Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo from this past spring's Muncie OUTreach Prom, hosted at Minnetrista on April 21, 2018. Photo by: Amanda Latz

Non-Profit September 23, 2018

Muncie OUTreach, A Youth Group for LGBTQ+ Kids

By: Muncie OUTreach Board Members: Brett Ellison, Board President; Amanda Latz, Board Vice-President; Mary Bradley, Board Secretary; Carol Bradshaw; Greg Durbin; Sue Errington; Dave Franklin; Joe Mook; Steve Sneed; and Emily Wornell— Muncie, Indiana—At Muncie OUTreach, we exist to keep kids alive. We mean this literally—many of the kids who attend our weekly meetings have attempted suicide.  Their feelings of self-hatred, resentment, and despair are the natural consequence of being bullied at school, as the targets of cruel homophobia and transphobia, with no one to turn to. We exist to show…

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Edward Gorey, Haunted America, 1990. Watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil on paper. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, American Paintings and Drawings Purchase Fund, 2015.4.1.© The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.

We Fly September 23, 2018

Edward Gorey’s Art Coming to the Owsley Museum at Ball State

By: Rachel Buckmaster— Muncie, Indiana — The David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) presents a unique exhibition of art by Edward Gorey along with the art he consumed and collected. “Gorey’s Worlds” is on view from September 27 through December 21, 2018. “Gorey’s Worlds,” an exhibition organized by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut, is the first to contextualize the work of celebrated American author and illustrator Edward Gorey (1925-2000) by uniting artworks from his personal collection…

The Excellence in Innovation Awards will be presented on November 14th at the Horizon Convention Center. Photo provided.

Business September 21, 2018

Ted Baker Details The 2018 ‘Excellence in Innovation Awards’ Banquet

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana—Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with Ted Baker, executive director of the Innovation Connector, to discuss the upcoming Excellence in Innovation Awards banquet to be held at the Horizon Convention Center on November 14th. My interview with Ted is below. Question: Ted, You seem very excited and animated about these awards. I see all sorts of printed materials about the event spread around your office. What is the Excellence in Innovation Awards banquet all…

Fourth grade students reinforce math and science skills through a building block game as part of a 2017-2018 Robert P. Bell Education Grant. Photo provided.

Education September 21, 2018

Teachers Awarded $2,481 for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, Indiana—Five local teachers will receive $2,481 for six 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…

A re-creation of the aftermath of my ninth-grade paddling. Photo by: story blocks

Carlson September 21, 2018

John Carlson: Spare The Rod and Spoil…

By: John Carlson— The other day I saw a national news story about a school system down South that is initiating an innovative method of controlling unruly students’ classroom behavior. It’s called “swatting them on the butt with a paddle.” That’s right, it’s good old corporal punishment, something that used to be fairly common in schools back in my day. I know this from personal experience, having been swatted a couple times during my own stellar public-school career. Maybe it’s…

Photo by: Amanda Kishel

Entertainment September 20, 2018

‘The Christians’ Opens This Weekend At Muncie Civic’s Studio Theatre

By: Michelle Kinsey— Editor’s Note: The Christians has been extended and will now play through October 6th. Muncie, Indiana– Why do we believe what we believe? That question, said director Nathan Hart, is at the center of a production opening this weekend at Muncie Civic’s Studio Theatre. The Christians takes theatregoers into a modern megachurch, where a pastor delivers a sermon that shakes the very foundation of his church and his marriage. Hart said he was drawn to the script because…

Photo provided.

Non-Profit September 20, 2018

BY5’s Diaper Bank Network To Aid Families Struggling With Diaper Need 

By: Melissa Jones— Muncie, Indiana — BY5 research estimates that, in Delaware County, between 1,610 and 2,440 0–3-year-olds in lower-income families suffer from diaper need. In an effort to reduce this number, BY5 Early Childhood Initiative is launching a diaper drive during National Diaper Need Awareness Week, which runs from Sept. 24–30, to support all the diaper banks in the Diaper Bank Network, which will open later this fall.  The Diaper Bank Network will provide families in need the opportunity…

Minnetrista file photo.

Entertainment September 19, 2018

‘Twilight On The Boulevard’ Debuts At Minnetrista On September 21st

By: Stephen Mortland— Muncie, Indiana—Twilight on the Boulevard is a new benefit event to support Minnetrista’s enduring vision. Enjoy food and beverages provided by local restaurants such as Vera Mae’s, Amazing Joe’s Grill, The Neely House, Minnetrista catering, and more. Walk Minnetrista’s beautiful lamp lit Boulevard, and take in live music by Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, Clay & the Chameleons, Paul Reilly, and others. While you listen to the music and enjoy the delicious food, try your hand at one of…

Kent C. “Oz” Nelson is pictured. Photo provided.

We Fly September 19, 2018

Ball State To Dedicate Logistics Center To Honor Retired UPS CEO

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, Indiana – During a ceremony beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, Ball State will dedicate the Kent C. “Oz” Nelson Logistics and Supply Chain Management Center for Excellence to honor the 1959 graduate for his remarkable career and lasting impact on the university and the Miller College of Business. Nelson graduated from Ball State with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received an honorary doctorate of laws in 1994. He worked for UPS for 37…

Over 25 restaurants and organizations will be present at the 2018 Soup Crawl to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Photo provided.

Business September 18, 2018

8th Annual Soup Crawl Scheduled for October 4th During Artswalk

By: Vickie Copley— Muncie, Indiana– PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union has announced the 8thannual Soup Crawl, slated for Thursday, October 4 from 5:00 to 8:00p.m. at sites throughout downtown Muncie. Soup Crawl features nearly 30 soup and beverage entries for attendees to enjoy while strolling through downtown.  Tickets are $20 and limited to a quantity of 500 to ensure that every attendee is able to sample as many soups as possible. Tickets are available while supplies last at all three Muncie-area PrimeTrust FCU…