Articles by Mike Rhodes

Christina Blanch, owner of Aw Yeah comics. Photo by Matt Howell

Business January 25, 2021

Aw Yeah Comics ‘Redefines Typical’ With Curbside Delivery and Online Sales via Facebook Live

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this six part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Hundreds of comic junkies join Christina Blanch on Facebook Live a few times each week as the store owner walks through Muncie’s Aw Yeah Comics — juggling her phone as she calls out titles and various toys for sale. She pauses to write down names when followers “claim” the…

Read More
Photo provided

Entertainment January 25, 2021

‘Giants, Dragons, & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures’ Now Open at Minnetrista

By Katy Maggart— Muncie, IN— Stories of mythical beings have been with us for thousands of years. These legends, which were sometimes inspired by fossils or living animals, continue to inspire us today. Opening at Minnetrista on January 23, Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures traces the natural and cultural roots of some of the world’s most enduring mythic creatures. Organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World…

Danny Ivy and family. Photo provided.

Non-Profit January 25, 2021

Muncie Area Youth for Christ Announces Daniel Ivy as New Juvenile Justice Ministry Director 

 By Hope Lehman— Muncie, IN—The partnership between Muncie Area Youth for Christ (YFC) and the Muncie Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) continues a program that rolled out in late 2019, called the Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM), but with new leadership. The program seeks to engage young people in juvenile institutions. This strategy helps young people acquire and develop a way of living; taught by Jesus Christ, balancing the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of life. These valued relationships are sustained…

Muncie Central High School student Taegan Carpenter. Photo provided by Andrea Wolfe.

Education January 24, 2021

Muncie High School Student Named Candidate in U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

By U.S. Office of Public Affairs— Muncie, IN—Muncie Central High School student Taegan Carpenter has been named one of more than 4,500 candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2021. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements,…

Emery Peck. Photo provided

Education January 23, 2021

Ivy Tech Community College Announces New Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

By Jennifer Gasiorek— Muncie, IN—Emery Peck is the new Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County campus.  Peck has been with the college for 7 years in various roles. In his latest role, he played an integral part of Ivy Tech’s leadership as the Strategic Outcomes and Innovation Engineer. “Emery is strategic thinker. He is a thought leader and his passion in leading in this role is developing outcomes that lead to student success,” said Jeffrey…

BSU President Geoffrey S. Mearns is pictured during a ZOOM meeting today accepting the official 21st Century Talent Region designation. The governor’s proclamation is pictured beside him on the left. Over 100 local and state officials and guests participated in the ZOOM meeting presentation.

Government January 22, 2021

State Officials Designate East Central Indiana as 21st Century Talent Region

By Indiana Office of Career Connections and Talent— Muncie, IN– Indiana Secretary of Career Connections and Talent Blair Milo virtually joined state and local officials today to announce the East Central Indiana Region as Indiana’s tenth 21st Century Talent Region, a statewide designation awarded to Indiana communities focused on working collaboratively to attract, develop and connect talent. “Over 70 individuals across the East Central Indiana Region have dedicated their focus to establishing East Central Indiana as a place where people…

Set of television lectures offers lessons from the delicious to the stomach churning. Photo by Nancy Carlson.

Carlson January 22, 2021

John Carlson: They Say This Class Will Kill Ya

By John Carlson— These days, I think we’re all ready for some serious self-improvement. That’s why, having received a catalog explaining our new TV’s option to watch a channel called “The Great Courses Plus,” Nancy and I checked it out. Flicking through the available classes was an eye-opener. For example, there was one called “Baking Bread.” Was I interested? Nah, but at least I understood the concept, bread being what I’ve spent a lifetime spreading peanut butter on. Other classes…

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion.

Health January 21, 2021

Delaware County Weekly COVID-19 Update, January 21st

Editor’s note: The following COVID-19 update is brought to you through a collaboration of healthcare partners including Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, Delaware County Office of Information, and other major healthcare providers. Delaware County weekly COVID-19 updates are released every Thursday and include information from the Indiana State Department of Health county metrics dashboard, which is updated every Wednesday afternoon.  The state of COVID-19 throughout Indiana is looking—tentatively—better. While the Indiana State  Department of Health’s county…

Suzanne Clem, Director of Community Awareness, Open Door Health Services. Photo by Matt Howell.

Business January 21, 2021

Open Door Health Services ‘Redefines Typical’ Providing Healthcare For All, Listening to Neighbors’ Hopes and Needs

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on a six-part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Suzanne Clem is in the business of listening. As director of Community Awareness at Open Door Health Services, Clem connects with neighbors about their needs related to healthcare and access. She hears what makes them feel valued and safe, then she works with leaders at Open Door to build those…

Young Artist Competition participants are pictured during a ZOOM meeting.

Non-Profit January 21, 2021

Muncie Symphony Orchestra Announces Awards From Young Artist Competition

By Stephanie D. Wilson— Muncie, IN—The world seems a little bleak right now. Yet wonderful things are happening with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and 26 young people from around the State of Indiana. The Muncie Symphony Orchestra hosted a Young Artist Competition on Sunday, January 17, 2021 in Sursa Hall on the campus of Ball State University for 26 young artists.  According to the Dr. James Thompson, education coordinator for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, the Young Artist Competition provides a…