Articles by Mike Rhodes

A Piper Mirage preparing for passenger boarding at Muncie Aviation Company. Photo provided.

Business February 4, 2017

A Big Year for Muncie Aviation: 2016 in Review

By: Elizabeth Allenbaugh— Muncie, IN— 2016 was a year of substantial success for Muncie Aviation Company, an aircraft sales and service company that will celebrate its 85th anniversary this year. Overall, the company grossed more than $77 million in 2016 in aircraft sales, maintenance, fuel services, avionics, and parts sales. The Muncie Aviation facilities were expanded when construction was completed in 2016 on a new $1 million, multi-level hanger that houses aircraft detailing services and the Muncie Aviation employee fitness…

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Alumnus Jim Davis delivered his first public lecture Oct. 3 in Sursa Hall, sharing insights from his near-40 year career as an animator. Davis has centered his business, Paws, Inc., in east central Indiana, making it easy for him to maintain strong ties with Ball State. Photo by: Ball State Photo Services

Education February 4, 2017

Cartoonist Jim Davis to Discuss “The Business of Garfield” and Teach Art Classes at Ball State

By: Gail Werner—  MUNCIE, Ind. – Alumnus Jim Davis returns to the Ball State University campus this semester with more lessons from his life as creator of America’s favorite cartoon cat. He’ll discuss “The Business of Garfield” at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 in Sursa Hall. The event is free and open to the public. The lecture is a continuation of Davis’s ongoing relationship with the university. The 1967 graduate made his teaching debut at Ball State this academic year, speaking…

Movie tickets lead to Oscar statuettes. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson February 3, 2017

John Carlson: Great Flicks? Here Ya Go!

By: John Carlson— Academy Awards time, also known as Oscar Night, is nearing, so I decided to offer my thoughts on movies. Of the Best Picture nominees, Nan and I have seen two, “Manchester by the Sea” and “La La Land.” Both of us loved the former, but were divided on the latter. Oddly enough, I liked it more than she did, even though it is full of girly stuff like romance, joyful music and happy dancing. Why did I…

Licensed by graphicstock.

Non-Profit February 3, 2017

Local Tri Kappa Chapter Announces 2017 Impact Grant Opportunities

Muncie, IN—The Delta Phi Chapter of Kappa, Kappa, Kappa, Inc., is accepting applications for the 2017 Impact Grant, which will award up to $10,000 to a local nonprofit organization. Tri Kappa is also accepting applications for its annual charitable grants, which award multiple Delaware County nonprofit organizations grants in the amount of $250-$1,000. “Tri Kappa is proud to be a catalyst for positive change in our community,” said Angie Rapp, chapter president. “Whether it’s through service projects or grants, the…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health February 2, 2017

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Receives Bronze Recognition in the American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index

By: Dawn Brand Fluher— Muncie, Ind.—Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital recently received the 2016 bronze level recognition in the American Heart Association’s inaugural results of the Workplace Health Achievement Index , a science-based and evidence-informed measurement that assesses and recognizes workplace health programs. Initiated by the AHA’s CEO Roundtable, the Index provides employers with best practices to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of workplace health programs. “We are honored to have achieved the bronze recognition in workplace health from…

Ice League girls huddle. Photo provided.

Non-Profit February 2, 2017

ICE League Draft Day Kicks Off on Saturday

Muncie, IN—The 2017 season of Project Leadership’s ICE League will officially get underway Saturday February 4th with a Draft Day for middle school athletes at Muncie Central High School. The Inner City Educational (ICE) League, in its third season, is an innovative initiative that motivates participants to be strong student athletes as they move toward high school and post-secondary educations. The ICE League ties in closely with Project Leadership’s mission to assist local students to and through college. Project Leadership programming,…

Jongil Ma, The Shifting: Loving, 2017

Entertainment February 1, 2017

Owsley Museum Kicks Off Spring Semester With Global Contemporary Art Exhibition

By: Gail Werner— MUNCIE, Ind. — A major exhibition of global contemporary art featuring the work of three international artists opened this month at Ball State’s David Owsley Museum of Art. “SHIFT: Jongil Ma, Christopher Smith, Corban Walker,” explores how people see and experience space and time as well as physical and emotional realities. The exhibit runs through May 7, with music, lectures, and special events throughout the semester. Guest curator Lisa Banner, an art historian and visiting professor at the…

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a Rock Musical will take place February 25th. Photo provided.

Entertainment February 1, 2017

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” Rock Musical Presented by Cornerstone on Feb 25th

By: Jessie Irwin— Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts is excited to present a rock musical like no other, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, on Saturday, February 25 at 9:30 p.m. The show will be at The Mark III Tap Room, 306 S Walnut St. in Downtown Muncie. The event is a fundraiser for Cornerstone’s low-cost quality arts programming for youth and adults. Additional support for the event comes from the Mark III Taproom and Wagglebottoms Kennel & Cattery. Admission…

Chocolate Celebration, Muncie’s first chocolate fundraiser. Photo licensed by graphicstock.

Non-Profit February 1, 2017

Muncie’s First Chocolate Fundraiser to Be Held on Friday

By: Karen McTague— Muncie, IN—Chocolate Celebration, Muncie’s first chocolate fundraiser, will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, at Second Harvest Food Bank. (6621 N. Old Ind. 3.) Sponsored by Morrison Woods, 15 vendors will provide chocolate items to purchase with tickets: 2 for $5 and 5 for $10. Food court lunch items will also be available for purchase. Also, prizes will be given for Judges’ Choice,  People’s Choice and Best Table Display. Admission is free! Participating…

AT&T Fiber Ready announcement at the Horizon Convention Center. Photo provided.

Business January 31, 2017

Four Delaware County Business Parks Certified as AT&T Fiber Ready; Locations Are First Designations for County

By: Traci Lutton— MUNCIE, IND —Joined by local elected officials and business leaders today, AT&T and the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance announced that four Delaware County business parks– three in Muncie and one in Yorktown – have been certified as being AT&T Fiber Ready.  This marks the first time in Indiana that four Fiber Ready locations have been announced at once, and the facilities are the first designations for the county. Listen to the press conference below, recorded by:…