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REMEMBERING JACK

BELOVED VETERAN LIVED A LIFE OF KINDNESS

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DISTANCE & DEDICATION

MUNCIE SENIOR REGGIE REYNOLDS EXCELS IN ATHLETICS & LEADERSHIP

Writer / Julie Yates

Reggie Reynolds, a senior at Muncie Central High School, is May’s Student Athlete of the Month, sponsored by IU Health. Known as an outgoing leader with a sense of humor, he is willing to step up and volunteer for what needs to be done. He does have a serious side when it comes to performing his best during crosscountry and track meets as well as band competitions.

As a long-distance runner, he has found his niche competing in the 1,600-meter, 4x800 relay and 5K events. These events range in distance from half a mile in the relay he runs during track competitions to three miles when he runs the 5,000-meter in cross country. Reynolds runs an average of 40 miles a week and trains year-round. There are days when he runs twice, once before school and then again after school.

Unfortunately, during fall break he fell while training and sprained his ankle. It made postseason running difficult, but he is recovered now and in shape for track.

“It makes it easy if you have teammates to do it with you. At the beginning it can be intimidating and scary for freshmen. Initially, it’s good to start with low mileage of 15 to 20 miles a week and then build up to it,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds’ hard work paid off his senior year. In cross country, he ran a personal best of 17:15 this September at the Marion XC Invite 2025, held at Indiana Wesleyan University. At sectionals, he placed 38th out of 87 runners and the entire team qualified for regionals. At regionals, Reynolds earned a solid 178th place, competing against the best 247 runners from surrounding high schools in the area.

“Cross country and track are good sports because of the sense of involvement. Everyone is all going through the same challenge. You need to have mental strength to go the long distances. My best moment competing was in my junior year. In sectionals I was seeded sixth for the mile run. I ended up placing in the top three and qualified for regionals. I cut my time from 4:50 to 4:40,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds has been a member of Muncie Central’s marching band, Spirit of Muncie, since he was in middle school. His instrument is trombone, and he is the low brass section leader. In addition, he is in the top band at school, the Muncie Wind Ensemble. It’s no surprise that his favorite class is band — wind ensemble.

“My mom is the Muncie Central color guard director and my dad used to be a band director. I love band because it is super welcoming, accepting and we all earn success together. Since I’ve been a part of Spirit of Muncie, we have won two state

championships and have been runner-up twice. We always place at state! Band practice goes on all summer long and we participate in six contests a year,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds is active in other school organizations as well. He is vice president of National Honor Society, historian of Student Council, and one of four class officers elected from the student body. As a class officer, he is the voice for fellow students and communicates their concerns, interests and wants to the teaching staff and administration. He is also active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participates in its leadership program.

In the future, Reynolds plans to attend Indiana University East. He will double major in education and business. There he will join his older brother on the cross-country and track teams.

“I’ve had some great moments and memories with my teammates. I’m grateful to my coaches who stuck with me. They put time into me so I could be the runner I wanted to be. Work ethic goes a long way. You must have patience and stick with it. It can be challenging, and it would be easy to quit; if you have a bad race or bad performance in the band, you can second-guess yourself. You must have confidence, or you can’t do as well as you really can,” Reynolds says.

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ABOUT ARF

Our mission at ARF is to promote our promise to love and to protect dogs and cats by providing shelter, nourishment, medical care and placement for them in order to make our community a better place to live for animals and humans alike.

Adoption Hours for cats: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 1-4pm Saturday: Noon-3pm

Adoption for dogs: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 1-4pm Saturday: Noon-3pm

For more information about adoptable cats and dogs please visit us online. Contact us: 1209 W. Riggin Road Muncie, Indiana 47303 munciearf.com info@munciearf.com (765) 282-2733

Please donate today by scanning here

Your help goes a long way providing medical care, safety, food, and so much more for the pets at ARF.

ALL-AROUND ATHLETE

SENIOR SHOWS MULTI-SPORT SUCCESS AT MUNCIE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Writer / Julie Yates

Grace Walker, a senior at Muncie Central High School, is May’s Student Athlete of the Month, sponsored by IU Health. A versatile athlete, she has enjoyed participating in volleyball, cheerleading and tennis during her last year as a high school student. She is grateful not to be limited to one sport and manages to balance them all, even when they overlap.

Walker played varsity volleyball for all

four of her years at Muncie Central. As a setter, she was in an offensive position. Her role was to get the ball to the player who would hit it over the net. She had to be in sync with other team members and make quick decisions.

