Articles by Mike Rhodes

Julia Louise Hosack (Emily), Connor Barth (Michael), Gordon G ray (Santa), Drew Pulver (Walter) and Matt Kopec (Buddy) in “Elf The Musical.” Photo by: Joan Marcus

Entertainment November 13, 2017

Muncie Fire Department’s Toys for Tots Donations Accepted at Elf: The Musical’s Performance at Emens Auditorium

By: Kristi Chambers— Muncie, IN – Everyone’s favorite ELF will be coming to Muncie in the holiday classic, Elf The Musical. The Broadway musical will play at Emens Auditorium on Tuesday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. In partnership with the Muncie Fire Department’s Toys for Tots, bring a toy donation to Elf’s performance and receive a BOGO (buy one get one free) coupon to be used on the purchase of tickets to any future qualifying Emens Auditorium or Pruis Hall…

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A veteran's grave at Beech Grove cemetery. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Carlson November 10, 2017

John Carlson: A Day to Thank Veterans

By: John Carlson— Do you believe in ghosts? I do, to a point. Maybe not the malevolent kind who supposedly haunt your house or your life, though I believe the occasional good scare is beneficial to one’s constitution. But there’s another kind of ghost, a far more positive kind … When it comes to getting in touch with them, November helps. It’s easier to feel them in the wet chill of mid-autumn, with a predominantly gray sky blocking the sunshine…

(L-R) Lori Luther and John Dragoo. Photo provided.

Non-Profit November 10, 2017

Youth Opportunity Center Announces New Board Members and Officers

By: Richard Crist— Muncie, IN—Muncie, Indiana based Youth Opportunity Center, Inc. recently welcomed John Dragoo and Lori Luther to their board of directors. John Dragoo is a Territory Manager for Flexsteel Furniture. In addition to nearly twenty years in the furniture industry, John has experience as a teacher and coach. Through his work experience and volunteering with youth over the last 23 years, he has developed a passion to see young people thrive. Helping children succeed and finding solutions for…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health November 9, 2017

IU Health Ball Hospital Named One of Nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health

By: Dawn Brand Fluhler— Muncie, IN—IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital was this week named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health. IBM Watson Health recently released the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals 2018 study. The annual study, conducted by Truven Health Analytics, now part of IBM Watson Health, identifies the top U.S. hospitals for inpatient cardiovascular services. The study uses a balanced national scorecard of hospital performance metrics to identify the highest performing cardiovascular service lines in…

A similar maker space that BBF funded at Purdue Polytechnic’s Anderson facility is pictured. Photo provided.

Non-Profit November 9, 2017

Ball Brothers Foundation Funds Purdue Polytechnic Institute in Muncie  

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—A grant totaling $160,000 to Purdue University was among the $3,656,341 in total grants the foundation awarded at its October board meeting. Ball Brothers Foundation approved awards to 17 organizations in its latest round of grants. The Purdue Polytechnic Institute grant will assist local Purdue officials as they partner in building a better workforce for Muncie and East Central Indiana. The programs the institute will provide include certificate attainment, associates degrees, a path to bachelors degree…

Woof Boom Radio initiates community project titled: "Project Poinsettia." Photo illustration by: Mike Rhodes

Business, Positivity November 8, 2017

Woof Boom Radio Launches “Project Poinsettia” To Benefit Nursing Home Residents This Christmas

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Today, Woof Boom Radio is embarking on a community service project to bring a little joy and happiness to our local nursing home residents this Christmas. We are looking to partner with 50 local businesses. Would you like to help? Project Poinsettia will deliver 1,000 beautiful poinsettias to area nursing homes and assisted living facilities this Christmas, in order to spread a little joy of the season to residents who need it. Did you know that…

Winners of the first MOM Celebrity Spelling Bee, First Merchants Bank, will be back to try to hang on to the traveling trophy. Photo provided

Non-Profit November 8, 2017

Second annual MOM Celebrity Spelling Bee set for Nov. 9th

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN —“Word” has it the MOM Celebrity Spelling Bee is back! Yes, it’s true. The second annual MOM Celebrity Spelling Bee is set for Nov. 9 at Townsend Corporation, 1015 W. Jackson Street. A pre-event reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the spelling will begin at 6. Teams will be competing for the prestigious traveling Celebrity Spelling Bee trophy. First Merchants Bank won last year and will try to hold onto its title as the best…

Photo provided.

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…

Photo provided

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…