Articles by Mike Rhodes

ecoREHAB Executive Director Craig Graybeal introduces Ball State students to Muncie native, Norma Ruttan, who purchased the nonprofit’s latest rehabilitated home. The students—a mix of public relations, marketing, and advertising majors—are helping ecoREHAB increase the impact of its neighborhood revitalization efforts. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 20, 2017

ecoREHAB Builds Community, One House at a Time

By: Shannon Greeley— Retired school teacher Norma Ruttan thought she might never leave her mobile home. But in January, the Muncie native moved into her “dream house” doors down from her son in the Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood. Her inviting, energy-efficient home had been a vacant, dangerous eyesore. In January 2014, the city condemned the 10th Street property after its owner was arrested for allegedly cooking methamphetamines. Vapors from production of the synthetic stimulant lingered in its air vents, saturated the…

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Shannon Linker. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 20, 2017

MACC and BSU School of Art Partner on Professional Development Artist Series

Brings Indy-based Shannon Linker of Arts Council of Indianapolis to Muncie By: Braydee Euliss — Muncie, IN—Muncie Arts and Culture Council and Ball State University School of Art have partnered to present a series of professional development talks and workshops for artists throughout 2017.  The second event in the series brings Shannon Linker, Vice President and Director of Gallery 924 for the Arts Council of Indianapolis, to Muncie Maker Lab in Downtown Muncie Thursday, March 23rd from 7 – 9…

A scene from the Harvest Soup Kitchen's “Summer Fun Fest” held last year. File photo.

Non-Profit March 20, 2017

Harvest Soup Kitchen Annual Dinner & Auction Saturday, March 25th

By: Matt Howell— Join us for a delicious meal with friends in support of the Harvest Soup Kitchen. The Harvest Soup Kitchen will have their Annual Dinner and Live Fundraising Auction on Saturday, March 25th from 6-9pm at the Knights of Columbus in Muncie. The evening will include: Live Cake Auction Live Art Auction Cheer Raffle  & Door Prizes Tickets are $25 or $200 for an 8-person table. Tickets are available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harvest-soup-kitchen-annual-dinner-auction-tickets-30258590258 Help us continue serving all who are hungry, with…

Finalists for the Altrusa Club of Muncie 4th Grade Essay Contest. Photo provided.

Education March 20, 2017

Altrusa Club Celebrates 30 Years of Essay Contest

By: Ashlee Bane—  Altrusa International of Muncie, Indiana, Inc. recently celebrated 30 years of their annual 4th Grade Essay Contest. Each year, 4th grade classes throughout Delaware County are invited to participate in the contest by having students answer the question ”What would my world be like without books?” The six finalists of the 30th anniversary contest include Charles Isaacs, Burris Laboratory; Gavin Case, East Washington Academy; Lenox York, Grissom Elementary; Quentin McNeill, Mitchell Elementary; Gaia Townsend, West View Elementary;…

By: Graphicstock

Education March 20, 2017

Muncie Free Teacher Store Joins KINF Network

By: Stacy Wheeler— Muncie, IN— The Kids In Need Foundation, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing free school supplies to economically disadvantaged school children and under-funded teachers, announced it has added the local Muncie non-profit, the Back To School Teachers Store, to its national network of free teacher stores. Now networked with 40 independently operated free teacher stores in the U.S.A., The Back To School Teachers Store will be able to provide greater resources to Muncie and East Central Indiana. Inclusion in the national network…

1st Annual Muncie Journal.com Virtual Home Show. Illustration by: Mike Rhodes

Virtual Home Show March 18, 2017

The 1st Annual Muncie Journal Virtual Home Show is Now Open!

MuncieJournal.com is proud to bring you our very 1st Annual Virtual Home Show! The last physical home show exhibit in Delaware County took place in 2013. In order to fill this gap, the Muncie Journal is hosting an online virtual home show. And THIS page is where you enter to visit the virtual home show. No tickets needed. No cost at all to view this content. Available 24/7 on your PC, tablet or smartphone. Below you will find local businesses sharing their Spring stories, products,…

What ruins a fun day at the beach? Sharks! Professional graphic by: John Carlson

Carlson March 17, 2017

John Carlson: Shark Phobia Isn’t Fishy

By: John Carlson— Our annual vacation to the Gulf of Mexico is coming up, so naturally I’m getting a trifle twitchy. You see, the gulf has – there’s no easy way to put this  – sharks. I never used to think much about sharks before we started vacationing on beaches adjoining large bodies of salt water. My standard joke was I wouldn’t bother them in the ocean if they didn’t bother me while driving through Clancy’s Car Wash. This always…

The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held their seventh annual Chamber Champions Awards Program. Photo by: Johnnie Shelton

Business March 16, 2017

Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Business Champions

By: Jay Julian— The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held their seventh annual Chamber Champions Awards Program today at the Horizon Convention Center. Over two hundred people were on-hand to recognize the Ambassador of the Year, Al Rent Spirit of Muncie Award recipient, business longevity award recipients and the annual Chairman’s Award recipient. Melody Scoble, who works for Westminster Village Muncie, was named Ambassador of the Year from the Chamber’s Ambassador Group of volunteers. The Al Rent Spirit of Muncie Award…

Sister Bear visits Minnetrista to donate a set of Berenstain Bears books to their Little Free Library for Library Lovers Month in February. PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union is introducing The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program on April 1 with an Open House at their Bethel Branch. Photo provided.

Entertainment March 16, 2017

The Berenstain Bears Come to Muncie

By: Carol Bradshaw— Muncie, IN—PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union is teaming up with the beloved Berenstain Bears to teach children the responsible money management concept Save, Share, Spend, Earn. PrimeTrust is an official sponsor of The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program, a youth education and outreach program created in response to the growing need for financial literacy. This partnership means young members of PrimeTrust will be exposed to money management in a fun, engaging way. Moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and…

The Charles W. Brown Planetarium. Photo provided.

Entertainment March 16, 2017

The Muncie Symphony Orchestra Presents: “Coming to a Solar System Near You!”

By: Jennifer Johnson— Muncie, IN—Join the Muncie Symphony Orchestra for a fun afternoon of musical entertainment at the Charles W. Brown Planetarium this Saturday, March 18 at 2:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. Special offer: FREE Youth (K-12) ticket with purchase of an Adult/Senior ticket. Adult/Senior Ticket $25 in advance/$30 at the door.  BSU student tickets w/ID $10 in advance/ $15 at the door.  For tickets call 285.5531 or purchase online at www.munciesymphony.org Members of the Muncie Symphony will perform selections…