Articles by Mike Rhodes

Five Delaware County Nonprofits Receive Grant Funding From Community Foundation

Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc., awarded $68,500 to five nonprofit organizations during the last Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2016. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services, economic…

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Al Holdren’s “Secret Families Christmas Charity” to Take Place December 3rd.

By: Al Holdren — Muncie, IN—In December of 2004, Chris (my wife) and I decided to not buy presents for each other for Christmas and use the money to provide a family in need with a tree and presents for the holiday. The story begins with two tables setup in the garage, Chris and my two daughters, Katie and Maddie, a few Santa hats and some wrapping paper and bows. As the presents were being wrapped, my brother-in law, arriving…


John Carlson: What I learned at McDonald’s

By: John Carlson– Millennials don’t eat Big Macs. Disturbing news of this cultural disconnection came via The Wall Street Journal not long ago. When I was a high school kid earning $1.05 an hour working at my hometown McDonald’s, I’d have given anything for a Big Mac, but we had only hamburgers, cheeseburgers and fish sandwiches to choose from. Life was very bleak back then. Now, young people are too busy munching their fancy-schmancy McGriddles, McMuffins and Chicken McNuggets to…


Muncie Business Leaders Named to Indiana Chamber Board

Indianapolis, IN — Two Muncie-area business leaders, Casey Stanley and Mike Stewart, have been named to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, effective immediately. Stanley is vice president of product management and marketing for Ontario Systems in Muncie; Stewart is executive vice president and chief banking officer for First Merchants Bank, which is headquartered in Muncie and has operations throughout the state. They are among the more than 100 Indiana Chamber board members who are presidents, CEOs and high-level executives…


Everything for Your Photo Enthusiast at Jacks Camera Shop

By: Mike Rhodes— Did you know that one of Indiana’s most prestigious and renowned camera stores is located in downtown Muncie? Jacks Camera Shop is located at 300 E. Main Street, and has an extensive line of cameras, flash units, camera accessories, picture frames, lighting gear, camera bags, tripods/mounts, DSLR/smartphone microphones, SD cards, used photo equipment and more. Take a look at some of their used equipment and pricing in the photos below. Any of the products below would make great gifts or stocking…


Grains & Grill…A Destination Restaurant Worth the Short Trip to Fairmount

By: Mike Rhodes— If you are looking for a destination restaurant, instead of heading south to Indy, why not try going a few miles north instead? Try heading to Grains & Grill in Fairmount, IN. They have a well deserved reputation for having very good food. Joanie and Barry Howard are the owners. Kevin Grider is the chef, and he has a knack for coming up with extremely unique touches and flavor combinations that make Grains & Grill a highly…


RACER Trust Sells Property in Muncie, IN to M&M Bus Co., Inc.

MUNCIE, Ind. — RACER Trust has sold approximately 1.2 acres of a 66.5-acre industrial property in Muncie to M&M Bus Co., Inc., a local school bus contractor that has leased the paved lot for bus parking since 1988. The lot is located at the intersection of South Elliott and West 7th streets, directly east of the main portion of the RACER Trust property. In January 2016, RACER Trust completed the sale of approximately six acres on the south side of West 8th…


The Muncie Symphony Orchestra Presents a Holiday Tradition on December 3rd

By: Jennifer Johnson— Celebrate the holiday season with The Muncie Symphony Orchestra!  Join the MSO and guests for the annual Fisher | Shafer Holiday Pops concert this Saturday, December 3, at 4 p.m. This performance takes place in Emens Auditorium on the Ball State University campus. Youth tickets (K-12) are just $5 and adult single tickets start at $25.  Contact the Emens/Sursa Box Office at 765.285.1539 or visit munciesymphony.org “Our annual Holiday Pops show is a Muncie tradition. The internationally-known…


Holiday Muncie Makers Market at Light Up Dwntwn

By: Moth Danner– Muncie, Indiana –The Holiday Muncie Makers Market is coming to Light Up Dwntwn! Our local artisans will stock this festive gift market during the 2016 Tree Lighting Ceremony at Canan Commons, on Walnut at the Roundabout in Downtown Muncie, Indiana, on Thursday, December 1st, from 5-8pm. This fun annual family event features Santa Claus, children’s activities, music, and the Holiday Muncie Makers Market in a heated tent full of an amazing array of art and gifts! This community…


Muncie Innovation Connector Recognizes Entrepreneurs and Innovators at Excellence in Innovation Awards

Muncie, IN – Muncie Innovation Connector recently hosted the second annual Excellence in Innovation Awards at the Horizon Convention Center. This celebration recognized leaders in business innovation including those who are well established and others who are emerging. Ted Baker, Executive Director of the Innovation Connector, served as the evening’s emcee. Karl LaPan, President & CEO of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center in Fort Wayne, was the evening’s keynote speaker. His presentation was entitled, Innovation is a Messy Business. Awards…