Articles by Mike Rhodes

Illustration provided

Entertainment January 28, 2023

2nd Annual City of Champions Basketball Invitational Hosted by Muncie Central & Muncie Burris

By Richard Crist, Board Chair, Muncie Sports Commission— MUNCIE, IN— Muncie’s two high schools, Muncie Central High School and Burris Laboratory School, have teamed up to host a one-day basketball invitational tournament on Saturday, Jan. 28th at the historic Muncie Fieldhouse. The 2nd Annual City of Champions tournament, presented by Pizza King, will feature the boys basketball teams from Muncie Central, Muncie Burris, Greenfield-Central, and Indianapolis Bishop Chatard. The tournament will kick off at 10 a.m. with a matchup between…

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The E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center, located on Minnetrista Boulevard.

Education January 27, 2023

Community Invited to Learn More About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB)

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence is offering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) sessions at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center beginning in February. All classes are free and open to the public (age 18 and older). Reservations are required. Brandon Million, assistant director in the Office of Inclusive Excellence, has been offering these classes for four years on the university campus for students, faculty and staff. This is the first time…

Artist Andy Klise admires a painting displayed at “Bob Ross Experience.” Photo by Nancy Carlson

Entertainment January 27, 2023

The New Bob Ross Radio Documentary

From our media partners at Network Indiana— The Joy of Muncie: Bob Ross in Indiana is a just-released radio documentary exploring the life and career of “TV’s Happy Painter” Bob Ross and the Joy of Painting television program. It’s a story told through the memories of those who knew Bob Ross best, from his best friend to the Hoosier broadcaster who signed the deal with Ross to bring the Joy of Painting to Muncie, Indiana. This special also explores the…

Panelists will include L-R: Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, Jennifer McCormick and Joel D. Hand. Photos provided

Education January 26, 2023

Two More Speakers Added to This Saturday’s Panel Addressing Status of Education in Indiana

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The legal counsel and lobbyist for the Indiana Coalition for Public Education and a former Indiana superintendent of public instruction will join the president of ICPE as guest speakers for a joint meeting of the Muncie branches of the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters of Delaware County. The meeting is open to the public and free. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and wrap up no later than noon…

Muncie Fieldhouse photo courtesy of 104.1 HD1 WLBC.

Entertainment January 26, 2023

Memorabilia Room to Be Open for Attendees of City of Champions Tournament

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association’s Memorabilia Room will be open to people attending boys City of Champions tournament basketball games at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. The Memorabilia Room is located in the southeast corner of the Muncie Fieldhouse. Muncie Central graduation classes organizing reunions and interested in including a visit to the Alumni Association’s Memorabilia Room as part of their activities are welcome to contact Charlotte Shepperd, charshep@comcast.net, or Nora…

There's nothing better than a box of Girl Scout cookies. And this year, there's a new flavor: Raspberry Rally™ .

Non-Profit January 25, 2023

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Kicks Off 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Season

By Dawn Brand Fluhler— Consumers in 45 Central Indiana counties can support their local girl entrepreneurs by ordering from the iconic cookie lineup, powering amazing experiences in outdoors, STEM, and beyond. INDIANAPOLIS – Girl Scouts of Central Indiana kicks off the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie season in 45 Central Indiana counties as Girl Scouts and their troops rally their communities to support the world’s largest entrepreneurial program for girls. Every box of cookies sold provides invaluable experiences for Girl Scouts such…

The Innovation Connector is located at 1208 W. White River Blvd. Muncie, IN 47303

Business January 24, 2023

Empowering Entrepreneurs in 2023

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector— MUNCIE, IN—After a successful initiative last year, Celebrating Entrepreneurs in 2022, the Innovation Connector has chosen a new theme for 2023: Empowering Entrepreneurs in 2023. While we will continue celebrating entrepreneurs, we believe the next step is to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners to be empowered – to learn, collaborate, and share their knowledge with others.  As I have expressed in prior articles, one key trait of a successful…

L-R: Altrusans, Kailee McKnight, Tanya Shaneyfelt, Mary Burford, Sue Whitaker, Muncie Community School’s CEO Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Altrusan Sherrell Bryant and West View Principal Eric Ambler.

Non-Profit January 24, 2023

Muncie Altrusa Club Completes Book Distribution to Muncie Elementary Schools

By Sue Whitaker, Muncie Altrusa Literacy Chair— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Altrusa Club members have completed the distribution of over 5,800 books to every pre-kindergarten through fifth grade student in the Muncie Community Schools, Burris, St. Michael Catholic School, and Inspire Academy. The project was funded in part from a $4000.00 grant from the Altrusa International Foundation and the Muncie Altrusa Club. Classroom Connections of East Central Indiana was also a partner in helping to obtain, store and distribute the books. Once…

Education January 23, 2023

Dray Caldwell—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—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. Dray Caldwell has a passion for bringing athletes together in community and forming relationships. The Yorktown High School Senior has been part of the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee since he was a junior and is now its president.   “We are the face of the…

2022 Scholarship winners: Top left, Chandler Whitworth; Bottom left, Kara Cantrell; Right, Jacob Brannon and Debbie Edwards. Also pictured are: (left to right) Kailee McKnight, Tina Black, and Melanie Surface.

Non-Profit January 23, 2023

Local Non-Profit H.O.P.E. Adds Scholarship Program

By Tina Black— MUNCIE, IN—H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Every day) is a local non-profit organization that unites the skills and expertise of local business leaders who are on a mission to empower, uplift and strengthen our community.  The goal is to provide support to individuals and local organizations through fundraising and volunteering in order to build stronger bonds. H.O.P.E. has been successfully moving forward with this initiative since the beginning of 2020, but officially became a 501(c)(3) in May, 2021. …