Cornerstone Magazine

CORNERSTONEmagazine

Look inside this family’s love of music and how it’s changed their lives.

A life ofmusicpage 9

2012 Issue

Contentscornerstone magazine

13Do a little dance

Discover the options Cornerstone has to get all

ages and skill levels moving.

27A real life fairytaleA couple reminisces about

their big day in Cornerstone’s Colonnade Room.

34Feature: Judy Barnes

Learn more about the woman who got it all started.

41Forever young

The Community Center for Vital Aging and RSVP

promote senior involvement.

on the cover:

meet the familyFollow a family of three

generations as they !nd their love of music.

)DLU\�)ORVV�&RWWRQ�&DQG\�&RPSDQ\��

�ŽƚƚŽŶ��ĂŶĚǇ�ŵĂŬĞƐ�ĂŶǇ�ŽĐĐĂƐŝŽŶ�ƐƉĞĐŝĂů͊�Ͳ 3HUIHFW�IRU�ELUWKGD\�SDUWLHV��ZHGGLQJV��JUDGXDWLRQV��

DQG�RWKHU�HYHQWV��Ͳ 0DGH�)UHVK�RQVLWH��Ͳ 1R�KDVVOH�IXQ�IRU�\RX��±�ZH�VHW�XS��FOHDQ�XS�DQG�PDNH�

DQG�VHUYH�DOO�FRWWRQ�FDQG\�Contact us for more information

Tim and Jennifer Hollems, Owners (765) 730-1640 or [email protected]

Look for us on Facebook!

Packages starting at $75.

Ask about our no risk fundraising opportunities!

4cornerstone magazine

From the deskof the director

We did it! We’ve printed our !rst-ever Cornerstone Magazine, and I could not be more excited.

When we !rst thought about doing a magazine, we knew we wanted to go back to the beginning and share how it all started. Cornerstone began as an idea

discussed around a dining table. Thanks to the vision and support of a few individuals 14 years ago, we now have a thriving organization that has seen tremendous growth and usage.

We wanted to share the stories of our students, teachers, founders, resident groups, and clients in a new and exciting way. Partnering with departments at Ball State and utilizing journalism students, we made this publication a wonderful immersive learning project that culminated in an impressive magazine for Cornerstone. Thanks to the generous support of donated services and sponsors, as well as volunteer student support, this magazine did not cost Cornerstone any money to produce!

There is so much good news to share about Cornerstone, that a magazine was a perfect !t to tell our stories. The Arts Program began with 44

students in 1999 and has grown to have more than 600 students each semester. In addition, we serve several other community agencies by bringing the arts to their doorstep. The events have continued to see more and more participation each year with hundreds of people attending, and new collaborative events being presented with other nonpro!t partners each year.

Add that to the thousands of people we see monthly at rental events such as weddings, parties, concerts, galas, and more, it’s no surprise that more than 103,000 people walk through our doors annually. In fact, over 1,000,000 people have been to Cornerstone since that day when it all started!

None of that would have been possible without the enormous amount of hard work from our sta", and the truly generous support from our donors and foundations. A visit to our building shows how much our community needs a place like Cornerstone. If you haven’t been here, please come and see what’s happening. From classes to weddings, luncheons to performances, this place is always jumping! And we like it that way!

I hope that you enjoy our !rst edition of the Cornerstone Magazine as much as I have enjoyed watching it come to life.

Executive Director

Photo: Carly AcreePhoto: Carly Acree

EXPLOREthe possibilities

7 cornerstone magazine

Written by Lindsey Gelwicks Photos by Carly Acree

meet

JASEN COMBS


Jasen Combs took his !rst clay class at Vincennes University. Ever since then, he’s been hooked on the art form. He’s not the only artist in his family though. Creativity is in his blood. His aunt and uncle are potters, his cousin is a graphic designer, another aunt is a seamstress and his grandmother was a painter.Inspired by many, Jasen received his degree in ceramics at Ball State University in 1993. He has been teaching ceramics classes ever since with the past seven years being at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Each session he will teach up to four group classes. Although it is a group setting, Jasen says the classes are small enough for each to receive individualized instruction. “I set up my classes with a laid back, open environment for the students when making projects,” he says. “Students are encouraged to ask questions. There is a structure to my classes, but everyone learns at their own pace.”Natasha Mazenina takes Jasen’s adult ceramics class. She says she enjoys the atmosphere of the class as well as the camaraderie with the other students.“All the students help each other,” she says.Natasha says she really enjoys the casual environment. “In class, I am very focused on my work,” Natasha says. “But when I mess up, humor always helps.”During each session of classes, students get the opportunity to make a variety of projects. Students in the adult ceramics class focus on di"erent types of pottery, coil pots, slab-built pottery and hands-on time at the wheel. They each have their choice of what project they want to complete depending on what their strengths are. Taking an art class can help boost creativity and even con!dence. “As I construct my projects, I feel innovative and anxious to see how it turns out,” says ceramics student Mary Thompson. “When I’ve completed a project, I feel satis!ed and even a little proud of myself.”Cornerstone’s ceramics program is growing. Jasen notices many students returning to his classes and bringing friends along with them. “I would recommend the adult ceramics class to my friends and family,” Natasha says. “The class is great.”

- Jasen Combs

“Students are encouraged to ask questions. There is a structure to my classes, but everyone learns at their own pace.”


Written by Lindsey Gelwicks Photos by Rachael Joyce Ricker

HARMONIOUShousehold


he low notes of the Star Wars theme song echo from Studio 4 on the 2nd !oor Mezzanine level of Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Inside the sun-lit room, Kitty Johnson sits at the piano with her granddaughter, Sophie Hill. She has a small violin tucked underneath her chin. Behind them sits Maggie Hill, a miniature version of her father Art Hill, as she plays a pint-sized cello. Art looks over his own full-sized cello as he multitasks playing and watching his daughter. It’s the "rst time the family has played the same song all together.

Written by Lindsey Gelwicks Photos by Rachael Joyce Ricker

HARMONIOUShousehold“When they’re !rst learning, it’s harder to play with a lot

of other people,” Art said about why they hadn’t played together as a family yet.

