Articles by Mike Rhodes

Meet Mayor Dennis Tyler’s Nominees for MCS School Board

Education June 18, 2018

Meet Mayor Dennis Tyler’s Nominees for MCS School Board

By: Brittany Bales, Jason Donati, and Pastor Andre Mitchell— Editor’s note: In their own words, meet Mayor Dennis Tyler’s nominees for the MCS school board. Final candidates will be selected at the BSU Board of Trustee’s meeting on June 25, 2018.  The candidates below are listed in alphabetical order.    Meet Brittany Bales I believe MCS should focus on three main components: students and families, faculty and staff, and finances. I am not naive enough to believe that a financial deficit can be remedied over night just as I am well aware that deficit did not occur overnight. However, I…

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17th Annual ‘Serve Week’ Held at Union Chapel, June 18-22

Non-Profit June 18, 2018

17th Annual ‘Serve Week’ Held at Union Chapel, June 18-22

By: Jeff Hughes— Muncie, IN—Imagine the positive effect of over 450 children, youth and adults who live in Muncie, extending acts of kindness and love by serving residents and area non-profit agencies for one week at no charge. SERVE participants will rehab homes, pick up trash, visit nursing homes, paint local parks, cook and giveaway free food, host free block parties, assist non-profit agencies, and clean up and show care and concern for the city of Muncie by meeting practical needs. SERVE Week will take place at Union Chapel,  June 18-22. During “SERVE,” 262 local children and youth and more than…

New BBF Grants Promote Innovation in Healthcare Training and in Local Schools   

Non-Profit June 18, 2018

New BBF Grants Promote Innovation in Healthcare Training and in Local Schools   

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF) awarded more than $3.2 million in grants to over 30 organizations in its first grantmaking round of the year. The grants were approved during the foundation’s board meeting in May. The largest grant awarded by the foundation—a $1 million grant to Ivy Tech Community College—will support the transformation of Ivy Tech’s facilities in Muncie. BBF’s grant is specifically targeted toward renovations to the fourth floor of the Fisher building in downtown Muncie which will be home to the new “Ball Brothers Foundation School of Nursing.” Nursing students will benefit from state-of-the-art simulation…

What Does It Mean to be a Good Dad?

Education June 16, 2018

What Does It Mean to be a Good Dad?

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—Fathers today spend more time engaged with their children than ever before and that’s perfectly OK, says a researcher at Ball State University. Ball State’s Richard Petts, a sociology professor, and two researchers from Brigham Young University utilized a national sample of about 2,000 fathers with children ages 2-18 to understand the relationship between adherence to masculine norms, fathering attitudes, and father involvement. “Does Adherence to Masculine Norms Shape Fathering Behavior?” was recently published by the Journal of Marriage and Family.” “The new fatherhood ideal emphasizes the importance of being a nurturing, engaged father, and fathers…

‘Sephora Inside JCPenney’ Opens At Muncie Mall

Business June 15, 2018

‘Sephora Inside JCPenney’ Opens At Muncie Mall

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—At 9am on June 15th, Sephora Inside JCPenney opened at the Muncie Mall. JCPenney general manager Ebony Martin estimated 300-400 people were lined up to get inside for the 9am grand opening.  She said, “At Sephora our customers get to do four things: You touch. You try. You Play. You learn. When you come into our beauty studio, one of our product consultants will sit down with you and teach you things. Like skin care, fragrance, how to get that smokey-eye look. Those kinds of things. When you leave Sephora, you’ll leave with the tools you…

John Carlson: Off Into The Wild Blue…

Carlson June 15, 2018

John Carlson: Off Into The Wild Blue…

By: John Carlson— Why, yes! As a matter of fact, I do own an airplane! Sixty-seven years. My whole life. That’s how long I’ve waited to say that. Well, OK. Technically, it would be 67 years had I wanted an airplane the moment I popped from Mom’s womb and some doctor flipped me over to smack me on the butt. But I have waited a solid 52 years, since the day I took my first flying lesson as a kid. Also technically, six or seven years ago I bought a beautiful little ultralight airplane that had never flown, but I…

Whitinger & Company Names New Member/Owner At Annual Meeting

Business June 14, 2018

Whitinger & Company Names New Member/Owner At Annual Meeting

By: Sheena Peters— Muncie, IN– Regional public accounting and advisory firm, Whitinger & Company, is proud to announce the promotion of Ross Swallow, CPA to Member/Owner of the firm. Originally from Union City, Ohio, Ross received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Findlay with a double major in Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting with a Minor in Finance. He then completed a Master’s in Accounting from Ball State University. Ross specializes in tax consulting and compliance services for small businesses and individuals. He is also experienced in report services for the construction industry and retirement plans. Ross…

Muncie Civic Theatre Presents ‘The Little Mermaid’

Entertainment June 14, 2018

Muncie Civic Theatre Presents ‘The Little Mermaid’

By: Michelle Kinsey— Muncie, IN—Muncie Civic Theatre is going down under – the sea, that is — for its latest production. The historic downtown theatre is presenting Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” live on stage June 8-24. For tickets, call 288-PLAY or go to www.munciecivic.org. Watch the beloved animated classic come to life with your favorite characters, including Ariel, Ursula, Sebastian, and songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” “Little Mermaid” tells the fishy tail, er tale, of Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, who wishes to pursue the human, Prince Eric, in the world above. She bargains with…

First Merchants Muncie Participates in ‘Community Day’ At ARF

Business June 14, 2018

First Merchants Muncie Participates in ‘Community Day’ At ARF

By: Megan Jeffers— Muncie, IN—ARF is a local non-profit whose mission is to provide shelter, medical care, and love to abused, abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals until permanent homes can be found.  Through educational efforts, public awareness and community involvement, ARF seeks to eliminate euthanasia as a way of animal control, thereby creating a “no-kill” community in which both animals and humans benefit from the goodness of each other. The First Merchants Muncie Team recently participated in a Community Day at ARF. Participants included:  Jennifer Simison, Emily Huffer, Kelly Hampton, Dorene Hudson, Tracy Caban, Stacy Terhune, Shay Hines, Doug White,…

Ivy Tech Hosts Free STEM Camp for Girls, June 19-22

Education June 13, 2018

Ivy Tech Hosts Free STEM Camp for Girls, June 19-22

By: Mallory Steed— Muncie, Ind— Ivy Tech Community College is hosting a STEM Camp and spots are still available. This camp will provide middle and high school girls immersive learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. They will also focus on a number of different topics including everyday etiquette, making your dreams become a reality and effective communication skills.  This four day camp begins June 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 22. “We are looking forward to having fun and being able to show middle and high school girls about the expanding prospects for women in fields…