Articles by Mike Rhodes

Pictured L-R: TaMerra Edwards (second runner-up), Craig Ulrey (champion), and Joshua Thorpe (first runner-up). Photo provided by Ball State University

Education March 20, 2023

Craig Ulrey of Heritage Hall Christian School Wins Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN—Craig Ulrey, a seventh grader from Heritage Hall Christian School in Muncie, is the champion of the 2023 Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee. Ulrey’s winning word was “condensation.” The competition, involving 37 spellers from 29 area school systems, lasted 19 nerve-racking rounds. The first runner-up is Joshua Thorpe from East Washington Academy in Muncie. The second runner-up is TaMerra Edwards from Lee L. Driver Middle School in Winchester. Spellers competed at Sursa Hall…

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Conductor Carlos Hernandez leads the East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra of Muncie.

Entertainment March 20, 2023

ECICO Orchestra To Perform On March 25, 7 pm at Northside

By Kathy Huggler— MUNCIE, IN—Celebrate the return of All Things Spring – with an evening of seven short, light-hearted works from the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, Lin Manuel Miranda, and more. This East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra date is scheduled at Northside Middle School Auditorium on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at 7 pm. Join them for a lovely, sweet program of pieces that blend into a Spring tonic for everyone. The orchestra is ledby Conductor Carlos Hernandez, BSU Graduate Conducting…

Artist rendering of new model train exhibit. Photo provided

Non-Profit March 17, 2023

Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation Provides Grant to Muncie Children’s Museum

 By Kynda Rinker— MUNCIE, IN — Throughout their lives, Hamer and Phyllis Shafer invested significantly in the Muncie community. Organizations that created opportunities for youth, particularly disadvantaged youth, were close to their hearts. They strongly valued the arts, education, and wellness, and generously gave of their time and money to help grow foundational organizations within our community. Since the Muncie Children’s Museum’s opening in 1977, Hamer and Phyllis strongly believed in the value that MCM adds to our community. The…

Photo by Oscar Nunez Photography, DWNTWN Facebook

Entertainment March 17, 2023

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Today’s the Day

By Cheryl Crowder— MUNCIE, IN— The 37th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held Friday, March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day) beginning at 6:00 p.m. Line-up will begin at 4:30 pm at Muncie Central Fieldhouse parking lot. The parade will proceed south on Walnut Street to Charles St. and return via Mulberry St. Parade attendees are asked to line up on Walnut St. between Wysor and Charles and on Charles from Walnut to Mulberry.  No candy will be thrown until parade…

Founding executive director, Bob Ball, said the kitchen at Inside Out is busy preparing food for food insecure children five days a week. Photo by Stacey Shannon

Non-Profit March 16, 2023

‘Inside Out’ Addresses Significant Need of Local Children

By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—With the mission of empowering the Muncie community through food-based initiatives, Inside Out has been serving healthy food to children since 2014. The local non-profit organization, which grew out of Blood-N-Fire Ministries, now serves 68,000 meals per year. Since one out of three children in the community are food insecure and around 18% of families are below poverty, Inside Out plays an important role in helping kids get healthy meals. Inside Out program administrator, Angelica Lasley…

File illustration.

Non-Profit March 16, 2023

2023 VIVA Award Luncheon Tickets Now Available

By Robert G. La France— MUNCIE, Ind. —At 11:30am on Tuesday April 11, 2023, the Muncie Noon Rotary Club and Sunrise Rotary Club will celebrate the annual Very Important Volunteer Awards (V!VA) luncheon at the Horizon Convention Center. This year’s generous sponsor of V!VA is PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union. The V!VA Awards were developed as a gift to the Muncie community in 1993 by the Muncie Rotary Club to recognize Delaware County’s proud volunteer heritage. This year, five individuals will…

Entertainment March 15, 2023

Minnetrista Announces Their Family Adventure Day: Spring Celebration on March 22nd

 By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN—Explore 40 acres of fun at Minnetrista Museum & Garden’s Family Adventure Day: Spring Celebration. Enjoy crafts, games, and more on Wednesday, March 22. This free community event is open to the whole family. With so much being offered, the day is a choose-your-own-adventure opportunity. The various activities create space for learning, active family participation, and fun. Spend a beautiful spring day at Minnetrista, exploring with friends and family. The event will be broken out into…

Dom Caristi. File photo from MuncieJournal.com

Education March 15, 2023

Ball State’s Dom Caristi Named 2023 BEA’s Distinguished Education Service Award Winner

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Dr. Dom Caristi, Professor Emeritus of Media at Ball State University, has been named the winner of the 2023 Distinguished Education Service Award (DESA) from the Broadcast Education Association (BEA). The DESA is awarded to an individual who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the American system of electronic media education. The award will be presented to Dr. Caristi during BEA’s 2023 annual convention awards ceremony on Saturday, April 15,…

Altrusa auction. Photo provided

Non-Profit March 15, 2023

Join Altrusa International of Muncie for Their Storytime Tea & Auction 

By Colleen Cooper, Altrusa Club Member— MUNCIE, IN—Altrusa International of Muncie, IN is hosting a Storytime Tea and Auction to raise funds for the District Six Club and Foundation to support local projects focusing on literacy, food insecurity, and meeting various needs in the community.  Lunch and tea will be served and the main focus will be participating in the lively auction featuring goodies supplied by members of the District Six Club as well as by the community. Tickets are…

New construction in downtown Yorktown.Photo provided

Business March 14, 2023

READI Funding Supports Property Acquisition in Downtown Yorktown

The Town of Yorktown receives funding to advance the next phase of downtown redevelopment. By Caitlin Hancock, East Central Indiana Regional Partnership— YORKTOWN, IN – Since 2014, the Yorktown Redevelopment Commission has been diligently working to redevelop, revitalize and grow its downtown core. With a substantial portion of the work complete, the Town has now set its sights on completing the next phase of redevelopment, which includes the assembly and redevelopment of a half-square block located between Vine, Market, and adjacent to…