Sophie, a second-grader at East Washington Academy, has been playing the violin for two years. Her younger sister Maggie, a kindergartener, started the cello about a year ago. But the family had been involved in music, and Cornerstone, long before that.

THE STARTIt all started with Kitty. The Cornerstone private strings

teacher didn’t even start with strings. Her Gri#th, Ind., school did not o"er an orchestra program growing up. But Kitty knew she loved them anyway.

“If they’d have had an orchestra program, I would have been a string player,” Kitty says. “I’m sure I would have.”

Instead, she chose the oboe as her instrument and continued to major in it when she attended Ball State University. As part of the curriculum, she had to play in an orchestra.

“Once I started playing in the orchestra, I realized the string instruments really appealed to me,” she said. “So, the !rst thing I did was take some lessons.”

Kitty began with the violin. She enjoyed it and decided to increase her knowledge of string instruments by taking cello lessons. She fell in love with the sound of the instrument.

When Kitty began her studies at Ball State, she knew she wanted to be a music teacher. She just hadn’t quite !gured out what kind yet. When she began cello lessons, she !nally knew. Even though she was an oboe major, she began to focus on what she needed to do to teach strings.

“I was encouraged by Ball State people because there aren’t enough string teachers around,” Kitty says. “So somebody who’s a wind player who wants to teach strings – they mentor those people because there really aren’t enough candidates for all the school jobs out there. That’s been true in the past, and I think it’s true today.”

Kitty ful!lled her dream of teaching music when she

became an orchestra and strings teacher in the Muncie school system. But in her mid-40s, she switched things up and took an early retirement and part-time position as the education director at her church.

During that time, Cornerstone contacted her about teaching in their new strings program. She and Ball State music professor Kristin Turner began with the class approach, teaching groups of students all at once. Eventually the program ended, but Cornerstone continued to o"er private lessons, which Kitty was more than willing to do.

Now, Kitty is retired from her church job and focuses on teaching lessons twice a week. She generally has anywhere from eight to ten students at any given time.

THE ART OF IT ALLWhen asked whether it was his or his mother’s idea to pick

up the cello, Art replies with a laugh. “Not mine,” he says, “But no regrets still.”So when did he !nally learn to love to play? Art thinks for

a moment.“Maybe when I started getting rewarded with baseball

cards,” he says, causing Kitty to burst out laughing. In all honesty, he doesn’t remember when he began to love

to play for himself and not just to please his mother. But it doesn’t matter anymore. Art decided to keep playing the cello through college and joined his mother four years ago as a private lesson teacher at Cornerstone.

“She was kind of my gateway into it, I guess,” says Art, who also works in web development at Ball State Univerity.

At the time, he wasn’t doing a lot with music and wanted to get more involved with it again. He had taught a few lessons here and there, but had never had his own studio.

“Cornerstone was an easy way to get into that because you don’t have to run your own studio,” Art says. “If you do it on your own, there is a lot that come with that.”

He doesn’t have to worry about the business side of things.

T


“They take care of it so I can really focus on teaching and learning myself,” Art says.

And those are two things Art really values. Not only does he get to teach, but through that process, he has learned more about himself.

“It’s always one thing to be able to do something,” he says. “It’s another thing to be able to explain how you do it. So it sort of forces you to learn how to communicate what you do better.”

When Art !rst got involved with teaching at Cornerstone, he assumed that most of his students would be kids. But he quickly found out that a lot of adults were signing up for classes too.

“And I kind of like that,” he says. “Adults are here by their own admission. Maybe picking up something later in life and being really, really, really engaged and interested in studying it.”

Aside from teaching classes, Art also does some composing and arranging on the side. For him music is one of the most important things in his life.

“For me it’s just become a part of what I do,” he says. “It feels weird when I don’t do it. If I go a few weeks without doing anything musically, I start to get anxious and feel like I’m missing out on something. I have to have that outlet.”

THE NEXT GENERATIONWith a family so involved in music (Art’s brothers play instruments

as well), it only made sense that Maggie and Sophie would one day start to play.

“We were always around music and listening to music,” Art says. “They see us playing music so they just kind of got interested in it naturally. But we also encouraged them to start playing.”

Art and Kitty let the girls pick out which instruments they wanted to play. The older Sophie picked the violin because she wanted something her Mimi, what she calls Kitty, could teach her.

“There are great songs to play on the violin,” Sophie says. Her favorite so far is “Hot Croissants,” which Kitty clari!es is a version of the popular beginning song ”Hot Cross Buns.” Kitty teaches both

- Art Hill

“It feels weird when I don’t do it. If I go a few weeks without doing anything musically, I start to get anxious and feel like I’m missing out on something. I have to have that outlet.”


of the girls’ lessons.Maggie picked the cello. Kitty thinks it’s because she saw her

Daddy playing it and wanted to play like him. “She has a natural a#nity for the music,” Kitty says,

mentioning that ever since Maggie was little, she has loved to sing.

“She sings in the shower,” Sophie chimes in.Kitty recalls how she used to sing a lot too when she was

little. She remembers her mother telling her that she used to sing “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” at the top of her lungs when they would go for walks.

“So, I think sometimes there’s just a natural genetic factor,” Kitty says.

If so, it’s a gene that the whole Johnson-Hill family has continued to pass on. Music brings the family together.

“I de!nitely think it’s a big bond for all of us,” Art says. “It’d

be hard to imagine family life without doing some kind of music.”

Aside from being involved in playing and teaching music at Cornerstone, the family is involved in other ways. Both Sophie and Maggie have taken tumbling and Zumba classes, and Sophie has taken ballet. In October, the family attends the Halloween party.

“We’re all very happy to see a place like Cornerstone established here in Muncie,” Kitty says. “I think it’s a wonderful thing for the community. It’s a wonderful thing for all the children. It gives a lot of them opportunities that they might not otherwise have.”

“Not every community has a place like this,” Art adds.“See if there had been a Cornerstone when I was growing up,

I’d have been a cellist,” Kitty says.


