Articles by Mike Rhodes

Dr. Leonard Kaminsky (second from right), Administrative Director of the Healthy Lifestyle Center (HLC) accepts the Healthy Community Alliance of East Central Indiana’s “100,000 Award” award on behalf of the HLC and Ball State University’s College of Health. Healthy Lifestyle Center team members posed in front of Ball State’s Health Professions Building July 12th to accept the award from John Disher (far right), Director of Community Outreach for IU Health’s East Central Region and Facilitator of the Healthy Community Alliance of East Central Indiana. Photo by Matthew S. Cox.

Health July 12, 2021

Healthy Community Alliance Recognizes Outstanding Partner Contributions

By John Disher— Annual “100,000 Award” recognizes dedication to improving health and well-being Muncie, IN— The Healthy Community Alliance of East Central Indiana (HCA) presented its “100,000 Award in Memory of Dr. George Branam” to the Healthy Lifestyle Center during its annual partner meeting on June 17, 2021. The annual award is given to an organization that supports the work of the HCA through outstanding leadership, innovative collaborations and unwavering dedication to improving the health and well-being of our community….

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Exchange Club of Muncie recognized the incoming 2021 board of directors during a special ceremony on June 24, 2021. Pictured (left to right): Mike Donovan, Rick Edmundson, Lee Nicolson, Tim Williams, Joseph Rogers, Neal Barnum, Harrold Roberts, Marianne Benson, Tom Adams, and Forrest Bowers.

Non-Profit July 12, 2021

Exchange Club Celebrates 100 Years and Recognizes New Board of Directors

By Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, IN—The Exchange Club of Muncie celebrated its 100th anniversary on March 7, 2021. In its 100th year, the club is pleased to recognize its board of directors and slate of officers: Jeffrey A. Heavilon, M.D., President. Jim Kouns, Vice President Marianne Benson, Secretary Mike Donovan, Treasurer Forrest Bowers, Past President Neal Barnum, Board Member Rick Edmundson, Board Member Lee Nicholson, Board Member Harold Roberts, Board Member Joseph Rogers, Board Member Tim Williams, Board Member “I am…

Indiana University School of Medicine-Muncie Campus. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Health July 11, 2021

IU School of Medicine Receives $30 million NIA Grant for Alzheimer’s, Dementia Research

By IU School of Medicine— Indianapolis, IN—A National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias(NCRAD) grant has been renewed for another five years with funding expected to total $30 million from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NCRAD is led by Tatiana Foroud, PhD, Executive Associate Dean for Research Affairs at IU School of Medicine. Since 2018, NCRAD has been among the five largest grants awarded to the IU School of Medicine. “The…

Human Library participants are pictured during a recent ZOOM virtual meeting. Photo by Charlize Jamieson

Non-Profit July 10, 2021

Human Library Aims to Erase Prejudices

By Shwetha Sundarrajan— Muncie, IN—It’s not like your typical library. No, it’s definitely not like a bookmobile either. The Human Library is unlike anything you’ve seen. Founded by Roni Abergel in 2000, the Denmark based international non-profit aims to “better our understanding of diversity in order to help create more inclusive and cohesive communities across cultural, religious, social and ethnic differences.” But what exactly constitutes a Human Library? According to Peggy Lewis, the book depot manager of the Muncie Human…

Turns out all the cool “kids” are digging this groovy band’s sound! Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson July 9, 2021

John Carlson: Reliving One’s Musical Youth

By John Carlson— A fella suspects he’s on the cusp of entering his second childhood when, at the ripe old age of 70, he joins his favorite musical group’s fan club. Nevertheless, I say bring it on. It’s not like I haven’t been in a fan club before, after all. I have. It was the Cloud Appreciation Society.  For just twenty-five euros-a-year the club emailed me a daily cloud picture, some of them spectacular and others less so, along with…

Lost Bayou Ramblers. Photo provided

Entertainment July 8, 2021

Lost Bayou Ramblers to Perform at Canan Commons July 10th

Editor’s note: Due to the threat of rain, tonight’s Lost Bayou Ramblers concert will be moved to Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 N. Main Street in Muncie.  The concert will still start at 7 PM. By Rick Zeigler— Muncie, IN– Acclaimed progressive Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers will be performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2021 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, July 10th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart…

YMCA of Muncie, 500 S Mulberry St, Muncie, IN 47305 Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit July 8, 2021

Free 3-Week Summer Challenge Launches July 12th Nationwide

By Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN—The YMCA’s free 3-week Summer Out Loud Challenge, presented by the YMCA of Muncie, launches July 12. Opt-in to the challenge today by texting SUMMER to 844-889-6220 and be entered to win a 1-year household membership to the YMCA of Muncie or a national grand prize of a family vacation of your choice (up to a $5,000 value). After opting in via text, follow the prompts to register for the challenge. You will receive three texts…

Enter a photo! It can be any subject — people, animals, objects, landscape —with a related Bob Ross quote as the caption. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment July 7, 2021

MAP Task Force 3 ‘Happy Little Photo’ Photo Contest

By MAP Task Force 3— Happy Little Photos Contest Announced The second themed photo contest of 2021 debuts in Muncie with the theme “Happy Little Pictures,” and the idea is to pair a creative photo with a Bob Ross quote as the caption.Prizes will be awarded to the top photos in three categories. The photo contest is open to everyone and is designed to show the creativity of the people in Muncie while honoring our community’s ties to painter Bob Ross. The contest is…

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 July 7, 2021

United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties and United Way of Madison County Merge to Form New Organization

Heart of Indiana United Way will provide more services and programming across the region. MUNCIE, Ind.– 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. Through combined skills and resources, the organization will deepen its impact, bring more resources to the community, improve business efficiencies, as well as work with donors and volunteers to solve communities’challenges. Heart of Indiana…

Clearwater Car Wash is located by Meijer in Muncie.

Business July 7, 2021

Clearwater Supports Local Teachers with #CleartheCarts Giveaway

By Clearwater Car Wash— Muncie and Yorktown teachers can enter to win $500 toward their Amazon Wish Lists Muncie, IN – To help educators in Muncie and Yorktown prepare for the 2022 school year, Clearwater Car Wash is awarding 10 local teachers with $500 toward their Amazon Wish Lists. The #CleartheCarts Giveaway is open until July 15, and K-12 teachers can enter by submitting their information on Clearwater’s website: cwcarwash.com/carts. “We know how hard the past year has been for…