IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens has announced updates to the hours at Betty’s Cabin now welcoming families every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m making it the perfect weekend spot for families to come together and make unforgettable memories Betty’s Cabin is a magical space designed to spark creativity and connection With a rotating selection of arts and crafts supplies it’s the ultimate place for children and their caregivers to bond over fun Whether you’re crafting something special or just exploring there’s always something new to discover every time you visit Minnetrista has even more exciting family-friendly activities for you to explore Storytime Saturday–Every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. interactive storytime perfect for children 5 and under Gather your little ones for a seasonal story that celebrates the time of year This free activity is the perfect way to relax Backyard Garden–Ready for outdoor adventures Our Backyard Garden is open year-round and is packed with colorful flowers this free garden is the perfect spot for some family fun Explorer Bags–Want to discover something new Borrow an Explorer Bag during exhibition hours and embark on an interactive journey across the Minnetrista campus Full of hands-on activities and exciting objects these bags are designed to turn every corner into an opportunity for discovery Members get to enjoy this adventure for free “The new hours will allow even more families to take advantage of Betty’s Cabin offering free access during times that work best for everyone This change is all about making the cabin more accessible providing families with a special place to connect and create lasting memories together,” says Max Fettchenhauer “Whether it’s crafting in the cabin or exploring our gardens with an Explorer Bag there’s a wealth of experiences waiting for families to enjoy.” For more information about Betty’s Cabin, visit minnetrista.net. Follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information on our exhibitions and events The Muncie Journal will strive to include the good things that are happening with businesses and non-profits within Delaware County We will focus on three areas: (1) Education (2) Economic Development (3) Quality of Life You'll hear about this project on the radio on four of the radio stations that make up the Woof Boom Radio Group at Minnetrista Museum & GardensStar PressMUNCIE — Local residents are invited to celebrate the "roots of sustainability" at the 2025 Muncie Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday family-friendly event honors Muncie’s 27th year as a Tree City USA bringing the community together to explore nature "The centerpiece of the event is the free sapling giveaway offering a variety of native canopy and understory trees to grow in your own back yard," according to a news release Visitors are invited to explore a stunning selection of canopy trees The canopy saplings available for giveaway include Black Oak the understory trees will grow to 8 to 20 feet and bring a touch of shade with resilient varieties like Redbud and Paw Paw that thrive in cooler Arrive early as saplings are available on a first-come Mayor Dan Ridenour will present the official Arbor Day proclamation celebrating the city’s ongoing commitment to urban forestry and environmental stewardship attendees can enjoy tree planting demos by local horticulture experts; hands-on nature-themed crafts for kids and families; a special appearances by Johnny Appleseed; and free raffles featuring eco-friendly prizes “Muncie’s Arbor Day celebration is more than a tradition — it’s a chance to connect and take meaningful action for our environment,” said James Edwards “We want every guest to leave empowered to grow and support urban forestry.” will be a free yoga session by certified instructor Che’Reese Anderson With the holidays right around the corner, Muncie’s Minnetrista Museums and Gardens kicked off its annual Enchanted Luminaria Walk Dec. 6. This event had three miles of lights, live music and an artist market where visitors can support local small businesses, according to the Minnetrista’s website.  they are greeted with the smell of fresh kettle corn crackling of a bonfire and laughter and smiles from workers and other guests As guests make their way through the three miles of string Christmas lights they will see an array of lights with photo ops for their pictures to make memories with their friends and families There are a multitude of events for everyone from live shows of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” meet and greets with Christmas characters  and live music performances from bands such as; America's Hometown Band Jazz Ensemble Blackford County Schools Blue Felt Jazz Band The Minnetrista market hosted 15 local vendors selling their products. One of the businesses that was there was  black-owned, Danielle’s popcorn which sells different types of popcorn.  shared their thoughts about how events like this benefit the community of Muncie and still understand there are successful businesses that can come from Munice you can be anybody that has a real idea,” Balfour said.  Another business owner, Lisa Douglas, who sells dog treats at Doggie-O Delights said this year was her first time at the luminaria walk but that she has been closely connected to the indoor Minnetrista market for three years She thinks events like this help the community by encouraging people to shop local.  “It allows [consumers] to go through and actually figure out what's all available [in the community] and shop local,” Douglas said Right next door to the market,hot chocolate and snacks were being sold While people were enjoying their snacks and warming up they were able to watch a live painter paint “Happy Little Winter Scene.”  two community members enjoying the festivities market and lights shared their experiences throughout the evening.  “I think it's just a nice way to bring everybody together. It's  a free event, so you don't have to spend any money if you don't want to, which makes it really accessible for everybody,” Sarah said. Contact Shelby Anderson via email at sanderson9@bsu.edu MUNCIE, IN—Mark your calendars for a day full of fun and adventure at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. Join us on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, for the much-anticipated Family Adventure Day: Spring Celebration. This free community event promises a memorable day packed with exciting exhibition-themed activities for families and friends of all ages enjoy a day of exploration and hands-on activities set across Minnetrista’s beautiful campus we’ve designed this day to ensure a relaxed arrival and smooth experience so come ready to explore and enjoy everything Minnetrista has to offer Exciting Family-Friendly Activities Include: Live Animal Shows by Indiana Wild: Two engaging live animal shows will take place in the Cantina Screen Printing Station: Guests can get creative at the screen printing station in The Orchard Shop Courtyard attendees can receive a custom screen-printed design on a bag they can bring their own item to be printed Storytime: Join us for an interactive storytime at 10:30 a.m this activity offers a lively and immersive storytelling experience We’ll be reading When Spring Arrives by Kevin Henkes Betty’s Cabin “Plant a Seed” Craft: Visit Betty’s Cabin Porch to plant your own sunflower and take home a growing reminder of the event Bob Ross Coloring Activity: Enjoy a relaxing coloring experience at The Bob Ross Experience by adding your personal touch to a Bob Ross coloring page Lawn Games: Head to the Wishing Well Lawn for a variety of classic lawn games offering fun and friendly competition for the whole family Imagination Playground: Unleash your creativity with the big blue blocks in the Indiana Room “Children’s play is the doorway to their boundless curiosity where each moment of exploration opens up a world of discovery,” shares Max Fettchenhauer Daily Experience Manager at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens we celebrate that innate sense of wonder by creating spaces where kids can ask questions and dive into hands-on experiences that ignite their creativity Play is not just fun—it’s the foundation of learning and every adventure is an opportunity to explore the world around us in new and exciting ways.” We invite you