August 2016 Newsletter

Safer Streets This Month: Neighborhood Watch Beautiful Crosswalks World Changers Back to School

Let’s Talk

facebook.com/whitelycc whitelycc@gmail.com

whitelycc.org 765-288-1892

Safety Committee works to establish Neighborhood Watch

THANK YOU!

Special thanks to

IU Health Ball Memorial

Hospital for printing this

newsletter.

As we are entering another school year I would like to thank some of the wonderful people who have dedicated their time and talent and invested in our youth over the summer. People like Yolanda Taylor, and Carl Malone (Unity Center), Qiana O’Neal (Buley Center), Monique Armstrong (Motivate Our Minds), Micah Maxwell (Boys&Girls Club), and Rebecca Parker (The Connection Corner). They have worked tirelessly to provide our youth with positive environments and opportunities to grow and develop over the summer. We also give

special thanks all those who worked with them, who may not always get the credit or recognition that they so richly deserve but continue to invest in the lives of our youth daily. Now I would like to challenge us. This school year, dedicate some time to also invest in their future. You would be surprised at what a tremendous difference only 1 or 2 hours a week could make in their lives. You might wonder, what could I do? You could volunteer at one of our community centers, visit our schools and ask what you can do to help encourage them and show them that they are appreciated and valued. Their impact on our community doesn’t start tomorrow, it started yesterday. These young people are not just our future, they are our present.

President Frank T. Scott, Sr.

A Letter from the President

In July, the Safety Committee met to work on forming a Neighborhood Watch. The goal of the watch is not only to expose and eliminate criminal activity, but also to address general safety concerns in the neighborhood. The idea behind the watch, according to Safety Committee member Frank Scott, is “to help neighbors help neighbors.” Some of the current safety issues the watch hopes to address include repairing broken street lights to eliminate dark areas, improving bad road conditions and overgrown plants that impair visibility for drivers at intersections, and the number of unleashed dogs that pose a threat to residents. Additionally, by encouraging community members to keep a watch on the activity in their area, the Safety Committee hopes

to eliminate criminal threats that come from outside of the neighborhood. The Committee will enlist the help of community leaders to recruit residents in their areas to participate in the Neighborhood Watch by explaining the benefits of the program. According to Mr. Scott, “Usually neighbors can get other neighbors involved before law enforcement can convince them.” When asked what advice he would give a member of the community who wants to work on increasing neighborhood safety, Mr. Scott shared, “Be observant and don’t be afraid to report what you see. Get to know your neighbors and familiarize yourself with the proper phone numbers and resources for your community’s issues.” Article by Faith Kellermeyer

How Can I Make My Community Better?

Become a Member of the Whitely Community Council Be a part of making positive changes in your community.

Get free access to the Whitely Toolshed.

Get assistance with your home repairs during neighborhood makeovers. Sign up with Curtis during volunteer hours at Connection Corner, during off hours at Connection Corner. For tool shed help call Curtis at 317-628-5449. Applications are available on the community table and can be mailed to P.O. Box 665, Muncie, IN 47308. Applications can also be filled out at a Whitely CC meeting. Memberships must be renewed annually. Yearly membership costs are as follows: $12 for individual membership $15 for family membership $50 for business membership

Donate to Whitely Community Council Donate via check (given to any board member) and made out to Whitely Community Council or via online donation at whitelycc.org

Volunteer. Call 288-1892 or ask about volunteer opportunities at the next Whitely CC meeting.

Join a Committee. There are seven Goal Committees as well as Hospitality and Membership committees. Everyone in this community has something to offer, and we would love to benefit from your experience, knowledge, talent, and passion for the community. Help us make Whitely better by getting involved in leadership efforts. Listed below are each of the committees:

Goal 1: Beautification and Improved Infrastructure Goal 2: Community Safety Goal 3: Education and Health Promotion Goal 4: Employment and Business Support Goal 5: Neighborhood Pride and Event

Planning Goal 6: Resource Development and Fundraising Goal 7: Advertising and Public Relations

World Changers Come to Whitely

About World Changers:

World Changers is an initiative of LifeWay Christian Resources and is in its 26th summer of partnering with cities to serve residents.

