Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo provided

Non-Profit June 18, 2021

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards More Than $3.3 Million in First Round of 2021 Grants

By Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN— In its first round of grants for 2021, Ball Brothers Foundation’s Board of Directors approved more than $3.3 million in funding, including COVID-19 vaccine distribution and messaging support to local health organizations, and recovery and rebuilding support to Delaware County schools. The COVID-19 vaccination support totals $250,000, with grants awarded to Ball State University, Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Office of Information, IU Health Foundation, Meridian Health Services and Open Door Health Services. These…

Read More
If it ever was a good idea, thumbing a ride isn’t smart anymore. Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson June 18, 2021

John Carlson: Thumbing a Ride? Forget It

By John Carlson— You don’t see a lot of folks hitchhiking anymore. That’s a good thing these days, when crime, cruelty and general nuttiness seem to sprout hereabouts like mushrooms on a dank forest floor. Back in the 1960s and ‘70s, though, lots of people hitchhiked. They came in all ages, but I’d wager most of those hitchhikers were kids, on the road and looking for whatever kids on the road hoped to find. Adventure. Self-enlightenment. Sex, drugs and rock…

Photo provided

Non-Profit June 18, 2021

Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Awarded Multi-Year Grant from Ball Brothers Foundation

By Dominic Bordenaro, Data & Marketing Coordinator, Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie— Muncie, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie is honored to have received a grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation totaling $300,000 over two years. This grant will help offset operating costs and allow the Clubs to pursue two goals set for the next two years: continue to provide great out of school time programs through ourYouth Development Professionals and strategically place the Clubs in a position…

Rebecca Slezak. Photo provided

We Fly June 18, 2021

Ball State University Graduate Rebecca Slezak Earns Second Place At 2021 National Hearst Journalism Championships

By BSU Marketing & Communications— Muncie, IN – A recent Ball State University graduate has been recognized by one of the nation’s top collegiate journalism awards programs. Rebecca Slezak, who in May graduated from Ball State’s College of Communication, Information, and Media, recently was awarded second place in the photojournalism category of the 61st annual National Hearst Journalism Championships. Slezak excelled in her championship assignment, “Chaotic Normalcy,” in which she was tasked with documenting the “new normal that represents the…

The Buyer's Market north entrance. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business June 17, 2021

Buyer’s Market Opens Friday Morning at Muncie Mall

By Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce— Muncie, IN —Buyer’s Market, LLC, an off-price retailer, announces new Buyer’s Market location to open Friday, June 18th at 9:30AM in Muncie. Located at 3700 N. Barr Street in the Muncie Mall, customers will find over 60,000 square feet of name brand merchandise at incredible savings. Buyer’s Market purchases secondary market goods from major brands and retailers. Merchandise may include overstock, insurance salvage, customer returns, out of season goods, bankruptcies, and more. Merchandise is…

Photo by Amanda Kishel featuring Brynn Allison-Harty

Entertainment June 16, 2021

Muncie Civic’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ Cast Includes YOU

By Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—Follow the Yellow Brick Road – or Walnut Street – to Muncie Civic Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz June 17-20 at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. The family fun – which will include food trucks, a hot air balloon and a book giveaway – will begin each evening at 7.pm This is a “Wizard of Oz” production like none other, according to director Bridget Duggleby. “I like the challenge of taking a well-known story…

The court’s Wellness and Recovery Shoppe is stocked with household items, cleaning supplies, books, toys, clothing, kitchen supplies, and more. Photo provided.

Non-Profit June 15, 2021

Delaware County Family Recovery Court to Celebrate Program Graduates

By Miles Hill, Delaware County CASA, Staff Advocate— Muncie, IN—On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, the Delaware County Family Recovery Court will honor the two most recent participants to complete the program with a graduation ceremony. The graduates will add two to the program’s total graduate count of six. The Delaware County Family Recovery Court has been helping families who have been affected by substance use disorder since July 2019. The court operates under Circuit Court 2 with Judge Kimberly Dowling and…

Wizard of Oz cast members Lion, Scarecrow, Dorthy, Tin Man and the Wicked Witch promoting summer reading book giveaway. Photo by: Stacy Wheeler.

Non-Profit June 15, 2021

Free Books for Children and Teens at Weekend ‘Wizard of Oz’ Performances

By Akilah Nosakhere and  Susan Fisher from Muncie Public Library, Brittany Covert and Bridget Duggleby from Muncie Civic Theatre, and Stacy Wheeler from Classroom Connections of ECI— Muncie, IN—Muncie Civic Theatre (MCT) is partnering with Muncie Public Library and Classroom Connections of East Central Indiana to distribute free books at upcoming performances of The Wizard of Oz at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Classroom Connections of ECI (formerly the Back To School Teachers Store) recently received tens of thousands of…

From left to right: Marcus Logan, Nevaeh Orr, and Da’Marion Walker

Education June 15, 2021

Community Foundation Announces More 2021 Scholarship Recipients

By Kallie Sulanke— Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients – Marcus Lane Logan, a senior at Wapahani High School, is the recipient of the Sue Harris Unsung Hero Scholarship. Marcus plans to attend Ball State University to study environmental science. He is the son of Mark and Billie Logan. Nevaeh Orr, a student at Ball State University, is the recipient of the Patricia K. and Franklyn D. Brinkman, Sr. Nursing Scholarship. Nevaeh is studying nursing. Da’Marion Walker, a senior at…

Photo provided by Project Leadership

Education June 15, 2021

21st Century Scholarship Deadline Is June 30th for Delaware County Students

By Project Leadership— Muncie, IN—Just two weeks remain for Delaware County students to enroll in a state program that can help them pay for college. And help is available to get enrolled. Project Leadership works each year to enroll Delaware County students into the state of Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars program. The Scholars program started in 1990 and is an early- college promise program designed to help ensure that every Indiana student can afford the opportunity provided by a college education….