Articles by Mike Rhodes

Downtown Muncie Campus. Photo provided

Education July 28, 2020

Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County Offers Learn Anywhere Option

By: Jennifer Gasiorek— Muncie, IN—Ivy Tech Community College, Muncie-Henry County is excited to be offering several learning modalities for the fall semester.  In the midst of fluid scheduling during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ivy Tech is prepared to offer options for students who would like to pursue a workforce certificate, credential or an associate degree in-person, online, virtual or a combination of the three. In-person traditional courses will begin August 24, 2020. Students will have instructors and lab time face-to-face in a…

Read More
A peek inside the Changing Seasons Patio Shoppe sales floor.

Business July 26, 2020

Virtual Home Show 2020: Changing Seasons Patio Shoppe

By: Changing Seasons— Muncie, IN—The story of Changing Seasons Patio Shoppe begins with shopping!  Patricia and David Wallace were customers of the patio shoppe before becoming owners.  As customers, they fell in love with the quality of the products and the ability to customize exactly what they wanted.  When the owners were looking to sell their business in 1997 Pat and David didn’t want to see this gem of a business leave. They loved the quality of the furniture and…

Jud Fisher is pictured with James Rosema as the winner of the 2019 Fisher Governance Award.

Non-Profit July 25, 2020

2020 Fisher Governance Award Nomination Deadline Approaching

 By: Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN—The deadline to nominate a board member for Ball Brothers Foundation’s annual John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award is fast approaching. Delaware County non-profits have until Aug. 15 to nominate one of their board members for the award.  Ball Brothers Foundation has been a longtime advocate for strong board leadership. The Fisher Governance Award was created to honor the important role boards play in governing non-profits that serve the citizens of Delaware County. The…

Tuhey Pool and splash pad. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Entertainment, Government July 25, 2020

Mayor Dan Ridenour Says YES to Muncie City Parks, Recreation and Employment Programs That Keep Kids Active

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour is stepping up to promote parks and improve the overall quality of life and place for the citizens of Muncie.  He began his administration with smart appointments and big plans to move Muncie Parks into the spotlight, but quickly found Muncie in the midst of a pandemic.  He might have had a perfect excuse to sit this year out for programs, but Mayor Ridenour did not look at the challenge as an…

Enjoy corn-on-the-cob any way you want! Um, within reason. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson July 24, 2020

John Carlson: Eat ‘Em If You’ve Got ‘Em!

By: John Carlson— When it comes to life’s simple pleasures, it’s hard to beat corn-on-the-cob. Maybe not for everyone, though. Whether it’s for genetic, physiological or psychological reasons, these days you can find somebody somewhere who is allergic to literally any food you’d care to name on God’s green earth. Broccoli, gravy, croutons. There are probably people out there who spend their lives in fear of fatal encounters with a Milk Dud. That being the case, you can surely find…

Nate Rose and his daughter Noelle reading the first Imagination Library book, "The Little Engine That Could." Photo provided.

Non-Profit July 21, 2020

United Way Expands Dolly Parton Imagination Library

By: Juli Metzger— New Castle, IN and Winchester, IN – United Way of Delaware County’s generous donors, volunteers and dedicated staff have been working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for every single person in our community since our foundation in 1925. As United Way of Delaware County expanded to serve Henry and Randolph Counties too, their work remains driven by each community’s aspirations. In listening to and learning from residents of Henry and Randolph counties, people had a…

File Photo

Government July 21, 2020

Police Merit Commission to Form Diversity Task Force

Muncie, IN—The Muncie Police Merit Commission is in the process of forming a Diversity Task Force which will assist the Merit Commission and the Muncie Police Department in hiring and promoting from a larger pool of diverse applicants. The main goal of this task force is to review current merit commission polices in order to ensure a wide spectrum of potential law enforcement officers are hired to the Muncie Police Department in the future. According to Michael Mueller, secretary of the…

Pictured L-R: Alisa Wells, Ivy Tech’s Director of Community Engagement and Wraparound Support, Chancellor Jeffrey Scott, and Jeannie Hamblin-Fox, Site Director Henry County Campus.

Non-Profit July 20, 2020

Ivy Tech Executives to Lead 2020 United Way Campaign Drive

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—Three executives from Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County are leading the 2020 United Way campaign for Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties. Chancellor Jeffrey Scott is joined by Jeannie Hamblin-Fox, Site Director Henry County Campus and Alisa Wells, Director of Community Engagement & Wraparound Support. Ivy Tech, Indiana’s only full-fledged community college, is uniquely positioned to support this campaign. They, themselves, managed a record-setting fundraising initiative as it launched its downtown Muncie campus rebuild. Ivy Tech…

Toby graced the month of July in a calendar produced by ARF. Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson July 17, 2020

John Carlson: Goodbye, Old Friend

By: John Carlson— This should get easier, shouldn’t it? Losing a dog, I mean. Nancy recently recited a list of the ones we’ve lost over the years. To that she added one who belonged to our daughter, Katie, plus one who belonged to our son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Stephanie, their dogs counting as our grand-dogs and, therefore, as family. “There’s Ro,” she began. “Layla. Dandelion. Maggie. Dorothy. Alfie …” And now, Toby. Whenever I hear stories about mean dogs,…

Buck Creek Wetlands sits in a remote section of Henry County, surrounded by agricultural fields. Photo courtesy of Red-tail Land Conservancy.

Non-Profit July 16, 2020

Local Land Trust Protects a Habitat Critical to Wildlife

By: Kelley V Phillips— Buck Creek Wetlands has been restored and preserved to safeguard an urgently needed habitat Muncie, IN – Earlier this month, Red-tail Land Conservancy acquired a 44 acre wetland in Henry County to benefit at risk wildlife and restore water quality. Adjacent to Buck Creek near Summit Lake State Park, Buck Creek Wetlands will act as a sanctuary to birds as they search for nesting sites near the lake. As the owners, Red-tail Land Conservancy (RLC), a non-profit headquartered…