Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ball Brothers Foundation Marks 90 Years as a Community Catalyst

By: Jud Fisher— MUNCIE— With its centennial anniversary just a decade away, Ball Brothers Foundation continues to explore innovative ways of accomplishing its historic goals. “Ninety years later, our founders’ priorities are more relevant than ever,” says Jud Fisher, president and chief operating officer of the private Muncie-based philanthropy. “Our mission hasn’t changed, but the way we live it out continues to evolve.” That mission was established in 1926 when E.B. Ball—Fisher’s great-grandfather—created a trust of more than $3 million,…

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Proposals Accepted for the 2nd Annual Neighborhood I.D.E.A Conference

By: Mitch Isaacs—  Muncie IN—In March, 130 citizens gathered for the first Neighborhood I.D.E.A. Conference. The steering committee has now opened program proposals for the second conference, scheduled for March 4, 2017. “Through the IDEA conference, Muncie’s neighborhood associations have gained access to tools and resources to sustain effective, collaborative neighborhood networks and keep open the lines of communication between residents and city leadership,” said Aimee Fant, Muncie Action Plan coordinator. Heather Williams, program manager for Building Better Neighborhoods explained…


MutualBank Announces the Promotion of Melissa Morris

By: Jamie Faulkner— ALBANY, IN – MutualBank announces the promotion of Melissa Morris to Financial Center Manager and Administrative Officer. Melissa has been part of the MutualBank team more than 17 years, beginning as a teller, and was recently promoted from her role as Service Manager. In her new role, she will support the growth of the financial center and the development of existing and new bank relationships, whether lending, investment-related or otherwise. Melissa is an Albany native and a 2002…


ARF Seeking Director for Organization

By: Angie Sexton— The Animal Rescue Fund, Inc., (ARF) and Promoting Animal Wellness, Inc., (arf’s PAW) is seeking a mission-driven director to actively promote and manage the organization. PAW is a new professional shelter medicine program of animal wellness providing vaccination and other medical procedures to low income residents, staffed by a veterinarian that graduated from Purdue. The director is expected to focus on fund development and public outreach as well as supervisory authority over several managers. QUALIFICATIONS College degree…


DWNTWN’s “Meet the Originals” Campaign Launches

Downtown Muncie’s Newest Campaign Says ‘Thank You’ to Those Who Live, Work, and Play Here MUNCIE, Ind. – Meet the Originals is the latest campaign from DWNTWN Muncie and Muncie Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP). The campaign aims to instill pride in those who live, work, and play in the area. Every day, unique and diverse people, ‘Originals,’ contribute to the success of the area by creating a special culture and a welcoming environment. They do this by supporting one another, whether…


Elm Street Brewing Company Grand Opening to Take Place November 18th

By: Eric Jones— The tasting room at Elm Street Brewing Company will open its doors to the public on Friday, 11/18/2016. The brewery is located in the historic Muncie Ice and Coal Building located at 519 North Elm Street in Muncie, Indiana. Like the mighty Elm, Muncie, Indiana has a strong and storied history. Our city has been home to the world’s finest craftsmen, manufacturing many of the automotive industry’s legendary components. Elm Street Brewing Company beers are developed in…


“Giving Tuesday” Supports YMCA’s Apple Tree Kindergarten Readiness Program

By: Kristen McConnell— Muncie, IN—The YMCA of Muncie joins the Global #GivingTuesday Movement and pledges to raise awareness and funds to support Apple Tree YMCA’s Kindergarten Readiness Program The YMCA of Muncie has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Apple Tree YMCA’s early education program provides matching funds to allow underserved youth in our community the opportunity to become kindergarten ready. Occurring…


Boys and Girls Club of Muncie to Host “Great Futures” Recognition Luncheon

By: Micah Maxell— Lunch to recognize youth, volunteers and supporters of the organization MUNCIE, IN—The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie will soon be hosting its annual Great Futures Recognition Luncheon, which highlights the impact of afterschool programs in Muncie, Indiana. The event will host 300 attendees, feature speaker Coach Mike Neu from Ball State Football, and present their annual awards. Thursday, December 8, 2016 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Boys & Girls Club of Muncie, Gymnasium 1710 S. Madison Street,…


New Southside Muncie Sports Development Groundbreaking Held at Ross Community Center

By: Jacqueline Hanoman— Muncie, IN— Ross Community Center entered a new phase of its development today, when it broke ground on the construction of new sports facilities on six acres it purchased earlier this year of the former Chevy property in the Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood of Muncie. The new sports development will include high quality youth baseball and softball fields, and other recreational facilities to engage youth, families and persons of all ages of the surrounding communities. The project hopes to engage…


John Carlson: It’s a Day to Honor Veterans

By: John Carlson— They lie row after row under grave markers in cemeteries like Beech Grove. Others are scattered among countless small burial grounds across the country, are laid to rest in solemn American cemeteries abroad, or lie by untold thousands at a sacred place called Arlington. America’s military veterans. But far less obvious are the living ones, folks we see on our streets, in bars and church pews, at ballgames, grocery stores, schools, factories and in numberless homes. They…