Articles by Mike Rhodes

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Non-Profit November 7, 2017

The Muncie Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Pianist Kenny Broberg

By: Morgan Dean— Muncie, IN – The Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s third classical concert of the 2017-2018 season will be performed Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in Sursa Performance Hall. “I am excited to welcome Kenny Broberg back to Muncie to share the enormously demanding 3rd Piano Concerto of Sergei Rachmaninoff. He is truly a ‘rock star pianist’,” said Artistic Director and Conductor, Douglas Droste. Kenny Broberg is the 2017 Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition Award Winner and 2017 Cliburn…

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Education November 7, 2017

Recovering From The Fieldhouse Storm Damage

By: Ana Pichardo— Muncie, IN—We are hopeful that the entire community will be able to recover quickly from the severe storms that damaged the Muncie area last night. Many MCS families have been impacted by those storms. Regarding the concern many have for the damage sustained by the MCS Fieldhouse, currently MCS is working with our structural engineering firm and other appropriate specialists to determine the extent of the damage and what steps will need to be taken before the…

Ball State's new branding campaign launched on November 6th.

Education November 6, 2017

Ball State University Unveils New Brand Strategy

By: Marc Ransford— “We Fly” captures spirit of intellectual curiosity and bold ambitions Muncie, IN– There’s a new message at Ball State University: “We Fly.”  It is part of a new brand strategy launched today at a campus celebration attended by hundreds of students, faculty, and staff. The “We Fly” theme, developed after months of research and focus group sessions, is a nod to Ball State’s promise to challenge each other to excel. That, said President Geoffrey S. Mearns, is…

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Non-Profit November 6, 2017

Muncie Citizens Looking to Lead: Inaugural “Candidates of the Future” Fills 50 seats in 4 Days

By: Aimee Robertson-Fant, Neighborhood Organizer, Muncie Action Plan— Muncie, IN—In the face of national political discord and global unrest, citizens could choose to be powerless spectators, sitting on the sidelines, but such is not the case the community of Muncie.  Perhaps the silver lining and real power is found in citizens’ willingness to identify the outcomes they can influence in their own neighborhoods and communities by finding their local voice and focusing on what they can do to be agent…

Indiana Broadcasters Association "Spectrum" Awards were presented on Friday, November 3rd. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business November 4, 2017

Woof Boom Radio’s WLBC and Brian Casey Win Spectrum Awards at Indiana Broadcasters Association Event

By: Mike Rhodes— Carmel, IN—The Indiana Broadcasters Association presented their 30th Annual Spectrum Awards on Friday, November 3, 2017 in ceremonies held in Carmel, IN. The Indiana Broadcasters Association is an alliance of more than 300 member radio and television broadcasters, united to serve their audiences throughout the Hoosier state.  The IBA advocates for member stations, offers FCC inspection programs, provides scholarships to college students, hosts career fairs throughout the state for members to recruit new employees, and represents the…

The walls are beginning to go up as construction continues on the new Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business November 3, 2017

Update On Fresh Thyme, Crew Carwash, And Other Economic Development Projects

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN— At the October 5, 2017 regular meeting of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, status updates on a number of economic development projects were given. Todd Donati reported that the highly anticipated Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market is on-track to open in the spring of 2018. Walls of the new market can now be seen being erected.  Due to the new construction and heavy trucks moving in and out, Milton Street will be rebuilt in sections. The commission…

These two frogs remind us to “eat them first.” Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson November 3, 2017

John Carlson: Froggy Life Lessons

By: John Carlson— Not long ago, my wife gave me a gold frog. Well, a gold-colored frog. It’s actually made of rubber, so when you press down on its back and its body gives way, it feels disturbingly like a real frog would, I guess. This frog is mounted on a wooden plaque wired in back for convenient hanging, but I keep it within sight on the folding table that serves as my desk. Nancy, meanwhile, has a frog on…

Photo by: Graphicstock

Education November 2, 2017

Free FAFSA Assistance for Students at 16 Ivy Tech Community College Locations for College Goal Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Financial aid professionals will be volunteering at 16 Ivy Tech Community College campus locations on November 5 at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (local time) for College Goal Sunday. This annual event provides free assistance for Hoosier families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). College Goal Sunday events will be hosted at the following Ivy Tech locations: Anderson, Avon, Bloomington, Crawfordsville, East Chicago, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Franklin, Greencastle, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Logansport, Muncie, Terre…

Photo by: K.E. Volpp.

Entertainment November 2, 2017

America’s Hometown Band to Perform On November 13th

By: Katherine Huggler— Muncie, IN—On Monday, November 13, 2017, the City of Muncie’s annual free Veterans Day and military honor program takes place at the Muncie Central High School auditorium at 801 N. Walnut St. in Muncie, Indiana. The public is invited to attend in remembrance of all American veterans. The evening begins with a 6:30 pm musical prelude to the Veterans Day program, performed by the combined, side-by-side group of America’s Hometown Band (90% BSU grads) and MCHS band students….

Sursa Hall at Ball State University. Photo provided.

Entertainment November 1, 2017

Top Young Pianists To Perform in International Piano Competition At Ball State Nov. 8-12th

By: Kim Rendfeld— Muncie, IN—A few Ball State University students will participate in an international piano competition right on campus. For the third year, Ball State will be one of a handful of sites worldwide to host the preliminary round of the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. On Nov. 8-12, music lovers can enjoy performances by 48 young pianists in the 600-seat Sursa Hall. Ball State joins London, Manchester (England), Berlin, Milan and Tokyo as sites to audition for the…