Articles by Mike Rhodes

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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….

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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…

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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…

What could be more fun than watching the annual bed race? Photo provided

We Fly October 14, 2021

‘Fly Your Way Back Home:’ Ball State Celebrating Homecoming Oct. 18-23

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University is celebrating 95 years of Homecoming next week, with festivities beginning Monday, Oct. 18, through the Cardinal football team’s Oct. 23 home matchup against rival Miami University at Scheumann Stadium. The theme for this year’s Homecoming is “Fly Your Way Back Home,” an appropriate sentiment after the challenges of the past couple years, according to Michelle Johnson, Director of Alumni Engagement, Student, Young Alumni, and Athletics Programs at the…

Nearly 3 million grandparents in America are currently taking the lead caregiving role in raising their grandchildren.

Non-Profit October 14, 2021

LifeStream and YMCA Partner for Kinship Caregiver Resources Drive-Thru

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, Ind.—LifeStream Services and the YMCA of Muncie invite adults caring for a child relative (a niece, nephew, grandchild, etc.) to the Kinship Resources Drive-Thru. Attendees will receive valuable resources and items to assist in the caregiving of the child(ren) including shelf stable food, books, information on local resources, and more. The Kinship Resources Drive-Thru is on Friday, November 5 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at the YMCA of Muncie Downtown branch located at 500 S. Mulberry St….

First Merchants headquarters in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business October 14, 2021

First Merchants Names Chad Kimball SVP, Chief Risk Officer

By First Merchants— 20-year veteran to strengthen security and protection efforts for multiple stakeholders MUNCIE, Ind. – First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) announced Chad Kimball as its new senior vice president and chief risk officer. He will be responsible for the Bank’s enterprise risk management program that supports First Merchants’ strategies. Along with overseeing the company’s governance and strategy for risk management and compliance, including relationships with key regulators and supervisory institutions, he will work to ensure multiple stakeholders remain…

Photo by Jasmine Burris.

Entertainment October 13, 2021

Pink Leaf: A Learning Company to Hold Community Classes on October 19th

By Rachel Combs— MUNCIE, Ind.— Pink Leaf: A Learning Company is adding more community classes beginning on October 19th with Pumpkin Everything!, a family-friendly cooking class featuring all pumpkin dishes and taught by local chef and culinary arts instructor, Christiana Mann. Pink Leaf now offers a variety of classes including cooking, sewing, crocheting and more. Each class is taught by an industry professional and provides all materials needed for a fun and engaging learning experience. Costs vary per class depending on…

United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties and United Way of Madison County are now merged as a single, regional United Way, known as Heart of Indiana United Way.

Non-Profit October 12, 2021

Heart of Indiana United Way to Kick Off Annual Campaign with ‘Give From the Heart Challenge’ 

By Kim Williams, CFRE— EAST CENTRAL INDIANA – Heart of Indiana United Way will kick off their annual campaign to the public with a 5-day virtual Give from the Heart Challenge October 18-22. The goal of the challenge is to raise financial support for and awareness of Heart of Indiana United Way’s impact in each of the counties they serve. Each day of the 5-day challenge will be focused on one of the following counties – Delaware, Madison, Henry, Randolph, and…