Articles by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment October 17, 2025

Ball State PBS and Minnetrista Museum and Gardens to Co-Host ‘Bob Ross Fest’ on October 25

By Angie Rapp— MUNCIE, IN— Ball State PBS (formerly WIPB-TV), the producing station of The Joy of Painting is happy to announce the return of Happy Little Fest—the annual celebration of “all things Bob Ross”—at the place the iconic painter called home for many years. Happy Little Fest is set for 1– 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens in the Greensward space. From 1983 to 1994, The Joy of Painting was filmed at WIPB’s two homes in Muncie. Early seasons were produced at the original studio inside the L.L. Ball home on Minnetrista Blvd., before…

Education October 17, 2025

Ball State’s ‘Alley House’ Earns Prestigious Phius Certified Project Design Award

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s Alley House—a student-designed, energy-efficient duplex in Indianapolis that captured international attention with a first-place finish in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2023 Solar Decathlon Build Challenge—has received another national honor: the Phius Certified Project Design Award in the biannual Phius Certified Project Design Competition. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in high-performance building design. Phius (Passive House Institute US) Certified Projects represent the highest standard in sustainable housing, requiring rigorous benchmarks for energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and environmental stewardship. The Alley House earned its Phius CORE certification in 2024, meeting stringent…

Entertainment October 15, 2025

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Coming to Ball State’s Emens Auditorium, Oct. 30

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Muncie this month when the hit musical Mrs. Doubtfire takes the stage at Ball State University’s Emens Auditorium for a 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 performance. Tickets are available now at the Emens Box Office (1800 W. Riverside Ave.), at Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 765-285-1539. Groups of 10 or more may place orders by calling the box office. Based on the beloved film, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard, who—after losing custody in a messy divorce—creates the kindly alter ego of…

Non-Profit October 14, 2025

Shafer Leadership Academy Offers Free Leadership Workshop Thanks to IU Health

By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN — Shafer Leadership Academy is offering its signature leadership workshop, Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams, free of charge to the community on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Ivy Tech’s Fisher Building in downtown Muncie. The program, which is typically valued at $250 per seat, is being made free to participants through the generous sponsorship of IU Health. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. About the Program Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams is an interactive leadership experience designed to help participants better understand and bridge the differences between five generations in…

Health October 13, 2025

Mobile Lung Screening Unit to Make Stop in Muncie on October 20

By Amy Sams, IU Health Mobile Lung Screening Manager— MUNCIE, IN—Indiana University Health is bringing life-saving lung cancer screenings directly to your community with our Mobile Lung Screening Unit—traveling across Indiana to offer low-dose CT scans to individuals at high risk for lung cancer. Lung cancer doesn’t wait. Why should you? Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Indiana, but it doesn’t have to be. Most people do not experience symptoms until the disease is advanced, when treatment options are limited. That is why early detection through low-dose CT screening is critical, it can find lung cancer…

Health October 13, 2025

Drawing the Circle Wide: Building Health Through Shared Strength

By Rev. Leah Gunning Francis, Ph.D., Senior VP and Chief Mission and Values Officer, IU Health— MUNCIE, IN—At the heart of community well-being lies a simple truth: health is more than what happens in a doctor’s office. It is shaped by our relationships, our environment, and the support systems that surround us. When we approach health holistically, caring for body, mind, and spirit, we not only nurture individuals but strengthen the fabric of our communities. That principle was the focus of this year’s Interfaith Health & Wellness Summit, hosted by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield at Lucas Oil Stadium….

Business October 10, 2025

A Bowl of Good: Soup Crawl 2025 Funds 120,000 Student Meals

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN—On Wednesday afternoon, Tim Pierce and Ben Polk of PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union announced the winners of Soup Crawl and presented a donation check to C.S. Hendershot and Sunni Matters of Second Harvest Food of East Central Indiana. The event raised $30,037.00 this year. Proceeds from the Soup Crawl contribute to Second Harvest Food Bank’s The Big Idea initiative, which aims to break the cycle of generational poverty by uniting schools, families, and resource providers in order to distribute resources, build connections, and create opportunities for children to chart a path to long-term stability. That’s the…

Business October 9, 2025

Helping East Central Indiana Prosper: First Merchants Bank’s Enduring Community Commitment

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—This past spring, 33 First Merchants Bank employees traded their desks for a day in the classroom at Anderson Preparatory Academy. Spread across every K–5 classroom, these volunteers brought Junior Achievement’s financial wellness lessons to life. They taught children about saving money and setting career goals. First Merchants employees made concepts like budgeting and entrepreneurship fun and relatable. Delaware County’s hometown bank knows that early education in budgeting and saving is vital to the success of communities. For First Merchants moments like this aren’t one-offs; they’re part of a long tradition of investing in neighbors…

Non-Profit October 9, 2025

The Opportunity Blueprint: 2030 is a Five-Year Plan for Transforming Muncie

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—With community collaboration now in place – across schools, nonprofits, businesses, and higher education – the George and Frances Ball Foundation – is sharing a long-term strategy that transforms a model into a movement. The Opportunity Blueprint: 2030 is a comprehensive, five-year strategic plan shaped by more than 150 community stakeholders representing a cross-section of interests. It lays out a focused path toward stronger educational outcomes and better long-term employment opportunities for all. “Our objective is that everyone in our community has a livable wage,” said George and Frances Ball Foundation President and CEO Thomas Kinghorn….

Entertainment October 8, 2025

Experience ‘Boo-levard Bash’ for Trick-or-Treating on Minnetrista Boulevard October 10

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Grab your costumes and candy buckets—Minnetrista’s Boo-levard Bash is back on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 5:30–8 p.m. This free, family-friendly celebration transforms historic Minnetrista Boulevard into a lively Halloween festival filled with trick-or-treating, fall flavors, and festive fun. The evening begins at the Columns, where guests will make their way toward the food trucks in front of the Center Building. On the Greensward, families can purchase fresh caramel apples, cider, cocoa, and more, and enjoy a festive photo opportunity alongside the pumpkin patch, where the perfect pumpkins will be available for purchase from the horticulture…

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