Articles by Mike Rhodes

Maggie was a loving dog with beautiful ears. Photo by: John Gordon Carlson

Carlson September 30, 2016

John Carlson: Saying Good-Bye to a Best Friend

By: John Carlson— One recent weekend, Nan and I traveled down to Nashville, Tenn., visiting our son and daughter-in-law. Normally these visits follow a standard script, involving some great dining and plenty of laughs. This visit was far more subdued, however, as the day before Johnny and Stephanie had been forced to put down their beautiful dog, Maggie, she of the angelic white coat and the splotchy brown ears. The whole way down I thought about fatherly things to say…

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The DANNAR Mobile Power Station® visited Wright-Patterson AFB on Sept. 26 to introduce several Air Force officials to its power and utility. Photo provided.

Business September 29, 2016

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Introduced to DANNAR Mobile Power Station®

MUNCIE, IN – In its ongoing effort to demonstrate its multi-function versatility and unprecedented power capacity, the DANNAR Mobile Power Station® (MPS) visited Wright- Patterson Air Force Base this week to introduce the MPS to additional U.S. Air Force officials. High ranking members from the Office of the Technical Director, HQ Air Force Materiel Command, Advanced Power Technology Office (APTO), Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), 200th Redhorse Squadron and 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron gathered to test drive the MPS. “The…

Mary Lou Gentis sets up supplies for "Color Me Calm," an adult coloring program. Photo by: Raven Brooks

Non-Profit September 28, 2016

Discover the Calming Effects of Coloring at Muncie Public Library

By: Raven Brooks— Muncie, IN—Adult coloring is a hot trend with new coloring books designed especially for adults popping up at bookstores, craft stores, and online. Libraries across the country are following the trend by adding adult coloring to their list of programs. Muncie Public Library is among those offering adults the opportunity to discover the calming effects of coloring. Web Junction, an online resource for information, says that coloring is one of the easiest, most affordable, and least stressful programs…

Financial education program to launch in October. Photo provided.

Non-Profit September 28, 2016

Boys & Girls Club Hosts Financial Literacy Workshop for Teens

MUNCIE, IN—During a full-day workshop, teens will participate in a financial literacy program called Money Matters. The Money Matters program was created by Boys & Girls Clubs of America to provide behavior-changing financial education to help teens get on the path toward budgeting, saving, planning for college and financial freedom. MutualBank has partnered with Boys & Girls Club as the program sponsor to help cover costs and present the workshop free of charge to local teens. The program is scheduled…

Scott McKee, Photo provided.

Business September 27, 2016

First Merchants Names Scott McKee to Lead Muncie-East Region

Muncie, IN— First Merchants Bank, a subsidiary of First Merchants Corporation, is pleased to announce Scott McKee has been named regional president for the Muncie/East region. A native of Chesterton, Ind., McKee received a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance from Ball State University and a master’s degree from Butler University. With more than 25 years in the banking industry, McKee has focused on working capital, equipment and real estate financing. “Scott’s experience and expertise will serve him well in his…

The Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Endowed Chair in Ball State’s Department of Telecommunications, Vanessa Ament, gives a presentation on what a Foley artist does, in this 2015 photo by Phil Bremen.

Education September 26, 2016

Movie Sound Specialists’ First U.S. Gathering to Be at Ball State

By: Phil Bremen— When the international soundtrack festival and conference Cinesonika makes its first appearance in the United States, it will be at Ball State University. The fifth annual gathering to celebrate music and sound design in motion pictures will be Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 on the Muncie campus. In the past it has been held in Vancouver, Canada, and in Northern Ireland. “Making movies is about more than scripting, acting and cinematography,” said Vanessa Ament, the Edmund F….

Coffee and Paints at Cornerstone. Photo provided.

Entertainment, Non-Profit September 25, 2016

Cornerstone’s Upcoming Fall Workshops

By: Jessie Irwin— Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts is offering a variety of workshops this fall. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a few hours of creativity, fun and community. These workshops are affordable, one-time commitments. Areas of interest include: visual arts and Muncie’s history. Kids and Paints is an opportunity to get creative with your children. Parents can create their own art or observe their child’s artistic skills. This workshop will be at 6 p.m. September 23…

A dynamic haircut makes the man. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson September 22, 2016

John Carlson: Snazzy Haircut Spurs “Oohs”

By: John Carlson— As a fashionable person who hates being stuck in a proverbial “rut,” I try to change up my hair style every 50 years or so. The last time was Wednesday. So I walk into this shop called Shaggy and Sheek and explain what I want to my sexy little barber, Alex (Vital note: That’s Alex as in Alexandra Gluschenko). Soon she is clipping hairs and rubbing nice stuff on my head, while I sit there purring like…

Non-Profit September 20, 2016

Ball Brothers Foundation Supports Red Cross Disaster Relief

MUNCIE, In—Following significant tornado and storm damage in the Kokomo, Indiana area, Ball Brothers Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross. The emergency grant will support the organization’s work to provide disaster relief. “The Red Cross plays a critical role in helping to meet the basic needs of individuals and families affected by disasters. Given the severity of recent storms, Ball Brothers Foundation wanted to do our part to support previous, current,…