Articles by Mike Rhodes

Muncie Symphony’s ‘The Music of John Williams’ to Feature Scores From ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Jurassic Park’

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, INDIANA —On Nov. 13, Muncie Symphony Orchestra will bring iconic movie scores to life during “The Music of John Williams.” Nominated 51 times and awarded five Academy Awards, John Williams is responsible for some of the most well known soundtracks of all time, including “Star Wars, “Jurassic Park,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and more.“The Music of John Williams” will feature selections from the scores of those films—including an entire half of the concert dedicated to “Star Wars”—as well as the music from “Superman,” “E.T.: Adventures on Earth,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Schindler’s List”…

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‘Candidates of the Future’ Returns November 13th, 2021

Is running for office and political activism right for you?  By Aimee Robertson-West— MUNCIE, Ind.—Candidates of the Future forum returns for a third iteration on Saturday, November 13th at the Innovation Connector. Participation is free and ideal for anyone who is interested in running for political office someday, wants to become active in their party, or wants to learn how to engage in local political or policy activism efforts. Registration is required and space is limited so please register today. Candidates of the Future began in 2017 as a civic engagement coalition and steering committee of three individuals, Dr. Chip…


2021 ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award Nominees

By Kat Knox, WIBU— MUNCIE, Ind.—Women In Business Unlimited, WIBU is pleased to announce that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie, Muncie OUTreach and Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Service-Muncie are the three nominees for our 2021 ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award. Organizational Nominees are recognized for: Creating an organizational culture that encourages women employees to achieve their full leadership potential. Giving back to the larger community of women and girls by providing and/ or supporting leadership development opportunities and initiatives. Join WIBU on November 17th for the 22nd annual ATHENA Awards Luncheon to celebrate all of the 2021 ATHENA nominees. Tickets…


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

By Northwest Bancshares— WARREN, Pennsylvania—Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) (NasdaqGS: NWBI) announced net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 of $35.1 million, or $0.27 per diluted share.  This represents a decrease of $3.0 million, or 7.9%, compared to the same quarter last year, when net income was $38.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share.  The annualized returns on average shareholders’ equity and average assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 were 8.86% and 0.97% compared to 9.82% and 1.09% for the same quarter last year. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend…


Muncie Rotary Partners with Muncie Central High School Students to Raise Funds

By Kate Stoss, Muncie Noon Rotary President— Muncie, IN – If you attended the Delaware County Fair in the past several years, you probably noticed the energetic man directing traffic and collecting entry fees. Dale Basham of the Muncie Rotary Club, has organized fellow Rotarians to help Muncie Central High School students raise funds for various CHS sports teams and clubs. The teams and clubs earn money while staffing the front gate and the Muncie Rotary Club provides matching funds. This year, Dale Basham presented six CHS teams and clubs with a total of $2,700. Each team received $450; $200 from…


Winter Heating Tips From Indiana Michigan Power

By Indiana Michigan Power— FORT WAYNE, Ind. – While this has been a warm fall, winter and colder temperatures will be here before we know it. In fact, this winter is predicted to be colder across the country compared to last year, which could mean higher heating bills. Now is the time for customers to prepare their home or business for the colder weather. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is Powering the Next Energy Saving Idea during National Energy Awareness Month by offering tips to help keep energy costs under control this winter. The company wants to remind customers about this…


John Carlson: Motorcycling Into The Sunset

By John Carlson— A guy knows he’s reached those “golden years” when his wife says he should sell his motorcycle, and for the very first time, he doesn’t joke that he’d rather be dead. I’ve owned motorcycles for forty-six years. But since turning sixty-five, spinal surgeries have prevented me from enjoying my beloved Harley-Davidson as it is intended. A sweet-looking 1200 cc Sportster Sport, it has been resting under a sheet for a long time. Now Nancy wants to do major work in the garage, and says a motorcycle I can’t ride is only in the way. Guess I see…


Free Books for Kids at Ball State Homecoming’s Chase Charlie – Kiddie 100 Dash Event

By Eric Klosterman from Ball State’s Sport Administration Program and Stacy Wheeler from Classroom Connections of ECI — MUNCIE, Ind.—The 21st Annual Chase Charlie Kiddie 100 Dash is partnering with local non-profit Classroom Connections of East Central Indiana (CCECI) to distribute books to children and families during the Saturday, October 23rd Ball State University homecoming football game against Miami. “Books in the home profoundly impact children and teens, especially when books are theirs to keep,” said Stacy Wheeler, Executive Director at CCECI. “That is why children’s book distributions and ownerships of books are some of the most important, successful ways…


The Washington Post’s Hannah Dreier Named 2021 Ball State School of Journalism National Writing Award Recipient

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Ind. – The School of Journalism and Strategic Communication is pleased to announce that The Washington Post reporter Hannah Dreier is the recipient of the 2021 Ball State University School of Journalism National Writing Award. Ms. Dreier’s winning feature, “The Worst-Case Scenario,” highlights the growing problem of police shootings during mental health crisis calls in the city of Huntsville, Alabama. Judges praised the piece as an example of “relentless reporting,” with a “literary feel, vivid descriptions and strong quotes.” Ms. Dreier will be awarded a $1,500 prize. The recipient of the 2021 Livingston…


Mike Martin To Perform at Elm Street On October 23rd

By FM Live— MUNCIE, Ind.—Muncie native and local artisan Mike Martin returns home with a new album of the same name. Martin has spent most of the last decade on the road with his band The Beautiful Mess, making time to come home in the off season to work on what he refers to as his “community punk rock grocery store” here in Muncie, The Common Market.  After being voted ‘Country Americana Band of The Year’ in Charleston, SC in 2018, and being nominated for Song of The Year, Album of The Year, Artist of The Year, and Video of…