Articles by Mike Rhodes

James R. Williams is a partner at Defur Voran law firm in Muncie, and president of the

Opinion July 9, 2019

Opinion: Why Muncie Community Schools Is The Smart Choice For Students

By: Jim Williams, president of the Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees— At Muncie Community Schools, we are remaking our education system. We’re using an innovative cradle-to-career community-based model, with support from local businesses and non-profit organizations. Our schools’ current, distinctive opportunities make MCS a smart choice for families. For example, kindergarteners, first- and second-graders at West View Elementary School this fall will be taught in Spanish and English in the Dual Language Immersion Program. At Muncie Central High School,…

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New kitchen pavilion at Maring-Hunt Library. Photo by: Chris Bucher Photographs

Entertainment, Non-Profit July 9, 2019

‘Eat Smart and Move More’ with Purdue Extension and MPL

By: Susan Fisher— Muncie, IN—Carol Pierson from the Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program will present a series of four workshops, Eat Smart and Move More. Participants will learn to plan, shop for, and cook healthy meals. Muncie Public Library (MPL) is a partner in the workshop series, which will take place in the new kitchen pavilion at Maring-Hunt Library. Each session will include information, cooking demonstrations, food samples, and free kitchen tool giveaways. Participants who attend all four workshops will receive…

The winners of the 2017 Mayor's Arts Awards presented at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit July 9, 2019

Nominations Due July 12th For Mayor’s Arts Awards

By: Betty Brewer— Muncie, IN—As chair of the Muncie Arts & Culture Council Board, I am looking forward to this year’s Mayor’s Arts Awards to be held at Muncie Civic Theatre on Friday, September 13, 2019. Planning has been underway since April, and we can’t wait to celebrate Muncie’s arts and culture communities this fall. The ceremony is open to the public, and we hope you’ll consider joining us! The Call for MAA Nominations has been announced and we’re in…

I’d write about this if I wrote about food, but I don’t. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson July 5, 2019

John Carlson: Bye-Bye Food Writing

By: John Carlson— As the chunky person formerly known as the Chowhound, I am often asked, “Hey, Mister Flabiola, have you ever written about something you didn’t eat?” Well, yeah, I have. In fact, it just so happens that a couple weeks ago I was honored to attend the wedding of my friends Chris Flook, local historian, expert wordsmith and dashing man about town, and his super-cool, charming and beautiful executive-type fiancée, Kourtney McCauliff. Furthermore, today I am writing about…

Photo provided

Non-Profit July 3, 2019

Yorktown Non-Profits Receive $3,345 in Grant Funding from the Town of Yorktown Endowment Fund

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc., through the Town of Yorktown Endowment Fund, is awarding $3,345 in grants to three organizations serving the Yorktown Community. BY5 Early Childhood Initiative has been awarded $545 to support Kickoff to Kindergarten at Pleasant View Elementary School. The program, which will run in the weeks prior to school’s start, is designed to improve readiness of incoming kindergarteners. The Yorktown Council for the Arts has been…

Photo used with permission.

Entertainment July 2, 2019

Food Network Looking For Volunteers During Muncie Filming

By: Allyson Kircher, Associate Producer, Lando Entertainment— Metuchen, NJ—The Food Network Show, Restaurant: Impossible is coming to Muncie, IN on July 23rd and 24th! We are seeking enthusiastic individuals that would love to work with Robert Irvine and his talented renovation team as design and construction volunteers on the show! Volunteers may be any licensed or certified individuals in painting, crafting, constructing, remodeling, cleaning, decorating etc. (depending on your skill set). We are always looking for skilled contractors, electricians, plumbers,…

Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Ed.D. Photo provided

Education, We Fly July 1, 2019

Muncie Community Schools Announces Director of Public Education and Chief Executive Officer

By: Ball State Marketing and Communications— Muncie, IN— Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees today voted to hire Indiana native Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Ed.D., as its new Director of Public Education and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 11, 2019. Kwiatkowski brings with her more than 35 years of experience in Indiana public education where she has held a variety of roles including 18 years as a teacher to Senior Education Advisor for Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. This announcement comes on…

Our place out at the lake features a bunch of fresh air. Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson June 28, 2019

John Carlson: Praise for Prairie Creek

By: John Carlson— After working hard all our lives, Nancy and I are committed to spending our retired years in luxury, regardless of the costs. Take our fancy summer place out at Prairie Creek Lake … As you can see in the photo above, it has a great view of the water, plus a couple nice trees, and our furniture is first-class. Our bathroom? Obviously, we’ve gone with a rustic decor, fully incorporating all sorts of handy bushes nearby. Kitchen…

Ashley Evans, Mikayla Fields, Jaila Garrett, Kyla Horst (top row); Brandi Lambertson, Lora McDaniel, Alexia Paine, Erin Roach (second row); Kaitlin Scott, Brittany Slack, Chandler Tucker (bottom row)

Education June 26, 2019

The Community Foundation Announces More 2019 Scholarship Recipients

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—Congratulations to the following graduates –  Ashley Evans, of Cowan Jr./Sr. High School, is the recipient of the Nicholas Brooks Sherfy Memorial Scholarship. Evans plans to attend Ball State University to study nursing. She is the daughter of Tammy Hargrave.  Mikayla Fields, of Monroe Central High School, is the recipient of the Jenny Haskell Memorial Scholarship. Paine, the daughter of Nathan and Susan Paine, plans to study nursing at Indiana University East.  Jaila Garrett,…

Pictured L-R: Kelly Shrock, Chris Caldwell, and Carol Seals. Photo provided

Non-Profit June 26, 2019

Chris Caldwell Named 2019 Recipient of The Community Foundation’s David Sursa Leadership Award

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has announced that Chris Caldwell has been awarded the 2019 David Sursa Leadership Award to recognize his dedicated service to United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties. Caldwell was nominated by United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties, where he served on their Board of Directors since 2013. During his time on the Board, Chris has been involved with United Way at…