Articles by Mike Rhodes

Carlson April 23, 2021

John Carlson: A Day Down On The Farm

By John Carlson— You know you’re about to get an impressive introduction to modern farming when your nephew’s tractor, hauling a huge planter, pulls up sounding like a Boeing 737 approaching a gate at Indianapolis International. “Holy moly!” you think. Amid flashing lights, there are all manner of mechanical noises and whining turbo sounds. The whining comes from God-knows-what pieces of sophisticated machinery that are mechanically integrated into the vehicle. I specify this fact to make one thing clear: The whining did NOT come from me who, despite being a decrepit little butterball of a man, risked a critical spike…

We Fly April 22, 2021

Blake Chapman Receives 2021 Al Rent Honorary Award

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— Muncie, IN—Ball State University student Blake Chapman is the 2021 recipient of the Al Rent Honorary Ball State PBS/IPR Public Media Student Award. The $500 award is made possible by an endowment fund established in 2016 at the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County in memory of J. Allan Rent. It was created to honor Rent’s professional and volunteer work in public media by recognizing a student with a serious commitment to public media, specifically Ball State University’s public radio and public television stations. A junior from Aurora, Ind., Chapman has been a student…

Business April 22, 2021

First Merchants Corporation Announces 1st Quarter Results

By First Merchants— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported first quarter 2021 net income of $49.5 million compared to $34.3 million during the same period in 2020. Earnings per share for the period totaled $.91 per share compared to the first quarter of 2020 result of $.62 per share, an increase of $.29, or 47 percent. Total assets equaled $14.6 billion as of quarter-end and loans totaled $9.3 billion. The Corporation’s loan portfolio increased by $711 million, or 8.3 percent, during the past twelve months. The increase was primarily due to Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans which…

Education April 22, 2021

West View’s Kelsey Pavelka Receives Armstrong Teacher Educator Award

By Andy Klotz— Dual Language teacher to work with IU faculty, students Muncie, Ind. – West View Elementary School’s Kelsey Pavelka has been named an Indiana University Armstrong Teacher Educator Award winner, one of only 14 recipients throughout the state. The 2nd grade Dual Language Mentor Teacher will work with IU faculty and undergraduates over the next year to help aspiring educators hone their skills and prepare them for a classroom of their own. “I am so thankful for this recognition and the opportunity to work with undergraduate students at Indiana University,” Pavelka said. “I could not have done this…

Entertainment April 22, 2021

2021 Oscars By The Numbers

By Wallethub— Hollywood had a rough year in 2020, with theaters across the country closed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are still quite a few impressive films to celebrate. To help you get psyched for the film industry’s biggest night, WalletHub did their homework on everything from box office sales and Rotten Tomatoes ratings for the Best Picture nominees to the price of awards-season lobbying. You can find all of these awesome Oscars fun facts in the infographic below. Plus, here’s a Q&A on the state of the film industry with a panel of entertainment experts. Top 5 Oscars…

Health April 22, 2021

IU Health Supports Community Needs During Pandemic With Statewide Grants

By IU Health— INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana University Health has awarded $3.48 million to local organizations across the state working to address early learning needs and other community issues heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are from the $100 million Community Impact Investment Fund (CIIF) established in 2018 to address social and environmental determinants of health in Indiana communities. The fund is administered by the IU Health Foundation. This marks the second round of annual grants from the fund for the 2020 grant year. An early second-round grant, of $765,000, was made in June 2020 to more than two dozen organizations around…

Entertainment April 20, 2021

Summer Camps at Minnetrista

By Minnetrista— Muncie, IN—The warm weather is a reminder that the school year is almost over and summer is on its way. Now is the perfect time for caregivers to consider fun activities that will keep their kiddos engaged and entertained. Minnetrista is now accepting enrollment for Summer Camps, four unique day camps for kids ages 8 -14, created to inspire learning and cultivate creativity. Glass Artists Camps The adventure begins with the Glass Artists Camp from June 7-11. It’s a blast with glass for young artists 11-14 years old. Each day has exciting projects, which include using real tools…

Entertainment April 20, 2021

Muncie Three Trails Music Series is Back for 2021

By Rick Zeigler— Muncie, IN—After taking an unplanned year off in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Muncie Three Trails Music Series is pleased to be back and officially announce its 2021 lineup. This will be the 8thseason in which the series presents critically acclaimed national recording artists in four FREE concerts at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. All shows begin at 7 PM and are all ages. Complete information on the series and all artists, including samples of their music, can be found at www.munciethreetrails.com. Modern Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers will open our series on Saturday, July…

Business April 19, 2021

Sidney Electric: A Local Company That ‘Brings Electricity to Life’

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie IN—Earning the respect and trust of their customers has been a priority for Sidney Electric since their inception in 1953. By performing accurate, on-time work with the care and concern you’d receive from a friend, they have built their business on a solid foundation of relationships that continue to stand the test of time. And since they can boast nearly 70 years of knowledge in their field, they can also promise customers a degree and diversity of experience that is simply unmatched. One of the services Sidney Electric offers residential and commercial customers is the…

Health April 16, 2021

Optimus Primary Grants Propel Muncie’s Medical Training Programs Beyond Pandemic

By Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN — Especially evidenced by the pandemic, there is value in having a united, collaborative network of healthcare entities within a community. Recognizing this value, Ball Brothers Foundation has been funding a strategic partnership of healthcare anchor institutions in the community since 2016. In the height of COVID-19, thispartnership—Optimus Primary—continued to grow, with the foundation awarding $160,000 in funding to the program at the end of 2020. This funding aids a range of new efforts underway this spring that strengthen medical education in Muncie. “For 95 years, Ball Brothers Foundation has operated with a mission of…

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