Articles by Mike Rhodes

Nothing enhances a foot’s look like an Abe Lincoln sock. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson August 9, 2019

John Carlson: Lincoln, Feet and Corndogs

By: John Carlson— As a skinny, hairy, elastic-lipped life coach named Steven Tyler notes when singing the lyrics to “Amazing,” one of his band Aerosmith’s big hits, “… life’s a journey, not a destination.” Actually, maybe it’s both. So it was that Nancy and I journeyed to her family reunion recently in Springfield, Ill. My favorite part of the weekend? Without question it was getting to know Ben and Abby’s son Will, who was two weeks old at the time….

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Ontario Systems. File photo.

Business August 8, 2019

Sarasota County Florida Clerk and Comptroller Partners with Ontario Systems

By: Cory Ahlersmeyer— Sarasota’s Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller Selects RevQ+ to Increase Compliance with Court-Assessed Financial Obligations Muncie, IN– Ontario Systems, a leading provider of enterprise revenue cycle management software to healthcare, accounts receivable management, and government markets, has partnered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller of Sarasota County, Florida to implement technology to increase awareness and options available to those who must comply with court sanctioned financial obligations to pay a…

The headquarters of Woof Boom Radio, LLC located at 800 E. 29th Street in Muncie, IN. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business August 7, 2019

Woof Boom Radio and BSU Sports Link Team Up to Expand Coverage of Ball State Athletics

By: Michael Clark, Ball State Athletics— The partnership will allow several volleyball, soccer and field hockey contests to be aired live on Muncie’s Sports Station Muncie, IN – Ball State University and its athletics multimedia rights holder, Learfield IMG College, are excited to announce a new partnership between Woof Boom Radio and Ball State Sports Link which will provide local radio coverage for several women’s volleyball, soccer and field hockey contests this fall. A total of 12 events between the three sports…

A young girl learns ballet at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Photo provided.

Non-Profit August 7, 2019

Fall Classes, Workshops, and Camps at Cornerstone Center of the Arts

By: Claire Downes— Muncie, IN—As Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The key is how to remain an artist once they grow up.” Embrace and hone your creativity at Cornerstone Center for the Arts Education classes, camps, and workshops. Cornerstone will offer classes for the entire family this fall. Fall twelve-week classes begin the week of September 9 and continue through the week of December 2. Various one-time workshops and camps will also be offered throughout fall as…

The AHB Big Band delivers its "swing sound" to a large audience on the grounds of the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center, located on Minnetrista Blvd., Muncie. Photo provided

Entertainment August 7, 2019

Free Big Band Jazz Concert By America’s Hometown Band This Thursday

 By: Katherine Huggler— Muncie, IN—On Thursday evening August 8th, the top-notch Big Band musicians from America’s Hometown Band will be taking their classy Big Band sound to the beautiful front lawn of the E.B. & Bertha C. Ball Center on Minnetrista Blvd. This popular Free concert is a highly entertaining window to the tradition of swing music in its many forms, styles, and tempos. This group and this event’s program are crafted by Will Frazier and Phil Cooley, Assistant Music Directors…

Terry Whitt Bailey. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 7, 2019

24 Democratic Women Chosen To Propel ‘Hoosier Women Forward’

By: Hoosier Women Forward— Leadership training program announces second class to take part in initiative aimed at preparing women for influential roles in public and private sectors Indianapolis, IN – Twenty-four (24) Democratic women from across Indiana – a diverse group with impressive and varied backgrounds – have been selected for Hoosier Women Forward’s (HWF) second class. Launched just last year, the Hoosier Women Forward leadership program is aimed at preparing and propelling Democratic women into influential roles in the…

The Alpha Center is located at 315 S. Monroe St. in Muncie. Photo provided

Business August 6, 2019

Alpha Center Meets The Needs Of Senior Adults

By: Stacey A. Shannon— Muncie, IN—Approximately 18,000 adults over the age of 60 live in Muncie. That number, however, is expected to nearly double over the next few years, according to Susie Kemp, executive director of the Alpha Center located at 315 S. Monroe St. The need for organizations that meet the needs of senior adults will only increase. Kemp said the Alpha Center, which opened in 1978, was one of the first adult day cares developed in Indiana and…

The Horizon Convention Center's Executive Chef, Austin Smith. Photo provided

Business August 5, 2019

Muncie Chef Selected for Competition

By: Joann McKinney, President/CEO, Horizon Convention Center— Muncie, IN—The Horizon Convention Center is proud to announce Executive Chef Austin Smith was chosen to compete in the 2019 Taste of Piazza Chef Competition. The competition will take place at the 2019 Taste of Piazza Food Show on Thursday, August 22nd at Banker’s Life Field House in downtown Indianapolis. One of only 4 chefs chosen out of 35 applicants, Smith will compete against three other Indiana chefs in a mystery box cooking challenge. The winning chef will…

The Old West End Neighborhood Association Arts Festival will take place on August 24, from 10am to 3pm. Photo provided

Entertainment August 5, 2019

Old West End Neighborhood Association Arts Festival To Take Place August 24

By: Gail Townsend— Muncie, IN—Ball State professor Jim Needham will be the keynote speaker at the Old West End Arts Festival on Saturday, Aug. 24, with a presentation on iconic American painter Bob Ross, whose The Joy of Painting was produced at WIPB-TV at BSU. Needham was general manager at the station and was instrumental in signing Ross to make the series. Needham’s programs will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary at Muncie Friends Church,…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health August 5, 2019

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Ranked Among Indiana’s Top Hospitals For 2019-2020

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN—U.S. News & World Report has released its 2019-2020 ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings that name Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital among the state’s top hospitals.  IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, part of the IU Health system, was named the No. 5 ranked regional hospital in Indiana. Besides IU Health Ball, IU Health has three other hospitals among the 10 top ranked hospitals in Indiana: IU Health Medical Center (#1), IU Health Arnett (#8) and IU Health Bloomington…