DO A LITTLEdanceWritten by Megan Fullenweider Photos by Rachael Joyce Ricker


timid young girl, around the age of four, walks into her !rst ballet class wearing a classic pastel pink tutu with matching pink ballet shoes. Her right pointer !nger is in her mouth, biting her nail nervously. She walks through the door and sees her fellow classmates sitting on the $oor in a circle. She looks back at her father who nods for her to join the group. Anxiously, she walks to the center of the room and takes her seat.

After a few minutes, the young girl’s fears dissolve as she lets loose on the dance $oor. It is always a little scary starting something new, but Cornerstone Center for the Arts has created a dance program that is welcoming to any dancer of any age or skill level.

DANCE AT CORNERSTONEDancing is a tremendous way for children to

dabble in some physical activity as well as gain self-con!dence and poise. “Dance has always been my outlet, my inspiration to think outside the box, my physical means to staying !t and healthy, and the main way I express myself,” says Rachel Brown, a ballet teacher at Cornerstone.

Cornerstone o"ers an array of dance classes for every skill level and age. Among the classes at Cornerstone are ballet, ballroom, belly dancing, bollywood, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, swing and tap dance. There is something for everyone.

Bollywood dancing is quickly becoming popular at Cornerstone. Gulshan Ahmed is the Indian/Bollywood instructor at Cornerstone. Ahmed took !ve years of dance lessons in Bangladesh before she moved to Connecticut at the age of 15. Ahmed did not take any formal dance lessons in the United States, but did attend di"erent events where she would perform.

“Dancing is therapeutic, and great exercise. Bollywood and Indian dance involves lots of hand movements, and is a total body workout. When I dance, I just forget everything, I just love dance. It is just fun,” Ahmed says.

A

Written by Megan Fullenweider Photos by Rachael Joyce Ricker


When performing at an international festival with a diversity group, Ahmed got asked by a few dancers at the festival if she would teach them some Indian dance moves. Ahmed went on to teach Bollywood/Indian dance at a local dance studio in Muncie, where she met Liz Wray. Liz Wray is a belly dance teacher at Cornerstone.

Wray started taking jazz and tap classes at the age of six and took lessons all throughout high school. When Wray hit a rough patch at the age of 23, she dropped out of college and moved home. In the midst of putting the pieces back together, she had remembered someone who used to belly dance. After talking to her mom about it, her mom told her that belly dancing was about empowering women and helping them feel better about themselves.

Wray was determined to get involved with belly dancing and found out that a belly dancer was a frequent customer at the local health food store that she went to often. Wray found her, and she then passed on her information to a teacher who was starting classes in Anderson.

“I love the way it makes me feel,” Wray says. “I feel like I have developed an artful skill that helps me appreciate and express myself. I love working with other women and teaching new movement to people who have never danced before. I love seeing belly dance give women con!dence in themselves and seeing them develop a new skill.”

Ballet and jazz classes are essential to the art of dance, but every now and again it is fun to try something totally new.

takingthe classes

Traditional DanceClasses are offered for all ages and skill levels in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary and modern.

Ballroom DanceBeginning and intermediate ballroom classes are for 9th grade to adults. You can sign up as a pair or alone.

Belly DanceFour different classes are offered for 9th grade and up. In addition, there is a youth class for ages 7-13.

Line DanceFor 9th grade to adults, line dance requires no partner and is perfect for social occasions.


be our

GUESTWritten by Rachel Rump Photos by Rachael Joyce Ricker

Cornerstone Center for the Arts and Muncie Civic Theatre present

Beauty and the Beast Jr.

t’s a tale as old as time, although the actors have barely reached puberty. During summer 2012, Cornerstone Center for the Arts presented in collaboration with Muncie Civic Theatre, “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” The classic Disney story got revamped with children ages 6 to 16 in the lead roles.

“We don’t have any big props or e"ects so the audience really has to be able to use their imagination.” director Edric Mitchell said. “Our production runs at a shorter length compared to the Broadway shows and movie.”

Mitchell, a musical theatre education major at Ball State University, has been involved with Muncie Civic Theatre for multiple shows and this is his !rst full-length production as director. He worked on Muncie Civic Theatre and Cornerstone’s production of the “Jungle Book.” His assistant director, Halie Burden, is there to help Mitchell along.

To prepare for the show, the cast and crew attended a two-week long theatre camp at Cornerstone where they learned their lines, songs and dance moves. The camp met every day from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. In that time, the children were learning non-stop.

To give more children opportunities at a leading role, the production sta" double cast the roles of Belle and Gaston. The children cast in those roles each performed as leads in two out of the four scheduled shows.

Not only is the length of the show di"erent from the original, but the junior production featured two songs that were not included in the movie. “Human Again” and “Home” which are in the Broadway production.

“It’s really exciting learning all the songs,” said Deena Elsheik, who plays the part of the Belle. “In just the !rst day of camp, we had already learned two songs.”

I

µ%X�Q]�ÁVWX�TPE]��-�[EW�VIEPP]�WGEVIH��I almost dropped out but my grandpa kept encouraging me to stay at it. And now I love performing.”

-Gracie Evans

Fifteen-year-old Deena isn’t new to the stage. She has performed in eight plays at Muncie Civic Theatre and her school.

A highlight of the show was being able to bond with the cast during camp and the rehearsals.

“We all became fast friends and really got along. “ Deena said.

Her co-star, Jacob Guess who played the Beast, connected with the rest of the cast as well. Just like Deena, Jacob has had experience on the stage before. This was his seventh production.

“I can’t wait to perform this play,” Jacob said during camp week. “So far, it is turning out to be my favorite.”

Gracie Evans, 10, played the role of Gaston’s sidekick, Le Fou. She remembered the !rst time she performed in a play and how di"erent it was from where she is now.

“At my !rst play, I was really scared.” Gracie said. “I almost dropped out but my grandpa kept encouraging me to stay at it. And now I love performing.”

She said that her favorite scene is during the song “Gaston” where she endured many dramatic hits.

