Articles by Mike Rhodes

Students in Mrs. Barbara Miller’s Yorktown High School English 11 Honors class create Americana-themed journals to enhance their understanding of American literature. A $449 Robert P. Bell Grant, awarded in November 2019, supported the cost of supplies for students to create their journals.

Non-Profit December 3, 2020

Teachers Awarded $1,863 for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

By Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, IN—Five local teachers will receive $1,863.49 in Robert P. Bell Education Grants from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. Across the county, 1,000s of students benefit from Bell Education Grants each year. Awards of up to $450 are available through the Bell Grants program. Teachers in public and private K-12 schools in Delaware County, Ind., are invited to apply for this competitive funding throughout the school year to enhance learning in their classrooms. Teachers may…

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U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.)

Government December 3, 2020

NFIB Awards Senator Todd Young ‘Guardian of Small Business’ Award

By Senator Todd Young Press Office— WASHINGTON – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) awarded U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) with their most prestigious legislative recognition, the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award. “As the son of a small business owner, I know how important small enterprises are to our economy. I will always fight to support Indiana’s small businesses, especially during the difficult times they have faced this year due to the pandemic. As we continue working to…

Kai (Left) and Tiana (Right) show off their Froggles and Doggles during bathtime. Photo by Lindsey Markelz

Business December 2, 2020

The BIG Idea Pitch: Becoming an Entrepreneur at Six Years Old

By Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN—Six-year-old Muncie resident Kai Markelz is launching his first business this holiday season after pitching his idea at the Innovation Connector’s annual BIG Idea Pitch Competition and earning 1st place. When Lindsey and Andy Markelz pitched their business in the 2018 BIG Idea Pitch Competition, they were very passionate about making this a family event and included their children, Kai (then 4) and Tiana (2), in the ideation and planning process. Kai observed his parents’ excitement…

The Clark Griswold Memorial tiny tree. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

We Fly December 1, 2020

Expressions of Gratitude Can Lift Spirits During Holidays, says Ball State Professor 

By BSU Marketing & Communications— Muncie, IN– While concerns about COVID-19 and other issues might have people feeling stressed this holiday season, a dose of gratitude could be the boost families need to lift spirits, according to a Ball State University professor. “Gratitude is a sincere expression of thankfulness and appreciation,” said Jill Walls, a professor of early childhood youth and family studies in Teachers College. “When we step into a grateful mindset, it increases our positive perceptions of our lives.”…

Photo by Matt Howell, Farmhouse Creative

Non-Profit December 1, 2020

‘Solutions to Community Impacts of Factory Farms’ Workshop Scheduled for Saturday

By Jeni Jenkins, Hoosier Environmental Council—  Delaware County, IN—The Hoosier Environmental Council, Keep Delaware County Clean, League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County and local concerned citizens are partnering to host a free online public workshop for people concerned about the impacts of factory farms, also known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). This informational workshop, which focuses on education, action, and expanding the emerging local and statewide movement for a more sustainable food production system, will take place online…

Aiesha Allen, Interventionist at West View Elementary, has completed advanced training in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Aiesha’s training has allowed her to better support student learning and will enable her to train fellow teachers across Muncie Community Schools. Photo provided

Education, Non-Profit November 30, 2020

MCS Teachers Access Professional Development Through Funds From Community Foundation

By Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, Ind.—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $235,126 to Muncie Community Schools through the Successful Schools Fund in 2019 and 2020. Teachers and administrators across the school system accessed various professional development through this funding, including direct training in specialized teaching methods and access to online subscription training services. The Board of Directors of The Community Foundation established the Successful Schools Fund in May 2018 following the Indiana Legislature’s landmark decision to give Ball…

Open Door White River will initially offer pedicatrics, behavioral health, and support services. Family medicine and obstetric care will be added in early 2021.

Health November 29, 2020

Open Door Health Services to Open New West Side Health Center

By Suzanne Clem— Muncie, IN—Open Door Health Services is expanding access to healthcare in Muncie. A new health center location, Open Door White River, will begin welcoming patients Nov. 30. The addition to Open Door’s sites is located at 2600 West White River Blvd., just east of Tillotson Ave. Open Door White River will initially provide pediatric care, behavioral health care, WIC, and other support services. In early 2021, family medicine and obstetric care will join the line-up. Both telehealth and face-to-face…

Non-Profit November 28, 2020

Give the Gift of Hope to a Senior Through the AngelWish Program

By Hannah Dunckel— Muncie, IN—This year’s holiday season will look different for many people across the United States. What is typically a time spent preparing a feast for our families and making room for out-of-town guests, has instead been adapted to smaller family gatherings in our own homes due to the ongoing pandemic. While spending the holidays without our families is new for many of us, it is the reality for many senior citizens every year. The holidays are often…

Artist Andy Klise admires a painting displayed at “Bob Ross Experience.” Photo by Nancy Carlson

Carlson November 27, 2020

John Carlson: Experiencing Bob Ross

By John Carlson— It seems an unlikely room to have spawned a cultural icon. Partially bordered by heavy curtains, inside there are a couple old television cameras, big hulking ones bearing headsets and lengths of looped electrical cables. There is what can best be described as an industrial-sized easel, a tall ungainly looking thing, steadied below by a large brick. And there are some stacked paintings rendered in a style as comfortingly familiar as fresh apple pie. Oh, and one…

A traditional Thanksgiving may be different this year due to COVID-19. Photo by graphicstock

Health November 25, 2020

Hank Milius: Holidays May Require Sacrifice

By Hank Milius, President and CEO, Meridian Health Services— Muncie, IN—Just recently, I was living in a hotel for a week because my wife, Terri, kicked me out of the house after 40+ years of marriage. Articles don’t usually start this way, but as we all know, this year has been far from normal. Please allow me to explain. We have 10 grandkids and Terri prides herself as being “the greatest grandma in the world.” We know this to be…