Articles by Mike Rhodes

Vera Mae's Bistro in downtown Muncie. Photo by: Lorri Markum

DWNTWN June 17, 2019

Vera Mae’s Bistro

By: Vera Mae’s Bistro— Muncie, IN—Vera Mae’s Bistro offers upscale fusion cuisine borrowing from the rich traditions of Europe, Asia, and the new world. Opening its doors in 1999, Vera Mae’s began its story as a lunch delivery and catering business through its South Walnut street storefront in downtown Muncie. Owner Kent Shuff pioneered the revitalization of Muncie’s historical district and later expanded the restaurant in 2002. Formerly Ballard Hardware, Kent and co-owner and partner, Steve Fennimore created the Ballaird…

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YMCA of Muncie, 500 S Mulberry St, Muncie, IN 47305 Photo by: Mike Rhodes

DWNTWN June 17, 2019

YMCA of Muncie

By: Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN—The YMCA of Muncie was established in our community 144 years ago. During that time, we have developed and adapted to serve the changing needs of our community. From providing youth swim lessons to serving our senior population, the Y is a place where all ages, abilities and incomes are welcome. The Y strives to remove barriers to participation in membership and programs, offering financial assistance through funds raised by the community through our Annual Campaign….

Pridemark Construction is located at 421 S Walnut St Muncie, Indiana 47305. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

DWNTWN June 16, 2019

Pridemark Construction

By: Meagan Fisher— Muncie, IN—Since opening its doors in 2010, Pridemark Construction has established itself as a leading construction company in Muncie and its surrounding communities. Located in downtown Muncie, Pridemark is a general construction company, specializing in site development and construction management. With a knowledgeable staff and experienced field crews, Pridemark can take on any project—big or small. One of the core values held by the company is to build the quality of life in the Muncie community. Not only does Pridemark…

An exasperated Jersey listens before responding to me. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson June 15, 2019

John Carlson: You Will Believe A Dog Can Talk

By: John Carlson— It struck me recently that, if I am ever secretly recorded in my own home during the course of a regular day, the fellas in white coats may haul me off to the proverbial funny farm. Why? Dogtalk. Now, Nancy engages in dogtalk, too. But she being our household’s resident adult, her dogtalk   amounts at most to about five percent of her daily speech. I, on the other hand, being our household’s resident nutcase, figure I devote…

Photo by: Shutterstock

Non-Profit June 15, 2019

BY5, Toyota of Muncie Partner For ‘Diaper Drive’ June 17-21

By: BY5— Muncie, IN— Currently 33% to 50% of all diaper-aged children in Delaware County are in need of diapers, based on research from Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative, Inc. To help address this need, BY5 has partnered with Toyota of Muncie to host a week-long community diaper drive June 17–21.  This diaper drive is a just small portion of BY5’s efforts to alleviate the county’s need for diapers. In early 2018, the non-profit formed a Diaper Bank Task…

Are you interested in serving on Yorktown's Civic Green Programming Advisory Committee?

Government June 14, 2019

Yorktown Accepting Applications For New Programming Committee

By: Melissa Jones— Yorktown, IN —With the creation of Civic Green, a multi-generational gathering space in downtown Yorktown, the town is seeking volunteers to serve on its new Civic Green Programming Advisory Committee. The Civic Green Programming Advisory Committee will be in charge of planning and coordinating events on the Green, which will be ready to host community events by the summer of 2020. Members of the council will work within a given budget to bring to Yorktown unique entertainment…

Sydney Cook. Photo provided

Education June 13, 2019

P.E.O. Scholarship Awarded To Wapahani High School Student

By: Cathy Stewart, P.E.O. Chapter BF, Muncie— Muncie, IN—The prestigious P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) STAR Scholarship for the 2019-2020 academic year has been awarded to Sydney Cook, a recent graduate of Wapahani High School. The scholarship was presented at the Wapahani High School awards ceremony by Rebecca Bieberich. Sydney is the daughter of Robert and Julie Cook and was recommended for this scholarship by Chapter BF of Muncie, Indiana. Sydney has been accepted and will attend Ball State University where she plans…

Barbershop Quartet 'Playlist' to provide free concert on Saturday evening. Photo provided

Entertainment June 13, 2019

Barbershop Quartet ‘Playlist’ To Give Free Concert Ahead of International Competition

By: Scott Trout— Muncie, IN—Playlist, an acappella and barbershop quartet from Muncie, IN has qualified for the 2019 International Barbershop Harmony Society Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah. The quartet will compete on July 2nd along with 52 other groups deemed the best quartets in the world. As they prepare to depart, Playlist will appear in a FREE concert on the Valhalla stage located at 215 S. Walnut St, Muncie, IN 47305.  Join them Saturday evening (June 15) at 6:30pm….

Artist rendering of a new Multicultural Center. Photo provided

We Fly June 12, 2019

Ball State Tuition Set For 2019-20 and 2020-21, Lowest In The MAC

By: Ball State Marketing & Communications— Muncie, IN— The Ball State University Board of Trustees voted today to raise undergraduate tuition rates 1.25% for 2019-20 and 1.25% in 2020-21. Even with this small increase, Ball State will still have the lowest tuition in the Mid-American Conference. Board Chair Rick Hall noted that the increase falls below tuition rates recommended by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (1.65%), the inflation rate the Federal Open Market Committee projects over the next 2…

Photo provided

Government June 12, 2019

Delaware County Delegation Attends Washington DC Conference to Attract Business Investment

By: Brad Bookout— Muncie, IN—Delaware County Commissioners James King and Shannon Henry along with Director of Economic Affairs Brad Bookout and East Central Indiana Regional Planning District Director Bill Walters attended the 2019 SelectUSA Investment Summit, June 10-12, in Washington, DC. The Investment Summit is an annual event connecting international companies with communities in the United States to facilitate new business investment. “The SelectUSA Investment Summit provides a platform to be introduced to various businesses so that we can share…