Articles by Mike Rhodes

Nora Quirk. Photo by Stacey Shannon

Business March 27, 2023

Nora Quirk—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Nora Quirk’s high school career began with a leadership role and only flourished from there. The Muncie Central High School senior represented Indiana at the Global Youth Panel held at Harvard University during her freshman year. She spent two weeks learning about leadership and participating…

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Ball Associates Building Mural at 222 S. Mulberry Street. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit March 25, 2023

Ball Brothers Foundation Announces Second Century Strategic Plan

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation, one of Indiana’s oldest and largest private family foundations, is preparing to celebrate its 100th year of grantmaking and leadership in 2026. In anticipation, the foundation’s Board of Directors has adopted a new strategic plan. Designed to guide the foundation’s work over the next five years, the “Second Century Strategic Plan” will ensure a strong, impactful conclusion to the foundation’s first century of grantmaking and set the strategic direction for…

Ted Baker is pictured providing one-on-one business coaching services to a client. Photo provided.

Business March 24, 2023

Starting and Operating a Business is Hard…and a BIG Announcement

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Starting or growing a business is not easy.  If you have been involved at any level of business ownership, you know this.  Throughout my life, I have started several businesses and worked hard to see them grow.  I know firsthand the long hours I invested in ensuring details were taken care of and deadlines met.  (Many times, 60+ hours per week.)  From taking care of legal business startup details,…

David Arquette. Photo by David Scott Holloway

Education March 23, 2023

Actor, Producer David Arquette to Speak at Ball State University as Part of David Letterman Distinguished Lecture Series

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Multi-talented actor and producer David Arquette will be the next featured speaker in the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series at Ball State University. Mr. Arquette is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. on April 10 in Pruis Hall, on the Ball State campus. The event is free and open to the public, but general admission tickets are required for entry. Tickets are available here. The event will also be live streamed at…

Photo provided

Business March 23, 2023

Oak Motors Donates Funds to Aid Muncie Non-Profits

By Tiger Okeley, Owner, Oak Motors— MUNCIE, IN — Local used car dealership and financing company, Oak Motors, supported seven local charitable organizations in the Muncie, Indianapolis and Anderson areas during 2022. Out of the $94,000 in total donations, $25,000 directly benefited the following non-profits in Muncie, Ind: Muncie Mission Ministries, YMCA of Muncie and Salvation Army of Muncie. “All of these charities work toward improving situations for those facing challenges, which is a strong tenant that also runs through…

SL-R: Tahj Johnson, East Washington; Selena Thomas, Royerton; Shadow Hanser, Burris; Milyn Douhitt, Selma; Laynie McGuire, Albany; and Abigail Byrd, Yorktown. Photo by Brenda Williamson

Non-Profit March 22, 2023

Muncie Altrusa Club Recognizes 4th Grade Essay Contest Winners

By Sue Whitaker— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Altrusa Club hosted the winners of the Annual 4th Grade Essay Contest on March 16th at a luncheon at the Minnetrista Center.  The winners of the essay contest were Laynie McGuire, Albany Elementary; Shadow Hanser, Burris; Tahj Johnson, East Washington Academy; Selena Thomas, Royerton Elementary; Milyn Douthitt, Selma Elementary; and Abigail Byrd, Yorktown Elementary. Each student read their essay titled: “The Book that Changed my Life…” to the assembled group. Following the reading each…

Scene from a prior year's "One Ball State Day." Photo provided by Ball State University

Education March 22, 2023

One Ball State Day Returns April 5th With $1 Million Goal, New Events and Challenges

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – One Ball State Day, Ball State University’s award-winning 24-hour fundraising event, returns for its fifth year Wednesday, April 5, with the goal of topping last year’s record-setting effort. In 2022, thanks to the support of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends worldwide, the University raised over $1 million on One Ball State Day (OBSD) for the first time. This year, Ball State hopes to achieve a fifth straight year of increased giving on…

Photo provided

Health March 21, 2023

Grow-A-Row Campaign Launches in ECI

Program encourages donations of excess garden produce to local organizations. By John Disher, Healthy Community Alliance— East Central Indiana— Though the skies are drab and we can only dream of the heat and sun of summer, it’s the time of year where avid gardeners are making planting plans so that a harvest will be ready to reap this summer. Gardeners are invited nowto consider intentionally growing an abundance to share produce with community organizations closely connected to neighbors who can…

The offices of Woof Boom Radio located at 800 E. 29th Street in Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit March 21, 2023

Hometown Heroes Grants Awarded

By Megan Orbin— MUNCIE, IN—Woof Boom Radio and 104.1 HD1 WLBC take our role seriously as partners to those in the cities and towns we serve. WLBC continues to assist some remarkable organizations in making a difference in our community. The following organizations were chosen to receive the WLBC Hometown Heroes Grant: Delaware County Special Needs Prom/Events, April American Legion Post 321, May Delaware County CASA Program, June Open Door Health Services, July Roo’s Relief, August ecoREHAB, September Hillcroft Services,…

Photo provided by Ivy Tech Community College

Education, Non-Profit March 20, 2023

Ivy Tech Vice Chancellor for Workforce Partnerships to Speak at Annual AAUW Membership Meeting

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The annual membership meeting of the Muncie Branch of the American Association of University Women will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 25, at Ivy Tech Community College, 345 S. High St. The meeting is open to the public and people interested in joining AAUW. The meeting’s speaker will be Jennifer Gasiorek, who is vice chancellor for workforce partnerships and strategic communications. The title of her speech is “Empowering Students to Succeed.”…