Muncie Magazine February 2023

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FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY

Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photography Provided

While some may think of Valentine’s Day as a commercial holiday, I see it as a sweet day of celebration. I’ve loved the holiday since I was a kid, decked out in red, heart-shaped jewelry and indulging in plenty of Valentine’s treats. I admit it - I live for a holiday.

Valentine’s Day reminds me that spring and warmer weather isn’t too far away. I get the opportunity to celebrate those who bring joy to my life. It might be my family, friends or even a trusted neighbor. I’ve enjoyed so many kinds of Valentine’s Days over the years - a romantic dinner, an evening out with friends or a night bowling with family. There wasn’t a bad time since I spent it with the people I care about. A beautiful bouquet of flowers and dinner is always a special treat, but celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break your budget. A simple gesture like a thoughtful, handwritten note is always appreciated. Don’t forget the ones you love on this special day. I’ve got a few fun and different ideas for you to celebrate those closest to you. Here are five ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBORPAY IT FORWARD

One of my neighbors always makes sure to check in with other neighbors, especially an elderly neighbor, and even leaves sweet notes and candy in mailboxes every Valentine’s Day for a handful of us neighbors. I plan to do the same for my neighbors this year. I will leave a note thanking them for being great neighbors, with a bag of Valentine’s treats like conversation hearts, cinnamon candy hearts and chocolate. I also plan to include a small gift card from a local coffee shop. I don’t mind treating my favorite neighbors to candy and coffee.

GRAND GAMES

I’m a fan of a game of healthy competition every now and then. I spent previous Valentine’s Days with a group of friends, bowling, playing pool and enjoying a few games of darts. My family and I also like to attend a local trivia game. This year we might visit the golf range, which is open year-round, and work on our swings while we enjoy appetizers and drinks. If you want to play games at home, no worries. I’ve got a great idea for you. My aunt hosts a fun-filled Valentine’s Day game night, and guests feast on my aunt’s famous homemade lasagna and garlic bread while they play games like Bunco, Hearts and Scattergories. If it isn’t too cold outside, guests will venture out in the backyard to play cornhole and horseshoes.

PRACTICALLY PERFECT

I’m a fan of practical gifts and I don’t think there’s anything sweeter than taking care of an otherwise mundane or time-consuming errand for a significant other or spouse. Get an oil change for the car, plus a car wash and detailing. Leave a sweet note in the cupholder and arrange for a meal at home or dinner at your favorite restaurant. My friend’s husband arranges for the house to be cleaned on Valentine’s Day, and a day at a spa for his wife. My friend says getting a massage and manicure at a spa and then coming home to a clean house is the greatest Valentine’s Day gift. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. My neighbor’s husband completes a to-do list. He hangs up pictures, steam cleans the carpets and straightens up the garage. It doesn’t cost much, and the hard work and thoughtfulness doesn’t go unnoticed.

MAKE A SPECIAL MEAL AT HOME

Whether it’s casual or fancy, a homecooked meal hits the spot and feeds the soul. I believe food always tastes better when someone else does the cooking. I like to make cheese fondue with all the fixings, like slices of apples, carrots, grapes and pieces of warm French bread. A friend of mine and her kids have a pizza night complete with individual heart-shaped pizzas. They also make heart-shaped Rice Krispies treats topped with rainbow sprinkles. My aunt and uncle like to make their day extra special and splurge on Valentine’s Day dinner at home, by enjoying king crab legs dipped in butter with a pair of juicy steaks. A Valentine’s Day meal doesn’t have to be dinner. You can make breakfast for the family. My brother enjoys making heartshaped banana pancakes for the kids, and bacon cooked in an air fryer. Don’t forget your pets. This year I plan to pick up a cupcake from a dog bakery for my miniature poodle, Louis. I want to make sure everyone in the family feels special, including my dog.

GIVE SPORTS

A SHOT

What’s more fun than cheering on a sports team? I am a fan of attending a basketball game on Valentine’s Day. I enjoy sitting in the stands, screaming with the other fans and discussing the referee calls with my friends. We even do a little trash talk and make a few friendly wagers. Don’t forget the soda, popcorn and other treats from the concession stand. If basketball isn’t your sport, try attending a hockey game. My cousin and her family are devoted hockey fans, and always cheer on their local hockey team and dine at their favorite pizza restaurant after the game.

