Articles by Mike Rhodes

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…

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Easter at Emens. Photo provided

Non-Profit May 13, 2019

Unity Service Results In Donation Of $30,000 For Muncie Agencies

By: Candace Ford— Muncie, IN—More than $30,000 was donated to support the Muncie Boys and Girls Club, Christian Ministries and the YWCA when two local churches came together for Easter services at Emens auditorium on Ball State University’s Campus. The event was a result of a meeting months prior between Pastor Gregg Parris of Union Chapel Ministries and Bishop Keith O’Neal of Destiny Christian Center. “Easter at Emens was a great way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, engage in Christian unity…

File Photo

Government May 13, 2019

National Police Week Is May 12-18

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—National Police Week is observed from May 12-18. National Police Week pays tribute to local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who serve and protect the public with courage and dedication. National Police Week also honors the good work law enforcement officers do for the local community. I searched the Muncie Journal’s archives for some of the articles we have published about the work of our law enforcement officials. A few of them are below. Muncie…

Artist rendering—Exterior Downtown North Building. Photo provided.

Education, Non-Profit May 12, 2019

Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation Donates $130,000 to Ivy Tech

By: Jennifer Gasiorek— Muncie, IN–The Ivy Tech Foundation has received a donation from the Shafer Foundation of $130,000.  Ivy Tech Community College received a state appropriation of $38.7 million. However, the College was charged with raising an additional $4.3 million to complete the transformation of the Muncie campus to better serve students and area employers. “Shafer Foundation’s generous gift humbles me,” said Jeffrey D. Scott, Chancellor. “As I think about how close we are to reaching our financial goals, I…

Pictured L-R: Amy Leffingwell, Peggy Cenova, Angie Rogers-Howell, and Matt Howell. Photo provided

Business May 10, 2019

Farmhouse Creative Receives Small Business Impact Award

By: Amy Leffingwell— Indianapolis, IN—The Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), part of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), honored one business from each of its 10 regions statewide on Thursday, May 9th in Indianapolis. Muncie based Farmhouse Creative, founded by Angie Rogers-Howell in 2012, received the 2019 Small Business Impact Award, representing the east-central region. This award recognizes small businesses that work to help grow Indiana’s economy and strengthen communities across the state. This is the second SBCD award for Farmhouse…

This corner of our backyard garden delights and educates us. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson May 10, 2019

John Carlson: Assorted Beauties, Plus Bees

By: John Carlson– An amazing amount of beauty can be packed into a tiny backyard garden, but the same goes for drama, confusion and opportunities for education. Drama? Our dog Toby was about to eat a wasp in ours the other day, before I shooed it away at the last second. Confusion? An apparent slow learner, Toby did  eat a wasp last year. Not one to back down from a fight just because he was being devoured, that wasp registered…

Hoosier artist, Bill Wolfe is pictured with Hurley C. Goodall and a miniature version of the lifesized statue. File photo.

Non-Profit May 9, 2019

Hurley C. Goodall Statue To Be Dedicated on May 23

By: Chris Flook— Muncie, IN — The Delaware County Historical Society, Community Enhancement Projects, and the Muncie Arts and Culture Council are pleased to announce the dedication of the Hurley C. Goodall statue at 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 23. The dedication will take place at Cornerstone Park and Fireman’s Park, at the corners of Madison and Jackson streets and Madison and Main streets. The event is free and all are invited to attend. May 23rd is also Mr. Goodall’s 92nd…

Angie is pictured by the "Outstanding Trail Leaders" award she was presented at the 24th International Trails Symposium in Syracuse, NY. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit May 8, 2019

Cardinal Greenways CEO Angie Pool Awarded “Outstanding Trail Leaders” Award For the State of Indiana

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The American Trails “Advancing Trails Award Winners” were announced last week at the 24th International Trails Symposium held in Syracuse, NY. Cardinal Greenways CEO, Angie Pool was awarded the “Outstanding Trail Leader” award for the state of Indiana. The “Outstanding Trail Leader” award recognizes individuals who have made compelling and significant contributions to the trails movement in their home states. Any area of trail excellence or achievement—advocacy, design, construction, maintenance, adaptation, etc.—are grounds for receiving the…

Kids In Need Foundation, Teacher-Student relations are strengthened by BTSTS donations. Photo provided

Non-Profit May 8, 2019

Back To School Teachers Store Invests in Delaware County Teachers

By: Stacy Wheeler– Muncie, IN–Over the past four years, the BTSTS Teachers Store has invested $2.1 million in Delaware County’s Pre-K thru 12th grades through school supplies. Located at 1318 South Madison Street in Muncie, the non-profit operates a free teacher supply store every Tuesday– Thursday, from 10:30 am–5:30 pm and the first Saturday of each month from 10 am-2 pm. According to the Kids In Need Foundation’s annual teachers survey, the majority of Delaware County teachers reporting found that…

PlySpace is a new artist-in-residence program based in the Emily Kimbrough Historic District in downtown Muncie. Photo provided.

Entertainment May 8, 2019

PlySpace Presents “Girl Talk: Storytelling as Advocacy” With Resident Siena Hancock

By: Erin Williams– Muncie, IN–Plyspace, an Artist Residency Program of the Muncie Arts and Culture Council, will be wrapping up the Spring Residency Term with a panel discussion and presentation organized and moderated by resident Siena Hancock. Girl Talk: Storytelling as Advocacy will be held at the PlySpace Gallery (608 E. Main St, Muncie, IN 47305) on Thursday, May 9th, from 6-8 PM. Girl Talk: Storytelling as Advocacy will feature the voices of Ashleigh Bingham, Jill Christman, and Angie Roger-Howells,…