“I love volleyball for the people. It was a fun team. It’s a fast-paced sport and skillbased, but very easy to grasp. This year we won our conference for the first time

since 2016,” Walker says.

This October, Muncie Central’s girls volleyball team won the North Central Conference. The Indiana High School Athletic Tournament was held at Jefferson High School in Lafayette. They were undefeated after playing four matches. Walker’s attack attempts no doubt contributed to the team’s efforts. Attack attempts are when a ball is spiked,

set, tipped or hit. In all, Walker was recorded to have 385 attack events during the 2025-26 season.

Walker achieved other milestones in her senior season. She reached her goal of 1,000 assists; she passed or set a ball up to a teammate who was credited with a kill. In addition, Walker had 118 kills of her own. A kill is when a ball is unreturnable by the opposing team. Since it is unable to be hit back across the net, the team that delivered the ball receives a point. For Walker’s achievements on the court, she was named a finalist for the 2026 Delaware County High School Athletic Awards. Walker also received this honor in 2025.

Cheerleading in the fall for football and later in the school year for both boys and girls basketball is an activity Walker is part of. Some of her volleyball teammates are on the squad as well. She manages to accommodate both sports.

“Both my volleyball coach and cheer coach are flexible. There is not a competitive cheer team so there isn’t a lot of pressure behind it. It’s a nice way to have school spirit,” Walker says.

“I’ve been on the tennis team since my sophomore year. It’s less serious and a breath of fresh air. Although it’s a team sport, if I mess up, it’s on me. Since it’s outside, it’s a little harder in the early spring; it takes a while to warm up. I play with my best friends, and we just go out and have fun,” Walker says.

When Walker isn’t competing or cheering, she devotes time to her studies and works. Walker puts in 20 hours a week at the YMCA. She shares that she loves her job because it allows her to work around her sports schedule. Her academic success is evident; she is a member of the National Honor Society.

Walker plans to attend Ball State University and pursue a career in education. Her third-grade teacher made a positive impact on her when she moved from Fishers to Muncie.

While participating in the educational career pathway, she has gained needed experience through Principles of Teaching classes, especially those that include classroom observations.

“My parents have been great mentors. My dad is the principal of Muncie Central and my hero. He leads people every day and the ways he steps up inspire me. Another mentor is my volleyball coach, Katherine Hughes. She became coach after my junior year coach had to leave in the middle of the season. She is serious but allowed us to have fun. She joined in on the fun too and you don’t see a lot of coaches doing that. It was a nice balance and winning the conference was a great moment,” Walker says.

“My advice to someone wanting to play sports in high school is to go all in. Each experience will build relationships. It’s all worth it,” Walker says.

A-1 FOR FUN

BUILDING BIGGER MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES, TOGETHER

Writer / Amy Leffingwell

When William and Karen Eason acquired A-1 for Fun in May of 2024, they were not just stepping into a business. They were expanding a vision. With roots in Vista Event Rentals, known for providing tables, chairs, and tents, the Easons have unified their experience into one growing, dynamic company focused on creating unforgettable events.

A-1 for Fun has long been a familiar name in Muncie, but the scope of what they offer often surprises people. Beyond backyard inflatables, the company provides large commercial-grade inflatables, carnival rides and games, rock walls, zip lines, and even a mechanical bull. During the holiday season, their mobile skating rinks become a standout attraction, bringing a festive experience that many do not expect to see locally.

Behind the scenes, the operation is anything but simple. Busy weekends

can send multiple crews across Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, coordinating logistics that include setup, teardown, maintenance, and transportation. It is a level of effort most eventgoers never see, but one that the Easons embrace. For them, the reward is knowing families and organizations are making lasting memories.

Community connection is at the heart of everything they do. A-1 for Fun regularly participates in local networking groups like H.O.P.E. and Community Business Connections, and they have partnered with organizations such as Muncie Mission to support events like the Walk A Mile fundraiser. Karen’s involvement on the Muncie Mission board reflects a deeper commitment to service that extends beyond business.

“Being a member of the Chamber shows our commitment to community,” William shares. “As a locally-owned business, we are a stakeholder in this community and

we hire our people from this community, so we have a vested interest in providing the best entertainment rental services to this community. Building quality relationships and being a reliable community partner is critically important to us.” That mindset drives not only their internal culture, but also their outward presence through events like Muncie on the Move and local ribbon cuttings.

