Articles by Mike Rhodes

Aerial photo of Muncie and Delaware County by Michael Wolfe

Non-Profit January 8, 2018

Muncie Action Plan (MAP) to Host Report to the Community On January 10th

By: Aimee Robertson-Fant— Muncie, IN—All Muncie residents are invited to attend Muncie Action Plan’s Annual Public Report to the Community- Wednesday, January 10th– 5:30pm at the Minnetrista Cultural Center. Come learn what each of MAP’s 5 task forces have been doing to help support Muncie’s assets and address community needs in 2017, how to plug into the new projects and events housed within each of MAP’s five task forces, and how you can provide YOUR input as MAP develops a…

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“Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times,” by Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1727, is part of The Remnant Trust exhibit. Photo by: John Carlson

Education January 6, 2018

A Firsthand Look at Rare Books

By: John Carlson— Muncie, IN—For book lovers, it’s like being a kid in a candy store. Make that an intellectually stimulating candy store. Located on the second floor of Ball State University’s E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center, the classic tomes of The Remnant Trust are a trove of historic works stored under glass for all to see. Even better, you may lift that glass and take the books into your hands to examine and read. Of course, there are…

Results of the 2017 United Way Campaign are unveiled as members of the campaign team take the stage at Cornerstone. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit January 5, 2018

United Way Surpasses 2017 Campaign Goal

By: Allison Gregory— Muncie, IN— United Way of Delaware County’s (UWDC) 2017 campaign raised $1,427,079, surpassing its $1.2 million goal by nearly 19 percent. By engaging a broad spectrum of community support to tackle the organization’s long-term goal to end generational poverty, the campaign exceeded expectations in the following key target areas: Tocqueville Society donors—those giving $10,000 or more—increased by 307 percent in the 2017 campaign. These high-level givers join a national network of philanthropic leaders who are engaged locally…

Renewing the pleasure of pimiento cheese spread brings a smile. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson January 5, 2018

John Carlson: For The Love of Groceries

By: John Carlson— Once I heard a story about a Russian visitor to the United States back in the Cold War days, a woman who was sure tales of our country’s abundance were merely government propaganda. Even while casually strolling through an American supermarket, she staunchly maintained her righteous sense of Soviet doubt and denial. It wasn’t until she wandered into the toilet paper aisle and saw 30 varieties of cottony soft two-ply and four-ply rolls – none of them…

Polly Craig. Photo provided

Non-Profit January 4, 2018

Youth Opportunity Center Foundation Executive Director Joins AFP Board of Directors

By: Richard Crist— Muncie, IN—Polly Craig, Executive Director of the Youth Opportunity Center Foundation, has been named to the Board of Directors for the Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). The Indiana Chapter of AFP’s mission statement is to foster the growth and development of philanthropy, the fundraising profession, the chapter, and its individual members. It moves toward this goal through extensive research, education, ethical principles, and high standards of professional practice. The Indiana chapter seeks to…

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…

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…