Articles by Mike Rhodes

A hand holds a burrito as a taco-holder holds a taco. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson September 27, 2019

John Carlson: New Car Goes Its Own Way

By: John Carlson— Cars these days. Go figure… That’s how I used to react to all the hype over self-driving cars. As a longtime motorist who fully enjoys being behind the wheel, I found the very idea of self-driving cars loathsome. Young, up-and-coming drivers? My sense was they would hate self-driving cars more than anyone. After all, when I was just getting my license I couldn’t wait to be the guy in charge, burning rubber, doing doughnuts and skidding in…

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YWCA Central Indiana will host their 6th annual Put Yourself In Her H.E.E.L.S. (Help. Encourage. Empower. Lift. Support) event on Saturday, September 28th, 2019.

Non-Profit September 26, 2019

YWCA Central Indiana To Host 6th Annual ‘Put Yourself In Her H.E.E.L.S. Event’ on Saturday

By: WaTasha Barnes Griffin— Muncie, IN—YWCA Central Indiana will host their 6th annual Put Yourself In Her H.E.E.L.S. (Help. Encourage. Empower. Lift. Support) event on Saturday, September 28th, 2019. Put Yourself in Her H.E.E.L.S. is the YWCA’s premiere event targeted at raising awareness of YWCA’s mission driven work and fundraising for the residential programs. Services such as C.O.T.S. Stay (complimentary, overnight, temporary, shelter stay), YWCA Emergency Shelter, Second Phase Housing, and Permanent Housing Support provide the comfort and assurance a woman…

L-R: Chancellor Jeffrey D. Scott, Joe Anderson, President NAACP, LaKoya S. Rochell, Executive Director of Resource Development. Photo provided

Education September 25, 2019

Ivy Tech Receives Education Award From NAACP

By: Jennifer Gasiorek, Executive Director of Workforce Partnerships and Strategic Communications— Muncie, Ind.—Ivy Tech Community College Muncie received the Education Award during the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet hosted by the Muncie Chapter of the National Association of Colored People (NAACP). Ivy Tech Muncie was recognized, “for ongoing commitment and support for enhancing the lives of students and others.” Dylinn Phelps, Assistant Superintendent of Muncie Central High School, Past President of NAACP, and the chair of the Education Committee highlighted Muncie Central High…

Illustration provided by Minnetrista

Non-Profit September 25, 2019

The Bob Ross Experience: Bob Painted At Minnetrista And You Can Too

By: Katy Maggart— Muncie, IN—Bob Ross inspired generations of viewers with only his soft-spoken voice and a palette knife. His message of fearless compassion and life affirming creativity continues to reverberate today. And yet there is currently no place fans of Bob Ross can visit to celebrate and honor Bob’s life and legacy. At Minnetrista, we aim to change that. The Bob Ross Experience at Minnetrista will create a space for Bob’s message to flourish. It will showcase his life…

Students are pictured attending today's Delaware County Industry Expo. Photo provided

Education September 24, 2019

Delaware County Students From 8 School Systems Convene For First Collaborative Industry Expo

By: Brenda Morehead, Director of Impact, Project Leadership— Muncie, IN—About 600 students from across Delaware County took part today in the first ever Delaware County Industry Expo, a collaborative event organized by school, business and community partners in the Delaware County Comprehensive Counseling Coalition. 8th and 9th graders listened to panelists from local employers in the industries of health and human services, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing and skilled trades, and information and technology. Students across eight school systems – Burris,…

The ninth annual Soup Crawl will be held in downtown on Thursday, October 3rd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Photo provided

Entertainment September 24, 2019

PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union To Present Ninth Annual Soup Crawl in Downtown Muncie

By: Brian Watson— Muncie, IN—PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union invites Delaware County residents to attend the ninth annual Soup Crawl to be held in downtown on Thursday, October 3rd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are available at all three Muncie-area PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union locations, and – if they last – from the Second Harvest Food Bank tent at Soup Crawl during the day of the event. The Ninth Annual Soup Crawl is a fun and festive local culinary celebration…

Photo provided by Leland Wilhoite

Non-Profit September 23, 2019

Muncie’s Wilhoite Leads Physicians, Dentists To United Way

By: Julie Metzger— Muncie, IN—There was no need for arm twisting required to get Leland Wilhoite involved with the United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties campaign. “I have always been very active in the community,” the Muncie dentist noted. Indeed. He has served on several non-profit boards, created a recreational soccer club and has helped organize countless community events. For the last three years, he has been leading the efforts to get other health professionals involved with the United…

Maxon Foundation Fund at The Community Foundation awards $47K to seven organizations including Greater Muncie, IN Habitat for Humanity who will use the finds to support a new house construction project in the 8twelve Coalition area. Photo provided

Non-Profit September 23, 2019

Seven Delaware County Nonprofits Receive $47K from the Maxon Foundation Fund at The Community Foundation

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has awarded $47,450 to seven nonprofit organizations from the Maxon Foundation Fund. The Maxon Foundation Fund was established when assets of The Maxon Foundation were transferred to The Community Foundation. The Maxon Foundation was originally established by Maxon Corporation and the founding family as a way to give back to the community and support worthy causes in Delaware County.  The Maxon Foundation Fund generally…

The Lost Bayou Ramblers are a critically acclaimed and Grammy nominated group fusing the world music Cajun traditions with modern sounds. Photo provided

Entertainment September 22, 2019

Lost Bayou Ramblers To Headline Free Concert at Canan Commons On Sept 27th

By: Rick Zeigler— Muncie, IN—Acclaimed progressive Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers will be performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2019 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Friday, September 27th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. The Ball State University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mark Buselli, will open the show. This concert is presented by Ball State University. Lost…

This is a recreation of Bubba’s bathtub trauma. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson September 20, 2019

John Carlson: Scrub-A-Dub-Dub, Stuck…

By: John Carlson— They say you can learn to do about anything these days by consulting a YouTube video, and it’s true. How to build a birdhouse. How to tune your lawn tractor. How to extract a naked guy who’s stuck in your bathtub. Yeah, that’s one, too. Not that Nancy and I have any experience with this, you understand. But it actually worked for a couple we know by the name of, um, Bubba and Booboo. You see, it…