to spend a day filled with laughter Don’t miss this special opportunity to bond with your family Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista planned for Friday SaturdayStar PressThis story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy — Minnetrista Museum & Gardens' annual Enchanted Luminaria Walk is set for Friday free community event" both days are 5 to 9 p.m. "From twinkling lights to delightful sounds and family-friendly activities Enchanted Luminaria Walk embodies the charm and warmth of the holidays," the release said For more information, visit minnetrista.net or call 765-282-4848 IN—Kick off the holiday season with a beautiful experience at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens  Join us for our Enchanted Luminaria Walk on December 6 and 7 free community event offers something for everyone From twinkling lights to delightful sounds and family-friendly activities Enchanted Luminaria Walk embodies the charm and warmth of the holidays Join us for an unforgettable evening of community Enchanted Luminaria Walk is supported by Peterman Brothers; in partnership with The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County and Whitinger & Co.; with in-kind support from Merrywood Candles visit minnetrista.net or call 765.282.4848 and LinkedIn for the latest updates on our exhibitions and events Minnetrista is your year-round gathering place! Born out of the Ball family legacy, the home of the Ball jar, Minnetrista connects people, encouragesengagement, and improves our community. There is always something new to discover at Minnetrista. From beautiful gardens, unique events, interactive exhibits, and engaging workshops, every adventure is unique and fun. For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net. 'Family Adventure Day: Spring Celebration!' planned at Minnetrista on March 26Star PressMUNCIE — A day full of fun and adventure at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens is planned for Wednesday with "Family Adventure Day: Spring Celebration!" This free community event promises "a memorable day packed with exciting exhibition-themed activities for families and friends of all ages," according to a news release a day of exploration and hands-on activities is planned across Minnetrista's campus The event will feature staggered entry times (9 a.m. and 3 p.m.) to ensure a relaxed arrival and smooth experience Planned events include live animal shows by Indiana Wild at 11 a.m story time in the Hackley Gallery at 10:30 a.m planting sunflowers at Betty's Cabin Porch For more information about family-friendly activities at Minnetrista, visit minnetrista.net MUNCIE, IN— Celebrate the roots of sustainability at the 2025 Muncie Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. This free, family-friendly event honors Muncie’s 27th year as a Tree City USA The centerpiece of the event is the free sapling giveaway offering a variety of native canopy and understory trees to grow in your own backyard Explore a stunning selection of canopy trees—while these saplings may be small now Quantities are limited—arrive early as saplings are available on a first-come celebrating our city’s ongoing commitment to urban forestry and environmental stewardship 🌱 Tree planting demos by local horticulture experts nature-themed crafts for kids and families 🍎 Special appearances by Johnny Appleseed 🎁 Free raffles featuring eco-friendly prizes—think trees “Muncie’s Arbor Day celebration is more than a tradition—it’s a chance to connect Wrap up your day with grounding—literally. At 3 p.m., join a free yoga session led by certified instructor Che’Reese Anderson and find your balance—Tree Pose is optional but definitely encouraged or simply enjoying crafting with your family the 2025 Muncie Arbor Day Celebration offers a full day of meaningful fun Garden Fair is not just an event; it’s a weekend experience filled with opportunities to connect Whether you’re an avid gardener or simply someone who enjoys spending time outdoors we’ll have more live music featuring Maybelle Music Fest performers (including Lovesick Moan and more) and a chance for you to discover fresh ideas for your home Garden Fair will feature additional activities such as hands-on Bob Ross painting workshops and more—stay tuned for the full schedule of events Save the date to be a part of this beloved community gathering and immerse yourself in a weekend of creativity For more information about Garden Fair, visit minnetrista.net. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information on our exhibitions and events Minnetrista Museum & Gardens is your year-round gathering place There is always something new to discover at Minnetrista—from beautiful gardens and unique events to interactive exhibitions and engaging workshops Minnetrista is a place where learning and creativity come together IN–Minnetrista Museum & Gardens invites visitors to step into the captivating story of one of Muncie’s most influential families with its original exhibition Deep Roots: Exploring the Ball Family Tree This exhibition traces the remarkable history of the Ball family—from their origins in Buffalo to their transformative impact on East Central Indiana and their enduring influence on the region today Deep Roots explores the Ball family’s evolution through a rich collection of family photographs and a family tree that illuminate their entrepreneurial journey—from their early entrepreneurial endeavors to the founding of the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company and their lasting influence on Muncie and surrounding communities Visitors will discover the family’s involvement in industries that helped shape the local economy and culture “The Ball family has played such a pivotal role in shaping Muncie and this exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore their legacy in a deeply personal and meaningful way,” said Sebastián Encina Associate Director of Curation & Exhibition at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens visitors will connect with the Ball family’s history and reflect on the ways their influence continues to be felt in our community today.” Just as the Ball family’s story continues to unfold Like the family’s journey from Canada to Ohio to Buffalo the exhibition will evolve over time— expanding with new stories From Bracken Library to the David Owsley Museum of Art the extended Ball family’s impact on Muncie is far-reaching and this exhibition will reflect the ongoing Visitors can look forward to an ever-changing experience where fresh perspectives and new additions will provide a deeper understanding of the Ball family’s lasting influence This evolution mirrors the continued growth and transformation of Muncie itself illustrating how the Ball family’s roots remain deeply embedded in the region’s fabric Deep Roots offers visitors the chance to explore their own family history featuring resources from Minnetrista’s archives and expert guidance allows guests to trace their own roots and learn how to build their own family trees For more information, visit minnetrista.net or call 765.282.4848 IN—Homeschool families are invited to a day of excitement and exploration at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens on April 4 from 9:30 a.m Homeschool Day is designed to spark curiosity and inspire hands-on learning as students discover the wonders of nature This special event offers a chance for homeschool children to connect with one another in a fun and educational environment all while experiencing the beauty of Minnetrista’s outdoor spaces and engaging exhibitions where active play and hands-on activities drive educational growth,” said Karen Nickel “Homeschool Day is all about fostering curiosity and giving students the opportunity to learn in an interactive and engaging way It’s also a wonderful chance for families to connect and experience learning together outside of the classroom setting.” The event will feature a variety of interactive family-friendly activities Immersing yourself in the fascinating world of birds while identifying their calls and learning interesting facts about backyard birds and birds of prey Discovering the wonders of snails while making your own slime Stepping back in time with historical artifacts in the Oakhurst Home while guessing their interesting uses from the past Exploring glass in Clearly Indigenous and then creating a suncatcher to take