The youngest performer, Audrey Welch, is part of the chorus. This was six-year-old Audrey’s second production.

“At !rst, I was really shy,” she said. “But I had a lot of fun!”


jointhe show

Youth DramaCornerstone offers Youth Drama classes for grades 2nd - 8th.

Muncie Civic Theatre ShowsMuncie Civic Theatre hosts youth theatre workshops and productions.

Photo: Muncie Photography

CREATEmemories


TWritten by Cornerstone Sta" Photos by Caleb Calloway, Karla Wilson, and the Rialzo Committee

Summer Events

he summer is a busy time for Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Aside from the summer Arts Program, the sta#, teachers, and students are involved in community events such as Cornerstone’s Carnival, Festival on the Green, and Rialzo III. All events highlighted Cornerstone’s art activities and programs.


CORNERSTONE CARNIvALThe luscious aromas of salty popcorn and sticky sweet cotton candy

mingled in the air, complimenting the bustle of $ip-$opped feet and excited screeches emitted from the young visitors at the Cornerstone Carnival, Sunday, August 5th.

The annual event, held in Cornerstone’s popular Colonnade Room, was an exciting way of celebrating the end of this summer’s art programs.

Held from 2-5pm, community members were invited to watch as students performed various dance routines practiced during summer courses, or take part in the many games provided at the carnival.

Decorated with balloons, streamers, and colorfully painted signs, the Colonnade Room bore a variety of activities ranging from a !shing wall and blow up toys, to face paint and photo booths.

Children and their parents left the event with sticky !ngers, hands full with photos, prizes, live gold!sh and smiles on their faces. This year’s event brought in a total nearing 900 guests, a success for Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

FESTIvAL ON THE GREENMuncie Symphony Orchestra’s Festival on the Green is an annual

summer event held on Ball State University’s Arts Terrace. The festival features a performance by the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and an Arts Fair, hosted by the Muncie Arts & Culture Council.

The Arts Fair featured non pro!t organizations, local artisans’ art work, dance performances, children’s activities, and an instrument petting zoo.

This year’s theme was ‘movies,’ and picnic participants were encouraged to create a picnic area themed around their favorite movie. Throughout the quad of the Arts Terrace, guests participated by bringing costumes, decorated tables, and an unique blend of food items representing their individual movie theme.

As the evening continued, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra took the stage and performed movie-based musical numbers, including selections from “Aladdin,” “Wizard of Oz,” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

In partnership with other arts organizations, Muncie Civic Theatre actors and Cornerstone Center for the Arts dancers provided live performances during the concert. More than 1,000 people attended this free summer event.


RIALzO IIIRialzo III was a charity gala hosted by Meridian Services on May 19th

to elevate the arts for our community. Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Muncie Civic Theatre, and Muncie Symphony Orchestra were the arts partners for the event. The cocktail hour featured amazing performances from all three organizations highlighting the talent and strengths of each group.

Cornerstone provided three dance performances by instructors, as well as live models for the cocktail hour. The cocktail hour also consisted of live musical performance from Muncie Symphony Orchestra, and musical theatre performances from Muncie Civic Theatre.

The cocktail hour was followed by a gourmet meal prepared by the culinary sta" at the Horizon Convention Center. The live auction occurred after dinner and featured items stuch as a scooter, an autographed painting from Jim Davis, 12-week Labradoodle puppy named Mia, and the chance to perform live with the Pointer Sisters.

After dinner, the Pointer Sisters took the stage providing a star !lled show for the evening and performing their many hits. More dancing followed and guests of the event were invited to the after party at Vera Mae’s.

Riazlo III was an excellent opportunity to highlight some of the incredible talent and arts support in the Muncie community, as well as the collaboration among the arts organizations. Organizers are already planning next year’s gala, which will be held on March 16.

Joy to the World & our Community

Elegant Dinner & Dancing Live & Silent Fundraiser Auctions Black-tie optional

Horizon Convention Center

RIALZO is Meridian’s charity gala

celebrating the harmony of whole person health

and its wide array of programs.

Joy to the World | Mama Told Me Not to Come Old Fashioned Love Song | Shambala | One

decision to come is really Black and White

CHARITYGALA

Featuring...

or go to www.meridianhs.org

W

WMSO Goes to Town Chamber series

October 20 7:30 pm Ivy Tech Patterson BuildingDowntown Promenade January 19 7:30 pm Muncie MallDance Dance Dance February 16 7:30 pm Muncie Power Products Pershing WarehousePOWER-ful Brass

muncie symphony orchestra

Classical Series + Holiday Pops

September 15 7:30 pm Sursa Hall Opening Night: Prokofiev & BrahmsDecember 1 4:00 pm Emens AuditoriumFisher | Shafer Holiday Pops ConcertFebruary 23 7:30 pm Sursa Hall Bartok, Schumann & BeethovenApril 20 7:30 pm Emens Auditorium Brahms & Schubert

For tickets call 765.285.5531 www.munciesymphony.org

|

2012 2013season

|

Presented by


a real life

FAIRYTALEWritten by Rachel Rump Photos by Rachael Joyce Ricker

a real life

Written by Rachel Rump Photos by Rachael Joyce Ricker


ara and Eugene Whitehead stood on the balcony of Cornerstone Center for the Arts’ Colonnade Room waiting to make their entrance to a roomful of family and friends.

The night was full of memories. Their !rst dance to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” The candy bu"et behind their sweetheart table.

“It was perfect,” Eugene said. “I couldn’t have imagined anything better.”

The decorations were few. Pink candles and black napkins were placed on each table. Twinkling white lights hung from the balcony railing.

“To me the beauty of [the room] was you didn’t have to add a whole lot to it,” Tara said. “We probably would have had the option to, but I don’t think it was really necessary. It’s just a pretty room by itself.”

For Tara and Eugene, having part of their wedding celebration at Cornerstone Center for the Arts was a no brainer.

When asked if it was their !rst choice, Tara, sitting at their kitchen table, hadn’t even opened her mouth to speak before Eugene, overhearing the question from the hallway, gave his enthusiastic opinion.