FIND THE PERFECT DRESS

GRETCHEN’S BRIDAL GALLERY IS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR WEDDINGS & PROM

Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photography Provided

Gretchen Reynolds wants her customers to have a pleasant experience shopping at her namesake store, Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery, located off east 82nd St. in Indianapolis. Reynolds has owned and operated the store since 2017. She has a background in retail and along with her highly skilled staff, she works hard to make sure her customers feel special.

The bridal store, which carries bridesmaid, bride, bridal accessories, flower girl, formal and prom dresses, draw customers from far away with many customers traveling 90 miles to go to the store. “We actually have people that will come from Cincinnati,” Reynolds says. “We have a lot of people that come from the Fort Wayne area.”

At this time of year, customers are going to the store to try on prom dresses. The store is ready for prom season, one of its busiest times of year. Reynolds keeps up with fashion trends and makes sure the store carries fashionable and high-quality prom dresses. Reynolds says that bold colors are big when it comes to prom dresses. Metallic, neon and jewel-toned colored (like emerald or purple) dresses are the top trends for prom dresses. Long, fitted gowns are popular as well as fitted gowns with a corset top, influenced by the hit TV show, “Bridgerton.”

As with other increases in prices, a prom dress will cost more this year due to supply chain and cost of goods increases from China. “Our typical dress this year is about $400 to $600,” Reynolds says. “That is our average price point on our dresses.”

The store has approximately 600 prom

dresses in stock and will not receive another shipment of dresses. She recommends customers start looking for dresses as soon as possible. “The earlier they can start shopping, the better,” Reynolds says. “If they find one they love, they should get it.” Reynolds says President’s Day weekend is the store’s busiest weekend for prom dress shopping.

Prom dresses are off the rack and do not need to be ordered. The store carries prom dresses in sizes 00 to 24. Due to standard European sizing in prom dresses, customers can expect to size up one to two sizes in a prom dress. Reynolds emphasizes not focusing on the size, but on a dress the customer really loves. Appointments are not required when shopping for prom dresses and she thinks it is a good idea to bring an aunt, mom, or grandmother when shopping for prom dresses. Reynolds thinks it is important to have a trusted adult’s opinion when trying on and purchasing a prom dress. Alternations are not included in the price of the dress. She recommends using Yong’s Alterations, located in the same shopping center as Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery. Reynolds has a trusted relationship with Yong’s Alterations and believes they do excellent work.

If a customer is looking for wedding dresses, Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery is known for their impressive selection of wedding dresses. Reynolds keeps up with the latest bridal styles and trends. “Big trends are having a two-in-one gown, which is a dress and an overskirt,” Reynolds says. “Or a dress that has removable sleeves, so you have two looks in one dress.” Instead of buying two gowns, a bride has two different looks with either a removable overskirt or removable sleeves.

Other wedding dress trends include puffed sleeves, ballgowns and dresses with square necklines, which Reynolds says is simple, traditional and elegant. A dress that needs to be special ordered ranges in price from $1,500 to $4,000 and the average price is $1,800. She recommends ordering a wedding gown at least nine months to a year in advance. This allows two months to complete the necessary alterations. As with prom dresses, alterations are not included in the price of the wedding dress.

The store carries the extremely popular Disney Fairy Tale Weddings collection of wedding dresses. Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery is ranked number five in the world for sales of dresses from the Disney line. The dresses range in price from $2,000 to $4,000.

Appointments are required to try on bridal dresses. Each appointment lasts 90 minutes and includes a stylist who is assigned to work with the bride during the appointment. The store carries a large range of sizes and customers can contact the store for more information on sizing. Reynolds recommends making a bridal appointment a

month in advance. She advises only bringing two to three people to a bridal appointment. “Bring the people whose opinions matter the most,” Reynolds says.

If a bride is looking for an off the rack gown, Gretchen’s Takes is a selection of gowns in the store ranging in price from $1,000 to $2,000. “You take it with you that day,” she says.

Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery remains popular with customers since it is a one-stop shop for dresses for almost any event. The store even keeps formal gowns in stock year-round for galas like Zoobilation at the Indianapolis Zoo and Rev Indy at the

Reynolds believes what sets the store apart from other bridal stores is they work hard to make customers feel at ease when they are shopping. Reynolds says she and her staff do not believe in pressuring customers into buying a dress and prefer customers have a positive experience while shopping at Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery. “We actually truly care about the people who walk in our door,” Reynolds says.

Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery is located at 5447 E. 82nd Street in Indianapolis. For more information, call 317-849-9980 or visit gretchensbridalgallery.com.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

FROM MUNCIE WITH LOVE

ROCK AND ROLL TRIFECTA WILL BRING TOGETHER LEGENDARY LOCAL BANDS

Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photography Provided

Ball State alumni Christopher Shaffer, lead singer and guitar player for The Why Store, and Mike Milligan, lead singer and guitarist for Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel, will be in Muncie with their respective bands on February 18 to perform at the historic Cornerstone Center for the Arts. They will be joined by Pushing Daisy’s Band.

This is a rare opportunity to see two legendary bands perform in Muncie, where it all began for them over 30 years ago. Muncie holds good memories for Shaffer.

His successful jam and rock band formed in Muncie in the late 1980s and gained popularity there. The band started under the name Emerald City. They changed the name to The Why Store, an actual store in Muncie that was being torn down and renovated. Shaffer’s songs have a lot of introspection, and the new band name seemed perfect to Shaffer. “I really liked it because a lot of my songs have a lot of questioning,” he says.

The band moved to Indianapolis, but Shaffer never forgot Muncie. His love for Muncie remains. “We always came back there,” Shaffer says. “It’s always been like a secondary home to me for friends and great

people, and a great place to play. We love playing there.”

The Why Store found success with the 1996 hit “Lack of Water.” They are also known for the songs “Father” and “When You’re High.” Shaffer’s commanding stage presence, deep, powerful voice, and catchy songs like fan favorite “When You’re High,” brought them a devoted fan base and national recognition. The band toured with Indiana legend John Mellencamp, which was a dream come true for Shaffer. They played with some of the most popular and respected musicians in the industry including BoDeans, Ben Harper and Ziggy Marley.

Shaffer went solo for a time, and in 2007 decided to get the band back together. He started with a new lineup including Troy Seele on lead guitar, Dan Hunt on bass guitar and Jerome Rieskamp on drums. The Why Store’s current lineup includes Shaffer, original member and drummer Charlie Bushor, Seele on lead guitar and Hunt on bass guitar. “I’m so appreciative of my band members Charlie, Dan and Troy,

Ball State alumni Christopher Shaffer, lead singer and guitar player for The Why Store, and Mike Milligan, lead singer and guitarist for Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel.

and what they’ve brought to my career,” Shaffer says.

He credits his longevity in the music business to inner confidence and tenacity. “If you can believe in yourself, and enjoy and love what you’re doing and you stick with it, all these other acts are going to give up,” he says. “It’s a really hard, tough business - if you can just stay true to yourself, be strong, focus and stay with it.”

Shaffer is a serious singer-songwriter who has written close to 200 songs. He says the pandemic was hard, but he took advantage of the break from touring to perform a few livestream shows from the comfort of his living room.

Shaffer did not realize how much the livestream shows would resonate with fans. “The outpouring of love and support was just overwhelming, from Australia to Canada to Great Britain to Finland,” he says. “It showed me how much support we really

have as a brand, as The Why Store.”

The fans mean everything to Shaffer. “I’m so appreciative of the fans,” he says. “I’ve been so overwhelmed by the generosity of the fans and friends, and it’s a huge part of why we are still around and doing what we do. I’m really blessed and lucky that I’ve had people like my fiancée and my band members, and my family and friends. Just the support has been amazing. I’m truly appreciative and grateful for it all.” Shaffer is thankful for fans who have become friends, like promoter Andy Stokes.

The Why Store’s last album was 2016’s “Live at the Slippery Noodle.” The band is currently working on their next album.

Music is in the genes for Mike Milligan, lead vocalist and guitar player for Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel. His father is a musician who toured and traveled with R&B and soul band The Drifters. Milligan remembers riding on the tour bus in the 1970s with his family and seeing his dad perform.

Milligan started playing guitar as a small child. He would listen to his dad’s band practices at home. Milligan was clearly developing an interest in listening to music. “I was always going through my dad’s record collection,” he says.

