Articles by Mike Rhodes

Face Me Por Favor collaboration with Downtown Muncie at Canan Commons in 2019. Photo provided

Non-Profit February 7, 2020

MACC Program Receives $25,000 Grant From National Endowment for the Arts

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN — Muncie Arts and Culture Council’s artist-in-residence program, PlySpace, has been approved for a $25,000 Art Works grant. The PlySpace Residency Program provides dedicated space and time for residents to investigate and pursue their own work. Additionally, it serves as a platform for experimentation and provocation by sparking conversation and collaboration with various Muncie communities. PlySpace, based in the Emily Kimbrough Historic District in downtown Muncie, is a program of the Muncie Arts and Culture…

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An old-type “Roomba,” steered by what’s called a “handle.” Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson February 7, 2020

John Carlson: Things Suck? They’ll Get Worse

By: John Carlson— When the end of the world arrives, I think it will come riding in on a Roomba. That’s my dire prediction, after talking with my friends John and Amy Mickle the other day. They have a new Roomba, which is one of those little circular robots that cruises around their house all by itself, cleaning the floors and carpets. Understandably, they love it. Of course, Nancy and I have a Roomba, too, except ours is one of…

File photo

Education February 6, 2020

Ivy Tech Community College to Offer Express Enrollment Registration Events in Muncie

By: Shawn Carmichael— Muncie, IN – Ivy Tech Community College will be offering several Express Enrollment events on February 6, 13, 20, and 27 at their new Downtown Muncie location. Express Enrollment offers prospective students a “one-stop” experience in the enrollment process and does not require an appointment.   Ivy Tech Downtown Muncie Campus George and Frances Ball Building Express Enrollment Center February 6, 20, and 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. February 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m….

Ingrid Schwartz, sophomore musical theatre option, rehearses her role of Malvolio. Photo provided

Entertainment February 6, 2020

Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ Set in the 1920s for Ball State Production

By: Sarah Jenkins—  Muncie, IN — Ball State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will perform one of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies with a 20th century twist at 7:30 p.m. February 7-8 and 11-15, and February 9 at 2:30 p.m. in University Theatre.  “Twelfth Night” tells the story of a disguised heroine, her twin brother, and passionate love interests. Ball State’s production will be set in the 1920s to show the freedoms women were fighting for, while celebrating love discovered outside…

The Lighthouse Recovery Home is a residential addiction treatment program that provides women with the relationships and tools to recover from addiction. Cara Janney, pictured, is a successful graduate of the program. Photo provided

Non-Profit February 5, 2020

Funders Forum Collaborative Awards $38,000 to Support Programs Addressing Drug-Use Prevention and Recovery

By: Kallie Sullanke, Community Engagement Officer, The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County— Muncie, Ind. – Funders in Delaware County have come together to pool knowledge, experiences, and resources to make a collective impact on a current issue in the community.  The Funders Forum Collaborative awarded $38,000 to three Delaware County organizations at the end of 2019 to support programs that address drug-use prevention and recovery in our community. Centerstone received $6,500 to develop mobile play therapy kits for…

Muncie Central High School. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Opinion February 5, 2020

Opinion: A Lack of Positioning Has Been a Major Issue for MCS

By: Tom Farris— During my 55 years as a marketing professional based in Muncie, I’ve worked with my clients to position their businesses, products  and services.  Marketing positioning refers to the ability to influence customer perceptions regarding a brand or product in a positive way relative to its competitors.  Types of positioning strategies include: (1) products/services quality ; (2) products/services features, attributes and benefits; (3) products/services pricing ; (4) products/services uses/outcomes ; and (5) competitors — differentiating your products/services from…

Kari Wissel is pictured with some of the Muncie teens TeenWorks serves. Photo provided

Non-Profit February 5, 2020

TeenWorks Empowers Local Teens to Achieve Excellence

By: Emily Hitchcock— Muncie, IN— TeenWorks is excited to introduce their new regional director for Muncie and Delaware County, Kari Wissel. TeenWorks empowers teens to achieve excellence in career, community, and college through unique programming, professional development and individualized post-secondary success planning. “We are so excited to have Kari in this role. Her vast skill set in programming and community engagement will help so many teens in the Muncie community,” says president and CEO, Nick Duvall. Kari plans to expand programming, collaborate…

President Trump gives his State Of The Union address on February 4, 2020. Photo: Screenshot from live broadcast

Government February 5, 2020

Full Transcript of President Trump’s State Of The Union Address

President Trump’s remarks during his third State of the Union address can be found below— THE PRESIDENT:  Madam Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States — (applause) — and my fellow Americans: We meet tonight at a moment of unlimited potential.  As we begin a new Congress, I stand here ready to work with you to achieve historic breakthroughs for all Americans. Millions of our fellow citizens are watching us now, gathered in…

Illustration provided by Ivy Tech

Education February 4, 2020

Ivy Tech Community College Receives $8 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

By: Kelsey Batten— INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Lilly Endowment has made an $8 million grant to the Ivy Tech Foundation to support Ivy Tech Community College’s new statewide Career Coaching and Employer Connection (CCEC) program. This new, more strategic approach will emphasize comprehensive career readiness practices working alongside academic preparation throughout a student’s college experience. The new approach will transform Ivy Tech’s current Career Development structure and programs to focus on intentional career advising and employer engagement. “We are extremely grateful…

First Merchants Corporation, 200 E. Jackson Street, Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business February 4, 2020

First Merchants Corporation Announces 2019 Results

By: First Merchants Corporation— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported fourth quarter 2019 net income of $47.8 million compared to $41.7 million during the same period in 2018.  Earnings per share for the period totaled $.87 per share compared to fourth quarter 2018 result of $.85 per share.  Included in the fourth quarter results are $1.9 million, or $.03 per share, of one-time charges related to the closing of our acquisition with Monroe Bank & Trust on…