Looking ahead, the Easons are focused on growth, both in expanding their offerings and building their team. They are also working to raise awareness that A-1 for Fun is more than birthday parties. From corporate picnics to after-prom events and large-scale municipal festivals, their goal is to become the go-to partner for experiences that bring people together.

At its core, A-1 for Fun is about more than entertainment. It is about connection, celebration, and a team committed to making every event just a little more memorable.

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REMEMBERING JACK BELOVED VETERAN LIVED A LIFE OF KINDNESS

Writer / Heather Collins

Jack Shaffer’s life was epitomized by the basics: live life, be responsible, do your best and be good to people.

Known as the local milkman in Gas City, Jack was one of the oldest living veterans in Indiana at 106 years old until his passing in February 2026.

Jack was born in 1919. During his lifetime, Jack saw the urban adoption of electricity. In 1919, U.S. troops were returning home from World War I.

Jack served in the Army from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. During his service, Jack traveled seven days to serve in France and Germany. Jack was honorably discharged in 1946.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, less than 0.5% of the 16.4 million Americans who served during World War II are still alive. Many living World War II veterans are more than 100 years old. In 2025, 873 World War II veterans were living in Indiana.

Jack was the very first veteran to come to Bethel Pointe Health & Rehab after the facility garnered its VA contract. McKensie Sorrell, director of admissions at Bethel Pointe Health & Rehab, said the long-term care facility, nursing home and senior rehabilitation center is the only VA-certified facility in Delaware County.

“It is a true honor to care not only for Jack, but for all of our veterans,” Sorrell says. “Each of them fought for our country and our freedom. We are so blessed to be able to

give them our all in return.”

Sorrell described Jack as very active with a sharp mind.

“Jack surprised us all because he didn’t appear to be the age he really was when he was admitted,” Sorrell says.

Dina Bowling, Jack’s granddaughter, said her grandfather’s life was filled with sweet, happy simplicities.

“One thing I always heard other people say was, ‘Everybody liked Jack Shaffer,’”

Dina says. “Because he was the milkman, so everyone knew Jack Shaffer. He did not have one enemy out there. He was just a nice, happy guy.”

Jack enjoyed golfing, bowling, picking black walnuts, feeding birds, vegetable gardening, traveling to Florida in the winter and making homemade strawberry jam.

“We all fought over his freezer jelly,” Jack’s son, Roger Shaffer, says. When asked about his secret to longevity, Jack and his family agreed — ice cream and doughnuts.

“He lived off of sugar,” his granddaughter, Dina, says. “He was healthy and active.”

His son, Roger, said his father would eat Concannon’s Bakery, Cafe & Coffee Bar doughnuts every day while at Bethel Pointe Health & Rehab in Muncie.

According to his family and friends, Jack was technologically savvy, always stayed up to date with current events and had an uncanny ability to recall accurate dates and memories.

“He was always Jack Shaffer,” Dina says.

“Up until the last day, he was 100 percent mentally there. This man did not forget anything.”

Jack’s longtime neighbor, Freddie Swafford, said Jack had a mind like a steel trap. Jack’s neighbor and VA nurse, Capri Dakin, said Jack was the sharpest person she’s ever known.

An MVP for the Gas City Tigers basketball team, Jack graduated from Gas City High School in 1937. In 1938, Jack married his

wife of 78 years, Betty. The family said the couple borrowed a quarter to see a movie for their first date.

During his early career, Jack worked at his family’s dairy farm, Shaffer’s Walnut Creek Dairy in Gas City, and Sutters Dairy in Marion. Jack retired as a salesman at Twin City Chevrolet in 1982.

“Everyone knew him in Gas City for the dairy, so everyone always went to Dad for deals on cars,” his son, Roger, says.

In 2024, Dan Ridenour attended Jack’s 105th birthday celebration. His daughter-in-law, Judy Shaffer, said Jack was kindhearted and never harsh.

“He says what he thinks, but he’s never cruel,” Judy says.

Jack was a member of the Gas City Masonic Lodge 645 and VFW 6728. Jack had two sons, four grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.

This Memorial Day, we proudly honor the brave men and women who have served our countr y and sacrif iced for our freedom. At Bethel Pointe Health & Rehabili tation, we are especially grateful to care for those who have worn the uniform, and we are commi tted to g iving back throug h our VA contract ensuring veterans receive the compassionate, hig h-quali ty rehabili tation and skilled nursing care they deserve. Today and ever y day, we remember their service, celebrate their strength, and stand in grati tude beside them

Q&A WITH CARDINAL GREENWAYS

For more than three decades, Cardinal Greenways has connected communities across East Central Indiana. Stretching across five counties and weaving through cities, towns, and rural landscapes, Cardinal Greenways is Indiana’s longest rail-trail—and a defining regional asset.

