Articles by Mike Rhodes

Kalyn Melham Crowned 2nd Runner Up. Photo provided by Mark DiFabio

Business April 16, 2022

Kalyn Melham Crowned 2nd Runner Up in Miss Indiana State Fair Queen Contest

By Mark DiFabio, Immediate Past President of the Delaware County Fair Board— DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind.—”Good things come to those who wait!” Kalyn Melham, Miss Delaware county fair queen 2021 knows how true those words are. On April 10, Melham was crowned second runner up at this year’s Miss Indiana State Fair queen contest in Indianapolis. The contest was originally scheduled for early January, but due to the pandemic not only was it postponed but the previous year’s contest was cancelled altogether. Not all…

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A young girl learns ballet at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Photo provided.

Non-Profit April 14, 2022

Cornerstone Center for the Arts Celebrates End of Semester April 24

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, Ind.– Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main St., is hosting a celebration of the end of spring classes with a Spring Festival, Sunday, April 24 from 2-5pm featuring dance performances and art demonstrations. Performances will begin at 2:15pm. The celebration is free and open to the public. Masks are recommended, but not required for visitors in attendance.  “Our end-of-semester celebrations are a chance for our students to showcase what they have learned over the…

Hunter Smith photo courtesy of colts.com

Non-Profit April 14, 2022

YMCA of Muncie to Provide Good Friday Breakfast With Guest Speaker, Hunter Smith

By Kristen McConnell— MUNCIE, Ind.— The YMCA of Muncie is offering a FREE Good Friday Breakfast on April 15th, open to the community, with the goal of bringing us together on common ground for prayer, encouragement and reflection. The featured guest speaker, Hunter Smith, is a former punter for the Indianapolis Colts, receiving numerous honors during his 10 years with the franchise. The Colts recorded the best record of any NFL team during this decade, (2000-2010) highlighted by a Super…

Photo provided

Non-Profit April 13, 2022

Madjax Named Inaugural Stanley Black and Decker Grant Recipient

By Emily Helms— MUNCIE, Ind.— Stanley Black & Decker has announced the recipients of its first “Empower Makers” Global Impact Challenge. Sustainable Muncie/Madjax is honored to have been named as a Makers Grant Recipient for our efforts to create a place where makers, artists, entrepreneurs, and businesses can come together to make a bright future. Initiated in 2021, the Global Impact Challenge grant program will award up to $25 million in grant funding over the next five years to non-profits…

V!VA Winners from the 2017 awards presentation held at the Horizon Convention Center. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit April 13, 2022

2022 VIVA Reservations Now Open

By Kate Stoss— MUNCIE, Ind.—The 2022 VIVA Awards will take place on Tuesday, April 26th from 11:30am-1pm at the Horizon Convention Center. Please reserve your seat at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-vva-awards-tickets-224676502467 The VIVA Awards were developed as a gift to the Muncie community in 1993 by the Muncie Rotary Club to recognize Delaware County’s proud volunteer heritage. The awards were named VIVA for Very Important Volunteer Award. Up to five individuals will be recognized with the traditional VIVA Award for their volunteer efforts…

Muncie Central High School student Zachariah Jones. Photo provided

Education April 12, 2022

Muncie Central HS Student to Speak at ‘State of the Child’ Conference

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, Ind.—Ask 17-year-old Zachariah Jones what he’s most thankful for in his young life and the list starts with God and his mother. That’s really all you need to know about him. But there’s more you’ll want to know. “In times of adversity, not listening to what society has to say is key,” says the Muncie Central senior. “Knowing who I am, and who God called me to be. I do not have to follow the crowd. I…

Madjax, located at Madison and Jackson streets in downtown Muncie.

Entertainment April 12, 2022

World ART Day Celebrated at Madjax on April 15th

By Debra Gindhart Dragoo, Madjax artist in residence and community arts advocate— MUNCIE, Ind.—Join Madjax as we celebrate World Art Day 2022 featuring Nash Hammond music and our talented artists and makers on April 15, 2022 from  4-8pm. World ART Day is an international celebration of the fine arts which was declared by the International Association of Art in order to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide. It is celebrated on April 15th, the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci. Celebrate Leanardo…

An MCS student gives the photographer a great smile. Photo provided

Education April 11, 2022

MCS Open Enrollment for 2022-23 Begins Today

By Andy Klotz— Kindergarten/Pre-K Registration Fair to be held April 14 MUNCIE, Ind. – Enrollment for all new and returning students for the 2022-23 school year begins today, April 11th at Muncie Community Schools (MCS). Parents and guardians are invited to visit any MCS building to get assistance with registering their children. They can visit anytime during the school day throughout the rest of this school year with special additional hours of 4 to 6 p.m. this evening. In order…

John Carlson was all smiles after White Castle sent the entire team White Castle gift packs. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Carlson April 11, 2022

Calling Hours, Memorial Services and More for John Carlson

Calling Hours and Memorial Service for John Carlson: Calling hours will be on Monday, April 18th from 1:00-4:00 pm at Meeks Mortuary (415 East Washington Street, Muncie.) The memorial service will be on Tuesday, April 19th at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (900 West White River Blvd, Muncie.)  Additional calling hours will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church before the service from 10:00 – 11:00 am. John spent decades writing for us. Here’s a chance for you…

John Carlson is pictured writing one of his MuncieJournal.com columns using his iPad. Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson April 8, 2022

John Carlson: A Life Filled With Wonderment

Editor’s note: This is John Carlson’s last column for MuncieJournal.com. We are very, very saddened to report John passed away peacefully last night at his home.  John brought happiness to so many, many people with his columns and books during a journalistic career that spanned decades in East Central Indiana. He wrote this last column for us about one week ago. Like so much of his writing, it is a poignant, inspirational, and timely story. Information about services for John are below.  Our hearts…