home with two adults receiving free admission with the purchase of a child ticket Minnetrista members enjoy free admission to the event and families can inquire about membership options on-site MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens is excited to present A Community Portrait: Spring, an intimate and compelling exhibition featuring photographs by acclaimed portrait photographer Tom Styrkowicz. Running from March 15 to May 11, 2025, in Gallery 2 of the Center Building this exhibition captures the heart of our community by celebrating the individuals who make it so special we see our neighbors in moments of connection showcasing the beauty of our collective spirit Styrkowicz, known for his ability to capture authentic human moments, has turned his camera on the people of Muncie and beyond The portraits in A Community Portrait: Spring are not just photographs—they are windows into the lives of those who help shape our community revealing both the individuality of each subject and the shared experiences that connect us all Some of the portraits photographed by Tom Styrkowic. See them here.  https://www.flickr.com/photos/minnetrista/sets/72177720320448753/ “A portrait photograph holds immense power,” says Sebastián Encina Associate Director of Curation & Exhibition at Minnetrista unfiltered truth or a carefully crafted version of how someone wishes to be seen The question in portrait photography is: how does one choose to present themselves Do they embrace vulnerability and let their personality shine through we catch glimpses of the true person beneath we find a deeper connection to their story—and The exhibition features portraits of community members arranged in four dynamic mosaics emphasizing both individual identities and the connections we share you might spot a familiar face—or even see yourself reflected in others A Community Portrait: Spring celebrates not only the diversity of our community but also the deep ties that unite us It invites visitors to recognize and appreciate the faces that shape the community we call home Join us in celebrating our shared story at A Community Portrait: Spring this exhibition offers a heartwarming reminder of what makes our community unique MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens invites the community to explore the rich history of food preservation with its original exhibition, Crisis Canning This exhibition highlights the evolution of canning as a crucial practice during times of crisis showcasing historic objects from Minnetrista’s collection that exemplify how the art of food preservation has transformed from an ordinary cooking method into a vital form of emergency planning throughout American history and economic challenges have shaped canning practices and their role in promoting self-care and community support “Canning seems like a modest household task but it represents so much more,” shares Tania Said Vice President of Exhibitions & Programs at Minnetrista “This exhibition illustrates the importance of canning for independence especially when seen through the lens of major historical crises like the World Wars There is also the element of pride when seeing the fruits of your labor.” In conjunction with the exhibition, Minnetrista is excited to showcase the original play, Bounty: The Orphan Jar the play follows Lillian Beckett as she grapples with a difficult choice between using a special jar for her family or donating it to a local children’s home Inspired by a Ball jar from the Minnetrista Heritage Collection Bounty highlights the importance of canning for both survival and community support The play will be performed every Saturday through December 28 Minnetrista will host a series of engaging canning workshops and tours  Apple Wedges in Cinnamon Red Hot Syrup™ on October 12 A special Canning in the Collections tour on November 7 Cranberry-Apple Preserves on November 8  Brandied Apple Rings on November 14  Tapas & Talk on December 18 These hands-on experiences offer participants the chance to learn the art of canning and create their own preserves while exploring the cultural significance of this time-honored practice Crisis Canning is more than an exhibition; it’s an opportunity for our community to connect with a vital part of our history and discover the importance of food preservation in challenging times Through workshops and interactive programming we aim to inspire visitors to appreciate canning as both a practical skill and a means of supporting one another For more information, visit minnetrista.net or call 765.282.4848. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest updates on our exhibitions and events IN—Any day is a good day to raise-up and appreciate those who serve and protect us Certain days on the calendar though are dedicated to reminding us of those people in the United States who give of themselves their careers and in some cases make the ultimate sacrifice to maintain our United State of America Patriot Day is one of those days to honor and support those who serve and protect us 2001as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attack on September 11 September 11th has subsequently been designated as Patriot Day by the U.S House of Representatives and has been recognized as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance by every President since The Exchange Club of Muncie and Minnetrista Museum and Gardens have held the Flags-of-Honor demonstration since 2012 as our way of showing support to those that serve and protect us Minnetrista and the Exchange Club of Muncie would like to invite everyone to come to Minnetrista from now until Sept.11 to see and experience this demonstration of honor and support 11 rain (indoors) or shine (outdoors) beginning at 5:30pm with a concert by America’s Hometown Band Everyone is welcome to attend this program as we honor those who give so much to us but ask so little in return To sponsor a ribbon please come to the tent at Minnetrista or call Minnetrista at 765-282-4848 The Exchange Club of Muncie was founded in 1921 It is one of more than 630 local clubs throughout the United States and Puerto Rico that provide individuals with opportunities to use their time and talents to benefit their local communities and country the Exchange Club of Muncie celebrates 103 years of working together to make our community a better place to live through service in Americanism New Minnetrista exhibition explores history of Ball familyStar PressMUNCIE — A new exhibition at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens looks at the story of Muncie's Ball family "Deep Roots: Exploring the Ball Family Tree" opened on Saturday the exhibition traces the Ball family’s journey "from their early roots in Buffalo to their profound influence on Muncie and East Central Indiana through manufacturing "Deep Roots" explores the Ball family’s evolution through "a rich collection of family photographs and a family tree that illuminate their entrepreneurial journey — from their early entrepreneurial endeavors to the founding of the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company and their lasting influence on Muncie and the surrounding communities," the release said The exhibition will evolve over time with new stories and insights along with a genealogy section where guests can explore their own family history a motorcycle was traveling west on Highway 7 just before midnight Friday when it crashed into a Jeep Cherokee as it entered the intersection with County Road 44 identified as 24-year-old Johnathan David Hommer of Lester Prairie The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined Hommer’s cause of death to be multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the crash Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events a screening of the movie Sight and Sound says is the best movie ever made saying he'd killed the mother of his child which features a swimming beach and splash pad veterans have been honored for their acts of service the Exchange Club takes it to the next level right here in Minnetrista the Muncie Exchange club plants over 1000 American flags to help honor veterans and first responders who served America Not only do these flags have plenty of meaning behind them but they also provide stunning visuals for Muncie residents to see “It’s patriotic,” said former Muncie Exchange club president and former Navy veteran Forrest Bowers “And I like to see the reactions of the other individuals.”  