES
Worthen Arena, 2000 W. University Ave.
5
BALL STATE CARDINALS VS. KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES
Scheumann Stadium, Tillotson Avenue. 7 p.m.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Ball State Cardinals Football.
6
BOB ROSS PAINTING
WORKSHOP: S30 E08 - HOME IN THE VALLEY
Minnetrista, 1200 N Minnetrista Pkwy.
5-9 p.m.
FIRST THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET!
Adams & Walnut in Downtown
5-8 p.m.
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!
7
BOB ROSS PAINTING
WORKSHOP: S13 E04 -
EVENING AT SUNSET
Minnetrista, 1200 N Minnetrista Pkwy. 5-9 p.m.
8
ASTRONOMY SLAM 2025
Ball State University, 2000 W University Ave.
6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. Cost: $4/person, buy tickets online. Just 10 minutes a person.
COMEDY SHOW SPONSORED BY MUNCIE EAGLES 231
Muncie Eagles, 231 (1414 S Batavia Ave.)
8 p.m.
Save the date and get your advance tickets now. Always a fun night!
