Articles by Mike Rhodes

Visit the new website at http://www.downtownmuncie.org

Non-Profit June 24, 2019

DWNTWN Muncie Launches New Website 

By: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership-  Muncie, IN—Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, the organization behind DWNTWN The Original Muncie, unveiled an updated website this week. The new website, accessible through downtownmuncie.org, features improved functionality, a more modern design, and updated content. The updates were made possible by a Rapid Grant from Ball Brothers Foundation.  “Our website was several years old and in need of change,” Vicki Veach, executive director of MDDP, said. “Not only does this updated website reflect our new look,…

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The Nickel Plate Express is an impressive-looking train. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson June 23, 2019

John Carlson: ‘All Aboooooard!!!!!’

By: John Carlson— For Father’s Day, my wife bought me a train ticket. Consequently, shortly after nine o’clock in the morning last Saturday, Nancy and I arrived in the tiny town of Atlanta, Ind., where men in bright green safety vests were preparing the Nickel Plate Express for another run down Cicero way. Now, I must tell you this about the Nickel Plate Express. It doesn’t exactly rival The Orient Express for  luxurious rail travel. On the other hand, the…

Damiyah Watkins, Tionna Canady and Jacob Johnson, South View Elementary students, could not wait to begin reading their Summer Book Give Away. Photo provided by United Way

Non-Profit June 22, 2019

United Way Hands Out 5,000 Books To Keep Kids Reading Through Summer

By: Christine Rhine— Muncie, IN—Volunteers joined with United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties this week to hand out nearly 5,000 free books to second and third graders at South View and Grissom elementary schools. The book giveaway, in its second year, is an attempt to stave off summer slide, said Jim Flatford, director of impact for United Way. Summer slide is the term given to the loss of skills children experience during the summer months when they are away…

Pence amendment passes 425 to 6 and increases funding for rural broadband.

Government June 21, 2019

Pence Amendment Increases Funding For Rural Broadband

By: Ted Goodman— Pence Amendment successfully increases funding for rural broadband programs, ensuring more communities have access to innovative tele-health technology and distance learning educational opportunities WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Greg Pence successfully offered an Amendment to ensure communities across the 6th District, and rural America, have the necessary support to increase access to broadband programs. The Amendment passed 425 to 6, indicating broad, bipartisan support. “I am grateful for the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to…

IPA CEO Claudia Cummings leads a discussion of regional philanthropists. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit June 21, 2019

Indiana Philanthropy Alliance Convenes Regional Funders in Muncie

By: Holly Davis, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance— Muncie, IN—Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), the state’s largest amplifier of philanthropic impact, is undergoing a strategic planning process to chart the organization’s path for the next five years. The group convened funders from the region in Muncie on the morning of Thursday, June 6 at First Merchants Bank in downtown Muncie. “In the year 2020, IPA will be celebrating our 30th year,” said Claudia Cummings, IPA CEO.  “As the new CEO, I view this…

2018 grad Ryan Shank (left), won two Emmys at the annual Lower Great Lakes Chapter awards ceremony in Cleveland.  2019 grad Sam Ahrens, 2018 grad Logan Dubbs, and 2018 grad Jay Fields also received honors in Cleveland. Photo provided

We Fly June 19, 2019

Ball State Students, Recent Grads Win Four Emmys in Cleveland

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN— Ball State University’s string of Emmy winners continued  June 15 when students and recent graduates involved in multiple projects took home four statuettes from the 50th  annual Emmy Awards for the Lower Great Lakes Chapter in Cleveland. Ryan Shank, a 2018 graduate (Department of Telecommunications), was a double winner for the WIPB-TV production of “The Story of Jim Davis,” with one Emmy for directing, and a second as producer, sharing that award with 2019 graduate…

By managing our nutrition and exercise, we can achieve good wellness. Photo provided

Business June 19, 2019

The Importance Of Wellness

By: Cheyenne Shelby, LifeStream Services— Muncie, IN—The word “wellness” can be seen marketed everywhere we look: commercials, magazines in the grocery aisle, and even food packaging. Despite the heavy marketing, wellness is more than a buzzword or trend. Wellness is an active process of making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Who doesn’t want that?  By managing our nutrition and exercise, we can achieve good wellness. Wellness is especially important as we age because regular exercise and proper nutrition can…

Hannah Fluhler. Photo by: Don Rogers

We Fly June 18, 2019

Hannah Fluhler Awarded Fulbright Scholarship

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN–Ball State University alum Hannah Fluhler, an Honors College student who recently completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing and pre-dance/movement therapy along with a minor in dance performance, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Melbourne, Australia. There she will help conduct research on Fanconi anemia (FA) at St. Vincent’s Institute, as part of a 12-person Genome Stability Lab team, under the supervision of a leading FA researcher. During her 10 months in Australia, Fluhler also plans…

Adam Unger, Accutech Systems president, makes remarks during a news conference announcing that the company will move its headquarters to downtown Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business June 18, 2019

Muncie-Based Accutech Systems Acquires Technology Company Money Tree Software

By: Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Muncie, IN—Accutech Systems, a leading software company for the trust and investment industry, announced the acquisition of Money Tree Software, a premier financial planning solutions provider. Accutech CEO, Adam Unger said “We are excited to build on the strong calculation engine of the Money Tree software and bring more innovation into the product offering to strengthen the system for the next generation of Advisors and their clients.  As we continue to enhance the financial…

Photo provided

Entertainment June 17, 2019

Music for All Returns To Ball State University June 22-29 With Its National Summer Symposium

By: Brooke Leader— Muncie Organizations are Offering Free Concert Tickets as Part of the Music for All Community Engagement Program INDIANAPOLIS – The 44th Music for All Summer Symposium, presented by Yamaha, returns to Muncie and the Ball State University campus June 22-29, drawing more than 1,800 music students and teachers from 38 states and Queensland Australia. Ball State University, will be hosting the Music for All Summer Symposium. Ball State is a Corporate Sponsor of Music for All. About 1,500 high…