Articles by Mike Rhodes

Callie Jones as Annie. Photo by: Amanda Kishel

Entertainment August 15, 2018

‘Annie’ Returns to Muncie Civic Theater

By: Brittany Covert— Muncie, IN—Nine-year-old Callie Jones remembers it well. “The first show I ever saw at Muncie Civic was ‘Annie’ about five years ago,” she said. “I loved it and knew right away that I wanted to be in theater too!” “Annie” returns to the Muncie Civic stage, but you won’t find Callie in the audience this time around. She’ll be the plucky little red head on stage belting out “Tomorrow.” Muncie Civic Theatre will present the beloved musical…

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Peggy Cenova is pictured in her office inside the Innovation Connector. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business August 14, 2018

Meet Peggy Cenova, Regional Director of the ECI Small Business Development Center

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN— If you’ve been involved in the “entrepreneurial ecosystem” around Muncie and East Central Indiana, then you’ve probably had the opportunity to hear or meet Peggy Cenova. Because she’s seemingly everywhere. Cenova is the regional director of the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (ECI-SBDC.) The ECI-SBDC offers no cost business advising services to business owners, start-ups and anyone considering a new business venture.  The ECI-SBDC is headquartered at the Innovation Connector in Muncie, and serves…

(L-R) Jud Fisher and John Craddock are pictured. John was awarded the Fisher Governance Award in 2017. Photo provided.

Non-Profit August 13, 2018

Nominations Sought for Ball Brothers Foundation’s $10,000 Fisher Governance Award

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—August 15 is the deadline for submitting nominations for Ball Brothers Foundation’s annual Fisher Governance Award. The award honors the efforts of a board member of a Delaware County non-profit organization whose strategic planning and oversight skills have contributed to the organization’s mission, financial stability, and general effectiveness. The award winner will be honored at the Muncie-Delaware Chamber of Commerce Dinner on October 25. Included in the honor is a $10,000 grant to the organization that…

Racing drones are pictured at launch during a race. Photo by: Matt Ruddick

Entertainment August 11, 2018

Academy of Model Aeronautics Welcomes MultiGP for the 2nd Annual MultiGP International Open

By: Mandee Mikulski— Muncie, IN – The largest professional drone racing league in the world will again host the biggest drone sports gathering in history. The MultiGP Drone Racing League is proud to announce the 2nd annual MultiGP International Open, Aug. 8-12 at the Academy of Model Aeronautics headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, USA.  The week long event will attract the best pilots from all over the world including the US, Canada, Latin and South America, Europe, Korea, China, New Zealand…

The scene downtown last year during the Voices United concert. Photo provided.

Entertainment August 10, 2018

Voices United Reunion Concert to Kick Off 2018 United Way Campaign

By: Jenni Marsh, President and CEO, United Way of Delaware County— Muncie, IN—United Way of Delaware County kicks off its 2018 campaign next month with a downtown celebration and concert reunion of Voices United. This is the first time the full group has come together since it performed in front of a full-house at Emens Auditorium in late 2007. The concert will include two sets – the first an opportunity to feature each artist more individually and the second which includes classic…

U.S. Senator Todd Young is pictured presenting to members of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and guests. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business, Government August 10, 2018

U.S. Senator Todd Young Presents to Chamber Members and Guests

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—On Thursday, August 9th, 80 members of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and their guests listened to remarks by U.S. Senator Todd Young during a luncheon at the Horizon Convention Center. Senator Young represents the State of Indiana. He currently serves on the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; Commerce, Science & Transportation; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Previously, in the House, he served on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Budget…

People wearing shirts like this tend to be go-getters. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson August 10, 2018

John Carlson: A Visit To The Fittest City

By: John Carlson— We were up in Madison, Wis., for Nancy’s family reunion when I decided it would be the perfect place to film a Martian invasion movie. That’s because you wouldn’t need any extras to play the “people running their butts off in terror” scenes. The folks up there always run their butts off, just for the heck of it. It was kind of unbelievable. We drove into the city past some little lake and there on the shore…

Photo courtesy of Back to School Teachers Store.

Education August 9, 2018

Kiwanis Club of Muncie To Help Honor MCS Teachers August 9th

By: Scott Metzler, President Kiwanis Club of Muncie— Muncie, IN—The Kiwanis Club knows the importance of investing in the community’s teachers and children. On August 9th, the local Muncie chapter will help honor Muncie Community School teachers at the 2nd Annual Teachers Gala from 6-9pm at MadJax, hosted by the local non-profit The Back To School Teachers Store and Muncie Community Schools (MCS). “The Kiwanis Club of Muncie is excited to be honoring our community’s teachers,” said local chapter president…

Mike Lunsford

Business August 8, 2018

Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group Merges With Coldwell Banker Lunsford

By: Tom Farris— JOLIET, IL—Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group is pleased to announce its merger with Coldwell Banker Lunsford of Muncie, Indiana, adding one additional office to its Indiana territory. This makes 15 offices operated by Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group in Indiana since the recent addition of 14 offices resulting from merging with Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber, previously headquartered in Fort Wayne. This merger extends the company’s coverage farther into central Indiana to strengthen its overall…

Pictured L-R: Marianne Nazarian, PT; Chih-ta Lin, MD; Brooke Long, BSN, RN, ONC; Alexandra Martin, BSN, RN, ONC, orthopedic coordinator. Photo provided.

Health August 7, 2018

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Earns Blue Distinction® Center Designation for Spine Surgery

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN –Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has selected IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver safe and effective specialty care, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community. Hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery…