Articles by Mike Rhodes

Brian Ault, Luke Avila, Jessalyn Barr, and Indira Brown (top row), Angela Cardwell, Garrett Clausen, Breanna Evans, and Baily Morgan (middle row); Hanna Quirk, Michelle Scanameo, Annie Schuck, and Mallory Wilson (bottom row)

Education May 19, 2018

Community Foundation Announces Additional 2018 Scholarship Recipients 

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Congratulations to the following graduates – Brian Ault, a senior at Cowan Jr./Sr. High School, is a recipient of the 2018 Max V. and Nellie C. Creviston Scholarship. Ault plans to attend Ball State University to study pre-medicine and biology. He is the son of Brian and Laura Ault,  Luke Avila, a senior at Yorktown High School, is a recipient of the 2018 Robert and Wanda McKibben Scholarship. Avila plans to attend Ball State…

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May 19 is also a Free Fishing Day in Indiana. You can take a kid fishing. On this day, adults do not need to purchase a license either. Photo by: Graphicstock

Government May 18, 2018

‘Kids to Parks’ Day is Saturday, May 19th

By: Indiana Department of Natural Resources— Indianapolis, IN—Share your love of the outdoors with a child this weekend during the annual Kids to Parks Day, May 19. Kids to Parks Day (KTP Day) is a national day of outdoor play designed to connect kids and families with local, state, and national parks. The day is a chance for children to learn about park stewardship, outdoor recreation, and natural and cultural history. It also helps helps foster appreciation for public lands in…

White Castle sliders fill a silver serving tray. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson May 18, 2018

John Carlson: In Praise of ‘Gut Bombs’

By: John Carlson— There aren’t many things I wholeheartedly believe in these days, but one is the intrinsic goodness of White Castle sliders. Of course, some folks despise them. “Ewwww,” they sneer, wrinkling up their snouts while venting their disgust at the mere mention of the little hamburgers, also known by the fetching nickname “gut bombs.”  Given the unreasonable culinary vagaries of these days, when even a wholesome condiment like lard is under attack, I suppose one can understand why….

Alexis Dishman is Administration Director at the Innovation Connector. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business May 17, 2018

Alexis Dishman Helps People ‘Get Connected’ at The Innovation Connector

By: Tracy Dishman & Mike Rhodes — Muncie, IN—Over the last few months, MuncieJournal.com has featured a series of articles about the Innovation Connector and how it “connects” entrepreneurs, businesses and community organizations with each other. By now, you’ve probably learned that the Innovation Connector is a primary “place of connection” for people needing business development resources. When you walk into the Innovation Connector, your first point of “connection” will often be the smiling face belonging to Alexis Dishman. Alexis…

Early shoppers are pictured outside the new Fresh Thyme Farmers Market at 7am, May 17th. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business May 17, 2018

Fresh Thyme Opens to Enthusiastic Muncie Crowd

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—The new Fresh Thyme Farmers Market opened at 7am today, and Muncie residents were ready and waiting as early as 11pm the night before. The first 250 shoppers (aged 18 and older) in line on Grand Opening morning  received a free bag of groceries, marking the official start of a four-day celebration with live music, kids activities, food sampling, beer tastings and more. Greg Johnson is the Director of Operations for the Central Region. Greg said…

Ball State University Board of Trustees are pictured during the vote to pass the new resolution to appoint a new school board for MCS. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Education, We Fly May 17, 2018

Community Comes Together As Ball State Takes Historic Step For Muncie Community Schools

By: Ball State University— Muncie, IN — The Ball State University Board of Trustees passed a resolution today to accept the responsibility to appoint a new school board to manage the Muncie Community Schools (“MCS”). The community is already showing its support by collaborating with Ball State to help MCS thrive. Rick Hall, chair of the Board of Trustees, noted that this is the first time a public university has assumed such a responsibility for local public schools. “Ball State…

2017 Film School students with certificates and the MPL Digital Mentors. Photo by: Loren McClain, Muncie Public Library

Non-Profit May 16, 2018

Sign Up for Free Summer Film School At MPL

By: Susan Fisher— Muncie, IN—Teens in grades 8-12 are invited to learn more about videography and editing using state of the art equipment at the 2018 Summer Film School at Muncie Public Library (MPL). This free program provides three weeks of hands-on production experience and classes related to film production. Students will not only get to discover the filmmaking process but by the end, each will have six completed video projects for their professional portfolio. “The students will have cameras…

Muncie Family Block Party will take place this Saturday May 19, 2018 from 11 – 3 pm. Photo by: graphic stock

Non-Profit May 15, 2018

Systems of Care Partners Hosting 1st Muncie Family Block Party On May 19th

By: Carrie Bale— Muncie, IN—The Delaware County Systems of Care Partners aka “Caring Partners of Delaware County” will be hosting the 1st annual Muncie Family Block Party this Saturday May 19, 2018 from 11 – 3 pm.  The first Family Block Party will take place in the park located directly behind the Muncie Housing Authority main offices located at 409 E. 1st Street.  The block party will have FREE food, FREE entertainment, FREE activities and FREE resources for families.  Included…

Whitinger & Company Member/Owner T.J. Bush. Photo provided.

Business May 15, 2018

Whitinger & Company Member/Owner Receives Emerging Leader Award

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, IN— Regional public accounting and advisory firm, Whitinger & Company, is pleased to announce that Member/Owner T.J. Bush received the Emerging Leader Award from the Paul W. Parkison Department of Accounting at Ball State University. Each spring the Paul W. Parkison Department of Accounting hosts its Alumni Awards Dinner. The event provides an excellent opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of some of its most distinguished alumni. This year, members of the Department’s Advisory Council selected T.J. Bush…

Photo by: Steve Lindell

Education May 14, 2018

HB 1315 Passes House and Senate in Special Session Vote

By: Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns— Muncie, IN—Earlier today, the General Assembly passed HB 1315, the legislation that provides our University with the opportunity to appoint a new school board to manage the Muncie Community Schools (“MCS”). The legislation passed by substantial margins in both chambers, and I anticipate that Governor Holcomb will promptly sign the bill into law. Now, our Board of Trustees must meet to consider whether our University should accept this significant responsibility. A special…