Articles by Mike Rhodes

Cornerstone Center for the Arts is located at 520 E. Washington Street in Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment May 9, 2023

Bracelet Making Workshop at Cornerstone

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, IN– Local artist Debra Gindhart Dragoo is holding a bracelet making workshop in time for Mother’s Day at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 East Main St. The workshop is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 11, on Cornerstone’s third floor.  All supplies will be provided. The cost is $20 for participants age 12 years to adult. Dragoo says the workshop will allow participants to make arm candy and blingy bracelets. She will have slider jewel…

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Composite provided by the Ball Brothers Foundation.

Non-Profit May 8, 2023

Ball Brothers Foundation is Committed to Muncie and Place-Based Grantmaking

A perspective piece by Jud Fisher—  MUNCIE, IN—Change doesn’t happen overnight. Change takes time and determination from an entire community. This belief is alive and well in Muncie. The positive changes we’ve witnessed over the past century are due to the collective effort of countless dedicated people who were passionate about improving the place they called home. Through world wars, pandemics, economic depression, and the ups-and-downs common to many manufacturing-oriented Midwest cities, Muncie has never given up hope for a…

Southside businesses gather at Rosebud Coffee House every other month to learn and connect with each other. The 8twelve Coalition sponsors these breakfasts, which often include a speaker.

Non-Profit May 8, 2023

8twelve Business Breakfast Brings Southside Businesses, Nonprofits to the Table

By Jenna Bertsch— MUNCIE, IN—Every other month, southside business and nonprofit leaders gather at Rosebud Coffee House to discuss the community, learn about resources, and connect about operating in Muncie. The 8twelve Coalition started these 7 a.m. gatherings — fueled by coffee and hearty breakfast options — to connect businesses with each other and the city they serve. 8twelve Director Jena Ashby said, “knowing people and being known” is essential to building community. These meetings, she added, create synergy among…

Photo provided by Ball State University.

Education May 5, 2023

Ball State Board of Trustees Reappoints Jim Lowe to Muncie Community Schools Board

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – The Ball State University Board of Trustees, in its final meeting of the 2022-23 academic year, on Friday reappointed Jim Lowe to the Muncie Community Schools (MCS) Board of Trustees. As part of its historic partnership with MCS, which began in July 2018 to provide excellent public education to every student in Muncie, the University appointed a seven-member governing board for the school district. Five members are appointed by the Ball…

Entertainment May 5, 2023

Outdoor Farmers Market Begins May 6th at Minnetrista

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista’s outdoor season of Farmers Market begins on May 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Get ready for a summer of fresh, locally-sourced food and fun at Minnetrista’s outdoor Farmers Market! The market is the perfect place to discover new flavors, meet local vendors, and experience the best of our community. There’s plenty to see, do, eat, and buy at Farmers Market at Minnetrista! With a wide range of fresh produce, baked goods, plants, meats, artisan…

Ball State senior Madeline Shelton is getting her free Muncie Public Library card at Kennedy Library. The psychological sciences major said she is excited to use the card while she’s in graduate school at Ball State this fall.

Education, Non-Profit May 5, 2023

Free Muncie Public Library Cards for Ball State Students

By Tyler Prendergast— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University students can get a free Muncie Public Library card to access print and online materials, movies, magazines and more. Maybe the best part: no late fees (however, lost or damaged item fees apply). To get a library card, Ball State students should bring their BSU identification card to the front desk of any MPL branch. Staff will invite them to fill out a short application form, and then provide them with…

Somebody wants a human to sit with. Play with. Live with. Photo provided

Non-Profit May 4, 2023

ARF Celebrates 25th Year As a Safe Place for Animals

By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Spending any amount of time with the staff and volunteers at ARF Muncie makes one thing clear: these folks truly care about animals. Executive director, Doug White, has five of his own dogs at home and knows those housed at the local non-profit by name. General manager, Nikki Kirby, is the same. Plus, she has a total of nine pets: six dogs and three cats. This year, ARF is celebrating its 25th year as being a…

Photo provided

Entertainment May 4, 2023

Free Comic Book Day at Aw Yeah Comics on May 6, 2023 

By Christina Blanch— MUNCIE, IN— Free Comic Book Day at Aw Yeah Comics, located in Downtown Muncie, is on May 6, 2023 from 12 noon to 6 pm. Aw Yeah Comics is one of the thousands of comic book shops around the world celebrating the largest event in the comic book industry: Free Comic Book Day! Each year, thousands of participating stores give away comic books to millions of fans to introduce them to the wonderful world of comics. “Free Comic Book…

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded three local teachers Robert P. Bell Education grants totaling $1,693. These grants are awarded to teachers with innovative ideas, programs, or projects related to a classroom unit or lesson. Pleasant View Elementary kindergarten teacher Staci Miller received a Bell Grant during the 2021-22 school year to teach music students about the parts of the xylophone using the book "Mortimer" by Robert Munsch.

Education, Non-Profit May 4, 2023

Community Foundation Awards Grants to Benefit Teachers

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN– Through the Robert P. Bell Education Grants Program, three local teachers were awarded grants totaling $1,693.29 from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County in April. Across the county, thousands of students benefit from Robert P. Bell Education Grants each year. Teachers often have instructional ideas they would like to implement in their classrooms. Sometimes, a lack of funds can prevent them from moving forward. Robert P. Bell Education Grants are awarded to teachers…

Ida Husted Harper. Photo provided

Education May 3, 2023

Fourth Muncie Central Grad Inducted into Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame

By Sheryl Swingley—  MUNCIE, IN—Ida Husted Harper, who was in the first graduation class of Muncie High School, now Muncie Central, in 1868, was inducted April 29 into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. She joins three other Muncie Central graduates who are members of the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. They are Bob Barnet, 1929; Ruth Chin, 1942; and Brad Byrd, 1970. “Throughout her life, she also maintained her connection with Muncie and Muncie Central, returning whenever her class…