He noted that his favorite part of the ceremony was to see how the ceremony affected people especially today with the situations we have around the world.” Flags of Honor hold a special place in many locals' hearts especially when watching America’s next generation stop by The tradition of setting up over a thousand American flags at the Minnetrista Museum and Gardens started back in 2013 to not only honor those who have served but also to honor the first responders who lost their lives to the September 11th attacks in New York “We wanted to put up a thousand flags to honor the patriotism of the veterans especially the veterans and the first responders who put their lives on line during 9/11,” said Bowers The Flags of Honor also hold some historical pieces featuring a replica of the original U.S flag made by Betsy Ross and each flag made to commemorate each U.S The Flags of Honor in Minnetrista will hold a pre-ceremony concert featuring America’s Hometown Band at 5:30 p.m. followed by their closing ceremony at 6 p.m Contact Wyatt Maher with comments at wyatt.maher@bsu.edu A part of Ball State Unversity's award winning College of Communication Ind - Walking into Minnetrista Museum & Gardens around dusk is a once-in-a-lifetime experience The stars begin to show while the sun's faint orange glow disappears beyond the skyline For many of the people attending the astronomy club meeting former neurosurgeon Gautam Phookan speaks on the southern hemisphere and constellations found there Phookan is the President of the club and found his love for astronomy during COVID-19.  so I thought I would travel into the skies That’s how I fell in love with it,” said Phookan as well as outreach coordinator Dan Malone spoke on the power of telescopes and astrophotography Astrophotography is just one specific example of the many different ways you can get into astronomy Former club president Chris O’Brien shared “There's a lot of different aspects of astronomy you can do what we call armchair astronomy it's a hobby that can keep you busy your entire lifetime,” said O’Brien The club plans to host multiple events from now into the summer Contact Braylon Judy with comments at braylon.judy@bsu.edu  & Lights at Minnetrista set for July 25-27Star PressMUNCIE & Lights celebration at Minnetrista will be July 25 through July 27 with a special sensory-friendly event on July 27 from 12:30–3:30 p.m children are encouraged to come dressed in their best magical faerie attire as they imagine and play in a faerie wonderland a bubble garden and live characters throughout Minnetrista's enchanted Oakhurst Gardens Participants will create a magical home for their faerie friends at Faerie Tea Party on July 21 from 2 to 4 p.m hors d'oeuvres and fun activities with fellow faeries The sensory-friendly event on July 27 is designed to welcome faerie friends with sensory sensitivities or disabilities to the Oakhurst Gardens to experience the magic in a calmer and welcoming environment Tickets for Faeries, Sprites, & Lights are $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Kids 2 and younger are free. Tickets are available at minnetrista.net/faeries-sprites-lights Parking for the event will be at the Delaware County Fairgrounds For more information, visit minnetrista.net or call 765-282-4848 families gather at Betty’s Cabin in Minnetrista Museum and Gardens to participate in the weekly tradition that sparks imagination and provides a love for reading to the next generation This weekly tradition is known as Storytime Saturdays and it provides a fun space for children around the Muncie community.  “We like the idea of having a set time every Saturday for your kids to sit in for a free story time,” Max Fettchenhauer the daily experience manager at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens “And that's the best part about working here; is kids coming in for free and having the time of their life here.” Not only does Storytime Saturdays provide an opportunity for kids to listen to a story but it also provides a space to interact with the story.  “My favorite part about that story is we ended it with a giant snowball fight we always end it with the kids throwing the snowballs at the storyteller.” As an attempt to boost community engagement and provide families with an opportunity to participate in fun activities for free seeing Muncie locals participate in Storytime Saturdays means the world to Fettchenhauer “That’s one of the things that I like about working here,” he said.  “And I think I share this about other people that work here; it's very fulfilling work to be able to provide something for the community here.” Minnetrista Museum and Gardens will hold a family adventure day at the park on March 26 Contact Wyatt Maher with any comments wyatt.maher@bsu.edu sizzling fusion and killer barbecue in Waconia With a résumé that took him from managing restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area it would seem that Ryan Sathre had a unique requirement in his job-hunting criteria ‘Do you only work at restaurants that are on lakes What’s your deal?’ I feel like I need to be around a body of water of some sort,” said Sathre the only restaurant where you can dine directly on the second-largest lake in the Twin Cities metro Lake Waconia is a sparkling recreational hub that sometimes gets overshadowed by the other big lake to its north But its charms are well known to the people who make this far-flung corner of the west metro area their home — and to those looking to make it their home More day-trippers and real estate hunters are drawn to the area a six-lane bowling alley in Waconia’s downtown core with an inventive menu of scratch-made pizzas those fields are massive housing developments are sprinkled with small towns with big appetites Marc Huebner began noticing more customers from suburbs like Edina and Eden Prairie making their way to his upscale Belgian and German restaurant during the thick of the pandemic and unrest nobody wanted to go into the cities to eat,” Huebner said Victoria is currently developing a 13.5-acre extension of its downtown to the west along Steiger Lake with a 145-unit residential building in the works a town of 13,000 with a largely preserved main street the population is expected to reach 24,000 by 2040 But even as the population creeps westward the food scene is still somewhat of a secret that hasn’t yet leaked to too many city dwellers You know the joke that Minneapolitans won’t cross the Mississippi to go to St Try convincing them of a 25- or 30-minute drive “People think we’re on the border of South Dakota,” Huebner joked Molly Krinhop is more than willing to make the commute from south Minneapolis to St Bonifacius and wishes more Twin Citians would do the same and plans to rebrand it as Molly’s later this year A wine seller and onetime La Belle Vie and Lucia’s chef she has been slowly making the place her own and that includes bringing in food purveyors and guest chefs based in the cities Northeast Minneapolis resident Nathan Mickelsen is also under the spell of the west metro and its burgeoning culinary scene The former Parasole chef and a founder of the Travail-run ice cream project Dream Creamery had never been to Waconia before interviewing for a job at Lola’s Lakehouse and he’s rewritten the menu to amplify the lakeside location it’s just a really nice place to be,” Mickelsen said “I love it so much that I’m going to move out here.” or simply allowing the food to be the destination here are some of the best places to eat in the fast-growing west metro towns of Waconia which celebrates some of those western and central European flavors he grew up savoring plus a few tables to dine in for sandwiches and burgers with aggressively seared edges that form an overflowing skirt of crispy meat that encircles the outside of the bun A side of seasoned fries is a very good idea Before we get to the food, let’s talk drinks. In the area surrounding Lake Waconia, there’s a generous number of wineries, breweries and distilleries — enough to make a designated driver essential. The gem of them all has to be the Winery at Sovereign Estate (9950 N. Shore Road, sovereignestatewine.com) a vast property of trim fields and vines sloping down toward the lake a group of friends and a good bottle or two could easily consume an entire weekend day Waconia has just about everything