Articles by Mike Rhodes

Katie Morgan Perez. Photo provided

Non-Profit February 28, 2023

Perez Named Executive Director of Orchestra Indiana 

By Orchestra Indiana— MUNCIE, IN-Orchestra Indiana is excited to announce that Katie Morgan Perez has been named Executive Director. Perez joined Orchestra Indiana as the Director of Operations in October of 2022, and previously served as the Executive Director of the Community School of the Arts in Marion for eight years. Perez steps into the role following the recent resignation of Scott Watkins.  “In the past few months I have had the pleasure to work alongside an incredible staff and…

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Ben Stalets. Photo provided

Entertainment February 28, 2023

Ben Stalets Returns to ‘Be Here Now’ On March 25th

By Larry Meyer— MUNCIE, IN—Ben Stalets is not a songwriter—he’s a song. Realizing he couldn’t wash the Toledo off, Ben leaned into it, inspired by Rust Belt blue-collar underdogs and anti- heroes. Talking to Ben is like talking to an old friend, and that’s exactly how his songs are written and how his shows are performed. As comfortable in a bar room as he is in a listening room, by the 3rd verse of the first song, Stalets will have…

Emily Kimbrough and her dogs. Photo provided

Entertainment February 27, 2023

Emily Kimbrough: From Muncie to the World

By Jeannine A. Harrold, Program Chair, Paul Revere Chapter DAR— MUNCIE, IN—March is National Women’s History Month, and to celebrate it locally, the Delaware County Historical Society, the Carnegie location of the Muncie Public Library, and the Paul Revere Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution are co-sponsoring a program to present entertaining highlights from the life of one of the most famous women selected by the Notable Women of Muncie and Delaware County Project. Emily Kimbrough, born in Muncie in…

Dr. Melinda Messineo (left) of Ball State University was the featured speaker at a recent More to Know program. She is pictured with Laura Janiga of Muncie Public Library. Photo by Susan Fisher, Muncie Public Library.

Non-Profit February 27, 2023

Muncie Public Library and LifeStream Partnering for New Programs

By Susan Fisher, Public Relations Supervisor, Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) is introducing two new program series and both partner with LifeStream Services, Inc. to deliver helpful and educational benefits to senior citizens in the community. “More to Know” is a new program series at Kennedy Library. Every Monday at 10am, the program will feature either a guest speaker on topics such as arts and culture, history, current events, health and wellness, and other topics or will…

Photo provided

Education February 27, 2023

Muncie Central Alumni Association Awards Grant to Band Director

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association has awarded its teacher grant, valued at $2,000, to Daniel Sager, the Marching Band director, for the purchase of 133 new leather binders that are needed to protect sheet music Muncie Central instrumental groups need for their practices and performances. The current binders were worn after more than 15 years of use. Muncie Central teachers may apply for grants by securing an application from the associate principal, who also…

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $974,435 in Community Grants during the first quarter of 2023, including a $35,000 grant to Cardinal Greenway Inc. to support the cost of operations. Pictured, bicyclists gather at the Cardinal Greenway Depot for a ride on the trail.

Non-Profit February 26, 2023

Community Foundation Awards $974K to Community Organizations

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $974,435 in Community Grants this week. Beginning in 2023, The Community Foundation shifted to a Community Grants program. Nonprofit organizations have a wide-open door for applications instead of separate applications for multiple grants programs through the Foundation. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to connect with Foundation staff. This quarter, The Community Foundation had 24 organizations reach out with initial requests for funding….

An artist rendering of "Storer Estates."

Business February 25, 2023

The Housing Needle: Part Three

Editor’s note: This is the third and final installment of MuncieJournal.com’s exclusive three part series on housing in Muncie and Delaware County.  By John Fallon and Steve Slavin— MUNCIE, IN—In the minds of many folks in our community, any assessment of the housing situation is the product of subjective judgment.  Even though such an analysis lends itself to factual verification, it seems that many rely on assumptions and personal opinions. Our research confirms that most people believe what was good for development…

The Innovation Connector is located at 1208 W. White River Blvd in Muncie.

Business February 24, 2023

Side Gigs and Side Hustles

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Over the past years, the Innovation Connector has become the Muncie community’s hub for business startup and growth assistance.  Calls and emails come to us nearly every day from entrepreneurs and hopeful business startup owners asking for assistance in some way.  Regular requests include the need for funds to start or grow a business, help formally organize the business as an LLC or S-Corp, and some turn to us…

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

Entertainment February 24, 2023

First Thursday at Cornerstone on March 2nd

By Dee McKinsey—  MUNCIE, IN–Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 East Main St., again will host local artists in conjunction with Muncie’s First Thursday event March 2 from 5-8 p.m. Resident Artist Debra Gindhart Dragoo is coordinating this event and has lured several local artists to participate during the past two First Thursday celebrations. March’s pop-up artist lineup includes Jill Palumbo, Angel Gillette, Tom Stader, Alyssa Carey, Christine Barber Bush, Val Kelley, Elizabeth Reichert, Kat Mesaros, Shannah Mesaros, Taunya Fallon,…

Mayor Ridenour and representatives from IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and local law enforcement are pictured during the announcement of "The Muncie Crisis Center." Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government, Health February 23, 2023

City of Muncie and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Partner to Create ‘The Muncie Crisis Center’

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, IN—On Wednesday, the City of Muncie in partnership with IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and many other volunteers who have been working collaboratively for the past 20 months announced the beginnings of The Muncie Crisis Center. When opened, the center will help people in the community who are dealing with serious addiction and mental health issues. In many cases, the Muncie Crisis Center aims to be an alternative to jail for persons experiencing an…