Articles by Mike Rhodes

John Carlson: Pho is Some Fine ‘Phood’

Carlson January 29, 2022

John Carlson: Pho is Some Fine ‘Phood’

By John Carlson— In this whole wide world, there are only two types of people: Those who know about pho, and those who don’t. Me? While I numbered myself among the former, until recently I had never actually eaten pho. So it was after my doctor’s appointment in Indy that Nancy – who had eaten pho – accompanied me to a little restaurant in the northeastern part of that city. Traveling there was proof positive of my desire to try pho, which I’d been intrigued by since seeing some featured on my main eating hero Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and…

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Muncie Central, Burris to Host Inaugural City of Champions Basketball Invitational

Entertainment January 28, 2022

Muncie Central, Burris to Host Inaugural City of Champions Basketball Invitational

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind.— Muncie’s two high schools, Muncie Central High School and Burris Laboratory School, have teamed up to host a one-day basketball invitational tournament on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the historic Muncie Fieldhouse. The inaugural City of Champions tournament, presented by Pizza King, will feature the boys’ basketball teams from Muncie Central, Burris, South Bend Adams and Greenfield Central. The tournament will kick off at 10 a.m. with a matchup between Muncie Central and Burris for the “City Championship.” South Bend Adams and Greenfield Central will follow, with tip-off around noon. The tournament’s consolation game will take…

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2021 Earnings and Quarterly Dividend

Business January 28, 2022

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2021 Earnings and Quarterly Dividend

By Northwest— COLUMBUS, Ohio—Northwest Bancshares, Inc., (the “Company”), (NasdaqGS: NWBI) announced net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 of $30.1 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.  This represents a decrease of $5.0 million, or 14.3%, compared to the same quarter last year when net income was $35.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted share.  The annualized returns on average shareholders’ equity and average assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 were 7.65% and 0.82% compared to 9.00% and 1.01% for the same quarter last year. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of…

That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody

Entertainment January 27, 2022

That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody

By Jennifer McGowen— MUNCIE, Ind. – ‘That Golden Girls Show!’ is a brand-new show that parodies classic Golden Girls moments – with puppets! Get set for an evening of cheesecake, laughter, jazzercise, shoulder pads, sex, and the elegant art of the quick-witted put down as That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody comes to Emens Auditorium on Thursday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody are currently on sale at the Emens box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 765-285-1539. From Sophia’s get-rich-quick schemes, to Rose’s tales from St Olaf, Blanche’s…

5 Ways to ‘Reclaim Your Rhythm’ During American Heart Month

Health January 27, 2022

5 Ways to ‘Reclaim Your Rhythm’ During American Heart Month

By Tim Harms— The American Heart Association encourages everyone to create healthy habits that give them the best chance at a longer, healthier life. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.— Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, deaths from heart disease and stroke have risen significantly and more people are reporting lower physical and emotional wellness. This February, the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, is helping you reclaim your rhythm and take back control of your mental and physical well-being. Over the past year, many people have adopted unhealthy behaviors like skipping exercise, eating unhealthy…

Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Partners With Beauty College to Provide Free Haircuts

Business, Non-Profit January 26, 2022

Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Partners With Beauty College to Provide Free Haircuts

By Amy Gibson— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie has partnered with Chameleon College of Beauty Culture to provide FREE haircuts for Club Members at Chameleon’s College of Beauty Culture located at 3450 N. Broadway in Muncie. Non Club members will just pay $3.00. The program is open to the public for any child who may need a haircut from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Krista Sides, owner of Chameleon College of Beauty Culture said, “Community partnerships are a big part of our mission for Chameleon College of Beauty Culture. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to…

ECIHRA Announces New Year for Board Members, Upcoming Programs

Business January 26, 2022

ECIHRA Announces New Year for Board Members, Upcoming Programs

By James Mitchell— MUNCIE, Ind. – The East Central Indiana Human Resources Association (ECIHRA) activated new leadership during their January membership meeting. Elected at the group’s final meeting in 2021, a new slate of officers will support the organization’s efforts to prepare local HR leaders for the current and future realities of the world of work through professional development and networking. “ECIHRA is a great place to network with other professionals in HR, or who handle HR type responsibilities. We discuss great topics every month that impact our day-to-day roles and is a great source for professional development. It is…

Chamber of Commerce Hires Rowray as New President and CEO

Business January 25, 2022

Chamber of Commerce Hires Rowray as New President and CEO

By The Muncie-Delaware County Indiana Chamber of Commerce— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Boards of Directors of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Advancement Corporation have announced that Elizabeth Rowray has accepted the position as the next President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and the Chief Economic Development Officer of the Delaware Advancement Corporation. Rowray is currently the Executive Director of Ivy Tech’s Career Coaching and Connections program for the Delaware and Henry County locations. She is also the District 35 Representative to the Indiana House of Representatives, elected in 2020. Rowray has previously worked for the Delaware Advancement Corporation,…

Muncie Neighborhood Associations Can Obtain Funding for Their Projects

Non-Profit January 25, 2022

Muncie Neighborhood Associations Can Obtain Funding for Their Projects

By Megan Orbin, MAP Neighborhoods Coordinator— MUNCIE, Ind. — There are 48 neighborhoods in Muncie and $1 million has been allocated to help them with their neighborhood-based projects. What would you like to see your neighborhood do with a portion of $1 million? How can you help your neighborhood be the best place to live? As you’ve heard in previous articles, MAP partnered with the City of Muncie to oversee the disbursement of $1 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding.  This process began in June of 2021 with a brainstorming meeting and continued through November and December of  2021…

Muncie-Delaware County 2021 Real Estate—Closed Sales Are Up 10.1%

Government January 24, 2022

Muncie-Delaware County 2021 Real Estate—Closed Sales Are Up 10.1%

By Tony Sandleben— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Indiana Housing Market update for 2021 has been posted by the Indiana Association of Realtors. The report reviewed two specific areas that are of interest to realtors/developers/homeowners: Closed Sales and Median Price. For the year 2021 Muncie/Yorktown showed impressive results to advance up 3 spots to the 17th most active large real estate market (by number of sales) in the state. These 2021 results indicate that Muncie/Yorktown moved ahead of the Kokomo area, plus the Lebanon/Zionsville/Whitestown area, and the New Albany area in number of transactions. The percentage increase (+10.1%) in closed sales for the Muncie/Yorktown area…