Articles by Mike Rhodes

John Carlson: Memories from Up North

Carlson September 13, 2019

John Carlson: Memories from Up North

By: John Carlson— It was writer Thomas Wolfe who coined the phrase, “You can’t go home again,” and maybe he was right. But as a recent mini-vacation reaffirmed for Nancy and me, trying to recapture good feelings from favorite days past is a worthy endeavor in itself. The two of us drove north into Michigan to the town of Onaway. It’s a quiet little burg near a beautiful body of water called Black Lake. I’ve probably spent week-long vacations up there at least fifteen times in the course of my life, beginning when I was a boy. For me, the…

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Magna Powertrain Muncie Dedicates New Walking Track for Employees And Their Families

Business September 12, 2019

Magna Powertrain Muncie Dedicates New Walking Track for Employees And Their Families

By: Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN— Magna Powertrain Muncie held a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony today to commemorate the establishment of a new walking track for its employees and their families at 4701 S. Cowan Road in Muncie. An identical track has also been constructed at Magna Powertrain’s adjacent facility on Fuson Road. According to Magna Powertrain Muncie General Manager Stephen Brand, the walking track requires an individual to walk 6 laps in order to complete a one-mile walk. “Magna’s Corporate Constitution and Employee’s Charter are the backbone for how all our employee’s work together,” Brand said. “One of our…

Nominees Announced for 3rd Biennial Mayor’s Arts Awards

Non-Profit September 12, 2019

Nominees Announced for 3rd Biennial Mayor’s Arts Awards

By: Braydee Euliss, Executive Director, Muncie Arts & Culture Council— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MACC), in conjunction with the City of Muncie, will celebrate the 3rd biennial Mayor’s Arts Awards on Friday, Sept. 13, at Muncie Civic Theatre. The Mayor’s Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors given by the city to individual artists, teachers, non-profit organizations, and patrons of the arts. Awardees will be honored during the Mayor’s Arts Awards Ceremony, beginning at 7 p.m. on Civic’s Main Stage. The Awards Ceremony and following Community Reception are free and open to the public. For complete event…

America’s Got Talent Winner, Terry Fator To Perform at Emens Auditorium

Entertainment September 12, 2019

America’s Got Talent Winner, Terry Fator To Perform at Emens Auditorium

By: Kristi Chambers— Muncie, IN—It’s a long journey from Corsicana Texas to the Las Vegas stage, but Terry Fator made it to the top as the headliner at the Mirage Hotel in Vegas for the past 10 years. Now, Terry Fator: It Starts Tonight will perform at Emens Auditorium on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Terry can impersonate over 100 voices with favorites being Karen Carpenter, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Justin Timberlake, Elvis, Meghan Trainor and Bruno Mars. His cast of characters includes: Winston the Impersonating Turtle; the World’s Greatest Elvis Impersonator; Elton John; Vicki the Cougar; President…

Hoosier Beverage Association Supports Free Fitness in Muncie Through Cardinal Zumba

Health September 11, 2019

Hoosier Beverage Association Supports Free Fitness in Muncie Through Cardinal Zumba

By: Erin Moore, BSU Office of Community Engagement— Muncie, IN—Twice a week, Muncie residents and Ball State College of Health faculty and students come together at Harvest Christian Church to develop healthy habits through a unique combination of exercise classes, cooking demonstrations, and nutrition classes. The Cardinal Zumba program – which includes health assessments, food samples, and child care – is absolutely FREE to all participants and meets year-round on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:45 pm. Cardinal Zumba is adding strength and conditioning sessions to complement the cardio-focused Zumba classes and nutrition education. The new sessions are made…

Dessert Auction to Support Families in Need

Non-Profit September 10, 2019

Dessert Auction to Support Families in Need

By: Maria VanVreede, Board President, Project Stepping Stone— Muncie, IN – Project Stepping Stone will hold its 10thAnnual Dessert Auction on Sunday, September 15, 2019.  A free lunch will be served beginning at noon, followed by an auction of homemade desserts and community items beginning around 12:30pm. Project Stepping Stone is a non-profit that manages three homes providing transitional housing rent-and-utility-free for low-income families. The six months families spend in a PSS home allows them to recover, save and move forward after domestic instability, personal loss or economic hardship. Benefits from the fundraiser support the maintenance of the homes, as…

Blue Man Group To Perform At Emens on February 24, 2020

Entertainment September 10, 2019

Blue Man Group To Perform At Emens on February 24, 2020

By: Kristi Chambers— Muncie, IN– Blue Man Group, owned by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, has announced the launch of their new tour, Speechless, coming to Emens Auditorium on Monday, February 24th. Speechless will feature new and original compositions, invented instruments and unexpected situations alongside iconic Blue Man Group moments based in joy, art, music, comedy, social commentary and profound absurdity. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 13th at 10am and are available at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000 or in person at the Emens Box Office. Under the helm of visionary director Jenny Koons,…

Innovation Connector to Host the 6th Annual BIG Idea Pitch Competition for Local Entrepreneurs

Business September 10, 2019

Innovation Connector to Host the 6th Annual BIG Idea Pitch Competition for Local Entrepreneurs

By: Alexis Dishman— Muncie, IN – The Innovation Connector of Muncie, Indiana is hosting the sixth annual BIG Idea Pitch competition for local entrepreneurs and innovators to “pitch” their business, business concepts, product or invention to a panel of judges from the business and investment community. There are many very creative and interesting concepts from people in our region, and this competition will showcase those ideas and offer what it takes to advance them. This event is for individuals in all phases of business, including startup or pre-startup. Jr High and High School students, as well as college students, are also…

Introducing the Capstone Connector

Business September 9, 2019

Introducing the Capstone Connector

By: Ted Baker—[print-me] Muncie, IN—The Innovation Connector is pleased to announce the formation of the new Capstone Connector initiative. While serving as the start-up technology hub for the greater Muncie community, the Innovation Connector recognized the opportunity to connect college students to local businesses and organizations to match technology talent with existing business software technology needs. For most college majors, students must complete a final course that is a culmination of their course work called a capstone course. “There has been a disconnect with local university and college computer science talent and the Muncie community,” states Ted Baker, Executive Director…

Heartland Vocal Project Open To Interested Vocalists

Entertainment September 9, 2019

Heartland Vocal Project Open To Interested Vocalists

By: Scott Trout— Muncie, IN—A new mixed acappella chorus is launching in East Central Indiana. Heartland Vocal Project will offer music opportunities for female and male singers of all ages. The musical style will be acappella and barbershop under the umbrella of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The chorus is currently located in Muncie, Indiana, but is open to interested singers in any proximity willing to commute. The group will sing popular music selections with entertainment as a focus. The group will sing for events in central and northeastern Indiana, and will  offer the opportunity to compete against other groups from throughout…