one could want in a well-preserved downtown district: a bakery, multiple ice cream shops, a brewpub, a bar for burgers and karaoke a movie theater and a bowling alley that puts food first Dan Madsen and his family operate Garage Bar & Bowl (16 W. 1st St., garagebowl.com) after saving the century-old former auto shop with an extensive renovation in 2018 cold-proofing pizza dough for unusual pies (spaghetti and meatballs and winning a world record for the biggest DIY bloody mary bar with 219 garnishes Madsen is all about defying expectations for a bowling alley (he calls his operation “boutique”) “Some people come in and they expect a Heggie’s pizza and an air fryer,” he said “People may not understand the lengths we go to to try to provide the best food that we can.” Down the street, a former VFW may no longer host meat raffles, but it does have a meat raffle pizza. A group that includes seasoned restaurateurs and a former teacher opened Bode Gray’s and the Brass Hat (125 W. 1st St., bodegrays.com) a little more than a year ago after renovating the veterans’ club down to the studs nautical-themed cocktail bar the Brass Hat (there’s a separate entrance at the back of the building) You can get any of Bode Gray’s appetizers and wood-fired pizzas at the Brass Hat including one that pays homage to the restaurant’s bones The restaurant even donates $1 from every sale to the local VFW Further afield, in a Waconia strip mall, the new restaurant Sizzle Street (813 Marketplace Drive, sizzlestreet.co) is serving up classic Punjabi dishes Owned by the longtime restaurateurs and brothers behind India Palace Sizzle Street put an Italian spin on Indian flavors with a chicken tikka pizza and a creamy masala Alfredo But if you’ve come all this way, you probably won’t want to miss the lake — and Lola’s Lakehouse (318 E. Lake St., lolaslakehouse.com) has lots of lake to offer the 16-year-old restaurant is undergoing changes to ensure its reputation as a fine-dining lakeside restaurant something the Twin Cities area unfortunately lacks “If you want to have something a bit more upscale where you’re not having raging frat boys all around you this is the place for you,” said Nathan Mickelsen a chef who has worked in high-end kitchens such as Manny’s Steakhouse and Chino Latino and who came on board as executive chef at Lola’s earlier this year Mickelsen has edited the menu to focus more heavily on seafood and he’s presiding over wine dinners and special events that are new for the restaurant “Literally every week after the new menu hit and we are not slowing down,” Mickelsen said Minnetrista mostly straddles the western edges of Lake Minnetonka but the part you should know about is at the southern border along Hwy Minnetrista swallows up the landlocked blip of St and the two cities make an unlikely corridor for a foodie’s road trip “Minnesota barbecue.” That’s the style of meat-smoking wood-firing ingenuity that Joseph Cox is putting on the map longtime barbecue-cooking nomads who spent years catering for oil field workers in Texas and Oklahoma came back to Minnesota to establish their catering business out of a midcentury gem of a building on the highway With wildly popular pop-ups keeping them there around the clock tending to an expansive list of fall-off-the-bone meats taking over the gas station next door and building their dream of a restaurant There’s live music under the gas station canopy; a huge patio with quick-serve meats from the smoker; and a full-service menu in the unexpectedly elegant dining room (with plenty of non-meat-heavy dishes); a Bridgeman’s ice cream scoop shop; and billowing smoke that pours out onto Hwy a natural signal to do yourself a favor and pull over “It’s what we’ve always dreamed of for the last 20 years,” Cox said Buddy Boy has you covered for lunch and dinner four days a week they’ve turned that 70-year-old stunner of a building next door into Hash House just this past May sandwiches and skillet hashes utilize Buddy Boy’s long list of meats Tiny St. Boni is “like a hidden gem, because if you blink, you’ll miss it,” said Molly Krinhop, owner of St. Boni Bistro (8516 Kennedy Memorial Drive, St. Bonifacius, stbonibistro.com) But she’s up for the challenge of bringing more notice to the area with fresh scratch cooking “There’s a lot of potential here.” Krinhop who most recently traversed Minnesota to sell wine to restaurants is a kitchen alum of major Minneapolis restaurants and she’s quietly transforming this ultra-charming restaurant with a cocktail program pickles from the Fermentation Station and more locally made products Look for the rebrand to be complete this fall or head out now for a sneak peek of what’s to come: lunch and dinner with beautiful salmon-topped salads and soups Krinhop learned to make while working for Lucia Watson And neighboring the new Juniper Apartments, Mackenthun’s (4751 Kings Point Road, Minnetrista, mackenthuns.com) — a century-old name in groceries — just opened a glitzy new market to serve the growing population in this corner of the city. Sharyn Jackson is a features reporter covering the Twin Cities' vibrant food and drink scene. No Section Peek inside homes for sale in the Twin Cities area After falling behind 17-0 at halftime and being dominated most of the game the Bulldogs may have locked up a spot in the College Football Playoff M&A Seminar on Preparing Your Company for Sale Presented by Maslon LLP and Northborne Partners is planning a 140- to 148-unit apartment building in the Woodland Cove area of Minnetrista Efforts to reform Minnesota zoning laws fail again as local opposition blocks a bill limiting parking mandates[...] will break ground this summer on The Dorian a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo after buying[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a major aero[...] The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged despite political pressure from President Tru[...] The Trump administration is swiftly remaking housing policy as the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Develo[...] construction job openings dropped by 38,000 in March signaling slowing labor demand amid tariffs Sign up for your daily digest of Minnesota News Efforts to reform Minnesota zoning laws fail again as local opposition blocks a bill limiting parkin[...] a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo af[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a [...] The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged despite political pressure from Pre[...] The Trump administration is swiftly remaking housing policy as the U.S Department of Housing and Ur[...] signaling slowing labor demand amid tarif[...] Trump's trade demands stretch beyond tariffs Performance contracting helps governments and schools cut energy costs is now an official city after a local vote Milwaukee Mitchell Airport will start a $95.2M international terminal project this summer after dela[...] Listen here analysis and commentary on Minnesota business We are the only independent daily newspaper dedicated to business reporting Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions Restaurants by | Mar 2020 When the wind is blowing in the right direction the air around Love’s Garage on Highway 7 in Minnetrista is perfumed with the sweet smell of burning red oak The nose-tickling aroma is coming from Love’s next-door neighbor: Buddy Boy Fine Barbeque which Joe and Jennifer Cox quietly opened in the spring of 2017 Only in hindsight would the arrival of Buddy Boy be recognized for the landmark event it was the Coxes have built a steadily growing fan base partially fueled by word of mouth and social media posts but mainly driven by the sheer succulence of their precision-smoked beef The Coxes bring plenty of enthusiasm to their 24/7 commitment to slow-smoked barbeque but they are by no means food service novices Buddy Boy is a spin-off of the catering business they’ve had since 2005 Joe Cox has traveled thousands of miles in his quest for peak barbeque; he’s watched people cook with wood in his mother’s native Taiwan He considers himself blessed to have had the opportunity to travel around the world first as the son of a career Air Force officer and then as a corporate chef and “get off the beaten path.” On his first trip to his mother’s homeland “we went to a little village with no electricity.” Joe watched his mother cooking over coals and “learned to