Articles by Mike Rhodes

Earlier this fall, Open Door Health Services and IU Health Blackford and Jay partnered to provide flu shots to patrons of Second Harvest’s food distributions. Photo provided by IU Health.

Health, Non-Profit December 28, 2020

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards More Funding to Healthcare Providers For COVID-19 Care

By Ball Brothers Foundation— Muncie, IN—As COVID cases continue to surge locally, Ball Brothers Foundation is stepping up support to hospitals across the region as healthcare teams work around the clock to provide critical care to patients. A grant of $35,000 was awarded earlier this month to IU Health Foundation to assist with needs at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, IU Health Jay Hospital, and IU Health Blackford Hospital. A team of Pastoral Care staff and others tasked with monitoring…

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Christmas cards speak to our holiday wishes and the reason for the season. Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson December 25, 2020

John Carlson: Some Gifts For Christmas

By John Carlson— Today, countless people around the world received the best Christmas gift imaginable. It’s the realization that only six days remain before this disaster called 2020 is finis, behind us, flushed down history’s toilet … Good riddance! The new year can’t come fast enough. COVID-19 has been the main culprit in all this woe, of course, and we aren’t through with it yet. While never a coronavirus doubter, at times I’ve been more lax about following appropriate safety…

This downtown Muncie home in the historic district on Washington Street always pleases no matter what season. They are famous for outstanding decorations during Halloween as well. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment December 24, 2020

Sara Crigger Brings Muncie’s Best Exterior Holiday Light Displays Straight to Your Electronic Device

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-chief, MuncieJournal.com— Muncie, IN—Recently, I decided to drive around Muncie and Delaware County to photograph Christmas lights for a MuncieJournal.com feature. I had covered Halloween decorations around town as a photo gallery which was received quite well, so I thought, “Why not do another on Christmas decorations? ” I gassed up the car and headed out into the dark night, looking for any colorful displays that might suddenly appear in front of me. It quickly became apparent…

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 December 23, 2020

Delaware County Weekly COVID-19 Update, December 23rd

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. Due to the holidays, this week’s update is being released one day early. There will be…

0 lucky students like these can receive a FREE sixteen week program focused on carpentry, electrical, HVAC, masonry, and plumbing. Photo provided.

Education December 22, 2020

ecoREHAB To Introduce FREE Skilled Trades Education Program (S.T.E.P.)

By Barbara Schafer— Muncie, IN—ecoREHAB is partnering with Eastern Indiana Works and Ball State University to provide training in the basic skills needed for a career in the construction industry. This FREE sixteen week program will be a combination of classroom and onsite training focused on carpentry, electrical, HVAC, masonry, and plumbing. Sessions will also be presented on proper workplace behavior and interview skills. The scheduled start date is January 19, 2021 and will take place in Muncie. While in the…

Photo collage provided by the George and Frances Ball Foundation

Non-Profit December 21, 2020

George and Frances Ball Foundation Awards Over $5.4 Million in Grants to Local Organizations

Amount Represents Record  for the 83-year-old, Muncie-Based Family Foundation… By Kelsey Harrington— Muncie, IN—The year 2020 will go down in history books as a time marked by a global pandemic, civil unrest and racial tension, and a resulting economic crisis. In the midst of these trials, community members and non-profit organizations stood to the challenge and supported fellow neighbors in innovative and timely ways. The George and Frances Ball Foundation proudly invested more than $5.4 million in East Central Indiana…

A screenshot from the planetarium’s “Christmas Star” program.

Entertainment, We Fly December 21, 2020

‘Christmas Star’ Celestial Event Coming Up on December 21 

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – When Jupiter and Saturn appear close together in the night sky on December 21, their combined light might be what the Bible’s nativity story in the Gospel of Matthew called the Star of Bethlehem, according to faculty and staff at Ball State University. “People have long wondered if the Star of Bethlehem could be explained by natural celestial events. Some astronomers believe the ‘star’ may have been a series of celestial events,” said…

Group photo of Black organization members who participated. Photo provided

Non-Profit December 21, 2020

Local African American and Minority Organizations Help Make Muncie Children’s Christmas Merrier 

By WaTasha Barns Griffin & George Foley— Muncie, IN—With everything that has transpired throughout the year, it is important to spread holiday cheer. Several local organizations have teamed up to make ensure that twenty Muncie families celebrate Christmas with gifts. Families at seven local Daycare Centers received some Christmas cheer.  NAACP Muncie Branch vice president, George Foley said, “Children in the care of seven local daycare centers had wish lists full of items they would like for Christmas. We wanted to…

Here's what MITSY looks like, so be on the lookout. Photo courtesy MITS.

Business December 20, 2020

MITS Wants You to Be On the Lookout For MITSY the Reindeer

By Amanda Price— On the eve of every year A festive creature rides in to bring holiday cheer. With velvety ears, and antlers tall Mitsy the Reindeer brings a smile to all. You won’t find him grazing fields Or pulling a jingling sleigh. No, Mitsy prefers to ride and play! Hide-and-seek’s his game of choice And if you happen to see him, you should rejoice! For you could win a sizable prize, Something you don’t have to buy! So search…

Kelsey Pavelka. File photo

Education December 18, 2020

West View Elementary Teacher Named Outstanding Dual Language Teacher

By Andy Klotz— Muncie, IN – The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) has selected West View Elementary second grade teacher Kelsey Pavelka as an Outstanding Dual Language Teacher. She is one of just nine teachers in Indiana to receive the award. “I feel so fortunate to be recognized for doing the thing I love so much, teaching in a dual language immersion classroom,” Pavelka said. “I love the program’s mission and vision, and I’m proud to…