Milligan, a Ball State alumnus, has good memories of living and playing music in Muncie. “I performed all over the Ball State campus and still do when I can,” he says. Milligan says the band performed at every event in the Village and at the Flying Tomato. “It was a rowdy, fun time,” he says. The blues and soul band is celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2023, and Milligan sees fans who have been following the band since the beginning. Milligan creates all of the band’s graphic design elements for items like albums, posters and T-shirts. He still sees fans at shows wearing T-shirts he designed in 1994.

The band’s played with a number of famous musicians including Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Los Lonely Boys, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Duke Tumatoe. Milligan says his career highlight was opening for blues legend B.B. King several years ago. “Opening the show for B.B. King was probably the feather in our cap,” Milligan says. “We’d been fans for so long.”

Milligan believes his stubbornness and ability to adapt to changes helped him maintain a long and thriving career in music. He received a lot of rejection in the early days and it did not faze him. He was even told to pursue a career outside of music. Milligan was determined to prove naysayers wrong. “That makes me work even harder,

to defy that,” he says.

The band did not slow down during the pandemic and continued to play for their fans. “We did a lot of private parties,” Milligan says. “We did a lot of traveling and a lot of backyard barbecues.” They also played at outdoor festivals. The soulful, captivating song “Lucky Man” is a fan favorite.

Milligan’s hard work, determination and ability to keep up with the ever-changing music industry paid off. The band is celebrating their seventh album, “Kokomo Honey.” The band includes bass player and Milligan’s brother, Shaun Milligan, and drummer Robert “Tiny” Cook. Milligan’s father plays on some of their albums as well.

Milligan has received a lot of positive reviews for the new album. His soulful voice and skilled guitar playing draw fans in and keep them entertained. Milligan is a songwriter who is proud of his songs. He is always pleased when fans come up to him at shows and share how much they have enjoyed a song, what a song meant to them or how it has helped them in their life.

Milligan is thrilled to be playing in Muncie again. “I’m looking forward to performing for all of the Muncie fans,” he says. Milligan encourages fans and music lovers to go to the February 18 show. “It would be great for people from all over Indiana to converge on Muncie that day and pack that place,” he says. “You will not see the three [bands] together on the same stage like this. It’s never happened and it may never happen again.”

The February 18 event is an all-ages show, and Milligan believes it will be a perfect opportunity to bring kids to the show so they can see professional musicians who have been entertaining crowds for over 30 years. He believes some kids who see the show may be inspired to become musicians themselves, and see that a musician can have a long and successful career.

Shaffer and Milligan are thrilled to be working musicians playing with other

talented musicians, doing what they love and sharing music with their fans.

Rock and Roll Trifecta will be held on Saturday, February 18 at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, located at 520 East Main Street in Muncie. To learn more, call 765-281-9503 or visit cornerstonearts. org. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the all-ages show begins at 6 p.m. Seating is general

admission, and tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show. For advance tickets, call 765-208-0325 or purchase through Venmo @rockandrolltrifecta.

To learn more about the bands, visit thewhystoreband.com, mikemilligan. homestead.com and pushingdaisysband. com. You can also find all three bands on Facebook.

Bill Lett standing in the production area of the new building

WELCOME TO ELM STREET

Elm Street Brewing Company Expansion Plans Include Speakeasy & Coffee Shop

Writer / Aimee MacArthur Photographer / David Fennig

Bill Lett is a big picture thinker and had a grand vision for Elm Street Brewing Company. He thought the former icehouse would be perfect as a brewery and opened the brewery seven years ago. He then added the restaurant four and a half years ago. Lett is a highly skilled builder with 50 years of experience creating large retail spaces. He is used to keeping up with lots of moving pieces and stays motivated by working hard from the support of his talented staff.

Elm Street Brewing Co.’s craft beer has eye-catching and entertaining names like ‘The Reverse Mullet.’ Lett says their head brewer, Seth Ruskowsky, comes up with the fun and quirky beer names. The most popular beer they make is ‘Bantam,’ an English cream ale. Lett says the high-quality craft beer is thanks to the talented Ruskowsky and the superior yeast and hops he uses to make their beers. All of Elm Street Brewing Co.’s house-made beers are available to go in 64-ounce growlers. The brewery also has a canning machine and many of their house-made beers are available in a four- pack of cans. Right now, canned beers to go and growlers to go are available for purchase only at Elm Street Brewing Co. The list of the brews they make, guest brews and Elm Street Brewing Co.’s full tap list are regularly updated on brewery website.

