Articles by Mike Rhodes

Funders Forum Collaborative Helps Magnify Generational Impact of Homeownership

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – Public, private, and corporate foundations, along with service club funders in Delaware County, have come together to pool knowledge, experiences, and resources to collectively impact homeownership in the community. The Funders Forum Collaborative awarded $66,000 to two Delaware County organizations to support programs that combine education opportunities with quality, affordable housing. Examining the intersection of their shared grantmaking focus area – education – and supporting the priorities identified by the community through the Together…

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Visitor Restrictions To Begin at IU Health Ball, Blackford, and Jay Hospitals On Monday

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN—Due to a rise in the number of reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses, IU Health is limiting visitors at some of its hospitals to prevent spreading and protect patients and team members. Starting Monday, December 12, we will be implementing restrictions at IU Health Ball, Blackford, and Jay hospitals. The following restrictions will remain in effect until viral illness rates decline: Only adult family members (18 or older) will be allowed to visit…


For the Third Year in a Row, First Merchants Bank is Named a ‘Newsweek Best Bank’ for 2023

By Jaime Faulkner— MUNCIE, IN – Newsweek released its 2023 America’s Best Banks rankings placing First Merchants at the top of the list in Indiana and distinguishing it for having attentive service and dependable bankers. While this honor recognizes the bank’s work in Indiana, these attributes exemplify the bank’s ‘helping you prosper’ philosophy across its four-state footprint. “In mid-November, we were recognized by the American Banker as one of the “Best Banks to Work For”, determined by surveys of our employees,” says Mark…


Three-Year Plan Designed to End Homelessness for Families and Youth

By WaTasha Barnes Griffin— MUNCIE, IN—What do you think of when you hear the word homeless? Is it a shifty drifter on the street with a cardboard sign asking for a handout? Is it someone, in an oversized wool coat, slumped on a park bench sleeping in plain sight? Is it an old lady pushing a grocery cart loaded with her only possessions down a country road? In fact, in our community, there are two cohorts who are the most vulnerable…


Trifecta of Rock and Roll Music Coming to Cornerstone

By Dee McKinsey— Three Well-Known Indiana Bands to Perform in February  MUNCIE, IN – Mike Mulligan and Steam Shovel, from Kokomo, The Why Store from Muncie, and Pushing Daisy’s Band of Indianapolis, will perform in the E.B. Ball Auditorium at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main St. on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 from 6 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. The high energy bands will play blues, rock and roll, and “heady funk.’ Mike Mulligan and Stream Shovel will play their…


Robert A. & Beverly D. Terhune Foundation Continue Support to the Muncie Children’s Museum

By Ashlee Anderson— MUNCIE, IN–Bob & Beverly Terhune established the Robert A. & Beverly D. Terhune donor advised fund at the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County as a vehicle to help community organizations on a yearly basis. With so much need in the community, the Terhune family felt that grants to local charitable causes was the best way to give back. The foundation has been supportive of the Muncie Children’s Museum over many years and extended their generosity with…


Hillcroft Services Awarded $150k Avis Foundation Grant

By Dan Wolfert— MUNCIE, IN—Hillcroft Services, Inc., a local provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for nearly 70 years, has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Avis Foundation, Inc. The grant is in support of the recently opened ABA Clinic located in Pendleton, which is an expansion of the service model already offered by the ABA Clinic located in Muncie.  The completely renovated 6,000 square foot facility that opened in May of 2022, has the…


IU Health Ball Named to U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN − U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a 2022-2023 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy). This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. IU Health Ball…


Submit a Proposal for the 8th Annual I.D.E.A. Conference

By Heather Williams, Vice President, MAP Board of Directors— Mark your Calendar and Make a Difference MUNCIE, IN—Mark your calendars for the 8th annual I.D.E.A. Conference on Saturday, March 4th at Ball State’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Gather alongside Muncie’s positive change makers to share best practices on neighborhood association development and neighborhood improvement projects at this free event. The I.D.E.A. Conference planning committee is currently seeking proposals from speakers who have experience and information to share that will help…


East Central Neighborhood Victorian Holiday Home Tour

By Erin K. Lovall— MUNCIE, IN—The East Central Neighborhood will have its annual Victorian Holiday Home Tour this weekend on December 10 from 4–8 PM and December 11 from 1–5 PM. There will be multiple homes on the tour, including the historic Emily Kimbrough home. Cider and cookies will be provided. You won’t want to miss the gingerbread house competition, which takes place inside the Emily Kimbrough home. Everything you need to build a gingerbread house will be provided. The winner…