“It was my !rst choice!” he said before reentering to sit

beside his wife of two years. “It was, it was,” Tara responded. “But I wanted to give

every place a shot because I hadn’t ever seen any other places.”

THE BEGINNINGTara and Eugene met at The Fickle Peach in 2006.“I thought he was cute the !rst time that I met him,”

Tara said. But it took two years and the encouragement of mutual

friends for them to begin dating. They still celebrate the anniversary of their !rst date at Domo on June 8, 2008.

At the end of September 2009, the couple was engaged. “I’ll let you tell [the story],” Eugene said turning to his

wife. “You’re better at that.”“There were parts I didn’t know about it,” Tara replied.Shortly before their engagement, they had vacationed

in Los Angeles. It was not Eugene’s !rst choice. He had the ring with him the whole time but couldn’t !nd the perfect moment to pop the question.

When they returned to their Muncie home, Eugene tried to plan a night reminiscent of their !rst date. He wanted to take Tara out to Domo, but she insisted on

T


- Tara Whitehead

“It’s always going to be the place where we celebrated our wedding. It’s always going to hold special meaning.”

making a meal at home.“So he proposed right here next to the island in the kitchen,

which incidentally is one of his favorite places, so it worked out just !ne,” Tara said as Eugene chuckled, remembering the moment.

PLANNING PROCESSTara and Eugene began planning their wedding soon after

the engagement.“If it wasn’t immediately after, then it was right after harvest,”

said Eugene, who has taken over his family’s farm.The !rst big decision was whether to have the ceremony and

reception in Muncie or Tara’s hometown in Ohio. After deciding on Muncie, the next question was where.

Although Eugene knew he wanted Cornerstone, Tara looked at all the surrounding venues just to be sure.

Eventually they settled on Shawnee Heights Baptist Church for the ceremony and Cornerstone’s Colonnade Room for the reception.

“If the Great Room would have been available, I would have really considered that [for the ceremony] because it’s a beautiful space too, but it was already booked,” Tara said.

For the next year, Tara and Eugene worked with Cornerstone rentals sta" to create their perfect day.

One thing that attracted them to Cornerstone was the amount of options they had. They could choose from a list of various DJs and caterers.

“There are some places in town that don’t give you options, so it’s nice to be able to shop around and decide what you want,” Tara said.

The couple decided on Matt Howell as the DJ and Dale Bu#n for catering. Both had worked with Cornerstone in the past.

HAPPILY EvER AFTER“The biggest thing about Cornerstone – it was beautiful,” Tara

said, looking back on her wedding day.The day was perfect, Eugene said. He couldn’t have imagined

it anywhere else. The sta" even agreed to let them extend the reception for an hour. Plus, the central location of Cornerstone allowed family and friends to continue to celebrate in Downtown Muncie.

Now whenever they come to Cornerstone for other weddings, events such as Taste of Muncie, or classes like piloxing, they remember their special day.

“It’s always going to be the place where we celebrated our wedding,” Tara said. “It’s always going to hold special meaning.”

For other couples looking to celebrate their wedding or reception at Cornerstone, Eugene has some advice :

“They need to peek their head in when there’s one going on because there’s nothing in Delaware County that compares to it when it’s all prepped and ready,” Eugene said. “That’s what I would tell them. Then they’d make their decision pretty quickly I would think.”

Written by Janelle Rosenbury Photos by Karla Wilson

Indiana Black ExpoOn May 31, 2012, Cornerstone opened its doors for the

Indiana Black Expo luncheon, an event preceding the events that weekend. This wasn’t the !rst time they had been to Cornerstone.

The Indiana Black Expo has been using Cornerstone for their annual luncheon for two years now. Many members of the Muncie chapter were born and raised in the local community and have used Cornerstone for personal events.

“Cornerstone is the perfect place for our annual luncheon,” said Rena Wagner, president of the Muncie Chapter. “The atmosphere of a home-like feeling is perfect for our event. The service is also excellent.”

There were two prestigious speakers at this year’s luncheon: Gary, Ind., Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson and Congressman Andre Carson. They hosted 350 people.

“It’s a positive event where the community and surrounding companies come together to re$ect on the African American culture,” said Angela Gordon, Secretary of the Muncie chapter.

The annual luncheon leads up to their summer celebration, which is the !rst weekend in June.

“Members and community members celebrate the cultural diversity and the inclusiveness around the community,” Angela said about the event.

Activities included a basketball tournament, in$atable play stations for the kids, di"erent workshops for adults, vendors, rides, and a hair and fashion show.

“Indiana Black Expo, Inc. celebrates cultural diversity and inclusiveness across all races, ethnicities, nationalities, generations, socioeconomic levels and religious a#liations,” according to its website. “We continue to strive for excellence by providing unique events and programs, which re$ect the changing landscape of Indiana and the world.”

Rena describes the Indiana Black Expo to be an organization that highlights the culture and positive aspects of the African American Community.

“It provides positive events and entertainment for local families, scholarships and an avenue for the community to showcase their talents,” she said.

Rena has been a member of the Muncie chapter for three years.

The Muncie chapter has roughly a total of 75 members and is growing.

“All of our members are extremely dedicated and motivated. All of our hard work is !nally paying o",” Rena said.

The Muncie Chapter has used Cornerstone for previous events besides their annual luncheon. They have held membership drives as well as a Princess/Junior pageant.

Rena said the Muncie Chapter plans to continue using Cornerstone for their luncheons.

“Everyone loves Cornerstone,” Angela said. “The intimate setting feels like the community has truly come together.”


Cornerstone

Rental Guide


Location First FloorCapacity 450

Take a step back into the 1920s! This large room with high-beamed ceilings and mezzanine balcony is adorned with wrought-iron railings, marble, plaster and XIVVE^^S�ÂSSVMRK��QEOMRK�MX�TIVJIGX�for any large event. The simple but elegant space was designed with the community in mind, with access to convenient parking. A full kitchen is located right off the room, making catering for galas, dinners, meetings, receptions and banquets easier than ever!