If someone is new to craft beer, Lett recommends discussing it with the knowledgeable wait staff who will offer suggestions and try and find the right beer for a customer. They also offer tastings in individual four-ounce glasses of beer. Passionate craft beer drinkers enjoy ordering Elm Street Brewing Co.’s beer flight.

If beer is not a go-to drink for someone, Lett says they have a full bar with spirits, including an impressive selection of bourbons.

Customers love Elm Street Brewing Co.’s atmosphere, décor, craft beer and rave about the food. They offer a variety of reasonably priced appetizers, like Colorado green chili and fried pickle chips.

Elm Street also offers lighter fare; like the antipasto salad the Buddah bowl, which includes a mix of lettuces, cucumbers, toasted pumpkin seeds, quinoa, chickpeas, carrots, tomatoes, purple cabbage and homemade honey ginger dressing. Sandwich offerings include a BLT and burgers. The restaurant smokes meat inhouse and Lett says the smoked brisket sandwich with freshly smoked pulled brisket, sautéed onion, peppers, cheddar cheese, house made tomato jam and house made horsey sauce is the most popular item on the menu. “We do a brisket wrap that has green chili on it that’s pretty popular,” Lett says. They also offer a fun selection of pizzas. The restaurant has specials including $8 tenderloin sandwiches and $8 cheeseburgers on Tuesdays. They offer $1 wings on Wednesdays. The specials are a big hit with customers.

Customers can enjoy entertainment most nights of the week, including an open mic night and a regular rotation of musicians and bands.

Elm Street Brewing Co. has a loyal Muncie following. “We have a lot of Muncie customers,” Lett says. “They come from all over… Marion, New Castle, Indy. “There’s people that come regularly from Fort Wayne and Cincinnati.” Customers tell Lett they enjoy Elm Street Brewing Co.’s laid back vibe with no pressure to rush during their meal.

Lett does not slow down and has big plans for Elm Street Brewing Co. and the surrounding area. He is relocating the brewery 75 yards away to a 5,500 squarefoot building. The restaurant will not move and will remain in the same location. The new brewery location is still names Elm Street Brewing Co., but Lett needs to move the brewery to a larger area out of necessity to meet growing customer demand and to produce more beer. The plan is to sell their popular craft beer to restaurants and liquor stores. “Our brewery will be 10 times bigger,” Lett says.

Elm Street Brewing Co.’s new brewery is scheduled to open this spring. “We’re going to put in a speakeasy and a coffee shop in

addition to having the bigger brewery,” he says. “The new brewery location will probably open in April; that’s what we’re shooting for.” There is a lot of excitement for Elm Street Brewing Co.’s new brewery location and 7 Rock Brew, the new coffee shop and speakeasy which will be inside the new brewery. Lett also has a graffiti artist on staff, Ben Blakley, who is responsible for all the artwork, including an alligator mural. Lett owns a few Airbnb properties within walking distance of Elm Street Brewing Co. and plans to build more. “I want to turn the neighborhood into a walking area,” he says.

He envisions customers renting a nearby Airbnb, walking to the new brewery location and enjoying a beer and an appetizer and then walking to the restaurant to enjoy a meal and music. Lett believes deeply in the experience of taking time to relax and socialize with dining companions while enjoying a tasty craft beer and a delicious meal.

The outdoor area is dog-friendly, and Lett says many customers bring their dogs and enjoy beer and food outside.

Elm Street Brewing is an in-demand place for rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions and other gatherings. There will be additional space for events at the new brewery location. He recommends contacting them and speaking with manager, Austin Carpenter, to reserve an event space. It is advised to book well in advance of the event, especially if it is a busy holiday weekend.

Lett believes customers will enjoy their experience at Elm Street Brewing Co., which includes the restaurant, and the brewery expansion with a coffee shop and speakeasy. He hopes it will be a destination for foodies and craft beer fans with everything in one walkable area. “The food and beer are awesome,” Lett says. “You can stay and relax as long as you like.”

Elm Street Brewing Company is located at 519 North Elm St. in Muncie. For more information, call 765-273-2054 or visit elmstbrewing.com.

The Corner Mat Yoga Studio provides a space where individuals can join in on a relaxing experience, while also improving their minds and bodies. Instructor and Owner Debbie Gant opened the studio seven years ago and has been building her business ever since.

