September 16, 2022 Diary
I woke early because I wanted to sleep late, knowing that I had a long day ahead of me. I did the usual meal planning and flower watering before getting ready to leave Muncie for a series of events and visits.
The big event for the day was the gala for The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana. It had been a virtual event for the last 2 years because of the pandemic. The Gala Committee had planned an especially big bash, being the first live fundraiser in a few years. It started at 4:45 pm, with the gathering. There was a series of speeches, entertainment, and food. The main entertainment was Straight No Chaser, but since the Center prides itself on developing talent, they also featured local artists. With the after parties, the evening went to midnight. Perhaps the most exciting event of the night was the live auction. There were only eight packages auctioned, but they were big packages. They went from Indy sports, to nights at the Palladium for 100 guests, to vacations in Europe. They saved the best to last, and 7 nights in a bed and breakfast in Tuscany was auctioned at $50,000.
While this would seem to be a feel-good day, it did have a downside. This day could be called the Tale of Two Cities. On my way to Carmel, I stopped to see a friend’s art work on exhibit at the Anderson Art Museum. The Museum is in a restored Carnegie library. It is very nice. However, the downtown area of Anderson around the building is the exact opposite of Carmel. The two cities are about 25 miles apart, and different in almost all ways. It was not always like this. At one time, with the manufacturing sector booming, Anderson was a very livable city. I felt sad after seeing what downtown Anderson has become.
I drove back to Muncie, past Anderson, thinking if Muncie was going to evolve as an Anderson or a Carmel.