The Ball Family Homes
While it’s fun to look at historic black and white images of the five Ball brothers’ homes, it’s also great to see them in glorious color. Albany, Indiana artist Alan Patrick made sure that we will always have that color record of the homes. In 1996, Patrick received a commission from Alltrista (now Jarden Home Brands) to create paintings of the homes. At first, he considered making one painting that would be a collage of all five houses. After consideration and study, however, he decided to make a separate painting of each house. He photographed the four standing houses—the Frank C. Ball home was destroyed by fire in 1967—in the early spring, and went to work in his studio.
The Day That the Teachers Took a Field Trip
From now until the end of the school year, Minnetrista will bustle with school tours. Elementary students from throughout East Central Indiana will hunt habitats, discover gardens, and meet the creepy crawlies. School bus drivers will open the doors, and kids will spill out. Teachers will herd them, and a good time will be had by all.
Minnetrista: 40 Acres of Fun!
It’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom, the birds are chirping, and it’s time to plan your next outdoor visit to Minnetrista!
When you think of Minnetrista, what do you instantly think of? Beautiful gardens, scenic nature areas, outdoor activities, readily available venues? Many people do.
Partners for Daffodils
Nothing says spring quite like a daffodil. After a long winter, their sunny faces popping up all over town is one of the cheeriest sights I know. Add to that their resilience and dependability, and it’s no wonder that the daffodil is one of the best loved spring perennials. But what if you are hungry for something new? Several lesser-known plants exhibit beautiful blooms this time of year. Pair these with daffodils, and both really shine!
Minnetrista and Indiana Historical Society Create “Communities Can!”
On March 4, several Minnetrista staff attended the grand opening of the latest in the series of “You Are There” exhibits at the Indiana Historical Society (IHS). In the “You Are There” exhibits, historic photographs are brought to life three-dimensionally with actors playing the people in the photos. The “Communities Can!” is special for us, because it features a photograph and artifacts from the Minnetrista Heritage Collection. The exhibit was funded by Ball Brothers Foundation.
The Green Silk Dress
When I give tours of the Heritage Collection storage area, I show examples of everything from Ball jars to artwork to furniture to clothing. More often than not, the piece of clothing that gets the most oohs and aahs, sometimes even from the men, is an evening gown and matching coat from the Jackie Kennedy era. Both pieces are made of heavy silk dyed a bright spring green. They are heavily beaded and sequined. The ensemble was tailored by George Chen & Co., Ltd. of Peninsula Court Kowloon, Hong Kong.
10 Cool Ways to Warm-up This Spring at Minnetrista
The weather is warmer and the days are longer. Are you are looking for ways to appease your spring fever? Look no further! Below are my top 10 picks for enjoying spring at Minnetrista.
Healthy Soil, Healthy Garden
I just got back from the annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference. Although I learned many exciting things, one theme emerged consistently—soil, soil, soil. Without healthy soil, we cannot have healthy plants. Here are a few tips for nurturing rich, resilient soil in your garden.
Memories of Ball Stores
Help, please. I’ve written about Ball Stores before, but I’m writing again to ask for your help. Please share your stories of Ball Stores for both a book and an exhibit. Did you or a family member work there? Was visiting Santa a yearly tradition? Do you have a particularly vivid memory of a shopping experience? Here are two memories that Hope Barnes shared in her December 12, 1989 article in the Muncie Star:
Phil and Esther Ball
When Phil Ball, of the “original” Ball family, passed away on February 4, 2016, Minnetrista lost another good friend. He and his wife Esther, who died in January 2015, donated money to the Annual Campaign and Endowment Fund, and artifacts to the Minnetrista Heritage Collection. More than that, though, they gave of themselves.
Use the Disease Triangle to Help Your Plants
I have written several articles about different plant diseases and pests that the horticulture team has dealt with at Minnetrista. I like sharing what choices we make to combat various plant issues for those of you that might be dealing with the same issue in your own garden—or at least give you a heads up on what might be coming your way.
A Fresh Take on Canning at Minnetrista
As we are looking to the future for our food preservation programming at Minnetrista, there are many questions that we have about what you, our visitors, would be interested in. With this blog I’m asking for your feedback. Tell me what you think about our current programs (if you are familiar with them), and what you’d like to see in future programming.
Remembering Bill Mann
Minnetrista lost a dear friend when Bill Mann passed away on New Year’s Day. Bill was a Minnetrista fixture from the time he became property manager to the most recent Farmers Market days. He greeted everyone with a wide smile, a firm handshake, and often, a big bear hug.
What’s that on My Pine Trees?
Earlier in the fall some of my favorite pine trees on Minnetrista’s campus started catching my eye, and not in a good way. The low growing sprawling pine is Hillside Creeper Scotch Pine. It is featured in our Bird and Butterfly Garden and they were covered in white all along many of their needles.
Winter Food Preservation
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope this year started well and continues that way for all. The new year is a time when many are looking to improve. Perhaps one of the items on some people’s list of changes for this coming year is to eat more fresh and local foods. In the winter, this can be a bit difficult and daunting since there are not many items that can be grown in the winter months around here.
Christmas cards from Ed and Virginia Ball
Ed and Virginia Ball sent beautiful, uniquely designed Christmas cards to family, friends and acquaintances. Some featured their family while others documented places they traveled, events in their lives, and the people they knew. This card, probably from 1954, depicts Ed and Virginia and four of their five children. Only Nancy, who was born in 1955, is missing. The card features the front door of their home; when the “door” is opened, the family is visible.
Christmas Windows at McKinley Junior High School
For many in Muncie, a wonderful tradition was viewing the Christmas windows at McKinley Junior High School. The school, located next to the Muncie Fieldhouse on North Walnut Street, was built in the late 1930s. It had a large arched window in the façade that faced North Walnut. Starting in 1939, that window was decorated by the students each Christmas.
Volunteers Bring Holiday Cheer to Minnetrista
It’s beginning to look a lot like . . . winter! Yes, the holiday season is upon us. Throughout Minnetrista, volunteers and staff are hanging ornaments, lighting trees, and generally decking the halls. Horticulture would be in a pickle without the talented people who have donated their time to help decorate during these past two weeks. This article is devoted to their tips for creating holiday ambiance.
The Ball Women Attend a Basketball Game
When the calendar page turns to November, a true Hoosier’s thoughts turn to basketball. And in Muncie, during the first quarter of the 20th century, basketball definitely meant the Muncie High School Bearcats. It wasn’t even necessary to have been born in Indiana or to have attended Muncie High School to be a fan. Bearcat fever evidently infected Frances and Sarah Ball and their sister-in-law Frances Ball Mauck, at least for one night.