Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo courtesy of Abby Hines.

Entertainment February 15, 2022

Muncie Symphony’s ‘A New World’ to Feature Solo From Award-Winning Violinist

By Bruno Reinert— MUNCIE, Ind. — On Feb. 26, Matthew Kraemer will conduct the Muncie Symphony Orchestra in a dynamic program capturing the American spirit. The concert will feature a solo award-winning violinist Rubén Rengel.  “A New World,” the penultimate concert in the Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s 2021-2022 season, will feature William Grant Still’s “Festive Overture,” Copland’s “Variation on a Shaker Melody,” Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9” (From the New World), and Barber’s “Violin Concerto,” which will feature Rengel as the soloist. Described…

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U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.)

Government February 15, 2022

U.S. Senator Todd Young Named ‘2022 Champion of Science’

By Senator Young Press Office— WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young was named a 2022 Champion of Science by The Science Coalition (TSC), a non-profit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research institutions. The award recognizes members of Congress whose actions and votes consistently reflect their commitment to federally-funded fundamental research. “I am honored to receive the Champion of Science Award from The Science Coalition. Increasing investment in STEM education and pivotal research…

Northwest. Banking made easy. Photo courtesy of Northwest Bank.

Business February 15, 2022

Northwest Bank Named One of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2022

By Melanie Clabaugh— WARREN, PA—Northwest Bank, a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2022. The annual list ranks the 500 midsize employers that received the most recommendations from a survey of 60,000 American workers. Northwest Bank is 80 on the overall list and is the third-highest ranked among 30 employers in the Banking and Financial Services category. “At Northwest, we’re…

Attendees view a map of Muncie neighborhoods during the IDEA conference. The attendees pinpointed where they live and where they love with a string connecting the two. Photo provided.

Non-Profit February 14, 2022

Neighborhood ARP Funding and Annual I.D.E.A. Conference Deadlines Approaching

By Heather Williams, MAP Task Force 2 Leader— MUNCIE, Ind.—Are you a Muncie resident and love where you live? Do you have dreams about how to improve the quality of life in your neighborhood? We need your help to make those hopes and dreams a reality. The City of Muncie allocated $1 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to support the work of our city’s neighborhood associations. The Muncie Action Plan (MAP) is the non-profit partner administering the funds…

The Young Men's Restoration Academy. Photo provided.

Non-Profit February 13, 2022

Young Men’s Restoration Academy to Present Black History Month Event at Cornerstone

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, Ind. – The Young Men’s’ Restoration Academy will present an evening of the spoken word celebrating Black History month with original work, writings, and speeches of significant black leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King. The program will take place from 5:30 – 8 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 20th  at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main St., Muncie. The evening presentation is FREE and open to the public. For more information about the event or the…

Photo by: iStockphoto

Entertainment February 11, 2022

Guest Etiquette Tips for The Big Football Game in Los Angeles

By: Sharon Schweitzer for the Muncie Journal— It’s the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams battling it out in LA on Sunday.  The big game tradition includes parties with lots of food, drink, conversation and of course, plenty of football.  So, how do you best get along with people pulling for the opposing team?  Are you required to bring something to the party?  Do you have to watch your language in the company of others? Sharon Schweitzer, an international…

Hawaiian shirts and loud shorts signal a “Dad bod” is hard at work. Photo by Nancy Carlson.

Carlson February 11, 2022

John Carlson: There’s a New Look to Handsome

By John Carlson— Just when you think the world is so screwed up you want to jump off, a story comes along that renews your faith, your spirit, and your hope for the future. Last week I was fortunate enough to encounter one of those stories. The headline read something like: “Dad bods now considered sexy.” All I could say to that was, “Eureka!!!” That’s because I have been working to perfect my Dad bod ever since I was six….

In the Muncie-Henry County service area, there are over 600 students eligible to take part in the Ivy Tech Cross the Finish Line initiative. Photo provided.

Education February 11, 2022

‘Cross the Finish Line’ With Ivy Tech

By Lesley DeVoss—  MUNCIE, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has partnered with Ivy Tech Community College for the Crossing the Finish Line initiative. The initiative was started in 2021 and served nearly 1,900 K-12 students across the state of Indiana during its initial year. In the Muncie-Henry County Campus’s service area, there are over 600 students eligible to take part in the Cross the Finish Line initiative. Through this initiative, tuition, books, fees, and a select few…

Racing simulator equipment that is available for and used by Ball State students. Photo provided by BSU.

Education February 10, 2022

Ball State University, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Announce Esports Partnership, Scholarships 

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) have announced a partnership that will provide unique and meaningful opportunities for students engaged in Ball State’s esports program. Among the key aspects of the partnership is the establishment of the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Scholarship, which will provide a $5,000 scholarship to two members of Ball State’s varsity esports team each year from the 2022-23 through 2025-26 academic years, advancing the…

The Muncie Mission is partnering with A Better Way and the YWCA Central Indiana to maintain the HUB as the Muncie Community’s first response for people facing homelessness. Photo by storyblocks.

Non-Profit February 10, 2022

AEP Foundation Supports Muncie Mission With $25,000 in Grants

By Corey Ohlenkamp— Two separate grants help the agency combat homelessness and provide community meals  MUNCIE, Ind.—Indiana Michigan Power, a subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), has announced two grants totaling $25,000 from the American Electric Power Foundation to the Muncie Mission to support its goal to provide critical services to those who are facing homelessness. A $20,000 grant will support the Mission’s role in enhancing Muncie’s HUB program. A separate grant of $5,000 will support the Mission’s meals…