Articles by Mike Rhodes

Muncie Central’s Kate Hughes Receives Ball Brothers Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award

She becomes third MCS teacher in last four years to win the award By Andy Klotz—  MUNCIE, IN– Muncie Central Social Studies teacher Kate Hughes has been honored with the Ball Brothers Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award, given annually to one Delaware County classroom teacher who motivates students through critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and collaboration. The award recipient is also recognized for displaying integrity, responsibility to their community and a willingness to go the extra mile for students while inspiring students and colleagues alike. “Kate’s ability to engage her students in unique experiential learning convinced us that she is a…

Read More

The Innovation Connector: More Than Just Office Space

By Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. is a business incubator and the only full-service entrepreneurial support organization in East Central Indiana. Although its facility is at the corner of West White River Blvd and Jackson Streets in Muncie, the Innovation Connector (commonly called the IC) is much more than a building – it is a dynamic hub of possibility. It is a place where, if you have an idea, a business, or a vision, the IC team helps you gain clarity, connections, and growth. By intentionally connecting people, resources, and opportunities,…


Robert Cooper Audubon Society Program On The ‘Civilian Conservation Corps.’ To Be Held on May 20

By Barb Stedman— MUNCIE, IN—At the Robert Cooper Audubon Society’s May 20 meeting, Liz Marthaler will give a presentation on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the impact this program had on national, state, and local park systems within the United States, including their impact on the Indiana State Park system. Marthaler, Assistant Property Manager at Mounds State Park, will also discuss issues that these CCC built parks are facing and one possible solution to those issues. The program, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. at Ball State University’s Environmental Education Center (aka “Nature Lab”)….


Farmers Market Returns to Minnetrista With New Features for 2026

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—The Farmers Market at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens has returned for the outdoor season. We invite the community to shop locally and connect with growers, makers, and artisans from across East Central Indiana. The outdoor Farmers Market will take place every Saturday from May through October, from 9 a.m. to noon, on Minnetrista’s campus in the main parking lot. Throughout the season, select market dates will also feature onsite blood drives with the Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, offering visitors an opportunity to support community health while attending the market. This season also introduces a new…


Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0 Coming to Emens Auditorium On November 13

By Haley Wade, Emens Auditorium— MUNCIE, IN– Young fans and their families nationwide are in store for even more adventure on the creature trail when the world-famous Kratt Brothers hit the road with an all-new stage adventure. Wild Kratts® LIVE 2.0 – Activate Creature Power®, the theatrical production starring Martin and Chris Kratt, based on the Emmy-nominated hit PBS KIDS series, will bring audiences along on a “wild” ride with a dynamic mix of live-action and animation. The stage show will be at Emens Auditorium in Muncie, Indiana on November 13, 2026. Tickets are now available. For information on how…


‘Art in Bloom’ Returns May 15–17 at Ball State University’s David Owsley Museum of Art

By Rachel Buckmaster— MUNCIE, IN—A Spring tradition continues at the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) as Art in Bloom  returns May 15-17 with floral interpretations inspired by works from the museum’s collection. The weekend begins with a free public Preview Party from 5–7 p.m. Friday, May 15, offering guests a first look at the floral arrangements. The reception will feature jazz by the Mark Buselli Trio, hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. The museum will then offer extended public hours from 1–5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, with no admission fee. DOMA is located at 2021 W. Riverside…


Camp Crosley YMCA Receives $6 Million Matching Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

By Kristen McConnell— MUNCIE, IN—The YMCA of Muncie, on behalf of Camp Crosley YMCA, has received a $6 million matching grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Capital Project Initiative for Residential Youth Camps. With the grant, the YMCA of Muncie will launch a $6 million capital campaign to fully leverage the matching funds, resulting in a total $12 million investment in Camp Crosley YMCA. This transformational effort will support significant capital improvements to enhance facilities and expand programming that strengthens youth development, outdoor education, and leadership opportunities. These improvements will position Camp Crosley to serve more youth and deepen…


Muncie Community Schools Nationally Recognized for Music Education

By Andy Klotz, APR— MUNCIE, IN— Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from The NAMM Foundation. The award recognizes individual schools and school districts all over the country for exemplary dedication to music education and ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education. The BCME program has existed for 27 years, and MCS is one of just 16 districts in Indiana to receive this special recognition. MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Dr. Chuck Reynolds, a lifelong musician and former Muncie Southside…


Delaware County Special Needs Prom to Welcome 1,000 Guests at Horizon Convention Center

Community leaders invited to exclusive pre-prom “A Suite Experience” highlighting ‘A Year of Belonging’ initiative By Mindy Kemper, Co-Founder, Special Needs Prom— MUNCIE, IN—Delaware County will once again celebrate inclusion, joy, and community connection with the return of the Delaware County Special Needs Prom Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Horizon Convention Center. The event is expected to welcome more than 1,000 attendees, including people with special needs, their families, caregivers, and volunteers from across the region. The Special Needs Prom has become one of the area’s most anticipated and impactful community events, offering a fully accessible, high-energy prom experience…


Connecting the Dots: How Muncie is Building Its Creative Corridor

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN— If you’ve spent time in downtown Muncie, you’ve seen that creativity is everywhere. It lives in performances at Muncie Civic Theatre, in the studios at MadJax Maker Force, in exhibitions at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, in monthly Arts Walks, and in the quiet inspiration found inside the Carnegie Library branch of the Muncie Public Library. It’s in the very architecture of the downtown buildings. These places have long been part of Muncie’s community identity. For years, however, these hubs of arts and culture operated more like individual destinations than a connected experience. That’s beginning…