Articles by Mike Rhodes

Jim Mansfield is pictured with Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch receiving his award in ceremonies held earlier today. Photo provided

Business August 16, 2019

Jim Mansfield Named Winner of 2019 Hoosier Hospitality Award

By: Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN—Jim Mansfield, executive director of the Muncie Visitors Bureau was named a winner of the 2019 Hoosier Hospitality Award at ceremonies held earlier today at the Indiana State Fair Wine, Beer, & Spirits Pavilion. Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch presented Mansfield with the award. The Hoosier Hospitality Award is given to Hoosiers that have displayed a high level of service in tourism-related professions at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations in Indiana. Jeff Bryan nominated Mansfield…

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Ryan Hunter, co-founder of TechWise Academy, leads a Minecraft Party in which students get to learn about command blocks and play online in a safe environment. File photo

Education August 15, 2019

Innovation Connector and TechWise Academy Announce New STEM Classes for Fall

By: Brandon Coppernoll, Co-Founder, TechWise Academy— Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector is partnering with TechWise Academy to host a new lineup of STEM classes through the Coding Connector starting on August 16. These classes help K-12 students learn computational thinking and computer science through coding and robotics. New classes this Fall feature Sphero robots for elementary students and new coding classes for middle and high school students. Younger students from kindergarten through second grade will have more opportunities to build and…

A prior year's Fall Fan Jam. Photo provided by: Ball State Sports

Entertainment, We Fly August 15, 2019

Ball State University’s 2019 Fan Jam Is Saturday August 17th

By: Ball State Sports— Muncie, IN—Join us for Ball State Athletics 2019 Fall Fan Jam on Saturday, August 17th! Everyone is invited to Scheumann Stadium from 5-7 pm for this FREE community-wide event to kick off the 2019 sports schedule. Don’t miss the fun! Fans will have the opportunity to meet Ball State coaches, student-athletes – including the entire football squad – receive autographs, take home a poster and take part in interactive stations. Community organizations and corporate partners will…

An early meeting of the Ludingwood Neighborhood Association. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 15, 2019

Ludingwood Neighborhood Association Revises Covenants to Remove Racist Language

By: Bob O’Bannon— Muncie, IN—The Ludingwood Neighborhood Association, Inc., accomplished a major milestone last month when it secured the required number of signatures among its residents to eliminate racist language from its covenants. The Ludingwood Neighborhood Association, Inc., (LNA) was formed in December of 2014. One of its first orders of business was to remove language from the original covenants, written when the neighborhood was established in 1946, that prohibited people from “any race other than the caucasian race” from…

The ATHENA awards. Photo provided.

Non-Profit August 15, 2019

2019 ATHENA Award Nominations Are Now Open

By: Chrystal Pearson— Muncie, IN—Women in Business Unlimited (WIBU), an organization dedicated to providing networking opportunities for business women of East Central Indiana, would like your help finding and honoring individuals who demonstrate professional excellence, serve their community and actively assists women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Do you know an individual who strives toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment?  Who also excels in their chosen field, devotes time and energy within their community…

Photo by: Amanda Kishel

Entertainment August 14, 2019

Muncie Civic Kicks Off 2019-20 Season With ‘Pure Imagination’

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—Muncie Civic Theatre will open its 2019-20 Season with “pure imagination” when “Willy Wonka” takes the main stage on Aug. 16. Performances will be Aug.16-18, 23-25, and 29-31. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:30 p.m. A sensory-friendly performance will be 2:30 p.m. Aug. 17. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for groups of 10 or more, and $15 for students and children. The musical, directed…

The comprehensive cardiovascular team at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is pictured. Photo provided

Health August 14, 2019

IU Health Ball Ranked Among Nation’s Top Performing Hospitals For Treatment Of Heart Attack Patients 

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN— IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Award for 2019. The hospital is one of only 225 facilities nationwide to receive the honor.  The award recognizes IU Health Ball’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that the facility has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care…

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center at Ball State University. Photo provided

Education August 14, 2019

High School Teachers Learn About ‘Teaching Economics in American History’

By: Diane Watters, Associate Director, E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center— Muncie, IN—“The problem with hosting a successful program is that you get asked to do it again next year!” said Kathryn Kennison, director of the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center at Ball State University. On June 26, 2019, the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center hosted “Teaching Economics in American History” for Indiana high school teachers.  While the mission of the Center is to offer stimulating intellectual non-credit programs to…

By: graphicstock

Entertainment August 14, 2019

PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union & Cornerstone Center for the Arts Wedding & Event Showcase

By: Jessie Fisher— Muncie, IN—If you are planning a wedding or special event in East Central Indiana, be sure to save the date for the 2018 PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union & Cornerstone Center for the Arts Wedding & Event Showcase on Sunday, August 18. The event will be at Cornerstone in Downtown Muncie from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will highlight the area’s best wedding vendors. H&D SupeRent & Special Occasions present the Wedding & Event Showcase with support…

Participants of the Community Group Ride pose for their official group photo taken by Cardinal Greenway board member John Disher.

Entertainment August 12, 2019

Cardinal Greenway Bike Fest Brings Cycling Enthusiasts To Muncie

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The 4th annual Cardinal Greenway Bike Fest was held in Muncie from July 26 to 28. Bike Fest is Cardinal Greenway’s largest event of the year and provided community members the ability to participate in cycling activities and also watch competitive cycling events. The event was held in conjunction with the City of Muncie, Bike Muncie, and was presented by Old National Bank. The kick-off to the event began with a well-attended community group bike ride…