Articles by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit July 21, 2026

Cornerstone Center for the Arts Launches Historic Structure Report

By Cornerstone Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN—The Masonic Temple’s majestic presence has graced Muncie downtown’s eastern edge since 1926. Since 2006, it has housed Cornerstone Center for the Arts. As Cornerstone celebrates the 100th anniversary of this historic building, it is taking an important step toward preserving the Temple’s future through the development of a Historic Structure Report. This comprehensive Historic Structure Report includes condition assessments and recommendations related to the long-term preservation, rehabilitation, and continued use of the landmark building. This Report is being prepared by a team of architects and structural and mechanical engineers spearheaded by Indianapolis based…

Exchange Club of Muncie Awards ,000 in Scholarships to Local Students

Non-Profit July 20, 2026

Exchange Club of Muncie Awards $4,000 in Scholarships to Local Students

By Erin Ailstock— MUNCIE, IN — The Exchange Club of Muncie is proud to recognize two outstanding Delaware County students for their academic achievements, service to others, leadership and perseverance. Emma J. Miller and Mason Skinner have each been awarded a $2,000 scholarship to support their educational and career goals. Emma J. Miller, daughter of Scott and Malisha Miller, is the recipient of the Exchange Club of Muncie Youth Scholarship. The award recognizes a student who has demonstrated excellence in academics, community service and leadership. A graduating senior at Delta High School, Emma has been actively involved in 4-H, FFA,…

Dr. Bird July 17, 2026

Dr. Jeff Bird: Devoting a Life’s Work to Helping Kids

By Dr. Jeff Bird— MUNCIE, IN—Jeff Helm serves youth as the chief executive officer of the Youth Opportunity Center. He assumed the leadership of the YOC in 2023 culminating a 23 year journey at the facility. I was fortunate to sit with Jeff and discuss his life’s journey and his passion for helping troubled, hurting children. Jeff is a lifelong resident of Delaware County, growing up in the Selma area and attended Wapahani High School. He is married to his wife Tammy and has 2 adult children. Jeff graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Criminal Justice and…

Health July 16, 2026

Blood Donors Needed Now to Stop Alarming Drop in Red Cross Blood Supply

By Isis Chaverri, Regional Communications Director, American Red Cross Indiana Region— INDIANA — The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O positive and B negative blood. A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than…

Minnetrista Museum & Gardens Receives Million Lilly Endowment Grant to Increase Organizational Capacity

Business July 16, 2026

Minnetrista Museum & Gardens Receives $5 Million Lilly Endowment Grant to Increase Organizational Capacity

By Lindsey Horan, President MUNCIE, IN — Minnetrista Museum & Gardens has been awarded a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support transformational capacity-building projects that will strengthen the museum’s facilities, expand access to its collections, enhance visitor experiences, and preserve some of its most treasured historic spaces. The funding will be invested over the next three years and will support a wide range of initiatives designed to ensure Minnetrista continues serving East Central Indiana as a vibrant cultural destination for generations to come. “We are grateful to Lilly Endowment for this extraordinary grant, which will boost the…

Non-Profit July 15, 2026

Isaiah 117 House to Hold Lemonade Stand Weekend July 17-19

By Mary Vannatta— MUNCIE, IN—Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the way foster care begins, is holding their annual Lemonade Stand Weekend on July 17-19, 2026, across Delaware County , Indiana. Lemonade Stand Weekend is a nationwide tradition that began in 2017 with just a few lemonade stands in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Each year, communities across the country host stands to raise awareness and support for children awaiting foster care placement, with all proceeds staying local to benefit their community’s Isaiah 117 House. During Lemonade Stand Weekend, there will be 20+ stands hosted locally to support our local Isaiah…

Education July 15, 2026

Ball State Teachers College Earns National Recognition for Innovation in Teacher Preparation Technology

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN— Ball State University’s Teachers College has earned the 2026 Distinguished Educator Preparation Program Award from ISTE+ASCD, a national education organization formed by the International Society for Technology in Education and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. The award recognizes educator preparation programs that are leading the transformation of teacher preparation by providing preservice teachers with opportunities to build their skills through technologically innovative practices while embracing collaboration, continuous professional learning, and equitable learning opportunities. Ball State Teachers College was recognized for its coordinated, college-wide approach to preparing future educators to use technology in purposeful, ethical,…

Entertainment July 15, 2026

Fire Up DWNTWN Celebrates Fifth Year on August 1 With Biggest Lineup Yet

By Amanda Holmquist— MUNCIE, IN—Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 1, from noon to 10 p.m., as the 5th Annual Fire Up DWNTWN, presented by Ivy Tech Muncie and produced by Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, returns to downtown Muncie. The event is a free, full-day celebration for all ages featuring live music and entertainment on three stages, local food vendors, contests, games, and DWNTWN IDOL performances. The popular special shape hot air balloons return to fill the downtown skyline. Visitors can also enjoy tethered hot air balloon rides, get up close to balloon baskets, and experience the Balloon Glow Show…

Education, Non-Profit July 14, 2026

A Century of Supporting Teaching and Learning: Ball State University and Burris Laboratory School

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation’s support for education in Muncie is deeply connected to the origins of Ball State University and the Ball family’s long-standing belief in the importance of teacher preparation and public education. In 1917, after community efforts to sustain a struggling private college failed, the Ball brothers purchased the land and buildings of the institution and donated them to the State of Indiana. That gift became the Indiana State Normal School Eastern Division which opened in 1918 to help address Indiana’s growing need for well-prepared teachers. In recognition of…

Non-Profit July 13, 2026

What Makes a Community Vibrant? And How Does Muncie Compare?

By Muncie Arts and Culture Council— MUNCIE, IN—Some things are difficult to measure, but easy to feel. You know it when you walk through a downtown filled with activity. You hear it during live performances and community festivals. You see it in murals, galleries, public spaces, local businesses, and the energy created when people gather together to experience something meaningful. A vibrant arts and culture scene changes how a community feels. So, how do we measure this vibrancy? How can you capture a feeling? Measuring Arts Vibrancy Researchers have developed ways to measure that vibrancy. One of the most widely…

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