Articles by Mike Rhodes

2019 Walk Indiana Event To Be Held September 7th

By: Cardinal Greenways— Muncie, IN—Walk Indiana is a non-competitive walking event for people of all ages and abilities. Join us for the 10th anniversary year with new routes and distances for 2019. The event will be held on September 7, 2019. Choose from 5K, 10K or 10 miles along the Cardinal Greenway starting at Prairie Creek (10 mile), Medford (10K) or Mansfield Park (5K) with transportation courtesy of MITS provided to your start location. Participants will meet at the west parking lot of the Muncie Southside Middle School, 1601 E. 26th St., Muncie to be transported to their start location….

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Eight Delaware County Non-Profits Receive $84K In Grant Funding From Community Foundation

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $84,426 to eight non-profit organizations during the third Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2019. 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: arts and culture, human services, economic development, education and community betterment. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. is a publicly…


Muncie Removes Dams On The White River

By: John Craddock & Phillip Tevis— Muncie, IN—Over the past 150 years, our community has used the White River to power mills, create electric power, provide our drinking water and, at times, to act as an open sewer for human and industrial waste.  As a result of the Clean Water Act in 1972, industrial pre-treatment, and sewer separation efforts, the White River is now one of the nation’s most pristine rivers in terms of ecological health. Especially in the past 25 years, the river has seen a tremendous increase in fish species and recreation. Today, Muncie sees the White River…


Kelly N. Stanley Recipient of ‘2019 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award’ From Association of Fundraising Professionals

By: Sara Nash— Indianapolis, IN—Fundraising professionals throughout the state will be celebrating the spirit of giving in November by recognizing philanthropists and the impact of Hoosier philanthropy at the 37th annual Indiana Philanthropy Awards celebration, presented by Aly Sterling Philanthropy. Since 1983, Indiana Philanthropy Awards have honored individuals and organizations who have enhanced philanthropy, the community, and the world through their dedicated efforts, time, leadership, passion, and generosity in Indiana. Past honorees have included some of the foremost philanthropists, leaders, organizations, and corporations in Indiana who have left an indelible mark on communities across the state and beyond. The following…


NAACP To Host 2019 Freedom Fund Banquet on September 20th

By: George Foley— Muncie, IN—The 3rd Annual NAACP Muncie Freedom Fund Banquet will be held Friday, September 20, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Horizon Convention Center located at 401 S. High Street, Muncie, Indiana 47303. As always, we have an exciting dinner planned to include great food and a dynamic speaker. This year’s keynote speaker is Carolene Mays-Medley, Executive Director-White River State Park and Motivational.  Carolene Mays-Medley has overseen a rapidly increasing event lineup as well as an infrastructure overhaul—including an upcoming upgrade of the Lawn concert facility. Mays-Medley also has had an extensive career in politics, business and media. …


Cook And Belle Concert To Kick Off 2019 United Way Campaign

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties kicks off its Delaware County 2019 campaign next month with a downtown celebration and outdoor concert by local music legends – Cook and Belle. The concert – on Thursday, Sept. 5 – begins at 7 p.m. when the local headliners take the stage. Fun for the whole family begins at 6 p.m. with Charlie Cardinal, performances by Ball State’s Code Red Dancers, and games. The event – now in its third year on Walnut Street – draws thousands to the downtown. Local brewers, The Heorot, Elm Street, and The…


4th Annual Just Desserts Event to Benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie

By: Amy Logan— Muncie, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie and Old National Bank are excited to invite you to the 4th Annual Just Desserts on October 3, 2019. This year’s event will take place in the Ivy Tech Ballroom, located at 345 S. High Street. More than 150 guests will enjoy wine, appetizers, music, and fellowship with friends to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie. Each table will work together to outbid other tables and win the dessert of their choice made by Muncie’s finest bakers. Last year’s event raised more than $25,000. “Too…


Chamber of Commerce Legacy Gala Honors Ball Family

By: The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce— Muncie, IN—The 9th annual Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Gala was held at the Horizon Convention Center on Saturday evening, August 24th. Among those who paid tribute to the legacy of the Ball family was Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.  The event also included speaker James A. Fisher, CEO of the Ball Brothers Foundation Board of Directors; Geoffrey Mearns, Ball State University President; Dr. Jeffrey Bird, CEO of IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital; and, Stephanie Duckmann, great-granddaughter of Edmund B. Ball and a member of the Ball Brothers Foundation Board of Directors. Fisher said, “There…


How Family And My Hometown Influenced My Career In Higher-Ed Leadership

By: Alison Bell, Chancellor for WGU Indiana— I recently had the opportunity to meet with Muncie city leaders, including Mayor Dennis Tyler, to discuss access to affordable college, a visit that was part of a statewide tour we planned after I took on my new role as Chancellor at WGU Indiana. While I was excited to have the opportunity to visit the new local restaurant, Roots, in the Village, I also found myself reflecting on the city and family members who impacted my pathway to higher education leadership. Growing up in Muncie, I was exposed to higher education in many different…


IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Earns ‘LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader’ Designation

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie hospital is one of only 4 hospitals statewide and 406 healthcare providers nationwide to earn the LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader designation. Muncie, IN—IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital announced that it has achieved “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) for the eighth consecutive year. IU Health Ball was the first hospital in Indiana to earn the LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader designation in 2012. The designation was awarded in the 12th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). A record 680 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2018 survey, with HRC…