Articles by Mike Rhodes

24 Democratic Women Chosen To Propel ‘Hoosier Women Forward’

Non-Profit August 7, 2019

24 Democratic Women Chosen To Propel ‘Hoosier Women Forward’

By: Hoosier Women Forward— Leadership training program announces second class to take part in initiative aimed at preparing women for influential roles in public and private sectors Indianapolis, IN – Twenty-four (24) Democratic women from across Indiana – a diverse group with impressive and varied backgrounds – have been selected for Hoosier Women Forward’s (HWF) second class. Launched just last year, the Hoosier Women Forward leadership program is aimed at preparing and propelling Democratic women into influential roles in the public and private sectors. “We were so pleased to see so many distinguished and determined women from across our state…

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Alpha Center Meets The Needs Of Senior Adults

Business August 6, 2019

Alpha Center Meets The Needs Of Senior Adults

By: Stacey A. Shannon— Muncie, IN—Approximately 18,000 adults over the age of 60 live in Muncie. That number, however, is expected to nearly double over the next few years, according to Susie Kemp, executive director of the Alpha Center located at 315 S. Monroe St. The need for organizations that meet the needs of senior adults will only increase. Kemp said the Alpha Center, which opened in 1978, was one of the first adult day cares developed in Indiana and is currently one of only two left in the state. “We do the same thing now that we did in…

Muncie Chef Selected for Competition

Business August 5, 2019

Muncie Chef Selected for Competition

By: Joann McKinney, President/CEO, Horizon Convention Center— Muncie, IN—The Horizon Convention Center is proud to announce Executive Chef Austin Smith was chosen to compete in the 2019 Taste of Piazza Chef Competition. The competition will take place at the 2019 Taste of Piazza Food Show on Thursday, August 22nd at Banker’s Life Field House in downtown Indianapolis. One of only 4 chefs chosen out of 35 applicants, Smith will compete against three other Indiana chefs in a mystery box cooking challenge. The winning chef will have the opportunity to compete at the 2019 World Food Championship to be held in October in Dallas, Texas. Smith,…

Old West End Neighborhood Association Arts Festival To Take Place August 24

Entertainment August 5, 2019

Old West End Neighborhood Association Arts Festival To Take Place August 24

By: Gail Townsend— Muncie, IN—Ball State professor Jim Needham will be the keynote speaker at the Old West End Arts Festival on Saturday, Aug. 24, with a presentation on iconic American painter Bob Ross, whose The Joy of Painting was produced at WIPB-TV at BSU. Needham was general manager at the station and was instrumental in signing Ross to make the series. Needham’s programs will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary at Muncie Friends Church, the meeting place for the Old West End Neighborhood Association. OWENA and the church are collaborating to put on the…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Ranked Among Indiana’s Top Hospitals For 2019-2020

Health August 5, 2019

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Ranked Among Indiana’s Top Hospitals For 2019-2020

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN—U.S. News & World Report has released its 2019-2020 ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings that name Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital among the state’s top hospitals.  IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, part of the IU Health system, was named the No. 5 ranked regional hospital in Indiana. Besides IU Health Ball, IU Health has three other hospitals among the 10 top ranked hospitals in Indiana: IU Health Medical Center (#1), IU Health Arnett (#8) and IU Health Bloomington (#8) hospitals.  “What a great honor to be recognized for our commitment to excellent patient care,” said Jeff Bird, MD,…

John Carlson: Westward WHOOOAAAA!!!

Carlson August 4, 2019

John Carlson: Westward WHOOOAAAA!!!

By: John Carlson— With our beloved Chevy Malibu pushing 183,000 miles on the odometer, and my automotive-maintenance skills amounting to what’s generally referred to as “diddly squat,” we’re going to be car shopping soon. We’ll probably be looking at smaller ones. Turns out sizable vehicles just aren’t a good fit for me anymore. Take my GMC Sierra pickup truck. With me standing only three-feet-six – OK, I’m actually a towering  five-feet-six, but who’s counting?  – I can barely see out its driver’s side window. Consequently, after owning that truck for twelve years, I can count on one hand the number…

Unlock Your Creativity At One of Minnetrista’s Summer Glass Workshops

Entertainment July 31, 2019

Unlock Your Creativity At One of Minnetrista’s Summer Glass Workshops

By: Stephen Mortland— Muncie, Indiana—Join us this summer to learn and explore new artistic skills through one of our various glass workshops. Stained Glass Sun-Catcher Workshop—August 3; 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Add some sparkle and shimmer to your house this summer with handcrafted stained glass sun catchers. In this workshop you will be able to choose from a wide variety of patterns and glass to create a fun and unique beach themed sun catcher. Instructors will teach you how to cut, solder, and grind your very own, beautiful piece of art to display with pride. Registration deadline is August 1st. Cost…

Muncie Power Products Has Been Part Of Downtown Since 1935

Business July 30, 2019

Muncie Power Products Has Been Part Of Downtown Since 1935

By: Stacey A. Shannon— Muncie, Indiana—For 84 years, Muncie Power Products has been operating in Muncie. Kathy White, chief financial officer, said the company was started in 1935 by Louis Conne, who had been the manager at Durham Manufacturing. The company, which makes parts for work trucks, has grown substantially since then and now has a main office, distribution center and warehouses in downtown Muncie. The company’s chairman, CEO and president, Ray Chambers, said Muncie Power Products is continuing to grow. “Muncie Power Products is an incredible company comprised of amazing people,” Chambers said. “I am so excited for our…

Playable STEAM-Themed Street Pianos To Be On Display Throughout Muncie

Non-Profit July 30, 2019

Playable STEAM-Themed Street Pianos To Be On Display Throughout Muncie

By: Emily Helms, Project Organizer, Resonate by MADJAX— Muncie, IN—Local residents will have the chance to create music and memories with street pianos this summer and early fall. The five pianos were painted by local artists and will be displayed outdoors in various locations throughout Muncie. Madjax, a makerspace and community hub for innovation, collaboration, and design, is overseeing the project. The idea for the project originated with and is being organized by Emily Helms, a Madjax member who frequently noticed visitors to the building playing a member-donated piano. “I saw an opportunity for our makers to collaborate and to bring what…

What Can Muncie’s Innovation Connector Do For Business Ideators?

Business July 29, 2019

What Can Muncie’s Innovation Connector Do For Business Ideators?

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana—Are you an innovator? An idea generator? Do you think BIG? Are you a dreamer? If so, then you probably have a little bit of entrepreneur in you— natural skills and abilities that make you a person that thinks “Why not?” instead of “Why?” Some people can answer those “Why not?” questions all on their own and simply start blazing their own trail with great success. For others, the road to fully realizing an entrepreneurial idea/venture can be fraught with uncertainty, fear, and a lack of focus. And that’s OK, because it’s fairly commonplace to “wander around…