Articles by Mike Rhodes

Twilight on the Boulevard. Photo provided

Entertainment August 21, 2019

Minnetrista’s 2nd Annual ‘Twilight on the Boulevard’ To Be Held September 20th

By: Stephen Mortland— Muncie, IN— Join us for Minnetrista’s second annual Twilight on the Boulevard, presented this year by MutualBank on Friday, September 20, 2019 from 7pm to 10pm. Twilight on the Boulevard is a benefit event to support Minnetrista’s enduring vision. Enjoy food and beverages provided by local restaurants such as Vera Mae’s Bistro, Amazing Joe’s Grill, The Neely House, Pete’s Bar & Grill, Twin Archer Brewpub, Minnetrista catering, and more. Walk in the orange glow of Minnetrista’s beautiful…

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The Village will be a busy place when the “$2 Tour” is underway.

Entertainment August 21, 2019

‘$2 Tour of the Village’ is Saturday August 24

By: John Carlson— Muncie, IN—What can two bucks buy you these days? Plenty, when the inaugural “$2 Tour of the Village” happens on Saturday, August 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. on a closed University Avenue between Calvert and Dill streets. Also closed will be Martin Street from North Street to Ashland Avenue. The event is being hosted by Village merchants and the Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association. But why? “The Village sits in our neighborhood, so we decided to celebrate…

Josh Kaufman (L) and Cliff Ritchey (R) during the making of the video for 'Honey Baby.' Photo provided by Cliff Ritchey

Non-Profit August 21, 2019

The Facing Project To Bring Josh Kaufman From NBC’s ‘The Voice’ To Muncie

By J.R. Jamison— The September 7th Concert will also feature Cliff Ritchey and Dan Deitrich Muncie, IN—Josh Kaufman wowed national audiences with his soulful bravado on NBC’s The Voice, and with Usher as his coach he went on to win Season 6. Now, The Facing Project will bring him, along with award-winning musician Cliff Ritchey and Dan Deitrich, to Cornerstone Center for the Arts for a one-night only Storytellers Concert. On stage, Kaufman, Ritchey, and Deitrich will create an intimate…

Courtney Crabtree (left) and Sarah Hill (right) have been awarded the Robert P. Bell Creative Teaching Award to recognize their innovation through collaboration in the classroom. Photo provided

Education, Non-Profit August 20, 2019

Cowan Teachers Awarded Robert P. Bell Creative Teaching Award From The Community Foundation

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has announced that Courtney Crabtree and Sarah Hill have been awarded the Robert P. Bell Creative Teaching Award to recognize their innovation through collaboration in the classroom. Crabtree and Hill, kindergarten teachers at Cowan Elementary School, were nominated by former principal, now assistant superintendent, Tim Brown for their partnership to creatively give their students, and students of all ages at Cowan, more access to STEAM…

Photo provided

Non-Profit August 20, 2019

Navient Provides 130 Volunteers To Help Build Panels To Frame Home

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, IN—Muncie Habitat for Humanity recently partnered with Navient to hold their annual panel build event on August 6th, 2019. For this event, Navient provided over 130 volunteers and built the panels in their parking lot with the help of Habitat’s construction crew. The panels built will frame the future home of Abigail Lyons and her family. With the completion of the panels, Habitat’s Women Build teams will come together this fall to construct Abigail’s home at…

James Flatford is the Director of Impact for the United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 19, 2019

James Flatford Selected for Worldwide Leadership Program

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—James Flatford has been selected to participate in United Way’s Leaders Engaged in Accelerated Development (LEAD) program. The LEAD program is United Way’s exclusive engagement and professional development platform designed for high-performing and high-potential individuals who are committed to building their career within United Way. Flatford is the Director of Impact for the United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties. “United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties is proud that James Flatford was chosen to be a…

Winners of Ball State University’s Outstanding Faculty Awards celebrate with President Geoffrey S. Mearns and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Susana Rivera-Mills. Photo provided

We Fly August 19, 2019

Outstanding BSU Faculty Honored at 2019 Fall Opening Convocation

By: Ball State Marketing and Communications— Muncie, IN — A leading expert in environmental health, especially on the relationship between air pollution and health, and a writer who focuses on the intimacies of family life were among the 2019 Outstanding Faculty Award winners, announced at the Fall Opening Convocation on August 16. Every year, Ball State bestows awards to recognize faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the University community. The 2019 winners are: Outstanding Research Award: Dr. Maoyong Fan,…

Employees of In & Out Cleaning Services are pictured outside their building. Photo provided by: Alex Romoser

Business August 19, 2019

Local Cleaning Service Has A Heart For Muncie

By: Stacey A. Shannon— Muncie, IN—While In & Out Cleaning Services specializes in both residential and commercial cleaning services, the company is focused on building relationships with its customers and being part of the Muncie community. Alex Romoser, a co-owner of the business along with Josh Arthur, said the company has been in business for 15 years and continues to grow. In & Out Cleaning Services, which offers everything from gutter cleaning to window washing to regular cleaning services, offers…

Jennie DeVoe poses with John Carlson. The undulating object trailing down his right pant leg is a beautiful banded cane she had made for him. Photo by: Dave Murray

Entertainment August 18, 2019

Singer Jennie DeVoe Subject Of New Book By Muncie Journal Columnist

By: John Carlson— A native of our city who has become an iconic Hoosier singer-songwriter over the past twenty years is the subject of a new book by Muncie Journal columnist John Carlson. The book is “Jennie DeVoe On The Record: Friends, Music and Elvis Dust.” It is available for $18 from the merchandise table at Jennie’s shows, or online at jenniedevoe.com. (Go to “record shop,” scroll down to “merch” and the book will pop up to order. Or just…

A young lady takes a look through an astronaut’s helmet. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson August 17, 2019

John Carlson: With All Due Respect…

By: John Carlson— A small city of 10,000 people, Wapakoneta sits where Route 33 intersects busy I-75 in southwestern Ohio’s Auglaize County, a place marked by the same gas stations, convenience stores and burger joints as a million others. But pass it on the interstate, especially at night, and the moon-like structure that commands your attention hints why this place is anything but common. Neil Armstrong called it home. That huge full moon, which seems to be rising from the…