Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo provided

Non-Profit December 20, 2022

Indiana Legal Help Kiosk Now Available at the Muncie HUB

By Bob Scott— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Mission Ministries, Inc. has announced the installation of an Indiana Legal Help Kiosk at their location at the Muncie HUB, 318 W. 8th Street in Muncie. This self-service kiosk helps local residents access IndianaLegalHelp.org, an Indiana Bar Foundation program connecting Hoosiers to legal resources and services. The Indiana Legal Help website, which has seen over one million visits since its launch, includes legal forms, instructional videos, referrals to free and low-cost legal services, and a…

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Leigh Carter Edwards with Muncie Mission Ministries and Carl Schafer with Muncie Arts discuss fundraising best practices during a training hosted by Nonprofit Support Network in November 2022. In 2023, Shafer Leadership Academy and Nonprofit Support Network are collaborating to provide year-long educational programs for nonprofits in Muncie and Delaware County. Photo provided

Non-Profit December 19, 2022

Nonprofit Support Network and Shafer Leadership Academy Announce Joint Programming for 2023

By Carly Acree King, Relationship & Resource Director— MUNCIE, IN—Nonprofits serving or located in Muncie-Delaware County will have access to expanded educational programming in 2023 thanks to a collaboration between Nonprofit Support Network and Shafer Leadership Academy. Launched in the fall of 2022, Nonprofit Essentials is designed to address a gap in the training resources available to nonprofits in the east central Indiana region. This collaboration comes after almost two years of work between the organizations as Shafer Leadership Academy was…

Brian Statz, new President & CEO at Minnetrista

Business December 18, 2022

Brian Statz Selected to Lead Minnetrista Museum and Gardens in Muncie, IN

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN – Minnetrista Museum & Gardens is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Statz as its new President & CEO. Chosen after a nationwide search, Statz will assume his new role on January 3, 2023. He will take over from current President & CEO, Betty Brewer, who will retire at the end of 2022 after more than seventeen years of service. Statz served as Vice President of Operations at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for more than…

This image was from John Carlson's December 24, 2021 article titled: "Carols Are Best Kept in Mind." Photo by Nancy Carlson

Business December 15, 2022

MuncieJournal.com’s Most Viewed Stories of 2022

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, IN—Every year around this time we share Muncie Journal’s Top 10 most viewed stories of the year.  In 2019, an article about the polar vortex took the top spot. Amazingly, our most viewed story in 2021 was NOT about COVID-19. It was about the big fireworks display downtown. You’ll find the Top 10 most viewed stories for 2022 below. Just scroll down this page to view the story and its ranking. Click on each story to…

Yorktown Chamber of Commerce Award Recipients. Photo provided

Business December 14, 2022

Yorktown Chamber of Commerce Presents Annual Awards

By Matt Howell— YORKTOWN, IN – The Yorktown Chamber Awards Lunch was held on Tuesday, December 13th at Westminster Village in the Legacy Room. The award recipients were: Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve and MaryAnn Stroeh Community Impact Award: Amy Carroll-Spangler, Christiana Mann, Kat Blankenbaker Outstanding Contribution to Education: Taryn McKnight Spirit of Small Business: Farmhouse Creative Excellence in Public Service: Kris Thornburg The new 2023 officers for the Yorktown Chamber were also installed: President: Kat Blankenbaker of Viking Realty Vice President: Mark…

Sophie Campbell. Photo by Stacey Shannon

Business, Education December 14, 2022

Sophie Campbell—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

By Stacey Shannon— MUNCIE, Ind.—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. Performing is the pastime of Delta High School senior Sophie Campbell. She’s been in school productions since her freshman year, a member of the Delta Troopers theater group for two years, a member of the school choir and in seven productions at the Muncie Civic…

Dray Caldwell, Yorktown High School (left), and Brynn Wright, Cowan Jr./Sr. High School (right), were presented with the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in private ceremonies held at their schools on December 13.

Education, Non-Profit December 13, 2022

2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipients from Delaware County Announced

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is pleased to announce the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients are Dray Caldwell, Yorktown High School, and Brynn Wright, Cowan Jr./Sr. High School. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree…

The Central Indiana Flute Choir in concert performance. The ensemble is part of America’s Hometown Band in Muncie.

Entertainment December 13, 2022

Free Concert by AHB Central Indiana Flute Choir on Dec 17th

By Katherine Huggler— MUNCIE, IN—The next performance from the Central Indiana Flute Choir, part of America’s Hometown Band, is set for 2 pm on Saturday afternoon, December 17th. This event is Free and open to the public. The venue is the Fine Arts Center of Heritage Hall School, located at 6401 W River Road, Muncie, IN – across from Grace Baptist Church. Parking on-site is free also. This unique presentation of seasonal music favorites comes from the choir’s flutes-of-many-sizes that…

The Clark Griswold Memorial tiny tree. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business December 12, 2022

Indiana & Michigan Tips for Holiday Decorating

By Corey Ohlenkamp— MUNCIE, IN—With the holiday’s here, it’s time to gorge on food and decorate the house. Rushing into decorating to keep up with Clark Griswold, however, can make things hazardous for both you and your wallet. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) wants to provide everyone with energy efficient holiday decoration ideas and safety reminders to get into the holiday spirit. “Indiana Michigan Power is dedicated to making your holidays bright, efficient and safe whether it’s small display in the yard…

Non-Profit December 12, 2022

Documentary Film Celebrates History, Future of The White River in Muncie

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN—Over 100 community members from across East Central Indiana joined Ball Brothers Foundation, Indiana Humanities, and The Nature Conservancy for a screening of documentaries on December 6, 2022 at Muncie Civic Theatre. The evening featured the premiere of The Nature Conservancy’s new mini-documentary about the White River. The mini-documentary was produced by Seth Harden (TNC) with videography and direction by lifelong Hoosier and filmmaker, Ben Massie of Flatland Films. The stunning imagery in the mini-documentary is…