“We started in Yorktown, and then we

moved here with the intent that we had easier access to the university and to the younger students, faculty and administration,” Gant says.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 happened and shut down many studios. Luckily, Gant and her business survived.

The staff members teach several different types of classes throughout the week. The

Corner Mat has classes for anyone wanting to join. For those wanting to start their yoga journey, they host a beginner class on Saturdays at 10 a.m.

Gant often has individuals come into classes to restore their body or gain strength back. The Corner Mat serves as a space in which people are able to start to heal from events that happen throughout life.

Writer & Photographer / Kylee White

CORNER MAT YOGA STUDIO

Owner Debbie Gant opened the studio seven years ago.

“We get people who have been referred by their doctor, their councilor or their physical therapist, which is always nice,” Gant says. “Oftentimes people will show up here because something has gone wrong in their life, they Googled, saw yoga and so they show up here.”

Located right off of University Avenue, Gant and her staff members often work with individuals and teams that come from Ball State University. One of Gant’s goals has been to work with more young adults from the campus, as well as administrative staff members who might need it.

“We have had sorority groups come in, and we also do some stuff with some of the sports teams,” Gant says. “Some of the teams that come from out of town to play Ball State will contact us, and bring their team in for a class just to have something different to do while they’re here in town.”

Unfortunately, Gant has faced some struggles with her business, but believes the studio is important for the community.

“Participation is down,” Gant says. “Now, you can do yoga at home, you can buy a video, you can go online and do YouTube, and everyone has all these apps and such. But you can also hurt yourself without the guided questions and instruction. There’s a community aspect for those who come here. We’re all like-minded and such that we enjoy the company of one another.”

One of the main aspects Gant focuses on is giving individuals control when they come into the space. The goal is to make sure they’re comfortable, while also staying relaxed throughout the classes.

“We always encourage people to control what happens on their mat,” Gant says. “If you want to lay there on your mat for an

hour and not do a thing, that’s OK too. You can take bits and pieces of the class. We have people who are new and people who have been doing yoga for years, and we offer multiple modifications. We use props in order to get into the pose and hang out there.”

Gant also stresses the importance of seeing what each pose has to offer you and your body, knowing that each individual is different and may have to adapt in different ways.

“No body is the same,” Gant says. “We all have different ages - our bones, our joints, our genders, our sleep patterns, our eating patterns. Everything is so different that you can’t look at the person on the mat next to you and think that your body can do the same thing that they can, because you can’t. I encourage people to close their eyes, draw their awareness in and feel what the pose is supposed to feel like, rather than thinking about what you think it needs to look like.”

The Corner Mat Yoga Studio is located at 1300 West University Avenue in Muncie. For more info, call 765-748-6568, visit thecornermat.com, and check them out on Instagram @thecornermat.

FEEL THE RHYTHM

Writer / Kylee White Photographer / David Fennig

Dancing can be used to express feelings in many ways. It can be used to express joy at a family function, and other types of emotions. Harmony Dance Studio focuses on creating human connections and having fun through dance.

“We are a pretty traditional studio experience,” says Michele Owen, coowner and teacher.

She started dancing while in college, and quickly fell in love with it. “As I got started and got more immersed in that

world, I loved really focusing on that human connection aspect,” she says.

While dancing in college, Owen met David Fennig, co-owner of the studio. Fennig started the business 10 years ago this April. Owen joined the studio six years ago as a teacher, and became coowner with Fennig after moving into a new location.

“I have seen dancing taught in many different ways over the 19 years I’ve been dancing, and none of them felt quite right. I needed to start my own thing, and change the way people learn and teach dance,” Fenning says.

“I started dancing in college and that’s how I met David,” Owen adds. “We then started working together on doing some different things. We now own a studio and we specialize in partner dancing - any kind of dancing that requires a connection with another person. That could be ballroom, tango or salsa. We really specialize in those because it requires a conversation and a human connection with someone else.”

While working at the studio, Owen has been able to make several connections with those who come in to take classes.

“I was working with a couple whose son

was getting married, and they wanted to get some dance lessons so that they would feel more comfortable,” Owen says. “They were having just so much fun. I asked them after they had a chance to practice, ‘When was the last time you just danced with each other?’ That’s something that older couples sometimes forget to do. They said they never had. They didn’t do a first dance at their wedding, so they never had that experience of just dancing with your partner around the kitchen. I got to check in with them a couple months later and they were really enjoying just using the skills that they learned. It was really meaningful just to be able to help them have a brand-new

experience in their marriage that I know they’re still really enjoying.”