Colonnade Room


Colonnade Room Location Second Floor

Capacity 187

Once a lodge room, this ornate room is ideal for small business groups, luncheons, parties, dinner theatre and small concerts.

Theatre Room

To see additional images and video tours of the rooms, visit www.cornerstonearts.org.

Location First Floor

Capacity 1,000

The original architecture of the E.B. Ball Auditorium creates the perfect atmosphere for any occasion. The artwork of Gustave Brand adorns the auditorium, and original stenciling and gold leaves decorate the walls. A spectacular Bohemian imported glass chandelier adds to the grandeur of the room.

Auditorium

Location Second FloorCapacity 250

As you walk into the Great Room, you can almost hear the nostalgia and joys of the past. Decorated in marble, plaster and terrazzo, similar to the Colonnade Room, this smaller room is simple yet attractive.

Great Room

You Need A Plan

We want to be your primary financial resource. AtPrimeTrust Financial, we can assist you in select-ing the best mix of financial products and servicesby helping you create a customized financial plan,built for your needs and lifestyle.

Since we are a community financial source, anybody who lives, works,worships, or attends school in Delaware County may walk in to any oneof our branches and open/transfer accounts. If you are a business or anot-for-profit and you are located inside the county, you may also accessour complete level of support.

Financial Resource3700 West Bethel Avenue

4018 North Broadway Avenue3230 South Madison Street

765.289.2148 800.459.5585www.primetrustcu.com

Federally insured by NCUA.

YouNeedAPlan5 x 8:Layout 1 3/13/2012 1:15 PM Page 1

SAINT-GOBAIN CONTAINERS

SAINT-GOBAIN CONTAINERS IS NOW VERALLIAWe can trace our Muncie roots back to 1887. Today, we employ over 300 local employees and more than 15,000 worldwide. As the second-largest glass container manufacturer in North America with a network spanning 47 countries, we serve nearly 10,000 customers globally. And we are proud to continue our support of the community in which we work and live.

NEW NAME.SAME LOCAL

COMMITMENT.

A RUTTER COMPANY

JUDY BARNES

For Judy Barnes, two things have aways been key: volunteerism and determination.

Written by Lindsey Gelwicks Photos by Rachael Ricker and Karla Wilson

SAINT-GOBAIN CONTAINERS

SAINT-GOBAIN CONTAINERS IS NOW VERALLIAWe can trace our Muncie roots back to 1887. Today, we employ over 300 local employees and more than 15,000 worldwide. As the second-largest glass container manufacturer in North America with a network spanning 47 countries, we serve nearly 10,000 customers globally. And we are proud to continue our support of the community in which we work and live.

NEW NAME.SAME LOCAL

COMMITMENT.

It started at a dining room table - two dining room tables to be exact. The tables were in the Oakden Street home of Judy Barnes and her husband, William. That evening Judy sat at one table; Beth Turcotte was at the other. They invited several of their friends to discuss the idea of starting an arts program for underprivileged children at the downtown Masonic Temple. Judy had fallen in love with the space at a prior event, and now just needed something to !ll it.

“We invited them to dinner and sat and talked about this project,” Judy recalls. “We didn’t ask them for any money. We just talked to them about what our dream was and what we thought we could do. And then they went home.”

Even before the dinner, Judy had been hard at work taking the !rst steps to complete her and Beth’s dream. She started with just wanting to save the auditorium, but after exploring the building, she realized they needed to do more.

Following the dinner party, Judy went around to everybody’s home to discuss her project. Between Marjorie Ziegler, David Sursa, Virginia Ball, Bob Terhune and many others, they raised around $120,000 to help !x the building and start the program.

“And that’s where we started,” Judy says.Judy, still a board member of the program she created 14 years ago, looks down at

her copy of the original budget and then at the present one. “It’s just amazing to see how many programs are going on,” she says. The budget at the beginning was only one page. The program began with

only four teachers. “The !rst six months, we wondered if we were going to last another day,” Judy

says. “I can remember meeting in Terry Walker’s o#ce trying to !gure out how we were going to get through the next couple of months. This has not been an easy path that we’ve been on.”

But Judy kept pushing and kept !ghting to get the program going and keep it on its feet.

“It’s called determination,” Judy says about what kept her going. “As my mother used to say, ‘tell her she can’t and she will.’”

The schools were cutting back on the number of arts classes and the response from the community towards the new arts center was that of welcome.

“There were single mothers who had their kids in the program, who could not a"ord private lessons, and it’s just amazing. Even employers came to us and said that some of the people that worked for them were so appreciative of the fact that their kids had a place to go,” Judy says.

Judy felt fortunate to have found such support for her program, from those taking classes and especially from those who helped keep it going through donations. During those starting years, she made sure to show it.

the past 14 years she has watched Cornerstone Center for the Arts transform from idea into reality.

I



Service to others is the rent you pay for living on this planet.

Marian Wright Edelman

“I made it a point of writing a personal note [to those who donated]. Even if they gave $5, they got a personal letter from me,” she says. “And it wasn’t just the same note. I really worked hard to individualize it and tell them what we were doing with their money.”

It makes sense that Judy would start a program like Cornerstone Center for the Arts (the name was changed in 2005, a year after the Community Civic Center and Muncie Center for the Arts merged). From a young age, she was involved in the arts.

“I took piano and ballet and tap,” she says looking back. “I was very blessed with that opportunity because I grew up in a very small town in southern Indiana.”

Even now, she still plays the piano that sits in the living room of her Muncie home.

She views the arts as a way for people to express themselves.

“Sometimes that’s the only way they can express themselves,” she adds.

But Judy is humble about her present-day place in the arts.“I’m not exactly an artist or anything,” she says laughing.

“I can probably paint in numbered pictures or something.”If Judy wouldn’t call herself an artist, then maybe a

volunteer would be a better word to describe her.Besides her involvement at Cornerstone, which she says

was a full-time volunteer position for its !rst three or four years, Judy has served on a number of boards and councils in the community. She has served on the Beyond I Can board, the Red Cross board, the Hospital Auxiliary board, Tri Kappa and 12 years on the Symphony League board of Directors, where she has been the chairwoman of many committees.

