Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ball State Professor’s New Book Reviews History of Indiana’s State Forests

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—The next chapter for Indiana’s forests may be based on the need by Hoosiers for more outdoor space for recreation, says Ron Morris, a Ball State University history professor and co-editor with public historian Glory-June Greiff of a new book, “The History of Indiana State Forests.” The hardback book, which contains 144 full-color photographs by Glory-June Greiff, is the first of its kind, examining the history of Indiana’s state forests. Its analysis draws upon interdisciplinary material…

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John Carlson: Heated Expressions

By: John Carlson— One thing I know about glass blowing is, it’s not for wimps. Actually, there are two things I know about glass blowing, the second being, when you’ve got that glob of molten, fiery-hot glass stuck to the end of your air tube, DO NOT INHALE. Not that anybody actually mentioned this while Nancy and I were sitting in the bleachers at the Morean Glass Studio and Hotshop, watching a glass-blowing demonstration. But as a general rule you…


Youth Opportunity Center TRU Harbor Program Receives Prevent Child Abuse Award

By: Richard Crist— Muncie, IN—The Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) was honored recently for their commitment to child abuse prevention in East Central Indiana. Dr. Katrina Mallory and Assistant Director, Lindsay Price of YOC’s TRU Harbor program received the Certificate of Appreciation award presented by Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) of Delaware County on April 5, 2018, at Muncie City Hall. Each year Delaware County PCA sponsors a Candlelight Vigil to recognize the success of this county’s interventions to help children and…


AAF ECI Holds 2018 American Advertising Awards

By: The American Advertising Federation of East Central Indiana— Muncie, IN—The American Advertising Federation of East Central Indiana (AAF ECI) held its annual awards gala, the American Advertising Awards (ADDYs), on March 2, 2018. The gala honored advertising and creative excellence and was held at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Ind. (See category winners below.) This year’s entries included local and regional television spots, as well as digital and print entries created in 2017 by advertising agencies, businesses, individuals and…


“Peter and the Starcatcher” At Muncie Civic Theatre

By: Michelle Kinsey— Adventure awaits. “Peter and the Starcatcher” is setting sail this week at Muncie Civic Theatre. This prequel to “Peter Pan” promises swashbuckling stories of adventure, heroes, villains, and quests for treasure. A wildly theatrical adaptation of humor columnist Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novel, “Peter and the Starcatcher” upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). The high-seas hijinks find Peter and his…


Delphi Opera House Recalls Its History With New Exhibit Created By Ball State Students

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—A group of Ball State University students are working to bring the history of the Delphi Opera House and the Indiana community that surrounds it to life with the creation of an exhibit at the 153-year-old facility. The students created this space by working with historical artifacts found at the site, providing context through historical research and writing, and filming interviews to display within the museum space. The exhibition is being produced by Ball State students…


Coldwell Banker Lunsford Announces 2017 Sales Award Recipients

By: April Lemen— Muncie, IN – Mike Lunsford, President and Susan Miller, VP of Sales, from Coldwell Banker Lunsford awarded the following agents with national designations: Coldwell Banker Lunsford as an office was awarded the International President’s Circle Office, one of the highest honors given to Coldwell Banker® Offices. Steve Slavin & Ryan Kramer led the local market in sales and units. Steve Slavin, who sold over $20M in total volume & Ryan Kramer, who sold 166 total units, both…


Ball State Students Bring Dance Education to Muncie Community Schools

By: Jillian Wilschke— Muncie, IN — One week it might be salsa, the next it could be jazz, but youngsters at local elementary schools are learning about the art of dancing, thanks to the efforts of students like Ball State University’s Ella Donovan. “My favorite part about the project are moments during class when a child genuinely is excited about what we are learning,” said Donovan, a dance major from Crested Butte, Colorado. “That is when the little ones begin smiling uncontrollably…


Ivy Tech is Redefining Muncie’s Downtown

By: Jennifer S. Gasiorek— Muncie, IN—The Ivy Tech Community College campus in Muncie revealed their building plans at a special unveiling this week.  The event was held at the Patterson building.  Construction plans include renovating the Fisher building’s basement, first and fourth floor, renovating the Cowan Road campus, and building a new building at the Old Star Press Locations. A dynamic renewal of the Muncie campus downtown and at Ivy Tech’s Cowan Road location is aligned with the needs of the…


John Carlson: Twitchy-Nosed Babies

By: John Carlson— Ever notice how we humans under-appreciate rats? Consider Pizza Rat. Remember him? He was the rat purposefully navigating steps into the New York City subway system on YouTube a while back, hauling home a pristine slice of carry-out pizza. Talk about can-do spirit! That was a rat for whom Make America Great Again was a commitment, not some hackneyed political slogan. We could learn a lot from a rat like that. Then there were the rats recently…