Articles by Mike Rhodes

The Fresh Thyme Farmers Market in Fishers. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business December 29, 2016

Muncie Journal’s Most Viewed Stories of 2016

By: Mike Rhodes— Economic development activity in Delaware County topped Muncie Journal’s most viewed stories list for 2016. The announcement of an upcoming Fresh Thyme Farmers Market on McGalliard topped the list with over 12,300 story views in 24 hours—a pretty good showing for a hyper-local publication that only covers content from Delaware County. You’ll find the rest of our most viewed stories below. You can click on any story headline to review the initial story and the date it was published. Here’s…

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Apple Tree YMCA Child Development Center on Chadam Lane in Muncie.

Business December 28, 2016

Apple Tree YMCA Wins Energy Grant

INDIANAPOLIS, IN— The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) today announced the three winners of the Community Conservation Challenge (CCC) grants. The grantees will share more than $170,000 to help support their unique, Hoosier-based community energy conservation projects. The CCC program offers financial assistance to non-residential entities for projects that reduce an organization’s energy consumption or generates energy from renewable sources. By diversifying energy sources and reducing energy consumption, grantees may reduce their exposure to fueling price shocks and improve…

TFS pre-service teachers and students at the Apple Tree Learning & Development Center, Muncie. Photo provided.

Education December 27, 2016

Pre-service teachers are “Training Future Scientists” at Buley Center and Apple Tree

By: Erin Moore— Ball State assistant professor of biology Dr. Rona Robinson-Hill and her pre-service science teachers are wrapping up their third semester of the “Training Future Scientists” (TFS) program at Muncie’s Roy C. Buley Center and the YMCA of Muncie’s Apple Tree Child Development Center. The TFS program, which engages K-5 students in after-school programs in “hands-on, minds-on” science activities, was developed by Dr. Hill to provide supplementary science instruction and increase diversity in the science field, while giving…

Robert P. Bell Education Grants Awarded

Non-Profit December 26, 2016

Teachers Awarded Funding for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

By: Kallie Sulanke— Local teachers will receive $5,371 in Robert P. Bell Education Grants from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. More than 1,000 students will benefit in this second grant cycle of the academic year. Awards of up to $450 are available through the Bell Grants program. Funded projects are creative or innovative ideas or programs designed to stimulate learning in students. Delaware County teachers may apply throughout the year during the four grant cycles. This summer, The…

Holiday Deals and Finds from the Muncie Journal.

Business December 26, 2016

Holiday Gift Ideas From Area Businesses

By: Mike Rhodes— Need some after Christmas ideas from area businesses that can save you money?  Maybe you received some extra money as a Christmas gift. Maybe you just want to get out of the house on New Year’s Eve.  Here are two businesses that have products/offerings you may not know about. Check out the stories and links below for some ideas and deals on items you or your special someone are sure to love. You’ll see pictures and pricing for Grains &…

Being Santa isn’t a job to be taken lightly. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson December 23, 2016

John Carlson: Santa Gig is an Eye-Opener

By: John Carlson— Frankly, I’m usually not too enthusiastic a Christmas celebrant, though occasionally I do miss being Santa Claus. What? Me? Santa Claus? Oh yeah, baby, I was the Big Guy once, way back when my previous employer drafted me to be Jolly Old St. Nick for the company Christmas party. Now, I’d like to think they picked me for my overriding holiday spirit of love and compassion, but it probably had more to do with my pear-shaped physique….

Grant Check presentation photo, L to R: Joe Mansfield, Ass't Manager; Jeff Dayton, Store Manager; Drew Napier, Co-Manager, Mark Kreps and Richard Green members of the Garden Committee of the E 16th St. Church of God. Photo by: Tiffany Melton Whiles, (member of E 16th St Church of God and employee of Walmart)

Non-Profit December 23, 2016

Muncie Walmart South Invests in Community Gardening

By: Mark Kreps— The  East 16th St. Church of God Community Garden, located at 2605 E. 16th St. in Muncie, IN  recently received a $500 Community Grant from the Walmart Community Grants Team in Muncie in support of their wellness initiatives for feeding those in need  throughout  Delaware County and the surrounding community. Hunger and families going without nutritious food is on the rise worldwide, and is a serious problem in the United States and a growing epidemic in Delaware…

Officer Quintin Cooper is pictured delivering Christmas gifts to local children, Thursday afternoon. Officer Cooper used play football for the Ball State Cardinals. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government, Positivity December 22, 2016

Muncie Police Department Delivers 3,000 Gifts Donated by the Indiana Pacers To Local Kids

By: Mike Rhodes— Since last Friday, the Muncie Police Department has been randomly showing up at homes across town with Santa Claus to deliver Christmas presents to local children. This afternoon, I had the opportunity to ride along with four officers, and investigators for a while as they delivered presents to the kids. This afternoon, presents were being delivered to children from the Muncie Boys & Girls Club, but a variety of kids are receiving gifts from MPD. The toys were donated by the…

Some of Santa's helpers preparing food at last year's Christmas Breakfast at the Harvest Soup Kitchen. Photo provided.

Non-Profit December 21, 2016

Christmas Breakfast To Be Held at the Harvest Soup Kitchen

By: Lois Altman— On Christmas morning there will be a Christmas Breakfast at the Harvest Soup Kitchen that is open to all.   We have many volunteers ready to help prepare and serve the meal and many generous people who have donated food for the breakfast. The menu will be:   Egg Bake, Ham, Fried Potatoes, Fresh Fruit, Holiday Breads and plenty of Hot Coffee and Homemade Cocoa. All are welcome to dine between 9:30 and 11:00AM. The Harvest Soup Kitchen is…

Ball Associates Building Mural at 222 S. Mulberry Street. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit December 21, 2016

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards Rapid Grants

By: Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, In—Over twenty local organizations have benefitted from Ball Brothers Foundation Rapid Grants during the second half of the year. A number of these Rapid Grants have been specifically designated to support visioning, marketing, and branding efforts that will help nonprofits plan for the future and better tell their stories of impact in the community. “The importance of strategic planning cannot be overstated,” stated BBF’s President and COO Jud Fisher upon reflecting on the recent grants. “Organizations…