love that flavor.” “I’ve always loved the taste and texture of cooking with wood,” says Joe “It’s something you can’t fake or shortcut and I wanted to learn the right way to use different woods and always wanted to get better and better at it.” Having everything ready when the door opens at 11 a.m requires staying up all night to tend the meat as it smokes barbeque is one of the most regionally specific forms of cooking textures and tastes identified with different parts of the country the Coxes use one of the types of wood that is plentiful in Minnesota: red and white oak which they source from about a half-dozen local vendors The wood is dried from eight months to a year before burning The meat is also locally sourced and the drink menu features Minnesota craft beers and wine each of which can hold 1,000 pounds of meat around the newly expanded indoor dining space which accommodates large parties it takes a while to regain the lost heat—about 10 minutes in the summer but an hour when the winter winds are blowing Cox says making the best-tasting barbeque requires clean burning with plenty of air flowing through the wood to avoid “dirty” smoke filled with tiny particles that mess with the flavor He and a friend spent a couple of years experimenting with smokers to light the wood and trying different combinations of wood “We burned through a lot of metal and finally got it,” he remembers While he’s a stickler for doing it the right way I would never tell anyone he is doing it wrong.” The Coxes make their own rubs and sauces used for basting and mopping different kinds of meat They have developed a handful of citrus-based sauces designed to “cut through” the heaviness or richness of smoked meat Joe Cox has a sous chef and works on training other culinarians who can help in the kitchen since he is busy with his day job working for a Twin Cities food service company and their catering business To make four hours’ worth of food (it takes that long for them to sell out) they start the fires 24 hours in advance and beef ribs and brisket take the longest—up to 18 hours “We get a lot of former Texans coming here for the brisket ‘Is this going to be as good as Texas barbeque?’ By the time they leave they are saying ‘This is the best I’ve ever had,’” Joe notes with regular customers coming from as far away as Northfield and Anoka; they’ve also had customers from Brazil and Poland No unsold meat remains at the end of each day “We always cook fresh for that day.” They smoke whole turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas Two of the Coxes’ five kids work at the restaurant Everybody pitches in to deal with a number of challenges involved in running a barbeque joint but the biggest one is the Minnesota weather “We all have to endure that; the nice thing is that so far everybody on the team has enjoyed the process even though it been difficult at times; they have a fun ‘coming to work experience’ and everybody is ‘all in.’” Bad weather doesn’t stop the customers from coming The Buddy Boy site has been a restaurant location for many years and for years before that it was the Norseman Cafe a 24/7 diner Jen Cox remembers going to when she was growing up nearby The Coxes recently expanded the space and now have an east-facing patio and total capacity of about 100 sit-down diners being near the southwest corner of the lake the Coxes plan to have special outdoor events and feature live music on their patio and offer similar entertainment indoors all year round “We want to make this a great destination spot,” Jen says Buddy Boy Fine Barbeque owners Jennifer and Joe Cox are planning a special menu for Easter Sunday that will include barbequed lamb as if Minnesotans need another reason to look forward to spring orders for the holiday food should be made in advance this spring the Coxes plan to erect their 60-by-120-foot tent one of the most ostentatious stars on the menu is the Big Buddy sandwich Buddy Boy sides include ginger cabbage slaw soft drinks and Minnesota-made craft beers and wine Sign up for our newsletter and receive email updates with our top stories , , , , © Copyright 2026 Local. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy Read the May 2025 Lake Minnetonka Magazine Digital Edition            — A Minnetrista family escaped their burning house Sunday morning thanks to a neighbor.  WCCO talked to the owner of the house that caught fire on Farmhill Drive He said his neighbor was coming home from work around 2 a.m. saw the fire and alerted the family to get out There were children in the home at the time.  The homeowner said his space heater started the interior corner of the house on fire.    READ MORE: First responders speak for first time since fire in St. Paul that killed four The WCCO Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WCCO.com IN— The faeries are back and better than ever & Lights at Minnetrista will be held July 27 through 29 from 5 to 9 p.m. with a special sensory-friendly event on July 29 from 1–4 p.m and much more throughout Minnetrista’s enchanted Oakhurst Gardens & Lights events on July 15 from 2 to 4 p.m Experience a tea party — faerie style at Faerie Tea Party on July 23 from 11 a.m Minnetrista is excited to bring back the sensory-friendly version of FSL on July 29 from 1 to 4 p.m The sensory-friendly event is designed to welcome faerie friends with sensory sensitives or disabilities to the Oakhurst Gardens to experience the magic in a calmer and welcoming environment or take a stroll through the beautiful flowers and decorations Tickets for Faeries, Sprites, & Lights are $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Kids 2 and under are free. Tickets are available at minnetrista.net Parking for the event is located at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Minnetrista is looking for volunteers to help with Faeries Volunteering with Minnetrista is the perfect opportunity to be a part of great things happening in our community while enjoying this magical event in Oakhurst Gardens please email Mary Zwickl at mzwickl@minnetrista.net Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information on our exhibits and events the Muncie community has shown me kindness and patience as I learned on the job made my way around the city and elsewhere in East Central Indiana I am grateful to those who made time to meet with me to discuss their role in the life of Muncie I still have many people to meet and much to learn but the information and guidance from the people I’ve met have been invaluable  2023 was a year of transition for Minnetrista – one that challenged us and helped point us in a new direction to better serve our community In addition to transitioning to a new President & CEO we welcomed new staff throughout our organization who brought fresh perspectives Our existing staff truly has been welcoming to me and all the new staff while we work to make sure we all are in tune and playing in the same key  I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful members and generous donors everyone who attended a Minnetrista exhibition and everyone who just came to our campus to relax and find the peace and serenity that our grounds and gardens were designed to provide I am also thankful for the Minnetrista staff and volunteers for all their work in creating exhibits and hosting events that brought our community together in 2023 including (but not limited to) Black History Month Kickoff; Muncie Arbor Day Celebration; Garden Fair; Independence Day Celebration; Faeries and Lights; Flags of Honor; Boo-levard Bash; and Enchanted Luminaria Walk not to mention our free Family Adventure Days and our Farmers Market Minnetrista is meant to be a gathering place for all of Muncie and East Central Indiana and I believe events like these help strengthen our community museums can no longer rest on their laurels content to offer quality exhibitions and programs museums must proactively engage with their community–reaching out to learn what interests the community and how we can help improve the place we call home we are working to provide the following in 2024 and beyond: The best way for us to know how to serve our neighbors is to ask our neighbors how we can be of service Our activities will not be confined to our campus borders but rather will extend throughout Muncie and East Central Indiana We will build on our success in 2023 by offering a variety of exhibitions so that visitors