Articles by Mike Rhodes

Keynote speaker Brett Eastburn is pictured as he gives his presentation titled: " No arms, No legs, No handicaps! No disabilities either!" Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business December 8, 2018

Horizon Convention Center Hosts 2018 Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Conference

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, Indiana—Approximately 127 people attended the 2018 Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Conference held at the Horizon Convention Center November 7-8. The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities that enable them to live as independently as possible in their communities. BDDS assists individuals in receiving community support and residential services using a person-centered plan to help determine what services are needed and who can…

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Project Lead The Way. Photo provided

Education December 8, 2018

Ball State, Muncie Schools Partner to Save Popular STEM Classroom Program

By: Christine Rhine— Muncie, Indiana—Muncie Central High School senior Chandler Clevenger’s goal of graduating with a technical honors diploma was at risk for reasons beyond his control. To earn the diploma, he needed to pass a class this fall through Project Lead The Way (PLTW), an Indianapolis-based, nonprofit K-12 program to encourage and prepare young people across the U.S. with an interest in STEM fields such as computer science, engineering, and biomedicine. For a while, however, Central did not have…

Who needs a rake when you have one of these? Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson December 7, 2018

John Carlson: A Mulching We Will Go…

By: John Carlson— I love trees. I do until fall, anyway. Then I hate trees. Trees wouldn’t be so bad in the fall, of course, if only they didn’t have leaves. I could really go for that. Or, I could go for trees that had leaves, providing those leaves stayed on the trees forever and ever, never littering the ground. Tree scientists should look into that. Granted, though, leaves are special. One special thing about them is, depending on the…

The Bailey family in Muncie Civic's production of "It's a Wonderful Life." Photo by: Amanda Kishel

Entertainment December 6, 2018

Muncie Civic Theater’s Holiday Production Of “It’s A Wonderful Life” Begins Dec. 7th

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, Indiana— “No man is a failure who has friends.” That simple, angelic statement from “It’s a Wonderful Life” is exactly why Muncie Civic Theatre chose it as this year’s holiday production. “What this story portrays so beautifully and timelessly is that it is the power of the relationships that George has that really makes his life worth living,” said Laura Williamson, director of the production and Civic’s Executive Director. “When he realizes that, we all get…

The Community Foundation uses unrestricted funds to support the Quarterly Competitive Grants program and responds to current community needs. Pictured, students work to beautify the city to gain work experience and earn a paycheck through TeenWorks’ Summer Employment Program. The Foundation has supported this and other programs through TeenWorks since 2014. Photo provided

Non-Profit December 6, 2018

Foundation Receives $1 Million Matching Grant to Grow Grantmaking in Muncie and Delaware County

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, Indiana – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has received a grant of $1 million as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s seventh phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative. With GIFT VII, Lilly Endowment is making up to $125 million available to help Indiana community foundations strengthen the towns, cities and counties they serve. The Community Foundation can use this matching fund grant to further build financial assets and support…

L-R: Ruth Chin, Krista Sides and WaTasha Barnes Griffin

Non-Profit December 6, 2018

WIBU Announces 2018 ATHENA and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

By: Chrystal Pearson— Muncie, IN—At its annual ATHENA Awards Luncheon, Muncie’s Women in Business Unlimited (WIBU) presented three ATHENA Leadership Awards and one WIBU Lifetime Achievement Award. Ruth Chin was awarded the 2018 WIBU Lifetime Achievement Award. The WIBU Lifetime Achievement Award honors a woman who has dedicated her life to be a leader and role model and is selected by the WIBU Board of Directors. In addition to a framed certificate, WIBU will award a scholarship in Chin’s name to a full-time, non-traditional…

Kimberly Murphy. Photo by: Tim Underhill

Non-Profit December 6, 2018

The Difference A Year Makes: United Way Forging a Path For ALICE Families

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, Indiana—A year ago, Kimberly Murphy was working part-time with AmeriCorp and taking accounting classes at Ivy Tech. The mother of two adult children and a middle-schooler wanted a better life. Today, Murphy works part-time at Huffer Memorial Children’s Center and is a full-time student at Ball State University working toward her bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in financial planning, and is this much closer to the life she wants, one with higher earning…

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company. Located at 3500 S Cowan Rd, in Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business December 5, 2018

IU Health to Expand Statewide Network of On-Site Employer Clinics With Progress Rail

By: Jeff Swiatek— Muncie and Indianapolis Indiana— Indiana University Health will expand its statewide network of on-site employer clinics under a new contract with Progress Rail in Muncie. Under the new relationship with IU Health, Progress Rail employees will be offered a range of health services with a focus on occupational medicine and workplace safety. The onsite service will be offered starting in early 2019. “IU Health Business Solutions is honored to provide health care and partner with a company…

Small Iron Bust. Photo provided.

Non-Profit December 4, 2018

Delaware County Historical Society Launches Hurley Goodall Bust Fundraiser

By: Chris Flook— Muncie, Indiana — The Delaware County Historical Society and Community Enhancement Projects have launched a Hurley C. Goodall bust fundraiser program to help offset the costs of the life-sized bronze statue of Mr. Goodall. The renowned Hoosier artist Bill Wolfe is currently sculpting the statue. By purchasing a bust of Mr. Goodall, supporters will commemorate his legacy, while backing the project at the same time. The busts are replicas of the full statue. Busts come in two…

Nicole L. Koontz. Photo provided

Health December 3, 2018

Take a Few Minutes Each Day To Exercise Your Way Into a New Year

By: Nicole L. Koontz— Muncie, Indiana—It’s that time of year again. Over the next few weeks, we will strive to wear the perfect outfit, select a perfect gift and host the perfect holiday party. While it’s a festive time, many of us get perfectly stressed out. And the thought of exercising goes right out the window. Instead, we promise to start or restart the first day of the new year. In that instant, we surrender to mounds of food and…