Articles by Mike Rhodes

New IU Heath Jay signage being installed. Photo provided

Opinion March 1, 2018

Opinion: “Welcome and We’re Glad You’re Here”

By: Jeff Bird, MD and Dave Hyatt— “Welcome and we’re glad you’re here.” When Jay County Hospital joined IU Health and became IU Health Jay Hospital on March 1, that was the message you could hear echoing down the halls repeatedly. Teams from Muncie and across the state have descended on Portland in recent weeks to ensure that the transition to joining the state’s largest and most trusted healthcare system would be a smooth one. That meant change. Not just…

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Brian Waters. Photo by: Paige Clary Waters

Business February 28, 2018

Eaton Funeral Director Earns National Certified Funeral Service Practitioner Designation

By: Paige Clary Waters— Eaton, IN – Brian Waters, funeral director with Pitman-Richman and Waters Funeral Homes, recently earned the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CSFP), by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Brian is the second of only two funeral directors working in Delaware County to receive this designation and the first funeral director working in Blackford County. Only 1670 of the 34,427 funeral directors across the country have undertaken and completed the rigorous certification requirements. To…

Wednesday, February 21st keynote speaker, Dr. Jason Henderson is pictured during his presentation, "Positioning Agriculture For Success in the Next State of the Cycle." Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business February 28, 2018

Horizon Convention Center Hosts 2018 Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference

By: Mike Rhodes— The Horizon Convention Center hosted the 2018 Purdue Extension Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference on February 20-22. Approximately 175 women attended the conference as well as an additional 90 8th-12th graders who attended during the Young Ladies in Agriculture portion of the conference. Attendees came from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois. Dr. Jason Henderson, a nationally recognized expert in agriculture and rural issues was a keynote speaker for the February 21st luncheon session. He is associate dean in…

BBSU Human Resources students Jessica Benz and Emma Floit are pictured discussing HR trends with Dorothy Douglass, Vice President of Human Resources for MutualBank. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business February 27, 2018

MutualBank Named ‘A Best Place To Work In Indiana’ By Indiana Chamber

By: Dave Heeter, CEO— Muncie, IN—MutualBank is proud to announce and be acknowledged as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana. This program, created by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group is in their thirteenth year with this being MutualBank’s first time making the prestigious list. “We are honored to be named one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work,” says Dorothy Douglass, Vice President of Human Resources. “MutualBank employs over 425 employees throughout the state…

A high school student poses while working on a project funded by a Robert. P. Bell Education Grant. Photo provided

Education, Non-Profit February 27, 2018

Teachers Awarded Funding for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, Ind. – Local teachers will receive $3,260 in Robert P. Bell Education Grants from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. Across the county, 1,000s of students benefit from Bell Education Grants each year. Awards of up to $450 are available through the Bell Grants program. Funded projects are creative or innovative ideas or programs designed to stimulate learning in students. All Delaware County teachers are invited to apply during any…

Artist Kevin Campbell is pictured with his "Puzzle Project." Photo provided.

Business, Entertainment February 27, 2018

Gordy Fine Art & Framing to Present Works By Artist Kevin Campbell This Thursday

By: Carl Schafer— Muncie, IN—Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company will open the exhibition Pieces of Infinity with paintings and sculpture by artist Kevin Campbell, Thursday March 1, 5 – 8 pm.    The exhibit will be anchored by his drawing of tiny interlocking puzzle pieces which is well over 100 square feet.  The drawing is a map that guides his Puzzle Project and will be shown to the public for the first time to offer viewers a direct understanding of…

Sarah Anderson, a junior studying sculpture, creates a ceramic bowl. Photo provided.

Non-Profit February 26, 2018

Grab a Handmade Ceramic Bowl Filled With Chili and Help Local Non-Profits

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Hundreds of handmade ceramic bowls filled with chili will be on sale Tuesday at Ball State University with the proceeds going to the Muncie Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank, and the Soup Kitchen of Muncie. Presented in conjunction with Ball State Dining, the university’s Clay Guild’s 12th annual Chili Bowl is set from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Feb. 27, at the Art and Journalism Building, Studio Room (across from the Ball State Bookstore). For just $10 (plus…

“Symphonic Lights Study #1” by Tom Farris

Non-Profit February 26, 2018

Local Artists Have Work Selected for Minnetrista’s 28th Annual Juried Art Show and Sale

By: Tom Farris— Muncie, IN  – Linda Farris’ contemporary painting “Ebb and Flow” and Tom Farris’ art photograph, “Symphonic Lights Study #1” have been juried into Minnetrista’s 28th Annual Juried Art Show & Sale, open to entries from throughout the state of Indiana. The competition was judged by David Slonim, painter.  The show will be on display through April 29th.  Both pieces of work by Linda and Tom Farris are offered for sale by during the exhibition. Tom Farris, an…

A young girl learns ballet at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Photo provided.

Non-Profit February 23, 2018

15 Local Non-Profits Receive $604,570 In Community Foundation Grants

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. awarded $604,570 to 15 nonprofit organizations during the first Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2018. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts…

Remember these? They were called “typewriters.” Photo by: graphicstock

Carlson February 23, 2018

John Carlson: Young Typist Lacked Touch

By: John Carlson— The other day on Facebook, I saw a meme or whatever you call it that asked how many people remembered high school typing classes? I sure as heck do. Once, I even took such a class. This was due to the fact that, because of the many school activities in which I was involved, I had neglected to register in a timely fashion for the advanced physics and calculus classes my guidance counselor urged me to take….