Articles by Mike Rhodes

My Uncle Jim explains the whiskey distilling process. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson August 11, 2017

John Carlson: A Distiller In the Family!

By: John Carlson— Full confession: On exceedingly rare occasions and for medicinal purposes only, I have been known to take a teensy-weensy sip of the corn whiskey known as “bourbon.” What’s more, I don’t dislike it. You can imagine, then, the excitement with which I greeted the news that by marriage – through my wife Nancy’s sister Marti’s husband Charlie’s side of the family – I am closely related to actual distillers of bourbon, rye and vodka. Their business is…

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Flor De Toloache. Photo provided.

Entertainment August 10, 2017

Flor De Toloache to Headline Next Muncie Three Trails Concert

By: Rick Zeigler—Muncie, IN— Latin Grammy nominees Flor De Toloache, New York City’s first and only all-women Mariachi group, will perform in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2017 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 26th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Latin classical guitarist Michael Isla will open the show. Flor De Toloache, which translates as “deadly flower” and also refers to a main ingredient in traditional love potions, was founded in 2008…

Artist rendering of what the U-Haul facility will look like when renovations are completed.

Business August 8, 2017

U-Haul® Reusing Former Kmart for New Store in Muncie

By: Andrea Batchelor— Muncie, IN—U-Haul® will soon be showcasing a modern self-storage facility in northeast Muncie thanks to the recent acquisition of a former Kmart® store at 1501 E. McGalliard Road. U-Haul acquired the vacant 86,250-square-foot warehouse on Aug. 2. U-Haul Moving & Storage of Morningside has opened a temporary showroom and is currently offering truck and trailer sharing, towing equipment, moving supplies and U-Box portable moving and storage containers. “This deteriorating building had been sitting empty for three years,”…

Liberty- Perry Schools Alumni Engraved Brick Walkway. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Education August 8, 2017

Liberty-Perry Alumni Association Completes Alumni Brick Walkway at Wapahani High School

By: Richard Morris— The Liberty-Perry Alumni Association (LPAA) is proud to announce the completion of the Liberty- Perry Schools Alumni Engraved Brick Walkway on July 25, 2017. The engraved brick walkway is the first of its kind at any high school in East Central Indiana and is intended to pay respect and honor alumni and employees from Wapahani, Center, and Selma high schools. Parent high schools Center and Selma celebrated their last graduating class in 1967. In 1967, Center and…

A scene from the 2017 Back 2 School Fun Fest. Photo provided.

Non-Profit August 7, 2017

Results of the 2017 Back 2 School Fun Fest

By: Katy T. Crist— Muncie, IN—Open Door Health Services hosted their sixth annual Back 2 School Fun Fest on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 from 1-4pm at 333 S. Madison Street in Muncie and the turnout continued to be great. The Back 2 School Fun Fest was open to the public and offered school and sport physicals, immunizations, and dental exams for little to no cost. This year Open Door provided 68 physicals, immunizations to 43 children, and 24 dental exams. Kids of all…

Ball Associates Building Mural at 222 S. Mulberry Street. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit August 7, 2017

Nominations Sought for Ball Brothers Foundation’s $10,000 Fisher Governance Award

Muncie, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation is seeking nominations for its annual Fisher Governance Award. The award honors an outstanding board member of a Delaware County non-profit organization. The winner will be recognized later this fall at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce dinner. Included in the honor is a $10,000 grant to the organization that the recognized board member represents. “Our community is fortunate to have so many volunteers who give selflessly of their time and talents. This award was created…

Gotta wear a tie? Bolo’s the way to golo. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson August 6, 2017

John Carlson: Bolos Are Ties That Bind

By: John Carlson— If it’s true, as some say, that you are what you wear, then at heart I am a square-dance caller. It’s not that I like square dancing. I don’t. Like most guys, when it comes to any form of dancing, if I were given the choice of doing that or pulling out my own toenails with pliers, I would really have to think about it. But I do have this odd fascination with bolo ties. Those ties…

Jon Vanator. Photo provided.

Health August 4, 2017

Jon Vanator Named Chief Financial Officer for IU Health East Central Region

By: Dawn Brand Fluhler— Muncie, IN –Jon Vanator has been named chief financial officer (CFO) for the IU Health East Central Region. A seasoned leader with a diverse range of experience in budget management and operational improvement, Jon will begin his work as CFO effective August 21. “We are excited to add Jon as a valued member of our leadership team,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bird, president, IU Health East Central Region. “The skills and experience that Jon brings to our team…

Earls of Leicester. Photo provided.

Entertainment August 3, 2017

Free Concert at Canan Commons to Feature “Earls of Leicester” on August 4th

By: Richard Zeigler— Muncie, IN— Celebrated bluegrass super group The Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas will be performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2017 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Friday, August 4th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Indianapolis’ Flatland Harmony Experiment will open the show. Jerry Douglas put the Earls of Leicester together in 2014 as a tribute to the…