Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo by: graphic stock

We Fly May 20, 2019

AAUW To Hold 40th Annual Used Book Sale

By: Sheryl Swingley— Muncie, IN—Donations of used and new books, excluding textbooks, are being accepted for the American Association of University Women’s 40th annual Used Book Sale, which is co-sponsored by Indiana Public Radio. IPR will accept books prior to the sale. People should call 765-285-5888 to arrange to donate books. People with books to drop off may park behind the Letterman Building on Ball State University’s campus. Access to the parking area is off of Riverside Avenue. Books also may…

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L-R: Karson Miller, Alexis Huff, Taylor Gillum, Madison Stevens (top row); Audrey Douglass, Brady Pease, Lily Johnson, Mackenzie Walker (middle row); Julia Keating, Mason Hunt (bottom row)

Education May 18, 2019

The Community Foundation Announces 2019 Scholarship Recipients 

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—Congratulations to the following graduates! Audrey Douglass, a senior at Daleville Jr/Sr High School, is a recipient of the 2019 Sarah E. Adams Scholarship. Douglass, daughter of Bryan and Tammy Douglass, plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University.  Taylor Gillum, a senior at Daleville Jr./Sr. High School, as the recipient of the 2019 Sarah E. Adams Scholarship. Gillum plans to attend Anderson University to study athletic training. She is the daughter of Rob and Debbie…

Headphones plus Burt Bacharach’s hits equal great listening. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson May 17, 2019

John Carlson: Let’s Give Burt A Big Hand

By: John Carlson— Burt Bacharach did not write “Satisfaction.” After all, you may have noticed the Rolling Stones’ mega-hit repeatedly includes the refrain, “I can’t get no…” Bacharach would never have employed – some might say, stooped to – such poor grammar in his lyrics. It’s also a safe bet he didn’t write stuff like The Mothers of Invention’s “Hungry Freaks, Daddy” or Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” or thousands upon thousands of other memorable songs the young folks of my generation…

Photo Provided by: Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Indiana

Non-Profit May 17, 2019

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Indiana Decides To Close Agency

By: Amanda Price— Muncie, IN—Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Indiana has been proud to Defend the Potential of the youth in our community for the past 48 years. However, due to increased requirements from our National office, and the costs associated, we have decided to close our agency as of Friday, May 17, 2019. During our 48 years as a Big Brothers Big Sisters agency we have had the honor and privilege of working with the children in…

Photo provided

Health May 16, 2019

Celebrating Mothers And Older Americans In Our Communities

By: Bethel Pointe Health & Rehabilitation— Muncie, IN—One thing that certainly comes to mind every May is Mother’s Day; however, the month of May is also Older Americans Month. Although Mother’s Day has only been an official U.S. holiday since 1914, it had been traced as far back to the period of ancient Rome and Greece. Older Americans Month was established in 1963 via discussions between Presi­dent John F. Kennedy and the National Council of Senior Cit­izens out of concerns…

Photo provided

Non-Profit May 16, 2019

Muncie Noon Optimist Club To Hold Open House at Camp Adventure on May 16

By: Ruth Berkley, President of Muncie Noon Optimist Club– Muncie, IN–Come and celebrate Optimist International’s 100 years of helping the youth in our community at our open house, May 16 from 5pm to 8pm at Camp Adventure, located at 4881 South Proctor Road Muncie, IN 47302. The Optimist Club owns the Camp Adventure Learning Center, which is a 41-acre facility operated by Muncie Community Schools, with over 140,000 students served since 1994. It is available to corporations and individuals for special events….

Entertainment May 16, 2019

AMA To Host National Association of Rocketry Event

Muncie, IN—In collaboration with Wright Stuff Rocketeers, and Rocketeers of Central Indiana, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), will host an eight-day festival of model rocketry and aeromodeling– NARAM-61. The event begins Saturday, July 27th and runs through Saturday, August 3rd.  Spectators can see sport flying of small to very large rockets reaching altitudes in excess of 50,000 feet. For more information, visit: https://www.nar.org/site/naram-61-rocketry-festival/  

May is "Older Americans Month." Photo provided

Business May 15, 2019

LifeStream Services Celebrates “Older Americans Month”

By: Jenny Hamilton, President & CEO of LifeStream Services— Muncie, IN—Each May, the nation celebrates Older Americans Month. What began in 1963 as a way to raise awareness of the issues facing older adults, eventually led to the passing of the Older Americans Act in 1975. LifeStream Services has been serving as the Area Agency on Aging for our region for the past 44 years since that time. We provide programs and services such as nutrition, transportation, and in-home care…

Pictured L-R: Liz Ludwick and Damon Elmore. Photo courtesy of JMG by Kurt Hostetler

Non-Profit May 14, 2019

Muncie Power Products Duo Co-Chair 2019 United Way Fundraising Campaign

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—Two members of the executive team of Muncie Power Products – longtime stalwart Liz Ludwick and a relative newcomer to Muncie Power and Muncie —Damon Elmore — will head up the 2019 United Way annual fundraising campaign. “We could not be more excited about the 2019 campaign,” said 2019 Co-Chair Ludwick. “There is so much to be positive about in our community. For 40 years, I’ve been a supporter of United Way. I’ve seen its work…

Michael Rafter is pictured playing the grand piano. Photo provided

We Fly May 14, 2019

Ball State Brings Emmy Award Winner To Campus To Teach

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN— Emmy Award-winning musical director Michael Rafter will join Ball State University for Fall semester, bringing his talents to the Department of Theatre and Dance. Rafter will be an associate professor of musical theatre, succeeding Beth Turcotte, the George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Theatre who joined the University in 1982. She retired May 3. Rafter is an American arranger, music director, music supervisor, conductor, and musician best known for his work on Broadway and collaborations with…