Articles by Mike Rhodes

An example of a digital smart meter installed at a Muncie residence. File photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit January 10, 2022

United Way Supports ‘Friend to Friend’ Utility Assistance Fund

By Kim Williams, Vice President of Donor Relations— EAST CENTRAL INDIANA – Each year, frigid temperatures throughout the Heart of Indiana region produce large utility bills for local residents. Thousands of local families struggle to cover the cost of those bills and face the possibility of utility disconnection and the resulting loss of heat during the coldest months of the year. The Friend to Friend Utility Assistance Fund provides help to struggling local families at risk of losing heat in…

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This past summer, a group of teachers took part in an Educator Field Trip to Mursix Corporation. Photo by Kyra Zylstra.

Education, Non-Profit January 9, 2022

Paid Teacher Learning and Exploration—Educator ‘Maker in Residence’ at Madjax

By Madeleine Mills-Craig— MUNCIE, Ind. – Calling all teachers and educators! Is there a topic you are excited to explore to bring new insights and real-life application to your classroom? Have your students ever asked, “Why do I need to know this” or “When will I ever use this”?  We have the perfect opportunity for you to lead your own educational project the way you want to. Bring your interests and build collaborations with other educators, gain access to new…

When pitching Eau De Toilette, a man must know his own tastes. Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson January 7, 2022

John Carlson: Meatier Scent Preferred

By John Carlson— The other night my wife and I are watching TV when this skinny guy with a weird haircut appears on the screen playing power chords on an electric guitar, so I ask Nancy a question. “Who’s the twerp?” In answering, her eyes flash a two-part look, the first part threatening. Directed at me, it is nothing less than a withering glance that questions how she could have stayed married to such a classless jackass as yours truly…

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government January 6, 2022

Muncie Mayor Says ‘DEBT is Down and CASH is Up’

By Tony Sandleben, Director of Communications, City of Muncie— MUNCIE, Ind. – Using his banking background and with the help of many dedicated employees, in the first two years of Mayor Ridenour’s Administration, the Muncie Redevelopment Commission (MRC) has avoided borrowing and has instead focused on paying cash for projects if possible. The result of the mayor’s first two years (2020 and 2021) show MRC has reduced debt totals by $6.7 million dollars from just over $58 million to $51.7 million….

The Patterson Building. Photo by Matt Howell

Business January 6, 2022

Alliance Magazine: Muncie’s Downtown Revitalization Ramps Up

From Alliance Magazine— Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt of an article that appears in the Winter 2022 Edition of Alliance Magazine, published by the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. A PDF of the entire article and full Winter 2022 Edition of the magazine can be viewed at the link at the very bottom of this article.  MUNCIE, Ind.—The Muncie-Delaware County Visitors Bureau’s move to South Walnut Street joins an eminent recreational facility at Accutech, and Patterson Block Muncie, a new…

Photo provided

Education, Non-Profit January 5, 2022

Community Foundation Scholarship Applications are Now Available

By Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— MUNCIE, Ind.—Delaware County high school seniors and current college students can apply for scholarships now through March 1. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County manages more than 50 scholarships. Scholarship awards totaling more than $200,000 benefit students each year. Students should visit DelawareCountyScholarships.com to begin their application. WHO CAN APPLY? Requirements vary from scholarship to scholarship. Most scholarships offered are available for high school seniors in Delaware County, Ind. Some scholarships are…

Image courtesy of the American Heart Association

Health January 5, 2022

Top 10 Cardiovascular Research Accomplishments in 2021

By Tim Harms, American Heart Association— Risk factors, treatments, COVID complications among top heart, stroke science INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — While COVID-19 vaccines and variants continued to capture health headlines, a number of significant scientific research breakthroughs offered promising news in the fight against heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular risk factors. The American Heart Association, the largest non-governmental funder of heart and stroke related research in the United States, has been compiling an annual list of major advances in heart disease…

Scott Smalstig (green shirt) guides TeenWorks kids on the fine art of operating a line marker device on a ball field. Photo provided

Non-Profit January 4, 2022

TeenWorks Now Accepting Applications for Summer Jobs Program

By Emily Hitchcock— MUNCIE, Ind.—TeenWorks, a local non-profit working to empower teens to achieve excellence in community, college, and career is now accepting applications for the 2022 Summer Jobs Program. The organization is looking to hire 100 teens who are interested in earning wages, developing their professional skill set, and working alongside friends! This program will run June 15th through July 22nd and is a great opportunity for students to gain experience, acquire new skills, and build their resumes. Students hired…

MAP Task Force 2 composite by Megan Orbin

Non-Profit January 4, 2022

Muncie Action Plan Task Force 2 Grows Strong Neighborhood Associations

By Heather Williams— MUNCIE, Ind. – The Muncie Action Plan (MAP) spent much of 2021 in partnership with representatives from Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission and NEXT Muncie surveying Muncie’s citizens and working with the urban planning firm czb in the development of the new Strategic Investment Plan for the City of Muncie The last large-scale MAP planning took place in 2009 and although two updates have been completed since, we are excited to put into place the newest large-scale engagement effort where Muncie’s residents…

Deb Rolli is the facilitator of the Commonway Church GriefShare program. Photo by Allison Robbins

Health January 3, 2022

Muncie-Area Church Members Come Together to Lighten the Load of Loss Through ‘GriefShare’

By K. Aleisha Fetters— MUNCIE, Ind.—Grief is a hard journey. But it’s one that Muncie church members are increasingly walking together. They are doing so through the aptly named GriefShare, a grief recovery support program that is helping people in the US, Canada, and more than 10 other countries find meaning and rebuild their lives following the loss of friends, family members, and loved ones. “GriefShare provided me a lifeline during my time of loss,” says Cheyrl McCoy, a former participant….