Articles by Mike Rhodes

Aerial view of the Ball State Campus. Photo by: BSU Photo Services

Education February 22, 2023

AAUW Offers Scholarship for Nontraditional Students

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Applications for the American Association of University Women, Muncie Branch, nontraditional student scholarship are due Saturday, April 1. The scholarship is worth $1,500 and is available for the 2023-2024 academic year, effective Aug. 1, 2023, through July 31, 2024. The scholarship must be used for tuition, health fee, books, and other classroom-related expenses for the year, including the summer session. To apply, applicants must meet the following selection criteria: Students of any gender identity who are 25 years old or…

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Suzie Jones, project coordinator in the Office of Community Engagement at Ball State, visits with the kiddos at United Day Care as they color their pages for Charlie’s Coloring Challenge.

Education February 21, 2023

Charlie Cardinal Gets a Makeover

By Michelle Kinsey, Office of Community Engagement, Ball State University— MUNCIE, IN – Charlie Cardinal, the Ball State University mascot, has never looked better. Or more colorful. The children at United Day Care Center took some time on a recent afternoon to color in their feathered friend as part of the annual Charlie’s Coloring Challenge. Scarlett Reed, 4, was putting the finishing touches on her Charlie Cardinal. Just a few more pink polka dots here and there and it was…

A volunteer is pictured preparing food at the Soup Kitchen of Muncie. Photo provided.

Non-Profit February 21, 2023

Soup Kitchen of Muncie Announces 2nd Annual 40 Days of Giving Food Drive

By Nick Werner— MUNCIE, IN—Lent is here, and the Soup Kitchen of Muncie is offering a guilt-free alternative to the tradition of abstaining from something you love for the next 40 days. Instead of giving something up, the Soup Kitchen of Muncie is asking you to give something away during its 40 Days of Giving Food Drive, Feb. 22 to April 6. People can participate in the daily food drive as an individual or as a group, and you can…

The "Construction Zone" plans. Photo provided

Business February 21, 2023

Mutual Bank Charitable Foundation Supports the ‘More To Explore Campaign’ at the Muncie Children’s Museum

By Kynda Rinker—  MUNCIE, IN–For nearly 20 years, The Mutual Bank Charitable Foundation has been supportive of the Muncie Children’s Museum. The most recent gift of $100,000 will fund a portion of the exhibits and a portion of the Muncie Children’s Museum Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County as part of the More to Explore Campaign. While the foundation has transferred its assets to the Mutual Legacy Fund at the Community Foundation of Muncie &…

Mr. Imani Brissett is pictured. Photo provided

Education February 21, 2023

Ball State University Theatre and Dance Students Honored at Regional Festival

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN– Several students from Ball State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance earned recognition at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre’s regional festival, held Jan. 11-15 in Flint, Mich. The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) is a national program that honors artistic excellence and provides students with individualized recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, dramatic criticism, theatre management, directing, and design through eight regional festivals. KCACTF holds its national festival in…

One of the trains you might see at the Muncie Model Train Show. (Note the familiar Ball Corp logo on the tower just behind the train.) File photo.

Entertainment February 20, 2023

31st Annual Muncie Model Train Show To Be Held At Delaware County Fairgrounds

By R. Brian Wolfe— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie and Western Model Railroad Club has announced its 31st Annual Muncie Model Train Show.  The event will be held on Saturday, February 25 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Proceeds from the train show will benefit the Muncie Children’s Museum.  Admission is only $5 for each adult—children 12 and under are admitted free.  Indiana’s largest single-day model train show will be held in both the Memorial and Heartland…

File photo

Non-Profit February 17, 2023

Call for Young Artist Submissions

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, IN– Young artists throughout Delaware County are invited to bring their art submissions for the 2023 Muncie Young Artist Exhibition Juried Art Competition (YAE) to Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main St., from March 1 through April 5. The submissions should be brought to the second floor reception desk. Contestants are invited to submit up to two (2) works of art in the following categories: 2D (painting, drawing), 3D (sculpture, fiber arts, ceramics), and…

On February 13th, Hillcroft celebrated their 70th birthday with all their clients and staff. Photo provided

Business February 17, 2023

Hillcroft Services Begins 70th Year With a Celebration

By Dan Wolfert— MUNCIE, IN—2023 marks the 70th anniversary in the rich history of Hillcroft Services, Inc., a local non-profit organization who provides supports and services to individuals with disabilities. Hillcroft was founded on February 13, 1953, by three local families who wanted to provide quality education and life experiences for their children with disabilities. Through that commitment, Hillcroft has grown exponentially over time and annually improves the lives of over 600 individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental…

The Why Store in concert. Photo used with permission by The Why Store.

Entertainment February 17, 2023

‘Rock and Roll Trifecta’ to Take Place at Cornerstone on Saturday

By Olivia Morrow— Local Bands to Perform at Cornerstone MUNCIE, IN– Three well-known local bands will perform at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E Main St., Feb. 18. The three bands are Pushing Daisy’s Band, Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel and The Why Store. All three bands have Muncie or Ball State connections. The bands will perform in the Cornerstone’s E.B. Ball Auditorium, with Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel from 6 to 7 p.m.; Pushing Daisy’s Band performing from…

Aerial photograph of the new White River Lofts, 400 W. Washington Street in Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business February 16, 2023

The Housing Needle: Part Two

Editor’s note: This is the second of a three part series on housing in Muncie and Delaware County.  By John Fallon and Steve Slavin— MUNCIE, IN—We believe strongly that the housing needle in our community needs to be moved.  Further, we think that there is some urgency for this and that we need to do this aggressively.  The natural forces of the local housing market will not resolve our housing dilemma by themselves…at least not anytime soon.  In fact, we…