Articles by Mike Rhodes

Pictured: Philip Williamson and Ruthie Peckinpaugh. Photo by: Amanda Kishel

Entertainment December 11, 2019

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Playing At Muncie Civic

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN —Narnia awaits. Muncie Civic Theatre will present “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” on the Main stage Dec.  13-15, and 19-22. Performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinees will begin at 2:30 p.m.A Sensory-Friendly Performance will be Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2:30 p.m.  Based on the beloved C.S. Lewis novel, “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” follows Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy through a wardrobe…

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As you well know, getting the flu makes you miserable and you don't want to get it. Photo by: Storyblocks

We Fly December 10, 2019

New Study: More Jobs Might Mean More Flu 

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Nearly everyone who wants a job has one, but with the flu season upon us, many workers are getting sick. A Ball State University researcher says that businesses should take precautions in advance of the annual flu season to keep sick workers home and reduce infection rates that send people to physicians in droves. “The Effects of Employment on Influenza Rates” found that a 1 percentage point increase in the employment rate correlates with increases in…

Photo provided

Entertainment December 10, 2019

‘Victorian Christmas Holiday Home Tours’ To Take Place This Weekend

By: Kim Miller— Muncie, IN—The Christmas season is in full force in downtown Muncie. Come explore the historic architecture of Muncie with the Victorian Christmas Holiday Home Tours. The tour takes visitors through five beautiful victorian houses in downtown Muncie. This annual event runs 4pm-8pm on December 14th and 1pm-5pm on December 15th. On Sunday December 15th only, Santa will be at Emily’s House for free pictures with a purchase of a home tour ticket. While parents take a tour…

A group of volunteers poses for a photo at the Secret Families event at Toyota of Muncie. (Note the fellow in the back who "jumped up" for the photo bomb opportunity. His feet aren't on the ground. I watched his perfectly timed, perfectly centered jump.) Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit December 7, 2019

Photo and Video Gallery: Secret Families 2019

Photos, music, and video by: Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— Muncie, IN— Today, 357 families were delivered gifts, a tree or both. Ben Smith of the Muncie accounting firm of Estep Doctor and Company said this year’s Muncie Secret Families event resulted in a total of $125,600 in gifts purchased, wrapped and delivered. That’s a whopping $1.1 million over the past 15 years. Congratulations to Al Holdren, Toyota of Muncie, Meijer, Indiana Pacers, Jakks Toy Store, Blood-N-Fire ministries, Woof Boom Radio, volunteers, and…

Nancy passes some sewing skills on to Jing Jing. Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson December 6, 2019

John Carlson: Sewing Knowledge

By: John Carlson— In times like these – plastic times, fast times, digital-driven times that often seem like mindless, soulless, heartless times, too – I find a true sense of comfort in the act of sewing. Not sewing myself, you understand. I couldn’t sew a button on a shirt without poking my fingers full of tiny holes that’d bleed all over whatever unfortunate fabric was involved. Meanwhile, knowing my typically colorful vocabulary when under pain and duress, I’d be spouting…

Detail of nuno felted tapestry by Plyspace resident Sarah Trad. Photo provided

Entertainment December 5, 2019

Multimedia and Sculptural Exhibition ‘Threads’ Opens at PlySpace Gallery on First Thursday, December 5

By: Erin Williams— Muncie, IN— Muncie Arts and Culture Council will present a pop-up, one-night-only exhibition of new multimedia and sculpture artwork by PlySpace artists-in-residence Sarah Trad and Sydney Pursel. The exhibition titled Threads explores concurrent themes in the artists’ work related to personal heritage and representation. The exhibition will be held on First Thursday, December 5th, from 5-8 PM in the PlySpace Gallery. Both artists will be present throughout the evening and share brief remarks about their work at 7:00…

Masters and Visionaries. Photo provided

We Fly December 5, 2019

Ball State’s ‘Masters and Visionaries’ Features a Blend of Dance and Music Dec. 6-8

By: BSU Marketing and Communications— Muncie, IN – A compilation of ballet works, modern dance, and movement in response to music will take place in the University Theatre at 7:30 p.m. December 6 as “Masters and Visionaries”debuts. Directed by Associate Professor of Dance Audra Sokol, “Masters and Visionaries” will allow audiences to witness 23 performers blend dance and music through choreography by historical figures and current dance visionaries. “Audience members will witness the ever-changing art of dance through four works…

Photo provided

Entertainment December 4, 2019

Celebrate the Holiday Season with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra On Dec. 7th

By: Jennifer Johnson— Muncie, IN—Roasted chestnuts, hot spiced cider, and your favorite holiday classics! Celebrate the holiday season with Muncie Symphony Orchestra at the annual Fisher-Shafer Holiday Pops Concert this  Saturday, December 7  at 4 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. The Fisher-Shafer Holiday Pops Concert will include a potpourri of holiday musical classics performed by the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and will feature the talents of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of East Central Indiana and Ball State University Singers as special guests. A special highlight of the concert will be music from Frozen Jr., with actors…