Owen wants to communicate that dancing is made for everyone. Confidence and growth can be outcomes of dancing and simply learning a new skill. It can be rather daunting, but just getting out there and trying something new is the first step.

“I would say that dance is very universal,” Owen says. “If you play music for a baby, they’ll start moving around and waving their hands. We all dance before we can walk. It’s something that is very natural.

We get so intimidated by the concept

that we forget that it’s something that we already know how to do. I would encourage anyone to just give it a try. No one is going to judge you. People are always going to be encouraging to just see you excited to live your best life.”

“It’s more intuitive than people think,” Fennig adds. “You don’t need a partner or any experience. We can get just about anyone feeling comfortable within their first lesson.”

Harmony Dance Studio is located at 227 South Walnut Street in Muncie. Check them out on Facebook @dancinginmuncie.

David Fennig dancing with Anna Cummings (student at Harmony during a social dance)

Michele Owen dancing during a swing dance night

Writer / Michael Durr Photography Provided

It’s a beautiful summer day or perhaps a chilly winter evening. Your significant other has dashed you away and astonished you by creating an epic day, ending with a picturesque dinner for two. Next thing you know, you look over and they are down on one knee. OMG! It’s happening!

Assuming you said yes, keep reading.

Fast-forward a day or two. The dust of excitement has settled and you are both struck with the reality of having to plan the biggest day of your life. It might seem daunting and maybe a little stressful, but rest assured that it will all work out in the end.

When planning a wedding, all decisions are big decisions, but there are a few that might stand taller than others. This quick, three-step guide will offer you some advice on making your day as special and as memorable as it can be.

STEP ONE: THE VENUE

There is something every wedding needs - a location. This can be a difficult decision based on where families are located, how many people will be in attendance, the vibe you are going for, etcetera. If you decide you want to have your wedding take place here in the Indianapolis area, there are a lot of amazing locations available to you including the Indianapolis Art Center, the Conservatory at Evergreen, Tinker House Events, Guggman Haus Brewing Co., the Neidhammer, Liter House, and The Westin, to name just a few. The venue you select should boil down to answering one question. Is it you? All wedding venues near and far have unique offerings, and it should be a place that is special to you and your future partner. The benefit of any wedding venue is the ability for you to put your own decorative spin on it, but most importantly, it should be a location where you can see yourself standing when you share that first kiss.

STEP TWO: THE ENTERTAINMENT

Perhaps one of the most important parts of any wedding is the DJ. Let’s be honest - you are throwing a party, and a DJ is an integral part of the

flow of a wedding. Introductions, speeches and music selections can be a delicate game that requires on-the-fly flexibility and talent. Hiring a skilled DJ that not only matches your personality and style, but also has the experience and ability to be the maestro for the evening, is something to consider when you begin your search. Be sure to discuss your requests and be open to feedback.

STEP THREE: THE MEMORIES

Hopefully you will only be getting married once and it is important to preserve the moments of your special day, for not only yourselves, but also for future generations that will one day look back and say, “Is that you?” Finding a photographer and/or videographer is all about style and personality. There are a lot of photographers and videographers out there, and again, it boils down to finding professionals you are confident and comfortable with. Keep in mind that the face you will see, even more than your future partner, will likely be your photographer. They will arrive in the morning and be with you until the end. Perhaps your photographer was referred to you, maybe you have followed their work for years and know you want them documenting your day, or perhaps you have scoured the internet diving into social media accounts and have uncovered the perfect documentarian. No matter how you get there, meet with your photographer and videographer. Talk about your expectations, and if you can, book an engagement session with them, which will offer great insight on what it will be like to have that person by your side for the duration of your wedding day.

Obviously there is much more that goes into planning a wedding, from big decisions to small details. Don’t forget, it is the first day in a long journey. Things may not always go exactly as planned so don’t sweat the little things, and remember that the most important decision was made before all this began - and they will be standing in front of you when you say, “I do.”

If you are looking to host a wedding in our area, reach out to us and we’d be happy to answer questions or help you with your decisions. You can contact us on Instagram and Facebook @thisisnorthindy, or you can email our publisher, Michael Durr, at michael.durr@gmail.com.