Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ciara Borg’s image towers over Ball State on the side of the 10-story tall Teachers College. Photo provided.

Education January 3, 2018

BSU Student Hopes Her Image on Side of Teachers College Will Boost Performing Arts

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Ciara Borg is 5-foot, 3-inches tall, but at Ball State University, she is the tallest student on campus. Her image graces a 60-foot long statement banner hung on the side of Teachers College, one of the university’s iconic buildings, as part of a new marketing campaign, “We Fly.” Borg—one of several students featured in Ball State’s new branding efforts—also appears on two billboards in Indianapolis. “The first time I saw the banner, I was shocked because…

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MCHS graduation ceremonies. File photo.

Education January 3, 2018

Scholarship Applications are Now Available

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—Scholarship applications are now available for the more than 40 scholarships administered by The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. High school seniors and current college students should visit cfmdin.org/apply-for-scholarships to view available scholarships and access the online application. Scholarships for post-secondary education administered by The Community Foundation have been established by donors, who set the criteria. Scholarships are awarded to students participating in a wide variety of activities, with a wide…

Ball Associates Building Mural at 222 S. Mulberry Street. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit January 3, 2018

Ball Brothers Foundation Announces Funding Opportunities for Local School Districts

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation has invited eight school districts in Delaware County to apply for special funding in 2018 to make school-wide and district-wide improvements and innovations. The funding invitation is an expansion of grants made over the past several years to Muncie Community Schools and Burris Laboratory School. “In considering the factors that contribute to a strong, desirable community, education plays a critical role. Good schools are necessary for helping young adults gain the tools and…

By: Storyblocks

Health January 3, 2018

Poor Health Can Make Cold Temperatures More Intense

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Temperatures across the northern tier of the United States are bitterly cold, but low body fat levels and thyroid dysfunction may make it feel worse, says Jagdish Khubchandani, associate professor of community health at Ball State University. He noted that people without proper levels of body fat, which serves to insulate the body, may feel colder, he said. “People who eat too little over a long period of time or those who are young and old…

Health January 2, 2018

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Impacted by Damaged Fiber Optic Line

Editor’s Note: 2:24pm— The hospital has indicated all of their systems are back up and running. The hospital still recommends that patients call their provider today before heading out for a scheduled appointment or procedure.   Muncie, IN –Extreme cold temperatures overnight have resulted in an external public fiber optic line freezing and breaking. The power company and its maintenance vendor are working diligently to repair the line and restore full power today. As a result, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has…

To clink or not? We answer this important etiquette question. Photo by: Storyblocks

Entertainment December 31, 2017

Etiquette Expert’s Tips for New Year’s Toasting

By: Sharon Schweitzer— New Year’s Eve is here and if you’re attending any kind of social gathering to ring in the New Year, chances are someone is going to offer a toast. But just what are the do’s and don’ts of toasting? Etiquette expert Sharon Schweitzer, founder of Access to Culture, offers these toasting tips: First Toast: In light of their planning, and financing, the host or hostess of the dinner or social party offers the first toast. At an informal dinner party…

Squawkers in your ears meant the party was a good one. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson December 29, 2017

John Carlson: Old Folks Sleep In The New Year

By: John Carlson— Come Sunday, like millions of other American geezers, Nancy and I will be celebrating a traditional New Year’s Eve for Oldsters. Yeah, I know. We’re pathetic. It wasn’t that long ago we would gather with our wild and crazy friends to ring in the New Year with peels of raucous laughter, spicy meat snacks and booze. Well, okay. Nancy would ring in the New Year with half a glass of white wine and a handful of Chex-Mix….

Some of the branding "imagery" you'll find inside the Innovation Connector. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business December 27, 2017

The Innovation Connector: ‘A Place of Connection’

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—When you think of branding your business, what comes to mind? Do you think about how you are perceived by others? How do you want to be perceived by others? What do you really do day-to-day in your business? Answers to these kinds of questions take time and considerable thought. But getting them answered is worth it, as your branding strategy is key to marketing your company and helps you define your on-going marketing tactics. About a…

By: Storyblocks

Education December 27, 2017

Ball State to Host Community’s First Digital Marketing Summit

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—The Center for Advancement of Digital Marketing and Analytics at Ball State University is hosting Muncie’s first Digital Marketing Summit Feb. 1 for those interested in learning about the future of digital marketing. CADMA’s Digital Marketing Summit will begin with a networking breakfast, where guests can enjoy a full spread while meeting marketing professionals, nonprofit leaders and students from across the state. The breakfast kicks off a day full of speakers covering topics such as The…

The benefits of laughter are many. Photo by: Storyblocks

Positivity December 27, 2017

4 Benefits of Laughing Your Way Through The New Year

By: Lee Volpe— Like clockwork, people are composing their lists of New Year’s resolutions, and at the same time they’re ending this year with some of the same problems, frustrations or worries of past years.  They want to take a brighter outlook and ride those resolutions to a higher quality of life in the New Year – but inevitably, familiar issues get them down year after year. How can this New Year be different? How can you stay more positive…