Articles by Mike Rhodes

Jewelry items like these will be available at the Simple Gifts Bazaar. Photo provided.

Non-Profit October 13, 2017

Simple Gifts Bazaar to Be Held at Friends Memorial Church on November 4th

By: Susan Danner— Muncie, IN—The Annual Simple Gifts Bazaar at Friends Memorial Church will take place on Saturday, November 4th, from 8:00am to 2:00pm. The Simple Gifts Bazaar is a large indoor bazaar featuring many handmade arts and crafts, created by talented local artisans. You are sure to find items that will be perfect gifts for you and your family. You can enjoy a diverse array of skilled local vendors, ready to help you find all the gifts you need. Admission…

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CROWDER to appear at Emens Auditorium on November 11th. Photo provided.

Entertainment October 12, 2017

Crowder “American Prodigal Fall Tour” To Appear at Emens Auditorium

Muncie, IN — Three time GRAMMY® nominated artist CROWDER will embark on his 20-city “American Prodigal Fall Tour,” which will begin on October 24 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, through November 16 in Wise, Virginia, including a stop at Emens Auditorium in Muncie, Ind. on Saturday, November 4th. The tour will feature special guest Jimi Cravity, and introduce The Young Escape.  Tickets are on sale now at the Emens Auditorium Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, and Ticketmaster.com.  CROWDER’s “American Prodigal Fall Tour” will feature live performances from his current chart-topping album, AMERICAN  PRODIGAL, which debuted at #5 on Billboard’s Top Albums chart, #12 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, #3 on the Digital Albums chart, and #1 on the Christian & Gospel Album chart….

Muncie Resident Trevor Dillard. Photo provided.

Education October 12, 2017

Muncie Resident Trevor Dillard Graduates From Erskine Green Training Institute

By: Jeanne Smith— Indianapolis, IN—Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI), a program of The Arc of Indiana Foundation, is pleased to announce that Trevor Dillard of Muncie recently graduated from its Heart of the House (hotel housekeeping) program. Ceremonies were held on Friday, Oct. 6. The Arc of Indiana Foundation exists to create postsecondary training opportunities for people with disabilities that empower and lead to meaningful employment through its program, Erskine Green Training Institute. After receiving training at EGTI, students apply…

Kathryn Kennison, U.S. Vice President Pence (then-governor), and the Rt. Hon. David Trimble. Photo provided and taken November 14, 2014.

Education, Positivity October 11, 2017

Town and Gown Conversations: Another Hidden Muncie Gem

By: Diane Watters, Assistant Director, E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center Ball State University— Muncie, IN—Town and Gown is an anachronistic phrase that you just don’t hear anymore, unless you run into a seasoned city planner. But this absence from our vocabulary doesn’t diminish the importance of its place in our community. This form of programming is meant to bridge the gap between the academic world and townspeople. The E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center’s Town and Gown Conversations program aims to…

SAMA Fest peacock. Photo provided.

Non-Profit October 11, 2017

SAMA Fest To Be Held at Cornerstone on November 11th

By: Jeff Robinson— Muncie, IN—Each year the South Asian Muncie Association hosts a festival showcasing the culture of South Asia. This year the association has partnered with Cornerstone Center for the Arts and is welcoming the general public to enjoy an evening of food, dance, fashion, and performances. SAMA Fest will be held at Cornerstone on Saturday, November 11, 2017  beginning at 5 p.m Guests will have the opportunity of sampling traditional cuisine from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Traditional…

Pictured Left to Right: Brenda Lloyd, Hillcroft Services Board Chair; Michael Whitlock, Hillcroft Industries, VP Business Operations; Debbie Bennett, Hillcroft Services, CEO; Mike Salmon, Hillcroft Industries, VP Business Development; Melissa Johnson, Hillcroft Industries, Production Coordinator; Jacob Sloan, Hillcroft Industries Employee; Amanda Rammel, Hillcroft Industries, Manager;  LeAnne Cole, Hillcroft Services, VP. Photo by: Matt Howell, Farmhouse Creative.

Business October 11, 2017

Hillcroft Industries in Muncie Celebrates ISO 9001:2015 Certification

By: Genet Soule, VP Development & Marketing— Muncie, IN – Hillcroft Industries, a division of Hillcroft Services, Inc., received its ISO 9001:2015 certificate of registration for its quality management system on July 19, 2017.  “ISO 9001 is not only a validation of our quality management system, but a validation of our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction,” said Mike Salmon, VP Business Development. Hillcroft Industries, formerly Cannon Industries, has performed parts assembly, packaging, kitting, collating, and sorting work for various…

Photo L-R: Brian Burton - President & CEO of the Indiana Manufacturers Association, John Smith, Neil Smith, Steve Smith, Jody Fledderman - Indiana Manufacturers Association Board Chair, Chad Smith

Business October 10, 2017

Mid-West Metal Products Honored by Indiana Manufacturers Association

By: Tara Whitehead— Meeting Brings Together Manufacturing Leaders from All Areas of the State and Highlights Continued Growth of Indiana Manufacturing Sector  Muncie, IN – On October 4, 2017, manufacturers, business leaders, and policymakers from across the state met in Indianapolis to honor those companies that have made outstanding contributions to the development of a healthy, dynamic environment in Indiana, and to the state’s overall economic well-being. Mid-West Metal Products is excited to be among the select group of companies acknowledged…

Mr. Kelly Stanley, (center) was the Keynote Speaker for the YOC’s Shafer Giving Society Luncheon. Photo provided.

Non-Profit October 10, 2017

Kelly Stanley, Campaign Chair, Keynotes YOC’s Shafer Giving Society Luncheon

By: Polly Craig, Executive Director, YOC Foundation— Muncie, IN—The Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) Foundation celebrated the twelfth anniversary of the Shafer Giving Society and the legacy of the late Hamer and Phyllis Shafer at a luncheon held in the YOC Gymnasium on October 6, 2017. The Shafer Giving Society was formed in 2006 to honor donors who have made cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more. The theme of this year’s event was Transforming Together: The Next Chapter. The Shafer Giving Society…

Beech Grove Cemetery. Photo provided.

Non-Profit October 10, 2017

4th Annual Beech Grove Cemetery Historic Tour to Be Held Oct 14th

By: Tina Sulfridge, Beech Grove Cemetery— Muncie, IN—Join local historians and actors for the 4th annual guided walking tour of a portion of Delaware County’s largest landmark and learn about many interesting historical figures. The beautiful fall foliage lends itself to provide the perfect backdrop for the information packed tours that are family friendly and will feature prominent members from our community as well as lesser known names. Previous tours have introduced guests to “Diamond” Harriett Mitchell Anthony-a local socialite…

A scene from Muncie Civic Theater's presentation of the musical “My Fair Lady." Photo by: Kishel Photography

Entertainment October 9, 2017

Muncie Civic Theatre Presents The Musical “My Fair Lady” Oct 13-28

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN —It is sure to be a “loverly” evening. Muncie Civic Theatre is presenting the musical “My Fair Lady” Oct. 13-28. Based on George Bernard Shaw’s classic play “Pygmalion,” “My Fair Lady” tells the familiar story of Eliza Doolittle, a flower peddler with an unmistakable Cockney accent who agrees to take speech lessons from Henry Higgins, who has made a wager with a colleague that he can transform her from a “gutter snipe” to a duchess in…