have the option of coming to Minnetrista for a day full of activities involving art We will continue to develop programs that supplement the formal learning of our community schools by providing informal opportunities for children and all learners to build fundamental skills building upon the love of reading shared by George Minnetrista has offered signature events in spring (Garden Fair) and Lights) and winter (Enchanted Luminaria Walk) our creative staff came up with an idea to fill the gap in autumn – Boo-levard Bash and we would love your input on what you would like to see and experience In addition to our exhibitions and programs we would like all of Muncie and East Central Indiana to be able to enjoy our gardens and grounds as a type of sanctuary – a sanctuary for everyday people Around 100,000 people visit our campus each year to enjoy the surroundings and find peace we will work to develop programs that promote health and wellness to help our visitors take care of themselves we will further define our campus so that visitors to Minnetrista feel like they are “in Minnetrista,” surrounded by historic buildings to provide separation from the cares and concerns of the outside world We will continue to explore plans to beautify our expansive East Lawn to have it match the splendor of the rest of our campus – doing so could give Muncie an area that resembles (and may one day rival) historic places like the Biltmore mansion and gardens These are just some of the projects we are working on at Minnetrista all designed to benefit our neighbors and contribute to the quality of life in Muncie and East Central Indiana Some of these ideas are big and will not be easy to achieve but Minnetrista is a unique and special place that warrants and inspires big ideas I want to mention the invaluable help our volunteers provide not just through their physical work but also through the perspective they bring to Minnetrista We recently lost one of our long-time volunteers Jean volunteered for 27 years at Minnetrista (with almost 1500 volunteer hours) across a variety of areas I spoke with Jean over the summer during the Farmers Market She told me how much she loved Minnetrista and being a part of our activities The last time I saw her was at a volunteer reception where she casually mentioned that she had a degree in microbiology (among other degrees) and worked as a microbiologist and epidemiologist at Ball Memorial Hospital before retirement I was surprised that she had never mentioned something that important to me during our discussions but then I realized that it was just who she was – a kind and helpful person with a good sense of humor who wanted to talk about Minnetrista instead of herself No matter who you are or where you come from please know that you are welcome at Minnetrista will find Minnetrista to be a place that makes you happy Thank you for being a friend to Minnetrista and best wishes to you during the holidays and in the new year IN— Embrace the enchantment of the season with family and friends at Minnetrista’s Enchanted Luminaria Walk on December 1 and 2 “Enchanted Luminaria Walk holds a special place in our hearts at Minnetrista,” shared Natalie Young Associate Director of Experience & Education “It’s our heartfelt gift to the community The atmosphere is alive with anticipation and delight marking the perfect start to the holiday season.” This cherished tradition is Minnetrista’s celebration with the community Guests can enjoy hot chocolate and Minnetrista apple cider winter craft kits for creative minds enchanting lights and abundant photo ops food from Minnetrista Catering and a selection of local food trucks get a head start on your holiday shopping at The Orchard Shop and the Holiday Artisan Market featuring over two dozen local vendors Explore the winter wonderland that is Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista on Friday Entry to the event is free to the whole family thanks to our generous supporting sponsor Peterman Brothers in partnership with The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County For more information, visit minnetrista.net or call 765.282.4848 Minnetrista is your year-round gathering place There is always something new to discover at Minnetrista For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net Brea Cunningham is Associate Director of Communications at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens IN—The much-anticipated Ball Stores exhibition opened on April 27 inviting visitors to embark on a journey through the cherished history of one of Muncie’s most beloved institutions Located in the Center Building’s Heritage Gallery this immersive experience promises to reignite fond memories and celebrate the enduring legacy of Ball Stores which captured the hearts of residents for over five decades Prepare to be captivated by a mesmerizing display of vintage photographs and objects showcasing the diverse departments and enticing merchandise that made Ball Stores a cornerstone of the community From its iconic brown plaid motif to its warm and welcoming atmosphere the exhibition faithfully recreates the magic of the Stores inviting visitors to relive cherished moments and share their recollections “We are thrilled to unveil the Ball Stores exhibition and offer visitors the opportunity to reconnect with a treasured piece of Muncie’s history,” said Sebastián Encina “Through a curated collection of objects and artifacts we aim to celebrate the legacy of Ball Stores and its profound impact on our community.” the Ball Stores exhibition promises a nostalgic celebration for visitors of all ages With a planned refresh for the winter holiday season attendees will have the perfect excuse to revisit the exhibition and experience its timeless charm anew. attendees will have the perfect excuse to revisit the exhibition and experience its timeless charm anew Join us as we pay homage to a bygone era and celebrate the rich tapestry of memories woven by Ball Stores Whether you’re a longtime resident or a newcomer to Muncie this exhibition offers a poignant reminder of the enduring power of community and tradition Don’t miss your chance to step back in time and experience the magic of Ball Stores and prepare to embark on a journey through the heart and soul of Muncie For more information, visit minnetrista.net or call 765.282.4848. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information on our exhibitions and events Minnetrista is your year-round gathering place! Born out of the Ball family legacy, the home of the Ball jar, Minnetrista connects people, encourages engagement, and improves our community. There is always something new to discover at Minnetrista. From beautiful gardens, unique events, interactive exhibits, and engaging workshops, every adventure is unique and fun. For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net The Ball Stores exhibition is presented by Defur Voran Elisabeth Ball spent her afternoons frolicking in the garden at Oakhurst “We filled fairy baskets with leaves and wildflowers and hung them in the shrubbery around the house and in the woods hoping to attract the fairies,” Ball said to Angie Pruis in 1980 An avid fairy lover throughout her childhood spent a lot of time reading and writing about the mythical characters when she wasn’t looking for them in the garden “You would see their images on lamps They showed up as characters in a lot of ways,” she said “A lot of the books that Elisabeth read when you look at them a lot of them are titles that aren’t really familiar today but if you start to dig into what they are fairy-like creatures very much were popular in those it makes a lot of sense to me that Elisabeth was really into fairies.” Ball lived at the 5.3-acre estate until she died in 1982 she let the gardens go —she didn’t want anyone else in them because she knew where everything was according to a May 1991 edition of The Muncie Star Minnetrista started the Oakhurst Project to revitalize the estate including reviving the garden and rebuilding Ball’s cabin-like studio toward the back of the property Oakhurst Gardens reopened in May 1995 and Minnetrista was looking for a way to get people there a couple of years and a ballet company later “Reading about Elisabeth and her fascination with fairies as a child her belief in fairies and as an adult using fairies in her poetry and different writings it was decided to focus something