Articles by Mike Rhodes

The Goulding & Wood organ in Sursa Performance Hall. Photo provided

Entertainment September 5, 2019

Top Young Organists to Play at Sursa American Organ Competition September 6-8

By: Gabrielle Glass— Muncie, IN– Six of the country’s top young organists will perform in the Sursa American Organ Competition on the Ball State University campus September 6-8. The musicians will perform on a Goulding & Wood organ in Sursa Performance Hall. All events throughout the competition are free and open to the public. On the last day, the audience can vote for their favorite organist. “We’re proud to host this competition of world-class musicians for the third time,” said Stephen…

Read More
The IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital comprehensive orthopedics team. Photo provided

Health September 5, 2019

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Earns Distinction for Knee and Hip Replacement 

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN— Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has selected Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.  Knee and hip…

Photo courtesy of Purdue Extension-Delaware County Facebook Page.

Non-Profit September 4, 2019

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards Over $80,000 in Grants To Local Non-Profits

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation, one of the state’s oldest and largest private foundations, awarded over $80,000 during the late spring and summer to support a variety of efforts aimed at improving Muncie, Delaware County, and the surrounding region. The grants were made as part of the foundation’s Rapid Grant program which allows the foundation to respond quickly to community needs. In keeping with the foundation’s long-standing interest in supporting children and youth, several grants were awarded to…

This Daniel Tiger painting was created at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts booth during the first Be My Neighbor Day in 2015. Kids painted Daniel’s sweater with their thumbprints. Photo provided

Entertainment September 4, 2019

‘Be My Neighbor Day’ Celebrates 5 years on September 7 At Canan Commons

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN —Won’t you be our neighbor? Join WIPB for the fifth annual Be My Neighbor Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Enjoy free family activities, live entertainment and more with some of Muncie’s great neighbors! Rain location will be YMCA of Muncie (across the street from the park.) At this year’s event, families will be able to pick up special 5-year-celebration goodies, including backpacks filled with stickers,…

First Merchants Corporation

Business September 4, 2019

First Merchants, Monroe Bank & Trust Finalize Merger

By: Chad Mertz— Companies execute legal close following regulatory approvals in August Muncie, IN— First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) and MBT Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: MBTF) have finalized a merger of the two companies. Following regulatory approvals last month, the companies consummated their legal closing through a 100% stock transaction effective September 1, 2019. As previously announced in late 2018, Monroe Bank & Trust will also merge with and into First Merchants Bank. Headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, MBTF operated 20 banking center…

Photo provided

Non-Profit September 4, 2019

Local support Captures Lilly Endowment GIFT VII Match and Increases Impact by $1.5 million

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, Ind. – The generous support of the community allowed The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. to capture a $1 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant. The $2 to $1 match is part of the Lilly Endowment Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) VII initiative. Lilly Endowment invited The Community Foundation to apply for $1 million in matching funds. The funds were to be raised between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. As of August…

"A Family Affair" will be on display and open to the public in the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery throughout the month of September. Photo provided

Entertainment September 3, 2019

First Thursday: A Family Affair, Featuring the Art of Linda, Jerry & Eloise McKean

By: Sarah Shaffer— Muncie, IN—Join Cornerstone Center for The Arts on Thursday, September 5th for the opening reception of A Family Affair featuring art by Linda, Jerry, and Eloise McKean. The reception will take place in the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery on the second floor of Cornerstone from 5 to 7 p.m. in conjunction with September’s First Thursday events. The McKean family is in love with the visual arts. Subscribing to art pages on Facebook, visiting art galleries and museums at…

54 percent of U.S. workers are satisfied with their employment. Photo by: Storyblocks

Business September 2, 2019

Job Satisfaction Climbs to Highest Level in Over Two Decades

Provided By: Joseph DiBlasi, The Conference Board— New York—As Americans celebrate Labor Day, a nationwide survey reveals they’re feeling better about their jobs than they have in years. Conducted by The Conference Board, the survey shows that about 54 percent of U.S. workers are satisfied with their employment. Satisfaction climbed by almost three percent from the prior year, which marks a near-record increase in the survey’s history. Workers also report being much more at ease about their job security. And…

Excavator Operator Marcus Miller is pictured working at the Tillotson Avenue I&M substation. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Carlson August 30, 2019

John Carlson: In Honor Of Working Folks

By: John Carlson— From the moment we began watching him, Nancy and I saw this fellow as nothing less than the Rudolph Nureyev of excavator operators. It was a few years back in the Village, where a block of businesses had been razed to make room for a huge new apartment complex. The two of us would grab our morning coffee across the street at The Cup and drink it outside, marveling as he put his excavator through its paces,…

The E.B. Ball Auditorium at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Photo provided

Entertainment August 29, 2019

Musical Performances At Cornerstone Launching In September

By: Jessie Fisher— Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts is excited to announce a new entertainment series launching this fall. Performances @ Cornerstone is presented in partnership with Ball State University’s School of Music, Department of Theatre & Dance, and The Harmony Players. The series will consist of free biweekly performances on Sundays at 2 p.m. in the E.B. Ball Auditorium at Cornerstone. Performances @ Cornerstone will kick off on Sunday, September 8 at 2:00 p.m. with an afternoon of…