Articles by Mike Rhodes

Under a bedsheet is no place for a beloved motorcycle. Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson October 22, 2021

John Carlson: Motorcycling Into The Sunset

By John Carlson— A guy knows he’s reached those “golden years” when his wife says he should sell his motorcycle, and for the very first time, he doesn’t joke that he’d rather be dead. I’ve owned motorcycles for forty-six years. But since turning sixty-five, spinal surgeries have prevented me from enjoying my beloved Harley-Davidson as it is intended. A sweet-looking 1200 cc Sportster Sport, it has been resting under a sheet for a long time. Now Nancy wants to do…

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Kids Participating in the BSU Chase Charlie - Kiddie 100 Dash. Photo by Eric Klosterman.

Education October 20, 2021

Free Books for Kids at Ball State Homecoming’s Chase Charlie – Kiddie 100 Dash Event

By Eric Klosterman from Ball State’s Sport Administration Program and Stacy Wheeler from Classroom Connections of ECI — MUNCIE, Ind.—The 21st Annual Chase Charlie Kiddie 100 Dash is partnering with local non-profit Classroom Connections of East Central Indiana (CCECI) to distribute books to children and families during the Saturday, October 23rd Ball State University homecoming football game against Miami. “Books in the home profoundly impact children and teens, especially when books are theirs to keep,” said Stacy Wheeler, Executive Director…

We Fly October 20, 2021

The Washington Post’s Hannah Dreier Named 2021 Ball State School of Journalism National Writing Award Recipient

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Ind. – The School of Journalism and Strategic Communication is pleased to announce that The Washington Post reporter Hannah Dreier is the recipient of the 2021 Ball State University School of Journalism National Writing Award. Ms. Dreier’s winning feature, “The Worst-Case Scenario,” highlights the growing problem of police shootings during mental health crisis calls in the city of Huntsville, Alabama. Judges praised the piece as an example of “relentless reporting,” with a “literary…

Entertainment October 20, 2021

Mike Martin To Perform at Elm Street On October 23rd

By FM Live— MUNCIE, Ind.—Muncie native and local artisan Mike Martin returns home with a new album of the same name. Martin has spent most of the last decade on the road with his band The Beautiful Mess, making time to come home in the off season to work on what he refers to as his “community punk rock grocery store” here in Muncie, The Common Market.  After being voted ‘Country Americana Band of The Year’ in Charleston, SC in…

The Chameleon Crew as photographed at the entrance of the Guardian Brewing Company. Photo provided.

Non-Profit October 19, 2021

‘Shear Diversity Hair Show’ Supports High-Need Students

By: Erin Moore, Metanoia Foundation Board Member— MUNCIE, Ind.—Last month, Muncie entrepreneur Krista Sides welcomed the first class of students at the Chameleon College of Beauty Culture, a venture designed to help under-resourced individuals access a structured path out of poverty by acquiring skills in beauty culture. On October 22, the college will host the Shear Diversity Hair Show at Muncie Civic Theatre to raise funds for scholarships for high-need students. The high-energy celebration will feature the talents of multiple…

Photo provided.

Entertainment October 19, 2021

Cornerstone Center for the Arts Presents a Variety of Halloween Shindigs This Year

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, Ind. – Not content to rest on its laurels, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main St., has added a Halloween Variety Show to its October lineup. The show is scheduled from 6-9 p.m., Friday Oct. 29th, in the E.B. Ball Auditorium. It is a combination costume and musical performance event, following Cornerstone’s first-ever Open Mic Night, Oct. 4.  Approximately 40 people attended, and listened to nine different performers, according to Event Producer Jonathon Bennett….

The Mayor’s Arts Awards will occur on Friday, November 12th, 2021 at 7:30 PM at Sursa Performance Hall.

Non-Profit October 18, 2021

2021 Muncie Mayor’s Arts Awards Nominees Announced

By Erin Williams— MUNCIE, Ind.—The office of Mayor Ridenour and the Muncie Arts and Culture Council are excited to announce the nominees for the 2021 Mayor’s Arts Awards.  This will be the 4th biennial celebration recognizing the exceptional contributions made to our cultural community by individuals and organizations. The Mayor’s Arts Awards will occur on Friday, November 12th, 2021 at 7:30 PM at Sursa Performance Hall on the Ball State University Campus, followed by a public Community Reception in the…

Photo provided

Entertainment October 18, 2021

PlySpace To Present ‘Touching the Stove Coil’ by Artist Camila Ortiz

By Sarah Shaffer— MUNCIE, Ind.—PlySpace, the artist in residence program of the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) presents a one-night only artist talk and performance by PlySpace Resident, Camila Ortiz on Thursday, October 21 at 6:30 pm in the PlySpace Gallery. Ortiz will perform “touching the stove coil”, a collection of songs she created during the month of October while at PlySpace. The songs are explorations of personal and family histories interwoven with scenes from her time in Muncie,…

An aerial view of the property and lake as photographed on December 4, 2020. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government October 16, 2021

Muncie Closes on Property Purchase, Acquires 13 Acres for Urban Nature Park

By Tony Sandleben, City of Muncie Communications—  MUNCIE, Ind. – Mayor Ridenour and the City of Muncie have closed on a deal to acquire 13 more acres of land for a yet to be named park currently referred to as either Tillpond or Southwest Park on the city’s southwest side. This sale has been almost a year in the making. Mayor Ridenour announced the plan in early December of 2020. The $25,000 purchase is part of Mayor Ridenour’s push to…

This is NOT the ancient toilet that was uncovered by archeologists in Israel. Photo by Nancy Carlson.

Carlson October 15, 2021

John Carlson: No Buts About It, That’s Old!

By John Carlson— Every now and then, when you think 2021’s troubles with the pandemic, raging forest fires and global warming have become too much to bear, you encounter a story that makes you count your blessings. So, did you read about the 2,700-year-old toilet? I did. Ever since then I’ve felt pretty good about living now. Back in Israel 2,700 years ago, only the richest of the rich could afford toilets. This fact was supported by a recent archeological…