around that,” Vincent said “The first few years we worked with a local ballet company and actually taught little girls to dance through … the woods down at Oakhurst and now it’s morphed into a little bit more of a focus on theater and characters.” Though little girls are no longer taught how to dance through the woods they spend the evening in fairy-like costumes it was expanded a couple of years ago to include Thursday night Last year, there were probably 2,500 attendees on Friday alone the three-day event has become a tradition for families like the Copes Kandas Cope made her then-1-year-old daughter’s costume she makes her children’s’ costumes every year this year and she always likes to go and see all the little houses that they have throughout,” she said Each costume can take up to four hours of work the costume is what defines the event to many little girls ran from the fairgrounds to the check-in line delicate fairy wings fluttering behind them they were greeted by fairy house-maker Ryan Shelley sprites (and sometimes mermaids and butterflies) through the fairy door There they found trees wrapped in vibrant ribbon and tulle with fairy houses dotting the forest floor “It was just something that I did when I was little,” said Gracye Stewart Stewart started attending the event when she was around 5 years old and now she brings her daughter “I like to smell flowers,” Arianna "Faeries, Sprites and Lights" continues 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28, at Minnetrista and Oakhurst Gardens. Tickets are $8 ($7 for Minnetirista members); children age 2 and younger are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased in person at the main building prior to the event or at the gate the day of. Information: minnetrista.net and email her story ideas: mfreda@muncie.gannett.com MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, in partnership with Muncie Children’s Museum (MCM), invites the community to embark on a three-day journey of celestial wonder with Magic at Minnetrista culminating in the rare total solar eclipse visible from Muncie promises an unforgettable experience for all ages both Minnetrista and Muncie Children’s Museum have been awarded grants from the esteemed Simons Foundation This prestigious recognition is part of the Path of Totality Initiative dedicated to supporting events surrounding the April solar eclipse These grants will elevate “Magic at Minnetrista,” ensuring an enriching and immersive experience for all attendees “We are deeply honored to receive funding from the Simons Foundation which will allow us to expand and enrich our total solar eclipse experience for visitors of all ages we aim to create a truly impactful event that celebrates the marvels of the universe while fostering curiosity and appreciation for science and astronomy within our community.” The total solar eclipse programming at Minnetrista will offer something for everyone to enjoy and discover with activities ranging from constellation-making and storytelling crafts to solar viewing crown crafting and sensory exploration with MCM staff Attendees will be immersed in hands-on learning experiences that explore the science behind solar eclipses and delve into the cultural significance of this celestial event Other highlights include readings from local author Laurie Lunsford a captivating performance of an original short play from award-winning playwright Jennifer Blackmer and the total solar eclipse community viewing party The grants from the Simons Foundation were made possible in partnership with the Association of Science and Technology Centers based on a competitive application process This work is supported by the Simons Foundation, in partnership with the Association of Science and Technology Centers, and is part of its ‘In the Path of Totality’ initiative. More at inthepathoftotality.org Minnetrista's horticulture department has solicited seed donations from local chain stores and seed companies We do this at the end of the growing season to bolster our programming and our Herb and Orchard Gardens for the following year We have often received more seed packets than we can use in a single growing season we have passed the remaining packets on to other community organizations with gardening programming and food security outreach I'm talking about thousands of seed packets these seeds were destined for the landfill due to being labeled for the previous growing season but I do understand the business' high standards and approach No one wants to buy old seeds that are no longer viable I would say seeds can be used for 3-4 years when the seeds are kept in proper storage conditions that are cool and dark Minnetrista's woodshop helped us with a new delivery method of getting seeds out in the community by building us a Community Seed Library It is not a new idea and is based on the little Free Library Program Our Community Seed Library is located in the Orchard Garden Community Seed Libraries can have all kinds of different styles Our main goals are to inspire folks to become gardeners You will find laminated information documents on the sides of the library such as seed starting calendars and planting guides On the other side is a chalkboard for passive communication purposes You will also find a crate attached to the post where excess produce and seedling can be shared with other community members Utilizing the Community Seed Library can look different with varying approaches depending on visitors' goals Taking pictures of a posted document with their phone instead of taking the laminated sheets supporting the Community Seed Library could be just as varied as utilizing it you go out and buy a packet of your favorite tomato seeds Most home gardeners will not need more than 10-15 plants Most of us have made the mistake of planting too many plants and have paid for it in August when the garden is overrun with vines smothering everything So if you take half the seeds and leave the other half fully labeled in the library someone else can enjoy those tomato seeds also.  Other items that could be donated and left in the seed library could be: Ultimately there are no right or wrong ways to utilize the Community Seed Library Just be courteous of other community members who visit the library after you More Get Up and Grow: Winter gardening includes apple tree pruning if there are different ways you would like to get involved or have ideas that could improve the Seed Library seed companies are no different than any other industry or business If you haven't started planning your summer garden And start sourcing your seeds as soon as possible James Edwards is horticulture manager at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens and an IAH-accredited horticulturalist overseeing 21 acres of ornamental and natural areas He can be reached at 765-287-3563 or at Jedwards@minnetrista.net Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Farmers Market at Minnetrista is back in action on Saturday Gather your loved ones and dive into a festive atmosphere where every step is a discovery Connect with our vibrant community of local vendors both familiar faces and exciting newcomers showcasing an array of handcrafted and homegrown treasures the Farmers Market promises an experience that goes beyond the ordinary—think artisan delights and the unmistakable buzz of a thriving marketplace Picture a winter wonderland inside the Center Building where you can shop comfortably and support our fantastic small business owners can hardly contain her excitement— “We have a truly incredible lineup of vendors for this season at the indoor Farmers Market Everything is either locally grown or handmade by our farmers and artisans Stop by the Center Building and immerse yourself in the warm ambiance and unparalleled sense of community.” Mark your calendars—the next indoor market will be on Saturday and will keep the winter blues at bay until April Don’t miss out on the chance to support your local community while filling your basket with the finest homegrown and homemade goods and SFMNP (Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program) are accepted at participating vendors ensuring everyone can savor the flavors of the season Farmers Market at Minnetrista indoor dates: For more information, visit minnetrista.net or call 765.282.4848. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information on our exhibits and events