Articles by Mike Rhodes

Joseph Butz, Chief Operating Office, Kaiser Permanente, will discuss Free Markets and Health Care. Photo provided

We Fly February 18, 2019

2nd Annual T. Norman Van Cott Lecture in Political Economy and Liberty

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN— The Department of Economics will host the 2nd Annual T. Norman Van Cott Lecture in Political Economy and Liberty on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the Arts & Journalism building, Room 175 on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.  Joseph Butz, Chief Operating Office, Kaiser Permanente, will discuss Free Markets and Health Care. Joseph T. Butz serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Delivery System Operations for…

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Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns and IU Health/Ball Memorial Hospital’s Dr. Jeff Bird, lead the Central City Leadership Team, established earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Alliance magazine.

Business February 16, 2019

Alliance Magazine: What Will the NEXT Muncie Look Like?

By: Eric Cox— Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt of an article that appears in the Fall 2018 Edition of Alliance Magazine, published by the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. A PDF of the entire article and full Fall Edition of the magazine can be viewed from the link at the very bottom of this article.  Muncie, IN—That’s a question officials have been mulling over this year. Their ponderings led to a new ad hoc group whose aim is to…

Austin Marchino playing Andrew Jackson. Photo by: Chase Cantwell

Entertainment February 16, 2019

Muncie Civic To Present The Musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—You are not going to find this stuff in your history books. Muncie Civic Theatre will present the musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” in the Casazza Family Studio Theatre Feb. 15-17, 21-23. Shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will begin at 8 p.m. and the Sunday matinee will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for students. For tickets and more information, call (765) 288-PLAY or go to www.munciecivic.org. Director Jonathan Jensen…

Lahody’s bartender Bobby Replogle pours a vodka martini. Photo by: John Carlson

Carlson February 15, 2019

John Carlson: We’re Eating Hearty

By: John Carlson— Where we were, precisely, I forget. It may have been a hot fried-chicken joint where the burn in that crispy bird left me happily gasping. It may have been the sushi place, where you lifted your selections from the tiny flatcars that passed your booth on miniature railroad tracks. Or it may have been the traditional Mexican place, which answered my pressing question, “How does a grasshopper taco taste?” What I do remember is that it was…

Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition. Now at the AMA in Muncie. Photo provided

Entertainment February 14, 2019

Black Wings Exhibit Now At The National Model Aviation Museum

By: Mandee Mikulski— Muncie, IN —The National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana will be hosting Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition, beginning in February in celebration of Black History Month, and running through March. The exhibit was also open in February 2018 at the Muncie museum and many enjoyed learning more about the history of African-Americans in aviation. The Wright brothers signaled the arrival of the new age of aviation with their historic flight in…

Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit February 14, 2019

United Way Surpasses Campaign Goal, Again

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—The United Way of Delaware County, for the second consecutive year and against all odds, surpassed its campaign goal, raising $1.44 million. The continued success signals the community’s embrace of the bold goal to end generational poverty here. Nearly half of Delaware County households live in poverty or are one crisis away from it. It’s often a vicious generational cycle. These working families face obstacles in reaching health, education, and financial stability. To conquer generational poverty,…

Nate Jones, Candidate for Mayor of Muncie. Photo provided

Government February 13, 2019

Meet Nate Jones, Candidate For Mayor Of Muncie

By: Nate Jones— My name is Nate Jones and I am running for Mayor of Muncie. I was born and raised right here in Muncie and I love my hometown. I am raising my children here in this city and want a future for them to be proud of. In 2004, I graduated from Muncie Central High School. I joined the Indiana Army National Guard in 2007. In 2009, I was deployed to Afghanistan where I helped eradicate terrorists from…

The MOM Celebrity Spelling Bee is set for Feb. 21 at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Ball State University's Office of Institutional Diversity - with an assist from local blues legend Governor Davis - won the 2017 MOM Celebrity Spelling Bee. Photo provided.

Non-Profit February 12, 2019

Third Motivate Our Minds Celebrity Spelling Bee Set For Feb. 21

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN – Who are the best adult spellers around? Find out on Feb. 21 when the MOM Celebrity Spelling Bee takes the stage at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Celebrity teams will battle it out – word for word – beginning at 6 p.m. in the Legacy Room of Cornerstone, 520 E. Main St. A pre-event reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. Teams will be competing for the prestigious traveling MOM Celebrity Spelling Bee trophy. First…

A view of the thrift shop inside the Muncie-Delaware County Senior Citizens Center. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit February 11, 2019

Local Community Centers Benefit Muncie Residents Of All Ages

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN—Muncie is fortunate to have several community centers that benefit residents of all ages. These unique facilities provide a safe haven for kids and deliver life-changing programs and services to local residents. Muncie-Delaware County Senior Citizens Center The Muncie-Delaware County Senior Citizens Center is located at 2517 W. 8th Street in Muncie. The center is located in the former Forest Park elementary school. Judy Elton is executive director of the center. Elton says that 500-700 people typically attend…

Mary Poppins at Muncie Civic Theater. Photo by: Kishel Photography

Non-Profit February 11, 2019

Muncie Civic Theatre Receives Grant From Indiana Youth Institute

By: Lauren Littlefield— Indianapolis, IN— The Indiana Youth Institute (“IYI”) today announced the Muncie Civic Theatre in Delaware County, Indiana and Carey Services in Grant County, Indiana have been awarded organizational coaching and funding to improve operational efficiencies and enhance the overall impact they make in young people’s lives. “Both of these outstanding organizations provide young people with opportunities to learn new skills, challenge their limits, and grow into more engaged community members here in Indiana,” said Indiana Youth Institute CEO Tami Silverman….