97 students from 4 churches came to the Muncie area.

Groups came from Maryland, Ohio, Louisiana, and Illinois.

World Changers helped with home repair, construction, beautification, and landscaping work.

Whitely Food Pantry Update

We plan to open a pantry in the Whitely area beginning in September, with hours once a week on Thursdays from 4-6:30pm. Since we do not have a permanent location yet, four churches (Shaffer Chapel AME, Union Missionary Baptist

Church, Harvest Christian Fellowship and Mt. Calvary Church of God) have agreed to house the pantry, a different church each week. This is a collaborative effort. More information to come! Article by Jay Zimmerman

Your Vote Matters! Register to Vote

The deadline for voter registration is October 11th. Everyone has the right to vote this year. Make your voice heard! Every voter counts. Register to vote now! If you would like to register to vote, contact Abby Hager at (317) 385-1665 or hager.alh@gmail.com

The World Changers visited Muncie again during the week of July 11-15 and made a huge difference in our neighborhood in such a short time. Two homes and yards were completely transformed by these amazing hard workers. Thank you to all involved!

Before

Before

After

After

Whitely Tool Shed Did you know that purchasing a WCC membership gets you a year’s worth of access to the Whitely Tool Shed? All you have to do is sign up with Curtis at Connection Corner, fill out an application, and you’ll be set up with a shiny new tool shed card that lets you check out rakes, lawnmowers, shovels, snow blowers, weed-whackers, and so much more! Article by Rebecca Parker.

Problems? Issues? Questions?

Call 317-628-5449. Speak to Curtis about issues with the Tool Shed or Membership.

Important Note:

Connection Corner staff is not able to do toolshed checkouts or registrations, you must see a Whitely volunteer for that.

To help us increase our available toolshed hours, consider signing up to be a Whitely Membership & Toolshed volunteer. Speak to Curtis at 317-628-5449. The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Delaware

County is sponsoring a series of FREE workshops for both young people and adults as a part of its Arts Festival THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW THE LIGHT SHINES in partnership with Minnetrista Free workshops—some for young people, others for adults---on songwriting, art, theatre, movement and dance, poetry and writing and mindfulness. Learn more and register at www.namiworkshops.homestead.com

We also hope you will attend the opening of our art and poetry exhibit at Minnetrista on September 9 from 5:30-7:30. The exhibit is free and will be at Minnetrista through the end of October.

Article by Jay Zimmerman

Free Art Workshops at Minnetrista

Edible Muncie of Delaware County Inc. We are now incorporated! We are currently supporting very important projects related to food insecurity and food deserts by finding funding through grants and donations, informing people of the many needs of the community and by bringing organizations together for a united front. Watch for our monthly newsletter at ediblemuncie.org. Article by Karen Howells.

Some of the projects we are supporting are: Whitely Community Pantry

Huffer Mobile Pantry to Southern Pines Housing Food Hub coming to Muncie

Food Summit in October New revised Food Pantry List

Reaching Rural Veterans

Did you know? Minnetrista has twice-weekly farmer’s markets that are open to the public throughout the

summer and fall. Farmer’s markets are Wednesdays from 3-6pm and Saturdays from 8am-12pm.

Museum guests explore an art exhibit at Minnetrista.

Photo provided by Minnetrista.

We Need You! To help with the Whitely Newsletter

Interested in contributing to this newsletter? If you would like to submit articles or events, please contact Rebecca Parker at rparker@munpl.org or 765-747-8216. Rebecca is also looking for regular contributors who would like to join the Goal 7 Marketing and Public Relations committee. We would specifically love someone who would be willing to do a monthly article about the church community in Whitely.

