Articles by Mike Rhodes

Now Accepting Nominations For The 2022 David Sursa Leadership Award

Non-Profit February 20, 2022

Now Accepting Nominations For The 2022 David Sursa Leadership Award

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind. – The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are being accepted for the annual David Sursa Leadership Award. The award rewards, recognizes, and encourages extraordinary leadership by a nonprofit board member in Delaware County. Standing behind the belief that every community benefits from leaders who understand local issues and visualize and promote positivity, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County established the David Sursa Leadership Award in honor of the organization’s founding president. David Sursa blazed the trail for The Community Foundation with visionary leadership that has contributed significantly to its success….

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Muncie Civic Delivers ‘Newsies’ This Month

Entertainment February 20, 2022

Muncie Civic Delivers ‘Newsies’ This Month

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, Ind. – Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Busy family reconnects through Muncie Civic musical “Newsies!” For the Melham family, Muncie Civic has been the perfect way for this family to share some time – and a bunch of dance steps – together. Kalyn Melham, 20, has been in other Civic productions and suggested the group effort for “Newsies “During one of our conversations about her [Civic] experiences, she said, ‘Mom, there are sometimes families who do shows together, maybe you guys could sometime’,” Lynnea Melham recalled. “I told her that because of my work schedule…

Rigel Jackson’s ‘Empowering 40 Women, 40 Years and Over’ Project Showcases Local Women

Positivity February 18, 2022

Rigel Jackson’s ‘Empowering 40 Women, 40 Years and Over’ Project Showcases Local Women

By Rigel Jackson— MUNCIE, Ind.—Photographing 40 women, 40 years of age and over, is not a new idea in the portrait photography world. However, I wanted to do MY version of it in a way that is meaningful to me and congruent with who I am, and what I believe— that all women are valuable and beautiful, strong and resilient, with so much potential for good and incredible power to change their world. Empowered Portraits was the result. My intention is to empower women to be who they are, right now. I want women to celebrate themselves and how far…

John Carlson: Where’s the Droning Noise?

Carlson February 18, 2022

John Carlson: Where’s the Droning Noise?

By John Carlson— We seem to be living in the Era of Drones, a time when those remotely controlled flying machines are used for everything from firing missiles and clocking speeders to aerial surveys and offshore shark patrols. That’s why I got one. Well, OK, I didn’t actually get one. I was given a drone by my friend at Ball State University, Dean Paaige Turner. Why? It might have something to do with BSU’s “We Fly” campaign. Either that, or it was in grateful recognition of my selfless efforts as a journalism student long ago to contribute huge sums of…

Local Legislators Recognize Muncie Organizations Benefitting Afghan Refugees

Government February 17, 2022

Local Legislators Recognize Muncie Organizations Benefitting Afghan Refugees

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— INDIANAPOLIS—State Representatives Sue Errington (D-Muncie) and Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) recognized Muncie-based Bibi Bahrami,  the  Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee (MARRC), and the Afghan Women’s and Kid’s Education and Necessities (AWAKEN) organization for their dedication and service to the Afghan refugees who made Indiana their home last summer. “For their safety and security, thousands of Afghan refugees had to flee their homes and navigate a new life in America. Most arrived in Indiana with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, and MARRC stepped in right away to help many families transition to Delaware County. The support, compassion…

State Accepting Nominations for Governor’s Century, Half Century Business Awards

Government February 17, 2022

State Accepting Nominations for Governor’s Century, Half Century Business Awards

By Melissa Thomas (IEDC)— INDIANAPOLIS  – The State of Indiana is currently accepting nominations for the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards, which honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for at least 100 or 50 years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to serve the community. Qualifying criteria are as follows: The business must have had continuous operations in Indiana for 100 or 50 years by Dec. 31, 2021. The business must have participated in the same line of work for the duration of its operations. If different, an explanation of the evolution into the current business must be…

Heart of Indiana United Way to Provide 0,000 in Bridge Funding to Local Organizations  

Non-Profit February 16, 2022

Heart of Indiana United Way to Provide $300,000 in Bridge Funding to Local Organizations  

By Kim Williams— EAST CENTRAL Ind. – Heart of Indiana United Way is granting $300,000 in emergency relief support called “Bridge Funding” to local organizations in order to help bridge the gap between the end of United Way’s Emergency Relief Initiative (ERI) funding and the start of the organization’s next funding cycle. Bridge funding will be distributed to multiple organizations throughout the five counties served which include: Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Madison, and Randolph.  Heart of Indiana United Way distributed ERI funding during the COVID 19 pandemic to address the pressing needs and hardships of local families impacted by the pandemic. Organizations…

Ball State University Foundation Announces Inaugural ‘Top 100 Student Awards’ List

Education February 16, 2022

Ball State University Foundation Announces Inaugural ‘Top 100 Student Awards’ List

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State University Foundation has revealed the recipients of the University’s inaugural “Top 100 Student Awards.” This award recognizes 100 outstanding junior and senior undergraduates who represent the spirit of Beneficence, Ball State’s institutional statue and icon that symbolizes the generosity of the five Ball brothers whose land donation to the State of Indiana allowed the University to flourish. The complete list of Ball State’s 2022 Top 100 Students can be found on the Foundation’s website. “After a thorough nomination and selection process, the Ball State University Foundation is proud to present…

Madjax Celebrates Super ‘Twos Day’ With Family Activities and STEM Giveaways

Non-Profit February 16, 2022

Madjax Celebrates Super ‘Twos Day’ With Family Activities and STEM Giveaways

By Madeleine Mills-Craig— MUNCIE, Ind. – Looking for fun activities to do with your kids and family? Madjax is hosting Super “Twos Day” as a chance to explore, discover and create with mini maker workshops and STEM giveaways. Madjax is excited to celebrate this unique day and offer workshops, tours and demonstrations completely free to the public.  “We believe that curiosity and exploration help fuel the work of the future,” said Kyra Zylstra, director of Future of Work at Madjax. “Maker and STEM exploration stations will provide the opportunity to create, design, and build. These interactive activities are created and…

Heeter Family Commits Significant Gift to Ball State Scholarships and Athletics

Education February 15, 2022

Heeter Family Commits Significant Gift to Ball State Scholarships and Athletics

By The BSU Foundation— MUNCIE, Ind. – Dave and Deb Heeter, both of whom are graduates of Ball State University, have made a generous commitment of $1 million to support their alma mater. Mr. Heeter is Executive Vice President for Northwest Bank. He also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of MutualFirst Financial, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of MutualBank from 2003 until 2020 “We owe a debt of gratitude to Ball State,” Mr. Heeter said. “Our educations gave us opportunities that have allowed us to give back to our community. We want to make sure that future…