“I’ve just been involved,” she says. For her, volunteering is a necessity in her life. Her favorite

quote is “Service to others is the rent you pay for living on this planet” by Marian Wright Edelman, a children’s activist.

Now, whenever Judy returns to Cornerstone, a rush of memories and the amount of volunteer time comes

back to her. “I always get a cold chill when I walk in there and realize

the hours that have been put in,” she says. Although Judy is a strong determined woman, she says she

couldn’t have completed any of it without her late husband, William.

“I really truly believe that it was my husband’s credibility that made people decide they’d follow through and see what these two nutty women could do,” she says laughing. “But I think it took Bill’s credibility. If he was behind it, there had to be some good to come of it. He was a dynamo at getting things done.”

Their dedication to Cornerstone showed throughout their life. They used to spend four months in Florida and Judy recalls somebody asking how she could run the center from down there.

“My husband laughed and said, ‘You should see our phone bill,” Judy says.

They would $y back to Muncie just for the meetings, then $y back to Florida. The two were also able to coordinate schedules so that whenever her Cornerstone meetings happened, and his work meetings fell on the same day.

But now, Judy spends most of her time in Muncie, looking for what that next step for Cornerstone might be.

One issue she sees in her path, is the decrease in donors. Many of Cornerstone’s original donors are dying o", she says.

“It’s going to be a really hard chore to replace some of those people because younger people aren’t committed as to those kinds of projects,” Judy says. “I don’t know how we get them interested. It’s nice that young people go to all the soccer games and things that my generation and my parent’s generation didn’t do, but if the organizations are going to survive we’re going to need more than little white-haired ladies there. They’ve got to get the youth interested and the same has got to be true for Cornerstone.”

But if history repeats itself, then keeping people involved should be no problem for Judy. Determination is in her blood.

I always get a cold chill when I walk in there and realize the hours that have been put in. Judy Barnes


ESCAPEthe everday

Photo: Rachael Ricker


FOREvER YOUNGThe Community Center for Vital Aging (CCVA)

has grown a lot since Louise Maley began attending its programs eight years ago. Their Brown Bag Lunches, held the second Friday of every month, originally consisted of a few people on two couches surrounding a small TV. Now, there are people eating lunch, !lling long tables as a movie plays on a projector.

Louise, like many of those who attend CCVA, goes to many of the events for the association with other people. She lives alone and her family isn’t in the area.

CCVA is nestled on the second $oor of Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Through the frosted doors is a place where senior citizens !nd a second home and can learn new skills at their own pace. The center opened in 2001 as an extension of the John and Janice Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology at Ball State University. The program began as an outreach program from Ball State to the Muncie community as a vehicle for community involvement. The CCVA is a resident organization of Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

Written by Lindsey Gelwicks Photos by Rachael Ricker

Written by Lindsey Gelwicks Photos by Rachael Ricker


CCVA o"ers a variety of diverse and inclusive programs from health to education and from food to arts and crafts. Their programs are primarily directed toward adults 50 years and older who are interested in lifelong learning and active lifestyles. Most of the classes are organized or led by graduate assistants from Ball State. As of spring 2012, CCVA o"ered 66 programs and served 572 people.

“Our mission is three-fold,“ said Sarah Lyttle, CCVA Program Coordinator. “It’s to be a voice across the river for the university, to educate the students who are going into a !eld related with senior care, and to provide programing for the community.”

Lyttle has been the coordinator for CCVA for almost a year now. Before that, she taught the yoga classes and participated in the program as a graduate assistant.

For only $10 per year, anyone can become a member of CCVA and receive discounts on classes. Classes are generally kept at low costs with many of them being o"ered for free. Graduate assistants or even members who have interests in teaching a class have started many of their own programs.

Joe Scherrer !rst got involved in this way. Three years ago, he presented a program on home repairs. Though he hasn’t given another presentation since, he has gotten involved in some of the other activities, such as the Brown Bag Lunches.

“Usually I come here with another buddy,” he says. “It gives me something to do.”

Through direct involvement and day-to-day interactions with the members, the graduate assistants get true, in the $esh, not textbook, experiences of aging.

“We really try to break the stereotype of senior citizens. Every person comes with their own personality, and they really make this their second home,” Lyttle said. “It’s fun and educational for anybody involved. We want to hit all the seven dimensions of wellness.”

The seven dimensions of wellness are intellectual, physical, spiritual, social, emotional, environmental and vocational.

The e"orts of the program really shine through in people like Louise.“I’m not lonely,” Louise says. “I’ve made a lot of new friends. I think

I’ve improved myself.”

The next time you are attending a show at Cornerstone Center for the Arts or Muncie Civic Theatre, be sure to thank the usher who is seating you. Chances are, they are volunteers from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Delaware County (RSVP). This program helps to coordinate volunteers when they are needed for community programs.

“RSVP is a clearing house for individuals 55 and older who wish to volunteer across Delaware County,” said Judy Elton, RSVP program coordinator. “We o"er anywhere from once a week commitments to once a year commitments.”

RSVP has been located at Cornerstone for two years now. Similar to the Community Center for Vital Aging, the John and Janice Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology at Ball State University sponsors them.

RSVP sends their volunteers to many places around the community, such as Second Harvest Food Bank and Muncie Civic Theatre. They mentor children and teach classes at the YMCA. They even volunteer at Cornerstone events.

Volunteering at the annual Cornerstone Carnival is one of Louise Maley’s favorite activities.

“I love kids,” she says.There is no age limit to how old a person can be

to volunteer. “Our program gets seniors out of their homes

and helping the community with their experience and knowledge,” Judy said. “It makes them feel useful because they have the skills and time needed.”

One upcoming project for RSVP is to create a new storytelling program in the community. They want to bring people to tell stories to children in elementary schools and senior citizens in nursing homes.

“We really want RSVP to be known for this because people don’t realize they really are excellent storytellers,” Judy said.