Crossing in Style

Representatives from neighborhoods in and around Downtown Muncie (including East Central, Old West End, South Central, Thomas Park/Avondale, Riverside/Normal City, and Whitely) gathered on July 20 to refine their designs for the Creative Crosswalks project. Creative Crosswalks is an initiative through the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP), funded by an Academic Excellence Grant, intended to strengthen community pride with a series of artistically designed crosswalks to be painted on designated streets at points of entry to each neighborhood. The first workshop, which took place in May, introduced community members to the mission of the project and connected them with CAP students and faculty who are putting it together. July’s workshop gave community design teams a chance to learn about how their artwork would be transferred to a digital program for producing stencils with the help of a laser cutter. Pamela Harwood, associate professor of Architecture, kicked off the meeting by sharing photos of the potential locations and early versions of the design for each of the six neighborhood associations. Each group had the opportunity to watch a demonstration of the laser cutter turning

their designs into stencils. Later in the evening, community members were given the chance to test out their stencils using tempera paint on a large sheet of paper. The final designs will be created using a special high-grade paint that is resistant to heavy traffic and weather conditions, provided by PPG. Richard Ivy, a Goal 1 committee member, had a vision for a crosswalk design that would incorporate the vibrant colors of the Whitely logo. He enlisted the help of his niece, MyKel Ivy, a Burris student whose large-scale design work has previously been displayed on a billboard. MyKel worked with the design team to incorporate images that illustrate specific features of the Whitely community, including symbols for the hospital, the park, education, and a silhouette of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The finalized design will be painted at two crosswalks, including the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Highland, and the intersection of Macedonia and Highland. Mr. Ivy indicated the possibility of painting a third intersection in the future if funding is available. If you’re interested in contributing to this project, you can make a donation to our Year of Color fund at gofundme.com/eszqjzfg. Article by Faith Kellermeyer.

Creative Crosswalks Coming to Whitely

Who You Gonna Call? Help protect our neighborhood, know who to call

if you see safety problems in your area

For emergencies: 911

For non-emergency police help: 747-4838 or 747-4739

For the Detectives Bureau: 747-4867

For the Narcotics Division: 747-4866

For Sexual Molestation Abuse Response Team: 741-1350

For Gun Permits/Identification: 747-4891

For Domestic Violence Investigations: 747-4873

For the Victim Advocate’s Office: 747-4777

For Parking Enforcement: 747-4883

For Code Enforcement (Overgrown yards, etc) 747-4862

For Street Dept (Busted streetlights & potholes) 747-4847

For the Animal Shelter (Unleashed dogs, abuse) 747-4851

For American Electric Power 1-800-311-4634

For Indiana-American Water Company 1-800-492-8373

For the Vectren Gas Company 1-800-227-1376

Neighborhood Watch How you can get involved now

Block captains and neighborhood watch members will be responsible for watching out for the overall security and safety of the residents in their area. This would include doing things like:

Taking calls concerning possible crime or concerns and putting people in touch with the correct agency.

Working with law enforcement, code enforcement, and any other agency that could assist in your Area.

Checking on the well-being of the residents in your Area.

Offering resources (contact numbers) to residents in your area that may need assistance. (Food, utility, construction, transportation, etc)

Checking on street lamps to ensure they are working.

Checking park equipment to ensure it is safe for everyone.

Making note of pot holes or street repairs needed.

Reporting abandoned houses/tall weeds to the correct agency.

If you would like to sign up to assist with the Neighborhood Watch in your area or become a Block Captain, please contact Frank Scott at rhemawordins@hotmail.com.

Tired of overgrown grass at vacant houses on your block?

Call Code Enforcement! Code Enforcement is open 8am-4pm Monday through

Friday. If overgrown grass, weeds, and other eyesores

have got you down, just call the Weed Hotline to request

an inspection. Make sure you have a correct address

available before calling.

