Articles by Mike Rhodes

Tips for making the holidays enjoyable for older adults. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Positivity December 20, 2017

Families Should Modify Holiday Celebrations to Accommodate Seniors

By: Marc Ransford— The holidays are usually a joyous time for families, but many functions should be modified for aging relatives, says Kathy Segrist, a Ball State gerontologist. As some people grow older, they may lose the physical or cognitive capacity to trim a tree, bake a cake or spend time outdoors singing carols. Others may find themselves spending their first holiday season away from home in an assisted living facility. Some may have recently lost a close friend or…

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Remove hoses from any outdoor faucets.

Business December 20, 2017

Indiana American Water Urges Customers to Prepare for Cold Weather

By: Joe Loughmiller— Cold weather with single-digit low temperatures is forecasted across much of the state for the Christmas week and Indiana American Water is urging customers to secure homes and businesses against freezing pipes to avoid costly repairs. “Although the winter season can pose many challenges to a homeowner, one of the biggest and most costly is the risk of frozen pipes. When ice expands inside pipes, it can crack and burst the pipe, leaving homeowners with a costly…

Photo provided.

Business, Positivity December 20, 2017

Work Experience Program Helps Create Jobs and Encourage Growth of Small Businesses in Delaware County

By: Russell Kischuk— Muncie, In—Alliance Construction and Property Management LLC (ACPM) would like to recognize the Eastern Indiana Workforce Development Board (Eastern Indiana Works) and its Employer Engagement Team, Denny Cochran (VP of Employer Engagement) and Jennifer Randall (Employer Engagement Recruiter), for providing an incredible program aimed to assist employers in the hiring of new employees: The Work Experience Program. Employers participating in the program can select an employee from the workforce pool maintained at IndianaCareerConnect.com or they can find…

Photo provided.

Non-Profit December 20, 2017

Cornerstone’s Spring 2018 Classes And Workshops

By: Jessie Fisher—  Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts had an incredible year providing arts education to over 2,000 youth and adult students in Delaware County and the surrounding areas. The organization is looking forward to continuing its goal of providing high quality, low-cost arts education to all in 2018. The next 12 week session of arts classes will begin the week of February 5 with classes for youth and adults in visual arts, dance, theatre, music, martial arts, fitness,…

Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government December 19, 2017

Muncie Police Department and Pacers Organization Give Christmas Gifts To Local Children

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN —Dozens of wide-eyed, giggly happy kids and their families received Christmas presents at Price Hall this morning, courtesy of the Muncie Police Department, the Indiana Pacers, and Jakks toy store. Indiana Pacers Pacemates, (including Muncie’s own Brooke Rees) mascots Freddy Fever and Boomer showed up to visit with the children as well as a personal appearance by Santa Claus. Bill Benner is senior VP for corporate, community and public relations for Pacers Sports and Entertainment….

The opening of the new Daleville Town Park and Splash Pad was our most viewed story of 2017. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business December 18, 2017

Muncie Journal’s Most Viewed Stories of 2017

By: Mike Rhodes, Publisher and Managing Editor— Muncie, IN—Economic development activity in Delaware County topped Muncie Journal’s most viewed stories list for 2017. Of the thousands of articles published in 2017, the announcement of the opening of the Daleville Town Park topped the list this year. The story was continually viewed daily for months. According to Trina Morgan, deputy clerk and park event coordinator for the Town of Daleville, an estimated 28-30,000 people attended the park throughout the inaugural 2017 season. You’ll find the rest…

Thomas J. Kinghorn Residence Hall is pictured. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Education December 18, 2017

Ball State Keeps Housing, Dining Costs Low With Slight Percent Increase in Rates for 2018-19

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN – The cost of living on the Ball State University campus will remain highly competitive as compared to its peer institutions and in-state schools as a result of a 1.6 percent increase in the room and board rates for the 2018-19 academic year. On Dec. 15, Ball State’s Board of Trustees approved a 2 percent rate increase for first-time students while returning students enrolled in the University’s premium plan, which locks in costs for a two-year…

Photo courtesy of: American Red Cross Blood Donors

Non-Profit December 18, 2017

American Red Cross Looking for Blood Donors During Holiday Season

By: Rodney Wilson— Donors of all blood types urged to give blood, platelets this holiday season Ft. Wayne, IN— The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give more life to patients now and into the new year by giving blood or platelets. Donations decline during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when busy holiday schedules cause regular donors to be less available to give and many blood drives may be canceled due to severe winter storms….

Photo by: Kyle Crawford

Entertainment December 17, 2017

Take a Lunch Break With The Cards in Worthen Arena On December 18th

By: Ball State Athletics— Muncie, IN—Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns invites the entire Muncie community to take your lunch break at Worthen Arena on Monday, December 18th as our undefeated women’s basketball team hosts Austin Peay at 11 a.m. This talented team is off to the best season start in the program’s history! For just $5 when purchased in advance of game day, fans in attendance will receive a silver section ticket and lunch – choice of Chick-fil-a, slice…

A resident is pictured with her poinsettia during "Project Poinsettia." Photo by: Liz Valpatic

Business, Positivity December 15, 2017

Watch: ‘Project Poinsettia’ Delivers 1,000 Poinsettias to Local Nursing Home Residents

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—On December 7th and 8th, 1,000 poinsettias were delivered to local nursing home residents through Woof Boom Radio’s inaugural “Project Poinsettia.” Numerous community-minded organizations and local businesses participated in and helped sponsor the project. (See their names below.) Sponsoring businesses had their logos printed on the greeting card that was inserted into each poinsettia, so residents would know who the poinsettia was from. Liz Valpatic, administrative assistant and marketing coordinator for Woof Boom Radio, documented the…