Articles by Mike Rhodes

Transformation of Former Muncie Brownfield Sites Underway

By: Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance— Muncie, IN—The City of Muncie, Cardinal Greenways, INDOT and KPEP—the Kitselman Pure Energy Park—continue in cooperation to revitalize the former Indiana Steel and Wire and King Indiana Forge  brownfield factory areas on the east side of Muncie. “People traveling along East Jackson Street have noticed the early beginnings of the reconstruction efforts with the installation of construction fencing around Indiana Steel and Wire”, says Mayor Dennis Tyler.  “Soon, INDOT will be installing temporary signals…

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John Carlson: For the Love of Chickens

By: John Carlson— My wife has a recurrent dream. It’s about chickens. In this dream, Nancy actually owns chickens. Rather, we own chickens, an assortment of dutiful, fancifully feathered cluckers that reside out back. Sometimes she will go for eight or nine months without even mentioning chickens. But then, out of the blue, she’ll verbalize some crazy chicken pipe dream of hers that reminds me she hasn’t forgotten them and, indeed, remains in the throes of her chicken obsession. This…


First Merchants Corporation Announces Record 2nd Quarter 2017 Results

Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) reported record second quarter 2017 net income of $24.1 million, compared to $20 million during the second quarter of 2016. Earnings per share for the period totaled a record $.57 per share, an increase of $.08 per share, or 16.3 percent, over the same period in 2016. Year-to-date net income totaled a record $47.3 million, compared to $37.7 million during the same period in 2016. Earnings per share for the six months ended…


Hearts and Hands United To Hold 10th Annual “Tools for School” on July 29th

By: Kay Walker— Muncie, IN—On Saturday, July 29th, Hearts & Hands United will hold its annual Tools For School event. The event provides FREE school-supply filled backpacks and a new pair of shoes for Delaware County students from Pre-K through 12th grades. It is the hope of Hearts & Hands United that ALL children in Delaware County will begin school this fall confident and ready to learn. The event will take place at Delaware County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m.—2 p.m. with registration…


Summer Film School at Muncie Public Library

By: Rebecca Parker, Muncie Public Library Technology Coordinator— Muncie, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) offered its first-ever film school this summer, turning its Maring-Hunt Library Maker Space into a filmmaking center where six Muncie high school students spent an intensive two weeks learning to write, shoot, and edit video projects. In this project-based, hands-on learning opportunity, students were led through a variety of lessons and projects designed to help them develop telecommunications skills that are fundamental to filmmaking, but can also…


Tea and Talk at Minnetrista on August 9th

By: Sam Condon— Muncie, IN—Take a look back at how schools of Delaware County operated in the past along with your friends during Tea & Talk at Minnetrista: Top Marks, on Wednesday, August 9 from 3–4:30 p.m. “Our school days means so much to us that we tend to hold on to our report cards, yearbooks, and other memorabilia for as long as we can, then we try to find a good home for them,” said, Karen Vincent, Director of…


Pat Botts Named 2017 Recipient of The Community Foundation’s David Sursa Leadership Award

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has announced that Pat Botts has been awarded the 2017 David Sursa Leadership Award to recognize his dedicated service to Greater Muncie, IN Habitat for Humanity. Botts was nominated by Habitat for Humanity, where he served on the board from 2002 to 2016. Over the years he served as Chair, 1st Vice Chair, and 2nd Vice Chair. He also served on the…


PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union and Cornerstone Center for the Arts Wedding Showcase

By: Jessie Fisher— Muncie, IN—If you are planning a wedding in East Central Indiana, be sure to attend the 2017 PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union & Cornerstone Center for the Arts Wedding Showcase on Sunday, August 13. The event will be at Cornerstone in Downtown Muncie from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will highlight the area’s best wedding vendors. Mr. Mouse Catering and Sight & Sound Music Center present the Wedding Showcase with support from WLBC, WERK, Murray’s Jewelers, and…


Cardinal Greenways To Host 2nd Annual Bike Fest, July 28-30

By: Mary Tankersley— Muncie, IN – Cardinal Greenways will host its second annual Bike Fest fundraising event the weekend of July 28 – 30. Presented by Old National Bank, CG Bike Fest is a 3-day cycling event featuring cycling tours, demonstrations, activities, games, music, and food. The event is for everyone: cyclists, families, children, and supporters of Cardinal Greenways, all ages and abilities. Cardinal Greenways Bike Fest will kick off Friday, July 28 with a free, all-age community group ride at 5:30 p.m….


Thursday on the Quad With America’s Hometown Band, July 27th

By: Kathy Huggler— Muncie, IN—Thursday on the Quad with AHB is a FREE Concert Evening presented for the fun of it to the whole Delaware County community. Gather friends, family, and lawn chairs to enjoy this musical evening with the music-makers of Muncie’s very own America’s Hometown Band. The date is Thurs., July 27, 2017, and the location is outdoors at the Ball State Quadrangle, 2000 West between Riverside & University Avenues in Muncie, IN. Enjoy a mixed program of…