765-741-1336 Code Enforcement’s Weed Hotline

Upcoming Events and News

Drivers Needed Drive for American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society needs volunteer drivers for our area. Drivers will be asked to help cancer patients get from their home to the Cancer Center at IU Ball Memorial Hospital for their appointments and back to their home. Appointments for a patient at the Cancer Center can take from one to four hours. To be a driver, one must have a good driving record, a valid driver’s license, a reliable vehicle, proof of insurance, completion of the ACS training course and be available Mon-Sat during the day. To learn more, call Road to Recover at 1.800.227.2345 or Ben Howells at 765-759-6026. Article by Ben Howells.

Whitely Community Council welcomed Longfellow staff, students, and families to a new school year with a banner placed above the lion’s head in the front hallway. WCC also provided donuts, coffee, fruit, and juice to teachers and staff on the first day of school to show our appreciation for all they do for our children. Article by Eva Zygmunt.

Back to School!

Did You Know? Geraldine Evans Findley (1917-2000) made history by teaching at Longfellow. She graduated from Ball State Teachers College in 1937. At the time black teachers were not allowed to teach in the Muncie school system. In

1954, when Longfellow School was built, pressure from the black community resulted in Findley becoming the first black teacher to be hired by the city school system, where she taught for fourteen years. Information from the Walk of Fame in Heekin Park, a project of MLK Dream Team, Muncie Public Library, and the Muncie Parks Department.

Important Date for Longfellow Parents:

Longfellow Open House When: Tuesday, August 30, 6pm – 7pm Where: Longfellow Elementary School

Saturday, August 20 5pm-7pm

Scheumann Stadium Ball State University

BSU’s Office of Community Engagement is excited to

share about 2016 Fall Fan Jam – a high energy, interactive (and FREE!) event to kick-start the fall

athletics season and welcome the community to our facilities.

All community members are invited to Scheumann Stadium on August 20, 5-7 pm for:

FREE food and drinks from event sponsors

Interactive stations to test your athletic skills

The chance to meet players, coaches, spirit group members and Charlie Cardinal

Community booths highlighting organizations across Muncie/Delaware County

Live-action broadcast from WLBC

FREE parking

Upcoming Events and News

Farmers Market @ Minnetrista

Wednesdays and Saturdays, August-October 3pm-6pm (Wednesdays) 8am-12pm (Saturdays)

Minnetrista Experience good company and remarkable finds

every Saturday. Explore the fresh, local produce and homemade treats from vendors.

Monday Movie Night @ CC

Top Five

Come to this fun movie event and enjoy free

popcorn and good company.

Adults only—movie is rated R and is not appropriate for

children.

Monday, August 15, 5pm-7pm

Connection Corner 1824 E Centennial

Fall Fan Jam @Scheumann Stadium

Friday, August 12 7pm-10pm

Kennedy Library 1700 W McGalliard

Sesquipedalians rejoice! MPL’s "Library After Dark" series continues with a spelling bee just for adults!

On Friday, August 12, join your friends at Kennedy

Library to see who can vanquish the best spellers in town. Prizes will be awarded, including a dictionary for the first person to be eliminated (because you clearly

need it). Moderated by Indiana Public Radio's Stephanie Wiechmann and WIPB TV's Michelle Kinsey.

All are welcome to come watch the fun at this free

public event.

To register as a spelling competitor contact Dennis Everette at Kennedy Library (deverette@munpl.org, or

by phone 765.747.8209). There is a maximum of 20 participants, so sign up now!

Upcoming Events and News

Muncie City-Wide

Comedy Jam

Saturday, August 27 Doors open at 7pm Show starts at 8pm

Cornerstone Center for the Arts 520 E Main St

Tickets on sale now! Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 765-289-9867, 765-215-557, or

765-620-5311 for more information.

The 1st Annual Kennedy Library

Adult Spelling Bee