The trail is owned and maintained by Cardinal Greenways, a nonprofit organization, rather than by a state or local government. That means every mile of trail, every trailhead, and every improvement is made possible through fundraising, partnerships, and community support.

In this Q&A, Angie Pool, CEO of Cardinal Greenways, shares updates on major projects underway and on the horizon—from the Kitselman Trailhead in Muncie to trail improvements near Richmond and new construction planned to help close the gap in Grant County.

Cardinal Greenways spans five counties and connects a wide range of communities across East Central Indiana. How do you think about stewarding a trail system of this scale while making sure it continues to serve both cities and small towns well?

Our vision when we began building the Cardinal Greenway trail system in the 1990s was to construct a multi-use, paved trail that would not only enhance the quality of life for residents of our five counties but also actively connect our many communities. Over time we have enjoyed watching these early visions become reality and have worked with our downtowns, colleges, schools, neighborhoods and businesses to create connections to our main system. We now have other trail groups across the region working to connect their trails to our system. This is a win for residents and our thousands of trail users. We work just as diligently with our small towns as we do our larger cities. No matter the size of the community, our trail is a free resource for all to become healthier and to promote mental wellbeing.

Our smaller towns are beginning to promote the Cardinal Greenway as an asset, and many are working with us to add signage and share ideas for getting the word out. One of my favorite amenities we placed along our trail early on were our interpretive signs. We took extra care to research each small town and city so we could tell their story with one of our signs. I feel that has helped create a seamless experience for the trail users and has allowed us to brag about each area they would pass by. After many years, some of these signs need updated which is a task we have on our long to-do list!

Unlike many trails that are owned by cities or the state, the 62 mile+ greenway is owned and operated by Cardinal Greenways, a nonprofit organization. What does that ownership model make possible—and what challenges does it create when it comes to maintaining and expanding the trail?

Our founding members chose this model early on to speed up the process of applying for grants to acquire the abandoned rail line and to make our efforts to create a five-county trail system easier to manage. Even today, after 33 years, many are surprised to learn that

we are not city or state owned. For us, the perks of ownership outweigh the challenges.

Early on, our ownership allowed us to develop and implement a master plan for the trail seamlessly across all five counties. We were able to move quickly because we did not need city or local government design approval in each individual town the trail passed through. We always reached out—and continue to work with each city and town closely—but we could have one single design, a unified marketing/branding effort, and we could select contractors to work across the multi-county system.

There are challenges of course. Funding for day-to-day operations, liability, new construction, trail restoration and repair all fall in our wheelhouse to fund and manage. We rely on the strong partnerships we have made through the years with major funders such as Ball Brothers Foundation, with our cities and towns, and with our many trail users who have become faithful donors to help support the many costs associated with running a large trail system.

The Kitselman Trailhead project on Muncie’s eastside represents a major investment in trail infrastructure, in creating a stunning eastern gateway into Muncie, and in transforming a former brownfield site. Can you share what this final phase of the Kitselman Gateway project will mean for trail users and for the broader Muncie community? What are the construction impacts in 2026, and when can we expect the trail through this section to re-open?

In the early 2000s, the Cardinal Greenway was charged with managing and building the White River Greenway for the City of Muncie. We proudly accepted that role, and with that, completed construction of the 6-mile White River Greenway which spans the city from east to west. The Kitselman Trailhead project has been in the WRG master plan since the early 1990s, and it was always intended to serve as a connection point for the White River Greenway and the Cardinal Greenway and to serve as a major trailhead. We are proud of how gorgeous this trailhead is becoming and of the beauty it adds to those coming into Muncie from the east.

The Kitselman Trailhead project was such a large buildout that it was divided into 3 phases. We are now in Phase 3, the final construction phase, which focuses on realigning the Cardinal Greenway to travel safely underneath State Road 32 (Jackson Street). This move eliminates a tricky angled crossing and significantly improves safety for our users. Another parking lot will be added on the west side of

the river as well as interpretive and directional signage. In the future, you will see a Trailhead identifying sign appear and some very fun recognition signs for the Cardinal Greenway, White River Greenway, and the City of Muncie.

