Articles by Mike Rhodes

Cargo pants are only good for hauling cargo. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson October 6, 2017

John Carlson: These Pants Gotta Go

By: John Carlson— Ever have something you’ve anxiously waited years for, and then when you finally get it, it breaks your heart? Welcome to my cargo pants. Walking through Walmart two years ago, I spotted these neatly folded khaki Wranglers. On the tag, some rugged individualist like Brett Favre was throwing a football and looking like a real stud muffin in the process. The price was right, too. Even more to the point, they had so many pockets! These were…

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The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts a routine, scheduled transit through the Suez Canal. This is the boat Chief Petty Officer Bryan Ellis is on. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Casey S. Trietsch/Released)

Government, Positivity October 5, 2017

Muncie Native Bryan Ellis Earns Coveted Title of Navy Chief Petty Officer

By: Navy Office of Community Outreach— Millington, TN – Navy Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Bryan Ellis from Muncie, Indiana, was recently promoted to chief petty officer, an accomplishment that only one in five eligible sailors achieve each year. Chief Ellis, a 1987 Wes-Del High School graduate, is currently serving aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. “Being selected for chief petty officer means everything,” said Ellis. “The only goal I have set for myself was to become a chief. I also understand…

Works of art previously available at the YART sale during a past year's ArtsWalk. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Entertainment, Non-Profit October 5, 2017

Your Guide to ArtsWalk 2017 in Downtown Muncie

By: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— Muncie, IN—Muncie Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP), in partnership with Muncie Arts and Culture Council and Ball State University’s School of Fine Art and School of Music, present ArtsWalk 2017. ArtsWalk will be held in the streets of DWNTWN Muncie on Oct. 5 from 5 – 9 p.m. Please join us for an exceptional evening of art, food and performances. In addition to the well-established DWNTWN “First Thursday” art gallery openings, Ball State students and faculty…

MutualBank branch. File photo

Business October 5, 2017

MutualFirst Financial, Inc. and Universal Bancorp Announce Merger Agreement

By: Dave Heeter, President and CEO of MutualFirst—  Combination Expands MutualFirst’s Presence into Central and Southern Indiana Creates Community Bank with $2 Billion of Assets  Muncie, IN – MutualFirst Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: MFSF) (“MutualFirst”) and Universal Bancorp (“Universal”) have announced  that they have entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which Universal will be merged into MutualFirst, with MutualFirst being the surviving entity. Upon the closing of the transaction, BloomBank, the wholly owned bank subsidiary of Universal, will…

Recent graduates of the Erskine Green Training Institute. Pictured L-R: Joshua Tank and Robert Peckinpaugh. Photos provided.

Government October 5, 2017

U.S. Department of Labor Recognizes “National Disability Employment Awareness Month”

By: Bennett Gamble–  Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month throughout October. The Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) previously announced the month-long theme is “Inclusion Drives Innovation.”  “This October, we celebrate the contributions and achievements of Americans with disabilities as part of the American workforce,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “We are reminded that the role of Americans with disabilities is not defined by what they cannot do,…

Free admission day for seniors on October 18th. Photo provided.

Entertainment October 5, 2017

Minnetrista To Hold Free Admission Day for Seniors on October 18th

By: Sam Condon— Explore Minnetrista’s Rich History this Fall during Senior Free-Admission Day: The Orchard Shop & Cider Room  Muncie, IN—Seniors, experience a behind-the-scenes look at apple cider pressing at Minnetrista during Senior Free-Admission Day: The Orchard Shop & Cider Room, on October 18. “Learn how Minnetrista’s apple cider is being made this fall,” said Discovery and Engagement Manager, Ashley Mann. “Tours will include history on apples, an up-close view of our working cider press, and conclude with Minnetrista cider…

Photo by: Robbie Mehling

Non-Profit October 4, 2017

Muncie’s Bridge Dinner Attracts Over 500 Attendees

By: Erin Moore, Ball State Office of Community Engagement— Muncie, IN—If you happened to drive by the Washington Street Bridge last Thursday evening, you saw a sight that was just a dream a few months ago – tables and chairs spanning the length of the bridge under a perfect autumn sky, colored lights, jazz music, food, laughter, and tons of Muncie love. Video produced by: Higher Aerial Photography and Guardian Brewery Our community’s first Bridge Dinner brought together more than 500…

The offices of Woof Boom Radio located at 800 E. 29th Street in Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business October 4, 2017

Woof Boom Radio Grows With the Addition of WKHL-FM, West Lafayette, IN

Muncie, IN—Announcing the acquisition of WKHL 106.7 FM, West Lafayette, Woof Boom Radio continues its mission to build out great locally managed and owned radio stations. Woof Boom Radio began with a vision of great radio that focuses on service to the local community. Woof Boom, with this newest addition, becomes a station group operating in three markets in Indiana and Ohio. Pending FCC approval, Educational Media Foundation (EMF) will sell WKHL FM, West Lafayette to Woof Boom Radio. The…

Sharon Grubbs with a Petal it Forward bouquet. 900 bouquets will be given away Wednesday October 11th. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Positivity October 4, 2017

“Petal It Forward” with Flowers on October 11th

By: Cameron Grubbs— Muncie, IN —Foister’s Flowers and Gifts will be hitting the streets of Muncie and Yorktown on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 handing out 900 flowers to residents to help brighten up their week, as part of the Petal It Forward program, in partnership with the Society of American Florists (SAF), of which Foister’s Flowers & Gifts is a member. Foister’s will be participating in the Petal It Forward program for the second year in a row. Petal It Forward is in response…

Cabbage is pictured growing in Ivy Tech's new "Gardens of Ivy." Photo provided.

Education October 3, 2017

Ivy Tech Community College “Gardens of Ivy” Ribbon Cutting Slated for Oct. 4th

By: Jennifer Gaslorek— Muncie, Ind. – A ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Muncie Chamber of Commerce will be at Ivy Tech Community College East Central Region’s Gardens of Ivy.  The ribbon cutting will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, to celebrate the first harvest. This raised bed garden located at the Muncie Cowan Road Campus was designed and constructed by students in the Agriculture, Design, Building Technology, and Welding Programs. The community garden provides fresh vegetables and herbs,…