Articles by Mike Rhodes

This photo is NOT of the Carlsons racing up Pikes Peak. Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson August 4, 2019

John Carlson: Westward WHOOOAAAA!!!

By: John Carlson— With our beloved Chevy Malibu pushing 183,000 miles on the odometer, and my automotive-maintenance skills amounting to what’s generally referred to as “diddly squat,” we’re going to be car shopping soon. We’ll probably be looking at smaller ones. Turns out sizable vehicles just aren’t a good fit for me anymore. Take my GMC Sierra pickup truck. With me standing only three-feet-six – OK, I’m actually a towering  five-feet-six, but who’s counting?  – I can barely see out…

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Entertainment July 31, 2019

Unlock Your Creativity At One of Minnetrista’s Summer Glass Workshops

By: Stephen Mortland— Muncie, Indiana—Join us this summer to learn and explore new artistic skills through one of our various glass workshops. Stained Glass Sun-Catcher Workshop—August 3; 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Add some sparkle and shimmer to your house this summer with handcrafted stained glass sun catchers. In this workshop you will be able to choose from a wide variety of patterns and glass to create a fun and unique beach themed sun catcher. Instructors will teach you how to cut,…

The leadership at Muncie Power Products approaches their work as a team. Back row (left to right): Damon Elmore, Scott Huntsman and Larry Wesley. Front row (left to right): Liz Ludwick, Ray Chambers and Kathy White. Photo provided

Business July 30, 2019

Muncie Power Products Has Been Part Of Downtown Since 1935

By: Stacey A. Shannon— Muncie, Indiana—For 84 years, Muncie Power Products has been operating in Muncie. Kathy White, chief financial officer, said the company was started in 1935 by Louis Conne, who had been the manager at Durham Manufacturing. The company, which makes parts for work trucks, has grown substantially since then and now has a main office, distribution center and warehouses in downtown Muncie. The company’s chairman, CEO and president, Ray Chambers, said Muncie Power Products is continuing to…

Debra Gindhart signs her piano at Madjax's Second Thursday event on July 11, 2019. Gindhart titled her work Sing, Dance and Grow Merriment. Photo provided

Non-Profit July 30, 2019

Playable STEAM-Themed Street Pianos To Be On Display Throughout Muncie

By: Emily Helms, Project Organizer, Resonate by MADJAX— Muncie, IN—Local residents will have the chance to create music and memories with street pianos this summer and early fall. The five pianos were painted by local artists and will be displayed outdoors in various locations throughout Muncie. Madjax, a makerspace and community hub for innovation, collaboration, and design, is overseeing the project. The idea for the project originated with and is being organized by Emily Helms, a Madjax member who frequently noticed visitors…

The Innovation Connector is located at 1208 W. White River Blvd in Muncie.

Business July 29, 2019

What Can Muncie’s Innovation Connector Do For Business Ideators?

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana—Are you an innovator? An idea generator? Do you think BIG? Are you a dreamer? If so, then you probably have a little bit of entrepreneur in you— natural skills and abilities that make you a person that thinks “Why not?” instead of “Why?” Some people can answer those “Why not?” questions all on their own and simply start blazing their own trail with great success. For others, the road to fully realizing an entrepreneurial idea/venture can…

This model of American ace James Howard’s P-51B Mustang is found at Toys Forever Models & Hobbies, 300 S. Walnut Street. Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson July 27, 2019

John Carlson: A Model Upbringing

By: John Carlson— As a person known for being an energetic “go-getter,” I have very little spare time. OK, that’s not true. Actually, as a non-energetic retiree pretty much known for being a human lump, about 99.9 percent of my time is spare. But sometimes, when I am looking to fill that time with something besides recounting the lines between the bricks in our fireplace, I consider building a plastic model airplane. Then I hesitate. Is model-building even a thing…

Pictured L-R: United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties Director of Resource Development Denise King and Muncie Community Schools parent and advocate Stephanie Johnson. Photo provided

Education, Non-Profit July 26, 2019

United Way Tweaks Plans for ‘Listen and Learn’ Session with CEO of Muncie Community Schools

By: Jenni Marsh, President & CEO, United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties— Muncie, IN—United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties is retooling the July 29th open to the public Listen and Learn session about Muncie Community Schools. Originally, the event had been capped at a very small number to hold a kitchen table conversation about families’ hopes for Muncie Community Schools. “When Director of Public Education and CEO of Muncie Community Schools Lee Ann Kwiatkowski was able to attend…

Photo provided

Business July 25, 2019

White River Canal District Development Meeting To Be Held July 30th

By: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— Muncie, IN—There will be a meeting held on Tuesday, July 30th to present information on the proposed Riverfront Phase I Housing and Public Space. This meeting is open to the public and attendees will have an opportunity to meet the developers, WS Property Group. http://www.wspropertygroup.com/ The meeting will be held at the Horizon Convention Center, 401 S High Street, at 4:30 pm in the Prairie Creek Room.   Click here to view a flyer about…

Photo by: Joshua Black Wilkens

Entertainment July 25, 2019

JD McPherson and Jennie Devoe To Perform at Free Concert At Canan Commons

By: Rick Zeigler— Muncie, IN– Acclaimed roots-rocker JD McPherson will be performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2019 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 3rd at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Muncie’s own Jennie Devoe will open the show. Known for his highly resonant voice and vintage-inspired sound that nods to ’40s R&B and ’50s rock & roll, JD…

"Four for the Fourth" is an annual race in Yorktown, Indiana, that is helping to build community and relationships with people throughout Mt. Pleasant Township, fund trails and pathways to connect neighborhoods, and promote healthy living and active lifestyles. Photo provided

Government July 24, 2019

Yorktown’s ‘Four for the Fourth’ Brings In $25,000 For Trail Expansion

By: Pete Olson, Town Manager—  Yorktown, IN— Yorktown’s trail system will see additional updates, thanks to a donation from Four for the Fourth. The committee for the annual four-mile run announced at Monday’s Town Council meeting that this year’s event supported a $25,000 donation to the town. The money will go toward expanding the River Road trail 1,000 feet from where it currently ends to the Woodland Trails neighborhood. “This is a very proud moment for us and a huge…