There was a lot of construction movement during 2025 which will continue into the 2026 construction season. Should all go as planned, the project should be completed late fall of 2026. Unfortunately, the trail will remain closed until then in this section.

When the project is complete, the City and the CG will have a showcase Trailhead, additional parking to access both trails, new artwork, and stone benches giving great access to the White River. The project has already been recognized statewide as an “Outstanding Trail Project.” It is also a vastly popular route for our trail users, and we know they will be so thankful when it is reopened and they have a whole other beautiful side to enjoy.

There are also significant construction projects underway on the Greenway’s southern section in Richmond and along the northern section in Upland. What’s happening in these areas, and why are these projects such important milestones for the future of Cardinal Greenways?

Our Wayne County section of trail was closed for the bulk of 2025 due to major construction on I-70 from Richmond to the Ohio state line. Because the Cardinal Greenway passes directly underneath I-70, the construction team had to build a concrete tunnel under the interstate. This now protects our trail users from any debris that may fall from the interstate above. While the tunnel and trail reopened in December 2025, we do anticipate a week-long closure again in 2026 for the final layer of asphalt to be poured. The southernmost section of trail in Richmond will also be impacted when the railroad works on an existing bridge, though dates for this work are still to be determined. In the meantime, trail users will be pleased to know that the City of Richmond has been working to improve the scenic Gorge Trail which connects to the Cardinal Greenway via Richmond’s Veteran’s Park.

Heading north to Grant County, we are busy working with our partners at Taylor University to construct the first several miles of trail to begin closing “the gap.” This is a huge milestone for our organization as it has remained a goal to close the 18-mile gap between Gaston and Gas City/Jonesboro since our beginning. Work will continue in 2026 with a segment of approximately 2 miles slated to be paved in the “Taylor Wilderness” area in Upland by year-end.

These projects show the commitment we have to our original vision, to our communities, and to our trail users as we keep striving to maintain our current trail and add more miles. When the Cardinal Greenway began in the early 1990s, there were not a lot of trails in Indiana, and we easily held the distinction of being the state’s longest rail-trail. Today, trails are seen as valuable assets and vital to communities. Trail growth in Indiana has exploded over the last 8 years and, as a result, there are systems just itching to surpass our mile count. In the friendliest of competitions, we are just as determined to add our own miles and keep our status.

Looking ahead, how do you think about the long-term future of Cardinal Greenways—and the role the trail can continue to play in connecting communities across East Central Indiana?

In our 33-year history we have accomplished so much and have been a leader in trail development in Indiana. We are sought out for advice from other trail systems because of our experience in operations, construction, best practices, and maintenance. I want that to continue as we push through the challenges of our current life cycle—caring for an aging trail and doing so as a trail system that has to raise all of its own support. I want us to be open to ideas from the ever-growing trail network both in Indiana and nationwide.

Over the next few years, my goals include working with our board to establish long-term funding streams, continuing to advocate for trail repair and restoration funds from both the state and federal levels, enhancing what the Cardinal Greenway can offer to all our cities and towns (especially bringing more visitors to enjoy these great places), and, of course, I want to add trail miles within our Gap and in our larger trail system. We want the Cardinal Greenway to be here for generations to come and for all to witness just how special being out on our trail is.

Ball Brothers Foundation is a Muncie-based private foundation committed to improving the quality of life in East Central Indiana. As part of our work, we provide grant funding to select nonprofits, primarily in Muncie and Delaware County. This Q&A is part of an ongoing series highlighting the people and organizations we support. You can read more conversations like this at ballfdn.org.

RESEARCH STU DY SEEKING

People living with Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter

Purdue University, College of Pharmacy is seeking people living with atrial fibrillation/flutter who are planning to have or recently have had a electric cardioversion or ablation to treat atrial fibrillation or flutter. In order to qualify you must be taking anticoagulation (a blood thinner such as coumadin, Eliquis, Xarelto).

If you qualify for the study:

• You will be asked to take a medicine called Zofran (ondansetron) or a placebo (sugar pill) twice a day for 4 weeks

• You will be asked to wear a Ziopatch on your chest which monitors your heart beats for 4 weeks and keep a log of any symptoms that you have related to the medicine and atrial fibrillation.

• You will complete 5 visits lasting about 30 minutes (1 visit at the start of the study and then a visit each week). The visits can be completed at your home or in the clinical reearch center located on the IU Indianapolis campus

• You will receive up to $350 after completing all study visits.

If you are interested in participating, please call or text 317-847-2094 or email: hwroblew@iu.edu