Articles by Mike Rhodes

Dr. Kendal Baker and the Emergency Department team review trauma patient care. Photo courtesy of IU Health/Ball Memorial Hospital.

Health June 26, 2017

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards $500,000 to Strengthen Medical Education in Muncie

By: Jud Fisher— Muncie, IN—A series of grants totaling $500,000 is helping to reshape how future doctors are trained in Muncie. BBF awarded grants for the effort to four partnering institutions: IU School of Medicine-Muncie, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Foundation, Ball State University, and Meridian Health Services. The grants were developed jointly as a collaboration between the various organizations under the project title “Optimus Primary.” “Outside of Indianapolis, Muncie’s physician training program is the largest in the state of…

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(L-R) Kevin Nemyer is pictured with Brett Rinker, CEO of Thrive Credit Union. Photo provided.

Business June 26, 2017

Thrive Credit Union Recognizes Kevin Nemyer with Community Leader Award

By: Brittani Richards— Muncie, IN – One of the main values that Thrive Credit Union lives by is “community.” That is why the credit union began looking to recognize leaders in Delaware County who are helping the community “thrive” with the Thrive Community Leader Award. The first Thrive Community Leader Award was presented to Kevin Nemyer on Wednesday, June 21st. Nemyer is assistant director of the City of Muncie’s Community Development Department. Nemyer was nominated and selected for being an outstanding…

Photo provided.

Entertainment June 26, 2017

Celebrate Independence Day With Summer Stage Fest: America’s Hometown Band

By: Sam Condon— Muncie, IN—Celebrate Independence Day with Minnetrista this Fourth of July with Summer Stage Fest: America’s Hometown Band. Come early at 5:30pm to enjoy your favorite food vendors, music, and friendly competitions that are fun for the whole family. Then, stay for live music by America’s Hometown Band at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk. Make your Fourth of July memorable with Summer Stage Fest: America’s Hometown Band of Tuesday, July 4. For more information on this and…

Yippee! A culinary miracle is at hand! Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson June 24, 2017

John Carlson: Zap Some Happiness

By: John Carlson— With the recent ringing of our front door bell I found my dear friend Jimmy Hayes standing on my porch, tears of joy splashing from his eyes and a package in his hands giving off an angelic, heavenly light. Now, if I may digress a moment, for years I’ve heard folks credit Martin Luther with saying beer is proof God loves us. Ben Franklin, in turn, has been credited with saying wine is proof God loves us….

The NEA grant will provide for an artist in residence program. By: graphicstock

Government, Non-Profit June 23, 2017

City of Muncie Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant

By: Sherri Contos— Muncie, IN—The National Endowment for the Arts has announced its second round of funding for FY 2017 and the NEA Chairman has approved the City of Muncie for a grant in the amount of $50,000.  This grant will support an artist in residence program, where the City of Muncie will partner with the Muncie Arts and Culture Council to provide visiting artists with a temporary residence and gallery exhibition space, as well as facilitate access to studio…

Alex Huskey. File photo.

Education June 22, 2017

Ivy Tech Community College Names Alex D. Huskey as Chancellor of the Marion Campus

By: Shawn Carmichael— INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College has appointed Alex D. Huskey as Chancellor of the Marion Campus as part of the College’s new organizational structure. The new structure will better align with community needs 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 regional or bi-regional leadership, including the College’s East Central (Muncie, Anderson, Marion and Henry County campuses) and Richmond regions…

Volunteers from Lowe's have a brief meeting before starting their work on June 22nd at the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit June 22, 2017

Lowe’s Volunteers Spruce Up the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie

By: Mike Rhodes— Don’t you just love it when dozens of volunteers come to your house and donate their time to spruce it up? And bring their own equipment and materials with them? Wait, you mean that hasn’t happened to you? Well it has for the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie. And things are looking very good, indeed. For the last two days, dozens of volunteers from the Lowe’s Home Improvement Heroes project have donated time, materials and equipment to…

By: graphicstock

Education June 22, 2017

The Community Foundation Announces Additional 2017 Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the following scholars – Jonathan R. Serf, Jr. is the recipient of the Ollie Mae Hammond Scholarship. Serf, son of Jonathan and Faith Serf, is a senior at Muncie Central High School. He plans to attend Ball State University to study economics and political science. This scholarship, established by Martin and Helen Schwartz in memory of Ollie Mae Hammond, is awarded to a graduating student who is an active member of the youth group of Antioch Baptist Church…

United Way Day of Action. Photo provided.

Non-Profit June 21, 2017

United Way of Delaware County Announces 2017 Campaign Leadership Team

By: Juli Metzger— Fundraising to support 29 programs aimed at conquering generational poverty, illiteracy Muncie, IN – United Way of Delaware County (UWDC) announced its 2017 Campaign Leadership Team today, assembled to address the goal of conquering generational poverty in Muncie and Delaware County. Led by third-generation Chair Casey Stanley, the team will run a campaign that will ultimately support 29 local programs provided by 26 partner organizations aimed at collectively reducing youth illiteracy, with a specific target of bringing all third…

Photo by: Tracy Dishman

Non-Profit June 20, 2017

“Inside Out’s” Fresh Directions Hot Meals Program: Feeding Over 300 Children Every Day

By: Tracy Dishman— Muncie, IN—Going to the grocery, eating out at a local restaurant, or grabbing a snack from the cabinet…it’s just something we do. We all have this in common. We eat food. In tough times, keeping the kitchen stocked with food can be a challenge. It’s a challenge that folks right here in our community are living with. Delaware County is number one in the State of Indiana for food insecure and vulnerable children. One out of every…