Articles by Mike Rhodes

Candidates of the Future is set for Saturday November 10th, 9am-4pm at the Innovation Connector. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 17, 2018

“Candidates Of the Future” Returns

By: Aimee Robertson-Fant, Organizer, Muncie Action Plan/Muncie Neighborhoods, Co-Founder, Muncie Matters Muncie, IN—Last year a full house of active East Central Indiana citizens from all walks of life interested in affecting change in their communities attended the inaugural “Candidates of the Future”—a collaboration between Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs, Shafer Leadership Academy, Building Better Neighborhoods/Muncie Action Plan which is a grassroots, deeply-inclusive and one-of-a-kind-to-the-community workshop, rooted in the belief that everyday citizens can lead and run for local office. “We completely underestimated the…

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Heidi Hale and dancers from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie's dance team pause for a picture before digging into the cake they won. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 16, 2018

3rd Annual “Just Desserts” Huge Success

By: Amy Logan— Muncie, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie would like to thank the many people that made the 3rdAnnual Just Desserts a huge success. This year’s event received 35 dessert donations from amazing local bakers and were auctioned off for more than $25,000. The money raised from this event will go directly toward providing quality programs for the local Clubs. The 3rdAnnual Just Desserts took place on Wednesday, September 26 in front of the beautiful Catalyst sculpture…

Photo by: Storyblocks

Entertainment October 16, 2018

BSU Professor Says Halloween Traditions Date Back Centuries

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Many Halloween traditions may have originated with the ancient Celts and their priests, the druids. Other civilizations adopted and changed the ancient rituals, such as bobbing for apples or donning disguises. “Our Halloween celebrations are the remnants of the pre-Christian Celtic celebrations,” said Fred Suppe, a Ball State history professor and an expert in Celtic folklore. “The Celts can be traced back to 800 B.C. to what is now southern Germany and include the ancestors of…

Pictured: Back left (Green shirt) Matt Kelsey, Olivia Fellows, MIchelle Vore, Dan Ridenour, Lori Byers, David Gregory, Sara Atkinson, Jenny Johnson, Carmen Deckman, Lucas Tetrault  Bottom row starting on the left- Melinda Messineo, Kristen McCauliff, Jennifer Stanley, Kourtney McCauliff. Photo by: Lorri Markum 

Non-Profit October 15, 2018

New Breed of Company Executives Takes On United Way Cause

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—A growing group of young, ambitious early-career professionals are among today’s foot soldiers of the Loaned Executives program, a longtime component of the annual fundraising campaign for United Way of Delaware County but one that had waned over the years. These are the men and women whose job is to make the ask. Once the domain of community stalwarts, the last two years has birthed a new generation of United Way pitch men and women –…

An MH-60S Knighthawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, prepares to land on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Evan A. Denny

Government October 15, 2018

Yorktown Native Serves with U.S. Navy Helicopter Squadron in San Diego

By: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Wyscaver, Navy Office of Community Outreach— San Diego, CA – A 2009 Yorktown High School graduate and Yorktown, Indiana, native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8 at Naval Station North Island in Coronado, California. Lt. Andrew Drummond is a Navy pilot serving with the command, a versatile squadron that’s capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60S “Knighthawk” helicopter. A Navy…

Education, We Fly October 14, 2018

“The Celebration of the Century,” Ball State Homecoming Week, Kicks Off On October 14

By: Ball State Marketing & Communications— Muncie, Indiana — Help commemorate Ball State University’s Centennial year during “The Celebration of the Century” Homecoming Week, October 14-20. Festivities culminate at 3 p.m. October 20 when the Cardinals take on Mid-American Conference rival the Eastern Michigan University Eagles in Scheumann Stadium. This year’s schedule includes beloved traditions plus new events such as a flag football tournament, “Mini College” discussion panels, and a Chase Charlie 5K run, according to Michelle Johnson, senior director…

Photo by: Amanda Kishel of Kishel Photography. Maria and Tony are played by Matthew Kosin and Aiszah Rangel.

Entertainment October 12, 2018

Muncie Civic Theatre Presents “West Side Story”

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—For Aiszah Rangel, playing “Maria” in Muncie Civic Theatre’s production of “West Side Story” is not just another role. It’s THE role. “I wanted to play this role mainly because I am a Latina, and I know the Latino population here in Muncie is very small, “ she said. She said this role allows her to represent Latina woman locally, and respectfully. “I hope to pave the way for other Latino artists,” she said. “Our voices…

Pictured L-R: Teresa Bell, Michael Burke, Bob Ratchford, Lon Fox, Ted Johnson, Matt Anderson, Dan Flanagan and Rich Lee. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government October 12, 2018

Yorktown Breaks Ground For New Town Hall

By: Danielle Brewer & Mike Rhodes— Yorktown, IN—The town of Yorktown marked the launch of its downtown redevelopment initiative this morning with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Yorktown Town Hall construction project at 9312 W. Smith Street. Rich Lee, Town Council President; Matt Anderson, President of the Yorktown Redevelopment Commission;  and Pete Olson, Yorktown Town Manager gave remarks. The Yorktown Redevelopment Commission and Town Council are excited to move forward with the expansion and enrichment of downtown Yorktown. The representatives of Yorktown’s municipality…

Sara Kruszynski (L) is pictured with Doug O’ Brien.(R) Photo by: Dale Pickett

Health October 12, 2018

Healthy Lifestyle Center Open House Set for October 17th

By: Nicole L. Koontz M.S., RCEP, Associate Director of the Adult Physical Fitness Program, Ball State University— Muncie, IN—The Healthy Lifestyle Center is an interprofessional and collaborative community effort between the departments of the College of Health at Ball State University, IU Medical students as well as Meridian Health Services. Individuals can come in for FREE services in nutrition, exercise guidance, social work, counseling psychology, nursing and speech and audiology. How many times have you gone to the doctor or nurse practitioner…

At one time this was a popular mode of travel. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson October 12, 2018

John Carlson: Had Thumb, Would Travel

By: John Carlson— The other day I saw a dude hitchhiking, and it kind of took me by surprise. You don’t see that many people hitchhiking these days. This is a good thing, I think, since America is half-crazy anymore, and most of the nut cases seem to own cars. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, hitchhiking was far more common. Young people in search of peace, understanding and the answers to life’s deepest, most confounding questions, stuck…