Grace Duerksen
Articles
Ball State’s branch of Camp Kesem supports children who have been affected by their parent’s cancer through a free weekend of fun and encouragement
Kelly Hayes, second-year creative writing major at Ball State University, grew up in a home where she said all anyone talked about was cancer. “All you ever think about is that your parent is sick, and that takes up your whole life,” Hayes said Her mother was diagnosed with cancer, and when Hayes was 16 years old, her mother died from it. Two years later, Hayes was introduced to Camp Kesem, an annual summer camp for 6 to 18-year-olds. “My mom had died two years ago at that point, so it was still fresh,” Hayes said. “I saw the [Camp Kesem] banner and mission, and I said, ‘Isn’t that amazing?’ I wish I had something like that as a kid. I wanted to help.”
Owners from Anderson witch shop, "Twisted Twigs" talk about business, spirituality and social media
Since summer 2017, Twisted Twigs has sold crystals, handmade oils, dried herbs, incense and other homemade apothecary items to their customers. The metaphysical shop is nestled among residential houses on Main Street in Anderson, Indiana, and is owned and operated by two witches: Brytneigh Burgess and Kinsley Elsten.
Earthen Exploration
Since the summer of 2017, Twisted Twigs has been offering crystals, handmade oils, dried herbs, incense, and other homemade apothecary items to their customers. The shop is nestled amongst residential houses on Main Street in Anderson, Indiana, and is owned and operated by two witches: Brytneigh Burgess and Kinsley Elsten.
The Human Library uses “books” and "readers" to break the stigma around difficult topics
Founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, Ronnie Abergel created the Human Library to help challenge the stigma of difficult topics by simply creating discussion between people.
Muncie-based Facebook group creates community for steampunk enthusiasts
Tired of dressing in his regular sweatpants and a T-shirt, Jessie Creselious was searching for a new pair of vintage-style boots when he stumbled upon an ad for an event hosted by Circle City Aerodrome, a nonprofit organization for Indianapolis and Hoosier steampunk enthusiasts to “berth their airships.”
Curator Cheryl LeBlanc cares for the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse for 28 years
When Cheryl LeBlanc was 9 years old, she came across a Lady Slipper orchid in her backyard. Right before her eyes, this orchid sparked a life-long passion for nature she would later incorporate in both her personal and work life.
On the Clock: Ball State student desk staff workers balance school, on-campus employment
As students open the front door to their residence hall, letting the cold winter air rush in behind them, they walk past the front desk, scan their ID and head up to the warmth of their dorm.
Ball State assistant lecturer of kinesiology shares her passion for scuba diving
When Sheli Plummer was a Ball State undergraduate, she enjoyed coaching swimming, so she wanted to become a physical education teacher at a school with a pool. However, her goals changed when she took her first scuba class at Ball State.
Ball State alumna starts home bakery to support her child with cancer
Karin Hartwell, a 2018 Ball State alumna and owner of Hite’s Bakery, spends her weekends in her Greenfield, Indiana, home kitchen whipping up homemade cookies, fresh cinnamon rolls and sticky buns to raise money to find a cure for her son’s cancer.