Articles by Mike Rhodes

First Merchants headquarters in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business July 14, 2022

First Merchants Bank Wins Award for Best Leadership Team from Comparably.com

By First Merchants— MUNCIE, IN– First Merchants Bank announced today it has been recognized by Comparably for Best Leadership Team. This annual award identifies leaders and leadership teams who are driving positive cultural change across companies large and small. First Merchants Bank was selected by Comparably as being in the top 5% of all financial services companies evaluated for their leadership qualities. This Comparably Award is derived from employee sentiment ratings provided anonymously by employees about their leadership teams (CEO,…

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A scene from Fam Fest 2021.

Education, Health July 13, 2022

Meridian’s ‘Fam Fest’ Returns for Back to School Fun on July 14th

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, Ind. – Meridian Health Services’ Fam Fest will return on Thursday, July 14 with a back to school theme promoting health, wellness, family fun, safety and community resources. The event will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Southside Middle School, home of Meridian’s School-Based Health Clinic, located at 1601 E. 26th St. Muncie, IN 47302. Fam Fest is a FREE family festival for all ages featuring: FREE: Health screenings, school physicals and vaccinations Food…

Photo provided

Non-Profit July 13, 2022

‘Notable Women’ Group to Sponsor 2nd Annual Women’s History Workshop

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The “Notable Women of Muncie and Delaware County” project will sponsor the second annual Women’s History Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 20, at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens. The workshop is open to the public and free, but registration is required. To register, click here.  The public may attend one of two ways – in person or via Zoom. The Zoom broadcast, however, will conclude at 10:30 a.m. A link to join the workshop…

Marcia Freeman (L) is pictured with her Yoga instructor Debbie Gant, Owner of the Corner Mat Yoga Studio. Photo provided

Health July 12, 2022

Local Pastor Finds Practicing Yoga Provides Her With Sustained Relief of Chronic Pain

By Marcia Freeman— MUNCIE, IN—Chronic joint pain has plagued me for many years starting in my late thirty’s. I struggled to find relief outside of pharmaceuticals, until I found the practice of yoga. To say that it has been life changing is an understatement. It has become my main health practice for physical and emotional wellness. I was diagnosed with a very painful, chronic and debilitating joint disease in 2009. I was immediately advised by my doctors to stop running,…

Judith Barnes second-floor gallery.

Entertainment July 12, 2022

Chaney Youngblood Artwork ‘The Beauty of Depression’ on Display at Cornerstone

By Dee McKinsey— The Exhibition will run through the month of July MUNCIE, IN – “The Beauty of Depression,” by Chaney Youngblood, is on display at Cornerstone’s Center for the Arts. 520 E. Main St., in the Judith Barnes second-floor gallery. Despite the title the displayed artwork is colorful, vibrant and inventive. Youngblood frequently works with found materials. Youngblood is Cornerstone’s catering coordinator. This 23-year-old, self-taught artist is a native of Muncie and a graduate of Muncie Central High School….

Photo by: iStockphoto

Non-Profit July 12, 2022

Delaware County Indiana Athletic Hall of Fame to Induct 11 New Members

By Doug Zaleski— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN—The Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame will induct 11 new members this month in its 2022 class. Bill Bower, Allyson Morey Castine, Dane Cook, Tim Courtney, Lauren Kaminsky Dunham, Marc Foreman, Joe Gasser, Ryan Kerrigan, Chris Powers, Taylor Unroe and Morgan Wallen Wijay will be honored on July 23, 2022 in Cardinal Hall at the LA Pittenger Center at Ball State. A reception will begin at 5:30 pm., the banquet is at 6 and…

Photo provided by MCS

Education July 12, 2022

Muncie Community Schools Receives $234,265 From Indiana Department of Education

By Andy Klotz— Funds to help expand student access to high-demand careers  MUNCIE, IN – Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has received $234,265 in funding from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to expand students’ exposure to high-demand career opportunities. The Explore, Engage and Experience (3E) grant will help provide career coaching for students, a customized curriculum and other programs and events that will be implemented over the next two years. MCS is partnering with Project Leadership and Ivy Tech to…

Later this year, The Community Foundation will relocate to the former ISU Building in downtown Muncie located at300 E. Jackson. The move aligns with impressive growth, thanks to the generosity of neighbors across our community.

Non-Profit July 11, 2022

Community Foundation Growth Leads to Purchase of New Building for Operations

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – Thanks to the generosity of neighbors across our community, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County has witnessed impressive growth. At the end of 2021, Foundation assets reached an all-time high of $88 million. These assets are here to support the community today, tomorrow, and always. Growth in assets has led to the need for additional capacity for The Community Foundation, including increases in staff size and physical space. In June, the Board…

The Whitinger Business Building is pictured. Photo provided by BSU

Education July 11, 2022

Free ‘Impact X Class’ Being Offered to Cultivate Innovation, Solutions From Muncie Community

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – A collaboration between the City of Muncie, Ball State University’s Entrepreneurship Center, and the In Place Impact Muncie Initiative has resulted in a free class aimed at fostering innovative solutions to make a positive impact on the local community. Starting Sept. 13, 2022, the In Place Impact Muncie Initiative will begin offering a free 12-week “Impact X class” taught by Christiana Mann, assistant lecturer of hospitality innovation and leadership at Ball State;…

Members of the 2021 class of the Academy for Community Leadership.

Business July 10, 2022

Academy of Community Leadership Class is Now Forming for 2022

By Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce— MUNCIE, IN—For 46 years, the Academy for Community Leadership has been attracting bright, emerging leaders in Muncie and Delaware County. ACL has provided an orientation to the Muncie and Delaware County community and a broad overview of civic leadership since 1979. The program helps develop leadership talent and potential and provides valuable networking opportunities for the participants. Most of our community’s current leaders in business, philanthropy, education, and government have participated in ACL. This…