Volunteers are always needed and respected for the time and e"ort that they put into their jobs.

“It’s a wonderful organization,” Louise says. “Enough people just aren’t aware of it.”

So the next time you take in a show at the Muncie Civic or Cornerstone be sure to thank the usher for their time.

The Experience

For information about volunteer opportunities, programs and classes, visit the Community Center for Vital Aging and RSVP on the Second Floor of the building.


Artist Gallery:

LIFE’S LITTLE ADvENTURES )EGL�QSRXL�'SVRIVWXSRI�'IRXIV�JSV�XLI�%VXW�JIEXYVIW�E�HMJJIVIRX�EVXMWX�MR�XLIMV�WIGSRH�ÂSSV�KEPPIV]��-R�

August 2012, the gallery showcased the work of summer interns Karla Wilson and Rachael Joyce Ricker.

Right: A lone squirrel scavenges through the snow during the 2011 “Snowpocolypse”, a snow storm that ravaged the Midwest, closing the majority of Indiana’s universities.

Above: Children at the Deleware County Fair ride one of the many attractions, !ying through the sky hooting and hollering.

Rachael Joyce Ricker


Karla WilsonAbove: This photo was taken at Hamilton Lake over the Fourth of July. The colors of this photo really made this image stand out. The plants almost appear abstract.

Left: This photo was taken at the Cincinnati Zoo. The little bird, a Rainbow Lorikeet, seemed to be posing for the camera.

Cornerstone’s Art Gallery is located on the Second Floor of the building. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm.


CORNERSTONE CREDITSRobby Tompkins Executive Director

Sarah AndersonDirector of Education

Brett EllisonDirector of Rentals & Events

Rob JordanBuilding Superintendent

Beth BlandSta" Accountant

Tricia SuttonEvents Coordinator

Carly Acree Education & Marketing Coordinator

Kodie EgenolfAdministrative Assistant

Susan LankfordGrant Writer

Asia JureczkoRhonda QuinlanEvents Assistant

Perry RhumBill WhitmireFacilities Crew

STAFF

STUDENT MAGAzINE STAFFLindsey GelwicksEditor in Chief

Chelsea KardokusDesign Editor

Megan Fullenweider, Rachel Rump, Janelle RosenburyWriters

Rachael Joyce Ricker, Karla WilsonPhotographers

BOARD OF DIRECTORSBenjamin Smith, ChairCPA, Estep Doctor & Company, PC

Fred Reese, Vice ChairOwner, Willowbrook Interiors

Julie Terhune, SecretarySystems Analyst, Muncie Power Products

Elizabeth Driscoll , TreasurerCPA, Whitinger & Company, LLC

Tara Smalstig, Past ChairAttorney, Dennis, Wenger & Abrell, LLC

Gary Addison Retired, Muncie Community Schools

Jean Amman Assistant to the Provost Emeritus

Judith Barnes Community Volunteer

Dr. George BranamMedical Director, PA Labs

Beth HarrisTom Harris Golf Shop

Jennifer HollemsCommunity Volunteer

Mallory LenigDirector, Shakespeare Play Works

Dr. Don ParkVP Emeritus – University Advancement Ball State University

Patricia SchaeferRetired, Muncie Public Library

Mike Schmaltz Assistant VP, Star Financial

Dr. Joe TrimmerDirector, Virginia Ball Center for Creative Inquiry Ball State University

Dr. Maria Williams-HawkinsDepartment of Telecommunications Ball State University

Alpha Chapter of Psi Iota XiAltrusa Charitable FoundationBall Brothers FoundationCommunity Foundation of Muncie & DelawareEdmund F. & Virginia B. Ball Foundation

George & Frances Ball FoundationHamer & Phyllis Shafer FoundationIndiana Arts CommissionMaxon FoundationMutual Bank Foundation

Steve AndersonDavid BahlmannDouglas BakkenJack BucklesMarilyn ClearyGordon CoxJud FisherNancy GalliherGenny GordyCatherine Hardwick

Ann JohnsonBetty KendallJon MollVirginia NillesDeWayne RichmondFrances Petty SargentKirk ShaferTerry WalkerJoseph Wilson

ADvISORY COMMITTEE

Gulshan AhmedAnn ArwoodRachel BrownKatie CannonJasen CombsAdam CoxLouise CracknellPhil DunnPeter EllerySachiko FergusonBrittany GarrisonArt HillKitty JohnsonJoan JonesJudy Kiger

Patricia KreighKatie LipscombAdele Max"edLezlie McCroryKaren NickelKim O’ConnorCasey ParmerleeSarah PeltoDebbie RobertsMikial RobertsonStuart SipahigilApril SirokieJenny SmithsonButch StarkeyElizabeth Wray

INSTRUCTORS

Betty BaileyDave BarrSandy BurtonKathie ClickBeverly HarroldPat Hinshaw

Sandy HowardRichard HuddlestonDick NuergeMargaret SchlenkerMyrna SchultzJanet Stratton

BUILDING HOSTS

Savannah BallKent CollinsChelsea DoyleBrett ElyKaren EvansSara FalconerMontgomery FloraShaquita GrayAshley Hardie

Kortnie KammeyerThomas LutesDeanna MaloneJennifer MillerZach PolandZach ShaleHaley StrebyHeather WattsMegan Wick

INTERNS & STUDENT STAFF

SUPPORTERS


Ball Brothers Foundation

George & Frances Ball Foundation

The connection between body and mind is a powerful thing. What if a healthcare provider integrated the two? Not treating one without the other. That’s exactly how Meridian Health Services treats you. Not as separate ‘parts,’ but caring for your physical, mental and social health together as one for total well-being. To provide this higher quality of care, Meridian added primary family medical care, MeridianMD, into its core services.

Providing you a true “medical home” where doctors, nurses and counselors coordinate treatments and medications seamlessly to address your total health.

Harmony of whole person health.

A new synergy and name in healthcare.

240 N. Tillotson Ave. · 765.288.1928 · www.meridianhs.org

Cornerstone Magazine

Documents

Transcript of Cornerstone Magazine