Articles by Mike Rhodes

A vendor at the indoor Farmers Market at Minnetrista.

Entertainment November 19, 2022

Indoor Farmers Market Season Begins at Minnetrista

By Katie Maggart—  MUNCIE, IN—It’s that time of year again! The outdoor season of Farmers Market at Minnetrista has wrapped up and moved indoors for the winter months. Join family, friends, and neighbors in the Minnetrista Center Building as the indoor Market kicks off on Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m.–Noon. During your visit, be sure to connect with local vendors to discover what’s new, and continue shopping in The Orchard Shop at Minnetrista. You can expect to see returning…

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MSD headquarters in Muncie. Photo provided

Business November 18, 2022

Muncie Sanitary District Awarded Large Recycling Grant from IDEM

By Jason Donati— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Sanitary District (MSD) is the recipient of the largest 2023 grant award from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) Recycling Market Development Board (RMDB). The RecyclingMarket Development Board unanimously approved and fully funded MSD’s grant proposal “Do the Blue: Without the Blue Bags” for $468,798.00. Fourteen community proposals were brought before the RMDB on October 27th for a total request of over three million dollars. The RMDB had only two million dollars available…

Team photo with First Merchants CEO Mark Hardwick

Business November 18, 2022

American Banker Names First Merchants Bank Among “Best Banks to Work For” in 2022

By First Merchants— MUNCIE, IN – First Merchants Bank celebrates Monday’s announcement by the American Banker who named it among the “2022 Best Banks to Work For” across the nation. First Merchants Bank authentically strives to put employees first to create an inspiring and inviting workplace, seeking to meet their career advancement needs. This recognition reflects genuine and continuous efforts to improve employee career advancement and to link daily work to a meaningful “larger purpose” in helping the financial wellness…

Payton Baker, Wapahani High School. Photo by Stacey Shannon

Business, Education November 17, 2022

Payton Baker—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

By Stacey A. 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. With playing sports, collaborating with his sisters to care for goats and pigs for 4H and helping in various community organizations, Payton Baker has learned the importance of working alongside and listening to others. The Wapahani High School senior said he’s learned listening to…

First Merchants headquarters in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business November 16, 2022

First Merchants Bank Updates Its Community Benefits Agreement with Expanded Benefits

By First Merchants— Amendments help provide stronger positive impact across the communities it serves MUNCIE, IN – First Merchants Bank recently revised its Community Benefits Agreement to better expand and reflect its positive community impact goals as a corporation. The prior Community Benefits Agreement was unveiled in June of 2020, and this revision represents a significant advancement in the magnitude of the financial benefits across the communities served by First Merchants.  The commitments are extended to all regional markets in…

Pictured L-R: Ted Baker, Dan Ridenour, Ron Fauquher. Photo provided

Business, Government November 15, 2022

Small Businesses Thrive and Grow in Muncie

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—On Monday morning, Mayor Ridenour addressed a packed room of Muncie’s best and brightest entrepreneurs at the Innovation Connector to kick off Entrepreneur Showcase Week. The brainchild of Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, the week is packed with 20 events for local businesses of all sizes. Ranging from workshops about Quickbooks and creative marketing to networking opportunities, many of the free events filled up with registrations weeks in advance. For Ridenour, investing in…

Photo provided

Non-Profit November 14, 2022

The Community Foundation to Relocate Effective December 5th

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County will have a new address beginning later this month. The Foundation offices will move from their home in the Muncie Power Products building to a building acquired earlier this year located at 302 E. Jackson St. “Our new building gives us space to welcome donors, volunteers, nonprofit partners, and others to the table,” said Marcy Minton, presidentand CEO of The Community Foundation. “We look forward to…

Photo provided by IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital

Health November 11, 2022

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Reaches 7,000 Open-Heart Cases

By Liz Yates—  MUNCIE, IN — Since its creation in 1977, the open-heart surgery program at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has reached a huge milestone: 7,000 open-heart cases. These cases include everything from Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (CABG) to valve repairs and replacements, and all the specialty cases in between. This is a low volume, community-based program as our physicians and advanced practice providers see both scheduled and emergent cases. A lot has changed in the 45 years since…

A closeup of the $100 dollar bill picturing Benjamin Franklin. It's all about the Benjamins. Photo by storyblocks

Business November 10, 2022

Financial Planning for Your Future Self: How to Set Yourself Up for Financial Success in the New Year

By Michael Joyce, First Merchants Bank— MUNCIE, IN—Financial planning can be a stressful topic for many young adults and teenagers. It’s hard to find a starting place. How much money to put into savings? Where are safe places to save my money? How much money is needed to provide for my life? These are just a few of many questions that pop into the minds of people just starting their financial journey. It’s important to know everyone must start somewhere…

The Facing Project books have been produced in over 75 communities across the country. Photo by: J.R. Jamison

Non-Profit November 9, 2022

Facing Aging Will Unveil Latest Collection of Stories on November 12th

By Molly Flodder— MUNCIE, IN—In 2012, a Muncie woman who had shared a story about living in poverty sat in a darkened auditorium hearing the story written about her being read.  Although she was very familiar with the story, she realized how the storyteller had captured her emotion, frustration and desperation in a way that was mesmerizing members of the audience who were listening.  They were facing her poverty as she faced it every day and as the storyteller had…