Articles by Mike Rhodes

Cornerstone Center of the Arts graphic by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit August 19, 2021

Restoration Work Has Begun On Cornerstone Center for the Arts Exterior

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, Ind.— Critical restoration work has begun on the upper floors of the west side of Cornerstone Center for the Arts (also known historically as the Masonic Temple) to stop water damage and bricks and mortar deterioration. The damage over the years has begun to impact not only the outside of the building but also hand-painted artwork inside. Some of the interior walls and a portion of the historic murals, 22 oil-on-canvas paintings, each 12 x 14 feet,…

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Vivian V. Conley

Non-Profit August 19, 2021

Coalition of Women’s Organizations To Host 29th Annual Women’s Equality Day Program

By WaTasha Barnes Griffin— MUNCIE, Ind. — The Coalition of Women’s Organizations will host its 29th annual Women’s Equality Day program at 5 p.m. Aug. 25, 2021 in the Muncie City Hall auditorium. The celebration will honor six local women who have made significant contributions to the community. This event will pay special tribute to Vivian V. Conley, who was at the forefront of many community issues relating to education, civil rights, and older residents, according to a release. Women’s Equality Day…

The official microphone of MuncieJournal.com—the dynamic cardioid Electrovoice model RE3020. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment August 19, 2021

LISTEN: Audio Review of Recent Stories from MuncieJournal.com, Episode 2

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, Ind.—If you follow our MuncieJournal.com Facebook page, you might have noticed a weekly video we experimented with for a while. The video reviewed MuncieJournal.com articles you may have missed. What we learned is—producing that weekly video became difficult to manage. Video is time consuming to produce. Audio is much faster and timely to produce, so I am going to try producing an audio review each week. Here’s the second one. It is about 6 minutes…

Photo by story blocks

Health August 19, 2021

HHS Public Health and Medical Experts Statement on COVID-19 Booster Shots

By Center for Disease Control and Prevention— ATLANTA. Georgia—Public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have released the following statement on the Administration’s plan for COVID-19 booster shots for the American people. The statement is attributable to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General; Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National…

Butterfield Road facility photo courtesy of calumetspecialty.com

Business August 18, 2021

Calumet Paralogics, LLC Expanding In Muncie-Delaware County

By Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— MUNCIE, Ind. – The Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance announced today that Calumet Paralogics, LLC, a specialty wax blending and packaging company, will expand operations in Muncie-Delaware County, Indiana. Calumet Paralogics will invest $2.7 million to add new equipment and capabilities in their current location at 301 S. Butterfield Rd. in Muncie. The investment will contribute to growth, including the addition of up to 20 new jobs at an average wage above the county average…

L-R: Special projects manager for the City of Muncie, Dustin Clark; Mayor Dan Ridenour; Deputy Mayor Richard Ivy; and the City of Muncie Controller Craig Wright are pictured with a check for the first release of funds, which totaled nearly $210,000.

Government August 17, 2021

First Wave of American Rescue Plan Funds Distributed to Local Restaurants

Editor’s note: On August 25th, the following additional restaurants received funding: 12th Street Café, Frozen Boulder, the Caffeinery, Twin Archers, Dumpling House. Red Apple, GGs, Queer Chocolatier, Macs on Batavia, Jimmy Johns on Martin Street and Guardian Brewery. MUNCIE, Ind. – The City of Muncie is proud to announce that funds for the first seven restaurants to be approved by an independent committee for the City of Muncie’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) have been distributed to help those affected by the COVID-19…

Ivy Tech Community College, Muncie, IN Photo provided by Ivy Tech.

Education August 17, 2021

Ivy Tech Community College To Host ‘Welcome Back Party’ on August 18th

By Jennifer Gasiorek— MUNCIE, Ind.—Ivy Tech will begin the Fall Semester on August 18. To celebrate the first day, the College is having a Welcome Back Party, August 18th from 4:00-7:00 PM. The Chameleon Brothers will be playing on the West Plaza of the Fisher Building at 325 S. High Street. There will be food, family fun activities, learn more about Ivy Tech’s programs, short-term certificates and degree offerings, and an opportunity to meet with local employers. The following companies…

Kari Wissel is pictured with some of the Muncie teens TeenWorks serves. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 17, 2021

TeenWorks, Inc. to Host 1st Annual TeenWorks Golf Tourney

By TeenWorks— Proceeds of the event will support the 2021-2022 year-round Pro program which serves 35 local teens, as well as the 100 teens anticipated to participate in the 2022 Summer program. MUNCIE, Ind.—TeenWorks, a central Indiana nonprofit dedicated to empowering teens to achieve excellence in community, college, and career, will host its 1st Annual TeenWorks Tourney at Maplewood Golf Course on Friday, September 17th. Participating community members will golf in groups of 4 and can register by contacting Regional…

Photos by Erskine Green Training Institute and Madjax.

Non-Profit August 16, 2021

How Local Organizations are ‘Flipping the Script’ on Workforce Development Efforts

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie and Delaware County have recently welcomed a multitude of economic development announcements rife with job opportunities. But the region has long faced a shortage of qualified workers—a shortage that was only further fueled by the pandemic. Ball Brothers Foundation recently made two grants to support local workforce development efforts, hoping to help Muncie to be more competitive and ready for post-pandemic ventures. “By partnering with a number of community organizations on workforce development…

“First Sonatas,” by Jung Sun Kang. Piano recital to be held at Cornerstone Center of the Arts. Photo provided

Entertainment, Non-Profit August 16, 2021

PlySpace Artist in Residence, Jung Sun Kang to Perform Piano Recital at Cornerstone

By Sarah Shaffer— MUNCIE, Ind.—PlySpace, the artist in residence program of The Muncie Arts and Culture Council is excited to announce “First Sonatas”, the artist talk and piano recital featuring PlySpace Artist in Residence, Jung Sun Kang. “First Sonatas” will take place in the E.B. Ball Auditorium of Cornerstone Center for the Arts on Friday, August 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. “First Sonatas” will serve as the world premiere of Kang’s sonata composed while at the PlySpace Artist Residency…