Articles by Mike Rhodes

Earlier this year, a $390.95 Robert P. Bell Education Grant allowed fourth grade teacher, Jennifer Jessie to recover an abandoned garden at St. Mary School. Students from preK through middle school have used the garden to learn about their environment.

Education November 28, 2018

Teachers Awarded $4,863 for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

By: Kallie Sullanke— Muncie, Indiana—Eighteen local teachers will receive $4,863 for 13 projects in Robert P. Bell Education Grants from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. Across the county, 1,000s of students benefit from Bell Education Grants each year. Awards of up to $450 are available through the Bell Grants program. Funded projects are creative or innovative classroom projects designed to stimulate learning in students. All Delaware County teachers are invited to apply during any of the four grant…

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The property at 3910 W. Bethel is pictured.

Business November 28, 2018

Two Well Known Muncie Retail Properties To Be Sold In Online Auction

By: Alex Nielsen— New York, NY—Mission Capital Advisors, a leading national real estate capital markets solutions firm, has announced that its Asset Sales Group is marketing two well known Muncie properties in an online auction to be held December 3-5. Both properties will be auctioned individually on the RealINSIGHT Marketplace platform, with the bidding window opening on December 3rd and closing on December 5th. The properties were previously occupied by the Marsh grocery chain – or its LoBill Foods brand –…

The Honorable Marianne L. Vorhees is pictured with a young child adopted on National Adoption Day. Photo by: Elizabeth Saylor

Government November 27, 2018

22 Children Adopted At Delaware County Justice Center on National Adoption Day

By: Rebecca Bruce, Attorney— Muncie, IN—On Friday, November 16, 2018, a total of 22 children and their forever families were brought together to have their adoptions finalized at the Delaware County Justice Center as part of National Adoption Day.  Eighteen families left the event with smiles on their faces, stuffed animals in the arms of children, and hearts filled to overflowing with thankfulness and joy. The hearings started at 1 p.m. in the Honorable John M. Feick’s courtroom and ended just…

Youth Symphony Orchestras of East Central Indiana was awarded $4,500 in Quarterly Competitive Grants from The Community Foundation. YSOECI brings together young musicians to provide weekly orchestral experiences. Student musicians have the opportunity to perform at concerts and community events. Pictured, a Chamber Program student performs at the Bridge Dinner in April.

Non-Profit November 26, 2018

5 Delaware County Non-Profits Receive Over $60K in Grant Funding From Community Foundation

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $62,875 to five no-profit organizations during the fourth Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2018. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County— for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest:…

Neil Schmottlach (R) presents past recipient, Mark McKinney (L) with the Horatio Alger Award during the Great Futures Luncheon. This year the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie will present both the Legacy Award and the Roy C. Buley Heritage Award at the Great Futures Dinner on January 24. Photo provided.

Non-Profit November 26, 2018

Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Accepting Nominations for Two Awards

By: Amy Logan— Muncie, Indiana—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie is looking for nominations from the public for the Boys & Girls Club Legacy Award and the Roy C. Buley Heritage Award. Nominations are due December 14 and the award will be presented to the recipient at the Great Futures Dinner on January 24. The Boys & Girls Club Legacy Award will be given to a member of the community who has overcome a significant obstacle in their life…

Cyber Monday is November 26, 2018. Illustration by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit November 25, 2018

Cyber Monday at Cornerstone Center For The Arts

By: Jessie Fisher— Muncie, Indiana—Give the gift of art to your loved ones this holiday season. Cornerstone Center for the Arts is excited to offer half price gift certificates on Cyber Monday, November 26. This is a one-day only deal you do not want to miss. On Cyber Monday, Cornerstone will offer $50 gift certificates for its group classes for just $25 each! If you know an adult or child who has always wanted to take classes at Cornerstone, this…

Student entrepreneurs at work in a group office setting. Photo by: graphicstock

Business November 24, 2018

Young Entrepreneurs To Compete for Prizes Worth Over $100,000

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, Indiana — Young innovators from across Indiana may learn more about the entrepreneurial process through a pitch competition — and win up to $100,000 in prizes — co-sponsored by Ball State University in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) and the Indiana Department of Education (DOE). Innovate WithIN Pitch Competition, now in its second year, is designed for high school innovators who have an idea for a business, product, service, technology component, or other…

It’s about time to gather around the Christmas bush. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson November 23, 2018

John Carlson: Thanksgiving, In Retrospect

By: John Carlson— By the time you read this, I will have survived my 68th Thanksgiving. Sixty-eight strikes me as lots of Thanksgivings, so I feel confident in explaining exactly what I am thinking, feeling and doing right now. That is even though this column is being written fully two weeks before Turkey Day, so I can sneak in a quick Florida vacation. First, in keeping with yesterday’s holiday, I feel incredibly thankful. What I feel incredibly thankful for  is…

Enchanted Luminaria at Minnetrista. File photo

Entertainment November 20, 2018

Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista Begins November 30th

By: Stephen Mortland— Muncie, IN—There is no better way to kick off the holiday season than with your family and friends at Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista, on November 30 and December 1 from 6–9 p.m. each night. “Enchanted Luminaria Walk is one of my favorite events to work here at Minnetrista,” said Discovery and Engagement Manager, Ashley Mann. “It’s our gift to the community and there are so many amazing opportunities for family fun and memory making. The excitement…

Photo provided.

Entertainment November 18, 2018

MFD’s ‘Toys for Tots’ Donations Accepted at NOEL The Musical and Mannheim Steamroller

By: Kristi Chambers— Muncie, Indiana–Emens Auditorium will be host two spectacular holiday shows this Christmas season. Noel the Musical will be on Tuesday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. Following that Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis will be November 29, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. In partnership with the Muncie Fire Department’s Toys for Tots, bring a toy donation to NOEL the Musical and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis  and receive a BOGO (buy one get one free) coupon to…