LGBTQ+ individuals in Muncie have found support and community at the Mark III Tap Room and through organizations like Muncie OUTreach, Muncie Pride Network and Spectrum. Each location or organization serves a distinct purpose, but advocates are working toward collaboration among them.
The aroma of brisket cooking on the grill fills the air as classic rock booms from a makeshift sound system. Children chase each other through the grass, laughing, and neighbors hug to greet one another with big smiles. This monthly dinner is the work of Urban Light Community Development, a nonprofit committed to improving the quality of life in Muncie.
Paxon Vong opened Thai Kitchen 20 years ago to offer Muncie a diverse fusion of Southeast Asian cuisine. The native of Thailand makes every dish to order, with notes of sweet and sour, salty and spicy flavors paired in soups, stews, noodles and rice dishes.
Muncie has become a canvas for striking stylistic murals on building exteriors across town. Their vibrant colors and inspiring images uplift neighborhoods and encourage residents to slow down and admire their surroundings. Some murals invite meaningful conversations about Muncie’s heritage and history.
Muncie native Casey Eichenlaub is a man of action. He sees a problem and figures out a way to fix it. If the problem involves power tools, even better. In 2020, Eichenlaub secured a Small Sparks grant from the 8twelve Coalition to build fence posts for his Thomas Park Avondale neighbors. This year, he was awarded the grant to complete home repairs, mostly to water heaters and HVAC systems.
