Articles by Mike Rhodes

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…

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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….

During one of his regular weekly press conferences in November, Wilson unveiled his cleats, telling reporters Sydney “did an amazing job with them.” (Photo courtesy of Seattle Seahawks)

We Fly February 10, 2019

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson Taps Recent BSU Grad to Design His Cleats

By: Nick Werner— Muncie, IN—First Sydney Noland screamed. Then she cried. “I’m sure my downstairs neighbor thought I was out of my mind,” she wrote on her blog. Noland’17, was not out of her mind, but she was overwhelmed with emotion after receiving a text message from a colleague who worked for the Seattle Seahawks. “Guess what? Russell Wilson chose you to design his cleats.” The star quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks drafted Noland,to create a design on his shoes…

Stationary biking’s secret is herewith tunefully noted. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson February 9, 2019

John Carlson: Going Nowhere Fast

By: John Carlson— Yielding to abject feelings of guilt and shame about my woeful physical condition, on New Year’s Day I began riding my stationary bike. This was pretty much a new experience, having only ridden my stationary bike twice since getting it for Christmas. By that, I mean Christmas of 1987. In the decades since then, the only exercise it had provided me was hauling it from the basement of whatever house we were moving out of to the…

endees of the Economic Development Course are pictured during a session. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business February 7, 2019

Horizon Convention Center Hosts Indiana Communities Institute

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Ball State’s Indiana Communities Institute held its 37th Annual Economic Development Course at the Horizon Convention Center, January 13-18th. The Indiana Communities Institute addresses the modern challenges of economic development through community-based strategies for sustainable growth.  The institute’s efforts focus on strengthening communities throughout Indiana, and serves as a model for university economic development efforts across the nation. The institute is focused on improving the quality of life in communities through its Primacy of Place initiative. Their week-long Indiana Economic…

Foundation president, Kelly K. Shrock poses with Jeannine Harrold, the 2018 recipient of the David Sursa Leadership Award. The award recognizes and encourages extraordinary leadership by a non-profit board member in Delaware County.

Non-Profit February 6, 2019

Applications For 2019 David Sursa Leadership Award Now Available

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are being accepted for the annual David Sursa Leadership Award. The award rewards, recognizes and encourages extraordinary leadership by a non-profit board member in Delaware County. Standing behind the belief that every community benefits from leaders who understand local issues and are able to visualize and promote positivity, The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. established the David Sursa Leadership Award in honor…

First Merchants Corporation

Business February 5, 2019

First Merchants Corporation Announces Record 2018 Earnings Per Share

By: First Merchants— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported fourth quarter 2018 net income of $41.7 million, an increase of 71 percent, compared to $24.4 million during the same period in 2017. Earnings per share for the period totaled a record $.85 per share, an increase of 73 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2017 result of $.49 per share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled $159.1 million, compared to $96.1 million…

Photo: Provided by Yorktown Redevelopment Commission

Government February 4, 2019

Improvements To Yorktown’s Canal Street, Downtown To Begin Soon

By: Pete Olson— Yorktown, IN — Renovations to downtown Yorktown’s Canal Street are set to begin within the next few months, the Yorktown Redevelopment Commission announced. These renovations include widening the streetscape and installing sidewalks that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. These improvements will allow for a more walkable and accessible downtown area for all Yorktown residents, said Matt Anderson, the president of the Yorktown Redevelopment Commission. “The goal for the downtown revitalization project is to reinvigorate…

Eric Redfield, Northside student, talks with other ICE League hopefuls before Draft Day drills get under way Saturday, Feb. 2. (Photo provided by Project Leadership / ICE League).

Non-Profit February 3, 2019

ICE League Season 5 launches with 2019 Draft Day

By: Steve Gibson— Muncie, IN—The ICE League, an academic-based League that celebrates student athletes’ grade-point averages, has officially launched its fifth season. The 2019 ICE League launched Saturday with competitive drills and a character-filled, inspirational message from Amber Stocks for 93 Muncie and Burris students who tried out during ICE League Draft Day. Academics drive the ICE League, which sets the grade-point average bar at 2.5 and higher for students who wish to fully participate in the basketball League. The…

Believe it or not, this isn’t a Mount Everest base camp. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson February 3, 2019

John Carlson: Extraordinary Expeditions

By: John Carlson— Yeah, I am the kind of man who thrives on the danger inherent in adventurous expeditions, like on our twice-yearly trips to the Gulf of Mexico. True, the gulf is rife with blood-thirsty sharks. But I just laugh them off, pay them no mind. This is for two reasons: First, as already noted, I am the kind of man who thrives on the danger inherent in adventurous expeditions. Second, to reach me, those sharks will have to…