Articles by Mike Rhodes

First Merchants Corporation

Business November 2, 2016

First Merchants Corporation Announces Record Third Quarter 2016 Results

Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) reported record third quarter 2016 net income of $21.1 million, compared to $17.1 million during the third quarter of 2015. Earnings per share for the period totaled a record $.51 per share, an increase of $.06 per share, or 13.3 percent, over the same period in 2015. Year-to-date net income totaled a record $58.8 million, compared to $51.2 million during the same period in 2015. Earnings per share for the nine months ended…

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Andrew Schultz, Flightless Slumber, 2016.

Entertainment November 2, 2016

First Thursday Opening Reception for Desperately Seeking Charles

By: Braydee Euliss— Muncie, IN—Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company will celebrate First Thursday, November 3 from 5 – 8 pm with an opening reception for Desperately Seeking Charles, a small group exhibit featuring current work from five Ball State University’s MFA Glass candidates with a wide range of glass forming techniques represented. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend. Desperately Seeking Charles features a collection of 3-D work in which each artist individually interprets the material…

Kennedy Library. Photo by: Susan Fisher

Non-Profit November 1, 2016

Hoosiers: The Story of Indiana to be Shown at Kennedy Library

By: Raven Brooks— In honor of Indiana’s Bicentennial year, Muncie Public Library is hosting a screening of Hoosiers: The Story of Indiana: The Next Indiana on Wednesday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Kennedy Library. A panel discussion, What’s Next for the City of Muncie? will follow the documentary. Nancy Carlson, Delaware County’s Bicentennial chairperson and associate professor of Telecommunications at Ball State University will serve as moderator. Panel members and the organization they represent include: Ginny Nilles, Muncie Public…

Madjax, located at Madison and Jackson streets in downtown Muncie.

Non-Profit October 31, 2016

Muncie Arts and Culture Council Partners with Madjax to Expand Opportunities for Local Arts Community

MUNCIE, Ind.—Madjax and Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MACC) have signed an agreement to operate MACC arts programs within the Madjax facility. These programs will include curation of the facility’s art gallery space and programming. Additionally, artist memberships to the studio, shared working spaces, and workshop spaces will be available in the makerspace. Michael Wolfe, President of Sustainable Muncie, says, “We are very excited to partner with MACC on this initiative, which is really about being a liaison with the…

"This Old Barn." Polaroid SX-70 camera hand-altered to achieve a impressionist appearance. Art by: T.L. Farris

Entertainment October 31, 2016

T.L. Farris Had Unique Art Photo “This Old Barn” on Exhibit During Pendleton Artists Society Show

Muncie, IN – Muncie, Indiana-based artist/sculptor Thomas L. Farris had a fine art photograph in the Pendleton Artists Society’s “Celebrate Indiana” show, displayed at the 119 Gallery in downtown Pendleton, Indiana. Farris’s work in the show, “This Old Barn,” was a 19” x 18” framed photo of an old weathered wooden barn in Wayne County, IN. The unique image was shot with a Polaroid SX-70 camera and hand-altered to achieve a impressionist appearance. The Pendleton Artists Society “Celebrate Indiana” show featured work by…

A fake hummingbird flies from some ragged-looking zinnias. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson October 30, 2016

John Carlson: Uh-Oh, Winter’s On The Way Again

By: John Carlson— One thing you don’t consider when you plant a “birds, bees and butterflies” garden as a joyful harbinger of spring and summer is, you’re also planting a sobering harbinger of fall and winter. Yeah, winter. This depressing thought struck me the other evening while sitting on my back deck. I was already in a dour mood, having spotted a fat house fly desperately dog-paddling to stay afloat in my wine glass, tainting what I’d just poured from…

The line right before the 4pm opening of Trunk-or-Treat at Heekin Park. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit October 29, 2016

Photos and Video: Boys and Girls Club Hosts “Trunk-Or-Treat” at Heekin Park

By: Mike Rhodes— MUNCIE, IN— The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie hosted the annual Trunk-or-Treat and Fall Festival at Heekin Park on Friday, October 28th.   Local businesses and organizations lined Heekin Park in Muncie to hand out candy and goodies as kids and families walked through the park dressed in costumes. Trunk-or-Treat was scheduled to begin at 4pm, and before the official start time, the line to get in was roughly 600 feet long.  Once opened, the line moved quickly as children and…

Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce 122nd Annual Meeting. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business October 28, 2016

Chamber Recognizes Business Leaders At 122nd Annual Dinner

MUNCIE, IN – The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held its 122nd Annual Meeting: A dinner, silent auction and awards program on October 27, 2016 with over 300 business and community leaders in attendance. The event, held at Horizon Convention Center, is the Chamber’s annual meeting and awards event. Chamber Board Chairman John Littler led the report to members on the accomplishments of the prior year. The Chamber presented the Spirit of Small Business Award to Chris Piche ( pronounced…

The Southside Middle School SWAGGER Recovery Team was recognized at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce 122nd Annual Meeting for their Outstanding Contributions to Education.

Education October 28, 2016

Southside Middle School SWAGGER Recovery Team Recognized by the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Contributions to Education

Muncie, IN— The Southside Middle School SWAGGER Recovery Team was recognized at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce 122nd Annual Meeting for their Outstanding Contributions to Education. The purpose of this award is to recognize a teacher, administrator, organization, or company that has made significant contribution to education or workforce development in Muncie and Delaware County. “Students Who Achieve Good Grades Earn Respect.” The Southside Middle School “Students Who Achieve Good Grades Earn Respect” known as SWAGGER Recovery Team, led…

Ron Orebaugh, 2016 winner of the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award.

Non-Profit October 28, 2016

Ball Brothers Foundation Recognizes Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District with $10,000 Fisher Governance Award

MUNCIE—Ball Brothers Foundation has selected Ron Orebaugh, board chairman of Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District (DCSWCD), as the 2016 winner of the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award. The award was presented at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s dinner on October 27. The annual award recognizes the outstanding service of a board member to a Delaware County nonprofit organization. The winner is selected from nominations submitted to Ball Brothers Foundation. Orebaugh has dedicated his life…