Articles by Mike Rhodes

Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay in Delaware County. Jeff Bird carries the torch. Photo by: Sadie Lebo

Non-Profit October 25, 2017

Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay Wins Statewide Award

By: Rachel Hill Ponko— Indianapolis, IN—A project that touched each of Indiana’s 92 counties is the winner of a statewide award. The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) presented the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD) with its 2017 Bicentennial Collaborative Project Award for the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay. The Torch Relay, modeled after the Olympic Torch Relay, traveled more than 3,200 miles and engaged 2,242 Hoosiers, ages 4 to 106, as torchbearers. The route, designed by IOTD, highlighted the best of what…

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Chris Caldwell, senior vice president for commercial banking at MutualBank.

Business October 24, 2017

MutualBank’s Chris Caldwell Joins Indiana Statewide CDC Central Loan Committee

By: Guy Johnson— Indianapolis, IN—Christopher Caldwell of MutualBank in Muncie is joining the Central Loan Committee of small-business lender Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation. Indiana Statewide CDC works with local Indiana lenders to issue loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loan program. The loans help owners of expanding or startup small businesses buy real estate, buildings and equipment. Small companies gain favorable financing terms with SBA 504 loans similar to those available to large companies. Caldwell says, “Indiana…

Jeff Scott. Photo provided.

Education October 24, 2017

Ivy Tech Community College Announces Jeff Scott as Chancellor of Muncie Campus

By: Kelsey Batten and Jennifer Gasiorek— Indianapolis, IN – Ivy Tech Community College has named Jeff Scott to serve as chancellor of the Muncie campus, which includes leadership of the New Castle site, as a part of the College’s new organizational structure announced earlier this year. The new structure will better align with the community at the campus level and empower campuses to be responsive and nimble in meeting local needs. Prior to the change, multiple campuses reported to a bi-regional leadership, including…

BAZAAR in the WOODS will be held Saturday, November 4th at Unitarian Universalist Church. Photo provided.

Entertainment October 23, 2017

Unitarian Universalist Church Bazaar in the Woods Set for Nov 4th

By: Sue Errington— Our 120th year…and We’re Still Here! Muncie, IN—Greeters at Muncie’s oldest continuous running bazaar will welcome shoppers of all ages to the 120th Bazaar in the Woods on Saturday, November 4, 8 am – 2 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie, 4800 W. Bradford Dr. Childcare is available for a small fee.  Start the day with a breakfast of sausage casserole and cinnamon rolls at the Chalice Cafe, or take a lunch break of Australian…

Photo by: storyblocks

Education October 22, 2017

Ivy Tech Community College, Kaplan University Partner On Reverse Transfer Initiative

By: Kelsey Batten— Agreement Helps Adult Learners Earn Important Degree Credential Toward Achieving Educational and Career Goals— Indianapolis, IN – Ivy Tech Community College and Kaplan University have partnered to create a statewide reverse transfer agreement for students who have transferred to Kaplan University prior to completing their associate degree at Ivy Tech. “By working closely with Ivy Tech we are helping adult learners earn important degree credentials they can use immediately toward achieving their educational and career goals,” said Kaplan…

Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business October 21, 2017

Chamber Recognizes Business Leaders At 123rd Annual Meeting

By: Brenda Brumfield— Muncie, IN– The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held its 123rd Annual Meeting on October 19, 2017 with more than 300 business and community leaders in attendance.  The event, held at the Horizon Convention Center, is the Chamber’s annual meeting and awards event. Chamber Board Chair Margaret Kirkpatrick Sikora led the report to members on the accomplishments of the prior year. The Chamber presented the Spirit of Small Business Award to Elm Street Brewing Company.   Elm Street…

Oh, Lordy, it’s pastures of plenty! Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson October 20, 2017

John Carlson: Black Licorice Addicting

By: John Carlson— It’s not easy being a black-licorice addict. See, you might love that stuff, but you never get enough. The reason you never get enough is, the photo above notwithstanding, you don’t always find it on store shelves. Sometimes when you think you have, you must examine it closely, or it’ll break your heart. This happened to me once. When checking out the Twizzlers area of the candy shelf in a local drugstore, alongside the more common red…

(L-R) Jud Fisher and John Craddock are pictured. John was awarded the Fisher Governance Award in 2017. Photo provided.

Non-Profit October 20, 2017

John Craddock Presented with Fisher Governance Award During Chamber of Commerce Dinner

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN— Ball Brothers Foundation has selected John Craddock, President of the board of directors of Community Enhancement Projects as the 2017 winner of the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award. The award, which recognizes the outstanding service of a board member to a Delaware County nonprofit organization, was presented at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on October 19. Craddock has served on the board of Community Enhancement Projects for over 20…

You can even get free haircuts at the Community Connect event at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Friday, October 20th. Photo by: graphicstock

Non-Profit October 19, 2017

50 Agencies To Provide FREE Services at “Community Connect” Event at Fairgrounds on Oct 20th

Community Agencies Unite to Provide Same Day Services to Those in Need— Muncie, IN—On October 20, 2017, dozens of community-based organizations will provide convenient, on-site, one-stop access to services and resources needed by individuals. Individuals who are homeless, nearly homeless, or who rely on community resources to make ends meet are encouraged to attend this one-stop venue which provides access to resources which might otherwise take months to secure. “We are looking to support our most-vulnerable citizens with all the…

Photo by: Marvin Groves

Entertainment, Non-Profit October 17, 2017

Marvin Groves Photography Presentation and Gallery Exhibition at Cornerstone

By: Sarah Shaffer— Muncie, IN—Join Cornerstone Center for Arts for a photography presentation and gallery exhibition on Tanzania, African Wildlife, presented by photographer, Marvin Groves. Groves’ wildlife photography will be featured for the month of November in the Cornerstone Art Gallery.  On Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. Groves will project his photography onto the big screen in the E.B. Ball Auditorium at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. He will share the tales of his travels to Africa and firsthand…