Articles by Mike Rhodes

Fifty-Year Old Women’s Stock Club Full of Muncie History

Non-Profit May 30, 2022

Fifty-Year Old Women’s Stock Club Full of Muncie History

By Patricia L Lang, Professor Emerita, Chemistry MUNCIE, Ind.—It’s not Plunder and Lunge. It’s Ponder and Plunge, a woman-only stock club in Muncie, Indiana. The name says it all, with emphasis on the PONDER part. The club recently celebrated 50 years of stock investment education. The club was founded in 1971 by four accomplished Muncie women: Esther Ball, Thelma Hiatt, Martha Wickham and Aline Emens. All of these women began as teachers and had remarkable careers. Esther Ball served the war effort as a cryptographer, for example. All were associated with Ball State University, in Muncie Indiana.  All were long-time members…

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New ‘Grow-a-Row Produce Donation Network’ in Delaware, Blackford, and Jay Counties

Non-Profit May 27, 2022

New ‘Grow-a-Row Produce Donation Network’ in Delaware, Blackford, and Jay Counties

By Lindsey Cox— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Food Council of East Central Indiana is spearheading a project this growing season in Delaware, Blackford, and Jay counties: Grow-a-Row. The project encourages local gardeners to donate excess garden produce to community partners that can distribute the produce to neighbors in need. Gardeners can purposefully Grow-a-row specifically for donation. Or, gardeners can also choose to donate their extra produce at the point in the summer when they’ve got so many veggies, they don’t know what to do with them all.  These can be home gardens, community gardens, school gardens, etc. Interested gardeners can indicate their…

Educators Lead STEM and Maker Programs at Madjax

Non-Profit May 27, 2022

Educators Lead STEM and Maker Programs at Madjax

By Kyra Zylstra— MUNCIE, Ind.—Robotics, drones, engineering, bookbinding, and more.  Join Madjax this summer for camps and workshops for students and families led by professional teachers. Camps will be held in Muncie and Anderson and will serve elementary through high school students and include options to learn as a family or with a mentor. Muncie Puppy Publications, June 13-27 Technology Career Exploration, June 27-30 Innovating with a Maker Mindset, July 11-14 Anderson Food Engineers, June 13-17 Robobusters, June 27-30 Drones and AgTech, July 18-21 The Muncie Technology and Engineering Network (MTEN), a regional collaboration between Madjax in Muncie and Purdue Polytechnic…

First Merchants Bank Named to 2022 List of ‘Great Employers to Work For’ in Indiana

Business May 27, 2022

First Merchants Bank Named to 2022 List of ‘Great Employers to Work For’ in Indiana

By First Merchants— Best Companies Group ranks Muncie-based bank 4th for superior work environment MUNCIE, Ind. – First Merchants Bank was ranked fourth in the list of the 2022 ‘Great Employers to Work For’ in Indiana by Best Companies Group, a BridgeTower Media Company. The honor considered a review of practices, programs and benefits, and anonymous employee surveys. BCG categorizes its winners in three separate groups: small, medium & large employer, which First Merchants Bank falls under the large Employer category (250 or more U.S. employees). “This recognition is another proof point of our commitment to a strong and welcoming…

Muncie Community Schools Recognizes Teachers of the Year for 2021-22

Education May 26, 2022

Muncie Community Schools Recognizes Teachers of the Year for 2021-22

By Andy Klotz— Support staff, Rising Stars, school partners also honored. MUNCIE, Ind. – Muncie Community Schools has named the 2021-22 Teachers of the Year at each of its schools. All award recipients were presented with commemorative plaques by their building principals and now become eligible for the overall district Teacher of the Year award, which will be presented at the start of the 2022-23 school year. “I can’t say enough about this group of outstanding educators,” MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “They dedicate themselves to going the extra mile to make sure students…

Minnetrista Announces Two Exciting New Summer Exhibits

Entertainment May 26, 2022

Minnetrista Announces Two Exciting New Summer Exhibits

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, Ind.— This summer at Minnetrista is set to be an exciting one. The Museum & Gardens has announced the opening of two new exhibits on Saturday, May 28. Shape ‘Scape—Design. Build. Play.  Become architects and bring your designs to life! Shape ‘Scape encourages teamwork, imagination, and play, enforcing the idea of our impact on the built world around us. Visitors will become architects with the opportunity to create the Minnetrista of the future! This highly interactive exhibit allows “design teams” to follow their ideas from beginning to end, designing and reimagining a Minnetrista for the next generation. Featuring…

Area West Point Graduate, New Appointees, and Summer Leaders Experience Selectees

Education May 26, 2022

Area West Point Graduate, New Appointees, and Summer Leaders Experience Selectees

By Nate LaMar— MUNCIE, Ind.— Captain Nate LaMar, Military Academy Liaison Officer for East-Central & Southeastern Indiana, announced the following regarding area residents graduating from or soon entering the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York: Benjamin Kinker, son of August & Nancy Kinker of Greensburg. A member of Oldenburg Academy’s Class of 2017, Benjamin majored in Business Management with a Systems Engineering track (minor). He graduated from West Point on May 21 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant (O-1) in the Regular Army as an Infantry officer, with his first assignment at Fort Riley, KS. The following…

East Central Indiana Robotics, Team 1720 Receives Grant

Non-Profit May 26, 2022

East Central Indiana Robotics, Team 1720 Receives Grant

By Frank Braswell— MATTHEWS, Ind.—East Central Indiana Robotics, Team 1720 the PhyXTGears recently received a $10,000 grant from the Give to Grant Cycle through The Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc. Thanks to this grant, East Central Indiana Robotics, Team 1720 the PhyXTGears is able to fund ongoing needs for registration and travel fees for robot competitions, and purchase robot parts. According to Meagan Mathias, Grants Manager for Community Foundation of Grant County: “The Community Foundation of Grant County is so pleased to provide this funding for East Central Indiana Robotics. From fueling students’ passions andlearning professionalism to participating in…

Cameras in the Courtroom: Woof Boom Radio Participates in a Pilot Program for News Outlets

Business May 25, 2022

Cameras in the Courtroom: Woof Boom Radio Participates in a Pilot Program for News Outlets

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, Ind.—What a difference a day makes. November 30, 2021 and earlier—Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17 holds that, “(e)xcept with prior approval of the Indiana Supreme Court, a judge shall prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recession between sessions …,” with exceptions. December 1, 2021—Judges in five Indiana courtrooms allow news media to use cameras and recorders under a four month pilot project announced by the Indiana Supreme Court, the Hoosier State Press Association, and the Indiana Broadcasters Association. The…

YMCA of Muncie Exceeds Annual Campaign Fundraising Goal

Non-Profit May 25, 2022

YMCA of Muncie Exceeds Annual Campaign Fundraising Goal

By Kristen McConnell— MUNCIE, Ind.—The YMCA of Muncie exceeded their annual campaign fundraising goal providing access to programs and opportunities to all in our community. Campaign Co-Chairs, Mark Foerster and Chris Walker, along with 70 volunteers, implemented a grass roots campaign that began in February with an in-person launch event and cumulatively raised over $173,000. Chris Walker, Campaign Co-Chair and Principal at Muncie Central High School, had this to say about the campaign, “The success of the annual campaign is a direct reflection of the value our community places on the YMCA. The Y is making our community better and everyone…