Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ball State University Graphic Arts Management students Scott Norris, Myles Kost, Zach Gross, Associate Professor Hans Kellogg, and Anna Faulkinbury produced the Drawn to Reading bookmarks which will be distributed through the community’s Book Nooks.

Non-Profit March 21, 2022

First Heart of Indiana United Way ‘Book Nook’ Installed and Dedicated to Brian Scott

By Kim Williams— MUNCIE, IN – The installation of the first Heart of Indiana United Way Book Nook was celebrated on March 17th during a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at Open Door Health Services’ Madison Street location. Book Nooks, a collaborative effort between United Way and Ball State University, are designed to encourage a love of reading in places where families are naturally waiting with their children like doctors’ offices, laundromats, barber shops and beauty salons. Each Book Nook will…

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Aerial image of the Canan Commons area in downtown Muncie, IN. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit March 21, 2022

READI Funding Update and Implementation From the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership

By Katie Clark, PLA, FASLA— EAST CENTRAL INDIANA—On Tuesday December 14th, Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) Board of Directors approved plans to award $500 million to support regional development plans across 17 regions representing all 92 counties. This competitive process considered applications for the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). The total requests tripled the allocated $500 million READI budget, as submissions from the 17 regions amounted to…

There's nothing like Peeps candy during this time of year. Photo by story blocks.

Entertainment, Non-Profit March 21, 2022

Upcoming Events at Cornerstone Center for the Arts

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, IN – Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 West Main St., has upcoming programming that may interest and delight Muncie residents old and young alike. Peeps Diorama Contest Artists of all ages are invited to submit a Peep’s® diorama as Cornerstone Center for the Arts celebrates the much-loved gooey concoction and the arrival of spring. Come join the Peeps® people as they submit their shoebox dioramas designed to delight and entertain from 10 am until 2 pm…

Former mascots visiting the Muncie Central Alumni Association Memorabilia Room are (front row) Melanie (maiden name: Simmons) Howe, 1996-99; Holly (maiden name: Hays) Ling., 1997-98; Nancy (maiden name: McCullough) Winkle, 1962-64; (back row) Keith Roberts, 1990-1991; Lisa (maiden name: Dalton) Doan, 1994-95; and Charlie Hammock, 2015-16.

Education March 21, 2022

Muncie Central Honors Graduates Who Served As Mascot

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Former Muncie Central Bearcat mascots were acknowledged during halftime of the Feb. 11 boys basketball game at the Muncie Fieldhouse. Former Bearcat mascots introduced at halftime were Jase Rigney, 2018-19; Noah Summers, 2017-18; Payton Ullman, 2015-16; Charlie Hammock, 2015-16; Holly (maiden name: Hays) Ling., 1997-98; Melanie (maiden name: Simmons) Howe, 1996-99; Lisa (maiden name: Dalton) Doan, 1994-95; Keith Roberts, 1990-1991; and Nancy (maiden name: McCullough) Winkle, 1962-64. The February halftime celebration also showed off the newest “suit of clothes” for the Bearcat…

Pictured from from left to right: MyaaNika Murphy, Longfellow; Eryn Smith, Selma; Evey Glidden, Burris; Ellie Penix, Wes Dell; Joey Brooks, Yorktown and Owen Roberts, West View.

Education, Non-Profit March 19, 2022

Muncie Altrusa Club Recognizes 4th Grade Essay Contest Winners

By Sue Whitaker— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie Altrusa Club hosted the winners of the 36th Annual 4th Grade Essay Contest on March 17th at a luncheon at the Minnetrista Center.  The winners of the essay contest were Evey Glidden, Burris; MyaNika Murphy, Longfellow; Eryn Smith, Selma; Joey Brooks, Yorktown; Ellie Penix, Wes Dell and Owen Roberts, West View. Each student read their essay titled: “Reading is My Superpower Because…” to the assembled group. Following the reading each student was presented with…

Artist rendering provided.

Non-Profit March 18, 2022

Muncie Children’s Museum to Add New Exhibits

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN— The Muncie Children’s Museum’s first capital campaign in over 25 years will expand some of its long-standing exhibits, while building its endowment and ensuring a future for the next generation. The $3 million “More to Explore” fundraising initiative will support intentionally designed spaces that combine fun with learning for children 10 and under. The campaign already has secured over $2.29 million and is now moving into its public phase, asking some of the museum’s biggest…

Triple D’s Guy Fieri said this dive was worth a try. Photo by Nancy Carlson.

Carlson March 18, 2022

John Carlson: Happy As A Plate Of Clam Strips To Be On Vacation

By John Carlson— So there I was, standing in front of D.J.’s Clam Shack, thinking how the older you get, the less risky your vacations become. It wasn’t that long ago one of my vacation goals was to join those hardy souls who summit Mt. Everest. Twenty minutes later, however, I decided that another equally worthwhile vacation goal is to not die while trying to do something stupid. If I wanted to explore gigantic natural protuberances, I decided, I’d just…

Ball State University Board of Trustees are pictured during the vote to pass the new resolution to appoint a new school board for MCS. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Education March 17, 2022

Muncie Mayor Announces His Picks for Muncie Community Schools Board

By Tony Sandleben— MUNCIE, Ind. – With two seats on the Muncie Community Schools (MCS) School Board set to be open soon, Mayor Ridenour is announcing the names of the people he is planning to send to Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns for consideration for one of those seats. Those people are Carisa Aguilar, Brittany Bales and Dr. Amy M. Baize-Ward. Dr. Ward is the current Vice Chancellor of Student Success at Ivy Tech Community College. She has a Master’s…

Asia Wyatt was awarded the 2019 Patrick C. Botts Youth of the Year award at the 2020 Great Futures Dinner.

Non-Profit March 17, 2022

Boys & Girls Club of Muncie to Host Great Futures Dinner on March 31st

By Zack Hansen— MUNICE, IN—At Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie, inspiring our Club members is a part of our mission. When we inspire our Club members and foster a safe, supportive environment, we are giving them a chance to thrive. Celebrating the accomplishments and talents of our Club members is key to enabling their success and growth as individuals. On Thursday, March 31st, Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie will celebrate our Club members at The Great Futures Dinner…

March and April are particularly active months for tornadoes and severe weather. Photo by story blocks.

Government March 16, 2022

This Week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week

By John Herrik, Network Indiana— STATEWIDE–No severe weather is expected in the immediate future, but the National Weather Service says now is the time to have a plan in place for your family and business. This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week. “Once we get into this time of year, the chances for severe storms go up. The chances for tornadoes go up. Indiana has had a long history of tornadoes in March and especially April,” said Randy Bowers, meteorologist…