Articles by Mike Rhodes

Red-tail Land Conservancy Wins 2023 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— INDIANAPOLIS, IN—If you are a frequent viewer of MuncieJournal.com, you may remember many of the stories we’ve published about the work of the Red-tail Land Conservancy. On Wednesday of this week, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) awarded a 2023 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence to Red-tail Land Conservancy during the annual Partners for Pollution Prevention Conference and Tradeshow in Indianapolis. “This is the highest environmental award in the state,” said Kelly Phillips, Communications and Outreach Manager for Red-tail. “For nearly 30 years, the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence has recognized Indiana citizens, government agencies,…

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Muncie Mission to Host Groundbreaking for Recovery Homes 

By Bob Scott, VP Development— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Mission Ministries, Inc. will host a groundbreaking ceremony for Project Greathouse, the construction of five new recovery cottages, on Friday, September 22 at 3:00 pm. The homes will be built adjacent to the Mission’s men’s residential facility located at 1725 S Liberty St. Project Greathouse will provide supportive housing for men who have completed the residential recovery program at Muncie Mission. Already seven neighborhood homes have been renovated as recovery housing for 14 men. The latest home, located at 405 W Memorial, will be open for tours during the groundbreaking celebration. Following the…


Ball State University to Host Grand Opening Concert, Ribbon Cutting for Brown Family Amphitheater

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University will hold a grand opening on Sept. 19 for the Brown Family Amphitheater—a new outdoor performance and gathering space on campus that the entire community can enjoy. Located between Park and Pruis halls and between Noyer and Woodworth complexes, this grand lawn venue is an impressive performance facility for artists and audiences. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be a free jazz concert featuring the Ball State Jazz Ensemble with vocalist and 2021 Ball State graduate Tatum Langley. Dinner can be ordered from food trucks, and sweet treats will be…


What Are You Doing for Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 21? Muncie’s Fall Bridge Dinner is the Place to Be

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—What are you doing for dinner on Thursday, Sept. 21?  You are invited to join hundreds of your friends and neighbors for Muncie’s Fall Bridge Dinner on the Washington Street Bridge.  The free outdoor community event will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Rain date will be Sept. 28.  Grab some food and beverages from local vendors – or bring your own – and take a seat at one of the large community tables on the historic bridge to enjoy great conversation, music, and the beautiful views of the White River.  Music will be provided by…


New Canoe and Kayak Launches Planned in City of Muncie

By Eliza Guion— MUNCIE, IN — Over the next several years, five new launches are scheduled to be constructed along the White River in Muncie, allowing for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing from the city’s east to west gateways. The addition of these launches comes on the heels of five decades of work by individuals and organizations to improve the water quality in the White River, one of East Central Indiana’s most important natural assets. As the health of the river has improved, so too has interest in related outdoor recreation. “In increasing numbers, canoeing and kayaking are thriving as outdoor…


Boy Scout Troop 22 Cooks Up 30th Annual Hog Roast on Sept 16th

By Jessica Gestwicki— MUNCIE, IN – Boy Scout Troop 22 will be dishing up heaping helpings of BBQ and fixings at its 30th Annual Hog Roast fundraiser at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 11am to 6pm. Proceeds will help the troop prepare for a challenging backcountry experience at Philmont Scout Ranch, BSA’s high-adventure base in New Mexico. Funds will also offset rising participation costs so scouting opportunities remain available to all. Besides the great food, Scouts will be collecting worn, tattered, or faded flags for the Scouts’ “Retire Your Flag” Drive. They will be demonstrating skills…


City of Muncie Awarded $2 Million Grant to Continue Urban Reforestation Efforts 

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—Trees play a critical role in air quality, property value, soil erosion and runoff prevention, temperature regulation, quality of life, and more. In 2020, Mayor Dan Ridenour announced the Thousand Trees in a Thousand Days initiative, aimed to aggressively combat the declining urban canopy in Muncie. The initiative, which has received recognition in other states and won Muncie a Tree City USA Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation, will successfully plant it’s 1,000th native tree this fall. This, however, is just the first step towards expanding the “Cathedral of Green” in Muncie.  This week, the…


Ticket Sales Begin Today for Comedy Duo John Mulaney and Pete Davidson’s Emens Performance

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN— Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. ET Friday, Sept. 15, for comedy duo John Mulaney and Pete Davidson’s Oct. 7 performance at Ball State University’s Emens Auditorium. Tickets for the 7 p.m. performance will be available through the Emens box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 765-285-1539. This event will be a phone-free experience. Use of phones, smart watches and accessories, will not be permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, all phones, smart watches and accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will…


Ball State PBS Wins National Public Media Award for its Inaugural ‘Happy Little Fest’

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – “Happy Little Fest”/Ball State PBS was named the winner of the “Special Events” award within the Marketing and Communications category at this year’s National Educational Telecommunications Association’s (NETA) 55th Public Media Awards. The winners were announced at an awards gala on Sept. 10 as part of the 2023 NETA Conference and CPB Public Media Thought Leader Forum in Columbia, S.C. Created in 2022 in honor of the 80th birthday of the late Bob Ross—the iconic painter and host of “The Joy of Painting”—and the 50th anniversary of Ball State Public Media…


Shroyer Becomes Principal at East Washington Academy

By Andy Klotz, MCS— MUNCIE, IN– Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has named Evan Shroyer the new principal at East Washington Academy (EWA). A Muncie native and a Southside High School graduate, he began the year as EWA’s assistant principal, and has now been selected to permanently replace Sarah Anglin who left in July to move closer to family. “What an honor! It feels surreal to lead some of Muncie’s finest students, staff and families,” Shroyer said. “I truly love this community and I am excited to serve in this role. I hope to translate the success I had as a…