Articles by Mike Rhodes

17th Annual ‘Serve Week’ Held at Union Chapel, June 18-22

By: Jeff Hughes— Muncie, IN—Imagine the positive effect of over 450 children, youth and adults who live in Muncie, extending acts of kindness and love by serving residents and area non-profit agencies for one week at no charge. SERVE participants will rehab homes, pick up trash, visit nursing homes, paint local parks, cook and giveaway free food, host free block parties, assist non-profit agencies, and clean up and show care and concern for the city of Muncie by meeting practical…

Read More

New BBF Grants Promote Innovation in Healthcare Training and in Local Schools   

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF) awarded more than $3.2 million in grants to over 30 organizations in its first grantmaking round of the year. The grants were approved during the foundation’s board meeting in May. The largest grant awarded by the foundation—a $1 million grant to Ivy Tech Community College—will support the transformation of Ivy Tech’s facilities in Muncie. BBF’s grant is specifically targeted toward renovations to the fourth floor of the Fisher building in downtown Muncie…


What Does It Mean to be a Good Dad?

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Fathers today spend more time engaged with their children than ever before and that’s perfectly OK, says a researcher at Ball State University. Ball State’s Richard Petts, a sociology professor, and two researchers from Brigham Young University utilized a national sample of about 2,000 fathers with children ages 2-18 to understand the relationship between adherence to masculine norms, fathering attitudes, and father involvement. “Does Adherence to Masculine Norms Shape Fathering Behavior?” was recently published by the…


‘Sephora Inside JCPenney’ Opens At Muncie Mall

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—At 9am on June 15th, Sephora Inside JCPenney opened at the Muncie Mall. JCPenney general manager Ebony Martin estimated 300-400 people were lined up to get inside for the 9am grand opening.  She said, “At Sephora our customers get to do four things: You touch. You try. You Play. You learn. When you come into our beauty studio, one of our product consultants will sit down with you and teach you things. Like skin care, fragrance,…


John Carlson: Off Into The Wild Blue…

By: John Carlson— Why, yes! As a matter of fact, I do own an airplane! Sixty-seven years. My whole life. That’s how long I’ve waited to say that. Well, OK. Technically, it would be 67 years had I wanted an airplane the moment I popped from Mom’s womb and some doctor flipped me over to smack me on the butt. But I have waited a solid 52 years, since the day I took my first flying lesson as a kid….


Whitinger & Company Names New Member/Owner At Annual Meeting

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, IN– Regional public accounting and advisory firm, Whitinger & Company, is proud to announce the promotion of Ross Swallow, CPA to Member/Owner of the firm. Originally from Union City, Ohio, Ross received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Findlay with a double major in Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting with a Minor in Finance. He then completed a Master’s in Accounting from Ball State University. Ross specializes in tax consulting and compliance services…


Muncie Civic Theatre Presents ‘The Little Mermaid’

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—Muncie Civic Theatre is going down under – the sea, that is — for its latest production. The historic downtown theatre is presenting Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” live on stage June 8-24. For tickets, call 288-PLAY or go to www.munciecivic.org. Watch the beloved animated classic come to life with your favorite characters, including Ariel, Ursula, Sebastian, and songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” “Little Mermaid” tells the fishy tail, er tale, of…


First Merchants Muncie Participates in ‘Community Day’ At ARF

By: Megan Jeffers— Muncie, IN—ARF is a local non-profit whose mission is to provide shelter, medical care, and love to abused, abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals until permanent homes can be found.  Through educational efforts, public awareness and community involvement, ARF seeks to eliminate euthanasia as a way of animal control, thereby creating a “no-kill” community in which both animals and humans benefit from the goodness of each other. The First Merchants Muncie Team recently participated in a Community Day…


Ivy Tech Hosts Free STEM Camp for Girls, June 19-22

By: Mallory Steed— Muncie, Ind— Ivy Tech Community College is hosting a STEM Camp and spots are still available. This camp will provide middle and high school girls immersive learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. They will also focus on a number of different topics including everyday etiquette, making your dreams become a reality and effective communication skills.  This four day camp begins June 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 22. “We are looking forward to…


Land Conservation Fund Supports Reber Woods

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, IN– The Land Conservation Fund project has secured more than 300 acres of land in East Central Indiana. The fund was created to preserve and protect important conservation and recreation areas throughout Delaware County or those owned by Delaware County organizations. A partnership between The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc., Ball Brother’s Foundation, and the George and Frances Ball Foundation formed the fund in 2013.  The fund provides the local matching money required for the…