Articles by Mike Rhodes

L-R: Finn, Lucy and Ethyl, the Douglass Family Dogs in Muncie, IN. Photo by Dorothy Stassen-Douglass

Government August 9, 2022

Do You Have The Cutest Dog In Indiana? Show Everyone

By State of Indiana Press Office— INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and Indiana’s First Dog Henry are searching for adorable dogs in great locations across the state through the Visit Indiana Cutest Dog Photo Contest. “I encourage all Hoosiers to make memories with your pup just like I do with my dog, Luna Lovegood (AKA Bubby),” Crouch said. “Show off your furry friends enjoying the beauty of Indiana whether that’s at one of our incredible…

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Kira Zick, MCS primary teacher of the year. Photo provided

Education August 8, 2022

Muncie Community Schools Names Primary, Secondary ‘Teachers of the Year’

By Andy Klotz, APR— MUNCIE, IN— Kira Zick and Kim Kowalski have been selected as Muncie Community Schools’ (MCS) primary and secondary Teachers of the Year, respectively, for the 2021-22 school year. The two were honored today during an employee gathering at Central High School. Zick teaches grades 3 and 4 in the Dual Language Immersion program at West View Elementary, one of six elementary schools in MCS. She received the honor based on her students’ achievement, classroom management, dedication to…

Naloxboxes are currently located in the Old West End neighborhood, the Thomas Park/ Avondale neighborhoods, and the East Central neighborhood areas. Photo by Sara Renee

Non-Profit August 8, 2022

Muncie Organization Adds Additional ‘NaloxBoxes’ To Neighborhoods

By Sara Renee, CAPRCII-MH, CCHW, Harm Reduction Street Outreach, Muncie Folk Collective— Muncie Folk, a local harm reduction initiative, continues to distribute naloxone through placement of additional “NaloxBoxes” in the Muncie community  MUNCIE, IN—Late 2021, in partnership with Overdose Lifeline, Inc., and the Governor’s Office and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, two “NaloxBoxes” were installed in Muncie, IN., with a third just recently installed and a fourth coming soon. “Making overdose response tools like naloxone readily available to any Hoosier who may…

Photo provided

Entertainment August 8, 2022

Tickets to Orchestra Indiana’s 2022-2023 Season Go On Sale on August 8th

By Scott Watkins— Season highlights include Holst’s “The Planets” with NASA visuals projected above the stage, The Three Phantoms in Concert, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s shimmering Scheherazade. MUNCIE, IN – Orchestra Indiana has announced that individual concert tickets to its 2022-23 season will go on sale Monday, August 8th. Tickets start at just $20, are available online any time at www.orchestraindiana.org, or through the Emens Auditorium Box Office. The Emens Box Office is open from 10am – 3pm weekdays (expanding to 5pm on…

Ball State's eSports center. Photo provided

Education August 6, 2022

Ball State University Announces Partnership With Top International Esports Organization Gen.G 

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University has formed a partnership with Gen.G Global Academy—a high-caliber international esports organization with competitive teams in South Korea, China, and the United States. This partnership expands Ball State’s global influence and role as an innovator in the emerging industry of esports, while offering unique opportunities for student-athletes within Ball State’s esports program in the University’s College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM), and for Gen.G’s student-athletes. “We are excited…

On the Mark, For the City (2017). Mural by JoAnna Darda, Faith Kellermeyer, Braydee Euliss, and Jannell Summers.

Non-Profit August 5, 2022

MuncieArts to Present ‘Making Public Art Work’, a Two-day Professional Practice Seminar for Artists

By Erin Williams, Executive Director, Muncie Arts & Culture Council— MUNCIE, IN—This month, MuncieArts (munciearts.org) will present a special two-day professional practice seminar for artists who would like to expand their creative practice into working in public art. “Making Public Art Work” will be held on Aug. 13 and 14 at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens, with a virtual keynote lecture by Kristen Giannantonio from the Monument Lab (Philadelphia) on Friday, Aug.12 at 6 p.m.. “Making Public Art Work” is presented…

"Ticker" by Mark Neely

Entertainment August 5, 2022

Muncie Poet Named to ‘Indiana Authors Awards’ Shortlist of 40 Best Books

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— INDIANAPOLIS—Mark Neely of Muncie has been named to the Indiana Authors Awards for the book Ticker. The book was nominated in the Poetry category, one of eight literary categories where awards will be given. Winners will be announced on Aug. 24, 2022. Ticker, follows the life of its main character, Bruce, as he navigates marriage, children, aging parents, politics, race, religion, global catastrophe, and the irrelevance of middle age. Throughout the book the dueling voices in Bruce’s head,…

Hillbilly Queer: A Memoir authored by J. R. Jamison of Muncie, IN

Entertainment August 4, 2022

Muncie Author Named to ‘Indiana Authors Awards’ Shortlist of 40 Best Books

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— INDIANAPOLIS—J.R. Jamison of Muncie has been named to the Indiana Authors Awards for the book Hillbilly Queer: A Memoir. The book was nominated in the DEBUT category, one of eight literary categories where awards will be given. Winners will be announced on Aug. 24, 2022. Jamison’s book is an enduring love story between a conservative dad and gay son who find that sometimes the differences between us aren’t really that different at all. Comments about Jamison’s book include:…

The program 'The Regenerative Agriculture Journey: Stories from East Central Indiana and Beyond' will take place on August 25th.

Government August 3, 2022

FREE ‘Regenerative Agriculture Education Day Program’ is August 25th

By Colby Gray, Program Manager, Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN—Learn about techniques in land stewardship and conservation practices from farmers who are on the leading edge of innovation at The Regenerative Agriculture Journey: Stories from East Central Indiana and Beyond. Organized by the Soil & Water Conservation Districts of Delaware and Blackford counties, the FREE education day is Aug. 25 at the Delaware County Farm Bureau, 6100 IN-67 N, Muncie, IN 47303. Regenerative agriculture involves adopting research-based conservation practices that…

Psi Iota Xi, is a 125-year-old philanthropic sorority. File photo

Non-Profit August 3, 2022

August 4, 5, and 6 is the Season Opening of The Bargain Box

By Nancy Watts— MUNCIE, IN—The Bargain Box is a thrift shop in The Historic Kimbrough District of Muncie, located at 607 E. Charles Street. Psi Iota Xi, is a 125-year-old philanthropic sorority.  The Bargain Box was purchased by Psi Iota Xi, and was previously the home of Adam Wolfe, grandfather of Elizabeth Ball. The sorority donates 100 % of the income from its sales (all are donated items)  to support local charities, and to make endowment grants/scholarships, particularly in the areas…