Articles by Mike Rhodes

First Thursday at Cornerstone Center for the Arts

By Debra Gindhart Dragoo— MUNCIE, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts is continuing their Muncie artwork donation exhibit, with many new pieces added to the collection for January’s First Thursday in downtown Muncie. This generous local art donation includes ceramics, sculpture, fiber art, prints, paintings, and drawings. If you’re a patron of Muncie arts, don’t miss this incredible installation, or your opportunity to purchase some amazing art. All proceeds go to Cornerstone Center for the Arts and can be viewed in Cornerstone’s Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery.  Community artists participating in January 2024 First Thursday at CCA. include Val Kelley, Mikell Vawter,…

Read More

Red-tail Land Conservancy Celebrates Surge in Volunteer Engagement   

Donated hours of service for Red-tail valued at more than $45K.  By Kelley V. Phillips— MUNCIE, IN—Red-tail Land Conservancy proudly announces a surge in volunteer engagement throughout the past year, marking growth in community service benefiting east central Indiana’s environment. More than 160 community members volunteered a total of 1,465 hours to support wildlife habitat restoration, outdoor recreation, and environmental education, a 26% growth from 2021.  Red-tail protects nearly 2,900 acres of wildlife habitat in east central Indiana, including forests, prairies, wetlands, and waterways. “With a small staff, volunteers are critical in helping to manage, monitor, and restore Red-tail’s nature…


Mason Moulton—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— YORKTOWN, IN—When you’re balancing multiple sports, clubs and other activities, you have to have a system in place to keep everything prioritized and scheduled. Yorktown High School senior Mason Moulton has figured out a system that works best for him. At the beginning of each week, he sets up a spreadsheet to best plan his schedule – often hour by hour. “Time management is the big…


George and Frances Ball Foundation Announces Over $2 Million in Fourth Quarter Awards

Foundation invests nearly $6 Million locally in 2023. By Kelsey Harrington— MUNCIE, IN—The George and Frances Ball Foundation, established 86 years ago with a focus on livability and educational attainment in the Muncie-Delaware County community, extends the legacy of the G.A. Ball family today through grantmaking and convening. Over the course of 2023, the Foundation convened more than 200 individuals and 60 community partner organizations around the proactive, collective impact focus of Cradle to Career Muncie. This year, the Foundation also granted nearly $6 million to local nonprofits. Earlier this month, the Foundation’s Board of Directors met and awarded over…


Visitor Restrictions to Begin at IU Health Locations

By IU Health— INDIANAPOLIS—Due to a rise in reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses, IU Health will begin limiting visitors at its healthcare facilities to prevent spreading and protect patients and team members. All IU Health hospitals except those in the South Central Region will limit visitors beginning Tuesday, Dec. 26. South Central Region facilities will limit visitors beginning Wednesday, Dec. 27. Riley Hospital for Children is already observing restrictions. IU Health Infection Prevention recommends wearing a mask during direct patient care due to the high levels of circulating viruses in the community. The following restrictions will remain…


National Thermoplastic and Packaging Company Expanding in Muncie

By Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance announced today that Spartech, a leading manufacturer of engineered thermoplastics and custom packaging solutions will expand operations in their Muncie, IN facility at 1401 E Memorial Dr. Spartech will invest $4.9 million in new manufacturing equipment to modernize and add efficiency to production. This investment will help retain 100 full-time employees and add six new, full-time positions. “Spartech is excited about the opportunities this substantial investment brings, which reflect our commitment to growth, innovation, and improving operational efficiencies,” says Jim Elliott, Spartech CEO. “It includes the acquisition of…


The Salvation Army Announces $5,000 Red Kettle Match

Anonymous supporter will match donations Red Kettles on December 22 & 23. By Major Curtiss Hartley— MUNCIE, IN– With just a few days left in its Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army of Muncie is receiving a much-needed boost to its annual fundraiser. Thanks to an anonymous Delaware County donor, every dollar put in a Red Kettle on December 22 and 23 will be doubled up to $5,000. The matching gift is being given in hopes that it inspires last-minute Christmas shoppers to be give a little more and help someone not on their list have a more joyful 2024. The Salvation Army…


ECI Regional Planning District Receives Funding for ‘Safe Streets and Roads for All’ Grant Program

By Bill Walters, Executive Director of the ECI Regional Planning District— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN— The ECI Regional Planning District was awarded $400,000, for Delaware, Grant, Blackford, and Jay Counties, with 47% of the funds being allocated toward disadvantaged communities, through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program was instated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in which $5 billion is being used from 2022-2026 to ensure regional, local, and Tribal road conditions are adjusted to protect drivers. From 2017-2021, these counties had a total of 166 traffic crash fatalities. Through…


Feldman Automotive Group Aquires All-American Chevrolet Cadillac in Muncie

By Dawn Kelley— NEW HUDSON, MI– On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, Michigan based Feldman Automotive Group acquired All-American Chevrolet Cadillac from Monte Perkins, another Michigan based company. This will be Feldman Automotive Groups first dealership in Indiana and adds to their portfolio of dealerships in Michigan and Ohio.  All-American Chevrolet Cadillac, which will be keeping its name, is located directly off Interstate 69 at 6580 W. Hometown Blvd., in Muncie Indiana. “We are thrilled to welcome All-American Chevrolet Cadillac, along with their dedicated staff and customers to our family of dealerships.  Our mission is to provide a first-class buying and…


Meet the New CEO of Minnetrista Museum and Gardens

By Brian Statz, CEO of Minnetrista Museum and Gardens— MUNCIE, IN—Since arriving in January, the Muncie community has shown me kindness and patience as I learned on the job, made my way around the city and elsewhere in East Central Indiana, and found an apartment downtown. I am grateful to those who made time to meet with me to discuss their role in the life of Muncie, their history and hopes, and what they are working to achieve. I still have many people to meet and much to learn, but the information and guidance from the people I’ve met have…