Articles by Mike Rhodes

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Non-Profit January 15, 2018

On My Way Pre-K Program Celebrates Early Victories

By: Carrie Bale, Executive Director, Muncie & Delaware County BY5— Free Pre-School Opportunities Still Available Muncie, IN— On My Way Pre-K, Indiana’s state-wide initiative providing eligible 4-year-olds free pre-school in select counties, has found recent success in Delaware County. The program was initiated by Governor Holcomb and is administered by the Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning. Ten counties were chosen for a recent expansion of the program, which had a soft…

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Non-Profit January 15, 2018

Muncie Mission Opens Men’s Transitional House

By: Frank Baldwin— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Mission has opened a transitional house for men who have graduated from the recovery program and entered into their new transitional program. While living in this home, or one of the other 7 units available, men will be employed or be enrolled in full time education and attend 3 classes a week; working towards emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health. Classes are taught in collaboration with local businesses and community organizations. “We were seeing…

First Merchants Corporation

Business January 14, 2018

Forbes Ranks First Merchants as Top-Five U.S. Bank for 2018

Muncie-based company recognized for growth, profitability and asset quality Muncie, Ind. – Forbes has released its 2018 list of “America’s Best Banks,” and one of Indiana’s legacy financial institutions has reason to celebrate. First Merchants Bank – the largest financial services holding company in Central Indiana and second largest in the state – sits fourth in the annual ranking of the country’s 100 largest banks, ahead of peers like JPMorgan Chase, Fifth Third Bancorp and Citigroup. “This is a momentous…

Nothing’s prettier than a plump, tasty chicken gizzard. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson January 12, 2018

John Carlson: In Praise of Chicken Gizzards

By: John Carlson— Every now and then I get an overpowering urge to eat a food so deliciously down-home and wholesome, I just have to go out and chomp some. By that, of course, I mean chicken gizzards. No, no. Not livers. Can’t say I’ve ever been much of a chicken livers fan, though I know perfectly respectable people who love them, including some of America’s glitziest food junkies. But as with any dish, I always ask myself a simple…

Mike Rhodes, Publisher & Managing Editor, MuncieJournal.com Photo by: It's a selfie!

Business January 12, 2018

Would Your Club or Organization Like to Learn More About Muncie Journal?

By: Mike Rhodes, Publisher and Managing Editor— This morning, I received an inquiry to speak to a local business group about the Muncie Journal. I was thankful for the invitation and relished the opportunity to talk more about the Muncie Journal project. Muncie Journal is my passion and I’m proud of what we do here on behalf of Muncie and Delaware County. From time-to-time I get the opportunity to present to local groups, but I have not really extended an…

James Mitchell, president of the Board of Directors is pictured speaking at last year's Great Futures luncheon. Photo provided.

Non-Profit January 11, 2018

Reserve Your Seat for Boys and Girls Club of Muncie “Great Futures” Luncheon

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—Two of Muncie’s most committed youth service organizations are taking collaboration a step further by permanently combining their missions, staffs and governing boards. Join the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie on Jan. 25 for a Great Futures Luncheon celebrating the merger with the Roy C. Buley Center. Meet young people from each agency, including the 2017 Youth of the Year. Come hear about how BGCM has expanded from one site to four locations throughout Muncie,…

The Charles W. Brown Planetarium

Entertainment January 11, 2018

Free Programs At BSU’s Charles W. Brown Planetarium

By: Dayna Thompson, Assistant Planetarium Director— (January through April 2018 programs) One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure Produced by the Adler Planetarium Saturdays – Jan. 20, 27; Feb. 3 @ 5:00 PM One World, One Sky is a brilliant spectacle of light and color that follows Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a new friend from China. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon,…

Muncie artist Dan Wright on the set of "Paint By Monster." Photo provided

Business January 10, 2018

Muncie Artist and Animator Dan Wright Wants You to “Go Make Some Art!”

By: Shawn Rogers— Muncie, IN—A ukulele plays and a furry, blue monster hand comes on-screen and paints the words Paint By Monster and then, the monster himself greets us: “Hello everyone and welcome to Paint By Monster with me, your host, Easel Monster!” And with that, we are in the studio of a monster artist. Paint By Monster is a YouTube show about Art and being an artist, and is the creation of local artist Dan Wright, who, at 51 years…

Ball Brothers Foundation's board includes 3rd and 4th generation family members as well as non-family community members. This photo was taken in May 2017 in Muncie and included board members, BBF staff, and Associate Directors (next generation Ball family members who were learning more about BBF.) Photo provided

Non-Profit January 9, 2018

Ball Brothers Foundation 2017 Year In Review

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—With the start of the new year, Ball Brothers Foundation is looking back to 2017 highlights. During the 2017 year, BBF made a record $7.3 million in grants to non-profit organizations in Muncie, Delaware County, East Central Indiana, and Indiana. Early Childhood Providers Convening In early 2017, BBF convened a group of nearly 20 early childhood providers to gain first-hand perspectives on their needs. Early Childhood Education has been a funding interest of BBF for nearly…

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awards grants in the areas of in the areas of arts and culture, community betterment, economic development, education, and human services to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County.

Non-Profit January 9, 2018

Over $1 Million Granted By Community Foundation in 2017

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, IN—The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that $1,007,759 was granted to deserving non-profit organizations through the quarterly competitive grants process in 2017. Grants are awarded that address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County in the areas of arts and culture, community betterment, economic development, education, and human services. The Community Foundation received more than $2.1 million in requests this year. A committee of 12 volunteers reviews each application and makes grant recommendations…