Applesauce—A Family Favorite!
We have all welcomed autumn with open arms here in East Central Indiana. On my commute into work, I’ve seen many houses decked out for the season with scarecrows, pumpkins, and Halloween witches. It is so great—this is my favorite season. Recently, I saw a quote that stated, “Autumn is my favorite color.” That is certainly true for me.
Lucy Ball’s Very Eventful Wedding
It was a wild and wooly evening when Lucy Ball, oldest daughter of Frank C. and Elizabeth Brady Ball, married Alvin Owsley on May 16, 1925. The wedding was held at the home of the bride’s parents, just as her sister Margaret’s wedding was the previous year. The setting was lovely, the guests were many, and the bride and groom had their nerves under control. The weather, however, did not cooperate.
American Playground and Tuhey Towers
The small but nationally known American Playground company in Anderson, Indiana celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011. At that time, an article in the Madison County Chamber newsletter noted that the company had recently “completed its biggest and finest structure at Tuhey Park in Muncie.” Tuhey Towers, located near Tuhey Pool, consists of towers, slides, climbing ropes, and more.
A Great Time to Plant is Now!
You might not be able to tell from advertisements or the plant stock at some retailers, but we are in a prime time planting period: late summer and fall! This has the Minnetrista Horticulture crew making plans to get plants in the ground and transplant what we can!
Jam and Jelly–You can make both!
If you have read my blog for a while, it is probably apparent to you that I love jam. Jam is a great way to start learning to preserve; and it is obvious what you can do with it. It is one of my favorite gifts to give people as well. I mean, I gave everyone gifts of jam at my wedding and they seemed to love it! Jam feels like home to me as it is something I often made with my mom and grandpa.
A Ball Jar That Isn’t a Fruit Jar
Jars, jars, and more jars. In addition to more than 1,000 fruit jars, the Minnetrista Heritage Collections includes approximately 100 packer jars. So what is a packer jar?
What Makes a Better Baby?
While I was looking through the Minnetrista Heritage Collection for artifacts to include in an upcoming exhibit about children, I came across a yellow ribbon awarded for “Fifth Premium” in the Better Baby Contest held at the Indiana State Fair in 1926. Really! How does one determine what makes a “Better Baby?” I did a little research. First, I found a photograph depicting “Better Babies Day” at the Delaware County Fair in 1924. Hmmm—that ribbon wasn’t an anomaly.
These Aren’t Your Garden-Variety Containers
Containers can add form, texture, and color to areas that have limited garden spaces, like around buildings, sidewalks, vertical walls, and patios. The traditional container with annuals is great for beautifying your home, but next year you may want to try something different. Here are unique container displays that you can see at Minnetrista.
New recipes!
We are into our growing season in East Central Indiana now. I’m so excited by how many yummy tomatoes are ripening on the branches of my plants. I’ve already made some salsa and I will can some plain tomatoes soon.
Ball Brothers Company Sponsors a Canning Contest
What a great idea! Give away a jar, encourage canning, and, of course, sell a few products. That’s exactly what Ball Brothers Company did for the International Canning Contests held during the 1930s.
“Happy Little Trees” at Minnetrista
Lucius L. Ball, his wife Sarah, and their daughter Helen used the room to the left of the entrance to their home as a parlor. It is now used by Minnetrista as a classroom and meeting space. During the 1980s, though, the room had a much different function. It was a recording studio for WIPB, the local public broadcasting station, and starting in February 1984, Bob Ross of “happy little trees” fame produced The Joy of Painting in that room.
Crown Rot makes for Rotten News
When you manage 21 acres of gardens and natural areas like we do at Minnetrista, the last thing you want to hear from one of your gardeners is that they found a plant disease and that it is moving fast. I hoped she was wrong. After checking it out myself, she most certainly wasn’t. It’s affecting hostas on the Minnetrista Boulevard. Now what?
What to do with Chutney?!
Twice in the last few years I’ve chosen to have a chutney workshop. This year we will have a Spicy Tomato Chutney workshop on August 6. Because I choose the foods that we can at workshops, you may assume chutney is one of my favorite condiments. That may be the case now. However, when I first decided to do it, I had never had any before—or at least didn’t think I had. So, before the first workshop, I had to do a bit of research. I didn’t even know what to do with chutney!
A Children’s Party That Wasn’t for Children
The very dapper George A. Ball dressed like a child for a party at his home! How could that be and why? According to Emily Kimbrough, in her delightful memoir of early 20th century Muncie, not only was George dressed in young boy’s clothing, Frances dressed like a little girl.
The Poor Little Dog without a Face
If you’ve lived in Muncie for a while, you’ve probably followed the trail of the Native American and his dog from atop the third Delaware County courthouse to the Stradling farm to Wysor Park and finally to the fourth Delaware County courthouse. Sometime during his travels, the dog was damaged and lost his face. The damage will soon be fixed, though. Delaware County Historical Society, which owns this statue and the other two that originally graced the third courthouse, has received a grant from the Community Foundation to make repairs.
What to pickle that isn’t a pickle?
It seems to me that most people either love pickles or hate them. I should start this blog by saying that I am not at either extreme but I probably lean toward the latter category. So, many of these recipes are not things that I’ve tried for myself.
The Town Bell Rang
When Ball Corporation moved headquarters to Colorado in 1998, the company donated its large collection of jars to Minnetrista. Ball chemist Dick Cole headed across town to Minnetrista instead of making the longer trip to Colorado. Why would Minnetrista hire a chemist? Dick’s work involved chemistry but his passion is the Ball jar, and he followed “his” jars here. Dick retired several years ago, but I still rely on his expertise. And, occasionally, I recycle stories that he shared. This is one.
Duplex Fireless Stove
As anyone who has spent time with me in the Collections storage area knows, the Duplex Fireless Stove made by Durham Manufacturing of Muncie is one of my favorite artifacts. How could you not like this giant, early crockpot? It’s green and heavy and would take up a lot of space in your kitchen. Like today’s crockpot, however, you would fill it with food in the morning and have a fully cooked dinner that evening.
7 Tips For Dividing Your Wonderful Water Lilies
Spring is a great time to divide hardy water lilies. We recently divided the water lilies in the pond behind the Lucius Ball home here at Minnetrista. If you have a hardy water lily at your home, here are some things to keep in mind when dividing or planting.