Community Connection, from Indiana Public Radio

A Christmas Eve party. A missing ring. A down-on-his-luck private eye. It’s a combination that has all the makings of a perfect mystery. Or should we say, “Chris-Mystery?” As a special treat for the holidays, we're proud to bring you IPR's production of A Chris-Mystery, IPR’s radio drama broadcast live on Friday, Dec. 16, from Sursa Performance Hall at Ball State University. Written by local Radio Drama veteran Michael Kleeberg and produced by Jennifer Blackmer, with direction from David Little and musical direction from Michael Elliott, A Chris-Mystery is sponsored by Michelle Walker Thrivent Financial and The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory.

As a special treat for the holidays, we're proud to bring you IPR's production of This American Carol, our radio drama broadcast on Friday, Dec. 17, live from Sursa Performance Hall. This American Carol is a contemporary comedy mashup of A Christmas Carol and The Office, as told in the style of NPR’s This American Life.  The new production is written for IPR by award-winning playwright, screenwriter and professor of theatre at Ball State University, Dr. Jennifer Blackmer. The main character is Carol, a successful branch manager who has a misguided idea of what celebrating the holidays at work actually means.  Carol, who wants things done in a very specific way, won’t listen to anyone’s input and, after a fit of epic proportions (her staff literally fear for their jobs), she decides to cancel the party. The next day, three mysterious meetings pop up on Carol’s Outlook calendar (ghosts) who come along to teach Carol that respecting your coworkers and listening to them not only makes for a good team, but they can also become the family you need but never had.

Indiana Public Radio aired a live re-enactment of Orson Welles' famous "War of the Worlds" broadcast on the show's 70th anniversary in 2008. The IPR radio drama has since become an annual holiday tradition at Ball State University, growing over the years as a unique collaboration among community members, Ball State faculty, and Ball State students. "Comfort and Joy, An IPR Radio Drama Retrospective" reveals the process of creating this local holiday tradition and explores why storytelling in this format - "theater of the mind" - has found such an enthusiastic audience in today's fast-paced world.

Community Connection is proud to bring this special broadcast online. IPR's flagship station, WBST 92.1 FM, Muncie, celebrates 60 years on the air through a look back at the station's rich broadcasting history. This special broadcast includes audio from WBST's 50th Anniversary Show, produced by Brian Eckstein and broadcast on September 12, 2010, which in turn featured audio from WBST's 30th Anniversary Radio Program, produced by Dan Skinner and broadcast on September 12th, 1990. Host and producer Sean Ashcraft guides us through these past 60 years with a local programming update focusing on the last decade of Indiana Public Radio. New material for this special broadcast was written by Michelle Kinsey.

Michelle is joined by three Master Gardeners this month to talk about all that’s in store for the Delaware County Master Gardener Association (DCMGA) and their 30th anniversary this year. Founded in 1990, the Delaware County group is part of the original Master Gardener program created in 1972 in Seattle, Washington. The goal of DCMGA is to promote and teach good gardening and horticulture practices in cooperation with the Purdue University Extension Services, and membership is open to anyone who has successfully completed the Master Gardener Basic Training class and certification.

Dorica Watson joins us this month for a chat about Second Harvest Food Bank's poverty elimination program, Forward S.T.E.P.S.. The acronym stands for "Support Transforming Empowerment Pathways to Sustainability," and this initiative is a relationship-based program in which social service agencies, businesses, and community members come together to support ALICE ("Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed") and other under-resourced individuals working to access their full potential. We also learn about an interesting educational experience program offered by the group that seeks to raise empathy and understanding about living in poverty.  To learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank itself, check out our recent episode featuring the group!

YWCA of Central Indiana's CEO Watasha Barnes Griffin joins Michelle for a look-ahead discussion on the new year for the Muncie-based chapter of YWCA. The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, dignity and freedom for all. Their vision is that every woman in East Central Indiana has access to the resources needed to better themselves and the lives of those around them. In this episode, we hear all about how the Central Indiana chapter achieves that mission and how we can all help out.

As a special treat for the holidays, we're proud to bring you IPR's production of "Christmas Gifts”, our radio drama broadcast on Friday, Dec. 13, live from Sursa Performance Hall. Matthew Reeder directs a cast of local talent in a live performance of this story adapted by David Little. "Christmas Gifts" brings two O. Henry stories to life. "Gift of the Magi" and "The Last Leaf" are intertwined to tell a holiday story that spans generations and recreates the magic of old-time live radio programs with community actors, musicians, and foley sound effects.

Michelle speaks with Steven Knipp about the upcoming Muncie Pride event set for September 19th, 2020, at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. The goal of Muncie Pride is to support social, educational and other activities for the LGBTQ community in Muncie and the surrounding area. They work closely with Muncie OUTreach which provide programming for LGBTQ youth. You can hear our recent conversation with that organization here.

November is a very busy month for Feed My Sheep, a Muncie group that feeds hundreds of area residents through served meals and delivery to homes on Thanksgiving Day. Michelle speaks with Steve Case about the groups plans for this year. In 1996, founders George and Teresa Huggins answered a heartfelt call to reach out to others and start an outreach that would fill a void for the lonely and less fortunate, while reaching across lines and uniting the Muncie community. Joined by a host of gracious, loving, and giving donors and volunteers, the Harvest Celebration Thanksgiving Day Dinner has grown to become a tremendous expression of the generous “spirit of community” very much alive in Muncie.