Articles by Mike Rhodes

Youth Opportunity Center TRU Harbor Program Receives Prevent Child Abuse Award

By: Richard Crist— Muncie, IN—The Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) was honored recently for their commitment to child abuse prevention in East Central Indiana. Dr. Katrina Mallory and Assistant Director, Lindsay Price of YOC’s TRU Harbor program received the Certificate of Appreciation award presented by Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) of Delaware County on April 5, 2018, at Muncie City Hall. Each year Delaware County PCA sponsors a Candlelight Vigil to recognize the success of this county’s interventions to help children and their families and to honor those children who have died as a result of abuse and neglect. Awards were given…

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AAF ECI Holds 2018 American Advertising Awards

By: The American Advertising Federation of East Central Indiana— Muncie, IN—The American Advertising Federation of East Central Indiana (AAF ECI) held its annual awards gala, the American Advertising Awards (ADDYs), on March 2, 2018. The gala honored advertising and creative excellence and was held at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Ind. (See category winners below.) This year’s entries included local and regional television spots, as well as digital and print entries created in 2017 by advertising agencies, businesses, individuals and Ball State University students in East Central Indiana. Winners were chosen by a panel of regional advertising professionals, based on…


“Peter and the Starcatcher” At Muncie Civic Theatre

By: Michelle Kinsey— Adventure awaits. “Peter and the Starcatcher” is setting sail this week at Muncie Civic Theatre. This prequel to “Peter Pan” promises swashbuckling stories of adventure, heroes, villains, and quests for treasure. A wildly theatrical adaptation of humor columnist Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novel, “Peter and the Starcatcher” upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). The high-seas hijinks find Peter and his mysterious new friend, Molly, overcoming bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a magical secret safe and…


Delphi Opera House Recalls Its History With New Exhibit Created By Ball State Students

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, IN—A group of Ball State University students are working to bring the history of the Delphi Opera House and the Indiana community that surrounds it to life with the creation of an exhibit at the 153-year-old facility. The students created this space by working with historical artifacts found at the site, providing context through historical research and writing, and filming interviews to display within the museum space. The exhibition is being produced by Ball State students through the public history practicum course, under the direction of professor Ronald V. Morris. The public history practicum is a…


Coldwell Banker Lunsford Announces 2017 Sales Award Recipients

By: April Lemen— Muncie, IN – Mike Lunsford, President and Susan Miller, VP of Sales, from Coldwell Banker Lunsford awarded the following agents with national designations: Coldwell Banker Lunsford as an office was awarded the International President’s Circle Office, one of the highest honors given to Coldwell Banker® Offices. Steve Slavin & Ryan Kramer led the local market in sales and units. Steve Slavin, who sold over $20M in total volume & Ryan Kramer, who sold 166 total units, both earned membership in the company’s International President’s Premier. This award represents the top one percent of all sales associates /…


Ball State Students Bring Dance Education to Muncie Community Schools

By: Jillian Wilschke— Muncie, IN — One week it might be salsa, the next it could be jazz, but youngsters at local elementary schools are learning about the art of dancing, thanks to the efforts of students like Ball State University’s Ella Donovan. “My favorite part about the project are moments during class when a child genuinely is excited about what we are learning,” said Donovan, a dance major from Crested Butte, Colorado. “That is when the little ones begin smiling uncontrollably during a free dance activity.” Led by Melanie Swihart, program director and Department of Theatre and Dance lecturer and dance…


Ivy Tech is Redefining Muncie’s Downtown

By: Jennifer S. Gasiorek— Muncie, IN—The Ivy Tech Community College campus in Muncie revealed their building plans at a special unveiling this week.  The event was held at the Patterson building.  Construction plans include renovating the Fisher building’s basement, first and fourth floor, renovating the Cowan Road campus, and building a new building at the Old Star Press Locations. A dynamic renewal of the Muncie campus downtown and at Ivy Tech’s Cowan Road location is aligned with the needs of the community and is an investment in the future of Muncie and Delaware County. Ivy Tech Muncie’s plans to re-envision its…


John Carlson: Twitchy-Nosed Babies

By: John Carlson— Ever notice how we humans under-appreciate rats? Consider Pizza Rat. Remember him? He was the rat purposefully navigating steps into the New York City subway system on YouTube a while back, hauling home a pristine slice of carry-out pizza. Talk about can-do spirit! That was a rat for whom Make America Great Again was a commitment, not some hackneyed political slogan. We could learn a lot from a rat like that. Then there were the rats recently featured on my favorite television show, “CBS Sunday Morning.” The segment discussed how smart rats are. So, how smart are…


Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Hosts Open House to Celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week

By: Brandon Coppernoll— Muncie, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie invites you to join them as they celebrate their 85th Anniversary in the Muncie Community. In honor of this achievement, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie will host a public open house on Wednesday, April 11, 5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the South Madison location (1710 South Madison St.). In addition to tours of the facilities, guest will hear from this year’s Youth of the Year and vote on their favorite art project created by Club kids. Each vote will be a $1 donation to the Club….


Visit Your Local Library During National Library Week

By:  Susan Fisher, Muncie Public Library— Muncie, IN—It’s official! Mayor Dennis Tyler issued a proclamation to announce April 8-14, 2018 as National Library Week and presented the proclamation to MPL Director, Akilah Nosakhere and MPL Assistant Director, Beth Kroehler during a brief ceremony this week at City Hall. Muncie Public Library (MPL) invites the public to explore, discover, imagine, and create by visiting any of its four branches during National Library Week for special open house events. “Each branch will showcase what makes them unique,” said Nosakhere.  The events will feature tours, hands-on technology demonstrations, photo opportunities, genealogy research help,…